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Hong Kong adds mega events to boost tourism

Xinhua) 09:16, May 22, 2024

HONG KONG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday said that Hong Kong will host over 210 mega events in 2024, up from the 150 initially planned early this year, hoping to attract an estimated 1.7 million tourists.

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that these tourists are expected to spend around 7.2 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 923 million U.S. dollars).

Hosting mega events have paid off economically, he said, noting that tourist visits to Hong Kong in the first four months doubled the figure a year ago to 14.62 million.

The mega events slated for the second half of 2024 include conferences and exhibitions, cultural and art events, sport games, as well as activities related to sci-tech innovation, Michael Wong, deputy financial secretary of the HKSAR government, said at a press conference.

Wong said the HKSAR government will continue working to set the stage for business opportunities for various industries in Hong Kong to seize and monetize.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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People mourn victims of the helicopter crash near Varzaqan County, in Tehran, Iran, on May 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

People in Tehran on Tuesday attended, in large numbers, a farewell ceremony held for Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi, late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others after their bodies were transferred from the northwestern city of Tabriz to the capital city.

The ceremony took place at Imam Khomeini's Mosalla. Earlier in the day, similar ceremonies were held in the northwestern city of Tabriz and the central province of Qom, where people bid their farewells.

The funeral and commemoration ceremonies for Raisi and his entourage will be held on Wednesday in Tehran.

The late president's body will be laid to rest in the holy shrine of Imam Reza.

Iran's official news agency IRNA confirmed on Monday the deaths of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, senior Shia cleric Mohammad-Ali Ale-Hasehem, and others after their helicopter crashed in Varzaqan County in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.
Incarcerated for 11 months, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Parvez Elahi was released from Kot Lakhpat jail on Tuesday night after the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted him bail and ordered his release in a case pertaining to an alleged illegal appointment made in the Punjab Assembly during his stint as chief minister, Dawn reported. Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmed accepted Elahi's bail petition on Tuesday and ordered his release, the report said, adding that the court said the case against Elahi called for further investigation into his guilt and his bail petition was thus being allowed, with bail set at PKR 500,000 with two sureties each in the like amount. Dawn reported further, citing Elahi's lawyer Amir Saeed Rawn, that the PTI leader had reached the Zahoor Elahi Palace. Elahi was moved to Kot Lakhpat jail earlier this month. Following the release, Elahi said he was grateful to God for exonerating him and granting him the strength to remain steadfast. "I am grateful to the judges who supported the truth and I was released. I am grateful to all those who prayed for me and supported me in this difficult time. The people of Gujarat suffered a lot of abuse and cruelty. Even our mandate was stolen in Gujarat," he posted on X. The PTI leader also ruled out any talks with his cousin, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid chief Chaudhry Shujaat, and his children until "the return of our mandate". He alleged that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had "played the most important role" in getting him arrested. "I was, am and will remain with Imran Khan," he said. Former federal minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry termed Elahi's release a "breath of fresh air". Dawn reported that Elahi was initially arrested in the case of recruitment to the Punjab Assembly on June 3 last year. The case pertained to the illegal recruitments of 12 Grade 17 officers in the provincial assembly, with Elahi being accused of getting the results of the testing service changed to select the candidates of his choice, according to Dawn. He was then arrested on September 18 in the case of allegedly illegally appointing Bhatti, following which a Lahore court sent him on judicial remand. In October, a Lahore district and sessions court granted police Elahi's two-day physical remand in the case. Days later, the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment informed the court that it had allegedly recovered PKR 4.1 million from the ex-CM's house in the case, Dawn reported. The next month, a judicial magistrate discharged Bhatti in the case but he remained in jail as he was on judicial remand in other corruption cases. Later in the same month, Elahi was denied bail in the case. (ANI)
In perhaps the first acknowledgement of its kind on a global forum that the "new India is a dangerous entity", Pakistan's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram said, invoking the alleged targeted and extra-judicial assassinations in his homeland and elsewhere. Pakistan's permanent representative at the world body also quoted from a report in a leading US daily to say the "new India comes into your home and kills you". Addressing the General Assembly on May 2, Akram said, "Pakistan's foreign minister informed the Security Council, as well as the secretary general and the president of the General Assembly of India's campaign of targeted assassinations in Pakistan. This extra-territorial state terrorism is not limited to Pakistan. It has been extended to targeted killings of political opponents in Canada and attempted in the United States and probably in other countries." "The Washington Post reported that Prime Minister Modi last week told his cheering supporters, and I quote, "Today, even India's enemies know this is Modi. This is the new India. This new India comes into your home and kills you". This new India is a dangerous entity, it is a net provider of insecurity, not security," Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN alleged. Earlier, top British daily, The Guardian, claimed in a report that the Indian government carried out assassinations of wanted individuals deep inside Pakistan as part of a "wider strategy to eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil". It said, citing intelligence sources, that targeted assassinations increased significantly in 2023, claiming India's involvement in the suspected deaths of about 15 people, "most of whom were shot at close range by unknown gunmen". Earlier, some countries in the West raised concerns over what they claimed were targeted killings on their soil at the behest of the Indian government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused 'agents' allegedly in the employ of the Indian government of killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader and a designated terrorist by the country's elite National Investigation Agency (NIA), in 2020. However, India has dismissed the claim as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Nijjar was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. A purported video clip of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March, this year, showing Nijjar being shot by armed men in what was alleged to be a 'contract killing'. In a recent development in the Nijjar case, the Canadian Police arrested four Indian nationals for their alleged involvement in the killing of the separatist Khalistani leader outside a gurudwara in British Columbia last June. Reacting to the arrests, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar denied receiving any evidence implicating Indian nationals' involvement in the killing in Canada of the India-designated terrorist. Responding to media queries, Jaishankar said, "I also read that another arrest has been made. If that person is an Indian national, then usually by consular practice, you inform the government or the embassy of the country of origin. But beyond that, we have long maintained that if anything, any event in Canada, any violence in Canada, has any evidence or information which is relevant to be investigated in India, we are open to investigating it." He emphasised that while any Indian national's arrest would usually prompt notification to the government or embassy, no specific evidence justifying investigation by Indian agencies has been received to date. "But to date, we have never received anything, which is specific and worthy of being pursued by our investigative agencies. And I'm not aware anything has changed in the last few days in that regard," the External Affairs Minister said at a media interaction at a seminar on Indian Capital Markets 'Roadmap for Viksit Bharat' at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai earlier. At a weekly media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), too, informed that Canada had not formally conveyed the arrests and India had not yet received any consular access request. On being asked about the fourth Indian arrested by Canada in connection with the Nijjar killing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen reports of the fourth person being arrested. We have not been formally conveyed of it. So far, we have not received any consular access request as well." Earlier, campaigning for the ongoing general elections in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a telling remark vis-a-vis its western neighbour, saying India does not send dossiers on terrorism anymore but eliminates terrorists in their own backyard. "Today, India doesn't send dossiers. Aaj Bharat ghar mein ghus ke marta hai (Today India strikes back at terrorists on their own turf)," PM Modi said at a poll rally in Maharashtra's Latur. Expanding on the difference in how his government tackles terrorism as compared to previous Congress regimes at the Centre, Prime Minister Modi said the earlier approach of handing dossiers to Pakistan has been replaced by taking out the wanted terror conspirators on their own turf. At a separate rally, PM Modi doubled down on remarks made by the INDIA bloc leader Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan was not wearing bangles and was a nuclear-amed nation, saying, "Pakistan ne choodiyan nahi pehni hain, are bhai pehna denge" (I was told Pakistanis don't even have bangles, we will make them wear some)". Addressing a public meeting in Muzaffarpur, PM Modi said, "These (Congress and INDIA alliance) people are so afraid that they see Pakistan's atom bombs even in their dreams. Can such a government and leader run the country? They (INDI alliance leaders) say, 'Pakistan ne choodiyan nahi pehni hain, are bhai pehna denge. Ab unko aata bhi chahiye, unke pass bijli bhi nahi hai, ab humein maloom nahi ki unke pass choodiyan bhi nahi hai'. (i am told Pakistanis don't even have bangles...we will make them wear some. They are desperately crying out for wheat, they don't have electricity and now they don't even have bangles to wear.) Some leaders in the Opposition are even giving clean chits to the 26/11 accused." "Some people are doubting the surgical strikes and air strikes (after the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks). These leaders want to weaken the morale of our forces and cast aspersions on our nuclear power. It seems like 'INDI alliance ne India ke khilaf supari le li hai' (INDI partners have taken out a contract against the country)," PM Modi added. In the US, federal prosecutors earlier alleged the involvement of two Indian nationals, including a government employee, in a plot to murder Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Canadian also holding American citizenship, on its soil. According to the indictment of the US Justice Department, an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, was charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed, recruited Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. India set up a high-level committee to probe the matter. (ANI)
A Member of Parliament (MP) from Bangladesh''s ruling party Awami League has allegedly gone missing in India since May 18, triggering a high-level search operation. Anwarul Azim, the allegedly missing MP, entered India on May 12 and was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up. According to a family friend in Kolkata''s Bidhannagar, the MP mentioned he would be travelling to Delhi, but there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13. Only mobile messages have been exchanged with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicating his intended journey to Delhi. Concerned by the lack of communication and his sudden alleged disappearance, the MP''s family friend, Gopal Viswas, who was informed by the MP''s daughter of her inability to contact her father, lodged a missing person complaint at the Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar. Kolkata. "On the morning of May 16, he (Anwarul Azim) called his assistant, but could not connect. Later, when his PA called him back, he did not answer," according to the complaint dated May 18, 2024. "His daughter called me (Viswas), and said, I can''t communicate with my father. Then I (Viswas) contacted all his (Anarul Azim''s) acquaintances on the phone, but it was not possible to contact him," it added. "I was then requested to come to Baranagar police station on May 18 to register the complaint in the missing diary," a copy of the complaint said. Indian authorities have launched an investigation, with efforts being coordinated by the High Commissioner in Delhi and the Bangladesh Consulate in Kolkata. However, they are yet to release an official statement regarding the MP''s alleged disappearance. "Family and friends of the MP have stated that his visit to India was primarily for medical purposes. They have formally informed the higher authorities in the Bangladesh Parliament and the High Commissioner, who are actively involved in the search operation," a Bangladeshi embassy official told ANI. As the investigation progresses, both Bangladeshi and Indian authorities are collaborating to uncover any leads and ensure the MP''s safe return. Further updates are anticipated as the situation unfolds. (ANI)
Thousands of predominantly young demonstrators encircled Taiwan's legislature late into Tuesday night, voicing their opposition to a move by opposition parties to subject the island's new leadership and its administration to heightened scrutiny from a parliament dominated by lawmakers favouring closer ties with China, CNN reported. The protests signal a tumultuous beginning to the presidency of Lai Ching-te, who assumed office on Monday after securing a historic third consecutive term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), known for advocating Taiwan's sovereignty and drawing Beijing's ire. The scenes underscore the hurdles faced by Lai's nascent administration in the absence of a parliamentary majority, with control now in the hands of two opposition groups, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), as reported by CNN. Demonstrators expressed outrage over what they perceive as an expedited attempt by the KMT and TPP to rush a bill through the legislature, granting sweeping powers to the parliament for enhanced oversight over the executive branch. Symbolising their dissent, some protesters carried sunflowers, reminiscent of the 2014 student-led protest movement when hundreds occupied the legislature for weeks, opposing the KMT's contentious trade deal with China. These protests played a pivotal role in the subsequent electoral defeat of the KMT, which has since failed to regain the presidency. The proposed legislation introduces a new criminal offence of "contempt of parliament," allowing fines or imprisonment for government officials, including the president, found making false statements to the legislature. Officials could also face penalties for refusing to answer questions, provide documents, or withhold information during hearings. Critics argue that these measures could compel officials to disclose sensitive information related to diplomacy and defence or risk criminal repercussions, potentially compromising national security. The DPP has accused the opposition of attempting to railroad the bill without adequate time for policy deliberations. Conversely, the KMT and TPP assert that the legislation is essential to enhance government accountability and combat corruption, citing similar checks and balances in other democracies worldwide. They accuse the DPP of spreading misinformation and stalling legislative progress. The deep political polarization manifested in a physical altercation on the parliamentary floor last Friday, with lawmakers engaging in a brawl, resulting in injuries and hospitalizations. As the parliament reconvened on Tuesday to discuss the bill, protesters congregated outside the Legislative Yuan, enduring heavy rain showers throughout the day. Many joined after completing their school and work obligations, with organizers estimating over 30,000 participants, as reported by CNN. Some protesters brandished signs denouncing the legislative process as a "black box" and demanding the withdrawal of the bill. Chants of "No discussions, no democracy!" echoed through the crowd. Ricky Li, a 28-year-old office worker, expressed concerns about the bill's vague language and lack of consultation. He fears potential abuses of power by legislators and worries about the lack of transparency surrounding the bill's drafting. Given the current cross-strait tensions and the recent change in government, Li emphasizes the gravity of the opposition's assault on Taiwan's democratic institutions and political stability. Discussions on the bill are slated to resume in the legislature on Friday. Meanwhile, Lai, a 64-year-old former doctor and vice president, assumed office alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, a former top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are staunchly opposed by Beijing for their advocacy of Taiwan's sovereignty. China's ruling Communist Party considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to reunify the island, by force if necessary, despite Taiwan's self-governance for decades, CNN reported. (ANI)
In collaboration with the Bihar Industries Association (BIA), the UAE-India CEPA Council held a business roundtable on Wednesday, where the discussions were held on opportunities for Bihar-based enterprises, especially in the agriculture and food processing sectors, leveraging the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The event was moderated by Krishna Prakashsingh Keshri, President of the BIA and Director of Amrapali Foods, whereas, Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UICC, participated at the event was a keynote speaker, providing participants with an overview of the vast export opportunities available to businesses in Bihar, the UAE-India CEPA council said in an official release. The collaboration will not only leverage the benefits of CEPA but also throw light on UAE's position as a "global trading hub" for key agricultural commodities. At the roundtable, Aljneibi highlighted the rapid growth in agricultural exports from India to the UAE over recent years. In 2021-22, India's total export of agricultural and allied commodities to the UAE was USD 2.62 billion, an increase of 35 per cent over the previous fiscal year. "Sustainable agriculture and food security are priorities under the UAE-India CEPA, driving initiatives for agricultural innovation and cooperation. The increase in both agricultural exports and investments have been critical to the UAE's emergence as India's second-largest export destination, third-largest trading partner, and fourth-largest investor," he said, according to the release. Following his remarks, Aljneibi led a discussion on a report recently commissioned by the UICC, entitled "The UAE and Opportunities for Bihar's Agriculture Sector", where he highlighted the potential for agricultural exports from Bihar to the UAE and assessed the current market demand, and the legal requirements to help create new export opportunities. The event concluded with an open discussion on the opportunities to increase engagement between the UAE, and businesses and exporters from Bihar, and on key measures undertaken to ease regulatory obstacles for importers and exporters. "In this regard, the combined efforts undertaken by the UAE and Indian governments under the CEPA to facilitate trade, boost innovation and investment, simplify regulations and policies, and eliminate or reduce tariffs were discussed," the release stated. "It was highlighted that these measures have been critical to supporting the bilateral partnership, with total trade between the UAE and India reaching unprecedented heights, totalling approximately USD 85 billion in 2022-23," it added. The CEPA stands as a cornerstone of the enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between the UAE and India. The UICC is dedicated to fostering open dialogue, facilitating tangible cooperation, and accelerating trade ties between UAE and Indian businesses to cultivate mutual growth and prosperity. (ANI)
Assembly members of the Khaplu Valley in the Ghanche district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) recently expressed their concerns at a conference on the ongoing water crisis in the area. The people residing in the region continue to face severe shortages of safe drinking water, especially during peak tourism season. The area is commonly known for its glacial streams and lakes, but despite all this, the residents face water scarcity due to the unavailability of a proper water supply system in the area. At the conference that took place recently, one of the assembly members flagged that solarization was the only solution, but the project had not been completed due to tenders not being passed by the local administration. "This water issue is rising in Khaplu with each passing day. It is a big issue for residents as the flow of tourists is also increasing. In hotels, there is no drinking water and there are many other issues due to poor water supply. A tender should be issued again for solarization, lifting and the work to be done in the Ghanche stream. Work should be started immediately. Or else the scheme will have to be revised. And we all know that government has no money," the member said. Notably, the residents of the Khaplu Valley are deprived of basic amenities like water due to lack of water supply lines. This has also taken a toll on the region's economy as with tourism being a major source of the earnings of people residing in the region, water supply becomes even more crucial, not only for the survival of the families but also to ensure that the businesses and the local economy thrive as well. Residents of PoGB now blame Pakistan for looting the natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan for more than seven decades. Additionally, Pakistan has also deprived the locals of PoGB of their basic rights. Moreover, some members of the PoGB assembly conference also made claims that the country has an agenda to keep the region underdeveloped for its benefit. (ANI)
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon to pay condolences and attend the memorial ceremony of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and other officials who died in a tragic helicopter crash. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also died in the chopper crash on Sunday afternoon. "Hon'ble Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar was received by Iranian authorities on his arrival in Tehran today," his office wrote in a post on X. "VP Dhankhar will attend the official ceremony to pay condolences on the demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian, of Iran," it added. The Vice President departed for Iran in the early morning hours on Wednesday (May 22). https://x.com/vpindia/status/1793222668889751757?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw "VP Jagdeep Dhankhar embarks on a visit to Tehran to attend the official ceremony to pay condolences on the tragic demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian, of Iran," said MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X. Meanwhile. thousands of people took to the streets in Iran as the funeral ceremony of Raisi began Friday in the city of Tabriz in the north-western region where the chopper in which he was travelling crashed on Sunday. President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran. The Iranian government has declared Wednesday as a public holiday when a funeral is expected to be held in Tehran with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah leading prayers. Raisi's body will be buried in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday, Vice-President of the Republic, Mohsen Mansouri, announced. On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled the demise of the Iranian President. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledges Raisi's contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship. "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. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," PM Modi tweeted. On Monday, Khamenei announced five days of mourning and a public holiday has been declared with offices closed all over the country. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, a condolence book has been opened at Iran's Embassy to enable people to pay tributes to the late President, the late foreign as well as other fellow officials. India observed a day of national mourning as well on May 21. (ANI)
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar who is in Tehran, paid tribute to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday, who died in a chopper crash along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Amir-Abdollahian, and others. The Vice President, also met the acting President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber as well. In a post on X, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "VP Jagdeep Dhankhar @VPIndia met Acting President of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Mokhber in Tehran today. VP conveyed condolences on the tragic demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian." The memorial ceremony is taking place in Tehran today to pay condolences to Raisi, Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials who met a tragic fate after their helicopter crashed in northwestern Iran on Sunday afternoon. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in Iran. According to Press TV, at least 10 heads of state, 30 delegations headed by ministers, and speakers are attending the official ceremony to pay respect to the late President. Of the dignitaries who paid their respects to Raisi, and Iranian officials, who are now no more were Azerbaijan Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Tunisian President Kais Saied, Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani were also present, amongst others. VP Dhankhar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon to pay condolences and attend the memorial ceremony of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and other officials who died in a tragic helicopter crash. He departed for Iran in the early morning hours on Wednesday (May 22). Meanwhile. thousands of people took to the streets in Iran as the funeral ceremony of Raisi began Friday in the city of Tabriz in the north-western region where the chopper in which he was travelling crashed on Sunday. President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran. The Iranian government has declared Wednesday as a public holiday as well. Raisi's body will be buried in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday, Vice-President of the Republic, Mohsen Mansouri, announced. On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled the demise of the Iranian President. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledges Raisi's contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship. "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. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," PM Modi tweeted. (ANI)
The students, teachers, and employees of the Balochistan University of Quetta organised protests over the non-payment of salaries and administrative irregularities, reported The Balochistan Post. Being organized at the entry gate of the university premises and being led by the Joint Action Committee of Balochistan University the protest has reportedly continued for over 70 days. The protesting employees have raised complaints that the financial crisis of the university has led to the non-payment of their salaries and pensions, continuing for a very long time. Additionally, the protestors also demanded that the university administration provide them with a permanent resolution to the problem and compensate the protestors for what they have lost. Moreover, the protestors now plan to move the camp to Sariab Road on Thursday blocking the road to raise their demands, the report by The Balochistan Post claimed. The spokesperson of the protestor committee demanded that the CM and the Government of Balochistan take the matter seriously. The protestors also demanded that the university be allocated at least PKR 10 billion in the upcoming annual budget and an additional PKR five billion to pay the endowment funds. Last month, the employees of the same university organized a march on different roads of Pakistan's Quetta and staged a sit-in protest over the non-payment of their salary for the past four months. At that time the protestors had questioned why funds were not being released when funds for all other departments were always released. Before that the hundreds of teachers and staff members of Balochistan University held a sit-in in front of the Balochistan Assembly. The protesters said that the non-payment of salaries had caused great financial difficulties for them. They assembled at the university and then took out a rally, which passed through the main Sariab Road, Jinnah Road, Zarghoon Road and then reached Quetta. Teachers, along with members of staff of the Balochistan University, set up a camp outside the assembly gate to block the entry of individuals into the premises. However, people used alternative gates to enter the provincial assembly. Additionally, the committee held talks with the joint action committee leaders. Informing the committee about their grievances, the protesters said that university employees, including teaching staff, have not received salaries, which caused financial difficulties. (ANI)
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To Lam, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was elected as Vietnam's new president on Wednesday, local media reported.

At the ongoing seventh session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, Lam won a majority of the parliamentary vote to become state president for the 2021-2026 tenure, according to Vietnam News Agency.

During the swearing-in ceremony, the newly elected president said he would strive and make every effort to fulfil the duties entrusted by the Party, the State, and the people.

General To Lam, born in 1957, hails from the northern province of Hung Yen.

He has been serving as a Politburo member in the 12th and 13th terms.

He has been the minister of public security since April 2016.

On March 20, the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee accepted the resignation of Vo Van Thuong as a Politburo member and Vietnam's state president upon his personal request.

During an extraordinary session held on March 21, the country's top legislature passed a resolution to relieve Thuong from the post of state president and the 15th tenure NA deputy.

The same day, vice president Vo Thi Anh Xuan was named as the acting president of the country.

The seventh session of the 15th Vietnamese NA convened on Monday and is expected to close on June 28.
After 30 years of service to Nelson County, Treasurer Angela Hicks announced her retirement on Aug. 1 during the board of supervisors meeting on May 14.

She was elected Nelson County Treasurer in November 2011. Prior to her career as Treasurer, Hicks served Nelson County in various roles within the county government. In 1990, she was employed as a counselor for the countys summer recreation program. While continuing to serve in this capacity for the next two summers, she also worked part-time/as-needed for the Commissioner of Revenue, the news release said.

In the release, Hicks said, I am forever grateful to J. Marvin Davis who started me on the journey that became a life-long service to a County and people I love.

While serving as treasurer, Hicks has been the Central District chair and chair of the Certification Review Committee.

Hicks achieved the designation of Master Governmental Treasurer from the UVa Weldon Cooper Center for Public Education and the Virginia Treasurers Association this year. The designation was a first for the Nelson County Treasurers Office.

According to the release, Under her direction, the Nelson County Treasurers office became accredited, for the first time, in 2015 and continues that accreditation to date.

Under her leadership, two of the three deputies employed in the office have become certified as Master Governmental Deputy Treasurers, the release said.

Hicks said in the release, I want to thank members of my staff, past and present, in the Treasurers office for their support, professionalism, and compassion for those we serve. Such qualities are essential in ensuring the effective and efficient management of public funds while also prioritizing the well-being and needs of the community.

Hicks also thanked her family, her co-workers and fellow treasurers in Virginia.

Their support has been crucial; allowing me to embark on and successfully complete this journey, Hicks said.

Hicks thanked her constituents for entrusting her with such an important responsibility.

My business mantra has always been, Our job exists because of the people we assist. Ive remained committed to running my office with integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout my 12 years as Treasurer, Hicks said in the release.

Hicks will continue to serve in her role until August.

As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I do so with the deepest gratitude for the opportunity to serve my beloved Nelson County, Hicks said.
TOKYO, May 22 (News On Japan) - The average price of a newly built condominium in the Tokyo metropolitan area in April was 74.12 million yen, down more than 3 million yen from a year ago. However, it has risen by over 10 million yen compared to two years ago, indicating it remains at a high level.

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the average price of new condominiums released in the Tokyo metropolitan area in April was 74.12 million yen, marking the second consecutive month of decline from the previous year.

The decline is attributed to the reaction from the sale of ultra-high-priced properties in the 23 wards of Tokyo last year. Nevertheless, prices are still more than 10 million yen higher than two years ago.

The average price in Tokyo's 23 wards also fell by more than 20% from last year to 91.68 million yen, but it remains over 18 million yen higher than two years ago.

Looking ahead, the analysis suggests that there are no factors that would lead to an overall market price decrease, due to strong demand in the 23 wards and rising construction costs.
SHIZUOKA, May 22 (News On Japan) - Prosecutors have once again demanded the death penalty in the retrial of the so-called Hakamada Case, which is being held at the Shizuoka District Court.

Iwao Hakamada, 88, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1966 for allegedly murdering four members of a miso company executive's family in the former city of Shimizu.

In this retrial, both the prosecution and the defense have been debating the color of the bloodstains on five pieces of clothing said to have been worn by Hakamada during the crime.

On May 22, during the 15th session of the retrial at the Shizuoka District Court, prosecutors reiterated their demand for the death penalty.

Following this, the defense delivered their final arguments, and Hakamada's sister, Hideko, provided her statement, concluding all hearings and bringing the trial to a close.

Source: ANN
OSAKA, May 22 (News On Japan) - The renowned Kanshinji Temple in Kawachinagano, Osaka, is the only temple in the city where both the main hall and the principal image are designated National Treasures. Besides its deep connection to Kusunoki Masashige and the Southern Court, it is also a treasure trove of Heian period Buddhist statues. We thoroughly investigate the charm of Kanshinji Temple.

The temple's main hall and the principal image are designated National Treasures, the only ones of their kind in Osaka. The temple also has strong ties to Kusunoki Masashige and the Southern Court, and is a treasure trove of Heian period Buddhist artifacts. We conducted a thorough investigation into the allure of Kanshinji Temple.

Opened in 701 by En no Gyoja, Kanshinji Temple was later rebuilt by Kobo Daishi Kukai as a training hall for the Shingon sect, and has a history spanning over 300 years. In 2019, it was recognized as a Japan Heritage Site alongside other historical sites like Amanosan Kongoji Temple, which was also covered by our investigation team.

Kanshinji's expansive grounds are home to Osaka's oldest National Treasure building, the Kondo, as well as numerous other cultural assets. The temple also has a deep connection to a certain warrior from the late Kamakura to the Nanbokucho period. The warrior is Kusunoki Masashige, whose headquarters were located in this area. As a child, he studied Buddhism and academics at Kanshinji Temple from the age of 8 to 15.

Additionally, Kusunoki's severed head was brought back to Kanshinji by Kawachi Takauji, who believed that such a remarkable warrior deserved to rest in a place of honor. The temple's grounds include the Kusunoki Memorial Hall, which enshrines his spirit.

Before exploring the temple grounds, our investigation team first headed to the parking lot, where a statue of a person closely associated with the temple stood. This was Kusunoki Masashige, a notable warrior who supported the Southern Court during the Nanbokucho period.

The Kondo is a robust structure built in the early Muromachi period and is the oldest wooden building in Osaka. It was constructed under the guidance of Kusunoki Masashige and houses the temple's principal image, the National Treasure Nyoirin Kannon.

The Nyoirin Kannon, a Heian period statue, is said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi Kukai. This statue is only displayed to the public for two days each year, on April 17 and 18.

In addition to the main hall, Kanshinji Temple is known for the Taikyakuden, a building deeply connected to Kusunoki Masashige. It was constructed to pray for the success of the Southern Court and has remained in an incomplete state ever since his death.

The temple grounds are also home to various other significant historical structures and artifacts, making it a valuable cultural site in Osaka.

Kanshinji Temple, with its 1,300-year history, offers a peaceful respite with its scenic beauty and historical significance. Visitors can experience the charm of this temple, which is filled with cultural treasures and historical stories. Thank you for reading, and please subscribe to our channel for more information on Kansai.

Source: YOMIURI
YOKOHAMA, May 23 (News On Japan) - More than 1,000 fire ants, a designated invasive species, have been found in a container at Yokohama Port. This marks the first confirmed case in Japan this year.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, on May 16, numerous ants were discovered in an empty container at Honmoku Pier in Yokohama City. The container had been shipped from a port in China, unloaded at Tokyo Port, had its contents delivered in Ota Ward, Tokyo, and was then returned to Yokohama Port.

On the following day, pest control measures were carried out, and on May 20, experts confirmed that the ants were indeed fire ants.

Over 1,000 worker ants and more than 20 winged queen ants were found in the container.

This is the first time fire ants have been found in Japan this year.

Fire ants are known to have a potent venom and can sting humans. They are designated as a specific invasive species.

The Ministry of the Environment plans to continue placing insecticides and monitoring the situation.

Source: ANN
CHIBA, May 23 (News On Japan) - Five teenagers have been arrested in Chiba Prefecture for riding motorcycles in a reckless manner, endangering cars as the gang entered an intersection on a red light.

The five teenagers, aged 15 to 16, including a high school student from Noda City, are suspected of riding three motorcycles in Nagareyama City in January, ignoring traffic signals and riding on the wrong side of the road.

The teenagers had previously reported their own actions to the police, referring to the act of escaping from responding officers as "Pato-Oni," meaning a game of tag with police cars.

The teenagers, who knew each other, admitted to the charges, stating during the investigation, "We thought running from the police was the ultimate game that gave us the highest thrill."

Source: ANN
AICHI, May 23 (News On Japan) - Aichi Central Beauty School announced its closure at the end of this month during an emergency parents' meeting on May 9th.

The school, known for its 100% national certification pass rate and small class sizes, currently has 26 on-campus students and 60 correspondence students.

Two companies that had been funding the school's managing association went bankrupt, leading to the closure.

A second-year student at Aichi Central Beauty School, Student A, said, "I couldn't believe it. It was like 'What? This can't be true,' and I was just shocked."

Another second-year student, Student B, added, "I wasn't prepared for this, and being told to decide on the next place to go within less than a month feels like being abandoned. I really hate it."

The school explained that the bankruptcies of the funding companies were discovered in August and September of last year. They delayed the announcement while searching for another sponsor.

A parent expressed frustration, saying, "What do you think of our children's futures?" Another added, "If the companies went bankrupt in August, they shouldn't have accepted new students this year." A third parent said, "If they had told us in April that the school would close, we would have chosen a different beauty school from the start."

First-year students have already paid about 1 million yen in admission and tuition fees, leading to disputes over refunds.

One parent asked, "How much will be refunded?" The school replied, "Approximately 50,000 yen." The parent responded, "Why can't you refund the full amount? Because you've already spent it?"

The school stated that it would coordinate transfers to other schools from June, but this may incur additional admission and tuition fees.

Hasegawa Yoshiaki, Secretary General of the Aichi Prefectural Association of Specialized and Various Schools, commented, "Ideally, the school should take full responsibility. I can't stop thinking about the distressed students. I hope as many students as possible are helped."

Efforts are being made to quickly find alternative schools, but only a few students have secured a new school so far.

Student A also mentioned, "My mother is a beautician, and I have always wanted to become one, watching her since I was a child. I was thrilled to get into this specialized school and wanted to graduate with my classmates and take the national exam together. Now, I'm worried about how this will affect my job prospects."

Source: ANN
TOKYO, May 23 (News On Japan) - A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of hugging and attempting to kiss a female flight attendant on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight, claiming he was too intoxicated to remember the incident, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Naoki Tada, a company employee, is accused of hugging and attempting to kiss a female flight attendant for 10 minutes aboard an ANA flight from Thailand to Haneda Airport in 2023.

Tada was reportedly intoxicated on the flight, yelling and attempting to hit other passengers, leading to his seat being moved. He allegedly attempted lewd acts towards several flight attendants who tried to stop him.

During police questioning, Tada stated, "I don't remember because I was drunk."

Source: FNN
Siegrist, who managed the bill in the House, said the late change created an unintended consequence that might have been corrected had the Senate acted more expeditiously. The House overwhelmingly approved it in late February  nearly two months before the end of the session.

Current law already allows the attendance of social events where official business isnt discussed.

Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, who managed the bill in the Senate and spoke in favor of the amendment, did not respond to requests to comment for this article.

Although well-intentioned, the amendment to the definition is unnecessary and will cause confusion, Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote in her veto letter.

She further lamented that the Senate removed a provision from the bill that would have required the members of governmental bodies to receive training about the states transparency requirements.

That is something that will likely be included in future open-meetings legislation, Siegrist said.

We preferred the House version, which calls for more training, he said. We absolutely need to go back to it next year.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday congratulated To Lam on his assuming office as president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Xi pointed out that China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers.

Xi also noted that during his state visit to Vietnam last year, he and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, opening a new chapter in the relations between the two Parties and two countries.

The Chinese leader said he is glad to see that various departments and localities of the two countries are stepping up efforts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and have made positive progress.

The Chinese president said he highly regards the development of China-Vietnam relations, and is ready to work with comrade president to maintain strategic communication, guide a substantial development in the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.
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South Sudan is nearing an agreement with a UAE company for an oil-backed loan worth $13 billion, the largest in Africas newest nations history.

The news was reported by AP citing an unnamed UN source which said the deal is close to being signed.

Servicing this loan would likely tie up most of South Sudans revenue (for) many years, depending on oil prices, AP said, citing unnamed UN experts.

The loan will be secured against the delivery of crude oil for a period of up to 17 years, it said.

South Sudan has been marred by infighting with a bloody civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018, killing hundreds of thousands.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administrations latest update, South Sudan produced an average of about 149,000 barrels of liquid fuels per day in 2023. The landlocked country uses Sudans pipelines to transfer its oil to Port Sudan for shipment to global markets in an agreement with the Sudanese government, which pockets $23 per barrel as transit fees for the oil exports.

China has opted for resource backed loans in recent years across the African continent, targeting strategic metals, in a practice that was criticized by the African Development Bank.
Carbon taxes, which the EU braces to impose, could slash by up to 10% South African exports, the central bank warned.

The warning comes as the South African economy navigates tumultuous waters, with the flight of foreign investors, corruption, insecurity and electricity outages.

The country produces 80% of its electricity from coal and is seeking to solve recurrent electricity cuts by signing deals with floating power-stations operated by Turkeys Karpowership.

Despite improvement in car and manufactured goods exports, South Africa remains reliant on mineral exports, making it vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations.

In 2023, South Africas exports dropped 10.6% to $110 billion, due in part to currency depreciation and lower commodity prices.
Africas cotton industry is expected to grow to 7.7 billion dollars by 2029, from a market size of 6 billion dollars in 2024, Mordor Intelligence, a global market screener said.

The World Bank and other development institutions are assisting key African producers to boost output.

Nearly 50% of African cotton is produced in wet African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire and Mali.

Some producers like Ghana saw stagnant production despite being recognized as having propitious conditions for such a plantation, contrasting with rapid growth elsewhere.

Burkina Faso reported the highest export value in the region in 2021 at 460 million dollars, offering a boost to the impoverished and sanction-hit economy.
President of the Swiss National Council, Eric Nussbaumer, expressed, Tuesday in Rabat, his countrys support for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.

Switzerland supports the efforts of the United Nations and the work of the UN Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions, Nussbaumer told the press following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.

He stressed that Switzerland reiterates the importance of Moroccos serious and credible efforts to find a political solution based on compromise, noting in this respect the autonomy initiative presented to the UN Secretary-General in 2007.

Nussbaumer added that his country also encourages all parties to pursue their commitment in a spirit of compromise.
Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, called, Wednesday from Bali, Indonesia, for greater international cooperation in water issues in order to develop the sectors role in public policy.

International cooperation in the water sector will play an important role in giving water the place it deserves in public policy, he said at a ministerial meeting held part of the 10th World Water Forum, currently held in Bali.

Morocco is willing to share its experience in this field with all countries, said the official, recalling that the water policy implemented by Morocco witnessed a decisive turn under the guidance of King Mohammed VI.

This policy has been implemented through the diversification of water supply development to conventional and non-conventional water mobilization projects, in addition to water demand management as well as communication and awareness-raising campaigns on water saving.

The Kingdom, which has suffered six consecutive years of drought since 2018, managed to overcome drought cycles thanks to its hydraulic infrastructures and its national water policy in line with the vision of the late Hassan II, consolidated and reinvigorated by HM King Mohammed VI, he added.

The Moroccan official stressed further that under the impetus of the King, Morocco implemented a roadmap that has made it possible, in particular, to improve the efficiency of drinking water distribution and irrigation networks and to set up rainwater collection systems and seawater desalination plants in order to achieve a target of 1.7 billion m3 by 2030.
A protester on May 31, 2020, in Atlanta. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

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In 2018, Tiffany Roberts, a 42-year-old lawyer, joined the Southern Center for Human Rights, a venerable civil-rights organization based in Atlanta. She had been a criminal-defense attorney moonlighting as an organizer for most of the previous ten years and now had a sense, based on a host of overlapping developments and controversies, that something terrible was about to happen.

Eleven months earlier, Georgia lawmakers had expanded the legal definition of domestic terrorism to include damaging certain types of property  deterrence aimed at the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement, which had also inspired a wave of state bills that sought to give motorists immunity for hitting protesters with their cars. The backlash from lawmakers came just as the movement for Black lives was getting bolder, setting up a potential confrontation that could be far more explosive than anything Roberts had experienced. The tactic of floating legislation that would authorize violence was emboldening folks who wanted to harm Black folks, she says.

That confrontation erupted in 2020, when George Floyd was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis. Opponents of police brutality in Atlanta and other cities flooded the streets, and their cries for justice, which had mostly gone ignored, suddenly had the support of a majority of Americans and the ears of lawmakers in statehouses across the country and on Capitol Hill. It is estimated that anywhere from 15 million to 26 million people participated in demonstrations that spring and summer, making it the largest protest movement in American history and an uncommonly multiracial one. While some people broke windows and set cop cars on fire and some politicians called for harsher crackdowns in response, the protesters appeared to be winning in the court of public opinion. Despite the underlying rage over Floyds death, it was a time of extraordinary hope and promise.

The significance of the uprising was felt acutely in Atlanta, where Black politicians and business leaders have long held sway but a Black underclass was still routinely brutalized by the police. The vaunted Atlanta Way was premised on the notion that a Black ruling class, with the help of white moderates, could make the city a site of stability, growth, and equality  an object of envy for its peers in the South and beyond. Now, Atlantas mandarins had to confront reality: Less than three weeks after Floyds death, a Black man named Rayshard Brooks who had been drinking fell asleep at a local Wendys drive-through and was killed by the cop who tried to arrest him. Brookss slaying further undermined Atlantas reputation for balancing civil rights with commerce and order. The mayor at the time, Keisha Lance Bottoms, recognized the problem. The biases are still there, she lamented at a CNN town hall.

But even amid this reckoning, Roberts saw signs that the citys tolerance for disruption was limited. There was already a political push to paint all of the protests as violent, she says. I didnt think there was any way that Georgia was going to escape that. Atlantas response to the George Floyd protests was heavy-handed from the start: nonviolent demonstrators kettled en masse, nearly 600 people arrested in just two weeks in June. The Southern Center was already embroiled in statewide fights against jail overcrowding and the death penalty. Now, it had to help huge numbers of detained protesters connect with defense attorneys. It went surprisingly well at first. The Center helped negotiate amnesty deals  20 released here, 40 there  and charges were eventually dropped against most of the 2020 demonstrators. Still, Roberts was concerned by how officials were fixated on characterizing the protests as a foreign conspiracy. That really wasnt a Black protest, Bottoms claimed dismissively.

Roberts started to suspect that officials were using these protests as a test. How many people could they criminalize at once? And would the crackdown be met with an outcry? It was not. On the contrary, the citys response to the unrest was praised on television by soon-to-be-President Joe Biden. Robertss suspicions that the protesters had become targets were validated that summer when some demonstrators burned down the Wendys where Brooks had been killed and set up an occupation amid the rubble. After an 8-year-old was killed that July near one of the makeshift barriers, the mayors political opponents rushed to blame the death on Bottomss failure to maintain both order and police morale during the protests.

The central demands of the movement  which ranged from defunding the police entirely to merely reducing the outsize footprint of a draconian criminal-justice system  were quickly forgotten. The whole point of the Floyd uprising was not only to insist on an end to wanton police brutality but also to call attention to the way cops were being asked to address too many glaring social problems, such as poverty and mental health, that could be better handled without guns or jail. When urban crime briefly spiked during the pandemic, panicked officials who had previously expressed sympathy for the Floyd movement quickly shifted to spending even more resources on law enforcement. And no initiative symbolized that pivot more ostentatiously than Atlantas Public Safety Training Center  what critics refer to as Cop City.

From the get-go, Bottomss 2021 announcement that an 85-acre plot of city-owned forest would be converted into a $90 million training facility, including a mock city for policing drills, was met with resistance. Police had already been using this area in unincorporated DeKalb County, seven miles southeast of downtown Atlanta, as a firing range  the pop-pop of live rounds could be heard by people taking walks along the forest trails  but nobody involved with the plan felt obligated to consult residents in neighboring communities. We dont want to spend six-to-nine months on hold while we are doing citizen engagement, said David Wilkinson, president of the Atlanta Police Foundation, the pro-cop nonprofit that has been coordinating the project.

In September 2021, the city council heard more than 17 hours of mostly negative public comment focusing on both the projects eye-popping reinvestment in cops and its environmental impact  the forest, one of the largest in any urban area in the U.S., acts as a protective sponge for flooding. The final vote was 10-4 in favor.

Cop City immediately became one of the first major tests of the post-Floyd political order. People had spent 2020 begging for an end to abusive policing. The city responded the next year with a massive expansion of the police state. And the projects biggest supporters  a slate of power brokers that ranged from the mayors office to the corner offices at Home Depot and Delta Airlines  envisioned the facility as a national model and hub where cops from all over could travel to refine their tactics.

Protesters from around the country trickled into the city only to be faced with what had grown to be the most aggressive crackdown on activism the U.S. had seen in decades  a forerunner of the harsh police actions that have featured so prominently in the recent campus protests against the war in Gaza. Mass arrests became commonplace in Atlanta. Criminal penalties for protesting got harsher. Officials smeared dissidents as violent agitators, language Jim Crow politicians had used, and let them languish in deadly jails. In the four short years since Floyds death, local and state leaders  Black and white, Democrat and Republican  have turned the cradle of the civil-rights movement, where Martin Luther King Jr. used to preach and John Lewis coined the term good trouble, into what one protester described to me as one of the worst cities in America for activism.

The main expression of this crackdown has been a spate of charges that equate protesters with some of the countrys most notorious villains  people like John Gotti and Timothy McVeigh. Forty-two have been charged with domestic terrorism and 61 with racketeering and conspiracy. Prosecutors have argued that there is a direct line between the Floyd uprising and the unrest at Cop City, bringing the story of that hopeful summer of 2020 to its dispiriting conclusion and making clear what Roberts and others have suspected all along: that in the states eyes, those who took to the streets to demand racial equality and justice were merely criminals who hadnt yet been punished.

Protests near Cop City on November 23, 2023. Photo: Dustin Chambers

When the Atlanta City Council approved Cop City in 2021, a handful of protesters started camping out in the South River Forest where the facility was slated to be built. They called themselves forest defenders. They set up a welcome table, shared food, hosted dance parties, and screened the Japanese environmental fable Princess Mononoke. They gave themselves funny nicknames  Pigweed, Bunny, Slug  and slept in makeshift tree houses. Some were from Georgia, others were not. They could be wary and eccentric yet disarmingly nice. A correspondent from The Daily Show visited one of their encampments, took one look at their bingo-night setup, and called them Georgia Ewoks.

Within a year, a coalition of local law-enforcement agencies was trying to evict the forest defenders to make way for construction. Some of the occupants allegedly threw rocks, while others damaged construction equipment. The group had no leader, organization was scattered and haphazard, and if you wanted to set a bulldozer on fire, no one was going to stop you. Rewards of up to $25,000 went up for the capture of certain protesters.

Just before Christmas 2022, cops raided the woods and were greeted with a volley of rocks. They arrested five people and, in the first of several escalations, charged them with domestic terrorism. None of those people live here, claimed Carven Tyus, assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department. Why is an individual from Los Angeles, California, concerned about a training facility being built in the state of Georgia? And that is why we consider that domestic terrorism.

Whatever the rationale, the crackdown failed to deter the protesters. Soon the encampment was up and running again. Plans were made for another multiagency raid. On January 18, 2023, a day whose precise sequence of events is still being disputed, cops stormed the woods and opened fire on a protester they later claimed had shot at them first, a 26-year-old Venezuelan named Manuel Paez Teran. Fifty-seven bullets hit home in what is believed to be the first police slaying of an environmental activist in U.S. history.

Forensic evidence, an autopsy, and the testimony of Paez Terans fellow defenders have since cast doubt on the official narrative. Paez Terans hands did not show any gunpowder residue, according to the DeKalb County medical examiner.

Seven other forest defenders were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism that day, but once again the raid acted as a further incitement. The weekend after Paez Terans death, a group of protesters held a vigil on Peachtree Street, one of Atlantas high-traffic thoroughfares, where some allegedly broke windows and set police cars on fire. Six were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism. Viva, viva, Tortuguita! has since become the movements rallying cry, a tribute to the nickname chosen by Paez Teran, Little Turtle. The inspiration was a military chief who had led Native forces to victory over the U.S. Army in 1791.

After the arrests, Bottomss successor as mayor, Andre Dickens, echoed Tyuss claim. It should be noted that these individuals were not Atlanta or Georgia residents, he told CBSs Face the Nation. Most of them traveled into our city to wreak havoc.

Roberts was surprised to get a call from the mayors office around this time. Dickenss staff wanted her to attend a meeting of local civil-rights activists to discuss Cop City. It seemed like a rare olive branch, but Roberts did not trust the mayor. So she sent another staffer in her place, wanting to avoid any misleading photographs that suggested broad activist support for his agenda. Her colleague reported that the mayor was trying to get everyone on message about how the protests had been orchestrated by outside agitators. Attendees pushed back  plenty of Atlantans were against Cop City too, and some of them were in that room. There was no press about that meeting, Roberts says. It didnt go the way he thought it was going to go.

Meanwhile, Roberts needed attorneys to keep the detainees from languishing in jail for months or even years without trial. When her team put out a call for lawyers, Josh Lingsch answered. A few years earlier, he had been a crusader at the Fulton County public defenders office, objecting when his supervisor tried to coerce all my clients into taking plea deals, he says. Lingsch wanted to move forward with the cases that were ready for trial: Let the people have their day in court. He was pushed out and eventually began peddling his services to organizations like the Southern Center. It just struck me as pretty ridiculous, he remembers thinking of the domestic-terrorism charges. He was paired with a client, Teresa Shen, who had been arrested in the woods during the January raid in which Paez Teran was shot.

The Southern Center has a list of nearly 80 lawyers like Lingsch who can work on civil-rights-related cases. At the height of the Floyd uprising, there were 250 lawyers on hand, but the number dropped after what Roberts calls the coolness of 2020 faded away and attorneys wanted less to do with any Black Lives Matteradjacent rabble-rousing. One of the implications is this tremendous strain on resources, she says. And theres less money now.

Back then, Roberts and her colleague Devin Franklin tell me, if you broke a window at a rally, you would be charged with breaking a window at a rally  criminal damage to property or something similar. Now, that same behavior was being treated far more seriously, which in turn required a far more sophisticated legal defense. The number of antiCop City activists who were charged as terrorists leaped from zero to 18  and it was about to double.

When Paez Teran was killed, Priscilla Grim, a 50-year-old veteran of Occupy Wall Street, remembers thinking, Youre literally assassinating activists?  She wanted to help and booked a flight to Atlanta from New York as soon as she got word of a week of action at the site, which involved a rally, a concert under the trees, and press conferences. I was just like, Im going to cover this stuff on my Instagram and see where it goes, she tells me.

On the night of March 5, 2023, Grim was walking to the concert, almost a mile from the construction site, when she heard mens voices screaming at her from behind. She tripped and fell, startled. The next thing she knew, cops were all over her. Her knee started to balloon  she had torn her ACL in September  so they half-dragged, half-carried her to a nearby parking lot, where she estimates 40 other detainees were being held. The cops were checking IDs, she says. And then they said, You guys are in the go-to-jail crowd. And it was everybody who was from out of town.

Earlier that evening, some protesters had allegedly damaged equipment and launched fireworks at the cops there. It has since been reported that the main piece of evidence against the March 5 arrestees was that many of them had mud on their shoes, which supposedly proved they had been fleeing the construction site. The reason the Georgia residents were allowed to walk free while so many out-of-towners were herded onto buses became obvious to Grim. It was to set us up as the outside agitator, she says, a practice that goes back to southern segregationists blaming local protests on interlopers from the North.

Before being booked at DeKalb County Jail, I was so certain that nothing was going to happen to me, Grim says. She had been picked up at protests in the past: a few hours in detention, then back on the streets. This was Getting Arrested 101, as many students at Columbia would learn this April when they were detained for protesting the universitys ties to Israel. Grim remembers the inmates who were already there, almost all of them Black, being confused by this sudden influx of mostly white women. Why are you here? they asked. When she ultimately discovered she was being charged with domestic terrorism, she was both shocked and confused. I saw two buildings get taken down, she says, recalling 9/11. When you kill 3,000 people at once, thats terrorism.

Its serious, she told her daughters father over the phone. They had been separated for 13 years, but his was one of the few numbers she still had memorized. The message law enforcement was sending to would-be protesters was clear. In 2019, conditions at DeKalb County Jail were so bad they had sparked protests themselves. One emblematic photo shows an inmate pressing a sign that simply reads MOLD against a window  after receiving her first meal, Grim learned why. Half the toilets werent working. Her glasses were confiscated. She was denied bond, and it would take two weeks of pleading by her lawyer to get some Aleve for her knee.

When she was finally granted bond a month later, Grim estimates she had seen only three hours of sunlight in her entire 31 days inside. Back in New York, she discovered that her employer, Fordham University, had rescinded an offer of a permanent position after her arrest. As she began submitting job applications, she realized a Google search of her name brought up the Atlanta Police Departments press release from when she was arrested, including her mug shot. It describes her and her comrades as violent agitators.

The Unstoppable Growth of Cop City: Despite an activist encampment in February 2023 (top), a sprawling police-training facility is emerging from a forest on the outskirts of Atlanta (bottom). Photo: Cheney Orr (top); Dustin Chambers for New York Magazine (bottom)

The forest defenders were a motley crew of environmental activists, police abolitionists, community organizers, and drifters looking for a purpose. Like Grim, they were there for reasons both urgent and obscure. Luke Harper, 28, is a queer adoptee from the Philippines who grew up with white parents in the placid suburb of South Windsor, Connecticut. Before coming to the South River Forest, he wrote copy for an ad agency in Florida and spent his free time playing his ukulele for Food Not Bombs volunteers, handing out free meals, and participating in clothing drives. He is more than a little embarrassed by how little he knew about the fight he was joining on March 5. I was in the mindset of I havent done anything wrong, so nothing bad is going to happen to me, he says. Which, Zak, is fucking naive.

Adele MacLean, who goes by the nickname Earthworm, is a 43-year-old grassroots organizer Roberts has long known as someone who helped secure prisoners bail money and resources for navigating the legal system. To see Earthworm being prosecuted for being part of an organization that says, Okay, well, people dont have gas, or people dont  Roberts says. How far removed are we from that sort of accusation?

On September 5, 2023, Georgia attorney general Christopher Carr announced a RICO indictment in Fulton County naming 61 defendants, including Earthworm, Grim, and Harper. Georgias RICO statute, one of the many state-level heirs to the federal racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations laws that were used to take down the mob in the 1970s, accomplishes the magic trick of lowering the burden of proof for prosecutors while raising the penalties for defendants. If Carr could show the accused were part of a criminal enterprise, then anything they did to advance its interests  even acts that wouldnt otherwise be seen as criminal, like Earthworm allegedly reimbursing protesters for $52.22 worth of food  would be punishable with up to 20 years of prison time.

Carrs 109-page indictment traces the evolution of this alleged criminal enterprise populated with scheming anarchists and violent terrorists who went from the burning streets of downtown Atlanta in 2020 to setting tractors ablaze in the South River Forest in 2023. For Zohra Ahmed, a former public defender in New York who later became a law professor at the University of Georgia, the document is hard to decipher. Ahmeds family is from Pakistan, and she moved to the U.S. two years before 9/11; she knows intimately how terms like terrorist can be contorted for political ends, but she says the states theory of the protesters criminal enterprise is unclear. If the basis for the criminal agreement is simply that the cops suck, Ahmed says, and I dont like it and I want to do something about it, all of that sounds like First Amendment activity.

To the best of Ahmeds knowledge, RICO has never been used against a group like this. By claiming that a diffuse but broadly aligned social movement equals organized crime, prosecutors are saying protesters could find themselves subject to a Mafia-style trial because some random guy broke a window. If it includes everyone, Ahmed adds, then why is it a criminal conspiracy?

Ahmed and her colleague Elizabeth Taxel have, with the help of their students, been researching due-process issues around conspiracy cases of this magnitude and looking for close-enough analogs to this case that may offer some precedent. Is it more like the prosecutions of anti-pipeline activists at Standing Rock in North Dakota or like when Carr filed that big gang indictment in Georgia a few years back? Without any real clarity, everyones left guessing, Ahmed says. And so you have to play a million different combinations in your mind as a defendant, as a defense counsel, and as someone supporting defense counsel.

This is an overwhelming task, which may be the point. The public-defense system in Atlanta is already strained to the breaking point, and most of the Southern Centers private lawyers are defending clients in the Cop City RICO case. Add the fact that Fulton County already has two massive RICO trials on the docket  one involving the rapper Young Thug and another Donald Trumps alleged election interference  and you have a system whose resources are largely consumed. If the prosecution is able to make this stick, says Ahmed, it will rely on sloppiness.

In November, Harper came back for his RICO arraignment. Three months in jail had wrecked his personal life: His former roommate in Florida had tried to give away his belongings while he was detained, and he was having trouble finding work (Google search results were a problem, as they had been for Grim). He had spent the summer traveling the country, struggling to make sense of where he fit in with this movement. It was the biggest thing that ever happened to him, and the weight of it hit unexpectedly. A few weeks after his release from jail, Harper was with a group of friends at Pride in San Francisco when a sudden terror overcame him  was the crowd too rowdy? Was this too much like a protest?  and he felt sure the cops were going to arrest him again. He started sobbing uncontrollably.

Grim flew out for the arraignment too. It was bittersweet, she says, to see so many of her alleged co-conspirators, women she would not have known had the cops not locked them up together where all of them had hoarded menstrual pads and toilet paper in their bras. Now, each was handed a numbered paddle  there were too many of them to treat as individuals. Grim saw her old cellmate, but were they allowed to talk? It was like a weird, sad family reunion, she says.

Grims lawyer received an offer from Carrs office: three to four years in a Georgia state prison in exchange for a guilty plea. The lawyer laughed and dropped the offer back in the envelope it came in. You dont have a case, Grim concluded, echoing a sentiment that has been spreading through the defense camp.

The protests continued despite the RICO charges. On September 7, 26-year-old Ayeola Omolara Kaplan stood in a razed section of the South River Forest, chained to a bulldozer. My thinking, she says, was that if I do a demonstration on the property, trying to stop construction, this will show that there are other people out there who arent afraid. Photos from that day show her in the middle of a field crisscrossed with tread marks, wearing black lipstick and a black Adidas tracksuit with a bundle of multi-colored locs gathered on top of her head. To her right stand three other activists, one holding a hand-painted sign that reads STOP WORK. A fifth protester is sitting on top of the bulldozer.

Kaplan grew up in Atlanta, where you could hardly go a block without seeing some tribute  a street name, a mural  to a Black civil-rights luminary. If civil disobedience had a spiritual home anywhere in America, it was supposed to be here. What she learned as she sat in DeKalb County Jail for three days among the fruit flies, gnats, and roaches, deprived of water, was that Atlantas real calling card was as a place uncommonly free from disruption.

The citys reputation for peaceful desegregation and Black prosperity  while Birmingham and Little Rock were being torn apart in the 1960s and white flight hollowed out urban cores in the 1970s  was another way of saying Atlanta was safe for doing business. The merit of a thriving corporate sector has always been the main subject of agreement between the Black-led city government and the white-run state government. Republican governor Brian Kemp and Mayor Bottoms clashed viciously over COVID restrictions. But when Norfolk Southern established its headquarters in midtown, opening day was a party.

It is easy to imagine the shock waves that rippled through corporate boardrooms and city hall when it turned out that Atlanta was not insulated from the rage boiling over from Minneapolis. I think what happened in 2020 really scared the Establishment into action, says Lingsch, the former public defender representing one of the domestic-terrorism defendants. Practically overnight, the orderly reputation on which the city had long prided itself  a place where progress was won with cash and Kumbaya and where its first of seven Black mayors was elected back in 1973  had literal fire licking its heels. It gave the rush to build Cop City an air of desperation; its completion became a monument to reasserting control. To get released from jail, Kaplan says, one of the things I had to say is I wouldnt go back to the site.

That aura of control is essential for both parties. It is the Georgia Republican Partys worst-kept secret that Carr is angling to succeed the term-limited Kemp in 2027. He is prosecuting the Cop City protesters as a law-enforcement official, but as a politician, he has not concealed his support for the Public Safety Training Center. This is gonna be state of the art, Carr said admiringly of the project last year.

The city council has absorbed the political lessons of 2020, which led Bottoms to decline a bid for reelection and former councilman Dickens succeed her by running from her right. When residents gathered 116,000 signatures to put the construction of Cop City to a ballot referendum last year, the council saw it not as a democratic way to resolve a dispute previously defined by skirmishes but as another threat to the social order. Councilmembers have since thwarted the process at every turn, including by subjecting it to voter-suppression tactics that their own party has sued Republicans for using. Were snuffing out a nonviolent political solution to this, lamented one pro-referendum advocate during a heated council meeting in January.

But more than a crusade for local politicians, Cop City is the harbinger of a dark future. Since 2020, similar police-training complexes have been either proposed, slated for construction, or opened in cities as disparate as Chicago, Newark, and Corpus Christi, and states as scattered as California, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. All reflect a similar attitude toward the protests of 2020. In the wake of that summers unprecedented challenge to state brutality, the American political class has declined introspection and instead chosen to rearm itself against the citizenry, very much including pro-Palestinian student protesters who one day might similarly find themselves being accused of conspiracy and worse.

For the Democratic Party, Georgia has become a vital new swing state. It helped secure Joe Bidens 2020 presidential victory and is the reason the party still has control of the Senate. Young people are pouring into the region, and Black people are spreading to the suburbs. Atlanta is now one of a handful of metropolitan areas where a savvy ground game can flip a national election  where the minutiae of manning polls and tallying votes have acquired a sense of almost existential importance. It is a place where election season feels like a 365-day affair: Everyone seems to have a petition for you to sign, and everyone is trying to register you to vote. For all its warts, it is the rare place where progressive organizing can triumph and everyday people have begun to sense they can change the world  just as long as they dont make trouble, good or otherwise.
If the left is going to take control of the Democratic Party, the Pacific Northwest, with its oversupply of culturally progressive, college-educated white people, is where it would happen first. It is therefore notable that voters in Oregon struck a devastating blow against the left in three elections Tuesday.

In one primary, mainstream Democrat Janelle Bynum defeated progressive favorite Jamie McLeod-Skinner to face off in a winnable purple district. In another, Representative Maxine Dexter prevailed over Susheela Jayapal in a primary in a heavily Democratic district. And most revealingly, Nathan Vasquez unseated progressive prosecutor Mike Schmidt in Portland, one of the most left-wing cities in America.

Centrists often talk about the extreme left and right in American politics as though they have equivalent influence over the two parties. And while it is true that the far left and far right have many parallel qualities in their intellectual style  conceiving every question as a pure moral binary, dismissing liberal norms, fetishizing the will to power  their ability to exert influence through elected politics is totally different.

The conservative movement took complete control of the Republican Party over the course of decades, turning moderation into an epithet among their voters. There are progressives who would like to try something similar on the left. But their efforts keep running into a brick wall with the electorate.

Imagine the entire electorate is splayed across an ideological spectrum. As you move from the center of the political spectrum toward the left, you will encounter growing levels of enthusiasm for Joe Biden, but only up to a point. As you get closer to the far left, enthusiasm will give way to grudging acceptance, and then outright hostility. The vocal protest movements on campus labeling the president Genocide Joe are just one illustration of a deep hostility toward the Democratic Party on the far left.

On the right, there is no equivalent opposition to Trump. As you go farther and farther right, loyalty to Trump intensifies. There is no stopping point. Nazis, white nationalists, and other far-right factions are the most intense adherents of the Trump cult.

Trumps occasional habit of posting social media with Nazi themes inadvertently reveals the deeper problem. It is not that Trump is a Nazi, or is even trying to send dog-whistle messages to Nazis. The problem is that Nazis adore Trump, and the library of online social-media content devoted to glorifying him is filled with white-nationalist imagery. Trumps staff has to work diligently to keep Nazi themes out of his social media, and to keep Nazis away from him personally, because they feature so heavily in the world of Trump superfans.

Bidens supporters dont have this problem. Of course, Biden is not a social-media addict, but even if he wanted to share supportive social-media posts by far-left supporters, it would be almost impossible, because they barely exist.

The American left is far from impotent. It continues to exert influence in academia, media, culture, and other left-leaning institutions, as well as a small number of elected officials. But it is proving to be unable to take control of the Democratic Party as the conservative movement took control of the Republican Party, and the reason is that the voters are a hard brake on its power.

The wave of campus protests has captured media attention and magnified the scale of the left-wing opposition to Bidens presidency. But the more revealing thing about this movement is what didnt happen  a frontal challenge to Biden in the Democratic primaries.

There was nothing stopping progressives from organizing a candidacy to challenge Biden for the nomination. The most they did was try to get voters to vote uncommitted, and they set expectations low enough that even a landslide defeat could be spun as a victory. Now the movement is trying to leverage the threat of left-wing disaffection electing Trump to force Biden to support their position. The tactic itself reveals weakness. Theyre not even trying to win at the ballot box, because they know they cant.

There are left-wing Democrats representing deep-blue districts, and some of them are trying to maximize whatever leverage they possess to push the party in their direction. But at the moment, their foothold is tenuous, and perhaps even shrinking.

A counterpose to the successful Oregon revolt by Democratic moderates is a failed effort by mainstream Republicans in Idaho. In Northern Idaho, traditional Republicans hoped they would take control of the Republican Party leadership from a far-right faction that had developed close ties to white nationalists and other formerly-fringe elements. The mainstream faction is not moderate, or even anti-Trump, but merely arch-conservative as opposed to a mix of Christian nationalist, white-nationalist, and militia-right.

The traditional Republicans expected they would not only win a majority of the seats needed to control the party, but an overwhelming rout. I want a full sweep, Christa Hazel, a Republican organizer behind the effort told the Washington Post last week. I want a full referendum on the ugliness, chaos and division.

Hazel and her allies did not get a full sweep. They didnt even get a majority of the seats. The arguments that carried the day cast them as RINOs, a catchall term Republicans use to discredit anybody who defects from the most extreme stance on any issue.

I dont mean to draw a comparison between the progressive Democrats who lost in Oregon and the radical Republicans who won in Idaho. The Republican Partys radicalization has gone through so many cycles that, by the standards of a previous generation, everybody on all sides is an extremist.

Conservatives talk about the Democratic Party as if it is still 2020, and the passions that burned through the streets in that very strange time have continued unchecked. Perhaps the Democrats are bound to continue an unchecked trajectory away from the center because their own party has followed that course for decades on end. It turns out the voters in the Democratic Party, unlike their counterparts in the GOP, care a great deal about effective, practical governance.
Willis testifies before McAfee at a hearing over her potential disqualification from the Trump racketeering case. Photo: Alyssa Pointer/AP

Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis and Superior Court judge Scott McAfee have been on opposite sides of some tense moments in the long run-up to the trial of Donald Trump and his cronies on racketeering charges in Georgia stemming from the 2020 election. Most notably, in March, after an extended hearing with plenty of salacious undertones, McAfee, the trial judge in the Trump case, ruled that Williss lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, had to be dismissed from the case due to the appearance of impropriety created by his past romantic relationship with Willis. He also publicly rebuked Willis for a tremendous lapse of judgement in entering into the relationship with a contract employee of her own office, and of unprofessional conduct in accusing critics of her handling of the Trump case of racism and sexism. He did not, however, grant a motion to disqualify Willis, a decision that has been appealed by Trumps lawyers to a higher court.

Thanks to the vagaries of Georgia election laws, McAfee and Willis were both on the Fulton County May 21 primary-election ballot (the judge in a nonpartisan contest, the district attorney in a Democratic primary). Both won overwhelmingly against underfunded opponents in the plurality-Black, heavily Democratic county that includes most of the City of Atlanta. Willis took 87 percent of the vote and McAfee had 83 percent.

This is Williss second time facing voters; as an assistant district attorney, she defeated her incumbent boss in 2020 after leading a high-profile racketeering prosecution of public-school teachers for altering test scores.

McAfee was just appointed to the bench in 2023 by Republican governor Brian Kemp, and he is conservative himself (he was his law schools Federalist Society president). So you have to be impressed by his easy reelection in a potentially hostile jurisdiction, reflecting in turn his deft handling of the potentially explosive Willis-Wade disqualification hearing, which was almost certainly the first time most voters heard a thing about the judge.

It was a banner primary night for incumbents. Normally, statewide judicial races in Georgia are snoozers, but this time former Democratic congressman John Barrow offered a high-profile challenge to Kemp-appointed Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson. Barrow argued that Georgias constitution included implied reproductive rights that should invalidate the states six-week abortion ban. Georgias state bar-association rules governing the conduct of judicial elections are notoriously conservative, and Barrows campaign triggered disciplinary proceedings that might have led to his impeachment had he won the nonpartisan election. But Pinson prevailed by a comfortable margin in a rare 2024 setback for abortion rights.

Another embattled incumbent, veteran Atlanta suburban congressman David Scott, a Democrat, won a majority over six challengers, who likely thought they had a shot due to Scotts age (hes 79) and health problems. He joins the 190 House incumbents who have won primaries so far this year; only one has lost. Like Willis, Scott will face largely token Republican opposition in November. But hes much less likely than the Fulton County district attorney to remain in the public spotlight.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Despite his stint running a cybersecurity-consulting company, Rudy Giuliani has never been that great about taking care of his own cybersecurity: He has been known to butt-dial reporters and leave his phones behind in cars. But on Tuesday, the 79-year-old may have had his most embarrassing tech moment yet. As he was being arraigned (via video link) for allegedly conspiring to overturn the election results in Arizona, Giuliani committed the early-pandemic faux pas of going to the bathroom without muting himself.

Oh my. Rudy Giuliani forgot to turn off his zoom mic when he went to go pee during his arraignment



https://t.co/lON9InoAIV  Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) May 21, 2024

For those of you who understandably choose not to watch this video, Giuliani signs off from the call just before you can hear a stream of liquid hitting water.

Is that me? Giuliani asks. The host of the call answers in the affirmative.

There are a lot of jokes about livestreams to be made here, but we will avoid them for the moment because of Giulianis sorry state. Aside from being extremely broke, he is facing charges of making false statements and soliciting false testimony in Georgia as part of his alleged role in helping the Trump campaign overturn election results there. As he left his birthday party in Florida on Friday night, he was served an indictment for his alleged role in the Arizona election plot, and he faces conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges in the state. (He has pleaded not guilty in all cases.) Perhaps, though, Giuliani will scare up some funds to pay his own lawyers with his latest venture: selling coffee via surreal QVC-style ads.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the press at the end of the days proceedings in his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, on May 21, 2024. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump has made a habit of railing against the judges and prosecutors presiding over his many pending legal cases, denouncing them as being corrupt and part of the Democratic political machine. The most prominent target of his ire right now is Juan Merchan, the acting New York State Supreme Court judge who is overseeing the ongoing hush-money trial against Trump. Throughout the case, Trump has tried to portray the veteran judge as biased and the overall case as a political witch hunt intended to harm his presidential campaign, insults that arent barred by the gag order placed on him. But on Tuesday, the former president went further, employing a familiar racist dog whistle against Merchan.

The judge hates Donald Trump. Take a look. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from, Trump said after he exited the courtroom. He cant stand Donald Trump. Hes doing everything in his power.

The judge, [Juan Merchan], hates Donald Trump. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from.



 Trump, speaking outside his New York hush money criminal trial pic.twitter.com/e6OBfreb7P  The Recount (@therecount) May 21, 2024

Born in Bogota, Merchan emigrated from Colombia with his family when he was 6 years old and grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens. Per the New York Times, Merchan worked his way through college, graduating from Baruch College as an undergrad and receiving his law degree from Hofstra Universitys School of Law. In a statement to NBC News, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung denied that Trump was referring to where Merchan was born and said that he meant the Democrat political system, Democrat donors, and Democrat operatives.

But Trump isnt fooling anyone, especially given that he has wielded similar rhetoric against a judge before. In 2016, Trump criticized Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who presiding over a group of civil lawsuits against Trump University, the former presidents for-profit educational program that was accused of being fraudulent. Trump called Curiel a hater and suggested that he couldnt be impartial in the case due to his Mexican heritage. Curiel, the son of Mexican immigrants, was born in Indiana. Im building a wall. Its an inherent conflict of interest, Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview.

At the time, Trumps comments were rebuked by his fellow Republicans, including then-House Speaker Paul Ryan and presidential campaign rivals Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. But in the present, these words from the presumed Republican Party nominee have yet to prompt a similar backlash.
Trump cant evade his promises to the anti-abortion movement. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Democrats are understandably frantic to make abortion policy a key issue in the 2024 elections. But they arent entirely on the same page about how to deal with Donald Trumps latest tactics on the subject. The former president, who enabled the end of Roe v. Wade, is pretty clearly trying to take the issue off the table by foreswearing any interest in a federal abortion ban and depicting himself as largely indifferent to what states decide to do. Some critics hope to drive a wedge between Trump and one of his partys most important constituency groups by suggesting that he has thrown the anti-abortion lobby under the bus, discarding them now that they are making very unpopular demands. Others accuse Trump of lying about his plans for abortion policy once hes back in the White House. And still others suggest that this supremely transactional man cant be trusted to take a principled position on much of anything that doesnt touch on his personal power and his lust for vengeance against his many enemies.

All of these perspectives have merit. But from a coldly political point of view, Democrats should recognize a tactic that one of their own presidents perfected to the befuddlement of allies and opponents alike: triangulation.

Bill Clinton was masterful at addressing issues that were bedeviling his party in ways that neutralized their salience and strengthened the impression he was a different kind of Democrat. This did not mean simply adopting Republican positions, as intraparty critics often complained (as did conservative politicians, who whined that Clinton was stealing our ideas). It meant, as the 42nd presidents one-time Svengali Dick Morris put it, to use your partys solutions to solve the other sides problems. Use your tools to fix their car. For example, instead of refusing to talk about crime because it was a Republican issue, Clinton promoted community policing and putting more cops on the street instead of the GOPs preferred policies of tougher sentencing and sanctioned violence against criminal suspects. More controversially, he responded to the popular craving for welfare reform not by cutting off public assistance but by focusing it on transitional support aiming at immediate employment. Whatever you think of those policies (and they didnt age very well), at the time, they helped insulate Democrats from attacks while driving Republicans nuts.

Trump seems to be trying something similar on abortion: Hes distancing himself from the anti-abortion extremists, who have been perhaps his staunchest allies, without becoming pro-choice. Trumps Its a state issue stance conveniently allows him to deny reproductive rights will even be an issue for him as president, without embracing abortion rights in any way, shape, or form. Hes embellished his evasive stance by selectively and vaguely criticizing total state abortion bans as too harsh, and undergirded his faux-centrist posture by falsely claiming legal experts on both sides wanted to reverse Roe v. Wade and make abortion a state issue. Meanwhile, anti-abortion militants understand that theres not going to be any federal abortion ban until (a) Republicans have a governing trifecta and (b) they decide its safe to kill the Senate filibuster. So theyll tolerate Trumps disrespectful rhetoric, much as many old-school Democrats backed Clinton even though they were deeply annoyed by his third way stylings.

The simplest way for Democrats to deal with Trumpian triangulation on abortion is to remind voters again and again of the explicit promises to the anti-abortion movement that he has made and delivered upon, bringing them closer to their goal of eliminating legal abortion and even some forms of contraception. Because Trump won, abortion rights suffered and, in much of the country, died. Voters dont need an in-depth education on constitutional law or how the federal judiciary works to understand that, and its an argument and a challenge Trump cannot evade.
Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

The 70th anniversary of the Supreme Courts Brown v. Board of Education decision, which outlawed racial segregation in public schools, came and went in New York with little official notice. Perhaps our leaders were embarrassed by the fact that our city has been cited for more than a decade as having the nations most racially segregated schools and has done little or nothing to implement dozens of reasonable proposals to move in the direction of integration.

We have the outline, we have the blueprint. Integration is feasible. Its within our reach, says Nyah Berg, the executive director of New York Appleseed, a nonprofit organization that advocates for integrated schools around the state. I recently sat down with Berg and Matt Gonzales, who works at the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, a division of NYUs graduate school of education. They are part of a growing movement of young researchers and advocates who are fed up with New Yorks delays and dissembling on diversity.

You cant fix segregation by creating more segregated Stuyvesants, more segregated gifted-and-talented programs. Ultimately, what weve always advocated for is that all students in New York City deserve high-quality, diverse, and equitable schools, Gonzales told me. There are many policies sitting on the table, literally collecting dust, that can be implemented to decrease segregation in New York City schools.

Its easy to miss the segregation that stains and divides our cosmopolitan city. Yes, we all hear the glorious cacophony of the multiple languages spoken in the streets and subways, but New York has long tolerated, instituted, and defended practices  from forcing 4-year-olds to take standardized tests to requiring face-to-face screening interviews as a condition of admission to desirable schools  that inexorably sort students into racial enclaves.

The separation is blatantly visible on maps published at integratenyc. The 40 schools in Manhattans District 3, for instance, have a total enrollment of just over 14,000 students, of which roughly 27 percent are white, 24 percent Black, 35 percent Latino, and 8 percent Asian. This is a zone that includes the West Side and part of Central Harlem, running from 59th Street to 122nd Street. But nearly a dozen of the schools are mostly white and Asian, with only a smattering of Black students, while at least 13 schools are more than 90 percent Black and Latino.

Essentially all students of color attend predominantly nonwhite schools, whereas two-thirds of white students do the same, a study of New York schools by the UCLA Civil Rights Project found in 2021. Roughly 85 percent of Black students, and three-fourths of Latino students, attend intensely segregated schools, while only 11 percent of white and 43 percent of Asian students do.

There is no excuse for allowing our kids to grow up in mini-monocultures, subtly promoting the lie that those people are fundamentally worse or less deserving than their fellow New Yorkers.

I have worked on these and related issues for a half-century, and I have never seen a school district that was separate and equal, Gary Orfield of UCLA wrote in the forward to his 2021 report. When I have been testifying in a civil-rights case, I have asked experts on the other side to tell me where there is one but have never received an answer.

A School Diversity Advisory Group, assembled by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017, published a well-received report on the need for desegregation. But the groups second plan, which called for changing or ending the use of screening interviews and tests, got a chilly reception. The second report had about 30 recommendations, and that really was the teeth to these goals. How were we going to really desegregate? Berg said. And that was met with silence.

For decades, under the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, City Hall tended to mischaracterize the issue as a scarcity problem, as if segregation were a natural outcome because high-performing schools are like a popular restaurant or hot dance club  a rarefied private space that, by definition, is available only to a fortunate few. That velvet-rope approach was soundly rejected by Teens Take Charge, a grassroots organization of young people that staged a string of walkouts and protests in support of integration shortly before the COVID pandemic struck.

Some of the recommendations did get pushed through, like ending the practice of testing 4-year-olds for admission to gifted-and-talented programs and suspending requirements for face-to-face entrance interviews, thanks to the pandemic. We actually couldnt use test scores and absences and other [measures] for a middle-school admissions policy because we were under a global pandemic, Gonzales told me. But as soon as the Adams administration came into play, they started reversing many of those policies. Some of the responses weve heard from the Adams administration is that they cant correct generational segregation. And we understand that theres a lot of work to do, but theyve actually doubled down on many policies that weve known for many years contribute to and increase segregation in New York City schools.

We may need another round of grass-roots effort to restart New Yorks desegregation movement. There are reams and reams of social-science research that showed that integrated schools are good schools, Berg told me. Schools need to be integrated to be good. And thats because it shows increases in academic achievement. It shows increases in graduation rates for those who attended integrated schools. Better health outcomes. And then most important, it prepares students and young folks to participate and be effective in support of a multiracial democracy.
i need a post about everything going on, my jaw dropped at the texts that came out with MJH talking about them so badly

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I know, they were foul. I feel awful for these girls.

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I feel bad for them too because it really does seem like they've been manipulated by her for so long. Their parents too but their parents are grown enough that they should know better.



And like honestly, even if this all resolves with MHJ being allowed to buy out Hybe and take NewJeans to her own company, MHJ has absolutely trashed so many other groups that she's basically torpedoed any relationships the NewJeans members might form with their peers. She's totally isolating them.

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Ador allegedly didn't deny the texts but said they were taken out of context. GIRL, WHAT CONTEXT MAKES THAT OK? I don't want to be like 100% behind the legitimacy of the texts because it was basically just coming from this one independent entertainment journalist BUTTTTTT the fact that Ador/MHJ hasn't come out to deny them is... HMMMMMMMMMMM

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especially after that press conference where she tried to pretend she was some beacon of light and protector of NJ

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I keep debating making a post but honestly I can't keep track of all the bullshit. the r/kpop timeline seems somewhat complete but also not at all.

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Did the people who come up with this not grow up in the 90s and early 00s where literally every bubblegum pop girl group looked like this? Jeans even commented and said they were happy to see the 90s revival, lmao.

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This lol!

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All this is very "kpop stans discover the 90s"lol

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shocking



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At first I was like No way! Im sure its just some generic 90s vibes stuff after all ppl have been accusing her of ripping off Speed for a while but not posting any receipts but the more I read it was really like 

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I mean they called themselves New Jeans so they were giving some credit?

This is so bizarre.

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hilarious if true. "I need a name for my new group, which is inspired by this old group named Jeans. Ooh I know! New"

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um actually i think you'll find that min hee-jin invented teenagers, the 90s, denim, and the nation of mexico

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90s Mexican Pop is elite, Fey, Onda Vaselina, Kabah, Sentidos Opuestos, so many bops, this is my favorite from Jeans









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La ilusion del primer amor and corazon confidente tho

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But what about Enferma de Amor and Dime que me Amas

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Enloqueceme de OV7, y La Calle de Las Sirenas de Kabah are still my entire shit 

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Idkybut I could never get fully into jeans or jns lol

But I grew up with my older cousins and I'm a timbiriche and ov7 kid. I watched topo gigio show every weekend to see onda vaselina, then if xuxa

For a while I was obsessed with kabah and mercurio but never got on timbiriche's level



Jeans have great pop area bops

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Me se demasiadas canciones de Jeans. Entre azul y buenas noches and Pepemy faves.



Edited at 2024-05-22 04:05 am (UTC)

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Sentidos opuestos had so many bops

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I'm a well documented NewJeans fan (even though I hate Min Hee-jin, so don't come for me). And like I know it's very easy to take things out of context to craft a narrative. But this def looks sus.



And like I'm DYING at this going viral now, when MHJ accused Hybe of copying NewJeans for Illit. (certain NewJeans fans will probably say that Hybe is behind this going viral)

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if hybe is behind this going viral, good for them for finally making something go viral that actually benefits them. they've been dragging themselves all over the place these last few weeks.

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i have to say i always laugh at when kpop groups get called out for lack of originality



bonus points for new jeans because their fans are OBSESSED with accusing every kpop group with polaroid photos taken from above of plagiarism

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excuse you... no one, ever, not even once, wore hanbok before new jeans. they're trailblazers!!!

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Edited at 2024-05-22 01:46 am (UTC) dangun was actually just the members of newjeans in a trench coat

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MHJ is just a talented curator with a Pinterest account who lucked out by having mega conglomerates like SM and HYBE enable her career in this industry.



But there's nothing really original about her.

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No mames



Do they have a Litzy too? 

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no, jyp has l'itzy

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- fuckinmagnets Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination."

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*Jim Jarmusch

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We love that the 90s has come back and reached new generations.



This was a very kind thing to say. They could tell mess was brewing and didn't want to be dragged into it or escalate it.

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Nobody wants to get dragged into a fight with kpop or tswift fans, it can never end well

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BREAKING: A Tennessee judge blocks a foreclosure sale of Graceland, ruling that it's in the public's best interest to slow any potential ownership change of Elvis Presley's "well loved" estate. https://t.co/t3SsnXdSjp  NBC News (@NBCNews) May 22, 2024

Previous posts: one A Memphis judge ruled in favor of Riley Keough this morning over the forced auction of Graceland by a supposed loan entity.Keoughs mother and brother are buried on the grounds.According to Memphis reporter Jerrita Patterson , "[this case] could boil down to what the notary reportedly said [via affidavit] - that she did not sign off on the deed." The case will continue at a later date.Jeff Germany was in court representing Riley Keough, and Keough was not present.Wednesday morning in Memphis, and Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins denied their request for a delay to the hearing. The Shelby County Chancery Court judge went as far as to say that actor Riley Keough, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of the King of Rock and Roll, would likely prevail in her lawsuit, accusing a creditor of falsely claiming rights to Graceland, as long as there is evidence to back up her claims.A notice published this month states that Graceland and surrounding acreage on Elvis Presley Boulevard is set to be auctioned off for cash to the highest bidder on the Shelby County Courthouse steps May 23.But Presleys granddaughter Danielle Riley Keough says in a 60-page lawsuit against Naussany Investments, filed May 15 in Shelby County Chancery Court, thatAlthough Naussany provided what appears to be a 2018 notarized promissory note signed by Lisa Marie Presley to put up Graceland as collateral, Keoughs lawsuit said that was a forgery.Chancellor Jenkins said that affidavit was sufficient evidence to delay the foreclosure until a hearing can determine the facts. But Jenkins also said the evidence suggested Keough was telling the truth.Chancellor JoeDae L. Jenkins told the court and Keough's attorney Jeff Germany."Mr. Naussany will not (be) harmed ... by delaying the trial on this matter until we can have adequate discovery (and) allow them to file an answer and provide a defense to the claim that hes made," Jenkins said.Given the worldwide fame of Graceland, the judge said prudence calls for any foreclosure sale to be delayed.The public interest is best served, particularly here in Shelby County, for Graceland is a part of this community, well loved by this community and, indeed, around the world."When CNN attempted to reach Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC by phone, the number was no longer in service. The business was listed in a court document from Keoughs attorney as being located in Kimberling City, Missouri, but CNN was unable to locate a business in the state of Missouri by that name via the secretary of states office. CNN was also unable to locate a business by that name when searching nationwide.
Chinas runaway nuclear energy expansion has competitors biting their fingernails. As nuclear energy regains traction around the world as a promising baseload power source for a decarbonized future, its also become more and more of a geopolitical battleground. As countries scramble to keep a strategic foothold in a rapidly changing energy landscape, becoming a nuclear energy powerhouse is suddenly important for world superpowers. And China seems to be winning this race.

While the United States has been the biggest nuclear power generator in the world for decades, the American market has significantly slowed in recent years at the same time that Beijing has doubled down on deployment, adding a whopping 34 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity over the last ten years. As a result, China is set to overtake the United States (and France) to become the worlds biggest producer of nuclear energy within the decade.

China currently has 55 operating nuclear power reactors compared to the United States 94, but it already has 23 new reactors under construction and more on the way. In fact, its taken China just 10 years to add the same amount of nuclear capacity that the United States needed four decades to build.

Beijing is able to approve new nuclear reactors at a much faster clip than the United States, at a blazing rate of ten new plant approvals per year. Chinese plants are also much less expensive to build, in part thanks to preferential loans with particularly favorable terms from state-owned banks. While the United States has recently taken pains to kick-start its own stalled nuclear energy sector, its newest power plant is so behind schedule and over budget that nuclear energy advocates are worried that it might derail the nations nuclear ambitions altogether.

While the sharp rise in nuclear energy deployment in China is great news for the nations decarbonization potential  and therefore great news for the entire worlds ability to meet mid-century climate goals  Chinas fast and furious approach has put a number of world leaders on edge. Policymakers in the United States have demonstrated concern that Chinas rapidly increasing nuclear energy capacities could allow it to export nuclear reactors at a large scale, ultimately undermining U.S. foreign relations in the importing countries. This would not be a new trend, but a continuation of Chinas already massive expansion of energy influence in emerging markets.

Meanwhile, Chinas plans to put floating nuclear power plants in the South China Sea have stirred up tensions with its Southeast Asian neighbors. China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines all have overlapping claims to parts of the sea, which China claims almost in its entirety despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which rejected Beijings claim as having no legal basis. In contempt of this ruling, China has continued to reclaim land to build artificial islands in the Sea and now plans to send about 20 floating nuclear power plants to some of those islands.

Experts have widely condemned these plans, warning that Chinas planned deployment of floating nuclear reactors to the disputed South China Sea may risk ramping up tensions with other claimants and undermining regional security. Adding to these tensions, there is some legitimate concern that China will be using these plants to power military operations in the conflicted region, which would be in violation of international law.

Indeed, Chinas outsized nuclear ambitions cannot be hemmed in by its own borders, or even terrestrial bounds. Earlier this year, Moscow and Beijing announced joint plans to put a nuclear reactor on the moon within the next decade. Russian state media even claims that development of the plant is already underway and Russia and China are currently working on experimental and research facilities under the project.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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The dictionary doesn't quite do justice to the word "boondoggle" according to author Dmitri Orlov, best known for his book Reinventing Collapse. A contemporary boondoggle must not only be wasteful, it should, if possible, also create additional problems that can only be addressed by yet more boondoggles. (This does NOT preclude boondoggles from being profitable for certain insiders.)

In Orlov's universe, such boondoggles dissipate the wealth and vitality of a society until it collapses. But if executed properly, boondoggles first grind down society without actually collapsing it. When the collapse finally does come, it is like "falling out of a ground-floor window." In the collapsenik lexicon, this is what passes for a soft landing.

Two important boondoggles were in the news recently: a big set of machines that extract carbon dioxide from the air and companies formed to mine asteroids.

Let's take the carbon dioxide plant in Iceland first. My initial thought is to make this technology modular so any size extractor can be built. Then, declare deployment of this technology mandatory on the premises of any business emitting carbon dioxide directly into the air. Why wait to capture the greenhouse gas until it makes its way to Iceland? Let's trap it everywhere at its source.

However, I fear I may be violating the first rule of boondoggles with this proposal. Boondoggles must NOT be conceived in a way that would actually solve a problem. But it turns out that using this technology in places without ready access to sufficient sources of non-carbon energy would actually force increased use of fossil fuels to power the extractors that remove carbon dioxide from the air. It's a perfect circle that would increase emissions of the very gas it is trying to extract. (Compare to self-licking ice cream cone.)

There is the argument that the world will soon ramp up huge new sources of energy that are carbon-free. As of 2021 after decades of renewable energy deployment, the world now generates less than 2 percent of its total energy from solar and less than 3 percent from wind according to Our World in Data (and based on the BP Statistical Review of World Energy). A little over 6 percent is from hydroelectric. But most of the best sites in the world have been taken. And, the energy from existing hydroelectric plants is already committed anyway.

Other renewable energy (which includes geothermal power of the kind found in abundance in Iceland) contributes 1.3 percent of the world's energy. Moreover, fossil fuel use, particularly coal and natural gas, continue to grow. Renewable energy is adding to world energy capacity, but not substituting itself for existing fossil fuel use on a net basis.

Let us turn to the quest for minerals locked in asteroids which may be a better boondoggle than atmospheric carbon dioxide extractors in one very important way. This is because asteroid mining ventures appear to burn money without producing any tangible result, a characteristic that indicates one has found a pure boondoggle according to Orlov.

Here's how it works:

A sharp promoter gets members of the investing publicones, for example, who are excited about science fiction stories such as those that make up any of the Star Trek seriesto throw their money at the idea of mining asteroids that might be "pure metal" or close to it. (It's also possible that they are NOT pure metal. No one knows for sure.)

It's important for these investors NOT to understand the economics of mining. If they did, they would be investing in terrestrial mining operations or some other sector of the earthbound economy instead of the boondoggle of asteroid mining. Such mining assumes that the costs of extracting earthbound mineral deposits will rise sufficiently to match the cost of asteroid mining, thereby making asteroid mining competitive.

Let's take a general look at what might be involved in mining asteroids by reviewing a current NASA mission to what is thought to be a major metal-containing asteroid called Psyche, which is located in the Asteroid Belt:

The transport distances are enormous. Psyche will be visited by a NASA probe launched in October 2023, one that is expected to reach the asteroid in August 2029 after a journey of 2.2 billion miles. The cost of the Psyche mission is around $1.2 billion. This is just to get a small craft weighing about three tons to its destination and have it orbit for a couple of years. Mining equipment would be much, much more massive. Psyche doesn't have to return to Earth. But, metal ore would have to be extracted somehow under near zero gravity, loaded, and then transported billions of miles on a regular basis. (Some refining might take place before transport to reduce the bulk, but that then involves bringing more equipment and expending vast amounts of energy that must come from somewhere, possibly fuel that is also transported.) It's true that other asteroids that might have high metal content are closer to Earth. One of these asteroids, named (6178) 1986 DA, is about 18 million miles away from Earth which is equivalent to about 75 times the distance of the moonnot exactly next door. Scientists estimate that the value of the metal in Psyche is around $10 quintillion and the metal in the much closer asteroid referred to above is $11.65 trillion. If asteroid miners were able to unlock vast amounts of ore from either of these and get it to Earth, prices of those minerals would likely plummet as huge supplies hit the market. Of course, asteroid miners could transport much smaller quantities, but that would greatly increase the cost per ton. Alternatively, the miners could hold back ore already delivered to Earth and sell only in relatively small quantities so as not to overwhelm the market. But that would add costs for storage and seriously delay any payback to investors who presumably would have already waited decades for a payout.

As my mother used to say about truly crazy ideas that defy logic: "It makes sense if you don't think about it." And the not thinking part is what promoters of asteroid mining are counting on. My mother, of course, was assuming that the purpose of such ideas was to solve a problem. In this particular case, however, we have an ideal vehicle for burning money with virtually no hope of any returnat least on any time frame that might matter to investors. In sum, asteroid mining is one of the best boondoggles available to investors today.

There are some who will say that metals mined from asteroids will, in fact, be used by space colonists and are not for Earth consumption. If that's so, then asteroid mining is an even better boondoggle than I thought it was.

There are many more boondoggles to cover, so much so that commentary on them could fill an entire blog for years. But my purpose here is to give you general tools to identify them and respond accordinglyin case you want to participate in the fun.

By Kurt Cobb via Resource Insights

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Chinese coal production this year will vary by between a 1% annual decline and 1% growth this year, a major industry association said on Wednesday, revising down its previous forecast of a 1% increase in coal production.

Chinas top producing region, Shanxi, is likely to miss its coal production target for 2024, Li Xuegang, deputy chairman of the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association (CCTD), said on Wednesday, as carried by Reuters.

Shanxi, the coal county in the worlds top coal producer, will find it extremely difficult to reach its goal of producing 1.3 billion tons this year, according to the official.

Last year, Chinas total coal production stood at 4.66 billion tons, up by 2.9% compared to 2022.

Last month, Chinese coal production fell to the lowest level since October 2022, according to Reuters estimates. The decline was the result of weak coal prices and continued safety inspections at mines.

With the downward revision to Chinas coal output for this year, CCTDs Li expects coal prices to be supported.

China has boosted its imports of coal so far this year, as it looks to stockpile fuel for the power plants ahead of the summer amid international prices that were half last years levels in the first four months of 2024.

Chinas increased coal imports so far this year are defying earlier expectations that Beijing would see flat coal purchases in 2024.

Coal output in China has wobbled this year after authorities in the northern province of Shanxi, the top coal-producing region, ordered in February miners to reduce production and carry out safety inspections between March and May, following several fatal incidents at mines in China in recent months.

China continues to rely on coal and coal-fired power generation to meet its growing power demand, and despite being the world's top investor in solar and wind capacity, it also plans a lot of new coal-fired electricity capacity.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russian state giant Gazprom could halt natural gas supply to Austrias OMV due to a foreign court ruling that could interrupt OMV payments to Gazprom Export, the Austrian firm said in an urgent market message.

OMVs unit OMV Gas Marketing & Trading GmbH (OGMT) has learned about a foreign court decision obtained by a major European energy company which, if enforced in Austria against OGMT, would require OGMT to make payments under its gas supply contract with Gazprom Export to such European energy company, instead of Gazprom Export.

OMVs subsidiary doesnt know if and when such an enforcement might occur, the company said, without specifying the case or the European company in question.

In case of such an enforcement, OGMT considers it likely that Gazprom Export will halt supplying gas under the gas supply contract with OGMT, thereby affecting the Austrian gas market. This assessment is based on Gazprom Exports conduct in similar situations, OMV said in its message to the market.

The Austrian company assured the market that OGMT would still be able to supply its contractual customers with gas from alternative, non-Russian sources, through its extensive diversification efforts over the last several years.

The urgent market message from OMV highlights the vulnerability of Austrias gas supply, which is still dependent on Russias Gazprom.

While Gazprom suspended gas supply to many EU countries in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Austria and several other central European countries continue to receive gas from Russia.

Earlier this year, Austria, one of the EU members still most dependent on Russian gas, signaled it would be looking to reduce its dependence on Moscow, including by seeking to end a long-term deal that OMV has with Gazprom.

Russian gas deliveries to Europe have fallen off a cliff since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but some European customers in central Europe continue to receive Russian gas via the route through Ukraine and a pipeline via Turkey.

Ukraine has already signaled it would not engage in talks with Russia about an extension of the gas transit deal which expires at the end of 2024.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Senate voted against proposed energy efficiency measures from the Department of Energy that would have essentially amounted to a ban on household gas furnaces.

Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz, the resolution to strike down the measure got the support of 50 Senators, including several Democrats.

This is not the end of the gas furnace ban, however, the Washington Examiner noted in a report on the news. Even before the vote in the Senate, the White House said President Biden would veto the resolution if it passed in the Senate.

The energy efficiency standards that the Department of Energy regularly updates have already saved consumers an estimated $1 trillion on utility bills, with an average household currently saving $321 annually, the statement said.

The DOE residential furnaces standards are part of the Administrations effort to issue updated standards across several product categories that could deliver an additional $1 trillion in savings over 30 years, the White House also said.

According to opponents in Congress, however, the latest update of the standards would force consumers to either switch from gas furnaces to heat pumps or pay for much more expensive furnaces.

This rule is a continuation of the Biden administration's capitulation to environmental radicals who value following climate dogma more than helping families actually provide for their kids and save for the future, Sen. Ted Cruz said ahead of the vote.

After it, he accused the administration of waging a war against the oil and gas industry, saying This rule was proposed and finalized by the Biden administrations Department of Energy as part of a broader, radical campaign against fossil fuels, clean natural gas, and other sources of energy critical to the American economy and American families.

Gas heating is a prime target for pro-transition governments on both sides of the Atlantic as they seek to significantly reduce the household use of oil and gas. Promotion of heat pumps is one approach but it has failed to lead to mass adoption, giving way to more radical moves such as effective bans.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The United States is on track to meet its goal to have by 2027 a domestic supply chain of rare earth elements for its defense needs, according to a senior official at the Department of Defense.

The U.S. looks to cut its reliance on Chinese rare earth materials and has classified close allies Australia, Canada, and the UK as a domestic source of critical mineral supply.

We are on track to meet our goal of a sustainable mine to magnet supply chain capable of supporting U.S. defence requirements by 2027, Laura Taylor-Kale, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, said at a mining industry conference in Australia on Wednesday, as carried by Reuters.

The U.S. has already backed several Australian miners to set up projects to mine rare earth minerals and establish supply chains.

Earlier this year, Australian Strategic Materials received a non-binding and conditional Letter of Interest (LoI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) to provide a debt funding package of up to US$600 million for the construction and execution phase of the rare earths and critical minerals Dubbo Project in New South Wales.

EXIM is also supporting Australia-listed Meteoric Resources for its Caldeira Rare Earth Ionic Clay Project in Brazil.

Separately, the U.S. DoD is backing with funding the construction of a rare earths processing facility in Texas of Australias Lynas Rare Earths.

In March, DoD said that it has in recent months advanced its goal of developing domestic supply chains to ensure continued access to the rare earth materials needed to manufacture the permanent magnets used in important U.S. military weapons systems.

Rare earth permanent magnets are essential components in a range of defense capabilities, including the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, Virginia and Columbia class submarines, and unmanned aerial vehicles. They are also a critical part of commercial applications in the United States.

China is expected to hold 77% of rare earths elements refining in 2030, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report this month, classifying the geopolitical risk in the supply of REE as high due to the concentration of refining in one single country, China.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A female Omaha Central High School student cut another female student before the last day of school started Wednesday, according to school officials and the Omaha Police Department.

In a letter sent to Central High School staff and families of students, Principal Dionne Kirksey said the two students got into an altercation shortly before 7:30 a.m.

One girl cut the other girl on the ear, police said in a press release.

Staff immediately intervened, separated the students and called Douglas County 911, Kirksey wrote. Omaha police and medics responded to the incident at 7:32 a.m.

Medics took the girl who was cut to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she was treated for a minor injury.

The girl who allegedly cut the other student was taken to the Douglas County Youth Center on suspicion of second-degree felony assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

In her letter, Kirksey said school officials take these matters seriously and disciplinary action will be taken as outlined in the student code of conduct. She said school officials are working closely with law enforcement and the families of the two students involved in the incident.

The safety of students and staff is our top priority, Kirksey wrote. She invited anyone with questions to call the school.
Omaha police have identified the man who was killed in a shooting north of midtown early Saturday.

Kyaw Thu, 35, was shot around 2 a.m. inside a house along Charles Street just east of Northwest Radial Highway. Police found Thu suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken by medics to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests have been made.

Thu is the second man killed in a homicide in Omaha in as many days. Bernard Leonard, 59, was shot and killed near Carter Lake last Friday. Thu is the eighth homicide victim in Omaha so far this year.
La Vista gets the Memorial Day ball rolling at 6 p.m. Thursday with the city's annual "Hometown Heroes" observance.

Members of American Legion Post 32 in Papillion will join in laying a wreath at the Blue Star Memorial, at the southeast corner of the City Hall campus, at 8116 Park View Blvd. The event will also include musical performances from Papillion-La Vista High School students.

The guest speaker will be retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Bryan Zeller of La Vista, who served much of his 20-year military career aboard nuclear submarines, ending with an assignment to the National Airborne Command Post  the E-4B Nightwatch  at Offutt Air Force Base.

Recipes to kick off your Memorial Day weekend: Burgers, grilled sausages and a salad Summer unofficially begins with Memorial Day weekend, so we've collected several recipes to help you plan for the holiday. And you dont need a grill for all of these. JeanMarie Brownson: Kick off summer with grilled sausages and good company Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and proves the perfect time to gather with friends. The goal is to spend as much time as pos EatingWell: Lighten up your barbecue menu with this fresh salad This cucumber vinegar salad has the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors plus a hint of fresh dill. The red onion adds a nice crunch. The Kitchn: I make this shrimp ceviche whenever its too hot to cook When the heat of summer sets in I just want to eat meals that will cool me down. My relationship with soups, stews, and basically anything tha
A teacher in Madison, Nebraska, has been charged in an arrest warrant with first-degree sexual assault of a student.

Nixel Ortiz, 29, of Madison, was arrested Monday after an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol. She is accused of having sexual relations with an 18-year-old student on May 6.

According to court documents, the investigator learned that Ortiz and the student began messaging each other around Christmas. Ortiz allegedly told the investigator that she picked the student up and they had a sexual encounter at her apartment. She said she thought the student was 19 years old.

Another teacher told the investigator it was rumored that a photo of Ortiz had been circulating on social media with the caption Come pick me up cutie. The affidavit said Ortiz allegedly said to the fellow teacher: If I dont get a boyfriend, I feel like Im going to end up on the news.

Madison Public Schools Superintendent Justin Frederick said Ortiz has been placed on administrative leave. Ortiz is listed on the Madison Public Schools website as an English Language Learners teacher for grades 6 to 8, and an enrichment teacher for grades 7 and 8.

Ortiz is charged with first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison. She has been released from jail and is awaiting her first court hearing.

Madison is a city of about 2,200 residents located approximately 113 miles northwest of Omaha.
A 45-year-old Lincoln woman died and another woman was injured Tuesday when their vehicle struck a semitrailer truck on Interstate 80 near Walnut, Iowa.

Emma Gonzalez Maldonado was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Emily Esteban, 18, of Lincoln, was taken to a hospital in Harlan, Iowa, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators determined that Gonzalez Maldonado was driving a 2015 Honda Odyssey minivan that was westbound on I-80 at 4 p.m. The Honda rear-ended a semi driven by Kenneth Turner, 85, of Norman, Indiana, that had stopped for another crash.

The force of the collision caused the Honda to spin out and strike the trailer of a third vehicle before coming to a rest on the shoulder of the roadway. No other injuries were reported.

Both women were wearing their seat belts. The Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office assisted the Iowa State Patrol during the investigation.

The city of Walnut is about 50 miles northeast of Omaha.
PEORIA  The last of the four Peoria residents accused of conspiring to steal guns from stores across Central Illinois has been sentenced.

Erika Garner, 22, Dezmond Hardy, 23, Shaleik Ward, 20, and Terrence Daniels, 23, were each charged in August with one count of conspiring to steal guns, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Peoria.

The four individuals were said to have burglarized gun stores in Bloomington, Decatur, LeRoy, Lincoln, Taylorville and Spring Valley.

The defendants attempted to burglarize six stores, but they were unsuccessful, failing to enter any of the stores, the federal prosecutor said. No firearms were stolen from these attempted burglaries, but multiple businesses sustained property damage.

All four were arrested on Aug. 18, 2023, after the Peoria Police Department and Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force apprehended them "as the defendants returned from their most recent failed attempt," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Since their arrests, all but Garner were held in U.S. Marshals custody. Garner was released on bond until her bond was revoked in November 2023 for violating the conditions of release.

The defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and possess firearms from federal firearms licensees. Having served more than six months in the Peoria County Jail, Garner, the last of the four defendants, was given a time served sentence and three years of supervised release on Tuesday.

Hardy was sentenced May 16 to 21 months of imprisonment; Ward was sentenced May 9 to 15 months imprisonment, both to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Daniels was sentenced to just shy of four years  45 months in total  with 33 months for the conspiracy charge and 12 months committing the offense while he was already on supervised release.

Daniels was charged for committing the same conduct in 2019 and 2020 when he stole 50 firearms with the help of others during a five-county burglary spree.

In total, the four defendants are required to pay $2,500 in restitution for damages to one of the businesses.

"Stolen guns are used to commit acts of violence in our communities," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna in the news release. "Our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners worked together to quickly resolve this case before any guns got into the wrong hands."

The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriffs Office; Illinois Department of Corrections; and Illinois State Police, investigated the case. The Spring Valley, Taylorville and Decatur police departments also participated in the investigation.

New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma Firearms are the leading cause of death among children
In a significant effort to save newborn lives, Twellium Industrial Company Limited, the producers of Verna Mineral Water, has donated four incubators and four pieces of phototherapy equipment to some selected health centersacross Ghana.



This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Ghana Medical Association, aims to address the shortage of essential medical equipment at birthing centers. The donation event took place on Tuesday May 21, 2024, at the Ghana Medical Association Center in Korle Bu, Accra.



Ali Ajami, Marketing Director for Twellium Industries, emphasized the companys commitment to making a substantial impact on child mortality rates in Ghana. "Child mortality is a matter of great concern to everyone, and Verna is always ready to support various medical facilities through our partner, the Ghana Medical Association.



We are grateful for the support Ghanaians have shown to Verna Mineral Water.



Through our Changing Lives campaign, we aim to improve the lives of more Ghanaians, especially those facing financial challenges," Yehowada stated. He encouraged continued patronage of Verna products, noting that a portion of each purchase supports vital causes such as this one.



Dr. Ahmed A. Mensah, Chairman of the Ghana Medical Associations Greater Accra Division, expressed gratitude for Verna Water's support.



He highlighted that this donation is part of an ongoing commitment from Verna, noting that last year the company also donated four incubators and four phototherapy equipment.







These were distributed to eight hospitals across the country: Dominase SDA Hospital (CHAG) and Bekwai Municipal Hospital in the Ashanti Region, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region, Hohoe District Hospital in the Oti Region, Ga West District Hospital in Amasaman, Ewim Polyclinic in the Central Region, Tamale West Hospital, and Sunyani Municipal Hospital. Dr. Mensah called on other institutions to follow Vernas example in giving back to society.



Twelliums social responsibility initiatives extend beyond medical equipment donations. In July 2022, the company constructed a canteen, a drainage system, and a fence wall at the Kaneshie Polyclinic.



Additionally, through the Changing Lives campaign, Twellium covered the medical expenses for Rhoda Akorfa Senyegbe, who required surgery for a large left atrial myxoma at the National Cardiothoracic Centre, paying the cedi equivalent of $7,000, equivalent to GHC101, 500 for her treatment.



Twellium Industrial Company Ltd. continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana through sustained support and impactful donations, reinforcing its role as a vital partner in the nation's health sector.

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.

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The planned peaceful demonstration spearheaded by the sensational Ghanaian actress and philanthropist, Yvonne Nelson, has been foiled following an application for injunction by the Ghana Police Service.



The film maker and producer, who is known to be vociferous on issues pertaining to nation building, planned a vigil to express her displeasure over the incessant power rationing confronting the country.



During the era of the erstwhile Mahama government, Yvonne Nelson, together with top stars like DKB, Prince David Osei, Sarkodie, IMANI Ghanas Kofi Bentil amongst many Ghanaians, took to the streets of Accra to embark on the demonstration dubbed Dumsormuststop. The demonstration sort to mount pressure on the government at the time to find lasting solution to the power challenges.



In light of the recent power fluctuations in the country, Yvonne Nelson decided to organize the same vigil on the 25th of May, 2024.



A prohibition letter sought from the court by the police headquarters have been granted by the Accra High Court.



The letter stated, Take notice that this Honourable Court shall be moved by Counsel for and behalf of the Applicant herein praying that this Honourable Court for an order prohibiting the respondents from holding an intended picketing fixed for 25th May, 2024 at Revolution Square, upon the grounds contained in the accompanying affidavit and for such further order (s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit."

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu in the Northern Region, Ras Mohammed Mubarak, has raised objections to the findings of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding a payroll audit conducted in conjunction with the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD).



The report unveiled discrepancies, including the alleged non-existence of DA Primary School in the Kumbungu District of the Ghana Education Service.



In the investigative report, it was detailed that the school in question was represented as staffed, with individuals receiving monthly salaries despite the school being labeled as non-existent.

The inclusion of fictitious staff on the government payroll system raised concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the data being processed.



Responding to this aspect of the report, Ras Mubarak took to his Facebook page to express dismay, labeling the findings as very bizarre and disputing the claims made by the OSP. Mubarak clarified that the Kumbungu D/A primary school has been operational for several decades, featuring existing infrastructure that he himself has interacted with over the years.



Contrary to the reports assertion that the school did not exist, Mubarak emphasized his personal involvement with the educational institution, citing donations of books and learning materials dating back to 2015.



He further highlighted his continued engagement and support for the school during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for the constituency, underlining his direct connection to the alleged non-fictitious entity.



The divergence between the Special Prosecutors findings and Ras Mubaraks personal knowledge has sparked controversy and calls into question the rigor of the investigation conducted by the OSP and CAGD.



As differing narratives emerge concerning the status of the Kumbungu D/A primary school, further scrutiny and clarification may be required to reconcile the conflicting accounts presented by both parties.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Nana Akufo-Addo has sworn in the new set of ministerial appointees he is bringing on board to support his government.



They include seven substantive ministers and 13 deputies; namely Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, Minister of Health; Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources; Dakoa Newman, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection; Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development; Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Daniel Machator, Oti Regional Minister.



The Deputy Ministers include Sylvester Tetteh, Information; Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development; Charles Acheampong, Communications and Digitalisation; Adelaide Ntim and Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Health, and Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah for Works and Housing.



The rest are Akwasi Konadu, Lands and Natural Resources; Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development; John Kobina Sanie and Collins Adomako Mensah, Energy, whilst Kingsley Nyarko goes to Education, with Festus Awuah Kwofie going to Employment and Labour Relations, and Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah being sent to Gender, Children and Social Protection.



After administering the oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy on Monday evening, President Akufo-Addo charged the new appointees, most of whom are also Members of Parliament, to ensure that they do not neglect their legislative duties while they go about their executive duties.



Whilst he admitted the fact that finding a balance between the two duties may be challenging, he insisted they still ought to find a way to perform the dual roles effectively.



You will have to learn how to balance effectively your twin responsibilities as members of the legislature and members of the executive. It is an exact imbalance but doable, and do it you must, he said.



The President expressed gratitude to Parliament for approving his ministerial nominees.



He, however, could not hide his disappointment in the Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the walkout they staged during the approval process on Friday, May 17, 2024, describing it as a pity.



It was a pity that at the last moment, the Minority which had participated in all the prior processes found it necessary to walk out of Parliament at the formal approval stage. We thank God that the walkout was not fatal to the vote of approval, he said.



The President also had cause to advise the new ministers and deputy ministers to approach their work with professionalism and a high quality of integrity.



He added that the NPP has made a binding commitment to serve the people of Ghana and the same must guard their actions and inactions.



The quality of integrity which will permeate your work is extremely important. You have to remember, at all times, the solemn commitment that we in the New Patriotic Party have made collectively and individually, jointly and severally in the language of the lawyers  to serve the Ghanaian people honestly and competently, President Akufo-Addo said.



Appreciation



The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover, expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the confidence he has reposed in them by appointing them to the high office of ministers and deputy ministers.



Together with his colleagues, they committed to give their best in the last seven months of the Akufo-Addo-led

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to African leaders to re-examine the democracy inherited from the West.



Obasanjo stated this at a Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa held at the Yaradua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.



He said Africa must build a model of democracy that is true to the African heritage and that caters for the welfare of the people.



The former Nigerian President advocated for a democracy that works for all the African people.



He also charged African leaders to show an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.



Obasanjo said for democracy to be effective in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, it must be built on the principles of good leadership, strong institutions and rule of law.



He defined Democracy as a Government by the peoples consent, with clean mandate of the people, without corruption and for the welfare of the masses.



The Summit is convened by Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Shehu Musa Yaradua Foundation with sponsorship from Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.



The summit focused on the gains and challenges as well as threats to democracy in Africa.

Source: vanguard









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Former South African President Jacob Zuma has launched a scathing attack on some of the country's top judges after he was barred from running for parliament on Monday.



In his first interview since the ban, Mr Zuma told the BBC the Constitutional Court was wrong to decide he was unfit to run, based on his 2021 conviction for contempt of court.



I expected that from our judges, but they are definitely wrong. Not correct," the 82-year-old said, adding that the constitution should be changed.



Ahead of next week's general election, Mr Zuma had been campaigning under the banner of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

He joined the party after falling out with the governing African National Congress (ANC), which he used to lead.



The electoral commission argued that the constitution bars anyone who was sentenced to more than 12 months in prison from serving as a lawmaker - a view backed by the Constitutional Court judges.



Mr Zuma was convicted in 2021 for refusing to testify at an inquiry investigating corruption during his presidency.



His lawyers had insisted he was entitled to become an MP as his sentence was reduced to three months after current President Cyril Ramaphosa released him from prison in what was widely seen as an attempt to placate the former president's angry supporters.



The judges of the Constitutional Court have acted very funny to me - towards me in particular, Mr Zuma told the BBC.



They are not taking into account the will of the people of this country, they use their own will.



He was president from 2009 to 2018 before being forced out as leader of the ANC amid allegations of widespread corruption in his government.



The corruption, widely known as "state capture", saw hundreds of millions of dollars of public assets taken into private hands. Mr Zuma has always denied any direct role in corruption, but is due to face trial next year on allegations of bribery.



He told the BBC he had been wrongly stripped of his role as leader of the ANC.



I dont know what state capture means. If people say I am corrupt, what did I do? Do you have any facts about it? Am I guilty?



I was removed before the end of my term, and nothing was produced as evidence that this was an issue.



Mr Zumas MK party had previously voiced its desire to change South Africas constitution, which was drawn up 30 years ago at the birth of the countrys democracy following decades of white-minority rule.



Asked about this in the light of his election ban, Mr Zuma reiterated that the historic document needed to be changed.



This constitution in the continent of Africa is guided by the laws from Europe, not us, he said.



There is nothing that has come right in this continent because we are still dominated by those who were the ones [who] slaved us, and after slavery, oppressed us, and after oppression, put their own laws to run us.



There are details that clash with our lives.



An Ipsos opinion poll released last month gave MK 8% of the vote, and the ANC 40% as it loses support to MK and other opposition parties.



But some analysts suggest that with the governing party stepping up its campaign in recent weeks, it could still cross the 50% mark. But if the ANC gets less than half of the vote, it would lose its majority for the first time in 30 years.



MK is expected to do especially well in Mr Zuma's home region of KwaZulu-Natal.



After Mr Zuma was jailed for contempt of court in 2021, angry supporters sparked days of deadly riots. More than 300 people were killed in the clashes.



On Wednesday Mr Zuma said this violence demonstrated the scale of public support for him.



This must tell you that the masses of this country loves Zuma  thats why we had that, he said.



When asked by the BBC if he would use this interview to call for peace and calm ahead of next weeks election, Mr Zuma replied: Ive always done so.

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.

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Officials of the Kumbungu District Directorate of Education have refuted allegations made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller & Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) regarding a purported non-existent primary school in the district and the presence of ghost names on the Government of Ghana Payroll Administration.



In response to the findings that raised concerns about the existence of a primary school within the jurisdiction of the Ghana Education Service, the Directorate vehemently denies the allegations, asserting that all listed schools and staff members are legitimate entities actively operating in the district.



An officer from the Directorate told an Accra-based radio station 3FM that the district comprises 89 kindergartens, 89 primary schools, and 33 junior high schools, all of which are fully functional.



Challenging the claims made in the investigative reports, the Education officials dared the OSP to disclose the name of the alleged non-existent school or affected staff members, challenging the accuracy and validity of the information presented.



Insisting that no staff members from the district were implicated in the investigations, they emphasized that any discrepancies identified during previous audits had been promptly addressed and rectified following internal reviews and corrections.



The OSP and CAGD report had flagged anomalies within the payroll system, citing instances where funds amounting to GHC2,854,144.80 were disbursed as unearned monthly salaries to individuals categorized as Ghost Names.



This included persons who had either passed away, retired, vacated their positions, or were untraceable, casting doubts on the integrity and efficiency of the payroll administration.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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In an atmosphere of serenity and with one accord to push womens agenda forward, the 2024 SHABACH Women's Conference has come to a successful end with a call on women to leverage on networking and foster interconnectedness to aid their spiritual growth and development.



The conference, organised by the Prayer Palace, is led by Dr. Annick Adjei and this year is the fifth edition of continuous programmes geared towards improving the well-being of women. The climax of the conference activities came to a crescendo on Sunday, 19th May, 2024 with various activities.



Dr. Annick Adjei noted that the overall vision was to empower our women, raise them as champions just like the men, highlighting that, this is something "our father, founder and general overseer of Prayer Palace has always insisted on over the years".



Over the years, according to Dr. Adjei, they have used the conference platform to give women the opportunity to showcase their fields of trade, including discussions on family, marriage and relationships to holistically develop womens capacity to survive in the 21st century.



Dr. Annick Adjei further hinted that as part of their care plan, they have provided financial support to their women's ministry, especially towards those God has blessed with kids and to those who have lost their loved ones.



"Charity has always been part of our DNA. We have made donations to orphanages and hospitals. We have also supported the needy at church over the years", emphasised Dr. Adjei.





According to her, the plan for the future is to intensify "our panel sessions and invite prominent women in leadership to come and share their experiences with our women", reiterating, "Our ultimate vision for Shabach is to be both a spiritual convention and a networking hub where women can come and showcase their businesses with an exposition at the church", noted Dr. Adjei.



The conference, seeking to equip women with the requisite life skills to face the future, encouraged women to take advantage of the Breast Cancer Awareness month slated for October to go and examine their breasts to ascertain their status.



The SHABACH Women's Conference solicited for items and donated them to orphanages to end the conference activities.



"We visited Kingdom Dynamics Future Ghana in Kukurantumi to present our donations and support them in prayer, she noted.



We would like to take this opportunity to ask anyone who is in charge of an orphanage and needs support to contact us", shared Dr. Annick.



This year's conference brought together prominent people in ministry, including Rev. Mrs. Dora Tackie-Yarboi, Rev. Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah and Prophet Emmanuel Adjei, Founder, of Prayer Palace.



Shabach, a Hebrew word of praise, means to address in a loud tone, to shout, to commend, to glory, or to declare triumph. Literally, it means to raise a holy roar.



The word is used sparsely in the Old Testament, a mere eleven times, but each time, it has a powerful effect.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Two friends, Celine Ndudim and Afiba Tandoh, a Ghanaian national, have been declared missing after they travelled from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Abia State on April 27, 2024.



It was alleged that the duo had gone to see a man they met on Facebook and never returned since then.



Activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who confirmed the incident in a post on Wednesday, May 22, said that police arrested a suspect identified as Andrew Amaechi in connection with the disappearance of the ladies.



According to him, the suspect was found in possession of the women's belongings.



On 27th April, 2024, Celine Ndudim and Afiba Tandoh, a Ghanaian citizen who traveled from Porth Harcourt Rivers State to Aba, Abia State to visit a friend they met on Facebook are missing, he wrote.



"A suspect named Andrew Amaechi has been arrested by the police for being in possession of their belongings and till date no one has set eyes on Celine and her friend.



"Please help us look within your neighborhood and if you have any information, please contact the nearest police station or send a direct message. Thank you.

Source: LIB









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.

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At the hearing of the election petition on the SALL case in the High Court, Ho on May 21, 2024 His Lordship Justice Owoahene Acheampong condemned what he described as the lackadaisical attitude of the 1st respondent in this matter.



The 1st Respondent refused or failed to obey the orders of the court made way back in February directing them to file additional issues and neither are they in court today to prosecute their defence.



The court therefore ordered hearing notice to be served on the Director of Operations of the Electoral Commission in Accra as well as the lawyer for the Electoral Commission to ensure their attendance before the court on the next court sitting.



The court had set down for trial four issues filed by the lawyer for the petitioners following orders the court made on April 24, 2024 . The court also ordered that the parties file simultaneously their witness statements together with any documents they may wish to rely upon at the trial within ten (10) days from today [21st May 2024].



The court also specifically ordered the Electoral Commission to cause to file authentic copies of C.I 119, C.I 128 as well as the list of voters they registered in the SALL traditional areas within 10 days from today.



The case was adjourned to 3rd June 2024 for Case Management and three dates in June 2024 (11th, 20th and 21st) for hearing.



The issues set down by the court for trial are as follows:



1. Whether the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2016, C.I. 95 was validly amended by the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2020, C.I. 128for the elections in December 2020;



2. Whether C.I. 112 made Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) Traditional Areas part of Oti Region;



3. Whether C.I. 119 issued by the 1st Respondent lawfully realigned the boundaries of the Hohoe Municipality as established by the Local Government (Hohoe Municipal Assembly) (Establishment) Instrument, 2012, L.I. 2151;



4. Whether or not the non-participation of voters in the SALLTraditional Areas in the Hohoe Constituency Parliamentary election of 7th December 2020 invalidates the gazetting of 2nd Respondent as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Hohoe Constituency.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The High Court, Ho presided over by His Lordship Justice Owoahene Acheampong has fixed the dates for hearing of the election petition brought by Professor Margaret Kweku and other petitioners from the SALL traditional areas.



The three dates are 11th, 20th and 21st of June 2024.



The court set down the following issues for trial:



1. Whether the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2016, C.I. 95 was validly amended by the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2020, C.I. 128for the elections in December 2020;



2. Whether C.I. 112 made Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) Traditional Areas part of Oti Region



3. Whether C.I. 119 issued by the 1st Respondent lawfully realigned the boundaries of the Hohoe Municipality as established by the Local Government (Hohoe Municipal Assembly) (Establishment) Instrument, 2012, L.I. 2151;



4. Whether or not the non-participation of voters in the SALLTraditional Areas in the Hohoe Constituency Parliamentary election of 7th December 2020 invalidates the gazetting of 2nd Respondent as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Hohoe Constituency;



A Case Management hearing is to take place on the 3rd of June 2024. This was after the Court heard lawyers acting for the Petitioners Mr Tsatsu Tsikata and Philip Jimanor as well as Mr Benedict Kofitse for Hon. Peter Amewu.



There was no appearance for the Electoral Commission which led His Lordship to state I must put on record that this Court condemns the lackadaisical attitude of the 1st Respondent [Electoral Commission] in this matter.



All parties in the case have been ordered to file their Witness Statements and any documents they may wish to rely on within 10 days. Additionally the Electoral Commission was ordered to file authentic copies of C.I 119, C.I 128 as well as the list of voters they registered in the SALL Traditional areas within 10 days.



His Lordship ordered hearing notice in respect of the next sitting of the court to be served on the Director of Operations of the Electoral Commission in Accra as well as their lawyer to ensure their attendance in court.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Nana Akomea has cautioned the Electoral Commission against recording mathematical errors as it was seen in their limited registration exercise.



The Electoral Commission (EC) commenced the registration exercise on Tuesday, May 7, to give opportunity to eligible people who couldn't register in the 2023 exercise to do so in order to exercise their voting right in this year's December 7 polls.



During the second and third days of the exercise, the EC tabulating the number of registrants made errors and later rectified them.



They have apologized for this blunder but it comes without caution to them not to repeat this mistake.



The Electoral Commission has corrected errors in the previously released daily voter registration numbers. The inaccuracies were in the cumulative totals for days two and three, though the regional numbers were correct. The Upper Easts day threes total was mistakenly repeated for day four. These have been amended, a statement by the EC read.



Tackling this issue during Tuesday's edition of "Kokrokoo" morning show on Peace FM, the Chief Executive of the InterCity State Transport Corporation, Nana Akomea found these mistakes unpardonable, alluding to a similar case in the 2020 elections.



He advised the electoral management body to find a lasting solution to this problem.



"This EC arithmetic calculation that they can't do, I can hardly understand it. That 1 plus 1 that they can't get correct, it is disgraceful and they should be careful about that. That 1 plus 1 that the Electoral Commission cannot get right is not good because I remember they repeated the same thing in the 2020 elections resulting in them announcing the election results about twice. It is not good!"







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Nana Akomea has kicked against the appointment of the Electoral Commissioner being left in the hands of the President of the Republic.



For years, the sitting President appoints who becomes the Head of the Electoral Commission.



Under the erstwhile Mahama regime, Charlotte Osei was appointed by then President John Dramani Mahama and became the first female Chairman of the Commission from 2015 to June 2018.



She presided as the Returning Officer for Ghana's 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections and has been succeeded by Jean Mensa, formerly of the Institute of Economic Affairs.



Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), has called for a review of the law that mandates the President to appoint the EC boss.



According to him, this results in political conflict, hence maintains that a sitting President shouldn't be allowed to appoint EC boss.



"That law that says a sitting President should appoint Electoral Commissioner does not help. Because if it is in the era of the NPP or NDC and a sitting President is appointing the Electoral Commissioner, why will the NPP or NDC accept the person? So, the law itself provides conflict," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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NPP Member of Parliament of Abetifi constituency, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has reacted to the ongoing conversation regarding the alleged sale of 4 SSNIT hotels to Rock City Hotel owned by the lawmaker.



According to the Agriculture Minister, the allegations leveled against by the North Tongu Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is meant to tarnish and destroy his hard earned reputation.



Granting an interview with Joy FM on Tuesday, May 21, the Abetifi lawmaker sent a word of caution to his colleague Parliamentarian to desist from tarnishing his image and the reputation of Rock City Hotel Limited.



Dr. Bryan Acheampongs comment follows an earlier petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, asking CHRAJ to investigate an alleged transaction between the Rock City Hotel Limited owned by the sector minister and the management of SSNIT.



According to the petition sent to CHRAJ by Okudzeto Ablakwa, he perceives an act of conflict of interest and other procurement irregularities.



In a rebuttal, Dr. Bryan Acheampong expressed his utmost disappointment over Okudzeto Ablakwas actions, dismissing the allegations as unfounded and stating that the claims are a deliberate attempt to bring his name and image into disrepute.



Dr. Bryan Acheampong said, you are just adding things together and trying to destroy me and trying to destroy Rock City. It is most unfair, it is un-Ghanaian and you should stop it.



He urged the North Tongu MP to distinguish him from his businesses and ask genuine questions if he has any.



If you have issues with a corporate entity, ask questions. I will never stop you and nobody will stop you from asking questions but in the tangent that you [Okudzeto Ablakwa] are going, it has nothing to do with that.



I am a politician and I can be okay with it . . . but note that you are not speaking the truth and CHRAJ will confirm all this to you, Dr. Bryan Acheampong said.



The Abetifi MP disclosed that, Mr. Ablakwas assertion that he is engaged in wrongful procurement is false and lack basis.



Bryan Acheampong explained further that, "Rock City tells me and SSNIT has also confirmed that they had several negotiation meetings. One of the minutes is what Mr. Okudzeto has. In the final negotiations that they reached an agreement, the agreement is what Rock City fulfilled."





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The Interior Minister, Henry Quartey has stated that, the various security agencies will open advertisements to the general public but, prospective recruits will not be made to buy forms.



Speaking on Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' morning show, the minister explained that, with the events of Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the insurgence of Russia on Ukraine, there is a great economic distress on the citizenry.



In view of that, the Interior Ministry together with the security agencies have concluded that, recruitment will be opened but forms will not be sold to the public.



He said, We have not started the recruitment process. There is indication and as the Interior Minister, I wont lie. There will be recruitment, which is a fact. But the agencies have not advertised. The clarity in this matter is that, yes, they will advertise but we will not sell forms.



According to the Ayawaso Central lawmaker, recruitment forms have been sold over the years to thousands of applicants, but it is a handful that get called by the various security agencies.



This, according to the minister, creates an impression of mistrust amongst persons interested to be recruited.



Due to the financial distress imposed on us by the Russian and Ukraine war, and Covid-19, the most available outlet everyone thinks they could go into is recruitment. Usually the members are huge and some persons have always been purchasing forms anytime it is opened up for sales. It poses a great deal of challenges for families who are not able to raise the funds to purchase the forms. If we dont take care, we will be disenfranchising a lot of people who have what it takes to be recruited into the security force," he said.







Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to revamp the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) if he is elected president come December 7.



And we all know the inefficiencies that go with state-owned enterprises. And so we are open to private partnership in terms of bringing that refinery back into operation and running it, but we think that whatever private partnership or private participation is invited, it must come through a transparent process, Mr. Mahama said.



Mr. Mahama stated that a joint private-public partnership will be secured to help revive the nations troubled oil refinery.



Speaking at a meeting with players in the petroleum downstream sector in Accra, Mr. Mahama said TOR will be given full attention under his next administration. He failed to activate the solution he is now drumming home, allowing TOR to rot.



We need to look again at how we can bring the refinery back in place. But I do think that the problems we have with running that refinery is because it is a state-owned enterprise, he added.



Mr. Mahama emphasized that the inefficiencies associated with state-owned enterprises have contributed to the challenges facing TOR, and therefore, a private partnership is the solution to reviving the refinery.



And we all know the inefficiencies that go with state-owned enterprises. And so we are open to private partnership in terms of bringing that refinery back into operation and running it, but we think that whatever private partnership or private participation is invited, it must come through a transparent process, he indicated.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Ezekiel Aguyire, a family member of hiplife musician Jerry Anaba, popularly known as Okomfour Kwadee, has called on the public to offer financial support to the artiste.



In a recent interview with Joy FM, Ezekiel confirmed that Kwadee is currently in their hometown, Mirigu Nabango in the Upper East Region.



He stated that the 'Boyz Boyz' hitmaker is still battling mental health challenges but lacks the financial strength to pay for treatment.



He is not feeling well. But now he is a little better. We need the help of Ghanaians for our brother now. He is not supposed to be here but because for the sickness [he had to leave Kumasi], he said.



He explained that they took him to several places for treatment but due to "money issues" they could not afford some of the medical services.



While seeking suggestions from the public on what to do to give Kwadee the right treatment, Ezekiel mentioned that "even if you find the solution without money, you can't do anything."



Commenting on a recent performance video that surfaced on social media, he said he would not have allowed it if he were around.



A week ago, he went to do a show, they videoed him and took it to social media. That day I was not around but I came back and heard everything. I did not feel fine about it," he mentioned.



He, also doubted if any payment was made for Kwadee's performance because the programme was organised by a family member who lives in another town.



Ezekiel indicated that he used to take care of Okomfour Kwadee since he relocated to Nabongo about two years ago, until his mother also joined them.



A recent video of Kwadee who looks emaciated, frail and unkempt, performing to a gathering, has raised serious concerns among music fans and creative industry stakeholders.



The video has stoked a conversation about the current mental health status and general financial condition of the 'Ofie Nipa' hitmaker, with some suggesting it could be spiritually motivated.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The name of Jesus has a rich presence in folklore and cultural traditions across different regions and historical periods. In folklore, his name is often imbued with mystical and protective qualities, reflecting the deep reverence and significance attributed to him in various cultures.

In many Christian traditions, invoking the name of Jesus is believed to have protective and healing powers. This belief is rooted in biblical passages such as Acts 3:6, where Peter heals a man with a disability by saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

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This idea carried into folklore, where people would invoke Jesus' name to ward off evil spirits, protect against harm and seek divine intervention in times of need.

Folk Tales and Spirituals

Numerous tales in European folklore depict Jesus wandering the earth, often disguised as a traveler in need. These stories emphasize virtues such as humility, charity, and kindness. For instance, in the German folk tale "The Three Green Twigs" by the Brothers Grimm, Jesus appears as a poor beggar to test a hermit's compassion.

Another example is the French legend of "Saint Nicholas and the Three Boys," where Jesus, disguised as a pilgrim, aids Saint Nicolas in resurrecting three murdered children, rewarding the saint's kindness.

The name of Jesus also appears frequently in folk songs and prayers, reflecting its spiritual significance. In many traditional hymns and spirituals, calling on Jesus' name is associated with seeking comfort, guidance, and salvation.

For example, the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" expresses deep personal faith and reliance on Jesus for solace and support. Another well-known spiritual, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," seeks Jesus' guidance and protection through life's challenges. The song "Sweet Jesus" in Appalachian folk tradition also highlights the comforting presence of Jesus.

Modern Folklore

In contemporary times, the name of Jesus continues to play a role in modern folklore and popular culture. Stories of miracles and divine interventions attributed to invoking Jesus' name are common in evangelical and charismatic Christian communities.

For example, testimonies of healing miracles are frequently shared in services and gatherings, such as those reported during events held by evangelists like Benny Hinn.

Another instance is the widespread story of "The Miracle of the Hudson River," where some passengers attributed their survival of the plane crash to prayers invoking Jesus' name.

These modern tales often circulate through word of mouth, religious gatherings and media, such as Christian television networks like TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and social media platforms.
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Photographs from TT-3. A. Combustion feature spatially associated with gomphothere cervical vertebrae and skull fragments (excavation unit C5); B. Sacral and caudal vertebrae, vertebral discs, and unfused coxal portions (excavation unit F5). Note the distance between the first sacral vertebra and its vertebral disc; C. End scraper (TT3-U1-N18) in situ (excavation unit 1); D. Core debitage (TT3-G5-N18-12) in situ spatially associated with gomphothere remains (excavation unit G5). Credit: Labarca et al., 2024, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thousands of years ago, early hunter-gatherers returned regularly to Tagua Tagua Lake in Chile to hunt ancient elephants and take advantage of other local resources, according to a study published May 22 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Rafael Labarca of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and colleagues.

Multiple archaeological sites are known from the region of Tagua Tagua Lake in central Chile, representing some of the earliest known human settlements in the Americas. In this study, Labarca and colleagues report the recent discovery of a new site called Taguatagua 3, an ancient hunter-gatherer camp dating to the Late Pleistocene, between 12,44012,550 years old.

Notably, this site features the fossil remains of a gomphothere, an extinct relative of elephants. Signs of butchery on the bones, along with stone tools and other evidence, indicate that Taguatagua 3 represents a temporary camp established around the task of processing the large carcass.

Other activities were also carried out during the camp's brief period of use, including processing of other foods as indicated by additional charred remains of plants and small animals such as frogs and birds. Fossil cactus seeds and bird eggshell suggest that this camp was occupied specifically during the dry season.

Numerous such sites of similar age are now known from this region, implying that Tagua Tagua Lake was a recurring hunting and scavenging ground for people during the Late Pleistocene due to abundant and predictable local resources.

The authors suggest that this area was a key location along the routes taken by mobile communities of the time and that temporary camps might have hosted regular meetings between these mobile bands. Further investigation of this rich archaeological region will continue to provide insights into the mobility and subsistence strategies of early humans in South America.

The authors add, "Taguatagua 3 helps us to understand better how the early humans adapted to fast changing environments in central Chile during the late Pleistocene times."

More information: Taguatagua 3: A new late Pleistocene settlement in a highly suitable lacustrine habitat in central Chile (34S), PLoS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302465 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Take a close look at these seabed minerals! Green copper minerals are seen here precipitated in a sectioned sulphide sample, retrieved from a scientific cruise conducted by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate across the Mohns Ridge in 2020. Credit: ystein Leiknes Nag/Norwegian Offshore Directorate

By imitating nature, it may be possible to recover seabed minerals by extracting hot water from the Earth's crust. We can harvest green energy and be sensitive to the environmentall at the same time.

Seabed minerals: Here's something you probably don't know. The copper found in the Norwegian mines at Rros and Lkken, and which once made the country very wealthy, was formed from smoking "chimneys" on the ocean floor.

In the Earth's remote past, this copper was carried up through the crust by seawater that had originally been drawn downwards into the scorching depths. If we humans can learn to imitate part of this process, it may be possible to apply it to sensitively recover a variety of minerals from the oceans offshore Norway.

At SINTEF, we believe that seabed minerals should only be recovered if we can develop methods that minimize any negative environmental impacts. We are now in the process of identifying one such method.

Or, in other words, of obtaining the "building blocks" being called for by the green transition. At the same time, we can obtain valuable geothermal heat that we can convert into emissions-free energy.

From the scorching depths to the deck of a platform

In the heated debate currently raging about seabed minerals, now fueled once again by WWF's recent notification to sue the Norwegian state, many people have expressed their fear of negative ecological consequences resulting from the exploitation of these resources.

At SINTEF, we believe that seabed minerals should only be recovered if we can develop methods that minimize any negative environmental impacts. We are now in the process of identifying one such method.

Our idea is to transport the mineral-rich water and bypass the process of precipitation on the seabed, recovering the minerals directly from the scorching depths in the Earth's crust from where they originate. Extraction will take place on the deck of an offshore platform.

Water heated by molten rock

Below the sea surface, some distance from land, there are several locations where so-called black smoker geysers eject mineral-rich waters brought up from the depths of the crust.

This phenomenon is the result of water first having been drawn down into fractures in the volcanic rocks of the seabed and then all the way down into the mantle, which is the layer of molten rock lying beneath the crust. Here, the water is subject to intense heat and is able to take up particles of metals and minerals. These are exactly the materials we need to make our batteries, wind turbines and electric vehicle engines.

Then, the mineral-rich water rises from the mantle, through the crust, and up to the seabed, where it is ejected from the black smoker geysers.

Electricity from steam

At SINTEF, we are working on the idea of imitating part of this process by constructing artificial geysers. Firstly, by drilling wells for sending seawater down into the mantleand then others for transporting the mineral-rich water back to the surface.

This water will be transported in pipes up to platforms where the particles will be separated.

The pressure at the Earth's surface will cause the water to boil. Our idea is to use the steam to generate electricity, which will then be sent onshore. The revenues from selling the electricity will be used to pay for parts of the mineral recovery process.

Discovered in the 1970s

SINTEF has been here beforedemonstrating that imitating nature can be a very fruitful venture. Specifically, that the properties of underwater shales are ideal for dealing with abandoned oil wells.

The phenomenon that we are seeking to imitate todaythese "black smokers" on the seabedwas discovered in the 1970s in an area of the Pacific Ocean at the boundary between two tectonic plates.

Many underwater geysers of this type have been identified on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Norwegian waters. These are locations where molten magma still occurs close to the seabed. Some of them are probably still active today.

Sulfide minerals

The smoker chimneys are made up of particles that are precipitated when the hot, mineral-rich water is ejected from the geysers into the cold seawater. Other fractions of the ejected mass of particles have sunk to the seabed, forming great mounds of gravel at the base of the chimneys.

As time passes, many of the chimneys stop ejecting. They seal up and die, tipping over onto the "piles of gravel."

These gravel piles represent the biggest and most concentrated occurrences of sulfide minerals on the seabed. The sulfide family is one of the two main groups of seabed minerals known from Norwegian oceans.

Key metals

According to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, the natural geysers have deposited minerals containing key metals such as zinc, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, tungsten and silver. Not to mention copper, which occurs in concentrations much greater than those we encounter in mines onshore.

Our idea assumes that humans will succeed in drilling wells that can withstand the temperatures they will encounter close to bodies of molten rock. Experts are already working on this problem..

"Our concept will not be put into practice tomorrow, but it may not be too far into the future either. The timing will depend on the efforts that we are prepared to put into developing the idea. We still need more data about the subsurface, combined with some smart technological innovations.

Supply security for the green transition

If our idea succeeds, this will help the European Parliament, the Norwegian government and everyone else who is looking to safeguard supply security for the green transition.

We have great faith that our concept represents a sensitive and realistic approach to minerals recovery, and are looking forward to continuing with its development.
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Design principle. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47780-w

An international research team including Los Alamos National Laboratory and Tel Aviv University has developed a unique, mechanical metamaterial that, like a computer following instructions, can remember the order of actions performed on it. Named Chaco, after the archaeological site in northern New Mexico, the new metamaterial offers a route to applications in memory storage, robotics, and even mechanical computing.

The research has been published in Nature Communications.

"If you pull a rubber band and then twist it, you get the same result as if you had twisted and then pulled it. Ordinary materials respond in the same way to a sequence of mechanical manipulations regardless of their order," said Cristiano Nisoli, scientist at Los Alamos.

"However, Chaco exhibits history-dependent behavior and remembers past operations. That memory is typical of magnetic rather than mechanical systems; we explicitly designed Chaco as the mechanical analog of a nano-magnet, called Shakti. Our idea was that Chaco could inherit magnetic memory properties typically absent in mechanics."

Design inspired by magnetic frustration

The concept of frustration, typical of exotic magnetic systems, inspired Chaco's design and underpins its memory properties. Magnets can be prevented from reaching a simple, ordered state by geometric frustration if their magnetic moments are strategically architected. Similarly, Chaco's three-dimensional building blocks are arranged in incompatible ways that prevent them from easily settling into an ordered, low-energy configuration.

"This arrangement generates a manifold of internal states, into which memory can be encoded," said Chaviva Sirote-Katz, doctoral student at Tel Aviv University.

Non-Abelian response in experiments of the Chaco metamaterial undergoing the same operations at different order. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47780-w

Chaco was designed at the Theoretical division at Los Alamos and realized at Tel Aviv University. Nisoli proposed the early design by drawing on his experience in the design of frustrated artificial nanomagnets. Carl Merrigan and Yair Shokef, from Tel Aviv University, finalized the design while visiting the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos. The group had realized that the mathematical underpinning of magnetic frustration could carry over to meta-mechanics, with similar exotic phenomenology.

How does Chaco recognize a sequence of actions? The key is the material's non-Abelian nature, meaning that the order of operations is essential to the material's response.

"This material is like a mechanical memory storage device that can remember a sequence of inputs," said Dor Shohat, a doctoral student at Tel Aviv University in the group of Yoav Lahini.

"Each of its mechanical building blocks has two stable states, just like a single bit of magnetic memory. Flipping two units within the material may lead to one final state, but flipping those two units in the reverse order would lead to a different final state."

Encoding information in the sequence of actions

The researchers used this capability to encode information in the sequence of actions. Observing the final state of the material retrieves the information.

"The field of meta-mechanics has been promising new smart materials by design," Nisoli said. "In the Theoretical division, we had been doing something similar by designing new nanomagnets. And now, by imbuing mechanical materials with the exotic properties and functionalities associated with magnets, we have opened a new design direction in meta-mechanics."

More information: Chaviva Sirote-Katz et al, Emergent disorder and mechanical memory in periodic metamaterials, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47780-w Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Australia lacks fearsome large carnivores like lions and wolves, and the relative lack of fear that marsupials like kangaroos and wallabies show to dogs (and other introduced carnivores) has been attributed to a lack of evolutionary experience with large mammalian predators. This, however, overlooks the 50,000-year-long presence in Australia of the world's most fearsome predatorthe human "super predator."

A new study conducted by Western University biology professor Liana Zanette, in collaboration with Calum Cunningham and Chris Johnson from the University of Tasmania, demonstrates kangaroos, wallabies and other Australian marsupials fear humans far more than any other predator. Findings of the study, were published May 22 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

These results greatly strengthen findings from similar studies by Zanette and her collaborators, and others, conducted in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, which show wildlife worldwide fear the human 'super predator' far more than lions, leopards, cougars, bears, wolves or dogs.

For this new study, Zanette and her colleagues worked in the eucalypt forest in Tasmania and experimentally demonstrated that kangaroos, wallabies and other marsupials were 2.4 times more likely to flee in response to hearing human voices compared to hearing dogs, Tasmanian devils or wolves.

Every species in the marsupial community, moreover, demonstrated the same pattern, being roughly twice as likely to flee from humans as the next most frightening predator, which in each case was dogs, and all were most vigilant towards humans.

Credit: Liana Zanette

"These results greatly expand the growing experimental evidence that wildlife worldwide perceive humans as the planet's most frightening predator," said Zanette, a wildlife ecologist.

"The very substantial fear of humans demonstrated here, and in comparable recent experiments, can be expected to have dramatic ecological consequences, because other new research has established that fear itself can reduce wildlife numbers, and fear of humans can cause cascading impacts on multiple species throughout entire landscapes."

To conduct their experiment, the team deployed hidden automated camera-speaker systems that, when triggered by an animal passing within a short distance (approximately 10 meters, or 30 feet), filmed the response to humans speaking calmly, dogs barking, Tasmanian devils snarling, wolves howling or non-threatening controls, such as sheep bleating.

Credit: Liana Zanette

"Global surveys show humans kill prey at much higher rates than other predators, making humans a 'super predator,' and the profound fear of humans being revealed in wildlife everywhere is wholly consistent with humanity's unique lethality," said Zanette.

"Humans are 'the invisible killer' insofar as we do not often think of ourselves as a major predator, let alone the most dangerous, but wildlife clearly think differentlyand recognize us for what we are."

More information: Katherine McGann et al, Fear of the human 'super predator' in native marsupials and introduced deer in Australia, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2849 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Financial decision-making for Black individuals can be dealt a major blow by race-based police violence, new research suggests, offering insight into the far-reaching effects of police brutality.

The study, titled "Race, Police Violence, and Financial Decision-Making," examined detailed American data on home ownership and contributions to a pension planusing statistics broken down by ZIP codeas well as information on fatal police encounters.

The analysis suggests police violence negatively influence financial decision-making for Black individuals, even when they are not directly involved in the incidents.

"We find that when a member of the Black community is killed in a police incident, the members of that racialized group in that local area experience changes in their financial decision-making that are not just statistically significant, but economically large," says co-author Lisa Kramer, a professor of finance in the department of management at University of Toronto Mississauga and the Rotman School of Management.

"I think what was most surprising was the magnitude of the effects."

The study, which will appear in AEA Papers and Proceedings, was carried out by U of T's Kramer, Duke University's Vicki Bogan, University of Manitoba's Chi Liao and University of Mannheim's Alexandra Niessen-Ruenzi. It explored whether two key pieces of the "wealth pie" for most individualshome ownership and retirement savingsmight be affected by race-based police violence. While many studies have already looked at the grief and community trauma associated with race-based police violence, Kramer says the ripple effects on economic decision-making have been analyzed to a far lesser extent.

The research showed Black individuals were 47.5% less likely to own a home than their non-Black counterparts. After exposure to police-based violence, that gap increases to 62.2%, the study suggests. It also found that Black individuals' participation in defined contribution pension plans was reduced after exposure to police violence.

"We find already just to start with, just at the baseline, Black households are less likely to even own a home than others. And once they've observed one of these events in their local community, they become much less likely to own a home," Kramer says.

Since researchers analyzed demographic, socio-economic and geographic data from U.S. households from 1999 to 2019, some recent key eventsincluding the 2020 Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd that prompted anti-racism protests all over the worldwere not captured.

"I think in this more recent era, where social media allows these events to get on the collective consciousness more quickly and more fully, we might find that any sort of traumatic implications that arise might even be more pervasive," Kramer says.

And while the study is based on American data, Kramer says its findings likely apply in Canada as well.

"Certainly in Canada we have also had incidents of racialized violence with police involvement. We're not immune to that in Canada," she says. "There's every reason to believe that the effects that we document aren't unique to the United States."

The study doesn't delve into why police-based violence could have such an effect on financial decision-making for Black individuals, but it does hint at possible explanations, including disengagement from financial decision-making after police violence in a local area and decisions to relocate following an incident.

Kramer, who notes that the study does not seek to deliberately cast police forces in a negative light, says she and her colleagues want to explore possible causes for their findings in future research.

"Right now, we're identifying a striking set of results," she says. "We find differences in financial outcomes at the local community level after these police-involved fatalities. Next, we need to identify the mechanisms that drive the results by testing different hypotheses."

The hope is that the research will add to broader findings on racial inequalities and spark ideas about potential remedies to underlying problems.

"We're looking to explore those events through a financial lens because it's so important to make sure that households have the financial resources that they need," Kramer says. "And if there is a connection thereas it appears there may bewe want to start the conversation, in a data-driven way."

More information: Race, Police Violence, and Financial Decision-Making, AEA Papers and Proceedings (2024)
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Nature lovers will know the scene well. A flurry of birdsong, a shake of a tree and out pops a flock of birds flying away in unison together.

But how is it that the quick chatter of song among those birds led to that communal flight? A network scientist at Northeastern University in London has been helping experts to shed light on that question by mapping out how birds communicate when in groups.

Iacopo Iacopini, an assistant professor in the Network Science Institute, has been working closely with behavioral ecologists to provide "new insights" into vocal communication made by animals.

The research has been set out in Iacopini's paper, "Not your private tete-a-tete: leveraging the power of higher-order networks to study animal communication," published May 20 in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Behavioral ecologists have for decades studied how one songbird is heard by another and then use that understanding to deduce how the one-to-one relationship functionswhat is known as a dyadic interaction.

But experts knew that looking at it from that angle was overly simplistic when it is clear that a chirping bird will be heard by several birds in the surrounding vicinity.

Iacopini, along with colleagues from across the world, worked on modeling how birds interact with two or more others in theirs or rival flocks at the same timewhat are referred to as higher-order networks.

The network scientists applied hypergraphsa mathematical diagram showing how objects can have multiple connections simultaneously while in a group scenarioto better understand how light-bellied brent geese coordinate a group takeoff through increased squawks among the gaggle.

The scientists also did similar studies of the North American black-capped chickadees, creating a network to simulate the dawn chorus among what is a territorial family of birds in a bid to illustrate what interactions are occurring during that moment.

According to the five authors of the paper, mapping how these social structures play out has the potential to "reveal how vocal communication contributes to complex behavioral contagions within groups."

Iacopini said the trend among network scientists recently has been to focus on human interactions.

But he explained that the case studies he and his colleagues looked at for the paper in terms of non-human animal communication gave him a different kind of "playground" in which to map higher-order networks.

"Animals are another super important domain," Iacopini said. "Network scientists are already doing a lot of stuff on animal behavior but, in my opinion, not as much as for human interactions.

"I think that the non-human animal world represents another incredibly good playground for these approaches, because you can ask a lot of questions, you can track them, you can record their vocalization, you can track their movements."

Iacopini hopes that this paper and his experience collaborating with real-world wildlife data will encourage more partnerships between ecologists and network scientists.

"I personally would take this as a potential starting point for a lot of more research and projects on this leveraging," he said.

"It is also a call for attention from my side, to the network science community. I feel it might be the same for the animal behavior and ecology worldsto bring the two worlds together to do better science, combining all the strengths of the two different teams now that we can have really good data-collection experiments."

Co-author Elizabeth Derryberry, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Tennessee who studies birdsong, agreed that the interdisciplinary project had yielded results and opened up "exciting" new possibilities.

She explained that the tools produced by the squad of network-mappers, which also included Nina Fefferman from the University of Tennessee and Matthew Silk from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, allow those working in the field to identify patterns and make predictions about animal behavior.

Iacopini said he and the team of modelers enjoyed having their equations brought to life by ecologists.

"From our perspective, I think it is nice to see that some of the things that we do may actually go out in the field, instead of remaining on papers and publications online, and that is it," he said.

More information: Iacopo Iacopini et al, Not your private tete-a-tete: leveraging the power of higher-order networks to study animal communication, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0190 Journal information: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Credit: Deljana Iossifova

Urbanization in China tends to be depicted in terms of towering skyscrapers and multilane highwaysthe city reaching upwards and outwards. Not much thought is given to the vast, but less eye-catching, urban infrastructure that shapes and is shaped by the everyday lives of its citizenssuch as toilets and sewers.

Until as late as the 2010s, chamber pots were still a common feature of urban life in China. Families shared wooden matong buckets or enamel tanyu, and emptied them at communal disposal sites. The waste thus collected was transported to suburban and rural areas for agricultural use.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping launched the nationwide toilet revolution. By 2020, city councils had added 68,000 more public toilets; by the end of 2022, 73% of rural residents reportedly had access to flush toilets.

But, as research has long shown, urban development and access to the modern sanitation it brings is unequal. When a poorer neighborhood is slated for redevelopment, indoor plumbing is often not considered a priority.

Residents in older, poorer urban areas continue to rely on chamber pots and neighborhood waste collection services. And not all newer areas are connected to the municipal sewage network either; some depend on septic tanks that have to be frequently emptied.

Attitudes, too, are shifting slowly. In newer and older neighborhoods alike, local residents often attribute poor sanitary conditions in public spaces to migrant populations. This leads to discrimination and sometimes even intimidation.

Our recent study looks at how sanitation in the east coast city of Shanghai is shaped by socioeconomic inequality. We have found that it isn't just about cleanlinesssanitation is also about power, culture and social norms.

Everyday sanitation practices

Between 2019 and 2022, our research team visited six diverse neighborhoods in the heart of Shanghai, conducting interviews with 54 residents of different genders, ages and places of origin. We wanted to understand how cultural and social norms are embedded within people's daily hygiene practices, and to what extent existing sanitation infrastructure meets their needs. We also wanted to see what inequalities both this infrastructure and people's routines create and recreate.

We found that sanitation practices are not just about biological rhythms, but the rhythms of everyday life. Residents who do not have flush toilets at home have to schedule visits to public bathrooms in between shopping, going for walks and exercise.

In other older neighborhoods, instead of public bathrooms, multiple households in a building or on the same lane might share a toilet. Residents have to plan their visits to avoid busy times, before and after work.

In some older neighborhoods and those slated for redevelopment, people continue to use chamber pots. They empty them at collection stations twice a day, in the morning before heading to work and in the evening before going to bed.

Rapid urbanization in China has brought unprecedented numbers of migrants into Shanghai and other cities from the countryside. The long-term residents of older neighborhoods we spoke to said repeatedly that these rural-to-urban migrants, who are often overworked and starved for time, do not always follow local customs when disposing of their waste.

Some might, for example, cover their chamber pots with plastic bags and dispose of the contents, bag and all, at the collection stations. This has often led to blockages and overflows, which represent a significant public health hazard. As one resident, migrant worker Lou*, put it: "Urbanites blame migrant workers for making public toilets dirty."

In turn, migrant workers are critical of the people in these older neighborhoods who still use chamber pots. In their home villages and towns, this old-fashioned systemwhich they consider backwardshas long been replaced by private or shared toilets.

Sanitation infrastructure in Shanghai, 19952019

Public or shared toilet blocks sometimes lack the facilities women need, including menstrual waste disposal. When Zhu, a 25-year-old migrant worker, was pregnant, she said she felt helpless because the public bathroom was equipped with urinals only, not toilets with seats. This led her husband to install a private flush toilet inside their rented home.

DIY toilet installationtolerated by local authoritiesis common practice. However, these toilets are often connected directly to storm water sewers, which can lead to unpleasant odors, sewage overflow and, potentially, drinking water contamination.

When connected to septic tanks, there are other challenges. Yu, a 70-year-old local resident, pointed to the economic disincentives at work. Instead of emptying them completely, she said sanitation workers seem to prefer to increase the frequency of their visits. Doing so is more profitable.

The shift to water-based, sewer-networked sanitation and chemical fertilizers in agriculture has decreased the value of human waste. Sanitation professionals are no longer interested in maximizing the amount of waste they collect.

Private flush toilets are typically more common in affluent neighborhoods. This has brought about new social norms and hygiene practices. Men and boys are expected to put the toilet seat down after urination for the convenience of women and girls. Parents use toilet seat covers to prevent the transmission of pathogens through children's direct contact with water or droplets from flushing.

Qiu, a 33-year-old man, said having his first child changed the way he thought about sanitation: "My wife's careful selection of hygiene products for our baby made us more conscious of personal hygiene."

As a result of these changing attitudes, hygiene productswipes, tissues, seat covershave become increasingly popular. This has obvious implications for the increased production and disposal of (solid) waste.

Even in neighborhoods where people have access to private toilets, however, chamber pots have not disappeared entirely. Yu told us that her elderly neighbors tend to still keep one by their bedside.

This is not only a matter of convenience but nostalgia and cultural heritage. Traditionally, the humble chamber potalso known as zisun tong, or offspring potis an item of value for Han people, given as a wedding present by the bride's family. In a rapidly changing world, it continues to resonate with meanings beyond personal hygiene.

*All names in this article have been changed to protect the interviewees' anonymity.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A yellow-banded bumblebee (Bombus terricola) drinking nectar. Credit: Victoria MacPhail

Community science volunteerslaypeople with an interest in bees and conservationsignificantly contribute to the scientific knowledge of native bumble bees across Canada and the United States, finds a new study by York University.

It is buzz-worthy confirmation that community science programs can play an important role in monitoring the changing distributions of bumble bees and more. Community scientists have importantly also detected several at-risk or endangered species in unexpected locations, including the rusty-patched bumble bee and the gypsy cuckoo bumble bee. Trained scientists often haven't seen some of the bees in years and these sightings can help them keep tabs on the species.

The paper, "Bumble Bee Watch community science program increase scientific understanding of an important pollinator group across Canada and the U.S.," appears in the journal PLOS ONE.

Up to a third of North American bumble bees are in decline, but the why of it is still fuzzy. Knowledge gaps about bumble bee stressors, ranges, population dynamics and preferred plants are prevalent.

"As scientists, we really value the contribution of community scientists and the breadth of data they are able to gather, including a wide range of locations and species. As scientists usually lack the resources and time to do this kind of field work over such a large geographic area, it really shines a spotlight on the importance of community science programs," says lead and corresponding author Victoria MacPhail, who conducted the research as part of her Ph.D. at York's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC).

Through the growing Bumble Bee Watch (BBW) program, community scientists have been the eyes on the ground for bee researchers. The volunteers have taken photos of bumble bees from every province, state and territory and upload them through the BBW website along with where they were spotted and plant information if known. Bee taxon experts verify the species of bee.

"The data collected by volunteers through Bumble Bee Watch was surprisingly more plentiful, robust and valuable than anticipated and we rely on that data to add to our current knowledge and to confirm other information," says MacPhail, who is also a former Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation coordinator at York.

Male Bombus huntii, a species of bumblebee, on a sunflower. Credit: Victoria MacPhail

MacPhail completed the study along with York Associate Professor Sheila Colla of EUC and Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Richard Hatfield of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in the United States. They compared BBW data collected by community scientists with the Bumble Bees of North America (BBNA), data collected through traditional scientific methods, for all years available and specifically from 2010 to 2020.

The researchers found that the BBW covered as much ground geographically as the BBNA over all years63 provinces, states and territoriesand had information on 41 species compared to 48 in the BBNA.

Looking exclusively at the decade from 2010 to 2020, the BBW had data from an additional four provinces and states, and more information about 13 species than the BBNA.

In terms of percentages, the BBW contributed 8.5% of overall records, but that increased to more than 25% during the specific decade being studied. Community scientists were able to confirm the prevalence of species as well as inform researchers of which species were inhabiting new locations.

They also contributed ecological information, such as species data for most of the bee species and unique plant genera. Knowing which flowers different types of bumble bees prefer is nothing to sneeze at as it can help prevent habitat loss and inform conservation management.

"While the BBW had fewer bee records than the BBNA database overall, it definitely helps to fill in data gaps and provide new information, and it complements traditional scientific methods," says Colla. "We found the BBW to be valuable as it bolsters our knowledge about habitat, species associations, distribution, and changes in population size, which helps to inform conservation management for bumble bees."

In addition, community science programs can bring awareness to the threats facing bumble bees and help mitigate species decline as they are already interested, engaged and documenting bees, their habitats and their locations.

More information: Victoria J. MacPhail et al, Bumble Bee Watch community science program increases scientific understanding of an important pollinator group across Canada and the USA, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303335 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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A bighorn heading back into the park following a test. Credit: Brady Neiles

In summer 2021, Badlands National Park was home to a healthy and growing population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, with approximately 300 total among the three herds. Then in August, Paul Roghair, lead biological science technician for the park, came across a dead sheep. In September, he found a dead ram. Roghair had a sinking feeling about what might be afoot.

"I thought, 'Oh no, we might have a situation,'" Roghair said.

Early testing revealed a worst-case scenario: The sheep had contracted a deadly, pneumonia-causing bacteriaMycoplasma ovipneumoniaethat nearly wiped out a herd located in Custer State Park in the early 2000s.

Pneumonia quickly spread throughout the rest of the three herds, and wildlife officials began to notice bighorns coughing regularly. Within three months, 50% of the radio-collared sheep were dead.

"We were finding sheep everywhere," Roghair, a 2006 South Dakota State University wildlife and fisheries sciences graduate, said. "We lost a lot of them."

Three years later, with nearly 85% of the population lost, about 50 bighorns remain in the park. While there is no vaccine or treatment for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, researchers in SDSU's Department of Natural Resource Management have joined a collaborative, National Park Service-funded project among the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority to find solutions in slowing the current problem and preventing future outbreaks.

Tumultuous history in South Dakota

Prior to European settlement, Audubon's bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis auduboni) were common in the Badlands and Black Hills regions of South Dakota. But, by 1887, bighorns had all but been "cleared out" of the state and now, Audubon's are an extinct subspecies. Unregulated hunting and domestic livestock grazing are believed to be the primary culprits in their demise.

In 1922, Peter Norbeck, South Dakota's ninth governor and a three-term U.S. senator, obtained eight Rocky Mountain bighorns (Ovis canadensis canadensis) from Alberta, Canada, which were released into Custer State Park. This was the first of many translocation and repopulation efforts for bighorn sheep in South Dakota.

Their tumultuous history has been marked by periods of growth and die-offs. Take, for example, Norbeck's herd. It flourished in Custer State Park up until the 1950s, when the population suddenly went into a decline and, eventually, was completely lost due to "unknown reasons."

In 1964, Badlands National Park received its first translocation herd of bighorn sheep, when 22 bighorns were relocated from Pike's Peak, Colorado. The park received a second herd from Wheeler Peak, New Mexico, in 2004.

Other herds in the Black Hills have also seen periods of growth, followed by periods of decline and, in some cases, total population loss. Almost all these deaths can be chalked up to accidents (usually vehicular) or Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae outbreaks within herds.

In the United States, there are approximately 80,000 Bighorn sheep.

Lovara with one of her working dogs. Credit: South Dakota State University

Current situation

So what happened in this latest die-off? How did the bighorns become infected?

According to William Severud, assistant professor in SDSU's Department of Natural Resource Management, it is suspected that a ram, or group of young rams, interacted with a domestic sheep unit north of the park.

"What happened was that some of the sheep left the park and comingled with domestic sheep," Severud said. "That's where they likely came in contact with the disease. They brought it back to the park and passed it around to the rest of the herd. A lot of them died outright."

Domestic sheep (and goats) are carriers of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and are seemingly unaffected by the bacterium. But for wild sheep, pneumonia is a death sentence, with mortality rates hovering between 50% and 80% for infected bighorns.

For bighorns that do survive an infection, the future is lonely. Outbreaks within a population subsequently cause low lamb recruitment, meaning herds have difficulty repopulating.

"The survivors of the pneumonia either clear the bacteria or they become chronic carriers of it," Severud explained. "The bacterium still lives in their nasal cavity. When the lambs are born in the spring, they have some immunity from their mother's milk, but after about six weeks, that goes away and basically all the lambs die. So, it not only eliminates 50% of the herd, it also suppresses reproduction for survival."

With no treatment available, one of the ways in which wildlife managers prevent further die-off is to test animals in the herd for the disease. If a positive test is revealed through a nasal swab, the animal will be retested twice more. Three straight positive tests mean the animal is a chronic carrier and is shedding the bacterium, causing other sheep to become infected.

"Removing animals that test positive is one of the only ways to combat this right now," Severud explained.

Training dogs

Since joining on the bighorn recovery project, Severud and his graduate research assistants have made multiple trips to the Badlands for testing and tagging bighorns. One of the current challenges with testing is the cost of capturing and restraining the animals, along with the lag time for getting test results.

Capturing bighorns is done through "helicopter net gunning," which utilizes highly trained pilots and wildlife biologists to capture and restrain the animals for testing. After swabbing the animals' nasal cavities, they ship the specimens to a testing facility in Washington State. Under ideal conditions, results will be available in two weeks.

Stella, another of Lovara's dogs, in action. Credit: South Dakota State University

This capture and testing process is the most efficient method to test and detect disease in bighorns; however, researchers are looking for a more efficient way to test and detect for disease.

Severud and one of his graduate assistants, Michele Lovara, are exploring if trained dogs could be the answer. Previously, dogs have been used to detect a variety of human diseases, including cancer, and the researchers believe they can be trained in a similar way to detect pneumonia in bighorns.

"There's a few different ways to test and detect pneumonia," Severud said. "We are interested in this dog method because that would preclude us from having to swab them and sending them the DNA off to the lab and waiting for results."

Lovara, a master's student at SDSU, is involved with the world's leading conservation dog organization, Working Dogs for Conservation. For the past few months, she has been training the dogs, primarily shelter dogs, to detect bacteria from the swab.

"We are looking at the nasal swabs, but we are also looking at scat because if we can look at scat, we don't have to do the captures at all," Lovara said. "We could do this completely non-invasively, and that would be ideal."

To test their idea, they first trained the dogs to detect bacteria through domestic sheep's scat. The dogs are making accurate detections at a 93% rate. For wild scats, they are making accurate detections at an 80% rate.

"In the lab, they are doing decently well at detection, and next year, we are hoping to test the dogs in the field," Lovara said. "This summer, we will test them in the field with the nasal swabs."

If the dogs can make accurate detections, it would allow wildlife officials to remove infected bighorns from the rest of the herd in a much more efficient and timely manner.

"The issue is some of the animals do get the disease and they are fine. We don't want to remove an animal that has the genetics to get over this disease," Lovara said. "The question becomes, which ones do you remove?"

Solutions

While removing infected sheep from the herd is one way to combat outbreaks, how can they be prevented in the first place?

The best way to combat the disease is keeping livestock and wild sheep separate," Severud said.

Another collaborative project that one of Severud's graduate students is involved with is understanding the movements of individual bighorns and entire herds. Since a large majority of the sheep are collared, the researchers can track their movement in and outside the park.

Previously, an SDSU graduate student, Austin Wieseler, evaluated the population within Badlands National Park for his master's thesis. During field research in 2018, Wieseler identified five domestic goat and sheep populations within 10 miles of the park's boundaries.

"As the population continues to have high survival and growth, disease exposure from contact with livestock appears to be the greatest risk to the population in the future," Wieseler prophetically wrote in spring 2021.

Wild animals are exceedingly difficult to contain and eventually, the sheep comingled with their domestic cousins. To prevent a similar situation in the future, Lovara suspects that dogs could be utilized to keep the groups separate.

"Can we use livestock guardian dogs to stop the disease from spreading?" Lovara said. "That's the preventative measure that we have also been working on."

The issue is that livestock guardian dogs will often only protect their sheep from predators, and according to domestic producers in the area, dogs currently don't see bighorns as predators and will let them commingle with the other sheep. However, anecdotal evidence has shown that if producers chase bighorns away from their herds, guardian dogs will mimic their owner's behavior.

"We think it could be a pretty easy training fix," Lovara said.

Future outlook

While the situation is bleak within Badlands National Park, according to Roghair, there is room for optimism. Fewer bighorns are testing positive, meaning the outbreak is starting to subside.

"We need to clear out the disease from the herds which will help with lamb recruitment," Roghair said. "Then we can get back to a growing and healthy population."

The Badlands are also ideal ground for bighorns as the populationprior to the outbreakwas healthy and thriving. Roghair believes they can again thrive once they get back to a disease-free population.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Roghair said. "But we are making steps in the right direction."
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Credit: Dids . from Pexels

Dogs with Indigenous ancestry were eaten during a period of starvation at Jamestown, the first English settlement in North America in the 17th century, according to new research in American Antiquity.

This discovery changes historians' understanding of how Indigenous communities negotiated their relationship with rising colonial powers during this period. It also suggests that early European colonists depended on local Indigenous communities for their very survival, especially during the initial settlement period.

Researchers analyzed ancient mitochondrial DNA from archaeological dogs from Jamestown from the period AD 16091617. At least six of the Jamestown dogs that were analyzed had unambiguous evidence of Native American ancestry. These dogs shared mitogenomic similarities with Hopewellian, Mississippian, and Late Woodland period dogs from eastern North America.

The researchers also found that the six dogs were consumed by the residents at Jamestown. These results suggest complex forces at play before, during, and after the Starving Time, which influenced the presence of these dogs in the Fort and led the residents of Jamestown to consume dogs with Indigenous ancestry.

The genetic analyses of archaeological dogs also reveal insights into the social entanglement between colonizers and Indigenous communities. Dogs both connected and created tension between European and Indigenous cultures, reflecting the complicated and rapidly changing social landscapes that existed during this time.

The loss of Indigenous dogs is an underexplored aspect of colonial impacts in the Americas. The timing and rate of Indigenous dog replacement also have implications for understanding the ecological and cultural changes to Native American ways of life resulting from the influx of European dogs.

Lead researcher Ariane E. Thomas, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Iowa, said, "The ancestry of the Jamestown dogs provides insight into European and Indigenous management of their dogs. Dogs with ancestry predominantly from Europe suggests that either British, Powhatan, or both groups kept their dogs from interacting with each other to maintain specific behaviors or observable phenotypes important to that group.

"However, a high proportion of Indigenous dog ancestry suggests a more complex engagement between the British and Powhatan peoples at Jamestown and less emphasis on maintaining the separation between dogs and their association with settlers. Identifying Indigenous dogs at Jamestown suggests this second, more complex dynamic is more representative of history."

More information: The Dogs of Tsenacomoco: Ancient DNA Reveals the Presence of Local Dogs at Jamestown Colony in the Early Seventeenth Century, American Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.1017/aaq.2024.25 Journal information: American Antiquity
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The European Space Agency announced Wednesday it has selected two companies to develop a vehicle to transport cargo to the International Space Station by 2028, in a potential first step towards independent missions carrying astronauts.

The agency has recently struggled to find rockets to launch its missions into space, and is following in the footsteps of NASA by purchasing services from firms rather than developing them itself.

In November, the ESA launched a competition allocating up to 75 million euros ($80 million) to a maximum of three firms to build a vehicle to take cargo to the ISS and back.

Out of seven proposals, the ESA selected those from French-German The Exploration Company and French-Italian company Thales Alenia Space, each of which will receive 25 million euros, the agency's chief Josef Aschbacher told AFP.

"The evaluation is still ongoing," he said, adding that the ESA may yet select a third proposal.

The contracts, which run until June 2026, will focus on developing the technology and structure of the vehicles.

Additional funds for the ambitious plan would need to be approved by the ESA's 22 members states in 2025.

This would cover a mission planned by the end of 2028 to deliver cargo to the ISS and ensure its safe return to Earth.

It is the second major ESA contract for The Exploration Companya start-up only launched in 2021after it also won a bid to deliver cargo to US private developer Axiom Space's planned commercial space station.

Aschbacher signed contracts with The Exploration Company's CEO Helene Huby and Massimo Comparini from Thales Alenia Space at a space summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

The ESA faces soaring competition in the space sector, both from private firms such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and states like China and India.

It has also suffered a series of launcher setbacks, including Russia pulling its Soyuz rockets due to European sanctions over the Ukraine war.

Meanwhile the long-delayed first launch of the ESA's next-generation Ariane 6 rocket is now scheduled for the first half July, the agency said this week.

Also at the summit on Wednesday, the agency announced that 12 nations had signed onto its Zero Debris charter, which aims to reduce the amount of space junk building up around Earth.

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK all signed up, the ESA said.

 2024 AFP
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France's Sophie Adenot will be the first of the European Space Agency's new crop of astronauts to fly to the ISS.

France's Sophie Adenot and Belgium's Raphael Liegeois will be the first two from a new class of European astronauts to blast off to the International Space Station, the European Space Agency said Wednesday.

Adenot will join the crew onboard the ISS, around 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth, in 2026 for a six-month mission, after which she will be replaced by Liegeois.

The pair were among five new European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts selected in 2022 out more than 20,000 applicants.

"I am very happy to fly first," Adenot told AFP in an interview from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The 41-year-old engineer and helicopter pilot will become the second French woman onboard the ISS, after Claudie Haignere in 2001.

"Claudie inspired me lotwe are in contact often, she gives me advice," Adenot said.

French Higher Education Minister Sylvie Retailleau said it was "a real source of pride".

"Sophie Adenot is a model of scientific commitment for all our young girls," she told AFP.

Liegeois, a 36-year-old Belgian-Luxembourg balloon pilot with a background in neuroscience, said in a statement that he "simply cannot wait to tackle this new upcoming challenge".

The pairalong with Switzerland's Marco Sieber, the UK's Rosemary Coogan and Spain's Pablo Alvarez Fernandezofficially graduated as astronauts in April following a year of basic training in Germany.

Belgium's Raphael Liegeois said he "simply cannot wait to tackle this new upcoming challenge"

ESA chief Josef Aschbacher told AFP that including the seven astronauts from the 2009 class, the previous graduation year, it will be "the largest number we've ever had at one time".

The five newly minted astronauts will "all be flying 2030, which is good news," he added.

Adenot said the group got along well, united by suffering through brutal survival courses in the Pyrenees mountains at temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 Fahrenheit).

Now in Houston, she says she is keen to "really get stuck into the nitty gritty of training", including preparing for six months of weightlessness on board the ISS.

Aschbacher said that "sending two newly graduated ESA astronauts to space is a crucial stepping-stone in the path of preserving European knowhow, ensuring Europe's long-term participation in ongoing programs such as Artemis," NASA's upcoming Moon program.

So does Adenot dream of setting foot on the Moon?

The pair officially graduated as astronauts in April following a year of basic training in Germany.

She admitted to thinking about it, but said she preferred to proceed "in stages" and currently has her sights set on the ISS.

For one, she is getting ready to take in Earth from the viewpoint of space.

"Experienced astronauts tell that it is a total wonderbeyond imaginable," Adenot said.

 2024 AFP
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Goddard engineer Murzy Jhabvala holds the heart of his Compact Thermal Imager camera technology  a high-resolution, high-spectral range infrared sensor suitable for small satellites and missions to other solar-system objects. Credit: NASA

A new, higher-resolution infrared camera outfitted with a variety of lightweight filters could probe sunlight reflected off Earth's upper atmosphere and surface, improve forest fire warnings, and reveal the molecular composition of other planets.

The cameras use sensitive, high-resolution strained-layer superlattice sensors, initially developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Their compact construction, low mass, and adaptability enable engineers like Tilak Hewagama to adapt them to the needs of a variety of sciences.

"Attaching filters directly to the detector eliminates the substantial mass of traditional lens and filter systems," Hewagama said. "This allows a low-mass instrument with a compact focal plane which can now be chilled for infrared detection using smaller, more efficient coolers. Smaller satellites and missions can benefit from their resolution and accuracy."

Engineer Murzy Jhabvala led the initial sensor development at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, as well as leading today's filter integration efforts.

Jhabvala also led the Compact Thermal Imager experiment on the International Space Station that demonstrated how the new sensor technology could survive in space while proving a major success for Earth science. More than 15 million images captured in two infrared bands earned inventors, Jhabvala, and NASA Goddard colleagues Don Jennings and Compton Tucker an agency Invention of the Year award for 2021.

Data from the test provided detailed information about wildfires, better understanding of the vertical structure of Earth's clouds and atmosphere, and captured an updraft caused by wind lifting off Earth's land features called a gravity wave.

The groundbreaking infrared sensors use layers of repeating molecular structures to interact with individual photons, or units of light. The sensors resolve more wavelengths of infrared at a higher resolution: 260 feet (80 meters) per pixel from orbit compared to 1,000 to 3,000 feet (375 to 1,000 meters) possible with current thermal cameras.

The success of these heat-measuring cameras has drawn investments from NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), Small Business Innovation and Research, and other programs to further customize their reach and applications.

Jhabvala and NASA's Advanced Land Imaging Thermal IR Sensor (ALTIRS) team are developing a six-band version for this year's LiDAR, Hyperspectral, & Thermal Imager (G-LiHT) airborne project. This first-of-its-kind camera will measure surface heat and enable pollution monitoring and fire observations at high frame rates, he said.

NASA Goddard Earth scientist Doug Morton leads an ESTO project developing a Compact Fire Imager for wildfire detection and prediction.

The Compact Thermal Imager captured unusually severe fires in Australia from its perch on the International Space Station in 2019 and 2020. With its high resolution, detected the shape and location of fire fronts and how far they were from settled areas  information critically important to first responders. Credit: NASA

"We're not going to see fewer fires, so we're trying to understand how fires release energy over their life cycle," Morton said. "This will help us better understand the new nature of fires in an increasingly flammable world."

CFI will monitor both the hottest fires which release more greenhouse gases and cooler, smoldering coals and ashes which produce more carbon monoxide and airborne particles like smoke and ash.

"Those are key ingredients when it comes to safety and understanding the greenhouse gases released by burning," Morton said.

After they test the fire imager on airborne campaigns, Morton's team envisions outfitting a fleet of 10 small satellites to provide global information about fires with more images per day.

Combined with next generation computer models, he said, "this information can help the forest service and other firefighting agencies prevent fires, improve safety for firefighters on the front lines, and protect the life and property of those living in the path of fires."

Probing clouds on Earth and beyond

Outfitted with polarization filters, the sensor could measure how ice particles in Earth's upper atmosphere clouds scatter and polarize light, NASA Goddard Earth scientist Dong Wu said.

This applications would complement NASA's PACEPlankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystemmission, Wu said, which revealed its first light images earlier this month. Both measure the polarization of light wave's orientation in relation to the direction of travel from different parts of the infrared spectrum.

"The PACE polarimeters monitor visible and shortwave-infrared light," he explained. "The mission will focus on aerosol and ocean color sciences from daytime observations. At mid- and long-infrared wavelengths, the new Infrared polarimeter would capture cloud and surface properties from both day and night observations."

In another effort, Hewagama is working with Jhabvala and Jennings to incorporate linear variable filters which provide even greater detail within the infrared spectrum. The filters reveal atmospheric molecules' rotation and vibration as well as Earth's surface composition.

That technology could also benefit missions to rocky planets, comets, and asteroids, planetary scientist Carrie Anderson said. She said they could identify ice and volatile compounds emitted in enormous plumes from Saturn's moon Enceladus.

"They are essentially geysers of ice," she said, "which of course are cold, but emit light within the new infrared sensor's detection limits. Looking at the plumes against the backdrop of the sun would allow us to identify their composition and vertical distribution very clearly."

Provided by NASA
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For centuries the Makuleke community lived in the northeastern corner of South Africa, close to the modern-day border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. But by the beginning of the 20th century, the squeeze on a disenfranchised community had begun, as they were forced to make way for the private game reserves that were springing up in the Lowveld.

In 1912, the Singwidzi Game Reserve displaced several Makuleke villages, followed by the establishment in 1933 of the Pafuri Game Reserve.

The limited number of game rangers policing the area meant that the community still had limited access to their former lands, but this changed in 1969 when Pafuri was incorporated into the Kruger National Park and the Makuleke were forcibly removed.

The South African government was not alone in removing communities from newly-established conservation areas. Other countries including the United States had also displaced communities as they carved out pristine wilderness areas that became the preserve of wealthier tourists.

But more recently, over the last several decades, there has been a change in thinking. The old idea of wildlife reserves as exclusive domains fell away and was replaced by a more inclusive model that took into consideration the needs of those communities living adjacent to these areas.

South Africa joined this global movement and shortly after the advent of democracy, the Makuleke made history. Under the Restitution of Land Rights Act, in 1997, they reached the first successful settlement of a land restitution claim involving a South African national park.

Benefitting from conservation

Through the settlement, the Makuleke chose to keep the land as a joint management venture between themselves and the Kruger National Park to generate funds and jobs for their community. Today, there are five-star lodges and educational programs running aimed at uplifting the community on the 22,000 hectares of land.

The Makuleke are not alone; across the country, communities are benefitting from conservation thanks to changes in policy and legislation.

In addition to the more than 2,000 jobs created by the Kruger National Park, peripheral services such as car washes and emergency towing services at camps have been outsourced to entrepreneurs from the neighboring communities.

The recent South African National Parks (SANParks) Resource Use Policy of 2019 allows for a number of renewable and non-renewable resources to be harvested in their parks annually, including thatch harvesting, the collection of medicinal plants and even the picking of mopani worms, all done under the watchful eye of an armed ranger.

"In a post-apartheid South Africa, the point is that those national reserves actually belong to the people and those who were disadvantaged by the establishment of these conservation areas should not still be disadvantaged by the continued existence of these parks. As citizens, they should be the first line of stakeholders who should be benefitting from conservation," says Wayne Twine, Associate Professor in the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences.

It is not just state-run reserves; many private reserves have community outreach programs and are addressing the needs of communities within their areas with job opportunities and ancillary services which are outsourced to small, local businesses.

But Twine warns that addressing the needs of both is often a complex balancing act that requires the building of good relationships and honest communication. SANParks has used forums to communicate with the various communities.

"It's really important that you don't wait until you have a crisis before you reach out to neighboring communities," says Twine. Also, it's important that expectations are kept realistic. "It's about balances and trade-offs," he adds.

Data-driven decision-making

It is not just about providing economic opportunities. Recently the people living alongside the Kruger National Park between Numbi Gate and Matsulu complained of elephants venturing onto their land. SANParks said in a press release that they were in discussion with affected communities to work together on the construction of a fence, which is expected to take about eight months to complete.

But protecting ecosystems that better serve both communities and conservation requires gathering data that can help in the making of future policy decisions. This is what the Future Ecosystems for Africa Program, a partnership between scientists, policy makers and land users and led by academics at Wits, provides.

"If we get good data, we can find ways to enable people to derive the benefit of the land's resources while maintaining healthy ecosystems," says Professor Sally Archibald, the Principal Investigator at the Future Ecosystems for Africa Program in the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Their research is also helping to dispel some preconceptions held by the Global North about conservation in the developing world. One example of this is afforestation programs that involve planting trees in areas that evolved as open, grassy savannah systems with their own unique biodiversity. Although the aim is to help mitigate the impact of climate change, scientists like Archibald have argued that this would destroy these ecological areas, reduce water supplies and do little to reduce atmospheric CO 2 levels.

Combating the 'wilderness philosophy'

The 'wilderness philosophy' is something that was brought to Africa with colonialism and is exemplified by fortress conservationthe idea that protected areas can only exist by excluding humans from the land.

However, recent research done by Archibald in the Mozambique Niassa Special Reserve in collaboration with Claire Spottiswoode and David Lloyd Jones from the University of Cape Town is showing that people can live in such protected areas while leaving a minimal imprint on the ecosystem.

The research involved studying honey hunters who live in the park and who, in order to calm the bees and access the hives, light fires at the base of trees and then chop them down.

"Many people, with a more 'wilderness philosophy' would think that this is shocking, and the activity needed to be stopped. But we have shown that they are harvesting a very small proportion of the total tree population and that the rates of tree recovery make these activities sustainable. Our student, Rion Cuthill, has done great work in showing that, yes, sometimes, honey hunting does cause wildfires, but they often happen at times of the year when it is recommended that you burn," says Archibald.

In 2022, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" which set a 2030 deadline for one third of the planet being under effective conservation management.

"The Framework had pushback from Africa and South America over not just who was going to fund this, but also what it means to conserve. Can we consider landscapes conserved if they have people living on them and are managed in a sustainable way?" asks Archibald.

To help international organizations best fund projects in Africa, together with colleagues Barnie Kgope in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Odirilwe Selomane from the University of Pretoria, Archibald is developing a checklist that provides guidance on how projects should be funded in Africa.

"This is so that we not only become the recipients of funding, but so we can also guide that funding towards activities that really will benefit our biodiversity and people. Otherwise, we are always going to be fighting, telling people you can't plant trees on grasslands," explains Archibald.

But while much has been done to democratize the relationships between communities and conservation areas, the future looms with challenges, and climate change and a growing population will make resources even more scarce.

"There are certainly going to be challenges, and that is why going forward it is important to find innovative ways of creating economic opportunities for communities through conservationrather than conservation being pitted against development," says Twine.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An international team of experts calls for a regulatory approach to ensure the effectiveness of business disclosures in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), a landmark agreement ratified by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity that outlines ambitious goals to combat biodiversity decline.

The KMGBF also states action that needs to be implemented by 2030 in order to achieve these goals by 2050. Among its many critical targets is the encouragement for businesses and financial institutions to disclose their biodiversity risks, dependencies and impacts.

However, experts highlighted limitations on the current target, including the voluntary and unstandardized nature of disclosures. The researchers argue that such approaches, predominantly led by businesses, may prioritize short-term financial interests over medium biodiversity conservation and restoration. Ambiguous disclosures, often of low quality, are more likely to hide than to mitigate biodiversity loss.

Incorporating biodiversity into decision-making

The article was published in the journal Conservation Letters and led by Newcastle University in partnership with experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Church of England Pensions Board.

Drawing on a wide range of expertise, the researchers recommend a regulatory approach, supported by scientific engagement in the development of disclosure standards and associated policy indicators. They argue this will ensure that the emerging response to the KMGBF target on disclosures (Target 15) avoids negative outcomes and instead results in positive impacts on biodiversity.

In addition, this approach has the potential to provide a differentiator for investors, reduce the likelihood that biodiversity impacts are treated as an externality, and form part of the "accountability architecture" surrounding business operations.

The lead author, Dr. Louise Mair, NUAcT Research Fellow at Newcastle University's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said, "Simply measuring a change in the number of businesses that make biodiversity disclosures risks creating a false sense of progress, and may even hide negative impacts on biodiversity, if the content and quality of disclosures is not ensured. We need a more nuanced approach to measuring progress that explicitly considers the changing impact of business operations and financial flows on biodiversity."

"For the Global Biodiversity Framework's goals to be achieved, companies and their investors need to incorporate biodiversity into decision-making. The risks and dependencies associated with biodiversity mean that only a systemic approach to ensuring good information makes sense; we argue in this paper that company disclosures should be required, consistent, and based on conservation science," added Dr. Stephen Barrie, Deputy Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Church of England Pensions Board.

Juha Siikamaki, chief economist of IUCN, said, "Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity requires aligning all economic activities and financial flows with nature. Private sector contributions towards this objective will be key, and it is critical that they are consistently measured and transparently disclosed using scientifically robust and standardized metrics."

More information: Louise Mair et al, Corporate disclosures need a biodiversity outcome focus and regulatory backing to deliver global conservation goals, Conservation Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1111/conl.13024 Journal information: Conservation Letters
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With the Privthi-weather-climate foundational model, researchers will be able to support many climate applications that can be used throughout the science community. These applications include detecting and improving models for severe weather patterns or natural disasters such as hurricanes. NASAs Terra satellite acquired this image of Idalia in August 2023. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

Working together, NASA and IBM Research have developed a new artificial intelligence model to support a variety of weather and climate applications. The new modelknown as the Privthi-weather-climate foundational modeluses artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that could vastly improve the resolution we'll be able to get, opening the door to better regional and local weather and climate models.

Foundational models are large-scale, base models that are trained on large, unlabeled datasets and can be fine-tuned for a variety of applications. The Privthi-weather-climate model is trained on a broad set of datain this case NASA data from NASA's Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA-2)and then makes use of AI learning abilities to apply patterns gleaned from the initial data across a broad range of additional scenarios.

"Advancing NASA's Earth science for the benefit of humanity means delivering actionable science in ways that are useful to people, organizations, and communities. The rapid changes we're witnessing on our home planet demand this strategy to meet the urgency of the moment," said Karen St. Germain, director of the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "The NASA foundation model will help us produce a tool that people can use: weather, seasonal and climate projections to help inform decisions on how to prepare, respond and mitigate."

With the Privthi-weather-climate model, researchers will be able to support many different climate applications that can be used throughout the science community. These applications include detecting and predicting severe weather patterns or natural disasters, creating targeted forecasts based on localized observations, improving spatial resolution on global climate simulations down to regional levels, and improving the representation of how physical processes are included in weather and climate models.

"These transformative AI models are reshaping data accessibility by significantly lowering the barrier of entry to using NASA's scientific data," said Kevin Murphy, NASA's chief science data officer, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. "Our open approach to sharing these models invites the global community to explore and harness the capabilities we've cultivated, ensuring that NASA's investment enriches and benefits all."

Privthi-weather-climate was developed through an open collaboration with IBM Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and NASA, including the agency's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Privthi-weather-climate can capture the complex dynamics of atmospheric physics even when there is missing information thanks to the flexibility of the model's architecture. This foundational model for weather and climate can scale to both global and regional areas without compromising resolution.

"This model is part of our overall strategy to develop a family of AI foundation models to support NASA's science mission goals," said Rahul Ramachandran, who leads IMPACT at Marshall. "These models will augment our capabilities to draw insights from our vast archives of Earth observations."

Privthi-weather-climate is part of a larger model familythe Privthi familythat includes models trained on NASA's Harmonized LandSat and Sentinel-2 data. The latest model serves as an open collaboration in line with NASA's open science principles to make all data accessible and usable by communities everywhere. It will be released later this year on Hugging Face, a machine learning and data science platform that helps users build, deploy, and train machine learning models.

"The development of the NASA foundation model for weather and climate is an important step towards the democratization of NASA's science and observation mission," said Tsendgar Lee, program manager for NASA's Research and Analysis Weather Focus Area, High-End Computing Program, and Data for Operation and Assessment. "We will continue developing new technology for climate scenario analysis and decision making."

Along with IMPACT and IBM Research, development of Privthi-weather-climate featured significant contributions from NASA's Office of the Chief Science Data Officer, NASA's Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at Goddard Space Flight Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Colorado State University, and Stanford University.

More information: Learn more about Earth data and previous Privthi models: www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/im  hls-foundation-model

Provided by NASA
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The interference signature of an S-300 system in the Kherson Oblast, a Russian-occupied region of Ukraine. Credit: ESA/Tom Saxton

In the occupied far east of Ukraine, Russian forces are aiming waves of missiles against Ukrainian civilian targets. Each of Russia's state-of-the-art missile launch systems costs more than US$100 million (A$150 million). They allow Russia to launch attacks from safe positions many kilometers behind the front lines.

The S-300 surface-to-air missile launcher is designed to avoid detection. Their locations are closely guarded secrets. However, using publicly available satellite images, we have detected telltale signs of the operation of these weapons that give away their location.

This is just one example of why the strategic and tactical use of publicly available data on the internet has become an increasing source of concern for militaries. So-called "open-source intelligence" (or OSINT) has become a top priority of intelligence agencies worldwide.

As more and more data is digitized and placed online, open-source intelligence has become a powerful tool. Social media platforms, satellite images and leaked data can all be sources of intelligence information.

We have seen significant use of open-source intelligence via social media in the Ukraine conflict. The movements of soldiers and military vehicles have been widely documented. Russian information operations attempting to falsely portray Ukrainian forces as targeting civilians have also been exposed.

Open-source intelligence is a cheap and efficient way for analysts to inform decision-making. In a conflict such as the RussiaUkraine war, open-source intelligence can act as a force multiplier.

Tracking missile systems online

In 2018, researchers discovered an unexpected use of the Sentinel-1 satellite, a public-access scientific satellite operated by the European Space Agency. It could reveal the location of the United States' Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. The Sentinel-1 picks up radar emissions from the missile system's radar, which shows up as bands of interference in the imagery.

Surface-to-air missile systems are usually designed to be highly mobile, so they can be deployed anywhere to surprise enemies. Open-source intelligence means anyone with an internet connection may now be able to locate these assets.

This poses new challenges for military leaders. The strategies and processes they have developed to protect civilians, soldiers and critical infrastructureas well as their own weapons and other assetsfrom enemy drones, missiles, or targeted ground assaults may no longer be effective.

How vulnerable are Russian systems?

For Russia and Ukraine, these challenges are playing out in real time. We used Sentinel-1 to locate active and mobile Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems in Eastern Ukraineand if we can find them, so can anyone else.

How did we do it? First, we analyzed multiple social media sources for confirmed locations of S-300s. We then viewed Sentinel-1 imagery of these locations and increased the sensitivity to reveal radar interference from the missile systems. The interference patterns show the radar source sits along a certain line.

The above image shows how it works. With a known location, it took only a few minutes to acquire the image and reveal the radar interference. This image shows an S-300 system from the Kherson Oblast, a Russian-occupied region of Ukraine, which was neutralized days after the satellite captured the interference.

The S-300 is widely regarded as Russia's counterpart to the US Patriot system. In Russia's war on Ukraine, it is tasked with defending against missiles and aircraft but has recently been used to target Ukrainian civilians.

To date, only around nine Russian S-300 missile launchers have been confirmed destroyed over the course of the war. This illustrates how rare and highly protected they are, reserved for protecting the most vital assets and regions of the Russian military.

For better and worse

The S-300 is exported to Iran, China and many other nations. Russia's is not the only military that may be compromised by the location of S-300 systems through public satellite imagery. Of course, these systems need to be in operation to emit interference.

This grants advantages to non-state combatants and states with less sophisticated militaries. These forces may be able to locate and potentially destroy hundred-million-dollar assets with publicly available data.

Ukraine's military has shown how efficient low-cost drones can be in destroying expensive air defense systems. Open-source data, such as the electronic emissions collected from scientific satellites, illustrates how ordinary and even innocuous tools can be used for warfare.

The overall ethical implications of open-source intelligence are mixed. Public data may be used by malicious non-state actors or terrorist groups, for example.

On the other hand, analysts and journalists can use such processes and methods of data gathering and analysis to investigate war crimes and abuses of human rights or create more accurate reporting of events. The Institute for the Study of War, for instance, has employed satellite imagery and social media documentation to demonstrate Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders in 2021 and 2022, thereby exposing Russian intentions.

The future of open-source intelligence

Open-source intelligence, and the critical skills required to examine public data, have become increasingly important for militaries and intelligence organizations. However, open-source data platforms, such as satellite imagery provided by the European Space Agency, are likely to produce ongoing challenges for militaries.

How will the world respond? Institutions, business, government sites and other bodies may decide to cut off the flow of public data in order to reduce its unintentional impact.

This too would create challenges. Censorship of publicly available data would pose risks to transparency of information and degrade public trust in companies and public institutions. Removing public access to information would mean people and organizations with less money could no longer access it.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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An agriculture show at UConn in 1945, during the period the dairy samples were collected. Credit: Department of Archives & Special Collections/UConn Library

Sometime in the 1940s or so, someone in what is now the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science got a lyophilizer, a piece of equipment that freeze-dries samples, says Director of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL)

Dr. Guillermo Risatti explains that at that time, the microbiology lab was very active in testing milk for the dairy farms in the region. With an exciting new piece of equipment, it seems they started lyophilizing hundreds of samples.

The samples have been in storage ever since. Scant details on the milk samples showed that they contained Streptococcus bacteria from the 1940s.

Risatti explains that he and his colleaguesCVMDL Research Associate Dr. Zeinab Helal, Ji-Yeon Hyeon (now at College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea), and Dong-Hun Lee (also now at College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea)were interested in exploring their microbial history.

Risatti says that over the years, the data was lost, so researchers don't have precise details of the provenance of the samples. But knowing a bit of history about the department, they can deduce some information.

"We believe that most of them came from Connecticut or perhaps from cases from the region, but we cannot say which parts," Risatti says. "Most likely, this lab provided a testing service to locals, as this was mainly a pathology lab. Now it's more like a diagnostic lab, and we receive samples from all over the region, including New York and New Jersey."

Learning about what these historical samples hold could help with research in unexpected ways, but the first step is piecing together the lost details. To do this, Risatti explains that the team established a workflow using standard techniques to streamline processes to analyze the visual characteristics, called phenotype, and to analyze their genotype with genomic sequencing.

Different species of Streptococcus use different strategies to inflict disease in the organisms they infect. These virulence factors are used to differentiate one species of Streptococcus from another and are one way to distinguish samples through phenotypic analysis. Another phenotypic analysis includes testing bacteria for their susceptibility to antibiotics.

The researchers started with 50 samples collected from 1941 to 1947, and they found that the samples contained seven different Streptococcus species, including two subspecies of S. dysgalactiae.

Interestingly, the researchers found some of the samples were resistant to the antibiotic tetracycline and did not carry antibiotic resistance genes typically seen in today's antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Since these samples were collected prior to the antibiotic era, the results add to a growing body of literature showing that antibiotic resistance occurred naturally before humans discovered and began to use antibiotics.

"Antibiotic resistance is a very big area of research, and it has been for many years," says Risatti. "We did not go any further with our analysis because we don't have the tools here, but we hope to bring this information to the public. I think it could be the jumpstart for somebody to study further."

Risatti explains the hope is to partner with large agencies like the CDC and the Department of Public Health to help bolster antibiotic resistance research.

In developing the workflow, Risatti also praised the work of students Jillian Baron '24 (CAHNR) and Patricia Arceta '24 (CAHNR). "This is a good platform for undergraduate students to gain experience and publish their findings. I am surprised by how eager these young people are. I am glad we can provide the space to do these things."

With an eye toward the future, Risatti is excited about potential future collaborations: "I hope that people can see a link between what we do at CVMDL and human health."
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Current Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.061

Genetic predispositions guide population-specific song learning in wild birds, shows new research from Stockholm University. By studying adult pied flycatchers that had been translocated as eggs from the Netherlands to Sweden, the researchers found that the songs of translocated birds resembled both their social environment in Sweden as well as their ancestral Dutch population.

These results show how genetic differences can impact cultural change in birdsong and how they can, together, contribute to mating barriers between bird populations.

"In nearly half of the world's bird species, bird songs are learned socially, by imitating the songs of adults, much like how human children learn languages," says Samyuktha Rajan who is a Ph.D. student at Stockholm University and the lead author of the study published in Current Biology.

As individuals learn songs from one another, mistakes inevitably occur, leading to variation in songs across populations of the same species, similarly to the formation of human languages. In birds, these differences are often enough to reduce mating between individuals from different populations.

Despite decades of interest in how population differences in learned song arise, a long-term mystery is how these differences persist when individuals disperse between populations. Individuals moving from one population to another should bring with them their own population's songs, resulting in the collapse of any accumulated song differences between populations.

To answer this, researchers at Stockholm University collaborated with researchers at the University of Groningen. The researchers translocated pied flycatcher eggs from a population in the Netherlands to Sweden, where they were reared by Swedish parents.

The researchers then compared the songs produced by adult males that hatched from these translocated eggs to those of their ancestral Dutch population and their local foster Swedish population.

"We found that the songs of translocated males were overall very similar to the Swedish population underscoring the importance of social learning in song development. Interestingly though, the translocated males selectively learned those Swedish song elements that were most similar to the Dutch population, despite never having been exposed to Dutch songs. This resulted in their songs resembling both the local Swedish population and their ancestral Dutch population," says Rajan.

"This suggests that in addition to the critical role of the social environment, pied flycatchers also possess genetic predispositions to learn songs of their population of origin."

These findings shed light on how genetic differences can impact cultural change. The researchers propose that as songs continue to diverge between the populations, genetic predispositions should diverge in concert. Over time, this process might reduce the likelihood that individuals originating from different populations would mate with one another, thereby driving the formation of new species.

More information: Samyuktha Rajan et al, Translocated wild birds are predisposed to learn songs of their ancestral population, Current Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.061 Journal information: Current Biology
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Photo of La Candelaria, Bogota. Credit: Michael Baron on Unsplash

Following numerous attempts at peace, in 2016, the Colombian government and the FARC, the largest left-wing guerilla group, signed a peace treaty. Although Colombians were deeply divided about the treaty's prospects when it was first signed, the agreement put an end to six decades of armed conflict in which hundreds of thousands of Colombians, 80% of them civilians, perished. When it came to the prospect of peace, skepticism and hope were at odds, including among the urban youth in Bogota, Colombia's capital.

A newly published study of Colombian youths' perspectives on the conflict and its aftermath brings that skepticism and hope for restoration into focus. The paper, published in Political Psychology, was led by Laura Pareja Conto and Holly Recchia, a professor of education in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

The study revealed a deep cynicism regarding the peace accord, an overall disillusionment with the country's political system and distrust toward both the government and the FARC. However, it also showed that these youth generally supported the peace process, with 57% saying they hoped it would succeed.

They expressed strong feelings about the need to improve the lives of the conflict's victims, accountability for harm and ending a seemingly intractable cycle of violence.

Most students also expressed having a limited understanding of the history of the Colombian armed conflict, which the researchers noted is a possible point of intervention. The country aims to reconstruct a more inclusive narrative of the events and root causes that propelled the conflict.

Divided but hoping for the best

The data were gathered in 2018 from interviews with 77 adolescents at two high schools in Bogota. The researchers chose public schools located in neighborhoods with lower to middle socioeconomic status to reflect the reality of the majority of the city's residents.

"At the time, Colombia was very polarized. The country was in the middle of a presidential election and the divide following the peace agreement plebiscite was still palpable," says Pareja Conto. "With this study, we aimed to go beyond this division to explore the concerns and tensions in how youth understand the armed conflict and peace process."

"We were not surprised by the levels of cynicism, given the history of the conflict in Colombia and the corruption that has plagued its different political systems and institutions," adds Recchia. "It reflects youths' apt understandings of their social realities. But we found that this cynicism was juxtaposed with their focus on improving the lives of people who were impacted, on restoring relationships and ending violencethis was the real take-home for us."

According to Colombia's truth commission, at least eight million Colombians were displaced between 1985 and 2019. Bogota remains the country's largest receptor. To protect the participants' privacy and well-being, the researchers did not ask about their own personal experiences of the conflict.

They were asked about their knowledge of the conflict itself, the peace treaty and how it was being discussed in the public sphere. The students also described their conversations with others about the conflict and the peace process. All the questions were open-ended.

Each participant was presented with two hypothetical though realistic scenarios depicting harmful events that resulted in either loss of life or damage to infrastructure. They were asked how best to address these harms and to justify their proposals. Their answers were then codified and analyzed by the researchers.

The results were not meant to provide an authoritative portrait of Colombian youth, the researchers note. Rather, it was meant to provide a sociopolitical and psychological analysis of urban Colombian adolescents at a certain time and place.

Shared humanities

Pareja Conto acknowledges that her home country remains divided but has made significant strides in the years since the peace agreement was signed. Peace education initiatives are being implemented in Colombian schools, with possibilities for nuanced classroom discussions on difficult issues like justice and reconciliation.

The research could have relevance outside Colombia, given the unfortunate prevalence of conflict around the globe.

"The data make evident that even when people hold opposing perspectives, common ground can be identified. Across the political spectrum, youth are expressing underlying concerns about restoring those who have been harmed and ending cycles of violence," she says.

"It's a humane orientation to express empathy for people who have experienced profound loss, but beyond this, youth are very nuanced in their proposed optimal solutions for restoration and peace."

Contributing authors include Angelica Restrepo from Concordia University, Gabriel Velez from Marquette University, Roberto Posada-Gilede from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Cecilia Wainryb of the University of Utah.

More information: Laura Pareja Conto et al, Urban Colombian youths' perspectives on the armed conflict and possibilities for ways forward, Political Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/pops.12962
China-aided ICT institute handed over to Laos

Xinhua) 09:30, May 22, 2024

VIENTIANE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The handover ceremony of a China-aided information and communication technology (ICT) institute has been held in Lao capital Vientiane.

The institute is equipped with modern classrooms, laboratories, offices, libraries, and conference rooms, Lao News Agency reported on Tuesday. It is also equipped with teleconference equipment for online training purposes.

Local teachers and staff have also been trained in Laos and China in preparation for the management of the training facility.

Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara said the establishment of the institute is very important to the development of human resources in Laos.

He added that this institute marks the cooperative relations between Laos and China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Galloway Township man who allegedly stabbed a police officer in the face last month will remain in jail until trial, Superior Court Judge Pamela D'Arcy ruled Tuesday.

Keith E. Kiminsky, 31, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest.

His detention hearing was pushed back multiple times while the court awaited the results of a mental health evaluation, which was ordered by Judge Jeffrey Waldman during Kiminsky's first appearance April 15.

Police arrived at a home in the 300 block of Cresson Avenue at 8:30 p.m. April 7 in reference to several 911 hang-up calls. Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas spoke with Kiminsky's mother, who said her son was armed with a knife, according to police body camera video.

Mental health evaluation results pending for alleged Galloway cop stabber A detention hearing for a Galloway Township man who allegedly stabbed a police officer in the face earlier this month was delayed Friday as results from a court-ordered mental health evaluation are pending.

"My son is having mental health issues," Kiminsky's mother told the officers.

Kiminsky then ran out of the home and stabbed Tarnow in the face with a folding pocket knife, police said at the time.

Tarnow and Thomas fought with Kiminsky for several minutes until backup officers arrived and took him into custody, police said.

Both officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Tarnow suffered a significant cut on the right side of his face, while Thomas was treated for a minor head injury, police said.
CAMDEN  Bishop Joseph Andrew Williams, formerly of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota, has joined the Diocese of Camden as a coadjutor bishop, meaning he will assist Bishop Dennis Sullivan until Sullivan retires next year, and possibly succeed him.

The Camden Diocese oversees Catholic churches and schools in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties and other parts of South Jersey.

Sullivan is expected to retire March 17, 2025, on what will be his 80th birthday. He submitted his letter of resignation in 2020, according to the Catholic Star Herald newspaper. Sullivan will retain full responsibility for the diocese until that time.

The diocese held a news conference Wednesday to introduce Williams.

I am immensely thankful to Pope Francis for his decision to appoint to the Diocese of Camden a bishop with so much experience as a pastor, and one so familiar with Latino culture," Sullivan said in a statement. "I am also humbled that the Holy Father is allowing me the opportunity to complete my time as the Bishop of Camden working alongside my successor."

Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Somers Point Catholic school, diocese The mother of a former St. Joseph Regional School student is suing the Diocese of Camden and the Somers Point school claiming both parties didn't do enough to stop alleged acts of racial discrimination against her son.

Williams, 50, was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2002. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris. He studied philosophy and pre-theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and attended the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

According to the diocese, Williams is known for his longtime ministry to Latino and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Members of both of his most recent parishes are predominantly Latino, and he has worked to change negative cultural perceptions of undocumented immigrants, the diocese said.

I am overjoyed in coming to a diocese whose Bishop is held in such high esteem by both the faithful and the Holy Father," Williams said. "I look forward to learning from Bishop Sullivan, my brother priests in Camden, the deacons, consecrated women and men and the faithful of South Jersey about their needs and their hopes for the future.

According to the diocese, a coadjutor bishop has the right of succession, meaning he automatically becomes the new bishop when the diocesan bishop retires or dies.

Sullivan was installed as the eighth bishop of Camden on Feb. 12, 2013. He was originally ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York in 1971.
They silently filled the chairs on one side of the Moline Police Department's community room and listened while Chief Darren Gault offered grim-but-welcome words during Tuesday's news conference.

The people who loved Zachary Meincke and Giovanni Flores heard a 20-year-old Davenport man named Israel S. Martinez was arrested early Tuesday and charged with the murder of the teenagers.

Meincke, 19, and Flores, 17, were close friends and enjoying an after-prom party at the house Meincke rented in the 1800 block of 31st Street before they were found dead in the basement in the early morning hours of May 5. Both young men died of gunshot wounds.

Gault praised the hard work of his investigators, including detectives Mike Griffin and Brett Kopf.

"For the past 16 days the Moline Police Department has been pursuing justice for these victims and their families," he said. "Sixteen days of relentless pursuit of justice. Hundreds of leads and interviews. Sixteen days of agonies for the families not knowing.

"I'm proud of the work done by the officers of the Moline Police Department. What I can tell you is that if you commit acts of violence in the city of Moline, we will hunt you down. Sometimes it takes hours. Sometimes it takes days. Sometimes it takes years. We will find you."

Search warrants based on a lead in the investigation were served around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, one in the 2300 block of Third Street in East Moline and the other in the 1600 block of W. 14th Street in Davenport, a press release from Moline Police Department stated. Moline police arrested Martinez at the Davenport address.

Early on Tuesday afternoon, Scott County Sheriffs Office deputies brought Martinez to the Scott County Jail, according to the jail website. He remained in custody there Tuesday pending extradition to Illinois.

Gault said investigators did not find any indications that the shootings of Flores and Meincke were related to gang activity, or to any other homicides.

Detectives think they have established a timeline of events for the morning of the shooting and determined the motive behind it, Gault said. He did not provide more details on either at the news conference.

He also did not provide more information about what relationship, if any, there was between Flores, Meincke and Martinez.

Gault thanked the community for its support, and said the families of Flores and Meincke also were grateful to the community for its support since the killings  both to them and to the police.

As of Tuesdays news conference, Gault said he did not anticipate further arrests in the case.

The families of Meincke and Flores did not speak at the press conference, but both issued statements of thanks.

"We are grateful for every call, text, video and tip that assisted in this process. We would also like to thank the Moline Police Department for their tireless efforts in ensuring that this cruel act did not go unpunished," a statement from Flores' family said. "Our lives wont ever be the same without Giovanni as his love and friendship spread to all who knew him and although we know our fight for justice is far from over, we are confident that our community will stand strong behind us for the sake of our children and families."

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati offered thanks and an examination of how to prevent further violence.
A Porcupine man convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury was sentenced in federal court May 16, according to the United States Attorney for South Dakota Alison Ramsdell.

Wilbur Morrison, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier to 40 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release on each count of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, and 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for the charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He was also ordered to pay a total of $300 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for the three convictions. The prison sentences and periods of supervision will be served concurrently.

Morrison was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in Rapid City in February of 2024.

On the evening of January 12, 2023, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety was dispatched to Morrisons residence for a report of a physical assault between Morrison and his adult brother. Law enforcement learned from a neighbor that Morrison was intoxicated and sexually abusing the victim in the living room of the home. The victim, including other children in the home, ran to the neighbors house where the incident was reported to law enforcement. All children were forensically interviewed by the Child Advocacy Center in Rapid City. The victim disclosed sexual abuse occurring on the evening of January 12, 2023, and on at least one other occasion.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Morrison was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
A Rapid City man convicted of receipt of child pornography was sentenced May 16 by a federal judge in Rapid City, according to the U.S. Attorney for South Dakota Alison Ramsdell.

T Jay Joseph Sullivan, 29, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Roberto Lange to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sullivan will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Sullivan was indicted for receipt of child pornography and transportation of obscene matters by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on February 14, 2024.

The investigation originated from a CyberTip which reported child pornography associated with Sullivans Facebook account. Investigators learned Sullivan messaged a 13-year-old girl over Facebook, sent the girl nude images, and requested the girl send him images of some of her specific body parts. The 13-year-old girl sent Sullivan images that constituted child pornography. During the investigation, detectives learned Sullivan also requested nude images from a different 13-year-old girl by using Facebook Messenger and sent that girl nude images of himself. All the messages and images were located in Sullivans Facebook account.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices and the DOJs Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims, a press release from Ramsdell's office said. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennington County Sheriffs Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Sullivan was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
VIENTIANE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government, together with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), has embarked on a comprehensive National Solid Waste Management Assessment to address the growing challenges of waste management.

The assessment will delve into the current state of waste management in Laos, examining practices, challenges, infrastructure, and regulations, Lao national TV reported on Tuesday.

This analysis will pave the way for identifying investment opportunities and formulating strategies to enhance compliance with sustainable waste management standards, thereby bolstering environmental protection and public health.

Scheduled to run between May and July 2024, the assessment will involve meticulous data collection, stakeholder engagement, and the study of best practices. An inventory of disposal facilities at both the central and local levels will be compiled, providing a foundation for revising national laws to align with ASEAN's (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regional strategies and guidelines.

The workshop, held in Lao capital Vientiane on Friday, brought together representatives from the Lao government, development partners, the private sector, and academic institutions, fostering a collaborative network for sustainable waste management in Laos and the ASEAN region.

Speaking at the workshop, Director General of the Department of Planning and Finance under the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Phakkavanh Phissamay expressed optimism about the assessment's potential to improve waste management services. 
Editor's note: This story has been updated after the jury delivered its verdict Tuesday night.

A Missoula jury has ruled Cody Marble did not prove his innocence against 22-year-old rape allegations for which he was once convicted.

The jury's verdict came Tuesday evening after a seven-day trial. Marble had sought compensation for his time in prison from Missoula County and the state of Montana after his conviction was overturned in 2016.

"We were here to vindicate a 2002 unanimous jury verdict," said Steve Carey, whose firm represented Missoula County against Marble's claims. "We took that very seriously and we're glad that this jury did it."

Marble sat quiet and still as the court clerk read the verdict. His legal team declined to comment following the decision.

The outcome does not reinstate Marble's earlier conviction but rather bars him from seeking compensation from the county that secured that conviction.

A day earlier, the Missoula County courtroom was especially quiet as an attorney read Robert Thomas exchange with prosecutors 22 years ago.

Prosecutors then had asked Thomas about his place on the social ladder in the juvenile detention center. He was several years younger than most, and generally took some bullying to get along.

"I didnt do anything," he told prosecutors about the harassment. "I just hoped Id get out soon."

A group of other juvenile inmates in 2002 accused fellow inmate Cody Marble of raping Thomas. Marble was convicted at that trial, but eight years ago a judge overturned that conviction upon new evidence; namely, Thomas' recantation of the allegations.

Since last week, jurors have heard Marble's case as he seeks compensation for the years spent in prison on that conviction. Missoula County and the state of Montana's defense included Thomas' testimony from the original trial. Those words, read by attorney David Lighthall, carried a lot of weight in the courtroom on Monday, as Thomas has since died.

Thomas told the jury in 2002 that he was made the subject of sexual jokes by many other juvenile inmates, and described the rape allegations for which Marble was convicted that year.

Thomas recanted the allegations to the Montana Innocence Project in 2010. Later Thomas would reverse that recantation under the threat from Missoula County prosecutor-at-the-time Fred Van Valkenburg that he would charge Thomas with perjury for back-tracking from his trial at testimony.

Van Valkenburg was listed as a potential witness for Missoula Countys defense of Marbles claims for compensation for his imprisonment before the conviction was overturned, although the defense decided to rest their case Monday without calling him to testify.

Because prosecutors declined to pursue another trial against Marble, Thomas final statement for the court record stated the rape did happen.

Thomas died by suicide in 2014 after a lengthy standoff with police in eastern Montana.

Great Falls Police Lt. Aaron Frick testified on Monday about his involvement in that standoff. The police departments High Risk Unit, their local SWAT team, routinely travels to rural parts of the state to assist local law enforcement agencies in such events. In 2014, Frick was the secondary negotiator acting as a liaison between the negotiator and the High Risk Unit standing by outside a bank in Havre.

Previous news reports said Thomas fled after law enforcement pulled him over for a traffic violation, and pulled out a pistol after police cornered him at a bank. Fricks negotiator team began a dialogue with Thomas at noon that day, which ended at 8 p.m. More specifically, it ended at sundown, Frick said.

"Mr. Thomas said he was going to take his own life at sunset," Frick testified Monday. "He said he had been raped by another male in jail and that he would not go back."

Thomas would not elaborate on the rape, Frick said. And when the sun went down, police heard a gunshot.

"The way the situation ended that day left an indelible imprint on my memory," he said.

On cross examination from Marbles attorney, Frick conceded Thomas never raised Marbles name during the standoff. In fact, he mentioned another man who had sexually assaulted him at a young age, before his incarceration. Thomas also repeatedly stated he was raped in prison, not a county jail, where he accused Marble of raping him.

Closing arguments

On Tuesday morning Marbles attorneys led their closing arguments with the biggest-picture context of the case at hand. Wrongful convictions are an epidemic in this country, Mark Kovacich said, telling the jury they were "the conscience of your community."

"Your verdict will be heard in this community," he said. "Given the nature of the issues in this case, your verdict will be heard elsewhere, as well. Your verdict in this case will say a great deal about human liberty, and human freedom, in your community."

The predominant exhibit raised by Marbles attorneys is the 2016 motion from the Missoula County Attorneys Office to dismiss the charges against him after a judge overturned his conviction. The document goes to great lengths in discussing its review of the evidence for prosecutors to reach their decision.

The county attorney at the time, Kirsten Pabst, testified last week that she would not have reached that decision if she knew about a memo in which Thomas had indicated at one point to the Montana Innocence Project that the rape did happen.

Andrew Huppert, who has done most of the cross examinations in defense of Missoula County, took aim at the Montana Innocence Project, calling the organization "corrupt" for failing to turn over the memo that gave Pabst pause about dismissing the charges against Marble. He hedged the statement by saying the Innocence Project was a "wonderful" organization with a noble cause, but contended it was a new outfit "desperate to get a win on the board."

Before the jury went into deliberations Tuesday, Kovacich reminded them that it was well known Thomas had waffled on his recantation at the time of the dismissal. He urged jurors to consider the way other juvenile inmates who accused Marble of the rape changed their stories. Indeed, only Marble has been consistent in maintaining his innocence.

The jury ultimately did not have to decide whether law enforcement and prosecutors bungled their investigation of Marble. The law requires jurors to decide if Marbles case proved he never committed the rape, a higher bar to clear.
A national Democratic organization and abortion access advocates this week announced they're about to spend millions in state Supreme Court races, with an eye toward Montana's nonpartisan contest.

The National Democratic Redistricting Committee and Planned Parenthood Votes, the political committee of the national abortion health care organization, announced a plan to spread $5 million in Supreme Court races across what they've determined to be key states.

However, in an interview Tuesday, NDRC President John Bisognano declined to discuss how much will be spent here, or whether those dollars will be direct contributions to a candidate or independent efforts in support of their preferred candidate.

In a phone interview about the upcoming "investment" in Montana's Supreme Court races, Bisognano declined even to identify which candidates the NDRC and Planned Parenthood Votes will support.

"It's a weird question not to know the answer to," Bisognano said. He said announcing these elections as a priority for the NDRC was "the most critical first step."

The groups say they are motivated to spend money in elections here to uphold and strengthen the state's redistricting process and abortion access.

Unique from its neighboring states, Montana has a 1999 state Supreme Court precedent known as Armstrong that holds the state Constitution protects the right to access a pre-viability abortion. That makes it a target for political foes trying to maintain or repeal access. The same year the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision punted abortion access protections to the states, Planned Parenthood's political committee in Montana spent six figures on mailers supporting state Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Gustafson's re-election.

Most redistricting fights in Montana have, for the most part, come and gone. Republicans secured their preferred congressional district maps in the process, while the new legislative district map drew mostly from Democrats' suggestions.

But for the Public Service Commission, a district court judge ruled earlier this year the Republican-held Legislature likely gerrymandered its redistricting map to heavily favor GOP candidates.

Bisognano said his organization's involvement in this year's Supreme Court races seeks to maintain a sound redistricting process here.

"I think the future of redistricting in Montana remains unclear," he said. "The way in which the commission functions, especially in the state legislative level, this cycle was reasonable. But that's not necessarily a gift or a given for the future."

Montana's last Supreme Court election was outlier for its partisan overtones, a gamble several political analysts think backfired for the state's majority party.

In 2022, state Republicans publicly endorsed their preferred candidate in James Brown early on and the Republican State Leadership Committee issued statements about spending $500,000 toward ads opposing Brown's opponent. Montana voters have increasingly elected Republicans into office in recent cycles, but Brown still lost handily to incumbent Gustafson.

With this week's announcement, it's Democratic groups who will be first this election year to publicly dip their partisan toes in the nonpartisan the Supreme Court election waters.

"I can't speak to the last election," Bisognano said. "I can't speak to whether or not (voters' rejection of a partisan-backed candidate) was backlash or wasn't a backlash. What seems reasonable is, and maybe it is, the-hyper partisan nature by which Republicans have been attacking the state Supreme Courts at large.

"From our perspective, it's not about partisanship," he said. "The candidates that have shown themselves to appreciate Democracy at large, I think are the candidates we support. And we want to ensure that those candidates have the resources they need to be successful and making sure that the message that that candidate is publicizing is as public as possible."

Bisognano said the NDRC will likely announce its support for candidates in July. The NDRC is not yet registered with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices.

Latest campaign finance reports

In the most recent campaign finance reports between April and May, campaigns for Supreme Court are seeing five-digit hauls, roughly on par with the other statewide elections: Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary of State and the State Auditor. The gubernatorial election crossed the million-dollar mark months ago.

In the contest for chief justice, former federal magistrate Jeremiah Lynch raised $36,149 and spent $61,044, but still had $104,174 in the bank when the reporting period closed May 15. The biggest expenditure by far is $48,000 spent on cable ad buys ahead of the June 4 primary.

Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson meanwhile closed the month out with $106,230, the most of any Supreme Court candidate going into the primary election. He raised $25,270 and spent $19,338, and his report includes an out-of-pocket expense for travel to a campaign strategy meeting in Washington, D.C., although it's unclear from the report who hosted the meeting.

Marshall Douglas, a third candidate for chief justice, did not file a campaign finance report with the Commissioner of Political Practices for the latest period.

Chief Justice Mike McGrath announced last year he was retiring from the bench.

In the race to replace outgoing Justice Dirk Sandefur, Richland County District Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray raised $68,389 in the last period and spent $51,134, most of which went to mailers or media space. She ends the period with $99,974 cash in hand.

Flathead District Court Judge Dan Wilson has $81,763 in the bank as of May 15, but raised $24,300 this period and spent $11,535.

Jerry O'Neil, a former Republican lawmaker from Columbia Falls who is not a member of the State Bar of Montana, reported spending $44 on an 800-mile trip to Red Lodge for dinner and campaigning. He raised no money on the endeavor.
Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the Oak Grove neighborhood of Richmond.

Police said officers responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Edwards Avenue at around 1:27 p.m. Wednesday for the report of a shooting. At the scene, officers found an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Police said detectives are canvassing the neighborhood in search of witnesses and evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond police Detective G. Sullivan at (804) 646-3929 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

5 pet-safe houseplants that are hard to kill 1. Air Plants 2. Parlor Palm 3. Watermelon Peperomia 4. Bromeliad 5. Spider Plant
Five Virginia colleges that have already been awarded millions in state funding for lab schools are scrambling to find new partners and resubmit their lab school applications within the next month.

Budget language finalized this month emphasizes that state code does not allow lab school funding to go to private or two-year colleges  which Democrats who wrote the law have asserted for the past two years.

The Virginia Department of Education has awarded lab school planning grants to five colleges that appear to be ineligible: Emory & Henry College, Roanoke College, Mountain Gateway Community College, Paul D. Camp Community College and Germanna Community College.

Todd Reid, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Education, said the five colleges are continuing to explore their options before the next state Board of Education meeting June 21.

Lab schools, which are K-12 schools that partner with higher education institutions, are Gov. Glenn Youngkins signature school choice initiative. The schools are free and open to the public, set their own curricula and budgets, and are associated with their corresponding institution of higher education.

The state code regarding lab schools has not changed, but language in the budget agreement the legislature passed and the governor signed further emphasized that lab school money cannot be allocated to private or two-year colleges. The Youngkin administration has said for the past two years that the law does not prohibit these institutions from receiving the funding. The Attorney Generals Office agreed.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said the law has been clear from the beginning, and any schools that entered into these agreements did so knowing full well that there was a legal dispute about what the language meant and that the (administration) might be acting in violation of state law.

Now the budget language has made it crystal clear. The chickens are coming home to roost, Surovell said. I dont have a lot of sympathy.

Surovell asserted that this is just one example of the Youngkin administration acting outside of the law and Attorney General Jason Miyares facilitating his behavior.

Youngkin Press Secretary Christian Martinez said Virginia is emerging as a national leader in lab school development with more than 21 planning grants approved and 14 approved lab schools across the commonwealth.

Despite opposition from some politicians, our lab schools will not only help shape the future for thousands of students but also the future of education innovation Virginia, Martinez said in a statement. The governor appreciates the collaboration from legislative leaders who were part of budget negotiations to preserve investments in these innovative education models within the public school system.

The governor won a partial victory for his signature lab school proposal in 2022 when Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears broke a tie vote in the Senate to rescue his amendment to triple the number of higher education institutions that can partner with local school divisions. But the Senate then voted to block his proposal to use state per-pupil funds to pay for them.

The issue over whether these institutions are eligible for lab school grants has been ongoing. In August 2022, then-House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, wrote a letter to Youngkin aiming to clarify legislative intent regarding the eligible institutions.

In September 2022, then-Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, now a member of Congress, said: We dont have legislative intent in Virginia 

It doesnt matter what the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, or with all due respect, the chair of the Finance Committee intended. What matters is the language that was put in the budget.

General Assembly budget leaders and Youngkin reached a compromise earlier this month on the next two-year state budget. It allows Youngkin to keep most  but not quite all  of the $85 million the General Assembly had appropriated in the current budget for his lab school initiative. The finalized budget does not include the additional $60 million that Youngkin had sought in the budget he proposed in December.

As the future of lab school funding was up in the air before the budget compromise, state officials implemented ways to accelerate the approval process to use the existing lab school funding before the current budget cycle ends.

The Virginia Board of Education approved applications for two more lab schools at its Tuesday meeting: Old Dominion Universitys STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School and George Mason Universitys Shenandoah Valley Rural Regional College Partnership Laboratory School for Data Science Computing.

The board did not approve a specific amount of funding for these two schools, as it has for past applications, but rather approved the ability of the state superintendent to work on the applications and come back to the next meeting on June 21 with a solid plan.

According to a board presentation, the lab school fund balance after Tuesdays meeting will be $3.4 million. There are two more lab school applications in the pipeline, and the state is unsure how it will fund those.

There are also some remaining questions that I know well discuss regarding fiscal agency for some of our two-year and private schools as well, Andy Armstrong, an assistant superintendent at the Virginia Department of Education, said at Tuesdays meeting.

We have to finalize that. That doesnt necessarily translate to additional funds. However, there are several variables I think are still in play that we have to monitor in the weeks to come.

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Trump-a-canoe and Youngkin, too.

Having passed on a national candidacy in 2024  and having endorsed for restoration to the presidency, Donald Trump, the crass Republican disrupter for whom Glenn Youngkin apparently envisioned himself as a well-mannered, less menacing alternative  the Virginian now finds himself mentioned as one of Trumps prospective vice presidential running mates.

Never mind that Youngkin, whose relationship with Trump is clearly strained, has been conspicuous by his absence from those very public, Trump-orchestrated auditions for VP. Youngkin wasnt at the Mar-a-Lago cattle call. Youngkin hasnt done the warm-up for Trump at a MAGA rally.

Youngkin did, in a dark-of-night post on social media, endorse Trump for a second term after Trump clinched the Republican nomination in March. Since then, Youngkin has  on X, formerly Twitter, and in fawning interviews with conservative media  declared Virginia, carried by Democrats for the White House since 2008, in play.

Thats been the line out of the Trump camp and was echoed in a recent bipartisan poll for opponents of legalized electronic gambling machines in Virginia. It showed President Joe Biden, who carried the state by 10 percentage points in 2020, just barely ahead of Trump here: 43% to 42%, with 16% undecided or favoring other candidates.

The last Virginian on a national ticket was U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, selected to run for the vice presidency in 2016 by fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton. Kaine likely helped hold Virginia for Clinton, whose majority here over Trump was 5.3 percentage points, roughly half Bidens margin four years later.

And before Kaine, whos running this year for a third term, you have to go all the way back to 1840 to find a Virginian nominated by a major party for the vice presidency.

That was John Tyler. He was paired by the Whig Party with a Virginia-born Ohioan, William Henry Harrison, a hero of the Northwest Indian Wars, nicknamed Old Tippecanoe. The ticket campaigned as Tippecanoe and Tyler, too, defeating President Martin Van Buren and his VP, Richard Mentor Johnson. Harrison died barely a month into his term  the first U.S. president to die in office  and was succeeded by Tyler.

In ruling out a run for president  perhaps with 2028 in mind, Youngkin never ruled out running for vice president in 2024.

That possibility depends on the kindness of one of the stranger figures in politics: Trump, who twice endorsed Youngkin for governor in 2021, and a year later  when Youngkin was considering challenging Trump  attacked the governor as disloyal, resorting to a racially tinged flourish. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump sneered that Youngkins name sounded Chinese.

The Youngkin vice presidential boomlet  the latest iteration, that is  can be largely traced to The Wall Street Journal, which covered Youngkins rise and, to a lesser degree, his fall at the Carlyle Group, the publicly traded private-equity giant. Youngkin ran the company until 2020, when he apparently lost a power struggle with his co-CEO, himself an eventual casualty of Carlyle infighting.

The Journal, guardian and conscience of the big-dollar donors and pricey political consultants for whom a Youngkin vice presidential candidacy would represent a triumph for what remains of the GOP establishment, is controlled by the conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who in 2023 urged Youngkin to run for president.

In doing so, Murdoch, seemingly signaled that his Fox News megaphone would boost Youngkins candidacy for the White House with the same unquestioning, nonstop enthusiasm it did his run for the governors mansion.

About two weeks ago, Journal columnist Peggy Noonan, a former Republican presidential speechwriter, cited VP handicapping by John Ellis  a cousin to Bush I, for whom she worked  in which the righty pundit said that Youngkin was a good fit for Trump because of proven swing-state appeal.

Beyond winning, albeit narrowly, Democrat-trending Virginia, Ellis said, Youngkin is personable and untainted by scandal; that he is as steady and sturdy as they come.

Two days later, the Journals editorial page was positively prostrate for Youngkin, saying that he would be for Trump a magnet for disaffected Republican primary voters. Many supported Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Trump U.N. ambassador, as a necessary break from the nonstop controversy of Trump.

A strong and logical choice would be Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has shown he can win and govern a swing state, the Journal opined. Hes smart, likeable and a conservative who is impossible for the left to portray as crazy. Hed signal that Mr. Trump realizes he cant win with MAGA alone. The Trump campaign is boasting that it will target Virginia this year, and if thats more than spin Mr. Youngkin can help.

How successfully Youngkin has governed is a matter of debate.

Having spent the first half of his term as an unofficial presidential candidate, Youngkin failed to master the process and personalities that shape state government. He was further hobbled by the restoration of full Democratic control of the General Assembly in the 2023 midterm elections. That forced Youngkin this year to resort to a record number of vetoes to thwart Democrats from further ravaging his agenda, the junked centerpiece of which was more tax cuts.

About the same time as the Journal was kvelling over Youngkin, CNBC  the business news cable outlet and sibling to Trump-bashing MSNBC  reported that Murdoch was keen on Youngkin for the vice presidency, viewing him as friendly to the corpocracy. Quoting unidentified sources, CNBC said Murdoch has hinted to several friends who move in Trumps social circles that he would be happy with a ticket that included Youngkin.

But being the sweetheart of financiers, communications titans, info-tech czars and campaign professionals may only illustrate Youngkins weakness: that these folks do not represent a grassroots constituency essential to lifting a national ticket, says Bob Holsworth, the longtime Virginia political analyst.

This past September, Youngkin  in an interview at the Economics Club of Washington, D.C., with his former boss at Carlyle, David Rubenstein  was coy about the vice presidency and whether hed accept a nomination offered by Trump. Youngkin lumped the question with the great hypotheticals in this world and said that his focus is to be the best governor I can be.

Theres much to suggest that Youngkin, however, wouldnt necessarily be the best running mate.

Youngkin  as a candidate and a governor  has struggled to strike a balance between the Republican Partys dominant MAGA wing and its atrophied Main Street set. Youngkin has largely rejected what is a considered an article of faith with Trump: That the absence of evidence, notwithstanding, the 2020 election was stolen by Democrats.

During the gubernatorial campaign, Youngkin initially was squishy on that issue but finally acknowledged that Biden had been fairly elected. Youngkin has attempted to salve the stop-the-steal crowd by pulling Virginia from a multi-state effort to clean up voter rolls and by backing tougher voter ID requirements and limits on early voting.

However, that may not pass for the sycophancy that Trump demands.

Besides, Youngkin may have another strike against him. At 6-foot-5, he is two inches taller than Trump. Trump-Youngkin doesnt quite conjure an image of mini-Mike Dukakis and lanky-Lloyd Bentsen. But Trump, for whom politics is theater, is always supposed to be the tallest guy in the room  at minimum, figuratively.

PHOTOS: Trump rally in Richmond
Blocks of narcotics found entangled in Cozumel seaweed

Cozumel, Q.R.  On Tuesday, elements of the National Guard and the Mexican Army seized 16 bricks of cocaine and two of marijuana on Cozumel. The first batch of drugs were found washed up on the eastern side of the island Tuesday morning in Playa Punta Sur.

During a foot patrol, two packages of approximately 22 centimeters long by 14 wide and four high with a combined weight of 1,620 kilograms of marijuana was found first.

Shortly before noon in the area of the Royal Castle heading north to Punta Molas, military personnel found another 10 packages, this time of cocaine. An hour later, another six packages of cocaine was found entangled in seaweed in the Arrecifes area.

Wash up drugs were found in three different areas Tuesday. Photo: May 21, 2024.

Each of the packages found weighed between 1.0 and 1.1 kilos. The blocks of narcotics were transferred to the Attorney Generals Office. They will eventually be incinerated with other drugs found on beaches and seized in operations.

The washed up narcotics are part of an ongoing find along Quintana Roo shores. Their findings have become common in particular, over the last two years.
Coastal drug finds now include Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  The finding of blocks of drugs continues along the coast of Quintana Roo. On Tuesday, navy personnel on foot patrol in Puerto Morelos located a block of marijuana.

While not a significant discovery, the finding is believed part of a load of blocks located on the east side of Cozumel on the same day.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary of the Navy through the Ninth Naval Region, personnel from the institution carrying out a prevention and ground surveillance tour along the coast were notified of a suspicious package.

The package was found by hotel guests in sargassum. The guests then notified hotel staff who called Puerto Morelos police.

The package ended up being a half-a-kilo of marijuana. It was found on the beach next to a hotel in Puerto Morelos. The statement indicates that naval personnel provided support to the Puerto Morelos Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) to locate and secure the package.

The package has since been transferred to the Attorney Generals Office in Cancun.

Earlier this month, a boat transporting 3 tons of cocaine was located off the coast of Mahahual.

Over the past few months, dozens of washed up blocks of drugs continue to be found along the coast. Earlier this month in a joint operation, marina personnel from Isla Mujeres and Chetumal seized a speed boat off the coast of Mahahual transporting 3 tons of cocaine.
COLOMBO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives Police Service on Wednesday urged the public not to travel to uninhabited islands and sandbanks for picnics, or go swimming in the sea, as severe monsoon rains persist across the country.

The Maldives Metrological Service issued alerts on the same day warning of heavy rains, strong winds, and extremely rough seas. The police advised people against undertaking boat travel, unless in the case of necessary, given the rainy weather conditions.

Police have urged to exercise safety precautions and avoid traveling on small vessels if people need to travel between the islands.

Maldives usually see rain during June and July, at the start of the rainy season, locally known as the Hulhangu monsoon. 
Police search for suspect in broad daylight murder of Isla Mujeres restaurant employee

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  Police are investigating the broad daylight murder of a woman inside an Isla Mujeres restaurant. The targeted attack happened Tuesday afternoon when a man posing as a diner entered the restaurant and sat at a table.

Moments afterward, the man took aim at a female employee and shot her several times.

The shooting happened inside a restaurant in Puerto Juarez on mainland Isla Mujeres. The woman was shot at close range several times before the hitman fled.

The FGE of Quintana Roo began an investigation for the crime of femicide after the death of a woman from gunshot wounds in a restaurant in Supermanzana 85 in the town of Puerto Juarez.

The first investigations establish that the victim was an employee of the establishment where a diner arrived who occupied a table and minutes later, in a direct attack, he shot the woman and fled.

The female employee died after being shot several times at close range in a targeted attack. Photo: May 21, 2024.

In this event, the Special Prosecutors Office in Combating the Crime of Femicide maintains a personal line of investigation and carries out the corresponding investigations to find the person responsible for this unfortunate event, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) said in a statement.
There are two vital questions that need to be answered in the debate around Christian nationalism. First, is it a problem? Second, how concerned should we be? The answers given by the documentary God and Country (co-produced by actor-director Rob Reiner) are Yes and Very.

The heightened tone of the film reveals that the filmmakers are very worried, but they are more concerned with creating a vague sense of fear than in helping us understand the problem. The movie starts with the classic Where were you when for the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. This event was undoubtedly violent, and director Dan Partland (Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump) includes scenes intended to shock in this visual medium. We hear from various pundits on their first reaction to the melee, and the camera zooms in on Christians flags and Bible verses. Doug Pagitt, pastor and self-proclaimed leading voice for progressive Christianity, claims that Christian nationalists were the primary organizers of the attack on the United States Capitol, although to what extent it was organized is unclear. We dont learn much in the documentary about who the organizers were or how they operated.

If you hit play on this documentary confused as to what Christian nationalism actually is, you will arrive at the closing credits more so. We get as many definitions of the phenomenon as there are pundits to share their opinions. Indeed, much of the energy in the film is taken up trying to define it. Journalist Katharine Stewart says that Christian nationalism is the idea that America was founded as a so-called Christian nation and that our laws should be based on the Bible. In a clip, congresswoman and provocateur Marjorie Taylor Greene says that Christian nationalism simply means Were proud of our faith. One can easily grasp why Greene would have an incentive to muddy the definitional waters, but I expected the filmmakers to find a through-line to help us focus the conversation at the very least. What exactly should we be worried about?

Further additions add little light. Stressing the demographics of proponents, historian Kristen Kobes Du Mez says that Christian nationalism is an identity linked to who Americans are and who they believe Americans ought to be, a characterization that could be used for any political movement in U.S. history. If that wasnt crystal clear, Rob Boston, of Christians for the Separation of Church and State, elucidates: Christian nationalism is an agenda that seeks to change American society through politics, another apt description of every political movement in America. David French adds that Christian nationalism is a deeply felt emotional connection between the fate of the nation and the fate of the church, which merely implies that a certain group of people have two deeply held identities that they believe are compatible. Phil Vischer, of VeggieTales fame, defines Christian nationalism as the belief that America has a special God-ordained role in human history.  If I have decided that America is irreplaceable in Gods story, has a role to play that only America can play in Gods story and democracy gets in the way, then democracy has to go.

To summarize, Christian nationalism is an idea, an identity, and a deeply felt emotion. Thus we are left with some vague mental associations of Christian nationalism but, again, no clear and consistent definition.

The examples provided above highlight the sloppiness of this attempt at an argument to prove the threat posed by Christian nationalism. One expert cites a survey that found that, after the January 6 riot, only 50% of ambassadors and accommodators of Christian nationalism say that those who engaged in the [January 6] riot should be prosecuted. He delivers the line in a particularly ominous tone, but were given no information about who these so-called ambassadors and accommodators of Christian nationalism are, how many of them there are, and how exactly they qualify to be counted in the group.

The film also claims in a dark moneystyle segment that over a billion dollars is funneled annually into Christian nationalist groups. The list they give includes the Heritage Foundation and Hillsdale College. To clarify, Heritages stated mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense, which is hardly an authoritarian or even explicitly Christian mission. You dont have to agree with every syllable to grasp the emphasis on freedom and limited government. And Hillsdales mission statement highlights the importance of civil and religious liberty in its first sentence. The organizations the filmmakers call out that may, in fact, support some form of Christian nationalism are the smallest and least well known.

In a needed breath of fresh air, Russell Moore of Christianity Today consistently makes helpful distinctions between what he means by Christian nationalism and other political philosophies. He explains that Christian nationalism uses Christianity as a means to an end, that end being some form of authoritarianism. If theres a religious basis for ones authority, one is able to say, Youre not just wrong; youre on the wrong side of God. Moore strongly defends patriotism in contrast to this ideology, describing patriotism as a form of gratitude. By Moores lights, however, Christian nationalism is simply authoritarianism with a thin veneer of Christianity.

But Moores framing of the issue clashes with the hard turn the film takes. From a creative perspective, the documentary leaves much to be desired. Ten minutes before the end, it abruptly shifts to the abortion debate and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We dont have a compelling story to link the segments. The late-in-film move to the issue of abortion not-so-subtly associates all forms of religious conservatism with Christian nationalism.

And maybe thats the point.

A rejection of Christian nationalism is only the starting point for the filmmakers, who would love it if viewers rejected mainstream conservative ideals, too, replacing them with progressive values. Their alternative to Christian nationalism is boilerplate progressivism with a splash of Christianity. This introduces precisely the same problems Christian nationalism suffers fromits a political ideology superficially baptized with Christian-sounding language. One interviewee at a rally summarizes Christianity as God is in me and God is in you and we need to work together and really fight for a better life for everybody. A nun who is interviewed says she used to be pro-life, but after seeing more examples of women in hardship, she is much more nuanced in her views on legal abortion.

Defined broadly, Christian nationalism is mostly benign and could describe the views of a wide swath of the population. Defined narrowly, it is an authoritarian movement with followers in the hundreds. Either way, the threat to democracy is not as dire as this film would have us believe. Assuming that the goals of this documentary were to create vague fears about conservative Christians, it succeeds. But if youre looking for clarity or insight into the phenomenon of Christian nationalism itself, turn elsewhere.

One quote toward the end of the film caused me to reflect on the disconnect between this film and what actual conservative Christians are thinking about. One pastor asks, intending to be provocative, Will we take all the hundreds of millions of dollars raised to end abortion, will we now take that same amount of resources and marshal them to help women who are facing unwanted pregnancies? But that is already happening. Pregnancy-care centers and countless Christian human-service providers are actively investing in this areaand have been for decades. The gap between protesters on the floor of the Capitol building and the average religious conservative is wide.

Contrary to what the film would have you believe, religious and moral values have a vital part to play in the discourse of an open society. In my review in these pages of Robert Wuthnows insightful book Why Religion Is Good for American Democracy, I noted that religion has provided, not a moral majority, but innumerable moral minorities that uphold free expression and a vibrant culture of dissent. We will have disagreements about the nature of moral principles and how to apply them, but that doesnt discount the necessity of incorporating moral values into our laws. The love of country that so many Americans espouse is rooted in part in the ability to express deeply held values through a free representational process. Instead of a disdain for religious observers, we should invite their active participation in the public sphere.
Nobody wants to say why Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell resigned.

The why and other basic questions about Cowell remain unanswered Tuesday, same as they have been for weeks, now one day after he announced his resignation at the end of a city council meeting on Monday night.

Did Cowell resign voluntarily, or was he asked by the city council to step down? Will Cowell  whose annual salary is $226,692, plus benefits  receive any severance pay? Did he accept new employment elsewhere?

The citys community engagement office is not answering questions about the city manager, according to an email from Roanoke Communications & Community Engagement Specialist Carol Corbin on Tuesday.

Because the employment of the City Manager is the responsibility of our City Council, we have been instructed to send all media inquiries to Councilmember Trish White-Boyd, head of the Council Personnel Committee, Corbin wrote. We realize that this goes against our normal media inquiry procedure and, thus, wanted to clarify with you here why we have done things differently.

But White-Boyd is hesitant to answer any of those questions about why Cowell left, the conditions that precipitated his departure, or whether he will receive severance pay.

I dont know if theres anything to add, White-Boyd said. The other stuff actually is a personnel agreement, so you probably cant get that.

During a phone call Tuesday afternoon, she repeated what the city council said Monday night: Cowells resignation is effective June 7, after which Mayor Sherman Lea is taking over as acting manager until an interim manager, and then a permanent manager, is selected and appointed.

We are engaged with a search firm to find an interim as soon as possible, White-Boyd said. Were going to just continue to move forward.

A lack of transparency from city officials has frustrated David Bowers, a former mayor who is running again this year for the job, this time as a Republican. He spoke during a called news conference outside city hall on Tuesday.

I dont know what it was all about, because no one would ever say anything to me about it, Bowers said. I dont know what the issue was.

Bowers said he heard rumors in recent weeks that Cowell would be fired. Similar rumors circled among city staff since at least late last year, according to multiple people who spoke during recent months on the condition of anonymity.

The question that I would like to have known: Is it true that they were going to fire Bob Cowell last week? Bowers said, adding: In my opinion, the mayor cannot and should not serve as interim city manager.

Bowers said somebody else should have been ready to step up to the leadership role, but not the mayor. Its a bad look for the city, Bowers said.

Lea did not respond to a phone call requesting comment on Tuesday, but city documents say he will not receive additional pay for acting as temporary city manager until an interim is selected.

The problem isnt with Bob Cowell, Bowers said. The problem is with the city council, and the direction that the city council is giving city government.

Cowell resigned shortly after emails surfaced in which city staff wrote that they feared a hostile work environment. Did that have anything to do with his stepping down?

I dont really have any comment on that, said Vice Mayor Joe Cobb on Tuesday. What I can say is that Bob has done good work for our city.

Cobb, a Democrat, is also running to be elected mayor this year. He said Cowell led the city through a pandemic, and helped keep city finances stable.

Were poised for continued growth, Cobb said. Thats been a big focus of his work, and something that Ill always be grateful for.

Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds is running for mayor as an independent. She said there really isnt anything more to share about Cowells departure.

I mean, honestly, from where I sit, there isnt, Moon Reynolds said. My understanding is most times, managers do stay in a position for about seven years.

And seven years into his tenure, Cowell will depart. He started as city manager in 2017, and the city council approved an updated contract in December 2022.

With this being an election year, who will select his successor? Will it be the currently seated city council to make that hiring decision, or the new group that is elected in November?

It is our responsibility to find a new manager, Moon Reynolds said. Accepting Mr. Cowells resignation, it is put on us to fulfill the obligation to the public who elected us to govern.

But Bowers shared the opposite notion. Depending on the outcomes of this years election, its possible that next year will see as many as five new city council members in Roanoke.

Probably the best thing for the new city manager is for the new city council to choose that person, Bowers said.

Only Councilwoman Vivian Sanchez-Jones and Councilman Peter Volosin are definitively staying put in their current city council seats. The other five members are either retiring, resigning or seeking other office.

Neither Volosin nor Sanchez-Jones returned phone calls on Tuesday.

Details in Cowells contract say that the city council shall evaluate his performance at least annually, during a closed session by no later than June 1 of each year. Cowell resigned less than two weeks before that date.

During this closed session evaluation, City Council shall also discuss the performance of the City Manager in attaining the agreed-upon goals, the contract reads. If at anytime either City Council or the City Manager has concerns to discuss, an additional closed session may be scheduled.

Over recent meetings, the city council spent hours in closed session for discussion of personnel matters. Nobody on the city council will confirm whether those lengthy closed-door meetings were about Cowell.

Members of the city council and other city officials have dodged questions about Cowell for weeks now.

More details assuredly exist, but many documents are unavailable to the public because the matter is considered a personnel issue, exempt from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

City Council will provide the City Manager with a written evaluation of his performance on an annual basis, Cowells contract reads. Such evaluation shall be confidential consistent with Virginia law.

Several freedom of information requests related to the city managers resignation are pending with City Attorney Tim Spencers office as of Tuesday afternoon.

In an email sent Tuesday morning, Cowell said he is willing to eventually speak more about his resignation.

Will not be before next week, he wrote.
For the first time in more than a century, salmon are swimming freely along the Klamath River and its tributaries near the California-Oregon line. That development comes just days after the largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed. Researchers determined that Chinook salmon began migrating Oct. 3 into previously inaccessible habitat. Dams were demolished as part of a national movement to let rivers return to their natural flow and to restore ecosystems for fish and other wildlife. The dam removal project was completed Oct. 2, marking a major victory for local tribes that fought for decades to free hundreds of miles of the Klamath.
OSLO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would officially recognize Palestine as a state.

Speaking at a press conference in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway supports granting Palestine full membership status in the United Nations (UN).

"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on May 28. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. And there can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," Store said.

He further explained that the territorial demarcation between Palestine and Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem serving as the capital for both states. This stance is without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, which may include land swaps.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. "What is most urgent at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire, ensure that enough humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza, and obtain the release of the hostages," he said.

On the same day, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that their countries would join Norway in recognizing the State of Palestine.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the State of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Harris said in Dublin, the Irish capital.

The Irish prime minister said that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation," he said. "A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all -- is unfolding in real time."

Spain's recognition will also take effect on May 28, following a Council of Ministers session. Sanchez stressed that Spain recognizes Palestine "for peace, for justice, and for consistency," urging both parties to engage in dialogue to achieve a two-state solution. He highlighted the necessity of ending reported abuses in the occupied territories.

The Palestinian presidency on Wednesday welcomed the recognition. In a statement published by the official news agency WAFA, the Palestinian leadership stated that it highly appreciated the contribution of Norway, Ireland and Spain towards "consecrating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their land and in taking actual steps to support the implementation of the two-state solution."

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of the countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Katz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

VARIED EUROPEAN REACTIONS

European reactions to the recognitions varied. Malta, Slovenia, and Slovakia expressed support, with Slovenia also initiating steps towards recognizing Palestine.

The Slovenian government launched on May 9 procedures for Slovenia's recognition of Palestine. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon expressed hope that the procedures would be completed as soon as possible, as Slovenia wants to help ensure an end to the horrors in Gaza.

A spokesperson from Malta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Xinhua that Malta had recently affirmed its readiness to recognize Palestine but will wait until such recognition can make a positive contribution, when the circumstances are right.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said his country supported the resolution on strengthening the rights of the State of Palestine. "It is the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the region and confirm the historic right of Palestine to self-determination as well as a place in the UN," he said in a statement.

Conversely, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Lithuania expressed reservations.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that it makes no sense to recognize Palestine as a state if it is not clear who represents it and on what territory.

The Dutch government commented it does not recognize the State of Palestine and is not expected to change its position in the near future.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned that recognizing Palestinian statehood could escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In Belgium, top ministers also met to consider the situation in Gaza, but no agreement on a possible recognition was reached.

Independent EU commentator and analyst Shada Islam said that recognition for a Palestinian state by Spain, Ireland and Norway is almost certainly going to be followed by Malta and Slovenia in the coming weeks. France has also said that such recognition is "not taboo."

"The move by Spain, Ireland and Norway will further isolate Israel in the UN... Their decision sends a strong message to Palestinian people that at least some EU member states have retained their moral compass," he told Xinhua. 
This is an essay on Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Listen to the season here.

Its hard not to feel a little jealous of gay San Francisco in the 1970s. Those years were a time of rapid growth for the queer mecca of the Western world: Between 1972 and 1977, the city gained 100,000 new LGBTQ+ residents, about a seventh of its entire population. Centered in the Castro, a neighborhood that quickly evolved into a hub of gay life, the queer community in San Francisco was robust enough, dense enough, and resourceful enough to create its own small city within a city.

In the 1970s, TV networks were running some of the first big reports on gay people (and growing gayborhoods like the Castro). They had the vibe of a National Geographic safari. At that time, the concept of gay rights was so new to most Americans that reporters still had to explain to their audiences what it meant. But curiosity was starting to replace the previous decades contempt.

The mainstream coverage had one major benefit: Gay people across the country were learning that there were places where they could live full, integrated lives, with friends and art and love and sex and some hope of an eventual approximation of civil rights. On any given night in San Francisco, you could visit one or more of the dozens of lesbian and gay bars, womens cafes, and bathhouses in the city. You could order a cheese omelet at a diner at 3 a.m. and end up sitting at a table with Sylvester, the gay disco icon. The Cockettes, a psychedelics-fueled drag ensemble, were doing midnight shows with glitter in their beards and their genitals hanging out. People attempted new methods of mutual aid and new structures for their sexual relationships. There was a sense that whatever gays were doing in San Francisco would shape a broader American gay culture and, quite possibly, change the world.

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But gay life in the 1970s was also difficult, to an extent that is hard to imagine for queer people like me, who came of age in the 21st century. Gay sex wasnt just viewed by some with scorn and disgustit was illegal in most U.S. states (including California, until 1975). These sodomy bans provided the rationale for rampant police harassment and mass arrests. And entire professions were closed off to openly gay people, who were presumed criminals as long as the laws were in place.

In those years, there were lots of gays in heterosexual marriages, leading double lives. Queer kids in small cities could grow up not even knowing that there were others out there like them. Suicidality was extraordinarily common, even in the gayest city in America. And groups of straight men would routinely descend on the Castro and its surrounding neighborhoods to assault gay people for sportand occasionally kill them, as in the case of a 33-year-old gay man named Robert Hillsborough, who was murdered in 1977.

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There were two sides of the gay experience in 1970s San Francisco: a sense of fear and persecution on one hand, and a sense of growth, power, and possibility on the other.

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In this season of Slow Burn, I tell the story of an event that brought those two sides crashing together: the campaign against the Briggs Initiative. The ballot proposition sought to ban lesbians and gays from working in California public schools, and the danger it posed to gay life became a rallying cry for a sprawling, infighting, joyous, making-it-up-as-we-go movement, led in part by Harvey Milk, that coalesced in an attempt to defeat it.

The Briggs Initiativenamed for John Briggs, the conservative state senator who proposed itwas born of the pernicious lie that gay people are predisposed to abuse children or recruit them into a lifestyle of moral depravity. It would turn out to be a critical crossroads for the gay liberation movement, and not just because it triggered the first statewide vote on gay rights.

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The proposition came in the midst of a rising anti-gay backlash that was sweeping the country, stirred up by social conservatives in response to the growing political power and cultural visibility of gay people. As it was put to a popular vote in the biggest and gayest state in the country, the Briggs Initiative was seen by the religious right and gay activists alike as a trial balloon that would test how far that backlash could go. The urgency of the threat forced thousands of gay people whod never previously considered themselves political to get angry and get active in defense of their own rights. It inspired thousands more to come out of the closetas a political act in a bid for equal treatment, and as a personal act in pursuit of a full, vibrant life.

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The six months I spent immersed in this story transformed my relationship to queer history. For one thing, its given me a much more intimate understanding of what gay life was like for the people who fought the Briggs Initiative. When some of them first realized they were gay, they had heard about gay people only in the context of criminal behavior reported in the news. In pop culture, lesbians and gays were either malicious abusers or tragic figures leading sad, isolated lives. Few people in positions of high regarddoctors, lawyers, teacherswere out as gay. Young gay people often found it impossible to imagine a life for themselves. Their futures looked empty.

This is all fairly recent history. Some of the people youll hear from in Slow Burn are younger than my parents. But the gay worlds we came up in feel lifetimes apart.

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I remember the exact moment in college when I realized that this thing Id thought I was just trying on for sizedating womenmight actually be a thing I wanted to do forever. The future I had imagined for myself since childhood suddenly seemed less solid, then started to slip away. But despite the abrupt sense that I was coming unmoored from my own lifeand despite all the hard things I immediately knew Id have to do, like come out to a family whose reactions I could not predictmy strongest emotion in that moment was excitement. This was about 15 years ago; there were fewer gay rights then, and queer women were not yet the hypervisible, pop cultureshaping force we are today. Even so, I trusted that Id find my place. I knew Id be able to make a life for myself that felt fulfilling and free.

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There are a lot of reasons for the rapid pace of change that created such different experiences for me and the people I interviewed in the making of this podcast. The fact that the gay community is represented across every race, gender, and classand, thus, includes wealthy white menis one thing that led to the shift in public opinion, the statutory changes, and the court victories that have made it safer and easier to be gay. But it is also because of the relentless, risky, oftentimes punishing work of queer activists in the 1970s that some part of me knew in the 2000s, in my destabilizing moment of gay revelation, that Id get to live my big, beautiful gay life today.

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Making this season of Slow Burn also gave me a more intimate connection to the people who made that life possible. In the hours I spent listening to archival tape, there were times when I felt a deep recognition of and kinship with the gay people speaking to me across the distance of 45 years. The droll one-liners. The fiery speeches. The cheeky protest chants. (Ho-ho-homosexual / The ruling class is ineffectual!) The capacity for self-knowledge that comes only with asserting an identity youve claimed outside the norm, rather than one youve passively received through social conditioning. Its all part of a lineage that has connected generations of queer people, and outlived many of the voices I heard in those tapes, even as so much else has changed, including the very words we use to label our community and describe who we are.

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I was particularly charmed by one coincidence that seemed to shrink the timeline between the Briggs era and today. It happened this January, when I took a trip San Francisco to visit the GLBT Historical Societys archives, the source of much of that precious archival tape. Id also scheduled an interview with Cleve Jonesa longtime activist, a magnificent storyteller, and Harvey Milks former intern.

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When Cleve and I sat down to talk, he told me about all the San Francisco gay bars he remembered from the 1970s: a cowboy bar for line dancing; a place where lesbians played pool and got in fights; a whole district of leather bars; and his favorite, the Stud, where the hippie kids hung out. He also mentioned a bar called Twin Peaks in the Castro. Its still open todayone of the oldest gay bars in the country and supposedly the first to have plate-glass windows facing the sidewalk, revealing the patrons to passersby.

I used to make fun of that bar because it was full of older men, and we would call it the Glass Coffin or the Wrinkle Room,  Cleve told me. And, of course, now its one of my favorite watering holes.

I told Cleve that Id actually had a drink with a former lover at Twin Peaks the night before. (Staying friends with our exes: another element of the queer tradition thats still going strong.) It turned out that hed been there at the same time, probably just down the bar from me. We didnt clock each other because wed never met, but 16 hours later, we were shedding tears together, reliving some of the most tender, painful, and celebratory memories of Cleves life.

It was a silly little happenstance. But to me, it felt like a reminder. Physical spaces where the gay past lives on in the present, like Twin Peaks, are precious. And also: The echoes of queer history are all around us, all the time, even when we dont know theyre there.

Listen to Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs

Listen to the first episode here. If youre a Slate Plus member, you get access to the first five episodes all at onceand its the best way to support our journalism.
Despite surviving the war, this hotel did not escape the clutches of communism.

The chalet in this postcard was built by Jan Harich of Pribylina in 1942. (Source: Courtesy of Branislav Chovan)

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Tourists began visiting the Western Tatras much later than the High Tatras. The western part of the mountain range was not so easily accessible  the central part of the Tatras was much easier to reach from the railway station in Poprad.

Moreover, in the last 30 years of the 19th century, numerous spa and tourist centres sprouted up in the central High Tatras, such as Smokovce, Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Pleso.

While guests from the entire monarchy swarmed well-equipped hotels in the High Tatras, forests to the west of them were usually visited only by shepherds or lumberjacks  and only occasionally an enthusiastic hiker. But even if a hiker ventured west, he had nowhere to stay overnight, as at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, there were almost no cottages or mountain chalets in the area. Only in the 1920s did tourists start to come to this area in greater numbers.

The promising start of tourism was dramatically disrupted during the years of the Second World War. Conflicts flared in this area and most chalets were used by insurgents fighting against fascist Germany. Later, the German units gradually occupied all of Slovakia, and burnt almost all of the chalets in the process.

One exception is the chalet in this postcard, built by Jan Harich of Pribylina in 1942. The thriving hotel miraculously survived the war. Harich Resort, or Harichovo Letovisko, was unusually big for local conditions. As many as 50 people could stay there.

Jan Harich lost his resort in 1949 during nationalisation though the building further served the public - but under different names. First it was a convalescent home of trade unions, and then a school and recreation centre of Janko Kral. Later it became the Odbojar (Unionist) chalet, Mihula chalet  and is now called Oresnica. This postcard of Harich Resort dates back to 1948, when he still owned it.

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d41769.39813716688!2d19.7896803!3d49.1324711!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4715900beb7f2d57%3A0x5d4ba1e7968a903c!2sHorsk%C3%A1%20Chata%20ORE%C5%A0NICA!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssk!4v1716365148151!5m2!1sen!2ssk

This article was originally published by The Slovak Spectator on December 15, 2014. It has been updated to be relevant today.
Despite this, a trip to Starhrad is suitable for families.

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In the past, Liptov Castle (Starhrad) in northern Slovakia guarded the royal trade route to the Orava region in the north. It was also the very first seat of Zilina County when it broke away from Zvolen County.

The castle owners were rebels. King Matthias Corvinus had no patience with them. He had the castle demolished in 1471. It has been a ruin ever since, writes the My Liptov website.

Find out more about the region of folklore, national parks and modern attractions in our Zilina Region Travel Guide.

Today, the castle is one of three castles in the Liptov region. It is not a classic castle complex as can be seen, for example, with Strecno or Likava Castles.

Since 2016, volunteers from Castrum Liptov, a civic association, has looked after the castle and transformed it into one of the most popular sights in the area. The castle offers panoramic views of Liptov and Orava regions.

New bridge

Volunteers are currently planning to build a new bridge on the site. One bridge was shut down for safety reasons. It was rotten and fell apart. The new bridge will be approximately 12 metres long.

From the bridge, visitors will enjoy nice views of the Liptovska Mara reservoir and the region.

The bridge will be made of red spruce, as it is more resistant to different weather conditions. Volunteers would like to be done with the bridge by this year.

At the same time, they are planning to install a new visitor counter on the site.

New route to the castle planned

These are not the only novelties being prepared at Liptov Castle. If visitors go along the yellow marked path, which is the easiest route, they must overcome a high iron ladder.

Those afraid of heights must wait. Volunteers are seeking ways for visitors to arrive to the castle without climbing the ladder. At first, archaeologists will have to run the proposed trail to the castle with a detector.

The castle,visited by tourists from across the world, including Australia, is located on Sestrc Hill at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level in the Chocske vrchy mountains. It is one of the highest castles in Slovakia.

The entrance fee is voluntary, the castle area accessible all year round.

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/pofefemebu

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
Slovak startup's innovative solution, an unusual mountain chalet, and overview of ways to get to Croatia.

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Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, May 22 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Heavily criticised amendment passes

Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (SNS nominee). (Source: TASR)

On Wednesday, Parliament approved a controversial amendment regarding the Slovak Arts Council (FPU), an independently-managed arts fund. Instead of experts deciding which projects will receive financial support, a board under the influence of the Culture Ministry, which is controlled by the SNS party, will make these decisions. The amendment will take effect as of June 1.

When making decisions, the board will take into account the opinion of an expert commission, which will be the council's advisory body. However, that opinion will not be binding.

The number of board members will be increased from nine to 13, with seven appointed by Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova, and one by the minister based on a proposal from mayors of towns and villages and regional governors. The process for appointing remaining members remains unchanged.

FPU will also be able to provide money for the restoration, modernisation and infrastructure of cultural facilities and to support traditional folk culture.

A few weeks ago, hundreds of experts in commissions deciding on the applications sent to the FPU had threatened to leave if changes to the FPU were approved. The culture minister told the television news channel TA3 that "others will come after them". The minister wants to see the fund support more (truly Slovak) projects in regions.

"Despite the fact that virtually no one agrees with this law, the coalition has voted for an amendment that means the destruction of the public nature of FPU and its takeover by the culture minister," claimed Progresivne Slovensko, an opposition party, after the vote.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY

Going to Croatia?

A beach near Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubco)

For many years, the Adriatic Sea has been nicknamed the 'Slovak Sea' as thousands upon thousands of vacationers return to popular spots every summer.

If you are planning on travelling there again this year, and thinking about which means of transport or which route to choose and how much it will cost you, this story has got you covered.

EVENT FOR THE COMING WEEKS

Remembering the Iron Curtain in Devin

Removal of barbed-wire fencing in Devin, Bratislava, on December 11, 1989. (Source: TASR)

A new exhibition called 'Pozor, hranica! Devin v zeleznej opone' (Warning, border ahead! Devin Castle in the Iron Curtain) has been opened at the iconic castle of near Bratislava. After the communist takeover of 1948, part of the iron curtain ran right under Devin Castle. The exhibition showcases the various measures that were enacted to prevent people from escaping, as well as stories of those who attempted to do so. For more information, tickets, click here.

IN OTHER NEWS

Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) is in a serious but stable condition in the wake of last week's shooting , F.D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital in Banska Bystrica reported on Wednesday. (TASR)

, F.D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital in Banska Bystrica reported on Wednesday. (TASR) Police are currently investigating 48 cases of public approval of the attempt on the PM's life along with hate speech and threats against political representatives , Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) reported after a session of the State Security Council on Wednesday. The minister added that a bill aimed at bolstering protection of constitutional officials and the state will be submitted in the near future. (TASR)

, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) reported after a session of the State Security Council on Wednesday. The minister added that a bill aimed at bolstering protection of constitutional officials and the state will be submitted in the near future. (TASR) On Tuesday, a new development centre was opened in Kosice by MinebeaMitsumi, creating job opportunities for up to 200 people in total. The centre will make products and applications related to the automotive industry as well as electric motors for industrial use. At the same time, the company wants to strengthen cooperation with the Technical University in Kosice and other universities, creating an ecosystem of knowledge exchange and technical skills. (TASR)

The centre will make products and applications related to the automotive industry as well as electric motors for industrial use. At the same time, the company wants to strengthen cooperation with the Technical University in Kosice and other universities, creating an ecosystem of knowledge exchange and technical skills. (TASR) Automotive supplier Yazaki Europe has announced that it will gradually cease the operation of its plant in Michalovce, eastern Slovakia, affecting 207 employees, citing the 'current situation in automotive industry'. During the transition period, the plant will continue production until June 2025. The number of employees will be gradually reduced in several waves. (TASR)

the 'current situation in automotive industry'. During the transition period, the plant will continue production until June 2025. The number of employees will be gradually reduced in several waves. (TASR) In the first four months of this year, M. R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava served more than 358,000 arriving and departing passengers, a y-o-y increase of over 9 percent. (SITA)

For the seventh time, Nedbalova Street in Bratislava's Stare Mesto (Old Town) borough has been transformed into an umbrella street. This year, the installation was inspired by the work Blue Rhapsody by prominent 20th century painter Michal Jakabcic. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies, occasional showers, rain or storms expected as a level 1 storm warning has been issued for central and eastern Slovakia. Daily temperatures between 18 C and 26 C. (SHMU)

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We hope that, as Russian and Chinese evangelicals, we can learn from each other because we have so many similar approaches to things, said Rev. Vitaly Vlashenko, General Secretary of the Russia Evangelical Alliance (REA), following the first official visit of a Russian evangelical delegation to China on April 12-20.

In an interview with China Christian Daily, he said that Christians in Russia and China could benefit from stronger connections as they both live in communist countries, share one of the longest borders in the world, and have seen significant migration back and forth in the past ten years. And while the Russian Federation and the Peoples Republic of China maintain good relationships, he said, we also need to have good and healthy Christian relationships in an open and trustful atmosphere.

Visiting Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing, the four Russian leaders met with representatives of the China Christian Council (CCC), Nanjing Seminary and Amity Christian Charitable Foundation, which prints Bibles for many national Bible societies, including the Russian Bible Society. They also visited several local churches.

Apart from Vlashenko, a Baptist minister, the delegation included Dr. William Yoder, a journalist and writer for the REA who also represented the Omsk-based Evangelical-Lutheran Church in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East (ELCUSFE), Rev. Leonid Kartavenko who chairs the Council of the All-Russian Fellowship of Evangelical-Christians (VSEKh) and co-chairs the Advisory Council for the Heads of the Protestant Churches of Russia, and Rev. Igor Karasev, the head bishop of VSEKh who leads the Expert Council of the Advisory Council for the Heads of the Protestant Churches of Russia.

In Shanghai, CCC President Rev. Wu Wei welcomed the Russian leaders and shared about the landscape of Christianity in China, the background of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and current challenges of the Church in China.

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Three-Self originally refers to a mission principle going back to the 1800s and stands for self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation, which emphasizes financial independence from foreign sources and indigenous mission-efforts. The CCC&TSPM represent the 38 million members of government-registered churches and is a member of the World Council of Churches. The unregistered churches  so-called house churches  are independent from the government and are estimated in the tens of millions.

Wei also talked about the ongoing campaign to sinicize Christianity, an effort by the Chinese Communist Party-led government to make Christianity more Chinese. (Christian Daily International has previously reported about the impact on churches with concerns about the increasing erosion of religious freedom.)

Thanking the guests for their historic visit, Wei highlighted the importance of developing and maintaining bi-lateral relations between the Russian and Chinese churches, according to comments by Vlashenko to Christian Daily International.

Since 2017, the REA has been establishing good and friendly relations with the [Chinese churches], Vlashenko said. In the summer of 2017, the first small delegation of the REA visited China. Since then, there has been correspondence and exchange of information with the CCC.

This years first official visit came at the invitation of the CCC, he noted, and expressed his hope to welcome a Chinese delegation to Russia in due course.

We expect to receive a delegation from the China Christian Council to Russia, so they can get to know us. We hope we can help each other, pray for each other, and do some projects together, he said.

In his interview with China Christian Daily, Vlashenko specified his plans, saying, If the Lord is willing, we hope to visit China next year, bring more pastors from Russia to know China, and continue this relationship. We want this bridge to work on both sides.

He hopes for a relationship of mutual respect and mutual blessing, which will benefit believers in both countries. We want to provide Chinese people who want to come to Russia with a good environment and spiritual care, and we have the same wish for those Russians who come to China to have a good environment and spiritual care, he said.

We encourage, especially Chinese churches in big cities, to have translations for Russian-speaking people so that they can understand the gospel in their language, he added, and said he hopes that Russian believers can learn more from believers in China.

I believe that in the near future, the Church in China can send many missionaries and help to make this world better. As Asia is the most-rapidly developing economic block, we want to see how the Spirit of God is moving in this territory, he said.

He added that he learned an important lesson in China, The difference between the kingdom of God and religion. Religion is looking for members, but the kingdom of God is looking for citizens. I hope China will become a wonderful place for Christians.

Citizens always look for opportunities to bring good news to the end of the world. Russia is such a place where we need your help to bring in the fire of the gospel. I ask each of you to pray for Russia, just as we Russian Christians pray for China, he said.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, Vlashenko was also asked how it affects churches in Russia. Acknowledging the deep pain, he said that all evangelicals wish and pray that this conflict will have a peaceful result.

We hope for fewer civilian casualties because both sides have lost their sons, fathers, and children. Its very painful for all the nations involved in this, he added, and emphasized that Russian evangelicals are looking for a peaceful and reconciling dialogue with their neighbors.

Shortly after the war began two years ago, Vlashenko sent an open letter, which was published by the World Evangelical Alliance, in which he lamented the military invasion and prayed for forgiveness.

Today, as a citizen and as General Secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, I apologize to all those who have suffered, lost loved ones and relatives, or lost their place of residence as a result of this military conflict, he wrote at that time, emphasizing the deep sorrow, bitterness and regret for decisions taken by the leadership of my country.

My prayer is that you will find strength from the Lord to extend your hand of solidarity and forgiveness, so we can live as the people of God to our world. May our heavenly Father help us all.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/blinken-claims-iranians-better-off-by-death-of-raisi-1118575493.html

Blinken Claims Iranians Better Off With Death of Raisi

Blinken Claims Iranians Better Off With Death of Raisi

Sputnik International

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed that the Iranian people and the world at large have benefited from the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

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"Bearing in mind the horrific acts in which he was involved as a judge and president, and the fact that he cannot be involved in them in the slightest, yes, the Iranian people are probably better off We are definitely not grieving over his death." he said when asked by Senator Ted Cruz if "the world is a better place now that Raisi is dead."Blinken said the US does not mourn Raisi's passing and would not declare a moment of silence at the UN in his memory.At the same time, the State Department issued condolences on the death of the Iranian president the previous day.The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hosein Amir Abdollahian and other officials crashed on 19 May in the north-west of the country in the Verzegan region. The delegation was returning from a visit to Azerbaijan, where Raisi and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening ceremony of the Giz Galasi and Khudaferin hydroelectric complexes on the Araks border river.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240520/life-of-late-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi-1118531327.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/china-to-continue-strengthening-strategic-partnership-with-iran---foreign-minister-1118575182.html

China to Continue Strengthening Strategic Partnership With Iran - Foreign Minister

China to Continue Strengthening Strategic Partnership With Iran - Foreign Minister

Sputnik International

China will continue strengthening the strategic partnership with Iran, Chinese FM Wang Yi has told a meeting with Iranian Deputy Fm for Economic Diplomacy Mahdi Safari.

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On Tuesday, Wang took part in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's foreign ministers, on the sidelines of which he had a meeting with Safari. During the meeting, the Chinese foreign minister expressed condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. On Monday, Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri confirmed media reports that Raisi, Amirabdollahian and other senior government officials died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. The delegation was on its way back from a visit to Azerbaijan. Iranian authorities said the helicopter crash-landed in a remote mountainous region due to poor weather conditions and thick fog.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/egypt-may-resort-to-all-options-to-ensure-national-security---reports-1118573662.html

Egypt May Resort to All Options to Ensure National Security - Reports

Egypt May Resort to All Options to Ensure National Security - Reports

Sputnik International

Egypt can use all available options to ensure its national security and preserve the historical rights of the Palestinian people, Egyptian broadcaster Al Qahera News reported.

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Egypt's respect for its obligations and treaties does not prevent it from doing so, the official said. In the early hours of May 7, the Israel Defense Forces launched what it called a counterterrorist operation in the east of Rafah and took control of the Gaza side of the border crossing with Egypt. Later that week, Israeli media reported that Israel's military cabinet had approved expanding the ground operation. Israeli authorities say the operation was aimed at eliminating the remaining battalions of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others were abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.Over 35,600 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/netanyahu-says-more-people-die-of-malnutrition-in-us-than-in-gaza-1118572413.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/egypts-foreign-minister-pays-1st-visit-to-iran-since-1980-to-attend-raisis-funeral-1118585709.html

Egypt's Foreign Minister Pays 1st Visit to Iran Since 1980 to Attend Raisi's Funeral

Egypt's Foreign Minister Pays 1st Visit to Iran Since 1980 to Attend Raisi's Funeral

Sputnik International

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry went to Tehran on Wednesday to attend the funeral ceremony for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials who died in a helicopter crash over the weekend.

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This is the first time an Egyptian foreign minister has set foot in Iran since the ties between the two countries were severed in 1980 following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the admission of the deposed Shah of Iran to Egypt and Egypt's recognition of Israel, Iranian news agency Fars reported. An Azerbaijani delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov also arrived in Iran to attend Raisi's funeral ceremony, the Azerbaijani cabinet told Sputnik. On Sunday, Raisi, Amirabdollahian and other senior government officials died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. The delegation was on its way back from a visit to Azerbaijan. Iranian authorities said the helicopter crash-landed in a remote mountainous region due to poor weather conditions and thick fog.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/huge-srowds-attend-iranian-president-raisis-funeral-procession-in-tehran-1118576826.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/european-trios-recognition-of-palestine-constitutes-big-failure-for-us-israeli-diplomacy-1118588511.html

European Trios Recognition of Palestine Constitutes Big Failure for US, Israeli Diplomacy

European Trios Recognition of Palestine Constitutes Big Failure for US, Israeli Diplomacy

Sputnik International

Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced plans to join the growing bloc of European countries which recognize Palestinian statehood. Sputnik asked a pair of respected experts in Mideast politics and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict what happens next.

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Israel recalled its ambassadors to Norway, Ireland and Spain on Wednesday for urgent consultations, summoning envoys in Tel Aviv and threatening the countries with severe consequences after the trio announced plans to formally recognize Palestine  likely based on its pre-1967 borders, starting next week.Todays decision sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays, Katz alleged, accusing the three countries of choosing to reward Hamas with statehood after its surprise incursion into southern Israel last October.A White House National Security Council spokesperson rushed to Israels defense, emphasizing that while President Biden is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career, he believes a Palestinian state should be recognized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.The direct negotiations the spokesman mentioned refer to an effort by Washington to broker a Palestinian-Israeli settlement  with talks failing spectacularly over the course of more than three decades thanks largely to Israeli intransigence, US favoritism for Tel Aviv and efforts by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, to divide the Palestinian liberation movement.French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne criticized the three countries' move, saying that recognition was not just a symbolic issue or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic tool in the service of the solution of two states living side by side in peace and security. Sejourne suggested conditions are not ripe to recognize Palestinian statehood.A spokesperson for Germanys Foreign Ministry echoed Washington and Pariss sentiments, saying Berlin would realize its firm goal of recognizing an independent Palestine only through a dialogue process.Norway, Ireland and Spain represent a unique group of countries in terms of socio-economic development and political persuasion. Norway, for example, is not a member of the European Union, and while it was one of the first countries to recognize Israel in 1949 and boasts a long history of friendship with the Jewish State, it has also been highly critical of Israels occupation of East Jerusalem, and of the brutality of Tel Avivs military operations in Gaza after October 7.Spain and Israel only established relations in the mid-1980s, and while ties quickly warmed after that, they worsened dramatically last October, when several Spanish officials recommended that Prime Minister Netanyahu be brought before the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges. This prompted Tel Aviv to accuse the Spanish government of sympathies with terrorists. Spain, interestingly, is only of the few NATO allies which has not recognized the US-sponsored puppet regime in Kosovo, Serbia, indicating at least some readiness to act against Washingtons interests when Madrid sees fit.Ireland has also had a rocky relationship with Israel, with embassies between the two countries set up only in 1996, and Dublin regularly criticizing Tel Aviv over its threat to Irish peacekeepers serving in the UN-led peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, over the construction of the West Bank security wall, and over illegal Mossad operations on Irish soil.Big Failure of US DiplomacyOf course recognizing Palestinian state is a big step - it is significant, Dr. Mehmet Rakipoglu, an assistant professor at the Mardin Artuklu University in Turkiye, told Sputnik.Rakipoglu believes the three countries have been outside the US and Israeli orbit politically for some time, with some, like Ireland, sharing a special sympathy for the Palestinians based on their own experience of suffering at the hands of British imperialism.This is a normal failure of Israeli diplomacy, not [only] in these countries, but also at international level, Ayman Yousef, professor of political science and international relations at the Arab-American University in Palestine, told Sputnik.Wednesdays move means, implicitly and explicitly, an alliance of these countries within the EU to shape its policies vis-a-vis Palestine, and it will push other countries to have the same diplomatic move here, the observer believes.For Palestine, the trios decision will also mean improving bilateral economic, political and cultural relations, and put pressure on the US, the traditional ally of Israel, to be more balanced in its policies and reactions to the conflict in the Middle East, Yousef said.Israel Has No One to Blame But ItselfIsrael has only itself to blame for world opinion shifting against it, even among its traditional friends in the West, the observer stressed, pointing to the brutality of Israeli operations in Gaza, which have now killed or maimed more than five percent of the Strips prewar population.Israel is failing not only within the EU, even in the United Nations to convince other countries. Even in the US, there is a huge opposition to policies adopted by the Israelis - the student demonstrations in many American universities being just one example of that, the observer summed up.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/norway-recognizes-palestinian-state-ireland-spain-to-follow-suit---report-1118577755.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/will-icc-step-out-of-us-shadow-as-its-ag-requests-arrest-warrant-for-netanyahu-hamas-leaders-1118574813.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/netanyahu-says-more-people-die-of-malnutrition-in-us-than-in-gaza-1118572413.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/biden-continues-spread-dubious-claims-about-october-7-even-as-he-calls-for-ceasefire-1118551649.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240520/blinken-angry-over-israel-hamas-leaks-orders-to-quell-information-outflow---reports-1118543686.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/eus-imports-of-russian-fertilizer-reach-record-high-of-189mln-in-march-1118578042.html

EU's Imports of Russian Fertilizer Reach Record High of $189Mln in March

EU's Imports of Russian Fertilizer Reach Record High of $189Mln in March

Sputnik International

The European Union has been boosting imports of Russian fertilizers for the third month in a row, purchasing fertilizers worth 174 million euros ($188.8 million) in March, the highest figure since December 2022, an analysis of the European statistical office's data conducted by Sputnik showed on Wednesday.

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The bloc imported 125 million euros worth of fertilizers in December 2023, 137 million euros worth in January and 167 million euros worth in February, data showed. Croatia saw the biggest increase in Russian fertilizer purchases among the EU's member states, boosting its imports 4.8-fold to 1.2 million euros in March, followed by Greece with 4.7-fold increase to 4 million euros and Romania with 2.5-fold rise to 26.1 million euros, data said. Meanwhile, Poland remains the largest importer of Russian fertilizers for the third month in a row and has procured products worth 36 million euros, data showed. Romania and France have been among top-three fertilizer buyers having imported fertilizers worth 22.5 million euros each, data said. The imports of Russian grain by the European Union also jumped by 35% in March month-on-month and reached 125,200 tonnes, with Greece and Spain having increased purchases the most, data also said. In 2023, the EU imported 1.53 million tonnes of Russian grain worth 437.5 million euros, the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture said. On March 20, the agriculture ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic urged the European Commission to ban the import of grain from Russia and Belarus into the European Union, citing the insufficiency of existing sanctions against Moscow. On March 22, the European Commission proposed higher tariffs on grain products from Russia and Belarus. The European Commission anticipated that, depending on the specific product, grain imports will be levied either 95 euros per tonne or an ad valorem duty of 50%. The tariffs will be high enough to "suppress such imports into the EU in practice," but it will not affect exports to third countries, the European Commission said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220603/anti-russia-sanctions-left-africa-without-access-to-grain-and-fertilizers-senegalese-president-says-1095966996.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/insult-directed-at-entire-nation-kremlin-reacts-to-blinkens-remark-on-raisis-death-1118583728.html

'Insult Directed at Entire Nation': Kremlin Reacts to Blinken's Remark on Raisi's Death

'Insult Directed at Entire Nation': Kremlin Reacts to Blinken's Remark on Raisi's Death

Sputnik International

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Kremlin spokesperson criticized US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday for claiming that the people of Iran were "probably... 22.05.2024, Sputnik International

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"It is hard to believe that a diplomat  let alone a high-ranking official of a country such as the United States  would make such a clumsy remark, to say the least. In essence, it was an insult directed at an entire nation," Dmitry Peskov told reporters. President Raisi and his delegation, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, died on Sunday in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran while on their way back from a visit to Azerbaijan.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/irans-foreign-minister-who-died-in-helicopter-crash-to-be-buried-on-thursday---reports-1118576415.html

Iran's Foreign Minister Who Died in Helicopter Crash to Be Buried on Thursday - Reports

Iran's Foreign Minister Who Died in Helicopter Crash to Be Buried on Thursday - Reports

Sputnik International

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who died in a helicopter crash with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, will be buried on Thursday morning in the city of Rey in Tehran Province, Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday.

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The burial ceremony for Amirabdollahian will take place at the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine at 11:00 a.m. local time (07:30 GMT), the report said. A farewell and commemoration ceremony for the minister will be held at Mashakh Square outside the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran, IRNA reported. On Monday, Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri confirmed media reports that Raisi, Amirabdollahian and other senior government officials died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. The delegation was on its way back from a visit to Azerbaijan. Iranian authorities said the helicopter crash-landed in a remote mountainous region due to poor weather conditions and thick fog.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/a-farewell-ceremony-for-iranian-president-raisi-and-his-colleagues-taking-place-in-tabriz---1118556467.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/kremlin-on-us-claiming-russia-launched-anti-satellite-arms-russia-not-violating-anything-1118584683.html

Not Violating Anything: Kremlin Hits Back at US Claim Russia Launched Anti-Satellite Arms

Not Violating Anything: Kremlin Hits Back at US Claim Russia Launched Anti-Satellite Arms

Sputnik International

Russia does not violate international law, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on the Pentagon's statement that Russia allegedly launched a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon.

2024-05-22T10:55+0000

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"I cannot comment on this in any way. Here, we act absolutely in accordance with international law, we do not violate anything," Peskov told reporters.On Tuesday, US Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that Russia launched last week a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon that is presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit. Ryder claimed that Russia deployed the satellite without communicating this fact to the United States. On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov call the statement misinformation. Russia has repeatedly advocated bans on the deployment of any weapons in space, but its initiatives are rejected, Peskov said."We have repeatedly advocated for a ban on the launch of any weapons into space. Unfortunately, these initiatives of ours were rejected, including by the United States," Peskov told reporters.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/russia-dismisses-us-claims-of-counterspace-weapon-satellite-as-misinformation-1118582903.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/new-details-emerge-of-chopper-crash-that-killed-irans-president-raisi-1118579639.html

New Details Emerge on Iranian Presidents Deadly Chopper Crash

New Details Emerge on Iranian Presidents Deadly Chopper Crash

Sputnik International

The weather at the time of the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi had not given any cause for concern, the Chief of Staff of the late Iranian president Gholam Hossein Esmaili has claimed.

2024-05-22T10:39+0000

2024-05-22T10:39+0000

2024-05-22T13:06+0000

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iran president raisi's death

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The weather at the time of the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi did not give any cause for concern, the late Iranian president's Chief of Staff Gholam Hossein Esmaili has claimed.The official was on board one of the three helicopters of Raisi's delegation.When asked during the interview if there was any fog, he replied, as per a translation into English, "Not at all. There was fog on the ground, but not up in the air where we were advancing with the helicopters."He acknowledged there was a "small patch of clouds above a cliff," and the pilot of the helicopter carrying the president gave instructions to gain altitude and continue moving above the clouds. Those on board the chopper with Esmaili did not feel any excess turbulence, and after ascending observed no more clouds. There had not been any forecasts mentioning disturbances in the weather, the Iranian official noted. He added that when they realized that their own pilot was making a U-turn, and questioned him, he replied that one of the helicopters was missing.Our pilot circled around the area a couple of times, but the area with the cloud patch was also invisible to us and it was too risky to enter that area. We failed several times to make any radio contact. We were forced to make a landing after 30 seconds at the Sungun copper mine to investigate, the chief of staff is reported as saying.According to Gholam Hossein Esmaili, throughout the flight they had continuous cell phone calls with the other convoy passengers. However, when they tried calling those on the presidential helicopter, they had no luck.Finally, Ayatollah Ale-Hashem, the Friday imam of Tabriz, answered, saying he was not feeling well, and didnt know what had happened, but described trees surrounding him.Upon realization that the chopper had crash landed, a search team was formed, and immediate emergency help was requested. Ale-Hashem later also died.Speculation immediately swirled whether besides bad weather conditions or possible technical troubles, an act of sabotage may have caused the crash. Iranian President Raisis helicopter was a US-made Bell-212, a very reliable, albeit outdated, aircraft most likely fitted with new engines, Vadim Bazykin, an honored Russian helicopter test pilot, earlier told Sputnik.A probe into the crash launched by the Iranian authorities is ongoing. Five days of mourning have been announced in Iran, with the bodies of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Tabriz Friday prayer leader Seyyed Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and others were laid in Teheran for funeral ceremonies. Under the Iranian constitution, an early presidential election must be held within 50 days after the incumbent president is pronounced dead or incapacitated, and his powers are transferred to the first vice president. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president until a new presidential election is held.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240520/what-may-have-caused-raisis-copter-crash-1118546250.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/huge-srowds-attend-iranian-president-raisis-funeral-procession-in-tehran-1118576826.html

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In an interview, veteran pianist Kenny Barron shared some learnings and advice from the example of the giants of his youth following his recent awards.

The Jazz Journalists Association named Barron the Top Pianist of 2024, and he also received the Deutsche Jazz Prize in Germany last month.

Brian Delp, host of Drive Time on WBGO, congratulated Barron on his two new awards and for being recognized even after over six decades in the industry.

Barron said it was comforting to know that he still has some relevance.

In the last 18 months, he has only released two or three new albums. Delp asked about his previous album, 'The Source,' and why it took him 40 years to make a new recording alone.

He shared that it was because nobody asked. However, he admitted he was happy when Jean Philippe approached him to do the album.

The jazz pianist noted that doing solo recording always fills him with fear as it is one of the scariest environments for him.

His career has been filled with astounding musical moments. Over the last 60 years, he has been paired with the legends, including Stan Getz, Charlie Haden, Tommy Flanagan, and Regina Carter.

Barron currently teaches at the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra. Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Johnathan Blake are among the younger musicians he has worked with for years.

He claimed he loves playing with younger guys because it inspires him. "I mean, they push you. And I love that. I love what Johnathan does. He does some amazing stuff," he said.

Delp asked him about what he said many years ago on social media that too many younger musicians are playing from the head, not from the heart.

"Yes, I was surprised. I saw a bit of that and I thought about contributing to it, but, no, let it stand. It's something I said, and I agree with what I said, and especially in terms of writing in terms of composition, it's very heady. But that's the way they hear things, and there's an evolution and things evolve, but what I'm talking about is when a young musician says, "I want to compose," it's almost like instantaneously they say, "Well, how complicated can I make this?" That's what I'm talking about."

Furthermore, he said that young people wanted to play everything they knew all the time.

He shared that he learned to slow down and save himself when he started working with Dizzy in 1963. He realized he does not have to play everything and more stuff will come, so it reminds him to relax and take his time.

Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones, who greatly influenced him, told him stories. He said it taught him that it was not about playing fast.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/norway-recognizes-palestinian-state-ireland-spain-to-follow-suit---report-1118577755.html

Norway, Ireland and Spain Recognize Palestinian State

Norway, Ireland and Spain Recognize Palestinian State

Sputnik International

Norway has recognized Palestinian statehood. Ireland, Spain have followed suit.

2024-05-22T06:53+0000

2024-05-22T06:53+0000

2024-05-22T10:05+0000

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Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced they are officially recognizing Palestinian statehood."The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognise Palestine as a state. In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre on Wednesday. He added that the Palestinian people have a fundamental right to self-determination. "Both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace in their respective states. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," said the PM.Irelands taoiseach Simon Harris has also confirmed at a press conference that Ireland will recognise a Palestinian state, with a similar move announced by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez. Palestinian movement Hamas has welcomed statements from Norway, Ireland and Spain on the recognition of Palestine as a state.Earlier, Politico reported that Ireland will officially recognize Palestinian statehood in coordination with at least two other European countries. It is reported that over the past few weeks Ireland had discussed the timing of Palestinian statehood recognition in meetings with the governments of Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Norway and Malta.Israel ReactsThe Israeli Foreign Minister has ordered recalling of ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain for consultations over the countries decision to recognize the Palestinian state."Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the recall of the ambassador to Spain for consultation and the summoning of the ambassadors of Ireland, Spain and Norway (to Israel) for a conversation with reprimand, during which they will watch a video of the abduction of female military personnel (responsible for monitoring the border with the Gaza Strip)," the ministry said in a statement.Israels foreign minister Israel Katz shared a post on X, saying:"Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security."Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in late March that Madrid had reached an agreement with Ireland, Slovenia and Malta to take the first steps toward recognizing the State of Palestine to promote the peace process. The nations later issued a joint statement, in which they expressed their readiness to recognize the State of Palestine under the "right circumstances."Up until now, the State of Palestine had been recognized by nine EU member states. Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia took this step in 1988, before joining the EU, while Sweden recognized the State of Palestine in 2014.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/polish-army-ready-to-increase-number-of-troops-on-eastern-border-1118585967.html

Polish Army Ready to Increase Number of Troops on Eastern Border

Polish Army Ready to Increase Number of Troops on Eastern Border

Sputnik International

Poland is ready to increase the number of troops at it eastern border and provide them with better equipment amid increased tensions in the country's relations with Belarus and Russia, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T13:12+0000

2024-05-22T13:12+0000

2024-05-22T13:12+0000

military

wladyslaw kosiniak-kamysz

poland

belarus

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army

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"We are ready to increase the military presence on the Polish-Belarusian border. We will protect the Polish border. The police and the border guard service will be supported and provided with even better equipment," Kosiniak-Kamysz told the lower house of the Polish parliament. Moreover, various types of fortification and other equipment would be deployed on the border as part of preparations for the Shield-East plan announced last week by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the defense chief said. In addition, Poland is "building drone forces," which are also the key part of the Shield-East national defense and deterrence plan, Kosiniak-Kamysz said, adding that the events in Ukraine had proven that component was of great importance. During his speech in the parliament, Kosiniak-Kamysz also recalled that Poland had taken part in the training of almost a third of the Ukrainian soldiers within the European program, that is, 16,000 troops. "Together with bilateral activities, this is 22,000 soldiers trained by the Polish army," the Polish defense minister added. The Shield-East national defense and deterrence plan entails an investment of over 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) in reinforcing Poland's eastern border with Russia and Belarus. Poland, along with other NATO countries, increased military training of its troops after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The alliance started reinforcing its eastern flank by sending additional ships, planes, helicopters and ground troops to the region and putting them on high alert. Moreover, Poland has been continuously taking measures to reinforce its eastern border following the migrant crisis that unfolded in 2021. Tens of thousands of irregular migrants from the Middle East and Africa crowded on Belarus' side of the border, aiming to cross into the European Union via Poland, as well as neighboring Latvia and Lithuania. Polish authorities tightened border controls, deployed troops, and accused Belarus of orchestrating the migrant crisis. Minsk rejected the accusation, saying Warsaw was abusing the migrant crisis narrative to aggressively push migrants into Belarusian territory.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240311/poland-the-biggest-army-in-the-eu-and-the-biggest-risks-in-the-making-1117272305.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/russia-dismisses-us-claims-of-counterspace-weapon-satellite-as-misinformation-1118582903.html

Russia Dismisses US Claims of Counterspace Weapon Satellite as Misinformation

Russia Dismisses US Claims of Counterspace Weapon Satellite as Misinformation

Sputnik International

The recent statement by the US Department of Defense alleging that Russia launched a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon is misinformation and Moscow will not respond to it, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T09:52+0000

2024-05-22T09:52+0000

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On Tuesday, US Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that Russia launched last week a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon that is presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit. Ryder claimed that Russia deployed the satellite without communicating this fact to the United States. "I do not think we should respond to any misinformation from Washington. The Russian space program is developing as planned, launches of spacecraft for various purposes, including devices that solve the problem of strengthening our defense capability, are also not news. Another thing is that we always consistently oppose the deployment of strike weapons in low-Earth orbit," Ryabkov told reporters. If the United States wanted to ensure the safety of space activities, it should have reconsidered its approach to Russia's space proposals, the senior diplomat added.Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that US officials said Russia launched a research spacecraft into space in February 2022 intended to test components for a potential nuclear anti-satellite weapon.In February, the US government claimed that Russia was developing a space-based anti-satellite weapon that poses a serious threat to US national security.Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia has always been categorically opposed to deploying nuclear weapons in space. Russias activities in space are no different from those of other countries, including the US, Putin added.Speaking about introduction of the Bulava ICBM into service, Ryabkov said that Russia does not violate the limits set by the New START Treaty.The R30 3M30 Bulava (RSM-56 for use in international treaties, SS-NX-30 according to NATO classification) is a Russian three-stage solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to arm the advanced Borei-class nuclear-powered strategic missile submarines. It was officially reported that the missile is capable of carrying several hypersonic nuclear warheads with individual guidance. The Bulava is expected to form the basis of Russia's strategic nuclear forces grouping until 2040-2045, according to Russian military statements.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/why-us-opposes-efforts-to-keep-space-weapons-free-1118569943.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240521/russian-special-services-monitoring-us-military-program-in-space---kremlin-1118560667.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/russia-has-no-plans-to-revise-state-border-line-in-baltic-1118584319.html

Russia Not Planning to Revise Border in Baltic Waters

Russia Not Planning to Revise Border in Baltic Waters

Sputnik International

Russia did not have and does not have any intentions to revise its state border line, economic zone and continental shelf in the Baltic, a military-diplomatic source said.

2024-05-22T10:41+0000

2024-05-22T10:41+0000

2024-05-22T14:13+0000

russia

russia

finland

gulf of finland

dmitry peskov

russian defense ministry

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According to a document published on Russian legal documents website on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry proposed changing the geographic coordinates of the Russian maritime border with Finland, as the previous ones did not match the "current geographical situation." The ministry argued that the current coordinates were registered with the use of small-scale navigation maps, based on research made in the middle of 20th century, and do not allow to determining the external border of Russia's territorial waters. The document is not available anymore, as of Wednesday. The Finnish authorities called the Russian initiative "unexpected," saying that though there is nothing extraordinary in reviewing borders, such issues are usually settled by the involved countries in a "working order," the Finnish lawmaker and chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs council, Kimmo Kiljunen, told Finnish broadcaster Yle on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Russia had not been in contact with Finland on the issue. Helsinki is to address Moscow through diplomatic and official channels with a request for additional information on the relevant proposal, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday.The Russian Defense Ministry's proposal to update the coordinates of Russia's borders in the Baltic Sea is not politically motivated, although the level of confrontation in the region requires steps to ensure the country's security, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/russia-to-respond-to-hostile-actions-of-baltic-states-with-asymmetric-measures-1118264303.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/russian-forces-liberate-kleshcheyevka-in-donetsk-peoples-republic-1118583325.html

Russian Forces Liberate Kleshcheyevka in Donetsk People's Republic

Russian Forces Liberate Kleshcheyevka in Donetsk People's Republic

Sputnik International

Units of the Battlegroup Yug have taken control of Kleshcheyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) as a result of active operations, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

2024-05-22T10:11+0000

2024-05-22T10:11+0000

2024-05-24T13:43+0000

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Units of the Battlegroup Yug have taken control of Kleshcheyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) as a result of active operations, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. Russian servicemen of Battlegroup Tsentr have struck Ukrainian formations in four settlements of the Donetsk People's Republic and repulsed seven counter-attacks in four other settlements, with enemy losses totaling up to 420 servicemen, the ministry added.Russia's Battlegroup Yug has defeated Ukrainian troops in the DPR and Ukraine has lost more than 365 soldiers, while Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has improved its tactical position in the DPR and Kiev lost up to 125 soldiers.Russia's northern group of forces has advanced into Ukraine's territory and repelled three counterattacks in the Kharkov region and the armed forces of Ukraine lost up to 255 soldiers, the ministry said."Russian units of Battlegroup Dnepr destroyed up to 35 Ukrainian servicemen, two US-made 155-millimeter M777 howitzers, a 152-millimeter MSTA-B howitzer and a 152-millimeter D-20 howitzer," the Defense Ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240520/russian-troops-liberate-belogorovka-in-lugansk-peoples-republic-1118538728.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/slovak-media-starts-to-consider-ukraine-connection-in-fico-shooting-1118573254.html

Slovak Media Explores Ukrainian Link to Fico Assassination Attempt

Slovak Media Explores Ukrainian Link to Fico Assassination Attempt

Sputnik International

Media outlets and pundits in Slovakia are starting to openly wonder about a possible Ukraine connection to the alleged shooter of Prime Minister Robert Fico

2024-05-22T01:25+0000

2024-05-22T01:25+0000

2024-05-22T06:28+0000

analysis

robert fico

stephen karganovic

mirotvorets

ukraine

slovakia

russia

nato

slovak pm fico assassination attempt

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Elements of the Slovak media are starting to whisper about a potential Ukrainian connection to the alleged assassin who attempted to kill Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico last week.Initially, it was reported that the alleged shooter, 71-year-old pensioner Juraj Cintula acted as a lone wolf when he shot the prime minister four times, nearly killing him. However, authorities in Slovakia announced that they are now considering the more likely scenario that he was working with a group.The comments came after Slovak authorities revealed that Cintulas Facebook* communications and history were deleted four hours after the attack and that he nor his wife, described as tech-illiterate did it.Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said that the shooter was communicating with an online community and told them of their plans, but it is unclear if the community was intended to be humorous or nefarious, he said some users mocked Cintula's plan.A woman suspected to be Cintulas wife was seen in the custody of police, though it is not clear from reports if she was detained or was being held for her protection. Her name has not been published. Rumors have swirled about her, but Slovakian authorities have not confirmed their veracity, citing the ongoing investigation.Slovakian media outlets have started to ponder if the country that has the most reason to be angry at Fico could be involved. Fico was elected on a promise to end his countrys aid to Ukraine, a campaign promise he fulfilled once he was elected.Writing in SIA News, columnist Lucas Leiroz called for an investigation into outside involvement. It is necessary to investigate whether there was international involvement and whether foreign agents financed the attack or influenced it in any way. Knowing that there are groups interested in removing Fico, it is possible that there is a large conspiracy behind the cause, Leiroz wrote (translated from Slovak), noting the terrorist attacks suspected of being linked to Ukraine, like the Crocus City Hall massacre and the bombing of Russias embassy in Brazil.Leiroz also notes that world leaders who have opposed funding Ukraine have found themselves on the notorious Mirotvorets Ukrainian kill list, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.Leiroz was not alone in suggesting that the shooter was influenced by an outside group. Writing for Slovakian outlet Skspravy, Norwegian analyst Stephen Karganovic blamed globalists and Project Ukraine for the shooting, noting that the lone wolf theory echoed the official narrative of the assassination of US President John F Kennedy.We may soon see how this horrific Jack Ruby-type explanation plays out as the Slovak authorities press their investigation, he warned (translated).Jack Ruby was convicted of assassinating Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged lone gunman who was arrested for shooting JFK but died before he could stand trial.If there is a connection found between Cintula and Ukraine, it would undoubtedly have massive implications for the world stage, potentially upending NATO.It would be sort of ironic and hilarious at the same time if Bratislava invokes Article Five [which requires NATO to protect an ally that is attacked] and says, We were attacked by Ukraine. Will NATO help protect us? Malic wondered. NATO would be obligated to do something, but this is the same alliance that's arming Ukraine to the teeth.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240518/fico-attack-conjures-up-ghosts-of-maverick-european-politicians-strange-deaths-1118517927.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220919/mirotvorets-kill-list-west-left-its-own-people-to-mercy-of-ukraines-gestapo-website-journo-says-1100976609.html

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assassination attempt of robert fico, ukraine involvement in fico shooting, was nato involved in shooting fico
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/slovakia-investigating-ficos-health-data-leak-after-assassination-attempt-1118585360.html

Slovakia Investigating Fico's Health Data Leak After Assassination Attempt

Slovakia Investigating Fico's Health Data Leak After Assassination Attempt

Sputnik International

Slovakia is investigating the circumstances of the leak of data related to the health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico after the assassination attempt, Slovak Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T11:39+0000

2024-05-22T11:39+0000

2024-05-22T11:39+0000

world

robert fico

slovakia

bratislava

slovak pm fico assassination attempt

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Earlier in May, an extract with Fico's medical data, allegedly from the hospital to which he was taken with gunshot wounds after the assassination attempt, was leaked on social networks. Last Wednesday, Fico, 59, who has more than once spoken out against arms deliveries to Ukraine and its NATO membership, was shot after a government field-meeting in the Slovak city of Handlova, located 190 kilometers (118 miles) northeast of Bratislava. The prime minister was rushed to a hospital where he underwent several surgeries. The hospital providing post-assassination medical care to Fico said that his condition was improving and the prime minister remained conscious. The shooter, Juraj Cintula, 71, was detained immediately after the attack and charged with attempting to commit a premeditated murder. The Slovak Interior Ministry expressed the belief that 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/20240521/the-eu-media-gets-a-pass-on-misinformation-about-fico---analyst-1118555233.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/slovakia-working-with-other-countries-to-probe-attempt-on-ficos-life-1118579356.html

Slovakia Working With Other Countries to Probe Attempt on Fico's Life

Slovakia Working With Other Countries to Probe Attempt on Fico's Life

Sputnik International

The Slovak security services are cooperating with their counterparts in the other countries to investigate an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T07:46+0000

2024-05-22T07:46+0000

2024-05-22T07:46+0000

world

robert fico

ukraine

slovakia

europe

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Of course not only our security services, but colleagues from other countries as well are trying to help us and provide new information, the minister told Slovak TV broadcaster TAZ. The Slovak special services are considering proposals made by foreign counterparts on introducing new security measures or reinforcing the existing ones following the assassination attempt, Kalinak told the broadcaster. On Wednesday, the Slovak Security Council will discuss strengthening measures aimed at protecting people and institutions following attempt on Fico's life. On May 15, Fico, 59, was shot after a government field-meeting in the Slovak city of Handlova. The prime minister was rushed to a hospital in a live-threatening condition where he underwent several surgeries. On Monday, the hospital said that Fico's condition was improving. The 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/20240522/slovak-media-starts-to-consider-ukraine-connection-in-fico-shooting-1118573254.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/some-eu-states-mulling-sanctions-against-georgia-over-foreign-agents-bill---reports-1118578532.html

Some EU States Mulling Sanctions Against Georgia Over Foreign Agents Bill - Reports

Some EU States Mulling Sanctions Against Georgia Over Foreign Agents Bill - Reports

Sputnik International

Some EU member states are considering imposing sanctions on Georgia, including the suspension of visa-free travel regime, over the foreign agents bill, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

2024-05-22T06:59+0000

2024-05-22T06:59+0000

2024-05-22T06:59+0000

world

georgia

salome zourabichvili

european union (eu)

foreign agent

maria zakharova

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On Saturday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the controversial foreign agents bill that had been adopted by the country's parliament last Tuesday. The parliament needs a simple majority to override the veto. A number of EU countries, led by Estonia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Sweden, aim to discuss restrictive measures towards Georgia at the EU Foreign Affairs meeting next week, the Financial Times reported. The potential sanctions include suspending visa-free travel to the European Union by Georgians, freezing of EU funds for the country and some targeted sanctions, the newspaper cited the officials as saying. If the foreign agents bill is enacted, Georgias EU accession progress will face a major setback, an EU official said. The draft law "On the Transparency of Foreign Influence" was initially submitted to the Georgian parliament in February 2023 but was withdrawn the following month amid a wave of protests and pressure from Western countries. After revision, the term "foreign influence agent" was replaced with "organization promoting the interests of a foreign power," while the rest of the content remained the same. The latest iteration of the bill has sparked weeks of mass protests in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi amid concerns that it could block the South Caucasus nation's path to EU membership. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized the bill in March, saying its adoption could have serious repercussions for EU-Georgian relations.The West is acting as harshly and "crazily" as possible with regard to Georgia because it failed to destabilize the situation in the country earlier, as it did with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. The EU's call on the Georgian authorities to ensure the right of citizens to protest can be interpreted as interference in internal affairs for the purpose of regime change, Maria Zakharova said. According to her, otherwise the EU's call "can be interpreted as interference in the internal affairs of the state with the aim of regime change.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240518/georgian-president-vetoes-foreign-agents-bill-1118520623.html

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sanctions against georgia, foreign agents bill, suspension of visa-free travel regime
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/uk-courts-decision-on-assanges-extradition-unlikely-to-result-in-his-exoneration-1118578263.html

UK Court's Decision on Assange's Extradition Unlikely to Result in His Exoneration

UK Court's Decision on Assange's Extradition Unlikely to Result in His Exoneration

Sputnik International

The UK's High Court of Justice decision to grant WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange permission to challenge his extradition to the United States invites cautious optimism, however his chances of being exonerated are miniscule, experts told Sputnik.

2024-05-22T06:34+0000

2024-05-22T06:34+0000

2024-05-22T06:34+0000

world

julian assange

united kingdom (uk)

london

wikileaks

european convention on human rights

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In March, the London High Court asked the US government to provide assurances that the WikiLeaks founder would be able to claim the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedoms related to religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. The court also asked for assurances that Assange would not be prejudiced at his trial due to his nationality, and that he would not face the death penalty. In mid-April, the US provided minimal assurances demanded by the high court to proceed with the case. When asked about the assurances provided by the US regarding constitutional safeguards, the expert suggested that these could be doubted as the US government has not unequivocally guaranteed that Assange will be fully able to claim First Amendment protections. Similarly, Michael Brenner, a professor emeritus of International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, observed that the way the WikiLeaks founder was treated has served the purpose of intimidating potential whistle-blowers as well as media outlets. The expert also suggested that the Biden White House and the Justice Department are not concerned about the ruling as Assange's deportation could be disadvantageous during an election year as it could leave Biden without some of his more liberal voters. "The judges are responsive to the government, the British government is highly responsive to what Washington wants ... The chances of his eventually being exonerated and freed? Next to zero," Brenner said. Assange, an Australian citizen, was transferred to London's high-security Belmarsh prison in April 2019 on bail breach charges. In the US, he faces prosecution under the Espionage Act for obtaining and disclosing classified information that shed light on war crimes and human rights violations committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If convicted, the WikiLeaks founder could face up to 175 years in prison. One of the last means of preventing his transfer to the US may be an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Assange lost his previous appeal at the UK High Court last June.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240520/london-high-court-grants-assange-opportunity-to-challenge-his-extradition-to-us-1118542766.html

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World-renowned pianist, podcaster, and certified breathwork educator Chad Lawson releases "Like The Stars In The Sky," the next single from his upcoming album: "Where We Are," arriving on July 19 via Decca Records US.

Known for combining his expertise in wellness and music, Lawson shares this new single in commemoration of World Meditation Day, which aims to spread awareness on how wellness practices like breathwork can reduce stress and improve the overall well-being of an individual.

The artist is also slated to host a live-streamed meditation session and guide at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT) on the "Where We Are" website.

About Chad Lawson's 'Like The Stars In The Sky'

Following the great success of his last two albums "Breathe" and "You Finally Knew," both of which have a collective stream count of 700 million, Lawson is delving deeper into the concept of "healing" in his forthcoming album.

As indicated by the artist through his record's lead single: "Sanctuary," released last month on World Breathing Day, it "sets the theme of what the album is."

"'Sanctuary' is the place where you personally find healing. People want to be gentle with themselves and feel okay, but they don't know how," Lawson shared, adding that his role is to "impact the heart rather than impress the mind."

As per Lawson, that sentiment is consistent in his latest advanced single, saying, "'Like The Stars In The Sky' is inspired by how every star in the night sky offers a unique sense of guidance and hope."

"This song is about seeing the endless possibilities that each star represents, showing us different paths even in dark times," he continued. "It's a theme close to my heart - finding your own light and direction in life's darkness, just like each unique star in the sky."

You can stream "Like The Stars In The Sky" now by clicking here. Alternatively, you can sample the track right below.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/uk-to-offer-indo-pacific-countries-closer-military-partnership---defense-secretary-1118590044.html

UK to Offer Indo-Pacific Countries Closer Military Partnership - Defense Secretary

UK to Offer Indo-Pacific Countries Closer Military Partnership - Defense Secretary

Sputnik International

The United Kingdom will propose to the countries in the Indo-Pacific to expand their military partnerships with London amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T18:02+0000

2024-05-22T18:02+0000

2024-05-22T18:02+0000

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"Next week I will travel to the Shangri-La Security Conference in Singapore with a clear message that if our partners in the Indo-Pacific overlook illegal invasion in Europe it has consequences for international security everywhere ... Which is why I will also offer to extend our military partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific," Shapps said at a security conference in London. He said he would reference AUKUS and the Global Combat Air Programme as cases of successful intercontinental security partnerships. At the same time, the British defense chief said it was "no longer tenable for European countries to expect the US to subsidise our security." Shapps expressed his frustration at the fact that only the UK and the US were striking at Houthi targets in the Red Sea, while the resulting safety of navigation was something enjoyed by stakeholders across Asia and Europe. He said London was in need of not simply more partners but it also needed them "to be more committed," with the outlook of eventually "converting commitment into capability" and encouraging its partners to "play a bigger role in support of the world order."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240509/calling-the-bluff-aging-us-fleet-and-drained-stockpiles-no-match-for-china-and-russia-1118362489.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/ukrainian-drone-attacks-territory-of-zaporozhye-nuclear-power-plant-1118586129.html

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Territory of Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Territory of Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant

Sputnik International

The Ukrainian armed forces have attacked the territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant with a drone, the plant's press service said on Wednesday, adding that no casualties and damage were reported.

2024-05-22T13:16+0000

2024-05-22T13:16+0000

2024-05-22T13:16+0000

russia

ukraine

russia

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

zaporozhye npp

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"The Ukrainian armed forces attacked the territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. A kamikaze drone hit the territory of the transport workshop of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. There were no casualties or critical damage," the plant's press service wrote on Telegram, adding that shelling of civilians, as well as the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and its infrastructure, is unacceptable.Located on the left bank of the Dnepr River, the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is the largest nuclear facility in Europe. It came under Russia's control in early 2022 and has since been repeatedly shelled, raising safety concerns. IAEA experts have been monitoring the situation on-site since the fall of 2022.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/potential-dangers-of-major-nuclear-accident-at-zaporozhye-nuclear-power-plant-remain-real---iaea-1117948363.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/us-admits-houthis-can-hit-ships-in-mediterranean-as-militia-swats-down-another-reaper-1118590306.html

US Admits Houthis Can Hit Ships in Mediterranean as Militia Swats Down Another Reaper

US Admits Houthis Can Hit Ships in Mediterranean as Militia Swats Down Another Reaper

Sputnik International

What they lack in naval and aerial capabilities the Houthis certainly make up for in gumption. For more than six months, the Yemeni militia has been wreaking havoc on Israeli, US and UK-linked commercial shipping in the Red and Arabian Seas, targeting merchant vessels and warships alike with an arsenal of inexpensive drones and missiles.

2024-05-22T19:07+0000

2024-05-22T19:07+0000

2024-05-22T19:16+0000

world

military & intelligence

yemen

israel

houthis

ansar allah

houthi

mq-9 reaper

red sea

red sea crisis

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Yemens Ansar Allah (Houthi) militia has the capability to target vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, a senior Pentagon official has confirmed.The official qualified their remarks, saying the US has no evidence of the Houthis actually attempting an attack in the Mediterranean  which is situated 2,000 km or more from militia-controlled areas of northwest Yemen, to date.The Pentagons assessment stands in stark contrast with what the Houthis themselves are saying, and with what regional countries are doing, amid the militias ongoing partial maritime blockade  which Ansar Allah says is its way of showing solidarity with Palestinians amid Israels offensive in Gaza.Traditional US allies in the Gulf region, once involved in a large-scale, years-long war against the Houthis themselves, have shied away from committing themselves against the militia this time around, with regional power player Saudi Arabia restricting airspace to US warplanes seeking bases from which to attack targets inside Yemen, and instead looking for a diplomatic end to their conflict with the Houthis.The Houthis have spent weeks warning about their readiness to expand their blockade of the Red and Arabian Seas to the Mediterranean to target any and all Israel-bound ships, but have yet to follow through with the threat.The Yemeni militia is known to have access to an array of mostly Soviet-era ballistic, anti-ship and air defense missiles, which they have upgraded and used to effect to target everything from merchant ships and warships to enemy air targets. The longest-range weapons include the Burkan (lit. Volcano) series of long-range ballistic missiles (estimated maximum range 1,200 km+) and the Tufan (lit. Flood or Storm) with an estimated range of up to 1,950 km.On top of that are the Houthis long-range strike drones, including the Samad  which Western observers estimate have a range of up to 1,800 km.Houthis Dont Fear the ReaperThe Houthis also have a well-known penchant for flouting the power of larger, wealthier and more technically sophisticated adversaries, announcing Tuesday that they had shot down another $32 million MQ-9 reaper drone over Yemens air space. The incident is second time in less than a week, and at least the fifth time since the Red Sea escalation last fault, that the militia has destroyed the advanced piece of US UAV hardware.The Air Defense Forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces shot down an American unmanned aerial vehicle MQ-9 Reaper while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Al Bayda Governorate, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement. The [UAV] was targeted with a locally made surface-to-air missile, he added.The US military acknowledged reports on the Reapers destruction, but didnt immediately comment on the veracity of the Houthis claims.The Houthis consequently published footage showing a Reaper drone in the crosshairs of an infrared camera, as well as footage of an air defense missile being launched in the drones direction in the dead of night, followed by the UAV's destruction in a massive fireball.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240517/houthis-take-down-another-us-reaper-drone-reiterate-threat-to-target-ships-in-mediterranean-1118505765.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/houthis-have-defeated-american-goliath---uk-media-1118452721.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240518/vessel-damaged-in-attack-off-yemeni-coast---statement-1118517808.html

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can houthis hit mediterranean, who are the houthis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/us-netherlands-conduct-bilateral-operations-in-south-china-sea---us-navy-1118587219.html

US, Netherlands Conduct Bilateral Operations in South China Sea - US Navy

US, Netherlands Conduct Bilateral Operations in South China Sea - US Navy

Sputnik International

The US and Dutch navies conducted joint naval operations in the South China Sea to increase interoperability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific, the US Navy said on Wednesday.

2024-05-22T13:56+0000

2024-05-22T13:56+0000

2024-05-22T13:56+0000

military

south china sea

china

us

netherlands

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"The Netherlands and United States navies conducted bilateral operations in the South China Sea, May 22," the Navy said in a press release. "The bilateral operation provided a valuable opportunity to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness." US Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile, Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra and Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS Tromp took part in the operations, according to the release.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240407/us-led-naval-drills-prompt-heightened-tensions-in-south-china-sea-1117793847.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/we-have-no-business-being-in-ukraine-gop-congressman-paul-gosar-says-1118586764.html

'We Have no Business Being in Ukraine', GOP Congressman Paul Gosar Says

'We Have no Business Being in Ukraine', GOP Congressman Paul Gosar Says

Sputnik International

The United States should not be sending weapon systems, ammunition or taxpayer dollars to fund or prolong a war in Ukraine, we have no business being in, Congressman Paul Gosar told Sputnik.

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The United States should not be sending weapon systems, ammunition or taxpayer dollars to fund or prolong a war in Ukraine, we have no business being in, Congressman Paul Gosar told Sputnik. His remarks come in response to Sputnik's request to comment on the letter written by a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sent to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asking that Ukraine be allowed to use American-supplied long-range weapons for strikes inside of Russian territory."We write in our capacity as members of the US House of Representatives to convey our strong support of several urgent requests on behalf of our Ukrainian colleagues: Authorizing the Use of US-Provided Weapons to Strike Strategic Targets within Russian Territory Under Certain Circumstances," US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Michael Turner and other lawmakers said in the letter.The lawmakers also urged the Defense Department to train more Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets.The West has recently been increasingly discussing direct intervention in the Ukrainian conflict. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the French military might be sent to Ukraine, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that it was acceptable for the Ukrainian army to strike Russian territory with British missiles.Russia has described such rhetoric as unprecedented round of escalation of tension that requires special attention and measures. The Europeans see that the situation is changing rapidly and is fraught with a complete collapse for Ukraine, so they deliberately escalate the situation, the Kremlin said.

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The tandem of driver Tony Hall and trainer Anette Lorentzon followed their hat trick on Monday with a dynamite showing on Tuesday, May 21 at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, striking a grand slam together including a win in the $49,315 Open Trot and Hall notching an additional win to grab five victories total on the 13-race card.

Hall and Lorentzon fittingly stole the top prize in the Open Trot with a pillar-to-post score by Pioneer As in 1:53.2. Hall pressed forward to the point with no challenges coming after a :27 first quarter, leaving the mare to her own devices while strolling to a :57 half. Threats slowly loomed from the back as Swan Flyer (Brandon Bates) angled first over with stablemate and 6-5 favourite Oh Look Magic (Marvin Luna) in tow, but Pioneer As stayed resolute on the helm in a sprint to three-quarters to gain more separation on her peers. She sped by the third station in 1:24.3 and spun for home to just a couple taps of the whip in progress to a 1-1/4-length win in a 1:53.2 mile. Oh Look Magic closed to finish second with Prince Of Honor (Ernie Hendry) rolling from last for third and Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender) levelling off from a pocket ride in fourth.

Pioneer As, a five-year-old mare by Devious Man, collected her 12th win from 48 tries and has now banked $406,383 for owner-breeder ACL Stuteri AB. She paid $6.10 to win.

Aside from the win in the feature, Hall and Lorentzon won early in the card with Ahadi As (1:54.2; $2.32) and then scored a quick-fire double late in the card with wins by When Im Gone As (1:57.4; $5.96) and Eye Ofa Tiger As (1:54; $4.38). Hall made it a natural hat trick to complete his five-pack on the day with a jogburger by Sir Lloyd (1:54.2; $2.62) in the penultimate race on the card.

The Hazelton (Brandon Bates) won in the co-featured $28,767 Open 2 Trot going nearly gate to wire in 1:53.1. Bates planted The Hazelton on the point past a :28 first quarter and grabbed a breather to a :58 half before enduring a stout back-half challenge from Golden Wall As (Tony Hall). Golden Wall As dug into The Hazelton through three-quarters in 1:25.1 but the inside trip proved advantageous for The Hazelton in the stretch as he rebuffed Golden Wall As by a neck at the beam.

Ron Burke trains The Hazelton, a four-year-old Muscle Mass gelding and 14-time winner, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. He paid $3.48 to win.

Live harness racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday, May 27 at 3 p.m. (CDT) with Kentucky Sire Stakes action for four-year-olds returning to the Southwest Kentucky oval as well as Wiener Dogs from all around the region flocking forth for the annual Wiener Dog races. Free program pages for every race day, courtesy of TrackMaster, are available on the Oak Grove Racing website.

(Oak Grove Racing)
This Sunday afternoon, May 26, Harrahs Philadelphia will present the best racing card of its 2024 season when $657,571 USD will be on the line during a star-studded 16-race card that begins at 12:40 p.m.

The following is an overview of the three $100,000 USD Invitational events for the fastest established performers in the sport, along with third leg action of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes/Stallion Series racing for the glamour division, the three-year-old pacing males, plus other top racing on the Super Sunday card:

$100,000 USD Betsy Ross Invitational Mares Pace (Race 11)

The attention in the Betsy Ross will likely be focused on two horses. One is Twin B Joe Fresh, a $1.4 million winner at two and three while having many memorable battles with archrival Sylvia Hanover. Second to the streaking male pacer Macs Delight in her 2024 bow here last week and a winner of the Fan Duel Pace against older adversaries last year, Twin B Joe Fresh will be starting from post three on Sunday, with Dexter Dunn slated for sulky duty for trainer Chris Ryder.

Lit De Rose has won more than $360,000 already in 2024, with roughly half of those earnings resulting from her victory in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final at Yonkers last month. Herself an earner of nearly $1.4 million in her career, Lit De Rose will begin from post five for trainer/driver Pat Lachance.

$100,000 USD Maxie Lee Memorial Trot (Race 12)

Hillexotic won the 2023 Maxie Lee Trot in 1:50.2, equalling the 2014 mile of Market Share as the fastest trotting clocking ever at Harrahs Philly. He set the pace in the recent Cutler Memorial at The Meadowlands before tiring, but earlier he posted four straight wins over two seasons, including a win at the Dayton Derby. Both driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke have won the Lee four times, including last years success with Hillexotic, so they know the way to the Philly winner's circle as their horse begins from post two.

Hillexotic has earned more than a million dollars, as has Venerate; Amigo Volo has bankrolled more than $2 million. But sure to attract some notice is a horse who has just hit the $100,000 mark: Benjamin Hanover, who on April 25 here set a four-year-old trotting gelding track record of 1:51.2, and who won last week at The Meadowlands in 1:50.3.

$100,000 USD Joseph Auger Memorial Pace (Race 13)

Last year in the Auger Memorial, Ruthless Hanover paced the fastest time ever over a five-eighths-mile track when he toured the Philly oval in 1:46.3. He made his seasonal debut last week after being away from the races for six months, and all he did was go right out and win in 1:47.1. He stands as the horse to beat from driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Tom Cancelliere.

The horses on the far inside and far outside seem to have the best chance against Ruthless Hanover. Former Horse of the Year Desperate Man is five-for-six in 2024, losing only when parked the mile in the Borgata final and still third. Having to surmount the far outside in his 2024 bow will be Bythemissal, last years U.S. champion Older Pacing Male. Desperate Man is a millionaire and Bythemissal has earned more than $2 million.

Other Super Sunday Highlights

The third preliminary of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series will be held on Sunday, with three divisions of the $154,571 USD Sire Stakes and six $20,000 USD Stallion Series sections. Each has one division that on paper seems tougher than the others.

In the Sire Stakes, the 10th race cut features Captain Albano, last years U.S. champion two-year-old pacing male who won a Sire Stakes in his debut at Pocono last week; Breeders Crown champion Gem Quality, another PASS winner at Pocono and also triumphant in a PA All-Stars race at that track in his two starts this year; plus two horses who have won Sire Stakes leg each, Booming Economy and Sweet Beach Life. Rush In, the only double Sire Stakes winner, draws away from the toughies in race four.

In the Stallion Series action, Women Layer, undefeated in five starts this year including his two Stallion Series contests to date (the only double winner) and an All-Stars division, squares off in race nine against Stallion Series leg winners Copperfield and War Machine.

There is a $50,000 USD Invitational Pace called the #Senditin Philadelphia Pace, with a field that would be the envy of most every racetrack on this continent. Andrew McCarthy and Tom Cancelliere team up again behind another major player, Maximus Miki, 10-6-2-2 this year and coming off a 1:48 victory at The Meadowlands. Millionaires Backstreet Shadow and I Did It Myway are also in the #Senditin.

Serious fans of great harness racing will want to be checking out the Super Sunday card at Harrahs Philadelphia. Free Philly programs will be available at phha.org.

(PHHA / Harrahs Philadelphia)
With the date for the 2024 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations just over two weeks away, many of the three-year-old pacers aiming for Canadian harness racing's biggest prize have made on-track appearances and statements as they stake their claim for divisional dominance.

This year's edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup will be contested on Saturday, June 15 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont., with eliminations the preceding Saturday, June 8.

Here are the horses that are still eligible to the Cup as of the April 15 sustaining payment and have raced or are in-to-go as of May 22.

A Class Yankee - qualified on May 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished third, individually timed in 1:55.4.

Always A Thrill - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished seventh in the SBOA Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.4; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

At Ease Hanover - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished third, individually timed in a 1:51.4; entered to race on May 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Better Is Nice - raced on May 11 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished third in a New Jersey Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1.

Bold Spirit - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:52; entered to race on May 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Booming Economy - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished fourth in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1.

Calicojack Hanover - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning in 1:51.2; entered to race on May 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Captain Albano - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs, winning a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in 1:50.4.

Captain Fear Not - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished fifth in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:52.

Captain Luke - raced on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished second, individually timed in 1:50.

Captains Quarters - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning in 1:50.1.

Century Komodo - raced on May 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning in 1:54.1; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Chain Gang - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:54.2.

Chesterman - raced on May 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished third, individually timed in 1:52.2; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Clever Cody - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished eighth with broken equipment, individually timed in 1:51.3.

Courtship - raced on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished 10th, individually timed in 1:56.4.

Crush Kill Destroy - raced on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished eighth, individually timed in 1:52.1.

Cupid Shuffle - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:52.

Do Better - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished fourth in the SBOA Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Enforcer - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished eighth in the SBOA Stakes, individually timed in 1:52.1.

Funtime Bayama - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning the SBOA Stakes in 1:49.4; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Gem Quality - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs, winning a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in 1:51.

Honolulu Vacation - raced on May 15 at The Raceway at Western Fair District in the Prospect Series, winning in 1:57.4.

Hugh Heston - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and finished seventh, individually timed in 1:52.

Hundred Dollar Man - raced on May 20 at Harrington Raceway, winning in 1:55.1.

Its Saturday Night - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished third in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1.

Ivy Park - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished second in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:50.4.

Janelle Granny - raced on May 11 at Scioto Downs and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:52.

Legendary Hanover - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning in 1:48.3.

Like A Glove - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished second, individually timed in 1:52; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Lous World - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished third in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.3; entered to race on May 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Lyons Benjamin - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished third in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1.

Miki Ray - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished fourth in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.1.

Maxim Hanover - qualified on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack, winning in 1:50.2.

Mirage Hanover - raced on May 11 at Meadowlands Racetrack, winning in 1:49.3.

Natural History - raced on April 26 at The Meadows and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:56.

Newsroom - qualified on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished second, individually timed in 1:50.2.

Nijinsky - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning in 1:51; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Number Cruncher - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished fifth in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:53.

Remember The Alamo - raced on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished third, individually timed in 1:50.3.

Rose Run Zeke - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished eighth in the Pennsylvania Stallion Series, individually timed in 1:55.4; entered to race on May 24 at The Meadows

Special Menu - raced on May 18 at Pocono Downs and finished sixth in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.4.

Stat That - raced on May 18 at Hoosier Park and finished seventh, individually timed in 1:51.3.

Storm Shadow - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished third in the SBOA Stakes, individually timed in 1:50.3; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Sudden Impact - qualified on May 7 at Harrah's Philadelphia and finished second, individually timed in 1:54.1.

Supplemental Fee - raced on May 12 at Tioga Downs, winning in 1:52; entered to race on May 26 in a New York Sire Stakes at Saratoga Raceway.

The Dragon Reborn - raced on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:51.4; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

T H Mcmurry - raced on May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:52.2; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Total Stranger - raced on May 19 at Harrah's Philadelphia, winning in 1:49.

Twin B Loudacris - raced on April 28 at Harrah's Philadelphia, winning in 1:53.1.

Unrivaled Hanover - raced on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished second in the SBOA Stakes, individually timed in 1:50.2; entered to race on May 25 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Vandiemen Bluechip - qualified on May 18 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:52.2; entered to race on May 26 in a New York Sire Stakes at Saratoga Raceway.

Wallace Hartley - raced on May 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:54.1; entered to race on May 24 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Wishyouwell - raced on May 11 at Meadowlands Racetrack and finished fourth in a New Jersey Sire Stakes, individually timed in 1:51.2.

The following Cup eligibles have not started in a qualifier or race in 2024: Nuclear and Zeppole Hanover.

(Photos clockwise from top left: Legendary Hanover [New Image Media], Captain Albano [Curtis Salonick], Captains Quarters [New Image Media] and Calicojack Hanover [New Image Media])

(Standardbred Canada)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a deal to modernize the core banking technology of Burgan Bank, a leading commercial bank in Kuwait. The bank will deploy TCS BaNCSTM to consolidate multiple standalone legacy applications into a contemporary universal banking solution that drives innovation and strengthens customer relationships.

Burgan Bank is one of the youngest commercial banks in Kuwait, with a regional network of over 160 branches and 360 ATMs. It will harness the products of the TCS BaNCSTM suite such as core and digital banking, payments, retail and corporate loan origination, wealth management, regulatory compliance, and more to simplify and digitally transform its technology landscape. The solution will enable the bank to manage higher transaction volumes, enhance automation, and improve staff productivity. With TCS BaNCSTM rich set of APIs, the bank will serve its diversified customer base of corporate, retail, and private banking segments with an integrated solution.

Tony Daher, Group Chief Executive Officer, Burgan Bank, said, We have embarked on a very broad technology and digital transformation journey that will create an integrated banking ecosystem; one that not only meets the current market expectations but also exceeds them. Modernizing our core systems will support our ongoing focus on innovation and delivering value to our customers through defining personalized offerings and intuitive, streamlined experiences. This will pave the way for sustainable growth. We have selected TCS BaNCS, which is widely used by banks in the region, to create a complete solution that will address our twin objectives of leading innovation and delivering excellent customer experience.

TCS BaNCS has been deployed by and garnered several recognitions for various banks in the Middle East region for core banking transformation. It has an intelligent digital core and is built on a modular and open architecture. Its extensive configurability will enable the bank to develop innovative solutions with quick time to market, ensuring convenient, simplified, and contextual experiences for customers. The bank will benefit from end-to-end AML/KYC capabilities across all business lines by deploying the Quartz for Compliance solution.

Venkateshwaran Srinivasan, Global Head, Financial Solutions, TCS, said, We are pleased to partner with a progressive institution such as Burgan Bank in their transformation journey. TCS BaNCS has a strong presence in Kuwait and the larger GCC region in the form of multiple mission-critical deployments of our solutions at leading institutions. This selection by Burgan Bank is a testament to our continued investments in the TCS BaNCS product suite to make it market-ready, compliant with regulations and our commitment to successful execution.

This partnership reaffirms TCS position as a digital transformation partner of choice in the MEA region, where the IT major has had a strong presence for over three decades. With operations in nine countries across MEA, TCS boasts a workforce of over 9,000 employees serving more than 150 customers regionally. TCS has also been recognized as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for eight consecutive years in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
Honeywell and Volts United Arab Emirates (UAE) announce plans to join forces for the construction of the first gigafactory in Abu Dhabi focused on delivering battery cells for Residential Energy Storage Systems (RESS). Building on sustainability discussions that took place at COP28 in the UAE, the gigafactory is slated for completion by the end of 2026.

As part of the collaboration, Honeywell will provide advanced solutions for equipment and software  with a focus on factory automation, digitalization and closed loop control systems  while serving as a key technological partner for Volts.

George Bou Mitri, VP and GM of Honeywell Industrial Automation in MENA, said: There is a clear link between the UAEs commitment to sustainability and Honeywells global focus on its three megatrends, in this instance specifically the energy transition. This collaboration with Volts will serve to further the nations drive toward sustainable and renewable sources of energy and support the realization of the closing agreement at COP28, which helped lay the framework for an equitable energy transition.

Operating in the Middle East for more than 70 years, Honeywells solutions blend physical products with advanced software to create value for customers while supporting long-term national development visions and economic diversification across the region. The company has a range of technologies geared towards supporting the sustainability  and wider environmental, social and governance (ESG)  objectives of customers across the region.

Volts, a leading producer of energy storage in Abu Dhabi, is leading the project to provide affordable and clean energy for the Emirates, w supporting the UAEs Energy Strategy 2050.

Andrey Kozhevin, Managing Partner of Volts UAE Ltd. said: Our great strategic partnership with Honeywell, which brings years of experience in gigafactory automation worldwide, plays a key role in guaranteeing the project launches on schedule and at the highest innovation standards. This year marks the UAEs second year of sustainable development, aligning with the presidents directives and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. By attracting top talent and best-in-class equipment to the first gigafactory project, we are confident in building a sustainable future with a reliable product made right here in the Emirates.

Vladimir Mlynchik, Founder of Volts UAE Ltd. said: Honeywell is one of the worlds automation and energy transition technology leaders, with deep expertise across critical economic sectors, including the provision of energy. We are proud to be partnering with Honeywell on our gigafactory project, and are convinced that our joint efforts will accelerate the regions efforts to lead a long-term, sustainable energy transition.

This strategic partnership reflects the commitment by both organizations to develop innovative technologies and sustainable energy solutions, contributing to the further advancement of the energy sector and environmental sustainability.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Researchers at Northeastern University have created artificial intelligence tools to help gig workers organize, collect their own job-related data, analyze their work problems and come up with a strategy to implement solutions.

"Building solid AI-enhanced solutions to enable gig workers' collective action will pave the way for a fair and ethical gig economyone with fair wages, humane working conditions and increased job security," says Saiph Savage, assistant professor and director of the Civic A.I. Lab at Northeastern's Khoury College of Computer Sciences.

Gig work is typically performed by a freelancer or independent contractor. It is used by rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft, grocery-delivery services like Instacart, and Upwork, a marketplace that connects companies with temporary on-demand workers.

Gig work provides flexibility to workers and employers, Savage says, and offers economic opportunities to disadvantaged groups. But it also presents challenges for some gig workers, such as irregular schedules and unsteady income, lack of job security, isolation and surveillance associated with online work.

The Massachusetts attorney general recently took Uber and Lyft to court over the employment status of its gig workers. The rideshare apps have threatened to leave markets if its drivers are converted from independent contractors to employees.

For Savage, it's all about giving gig workers the toolsin this case AI toolsto make the most-informed decisions with the greatest amount of data.

"At Northeastern, we have been developing a lot of AI tools that can support gig workers in their collective action to fight for better opportunities," Savage says.

Tools recently released by the Civic A.I. Lab include GigSousveillance, GigSense and GigAction. Details were presented at the 17th ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining.

The tools use large language models and social theories to create "intelligent assistants" that help gig workers understand their collective problems, propose solutions and take collective action. The tools strengthen gig workers' collective opinion and negotiation power, Savage says.

GigSousveillance allows workers to collect their own job-related data and use that data to measure how big a workplace problem has become.

GigSense equips workers with an online AI assistant that helps make sense of their workplace problems and strategically come up with solutions.

GigAction is an AI assistant that guides workers to implement the solutions.

The AI tools help reinforce gig workers' collective identity, potentially inspiring them to undertake actions that benefit them as a whole, Savage says.

As part of her research, Savage conducted interviews and collaborative design sessions with gig workers from Upwork, Amazon Mechanical Turk, an Amazon platform that allows businesses to connect with a global workforce, and Toloka, a crowdsourcing platform. Later, she analyzed their answers about using the new AI tools.

"We focus a lot on helping them to identify what are the key points that they should be aiming to negotiate," Savage says. "What are the main problems that they should be aiming to address collectively, as well as what things should they aim to bargain for with the companies."

Savage sees potential in attracting more gig workers through social media groups.

"From there, we move them into our platforms," she says.

More information: Saiph Savage, Unveiling AI-Driven Collective Action for a Worker-Centric Future, Proceedings of the 17th ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3616855.3637633

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Vivatech will host more than 150,000 guests, 11,000 startups and 450 speakers over four days.

Thousands of tech enthusiasts filed into Europe's self-declared biggest startup event VivaTech in Paris on Wednesday, with artificial intelligence stealing the show this year.

Over four days, the event, now in its eighth year, will host more than 150,000 guests, 11,000 startups and 450 speakers, according to the organizers.

The star turns will take to the stage on Thursdayformer US climate envoy and secretary of state John Kerry is expected to make a push for a green tech revolution, and billionaire Tesla, SpaceX and X owner Elon Musk will appear via video link to answer audience questions.

"AI will be at the core of everything that you will see," said VivaTech founder Maurice Levy in his opening address.

On the same stage, France's minister for digital affairs Marina Ferrari urged the public: "Don't be afraid" of AI.

"With the acceleration of AI we are living a real revolution, which could be compared to printing or electrification," she said.

Alongside dire warnings from critics that sentient AI could take over the world, the technology uses vast energy resources.

Firms like OpenAI, which use publicly available information for their programs, are widely accused of copyright and privacy breachesmost recently apologizing to actor Scarlett Johansson after appearing to use her voice for their chatbot.

'AI tsunami'

As guests squashed into the Paris conference center, a slew of startups began giving presentations and making pitches for funding.

As guests squashed into the Paris conference center, a slew of startups began giving presentations and making pitches for funding.

On "AI alley", firms from France to South Korea demonstrated how AI can be deployed for anything from controlling devices in the home hand movements, to fighting against disinformation.

Dima Gazda, CEO of US startup Esper Bionics, showed off his firm's innovative robotic limbs, tailored to an individual's needs by AI.

"We hope to get potential partners and new teammates and potential investors," Gazda said of his first trip to VivaTech.

Established players like ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Anthropic and Mistral will take to the main stages to outline their latest innovations.

In the face of this "AI tsunami", said Ben Wood of CCS Insight, companies should be careful not to overwhelm their potential customers.

"There's a lot of exciting things about AI, but you need to very clearly articulate what the benefits are for consumers," he told AFP.

"Because we are rapidly approaching AI fatigue, when people just tune out."

The event regularly attracts major political figures, with EU heavyweights Thierry Breton and Charles Michel expected to attend.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron, a regular attendee, is unlikely to take part this year.

Macron instead traveled to the French territory of New Caledonia on Wednesday, some 17,000 kilometers from Paris.

The Pacific territory has suffered days of unrest after indigenous Kanaks rejected changes to voting rules that would have boosted the influence of people who had arrived recently.

 2024 AFP
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Attendees at the Ministers' Session of the AI Seoul Summit, where some of the world's biggest tech companies pledged to guard against the dangers of artificial intelligence.

More than a dozen countries and some of the world's biggest tech firms pledged on Wednesday to cooperate against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, including its ability to dodge human control, as they wrapped up a global summit in Seoul.

AI safety was front and center of the agenda at the two-day gathering. In the latest declaration, more than two dozen countries including the United States and France agreed to work together against threats from cutting-edge AI, including "severe risks".

Such risks could include an AI system helping "non-state actors in advancing the development, production, acquisition or use of chemical or biological weapons", said a joint statement from the nations.

These dangers also include an AI model that could potentially "evade human oversight, including through safeguard circumvention, manipulation and deception, or autonomous replication and adaptation", they added.

The ministers' statement followed a commitment on Tuesday by some of the biggest AI companies, including ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Google DeepMind, to share how they assess the risks of their tech, including what is considered "intolerable".

The 16 tech firms also committed to not deploying a system where they cannot keep risks under those limits.

The Seoul summit, co-hosted by South Korea and Britain, was organized to build on the consensus reached at the inaugural AI safety summit last year.

"As the pace of AI development accelerates, we must match that speed... if we are to grip the risks," UK technology secretary Michelle Donelan said.

"Simultaneously, we must turn our attention to risk mitigation outside these models, ensuring that society as a whole becomes resilient to the risks posed by AI."

The summit also saw a separate commitmentthe so-called Seoul AI Business Pledgefrom a group of tech companies including South Korea's Samsung Electronics and US titan IBM, to develop AI responsibly.

AI is "a tool in the hands of humans. And now is our moment to decide how we're going to use it as a society, as companies, as governments," Christina Montgomery, IBM's Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, told AFP on the sidelines of the summit.

"Anything can be misused, including AI technology," she added. "We need to put guardrails in place, we need to put protections in place, we need to think about how we're going to use it in the future."

AI ethics experts such as Rumman Chowdhury warn that artificial intelligence can be misused in a wide variety of ways.

Seeking consensus

AI's proponents have heralded it as a breakthrough that will improve lives and businesses around the world, especially after the stratospheric success of ChatGPT.

However, critics, rights activists and governments have warned that the technology can be misused in a wide variety of ways, including election manipulation through AI-generated disinformation such as "deepfake" pictures and videos of politicians.

Many have called for international standards to govern the development and use of AI. But experts at the Seoul summit warned that AI poses a huge challenge to regulators because it is rapidly developing.

"Dealing with AI, I expect to be one of the biggest challenges that governments all across the world will have over the next couple of decades," said Markus Anderljung, head of policy at the UK-based non-profit Center for the Governance of AI.

Jack Clark, co-founder of the AI startup Anthropic, said consensus on AI safety cannot be left to tech firms alone, and that government and academic experts are needed in the conversation.

"At this summit, I've actually been asking every single person I met with: What's safety to you? And I've had a different answer from each person," Clark told reporters. "And I think that illustrates the problem."

"You aren't going to arrive at a consensus by the companies alone, and if you did, I doubt it would be the correct one."

Also on the agenda in Seoul was ensuring that AI is inclusive and open to all.

It is not just the "runaway AI" of science fiction nightmares that is a huge concern, but also inequality, said Rumman Chowdhury, an AI ethics expert who leads the non-profit AI auditor Humane Intelligence.

"All AI is just built, developed and the profits reaped (by) very, very few people and organizations," she told AFP.

People in developing countries such as India "are often the staff that does the clean-up. They're the data annotators, they're the content moderators. They're scrubbing the ground so that everybody else can walk on pristine territory".

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, front, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Singapore Airlines flight descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday. A British man died and authorities said dozens of passengers were injured, some severely. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Aviation investigators arrived in Bangkok Wednesday to learn how and why severe turbulence sent a Singapore Airlines plane into a sudden dive that tossed passengers and crew around the cabin, leaving a British man dead and dozens others injured.

Twenty people remained in intensive care in hospital after Flight SQ321, which was flying from London's Heathrow airport to Singapore, hit the turbulence Tuesday over the Andaman Sea. The Boeing 777, which carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members, descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said.

After regaining control, the captain diverted the plane to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where medical teams evaluated those aboard and sent more than 80 to hospital. Singapore Airlines said 131 passengers and 12 crew members who were well enough to travel were picked up on a special flight and arrived early Wednesday at Singapore's Changi Airport.

Six crew members and 79 passengers stayed in Bangkok, where the majority remained in hospital, said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where most of the injured were taken, said 20 people were being treated in intensive care while 27 others have been discharged. The ICU patients include six Britons, six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines, it said.

The hospital said nine people underwent surgery Tuesday and five more operations were expected to be completed Wednesday. It said it had provided 104 people with medical care.

"I've only a cut in my eye and a chipped tooth, it could be way worse," said Josh Silverstone, 24, who was discharged from the hospital Wednesday. "Everything was fine until I arrived back in the airport and I couldn't stop vomiting. I couldn't walk, it was pretty bad."

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Singapore Airlines flight descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday. A British man died and authorities said dozens of passengers were injured, some severely. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

"I woke up on the floor, I didn't realize what happened, I must've hit my head somewhere," the Londoner said. "There were people laying out on the floor, they were paralyzed."

Silverstone added that he was so scared that he bought inflight internet access to message his mother. "I wasn't trying to scare her, but I said 'I love you.'"

He told reporters he wasn't looking forward to his flight to Bali on Thursday. "I was scared of flying before. I'm even more scared now," he said.

Fellow passenger Beverley Mayers, who was not injured, described the situation inside the plane as "sheer terror."

"The whole plane was shuddering ... great pieces were falling off and dropping on the floor, people getting hit in the head," she told Australia's TV Channel 9 on arrival at Sydney airport.

Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok late Tuesday, Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said Wednesday.

He added that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is also sending an accredited representative and four technical advisors to support the investigation because the incident involved a Boeing plane.

A passenger, on wheelchair, arrives from Bangkok at a Singapore airport Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Singapore Airlines said a relief plane flew into Singapore early Wednesday morning with most of the passengers who were on a flight that was battered by severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean and had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after one man died and dozens of people were injured. Credit: AP Photo

Thai officials had withheld the name of the dead man, but British media identified him as Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, who was going on a six-week holiday with his wife. She was among the passengers taken to hospital in Bangkok.

Kitchen was described as formerly working in the insurance industry, and in retirement was continuing his decades-long involvement with amateur theater.

A Thai airport official said Kitchen might have had a heart attack, though that hadn't been confirmed.

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press showed Tuesday's flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters).

At one point, the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descended to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) over about three minutes, according to the data. The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later.

Newlyweds Ali and Ramiza Bukhari, who were flying back from their honeymoon, told reporters at Sydney Airport late Wednesday that they were relieved to be back in Australia.

"It was a very, very traumatic experience. It's hard for me to describe into words. No one expects that really, you know," Ali Bukhari said.

Staff members from the British Embassy arrive at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, to visit passengers from Britain injured in the flight that hit severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. The Singapore Airlines flight descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday. A British man died and authorities said dozens of passengers were injured, some severely. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration, another U.S. government agency, has said there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

The U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants said clean air turbulence is virtually undetectable with current technology. "One second, you're cruising smoothly; the next, passengers, crew and unsecured carts or other items are being thrown around the cabin," it said.

"Always follow crew instructions and wear your seatbelt whenever seated. It is a matter of life and death," it added.

Singapore Airlines said the passengers, in addition to the 56 Australians, included two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one Icelander, four Irish, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 New Zealanders, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes the keynote address at Nvidia GTC in San Jose, Calif. on March 18, 2024. Nvidia reports earnings on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Rival computer chip makers are racing to catch up but Nvidia still holds a leading edge in powering the artificial intelligence boom as it prepares to release its latest financial results Wednesday.

Demand for generative AI products that can compose documents, make images and serve as increasingly lifelike personal assistants has fueled astronomical sales of Nvidia's specialized AI chips over the past year.

Tech giants Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft have all signaled they will need to spend more in coming months on the chips and data centers needed to train and operate their AI systems.

Many of them are relying on Nvidia's chips, though some are working on lessening that reliance by developing their own. But the investment by the large AI players has largely benefited Nvidia and other chip makers.

The company, based in Santa Clara, California, carved out an early lead in the hardware and software needed to tailor its technology to AI applications, partly because founder and CEO Jensen Huang began to nudge the company into what was then seen as a still half-baked technology more than a decade ago. It also makes chips for gaming and cars.

Nvidia will release its quarterly earnings after the market closes Wednesday. The company's stock has grown into the third largest on Wall Street, making it one of the most influential stocks in the market.

A Nvidia office building is shown in Santa Clara, Calif., May 31, 2023. Nvidia reports earnings on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Hysterons and avalanches. (A) Bistable regions embedded in a material acting as interacting hysterons. (B) Experimental realization of a single hysteron. (C) Experimental forcedisplacement curve. (D) Forcedisplacement curve of a bilinear hysteron. (E) Experiment showing three serially coupled mechanical hysterons that undergo an avalanche. (F) Serially coupled mechanical hysterons satisfy force balance and a geometrical length constraint. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308414121

Without electronics carrying out computational tasks, our daily lives would look very different. Devices such as elevators, vending machines, turnstiles, washing machines and even traffic lights use a simple form of electronic computing to switch from state to state. But, what if a power supply is not available to operate these devices?

A research team led by Martin van Hecke from Leiden University and AMOLF has now demonstrated how smart rubber structures can carry out such computational tasks. "We now know how to design simple materials so they can process information."

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 20.

In electronics, digital bits are used to perform calculations, involving complex circuits consisting of many elements. The researchers have found an alternative strategy to compute, using slender rubber elements as mechanical bits, and assembling multiple bits together in a "metamaterial." But to get these materials to work as machines, they found that the key is to control the interactions between these individual bits.

A binary counter

As a first example, the research team created a rubber computer that can act as a two-bit binary counteras demonstrated in the accompanying movie, whereby stretching the metamaterial makes it count from "00" to "11", and back to "00" by releasing it.

The team employs pre-curved rubber beams as mechanical bits, mediating the interactions by connecting them. Information can thus be stored and processed. Counting is an important example of a simple so-called finite state machine, and this rubber device can, for instance, be used to control the motion of the legs of a simple robot.

Turnstiles and combination locks

"A significant experimental breakthrough occurred in the last month before my return to China during the pandemic," says researcher Jingran Liu, who at the time was a visiting Ph.D. student at Leiden University and AMOLF and is now a postdoc in Madrid. "We suddenly realized how to design a more complex three-bit system, and within a few days, we had made four working samples."

The researchers quickly realized that such three-bit metamaterials were far more powerful than the two-bit predecessors. "Depending on how these samples are manipulated, they can perform seventeen different simple calculations," explains AMOLF postdoc Lishuai Jin.

For example, the metamaterials could replicate the functionality of a turnstile. "A turnstile manages entry with its rotating armslocking and unlocking in response to the insertion of coins and the push from customers. Our metamaterials can emulate this mechanism through a specific sequence of states and driving pulses," says Jin. Moreover, the rubber computer can also be used for a combination lock or vending machine, and much more.

"Our work shows that complex computations can be performed by smart metamaterials, in a manner that is completely different from traditional computing," says Liu. "What I find very exciting is that our principles are not limited to mechanics. Moreover, complex memory effects, that are important in physics but difficult to study, can now be used for something extremely useful: efficient computing."

More information: Jingran Liu et al, Controlled pathways and sequential information processing in serially coupled mechanical hysterons, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308414121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Palestinian presidency slams U.S. for supporting Israel in attacks on Gaza, West Bank

Xinhua) 09:38, May 22, 2024

RAMALLAH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency on Tuesday slammed the U.S. administration for its support of Israel amid the latter's ongoing attacks on Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

In a statement published by Palestine's official news agency WAFA, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the presidency, said the Israeli government and its army continued their "crimes" in Palestinian territories as a result of the "continued and unjustified support" provided by the U.S..

He said that the American support for Israel, including financial aid, weapons, and the shielding from accountability for its "crimes," "pushed Israeli leaders to commit more crimes in northern Gaza and Rafah."

He also warned of the danger of ongoing Israeli attacks on the Palestinians from the southernmost city of Rafah to the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank.

Earlier in the day, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that seven Palestinians were killed and 12 others were injured during an Israeli operation in Jenin. Among the injured, three were in critical condition and have been hospitalized.

Palestinian security sources said that Israeli soldiers conducted a raid on Jenin and its refugee camp on Tuesday, resulting in an exchange of gunfire between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces in the refugee camp and several neighborhoods of the city.

Avichai Adraee, a spokesperson of the Israeli military, said in a post on the social media platform X that security forces carried out an operation to "thwart terrorism" in Jenin, where several gunmen were reportedly injured.

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli bulldozers continued to demolish infrastructure near Jenin Governmental Hospital and in the city's neighborhoods.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israelis have killed 513 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 127 from Jenin, according to official Palestinian statistics.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
An unknown threat actor is exploiting known security flaws in Microsoft Exchange Server to deploy a keylogger malware in attacks targeting entities in Africa and the Middle East.

Russian cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies said it identified over 30 victims spanning government agencies, banks, IT companies, and educational institutions. The first-ever compromise dates back to 2021.

"This keylogger was collecting account credentials into a file accessible via a special path from the internet," the company said in a report published last week.

Countries targeted by the intrusion set include Russia, the U.A.E., Kuwait, Oman, Niger, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Jordan, and Lebanon.

The attack chains commence with the exploitation of ProxyShell flaws (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207) that were originally patched by Microsoft in May 2021.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to bypass authentication, elevate their privileges, and carry out unauthenticated, remote code execution. The exploitation chain was discovered and published by Orange Tsai from the DEVCORE Research Team.

The ProxyShell exploitation is followed by the threat actors adding the keylogger to the server main page ("logon.aspx"), in addition to injecting code responsible for capturing the credentials to a file accessible from the internet upon clicking the sign in button.

Positive Technologies said it cannot attribute the attacks to a known threat actor or group at this stage without additional information.

Besides updating their Microsoft Exchange Server instances to the latest version, organizations are urged to look for potential signs of compromise in the Exchange Server's main page, including the clkLgn() function where the keylogger is inserted.

"If your server has been compromised, identify the account data that has been stolen and delete the file where this data is stored by hackers," the company said. "You can find the path to this file in the logon.aspx file."
Hexian Destiny Green, the 2024 recipient of the J.B. Hunt Scholarship, was presented the award at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Band and Choir concert on the evening of May 14.
(TBTCO) - Voi muc tieu en nam 2025 ua Kho bac Nha nuoc van hanh tren du lieu so va en nam 2030 hoan thanh xay dung Kho bac so, tu nam 2022, Kho bac Nha nuoc Tra Vinh a xay dung va ang ky mo hinh Dan van kheo voi chu e ay manh thuc hien dich vu cong truc tuyen trong kiem soat cac khoan chi ngan sach nha nuoc. Tu o en nay, mo hinh tiep tuc phat huy va at hieu qua tich cuc.
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A graduation ceremony for Air Force basic training on Dec. 10 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland included the first seven trainees to enlist directly into the U.S. Space Force. After 14 months, friends and family will be able to attend the weekly graduations starting July 22. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer A color guard takes part as the Air Force graduates its largest class, so far, of Space Force Guardians. The graduation offers insights into this new branch of military service. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, President and CEO of greater:SATX, during a press conference at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Dignitaries were on hand as they announced that Britains JCB will open an industrial equipment plant in South San Antonio. They are expected to hire 1,500 workers in the next five years. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News A United States Space Force graduate runs with her detachment flag during a graduation ceremony this summer. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has called on DOD to restore funding for service members housing stipends. We agree with the effort. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

The U.S. Space Force is planning to create its own cyber warfare headquarters, it confirmed this week, and some San Antonio leaders are vying to land the unit here.

San Antonio  already known as Military City USA and Cyber City USA  may seem a natural fit for the new organization but the militarys basing process is slow and complicated by special interests and political motives.

The city learned those lessons the hard way when it failed to lure Space Command two years ago. But at least some say theyre ready to take another shot.

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With about 9,000 military members and 5,000 civilians  about three times fewer people than the Coast Guard  the Space Force is the nations newest and smallest military service. Established in late 2019 as part of the Department of the Air Force, its responsible for securing the vastness of space. As it grows, its launching units tied to the nations warfighting commands as other services have.

Among those is a cyber warfighting component, said Air Force Maj. Vicky Porto, a Space Force spokesperson.

The Space Force intends to stand up service components to all the combatant commands, including CYBERCOM, she said. Initial mission analysis is currently underway for a Space Force Service Component to CYBERCOM, but the date for that standup has yet to be determined.

She didnt provide details on the timing, size or mission scope of the new organization.

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Jim Perschbach, chief executive of Port San Antonio, gives a State of the Port Address at Boeing Center at Tech Port on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The Port is the largest tech employer in San Antonio -- and it's growing. The Port is working with a new clients that will be on location. It's also pursuing a futuristic vertiport project on campus. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

Other connections

Because the 16th Air Force, the branchs lead cyber unit thats also known as Air Forces Cyber, is already at JBSA-Lackland, some see the city as a natural home for the future Space Force cyber organization, too.

Among those is Jim Perschbach, president and CEO of Port San Antonio. He and other political and economic development leaders already are courting the Air Force and lawmakers to build a new campus for the 16th on Port San Antonio.

According to him, landing Space Force Cyber on Port San Antonio would add to the mix of national security, cyber, aerospace, robotics, space, entrepreneurial and academic entities already on the southwest side campus.

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The nature of cyber work requires collaboration across services, he said, so some of the facilities could host joint as well as individual operations.

The proximity both to the other service components as well as to the academic, research, commercial and entrepreneurial ecosystem would add value to everybody, he said Tuesday. So our view is we are building this for critical infrastructure protection writ large, with the military cyber obviously being a key component.

Port officials are having regular conversations with the Air Force and Space Force, he said, and the military has been very open to innovative ideas that provide efficiencies and help the U.S. compete against adversaries like China and Russia.

Theyre very interested in conversations that advance the national security interest, he said.

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While he thinks Space Force Cyber could also land at the port, hes not saying it would necessarily be collocated with the future Air Forces Cyber. If not, there could be some overlap.

A conceptual rendering of a 16th Air Force campus being proposed at Port San Antonio. At far left, the existing Boeing Center at Tech Port can be seen. At center right in white is what the Port is now calling Innovation Tower, a new office building its working to develop. Port San Antonio

Tough lesson

Three years ago, San Antonio learned it fell short its bid to bring the U.S. Space Command.

Its one of 11 combatant commands responsible for operations and warfighting around the globe, and San Antonio made a full-court press to bring the unit here.

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Despite making it as far as being one of six finalists from a list of 50 cities, the Air Force ultimately selected Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. The Biden administration overruled the Trump-era decision, however, and the headquarters has remained at its current location in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The snub stung local officials, and, according to Perschbach, theyve learned some lessons from the experience. Those included staying really, really focused on the goal, and as much as possible, try and avoid falling into the political and bureaucratic morass that can come in, he said.

Years of effort to bring Space Command to San Antonio ultimately lost focus, he said.

This time the city is focused on its value proposition  not just in terms of dollars and cents and timeline, but the larger value proposition of how the talent and technology integration allows the national defense to really be focused on national security.

While any formal proposals to attract Space Force Cyber arent as developed as those for Air Forces Cyber, Perschbach sees the possibility as an opportunity for the port and community.

The regional economic development hub, Greater: SATX, has also offered its support of trying to attract another military unit.
The returns from investing in India are some of the highest in the world, said Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE.

The growth story of India is itself a big pull for investors, Sudhir said in his foreword to Alpen Capitals research report titled GCC-India Corridor  Investment Opportunities.

Further, investing in startups is creating an opportunity to be part of cutting-edge technological revolution that is creating next generation solutions for everyday problems. The Indian government has also undertaken major reforms, especially simplification of procedures, taxation, and implementation of single window clearances to facilitate ease of doing business, he said.

Expanding at rapid pace

Indian engagement with the GCC countries is expanding at a rapid pace. The vision of the leadership on both sides, in India as well as in the GCC countries, provides a clear roadmap for deepening cooperation across sectors. These partnerships are two-way  creating win-win solutions for all stakeholders, Sudhir noted.

The UAE and India are bound by strong economic ties and mutual opportunities exist between the two. The strategic initiatives and sector-specific opportunities make the UAE an attractive destination for Indian companies and vice versa, fostering a dynamic investment landscape. These opportunities and initiatives are expected to drive the bilateral countries relation to ever growing heights, said Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai FDI.

Both India and the GCC are undergoing significant transition, with the respective governments moving ahead with their economic integration and diversification efforts. India's ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure, foster digital empowerment, boost local manufacturing, and enhance energy production align with the GCC nations' substantial investments in diversifying their non-oil economies.

Though trade relations between the two blocs have been flourishing, investment relations have also experienced further advancements on the back of emerging opportunities in various sectors including healthcare, pharma, ICT, industrial manufacturing and agriculture. As these nations continue to grow and develop their economies, there is significant potential for investors from both the regions to capitalise on abundant opportunities, said Rohit Walia, Executive Chairman and CEO, Alpen Capital (ME) Ltd.

GCC as an investment destination

The GCC is increasingly attracting attention worldwide as an investment destination, aided by the efforts of the regional governments to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) through economic diversification strategies. The regions strategic location also plays a vital role in connecting countries across regions, thus positioning it as a viable trading hub between the East and West.

Amid strong economic advancements, cumulative FDI inflows in the GCC during 2018-22 reached $164.4 billion, up 60% from $102.7 billion during 2013-17. The UAE accounted for the highest share at 55.7% among the GCC nations during 2018-22, marking an 85.5% increase from the 2013-17 period.

While GCC-India trade has experienced significant growth in recent years, Indias portion of total FDI into the GCC has declined from $9.8 billion during 2013-17 to $5.4 billion during 2018-22. Consequently, Indias share of total FDI inflow into the GCC declined from 9.5% during 2013-17 to 3.4% during 2018-22.

Growth drivers

Resilient Economy: Ambitious agendas, including social and business-friendly reforms, initiatives to enhance fiscal sustainability, coupled with efforts towards upgrading infrastructure through investments have helped the region remain buoyant.

Diversification Strategies: GCC countries led by UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in giga projects, allowing 100% foreign ownership, adopting structural reforms to liberalise residencies, offering funding to attract start-ups, and boosting entrepreneurship and capital market activity to diversify their economies.

Encouraging Demographics: The regions economic growth continues to be driven by its affluent and expanding population base that is largely comprised of young and working professionals. The overall income levels in the GCC have recovered substantially due to increase in oil prices and private sector growth, recording higher per capita incomes than the average of Emerging & Developing Economies in 2022.

Supporting Business Environment: The GCC offers a conducive environment for business with minimal red tape, supportive government policies, strong transport connectivity and investor-friendly free trade zones (FTZs). The nations rank amongst the most competitive economies globally with strong financial reserves, healthy international relations, and consistent spending on infrastructure, digital transformation and innovation.

Strategic Location & Connectivity: The GCC has become a hub for the global trade industry due to its strategic location connecting the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The region offers several logistics benefits such as sea access to marines busiest routes while also enabling cargo and trade through its international airports.

Sector opportunities

Indian investors have a competitive edge due to its large diaspora, rich expertise and proximity to the GCC nations. Sectors offering scope for Indian investors include healthcare, education, hospitality & tourism, retail & e-commerce, industrial & manufacturing, information communication & technology (ICT), and agriculture.

India as an investment destination

As world's fifth-largest economy, India is poised to maintain its status as the fastest-growing major economy in the near-term. Strategic investor-friendly reforms have simplified processes for businesses, positioning India as a major player across sectors.

Cumulative FDI inflow in India reached $250.9 billion during 2018-22 from $191.2 billion during the 2013-17 period. The GCCs share of cumulative FDI inflow into India surged from 1.8% during 2013-17 to 5.4% during the 2018-22 period. The UAE emerged as the primary source country, contributing nearly 86.4% of GCCs cumulative FDI inflows into India during the 2018-22 period.

Growth drivers

Robust Economic Growth: As per IMF, Indias GDP growth is expected to remain upbeat, growing at a consistent pace of 6.5% until 2028 and surpassing growth projections of global top economies.

Strong Demographics: India has a large consumer market with an estimated population of more than 1.4 billion as of 2023. The countrys surging middle-class and young population not only reinforces competitive advantage in the services and manufacturing sectors, but also proposes the consumption power towards discretionary expenditure.

Structural Reforms: In recent years, India has introduced several noteworthy reforms including easing of FDI policies to attract foreign investments, financial inclusion, introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), implementation of the insolvency code, leveraging digital tools in tax assessments, IT-enablement permits and certificates, simplification of labor laws, and repealing old laws to lower the regulatory burden.

Sector opportunities

With several GCC investors, including SWFs, having already committed investments, the relationship bodes well for further flow of capital in the country. The sectors offering investment opportunities in India include infrastructure, ICT, renewable energy, agriculture & food processing, healthcare & pharma, oil & gas, and chemicals.--TradeArabia News Service
The National Housing Company (NHC) has annoucned that it has signed a co-operation agreement with Chinas Citic Construction to establish an industrial city and logistics zones for building materials, comprising 12 factories in Saudi Arabia, to secure supply chains for residential projects.

According to NHC, the deal with Citic Construction is part of its efforts to secure supply chains for its residential projects, ensuring their timely implementation with high quality.

The project will attract 12 factories from major specialized manufacturers of building materials, benefiting from Chinese experiences.

In addition, several local factories will join to enhance the level of operations and attract the best service providers for various sectors of the company, its subsidiaries, and other projects, following the highest international standards, it stated.

The agreement was signed during the official visit of Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail to China, in the presence of the CEO of NHC, Mohammed bin Saleh Albuty.

According to NHC, the agreement will contribute to maximizing the economic and developmental impact of the real estate sector in the kingdom and developing and raising the quality of residential projects.

It will also promote the national transformation in the construction sector through these industrial cities and logistics zones, which will serve the Chinese factories in localizing the building materials industry, it stated.

Moreover, these facilities will provide opportunities for medium and small local factories to expand and help in providing direct production lines for the company's projects, as well as developing the local building materials industry and creating more opportunities in the sector, it added.

The Saudi group said the collaboration will help improve the quality of housing unit products in construction works, serving as an extension of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Saudi Arabia and China.

The partnership agreement between both countries was signed during the visit of the Chinese President to Saudi Arabia in December 2022. It includes an action plan to activate the provisions of a memorandum of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in the housing field.-TradeArabia News Service
Panasonic Electric Works Middle East & Africa (PEWMEA), a division of Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa (PMMAF), has announced a strategic partnership with Safe Line Electrical & Mechanical for promoting Panasonic Wiring Devices in UAE.

Driven by increasing demand from the booming local construction market, the development will enhance Panasonics position as a leading provider of technologically-advanced and innovative wiring devices and accessories in the country as well as across the MEA region.

A leading supplier of electrical products and solutions, Safe Line Electrical and Mechanical has transformed into a multi-million-dollar corporate group with branches in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and India.

The company is part of the Safe Line Group, which ranks as one of the most prominent conglomerates in the UAE with interests in trading, manufacturing, contracting and retail in the electrical products and services domain.

Focused on elevating the quality of living environments, PEWMEA offers living solutions, electrical construction materials and a wide array of products such as wiring devices, LED Lamps and Fixtures, Fire Alarm System, KNX Home Automation, Solar Systems, Switchgears, Conduit Pipes, Air Purifiers, Ventilation Fans, air-moving solutions and much more.

The Japanese manufacturer consistently puts strong emphasis on research and development and with an expansive product portfolio, Panasonic is confident that expanding its network of top-tier partners will create more value for its customers. Moreover, this will further push its mission to cater to a growing demand for future-ready building solutions.

PEWMEA Managing Director Eiji Ito said: "We have always recognized the importance of industry collaborations as a key driver for growth. Panasonics business alliances with leading distributors and retailers provide customers greater access to our solutions, as well as any key product information they might require."

"These partnerships also represent an integral part of Panasonics business strategy, especially for a very dynamic market such as the MEA region. With the appointment of Safe Line Electrical and Mechanical, Panasonic is now in a greater position to accelerate our Electrical Construction Material business in the UAE, with a focus on developing the many opportunities the country presents," he added.

Dr Aboobackar Kuttikol, Managing Director of the Safe Line Group, said: "Partnering with Panasonic is another milestone on our regional roadmap. This alliance supports Safe Lines strategic focus to provide cutting-edge solutions that cater to our customers requirements."

"This is a highly synergistic partnership, especially with the UAE construction industry poised for substantial growth in the coming years. With our expertise and reach in the market, I look forward to leveraging the rich technological innovations of Panasonic to provide best-in-class electrical wiring devices to customers as we aim for greater growth,"he added.

On the evolving demands of the construction market, Sudesh Unni, Sales Director  PEWMEA, said the UAE construction sector was shifting towards intelligent designs and embracing green building technologies.

"This trend calls for innovative solutions to meet the changing industry, and Panasonic is well-positioned to deliver enriched lifestyle with safe, sustainable and reassuring electrical and lighting solutions. Panasonics range of Japanese quality wiring devices offers product superiority and reliability that truly outperform the competition," he noted.

"I look forward to building lasting relationships with Safe Line Electrical and Mechanical as we work to address the needs of customers across the UAE. Their professionality, technological competence and their customer-centric attitude deeply comply with Panasonics values," he added.

Shailendra Kumar, General Manager - Safe Line Group, also welcomed the partnership.

"We strongly believe that this partnership will strengthen our presence in the UAE, enabling our discerning customers to access Panasonics innovative products with ease. Panasonic is highly valued for innovations that offer unmatched superiority and reliability," he noted.

"Safe Lines commitment to quality and innovation perfectly matches Panasonics ideals, and we are delighted to be a part of their success," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
SCG International Corporation, a subsidiary of Thailand-based Siam Cement Public Company, has entered into an agreement with Buna Al Mamlaka, a major player in the Saudi construction sector, to introduce its advanced, sustainable construction technologies in the kingdom.

This collaboration will not only help the Thai group establish showrooms in key regions for the sales and distribution of its building materials but also achieve SCG International's strategic expansion across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (SAMEA), with a focus on integrating sustainable practices into its business operations.

The partnership leverages green construction technologies like Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), SCG's Ready Mix Concrete Technology, and SCG 3D Printing to minimize environmental impacts.

UHPC creates thinner, lighter structures that are tough and capable of handling heavy loads, using less material and enhancing sustainability, it stated.

SCG's Ready Mix Concrete optimizes concrete mixes to reduce resource use and waste. SCG's 3D Printing technology enhances construction precision, reduces material wastage, and lowers carbon emissions, said Abhijit Datta, the Managing Director of SCG International, after signing the deal with Eslam M. Radwan, the CEO of Buna.

Both leaders are dedicated to deeply integrating sustainability into their operational frameworks, aiming to transform the regional construction landscape with eco-friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible practices.

Through these efforts, SCG International and Buna are setting new industry standards, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can contribute significantly to achieving global sustainability goals, he stated.

According to Datta, this co-operation leverages SCG's capabilities in innovation and construction technologies, partnering together with Buna.

"Together we hope to lay the foundation for a future where technologies and partnerships will help transform the way buildings are constructed. Moreover, we aim to leverage Buna's capabilities to collaborate with us in Thailand and Asean countries," he stated.

"This MoU is a testament to our joint commitment to innovation and sustainable technology, and I hope that we will have a very strong collaboration moving forward," he added.

On the deal, Radwan said: "I am delighted that Buna Al Mamlaka has joined forces with SCG International. While the results may not be immediately visible, we are confident that utilizing SCG's technology will enhance our competitive capabilities in the Saudi Arabian market."

"This collaboration will not only improve our projects but also showcase green construction technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aligning with KSA's 2030 vision," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Huspy, a property technology company headquartered in the UAE, with operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Madrid, has announced that it has raised a funding round led by Balderton Capital, with further participation from existing investor Fifth Wall, amongst other investors.

This round of funding is at a considerably higher valuation than its 2022 Series A which raised $37 million and was led by Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA).

This newly announced strategic investment marks a pivotal moment in Huspys journey to build a Super App for real estate, revolutionizing the way people buy properties across MENA and Europe.

Launched in 2020, Huspy has rapidly transformed the real estate landscape; becoming the UAEs largest mortgage provider within its first year of operations, today facilitating more than 25% of all residential mortgages in Dubai. Huspy today offers end-to-end home buying and selling services in the UAE and Spain.

The company has also aligned its ambitions with those of the UAE, by attracting top talent to the region and innovating within the sector; Huspy has brought in over 200 professionals to the UAE from over 40 countries, bolstering the regional talent pool.

In addition, Huspy has attracted capital from some of the worlds most renowned venture capital firms, such as Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), Founders Fund, Balderton Capital, Fifth Wall, Breyer Capital, VentureFriends, B&Y Venture Partners, COTU Ventures, VentureSouq and others.

Building on this success, Huspy expanded its offerings to products covering everything related to real estate, streamlining the entire home buying process from property search to financing and beyond, said its top official.

"Over the last three years, we've established a strong and defensible business in the UAE and we believe we have the foundations today for a European and Middle Eastern expansion. We are incredibly happy to partner with Balderton Capital, to focus on a European rollout," remarked its CEO and Co-founder Jad Antoun.

"The goal for Huspy remains the same as day zero, to build a category-defining business in this space in Europe and the Middle East and we believe were in a prime position to achieve that," he added.

To date, Huspy has processed over AED22 billion in home transaction value, helping more than 13,500 people achieve their dream of homeownership.

Balderton Capital leading this funding round is particularly noteworthy, as a validation to Huspys position in Europe.

"We are excited to be partnering with the Huspy team to help scale the company in Europe. Offering a holistic real estate platform that connects all stakeholders, Huspy's product has been thoughtfully designed to tackle major pain points and act as an operational cockpit for brokers and agents," remarked Rana Yared, the General Partner of Balderton Capital.

"Jad and the team bring exceptional ambition and deep market expertise, and we look forward to this next chapter as Huspy enters the European stage," he added.

Fifth Wall, the largest asset manager focused on improving, future-proofing, and decarbonising the built world, as well as other investors have reconfirmed their confidence in the company, increasing their investments in Huspy.

Miguel Nigorra, Partner & Head of Europe at Fifth Wall, said: "We continue to see significant opportunities to disrupt the real estate market in EMEA."

"We believe Huspys industry-leading management team, strong investor base, and end-to-end offering brings a much needed, differentiated value proposition for the markets brokers," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Hanwha Aerospace, South Koreas leading aerospace and defence corporation, has joined the Black Sea Defence & Aerospace (BSDA) 2024 Exhibition and Conference being held at the ROMAERO Complex in Bucharest, Romania.

This is the first time that Hanwha Aerospace is participating in the prestigious defence fair from May 22 to 24 in the Black Sea region, representing the companys ambitious initiatives to build and expand partnerships with Romania and neighboring countries.

Hanwha Aerospace is displaying a range of advanced capabilities concentrating to combat vehicles and precision-guided weapons.

Range of innovative technologies

The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) takes the centre stage, as the vehicle offers a range of innovative technologies, meeting the requirements of Romanias military modernisation plans.

With its adaptability and growth potential, the Redback is the worlds most sophisticated IFV featuring best-in-class armoured protection, mobility and lethality, said Billy Boohwan Lee, Head of Hanwha Aerospace Europe. Besides capabilities, the Redback IFV solution is expected to help bring a massive manufacturing capability to the Romanian market through active industrial partnerships.

Based on the South Korean Armys K21 IFV, the Redback was developed to feature the state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities, which include the In-arm suspension units; the composite rubber track; a hard-kill active protection system; and a see-through helmet mounted situational awareness display.

In 2023, the Redback was selected by Australia for the LAND 400 Phase 3 programme to deliver 129 IFVs, with an extensive involvement of Australian supply chains. The Redback is also considered to be a baseline for the South Korean Armys next-generation IFV development.

K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer

The K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer is also on display to highlight the equipments globally proven capabilities. The 155mm/52-calibre tracked howitzer has so far been adopted by nine countries, including five NATO member states -- Poland, Norway, Estonia, Finland and Turkiye.

For the K9 programme in Romania, Hanwha Aerospace has formed Team Tunet involving Romanian supply chains, representing the companys strong commitment to maximising economic benefits to the Romanian industry through industrial partnerships.

As a trusted partner for Romania, Hanwha Aerospace is fully committed to delivering best quality products and services to support Romanias military modernization plans, said Jae Il Son, CEO and President of Hanwha Aerospace. In addition, were dedicated to coming up with plans contributing to the Romanian industry and economy, such as local manufacturing, employment, technology transfer, joint R&D and export marketing.

Other products presented at BSDA include the K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle, the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System; the Chungum (TAipers) tactical guided missile both for manned and unmanned vehicles.--TradeArabia News Service
Riding on the zooming auto automotive aftermarket and service industry in the country and the region, the UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo is set to see an impressive rise in the number of exhibitors taking part in its upcoming edition.

Aiming to provide the regional market direct access to the Chinese tyre and auto parts industries, the 3rd UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo 2024 will get under way at Expo Centre Sharjah from May 27, 2024, it was announced at a press conference.

Organised by Inter Commerce Expo Corporation in association with Shandong Port Overseas Supply Chain (Qingdao) Co, Ltd. and Hualun Inter Tech FZCO, the three-day event will continue until May 29. The event is supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

300 exhibitors

The 3rd UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo 2024 will host nearly 300 exhibitors from China, a 130% rise in the number of exhibitors when compared to the previous show which featured more than 130 participants.

This was revealed at the press conference held at Expo Centre Sharjah. It was addressed by Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of the Corporate Communication Department at SCCI, Wang Dong, Chairman of the board of Shandong Port Oversea Supply chain (Qingdao) Co.,Ltd, Liu Ju'an, CEO of Shandong Port Oversea Supply chain (Qingdao) Co, Ltd, Host of the UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo, Yang Xue, Representative of Shandong Business Office in West Asia and Africa, and Zhou Runcheng, Department Director of Inter Commerce Expo Corporation, in addition to officials from both sides.

Bouzanjal highlighted the importance of the UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo as a crucial platform for fostering business connections and exploring the latest innovations in this vital industry.

He further noted that the event provides a valuable opportunity for Chinese manufacturers to strengthen their presence and expand in various regional markets.

Pivotal role

He emphasised the Sharjah Chambers commitment to supporting the event is a testament to its pivotal role in advancing the auto parts trade sector, which is experiencing notable growth in the UAE and the wider region.

Ju'an said: The 130% increase in the number of participants is an impressive rise in the number of exhibitors for any trade fair. This is only the third edition of the UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo and we are happy to see such impressive growth in such a short span of time.

This underscores the growing trade relations between the UAE and China and the strong expansion being witnessed in the regional automotive aftermarket and service sector. The Expo is now one of the best events in the region where one can explore the latest parts, components, equipment, tools, technologies, tyres or services.

Increasing scale

Chinas automotive exports are on the rise, driven by technological advancements, supply chain advantages and strategic bilateral relations. Chinese manufacturers are also increasing their scale and their competitiveness is constantly improving, especially in the new energy vehicle industry. Thus, the UAE China Tyre & Auto Parts Expo is uniquely placed to tap into the Chinese supply chain that is relatively stable, leading to consistent production, minimal cost fluctuations, and improved international competitiveness, said Dong.

The regional automotive aftermarket is driven by a rise in new vehicle sales, localised production, rising demand for vehicle modification, and other macro-economic factors such as a strong local economy and rise in population growth. It will be a gathering point for decision makers across aftermarket and supply chain, including garages, body shops, retailers, dealers, detailing, vehicle manufactures and more.

Apart from a comprehensive display of all types of auto parts and tyres, the event, which will be open to visitors from May 27 to 29 from 10 am to 6 pm, will also feature forums that will discuss topics related to the industry and technology.--TradeArabia News Service
The Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has announced a 105% growth in the number of licences issued to companies specialising in bunkering in the waters and ports of the Dubai during the first quarter of 2024, in parallel with the rise in the performance of maritime operations in general since the beginning of the year, reported Wam.

This growth in bunkering licences was mainly due to Dubai's strategic location, which has made it a prominent regional and global centre for maritime shipping, it stated.

Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said that achieving these successes is due to the advantages and facilities provided by Dubai for traders and investors, including the integrated digital infrastructure that has facilitated the time and effort of customers by completing the required service operations through a single digital window.

He praised the efforts and capabilities of the Dubai Maritime Authority team to exert efforts, adapt and deal with the various challenges in the maritime sector effectively and under various circumstances.

Sheikh Saeed lauded the Authority's role in regulating and overseeing the maritime sector and maritime activities throughout the emirate.

The Authority has been keen to develop and adopt a strategy dedicated to developing and establishing maritime regulatory frameworks for the maritime sector to enable those working in this sector to practise their activities and invest in them in a manner that achieves the emirate's economic directions, he added.

Nasser Al Neyadi, CEO of PCFC affirmed that the Authority's efforts with its partners have contributed to increasing the attractiveness of Dubai's waters for maritime operations of all kinds, increasing berthing and towing operations, and increasing demand for bunkering by marine vessels in the emirate.

The new statistics announced by the Authority indicated an increase in the approval rate for berthing operations by 3.4% thus reflecting the high level of efficiency in managing ship traffic within Dubai, in addition to an increase in ship towing operations by 82%, he added.
Masdar, the UAEs clean energy powerhouse, has signed strategic agreements for new renewable energy projects in Indonesia in support of the countrys energy transition. The agreements reinforce the ongoing partnership between the UAE and Indonesia towards developing the regions renewables sector, while supporting Indonesias current and future energy needs.

The signing of the agreements on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali were witnessed by: the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Special Envoy for His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Indonesia, Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN, Abdulla Al Dhaheri, Indonesias Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesias Ambassador for the UAE, Husin Bagis, and Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Prof Eniya Dewi.

The agreements were signed by Masdars Director of Development & Investment, Abdulla Zayed, the Chief Executive Officer Pertamina Power Indonesia, John Anis, President Director of PLN Nusantara Power, Ruly Firmansyah, and Agung Wicaksono, Deputy Chair of Funding and Investment, Nusantara Capital City Authority.

Al Mazrouei said: The UAE and Indonesia share a vision of sustainable development with renewable energy at its heart. We are pleased to see this partnership advancing clean, emissions-free energy in Indonesia and abroad. The UAE commends Indonesia's climate leadership as we progress together towards a new era of sustainable prosperity, supporting communities with their net-zero ambitions, in line with the priority of the historic UAE Consensus to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdars Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The UAE remains firmly committed to advancing Indonesia's energy sector through a focus on renewables. In line with the UAE Consensus reached at COP28, Masdar is dedicated to forging partnerships that unlock transformative solutions for clean energy access. Our joint efforts will catalyze investments in green hydrogen, solar and wind to position Indonesia as a regional leader in the global energy transition.

The agreements included: a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pertamina Power Indonesia, for the development of solar, wind and green hydrogen projects in Indonesia and abroad. This builds on Masdars existing partnership with the company through Pertamina Geothermal Energy. The MoU represents a significant step forward in strengthening the strategic relationship between Masdar and Pertamina Power Indonesia.

Masdar also signed a Joint Development Study Agreement with PLN Nusantara Power for Cirata Phase II to triple capacity by up to 500MW, following the successful 2023 launch of the initial 145MW phase of the innovative floating PV project the largest of its kind in the region.

Supporting the energy transition in urban environments, Masdar received approval to proceed towards developing up to 2GW of renewable energy in Nusantara, starting with 200 megawatts as phase 1, in Indonesias new capital city. This follows a proposal by Masdar to meet the citys energy needs by 2045, using solar and wind projects.

Anis added: "We are delighted with the strategic partnership between Pertamina NRE and Masdar. Both parties have been building a very good relationship. Pertamina has a key role in Indonesia's energy transition and ambition to expand globally, while Masdar owns a reputable experience in the renewable energy development. I believe together we will create more value and contribute more to combat global climate issues and strengthening the collaboration between UAE and Indonesia."

Firmansyah said: "PLN Nusantara Power is proud to partner with Masdar to further develop the Cirata II initiative across Indonesia. This strategic alliance combines our expertise to unlock the nation's vast solar potential. This partnership underscores our commitment to Indonesias clean energy targets and net-zero goals. We look forward to collaborating with Masdar to deliver a greener, more sustainable future."

Bambang Susantono, Chairman of Nusantara Capital City Authority, commented: "Indonesia is committed to making our new capital city of Nusantara as a city that prioritizes sustainability. We welcome Masdars plan to develop 200MW of renewable energy plant for the city. We also appreciate Masdars further commitment on renewable energy up to 2GW to support the fulfillment of renewable energy needs by 2045. Prioritizing solar and wind energy positions the new capital as a model eco-city thriving on clean energy. This can be a future testament on how urban centers can be developed in harmony with nature."

Indonesia and Southeast Asia are key investment destinations for Masdar. The company has developed the regions largest floating solar facility in Indonesia  the 145MW Cirata Floating Solar PV plant  which will generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes. In February 2023, it entered the geothermal energy sector through a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy.

Masdar is aiming for a renewable energy portfolio capacity of 100GW by 2030, supporting the target set in the UAE Consensus to triple global renewables capacity by the end of this decade, and aims to be a leading producer of green hydrogen by the same year. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service
Golden Pass LNG storage tanks and cargo transfer arms are seen from the Sabine River in late 2013. San Antonios Zachry Holdings Inc., since 2019 a contractor on a massive project to build a liquefied natural gas plant and export terminal at the site, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC. Staff file photo John Zachry, chairman and CEO of San Antonio-based engineering and construction company Zachry Holdings Inc. In a statement Monday, he said: We have been forced to take action to protect our business. The process we are starting today provides us mechanisms to initiate a structured exit from the (Golden Pass) project. Courtesy Construction on the the Golden Pass LNG terminal in 2022. San Antonios Zachry Holdings Inc., a contractor on the project, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Construction continues on the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in early June. This view is from the Louisiana side of the Sabine River. San Antonios Zachry Holdings Inc., a contractor on the project, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Construction work on the Golden Pass LNG Terminal is seen from the Louisiana side of the Sabine River in June. San Antonios Zachry Holdings Inc., a contractor on the project, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The Golden Pass LNG terminal under construction in Sabine Pass in 2023. San Antonios Zachry Holdings Inc., a contractor on the project, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Golden Pass LNG terminal under construction on Thursday, April 14, 2022 in Sabine Pass. Staff file photo Ryan Crockett, the Golden Pass LNG export projects technical manager, addresses a crowd during a 2019 public forum in Port Arthur. Staff file photo Company officials give a tour of the mostly idle Golden Pass LNG terminal in 2014. New York Times file photo

Bankruptcy isnt how international engineering and construction powerhouse Zachry Holdings Inc. intended to mark its 100th year in business.

A successor to H.B. Zachry Co., which was founded in Laredo in 1924 before relocating to San Antonio, Zachry Holdings and 20 of its subsidiaries are now in a fight for survival after costs to build a $10 billion liquefied natural gas export terminal in Southeast Texas allegedly went awry.

One of those subsidiaries now mired in Chapter 11  Zachry Industrial Inc., which had been the lead contractor for the LNG project  simultaneously filed a lawsuit in bankruptcy court accusing Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC and its owners of refusing to foot the bill for accelerating work on the project.

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QatarEnergy owns 70% of Golden Pass and Exxon Mobil Corp. the other 30%.

Work started on the project in 2019, but by mid-2022 it required an additional $2.4 billion to complete, Zachry Industrial says in its complaint. In a filing with the bankruptcy, it largely blamed the pandemics effect on labor and the global supply chain, as well as supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Golden Pass and its owners, using their superior wealth and bargaining power and the economic duress caused by the situation, induced Zachry and other contractors to front the increased costs with promises that Golden Pass or its owners would reimburse those costs, Zachry says. Golden Pass and its owners induced Zachry to waive and release over $1 billion in change order claims with false promises that Zachry would be made whole once the Project was complete.

But in 2023, Golden Pass demanded that the contractor slow down construction and enter into a cost-reduction plan. That didnt work, Zachry says, and it was unable to get caught up on the losses it incurred in prior years.

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Once it had bled Zachry dry of all its liquidity, Golden Pass declared Zachry in default because it could no longer pay the Projects huge costs and expenses out of its own pocket and forced Zachry to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy  a bankruptcy that Golden Pass caused, Zachry says in its complaint.

It says its insolvency is the result of debts racked up under the construction contract.

Golden Pass didnt address the lawsuit when reached for comment. It said it continues to work on the project with Zachrys joint venture partners, Houstons McDermott International and Japans Chiyoda International Corp. About 75% of the work has been completed, it said.

Zachry Holdings bankruptcies Here are the 21 Zachry businesses that filed Tuesday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection: Zachry Holdings Inc.

Zachry EPC Holdings LLC

Zachry Engineering Corp.

Zachry High Voltage Solutions LLC

ZEC New York Inc.

UE Properties Inc.

ZEC Michigan Inc.

Zachry Industrial Inc.

Zachry Constructors LLC

Moss Point Properties LLC

Zachry Enterprise Solutions LLC

Zachry Nuclear Inc.

Zachry Nuclear Construction Inc.

Zachry Nuclear Engineering Inc.

Computer Simulation & Analysis Inc.

Zachry Plant Services Holdings Inc.

JVIC Fabrication LLC

Zachry Industrial Americas Inc.

Zachry Maintenance Services LLC

J.V. Industrial Companies LLC

Madison Industrial Services Team LLC

In a statement, Exxon Mobil said it and other stakeholders  are considering all available options to implement a smooth transition and minimize any impacts to the project.

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We plan to continue to fully support Golden Pass LNG through completion, it added.

Through the lawsuit, Zachry is trying to recover more than $1 billion it says it has given to Golden Pass.

Seeking refuge

Zachry Holdings says it and and the 20 subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Tuesday after Golden Pass refused to extend a standstill period on its notice of default. Unable to reach a feasible solution, it said in a statement, it was forced to take decisive action to protect our business.

QatarEnergy, the state energy company of Qatar, and Exxon Mobil teamed up in 2019 to jointly invest in three production units  known as trains  for an LNG export facility to be built in Sabine Pass. It was part of Exxon Mobils plan to invest more than $50 billion to build and expand U.S. manufacturing facilities. It was part of QatarEnergys plan to invest $20 billion in the U.S. energy sector, the lawsuit says.

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The plant was expected to produce nearly 16 billion metric tons of LNG and generate billions of dollars of revenue each year.

Golden Pass hired Zachry, McDermott and Chiyoda to design and build the project. It required three general contractors because such projects are complex and expensive, Zachy says in its suit. The companies created a joint venture  CCZJV  to oversee the project, but Zachry says it was the lead contractor over construction.

Golden Pass entered into a $9.25 billion engineering and construction contract with the joint venture.

But events and developments outside the joint ventures control plagued the project and caused significant delays and cost increases, Zachry says. For example, numerous plant structures had to be redesigned because Golden Pass erroneously described soil conditions. Russias invasion of Ukraine led to international trade restrictions that increased the cost of materials and fuel. The pandemic also affected the project.

The Project was substantially off-track, and the costs associated with the Project exploded, Zachry says in its complaint.

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From 2019 to 2021, the joint venture sought compensation for nearly $2 billion in increased costs related to change order claims that altered the original agreement, according to the lawsuit. Zachry and the joint venture paid them with the expectation they would be reimbursed, Zachry says.

More troubles

But Golden Pass did not resolve the claims and demanded the joint venture continue working and incurring costs at an accelerated pace to get the project back on schedule, Zachry alleges.

Golden Pass and its owners assured the contractor in meetings the joint venture partners would be compensated for their losses, Zachry says. That was something it had encountered on other projects with Exxon Mobil.

Zachry had little choice but to comply, it says. But, by complying, Zachry depleted its financial reserves and incurred hundreds of millions of dollars in obligations.

By October 2021, Zachry presented Golden Pass with financial projections showing the cost of the project had increased to $11 billion and that the contractor was not being paid enough. The projections also showed Zachrys project account would go cash negative in January 2022. At that point, it would have to pay out of its own pocket for additional costs. The accelerated construction schedule would drive up costs even further, it adds.

Golden Pass delayed any resolution to the problem by requesting make-work meetings, workshops and true cost exercises, Zachry alleges.

Zachry Chairman and CEO John Zachry had numerous meetings with QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil executives to explain why the project had sustained so many setbacks. Ahmad Al-Amoodi, a QatarEnergy official and Golden Pass chairman, assured him Zachry would not be put in a position of having to file for bankruptcy, the suit says.

Al-Amodi said Qatar Energy would settle up at the end of the project by reimbursing the contractor for the additional costs.

The final cost of the project reached $11.6 billion, up about about $2.4 billion, or 25%, from the original contract price, the suit says.

Instead of agreeing to pay the additional costs to complete the project, though, Golden Pass proposed only a modest increase in immediate funding and some additional payments that could be earned in the future, Zachry says.

Deep in debt

During meetings in September and October 2022, the complaint says, Exxon Mobil Global Projects Co. President John Gibbs told John Zachry that additional funding would be forthcoming if the contractor stayed on the job.

Zachry and its joint venture partners signed a Claims Settlement Agreement drafted by Golden Pass that November. But Zachry says the agreement only provided for a fraction of the costs it and its partners had incurred. The agreement also required the joint venture to waive and release most of their $1.7 billion in change order claims.

Terms of the agreement were incorporated into an amended contract in January 2023. The amendment changed the definition of force majeure to exclude the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic. Force majeure  a legal term that translates to greater force  protects parties in the event they cannot perform under a contract due to causes outside their control. The war and the pandemic were two of the largest unforeseen developments affecting the cost of the project.

By that point, Zachry says, the contractor and the joint venture were deep in debt and essentially had no choice but to assent to the agreement and the change to the contract.

In doing so, CCZJV extinguished over $1.7 billion in change order claims against Golden Pass in exchange for relatively little compensation and shifted a large share of the construction costs for the Project onto Zachry, as the member of CCZJV with primary responsibility for construction, Zachy alleges. As a result, Zachry was effectively rendered insolvent.

An exit

Zachry says it continued work on the project, incurring huge financial obligations but still expecting Golden Pass would compensate it.

The parties signed a second amendment to the contract in March 2023. It provided modest additional financial relief by giving Golden Pass discretion to advance future milestone payments  subject to Zachry providing a letter of credit for the entire amount, the lawsuit says. But the amendment did not come close to addressing all of Zachrys financial needs on the Project, it adds.

Yet another amendment to the contract took effect at the end of 2023, extending the projects completion deadlines and providing some modest cash flow relief, Zachry says.

Zachry had more than 6,000 employees working on the project earlier this year, it said Thursday, but blamed Golden Pass cost-cutting for slicing that workforce by about half.

Last month, Exxon Mobil proposed that Zachry exit its role as lead construction contractor. Zachry says after the parties hammered out a confidentiality agreement covering negotiations, Golden Pass refused to negotiate.

Ultimately, Zachry adds, Golden Pass agreed to participate in mediation. But, it added, It sent no one to the mediation with any authority to negotiate.

Stopped payments

The purpose of all this delay became apparent at the beginning of this month, Zachry alleges.

Golden Pass, which had been paying vendors, suppliers and subcontractors as a result of the third amendment to the contract, stopped making payments.

Golden Pass did that so it could claim Zachry was in default for not paying them out of its own pocket, Zachry claims.

Golden Pass issued Zachry a first notice of default on May 8.

After a futile effort to resolve the matter with Golden Pass and its owners, Zachry filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the contractor says.

Zachry wants a court order to void the "Claims Settlement Agreement" and the three amendments to the contract. It also wants the bankruptcy court to lower the priority of any claims Golden Pass files in Zachrys bankruptcy case, putting Golden Pass behind other creditors.

In the meantime, a small group of Zachry workers remains at the project to help ensure a safe and orderly transition, the company said Thursday. It will try to place many of the other employees at other projects in region.
RezLive.com, a leading B2B global travel wholesaler, took centre stage at the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 with its innovative solutions to empower travel professionals worldwide.

At the RezLive.com stand, travel agents, service providers, hoteliers, tech partners, and channel managers congregated to explore new opportunities and synergies.

The company also hosting a cocktail party for its preferred partners at the Den McGettigan's Dubai during the ATM week. The evening was a celebration of the invaluable partnerships that drive RezLive.com's success, the company said.

"We are thrilled to have been part of the Arabian Travel Market 2024 and to have had the opportunity to connect with our valued partners," said Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director of RezLive.com. "Our cocktail party was a token of appreciation for their continued support and dedication. Together, we are shaping the future of travel."

RezLive.com remains committed to revolutionise the travel industry and redefine the concept of partnership, he said. - TradeArabia News Service
Leading luxury hospitality company Four Seasons has introduced its line-up of 2026 Private Jet Journeys, offering discerning travellers many new opportunities to explore the worlds most intriguing destinations.

These immersive itineraries go beyond onboard jet travel and luxury accommodations, encompassing bespoke local experiences from bold culinary to wellness offerings plus cultural and adventure expeditions, a statement said.

It will be delivered by a dedicated concierge, journey team, and local experts.

The Four Seasons Private Jet Experience continues innovating to deliver unparalleled comfort and personalisation that exceeds the expectations of todays luxury travellers. This includes enhancing our itineraries and offering on the ground experiences that inspire awe, excitement, discovery and joy, said Marc Speichert, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Four Seasons.

Our goal is to create connections with travellers of this generation and the next, fostering a legacy of transformative experiences that extend far beyond the journey.

Designed by a team of experts based on guest feedback and preferences, the new journeys have been crafted with enhanced routing and a range of trip lengths to suit the needs of all types of travellers.

Culinary Journey

Guests will be offered a taste of local flavours at Michelin-starred restaurants like Le Cinq, LOrangerie, or Le George at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, while Ancient Explorer invites guests to savour panoramic views of Mount Etna, Taormina Bay, and the Ancient Theatre at the Michelin-starred restaurant Principe Cerami at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel.

In Mexico City, a part of Ancient Explorer, guests immerse themselves in culinary traditions by crafting a six-dish meal alongside a celebrated chef in local markets, while Asia Unveiled in Tokyo offers sushi-making lessons with a Michelin-distinguished chef after sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients at the Tsukiji Outer Market.

Wellness

In Bhutan, International Intrigue and Asia Unveiled offer the opportunity to indulge in a luxury spa retreat at the Island Spa within Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa for ocean-inspired treatments.

In African Wonders, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti offers a Maasai guide for a nature walk to the lodges sunset kopje, followed by a tranquil yogi-led meditation session.

Meanwhile, Timeless Encounters offers a chance to embrace slow living and retreat to Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, set among terraced rice fields with architecture reminiscent of the ancient Lanna Kingdom.

Guests can enjoy a curated three-course wellness dinner from the Live Well & Balanced Cuisine menu at KHAO by Four Seasons, practice restorative yoga, or enhance the experience with a sleep well massage therapy session in the propertys award-winning spa.

Adventure

As an alternative, unwind in luxury tents after a jungle adventure for two nights at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, set amid the tranquil bamboo forests of Chiang Rai for the adventure of a lifetime in northern Thailand, bordering Myanmar and Laos.

Bora Boras marine life lets guests explore its world via a submarine scooter or during a scuba dive excursion in one of its world-renowned diving spots.

Journey through time with experiences tailored for each itinerary, such as a visit to Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal during Timeless Encounters, an after-hours exploration of the Grand Egyptian Museum to uncover the wonders of Pharaonic civilisation during African Wonders, or a sunrise hike to the oceanside ceremonial altar of Ahu Tongariki featuring moai statues on Easter Island during Ancient Explorer.  TradeArabia News Service
Baheej Tourism Development Company, a joint venture between Asfar, the Saudi tourism investment company owned by PIF, and the Tamimi-AWN Alliance, has announced the development of the waterfront area of the Royal Commission at Yanbu.

Their first project in Yanbu will cover an area of 32,000 sqm and features three iconic leisure assets including a Beach Escape, a Tourist Activation Center, and a Lifestyle Hotel.

Additionally, the project will feature a fourth component to be announced at a later stage. Each of these components will provide rich and comprehensive experiences, as well as sustainable tourism offerings.

Visitors will be soon invited to explore the ancient city of Yanbu, rooted in a rich history dating back to the 16th century, boasting a distinct identity defined by its architectural marvels and sand beaches.

Baheej envisions Yanbu as an iconic destination showcasing Saudi Arabia's rich culture, history, and natural wonders, offering one-of-a-kind inspiring experiences to visitors.

Nora Al Tamimi, CEO of Baheej, said: We believe that destinations are not just built but discovered, and Baheej's commitment lies in uncovering Saudi Arabias hidden gems. Our strategic collaborations are aimed at curating unparalleled experiences that showcase Saudi Arabia's rich culture, history, and natural wonders.

Yanbu City's contemporary infrastructure, captivating environment, and attractive coastal landscapes make it an exceptional gateway to the Red Sea Riviera. We anticipate the complete unveiling of our destination and its components by the end of 2027.

Al Tamimi envisions the project unfolding in three phases, prioritising community engagement, sustainability, and minimal environmental impact. Through meticulous analysis of risks and investment opportunities, Yanbu is set to become a sought-after tourist destination, both locally and internationally.

Baheej's integral role includes integrating local culture and environmental sustainability, elevating Yanbu's appeal and fostering regional development. This commitment underscores a transformative journey for Yanbu's hospitality landscape, blending community heritage and environmental stewardship seamlessly.

The launch of Baheejs project in Yanbu City aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's targets, aiming to foster a prosperous economy and vibrant society.

As a diversified developer and destination management company, Baheej aims to craft accessible tourism experiences meeting international standards while remaining contextual and sustainable.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transform Saudi towns into thriving, sustainable destinations. Baheej's commitment to reshaping urban spaces extends to announcing additional projects in other cities by year-end, underscoring its strategic vision for reshaping and revitalising urban spaces across the region.  TradeArabia News Service
SHERIDAN  A thriving tourism industry in Wyoming has led to a boom in short-term vacation rental listings, but many are left wondering if they take much-needed affordable workforce housing off the market.

In Wyoming, there are around 3,400 total short-term rentals, or STRs, according to AirDNA Economist Bram Gallagher. AirDNA tracks Airbnb and Vrbo data to help investors and hosts optimize vacation rental properties, according to its website

Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, there are 271,887 total housing units in the state, meaning about 1.2% of all units in the state are not available as long-term rentals or as first-time homes.

A long-term rental property is normally occupied by a tenant with a six- to 12-month lease, while a short-term rental is often available for a single night, up to a monthly basis.

There are several types of STRs: There is the owner-occupied vacation rental, where the homeowner lives on site, in the community and manages the property themselves. There are also vacation rentals managed by large property companies that have no local interest.

The numbers (of STRs) that are managed by a large property manager, thats something important to look at, Gallagher said in an interview with The Sheridan Press.

In Jackson Hole, for example, 43% of all STR listings are managed by professional managers with more than 20 listings. However, across Wyoming, only 8.5% are managed by large property managers.

The majority of the listings across the state are small operations, not professionally managed, sort of mom-and-pop organizations, Gallagher said.

In Sheridan, there are 152 average monthly listings, and 35% of those are available full time. Only 36% of STRs in all of Wyoming are available year-round. Only 5.2% of the vacation rentals in Sheridan are professionally managed.

That is remarkably low. Looking at the total stock in Sheridan, it looks like these are locals that maybe have a second home and are renting out their home for part of the year, Gallager said.

Gallager said that the economic impacts of tourism can be really beneficial.

Tourism increases employment, and decreases tax burden on locals, he said.

However, whether vacation rentals have an effect on affordable workforce housing supply is an issue with which communities across the state have to grapple.

Older, smaller homes may have been available for first-time home buyers, but are taken out of supply

In Sublette County, commissioners regulate short-term rentals, requiring owners to register an owner or manager who will be available within 24 hours, should any issues arise. Tess Soll, an associate planner with Sublette County, said that of the 6,000 housing units in her county, about 50 are short-term rentals.

I wouldnt say it is a problem from those numbers, but there are always other factors going into housing. Those 50 units could, may, take up (housing) for someone who is looking for long-term options in the county. It is possible, Soll said.

In Park County, commissioners are actively reviewing updated development standards and regulations, which County Commissioner Dossie Overfield said will likely include stipulations on short-term rentals.

In town specifically, in Cody, this does affect older, smaller homes that are being listed for short-term rentals, which would have been available for first-time home buyers, young couples, that kind of thing, Overfield said, adding county regulations will not affect homes in the city.

The Ranchester Town Council hosted a workshop in January on the topic, largely aimed at protecting a new development of 800-square foot homes intended for workforce housing. Mayor Peter Clark said the town is still considering how it will proceed.

I could see someone with really deep pockets buying all 20 of those homes and turning them into something like a short-term rental, Clark said. When we platted that new subdivision, the big push was to work with the developer to have not just single family homes but rental units and duplexes and a variety of things out there.

Employers like Sheridan County School District 1 often have a hard time recruiting, as many across Wyoming do, Clark said. That is in large part because of a lack of housing supply. The towns new development was designed to alleviate that.

This (regulation) discussion is one of those things that were just trying to get ahead of, rather than it becoming a real problem, Clark said.

Impact varies from community to community

While short-term vacation rentals in the Jackson area may never be affordable  many would be listed for upward of $2 million, Gallagher said  the impact is different in each community. STRs account for 7% of Jacksons housing stock and 12% of Teton Countys housing stock suggesting short-term rentals may constrain housing supply in the Teton Region overall, according to the Wyoming Community Development Authority.

But its unlikely those listings would ever have been first-time homes or long-term rentals.

However, in a town like Saratoga  with a population of 1,747  many of the units short-term listed may otherwise have been available on the market as first-time homes or rentals, if they were not listed as vacation rentals.

There are 69 rentals in the small Carbon County town, accounting for 4.7% of the total housing stock. The WCDA suggests that number means short-term rentals may constrain housing supply in Saratoga.

Even more startling, in Dubois  a town of 931  short-term rentals make up 8.7% of total housing stock, likely constrict(ing) housing supply and increase(ing) rents and home purchase prices, according to the WCDA.

For a small community like that, that is a significant number, Gallager said, adding there are some Gulf of Mexico towns with a concentration of 15-20% STRs.

It is not something to ignore, he said.

Megan Lawson, an economist with Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics  an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit  said in an interview with The Sheridan Press that communities themselves may best be able to recognize when short-term rental listings become a problem.

Its hard, but you know its a problem when you see it, Lawson said.

She said Sheridans 1.5% may not be problematic, but 8.7% in Dubois certainly could be.

It depends a lot on the community-specific data. (short-term rentals are) going to affect housing affordability if they are taking housing out of the long-term rental stock, she said. If your community is attractive to an outside investor, that is definitely going to be making housing more expensive.

Stuart McRae, administrator for the City of Sheridan, said that in a place like Sheridan, temporary rentals can be more lucrative than regular rentals.

Having more temporary rentals obviously takes a house out of the housing market for our workforce, but it has an effect on our economy as well, though I dont know to what degree, McRae said. The issue bears more study to see where the proper balance lies.

Its possible, he said, that Sheridan could take up regulation discussions in the future.
Lower transaction fees, especially for something as central to household wealth as real estate, seems like a win for homeowners, possibly at the expense of the real estate industry, our columnist says. fstop123/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The standard rules of engagement for real estate brokers and their clients will be changing somewhat under a settlement recently reached in a class-action lawsuit brought by homebuyers who say the industry has been ripping them off for years.

How much will change? Probably not much.

The conventional wisdom described in most news stories  a reality hoped for by consumers and feared by the Realtor class  is that commissions on residential real estate sales will drop from the traditional 6% paid entirely by the seller to some lower negotiated rate paid separately by sellers and buyers.

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Lower transaction fees, especially for something as central to household wealth as real estate, seems like a win for homeowners, possibly at the expense of the real estate industry.

If real estate brokerage fees have been kept artificially high by an unspoken cooperation among big brokerage firms to cluster fees in the 6% range  the assertion of the original plaintiffs in the lawsuit  then this ruling and settlement may land the average fee at a much lower range, like in the 3% to 4% percent range.

A federal lawsuit has forced changes to the way consumers negotiate and pay real estate agents. In October, a jury found that the National Association of Realtors along with several large brokerages conspired to inflate Realtors commissions. Many of those brokerages settled out-of-court along the way  and on March 15, 2024, the association settled as well, agreeing to pay $418 million in damages and change some of their longstanding rules. Will it amount to much change for buyers in Texas? Adobe Stock Image Key lock boxes for residence showings hang on a fence outside a high-rise condominium building in Chicago. The cost of hiring a real estate agent to buy or sell a home is poised to change along with decades-old rules that have helped determine broker commissions. Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press file photo

Possibly no change

In conversations with real estate professionals, though, most tell me they think the settlement will lead to little observable change, especially in Texas. On the other hand, they say, it may have unintended consequences that could hurt consumers.

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Mandated changes are set to go into effect Aug. 17, so were still in speculation mode.

Far from lamenting upcoming changes to her industry, Realtor Carolyn Rhodes of Kuper Sothebys International Realty in San Antonio told me, This is the best thing that has happened to us in 10 years.

Her confidence stems from two points. First, the rules of the settlement will mandate written agreements for buyer-side representation and it will restrict certain types of commission listings by sellers agents that might have been used to enforce  again in an unwritten way  a 6% standard commission.

But Rhodes says Texas reforms in the 1990s and 2000s already mandated buyer-representation contracts and made commissions explicitly negotiable. Far from putting downward pressure on commissions, her theory is that the new rules will lead to better disclosure and dialogue about brokers fees, which she said helps her business more than hurts it.

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Outside of Texas, I heard the same thing from Nicole Webb of Realty Executives in Knoxville, Tenn. She said she doubts the settlement will have any negative impact on her business, either.

For starters, Webb says shes rarely listing a property for a full 6% commission (she actually said never) so she doesnt think lower commissions will be any adjustment for her. Next, shes confident that she talks enough with clients upfront about how commissions work and what costs they cover in terms of marketing and advertising. And, finally, like Texas-based brokers she would always have had in place a written agreement with clear rules of engagement as a buyers broker. (Full disclosure: Webb is my wifes first cousin, once removed).

Another real estate broker friend I spoke with who asked to remain anonymous also expected very little change in her business. As a well-established broker who relies primarily on relationships and deep knowledge of her coverage area, she said shes confident that future commissions would reflect value-added work in line with past commissions. Many of those were already negotiated away from the standard 6% anyway, based on the size or complexity of the transaction.

Devils in the details

In the class-action, big national brokerage firms Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America were sued by a group of home sellers. Anywhere and RE/MAX settled before trial, paying $83.5 million and $55 million respectively.

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A jury then ruled against the industry, and a judge ordered the National Association of Realtors, Keller Williams and HomeServices of America to pay damages of $1.8 billion. The Realtors association agreed to pay $418 million, and Keller Williams settled for $70 million. In April, HomeServices of America, owned by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway, settled for $250 million.

A central feature of the settlement is that when agents list a house on the Realtors Multiple Listing Service database of properties for sale, theyll be much more restricted in how they communicate on the listing about commissions. They cant require a cooperative relationship between seller and buyer and they cant filter listings by compensation. The intent is to make it more likely that sellers agents and buyers agents are negotiating their compensation separately with their own clients.

One possible unintended consequence of this settlement, which was commented on by a few of the brokers I spoke with, is the risk that some consumers may actually be harmed by it.

Thats the speculative worry of J Kuper, president of Kuper Sothebys. In particular, homebuyers who will now be expected to pay for their own buyers representative face a problem.

Under rules that predated the settlement, lenders at a real estate closing may not include a buyers commissions in their loans. The result? Buyers may have to pay the 1% to 3% commission at closing on top of the already-difficult-to-save-for down payment. If banks do not adjust their rules on mortgages in coming months, that could leave homebuyers scrambling for extra cash at closing  or incentivize them to forgo representation. Neither is an outcome that will serve buyers interests.

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On their own

Steve Yndo is a longtime broker for King William Realty, a developer and commercial broker at Yndo Urban in San Antonio. Although his bread and butter is not residential real estate, he also foresees complications from the settlement and the new rules its bringing.

The biggest pitfall, the biggest problem, might be that if the prevailing deal becomes Hey sellers, youre now expected to only pay for the seller rep and theyre only going to pay those guys half the current prevailing fee, then buyers are kind of on their own, Yndo says.

In financial terms, what he describes goes like this: A first-time homebuyer diligently gathers her $60,000 down payment for her $300,000 dream home. Or $30,000 down payment for a 10% down payment, or whatever. And the new rule may require her to come up with an additional $6,000 to $9,000 at closing to compensate her buyer-side broker.

What first-time buyer is able to pay that fee, unless the practice also becomes that the fee just gets rolled into the deal and as part of the mortgage? Which is more or less how it has always worked, Yndo says. If that doesnt come about  (buyers) may go unrepresented, trying to do it on their own.

The fact the buyers fee cant be financed may be a problem.

Kuper has another concern. His belief is that real estate markets depend on stability and clarity, so the uncertainty about the settlement could slow transactions more than the substance of the settlement itself. Still, like his colleague Rhodes, Kuper says he finds the potential changes not particularly worrisome.

Early this month, the National Association of Realtors said it received preliminary court approval of its planned changes under the settlement agreement. It also established Aug. 17 as the effective date to give members and Multiple Listing Services time to implement the changes.
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Its sad. Its hurts me. Although she was not born in Arima, or from Arima, her heart was f
Hasely Crawford and Keshorn Walcott are among the household names in Trinidad and Tobago who made an impact through success at elite-level sport.

To date, Crawford and Walcott are the countrys only individual Olympic gold medallists. They serve as examples for young T&T athletes with big ambitions.

Some will become world-beaters; others will not. And thats the reality of sport. Many participate, but a relative few reach the elite level. Even fewer get to the top of the podium in global competition.
The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant located on the South Side of San Antonio. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Rows of new Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles are lined up outside of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant on the South Side of San Antonio on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, before being loaded onto trains. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Rows of new Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles are lined up outside of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant located on the South Side of San Antonio on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Workers on the line build Tundra pickup trucks at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant in San Antonio. Toyota Texas

Dozens of South Side landowners upset about a plan they fear would restrict their ability to develop property around Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc.s plant packed into a meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns  prompting a city body to postpone a planned decision.

The San Antonio Zoning Commission  whose members made clear they also have their own questions  put off until early July its vote on the City Hall proposal to restrict development in a massive area around Toyotas growing factory.

Im here because my fathers words, in Spanish were, You have to fight for your inheritance,  said Lorenzo Segura, who told commissioners his family has owned land near Texas A&M University-San Antonio for 80 years. One company should not override the dreams of the rest of the people in this community.  The South Side is finally growing and doing better than it ever has. Why are we trying to take that away from people and keep them down?

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He was among the throng of residents who overflowed a room in a city facility in the Lone Star neighborhood, requiring some to wait in the hallway. More than 40 people spoke during the meeting or left voicemails opposing the citys proposal to create an industrial compatibility overlay district that would mainly restrict residential development within 2 miles of Toyotas vehicle assembly plant.

The overlay would codify  and reduce  a zone the city made as part of its original pitch to persuade Toyota to build its plant, which opened in 2006. That original deal, known as the Starbright Agreement, created a 3-mile buffer zone around the plant to discourage residential construction and other uses Toyota considered incompatible with manufacturing. Critics have long contended the agreement amounts to contract zoning, or an illegal quid pro quo in which Toyota has authority over whats built.

The deferral came after landowners expressed confusion about the citys new effort to rezone property surrounding the plant. Commissioners set a meeting for 6 p.m. July 16 to consider the matter again.

Like Segura, other landowners decried a measure they said would infringe on their rights and impair their property values. They also questioned the impetus for the citys request  which comes at the same time Toyota is considering its largest-ever expansion of the plant  and how the overlay distance was set.

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More confusion

The Nicholas family has owned land northeast of Toyotas plant for more than 80 years and has sold parts of it to developers for housing projects in recent years, Andrew Nicholas told commissioners. In conversations with developers, he said, the Starbright Agreement was a real problem.

Now theres more confusion.

No one really knew the background. No one understood where the 3-mile radius came from, Nicholas said before referring to a notice landowners received recently. And looking at this map that we received a couple of weeks ago, on its face, this looks like a revised version of the Starbright Agreement, just slimmed down from a 3-mile radius to a 2-mile radius.

Stanton Buckelew, who said his family has lived on property northeast of Toyotas facility for 40 years, said the Japanese automaker has a simpler solution at its disposal than the proposed rezoning.

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Toyota wants a buffer. Well, they can get their checkbook out and make it happen, he said.

Fermin Rajunov, a developer who is suing the city and Toyota over use of the Starbright Agreement to stop a planned development, said theres demand for residential development on the South Side, where land is more affordable than many other parts of San Antonio.

Why dont they focus on building great cars and stop hindering our developments? Toyota is driving a profit at the cost of landowners and developers, Rajunov said. The issue transcends economic growth. It is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has the same opportunities.

Reached for comment Wednesday about the rezoning, a spokesperson for Toyota said, We support the process initiated by the city of San Antonio several years ago, but do not have any specific comments to share.

Zoning decisions are the sole responsibility of the city of San Antonio and not Toyota or any other business, the spokesperson said.

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Hasty process

On Tuesday, landowners said they were alarmed by a process that seemed rushed. Ahead of Tuesdays meeting, the city sent more than 13,000 notices about the rezoning plan, which would involve 2,843 properties totaling 19,775 acres.

Some said they had received notices only a few days before the meeting. Recipients said they came to the meeting to learn whether their land is within the proposed overlay, whether the city was moving to take it, how the overlay would affect what they can build and whether it would result in higher taxes. Others said they were worried it would lead to more industrial projects and ruin the rural, peaceful nature of their settings.

The Zoning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council, which has the final say on zoning decisions and had been scheduled to consider the proposal June 20.

Rudy Nino, interim director for the citys planning department, said the city hosted a virtual open house April 23 and an in-person open house April 30 to discuss the proposal. But some residents at the meeting said they hadnt received information about those events.

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Commissioner Taylor Watson said the city should have used more channels to share information, particularly because some residents may not have a reliable internet connection and need time to plan and request time off from work. She said staff should also be prepared to flesh out the effects of a proposal and answer questions before asking commissioners to make a recommendation.

Im not real impressed with how little thought was put into reaching out, Watson said. There were a number of occasions when this community has questions, where they were asking about the process or impacts.  You should have every process that may be related to this rezoning and overlay district thought through and be prepared to answer questions.

Some landowners would not be affected because their property is not within city limits but they received notices because the city had to notify those along postal routes, Nino said. He admitted the language was confusing but said thats because state law stipulates what appears in the notices.

We do not believe that the language fully and accurately reflects the intent of this rezoning case, Nino said. We apologize if you found the language alarming.

Two zones

The rezoning proposal stems from a plan for development around Texas A&M-San Antonio the city has been working on since 2019, Nino said. Its aimed at protecting residents health and safety near industrial facilities such as Toyotas plant.

The overlay would consist of two zones, with Zone A limiting new residential and commercial development within 1 mile of the facility and Zone B extending another mile outward and restricting new residential projects.

There are also exceptions, Nino said.

Existing homes could be repaired and enlarged, he said, but owners could not add accessory dwelling units or subdivide their property. Undeveloped platted lots with residential zoning could be developed but not subdivided, while unplatted such lots could be developed but not exceed one dwelling per acre. Owners with unplatted, undeveloped property with residential zoning would have to register with the city by Dec. 31, submit a plat and plan within two years and build their project within five years.

Ernest Chacon, whose family owns more than 150 acres along Jett Road, said he wishes now theyd never bought the property.

In 2008, Chacon was among a group of property owners who sued the city and the since-dissolved City South Management Authority to recover more than $4 million for the loss in land value they said the buffer zone caused. He and his brother Jesus Chacon wanted to sell their land to pay for their retirement, but it was far less attractive to prospective buyers because the zoning was not flexible, they said.

At ages 85 and 90, respectively, Chacon said he and his brother have struggled to continue farming to retain the agricultural exemption that limits taxes on their land.

Im hoping that they allow development on our property and they dont control it, he told commissioners Tuesday. And Im hoping it doesnt happen to your parents what happened to us. Im not against Toyota  Im glad theyre there. But the city should have done something for us.

Delayed decision

Commissioners set their July 16 meeting for 6 p.m. to make it easier for landowners to attend after work. On Tuesday, commissioners strongly encouraged city staff to get more public input between now and then.

Before Tuesdays meeting, Commissioner John Whitsett told Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council members he is concerned about the overlay request, which he described as effectively banning new single-family and multifamily projects around Toyotas plant.

The public sector (city) is appearing to only be working with the private interests of Toyota with little to no consideration given to the thousands of other property owners/taxpayers/voters who will have this overlay imposed on their property restricting their rights, he wrote in a letter to council members.

The overlay comes across as a back door effort to comply with the Starbright Agreement, Whitsett wrote. Someone at the city appears to have determined that if they could get the Zoning Commission to quickly approve the overlay without giving it any scrutiny and then getting City Council to rubber stamp it then the problem with the contract zoning and unconstitutional taking of property issues created by the Starbright Agreement would be solved forever and then they could blame it all on the Zoning Commission.

Whitsett abstained from the commissions vote to postpone a decision, saying the city attorneys office recommended he do so.

On Tuesday morning, Bexar County Commissioners unanimously authorized staff to negotiate a deal for tax breaks and a grant totaling $14.9 million for Toyota, which is considering investing $531.7 million in a plant expansion that would add 411 jobs. A city spokesperson said the zoning overlay request and Toyotas potential expansion are unrelated.
University of Arizona: The University of Arizona has been ranked No. 93  a two-spot increase from 2023  in the 2024 edition of the Center for World University Rankings. UA also placed at No. 48 among U.S. institutions and No. 26 among public colleges and universities.

The ranking places the university among the top 0.5% of nearly 21,000 colleges and universities worldwide. The number of faculty members who have been awarded major academic distinctions contributed to the universitys showing, with UA placing No. 69 overall in that category.

The universitys overall score (82.2 out of 100) was also strengthened by its research performance (No. 111).

Century Room: Century Room Artistic Director Arthur Vint received the 2024 Jazz Hero award from the Jazz Journalists Association. Vint was recognized for his passion and dedication to the success of the Century Room jazz clubs and his support of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation.

Flinn-Brown Fellows: Six Southern Arizonans have been named 2024 Flinn-Brown Fellows by the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

This years Flinn-Brown Fellowship cohort includes leaders from the private and public sector, elected officials, founders of nonprofit organizations and companies, physicians, lawyers, educators and more.

The 2024 Flinn-Brown Fellows for Southern Arizona are:

Vance Bryce, executive director for the Graham County Chamber of Commerce in Safford

Tina Dorsey, vice president of commercial banking for First Citizens Bank in Tucson

Manuel Felix, founder and CEO of AZ Cyber Initiative in Tucson

Alexa Lucchese, government affairs manager for Cox Communications in Tucson

Erica Yngve, president and owner Sonoran Stitch Factory; president and owner of Postcraft Products in Tucson

Jason Zibart, the community connected health manager for Benson Hospital in Benson

The 2024 Fellows will participate in the fall Flinn-Brown Academy, a public policy institute.

Jeremy Sharpe: Jeremy Sharpe, president of Sharpe & Associates, Inc., and managing partner of the master-planned community Rancho Sahuarita, was recognized as a finalist for the 2024 Champions of Change Award by AZ Big Media under the category of Philanthropic Business Leader of the Year.

A member of various boards, the honor underscores Sharpes commitment to fostering community well-being and development throughout Arizona.
Arizonas use of private prisons does not violate the rights of inmates, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

It also does not amount to slavery, wrote Judge Kenneth Lee for the three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, rejecting arguments to the contrary by the state NAACP.

The decision leaves intact the moves by Arizona state lawmakers over the years to increasingly contract with companies that run private prisons in what they argued is a bid to save money.

As of last month, nearly a third of 31,742 male inmates at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry are in private facilities. By comparison, the figure was closer to 22% four years earlier.

The NAACP argued private prisons are inferior to state-run prisons because they are motivated by profit, leading them to cut costs, resulting in diminished safety and security and fewer programs and services. The organization also said private prisons have a financial interest to keep inmates longer, which it said they accomplish by manipulating disciplinary proceedings.

But much of the lawsuit, filed in 2020, is based on the argument that private prisons run afoul of the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. That is based, in part, on the argument that private prisons require inmates to work.

The suit also said the prisons profit from maintaining custody of prisoners, something the NAACP equated to slavery.

Lee said the argument doesnt hold water, saying the 13th Amendment says its prohibitions do not apply in cases of punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

The amendment expressly carves out incarceration, Lee wrote. Thus, we have held that the 13th Amendment does not forbid prison labor requirements.

Of course, incarceration in a private prison does not remotely approximate chattel slavery, he said.

Lee said that when the 13th Amendment was adopted, the term slavery meant not just a system of exploitative labor but also a system of treating people as property that could be bought and sold.

Convicted prisoners assigned to a private prison have not been relegated to such a position of dehumanizing subordination, the judge wrote.

Private prisons do not own prisoners, he continued. Nor do they buy or sell prisoners; instead, the state of Arizona determines where prisoners are incarcerated.

Dianne Post, an attorney for the state NAACP, called that conclusion disappointing.

Once again, they missed the entire point, she told Capitol Media Services. When you get more people into your prison, you make more money.

She said these private companies bargain for prisoners from another state, or prisoners that are convicted for this or that knowing that each inmate translates to a certain number of dollars per day.

To me, that is the same thing as buying and selling people, Post said. And doing this for profit is the same thing as slavery.

She conceded it is not exactly the same thing as chattel slavery, with chattel being another word for anything that is private property other than real estate.

But it does not have to be in order to be a violation of the 13th Amendment, Post said.

Lee, in writing the decision, said there are other flaws in the NAACPs arguments that private prisons are inferior.

By statute, private prisons must offer a level and quality of services that are at least functionally equal to those that would be provided by state-run facilities, he said, quoting state law.

He rejected the claim that private prisons can manipulate the system to keep inmates longer  and continue to get funds  through disciplinary actions.

Private prisons also cannot discipline prisoners or make decisions influencing prisoners sentence credits or release dates, Lee wrote.

Lee did note that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that an inmate has a liberty interest in avoid a prison that imposes atypical and significant hardship on the inmates in relation to the ordinary incidents of prison life. But he said that is a high bar to overcome.

For example, he said, courts have concluded such hardships include things like confining prisoners to their cells for 23 hours a day and where there are additional severe limitations on human contact. But Lee said nothing cited in the NAACP lawsuit reaches that level.

The complaint lacks any allegation that private prisons deprive prisoners of meaningful interpersonal contact or that they confine prisoners to their cells for 23 hours per day  or anything approaching these restrictions, the judge said.
Rene Guzman writes about all things San Antonio, from past and present to pop culture and puro cultura. He can be reached at rguzman@express-news.net.

Before joining the Express-News in 1998, the San Antonio native co-owned a college humor magazine called Bitter, for which he wrote, designed and edited, as well as distributed at various campuses and businesses citywide. His features writing has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Times-Union.
Christchurch Educated, a group of education providers in New Zealand, will coordinate with Education New Zealand to provide experiential classes in Vietnam which simulate the education environment in the Oceanian country for the first time.

The activity will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday this week and in Hanoi the next day.

Teachers from New Zealand will administer the classes.

Vietnamese students will be instructed to access the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education method through the activity of making models of bridges with a high weight limit.

They can explore product design by addressing problems, collaborating in groups, and developing a positive mindset.

They will also learn about the process of finding solutions to design a sustainable living environment.

After these classes, parents and students can directly talk with teachers from nearly 20 education institutions in Christchurch to gain information about their curricula, scholarship opportunities, and overseas study.

Christchurch is home to 65 education institutions, including high schools, English language centers, vocational centers, and universities which are among the top two percent in the worlds best universities. The city has more than 6,300 overseas students from 100 countries and territories.

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SINGAPORE -- More than 140 passengers and crew from a Singapore Airlines flight hit by heavy turbulence that left dozens injured and one dead finally reached Singapore on a relief flight Wednesday morning after an emergency landing in Bangkok.

The scheduled London-Singapore flight on a Boeing 777-300ER plane diverted to Bangkok after the plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling.

A 73-year-old British passenger died of a suspected heart attack, and at least 30 people were injured.

"I saw people from across the aisle going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in like really awkward positions. People, like, getting massive gashes in the head, concussions," Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student onboard the flight, told Reuters after arriving in Singapore.

Photographs from the interior of the plane showed gashes in the overhead cabin panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling and luggage strewn around. A passenger said some people's heads had slammed into the lights above the seats and broken the panels.

Singapore Airlines took 131 passengers and 12 crew on the relief flight from Bangkok, which reached Singapore just before 5:00 am (2100 GMT). There were 211 passengers including many Australians, British and Singaporeans, and 18 crew onboard the original flight; injured fliers and their families remained in Bangkok.

"On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased," Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a video message.

Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night, Singapore's Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a statement on Facebook.

As the incident involves a U.S. company, Boeing, which makes the 777-300ER aircraft, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was sending an accredited representative and four technical advisers to support the investigation, he said.

The plane encountered sudden extreme turbulence, Goh said, and the pilot then declared a medical emergency and diverted to Bangkok.

Aircraft tracking provider FlightRadar 24 said at 0749 GMT the flight encountered "a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event", based on flight tracking data.

"There were thunderstorms, some severe, in the area at the time," it said.

Weather forecasting service AccuWeather on Tuesday said rapidly developing, explosive thunderstorms near the flight path of Flight 321 most likely contributed to violent turbulence.

"Developing thunderstorms often have strong updrafts, a zone of upward moving air, that rises very rapidly, sometimes at more than 100 mph, and can leave pilots will little time to react if it occurs directly in front of the plane," said Dan DePodwin, AccuWeathers Senior Director of Forecasting Operations.

The sudden turbulence occurred over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, about 10 hours into the flight, Singapore Airlines said.

"It is not a rare occurrence for big thunderstorms in the Bay of Bengal. There are always the chances of bumps," said an airline pilot who regularly flies to Singapore and Southeast Asia. The pilot declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

"We were about 30 miles off track flying around the thunderstorms two days ago on the way to Singapore," the pilot added.

Turbulence has many causes, most obviously the unstable weather patterns that trigger storms, but this flight could have been affected by clear air turbulence, which is difficult to detect.

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing over 50,000 workers at 20 airlines, said it is important for passengers to wear seatbelts whenever seated, she said.

"It is a matter of life and death," Nelson said.

Turbulence-related airline accidents are the most common type of accident, according to a 2021 NTSB study.

Although the airline said 30 people were injured, Samitivej Hospital in Thailand said it was treating 71 passengers.

From 2009 through 2018, the U.S. agency found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents and most resulted in one or more serious injuries, but no aircraft damage.

Singapore Airlines, which is widely recognized as one of the world's leading airlines and is seen as a benchmark for much of the industry, has not had any major incidents in recent years.

Its last accident resulting in casualties was a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles via Taipei, where it crashed on Oct. 31, 2000 at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, killing 83 of the 179 people on board.

Singapore Airlines shares were not trading on Wednesday because of a public holiday in Singapore.

Passengers who were on board the flight SQ321 from London, that experienced severe turbulence that resulted in one fatality and several injuries and made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, arrive at Changi Airport in Singapore May 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Airport officials gather near the aircraft ladder attached to the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand May 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 is parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Representatives of the British embassy stand with a hospital staff as they visit the Samitivej Hospital where injured passengers and crew of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 have been transferred following an emergency landing, in Bangkok Thailand, May 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

A woman eats as the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 is parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

A Singapore Airlines aircraft is seen on tarmac after requesting an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Gustavo Gonzalez Jr., 36, of New Braunfels was sentenced to 83 years in prison after he was convicted on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. Comal County Sheriff's Office

A Comal County jury has sentenced a New Braunfels man to 83 years in prison for sexually abusing a child.

Jurors determined the sentence for Gustavo Gonzalez Jr., 36, after finding him guilty on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a childcontact, according to the Comal County District Attorneys Office.

MORE COVERAGE: San Antonio man charged with murder in death of New Braunfels teen

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Jurors sentenced Gonzalez to 25 years in prison on one child sexual assault count, 20 years on another and 18 years on a third. They sentenced him to 10 years on each count of indecency with a child. State District Judge Glenn Devlin ordered the sentences to run consecutively and required that Gonzalez serve the full term or be paroled on each sentence before the next begins. As a result, Gonzalez will spend at least 41 years in prison, according to the district attorneys office.

The victim, who was 13 at the time, was the daughter of a woman with whom Gonzalez was in a relationship, according to the district attorneys office.

The abuse occurred the weekend of Dec. 11-12, 2021, while the victims mother was away from home at work, according to the district attorneys office.

The victim reported the abuse to counselors at her school, who called the New Braunfels Police Department. DNA samples taken from the victim were matched to Gonzalez, according to the district attorneys office.

During Gonzalezs trial, the victim testified that before the abuse, she had seen Gonzalez as a trusted father figure, according to the district attorneys office. The victim testified that the day after Gonzalez sexually assaulted her, he apologized to her. She testified that Gonzalez cried and told he would be killed if he went to prison. She testified that he offered to buy her a cellphone if she wouldnt report the abuse.

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Before sentencing, jurors heard from another alleged victim, who testified that Gonzalez began sexually abusing her when she was 13 and that she became pregnant with his child when she was 14.
Vietnams lawmaking National Assembly (NA) elected General To Lam, Minister of Public Security, state president for the 2021-26 tenure at the NAs ongoing seventh sitting in Hanoi on Wednesday morning.

Lam was backed by 472 out of all 473 lawmakers present at the house vote.

He took up office to succeed Vo Van Thuong, who stepped down in March this year.

He took an oath of allegiance as Vietnam's state president before the National Assembly in Hanoi the same day.

I will make an effort to complete all the missions assigned by the Party, state, and people, he swore during the televised ceremony in Hanoi.

According to the Constitution, the president is the head of the state, representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in domestic and foreign affairs.

The president is also the leader of the peoples armed forces and holds the position of chairman of the National Defense and Security Council.

Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam nominated Lam as the countrys new state president during the closing session of the 9th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee that was held under the chair of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on Saturday last week.

Born in 1957 in the northern province of Hung Yen, Lam, a member of the Politburo and the 13th Party Central Committee, and a National Assembly deputy, has dedicated several years to public security.

He was appointed as the head of the Security Department 1 in February 2010.

He was selected as deputy minister of public security in August 2010 and then the leader of this ministry in April 2016.

He also serves as deputy head of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- On Wednesday morning, the seventh session of the Vietnamese National Assembly continued the process of electing the new state president for the 2021-26 term. Following this, the newly elected state president will be sworn in. Six days ago, during the ninth plenum, the 13th Party Central Committee unanimously nominated Minister of Public Security To Lam to be state president for the tenure.

Society

-- National Assembly deputy Ha Phuoc Thang from Ho Chi Minh City suggested utilizing under-bridge spaces as parking facilities to address the shortage of parking sites in major cities during a discussion on amendments to the Road Law held on Tuesday.

-- Following the Chi Thanh tunnel landslide incident in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam, which disrupted train operations, Vietnam Railways Corporation arranged the transfer of nearly 2,700 passengers from 12 trains between the La Hai and Tuy Hoa stations via car on Tuesday.

-- The Peoples Committee of Thai Binh City in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam has decided to levy an administrative fine of VND21 million (US$825) on an eatery that served pate containing maggots to its customers.

-- Downpours, gales, whirlwinds, and lightning have wreaked havoc on many localities across Vietnam from Sunday to Tuesday, resulting in four deaths, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Business

-- Vietnams joint-venture Indovina Bank is offering to sell a debt exceeding VND482 billion ($18.9 million) of Duong Malt Joint Stock Company, an entity within the Hoa Binh Group ecosystem led by soldier-turned-tycoon Nguyen Huu Duong. The collateral for this loan consists of real estate and stocks valued at over VND653 billion ($25.6 million) in total.

Lifestyle

-- The stage for this years Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2024) is set to incorporate numerous new technologies for the first time, promising exhilarating art performances and fireworks competitions spanning from June 8 to July 13, the organizers said on Tuesday.

-- Renowned classical pianist Boris Giltburg held his first-ever concert in Vietnam, themed Boris Giltburg - Piano Recital, in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday evening as part of the SOLO International Concert Series.

Sports

-- Four Vietnamese athletes, namely Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Quach Thi Lan, Hoang Thi Minh Hanh, and Nguyen Thi Hang, won the gold medal in the womens 4x400m relay team with a time of 3:30.82 at the 2024 Asian Relay Championship in Thailand on Tuesday.

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Police in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi handed over VND1 million (US$39.3), including VND500,000 ($19.6) that a local taxi driver charged a French couple for a 200-meter ride and another VND500,000 for taking back their belongings, to the couple, officers said on Tuesday.

M.H., a 51-year-old Frenchwoman, also confirmed that she and her husband had received the money.

The foreign couple had accused the taxi driver of charging them VND500,000 (US$19.6) for a 200-meter ride and forcing them to pay the same amount again to return the wallet and passport they left in the cab.

H. recounted that she and her husband caught a taxi for a trip from 114 Tran Nhat Duat Street to 9 Cho Gao Street in Hoan Kiem District, only about 200 meters away, on May 12.

When they reached the destination, the cabby locked the rear door of the cab and forced the couple to pay VND500,000 ($19.6) before they could get out of the vehicle, H. narrated.

Presently, open-door taxi fares in Hanoi typically range from VND6,000 ($0.2) to VND9,000 ($0.3), while charges for the initial 30 kilometers vary from VND10,500 ($0.4) to VND16,000 ($0.6) per kilometer, contingent upon the type of vehicle.

After leaving the cab, H.'s husband found he had left his wallet and passport in the vehicle.

A short moment later, the taxi driver drove back and asked the couple to pay another VND500,000 to return their belongings.

Police said they were completing procedures to reach a conclusion on the taxi drivers violations.

M.H. said I am grateful to the Vietnamese police. They understand our circumstances, adding that they will not let other tourists face similar situations.

The French couple returned to France on Monday after visiting Hanoi, Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province, and Cat Ba in Hai Phong City, all in the north.

Our trip went well. In the future, if we have an opportunity, we will return to Vietnam, the tourist said.

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Police in Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam said on Tuesday that they had initiated legal proceedings against a 44-year-old local man for raising two tigers in captivity.

In particular, Dong Xuan Cong, residing in Kim Thanh District, Hai Duong, was charged with violating regulations on the protection of endangered and rare animals.

On May 4, police and rangers in the province detected Cong raising the two tigers with each measuring some 70 kilograms in a steel cage.

They were in good health at the time.

Cong confessed that he bought the two tigers on social media.

According to the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the tigers, whose scientific name is Panthera tigris, are in the list of rare and endangered species that need to be preserved.

The two animals have been handed over to the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center under the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Hai Duong police are further investigating the case.

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The Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam is facing a seemingly paradoxical situation: the more efforts made to resist saltwater intrusion, the more severe the intrusion becomes.

During the Solutions on Water Resources in the Mekong Delta conference, organized by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Can Tho University in Can Tho City on April 26, Assoc Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at Can Tho University, highlighted this situation as a critical issue.

In the past, during the planning phase in the Mekong Delta, ancient civilizations devised vertical and horizontal canal systems across provinces like An Giang, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau, Tuan said.

They also established canal intersections such as Nga Nam [in Soc Trang Province] and Nga Sau and Nga Bay [in Hau Giang Province].

However, paradoxically, as we attempt to mitigate salinity through structural interventions, the tidal energy fails to disperse and instead maintains its force, exacerbating salinity levels and driving them further inland.

This phenomenon is evident when we close sluices to prevent salinity, inadvertently trapping polluted freshwater streams.

This begs the question: Why does our struggle against salinity seem to worsen the problem?

Assoc Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at Can Tho University, speaks at the Solutions on Water Resources in the Mekong Delta conference in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, April 26, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

According to Tuan, the mismanagement of water resources has exacerbated drought and salinity in the Mekong Delta.

Highlighting the need for natural solutions, Dr. Tuan stressed the importance of water source security.

His proposed solutions include reducing industrial activities with high waste discharge, strengthening legislation to control water pollution, and implementing measures for transboundary water management, conservation, and rational use.

In addition, Dr. Tuan suggested restoring natural water retention capacity in low-lying areas, constructing flood water reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems, establishing desalination plants, and reducing groundwater extraction.

Moreover, it is important to transition rice-growing areas to aquaculture, promote water-saving practices, and advocate the use of recycled water.

Besides, he emphasized sharing water source information widely and modernizing the water source monitoring system.

Key challenges

The Solutions on Water Resources in the Mekong Delta conference is part of the Green Vietnam program initiated by Tuoi Tre.

The event saw the participation of numerous leaders from Can Tho City, Ca Mau Province, and representatives from various irrigation, environmental protection, cultivation, and plant protection departments from provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta.

Overall, more than 100 guests attended, including scientists, experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, authority officials, and farmers in the region.

Notably, experts from Israel, renowned for their advanced high-tech agricultural industry in the face of scarce water resources, also participated.

Delegates attend the Solutions on Water Resources in the Mekong Delta conference in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, April 26, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

At the outset of the conference, journalist Tran Xuan Toan presented a clip documenting a survey trip by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on April 25, focusing on Lam Tuan Kiet, a 32-year-old resident of Dong Hung B Commune in An Minh District, Kien Giang Province.

In the video, Kiet detailed his struggles, including spending approximately VND2.2 million (US$86.40) per month on fresh water and the difficulties of storing and using salty water for daily needs. These challenges have negatively impacted his rice and crab farming efforts.

Hundreds of thousands of farmers in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta are grappling with severe drought and saltwater intrusion, mirroring the challenges faced by Kiet, Toan said.

The intense sunlight forces them indoors, rendering them unable to engage in productive activities.

Despite their desire to cultivate, they find themselves hindered by these harsh conditions.

Previously, discussions about the Mekong Delta often centered around its resilience to floods.

However, the narrative has now shifted to adapting to drought and salinity.

This shift underscores the urgency for Tuoi Tre, along with other agencies, experts, and local leaders, to advocate for solutions aimed at securing water sources, addressing the specific challenges of drought and salinity, and mitigating the broader impacts of climate change in the region.

Nguyen Hong Hieu, deputy director of the Department of Water Resources Management at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, speaks at the Solutions on Water Resources in the Mekong Delta conference in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, April 26, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

During the conference, Nguyen Hong Hieu, deputy director of the Department of Water Resources Management at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted the key challenges confronting the Mekong Delta today.

These include heavy reliance on surface water sources from neighboring countries, ongoing and proposed hydroelectric and water transfer projects, and the uneven distribution of surface water resources over both space and time.

Moreover, the region faces escalating impacts from climate change, characterized by more frequent droughts and increasingly severe saltwater intrusion.

Hieu emphasized the urgency of closely monitoring and updating warnings to forecast meteorological and hydrological developments, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion.

He stressed the importance of efficiently operating irrigation systems, actively storing water, promoting water conservation practices, and adapting crop structures to mitigate the impacts of drought and salinity.

Looking ahead, Hieu proposed long-term solutions, including prioritizing investments in industries aligned with the approved planning for the Mekong Delta region, focusing on economic development tailored to saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater ecological zones outlined in government plans and Resolution 120.

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The Software Alliance (BSA), a global software industry trade association, has called on the Vietnamese government and business leaders to intensify control to prevent the use of unlicensed software by businesses in Vietnam.

The alliance made this call to action in a recent press release in which it emphasized the need to strengthen inspections and law enforcement actions in response to a significant rise in the use of unlicensed software by businesses within Vietnam.

In addition to the illegal use of software, there is a direct correlation between such illegal use and successful malware attacks, BSA stated.

Recently, domestic cyberattacks have tended to target important industries such as energy, oil and banking, disrupting business operations, and leaking confidential information.

Adam Coates, general counsel of BSA, underscored that using unlicensed software seriously affects data security, exposing businesses to high risks of cyberattacks, data breaches, and malware infection.

Such risks not only cause financial damage but also affect the trust and confidence of clients, partners, and stakeholders, while possibly causing damage to the entire economy, Adam stated.

It is alarming that the use of unlicensed software continues to be commonplace in Vietnam, Coates warned, emphasizing that this problem should be addressed with vigorous law enforcement and public awareness campaigns.

He added that some higher-end software intended for sophisticated design for construction and engineering is often used without licenses in Vietnam, thereby affecting the integrity of large projects.

We urge Vietnamese authorities and business leaders to take immediate action to curb this trend. In fact, licensed software is the best first line of defense against cyber threats, Coates said in the press release.

In 2020, BSA launched the 'Legalize and Protect' campaign in partnership with local authorities to ensure companies and organizations use licensed software, and this effort has achieved some success, the general counsel said.

This year, BSA is working with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to support efforts to legalize greater volumes of software used by businesses and organizations in Vietnam, he added.

Le Thanh Liem, chief inspector of the ministry, said the agency will coordinate closely with BSA and other organizations to conduct inspections of businesses with signs of software copyright infringements.

All detected violations will be strictly punished under applicable laws. We recommend that businesses ensure their legal use of copyrighted software right now, Liem said.

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Guillaume Brahimi returns to SBS with a new foodie series, Guillaumes French Atlantic.

Filmed across the wild beauty of the west coast of France chef Guillaume Brahimi travels from Normandy in the north down to the Spanish border to discover the Atlantic coasts rich history and iconic produce.

Guillaume Brahimi said: When people ask me, Where is the most beautiful coastline in the world? I would say the west coast of France in a heartbeat. I am so excited and proud for people to watch Guillaumes French Atlantic. In my opinion, the West Coast of France must be one of the best kept secrets of travelling in France. Viewers are going to be transported and fall in love with not only the food and wine from all the regions, but the scenery as well.

Beginning in Etretat and the spectacular White Cliffs and travelling down to the vibrant Spanish border, the Atlantic coastline is characterised by picturesque beaches, incredible clifftops, sand dunes, vineyards and walled cities. Each pocket of the West Coast highlights something unique and special. Normandy for its land and the cream, Brittany for the sea, Pays de la Loire with incredible farmers, Bordeaux and their wine and finally the Pays Basque with its specialty produce. I discovered the best produce in France and met the most incredible and hospitable artisans. They have mastered their craft and devoted their lives to it.

Emily Griggs, SBS Head of Food said: In Guillaumes French Atlantic, were thrilled to unveil the often-overlooked western shores of France. From breathtaking views to mouthwatering delicacies and timeless stories, Guillaumes expertise brings to life the vibrant culture and flavours of the French Atlantic. Join us on this delectable journey and let Guillaumes French Atlantic be your gateway to a culinary adventure like no other. Bon appetit!

The five-part travel and lifestyle series combines fascinating stories about the development of the culinary styles and dishes of this special part of the world with recipes only found along the west coast of France. From extraordinary coastal views to exquisite culinary experiences, each episode unravels the unique character and flavours of the regions, immersing viewers in a delightful gastronomic adventure.

By travelling through five unique regions, Guillaume discovers how the locals live and dine. From the limestone cliffs of Etretat, to treasure-filled chateaus and idyllic islands, the French Atlantic coast is unique in its heritage and gastronomy. Guillaume Brahimi is in his element  whether helping the locals with the harvest of the most expensive potatoes in the world, or making a 6 star dish of pigeon fit for a French President in Bordeaux, the culture and cuisine of the west of France brings out his passion. Starting in picturesque Normandy, Guillaume uncovers the artistic and historic legacy of Honfleur, favourite haunt of the artist Monet, then takes in the architectural marvel of Mont St Michel, before using local produce to craft sumptuous recipes inspired by the region.

Join Guillaume as he traverses the coast from Brittany to Bordeaux, delving into French customs and decadent food heritage, before finishing in the exhilarating markets of Pays Basque. The breathtaking wild beauty of this coastal drive is matched only by the quality and uniqueness of the cuisine and culture. And for those who wish to bring a taste of the Atlantic into their own home, Guillaume shares twenty delectable recipes that feature the best of the coastlines culinary traditions.

Guillaumes French Atlantic will be available to stream on SBS On Demand with subtitling available in Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Vietnamese and Traditional Chinese. Guillaumes French Atlantic is a Blink TV production for SBS.

Thursday June 20 at 7.30pm on SBS.
Nine revisits the saga of Melissa Caddick in two part doco The Missing Millionairess.

This is an ITV (UK) doco.

Posing as a glamorous, top-tier financial advisor for years, Caddick allegedly conned more than $23 million out of her investors, many of them close family and friends. The day after police raided her home in 2020, she disappeared without a trace, until her severed foot washed up on a beach months after her disappearance. Since then, the search for answers has caught the worlds attention.

For eight years, Caddick had seemed to be living the dream, with her luxurious Sydney beach house, designer wardrobe, opulent jewellery collection and a seemingly perfect marriage.

This true crime documentary includes exclusive insights from victims, investigators and those at the very heart of this astonishing, stranger-than-fiction case.

Episode 1

Sunday, May 26, at 9.00pm on Nine.

A deep dive into the life and disappearance of Melissa Caddick, a successful Australian financial advisor who mysteriously vanished. This true crime documentary includes exclusive insights from victims, investigators and those at the very heart of this astonishing, stranger-than-fiction case.

Episode 2

Sunday, June 2, at 9.00pm on Nine.

New evidence emerges on the disappearance of Melissa Caddick shedding light on her financial dealings and her husbands involvement. A team of experts analyse the case of Melissa Caddick and question what really happened.


Blueys World will open in Brisbane on November offering an immersive experience taking fans inside the iconic Queenslander home, backyard and beyond

Explore multiple rooms and play games from Bluey, as you embark on an interactive adventure with your guide through the vibrant and playful world of Bluey. This expansive, multi-sensory experience features real-life sets, recognisable scenes, and beloved characters and games from hit-show Bluey, says the official site.

Seven News reports the Queensland government expects some 200,000 people will visit Blueys World in its first year, bringing an estimated $18 million into the states economy.

The event at Northshore, Brisbane opens on 7 November 2024 with tix starting at $49.90.
(L-R) AFTRS Council Chair Rachel Perkins, Minister for the Arts Tony Burke, Master of Arts Screen: Business Graduate EJ Garrett.

A $530,000 grant over two years to support First Nations training and career pathways was announced last Friday by the Minister for the Arts Tony Burke, at the Australian Film Television and Radio School Graduation Ceremony.

The role of AFTRS is to train and to inspire, Minister Burke said to AFTRS graduating students, You, with the training you now have, are some of the best equipped people in this nation, to make sure Australia knows itself.

He added, To imagine our nation without our stories is to image a place where none of us would want to live.

Weve invested in you. Dont stop imagining.

The announcement came three days after the Federal Budget confirmed AFTRS will receive $23.2 million over four years.

AFTRS CEO Dr. Nell Greenwood said, This restoration of government funding to previous levels is a relief, and such a great outcome for the School and its future students. We are grateful to Minister Burke and the Government. In a time of industry upheaval, challenges and opportunities, it means we can continue to champion and support brilliant Australian talent and our resilient, ever dynamic screen and audio communities.

The ceremony saw 158 students graduate from the 2023 academic year. Six graduating First Nations students were honoured at a ceremony attended by Elders, First Nations community and industry colleagues.

Heartbreak High Creator and Showrunner Hannah Carroll Chapman gave the Alumni Commencement Address.

Our industry is one in a state of perpetual change. The companies change, the formats change, the technology and the screens and the politics. But what doesnt change, and what never will, is our insatiable human appetite to see and hear and feel our stories told. Know that the worldwide hunger and interest in Australian stories is out there, she said.

Graduate speaker EJ Garrett, a Darumbal man from the coastal lands of Central Queensland who studied the Master of Arts Screen: Business online. EJ said, This has been a life changing experience. This process has really emboldened me to achieve my dreams.

Also announced at the Graduation ceremony was the winner of the $10,000 Women in Cinematography Prize, presented by Sony to AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production graduate, Mia Schirmer.

The funding will allow AFTRS to support two programs of work. The First Nations Bridging Program will offer participants a bespoke combination of training, placement, mentoring opportunities and community support based on the needs, interests and ambition of First Nations students. It will create pathways for cohorts of emerging First Nations talent from remote and regional areas into the screen, radio and audio industries.

The second program will support a Training Audit of current First Nations employment and training within the screen sector to provide AFTRS, screen agencies and the industry with a clear map of the current needs and gaps, as well as the areas that are well supported. This will be a vital part of a targeted and coordinated approach to First Nations screen, radio and audio training, across Australia.
Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net.

A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band.
Newly-launched non-for-profit group Screen Careers has recruited key screen industry players for its inaugural Board.

Led by Chair Chris Oliver Taylor, ABCs Chief Content Officer, the new Board appointments are Kate Marks, CEO Ausfilm; Adrian Swift, Head of Content, Production and Development, Channel 9; Will Hamilton, Director, Commercial and Business Operations BBC Studios; and Jackie Emery, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Flying Bark Productions.

Screen Careers CEO Esther Coleman Hawkins says, High level industry support is crucial to the success of Screen Careers and were very grateful to those joining our Board for their expertise and enthusiasm for the years ahead. Weve been fortunate to recruit a board with a multitude of skills  all of which we need to grow and develop the organisation.

The Board members we are announcing today indicate that weve got that vital support  with more names coming soon.

Screen Careers launched in March, focusing entirely on the careers of the Screen Industry crew, after more than a year of preparatory work by CEO Esther Coleman Hawkins, Head of Training and Career Development, Denise Eriksen and Head of Sales and Marketing, Fiona Gilroy. It has been supported with four year funding from VicScreen and Screen Australia.

Chris Oliver-Taylor (pictured right), Chief Content Officer, ABC said, I am honoured to be the first Chair of Screen Careers. It is vital that those who have built a career in the screen industry find the time and application to give back to the sector and I am thrilled that Denise, Esther and Fiona have brought together such a wonderful number of experienced practitioners to start this amazing initiative.

Screen Careers will work in partnership with the sector, including broadcasters, streamers, funding bodies and other training and development organisations by applying resources, strategy and effort to really help the sector increase the opportunities for those wanting to work across TV and Film.

Together, the whole TV and Film sector can make a difference to building these pathways. Screen Careers is thrilled to be a part of this.

Kate Marks (pictured top), CEO Ausfilm, said, I am delighted to be joining the Board of Screen Careers. The organisation has been established at a critically important time when there is huge potential for Australias screen industry to develop its below the line workforce capacity and address the skills needs now and into the future.

Screen Careers is extremely well placed to partner with industry and other organisations to collectively support the growth of the sector and I look forward to working with the experienced team led by Denise, Esther, and Fiona and the Board to strengthen our existing workforce and provide pathways for a new generation of practitioners across the country.

Adrian Swift (pictured left), Head of Content, Production and Development, Channel 9, said, Australia makes some of the best television in the world, but skills tend to be developed in the white-hot battle of production.

Im thrilled to be part of a program that formalises how a new generation of content professionals learn the creativity, production levels and content insights from the best in the business.

And for those already in the industry, to offer them a chance to grow, develop and embrace the next challenge, having equipped them with the skills to take it on.

Will Hamilton (pictured bottom), Director, Commercial and Business Operations, BBC Studios, said, For some time, our industry has had many excellent but disparate initiatives. Screen Careers provides a new, desperately needed National approach to building and supporting careers in our industry, run by industry for the industry.

Ive always been passionate about nurturing new talent, so its a privilege to join the board and bring some ideas into this space as well as draw from some of the great initiatives already run by BBC Studios internationally. Upskilling and training is such an important driver for growth and benefits the industry as a whole.

Jackie Emery(pictured centre), Head of Legal and Business Affairs, Flying Bark Productions, added, Australia is a major export of screen content to the global stage, which is in turn a key driver for tourism and jobs creation. It is no secret that getting something great on screen requires the skill and talent of the below-the-line workforce, but there are surprisingly few avenues in Australia for those interested to acquire practical skills through on-the-job training and mentoring.

For that reason, Im delighted and honoured to be joining the board of Screen Careers (my invitation is going straight to the pool room!), a wonderful initiative led by Denise 9 Eriksen), Esther (Coleman-Hawkins), Fiona (Gilroy) and Megan (Mohell) to foster the growth and retention of aspiring content professionals. I think Screen Careers is uniquely positioned to harness the combined resources of the screen industry, education sector and government to develop programs that are vocationally relevant, accessible, and led by industry experts. I look forward to working with the fantastic executive team and the board to deliver on this mission.

Further Board appointments will be announced shortly  along with the names of a pool of Australian and International industry expert advisers.
Shahzeen Khan, TwoCircles.net

Mumbai: If the college implements a change in the dress code, I might have to withdraw my admission, said Parveen (name changed), a 20-year-old student at Acharya Marathe College at Chembur in Maharashtra, reacting to the new rules, disallowing students to wear religious attire on the campus.

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As per the latest regulations, the students, who are pursuing bachelors, will have to remove their religious attire (hijab or headscarf or a veil to be precise) in a designated common room before attending classes or moving around the campus.

This dress code will be implemented from June, a year after a similar uniform policy was enforced by the institution for junior students.

I will get myself admitted to another college, which is 15 kilometres away from home, but I will not change my clothing, she said.

Though the college has not officially released any circular in this regard, the new guidelines have been circulating in different WhatsApp groups of the students.

The message on WhatsApp groups states, Dear students, starting June 2024, a dress code will be enforced for all students. You must wear only formal and decent attire while in college. Full shirts or half shirts, normal trousers and any Indian or Western dress that is non-revealing and full formal are allowed for girls. However, you must remove any clothing or accessories that reveal religion, such as burkas, niqabs, hijabs, badges, caps or stoles, as soon as you arrive by going to the common room on the ground floor next to the Department of Chemistry. Only then can you move around the college. On Thursdays, there will be some relaxation in the dress code, but maintaining decency in dress remains a requirement.

The guideline has been issued by the principal and shared in WhatsApp groups by respective class managers, said a student on the condition of anonymity.

She said the timing of the announcement is strategic as most of the students are at home because of vacations and no classes taking place.

The time has been strategically chosen to ensure no there is no protest on the campus against the decision. Furthermore, the rules have been communicated to us only through WhatsApp so that if the management has to withdraw it in view of potential agitation, our protest can be described as baseless and based on rumours, she said.

Interestingly, the group settings were allegedly changed before the message was sent. Previously, students could reply to conversations in the groups, but right before the new dress code was shared, the group settings were changed to admin only, revealed another student.

When she tried to contact the principal to discuss the matter with her parents, the person responded dismissively, saying, Neither waste my time nor your parents. Nothing will change. We are sticking to the decision.

Commenting on the irrationality behind the decision, Ateeq Ahmad, an educator from the city, called out the hypocrisy of the decision-makers. What decency are they trying to imply? Do they only have issues with Muslim attire? This is clear prejudice against Muslims. Who else would make such hypocritical rules? They demand non-revealing clothes but reject the burqa (veil). They want decent clothes, but not the burqa. Moral precepts may differ from person to person. And why is there a relaxation on Thursday? How will this improve things for the students? he posed a battery of questions.

Complaint Copy of HRCnet (1)

He said they dont understand the true intentions of the authorities. This will only discourage Muslim students from attending schools and colleges. Perhaps, that is their hidden motive, he speculated.

He said they have written to the human rights and minority commissions on behalf of the students. But the authorities remain steadfast in their decision.

The new rules seemingly violate Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees a person the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate his or her religion.

Last year, there was a similar ban on hijab for senior secondary students that seem to have been degree college students as well.

As stated by Subodh Acharya, the general secretary of the colleges governing council and a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, the reason behind the policy change is to increase college placements.

Our students come from poor family backgrounds. I want them to have a good reputation in society, he said when asked why the college felt the need to ban religious attire when other degree colleges in the city do not have such restrictions.

Students should learn values and etiquette  how to live and behave in society. If they seek jobs while wearing the burqa, will they be considered? he asked.

najeeen Copy of HRCnet (2)

Nitizens are criticizing the decision, calling Acharyas remarks as communal and classist. One final year student pointed out that many students who go to college do not wish to participate in placements. They simply want to get a degree and be self-employed. Moreover, women can work while wearing religious attire, she said.

Saif Alam, counsel to an aggrieved student, said, The decision to impose a uniform dress code on university-going students is completely baseless and filled with prejudice.

Why does the college think it needs to impose a dress code on students from poor families, he asked, claiming that the decision is influenced by a classist mentality.

Maharashtra had reformers like Fatima Shaikh and Savitribai Phule, who fought for womens education. These cowardly steps by the college have brought shame upon us all and will only discourage female Muslim students from pursuing higher education, said Alam.

Another student, Ayesha, a resident of Shivaji Nagar, said, Most of the students in my class are Muslims. When the college introduced uniform dress code, we agreed to wear them. Our parents only had one request: headscarves must be allowed.

She further pointed out many students in the college come from the Govandi and Shivaji Nagar slums, where a significant number of Muslims reside. If these students are not allowed to wear burqas, many may be forced to discontinue their education.

The college is the closest option for slum dwellers to pursue bachelors.

IMG_20240515_172951

When asked if wearing hijab or naqab has hindered their education or learning abilities, a student responded, We have never encountered such prejudice from school administrators before. Our teachers recognize us by our names and voices. We always carry identification cards with us. During exams, we wore naqabs and headscarves, and there were no objections. If a teacher had any suspicion about a student during the exam, he/she can check the student, and we all cooperate.

She said there was no need for a complete ban on hijab as it does not violate anyones right to education. We have been able to pursue our education without any challenges, she said.

She said a similar notice was issued on May 16, 2024 that was vehemently opposed by students. Following the protest, it was amended and the terms hijab and naqab were removed. But it continued to mention that religiously symbolic clothing was forbidden, which confused the students even more. We have no idea what will happen when we go to the college from the next session. We are afraid that we will be able to complete our degree?

Saif Alam, who is representing many students, said he will continue to fight the decision in court of law till authorities withdraw the decision.

College Principal Vidya Gauri has defended the dress code policy, stating that it was implemented to ensure uniformity and prevent discrimination based on caste, religion or class.

It is worth noting that a similar ban on hijab in Karnataka colleges had caused controversy last year, leading to protests across the country. The matter ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict on whether Muslim students should shed their hijab.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia would regard the seizure of revenue from its frozen assets in the European Union as a violation of all norms of the global economic system, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

EU countries have formally adopted a plan to use windfall profits from Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU for Ukraine's defence, the Belgian government said this week.

The Group of Seven countries (G7) froze around $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. The EU expects the assets to yield about 15-20 billion euros ($16.30-$21.70 billion) in profits by 2027.

"...We can see they are being careful, they understand the potential danger of such decisions and the potential consequences for themselves which are inevitable. That is why they have gone for the smaller option (versus confiscating all assets)," Peskov told a news briefing.

"But even the smaller option is to us nothing less than expropriation."

Peskov said that Moscow was still working on its response to such a move and would closely monitor its implementation.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Andrew Osborn)
By Anthony Deutsch, Andreas Rinke and Andrew MacAskill

THE HAGUE/BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) - International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has created a diplomatic quandary for some key member states: How to be supportive of both Israel and the ICC?

Khan's move on Monday, the first attempt to go after a sitting, Western-backed head of state, has yet to be reviewed by ICC judges who can amend, reject or approve it. But his step into the globally divisive Israeli-Palestinian conflict has some of the ICC's vocal backers questioning the extent of their loyalty.

Prosecutors had flagged plans ahead of time to some capitals, including Paris, London and Berlin, enabling governments to coordinate reactions. Still, many declined to say what they will do in the event that warrants over the war in Gaza are issued against Israeli leaders.

"...Of course it puts us into trouble for various reasons," a German government official said on condition of anonymity, citing Berlin's simultaneous unwavering political commitment to Israel's security and support for an independent ICC prosecutor.

Germany has already defended its policy of supplying arms to Israel at another international court in The Hague, and an ICC warrant for Netanyahu would add more unwelcome political pressure, diplomatic sources said.

It could also undermine German efforts to bolster support for the ICC in Washington, one government source said.

U.S. President Joe Biden called Khan's targeting of Israeli officials "outrageous" and said there is no equivalence between Hamas and Israel, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is willing to work with Congress to potentially impose sanctions on ICC officials.

The war in Gaza erupted after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing over 250 hostages according to Israeli tallies. Over 35,000 Palestinians have since been killed in an Israeli invasion and bombardments of Gaza, with at least 10,000 more missing and much of the enclave pounded into rubble, Gaza's health ministry says.

Khan requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as well as three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the conflict.

BRITAIN AND ITALY AT ODDS WITH FRANCE

Divisions in Europe over Khan's decision reflect a deeper international schism over the Palestinians' longtime quest for statehood, brought to the forefront on Wednesday when several countries said they would recognise a Palestinian state.

All 27 European Union countries are ICC members and EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell noted that they "are bound to execute the court's decisions".

But Khan's move exposed political differences between European powers over the conflict and their efforts to support international justice.

Britain, an ICC member since 2001 which backed Khan's bid to become prosecutor, had sought ways together with G7 counterparts to prevent the ICC from issuing "problematic" warrants for Israelis, one diplomatic source said.

"I don't believe for one moment that seeking these warrants is going to help get the hostages out, it's not going to help get aid in and it's not going to help deliver a sustainable ceasefire," Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Britain's upper house of parliament on Tuesday.

"And as we've said from the outset, because Israel is not a signatory to the (ICC's founding) Rome statute and because Palestine is not recognised as a state, we don't think that the court has jurisdiction in this area," he added.

While Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects its jurisdiction, the court admitted the Palestinian territories in 2015 and Khan says his office has jurisdiction over the events since Oct. 7 in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told local TV on Monday he opposed equating the crimes of Hamas - an Islamist movement sworn to Israel's destruction - on Oct. 7 to the response of the military of a democratically elected government.

He told Corriere della Sera daily on Tuesday that an ICC warrant could "fuel antisemitism." An Italian Foreign Ministry official said any coordinated response by European states is unlikely because of differing views on the ICC and Israel.

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin of Ireland said "it is vital that we respect the independence and impartiality of the ICC", while Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the prosecutor's request was "appalling and completely unacceptable".

In a statement, France said it had for months "been warning of the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law, and in particular of the unacceptable level of civilian casualties" in Gaza.

The French Foreign Ministry added that it "supports the International Criminal Court, its independence and the fight against impunity in all situations".

Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, also posting on social media, welcomed the "good news" of the ICC prosecutor's request. "International law must apply to everyone. We have been calling for months for support for their investigation."

Spain's cooperation with the ICC arrest warrants is anchored in domestic law and executing them is "automatic" through Interpol, a government source said on condition of anonymity.

Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes, and representatives of both sides criticised Khan's decision.

ICC INDEPENDENCE

Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the request for warrants in itself could limit any travel plans for Netanyahu and Gallant.

All 124 member states are required to arrest wanted fugitives from the ICC, he said.

"It would be especially damaging if European countries fail to observe arrest warrants, as they have always been among the court's most active supporters," he said.

"It is vital for the credibility of European claims to support the rule of law that European officials do nothing to undermine or condemn the ICC's actions, or suggest that democratic countries should be above the law."

The ICC has no police force, so the arrest of suspects must be carried out by member or cooperative states. In 2015, South Africa let then-Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir walk away even though the ICC wanted him for alleged war crimes and genocide.

The Netherlands, an outspoken ally of Israel which hosts an array of international courts in The Hague, declined to answer specific questions about whether it would act upon a possible warrant in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch, Andrew MacAskill, Andreas Rinke; additional reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam, Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, Elizabeth Piper in London, Tassilo Hummel in Paris, Belen Carreno in Madrid, Angelo Amante in Rome and Jan Lopatka in Prague; editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Lucy Craymer and Lewis Jackson

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealands proposed defence budget will be 6.6% smaller than the current year's, according to the defence minister's office, even as the armed forces struggle with ageing equipment, a shortage of manpower and ambitions for a greater regional role.

According to previously unreported data, provided to Reuters by the defence minister, the proposed defence budget will fall to NZ$4.95 billion ($3.03 billion) for the year that ends in June 2025. This year's defence budget was NZ$5.3 billion.

The new budget, to be presented on May 30, would put New Zealands defence spending at 0.9% of GDP, down from 1% in the current year, according to the defence force.

The drop in budgeted spending comes as recent government reports have warned about old equipment, and the military has struggled to hire and retain personnel. Alongside those challenges, the government wants to improve the state of the country's armed forces and take on more regional and global missions - as well as investigate a bid to join the AUKUS defence pact.

"I have been consistently clear that Defence will need more funding and am committed to supporting Defence," Defence Minister Judith Collins told Reuters in an email, adding that big decisions on capital spending would be made after the completion of a Defence Capability Plan in June.

The country's Finance Ministry presents the government budget, which parliament must approve. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in an email that the government had announced NZ$571 million of new defence spending over the next four years.

The ministry said that it was not cutting existing spending, as the current defence budget was boosted by large capital expenditures on new aircraft, and that future capital investment decisions were "still under consideration".

Many of New Zealand's traditional partners, such as Australia and Japan, are ramping up spending in response to Chinas growing military presence in the region.

Japan, which spent roughly 1% of GDP on defence as recently as 2022, will hit about 1.6% next year and aims to reach 2% by 2028. Australia will go from 2% to around 2.4% over the next decade.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has worked hard to increase international engagement since taking office, including sending a maritime security team to the Red Sea. But falling revenue and rising debt have hamstrung the country's ability to boost defence spending even as it says it is concerned about China's growing presence in the Pacific and a worsening global security environment.

The government has made it clear that it wants to spend more on defence and be seen to be doing more in the defence space, but decades of sustained underinvestment mean chickens are coming home to roost, said David Capie, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University. Its not going to be fixed in one budget; it's going to take significant and sustained investment over a long period of time. The government has said it wants to cut spending on average by 6.5% to 7.5% across all agencies.

Three of the Royal New Zealand Navys nine ships are already stuck in port for want of crew. The Air Force's Boeing 757-2K2s regularly break down, and in March, Luxon had to take a commercial jet to an ASEAN summit after his plane was grounded.

New Zealand also had to ask other countries for help with maritime surveillance and regional search rescue operations after retiring its P-3K2 Orions five months early because of staff shortages.

In February, outgoing Chief of Defence Air Marshal Kevin Short estimated that the country was just over NZ$5 billion behind in defence spending from where it was projected to be in the 2019 Defence Capability Plan.

He told a parliament committee this year that readiness continues to be one of the New Zealand Defence Forces greatest challenge.

AUKUS UNLIKELY

New Zealand's lagging military spending and ability will damage its chances of joining a technology-focused part of the AUKUS defence pact, diplomatic sources say. The government is in the midst of discussions on what joining would entail.

Australia, Britain and the United States signed the pact in 2021. At its core is a plan to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines, but a second stage to develop other military technology, such as hypersonic missiles, is open to more countries. Both South Korea and Japan have expressed interest.

Diplomatic sources say prospective joiners need to bring money, technology or industrial capacity to the table to justify the extra complexity that comes with adding members.

That puts New Zealand at a disadvantage, according to a source in New Zealand government.

"You need to show some money," said a diplomat from an AUKUS country based in Australia. Both sources declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

"You've got to show you're investing in the industrial base that would make you a useful ally, otherwise you're adding complexity without benefits," the source in Australia said.

($1 = 1.6329 New Zealand dollars)

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Lewis Jackson in Sydney. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Poland says it backs two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians

German, Polish and French Foreign Ministers meet at the Chateau de la Celle Saint-Cloud near Paris

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland said on Wednesday that it backed a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis between Israel and the Palestinians, after Ireland, Spain and Norway announced that they would recognise a Palestinian state.

"We will support the efforts of the High Representative of the European Union and other countries that believe that some long-term, stable solution is needed," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.

"And we believe that such a stable, long-term solution would be the existence of two states."

Poland recognised the proclamation of an independent Palestinian state in 1988, according to the ministry's website.

(Reporting by Anna Koper and Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
A man cycles in front of the National Assembly Building of Vietnam, in Hanoi

A man cycles in front of the National Assembly Building of Vietnam, in Hanoi

By Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam's parliament elected police minister To Lam as the state president on Wednesday, in a move analysts see as a "stepping stone" for Lam to bid later for the position of chief of the ruling Communist Party, the country's top job.

Lam's election followed the appointment on Monday by Vietnam's National Assembly of its new chairman, former deputy Tran Thanh Man, possibly bringing to a temporary end two-months of heightened political turbulence which saw the exit of three of Vietnam's top five leaders over unspecified wrongdoings.

In line with normal procedures in the tightly-controlled one-party state, lawmakers voted unanimously on a resolution that approved Lam's election after a secret ballot about him, the only candidate for the job. That followed his nomination by the Communist Party last week.

As head of the public security ministry, Lam, 66, has been a crucial figure in a sweeping anti-graft campaign, known as "blazing furnace", which is aimed at rooting out widespread corruption but has also been seen by critics as a tool to sideline opponents during political infighting.

That in turn is denting the country's appeal among foreign investors, who mostly reduced their securities holdings in recent months in coincidence with bad political news. It is also paralysing the public administration, with billions of dollars in foreign aid and public funds unspent.

After his election, Lam told lawmakers he would "resolutely and persistently continue the fight against corruption".

The state president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the country's top four political positions, the so-called 'four pillars'. The others are the party chief, the prime minister and the parliament speaker.

Political infighting is expected to temporarily abate after Lam's election, said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor and Vietnam expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

But the crucial battle remains to be fought, as the ageing party chief Nguyen Phu Trong's third five-year term ends in 2026 - or earlier if he steps down before his mandate expires.

"To Lam could use his position as one of the 'four pillars' as a stepping stone to become general secretary," said Thayer, referring to the party chief job.

"With the elevation to the office of president, it becomes clear that there are more ambitions for To Lam than retirement," said Florian Feyerabend, the representative in Vietnam for Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank, noting the position could be a "launch pad" to win the party chief job.

Until that crucial position is filled, Feyerabend expected continued infighting, which he defined as "the modus operandi of the system."

The parliament on Wednesday also voted to dismiss Lam from his post as police minister, according to state media, a move not originally in its schedule.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned Deputy Minister of Public Security Tran Quoc To, 62, to temporarily head the ministry, online newspaper VietnamNet cited a government decision as saying.

GOLD STEAK

Lam's rise has not been without controversy.

In 2021, celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, known as "Salt Bae", uploaded a video of himself feeding Lam a gold encrusted steak at his London restaurant, while Vietnam was under COVID-19 lockdown. The video went viral before the Turkish chef removed it.

A noodle vendor who later posted a video imitating "Salt Bae" was sentenced to five years in prison for "anti-state propaganda".

Lam was the head of the public security ministry when in 2017 Vietnam's security services allegedly carried out an extraordinary rendition of a Vietnamese business executive from Germany through Slovakia. The case rattled relations with both countries.

The U.S. State Department's report on human rights in Vietnam in 2023, warned of significant violations by security forces and cited "credible reports that members of the security forces committed numerous abuses".

(Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Martin Petty and Michael Perry)
Ebrahim Raisis Death: Accident or Conspiracy?

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed when his helicopter crashed on May 19, 2024 in a mountainous border region, was a consummate regime loyalist whose passing will be a severe blow to the countrys leadership.

Thursday May 23, 2024 0:22 AM , Asad Mirza

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed when his helicopter crashed on May 19, 2024 in a mountainous border region, was a consummate regime loyalist whose passing will be a severe blow to the countrys leadership. The change forced by the Iranian helicopter crash in Azerbaijan, earlier this week, will have important implications for an Iranian state that is consumed by domestic challenges, and regional and international confrontation.

Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, Raisi acted as an assiduous apparatchik of the Islamic Republic and a prominent protege of the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Before becoming president in 2021, Raisi held various positions at the judiciary ministry, under the purview of the supreme leader. Since 2006, Raisi served on the Assembly of Experts, a body that appoints and supervises the supreme leader.

And despite being seen as lacking charisma and eloquence, it was thought that Raisi, 63, was being groomed to succeed the 85-year-old Khamenei as supreme leader.

A chequered domestic record

Domestically, Raisis presidency was both the cause and consequence of a legitimacy crisis and societal challenges for the regime.

He controversially won the 2021 presidential election after a high number of candidate disqualifications by the Guardian Council, which vets candidates, and a historically low voter turnout of less than 50%.

To appease his conservative base, Raisi and his government reinvigorated the morality police and re-imposed religious restrictions on society.

Meanwhile, under Raisi, Irans economy continued to suffer due to a combination of government control, along with U.S. sanctions that have intensified in response to Tehrans overseas provocations in favour of Muslims the world over.

Confrontation over rapprochement

Domestic turmoil under Raisis presidency was accompanied by shifts in Irans regional and international role.

As supreme leader, Khamenei has the final say on foreign policy. But Raisi presided over a state that continued down the path of confrontation toward its adversaries, notably the U.S. and Israel.

And whether out of choice or perceived necessity, Tehran has moved further away from any idea of rapprochement with the West.

Faced with increased U.S. sanctions, Iran under Raisi has been reluctant to revive the nuclear deal. Instead, Iran has increased uranium enrichment, blocked international inspectors, and become a nuclear threshold state.

Raisi also continued the Look to the East policy of his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani. To this end, he and his government pursued greater rapprochement with China.

Beijing, in turn, offered an economic lifeline by importing Iranian oil and brokering a diplomatic agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023.

Meanwhile, under Raisis presidency, Iran continued to serve as an ally and funder of anti-US and anti-West conflicts, delivering combat drones to Russia for use in Ukraine and providing arms to various regional proxies in the Middle East.

Since the war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, Iran under Khamenei and Raisi had maintained a delicate balance between enabling its regional proxies to counter Israel and the United States while avoiding a direct confrontation with both countries, who are conventionally superior foes.

Raisi  although not directly responsible for foreign policy, had been a key supporter of the Iranian regimes attempts to further distance itself from the established international order and seek alliances with countries similarly antagonistic toward the West.

What a change in president could mean

In Raisi, Supreme Leader Khamenei had a long-time loyalist, regime insider and a prospective successor.

Regionally and internationally, it could mean forging stronger ties with budding allies and pursuing calculated confrontation against traditional adversaries.

India-Iran ties during Ebrahim Raisi's years in power

Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Amirabdollahian were key to the conclusion of some of India's major investments on Iran's Chabahar Port, located just 200 km from China-funded Gwadar port in Pakistan, and key to India's connectivity ambitions with Russia through Central Asia.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Iran in January this year with focus to conclude Chabahar Port Deal and developments on North-South Corridor.

Iran is at the centre of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Just last week, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal signed on the deal to operate Chabahar Port for the next 10 years in a major geo-economic breakthrough for the two countries.

New Delhi had been Tehran's key supporter for joining the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), a development that finally took place in September 2023 during South Africa BRICS summit.

Prior to that, in New Delhi's corridors of power, Tehran's support to the New Delhi-led Voice of the Global South summits was widely acknowledged.

Despite Washington's relentless pursuit against Iranian interests, it was India that secured a waiver from the US in 2018 for investments related to Chabahar Port through its steadfast diplomatic capital. Tehran recognises New Delhi's geo-economic significance and it's this exact recognition that drove the two sides closer during Raisi's years in power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of condolence in terms of Raisi's "contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship" indicates the strides the two countries had made in recent years.

Even after his death his critics describe him as a hardliner, who quashed dissent forcefully. But the bigger question is whether this was indeed a mechanical failure or a sabotage or part of a larger conspiracy. Additionally, why Raisi and Amirabdollahian were cleared to travel by the security and intelligence agencies in the same 40-years old helicopter? If indeed it was a conspiracy, then who was behind it? Only time will tell.

Added to this is the fact that the crash has set the tongues wagging with some pointing out to a conspiracy angle. Unconfirmed reports say that it might be a result of succession game in Iran, with fingers being pointed to Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom the supreme leader may want to take over as the supreme leader but paradoxically he was also grooming Raisi for the top post. Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains in shadows and maintains a very low public profile, is believed by observers to be the second-in-command at the office of the supreme leader behind the longstanding chief gatekeeper Mohammad Golpayegani. And this crash might serve to clear the road for his accession to the top post in Iran.

Who was Hossein Amirabdollahian?

Hossein Amirabdollahian was Irans Foreign Minister, a hard-liner close to the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, who confronted the West while also overseeing indirect talks with the US over the countrys nuclear program.

Amirabdollahian represented the hard-line shift in Iran after the collapse of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers after then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord. He served under President Ebrahim Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and followed their policies.

As the foreign minister Amirabdollahian represented the hard-line shift after the collapse of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. However, Amirabdollahian also was involved in efforts to reach a detente with regional rival Saudi Arabia in 2023, a move eclipsed months later by tensions that arose over the Israel-Hamas war.

Amirabdollahian served in the Foreign Ministry under Ali Akbar Salehi in 2011 through 2013. He then returned for several years under Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was a key player in the nuclear deal reached under the administration of the relative moderate President Hassan Rouhani.

But Zarif and Amirabdollahian had a falling out, likely over internal differences in Irans foreign policy. Zarif offered him the ambassadorship to Oman, still a strategically important post given the sultanate long serving as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. But Amirabdollahian refused.

He became foreign minister under Raisi with his election in 2021. He backed the Iranian government position, even as mass protests swept the country in 2022.

During the Israel-Hamas war, he met with foreign officials and the leader of Hamas. He also threatened retaliation against Israel and praised an April attack on Israel. He also oversaw Irans response to a brief exchange of airstrikes with Irans nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan and worked on diplomacy with the Taliban in Afghanistan, with whom Iran had tense relations.

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, Irans interim president?

Mohammad Mokhber is Irans current interim president. The former first vice president held an extraordinary meeting with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker, on Monday morning.

As per the constitution, the three must set things in motion for a new presidential election to be held within 50 days. Mokhber will remain interim president until then.

Raisi appointed Mokhber as the first vice president in August 2021, shortly after Raisi took office. He is the seventh person to serve in that role since the revision of the constitution in 1989  and one of the most influential.

As first vice president, Mokhber travelled across the country to inaugurate a variety of government development projects and accompanied Raisi or led delegations himself on many foreign trips. He is reported to have visited Russia, along with senior military and security officials, to discuss arms transfers.

Mokhber was on a list of individuals and entities sanctioned by the European Union in 2010 for alleged involvement in activities concerning Irans nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Two years later, the bloc removed him from the list. He is also seen as a man of action with longstanding experience in managing large-scale executive affairs.

Before his appointment to the vice presidency, Mokhber served for 14 years as head of Irans Setad, or the Organisation for the Execution of Imam Khomeinis Order. Setad is a highly powerful economic conglomerate established under Irans first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to focus on charitable affairs. It is now believed to be worth tens of billions of dollars and remains under the direct control of the Iranian supreme leader. Under his leadership, Setad developed COVIran Barekat, the main coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Iran.

[The writer, Asad Mirza, is Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator.]





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Mark Aaron Verville, 32, was charged with intoxication manslaughter. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A man is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge after he was accused of crashing head-on into a vehicle while driving the wrong way.

Mark Aaron Verville, 32, was arrested Tuesday. His bail was set at $150,000.

Verville is accused of crashing into a vehicle on Wurzbach Parkway near West Avenue on Tuesday, killing Christopher Alexander Cabral. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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According to a San Antonio police report, Verville was intoxicated and driving the wrong way on Wurzbach Parkway before the crash. When officers spoke to Verville afterward, he said he had "consumed a good amount of alcohol" and was "lost," according to the police report.

Verville had glassy eyes and was stumbling and struggling to stay balanced, according to the report. He later told officers that he was from Helotes and was on his way back to Helotes, the report states.

When asked what he drank and how much he had, he told officers he had "enough to crash into somebody, I guess."

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HA NOI Viet Nam's import of mobile phones and components reached over US$3 billion during the first quarter of 2024, according to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The first quarter of 2024 saw the Southeast Asian country import $3.079 billion worth of mobile phones and components, a 22.4 per cent increase compared to last year and the fifth largest import of the country. The numbers showed Viet Nam spent a total of $789.7 million importing mobile phones and components in April, a slight decrease of just one per cent compared to the previous month.

Top suppliers included mainland China, South Korea and Hong Kong (China).

Of which, mainland China contributed over $2.66 billion, a significant jump of 25 per cent compared to the same period last year, South Korea $134.5 million, a 21 per cent decrease year-on-year. During the period, Hong Kong recorded a significant growth of 275 per cent, or $25.3 million.

Other large suppliers included India, the UK, Taiwan (China), the US and Japan.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam exported $18.1 billion in mobile phones and components during the first quarter of the year, a 5 per cent increase year-on-year, accounting for the second largest export from the country, following computers, electronic products and components.

China was the Southeast Asian top exporter of mobile phones. Viet Nam has maintained a strong momentum to increase its global market share from just under 1 per cent in 2010 to over 12 per cent in 2022 with the US being the main growth driver. From 2018 to 2022, Viet Nam's market share of smartphone exports to the US doubled from 9 per cent to 18 per cent.

China continued to dominate the world's mobile phone industry, accounting for nearly half of the global market share despite large falls in demand and supply disruption during the pandemic. Hong Kong has leveraged its strategic location, trade infrastructure and business-friendly environment to become a crucial gateway for smartphone manufacturers, accounting for 9.6 per cent of the global market.

Singapore-based research firm Canalys estimated that 1.13 billion smartphones were shipped in 2023 and are expected to reach over 1.17 billion this year. Production was also expected to reach 1.25 billion units by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6 per cent from 2023 to 2027.

In the domestic market, according to market research firm Statista, the Viet Nam market was projected to reach $4 billion this year with a compound annual growth rate of 1.45 per cent from 2024 to 2028.

In 2024, smartphone sales in the country have been forecast to reach 21.4 million units. Since the beginning of the year, several new phone models have been launched to positive reviews including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series, Honor X9b 5G and Xiaomi Redmi 12 Series. VNS
HA NOI  The US Department of Commerce (DOC) recently announced preliminary conclusions of the anti-dumping investigation into aluminum extrusions and aluminium products originated from Viet Nam, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam.

The investigation was initiated on October 24, 2023 at the request of the US United Steel, Paper & Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Service Workers International Union. The investigation was from April 1 to September 30, 2023.

The DOC decided to impose a preliminary anti-subsidy tax rate of 2.85 per cent on a mandatory defendant enterprise and 28 firms while a rate of 41.84 per cent was levied on the remaining ones.

It is expected to conduct an on-site examination for the mandatory defendant, and release the final conclusion on September 19, the authority said.

The Viet Nam Association of Aluminium is recommended to update manufacturers and exporters on the information, while enterprises must keep close tabs on the cases developments, study the USs policy and antidumping procedures, and diversify markets.

Besides, enterprises should cooperate with the DOC during the investigation, and update the authority with latest information for timely support.  VNS
HA NOI  Lao Cai has proposed a pilot of a cross-border e-commerce zone or a free trade zone in the northern mountainous province to bridge Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries with the Chinese market.

In a proposal to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the provincial Department of Industry and Trade urged the early submission of the project to create a commercial hub connecting economic and trade with the Southwest region of China for approval.

Lao Cai is also looking for Governments approval to develop a regional ASEAN-China logistics centre in the province.

The MoIT said that it has already discussed with the Chinese side how to operate models such as a free trade zone and a cross-border e-commerce zone and will be reporting back to Lao Cai Province.

The ministry also urged Lao Cai to learn from the experience of building a smart border gate of Lang Son Province.

Lao Cai Province Department of Industry and Trade said that China is developing an e-commerce zone with a total investment of US$525 million in Hekou to promote trade and logistics.  VNS
SINGAPORE  Amway Vietnam  a global brand in health and beauty has received the prestigious ASEAN Outstanding Business Award at the ASEAN Award 2024 Announcement Ceremony.

The event was held during the 5th ASEAN Economic Forum organised by the Vietnam-ASEAN Entrepreneurship Development Research Institute in Singapore on May 18, 2024.

This award is a testament to Amway's significant contributions to innovation, economic development, social security, and sustainable development in the region.

The Nutrilite brand, a subsidiary of Amway, was also honored with the ASEAN Famous Brand award for its exceptional achievements in the health and beauty sector, further solidifying Amway's position as a global leader in this industry.

These accolades highlight Amway's pivotal role in Viet Nam's economic landscape, bolstering the country's international standing.

ASEAN typical enterprise

To be recognised as an ASEAN Typical Enterprise, companies must meet rigorous criteria set by the Organising Committee, including fostering peace, security, and stability in the region, demonstrating growth in business and production over the past three years, and exhibiting competitiveness, sustainable integration, and a commitment to human resource development.

Additionally, recognised enterprises must prioritise economic development while championing environmental protection, fulfilling social responsibilities, and promoting community awareness and ASEAN identity.

Amway's success in Viet Nam can be attributed to its robust network of 300,000 distributors and strategic investments in nutritional science, technology, and innovation. Since 2018, the company has allocated over US$500 million towards the development of a digital ecosystem to enhance distributor efficiency and convenience.

Furthermore, Amway's establishment of modern and engaging Experience Centers across various provinces and cities reflects its commitment to providing superior customer experiences.

In addition to its business endeavors, Amway remains steadfast in its commitment to green economic development, exemplified by its partnership with the Ministry of Health on initiatives like the Power of 5 programme, which aims to improve child nutrition. Moreover, the company actively engages in educational campaigns to promote health awareness and the use of natural nutritional products.

ASEAN famous brand

Amway's recognition as an ASEAN Famous Brand underscores its product quality, competitiveness, and commitment to consumer value. Nutrilite, with its 90-year legacy of excellence, has been instrumental in this regard, offering a diverse range of natural nutritional solutions backed by rigorous testing and sustainable practices.

The Nutrilite brand's recognition as an ASEAN Famous Brand is a testament to its longstanding commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. With a rich history dating back to 1934, Nutrilite has established itself as a global leader in nutritional supplements and vitamins. Its dedication to providing high-quality products is evident in every aspect of its operations, from sourcing raw materials from certified organic farms to rigorous quality control measures.

The brand's emphasis on environmentally friendly practices further underscores its commitment to the well-being of both consumers and the ASEAN community at large. By utilising regenerative farming methods and natural water sources, Nutrilite ensures that its products are not only safe and effective but also environmentally sustainable.

Looking ahead, Amway is poised to further streng then its presence in ASEAN markets, leveraging its achievements to drive continued growth and innovation.

The company's participation in the ASEAN Economic Forum serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and advancing regional economic integration.

Huynh Thien Trieu, General Director of Amway Vietnam, expressed confidence in the company's ability to sustainably contribute to Viet Nam's prosperity, emphasising Amway's commitment to ongoing research and development to enhance people's quality of life and well-being.

The ASEAN Award 2024 serves not only as recognition of past accomplishments but also as motivation for Amway to strive for greater heights in its mission to promote healthier and happier lifestyles.  VNS
IEN BIEN  The construction of a rubber processing plant, worth VN60 billion (over US$2.36 million), began on Wednesday in the northern ien Bien province's Hua Thanh Commune.

Financed by the province-based ien Bien Rubber JSC, the plant will produce 5,000 tonnes of products annually once operational in 2025.

Over the past four months, Viet Nam shipped nearly 500,000 tonnes of rubber worth $743 million, up 6.4 per cent in volume and 14 per cent in value.

China remained the largest consumer of Vietnamese rubber during this time, accounting for 80 per cent of the country's total export volume, followed by India.

The Vietnam Rubber Association forecast that the country's rubber exports are expected to reach between $3.3 billion and $3.5 billion in value by the end of the year.  VNS
HA NOI  The Cross-border E-commerce Summit 2024, which opened yesterday in Ha Noi, placed emphasis on a forward-thinking approach in embracing cross-border e-commerce as an opportune means to elevate Vietnamese enterprises and brands onto the global stage, thus reinforcing import-export activities.

The event, themed 'The Quintessence of Vietnamese Goods Soaring Globally,' was organised by Amazon Global Selling Vietnam (AGSV) in coordination with the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency (VEDEA) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The forum also highlighted a series of promising outcomes, showing that the recent explosion of e-commerce has significantly supported Viet Nam's import-export activities.

Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen, VEDEAs Deputy Director, said that retail e-commerce turnover has grown at an average rate of about 20 per cent over the past decade, propelling Viet Nam into the ranks of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the region and the world.

The global e-commerce market is expected to grow rapidly, with estimated revenues reaching US$7.4 trillion by 2025. Against the backdrop of Viet Nam's deepening integration into the global economy, coupled with opportunities from new-generation free trade agreements, the trend of transitioning from traditional business to digital platforms is seen as an effective way for businesses to penetrate and expand into export markets, Huyen said.

The authority is implementing the National E-commerce Development Master Plan (2021-2025) to strengthen the e-commerce market and consumer trust, she said. Both promoting exports and boosting domestic consumption of local products through e-commerce are priorities. Currently, the agency is partnering with provincial authorities to enhance e-commerce management, support digital transformation, and promote local products on platforms like San Viet.

Gijae Song, CEO of Amazon Global Selling Vietnam, said that in just the past five years, the number of products sold by Vietnamese partners on Amazon has increased by over 300 per cent, while the number of Vietnamese partner businesses achieving $1 million in revenue per year on Amazon has increased nearly tenfold.

Amazons Brand Registry programme has also seen 35 times more Vietnamese businesses participating in the same period.

Gijae pointed out some advantages for Vietnamese sellers, such as vibrant online seller communities and significant manufacturing advantages due to lower labour costs and high-quality outputs. However, he said Vietnamese manufacturers are predominantly set up for large-scale, pre-planned orders, making it difficult to adapt to the fast-changing demands of online retail. Additionally, while Vietnamese sellers are quick to seize short-term opportunities, many lack the experience and strategies for building long-term, sustainable businesses.

AGSVs leader advised local businesses to focus on speed and customer needs. Successful e-commerce sellers need to rapidly incorporate customer feedback into their products and bring them to market quickly. A balanced approach combining rapid responsiveness with strategic planning is key to thriving in the competitive e-commerce landscape, he said.

Partnering with industry associations

ABSG unveiled Phase 2 of the 'Cross-border E-commerce: A Breakthrough Era' programme in collaboration with the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy through the 'Industry Linkage  Growth with Cross-border E-commerce' initiative. This programme will aid collaboration between pivotal associations and industries to collectively boost and fortify cross-border e-commerce capabilities for leading export sectors. It aims to heighten awareness, furnish additional training resources, and assist member businesses to succeed in the realm of global e-commerce.

Ngo Sy Hoai, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (VIFOREST), noted that Viet Nam's wood industry has experienced continuous growth for 20 years, with an annual growth rate of over 10 per cent. The industry is positioned as one of the biggest beneficiaries of e-commerce, with revenue on Amazon's platform among the top categories. Despite progress, the Vietnamese wood industry still grapples with various weaknesses and challenges. Primarily, most wood processing businesses are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) focused on processing orders from external importers, limiting added value.

For the textile and garment industry, e-commerce offers a direct avenue to end consumers, facilitating brand building despite smaller volumes.

Truong Van Cam, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), emphasised Amazon's role in enabling direct customer access for textile products, affirming Viet Nam's position with competitive pricing, quality and fast delivery. Cam expressed hope for Amazon to assist businesses in identifying strengths and weaknesses and enhancing value chain processes to further succeed in e-commerce.

In practice, accessing major e-commerce platforms worldwide still poses many challenges, such as inadequate supply of e-commerce workforce, lack of information about trends and regulations related to foreign markets, limited skills and knowledge about building business strategies, brand building and brand protection in cross-border e-commerce.

To address these issues, Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the VEDEAs Centre for E-Commerce Development, said alongside export promotion and local product consumption initiatives, they are collaborating with provinces and cities to organise regional linkage activities and capacity-building training in e-commerce management.

Local businesses interested in participating in e-commerce development training can register with their respective provincial Departments of Industry and Trade to receive specialised support and training. This aims to enable smoother participation in the cross-border e-commerce market, Thanh said.

A similar event will be held in HCM City on Friday.  VNS
TOKYO  Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on May 22 met Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro as part of his trip to Japan to attend the 29th International Conference on the Future of Asia (FOA).

The two sides noted with pleasure developments of the Vietnam-Japan relationship, which was upgraded to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World in November 2023.

Khai expressed his hope that Fukushiro will pay more attention to enhancing cooperation and exchanges between the two legislatures; helping Viet Nam in building an independent, self-reliant economy, and effectively joining global supply chains; promoting and effectively materialising new-generation official development assistance (ODA) to large-scale strategic infrastructure projects in Viet Nam .

He also called on the Japanese legislature to back the enhancement of labour cooperation between the two countries, and adopt policies in support of the Vietnamese community in the country.

For his part, Fukushiro asked Khai to convey his congratulations to Tran Thanh Man on his election as Chairman of the Vietnamese NA, and affirmed that the House of Representatives will support and further urge the Japanese Government to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam across spheres.

He emphasised the importance and necessity of fostering the bilateral friendship and economic collaboration in the new situation, saying Japan wishes to cooperate with Viet Nam in quality infrastructure construction.

Agreeing with Khais proposals, Fukushiro affirmed that the House of Representatives supports exchanges between the two countries in all channels, especially the legislature one, and promotes cooperation in personnel training.

On this occasion, Deputy PM Khai had a meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito Ken.

The Deputy PM suggested the ministry step up economic connectivity, as well as collaboration in digital technology infrastructure, digital economy and green economy.

He called for Japans further support to Viet Nam in industrialisation, modernisation, and the building of an independent, self-reliant economy, while helping Vietnamese firms join Japanese enterprises supply chains more intensively.

The two countries should beef up cooperation in logistics, and consider cooperation in building institutions, and personnel training for Viet Nam in semiconductors, new industries, green transition and digital transformation.

In rely, Saito expressed his hope for stronger cooperation with Vietnam in economy, trade and industry, pledging that Japan will help the Southeast Asian nation materialise its upper income status goal by 2045, and cooperate with the country in human resources development in new energy, semiconductors, digital technology, and new-generation automobile.

Japan is ready to cooperate with Viet Nam within the framework of the US$1.5 billion initiative to support Japanese businesses investing in Southern Hemisphere countries, Saito said, expressing his hope that the Vietnamese Government will take measures to ensure electricity for 2,500 Japanese businesses to operate stably there.

The same day, Khai hosted a reception for Co-Chairmen of the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN)s Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee Masayoshi Fujimoto and Masayuki Hyodo.

Speaking highly of contributions by the federation and the two chairmen to Viet Nams economic development, the Deputy PM suggested the committee encourage KEIDANREN members to increase their investments in Viet Nam in different spheres.

Hyodo said KEIDANREN considers Viet Nam one of the most important partners, and attaches importance to cooperation with the country in digital transformation and green transition, noting KEIDANREN members want to boost collaboration with the country.

Fujimoto stressed the determination to promote specific cooperation achievements in green transition, digital transformation, and investment climate improvement within the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative in the new era.

While in Japan, Khai met with Hayashi Nobumitsu, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), where the former suggested the bank provide preferential loans for Vietnam to implement projects within the Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Initiative, and support Japanese investors in Vietnam.

Nobumitsu said JBIC will support and accompany Viet Nam in both capital, technology and personnel training in the above-said projects, and affirmed that Vietnam is an attractive destination for Japanese businesses.

The Deputy PM also had a meeting with President of the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) of Japan Matsuzawa Ken and council members who expressed their interest in forging cooperation with Viet Nam in information-technology, and clean electricity production. - VNS
BERLIN - In a historic first time, a German chamber choir has brought the beauty of Vietnamese folk songs to life at the Berliner Philharmonie, one of the world's most renowned concert halls.

This remarkable event marked the culmination of the Berlin-Ha Noi 2023 music project, spearheaded by the German chamber choir Lichtenberger Piekfeine Tone.

It was a collaborative effort led by conductor Katrin Hubner from Germany, alongside Vietnamese traditional music artists Tran Phuong Hoa and Le Manh Hung. Joining them were Vietnamese vocalists, creating a musical tapestry that intertwined Vietnamese, German, and international works sung in various languages.

For this special occasion, Vietnamese folk songs like Cay Truc Xinh (Beautiful Bamboo Tree), Qua Cau Gio Bay (While Crossing The Bridge, The Wind Blew It Away), Beo Dat May Troi (When Earth and Sky Unite), and Ngua O Thuong Nho (Remembering The Black Horse) were arranged for choir by a team of talented musicians.

Professor-composer ang Ngoc Long from Berlin, composer Jezzy Da Lam Huong Thao Nguyen from Munich, and conductor Katrin Hubner all contributed their expertise to reimagine these beloved Vietnamese melodies for a choral setting.

The concert also featured a unique blend of traditional Vietnamese instruments played by artists Hoa and Hung, adding a rare and captivating layer to the classical four-part choral singing. Over 100 voices from three Berlin choirs, both male and female, brought these specially arranged pieces to life.

This was not the first time the Vietnamese music had graced Berlin's stages. In 1998, a traditional Vietnamese concert resonated within the walls of Berlin City Hall. Two years later, the city's House of Cultures of the World welcomed the sounds of Viet Nam.

The year 2001 saw Vietnamese traditional music touch the heart of the Beethoven Haus in Bonn. Notably, since 2007, Vietnamese traditional instruments have found a permanent place within the curricula of Berlin's public music schools.

The art exchange continued in 2014 when the opera Con Rong, Chau Tien (Children of Dragons and Fairies) was staged, featuring a fusion of Vietnamese instruments like the zither, monochord, and flute alongside the Bremen chamber symphony orchestra.

The opera's success culminated in a performance at the prestigious German Presidential Palace in Berlin in 2015. Most recently, in 2022, the choir of the Max Planck Gymnasium Berlin further solidified the cultural connection by presenting Vietnamese works like Trong Com (Cylindrical Drum), Inh La Oi (Oh Inh La), and Cay Truc Xinh. - VNS
HA NOI - The Viet Nam Post Corporation (VNPost) on May 21 released a postage stamp collection featuring cay che (the tea plant) to introduce the beauty and economic values of this industrial tree and promote the Vietnamese agricultural product to international friends.

The collection comprises two postage stamp models and a stamp block designed by artist Nguyen Du from VNPost.

The stamps, 32 by 43mm in size, depict the life cycle of a tea tree, and the traditional tea culture of Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, the stamp block, 90 by 80 mm in size, portrays tea growing areas, ancient tea trees and tea buds. Its background shows the image of Long Coc tea hill in the northern province of Phu Tho, known as a production hub of the unique Vietnamese Shan Tuyet tea product.

Tea is one of the main crops in many localities such as Thai Nguyen, Son La, Phu Tho, and Lam ong. The custom of drinking tea is popular in Viet Nam. With its own characteristics and essence, the tea culture has remained a pride of Vietnamese people.

Today, Vietnamese tea products have been exported to many foreign markets. Major Vietnamese tea brands include Tan Cuong of Thai Nguyen, Shan Tuyet of Ha Giang, Yen Bai and Son La, and O Long of Lam ong.

The cay che stamp collection has been put up for sale in the VNPost network from May 21 until December 31, 2025.

Earlier in 2022, the Ministry of Information and Communications issued a postage stamp collection featuring cay ca phe (the coffee plant) as part of its series on key Vietnamese industrial plants. - VNS
SCO countries remain China's important partners: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 09:41, May 22, 2024

ASTANA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have been important partners for China in high-level opening-up and high-quality development, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday during a meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs here.

Valuing the SCO's role, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, has become the fundamental principle of the SCO's continuous growth and a banner for promoting new types of international relations.

The more the world is entangled in turmoils, the more we need to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, hold on in the right direction, and make the SCO more effective in safeguarding common interests, addressing various challenges, and defending fairness and justice, he said.

Wang put forward four suggestions during the meeting: to maintain strategic autonomy and strengthen unity and cooperation; to share security responsibilities and lift cooperation to higher levels; to pursue inclusive and win-win cooperation and empower joint development; and to embrace openness and inclusiveness and deepen exchanges and mutual learning.

China is willing to work with SCO partners to actively advocate for a multipolar world with equality and order and inclusive economic globalization, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and create a better future together, Wang said.

At the meeting, the foreign ministers spoke highly of the roles and achievements of the SCO, and agreed to strengthen the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism so as to maintain regional peace and stability.

They also agreed that hot issues should be resolved by political and diplomatic means, while all parties should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold the authority of the United Nations Charter, oppose unilateralism, and promote world multipolarity.

Preparations were mulled during the meeting for the SCO Summit to be held in July in Astana.

Before the meeting, the foreign ministers observed a moment of silence in remembrance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who lost their lives in a recent helicopter crash.

Wang also participated in a group meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and held talks with foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, respectively.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Jim Bethke, executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office, confers with representatives from RAICES and American Gateways during a meeting of the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Jim Bethke, executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office, presents to the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Justin Tullius, the immigration resource attorney with the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office, addresses the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Bexar County residents facing deportation will soon be able to get free legal help through a new county-funded immigration legal defense fund.

The county is putting $1 million toward the first year of what leaders have said will be a pilot program that, if successful, could be expanded.

Fair and accessible legal representation ensures that an individuals right to due process is protected and helps prevent needless family separation and unnecessary detentions, said Jim Bethke, executive director of the countys Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) office, which oversees indigent defense services.

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The fund, which is almost two years in the making, will support indigent immigrants in detention and those who are facing deportation or are at risk of losing their legal immigration status. The only criteria is that someone lives in Bexar County and cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Noncitizens make up as much as 13% of Bexar Countys population, or up to 240,000 people, Bethke said.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai addresses Sheriff Javier Salazar at the dais during a meeting of the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Theres a dearth of legal representation for immigrants in removal proceedings and not in removal proceedings as well, said Edna Yang, co-executive director of American Gateways, which is one of two nonprofits whose attorneys will provide legal assistance through the fund.

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Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve a $500,000 contract each with American Gateways and Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, or RAICES.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody, the courts lone Republican, cast the no vote, calling the fund a misuse of taxpayer dollars.

He took issue with the county allowing someone who has been accused of or convicted of a crime to apply for legal assistance through the fund even though the county is not constitutionally obligated to provide for such representation to noncitizens.

Javier Hidalgo, legal director for RAICES, addresses the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

I feel strongly that there should be guardrails, there should be constraints around who would be funded for that representation when this is not a constitutional requirement, Moody said. This is a political decision about who is going to receive taxpayer funds for representation.

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While someone facing a criminal charge has the right to a government-funded attorney, someone in immigration court does not have the same right. Many people who cannot afford an immigration attorney often represent themselves in court.

Jim Bethke, director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office, approaches the dais to present to the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Eighty percent of people facing deportation proceedings in San Antonio immigration court do not have an attorney, said Justin Tullius, the immigration resource attorney with MAC. That lessens their chance of winning their case and establishing a right to remain in the country.

The $1 million is expected to help up to 100 people, Tullius said.

Precinct 1 County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores suggested boosting that amount.

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Griselda Barrera, director of American Gateways' San Antonio office, addresses members of the Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

It sounds like perhaps, since this is only affecting 100 people, maybe we need to put more than $1 million into it to help impact more of our residents here in Bexar County, she said.
HA NOI  National Assembly deputies discussed various aspects of the draft Law on Roads, including the possibility of imposing fees on personal cars entering city areas during specific times, during a plenary session on Tuesday morning as part of the 15th legislatures seventh sitting.

Twenty-three deputies participated in the discussion, offering suggestions on several pressing issues of the draft Law on Roads. The draft law contained 86 articles, six fewer than the version submitted by the Government and has undergone revisions on 82 articles and the removal of seven articles.

Deputy Nguyen Phuong Thuy from Ha Noi said that collecting fees could curb the excessive growth of personal vehicle use and help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. It could also provide supplementary revenue for the State budget and could be used to pay for better road infrastructure and support public transport systems in cities.

The five centrally governed cities have been the authority to impose driving charges not previously defined by law. Both Ha Noi and HCM City have developed plans for urban traffic and possible congestion fees, however because the legal implications may be unclear, the implementation has been cautious.

According to Thuy, if the draft law officially includes this type of fee and delegates the authority to provincial People's Councils, defining where they might be applied and how much motorists might pay, the implementation in localities would be much more feasible.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Hue from the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan suggested adding the act of illegally setting up toll stations to the list of crimes.

She explained that there have been numerous instances where individuals have arbitrarily set up toll stations, especially during road blockages caused by landslides.

Hue cited the Governments Decree 100/2019 on penalties for administrative violations in the road and railway traffic, which includes provisions against constructing or establishing toll stations without the consent of State management agencies.

In terms of land allocations, Deputy Ha Phuoc Thang from HCM City noted that the demand for parking in the city is exceptionally high. So he asked whether spaces under road bridges, which are currently unused due to regulatory constraints, could not be used.

A review of the 2008 Road Traffic Law and related decrees revealed that there are no provisions for the exploitation and use of spaces under road bridges and viaducts.

Therefore, the deputy recommended that these regulations be included in the draft which would then provide a legal framework for proper management and use.

Thang also proposed that the provincial people's committees should have the authority to decide on the use of spaces under road bridges and viaducts managed and maintained by local authorities, which could then be used as parking lots or to store road maintenance equipment.

This should not compromise the structural safety of bridges and roads, he added, and needed to ensure fire and explosion preventions and maintain traffic order and safety.

Meanwhile, Deputy Nguyen Van Canh from the central province of Binh inh said he was focused on Article 10, which addresses road classifications.

He noted that high-speed roads differ from expressways in that they may lack central reservations and emergency lanes and have traffic patterns similar to national highways. High-speed roads also differ from national highways in that they do not have residential areas on either side.

Canh proposed that the NA consider adding high-speed roads to the draft law to ensure comprehensive coverage of all road types.

Deputy Huynh Thi Phuc from the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau pointed out the lack of regulations concerning decommissioned toll stations.

These abandoned toll stations cause traffic disruptions and inconvenience for commuters and in spite of numerous complaints from voters, the situation remains unchanged. He told the Assembly that there have been accidents around the abandoned toll booths due to the lack of regulations and people and commuters had been injured by falling debris.

Phuc recommended that the current draft law should include provisions mandating the dismantling and restoration of decommissioned toll stations to ensure traffic safety in the future.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam's National Assembly on Wednesday morning elected To Lam, 67, to become the President of Viet Nam for the 2021-26 term, during its ongoing 7th plenary session of the 15th-tenure.

NA Secretary General Bui Van Cuong presented the draft resolution of the NA to elect To Lam, member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security and deputy to the 15th NA, as President.

With 472 out of 473 deputies present in favour, the NA adopted the resolution to elect him as head of State.

During the swearing-in ceremony, newly elected President To Lam took the oath: "Under the sacred red flag with a golden star of the Fatherland, before the National Assembly and the entire electorate of the nation, I  President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam  solemnly swear: To remain absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the people, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and to strive and make every effort to fulfil the duties entrusted by the Party, the State and the people."

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that the National Assembly acknowledges President To Lam's oath.



In his inaugural address, the new President said he is deeply aware of the great responsibility before the Party, the State, and the people, and he pledged to seriously and fully perform the duties and powers of the President as defined by the Constitution; actively fulfil the country's internal, external, defence and security tasks; and, together with the entire Party, people, military and organisations in the political system, promote the highest spirit of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-strength, self-resilience, and national pride.

The President is committed to "striving to successfully implement all Party policies and guidelines, starting with the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party, aiming to achieve the country's centennial goals under the Party's leadership, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, to turn our country into a developed, high-income nation oriented towards socialism."

The President stated that, based on the steadfast, innovative application and development of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thoughts and the Party's reforms policy; with national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national and ethnic interests as the top priorities; and with the happiness and well-being of the people as the foremost concern, he would closely coordinate with relevant agencies to effectively implement the task of building and perfecting the legal system; build a socialist law-governed State of the people, by the people and for the people during the new phase.

He will work to create a modern, efficient, advanced and developed national governance system; a professional, legal and modern administrative and judicial system; sign international treaties on behalf of the State; focus on building, consolidating and promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc in conjunction with achieving social progress and justice, improving the quality of life and happiness of the people; and lead and organise the implementation of practical and effective patriotic emulation movements linked to studying and following Ho Chi Minh's thoughts, morality, and style.

He expressed his belief that with unity between Party and people, the country will further prosper and remain steadfast on the way to Socialism, realising President Ho Chi Minh's wish.

To Lam, born in May 1957, hailed from the northern province of Hung Yen. He has been Politburo member for two terms -- 12th and 13th.

To Lam served as deputy minister of public security in 2010-16, then as minister since 2016 to May 2024, until he is relieved from the post to serve as President.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision on May 22, assigning Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quoc To, Deputy Minister of Public Security, to take the helm of the ministry.

According to the decision that takes effects the same day, Sen. Lt. Gen. To, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee and a deputy secretary of the Central Public Security Party Committee, will be in charge of the activities of the ministry until the competent authority appoints a new minister in accordance with the law.

Deputies to the National Assembly on May 22 morning approved a resolution to relieve General To Lam of his post as Minister of Public Security after Lam was elected President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on Wednesday agreed to improve trade ties by rising the bilateral trade turnover to US$15 billion.

During phone talks, the two leaders spoke highly of the recent improvements in the warm relationship between Viet Nam and the Netherlands.

PM Chinh reaffirmed Viet Nam's steadfast commitment to prioritising the development of a comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands, referring to the country as "Viet Nam's European friend".

He also said how much he appreciated the significance of the Dutch Prime Minister's official visit to Viet Nam in November 2023, which left the nation and its people with many positive and priceless memories.

He praised the ministries and sectors of the two nations for their proactive and efficient implementation of previous agreements and commitments, which have significantly and favourably advanced existing bilateral cooperation.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the two countries can share experiences and learn from each other in many areas.

In order to fortify friendship and political confidence, he agreed that the two sides would boost the exchange of delegations at all levels through State, Government and National Assembly channels.

Viet Nam and the Netherlands will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at international forums and organisations, can contribute to regional and global peace and with security and development issues, he said.

The two sides agreed to work closely for the preparations of the State visit to Viet Nam by the King and Queen of the Netherlands in the near future.

They also agreed to plan events to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the comprehensive partnership framework's implementation (20192024), the ten years of the strategic partnership framework on sustainable agriculture and food security (20142024) and the fifteen years of the framework on climate change adaptation and water management in 2025.

The leaders also pledged to take advantage of opportunities brought by the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Prime Minister Chinh proposed the Netherlands soon complete the ratification of the Viet Nam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urged the EU Commission to remove the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing yellow cards.

Chinh suggested that the Netherlands assist Viet Nam in putting the Mekong Delta plan into action for the 202130 period, with a focus towards 2050 and in developing urban areas in the central coast region to adapt to climate change.

He stated that the two nations should strengthen their defence and security cooperation, particularly in shipbuilding, training for UN peacekeeping and in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.

Since his first visit to Viet Nam in 2014, Rutte emphasised that he has consistently been interested in the development of the Mekong Delta region.

He affirmed his wish to encourage Dutch businesses to invest in Viet Nam, in areas such as high technology, electronic circuit production, semiconductor equipment, seaports, shipbuilding technology, logistics connections and strategic infrastructure.

During the phone talks, the two sides also discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, specifically those regarding the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) issue.

The two Prime Ministers highlighted the importance of ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. VNS
HA NOI  Leaders of Laos, China and Cambodia have sent their congratulations to To Lam on his fresh election as State President of Viet Nam on Wednesday morning.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith expressed great excitement and warm congratulations to Lam, with a belief that the election reflects the trust and esteem that the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam give to him.

The Lao leader expressed his delight in working with the Vietnamese President to nurture the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries' Parties, States, and people. He also expressed his confidence that with the level of competence and rich experience accumulated over many years in various important positions, Lam, along with other Vietnamese leaders, will lead the country and its people to achieve even greater accomplishments in the cause of national construction and protection.

Chinese Party General Secretary, President Xi Jinping expressed his joy at the news and emphasised that Viet Nam and China are friendly socialist neighbours sharing mountains and rivers.

He recalled his state visit to Viet Nam, during which, he and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, declared the establishment of a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, opening a new chapter in the bilateral relations. He said he is pleased to see the positive progress made by the countries various sectors and localities in promoting this partnership.

Affirming the utmost importance attached to the Viet Nam-China relationship, the Chinese leader said he is ready to work with the Vietnamese President to maintain strategic exchanges and lead the building of the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future in a deeper and more practical manner, bringing greater benefits to their people. He wished Viet Nam prosperity and happiness, and Lam greater achievements in his new position.

Meanwhile, King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni expressed his belief that under the leadership of President Lam, Viet Nam will achieve great success and rapid developments in all fields, and maintain its important role in the region and the world.

The monarch said he hopes the bonds between the people of the two countries will grow stronger for peace, stability, cooperation and development.  VNS
HAI PHONG - The coast guards of Viet Nam and China on May 22 conducted their joint patrol in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, covering the waters off Mong Cai city in Quang Ninh province and Dongxing and Fangchenggang cities in Chinas Guangxi province.

The joint patrol, the second of its kind this year, spanned 102 nautical miles from Point 1 to Point 9 along the countries demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin. This area is a bustling zone for bilateral import-export and goods exchange activities. It is also a hotspot for illegal activities such as smuggling, trade fraud, illegal border crossings, and unauthorised maritime entries.

The Vietnam Coast Guard took the occasion to actively communicate with dozens of fishing vessels operating near the bordering waters to comply with regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The work aimed to help lift the European Commission (EC)s yellow card warning imposed on Viet Nam's seafood and promote the countrys sustainable fishery development.

Starting in 2024, joint patrols in the bordering waters are conducted quarterly to maintain security and law enforcement for citizens of both nations.

These efforts contribute to the preservation and development of the Vietnam-China traditional friendship and neighbourliness as well as the cooperation between their coast guards. - VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has set its sights even higher, aiming to become a high-income country by 2045 and a decarbonised economy by 2050  ambitious goals that demand innovation and strategic visions.

That was a remark by Florian Feyerabend, Resident Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Vietnam, at the conference 'Vietnam 2045 Report: Global Economic Trends and Policy Implications for Viet Nam' on Tuesday.

He said the Vietnam 2035 Report contained valuable assessments and policy recommendations that has guided Vietnamese policymakers in shaping the country's trajectory over the past few years.

However, shifts in geopolitics, technology and global trends have reshaped the reality of the country's path towards economic growth, exposing the need for a new report aligning with its extended visions.

"The Vietnam 2045 Report will serve as a compass for Viet Nam's train," said Feyerabend.

Tran Toan Thang, Head of the International Issues Department at Vietnam Institute for Development Strategies (VIDS) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, underlined several global trends that would have a big impact on Viet Nam in the coming years, including competition between the US and China as well as a transition to renewable energy.

Technology development, he said, also plays a role in shaping Viet Nam's digital landscape in the next decade. Under his estimation, Viet Nam is on par with China and the US in terms of vision and data availability.

"However, Viet Nam still lags behind the two superpowers in terms of technology maturity, adaptability, human capital and innovation capacity," said Thang.

Nguyen Quoc Truong, Vice President of VIDS, said Viet Nam needs a new report in place of the Vietnam 2035 Report to capture recent changes in global and domestic context.

He said the Vietnam 2045 Report is under development and will consist of nine chapters: Review development path and targets; New context and trends, new visions; Science and technology, innovation, autonomy; Global value chains upgrading, private sector development; Spatial transition, growth dynamic poles, connectivity; Human resource and labour shifting; Green and climate change responses; Social transition; and Institution for development.  VNS
HA GIANG For more than thirty years, Vu Thi My has worked as a village-based midwife in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang and helped over sixty mothers give birth.

She has also provided postpartum care for hundreds of mothers and newborns.

Despite operating without any funding, she remains committed to supporting mothers to be vaccinated and providing care for fetuses. She also persuaded the community to give up outdated practices and gain access to better medical care.

Located at the northernmost point of Viet Nam, Lung Cu is one of the mountainous and border communes of ong Van District.

My is sympathetic to the struggles faced by the local ethnic minority community, particularly those faced by women who manage several responsibilities such as farming, households and child care.

Every day, she travels far distance to take care of mothers and their babies.

She said the majority of women in the villages used to give birth at home and invite shamans for a ritual of afterbirth worship. The women's labour and delivery were fraught with lots of complications. Since the village-based midwife programme was launched more than ten years ago, every home birth case has had a doctor consultation, which has reduced the dangers to the mothers and their babies.

It was such a strange concept for local people to visit healthcare facilities for pregnancy check-up or childbirth, My said.

The midwives in the villages have helped locals progressively realise how important reproductive healthcare is. More pregnant women visit the clinic for routine checkups and ask for home care when necessary, she told Vietnam News Agency.

Mother Sung Thi May, living in Cang Tang Village, Lung Cu Commune said she felt worried and faced lots of difficulties at the first childbirth time but following My's consultations, she feels relaxed.

My visits every mothers house to remind them about the baby vaccination or postpartum examination schedule.

In the last 13 years, My has detected and transferred unusual and risky cases to higher-level healthcare facilities, all the while providing prenatal check-ups for nearly 900 cases.

Recalling her first time of helping a mother give birth, she said: "The mother went into labour at home at 2am in the morning. Upon assessing her health, I anticipated unfavourable outcomes and made the decision to send her to Yen Minh Hospital.

Doctors said if she had given birth at home that day, both mother and child would have been in danger.

"I love my job even more now that I know the pregnant woman gave birth safely."

Following her 20082010 enrolment into a village-based midwifery programme, My began working in the ong Van District.

In addition to identifying risky pregnancy cases and encouraging mothers to seek post partum check ups, the knowledge that My has imparted to the locals has increasingly supplanted the customs of the area.

As a village leader, she has coordinated with the communes clinic and local authorities to launch immunisation and malnutrition prevention campaigns.

Dr Nguyen Duy ong, head of Lung Cu Communes Clinic said due to the remote location, low literacy levels and outdated childbirth customs, the reproductive health status of the ethnic community was never given due attention. Since 2010, the community has been more conscious of maternal health and childbirth thanks to the assistance of midwives like My.

Nguyen Van Giao, director of Ha Giang Province Department of Health, said the village-based midwife team is like a centre for maternal care, providing invaluable health advice.

However he added that because the midwives are working without pay, it will be difficult to keep the team together. The department has called for relevant bodies to offer financial support to the midwives. VNS
HA NOI  Food safety has become a key issue in Viet Nam with several high profile cases of severe food poisoning, making hundreds of people sick in different provinces.

Worries

In early May this year, Long Khanh City in ong Nai Province recorded a food poisoning case that caused more than 500 people to be hospitalised after eating breads with meat bought from a small business.

On average, every day, the enterprise sold around a thousand of this type of bread, with all ingredients processed at its kitchen.

After the incident, the provincial authorities inspected the producer and found that it had neither a business licence or a certificate to show it had met food safety conditions.

Of the four employees working there, none of them had any periodic health examination certificate or any certificate in food safety training.

More recently, on May 15, ong Nai Province recorded a suspected food poisoning case in which nearly 100 workers of the De Chang Viet Nam Co Ltd in the Giang ien Industrial Zone in Trang Bom District had to be hospitalised, sick with abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Previously, nearly 150 workers of the Starite International Viet Nam Co Ltd in the Bau Xeo Industrial Zone suffered from food poisoning after having lunch in the company canteen.

In Soc Trang Province, 150 people were taken to hospital with food poisoning in January after visiting a bread shop.

Another case occurred in Khanh Hoa Province in March, with 369 people rushed to hospital. Later food tests showed that what they had eaten was contaminated with microorganisms.

Difficult work

Over recent years although the authorities have strengthened inspections and supervisions, food poisoning in bigger kitchens is actually increasing.

In the first five months of this year, the country had 36 food poisoning cases, down on the same period last year, but the number of those falling ill increased, to more than a thousand, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Bringing down the number of cases of food poisoning cases, especially in industrial zones, is still a challenge for the authorities.

Local leaders said that currently, food production and trading enterprises were managed by the health, industry and trade and agriculture sectors. However, the number of inspectors in charge of the three sectors are very limited.

Management

In a national online conference on food safety and hygiene, which was held on Tuesday by the MoH, Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen stressed that ensuring food safety was important, because it not only directly affected people's health but also affected security, order and socio-economic activity.

He said: "We should make efforts to minimise the number of food poisoning cases and see them occur on a smaller scale, with the fewest infected people and have the least impact on people's health, social security and economic development."

He said that the Party Central Committees Secretariat has issued the Directive 17 on strengthening security and food safety and that the Government is continuously reviewing its policies on food hygiene.

In addition, the Law on Food Safety Law, Decree 15 guiding the implementation of the law, guiding documents issued by the MoH, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other regulatory documents, have controls on food safety.

But Tuyen suggested that new laws and policies need to be amended or brought in to counter the current problems.

How can controls be implemented at the facility? When the authorities inspect many establishments which do not have certificates of food hygiene and safety, he wondered.

Nguyen Hung Long, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Food Safety Authority (VFA) under the MoH, said that scrutiny of small food stalls was not strict enough.

The legal documents on ensuring food safety and preventing food poisoning are basically complete, however inspection and supervision levels are lacking, especially at the grassroots level.

The MoH requested provinces and cities to be resolute in suspending operations of establishments that do not ensure food safety conditions or do not have certificates of food safety eligibility.

Bread stores were food processing establishments, so they must register that as their trade and their employees must have regular health checks and full training to limit the risk of food poisoning, said Long.

Violations need to be made public and widely publicised.

In addition, the MoH demanded that health facilities are ready to treat, investigate and handle any mass food poisoning cases, as efficiently and quickly as possible.

The health sector needs to urge people to immediately go and get emergency treatment as soon as they experience food poisoning.

Deputy Chairman of the ong Nai People's Committee Nguyen Son Hung directed relevant departments and localities to immediately check ready-made meal processing facilities and collective kitchens in industrial parks, schools, food service establishments, street food and bottled drinking water establishments.

Hung also requested that the provincial Department of Health set up a hotline to offer information on food safety and hygiene.

In Ha Noi alone, there are currently more than 5,000 industrial-sized kitchens in parks, schools and agencies.

To minimise the chance of mass food poisoning, in addition to a greater focus on inspections, the municipal Department of Food Safety and Hygiene instructed those in charge to understand how to check on food freshness, how to preserve food and how to check the origin and expiration date of food on the labels.

The department also asked the kitchens to only choose reputable food suppliers.

Director of the Ha Noi Department of Food Safety and Hygiene ang Thanh Phong said that the number of inspections would increase and more checks would be made on where the food comes from, and how, and where, it is packaged and prepared.  VNS
HCM CITY  Health experts exchanged expertise and experience in an effort to improve the hypertension management programme at a conference on May 22 in HCM City.

The conference was a collaboration between Novartis Vietnam and FPT Long Chau Pharmacy chain with support from the Vietnam Hypertension Association and the Vietnam National Heart Association, aiming at raising public awareness of hypertension.

The event provided medical knowledge regarding diagnosis and hypertension, beginning a series of meaningful activities on World Hypertension Day and the MMM 2024 (May Month Measurement 2024) Community Hypertension Screening and Management Programme.

The conference is also an opportunity to concretise Novartis' efforts in improving community health and enhancing the counselling capacity of pharmacists, jointly working with pharmacy chain partners to be ready to join the Community Hypertension Control Programme according to International Society of Hypertension standards.

For the first time, the programme has collaborated with the FPT Long Chau pharmacy chain system to provide free international-standard blood pressure measurement to the public. After measurement sessions, specialist doctors will not only provide counselling and healthcare advice but also give detailed instructions to participants on how to measure their blood pressure at home. This initiative helps foster proactive daily health care, contributes to the management and reduction of hypertension risks, and aims to improve the quality of life and health of the Vietnamese community.

Speaking about the importance of pharmacists in advising patients with hypertension, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Minh, President of the Vietnam National Heart Association, said: "Hypertension is a very common issue within the Vietnamese community, and each of us can be a candidate for this problem. Although it is not an infectious disease, the complications associated with organ damage caused by hypertension, such as brain stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias, and visual impairment, should not be ignored. Besides the role of doctors, pharmacists are currently being recognized and play a significant collaborative role in helping people enhance their awareness and ensure adherence to the best treatment, contributing to the protection, care, and improvement of community health."

During the conference, experts practised measuring and recording ISH standard blood pressure and counselling hypertensive patients. This activity served as both support and specialised training for the FPT Long Chau pharmacist team to enhance their expertise and professionalism in the process of examining and counselling hypertensive patients. This creates more opportunities for people nationwide to undergo screening and management for hypertension, thereby avoiding potential risks of the disease.

Hypertension is becoming increasingly common worldwide, including in Viet Nam. Anyone is at risk of hypertension, including children and young adults. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide have hypertension, and it is responsible for an estimated 9.4 million deaths each year.

In Viet Nam, there are about 12 million people with hypertension, with a ratio of one in five adults being affected. Of these, there is a relatively high proportion of patients who have not been diagnosed with the disease or have been diagnosed but have not yet controlled it.  VNS
Jazmin Cazares, center, leans on her father Javier Cazares as they stand with Jerry Mata, left, and other Uvalde victims families during a press conference held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas, a couple days before the 2-year mark of the mass shooting that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers. The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with 19 families of victims killed or injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Attorney Josh Koskoff speaks during a press conference held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas, a couple days before the 2-year mark of the mass shooting that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers. The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with 19 families of victims killed or injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A tear falls down Kimberly Mata-Rubios cheek as stands with her attorneys and other Uvalde families during a press conference with their lawyers Josh Koskoff and Erin Rogiers at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas. Mata-Rubios daughter Lexi Rubio was killed in the Robb Elementary shooting. Days before the 2-year mark of the mass shooting that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers, the group announced a settlement with the city of Uvalde. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Attorney Josh Koskoff speaks during a press conference held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas, a couple days before the 2-year mark of the mass shooting that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers. The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with 19 families of victims killed or injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Jazmin Cazares, center, leans on her father Javier Cazares as they stand with other Uvalde victims families during a press conference held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas, a couple days before the 2-year mark of the Robb Elementary mass shooting. Nine-year-old Jackie Cazares, sister of Jazmin and daughter of Javier, was one of the 19 fourth-graders killed in the shooting. The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with 19 families of victims killed or injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Attorney Josh Koskoff answers questions from a reporter following a press conference held at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas, a couple days before the 2-year mark of the mass shooting that killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers. The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with 19 families of victims killed or injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Law enforcement officials evacuate students and staff from Robb Elementary School after a gunman entered a classroom and began shooting on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Pete Luna /Uvalde Leader-News

UVALDE  The city of Uvalde will pay $2 million to settle claims by 19 families of victims killed or injured in the Robb Elementary School shooting.

Their claims largely focused on the Uvalde Police Department's role in a disastrous law-enforcement response to the May 24, 2022, massacre that left 19 fourth-graders and two teachers dead.

For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day," said Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed. "This settlement reflects a first good faith effort by the City of Uvalde to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us.

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She spoke during a news conference announcing the out-of-court agreement here on Wednesday.

Josh Koskoff of Connecticut, one of the families' lead attorneys, said another settlement  with Uvalde County and also for $2 million  is in the works.

The amounts represent the maximum pay-outs from the city's and county's insurers, said Koskoff, who handled successful lawsuits against a gun manufacturer over the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

Twenty-five Uvalde police officers and 16 Uvalde sheriff's deputies converged on Robb Elementary the day of the shooting, according to a Texas House report on the incident.

In all, more than 360 officers from 23 local, state and federal agencies were on hand.

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Yet, 77 minutes elapsed before a tactical Border Patrol team confronted and killed the 18-year-old gunman, who was armed with a assault-style rifle.

Today, we are thankful to join the victims families in arriving at an agreement that will allow us to remember the Robb Elementary tragedy while moving forward together as a community to bring healing and restoration to all those affected," city officials said in a statement. "We will forever be grateful to the victims families for working with us over the past year to cultivate an environment of community-wide healing that honors the lives and memories of those we tragically lost.

As part of the city settlement, officials agreed to stipulations and commitments intended to strengthen the Uvalde Police Department and memorialize the victims of the school shooting.

The city pledged to adopt a new fitness for duty standard for Uvalde police, to be developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and to better train its officers.

The city also agreed to establish May 24th as an annual Day of Remembrance and to create a committee that will coordinate with victims' families to design a permanent memorial, which city government will pay for.

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Koskoff said the city, wanting to avoid a court fight, reached out to initiate settlement talks.

The families' lawyers also said Wednesday that they are suing the Texas Department of Public Safety and each of its 92 officers who responded to the school shooting, citing "the shocking and extensive failures of TXDPS that day."

Their federal lawsuit also targets the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District and several of its employees at the time of the massacre, including then-Robb Elementary Principal Mandy Gutierrez and then-Police Chief Pedro Pete Arredondo, widely considered the on-scene commander during the massacre.

Growing pile of lawsuits

MORE COVERAGE: 2 more lawsuits filed in wake of Uvalde school shooting

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Wednesday's announcement came as teachers and parents of other children at Robb Elementary the day of the massacre sued Daniel Defense Inc., the Georgia-based manufacturer of the rifle the gunman used.

The state lawsuit, filed this week by lawyers from Corpus Christi, also goes after Oasis Outback, the Uvalde gun store that handled the online transfer of the rifle to the, and Firequest International Inc. of Arkansas, the manufacturer of devices that increase the firing rate of semiautomatic weapons.

That lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The students whose parents are behind the lawsuit were left with emotional trauma, even though some of them were not in the two interconnected classrooms where the gunman carried out the massacre, the suit said.

The lawsuit seeks "an amount to be determined by a jury" but more than $1 million.

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The shooter purchased the Daniel Defense-made rifle online, and Outback Oasis took delivery of the gun and transferred it to the gunman. Such a transfer is required for internet sales.

Firequest manufactured the "hell-fire" trigger device police found next to the body of Salvador Ramos, the shooter. The device, which is installed on a firearm's trigger guard, pushes the trigger forward after an initial shot, allowing for rapid firing. The suit said Ramos ordered the device online.

At least four federal lawsuits were filed in 2022 against a spate of parties, including Daniel Defense, the city of Uvalde, Uvalde County, the Uvalde school district, police agencies and individual officers, including Arredondo, and former Uvalde police Lt. Mariano Pargas.

MORE COVERAGE: First major lawsuit filed over Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde

The pair were among the first officers at Robb Elementary the morning of the massacre.

Arredondo was fired in August 2022, and Pargas quit as he learned the city was about to fire him.

All defendants have denied the allegations against them in the pending suits.
Amazon Q not only generates highly accurate code, it also tests, debugs, and has multistep planning and reasoning capabilities that can transform (e.g., perform Java version upgrades) and implement new code generated from developer requests. Amazon Q also makes it easier for employees to get answers to questions across business data such as company policies, product information, business results, code base, employees, and many other topics by connecting to enterprise data repositories to summarize the data logically, analyse trends, and engage in dialogue about the data.

AWS announces general availability of Amazon Q

AWS is also introducing Amazon Q Apps, a new and powerful capability that lets employees build generative AI apps from their companys data. Employees simply describe the type of app they want, in natural language, and Q Apps will quickly generate an app that accomplishes their desired task, helping them streamline and automate their daily work with ease and efficiency.

Amazon Q is the most capable generative AI-powered assistant available today with industry-leading accuracy, advanced agents capabilities, and best-in-class security that helps developers become more productive and helps business users to accelerate decision making, said Dr. Swami Sivasubramanian, vice president of AI and Data at AWS. Since we announced the service at re:Invent, we have been amazed at the productivity gains developers and business users have seen. Early indications signal Amazon Q could help our customers employees become more than 80 per cent more productive at their jobs; and with the new features were planning on introducing in the future, we think this will only continue to grow.

Today, many customers and partners are benefiting from Amazon Q. For instance, GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. Ed Sarausad, senior director of Data & Analytics at GoDaddy said, Amazon Q in QuickSight allows us to ask our data contextual business questions without having to constantly rely on ad-hoc dashboards. For example, now we can much more easily discover and drill into anomalies in business performance across the company.

This shift not only streamlines our processes, but also elevates our analytical capabilities. What excites us most is the opportunity to unlock insights with profound, previously unasked questions. That allows us to respond more swiftly and with greater depth, enhancing our data learning journey, he added.

Similarly, at National Australia Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Australia, teams across the bank are excited about how generative AI can transform their work, and found a great solution in Amazon Q Developer, a powerful generative AI-powered tool for engineers and developers.

Andrew Brydon, executive chief engineer at National Australia Bank said, The tool has seamlessly integrated advanced generative algorithms and tools into our development process, delivering unparalleled benefits like completing tasks faster, increasing productivity, and minimising repetitive actions. So far, our developers have accepted 50 per cent of the code suggestions made by Amazon Q Developer, and that number continues to increase as we scale. We look forward to seeing how Amazon Q Developer will continue to empower and inspire our engineers to upskill their technical expertise, delivering better service for customers.

Elsewhere, Toyota Connected North America leads the development of Toyotas cloud-based digital Connected Mobility Intelligence Platform. Toyota is committed to delivering exceptional digital experiences and continuously pushing boundaries for its customers. It realised that it needed to take a closer look at some of Amazon's supporting platforms, and evaluate architecture, tech debt, and needed upgrades, including aging 4GL code repositories.

Dave Tsai, vice president of engineering at Toyota Connected North America said, "Amazon Q Business provided our team insights into the areas of most critical need, accelerating the effectiveness of our technical debt assessment by 25 per cent. With Amazon Q Developer's Code Transformation capability, we look to harness generative AIs increasing capabilities to accelerate applications and services upgrades by up to 30 per cent."

AWS targets Vietnam for 2024 expansion Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ramping up its presence in Vietnam, focusing on cloud adoption and nurturing local talent to drive the country's digital transformation and pave the way for future technological advancements and economic prosperity.

Government commits to summer power availability New initiatives are being taken to help Vietnam ensure sufficient power, further strengthening investors trust in Vietnam.

Amazon to invest 9 billion USD in Singapore Amazon said on May 7 it will invest 9 billion USD in Singapore over the next four years to expand its cloud computing capabilities in the island city.
Regarding the compliance aspect, German companies are bound by stringent regulations such as the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. These regulations emphasise promoting environmental protection, enhancing corporate responsibility towards stakeholders, and ensuring sustainable business practices in the communities where these companies operate. Adherence to these standards is crucial for maintaining regulatory compliance and upholding the values Germany and the EU stand for.

Dao Thu Trang, deputy general director Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam

When it comes to commercial aspect, adopting ESG standards is also commercially beneficial for German companies. These practices can create substantial value for shareholders, drive top-line growth, reduce costs, and improve productivity. Moreover, companies that adhere to ESG principles often enjoy better relationships with regulators, which can facilitate smoother operations and enhance their market reputation.

The main collaborative areas between the EU, Vietnam, and ASEAN is environmental protection, climate change mitigation, sustainable connectivity, digitalisation, economic integration, sustainable investment, education, and health. The EU is currently implementing the Global Gateway project in the ASEAN region, with a total investment of 10 billion ($10.87 billion). This project aims to develop smart, sustainable, and digital infrastructure in the region, focusing on renewable energy, transportation, and digitalisation projects.

To become even more attractive for German companies, Vietnam should address several key areas of improvement.

Firstly, enhancing the capabilities of local suppliers will allow them to integrate more deeply into the global supply chains of German companies. This could involve providing support and resources to help local suppliers meet the quality and efficiency standards required by German partners.

Secondly, implementing practical-oriented dual vocational training programmes tailored to the specific needs of German companies will better equip Vietnamese workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in these roles. This will ensure a steady supply of skilled labour aligned with the demands of German businesses operating in Vietnam.

Thirdly, improving infrastructure, including transportation networks, ports, and utilities, will not only facilitate smoother operations for German companies but also enhance the overall business environment in Vietnam. Investing in infrastructure upgrades will contribute to increased efficiency and productivity across various industries.

Next, developing a clear and comprehensive green energy plan will provide certainty and direction for both investors and businesses looking to transition to sustainable practices. This will involve setting clear targets, incentives, and regulations to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies.

Lastly, simplifying bureaucratic procedures and streamlining administrative processes will reduce red tape and make it easier for German companies to do business in Vietnam. This could involve digitising paperwork, reducing approval times, and improving coordination between government agencies to create a more business-friendly environment.

Addressing these issues will not only make Vietnam more attractive for German companies but will also contribute to the countrys overall economic development and competitiveness on the global stage.

German businesses value Vietnam for its opportunities to diversify supply chains and establish a strategic base in Asia. The countrys dynamic economic growth, proactive policies, and strategic geographic location make it an attractive investment destination. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is also highly valued for boosting trade opportunities and reducing tariffs.

Additionally, Vietnams favourable trade policies, absence of local content requirements, and a growing domestic market offer significant opportunities for business expansion. The strong historical and cultural ties between Vietnam and Germany, supported by a large Vietnamese community in Germany and approximately 150,000 Vietnamese who have studied and worked in Germany, further enhance mutual understanding.

However, there are areas needing improvement. According to the AHK World Business Outlook Survey 2024, 90 per cent of German companies face challenges when diversifying their supply chains in Vietnam, with 70 per cent struggling to find suitable qualified suppliers. Half of the businesses encounter complex and unpredictable regulatory requirements, suggesting a need for streamlined regulations.

There is also a shortage of highly skilled labour in certain sectors, such as high technology and engineering, which could be addressed through enhanced education and training programs. The economic legal framework requires refinement to provide a more stable environment for foreign investors. Supply chain disruptions and decreasing demand in some sectors are additional concerns that need attention to ensure continued economic growth and business success.

Despite these challenges, the positive economic outlook for Vietnam remains strong. The AHK WBO Survey 2024 indicates that 57 per cent of German companies expect positive economic development in Vietnam, and 80 per cent plan to continue investing in the country over the next 12 months. With the right improvements, Vietnam can further solidify its position as a prime destination for German businesses.

Thai Binh boosts investment, trade cooperation with Germany A delegation from the northern province of Thai Binh, led by Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Khac Than, visited several localities and business organisations in Germany from March 25 to 27, in a bid to enhance trade cooperation with and attract direct investment from the European nation.

Soaring German investments are testament to trust in Vietnam Amid the prevailing winds of trade protectionism and escalating international sanctions, German investment in Vietnam is a testament to investors' trust in the potential of the Southeast Asian country.

German court rules against Mercedes in emissions case A German court ruled Thursday that auto giant Mercedes-Benz knowingly installed emissions-cheating devices in some diesel vehicles, opening the door for owners to seek compensation.
This occasion was marked by the signing of an MoU between Gaw NP Industrial and Dohi Kenma Corporation, a supplier of swing bearings from Japan.

Dohi Kenma has placed its trust in choosing GNP Dong Van III as the location for setting its foundation in Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Vo Sy Nhan, general director of Gaw NP Capital, said completion of the facility marked a significant milestone in the companys growth journey in Vietnam.

"Covering around 160,000 square metres, the centre offers state-of-the-art ready-built facilities for lease, catering to the rising demand of manufacture establishments and diversification, driven by the China+1 strategy," Nhan said.

Spaces are highly adaptable to diverse business needs, starting from 2,500sq.m for ready-built factories and 9,000sq.m for warehouses.

The project is strategically located in Dong Van III Supporting Industrial Zone, located adjacent to the National Highway No.1A and at the east of Cau Gie Ninh Binh Expressway.

Reaching Hanoi's central business district within 45 minutes, Noi Bai International Airport in 80 minutes, and Haiphong Seaport in two hours, GNP Dong Van III poses an ideal location for any businesses seeking to establish and accelerate their footprint in Vietnam.

In addition, tenants can take advantage of the robust population in Ha Nam province, providing a total labour force of nearly 480,000 people, with 14,000 joining the workforce every year.

Gaw NP Industrial is a developer from Gaw NP Capital  a joint venture between Gaw Capital Partners and NP Capital.

Gaw NP Industrial provides one-stop solutions for modern warehousing and factory spaces, serving e-commerce, supply chain, and manufacturing industries. With global expertise and local know-how, its premium industrial portfolio in Vietnam includes ready-built factories and warehouses, built-to-suit facilities, and logistics hubs, tailored to the diverse business needs of the customers.

Gaw NP Capital plans to invest $500 million into Vietnam Gaw NP Capital, a joint venture between Hong Kong Gaw Capital Partners and Vietnam NP Capital, plans to invest an additional $500 million into Vietnam's real estate market in the next 18 months.

GNP Capital proposes investment in 650-hectare IZ in Thanh Hoa Gaw NP Capital (GNP Capital) hopes to sponsor the building of the 1/2000-scale construction zoning plan for the 650-hectare industrial zone (IZ) in the central province of Thanh Hoa.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) last week issued Circular No.05/2024/TT-BYT regulating the list of drugs, medical devices, and testing supplies subject to price negotiation, as well as the process and procedures to selection of bidders for price negotiation packages.

Some hospitals would like even smoother rules in order to pick up the devices and drugs they need most, photo Le Toan

The circular includes improvements long-awaited by health facilities and businesses in the industry. Specifically, the regulation on price references has been abolished, thus easing procedures for drug suppliers.

In the past, drug suppliers had to provide price references of drugs being sold to Vietnamese authorities if they wanted to join bidding.

In Vietnam, the approaches to procurement in the healthcare sector include price negotiation and concentrated bidding. Price negotiation involves 1-2 suppliers and brand-name drugs, while concentrated bidding can attract a wider range of suppliers.

The abolishment of price references is good news as such references in other countries are different from those in Vietnam because they depend on the volume, supply condition, financial and market conditions, and more, one health expert told VIR.

Moreover, the circular lists almost 600 original brand-name drugs subject to price negotiation and references to biological products subject to price negotiation such as Aclasta, Nexium, and Zinnat tablets, among others.

Senior health expert Ngo Thanh Hai told VIR, The extension of drugs in the list eligible for price negotiation has a huge impact on the market, especially foreign-invested enterprises. This issuance is expected to reduce the risk of shortages of necessary drugs at hospitals. For businesses, they have a mechanism to participate in buying and selling drugs in the Vietnamese market.

The issues businesses are concerned about are clarifying the criteria for price negotiation, ensuring benefits for both consumers and businesses, Hai added.

Thus, management agencies here will need many sources of information to evaluate, and set appropriate criteria with comparison of drug prices in Vietnam and other countries in the region, he said.

The circular also contains the regulation to enable hospitals to procure medicines and medical supplies in the case of failing to negotiate prices with suppliers.

The guidelines come as a positive move to health facilities and businesses in the sector, as they have been waiting for it for months as previous procurement rules were deemed too complicated and problematic.

Bach Mai Hospital director Dao Xuan Co said, Hospitals will be able to choose medical devices and supplies they want upon their requirements and financial capacity to meet peoples examination and treatment demands. We are eager to welcome the circular.

Vietnam has previously issued guiding documents to remove obstacles in procurement and bidding in the health sector. They include Decree No.24/2024/ND-CP from February guiding the implementation of the Law on Public Procurement, and Decree No.96/2023/ND-CP, dated December 2023, guiding the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, which aims to remove existing problems in procurement of drugs, medical supplies, and medical equipment.

Despite these moves, some health facilities are still struggling with public procurement. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital said, The biggest headache for hospital autonomy is procurement. Decrees and circulars have helped deal with some problems related to bidding in the healthcare sector, but not all of them. A complex situation remains at hospitals.

Dr. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, director of Hung Vuong Hospital, added that the public procurement process takes up a lot of time as well as capital sources, from bidding for drugs and medical devices to construction and upgrades, as well as even smaller items like stationary.

The sector should consider abolishing public procurement and then regulating prices of medical devices, drugs, and supplies at the time when they are imported into Vietnam, thus enabling hospitals to buy them at the regulated prices upon their demand, she recommended.

Supply shortage pushes up prices of many drugs The prices of anaesthetics have increased due to supply disruptions, said insiders at some hospitals and dental clinics.

Extension eases strain on drugs management International pharma businesses are pinning high hopes on smooth business performance after their long-expected proposal of extension of marketing authorisation for drugs was approved.

Strong demand for high-quality drugs at reasonable prices As Vietnam experiences robust economic growth alongside a rapidly ageing population, the demand for pharmaceuticals and modern healthcare treatments has surged, with health expenditure in Vietnam witnessing an on-average growth rate of 11 per cent per year over the past decade.
Pop Mart, a leading Chinese maker of collectible toys, launched its first official store in Crescent Mall, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, on May 18. The move marks a new milestone in the brand's development strategy in the Southeast Asian market.

Jeremy Lee, a go-to-market director of Pop Mart, said, "The grand opening of the first store not only marks Pop Mart's expansion but also affirms our commitment to the Vietnamese market, which is full of potential and diverse in cultural heritage. The store is the beginning of our long-term strategy for Vietnam."

Following the launch of the first official store, Pop Mart will open another store in Ba Na Hills theme park in the beach city of Danang this summer.

Likewise, Motherswork, a premium mother and baby retailer based in Singapore, also penetrated the Vietnamese market with the opening of an offline store in Ho Chi Minh City late last month. Motherswork specialises in selling premium mother, baby, and kids products, with two stores in Singapore, eight in China, and now one in Vietnam.

Sharon Wong, founder and CEO of Motherswork, said, "This launch marks a significant step in our mission to empower mothers not just in Vietnam but across Asia with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to care for their children confidently.

In March, Cartier also launched its flagship boutique at the Union Square Shopping Mall in Ho Chi Minh City. The new store, which is one of the largest brands in the Southeast Asian market, features the complete product range, from watches to jewellery, accessories, eyewear, and bags.

The rising affluent class is one of the main factors behind the expansion of premium foreign brands. A report by New World Wealth reveals that Vietnam is forecast to see a 125 per cent increase in wealth over the next 10 years. Vietnam is home to 19,400 millionaires, with 58 centimillionaires, and is seen as a relatively safe nation compared with others in Asia Pacific.

According to the Wealth Report 2024 compiled by property consultants Knight Frank, Vietnams ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI) population stood at 752 in 2023 compared with 734 in 2022, meaning 18 people joined the ranks of the ultra-wealthy last year. Knight Frank predicts the number of wealthy individuals in Vietnam to rise by 30 per cent during the five years to 2028, bringing the total number of UHNWIs to 978.

F&B is still a game for TOP brands With a growth rate of more than 10 per cent per year, the food and beverage market is still a vibrant playground led by big brands.

Trends and opportunities for brands and retailers Vietnam is one of the five key markets in Asia-Pacific that hold growth potential for brands and retailers, with a strong preference for domestically produced goods. Helen Sac, consultant director for Asia-Pacific at consumer insights firm WGSN, talks to VIRs Linh Le about emerging trends.
The conference will be attended by representatives from various ministries and agencies, as well as trade representatives from the US and around Asia. It will also be host to representatives from the private sector, including domestic and international investors, such as Xanh SM, BCG Energy, Yuanta Vietnam, UOB, Indochine Import Export Investment Industrial, and TUV Rheinland Vietnam.

A highlight of the event will be a panel of experts from far and wide discussing new trends, developments, and revenue trajectories of domestic and international businesses in Vietnam. It will address challenges related to operational standards and global trade, and analyse topics such as net-zero, carbon credits, the digital economy, green production, human resources, and fair trade.

Matthew Smith, head of the Research Institute, Yuanta Vietnam said,"ESG compliance is now a major factor impacting the decisions of the worlds top firms, and is catching the attention of more and more state management organisations and the business community."

The panel of experts will also share their views on Vietnam's strategies for dual transformation and ESG implementation while dealing with the dual threats of the global economic crisis and climate change. They will also discuss how ESG compliance can create competitive advantages and a sustainable development path for businesses.

Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu, CEO of WBS Solution and System Co. Ltd, said, "We have ambitions to make RIS.ER 24 a regular forum between policymakers, economic experts, and businesses to spread the spirit of sustainable practices."

"WBSs aim is to create multilateral trade and connect sustainable economies. We are eager to work with the business community as it embarks on its green development journey and support the government to realise its net-zero targets," she added.

RIS.ER 24 is a series of ESG and sustainable development events, consisting of this inaugural conference, three workshops over July-September, and a concluding seminar scheduled for November.

The following primary topics will be covered at the seminar:

- New trends in AI that can help address the challenges faced by Vietnam and the global economy.

- An analysis of Vietnam's net-zero goals, carbon credits, the digital economy, energy transition, along with green manufacturing and finance.

Pathways: the optimal route for senior professionals to become ICAEW chartered accountants The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales' (ICAEW) ACA course is a globally recognised qualification enabling professionals to perform at the highest levels of accountancy, business, and finance.

ESG poses challenges for Vietnamese businesses in global trade expansion According to the Corporate Global Trade Survey Report 2023 published by Reuters, 88 per cent of businesses require annual environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data collection from their suppliers. This poses a new challenge for Vietnamese businesses in the process of global supply chain integration.

What Vietnamese businesses can expect from the EU's CSRD The new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) aims to reshape environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for businesses both within and linked to the EU. Nguyen Hoang Nam, ESG leader and partner, along with Luong The Cuong, ESG manager in Assurance Services at PwC Vietnam, explore the implications of the CSRD for Vietnam and outline the necessary strategic actions for compliance with these new standards.

HDBanks faith in ESG pays off for partners and customers HDBank is pioneering the internationalisation of its governance practices and is benefiting from the steadfast support of seasoned shareholders and investment funds.
In December 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chaired an AZEC leadership meeting with the participation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and emphasised the importance of achieving the common goal of "net-zero emissions through various pathways" as well as a triple breakthrough to simultaneously achieve "decarbonisation, economic growth, and energy security".

Prime Minister Kishida noted Japan's efforts in developing and introducing next-generation GX (Green Transformation) technology, and expressed willingness to share Japan's technology and expertise via the AZEC platform, which includes policy coordination through the Asia Zero Emission Centre, the establishment of green supply chains through joint efforts such as the building of zero-emission industrial parks, and commercial collaboration among businesses.

According to information released during the conference, Vietnam is Japan's first partner in the AZEC effort.

Japanese businesses' efforts in Vietnam

Sumitomo Corporation, one of the largest enterprises in the world, has undertaken strategic adjustments towards being carbon-neutral by 2050 through the development of innovative technologies and business models to build a sustainable energy cycle by lowering CO2 emissions and attaining net-zero emissions for the entire society.

Sumitomo Corporation's efforts have received attention and support from the Japanese government. On April 24, in Tokyo, Hajime Wakuda, deputy commissioner for International Affairs, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy under the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, had a meeting with Sumitomo Corporation and strategic partner BRG Group about their aspirations to develop North Hanoi Smart City as the first carbon-neutral urban area in Vietnam and the world.

At the conference, leaders of Sumitomo Corporation and BRG Group expressed their wish for Japan's active engagement in order for the North Hanoi Smart City to accomplish this goal, becoming a typical example of Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam in developing an increasingly sustainable environment. This would also contribute to the early completion of the Vietnamese government's commitment made at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as the national action plan to respond to climate change for 2021-2030.

Hajime Wakuda talks with Takashi Yanai, corporate officer, general manager of Industrial Park and Sustainable City Strategic Business Unit, Sumitomo Corporation, and Nguyen Thi Nga, president of BRG Group, in Tokyo on April 24, 2024

In addition, Sumitomo Corporation is planning to transition towards carbon neutrality in the linking Thang Long Industrial Park and the North Hanoi Smart City project using energy-saving technologies such as heat pumps. This will require the modern technologies, expertise, and experience of Japanese partner industries to create renewable energy through solar and biomass power generation, as well as working and trading with one another to develop a smart and sustainable metropolitan environment, with the objective of being Vietnam's and the world's first carbon-neutral city.

Japanese leaders hold further talks to make North Hanoi Smart City a reality Japanese government agencies have held meetings with leaders of a consortium between Vietnam's BRG Group and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation to push progress on the North Hanoi Smart City project.

Sumitomo-BRG consortium announce plans for North Hanoi Smart City On November 11 in Dong Anh district, Hanoi, the North Hanoi Smart City Development Investment (NHSC) company, a consortium between Vietnam's BRG Group and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, announced the official implementation of the North Hanoi Smart City, a symbolic project to celebrate 50 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (19732023).
This announcement was made on May 20, following Ha's conclusion on the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism, which allows renewable energy producers to sell directly to large electricity consumers.

The draft DPPA decree, currently under consultation, outlines two models developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT): one using private transmission lines and another using the national grid (through EVN).

Under this draft, renewable energy suppliers  wind and solar plants with capacities above 10 MW for grid connections, and any capacity for private lines  are the primary providers, excluding smaller projects like rooftop solar and biomass.

According to local media agency Vnexpress, In both scenarios, buyers must be organisations or individuals using power at 22kV or higher voltage levels, with an average monthly consumption of at least 500,000kWh. Smaller consumers, such as small manufacturing businesses and households, are not included in the direct purchase scheme.

However, Ha noted that the MoITs progress on the new DPPA policies has been slow and requires further clarification. He emphasised that for direct contracts connected via private lines, the draft decree should explicitly state that the National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) does not limit capacity for renewable energy projects, meaning rooftop solar, waste-to-energy, and biomass projects with unlimited capacity can be included in the DPPA mechanism.

To facilitate these transactions, the MoIT must clearly define policies on VAT, environmental regulations, fire prevention, technical safety standards, and construction. The procedures should be straightforward to maximize encouragement, allowing parties to negotiate contracts based on market mechanisms, according to Ha's announcement.

Opportunities and challenges

Vietnam currently boasts over 103,000 rooftop solar projects with a total installed capacity exceeding 9,500MW, according to Vnexpress.

The PDP8 aims to increase this capacity by 2,600MW by 2030, potentially covering 50 per cent of government buildings and residential homes.

However, the MoITs policy only promotes self-production and consumption of rooftop solar energy. This has disappointed many businesses, especially those in industrial and export zones, as they need renewable energy to meet green certification requirements from importing countries.

The inability to sell excess electricity is a major barrier, deterring investments. Companies with resources are hesitant to invest without a return on surplus power, while many manufacturers need renewable energy for certification but lack the investment capability.

Experts and businesses have proposed creating a direct power sales market between investors and manufacturers. This would enable investments in renewable energy systems by industrial park investors, intermediary funds, and solution providers, giving businesses access to clean energy.

In addition to private transmission lines, renewable energy could be traded directly through the national grid.

In May, EVN chairman Dang Hoang An suggested that a direct power purchase market without limiting buyers and sellers is feasible, with participants covering operational and transmission costs to ensure grid safety.

DPM Tran Hong Ha stressed that the Electricity Law does not limit generation to renewable energy alone, as suggested by the draft decree. The MoIT needs to justify excluding fossil fuels, considering Vietnam's net-zero emissions commitment by 2050. The ministry should also consider expanding to include biomass and waste-to-energy projects.

For projects with a minimum capacity of 10MW and customers consuming an average of 500,000kWh monthly, the ministry must clarify these criteria's suitability in the decree, Ha said.

Ha also emphasised the need to clearly define large customers, including industrial park investors, and to broaden the customer base beyond manufacturers.

He instructed that the roles of the state, EVN, and the National Load Dispatch Centre be clarified to transparently communicate regional consumption needs and grid capabilities for absorbing renewable capacity.

EVN has been asked to report on the scale of renewable energy sources under purchase agreements and adjust from traditional sources like coal, gas, and hydropower. Furthermore, EVN must develop cost structures for using its transmission services or those of third parties, including infrastructure and loss fees.

Finally, customers willing to pay higher electricity prices for carbon credits and market participation should be publicly identified, and regulatory bodies must establish policies to prioritise and incentivise businesses using clean energy.

Japan's Vsun Solar starts silicon wafer production in Vietnam Japanese-invested solar solution provider Vsun Solar has completes integrated industry chain with production of its first silicon wafer in Vietnam, which is used to produce solar panels.
The investment was made after Vuihoc raised $6 million in its latest funding round, led by TNB Aura, last year. The move aims to tap into the skyrocketing demand for IELTS in Vietnam.

The IELTS Workshop is an English teaching chain run by Dang Tran Tung, who has years of experience in IELTS test preparation. He also achieved a perfect score of 9.0 in all four IELTS skills. After seven years of development, the chain has 11 IELTS language centres nationwide.

According to Do Ngoc Lam, CEO of Vuihoc, Vuihoc's technology and AI strengths will be combined with the experience and programmes from the IELTS Workshop through this strategic investment cooperation. Vuihoc hopes to jointly create quality IELTS training programmes that are a reliable choice for students in all regions of the country to enjoy high-quality education at a reasonable cost.

The strategic investment cooperation between Vuihoc and The IELTS Workshop will take place in early June. Accordingly, both sides will bring in the IELTSPEED course for students. Unlike the conventional course, this new course applies AI to create a virtual environment for learners to improve the four IELTS skills. IELTSPEED also offers a personalised learning process and a team of quality teachers who score IELTS 8.0 and above.

IELTS scores are a potential door to overseas work and study, entrance to academic programmes, and one of the most widely recognised ways of measuring English proficiency worldwide. IELTS has grown quickly in Vietnam over the past few years, together with a whole industry dedicated to offering candidates the best, quickest, and cheapest ways to achieve their desired band score.

Vietnamese edtech startup Vuihoc secures $6 million in funding round led by TNB Aura The Vietnamese edtech startup, Vuihoc, has successfully raised $6 million in its latest funding round, with TNB Aura  a prominent venture capital firm  taking the lead.

12-year-old on reaching 8.0 IELTS: Thanks to my parents for accompanying my journey Doan Ba Khanh Nguyen, who has just achieved a jaw-dropping IELTS score of 8.0 at the tender age of 12, said his own efforts would have come to nought were it not for his parents' unending support.
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David Martinez, 23, is accused of sending intimate videos of a job applicant to himself while he was a SeaWorld recruiting specialist. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A SeaWorld employee is accused of using a job applicants phone to send himself intimate videos.

David Martinez, 23, was arrested Wednesday and charged with invasive visual recording. His bail was set at $30,000.

SeaWorld San Antonio did not respond Wednesday morning to questions about Martinezs current employment status.

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A job applicant told police that Martinez, a recruiter for SeaWorld, was having trouble viewing a job application from his work computer. Martinez asked the applicant to pull it up on his phone, states an arrest affidavit.

Martinez then told the applicant it wasnt displaying on the phone either and took it to the front desk for help, according to police. After five minutes, Martinez returned, gave the phone back to the applicant and told him to return next week for the next part of the process.

CRIME AND COURTS: San Antonio man accused of drug killing is nabbed in Mexico after 22 years on the run

After the applicant returned home, he saw intimate videos of him and his girlfriend had been sent to an unknown number, the affidavit states.

The applicant reported the incident to his father, and both went to SeaWorlds Human Resources Department to confront Martinez. There, they spoke with the human resources manager, who the father believed was defending Martinez and minimizing the incident. Martinez refused to talk with the applicant and his father, they told police.

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Investigators were able to use the job applicants phone, along with data provided by Martinezs phone carrier, to connect Martinez to the case, according to the affidavit.
NEW HAMPTON  More than a decade after Carl Ken Gallmeyer was found dead in his remote Nashua home, the man accused of killing him is going before a jury.

Randy Lee Patrie, 50, is charged with first-degree murder in Gallmeyers death.

Authorities allege Patrie broke into the 70-year-old retired grocers house on 240th Street, killed him with a sawed-off .410-bore shotgun in his sleep and ransacked the house on Sept. 25, 2012.

Weve all waited for 12 years for the truth to come out, Frank Severino Jr. of the Iowa Attorney Generals Office told jurors during opening statements during the trial Tuesday in Chickasaw County District Court in New Hampton.

Severino said Gallmeyer had retired from running the Clarksville grocery store and had built a secluded home where he could be close to nature, a reward after decades of hard work.

Ken worked hard and did it the right way. Theres a difference, because this man right here wanted to do it the easy way, Severino said, pointing at Patrie in the courtrooom. He didnt want to do it the hard way by earning it. He wanted to do it the easy way by taking it.

Defense attorney Theresa Sampson Brown said her client is innocent.

Randy Patrie is not the person who did this, she told jurors.

She said the crime isnt a what happened case, but instead a who did this case.

The passage of time was evident as testimony began. The two law enforcement officers who initially responded to Gallmeyers house have since left their agencies for other opportunities. A member of the Division of Criminal Investigation crime scene team who collected evidence is now in a supervisory role at the organization.

And Gene Webeking, the friend who became suspicious when he was unable to find Gallmeyer during his annual visit to get permission to hunt on Gallmeyers land, has since died.

Instead, Genes wife, Delores, who had tagged along on the visit, took his place.

Delores Webeking recalled how the bird feeders at Gallmeyers home were empty, his mailbox was plum full. Peering through a window, she noticed the once meticulous house was a disaster with overturned furniture.

Former Chickasaw County Deputy Reed Palo  who now works for the Bremer County Attorney's Office  described finding the doors barricaded from the inside and crawling through a window. In the bedroom, he found Gallmeyers body on the waterbed, buried beneath piles of books, VCR tapes and clothing.

Some 98 items from the home were sent to the state crime lab for testing, but no fingerprints were located, investigators said.

The case remained unsolved until July 2013 when an unrelated search found Gallmeyers missing TV mounted on Patries bedroom wall. Investigators also found Gallmeyers three missing guns, some of Gallmeyers missing tools and a sawed-off .410 shotgun.

Patrie was detained on federal firearms offenses, but he wasnt formally charged with murder until January 2022.

Court records show Patrie implicated his uncle, Dennis Hamm, in later statements to law enforcement.

This was after Hamm testified in Patries 2104 sentencing in federal court, telling the judge he and Patrie had discussed Gallmeyers house as a possible burglary target shortly before the slaying because of rumors he kept a large amount of cash and valuables at the home and lived alone.

Patrie initially denied knowing Gallmeyer when questioned by police in 2013. He claimed the guns  and some 30 other firearms seized by police  were stolen from an auction house and then said he had bought one of the Gallmeyer guns from a friend who had since died, court records state.

Then during a 2019 phone call, Patrie told investigators he had received the Gallmeyer guns from Hamm. Patrie also said Gallmeyers tools came from Hamm, according to court records.

Patrie also stated Hamm had borrowed his car on the night of Gallmeyers death, and he stayed home and used meth, court records state. According to Patries account, when Hamm returned with the car, Hamm told him there was property inside the vehicle he could keep and mentioned to be careful if he sold it because someone got hurt, records state.

Patrie claimed he later figured out the property was related to Gallmeyers death after seeing news accounts of the slaying but didnt notify authorities, records state.

The case is being prosecuted by Chickasaw County Attorney David Laudner and Frank Severino Jr. of the Iowa Attorney Generals Office.

Patrie is represented by defense attorneys Steve Drahozal and Theresa Sampson Brown.

PHOTOS: Carl "Ken" Gallmeyer homicide investigation 021714ho-gallmeyer-gun-3 100912dm-carl-ken-gallmeyer Carl Ken Gallmeyer 021714ho-gallmeyer-gun-1 021714ho-gallmeyer-gun-2 Randy Patrie Randy Lee Patrie 052124jr-patrie-trial-2 052124jr-patrie-trial-1 052124jr-patrie-trial-4 052124jr-patrie-trial-3 052124jr-patrie-trial-5 052124jr-patrie-trial-9 052124jr-patrie-trial-10 052124jr-patrie-trial-11 052224jr-patrie-trial-7 052224jr-patrie-trial-2 052224jr-patrie-trial-4 052224jr-patrie-trial-3 052224jr-patrie-trial-6 052124jr-patrie-trial-x 052324jr-patrie-trial-1 052324jr-patrie-trial-2 052324jr-patrie-trial-3 052324jr-patrie-trial-4 052324jr-patrie-trial-a 052124jr-gallmeyer-home-1
Former President Donald Trump speaks with his attorney Todd Blanche during in his trial Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. Looking on, from left are. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Ala.; Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; radio host Sebastian Gorka; and U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas. Curtis Means/Associated Press Donald Trump Jr., left to right; Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas; radio host Sebastian Gorka; and other supporters watch as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media with attorney Todd Blanche, right, as he arrives for his trial Tuesday in New York City. Pool/Getty Images Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, wears a tie with photographs of former President Donald Trump during a news conference Tuesday outside the Manhattan criminal court in New York. Julia Nikhinson/Associated Press

As testimony ended in Donald Trumps hush money trial on Tuesday, a trio of Texas Republicans  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, along with U.S. Reps. Troy Nehls and Ronny Jackson  were there outside the New York courthouse, ready to step into the role of champions for the former president.

They want Donald Trump to disappear, Patrick told reporters outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse late Tuesday after the defense rested its case without their clients testimony. They want to send him to jail. They want to take him off the main stage because they know hes their biggest danger to taking the ruling class down.

Patrick, Nehls and Jackson were among a steady stream of VIP spectators who had flown in to watch the proceeding. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a longtime Trump supporter who is a contender for attorney general in Trumps administration if he wins, came to New York to watch the trial last month. Paxton launched an unsuccessful legal challenge in four battleground states over Trumps 2020 election loss and was a featured speaker at the Washington rally preceding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.

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Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records over his $130,000 payment in 2016 to adult film actress Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels. While he could face imprisonment if convicted, it is an unlikely sentence for someone convicted of a nonviolent crime.

Nehls  wearing a tie with photographs of Trump holding an American flag  called the trial election interference, and Jackson, who was once physician to President Barack Obama and to Trump, called the trials judge and prosecutors corrupt and puppets of the Biden administration and Biden DOJ.

Closing arguments in Trumps trial are scheduled for May 28. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations once those are complete. The criminal proceeding is taking place six months before Trump faces President Joe Biden in the 2024 general election. The trial, which began April 15, has seen countless GOP allies flocking to court to show their support for Trump.

Nehls called for Trump to be U.S. House speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted and most recently sported a T-shirt with Trumps mug shot to Bidens State of the Union address in March. Patrick is also a staunch Trump supporter, having chaired Trumps campaigns in Texas in 2016 and 2020.

Paxton, as well as Jackson and Patrick, are all recipients of Trump endorsements during their respective political campaigns. And those endorsements translate well in a state where support for the former president is strong among GOP voters.

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Trumps backing particularly paid off for Paxtons heated 2022 primary. Trump also claimed credit for Paxtons acquittal at his impeachment trial last year; he denounced the impeachment proceedings soon before they began. And Trumps support is credited with helping Jackson in his 2020 primary runoff.
WATERLOO  Hy-Vee announced Wednesday several steps it will take to alleviate any hardship caused by the closing of three Iowa stores, including the Logan Avenue location in Waterloo.

No business wants to close a location and that certainly includes Hy-Vee. Over the past several weeks, we have listened to community leaders and residents about the impact of our store closures. ... Unfortunately, these three stores have each been losing significant amounts of money for several years, and they are simply not feasible for us to operate any longer, the company said in a statement.

Hy-Vee will take the following steps to help people living near the Logan Avenue store.

Free transportation:

Hy-Vee will provide a free shuttle from the Logan Avenue store to the Crossroads Hy-Vee, where pharmacy prescriptions will be transferred. This will allow customers to get groceries and receive their medications at the Crossroads Hy-Vee in Waterloo. The shuttle service will run three days a week for four hours at a time. The free shuttles will run on a designated schedule starting the week of June 24 through Sept. 1. At that time, we will reevaluate their use by the community. More information will be shared once we finalize routes with our transportation partners.

Free grocery delivery:

Hy-Vee will provide free grocery delivery to all residents within a one-mile radius of the store for one year when they sign up for the service. Sign up will begin June 10, and more details will be announced closer to that date. Free delivery will continue through June 23, 2025. A minimum order of $24.95 will be required.

Continuation of free pharmacy delivery:

Hy-Vee will continue to provide free pharmacy delivery to Waterloo residents. We have done this for the past several years.

No lease restrictions:

Hy-Vee is working with landlords to try to fill the Logan Avenue space so the property does not stay vacant once we close our store. We are not placing a use restriction on any of these three locations.

Increased food bank assistance: Hy-Vee is partnering with Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo to fund, supply and staff several food distribution events in July and August to help local families in need while school is out for the summer. Notification for the events will be provided to neighborhoods surrounding each location in late June. In Waterloo, additional protein, like meat and peanut butter, will be donated by Hy-Vee to the food bank to assist families in need since a mobile unit is not available at this location.
1974Oral Robbins, Fall River, retired from a 43-year career as an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Milwaukee had been her school term home since 1927 when she enrolled in the Milwaukee Normal School.

Thirty-four delegates from the Columbus Junior High School joined 6,000 safety patrol boys and girls for a weekend program at the Wisconsin Dells. Chaperones were Rich Abegglen and James Newton.

1984The Columbus School Board discussed ways to finance an elevator for handicapped students at Dickason School.

The Columbus High School Music Department presented awards at their second annual awards banquet. Award winners included Mike Seier, Alan Ring, Michelle Burnard, Julie Durow and Doug Kirchberg.

1994It was still another two years before the village of Fall River turned 150, but a group of dedicated volunteers had been planning for a special village birthday party. Dave Wright served as chairman of the group.

The Columbus Jaycees continued their sandbox filling program while looking for more sandboxes to join the 48 filled to date.

2004Sue Sewell was leaving the classroom after 26 years of teaching in the Columbus School District to become the new principal of Columbus Elementary School. Sewell replaced Nikki Mason who announced her retirement in early March.

The Columbus/Fall River Step-Sisters won second-place in the Senior Idol competition at the Senior Expo, held at the Beaver Dam Mall.

Follow on Facebook at Columbus, WI Historical Society, email columbuswiareahistory.com or visit columbuswiareahistory.com. The Columbus WI Area Historical Society is looking for a home for its museum. If anyone has ideas on where to locate, contact David Komarck-Bennett, society president.
Cayla Harris covers Texas politics and government for the San Antonio Express-News and Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at cayla.harris@hearst.com.

She also served as training director of the Hearst Fellowship Program, a two-year initiative allowing early career journalists to rotate through local newsrooms.

She previously covered New York state government for the Albany Times Union. She grew up in New Jersey and is a 2019 graduate of the George Washington University, where she studied journalism and Spanish.
The Republican National Committee's Washington headquarters was briefly evacuated on Wednesday as police investigated two vials of blood that had been addressed to former President Donald Trump following the presumptive presidential nominee's takeover of the national party apparatus.

Hazardous-materials teams were called in after the vials were discovered, according to the U.S. Capitol Police, who said they would continue to investigate. It was unclear if anyone came into contact with the blood and to whom it belonged.

The vials were addressed to Trump, according to a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak about it publicly. It was unclear if any message accompanied the vials explaining why they were sent.

Spokespeople for the RNC and the U.S. Secret Service did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The Metropolitan Police Department and the local fire department referred comment to the Capitol Police.

Earlier Wednesday, the Capitol Police issued a statement advising people to avoid the block where the RNC is located. The House sergeant at arms, the U.S. House of Representatives' chief law enforcement and protocol officer, sent out information advising traffic restrictions in the area due to law enforcement activity at the RNC.

Trump's handpicked leadership  including his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as the partys national vice chair and former North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley as RNC chairman  recently took over the RNC, completing his takeover of the national party as he closes in on a third straight GOP presidential nomination. A Trump campaign senior adviser, Chris LaCivita, has taken over as the RNC chief of staff.

Wednesday's situation comes less than two months from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is slated to become the party's official 2024 nominee and at which significant protests are expected. According to a letter sent last month to the Secret Service, RNC counsel Todd Steggerda asked officials to keep protesters back farther from the site than had been originally planned, arguing that an existing plan creates an elevated and untenable safety risk to the attending public.

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the 200th federal judge of President Joe Biden's tenure, about a month earlier than when Donald Trump hit that mark in his term, though Trump still holds the edge when it comes to the most impactful confirmations  those to the Supreme Court and the country's 13 appellate courts.

The march to 200 culminated with the confirmation of Angela Martinez as a district court judge in Arizona. The milestone reflects the importance that Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., placed on judicial confirmations after Trump put his enormous stamp on the federal judiciary with the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices.

Reaching 200 judges is a major milestone, Schumer said just before the 66-28 vote. Simply put, our 200 judges comprise the most diverse slate of judicial nominations under any president in American history.

The current pace of judicial confirmations for this White House came despite Biden, a Democrat, coming into office in 2021 with far fewer vacancies, particularly in the influential appellate courts, than Trump, a Republican, did in 2017.

It's unclear whether Biden can eclipse his predecessor's 234 judges before the year ends.

Democrats have solidly backed the president's judicial nominees, but there have been some cracks in that resolve in recent weeks. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he would not support nominees who do not have some bipartisan support, and the two Democratic senators from Nevada are opposing a nominee who would become the nation's first Muslim appellate court judge. They did so after some law enforcement groups came out against the nomination.

The White House is aware of the obstacles as they rush to surpass Trump's accomplishment. It's a high water mark that remains a point of pride for the former president and senior Republicans who made it happen, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Filling dozens of judicial vacancies requires time on the Senate floor calendar, which becomes more scarce as senators in the narrowly divided chamber shift into election-year campaign mode.

That matters because for district court judges, home-state senators still can exercise virtual veto power over a White House's nominations due to a long-standing Senate tradition.

White House officials say they have no illusions about the challenges they face but feel reaching 235 is possible. That doesn't please Republicans.

Unfortunately, they learned from our example about prioritizing lifetime appointments, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Meanwhile, liberal advocacy groups are thrilled with the results so far.

I just cannot rave enough about these judges, said Jake Faleschini, who leads nominations work at the Alliance for Justice. It's been nothing short of transformative of the federal judiciary in terms of both excellence, but also demographic and professional diversity.

At this stage in his term, Trump had two Supreme Court justices and 51 appellate court judges confirmed to lifetime appointments. Biden has tapped one Supreme Court justice and 42 appellate court judges. Biden has more confirmations of the district judges who handle civil and criminal cases. Those nominations tend to be less hard fought.

Biden has emphasized adding more female and minority judges to the federal bench. On that front, 127 of the 200 judges confirmed to the bench are women. Fifty-eight are Black and 36 are Hispanic, according to Schumer's office. Thirty-five judges are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, more than any other administration, according to the White House.

In the appellate courts, 30 of the 42 circuit judges confirmed during Biden's term are women, according to the White House. Thirteen Black women have been chosen as circuit judges, more than all previous administrations combined.

Under Biden, more Hispanic judges have been confirmed to the appellate courts than any other administration.

As abortion access remains a vital priority for the Biden administration and a key argument for the president's reelection bid, the White House also points to several judges with backgrounds on the issue. They include Judge Julie Rikelman of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, who before her nomination argued on behalf of the abortion clinic in Dobbs vs Jackson, the 2022 ruling that dismantled Roe vs. Wade; and Nicole Berner, a former attorney at Planned Parenthood who now serves on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Conservatives say it is fine to have diversity, but that should not be the focus.

I think the right standard isnt trying to check boxes with nominees, but to try to find the men and women who are going to be faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law, said Carrie Severino, president of JCN, a conservative group that worked to boost support for Trump's nominees.

About a one-quarter of the judges Trump nominated were women and about 1 in 6 were minorities, according to the Pew Research Center.

Asked about the diversity of Biden's nominees, GOP senators said there was too much focus on identity politics.

I'm interested in competent lawyers who will administer justice fairly. Now, there are women that can do that. There are men that can do that. There are people of color that can do that, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. But their primary characteristic that they're proudest of is racial identify or gender identify, and activist. And I just don't think that's what the American people want to see in their justice system.

Proponents of diversifying the federal judiciary counter that people who come before the court have more trust in the legal process when they see people who look like them. They said it's important to diversify the professional backgrounds of judges, too, so that more public defenders and those with a civil rights or non-profit background are considered.

The American people deserve federal judges who not only look like America, but understand the American experience from every angle, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman.

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
Bungie Goes to Trial With Cheating Software Creator, Distributor AimJunkies

Destiny 2 developer Bungie has gone to trial against cheating software creator and distributor AimJunkies and comes nearly three years after the initial lawsuit was filed in a Seattle court.

The lawsuit was filed by Bungie lead attorney Jacob Dini and it has been a long and complicated journey up to this point. AimJunkies, which is owned by Phoenix Digital Group, countersued the video game developer in 2022.

Bungie Goes to Trial Against AimJunkies

In it, they claimed that the Sony-owned company had illegally accessed James May's computer and accessed his copyrighted material. May is a defendant who is accused of hacking into Destiny 2 to copy its code to create the cheating software that AimJunkies sold.

In 2023, parts of the lawsuit, which include anti-circumvention and trafficking violations, were resolved in arbitration and resulted in Bungie winning $4.3 million.

A few months after, AimJunkies filed to appeal the decision, arguing that the arbitrator "blatantly disregarded some rules in making his decision," according to Polygon.

The two parties are now in court this week to settle the claim that the cheating software creator and distributor violated Bungie's copyright. On Monday, opening statements began after eight jurors were selected for the trial.

Lawyers said that this is probably the first time that a video game cheating lawsuit has made it this far in the court system. What is worth noting is that cheating is not explicitly against United States law.

Read Also: Try Out This One Call of Duty: Warzone Map Today Before Raven Software Removes it For Good

The arbiter previously determined that AimJunkies violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's anti-circumvention rules by bypassing Bungie's security measures and by trafficking or selling software that was designed to circumvent those measures.

The latest development comes as in February last year, a judge agreed that AimJunkies was guilty and was ordered to pay more than $3.6 million in damages and $700,000 in legal expenses, said Kotaku.

Hidden Sales and Transactions

But now, lawyers representing Bungie are blaming May and the company also said that he split the revenue with Phoenix Digital's Jeffrey Conway and Jordan Green. The company reportedly found that Phoenix Digital paid May "more than $700,000 for his work."

However, the sales records that Phoenix Digital provided only documented $43,000 in sales and Bungie's lawyers claim that they deleted cryptocurrency and other transactions. This is the reason why they are now asking the jury to consider "spoliation of evidence."

This would mean that the video game studio's lawyers are requesting that the jury in charge of the case presume that the defendants destroyed evidence that might incriminate them. The evidence supposedly includes forum messages, records of the cheat software, and sales information.

On the other hand, lawyer Philip P. Mann said that May did not create the Destiny 2 cheat and that Bungie had subjected Phoenix Digital founder David Schaefer to 16 hours of questioning. This was allegedly done to find out who the company thinks is behind the international conspiracy to develop cheats.

Schaefer's conduct was also a factor in the previous amount that was awarded to Bungie. In a statement, arbitration Judge Ronald Cox said that the respondents' "egregious and willful conduct, including their ongoing concealment of sales," according to Engadget.



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Kevin Costner, 69, mortgaged his familys beachfront Santa Barbara home to finance the $100 million-plus epic hes been working on for 37 years: Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 1 (in theaters June 28) and Chapter 2 (Aug. 16), set in the Civil War era but more about the settling of the West than the war. The first movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival May 19 to a 10-minute standing ovation that brought tears to his eyes. It earned rave reviews  but also several pans.

Doubling down on his bold bet, hes seeking funds for two more films, Chapter 3 and, he hopes, Chapter 4. He doesnt regret taking the risk of a lifetime on his career-capstone film franchise. I just believed in it so much that I put my money into it, Costner tells AARP. Ive pushed my chips to the middle and didn't blink.

Members only

What is the series of films about?

Horizons first chapter is awash with characters and multiple storylines that resonate with Western mythology. In the 1860s, an Apache man (Tatanka Means) and his warriors set fire to Horizon, a tiny settlement in Arizonas San Pedro Valley. A homesteader (Sienna Miller) hides with her kids under her homes floor, using a rifle as a breathing tube as her husband (Will Patton, 69) dies. Shes rescued and takes shelter at Fort Gallant, led by a gallant, hunky Union Army lieutenant (Sam Worthington).

In Montana territory, a gorgeous floozy (Abbey Lee) and a single mom (Jena Malone) are menaced by two outlaw gunmen. In rides a drifter (Costner) whos likely a better shot than John Wayne and Gary Cooper combined, and he takes the women and a child on the run.

Meanwhile, on the Oregon Trail in Kansas, a wagon train leader (Luke Wilson, 52) tries to keep his settlers safe, including a rather spoiled British couple (Ella Hunt and Tom Payne).

The plot is sprawling, covering about 15 years. Several critics compared it to 1962s Cinerama blockbuster How the West Was Won, which had five plots and might have had more dramatic impact with one. (It won three Oscars and grossed $791 million in 2024 dollars.) But Chapter 1 just sets up Horizons stories without resolving them, so well have to wait to see how they turn out. Deadlines Pete Hammond says its an impressive beginning, with the promise of more to come.
British comedian and quiz show host Richard Osman, 53, has taken the literary world by storm with his 2020 bestseller, The Thursday Murder Club, and the three follow-up books in the series. The humor-filled mysteries feature a quartet of British retirees living in a posh retirement village in Kent who team up to solve murders. Netflix has acquired the film rights to the books  with Helen Mirren, 78, Pierce Brosnan, 71, and Ben Kingsley, 80, set to star.

Courtesy Pamela Dorma Books

The Thursday Murder Club books have sold more than 10 million copies globally. What do readers love about Osmans series? His U.S. editor, Pamela Dorman, senior vice president and publisher of Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, says she thinks theyre drawn to the characters, who represent a range of smart, energetic, intrepid seniors, each of whom had an illustrious career  one a labor organizer, one a psychiatrist, one a nurse and one a spy. They bring all that experience to their new lives as amateur detectives.

She says Osman wanted to show that seniors are perfectly capable of bravery, intelligence and, above all, humor in their later years. (The author will debut another series in September with the book We Solve Murders, which features slightly younger detectives: 30-something Amy Wheeler and her 50-something father-in-law, retired police officer Steve Wheeler.)

Nicole Angeloro at HarperCollins, who edits Elly Griffiths books, which are often compared to Osmans (including The Last Word, described below), says readers are attracted to an appealing mix of humor and gravity in The Thursday Murder Club and Griffiths novels. In The Last Word, theres a lot of affection among the characters and for the characters and fun, she says, but youre still dealing with secrets and death.

If youre looking for other fantastic mysteries featuring older sleuths, consider these six, which run the gamut. Some feature Osman-style playfulness; others are darker and decidedly uncozy.

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The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood

English screenwriter Robert Thorogood  who created the BBC One murder mystery series Death in Paradise  debuted his mystery novel series in 2021 with The Marlow Murder Club , about a trio of older women in Buckinghamshire who investigate a murder. The series has become so popular that its been adapted into a TV series set to air soon on Masterpiece on PBS. This year, Thorogood released the third book in the series, The Queen of Poisons , in which the Marlow Murder Club is called in to investigate the sudden death of the mayor during a town council meeting after traces of aconite (or the queen of poisons) are found in his morning coffee.
For the overwhelming majority of adults who wind up at the emergency room (ER) complaining of pain from something theyve accidentally swallowed, that something is usually a fish bone or chicken bone, maybe a toothpick.



But research suggests an outlier  a wire bristle from a grill brush, of all things  is to blame for over 130 ER visits per year. And if youre wondering how much damage an inch-and-a-half-long wayward bristle can do, the answer is plenty.

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The main danger is that the wire bristle will poke into or perforate the lining of your mouth, throat, esophagus or elsewhere along the intestinal track, says Mark Prince, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. In the least dangerous scenario, this causes pain and requires a visit to the emergency room to be evaluated and have the bristle removed. But if the bristle perforates the lining and migrates into deeper tissues  for instance, into the neck, chest or abdomen  this can lead to pain, possibly infection and the need for complex surgery to remove the bristle.

Thats what happened to one of Princes patients, a 63-year-old woman who initially went to the ER complaining of an unusually painful sore throat. Only a few hours earlier, she explained, she was eating a hot dog her husband had cooked on the grill, and with that first bite, she experienced an immediate pain that grew so severe she had trouble swallowing. Thats when she and her husband headed to the ER.

Was it some strange type of food poisoning? An abscess in her throat?

The doctors examined her and found nothing out of the ordinary, so she returned home, only to have her symptoms worsen in the days and weeks that followed. After six months of searching for a diagnosis, she arrived at Princes clinic in Ann Arbor where a CT scan revealed the culprit: a wavy metallic object that looked like a piece of hair at the back of her throat.

A loose bristle from the brush her husband relied on to clean their grill had found its way into that long-ago hot dog shed consumed. Although the bristle initially embedded itself in one of her tonsils, it eventually found its way into her neck before moving to an area at the back of her throat where it was not only easier for Prince to spot on a CT scan, but also safer for him to remove during surgery.

With that, more than six months of hospital and clinic visits, pain, difficulty swallowing and recurrent episodes of throat swelling came to an end, Prince says.
A science experiment at Vena Stuart Elementary School in Gallatin, Tennessee, took an unexpected turn on Friday, leading to the hospitalization of 18 elementary students and their teacher. The incident occurred during a routine science class where third-graders were engaged in experiments with an outside presenter.

According to reports from Sumner County Schools, the students began feeling unwell after participating in an experiment involving dry ice. Symptoms of nausea prompted school administrators to swiftly contact emergency responders for assistance.

In a precautionary measure, all affected individuals, including the 18 students and their teacher, were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment.

Fortunately, all transported individuals were reported to be in stable condition, and they were subsequently released from the hospital later in the day.

Sumner County EMS provided additional details, stating that the patients were being treated for carbon dioxide poisoning, likely stemming from the mishap during the science experiment.

Most of the students were taken to Sumner Regional Medical Center for evaluation, where a "Code Orange" was initiated as a precautionary measure in response to the hazardous materials spill.

School Addresses Incident, Expresses Gratitude for Fast Response

Fire crews were called to the scene to assess and ventilate the classroom where the experiment took place, ensuring the safety of the school environment. Authorities confirmed that there was no ongoing threat following the incident.

Scott Langford, the Director of Sumner County Schools, expressed gratitude for the prompt response of school administration and first responders.

"They acted quickly, and our students are safe," he said.

He emphasized that the safety and well-being of the students remained the top priority throughout the ordeal.

The community expressed relief that the situation was swiftly managed and that no serious injuries occurred.


Connects Operations to Electric Grid

Sydney, May 21, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - PYX Resources Ltd ( LON:PYX ) ( NSX:PYX ), the world's third largest publicly listed zircon producer by zircon resources, has connected its Mandiri Mineral Separation Plant ("MSP") to the local electric grid of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.



PYX Resources' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver B. Hasler, said:



"We are very happy with the continuous progress made at Mandiri's MSP and appreciate the help received by the local authorities, and in particular the State Electricity Company in Palangkaraya. Anyone running a mining operation will understand the importance of having access to continuous reliable power, provided by the connectivity to a grid. Although the generators we have been using on site have enabled us to progress operations so far, they were fuel and maintenance intensive and represented a significant proportion of our OPEX.



"Aside from the operational benefits, the grid connectivity will make our operations cleaner, and it is another excellent example of our focus on sustainability and improving our daily productivity and bottom line."



As part of its strategy to drive shareholder and stakeholder value, the Company is focused on increasing production at its large-scale operations in Central Kalimantan, reducing costs, and boosting operational margins. Accordingly, in early 2022, PYX increased production capacity at Mandiri MSP from 18,000tpa to 24,000tpa to enable the production of by-products, rutile, leucoxene, and ilmenite having initially produced and sold premium zircon, and now aims to double this to 48,000tpa by 2026.



Furthermore, over the past six months, the Company has installed wiring to connect Mandiri's MSP to a new electric panel, which has been connected to a new transformer with a capacity of 555kVA.



After the SLO testing (Operation Certificate) was issued, the State Electricity Company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), connected the MSP to the grid on 20 May 2024, which is expected to save over 80% of fuel costs. PYX has agreed a 24/7 premium services contract with PLN, with 99% uptime guarantee.



Importantly, as Indonesia advances its 2060 Net-Zero strategy, with work underway to expand its renewables capacity and support systems and develop green ecosystems, PYX's connection to the electric grid will also reduce its own carbon footprint and make its operations more sustainable.





About Pyx Resources Limited





PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) (LON:PYX) is a global producer of premium zircon listed on the National Stock Exchange of Australia and the London Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Mandiri mineral sands deposit, located in the alluvium sediment rich region of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Boasting the world's 5th largest producing deposit of zircon, PYX is a large-scale, near-surface open pit operation in production since 2015 and with exploration to date validating the presence of additional Valuable Heavy Minerals such as rutile, ilmenite among others within its mineral sands.

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Freedom Healthy Cooking Oil introduces its new campaign Are You Buying Right? as an extension of the campaign Dhyaan-Se-Lijiye to spread the awareness among consumers, to check the quantity of edible oil in the 1 Litre Pouch being purchased. As per the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, The Government of India, every 1 Litre Pouch of Sunflower Oil must contain 910 grams of oil, however some brands sell 1 Litre look alike pack with lesser quantity (850-870 grams) of edible oil in the pack.

The campaign Are You Buying Right? is aimed at encouraging consumers to check the quantity of edible oil mentioned on the pack before purchasing, so that they are not deceived. The campaign urges people to Be Aware and not be tricked into purchasing a pack of oil resembling 1 Litre pouch with less oil. It urges consumers to turn the pack and check the quantity of oil in the pack, to be sure that they are paying the right price for the quantity mentioned on the pack and safeguard themselves from falling prey to unfair practices. The campaign also highlights the Guarantee that each 1 litre pouch of Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil has 910 grams of refined sunflower oil.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. P Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd, said, "Our campaign 'Are You Buying Right?' shows our commitment to consumer empowerment. We believe in informing the consumers about their rights and ensuring they understand what they're purchasing in the market. It's necessary for the consumers to check the quantity of edible oil in the pouch before they buy any brand of the sunflower oil, to safeguard themselves from being deceived. We at Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils Guarantee that each 1 Litre Pouch will contain 910 grams of edible oil. Our request to the consumers is to Check the quantity of oil in the pouch before you buy  Always Buy Right
P&G Shiksha, the flagship CSR program of P&G India, launched its new campaign - #StandUpForLearningGaps, to spotlight the issue of learning gaps in children, which affects over 6 crore children in the country as per National Achievement Survey 2021. Over the years, P&G Shiksha has been dedicated to remediating the learning gap in underprivileged children by helping them attain strong conceptual understanding through dedicated interventions. This year, the initiative addresses the critical issue of gaps in foundational knowledge, which can sometimes manifest online as seemingly naive responses by children, often leading to mockery.

The film takes a leaf from memes flooding the internet recently where  children are seen struggling to respond or being mocked if they give a wrong answer to a question. In fact, as per a Forbes report, a recent video of a child incorrectly answering to a journalist was one among the top 10 most searched memes in 2023 in India. However, this laughter often masks a more serious issue: a lack of understanding that hinders a childs academic progress. When faced with a question they dont understand, they might struggle or be made fun of if they give the wrong answer. Therefore, this year, P&G Shiksha is recreating a life-like situation through the campaign, where it leverages humour to engage the audience, helping them take a pause to realize the issue of learning gaps by raising a pertinent question: Would you laugh, if this happened with your child?. With a completely fresh outlook, the campaign Stand Up for the Learning Gap aims to address this problem and urge collective action.

Speaking about the new film, Abhishek Desai, Vice President  Brand Operation and Category Leader  Grooming, P&G India said, For 19 years now, P&G Shiksha has championed access to education for millions of underprivileged children in India, impacting over 45 lakh children. We have reinforced this with our commitment to driving large-scale awareness regarding learning gaps, which impact over 6 crore children in India. These gaps can lead to frustration, a lack of understanding, and even ridicule. However, what often gets missed is the reason behind. By raising a pertinent question - Would you laugh, if this happened with your child? we are seeking to educate parents, guardians, teachers and well-wishers on the existence and impact of learning gaps, while also empowering them to identify and take steps to bridge these. We can come together to #StandupForLearningGap. Timely action can unleash a childs full potential in leveraging education as an enabler for a brighter future.

Conceptualised and created by Leo Burnett, the film begins with two memes being played in a standup comedy show, in which a journalist asks very simple math questions to the children. The children misunderstand the question being asked, and answer incorrectly, eventually sending the audience into a laughing frenzy. Amidst the laughter, the show lead  famous standup comedian Rahul Dua, poses a pertinent question to the audience  Would you laugh, if it were your child in the video? This is when the focus turns to the audience as they take the pause and realize that the incorrect answers in the meme were symptoms of learning gap. At this stage, the film then moves on to the interventions that P&G Shiksha is driving on ground along with its NGO partners to remediate learning gaps and urges the audience to stand up against learning gaps.

The campaign goes beyond the film, driving widespread awareness through a multi-pronged approach. This includes a powerful discussion featuring renowned personalities from diverse backgrounds who will explore the issue of learning gaps. In-store activations at partner retail locations will further amplify the message. A unique baseline test will empower parents and guardians to identify potential learning gaps in children around them. These initiatives, along with others, aim to make the issue of learning gaps impossible to ignore.

Rajdeepak Das, CCO Publicis Groupe South Asia and Chairman Leo Burnett South Asia, said, To draw attention to one of the most overlooked problems in education in our country, "The Learning Gap" - we have used humour as a platform for our latest campaign for P&G Shiksha. We often come across memes of children making mistakes on the internet, not realizing the grim reality behind this. This is actually a learning crisis that affects almost 6 crore kids in India. By using stand-up comedy as a medium, we want to build awareness of this critical gap in learning.

P&G India's flagship CSR program, P&G Shiksha, has been working to provide access to education to underprivileged children since 2005.

As part of this, to improve learning outcomes in children, P&G Shiksha leverages AI-backed technology with 'Mindspark', a computer-based adaptive learning tool, in partnership with Educational Initiatives. The program also implements on-ground remedial learning interventions in partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, using both community-based and in-school models supported by trained volunteers and teachers. Additionally, P&G Shiksha focuses on early childhood education through Pratham Education Foundation, developing motor, cognitive, social-emotional, language, and creative skills in children to prevent learning gaps, and laying a strong foundation as they begin school.
The final moments aboard a doomed single-engine airplane that crashed onto I-40 outside of Nashville on Monday night were captured on audio transmissions with the airport control tower.

The Metro Nashville Police said five people died when the plane crashed off of the eastbound lanes just past the Charlotte Pk. exit at around 7:45 p.m.

"My engine turned off... I'm too far away, I won't make it," the pilot told air traffic controllers in an audio recording obtained by the Daily Mail.

"I'm at 1,600 (feet)... I'm going to be landing, I don't know where," he continued.

Small plane crashes along I-40 in Nashville, TN. Multiple fatalities. pic.twitter.com/vjPtcRBKFB  News Now 24 (@GlobalNewsNow24) March 5, 2024

The plane crashed a short time later, about three miles from the airport.

The plane didn't hit any vehicles as it crashed but video from a traffic camera showed the plane burst into a huge fireball upon impact.



Kendra Loney, a spokesperson with the Nashville Fire Department, told the Tennessean that the crash was "catastrophic."

BREAKING: A single-engine airplane has crashed off the eastbound lanes of I-40 just past the Charlotte Pk exit. Several persons on board are deceased. Work continues to determine from where the plane originated. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024

All of the victims at the crash site were aboard the plane, and their identities were not immediately released.

Plane tracking site FlightAware reported the plane had taken off from Mount Sterling, Kentucky around 7:20 p.m. and was headed to Nashville.

Police said the FAA was on the scene and the NTSB would be there later on Tuesday to start an investigation.
Snapchat is strengthening its leadership team in India, a key growth market, with strategic hires across Content, Partnerships, Augmented Reality, Growth, and Sales. With these hires, Snap has doubled the size of its India team since last year to serve the growing community of Indian Snapchatters and underscore Snapchat's substantial and long-term commitment to the region.

With a unique appeal that resonates deeply with the Indian youth, Snapchat has achieved remarkable growth of 200 million users in a short period of time and amidst fierce competition.

Discussing the expansion of Snap's team in India, Pulkit Trivedi, Managing Director Snap Inc. - India adds, "Snapchats unique appeal to Gen Z lies in its authentic engagement with real friends and family. This appeal has fueled our rapid growth in India demonstrating our strong resonance. India presents a unique & large opportunity for us to invest & grow. With this leadership team in India we are committed to serving our community, building value for advertisers, creators and AR developers and contributing to India's digital adoption.

Joining the Snap team as the Director - Content, Partnerships & Augmented Reality is Saket Jha Saurabh. With over two decades of leadership at the forefront of digital media, Saket has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of content creation and distribution. Previously, he led Metas partnership with Creators, Public Figures, Media Companies, he was CEO at #fame, a pioneering Creator venture. Saket set up the digital media business for Bloomberg, marketed iconic media brands CNBC & Aaj Tak and managed Corporate Development at India Today & Network18, and handled Coca-Cola at Leo Burnett.

Saket will also be leading the charge of building Snaps AR creator ecosystem where creators, developers are tapping into Snaps community engagement and excitement about augmented reality today and its vast potential for the future.

Snap's localization and expansion efforts in India have demonstrated significant impact on community growth and engagement. To further propel this growth trajectory, Chirag Kohli comes aboard as the Head of Growth. With a decade's experience at Amazon, Chirag will focus on intensifying user acquisition, engagement, and revenue expansion efforts.

Driving revenue growth through strategic relationships are Amit Ojha - India Agency Lead, Neha Jolly Sawhney - India Sales Head and Yagnesh Ravi - Ads Solutions Lead.

Amit comes with over two decades of industry experience in brands like Amazon and Meta, and has a proven track record of driving growth, engagement, and revenue through strategic partnerships and impactful campaigns.

Neha has a rich background in sales strategy and management spanning over two decades. Prior to her new role, she was leading the Digital innovation sales practice at Amazon Web Services (AWS), following impactful tenures at Concentrix and IBM India.

Yagnesh has over a decade of expertise in digital advertising, including more than five years at Meta, and has helped businesses build ad campaigns that deliver impact and business results.

Leading Snaps efforts to build trust with the Government of India, is Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy for India and South Asia. Prior to this role, Uthara led Amazon Web Services' (AWS) and Amazon's public policy efforts. She also served as Public Policy Lead to Rajeev Chandrasekhar from 2014 to 2017 and as a LAMP Fellow in 2010-11. Rashmi Dastidar, Head of Integrity and Compliance for APAC and EMEA brings 17 years of risk and compliance experience with time at WhatsApp (Meta), Deloitte, International SOS and Control Risks, enhancing Snaps risk and compliance practices across the region.

Lekshmi Geetha, Head of People for India, has extensive experience from her roles at Netflix and Disney, focusing on driving organizational success through effective people management. Poonam Nikam, Head Communications for India, Singapore & Japan, has spent over fifteen years developing integrated communications strategies for TikTok, Sony Music, and Bharti Airtel, significantly boosting brand visibility and stakeholder engagement.

Playing a crucial role in shaping Snapchat's future in India, these leaders will continue to redefine the digital experience for millions of users nationwide.
Taj Lakefront Bhopal appoints Mr Vishal Sharma as General Manager. In his new role as Cluster General ManagerOperations and General ManagerTaj Lakefront, Bhopal. In this capacity, Mr Sharma will oversee the operational aspects of Taj Lakefront and provide leadership to Taj hotels across Madhya Pradesh, excluding Ginger Indore.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Mr. Vishal Sharma stated, "It's an immense privilege to take on this dual responsibility within the Taj family. I am fully committed to leveraging my extensive experience and insights to maintain the brand's reputation and to guide Taj Lakefront, Bhopal, towards unprecedented success, setting new benchmarks for the hotel."

With over two decades of experience, Mr Vishal Sharma embarked on his career journey as a Food & Beverage Associate as the President in Mumbai under IHCL Selections. His dedication and proficiency swiftly earned him leadership roles, including his tenure as Food and Beverage Manager at Vivanta Mangalore and Taj Tashi, Bhutan. Before joining Taj Lakefront, Bhopal, he served as General Manager at prominent hotels such as Vivanta Dal View in Srinagar and Vivanta Kolkata on EM Bypass, along with a stint as Operation Manager at Taj Mahal in Lucknow.

Vishal Sharma's extensive experience spans various regions, demonstrating his adeptness in diverse markets and his ability to foster relationships with stakeholders while driving revenues, particularly in food and beverage-oriented establishments. His sharp business acumen and market understanding position him well to excel in his expanded role.
Marketing transformation company VML, has conceptualized an eccentric and disruptive campaign called Cradle to Crease, for Ageas Federal Life Insurance, featuring Sachin Tendulkar.

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, a childs future isn't as distant as it once seemed. Recognizing this, the campaign sheds light on the significance of early financial planning for parents through the lens of Sachin Tendulkars debut. The initiative drives home the message that while the future might be evolving and uncertain, focusing on financial planning and investing in life insurance can help face it with optimism, hope and confidence.

Speaking about the brand film, Erum Kidwai, Sr. Vice President & Head- Marketing at Ageas Federal Life Insurance, remarked, With "Cradle to Crease, we aim to redefine the narrative surrounding financial planning and insurance. Sachin Tendulkar's journey serves as a powerful reminder that there is no fixed age or time to prioritize financial security. Through this film, we seek to inspire individuals to take charge of their future fearlessly and embrace a proactive approach towards financial planning through insurance."

Commenting on the brands use of innovative technology when it comes to marketing campaigns, Mr. Kidwai added, Be it our Young Sachin campaign, The Boy Who Dreamed, SachinVerse campaign or the present Cradle to Crease Ad, we are proud to be the first brand in the BFSI sector in India to integrate Gen AI and Deep Fake positively to educate audiences about the necessity of Life Insurance in a way that is relatable to todays tech savvy audience. These campaigns also ensure that they appeal to the entire spectrum of our target audience from all age groups."

Building on the long-term brand philosophy of #FutureFearless, the brand reminds people that with timely investment through life insurance, they can be adequately prepared for any uncertainties or disruptions that life throws at us. The film underscores the versatility and relevance of life insurance products across all age groups, reinforcing the message that its never too early or late to secure one's future, the right time is whenever one chooses to act.

Mukund Olety, CCO VML, shares, By using Sachin Tendulkar's journey, we aim to redefine the narrative around financial planning and insurance, emphasizing that there's no fixed age or time to prioritize financial security. VML is proud to create a campaign for AFLI, making it the first brand in India's BFSI sector to use DeepFake technology positively. This combination of creativity and technology allows us to educate audiences about the importance of life insurance in a way that connects with todays tech-savvy generation."

The 360 campaigns will be amplified across social media platforms, including sports, news and finance channels and OOH and digital OOH across 6 cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Kerala (Cochin, Kottayam, and Trivandrum) to effectively engage its target audience, amplifying its message of prudent financial planning. The brands previous campaigns have consistently won recognition including in Campaign India's "Picks of the Week", New York Festival Ad Awards, ZEE Kyoorius Creative Awards 2023 and Exchange4media's "Best Ads of the fortnight," underscoring AFLIs impactful brand presence.

The "Cradle to Crease" Ad campaign featuring Sachin Tendulkar is a testament to Ageas Federal Life Insurance's commitment to empowering individuals to lead a life and lifestyle of their choice fearlessly. We invite viewers to join us on this inspiring journey towards prudent financial planning.

VML and Ageas Federal Life Insurances partnership has spanned three years, building on the platform #FutureFearless with breakthrough campaigns like this one and Young Sachin, a deepfake video to recreate an 11-year-old Sachin Tendulkar.
The Federal Council

Bern, 22.05.2024 - At its meeting on 22 May, the Federal Council approved a temporary restriction on the use of airspace during the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland will be hosting on 15 and 16 June at the Burgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and advanced air surveillance services. The Armed Forces will also set up a subsidiary support service to complement the security measures of the cantonal authorities.

As part of the security measures surrounding the peace conference, which will be held in the canton of Nidwalden on 15 and 16 June, the Federal Council has approved a temporary restriction of airspace in the Burgenstock region. This measure is necessary to ensure the security of the high-level international conference. Under international law, Switzerland has an obligation to ensure the safety of guests in need of special protection.



The airspace restriction will apply from 8am local time on 13 June until 8pm local time on 17 June, and will be limited to the airspace around the Burgenstock resort. The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and advanced airspace surveillance services. The airspace will be restricted for visual flight rules (VFR) and non-commercial instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic, and for pilotless aircraft.

Contribution of the Armed Forces

The Federal Council also approved the deployment of up to 4,000 military personnel to support the cantonal authorities in Nidwalden. The Armed Forces will support the cantonal police, particularly in the areas of property protection, surveillance, reconnaissance and logistics, and will provide Nidwalden with equipment and vehicles. These measures will complement the security measures taken by the cantonal authorities and should not entail any additional costs for the Confederation. The number of military personnel to be deployed is due to the difficulty of the terrain and the scale of the mission, and in particular the number of assets to be protected.



Article 70 para. 2 of the Armed Forces Act (ArmA) states that the Federal Assembly must approve the deployment of members of the Armed Forces at its next session if more than 2,000 people are involved or the deployment lasts longer than three weeks. If the mission is completed before the next session, the Federal Council must submit a dispatch to the Federal Assembly. As the time between now and the conference is too short, the Federal Council will submit a dispatch to the Federal Assembly for the autumn session.

Other contributions by the DDPS

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) will support the conference in the areas of communication security, monitoring of the civil protection and radiological situation, and protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) incidents. Partner organisations will be kept informed of the situation through the National Emergency Operations Centre. Before and during the conference, monitoring for radioactive emissions will be intensified, in particular with the help of NBC specialists from Spiez Laboratory. The FOCP will also provide advice and additional infrastructure to ensure secure communications between the various response services.



The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will provide a communication platform for the federal and cantonal services involved. On this platform, the NCSC will report on cyberthreat developments during the conference. An emergency centre for technical analyses will also be set up.



The Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) will provide situation assessments to support an intelligence network that will work under its direction. The FIS will also assist in the early identification and prevention of threats.

Address for enquiries

DDPS Communications

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Defence

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The Federal Council

Bern, 22.05.2024 - At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council decided to support the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with a total amount of CHF 49.5 million between 2025 and 2027. IFAD's overarching goal is to drive forward the fight against poverty and hunger in rural areas. The Federal Council's decision continues Switzerland's support for IFAD, which has been ongoing since 1978.

CHF 47 million will go towards the replenishment of IFAD, which takes place every three years. A further CHF 2.5 million has been earmarked for IFAD's newly created 'additional climate contributions'. Based in Rome, IFAD works to help strengthen smallholder farming, sustainable agriculture and the fight against poverty and hunger. It invests primarily in rural populations, enabling them to improve food security and increase incomes. In this way, IFAD helps to make food systems more local, productive, resilient and sustainable.

IFAD's 'additional climate contributions' and Switzerland's role

IFAD's priorities are in line with the objectives of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 202124 and the upcoming strategy for 202528. The newly created 'additional climate contributions' strengthen IFAD's role as a funder of climate- and biodiversity-related projects for smallholder farmers. Switzerland was the first country to support the creation of 'additional climate contributions'. Switzerland is also particularly committed to promoting gender equality and supporting young people, as well as encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation with the involvement of the private sector.

IFAD is uniquely positioned as a pioneering organisation, as it has the status of both a specialised UN development agency and an international financial institution. It is also committed to sectoral policy reforms. Since its foundation in 1978, IFAD has worked on more than 1,000 projects and programmes in over 90 countries, with more than 50% of its activities taking place in rural Africa. Around 460 million people have benefited from IFAD projects to date.

Address for enquiries

For further information:

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Secretariat-General EAER

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The Federal Council

Bern, 22.05.2024 - At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the further development of the anti-money laundering framework to be submitted to Parliament. The aim is to reinforce the integrity and competitiveness of Switzerland as a financial and business location by means of a federal register of beneficial owners and due diligence for particularly risky activities in legal professions, as well as other provisions. The measures are in line with international standards.

An effective framework for combating financial crime is essential for the good reputation and success of an internationally important, secure and future-oriented financial centre and business location. Money laundering and terrorist financing pose a serious threat to the integrity of the financial system. Across the world, legal entities and trusts are misused for the purposes of money laundering, terrorist financing and corruption, or to circumvent sanctions. This is also evident from the current challenges involved in implementing international sanctions against Russia. As a major financial centre, Switzerland is also exposed to these risks. For this reason, and to take account of further developments in this area, the Federal Council is proposing to strengthen the existing anti-money laundering framework.

The key elements of the bill are:

A federal register (transparency register) will be introduced, in which companies and other legal entities in Switzerland will have to enter information on their beneficial owners. The draft for a new Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners provides for simplified registration for associations and foundations in particular, but also for other legal forms such as sole proprietorships and limited liability companies. In particular, the register should allow the law enforcement authorities to identify who is really behind a legal structure with greater speed and certainty. The aim is to prevent legal entities in Switzerland from being used to launder money or conceal assets. The register will not be publicly accessible. It will be managed by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), in order to make use of the existing infrastructure and the know-how of the authorities running the commercial register. Compared to the consultation draft, data collection has been further simplified, coordination with money laundering legislation improved, and data protection strengthened.





Anti-money laundering due diligence rules should henceforth apply to certain advisory activities (especially legal advice) which carry a high risk of money laundering. This takes up the proposal already discussed by Parliament in 2019. The structuring of companies or transactions with real estate are considered to carry particular risks. Specific regulations take into consideration lawyers' and notaries' duty of professional secrecy. Based on the feedback from the consultation, responsibility for supervising the exercise of due diligence obligations by the affected lawyers should not lie with the regional bar associations, but with the self-regulatory organisations (SROs) under money laundering legislation.





There is also a series of additional measures to strengthen the anti-money laundering framework. These include measures to prevent sanctions under embargo legislation from being breached or circumvented. In addition, while it is still possible to make cash payments over CHF 15,000 in precious metals trading and for any amount in real estate business, these will be subject to due diligence obligations. In view of the criticisms voiced during the consultation process, the reform of the system of sanctions for SROs will not be proposed.

During the consultation, which ran from August to November 2023, the draft legislation was generally well received. Scepticism was voiced by the professions affected by the new rules imposed on advisory activities.

The bill will now be presented to Parliament. It is not expected to come into force until the start of 2026 at the earliest. The measures are in line with the international standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and the recommendations of the Global Forum.

What does the legislative amendment mean for SMEs?



In principle, all companies and legal entities in Switzerland are required to enter their beneficial owners in the federal transparency register. For most of them, above all sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, foundations and associations, the simplified procedure applies, insofar as the beneficial owners are already entered in the commercial register. According to an externally produced regulatory impact assessment, the proposed new regulations will result in a slight additional burden, but this will have little impact at the level of individual companies. For the vast majority of companies, the additional effort involves around 20 minutes' work in the first year. In subsequent years, this is reduced to a few minutes.



Address for enquiries

Communications

State Secretariat for International Finance SIF

Tel. +41 58 462 46 16, info@sif.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



State Secretariat for International Financial Matters

http://www.sif.admin.ch



Federal Office of Police

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The Federal Council

Bern, 22.05.2024 - At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatch on the International Cooperation Strategy 202528 (IC Strategy 202528). The dispatch outlines the objectives and priorities of Switzerland's international cooperation for the next four years and proposes them to Parliament for approval. The IC Strategy 202528 provides for a budget of CHF 11.27 billion over four years. In light of an ever-changing world, the strategy pursues long-term objectives  combating poverty and promoting sustainable development  while maintaining a high degree of flexibility to respond to the many current crises.

The IC Strategy 202528 focuses its geographical action on the regions where it is needed most by the population. The selection of regions is based on three criteria: the needs on the ground, Switzerland's long-term interests, and the added value provided by its international cooperation efforts. As the 202124 strategy has been successful in responding to current crises and conflicts, its four objectives have been retained: saving lives and ensuring access to basic services; contributing to sustainable economic growth; protecting the environment and combating climate change; and promoting peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Flexibility to adapt to a changing world

Through the objectives of the IC Strategy 202528, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research coordinate and ensure the coherence of Switzerland's actions. Current geopolitical and financial uncertainties, combined with global challenges, mean that the IC Strategy 202528 needs to maintain a flexible approach. As a result, the guarantee credit for humanitarian aid has risen to a quarter of the total IC Strategy 202528 budget. Particular emphasis is also placed on health, migration and cooperation with the private sector. Finally, at the multilateral level, the focus is on global challenges such as peace, security, human rights, climate and new technologies.

CHF 11.27 billion for the three pillars of international cooperation

The Federal Council is proposing that Parliament approve guarantee credits totalling CHF 11.27 billion (the 201720 and 202124 strategies had credits of CHF 11.11 billion and CHF 11.25 billion respectively). These funds will be used to finance the three pillars of international cooperation: humanitarian aid, development cooperation and the promotion of peace and human rights.

The war in Ukraine represents a major paradigm shift for Switzerland, in addition to many other crises and armed conflicts around the world. Of the total credits earmarked for the IC Strategy 202528, CHF 1.5 billion will be devoted to Ukraine (13% of the total international cooperation budget). The remainder of the budget (87%) is mainly allocated to the four priority regions  namely Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe. Under the current plan, this amount is divided between bilateral development cooperation and promotion of peace (29%), humanitarian aid (20%), multilateral affairs (21%), global thematic programmes (12%) and core contributions to Swiss NGOs (5%) in a proportion similar to the current strategy. Accordingly, Switzerland remains active both in ongoing crises and in contexts where political conditions are deteriorating dramatically.

Adoption of Accountability Report on the IC Strategy 202124

The IC Strategy 202528 is also based on a review of the current strategy, for which the Federal Council also approved the accountability report today. The report shows that Switzerland's international cooperation has shown flexibility in contributing to crisis and conflict management without losing sight of long-term measures. At the same time, it analyses the reasons why certain projects have not achieved the desired results.

According to the report, 1.3 million people were able to take part in vocational training programmes. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit carried out 660 missions in 73 countries, including Haiti, Turkey and Sudan. The IC strategy helped 16 million people adapt to climate change and prevented 69 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Lastly, Switzerland supported an average of 20 peace processes each year and led ceasefire negotiations in seven countries, including Myanmar and Nigeria. The methods used to measure the effectiveness of international cooperation will be further improved in the future to increase their relevance.

Address for enquiries

For further information:

FDFA Communication

Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55

kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

http://www.seco.admin.ch



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




Charlie Colin has died at the age of 58.

Colins mother told TMZ the 58-year-old founding member of Train slipped and fell in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium.

She added he wasnt found until his friends returned home.

Colin was in Brussels, per the report, teaching a music master class at a conservatory. His mother also said he working at a studio.

The bass player formed Train in the mid 90s with Pat Monahan, Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood.

The band is known for hits like Meet Virginia, Drops of Jupiter and Hey, Soul Sister.

Colin met Hotchkiss in seventh grade. Each attended Berklee College of Music before moving back West and forming the band.

In essence, I was trained since I was a child. We rebranded and in 1996, we got things going well. By the end of that decade, we had hits, the Grammys, stadiums and all that stuff, Colin said on Dan Clarks podcast in an April 2022 interview.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Authorities have released the name of a man killed when he was ejected from a vehicle in a Birmingham crash.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the fatality victim as Alante Lytrell Porter. He was 23 and lived in Leeds.

The wreck happened at 9:22 p.m. Monday on Fifth Avenue South at Crestwood Boulevard.

Porter was a passenger in a two-vehicle crash. The victims vehicle hit a utility pole, causing him to be thrown.

He was pronounced dead on the scene at 9:48 p.m.

Birmingham police are investigating.
Former President Donald Trump and eight of his co-defendants accused of interfering in the 2020 election in Georgia officially appealed a judge's order allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to stay on the case.

They claim that Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee should have removed Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, from prosecuting the case because of her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, saying it creates a conflict of interest.

McAfee ruled earlier this month that Willis could remain as the prosecutor as long as Wade was no longer involved. Wade resigned the same day.

The judge found there was no conflict of interest, but noted that the prosecution was "encumbered by an appearance of impropriety."

In their appeal application, Trump's lawyers said McAfee was wrong in not booting both Willis and Wade from the case, noting that "providing DA Willis with the option to simply remove Wade confounds logic and is contrary to Georgia law," CBS News reported.

Steve Sadow, the lead attorney for Trump in the case, said the case should have been dismissed at a "minimum" and Willis should have been removed, the report said.

The court of appeals has 45 days to decide whether it will take it up.

Trump and the other defendants are charged with violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, known as RICO, by trying to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
An investigation is underway after a child and an adult were injured when a vehicle was shot into Tuesday night.

Few details are available, but police said the incident involved shots fired into an occupied vehicle.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said a 4-year-old was shot, but the injury was not life-threatening.

It wasnt immediately confirmed where the shooting took place.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported the victim from Princeton Baptist Medical to Childrens of Alabama at 6:53 p.m.

An adult was also injured, possibly by glass breakage in the vehicle.

This is a developing story and will be updated if more information becomes available.
Organizations that advocate for low-income families, public transportation, criminal justice reforms, gun safety, voter participation, clean rivers, and freedom from censorship in public libraries lost more than they won during the Alabama legislative session.

The groups held a conference call Tuesday to summarize the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the legislative session that ended May 9. They said they will continue to pursue goals that typically take years of work and would be back next year to fight against what they consider bad legislation.

We all know that the organizations on this call are playing the long game, said Jennifer Greer, one of the organizers of the Zoom call. And that really seems to be how we make change at the local level in Alabama.

Organizations on the call were Alabama Arise, the Action Coalition for Transit in Alabama, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the Alabama Rivers Alliance, the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, the League of Women Voters of Alabama, and Read Freely Alabama.

Jennifer Harris of Alabama Arise, which has lobbied on behalf of low-income families for decades, praised renewed efforts to advocate for Medicaid expansion during the session, although no legislation received serious consideration.

We do have hopes that we will continue that movement and that next year we will finally be able to close the coverage gap, Harris said, referring to the lack of healthcare coverage for the approximately 300,000 Alabamians who could benefit from expansion, which was authorized under the Affordable Care Act more than a decade ago but which Alabamas Republican governors and legislative leaders have opposed. Alabama is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Harris said Arise supported bills to give teachers and state employees paid parental leave. Both bills passed one chamber but did not win final approval.

Alabama Arise also supported bills to exempt diapers, baby formula, other baby products, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products from the state sales tax. Those bills also passed one chamber but fell short of final approval.

Carol Gundlach of Alabama Arise said a big loss for the session was the passage of the CHOOSE Act, which will allow parents to use up to about $7,000 in taxpayer dollars to help pay for private school. The bill creates education savings accounts that parents can use to help pay tuition and other educated-related expenses. It was Gov. Kay Iveys top priority of the session and Republicans hailed it as an important step to give parents more control over education. Gundlach said the diversion of funds from public schools is a step toward the privatization of education.

As far as legislative wins, Gundlach said Alabama Arise supported a bill to create a tax credit program intended to provide incentives for developers to build more affordable housing. That was part of a package of bills intended to increase Alabamas low workforce participation rate. Gundlach called that a step in the right direction. But she said Arise wanted the workforce package to include some funding for public transportation.

On that topic, Marva Douglas of the Action Coalition for Transit in Alabama said the defeat of a bill to add $5 to the annual registration fee for vehicles to support public transportation was a setback. The bill, SB91, by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, would have raised an estimated $26 million a year for the Alabama Public Transportation Trust Fund, which the Legislature created in 2018 but has never funded. The bill died in committee and did not come up for a vote in the Senate. Douglas said Coleman-Madison plans to introduce the bill again next year.

Paula Wilson of the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said there were 16 bills on firearms in the Legislature this year, including 14 that promoted gun safety. None of those 14 passed, although one, HB36 by Rep. Phillip Ensler, passed the House. HB36 would have created a state law against devices that enable semi-automatic handguns to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull, often called Glock switches. Enslers bill received support from law enforcement but failed to come up for a vote in the Senate on the last day of the session.

Wilson said Moms Demand Action opposed the passage of a bill that prohibits credit card companies from using a code that distinguishes gun purchases and that says a government entity cannot keep a list or registry of privately owned guns and gun owners. That bill, SB281 by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, passed overwhelmingly, 32-0 in the Senate and 85-5 in the House.

Krysti Shallenberger of Read Freely Alabama, which opposes censorship efforts aimed at libraries and librarians, said it was a difficult session although several of the bills that the organization opposed did not pass. That includes HB385 by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Shelby County, which would have made librarians criminally liable for distributing sexual or gender oriented material to minors without parental consent. The House passed HB385 but it died in the Senate. Shallenberger said she expects the bill to return next year.

Shallenberger said the passage of HB89 by Mooney stripped the public of their right to elect the library board in North Shelby County. Instead of being chosen by voters, the library board members will be picked by the state lawmakers who represent the library district.

Elaine Burdeshaw of the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice said the defeat of what was called a second-chance bill was a setback. The bill, by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would have allowed about 150 people serving life in prison whose crimes did not cause a physical injury to receive consideration for new sentences. People eligible to apply for new sentences would have had to meet specific criteria, including that they have been in prison at least 24 years. Advocates for HB29 said it was a sensible reform because those who would be eligible to apply for new sentences would not receive life without parole sentences if they were sentenced under current law.

Burdeshaw said a legislative win was the allocation of $2.3 million from an opioid settlement fund to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to use for transitional housing for people suffering from substance abuse disorder. That was part of HB479 by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville.

Elliott Spillers of Alabama Appleseed said another legislative win was the passage of SB322 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, which calls for the Alabama Department of Corrections to establish a new team of 15 employees who will work in constituent services, including the responsibility for communicating with family members of state inmates.

The legislation came after relatives and friends of inmates told the Legislatures prison oversight committee during a public hearing in December about being unable to get information from prison officials after learning that their loved one had been injured or hospitalized.

Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, said a low mark for the session was the passage of SB1, which makes it a crime to help a person obtain or turn in an absentee ballot application, with some exceptions. Republicans, who passed the bill over opposition from Democrats, said it would stop ballot harvesting, the distribution and collection of absentee ballot applications by third parties to unduly influence elections. Opponents of the bill, citing the lack of examples of that happening in Alabama, said the bill was unnecessary and would criminalize the assistance that some elderly people and others need to cast their ballots.

The League of Women Voters, along with the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program have filed a federal lawsuit to try to block the new law.

The groups H.I.V.E. Alabama and MAD? Make A Difference hosted Tuesdays Zoom call.
A new city ordinance that allows Birmingham police to arrest and charge spectators of exhibition driving is the newest weapon in the fight against an issue that has been plaguing the city for quite some time, the police chief said.

If it werent for the spectators, there wouldnt be as much activity because thats what drives the activity, Chief Scott Thurmond said. Theyll be arrested. Hopefully it will be a deterrent, knowing BPD is out in full force dealing with this behavior.

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted for the ordinance targeting those watching and livestreaming exhibition driving to prohibit loitering, remaining, or wandering about in a public place for the purpose of participating as an organizer or spectator in any exhibition driving or street racing activity on the public highways of the City of Birmingham.

A citation could end in a $500 fine or up to 180 days in jail.

Birmingham police applaud the ordinance.

Our observations have shown us that the one of the primary contributing factors for illegal exhibition driving is the audience or spectators, said Deputy Chief Michael Pickett, who heads the departments Special Operations Bureau.

Many of them aid in blocking public roadways and entryways to private businesses, while encouraging drivers to do more extreme and dangerous acts, Pickett said. They also provide cover for offenders to hide from and escape from police when attempts are made to arrest these offenders.

Last year, Mayor Randall Woodfin approached the leadership at the police department, asking for a plan to combat street racing and exhibition driving, which authorities say picked up drastically following COVID.

Pickett took on the project and the first round of Operation Knight Rider took place in April.

Picketts team analyzes data, and that data is used to narrow down and target hotspots for resource deployment. Police also encourage residents to call in with tips.

We are going to show these criminal offenders that the streets of Birmingham are not going to be a place where you are going to showcase your vehicles abilities, Pickett said.

Woodfin joined members of the Jefferson County legislative delegation in November 2022 to announce plans to file a bill to prohibit and impose penalties for certain forms of exhibition driving, which includes street and drag racing, burnouts, donuts, and similar activities defined within the bill.

That legislation was passed and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last year.

Previously, drivers could only get a ticket.

Now, they face a minimum of misdemeanor charges, and up to a Class B felony if someone is injured or killed, or if there is property damage.

11 1 / 11 Operation Knight Rider Round 4

In the one month since Operation Knight Rider began  April 12 through May 12  the initiative has led to 34 arrests, with three of the cases presented to the Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorneys Office for federal prosecution.

The total arrests include 45 felony charges, 32 misdemeanor charges, 10 exhibition driving-related charges and nine charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Officers have recovered nine stolen vehicles and impounded a total of 25 vehicles.

Additionally, the operation has resulted in the seizure of 22 weapons - one rifle and 22 handguns, three of which were equipped with machine-gun conversion devices (switches).

During the operation, police have recovered 4.1 pounds of marijuana, 39 grams of cocaine, 228 grams of methamphetamine. They have also seized $11,723 in cash which Wade said is suspected drug proceeds.

The mayors Operation Knight Rider has been a huge success and its been widely publicized, the amount of arrests, vehicles seized, narcotics and guns seized with that operation, said Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams. One thing that we struggled with is enforcement with those that are not behind the wheel.

We have those that are organizing the event, that are posting on social media, for a meet-up, for exhibition driving, Williams said. We have those that are livestreaming it, and we have those passive participants that are actually a lot of times the ones getting hurt as they stand out and watch and observe this exhibition driving on Birmingham streets.

Some observers on social media question the city and departments focus on exhibition driving instead of homicides or shootings.

Thurmond said they need to look at the bigger picture.

Exhibition driving is much more than just the people doing the driving. As weve seen from the arrests, theres drugs, theres guns, theres money, stolen cars. Its all part of the same circle of people, the chief said.

Knight Rider is taking guns off the streets, its taking criminals off the streets, were recovering stolen property, were getting people who are using and selling drugs off the streets, he said. Those are people who may potentially be involved in a homicide.

You have to look at the total crime picture here, Thurmond said. Getting guns off the street could prevent a homicide. Getting people who are selling drugs and stealing cars could prevent a homicide.

Its targeting people who are causing problems, he said. Theyre not just doing just this one activity. Theyre involved in many other criminal activities.

Past events in Birmingham have shown the dangers exhibition driving can bring, authorities said.

A fiery crash on Dec. 9, 2022, on John Rogers Drive at Gun Club Road left multiple people injured and two drivers later charged.

It was just after 9 p.m. when, according to witnesses, a Dodge Charger was doing donuts and a Nissan 370z was racing another vehicle when the two cars collided and then at least one of them veered into a crowd of bystanders.

The Charger caught fire.

Birmingham, Irondale, Cahaba Valley and Trussville firefighters responded to the scene after reports of multiple people lying in the road after being struck.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service reported at the time that 13 people were injured, nine of those critically.

Birmingham police said it appears a crowd had gathered to watch exhibition driving and racing. There were multiple donut and burnout skid marks on the pavement.

There were dozens of bystanders watching the exhibition driving, witnesses said.

Marvin Puerto, 20, and Brandon Marquise Waller, 25, are charged with six counts each of second-degree assault. Authorities said Waller was driving the Charger, and Puerto was driving the 370z.

A 14-year-old boy was killed in July 2022 when he was struck by a vehicle watching exhibition driving in Birmingham.

In August 2022, a large crowd was gathered in a parking lot in the 800 block of Second Avenue North where drivers were doing burnouts and donuts when gunfire erupted. According to police and to a video circulating on social media, a vehicle doing a burnout struck another vehicle in the parking lot.

The collision happened just after 3 a.m. that Sunday. The video shows a male immediately opening fire after the cars made contact.

A woman was killed, and four others injured.

Ronald Demetrius White pleaded guilty to reckless murder in the death of 19-year-old JaKia Winston.

With everybody having guns this could easily escalate to a homicide or a shooting, which we saw a couple of weeks ago in the incident at the Shell with all the people hanging out, Thurmond said.

It all is part of the puzzle to preventing violent crime in Birmingham, he said, and restoring peace and order.
A former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor has been indicted on a falsifying records charge as part of a federal investigation that alleges he attempted to cover up a sexual abuse report, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Matthew Queen, a former interim provost at the Fort Worth theological school, failed to inform the FBI of a conspiracy to destroy evidence in an investigation of sexual misconduct and, instead, produced falsified notes to investigators, according to the news release from the United States Attorneys Office Southern District of New York.

It is the first official acknowledgment of a federal investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention after the SBC promised to cooperate with a Department of Justice probe into sex abuse, Religion News Service reported.

Queens alleged actions deliberately violated a court order and delayed justice for the sexual abuse victims, said James Smith, FBI assistant director in charge.

Since 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI have been investigating allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct related to national religious institutions, including Southwestern Baptist, according to the release. A grand jury subpoena required all documents in Southwestern Baptists possession related to sexual abuse allegations against anyone employed by or associated with the seminary in south Fort Worth.

In November 2022, a Southwestern Baptist employee received a report alleging that a student committed sexual assault, according to the indictment. The employee immediately notified campus police, but no further action was taken by the institution at the time and the assault was not reported to prosecutors, the release says.

In a statement posted Tuesday by Southwestern Baptist, staff says the school facilitated the arrest of the student and suspended him, who later withdrew from the college.

The employee that received the report created a document in January 2023 describing the sexual assault allegation and the failure of the seminary to address the allegation, the release said. In a meeting with Queen and a member of the seminarys executive staff, the member told the employee to destroy the document, the indictment states.

In an interview from May 2023, Queen falsely told authorities that he did not hear the executive staff member ordering the employee to destroy the document. Days after the interview, Queen falsely told another employee that he took notes of the meeting, which stated the executive staff member merely discussed with the first employee to redirect the submission of the document to another department at Southwestern Baptist, the indictment alleges.

Those falsified notes were provided to the grand jury subpoena.

Southwestern Baptist says when the institution became aware of the original report and later responses from certain staff, the school disclosed the matter to the Department of Justice, as required by a DOJ subpoena.

The seminary has repeatedly informed staff of their duty to fulfill the obligations of the subpoena. The seminary has and will continue to cooperate fully with the DOJ in its investigation of sexual abuse, the statement reads.

Queen could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to Southwestern Baptist, all employees alleged to have acted improperly are no longer employed by the school.

Southwestern Seminary takes seriously its moral and legal duties to care for victims of sexual abuse. The actions alleged in the indictment are antithetical to the values of the seminary, the school said in the statement.

2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
While being middle class in America is frequently defined by income, a report by the Washington Post in February found that while most Americans agree on what it means to be middle class, only a little more than a third actually meet the definition.

Roughly 90% of adults in the U.S. say that six factors are elements of being middle class:

A secure job

Ability to save money

Ability to afford an emergency $1,000 debt without expense

Ability to pay bills on time without worry

Health insurance

Ability to retire comfortably

The Pew Research Center, meanwhile, defines income levels for the middle class as between two-thirds to double the national median income, or $67,819 to $203,458 for a family of four. The Post survey found that most Americans think of a household income level of $75,000 to $100,000 as middle class.

The good news for Alabamians: according to a new study by GoBankingRates, the income needed to live a middle class lifestyle in Alabama remains below the national average.

The study found the minimum income needed to qualify as middle class sits at $39,739 -- 41.4% lower than the lowest national figure. Only five states have a lower threshold: New Mexico ($39,148), Louisiana ($38,568), Arkansas ($37,557), West Virginia ($36,811) and Mississippi, which has the lowest household income to qualify as middle class at $35,323.

The upper end of the middle class income range in Alabama is $119,218.

At the other end of the spectrum sits Maryland, where a household income of $65,641 is the minimum household income required to live a middle class lifestyle -- the highest in the nation.

But the GoBankingRates study also examined how the income needed to qualify for the middle class has changed over the last decade. Nationwide, that figure has increased by 41.7%. While Alabamas rate of increase is below the national figure, the income needed to qualify as middle class has risen 38.1% over a 10-year period, which ranks 32nd among the 50 states.

Oregon has seen the largest jump with an increase of 53.15% to $51,088. Alaska has seen the least change with an increase of 23.5% -- although the middle class income level there is still considerably higher than in Alabama at $57,580.
An effort by Louisianas Jewish community to bar nitrogen gas as an execution method was blocked by a conservative legislative committee on Tuesday.

Alabama was the first state in the nation to use the gas earlier this year. Since then, several Republican-led states have added the method, prompting a backlash by opponents who say it is inhumane. Members of the Jewish community in Louisiana have another reason for rejecting it: They say it invokes trauma from the Holocaust, when the Nazis used lethal gas to kill millions of European Jews.

I cannot remain silent against a method of execution that so deeply offends our people and displays blatant disrespect for our collective trauma, said Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation in Metairie, Louisiana.

While the bill to remove nitrogen hypoxia executions from state law advanced in the GOP-dominated Senate, it came to a screeching halt in a House legislative committee Tuesday. During the hearing, Republican committee members and others argued against the parallels presented by Jewish advocates, saying the execution of death row inmates is not comparable to the Holocaust.

Were not talking about innocent children, men or women. ... Were talking about criminals who were convicted by a jury of 12, said Republican state Rep. Tony Bacala.

The committee rejected the bill to eliminate the execution method by a vote of 8-3, along party lines. With less than two weeks left in legislative session, the measure is likely dead.

It was no secret that the effort faced an uphill battle in Louisianas reliably red legislature, which has overwhelmingly supported capital punishment. Under the direction of new, conservative Gov. Jeff Landry, lawmakers added both nitrogen gas and electrocution as allowable execution methods in February. The only previously allowed method was lethal injection, which had been paused in the state for 14 years because of a shortage of the necessary drugs. The shortage has forced Louisiana and other states to consider other methods, including firing squads.

In January, Alabama performed the first execution using nitrogen gas, marking the first time a new execution method had been used in the United States since lethal injection, which was introduced in 1982. Kenneth Eugene Smith, convicted of murder, was outfitted with a face mask that forced him to breathe pure nitrogen and deprived him of oxygen. He shook and convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes on a gurney before his breathing stopped and he was declared dead. State officials maintain that it was a textbook execution.

Alabama has scheduled a second execution using nitrogen gas, on Sept. 26, for Alan Eugene Miller, who was convicted of killing three men during a 1999 workplace shooting. Miller has an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the execution method as a violation of the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, citing witness descriptions of Smiths death.

About 60 people now sit on Louisianas death row. There are currently no scheduled executions.
Authorities are asking for the publics help in identifying a man wanted for questioning in the shooting at a Birmingham gas station that left one man dead and six wounded.

More than 150 shots erupted outside the Shell station on Third Avenue West that Sunday, May 5, leaving one man dead and six others injured.

Police identified the homicide victim as David Isaiah Westbrook, 24, of Wartrace, Tennessee.

Birmingham police on Wednesday released several photos of a person of interest, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. No charges have been filed.

It was just after 2 a.m. when North and West Precinct officers began receiving Shot Spotter alerts in the 700 block and 800 block of Third Avenue West. The location is the always-busy area surrounding Shell, Burger King, Auto Zone and Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers.

Officers arrived on the scene in the 700 block of Third Avenue West in front of Auto Zone and found a sedan that had crashed into a utility pole. Inside that vehicle they found Westbrook dead inside the car.

6 1 / 6 Birmingham Homicide May 5, 2024

The scene was chaotic, police said, and as officers began to try to sort out what happened, they learned multiple vehicles had been hit by gunfire, as well as at least one nearby business  Boston Fish Supreme.

911 dispatchers began updating officers on the scene that multiple gunshot wound victims were showing up at area hospitals.

BFRS transported one person who was found unresponsive in the Shell station parking lot to UAB Hospital.

Two men showed up by private vehicle at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. Their gunshot injuries were not life-threatening.

Two more wounded men also showed at UAB Hospitals emergency room. Their injuries were also not life-threatening.

Then, about 10:30 a.m., police were notified yet another victim showed up wounded at Princeton. His injuries were not life-threatening.

The City of Birmingham is suing the owners and operators of the Shell station on Third Avenue West and an adjacent business after the shooting.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin later called the shooting unacceptable.

The gun culture, as well as gun violence, in our community continues to rear its head in ways that are stupid, reckless, Woodfin said.

Anyone with information on the mans identity is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $5,000.
For the first time in 51 years, a toll will be removed from an Alabama road or bridge after Gov. Kay Ivey and a group of South Alabama officials gathered Wednesday to officially sign the paperwork transferring the Foley Beach Express Bridge to state ownership.

The ceremonial event involved Ivey signing and gathering the signatures of the purchase agreement for the bridge. By noon on Thursday, the $5 one-way toll will be removed representing the first time a toll associated with Alabama infrastructure was eliminated since the Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile became toll-free in 1973.

Yall, now its official, Ivey said, smiling after receiving the signed copies from Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich, Baldwin County Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood, and Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.

Removing the toll

The Foley Beach Express toll bridge as pictured on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Orange Beach, Ala.John Sharp

The state purchased the bridge from the Baldwin County Bridge Company (BCBC) for approximately $60 million, ending a nearly quarter century private ownership of the structure that included tolling. That purchase price also dedicates around $5 million on road improvements in Orange Beach.

The toll removal represents an oddity of sorts compared to other beach cities. Whereas Florida highways and beach-bound bridges are tolled, the only tolled bridge to Alabamas beaches will be no more. And by mid-June, the entire toll plaza will be demolished, and the bridge will be restriped for its toll-free future.

This is good news for locals, Alabamians across the state and for our visitors near and far, Ivey said. As we all know, there are no better beaches to visit than right here on Alabamas beautiful Gulf Coast.

Matt Ericksen, the Southwest region engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation, said that the bridge company has a few weeks to remove its equipment before the state begins demolition work on June 16. The demolition will cost state taxpayers in addition to the $60 million purchase price and is expected to last approximately six days. Its unknown how much the demolition work will cost.

The money to pay for the purchase price comes from the Rebuild Alabama Act (RAA)  the 2019 law that set aside money from a state fuel tax increase to pay for road projects throughout Alabama.

Starting on Thursday, ALDOT will implement a traffic control plan through the toll plaza. Officials are anticipating a heavy volume of traffic through the plaza ahead of the Memorial Day holiday that is often popular for beach vacations.

Its exciting, Ericksen said. (We are) pleased for the locals and for our out-of-state traffic coming through because a lot of them will have a pleasant surprise when they arrive and see that there is no more toll.

Future traffic pattern

The construction of a new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway as pictured on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Gulf Shores, Ala.John Sharp

Iveys office last month announced that the longer-term goal includes pairing traffic patterns of the Foley Beach Express with a future state-owned bridge under construction approximately 1.1 miles to the west. The new bridge is expected to be completed in the spring or summer of 2026.

Upon completion, the plan is for the Beach Express to be converted into a northbound-only bridge and for the new ALDOT bridge in Gulf Shores to carry southbound-only traffic. This new pattern will then create one-way pairs -- parallel paired bridges officials believe will move traffic more efficiently to and from the states beaches.

Craft, the mayor of Gulf Shores, said he is still interested in seeing the final plan and has some concerns about moving from a two-lane to a one-way bridge once the new structure is completed in 2026.

A new Gulf Shores high school is under construction on the northside of the Intracoastal Waterway near where the new bridge will be built.

We had always hoped that there would be two-way traffic to get to our school from the south, Craft said. The only thing Ive asked is that whatever we do, lets make sure its done in a way that if its not done in the way as its designed, that we can easily fix it.

The new bridge activity comes as traffic continues to surge in the coastal area, and as Gulf Shores city officials proceed with lane widening along Alabama State Route 59. The W.C. Holmes Bridge  which is Route 59 into and out of Gulf Shores  is averaging 55,000 vehicles per day, Craft said, which is considerably more than the 42,000 it was designed for.

I trust ALDOT to make good decisions, Craft said. If it doesnt work (with the one-way bridges) then (my hope is) we build it in a way that we can easily adjust.

Contentious process

The removal of the tolls, and the purchase of the bridge, also concludes a lengthy and often contentious process of adding more bridge capacity into Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

The bridge company and ALDOT Secretary John Cooper were involved in a lengthy litigation over the status of the bridge developments. Cooper and ALDOT had long backed the Gulf Shores bridge project, while BCBC argued the state was out to bankrupt them.

BCBC had wanted to add lanes to its existing bridge and continue with the tolls, albeit at a discounted rate for Baldwin County users. Once a resolution could not be reached, the bridge company sued the state and Cooper, and the litigation eventually made its way to the Alabama State Supreme Court.

The high court overturned a lower courts decision to issue a preliminary injunction against the state bridge project in Gulf Shores. The Supreme Court ordered the Gulf Shores bridge project to continue in a ruling it made in August 2023.

The lawsuit also split the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach  with Gulf Shores official backing ALDOTs new bridge, and with Orange Beach city officials supporting the BCBC plans.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon acknowledged the contentiousness that occurred in the past and leading up to the states purchase of the Foley Beach Express Bridge.

But he said the removal of the tolls will be good for coastal commerce.

Its well received from our residents and our tourists, and especially our businesses, he said.

Mark Colson, president and CEO with the Alabama Trucking Association, said while the Foley Beach Express Bridge is primarily used for tourism, it could help alleviate congestion.

More than 95% of all goods come to the Island (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan) in Baldwin County on a truck, so for those communities to thrive, there has to exist reliable, safe, and affordable infrastructure, Colson said in a statement to AL.com, crediting Ivey for what he said was a proven track record of delivering these types of infrastructure improvements for Alabamians.
An 18-wheeler overturned on U.S. 280 in north Shelby County, sending at least one person to the hospital via helicopter and shutting down traffic in that area.

The crash happened midday Wednesday near the Meadow Brook and Brook Highland areas near Doug Baker Boulevard.

According to Shelby County sheriffs officials, the 18-wheeler was carrying a large load of plywood.

The driver was extricated by Cahaba Valley firefighters and airlifted to the hospital. First responders called the air transport because they didnt want to risk spinal injury.

At least two other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash temporarily shut down the eastbound and westbound lanes. By 1 p.m., westbound traffic was moving and deputies were reopening one lane of eastbound traffic.

Sheriffs Chief Deputy Clay Hammac said the roadway would not be fully opened until about 4 p.m. and schools have been notified.
Morgan County prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against one of two men charged with capital murder in the brutal 2020 shootings of seven people.

Frederic Allen Rogers, 26, of Woodville, is charged with capital murder in the June 4, 2020 killings in a house on Talucah Road in Valhermoso Springs in eastern Morgan County.

Prosecutors say he and John Michael Legg, 23, were the trigger men in the murders, but they have not signaled yet whether they will seek the same punishment for Legg.

According to court documents filed last month in Morgan County, prosecutors say the crime warrants execution as the murders happened during the commission of a robbery, they were especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel, the number of victims and the fact that the killings were intentional.

Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery also notified the court that Rogers has no significant history of prior criminal activity.

Both men have been in the Morgan County Jail with no bail since their arrests in Marion County, Oregon, on June 21, 2020.

At a preliminary hearing on Aug. 15, 2021, FBI investigator Chris Hendon testified that Rogers gave a written statement that said he fatally shot James Wayne Benford, 22, of Decatur, Jeramy Roberts, 31, of Athens, Roger Lee Jones Jr., 20, of Decatur, and William Zane Hodgin, 18, of Somerville.

Rogers statement, according to Hendon, said Legg was responsible for the shooting deaths of homeowner Tammy England Muzzey, 45, Emily Payne, 21, and Dakota Green, 17, all of Valhermoso Springs.

Authorities found about 60 spent bullet casings in the house, and a witness said all of the victims died of multiple gunshot wounds. A small dog was also fatally shot.

According to a search warrant affidavit, a witness said Legg and Rogers were members of a club called 7 Deadly Sins, which also included at least three of the homicide victims.

Rogers and Legg became upset, particularly Legg, over the perceived disobedience towards the club and the theft of several of his firearms a few hours before the homicides, according to the affidavit. The witness stated that Rogers and Legg stated something to the effect of, Were going in there by force and wipe the slate clean. The witness stated that Rogers and Legg continued to state that the club would be dismantled by the end of the night.

Shortly after the shootings, according to the affidavit, the witness received a text from Rogers that said, Everything has been dealt with.
Spain is claiming Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel was trying to sell and distribute drugs in Europe after the "largest ever" meth bust.

On Thursday, Spanish police revealed they had seized 1.8 tons of crystal meth that the Sinaloa Cartel was trying to sell in Europe in what's considered the country's "biggest-ever seizure" of the narcotic.

Five individuals were arrested during a raid in the eastern Alicante province, one of whom is a Mexican running the cartel's Spanish operation, according to CBS News.

"This is the biggest-ever seizure of crystal meth in Spain and the second largest in Europe," Antonio Martinez Duarte, head of the Spanish police's drug trafficking and organized crime unit, told reporters.

The group used houses in isolated areas in the area of Valencia to stock smuggled shipments of methamphetamines before using vehicles with false bottoms to transport them on to other European countries, according to CBS News.

Spanish authorities shared a video on social media showing officers removing bags of the alleged drugs that were hidden inside machinery and vehicle bottoms.

Mexico's oldest, largest, and most violent criminal group, the Sinaloa Cartel, still holds strong influence despite the arrest of its head leader, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, and his son.

Three Spaniards and a Romanian national were also detained by police during the bust, seizing five cars, documents, a weapon, and cash.

Duarte believes it was a one-off trafficking operation and that "Mexican organizations are not permanently based" in Spain.

Although Spain is considered one of the main gateways to drugs in Europe, seizures of synthetic narcotics are still uncommon, as most traffickers typically deal in cannabis and cocaine.
A suspect in an April shooting in Prichard which left one man dead and another wounded has been captured in Georgia, according to the Mobile County Sheriffs Office (MCSO).

Prichard police and MCSO deputies responded to the shooting on April 27, where they found a gray Ford Edge with a deceased victim -- later identified as 33-year-old Donta Evans of Galveston, Texas -- inside the vehicle. Evans had been shot multiple times, according to investigators.

Prichard police learned there had been three others in the vehicle with Evans at the time of the shooting, including one who was wounded by gunfire and transported to a local hospital.

Last week, Mobile County deputies executed a search warrant at the residence in Prichard where the shooting took place, primarily to obtain available video surveillance footage. Through that footage, detectives were able to identify Robert Lamar McMillian, 19, of Semmes, and Laderick Davis, 20, of Prichard, as the suspects.

Warrants for murder and 1st degree assault were issued on both men last Friday.

Tuesday, a detective with the Cobb County Sheriffs Office in Georgia notified Mobile detectives they had taken Davis into custody. Three other people had been passengers in a vehicle driven by Davis, but were able to flee the scene on foot.

Two firearms were found inside the vehicle. Davis is jailed in Cobb County awaiting extradition to Mobile.

McMillian remains at large. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the MCSO at 251-574-8633 or online at www.mobileso.com/crimetips/.
Family and friends gathered to pray and release balloons in honor of a 62-year-old man who was gunned down one week ago today while in his wheelchair and visiting with friends outside his Birmingham apartment.

Phillip Michael Knapp Coleman died May 14 as he sat underneath his favorite shade tree on 59th Street, between First and Second Avenues North. He was confined to a wheelchair because of ALS and had recently been placed under the care of hospice professionals.

We all loved him, Shelia Coleman, the victims sister-in-law, said at Tuesdays vigil. Knapp was a person that everybody loved. He was not a stranger to anyone.

The shooting happened just before 3 p.m. that Tuesday. Birminghams Shot Spotter initially registered six shots in the area but as the investigation progressed, crime scene technicians marked at least 16 shell casings.

No arrests have been made.

Mayor Randall Woodfin last week, in a plea for witnesses to come forward, said Coleman was killed while he was surrounded by young men that he thought were his friends, yet they left him when the gunfire erupted and have not cooperated with police.

He is a gentleman who has been in this community for some time, with his significant other for 38 plus years, Woodfin said. I actually spoke with his significant other in person, spoke with his brother, as well, in person.

He was very known in Woodlawn, traveling around in his electric wheelchair, the mayor said of Coleman.

Barely able to sit up and with little use of his hands, Coleman found solace under the shade tree.

Under this tree, he found what I would call a reprieve, in nature, outside, that he could just enjoy himself, Woodfin said. The majority of the time when he is under the tree he was not alone. He was surrounded by a bunch of young men hanging out.

The victims sister-in-law said that Coleman loved family gatherings and barbecuing.

He had barbecued for me for Memorial Day for 15 years until he got sick two years ago, Shelia Coleman said. If you wanted to put some meat on the grill, you definitely called Knapp.

Shelia Coleman and her husband Nathan Coleman, who was the victims brother, organized Tuesdays vigil and pleaded with anyone with information to come forward.

Please talk to somebody, she said. My brother-in-law was sick, but he did not go (die) by his sickness.

What happened to him really was senseless, she said. We loved Knapp.

Shelia Coleman led those gathered at the vigil in prayer, asking for peace and understanding.

Help our hearts to be at peace with this situation, she said. Give all of us that dont understand the understanding to understand what has happened here.

Colemans funeral is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Missionary Baptist Church on 50th Street North.

Anyone with information in Colemans slaying is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
This is an opinion column.

Sen. Katie Britt wants you to know shes tough. That shes for IVF. That shell protect IVF. And shell punish those who threaten IVF.

Shes just not very good at it  and were she ever successful, her tough talk could wind up hurting a lot of innocent people.

This week the Alabama senator joined with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas to co-sponsor a bill ostensibly protecting in vitro fertilization from zealous states that might outlaw the fertility treatment.

States like  at least recently  her home, Alabama.

The left is fearmongering, saying we are not going to protect IVF, Britt told Fox News. Only it wasnt Democrats who banned IVF in Alabama. It was members of her own party and the legislation they passed without considering what it would do.

And her new bill is about as well thought-out.

Britts legislation would punish such states  and heres the kicker  by cutting off federal dollars for Medicaid.

No IVF? No federal money.

Like Britts embarrassing State of the Union rebuttal earlier this year, her bill sounds tough until you consider what such a thing might look like in real life.

And then it goes from tough to absolutely horrifying.

Imagine, for instance, the Alabama Supreme Court, which ruled eight-to-one against IVF already, came back with a new ruling. Lets imagine this ruling said that the Alabama Legislatures emergency patchwork un-banning of IVF  passed in a rush earlier this year  didnt do the trick.

Suppose those justices told us a general bill cant override the Alabama Constitution of 1901, which includes a Sanctity of Life amendment approved by voters in 2018.

This isnt far-fetched, and the Alabama Supreme Court has shown already how nutty hypotheticals can become reality with the stroke of a pen.

What happens then?

No IVF. No federal money.

However, that money pays for things here. Things people need to survive. Things including childbirth.

Alabama is a poor state. Nearly half of all childbirths in Alabama are covered by Medicaid. What are those mothers to do then? What happens to their children?

Or the hospitals? Already, more than half of Alabama counties dont have labor and delivery departments, and some in rural counties must drive as long as two hours to reach one.

Its pro-life, its pro-family, its pro-woman, Britt told Fox News this week.

Its also pro-giving-birth-in-the-back-of-a-car.

Punishing Medicaid recipients for the stupidity of elected officials is a bit like shooting pets for their owners cruelty, but Kristi Noem already called dibs on that.

Such a bill is so short-sighted and ill-conceived, it leaves us two possibilities: Either it was sponsored by stupid people, or its sponsors think were the stupid ones.

This bill was written for show. Its less likely to become law than Alabama is to expand Medicaid. Its phony. Its fake.

Like a nail driven through sheetrock, its there for her to hang her hat on, and thats all. It doesnt need to be strong enough to support anything but getting a guest column in the Wall Street Journal.

If Britt wants to protect IVF in Alabama, theres something she could do about that. Something thats real.

She could direct some of her political power to replacing Alabamas Supreme Court justices. She could cut campaign ads for candidates opposing the incumbent lawmakers who passed these laws in the first place. She could call out Gov. Kay Ivey for signing the states abortion ban into law.

But shes not going to do any of those things.

Katie Britts toughness ends when it has consequences for her career.

Kyle Whitmire is the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. You can follow him on Threads here and subscribe to his weekly newsletter, Alabamafication.
The police chief in a small town near Birmingham faces allegations of discrimination by employees and criticism for downgrading criminal charges in some cases, according to a newly unsealed report.

Nevertheless, the Tarrant city council again unanimously shot down the mayors effort to fire chief Wendell Major this week. The council members rejected the findings of the report, which they commissioned to investigate Mayor Wayman Newtons allegations against the chief.

We dont feel it was thorough, said councilwoman Tracie Threadford, who also serves as the mayor pro-tem, in an interview with AL.com. It was one-sided.

Leaders  and lawyers  for the small city of about 6,000 people spent much of Monday in court, followed by another lengthy council meeting where the battle over the fate of the police chief was a central point of debate. The fight over Majors fate is the latest in a series of bitter fights between the mayor and council.

A Jefferson County judge unsealed the independent investigative report and ordered the city to pay Major the salary he would have drawn had the mayor not suspended him four months ago.

The report, compiled by an outside attorney, alleges Major downgraded major crimes and hired friends for roles higher than their qualification.

It also says three employees in the department have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Oppourtunity Commission, alleging sex discrimination, racial discrimination and retaliation.

Each employee that was interviewed attested to a tense and stressful work environment, primarily created by Chief Major, Debra Black Leo, a lawyer and investigator in Birmingham, wrote in the report.

Major denied any wrongdoing and said that as the chief, he has the discretion to direct how cases are handled.

Chief Major reclassified and downgraded serious crimes, resulting in felons not being charged and victims not being vindicated, the report states.

The report alleged that Major, who is also a lawyer, conducted private legal work while on duty.

Leo sampled 56 cases from March to December 2023. Her report says that in 12 felony cases, Major downgraded charges.

Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major (City of Tarrant)City of Tarrant

In one case, someone fired multiple rounds into an occupied vehicle, the report states.

Chief Major deleted the attempted murder classification and added, No one was found to be injured and no property was found to be damaged. No evidence of a crime against a person or a death of a person occurred, Leo wrote in the report.

In another case, a woman shot at someone but missed because she was drunk, according to the report. Chief Major decided the case was not attempted murder because no one was injured, Leo wrote.

Major said he never deleted cases, but rather made sure the department brought accurate charges that could stand up in court.

The city council hired Leo to investigate allegations the mayor leveled against the chief.

Leo, in an interview with AL.com on Tuesday said her report simply reflects her findings and takes no political or legal position.

I dont accuse, I dont make a decision. I just reported what I found, Leo told AL.com.

Leo said she found that several cases were closed but later reopened as felony investigations. Some of those cases were reopened under Majors administration, while others were reopened by the acting chief after Newton suspended Major.

If I were a citizen of Tarrant I would be disturbed about it, she said.

Councilwoman Threadford told AL.com that the council rejected the report because it did not include interviews with the entire police department but relied heavily on critics of the chief.

We are the legal appointing authority over the chief of police, and we want him to work, Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-tem Tracie Threadford told AL.com. Its over. Pay him.

The mayor remained defiant and vowed to present his resolution to fire the chief at every council meeting until he gets some support.

Sooner or later, Ill get a second, Newton said.

Council members then smothered any hope of that happening.

I dont think youre going to ever get a second on it, Threadford responded. The people want Chief Major. The council wants Chief Major. Were not letting him go. What needs to happen is he needs to be in control of the police department and get rid of the ones who are causing the dissension. So, you might as well x this one off, because its not going to happen.

Hours before the meeting, Judge Patrick Ballard ruled that the mayor had improperly suspended Chief Major without council support. Judge Ballard ordered the city to give the chief back pay for the months he was suspended. He has not been paid since Jan. 30.

Major told AL.com that the city owes him about $58,000.

The mayor wants to contend that he has the ability to remove me temporarily, and he thinks that temporary is till such time that the council agrees with him, Major told AL.com. I believe people should be paid for their work. I work diligently for them and will continue to do that as long as theyll have me and hopefully we can get together, move forward, reduce crime in Tarrant and make Tarrant a great place to live, work and thrive.

Judge Ballard allowed Leos 13-page report to be released to the public. While the report is just over a dozen pages, the entire document with attachments and supporting documents is about 700 pages.

Mayor Newton advocated for its release, saying it justified his suspension and proposed termination of the chief.

But as for the rest of the judges ruling, Newton remained defiant and vowed to appeal.
This is an opinion column.

President Joe Biden couldnt be any more blatant in courting Black voters whom he needs in November  if he tickled a sax while donning shades for a Black late-night talk show audience.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee/defendant, couldnt be more flippant and contemptuous of Black voters if he were Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. (Abbott recently pardoned a man whom a jury convicted of murdering a 28-year-old Air Force veteran and Black Lives Matter protestor.)

Last month, Bidens VP/running mate Kamala Harris grabbed the keys to Air Force Two and embarked on a multi-state Economic Opportunity Tour touting the accomplishments during Bidens four years in office in areas the administration hopes appeal to Black voters: jobs (15 million created, they say), healthcare (capping insulin costs to $35 per month for seniors and those with other disabilities), and access to capital for small business owners.

Meanwhile, Trump, earlier this year said Black people like me because theyve been hurt so badly and discriminated against. He insultingly compared his prosecution to the persecution of Black civil rights leaders, adding. Im being indicted for you, the Black population.

No, thanks.

Last week, Biden trumpeted his administrations record $16 billion in HBCU support. Trumps claimed he saved HBCUs as president; thats a lie.

Last Sunday, Biden donned all the pomp of the commencement season and successfully navigated the delicate complexities of young Black (potential) voters in a speech to historically Black all-male Morehouse Colleges Class of 2024now Morehouse Men.

His trajectory extended from the expected and very real trail of broken promises that leave Black communities behind to acknowledging the pro-Palestine sentiments that protested his presence.

Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them, he said. [There is a] humanitarian crisis in Gaza, thats why Ive called for an immediate cease-fire to stop the fighting.

A tassel hangs from a mortarboard as graduating students arrive at the Morehouse College commencement before President Joe Biden speaks, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)AP

He left to chants of four more years (watch speech here) and departed for Detroit. That same night, he pitched more than a thousand bedazzled attendees at a gala hosted by the NAACPs Detroit chapter, the historic Black organizations largest branch.

Because of your vote, he told them. Its the only reason Im standing here as president of the United States.

Thats real truth. More than 90% of Black voters checked Biden over Trump. Thats a high bar to maintain and there are indications Trump has made gains among potential Black votersthough not as much as some may have you believe.

Two polls  the 2024 National Black Voter Project and Black Womens Round Table/Essence poll  showed Trumps support among likely Black voters at 14% and 15% respectively. Thats well below the sky-is-falling-for-Dems polls being wildly cited, including a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted late last year in six battleground states. It trumpeted that 22 percent of Black voters in those states planned to vote for Trump in 2024while polling just a few more African Americans than might fit in your living room.

Real truth, still: Biden will need every Black vote he can muster.

His most dangerous opponent in the fall, though, wont likely be Trump, but another candidate. I call them Complacency.

Thus, Biden should continue to push the shopping cart of accomplishments he hopes will stir Black voters from their homes in November as if he were on Supermarket Sweep.

Yet his single most vital, unchallengeable pitch is in a realm too often ignored by African Americans, even though it unquestionably impacts not just us but America (and will for decades): Federal judgeship appointments.

Federal judges serve for a lifetime and thus shape policies for generations. We are living in Exhibit A: Trumps staggering three highest-court appointments are unequivocally to blame for a SCOTUS that stripped women of their right to make one of the most wrenching personal choices of their lives and universities of a decades-utilized tool for creating a diverse student body.

Trump also made a tsunami of 237 federal appointments in just one term, many of which were openings left from Sen. Mitch OConnells Republican-led block of appointments that should have been Obamas. More than eight in 10 (84%) were white, according to an analysis of the presidential federal appointments conducted by the Washington Post. Sixty-five percent of Trumps appointments were white men.

By unadulterated contrast, Biden, in less than one full term, has already made more non-white federal judge appointments than any president ever 125 of 197 overall. (120 of Obamas appointments were not white; Trump appointed just 37 non-white federal judges).

Bidens appointed 57 African Americans, according to the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights, among them 36 Black women.

Thus far, only 13 percent of Bidens appointments are white men, with the overall majority, for the first time in history, being female.

Dig even deeper: Federal judicial appointees have long traditionally served long tenures as judges, prosecutors or corporate attorneys. The legal journey of many Biden appointees wound through the courtroom as public defenders or civil, voting, or consumer rights attorneys. That was especially true during Bidens first two years (when blue state vacancies were prioritized). To fill openings in red states, and obtain needed Republican approval, the president later shifted towards appointees with prosecutorial experience.

Though still diverse.

Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones knows the delicate, byzantine nature of federal judicial appointments, which may in part be why votersBlack or otherwiseyawn at talk of judicial appointments and rarely rank them among their top ballot considerations.

Its been overlooked by voters for so long, Jones shared with me. What [Bidens] tried to do is to utilize appointments so that the overall judiciary reflects us because it hasnt for so, so long.

What he did with the U.S. Supreme Court in appointing Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and has done with the Court of Appeals, thats diversity in views and positions strengthens the judiciary and should strengthen the independence of the judiciary  which I believe is in jeopardy.

The RSJ version: Another Republican administration, another four years of Republican judicial appointments, will lead to the further erosion of liberties, rights, and freedoms generations before us fought and died to obtain.

To erasure, if not for us, for our children, grand, and more.

That shouldnt only matter to African Americansthough especially so to us.

It should matter to us all.

Im a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, as well as the Lede. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj.










English News China, Russia set prime example of new form of international, good-neighborly relations between two major countries

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 21 Mai 2024



As a Chinese saying goes, "A mountain is formed by accumulation of soil and an ocean is formed by accumulation of water." After 75 years of solid accumulation, lasting friendship and all-round cooperation between China and Russia provide a strong impetus for the two countries to forge ahead despite wind and rain. Having reached a new starting point, China and Russia will always remain committed to their founding purpose and jointly shoulder responsibility to create more benefits for their peoples and make due contribution to global security and stability.

By He Yin, People's Daily This year marks the 75th anniversary of the China-Russia diplomatic relations. It is an important milestone year in the history of China-Russia relations.



On May 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who was on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.



The most important conclusion drawn from the 75-year history of China-Russia relations is that two neighboring major countries must always promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respect each other on an equal footing, trust each other, accommodate each other's concerns, and truly provide mutual assistance for the development and revitalization of both sides, Xi noted.



This is not only the correct way for China and Russia to get along, but also the direction that major-country relations should strive for in the 21st century, Xi said.

His important remarks have charted the course for the future development of China-Russia relations.



Head-of-state diplomacy is leading the all-round development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.



The two presidents have held over 40 meetings, maintaining close communication and offering strategic guidance on promoting healthy and stable development of bilateral relations between China and Russia.



This time, Xi and Putin had a candid and fruitful discussion. They had a comprehensive review of the successful experience in developing the China-Russia relationship, and had an in-depth exchange of views on the relationship as well as major international and regional issues of mutual interest, charting the course forward for their cooperation across the board.



The two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era in the Context of the 75th Anniversary of China-Russia Diplomatic Relations.



They also witnessed the signing of a number of important intergovernmental and interagency cooperation documents, injecting new, strong impetus into the sound development of China-Russia relations.



China and Russia will uphold the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, continue to deepen two-way political trust, respect each other's choice of development path, and realize development and revitalization with each other's firm support.



In the past three quarters of a century, the China-Russia relationship has grown stronger amidst wind and rain. China and Russia together have found a new path for major and neighboring countries to treat each other with respect and pursue amity and mutually beneficial cooperation. The China-Russia relationship has become a prime example of a new form of international relations as well as good-neighborly relations between two major countries.



The notable progress in China-Russia relations is attributable to the two countries' commitment to five principles.



First, China and Russia are committed to mutual respect as the fundamental principle of relations, and always render support for each other's core interests.



Second, China and Russia are committed to win-win cooperation as the driving force of relations, and work to foster a new paradigm of mutual benefit.



Third, China and Russia are committed to lasting friendship as the foundation of relations, and carry forward the torch of Sino-Russian friendship.



Fourth, China and Russia are committed to strategic coordination as an underpinning of relations, and steer global governance in the right direction.



Fifth, China and Russia are committed to fairness and justice as the purpose of relations, and dedicated to the political settlement of hotspots.



With the concerted efforts of the two sides, China-Russia relations have been moving forward steadily, with enhanced comprehensive strategic coordination and further cooperation on economy and trade, investment, energy, people-to-people exchanges, at the subnational level and in other fields. This has made positive contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting greater democracy in international relations.



The two sides will take the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties as a new starting point, further synergize development strategies, and continue to enrich the bilateral cooperation, to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples, and contribute more positive energy to world prosperity and stability.



The two countries need to make further structural improvements to their cooperation, consolidate the good momentum in trade and other traditional areas of cooperation.



Last year, two-way trade exceeded $240 billion, close to 2.7 times of that of a decade ago. This is a good indication of the all-round cooperation of mutual benefit that continues to deepen between the two countries.



The two countries need to look for areas where their interests converge, tap into their comparative strengths, deepen the integration of interests, and enable each other's success.



They should make further structural improvements to their cooperation, consolidate the good momentum in trade and other traditional areas of cooperation, support the formation of platforms and networks for basic research, continue to unlock cooperation potential in frontier areas, step up cooperation on ports, transportation and logistics, and help keep the global industrial and supply chains stable.



The two sides should create more highlights for people-to-people exchanges, jointly host successful China-Russia Years of Culture, strengthen cooperation at subnational levels, and continuously tighten the bonds between the two peoples.



By focusing on implementing the Roadmap for China-Russia Cooperation on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges Before 2030, the two countries are expanding people-to-people and cultural ties.



The two presidents have set 2024 and 2025 as China-Russia Years of Culture, proposed a series of cultural activities that are down to earth, close to people's hearts and popular among them, and encouraged closer interactions between various sectors and at subnational levels, so as to enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.



Both sides are willing to continue to strengthen cooperation within the frameworks including the UN, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as well as communication on major international and regional issues, so as to establish a fair and equitable global governance system.



Both China and Russia are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major emerging markets. It is the shared strategic choice of both countries to deepen strategic coordination, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and follow the general historical trend of multipolarity in the world and economic globalization.



With Russia chairing BRICS this year and China taking over the chairmanship of the SCO later this year, the two sides will support each other's chairmanship, build a high-quality partnership that is more comprehensive, close, practical and inclusive, and build the unity and strength of the Global South.



As a Chinese saying goes, "A mountain is formed by accumulation of soil and an ocean is formed by accumulation of water." After 75 years of solid accumulation, lasting friendship and all-round cooperation between China and Russia provide a strong impetus for the two countries to forge ahead despite wind and rain. Having reached a new starting point, China and Russia will always remain committed to their founding purpose and jointly shoulder responsibility to create more benefits for their peoples and make due contribution to global security and stability.



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ACTUALITES Nexus2050  The International Tech Pulse announces first 80 speakers

Alwihda Info | Par Malick Mahamat - 22 Mai 2024



Nexus2050, the new annual tech event taking place on 26-27 June at Luxexpo in Luxembourg City, has announced its first 80 speakers, with an additional 120 to be revealed over the coming month.





What is Nexus2050?



Nexus2050 is an international hub for stakeholders combining ecological and digital transitions, aiming to leverage technology for the benefit of governments, organisations and businesses to achieve their net-zero strategies by 2050. It's about using technology to advance human progress, considering productivity gains while addressing pressing ethical issues.



Nexus2050 is a boutique-style gathering, crafted to ignite inspiration while preserving an intimate, human-scale atmosphere. Over two days, Nexus2050 will take place at Luxexpo The Box, featuring an exhibition zone, symposium, international matchmaking zone, numerous cocktails and a seated dinner.



The event brings together: 5,000+ attendees

1,200+ guests at the closing seated dinner

200+ speakers at the symposium

100+ exhibitors in the exhbition zone

200+ startups (The Hive) from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, each of which will do a three-minute pitch in the Startup Arena

Plus the GO International Matchmaking Zone, operated by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade as well as the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Offices (matchmaking works trough a dedicated app) What makes this event unique?



Nexus2050 is the opportunity to forge genuine connections across three districts (Finance, Puretech, SkillSphere), each of which has its own unique set of partners.



Visitors can seamlessly jump in and out of panel discussions and talks across various stages, as they will be streamed in silent-disco mode. For this reason, visitors are asked to bring their own devices and headphones and to use the Nexus2050 app to listen to the talks.



The 200 startups exhibiting over two days will have the chance to exhibit on one day and circulate to network the other day. This means that visitors will be in touch with 100 new startups each day of the event.



A bonus day on 28 June will be dedicated to follow-up meetings, plus the organisation of bus tours for students to visit prominent companies, thanks to Foyer and SES sponsoring student tickets.



Who are the key partners?



Premiere institutional partners of the event include the European Commission, the Government of Luxembourg, the City of Luxembourg, Luxinnovation, as well as the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.



Nexus2050, as Luxembourgs International Tech Pulse Fair, matches well with the European Commissions priorities, says Anne Calteux, Head of Representation, European Commission in Luxembourg, adding: Whether it regards achieving climate neutrality by 2050, harnessing the Digital Decade or empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens, these topics remain very important because the Commission stands for a competitive, resilient and sustainable Europe.



Additional partners also include key players in the financial sector, as well as industry, technology and sustainability.



With formal negotiations over Ukraine joining the European Union set to start as early as June, Nexus2050 has also partnered with the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, with Ukraine to be the guest country for this flagship event. This partnership includes three roundtable discussions, keynotes, and a selection of 20 Ukrainian startups with a focus on cyberdefence, fintech, space and telecom. Several members from the government of Ukraine will take part in the debate.



With around 75% of its workforce made of foreigners from 170 countries, Luxembourg offers a uniquely multicultural, multilingual environment with a business-friendly, open and stable economy. Home to several EU institutions and the second largest funds industry in the world, it also serves as a leading international platform for sustainable finance and fintech.



Luxembourg continues to heavily invest in world-class ICT infrastructure. Case in point: for 30 million, the State supported the emergence of LuxProvide, at the helm of the Luxembourg supercomputer, Meluxinaone of the most powerful supercomputers in Europevia LuxConnect. There are numerous other examples of initiatives that actively foster innovation, with many structures in place to finance and support R&D activities.



Nexus2050 serves as a perfect opportunity to learn more about Luxembourgs tech and innovation ecosystem, where a number of public and private initiatives will be on showcase, and visitors can easily access the countrys key players. With an official opening by HRH Crown Prince Guillaume and EU Commissioner for Innovation and Research Iliana Ivanova, Nexus2050 brings together thought leaders from Google, Nvidia, Obama Foundation, N26, Poolside, Mangrove Capital and more to dicuss their innovative ideas on artificial intelligence, sustainability, cybersecurity, financial technology, as well as talent attraction and development.Nexus2050 is an international hub for stakeholders combining ecological and digital transitions, aiming to leverage technology for the benefit of governments, organisations and businesses to achieve their net-zero strategies by 2050. It's about using technology to advance human progress, considering productivity gains while addressing pressing ethical issues.Nexus2050 is a boutique-style gathering, crafted to ignite inspiration while preserving an intimate, human-scale atmosphere. Over two days, Nexus2050 will take place at Luxexpo The Box, featuring an exhibition zone, symposium, international matchmaking zone, numerous cocktails and a seated dinner.The event brings together:Nexus2050 is the opportunity to forge genuine connections across three districts (Finance, Puretech, SkillSphere), each of which has its own unique set of partners.Visitors can seamlessly jump in and out of panel discussions and talks across various stages, as they will be streamed in silent-disco mode. For this reason, visitors are asked to bring their own devices and headphones and to use the Nexus2050 app to listen to the talks.The 200 startups exhibiting over two days will have the chance to exhibit on one day and circulate to network the other day. This means that visitors will be in touch with 100 new startups each day of the event.A bonus day on 28 June will be dedicated to follow-up meetings, plus the organisation of bus tours for students to visit prominent companies, thanks to Foyer and SES sponsoring student tickets.Premiere institutional partners of the event include the European Commission, the Government of Luxembourg, the City of Luxembourg, Luxinnovation, as well as the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.Nexus2050, as Luxembourgs International Tech Pulse Fair, matches well with the European Commissions priorities, says Anne Calteux, Head of Representation, European Commission in Luxembourg, adding: Whether it regards achieving climate neutrality by 2050, harnessing the Digital Decade or empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens, these topics remain very important because the Commission stands for a competitive, resilient and sustainable Europe.Additional partners also include key players in the financial sector, as well as industry, technology and sustainability.With formal negotiations over Ukraine joining the European Union set to start as early as June, Nexus2050 has also partnered with the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, with Ukraine to be the guest country for this flagship event. This partnership includes three roundtable discussions, keynotes, and a selection of 20 Ukrainian startups with a focus on cyberdefence, fintech, space and telecom. Several members from the government of Ukraine will take part in the debate.With around 75% of its workforce made of foreigners from 170 countries, Luxembourg offers a uniquely multicultural, multilingual environment with a business-friendly, open and stable economy. Home to several EU institutions and the second largest funds industry in the world, it also serves as a leading international platform for sustainable finance and fintech.Luxembourg continues to heavily invest in world-class ICT infrastructure. Case in point: for 30 million, the State supported the emergence of LuxProvide, at the helm of the Luxembourg supercomputer, Meluxinaone of the most powerful supercomputers in Europevia LuxConnect. There are numerous other examples of initiatives that actively foster innovation, with many structures in place to finance and support R&D activities.Nexus2050 serves as a perfect opportunity to learn more about Luxembourgs tech and innovation ecosystem, where a number of public and private initiatives will be on showcase, and visitors can easily access the countrys key players.

Who are the organisers?



The Nexus2050 economic interest group was initiated by The Dots and Maison Moderne.



The Dots is a tech-focused marketing agency founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Kamel Amroune. After spending over 14 years at the Farvest agency, where he co-created ICT Spring, served as Managing Director of IT One, and later became an associate and CEO of Farvest, the majority shareholder decided to acquire Kamel Amrounes shares in 2021. The Dots organises various tech events in Luxembourg, including the TNT Symposium, which brings together a thousand tech decision-makers from Luxembourg, the Tech Supreme Court and TNTeens, an event dedicated to tech education. The Dots also publishes Techsense.lu and a biannual magazine of the same brand.



Maison Moderne is a media company founded in 1993 by entrepreneur Mike Koedinger, with activities that nourish an ecosystem for economic and financial circles. As a publishing house with Paperjam and Delano, a Business Club and an officially accredited training center, as well as a specialised content marketing agency and advertising agency. Through its Business Club, Maison Moderne has become the primary event producer for the business community in Luxembourg, notably by organising events such as Paperjam Top 100, The 2023 Finance Awards and monthly 10x6 conferences. Paperjam and Delano publish the Tech 100 lists in Luxembourg.



Im in! Where do I sign up?



Tickets may be purchased online via Nexus2050 Tickets or by emailing



Startups can reserve their booths here: Elevate Your Startup at Nexus2050



Students can also apply here for a sponsored ticket, offered by Foyer and SES. The Nexus2050 economic interest group was initiated by The Dots and Maison Moderne.The Dots is a tech-focused marketing agency founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Kamel Amroune. After spending over 14 years at the Farvest agency, where he co-created ICT Spring, served as Managing Director of IT One, and later became an associate and CEO of Farvest, the majority shareholder decided to acquire Kamel Amrounes shares in 2021. The Dots organises various tech events in Luxembourg, including the TNT Symposium, which brings together a thousand tech decision-makers from Luxembourg, the Tech Supreme Court and TNTeens, an event dedicated to tech education. The Dots also publishes Techsense.lu and a biannual magazine of the same brand.Maison Moderne is a media company founded in 1993 by entrepreneur Mike Koedinger, with activities that nourish an ecosystem for economic and financial circles. As a publishing house with Paperjam and Delano, a Business Club and an officially accredited training center, as well as a specialised content marketing agency and advertising agency. Through its Business Club, Maison Moderne has become the primary event producer for the business community in Luxembourg, notably by organising events such as Paperjam Top 100, The 2023 Finance Awards and monthly 10x6 conferences. Paperjam and Delano publish the Tech 100 lists in Luxembourg.Tickets may be purchased online via Nexus2050 Tickets or by emailing [email protected] Startups can reserve their booths here: Elevate Your Startup at Nexus2050Students can also apply here for a sponsored ticket, offered by Foyer and SES. Malick Mahamat Coordonnateur general de redaction, reporter - Telephones : +(235) 66267667 - 99267667 En savoir plus sur cet auteur





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My condolences.

Im so sorry for your loss.

My sympathies.

May he rest in peace.

Raised as we are in Western civilization, we have an instinctive response when we hear of someones death, whether by natural causes, by accident, or even by murder. We think first of his or her family and friends, we naturally empathize with their sorrow, and we wish them these words and more, heartfelt and seriously.

We would be sad if a loved one died, and we assume that everyone must have loved ones. Our sympathy is automatic.

One wouldnt think this would be a problem, but in politics, and therefore in the press as well, it can be  because there are people who have no loved ones, and with good reason; there are people who will not, and more importantly should not, be missed.

On Saturday, May 19, Ebrahim Raisi, allegedly a direct descendent of their prophet himself, was killed in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan, a province in Iran. A few other officials went down with the chopper as well, but Ebrahim Raisi is the one who made the news, because at the time of his death, he was serving as president of Iran.

As a result, other heads of state and their staffs started issuing the perfunctory letters of condolence. We extend our sympathies to the people of Iran on the loss of their president  in various languages and varying levels of saccharine prose.

Even the United Nations.

Even the United States.

While President Raisi should have only been a household name in world politics since winning his presidential election in 2021, he was actually one of the few names in Iranian politics who had been well known for decades. He held numerous other government posts over the years  he served as Attorney General, as Chief Justice, as Prosecutor-General, all sorts of high positions  but most importantly, he was one of the chiefs of a massive, lethal purge of political prisoners known as the 1988 executions.

In this particularly shocking show of utter brutality, Raisi and his cohorts arranged the killings of thousands of their fellow Iranians in an assembly-line manner. Using forklift trucks to raise and hang the condemned in groups of six every half-hour, they hanged thousands of people over the second half of 1988.

Commissioned on the orders of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, this purge involved prolonged mass torture in a clear display of sheer tyrannical power. Estimates of the dead vary, with the bare official minimum set between 2,800 and 4,000 killed, but many global sources estimate the number of victims of this purge alone in the tens of thousands.

This 1988 incident earned Ebrahim Raisi a distinctive sobriquet both at home and abroad: he is known everywhere as the Butcher of Tehran.

He didnt improve with age.

He was a hanging judge, an enforcer of Sharia law, as one would expect from a successful Iranian politician in the age of the mullahs. Raisi supported Putins invasion of Ukraine; he supported the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. Raisi has championed nuclear bomb technology for Iran; he signed long-term deals with Red China. He denounced the Abraham Accords between Israel and several muslim nations at the end of the Trump years; he cheered Hamas in its atrocity-filled invasion of Israel on October 7, and he called for Hamas to take over Israel in an expanded Gaza-based state, from the River to the Sea.

In short, to put it mildly, Ebrahim Raisi was an enemy. Of the U.S.A. and our allies, even of the people of his own country.

We should recall, for a moment, what a wonderful, progressive country (in the best way) Iran was before the 1979 revolution. Iran under the Shah was a modern nation, with growing prosperity and so many Western values. From education to entrepreneurship, from fashion to human rights, Iran under the Shahs rule was a shining example of the best of modernization.

Then came the imposition of the tyranny of the mullahs, and it has been a truly brutal regime, a sponsor of terrorism, a continuous threat to the world, for 45 years now.

How should we react to his death?

On the one hand, we have this Western sensibility; we offer condolences by rote, we never think of doing otherwise. And we have this cultural inner governor that reminds us to never speak ill of the dead. Even if there are complaints to discuss, we feel that this is the wrong time for that. Dont kick them when theyre down, dont attack their memories while their loved ones are missing them.

This is how we are conditioned to think. Its our culture. Even our politicians and their staffs. Even our newspapers and our television anchors. Dont criticize the dead, now, of all times.

But on the other hand

Shouldnt we be embarrassed by hypocrisy? Shouldnt we be uncomfortable speaking well of someone who hated us and our views, hated our history and our freedom, hated our system and our allies systems too, all his life?

And more importantly, if this is the only time his name will have the attention of the world, isnt this the right time, the perfect time, to tell the truth about him, while he and his record are in the news?

Ebrahim Raisi killed thousands, maybe tens of thousands, maybe even more. Ebrahim Raisi contributed to the spread of terrorism, the spread of antisemitism, and the spread of Islamic theocratic rule across the world.

And as the presumed likely successor to his aging sponsor, the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khameini, Ebrahim Raisi was set to bring even more fiery rhetoric and homicidal policy to the dictatorial power of the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran.

If he had lived to see it.

Which, mercifully, he didnt.

Why didnt the United Nations, allegedly formed to foster peace in the world, say this? Why didnt the Biden-Harris regime, ostensibly the representatives of the people of the United States, say this?

It is right to be respectful when regular folks die; its critical for a civil society.

But, equally critical for a civil society is the need to educate the electorate, to take every opportunity to ensure that the people  the voters  understand that there is real evil in the world, and that it is already in power, demonstrably so, in far too many countries in the world.

If we know that monsters such as Ebrahim Raisi can win and hold political office, then perhaps well be more careful to avoid empowering such people in our own elections, over here.

But if we never know that, far away, such killers do run for office, and win, and then use such office to legalize and impose mass torture, mass domination, and mass murder  then we may not realize that it is a risk here as well, and we may sleepily allow such candidates to take power here.

Of all the times, a presidential election year is as important a time as any to take advantage of such opportunities, to awaken an uninformed and perhaps oblivious public.

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer and speaker. A one-time Milwaukee County Republican Party chairman, he has been writing a regular column for Illinois Review since 2009. Read his book on vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel) and his political satires on the current administration (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III).

Image: Library of Congress, via Picryl // public domain
Every once in a while, there is a seminal article written that elucidates political calculations not obvious on their surface. In particular, foreign policy matters tend to be complicated to the point that most Americans focus little attention on understanding the motivations of presidents foreign policy decisions despite their broad national security implications.

One of the most important columns that comes to mind is Michael Dorans brilliant essay from 2015 entitled Obamas Secret Iran Strategy in which Doran explains Barack Obamas motivation for empowering Iran as a regional hegemon at the expense of U.S. national security and regional alliances.

That column was followed in 2021 by another must read essay co-written by Doran and Tony Badran entitled The Realignment in which the authors conclude that in the Middle East, Biden is finishing what Obama started. And his top advisers are on board.

The authors discuss the influence of returning Obama advisors on a policy intended to realign the Middle Eastern order into one that relies more on partnership with Iran. They recognize this initiative as the Obama-Biden-Malley-Blinken-Sullivan initiative which they labeled the Realignment and concluded that despite Trump handing Biden a multilateral alliance designed to contain Iran in the form of the Abraham Accords (with Saudi Arabia on the cusp of joining), Biden instead chose Iran, setting back the cause of peace and delivering China and Russia a victory.

Empowering Iran is not the only commonality between the Obama and Biden administrations. Both also used (and continue to use) the federal government to go after their perceived enemies. Obama infamously used the alphabet city of government institutions from the FBI, CIA, NSA, IRS, and DOJ to shut down conservative not-for-profits, discredit and jail conservative voices, and destroy political enemies. And despite Trumps win, Obama and Hillary Clinton organized the Resistance that bogged down his presidency culminating in two ridiculously partisan impeachments.

But Biden has taken that abuse of the powers of the federal government to new levels as he and his advisors determined that the only way to win a second term as a senile, corrupt, mean-spirited, lying, incompetent, incoherent fool would be to take down his political opponent through the exploitation of the judiciary.

The Democrats not only demonized and undermined the Supreme Court in the hopes of delegitimizing its decisions that limit Bidens abuse of power; they also completely undermined Americans faith in law enforcement and the judiciary as weve spent over a year watching the unprecedented witch hunts against a former president of the United States. After FBI raids, a multitude of indictments, and illegitimate criminal prosecutions, Americans see a two-tiered justice system. They understand that the Democrat operatives pretending to be prosecutors and judges are actually tools of the Biden administration seeking to destroy Donald Trump and ensure a Biden second term in order to finish Obamas promise of transforming America (and the world order).

Which brings me to the most recent seminal essay by Gadi Taub earlier this month entitled The Gantz Megillah in which Taub explained how the Biden administration is using ex-IDF Chief Benny Gantz as its Trojan horse to impose U.S. demands  and ensure Israels defeat in Gaza. Taub began:

In the eyes of the Biden administration Hamas is the smaller problem. The bigger problem is Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. is willing to live with Irans proxies everywhere, as part of its regional integration policy  i.e., appeasing Iran. But they are unwilling to live with Benjamin Netanyahus coalition.

He continued:

Wars provide opportunities, and it seems clear that the opportunity that the Biden administration saw in the Oct. 7 attacks had less to do with ensuring Israels security than it did with stifling any remaining resistance to Washingtons pro-Iran regional integration policy.

In other words, with the Realignment at risk given the Netanyahu wartime coalitions determination to ensure that October 7th remains in the rearview mirror and Israeli citizens can return securely to their homes, Biden must resort to the same tactics that he and Obama used in their attempts to destroy Trump.

Team Obama/Biden (as Badran coined the partners-in-crime) began their anti-Bibi onslaught in a fairly tame manner  helping anti-Bibi protestors in Israel from behind the scenes and calling for a ceasefire while insinuating that without more humanitarian aid, Israel may be committing war crimes. That escalated with what Taub described as the entire Democrat Party apparatus from Joe Biden on down directly attacking Israels wartime leader:

Biden called Israels elected prime minister a bad fucking guy, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer went so far as to explain to Israelis they made the wrong choice in their elections. Senior Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler went Schumer one step better, proclaiming Netanyahu to be the worst Jewish leader in 2,000 years.

And while name-calling and cries of Armageddon (similar to Trump is a dictator threatening democracy) are something weve come to expect from Biden and Democrats; like Americans, Israelis so far arent buying it. Which means that Biden had to up the ante.

Not long ago the administration announced that it was sanctioning Israelis living in Judea and Samaria, which is abhorrent for multiple reasons but especially so given that its spent the past three plus years continually issuing sanctions waivers on Iran. It has also threatened to impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF in order to pressure Israeli officials to succumb to Biden demands that he hopes will end the war while he watches the election year clock tick away.

But the threats of an arms embargo, calls for regime change (of an American ally, not Iran!), interference in wartime strategies and decisions, international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid including not exercising the U.S. veto power on an anti-Israel U.N. resolution, and calls for a Palestinian state ad nauseam (with rumors that the administration will join the U.N. in recognition of such a terrorist state) have not resulted in Bidens intended results  the end of the war with Hamas surviving to attack Israel again in the future. Biden is now desperate as November is quickly approaching. And desperate times call for desperate measures.

Which is how we find ourselves with news that the International Criminal Court will seek to issue arrest warrants for Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. If ever there were a case of moral depravity, issuing arrest warrants for the elected officials of the only democracy in the Middle East that was forced to fight a war of survival after 1,200 of its citizens were barbarically tortured and murdered while another 250 were kidnapped with over 130 remaining in captivity certainly qualifies. Its a farce that three Hamas officials will also face arrest warrants. They are terrorists who murder. Netanyahu and Gallant are moral leaders who value life, freedom and peace.

To be clear, Joe Biden is the leader of the free world; he had the ability to stop this before the news of the prosecutors request for arrest warrants became official and he has the ability to put an end to it immediately. Pathetic statements of condemnation of the ICC by Blinken were joined by offers of condolences for the death of Irans President Raisi  a real tyrant. You cant make this stuff up but American voters who actually do care about democratic institutions and moral leadership from our elected representatives arent fooled.

Where is the U.S. announcing sanctions on every official at the ICC involved in this farcical prosecution? Why is the U.S. continuing to fund the U.N. (after President Trump defunded UNESCO, UNRWA and withdrew from the U.N.s joke of a Human Rights Council)? Just as there was no Biden Oval Office speech after October 7th, neither is there one in the midst of the flourishing antisemitism on college campuses and U.S. streets. Team Obama/Biden want Bibi gone, they want a more compliant replacement who they can control (Taub describes how Gantz fits the bill), and they want the war over so they can claim a win ahead of the November election.

Just as Biden weaponized the American justice system against Donald Trump in order to win, he is now quietly turning to the international criminal courts to do his bidding by ridding Israel of their wartime cabinet leaders who will not abide by his demands that weaken Israels ability to survive the enemies who surround them.

Taub recognized:

It is not at all clear that Israel can survive four more years of a Democratic administration determined to carve out a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the land of Israel, as part of an integrated  that is, Iran-dominated  Middle East. If it is to survive at all, Israel must break the noose that Iran is assembling around us, and which the Biden administration is actively promoting and protecting.

As a postscript, one more commonality has arisen between Obama and Biden. Despite admitting that he was inserting daylight into the strong U.S./Israel alliance, Obama was able to convince American Jews that he was a friend of Israel. They helped hand him a second-term victory following which he was - not surprisingly - completely unleashed to enter into the Iran nuclear deal, which put Iran on a glide path to nuclear weapons. And his final middle finger to Bibi and the Jewish people was allowing UNSC resolution 2334 to pass, which recognized any Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, including East Jerusalem, as a violation of international law.

Similarly, a Biden administration official has just been videotaped admitting that he too will be unleashed in a second term to treat Israel as a pariah, which may include cutting off all military support.

Lets hope this time, American Jews recognize a friend from an enemy when they vote in November. As Taub noted, it is not clear that Israel can survive four more years of Democrats in the White House.

Lauri B. Regan is Vice Chair and New York chapter president of the Endowment for Middle East Truth.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Emerging industries thrive in E China's Shandong

09:54, May 22, 2024 By Wang Zhe ( People's Daily

In January this year, a rocket was launched from a ship in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong province.

How could this rocket launch be completed on the deck of a ship?

A Gravity-1 commercial carrier rocket, developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company OrienSpace, is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong province, Jan. 11, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Ding Yi)

On one hand, Haiyang sits in a unique and safe location, which makes it suitable for launching satellites into various orbits, including low-inclination and sun-synchronous orbits.

On the other hand, Haiyang has seized the precious opportunity presented by the development of the aerospace industry and vigorously promoted emerging industries.

In 2019, China completed its first space launch from a sea-based platform as a Long March-11 solid propellant carrier rocket blasted off in Haiyang. The local government has taken the successful test launch as an opportunity to develop aerospace industry, establishing the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port. It has built a commercial aerospace industry cluster centering on the entire offshore rocket launch industrial chain and kept enhancing relevant services.

In June 2023, a company planned to install launch support equipment in Haiyang. However, the relevant personnel from the company were unable to arrive on time to submit required application materials in person.

After learning the situation, the local administrative examination and approval bureau initiated an online approval process, allowing the company to first submit critical application materials and then supply the remaining documents after obtaining the project code. This enabled smooth process of the project.

Haiyang follows the requirements of high-quality development in every aspect and the whole process, from approving projects, introducing industries and building industrial bases, to its efforts to set up an aerospace science museum and featured towns.

It is attracting more and more enterprises in upstream and downstream sectors, laying a solid foundation for the development of emerging industries.

High-quality development is key to cultivating and strengthening emerging industries. During the first quarter of this year, Shandong province channeled quality resources into nurturing and expanding 32 strategic emerging industrial clusters at and above provincial level, whose total output hit 3.2 trillion yuan ($433.91 billion).

Visitors experience a multi-axis trainer in an aerospace science museum in the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port, east China's Shandong province. (People's Daily Online/Tang Ke)

For local economic development, introducing emerging industries is just the beginning, and the road to nurturing and strengthening industrial clusters is still long.

A company producing lithium-ion batteries decided to settle in Zaozhuang National High-tech Industrial Development Zone in Shandong province. The head of the company said that the development zone has a clear development plan for the lithium-ion battery industry and a persevering spirit. The local government established a dedicated service team to closely follow the production progress of the company, from site selection to factory designing, and from facility construction to equipment debugging. The company also mustered its efforts and advanced steadily, contributing to local economic and social development.

With a top-level design for industrial development, well-planned guidance for business operations, and a clear roadmap, the growth prospects and momentum for emerging industries have become even greater.

Talents are vital for cultivating emerging industries. To unleash the power of talent, Zaozhuang of Shandong province has introduced policies that outline measures for attracting, rewarding, and supporting talents in the lithium-ion battery industry.

Zhang Jingpeng, the lead researcher of Shandong Goldencell Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., has greatly benefited from these policies - Zhang and her team has received a cumulative reward of 3.9 million yuan for independently developing nine lithium iron phosphate battery products.

In addition to tapping into talent resources, emphasis should also be placed on recruitment and university-enterprise cooperation. Since the beginning of this year, Zaozhuang has introduced more than 870 talents of various kinds for lithium-ion battery companies. By providing excellent platforms and ensuring competitive income, the city has built a sound workforce that leads industrial development.

Adapting to local conditions, seizing opportunities, and accelerating the cultivation and growth of emerging industries, regions across China are seeing robust high-quality development.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Ireland, Norway and Spain say they will recognize a Palestinian state in the coming days.

Leaders of the three countries made coordinated announcements to support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said he expects other European countries to follow with recognition.

"This is an historic and important day," Harris said at a news conference.

Israel quickly recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway in response to the move.

"Today's decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said. "After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state."

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.



Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

Katz said the recognition is an "injustice to the memory of the victims" of the Oct. 7 attacks and would undermine the chances of the return of the remaining hostages.

Several other European countries have indicated that they plan to recognize a Palestinian state as the best chance of peace in the Middle East.

The three countries said the recognition would take place on May 28.

Top Hamas political official Khalil al-Hayya previously said his militant group would be willing to lay down their arms and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state would be established along its pre-1967 borders as part of a two-state solution.

Some 140 of 190 represented in the U.N. countries have already recognized Palestine, the Associated Press reported.
What is the struggle for "justice" in the Middle East, in the United States, or in Europe over the "Iron Swords" war?

Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, there were 800,000-900,000 Jews living in Arab countries. Today there are 2,000 Jews in Morocco and 1,000 Jews in Tunisia. Outside of Israel, in Arab countries, there are approximately 450 million Arabs and 3,000 Jews. These numbers mean that the Arab world has emancipated itself from the Jews. The Arab world is already judenfrei (free of Jews in German), that is, it is already free of Jews.

The area of the Arab world is 13 million square kilometers, the area of Israel together with the controlled territories is 27.8 thousand square kilometers.

The struggle for the "liberation" of Palestine from "the river to the sea" means seeking to annex Palestine, which includes Israel and is 0.2% of the area of the Arab world to its gigantic territory.

Is it fair to take away from the Jewish people its only state and create a 23rd Arab state in its place? The struggle for "justice" is for the "liberation" of 0.2% of the Arab world's territories, which are apparently necessary to pacify pro-Palestinian demonstrators, to satisfy the demands of "progressive humanity" angered by the Israelis, to eliminate "the world's biggest hotbed of tension" and, apparently, for the complete victory of antisemitism.

The eviction of Jewish communities from Arab and Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa was the result of attempts to make these countries judenfrei in the terminology used by the Nazis in realizing the "final solution to the Jewish question."

American political scientist Peter Schotten wrote in this regard, "The Arab states responded ruthlessly to the lost war [the war against Israel in 1948] and to the newly displaced Arab refugees by taking systematic and repressive measures against their Jewish citizens. They were stripped of citizenship, arrested and detained, imposed religious restrictions, limited freedom of movement, had their assets frozen and property confiscated, employment opportunities closed, and Zionism declared a crime."

British journalist Lyn Julius wrote in the Jewish Journal, "Just three years after the end of World War II, the members of the Arab League set out to emulate the Nazis. They decided to make the Arab Middle East judenfrei. They enforced Nuremberg-style laws, criminalizing Zionism, freezing Jewish bank accounts, setting quotas, and imposing work and travel restrictions. The result was a mass exodus of Jews."

In 1937, Walter Doehle, the German consul in Jerusalem, wrote: "Palestinian Arabs in all social strata have great sympathy for the new Germany and its Fuhrer. [...] If a person identified himself as a German when confronted with threats from Arab crowds, this in itself usually allowed him to pass unhindered. But when some identified themselves by making the salutation 'Heil Hitler,' in most cases the attitude of the Arabs became an expression of open enthusiasm, and was accompanied by applause."

When Tunisia was occupied by the Nazis between November 1942 and May 1943, some 2,000 Jews were sent to work in labor camps. The reaction of Tunisia's Muslim majority, according to American historian Robert Satloff, was "widespread indifference." He wrote: "Gestures of support and active assistance to a minority that had been displaced, dispossessed, looted, and conscripted for forced labor were very rare. Arab passersby were publicly insulted and physically assaulted." Had the Allies not liberated Tunisia from the Nazis, Libya from the Italian Fascists, and Algeria and Morocco from the French pro-Nazi Vichy regime in 1943, it is safe to say that the local Arab population would not have stopped the deportation of the Jews of Palestine and the Arab world to the death camps. The expulsion of Jews from Arab countries was a continuation of the Shoah of the Jews in Europe. The demand for the "liberation of Palestine" also means the desire to make the territory "from the river to the sea" judenfrei. Beneath the slogans of freedom for Palestine, the Nazi calls for judenfrei are poorly concealed.

The struggle for "justice" and the "liberation" of Palestine is based on a false game that combines deception with self-deception, in which antisemitism fuels the struggle for the "just" destruction of Israel. To this end, the image of the "victim", the Palestinian Arab people oppressed by white capitalist invaders, Jews alien to the Arab East, who came from Europe to steal other people's land and hurt the "victim", has been created. And "victims" are entitled to sympathy and compassion. Moreover, it is sometimes (wrongly) assumed that "victims" - traumatized by their suffering - are not morally responsible for their actions. In such a moral universe, terrorist acts against civilians are justified as the actions and voices of the desperate.

Out of resentment, the "victim" can kill the "predator" in a state of "self-defense". In a state of "affect" the "victim" can rape, kill, terrorize, torture, but everything can be forgiven, because she is a "victim". In this description of the oppressor-victim relationship, falsehood is piled on top of falsehood. The Jews lived in the disputed territory before the Arabs, they are not aliens but natives. They are not only white, but colored natives of Arab countries, and even blacks from Ethiopia. The Arabs attacked the Jews in 1948 at the time of the establishment of the Jewish state, when there was no occupation yet, because the Six Day War of 1967 was still 19 years away, and the disputed territory of about six thousand square kilometers was in the hands of Arab countries, which for some reason had not established a Palestinian Arab state.

In 1948, the Palestinian Arabs received a Palestinian state from the UN, but they were not interested in it at that time, because their goal was not the creation of an Arab state, but the destruction of the newly created Jewish state. Seven armies of all the Arab countries that existed at that time attacked Israel. For a number of years, the numerous Arabs suffered defeats at the hands of the few Jews.

After these military defeats of the Arab armies against little Israel, the Arabs changed their image: instead of an annoying little Jewish "predator," they turned an undefeated enemy into a big offender of the little Palestinian people. In order to get "progressive humanity" to support their "just" struggle against the Israelis, they created an image of a small Palestinian people strikingly similar to the Jewish people: a small, scattered "Palestinian people" in different Arab countries, whose homeland has been taken away from them.

In reality, the Arab state of Palestine never existed. You couldn't occupy something that never existed. The Palestinian Arab people are not small, they are linguistically part of a multi-million Arab nation, possessing 23 countries with an area of 13 million square kilometers.

The murder of Jews was not carried out in a state of passion, but through well-organized terror generously fed with money and weapons by the oil-rich Arab countries. The struggle is not for the self-determination of the Palestinian people, but for the elimination of Israel.

"Progressive humanity," which accepts the false tune as true, does not want to notice the antihuman and antisemitic terror of the "victims". Beneath the struggle for "justice" is a poorly concealed plan to eliminate Israel.

The brutal actions of Hamas on October 7, 2023 are the actions of the Nazis. The "liberation" of Palestine is the realization of the Nazi plan of judenfrei. If Hamas behaves like a Nazi, it is a Nazi. This conclusion is being challenged by antisemitic mobs of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Europe and at American universities and colleges, supported by left wing extremists in the U.S. Democrat party and the current American administration's fear of Nazi sympathizers.

Image: Pexels / Pexels License
At the end of the 20th century, the Soviet Union was at the peak of its global influence. It was imbued with the conviction that the future belonged to communism and its dominance was destined and unending.

In 1991, the Soviet Union unexpectedly collapsed. The Warsaw Pact dissolved, and the newly formed nation, the Russian Federation, denounced communism and extended the olive branch to the West. In contrast, the United States and its NATO partners chose to capitalize on the desperate period of Russian historyspecifically, the weakened economy and fragmented militaryby making a provocative and threatening move to expand NATO closer to Russias doorstep.

Commenting on this decision, George Kennan, a renowned expert on Russia analysis and a highly influential American diplomat in the 20th century, as well as the author of the Containment Policy that eventually led to the fall of communism, stated in his 1998 interview with Tom Friedman of the New York Times,

I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever. No one was threatening anybody else. This expansion would make the Founding Fathers of this country turn over in their graves.

Image by AI

Western leaders disregarded George Kennans prophetic warning, ignoring any potential backlash from what Senator John McCain referred to as a gas station masquerading as a country. They ignorantly believed that, in case of a hostile response, economic sanctions would be sufficient to quash any resistance and turn Russia into submission.

On the other side of the globe was Andrey Belousov, Russias current minister of defense and, at that time, Putins trusted economic adviser. As a prominent economist, Belousov convinced Putin that, contrary to the widespread expectations, the Russian economy would not only overcome Western sanctions and maintain its export potential, but the sanctions would hurt and weaken the West more than they would do to Russia. Additionally, sanctions would compel Russian enterprises to manufacture goods and provide services previously sourced from the West, thus diversifying the industrial base and reducing reliance on imports.

Paradoxically, when the sanctions were imposed, he was not only vindicated, but they led to a more favorable outcome than Belousov initially anticipated. The sanctions have violated the core tenets of capitalism, such as the sanctity of contracts, protection of private property, and confidence in the banking system. As a result, there was no longer a need to acquire licenses for proprietary technologies and products, as Russian businesses could easily replicate them. It was a major windfall for the Russian economy.

Belousovs appointment as the Minister of Defense recognizes that, after two years of war, his assessment that the Russian economy was significantly stronger than expected, while the combined economies of the West, which exceeded Russian GDP by twenty times, were much weaker than expected, proved correct.

Russia has managed to out-produce the West in terms of materiel and military equipment, showcasing rapid adaptation of its industry and army to any sophisticated weapons deployed by NATO while also making advances in modern warfare.

Moscows recent increase in military spending from 4.1 percent to 7.8 percent of GDP suggests that Belousov has also prevailed in his emphasis on state spending to boost arms production and consequently stimulate the economy.

Russia is not only looking to rebuild and expand its military-industrial complex but also intends to use it as a source of revenue. The Moscow exhibition of Western armor destroyed in Ukraine serves not only to boost patriotism among the Russian population but also to showcase to potential foreign buyers the shortcomings of Western equipment, particularly American weaponry. The key message is that Russian weapons are not only on par with Western ones; in certain aspects, they even outperform them and come at a much lower cost.

Military resurgence led to a geopolitical resurgence.

Friends and foes around the globe have acknowledged Russias capacity to endure the sanctions and resist the US and a united Europe economically and militarily. As the tides of war slowly favored Russia, Putins goals became geopolitical rather than military. During his recent visit to China, he presented himself as an emissary of destiny whose mission is to restore Russias national grandeur and assume a major role in East-West relations.

Although there were no discussions about establishing an alliance, numerous national interests support economic, military, and diplomatic collaboration. These interests are motivated primarily by Western trade practices inconsistent with the philosophy of free market capitalism and the proliferation of moral values, for which the people of Russia and China share a mutual disdain.

Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher, wrote about 2000 years ago, We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how to respond to them. The Western leaders, whose most distinct feature is negative IQ, instigated an unnecessary war by NATOs eastward expansion. As George Kennan pointed out, No one was threatening anybody else.

The war was supposed to weaken Russia, yet it brought about the reverse of what Washington and its NATO allies set out to accomplish. Russias response to adversities will likely result in Russia emerging from this conflict even stronger economically and politically than before.
The recent helicopter crash killing Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister has once again cast a spotlight on the plight of the people of Iran under the iron-fisted rule of their mullahs.

This event has stirred discussions about the possibility and necessity of regime change in Iran  a sentiment echoed by the Persian populace, who largely oppose the brutal theocratic regime. What most people dont know about Persians is that they want rock music and MTV, too. And they are not Arabs. They are Persian.

The discontent among Iranians is palpable. The majority of their population yearn for freedom and democracy, chafing under a rule that stifles their aspirations and freedoms. Due to past wars, with so many men lost, their population has shifted to female and elderly, just as is happening in Ukraine. Its simple math.

The mullahs regime is marked by authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement, which have plunged the nation into turmoil. The Persian people, known for their rich cultural heritage and historical contributions, deserve a government that respects their rights and promotes their well-being.

As for the presidency, in Iran, it is a largely ceremonial position, with the real power vested in the supreme leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This dual political system renders the president a figurehead, whereas the clerical establishment wields absolute control over all major policies. Despite this, President Raisi, the interim president and a strong contender to formerly succeed Khamenei in the upcoming elections, had gained notoriety among the mullahs for tightening religious morality laws, overseeing violent crackdowns on anti-government protests, and aggressively pursuing nuclear negotiations.

Back to regime change: The notion of regime change in Iran is not new. Some years ago, the United States openly encouraged Iranian citizens to rise against the mullahs, leading them to believe that if they started a citizen uprising, the United States would help them succeed. However, when the people took to the streets in a brave attempt to overthrow their austere government, they were met with brutal repression while the U.S. stood by, offering no substantial support. This betrayal has left a lingering distrust among Iranians regarding any U.S. calls for regime change today. The memory of abandoned revolutionaries casts a long shadow over current geopolitical dynamics.

Given this historical context, any new discourse on regime change must be approached with caution and sincerity. The U.S. and other democratic nations need to consider past failures and ensure that any support offered to the Iranian people is tangible and unwavering. Empty rhetoric will not suffice; strategic, committed action is required.

So what is the solution? Western nations need to come together to support the Iranian people in their quest for freedom. This could involve a combination of diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions targeted at the regime (while sparing the general populace, if possible), and support for grassroots movements within Iran. Cyber-assistance to circumvent government censorship and facilitate communication among dissidents could also prove invaluable. Or, conversely, we can just leave the whole Iranian situation alone. As we know, our foreign adventures have typically failed miserably in the recent past. So, while Im desirous of regime change from within, I dont have all the answers. I hope someone reading this does.

Moreover, Iranian diaspora communities around the world can play a crucial role by lobbying their host governments, raising awareness about the situation in Iran and providing support to opposition groups. The global media must continue to shine a light on the Iranian regimes abuses, keeping the issue in the public eye. No whitewashing of abuses. Showcase them front and center anywhere and everywhere. Make the mullahs look like the ogres they are, and the freedom seeking citizens to we looked at as the people they are, like you and me, seeking true religious freedom, which means freedom from religious austerity and liberation from decades of oppression.

The end of the mullahs rule could pave the way for peace and stability in the Middle East. Imagine no more Iranian proxies waging unprovoked murderous invasions like the October 7 attack.

Now lets really stretch our imagination. Lets imagine what the world would look like if the regime of the worlds largest sponsors of terrorism ceased to exist.

Jerry McGlothlin serves as the CEO of Special Guests, a publicity agency known for representing guests dedicated to preserving and advancing our constitutional republic and maintaining a Judeo-Christian ethic.

Image: Chickenonline via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
After the arrest of Ambassador Manuel Rochas on espionage charges for Cuba, a logical question was whether there were one, two, many, Manuel Rochases (and Kendall Myerses) over at the State Department?

What else can one conclude with whoever it was at State who made a decision like this?

According to the Washington Times:

Homeland Security gave a delegation from Cuba a look behind the curtain at airport operations at Miami International Airport, in a move critics say may have given the hostile communist regime inside information on security protocols. Diario Las Americas reported that the delegation was given a tour of the Transportation Security Administrations facilities at the airport, including where the agency has new X-ray technology. TSA acknowledged the visit but cast it as normal international cooperation.

...and...

TSA said the visit was coordinated with the State Department.

U.S. officials were taking them all over into the innards of the Miami International Airport where they got to look at the layout of the airport, could examine its security systems, may have learned how it gets staffed (so as to get their operatives in), could examine the technology used (the better to jam it), and could get the names of personnel for blackmail purposes or pro-Cuba proclivities.

People who know airports think the whole thing looks like a disaster in the making.

The Washington Times cited this expert:

But Emilio Gonzalez, former CEO of the airport, said Cuba isnt like those other nations. ... Nobody in their right mind, no federal employee, would approve this unless they had top cover at the highest levels, he said. You do not invite a country as a state sponsor of terrorism to visit any installation, let alone a sensitive airport, as is Miami International Airport. Mr. Gonzalez, who also ran U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Bush administration, said the delegation may have been able to get a close-up look at the layout of the airport, how its staffed, technology and employees identities. These are all things that intelligence officers live for, said Mr. Gonzalez, who said its likely Cuba had intelligence operatives in the delegation.

Cuba, as it happens, is still a nation on the list of state sponsors of terror, same as North Korea, Iran and Syria. Will the Bidenites be giving Miami airport tours to those nations, too? President Obama dropped them from the terror list in 2015, but President Trump put them back on the list on Jan. 11, 2021 in one of his last acts as president.

According to the Department of State's statement at the time, there were good reasons:

The State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists. ... For decades, the Cuban government has fed, housed, and provided medical care for murderers, bombmakers, and hijackers, while many Cubans go hungry, homeless, and without basic medicine. Members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, traveled to Havana to conduct peace talks with the Colombian government in 2017. Citing peace negotiation protocols, Cuba has refused Colombias requests to extradite ten ELN leaders living in Havana after the group claimed responsibility for the January 2019 bombing of a Bogota police academy that killed 22 people and injured more than 87 others. Cuba also harbors several U.S. fugitives from justice wanted on or convicted of charges of political violence, many of whom have resided in Cuba for decades. For example, the Cuban regime has refused to return Joanne Chesimard, on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorists List for executing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973; Ishmael LaBeet, convicted of killing eight people in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1972; Charles Lee Hill, charged with killing New Mexico state policeman Robert Rosenbloom in 1971; and others. Cuba returns to the SST list following its broken commitment to stop supporting terrorism as a condition of its removal by the previous administration in 2015. On May 13, 2020, the State Department notified Congress that it had certified Cuba under Section 40A(a) of the Arms Export Control Act as not cooperating fully with U.S. counterterrorism efforts in 2019.

It has remained there ever since, but oddly enough, just before this grand tour to the Cuban operatives, Biden dropped Cuba from a list of nations not cooperating fully with the U.S. on counterterrorism.

So they're cooperating on something, but the Bidenites haven't said what. That would be worth a Freedom of Information Act inquiry given that Biden considers Trump supporters 'terrorists' and the Cubans would have no problem spying on Trump or his allies and handing the information over to the Bidenites.

In the meantime, that Trump-era list of Cuba's terrorism-friendly activities is old.

Since Biden took office, we learned that Cuba is still running spy operations on the U.S. with alacrity and stunning success, having had former Ambassador Manuel Rochas on their string for 40 years, doing their bidding, including handing over information about the Brothers to the Rescue which resulted in the deaths of Americans rescuing Cuban escapees at sea.

They've also been caught "training" pro-Hamas protestors to stir up trouble and disrupt university campuses, and there is evidence they did the same with the Black Lives Matter rioters. I wrote about that here.

They're still very much involved in terrorism and you can bet they aren't interested in "friendship" as the stupid tour was billed. These communists remain enemies and everything they can do to undermine us is their reason for existence.

Why, again, did the Bidenites open the gates for them at the Miami airport? If this is not evidence of more infiltration by Cuban operatives, it's indistinguishable from what having a Cuban agent in place would do.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Joe Biden increased tariffs on E.V.s made in China from 25% to 100%, ostensibly to reduce the number of E.V.s sold in order to protect E.V.s produced in the U.S. Was this Bidens bloodbath moment?

Former president Donald Trump, during a March 16 speech in Vandalia, Ohio, while talking about the auto industry, said, Big, monster car manufacturing plants that youre [China] building in Mexico right now, and you think youre going to get that, youre going to not hire Americans, and youre going to sell the cars to us? No. Were going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and youre not going to be able to sell those cars. If I get elected. Now, if I dont get elected, its gonna be a bloodbath for the whole [industry]. Thats going to be the least of it. Its going to be a bloodbath for the country.

The MSM went wild. Major news outlets, including the New York Times, ABC, and the Associated Press, wrote that Trump warned of a bloodbath in headlines that didnt include the auto industry context.

However, the media expressed no concerns when Joe Biden did exactly the same thing. Here is a typical response from CNN: The Biden administration is set to unveil a sweeping restructuring of former President Donald Trumps trademark tariffs on Chinese imports. Another response: The tariffs are designed to protect the US auto industry from an invasion of low-priced, good-quality EVs made in China, where the costs of labor, raw materials and components are vastly lower than in the United States.

The Biden campaign also went wild, wasting no time creating a response. The campaign created an ad on the following Monday that excoriated Trumps bloodbath remarks with a montage of what it called Trumps past incendiary rhetoric. The ad began with the bloodbath clip (with no context, of course), then cut to a scene from Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 (again, no context). The ad ended with Trump saying, Its going to be a bloodbath, with STOP TRUMP superimposed over him speaking.

About the remark, Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika attempted to add her own context: The Trump campaign can try to spin all they want, but the context is clear: their candidate has spent every moment since his first campaign encouraging and excusing political violence. Repeatedly. Its not a bug; its a feature of Donald Trumps extremism. We take Trump at his word  and voters will, too.

Bottom line: Were witnessing a double-standard that focuses upon what a disfavored candidate says rather than what he does.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
In the Middle East the traditional way of dealing with tribes that have attacked your interests is to counterattack into their territory and wipe them out. That was in ancient times. Lets skip forward a couple of thousand years to the First Barbary War. After the War of Independence, Americans were no longer protected by the Royal Navy and pirates based in Tripoli demanded tribute for safe passage through the Mediterranean. In 1803, the U.S. frigate Philadelphia ran aground off Tripoli with 297 crew taken prisoner. The situation was very much like the Houthis today hitting passing ships in the Red Sea with cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

To clean up the pirates operating along the Tripoli coast, in 1805 a U.S. Marine unit landed at Alexandria in Egypt then marched 400 miles west. The Marines captured the pirate base in the Battle of Derna and released the crew of the Philadelphia. Note that U.S. forces had to cross the Atlantic to fix a problem in the backyard of the European powers who were then happily fighting amongst themselves in the Napoleonic Wars. The pirates of the North African coast had long been an irritation, raiding as far west as Iceland in 1627. Again, the situation with the Houthis is much the same today with them now saying they will hit ships in the eastern Mediterranean.

Once again it was U.S. forces which came to do battle in order to keep the sea lanes open. Some European ships joined in but most have retired from the fray because their onboard stocks of defensive missiles became depleted. The U.S. has spent some one billion dollars on intercepting the Houthi missiles to date. The missiles shot down, supplied by Iran, cost a fraction of that. Normally and ideally, the U.S. Marine Corps would land to give the locals a good whacking but not stay for any nation-building. But the Marines have parked up all their tanks and half their artillery. They have decided that their role is to take up position in the First Island Chain of the Western Pacific and fling missiles at the Chinese Navy. This is under a force restructure called Force Design 2030.

What to do? Well, the first thing to do is to stop feeding the Houthis. The Houthis started attacking ships in November 2023. On May 7, 2024, USAID announced $220 million in aid to Yemen for food assistance. That document also states that Since FY 2015, the USG has provided nearly $5.9 billion in humanitarian assistance funding for the Yemen response. In short, American taxpayers have spent considerable treasure to ensure that Yemenis didnt starve and then had to spend another fortune providing protection against them. There is no point in overanalysing the situation; it is just stupid.

Yemen has a population of 35 million living in an area that is mostly desert. According to USAID, about half those are on the verge of starvation. Yemens population has grown far beyond what could be supported by their own agricultural production. Grain imports from 1991 to 2023 are shown in the following graphic:

Yemens population growth rate is 2.1% per annum which means that it will double to 70 million by 2050. It is unlikely to get that far. At some stage the grain ships will stop arriving and then Nature will take its course. The famine relief aid being paid for by the U.S. taxpayer will have the effect of making the starvation event coming bigger than it need have been. At least the missiles will stop coming.

David Archibald is the author of American Gripen: The Solution to the F-35 Nightmare.

Image: David Archibald
Maybe Senator Marco Rubio was auditioning for VP or just fed up with the questions. I don't know, but he did a good job of tearing up the media's favorite questions, i.e. abortion and the 2020 election.

Let's remember what went down from Brianna Lyman:

NBC News Kristen Welker asked Rubio if he would accept the 2024 election results no matter what happens. No matter what happens? No! If its an unfair election, I think its going to be contested by each side, Rubio said. No matter who wins, Senator? No matter who wins? Welker asked. Youre asking the wrong person! The Democrats are the ones that have opposed every Republican victory since 2000. Every single one. Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton said the election was stolen from her, and that Trump was illegitimate. Kamala Harris agreed, Rubio said. 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 had been tampered with. 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. Rubio then pointed out that having over 500 illegal dropbox locations in Wisconsin, for example, is something that legitimately undermines confidence in elections. Rubios answer was excellent because he understands the insidiousness of such a question: Republicans are being goaded to relinquish their right to question problematic election administration. Instead of being bullied into agreeing with Welkers presuppositions, he immediately went on the offensive.

Nice job, Senator. I got the feeling that the moderator had no idea just how partisan her questions were. It's what happens when everyone in your newsroom voted for Biden or thought that Russia decided the 2016 election. The NPR-irazation of the newsroom is alive and well at what used to be a great show called "Meet the Press."

It didn't get better when the moderator brought up abortion. Rubio hit that one out of the park too and repeated the obvious -- that Democrats are the ones on the wrong side of history. His answer to the one about the doctor and the woman was beautiful. He pointed out that every state already has an exemption for a doctor telling a woman that she needs an abortion to save her life.

Well done, Senator.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Another Soros-backed DA went to the woodshed, but this time, its in Portland, Oregon. From a report by Mary Lou Masters at the Daily Caller yesterday:

Voters in Multnomah County, Oregon, which encompasses Portland and its surrounding area, could boot left-wing District Attorney Mike Schmidt on Tuesday. Prosecutor Nathan Vasquez, a Republican-turned-independent who works under Schmidt, could oust the district attorney in the head-to-head nonpartisan primary if he secures over 50% of the vote. Schmidt would be the latest left-wing prosecutor, funded by groups linked to George Soros, to not secure another term after critics argued they were soft-on-crime.

Third world country?



No, just a HUGE homeless encampment in Portland, Oregon.

This is what BLUE cities look like in Bidens America. pic.twitter.com/Tf2ncclVGW  Sabrina Smolders  (@SabrinaSmolders) May 22, 2024

Now, that race was called in the wee hours of this morning; from a local Fox News outlet:

Vasquez beats Schmidt to become next DA for Multnomah County Nathan Vasquez challenged his boss, incumbent Mike Schmidt, and overcame on Tuesday night, to become the next District Attorney of Multnomah County. As soon as the results from Tuesdays primary election started coming in at 8 p.m., Vasquez was on top of Schmidt with a sizeable lead. By 9:30 p.m., FOX 12 Political Analyst John Horvick called the race for Vasquez after seeing no possible path to victory for Schmidt. As of 10:30 p.m. Vasquez still held a lead against Schmidt with 58% vs. 44% of the votes.

BREAKING: Portland voters fire Soros DA Mike Schmidt by a landslide 15% margin.



He infamously declined to prosecute the BLM and Antifa riots & allowed crime to flourish in Multanomah County.



Soros DA Chesa Boudin (San Fran): Out

Soros DA Kim Gardner (St. Louis): Out

Soros DA pic.twitter.com/B66eDsn9oV  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 22, 2024

Yet, Im not so sure the Portlanders hoping for a decrease in crime and a restoration of law, order, and normal civic hygiene really understand how to achieve that, because it looks like they voted in another progressive kind of guy. Heres what I find slightly absurd, from Masterss article:

What I hear when Im knocking on doors, is Hey, I consider myself very liberal but this is out of step  were not getting served well, Vasquez told Politico. People definitely want public safety. It doesnt mean people are wholly abandoning the idea of criminal justice reform. They just want it delivered in a pragmatic, practical way.

The new DA admits hes very liberal but apparently thinks that criminal justice reform from a liberal (read leftist) perspective can be done in a pragmatic and practical mannerthis is an oxymoron. This just goes to show you that progressive Democrat voters, especially the ones in Portland, must just be gluttons for pain. Or, theyre just extremely dimwitted. Maybe a lot of both?

Growing up in the Portland area, I was hoping for a serious change, because it used to be so beautiful and really quite clean, but I expect more of the same. What a crying shame.

Image: YouTube video screen grab.
In the realm of American politics and economics, few figures have stirred as much debate and contention as Donald Trump.

Considering all the rhetoric, which quite often gets divorced from reality, it is imperative to delve into the intricacies of Trump's tenure, dissecting his policies to discern their impact on the everyday lives of Americans. In this exploration, we find a triumph of deregulation  something of profound significance, laden with implications for both the working class and the business community.

Central to Trump's economic agenda was the crusade against regulatory excesses that had long burdened American businesses and workers. The statistics paint a compelling picture: under his administration, the regulatory assault was quelled, with a remarkable ratio of deregulation to new regulations. See this link under 'massive deregulation' here.

The two-for-one policy was not merely adhered to; it was exceeded, with eight antiquated regulations eliminated for every new one introduced. The repercussions of this concerted effort were felt directly in American households, where the alleviation of regulatory burdens translated into tangible gainsan additional $3,100 per year per household, a testament to the efficacy of deregulatory measures.

Beyond the realm of finances, the ethos of deregulation permeated various sectors of governance.

The Federal Register, once bloated with bureaucratic dictates, witnessed a substantial pruning, shedding nearly 25,000 pages  a feat unparalleled in presidential history. Trump's imprint extended beyond federal boundaries, with initiatives like the Governors' Initiative on Regulatory Innovation, aimed at catalyzing similar reforms at state and local levels.

Moreover, executive orders were wielded deftly to foster transparency, protect small businesses, and expedite infrastructure projects, exemplifying a commitment to streamlining governmental processes.

In the crucible of economic policy, Trump's deregulatory agenda found expression in targeted interventions. The shackles of Dodd-Frank were loosened to provide breathing room for community banks, while the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing endeavored to tackle the housing crisis head-on.

The digital domain, too, experienced liberation, as regulations inhibiting internet development were dismantled, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth.

The scope of deregulation transcended terrestrial confines, extending its reach to the final frontier. By simplifying restrictions on rocket launches and championing automated vehicle technology, Trump laid the groundwork for pioneering advancements in space exploration and transportation.

In the agricultural sphere, modernization efforts sought to bolster America's biotechnological prowess, while in health care, the reduction of red tape promised more accessible and affordable services  a boon particularly salient in the throes of a global pandemic.

Crucially, the impact of deregulation reverberated most profoundly among marginalized communities. Low-income Americans, burdened disproportionately by regulatory encumbrances, found reprieve as barriers to affordable health care and housing were dismantled. The nexus between deregulation and personal freedom was palpable, as individuals were empowered to make choices aligned with their needs and preferences  a fundamental tenet of economic agency.

The fiscal dividends of deregulation were manifold, with estimates projecting savings in the billions for consumers and businesses alike.

The rescindment of onerous regulations, from the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule to the Waters of the United States Rule, engendered a climate of certainty and relief for farmers, property owners, and consumers. Likewise, the repeal of fuel economy regulations heralded a new era of affordability in the automotive sector  an exemplar of Trump's commitment to bolstering real incomes and economic mobility.

As the specter of November looms large, casting its shadow over the political landscape, the choice before the American electorate is stark. In juxtaposing the records of Trump and his counterpart, Joe Biden, one discerns a clear dichotomy: between a champion of deregulation, who steadfastly defends the interests of both white and blue-collar Americans, and a harbinger of bureaucratic inertia, whose policies threaten to stifle economic progress and individual liberty.

It is incumbent upon the electorate to weigh these competing visions, recognizing that the path to prosperity lies not in overregulation, but in the empowerment of individuals and enterprises to unleash their full potential.

In the crucible of governance, Trump's legacy is writ large  a legacy defined by a steadfast commitment to deregulation as a catalyst for economic renewal and social mobility. As the nation stands at the precipice of a new era, the choice before us is not merely a political one; it is a referendum on the principles that underpin our economic prosperity and collective aspirations.

In casting our ballots this November, let us heed the clarion call of deregulation, affirming our belief in the boundless potential of the American spirit to surmount any challenge and chart a course toward a brighter tomorrow.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
(Image source from: Tv9telugu.com)

More troubles for YSRCP MLA Pinneli Rama Krishna Reddy:- The Election Commission has instructed the Chief Electoral Officer to direct the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police to take strict action against anyone who damages Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The move comes after Macherla MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy was caught on camera breaking an EVM at polling station 202 on May 13. The Palnadu district election officials submitted video recordings of the incident and web recordings of all polling stations where EVM machines were damaged in seven polling booths. The MLA has been charged by the police. This order from the Election Commission is intended to ensure that the peaceful conduct of polls is not disrupted in the future by anyone damaging EVMs. On May 13, the day of the election, the Palnadu district experienced violence related to the polls. Following the surfacing of a video of the alleged incident involving the ruling YSRCP MLA, the poll panel submitted the video clips to the state police for investigation.

According to an official statement from the chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh, there were 202 polling stations vandalized in Macherla Assembly constituency. The Palnadu district election officials have handed over video footage of all these polling stations to the police for an investigation into the incident. The MLA's name has been included as an accused in the investigation by the police. The EC is treating this matter very seriously and has instructed the CEO to inform the DGP to take strict action against all those involved in these incidents. The EC hopes that such misdeeds will not be repeated in the future to ensure peaceful elections. The opposition leader and national general secretary of the Telugu Desam Party, Nara Lokesh, claimed that the MLA from the ruling party led by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy damaged the EVMs due to fear of losing the elections.

Nara Lokesh has recently shared a video on X, in which he accuses YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of killing his uncle, as well as the voters who supported him and democracy itself. He claims that YCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy vandalised the EVM at the Palwai Gate polling centre in the Macherla Constituency, and demands that the Election Commission takes strict action against him. Lokesh asserts that people will give a real verdict on YCP's factional politics on June 4. On Tuesday, an Ambedkar statue at Agraharam village in Pithapuram of Kakinada district was also allegedly vandalised by unidentified persons. This led to a ruckus in the vicinity and disrupted vehicular movement. The police assured strict action against the vandals after the Dalits gathered in protest, demanding justice. The protests led to a disruption of traffic movement, and the police deployed personnel in large numbers, diverting traffic to the highway. Lokesh is the son of former CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

The House is up for grabs in Andhra Pradesh, with the TDP battling on 144 seats as part of a deal with the BJP and Jana Sena, led by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan. The allotment of seats has resulted in the Jana Sena contesting 21 seats and the BJP contesting 10. On May 13, the state voted for both the assembly and Lok Sabha in a single phase, which was marred by widespread violence as polling came to a close.

(Video Source: TV5 News)
A workplace dispute at a Pennsylvania linen factory turned deadly when a disgruntled employee open fired on two coworkers, killing them on company propety, according to authorities.

Authorities have not identified the allegedly disgruntled employee who shot five of his co-workers at Delaware County Linen in Chester, Pennsylvania Wednesday morning, WPVI-TV and CNN reported.

Two victims died and one remains in critical condition.

"This is a story that plays out too often across the United States of America," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said, WCAU-TV reported. "A disgruntled employee has walked into a linen shop  the Delaware County Linen shop behind us  and shot five people, five co-workers."

"This is just a horrible tragedy that this whole community now is feeling," Stollsteimer said.

The shooter fled in their vehicle but were taken into custody shortly after.

This is a developing story.
Apple has finally filed a lawsuit against the EUs $2 billion fine that the regulator imposed earlier in March. At the time, the Cupertino tech giant said that it was going to appeal the antitrust fine from the EU following a complaint from the music streaming services, including Spotify. Now, Apple officially challenges the massive EU fine, reports Bloomberg.

Apple challenges the massive EU fine in EUs General Court in Luxembourg

According to the report, Apple wasnt happy with the massive 1.8 billion (roughly $2 billion) fine imposed on it by the European Union Commission in March. The company immediately rejected the ruling and announced to fight it back in court. Now, Apple has finally challenged the EU fine in the latters General Court in Luxembourg. The iPhone maker is aiming to overturn the EUs massive penalty decision in March.

Apple has reportedly declined to comment on the matter. It has allegedly just pointed out an earlier blog post that appeared soon after it was penalized in March. In the blog post, Apple mentioned the EUs decision was reached despite the Commissions failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm. The brand also said that the ruling ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast.

The EU fined Apple in March for favoring Apple Music over its rivals

After Spotifys complaint against Apple for unfair business practices, the European Union Commission imposed its antitrust penalty against the company. The Cupertino brand was fined around $1.95 billion, which culminates the commissions around four-year-long investigation.

It was granted on the matter of Spotify accusing Apple of purposely not revealing its customers alternative options to pay for the subscription plans of the streaming service. The EUs antitrust regulator found that Apple favored its own Apple Music service. The brand forbade the rivals to include a link to a cheaper subscription option outside the App Store.

The European Union Commission has reportedly told reporters that it is ready to defend its decision in court. We are expecting to receive more details about the matter in the coming weeks.
Samsung will exclusively use Qualcomms latest flagship chipset in its upcoming foldable smartphones, Korean media reports. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 globally, the same chipset that powers the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ use the Exynos 2400 in some markets, the new foldables wont have an Exynos version.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 & Flip 6 will exclusively use a Snapdragon chip

Samsung has been making foldable smartphones since 2019 and every single model is powered by a Qualcomm chip. Despite the company making flagship Exynos processors and using them in its Galaxy S series devices, it has kept a Snapdragon exclusivity for its foldables. However, a rumor emerged in March that things could change this year. If not both, at least the Flip model was said to feature the Exynos 2400.

Thankfully, that isnt happening. A Snapdragon exclusivity for Samsung foldables will continue for at least one more year. According to The Elec, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 will feature the For Galaxy version of Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It has a slightly faster CPU than the standard version available to other brands. Samsung signed this unique partnership with Qualcomm last year.

The new report further reveals that the new foldables using a Snapdragon chip globally have nothing to do with the Exynos 2400s performance or efficiency. In Fact, Samsungs semiconductor division has significantly improved the overall quality of its Exynos chip in recent years. The Exynos 2400 is substantially closer to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in every aspect than its predecessor was to its Snapdragon counterpart.

There may be a slight gap, but that wasnt why Samsung kept a Snapdragon exclusivity. It has always designed its foldables with the Snapdragon in mind. Switching to an Exynos processor will reportedly increase the production cost, something the company cant afford to do. Foldable smartphones are already costly. The Korean firm would want to keep the production cost in check to maximize its profit from these devices.

Exynos might eventually come to Samsung foldables someday

Samsungs foldables may exclusively use a Snapdragon chip but the door for Exynos isnt shut forever. The company may bring its in-house chips to its foldable someday. However, that will happen only when these Z series phones start selling in a similar quantity as the S series. That is when a dual-chip strategy for foldables will be profitable for the Korean tech biggie. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 launch in early July.
Google has taken a bizarre step to avoid a jury trial in the US Justice Departments antitrust lawsuit against its online ad business. It has preemptively paid damages sought by the DOJ for allegedly making government entities overpay for its services. The company now argues that the government cannot ask for a jury trial because it no longer has a monetary damages claim.

Google paid damages to sidestep a jury trial in the DOJ antitrust case

Last year, the Department of Justice and several US states teamed up to file an antitrust lawsuit against Googles online ad business. The complaint alleges that the company unfairly stifled competition in the industry and developed a monopoly. The US government is seeking a sale of Googles ad manager suite. The trial is scheduled to begin in September, currently before a jury.

However, according to Google, the DOJ manufactured a damages claim at the last minute in an attempt to secure a jury trial in the case. The company wants a judge to hear and decide the case. Hence, it offered the DOJ a check to strike off its damages claim. Google disclosed the payment in a court filing last week. It didnt specify the amount but said it was enough to cover the alleged overcharges.

In its filing, Google noted that the DOJ itself described this case as highly technical, often abstract, and outside the everyday knowledge of most prospective jurors. Yet it is seeking a jury trial. The company is now looking to sidestep it by paying the damages sought by the plaintiffs. It says the check will allow it to avoid a jury trial whether or not the government accepts it.

As of this writing, the DOJ hasnt responded to Googles latest filing. It hasnt revealed whether it will accept the check or not. The US government has until the next scheduled hearing on June 21 in Alexandria, Virginia, federal court to respond. If Googles attempt to pay its way out of a jury trial is unsuccessful, the case might proceed as originally scheduled.

The tech titan is desperate to avoid a jury trial

Google has faced several antitrust lawsuits in recent months, and one of those was decided by a jury trial. A jury in San Francisco ruled in favor of Fortnite maker Epic Games, saying that the tech titan illegally barred competing Android app stores and forced developers to use its payment system for in-app transactions. The company likely fears a similar outcome if this case goes to a jury trial.

Google is also awaiting a ruling on a separate antitrust case from the DOJ. It is about the companys web search business. The DOJ filed the case last year alleging unfair practices to stifle competition. The months-long trial wrapped up earlier this month. Judge Amit P. Mehta, a judge in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, is expected to issue the much-awaited landmark ruling later this year.
Samsung is expected to roll out a major camera update for the Galaxy S24 series next month. The update may address several camera issues the new flagships have had since their launch. It appears a notable new update is on the way for the Galaxy S23 series as well. The 2023 flagships could get fixes for the battery drain issues that cropped up following the One UI 6.1 update.

Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 phones may get big updates in June

Launched in January, Samsungs Galaxy S24 phones have received at least one software update every month. Some of those were mere security patches, while others contained camera improvements and optimizations. Rumors say the company will release another camera update for the new flagships in June, improving their zoom photography among other things.

Newly spotted firmware builds on Samsungs test servers suggest the company has started testing the upcoming update internally. X user and Samsung tipster @tarunvats33 recently revealed that the Korean firm is testing firmware version S92*BXXU2AXE4 for the Galaxy S24 series. If you can read Samsungs build numbers, this isnt your regular security update.

A U in the sixth-to-last place in the build number indicates a feature update containing more than just security fixes. Updates only containing the latest security patch have S in place of U. This suggests the rumors about the Galaxy S24 series getting a major camera update in June are accurate. Since June isnt too far away, we might get more details soon.

In the meantime, new pieces of evidence suggest the Galaxy S23 series will also get a notable update next month. The same source spotted a U test firmware for the 2023 flagships on Samsungs servers. The build number is S91*BXXU5CXE1. Unfortunately, we cant see the changelog just yet, so it is unclear what the company is cooking.

One UI 6.1 introduced a few bugs to the devices

If the June update for the Galaxy S23 series isnt all about security enhancements, we hope Samsung will include fixes for the battery drain issues. Several users have reported high battery drain following the One UI 6.1 update in late March. Some Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 users are also experiencing similar problems. It remains to be seen if Samsung will patch the issues on all affected devices next month. We will let you know when the June update is live for the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 series.
A recent report uncovered "utter chaos" in the frantic first moments in a search for a gunman who carried out a mass shooting in Maine.

The Portland Police Department report looked into the response after Robert Card killed 18 people and wounded 13 others at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston. Both the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Portland Police Department tactical teams were responding to the spot where Card's vehicle was abandoned by the Androscoggin River.

Among those who joined the search was a group of deputies who had been drinking and nearly crashed their armored vehicle, according to the after-action report obtained by the Associated Press.

Others showed up in civilian clothes and could have been mistaken for the suspect creating a dangerous situation where officers could have opened fire on each other.

Tactical team leader Nicholas Goodman said in the report that the officers who showed up without orders risked doing more harm than good.

"I have never seen the amount of self-dispatching, federal involvement with plain clothes and utter chaos with self-dispatching in my career," Goodman wrote.

Daniel Wathen, the chairperson of an independent commission investigating the shooting, called them "disturbing allegations."

He said some issues may be outside the panel's scope, including the allegations of drinking. The nine-page report, which was partially redacted, was obtained by the AP through the state's Freedom of Access Act.

Card's body was found two days later after the mass killing. He died by suicide.
The French Open begins on Sunday with Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek bidding to defend their titles.

Here, the PA news agency picks out five players to watch at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has dominated the French Open over the years (Richard Sellers/PA)

The 14-time champions participation remains in doubt even though he is, by his own standards at least, injury-free. Nadal has played only four tournaments this year and won only four games in his last match, against Hubert Hurkacz in Rome. But assuming he does play, an unseeded Nadal is a frightening prospect in the early rounds and, if he can string together a couple of stress-free wins, the 37-year-old will start believing title number 15 is a possibility.

Iga Swiatek

The undisputed world number one has just completed the Madrid/Rome double, beating closest rival Aryna Sabalenka in both finals and becoming the first woman to achieve the feat since Serena Williams in 2013. Rome was the 22-year-old from Polands 21st WTA title and her fourth this year, as well as her ninth successive final victory. Swiatek heads to Roland Garros as the defending champion and hot favourite for a fourth title in five years.

Alexander Zverev

With doubts over the form of Nadal and Novak Djokovic and the fitness of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, German world number four Zverev has possibly his best chance of landing a first grand slam title at the scene of the horror ankle injury he suffered against Nadal in the semi-final two years earlier. The 27-year-old won his first Masters title since that injury in Rome last week. However, the spotlight will also fall on a domestic abuse trial in Berlin  he denies the allegations  which begins in the middle of the tournament.

Danielle Collins

Danielle Collins is on the rise (Antonietta Baldassarre/AP)

American Collins is enjoying a remarkable end-of-career renaissance, having declared this season will be her last. The 30-year-olds run to the semi-finals in Rome  where she lost to Sabalenka  took her to 19 victories from her last 21 matches including tournament wins in Miami and Charleston. An imminent return to the top 10  having been ranked 63 in February  makes Collins impending retirement all the more difficult to understand.

Jack Draper

Jack Draper is now up to 35 in the world rankings (Adam Davy/PA)

With Andy Murray winding down and both Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans struggling for form, Draper looks to be the pick of the British men at this years tournament. Now ranked 35 in the world, the 22-year-old left-hander seems to have put his injury-plagued early years behind him and is ready to take the next step from exciting prospect to genuine title contender. Roland Garros would be a good place to start.
22 May 2024 at 8:07 am

Children who submitted a joke to The Beano are being included in the comic this week in recognition of their humour.

The comic received entries from schools across the country after appealing for jokes.

Northside Primary School in North Finchley, London, won the competition with this joke: Whats the hottest area in the classroom? The corner  because its 90 degrees.

Beanos chief gag-makers whittled the wittiest submissions down to their favourite 10, which went forward to a public vote.

Northside Primary emerged victorious, securing 42% of the overall vote.

The Year 6 group has been included in a Bash Street Kids comic strip illustration in the latest issue.

Mike Stirling, director of mischief at The Beano, said: Britains Funniest Class is a celebration of the brilliant benefits of laughter at school, for pupils and teachers alike.

Year Six, Northside Primary School found the funniest angle overall and are deservedly now immortalised in Beanotown, but every entry gave us a great laugh. Its been our most popular Britains Funniest Class contest yet, so laughters getting louder in schools nationwide.

Teacher Sarah Crouchley enjoys a read of the Beano (David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

Northside Primary Schools Sarah Crouchley said: Beanos Britains Funniest Class competition is such a great way to inspire creativity and innovation amongst children.

Classrooms should be filled with laughter and learning, so thank you to Beano for allowing us to share our silly antics across the country.

I speak for my whole class when I say we are buzzing to be joining The Bash Street Kids on the pages of their latest issue.

The joke by Northside Primary pupils registered 42% of the public vote (David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

Runners-up in the funniest joke competition included: When is a T-rex not a T-rex? When it is a coffee-rex, submitted by Tudor Primary School in Hemel Hempstead, and How did bees get to school? They took the buuuuussssss, by St Josephs Primary School in Upminster.
Children are among those in hospital after being injured in a crash between a tractor and bus in Kent.

The collision occurred on the A227 South Street near Culverstone Green in Meopham shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday, Kent Police said.

Several bus passengers were injured in the crash and are now receiving treatment at hospital.

South East Coast Ambulance said it treated and took 12 patients to local hospitals while one patient was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in south London.

Following a serious collision between a bus and tractor near Meopham at approx 3.30pm today (22/05). We treated and conveyed 12 patients to local hospitals. One patient was airlifted to Kings College Hospital and four other casualties were discharged at the scene.  South East Coast Ambulance (@SECAmbulance) May 22, 2024

Officers attended the scene alongside paramedics, an air ambulance and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

The incident is being investigated by Kent Polices Serious Collision Unit (SCIU).

The force said it was seeking any dashcam and phone footage of the incident and appealed for any witnesses to get in contact.

Anyone who can assist the investigation has been asked to call SCIU on 01622 798538, or email sciu.td@kent.police.uk quoting reference EX/DGC/051/24.
Craig Mackinlay says purpose in life will be saving others from sepsis

Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay has said his purpose in life will be saving other people from sepsis, after his ordeal with the life-threatening condition.

The South Thanet MP received a standing ovation from MPs as he returned to Parliament after what he described as eight months of hell.

Mr Mackinlay was rushed into hospital and put into a 16-day induced coma, with his wife told he had only a 5% chance of survival.

He underwent a quadruple amputation in December and wore prosthetics in the chamber, where he received tributes from Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle ahead of Prime Ministers Questions.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Mackinlay described the welcome he had received as quite overwhelming.

Craig Mackinlay is applauded by members of Parliament as he returns to the House of Commons for the first time since he was rushed into hospital with sepsis (UK Parliament/PA)

It is times like this you see the House of Commons at its best, where people put their differences aside and realise we are all just people, he said.

It is not a day I ever wanted. I would rather be sitting on the backbenches whole and complete. I have been through eight months of hell, had sepsis, lost all my limbs, but I am back, and that is the beauty of this place, that people will accept you, the House authorities will make sure that your return is well looked after.

At PMQs, the South Thanet MP pressed Mr Sunak to ensure the Government embed recognition of early signs of sepsis, and advocated for greater access to prosthetics for multiple limb amputees.

The NHS itself has recognised this morning that more needs to be done, and I can assure him that we will do that, the Prime Minister replied.

Craig Mackinlay during an interview with the PA news agency in the Palace of Westminster after he returned to the House of Commons (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Mackinlay said: If I can save one life, because sepsis kills 50,0000 people a year, a lot of people are older people but there are a quite a number my age and younger, if I can save one of those by recognising sepsis early then I think I will have had a purpose in life.

Speaking of his new prosthetic limbs, he added: These are on trial at the moment, but as things go, to get them early I had to pay for them myself. The NHS will provide them but it will be in the fullness of time, it might take two or three years, and I am not convinced that is always appropriate for everybody.

The Prime Minister had earlier praised Ms Mackinlays incredible resilience, while Labour leader Sir Keir shook his hand and paid tribute to the MPs deep sense of service.

Mr Mackinlay thanked the Prime Minister, telling MPs: He hasnt advertised it, he has been to see me multiple times, and to me that shows the true depth of the character of the Prime Minister and thank you for that.

He also joked about Sir Lindsays official dress as Speaker, claiming other patients in hospital thought him dreadfully ill because they said that guy has got the funeral director in already.

MPs again clapped when Mr Mackinlay thanked his family and the NHS staff who took me from where I was close to death.

Ahead of his return to Parliament, Mr Mackinlay shared with several media outlets the story of how he was rushed into hospital in September last year.

On waking up, he saw his arms and legs had turned black and were like a plastic and looked dead.

The politician said he was surprisingly stoic when he was told he would undergo a quadruple amputation on December 1.

The 57-year-old father of one said he wants to be known as the first bionic MP after being fitted with prosthetic legs and hands.

The MP is determined to fight the next election in his Kent constituency, due to be renamed Thanet East.

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that occurs when the immune system overreacts and starts to damage the bodys tissues and organs.

Mr Mackinlay started his political career in the early 1990s, briefly leading the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) before leaving to join the Conservative Party in 2005.
Cross-party MPs and Lords call on Government to do all it can to support ICC

A cross-party group of MPs and Lords has called on the Government to do all it can to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the Prime Minister called the ICCs decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders deeply unhelpful.

The letter, addressed to Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and organised by Labour MPs Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain, states that there is mounting evidence that Israel has committed clear and obvious violations of international law in Gaza and we strongly believe that those responsible must be held to account.

Signed by 105 MPs and Lords from 11 parties, the letter calls on the Government to take a clear stance against any attempts to intimidate an independent and impartial international court, adding the Court, its Prosecutor, and all its staff must be free to pursue justice without fear or favour.

The chief prosecutor of the ICC has said he will apply for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.

Mr Burgon said although the Government has rightly condemned the war crimes committed by Hamas on 7 October, it has repeatedly refused to condemn the war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

At every stage, our Government has failed to fulfil its moral duty to do everything it can to help save lives and prevent suffering in Gaza. It must not fail again, he said.

It must back the ICC in ensuring that there is no impunity for war crimes and it must stand up to those seeking to impede justice.

Meanwhile, Mr Hussain said it is clear that Israel is carrying out war crimes and urged the Government to take a stance for the rules-based order and insist on accountability for those perpetrating war crimes.

The letter follows comments from Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, in which he branded the move a deeply unhelpful development, as he insisted there is no moral equivalence between Hamas and Israels government.

Speaking to reporters in Vienna, Austria, the Prime Minister said: This is a deeply unhelpful development. Of course it is still subject to a final decision, but it remains deeply unhelpful nonetheless.

There is no moral equivalence between a democratic state exercising its lawful right to self-defence and the terrorist group Hamas.

Mr Sunak said the ICCs decision will make absolutely no difference in getting a pause in the fighting, getting aid into the region, or indeed the hostages out (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

He added: It is wrong to conflate and equivocate between those two different entities.

What I am very clear is that this will make absolutely no difference in getting a pause in the fighting, getting aid into the region, or indeed the hostages out.

Karim Khan, the British chief prosecutor of the ICC, claimed the leaders are responsible for war crimes in Gaza and Israel.

Mr Khan, a KC specialising in international human rights law who was elected to his ICC position in February 2021, accused Israel of using starvation as a method of warfare and carrying out collective punishment of the population of Gaza.

Regarding the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, he said the terrorist actions were unconscionable crimes that demand accountability.

A panel of three ICC judges must consider Mr Khans application, in a process that takes an average of two months.

As Israel is not a member of the ICC, neither Mr Netanyahu nor Mr Gallant would be at immediate risk of arrest should the judges agree to issue warrants, but it could make it difficult for either man to travel abroad.
By naming a provisional 33-man squad on Tuesday, England manager Gareth Southgate has stepped up his preparations for Euro 2024.

A number of pressing decisions remain, however, ahead of this summers tournament.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the things Southgate now has to consider.

Who to cut next

The England manager needs to trim his squad (Adam Davy/PA)

Southgate must name his final 26-man squad by June 7.

It may be that he already knows who he wants to take to Germany, in which case keeping an extra seven players in full training mode  rather then letting them head off for their summer holidays  is merely precautionary in case of injuries.

Yet there would seem to be places to be won in defence and tough decisions over who to leave out in attack, meaning a lot could ride on upcoming friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iceland.

Defensive issues

Luke Shaw is Englands main injury worry (Mike Egerton/PA)

There are 11 defenders in the initial squad and some of the most experienced  Harry Maguire, John Stones and Luke Shaw  have had injury problems this season.

Shaw may not make it at all, a particular concern given the shortage of other left-back options.

There is a strong chance Kieran Trippier, primarily a right-back but versatile enough to operate on the left, could be first choice in that position despite his own injury woes. Joe Gomezs versatility could also help his cause.

Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Lewis Dunk will eye back-up centre-back roles but Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah have everything to gain in those friendlies.

Attacking headaches

Jack Grealish is among the players that could be sweating on his place (Tim Goode/PA)

The problems at the other end of the field are completely the opposite, where Southgate has too many exciting players vying for places.

Many international managers might love to have just one of Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon and James Maddison, but the chances are Southgate is going to have to leave some of them out.

It is the sort of headache managers say they like to have, but those final decisions will be tough.

Backing up Kane

Harry Kane will lead the line but back-up will be needed (Nick Potts/PA)

Harry Kane is the undisputed leader of the side but centre-forward cover will be required.

With other attacking options including Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer, only one extra out-and-out striker might be needed, but that would still leave a difficult choice between Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.

Watkins outstanding season might give him the edge, but Toneys brilliance from the penalty spot is hard to ignore.

Putting faith in youngsters

Marcus Rashford did not make the squad (John Walton/PA)

Southgates decision to leave out Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson has shorn the squad of a lot of experience.

Yet with the likes of Kane, Kyle Walker, Stones, Maguire and Trippier around, with Foden and Bellingham having now matured into players of some repute, there is still plenty of it about.

This could afford Southgate slack to stick with some of his younger players.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who is facing a series of historical sex offence charges, will not contest the general election, his solicitor has confirmed.

The statement came after a judge fixed a date for a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send Donaldson to trial.

The July 3 date for the committal proceedings  known as a preliminary enquiry (PE)  was fixed when the case against Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

After the hearing, Jeffrey Donaldsons solicitor John McBurney confirmed that the Lagan Valley MP would not be standing for re-election, but indicated he intends to remains as an MP until the general election.

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates Court after his first court appearance in April (Niall Carson/PA)

I can indicate that it is not Jeffreys intention, of course, to stand for re-election, he told reporters.

He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges. He is continuing as the MP at the present time. Theres various matters to be dealt (with), constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth.

Neither accused was in court on Wednesday morning, having been excused from attending.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.

He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson arrives at Newry Magistrates Court in April (Brian Lawless/PA)

His wife, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

The next review hearing in the case will take place on June 12.

Barrister Fiona OKane, for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, gave an update on progress of the case on Wednesday.

The case is progressing quite expeditiously, she told District Judge Eamonn King.

The position this morning is that we would hope to be able to have the PE (preliminary enquiry) itself on the third of July.

Solicitor John McBurney, left, accompanies Jeffrey Donaldson as he leaves Newry Magistrates Court in April (PA)

She said the review hearing on June 12 would provide an opportunity to check that progress towards the committal hearing was still on track.

The barrister said papers on the case were being prepared.

I understand that both defendants solicitors will accept service of the papers to facilitate the progress of the PE, so that makes matters a lot easier, she added.

A lawyer representing Eleanor Donaldson questioned whether the PE could be brought forward to the June 12 hearing date. When Ms OKane indicated that would not be possible, he said he was content not to pursue that request.

Judge King then confirmed the preliminary enquiry would take place on July 3.

Well review on the 12th of June to make sure that we are on track for the PE on the third of July, he added.

The judge also agreed to a request from a lawyer representing Jeffrey Donaldson to make an uncontentious amendment to his clients bail conditions.

No other substantive issues were raised during the brief review hearing, which lasted only three minutes.

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations against him emerged in March.

It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers at the time, he made clear he would be strenuously contesting all charges against him.

Weeks prior to his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

East Belfast MP and deputy leader, Gavin Robinson, has been appointed interim DUP leader.
Emma Raducanu will play at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham next month.

The 21-year-old has opted to skip the French Open and focus her preparations on the grass-court season, which she missed last year following surgery on both wrists and one ankle.

The Rothesay Open, beginning on June 10, is the first WTA Tour event of the British grass-court swing.

 @EmmaRaducanu is heading to Nottingham! Emma will play at the #RothesayOpen this June  pic.twitter.com/sGcAAUc6UY  LTA (@the_LTA) May 22, 2024

Raducanu has played in the tournament twice before, losing to compatriot Harriet Dart prior to her Wimbledon breakthrough in 2021 and pulling out with injury after only seven games of her first-round match the following year.

The former US Open champion joins defending champion Katie Boulter, who is on the direct entry list.

Boulter defeated compatriot Jodie Burrage last summer to win her first WTA Tour title.
A Navajo man man has found himself at the center of an alleged gunfight in the town hailed as New Mexico's most patriotic city.

Harley Davidson Joe, a 38-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, is facing charges in connection with an alleged gunfight that erupted over barking dogs, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico announced Wednesday.

He appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday and was released pending trial.

According to the criminal complaint, three people in Gallup were walking their dogs on May 11 when Joe drove by in a pickup truck. The dogs barked at the truck, but did not approach the vehicle. Joe allegedly stopped and got out of the truck to confront the group about their barking dogs.

During the ensuing argument, Joe allegedly brandished a handgun. One of the individuals, identified in court documents as John Doe 1 allegedly returned fire in self-defense, firing approximately 10 rounds, emptying his firearm. Joe got back into his truck and drove away, while the dog walkers, including John Doe 1, ran back to their residence.

Later, Joe called for an ambulance. Medical responders arrived at his residence in Gallup and found he had sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was transported to the Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment.

Joe claimed he had been shot by an unknown person. At his home, investigators found his green Dodge pickup truck with blood inside, along with a Glock 17 handgun he had initially denied having.

Joe later told investigators he had retrieved the gun from under the driver's seat after he had been shot, and fired approximately five rounds at two men who ran toward him.

If convicted, Joe faces a minimum of 10 years up to life in prison.

"The town of Gallup has been named America's most Patriotic Small Town by map and atlas publisher Rand McNally," according to the city's website.

--with reporting by TMX
Gareth Southgate has named his provisional squad for Euro 2024  but what comes next as England look to become kings of the continent?

Here, the PA news agency looks at the weeks ahead and the lie of the land heading into the summer.

 How are England shaping up for the Euros?

The Euro 2020 runners-up are among the favourites to triumph in Germany, but Southgate says he has never dealt with so many complications and unknowns as he has selecting this squad.

With players unavailable and a swathe of injury headaches to contend with, the England boss named an expanded 33-man training squad on Tuesday. Seven of those players will have to be cut.

 What are the main headlines from Tuesdays squad announcement?

Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson  tournament ever-presents under Southgate  were the most eye-catching absentees from the group. Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Reece James and Eric Dier were among others to miss the cut, with Southgates group including five uncapped players.

Liverpool youngsters Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones received a first call-up, as did Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Jarrad Branthwaite and James Trafford are also involved having got their first taste of life in the senior set-up in March. Kobbie Mainoo, 19, is the youngest player included.

 What had made this selection more complicated for Southgate?



Luke Shaw and Bukayo Saka are among the members of Southgates squad battling injury (Tim Goode/PA)

Fitness concerns, raising questions over availability and suitability for the summer. The England boss saying some issues are very obvious and apparent while others are a little bit more nuanced and they dont have all the information.

Southgate expects captain Harry Kane to be fine for the summer despite a back complaint and there is hope Harry Maguire will be available despite a muscle injury. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon missed the final day of their respective club campaigns, while Marc Guehi only returned to Crystal Palace starting line-up on Sunday after knee surgery.

Kieran Trippier is building fitness after a lay-off and Luke Shaw has not featured for Manchester United since February. Southgate considers him a long shot, potentially leaving the squad without an out-and-out left-back.

 How much time does Southgate have to assess his options?



The arrival of Manchester City and Manchester United players will be delayed due to a break after Saturdays FA Cup final, while Jude Bellingham will be given time off after Real Madrids appearance in the Champions League showpiece the following weekend.

As for other squad members, they are due to convene in the north-east next Wednesday for the start of their camp. England will train at Middlesbroughs Rockliffe Park  just as they did before Euro 2020  before playing Bosnia in a friendly at Newcastles St James Park on June 3.

Southgates squad will then relocate to Tottenhams training ground ahead of the June 7 friendly at Wembley against Iceland. Englands players will have a day off with friends and family, before meeting back up at St Georges Park on June 9 and flying to Germany from Birmingham the following day.

 When does Southgate have to name his final selection?

England have to submit their final squad to UEFA by the end of June 7  the day of their send-off friendly against Iceland.

The squad is not expected to be formally announced until the following day and Southgate has indicated he will select a full complement of 26 players. Squads had been set to return to 23-strong groups at Euro 2024 until recent lobbying by coaches.
The King has been told by TV star Declan Donnelly that his celebrity partner Anthony McPartlin was missing from a Buckingham Palace reception because he was breastfeeding.

Donnelly, one half of the Ant and Dec double act, apologised to Charles on behalf of his friend McPartlin, who was looking after his newborn son.

The TV star was attending a reception hosted by the King which celebrated a group of young people who have turned their lives around with support from The Princes Trust.

The King with Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall during a reception for Princes Trust Award 2024 winners, supporters and ambassadors at Buckingham Palace (Chris Jackson/PA)

The event came before Rishi Sunak called a General Election for July 4, after the King granted his request to dissolve Parliament.

Donnelly said after meeting the King: I passed on Ants apology that he couldnt be here today because he was at home breastfeeding.

He added with a laugh: I dont know whether I broke royal protocol by giving that information.

McPartlin announced the birth of his son on Instagram with a black and white image of him holding his new son, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, close to his chest.

Commenting on rumours he was the newborns godfather, Donnelly said he had not been formally asked, adding everybody else has presumed, I wont presume.

The King during a reception for Princes Trust Award 2024 winners, supporters and ambassadors at Buckingham Palace (Chris Jackson/PA)

The reception gave the King the chance to meet the winners at the Princes Trust awards  and he chatted to recipients and celebrities who had presented the awards, including actor Martin Freeman, Pixie Lott and Ellie Simmonds.

Gesturing to the award winners, Donnelly added: All the young people behind us here, some incredible stories again about people getting their life on track and making a real difference to their communities, and some incredible stories yet again.

Commenting on the King, who has recently returned to public-facing events following his cancer diagnosis, the celebrity said: He looked really well today.

Donnelly added: He was on good form, good spirits, always has a laugh and joke which is lovely, has a fantastic sense of humour and spent time with all the young people.

At the end of the reception Charles went out into the Palaces forecourt to see a pink rickshaw from India driven by a woman known as Arti, who won the Amal Clooney Womens Empowerment Award.

The King chatted to Arti, a single mother from India, who struggled to make a living but joined the trusts Project Lehar programme which helped build her skills and confidence and introduced her to the Indian governments pink rickshaw campaign, an initiative providing transport by women for women.
Around 700 people have gathered to pay their respects to a former British serviceman killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

James Jim Henderson, 33, was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers who died when their convoy was hit outside the Deir al-Balah warehouse last month.

Mr Henderson, from Cornwall, formed part of WCKs security detail and died alongside fellow British veterans John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47.

Mourners gathered at Truro Cathedral to say goodbye to the Royal Marine turned humanitarian worker.

The 90-minute service was led by Rev Canon Alan Bashforth and included tributes from Mr Hendersons family and friends.

Around 700 people filled Truro Cathedral to say goodbye to Jim Henderson (World Central Kitchen/WCK.org/PA)

Cousin Helen Moran spoke on behalf of Mr Hendersons parents, Neil and Trish, fiancee Jacqui and older brothers Matt and Dan.

Trisha, Neil, Jacqui and the family wish to thank everyone who has gathered here today, she told the congregation.

The family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support during this difficult time.

They are enormously thankful to the compassion and generosity shown by friends, neighbours, colleagues and the wider community.

This support has been a source of comfort and a reminder of the impact Jim had upon so many people.

A son, a fiance, a brother and a friend, leaving us at such a young age is always a tragedy.

To lose someone of Jamess extraordinary character and decency overshadows the pain.

It is impossible not to think of what could have been, what more he could have achieved, who else could have benefitted from his presence in their lives, how will we go on without him?

The weight of that can be overwhelming. There are no easy answers, we are left with questions and an unbearable sadness.

But there are at least two powerful and comforting facts. He was with us, and we are so very proud of him, of everything he did and all he was.

Childhood friend Harry James-Mills told of growing up with Mr Henderson in Penryn, his passion for rugby and shared stories of his time with the Royal Marines.

Therell never be enough words to describe Hendo, but those who had the pleasure of knowing him have said he was a force to be reckoned with, an absolute warrior, an incredible friend  diligent, big-hearted and utterly selfless, Mr James-Mills said.

It felt really good to be around him. There was a comforting reassurance about being in his presence. If you were a friend of Hendos, you knew it.

Our friend has left us but his legacy lives on with us.

Although we bid farewell to you let us take solace in knowing that you will never truly leave us for as long as we carry you in our hearts. You will always be by our sides.

James Henderson  our friend, our brother, our hero  you will live on, and your legacy will forever shine bright.

Rest in peace, dear friend, we will never forget you.

The family of Mr Henderson outside Truro Cathedral (Ben Birchall/PA)

Emily Roberts, managing director of security company Solace Global, which employed Mr Henderson, read the poem Remember Me.

Mourners sang the hymns Eternal Father, Strong to Save, Jerusalem and I Vow to Thee, My Country.

Prayers included the Royal Marine Prayer and the Lords Prayer, and the Last Post was played.

Mr Henderson had a passion for rugby and was part of 40 Commando, which saw frontline service in Afghanistan during Operation Herrick 17.

The funeral of Mr Kirby was attended by hundreds of people in Bristol last week.

The Israel Defence Forces dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a serious mistake.
This is about peace: Ireland recognises the state of Palestine

Ireland has announced its recognition of the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

Irish premier Simon Harris said the decision was based on a belief in permanent peace and taken due to Irelands understanding of a countrys fight to be recognised internationally.

The decision is to formally take effect in the three countries next Tuesday May 28.

The Palestinian flag is due to be flown at the Irish parliament buildings next Tuesday to mark the event.

The Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail confirmed to the Dail that the flag will be flow as part of the day.

The Taoiseach said that ideally recognition of Palestine would have been taken as part of a peace settlement in the Middle East, but said our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely.

Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, said Mr Harris.

Mr Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, Dublin (Damien Storan/PA)

Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

Shortly before Mr Harris made the announcement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Israel recalled its ambassador in Ireland Dana Erlich temporarily for consultations.

Asked on RTEs Six One programme if she would be returning to Ireland, Ms Erlich said: I dont feel that I have finished my time here. I think that there is still much more to be done.

Israels foreign affairs minister Israel Katz calling Palestinian recognition a distorted step and said he has issued a severe demarche to the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian ambassadors to Israel.

Israels embassy in Ireland said that it views Irelands move to recognise Palestine as undermining its sovereignty and security and as damaging to our bilateral relations.

We are disappointed by the Irish Governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months, the embassy said.

We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness, as well as her Spanish and Norwegian counterparts, had been summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The Taoiseach said that Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine and condemned the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7 last year.

Recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike, Mr Harris said.

There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.

An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy (Damien Storan/PA)

He said that Ireland understands the importance of recognition as an act of powerful, political and symbolic value through its own past.

On January 21 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination and justice.

Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.

Mr Harris called for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, no further military incursion into Rafah, and no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel.

Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.

Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th. Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024

A statement from the Irish Government said that Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told Mr Harris that the announcement was a beacon of hope to the Palestinian people.

An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy as part of the Governments belief in a two-state solution.

Irelands deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin is to travel to Brussels on Sunday to meet with 40 countries, where a focus is expected on the Arab states proposed peace plan and Palestinian recognition.

Mr Martin said it was Irelands deeply held belief that there can be no peace in the Middle East until the Israeli and Palestinian peoples alike enjoy the same rights to self determination, statehood, peace, security and dignity.

It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force, a future based on violence, domination, subordination, and exclusion become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

Condemning the savagery of Hamas attack on October 7, he added: It is important that our decision to recognise Palestine is not misrepresented as a hostile act towards the state of Israel.

Todays decision is about the empowering of moderation within Palestine.

It can be argued that the Israeli strategy, war and suppression of the Palestinian people, has empowered extremism, and were moving in a different direction.

Today Ireland recognises the state of Palestine. We believe that recognition will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/SaI2fTzECx  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 22, 2024

He added: This is very much about peace.

Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that Ireland had learned the hard way that violence against civilians to achieve political aims must never win.

Whether that be a car bomb on the streets of Omagh or Jerusalem; be that a rocket landing in Tel Aviv or a no-warning blast in a Birmingham pub; be that an assault on a kibbutz or a bomb dropped from a jet fighter onto a refugee camp or a Gaza hospital, it is all wrong.

He added: We have been considering for decades, I recall, in our parliament this issue of the recognition of the state of Palestine, and for many decades weve said now is not the right moment, this is not the right time.

But today is the right time, an important time for us to do that.
Irish premier Simon Harris announced on Wednesday that Ireland is recognising the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

The move will take effect formally on May 28.

Here is the Taoiseachs speech given at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Mr Harris said: Last month, I stood on these same steps with Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain when we agreed that the point of recognising the State of Palestine was coming closer. That point has now arrived.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we are recognising the State of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

In the lead up to todays announcement, I have spoken to a number of other leaders, and I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. This is an historic and an important day for Ireland and for Palestine.

On the 21st of January 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our right to be an independent state.

Our Message to the Free Nations of the World was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our right to self-determination and justice.

Today we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a State.

We do so because we believe in freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law, and because we believe that permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people.

Taking our place on the world stage  and being recognised by others as having the right to be there  was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our State. From our history, we know what it means.

Recognition is an act of powerful political and symbolic value. It is an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state  including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security  as well as recognising Palestines own obligations under international law.

It is a message to those in Palestine who advocate and work for a future of peace and democracy, that we fully respect your aspirations to be living freely, in control of your own affairs and under your own leadership.

On 10 May, 143 out of 193 UN Member States  80% of those present and voting  voted to determine that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the UN.

Our step today, taken with Norway and Spain, is further recognition of the legitimate right to statehood. It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-State solution  the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples. We have previously said that recognition is a step that we would ideally have taken as part of a process towards that goal.

However, we are three decades after the Oslo process and perhaps further than ever from a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace settlement. Our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely, especially when it is the right thing to do.

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking at Government Buildings (Damien Storan/PA)

It is a decision being taken on its merits. But we cannot ignore the fact that we are taking it as Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation.

A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most of us and unconscionable to all, is unfolding in real time. Can anyone justify children going to sleep at night not knowing if they will wake up?

Today we are taking a significant political step. There will be reaction and interpretations of its implications but let us not lose sight of this fundamental truth: Children are innocent. The children of Israel. The children of Palestine. They deserve peace.

It is long past time for a ceasefire, for the unconditional release of hostages and for unhindered access for humanitarian aid. There should be no further military incursion into Rafah. There should be no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel. Civilians, on all sides, must be protected under International Humanitarian Law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.

Watch: video message from Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD as Ireland officially recognises the State of Palestine. https://t.co/HETsc5bKQ5  MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) May 22, 2024

The people of Palestine deserve a future filled with hope, a future defined by success instead of suffering. A future at peace. The people of Israel deserve the exact same thing. To the people of Israel, I say today: Ireland is resolute and unequivocal in fully recognising the State of Israel and Israels right to exist securely and in peace with its neighbours.

Let me be clear that Ireland condemns the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th last. Civilians attacked and murdered. Hostages taken in the most brutal and terrifying of circumstances, including a young Israeli-Irish child.

We call again for all hostages to be immediately returned to the arms of their loved ones.

Let me also be clear that Hamas is not the Palestinian people.

Todays decision to recognise Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future.

A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment, where so many wrongs can never make a right.

Just as Irelands recognition as a state eventually led to the establishment of our peaceful Republic, we believe that Palestinian statehood will contribute to peace and to reconciliation in the Middle East.

A peace that honours the legitimate aspirations of all people in the region to live with respect, justice, security and dignity, free from violence or the threat of violence.

Today, moving in lockstep with our European colleagues, we seek to be bearers of hope. We want to reaffirm our belief that peace is possible, that justice is achievable, and that the recognition of both States  Palestine and Israel  is the cornerstone upon which that peace must be built.

So today, we are saying that we recognise the state of Israel and its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders. We equally recognise the state of Palestine and its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders.

Recognising the statehood of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike. There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.

I would like to thank our international partners, in Norway and Spain and in other like-minded countries, for their close and continued co-operation. I thank the Tanaiste for his continued work on this matter.

I look forward to continuing to work with them on our shared objective of delivering long overdue peace and prosperity to the people of Israel and Palestine and the wider Middle East.

Ireland will always stand with all those ready to walk a political pathway to peace and we will do everything in our power to help to bring it about. That is what todays decision is about.

We take it to offer hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine in one of their darkest hours.

We in Ireland see you, we recognise you, we respect you.

We will continue to work so that you and your children and your childrens children can have the better future you deserve and so that one day, Palestinian children and Israeli children can live side by side in peace and security.
Actor and comedian James Corden has said that he was frustrated while filming The Late Late Show in the US because of the frequent commercial breaks.

The British star stepped down from his role on the CBS talk show in April 2023 after eight seasons.

Appearing at The Podcast Show 2024 in London to discuss his new endeavour with Sirius XM, he said: Ive loved doing the show. If I had one frustration hosting The Late Late Show  it was the idea that every six minutes youve got to go to a commercial break.

Corden added that a large element of filming in the Late Late studio was trying to plug a product.

He added that he preferred filming the popular Carpool Karaoke segments, which featured guests including Adele, Ed Sheeran and Sir Paul McCartney.

Corden said: I found this intimacy in the interviews and the conversations that felt very organic and very safe and felt like people would respond to it.

His new podcast, This Life Of Mine, has so far featured famous names such as Kim Kardashian, David Beckham, Julia Roberts and Dr Dre.

It is available on Sirius XM in the US.

If theres a thing Ive enjoyed most about doing the show, its the element of freedom that youve got in a free-form flowing hour-long conversation, and giving that an edit to try and make that the purest version of who a guest is, he said.

Thats the thing I think Ive enjoyed most about doing it so far.

However Corden was initially reluctant to host This Life Of Mine.

Scott Greenstein, president of Sirius XM, said: It did take a while to get you to do it but at least we got there.

The actor also said that at the shows conception he quite passionately wanted it to be audio only.

When we first started talking about the show I had this idea that it was going to be an audio-only podcast.

I grew up listening to the BBC and I thought that was what it was going to be, but I was told, in no uncertain terms  by anyone that I mentioned it to, that I was insane and that without video it could never travel.

When asked who his dream guest was, the 45-year-old said: Id love to do King Charles. Id be so interested to know what his favourite song is.

The TV host rose to fame for portraying Smithy in the BBC sitcom Gavin And Stacey.

The hit series, co-written by Corden, last aired in 2019 for a one-off Christmas episode which ended on a cliffhanger.

The original three seasons aired from 2007 to 2010, and the final ever episode is due to air on Christmas Day this year on BBC One.
Jerseys parliament has voted in favour of drawing up laws to establish an assisted dying service on the island for terminally ill people.

It follows a report published in March setting out how such a service might work for adults resident in Jersey, with a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life.

Members voted for a service for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease  known as route one  by a majority of 32 to 14.

But an option, known as route two, to extend a law to people with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering  was rejected by a majority of 27 to 19.

Most members voted in favour of an opt-out for health professionals, giving them a right to refuse to participate in assisted dying.

A majority also voted for a minimum timeframe between the point at which a person makes a first formal request for an assisted death and the administration of the substance that leads to that death  proposed as 14 days.

In 2021, just over three-quarters (78%) of the members of a citizens jury in Jersey agreed that assisted dying should be permitted, and later that year, the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide in principle to allow assisted dying.

On Wednesday, the States Assembly heard impassioned and at times emotional debate on what is accepted to be a divisive issue.

Multiple members became tearful or had voices breaking as they spoke in a lengthy debate before voting began.

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham praised members for the respectful, considerate and sensitive debate.

Assembly member Constable Mike Jackson suggested a public vote by way of referendum would have been a better approach.

Read a summary of today's debates and voting in the #StatesAssembly including the #AssistedDying debate:https://t.co/PxkAfBCEQK pic.twitter.com/UUYOXZVhy1  States Assembly  Jersey's elected parliament (@StatesAssembly) May 22, 2024

He said he felt the proposed legislation should have been the subject of a referendum, given the clear split in views on the matter.

He added: That may yet come, of course.

Deputy Tom Coles, speaking of the right to choice both for those who support assisted dying and those who do not, had to pause to compose himself, before saying: I know my wife would do anything for me. But if I get to my end if I get to my end, I do not want her to do the things that I dont want her to do for me.

I want this to be my choice. And I think that, by denying anybody their right to choose, when they get into that situation, that is not fair.

But I also respect that there are people who will not wish to do this service. There are people who do not want this to be their choice. And I also support that. So the fact that this entire process is completely opt-in and not opt-out is where I find my balance with all this.

Fellow States Assembly member, Reverend Michael Keirle, known as the Dean of Jersey, warned of the risks of people coming under pressure to end their lives, especially under what is known as route two for those with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering.

He told the Assembly: It would be fantastically naive to think that people wont come under some kind of indirect societal pressure, especially under route two.

As a priest Ive seen grooming at every level. In 35 years of ministry Ive seen humanity at its absolute best in death and, sadly, at its absolute worst. As the old saying goes, where theres a will, theres a family.

Deputy Elaine Millar acknowledged that, due to the divided nature of opinion on the controversial issue of assisted dying, very large numbers of people would be disappointed by the outcome no matter which way the vote went.

It is expected the process for drafting a law could take around 18 months, with a debate then taking place by the end of 2025.

If a law is approved, it is expected a further 18-month implementation period will then begin, meaning the earliest for it to come into effect would be summer 2027.

Jennifer Bridge, leader of Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, described it as a historic day for Jersey.

She said: I hope States Members will continue to give their support to this reform because the vast majority of us agree that an assisted dying law would be safer and kinder than the status quo.

Sarah Wootton, from pro-change organisation Dignity in Dying, described the vote as a victory for compassion and common sense while Trevor Moore, chair of My Death, My Decision, said it as an encouraging step.

He said it was regrettable that route two had been voted down but that Jersey was nonetheless moving in the right direction while England and Wales have stood still.
There have been no delays to arrests after police forces in England and Wales were issued guidance to pause non-priority arrests, a Home Office minister told the Commons.

A letter from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) also urged chief constables to think about pausing any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease pressures in the criminal justice system, the Times reported.

Chris Philp told MPs he had spoken with the NPCCs criminal justice lead Rob Nixon in the last half an hour, who confirmed to him that the contingencies were not required.

During an urgent question on the contents of the letter and its impact on public safety, Mr Philp said: (Rob Nixon) has confirmed to me that the contingencies referred to in the letter were not required.

He said the contingencies were not required because the prison place situation in practice did not merit it.

He said (there are) no delays to arrests that he is aware of, and he has said that while a small number of people were conveyed to court in police cars and there were a small number of delays to arrival at court, no-one who should have got to court in fact did not do so.

So, I am delighted to confirm to the House, the contingencies referenced in the letter in fact did not materialise and the short-term fluctuation referenced in the letter will be over tomorrow.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government has catastrophically failed to manage the criminal justice system or build the basic prison places promised.

Referencing the End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme which allows some prisoners to be freed up to 70 days early, Ms Cooper said: Youve got early release massively expanded starting tomorrow, including domestic abusers, and now this serious impact on public safety.

With Operation Early Dawn telling (the) prisoner escort service just not to collect prisoners from police stations to take them to court because there arent enough places, and police forces having to pick up the pieces instead, the NPCC saying in its letter in the strongest terms  this is unsustainable and risks public safety.

To calls of stop shouting from opposition members, Mr Philp said: Well (Ms Cooper) likes to pontificate in an animated fashion but the fact is, according to the crime survey, crime has halved since the government she was a part of left office.

She feigns indignation about the (ECSL)  she forgot to mention under the last Labour government it ran for three years.

Conservative former minister Sir Robert Neill, Chair of the Justice Committee, said prisons are simply running out of space, adding: My committee has long since warned of the dangers of successive Governments ignoring the rise in jail numbers, set against a workforce recruitment and retention crisis and a crumbling Victorian prison estate.

In the Commons he said: The most important thing is to ensure that all parties in this House commit to a consistent and sustained investment in all aspects of the criminal justice system, because you cannot decouple policing from courts, from prisons, from the whole of the process.

Mr Philp replied: Investment is important, that is why there are record numbers of police officers, its why 20,000 prison places are in the course of being constructed.

Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson said: Obviously public safety is paramount in all of this, and I do want to just say to the minister, the fact that there were contingencies plans being drawn up is in itself worrying.

She added: If in the future these contingencies plans are activated, what happens if the police decide not to prioritise an arrest and in the meantime that person goes on to harm someone?

And Im thinking particularly around offences of non-contact sexual offending, and also of retail crime in particular.

Mr Philp said: At no point would I ever expect, even in the contingency outlined, which in fact never came to pass as I set out already, but even in that contingency offenders of the kind she referenced would have continued to be arrested. That is critically important.

He added: As police minister I want to make sure we never see the situation that she describes.

Labour MP Jess Phillips (Birmingham, Yardley) said: The minister stood in front of us today and said: It would never be any of the kind of crimes youre talking about here that would ever be done.

Yet my inbox is full of victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual violence, child abuse, sending me cases, incidents of multiple perpetrators of multiple women are being release early from prison.

Mr Philp replied: The Early Release Scheme the Lord Chancellor has established expressly excludes serious, violent and sexual offenders  which includes rapists.
A Scottish man accused of rape who went missing two years ago faces being extradited to the UK after being arrested in Spain.

James Clacher, of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, was reported missing from the nearby town of Airdrie in May 2022.

He was facing trial on rape charges at the time.

Police Scotland said on Wednesday: James Clacher, 55, reported missing from Bellshill on Monday May 30, 2022 has been traced.

It is understood he was arrested in Spain on Tuesday on an international arrest warrant.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: A 55-year-old man was arrested on an international arrest warrant in Spain on Tuesday May 21, 2024.

We are liaising with partner agencies, and he will be subject to extradition proceedings.

The gym boss was last seen in Airdrie at about 4pm on Monday May 30, 2022.

His car, a Suzuki Swift, was found at the Loch Long car park in Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, the following day.
The mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim is set to arrive at Downing Street to conclude a 200-mile walk from the spot where her son died as part of a campaign for new terror legislation.

Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, set off from the arena at 11am on May 7 with the intent to look Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the eye and call for the implementation of Martyns Law.

The law, named in tribute to the 29-year-old who was one of 22 people killed at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017, would require venues and local authorities in the UK to have training requirements and preventative plans against terror attacks.

Martyn Hett (Family handout/PA)

Ms Murray is expected to meet with Mr Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday, with the end of her 16-day journey marking the seventh anniversary of her sons death.

Ms Murray said she had waited 18 months since Mr Sunak told her in a phone call that he was supportive of the legislation, which has yet to get beyond draft stage.

She has been joined by numerous supporters throughout her walk, including murdered MP Jo Coxs husband Brendan and Charlotte Dixon Sutcliffe, whose husband David was killed in the Brussels Metro bombing in 2016.

Joining Ms Murray on the second half of her trek, Mr Cox, whose wife Jo was murdered by a right-wing extremist outside a West Yorkshire library in June 2016, said he had been inspired by the grieving mother.

Ms Murray (front right) and supporters in Hinckley, Leicestershire (Joe Giddens/PA)

Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: It shouldnt come to this, frankly. The reality is that Government knows theres this loophole in our security, it has promised to fix it, it has got draft legislation but it hasnt put that to Parliament and until that is implemented, nobody is safer.

A Home Office spokesperson previously said: As set out in the Kings Speech, we are committed to bringing in Martyns Law  legislation that will better protect the public from terror attacks, and we are grateful to Figen Murray for her tireless support of this issue.

It is important that our new law stands the test of time and is a fitting tribute to those who have campaigned for it. That is why we have consulted on how we can protect the public without putting unnecessary burdens on smaller businesses.

We are now in the final stages of drafting this legislation, and it will be brought in as soon as possible.
A disturbing 3-minute video of five female Israeli soldiers who were captured by Hamas gunmen during the October 7th attacks was released on Wednesday.

The video shows the women injured and covered in blood before they were trucked into Gaza to be held hostage.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum got permission from the families of the women to release the video. They hope to raise pressure on the Israeli government to bring home the remaining hostages being held in Gaza.

One of the women had blood smeared across her face, while another was bleeding from her mouth.

The soldiers in the video were identified as Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy, according to the New York Post.

Trigger alert 



The video of the female observers abduction, is a wake-up call to the civilized world. We must condemn those actions and we can not abandon the hostages held captive for 229 days.



This video, captured by the body cameras of Hamas terrorists on October 7th, pic.twitter.com/wuRxpsTBtA  Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) May 22, 2024

The videos were edited and censored to exclude the most disturbing scenes, such as the numerous murdered young men and women at the Nahal Oz base and inside the bomb shelter from which the women were taken.

One of the gunmen says, "Here are the girls who can get pregnant" adding "You're so beautiful."

The video shows them moving the injured women into the back of a vehicle as gunfire rings out on the overrun military base.

One of the women is hopping on one foot to avoid using her injured leg.

"I can tell you that I am one of the only mothers who have seen the video," hostage mother Shira Albag told public broadcaster KAN. "Most of the mothers have not watched it. It is very difficult to watch."

Hamas kidnapped seven female soldiers from the Nahal Oz base, the Times of Israel reports. One was rescued in late October. Another, 19-year-old

Nao Marciano was allegedly killed by Hamas inside Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital, the Jerusalem Post reports.

"The video is a damning testament to the nation's failure to bring home the hostages, who have been forsaken for 229 days," the group said in a post on X.

"The Israeli government and the international community can't waste another moment - we must get back to the negotiation table today."
Irelands move to formally recognise the state of Palestine sends a powerful message but must be built upon through tangible action, Irish politicians have said.

The reaction comes as Ireland, Norway and Spain made a joint announcement that they would recognise the state of Palestine, sparking anger from Israel which summoned those countries ambassadors and recalled its own.

The leader of Irelands largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, said the recognition of Palestine by Ireland is an important step for the Palestinian people.

Mary Lou McDonald said although Ireland was a small nation, it can punch above our weight when it comes to influence in the EU and US.

The recognition of Palestinian statehood by Ireland must be the first step in the Government playing a leading international role in assisting the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, she said.

The Government must follow todays announcement by utilising every tool at their disposal to hold Israel to account and to demand full adherence to international law.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns welcomed the decision, describing it as a powerful move.

I also want to pay tribute to the many tens of thousands of Irish people who fought for the government to take this step, Ms Cairns added.

Every weekend in every corner of the country, in cities, towns, villages and college campuses, people have marched in support of the Palestinian people and demanded an end to the ongoing genocide.

The Irish peoples solidarity with the Palestinian people is unbreakable. Its long past time this solidarity was formally acknowledged by our Government with recognition of the State of Palestine.

My only wish is that it happened sooner. Its now eight months into this conflict, with nearly 130,000 Palestinians having being killed, maimed or gone missing presumed dead under mountains of rubble.

The scale of death and devastation is truly horrifying. That so much of the Western world has turned a blind eye to this carnage is shameful and its shocking.

The West Cork TD called on the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment Bill.

Taoiseach Simon Harris told Ms Cairns that he is continuing to push EU leaders for a review of the EU trade agreement with Israel.

He said he was frustrated he has not yet persuaded others of the merits of the review.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews said that the move by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise the state of Palestine sends a powerful message and the EU must now step up.

He said that after months of inaction and deafening silence by some leaders, the EU has an opportunity to do the right thing.

Three decades after the Oslo process began, the Israeli government has been increasingly and explicitly clear that it does not, and will not, accept a Palestinian state, Mr Andrews said.

As such, it is now critical for the international community and especially the EU, which has extensive diplomatic and economic links to both Palestine and Israel, to recognise a Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders, if we are to have a chance at peace and the two-state solution.

We need to make clear that Palestinian self-determination is not negotiable; it is, as the UN has made clear, an inalienable right.

The chief executive of Irish charity Trocaire, Caoimhe de Barra, welcomed the move, but said Ireland needed to build on the recognition by increasing pressure on Israel to negotiate a just peace.

Ireland can do this by enacting laws that ensure that Irish taxpayer money is not invested in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories or in Israeli defence companies and that goods and services produced in the occupied territories cannot be traded in Ireland, she said.

By taking such tangible and practical actions, the Irish Government can continue to show leadership in bringing about an end to the appalling situation in Palestine.

Independent MEP Clare Daly said: Ireland should have recognised Palestine as a state decades ago.

While welcome, taking this step now is yet another symbolic gesture from the Government, when what Palestinians need is tangible action, such as an arms embargo, denial of passage through Shannon airport to US military aircraft aiding the genocide, and suspension of the trade relationship with Israel.

She said that Irish exports of dual-use goods to Israel increased sevenfold in 2023, and so the Government should end Irelands complicity in what is happening to the people of Gaza.
The Arizona state representative Alexander Kolodin speaks at the statehouse in Phoenix on 24 April 2024. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/AP

An Arizona state representative behind a new law that regulates deepfakes in elections used an artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, to write part of the law  specifically, the part that defines what a deepfake is.

Republican Alexander Kolodins bill, which passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed by the Democratic governor this week, will allow candidates in Arizona or residents to ask a judge to declare whether a supposed deepfake is real or not, giving candidates a way to debunk AI-generated misinformation.

Kolodin said he used the chatbot ChatGPT to help define what digital impersonation is for the bill in part because it was a fun way to demonstrate the technology. He provided a screenshot of ChatGPTs response to the question of what a deepfake is, which is similar to language that is included in the bills definition.

I am by no means a computer scientist, Kolodin said. And so when I was trying to write the technical portion of it, in terms of what sort of technological processing makes something a deepfake, I was kind of struggling with the terminology. So I thought to myself, well, let me just ask the subject matter expert. And so I asked ChatGPT to write a definition of what was a deepfake.

That portion of the bill probably got fiddled with the least  people seemed to be pretty cool with that throughout the legislative process. ChatGPT provided the baseline definition and then I, the human, added in the protections for human rights, things like that it excludes comedy, satire, criticism, artistic expression, that kind of stuff, Kolodin said.

Kolodin has used ChatGPT in other lawmaking a couple times, he said, to help write the first drafts of amendments and save time. Why work harder when you can work smarter, Kolodin replied on Twitter when an Arizona reporter tweeted about his use of ChatGPT in the bill.

The federal government has not yet regulated the use of AI in elections, though groups have been pressuring the Federal Election Commission to do so because the technology has moved much faster than the law, creating concerns it could disrupt elections this year. The agency has said it expects to share more on the issue this summer.

The Federal Communications Commission, meanwhile, will consider whether to require disclaimers on AI-generated content on political ads running on radio and TV, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. The FCC previously made clear that AI-generated voices in robocalls, like an instance in which President Joe Bidens voice was spoofed to New Hampshire voters, are illegal.

In the absence of federal regulations, many states have advanced bills to regulate deepfakes. Its typically an area of rare bipartisan agreement.

Some bills have outlawed the use of deepfakes in political contexts in some instances, while others require disclosures that note whether the content is AI-generated.

Kolodins bill takes a different approach to concern over deepfakes in elections than that of many other states considering how to regulate the technology. Rather than outlaw or curb usage, Kolodin wanted to give people a mechanism to have the courts weigh in on the truthfulness of a deepfake. Having it taken down would be both futile and a first amendment issue, he said.

Now at least their campaign has as a declaration from a court saying, this doesnt look like its you, and they could use that for counternarrative messaging, he said.

The bill does allow for a deepfake to be ordered removed, and the person could seek damages, if it depicts someone in a sexual act or nude, if the person in the deepfake is not a public figure and if the publisher knew it was false and refused to remove it.

The Arizona bill also takes a different approach on disclaimers. Rather than outright requiring them, as some state laws have, it says that a person bringing a potential court action wouldnt have a case if the publisher of the digital impersonation had conveyed that the image or video was a deepfake or that its authenticity was in dispute, or whether it would be obvious to a reasonable person that it was a deepfake.

Kolodin said disclaimers carry speech concerns for him, too, because they cut into airtime or, in some cases, ruin the joke or the point of a message. He cited a recent instance where the Arizona Agenda, a local publication covering state politics, created a deepfake of the US Senate candidate Kari Lake, where it was obvious to a viewer that the video wasnt real based on what Lake was saying. (Full disclosure: the reporter of this story was the co-founder of the Arizona Agenda, but is no longer involved.)

Any reasonable person would have realized that [it was fake], but if you had a label on it, it would have ruined the joke, right? Kolodin said. It would have ruined the journalistic impact. And so I think a prescribed label is further than I wanted to go.

In one instance in Georgia, a state representative trying to convince fellow lawmakers to approve a bill outlawing deepfakes in elections used an AI-generated image and audio of two people who opposed the bill, faking their voices to say they endorsed it.

Kolodin hopes his bill will become a model for other states because he has worried that well-intentioned efforts to regulate AI in elections could trample on speech rights.

I think deepfakes have a legitimate role to play in our political discourse, he said. And when you have politicians regulating speech, you kind of have the fox guarding the hen house, so theyre gonna say, oh, anything that makes me look silly is a crime. I absolutely hope that other state legislators pick this up.
This year's election campaign will be anything but straight forward

It is the election that, if the polls are to be believed, would spell the end of 14 years of the Conservatives in power, with Sir Keir Starmers Labour apparently on course for a sizeable majority.

And, between a shake-up of constituency boundaries and the rise of Reform UK, among other factors, in the eyes of party strategists the campaign will be anything but straight forward.

Here are the seats to watch when voting takes place  picked by polling experts.

Burnley, in Lancashire, is the number one seat that Labour will be hoping to win back from the Conservatives.

Before it changed hands in 2019, Burnley was last blue in 1910 and had remained either Labour or Liberal Democrat-held until the last election

It would take a local swing of just 0.13 percentage points to see Burnley returned to Labour this year, according to data compiled by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher, emeritus professors at the University of Plymouth.

The seat belongs to the so-called Red Wall that was broken by Boris Johnson almost five years ago.

The Red Wall is the last of Labours problems and seats in that area should be among the easiest for the party to pick up, says Prof Sir John Curtice, the polling expert .

Sir John points to Leigh and Atherton as another Red Wall seat that Labour will be expecting to win, needing a local swing of just 0.33 percentage points to claw it back.

Sir John will be watching the Hampshire seat of Basingstoke on the night of the election as an indication of whether Labour will win a majority.

The Conservatives currently hold a 24-point majority in the seat. This means that Sir Keirs party needs a 12-point local swing to take it, which is close to the national swing that would be needed for the party to win a majority.

Lord Hayward, the former MP and Conservative elections expert, will be watching Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Labour would need to win a local swing between 11 and 12 percentage points to take the brand new seat.

Other seats worth watching for an indication of Labours fortunes include Gloucester, Bolton West and Welwyn Hatfield, Lord Hayward says, all of which have had their boundaries shaken up ahead of this years vote.

Assuming that Labour wins about 20 seats in Scotland, which is reasonable, those seats in England where the boundaries have changed are where Sir Keir would need to win to have an overall majority, he explains.

The Conservatives main aim come the election will be to hold onto the seats that they already have, rather than make significant gains from Labour or other parties, says Lord Hayward.

The boundary changes appear to work in the Tories favour. Labour will lose two seats owing to the changes before voting even takes place, with the SNP forfeiting three and Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, dropping two of its four.

The Conservatives, on the other hand, gain seven seats on their current majority, should they manage to hold them.

The seat that the Conservatives are likely to protect most closely is Warrington South. It is currently represented by Andy Carter, but the constituency as it is now drawn ahead of the election would have voted Labour, according to the data compiled by professors Rallings and Thrasher.

It would take a local swing of just 0.06 percentage points for the Tories to keep Warrington South, the same figures suggest.

The seat has changed hands several times, however. It was held by Labour for most of the 1990s but was won by the Conservatives in 2010, before changing hands again to Labour in 2017 and returning to the Tories in 2019.

When it comes to the Liberal Democrats election planning there is one key target area  the blue wall running through the Home Counties and the south of England.

First in the partys sights will be the London seat of Carshalton and Wallington, says Sir John, who adds that it is the obvious target.

Carshalton and Wallington was held by the Liberal Democrats for more than two decades before it was claimed by the Conservatives, in 2019.

It would take a local swing of just 0.64 percentage points for the Liberal Democrats to win the seat back. Other key Liberal Democrat targets include Wimbledon, Cheltenham and Eastbourne.

Another seat watched keenly by Sir John is Godalming and Ash, which will be a successor to the South West Surrey seat held by Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor.

The Liberal Democrats would need a swing of just 10 points to win territory here, the data from Rallings and Thrasher suggests, but it would be a significant gain.

If that were to go to the Liberal Democrats, then it would be because they were on course to overtake the SNP as the third largest party in the House of Commons, says Sir John.

Another seat to watch is North East Somerset and Hanham, a new constituency, says Lord Hayward, whose former seat of Kingswood is a stones throw away. North East Somerset is currently represented by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent Tory backbencher.

If you look at the figures then you would expect it to be a Labour target seat, but polling shows that the Liberal Democrats could stand a solid chance here, says Lord Hayward.

There is a strong anti-establishment vote in this part of the country, so if you combine that with the number of people who might think about voting Reform, you see that it isnt going to be clear-cut.

Barnsley North could be the most winnable Reform UK seat in this years vote.

The Yorkshire seat would have voted Labour in 2019, had it existed then. Based on the new boundary lines, Ukip  to which Reform is a successor party  would have won 30 per cent of the vote in the same year, according to professors Thrasher and Rallings data.

This means that a swing of just 4.5 percentage points could be needed for Reform to claim the seat.

Other seats that Reform might hope to claim include Thurrock, in Essex, Lord Hayward says.

Thurrocks independent candidate won 2 per cent of the vote in 2019, and in 2015, Ukip won almost 30 per cent of the vote  though support for the party declined in the 2017 general election, which came after the 2016 Brexit referendum.

While the Liberal Democrats try to win seats from the Tories in the south of England, they will be fighting with Labour over seats currently held by the Scottish National Party north of the border.

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath  formerly represented by Gordon Brown  as well as Edinburgh North and Leith are both seats where Labour and the Liberal Democrats will be fighting to pick up seats lost by the SNP.

For Labour to win Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath would require a swing of 3.4 percentage points, while the Liberal Democrats would need a significantly bigger chunk of the vote to fall in their favour, however.

The SNP itself will be trying to cling on to what theyve got rather than make new gains, Lord Hayward predicts. Sir John agrees.

Ashfield, where MP Lee Anderson has just joined the Reform party, is a good idea of a seat where anything could happen, says Lord Haywood.

If you look at last years local election, Ashfield independents almost swept the board, he explains.

This doesnt mean that Mr Anderson will necessarily stay in place as a Reform UK MP, but it suggests his chances are better than they would be elsewhere  though an independent candidate could also run against him and take his place.

Lee Anderson will be hoping to retain his Ashfield seat for his new party Reform UK - Geoff Pugh

Similar things could happen in Rochdale, where George Galloway was elected as an MP for the Workers Party of Britain.

I wouldnt be surprised if George Galloway did hold Rochdale, but it all depends on how Labour puts itself back together, Sir John says.

Islington North, where former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will likely run as an independent candidate, is another one of a number of oddball seats that could defy the national swing, says Sir John.

Its rumoured that Corbyn will stand and ironically, because its such a safe Labour seat, if he can take half of the vote he might just hang on, given he wont have much competition from the Conservatives.
No 10 has refused to quash speculation that the prime minister is preparing to announce an imminent general election or to reshuffle his cabinet.

Downing Street said it would not rule anything in or out after a morning of feverish speculation among MPs and ministers before a cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Rishi Sunaks spokesperson also swerved questions on the future of the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.

The prime minister has previously said that he expects Hunt to stay at the Treasury until the election, though his new Godalming and Ash constituency is under significant pressure from the Lib Dems.

Related: Rishi Sunak is holding out for a feelgood factor. It will only come once hes gone | Rafael Behr

Asked to deny rumours that Sunak would call the election on Wednesday evening, the spokesperson said: I know theres a lot of interest in this, as there has been pretty much every week over the last five months.

Ill just say the same thing Ive always said, which is Im not going to rule anything in or out. The PM said election  second half of the year.

David Cameron also had to cut his trip to Albania short so as to be back in London for the cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The foreign secretary had been due to meet the Albanian prime minister, Edi Rama, and announce a partnership to train Albanian judges.

Should Sunak call an election on Wednesday evening, a six-week campaign would mean a date of 4 July  though it is possible the prime minister would name a date in the autumn instead.

During exchanges at prime ministers questions with the SNP leader, Stephen Flynn, Sunak was asked directly whether he was planning to call an election. Flynn said: Speculation is rife, so I think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question. Does the prime minister intend to call a summer general election or is he feart?

Sunak replied: There is, Mr Speaker  spoiler alert  there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.

At that moment, the British people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me [Keir Starmer], because that will be the choice at the next election, Mr Speaker  a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard-earned economic stability, or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom.

At the press briefing afterwards, Sunaks spokesperson was also asked to confirm that there would not be a reshuffle and to reiterate Sunaks commitment to keeping Hunt in post.

We dont comment on reshuffle speculation. We think the chancellors doing a very good job and its very clear that the economy is on the up. Its the PMs decision in terms of the cabinet positions, she said.

A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, postponed from its regular Tuesday slot, because of Sunaks trip to Vienna on Tuesday.
Russell Hill and Carol Clay were in a relationship when they were allegedly killed in the Wonnangatta Valley, Victorias supreme court has heard. Greg Lynn has pleaded not guilty to murdering the pair. Photograph: Victoria police

Carol Clay did not seem bothered her partner, Russell Hill, remained married and liked the situation, a Victorian supreme court trial has heard.

Former airline pilot Gregory Stuart Lynn, 57, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Hill and Clay in the states alpine region in March 2020.

On Wednesday, the court heard from Louise Heib and Amanda Darmody, who met Clay through the Country Womens Association, of which Clay was a former state president.

Their statements to police were read into evidence, meaning they did not appear in court as witnesses.

In her statement, Heib said Clay loved the country girl side of going camping.

In the statement, she said her friendship with Clay bloomed after they had a very fun introduction to one another.

She said she spoke frequently about her relationship with Hill, and that she did not seem bothered that Hill remained married. Heib said she believed Hill and Clays children both knew about the affair.

I think Carol liked the situation, I dont think that worried her, she was quite independent, Heib said in the statement.

Clay would often send her photos of the hikes she had done with Hill, Heib said. Hill had a very well set up vehicle for camping, with an allocated space for Clays things.

Related: Greg Lynn trial: Russell Hill given ultimatum to tell wife of Carol Clay affair years before their deaths, court told

She often did the cooking for the trip, Heib said.

She loved the country girl side of things, she was just free, and didnt need to put her lippy or anything else on, she said in her statement.

The court also heard on Wednesday from police who were involved in the initial investigation into the couples disappearance.

This included officers who searched their homes, seizing items for evidence and later DNA analysis, and finding other evidence including a label for Viagra in Hills name that was found ripped into pieces in Clays bathroom bin.

Det Leading Sen Con Abbey Justin, who had been with the missing persons squad at the time of the disappearance and was the first informant in the case, said police received a very large public response from media appearances it conducted about the campers.

She also said that she attended Lynns Caroline Springs home in July 2020 and noticed that he had painted his Nissan Patrol from a blue-grey colour to a light brown.

Lynns vehicle had been captured on automatic numberplate recognition cameras near Mount Hotham in the hours after the alleged murders. The cameras were set up to capture cars who had not paid ski resort fees in Mount Hotham.

Dermot Dann KC, for Lynn, said his client told police he painted the vehicle the colour sandbank, or a light brown, after his camping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley.

John Kelleher, a Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre scientist, told the court he examined items that were gathered from the burned remains of Hill and Clays campsite.

Several of the items could not be properly identified due to the intense heat generated when they were burnt.

Under questioning from Dann, Kelleher agreed that the condition of the items he found was consistent with an account of the fire provided to police by Lynn: that Lynn gathered numerous items from around the tent, placed them inside, and then set it alight.

The court has previously heard Lynn also told police the deaths were the result of a tragic accident, and then he acted in a callous manner to conceal them.

The trial is in its second week and is expected to run for four to six weeks. The hearing continues.
A statement from Grenfell United, a group of bereaved and survivors, said: 10 years until we face justice. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

The bereaved and survivors of Grenfell Tower must wait until at least 2027  a decade after the blaze that killed 72 people  before those suspected of being responsible for the disaster could face criminal trials, it has emerged.

Families described the news as shocking and called the wait for charges for people to be held accountable for their crimes unbearable.

In a briefing ahead of the seventh anniversary of the fire, Stuart Cundy, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, admitted it was an incredible timeline but said: We have just one chance to get it right and insisted it wasnt justice denied.

It amounts to a more than four-year delay on an earlier expected timetable and comes because the police say they must take into account the final report of the public inquiry, which could take 18 months.

Even Cundy said he had not expected the criminal justice process to take so long.

A statement from Grenfell United, a group of bereaved and survivors, said: 10 years until we see justice. It continued: 10 years until we see prosecutions. 10 years until those responsible for the murders of 72 people are held to account for their crimes. This should be shocking for everyone, but for us, we live our lives on hold while those responsible walk free.

The public inquiry has yet to set a date for publication but it will be after the seventh anniversary of the fire, which is next month.

The police also revealed that 58 individuals and 19 companies and organisations are suspects, with potential charges now including misconduct in public office, indicating that local and national government politicians and officials could face trial.

Detectives declined to name individual suspects but said other possible crimes also include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and perverting the course of justice.

They also confirmed explicitly that they believe that the deaths caused by the fire were the result of criminal acts.

The announcement of the updated timetable came as some of the bereaved and survivors said they have given up on the police investigation.

Nabil Choucair, who lost six members of his family, said: I have given up on the police. I got fed up with them not doing something when they should have done something a long time ago.

Everyone that commits a crime in this country is dealt with apart from Grenfell, where the people are all part of the system and their rights are protected by the government. And because the government has blame attached to it, they are slow to put the blame on others.

In September 2020, Scotland Yard had said it anticipated it would submit case files to the Crown Prosecution Service in the latter part of 2021, but that will now not happen until 12 to 18 months after the separate public inquiry publishes its final report, which is not expected until later this year.

Det Supt Garry Moncrieff, who is the senior investigating officer, tried to quell fears about the pace of the process, saying: There hasnt been any loss of momentum. It is a long time, but it is a really complex and really important investigation.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, said we do not underestimate the impact that such a long investigation is taking on the families affected by the disaster. But she assured the public: the array of files we have seen from the police have been of a very high standard.

The police have been pursuing 27,000 separate lines of inquiry in an investigation involving 180 full-time officers which has cost, so far, 107m.

More than 150m files and documents have been gathered and 12,000 witness statements have been taken. Some of the files, which have already been shared with the CPS, stand seven feet high.

Antonio Roncolato, who lived in Grenfell for 27 years and was trapped on the 10th floor before he was rescued, said: They say we have to be patient, its a complicated investigation and they have to get it right.

I really pray and hope and put my faith that these guys can bring strong cases to the CPS, that they will bring them to court and that before too long, before I die, we will see justice.
An Israeli soldier secures a tunnel underneath Al Shifa Hospital, in the northern Gaza Strip - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

Israel has only eliminated 30 to 35 per cent of the Hamas terrorists who were part of the group prior to the October 7 attack, US intelligence believes.

In addition, 65 per cent of Hamas vast network of underground tunnels, which Hamas has used to carry out attacks, remain intact, Politico reported.

The outlet also said that US officials believe that Hamas has recruited thousands of new members in recent months.

Top officials from the Biden administration have expressed fears that Israel is scuppering its chance to defeat Hamas, publicly lambasting Israelis strategy in the Gaza Strip as self-defeating and likely to open the door to Hamas return.

Israel vowed to crush and destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attacks, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

Israeli soldiers with their tanks gather near the border fence in Gaza - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

However, it appears to have abandoned its plans for a full invasion of Rafah.

US officials said Israeli forces will focus on targeted incursions to eradicate Hamas from the area.

The US had for weeks warned Israel against going into Rafah, the last city in Gaza untouched by heavy fighting.

Earlier, Hamas said decisions by three European countries to recognise a Palestinian state were a turning point.

It thanked Ireland, Norway and Spain.

These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people, Bassem Naim, a senior figure in Hamas, said. We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Israels foreign ministry, which withdrew its envoys from Ireland and Norway immediately after the announcement, warned that the recognition of a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas, it said.

03:32 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

03:12 PM BST

Attacks on health workers in conflict zones highest level ever, new report finds

Attacks on health workers, hospitals and clinics in conflict zones surge by 25 per cent last year to their highest level on record, a new report has found.

The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, composed of 40 groups including medical charities, reported 2,562 incidents of violence or obstructions including arrests, killings and kidnappings of doctors and strikes across hospitals in 30 conflicts.

Where the rise was largely driven by fresh wars in Gaza and Sudan, ongoing conflicts such as Ukraine and South Sudan also fuelled attacks at a relentless pace, said the Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition.

Palestinians inspect damages at Al Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital - Dawoud Abu Alkas/REUTERS

02:52 PM BST

Pro-Palestine protesters repeatedly interrupt Blinken in Senate

Furious protesters interrupted Antony Blinken in Congress on Tuesday as he faced criticism from the Right and Left over the United States Israel policy.

As Mr Blinken began his testimony before two committees in the Democrat-controlled Senate, protesters called him a war criminal and accused him of involvement in genocide.

Mr Blinken reiterated the support of Joe Bidens administration for Israel, but insisted it was focused on easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and opposed an Israeli assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where over one million displaced people had taken shelter.

Read the full story here

02:43 PM BST

Palestinian state should be reached through negotiations, White House says

US President Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through direct negotiations between parties, not unilateral recognition, the White House said on Wednesday.

The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said.

He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.

US President Joe Biden - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

02:34 PM BST

No two-state solution without dialogue, Berlin says on Palestine

A German foreign ministry spokesperson stressed Berlins support for a two-state solution on Wednesday.

An independent Palestinian state remains a firm goal of German foreign policy, the spokesperson told a regular news conference in Berlin.

It comes as Spain, Hungary and Ireland announced that they would recognise the State of Palestine from 28 May.

They added that a dialogue process was needed for that goal.

02:20 PM BST

Labour says preferable to recognise Palestine as a state

Labour said it would work towards recognising Palestine as a state if it won power, after Spain, Ireland and Norway announced a landmark decision to change its diplomatic status.

David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, said it would be preferable if British recognition was part of a two-state solution bringing peace to the Middle East.

He accused some Israeli politicians in Israel of wanting a no-state solution to the conflict.

The shadow Foreign Secretary was speaking after Israel recalled its ambassadors to the three European countries, saying they had rewarded Hamas for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.



Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron faced a backlash from some Tory MPs after he suggested the UK could fast-track recognition of Palestine during negotiations for a final peace deal rather than at the end of it.



The Government has been asked for comment.

02:08 PM BST

Israel abandons full-on Rafah invasion after US talks

Israel appears to have abandoned its plans for a major invasion of Rafah in favour of targeted incursions to eradicate Hamas from the area, US officials have said.

The United States had for weeks warned Israel against going into Rafah, the last city in Gaza untouched by heavy fighting, and Israel has taken the US concerns into account, a senior US official said late on Tuesday.

Its fair to say, I think, the Israelis have updated their plans. Theyve incorporated many of the concerns that we have expressed, the US official, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters.

Read the full story here.

01:55 PM BST

More than 35,000 Palestinians killed since beginning of war

The Hamas-run health ministry says at least 35,709 Palestinians have been killed in Israels military offensive on Gaza Gaza since 7 October.

A further 79,990 have been injured, it added.

The figures reported by the ministry do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.

01:42 PM BST

Ireland says recognition of Palestinian state based on 1967 borders

Ireland plans to recognise the Palestinian state based on its 1967 borders, said its Foreign Minister Michael Martin on Wednesday.

When we recognise a state, we dont recognise the government of the day, we recognise the state in terms of a permanent population of people in terms of defined borders, and in this case its the 1967 borders, Mr Martin told local RTE radio station.

Mr Martin said that defined a territory involving Gaza, the West Bank and a capital of both an Israeli state and a Palestinian state in Jerusalem.

Ireland will recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.

01:08 PM BST

Historic day as Ireland becomes one of first to recognise Palestinian State

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill has hailed Irelands move to recognise the state of Palestine as historic.

The people of Ireland will continue to stand up for the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people, Ms ONeill wrote on X.

 An historic day as Ireland becomes one of the first countries in Europe to officially recognise the state of Palestine.



The people of Ireland will continue to stand up for the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/TSiTpvC1uj  Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) May 22, 2024

12:53 PM BST

Egypt changed terms of Gaza ceasefire deal presented to Hamas

Egyptian intelligence discreetly changed the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed off on earlier this month, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

The ceasefire agreement announced by Hamas on 6 May was not what the Qataris or the Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review. We were all duped, said one of those sources.

The move ultimately sabotaged a deal that could have released Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and paved the way to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza.

A senior Egyptian intelligence official, Ahmed Abdel Khalek, was responsible for proposing several alternatives and scenarios, said one of the sources.

Mr Abdel Khalek is a senior deputy to the Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel, who has been CIA Director Bill Burns equal in conducting Egypts mediation in the sabotage talks.

The edits came more than a week after a group of Egyptian negotiators flew to Israel in late April to iron out the final details of the ceasefire agreement.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the framework extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel.

When the Egyptians returned from Israel to negotiate with Hamas, it became clear that the group did not agree with the Israelis propositions, said one of the sources. So the Egyptian official made significant changes to ensure that Hamas would also sign the agreement.

The Qataris are expected to play a bigger role in the next round of negotiations, if talks resume. Although Egypt would still hold the central position given their essential proximity to Hamas.

12:25 PM BST

Two key border crossings now open, says Cogat

The Kerem Shalom and Erez crossing are now Operating as usual, says Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat), the body responsible for clearing the movements of aid convoys in Gaza.

We welcome aid coordinations from all actors and encourage the UN organizations to coordinate as well - we are here to facilitate, they wrote on X.

The United Nations and Israeli military clashed over similar claims two weeks ago. The Israeli military said lorries had reached Kerem Shalom, which was closed after a Hamas rocket attack.

The UN refuted the claim and said no supplies had yet passed through the crossing.

Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings are open and operating as usual. Hundreds of aid trucks are inspected and transferred into Gaza.



We welcome aid coordinations from all actors and encourage the UN organizations to coordinate as well - we are here to facilitate. pic.twitter.com/zIem4GjJ9d  COGAT (@cogatonline) May 22, 2024

11:56 AM BST

Ireland will hold the Israeli regime accountable for its war crimes

Sinn Feins president Mary Lou McDonald said, Ireland is a small nation but we punch above our weight when it comes to influence at both European level and with the United States.

We have a role to play in acting decisively and using every avenue available to bring about a ceasefire, and to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its war crimes, the Irish opposition leader said.

11:46 AM BST

Hamas hails turning point after European countries recognise Palestinian statehood

Hamas has thanked Ireland, Norway and Spain for recognising Palestinian statehood.

Bassem Naim, a senior figure in the Gaza-based terror group, described the moves, announced on Wednesday morning, as a turning point.

These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people, he said. We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Israels foreign ministry, which withdrew its envoys from Ireland and Norway immediately after the announcement, warned that the recognition of a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace.



Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas, it said.

11:37 AM BST

Herzi Halevi: we want to bring our hostages home alive

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi met with commanders in Jabaliya who participated in the operation to rescue the bodies of the four hostages and return them for burial in Israel today.

We want to bring our hostages home alive, and we want to bring those who, unfortunately, are no longer alive back for burial in Israel, he said.

'We want to bring our hostages home alive, and we want to bring those who, unfortunately, are no longer alive back for burial in Israel.'



IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi met with the commanders in Jabaliya who participated in the operation to rescue the bodies pic.twitter.com/rhHUKuu2wn  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 21, 2024

11:13 AM BST

Not right moment for France to recognise Palestinian state

Frances foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, said that it was not a taboo to recognise a Palestinian state, but Paris considers that now is not the right moment to do so.

Our position is clear: the recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France, Ms Sejourne wrote in a statement.

France does not consider that the conditions have been present to date for this decision to have a real impact in this process.

10:58 AM BST

Israel will make Irish, Spanish, Norwegian envoys watch October 7 video

Israel has recalled its ambassadors to Spain, Ireland and Norway and said that they will be summoned for reprimand talks - during which they will be made to watch the video of the kidnapping of female Israeli soldiers on October 7.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said: History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to the Hamas murderers and rapists, who raped teenage girls and burned babies.

I ordered the ambassadors to be immediately summoned for reprimand talks - during which they will watch the horrifying kidnapping video of the abduction of the female observers to illustrate to them what a twisted decision their governments made, said Katz.

He added: Israel will not go over this in silence - their step will have serious consequences.

Israel's acting foreign minister Israel Katz, who also serves as intelligence and transport minister - REUTERS

10:42 AM BST

Ireland, Norway and Spain recognise Palestinian state

Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced they will recognise a Palestinian state.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

The moves prompted an immediate backlash from Israel, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordering the countrys envoys to return from Ireland and Norway.

At least 143 members of the United Nations already recognise Palestinian statehood, but others - including the United Kingdom and the United States - do not formally recognise a Palestinian state.

10:23 AM BST

Netanyahu expected to reject US-Saudi lifeline

Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to reject the historic deal with Saudi Arabia that was to establish ties between the two major regional players in the Middle East, an Israeli newspaper has reported

The Israeli prime minister received the outline of the normalisation agreement last week from visiting White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday cited several Israeli officials present at the meetings with Mr Sullivan, saying that he was deeply disappointed by Prime Minister Netanyahus stance and reportedly said With Bibi, there isnt going to be normalisation with Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli leader reportedly refuses to compromise on two key prerequisites for the deal: recognition of a Palestinian state and ending the war in Gaza.

The White House has not commented on the reports but Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, late on Tuesday admitted it may very well be that at this moment Israel is not able or willing to agree to those conditions, thus blocking the deal.

The agreement establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, both key military allies of the US in the region, has been in the works for years and was supposed to be a cornerstone for regional security. Both Israeli and Saudi political leaders recently confirmed their commitment to the deal.

10:20 AM BST

Iranians gather to mourn former President Ebrahim Raisi

Thousands of Iranians have gathered in the capital, Tehran to mourn the death of Ebrahim Raisi and seven other officials who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei led prayers at Tehran University, with high-level foreign dignitaries, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in attendance.

Huge banners among the crowds can be seen hailing Raisi as the martyr of service.

10:08 AM BST

Analysis: the deeply political issue of Palestinian statehood

Recognising Palestine is a richly symbolic move, as Irelands leader Simon Harris said this morning, but it is also deeply political.

Spain and Ireland are the two EU member states that have been most critical of Israel and its war on Hamas.

Recognition is a vote winner in both countries ahead of European elections in June.

But geopolitical as well as domestic concerns drive this coordinated announcement, which is the fruit of months of intense international diplomacy, which could result in more countries following suit.

Dublin, Madrid and Oslo insist recognition will be valuable backing for an eventual two state solution to bring peace to the Middle East.

Arab states have made clear that European recognition for Palestine is a condition for their vital support for the two state solution.

Recognition can be a building block for peace in the long term, which is a view shared by David Cameron in Britain, if not the whole Tory party.

But in the short term it undoubtedly heaps more pressure on Israel to curb its war on Gaza.

Israels furious reaction is not surprising given the timing of the announcement, so soon after an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued for Benjamin Netanyahu.

09:56 AM BST

Hamas calls todays move a turning point

Senior Hamas figure Bassem Naim has said the brave resistance of the Palestinian people is behind the move.

These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people, he said.

We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

09:53 AM BST

Palestinian foreign ministry welcomes three countries decision

The Palestinian foreign ministry welcomes the decisions taken by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognise the State of Palestine, it said in a statement.

The ministry, based in the West Bank, said the recognition was in line with international law and all United Nations relevant resolutions, which will in turn contribute positively to all international efforts towards ending the Israeli Illegal occupation and achieving peace and stability in the region.

They added: with this significant step, Spain, Norway and Ireland have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and to delivering the long overdue justice to the Palestinian people.

The statement also calls for other states to take this principled decision as soon as possible.

09:37 AM BST

Some in Gaza survive on just 3 per cent of water needs

Some Palestinians are surviving on as little as 3 per cent of minimum daily water needs, warn British charities.

Essential hygiene supplies for the 1.7 million displaced Palestinians in the enclave could take an average of 3 months to arrive in the besieged enclave, said the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

Families across the strip have resorted to building their own toilets, with up to 600 people sharing a single latrine, said the charities.

A severe lack of clean water and sanitation facilities have caused water-borne and communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis, to become rife across the besieged enclave.

Displaced Palestinians queue for water at a camp west of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip - AFP

09:28 AM BST

Analysis: Israel is increasingly isolating itself

Israel is so alarmed by this mornings statements from leaders of Norway and Spain that it is recalling its ambassadors from the two countries for urgent consultations.

Norways prime ministers announcement that his country will recognise a Palestinian state next week and the upcoming statement by the leader of Spain have touched a nerve with the Israeli government, which has been hemorrhaging international support as the war in Gaza is about to enter its eight month.

Israel, mired in a war that shows no image of a total victory as one promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is increasingly sensitive to any moves on the international arena that can be interpreted as helping the other side.

Israeli officials repeatedly said they view the recognition of a Palestinian state - something that has been on the cards since the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s - as a reward for Hamas for brutally attacking Israel on October 7.

The Israeli leadership has brushed off arguments that supporting a Palestinian sovereignty amid deaths and devastation in Gaza should serve as a counter-weight to radical movements such as Hamas.

Unlike the United States or Britain, neither Norway or Spain are crucial military allies or trade partners for Israel, so should the ties with them be cut off, the impact on the Israeli economy would be minimal.

But Israel is increasingly driving itself into a corner of isolation as its top speakers, like Foreign Minister Israel Katz this morning, suggest that recognising a Palestinian state within the borders under post-1967 Israeli occupation, as recognised by the UN, represents a threat to its sovereignty.

09:10 AM BST

None of the 569 tons of aid has been distributed from US pier, says Pentagon

A US Defense Department spokesman has said that none of the 569 tons of humanitarian assistance that has arrived at a US-built floating pier in the Gaza Strip has been formally distributed.

While some of the aid coming off the pier has made it to warehouses, trucks have been intercepted by hoards of desperate Palestinians after the aid left the loading area.

I dont believe so, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in response to a question about whether any of the aid had been delivered yet.

We fully appreciate and recognize that land routes are the optimal way to get aid, said Ryder. Its also important to remember that this is a combat zone and that it is a complex operation.

It comes as the UN World Food Programme warned that the $320m (250m) project may fail unless Israel starts providing the conditions humanitarian groups need to operate safely.

Palestinians rush a truck as it transports international humanitarian aid from the US-built pier - AFP

08:56 AM BST

Spanish PM: this is not in favour of Hamas

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said that they have an obligation to obligation to act. In Palestine like in Ukraine without double standards.

Mr Sanchez warned that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is still playing deaf ears... he is still bombing hospitals and schools and punishing women and children with hunger and cold.

We need to send humanitarian aid, and help the refugees we are already doing this. But more needs to be done.

He adds: This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews.

It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour or peace and coexistence.

08:50 AM BST

Israel war cabinet: never has been famine in Gaza

A member of Israels war cabinet has said there is no famine in Gaza and there never has been.

Minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer described the claim as nonsense and insisted there were bustling markets selling fruits and vegetables in the Gaza Strip.

It comes after the World Food Programme warned there was a full-blown famine in pockets of Gaza due to the besieged enclave suffering a severe lack of food after eight months of war.

08:37 AM BST

Spain recognises Palestine for peace, justice and consistency

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchezs speech receives applause from his parliament in Madrid

We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words  peace, justice and consistency, he said.

We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.

He adds: It is essential that the two sides negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognise Palestine.

Spain will recognise the state of Palestine on 28 May.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announces that the country's council of ministers would recognise an independent Palestinian state - Violeta Santos Moura/REUTERS

08:33 AM BST

Irish PM: Gaza enduring suffering, hardship and starvation

Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the country believes that permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people.

Mr Harris pointed to a vote earlier this month at the United Nations General Assembly, where 143 nations overwhelmingly backed a resolution granting Palestine enhanced status within the organisation.

He adds: Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation.

The Irish government argues that recognition supports a two-state solution, which it said is essential for lasting peace in the region.

08:22 AM BST

Israel drops plans for full-scale rafah invasion

Israel has decided to scale back its plans for a major offensive in the Gaza Strips southernmost city of Rafah.

A previous plan to send two military divisions into the city will no longer go ahead, and operations will instead be more restrained, according to reports.

The US has indicated that it is initially satisfied with the changes, as they believe the new military plans will result in fewer civilian casualties, said a senior Biden administration official on Tuesday.

It comes after months of the US vehemently opposing a Rafah assault, warning that there was no way to complete the mission while also protecting the 1.3 million Palestinians trapped in the city.

08:03 AM BST

Israel recalls envoys to Ireland and Norway

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israels ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel, as Norway said it would recognise a Palestinian state and Ireland was expected to follow suit.

Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays, Katz said.

I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear message: Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security.

He also threatened to recall Israels ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

07:59 AM BST

Norway foreign office: Norway recognises Palestine as a state

Norway recognises Palestine as a state, in line with international law and relevant UNSC resolutions.

That means that Norway will consider Palestine to be an independent state with rights and duties this entails.

- PM @jonasgahrstore & FM @EspenBarthEidehttps://t.co/8I3IXYeRJt pic.twitter.com/nUNnlgndLE  Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) May 22, 2024

07:57 AM BST

Norway: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition

Norways prime minister confirms that Norway is formally recognising Palestine as a state.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said Wednesday, There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

Store said the ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.

He added that the move sends a strong message to other countries to follow in the footsteps of Norway.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, said Store.

The Scandinavian country will recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.

07:49 AM BST

Israel: dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas

Israels foreign ministry said recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.

Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas, it said in a post on X.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.



Don't be a pawn in the hands of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/81f7Gxweol  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 21, 2024

07:42 AM BST

Norway moves to recognise Palestinian state

Norweigan prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said the country will recognise a Palestinian state, with Spain and Ireland expected to make similar announcements this morning.

At least 140 members of the United Nations already recognise Palestinian statehood, but others - including the United Kingdom and the United States - do not formally recognise a Palestinian state.

The current Israeli government has opposed the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It argues such a state would be a threat to Israels very existence.

07:36 AM BST

Hello and welcome to our live coverage

Were bringing you the latest updates from the Middle East.
Jen Psaki's book is an exercise in tactical omission - Leah Millis /Reuters

With a Trump-Biden rematch on the horizon, news outlets big and small are calibrating just how in the tank they need to be for the 46th president, and NBC News is no exception. Its decision to hire former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is now coming under rightfully renewed scrutiny following her unnecessary lie in service for her former boss, President Joe Biden, in her recent autobiography.

Psaki published in her book, Say More, this month, and included an anecdote in which she tarred the Gold Star families  who watched Biden repeatedly stare at his watch as their loved ones rolled by in coffins draped with American flags  as liars. In 2024, palatable narratives trump accuracy, even when it comes at the cost of the dignity of American veterans. While Psakis correcting the record, perhaps she could also edit the title to Say Less.

Even though Psakis useless ass wasnt even there on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base, she confidently asserted that the president looked at his watch only after the ceremony had ended... Moments later, he and the First Lady headed toward their car. According to the testimony of the families present, this is an outright lie.

While Psaki ultimately caved following pressure from the Gold Star families, who successfully forced a mild correction, her impulse to disregard what everyone knew to be true stands not only to condemn her character but the character of the administration she once worked for. After-all, dishonesty has been the hallmark of the Biden administration ever since its failed withdrawal that saw Afghanistan turned over to the Taliban.

In announcing her slight update, she made no actual apology to the parents and families she slandered, in much the same way that Biden has never said out loud the names of the servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan when he decided to pull up stakes and surrender to the Taliban. Her publication company Simon and Schuster did not respond to request for comment.

Psakis commitment to the truth has always been questionable. Harken back to the halcyon days of the White House press briefings, when Psaki was lobbing her famed Psaki Bombs, pledging to circle back on a near-daily basis to an eager press corps  whose bosses were seeking to pluck Psaki from the podium and put her in prime time.

At the exact same time, she was in negotiations with the very TV networks  including CNN and NBC News  who were ostensibly asking her questions for the publics consumption. Its easy to see how Psaki bombs turned into Psaki dummy grenades once the contracts started getting typed up. Instead of extracting information from her for their ostensibly eager viewers, the networks were too busy trying to extract commitments from her to headline their streaming services, which she is now doing for MSNBCs Peacock.

Even the New York Times, in a searing glimpse into NBC Newss shift to the Left, noted that hiring Psaki straight from the White House raised at least a few eyebrows internally. Nothing did more to signal that MSNBC was more tightly embracing its partisan direction than [its] decision to hire Ms. Psaki and another Biden aide, Symone D. Sanders, straight from the White House, the Times noted.

Her so-called truth, is of course, being called into question in the aftermath of the latest political memoir-gate. I feel like she purposely put that in her book knowing full well that it was not true, Steve Nikoui, a Gold Star father whose son Kareem Nikoui was killed during the Abbey Gate suicide bombing in August 2021, told me. And now thousands of copies are out spreading this false narrative.

Alicia Lopez, whose son Hunter Lopez was killed the same day as Kareem Nikoui, added that Psakis lies are a synecdoche not about corporate media, but about her old colleagues in the Biden administration. Not once has the Biden administration mentioned their names or taken responsibility for the murder of our children, Lopez said. Now Psaki writes a book to tell people her story. Unfortunately for her, she picked the wrong story to add to her book. She underestimated the parents of the servicemembers she mentioned  even though she didnt even have the dignity to mention their names.

Psakis tome is a light-on-truth depiction of her time in Bidens White House. Because she worked for a President who has an easy time inventing his own personal history, Psakis easy reinvention of history should come as no surprise. Perhaps an examination of what is truth? is a question Psaki can use to lead off her next monologue.
Campaigners in favour of assisted dying have welcomed the vote as 'a victory for compassion' - Christian Keenan/PA

Politicians in Jersey have cast a landmark vote in favour of plans to allow assisted dying for those who have a terminal illness.

The historic vote by the States Assembly follows a report published in March setting out how such a service might work for adult residents of the island, with a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life.

On Wednesday, members voted in favour of a service for terminally ill people, known as route one, by a majority of 32 to 14.

This proposal is similar to assisted dying laws in Australia, New Zealand and several US states, where only terminally ill adults with sufficient mental capacity are eligible for assisted dying.

However, an option to extend a law, known as route two, to people with an incurable physical condition that might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering, was rejected by a majority of 27 to 19.

The result of the controversial vote has divided campaigners, with those in favour of assisted dying welcoming it as a victory for compassion and calling on Westminster to follow Jerseys lead, while those against it warned that dignity is showing people care not killing.

Dame Esther Rantzen, the 83-year-old broadcaster and the founder of Childline, who last year revealed that she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, hailed the vote as terrific news and an important step forward.

In December, she revealed that she had joined Dignitas and was considering assisted dying if her condition does not improve following treatment.

Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Dignitas is a Swiss organisation providing physician-assisted suicide to members.

Regarding the Jersey vote, Dame Esther told The Telegraph: Theres a very clear majority, so I think that politicians in Westminster could learn from Jersey.

Its always been about choice. Having a choice over your own life, your own death  not imposing this on anybody else  but allowing us, particularly people in my position and families, to have what we all want, which is a peaceful, dignified death for someone you love. Who is going to die quite soon anyway. But is protected from suffering in those last precious days and weeks.

Sarah Wootton, the chief executive of Dignity in Dying, added: Todays vote is a victory for compassion and common sense. We congratulate States members for listening to the wishes of Jersey citizens and rejecting the assisted dying ban.

They have recognised that doing nothing and maintaining the status quo is unconscionable. Terminal illness assisted dying laws are much safer than the current law, which forces those at the end of their lives to choose between facing painful deaths or taking their own lives.

Earlier this week, anti-assisted dying campaigners warned that Jersey faced an influx of death tourists if they voted in favour of the proposals.

Following the vote, Andrea Williams, the chief executive of Christian Concern, said: This vote makes Jersey an unsafe place for vulnerable people and sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the UK.

This vote should concern us all. It is more important than ever that Christians speak life into our culture rather than quietly letting this culture of death spread. True dignity is showing people care not killing. The UK should be a safe place to die. This vote does the opposite.

According to the proposals, those wanting to end their own lives have to have been residents on the island for at least a year before making their first request.

Most members of the States Assembly voted in favour of an opt-out for health professionals, giving them a right to refuse to participate in assisted dying.

A majority also voted for a minimum time frame between the point at which a person makes a first formal request for an assisted death and the administration of the substance that leads to that death  proposed as 14 days.

In 2021, about three-quarters (78 per cent) of the members of a citizens jury in Jersey agreed that assisted dying should be permitted, and later that year, the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide in principle to allow assisted dying.

The landmark vote came after an impassioned and emotional debate on the divisive topic.

Multiple members became tearful or had voices breaking as they spoke in a lengthy debate before voting began.

Lyndon Farnham, the chief minister, praised members for the respectful, considerate and sensitive debate.

The proposals will be turned into legislation, before a final vote next year. If passed, there will be an 18-month period for doctors to be trained, guidance to be written and a support service to be set up, and the first assisted death in Jersey could happen in 2027.
Kate Roughley was found guilty of manslaughter after a four-week trial at Manchester crown court. Photograph: Richard McCarthy/PA

A callous nursery worker has been jailed for 14 years for killing a nine-month-old girl who was strapped face down to a beanbag for more than 90 minutes.

Genevieve Meehan, known to her family as Gigi, suffocated after being placed in mortal danger as punishment by Kate Roughley, the deputy manager of Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.

Roughley, 37, was found guilty of manslaughter after a four-week trial at Manchester crown court.

Sentencing her on Wednesday to 14 years in prison, the judge, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen KC, said Roughley had considered Genevieve at best a nuisance and at times with antipathy.

At your hands Genevieves parents and grandparents  have lost their sunny, funny little girl, she added. By your callous act you have deprived her of the future she would have had and left an enduring void in their lives.

The trial heard how Genevieve was left for one hour and 37 minutes swaddled in a blanket and strapped face down to a beanbag in the baby room at Tiny Toes on 9 May 2022.

Roughley, who had worked at the nursery for 17 years and ran the baby room, denied manslaughter and an alternative charge of child cruelty, insisting she did not cause the girls death.

However, the court heard how Roughley had taken a dislike to Genevieve and behaved antagonistically towards her in the days before her death.

The room leader had told the baby to stop your whingeing and said: Genevieve, if we had any chance of being friends, you just blew it, later adding: You are driving me bananas.

In CCTV footage on the day Genevieve died, Roughley could be seen picking the girl out of her cot and placing her impatiently on a play mat, muttering vile and Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes.

Within an hour, Roughley was seen clapping and singing: Oh Genevieve. Genevieve go home, Genevieve go home, go home Genevieve, as the child cried on a play mat.

In a victim impact statement read to court, Genevieves mother, Katie Meehan, said she felt dead inside and consumed by guilt that she left her daughter in Roughleys care.

My love for Genevieve cannot be put into words. I find that since she was so cruelly taken from me that words are simply inadequate. Nothing can reflect the horror of her death or the life that I now live, she said in a statement read by the prosecutor, Martin Reid KC.

Meehan, who sobbed in the public gallery, described how Genevieve smiled and laughed all the time and loved playing with her elder sister, now six years old.

They had been looking forward to their first family holiday, which had been booked for July, and the infant had been trying on her sunglasses and swimming costume the day before she died.

She added: How is any parent supposed to live with this. It was and is so horrifying. I dont know how I have survived. Every day is torturous and I dont know how I will live like this for the rest of my life. This has destroyed my family.

I want the world to know how loved Gigi is and how desperate I am to have her, hold her, hear her breath in my ear and for her to have her cheek next to mine. My little Gigi was and is a beautiful soul, the image of her daddy and the light of our lives.

In a brief statement read to court by the prosecutor, Genevieves six-year-old sister said: Every day I get punched with sadness. What this lady has done is terrible and nobody should experience this.

Addressing Roughley from the witness box, Genevieves father, John Meehan, said his daughter had suffered the gross indignity of invasive CPR and a postmortem and his family had all suffered the indignity and horror of a police investigation which traumatised us afresh every day.

Roughley stared at the floor of the court dock expressionless as the victim impact statements were read.

Her barrister, Sarah Elliott KC, said the defendant was devastated by her actions and that she was remorseful, despite her refusal to accept legal responsibility for Genevieves death.

Elliott said Roughley had an unblemished 17-year career at Tiny Toes and that she had been failed by the nurserys senior management, who employed far too few staff, leaving her on occasions caring for between 11 and 16 babies on her own. She added: She is not a monster.

However, judge Ellenbogen said none of that could explain or justify her conduct towards Genevieve. Your interactions with Genevieve on the 6 and 9 May palpably lacked any care, kindness or concern for her wellbeing.
A prominent Texas judge vanished weeks after sentencing a convicted child murderer to life in prison.

Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson hasn't set foot in her office at the 178th Criminal District Courthouse since April, according to KTRK-TV.

On May 4, officers responded to the judge's home for a crisis intervention call, a police report stated, according to the outlet. The details of the call remain unclear.

This week, a court spokesperson confirmed the judge was out addressing "personal matters" after an unidentified coworker claimed Johnson was "a danger to herself and to the community," the station reported.

Just last month, Johnson presided over the high-profile murder case of Brian Coulter, 34, and sentenced him to life in prison without parole for the fatal beating of his girlfriend's son, 8-year-old Kendrick Lee, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Kendrick died in either late September or early October 2020. His skeletal remains were recovered in October 2021.

Coulter and his girlfriend, Gloria Williams, forced her three other children, now 10, 12, and 17, to live with Kendrick's corpse at a Houston apartment for a year, while they moved out, authorities said, according to the Chronicle.

"Those children have haunted me this past week  they have interrupted my safe space when I leave this building," Johnson told Coulter during his sentencing last month. "In prison, I hope those boys who have haunted my mind, haunt yours."

Since Johnson's absence, other judges have been forced to step in to oversee her cases.

She was first elected in 2016 after 17 years as an assistant district attorney. She shares two children with her wife, and is Harris County's first openly gay female judge.
David Lammy says 'recognition is part of the process to two states' - Martyn Wheatley / i-Images

Labour has said it would work towards recognising Palestine as a state if it won power, after Spain, Ireland and Norway announced a decision to change its diplomatic status.

David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, said it would be preferable if British recognition was part of a two-state solution bringing peace to the Middle East.

I think its important, or preferable, that recognition is part of the process to two states, and thats why I place my emphasis on the two-state solution, he said at Chatham House in London.

Mr Lammy also accused some Israeli politicians of wanting a no-state solution to the conflict.

I have been quite prepared to disagree with a position put by some politicians in Israel, that there can be a one-state solution or actually I think what is preferred is a no-state solution, he said.

The shadow foreign secretary was speaking after Israel recalled its ambassadors to the three European countries, saying they had rewarded Hamas for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, faced a backlash from some Tory MPs earlier this year after he suggested the UK could fast-track recognition of Palestine during negotiations for a final peace deal rather than at the end of it.

The Government has been asked for comment.

Move largely symbolic

Ireland, Spain and Norway announced they would recognise Palestine in order to strengthen the case for a two-state solution, which was needed to bring peace to the region. Other EU countries have signalled that they could later follow suit.

The move is largely symbolic, as the three countries do not have strong relations, but it is likely to further isolate Israel and leaves the West further divided.

Hamas celebrated the move, describing it as a turning point.

Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, said: Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays.

Israel has waged a brutal war on Gaza since Iran-backed Hamas launched terror attacks on Oct 7, killed at least 1,139 people and took hundreds of hostages.

He threatened to recall the ambassador to Spain if Madrid pressed ahead with its plans, which it later did.

Mr Katz said that recognising Palestine would make it harder to get back hostages held in Gaza. He added it would make a ceasefire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran.

The right thing to do

All three countries will officially recognise Palestine on May 28 following an announcement, which comes after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for war crimes for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister.

EU members Ireland and Spain announced they would recognise Palestine on Wednesday morning. Both have been among the EUs fiercest critics of Israels retaliation.

In Dublin, Simon Harris, the Irish prime minister, said: We recognise the state of Palestine, and added the move had powerful symbolic value.

He said recognition was the right thing to do and was a signal of support for the two-state solution.

He added that Gazans were enduring the most appalling hardship and suffering.

Mr Harris said Hamas had nothing to offer and insisted Israel had a right to exist and that recognising Palestine was not an act against it.

In Madrid, Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, put forward the proposal to the Spanish parliament on Wednesday morning.

Pedro Sanchez put forward the proposal to the Spanish parliament on Wednesday - Violeta Santos Moura/REUTERS

Jonas Gahr Stre, the Norwegian prime minister, said: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

He said Norway, which is not an EU country but closely allied to the bloc, would officially recognise a Palestinian state on May 28.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, the Norwegian government leader said.

Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state, he added.

Slovenia and Belgium are also reported to be considering recognising Palestine as part of the push, which has been driven by Dublin and Madrid, but are unlikely to make an announcement on Wednesday.

Frances Emmanuel Macron has said the idea is not a taboo for Paris but has not taken any concrete steps towards joining the alliance of countries.

But the Elysee said on Tuesday that now was not the time.

Joe Biden said that a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations with Israel and not unilateral recognition of it by other countries.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said: The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career.

He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.
The beach in front of the decommissioned Wylfa nuclear power station on Anglesey, seen in 2019. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Ministers have earmarked north Wales as the site of a large-scale nuclear power plant, which is part of plans to resuscitate Britains nuclear power ambitions.

Wylfa on Anglesey (Ynys Mon) has been named as the preferred site for the UKs third major nuclear power plant in a generation, coming after EDFs Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, which is under construction in Somerset, and its Sizewell C nuclear project planned for Suffolk.

The government added that it is already in discussion with major energy companies interested in building a nuclear power plant at Wylfa, which could help the UK reach its goal of sourcing a quarter of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050.

South Koreas state-owned nuclear developer has reportedly held early-stage discussions with Westminster officials about building a multibillion-pound power plant using its APR1400 reactor technology at Wylfa alongside the UK government.

Meanwhile, the American nuclear developer Westinghouse and the construction group Bechtel have also proposed building the plant, using Westinghouses AP1000 reactor technology.

EDF said it was for the government to determine which nuclear reactor type is used at Wylfa but two more of its own reactor units would be the surest choice by building on the skills and experience being developed at Hinkley Point and Sizewell.

Claire Coutinho, the secretary of state for energy security and net zero, said the government was powering ahead with the biggest expansion of nuclear energy in 70 years.

The UK set out a plan to increase Britains nuclear power capacity fourfold to reach 24 gigawatts (GW) by 2050. So far the Hinkley Point project has faced delays and rising costs, and the Sizewell project has yet to make a final investment decision.

Coutinho said: Anglesey has a proud nuclear history and it is only right that, once again, it can play a central role in boosting the UKs energy security. Wylfa would not only bring clean, reliable power to millions of homes  it could create thousands of well-paid jobs and bring investment to the whole of north Wales.

A deal would revive Wylfas nuclear hopes after Japanese developer Hitachi dropped plans to build two reactors on the site in early 2019 because of rising costs, throwing the sites future into doubt.

Tom Greatrex, the chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: A large-scale project at Wylfa would be the single biggest inward investment in Welsh history, and a huge step towards both energy security and net zero for the whole country.

Sue Ferns, the senior deputy general secretary of Prospect union, said: Gigawatt scale new nuclear power stations are vital to hitting net zero and for our energy security. But they also maintain well-paid and highly skilled jobs, meaning this project would be a major boost to the Welsh economy.

Now we need a laser-like focus on delivery of new nuclear to make sure skills and experience are not lost, and costs are reduced as we progress, Ferns said.

The decision on the nuclear developer, and what type of technology should be used at Wylfa, will be made by Great British Nuclear, which was launched with the aim of providing new power stations, including a fleet of small modular reactors.
MEPs from Marine Le Pen's National Rally willl no longer sit with AfD party representatives in European parliament - Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty Images

Marine Le Pens National Rally party has cut ties with Germanys AfD, saying that the hard-Right party has become rudderless and fallen under the sway of radical groups.

The AfD goes from provocation to provocation, she told Europe 1 radio on Monday, after the AfDs lead candidate in the European elections claimed that Nazi SS members were not all criminals.

Now its no longer time to distance ourselves, its time to make a clean break with this movement, Ms Le Pen said. It was urgent to establish a cordon sanitaire.

After the AfDs Maximilian Krah made the remarks in an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica, a top National Rally figure said the hard-Right German party had crossed a line that I see as red.

It means that the two parties, often seen as mirror images of each other in France and Germany, will no longer sit together in the European parliament.

The incident is the latest in a string of embarrassing crises for the AfD, including an espionage scandal  which also involves Mr Krah  and a notorious secret meeting in December where AfD members discussed the mass deportation of immigrants from Germany.

AfD's Maximilian Krah told an Italian newspaper his view on the SS - FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images

AfD officials announced on Wednesday that they had sanctioned Mr Krah, having decided in a crisis meeting to eject him from the executive board and ban him from all campaigning. He will remain as the AfDs lead candidate in the elections, but only on paper.

I am foregoing all appearances and I am resigning from my position on the federal executive board, the disgraced MEP confirmed later on Wednesday. The last thing we need right now is a debate about me. The AfD must maintain its unity.

It comes after Mr Krahs parliamentary aide, Jian Guo, was arrested by German police on charges of spying for China at the European parliament and on Chinese opposition figures within Germany.

Mr Krah, a member of the EU-China friendship group, is himself under preliminary investigation in Germany for receiving suspicious payments from Russia and China.

Prior to the AfDs crisis meeting, party sources told German tabloid Bild that the row with Ms Pens party was the last straw for the beleaguered MEP.

Mr Krah will be asked to resign from his position on the federal executive board on his own initiative, one AfD MP Bundestag told Bild. The bosses are furious.

Mr Krahs deputy, Petr Bystron, has also been banned from campaigning over a separate scandal involving alleged Russian bribes. Both politicians have denied the allegations.

As a result, the AfD will now be heading into the European elections this June with no one at the helm, or as Bilds report described it total kopflos.

Alles fur Deutschland

Earlier this month, another senior AfD figure, Bjorn Hocke, was convicted and fined 13,000 euro (11,000) for using the Nazi SS slogan alles fur Deutschland in a speech in 2021.

Prosecutors argued that Mr Hocke was well aware that he was repeating a phrase used by Adolf Hitlers Sturmabteilung [stormtrooper] division.

In response to the verdict, a bullish Mr Hocke told the court: My impression is that you didnt have the blindfold of justice on your eyes today, Mr Public Prosecutor... you were not looking for moments of exoneration.

Perhaps most controversially, senior AfD members were revealed to have attended a secretive meeting with neo-Nazis and other extremists late last year which had discussed the forced deportation of foreigners from Germany.

A key subject of the meeting was how such a policy would be enforced in Germany, should the AfD form part of the next federal government after elections due to be held late next year.

Despite the controversies, the AfD continues to rank at second place nationwide in Germany at around 17 per cent, behind the centre-right CDU party.

However, in recent months their polling performance has slipped and they could soon be overtaken by Chancellor Olaf Scholzs centre-left SPD, according to analysis by Politico.
Researchers have been calling for governments to address issues between medicinal cannabis use and existing laws, with Victoria announcing its medical cannabis driving trial will not conclude until late 2025. Photograph: AAP

Greens senator and medicinal cannabis user Peter Whish-Wilson said the federal government had a duty to fund research into drug driving impairment levels, as leaders grapple with how to balance existing laws with medicinal THC use.

The joint committee on law enforcement has looked at the challenges and opportunities in tackling the nations drug problem, identifying the mismatch between medicinal cannabis use and existing drug-driving laws as an issue needing to be addressed.

The committee is of the view that cannabis impairment testing is an emerging opportunity for Australia to lead in its commitment to public safety, the cross-party committee said in a report tabled in parliament this week.

To this end the government should support research to develop a comprehensive roadside impairment test for cannabis.

This would assist not only medicinal and cannabis users in jurisdictions where it is legal but also assist law enforcement to more effectively carry out their duty to keep the community safe.

Related: Victorias world-first medical cannabis driving trial to finish in late 2025, disappointing advocates

Whish-Wilson, who has been open about being on the medicinal cannabis scheme to treat debilitating side effects from the shingles virus, said given the scheme was a federal one, the government needed to help states grapple with the necessary law changes.

It really is up to the federal government to show some leadership here and help co-ordinate the approach for a set of national standards, he said.

Its needed urgently, there is no time to wait. The stigma associated with legal users of cannabis on the federal medicinal scheme has led to loss of licences, jobs and livelihoods.

Whish-Wilson said jurisdictions like Washington and California in the United States had set a precedent in changing existing drug laws to ensure medicinal cannabis users were not discriminated against and Australia, through a national approach to state and territory law, could do the same.

Australian researchers have been calling for governments to address issues between medicinal cannabis use and existing laws, with questions over whether existing drug-driving laws can be relied upon as an accurate measure of driver impairment.

With medicinal cannabis becoming a more acceptable therapeutical treatment and cannabis now decriminalised to varying degrees in the ACT, the Northern Territory and South Australia, attention is turning to Australias existing driving laws and whether they are fit for purpose.

THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, can remain present in the body for long periods of time, without on-going impact.

While attempts have been made to address the emerging issues, it remains illegal in most states to have any trace of THC in a drivers system, meaning medicinal cannabis users risk their licence when they get behind the wheel.

The former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said in February 2023 that reforming drug-driving laws for medicinal users was a priority but the Allan government this week confirmed its medical cannabis driving trial would not conclude until late 2025.

Roadside saliva drug tests are used to detect THC, as well as methamphetamine and MDMA, to determine which drivers are subject to a further lab test to confirm the initial findings.

Current tests only confirm an illicit drug is present, not impairment effects, unlike roadside alcohol tests which measure the blood alcohol concentration.

The parliamentary committee notes that, as more states make moves towards decriminalising cannabis, issues arising from a lack of impairment testing will likely increase.

The committee only examined decriminalisation in relation to law enforcement challenges and the need for investment in health and education services to have the necessary resources to help treat people with addiction issues.

If a jurisdiction decides to pursue decriminalisation, additional resources for the health and education responses are essential, the committee found, adding that progression towards decriminalisation hadnt come with increased investments in those jurisdictions.

The committee said the ACTs move to decriminalisation of the possession of small amounts of drugs would provide a useful case study in the Australian environment and recommended the Australian Institute of Criminology analyse the impacts.

The committee, chaired by Tasmanian Labor senator Helen Polley, also contained members of the Coalition and the Greens.
Nikki Haley speaks at the Hudson Institute in Washington on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

Nikki Haley, who emerged as Donald Trumps most enduring rival and trenchant critic during the Republican primary elections, has said she intends to vote for the former US president in November.

Haley was speaking at the Hudson Institute thinktank in Washington on Wednesday, her first public appearance since dropping out of the race in March. She was asked whether Joe Biden or Trump would do a better job on national security issues.

The former ambassador to the UN and South Carolina governor ran through a list of priorities when choosing a president, ranging from the need to back allies and hold enemies to account, to supporting capitalism and freedom while reducing the national debt.

Related: Another provocative flag flown at Samuel Alito residence, report says

Trump has not been perfect on these policies, Haley said. I have made that clear many, many times. But Biden has been a catastrophe. So I will be voting for Trump.

The 52-year-old added by way of caveat: Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech. Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that theyre just going to be with him. And I genuinely hope he does that.

Haley joins the US Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, the former attorney general William Barr and Chris Sununu, the New Hampshire governor, in the ranks of one-time Trump foes who will nevertheless support him as the party nominee.

During a bruising primary campaign, she said Trump had lost any sort of political viability, showed moral weakness and is thin-skinned and easily distracted. She argued that America needs to move on from his chaos. Trump fired back and recently dismissed reports that he might consider Haley as his running mate.

Haleys U-turn provoked a swift backlash. Sarah Longwell, a political strategist and publisher of the conservative Bulwark website, tweeted: So when Nikki Haley said, It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. She really meant, he can treat me and my voters like garbage and Ill still fall in line and support him.

Joe Walsh, an ex-Republican congressman, added: This isnt complicated: Nikki Haley believes Trump is unfit. And she believes he should never be back in the White House. But if she said that publicly, her career as a Republican would be over. So, as expected, she decided to not be truthful. To keep her career as a Republican.

Although she dropped out of the primaries in early March, Haley has continued to draw up to 20% in the contests, a clear warning sign for Trumps campaign. The former president has dismissed the idea of trying to appeal to Haleys voters, where Biden said in Atlanta this weekend: Let me say, theres always going to be a place for Haley voters in my campaign.

Trump has also been endorsed by former Republican primary opponents including Doug Burgum, the North Dakota governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, and the South Carolina senator Tim Scott.

Earlier in the event at the Hudson Institute, attended by several foreign ambassadors, Haley was fiercely critical of far right Republicans who favour America first isolationism, though she did not mention Trump by name. She praised the House speaker Mike Johnson for pushing aid for Israel and Ukraine through Congress.

A growing number of Democrats and Republicans have forgotten what makes America safe, she said. A loud part of each party wants us to abandon our allies, appease our enemies and focus only on the problems we have at home.

They believe if we leave the world alone, the world will leave us alone. They even say ignoring global chaos will somehow make our country more secure. It will not. This worldview has already put America in great danger and the threat is mounting by the day.
An Nvidia HGX H100 server at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on 5 June 2023. Photograph: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Nvidia reported record quarterly revenue Wednesday on the back of the explosion in corporate appetite for artificial intelligence.

The next industrial revolution has begun  companies and countries are partnering with Nvidia  to produce a new commodity: artificial intelligence, said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia.

The company brought in $26bn in revenue in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, up 18% from Q4 and up 262% from a year ago. Net profit was $14.88bn, up from $2bn a year before.

The AI chip maker, whose fortunes are interpreted as a bellwether for the AI transformation under way, reported earnings per share were $5.98, up 21% from the previous quarter and up 629% from a year ago. Investors had expected revenue of $24.65bn and earnings per share of $5.59, according to CNBC. The company also announced it would split its stock, currently trading at $962, 10-for-one on 7 June.

Investors had been anticipating another blockbuster set of financial results, but they also wanted to see that spending by big tech on Nvidias chips was as impressive as they anticipated. And it was.

Nvidia defies gravity again as AI companies globally continue to depend on its chips, networking hardware and its software ecosystem, said eMarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

Bourne said the tech giants public praise of Nvidia was a telltale sign of its dominance, and that they want to reduce their dependence on the company but realize theyre not quite there yet.

Tech giants Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft have all signaled they plan to spend $200bn this year on chips and data centers needed to train and operate their AI systems. Apple has said it will announce its AI strategy next month. Nvidia is seen as the leading provider of chips best-suited to powering AI.

The company has gained more than $1.1tn in value this year alone. At the end of 2022, Nvidia was worth $359bn. Now, halfway through 2024, its worth $2.33tn. Thats only $500bn less than Apple and $900bn less than Microsoft, the two most valuable companies based in the US.

The chipmakers earnings announcement has become one of the most important events on the macro calendar, according to Deutsche Bank strategist Henry Allen.

Analysts are warning that no stock goes in a straight line up forever. Nvidias price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is at a massive 79.95-to-one. For contrast, Microsoft is at 36, and Apple 29. But Nvidia is also making nearly $0.50 on every dollar in sales in bottom-line net income.

Can it keep up with demand? Nvidias chips are now so hotly desired theyre delivered by armored car. On Tuesday, its stock dropped 5% after Amazon, a major customer, told the Financial Times it was waiting on orders for Nvidias new superchip, Blackwell.

Theres also the question of China. In line with the Biden administrations crackdown on Chinese-made electric vehicles, the administration has denied the company from selling its highest-end semiconductors in China.

Dan Ives at Wedbush Securities says that investors will be listening closely to AI godfather Jensen when he speaks after the results are reported. The AI revolution starts with Nvidia, and in our view, the AI party is just getting started with the popcorn getting ready, he says.
Prison populations are suffering an overcrowding crisis

Criminals could be released from jail after serving only 43 per cent of their sentences under plans being considered to tackle the prison overcrowding crisis.

No 10 and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are discussing the proposals to reduce the time that convicted offenders spend in jail as a way to avoid running out of places in prison.

Prisoners serving standard fixed-term sentences are currently automatically released on licence after serving half of their sentences.

The move would effectively bake earlier release dates into the criminal justice system, offering a medium-term solution to the overcrowding crisis, which has seen the number of spare places in male prisons dip below 300. It would affect about 42,000 prisoners serving sentences of under four years.

Ministers see the option as politically more palatable than the current plan to scrap most prison sentences under 12 months amid a revolt by more than 50 Tory MPs over what they claim is soft justice.

The 43 per cent proposal would instead mean that courts could still jail such offenders but for a shorter length of time.

Ministers believe that it would mean they could scrap the current early release scheme, which comes into force from Thursday and allows criminals to be released up to 70 days before the end of their prison sentence.

There are fears that this will only give the MoJ a couple of months of breathing space before prisons fill up again.

The Sentencing Bill, which contained the plan to scrap short sentences, has been on hold since last year when it was first unveiled.

A source said: We are coming to a point where we cannot use ad hoc early release as a way to deal with overcrowding. Reducing the time for standard determinate sentences from 50 per cent to 43 per cent would be a way of embedding it in the system.

An MoJ spokesman said: We are exploring all options to make sure the Bill achieves its aims and will consider amendments in the usual way.

It came as the Metropolitan Police revealed that it had refused to follow advice to chief constables to make fewer arrests because prisons are running out of spaces to accommodate suspects.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, is said to be furious about the advice by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to consider pausing non-priority arrests and suspend operations that could trigger large numbers of arrests because of overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales.

It is understood that Sir Mark feels the advice crossed a line where police forces should be free to arrest suspects whom they believe to be a threat to public safety without any interference.

The move would affect about 42,000 prisoners serving sentences of under four years - APS (UK)/Alamy Stock Photo

In a sign of the anger over the move, Dame Lynne Owens, the forces deputy commissioner, said that it would never agree to pausing arrests and would always make the protection of the public their top priority.

The advice was issued by the NPCC last week at the same time as the MoJ was forced to order delays in bail hearings by magistrates to avoid increasing the number of criminal suspects being remanded into custody.

Andy Cooke, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, has called for a royal commission to come up with reforms to a dysfunctional and defective criminal justice system.

The police operate as part of a wider criminal justice system which is dysfunctional and defective. The parlous state of the wider system significantly hampers the polices efficiency and effectiveness, he said.

In its 2019 manifesto, the Government pledged to establish the Royal Commission for the Criminal Justice System. If anything, the arguments in its favour are stronger now than they were then.
Roy Cross in his studio: in the Second World War, he had worked as a technical illustrator for Fairey Aviation

Roy Cross, who has died the day after his 100th birthday, captured the imagination of generations of young boys as the principal artist for Airfix during the model kits heyday in the 1960s and 1970s.

His paintings, reproduced on the cardboard box lid or bag-tag, went beyond a simple guide to which paint colours to use, and injected an air of romance and jeopardy  a Lancaster limping home with engines aflame against mackerel skies; a Fokker triplane plunging from a queasy angle in a dogfight; a Short Sunderland flying boat above bomb-churned seas. Cross expressed speed with liberal use of whoosh!-style white lines.

By 1971 Airfix was Britains leading toy manufacturer, and Crosss illustrations promised all the swashbuckling adventure of a Commando magazine to children who had feverishly saved up their pocket money, and might have been daunted when they tore open their kits to be confronted with cryptic sheets of plastic pieces.

One of Cross's best known Airfix box-lid images, of the Avro Lancaster - Courtesy of family

The Top Gear presenter James May recalled, aged nine, the pants-wetting excitement induced by Crosss boxes: The picture means that when you start making the model youre in that scene; it isnt little bits of plastic, its a real aeroplane and youre flying it and there really are bandits at three oclock trying to shoot you down. Based on the sheer amount of time schoolboys spent thinking about Airfix artwork, May reckoned Cross the most influential British artist of the 20th century.

Cross had suggested himself to Airfix in 1963, having seen their bagged kits in Woolworths, and he knew he could do better. During the Second World War he had worked as a technical illustrator for Fairey Aviation, and Airfix would draw on his expertise for more than the artwork: Cross also advised on the moulding of the Airfix Spitfire  a bestseller  after extensive correspondence with Beverley Shenstone, the aerodynamicist behind the Spitfires unique elliptical wing shape.

Vintage Years Of Airfix Box Art

Cross went on to illustrate more than 200 kits for Airfix, including ships, cars, tanks and military vehicles, railway engines and even space rockets, until the work petered out in 1973 when the oil crisis drove up the cost of plastic. He then turned to marine art, and was noted for the accuracy of his paintings of historical vessels.

From the late 1970s Airfix began to reissue Crosss art , but in increasingly anodyne form, airbrushing out the bombs and bullets that had appealed to young boys in the first place. Its completely sanitised, he said, and [takes] all the excitement away, as well as spoiling my original painting. More recently, Airfix have returned to his vision.

Cross's painting of the 'ship to ship' duel between the American heavy frigate Constitution and the less powerful HMS Guerriere in 1812 - Courtesy of family

He was born in Camberwell, south London, on April 23 1924, to John and Ethel Cross, and spent his summers with his aunt Nell in Hertfordshire, where on rainy days he would study her books on Constable, Turner, Frederick Leighton and Alma-Tadema.

This was the golden age of aviation. Young Roy recalled being taken at the age of 12 to the de Havilland airfield at Hatfield and poring over the exploits of airmen and women, celebrated in childrens magazines such as Popular Flying, edited by Capt W E Johns, creator of Biggles. In 1938, Johns politely declined 14-year-old Roys submission of a three-view plan of a Nieuport Scout biplane.

By that point, having attended Reay Central School in Stockwell, Roy had joined the Air Defence Cadet Corps (later renamed the Air Training Corps), and was attached to No 343 Camberwell Squadron, and promoted to Cadet Flight Sergeant. His draughtsmanship had won him commissions for technical aircraft drawings from the Air Training Corps Gazette, and he was his squadrons lecturer on aircraft recognition. With invasion by the Germans seemingly imminent, he recalled his NCOs command to go down fighting and take one with you, lad.

A 1967 Heinkel HE177 illustration by Cross - Alamy

Cross left school in 1940, before his 16th birthday. His poor eyesight meant he could not enlist as aircrew, so he took work at a Thameside shipping office, where seeing the barges and the last of the sailing coasters gave him a lifelong love of sea and ships.

By 1942 his pamphlet on US Army aircraft in use by the RAF was in wide circulation, and Cross was given Air Ministry accreditation to join press trips to RAF airfields. James Hay Stevens, an older ATC Gazette contributor whom Cross idolised, recommended him for a job at Fairey Aviation in the technical publications department. He went on to illustrate Air Force maintenance books, pilots manuals and his first book  The Birth of the Royal Air Force by Air Commodore J A Chamier  as well as contributing to journals.

After the war, he joined a commercial art studio and became an initiate in the what he called the mysteries of the de Vilbis airbrush; he later attended two art colleges. In 1951 he produced a Morris Minor owners manual and diagrams of the new Routemaster bus to help staff with maintenance.

More Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art

The boom in civilian aviation brought work at The Aeroplane and other magazines, through which he got to meet his aviation heroes, including the aces Douglas Bader and Robert Stanford Tuck, and Joseph Smith, the driving force behind the Spitfire programme at Supermarine.

Crosss 28 colour paintings of famous civil aircraft for the Shell-Mex book Know Your Airliners allowed him to break out of technical drawings and into colour advertisements, which were easier to do and more lucrative.

As Britains aviation industry declined, he reinvented himself as a car artist, like his illustration hero Frank Wootton, and in 1962 he did a series of motoring covers for the boys comic Eagle, with aviation covers for Swift. His first order from Airfix was for artwork for a Dornier Do 217.

As a marine painter, he had many one-man shows and sold his work through a fine art gallery in Pall Mall.

Celebration of Flight

He illustrated many books, including The Jet Aircraft of the World (with William Green, 1955) and Spitfire (with Gerald Scarborough, 1971), and his work was the subject of several others, including Celebration of Flight: The Aviation Art of Roy Cross (with Arthur Ward, 2002), Celebration of Sail (2004), and Airfix: The Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art (with Arthur Ward, 2009).

He was one of the founding members in 1954 of the Society of Aviation Artists, and was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Artists in 1977.

His passions, apart from his art, were frequent changes of car (wish I could drive them all), and cream cakes.

His wife Rita, whom he married in 1952, died in 1985. Their son survives him.

Roy Cross, born April 23 1924, died April 24 2024
The Russian defence ministry's footage showed Iskander missile systems moving into position in a wooded area for the test launch

The Russian defence ministry's footage showed Iskander missile systems moving into position in a wooded area for the test launch

Russia is rehearsing a nuclear attack on Ukraine, broadcasting footage of military drills close to the border between the two countries.

The Russian defence ministry published footage showing vehicles moving into position in a wooded area for the test launch, which was ordered by Vladimir Putin, Russias president, two weeks ago.

Troops can be seen readying mobile Iskander missile systems  which are capable of delivering strikes with both nuclear and conventional rockets.

As the rocket emerges from one of the launchers, its warhead, claimed by Moscow to be a special purpose warhead, is notably blurred by censors to obscure the tip.

Details of the nuclear programme are closely guarded but the move to blur the warhead was described by analysts as theatrical.

In the exercises, a Mig-31 bomber can also be seen being readied with a hypersonic Kinzhal missile, which can be armed with a nuclear warhead, in the state-released footage.

The Kremlin said the exercises were in response to escalatory comments by British and French officials, who have endorsed the use of Western weapons to hit targets in mainland Russia.

Experts said the exercises were designed as a reminder of Russias threat to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Nuclear threat is a paper tiger

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, said: This is more bluff and bluster. Putin used the prospect of a nuclear battle early on when the West rightly ignored it.

This is another indication that Russias tactical nuclear threat is a paper tiger and should be treated as such.

It is most likely that the warhead is not a nuclear one  we know they have had to use many Islanker missiles to launch conventional ones as they run out.

Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies, told The New York Times: Its transparently an effort at nuclear coercion.

Theyve even blurred the warhead on the Iskander ballistic missiles, which seems unnecessary but theatrical.

Putin has repeatedly raised the prospect of the conflict turning nuclear, usually in an effort to deter Western military support for Kyiv.

Senior Nato officials have previously disregarded his comments as psychological intimidation rather than real intentions.

Mircea Geoana, Natos deputy secretary-general, added in March: We do not see any imminent threat of Russia using these weapons. But these statements are in themselves very dangerous, because they erode trust. Russia knows the consequences of taking such a step.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping recently met in Beijing - Getty

The US has questioned a claim by the UK that Russia and China are working together on combat equipment to be used in Ukraine.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said on Wednesday that the two countries were collaborating on lethal aid for Moscow to use in its war against Kyiv.

He told a defence conference in London: An axis of authoritarian states led by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have escalated and fuelled conflicts and tensions.

They have increasingly been working together, he said. And today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine.

However, the claim was quickly disputed by Jake Sullivan, Joe Bidens national security adviser.

Asked about Mr Shapps speech at the daily White House press briefing, Mr Sullivan replied: We have not seen that to date. I look forward to speaking with the UK to make sure that we have a common operating picture.

In his speech, Mr Shapps said that the surge in trade between the two nations since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, and Vladimir Putins recent state visit to Beijing showed that the countries were covering each others back.

Chinas embassy in the US said last month that it had not provided any weapons to Russia, adding that it is not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis.

Grant Shapps fears Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine - stolenoranges / King's College London/PA

Mr Shapps said in his speech that the world needed to wake up to the growing threats to the West.

He later added that lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine, I think it is a significant development.

He did not provide further evidence to support his assertion.

The US has previously accused China of helping Russia with technology that has been used on the battlefield in Ukraine, but stopped short of saying that Beijing was directly supplying arms.

Provide critical components

Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said on a visit to China last month that there was no evidence of China selling weapons.

What China is doing, or what some of its enterprises are doing, is to provide critical components for Russias defence industrial base, things like machine tools, microelectronics and optics, he said.

Mr Shapps added that he would make the unambiguous case for all Nato countries to boost their defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent at the blocs summit in Washington DC in July.

The current Nato standard stands at two per cent, but only 11 of the alliances 32 members reached that target last year.

However, last month the UK committed to boosting its defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030.

The Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
American actress and comedian Roseanne Barr took to social media today to share her excitement about receiving a gun signed by former President Donald Trump as a gift.

In a video post, Trump can be seen signing a firearm before delivering a personal message to Barr:

"We love your roseanne, we love you; I'm signing this especially for you, and we love everything you represent. Keep fighting. Thank you.



While Trump did sign the weapon, It is unclear who actually purchased or owns the firearm.

Barr expressed her gratitude in the caption, writing,

I believe our forefathers (and foremothers) envisioned this very moment when they wrote the Second Amendment. I can't wait for my Trump gun!

Barr previously voiced her support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in a June 2016 The Hollywood Reporter interview.

"I think we would be so lucky if Trump won. Because then it wouldn't be Hillary," she said at the time.
HMP Wandsworth

Perhaps we should force some of our politicians to live in terraced houses or council flats in the roughest parts of Britain.

Theyd discover the terror of seeing lads racing about on stolen mopeds with shotguns and machetes. The misery of trying to live, never mind raise children, amid the stench of cannabis or thumping drum and bass. Theyd experience life under siege from drug-dealing gangs and anti-social yobs.

Some shifts at the big out-of-town warehouse would expose them to the impact of the bike they use to get there being stolen, or the local bus route being suspended yet again because of persistent crime and disorder.

Working in a convenience store they would come face-to-face with the abuse, threats and violence that accompanies the shoplifting epidemic.

They could do some shifts in a cafe to find out what its like when beggars and pickpockets descend to target customers. They could learn how to cajole aggressive vagrants off the doorstep, wash away the bodily fluids often left behind, and stop them from shooting up in the loo.

Perhaps then, they might not be so complacent about the prime duty of government that was so well-articulated by the late Baroness Thatcher: to protect the citizen as he goes about his lawful business.

Alas, the elites of Britain tend not to have such antecedents. Consider the new memo from a police quango  the National Police Chiefs Council  advising police forces to make fewer arrests.

The lunacy of such a statement should be blindingly obvious to everyone. For those senior officers who have never felt comfortable policing, it may be music to their ears: an opportunity to refocus their forces on developing community cookbooks or preparing a new dance routine to celebrate the latest fashionable cause.

But for the growing number of chiefs intent on turning their forces around and for their crime-fighting colleagues, its another misguided missive best filed in the shredder.

You dont make a country safer by arresting fewer people  nor by releasing dangerous prisoners early. As it stands, the 670,000 arrests last year remains barely half what it was in 2010.

The Governments failure to confront the crisis is testimony to a lack of political will on the part of our political elites and the routine lack of seriousness on the part of officialdom that we have witnessed in other critical areas, such as pandemic preparedness.

Too many politicians and officials are more comfortable presiding over the managed decline of the status quo while awaiting their next promotion or retirement, than they are rolling their sleeves up, owning a problem, and solving it to the satisfaction of the public. If they were serious, they wouldnt have been covering precious prison real estate with ground-mounted solar panels, theyd have been keeping the space free for new wings.

Too many of our politicians and institutions havent just forgotten the first duty of government and what the misery of crime is, theyve also forgotten who they are supposed to serve.

It shouldnt be about serving themselves, the sector or vulnerable offenders. No, they should be serving the law-abiding majority of the public who, entirely reasonably, want to see crimes prevented, criminals detected, and punitive sentences handed out.

And those hoping a Labour administration will be magically different are likely to be disappointed.

Judging by his decision to take the knee in solidarity with the ideology behind Black Lives Matters, we can expect Keir Starmer to favour the politics of social justice over the importance of criminal justice.

If our elites and those in Whitehall were less sheltered and comfortable, or maybe just more principled and courageous, the prison crisis would be an opportunity to force through popular measures and win back public trust.

Just weeks ago the Prime Minister addressed the nation and called on voters to ask the question who do you trust to keep the country safe?. Yet Rishi Sunak is planning to release prisoners early and legislating to abolish short prison sentences for most criminals. Voters should ask themselves the question Sunak posed. But without a serious change of direction, he is unlikely to survive the answer.
The consortium of headteachers is made up of 20 out of the city's 24 primary schools in St Albans - E+/SOLSTOCK

St Albans is attempting to become the first British city to go smartphone-free for children under the age of 14.

A consortium of head teachers in the Hertfordshire city has written to parents asking them to delay buying high-tech devices for their children amid fears of damaging their mental health and academic success.

The consortium, made up of 20 out of the citys 24 primary schools, wrote: We encourage all parents to delay giving children a smartphone until they reach the age of 14, opting instead for a text/call phone alternative if necessary.

As head teachers, we have committed to promoting our own schools as smartphone-free. We believe we can all work together across St Albans and join the growing movement across the country to change the normal age that children are given smartphones.

The parents were urged to work together with a wide network of parents and schools to reset the expectation from children who felt they were entitled to have smartphones.

The move follows numerous studies which suggest students who do not have mobile phones achieve higher grades at school compared to those who have them. It also follows research that has shown children as young as five are being given the devices.

Smartphone Free Campaign

The letter follows the increasingly popular Smartphone Free Childhood campaign which has been challenging how teachers and parents view the devices.

Earlier this year, Meta enraged many parents when it lowered the minimum age for Whatsapp users from 16 to 13 in the UK and EU.

Smartphone Free Childhood said the decision flew in the face of the growing national demand for big tech to do more to protect our children.

The consortiums letter explains: We understand the importance of being able to contact your child as they become more independent, walking to and from school, in order to give you peace of mind and for children to be able to call in emergencies.

Childrens phones do not need to have access to the internet in order for you to keep them safe, however.

The use of smartphones is now a feature of daily life for most adults and over the last few years, the age at which children are given their first smartphone has dropped significantly.

We know that in our schools some children as young as Key Stage 1 have smartphones.

Not an overnight success

Justine Elbourne-Cload, the executive head teacher of Cunningham Hill schools, told the BBC: We understand this is not going to be an overnight success.

But we think its going to be something that grows over the next few years. There has been such a positive response that we think this is really starting to take hold around St Albans.

Ms Elbourne-Cload, who is also the co-chairman of the St Albans Primary Schools Consortium, admitted that some parents may resist the pleas to hold off giving children smartphones.

There will always be parents who dont agree for whatever reasons, she added. Were trying to change the culture and were trying to change the expected norms.

The head teacher said pupils had joined Whatsapp groups only to be bombarded with pornography and other inappropriate material.

In February, Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, promoted new government guidance to prohibit mobile phone use during the school day.
Fani Willis attends a hearing on the Georgia election interference case in Atlanta in March. Photograph: Alex Slitz/Reuters

Fani Willis, the Fulton county district attorney overseeing Georgias expansive criminal case against Donald Trump and his allies for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, has won her Democratic primary bid for re-election with nearly 90% of the vote.

Willis and Judge Scott McAfee  who won his primary election on Tuesday  are central figures in the prosecution against the former president and associates in his orbit accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Willis will now face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in November. With her high name recognition, the advantages of incumbency and a hefty fundraising haul, Williss victory in the primary was not terribly surprising.

Related: Georgia will allow Trump to challenge order keeping Fani Willis on election interference case

The most prominent  and sweeping  charge handed down in an indictment by a grand jury in August 2023 alleged Trump and 18 co-defendants violated Georgias racketeering law in a criminal conspiracy to unlawfully change the results of the election.

Trump allies, including the attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, were also charged with forgery in connection with their efforts to send false pro-Trump electors to represent swing states that had in fact elected Joe Biden.

Williss role in pursuing the most comprehensive prosecution against Trump has drawn her intense scrutiny. In March, the prosecutor who Willis hired to lead the case, Nathan Wade, resigned after revelations about a romantic relationship between him and Willis threatened to derail the prosecution.

Last week, the Georgia court of appeals agreed to consider an appeal from Trumps defense seeking to toss Willis from the case amid the allegations of unethical conduct.

Amid the prosecution, Willis has also faced a barrage of threats and harassment. In May, a California resident was charged with threatening to injure Willis for her role in prosecuting Trump and his allies.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
The Museum of London - Robert Evans / Alamy Stock Photo

Amid the gleaming towers that dominate the City of London, Bastion House stands like an awkward, unfashionable cousin. Some argue its a relic of 1970s planning  harsh on the eye and out of step with the rounded spaces and slanted walls of todays architecture. But we should cherish it, and the adjacent building, which previously housed the Museum of London, while we can. For both are to be demolished after two years of consultation  and I, like many locals, am apoplectic with rage.

Firstly, the condemned buildings possess an austere beauty, and have, if anything, improved with age. Ive only ever viewed the Bastion from the outside, but the Museum of London was a wonder; it was as though its quirky configuration were designed to accommodate the museums narrative. Both buildings were designed by Powell & Moya, located at 140-150 London Wall and completed in 1976. They look honest and no-nonsense; they celebrate structure; they have an authority that commands attention.

Theres also the fact that these buildings feel like the last men standing in an increasingly eurocentric London, where bright colours and amoebic structures suggest you could be in Barcelona or Malmo. I remember the comfort of the raw grey towers of my childhood, as they stood impassive in the face of lashing rain. Those monoliths, such as the Peter Robinson store in the Strand and the old Daily Mirror building at Holborn Circus, now feel like images in a half-remembered magic-lantern show.

Its hard not to see this latest development as part of the war against modernist architecture  a movement that people have often failed to understand. If you take modernism in more general terms, its generally admired, whether or not its loved. Indeed, so entrenched are the developments in Western culture that took place from the early 1920s onwards that it sometimes feels as though we havent really moved on.

For instance, were still beholden to the literary influence of T S Eliot, Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. Our concert halls still fill when orchestras play Stravinsky and Prokofiev. As for visual art, Picasso remains the highest-grossing artist of all time.

The Alexandra Road estate in Camden, north London - UrbanImages / Alamy Stock Photo

Yet, with architecture, were much choosier, probably because its the only art form that affects everyone. We appreciate only a few big names, and theyre the ones such as Le Corbusier who werent designing buildings with an obvious social purpose  and thus our appreciation remains purely aesthetic. Certainly the British public prefer it that way; what annoys people is when architects are seen to intervene in public life.

I suspect that a lot of the negativity is linked to a general hatred of 1960s urban development, which many see as a concreting-over of the nations soul, with the working-class dispatched into the skies. These tower blocks, supposed signs of local-authority bounty, were tarnished by some impractical quirks of layout that fostered criminality. The unzipping of the Canning Town tower block Ronan Point in 1968, caused by a gas explosion, resulted in four deaths and entrenched the detestation in peoples minds.

Yet theres so much in our post-war architecture to be celebrated. Tower blocks brought their problems, both structural and social, but many buildings of that period had a true purpose, a design for living that has never been bettered. I remember being deeply envious of a colleague who lived on the Alexandra Road estate in Camden, north London, in the late 1990s. Here was a brutalist environment to put a smile on your face: step inside and you were greeted with an airy, capacious dream of a flat, with seemingly limitless space.

An RAF band performing at the Bull Ring Centre, Birmingham - Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Nor should we underestimate civic pride. A friend who grew up poor in Birmingham once told me how enthused her parents were when they saw the Bull Ring Centre for the first time, and how sad they were when this beacon of all that was modern and vital about our second city was demolished. They felt as though there had been a loss of faith from the wider world in something theyd once held dear.

I feel the same way about Bastion House and the Museum of London (which, as an institution, will move slightly west to Smithfield Market, and reopen in 2026). I dont mind the new plans for offices by Sheppard Robson and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with its sci-fi curves and leafy plazas, but they do jar horribly with the rhythms of the Barbican complex. And I cant help wondering whether retrofitting the existing buildings could have saved a lot of pain  not to mention carbon, the release of which will be caused by the rebuild.

But my ire goes beyond practicalities. I realise that London is constantly uprooting its past in the name of progress. Yet the city has also been good at preserving shards of its heritage. This development is drastic, and whats more, its ironic. The Twentieth-Century Society has described the Museum of London as the first post-war museum to be built in London and the largest urban history museum in the world. With the demolition of this building, we are demolishing part of the history that it promoted.
Watch: Woman shocked to find out she was six months pregnant - despite no bump or symptoms

A mum has revealed her shock at discovering she was six months pregnant as she had no bump and had continued to have her period.

Lily Somerton, 21, a support worker, from King's Lynn, Norfolk, had no symptoms to indicate she was expecting and had maintained her size 8 figure.

It was only when she felt her stomach move while lying down, in April earlier this year, that she recognised the feeling from her previous pregnancy and took a test to be sure.

The test was positive, so Lily immediately booked in for a scan to be told she was already 24 weeks into the pregnancy.

Doctors explained she was experiencing a cryptic pregnancy - when a person doesn't know they're expecting a baby.

Lily Somerton was shocked to find out she was six months pregnant after having no bump and continuing to have periods, pictured with partner Ashley Davis. (Lily Somerton/SWNS) ((Lily Somerton/SWNS))

Lily has been told she may not grow a bump for the remainder of her pregnancy but her baby boy - due in July 2024 - is healthy.

Recalling the surprising moment she felt her baby move for the first time Lily says: "I was lying on the bed and I saw my belly move.

"I did a test and it was positive.

"I went for a scan and they said I was 24 weeks."

Lily describes freezing when she was told the news. "How was I so far along?"

"It was surreal," she continues.

"I still had my periods."

Lily fell pregnant with her first son, now 19 months, unexpectedly when she missed a period.

She gave birth to him in October 2022 weighing 8lbs 10oz.

Lily only discovered she was pregnant after feeling her baby move. (Lily Somerton/SWNS) ((Lily Somerton/SWNS))

After splitting from the father of her first child's in 2022, Lily met her current partner, Ashley Davis, 35, in April 2023.

Sadly, Lily lost her dad, Wayne, 51, to throat cancer, in November 2023 - just five days before her 21st birthday.

The mum went out to celebrate her special birthday having no ideas she was already seven days pregnant.

It wasn't until April 2024 - when she was six months into her pregnancy - that Lily discovered she was experiencing a cryptic pregnancy.

"I'd never heard of it," she explains.

"But of course I was keen to know he was OK."

Lily, with her first son and her late father Wayne Somerton, 51. (Lily Somerton/SWNS) ((Lily Somerton/SWNS))

After getting over the shock of finding out she was expecting another baby, Lily is excited to give her son a baby brother.

"It's been the easiest pregnancy," she adds.

"Ashley didn't believe if for ages."

As well as not having any symptoms, Lily says not having a bump also has its advantages.

"I didnt like having a big bump during my last pregnancy," she explains.

"I felt massive but I wasn't.

"It's not a bad thing not to have a massive bump."

What is a cryptic pregnancy?

Megan Rossiter, birth educator, founder of Birth-ed and expert at The Baby Show says a cryptic pregnancy is when a woman is unaware of her pregnancy for many months, sometimes not even until labour.

While rare, it isn't as uncommon as you might think, affecting up to 1:2500 pregnancies (according to a study published in The BMJ.

Dr Vanessa Mackay, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), previously told Yahoo UK there are two kinds of unknown pregnancies; a concealed and a denied pregnancy.

"A concealed pregnancy is one in which a woman knows that she is pregnant, but doesnt tell anyone, while a denied pregnancy is when a woman is unaware of, or unable to accept, the fact that she is pregnant," she said.

How can you be pregnant without a bump?

Although it is unusual to have an entirely flat abdomen in pregnancy, Rossiter says all women carry their bumps differently.

"For those with strong abdominal muscles or for some plus size women, a bump may be less noticeable or may be attributed to weight gain or bloating," she explains.

Women who have a long abdomen, may have more space for their uterus to develop upwards rather than outwards which may give the appearance of a smaller bump.

"The female pelvis and abdomen is well designed to accommodate an enlarging uterus," Meg Wilson, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at London Gynaecology previously told Yahoo UK.

"As the uterus gets bigger with a developing pregnancy, the loops of bowel which fill the abdomen are pushed upwards and out to the sides.

Your bump could also be influenced by the size of your growing baby. "Some babies may be very small (growth restricted) which means they do not take up much space," Wilson continues.

What about periods?

Some women assume they cant be pregnant because they continue to have what seem like periods. But it is possible to bleed while pregnant.

"Vaginal bleeding is relatively common during pregnancy," explains Dr Mackay. "In the first few weeks, when the embryo plants itself in the wall of the womb, women may experience light bleeding called spotting, which often happens around the time a period would have been due."

Rossiter says women who dont usually have regular periods, who are on birth control or in perimenopause may also not notice the change in menstrual cycle as unusual; or some women may continue to experience bleeding of some kind during a cryptic pregnancy.

Bleeding can also be caused by changes in the cervix as a result of pregnancy, or a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, however, many women who bleed at this stage go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.

Additional reporting SWNS.

Parenting: Read more
22 May 2024 at 3:45 am

Paula Vennells is set to be questioned under oath at the Horizon IT inquiry.

She is due to be quizzed on her role in the Horizon scandal after more than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015.

Here is a timeline of key events from the scandal:

 1999

The Horizon IT system starts to be rolled out in Post Office branches across the UK.

Alan Bates, former subpostmaster and founder, Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (Lucy North/PA)

 2000

Alan Bates reports issues with the Horizon IT system.

 2003

Alan Bates has his contract terminated after refusing to accept liability for the shortfalls in the accounts at his Llandudno branch in North Wales.

 2004

Lee Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch. He was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

 2009

Computer Weekly magazine breaks the story of seven subpostmasters beginning their fight for justice.

The Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance is established.

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells is due to start giving evidence (Jeremy Durkin/PA)

 2010

Pregnant subpostmaster Seema Misra, who ran a Post Office in West Byfleet, Surrey, is jailed after being accused of stealing 74,000.

 2012

Paula Vennells becomes chief executive of the Post Office.

 2015

Post Office boss Paula Vennells tells the business select committee that there is no evidence of miscarriages of justice.

Post Office halts prosecutions of subpostmasters.

 2017

Legal action is launched against the Post Office by a group of 555 subpostmasters.

Fujitsu has apologised to postmasters wrongfully convicted due to flaws in its Horizon IT software (Andrew Matthews/PA)

 2019

A High Court judge rules that Horizon contained a number of bugs, errors and defects and there was a material risk that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were caused by the system.

The Post Office agreed to pay out 58 million to the 555 subpostmasters.

Post Office boss Paula Vennells is made a CBE.

 2020

The Post Office does not oppose 44 appeals against convictions of subpostmasters.

 2021

A statutory inquiry looking into the failings of the Horizon system and the wrongful convictions of subpostmasters begins.

The Court of appeal quashes 39 wrongful crown court convictions.

Subpostmasters were wrongfully convicted (Tom Pilgrim/PA)

 2023

The Government announces that every wrongly convicted subpostmaster will be offered 600,000 in compensation.

 2024

ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office airs for the first time.

The Metropolitan Police say they are looking at potential fraud offences arising out of these prosecutions, for example monies recovered from subpostmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions.

Paula Vennells voluntarily hands back her CBE.
Englands largest temperate rainforest is set to become a protected nature reserve.

The Borrowdale Valley in Cumbria was declared a national nature reserve by Natural England and the National Trust on Wednesday.

This means the 721-hectare National Trust site has been marked out as an area of focus for conservation and nature restoration efforts

Once abundant in the UK because of the oceanic climate, temperate rainforests now cover less than 1% of Englands surface.

Borrowdale, which is as wet as a tropical rainforest albeit much cooler, regularly sees the highest rainfall in England.

The humidity and low-temperature range make it a globally rare biodiverse habitat, with lush woodlands that are full of mosses, ferns and lichens.

The area also provides the ideal breeding habitat for otherwise declining birds including the redstart, pied flycatcher and tree pipit, and is one of the few remaining strongholds for native red squirrels.

The upland woodlands are rich carbon stores full of rare lichens, mosses and liverworts. These specialised plants hold an important place in a busy farmed landscape.

Conservation efforts will focus on supporting and restoring many of these species, the organisations said.

The National Trust said it is also aiming to modify some carefully selected sections of the existing paths to make them more accessible and protect Borrowdales longstanding cultural heritage.

The charity added that it is working with tenant farmers to help them access payments for further conservation work as they prioritise traditional practices which have shaped the landscape for generations, such as traditional fell farming.

Over time, the plan is for the nature reserve to grow so it includes other vital parcels of woodland in the area, helping to create wildlife corridors.

Jane Saxon, general manager for the north and west Lakes at the National Trust, said: The new declaration is a testament to the increased focus on caring for and enhancing the rainforest while celebrating the impact this unique landscape has had on the natural and cultural heritage of the Borrowdale valley.

A red squirrel feeding at Allan Bank in Cumbria (PA)

By creating this nature reserve, we are actively managing the woodlands for nature conservation and access through compatible practices.

Marian Spain, chief executive at Natural England said: This landmark declaration is an important step forward for nature recovery in England.

Operating at a landscape scale, reconnecting parcels of the forest and creating corridors for wildlife will make these iconic habitats more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Pete Barron, a local resident and conservationist, said: With having lived within sight of this woodland now for 30-plus years, its part of my life.

The access and special qualities of the woods are highly valued by the local community all year round.

The nature reserve status comes as part of the Governments temperate rainforest strategy  a new plan to recover these habitats found in Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria, backed by 750,000 in research and development funding.

It comes as Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood in Leicestershire, which inspired Sir David Attenborough when he was a child, was also declared a national nature reserve on Monday as National Nature Reserves Week kicked off.

These reserves are the latest to be declared as part of the Kings Series of National Nature Reserves as he supports Natural England to leave a lasting legacy for people and nature.

The Environment Department (Defra) also announced the extension of the Moccas Park and Gillians Wood national nature reserve in Herefordshire on Wednesday.
Police have charged Steve Wright with the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who went missing on her way home from a nightclub in Felixstowe in 1999.

Suffolk Police said the 66-year-old, formerly of London Road in Ipswich, has also been charged with the attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman the previous night.

The force said the 22-year-old woman reported that a man had approached and followed her between 3am and 4am on September 18 1999 in High Road East, Felixstowe.

Graham and Lorinda Hall, parents of murdered teenager Victoria Sean Dempsey/PA)

The body of Victoria was found in a ditch by a dog walker five days after she was last seen alive in the early hours of September 19.

Suffolk Police reopened its investigation in 2019 after receiving fresh witness information, which it would not expand upon.

A man was arrested on July 28 2021 on suspicion of Victorias murder then subsequently released under investigation.

Suffolk Police said that on Wednesday afternoon, Wright was charged with Victorias murder.

Victoria, from Trimley St Mary, left her home on the evening of September 18 for a night out with a friend at the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe.

The girls left the club at around 1am the following morning and parted ways at around 2.20am, yards from Victorias home.

That was the last time she was seen alive.

Her parents awoke in the morning to discover their daughter had not returned home and a missing persons inquiry was launched.

Her body was found five days later in Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles from where she was last seen.

Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the East of England, said: The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Suffolk Police to charge Steve Wright, 66, with the kidnap and murder of Victoria Hall and the attempted kidnapping of another woman in September 1999.

We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Wright has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on June 3.
John Swinney has said he shares the Culture Secretarys concerns after it was revealed Creative Scotland knew a theatre project awarded almost 85,000 would involve genital contact.

The First Minister said the arts organisation must be open and transparent in the way it conducts its work.

Following an urgent meeting with the public body, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson told MSPs he has urged chief executive Iain Munro to answer questions from Holyroods Culture Committee transparently.

Mr Robertson also confirmed he had only seen the evidence on Tuesday.

Freedom of information documents released on Tuesday showed the explicit contents of the application were revealed to the public body, including nude actors, in March 2023  nine months before public money was awarded to the director of the Rein project.

Angus Robertson has sought an urgent meeting with Creative Scotlands leadership (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Asked about the issue on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told the PA news agency: The Culture Secretary has expressed his concerns about the information thats come to light and hes asked for urgent discussions with the chair and chief executive of Creative Scotland because we have got to understand the substance of this issue.

I share the concerns that the Culture Secretary has expressed and I think we need to see a very full and comprehensive explanation from Creative Scotland.

He said it is not appropriate for the Scottish Government to take decisions on individual arts programmes.

Mr Swinney added: Creative Scotland has got a specific role to undertake, but it must undertake that in a way which is open and transparent.

The Rein project was awarded 84,555 in January 2024 despite the application outlining plans for genital contact and a sex party.

The public body has since withdrawn the funding for the hardcore project, which was recruiting actors to participate in non-simulated sex scenes.

Creative Scotland stated it was always aware of the explicit nature of the application but said it was not clear until March 2024, when the project advertised for participants, that it was moving from performance to unsimulated sex.

Creative Scotland is seeking reimbursement of this award, stating the project was considerably more explicit than first thought and breached the contract.

However, it is not looking to draw back 23,210 for a research and development (R&D) phase of the project produced in August 2022 which said explicit sex acts would not be performed, but stated a final performance was expected to include them.

In response to an urgent question from Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher, Mr Robertson said: It is imperative that Creative Scotland can command the confidence of this Parliament, not least its Culture Committee.

Responding to Ms Gallachers question on whether he had confidence in the chief executive, who she said appeared to have deliberately misled MSPs, he said: Where serious questions are to be asked, they should receive serious answers.

That is why I pressed on both the chairman and the chief executive of Creative Scotland that they should avail themselves the opportunity in full to speak to members of the committee, so they can be satisfied both about the circumstances that (Ms Gallacher) clearly still has concerns about.

The Culture Secretary went on to say he had received assurances that Mr Munro had the full support of the Creative Scotland board.

The application, seen by the PA news agency, states: In our initial short R&D phase we had a no genital contact rule. In this development phase we will work on a sex scene with genital contact with three of the cast.

Application assessors were also presented with visual mood boards of the project.

A Creative Scotland spokeswoman said: We were always aware the project would be explicit and creatively challenging, but it was not clear until the project issued the call-out for participants on its website that the project was moving from performance to unsimulated sex.

It was at this point that Creative Scotland felt that there had been a breach of contract, and this breach of contract was not disputed by the applicant.

Creative work, across many art forms, can feature explicit depictions of sex. But there is a difference between that depiction and actual sex, which is not appropriate for public funding.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: Creative Scotland have some serious explaining to do.

It appears they have misled the public over this scandal, in an attempt to cover their appalling misjudgement in awarding funding to this project.

The attempted cover-up is more inexcusable than the original poor decision-making. As a publicly-funded body, Creative Scotland have a duty not just to spend taxpayers cash wisely, but also to be fully transparent on how they do so.

Ultimately, SNP Culture Secretary Angus Robertson is answerable for this quango  and the public deserve answers on this growing scandal.
It's time for a do-over for one elephant at the Toledo Zoo in Ohio. The zoo recently shared that they'd made a slight mistake when announcing the gender of their new baby elephant in March. Zookeepers recently confirmed that the calf, Kirk, was not a boy elephant  he was a she.

The zoo announced the gender of the elephant for a second time in a video that's gone viral online.

The clip shows the calf playing around in her enclosure, getting sprayed with a hose, and in general being a sweetie.

"The biggest surprise of the year, isn't SHE lovely," they wrote in the video's caption.

Related: Baby Elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Enjoys Her First Day on the Savannah

In a video the Toledo Zoo posted on Facebook, they explained how Kirk was discovered to be a girl.

"We've been monitoring this growth here at the Toledo Zoo," Michael Frushour, General Curator of Endotherms, said in the clip. "And along the way we made an interesting realization. The beautiful baby boy elephant that we've all grown to know and love is actually a female."

If you're wondering how in the world this type of goof happened, it's not as unimaginable as one might think. As Frushour explained, identifying an elephant's gender is trickier than with humans.

"Elephant reproduction organs are very different than us, or even our pets at home," he said. "Especially early in development, the reproductive organs are actually internal and can look very similar and even in palpation, or feeling them, they can feel the same."

"It's not uncommon for something like this to happen," he added, before explaining that some "distinctions" can happen later on in life when the differences between male and female elephants is more apparent.

The zoo first shared footage of the elephant's birth on March 1 and declared that the little one would be called Kirk.

"The Toledo Zoo is thrilled to share the incredible behind-the-scenes footage of African elephant, Renee, giving birth to her male calf on Feb. 17," they wrote in the video's caption.

Now obviously some of those details have changed. But there are certain perks of having a female calf on the grounds

"While this might be very surprising news, we are overjoyed," Frushour explained in the Facebook footage. "Our baby Kirkja can stay with us even longer than we anticipated."

This is because when male baby elephants reach sexual maturity, they need to go off and find a herd of their own. "

Whereas when females reach sexual maturity, they can actually stay with the females of the herd. And with Kirkja that means she gets to stay here with [mom] Renee and Twiggy for the foreseeable future."

On Facebook, the zoo thanked everyone who had been following Kirkja's story so far.

"Were excited to continue sharing Kirkjas journey with our community for many years to come," they added in the video's caption.

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.
Pedestrians walk past buildings with broken windows downtown as they return to work on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off certain streets this week as glass continued to fall from cracking windows in the wake of last week's powerful storm. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A boarded up skylight on the roof of the Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through last Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Boarded up windows on the Enterprise Plaza buildings blown out windows downtown on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through last Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A corner office of a building with a blown out window downtown on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through last Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Boarded up windows on the Enterprise Plaza buildings blown out windows downtown on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through last Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Workers clean out shattered glass at the Wells Fargo building as clean up from last weeks storm continues downtown on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off streets in a six-block exclusion zone downtown, from McKinney to Polk and from Smith to Travis to ease traffic around the area where broken glass and debris are prevalent. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Storm clean up continues downtown on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off streets in a six-block exclusion zone downtown, from McKinney to Polk and from Smith to Travis to ease traffic around the area where broken glass and debris are prevalent. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Several skyscrapers in downtown Houston could look like a patchwork of plywood and glass for months as property owners contend with delays in window repairs. Whats more, additional windows are cracking, complicating cleanup efforts in the wake of last weeks derecho.

The storm itself, with winds exceeding 70 mph, damaged almost 4,000 windows downtown, but that figure could continue rising, said Kris Larson, president of management district Downtown Houston.

Stressed glass in certain cases is also starting to crack, and thats increasing the total number of windows that are going to need to be replaced, Larson said.

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Although much of the debris left by the storm downtown was cleaned up by Monday, a handful of streets are closed to traffic because of the risk of falling glass. Downtown Houstons website is providing updates on street closures.

The management district and Mayor John Whitmire are encouraging downtown employers to allow employees to work remotely until at least Tuesday. Chevron, downtowns largest employer, has temporarily closed its offices until then, a company spokesperson said.

Boarded up windows on the Enterprise Plaza buildings blown out windows downtown on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through last Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Joe Colaco, a University of Houston professor and structural engineer who has worked on dozens of skyscrapers globally and in Houston, said its common to see more windows break in the aftermath of a violent storm. Pieces of a window that breaks on the 30th floor, for example, can fall and shatter those below, he said.

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Most of downtowns damaged or missing windows are expected to be boarded up or secured by the end of the week, Larson said. But custom replacement glass required by most buildings could take much longer to arrive.

Building owners will have to find glass suppliers who arent busy filling orders for construction projects in the area and around the world, Larson said.

Were going to have plywood-covered windows in skyscrapers for months from now as just a reminder of the other events, he said.

Boarded up skylights on the roof of Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston as seen from the ground floor on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Houston, after a strong storm took out about half the hotel's skylights. The hotel was back up and running again by early this week and expects to have its skylights replaced in the coming weeks, which is a much shorter time frame than other downtown skyscrapers who are facing longer delays in window repairs. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

The Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston, where 30 skylights were blown out, is moving along a bit more quickly, expecting to have them replaced within two weeks, said Allie Kapinus, marketing manager for Hyatt Regency. In the interim, the skylights on the hotel at 1200 Louisiana are boarded up and its 955 rooms are nearly full with conference attendees and contractors assisting with post-storm cleanup, Kapinus said.

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Some property managers, like those at JLL, said they can tap into their relationships with contractors and service providers to prioritize jobs, said Managing Director Connie OMurray.

At 1100 Louisiana and 1415 Louisiana, Hines property managers are evaluating how long it will take to repair or replace the 150 windows and skylights damaged at each tower, a spokesperson said.

The TotalEnergies Tower at 1201 Louisiana sustained significant window damage, Brookfield Properties said, but the firm declined to say how long full repairs would take.

At least 20 downtown buildings were damaged, including CenterPoint Energy Plaza, 1001 Louisiana, Wells Fargo Plaza and two of Chevrons towers, according to Downtown Houston.

A pedestrian stops to take a photo of the storm-damaged Wells Fargo building as storm clean up continued downtown on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. Although the initial clean up could wrap up in the coming days, many of downtown's skyscrapers are expected to have boarded up windows for several weeks or months as owners face delays in window restoration. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Why downtown skyscrapers were hit so hard

Skyscrapers' windows are designed to withstand winds of about to 110 to 150 miles per an hour, said Colaco, the structural engineer.

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But when wind must squeeze through the canyons created by skyscrapers, the velocity of winds increases rapidly.

So the wind could be stronger, if its going through a narrow channel between the buildings, so that can accelerate the amount of pressure placed on the windows, Colaco said.
Most of us have experienced turbulence while traveling: when your plane flies through clashing bodies of air moving at widely different speeds.

Severe turbulence can put even the most seasoned flier on edge and make five minutes seem like an eternity. Usually it results in nothing more than a bumpy ride, but in the worst cases it can cause damage, injury and  in the case of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on May 21 - fatality.

In nonfatal accidents, turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to flight attendants and passengers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and its one of the most common airline accident types today, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board. It costs US airlines  due to injuries, delays and damages  up to $500 million per year, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

There is a scale for measuring how strong turbulence is, Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in the UK, told CNN in 2022. Theres light turbulence, which is a bit of strain against your seat belt, but food service can continue and you can probably walk around the cabin, maybe with some difficulty.

Then theres moderate turbulence, a definite strain against seat belts, anything thats not secured will be dislodged, and walking is difficult; flight attendants are usually instructed to take their seats.

The worst kind is severe turbulence: This is stronger than gravity, so it can pin you to your seat and if youre not wearing your seat belt youll be tossed around inside the cabin. This is the kind of turbulence that causes serious Injuries  its been known to break bones, for example.

Strikes fast and no visual clues

About 65,000 aircraft suffer moderate turbulence every year in the US, and about 5,500 run into severe turbulence. These numbers, however, might be destined to grow. Williams believes that climate change is modifying turbulence, and started studying the subject in 2013. We ran some computer simulations and found that severe turbulence could double or triple in the coming decades, he says.

The findings, which were later confirmed by observations, highlight a type of turbulence called clear air turbulence, which isnt connected to any visual clues such as storms or clouds. Unlike regular turbulence, it hits suddenly and is hard to avoid. The Singapore Airlines flight of May 21 was not hit by clear air turbulence, but rapidly developing thunderstorms.

According to the NTSB, between 2009 and 2018, the flight crew had no warning in about 28% of turbulence-related accidents. Williams analysis predicts that clear-air turbulence will increase significantly around the globe by the period 2050-2080, in particular along the busiest flight routes, and the strongest type of turbulence will increase the most.

That doesnt mean, however, that flying will be less safe. Planes are not going to start falling out of the sky, because aircraft are built to very high specification and they can withstand the worst turbulence they can ever expect to encounter, even in the future, says Williams.

However, the average duration of turbulence will increase. Typically, on a transatlantic flight, you might expect 10 minutes of turbulence. I think that in a few decades this may increase to 20 minutes or to half an hour. The seat belt sign will be switched on a lot more, unfortunately for passengers.

The seat belt sign is now switched on

Keeping your seat belt fastened at all times while seated is the best way to minimize the risk of injury due to turbulence.

Flight attendants, however, are more exposed to that risk than passengers and sustain approximately 80% of all turbulence-related injuries. Were the most likely to get hurt because were up working, pushing 300-pound carts, even when theres some sort of warning, Sara Nelson, a United flight attendant with more than two decades of experience and the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, a union representing 50,000 flight attendants across 20 airlines, told CNN in 2022.

We have flight attendants who have been thrown into the ceiling and then back down several times, resulting in broken limbs. In the aisle, with unannounced turbulence, we had people who lost toes, or lost the ability to work, or sustained injuries that kept them off the job for years, she adds.

The aviation industry is taking the problem very seriously, Nelson says, but the transition to sustainable fuel must accelerate to tackle the climate crisis, and some regulations need to change. For example, the ability for children under the age of two to fly on their parents lap.

That is totally unsafe and our union has been calling for a seat for every person on board, Nelson says. Not only can a child be thrown around the cabin, but when they come down they can actually hurt someone else, too. When a child is born, you cant leave the hospital unless you have a properly installed car seat. The same standards must be applied to flying.

Calls for stringent new rules

The NTSB held a public meeting about turbulence in 2021, during which it offered the same recommendation, along with more stringent rules about fastening seat belts for both passengers and flight attendants when the aircraft is flying in the vicinity of thunderstorms and under 20,000 feet, as most injuries occur under these conditions. It also recommended to streamline the systems for collecting and sharing turbulence reports, because that information isnt traveling widely or promptly enough at the moment.

While the effects of climate change on turbulence will take many years to become obvious, Nelson believes some worsening has already occurred.

This is of course anecdotal, but from Hurricane Katrina forward there seems to have been a pickup in the activity of turbulence, especially turbulence that comes with no warning, she says.

Her worst ever turbulence experience occurred during a flight to Dallas, which was eventually diverted.

When anything happens on the plane, the passengers look to us, to see if we look concerned, she adds. I was flying with a very good friend of mine and we were strapped in on the jump seats, facing the back of the aircraft  so there was a lavatory in front of us, instead of passengers.

Thank goodness, because we were clutching each other and we were getting thrown around in our seats so violently that it felt like our brains were getting scrambled. It went on for a very long time, but luckily we got safely on the ground, she says.

Typically Im not scared of turbulence, because its something that were taught about in training and we know what to do to protect ourselves. But it is possible to have turbulence so bad and go on for so long that even knowing all of that, my friend and I were praying  and I have to say I was scared for my life.

This story was originally published in September 2022. It was updated and republished in May 2024.

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The Biden administration said it has suspended from all federal funding programs the scientist at the heart of the lab leak theory of the origins of the coronavirus, and proposed blocking him from receiving federal funding in the future.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to Peter Daszak on Tuesday, less than a week after the agency took similar action against Daszaks organization, EcoHealth Alliance (EHA).

In the letter, HHS said it was holding Daszak responsible for EcoHealth Alliances failure to adequately monitor the activities of the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and then subsequently failing to report on the labs high-risk virus studies.

The alleged conduct of EHA is imputed to you, because during all or part of the time relevant, you participated in, knew of, or had reason to know of EHAs improper conduct, through your role as the President of EHA as well as project director and principal investigator, HHS wrote.

While bans generally last for about three years, I may impose debarment for a longer period or shorter period as the circumstances warrant, the agency said in the letter.

HHS cited information from 31 federal documents dating back to the National Institutes of Healths initial 2014 grant to EcoHealth, leading up to the May 15 notice suspending and proposing debarment of Daszaks organization.

EcoHealth and Daszak have come under fire from Republicans and Democrats over the groups work with the Wuhan lab, particularly regarding controversial gain of function research to enhance the ability of the virus to cause disease or make it more transmissible.

Earlier this month, House lawmakers questioned Daszak about EcoHealths record on biosafety and its relationship with the Wuhan lab, though Republicans did not produce any evidence linking the COVID-19 pandemic to EcoHealths research.

EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszaks personal debarment will ensure he never again receives a single cent from U.S. taxpayers nor has the opportunity to start a new, untrustworthy organization, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chair of the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, said Wednesday.

The Select Subcommittee intends to hold Dr. Daszak accountable for any dishonesty and reminds him that this debarment decision does not preclude him from producing all outstanding documents and answering all the questions from this Congressional body, Wenstrup added.

Daszak has denied the organization ever funded or conducted gain of function research. But in the letter dated May 21, HHS said Daszak and EcoHealth failed to report to the National Institutes of Health that the WIV had produced a virus that was stronger than permissible thresholds, which was a violation of the terms of the grant.

HHS previously barred WIV from receiving federal grants, and in the letter to Daszak said its undisputed that the research conducted at the WIV likely violated protocols of the [National Institutes of Health] regarding biosafety.

According to the letter, Daszak was ultimately responsible for ensuring both EHAs and WIVs compliance, but he did not.

The National Institutes of Health said it is still waiting for materials it requested from EcoHealth in 2021 and 2022, and noted EcoHealth did not submit its 2019 annual report to federal officials for nearly two years.

Given the issues regarding the management of EHAs grant awards and subawards, and the nature of the virology research being conducted by EHA  I have determined that the immediate suspension of Dr. Daszak is necessary to protect the public interest, a memo from a redacted HHS suspension and debarment official and the deputy assistant secretary for acquisitions said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The crypto world is hopeful for some gains this week in Washington as it pushes for a new regulatory framework and new products that could expand its mainstream appeal.

The House is set to vote Wednesday on legislation that would provide the type of regulatory oversight the industry wants.

Separately, investors are hoping the Securities and Exchange Commission is close to approving the first exchange-traded funds that would invest directly in the cryptocurrency ether (ETH-USD).

"Theres a been a real sea change in Washington around crypto," Bitwise Asset Management chief investment officer Matt Hougan, one of the applicants hoping for ether ETF approval, told Yahoo Finance.

"It looks like Washington has gotten the message that crypto is good for America and that its popular with American voters."

The key regulatory change proposed by new legislation before the House  known as the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, or FIT21  is that it would establish the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a leading regulator of digital assets.

There would be clear delineations for what the CFTC would regulate and what would fall under the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a longtime foe of the industry that has cracked down on operators with enforcement actions and lawsuits.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a lead sponsor of the legislation that would offer a new regulatory framework for the crypto industry. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images)

It would also establish consumer protections and bar the sort of comingling of customer funds that played a role in the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX in late 2022.

The industry has been lobbying hard for this framework, which it would prefer to the aggressive enforcement of the SEC.

"[This] marks the official end to the losing narrative that crypto is not here to stay," said Cody Carbone, chief policy officer for The Digital Chamber, a crypto lobbying group.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler offered new warnings about the bill in a statement Tuesday night, saying that it "would create new regulatory gaps and undermine decades of precedent regarding the oversight of investment contracts, putting investors and capital markets at immeasurable risk."

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) (REUTERS / Reuters)

The bill does face opposition from some Democrats. Even if it passes, it could still face an uphill climb in the Senate.

"What the Senate will see is a vote total," said Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, the lead sponsor of this legislation. "I think that that should get members of the Senate to look at this afresh."

The price of one specific cryptocurrency  ether  is rallying this week as investors grow more confident the SEC will give the green light to invest in ether ETFs.

In January the SEC approved ETFs that invest directly in bitcoin (BTC-USD), a development that expanded mainstream acceptance of the worlds largest cryptocurrency. Now investors are hopeful that the same will happen with the second-largest cryptocurrency.

"Given the political backroom drama, approval will be seen as significant regulatory relief for the sector," Bernstein analysts said in a note.

The crypto world is hoping for the same from the legislation that is expected to come before the House Wednesday.

Roughly 60 crypto companies and industry organizations, including Block, Coinbase (COIN), Circle, Kraken, and Paxos, sent a letter to House leadership last week in support of the bill.

"The bill is well written," said Kara Calvert, head of US policy at Coinbase. "Its the first bill that explicitly contemplates how to think about decentralization, how to think about something that moves from looking like a security to looking like a commodity."

Calvert says the bill lets regulators focus on creating rules for centralized tokens, allowing for more focused resource management instead of scattershot regulation by enforcement.

Republican lawmakers say this legislation will bring clarity to a key question: whether a certain digital asset is a security or not. The SEC has argued that many cryptocurrencies are in fact securities  and therefore should be overseen by the agency.

But most House Democrats  led by House Financial Services Committee ranking member Maxine Waters  oppose the bill.

Waters held a member briefing for Democrats Monday, urging them to vote against the bill. She warned that changes made to the bill since last summer would now result in a mass deregulation of crypto and even some traditional securities.

In a letter reviewed by Yahoo Finance that was sent to Democratic House members, Waters and House Agriculture Committee ranking member David Scott wrote that the revised bill "would transfer most crypto and some traditional securities into a regulatory void, with no primary regulator and virtually no laws or regulations."

Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters opposes the new crypto regulation bill. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo) (Reuters / Reuters)

The end result, the letter stated, would be a "proliferation of fraud that will have devastating consequences for consumers and investors."

The Democratic lawmakers argued the definition of "digital assets" and the revised bills addition pertaining to "investment contract assets" would effectively deregulate most cryptocurrencies by removing them from the purview of the SEC.

They also worry that by making the CFTC the primary regulator, consumers and investors wont be afforded the same types of protections enjoyed under the SEC.

It is not known how much opposition the bill would face in the Senate.

Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown  who has prioritized cracking down on crypto used for money laundering  is staying mum so far on the House crypto legislation.

"We must make sure that crypto platforms play by the same rules as other financial institutions," Brown said in a statement last month. "And we need to make sure that we have the tools to crack down on illicit finance with digital assets, just as we would with any other asset."

McHenry said he is hopeful that the outcome of the vote Wednesday could catch senators attention.

"We're going to drive like hell to get whatever we can out of this Congress," McHenry said about passing crypto policy.

"There is bipartisan support for that drive. But no matter what happens this Congress, this policy set is inevitable, it will happen, just like the role of crypto is here to stay."

Gensler made it clear in his Tuesday statement he doesnt believe this legislation moves policy in the right direction.

"The crypto industry's record of failures, frauds, and bankruptcies is not because we do not have rules or because the rules are unclear," he added. "It's because many players in the crypto industry don't play by the rules."

Click here for the latest crypto news, updates, and more related to ethereum and bitcoinprices, crypto ETFs, and market implications for cryptocurrencies

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There are some towns that Ukraine can just never afford to lose, and Lyptsi is one of them.

But the grip the nation keeps is tenuous: The streets are aflame from an airstrike moments earlier when we race in, under the cover of darkness. Night affords them the only respite from drone assault; the hours before we arrive have seen the town hit eight times.

Yet the soldiers of the 13th Khartiia National Guard have to endure, as the stakes here are huge. Russias relentless onslaught has a key goal: If they take Lyptsi, then they can position artillery within range of Ukraines second city, Kharkiv, 20 minutes down the road.

Down in a bunker, Oleksandr, a commander, looks at one of his many drone feeds. You saw yourself how everything is burning. It is like that every night.

His men were among the first to tackle Russias new advance into Kharkiv region nearly two weeks ago. He says they are fighting trained professional soldiers.

We can see it from their equipment and tactics, he says. Theyre not sending just anyone into the assaults.

His stare lengthens when asked about what fortifications were in place before the surprise Russian attack. Nothing was prepared here. Nothing. Just nothing. All the positions are being built by the hands of infantry.

Ukrainian commander Artun. - Mick Krever/CNN

Outside, the night is shaken by more blasts. Three weeks ago the civilians were living a peaceful life here. Rebuilding, everything was all right, he says. And now most of the houses are ruined.

As we leave, a loud drone buzzes overhead, close by. Our escort does not flinch or run. I ask if the drone is friendly. How the f*** should I know? he replies, tugging on a cigarette.

All around the city of Kharkiv, home to an estimated million civilians, Ukrainian forces are trying to hold back a persistent Russian assault from multiple angles. Over a week reporting in the villages around the city, CNN saw Ukrainian units holding their positions at great peril and risk, and sometimes using aged and scant artillery to fend off a much better equipped Russian force, able to thwart their most basic maneuvers with huge numbers of drones.

At one position closer to the Russian border, the 92nd Assault Brigade showed CNN a Russian artillery gun, captured in the first days of the war, from which they are now firing French mortar shells. The gun was partially hidden by a wire net, aimed at providing some protection from an attack drone. Yet above, an unidentified scout drone began to hover, forcing the unit to run into a bunker.

Another unit is forced to use a Soviet artillery gun made in the 1940s. Hidden in dense foliage, its metal is rusty in parts, limiting how often it can be fired. Artun, their commander, uses newer Polish shells, but now only fires 10 a day, when in the autumn it was 100.

Drones are a big problem, Artun says. I have shrapnel in me as a keepsake, he adds, referring to the remnants of a Russian Lancet drone still in his hand and stomach, which the surgeons could not remove. But there are certain actions that can save you from drones.

One of them springs into life: an alert from a $30 frequency scanner on his webbing. It has picked up the approach of another Orlan drone, sending Artun into the bunker. He looks out into the sky above, and sees it pass overhead. He commands a diverse unit, epitomizing the manpower challenges Ukraine is facing in its third year of war. Some, like him, are wounded infantrymen, put on the guns further back from the front. Others are older, while one of his team is on his first day in artillery.

CNNs Nick Paton Walsh talks to Oleksandr inside a bunker in Lyptsi, Ukraine. - Brice Laine/CNN

For nearly two years, Kharkiv thought the threat from its neighbour had passed. A lightning Russian retreat in late 2022 left Kharkiv region peaceful and the launchpad for Ukrainian attacks across the border into Russia proper. Attacks persisted in the distance however, keeping the citys residents awake through violently loud nights, now amplified by the threat of Russian artillery edging closer. Flares, anti-aircraft fire, and blasts regularly punctuate the enforced blackout, as Russian drones, rockets and airstrikes hit targets in the dark.

On Wednesday, city officials reported an attack on a gas station, which left four people in hospital. On Sunday, two missiles struck a lakeside resort in Cherkaska Lozova, outside the city  a horrifying attack on a civilian target which also used a double-tap tactic, in which a second missile hit 10 minutes after the first, injuring first responders.

A few hours after Sundays blasts, rescue workers clambered over the ruins of a waterside terrace, retrieving two bodies from the seven who died in the attack. One was a woman, seven months pregnant. Another was only found later, their body fragments in the wreckage. As police combed the eviscerated terrace on the lake for evidence, another air alert sounded, causing half the workers to flee for cover, and some to carry on, almost oblivious.

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An injured Palestinian boy stands next to the rubble of a family house that was hit overnight in Israeli bombardment in the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah in southern Gaza on May 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group.

Ireland, Norway and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state for the first time, in a move the countries believe will help advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel said it was a "distorted step" that will "fuel extremism and instability."

The diplomatic decision, while rare, is largely symbolic. It won't immediately impact the Israel-Hamas war. The trio of nations hope their announcement, which takes effect May 28, will inject momentum into a stalled political process that could lead to a halt in fighting and also apply pressure on Israel to move toward a two-state solution.

"In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," said Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.

In Dublin, Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said "from our own history, we know what it (recognition) means," a reference to Ireland's independence from the U.K. in 1921. "But let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Today's decision to recognize Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future."

Spain's leader Pedro Sanchez said the recognition reflected public opinion in his country and was also the right thing to do. "This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews," he said.

Antisemitism is everywhere: We tracked it across all 50 states

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz immediately ordered the return to Israel of the Israeli ambassadors in Ireland, Norway and Spain. In a video released on Tuesday, Israel's foreign ministry warned that "recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace."

"Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas," the video said.

Who already recognizes a Palestinian state?

Most of the world already recognizes a Palestinian state. The U.S., U.K. and major Western nations are not among them. Slovenia and Malta have signaled they may soon also recognize a Palestinian state.

There is no quick answer as to why the U.S. hasn't recognized a Palestinian state. Some of the reluctance connects to the U.S.'s historical support for Israel. Another reason is to do with the many thorny and unresolved issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Yet another factor is political divisions among Palestinians. The West Bank is run by Fatah, while Gaza has been governed by Hamas.

Legal scholars say the recognition of a state is a "declaration of intent" by one state to acknowledge another power as a "state" within the meaning of international law. Generally speaking, a state needs three things: state territory, a state people and state power.

Prior to the announcement by Spain and Ireland, Sweden was the only EU member state to recognize Palestinian statehood. Norway is not part of the EU. Other EU countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland recognized Palestinian statehood prior to joining the 27-nation economic and political bloc.

Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian diplomatic envoy to the U.K., said the move would "move us closer to justice and a sustainable peace. We urge the few remaining countries in the world to  to follow suit."

Amid campus protests: organizers with past ties to Hamas support also emerge

Earlier in May, 143 of the 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution requesting Palestine become a full member of the U.N. It previously had U.N. observer status only.

Wednesday's announcement comes on the heels of a decision by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, the militant group's leader in Gaza.

Israel slammed the ICC's move as an act that drew "moral equivalence" between Israel's elected officials and Hamas, who killed civilians, took hostages and perpetrated rape and other forms of sexual violence during its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. President Joe Biden described the move as "outrageous."

Chilling details of what hostages faced: 'We know they were raped in Hamas captivity'

But Karim Khan, the ICC's top prosecutor, said it was necessary because he had "reasonable ground to believe" that both Netanyahu and Sinwar "bear criminal responsibility" for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel's retaliatory war in Gaza has killed thousands of civilians. A panel of judges at the ICC now will consider whether to issue the arrest warrants. That process could take months or even longer.

What is the two-state solution?

A two-state solution has been a hallmark of Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives for years.

It calls for the creation of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel. The concept has been embraced by the U.N. and successive Democratic and Republican administrations.

Its origins trace to 1947, when the U.N. agreed a plan partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with international rule over Jerusalem. Jewish leaders accepted the plan. Arab leaders rejected it.

Some of the longstanding perceived obstacles to a two-state solution include that both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital; that Israel has expanded settlements on Palestinian lands in the West Bank; and the so-called right of return claimed by millions of Palestinians  or their descendants  who were evicted from their land when Israel was created in 1948. The two Palestinian territories, Gaza and the West Bank, are geographically spit  a physical separation that has exacerbated political divisions.

More recently, Netanyahu and other voices in his government have repeatedly publicly said they oppose the creation of an independent Palestinian state once the war in Gaza ends.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ireland, Norway, Spain recognize Palestinian state
Adrian Monroy/Medios y Media/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopezs impressive array of press tour outfits continues.

The 54-year-old actress attended the Mexico City premiere of her upcoming film, Atlas, on Tuesday, May 21, in an elegant white ruffled cape featuring a plunging neckline.

The cape, which is from Chloes fall/winter 2024 ready to wear collection and retails for $24,790, fastened at her waist before flowing out into a romantic heap of ruffles on the floor. Her legs poked out underneath, exposing a pair of Elie Saab pre-fall 2024 platform heels on her feet.

Lopez wore her hair up in a messy bun with tousled pieces of hair framing her face. She sported fresh, dewy blush, smokey eyeshadow and pink lipstick.

Jennifer Lopez Wears a Cutout Crystal Gown to Play Poker

The multi-hyphenate has had a busy week promoting Atlas. She attended the films Los Angeles premiere on Monday, May 20, in a strapless black and white ensemble from Greta Constantines spring 2024 collection. That same day, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a body-hugging halter dress by Aya Muse.

Adrian Monroy/Medios y Media/Getty Images

Notably, Lopez attended both premieres solo amid rumors that she is experiencing marriage problems with husband Ben Affleck. These rumors began to swirl after the multi-hyphenate attended the May 6 Met Gala alone.

Jen and Ben are having issues in their marriage, a source exclusively told Us in May. They started having issues a few months ago as Jen had started ramping up work commitments and prepping for her tour.

The source went on to reveal that Lopez is very focused on work and that the couple are on two completely different pages most of the time.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez: Timeline of the Bennifer Romance

Atlas, which will be available on Netflix beginning Friday, May 24, is a science fiction thriller that follows Atlas Shepherd (Lopez), a data analyst who embarks on a mission to defeat a rogue robot.

I loved that this is a big sci-fi action movie, but at its core, its a story of friendship  and a love story, in a way, Lopez told Netflix in April. I always see everything as a love story, but this is a different kind of love between two beings who connect in disastrous circumstances, and teach each other how to be more human.
Anya Taylor-Joy in a scene from "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga." Jasin Boland/Associated Press

Here are the major films being released in theaters and on streaming this week.

'A Brighter Summer Day'

Taiwanese director Edward Yang's award-winning 1991 film about a conflict between two youth gangs.

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Unrated. Screens 2 p.m. Saturday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

'Atlas'

Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong star in this sci-fi thriller about an AI soldier who decides it's time to end humanity.

Rated PG-13. Begins streaming Friday on Netflix.

'Babes'

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In this comedy, a woman who gets pregnant after a one-night stand turns to her best friend and mother of two for advice and support. Elena Ouspenskaia, Sandra Bernhard and Oliver Platt star.

Rated R. Opens Friday throughout Houston.

'The Beach Boys'

Janelle Monae and Lindsey Buckingham are two of the celebrity voices in this documentary about the legendary Southern California rock band.

Rated PG-13. Begins streaming Friday on Disney+.

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'Bhaiyya Ji'

Hindi-language action-drama from India about a retired criminal who is pulled back into the underworld after his younger brother is murdered.

Unrated. Opens Friday at AMC Gulf Pointe 30, Houston.

'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'

The fifth installment in George Miller's postapocalyptic tale is an origin story for the Furiosa character viewers first met in "Mad Max: Fury Road" nine years ago. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star.

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Rated R. Opens Friday throughout Houston.

'The Garfield Movie'

Garfield, voiced by Chris Pratt, in a scene from the animated film "The Garfield Movie." DNEG Animation/Associated Press

Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Cecily Strong, Snoop Dogg and Bowen Yang are among the voice cast for this animated film starring the lasagna-eating cat.

Rated PG. Opens Friday throughout Houston.

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'Hit Man'

The latest release from director Richard Linklater is an engaging comedic thriller based on a true story first written about in Texas Monthly. It centers on a college professor (Glen Powell) who moonlights as a fake hit man for the police department. Along the way, he feels for one of the women (Adria Arjona) who wants to use his services.

Rated R. Opens Friday at Regal MarqE, Houston; Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy.

'Love Me'

Horror-romance from India.

Unrated. Opens Friday at Cinemark Memorial City, Houston; AMC First Colony 24, Sugar Land; Cinemark Longmeadow, Richmond; Cinemark The Woodlands, The Woodlands.

'Sight'

Terry Chen and Greg Kinnear star in this biographical drama about Ming Wang, a man who suffered under China's Cultural Revolution and went on to become a leading eye surgeon.

Rated PG-13. Opens Friday throughout Houston.

'Taking Venice'

Documentary about the Cold War culture battles taking place at the Venice Biennale in 1964 in which the U.S. government wanted to make sure that Texas artist Robert Rauschenberg won the grand prize.

Unrated. Screens 2 p.m. May 30, 7 p.m. May 31-June 1 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

'Three Old Boys'

Tech-themed crime drama from China.

Unrated. Opens Friday at AMC Loews Fountains 18, Stafford.

'Turbo'

Malayalam-language action-comedy from India.
None of the aid that has been unloaded from the temporary pier the US constructed off the coast of Gaza has been delivered to the broader Palestinian population, as the US works with the UN and Israel to identify safe delivery routes inside the enclave, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

Several desperate Gazans intercepted trucks delivering aid from the pier over the weekend, leading the UN to suspend the delivery operations until the logistical challenges are resolved.

The US is working with Israel and the United Nations to establish alternative routes for the safe delivery of the 569 tons of aid transported to Gaza since last week, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said on Tuesday.

Asked whether any of the aid has been delivered to the people of Gaza, Ryder said, As of today, I do not believe so. He added that aid had been held in an assembly area on shore, but as of Tuesday had begun getting moved to warehouses for distribution throughout Gaza as alternative routes have been established.

A US official told CNN that the Defense Department and UN are still working to determine how much aid can be held at he staging area inside Gaza at any given time.

The amount of aid getting to the Gaza shoreline from its initial staging area in Cyprus has also fallen short of initial Pentagon estimates.

Since Friday, more than 569 metric tons of humanitarian assistance have been delivered through the temporary pier, called JLOTS, or Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, to the shore of Gaza to be distributed by humanitarian partners, Ryder said. But Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command, said last week that the US hoped to initially transport 500 tons of aid per day via the pier, and scale up as time went on.

Over the weekend, as trucks began moving the aid delivered off the floating pier, CNN reported that a group of men in Gaza intercepted the aid, saying they did not trust that it was actually meant for the Palestinian people.

I have doubts, Mounir Ayad, a Gaza resident, told CNN near the pier. I dont understand this floating pier or what it indicates and what its purpose is. They say its for aid, but people are apprehensive. Is this aid or something else? We know that the US has never supported the Palestinian cause, so its implausible that its giving us aid without something in return.

Ryder acknowledged on Tuesday that some initial aid brought into Gaza was intercepted by some people who took that aid off those vehicles.

Fully appreciating the desperation, but also fully appreciating the fact that it is very important that this aid get to the people who need it most, thats going to continue to be the focus. So I understand, you know, the focus on why is this not working, or why is that not working, but what were focused on is how we can work to ensure that the Palestinian people get the aid.

The Pentagon said in April that the goal was to deliver roughly 500 tons of aid  amounting to 90 truckloads  per day to the starving population of Gaza, with the intent of working up to 150 trucks daily. The pier was finally anchored to Gaza last week as the humanitarian situation in the enclave has only worsened.

Sonali Korde, assistant to the administrator of the US Agency for International Developments Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, said last week that conditions in Gaza have not improved and in the past two weeks we have seen a vital border crossing close, and at a time when it is critical we see more aid move. Across Gaza, 2.2 million people, the entire population, is facing acute food insecurity.

The US has faced a number of challenges with the pier, including planning around Israels operations in Rafah which could raise security concerns; early issues with establishing who would transport the aid from the pier into Gaza, as the US has repeatedly said no US troops would have boots on the ground; and logistical challenges like sea and weather conditions that could continue to limit the ability to use it.

Ryder said Tuesday that the US is continuing to push for aid to get in other ways, including through land routes. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is continuing to have conversations with his Israeli counterpart regarding the effort to get aid through land crossings, including through Rafah, he said.

When White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli officials as part of his trip to the Middle East over the weekend, the Israelis presented their latest thinking about a potential Rafah incursion during which the US side asked a lot of hard questions, according to a senior administration official. This person noted that the two sides will continue those discussions but that the Israelis have been incorporating US feedback and concerns as they continue to work through those plans. The official added that both sides share the joint goal of destroying Hamas.

As part of the discussions with the Israelis, US officials also made a series of specific requests with regard to humanitarian aid, which they have agreed to implement, according to the official.

One of these requests included helping facilitate aid distribution by getting the Israelis to agree to allow aid scanned in Cyprus to be sent directly to the Israeli port of Ashdod, bypassing Egypt. Currently, cargo not being transported to Gaza via the pier must go through Egypt to be scanned before then being brought into the enclave.

I thought the the conversations were, were quite constructive and now were looking to see some of what was agreed unfold here over the coming days, the official said.

Just Tuesday, according to this person, over 370 pallets of aid were distributed in Gaza.

The US has also made a number of air drops of humanitarian aid into Gaza in partnership with the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Its unclear with what regularity those will continue; Ryder said Tuesday it is an option we have available to us but he declined to say whether that effort would continue well into the future.

The last humanitarian air drop announced by US Central Command was conducted on May 9.

This is not a sole US military effort, its an interagency effort. Its an international effort. And we understand the desperate need of the Palestinian people right now, Ryder said of efforts to get aid into Gaza. And were going to continue to work to get them what they need.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Sam Fossum, Kayla Tausche and MJ Lee contributed to this report.

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A commemorative Precious Moments figurine honoring Butcher is now planned for release

Precious Moments/YouTube, Amazon Samuel Butcher (left), Precious Moments

Samuel Butcher, the founder and designer of the collectible "Precious Moments" porcelain figurines, died at the age of 85 on Monday, the company announced in a statement.

In a post shared to Facebook, the Precious Moments company wrote: "It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Precious Moments beloved founder, Sam Butcher, who was called home to God in the early morning hours today, surrounded by loved ones."

"In his final words he shared that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were with him, and that it was beautiful," the post added.

The company added that Butcher's legacy would live on. "Although the sorrow is great, it is our prayer that the appreciation and celebration of his legacy be even greater  the legacy of his glory-filled life, the countless blessings he bestowed upon the millions of lives he touched, and the incredible fulfillment of his lifes mission: to share Gods gift of love with the world."

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Related: Woman Makes 'Last-Minute' Decision to Stop After Discovering Precious Moments Museum Exists  What She Found (Exclusive)

Butcher was born in 1939 in Jackson, Michigan, and was the third of five children who grew up "in a very poor family," according to his company's website.

As a child, Butcher spent his time drawing and sketching, often scouring a factory dump near his family home to search for rolls of paper, as his family could not afford art supplies. A deeply religious man, Butcher often drew Bible stories  a precursor for the designs that would one day make him famous.

After graduating from high school, Butcher won a scholarship to the College of Arts & Crafts in Berkeley and, following college, began a stint in the shipping department at the Child Evangelism Fellowship. It was at the Fellowship where Butcher was eventually promoted to the art department and, in his spare time, began drawing teardrop-eyed children for friends and family.

Those drawings ultimately became the Precious Moments that launched to the public in 1975 on inspirational greeting cards and posters, and in 1978 as figurines. In 1989, Butcher opened the Precious Moments Chapel.

Butcher married his college sweetheart, Katie, and the couple had seven children  Phillip, Timothy, Don, Jon, Heather, Tammy and Deb  and 53 grand and great-grandchildren. Philip, Timothy, and Katie all preceded Butcher in death.

Today, the Precious Moments brand is continued by Butcher's children Don, Jon and Deb, alongside master sculptor Hiko Maeda.

The Longview News- Journal reports that a Precious Moments figurine called "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" commemorating Butcher is now planned for release.



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All nine South Dakota tribes have officially endorsed the banishment of Gov. Kristi Noem from their lands.

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribes executive council voted Tuesday in favor of banishing the South Dakota governor from their reservation after she made disparaging remarks earlier this year against Native American parents during a town hall in Mitchell, saying their children have no hope.

She has also continually pushed claims that Mexican drug cartels have a presence on South Dakota Indian reservations.

This has placed Flandreau Santee Sioux leaders under pressure from their citizenry to punish Noem for her comments.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem discusses the drug cartel presence in the states tribal lands during press conference on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota.

Prior to the decision, Tyler Rambeau, executive administrative assistant of the FSST Homeowners Assistance Fund, told the Argus Leader tribal citizens had urged council members to banish Noem.

A lot of us are really wondering why its even a question and why were holding off so long, Rambeau said. A lot of us are really uncomfortable and upset with that.

The tribes council office was unusually busy on the day of the executive councils meeting. Tribal members sporadically entered the tribes meeting chambers  open only to Flandreau Santee Sioux citizens  to catch what one attendee described as a pretty heated discussion, before popping outside for a smoke break amid a morning-long downpour.

Cyndi Allen-Weddell, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Vice President, gives the 2024 State of the Tribes address.

More: Who is Kristi Noem? Everything to know about the South Dakota governor

An Argus Leader reporter caught executive council members David Ross and Jonathan Schrader Sr. during an afternoon recess. In very brief remarks, Ross and Schrader Sr. said the council remained undecided.

Well know later, Ross told the Argus Leader.

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is the last of the states Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribal governments to endorse Noems banishment and the eighth to make it official.

We need to stand in solidarity with our fellow tribes in South Dakota, the Ochethi Sakowi, Rambeau said. We do not want to come up on the wrong side of history in this moment.

More: A ghostwriter explains why Kristi Noems new memoir might be hard to find in Sioux Falls

Decision comes after tribal leaders met with Noem

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe released a statement on Monday recounting a May 19 meeting between tribal leadership and Noem in Pierre that they characterized as respectful and productive.

The tribe included a statement from Noem: It was never my intent to cause offense by speaking truth to the real challenges that are being faced in some areas of Indian country. I want to focus on solutions that lead to safer communities for all our families, better educational outcomes for all our children, and declining addiction numbers for all of our people. It is my hope that the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will give us the opportunity to partner together in a way that can be an example for all.

Yankton Sioux Tribes Business and Claims Committee voted unanimously on May 10 to support Noems punishment.

However, Courtney Sully, secretary of the Yankton Sioux, said the tribes general council has yet to adopt an official measure.

Noems cartel-tribal rhetoric dates back to January

The governor initiated her cartel-tribal rhetoric on Jan. 31, when she held an emergency joint session during the states annual legislative session. In an 18-minute speech, Noem described to state lawmakers the Texas-Mexico border was under an invasion by migrants. She also alleged, The cartels are using our reservations to facilitate the spread of drugs throughout the Midwest.

More: Kristi Noem says drugs from southern border infiltrating South Dakota's reservations

Noem dialed up the rhetoric in March, when she suggested without evidence tribal leaders are personally benefiting from the cartels during a town hall event in Winner. She later called on the tribes to banish the cartels in an April press release.

On Friday, the second-term governor spent part of a 51-minute press conference in Pierre lamenting the seven prior banishment measures and continued to emphasize her claim that Mexican cartels are using South Dakotas Indian lands as safe havens to distribute drugs in the state.

The Argus Leader reached out to Noem spokesman Ian Fury for comment. He pointed back to the governors remarks during her Friday press conference.

Banishing me does absolutely nothing to solve this problem, Noem told reporters Friday. All it does is help those who are perpetuating horrible violence and crimes against the people of South Dakota.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: All 9 South Dakota tribes endorse Gov. Kristi Noem's banishment
The destructive tornado that ravaged the town of Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday has left four dead and at least 35 injured, the Iowa State Patrol said in a Wednesday evening news release.

Two residents, Dean Wiggins, 78, and Pamela Wiggins, 77, were killed when their home was struck by a tornado, according to the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency. Another man, Michael Jensen, 73, died at his residence. And William Williamson, 70, succumbed to his injuries after being transported from his home to a hospital.

In addition to the fatalities reported in Greenfield, at least one person was killed as storms passed through nearby Adams County, officials said earlier. Monica Irma Zamarron, 49, lost her life after being ejected from her vehicle on Highway 148, according to officials.

The Iowa State Patrol said the number of those injured from the Greenfield twister is likely higher, but these numbers reflect only those patients treated for their injuries at designated alternate care sites. At least 14 patients were taken to medical facilities outside of the county, the release added.

The tornado that carved through Greenfield  about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines  was an EF4, the National Weather Service in Des Moines said Thursday, and is the deadliest of the year. The tornado had peak winds of 175 mph to 185 mph, was more than a half-mile wide and was on the ground for 44 miles, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

More than 100 first responders were combing through the wreckage of the town Wednesday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said. The citys hospital sustained damage and some patients were moved to other facilities in surrounding areas. At least four medical airlift flights occurred.

A makeshift hospital was set up in the citys lumberyard Tuesday right after the tornado tracked out of the area, State Rep. Ray Sorensen said Wednesday. Sorensen lives in the area and assisted with recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath.

We pulled a guy from the rubble and put him on a little makeshift stretcher that we made for him on the back of a truck, Sorensen recalled.

Video taken by CNN affiliate KCCI shows homes and other structures were obliterated and the community is blanketed with heaps of debris, tossed cars and uprooted trees.

Its horrific, Reynolds said Wednesday. Its hard to describe until you can actually see the devastation.

People survey debris from tornado damaged homes in Greenfield, Iowa on Wednesday. - Charlie Neibergall/AP

At least three tornadoes were reported in Iowa on Tuesday  part of a torrent of storms that left widespread power outages, structural damage and flooding across the US this week.

Tornado reports have skyrocketed well-above average in recent weeks as the typically busiest period of severe weather season unfolds. The more than 800 tornadoes reported so far make 2024 one of the most active years for twisters on record.

Greenfield, home to just over 2,100 residents, must now recover from the damage of the deadliest tornado in a year thats recorded fewer deaths from twisters than 2023. Despite the number of tornadoes this year, there had been 17 deaths from the beginning of 2024 until Tuesday, while 65 people died due to tornadoes during the same period last year.

Nearly 15,000 homes and businesses were in the dark across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois as of Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

On Wednesday, a tornado hurtled through Temple, Texas  about 35 miles south of Waco  causing widespread power outages and making many roads dangerous or impassable. First responders were flooded with emergency requests and were prioritizing life-saving calls Wednesday night, the city said in a release announcing a disaster declaration. Currently, no life-threatening injuries or fatalities have been reported, the release said.

More than 125,000 homes and businesses in Texas were without power Thursday morning, including nearly 55,000 in Bell County, where Temple is located, according to PowerOutage.us.

More than 200 homes destroyed in Iowa

The governor expanded her disaster declaration from 15 counties to 32 on Thursday, and said state officials are working with the FEMA to get the federal declaration approved, citing a lot of destruction and damage across the state.

Were going to process it as quickly as we can, said FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.

More than 200 homes were destroyed in Iowa, Reynolds said.

Greenfield and other parts of western Iowa bore the brunt of the storms catastrophic impacts: In Greenfields county, Adair, 153 homes were either damaged or destroyed, according to Reynolds.

A tornado also toppled a hulking wind turbine just south of Greenfield in Prescott, Iowa, and more than two dozen homes were damaged or destroyed in Montgomery County, including some critical public facilities, emergency management officials said. No injuries have been reported but damage assessments are still ongoing.

But Greenfield is the epicenter of Tuesdays event.

There is basically nothing left, Clel Baudler, a former Iowa state representative who lives a half mile from Greenfield, told CNN on Tuesday.

Valerie Warrior, a Greenfield resident, pleaded with God to protect her home and her family before she rode out the storm in her basement, she told KCCI.

I was in the furnace room and then I heard (the storm) like a train, she said, describing insulation flying off of basement windows. I heard it, and I knew it was hitting.

Storm damage is seen in Greenfield, Iowa, on May 22, 2024. - Bill Kirkos/CNN

Warrior said the scale of damage is devastating to see, but she is confident residents will pull each other through the crisis.

Theyll get through it. You already see people out helping each other, working together. And thats what they do, people come together when a tragedy happens. People come together to support and encourage each other.

Fighting back tears, Warrior looked out the rubble strewn across her neighborhood and tried to crack a smile.

Well rebuild, she said. Well rebuild.

CNNs Jessica Jordan, Sara Smart, Amy Simonson, Andy Rose, Brad Parks and Raja Razek contributed to this report.

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The uncommitted vote secured at least five delegates in Kentuckys Democratic presidential primary Tuesday, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), dealing the latest blow to President Biden amid criticism from his own party over the handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

More than 32,900 of voters in the state, nearly 18 percent, selected uncommitted instead of Biden, who received more than 131,000 votes (71 percent), per DDHQs results..

A combined 11 percent went to the incumbents long-shot challengers, author Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who dropped out of the race earlier this year.

The results in the Bluegrass State follow a trend seen in some other early primaries this year, including in Michigan, where 13 percent of primary votes cast a protest ballot for uncommitted, scoring two delegates in February.

Uncommitted has secured 28 delegates so far in the 2024 primary race, according to DDHQs tracker, compared to Bidens 3,750 pledged delegates.

While the uncommitted vote does not pose any serious risk to the incumbent, who has already clinched the Democratic nomination, the movement is a symbol of the backlash he faces over his approach to the conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

The president and his White House staff have attempted to walk a fine line to balance supporting Israels right to defend itself and condemning antisemitism, while also calling for the country to permit more aid into Gaza and to take more caution in protecting civilian lives in the region.

While uncommitted was not a formal option on Tuesdays primary ballot in Oregon, organizers in the state also urged voters to write it in.

Former President Trump easily won the Republican primary vote in Kentucky, securing nearly 85 percent of GOP votes, equal to more than 215,600 votes. His ex-rival, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, still secured about 6 percent of the states primary vote, underscoring Americans frustrations with the former president and his expected rematch against Biden in November.

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Los Angeles Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are investigating the source of the ketamine that led to Matthew Perrys death, authorities said on Tuesday.

Perry, a household name best known for his decade-long portrayal of Chandler Bing in comedy series Friends, was discovered unresponsive in the heated end of a swimming pool in his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28.

A post-mortem found that the 54-year-old actors cause of death was the accidental result of "the acute effects of ketamine". Drowning was cited as a secondary factor , and there were no signs of fatal trauma or foul play.

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, has both recreational uses and medicinal uses; it is occasionally used for the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions.

When contacted for further information, LAPD referred TIME to its statements made via X (formerly Twitter), as seen below.

On 12-15-23, the autopsy indicated Mr. Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Based on the Medical Examiners findings, the LAPD with the assistance of DEA and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has continued its investigation into the circumstances of Perrys death.  LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) May 21, 2024

TIME also reached out to the DEA for comment and further information.

Read More: Matthew Perry Is Mourned by His Friends Castmates in Moving Tributes

An autopsy report by the Los Angeles County Coroner determined that Perrywho had openly struggled with drug and alcohol addictionwas reportedly undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment for depression. Perry had been "reportedly clean for 19 months according to PEOPLE, which obtained a copy of the autopsy report.

It also found that the level of ketamine present in Perrys blood amounted to that used during general anesthesia. The medical examiner noted that Perrys last treatment took place a week and a half before his death and could not account for this volume.

Perry outlined his struggles with addiction in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which was published on Nov. 1, 2022, almost a year before his death.

In an interview with podcast host Tom Power to promote the book, Perry said he would rather be remembered for helping others trying to get sober.

The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, I cant stop drinking, can you help me? I can say yes and follow up and do it, he said. When I die, I dont want Friends to be the first thing thats mentioned. I want that to be the first thing thats mentioned. And Im gonna live the rest of my life proving that.

Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com.
A truck carrying humanitarian aid across Trident Pier, a temporary pier off the Gaza Strip. U.S. Army Central/Handout via REUTERS

Little of the aid unloaded at the US's temporary pier in Gaza has reached people in need.

Deliveries had to be suspended for two days after the trucks were intercepted by a crowd, reports say.

The entire project is estimated to cost $320 million, and the pier was only installed on Thursday.

The $320 million pier project to deliver aid to Gaza has yet to connect goods with the people who need them.

Gaza's 2.2 million residents face monthslong food shortages that have exacerbated already-poor health in the region. Humanitarian-aid groups have criticized Israel for not letting enough aid trucks into Gaza, keeping critical crossings closed, and creating logistical hurdles.

Israel has denied the accusations and has blamed the UN for failing to distribute aid, which the UN disputes.

The Pentagon's press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, said on Tuesday that the goods unloaded on the temporary pier built by the US off the coast of Gaza hadn't reached those in need, according to CNN.

And the UN World Food Program said on Tuesday that this entire project might eventually be a failure if Israel doesn't create conditions for aid groups to carry out their operations safely, per the Associated Press.

Over the weekend, trucks carrying aid from the pier were intercepted by a crowd, CNN reported.

"I don't understand this floating pier or what it indicates and what its purpose is," Mounir Ayad, a Gaza resident, told CNN near the pier. "They say it's for aid, but people are apprehensive. Is this aid or something else? We know that the US has never supported the Palestinian cause, so it's implausible that it's giving us aid without something in return."

Steve Taravella, a WFP spokesperson, told the AP that only five of 16 aid trucks leaving the pier on Saturday arrived at the warehouse with their cargo.

As a result, the deliveries had to be paused on Sunday and Monday, the WFP said.

Although the Pentagon said aid transportation resumed on Tuesday, the UN said that it had no knowledge of any deliveries taking place on that day, according to the AP.

The temporary pier was only anchored on a beach in Gaza on Thursday, which the US Central Command announced in a statement on its website.

Ryder said that as of Tuesday, 569 metric tons of aid had been delivered to the Gaza port.

The Pentagon previously said the goal was to deliver at least 500 tons  about 90 trucks' worth  of humanitarian assistance into Gaza daily before scaling up to 150 trucks a day.

The US Army had deployed some of its biggest ships to help build the pier as part of its efforts to better support civilians amid the conflict.

Countries including the US have also dropped food in parachutes. In March, five children in Gaza were killed by an aid parcel with a malfunctioning parachute.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elizibeth Green has been missing since April 17 and was last seen walking to work in a remote area of Callao

Utah Department of Public Safety Elizibeth Green.

A 21-year-old Utah woman hasn't been seen since being reported missing over a month ago after vanishing while heading to work at a remote ranch.

Elizibeth Green was reported missing to the Juab County Sheriff's Office on April 17, 2024. A press release shared by the sheriff's office confirmed Green is from Callao, UT, and was last seen wearing a pink tie-dye high-cut hoodie, light blue jeans and black Converse sneakers. She was carrying a white backpack.

Green's mother, Vanessa Simmons, told local CBS affiliate KUTV of her missing daughter, "There's so many unknowns, unfortunately."

Simmons said that her daughter was last seen heading to a nearby ranch in the remote area of Callao where she was starting a new job.

Missing Persons Alerts Nationwide Page Elizibeth Green was reported missing on April 17, 2024.

"I'm kind of at the point where I think maybe she had somebody pick her up," Simmons shared, according to the outlet. "I just don't know who that is, or if they actually picked her up, or if they didn't come and then she went trying to walk through the desert."

Juab County Sheriff's Office didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

Related: 2 People Missing, 2 Others Injured After Canoeing Over Minnesota Waterfall

Per a search warrant filed by Juab County Sheriff's Office to access Green's devices and social media accounts, the Juab County Search and Rescue team began their search on April 18, according to KUTV.

The area the team have been looking in "is approximately three hours away from any major cities and requires travel on dirty roads," the outlet reports.

Utah Department of Public Safety Elizibeth Green.

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"SAR searched the area between her home and the ranch she was going to work at. They also searched in a grid pattern around the area. They were unable to locate Elizibeth or anything to determine where she could have gone," the warrant states, per the outlet.

The warrant also says that police have searched the ranch where Green was reportedly heading to work, but the rancher claimed she "did not make it to the ranch that day and he did not have any contact with her."

"Deputies searched his ranch and did not locate anything suspicious," the warrant continues.

"Based on the information that we have received, we are concerned about the possibility that Elizibeth is in danger of serious bodily injury or death," the document adds.

Related: California College Student, 23, Reported Missing After Phone Found at LAX: 'Very Out of Character'

"It is unknown if Elizibeth is in danger and lost in the vast desert, or if someone that she was communicating with met with her and is holding her against her will," it states.

Those close to Green reportedly told investigators that she has mental health issues and has run away before, but would usually return after getting in touch with family members after a day or so, per KUTV.



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After a splashy New York City debut just one year ago, Volkswagen (VWAGY) is pushing back plans to bring its ID.7 EV sedan to the US and Canada.

The German automaker said on Wednesday that the ID.7  which has been on sale in Europe and China since late 2023  is now delayed in the US and Canada, citing changing market dynamics.

Namely: waning EV demand and the decline of the sedan in America.

Last month, KBB reported EV sales rose only 2.6% year over year in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 15.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 46.4% growth in the first quarter last year.

In addition to slowing demand for EVs, the sedan body style has been losing popularity in the US for some time now. Earlier this month, Chevy decided to cancel its Malibu sedan after 50 years and 10 million cars sold to focus on SUVs, crossovers, and EVs.

A 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 electric vehicle is at the New York International Auto Show in New York on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A year ago, Volkswagen Americas president and CEO Pablo Di Si was bullish on the ID.7s prospects in the US.

Our focus continues to be SUVs, but obviously the sedan market represents 16% of the total market in the US  and bringing the ID.7 with its all-new leather premium interior, 300 [mile] plus range in 2024, it is the right approach to take for VW, he said at the ID.7s April 2023 debut.

However, Volkswagen of Americas pivot on the ID.7 comes as its parent company also tempers plans that once saw it set to launch 75 EVs over the next decade, including 25 in North America.

A Volkswagen spokesperson told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that bringing 25 EV models to North America by 2030 is "still the plan."

But earlier this month, Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schafer indicated a product portfolio shift was needed. Customers want plug-in hybrids now, including in China and the US, Schafer said in an interview at a conference in London, Bloomberg reported.

The Volkswagen ID.7 EV. (Volkswagen) (Volkswagen)

Volkswagen has plug-in hybrid versions of the Passat sedan and Tiguan SUV in Europe, but does not currently have any hybrids in the US.

The German automaker has also recently taken advantage of partnerships to lower costs and time to market for its EVs, primarily focused on China. VW said it would partner with Chinas XPeng to produce two new EVs with Volkswagen branding, powered by XPengs software and EV engineering.

Earlier this week, Volkswagen's premium brand Audi announced it had signed a deal with China's state-owned SAIC to develop new EVs for the mainland.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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WASHINGTON  Democrats risk splitting again as House Republican leaders prepare legislation to sanction International Criminal Court officials for seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.

The ICCs decision on Monday to pursue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his allies over Israels conduct in the war in Gaza has sparked bipartisan fury from Washington, with both Republicans and Democrats condemning the ICC.

The ICC prosecutors application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Israel is fighting a just war for survival, and the ICC is attempting to equate Israeli officials to the evil terrorists who perpetrated the October 7th massacre, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the ICC decision profoundly unfair and reprehensible.

Republicans are pushing to go a step further and rebuke the ICC by sanctioning or restricting chief prosecutor Karim Khan and other officials. Democrats though are more split on whether sanctioning the ICC is an appropriate course of action to pressure it to withdraw the warrants.

Johnson said Republicans are currently pursuing very aggressive legislation that were going to push as quickly as possible, at a weekly news conference. The bill would include sanctions, Johnson said, and the speaker warned that if the ICC moves forward with its absurd warrant request, this will be an even bigger international problem.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that the Biden administration is open to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to find an appropriate response, but the devils in the details.

I think we have to look at the appropriate steps to take, to deal with, again, what is profoundly a wrongheaded decision, Blinken added.

Democratic leadership have also panned the ICCs warrant request and congressional Democrats have often moved in lockstep with the White House but its unclear just how many lawmakers would agree with taking congressional action and punishing the ICC.

Democrats have already been split several times this Congress on Israel policy. Dozens of progressives voted against sending additional aid to Israel without additional conditions on the use of offensive weapons, and a handful of moderates joined with Republicans to pass a House bill that would force Biden to continue sending arms to Israel.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., a centrist Democrat, said that sanctioning the ICC sounds like a good idea and that he was looking into it but wouldnt specify what kind of punishments he would support.

Its outrageous, Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., told USA TODAY of the warrant requests. Schenider said he was 100% on board to work with Republicans to craft legislation targeting the ICC.

Its not certain what sanctions Republican leaders could pursue, but a bill aimed at the ICC could resemble an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump in 2020 that Biden withdrew the following year. Trump placed sanctions on a pair of ICC prosecutors that included visa restrictions for them and their family members along with freezing their assets in the U.S.

A group of Republicans in the Senate proposed potential sanctions on ICC officials earlier this year, should the court decide to prosecute Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a ceremony marking Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of Israel's wars and victims of attacks at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl military cemetery on May 13, 2024. Israel marks Memorial Day to commemorate fallen soldiers and victims of attacks recorded since 1860 by the defense ministry, just before the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of its creation according to the Jewish calendar.

The proposal from Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., would revoke visas for any ICC official involved with the prosecution of people from the United States and its allies that are not members of the ICC, which includes Israel.

Its an outrageous moral equivalence, Cotton said on Fox News Monday. Were working with the Republican leadership in the House to try to pass that bill promptly and hopefully force Chuck Schumers hand to bring it up in the Senate.

However, its unclear whether the Democratically-controlled Senate would take up such a measure. Spokespeople for Schumer did not respond to a request for comment for this story, and opinions differ within his caucus.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told USA TODAY that he is part of a bipartisan group that is working on developing a response, but wasnt clear on whether that would involve sanctions.

And Im in conversations with the administration, he said. I want to get their view as to what they think is the most effective way for us to have some impact on whats going on.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is part of the group and says he wants sanctions. And Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the ICC is right to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

These arrest warrants may or may not be carried out, he said in a statement. But it is imperative that the global community uphold international law.

Others, like Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said theyd reserve judgment until they saw the proposal before the Senate.

I think maybe this has been given more attention than it really merits, Kaine said. Prosecutors recommend stuff all the time. Its ultimately a decision for judges, not prosecutors.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu ICC arrest warrant vote could splinter Democrats
High water flows into Vernons Kuntry Katfish off FM 105 Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

The popular Lake Conroe-area Vernon's Kuntry Katfish restaurant will open again Friday after being closed for three weeks due to flooding earlier this month.

The restaurant at 5901 West Davis Street, also known as Texas 105, closed the afternoon of May 2 after a release from the nearby Lake Conroe dam brought water into the restaurant again.

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The restaurant also flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. This time the damage was not as severe and the Bowers family was able to reopen within three weeks.

Vernon's Kuntry Katfish posted this message on Facebook Monday afternoon announcing their reopening Friday. Image courtesy Vernon's Kuntry Katfish

"After the wild Texas weather tried to keep us down with flooding, we bounced back stronger, all thanks to the incredible support from our community and local vendors. Join us as we celebrate resilience, community and, of course, delicious catfish!" read a statement on the restaurant's Facebook page from the Bowers family.

The restaurant is open daily at 11 a.m.

The Bowers family opened the restaurant in 1984 after patriarch Vernon Bowers thought people who had an unlucky day on Lake Conroe would appreciate fried fish.

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He died in 1999 but his widow, Mary, and daughter, Debbie, continue to run the restaurant. Son Buster Bowers also ran the restaurant before his unexpected death in 2019.

CONROE ISD: Conroe ISD trustees tighten guidelines on School Health Advisory Council that advises on curriculum

In 2017, the Conroe and Lake Conroe communities rallied around the Bowers family, hosting a fundraiser to help them recover.

High water flows into Vernons Kuntry Katfish off FM 105 Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Conroe. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

The fundraiser was sponsored by the Reguladores Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and organized by Joe Haliti, who owns Joe's Italian in Conroe, District Attorney Brett Ligon and Precinct 1 Constable Philip Cash. The event raised more than $70,000 for the business to rebuild and reopen.

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A Black dog walkers home in San Francisco was set on fire weeks after he reported receiving racially threatening packages. He was not home at the time of the fire Tuesday, but his parents were trapped upstairs and had to be rescued by firefighters.

Police said they are investigating the sending of the packages as hate crimes, but have not identified a suspect.

The walker, Terry Williams, said he found two packages, one April 26, the other May 5, at the row house he lives in with his parents that contained racist threats against him.

It was a plastic bag that had Gangster, thug and other negative words about Black people on it, Williams told KGO-TV, an ABC San Francisco affiliate. Inside the bag, he said, was a photo of him with racial epithets written on it and a stuffed doll with a noose around its neck and racist vitriol scrawled across it.

Williams was meeting with city leaders on Tuesday to talk about the packages when he received a call about the fire.

Williams father, Luddie, 81, said his wife Carolyn, 79, smelled smoke Tuesday morning, and before long the living room was an inferno.

I dont know what happened, Luddie Williams told The Standard, a local digital news outlet. I was just trying to get me and my wife the hell out of there. The couple was taken to a hospital.

The bomb squad was called as a precaution, said Jonathan Baxter, captain of media affairs for the San Francisco Fire Department, concerning an item within the fire building that is not associated with the fire or the investigation but did require being rendered safe. Baxter added that the item was not necessarily a bomb, but did not say what it was.

The family has lived in the citys Alamo Square neighborhood since the 1970s, making them somewhat unique.

San Franciscos Black residents and neighborhoods have been eroding for decades, as gentrification, exorbitant housing costs and other factors have pushed them to more affordable areas.

Since 1990, the percentage of Black San Franciscans has dropped from 10.9% to 5.7% in 2021, according to the U.S. census. And a 2020 San Francisco Human Rights Commission resolution indicated that Black people are the only ethnic group that has declined in the city every census since 1970.

The report also determined that Black people have the highest mortality rate in San Francisco, with nine of the top 10 causes of death.

I could see it coming, Jackie Brown, a San Francisco native who relocated to Atlanta and then to Charlotte, North Carolina, more than a decade ago, told NBC News. I didnt leave because I was threatened, but I was not as comfortable in my own hometown as I had been. Its become too expensive. But its also a feeling like we  Black people  are not wanted there, too.

Terry Williams told The Standard that he had experienced other racist incidents like name-calling as he walked his or his clients dogs in the neighborhood. But it escalated dramatically over the last few weeks.

Still, Williams and his family have garnered much support from the community. A GoFundMe page has raised more than $73,000 to Help Terry Keep His Family Safe After Hate Crime.

The president of the San Francisco NAACP, the Rev. Amos Brown, said the racist attacks on Williams should be a tipping point for the city.  More good people need to come aboard to make it uncomfortable for bad people.

Williams, who could not be reached for comment, told The Standard that he was resolute about one thing: They want me to run, he said. Im not going to run. My grandfather raised me better; my great-uncle and my dad taught me better than that.  It makes me stay and fight harder. Im not going nowhere.

For more from NBC BLK, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Norwegian government officially recognizes Palestine as a state, stated in the message published on the website of the Norwegian government.

The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognize Palestine as a state. In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.

It is noted that the decision comes into force on May 28.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. The visit of the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Claude Wiseler, to Armenia proves the strong and developing relations between Armenia and Luxembourg, the manifestation of participation in the security challenges of Armenia and the readiness to contribute to their resolution, stated Alen Simonyan during press conference.

"I would like to emphasize that Mr. Wiseler and the other colleagues present here are the people whose efforts made Luxembourg's position very clear on issues related to Armenia, for which we are grateful.

This is evidenced by the resolution in support of Armenia adopted by the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies on the eve of this visit. It touches on a number of issues important for Armenia, including the ongoing work on demarcating the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the basis of the Alma-Ata Declaration, the need for Azerbaijan to comply with the binding decision of the International Court of Justice of November 17, 2023 and the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners of war.

The resolution also condemns the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijans unjustified and unjustified military operation, and emphasizes the importance of expanding Armenia-EU, Armenia-Luxembourg relations, Simonyan said.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia said that at a meeting with his colleague, he discussed the details of the vision presented in the resolution, emphasizing Armenias readiness to deepen cooperation with Luxembourg without any restrictions, from political dialogue to defense cooperation, from expanding diplomatic relations to expanding cooperation in educational, scientific, innovation sphere and in a number of other areas.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia said that at a meeting with his colleague, he discussed the details of the vision presented in the resolution, emphasizing Armenias readiness to deepen cooperation with Luxembourg without any restrictions, from political dialogue to defense cooperation, from expanding diplomatic relations to expanding cooperation in educational, scientific, innovation sphere and in a number of other areas.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the death of President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Hossein Abdollahian and their accompanying persons, reported the Prime Minister's Office.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that he has warm memories of the contacts with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and noted that the Republic of Armenia and its people are standing by the good friend and neighbor state and people during this difficult period for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Seyyed Ali Khamenei thanked the Prime Minister for visiting and participating in the tribute event during this difficult time for Iran.

The interlocutors expressed belief that Armenia and Iran will continue the steps aimed at the development and expansion of warm and friendly relations for the benefit of the progress of both states and peoples.

On May 22, the Prime Minister of Armenia will participate in the official ceremony to pay tribute and offer condolences for the President of the Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions in Tehran, as informed by the Prime Minister's office.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Acting President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber in Tehran.

Nikol Pashinyan expressed condolences to the acting President of Iran, vice-presidents, members of the government and the entire Iranian people in connection with the death of the President of the Iranian Republic, Foreign Minister and those accompanying them, reported the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the deaths of Ebrahim Raisi and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were a great tragedy. Armenia and the Armenian people mourn and share the pain of the people of friendly Iran.

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that he and Ebrahim Raisi were connected not only by partnership but also by warm friendship, which positively influenced Armenian-Iranian relations. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the programs outlined with Ebrahim Raisi will be implemented and that positive relations between the two countries will continue.

The acting President of Iran noted that the presence of the Prime Minister of Armenia gives them strength in these difficult days. According to him, the disaster shocked the entire people of Iran, and he appreciates that friendly Armenia today shares their grief.

Mohammad Mokhber assured that all the programs outlined by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia with Ebrahim Raisi, aimed at developing Armenian-Iranian relations, will be long-lasting.

On May 22, the Prime Minister of Armenia will participate in the official ceremony to pay tribute and offer condolences for the President of the Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions in Tehran, as informed by the Prime Minister's office.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Swedish government has agreed with its support party on a framework for additional military support to Ukraine totalling 75 billion crowns ($7.01 billion) over three years, Reuters reports citing the government statement.

"To strengthen the Swedish support to Ukraine, and increase the long-term perspective, the government and the Sweden Democrats have agreed to introduce a framework for the military support to Ukraine for the years 20242026," Swedish government said in a statement.

The 75 billion crowns will be equally divided over the three years. Including the proposed addition, Sweden's total planned military and other support to Ukraine will amount to over 100 billion crowns, it said.

According to Reuters, the statement said military support under the new framework could include donations of defence equipment, financial contributions and financial support for the procurement of defence gear.

"The framework may burden the public finances for several years and even after 2026," it said.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. On May 22, the Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan received the delegation led by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Claude Wiseler.

The Speakers of Parliaments had private conversation, which followed the meeting in the expanded format.

According to the readout issued by the press service of the Armenian Parliament, the interlocutors documented about the political dialogue of high level between Armenia and Luxembourg, underscoring the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the dynamic development of the two countries relations.

We highly assess the Resolution unanimously adopted on May 16 by the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg on supporting Armenia and establishing peace and stability in the region.

We emphasize that in the Resolution the forcibly displaced more than 100.000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of unsubstantiated military operation by Azerbaijan is condemned and immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war is called on, the National Assembly President noted, adding that now the appeals of the whole international community are addressed to the official Baku to fulfill all the conditions for the safe and dignified return of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to their centuries-old motherland.

Claude Wiseler mentioned that Luxembourg is ready to continue supporting Armenia in establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

We encourage the involvement of the EU other member states and us in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations. We emphasize and demand the immediate return of prisoners of war to their Motherland, the Head of Parliament of Luxembourg noted.

The opportunities of the Armenia-EU economic relations, the EU-Armenia visa liberalisation process, the security situation in the South Caucasus and a large scope of issues on Armenia-Luxembourg inter-parliamentary interaction were discussed.

Reference was made to the Crossroads of Peace Project of the Armenian Government and its importance in the establishment of security in the region, as well as in the establishment and development of trade-economic relations.

At the end of the meeting the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of Luxembourg left a note in the Book of Honorable Guests.
"Taiwan independence" separatist activities most destructive elements to peace across Taiwan Strait: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 10:07, May 22, 2024

ASTANA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are the most destructive elements to the peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated China's solemn position on the Taiwan question while addressing a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana.

Denouncing the actions of individuals like Lai Ching-te as disgraceful betrayals of the nation and the ancestors, Wang said no matter what tricks they play, they cannot prevent China from ultimately achieving complete reunification, as Taiwan is bound to return to the embrace of the motherland.

All "Taiwan independence" separatists are set to be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, Wang said.

During the meeting, Wang expressed appreciation for the SCO member states for firmly adhering to the one-China principle based on the basic norms of international relations on defending each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wang said he believes that the world will continue to support the Chinese people's just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and striving for national reunification.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A view of Terminal E is shown through a feature wall that will display LED lighting in the new Terminal D West Pier that is under construction at George Bush Intercontinental Airport Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Houston. The Terminal D West Pier will provide additional gates. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Houston Memorial Day travel will be even busier than past years, and officials at Hobby and George Bush Airports are advising travelers to arrive at least three hours early for their flights over the weekend.

Heres what to know before the airports fill up this weekend.

ABOUT THE HOLIDAY: What to know about Memorial Day, which honors fallen soldiers

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How busy will the airports be on Memorial Day weekend?

Both Houston airports are set to receive a total of 1.3 million travelers over Memorial Day weekend, a 4 percent increase compared to last Memorial Day weekend. Bush Airport will see 996,000 travelers and Hobby Airport will welcome 313,000 travelers.

The busiest day for departing flights will be Friday, and the busiest day for returning flights will be Monday. More flights are being added to both airports daily.

How should I prepare for a trip on Memorial Day weekend?

Travelers who want to park at the airport should reserve parking online at least 12 hours before arriving to the airport at www.Fly2Houston.com/parking, Houston Airport System officials said.

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People arriving at the airport should expect delays. Peak travel times are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. During peak hours, travelers should arrive to the airport at least 3 hours before their flights, international and domestic, officials said.

Travelers can download this Houston Airports app, which works for both airports, to check flight information and security wait times, find their car in the airport parking lots and find restaurants inside the airports.

Where else can I park near the airport?

Several parking garages and spaces are near George Bush International Airport with shuttles directly to the airport:

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Fast Park and Relax IAH - 6655 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble

The Parking Spot - 5727 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble

Park N Fly - 15850 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston

Hobby also has several parking lots near the airport:

Fast Park and Relax - 8202 Hansen Rd, Houston

Fine Airport Parking - 7979 Airport Blvd, Houston

Is there any construction on the way to either airport?

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California-based cloud software company Nutanix has unveiled artificial intelligence (AI)-related partnerships and a partner program at its .Next conference in Barcelona.

First up, GPT-in-a-Box 2.0 delivers new functionality including integrations with NVIDIA NIM inference microservices and Hugging Faces large language models library.

Customers will be able to build scalable, secure, high-performance generative AI (GenAI) applications across the enterprise and at the edge, Nutanix said.

This would provide a fast-track to help organisations mainstream GenAI beyond the public cloud.

We saw a great response to our original launch of Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box, validating the needs of enterprise customers for on-premises software solutions that simplify the deployment and management of AI models and inference endpoints, said Thomas Cornely, SVP of product management at Nutanix.

Enterprise is the new frontier for GenAI and were excited to work with our fast growing ecosystem of partners to make it as simple as possible to run GenAI applications on premises at scale while maintaining control on privacy and cost.

The vendor also launched a new Nutanix AI partner program, aiming to bring together leading AI solutions and services partners to support customers looking to run, manage and secure GenAI applications on top of Nutanix Cloud Platform and GPT-in-a-Box.

Enterprises are looking to simplify GenAI adoption, and Nutanix enables customers to move to production more easily while maintaining control, privacy, and cost, said Tarkan Maner, chief commercial officer at Nutanix.

This collaboration will add to this value by making it even easier for customers to leverage NVIDIAs latest innovation with NIM.

Across every industry, enterprises were working to efficiently integrate AI into the cloud and data platforms, said Manuvir Das, vice president of enterprise computing at NVIDIA.

The integration of NVIDIA NIM into Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box gives enterprises an AI-ready solution for rapidly deploying optimised models in production, he said.

Finally, an expanded partnership with EnterpriseDB aims to accelerate PostgreSQL adoption to support AI applications.

The combined solution brings together Nutanix Database Services developer self-service and database automation with EnterpriseDBs performance, high availability, security and Oracle compatibility.

The partnership aims to empower joint customers to accelerate their adoption of PostgreSQL to support both new cloud-native applications and existing enterprise applications at scale in on-premises datacentres and public clouds.

EnterpriseDB can also help expand functionality beyond transactional workloads to support analytics and AI-infused applications in the future.

Our collaboration with EnterpriseDB allows customers to deploy PostgreSQL in the most demanding enterprise environments while simultaneously increasing productivity for developers building applications on PostgreSQL, said Tarkan Maner, chief commercial officer at Nutanix.

The expanded partnership promised a seamless path to migration from legacy systems and provided a competitive edge for the AI generation of applications with support for transactional, analytical and AI workloads, said Kevin Dallas, chief executive at EnterpriseDB.

EDBs future data and AI platform will catapult PostgreSQL into the world of data analytics and AI, providing businesses with a PostgreSQL-enabled, comprehensive data ecosystem, he added.
NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in Uttar Pradesh's Basti and Shravasti on Wednesday, accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) of being "sympathisers of Pakistan" and using Islamabad's nuclear power status to scare India. Modi also ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, calling them "shehzadas" whose political campaigns are like "flop films."

In his third address of the day in Delhi, Modi vowed to conduct an X-ray of corrupt individuals' wealth and return the looted money to the victims if re-elected for a third term. He accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of playing a game of 'kattar bhrastachari' (extreme corruption) and labelled all I.N.D.I.A. bloc members as "extremely corrupt."

Modi also criticised the I.N.D.I.A. bloc for being "communal, casteist, and nepotistic," and blamed Congress for the anti-Sikh riots. Speaking in Delhi's Dwarka, he contrasted the BJP's 'nation first' development model with the 'family first' agenda of Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. grouping.

He urged voters to support the BJP to strengthen the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), emphasising that every vote for the BJP would contribute to this goal. "This huge sea of people is saying in one voice, 'Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar'," he declared.

Modi further attacked Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc for their role in the anti-Sikh riots, asserting that only he is seeking justice for the victims. Highlighting India's growing global influence, he said, "Today, India's stature and respect on the global stage have significantly increased."

Campaigning for BJP's Basti Lok Sabha candidate Harish Dwivedi, Modi mocked the SP and Congress for allegedly fearing Pakistan's atom bomb despite Pakistan's weakened state. "Today, there is no weak Congress government but a strong Modi government," he asserted, adding, "Bharat Aaj Ghar Mein Ghus Kar Maarta Hai."

He dismissed opposition claims of winning 79 seats in Uttar Pradesh as "daydreaming" and predicted they would blame the EVMs after their defeat on June 4. Modi accused the Opposition of blatant appeasement tactics and disrespecting the nation's heritage, especially criticising their stance on the Ram temple.

"Senior SP leaders dismiss the Ram temple as useless and label its devotees as hypocrites. Another INDI leader even called the Ram temple unholy. They openly speak of destroying Sanatan Dharma, led by Congress. The 'Shehzada'" of Congress aim to overturn the Supreme Court's decision on the Ram temple," he said.

During a rally in Shravasti for party candidate Saket Misra, Modi highlighted his government's achievements, such as providing housing for four crore impoverished individuals and opening over 50 crore Jan Dhan accounts. He warned that the SP-Congress alliance would jeopardise these services and take away houses from the poor to give them to their vote bank.

Modi also ridiculed recent Opposition rallies, suggesting they hire crowds for their events. "I was told that the SP and the Congress give contracts to bring people to their rallies. The people are reaching the stage because they have not made the payments," he quipped.
New Delhi: With the Lok Sabha election campaign getting shriller and the speeches getting bitter, the Election Commission told the presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress to mind the language and the content of speeches of their star campaigners. In a letter sent on Wednesday to the presidents of both parties, the EC has asked the BJP and the Congress to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language and religious lines, asserting that India's socio-cultural milieu cannot be made a casualty to elections.

The EC also directed the Congress not to politicise the armed forces and make potentially divisive statements about the socio-economic composition of the forces while it asked the BJP to stop campaign speeches that may divide society.

The EC asked the presidents of the two national parties to issue formal notes to their star campaigners to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum and not to make statements prohibited under the Model Code of Conduct,

The EC order to the parties comes almost a month after it had issued notices to the party presidents giving them time to respond. BJP president J.P. Nadda was sent a notice on allegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthans Banswara. The EC had then asked Mr Nadda to direct his party's star campaigners to desist from campaigning on religious and communal lines. On Wednesday, the EC rejected the BJPs explanation to its notice and asked the BJP to stop campaign speeches that may divide society.

To Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the EC had sought his reply to allegations against Rahul Gandhi on his remarks about Agniveer and that the Constitution will be changed by the BJP. The EC has also rejected his defence and asked the Congress not to politicise the defence forces and make potentially divisive statements regarding the socio-economic composition of the armed forces. It also asked the Congress to ensure that its star campaigners and candidates do not make statements which give a false impression that the Constitution may be abolished or sold.

The utterances of the concerned star campaigners follow patterns and create narratives that can be damaging beyond the MCC period. Technical loopholes or extreme interpretations of other political parties utterances cannot discharge star campaigners from the core responsibility of their own content, which ought to be corrective to the ongoing discourse and not further plummeting the quality of campaign discourse, the EC said to both parties. It added that it expects the BJP and the Congress to fully align the campaign methods to the practical aspects of the composite and sensitive fabric of India.

To Mr Nadda, the EC asked to direct all star campaigners not to make speeches and statements that may divide society, tell them to refrain from any utterances or campaigning on communal lines and to maintain decorum.

To Mr Kharge, the EC told him to direct star campaigners to desist from indulging in any political propaganda involving the activities of the defence forces and not to make potentially divisive statements about the socio-economic composition of the forces.
Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that a comprehensive investigation will be done in the Pune car accident case after reports emerged that the family members of the accused person had links with the underworld. According to reports, the grandfather of the accused took help of Chhota Rajan in a property dispute with his brothers a few years ago.

When asked about the CBI case in which the minors grandfather Surendra Kumar Agarwal is facing trial in connection with a shootout linked to underworld don Chhota Rajan, Fadnavis said, Whatever connection there is, the complete investigation will be done. Action will be taken on everything.

Maharashtra deputy CM also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for trying to politicise the case. Reacting to the incident, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of creating two Indias where justice is dependent on wealth. In a video posted on X, the Congress leader said if a bus driver, truck driver, or any Ola, Uber or auto driver accidentally kills someone, they are sentenced to 10 years in jail, but a son of a rich man is asked to write an essay.

Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi released a video on Pune car crash. I believe this is a very low-level attempt to politicise the accident. Police acted very swiftly in this accident. We have also expressed our astonishment over the order of the Juvenile Justice Board. Police filed an appeal against it and the higher court has taken cognisance. The police have done whatever is necessary. The attempt to bring electoral politics into every issue by Rahul Gandhi is wrong. I condemn this, Fadnavis said.

A Porsche car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old, who the police claim was drunk at the time, fatally knocked down two motorcycle-borne software engineers in Kalyani Nagar in Pune city in the early hours of Sunday. The incident snowballed into a major political controversy after the Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the minor within a few hours and asked him to write an essay on road accidents.

Fadnavis said the JJB decision was astonishing and the police took the case seriously from the beginning by invoking section 304 of IPC (culpable homicide) even before the accused was produced before the court. Those who served alcohol to the underage child have been arrested, and the father who gave him the car has been arrested as well. The police have done whatever is necessary, he said.
Election season is a time when every issue, no matter how long buried, is suddenly exhumed for public scrutiny. Enter stage right, the Khobragade saga. Just when you thought this episode had quietly exited, it returns, now with an encore performance thanks to Devyani Khobragades recent promotion to the Indian ambassador to Cambodia. This promotion, which those in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), including experienced babus dont consider worthy, is seen as a bit of a righting of a wrong.

For those whove forgotten, Ms Khobragade, a 1999-batch IFS officer, became the reluctant star of a diplomatic drama back in 2013  one that brought India-US relations to a frosty low. Accusations of underpaying her domestic help in the US led to her arrest and a media frenzy. She cried foul, the US courts eventually nodded in agreement due to diplomatic immunity, and India sent her back home in a rare show of bureaucratic bravado, leaving the Americans with a diplomatic hangover.

Now just as were in the throes of a general election, Ms Khobragades name pops up again. This time, it is in connection with a glitzy photoshoot in traditional Cambodian attire for the countrys New Year celebrations, a sight that lit up social media like Diwali fireworks. Seasoned diplomats are treating her Cambodian posting with the kind of enthusiasm youd expect for a cup of tepid tea  acknowledging it more as a token gesture than a triumph. But nothing like a general election to spring a surprise or two from a controversial past.

MEA probes shady land deals abroad

In other news from the diplomatic world, the MEA is knee-deep in an investigation over some shady real estate deals by Indian missions abroad. The MEA had told these missions, which were operating out of rented spaces, to buy land and build embassies. Some of these missions went on a shopping spree and ended up paying double or even triple the market value for the land.

All this would have stayed under wraps had it not been for the red flag waved by a team from Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) during a visit to one of these countries. The CAG discovered blatant violations of norms and confirmed that the prices paid were way above market rates. Now that it cant be brushed under the carpet, the MEA is compelled to probe the dubious land deals.

But this is not an isolated incident, sources have informed DKB. Similar stories are popping up from other countries, and the MEA is now scrambling to get to the bottom of it. It is even looking at the possible involvement of some officers in South Block. To untangle the mess, two different MEA teams have been dispatched to go through the property deals made by the missions in the last decade. A forensic examination is underway. There are whispers about a turf war within the ministry, with different factions trying to outdo each other.

Whatever it is, all eyes are now on the ministrys report on the findings which will soon be handed over to the competent authorities for action. The drama may have only just begun.

MP babus clash behind closed doors

A busy bee has informed DKB that chaos is reigning in a crucial Madhya Pradesh government department. Two IAS officers, appointed through their influential connections, are at loggerheads with the principal secretary. This infighting has plunged the department into disarray, rendering it incapable of dealing with important administrative matters.

These sources inform us that this internal turmoil has not yet become public knowledge, due to the model code of conduct currently in place. However, the conflict between the two senior babus is expected to escalate further once the model code is lifted. Both officers are reportedly eager to make a few questionable decisions, likely driven by the prospect of backhanders. In contrast, although opposed to any such dealings, their boss, the principal secretary reportedly suffers from indecisiveness, leading to several amusing anecdotes.

The situation will likely deteriorate and the principal secretary will probably bear the brunt of the fallout. Babus in Bhopal feel it is only a matter of time before he is asked to leave his current post due to the ongoing turmoil in the department.
India must be careful to ensure that its stand on Palestine is not seen as an extension of the domestic political controversy involving Muslims. In the past, the Israelis have dismissed Indias courtship of West Asias Islamic powers as the then ruling Congress Partys sop to Muslim voters at home. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modis reported mockery of Muslims suggests that todays ruling Bhartiya Janata Party can afford not to pander to the Indian Muslim lobby.

Indias $1.1 billion purchase of military aircraft from Israel which the United States had to sanction also highlights the complexities and contradictions of the situation. The agreement now is that Israel will install its Phalcon system  an advanced communications, electronic intelligence, and radar system able to provide simultaneous long-range tracking of multiple air and surface targets -- on three Russian-supplied aircraft for delivery to India within the next two or three years.

Of course, New Delhi fully supported a sovereign Palestine in the recent United Nations General Assembly debate on the subject. Ruchira Kamboj, Indias UN representative, told the media: In keeping with our long-standing position, we support the membership of Palestine at the UN and, therefore, we have voted in favour of this resolution. Her endorsement of the view of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations, in accordance with Article 4 of its Charter and should, therefore, be admitted, rejected the claim of American hawks like the Republican John Bolton, former ambassador to the UN as well as national security adviser, that Palestine is not a State since it has neither formal boundaries nor sovereign authority.

Even less can Ms Kamboj have shared the murderous view of the Republican Senator from South Carolina, Lindsay Graham, who suggested in an NBC interview that Gaza, where Israeli bombardment has already massacred some 35,000 Palestinians, 70 per cent being infants, women and children, should be hit by nuclear bombs.

But Israels hysterical response to the UN move which the Biden administrations veto aborted, warned that no solution is possible until attitudes have changed radically and there is some understanding of motives on both sides. While Palestinians must convince the US and the world that Hamas murderous October 7 spree will never again be repeated, and that they are prepared to co-exist in peace with an Israel that many Americans see as their most reliable ally abroad, no one knows what triggered the initial outrage. Was it the festering grievance of the Nakba (Catastrophe), whose 75th anniversary has just passed, or was there some fresh provocation?

Israel must similarly convince the Palestinians and the world of their willingness to live in peace next to a sovereign Palestine. That includes explaining the purpose of the four-mile Netzarim Corridor, or Route 749, that the Israeli Army has dug from east to west, from the Gaza-Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. Many think the corridor is intended to ensure permanent military surveillance by the Israeli Defence Forces of even remote residential habitations throughout the Gaza Strip and facilitate Israeli raids in northern and central Gaza.

The BJPs perception of Indias Muslim minority (and, indeed, of Muslims in general) is another imponderable. Even without Mr Modi dragging them into the election debate with pejorative references, Israeli analysts have always held that the apparent aversion to Israel that Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi displayed had nothing to do with not alienating Islamic members of the UN whose votes India wanted over the Kashmir dispute, and everything to do with the Congress Partys domestic vote bank. Senior Israeli diplomats argued that only Muslim voters kept Mrs Gandhi in office. Proud of not needing this particular communal crutch at home, the BJP can afford to neglect Palestinians, especially since Mr Modi both values his friendship with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and sees a firm stand against terrorism as essential for Indias own security.

Moreover, given political realities, the Algerian proposal, claiming the support of the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, and countless peace-loving countries, was doomed to failure. Despite the pro-Palestinian upsurge in university campuses across America, Washington cannot ignore its conventional strategic calculations and the power of domestic lobbies including 6.5 million American Jews who cannot forget the horrors of the Holocaust.

It may be recalled that when P.V. Narasimha Rao decided in 1992 to mend fences with Israel, he entrusted the task to Lalit Mansingh in Indias embassy in Washington. Ambassador Mansingh sought the cooperation of two organisations, the Anti-Defamation League of Bnai Brith and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee with 55,000 members, a $14.2 million budget and rated by Fortune magazine as Washingtons second most influential lobby, after the American Association of Retired Persons. Individually and collectively powerful, the members of these two organisations helped Mr Mansingh to consolidate relations and establish strong political and strategic links.

The US role as interlocutor, political backer and arms supplier is crucial.

Earlier, US pressure forced Israel to cancel the proposed sale of four similar Phalcon early warning systems to China. The deal with India almost foundered on US concerns regarding Pakistan. Indias delivery of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million deal, the sale to Armenia of the Swathi weapon-locating radar system and other items that are expected to push Indias defence exports up substantially, and the Indian Air Forces induction of the first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft days after it was handed over in the Spanish city of Seville all confirm closer military cooperation with the US. India will not jeopardise those ties. Nor can Palestine expect to benefit from the nuanced diplomacy that allowed Narasimha Rao to defy the US by quietly allowing Cuba to buy 10,000 metric tons of non-basmati rice on commercial terms, the price being eventually written off.

Its the psychology that must change if Nakba memories are not to poison communal relations for all time. Calling Sonia Gandhis late political secretary, Ahmed Patel, Ahmed Mian, or referring to Rahul Gandhi as Shehzada makes the insult specifically communal and belittles an entire community of 20 crores. The 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and the 38 other claimants to such listing are all rich in pejorative words for people who are different. Imagine the babel of disharmony, the chaos and conflict, to which this great nation would be reduced if such disparaging terms gained popular currency.
Today's news: Over 1400 academics sign a petition to the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza; In Beijing, the Minister of Agriculture is also under investigation; Nepalese Sherpa climbs Mount Everest for the 30th time, an all-time record; Vietnamese police arrested a prominent trade unionist; Concern in Moscow over attack on foreign tourists in Afghanistan.

CHINA

Chinese blogger Zhang Zhan, one of the first to talk about the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, is finally free, after having served the terms of her sentence. After a week without news from her, activists and human rights groups have recently announced the confirmation of her release from prison. She is with her family, even though her authorities have still imposed restrictions on her freedom.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

Over 1,400 Israeli academics and intellectuals have signed a petition calling on the government to end the war in Gaza "without delay" and at the same time guarantee the "immediate return of the hostages". The signatories underline the country's right to "defense", but this has "exhausted" and continuing the escalation of war will only lead to "enormous damage to civilians" in the Strip.

NEPAL

A Nepalese Sherpa climbed Mount Everest today, reaching the summit for the 30th time, an absolute record, making the second ascent in just 10 days. It usually takes several days to reach the summit and climbers are likely to make multiple ascents in a short time. Kami Rita, 54, first climbed the 8,849 meters in 1994, her 29th ascent on May 12.

VIETNAM

Hanoi police arrested Vu Minh Tien, a prominent trade unionist, last seen at a workshop on March 21 in Ho Chi Minh City. This was reported by the group The 88 Project, according to which the leader of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and director of the Institute for Workers and Trade Unions is detained under the art. 337 of the Criminal Code which punishes the revelation of "secrets".

CHINA

Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian for "serious violations" related to the position. This is the latest in a series of investigations - and dismissals - of leading Communist Party officials. He ended up in the sights of the Central Committee which has extensive investigative powers and can order him to be detained in a secret place for months.

RUSSIA - AFGHANISTAN

In Moscow they are very worried about the recent terrorist attack in Afghanistan, where three Spanish tourists lost their lives during a shootout in the Bamiyan market and four were seriously injured. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued an "insistent" appeal to its citizens to avoid traveling to Kabul, for tourism or work.

INDIA - UKRAINE

Of all the countries of the Global South, only India has communicated its intention to participate in the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland in June, not even excluding the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, depending on the period and logistics . Delhi declared that India intends to participate in all summits important for global security and development.
Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow in Connecticut. She spent the first part of her fellowship at the Houston Chronicle.

Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
by Joseph Masilamany

As Buddhists and Christians, our religious principles and moral responsibilities motivate us to help mankind in its search for truth and peace, said Card William Goh of Singapore. May this celebration inspire us to cultivate greater understanding, kindness, and harmony within our communities, said Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  As Buddhists today mark the start of Vesak, their most important holy day, some Christian leaders in Southeast Asia have sent messages of good wishes as a way to promote interfaith dialogue.

The Association of Churches of Sarawak (ACS) extended its best wishes to the Buddhist community in the Malaysian state and throughout the Southeast Asian country.

In view of many international crises, wars, and dissensions, as well as aggressions, divisions, and conflicts, the Buddhas teachings and message of peace, compassion and devotion to humanity are something that must be heard more and more, this according to the Rt Rev Danald Jute, ACS president and Anglican Bishop of Kuching.

In a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation such as Malaysia, it is essential that we respect and celebrate our similarities as well as our differences, the prelate said. Let us affirm the good in each one of us. In this way, we can all help to build a more peaceful, respected, and prosperous nation.

Cardinal William Goh, Catholic Archbishop of Singapore also issued a message for the city-states Buddhist community. As you celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and final nirvana of Gautama Buddha, may your hearts be filled with peace and joy, he said.

In todays world, many pursue material wealth while relegating spiritual values and their sense of morality to the back seat. As Buddhists and Christians, our religious principles and moral responsibilities motivate us to help mankind in its search for truth and peace.

According to the cardinal, Constant care and attention are needed to preserve trust among the different faith communities in Singapore. This is especially important when our world is experiencing increasing levels of geopolitical tension and ethnic and religious polarisation today.

With this in mind, Let our communities continue to adopt a way of life that seeks truth over falsehood, compassion over hatred, and forgiveness over revenge to ensure lasting peace and prosperity, he added.

Catholic Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur also issued a brief message to Malaysian Buddhists. May this celebration inspire us to cultivate greater understanding, kindness, and harmony within our communities. May we also strengthen our commitment to work for reconciliation and resilience.

In Malaysia Buddhists make up 18.7 per cent of the population of 34 million people, while in Singapore they represent 31.1 per cent of its four million residents.

Buddhism is predominantly practiced by ethnic Chinese, but some members are Malaysian Siamese, Malaysian Sri Lankans, and Malaysian Burmese.

Vesak is a national holiday in both Singapore and Malaysia. On this occasion, devotees perform colourful rituals and ceremonies at temples, such as lighting hundreds of oil lamps that symbolise Buddha's enlightenment.
With most seats in parliament, opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party want to expand the legislatures right to question government officials, including the president. Some fear that such changes risk curtailing the country's political freedoms in favour of Beijing's aims. Yesterday's protests were inspired by the Sunflower Movement of 2014.

Taipei (AsiaNews)  Lai Ching-te's presidency began with a series of protests against pro-Chinese opposition parties.

Yesterday, from 9 am until midnight, about 30,000 people gathered outside parliament to express their opposition to a bill that aims to enhance legislative control over the executive.

Kuomintang Members of the Legislative Yuan (Taiwans parliament) started approving amendments without reviewing them in committee as required by standard procedure, a move that sparked a fresh row in parliament after a violent confrontation last Friday, when the bill was debated for the first time.

For President Lai, who took office on Monday, the situation is complicated since he lacks a working majority in parliament after winning 40 per cent of the vote.

In the 13 January elections, the presidents Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won only 51 out the 113 seats, while the opposition Kuomintang took 52 and the Taiwan People's Party elected eight. Both opposition parties agree on enhancing parliaments powers.

The controversial reform bill, among other things, would allow the legislature to summon private individuals and government officials, including the president, to appear before parliament for questioning. Failure to appear could result in criminal charges of "contempt of the legislature, with up to three years in prison if convicted.

People appearing before parliament would be obliged to reveal confidential matters, such as state secrets concerning diplomatic agreements, trade secrets, and military purchases.

The bill also bans reverse questions, with fines of up to 200,000 Taiwanese dollars (US$ 6,200).

DPP supporters fear that the Kuomintang could use these changes to target its political opponents and force them to reveal confidential information that might endanger national security.

Similarly, the opposition is proposing that the president deliver an annual address to parliament at least once a year (it is currently optional) but above all, it wants to invest US$ 61 billion in infrastructure, a figure that risks blocking further defence spending.

Under President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan boosted its military budget to billion to deter mainland China from attacking.

Lai has so far followed his predecessor. In his inaugural address he highlighted his intention to maintain the status quo vis-a-vis Beijing, pledging additional funds for defence.

So far, the new president has not yet directly weighed in on the issue debated in parliament, choosing to keep some distance from the protests, probably, according to analysts, to avoid the perception that they were orchestrated by the DPP.

In yesterdays demonstrations, several civic groups cited the Sunflower Movement of 2014, when hundreds of thousands of people occupied the Legislative Yuan (Taiwan's parliament) for a month to protest a free trade agreement with China that the Kuomintang, then in power, hoped to approve without submitting it to regular committee review.

In the end, the movement, fearing that the agreement would have repercussions on Taiwan's political freedoms, forced the Kuomintang to scrap the deal.

As for the current crisis, further protests are planned for 24 and 28 May when the bill goes before parliament again.
The pontiff issues a new appeal for peace from St Peter's, asking the world not to forget martyred Ukraine", Israel, Palestine, and Myanmar, at this time of world war". In his catechesis, he praised humility, his last reflection in the cycle dedicated to vices and virtues. Greeting a group of novices, he mentioned the shortage of vocations to consecrated life in Italy, inviting them to pray.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis once again extended his invitation to pray for peace during the Wednesday general audience held in St. Peter's Square.

We need peace. The world is at war", he said this morning, followed by the request not to forget countries crushed by war.

Let us not forget martyred Ukraine that is suffering so much. Let us not forget Palestine, Israel: may this war stop. Let us not forget Myanmar, he reiterated.

Francis, who spoke about a "piecemeal world war on several occasions, now spoke of this time of world war.

He also focused on peace in the catechesis read at the opening of the audience, dedicated to the virtue of humility.

[H]umility is the source of peace in the world and in the Church. Where there is no humility, there is war, there is discord, there is division, he said.

At the end of the gathering, he greeted Italian-speaking pilgrims, and addressed the novices present. Citing the shortage of vocations, he expressed hope that more would show a "desire to be drawn more and more to Christ.

I see these novices and I ask myself: how many are Italian? Few. There is a shortage of vocations in Italy. Let us think and pray for vocations to the consecrated life."

He greeted the University of Nursing and Physiotherapy in Brindisi, encouraging healthcare professionals "to always place the human person at the centre, especially in delicate moments of life such as that of illness".

Afterwards he turned his thoughts to young people and students. May the Holy Spirit, whose presence in the Church we remembered on the recent Solemnity of Pentecost, dwell always in your hearts and help you be strong in faith, generous in charity, and persevering in hope.

Following the reading in various languages of the passage from the Gospel of Matthew (Lk 1:46-48), in which Mary pronounces the Magnificat after the Angel's announcement, Pope Francis shared with the faithful in St Peter's Square his reflection on humility, ending the cycle of catechesis he read in recent weeks at the Wednesday general audiences, dedicated to the topic of Vices and Virtues.

Humility is a virtue that is not part of the seven cardinal and theological virtues, but "is at the base of Christian life, framed as a great adversary of "the most mortal of vices, namely arrogance.

The Holy Father explained that humility restores everything to it correct dimension", countering the rise of the delirium of omnipotence in human hearts.

It takes very little to free ourselves from arrogance, he explained. All it requires is looking up at a starry sky to restore the correct measure.

Such contemplation comes with the ability of modern science to extend the horizon, and feel the mystery that surrounds us and which we inhabit even more.

Humility is closely linked to the perception of one's own "smallness". People who are able to recognise it "are preserved from an ugly vice: arrogance. Jesus is the first to mention them in the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven (Mt 5:3).

The first Beatitude is the basis of all the others, and "the gateway to all the virtues. For instance, the Annunciation of the Angel took place in the out-country, in Nazareth, not at the gates of Jerusalem. Mary, the "chosen heroine is not a celebrity, but an unknown girl.

God is  so to speak  attracted by the smallness of Mary, which is above all an inner smallness. And He is also attracted by our smallness, when we accept it. Those who are humble do not boast about it. Despite hardships, humility was a "granitic virtue" in Mary.

This smallness of hers is her invincible strength, Francis said in concluding. She remains at the foot of the cross, while the illusion of a triumphant Messiah is shattered.
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Israel recalled the Israeli ambassadors to Spain, Norway and Ireland for consultations after these three nations announced their initiative to officially recognise the Palestinian state.

Norway, Spain and Ireland will officially recognise the State of Palestine on 28 May, as announced by their highest authorities, which has provoked the most absolute rejection on the part of the Israeli state, which has proceeded to recall its ambassadors to these nations for consultations, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thus, Rodica Radian-Gordon, Israel's ambassador to Spain, Dana Erlizh, ambassador to Ireland, and Avi Nir-Feldklein, Israeli ambassador to Norway, will have to return to national territory and abandon their diplomatic missions in the countries that have opened a diplomatic crisis with the Middle Eastern country after its determination to support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"I have ordered the immediate withdrawal of ambassadors for consultations in light of the decisions of these countries to recognise a Palestinian state," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on social networking site X.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.



Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the May 22, 2024

The call for consultations is a tool of diplomatic protest that involves the temporary recall of the ambassador to appear before the Foreign Ministry and to receive private instructions.

The Ministry asks its ambassador to return to his country. Depending on the case, this absence is of indeterminate duration. In this case, the aim of this measure is to send a symbolic message to these countries about the diplomatic crisis that has broken out, in a gesture that serves to show disagreement with the countries that have taken the decision to recognise the state of Palestine.

Alongside this move, Israel also summoned the diplomatic representatives of Spain, Ireland and Norway to its own territory to show its deep displeasure at the intention to officially recognise the Palestinian state.

The international community has worked on many occasions to resolve the Palestinian conflict through the formula of recognising two states in the same area, Israeli and Palestinian. But the details of formalising this formula have not been agreed for decades due to disagreements over how to implement this solution and where to locate, for example, the capital of each state, a clear reference to the dispute over Jerusalem, considered the key religious centre of the three main monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem - AFP/RONALDO SCHEMIDT

Serious conflict

Israel is now embroiled in the bloody war in Gaza against the Palestinian extremist Hamas movement. The conflict was sparked by Hamas' horrific attack on Israeli territory on 7 October, which left around 1,200 people dead, along with wounded and a number of people kidnapped and assaulted.

After suffering the offensive, Israel responded by attacking the Gaza Strip. A war that is still raging and has already left tens of thousands dead, despite international mediation led by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, whose diplomatic efforts have not yet succeeded in stopping the fighting.

The current scenario is certainly not the most appropriate for recognising the Palestinian state because Israel considers that any clear support for Palestine at this time would serve to reaffirm the theses of an organisation considered a terrorist organisation such as Hamas, which carried out the terrible attack on 7 October against Hebrew territory.

Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip - PHOTO/Israel Defense Forces via REUTERS

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned the countries involved of the "grave consequences" of such political moves.

"Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security," Israel Katz said on social networking site X, referring to Spain, Norway and Ireland.

"Today's decision sends a message to the Palestinians and to the world: terrorism pays. After the Hamas terrorist organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sex crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state," the Israeli Foreign Minister said, also referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a major supporter of Hamas in the region and one of the most destabilising actors in the Middle East, noted for its interference in the internal affairs of several countries through affiliated groups such as Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Liwa Fatemiyoun in Afghanistan and the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq.
Brynn Cabe, 12, center, a 7th grade student at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, protested alongside parents and HISD students outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Parents and students protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Parents who are part of a group called Houston Stitching Together hold a crocheted sign as they protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Miccah Cabe, 10, a 4th grade student at Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX, protested alongside other students and parents on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Parents and students protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Parents and students protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann A sign showing Superintendent Mike Miles rests against the school fence at Gary L. Herod Elementary School on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 as parents and students protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston on Wednesday. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann

Houston ISD families protested on behalf of their principals this week as the Board of Managers is scheduled to consider personnel decisions on Thursday in closed session.

Families of at least two schools  The School at St. George Place near the Galleria and Herod Elementary School in southwest Houston  protested to demand transparency and the retention of current faculty and staff. Around 50 people attended the protests, which resumed after a destructive storm Thursday inflicted widespread damage on the city, including dozens of HISD campuses.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

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HISD administration said in a statement that the district respects parents' right to make their voices heard and will continue to manage protests so that they don't interfere with campus operations.

"We understand that staff transitions are difficult for a school community and we appreciate everyone's investment in their schools," the HISD statement provided Wednesday said.

Jane Lesnick, an organizer for Herod's Wednesday morning protest, said parents are rallying around the school's principal and several teachers who appear to have been targeted for removal by HISD's review process.

"It's just like a complete decimation of our school," Lesnick said, adding that she hopes the Board of Managers will not approve resignations or terminations before a fair, transparent review occurs. "It feels like we're being kept in the dark so that we won't object and stand up for the people in our school and the district in general."

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Thursday's school board agenda lists Herod Elementary School's and Valley West Elementary School's principals in its closed session personnel discussion.

HISD administration said on May 13 it is deciding not to renew some principal and teacher contracts based on its view on their performance.

"All contract non-renewals for principals are unrelated to HISDs overall budget challenges. Instead, these contract decisions are being made  again  with the goal of ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction, every day," the administration wrote, adding that teacher cuts are unrelated to the budget.

PRINCIPAL TURNOVER: Schools with leadership turnover since Mike Miles became superintendent

School at St. George Place families said they are protesting after receiving a May 13 letter from their principal announcing he will not return next year. The letter did not include why he was leaving, but parents organizing the protest said he was forced to resign or face termination.

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Myeasha Craven, president of School at St. George Place Elementary PTO, said they have petitions calling for the removal of state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and the retention of Principal Sean McClish.

"When we found out that Mr. McClish will no longer be with us, we were devastated," Craven said.
22 May 2024 19:44 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Various opinions about Armenia's economy have already become the hot topic of the day. Local and foreign media often report exaggerated figures on the country's economy and the dazzling results of the rapidly growing shadow economy in the country, increasing the lack of confidence in the country's economic future in the domestic audience.

Although landlocked Armenia shares a land border with 4 countries, the country's international strategic capabilities are very limited. The main reason for this is that Armenia occupied the territories of Azerbaijan starting in 1993, and because of this, the borders with Turkiye and Azerbaijan remain closed to this day.

The Armenian authorities have repeatedly appealed to the Turkish leadership regarding the opening of the border, however, the issue is still pending.

Nevertheless, Armenia has relations with Georgia and Iran, and although these relations are used for commercial purposes, they are not able to bring further surpluses to the economy of this country.

For example, if we just look at the statistical figures for 2022, we can say that the volume of exports from Armenia to Iran was approximately 111 million US dollars. About 59.6 percent of this was electric energy, 20 percent was rolled tobacco products, and the remaining 20 percent was made up of non-ferrous metal, glass, and other products. In addition, in Armenia, the internal market of the country has not been formed due to the fact that factories and companies bringing large-scale investments do not operate.

The information provided recently states that Armenia plans to increase the annual trade turnover with Iran to 3 billion US dollars. Although there is no detailed information about the agreements, the information mentions Armenia's "cooperation in 19 fields" with Iran.

At the same time, there is an increase in Armenia's trade turnover with Russia. But before looking at the numbers in Armenia's statistical data, let's think about the political side of the issue.

Where does Armenia get a large amount of income from? Why is the shadow economy criticised in Armenia, and the figures are said to be exaggerated?

About a year ago, despite the Western sanctions on Russia, information about more than 20 Armenian companies establishing secret trade relations with Russia spread rapidly. The West even imposed an embargo on some of those companies. On the one hand, Armenia is increasing political tension with Russia, on the other hand, it is strengthening its economic ties with the West's foe. While this trend may not be to the West's liking, it is true and literally a cause for concern for some organisations in Western countries today.

The fact is that after the official Western sanctions on Moscow, Armenia's exports to Russia increased three times in 2022 alone. Armenia, which joined the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia in 2014, for some reason began to strengthen its trade with Russia precisely after the Ukrainian war.

For example, the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia in 2023 has grown by 43 percent, reaching $7 billion and 306 million, according to data from the National Statistical Committee of Armenia for 2023.

The specific weight of Russia in Armenia's total foreign trade remained at about the same level (decreased from 35.6 percent to 35.3 percent) compared to 2022, according to the statistics.

Exports from Armenia are up by almost 39 percent to a total of $3 billion and 418 million. This means that the share of exports and imports in trade with Russia is almost the same (47 percent to 53 percent).

Now let's get back to the answer to the main question. According to the indicators of the International Monetary Fund for 2024, the GDP of Armenia is 8.58 thousand US dollars. Of course, since the country prefers more exports, the latest indicators of the country's GDP have fluctuated with a growth rate of about 3% to 5%.

But what has not changed is the general living conditions of the population in Armenia. Experts emphasise that Armenia either overestimates the economic figures or that the country's income is used for different purposes. One of them is the rapid armament policy of Armenia, especially after its defeat in the Second Garabagh War in 2020.

According to the latest statistics of this year, the Armenian government even increased the defence budget and allocated 557 billion drams (approximately $1.38 billion). In addition, in 2021, Yerevan allocated about $600 million from the state budget for military purposes, and in 2022, the country increased military spending by more than 10%, reaching $750 million. As regards Armenia's 2023 national budget for military expenditures, this reached a record $1.28 billion, and this number was around a 46% increase in military expenditures in comparison with a year ago.

Despite all this, Armenia does not have the potential to wage war in the next ten years. Today, according to the indicators, although the country's income is moving upwards, results still remain murky, and no progress is tangible in people's welfare living in Armenia.

The transparency of Armenia's economy seems to be possible only with the normalisation of neighbouring relations and its inclusion in the list of economic partners within the region. In the last few months, the positive steps taken by the Armenian government regarding the establishment of borders with Azerbaijan have led to high predictions about the complete security of the region in the near future. In addition, the restoration of relations between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye increases confidence in the economic future of the South Caucasus.

---

Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief; follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
22 May 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan's burgeoning international image has cemented its status as a premier destination for global gatherings. International organizations, mindful of the country's robust capabilities and global position, increasingly choose Azerbaijan as the stage for their significant events.

Over time, Azerbaijan has hosted a plethora of international forums, conferences, and competitions, spanning political, economic, humanitarian, and sporting realms, underscoring its unique allure as a global event hub.

This year marks a pinnacle in Azerbaijan's hosting prowess as it prepares to welcome the largest international event yetthe 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Renowned as a steadfast partner in contemporary international relations, Azerbaijan stands tall as the preeminent state in the South Caucasus, serving as the economic, political, and humanitarian nucleus of the region. With a rich tapestry of experience in organizing world-class events, it is necessary to highlight 2 prestigious events hosted by Azerbaijan recently: the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019-2021 and the 7th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States.

Summit of Religious Leaders and Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement

Baku has also served as the venue for high-level diplomatic gatherings, including the Summit of Religious Leaders and the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. These events have provided opportunities for leaders from diverse religious and political backgrounds to come together and explore avenues for promoting peace, tolerance, and cooperation on the global stage.

Since 2019, Azerbaijan has assumed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a tenure initially set for three years through the unanimous decision of member countries. Demonstrating trust in Azerbaijan's leadership, our presidency was extended for an additional year, acknowledging our efforts in expanding the organization's activities and global influence.

Under Azerbaijan's stewardship, the Non-Aligned Movement has flourished, becoming the world's largest international organization after the UN General Assembly. President Ilham Aliyev's leadership has bolstered Azerbaijan's standing and role on the global stage, garnering significant achievements for the Movement.

President Aliyev's proactive approach as NAM chairman has garnered widespread support both within the Movement and from other nations. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during Azerbaijan's chairmanship, the country adeptly adjusted its agenda to address the new reality.

Azerbaijan has demonstrated its adeptness in multilateral diplomacy, firmly committed to its principles. From 2019 to the outset of this year, Azerbaijan fervently championed the tenets of multilateralism within the Non-Aligned Movement, comprising 120 countries. As the second-largest organization after the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement upholds pivotal values such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Azerbaijan played an active role in bolstering this movement by establishing women's and youth organizations, thereby enhancing its institutional framework and fostering a cohesive network. These initiatives, spearheaded by Azerbaijan, underscore its dedication to advancing the cause of multilateralism.

Initiated by President Aliyev, the Non-Aligned Movement assumed a leadership role in the global fight against the pandemic, rallying the international community to combat the threat. In May 2020, Azerbaijan hosted an online summit dedicated to COVID-19, where President Aliyev proposed a special session of the UN General Assembly focusing on pandemic response. This proposal received backing from over 150 countries, leading to a successful session in December 2020 attended by more than seventy heads of state and governmenta pivotal moment in global pandemic response efforts.

Azerbaijan's commitment to humanitarian aid has been remarkable, providing support to over 80 countries, predominantly NAM members. This reflects our nation's dedication to human values, underscored by a $10 million voluntary contribution to the World Health Organization.

Chairing the Non-Aligned Movement and hosting such prestigious events underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to multilateralism and global solidarity. It exemplifies our country's pivotal role in shaping international discourse and fostering cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

The 7th Summit of the Turkic Council (TDT)

Expanding ties with Turkic-speaking nations stands as a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's foreign policy agenda. Our nation's steadfast commitment to bolstering this union remains a focal point, underscoring our dedication to fostering meaningful relationships across new frontiers.

On October 15, 2019, Baku hosted the 7th Summit of the Turkic Council (TDT), a significant event that affirmed Uzbekistan's membership in the organization. By the unanimous decision of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship for the years 2019-2022, and again by unanimous decision, our chairmanship was extended for another year. Preceding the Summit, a Business Forum was convened, setting the stage for robust discussions on economic collaboration. With the conclusion of the Summit, the chairmanship of the organization transitioned to the Republic of Azerbaijan, underscoring the country's commitment to advancing Turkic cooperation until the next Summit.

Two years later, on November 12, 2021, Istanbul welcomed the 8th Summit of the TDT, marking the transfer of chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Turkiye. During this Summit, the "Turkic World Vision 2040" document was ratified, emphasizing the participation of TDT member states in the transformation of the liberated Karabakh region into a "green energy" zonea testament to the organization's forward-looking vision and collaborative spirit.

Distinguished leaders including President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, First President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary convened in Baku for the Summit, reaffirming their commitment to Turkic solidarity and cooperation.

Founded on the Nakhchivan Agreement signed on October 3, 2009, the Turkic Council stands as an international intergovernmental organization dedicated to fostering comprehensive cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey serve as its founding members, championing mutual interests and solidarity within the Turkic world.

Azerbaijan's presidency of the UN Security Council

It's worth noting that Azerbaijan assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council in May 2012 and October 2013. Over these two periods, the Security Council convened 30 plenary and individual meetings, alongside 29 closed sessions. Notably, it adopted 7 resolutions, 3 chairman's statements, and issued 13 press statements.

During its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Azerbaijan convened a high-level meeting on October 28, 2013, focusing on expanding cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Additionally, Azerbaijan proposed furthering relations between the UN and the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States.

In September 2017, during the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Ilham Aliyev addressed the assembly, providing detailed insights into Armenia's aggressive policies and their ramifications. President Aliyev underscored the importance of international decisions and resolutions in resolving the conflict, emphasizing the significance of the four UN Council resolutions. He highlighted the lack of international pressure on the aggressor as a key impediment to the conflict's resolution and elaborated on Azerbaijan's achievements over the past 25 years, including its international economic endeavors.

Under Azerbaijan's presidency, the UN Security Council organized a visit to Africa from October 3 to 9. On October 8, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea and Azerbaijan co-chaired the 7th annual joint meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the UN Security Council. Discussions centered on various regional issues, including the situation in the Great Lakes region, Sudan-South Sudan relations, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and the Sahel region, culminating in the adoption of a joint communique.

On October 30, the Council adopted a report reflecting its activities over the past year, encompassing meetings, discussions, and decisions undertaken during Azerbaijan's presidency.

As chair of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan demonstrated unwavering commitment to international peace and security, making substantial contributions to the advancement of international law and justice. Azerbaijan fostered close cooperation with other Security Council members, the UN Secretariat, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the media, solidifying its reputation as a reliable and resolute partner in global affairs.

In recent years, Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan, has emerged as a dynamic hub for hosting a wide array of prestigious international events. From thrilling Formula 1 races to the cultural spectacle of the Eurovision Song Contest and the European and Islamic Solidarity Games, Baku has played host to a diverse range of gatherings that showcase its rich cultural heritage, organizational prowess, and commitment to fostering global dialogue and cooperation.

Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

One of the crown jewels in Baku's event calendar is the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Since its inception in 2016, this high-octane race has attracted racing enthusiasts from around the globe to witness the adrenaline-fueled spectacle on the streets of Baku. With its challenging circuit and stunning backdrop of Baku's modern skyline juxtaposed with historic landmarks, the Grand Prix has become a must-attend event for motorsport aficionados.

Eurovision Song Contest

Another highlight of Baku's cultural landscape is the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2012, Baku captivated audiences worldwide as it played host to this iconic music competition. The Eurovision Song Contest not only showcased Azerbaijan's vibrant music scene but also provided a platform for artists from across Europe to come together in celebration of diversity and creativity.

European and Islamic Solidarity Games

Baku further solidified its reputation as a global sporting destination by hosting the 1st European Games in 2015 and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. These multi-sport events brought together athletes from Europe and the Islamic world, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect through the spirit of sportsmanship. Baku's state-of-the-art sporting facilities and warm hospitality left a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike.

Baku International Forums

In addition to its sporting and cultural events, Baku has become a nexus for intellectual exchange and diplomatic dialogue through its hosting of international forums. The 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum, The 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, Global Baku Forum, and Global Media Forum have provided platforms for thought leaders, policymakers, and media professionals to engage in constructive discussions on pressing global issues. These forums have underscored Baku's role as a bridge between East and West, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has served as a melting pot of cultures, a testament to its strategic position bridging East and West. Our rich multicultural heritage, shaped by centuries of diverse influences, has fostered enduring values of tolerance, mutual respect, and partnership within Azerbaijani society.

The most recent of these events was the VI World Intercultural Dialogue Forum, themed Dialogue for Peace and Global Security, held in Baku in May of this year. This significant event, part of the Baku Process, aimed to promote intercultural dialogue on a global scale.

The forum provided a platform for individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds to engage in open and respectful discussions, fostering mutual understanding. Launched by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008 and supported by leading international organizations, the Baku Process has convened over 10,000 participants from 180 countries in more than 250 events, sparking new intercultural initiatives in the region.

With goals centered on promoting peace, enhancing global security, and fostering cooperation, the forum sought to formulate policies, documents, and agreements capable of influencing world governments on pressing issues.

Now, as the spotlight turns to COP29, Azerbaijan is poised to set new benchmarks in event organization. The city of Baku is gearing up to host not only COP29 but also the 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the 6th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, promising two weeks of vibrant global dialogue and collaboration. Anticipating approximately 70-80 thousand foreign guests, Baku is ready to pulsate with the energy of the world.

As Baku prepares to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) alongside other significant international gatherings, the city's reputation as a premier destination for hosting world-class events continues to grow. With its blend of modern infrastructure, cultural richness, and unwavering hospitality, Baku stands ready to welcome the world once again, affirming its status as a global beacon of progress and unity.

This monumental event is not just a testament to Azerbaijan's organizational acumen but also a significant boost to its international standing. It reaffirms Azerbaijan's commitment to universal human values and its integral role in the global community, showcasing the nation's unwavering dedication to advancing the collective well-being of humanity. As the world converges in Baku, Azerbaijan's star shines brighter on the international stage, illuminating its status as a beacon of progress and unity in an interconnected world.

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22 May 2024 11:58 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) is prepared to assist in managing the movement of cargo from Turkiye and Azerbaijan to China in the west-east direction, Azernews reports.

This commitment was affirmed during a meeting between ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov, currently on an official visit to the People's Republic of China, and Liu Jenfang, Chairman of the state corporation "Chinese Railways."

The parties engaged in extensive talks on present and future cooperation between Azerbaijani and Chinese railways, addressing mutual concerns and interests.

Rustamov underscored the significance of the Middle Corridor discussions in high-level meetings between the two nations, highlighting the expanding relations not only in railway transport but across various sectors.

The ADY delegation presented Azerbaijani projects enhancing the Middle Corridor's development, showcasing recent achievements and upcoming opportunities. Notably, cargo transportation via the Middle Corridor surged by 35% in the first four months of this year compared to 2023, with 60 block trains dispatched from the Chinese port of Xi'an. Additionally, efforts to restore cargo transportation along the BTQ railway line are underway, with an anticipated annual capacity of 5 million tons.

The meeting concluded with a thorough examination of existing challenges in the Middle Corridor and collaborative strategies to address them.

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22 May 2024 14:13 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Ulrich Lenarts, Deputy Director for Environment, Climate Policy, and Cooperation at the Belgian Federal State Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development, addressed ADA University during the "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action: European and Regional Perspective" event, Azernews reports.

He commended Azerbaijan's COP29 team for their earnest commitment to combating climate change.

"We held a ministerial meeting in March, and it's evident how seriously the COP29 team approaches their preparations in this regard. This involves not only the Azerbaijani government's readiness but also preparing all countries to meet new climate goals. Secondly, addressing the financial aspect is crucial. The required funding necessitates a blend of public and private financing, tapping into both international and domestic resources. We must consider the dynamic and expanding nature of opportunities at this juncture," he emphasised.

Veronika Baghi, head of the Hungarian delegation at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, underscored the significance of hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan, highlighting its importance for the entire region.

"Hungary and Azerbaijan belong to the same regional group, Eastern Europe. The negotiation process was complex due to the geopolitical situation and tensions in the region. This event isn't just about the venue; it's about setting the general agenda and drawing attention to the region and the country. Hence, it holds immense importance for both the country and the region," she stated.

Baghi also emphasised that the "troika" will play an important role in the fight against climate change.

Bagi recalled that during the COP28 held in Dubai, Armenia agreed to hold the next conference in Azerbaijan, and this was a significant event: "All this suggests that even countries with very distinct experiences and tense relations can come together and reach a common agreement."

Asad Shirinov, Advisor to the Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, described COP29 as a significant milestone in Azerbaijan's global reputation.

"This event marks our transition to the green economy and showcases Azerbaijan's respect and prestige on the international stage. A key aspect of COP is updating legislation to align with international agreements. Azerbaijan consistently prioritises climate change, sustainable development, and ecology, achieving notable results in COP events annually," he noted.

Shirinov highlighted Azerbaijan's initiatives during COP28, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation on climate change's impact on water resources, alternative water source utilisation, and seawater desalination. These initiatives facilitated regional and global cooperation, fostering the sharing of best practices and technologies among stakeholders.

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22 May 2024 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are set to engage in a high-level dialogue today in Vienna as part of preparations for COP29 in Baku, Azernews reports, citing the OPEC secretariat.

"OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais extends a warm welcome to the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and President-designate of COP29, who is scheduled to visit the Organisation's Secretariat in Vienna today. The parties will engage in a high-level dialogue in anticipation of COP29, scheduled to be held in Baku in November," the statement reads.

OPEC highlights that the dialogue will be led by Mukhtar Babayev and Haitham al-Ghais and will convene senior officials from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the OPEC+ Cooperation Charter.

"This meeting presents a unique opportunity for all delegates to actively engage with the COP29 President in a constructive and inclusive dialogue," the statement adds.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is slated to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. The decision was made during the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11, 2023. Baku is expected to host up to 80,000 foreign guests during the event.

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Megan Menchaca is a Houston Independent School District reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the co-author of The Report Card. She can be reached at megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com.

Megan joined the Chronicle in 2023 after working as the higher education reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and government.
22 May 2024 15:43 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Proposals for the introduction of environmental taxes are set to be prepared in Azerbaijan, announced Samira Musayeva, Deputy Head of the State Tax Service at the Ministry of Economy, Azernews reports.

Musayeva noted that environmental taxes are commonplace in most countries worldwide: "With Azerbaijan hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year, there is a pressing need for tax reforms that promote environmental sustainability in Azerbaijan. As the State Tax Service, we will engage in extensive discussions with the public and formulate proposals aimed at introducing environmental taxes and implementing reforms conducive to an ecologically sustainable economy."

It's worth mentioning that environmental taxes are typically imposed on enterprises operating in sectors with adverse environmental impacts, and they are already in place in various countries, including the European Union, the USA, Russia, and others.

Additionally, Musayeva outlined forthcoming innovations concerning the registration of foreign-invested commercial institutions in Azerbaijan.

"As part of our efforts, we plan to broaden the coordination scope of databases among state bodies involved in the registration process and establish technical capabilities for maintaining the register of beneficial owners. Furthermore, we aim to proactively manage subsequent changes in registered data for commercial entities, such as alterations in founders and managers, facilitating registration processes," she said.

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22 May 2024 17:34 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has expressed full support for Azerbaijan and warmly welcomes the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to be held in Baku this November, Azernews reports.

This affirmation comes from a report issued by the OPEC secretariat following a meeting today in Vienna between Haysam Al-Qais, the Secretary General of OPEC, and Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and President of COP29.

During the meeting, a high-level dialogue took place at OPEC's headquarters in Vienna, led by Haysam Al-Qais and Mukhtar Babayev, to discuss preparations for COP29.

The Secretary General emphasised the strong and mutually beneficial relations between OPEC and Azerbaijan, describing them as enjoying a "golden period." He highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the two parties within the framework of the Cooperation Declaration and Cooperation Charter (OPEC+).

Today, the COP29 Presidency and OPEC held a high-level dialogue at the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, ahead of the COP29, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024. OPEC SG stressed that OPEC-Azerbaijan relations are witnessing a golden era and pointed out that the strength of these ties is evident through the ongoing cooperation under the Declaration of Cooperation and the Charter of Cooperation," he noted.

Additionally, the OPEC Secretary General commended Azerbaijan for its inclusive approach to COP29, ensuring that all viewpoints, including those from the oil industry, are taken into account. This constructive approach aligns well with the perspectives of OPEC and its member countries

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22 May 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with his Tajik counterpart Matlubahon Sattoriyon, who is on a visit to Baku to participate in the Days of Tajik Culture, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, Adil Karimli assessed the holding of the Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan as a significant event.

He underlined that cultural and literary ties between the two countries have an ancient history.

The friendly relations and high-level mutual visits that currently exist between the heads of our states have further strengthened cooperation in all areas, including in the field of culture.

Expressing gratitude to his colleague for the active participation of the Tajik delegation in the 6th World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, the minister briefed about the preparatory work related to the opening of the ICESCO regional office in Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Culture of Tajikistan, Matlubahon Sattoriyon, thanked the high level of organisation of the Tajik Culture Days and the hospitality provided to the delegation, noting that culture is the main factor in bringing our peoples closer together. He also noting the common cultural values of the two countries.

During the conversation, Matlubahon Sattoriyon stressed the importance of student exchange in the field of art education between the two countries.

She also proposed holding Azerbaijani Culture Days in Tajikistan next year. The minister invited her Azerbaijani counterpart to make an official visit to Tajikistan.

At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on other issues of mutual interest.

The Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan will end on May 23.

The large-scale event features vibrant concerts, an exhibition of artists and craftsmen, film screenings, and the display of national costumes, which provide insight into the history, culture, and customs of the Tajik people.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 May 2024 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has presented Daryanur carpet, belonging to the Garabagh carpet group, Azernews reports.

The unique exhibit was recreated for the Janis Akurater Museum operating in Latvia.

The director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Honoured Cultural Worker Shirin Malikova, the Chairman of the Latvian Parliament, Daiga Mierina, the director of the Latvian Memorial Museums Association, Rita Meinerte, and the director of the Janis Akuratera Museum, Maira Valtere, attended the presentation ceremony.

The speakers noted that the joint project, implemented within the framework of the agreement signed between the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the Latvian Memorial Museums Association, is a contribution to the development of bilateral cultural ties.

The project manager is the director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Honoured Cultural Worker Shirin Malikova.

It was also brought to attention that the carpet, reflected in the black-and-white archival photograph stored in the Janis Akurater Museum, was examined by Azerbaijani and foreign experts, and its material, colour, and size revealed that the Daryanur carpet belongs to the Garabagh group.

The same piece of art that was once in the Janis Akurater House was woven again in the traditional technologies department of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.

With the participation of the guests, a ceremony was held to cut the Daryanur carpet from the loom in accordance with ancient traditions.

A letter of gratitude was presented to those who contributed to the creation of this work of art.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards.

The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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The Latvian Embassy in Azerbaijan and the National History Museum have presented a multimedia exhibition, "Julius Straume-150: Patterns in different cultures" in Baku, dedicated to the Latvian cultural heritage, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was organised as part of the official visit of the Chairman of the Latvian Parliament, Daiga Mierina.

The Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the National History Museum, Doctor of Historical Sciences Farhad Jabbarov, who addressed the event, spoke about relations between Latvia and Azerbaijan.

"We are pleased with the cultural, political, and economic relations between the two countries that have been developing recently. It is very important that our museum is hosting such an important exhibition today. Julius Straume left behind a great legacy. We are glad that this heritage contains a trace of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan," Farhad Jabbarov said.

In her speech, Chairman of the Latvian Parliament Daiga Mierina noted that cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Latvia are closer than it seems. She said that Latvian artists came to this country and lived here. The holding of this exhibition is an indicator of the closeness of cultural ties between our countries.

"I had the opportunity to visit the Garabagh region, and this trip made a great impression on me. I hope that Shusha, the pearl of your history, will be revived as soon as possible," Daiga Mierina said.

Researcher Fuad Akhundov spoke about the rich creativity of Yuli Straume. He emphasised that this famous artist, who laid the foundations of professional applied art and design in Latvia, created a great cultural bridge.

Julius Straume showed great interest in the art of weaving and the study of weaving traditions during his scientific expeditions to the mountain villages of the Caucasus.

From 1907 to 1923, Julius Straume worked for the Caucasian Crafts Committee in Tbilisi. During scientific expeditions, he paid attention to textile graphics, the study of weaving traditions, and the preservation of local cultural heritage.

Today, the Georgian State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts houses more than 500 objects created by Julius Straume, who is considered the founder of this museum and the first Georgian designer.

In 1908-1911, Straume worked as a drawing teacher at the Real School in Shusha, Azerbaijan. After Straume returned to Latvia, he became one of the founders of Latvian professional textile art. Carpets, furniture, souvenirs, and dishes were made according to his sketches.

The leading organiser of the exhibition is the Latvian Embassy. The exhibition is held in partnership with the Latvian National Art Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Gulbene Regional History and Art Museum, the Druviena Old School Museum, the Latvian State Archives of Latvia, Radosa apviene "Piekta Maja", professor at the Institute of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Kubra Aliyeva, and researcher and lecturer Fuad Akhundov.

The design and artistic design of the multimedia exhibition belong to the Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan, Sabina Shikhlinskaya.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 May 2024 13:32 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

During the working visit to the Swiss city of Geneva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, Leyla Aliyeva, met with Director of the Geneva Global Office at the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Gian Carlo Cirri, and Regional Director of the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Europe Office, Arnold Kreilhuber.

Azernews reports that the discussions with the WFP official focused on collaborating to address world hunger, a key UN Sustainable Development Goal, and providing food aid to those affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change.

The Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation highlighted IDEA's successful partnerships with various UN agencies and expressed interest in closer cooperation with WFP, suggesting involving Azerbaijani volunteers in WFP activities worldwide.

During the meeting with the regional director of the WFP, the sides touched upon the joint projects carried out by the IDEA Public Union in Azerbaijan in partnership with the UN WFP Programme, hailing the successful cooperation in the projects to fight for species protection, as well as initiatives to protect and restore the environment of the Caspian Sea.

Founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, Leyla Aliyeva, particularly noted that forests were cut down, water basins were polluted, and natural resources were ruthlessly exploited in Azerbaijan's territories that were occupied for almost 30 years, which resulted in serious damage to the country's environment.

In this regard, the meeting underlined the significance of cooperation with the WFP to restore the natural environment and ensure sustainable development in the previously occupied territories.

Leyla Aliyeva invited the UN representatives to participate in the COP29 conference in Baku this November to explore potential joint initiatives.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 May 2024 10:17 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Azerbaijan Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with the delegation led by the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Army General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Before the meeting, the Turkish delegation visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, in the Alley of Honour, as well as the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) and Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery. The guests laid wreaths and flowers and honoured their blessed memory.

The Minister of Defence, Colonel General Z. Hasanov, received the Turkish delegation. The Defence Minister welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Minister noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are based on friendly and fraternal relations. He spoke about the positive results of the reforms held in the Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev.

Army General S. Bayraktaroglu expressed his gratitude for the hospitality shown. He emphasised that such meetings are important for the development of military cooperation between the two fraternal countries.

The meeting also discussed the development prospects of cooperation in the military, the military-technical field, and regional security issues.

Then the Turkish delegation met with the First Deputy Minister of Defence  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, and the Advisor to the Minister of Defence, Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay.

The meetings at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army expressed satisfaction with the current state of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation based on mutual trust and support.

During the official visit, the Turkish guests visited the headquarters of the Land Forces. A welcome ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Land Forces. The visitors passed along the guard of honour. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye were played, and the Book of Honour was signed in accordance with the protocol.

The Deputy Minister of Defence  Commander of the Land Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev, met with the Turkish delegation.

At the meeting, the importance of conducting joint military exercises for the purpose of increasing the professionalism of the servicemen from both fraternal countries, as well as exchanging mutual experience, was emphasised, and detailed views were exchanged on a range of other issues.

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22 May 2024 10:33 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, will visit the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azernews reports.

On May 22, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov will participate in the official commemoration ceremony in Tehran dedicated to the tragic deaths of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other accompanying persons in a helicopter crash.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, members of the working group of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) on Azerbaijan-Iran inter-parliamentary relations, and other officials.

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22 May 2024 13:51 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

On May 21, 2024, the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan) organised the AHK Members Assembly with the participation of over 80 business representatives, Azernews reports.

The event, which saw an impressive turnout of over 80 esteemed business representatives, serves as a biannual platform for AHK Members to reflect on the accomplishments and initiatives of AHK Azerbaijan throughout the preceding year.

The event was opened with a welcoming speech by Anar Hasanov, Chairman of the AHK Azerbaijan Board Directors, who briefly presented the program of the meeting to the participants. The chairman highly appreciated the hard work of the chamber and its employees, noting that the active participation of the chamber members and the increase in membership are gratifying situations.

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Azerbaijan, Dr Ralf Horlemann, noted that the last 15 months have been very eventful and intense for the embassy, with a number of significant events being held by the embassy. He expressed pride that Azerbaijan will host COP29 and that the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has made four business visits to Germany in a short period of time, highlighting that this contributes to strengthening Germany-Azerbaijan relations. He mentioned that COP29 could also encourage increased activity of Germany in Azerbaijan's business sector. Speaking about the record number of visas obtained by Azerbaijanis from Germany in the past year, which demonstrates Azerbaijan's strong orientation towards Germany, the Ambassador stated that an increase in these numbers in the coming years could significantly boost the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Anar Hasanov, Chairman of the AHK Azerbaijan Board, provided information about the business, online, and social events organised by AHK Azerbaijan in the past months. He then announced the appointment of Rashad Huseynli as Vice Chairman of the Energy Transition Working Group. Hasanov also expressed his gratitude to AHK Azerbaijan's Working Groups for their organised events and hard work in recent months. He commended the active work of the Human Resources and Vocational Education & Training Working Group and informed the event guests about the newly published "AHK Human Resources Insights" journals. He shared details about the East Business Association of the Federal Republic of Germany business trip to Baku, co-organised by AHK Azerbaijan, scheduled for February 27-28, 2024. The trip included meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.

From the last Members Assembly, 15 new companies have become members of AHK Azerbaijan, and now we count 181 members from Germany and Azerbaijan representing various sectors of the economy. We are proud of the fact that the quality work and commitment of our Chamber attract new companies from various industries.

After reaching the quorum of the Members Assembly, the new members of AHK Azerbaijan were introduced to the auditorium and approved as members of the Chamber. The event concluded with a business dinner.

The German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan) is the official representative of the German economy in Azerbaijan, providing information services and support to companies in their market and business research since 2012. The AHK Azerbaijan emerged from the German-Azerbaijan Business Association (DAWF), founded in 1999. With 181 member companies, the AHK Azerbaijan is the most powerful European economic association in Azerbaijan. Companies can particularly benefit from the well-developed network of AHK in the economy and politics of Azerbaijan. While actively representing the interests of its member companies, AHK Azerbaijan also offers a wide range of reliable business and legal services.

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22 May 2024 14:43 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudswoman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, is currently visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the invitation of Ilkan Varol, the Ombudsman of the country, Azernews reports.

During her visit, Ombudswoman Sabina Aliyeva held meetings with President Ersin Tatar and several key figures.

In a meeting attended by the Chief Ombudsman of the Republic of Turkiye, Sharaf Malkoch, Sabina Aliyeva discussed her efforts in safeguarding human rights and freedoms, along with her international engagements with other ombudsmen and human rights institutions.

S. Aliyeva highlighted the close cooperation between the Human Rights Commissioners of Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus, emphasising ongoing joint initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of citizens in both countries.

Discussions also revolved around enhancing human rights protection and legislation improvement. Aliyeva mentioned preparing recommendations for legislative amendments and new laws.

The meetings facilitated exchanges of opinions on cooperation in human rights protection between the two countries.

Later, the Ombudsman provided information about the Ombudsman's mandate during meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Zorlu Tore, Prime Minister Unal Ustel, Prosecutor General Sarper Altnck, and Chairman of the Bar Association, Hasan Esendagl.

Discussions focused on enhancing the protection of human rights and freedoms, as well as improving the country's legislation. Additionally, cooperation relations with institutions were addressed.

Attention was drawn to the fact that the Ombudsman is preparing suggestions and recommendations for amendments and updates to existing legislative acts, as well as the drafting of new laws. Simultaneously, discussions in the meetings involved the exchange of views between the countries on cooperation in safeguarding human rights and freedoms.

During her meeting with Ilkan Varola, the Ombudsman of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Sabina Aliyeva reflected positively on the meetings and emphasised their significance in facilitating discussions on cooperation.

Aliyeva expressed satisfaction with the current cooperative relations between the Ombudsman institutions of the two countries.

The Ombudsman also mentioned that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), this year, noting the planned activities in this direction by Azerbaijan's Ombudsman institution and discussing potential cooperation prospects in this regard.

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Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, Raul Valdez, 54, Juan Guardiola, 56, and Adrian Valdez, 14, unpack food donated by Commissioner Lesley Briones as they navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

In the six days since powerful storms swept through the Houston region, downing power lines, felling trees and causing extensive property damage, much of the metro area has already begun to pick up the pieces.

But in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood with more than 200 homes near the Addicks Reservoir, residents are still living through the disaster as power and water restoration in the area lag. Theyre among the 70,000 residents still without electricity in Harris County as of Wednesday morning.

In his 20 years living in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, where hes survived hurricanes, freezes and floods, Gustavo Garcia cant recall a natural disaster causing this much hardship in the community.

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With all the hurricanes weve been through here, the 28-year-old said, this thunderstorm is what got us worse than anything.

Residents of the West Houston Mobile Home Community line up to receive free meals from the Red Cross on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Houston. Jhair Romero Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week, damage is still seen on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week. Electricians are repairing damaged power lines on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week. Electricians are repairing damaged power lines on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

With no electricity or running water since the storms barreled through Greater Houston on Thursday and knocked out utilities for hundreds of thousands of people, residents in this tight-knit neighborhood have struggled to feed their children amid continued school closures and beat the heat as summer encroaches. Some have resorted to hauling buckets of water from a nearby creek to use in their bathrooms.

Garcia, who lives in the community with his father, brother, and 10-month-old son Isaiah, bought a small generator shortly after losing power last week that has been a lifeline for his family and neighbors.

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Worried about his infant sons health as the heat crept in, Garcia said he could only hook up a small window AC unit to the generator because he was sharing electricity with his neighbors. Power-sharing has been common across the community in the past week, as evidenced by the thick orange cords crisscrossing the debris-covered streets and connecting several homes.

Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week, damage is still seen on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Some neighbors have not been as fortunate.

I cannot explain how were surviving, but somehow we are, said Emma Leal, who has lived in the community for six months with her two young children and infant grandson. We have nowhere else to go and no more money to put gas in the car.

The 47-year-old and her family have been staying with loved ones since the storm, but worried about overstaying their welcome, Leal returned to her neighborhood Tuesday with the hopes of power being restored soon.

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Like many of her neighbors, she has relied on canned goods and cases of water bottles passed out at nearby aid distribution centers to keep the three young kids fed and hydrated since theyve been out of school since Friday.

Resident of the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, Raul Valdez, 54, unpacks food donated by Commissioner Lesley Briones as he and other residents continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Local aid organizations and government agencies have also begun delivering food and water to West Houston Mobile Home Community residents.

On Tuesday, dozens of neighbors with their children lined up next to a disaster relief van from the Red Cross to receive 300 free meals of hot dogs, baked beans and potato chips. Harris County Precinct 4 delivered several pallets of water that morning and distributed more on Wednesday, along with meals-ready-to-eat and battery-powered fans.

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When we first pulled in, the first gentleman we talked to said, Thank God youre here because I just threw out all the food in my refrigerator, said Red Cross volunteer Mark Carlson on Tuesday. Until they get their power back on, people just have no resources to get fed.

Despite the aid, whats been most difficult, Leal said, is the heat.

Shes noticed the summer weather taking a toll on her 5- and 7-year-old daughters, and one of them was running a fever Tuesday afternoon as temperatures jumped into the 90s.

Were going to stay here and struggle with everybody else, Leal said.

Residents in the West Houston Mobile Home Community, a predominantly Latino working-class neighborhood, continue to navigate rebuilding after a severe storm with damaging high winds hit Houston last week, damage is still seen on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Katherine Reyes, who lives in the community with her husband and two children, said shes been sleeping in her car because of the heat since losing power last Thursday. When the kids get stir-crazy in her aging blue sedan, she takes them to walk around a nearby grocery store just for the air conditioning.

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Thats how weve had to get by, Reyes said in Spanish.

More from Jhair Romero: Lone Star Colleges first Spanish-language graduation fuses commencement with Latino culture

Even with the generator her husband bought after losing power for days during the 2021 freeze, Maria Olivar and her family still havent been able to return to their day-to-day lives. The generator can power only a small AC unit in a room that Olivar, her husband and their six kids have shared since Thursday.

Their lack of running water has led Olivar and other residents to fill buckets with water from the nearby Horsepen Creek to flush their toilets at home. To bathe themselves, she and her family have used water bottles and water they collected from a car wash where Olivar works.

Yet keeping her half-dozen children fed has been her most difficult task.
22 May 2024 17:56 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Tajik Cinema Days has opened its doors to moviegoers at Nizami Cinema Centre, Azernews reports.

The event was held within the Days of Tajik Culture organised in the cities of Baku and Ganja.

The large-scale event features vibrant concerts, an exhibition of artists and craftsmen, film screenings and display of national costumes, which provide insight into the history, culture, and customs of the Tajik people.

Director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund, Honoured Artist Jamil Guliyev, addressed the event.

In his speech, he stressed that although geographically our fraternal and friendly republics are at a distance, for many years the two countries have cooperated very closely. Jamil Guliyev also touched upon the long-standing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in the field of cinema.

The director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund,underlined that the Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan will further enhance the cooperation between the film industries of the two countries.

The General Director of Tajikfilm, Mahmadsaid Shokhiyon, noted that over the years of independence, diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have developed dynamically and achieved significant results, which today serve for the benefit of our fraternal peoples.

"This was largely facilitated by close, trusting contacts at the highest level between the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Tajik-Azerbaijani ties have deep historical roots in the fields of culture, religion, literature, art, and cinema. I am confident that cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop," he said.

Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Tajikistan, Safar Khakdodov, said that it is gratifying that cooperation between the two fraternal countries continues within the Days of Tajik Culture. He expressed his hope that these ties will continue to develop in the future.

Next, the Tajik side presented a gift to the director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund, Jamil Guliyev. The People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Tariel Gasimov, was awarded the medal "Excellence in Tajik Cinema".

Furthermore, the guests of the event watched the film "Rustam and Sohrab", which narrates about the hero Rustam, his love Tahmina, the long-awaited meeting of Rustam with his son, as well as the betrayal of Kavus- the envious and treacherous Shah.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 May 2024 16:03 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

A seminar on "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Activities from the Perspective of Europe and the South Caucasus" was held, Azernews reports.

The seminar, organized by the Development and Diplomacy Institute of ADA University in collaboration with the Embassy of Belgium in our country and the Representation of the European Union in the Republic of Azerbaijan, discussed opportunities and challenges for climate activities from the perspective of Europe and the South Caucasus.

Continuous future, green economy, energy, and climate issues were discussed at the event.

Among the participants were Umayra Tagiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Fariz Ismayilzade, Vice-Rector of ADA University and Director of the Development and Diplomacy Institute, Michel Pitermans, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Azerbaijan, Tamas Jozsef Torma, Ambassador of Hungary to Azerbaijan, Zoltan Salay, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze, Ambassador of Georgia to Azerbaijan, Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, and Assad Shirinov, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the event, Fariz Ismayilzade, Vice-Rector of ADA University and Director of the Development and Diplomacy Institute, said that ADA University has hosted up to twenty events related to climate change within the framework of COP29 and "Green World Solidarity Year" in Azerbaijan. Dr. Ismayilzade highlighted that COP29 serves as an exceptional platform to advance peace initiatives.

Assad Shirinov, advisor to the chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan, noted in his speech that Azerbaijan has always prioritised the fight against climate change and fulfilled its obligations regarding green energy despite being an oil and gas country.

Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, praised COP29 as a platform that brings parties together to make complex decisions, emphasising the importance of youth participation in the conference.

Leyla Hesenova, "Youth and Climate Champion" for Azerbaijan under COP29, emphasised the importance of educating and informing children and youth about climate change and nature conservation.

Ulrik Lenerts, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Policy Cooperation at the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, praised the preparation processes for COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Veronika Bagi, Head of the Hungarian delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, stated that Azerbaijan is undertaking significant responsibilities by conducting negotiations with other countries regarding COP29. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between Azerbaijan, the host country of COP29, and countries hosting COP28 and COP30. Veronika highlighted the importance of both youth and the elderly learning from each other about climate change.

Murman Margvelashvili, a lecturer at Ilia University in Georgia and Head of the Energy Research Centre, spoke about the potential of green energy, suggesting that green energy could address the calls of the European Union countries in this field.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration in climate activities. Later, experts answered participants' questions in panel sessions.

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22 May 2024 17:49 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg, Claude Wisler, during his speech in the Armenian parliament on May 22, voiced a number of accusations against Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that the Azerbaijani Parliament expressed its opinion on the views of Claude Wisler.

It was noted that the Milli Majlis (the Parliament) sharply condemns and firmly opposes these biased and absurd ideas.

It seems that representatives of Luxembourg, who have defined French as the main language in their legislation, are too eager to continue the "French style" in their approach to the South Caucasus region. Thus, they do not hesitate to freely distort the processes taking place in the region, and even make some demands against Azerbaijan.

It is impossible to distort existing realities. Let's remind the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg of a number of facts: the internationally recognised territories of Azerbaijan, which are four times larger than Luxembourg, have been under the occupation of Armenia for 30 years. During the occupation, more than 1 million of our compatriots became refugees and internally displaced persons. Eight cities and hundreds of villages, as well as countless historical, religious, and cultural monuments, were destroyed and wiped off the face of the earth.

Unfortunately, the Parliament of Luxembourg, which describes itself as a guarantor of humanitarian values and fundamental rights, has chosen its own style of behavior and preferred to remain indifferent to all these tragic events - objective realities.

Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan freed its lands from occupation and single-handedly ensured the norms and principles of international law. Today, areas four times the size of Luxembourg are being restored and rebuilt with great efforts. IDPs return to their native lands.

Despite the heavy consequences of the thirty-year occupation and the atrocities committed, Azerbaijan today is also the initiator of the normalisation process that will bring long-term peace and stability to the region. It is known to everyone that such speeches by foreign emissaries are not a step taken for the sake of peace and stability in the region at a time when Azerbaijan-Armenia bilateral peace talks are proceeding positively. There is no doubt that these intervention attempts are trying to prevent the achievement of successful results in the peace process. We strongly advise the Luxembourg Parliament and its Speaker to redirect their "support".

We would like to remind the Armenian side that welcoming and supporting unilateral approaches, fabrications, and lies of third parties outside the region to the processes taking place in the region does not benefit either the peace process or the steps aimed at building trust.

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22 May 2024 13:22 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The dynamic landscape of Europe's energy sector is undergoing significant shifts, propelled by evolving geopolitical dynamics, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan is emerging as a pivotal player in the region's energy equation, poised to contribute substantially to the European Union's (EU) quest for energy security and sustainability. Hungary's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Tamas Torma, highlighted these developments at the recent COP29 event, underscoring the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in the energy realm.

The rejuvenation of Europe's energy sector hinges on the utilisation of restored energy sources, including renewables and clean technologies. As the EU strives to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, these sources will play an increasingly vital role in meeting the region's energy needs. Hungary's recognition of this trend underscores the imperative of leveraging restored energy sources to bolster energy security and sustainability within the EU.

Ambassador Torma's remarks also underscored the importance of fortifying mutual relations among essential energy infrastructures to enhance the EU's energy security. Collaborative efforts between Azerbaijan and EU member states, including Hungary, can accelerate the development of robust energy networks, facilitating the seamless transmission of energy resources across borders. This not only reinforces the EU's energy resilience but also fosters greater integration and cooperation within the region.

Azerbaijan's strategic location and abundant energy resources position it as a linchpin in Europe's energy landscape. Ambassador Torma's acknowledgment of Azerbaijan's pivotal role in supplying energy sources, particularly within the framework of green energy initiatives, underscores the country's growing significance as a reliable energy partner for the EU. Through projects like the Southern Gas Corridor and the "green energy" project, Azerbaijan is poised to play a central role in advancing the EU's sustainability agenda while enhancing energy security across the region.

The Ambassador's remarks also shed light on the interconnected nature of energy cooperation, emphasising the importance of regional collaboration and connectivity. Azerbaijan's collaboration with neighbouring countries, such as Georgia and Albania, underscores the potential for enhanced energy transit routes that link energy-rich regions to consumer markets in Europe. This not only diversifies Europe's energy supply but also fosters economic growth and stability in the broader region.

As Europe charts a course towards a greener, more secure energy future, Azerbaijan's role as a reliable energy partner assumes greater significance. Ambassador Torma's insights underscore the mutual benefits of closer cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, paving the way for a more resilient, sustainable energy landscape. By leveraging restored energy sources, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering regional collaboration, Azerbaijan stands poised to play a central role in shaping Europe's energy trajectory for years to come.

The economic relationship between Azerbaijan and Hungary has been steadily strengthening in recent years, marked by mutual cooperation and increasing trade. Both countries have recognised the potential for collaboration across various sectors, leading to the exploration of new avenues for economic growth and development. Azernews delves into the evolving economic ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary, highlighting key areas of partnership and opportunities for further cooperation.

Azerbaijan and Hungary have witnessed a positive trajectory in their bilateral trade relations. Trade between the two countries has been on the rise, with exchanges of goods and services contributing to mutual economic prosperity. Hungary serves as an important market for Azerbaijani exports, particularly in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. Similarly, Hungary exports machinery, pharmaceuticals, and automotive products to Azerbaijan, fostering a balanced trade relationship.

Energy cooperation stands as a cornerstone of the Azerbaijan-Hungary economic partnership. Azerbaijan, endowed with rich energy resources, plays a crucial role in meeting Hungary's energy needs. The Southern Gas Corridor, including the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), facilitates the transportation of Azerbaijani natural gas to European markets, including Hungary. This collaboration not only ensures energy security for Hungary but also strengthens regional energy infrastructure and diversification efforts.

Both Azerbaijan and Hungary offer attractive investment opportunities across various sectors. Hungary's strategic location in Central Europe, coupled with its well-developed infrastructure and skilled workforce, makes it an appealing destination for Azerbaijani investors seeking to expand their presence in the European market. On the other hand, Azerbaijan presents investment prospects in sectors such as energy, construction, tourism, and agriculture, providing Hungarian businesses with avenues for diversification and growth.

Infrastructure development emerges as another area of collaboration between Azerbaijan and Hungary. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presents opportunities for enhanced connectivity and infrastructure projects, fostering trade and investment between the two countries. Initiatives such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, which connects Azerbaijan to Europe via Georgia and Turkey, contribute to the efficient movement of goods and promote regional integration.

The economic relationship between Azerbaijan and Hungary continues to evolve, driven by mutual interests and shared goals. With a focus on trade diversification, energy cooperation, investment promotion, and infrastructure development, both countries are poised to unlock new opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. As strategic partners, Azerbaijan and Hungary are committed to deepening their ties and harnessing the full potential of their economic partnership for the benefit of their respective nations and the broader region.

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22 May 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Beijing protested to Seoul and Tokyo in connection with the visit of South Korean and Japanese lawmakers to the inauguration ceremony of the head of the Taiwanese administration, Lai Qingde, in Taipei, Azernews reports.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul said that the visit to Taiwan by a delegation of South Korean lawmakers "grossly violates the principle of "one China" and the spirit of the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea."

"We call on the Republic of Korea to respect the one-China principle, refrain from any interference in China's internal affairs, from any support for separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence, and take practical actions to protect the common interests of China and South Korea," the statement said.

"Japan has colonized Taiwan for a long time and has a serious historical responsibility in the Taiwan issue. She should be more careful in her words and deeds," the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said, commenting on the visit of more than 30 lawmakers to Taipei. The diplomatic mission drew attention to the fact that the Japanese government and "some politicians" in Tokyo ignored China's strong protest and sent a completely erroneous signal to the Taiwan administration, thereby violating their obligations on the Taiwan issue.
22 May 2024 20:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

China intends to continue to develop strategic cooperation with Iran. This was stated by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries in Astana, Azernews reports.

Regardless of how the situation changes, China will continue to strengthen Sino-Iranian strategic cooperation, protect the common interests of both sides and continue to work for regional and global peace," Wang Yi said on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The minister added that China firmly "supports its Iranian friends" in connection with the death of the president, Foreign Minister and other senior officials of the Islamic Republic. Wang Yi expressed confidence that under the leadership of Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, "the Iranian government and people will turn grief into strength, steadily promote the established strategy and support the stable development of the country."

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22 May 2024 18:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

One of the world's largest manufacturers of lithographic equipment, ASML, a company from the Netherlands, is able to remotely turn off machines at the factory of the Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC in the event of hostilities on the island, Azernews reports.

According to the information available to the agency, US officials informally expressed concern to ASML about the threat of seizure of technological production facilities in Taiwan. In response, ASML executives assured Washington that they have the ability to remotely turn off equipment at TSMC factories. In particular, they meant lithographic machines for working with extreme ultraviolet (EUV), which Taiwan acquires from the Netherlands for the production of microchips.

Before that, China had threatened to deal a crushing blow to Taiwan.

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22 May 2024 17:26 (UTC+04:00)

The 2nd meeting of the Presidents and Representatives of the Councils of Judges of the member and observer countries of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) kicked off today in Istanbul, Azernews reports.

In their opening remarks, Atilla Ozturk, Secretary General of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors of Turkiye, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, OTS Secretary General, Ylmaz Tunc, Minister of Justice of Turkiye, Chairman of the Board of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, highlighted the importance of developing cooperation between the Turkic-speaking countries judicial and legal authorities. The speakers also stressed the significance of the measures taken in this regard.

Emphasizing the importance of uniting the Turkic world as one fist, not only for the region, but also for the global peace, the speakers drew attention to the violations of rights in the world today.

The meeting will also feature technical gathering of the participants regarding the determination of the next meeting, as well as the signing of the final declaration.

The heads of the delegations of the OTS countries will also meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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From left, Amanda Zurawski, Dr. Ingrid Skop, University of California law professor Michele Goodwin, Senior Research Associate de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture University of Notre Dame Monique Wubbenhorst and Dr. Nisha Verma are sworn-in to testify at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on The Assault on Reproductive Rights in a Post-Dobbs America on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press

The Texas health department has appointed a vocal anti-abortion OB-GYN who helped defend the states abortion laws to a state committee that investigates maternal deaths.

The selection of Dr. Ingrid Skop comes amid warnings from patients and doctors that Texas strict abortion laws endanger women by cutting off access to comprehensive care. The now 23-member committee is currently reviewing pregnancy-related deaths in 2020 and is expected to assess the effect of abortion laws in the coming years  including whether deaths have resulted from a lack of access to the procedure.

The San Antonio doctor was one of seven new appointees announced late last week to the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, which compiles data on pregnancy-related deaths and makes recommendations to the Legislature on best practices and policy changes. The new appointments mean that Nakeenya Wilson, a nonprofit leader, no longer will serve in her role as a community advocate.

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Wilson had been vocal after the previous health commissioner delayed the release of the committees last report, which found that Black women continued to die from pregnancy-related causes at alarmingly high rates.

Discrimination is and has always been a threat to our health and well-being, and I am imploring Texas legislators and the governor to prioritize the lives of all mothers, Wilson, who is Black, said when the report was released in late 2022.

Skop previously served on a maternal death task force in San Antonio and has worked as an OB-GYN for more than three decades. She currently works as vice president and director of medical affairs for Charlotte Lozier Institute, an anti-abortion research group. In a statement to Hearst Newspapers, Skop said the states high rate of maternal death deserves rigorous discourse.

There are complex reasons for these statistics, including chronic illnesses, poverty, and difficulty obtaining prenatal care, and I have long been motivated to identify ways womens care can be improved, said Skop. For over 30 years, I have advocated for both of my patients, a pregnant woman and her unborn child, just like the overwhelming majority of OB-GYNs who dont perform elective abortions.

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Terms like unborn child and elective abortion are rejected by the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, which represents nearly 600,000 OB-GYNs. The group describes that language as unnecessary and medically inaccurate.

Abortion care can include miscarriage management. In many cases, doctors perform the procedure because something has gone terribly wrong regarding the patients health or the pregnancy, according to ACOG. Physicians have said that vague exceptions in Texas abortion laws make it difficult for them to offer lifesaving care in a hospital setting.

Skop, however, has publicly blamed medical associations, not state law, for not giving doctors the proper guidance. She also has shared more controversial views in public testimony. During a congressional hearing in 2021, she said rape or incest victims as young as 9 or 10 could carry pregnancies to term.

Dr. Carla Ortique, chair of the MMMRC, did not respond to a request for comment. The Texas Department of State Health Services said it did not consider the applicants views on abortion during the selection process for the new members, said spokesperson Chris Van Deusen. The MMMRC does not have any responsibility for enacting or enforcing abortion-related requirements, he added.

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Abortion, however, is inherently tied to maternal health and may be lifesaving for some, according to a statement from ACOG. Members of the Texas MMMRC should be unbiased, free of conflicts of interest and focused on the appropriate standards of care when evaluating maternal mortality and morbidity in Texas, which were already at unacceptably high levels even before Texas passed its abortion bans and restrictions, the organization said.

Bias against abortion alreadyhas led to compromised analyses, according to ACOG, citing a series of research articles co-authored by Skop and others affiliated with the Charlotte Lozier Institute.

The articles, published and later retracted by Sage Journals, purported to show a link between medication abortion and ER visits, as well as other risks around abortion. Before the retraction, two of the articles were cited by a federal judge last year in his ruling that the abortion drug mifepristone should be pulled off the market. The case is awaiting a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Independent experts identified fundamental problems with two of the studies, including unjustified or incorrect factual assumptions and misleading presentations of the data, according to a notice published by Sage. In a third study, the experts found unsupported assumptions and misleading presentations of the findings that, in their opinions, demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor and render the authors conclusion unreliable, according to the notice.

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Skop and the other appointees officially start six-year terms on the committee June 1. All of the new and existing positions are voluntary and unpaid. Skop will serve in one of two newly created roles for community members, one of which represents rural areas and the other urban parts of the state. Skop, who has worked in San Antonio most of her career, will be the rural representative.

I have often cared for women traveling long distances from rural Texas maternity deserts, including women suffering complications from abortions, Skop said.

Studies show that the abortion complication rate is roughly 2%, and researchers have said that legal abortion is significantly safer than childbirth.

The other new appointees on the committee include Dr. Meenakshi Awasthi, a pediatric emergency medicine fellow at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Awasthis work includes raising awareness around the effect of intimate partner violence, which the MMMRC has identified as a contributing factor to maternal death.

Maternal health advocates in Texas were unhappy with Wilsons departure from her role as community advocate. Lawmakers had changed the qualifications for the role during the last legislative session, and Wilson, who had not yet completed her six-year term, was forced to reapply.

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Wilson said her experience as a Black woman who has been through multiple complicated pregnancies gave her an important voice on the committee. Black women historically have been two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes.

Kay Matthews, executive director of the Houston-based maternal health advocacy group Shades of Blue, pointed out that all the new appointees were medical doctors.

You need community at the table, but then you only want a certain kind of community at the table, said Matthews.

Wilson told the Chronicle that she was hurt and disappointed upon learning that she wasnt selected for a new role.

Every single time I (reviewed) a case, Im opening myself up to being re-traumatized, she said. And I signed up for that, because thats how much I believe in being a voice.
Scenes from a 2018 Fort Bend ISD high school graduation. Courtesy photo, Fort Bend ISD

Valedictorian shuffle sounds like the name of a fun board game. A cool graduation gift.

But nothing is amusing about the switch-up of valedictorians in Fort Bend ISD. The district enacted a new policy that ranks all high school students based on the campus where they are geographically zoned, even if they attend another school.

Its a move thats already adding tension to this weeks commencement ceremonies.

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Youve worked hard, made good grades and earned the valedictorian title. But because of this policy, a student in a magnet program across town who has never stepped foot in your school, but is zoned for it, gets your No. 1 seat. Id be fuming, too.

The district recently changed valedictorians at Marshall and Willowridge high schools after a thorough assessment. At Marshall, the top-ranking student was bumped to the No. 48 spot at Elkins High School, where she was zoned but never attended.

Its a shakeup that could break students' hearts and dash scholarship dreams.

In Texas, students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class are guaranteed admission to any public university in the state. If you lose your top position, you might also lose your seat at your school of choice and the scholarships that go along with it. In 2022, the University of Texas at Austin began admitting only the top 6% of graduating high school students.

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After parents and students voiced opposition, the district said it would change the policy back. But not until 2028.

Why not immediately? Well, heres what the district said in a statement:

When we change a policy with respect to graduation requirements or GPA/Rank, the change must wait until a new cohort of students enters high school to ensure students are aware of the requirements from the very beginning of their high school careers.

This all started because the district wanted to discourage students and their families from transferring to schools farther away from home just to gain an academic advantage.

Its not an uncommon hustle. Ive heard about Houston ISD parents getting apartments near more desirable campuses so their children can attend, or using alternative addresses to do the same.

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More from Joy Sewing: Police crackdown on UT Austin pro-Palestine protest is a step backward

School board president Kristin Tassin said that sort of abuse of the system has been prevalent in Fort Bend ISD. At first, the trustees wanted to rank the 10 high school programs of choice  such as early college and pathways in technology  as its own category. The programs of choice operate like mini schools within the high schools.

Tassin said the Texas Education Agency, which has some approval over the districts ranking policy, gave the district only two choices  to move all of the program-of-choice students into one building or rank students by their zoned school, no matter where they attend class.

Which is worse? People gaming the system by cherry-picking high school programs, or allowing more transplant valedictorians?

Our solution was to do what we did, but neither option solved the problem, Tassin said. We need TEA to go back and solve this problem. We need a better solution.

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The best solution, she said, would be for the TEA to allow students in programs of choice to be ranked with each other. That makes sense.
George Orwell, call your office. Speech crimes are being assessed against conservative activists in both the US and Europe as freedom of speech becomes endangered.

In Arizona, the Republican National Committee's Director of Election Integrity, attorney Christiana Bobb, has been arrested for a "speech crime" for commenting on election irregularities in the 2020 election. How are Republicans supposed to get election 2024 free and fair if we cannot address what went wrong in 2020? Maricopa County, Arizona was a major place where things have gone wrong in multiple elections.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/05/disgusting-media-animals-physically-violate-harass-christina-bobb/

The newly formed Dutch rightwing coalition government has some work to do cleaning up some of the leftist totalitarians who hate free speech among their prosecutors and judges. A young woman Dutch political activist, Raisa Blommestijn has just been charged for "hate speech" for her posting about a violent gang of illegal alien migrants severely beating a defenseless Dutch boy at a subway station and throwing him upon the tracks, where he could have been killed if a train had arrived. The migrants have not been charged with anything. The officials seem to be saying the racially motivated beating was okay but commenting on it was not.

The video of the beating as well as her comments are in clips at the link below:

https://rmx.news/article/free-speech-is-dead-dutch-conservative-confirms-prosecution-for-online-criticism-of-mass-immigration/

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/dutch-lawyer-faces-prosecution-social-media-post-slamming-mass-migration

"Free speech is dead" in the Netherlands declared the young woman. Unfortunately this is happening all over Europe. A young woman political leader in Germany was recently fined for criticizing illegal immigation and is appealing it. A French senator is charged with "hate speech" for posting "immigration kills" after a brutal murder of a young French girl by an illegal alien. A member of Finland's parliament is even being prosecuted for "hate speech" for posting a Bible verse.

Here are some of the crime problems that illegal aliens are bringing to western societies: https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/78910/illegal-alien-migrants-behaving-badly-migrants-and-crime-newly-updated.html

It sure looks like the EU is rapidly transforming into the EUSSR or the Fourth Reich.

Meanwhile the globalist French govenrment, the left-liberal German govenrment, and the new globalist government of Poland are urging the EU to crack down harder on media and social media content.
A building permit has been issued for a new medical office building in Corinth, Miss., according to a May 22 report from the Daily Corinthian.

Corinth Health Care Associates - North Mississippi Primary Health Care plans to construct a 6,700-square-foot facility.

Preparation for construction on the site has already begun, according to the report.
Multiple hospital groups are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to hold UnitedHealth's subsidiary Change Healthcare accountable for providing breach notifications regarding its February cyberattack.

Groups such as the American Medical Association, CHIME, Texas Medical Association and more wrote a letter May 20 to Xavier Becerra, secretary of the HHS, asking to clarify how it intends to enforce HIPAA-related reporting requirements when it comes to the Change Healthcare incident.

"We are writing to request more clarity around reporting responsibilities and assure affected providers that reporting and notification obligations will be handled by Change Healthcare," the letter reads. "OCR should publicly state that its breach investigation and immediate efforts at remediation will be focused on Change Healthcare, and not the providers affected by Change Healthcare's breach."

Additionally the groups wrote that clinicians and providers have not received sufficient confirmation from OCR that HIPAA breach reporting and notification requirements related to this incident are the responsibility of UnitedHealthcare and Change Healthcare.

In an April 22 news release from UnitedHealth Group, the company said it would provide a breach notification once it learned what kind of information was compromised. The company also said it would handle notifications and associated administrative tasks for any provider or customer that was affected by the breach.
Hospitals and health systems continue to be targeted by ransomware hackers, disrupting patient care and costing millions of dollars in recovery costs.

Here are 10 things healthcare executives should know about ransomware attacks:

1. What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that hackers place on victims' servers, locking them out of their systems and encrypting data until a ransom is paid. Victims often shut down their IT networks to contain the hack and stop it from spreading. The hackers often steal data to hold for ransom.

The cybercriminals gain entry through such methods as email phishing, fake updates or antivirus installs, or stealing or guessing log-in credentials to gain entry to remote access programs.

2. Why are hospitals and health systems targeted?

The hospital industry is a major target for ransomware gangs because of the monetary value of healthcare data on the black market and the high-stakes disruption caused by interrupting patient care. Health system ransomware attacks nearly doubled in 2023, according to cybersecurity firm Emsisoft.

Impairing the IT systems of hospitals and health systems is, literally, an issue of life and death, so hospitals and health systems might feel more pressure to pay ransom than other less critical industries. Researchers at Minneapolis-based University of Minnesota found that ransomware attacks increase mortality rates by 20% to 35% for patients admitted to hospitals at the time of the hacks.

3. When was the first ransomware attack on a hospital or health system?

The first known hospital ransomware attack took place in 2016 at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles. Hackers encrypted the hospital's IT systems, leading the organization to pay $17,000 in ransom to get them unlocked. Things have escalated since then. Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth Group claims processing subsidiary, forked over $22 million to hackers after a February 2024 ransomware attack.

4. What has been the largest health system ransomware attack?

"Largest" can be a subjective term because the severity of the immediate interruptions caused by the cyberattack varies widely. Additionally, secondary effects, such as data exposure and lawsuits, can continue impacting patients for months after the attack.

That said, the nation's two largest nonprofit health systems have both fallen victim to ransomware attacks in recent years: Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health in October 2022 and St. Louis-based Ascension in May 2024.

CommonSpirit reported a $160 million loss from the cyberattack. Beyond the monetary damages is the stress these types of events cause hospital and health system staffers.

Hackers' targets have gotten bigger over time as the attacks have become more sophisticated. While small hospitals are still victimized by ransomware gangs from time to time, many hacks now focus on large health systems. In 2023, Ardent Health Services, a 30-hospital system based in Nashville, Tenn., and Prospect Medical Holdings, a 16-hospital network headquartered in Culver City, Calif., were infected with ransomware.

5. Who is attacking hospitals?

Hospitals and health systems are typically targeted by "full-time professional cyber gangs that are well-trained, well-equipped, well-funded and often supported and sheltered by foreign governments," according to an article by John Riggi, national adviser for cybersecurity and risk for the American Hospital Association.

The groups often morph as authorities play hacker "whack-a-mole," but the gangs most actively targeting healthcare as of April 2024 were LockBit, BlackCat/ALPHV and BianLian, according to HHS' Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center, or HC3. LockBit has hacked several hospitals in recent months, while BlackCat/ALPHV claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, the largest-ever healthcare ransomware incident, potentially compromising the data of one-third of Americans.

These criminal organizations evolve quickly. HHS, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned in early May that the Black Basta ransomware gang, first identified in 2022, was increasingly targeting healthcare. That same month, the group was linked to the cyberattack that shut down Ascension's IT network.

6. How are ransomware tactics evolving?

In addition to greater scope and frequency, ransomware attacks on hospitals are also becoming more cruel.

In 2023, a cybercriminal group declared children's hospitals off limits; this year, cyberattackers hacked Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, causing appointment cancellations and confusion among pediatric patients and their families. The LockBit ransomware gang leaked nude breast cancer patients to the dark web after Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network refused to hand over ransom.

In late 2023, hackers threatened to send SWAT teams to the homes of Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center patients if the organization didn't pay up. Cybercriminals have also been extorting patients directly via email, demanding money in exchange for not posting their personal and health information online.

7. Should hospitals and health systems pay the ransom?

The American Hospital Association and federal law enforcement agencies advise against paying ransom because it encourages future attacks and doesn't guarantee the data will be returned.

"Our guidance is, hopefully, organizations will be able to prepare enough and that have immutable backups to restore from then have the defensive measures and the recovery procedures in place that they never have to face that very, very difficult decision," Mr. Riggi of the AHA told Becker's.

Ransomware negotiators told Politico that healthcare providers often end up paying the ransom to retrieve their stolen patient data and get their systems quickly restored.

"Right now, a lot of these organizations have two options: They stop operating and, in healthcare, someone might die, or they pay the ransom," Kurtis Minder, a ransomware negotiator with cybersecurity firm co-founder of GroupSense, told the news outlet.

Ransom amounts in ransomware attacks are often undisclosed due to legal obligations, potential encouragement of further attacks and concerns about reputational damage. Additionally, accurately measuring the full financial impact of such attacks can be complex.

Some dollar figures are reported and can provide a general sense of the amount of money demanded or stolen. In early 2024, a cybercriminal group reportedly asked for $900,000 in ransom from a Chicago safety-net hospital while another ransomware gang allegedly sold data stolen from a Chicago children's hospital on the dark web for $3.4 million.

Reported ransom figures do not capture the full extent of financial losses incurred in ransomware attacks, such as lawsuits or expenses incurred from suspended services.

8. Are hospitals and health systems the only healthcare victims?

Far from it. Hackers have learned that they can more easily get patient data  and obtain more of it  by targeting the many third-party technology vendors that work with health systems.

Thus why Change Healthcare, which handles patient records for 1 in 3 Americans  much more than any single health system  was targeted. Andrew Witty, CEO of Change parent company UnitedHealth Group, confirmed the company paid a $22 million ransom to the hackers.

In healthcare, over a third of data breaches come through third-party vendors, more than in any other industry, according to cybersecurity researcher Black Kite. Third-party cyberattacks are "by far the biggest risk we see," John Houston, vice president of information security and privacy for Pittsburgh-based UPMC, told Becker's in 2023.

9. What have leaders said about ransomware attacks?

On the shift to ransomware

"Five years ago, banking trojans designed to skim user credentials (like Emotet) seemed to be all the rage; WannaCry had just taken down most of Western Europe's healthcare infrastructure, which highlighted how ill-prepared healthcare was for both state-sponsored and ransomware attacks; and ransomware attackers were asking for a whopping $500 to restore enterprise systems," Aaron Weismann, chief information security officer of Berwyn, Pa.-based Main Line Health, told Becker's in 2022. "Now, ransomware seems to be the primary threat, with attacks focused on healthcare providers and their downstream service vendors, plus ransoms being levied in the millions and tens of millions of dollars."

On how hackers get in

"Healthcare has become a much bigger target in ransomware  this point can't be overstated," Michael Kearns, CISO of Omaha-based Nebraska Methodist Health System, told Becker's in 2022. "Email is our weakest link, but the bad guys have figured out that they are better off going in through the loading dock via third-party vendors like SolarWinds or Exchange. We are seeing more threat actors using vendors to get a foothold in your network."

On prevention

"Unfortunately, many of the organizations that fall victim to ransomware could have avoided the attack by employing basic hygiene," Anahi Santiago, CISO of Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare, told Becker's in 2023. "Often the attacks leverage a vulnerability that could have been mitigated prior to the attack  that is not to say that this happens in every case. Patch and vulnerability management practices should be employed across the organization and serve as core components in any cybersecurity program."

On what the government can do to help

"For one thing, it is evident that we do not just need regulation and policies for cybersecurity in healthcare  we also need a federally-mandated ecosystem to assist with and standards for the cleanup and restoration activities after such an event," Saad Chaudhry, chief digital and information officer of Annapolis, Md.-based Luminis Health, told Becker's in 2024.

10. What are the latest regulatory and policy developments regarding hospitals and ransomware?

The Biden administration plans to introduce cybersecurity requirements for hospitals. Hospitals that don't comply could lose up to 100% of their yearly CMS payment increase and face extra penalties of up to 1% of their base payments, according to one proposal.

The White House also intends to offer free cybersecurity training for small, rural hospitals, while HHS said in May it plans to invest $50 million in autonomous cyber defenses for hospitals.

The AHA opposes mandatory cybersecurity standards, saying any lost money from CMS-imposed fines would hamper hospitals' ability to fight cyberattacks.

"The primary source of cyber-risk exposure facing the healthcare sector originates from vulnerabilities in third-party technology and service providers, not a hospital's primary systems," the AHA told Bloomberg. "The AHA supports a sectorwide approach to cyber-resiliency. We will continue to work with policymakers on an approach that doesn't result in unfunded mandates and a focus on the entire critical infrastructure of the healthcare sector."

Bills have also been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate that would require HHS' inspector general to conduct regular assessments of the agency's cybersecurity systems. Meanwhile, proposed legislation in the Senate would advance payments to hospitals in the event of a cyberattack if they met minimum cybersecurity requirements.
Kristina Fink, former vice president, corporate secretary and chief governance officer of American Express, joined CVS Health as senior vice president, corporate secretary and chief governance officer in mid-May, according to a LinkedIn post.

While at American Express, Ms. Fink led efforts to support American Express National Bank and served as a member of the General Counsel Organization's leadership team. She also has experience in leadership roles at Guardian Life Insurance Company of American and Clifford Chance US LP.

In her new role, Ms. Fink will work with investors on governance issues and oversee the annual proxy statement process, according to CVS Health's website. She will also oversee corporate and securities matters and provide legal support for the treasury, corporate finance, compensation and benefits.

Ms. Fink is the immediate past president of the New York Chapter of the Society of Corporate Governance Professionals as well as secretary and treasurer of the Shareholders Relations Society.
Brett Esrock, executive vice president, CFO and COO of Health First, is leaving the Rockledge, Fla.-based organization following the hiring of an external candidate for the CEO role, Florida Today reported May 22.

"I have been blessed to work with many operational areas of the organization [during the search for a new CEO] in a way that I might not otherwise have done," Mr. Esrock said in a memo to staff, according to the outlet.

"In this time, it also became clear how important it is to me to continue to grow my own career. I have more I want to do, and I believe those opportunities are outside of Health First. I will be transitioning my work over the next 60 days."

Gaithersburg, Md.-based Adventist HealthCare announced in April that its president and CEO, Terry Forde, will leave the helm on Aug. 2 to become president and CEO of Health First.

Mr. Forde joined Adventist HealthCare's leadership team as executive vice president and COO in 2011. He became president and CEO in 2014.

When he joins Health First, Mr. Forde will succeed Steve Johnson, who retired last year, according to Florida Today. Health First Board of Trustees Chair Kent Smith is serving as interim CEO of the organization until Mr. Forde's arrival.

In his memo to staff, Mr. Esrock expressed disappointment about not being selected as CEO while also describing Mr. Forde as someone who "will be an incredible servant leader in this organization," according to Florida Today.

Mr. Esrock also expressed gratitude for his time at Health First, and noted accomplishments such as the beginning of construction of a new $410 million Cape Canaveral Hospital and medical office complex, the outlet reported.

Mr. Esrock has spent seven years total at Health First, according to his LinkedIn page. He was previously CEO of Health First's hospital division and CEO of Melbourne, Fla.-based Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Health First suffered financial losses during the pandemic and posted a loss of $169.7 million for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2022, according to Florida Today. The system regained some balance during its second fiscal quarter in early 2023, however, seeing an overall profit of $33.7 million, the outlet said.

An April 22 news release from Health First said the organization operates four hospitals, a multispecialty medical group, health plans and ancillary services.
Springfield (Ill.) Memorial Hospital, part of Springfield-based Memorial Health, has named Jay Roszhart president and CEO, effective July 1.

Mr. Roszhart will succeed Chuck Callahan, PhD, who shared an intent to leave the hospital on June 30 "to seek other professional opportunities," according to a Memorial Health news release shared with Becker's.

Mr. Roszhart is currently president of the Memorial Health Ambulatory Group, where he oversees the system's behavioral health, home care and specialty care service lines.

In his new role, Mr. Roszhart will continue to lead Memorial Behavioral Health to help meet growing patient mental health needs.
About two years ago, Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Hospital had 10 urologists on call. By July 4, that number could drop to two specialists caring for an area of more than 950,000 residents, Asheville Watchdog reported May 22.

One urologist left in October, another was terminated in January, and a third plans to resign July 4 because "the current and future state of Urology at Mission is incompatible with my personal and professional priorities at this point in my life and career," according to emails obtained by the news outlet.

Two years ago, five urologists at Asheville Urological Associates revoked their practice privileges at the hospital. Brian Cohen, MD, who worked at Mission Urology for more than a decade, told the Watchdog the urologists faced heavier workloads after AUA decided to end its relationship with Mission. Dr. Cohen said he was terminated in January without cause.

The slimming workforce follows a yearslong trend: Mission's cancer center lost its last oncologist in 2023, and multiple hospitalists and physicians have left since Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare bought Mission in 2019. Between 2022 and 2023, hundreds of nurses have also made their exit, according to Asheville Watchdog.

Multiple former employees did not want to comment on their departures or did not respond to requests for comment.

"As with any job, there are various reasons why people leave. Out of respect for our current and former employees, we do not discuss personnel matters publicly," a Mission spokesperson told Becker's. "Mission Hospital has urologists on its medical staff and, with its affiliates, continues to recruit for any open positions. In Asheville, we are fortunate to have employed and community-based urologists who collaborate in care for patients."

HCA Mission did not share specific figures with Becker's but said it has "about the same number of urologists as we've always had to serve the needs of our community."

In December, North Carolina's attorney general filed a lawsuit against HCA, alleging the system cut emergency and cancer care at Mission Health System.
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
Three judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington, D.C. Circuit ruled May 21 in favor of drug manufacturers' ability to limit sales and distribution of discounted drugs in the government's 340B drug pricing program.

The panel of judges reaffirmed a previous ruling that agreed that drug manufacturers are not in violation of the 340B rules when they decide to limit distribution through their respective contracts, Courthouse News Service reported.

The judges wrote in their decision that 340B "does not categorically prohibit manufacturers from imposing conditions on the distribution of covered drugs to covered entities. We further hold that the conditions at issue here do not violate Section 340B on their face."

"We respectfully disagree with the D.C. Circuits decision," Maureen Testoni, CEO of the nonprofit 340B Health, shared with Becker's. "We are disappointed the court found that the 340B statute does not categorically prohibit manufacturers from imposing conditions. However, we are encouraged that the court made clear that conditions violate the 340B statute if, for example, they effectively raise the 340B price or essentially bar access to 340B for a particular provider."

The 340B drug pricing program has been in place since 1992 to allow qualifying hospitals and clinics that treat low-income and uninsured patients to purchase certain drugs at a discounted rate between 25% and 50%.

Several manufacturers, 25 to be exact, now impose some type of 340B restrictions. According to 340B Health, the comprehensive list of drugmakers that now impose some type of restrictions for 340B participants includes: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bausch Health, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Exelixis, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Organon, Pfizer, Sanofi, Teva, UCB and United Therapeutics.

Hospitals have pushed back on the restrictions claiming "reducing access to the 340B Drug Pricing Program would directly impact hospitals' ability to offer a wide range of health care services to some of the nation's most vulnerable populations," as the American Hospital Association wrote in an Aug. 22 letter to a House committee.

However, drugmakers have stated that their policies seek "to maintain access for patients and adhere to the intent of the 340B program to provide discounted pricing on outpatient medicines to qualifying organizations" a Jazz Pharmaceuticals spokesperson told Becker's in a previous statement following its September 2023 announcement of some restrictions.
A 52-year-old woman was charged with 33 felony counts after police said she worked as a nurse at three skilled nursing facilities without a license.

Cassandra Alvera Gilleylen worked as a registered nurse between Sept. 24 and March 5 at three facilities: Mission Point of Clarkston, Mission Point of Holly, and Wellbridge of Clarkston, according to a May 21 news release from the Michigan attorney general's office.

She was charged with 30 counts of unauthorized practice of a health profession and three counts of identity theft. She is due in court for probable cause conference June 4.
Cleveland Clinic has added a third hospital to its global partnership network, the health system said May 22.

Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has joined the Cleveland Clinic Connected program, which aims to improve the quality of care delivered globally.

The 178-bed hospital will partner with Cleveland Clinic experts for clinical and operational support across various specialties, including cardiology, oncology and neurology.

Vinmec Central Park is the second Vietnamese hospital to join the network, following Vinmec Times City International Hospital, which became a member in January 2023. Both hospitals are part of Vinmec Health System and accredited by Joint Commission International.

This March, Cleveland Clinic Connected also welcomed Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla., as its first U.S. hospital member.
Olarewaju Oladipo, MD, an orthopedic surgeon based in Canton, Mass., was sentenced to 16 months in prison for executing a scheme to defraud healthcare benefit programs.

From approximately January 2016 through December 2019, Dr. Oladipo used billing codes for more complex and expensive services that were never provided, according to a May 21 news release from the Justice Department.

In addition, Dr. Oladipo falsified medical records of patient visits to include examinations and services that he did not perform. Dr. Oladipo would frequently bill for more than 60 patient visits per day and occasionally more than 100 visits in a single day.

Most of the patient visits were likely only five minutes or less, however Dr. Oladipo used billing codes that typically corresponded to visits of 15 to 45 minutes, the release said.

In December 2023, Dr. Oladipo was convicted of 10 counts of healthcare fraud by a federal jury.
Bozeman (Mont.) Health has decided to remove orthopedic trauma surgeon Tim Hiesterman, MD, from its on-call scheduling list, prompting criticism from patients in the area, according to a May 21 report from KBZK Bozeman.

Dr. Hiesterman is one of the only orthopedic trauma surgeons in the county, and residents worry that removing him from the on-call list will impact immediate access to trauma services in the emergency room.

Dr. Hiesterman recently left his position at Bozeman's Bridger Orthopedics, but still operates a private practice in the area and has full access to operating rooms at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The practice does not meet Bozeman Health's care-team requirements for on-call scheduling.

"This year Dr. Hiesterman has provided care to an equal number of orthopedic trauma patients as the other 13 orthopedic surgeons who provide care at Bozeman Health. We welcome and support Dr. Hiesterman to continue to provide care in our community and at Bozeman Health," the hospital told KBZK in a statement.

Almost 150 Gallatin County residents have signed a petition requesting Dr. Hiesterman be kept on Bozeman's on-call list.

"All his patients are trauma patients, so unless he admits a patient, if its an emergency, those patients are going to have to go somewhere else because we dont have the specialty to cover this," Marian Struble, the organizer of the petition, told KBZK.

"Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center (DRMC) is a Level III trauma center caring for 1,000 traumas annually. We are able to care for nearly 90% of all trauma cases that present to DRMC. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons who provide care at Bozeman Health," Chris Spoja, MD, Bozeman Health's chief medical officer, told Becker's in a statement.
Books

Ill Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson made me cry and think about writing completely differently.it made me want to experiment similarly with my own writing
James Martin will visit Windsor Castle on Wednesday to be made an MBE for services to drama in Northern Ireland.

Martin, who has Downs syndrome, starred in the short film An Irish Goodbye, which was filmed in rural Northern Ireland.

The film made history by winning an Oscar, a Bafta and the Irish Film and Television Academy award for live action short.

Martin said he cried his eyes out after learning about his MBE.

It has been a whirlwind two years for the actor, who not only received an honorary doctorate by Ulster University for his outstanding contribution to the arts, but was also given a shout-out by US President Joe Biden during his visit to Belfast last year.

Other MBE recipients include Ian Russell, who became an online safety campaigner after his daughter Molly (14) took her own life after viewing harmful material on social media, artist Sonia Boyce, who has been honoured for her services to art, and Olympian Tom Bosworth.
Donavan Gallagher worked as a grip on upcoming sequel

The original Gladiator film won several Oscars and made a star of lead Russell Crowe

Film grip Donavan Gallagher with young people during the Into Film ScreenWorks programme

Film grip Donavan Gallagher with young people during the Into Film ScreenWorks programme

Donavan Gallagher (back left in sunglasses and grey t-shirt) and the crew on the set of Gladiator II last year

A Cookstown man who has been rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywoods biggest names said working on upcoming action film Gladiator II was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ulster University graduate Donavan Gallagher (37) headed to Malta and Morocco last year to work on the highly-anticipated sequel to Sir Ridley Scotts Oscar-winning historical epic, where he served as a grip on the camera crew.

Film grip Donavan Gallagher with young people during the Into Film ScreenWorks programme

The film, set decades after the first movie which catapulted Russell Crowe to worldwide fame, stars Irish actor and Normal People star Paul Mescal as the lead.

Other top names featured include Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen.

Working on Gladiator II was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, said Donavan who earned a media studies degree from Ulster University in 2009.

The scope and spectacle of this film was truly awe-inspiring and its something I will never forget, he added.

His role involved setting up essential camera equipment, a job that requires technical skill and physical endurance.

Working with Oscar winners on the film proved to be a full circle moment for Donavan who struggled to find direction in the recession-hit job market after he graduated.

He spent time working at a video rental shop and a bar at Belfast City Airport, before discovering a trainee scheme with Northern Ireland Screen.

Film grip Donavan Gallagher with young people during the Into Film ScreenWorks programme

In 2014, this opportunity led him to Game of Thrones, where he first came across the grip profession.

I had never heard of a grip before, but I researched it and decided thats what I really wanted to do, he explained.

Since then, he has built an impressive resume, contributing to The Northman, Overlord, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Line of Duty, Succession and Blue Lights.

Donavan is now giving back to the industry and scheme by sharing his expertise with young aspiring filmmakers through Into Films ScreenWorks programme.

Funded by Northern Ireland Screen, the initiative provides people aged 14-19 with hands-on experience and insights into various screen industry roles.

Paul Mescal, who stars in Gladiator II

During his session, Donavan introduced participants to the intricacies of his work, including setting up camera equipment and the physical demands of the job.

Sean Boyle, ScreenWorks lead, emphasised the importance of such interactions.

The key to our programmes is getting access for the young people to industry experts like Donavan with his wealth of experience and love of the industry, he said.

Its important to us to highlight all the jobs within the screen industries and the grip department is often overlooked as a career option.

The original Gladiator film won several Oscars and made a star of lead Russell Crowe

Donavan underscored the value of networking and collaboration within the industry.

He said: Theres a fantastic camaraderie among the people who work in the screen industry in Northern Ireland and we all help each other.

In fact, it was through a colleague that I was asked to work on Gladiator II.

He also encouraged young people to seize opportunities like those offered by ScreenWorks.

Gladiator II is set to hit UK and Ireland cinemas in November
Dr. James Martin, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises services to drama in Northern Ireland. Picture date: Wednesday May 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Investiture. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

James Martin is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Dr. James Martin, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises services to drama in Northern Ireland. Picture date: Wednesday May 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Investiture. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

James Martin after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

James Martin is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises services to drama in Northern Ireland. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Actor James Martin has said it doesnt feel any different to receive an MBE after the former barista turned Oscar star was bestowed the honour this afternoon at Windsor Castle.

The Northern Ireland actor, who was the breakout star of 2023 after his turn in Ross White and Tom Berkeleys Oscar-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, starred as Lorcan, one of two brothers struggling to decide what to do with their family home after their mothers death.

The film went on to win Best Live Action Short at the Academy Awards and Best Live Action British Short Film at the BAFTAs.

NI actor James Martin honoured with MBE by Prince William

James became one of the most talked about moments of the ceremony after a crowd of A-listers including Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Jamie Lee-Curtis all sang happy birthday to him when he and the directors of the film picked up the Oscar last March.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed he would be honoured as part of the Kings New Years honours and would receive an MBE for services to drama.

Speaking after the ceremony in London, James said it doesnt feel any different, its just three letters at the end of my name.

(Prince William) is a nice fella, good to have a chat with. He greeted me like a friend, he added.

The pair talked about Aston Villa  Prince Williams favourite team - and the future king congratulated him on his acting success.

I really dont feel any different, Im just me being me, said James. Its nice to be known and to pick up an MBE, and thats what you have to be grateful for.

He just said it was brilliant for him to hear about the Oscars and the film.

James Martin is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Also speaking about the honour was James father Ivan, who was present for the ceremony.

It was a magical moment, for myself and (wife) Susan, he said. To be there in the heart of Windsor Castle, to watch our wee boy getting an MBE, I mean its just fantastic.

Its barely been a year and a half since the Oscars, the BAFTAs, the IFTAs - and now to be honoured with an MBE, is fast tracking at its best.

Mr Martin said the moment watching his son receive his honour from the Prince of Wales was incredibly emotional.

It was (emotional) were a very emotional family anyway at certain events that make us well up, he added.

We got through my other son Daniels wedding last year not long after the Oscars and we barely managed to hold it together.

You cant expect not to feel emotional, James has achieved so much. Hes always been a performer, ever since he could talk and walk, and when he started his drama classes.

Its marvellous, if you couldnt be proud of that, you couldnt be proud of anything. We never thought it would turn out this way.

As for his future acting plans, James remained coy about his upcoming credits.

Well have to see what happens, I have to see what the conversations are and take it from there.

James is just one of Northern Irelands high profile personalities to receive an honour from the Royals this year.

Last month, UTV presenter Pamela Ballantine received an MBE for her charitable fundraising in Northern Ireland.

She told the Belfast Telegraph she felt shaky while at Windsor but it was an absolute honour to receive the honour from the Princess Royal.
The man was arrested at Dublin Airport

A Co Tyrone air passenger became extremely threatening and abusive on a flight into Dublin, punching seats and windows for 90 minutes, it is alleged.

Darren Davison (59) with an address at Ivy Bank, Donaghmore, was arrested after the flight from France landed at the airport last night.

Today, a judge granted him bail but remanded him in custody until he is able to make a 200 cash lodgement.

Mr Davison is charged with intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour on a plane, under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

At Dublin District Court, Sgt Derek Spain submitted evidence of the accuseds arrest, charge and caution by certificate.

When the case was first called, Sgt Spain told Judge Michael Ramsay gardai had not been successful in obtaining any information from him other than his name" at that stage.

Judge Ramsay asked the accused whether he had a solicitor and Mr Davison replied: No, Im representing myself.

The judge then asked solicitor Daniel Hanahoe to step in.

Sgt Spain said gardai were objecting to bail as they believed the accused was a flight risk.

I believe hes a UK national, Sgt Spain said, but added that there was no address for him.

The court was told the allegation was that the accused had been on an Aer Lingus flight coming from Lyon in France yesterday.

About 15 minutes into the one hour, 50-minute flight, it was alleged, the accused began acting in an extremely threatening and abusive manner, Sgt Spain said.

It was alleged Mr Davison punched seats and windows throughout the rest of the flight, for over an hour and a half.

Mr Hanahoe said the main prosecution concern was an address and having spoken to the accused, he had one in Northern Ireland.

This was in Donaghmore and if required he could sign on at Monaghan garda station, 60km from his address.

Sgt Spain said gardai wanted a cash lodgement if the accused was granted bail. Mr Hanahoe said the accused had 40 on him.

The sergeant said a 200 lodgement was sought.

Judge Ramsay initially said he would refuse bail on the grounds Mr Davison was a flight risk. However, he remanded Mr Davison in custody, with consent to 200 cash bail, to appear in Cloverhill District Court tomorrow.
Dr. Stephen Klineberg, photographed in 2022, began the Houston Area Survey in 1982. He retired from Rice University in 2023. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Dr. Ruth Lopez Turley, director of Rice Universitys Kinder Institute for Urban Research speaks as Latinos for Education hosted its annual State of Latino Education event at the Julia Ideson Building on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A student plays at The Regency Lofts Pre-K School, which is one of a handful of affordable housing complexes offering free early childhood education to residents on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Houston had a prophet. Hed speak to anyone whod listen, from corporate retreats to humble neighborhood associations, delivering his message in sentences that, as one Chronicle columnist observed, all ended with an exclamation point.

His message was simple: Houston was the real profit  or, Americas prophetic city, as he called it in a book by that name  and he was just the messenger. Dont blame me, Stephen Klineberg would say. The sociology professor at Rice University who retired in 2023 saw it as his mission to collect the aspirations and fears of Houston-area residents and share them with the world. Our hyper-diverse population is what the rest of the country will look like in 2050, so this is where the American future is going to be worked out.

Klinebergs annual Houston Area Survey, the longest running survey of its kind, has continued without him and was released Monday for the 43rd time by Rices Kinder Institute. So what is the oracle of oracles  our own people  saying to the world this time?

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Basically, were still optimists but our collective voice is calling out with an ever more urgent warning.

First, the rent is too high.Thats the fastest growing concern when respondents were asked about the biggest problems facing the Houston area. Crime was the top concern for about one out of four, but thats far lower than 30 years ago when it was three out of four. More telling, however, is that until 2021, housing affordability didnt even register as its own category for the researchers sifting through the data. Now its the second biggest problem, cited by 22%, including both homeowners and renters.

Another big shift: In 1995, 60% of Harris County residents thought welfare recipients took advantage of the system, according to the survey. Now more than half say recipients really need the help.

Are these changes in attitudes about things like welfare and crime simply a sign that the Houston area has become more liberal? Thats certainly one explanation. In 2005, Republicans, Democrats and independents had equal one-third splits of the population. Since then the latter two have increased, while the share of Republicans has dropped to 18%. We doubt, though, the shifts the survey has tracked all have to do with partisan politics.

Consider this eye-popping figure: 70% of residents think that public schools need significantly more money. In the 1990s, that number hovered around 50%. This new supermajority cuts across party affiliations as school districts across the region are making drastic cuts to staff even as more parents recognize their children need a great education to thrive.

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Another supermajority: Nearly three-quarters of Houston-area residents think the region should prioritize developing technologies for the production of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen. When Ruth Lopez Turley, the director of Rice Universitys Kinder Institute, shared this finding at the official release of the survey, there was an audible murmur, if not a collective gasp, from the audience in the downtown ballroom of the Hilton Americas. The number is notable, especially when the survey is named after a family that made their billions on fossil fuels. For liberals, the embrace of alternative fuels is likely about reducing carbon emissions, and for business-minded conservatives the emphasis could be making a profit from an inevitable energy transition.

Again and again, the survey shows a strong consensus around creating an economy that works for everyone. Its no wonder when the survey shows the percentage of residents who say theyd have to borrow money to cover a $400 emergency is at its highest ever recorded level at 46%.

Meanwhile, Houston is becoming less religious as the number of people identifying as Christian has declined and the unaffiliated have risen  a rise in nones, not nuns, as Lopez Turley quipped. Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police, theres a growing awareness that Black people and other minorities dont have the same opportunities as white people. One rock-star finding that Klineberg would highlight every year but that seems to be taken for granted in the new report: Houstonians see diversity as a strength. Duh, as the kids in all their hues would say.

Taking it all in, we cant help but see the enormous gap between what Houston-area residents believe and the rhetoric of our leaders in Austin. Theyre drowning out the sirens with the constant din of their culture wars.

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We called up Stephen Klineberg, who relocated to Virginia to be closer to his kids. The deepening inequalities are real, he said, though a sense of optimism still resonated in his words. Hes stepped back from the survey, but he believes Houstonians understand more than ever that we matter, that we have a role to play in shaping the American future. While the exact policies may not be clear, the message our people are sending is. Make the economy work for all.
Dame Arlene Foster will team up with former Corrie star Charlie Lawson again to provide Twelfth of July coverage for GB News this summer.

The channel confirmed it will broadcast segments of the biggest day in the Orange Orders marching season with the ex-DUP leader and former First Minister featured in the on screen line-up.
DUPs Ian Paisley brands Irish governments move to recognise state of Palestine as atrocious

The North Antrim MP accused the Irish government of electioneeringSinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said decision welcome but could have come sooner

DUP MP Ian Paisley (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Jessica Rice, Cian O Broin and Eoghan Moloney Wed 22 May 2024 at 12:30







DUP MP Ian Paisley has accused the Irish government of electioneering over the decision to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as he branded the announcement atrocious.
Exclusive |

Indefensibly, the Covid Inquiry is hiding key Stormont evidence from public  and that is not just stupid, but dangerous
A Sky News reporter from Co Fermanagh has said he was forcibly removed from a Conservative Party event after being informed the broadcaster was not allowed to cover it.
Minister Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin during a press conference to announce the Republic of Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine (Damien Storan/PA)

Irish premier Simon Harris announced on Wednesday that Ireland is recognising the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

The move will take effect formally on May 28.

Here is the Taoiseachs speech given at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Mr Harris said: Last month, I stood on these same steps with Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain when we agreed that the point of recognising the State of Palestine was coming closer. That point has now arrived.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we are recognising the State of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

In the lead up to todays announcement, I have spoken to a number of other leaders, and I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. This is an historic and an important day for Ireland and for Palestine.

On the 21st of January 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our right to be an independent state.

Our Message to the Free Nations of the World was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our right to self-determination and justice.

Today we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a State.

We do so because we believe in freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law, and because we believe that permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people.

Taking our place on the world stage  and being recognised by others as having the right to be there  was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our State. From our history, we know what it means.

Recognition is an act of powerful political and symbolic value. It is an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state  including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security  as well as recognising Palestines own obligations under international law.

It is a message to those in Palestine who advocate and work for a future of peace and democracy, that we fully respect your aspirations to be living freely, in control of your own affairs and under your own leadership.

On 10 May, 143 out of 193 UN Member States  80% of those present and voting  voted to determine that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the UN.

Our step today, taken with Norway and Spain, is further recognition of the legitimate right to statehood. It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-State solution  the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples. We have previously said that recognition is a step that we would ideally have taken as part of a process towards that goal.

However, we are three decades after the Oslo process and perhaps further than ever from a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace settlement. Our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely, especially when it is the right thing to do.

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking at Government Buildings (Damien Storan/PA)

It is a decision being taken on its merits. But we cannot ignore the fact that we are taking it as Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation.

A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most of us and unconscionable to all, is unfolding in real time. Can anyone justify children going to sleep at night not knowing if they will wake up?

Today we are taking a significant political step. There will be reaction and interpretations of its implications but let us not lose sight of this fundamental truth: Children are innocent. The children of Israel. The children of Palestine. They deserve peace.

It is long past time for a ceasefire, for the unconditional release of hostages and for unhindered access for humanitarian aid. There should be no further military incursion into Rafah. There should be no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel. Civilians, on all sides, must be protected under International Humanitarian Law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.

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The people of Palestine deserve a future filled with hope, a future defined by success instead of suffering. A future at peace. The people of Israel deserve the exact same thing. To the people of Israel, I say today: Ireland is resolute and unequivocal in fully recognising the State of Israel and Israels right to exist securely and in peace with its neighbours.

Let me be clear that Ireland condemns the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th last. Civilians attacked and murdered. Hostages taken in the most brutal and terrifying of circumstances, including a young Israeli-Irish child.

We call again for all hostages to be immediately returned to the arms of their loved ones.

Let me also be clear that Hamas is not the Palestinian people.

Todays decision to recognise Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future.

A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment, where so many wrongs can never make a right.

Just as Irelands recognition as a state eventually led to the establishment of our peaceful Republic, we believe that Palestinian statehood will contribute to peace and to reconciliation in the Middle East.

A peace that honours the legitimate aspirations of all people in the region to live with respect, justice, security and dignity, free from violence or the threat of violence.

Today, moving in lockstep with our European colleagues, we seek to be bearers of hope. We want to reaffirm our belief that peace is possible, that justice is achievable, and that the recognition of both States  Palestine and Israel  is the cornerstone upon which that peace must be built.

So today, we are saying that we recognise the state of Israel and its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders. We equally recognise the state of Palestine and its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders.

Recognising the statehood of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike. There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.

I would like to thank our international partners, in Norway and Spain and in other like-minded countries, for their close and continued co-operation. I thank the Tanaiste for his continued work on this matter.

I look forward to continuing to work with them on our shared objective of delivering long overdue peace and prosperity to the people of Israel and Palestine and the wider Middle East.

Ireland will always stand with all those ready to walk a political pathway to peace and we will do everything in our power to help to bring it about. That is what todays decision is about.

We take it to offer hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine in one of their darkest hours.

We in Ireland see you, we recognise you, we respect you.

We will continue to work so that you and your children and your childrens children can have the better future you deserve and so that one day, Palestinian children and Israeli children can live side by side in peace and security.
Mary Lou McDonald has called for Ireland to use its influence with the US and the EU (PA)

Irelands move to formally recognise the state of Palestine sends a powerful message but must be built upon through tangible action, Irish politicians have said.

The reaction comes as Ireland, Norway and Spain made a joint announcement that they would recognise the state of Palestine, sparking anger from Israel which summoned those countries ambassadors and recalled its own.

The leader of Irelands largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, said the recognition of Palestine by Ireland is an important step for the Palestinian people.

Mary Lou McDonald said although Ireland was a small nation, it can punch above our weight when it comes to influence in the EU and US.

The recognition of Palestinian statehood by Ireland must be the first step in the Government playing a leading international role in assisting the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, she said.

The Government must follow todays announcement by utilising every tool at their disposal to hold Israel to account and to demand full adherence to international law.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns welcomed the decision, describing it as a powerful move.

I also want to pay tribute to the many tens of thousands of Irish people who fought for the government to take this step, Ms Cairns added.

Every weekend in every corner of the country, in cities, towns, villages and college campuses, people have marched in support of the Palestinian people and demanded an end to the ongoing genocide.

The Irish peoples solidarity with the Palestinian people is unbreakable. Its long past time this solidarity was formally acknowledged by our Government with recognition of the State of Palestine.

My only wish is that it happened sooner. Its now eight months into this conflict, with nearly 130,000 Palestinians having being killed, maimed or gone missing presumed dead under mountains of rubble.

The scale of death and devastation is truly horrifying. That so much of the Western world has turned a blind eye to this carnage is shameful and its shocking.

The West Cork TD called on the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment Bill.

Taoiseach Simon Harris told Ms Cairns that he is continuing to push EU leaders for a review of the EU trade agreement with Israel.

He said he was frustrated he has not yet persuaded others of the merits of the review.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews said that the move by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise the state of Palestine sends a powerful message and the EU must now step up.

He said that after months of inaction and deafening silence by some leaders, the EU has an opportunity to do the right thing.

Three decades after the Oslo process began, the Israeli government has been increasingly and explicitly clear that it does not, and will not, accept a Palestinian state, Mr Andrews said.

As such, it is now critical for the international community and especially the EU, which has extensive diplomatic and economic links to both Palestine and Israel, to recognise a Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders, if we are to have a chance at peace and the two-state solution.

We need to make clear that Palestinian self-determination is not negotiable; it is, as the UN has made clear, an inalienable right.

The chief executive of Irish charity Trocaire, Caoimhe de Barra, welcomed the move, but said Ireland needed to build on the recognition by increasing pressure on Israel to negotiate a just peace.

Ireland can do this by enacting laws that ensure that Irish taxpayer money is not invested in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories or in Israeli defence companies and that goods and services produced in the occupied territories cannot be traded in Ireland, she said.

By taking such tangible and practical actions, the Irish Government can continue to show leadership in bringing about an end to the appalling situation in Palestine.

Independent MEP Clare Daly said: Ireland should have recognised Palestine as a state decades ago.

While welcome, taking this step now is yet another symbolic gesture from the Government, when what Palestinians need is tangible action, such as an arms embargo, denial of passage through Shannon airport to US military aircraft aiding the genocide, and suspension of the trade relationship with Israel.

She said that Irish exports of dual-use goods to Israel increased sevenfold in 2023, and so the Government should end Irelands complicity in what is happening to the people of Gaza.
The Republic of Ireland will officially recognise the State of Palestine along with other two EU states tomorrow morning.

The Irish Government has flagged its intention to recognise Palestine as a state this month amid unprecedented attacks on the Gaza strip by Israel Defence Forces.

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez raised questions months ago about EU trade deals with Israel while the war on Gaza continued.

Mr Varadkars successor Simon Harris has spoken to Mr Sanchez about Ireland and Spain recognising Palestine as a state.

Norway, Malta and Slovenia have also signalled that they are considering giving full state Status to Palestine.

It is understood two other EU states will recognise Palestine as a state tomorrow morning.

Other like minded countries are expected to follow in Irelands footsteps in the coming weeks but the Irish Government decided now is the time for the Republic of Ireland to recognise Palestine. The Coalition is facing into a local and European elections in just over three weeks.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and senior members of Hamas.

Meanwhile, in a online video targeted at Ireland, Israels Foreign Ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

The narrator says: Ireland, the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.

Such a move will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian authority.

The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as wake-up call.

Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Dont be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to recognition.
The family of a British man killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza are planning a big send-off for a larger-than-life character.

James Jim Henderson, 33, was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers who died when their convoy was hit outside the Deir al-Balah warehouse last month.

Mr Henderson, from Cornwall, formed part of WCKs security detail and died alongside fellow British veterans John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47.

A large number of people are expected to pay tribute to Jim Henderson at his funeral at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday (World Central Kitchen/WCK.org/PA)

Family and friends are gathering at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday to say goodbye to the former Royal Marine turned humanitarian worker.

I think its really important that Jim gets a great send off, Mr Hendersons older brother, Matt, said, ahead of the funeral.

I think it will be good for all of us to give Jim the send-off he deserves.

Then that will give us time to process everything else in the long term and that will take a long time.

Mr Henderson praised his brother and said he had a real ability to make friends with people wherever he went.

I think the biggest thing I always think about with Jim is that he had done his work with the military and then more recently the humanitarian focused stuff, he said.

The one thing that everyone says about Jim is his ability to be friends and have real connections with so many people.

I would speak with him, and I couldnt keep up.

Id ask him where he is and what hes doing, and he would always be somewhere with someone from some area of work, or hed be meeting friends from school.

I think he just was able to maintain on a personal level really nice deep relationships with so many people.

Mr Henderson said his brothers death came as a terrible shock to his family but said the local community in Cornwall had been very supportive.

Weve had a lot of people messaging, people making contact from different places, different walks of life that Jim had, he said.

There are likely to be massive, massive amounts people. Im not sure the exact numbers but more than were expecting.

Its been a big sort of outpouring really from friends and family but also the local community in general has been very, very supportive.

They are very proud of what he has done in that short space of time.

Mr Henderson had a passion for rugby and joined with the Royal Marines, which included frontline service in Afghanistan.

The funeral of his colleague Mr Kirby was attended by hundreds of people in Bristol last week.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, calling it a serious mistake.
A former Royal Marine found dead after being accused of assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service has been described as a much-loved son, brother and family member.

Matthew Trickett, 37, an immigration enforcement officer and private investigator from Maidenhead, Berkshire, was also accused of foreign interference and had appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court with two other people last week.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said Trickett was found dead in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, at around 5.15pm on Sunday after a report from a member of the public.

An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is being treated as unexplained.

A family statement said: We are mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family member. We would be grateful if the press would respect our privacy at this difficult time and refrain from intruding on our grief.

Tricketts solicitor Julian Hayes, senior partner at Berris Law, said: It has sadly been confirmed by Thames Valley Police that the body found in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, on Sunday was that of our client Matthew Trickett.

We are naturally shocked at this news and supporting his family as best we can.

The death is currently being treated as unexplained by the police and further investigations are still ongoing.

A forensics tent in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Trickett was charged along with Chi (Peter) Leung Wai, 38, from Staines, Surrey, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, east London.

They were charged under the National Security Act after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.

The charges alleged that between December 20 2023 and May 2 2024, Yuen, Wai and Trickett agreed to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service.

It is also alleged that on May 1 they forced entry into a UK residential address, being reckless as to whether the prohibited conduct, or course of conduct of which it forms part, would have an interference effect.

They had all been bailed and were due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

An investigation is ongoing into the death (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Prosecutor Kashif Malik said during last weeks hearing that Trickett had attempted suicide after being charged, and asked for the defendant to be remanded in custody for his own welfare.

TVP referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because Tricketts bail condition required him to regularly register at a police station.

The IOPC assessed that referral and decided the matter should be investigated by TVPs professional standards department.

Trickett was formerly employed by the UK Border Force at Heathrow Airport, before joining Home Office Immigration Enforcement on February 21 2024.

He was also the director of MTR Consultancy, a security firm formed in April 2021.

A police cordon was in place in Grenfell Park on Tuesday evening with several officers stationed next to a black forensics tent close to a childrens playground.

Court artist sketch of Chung Biu Yuen, Chi Leung Wai and Matthew Trickett (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

More officers were positioned at vantage points and paths around the park.

A local resident said there were children everywhere in the park on Sunday when Trickett was found dead by police.

Tatiana Dioniseva, 30, told the PA news agency: On Sunday there were so many people here  there were children everywhere.

It was a bit bizarre because it was sunny  there were children about and then a crime scene over there.

She said Grenfell Park, close to Maidenhead station, was popular, adding: Usually on Sundays, every bench will literally be taken.

There are people everywhere  its a popular place.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

As a former Houston ISD parent and school board member, I initially encouraged Houstonians to be open to the state takeover and its potential benefits for our kids. I know firsthand that many things in HISD are broken. I truly believe weve been lying to many students and their parents about what they are getting from our schools when we hand them diplomas after spending up to 13 or even 14 years in our classrooms.

At the same time, things in HISD can and do work well for those who are privileged or savvy enough to navigate the system. I hoped the takeover would fix whats broken and expand what works.

Thats why I was crushed at a recent event hosted by the Houston Landing. State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles avoided answering thoughtful questions from graduating HISD high school seniors.

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They asked about losing important community partnerships, including one with Ignite, an organization that provided a Sterling High School student with a college counselor. The student said that this year, her senior year, shes struggled without that counselor.

(Miles response: We have too many contractors and cant afford them anymore.)

The students asked about what constitutes a meaningful education. Now, they said, they watch their teachers no longer able to lead complex discussions in upper-level classes, instead being confined to timed, scripted lessons.

(Miles: A meaningful education means being able to read, write and do math at grade level. And more. My wife and I were privileged enough to insist our three children to learn a musical instrument, play a team sport and learn philosophy so, yes, I do think those things are important and students at New Education System schools get those through dyads and Art of Thinking classes.)

The students asked about what they described as a culture of fear. Seniors from Bellaire and Furr high schools said their teachers are sad and stressed to the point of not being able to or wanting to do their jobs.

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(Miles: We are paying higher salaries than we ever have, and if they dont want to work here, they dont have to.)

Even students at NES schools  the focal points of Miles reforms  complained that theyre being forced to carry embarrassing and unsanitary traffic cones that some teachers wont even touch as a bathroom pass. One Yates High School student said she felt her senior year had been marked by nothing but following the rules.

(Miles: Well, 11th and 12th grades werent impacted that much by NES. [Cue audience laughs and disagreement from the students.] Its not appropriate to make 17- and 18-year-olds carry traffic cones. Sorry it happened. It shouldnt have happened. That was a mistake on your principals part.)

I learned the Japanese term kuuki yomenai, or KY, from my daughters Japanese-American college roommate a couple of years ago. It refers to people who cant read the air, who dont intuitively understand a given situation and behave accordingly  a highly valued skill in Japanese society.

Im not sure there could be a more apt description of Mr. Miles demeanor and answers to the students questions.

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Superintendent Miles visits many schools. He works very hard, and I think he believes hes doing important work on behalf of Houstons schoolchildren. I would agree that to some extent, particularly updating how we teach reading, this is true.

But to hear him tick off an impressive list of academic offerings in Dallas ISD as proof he was on the right track, apparently ignorant that HISD already offered all those things and more before he got here, was insulting.

Equally offensive was his response to brilliant, brave young people, who against many odds were realizing their and their familys dreams of attending college. They asked how those who come after them will access and be prepared for college. Miles responded that he was going to offer more career and technology offerings. I know we need more quality, relevant career paths, but not at the expense of increasing college access for historically underrepresented students.

We have to make hard choices because our state government has failed to fund our public schools sufficiently. But are these really the choices we need to be making?

Over the last year, I have sat in countless meetings in meetings with nonprofit boards, local foundations or over dinner with friends who worried about what the new HISD administration might do. I have repeatedly said, No, they would never do that. I honestly believed they would leave alone the things that worked. Now even Miles says that his biggest failure was not defining what autonomy meant for campuses.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, centre with black turban, leads a prayer over the flag-draped coffins of the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who were killed in a helicopter crash (AP)

Irans supreme leader has presided over a funeral for the countrys late president, foreign minister and others killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, as tens of thousands later followed a procession of their caskets through Tehran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held the service at Tehran University, the caskets of the dead draped in Iranian flags with their pictures on them.

On the late President Ebrahim Raisis coffin sat a black turban  signifying him as a direct descendent of Islams Prophet Muhammad.

A woman holds a poster of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at Mam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Oh Allah, we didnt see anything but good from him, Mr Khamenei said in the standard prayer for the dead in Arabic.

He soon left and the crowd inside rushed to the front, reaching out to touch the coffins.

Irans acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly wept during the service.

People then carried the coffins out on their shoulders, with chants outside of Death to America!

They loaded them onto a semitruck trailer for a procession through downtown Tehran to Azadi, or Freedom, Square, where Mr Raisi gave speeches in the past.

In attendance were top leaders of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, one of the countrys major power centres.

Army members carry the flag-draped coffins of President Ebrahim Raisi (Iranian Presidency Office/AP)

Also on hand was Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, the militant group that Iran has armed and supported during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip. Before the funeral, Mr Haniyeh spoke and an emcee led the crowd in the chant: Death to Israel!

I come in the name of the Palestinian people, in the name of the resistance factions of Gaza to express our condolences, Mr Haniyeh told those gathered.

He also recounted meeting Mr Raisi in Tehran during Ramadan, the holy Muslim fasting month, and heard the president say the Palestinian issue remains the key one of the Muslim world.

The Muslim world must fulfil their obligations to the Palestinians to liberate their land, Mr Haniyeh said, recounting Mr Raisis words.

He also described Mr Raisi calling the October 7 attack that sparked the war, which saw 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage, an earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity.

The war since has seen 35,000 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of others in the West Bank in Israeli operations.

Mourners hold up a posters of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Mam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Mr Raisi, 63, had been discussed as a possible successor for Irans supreme leader, the 85-year-old Mr Khamenei.

The only other person suggested was Mr Khameneis 55-year-old son, Mr Mojtaba.

However, concerns have been raised over the position going to a family member, particularly after the revolution overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy of the shah.

Meanwhile, an Iranian official offered a new accounting of Sundays crash, further fuelling the theory bad weather led to it.

Gholamhossein Esmaili, who travelled in one of the two other helicopters in Mr Raisis entourage, told state TV that weather had been fine when the aircraft took off.

But Mr Raisis helicopter disappeared into heavy clouds and the others couldnt reach the aircraft by radio, forcing them to land at a nearby copper mine.

Neither Mr Amirabdollahian or a bodyguard on board responded to calls, but Tabriz Friday prayer leader Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem somehow answered two mobile phone calls, Mr Esmaili said.

It wasnt clear why Iran then couldnt track the phones signal.

When we found the location of the accident, the conditions of the bodies indicated that Ayatollah Raisi and other companions had died instantly but Ale-Hashem (died) after several hours, he said.
Fishers in Terengganu state say their squid stock is diminishing because of foreigners entering territorial waters.

Mazlan Awang, a fishmonger, dumps squid into a plastic bag to sell to a customer at a market in Pasar Payang, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, April 13, 2024.

They say they want local authorities to do more to crack down on foreign fishing boats  particularly from Vietnam  which have been encroaching into Malaysias territorial waters for years to trawl for squid.

Malaysia has laws with stiff penalties to guard against illegal fishing. It also signed an MoU with Vietnam three years ago to deal with this issue.

But that hasnt deterred foreign fishermen from trawling in Malaysian waters without permits or paying off local skippers to lend them their fishing licenses, Malaysian fishermen allege.

The local squid stock is becoming depleted because the Vietnamese boats use big nets that can damage the sea floor, Syed said.

Fishermen on the east coast of Malaysia really dont want this, he told BenarNews.

Syed is based in Kuala Terengganu, a port on the eastern shores of Peninsular Malaysia.

They use pukat gading [large fishing nets]  equipment that can damage the ecosystem. [W]hatever is under the sea is depleted because they use rollers, he said of the Vietnamese boats, adding that when the nets come upon reefs theyll kill all the coral and everything.

As a result of illegal fishing by foreigners, Malaysia lost U.S. $172 million (823 million ringgit) in fisheries through 428 incursions by non-Malaysian boats between 2020 and 2023, according to Mohamad Sabu, Malaysias minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

Of the 19 foreign boats intercepted and seized by Malaysian authorities during that period, 18 were from Vietnam, officials said.

Vietnamese fishing boats have been encroaching in Malaysian waters in the South China Sea for almost two decades, locals, officials and experts say. But despite a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries maritime agencies in 2021, the problem persists.

In 2022, there was an oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand and this led to a decline in fish species in nearby areas. Indirectly, this has caused many foreign fishermen from Vietnam and Thailand to trawl in Malaysian waters, said one expert, Syuhaida Ismail.

Most Vietnamese fishing vessels would fish in their own area, but then came to Malaysian waters after their sonar technology detected more catches in Malaysia. The catches are known to be more rewarding compared to catches in Vietnam, Syuhaida, research director at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia, told BenarNews.

A catch of squid is displayed at the market in Pasar Payang, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, April 13, 2024. [Syahrin Abdul Aziz/BenarNews]

Under Malaysias fisheries law, foreign fishing boats and foreign nationals are subject to a fine not exceeding 6 million ringgit ($1.25 million) each in the case of the owner or master, and 600,000 ringgit ($125,000) in the case of every member of the crew, if found guilty of fishing illegally in Malaysian waters.

During intercepts at sea by Malaysias coast guard, some tense and violent standoffs with Vietnamese fishermen have occurred.

In 2020, a Vietnamese sailor was shot dead by members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, after crews of Vietnam-flagged vessels rammed and attacked an MMEA boat with Molotov cocktails and hard objects during a patrol 81 nautical miles (150 km) off Tok Bali in Kelantan state, coast guard officials said at the time.

And last July, one MMEA member was attacked and seriously injured to the head while inspecting a Vietnamese fishing boat off the coast of Kuala Terengganu.

According to one Vietnamese fisherman, desperation drove him to fish in Malaysian waters. For safety reasons, he requested that he remain anonymous.

There are difficulties. For example, at that time, in Vietnam, our fishing grounds did not have enough squid. But in their waters, they have more. So we have to enter their waters, the fisherman said during an interview with RFA Vietnamese at Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.
James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea with reporters as he prepares to cast his vote at Tari, Hela Province in the general election on 4 July, 2022.

The Papua New Guinea governments push for news organizations to become its cheer-leading squad is under further scrutiny this week as parliament hears testimony from journalists and top officials.

The effort to wield influence over the news, first announced last year as a "media development policy", has been watered down in the face of strong opposition. Despite the changes, the policy still contains avenues for politicians and officials to undermine the watchdog role of the Pacific island countrys media.

When we say media development we are saying media should be a tool for development because we are a developing nation, said Steven Matainaho, Secretary of the Department of Information Communication Technology, which devised the media regulation plans.

In a more advanced and matured economy it could be used as a fourth estate for balance and check, but in a developing economy every stakeholder should work together to develop the country  that includes the media, he told the Committee on Communications hearing at parliament house.

Papua New Guineas global ranking in the annual Reporters Without Borders press freedom index deteriorated to 91st place this year from 59th last year. In 2019 it was placed 38th out of the 180 nations assessed.

Were calling it the media control policy, not the media development policy, Scott Waide, a senior Papua New Guinea journalist, told BenarNews.

We didnt agree with it because it was trying to make the media an extension of the government public relations mechanism, he said.

Papua New Guinea's parliamentary Committee on Communications members (L-R) Ricky Morris, chairman Marsh Narewec and deputy chairman Sam Basil Jr listen to evidence on 22 May, 2024 in Port Moresby. [Harlyne Joku/BenarNews]





Amid the criticism, the parliamentary committee on Wednesday asked the Media Council of Papua New Guinea to amend its submission to include a proposal that it takes the leading role in drafting any media policy.

Prime Minister James Marape has threatened to hold journalists accountable for news reports he objected to and has frequently criticized coverage of his governments failings and Papua New Guineas social problems.

The government has an at times tenuous hold over the country, which in the past few months has suffered economically ruinous riots in the capital, spasms of deadly tribal violence in the highlands and a succession of natural disasters.

The fifth and latest draft of the policy argues that a government framework is needed for the growth of a successful media industry, which currently suffers from low salaries, insufficient training, competition for readers with social media and, according to a government survey, a high level of public distrust.

The media policy is also needed to justify providing funds from the government budget to bolster journalism training at universities, according to Matainaho.

It envisages a National Media Commission that would report to parliament and oversee the media industry including accreditation of journalists and media organizations. A Government Media Advisory Committee would sit inside the commission.

A separate National Media Content Committee would oversee national content and a National Information Centre would facilitate the dissemination of accurate government information by overseeing a news website, newspaper and 24-hour news channel.

It also aims to make existing state-owned media a more effective conduit for government news.

Neville Choi, president of the Media Council of PNG representing the major mainstream broadcasters and publishers, said the plans still give far too much of a role to the government.

Neville Choi, president of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea, speaking to a parliamentary committee in Port Moresby on government plans to regulate the media on May 21, 2024. [Harlyne Joku/BenarNews]





He said the council is concerned about the long-term risk to democracy and standards of governance if the state becomes the authority for accreditation of journalists, determining codes of practice, enforcing compliance with those codes and adjudicating complaints against media.

One must consider how future actors might interpret or administer the policy with political intent, he said in the councils submission to the committee.

The proposed model would allocate too much centralized power to government, he said.

Waide said the main focus of a media development policy should be on training and providing adequate funding to university journalism programs.

Media, he said, is a tool for development in one respect, in that we need to promote as much as possible the values of Papua New Guinean society.

But there has to be a healthy mix within the media ecosystem, he said. Where opinions are expressed, opinions are not suppressed and not everyone is for the government.

Although the policy mentions the importance of press freedom in a democracy and freedom of expression enshrined in the countrys constitution, other comments point to different priorities.

It is necessary to review, update and upgrade how we do business in the media space in PNG. This must be with the mindset of harnessing and enhancing the way we handle media information and news for development, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Timothy Masiu said in the document.

It is timely to develop pathways for developing the industry and holding media in general responsible and accountable, he said.

And according to Matainaho: The constitution protects the rights of the citizens, we must not take that away from the citizens, but at the same time we need to find a balance where we still hold the media accountable.

His department had studied Malaysia  which ranks lower than Papua New Guinea in the press freedom index and has draconian laws used to threaten journalists  when it was developing the media policy, Matainaho said.

Medias rights under the constitution are not absolute rights, he said.

Harlyne Joku contributed to this report from Port Moresby.
The Asian superpower has made such agreements before, but its latest claims may be a divide-and-conquer tactic, analysts say.

Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, chief of the Philippine militarys Western Command (left), speaks to the media with military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 10, 2023.

Manilas row with Beijing has worsened in recent weeks, as China insists that the Philippines has violated their alleged secret deals and concessions on the South China Sea, but has not shown any evidence to back its claim.

For its part, the Philippines has consistently denied the existence of such deals or concessions, with some observers saying Chinas assertion is part of its divide-and-conquer strategy, and other analysts noting that Beijing has a record of secret agreements that breach global regulations.

The recent controversy between the Philippines and China centers around an alleged secret recording Beijings embassy in Manila made of a phone conversation, and released what they said was its transcript to some media organizations.

The call, they said, was between a senior Filipino military official and a Chinese diplomat, during which Manila reportedly agreed on a new model for arranging notifications of resupply missions to Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal.

Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, the senior Philippine military official in question, said Wednesday that he did have such a conversation with a Chinese diplomat but had not consented to its being recorded.

I did not enter into any secret deals that will compromise the interests of our country  I have not compromised the countrys territorial integrity, he said at a hearing in the Senate on Wednesday.

I have not given up our sovereign rights and entitlement. I am a soldier for the Filipino. I remain a loyal servant of the republic.

Carlos had been replaced and put on forced leave at the general military headquarters after the controversy broke. The Philippine military did not explain why, only saying that his reassignment was not a punishment.

China has relied on such deals

This development may not help ease Beijing-Manila tensions.

On Wednesday, China reiterated its claim that it had solid evidence these deals with the Philippines existed but did not say why it has not produced this so-called proof.

Whether its [a] gentlemens agreement, or  internal understandings, or the new model reached between China and the Philippines on properly managing the situation in the South China Sea, they all have clear timelines and are supported by solid evidence, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday.

No one can deny their existence, he insisted.

And China has relied on such deals which have worked in its favor in the past, analysts pointed out.

China is quite known for its preference for secretive deals that do not embody legitimate rules and norms of international relations, Don McLain Gill, a Manila-based geopolitical analyst, told BenarNews on Monday.

He cited two examples: the 1963 secret territorial pact between Pakistan and China and the alleged secret deal between China and Cambodia that allowed the Chinese Navy to have an extended and exclusive access to Phnom Penhs naval base.

Both China and Cambodia denied the secret agreements, of course, but Western officials and groups believed otherwise.

Such deals favor China because while they are clouded in ambiguity, they still serve the strategic purpose of Beijing. However, such deals often put the other country in the hot seat, said Gill, whos also a lecturer at the De La Salle University.

Divide and conquer

Antonio Carpio, a Philippine South China Sea expert, has another explanation he believes is behind the controversy.

Beijings claims about alleged internal agreements with Manila are meant to create divisions among Philippine officials, said Carpio, who is also a former Supreme Court justice.





The Philippine Coast Guard escorts Filipino fishing boats joining a convoy to Scarborough Shoal, May 15, 2024. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews]

China will talk to the lower echelons and theyll say, These officials agreed with us,  he told BenarNews in May, explaining Beijings alleged tactic.

That is not the way [to do things]. That is very undiplomatic. You must go through the proper channels, Carpio told BenarNews in an interview in early May.

Former President Rodrigo Dutertes pro-China policy during his six-year tenure (2016-2022) had allowed, among other things, unofficial talks, verbal agreements and deals without official documents as proof, Carpio said. And Beijing may have thought it could continue that policy, he said.

Dutertes legacy

Rommel Jude Ong, a retired Philippine Navy official, agreed with Carpio.

We are dealing with the legacy of Duterte's foreign policy posture, Ong told BenarNews.

The Chinese Communist Party may be using informal concessions made by the previous administration as leverage and to compel the [current] government to conform to these practices.

One example is from 2021 when, according to China, it entered into a deal with the Duterte administration on the rusty ship Manila uses as its base on Second Thomas Shoal.

China says Manila agreed not to repair or build structures on the ship and in return, provided Beijings non-interference when the Philippines sends troops and supplies to the military outpost.

The former Philippines president first denied then admitted entering into a verbal agreement with Beijing on this issue.

A boats crew members and volunteers on a Filipino civilian convoy sleep on their way back to Subic in Zambales province in the Philippines, after sailing near Scarborough Shoal, May 16, 2024. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews]





One security analyst said that governments sometimes enter into behind-the-scenes deals to help settle disputes without pressure from their domestic audiences.

Governments  avoid making the impression of compromising their countries positions in disputed spaces by entering into such agreements, Lucio Pitlo III, an analyst with the Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, told BenarNews.

But exposing such deals may put Beijing in a difficult spot at home and may force them to take a more hardline and uncompromising stance so as not to appear weak in their domestic public.

Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
Thai soldiers stand guard on a road leading to Victory Monument in Bangkok, the site of anti-coup protests on May 30, 2014, days after a military coup.

Ten years on, the legacy left in Thailand by the coup of May 22, 2014 continues to shape the political landscape.

Elections may have been restored, but Thai democracy has not yet recovered, analysts say, and the countrys conservative establishment still maintains power.

The coup followed months of political turmoil in Thailand. Shortly after seizing control, Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the army chief, said the putsch was necessary to bring an end to years of bitter political division and government dysfunction.

But critics say it has amplified fault lines in Thailand and left Prime Minister Srettha Thavisins civilian government today facing a series of critical issues.

Perhaps the most pressing of which is the legacy of the military-backed constitution, adopted in 2017 under the junta led by Prayuth.

It allowed 250 unelected senators to vote for the prime minister, enabling Prayuth to return as the nations leader after the 2019 election and playing a decisive role in blocking Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party, from the prime ministership in 2023.

The origin and authority of the Senate in the 2017 constitution clearly aims to perpetuate power and maintain an aristocratic ideology. Selecting among themselves is intended to diminish and distort the peoples voice, said Anusorn Tamajai, director of a research center at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha inspects troops on the outskirts of Bangkok in this Jan. 18, 2014 file photo. [Apichart Weerawong/AP]

The constitution is undemocratic, critics say, because it was drafted by a junta-appointed committee without public consultation. Although a 2016 referendum showed more than 61% of people who voted supported the new constitution, turnout was only 59% and at least 212 people were persecuted for campaigning against it that year.

It lacks the qualities of a modern constitution, which, apart from structuring power and protecting peoples rights, must also serve as a mechanism to resolve conflicts in society, said Pornsan Liangbunlertchai, assistant professor at Chulalongkorn Universitys law faculty.

The new Senate, due to enter Parliament this year, will not have the authority to select the prime minister. It will be formed with members being voted from among 20 social and professional groups including from the fields of education, law, health care, agriculture, the arts, as well as groups representing elderly people and people who are physically impaired.

There are hopes that this new, more diverse cohort may approve the process for constitutional reform, which Srettha has said he would like to put to a referendum within four years.

The constitutions shortcomings led to mass protests in 2020 demanding Prayuths resignation, as well as constitutional amendments and reform of the monarchy.

The government responded by cracking down on dissidents. As of April 30, at least 1,954 people have been charged for participating in public assemblies or expressing their political opinions in 1,295 cases, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

One of the juntas main weapons to stifle dissent was the use of Thailands royal insult law, otherwise known as Section 112 of the criminal code  legislation that continues to be used against government critics today.

The coup was about maintaining the old political and economic status quo and preserving inequality to benefit the elite, said Olarn Thinbangtieo, a professor from Burapha University's Faculty of Political Science and Law.

Section 112 has become a political tool for the aristocracy to deal with the opposition and dissenters, said Olarn.

A man lies on the ground in front of police while holding a placard during a protest against martial law in central Bangkok on May 23, 2014, a day after the Thai army chief seized power in a coup. [Damir Sagolj/Reuters]

Prayuths nine years of authoritarian rule has also endured in Thailands insurgency-wracked Deep South.

Peace negotiations between Bangkok and the main southern separatist group, the Malay-Muslim Barisan Revolusi Nasional, have made little headway over the past decade.

While Prayuths government declared its commitment to finding a political solution to the insurgency, authorities regularly harassed and prosecuted activists in the region, while public expressions of Patani-Malay identity were discouraged.

In the era of Prayuth, there is an invisible form of violence beyond guns and bombs  its the refusal to accept diversity, the lack of religious freedom, the inability to use ones own language, said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, the director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, which monitors human rights in Thailands three southernmost provinces.

Prejudice has been cultivated to foster fear of Muslims, preventing them from becoming full citizens. Laws are used to oppress them.

Thailands post-2014 authoritarian system under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) bolstered the strength of the state and destroyed participation and decentralization, according to Pornpen.

In the Deep South, this resulted in the Thai militarys Internal Security Operations Command embedding itself more deeply into state agencies, even in sectors like education.

It became a state within a state, Pornpen said.

Thai soldiers drive away a van carrying an unidentified Thai woman as anti-coup protesters (right) attempt to harm her during a demonstration in Bangkok, May 25, 2014. [Wason Wanichakorn/AP file photo]

Between 2014 and 2023, the government set aside a 311 billion baht ($8.6 billion) budget for security in the Deep South and maintained 50,000 soldiers, police and territorial defense volunteers in the region.

Pornpen said the government also increasingly relied on section 44 of the new constitution, which allowed Prayuth to issue orders without regard to the human rights implications.

From 2019 to 2022, there were over 90 extrajudicial killings of suspects, reflecting the increased power of the military or NCPO, said Anchana Heemmina, a human rights activist and a member of the Thai Parliaments Special Committee on Southern Border Peace.

In the pre-NCPO era, during civilian governments, the number of suspect killings was less than 10 per year.

Though the overall number of violent incidents in southern Thailand has gradually trended down since 2014, many locals are pessimistic about lasting peace in the region.

"The peace talks they claim to be engaging in dont seem to be going anywhere, said Ahama Iso, a villager in Yala province.

A police officer holds his weapon as he secures the train running between the provinces of Pattani and Yala in Thailand's troubled Deep South, March 9, 2013. [Reuters]

Prayuth may be gone but the authoritarian system he put in place after the 2014 coup remains, according to some analysts.

When young people and the rural and urban lower-middle classes voted overwhelmingly to ditch the pro-military establishment in last years election, military-appointed Senators, royalists and monarchy banded together to prevent that happening.

The political culture of dictatorship has prevailed, restricting freedoms and establishing military power above civilians, said Piyapong Pimpaluck, an assistant professor at Chiang Mai University's Social Research Institute.

These are the long-term structural impacts, creating authoritarian values and discourse about protecting institutions with violence, which breeds hatred and the use of violence.

Jon Preechawong and Ruj Chuenban in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Officials call for strengthening China-Africa cooperation under FOCAC platform

Xinhua) 10:13, May 22, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Ethiopian officials on Tuesday called for enhancing the multifaceted cooperation between China and Africa under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The call was made at a high-level conference titled "Revisiting Ethiopia's Role in the FOCAC and the Way Forward" in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Speaking at the event, Eshete Tilahun, head of the Office of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said FOCAC has proven to be an effective and strong platform for promoting Africa-China cooperation by supporting critical infrastructure development, enhancing connectivity, boosting trade activities, attracting foreign direct investment, and fostering entrepreneurship across Africa.

"Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has been instrumental in fostering cooperation. It is a testament to the shared aspiration, mutual respect, and collaborative spirit between China and Africa," Tilahun said.

He said through FOCAC, Africa and China have embarked on a journey marked by dialogue, exchange of views, and joint efforts aimed at promoting sustainable development through the expansion of infrastructure and people-to-people connectivity.

Yang Yihang, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said with the FOCAC framework serving as a strong catalyst, China-Africa cooperation has achieved fruitful results, making China Africa's largest trade partner for 15 consecutive years.

He noted that by the end of 2023, more than 500 Chinese enterprises had invested in over 2,000 projects in Ethiopia, with a cumulative investment of about 5 billion U.S. dollars, creating 580,000 job opportunities.

Highlighting the need for African countries to create a favorable business environment, Yang said China will further encourage Chinese companies to seize investment opportunities in Ethiopia and Africa in general, and actively explore investment cooperation in infrastructure, the digital economy, renewable energy, and agriculture, among other areas.

Anteneh Getachew, director general of Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs, said the conference aims to assess Ethiopia's "unreserved" approach to promoting multifaceted cooperation between Africa and China through the FOCAC platform.

He said the conference, organized by the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, will explore future areas of cooperation and enhance Ethiopia's role in the FOCAC platform.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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.
Dade Phelan addresses the crowd during a campaign rally at Jack Brooks Airport. Photo made Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Kim Brent A combined image shows Dade Phelan on the left in a Beaumont Enterprise file photo and David Covey on the right in an image provided by his campaign. Beaumont Enterprise

About two weeks after the March 5 primary, House Speaker Dade Phelan hosted an event at the Austin Club with lobbyists and House members to chart a path forward after a difficult election for incumbent House Republicans.

A record nine members lost their primaries, and eight were sent to runoffs  including Phelan, who has run the House for two sessions and is the main target of right-wing Republicans efforts to push the lower chamber further to the right. Phelan had come in second place in his primary, possibly setting him up to be the first speaker ousted from the Legislature in more than 50 years and threatening to send the House into a chaotic race to replace him.

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The roughly 150 people in the room were anxious to hear Phelans vision for the next two months, unsure what the primary drubbing meant for lobbyists priorities and House members ongoing projects. A few House members spoke to the crowd first, including Rep. Drew Darby of San Angelo, who was one of just two targeted House Republicans to survive his primary challenge outright.

Darby recalled delivering a sober message: If we don't invigorate people who are invested in the state and its infrastructure to get out and work for it, then, in my estimation, we're going to lose Texas.

Now, with the election slated for the Tuesday after a holiday weekend, Phelan is fighting to keep his political career alive and send a message of defiance to his partys right flank. In recent years, as the Texas Senate has lurched to the right and embraced culture war issues, the House has emerged as a more moderate and deliberative chamber. Even so, the past two legislative sessions in Austin have been widely considered the most conservative in the states history.

Instead of catering more to the conservatives who have criticized him, Phelan has doubled down on his messaging as a voice of reason in a tumultuous political climate, and hes relied on support from former Gov. Rick Perrys team and other prominent Republicans who have seen their party change drastically over the past two decades. A loss would not only push Phelan out of office but would reshape the lower chambers leadership, tone and legislative agenda. Even if he does win, his grip on the gavel could be weakened.

Phelan has approached the runoff with an expanded grassroots team and a new consultant whod helped lead Perrys unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2016. In an interview, he said the 75-day window between the primary and the runoff gave him an opportunity to pick apart some of the mailers and campaign ads attacking him. And he said hes been able to stress to voters the importance of a House runoff race that perhaps would not have inspired many to head to the ballot box before.

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The tide has turned in all these counties, in my personal opinion, and Im seeing it on the ground right now, Phelan said. This is not about changing a lot of people's minds. This is about motivating your base, and I feel really good about my base getting back to the polls.

More than two dozen incumbent House Republicans have come to his aid in the district over the past two months, knocking on doors and talking to voters.

At the end of the day, Phelan and others said, his race and the other runoffs would be a referendum on the direction of Texas politics. Far-right donors, led by West Texas billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, poured millions into the race. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Phelans opponent, oil and gas consultant David Covey, significantly hurting his polling numbers. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller all endorsed Covey, too.

Covey similarly said the runoff provides him with an opportunity to reach more voters and tout Trumps endorsement across the district, which he described as Trump country. Hes spent the past several weeks telling voters how he believes Phelan has failed the House and his district by appointing Democrats as committee chairs and declining to advance a bill that aimed to block some Chinese and Russian citizens from owning certain land in Texas.

Covey said Phelan has used his speakership to block and kill key conservative legislation, not protect his district. He has repeatedly called the speaker a liberal.

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Victory would send a message to politicians across the nation that they work for the people, and when they don't do their job, there are consequences, Covey said in a written response to questions. This is a once-in-a-generation election.

They know my record

The opposition Phelan faces is steep. Patrick, the staunchly conservative head of the Texas Senate, said earlier this year that he wouldnt weigh in on Phelans race or other House races  but that pledge didnt last long. Patrick was present at Coveys election night party in March, and last month, he donated a whopping $100,000 to Coveys campaign.

Trump, speaking at the NRA convention in Dallas last weekend, reiterated that Covey has his complete and total endorsement.

David is leading, very substantially, an absolutely terrible speaker of the House, Trump said on stage before addressing Covey, who was in attendance. Good luck in a week from now. Youre going to win big!

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Initially, much of the criticism Phelan faced centered on his chambers decision to impeach Paxton on corruption charges last year. Paxton was ultimately acquitted by the state Senate, and Patrick railed against Phelan for, in his view, leading a rushed and unfair impeachment process.

But Phelan has also come under fire for declining to prioritize private school vouchers, a top issue for Gov. Greg Abbott, who has stayed out of Phelans race but has campaigned against several House members who opposed vouchers. After the primary, Phelan appeared alongside Abbott at several press conferences.

Phelan said much of the runoff campaign period has been spent pushing back on the criticism that he is not conservative enough. He said having House members come out to his district has been an especially effective way to communicate with voters who may be concerned about the allegations against him  that he doesnt care about border security or election fraud or a host of other conservative priorities.

They know my record, Phelan said. I mean, they were there. When (my opposition) says, Dade Phelan didn't vote for this, Dade Phelan didn't vote for that, they can say, Because the speaker doesn't vote for those bills. He never votes.

He has also had the enduring support of former Gov. Perry, who has hosted at least two campaign events for Phelan this year. In his most recent appearance in Beaumont this week, Perry pleaded with attendees not to trade a powerful speaker for a freshman member who wouldnt even be a speed bump in trying to fight against bad legislation.

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Phelans campaign is also receiving heavy financial support from casino gambling interests. Political action committees backed by Las Vegas Sands and its owner, Miriam Adelson, spent more than half a million dollars boosting his campaign in the last few months.

State Rep. Cole Hefner, an East Texas Republican, has visited Beaumont twice to campaign for the speaker. It was hot, and there were more mosquitoes than hes ever seen  but he said the trips gave him a chance to personally vouch for the speaker and recruit new voters. In his experience, he said, a runoff is a new ballgame. The score is zero to zero, and you basically start from scratch.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
Graduations throughout the United States erupt with some familiar sounds every year: the passionate cheering of friends and families, the lofty grandeur of speeches and, of course, one very recognizable tune.
For the second time, Otis is trying to build a new library with help from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, this time through a small population grant.
"In bygone days, I sought to amuse myself and others by engaging telemarketers in conversation that I was careful to tinge with vague suggestions that I was ready to make a purchase," writes Eagle columnist Dusty Bahlman.
By the end of the year, Massachusetts should have a plan to address arguably the biggest statewide stumbling block to progress and prosperity: the housing crisis.

That notion of housing as the most pressing issue for the commonwealth is not just our assessment. We hear from Berkshire business leaders about hiring difficulties exacerbated by the dearth of workforce housing. We see public school districts that serve rural communities facing unsustainable enrollment trends as the number of young families making a home here dwindle. We watch as communities hearts are torn and advocates resources are sapped while grappling with homelessness and other pressing social problems inflamed by lacking affordable housing availability.

Our Opinion: Amid Massachusetts' big housing problems, governor pitches a big bill in Pittsfield The governor has put the ball in the General Court with some considerable momentum and widespread need behind it.

So yes, Massachusetts does need a plan. Last year, Gov. Maura Healey issued an executive order to charter a comprehensive housing plan for the commonwealth  something Massachusetts hasnt had for four decades  alongside her pitch of the Affordable Homes Act, a $4.1 billion package that would seek to build 40,000 new Bay State homes and improve or restore tens of thousands more housing units. We previously praised the governor for going big and bold with that proposed package. It remains to be seen how the Legislature will handle that ambitious proposal in the final stretch of the legislative session ending July 31.

This housing crisis years in the making is going to take more than one state budget cycle to surmount, and were glad the Healey administration is pursuing a long-term plan.

Last week, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus visited the Berkshires to participate in a number of community conversations: a meeting with the Adams Housing Authority, a sit-down with The Eagles editorial board, a listening session at Berkshire Community College. During his conversation with The Eagle, Secretary Augustus mentioned his goal of meeting with every local housing authority. Credit where its due to the secretary and the administration for the willingness to listen to a broad cross-section of constituents and let that engagement inform the substance and structure of the states housing plan.

Crafting such a plan is easier said than done, given the multifaceted nature of a problem that evades any simple, singular remedy and the conflicting interests arising even from the proposal that seem most sensible. For instance, Secretary Augustus spoke candidly about pushback the administration has predictably received on overtures to reduce restrictive local zoning and regulations that can hinder housing projects, particularly those of the affordable and multifamily variety that low- and middle-income residents need.

While Massachusetts needs to see more homes built in its borders, thats a long-term goal  which should be coupled with realistic short-term goals of creating and preserving units wherever possible. Secretary Augustus highlighted the provision in the governors housing bill that would allow Massachusetts homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (often referred to as in-law apartments) by right. The secretary refers to that proposal as low-hanging fruit: a change that could result in near-term creation of 8,000 to 10,000 more units at effectively zero cost to the state. Again, an obvious move to some will result in predictable pushback from others, such as local control advocates who might balk at efforts to limit municipal restrictions on certain housing projects.

These conversations can be tough, but theyre the ones we need to have as communities and as a commonwealth. With a problem this wicked, there are no easy solutions  only ones that require investment, compromise, sacrifice or often a combination thereof. The endeavor to craft a statewide housing plan gives us the chance to get creative, dream big and then pare down to whats possible.

We have a suggested topic for that conversation. Secretary Augustus spoke of prioritizing measures like the by-right ADU proposal that come with a high ratio of impact to public cost. Wed recommend another consideration with similar benefits: taking a scalpel to the states building codes. While Massachusetts is known more for piling on unfunded mandates than peeling them back, taking a critical look at non-safety-related building codes is something the state could do swiftly to boost housing production by lowering costs at little to no public expense. This could require a compromise between the states housing production and green building goals, but again those are the sort of hard discussions we must be willing to have if were to put a dent in problems that defy easy answers.

We look forward to this broader conversation evolving throughout the year as the Office of Housing and Livable Communities looks to finalize the states housing plan by years end  and we look forward to contributing to it, as well. We thank Secretary Augustus for visiting the Berkshires and making our oft-overlooked county a part of that conversation. We hope his mission to meet with every housing authority in the state will lead to more frank and fruitful discussion in our oft-overlooked corner of the commonwealth as the state seeks a housing plan for the benefit of all Bay Staters.
AI firms have vowed to improve the safety of their learning machines so they agreed to build an AI "kill switch" as a last resort to mitigate the technology's risks to humanity.

The so-called "kill switch" will supposedly halt development for their most advanced AIs "if mitigations cannot be applied to keep risks below the thresholds."

To properly determine the severity of risks posed by the technology, the companies have established "thresholds" to provide a proper response to each threat.

These include misuse of AI as a tool for cyberattacks, building bioweapons, and enabling foreign adversaries.

Multiple tech giants from various countries have committed to the promise during the 2024 AI Safety Summit in Seoul, South Korea, as concerns and issues on the technology continue to mount up.

Industry leaders like Amazon, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI were among the 16 AI firms that signed the commitment.

The promise came just days after OpenAI, one of the leading AI firms in the industry today, dissolved its "Superalignment" safety team in favor of building more "shiny products."

Also Read : OpenAI Dissolves Safety Team Responsible for Keeping Humanity from AI Harm

OpenAI Safety Culture Scrutinized by Former Safety Team Leaders

Jan Leike, one of the "Superalignment" team leaders who recently left the company, highlighted concerns in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) on how the company's "safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products."

But over the past years, safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products.  Jan Leike (@janleike) May 17, 2024

Leike's fellow leader and one of the company's co-founders Ilya Sutskever has also announced his departure from the company following the release of the GPT-4o.

Sutskever was among the former board directors who voted to oust CEO Sam Altman amid growing concerns about the company's current safety processes in AI development and distribution.

AI experts have long criticized OpenAI for its safety lapses as severe "AI hallucinations" and image generations of political figures continue to plague its products despite the company's promises.

The "Superalignment" team, which OpenAI formed last year, was supposed to be the company's response to address safety concerns on its technologies.

AI Safety Branded as 'Worthy but Toothless'

Despite the vows the companies have taken, safety experts and advocates raised criticisms of the steps the companies are willing to take in the advent of the AI revolution.

AI Now Institute, one of the forum participants, criticized the tech giants for the lack of diverse perspectives on how the rapid rollout of AI technology affects the public, stating that "AI systems are already having significant harmful impacts on people's rights and daily lives."

The statement follows earlier comments from the Bletchley Park Summit last year, claiming that the Safety Summit's commitments are "worthy but toothless."

Microsoft, one of the commitment signatories, is facing scrutiny from the US government following multiple data breaches in the past 24 months.

The tech giant has also earlier reported that its chatbots, along with OpenAI's, were being used for cyberattack campaigns by state-sponsored threat actors.
Life is full of seasons, detours, changes and circumstances that are unexpected and out of our control. As much as we would love to have all the answers and predict what tomorrow holds, life is very unpredictable. A new move, unexpected job loss, illness, or strained relationship occur and stop us in our tracks. How do we remain grateful when our lives move in a different direction than we anticipate?

Despite the unexpected life situations that will arise, God reassures us that He is for us and will continue to lead, strengthen, and empower us during these unpredictable seasons. As you face unexpected scenarios in life, here are five inspiring prayers to uplift and encourage you.

1. Prayer for a New Move

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

Dear God,

Thank you for strengthening me during this new move and reminding me that You will continue to provide for every need that I have. While I am in a new location with anxieties and fears, calm my spirit with your peace and renewing presence. This move may be a surprise to me, but it is all part of your intentional plan for my life. I surrender my doubts, insecurities, and fears over to You. When I am discouraged, thank you for your Word that encourages and energizes me to press forward with courage, faith, and boldness. When I move to different locations in life, thank you that your faithfulness remains consistent. With each new move, thank you for providing for every need that I have.

In Jesus name, amen.

2. Prayer for Unexpected Illness

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff  they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

Dear God,

I pray that You will grant me peace and healing as You lead me through this unexpected illness. Although this was unexpected, I trust You and know that You will continue to cover me. Thank you for sustaining and comforting me during difficult times and uplifting my spirit when I want to give up. Remind me that I am not alone and to depend on You and the community of support that You have placed around me. Thank you for being Jehovah Raffi, my healer. Grant me wisdom and guidance as I look to You. At times when I am weak, thank you for your strength and grace that carries me forward. At times when I am angry, help to shift my perspective and mindset with the truth of your Word. Thank you for your healing power and peace during this unexpected illness.

In Jesus name, amen.

3. Prayer for Unexpected Job Loss

I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need (Philippians 4:12).

Dear God,

Thank you for being the ultimate source of my strength and provider of all my needs. Even during this sudden job loss, thank you for providing me with new resources as I move forward. You are a God who is true to your Word, that reassures me You will supply all my needs according to your riches in Christ Jesus. As I seek Your will, thank you for aligning my gifts with the vocation and amazing purpose that you have for me. While you do open new doors to provide a valuable job resource, please remind me that my identity is not connected to a job. My identity should confidently grow in You. When unexpected job losses come, thank you for being my constant provider and peace.

In Jesus name, amen.





Photo credit: SparrowStock

4. Prayer for an Unexpected Strained Relationship

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Dear God,

Thank you that my relationship with You is consistent. While this strained relationship is difficult right now, I seek your guidance on how to reconcile this broken relationship in my life. If it is in your will to restore this relationship, I thank you for providing an opportunity to do so. I surrender my desires to your perfect will. No matter the outcome in how this strained relationship goes, I seek your peace. Despite the frailty of human relationships, thank you that my relationship with You is secure, stable, and unconditional. Open my eyes to see the lessons and wisdom You have shown me with each relationship that I encounter, and help me to maintain a spirit of gratefulness during various seasons with relationships.

In Jesus name, amen.

5. Prayer for an Unexpected Change of Course

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps (Proverbs 16:9).

Dear God,

When life takes an unexpected change of course suddenly, thank you for your infinite wisdom in leading me into unchartered territory. During times when I dont understand the direction that You are taking me, increase my trust and faith in You and your divine plans for my life. Calm my frantic mind and help me to see the new possibilities that are available, as I surrender control. Your ways are higher than my ways, and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Thank you for continually guiding me through lifes many uncertainties, detours, and changes of course. Despite different paths in life that I take, thank you for never changing.

In Jesus name, amen.

During the unexpected seasons and circumstances that will arise, rest in the assurance that Gods love and guidance is consistent and constant. While the detours in life that are unexpected are surprising to us, they are not surprising to God and are still part of His plan. Dont lose hope. Cling tightly to God and allow him to take full control.

Navigating unexpected circumstances can be challenging, but we dont have to go through them alone. If you are facing an unexpected new move, illness, job loss, strained relationship, or change of course, dont lose heart. God will cover you and provide you with peace when you dont see the way forward. Today, I invite you to remain encouraged and reassured that Gods presence, power, and provision will go before you when unexpected seasons come.

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Photo credit: Getty Images/tuaindeed

Kirstyn Mayden is an author, certified ministry coach, and speaker whose mission is to help women in ministry recover from burnout. She is a wife and mom who loves Jesus with all her heart. For the last 20 years, Kirstyn has served in several ministry roles serving with children, youth, and women. Currently, she serves alongside her husband in ministry in West Virginia. She is the author of Merciful Moments: A Devotional Journal for Moving Forward with Grace Each Day and Merciful Moments Activity Guide. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Connect with Kirstyn at www.kirstynmayden.com.
Microsoft is currently under fire for one of its latest features for its Copilot AI after security experts called it glorified spyware.

Gary Marcus, founder and CEO of Geometric Intelligence, raised concerns about how the company intends to "record literally everything you ever do on your computer." Decrypt first reported Marcus's statement.

THIS is the company that wants to record literally everything you ever do on your computer.



(Report is re an attack last year.)



If you dont think Microsoft Recall, local or no, will be one of the biggest cybertargets in history, you arent paying attention. pic.twitter.com/7xWEp3Amjd  Gary Marcus (@GaryMarcus) May 21, 2024

Similar comments can be seen from regular customers across social media as people urge others not to update their Windows OS to block out Copilot from their computers.

The backlash pertains to one of the features in Microsoft's recently unveiled Copilot+ PCs Windows system, the "Recall" function.

According to the tech giant's blog post, the "Recall" feature allows the Copilot to remember everything that "you have seen or done on your PC," letting users access previously visited sites, apps, and files.

While Microsoft claimed that the AI only stores user data on their devices, most applications of the technology would still require the computer to be constantly connected to the internet.

Also Read : Microsoft Copilot Will Remember Everything You Do on Your PC

Microsoft Bashed on Safety Measures for its AI Technology

Even if Microsoft does not intend to harm customers through the "Recall" feature, experts still consider the feature as a high-security risk given Microsoft's history with cyberattacks.

Marcus shared similar concerns as the rollout of the feature would only increase attention on the company and its vulnerability to data breaches.

The Cyber Safety Review Board earlier called out Microsoft for lapses in its cybersecurity measures that resulted in a major data breach in July last year, an incident the CSRB ruled to be "preventable."

The report does not include another cyberattack in the company reported earlier this year that resulted in Microsoft's source code being accessed by hackers.

Before the reports, Microsoft admitted that state-sponsored bad actors were accessing its AI chatbots to automate their operations.

It is uncertain if lawmakers intend to open another investigation on Microsoft regarding its latest product.

How to Disable Microsoft Copilot's 'Recall' Feature?

While it is not a permanent solution to the problem, users can still disable the Copilot in Windows 11 by searching "gpedit" to access Group Policy Editor.

Once opened, users need to navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows CoPilot to turn off the built-in Copilot.

Another option is to go back to Windows 10's earlier versions where Copilot is unavailable.


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Hollywood actors guild SAG-AFTRA has joined Scarlett Johansson in her beef against OpenAI amid accusations of the AI firm using her voice to power one of its text-to-speech chatbots.

In a press release on Monday, the actors' guild spoke out against the "unauthorized digital replication" of Johansson's voice as it calls for a "federal legislation that would protect their voices and likenesses."

Protection from Hollywood executives abusing AI was among the primary petitions SAG-AFTRA raised during last year's labor strike, a protest that might seem to be less successful than intended as evidenced by the recent events.

Scarlett Johansson 'Angered' Over OpenAI's Unauthorized Use of Her Voice

The whole issue sparked after OpenAI unveiled its latest chatbot model GPT-4o, equipped with five audio-interacting voice assistants.

One of the AI personas, "Sky," was quickly noted to be "eerily similar" to Johansson's voice in the film "Her," a movie about a man forming an intimate relationship with an AI that Johansson played.

It did not help that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a post that seemed to reference the movie a few days before the showcase.

Johansson, who was known for going into lengthy legal battles against big companies like Disney, was "shocked, angered, and in disbelief" of finding her voice in the AI even after supposedly declining the company's earlier offers to use her likeness for one of its projects.

OpenAI insisted that the voice belongs to a "different professional actress" who lent her vocals to power the AI.

The company did not disclose the identity of the actress, claiming it was to "protect their privacy."

As of writing, the AI firm has temporarily paused "Sky" as it enters conversations with Johansson's team to "take the feedback seriously and hear out the concerns," The Verge reported.

Also Read : Scarlett Johansson Slams OpenAI for Using Her Voice in ChatGPT

Hollywood Celebrities Speak Out Against AI Misuse

Following the initial controversy on the AI voice assistant, more Hollywood celebrities are coming forward to denounce the alleged abuse of the technology against actors and performers.

Johansson's fellow "Avengers" actor Mark Ruffalo posted on X (formerly Twitter) warning that "this is just the beginning."

This is just the beginning. Time to go out and hug a tree.



Article: ChatGPT suspends voice as actor speaks out against OpenAI https://t.co/lguTpuS0ZB  Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 21, 2024

It can be remembered that OpenAI has earlier been reported as starting discussions with Hollywood studio executives on potential uses of its AI video generator Sora in film and show production.

Several celebrities have also spoken out against the growing number of deepfakes using their likenesses to promote fake advertisements, products, and even online misinformation.

In response, talent agencies have started archiving their actors' likenesses into a digital vault so that only authorized personnel and clients can access them.
The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola has paid tribute to his lifelong friend and collaborator Fred Roos, who has died aged 89.

Oscar-winning producer Rooss death at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday, a few days before his 90th birthday, was confirmed by a representative to the AP news agency on Tuesday.

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Roos produced The Godfather Part II, which earned him, Coppola and Gray Frederickson an Academy Award for best film, after putting forward Al Pacino to be cast in The Godfather.

He returned to work with Coppola over the next decades on films including on The Godfather Part III, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now and most recently the American directors latest project Megalopolis, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

In an Instagram post, 85-year-old Coppola wrote: Fred Roos possessed a casting instinct that was near infallible: so beautifully demonstrated in American Graffiti and The Outsiders.

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He was a great lifelong friend and collaborator with above all a true love for movies.

I remember once telling him that we needed to find more women directors but that we should look for them among kids playing with 8mm movie-making equipment rather than dolls  and he came up with kids named Martha Coolidge and Susan Seidelman.

He was a unique talent and will certainly be missed.

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Roos produced Coppolas wife Eleanor Coppolas documentary Hearts Of Darkness, and also worked with the film-makers daughter, Lost In Translation director Sofia Coppola. Eleanor died in April aged 87.

Shia LaBeouf, who is part of the ensemble cast for time travel epic Megalopolis, wrote on X: The nights flame with fire. As you ride life straight to perfect laughter, Fred Roos  I loved you a lot.

Roos also assembled the casts for George Lucas-directed American Graffiti, produced by Coppola, which starred Harrison Ford before he went on to feature in Star Wars films and Richard Dreyfuss prior to Jaws.

He also produced coming of age story The Outsiders, directed by Coppola, which helped launch to prominence a cast of young actors including Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe.

Lowe wrote on Instagram: Saddened to hear of the passing of Fred Roos. Every movie lover should know his name.

He was a casting genius and responsible for the careers of: Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Tom Cruise and the rest of The Outsiders cast (including me), and many others. Thank you, Fred and god speed.
A police investigation into actor Matthew Perrys death will continue after it was ruled an accident.

The Friends star, who died in October at the age of 54, was open about his battle with substance abuse and addiction and had set up a sober living facility for men with similar issues.

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Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to the PA news agency that it is working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the open investigation into the circumstances of Perrys death, which a medical examiner concluded was from the effects of ketamine.

It will reportedly look at how the general anaesthetic was obtained by the actor, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends.

Perry was found unresponsive in the pool at his residence in Los Angeles on October 28th.

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Matthew Perry (Ian West/PA)

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said in December that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine and said the manner of death is accident.

A post-mortem examination concluded that drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine  which is described as an opioid-like drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction as well as acute and chronic pain  were contributing factors.

The report said Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with his last known treatment one and a half weeks before his death, and suggested he had been reportedly clean for 19 months from drug use.

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The ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, the ruling said.

The report was not able to specify the exact method of intake in Perrys case.

A foundation set up in his name to help those struggling with addiction has previously drawn support from his Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green.

The actor was honoured during the in memoriam segment at the Bafta TV Awards ceremony earlier this month, and at the Emmy Awards in January.
Almost 240 people died on trollies at the consistently overcrowded University Hospital Limerick (UHL) over the last five years, the hospitals chief executive said.

The figures presented to members of the Regional Health Forum West by UHL CEO, Colette Cowan, come in the wake of the inquest into the death of 16-year old UHL patient Aoife Johnston.

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The inquest, held at Limerick Coroners Court last month, was told by UHL emergency medicine consultant, Dr Jim Gray, that when Aoife died the Limerick hospitals Emergency Department was, and still is, a death trap.

The inquest found Ms Johnson, from Shannon, Co Clare, died of meningitis at UHL after she waited 12 hours for a doctor to examine her in the ED while she lay on a chair dying of sepsis.

The inquest which returned a verdict of medical misadventure last month, heard that antibiotics, which would likely have saved Aoife, had they been given to her in time, were not administered to her for over 15 hours and that by the time she died receive the widely available medication, it was too late.

The hospitals sepsis protocols were breached, and Aoife should have been seen by a doctor within 10 minutes of presenting at the dangerously crowded hospital, her inquest heard.

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The HSE and the UL Hospitals Group have apologised to the Johnson family for acknowledged failings in Aoifes care. The former Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, is currently conducting an inquiry into the circumstances around Aoifes death, in December 2022.

Last March, Shannon man, Martin Abbotts inquest at Limerick Coroners Court heard that he may have been lying dead for over an hour on the floor of UHLs crowded emergency department in 2019 before he was discovered by overworked staff.

The inquest heard Mr Abbott (65) could not be ventilated by a doctor because rigor mortis had already set in.

Mr Abbotts heartbroken daughter, Ann-Marie Abbott said she hoped the circumstances of her fathers death would serve as a catalyst for change in UHL and the entire Irish health service.

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"I just do not know how many more people have to die before the system changes," Ms Abbott warned.

Clare Fianna Fail Councillor, Cillian Murphy, asked for a breakdown of the number of deaths of patients on trollies at UHL, and several other hospitals in the mid west, west and north-west regions between 2019 and 2023.

In response, figures provided by UHL chief executive Colette Cowan, show that during this five-year period, a total of 239 people died on trollies at UHL.

Ms Cowan said the UHL data included patients admitted to hospital for whom a bed has been booked but who remained in the ED at the time of their passing and did not include patients who died before arriving at the ED nor critically injured or critically unwell patients who were brought directly to the hospitals resuscitation room following accidents or sudden illnesses.

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The majority of the above patients (90%) were triaged as the highest category (P1 and P2) indicating a life-threatening illness

or patients who are at end-of-life.

In almost all cases, deaths occur in single rooms/cubicles in the zones and in the Clinical Decision Unit, where we use the end-

of-life symbol.

Ms Cowan added that it had a strong Patient Advocacy Liaison Service presence for support of patients and families in the ED as well as a bereavement room where families can spend time with their loved one following their death.

Ms Cowan said the UL Hospitals Group continues to capture the county of origin of patients attending the Limerick ED.

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She supplied figures showing that the total number of ED presentations this year up to the 9th May 2024, broken down by county oforigin included:

Clare 7,657 (25 per cent)

Limerick 17,743 (58 per cent)

Tipperary 3,306 (11 per cent)

Other 1,936 (six per cent)

Total 30,642

The Mid West Hospital Campaign group has repeatedly called on the government to reopen Accident & Emergency (A&E) units in Clare and north Tipperary which were closed and reconfigured to Limerick in 2009.

Taoiseach Simon Harris acknowledged reconfiguration was implemented without adequate capacity being put in place at UHL for the additional patient surge.

A 96-bed unit is being built on the hospital grounds, another is proposed, and step-down beds are being provided in the region to try to alleviate the overcrowding crisis.

The health forum heard that 195 people died at Galway University Hospital for the same period; followed by 150 deaths at Sligo University Hospital; 117 at Mayo University Hospital; 108 at Letterkenny University Hospital; and 72 at Portuncula University Hospital.

The figures for deceased patients at Sligo University Hospital was based on deaths in its ED but the hospital said it was not possible to state whether the deceased persons were on a trolley or in an ED treatment bay.

This level of detail would involve an extensive look at each patient record, which would be hugely time consuming, it said.

Galway University Hospital said deaths in its Emergency Department were recorded as incidents on a Quality & Patient Safety management system called

Q-Pulse.

We have reviewed these records and can confirm the following number of deaths (190) occurred in ED or upon arrival to ED. This data does not contain details specific to whether the patient was on a trolley or in a treatment cubicle/bay. To ascertain this level of detail each patient record would need to be reviewed, GUH said.

Portuncula University Hospital stated: We cannot distinguish accurately between those who were admitted patients from ED attendance.

Mayo University Hospital said: These (177 patient deaths) are all the totals of patients who died while in the Emergency Department from 2019-2023.

The Saolta University Health Care Group said it does not record the location of deaths in the Emergency Department (ED) at Letterkenny University Hospital.

When a patient passes away in the ED,

the majority of whom die in the Resuscitation rooms, the actual location of the death is not routinely documented, it said.
Updated: 10am. Additional reporting by PA & Reuters.

Ireland is to formally recognise Palestine as an independent state, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed.

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"We said the point of recognising the state of Palestine was coming closer, that point has now arrived," Mr Harris said, speaking outside Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday morning.

Similar action is also to be taken by Spain and Norway.

"Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine.

"Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."

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Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th. Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024

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Mr Harris added: "It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples."

The Taoiseach said it is "long past time for a ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas, calling for a release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7th, and an end to the Israeli offensive in Rafah.

He added that Palestinians in Gaza are enduring "the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation", but said civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law.

Mr Harris said the Palestinian people "deserve a future full of hope", adding: "We see you, we recognise you, we respect you."

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He added that he has spoken to a number of other world leaders, and is confident "further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks".

Tanaiste Micheal Martin confirmed the decision will formally take effect on May 28th.

'Two states for two peoples'

"It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force a future based on violence, domination, subordination and exclusion, become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

"Instead, we endorse a future that so many people, in the Middle East and internationally, have put so much time and energy and commitment into developing over decades  one based on mutual respect, equality, and on two states for two peoples," Mr Martin said.

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Green Party leader Eamon Ryan added that Ireland also recognises Israel and its entitlement to protect its people.

Following warnings from Israel that recognition of a Palestinian state would "fuel extremism and instability", Mr Ryan stressed the decision is "not an endorsement of Hamas".

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

World Israel recalls ambassadors as Ireland, Norway and... Read More

However, Israel's foreign affairs minister has called the decision a "distorted step".

"I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state," Israel Katz said in a post on X.

"Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security."

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have both welcomed the announcements by Ireland, Spain and Norway.
The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland has thanked the Irish Government for its formal recognition of the state of Palestine, while the Israeli embassy in Ireland has said it views the move as "undermining its sovereignty and security".

Taoiseach Simon Harris made the announcement that Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain on Wednesday morning.

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Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, told RTEs Morning Ireland that her reaction to the announcement was "positive and emotional".

I think it's time. It's not just symbolic, it's a recognition of our rights, of 13 million people, of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to live in peace and security in a sovereign state. That acknowledgement of recognition is highly welcomed by the Palestinian leadership. And, of course, by all the Palestinians."

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid. Photo: PA

Dr Abdalmajid said Ireland had led the way and had worked hard with other countries at UN level and within the EU, which had resulted in the recognition which was "something very good, very strong".

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She said the United States could not ignore the international community and if they were to use their veto again at the UN Security Council, it would be seen as opposing the international community.

When asked about the decision of Israel to recall its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway, Dr Abdalmajid said the Palestinian people deserved the formal recognition.

"Someone should take the lead and say to the international community that [the war in Gaza] must stop," she said. "And the Palestinian people deserve to have their own state, to live in peace and security in the region. We cannot just live in this war forever."

Israeli ambassador recalled

Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in Ireland said it views the move to recognise Palestine as "damaging to our bilateral relations".

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It said the Israeli government has recalled its ambassador in Dublin, Dana Erlich, "temporarily for consultations".

"We are disappointed by the Irish governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months," it said in a statement.

Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich. Photo: PA

"This decision brings more questions than answers, especially regarding its timing, after Hamas committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. In the wake of the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 which saw the indiscriminate mass murder of 1,200 people and the kidnapping, rape and torture of hundreds more, a step such as this sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.

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"This act jeopardises any hope of Hamas releasing any of the 128 women, children and men kidnapped and held captive by them.

"Unilateral gestures such as this will do nothing for either Palestinians or Israelis. We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

"Recognition raises many questions, such as what is meant by Palestine. What does it mean for Gaza since Hamas, who control it, are bitter rivals of the Palestinian Authority. How will this help the people of Gaza under Hamass rule? Most importantly, one must question the timing of this announcement in the midst of a war that Hamas launched."

'Terrible' timing

Oliver Sears, the founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, described the timing of the States recognition of Palestine as "frankly, terrible."

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Speaking on Newstalk radio, Mr Sears said he wanted peace for the region and supported a Palestinian state, but timing was everything.

"We all want peace in this region. I've been a committed peacenik who has wanted a Palestinian state for as long as I'm aware of this region and this crisis. I think timing is everything. I think the timing is, frankly, terrible. You can't force peace on two warring parties. You have to create an atmosphere where there is at least the beginning of trust between the parties. We know this from the long peace negotiations that happened in the north of this country."

Mr Sears said the Irish Governments action was emotional but not practical and did not recognise how the region was going to find peace.

When asked how he thought the Jewish community in Ireland would regard the decision to recognise the Palestinian state, Mr Sears replied: "They know that this has been coming. My sense is that they will be very disappointed because they see it as a reward to Hamas. And everybody in the community is sickened by what's going on. Most Jews I talked to are absolutely in favour of a two-state solution. It's just the timing."

Government 'got it right'

Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish Ambassador to the EU, said the Government got it right with its official recognition of Palestine.

Mr McDonagh told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne that the timing was right for the announcement.

I think it's the right decision in principle and at the right time as well. Of course, no timing is perfect because there are pros and cons of timing, but I think that they've got it right. We've had 143 of 193 countries at the United Nations recently calling for Palestine to be recognised, Sweden recognised to Palestine in 2014, and many other EU countries did it before that and were acting with Norway and Spain. So I think the timing is right, and I think it's the right decision.

Mr McDonagh said that the only way to undermine extremism was to provide a political perspective. And that's what Norway and Spain and Ireland and hopefully some other countries do later in the month.

Ireland had to do what it thought was right, he added. We just have to do what we think is right, working with many members of the international community. And our motives are absolutely clear. We want peace. We want justice. But you can only control your actions. You can't control responses to them.

Political reaction

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said the recognition of Palestine was an important first step.

"Ireland is a small nation but we punch above our weight when it comes to influence at both European level and with the United States," Ms McDonald said.

"The recognition of Palestinian Statehood by Ireland must be the first step in the Government playing a leading international role in assisting the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

"The Government must follow todays announcement by utilising every tool at their disposal to hold Israel to account and to demand full adherence to international law."

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the announcement was a "really welcome and positive move", and essential to create momentum towards peace and the two-state solution.

A really welcome and positive move. Essential to create momentum towards the two state solution that is so badly needed. Along with Spain and Norway, other countries must follow now to end the suffering in #Gaza & help bring about #CeasefireForGazaNOW @IrePalestine https://t.co/AHuSNO4KgW  Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) May 22, 2024

Independent MEP Clare Daly welcomed the "symbolic gesture" but said Ireland should have recognised Palestine as a state decades ago.

"What Palestinians need is tangible action, such as an arms embargo, denial of passage through Shannon airport to US military aircraft aiding the genocide, and suspension of the trade relationship with Israel," she said in a statement.

Independent TD Cathal Berry described the recognition of Palestine as a positive development.

It was also positive that the move was in conjunction with two other European countries, this was the logical way to do business, he told Newstalk.

"I think it's the only logical way to do business, really, in light of what happened in the General Assembly 12 days ago when an overwhelming majority of UN members decided to recognise the existence of Palestine and request that it be given full UN membership status as well."

The DUP's Ian Paisley criticised the move by the Irish Government as "electioneering".

In a statement, the North Antrim representative said: "The announcement by the Dublin Prime Minister to recognise the state of Palestine  even though he could not identify that state accurately on a map  will unfortunately only play into the hands of extremist, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel factions. Ireland should brace itself for a run of abuse against people and businesses associated with Israel."

Mr Paisley added: "It has taken the Irish state over 90 years to recognise Palestine. One can only view that this is about electioneering and appealing to the extreme elements in Irish society to come back and support the so-called centrist parties."  Additional reporting: Press Association
Ireland has announced its recognition of the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said the decision was based on a belief in permanent peace and taken due to Irelands understanding of a countrys fight to be recognised internationally.

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The decision is to formally take effect in the three countries next Tuesday, May 28th.

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The Taoiseach said that ideally recognition of Palestine would have been taken as part of a peace settlement in the Middle East, but said our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely.

Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, said Mr Harris.

Mr Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, Dublin. Photo: Damien Storan/PA.

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Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

Shortly before Mr Harris made the announcement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Israel recalled its ambassador in Ireland Dana Erlich temporarily for consultations.

Israels foreign affairs minister Israel Katz calling Palestinian recognition a distorted step and said he has issued a severe demarche to the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian ambassadors to Israel.

Israels embassy in Ireland said that it views Irelands move to recognise Palestine as undermining its sovereignty and security and as damaging to our bilateral relations.

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We are disappointed by the Irish Governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months, the embassy said.

We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.



Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the Advertisement    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

The Taoiseach said that Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine and condemned the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th last year.

Recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike, Mr Harris said.

There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.

An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Photo: Damien Storan/PA.

He said that Ireland understands the importance of recognition as an act of powerful, political and symbolic value through its own past.

On January 21st 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination and justice.

Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.

Mr Harris called for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, no further military incursion into Rafah, and no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel.

Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.

Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th.



Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024

An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy as part of the Governments belief in a two-state solution.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin is to travel to Brussels on Sunday to meet with 40 countries, where a focus is expected on the Arab states proposed peace plan and Palestinian recognition.

Mr Martin said it was Irelands deeply held belief that there can be no peace in the Middle East until the Israeli and Palestinian peoples alike enjoy the same rights to self-determination, statehood, peace, security and dignity.

It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force, a future based on violence, domination, subordination, and exclusion become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

Condemning the savagery of Hamas attack on October 7th, he added: It is important that our decision to recognise Palestine is not misrepresented as a hostile act towards the state of Israel.

Todays decision is about the empowering of moderation within Palestine.

It can be argued that the Israeli strategy, war and suppression of the Palestinian people, has empowered extremism, and were moving in a different direction.

Today Ireland recognises the state of Palestine.

We believe that recognition will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/SaI2fTzECx  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 22, 2024

He added: This is very much about peace.

Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that Ireland had learned the hard way that violence against civilians to achieve political aims must never win.

Ireland 'The timing is terrible': Reaction as Ireland reco... Read More

Whether that be a car bomb on the streets of Omagh or Jerusalem; be that a rocket landing in Tel Aviv or a no-warning blast in a Birmingham pub; be that an assault on a kibbutz or a bomb dropped from a jet fighter onto a refugee camp or a Gaza hospital, it is all wrong.

He added: We have been considering for decades, I recall, in our parliament this issue of the recognition of the state of Palestine, and for many decades weve said now is not the right moment, this is not the right time.

But today is the right time, an important time for us to do that.
The Australian military has flown 115 passengers on two flights from the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia and a French government flight was expected to evacuate another 100 stranded passengers on Wednesday, an Australian government minister said.

Six people have been killed, including two police officers, and hundreds have been injured during recent armed clashes, looting and arson in New Caledonia.

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The unrest erupted on May 13th as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French Constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists.

Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination.

French Army embarking a plane to New Caledonia at the Istres military base, southern France (Etat Major des Armees via AP)

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French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to land on Thursday in New Caledonia, where Indigenous people have long sought independence. The unrest has raised new questions about Mr Macrons handling of Frances colonial legacy.

Australian Pacific minister Pat Conroy said 84 of the passengers who were flown on two Royal Australian Airforce C-130 Hercules late on Tuesday from the capital Noumea to the Australian east coast city of Brisbane were Australian citizens.

Mr Conroy did not say what nationalities were among the remaining 31 passengers. But he said Australia had reciprocal arrangements with Canada and Japan to help their citizens in crises.

More than 200 other Australians were registered with Australias Department of Foreign Affairs to leave the South Pacific territory, where a 12-day state of emergency has been declared.

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Weve prioritised the elderly, the pregnant and the most vulnerable, Mr Conroy told Nine Network television.

Well continue to work with the French government to make sure we get every Australian out of New Caledonia who does want to leave, Mr Conroy added.

Mr Conroy said he had been advised France was planning more flights to Brisbane on Wednesday.

The French have indicated they intend to continue repatriating foreign nationals, particularly tourists, so the primary plan is more French flights, but  we do have contingency plans, and we do have planes on standby should there be an issue with that course of action, Mr Conroy later told the ABC.

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A French plane is expected to leave for Brisbane this afternoon or this evening, and we expect around 100 Australians to be on it, Mr Conroy added.

A New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules flew 48 passengers with the most pressing needs from Noumea to the New Zealand city of Auckland on Tuesday night, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.

A street in Noumea, New Caledonia, is pictured after unrest (Nicolas Job/AP)

A French-operated flight would bring stranded New Zealanders home via Brisbane later on Wednesday, the statement said. The New Zealand military would fly the Brisbane-Auckland leg. Around 265 New Zealanders wanted to leave New Caledonia.

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The road to New Caledonias international airport remained closed on Wednesday.
(Photo : Unsplash/Haidan)

A US congressional investigation discovered that BMW, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), and Volkswagen bought auto parts from a Chinese supplier linked to forced labor in Xinjiang, which the Senate Finance Committee has been keeping on the radar for the past two years.

Chinese JWD Parts Linked to Uyghur's Forced Labor

China has long faced allegations of detaining hundreds of thousands of Uyghur Muslims from Xinjiang in internment camps and coercing them into labor within various manufacturing sectors, which points to systemic persecution of the natives. According to the investigation, the car manufacturers sourced parts from the Chinese supplier JWD, which is believed to be using forced labor in China's Xinjiang province.

As per the Senate finance committee probe, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover persisted in procuring parts from the Chinese supplier for the US market despite being alerted about the banned products in their supply chain. After receiving written notification regarding the forced labor connections, BMW still exported a minimum of 8,000 Mini vehicles with the implicated auto part to the US. Meanwhile, Volkswagen voluntarily informed US authorities that certain parts sourced from JWD were used in its cars, facilitated by two contractors, California-based Bourns Inc. and Michigan-based Lear Corp.

READ ALSO: Human Rights Watch Exposes Labor Transfer Programs, Warns Global Automakers on China's "Forced Labor" Scheme

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Senator Ron Wyden, hailing from Oregon and serving as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, launched the inquiry in 2022. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, passed in 2023, bars the importation of goods from China's Xinjiang region unless importers can verify that forced labor was not employed in the products' creation. Wyden expressed concern that the automakers' self-regulation efforts are inadequate and urged US border authorities to enhance enforcement measures to prevent goods containing sanctioned components from entering the country. In December 2023, JWD, the supplier implicated in the report, was added to the list of entities using forced labor in Xinjiang, as reported by The New York Times.

The Lan Transformer In Question

A Lan transformer, The component in question, facilitates communication among a vehicle's electronic components. While not directly procured from the Chinese supplier, it was included in an electronic unit obtained from Lear Corp, a supplier of automotive electronic systems. Lear asserted that it acquired the part through a different supplier and promptly notified its customers, including BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volkswagen, upon discovering the connection between its sourcing and the forced labor list.

Volkswagen acted swiftly by arranging to replace the part at US ports. However, BMW continued importing the part until at least April 2024, when the Senate committee pressed BMW repeatedly for answers. BMW stated that it had taken all necessary measures to address the issue with the vehicle part.

BMW emphasized its adherence to strict standards and policies regarding employment practices, human rights, and working conditions, which are required for all direct suppliers. On the other hand, Jaguar Land Rover continued importing the part until April 2024 but did not comment on the inquiry.



RELATED ARTICLES: Chinese Auto Industry: An "Extremely Predatory" Threat That Could Bring Slave Labor Back, Kill Manufacturing Jobs

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said it has handed out a limited number of high-energy biscuits that arrived in Gaza via a US-built pier.

It is the first aid from the new humanitarian sea route to reach Palestinians.

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WFP spokesman Steve Taravella said on Wednesday the small number of biscuits came in the first shipments unloaded from the pier on Friday.

The US Agency for International Development said 41 trucks loaded with aid from the pier, which cost more than 320 million dollar (251 million), have reached humanitarian organisations in Gaza.



Palestinians line up for food during the ongoing Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip in Rafah (Hatem Ali/AP)

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US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters aid is flowing from the pier in response to questions about the troubled launch of deliveries.

It is not flowing at a rate that any of us are happy with, he said

Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Tuesday he did not believe any of the aid from the pier had reached people in Gaza.

Mr Sullivan said a day later that some aid had been delivered specifically to the Palestinians who need it.

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American officials hope the pier can bring the equivalent of 150 truckloads of aid to Gaza each day.

That is a fraction of the 600 daily truckloads of food, emergency nutritional treatments and other supplies the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says are needed to bring people in Gaza back from the start of famine and address the humanitarian crisis brought on by the seven-month-old Israel-Hamas war.

Israeli restrictions on land crossings and a surge in fighting have cut deliveries of food and fuel in Gaza to the lowest levels since the first months of the war, international officials say.

Israels takeover of the Rafah border crossing, a key transit point for fuel and supplies for Gaza, has contributed to bringing aid operations near collapse, the UN and relief groups say.

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All 2.3 million people of Gaza are struggling to get food, according to aid groups, with the heads of the WFP and USAID having said famine has begun in north Gaza.

The US pier project to bring aid to Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea has had a troubled launch with groups of people overrunning a convoy on Saturday and taking most of the supplies with a man in the crowd shot dead in still-unexplained circumstances.

Saturdays chaos forced suspension of aid convoys from the pier for two days. Shada Moghraby, the WFPs spokesperson at the UN, said trucks carrying aid from the pier arrived at a UN warehouse on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it was not clear how many.

The WFP had warned this week that the US project could fail unless Israeli authorities gave clearances and cooperation for alternate land routes and better security.

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Humanitarian officials and the US say the sea route is not a replacement for bringing aid through land crossings, and they have repeatedly called on Israel to allow a steady large flow of trucks through entry points and to ensure aid workers are safe from the Israeli military.

Israel insists it puts no restriction on the number of trucks entering Gaza and has blamed a lack of logistical capabilities and manpower gaps among aid groups.
French president Emmanuel Macron is flying to New Caledonia to seek a political solution to the unrest that has rocked the French archipelago in the south-western Pacific Ocean, with violence still simmering while he is in the air.

The unrest has raised new questions about Mr Macrons handling of Frances colonial legacy.

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There have been decades of tensions between Indigenous Kanaks, who seek independence for the territory of 270,000 people, and descendants of colonists and others who settled on the island and who want to remain part of France.



Emmanuel Macron boards a plane to travel to the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

The unrest erupted on May 13 as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French Constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists.

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Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination.

Mr Macron, who left France on Tuesday evening, is expected to land on Thursday morning in New Caledonia, where the presidential Elysee Palace said that he will focus on restoring order and facilitating dialogue among local leaders, and to discuss the significant reconstruction needed after violence has caused damage estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Mr Macrons objectives also include expressing solidarity with the territorys inhabitants, thanking security forces, and meeting with local leaders to discuss reconstruction and political issues.

Mr Macron has long been actively engaged in New Caledonias political landscape, particularly in facilitating dialogue between pro-independence and pro-France factions.

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His efforts culminated in a 2018 referendum in which New Caledonians voted to remain part of France by a narrow margin.

The New Caledonia High Commission reported that 1,050 reinforcements from the gendarmerie, police, and civil security have been deployed, over 90 roadblocks have been dismantled, more than 280 people have been arrested, 84 police officers and gendarmes have been injured, and no new fatalities have been reported.



A burnt car store is pictured in Noumea, New Caledonia (Cedric Jacquot/AP)

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Six people have died in the violence so far, including two members of the police.

A third evacuation flight reached the Australian city of Brisbane on Wednesday, bringing 103 Australians and family members from New Caledonia, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said on social media.

It was not clear whether the flight was a French government plane as had been planned, or one of the Australian military aircraft that has been placed on standby to hasten the evacuation of Australian nationals.

Thank you to officials for operating these flights, Ms Wong said on the platform X.

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The Australian military flew 115 passengers on two flights from New Caledonia late Tuesday before France announced it would take responsibility for evacuating stranded foreigners.
It is so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees.

At least 83 of the midsize primates, who are known for their roaring vocal calls, were found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco.

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Others were rescued by residents, including five that were rushed to a local veterinarian who battled to save them.



Howler monkeys sit in a cage at a veterinarian clinic after they were rescued amid extremely high temperatures in Tecolutilla, Tabasco state, Mexico (Luis Sanchez/AP)

They arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever, said Dr Sergio Valenzuela.

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They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke.

While Mexicos brutal heatwave has been linked to the deaths of at least 26 people since March, veterinarians and rescuers say it has killed dozens and perhaps hundreds of howler monkeys.

In the town of Tecolutilla, Tabasco, the dead monkeys started appearing on Friday, when a local volunteer fire-and-rescue squad showed up with five of the creatures in the bed of the truck.

Normally quite intimidating, howler monkeys are muscular and can be around 2ft (60 centimetres) tall, with tails as long again.

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They are equipped with big jaws and a fearsome set of teeth and fangs.

But mostly, their lion-like roars, which belie their size, are what they are known for.

They (the volunteers) asked for help, they asked if I could examine some of the animals they had in their truck, Dr Valenzuela said on Monday.



A veterinarian feeds a young howler monkey rescued amid extremely high temperatures in Tecolutilla (Luis Sanchez/AP)

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They said they didnt have any money, and asked if I could do it for free.

The veterinarian put ice on their limp little hands and feet, and hooked them up to IV drips with electrolytes.

So far, the monkeys appear to be on the mend.

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Once listless and easily handled, they are now in cages at Dr Valenzuelas office.

Theyre recovering. Theyre aggressive  theyre biting again, he said, noting that is a healthy sign for the usually furtive creatures.

Most are not so lucky.

Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo counted about 83 of the animals dead or dying on the ground under trees.

The die-off started around May 5 and hit its peak over the weekend.

They were falling out of the trees like apples, Mr Pozo said.





They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes.

Already weakened, Mr Pozo says the falls from dozens of yards up inflict additional damage that often finishes the monkeys off.

Mr Pozo attributes the deaths to a synergy of factors, including high heat, drought, forest fires and logging that deprives the monkeys of water, shade and the fruit they eat.

For people in the steamy, swampy, jungle-covered state of Tabasco, the howler monkey is a cherished, emblematic species; local people say the monkeys tell them the time of day, by howling at dawn and dusk.

Mr Pozo said the local people  who he knows through his work with the Biodiversity Conservation of The Usumacinta group  have tried to help the monkeys they see around their farms.

But he notes that could be a double-edged sword.

They were falling out of the trees, and the people were moved, and they went to help the animals, they set out water and fruit for them, Mr Pozo said.

They want to care for them, mainly the baby monkeys, adopt them.



A howler monkey sits inside a cage with others at a veterinarian clinic after they were rescued (Luis Sanchez/AP)

But no, the truth is that babies are very delicate, they cant be in a house where there are dogs or cats, because they have pathogens that can potentially be fatal for howler monkeys, he said, stressing they must be rehabilitated and released into the wild.

Mr Pozos group has set up a special recovery station for monkeys  it currently holds five monkeys, but birds and reptiles have also been affected  and is trying to organise a team of specialised veterinarians to give the primates the care they need.

Belatedly, the federal government acknowledged the problem on Monday, with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador saying he had heard about it on social media.

He congratulated Dr Valenzuela on his efforts and said the government would seek to support the work.

Mr Lopez Obrador acknowledged the heat problem  I have never felt it as bad as this  but he has a lot of human problems to deal with as well.

By May 9 at least nine cities in Mexico had set temperature records, with Ciudad Victoria, in the border state of Tamaulipas, clocking a broiling 47C.

With below-average rainfall throughout almost all the country so far this year, lakes and dams are drying up, water supplies are running out and authorities have had to truck in water for everything from hospitals to fire-fighting teams.





Low levels at hydroelectric dams have contributed to power blackouts in some parts of the country.

Consumers are feeling the heat as well.

On Monday, the nationwide chain of OXXO convenience stores  the nations largest  said it was limiting purchases of ice to just two or three bags per customer in some places.

In a period of high temperatures, OXXO is taking measures to ensure supplies of products for our customers, parent company FEMSA said in a statement.

Limits on the sale of bagged ice seek to ensure that a larger number of customers can buy this product.

But for the monkeys, it is not a question of comfort, but of life or death.

This is a sentinel species, Mr Pozo said, referring to the canary-in-a-coal mine effect where one species can say a lot about an ecosystem.

It is telling us something about what is happening with climate change.
Ireland, Norway and Spain have said they are recognising a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew condemnation from Israel and jubilation from the Palestinians.

Israel immediately ordered its ambassadors back from Ireland and Norway and Ireland.

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The formal recognition will be made on May 28th.

The development is a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came against the backdrop of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israels offensive there.

Israels foreign minister Israel Katz ordered the countrys ambassadors to immediately return to Israel, stating: Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays.

He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israels hostages being held in Gaza and makes a ceasefire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran.

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He also threatened to recall Israels ambassador to Spain if the country opts to take a similar position, which it has since confirmed.

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On Wednesday morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: We said the point of recognising the state of Palestine was coming closer, that point has now arrived.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store made similar announcements on Wednesday morning.

There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition, Mr Gahr Store said.

The three countries will officially recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28th.

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Several EU countries have indicated in the past few weeks that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

The move comes as Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

Ireland 'We see you': Ireland to formally recognise state... Read More

Responding to the announcements on Wednesday morning, Israel's foreign affairs minister labelled the decision a distorted step.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state, Israel Katz said in a post on X.

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Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.
Russia is conducting a shadow war against the West, says Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas.

The Estonian leaders comments come as the country, which borders Russia, has seen a rise in sabotage, electronic warfare and spying  all blamed on Moscow.

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As the war in Ukraine turns in Russias favour, defences are being bolstered in the front-line nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has urged vigilance, saying on Tuesday he had information that acts of sabotage can happen again.

Meanwhile, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said at least nine people were recently arrested on suspicion of beatings and arson, allegedly directed by Russias secret services, and described them as Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish nationals, some from the criminal world.

Not everyone sees the attacks as interconnected, Ms Kallas told The Associated Press, despite Natos assertion this month that Moscow is intensifying its campaign against the alliance from the Baltics to Britain.

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Russia dismissed the allegation.

Because many Russian intelligence operatives already are sanctioned, Western officials and experts say the Kremlin is shifting tactics, hiring others for hybrid operations  nonmilitary strategies including cyberattacks, election interference and disinformation, and attacks on foes of President Vladimir Putin.

With crucial elections in the West, officials say they believe the tempo of such activities will only increase, and some want tougher countermeasures.

Ms Kallas cited a warning from an intelligence agency to a European country that one of its warehouses was targeted by Russian military intelligence.

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When a fire occurred at the warehouse two weeks later, officials in the country suggested that we dont know it is the Russians, she said.

Ms Kallas did not identify the country.

The West must have a serious discussion of a coordinated approach, she said. How far do we let them go on our soil?

Estonia has taken the challenge of finding Russian agents of influence very seriously since regaining independence from the USSR in 1991, rebuilding its security services from scratch, US Ambassador George Kent told AP.

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This year in Estonia, a university professor was arrested on charges of spying for Moscow, 13 people were arrested over attacks allegedly organised by Russian military intelligence operating under diplomatic cover, and flights between Finland and the city of Tartu were disrupted by Russian jamming of GPS signals.

In October, a Baltic Sea gas pipeline and telecoms cables were damaged after a Chinese ship dragged its anchor for over 115 miles in an incident that is still under investigation.

That ship was later seen in a Russian port.

What I would like to see is the recognition that these are not isolated events, Ms Kallas told AP.

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Second, that we share information about this amongst ourselves. Third, make it as public as we can.

Estonia has a reputation for aggressively pursuing espionage activity and publicising it, consistently seizing more Russian agents per capita in the country of 1.3 million than other European nations.

It is not very plausible that theres such a large pool of agents in Estonia that makes them easier to catch, said Kusti Salm, permanent secretary at Estonias Defence Ministry, in an interview with AP, implying that other countries could work harder at it.

Former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in office from 2006-16, told AP that some nations dont act because they hope to do business with Russia again.

People are afraid of decisive action, and the absence of decisive action basically tempts bad actors to keep pushing their luck, added Ilves, who dealt with a major cyber attack blamed on Russia in 2007.

Russian officials, he said, will push their luck until something bad happens, but they wont pay the consequence. We will.

That could lead to unintended deaths and injuries, Estonian officials and security experts say, citing a trend of Russia is outsourcing attacks to locals, sometimes recruited relatively cheaply on video gaming platforms and social media.

That makes it harder to identify connections between attacks or to trace them back to Russia.

Although Russia has been blamed for attacks in Europe for decades, Estonian officials and security experts indicated theres no collective mechanism for dealing with them, and suggested the EU do more.

Ms Kallas says Russia uses spies in the guise of diplomats all the time, and senior Estonian officials support a Czech initiative limiting visas for Russian envoys to the country where they are posted.

That would make it harder for them to travel in the EU, where IDs arent needed at the border.

It also could reduce the possibility of one nation expelling spies, only to see them return to another and continue working under diplomatic cover.

Russia seeks to sow fear and break Western support for Kyiv, Ms Kallas said.

Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of Estonias Foreign Ministry, said Putin wants to use every tool available, including the shadowy attacks, to undermine our unity, collapse our policy and destroy the collective West, as we know it, as a functioning body.
British prime minister Rishi Sunak is set to call a UK general election for July, according to reports in England.

UK ministers are changing their plans to go to a Cabinet meeting this afternoon as speculation grows about whether the British prime minister will call a general election.

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The UK foreign secretary David Cameron cut short his trip to Albania, the defence secretary has delayed a trip to the Baltic states, and the chancellor has pulled out of a TV appearance this evening.

The Guardian and Sky News have cited sources who told the outlets the election will be called for July 4th.

More to follow
Donald Trumps presidential campaign has said it will begin accepting donations in cryptocurrency as part of an effort to build what it calls a crypto army leading up to Election Day.

The Trump campaign launched a fundraising page that allows any federally permissible donor the ability to give to its political committees using any crypto asset accepted through the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange.

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The announcement promotes his message that he is a crypto-friendly candidate, and also appeals to a core group of young male voters who are increasingly likely to dabble in digital assets.

Cryptocurrencies are a digital asset that can be traded over the internet without relying on the global banking system.

Mr Trumps campaign is accepting a range of popular cryptocurrencies that include Bitcoin, Ether and US Dollar Coin, and also the low-value coins that tend to be popular with internet personalities like Shiba Inu Coin and Dogecoin.

Billionaire Elon Musk, most notably, is considered a fan of the latter two, traded on markets as DOGE and SHIB.

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It is not clear whether the Trump campaign will hold on to the crypto or will immediately sell it, and what sort of fees it may pay to liquidate.

While the campaign says it plans to follow US election laws, the anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies can make it tricky to confirm the funds are coming from who they say they are.

Mr Trump has already received millions in cryptocurrency personally through his Trump Digital Trading Cards non-fungible token projects and his Maga coin, released last August.

Julia Krieger, a spokeswoman for Coinbase, told the Associated Press that crypto is non-partisan and moves money forward because its cheaper and faster, adding that the Coinbase platform is open to all candidates this election season.

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While some states do not allow cryptocurrency donations in state races under existing campaign finance laws, the Federal Election Commission does allow committees to receive Bitcoin as contributions.

A 2014 advisory opinion issued by the commission concluded that Bitcoin is money or anything of value within the meaning of the law and political committees should value the contribution based on the market value of Bitcoin at the time the contribution is received.

The presidential campaign for independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr accepts Bitcoin donations.

In conventional money, Mr Biden and the Democratic National Committee said on Monday that they raised more than $51 million in April, falling well short of the $76 million that Mr Trump and the Republican Party reported.
Rishi Sunak made his announcement of a UK general election on July 4th while the song Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream blasted in the background.

The UK prime minister had to battle both the rain and the sounds of the New Labour anthem, which came from beyond the Downing Street gates.

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Mr Sunak said he would fight for every vote as he attempts to overturn a 20-point opinion poll deficit.

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Who are D:Ream?

D:Ream are a pop group comprised of vocalist Peter Cunnah and DJ Alan Mackenzie.

Professor Brian Cox, who has presented a number of highly acclaimed science programmes for the BBC, was formerly a keyboard player with the band.

Cunnah is from Derry and went to Ulster University before he moved to London where he met Mackenzie in a club in 1991 and started D:Ream.

After their first album Mackenzie left the band but the pair reunited years later and are set to perform on the Glade stage at Glastonbury Festival this year.

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Professor Brian Cox was a member of the band. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

What are their hit songs?

The bands biggest hit is Things Can Only Get Better which went to number one on the UK chart in 1994 after it was re-released.

The Labour Party used the song in its successful 1997 campaign which saw Tony Blair elected prime minister.

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The bands other hits include U R The Best Thing, which peaked at number four in the charts, and Take Me Away, which went to number 18.

They released their debut album D:Ream On Vol.1 in 1993 and followed this with World in 1995  both peaking at number five in the UK chart.

In 2023 they released a compilation, The Best Thing, which includes remastered versions of their songs.
Theres a lot to take in the first time you walk into Gibney, George Kailiss daring brasserie perched on Marine Terrace overlooking South Cottesloe beach.

The kings ransom of whisky and other high-end spirits that populate the bar by the entrance. The rooms soaring ceiling, held up by pale, lustrous columns that have been fastidiously buffed and polished with a Venetian plaster finish. The dapper staff, looking all resplendent in tailored white jackets and skinny black ties. The luxurious textures of everything, from the plush banquettes to the crisp linen of the double-dressed tables.

In the lead-up to Gibneys May opening, Kailis was fond of comparing the look and feel of the restaurant to that of a six-star hotel lobby. Now that the tradies are out and the doors have finally opened, the public can finally pick up what Kailis was putting down.

But while Gibney nails the brief for luxe, high-end dining, even more important to Kailis and co is that the finished product is worthy of its primetime location.
Over the weekend, voters in the safe Nationals seat of Bathurst were being polled on whether they would be happy with a nuclear reactor in their backyard. It was slightly awkward for the local MP and former deputy premier Paul Toole.

While no one is 100 per cent sure who was behind the phone polling, we could take a good guess. After already being delayed, the federal Coalition is still weeks away from unveiling the six sites it will earmark for nuclear power plants, the cornerstone of Opposition Leader Peter Duttons signature energy blueprint. Little wonder politicians such as Toole, the former leader of the NSW Nationals, are getting jittery.

The Mount Piper coal-fired power plant is tipped as a likely choice for a nuclear-powered plant if the federal Coalition gets its way, but local National MP and former NSW deputy premier Paul Toole has withdrawn his support for that change. Credit: Getty

Only in January, Toole was staunchly pro-nuclear. Need Feds (both sides of politics) to provide nuclear energy so all Australian residents and businesses have cheap and affordable power, he posted on his social media. This month Toole had a change of heart.

He has broken ranks with his federal Nationals leader, David Littleproud, who last year said he would welcome a nuclear power plant in his south-west Queensland seat of Maranoa. Toole last week told his NSW Nationals party room that, on second thoughts, he does not back nuclear. Aside from taking a contrarian position to most things supported by Dugald Saunders, his successor as state Nationals leader, this is a big one.
By Pyo Kyung-min

K-pop girl group NewJeans dazzled at Gyeongbok Palace, Tuesday, with a stunning performance in modernized "hanbok," (traditional clothing) beautifully showcasing Korea's rich heritage.

The event, dubbed "2024 Korea On Stage  New Generation," was co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Service and KBS as part of the celebration for the Korea Heritage Service, a newly named entity replacing the Cultural Heritage Administration.

The nights event opened with NewJeans member Danielle as the solo emcee and concluded with a performance by the group, with only four of five members in attendance as Hyein recovered from a foot injury.

Before NewJeans took the stage, a special performance video of the group filmed in front of the palace's main Geunjeongjeon Hall was shown. In the video, NewJeans performed its 2023 track, "Cool With You," donning white "dansam" (or single-layer hanbok jacket) and double-layered hanbok skirts to complement the ethereal spectacle.

This performance in traditional Korean attire, pre-released to heighten anticipation for the event last week, received acclaim from online users.

Comments such as "I love this Korean traditional fairy look on them," and "Korean designers do the most amazing modern takes on Hanbok and I love it," were shared, with some even harking back to when K-pop juggernauts like BTS and BLACKPINK wore hanbok to promote traditional Korean style on the international stage.

After the video, NewJeans took the stage in pastel-colored hanbok, wearing translucent jeogori (jacket) and high-waisted, voluminous skirts, and performed their hits including "Ditto," "ETA" and "Super Shy." The lightweight material of the outfits enhanced NewJeans' performance, accentuating the members' dance moves.

Song Hye-mi, the designer of Seodamhwa who created NewJeans' costumes for the Geunjeongjeon performance, expressed gratitude for the group's efforts to showcase the essence of Korean beauty.

"Unlike most stage hanbok that is modified to be comfortable and trendy, NewJeans wore 'jeoksam' (hanbok's unlined inner jacket) without alteration, showcasing its beauty in the truest form," Song revealed through an Instagram post.

"I was deeply moved by NewJeans and their styling team's effort to preserve hanbok's image and their warm, cheerful demeanor despite the current turmoil they are in."

Despite ongoing disputes between the group's agency, Ador, and its parent company HYBE, the members maintained bright expressions throughout the performance.

Han, a Korean attendee of the concert in his 20s, noted that the night's performance in hanbok reminded him of how national heritage could seamlessly blend into everyday life.

"Their hanbok suited the members perfectly ... Watching the hanbok performance set against Gyeongbok Palace made me realize that the everyday things we see could also be part of our national heritage," Han said.

After the performance, NewJeans members took turns in expressing gratitude for the opportunity.

Haerin shared, "I've performed on many stages, but being able to perform at Gyeongbok Palace, a national heritage site, was very meaningful and an honor."

Minji concluded the night with "Our new album is being released on Friday and we ask for your love and support."
Victoria has been warned homes and businesses cannot switch to electricity in time to avoid frequent gas shortages, which the states own energy department expects to hit as soon as 2026.



A briefing note from department officials last year  obtained by the state opposition under freedom of information laws  cautioned Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio about looming annual gas shortages.

NSW and Victoria face gas supply shortfalls as soon as 2026. Credit: Louie Douvis

The minister was warned electrification in Victoria cannot occur quickly enough to address these shortfalls, and that new sources would be needed to maintain reliable supply to gas consumers and to support increasing utilisation of gas power generation.

Shortfalls in 2026/2027 cannot be supplied from New South Wales or South Australia as it is projected that all southern states will be in deficit and there is limited pipeline capacity to import into Victoria, the July 2023 briefing note compiled by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said.
Copenhagen: Norway, Ireland and Spain are formally recognising Palestine as a state, their leaders said in coordinated announcements on Wednesday.

There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said.

The three countries will recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28.

Two-state recognition: Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. Credit: AP

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they planned to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Raise Concerns Over 'Relentless' Paparazzi Pursuit in NYC (Photo: REUTERS)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, had little time to reflect on the success of their recent tour of Nigeria, a new report claimed.

Before the couple returned to Montecito, the United States Registry of Charities and Fundraisers labeled their charity, The Archewell Foundation, as "delinquent. The register, which is part of the California Department of Justice, accused Archewell of failing to submit its yearly report or fees on time.

Prince Harry and Meghan were absolutely horrified, and had an entire flight home from Africa to sit through before they could get to the bottom of it. All the trust theyd built up with Archewell  the very centerpiece around which theyve built their new life  seemed to be on shaky ground, an unnamed source told New Idea.

Once they arrived on US territory, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, promptly denied the claim. Archewell issued a statement on their behalf, stating, "We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing."

The situation was settled when the foundation reissued an outstanding cheque, believed to be for $300. The Department of Justice annulled the charge, but the Sussexes could have done without the reputational harm.

It eroded trust in the foundation. They were embarrassed by it, the insider shared.

The Archewell Foundation, founded in 2020, shortly after the Sussexes relocated to America, combines humanitarian activity and commercial generation through its Archewell Audio and Production branches. However, late in 2023, it was reported that the charity's earnings had decreased by nearly $17 million since 2022.

This latest incident has raised questions over the foundations management, the informant stated. The public humiliation has allegedly stung Prince Harry in particular.

Its been a rude awakening for him. He knows losing his royal status has relegated him to the same treatment as anyone else in the States. Its been a steep learning curve for him to realize that the freedom of information laws there offer him very little protection, the tipster said.

NBC News reported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's charity is now forbidden from raising funds in California since it has been declared delinquent. California Attorney General Rob Bonta was in charge of issuing the delinquency notice.

According to the state of California, Archewell has yet to pay its annual registration costs or file its annual report. According to a source familiar with the situation, the foundation's cheque was lost in the mail, but a replacement has been received.

Netizens were quick to react to the reports regarding Archewells alleged delinquency. Hows the #Archewell delinquency going? No money out, no money inas of Jan. when your 501-c3 was frozen! Lets review: No Private Benefit, et al. @IRS_CIyouve got a LIVE ONE here! radio personality Jill Savage wrote on X, formerly Twitter. She believes shes untouchable, a second netizen said.

Meanwhile, royal expert Angela Levin also commented on Meghan and Prince Harrys recent trip to Nigeria, claiming it has been awful so far. 'I could barely believe my eyes really. Meghan Markle was very rude, there was a teacher talking to her and she looked bored. My goodness where are your manners?!' she told GB News.

Supporters of Meghan and Prince Harry slammed Angela for seemingly putting the former Suits star in bad light. Thank God this channel of bigots, racists and just plain liars is slowly going broke. It's not about news. It's about people spewing hate and narcoleptic drivel. A good example is the daily, targeted, hate filled attacks against Harry and Meghan by the terrible Angela Levin, Gene Valiatis said.

I could barely believe my eyes - the obsession channel has Angela spouting her venom again. Wonder how much they pay her? another X user penned. They wonder why they are losing viewers and advertisers, then have to come out with the begging bowl. A woman who can't handle criticism comes on a failing TV station to criticise others, a third netizen stated.

Business Times has reached out to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for comments.
By Yi Whan-woo

Korea Securities Depository (KSD) is running a string of programs aimed at improving transparency in the private equity market and speeding up the growth of venture capital in Korea.

Tasked with providing central custody of securities, book-entry transfer and settlement of securities transactions, the KSD said it has been carrying out the programs in line with the financial authority's call.

It said the programs are developed after consulting asset management companies and other relevant businesses.

The programs include an online platform that sorts out more than 240 financial products, including stocks and derivatives, into corresponding groups to provide investors with easier access to the products that interest them.

We believe that the platform contributes to enhanced risk control and improved efficiency in processing data for the involved parties, KSD said. Well make our utmost efforts for the platform to settle successfully and make the private equity market more trustworthy.

Also developed by the KSD is an electronic system that allows investors to find out the size of funds and other collective asset pools run by asset management firms.

The companies are being asked to update transactional records when required to give investors a clearer picture regarding their profitability.

Headquartered in Busan, the KSD has been pushing to facilitate the trading of assets in a digital form. Its latest efforts include a platform for securities tokens, a new form of digital asset which is increasingly being used for fractional asset ownership.


Motorola, Indias fastest-growing Android brand recently launched the motorola edge 50 Fusion, disrupting the sub 25K smartphone segment with its numerous segment best features. The motorola edge 50 Fusion comes with the segments most advanced Sony-LYTIA 700C sensor in its primary camera, the segments only IP68 underwater protection with Smart Water touch technology, and segments brightest 144Hz 10-bit pOLED 3D curved display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It goes on sale today at 12 PM onwards on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores across India at an incredible limited period offer price starting just at Rs. 20,999 including all offers.

The motorola edge 50 Fusion is equipped with a 50MP 2.0m Ultra Pixel Main OIS Camera with segments most advanced Sony LYTIA LYT-700C sensor. Delivering outstanding nighttime photos owing to its 2.0m Ultra Pixel technology which captures more light and gives 4x better light sensitivity owing to its 1.5x large pixels. The secondary camera is a 13MP ultra wide-angle camera that has 120 POV for wider ultrawide shots and fits 4x more of the scene in the frame. The secondary camera also features Macro Vision which is integrated to bring the user 4X closer to the subject than a standard lens. Both rear cameras support 4K video recording as well. Additionally, the motorola edge 50 Fusion features a 32MP selfie camera with Quad Pixel technology which supports 4K video recording, the segments only selfie camera to do so.

The motorola edge 50 Fusion flaunts a premium endless edge design with perfectly integrated camera housing and the segments only IP68 underwater protection with Smart Water Touch technology. Being one of the lightest smartphones in the segment, this ultra-thin motorola edge 50 Fusion weighs a mere 175g and is just 7.9mm thick. The device comes in 3 trending Pantone Curated Colours with 3 different finishes, which are as follows: Marshmallow Blue vegan leather finish for a soft and tactile feel, Hot Pink vegan suede finish with an added touch of luxury and Forest Blue color in a sophisticated PMMA (Acrylic Glass) finish.

The edge 50 Fusion boasts the segments brightest 6.67" 144Hz 10-bit pOLED curved screen display with infinite contrast and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection along with a peak brightness of 1600 NITS for clearer outdoor visibility. Powering a stunning display and other features is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, a 4nm chipset reaching AnTuTu score up to 630K. This processor provides accelerated performance, faster GPU/CPU speed, and faster 5G with support of higher resolution videos with unbelievable battery efficiency. The edge 50 Fusion comes with up to 12GB RAM + 256GB storage, and it also supports up to 15 5G bands and WiFi 6.

The motorola edge 50 Fusion equips a massive 5000mAH battery and a 68W TurboPower charger which gives users ample power for a days usage in just 15 minutes of charge. It also keeps the device running for up to 30 hours. Staying at par with the display, the stereo speakers on the motorola edge 50 Fusion come with Dolby Atmos with Hi-res audio.

Additionally, the motorola edge 50 Fusion also features Hello UI based on latest Android 14 with assured 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of SMR updates boasting numerous software experiences. These software experiences include Moto Connect which allows users to use apps on a desktop display. Ready For enables users to access their phone apps and PC files all on the same screen for more ease. Moto Secure with ThinkShield enhances protection at every level from the factory to the phone.

To know more about the product, visit:



Motorola webpage - https://www.motorola.in/smarthphones-motorola-edge-50-fusion/p

Flipkart Teaser page - https://www.flipkart.com/moto-edge50-fusion-coming-soon-store

Flipkart Product page - https://www.flipkart.com/motorola-edge-50-fusion/p/itm7d39b15599c7e?pid=MOBGXTYZEZSZQE7W

~As per IDC Q1 2024 report

Availability:

The motorola edge 50 fusion is available in three stunning PantoneTM colour variants, Marshmallow Blue vegan leather finish, Hot Pink in vegan suede finish and Forest Blue in PMMA (acrylic glass) finish. The smartphone will go on sale from 22nd May 2024, 12 PM on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores including Reliance Digital.

Pricing:

For 8GB+128GB variant,

Launch Price : INR 22,999

Effective Price with offers : INR 22,999 INR 20,999*

For 12GB+256GB variant,

Launch Price : INR 24,999

Effective Price with offers : INR 24,999 INR 22,999*

*T&C Apply. Limited period offer.



Affordability Offers:

1- Rs. 2,000 Instant Bank discount on ICICI Bank Credit Cards and Credit Card EMI transactions OR 2- Rs. 2,000 Exchange bonus on exchange of any old phone (on Flipkart only) 3- Additional No Cost EMI offer upto 9 Months starting at 2,334/ per month on ICICI Bank cards

Operator Offers:

Total Benefits worth Rs.10,000 from Reliance Jio.

Jio Cashback up to Rs. 2000 + Additional Offers up to Rs. 8000. T&C apply

Cashback - Valid on Prepaid recharges of Rs. 399 (Rs.50* 40 vouchers)

Additional Partner offers: Swiggy: Discount of Rs. 125 off on Rs. 299 on Food Orders Ajio: Flat Rs. 200 off on min transaction of Rs. 999 Easemytip: Upto Rs.1500 off on Flights EaseMyTrip: Upto Rs.4000 off on Hotels AbhiBus: 25% off up to Rs.1000 on Bus Bookings


For the 23rd consecutive year, NetJets, the global leader in private aviation, proudly announces its partnership with Art Basel. To highlight its commitment to the arts, NetJets will collaborate with French abstract artist Silvere Jarrosson to create a new art collection exclusively for NetJets that will be displayed at the Art Basel shows in Basel, Paris and Miami Beach.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521442854/en/

Silvere Jarrosson, credit Julien Benhamou

Born and raised in Paris, Jarrosson trained as a ballet dancer at the renowned Opera National de Paris at only 10 years old but transitioned into abstract painting a decade ago. His background in ballet is seen throughout his motion and fluidity while creating his works of art. Represented by contemporary art agency Studio Artera in Paris, Jarrosson is known for using his whole body to make his art  as he moves or dances with the canvas to create his signature acrylic pieces.

At only 31 years of age, Jarrosson has received widespread praise and has had his work showcased globally. His art is featured in prestigious institutions such as the Villa Medici in Rome, the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, the Lambert Collection in Avignon, the Credit du Nord Collection, the Mobilier National and the Opera National de Paris, among others.

Jarrossons project created for NetJets, entitled Inner Horizons, offers Owners  the individuals and businesses who are clients of NetJets private jet ownership model  captivating insight into his world of poetic immersion, where his spectators become part of the creative inspiration for his shows and projects. His work will be featured in NetJets' exclusive area within the Collectors Lounge. Accessible only by Owners, it will offer a secluded space for guests to enjoy hospitality throughout the show week of Art Basel in Basel. The show aims to merge external travel experiences made possible by NetJets with inner travel experiences created by Jarrossons art.

Patrick Gallagher, President of Sales, Marketing & Service, commented: We are delighted with this partnership. We admire the synergy from the movement Silvere uses to create his art pieces. His beautiful artwork truly moves observers who watch him paint. Despite coming from different industries, we align in our passion to both create and capture exceptional experiences for others. As many of our Owners are deeply interested in fine art, we believe this partnership will be both inspiring and exciting as Silveres career continues to flourish.

Globally recognised for its revolutionary shared ownership business model, NetJets impeccable reputation spans more than 60 years and has reshaped how people fly private. NetJets proudly maintains and operates over 1,000 aircraft, grants access to more than 5,000 airports and employs over 8,300 private aviation professionals to deliver outstanding service.

About NetJets

Originally incorporated in 1964 as Executive Jet Airways, NetJets has been setting  and exceeding  industry standards for over 60 years. Today, NetJets is proud to be a Berkshire Hathaway company known for its unwavering commitment to safety and service. NetJets portfolio of distinctive companies, encompassing NetJets, Executive Jet Management, QS Partners and QS Security, offers a variety of customisable travel solutions, including shared ownership, lease and jet card options, aircraft management, private jet chartering, brokerage and acquisition services and specialised security services. This comprehensive suite of solutions is why so many of the worlds most discerning travellers choose NetJets generation after generation. It is also because NetJets has the largest, most diverse private jet fleet in the world, which grants anytime access to even the most remote destinations across the globe. To learn more about the leader in private aviation, visit netjets.com today.

About Studio Artera

Studio Artera is an art and talent agency based in Paris that supports the finest visual artists.

We represent artists and integrate art in all contexts by creating meaningful artistic collaborations with brands, companies, cultural institutions, and cities. Driven by the desire to reach an ever-wider audience through art, we build artistic narratives with our clients to inspire millions of people around the world.

Clients of Studio Artera include Louis Vuitton, Prada, Levis, Bombay Sapphire, the Hoxton Group, the City of Paris, Chateau Charmail, and Viva Technology.

To learn more about us, please visit www.studioartera.com

About Art Basel

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the worlds premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basels engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Art Basels Global Media Partner is The Financial Times. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521442854/en/
Korea's business sentiment improved for a third consecutive month in June amid a steady recovery in exports, which offsets a slowdown in private spending, a central bank poll showed Wednesday.

Local companies' business sentiment index (BSI) stood at 74 for the coming month, up from 73 the previous month, according to the survey by the Bank of Korea.

The index measures corporate prospects for business conditions in the following month. A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.

The central bank said business sentiment rose as exports are likely to continue their upward trend.

The BSI for manufacturers came to 76 for June, up 2 points from the previous month. The index for non-manufacturing firms remained flat at 72 over the same period, the data showed.

Korea's exports extended gains to seven consecutive months in April, buoyed by robust chip demand, with shipments of automobiles also setting a fresh high.

Outbound shipments increased 13.8 percent on-year to $56.2 billion last month, and imports gained 5.4 percent on-year to $54.7 billion last month, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.53 billion.

Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 11 consecutive months. (Yonhap)
Top transport officials of member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) gathered in Germany on Wednesday to discuss the transport sector's role in environmental sustainability and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The three-day 2024 International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit opened in the eastern Germany city of Leipzig, bringing together top transport officials from 66 ITF member nations, as well as over 1,100 senior officials and experts from more than 80 countries participating in various sessions.

This year's gathering centers around discussions on the transport sector's role in environmental sustainability, and its impacts on climate, health and geopolitical crises. The transport sector is known to be responsible for roughly 30 percent of global CO2 emissions.

Also high on the agenda was the topic of the resilience of global supply chains, which have faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and high energy prices.

A ministerial roundtable focusing on supporting the recovery of Ukraine's transport sector ravaged by the Russian invasion was also scheduled.

"We'll be exploring ways to speed up climate action in transport, and efforts to decarbonize the transport sector take place against the backdrop of wars, natural disasters and in other crises," ITF Secretary General Young Tae Kim said during a press conference at the Leipzig Trade Fair center.

According to the ITF, Russia and Belarus, which are member countries, were not represented by an in-person delegation for the third straight year due to the ITF community's decision to minimize collaboration with the nations since the outbreak of the Ukrainian war.

Russia and Belarus are only allowed to participate in statutory ITF meetings virtually.

"Until this problem gets resolved, we can continue to apply the same principle going in the future," Kim said, suggesting that Russia and Belarus would likely be restricted in participation of high-level ITF talks in person until the war situation is resolved.

Marius Skuodis, transport minister of Lithuania, the president nation of this year's ITF gathering, stressed how the Ukrainian war and subsequent disruption of supply chain routes have underscored the importance of efforts by countries to develop alternative routes for export transportation.

South Korea's delegation was led by Baek Won-kug, the country's vice transport minister.

After a ministerial roundtable session on carbon neutrality in the transport sector, Baek told reporters that he shared the "long-term plans and goals of South Korea's basic net zero emission policy, including the government's vision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37.8 percent by 2030 compared to 2018 levels."

Baek shared measures by South Korea to "transition internal combustion engine vehicles to eco-friendly cars, such as electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles, as well as strategies to achieve the conversion of public transportation to eco-friendly vehicles."

Regarding the Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine, an ITF mechanism created by the member countries Canada, Lithuania, Sweden and Ukraine, Seoul officials said they were in close consultations with the group on South Korea's participation in ITF-led multilateral efforts to support Kyiv.

Shin Seung-kyu, head of the policy coordination office of Hyundai Motor Group, who was also invited to the roundtable session, shared the South Korean auto giant's experience in pushing forward its hydrogen cargo vehicle business.

"Last year, we rolled around 300 hydrogen buses, but this year we expect to release about 2,000. It seems that Hyundai Motor Company could serve as a model for other countries with such rapid changes, and I believe that's why we were invited," Shin said. (Yonhap)
May 21, 2024  Longueuil, Quebec

Today, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Sameer Zuberi, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell and NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy kicked-off the 2nd edition of the Artemis Accords Workshop at the John H. Chapman Space Centre ( CSA Headquarters). The Artemis Accords represent a set of non-binding principles designed to guide peaceful and sustainable civil space exploration for the benefit of humanity.

Over the next 3 days, representatives from 25 of the 40 signatories of the Artemis Accords will discuss principles for safe, transparent, and sustainable space exploration activities. The Accords reinforce the commitment by all signatories to enhance the governance of space exploration to support scientific discovery and innovation.

There are growing opportunities for the space sector with the emergence of exploration, science, and commercial space activities. Canada recognizes the need for best practices to increase the safety of operations, reduce uncertainty, and promote the sustainable and beneficial use of space for all humankind. In October 2020, Canada became an original signatory of the Artemis Accords and continues to work with international partners to further develop and refine the international framework for the next chapter of space exploration.
Xi extends congratulations to North Macedonia, Chad

10:19, May 22, 2024 By Mo Jingxi ( China Daily

President Xi Jinping has vowed to work with Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, North Macedonia's first female president, to jointly promote the development of bilateral relations, as he extended congratulations on her assuming office.

In his message, Xi said that China and the Balkan nation enjoy a profound traditional friendship and the practical cooperation between the two countries has made solid progress in recent years, with the results benefiting their peoples.

Noting that he highly regards the development of bilateral relations, Xi said he is ready to work with Siljanovska-Davkova to deepen political mutual trust and expand exchanges and cooperation, in order to lift China-North Macedonia friendly cooperative relations to a new level.

Siljanovska-Davkova, who turned 71 on Saturday, was elected president after securing a second-round poll victory with 65 percent of the votes.

China is North Macedonia's fourth-largest trading partner and its fourth-largest source of imports. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $1.19 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent, official statistics showed.

In another development, Xi also congratulated Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on his election as president of the Republic of Chad.

Xi said in his message on Monday that in recent years, China-Chad relations have maintained a positive momentum of growth, with their political mutual trust continuously deepened, cooperation steadily advanced in various fields, and international collaboration becoming closer.

The president said he attaches great importance to China's relations with the Central African country and is willing to work with the president-elect to strengthen mutual support and promote friendly cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

Deby, Chad's interim president, was declared the winner of the presidential election, according to official results announced by the country's Constitutional Council on Thursday.

The 40-year-old former army general assumed power after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, died from wounds sustained on the front line in the country's north in April 2021. He has since led a transitional government tasked with governing the Central African country amid political and military crises.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Korean author Hwang Sok-yong pledged to continue dedicating himself to writing novels after not winning the International Booker Prize.

The 2024 award went to German writer Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann for "Kairos" at the ceremony held Tuesday night (British time) at London's Tate Modern museum. Hwang had been shortlisted for the award for his multigenerational epic "Mater 2-10."

"Korean readers might have been disappointed with the news," he told reporters after the ceremony. "I am thankful for all the support.

"I will work harder on my writing," he said, reaffirming his commitment to write three more books in the coming years.

As one of Korea's most renowned novelists, Hwang Sok-yong has previously said it took him 30 years from conception to finish "Mater 2-10," which is about three generations of railroad workers.

"'Mater 2-10' was an effort on my part to recover the vestiges of the lives and struggles of 'modern industrial workers,' who are among the most neglected figures, largely left out of post-colonial Korean literature," he said in an interview published on the award's website. "In that regard, it would have an impact."

The Booker Prize is regarded as one of the three major literary awards globally. Established in 2005, the International Booker Prize recognizes outstanding international fiction translated into English.

In 2016, Han Kang won the award for her novel "The Vegetarian." (Yonhap)
The biggest layoffs in the history of Pixar Animation Studios have begun.

The studio will lay off around 14% of its 1,300-person workforce. The Hollywood Reporter and Reuters news service both put the approximate number of layoffs at 175 people. THR additionally reported that top leadership isnt impacted by this restructuring.

The studios reduced staff is being attributed to a decision by the company to move away from series production and return to focusing on feature films. Disneys returning CEO Bob Iger recently said that he wanted to reduce output and focus more on quality across the studios film divisions, as well as put a greater emphasis on sequel production.

The studios most ambitious series project, Win or Lose, still doesnt have a release date, though it is widely anticipated to release on Disney+ sometime this year.

News of these layoffs was first revealed in January, though specific numbers were unknown at that point. In 2023, Pixar laid off 75 employees, which prior to todays news, was the largest staff reduction in a decade. Even after today, the studio will still employ well over one thousand workers.

Disney will release Pixars next theatrical feature, Inside Out 2, on June 14. Other announced films include Elio (2025) and Toy Story 5 (2026).

Below is the full text of the memo sent to employees by Pixar president Jim Morris:
Montreal-based Rodeo FX, a vfx shop known for its work on projects like Stranger Things season four, The Witcher season two, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, is expanding its efforts to create original stories and animation projects.

The company announced today that it has appointed Marie Amiot, co-founder and CEO of Montreal-based creative arts school FACTRY, as its new head of strategic development for animation IP.

Heres what we know about Rodeos plans to move into the animation space:
CEMBUREAU publishes an update of its Net Zero Roadmap

Peter Bell By 22 May 2024

CEMBUREAU published its Net Zero Roadmap update, on 21 May 2024, outlining the European cement sectors climate ambition along the cement and concrete value chain. The new update include CO 2 carbon reduction targets for 2040.

The roadmap update looks at the progress achieved since the publication of CEMBUREAUs carbon neutrality roadmap in May 2020. In light of the significant decarbonisation projects ongoing throughout the EU industry, it revisits the sectors ambition as follows:

 By 2030, the roadmap projects a 37 per cent reduction in CO 2 emissions related to cement production, and 50 per cent down the value chain.

 By 2040, it targets a 78 per cent reduction on cement, and 93 per cent down the value chain.

 By 2050, the roadmap projects net zero cement production in Europe, and looks at the potential to become carbon negative over the value chain.

In the past four years, the European cement sector has clearly moved from ambition to deployment. We have the potential to scale up our climate ambition, but we need policymakers to match this ambition through decisive policies  says Ken McKnight, president of CEMBUREAU.

The roadmap also highlights that key policy measures which are indispensable to meet this ambition, including:

 the implementation of a watertight Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

 the ramping up financial support to support decarbonisation investments

 the need for guaranteed access to affordable decarbonised energy, infrastructure and raw materials

 the creation of lead markets for low-carbon, circular products.

Koen Coppenholle, chief executive at CEMBUREAU, also claimed that the European cement industry would be funding EUR80-100bn into the EU-ETS by 2034 and the association would like to see 75 per cent of it being front-loaded into the funding of cement industry decarbonisation projects.

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Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon discusses global conflicts, Korea's falling birthrate, future of unification

By Park Han-sol

The Russia-Ukraine War has entered its third year of bloodshed, while another deadly conflict rages on in Gaza, already having killed more than 30,000 people and forcibly displacing at least 1.7 million in just over half a year.

Such prolonged destruction poses a direct threat to humanitys fundamental respect for life and dignity, while taking a disproportionate toll on the most vulnerable  children, women and the elderly  emphasized Rev. Lee Young-hoon.

I think the real issue is that these conflicts feel like proxy wars, as powerful nations continue to supply weapons to combatant states from behind the scenes, said the senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, the largest Protestant house of worship in Korea, in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

These silent supporters share joint responsibility for actions that not only disrupt world peace, but also inflict irreparable damage upon innocent lives that deserve unequivocal respect. There can be no justification for war ever. Russia and Israel, they must stop this at all costs.

Amid such ongoing turmoil, the Christian churchs mission has been to serve those in despair with a much-needed spiritual message of solace and hope, as well as coordinating humanitarian relief efforts through its local missionaries, he added.

At the same time as its commitment to responding to global crises with conscious outreach to those in need, Yoido Full Gospel Church has been tackling another pressing issue closer to home  Koreas falling birthrate.

The countrys fertility rate plummeted to an all-time quarterly low of 0.65 in the October-December period of 2023, according to Statistics Korea.

To put it simply, last year, only 230,000 children were born. Koreas university enrollment capacity stands at 520,000. This means that in 18 years, over half of these institutions will face closure, Lee noted.

Despite the governments expenditure of trillions of won on public campaigns, the actual financial and social benefits for parents raising children still remain elusive, he explained.

Since 2012, the megachurch has provided a total of 5.4 billion won ($3.96 million) in childbirth subsidies to over 5,000 congregants. And starting this year, the amount distributed to each family has doubled: 2 million won for the first newborn, 3 million won for the second, 5 million won for the third and 10 million won for the fourth and onward.

He observed the positive impact of similar benefits on the declining birthrate in Gangjin County, South Jeolla Province. In 2022, the county began providing child care subsidies totaling 5o million won distributed over a period of seven years  equivalent to 600,000 won every month. As a result, the regions fertility rate jumped from 0.89 in 2022 to 1.47 in just a year.

Of course, these one-time monetary boosts alone arent going to be the panacea, he said. Providing financial support must go hand-in-hand with fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that extends well beyond the moments of birth.

Such a collective culture of child care responsibility must be promoted not just within religious circles, but more importantly, in workplaces, he added.

On the part of churches, Lee proposed that the 60,000 houses of worship scattered nationwide be converted into after-school care centers for toddlers and study cafes for teens during weekdays to alleviate the burden of working parents, particularly those with low incomes.

Meanwhile, Korea, with its current birthrate, stands at a critical juncture. More and more migrant workers are entering its labor market amid the worsening manpower shortage, while the number of multicultural families continues to be on the rise.

As of 2023, approximately 2.51 million foreigners are residing here, accounting for nearly 5 percent of the total population.

To address Koreas foreseeable future as a multicultural society, Yoido Full Gospel Church launched the Global Elim Foundation in 2022 in charge of aiding the practical settlement of foreign students and residents.

Scholarship and career guidance opportunities are available for international students, while the trauma recovery center offers free counseling in 10 languages. And the Elim Multicultural Center in Seouls Mapo District provides emergency and short-term housing.

Another focus of the churchs aid is placed on some 35,000 North Korean defectors here, whom Lee sees as key players in the potential reunification of the Koreas.

The most suitable players to help Korea achieve reunification are these escapees who know the lay of the land. Helping them adjust to our society, based on principles from Christian faith, can be crucial, the pastor remarked.

The Norths state ideology of juche [which justifies the one-man rule under the Kim family] intriguingly shares many commonalities with Christianity  from worshiping the supreme leader as a godlike figure to having their own ideological version of the Ten Commandments. I believe that religion is the fundamental force that can transform North Korea.

Lee, whose church had been in the process of establishing a cardiovascular treatment hospital in Pyongyang since 2007 until its construction came to an indefinite halt, went on to describe the reclusive regimes recent string of escalated threats and missile launches directed at its neighbor as an attempt to make itself seem stronger out of desperation.

Pyongyang is becoming more and more cornered. I think its increasingly aggressive stance is ironically reflective of the state of crisis it is in. We must all consciously take note of that when taking future steps toward reunification.
By Pyo Kyung-min

The Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) showcased the beauty of Korean tradition and craftsmanship through an event at the flagship store of traditional luxury handicraft brand Cheyul in Garosugil, Gangnam District, Tuesday evening.

CICI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing Koreas international presence, organizes a monthly event called the CQ Forum, with the two letters standing for culture and creativity quotient. This month's event highlighted Cheyul's dedication to promoting Korean heritage worldwide.

Choi Jung-wha, the founder and president of CICI, stated that the CQ Forum focuses on four themes: something to see, eat, enjoy, and talk about in Korea. She emphasized that Cheyul is the perfect choice to introduce to its members, who consist of distinguished foreigners in Korea.

"I want our members to 'feel Korea.' The status of Korea has been significantly elevated thanks to K-culture and the number of international visitors to Korea is ever increasing. I believe it is important to offer high-quality souvenirs that leave visitors with a good memory of Korea. Cheyul is a perfect example as many high-profile foreign guests have received Cheyul products as gifts," Choi explained her choice of Cheyul for this month's forum.

"The most important thing is to offer something that appeals to others, whether it's an object or a story that can be appreciated by people from all cultures. Cheyul achieves this by showcasing Korean tradition through modern, high-quality craft products."

Founded in 2008, Cheyul gained prominence in May 2022 when President Yoon Suk Yeol presented U.S. President Joe Biden with the brand's recreated traditional Korean floor desk with mother-of-pearl engraved patterns.

In addition to Biden, the brand's products are popular gifts for esteemed guests such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault and Francois Pinault of the Pinault Collection.

Cheyul's CEO Lee Jeong-eun gave a brief introduction of the brand as well as a tour of its flagship store, offering a glimpse into its signature products ranging from carefully hand-crafted wardrobes, medicine drawers, tea tables and jewelry boxes all adorned with mother-of-pearl and laquer, representing the pinnacle of Korean luxury.

During the tour, 36-year-old CEO emphasized that every luxury brand stems from the same spirit  the dedication of skilled craftsmen.

"Major luxury brands have an artisan spirit at their hearts, and the only difference between those brands and Cheyul is that they originated in the 19th century, while we come from the 21st century," said Lee. "This is why we prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring the best products possible with artisans I have personally selected."

Tuesday's event attracted some 20 CICI members, including ambassadors to Korea, corporate directors and CEOs.

Michela Linda Magri, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, expressed appreciation for Korean craft, emphasizing the importance of promoting national traditions, and hoped for collaborative efforts between Korea and Italy in this regard.

"The tour was very inspiring. Promoting a nation's traditions, not just in art but every aspect of the culture, should be highly encouraged. I anticipate more initiatives like this, and advocate for expanded collaborative efforts to strengthen ties between our two nations," the director said.
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Earlier this morning, Sheriff Austin Garrett, School Resource Deputy and DARE Instructor Joseph Dangler and the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office School Resource Deputy Unit, in conjunction with the administration of the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, hosted a DARE graduation ceremony for students who recently completed the program.This graduation class signifies the second academic year DARE has been taught at CSLA since the program was brought back to the community by the HCSO in 2023, after more than two decades.Approximately 87 students graduated from this years program at CSLA. To date, since the HCSO DARE Program was re-instituted in the Fall of 2022, they have had approximately 517 students graduate the Program county-wide.I am pleased to see this program now in its second year in our public schools. My administration understands the value of this safety program and the importance it plays in not only reducing drug addiction in children but also the many other important lessons and values it teaches our young people. With the unprecedented number of overdose deaths we are seeing across our state and our nation, along with the increase in juvenile violence, there could not be a more important time to teach the DARE Program in our local schools. We must give our young people the tools they need to educate themselves about the dangers of illegal and prescription drug abuse and avoid peer pressure by promoting respectful conduct, civility, and behavior, said Sheriff Garrett.In order to be a DARE Instructor, potential candidates are vetted by DARE mentors responsible for training new law enforcement personnel. The candidate must also be a POST-certified, uniformed law enforcement officer with at least two or more years of service and must successfully complete a rigorous 80-hour training course conducted by mentors with a significant number of years of classroom experience, as well as university-level educators from colleges of education. This coursework does not include the many additional hours of study and after-hours work required to test for the certification.I am extremely proud of School Resource Deputy and DARE Instructor, Joseph Danger, for his hard work and dedication to the safety and education of the students at CSLA, Sheriff Garrett said."The HCSO would like to thank the administration and staff at CSLA as well as the Hamilton County Department of Education for their support in making this program possible for students," officials said.For more information about the DARE Program, visit https://dare.org/.
In advance of summer travel and to help preserve Tennessee's natural beauty and protect both wildlife and visitors along the states scenic byways, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are reminding residents and visitors to be vigilant and safe during the summer travel season, especially when it comes to bears.

According to TWRAs bear-conflict reports, the summer travel season is when bears in Tennessee become more active. TDOT also sees an uptick in litter on the states roadways and along scenic byways in the summer and reminds residents that food waste is litter, which attracts animals to roadways, endangering them and motorists.

Tennessee's scenic byways are renowned for their breathtaking vistas, rich history, and diverse ecosystems, attracting tourists and nature enthusiasts from around the globe, said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. However, with summer travel and the influx of visitors along the byways, comes the challenge of managing waste responsibly, especially in areas inhabited by wildlife. We encourage visitors and residents alike to enjoy our beautiful state and dispose of litter responsibly.

Black bears are one of Tennessees state treasures and its everyones responsibility to keep them wild and keep them alive, says Dan Gibbs, TWRA Black Bear coordinator. Bear management experience has shown that bears attracted to human food sources, or that are deliberately fed by humans, have a relatively short life.

To keep bears and other wildlife from accessing food waste and to help spread the message about litter prevention, TDOT has installed 80 Nobody Trashes Tennessee-branded bear-proof trash cans along seven of the state's 13 scenic byways. The heavy-duty containers are specifically designed to withstand the curiosity and strength of bears, ensuring that waste is securely contained, and wildlife remains unharmed.

Our bear population is approximately 5,000  6,000 statewide, with the majority found east of Cookeville, says Mr. Gibbs. We are getting more reports from Middle Tennessee each year with an occasional sighting from West Tennessee. TWRA receives more than 1,200 bear conflict reports annually, which does not include reports from parks, police departments, and other agencies. Eighty percent of the calls are related to bears accessing trash.

In addition to safeguarding wildlife, the installation of bear-proof trash cans supports the two agencies' broader efforts to protect wildlife and promote environmental responsibility. The trash cans have been installed along the following scenic byways: Great River Road, Woodlands Trace, Tennessee River Trail, Cumberland National Scenic Byway, Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway, Cherohala Skyway, and East Tennessee Crossing Byway.

TWRA offers the following guidelines to minimize many unnecessary and potentially dangerous bear encounters.

Never feed or approach bears.

When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle and away from tents, and dispose of food waste in the proper receptacles.

If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel, return the way you came, or wait until it leaves the area.

Make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear to scare it away.

If approached by a bear, stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell, and throw rocks or sticks until they leave the area.

Never run from a black bear. This will often trigger its instinct to chase.

If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play dead. Use pepper spray, sticks, rocks, or anything you can find to defend yourself. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws, or huff as a warning. If you see these behaviors, you are too close. Slowly back away while always facing the bear.

TWRA encourages residents to contact them immediately if they witness aggressive behavior by black bears at: tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement#accident. For additional information about what to do when encountering a bear while hiking and camping visit, bearwise.org.
La Paz Chattanooga announced today the promotion of Vivian Lozano from director of social impact to chief operating officer.Ms. Lozano joined the team at La Paz in 2012 as a client services coordinator and has held numerous roles within the organization since that time. "During her 12 years at La Paz, Ms. Lozano has played a critical role in all aspects of La Pazs programming and advocacy efforts for Chattanoogas Latino community," officials said.Vivian has been a dedicated and impactful member of our team, and were proud to have watched her career grow and flourish alongside our organization, said La Paz CEO Stacy Johnson.I am proud not only of Vivian and her individual accomplishments, but also of our board and community supporters who enable us to hire and retain great talent by offering continued career development and competitive benefits within our organization.Officials said, "The COO role is new to the organization and will position La Paz for continued growth. Responsibilities include providing administrative support, overseeing partnerships and new initiatives and supervising all case managers. Additionally, the COO fosters critical community, philanthropy, corporate and industry partnerships essential for organizational growth and sustainability, among other responsibilities."As COO, Ill play a bigger role in strategizing for the organization, collaborating with partners and building a stronger team and organization overall, Ms. Lozano said. I have always been proud of the work that I have done at La Paz, and I am so happy to have a new opportunity for continued growth and new responsibilities.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy announces the appointment of Alex Wyss as its new executive director, effective May 1.Officials said, "With over 30 years experience in conservation and fundraising, Mr. Wyss brings a wealth of expertise to his new role, where he will lead the Conservancys fundraising and preservation efforts to inspire the next generation and expand access to the natural wonders of Tennessee State Parks.""Tennessee has some of the greatest state parks in the nation and the Conservancy plays a key role in ensuring everyone can enjoy them to the fullest, said Mr.Wyss. I am thrilled for the opportunity to join this organization and look forward to collaborating with our supporters and the State Parks to preserve, protect and enhance Tennessee State Parks for all visitors to enjoy.Prior to joining the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, Mr. Wyss served as director of conservation at The Nature Conservancy, where he led statewide initiatives in forest, river and farmland conservation from the Mississippi River to the Smoky Mountains."During this time, he developed a passion for integrating conservation initiatives and sustainable outdoor recreation with economic development," officials said. "Mr. Wyss played a key role in helping establish iconic parks and natural areas such as Pogue Creek State Natural Area and one of Tennessees newest state parks, Middle Fork Bottoms State Park, a 1,000-acre public recreation gem thats currently in development."Mr. Wyss earned a master of science degree in wildlife sciences at Auburn University and is an alumnus of Florida State University. Hes lived in Tennessee for 25 years and is passionate about spending time outdoors with family, friends and German Shepard, Obi."Were very grateful to bring Alexs exceptional leadership and knowledge to the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy," said Bob Martineau, board chair of the Conservancy. "His passion for the land, history and people of Tennessee will fuel advancements in the organizations mission and we cant wait to see how it flourishes with him at the helm.Mr. Wyss succeeds Gina Hancock, who has transitioned to senior advisor for the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. In her new role, Ms. Hancock will continue guiding strategy, fundraising efforts and organizational growth, drawing on her extensive experience in conservation and nonprofit leadership.
As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the birth of America, the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution are encouraging celebrations in towns, cities, and counties throughout the state. A notable effort undertaken by the 94 Tennessee DAR chapters is their recently published book, Patriots to Pioneers, the First Tennessee Volunteers. This is a collection of stories of Patriots who served in the Revolutionary War to gain American Independence and then became the founders and settlers of Tennessee.

Susie Dailey of the Moccasin Bend Chapter, NSDAR presented a copy of this book to Principal Nikki Bailey of Lookout Valley Elementary School. Carolyn Caulkins of the Moccasin Bend Chapter, NSDAR, presented a copy of this book to Assistant Principal Cedric Seay of Ooltewah High School. The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution helped to fund this gift through America 250! Celebration Grants.

The 600-page volume features 372 documented and sourced Tennessee Patriot stories, 300 additional proven Tennessee Patriot names, beautiful full-color illustrations by renowned historical artist, David Wright and others, as well as an introduction and overview of the history of Tennessees role in the American Revolution and its founding.

The Tennessee Society is excited to make these stories of the Patriots and Pioneers of Tennessee available to teachers, librarians, and students of American history in locations throughout Tennessee.




Two Democrats will meet in a June 18 primary for the right to oppose incumbent Marjorie Taylor Greene for the Georgia District 14 House seat.



In the State Senate District 53 race, incumbent Coilton Moore defeated Angela Pence 15,681 to 6,581.



The senator from Dade County, who calls himself the most conservative senator in the state, will face Democrat Bart Alexander Bryant, who got 2,424 votes.



Ms. Ms.Greene was unopposed in the Republican primary and pulled in 56,892 votes.



On the Democratic side, Clarence Blalock got 6,997 votes and Shawn "General" Harris had 6,870.

Deric Houston had 2,625 and Joseph Leigh 1,653.



Candidate Blalock said earlier, " Im running for the U.S. House because Im sick of seeing our district in the news for all the wrong reasons. The incumbent, Marjorie Taylor Greene, is at the center of our nations dysfunction.



"MTG was a key instigator of the January 6th attack against our country and will try again if re-elected.



"The key to removing her from office and keeping President Biden in the White House is to turn out Democrats in our district. When we vote, we win."



After 40 years of military service, Shawn Harris retired as an Army Brigadier General. He and his wife Karla have five children and four grandchildren. They live in Rockmart, Georgia, where together they run their first-generation grass-fed cattle farm, and Karla works as a family doctor.



Senator Colton said in a statement, "I am proud to announce that we have won last nights Republican Primary Election. This victory is not just mine; it belongs to each and every one of you who stood by me, who volunteered their time, who shared our message, and who voted for our conservative America-First values.



"Together, we have shown that the spirit of true conservatism is alive and well in Northwest Georgia. As your Senator, I pledge to continue fighting for what is best for the people of Georgia. I will keep fighting for the principles that matter most to us: protecting our economy, defending our Bill of Rights, preserving the innocence of our children, and securing our southern border.



"I will stand up to the RINO establishment and the radical Democrats who seek to destroy our way of life. When the corrupt Fulton County District Attorney came after President Donald J. Trump and 19 others, I stood strong and demanded accountability. I will continue to do whatever it takes to protect our citizens.



"I want to thank my family for their unwavering support throughout this campaign. To the volunteers who tirelessly worked to spread our message and mobilize voters, your dedication has been the backbone of this campaign. Thank you for your commitment to our fight.



"To the voters of Northwest Georgia, thank you for placing your trust in me. You have delivered a resounding message that we will not stand idly by while our economy is destroyed, our constitutional rights are legislated away, our children are corrupted, and our southern border is left wide open. You have shown that we will not tolerate corruption and complacency in our government.



"This victory is just the beginning. There is much work to be done, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work on behalf of the people of Northwest Georgia. Together, we will drain the swamp, restore integrity to our government, and ensure that our voices are heard."
United Way of Greater Chattanooga rolled out the red carpet Tuesday night at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre for its annual Celebrate Awards, honoring the movers, shakers and difference-makers in the community."In a night dedicated to glamour and gratitude, the event was a testament to the dedication of all the nonprofits and individuals who work tirelessly to uplift this community," officials said.The outstanding 2024 winners for each of the five categories are:Live United, not Divided Award: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera;Innovation in Action Award: LIFT Youth Center Inc.;Roper Corporations Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award: Rachel Gammon, Northside Neighborhood House;Volunteer of the Year Award: Stacey Keating; andNonprofit Organization of the Year Award: La Paz Chattanooga."We are immensely proud to honor the incredible achievements of our local nonprofits through the Celebrate Awards," said Lesley Scearce, CEO of United Way of Chattanooga."This event is a celebration of the unwavering commitment of individuals and organizations dedicated to making Chattanooga a better place for all."Officials said, "From heartfelt speeches to confetti cannons, the Celebrate Awards was a night to remember. Be sure to check out the highlights in United Ways photo gallery ."Twenty years ago, La Paz Chattanooga was founded with a simple, yet powerful mission: to empower our Latino community through advocacy, education and inclusion said Stacy Johnson, CEO of La Paz Chattanooga. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team, past and present. It is also a tribute to the resilience and strength of the Latino community. Every day, we witness stories of courage, determination, and hope that inspire us to keep showing up."As the curtains close on another unforgettable evening, United Way of Greater Chattanooga extends a big thank you to all who made this event possible and encourages all to keep cheering for the year-round efforts of nonprofits," officials said. "This star-studded event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors: Roper Corporation, First Horizon Bank, Husch Blackwell, Shaw Industries, and Athens Distributing. Their commitment to collaboration ensures that the spotlight remains on the invaluable work of local nonprofits."
On the evening of May 20, a UH-60 Blackhawk medical flight crew from the Tennessee National Guard rescued a hiker suffering from a severe illness in a remote part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Shortly before 7 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker requiring immediate medical assistance. The hiker was located more than 5,000 feet above sea level, at Icewater Spring.TEMA approved the mission just after 7:15 p.m., and less than an hour later, a flight crew from the Tennessee National Guards Task Force Smokey took off from McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base to rescue the hiker.Chief Warrant Officer 4 Peter Neveu and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andres Salas were the pilots for the mission.Sgt 1st Class Cassandra Antes was the paramedic and Staff Sgt. Daniel Bandy, along with Staff Sgt. Ernest Harlan, were the crew chiefs.The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter arrived on scene about 20 minutes later and quickly performed a hoist rescue to carefully lift the hiker into the aircraft.The crew transported the hiker to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, shortly after 9 p.m. The entire operation, from first notification of a potential mission to patient handoff at the hospital, took about two hours.
Russia has likely given technology assistance to North Korea and Iran in return for their arms transfers to Moscow, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday, casting it as an apparent move to expand security threats to the United States and others.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Missile Defense John Hill made the remarks in response to a senator's question over how Washington is handling emerging space security cooperation between Tehran and Moscow as he attended a Senate subcommittee session.

"It does not stop at Iran," he said during the session of the subcommittee on strategic forces under the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"It also involves North Korea as we've seen with Iran and North Korea providing Russia with missiles to support Russia's operations in Ukraine, and then Russia likely providing them with technology assistance in their programs to expand the threats that they present to us and to others," he added.

He did not elaborate on what technology aid Russia might have provided to Pyongyang.

Washington has suspected that the North has been seeking assistance from Moscow, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and ballistic missile production equipment, in exchange for its provision of ballistic missiles, munitions and other arms.

Hill stressed that the U.S. has been keeping tabs on Russia's engagements with both Pyongyang and Tehran.

"We are certainly watching what they are doing," he said. "The ability to continue cutting off Russia and Iran and North Korea is fundamentally at the crux of it, but they are going to keep pressing on us."

Washington, Seoul and other countries have voiced concerns over the broad security implications of the burgeoning military cooperation between Russia and the North, which they believe could affect stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

In a written statement, Hill noted Pyongyang's continued pursuit of its space program while portraying the recalcitrant regime as a "persistent threat."

"The DPRK continues to pursue its space program, conducting several reconnaissance satellite launch attempts over the last year in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions related to DPRK use of ballistic missile technology," he wrote. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The DPRK also maintains previously demonstrated non-kinetic counterspace capabilities, including systems for jamming communications and GPS signals." (Yonhap)
Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking!, an interactive exhibit based on the popular film and television characters, will open at Creative Discovery Museum on Saturday. This brand-new exhibit, created by Minnesota Childrens Museum in partnership with Aardman, runs through Sept. 8.

In this hands-on exhibit, visitors step into the north England home of cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his loyal and intelligent dog, Gromit. Designed for children ages 3 through 9, Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking! builds on problem-solving themes found throughout the films in fun, engaging ways.



In Wallaces world, inventions and contraptions often go terribly  but hilariously!  wrong, providing a natural opportunity to explore themes around problem-solving and resilience in a safe and lighthearted manner. Through a mix of unique and meaningful experiences, the exhibit focuses on STEM-based problem-solving, with the aim of making the problem-solving process explicit.



Exhibit Highlights



 Set the dining room for tea and launch porridge from a cannon

 Fix the broken Autochef

 Activate the Get-U-Up device

 Design your own cracking contraption

 Blast off in a rocket to the moon

 Hop into Prestons truck to travel to the village

 Grab a seat and cozy up to read a book

Opening Schedule



CDM members receive exclusive access to the opening of this exhibit with a Member Breakfast event on Saturday, May 25, from 7-10 a.m. This event will include a catered breakfast from Ruby Sunshine and a variety of activities that complement the problem-solving themes of this interactive exhibit. Not a member but interested in attending this event? Visit cdmfun.org/join to become a member today and gain access to members-only events like this. The exhibit will open for general admission guests when the Museum opens at 10 a.m. Additional events based on the themes of this exhibit will happen throughout the summer  visit cdmfun.org/events to learn more.
In preparation for the Aug. 1 State and Federal Primaries and the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today urged all Tennesseans meeting eligibility requirements to consider becoming poll workers for the 2024 election cycle.



Poll workers are essential to conducting elections in Tennessee, and I hope all eligible Tennesseans will consider answering the call to serve our fellow Tennesseans, said Secretary Hargett.



During early voting and on Election Day, poll workers help polling sites run smoothly by conducting various tasks  including greeting voters, answering questions, explaining how to cast a ballot and counting votes at their community locations. They are paid for their work and for attending required training sessions.



Most Tennesseans are eligible to work at polling locations, regardless of their political affiliation. The minimum age for poll workers is 16. Anyone over 18 must be a registered voter in the county they desire to serve.



Other qualifications include:

 Be able to read and write in the English language;

 Cannot be a candidate or close relative of a candidate; and

 Cannot be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot.



All city, county, and metropolitan government employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot) are eligible, as are state employees. Federal employees should consult with their individual Human Resources Departments to determine eligibility.



Poll workers are an essential part of the electoral process, and Tennessee would not be able to hold successful elections without them, said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. By serving as a poll worker, citizens can help voters in their communities confidently cast a ballot, so all registered Tennesseans know our results are accurate and Tennessee elections are secure.



Officials said, "Tennessee has been ranked number one in election integrity for three consecutive years; the Secretary of States office is also the trusted source for all election information."



For more information about becoming a poll worker, visit https://sos.tn.gov/pollworkers.
polystyrene is made from styrene building blocks and is the most widely used plastic in terms of volume, for example in packaging. Unlike PET, which can now be produced and recycled using biotechnological methods, the production of polystyrene has so far been a purely chemical process. The plastic cant be broken down by biotechnological means, either. Researchers are looking for ways to rectify this: An international team headed by Dr. Xiaodan Li from the Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, in collaboration with Professor Dirk Tischler, head of the Microbial biotechnology research group at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, has decoded a bacterial enzyme that plays a key role in styrene degradation. This paves the way for biotechnological application. The researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Chemistry from May, 14, 2024.

Styrene in the environment Several million tons of styrene are produced and transported every year, says Dirk Tischler. In the process, some of it also gets released unintentionally into the environment. This is not the only source of styrene in the environment, however: It occurs naturally in coal tar and lignite tar, can occur in traces in essential oils from some plants and is formed during the decomposition of plant material. It is therefore not surprising that microorganisms have learned to handle or even to metabolize it, says the researcher.

Fast, but complex: microbial styrene degradation Bacteria and fungi, as well as the human body, activate styrene with the help of oxygen and form styrene oxide. While styrene itself is toxic, styrene oxide is even more harmful. Rapid metabolization is therefore crucial. In some microorganisms as well as in the human body, the epoxide formed by this process usually undergoes glutathione conjugation, which makes it both more water-soluble and easier to break down and excrete, explains Dirk Tischler. This process is very fast, but also very expensive for the cells. A glutathione molecule has to be sacrificed for every molecule of styrene oxide.

The formation of the glutathione conjugate and whether, or rather how, glutathione can be recovered is part of current research at the MiCon Graduate School at Ruhr University Bochum, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Some microorganisms have developed a more efficient variant. They use a small membrane protein, namely styrene oxide isomerase, to break down the epoxide.

Styrene oxide isomerases are more efficient Even after the first enrichment of styrene oxide isomerase from the soil bacterium Rhodococcus, we observed its reddish color and showed that this enzyme is bound in the membrane, explains Dirk Tischler. Over the years, he and his team have studied various enzymes of the family and used them primarily in biocatalysis. All of these styrene oxide isomerases have a high catalytic efficiency, are very fast and dont require any additional substances (co-substrates). They therefore allow rapid detoxification of the toxic styrene oxide in the organism and also a potent biotechnological application in the field of fine chemical synthesis.
A container of Narcan, a brand name version of the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone, sits on a table following a demonstration at the Health and Human Services Humphrey Building on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Washington. The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell in 2023  for only the second time since the current national epidemic of drug deaths began more than three decades ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the numbers on May 15.
Over the last several decades, research has shown that people, particularly women, have better health outcomes when treated by a female doctor.

In a recent study, researchers analyzed data collected from 776,000 male and female patients who were aged 65 and older. They were all treated between 2016 and 2019.

The researchers discovered that patients who saw female physicians were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. The female patients also saw more benefits than the male ones.

A research team led by Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, an associate professor with the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, examined data from Medicare claims pertaining to around 458,100 female patients and nearly 319,800 male patients142,500 of the females and 97,500 of the males were treated by female doctors.

Then, the team evaluated patient mortality and readmission rates to the hospital 30 days after being admitted. The findings revealed that female patients treated by female doctors had a mortality rate of 8.15 percent. In comparison, the mortality rate was 8.38 percent when treated by a male doctor.

For male patients, seeing female physicians resulted in a 10.5 percent mortality rate, and male physicians had a 10.23 percent rate.

The same pattern was found for hospital readmission rates. Patient health outcomes are not supposed to differ between male and female doctors, but the study clearly shows that a difference does exist. This indicates that male and female physicians practice medicine differently.

According to the researchers, there are a number of factors that could be contributing to these contrasts.

For one, male doctors may minimize the severity of their female patients symptoms. In medical literature, that phenomenon is referred to as the gender pain gap.

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The United States has not seen China sending actual weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine though North Korea and Iran have engaged in arms transactions with Moscow, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

Blinken made the distinction, while reiterating concerns over China's "overwhelming" support for Russia's defense industrial base. He vowed to continue to sanction entities engaged in the transfers to Russia of "dual-use" items that can be diverted for military purposes.

"We have not seen China provide actual weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. North Korea is doing that. Iran is doing that," he said during the hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department's budget request for the fiscal year 2025.

"What we are seeing is China providing overwhelming support to Russia's defense industrial base," he added.

The secretary noted that Russia has brought in large amounts of machine tools, microelectronics and other imports from China amid its protracted war in Ukraine.

"A lot of that goes to building up the defense industrial base," he said. "We've seen  as a result  Russia churning out tanks, artillery ammunition at a record pace."

Blinken raised this issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart, Wang Yi, during a trip to Beijing last month, he said.

"We've called it out publicly. We've brought the information to allies and partners. And it's very clear ... particularly for the Europeans who see in Russia's aggression against Ukraine a larger threat to their own security," he said.

"You can't have China on the one hand professing to seek better relations with countries in Europe, while on the other hand, fueling the greatest security threat to Europe since the end of the Cold War."

He noted that Washington has sanctioned more than 100 Chinese entities that were engaged in providing dual-use items and others to Russia.

"We will continue to do that," he said.

The Senate hearing was interrupted several times by pro-Palestinian demonstrators highlighting the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

Commenting on the artificial intelligence safety summit in progress in South Korea, Blinken accentuated the positive role of the summit.

"I think these summits can help establish norms, rules, understandings when it comes to safety that could prove invaluable," he said.

"The more we can develop a consensus around what these norms and standards and rules should be, the more we or like-minded countries are in the driver's seat, the more effective we are going to be and making sure that AI is used for good and we minimize its use for bad," he added.

Co-hosted by South Korea and Britain, the two-day summit kicked off on Tuesday (Korea time). (Yonhap)
In the world of archaeology, new discoveries are made every day. For instance, archaeologists have recently found that an ancient Greco-Roman town in Egypt survived longer than previously thought.

In the past, experts believed that the settlement was abandoned sometime in the middle of the 5th century, but new research reports that it was occupied until the 7th century.

The settlement is called Karanis, and it was an agricultural town located in the Faiyum Oasis. It was founded in the 3rd century B.C. when the ancient Greek Ptolemaic dynasty ruled over Egypt.

The kingdom lasted until it was conquered by the Romans in 30 B.C. At its peak, Karanis may have had a population of several thousand people.

Due to the large amount of papyri uncovered at the site during the 19th century, the settlement was already on archaeologists radar, even back then.

In the 20th century, large-scale excavations were conducted, revealing residential areas, granaries, production facilities, temples, and a bathhouse.

Karanis serves as a shining example of domestic architecture created by the Romans and of Greco-Roman urban development in Egypt.

Studies of the settlement have led to a clearer picture of the events that contributed to the collapse of the Roman Empire as well as the state of the environment in ancient times.

The town was in existence when a period known as the Roman Climatic Optimum occurred. It took place between the 3rd and 4th centuries and was characterized by warmer weather than usual in the Mediterranean region and other parts of Europe.

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In 1992, a 17-year-old girl named Amy Fisher showed up at her lovers house with ill intentions. After confronting her lovers wife about the affair they were having, Amy shot her. She spent seven years in prison for her crime and became known as the Long Island Lolita.

Amy Fisher met Joey Buttafuoco in 1990 after taking her car to his auto shop for repairs. She had just turned 16. He was 20 years older than her and was married.

When they met, Amy had already experienced a lot of trauma and claimed that she was abused growing up. She also often cut class and forged her report cards.

By the summer of 1991, Amy and Joey were having an affair. About a year later, she visited the Buttafuoco house in Massapequa, New York, bringing along a t-shirt from Joeys auto shop and a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

On May 19, 1992, she rang the doorbell of the Buttafuoco home. Joeys wife, Mary Jo, answered the door.

Amy introduced herself as Anne Marie and told her that Joey was being unfaithful. She made up a story about how he was having an affair with her little sister and showed Mary Jo the t-shirt as proof.

However, Mary Jo didnt believe her. She dismissed Amy and turned to go back inside. That was when Amy attacked. She struck Mary Jo in the head with the pistol and then shot her in the right temple.

Afterward, Amy fled the scene of the crime. Mary Jo was rushed to the hospital, and the doctors saved her life. One side of her face was left partially paralyzed, and she was deaf in one ear, but she was still able to provide an accurate description of her assailant.

Joey recognized the t-shirt that Amy had brought to the house and admitted that he had given it to Amys father, so she was most likely the shooter.

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Her final work was continually revised but never finished. Can we know what she was aiming to achieve?

Joe Mctyre / AP Images / Edits by CT

Flannery OConnor was an inveterate rewriter, working, reworking, and deleting episodes from her stories and novels. Her archives, collected at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, bulge with deleted scenes and alternate versions of characters scarcely recognizable as the people who inhabit the published versions of her stories.

OConnor spent five years crafting Wise Blood, her first novel. It took her seven years to complete a draft of her second novel, The Violent Bear It Awayand it was only 45,000 words long! (In her defense, she was simultaneously producing some of the best short stories ever written.)

When OConnor died in 1964 at the age of 39, she left behind scraps and pieces of a third novel called Why Do the Heathen Rage?a dozen or so episodes repetitively, even obsessively rewritten. In the early 1980s, the scholar Marian Burns described these literary oddments as an untidy jumble of ideas and abortive starts, full scenes written and rewritten many times, several extraneous images, and one fully developed character.

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In the intervening decades, Why Do the Heathen Rage? has been mostly ignored. But in the last few years, author and Pepperdine University professor Jessica Hooten Wilson has dived into that untidy jumble, hoping to make sense of it for the rest of us. The result is Flannery OConnors Why Do the Heathen Rage?: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Work in Progress, a book that alternates between Wilsons explanatory essays and scenes from the novel that might have been.

Editorial choices

The manuscripts from OConnors archives totaled 378 typed pages dispersed over 20 file folders, in no particular order. OConnor left no indication as to which iteration of a scene or character or sentence she considered closest to a final version. Nor did she leave any indication as to how the episodes should be sequenced. More to the point, it seems unlikely that OConnor herself had a good idea what any final version might look like. She very much seems to have been feeling her way through.

Describing her own editorial process, Wilson writes, My version of these pages comes from intersplicing sentences and paragraphs from the left-behind pages, making editorial choices about which words OConnor meant to cut or keep, and presuming to show the best of what was left unfinished. The fact that Wilson boils OConnors 378 manuscript pages down to 60-something pages gives a sense of just how many editorial choices she had to make.

OConnor indicated in her letters that she conceived Why Do the Heathen Rage? as a sequel or continuation of her short story The Enduring Chill. In her novel-in-progress, the protagonist is a version of Asbury from The Enduring Chill, though he is now named Walter (except in those fragments where he is named Julian, or Charles, or Asbury).

Walter exchanges letters with a civil rights activist from New York named either Sarah or Oona (again, depending on the fragment), who is either his cousin, his aunt, or a stranger. In his letters, Walter engages in what Wilson calls epistolary blackface, posing as a Black man who works for Walters family. Things move toward a crisis when Walter realizes that Sarah/Oona is speeding toward him in her convertible and will soon discover that he is not one of the poor black people of the South, as she supposes, but an overprivileged, overeducated, overfed slob.

Things move toward a crisis, but they never reach a crisis. There are experimental scenes, false starts, and contradictory character sketches in which OConnor is clearly trying to get a feel for the story shes telling and the characters who inhabit it. But the moment before Sarah/Oonas racial naivete collides with Walters racial cynicism feels like the place where the main trunk of the story is lopped off. From this point, OConnor is unable to find any way forward. Here is the fundamental narrative problem, and OConnor died before she solved it.

Any number of factors help explain why OConnor never finished (indeed, barely started) Why Do the Heathen Rage? A slow writer in any case, she was slowed further by the illness that killed her a few years into the project. She was writing about social and political issues (civil rights, poverty, even euthanasia) much more directly than usual. Furthermore, she was writing for the first time about a protagonist who receives grace early in the story rather than at the end.

After all those spectacular and terrifying conversions in her previous stories, OConnor was now trying to write about a protagonist who would have to undergo the long, slow business of sanctification. Wilson quotes from a letter OConnor wrote amid her work on Why Do the Heathen Rage?: Ive reached a point where I cant do again what I know I can do well, and the larger things that I need to do now, I doubt my capacity for doing.

Wilson makes a convincing case, however, about the greatest difficulty OConnor might have been confronting. She had written herself into a situation of needing to deal with race and civil rights in a more honest and thoughtful way than she ever had before. She knew that her customary glib and contradictory treatment of race was insufficient for her subject matter, yet she didnt know how to be less glib or more consistent.

On matters of race, OConnor was only slowly learning to live (and write) up to her own ideals; she was still growing into her better, more sanctified self. A deeply theological writer, OConnor nevertheless tended to treat the civil rights movement as a social, political, and cultural matter rather than a theological matter. Wilson writes, She is trying to write about race as one element of a story about the theological problems that face secular contemplatives and secular social activists. By not reading the issue of race with theological significancewhich must include the Black perspective that so often eluded herOConnor seems to have been unable to finish the story she longed to tell.

Acts of imagination

If Black perspectives are absent or elusive in OConnors prose, New Orleans artist Steve Prince offers a corrective in nine haunting and thought-provoking linocut illustrations, and in an afterword commenting on his images.

For her own part, Wilsons insights into OConnors inner life and cultural milieu are almost as valuable as the work she has done in organizing and editing OConnors manuscript fragments. This book tells the story of the unfinished manuscript, writes Wilson. I consider Flannery as she drafted the novel and what would have influenced her creation of the story: what was she reading, what news stories were making headlines, who was giving speeches on her new television?

Less valuable is Wilsons attempt to compose a potential ending to Why Do the Heathen Rage? She admits that it is presumptuous to write a final scene for a novel by Flannery OConnor. Nevertheless, she argues, all acts of imagination are presumptuous. That may be, but some acts of imagination are more presumptuous than others.

I must register one other complaint, this one about the cover. A badge on the book jacket proclaims that this is the unfinished novel in print for the first time. That is a misleading claim. Calling these fragments an unfinished novel is like calling a pile of Leonardo da Vincis pencil studies an unfinished Leonardo painting. I dont imagine this badge was Wilsons idea. Its promise of an unfinished novel is neither fair to OConnor nor true to Wilsons accomplishment.

OConnors prose accounts for about a third of Flannery OConnors Why Do the Heathen Rage? It is prose that OConnor considered unready for public consumption. I cant help but look, but I still have misgivings. I had similar misgivings in 2013 when Farrar, Straus and Giroux published a book of private prayer journals OConnor had written at age 20. (I looked that time too.)

In the prayer journals, as in those first ten stories of her celebrated short story collection (also written during her student days), we see a very young Flannery OConnor struggling to figure out how to be Flannery OConnor. In these fragments of Why Do the Heathen Rage? we have a reminder that even when Flannery OConnor was as mature as she would ever be, she was still struggling to figure out how to be Flannery OConnor. She struggled every time she sat down to the typewriter. Writers everywhere, take courage.

Jonathan Rogers is the author of The Terrible Speed of Mercy: A Spiritual Biography of Flannery OConnor. He is the host of The Habit Podcast and the author of The Habit Weekly on Substack.
What will the next several decades of American Christianity look like? Are the factors that led to the decline of mainline church attendance the same as those leading to decreased interest in evangelical congregations? Why are Gen Z women leaving religion at higher rates than their male counterparts? These are the questions that Russell Moore and Ryan Burgeauthor, professor, and writer of the Graphs about Religion Substackaddress in this episode. They consider shifts in the Southern Baptist Convention, the relationship of politics to religious participation, and whether or not churches are expected to close by the thousands in the years to come. And they remind listeners of what it looks like not only to speak the gospel but to live it as members of a community that welcomes others, volunteers in meaningful ways, and embodies the beauty of what the church can be. Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.

Click here for a trial subscription at Christianity Today.

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The Russell Moore Show is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Audio engineering by Dan Phelps Video producer: Abby Egan Theme Song: Dusty Delta Day by Lennon Hutton
While the ACNA hasnt offered public updates on a trial for Stewart Ruchs abuse response, Todd Atkinson, a bishop appointed to assist him, has been deposed over inappropriate relationships.

Anglican Network in Canda

Nearly three years ago, Bishop Stewart Ruch of the Anglican Church in North Americas Diocese of the Upper Midwest admitted regrettable errors in handling sexual abuse allegations against a lay minister, before taking a leave of absence. An acting bishop took over the diocese and another ACNA bishop, Todd Atkinson, was tapped to assist him.

But Ruchs absence hasnt quelled the simmering controversy in the diocese, a sliver of the small, theologically conservative denomination that split from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada in 2009 over those two denominations acceptance of LGBTQ clergy and marriage for same-sex couples.

On Monday, a group of ACNA clergy published an open letter expressing concern that there have not been public updates about a promised church trial for Ruch since November 2023. The letter pushes for regular updates on the trials progress and for information about why Ruch has not been inhibited, or limited in his duties, because of his alleged laxity in the past.

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On the same day, Atkinson, the assisting bishop, was removed from ordained ministry after a church trial found he had engaged in inappropriate relationships with women and interactions with minors.

Atkinsons misconduct dates back to at least 2012, six years before he joined ACNA, according to the church courts order. In 2014, Atkinson began overseeing a Canadian church planting initiative called Via Apostolica that was later grafted into ACNAs Diocese of the Upper Midwest in 2020. The church court found Monday that Atkinson repeatedly fostered exploitative relationships with multiple women under the guise of being their spiritual father.

According to the court order, Atkinson often gave women extravagant personal gifts worth hundreds of dollars, sometimes with funds from accounts maintained by Via Apostolica. Financial reports show that from fall 2013-2014, Atkinson spent more than $10,000 on gifts for pastors and their wives, including the women he behaved inappropriately with, according to the order.

Evidence submitted for the trial shows that Atkinson texted women incessantly, sending one more than 11,000 text messages over four months in 2015. The woman reported that Atkinson attempted to give her a ring and family heirloom without his wifes knowledge, and after church leaders barred him from communicating with the woman, he had a third party deliver 80 pages of his handwritten journal entries to her.

Part of the evidence for the trial included a 2016 report that found Atkinson had taken part in a codependent and excessive relationship that had the appearance of evil, according to the order. Atkinson reportedly targeted women with a history of trauma or abuse, initiating father-daughter relationships with them while acting as their priest, bishop, and counselor.

The Court finds credible the testimony from multiple witnesses that the Respondent encouraged a culture where his authority was not to be questioned, the order says. The Respondent misused spiritual language to excuse and normalize inappropriate behavior, leveraging ecclesiastical authority in order to coerce, control, and exploit women selected from a similar profile.

The order also found Atkinson had inappropriate interactions with minors. In one instance, the court found, Atkinson invited a 13-year-old girl to get coffee alone and without her parents knowledge, and later hosted her alone for a movie night in his basement. The court said Atkinsons misdeeds were compounded by the fact that he did not disclose any information about prior complaints against him when he applied to join ACNA in 2018.

Andrew Gross, director of communications for ACNA, applauded the work of the church court. The Court for the Trial of a Bishop, a group of elected volunteers, did an excellent job producing a sound verdict based upon over 2,000 pages of evidence, he said, adding, This case is an example of the Anglican Church in North America structures working well in both the investigative and judicial phases of the process.

While Atkinson was inhibited from all ministry in June 2022 pending the outcome of his investigation, Ruch decided to end his leave and return to his office in October 2022. He has apparently continued to act as bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest as well as rector of the diocesan headquarters, Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.

Clergy from 12 of the 28 dioceses have signed up so far. ACNA clergy please do read and prayerfully consider support @Tish_H_Warren @artofbreathing https://t.co/MUvNRJ0Bnk  Esau McCaulley (@esaumccaulley) May 21, 2024

The letter also suggests theres been a lack of transparency about the presentments, or church charges, brought against him by three bishops and one grassroots group of congregants in Minnesota.

We have done our best to outline the issues without attributing intentional malice to provincial actions nor have we presumed the outcome of the trial, the authors wrote. Our concern remains the potential harm done through this process, which has been publicly lamented by many of the survivors. We believe that the church can and should do better.

As of Tuesday evening, the letter had been signed by 46 ACNA clergy.

Two related open letters were also recently published  one by and for ACNA laity echoing the concerns and requests of the clergy letter, and the other signed by 88 clergy and leaders in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, requesting that the church court responsible for adjudicating the presentments against Ruch meet promptly and be transparent about the status and timeline of the trial.

The fact that Bp. Ruch has not been temporarily inhibited and continues to function in his Diocese and as a member of the College of Bishops in good standing while under two presentments is an affront, the South Carolina church leaders wrote.

For too long, our silence has signaled a passive complicity with this travesty.
His reporting was marked by a cheerful determination to uncover truth, which friends and coworkers attributed to his faith.

Illustration by Christianity Today

Marshall Allen, an investigative journalist who insisted that uncovering truth was fundamental to Christian faith, died on May 19. The 52-year-old suffered a heart attack a few days earlier, according to his former employer ProPublica, one of the worlds leading investigative journalism organizations.

Allens unflinching reporting on the US health care industry brought relief to patients and some changes to how hospitals and insurers operate. He said the industry exploits peoples sickness for profitbut showing that took intense determination and extended investigations.

For one reporting project on poor hospital care in 2011, he interviewed 250 doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, and patients. The resulting series in the Las Vegas Sun was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and the Nevada legislature introduced new requirements for hospitals as a result.

In another investigation, Allen reported that Dignity Health, a large religious health system that described itself as carrying on the healing ministry of Jesus, had refused to cover the medical expenses of an employees three-month-premature baby. Dignity claimed the woman hadnt filled out the necessary paperwork and that she bore sole responsibility for a nearly $1 million hospital bill, though she had enrolled her baby with the insurer from the NICU.

After Allen called the company with questions, Dignity reversed its decision and retroactively covered the baby, who survived.

Some people might think that Christians are supposed to be soft and acquiescent rather than muckrakers who hold the powerful to account, he wrote in The New York Times. But what I do as an investigative reporter is consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Allen argued that the Bible teaches that people are made in the image of God and that each human life holds incredible value.

A Christian journalist, he said, should be comforted by God to be a comfort to others. A Christian journalist should rebuke deception and unfair practices. A Christian journalist should get all sides of the story, in line with Proverbs call for hearing multiple witnesses. And a Christian journalist should admit and correct mistakes with humility. He also shared this vision of Christian journalism in lectures to journalism students at The Kings College.

He saw this work as redemptive and Christian in nature, said Paul Glader, a friend of Allens and a former journalism professor at Kings. He did amazing work investigating the health care bureaucracy and bullies, seeking out answers and truth for the little guyall of us consumers.

Allen grew up in a Christian family that was thrifty when it came to their own needs and generous with others. He recalled his parents giving lavishly to their local church while refusing to go on big vacations. That thrift allowed Allen to graduate college debt-free, which allowed him to work in ministry and then journalism. It also meant he drove a rusty 2002 Honda Odyssey.

He began his career in youth ministry, working for Young Life. He served three years with the ministry in Nairobi, Kenya. He began to enjoy writing when sending newsletters home from Kenya, his wife, Sonja Allen, told ProPublica.

When Allen and his family returned to the United States, he got a masters in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and began writing for Christian outlets, including Christianity Today and Boundless, a Focus on the Family publication.

Allen recalled run-ins with religious editors who objected to investigating Christian leaders.

He was quite critical of the evangelical press for being too subservient to authority and unwilling to investigate, according to Glader.

He also had conflicts with a secular editor who doubted whether a Christian could be a good journalist and said the word Christian as if it were some kind of slur, he wrote.

He eventually landed at local news outlets in Southern California. He advanced to a job at the Las Vegas Sun, where he first focused his attention on health care. His journalism and publishing colleagues described him as someone with moral clarity, humor, courage, and curiosity.

He was truly a person like no one else Ive ever known. He would have been intimidating because of his directness, confidence, and fearlessness except that he wasnt, because he was so kind and unjudgmental, said Emily Laber-Warren, director of the Health and Science Reporting program at the City University of New Yorks journalism school, where he taught.

Allen also tried to adjust his fellow evangelicals view of mainstream journalists. He largely felt that his colleagues embraced his faith.

I think, sometimes, conservative Christians are completely ignorant about the way the media works. And I also think liberals are completely ignorant about the way the Christian world works, right? Theres so much ignorance on both sides, he told World Radio.

In addition to journalistic investigations, Allen committed himself to helping fellow journalists, journalism students, and patients caught in the maze of the US health system.

He wrote a how-to book on navigating medical billing called Never Pay the First Bill. The books review section on Amazon is filled with people describing how his reporting helped them negotiate bills and get out of medical debt. Author Leah Libresco Sargeant credits his book with helping her resolve a $1,400 bill for her daughters care.

Hes fighting people who systematically profit off of human misery and vulnerability, and it would be easy to let that curdle into contempt, she told CT. Instead, he writes generously about people who fight back and never loses his warmth.

After leaving ProPublica in 2021, Allen wrote a Substack newsletter documenting individual cases of medical billing gone wrong.

Glader, formerly at Kings, said Allen also never took himself too seriously, but had infectious joy that countered what could have been discouraging work.

That joy mixed with rigor showed up in stories like the one he did about why eyedrops spill out of peoples eyes. He began by writing that the good news was that spilling wasnt the users fault. The bad news was that drug companies had designed the drops to be wasteful.

Over the years, Allen wrote about death several times. It was not an anxious topic for him. He saw it as a spur to love and good deeds, he said after his father died in 2022.

I know this sounds dark, but I have a sober appreciation for death, Allen explained. Death will bring us all to our knees and test what we believe. One of my favorite Bible verses, Ecclesiastes 7:2, says its better to go to a house of mourning than it is to celebrate at a house of feasting. For death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

Death is my destiny and its also yours. Lets take that to heart and let it change how we live.

Allen is survived by his wife, Sonja Allen, a womens minister at 121 Community Church, and their three sons, Isaac, Ashton, and Cody.
The portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were hung side by side with those of his two late predecessors, according to photos released by state media on Wednesday, in the latest sign of boosting his idolization to near the level of his grandfather Kim Il-sung and father Kim Jong-il.

North Korea has been strengthening the personality cult of the current leader since Kim took office in 2011 following the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il in communism's second hereditary succession of power.

The portraits of the three were hung on the walls of a classroom at a newly built school for the country's ruling party officials while Kim was in attendance on Tuesday, according to the photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It marks the first time that North Korea's media has shown portraits of the three displayed together.

The KCNA previously had reported on Kim's attendance at the Central Cadres Training School of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang on May 15, but at that time, only portraits of the two late leaders were shown.

"It is very meaningful as displaying Kim Jong-un's portrait alongside those of his predecessors signifies his equal standing with the former leaders," said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

Hong said such a display could become widespread in other locations.

During an opening ceremony of the school on Tuesday, Kim expressed his satisfaction with the successful completion of the building, saying that "the world's best school has taken on its majestic appearance as the 'pedigree farm' for training the backbone of the Party," according to the KCNA's English dispatch.

The visit follows another visit just six days earlier on May 15. He had also inspected its construction on March 30.

The training school, which traces its roots back to the Central Party School established in 1946, is the highest educational facility to train WPK officials.

The construction of its new campus began in April last year, reflecting North Korea's priority on educating future party officials as it seeks to tighten social discipline against the inflow of outside information amid economic difficulties.

Over the course of the yearlong construction period, Kim visited the site three times, a move that could show his commitment to the education of party officials, which is essential for the long-term maintenance of the regime. (Yonhap)
Home News Pro-life activists sentenced to 45 days in jail for 'Red Rose Rescue' at Michigan abortion clinic

Four pro-life activists have been sentenced to 45 days in jail for conducting what they call a "Red Rose Rescue" event at an abortion facility in Flint, Michigan.

The Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising announced in a statement shared with The Christian Post that its Director of Activism Lauren Handy was among four pro-life activists sentenced to a month and a half at the Genesee County Jail in Flint.

The charges stem from a "Red Rose Rescue" at the Womens Center of Flint and Saginaw in 2019.

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The organization states that a "Red Rose Rescue" is a "direct action in which activists enter abortion businesses, hand out life-affirming literature, red roses and offer hope and financial resources to the patients at risk of exploitation by the Abortion Industrial Complex."

Handy and her co-defendants  William Goodman, Patrice Woodworth and Matthew Connolly  were charged with the felony offense of obstructing a police officer and the misdemeanor offense of trespassing and disturbing the peace.

The four activists went "limp" during their arrest, described by PAAU as "a decision often made by nonviolent social activists who refuse to assist in their own unjust arrest." Following their sentencing, the defendants were "immediately taken into custody."

"We are living in the midst of a genocide and it's no surprise that the institutions which allow for the exploitation and murder of thousands of unborn children in this state are inflicting further oppression onto those like Lauren, who dare to challenge their agenda," said PAAU Founder and Executive Director Terrisa Bukovinac.

"Rescuers across the nation must remain vigilant in our defense of preborn babies and we must not allow violent oppressors to shame or intimidate us out of stopping this injustice. The road may seem bleak but we shall overcome."

Pro-life activists affiliated with PAAU gathered outside the jail Friday to demand the release of Handy and her colleagues.

Pictures from the protest reveal participants holding signs reading "FREE LAUREN HANDY," "ABORTION IS LITERALLY MURDER," "LIFE WINS" and "DIVEST FROM BIG ABORTION." Some posters featured depictions of unborn babies at various stages of pregnancy.

On Friday, Lauren Handy and 3 other rescuers were unjustly sentenced to 45 days in jail for a Red Rose Rescue in 2019. Immediately after they were led away, PAAU activists gathered outside the jail to hold a protest. pic.twitter.com/ZpY710D15r  PAAU (@PAAUNOW) November 21, 2022

Chanting through a megaphone at the protest, Bukovinac declared: "We must stand up to institutions that engage in legalized child-killing in our community here and across the country." She added, "These rescuers are innocent of any crimes and they are heroes."

We were calling out those involved in protecting the murderous abortion industry, and those attempting to silence the voices of pro-life activists through incarceration. pic.twitter.com/ftZYQaYu11  PAAU (@PAAUNOW) November 21, 2022

PAAU urges other pro-life activists in Michigan and the surrounding states to organize protests outside the Genesee County Jail.

Are you somewhere near Michigan? Organize a protest outside the Flint County Jail to DEMAND that Lauren and the other activists be released immediately!! This is an easy and impactful way to be part of the movement! DM us if you want help organizing!#FreeLaurenHandypic.twitter.com/tcwW7MRxEl  PAAU (@PAAUNOW) November 21, 2022

This is not the first time Handy has spent time in jail for engaging in direct action and nonviolent protest at abortion clinics.

Over the summer, Handy and five others were sentenced to 30 days in prison for conducting a Pink Rose Rescue at an abortion clinic in Alexandria, Virginia, in November 2021. Handy was released after spending 15 days behind bars while her co-defendants were released after two days in custody.

PAAU says a "Red Rose Rescue" signifies affiliation with a religious cause, while a "Pink Rose Rescue" is secular in nature. The "Rose Rescues" represent a departure from the "traditional rescue," where pro-life activists blockade abortion clinics and prevent people from entering.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Randall Terry of the pro-life group Operation Rescue stated that his organization would routinely lead blockades outside of abortion clinics featuring 100 or more people until the passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994.

Under the FACE Act, participants in traditional rescues would face a "federal misdemeanor for the first offense and a federal felony for the second offense" instead of "local trespass charges."

"Once that law was passed, it effectively broke the back of our movement," he recalled. The FACE Act subjects violators to up to 11 years in prison.

Terry and Bukovinac called for the law's repeal at a protest outside the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., last month. Bukovinac decried the law as unnecessary now that the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide was overturned in June. Bukovinac contends the FACE Act was "predicated" on Roe.
Home News Biden wrongly claims he was vice president during COVID-19 pandemic in campaign speech

President Joe Biden raised eyebrows by suggesting he was vice president during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though he was out of office for several years when the coronavirus spread worldwide in late 2019 and early 2020.

In remarks at the NAACP's 69th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund on Sunday in Detroit, Michigan, Biden recalled how "when I was vice president, things were kind of bad during the pandemic and what happened was Barack said to me, 'Go to Detroit and help fix it.'"

However, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States did not break out until early 2020, three years after former President Barack Obama and Biden left office.

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A transcript of Biden's remarks at the campaign event shows the word "pandemic" crossed out and replaced with the word "recession," indicating that the president meant to use that word instead.

The replacement of "pandemic" with "recession" is one of several edits made to the transcript, suggesting that Biden made multiple errors during his speech.

Biden also described himself as "humbled to receive this organization, which defines the character and consequence of what we do." The transcript suggests that the president had meant to use the word "award" instead of "organization."

Biden detailed how he "protected and expanded the Affordable Care Act" as president by "saving millions of families $800,000" in premiums. During the speech, the president acted as if he knew he misspoke, attempting to correct the record by insisting that he meant "$8,000 a year" in premiums. According to the transcript, the president misspoke twice as he meant to say he saved millions of families $800 a year in premiums.

Other misstatements made during the speech include using the word "who" instead of "to" when discussing how "we're cracking down on corporate landlords who keep rents down" and the use of the word "have" as opposed to "are" when asserting that black women are "nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than a white woman."

The transcript reflects that Biden meant to say "the insurrectionists who stormed Capitol Hill" as opposed to what he said: "the irrectionists who stormed Capitol Hill." He told the crowd that former President Donald Trump has vowed that there would be "bloodshed" if he lost the 2024 presidential election to Biden but actually meant to say a "bloodbath." While the president proclaimed that "the NAAC spirit endures," he intended to assert that "the NAACP spirit endures."

Biden's speech and its many misstatements come as some have voiced concern about the 81-year-old president's ability to carry out his office's duties effectively.

A poll released by ABC News/Ipsos in February sampling the opinions of 528 United States adults found that 86% believe Biden is too old to serve another term as president.

This figure includes the 59% of respondents who think both Biden and Trump, his 77-year-old expected Republican opponent, are too old to be president and 27% who think just Biden is too old. Another February 2024 poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that 73% of the 823 registered voters surveyed believe that "Joe Biden is just too old to be an effective president," while 42% said the same about Trump.

A report released by special counsel Robert Hur in February 2024 based on an investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents during his time as vice president raised further questions about his mental acuity.

The report characterized the president as an "elderly man with a poor memory" and noted that he failed to recall when his son Beau died and discussed how his late son received a rosary from "Our Lady Of," finishing the sentence without completely identifying the place where he first obtained the Catholic prayer item.

Biden and the White House have repeatedly dismissed all claims that the president is unfit for his position. The president is locked in a tight reelection battle with Trump. The RealClearPolitics average of polls measuring voter intentions in the 2024 presidential election based on surveys taken from April 18 to May 19 shows Trump leading Biden by 1.1 percentage points.

When sampling voters' opinions in a five-way race that includes Biden, Trump, likely Green Party nominee Jill Stein, and independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West, Trump's lead grows to 2.8 percentage points. Trump currently leads Biden in all of the swing states that could likely decide the 2024 presidential election, maintaining a 5.2% lead in Arizona, a 4.6% advantage in Georgia, a 0.8% advantage in Michigan, a 6.2% lead in Nevada, a 2% lead in Pennsylvania and a 0.6% advantage in Wisconsin.
Home News Catholic hermit comes out as trans on Pentecost Sunday, says the Church 'has to deal with us'

A Catholic hermit has come out as transgender male on Pentecost Sunday  the Christian celebration of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church  declaring that the Catholic Church must "deal with" trans-identified people.

Brother Christian Matson, a Catholic diocesan hermit in Kentucky, may be the first openly trans-identified individual in the position in the Catholic Church. The 39-year-old was raised in the Presbyterian Church but converted to Catholicism in 2010, four years after starting to transition genders.

Matson declared the intention to come out in an interview with Religious News Service with the permission of Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington.

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"You've got to deal with us because God has called us into this church," Matson was quoted as saying. "It's not your church to kick us out of  this is God's church, and God has called us and engrafted us into it."

According to the report, Matson felt a calling to minister to people in the arts after converting to Catholicism in 2010. However, a document completed by the Vatican in 2000 concludes that sex-change surgeries are "superficial" and do not change whether an individual was born male or female. The document answered the question about whether a woman who underwent a sex-change operation could serve as a priest, a role in the Church that can only be served by men.

After various religious communities and orders rejected Matson, a friend suggested reaching out to Stowe. The bishop is known for attempting to reach out to the LGBT community.

Matson wrote Stowe a letter in 2020 expressing the call to enter religious life as a trans-identified person. Matson eventually took vows as a diocesan hermit in August 2022.

"Hermits are a rarely used form of religious life  but they can be either male or female," Stowe said of Matson. "Because there's no pursuit of priesthood or engagement in sacramental ministry, and because the hermit is a relatively quiet and secluded type of vocation, I didn't see any harm in letting him live this vocation."

In the diocese of Lexington, 'Brother Christian' Matson recently admitted to being a woman. The local diocesan ordinary, the uber-woke @BpStowe, is supportive of the 'coming out' and knew about her real sex from the start. She is in fact Nicole Matson but had her appearance pic.twitter.com/gPSoaS52Ij  Novus Ordo Watch (@NovusOrdoWatch) May 21, 2024

In a phone interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader published Tuesday, Matson cited laws passed in Kentucky and other parts of the country and "policies being published in the Church, that are making life more difficult for transgender people and are based on faulty assumptions about them."

Last year, Kentucky passed a law banning cosmetic sex change surgeries and puberty-blocking drugs for minors with gender dysphoria. In April, the Vatican published "Infinite Dignity," a declaration that said "that human life in all its dimensions, both physical and spiritual, is a gift from God."

"Another prominent aspect of gender theory is that it intends to deny the greatest possible difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference. This foundational difference is not only the greatest imaginable difference but is also the most beautiful and most powerful of them," the document stated. "In the male-female couple, this difference achieves the most marvelous of reciprocities. It thus becomes the source of that miracle that never ceases to surprise us: the arrival of new human beings in the world."

In November 2023, the Vatican's doctrinal office released a document stating that trans-identified individuals can be baptized and serve as godparents in some circumstances.

The guidance says that people who have undergone sex-change surgeries or have taken cross-sex hormones can be baptized, provided "there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful."

Regarding whether a trans-identified person can serve as the godparent of a baptized child, the guidance stressed it "can be allowed under certain conditions" but noted that serving as a godparent is not a right. The document clarified that "pastoral prudence demands that it should not be allowed if there is a danger of scandal, undue legitimization, or confusion in the educational sphere of the ecclesial community."
Home News DC Metro violated Christian group's free speech rights by rejecting ads: court

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority wrongfully rejected two advertisements from a Texas-based conservative Christian organization, a federal court ruled.

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell issued a memorandum opinion Tuesday in the case of WallBuilder Presentations v. Randy Clarke, partially granting an injunction against WMATA's ban on the advertisements.

At issue is WMATA's decision to reject two ads from Wallbuilders that violated the transit authority's ban on ads that "influence members of the public regarding an issue on which there are varying opinions" and "that promote or oppose any religion, religious practice or belief."

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Howell concluded that the guidelines WMATA used to prohibit the Wallbuilders ads were too broad and selectively enforced, as ads promoting the controversial Plan B pill and advocacy for lower hospital pricing.

"To be clear, WMATA is permitted to retain considerable discretion in evaluating the intent and purpose of an ad  but this discretion must be coupled with objective, workable standards," wrote Howell.

Wallbuilders is represented by the conservative legal group First Liberty Institute, the progressive legal nonprofit the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of D.C. and Steptoe, LLP.

"We are pleased that this ruling moves us one step closer to ending WMATA's arbitrary censorship of speech about public issues," said Arthur Spitzer, senior counsel at the ACLU-D.C., in a statement on Tuesday.

"In a democracy, the government has no right to pick and choose which viewpoints are acceptable. This case is about expanding everyone's freedom to express their views without unreasonable government interference."

FLI Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys said the U.S. Constitution "grants all Americans the right to express their point of view, religious or secular."

"Rejecting a faith-based advertising banner by labeling it an 'issue ad,' while accepting other ads such as those promoting a 'Social Justice School' and 'Earth Day' is clearly hypocritical, discriminatory, and illegal," Dys continued.

"We are grateful that the court recognized that WMATA unconstitutionally rejected WallBuilders ads and look forward to continuing to fight for complete victory."

In 2015, WMATA changed its policies regulating advertisements on Metro trains and buses to prohibit religious, political or other controversial issues-based messages.

The decision came partly in response to negative feedback from passengers and efforts of a group to run an ad negatively depicting Islam religion founder Muhammad.

Last December, Wallbuilders filed a complaint against Clarke, WMATA's general manager and chief executive officer, over the rejection of the advertisement.

According to the complaint, Wallbuilders submitted two ads for consideration. One ad featured a painting of George Washington praying, and the other showed a painting of the signing of the Constitution. Both images included the statement, "Christian? To find out about the faith of our founders, go to wallbuilders.com."

After WMATA rejected these ads, Wallbuilders resubmitted them, having reduced the caption to just "visit wallbuilders.com." Even with the changes, WMATA once again rejected the ads.

WMATA was sued by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington D.C. in November 2017 when the transit organization refused to run a Christmas advertisement.

In December of that year, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled against the archdiocese, and a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the ruling.

"The Archdiocese has not shown, however, that WMATA is impermissibly suppressing its viewpoint on an otherwise permitted subject, and its claim of discriminatory treatment is based on hypothesis," argued the circuit panel.

"Were the Archdiocese to prevail, WMATA (and other transit systems) would have to accept all types of advertisements to maintain viewpoint neutrality, including ads criticizing and disparaging religion and religious tenets or practices."
Home News Ex-psychic blasts Fox News host Jesse Watters for interviewing witch: 'Doctrines of demons' 'I like you, witch'

A former psychic who repented of witchcraft to become a Christian hit out at Fox News for the third time since January after host Jesse Watters interviewed a self-proclaimed witch on his primetime show Monday.

Jenn Nizza, an author and podcaster who runs Ex-PsychicSaved.com, told The Christian Post that Watters and Fox News appear to be "chronically, at this point, promoting witchcraft."

Watters interviewed a witch named Mia Banducci, who also goes by the name "Mia Magik."

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"I like you, witch," Watters said at one point during the interview, which touched on Banducci's "rage ritual." Footage of the ritual, which has gone viral on social media in recent days, depicts women screaming in the woods while smacking the ground with sticks to release their "sacred rage" in a "safe space."

Why are women so angry? Rage ritual leader and witch, Mia Magik, explains how shes helping women get it all out. pic.twitter.com/LHgZnQ8eW7  Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) May 21, 2024

According to her website, Banducci offers retreats for as much as $4,444 in California or $8,000 in France. Customers can also experience a guided "at-home rage ritual" for $47.

Banducci also offers a six-week "Witch School" that purports to offer a crash course in occult practices such as "circle casting," communicating with "spirit animals," casting spells, chakra balancing, astrology, and various other rituals to obtain one's own desires. The course runs for $333, or three monthly payments of $133.

Watters' interview with Banducci follows an interview he did in January with the "English Psychic" Paula Roberts, who discerned the country's political future with tarot cards.

In April, "Fox & Friends" brought on astrologer Susan Miller to explain to hosts Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt and Lawrence Jones how the solar eclipse could affect someone's entire life for at least six months. She also offered broad predictions for each of the "Fox & Friends" anchors based on their astrological charts.

Nizza condemned such practices as "doctrines of demons," and emphasized the danger she believes Fox News is posing to their viewers by platforming such practices uncritically, especially given Banducci's implication that people can heal from trauma by engaging in witchcraft.

"A lot of people are angry, they're depressed, they're sad," Banducci told Watters. "They're afraid, they're uncertain. And women, in particular, come to my retreats and experiences to help themselves heal."

Banducci went on to note that she agreed with Watters' assertion in his recent book that the father often serves as the common denominator for many issues regarding self-esteem and self-sabotage.

Nizza claimed that Banducci's solutions are not solutions at all despite their hefty price tag, and that healing can only be found in Jesus Christ and in the fatherhood of God.

"The problem with this is that, one, you're pointing to something demonic  you're pointing to man, and you're pointing to the devil  to heal from trauma wounds, and it can't heal," she said. "Beating the earth until you're blue in the face cannot heal you; opening demonic doors by going to something that's led by a witch leads to further oppression, so you're going to the problem for the solution."

"This is such a complete disgusting demonic contradiction, opposite of God's Word, and that's the agenda," Nizza said. "The money is the icing on the cake, because you're not going to have the devil without money. It's going to cost you and cost you, and you're going to be that little hamster on the wheel. That's what it is, because there's not any solution. There's no true healing. Demons don't heal. Demons don't care about your daddy issues. They don't care. They just want you to stay away from God."

Nizza maintained that the devil can use things such as a primetime news show to lead people astray.

"Whatever he has to do to lead you away from the truth, which is Jesus Christ: the only true solution to every problem, specifically sin," she said. "And that's what this is."

Nizza previously told CP that she is getting "fed up" with Fox News for repeatedly broadcasting and making light of occultism, and accused the cable news channel of pushing a "demonic agenda." During a TikTok video released in April following the astrology segment on "Fox & Friends," she begged the channel to stop hosting practitioners of divination, which is forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 as "detestable" before God.

"Fox News, do me a favor: please stop putting diviners on your channel, I'm begging you," she said, adding that "the devil is using you guys" to put divination in the minds of people who are simply trying to watch the news.

"This is what the devil does; this is his agenda," she said. "I understand the desire for ratings and for money, but you're not going to take that with you when you go. I would really think about that: serving God and pleasing God, not man."

Last July, an investigation by The Blaze revealed that Fox Corporation was willing to match Fox News employee donations of up to $1,000 to a number of far-left organizations, including The Satanic Temple.

Fox News never publicly addressed the revelation that emerged from multiple sources within the company, though it removed The Satanic Temple from its giving portal days after Blaze Media founder Glenn Beck broadcast the story.
Home News Las Vegas pastor escapes jail time for sex crimes case but required to register as sex offender

Nearly three years after he was charged with sexual assault, child abuse and other crimes involving multiple underage victims, Pastor Bobby Cornealius Smith of New Beginnings Ministries Church of God in Christ in Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced to one-year probation during which he will be required to register as a sex offender. However, he will continue to serve as a pastor, his attorney said.

Smith's sentence came as a result of a plea deal he accepted last month to avoid a criminal conviction of allegations of abuse involving a family member and two women he called his God daughters.

His defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, told 8 News Now that even though Smith intends to continue his work as a pastor, he cannot be alone with children beyond those who are biologically his.

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When contacted for comment on the sentence, officials at New Beginnings Ministries Church of God in Christ did not immediately respond to The Christian Post on Tuesday.

Last month, Smith, 46, and his wife, Lashawn Nicole Smith, agreed to an Alford plea. The Legal Information Institute of Cornell Law School explains that an Alford plea, also known as a best-interests plea, allows a defendant to register a formal admission of guilt for charges in criminal court while simultaneously expressing their innocence toward those same charges.

Like the similar nolo contendere plea, an Alford plea skips the full process of a criminal trial because the defendant agrees to accept all the ramifications of a guilty verdict, the institute says. Court documents cited by NewsNow.com said the pastor acknowledged that there likely is enough evidence to cause a jury to reach a conviction if he had gone to trial.

Smith was sentenced on one count of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of misdemeanor gross lewdness as part of the deal. Once he completes probation, the charges against him will be dismissed.

When Smith and his wife were first arrested in August 2022, according to ABC affiliate KTNV, two of their alleged victims, who are now adult women, told police their pastor gave them a sex toy and told them to go to the bathroom and use it. He later allegedly used the toy on his then-underage victims and told one girl that "God had told him if (she) did not participate, it would ruin her life."

Smith allegedly used four different sex toys with one victim who told police it definitely happened over 30 times."

Another woman, who said she was known as one of the pastors "God daughters," told police she was abused while she was staying with the pastors family as a teen. He allegedly used a sex toy on her periodically for months."

When she turned 18, she said Pastor Smith invited her to an apartment and "convinced her" to have sex with "an unknown older guy" and someone else whose name was redacted in police records.

A third woman said she was just 17 when she joined Pastor Smiths church and revealed she was having marital problems. She obeyed him when he told her she "needed to leave her husband." And she, too, became one of his "God daughters."

She eventually joined other so-called God daughters in spending more time at the pastors family home, including sleepovers.

One night, according to the woman, Smith called her to his room and coerced her to perform a sex act on him.

When she became "terrified Bobby was going to rape or hurt her," she told police she pushed him away and alerted the other God daughters.

She said she pushed him away and ran downstairs to tell one of the other girls what had happened.

When asked if probation was enough for the pastor, Bretaishe Stewart, a former church member who lived with the pastor and his wife for a period, insisted that he is a predator. She said Smith once blocked her in a stairway then dropped his pants and begged her to perform oral sex on him, but she pushed him off and got away.

It was a traumatic experience from basically you finally get the family you always desired, you know, not having a father or mother and even siblings, and then it being stripped away, Stewart told 8 News Now in Las Vegas. Im not the judge. At the end of the day, God is the judge.
Home News Catholic priest sentenced to 6 months in prison for blocking Planned Parenthood entrance

A Catholic priest and pro-life activist has been sentenced to six months in federal prison by a New York court after being found guilty of placing locks on the entrance to a Planned Parenthood abortion facility entrance.

Father Fidelis Moscinski was sentenced last week to six months by Judge Steven Tiscione for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, with the priest denying that his actions were wrong because he believes he was putting an end to "murder."

"My actions  were done because Planned Parenthood as an organization is in the business of killing," Moscinski reportedly told the judge in a statement provided to Catholic News Agency by the pro-life organization Red Rose Rescue.

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Moscinski's case centers around an incident on July 7, 2022, when he obstructed access to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Hempstead on Long Island. The FACE Act bars "violent, threatening, damaging, and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with the right to seek, obtain, or provide reproductive health services."

The priest was convicted in January.

In his statement to the judge asking for leniency, Moscinski highlighted his belief that "every procured abortion that occurs on [Planned Parenthood's] premises constitutes the deliberate killing of an innocent human being."

"These bloody and violent acts also cause grave spiritual and psychological harm to the mother of the child. All of my actions then and now are directed solely towards preventing the murder of defenseless children and the wounding of their mothers," Moscinski said.

"I am not guilty of violating this law because this law cannot be seen as anything other than null and void since it attempts to give legal protection to actions which are intrinsically evil and unjust."

Moscinski was also sentenced last Friday by Judge Karen L. Moroney to 90 days for "obstructing government administration" and 15 days for "trespassing" for an incident at an abortion clinic in April 2021.

Fellow pro-life activist Laura Gies was sentenced by Moroney 45 days for "obstructing government administration" and 15 days for "trespassing" for her part in the 2021 incident.

The FACE Act was passed in 1994 to protect the right to access "abortion facilities, pregnancy centers, hospitals, clinics, physician's offices and other facilities including medical, surgical, counseling or referral services."

Moscinski is a member of Red Rose Rescue, a pro-life group with a mission to "peacefully talk to women scheduled for abortion, with the goal of persuading them to choose life."

Although Red Rose Rescue is aware of Moscinski's membership as a rescuer, the organization has said it didn't sanction Moscinski's actions in locking the doors to the Planned Parenthood facility.

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Red Rose Rescue last month, seeking to ban Moscinski and other members of Red Rose Rescue from being within 30 feet of any abortion clinic.

"Defendants have been arrested multiple times for their unlawful acts, but despite multiple convictions across the country and within New York State, they continue to repeat their criminal misconduct," read the lawsuit.

"Red Rose Rescue is an anti-abortion group whose members conspire to illegally trespass into private medical facilities that perform abortions and shut down or physically obstruct the provision of all reproductive health services, refusing all requests to leave by staff and law enforcement."

The lawsuit claimed that "other anti-abortion groups have distanced themselves from Red Rose Rescue and have characterized the latter's conduct as 'haranguing,' 'aggressive,' and 'intimidating.'"

"Defendants have caused and will continue to cause harm to patients and staff at reproductive health facilities throughout the state of New York, as they have vowed not to abide by the law but instead to continue to trespass at any and all private medical facilities that perform abortions," the suit continued.
Home News Abortions rising post-Dobbs, report claims; pro-life researcher skeptical

An abortion advocacy group has released a report claiming that the number of abortions in the United States has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned. A pro-life researcher, however, believes the data might be wrong.

The Society of Family Planning's latest #WeCount report, released earlier this month, estimates that, despite restrictions in some states, there were, on average, 86,000 abortions performed per month in the U.S. in 2023, exceeding levels reported before the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe.

SFP started its #WeCount effort to assess the number of monthly abortions by state after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Its latest report also estimates there were between 87,600 and 92,640 abortions monthly from October and December 2023.

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Excluding the roughly 8,000 monthly abortions provided under shield laws, the monthly average of abortions in 2023 was 86,000  still higher than the monthly average of 82,000 abortions in 2022, the report states.

The study also reported an average of 17,000 telehealth abortions [at-home DIY abortions via a pill regime that induces a miscarriage] between October and December 2023. Nearly 8,000 women per month in states with bans or other abortion regulations obtained one from a telehealth provider in one of five states that had shield laws at the time.

Access to medication abortion through telehealth continues to play an ever-increasing role in abortion care nationwide  even as the Supreme Court weighs the fate of telehealth abortion care. Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, #WeCount co-chair and professor at the University of California, San Franciscos Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, said in a statement last week.

The need for [abortions] across the country demands that providers, advocates and lawmakers continue to come together to innovate new strategies to help people access abortion care."

Michael New, senior associate scholar at the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute and an assistant professor of social research at the Catholic University of America, told The Christian Post that there is reason for skepticism regarding #WeCounts abortion estimates.

New noted that, prior to 2022, the SFP didn't have any experience estimating the number of abortions committed in the United States.

It should also be noted that they are not counting all abortions, but estimating the total number from a sample, New stated. This could lead to a miscount. Future data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Guttmacher should provide a more accurate estimate of the number of abortions that are actually taking place.

New also asserted that there is a strong body of data that shows pro-life laws enacted after the Dobbs decision are saving thousands of lives, citing three analyses of Texas birth data.

Data released by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) last year found three abortions were performed in the state in August 2022. The report also found that none of the abortions committed that month were elective, and all were reported to have been "medically necessary."

According to New, states with more permissive abortion policies experience larger birth declines than states that have enacted abortion restrictions, appearing to reference his analysis of fertility data from 2023.

This is the first #WeCount report that presents data on telehealth abortions. These figures show an overall increase in telehealth abortions. They also show an increase in telehealth abortions undertaken by medical professionals in states with shield laws, he stated.

Shield laws provide legal protection to clinicians who undertake telehealth abortions in states with legal protections for preborn children, he continued. Five states  Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont  enacted Shield Laws in 2023.

A study published earlier this year by the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that, between September 2021 and April 2023, Aid Access received more than 48,000 advance provision requests. Aid Access is a Netherlands-based group that started offering abortion pills to non-pregnant women after Texas implemented its six-week abortion ban in 2021.

New urged pro-lifers to continue advertising the free resources that pro-life pregnancy centers offer women facing unplanned pregnancies. According to a December 2023 report from the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, pregnancy centers served over 970,000 pregnant women and provided over $350 million worth of services to women and families in 2022.

Pro-lifers should continue to educate people about the health risks involved in obtaining chemical abortions without in-person medical supervision, New added.

Additionally, pro-lifers should also consider both state and federal strategies to prevent delivery of chemical abortion pills via U.S. postal mail.
Home News Texas pastor gets 35 years in prison for stealing 3 church properties in fraud scheme

A Texas pastor has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after it was discovered that he stole three churches in a deed fraud scheme.

Whitney Foster, the pastor of the True Foundation Non-Denominational Church, was found guilty of felony theft of three separate Texas churches: First Christian Church of Lancaster, Canada Drive Christian Church, and Church at Nineveh in Dallas.

Foster committed felony theft of $300,000, according to ABC affiliate WFAA. Foster, who had turned down a plea offer for a lesser punishment, testified for four days against the charges, which were combined into a single case.

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Stealing real estate is just as much a theft as stealing someones purse or car, prosecutor Phillip Clark told WFAA following the trial. But it is much more complicated to unwind or fix.

Despite Fosters conviction, Clark said the churches were still having to work through problems that continue to arise as a result of the fraud.

The Canada Drive Christian Church congregation was completely booted out of their church building, Clark noted. In the case with Lancaster, they are still trying to fix all the problems he created. Nineveh and Canada are still in his or his churchs name.

In addition to the three churches, the Dallas County jury also heard evidence during the punishment phase of the trial that seven other properties  mostly church buildings or lots owned by churches  had similar hallmarks of deed fraud, according to WFAA.

Prosecutors showed jurors a May 2021 WFAA report detailing the deed-fraud theft of First Christian Church of Lancaster. The WFAA story unveiled records filed in March 2019 with the Dallas County Clerk, which showed someone claiming to be the church chairman and then deeding the church over to Foster for $10.

In an interview with WFAA, Foster said he thought the building was vacant and had been cutting the grass outside the building.

WFAA discovered that the former pastor had written a $10 donation to the Lancaster church and claimed that the donation enabled him to own the property.

You can acquire a property for $10 with nonprofits, he said. The church is community property.  It wasnt Whitney buying it. Our church was getting it. I was fixing to open up a church there.

The Rev. Melissa Bitting provided WFAA with a copy of the $10 check. The check was dated March 18, 2019, with a memo line that stated it was a donation.

I cannot imagine the audacity of this gentleman to come and worship with us like he did one Sunday morning before he stole the property, Bitting said.

The historic church is over 170 years old, making it one of the oldest churches in North Texas.
Home News Truck driver thankful after crash sent her dangling off bridge: 'God has me here for a reason'

A truck driver is praising God for sparing her life after the tractor-trailer she was driving dangled from a bridge following a multi-car collision.

Viral dashcam footage of the accident shows the four-vehicle crash, which took place on March 1 on the Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky.

The incident began when Trevor W. Branham, 33, lost control of his vehicle, crossing into the opposite lanes and initiating a chain-reaction crash. His vehicle collided with another car, which subsequently struck Sydney Thomas' semi-truck, local station WDRB reported.

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The impact sent Thomas and the cab of her truck careening off the bridge, dangling over the Ohio River. Trapped inside, the 26-year-old driver remained remarkably uninjured.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Thomas shared in an interview with WHAS-TV her belief that divine intervention played a role in her rescue.

"Sometimes you pray, and I'm guilty of this: I pray, and I don't think God is listening," she said. "But He was that day."

Marc Thomas, Sydney's father, also said he believes in the miraculous nature of her survival. He recounted the moment he saw his daughter's truck hanging off the bridge, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"It didn't really hit me until I looked over to my right [while crossing the Kennedy Bridge] and I'd seen that equipment hanging into the air," he told WHAS-TV. "That [rescue] was nothing but God displaying himself to me."

As the truck dangled 100 feet above the Ohio River, Thomas said she remained motionless, fearing any movement might cause the vehicle to plunge into the water below.

"I sat there and I just started praying," she said.

For 40 minutes, firefighters worked tirelessly to reach Thomas. Bryce Carden, a Louisville firefighter, eventually descended from a crane, harnessed, to reach Thomas. In a poignant moment, he asked if he could pray with her, and together they sought divine intervention, she said.

"She was praying a lot," Carden told WHAS-TV. "And I prayed with her."

Their prayers were answered when Thomas was safely lifted from the truck.

Thomas said she has no intention of crossing the Clark Memorial Bridge again but remains deeply thankful for her survival. She vowed to live without fear, embracing her belief that God has a purpose for her.

"God has me here for a reason and I have to fulfill my purpose in life," she said. "And I can't let something like that stop me from doing what I'm supposed to do for Him, because He brought me out of it."

"He doesn't want me to  live in fear the rest of my life," she added.

In the aftermath of the crash, Branham was arrested and charged with four counts of wanton endangerment and one count of operating on a suspended license. He is reportedly scheduled to appear in court in June.
A North Korean science and technology delegation has returned home after a weeklong visit to Russia, state media said Wednesday, as the two countries are deepening their bilateral ties following the summit of their leaders in September.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the delegation led by Ri Chung-gil, chairman of the State Commission of Science and Technology, arrived back home on Tuesday after attending the eighth meeting of a government committee on trade and economy as well as science and technology cooperation between the two nations, in Moscow.

The delegation had left for the trip on May 13.

The one-sentence dispatch did not provide further details, but the visit is the latest in a series of deepening exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow in a wide range of areas.

During the visit, Ri held a meeting with Valery Falkov, the Russian minister of science and higher education, while delegation members visited key institutions, including Moscow State University and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

But cooperation in the field of science and technology with North Korea, with the exception of those for medical purposes, is banned under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2321, which was adopted in 2016 in response to the North's fifth nuclear test. (Yonhap)
Home News UMC megachurch won't host same-sex weddings despite denomination's rule changes

A Texas megachurch affiliated with the United Methodist Church will continue to prohibit same-sex wedding ceremonies on its property even after the denomination recently voted to allow such marriages.

Highland Park United Methodist Church of Dallas, a prominent congregation that former president George W. Bush is known to attend, recently commented on the votes that took place at the UMC General Conference, which was held from late April to early May. Delegates voted overwhelmingly to end the denomination's ban on gay marriage and the ordination of people involved in same-sex relationships.

The votes came after approximately 7,500 mostly conservative congregations departed the UMC in recent years as theologically progressive leaders within the denomination refused to enforce the denomination's previous prohibitions on gay marriage and the ordination of non-celibate LGBT individuals.

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In a video posted earlier this month, Highland Park UMC Senior Pastor Rev. Paul Rasmussen said the changes made to the Book of Discipline "is neither an invitation nor a mandate for us to change from the church that we have always been."

"For 108 years, through 13 different senior ministers, Highland Park has always maintained the traditional definition and understanding of Christian marriage when it comes to weddings within our worship facilities," he said. "We are going to continue to uphold the traditional definition of marriage in our worship venues."

Nevertheless, Rasmussen said clergy could perform same-sex weddings at other venues in the community "based on their conscience," saying that it was important because "we have always been a big tent centrist church."

"We have people who earnestly pursue an understanding of God through the scriptures who are both on the progressive side and the conservative side," he continued.

"We've always been open and affirming to our friends and neighbors in the LGBTQ community even though we've honored and upheld the traditional definition of marriage when it comes to the ceremonies. ... Now for the first time, our clergy, if by conscience they elect to, will be allowed to serve the young men and women in our church who were born here, baptized here, confirmed here and really long to be connected and tethered to their clergy when it comes to their wedding."

Regarding the possibility of having a same-sex married pastor assigned to the congregation, Rasmussen said the congregation still has a say through official channels "to determine the clergy who are appointed here."

"Yes, persons of the LGBTQ community can be ordained, but you all as the laity of this church will continue to be able to determine the clergy that you receive as appointed to this church," he explained.

UMC North Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., whose regional body includes Highland Park UMC, affirms the willingness to tolerate different views on the issue among congregations.

"Each church  whether traditional, centrist or progressive  must adapt to the unique mission field context in which it is situated to ensure that its message and ministry resonate with the needs of the people it seeks to serve," wrote Saenz in a pastoral letter.

"Be assured that the Cabinet and I will continue to work with churches and clergy to ensure the best match of clergy gifts and talents with the needs and contexts of churches and their mission fields."

Commenting on the removal from the Book of Discipline of the statement "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching," Rasmussen said he believed it was a "very good thing."

"I cannot imagine as a person in the LGBTQ community that would want to step into a church if, before they even sit in a pew, they somehow think they are incompatible with everyone else around them," he said. "I'm glad that line has been removed."
Home Opinion Why church leaders are failing to tell American Evangelicals to vote

I spoke at a large church conference some time ago where the pastor told his congregation after my message that he didnt vote and thought it was a waste of time for anyone else to vote. But is that true? Should Christians vote in Americas 2024 election?

The pastors attitude represents a growing concern about evangelicals who refuse to exercise their responsibility to vote. When I face this issue, I look to Scripture and Americas history where I find overwhelming evidence to support the view that Christian participation in voting is vital to the future of our nation.

Scripture offers several passages supporting the importance of government, including our role on Election Day.



First, the government and its leaders are established by God. Romans 13:4 states, For the one in authority is Gods servant for your good. Shouldnt we desire to help select the best leaders possible to serve in the roles that lead our communities, state and nation?

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Second, a Christian worldview challenges us to support godly values wherever we live. When the prophet Jeremiah wrote to Jews exiled to Babylon, he instructed them to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper (Jeremiah 29:7). The same principle remains true today to vote and support leaders who most closely align with our biblical convictions.

Third, voting can be viewed as a form of stewardship (Matthew 25). We are responsible for voting for candidates who will best honor God and moral values. Otherwise, we waste the opportunity given to us as believers and as Americans, leaving the decision to others who may not share our convictions.

Samuel Adams was the organizer of the Boston Tea Party and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Adams said that your vote is a stewardship issue, arguing that we should vote unto God, and to the best of our knowledge elect people who will be moral leaders. This was a conviction strongly held during the early days of our nation that remains important today.

Fourth, Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light, a teaching that includes our voting. How can we authentically claim to live fully for God yet neglect to represent His values? Shouldnt we care who leads our school board, our state and who represents us in Congress? From your county seat to the White House, who we help elect will determine the future laws that impact us, our children and future generations.

Why are many Christians, including church leaders, failing to speak up to challenge American evangelicals to vote? Some believe the system is corrupt and that there is no hope for improvement. This is simply inaccurate. When our nation has had strong leadership, it has excelled more than during times of weak leadership. President Abraham Lincolns leadership included massive societal changes, including the end of slavery in America. President Ronald Reagans leadership helped to end the Cold War and bring an end to communism across Europe.

The real reason many Christian leaders are silent on the issue of voting is fear. Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California recently spoke out on behalf of California U.S. Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey, telling his congregation God wants them to support a pro-life candidate.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation soon released a statement noting they will be asking the IRS to ensure that Pastor Hibbs church no longer receives the benefits of 501(c)(3) status and that donations made to his church are no longer treated as tax deductible. Why? Because Pastor Hibbs made the comments from his pulpit.

The views of our Founding Fathers that once united our country now increasingly result in threats of legal action. We no longer live in a culture that will easily accept a biblical worldview on many political issues. If we choose to speak out or vote for our values, we will face persecution.

This response should not be shunned but embraced. After all, our Savior warned us that in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33). Let us not shy away from voting for our values, but stand firm in our beliefs, calling others to join us in supporting the freedoms and values that have made our nation strong for 248 years.

Christians agree that our ultimate trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ. But until we get to Heaven, we must use our voice as an influence for good, including with our vote during the 2024 elections.
Home Opinion Women pastors, spiritual gift of tongues: Absolutists and the sin of misrepresentation

In 2004, Dr. Rich Mouw, then-president of Fuller Seminary, spoke in front of a large assembly of evangelicals and Latter-day Saints (Mormons). In part, he apologized for what he saw as a misrepresentation of the LDS faith on the part of evangelicals. He would know, considering he spent the preceding half-dozen years (and the following decade) interacting with Latter-day Saints, asking and answering questions with his LDS counterparts. Make no mistake, Mouw was and is Christian, an expert on Calvinist theology who rejects the doctrines that make Mormonism distinct. He simply recognized something that perhaps we all need a reminder of, considering an upcoming presidential election as well as, more immediately, the imminent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Namely, that we cannot bear false witness against our neighbors, no matter how much we disagree with them.

In June, the SBC is preparing to discuss  and in all probability, adopt  what is termed the Law Amendment. This amendment would add a clause to the SBCs constitution, stating that only men are permitted to be appointed as elders and pastors, a position called complementarianism. While much of the SBC appears to be in support of the amendment, it has nonetheless stirred significant conversation about the role of women in ministry. And in those discussions, I have watched as many on both sides of the issue have sinned against brothers and sisters in Christ in an effort to discredit dissenting positions.

A big concern of many in the SBC is the idea of liberal drift  that if they allow women to be pastors and elders now, tomorrow theyll be condoning same-sex relationships. Look at the United Methodists, Ive heard. They had female pastors and look where thats gotten them. Yet, the denomination that I have called home for the last four years  the Assemblies of God (AG) has ordained women since its inception in 1914. This stance is considered egalitarianism. Contrary to the claims of some, the AG is far from condoning same-sex relationships. The same goes for Foursquare, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the Free Methodist Church, among others. Just two years ago, the Global Methodist Church was birthed, splitting off from the United Methodists in another example of egalitarian denominations demonstrating their commitment to a historic Christian sexual ethic.



Contrary to what has been claimed by many complementarians, it is possible to be egalitarian and not affirm same-sex relationships. These denominations prove it.

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Another argument I frequently hear is, you dont care what the Bible teaches. I cant speak for others, but if I did not care what the Bible taught, I wouldnt have felt a deep pain for the last three years as the denomination I call home tells me that because I have not spoken in tongues, I cannot become a credentialed minister. If the Bible was simply an accessory to me, I wouldve lied, claiming I spoke in tongues in private. Instead, I have chosen to wrestle with the incredible hurt of hearing my community reject my call to vocational ministry in this denomination. Why? Because I submit to Scripture  and Scripture commands me to be honest.

While I do not find the AGs argument on the issue persuasive, I have never accused the denomination or those within it of not caring what Scripture says. I am confident that those who stand behind that doctrine do so in an earnest desire to follow what they believe the Bible teaches. Likewise, the egalitarian interpretation of Scripture has rational, thought-out reasonings for its position. Whether or not you find them convincing is a different story.

I am not saying you must agree with me on this topic. I am saying that it is not worth the cost of sin to misrepresent someones beliefs to win. Mouw was right when he said evangelicals have sinned against Mormons. Itd also be correct to say complementarians have sinned against egalitarians by saying we dont care about Scripture. Moreover, itd be correct to say some egalitarians have sinned against complementarians by saying all complementarians are simply misogynistic and want to oppress women, despite many complementarians having reasonable scriptural support. I can disagree with you while still honoring your reasonable intellectual convictions.

Im also not saying we shouldnt contend for truth, as Jude tells us. It is good and necessary to seek truth. Paul affirms this in Galatians 1:6-9, among other places. But we must be truthful ourselves. In his book, Talking to Mormons, Mouw says: If in our attempts to defeat [others] we play fast and loose with the truth, by attributing things to them they in fact dont teach, and if we dont really care whether we have it right or not, then we have become false teachers: teachers of untruth! May I remind you that he is speaking to a group that disagrees with him much more than we do. No matter the level of disagreement, misrepresentation is sin.

I often lament the fact that I was born too late to be an early 2000s music snob. I love listening to music that nobody else knows. One song that falls into that category is You Are My Country by Gable Price and Friends. The song opens and repeats a line that has gripped me from the first time I heard it: Maybe we will get to Heaven and realize we were both wrong. What if that is true? What if God is neither complementarian or egalitarian, Calvinist or Arminian, Democrat or Republican?

On that day, when we must give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12), if it is true and we are wrong, we should pray that the only error God can find in us is our doctrine itself, and not in the way we treated each other as we contended for truth.
Former Anglican bishop deposed over 'inappropriate relationships with women'

(CP) A former bishop of the Anglican Church in North America has been removed from ministry after being found guilty in a church court of multiple charges, including "inappropriate relationships with women."

ACNA announced Monday that Todd Atkinson, formerly the bishop of the Via Apostolica Missionary District based in Alberta, Canada, was "removed from ordained ministry following the conclusion of his ecclesiastical trial."

The announcement came after ACNA's Court for the Trial of a Bishop found Atkinson guilty in April of four charges related to "conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse of ecclesiastical power."

These four charges included "Inappropriate Relationships with Women," "Interfering in Marriage and Family Relationships," "Inappropriate Interactions with Minor Females" and "Abuse of Ecclesiastical Power Through Patterns of Manipulation and Control."

ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach said in a statement that he is thankful for "those who courageously came forward."

"Working for justice often entails risk, and scores of people willingly took that risk when they participated in the investigation and judicial process. As a Church, we are indebted to you," stated Beach.

"Dear Church, please join me in praying for all involved. Pray that the victims and the congregational community will find restoration and healing. Pray that the guilty will choose true repentance. Pray that the lessons from these events will contribute to the building of safer churches and communities."

The Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, where Atkinson served as acting assistant bishop, released a statement Monday in response to the decision.

"We want to remind you that in 2019, Todd and some of his leaders participated in several events and services in our diocese. He preached at the Cathedral and assisted in confirmations. Todd and some of his team members participated in Holy Week and Fully Alive at the Cathedral as guests," stated the diocese.

"At that time the Diocese was unaware of any inappropriate behavior or concerns regarding Todd. If you had any concerning interactions with Todd Atkinson, or, if you would like to talk with a pastor for any reason, we encourage you to seek pastors and caregivers within your congregation."

In November 2021, ACNA announced the launch of an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Atkins, including abuse of ecclesiastical power.

Atkinson was put on leave. Bishop Quigg Lawrence, bishop suffragan of the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope, was appointed to work with Via Apostolica during the investigation.

 The Christian Post
For CIOs seeking new sources of innovation and support in a rapidly globalizing commercial scene, regions that used to be too remote are now going toe to toe with the more established dominant players.

The days when the US, Europe, and other countries like India, Japan, and Israel were the only countries of choice are fading. What we see today are cities, conurbations, countries, and regions everywhere bidding to make their own Silicon Valley-style hubs, manufacturing nexuses, services operations centers, and development factories. And one example that has vaulting tech ambitions is Vietnam.

The serpent-shaped, Southeast Asian nation of over 100 million people is going all out to put its name on the digital map. It recently promised tax breaks and other sweeteners including foreign work permits to companies that would build semiconductor plants there in a move that may help unlock the US-China chip war. Vietnam already plays host to Intels largest plant for silicon test and assembly, while other giants are looking to join or expand. Recently, for example, Samsung committed to broaden its Vietnamese investments by over $1 billion per year, while Apple CEO Tim Cook pledged to increase spending on the already-core Vietnamese link in its supply chain for electronics manufacturing.
Sixteen big users and creators of artificial intelligence (AI) technology  including heavy hitters such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, and OpenAI  have signed up to the Frontier AI Safety Commitments, a new set of safety guidelines and development outcomes for the technology.

They revealed the commitments on Tuesday, as two days of talks on AI were set to begin at the AI Seoul Summit in Korea.

The signatories agreed to publish  if they have not done so already  safety frameworks outlining on how they will measure the risks of their respective AI models. The risks might include the potential for misuse of the model by a bad actor, for instance.
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Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun has promised that Korea will continue its participation and support to help strengthen global nuclear security against nuclear terrorism and other threats, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

Kang made the pledge during the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) in Vienna on Tuesday (local time), announcing that Korea will contribute $2 million through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help with responses to future nuclear security threats, the ministry said.

ICONS is a high-level international gathering on nuclear security hosted by the IAEA.

Kang also said that Korea will actively participate in efforts to boost the international nuclear security regime, including cooperation with the IAEA in terms of providing nuclear power support to Ukraine.

While visiting Austria, Kang also met with Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, and discussed the ongoing monitoring of Japan's discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Kang asked for his cooperation in ensuring that Korean experts will continue to be able to take part in the IAEA-led monitoring mechanism. (Yonhap)
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By Andrey Popov/ Adobe

Camden Peoples Theatre (CPT) has been criticised for publishing job listings encouraging applications from individuals who identify as working-class, benefit class, criminal class and/or underclass.

The London-based charity used the terms in advertisements for an artistic director and joint CEO , as well as one for a development manager .

Its website states: We welcome and encourage applications from individuals without formal education and/or who identify as:

D/deaf and/or disabled

Neurodiverse

Working-class, benefit class, criminal class and/or underclass

Global majority and/or migrant

LGBTQ+.

Several people on social media including a number of charity leaders expressed concern about the adverts language regarding socio-economic class, which remain live at the time of writing.

In response, the charity said it regretted any offence caused and was reviewing its use of the terms.

Insulting on many levels

Several charity leaders criticised the adverts language on social media, including Social Mobility Foundation chief executive Sarah Atkinson, who described it as horrifying .

Anne-Marie Canning, CEO of the Brilliant Club charity said the language seems insulting on many levels to many people.

I have never seen this expression about socio-economic diversity before. Its in an advert for a job. It seems insulting on many levels to many people. pic.twitter.com/Q2u5fO5eG1  Anne-Marie Canning (@amcanning) May 20, 2024

Sophie Pender, founder and chief executive of the 93% Club charity, wrote: Even amongst the most well meaning efforts to diversify, class continues to be the last socially acceptable form of discrimination.

Charity Commission data for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 puts the charitys income at 502,000, which includes 33,900 from three government grants, and expenditure at 586,000.

There has recently been some concern raised around wording in our current advertisement for a new Artistic Director/Joint CEO. Our response is as follows:

CPT statement

The charity said in a statement: As the name suggests, Camden Peoples Theatre takes access and inclusion really seriously.

We constantly consult on and modify what we do and how we communicate to make sure were welcoming and accessible to as many people as possible  especially those who are excluded from the arts, more so now than ever.

Thats the spirit in which this terminology was used  and we are not the only organisation to use it.

We regret that it has caused offence in some quarters and we are currently reviewing its use, to make sure we continue to be as inclusive and as respectful as possible.

We also warmly welcome the interest in arts and social inclusion that the reporting around this issue implies  and we hope to see it sustained.

The conversation around access to and representation in the arts, and indeed in the media, is a vital one, and were committed to continue learning from and contributing to it.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
The Charity Commission is considering whether to intervene at a Welsh charity that is, according to two politicians, no longer fulfilling charitable purposes.

Last week, Labour MP Gerald Jones and the Welsh governments social care minister Dawn Bowden wrote to the Commission, urging it to investigate alleged failings of the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust.

They said that serious governance issues at the charity have jeopardised important and historic community assets.

Jones also recently asked the House of Commons if there could be a debate on what more can be done to bring this faceless and seemingly remote organisation to account.

Separately, the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) has defended itself after Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones urged the government to look into its  woeful and appalling operation .

Public benefit of leisure charity questioned

Jones and Bowdens letter reads: Its our view that this charity is no longer fulfilling its charitable purposes and that there are serious governance issues that have jeopardised important and historic community assets.

This is causing considerable worry in the communities we represent.

Regrettably, the available evidence suggests that Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust is a failed charity. It no longer appears to provide a public benefit.

As such, the Charity Commission must urgently intervene and investigate.

The letter alleges several failures at the charity including unpaid staff, an inability to retain trustees and accruing liabilities that cannot be transferred to other organisations.

It also accuses the charity of failing to meet its aims or purposes and responding to communication with locally elected representatives.

Sadly, there may be other issues that emerge once due diligence is complete and there is sight of updated accounts and records, it reads.

The most recent issue mirrors the trusts inability to deal with the community, local authority, or its staff when another of their assets: Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre, for which the trustees are still responsible.

This community centre was funded in the aftermath of the 1966 Aberfan disaster and is a place of considerable importance, both locally and globally.

According to the Charity Commissions website, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trusts accounts for the year ending 31 March 2023 are overdue by 112 days.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: Were aware of potential concerns at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust, including those raised on social media.

Were assessing information to determine if there is a role for the Commission.

Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust did not respond to a request for comment.

CISWO responds to woeful and appalling operation accusation

In a separate parliamentary debate, Davies-Jones shared concerns about CISWO, which she said was set up under the Miners Welfare Act 1952 to support assets following the closure of our mines, and gained charitable status in 1995.

The assets  our miners welfare hall, playing fields, facilities and village halls  were paid for by the miners and bestowed in trust to that organisation, she said.

Sadly, so many members in this place have shared frustration about the woeful and appalling operation, management and engagement of the charity.

I urge the minister to look into this as a matter of urgency and to talk to the charities minister about what can be done. Enough is enough. We need direct action about exactly what is happening in our communities as a result of this charitys actions.

In response, housing minister Lee Rowley said that at times, CISWO doesnt discharge what we all hope it would do.

I shall certainly pass that back to my colleagues in the relevant department, he said.

I agree with most members who said that there is more to do.

CISWOs chief executive Nicola Didlock told Civil Society: Its disappointing to hear these comments, which show a fundamental lack of understanding of how CISWO operates and how and why it was formed.

We have met with Davies-Jones and the APPG on Coalfield Communities to help them gain a better understanding and show how were making a positive impact in communities across Britain.

We have suggested a further meeting in the near future to discuss issues again. We welcome any dialogue around how we can redress central and local government investment and support for miners welfare charities, that has been sadly lacking for many years.

Each miners welfare charity is an independent organisation with its own trustees and not governed or operationally managed by CISWO.

We do, however, provide extensive support to help these charities remain sustainable and were very pleased to see more than 220 of these charities still operational today, many years after the demise of the deep coal mining industry.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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On Sunday, Christian Malangaan opponent of Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congoand a group of supporters that reportedly included three American citizens attacked the presidential palace in an attempted coup. The attackwhich was ultimately thwarted by the military, with Malanga and two others killed in the fightingcame a few months into Tshisekedis second term. When he won reelection in December, there were concerns of electoral fraudan echo of 2018, when he became president in what has since been described as a stolen election.

The DRC is one of the most resource-rich countries in the world; it has the worlds largest reserves of cobalt, the material used in lithium-ion batteries that power many mobile phones and electric cars, as well as high-grade copper reserves, another essential component for electronic devices. Yet because of these riches, the country has also become a site of extreme exploitation. International companies and traders benefit from corrupt contracts to control the countrys mines. The vast majority of Congolese people are excluded from this lucrative industry or left with little option other than to work in highly dangerous artisanal mines, an environment that has been likened to modern slavery. Tshisekedi has done little to change this reality, and the US and other countries have continued to support him in the name of stability.

Among other things, this all adds up to a tumultuous environment for Congolese journalists. Threats, attacks, and the risk of imprisonment plague reporters trying to cover political corruption, armed conflict in the countrys eastern regionwhere rebel groups like M23 have fought the Congolese military for control of mineral-rich landsand hazardous mining work among both adults and children.

Last year, Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, a correspondent for Jeune Afrique and Reuters who is also deputy director of the Congolese news site Actualite.cd, was jailed for six months on charges of spreading false information and forgery. He was released in March and has since continued to write about the DRC, albeit now from the US, where he has the status of permanent resident. This week, we spoke about this experience, covering multiple consequential events at once, and what the attempted coup means for the DRC going forward. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.



FM: How have you been since you were released? How are you feeling?

SBT: At first, a mixture of emotions. I feel relieved, upright, and more determined than ever. But I also have within me this feeling of anger in the face of an injustice suffered. Without forgetting what happened, I decided to forgive, and I remain patient and confident for the future because the truth resists time.

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I am coming out of an extremely difficult situation. The central prison of Makalathe largest prison in the Congolese capital [Kinshasa], where I was detainedwas built for fifteen hundred people, and when I left had more than fifteen thousand prisoners, most of them pretrial detainees, detained in difficult situations, sleeping on the ground in unhygienic facilities. Makala prison is the antechamber of hell. I was in the VIP pavilion; for a hundred people, there were only four toilets combined with showers and only one sink to brush your teeth in the morning. The detainees in other pavilions are not treated like humans.

What do you think when you see other journalists going through similar things or other silencing tactics?

Those who were behind this affair got it all wrong. They made a serious mistake. Almost everywhere in my country, journalists are threatened, intimidated, harassed, prosecuted, unjustly imprisoned, and silenced for the simple reason that they reveal facts that disturb some. In 2023, because we revealed facts deemed disturbing by the authorities, I paid a high price with an arrest and a long illegal detention, based on false, fabricated accusations, and followed by a dictated sentence. But we dont give up. More than ever, in the DRC as elsewhere in Africa and in the world, we are witnessing the return of predators of the free and independent press, the backbone of a healthy democracy. We will continue to raise our voices to mobilize and encourage journalists to never give in in the face of setbacks and attacks on our freedom.

Up until then, what was your experience like working as a journalist, trying to cover things like presidential elections?

Our country faces several challenges, including that of governance. I was arrested a few weeks before the elections last December. We all do quality work, and my feeling is that the authorities do not accept that a truth is told or revealed by a Congolese journalist. This fight for a free, independent, and professional press is not against the government, even less against the opposition or anyone [else], but that of a press focused solely on facts delivered without compromise or complacency.

There are many things going on in the DRC right now: war in the east, mining corruption, humanitarian crises. What is the most important thing to understand about all of these events?

First, on the internal level, we need leadership and vision. We must do everything to stop the deaths in the eastern part of the country; it is a complex situation, but we must put an end to these killings, which are hitting innocent people. And the world must be sincere with us on this issue.

Congos mines attract a lot of international media attention because of the exploitation of Congolese citizens and the many competing foreign powers involved. What are your thoughts on how it gets covered? And whats your experience been like?

The media I see that are present, they have the will to do it. But you need the means, the security guarantees to access the different sites. I attempted an investigation into child labor in mining sites in Kolwezi, in the province of Lualaba, with two Swedish friends. We were prohibited from approaching these areas; the day we approached an artisanal site, we were forced to leave the province. Journalists must have easy access to information in the name of transparency, and this is not the case at the moment. The information is controlled, and independent investigation is very disapproved of by those who govern.

There is also the attempted coup that happened on Sunday, in which a few Americans were reportedly involved. What is the state of things in the DRC right now, and how does this reflect on President Tshisekedi?

It is still early to really understand what happened, as there is already a sort of communication cacophony among the authorities regarding the classification of this event. But [it] is indicative of the current situation in the country that, even if it is through violence, power must be conquered. There is a kind of despair and frustration in the country today from unease, division, disappointment, in addition to the war in the eastern part of the country and many other things. Its a real cocktailwhich, if the authorities do not become aware and respond very quickly to these problems, can lead to destabilization.



Other notable stories:

Yesterday, officials in the Israeli city of Sderot seized broadcast equipment that the Associated Press had been using to film live footage of Gaza, citing use of the images by Al Jazeera, which was recently banned inside Israel under a new law giving the government the power to censor foreign broadcasters deemed a threat to national security. Following a backlash, including apparent pressure from the Biden administration, Israels communications ministry reversed course and ordered the APs equipment returned. Meanwhile, a day after news broke that he could be subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, did interviews with a series of US networks, including CNNs Jake Tapper, who asked him why he has dodged similar sit-downs with Israeli media since October 7.

Last month, Google warned that it would stop giving money to newsrooms in California until it had clarity on the states regulatory environmenta response to a bill working its way through the state legislature that would force big tech companies to compensate news outlets for links to their content. (CJRs Cameron Joseph wrote about the bill in February.) Now Sara Fischer reports for Axios that Google is threatening to stop supporting nonprofit newsrooms nationwide in response to a different bill out of California that would tax big tech firms digital ad transactions to fund the hiring of journalists in the state. Per Fischer, bosses at Google fear that the new California ad tax bill could set a troubling wider precedent for other states.

After The New Yorker blocked readers in the UK from accessing the online version of a story about Lucy Letby, a British nurse convicted of murdering seven babies, to comply with a court order limiting coverage of her ongoing case, The Guardians Archie Bland asks whether the countrys contempt-of-court laws are still suited to the task. The goal of ensuring fair trials is laudable, he writes, but in the internet age, a framework intended to insulate juries from undue influence can instead create chaos, with the ironic result that irresponsible coverage is sometimes easier to bump into than the other kind.

And The Bulwarks Marc Caputo profiles Natalie Harp, a Trump aide who, he reports, was responsible for reposting a video on Trumps Truth Social account this week that used the words Unified Reich. (The creator of the video and Trumps campaign claim not to have noticed the phrase.) Harp also travels with a portable printer so that she can print things out for Trump to read. Perhaps more than anyone else, Caputo writes, she gatekeeps much of what Trump sees on social media and reads in the news.

ICYMI: The public broadcasters facing tumult in Europe

Feven Merid is CJRs staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow.
German chemical company BASF said on Tuesday it reached a $316.5 million settlement with some U.S. public water systems that claimed toxic forever chemicals in firefighting foam made by the company contaminated their water supplies.

The money provided by the settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge, will help cities, towns and other public water systems remediate contamination of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

PFAS are a class of chemicals used in thousands of consumer and commercial products, including firefighting foams, non-stick pans and stain-resistant fabrics. They have been tied to cancers and other diseases, and are often called forever chemicals because they do not easily break down in nature or the human body.

BASF said in a statement that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing, and that it will seek to recover for the settlement through its numerous insurance policies.

The company said it will pay about $4 million as part of the settlement in July, and will pay another $312.5 million in March.

BASF is among nearly two dozen chemical companies that have faced lawsuits brought by water systems over PFAS pollution in sprawling litigation that has been centralized in a South Carolina federal court.

The lawsuits focus on PFAS that contaminated groundwater after being sprayed in firefighting foams at fire houses and airports across the U.S.

In 2023, those lawsuits led to more than $11 billion in settlements between U.S. water systems and major chemical companies including 3MMMM.N, Chemours CC.N, Corteva CTVA.N and DuPont de Nemours DD.N. In April, Johnson Controls unit Tyco Fire Products agreed to a $750 million settlement.

BASF and roughly half a dozen other companies had been tentatively scheduled to go to trial in early 2025.

This significant agreement is in large part the result of the pressure of upcoming trial cases, attorneys for the water systems at the law firms Douglas & London, Napoli Shkolnik, Baron & Budd and Motley Rice said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

It acknowledges the scope of the PFAS crisis, and the financial depths required to address a problem of this magnitude, they said.

Beyond the courtroom, PFAS have come under increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States in recent years as well.

In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set the first national drinking water standards to protect people from the chemicals, and designated a pair of the chemicals as hazardous substances under the nations Superfund program.

(Reporting by Mindock in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A former chief corporate officer for NEXT Insurance is accusing the company and its chief executive officer of gender and disability discrimination in the workplace and of firing her in retaliation for her request for medical leave for cancer surgery.

In a seven count complaint against the digital small business insurer and its CEO Guy Goldstein, Jennifer Lawrence claims they treated her and other women differently than male executives and that despite receiving regular positive feedback from Goldstein and others, he suddenly fired her four days after she said she needed to take medical leave for cancer treatments.

In her 13-page complaint, Lawrence describes a work environment for women that she maintains was a stark contrast to how men were treated.

On a number of occasions when she raised complaints by female employees regarding the behavior of male executives, she claims Goldstein was dismissive of the complaints and defended his male executives.

She maintains the Goldstein was paternalistic and gender-biased toward women who were criticized for being sensitive or, in her case, for being mean and a bully, while favoring male executives whose behavior was condescending, dismissive, aggressive, and/or intimidating.

She acknowledges that at one point Goldstein said he had heard comments about her being mean and he cited an email Lawrence had written to him that he said was mean, and made him think she was mad at him.

Lawrence says she expressed that she should not be held to a different standard than her male colleagues. According to Lawrence, Goldstein responded that it had nothing to do with role or gender, but cautioned that it was important she be liked at NEXT.

She describes Goldstein as being dismissive of a female team members complaint about another male executive when Goldstein allegedly replied that everyone thinks he is a bully when they first meet him and then they end up telling me that he is a teddy bear and they love him, or words to that effect.

Positive Feedback

Lawrence says that notwithstanding those Goldsteins comments, all other feedback she received concerning her job performance was positive including from other key leaders who she says praised her work product and leadership. In June 2022, she says Goldstein stated she was doing a great job.

During a January 5, 2023 meeting, Lawrence informed Goldstein about some bad news she had received from her oncologist and requested medical leave. Goldstein commented, We would never fire you for health reasons.

Four days later she was fired, the complaint says.

According to the complaint, Goldstein informed Lawrence of her termination in a Zoom meeting while accompanied by an outside attorney. She says Goldstein told her that immediately after the January 5, 2023 meeting he had done an emergency 360 review on Lawrence over the weekend and found out that she was bullying and creating a hostile work environment.

Lawrence says she was shocked and asked for specifics. According to the complaint, Goldsteins only response, before being shut down by the outside attorney, was Wow, maybe you really dont know what a bully you are.

Lawrence accuses NEXT of subsequently changing its story by claiming that the termination resulted from a months-long investigationand not an emergency 360 review.

Lawrence maintains that NEXT had no valid basis to investigate her. If any such investigation was conducted, it was a sham motivated by discriminatory and/or retaliatory bias, Lawrence asserts in her lawsuit.

The complaint filed in federal court in Massachusetts, where Lawrence worked, alleges violations under federal and state disability and gender discrimination laws as well as family and medical leave statutes. Lawrence is seeking compensatory, emotional distress, and punitive damages along with attorneys fees and costs of litigation.

NEXT Comment

Asked for comment on the litigation, Rachel Jrade-Rice, NEXT general counsel, issued a brief statement: We cannot comment on ongoing litigation, but NEXT has long been committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive culture.

Prior to joining NEXT, Lawrence worked on legal affairs in both the public and private sectors, including for the Massachusetts attorney general and the insurance and banking regulatory agencies. In the private sector, she served as counsel for a financial consulting firm; a large publicly traded insurance company; and a privately owned group of insurance entities. She is also a founding member of the Boston Chapter of Chief, a network of women executives who provide mentorship to one another and promote opportunities for other women.

According to Lawrence, just as she was offered the job as chief corporate officer, two female executives resigned, causing her concern. But she accepted the job in February 2022 anyway.

Over the first few months of her employment, Lawrence said she made progress on several projects including reducing NEXTs legal spend on outside counsel, restructuring the internal legal department, and establishing an enterprise risk management team. She maintains Goldsteins initial feedback on Lawrences performance was positive.

She says she continued to work diligently throughout 2022, helping to create a captive carrier for NEXT, leading legal initiatives on revenue increasing ideas, and establishing an IPO readiness task force. Meanwhile, Goldstein continued to provide positive feedback during regular weekly meetings and otherwise, according to her complaint.
Korea's industry ministry said Wednesday it has shared ideas with Indonesia on expanding bilateral cooperation in the development of a stable supply chain for key minerals.

Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun met with Airlangga Hartarto, the coordinating minister for economic affairs of Indonesia, in Seoul to discuss ways to broaden the economic partnership, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

During the meeting, Korea and Indonesia agreed to expand ties, including building a stable supply chain for key minerals as well as other global agenda items, including efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The ministry noted that such cooperation with Jakarta is significant, considering Indonesia has been posting annual economic growth of around 5 percent, backed by its rich mineral reserves.

Ahn also asked Airlangga to continue paying close attention to Korean firms operating in the Southeast Asian country, as they have been contributing to the Southeast Asian nation's economy.

In detail, Ahn asked the Indonesian government to consider expanding incentives for electric vehicles produced locally by Korean companies.

The two countries vowed to further utilize the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as well as global platforms such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, to further bolster ties, the ministry added.

The CEPA is a type of free trade agreement, which emphasizes a broader scope of economic cooperation and exchanges on top of market opening. The agreement with Indonesia went into effect in January 2023. (Yonhap)
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will make a state visit to Korea next week to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties, the presidential office said Wednesday.

Mohammed will visit Korea from May 28-29, which would mark the first state visit to the country by a UAE president.

President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet Mohammed to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including economic investment, energy and the defense industry, the office said.

Yoon made a state visit to the UAE in January 2023 and held a meeting with Mohammed, in which they agreed to expand cooperation in the nuclear power, arms and energy sectors, among others. (Yonhap)
New tech may reduce reliance on soybean imports

10:27, May 22, 2024 By Li Lei ( China Daily

China has in recent years adopted a mix of methods to reduce its reliance on imported soybeans, a crucial raw material for making animal feed, such as through crop rotation and the deployment of higher-yield varieties.

However, a group of scientists in Tianjin have taken a different approach. They have set their attention on protein biosynthesis using methanol as a raw material, where progress has stalled for decades due to the hefty costs.

A breakthrough could potentially help wean China off its reliance on proteins derived from soybeans.

The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, led by Wu Xin, recently announced a commercially viable approach to biosynthesize protein that can be used in making animal feed.

Their findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts on Nov 17.

"Research on synthesizing cellular protein from methanol began in the 1980s," Wu said in the paper.

"Yet, due to high costs, methanol-synthesized protein products could not compete with soy protein and have not been produced on a large scale," he added.

According to the paper, the approach involves industrial fermentation using methanol, which can be cheaply derived from coal, as raw material.

The yeast strain Pichia pastoris, used in this process, grows by using methanol.

Previous attempts to commercialize this method have stalled due to the toxicity and complex pathways of methanol, resulting in approximately 20 percent wastage.

To solve the problem, Wu's team collected over 20,000 yeast samples from vineyards, forests and marshlands across China. From those samples, they identified strains capable of efficiently using various sugars and alcohols as carbon sources.

And by knocking out specific genes in a wild Pichia pastoris strain, they engineered a yeast with significantly enhanced methanol tolerance and metabolic efficiency.

This engineering raised the conversion rate of methanol to protein to 92 percent, making this protein production method very attractive economically, the paper said.

"It doesn't require arable land, is unaffected by seasons and the climate, and is a thousand times more efficient than traditional agricultural practices," Wu said in the paper.

"Moreover, the protein content in the microorganisms ranges from 40 to 85 percent, significantly higher than in natural plants," he added.

These organisms also contain a complete amino acid profile, vitamins, inorganic salts, fats and carbohydrates, allowing them to partially replace fishmeal, soybeans, meat and skimmed milk powder in various applications.

China currently imports around 100 million metric tons of soybeans annually, mostly from Brazil and the United States.

Despite a national drive to ramp up domestic production in recent years due to vulnerable global supply chains, the country currently produces just around one-fifth of its needs.

In a major move to bolster domestic production, the Chinese government last year expanded the commercial use of genetic modification technologies to staple food crops including soybeans. Such technologies have long been restricted to cotton and papaya in the nation.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, on Wednesday and discussed an upcoming trilateral summit also involving China and other issues of mutual interest, Cho's office said.

During the 35-minute talks, Cho expressed hope that the three-way summit will serve as momentum for South Korea and Japan to further develop bilateral ties, as they have through the close communications between their leaders, Seoul's foreign ministry said in a release.

Kamikawa, in response, suggested the two countries continue cooperation for Seoul's successful hosting of the trilateral summit, according to the Seoul ministry.

South Korea, the host country, has yet to announce the date for the event. Japanese media reports have said the summit will be held from May 26 to 27.

Cho also shared the outcome of his recent visit to Beijing, during which he held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The minister told Kamikawa that the visit was meaningful in that he had an "honest and candid" conversation with Wang and that they agreed to work together to stably manage the relationship.

In the phone talks, Cho and Kamikawa also discussed pending bilateral issues, Cho's office said, without giving further details.

The issues on the table likely included the row over Japan's apparent demand for LY Corp., the operator of the popular Line messaging app in Japan, to sell down its stake in the joint venture with South Korea's Naver.

The issue drew concerns in South Korea as the move has been seen as Tokyo's attempt to reduce South Korea's influence in its market.

South Korea's political circles have expressed worries that it could have a negative impact on the improving bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Japan's Kyodo News reported that South Korea and Japan are in talks to hold a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday in Seoul on the sidelines of the trilateral summit.

The two leaders are expected to reaffirm cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile program, the report said, citing a diplomatic source. (Yonhap)
A Chinese foreign ministry official met with the chief ministers from Japan and South Korea's embassies on Wednesday, and exchanged views on cooperations among the three countries, the ministry said.

During the meeting, the Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Liu Jinsong, also set out China's solemn stance on the Taiwan issue, the ministry added. (Reuters)
By Lee Hyo-jin

Lee Kyung-boon was born in November 1928 in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, during Japan's colonial rule of Korea (1910-45).

In 1941, at the age of 13, Lee and her family were relocated to the far-eastern Russian island of Sakhalin, where her father was assigned to work in a coal mine. They were among the 150,000 Koreans who were forcibly moved by Japanese colonizers to the southern part of the island in the 1930s and 1940s, which was then under Japanese control.

"It was nice to live with my father... But I was so young I didn't even know where Sakhalin was. I remember the cold weather and the heavy snow because we first arrived there in February," Lee recalled.

The story of the now 95-year-old was unveiled in a recent video interview conducted by the Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center (OKCC). The OKCC conducted separate interviews with 25 people from Koreas diaspora including Lee, and the clips were uploaded on its YouTube channel, Monday.

During the interview, Lee said she had assumed that her stay on Sakhalin would be short.

After Japan's surrender in World War II in 1945, the Soviet Union took control of Sakhalin. While Sakhalin Koreans were permitted to move to North Korea, a Soviet ally, they were barred from returning to South Korea, which had no diplomatic relations established with the Soviet Union.

"We believed that we would be able to go back home soon. We waited for a year, then another year..." Lee said. "I feared I might be barred from returning to my homeland if I had the nationality of another country. So I chose to live without obtaining a nationality."

Lee and her husband were left stateless for six decades.

In 2000, Lee was finally able to return to South Korea through a government resettlement program that facilitated the repatriation of hundreds of elderly Sakhalin Koreans, granting them permanent residency.

She is now settled in Incheon, just west of Seoul.

"In my homeland, they provided us with such nice homes, and now I can live comfortably without worries. We can finally feel at ease," Lee said, expressing gratitude for her life in South Korea.

According to the OKCC, the interviews with overseas Koreans were conducted between October 2023 and January 2024 as part of the center's project to mark 100 years of Korean immigration to Sakhalin and 60 years since the immigration of Korean labor migrants to Germany.

"The video records of overseas Koreans will help the public better understand the lives of Korea's diaspora. We plan to continue our projects to ensure that important records of overseas Koreans are well preserved," said Kim Yeong-geun, head of OKCC.
Microsoft is in damage control mode. After a hack of executive email accounts in January attributed to Russian hackers, the company disclosed the incident in compliance with new federal cybersecurity disclosure rules, even though technically it was not a "material" hack that it was required by law to share, leading to discussion at other firms about where to draw the line on the new disclosure. The decision by Microsoft to link executive compensation to successful cybersecurity performance is prompting discussions at other firms.

Nation-state attacks from China and Russia are increasing, and targeting corporations across the economy, as well as the U.S. government and social infrastructure. Microsoft has been a very big target, including hacks by Russia and China . There is growing pressure from the U.S. government for the company to improve its cybersecurity protocols, with its top corporate lawyer, Brad Smith, being called to testify on Capitol Hill.

Competitors have taken advantage of the cyber lapse, with Google publishing a blog post this week highlighting the government findings and noting, "The CSRB report also highlights how many vendors, including Google, are already doing the right thing by engineering approaches that protect against tactics illustrated in the report."

In April, a government review board described a hack of Microsoft last summer attributed to China as "preventable." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Safety Review Board pointed to "a cascade of errors" and a corporate culture at Microsoft "that deprioritized enterprise security investments and rigorous risk management."

Microsoft has come under fire recently from both the U.S. government and rival companies for its failure to stop a Chinese hack of its systems last summer. One change the tech giant is making in response: linking executive compensation more closely to cybersecurity.

Microsoft launched its Secure Future Initiative in November, and earlier this month, the company outlined in a blog post from Charlie Bell, executive vice president of Microsoft Security, that as part of its SFI goals it will "instill accountability by basing part of the compensation of the company's Senior Leadership Team on our progress in meeting our security plans and milestones."

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to provide specifics on the compensation, but said as a company which plays a central role in the world's digital ecosystem, it has a "critical responsibility" to make cybersecurity a top priority. It is part of the company's "important governance changes [made] to further support a security-first culture," the spokesperson said.

Companies often provide more details, though often only limited details, on executive compensation performance targets in annual meeting proxies, which in Microsoft's case was last held in December 2023.

Cybersecurity as a core corporate risk and bonus metric

It has become more common for corporations to tie a percentage of annual executive bonus payouts to various goals that go beyond meeting sales and profit targets. In recent years, many Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, have added bonus pay tied to ESG metrics. Risk management and safety goals have long been a part of executive compensation, dating back to an era before the rise of ESG  for example, mining and energy companies, as well as manufacturers and industrials, tying bonuses to environmental and worker safety.

The conversations about cybersecurity-linked executive pay have started taking place at other companies since Microsoft made its move, according to Aalap Shah, managing director at executive compensation consultant Pearl Meyer. It's not prevalent as a compensation practice today, he said, but he added, "post-Microsoft's announcement, I've gotten phone calls asking, 'Should we do it? Would it work?' ... These conversations are very similar to the ones we were having a few years ago with ESG metrics and a significant percentage of companies adopted them."

Shah said there is a case to be made that cybersecurity is a core issue that can be equated to mining or industrial safety. But there's a big difference between a business in cybersecurity and, for example, a retailer, in making this case. And even in industries beyond technology and cybersecurity where keeping data secure is a core issue, such as financial services and health care  which have been targets of high-profile hacks  it's not a clear case yet to tie executive compensation of the most senior people, such as a chief financial officer or general counsel, to cybersecurity, versus the chief information security officer or chief technology officer, specifically.

Tying pay to hacks is a 'good place to start'

Some firms will make the case that cybersecurity is already ingrained in their culture and such a move would be redundant, but with the escalation in hacking threats and increased importance of cybersecurity spending to the bottom line of companies like Microsoft, this new executive pay metric may be overdue.

Making executive compensation contingent, to some degree, on meeting cybersecurity aims is a good place to start instilling a security culture at the top of the corporate hierarchy that is fundamental to success, according to experts.

"The most important message being sent internally and externally is it's very important to their culture and more and more companies will follow suit, regardless of whether the gain is significant," Shah said. "What they want to do is make sure it is becoming ingrained culturally, and the path to do that is by linking it to compensation."

"Cybersecurity has to be in the culture of the organization," said Stuart Madnick, professor of information technology at MIT. But prioritizing security can be difficult within a corporation, Madnick said, because it often means putting money into places that aren't clearly reflected on the bottom line. "Corporate culture prioritizes other things over security and risk management," Madnick said. "How do you know how secure you are? Maybe no one is targeting you at the time. But if you increase sales by 20%, that's money in the bank."

Madnick's research shows that gaps in corporate culture are often culprits in high-profile hacks, not just the Microsoft example. Prevention, he says, is as much about foresight as hindsight. In a recent article, he cited MIT studies on Equifax and Capital One security breaches of recent years as other prominent examples. "While some risks are true surprises unlikely to be recognized in advance, many are more like the burglar alarm known to be defective," he said.

Equifax and Capital One did not respond to requests for comment.

Madnick described the corporate mentality as most often "systematic, semi-conscious decision making." That means management decisions are made without analyzing the cyber risks that are being introduced by the decision. Tying executive compensation to security aims won't necessarily mean that approach evaporates from a corporate culture, but he said it has symbolic resonance, and from that symbolic register, the practical may indeed follow.

'An annoyance and a profit center'

For Microsoft, the stakes are higher than for most organizations. Its platforms and systems are so omnipresent  in business and government  that it's essentially impossible to live without it. "There's no alternative to Microsoft, from a productivity standpoint. You have to do insane things to try to work without it," said Ryan Kalember, executive vice president of cybersecurity strategy at cybersecurity vendor Proofpoint.

Adding to the complexity of Microsoft's unavoidability, he said, is the layered nature of its platforms, in which succeeding iterations are often buttressed by legacy applications stretching back to the 90s, before security threats remotely resembling what now exists.

The U.S. government has called on the largest, and oldest, tech companies to update systems that both businesses and consumers rely on. Last year, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Jen Easterly said in a CNBC interview that cybersecurity is consumer safety, and compared it to automotive regulations. "Technology companies who for decades have been creating products and software that are fundamentally insecure need to start creating products that are secure by design and secure by default with safety features baked in," she said.

Legacy platforms are far easier to plug into and build on rather than deploying a new system entirely, but "it's a security nightmare," Kalember said. "One MS365 for everybody from the State Department to Joe's Crab Shack is a fine business model, it just doesn't lend itself well to traditional security measures."

The architectural principles built into some of these legacy systems were designed "when ransomware was really a thing that simply didn't exist  except on floppy disks," he said. This has led to the company accruing massive amounts of what is called "technical debt"  decades of it  that can be abused by nation-states and allow foreign intelligence agencies "to steal anything they want," he added.

Microsoft is caught between two competing impulses, with security "a combination of an annoyance and a profit center," Kalember said. It's a profit center because Microsoft is the world's largest cybersecurity vendor, reaching $20 billion in annual revenue last year. That makes the compensation move "a good gesture," he said, but he added, "without specifics behind it, it's very difficult to assess."

No details on how Microsoft pay will be influenced

The lack of details on the compensation formula makes it impossible to properly evaluate the incentive. Many companies that adopted ESG metrics did so only in the bonus portion of executive pay, not the long-term incentive plan, which is much more significant. "That's putting your money where your mouth is," Shah said.

A bonus may comprise, on average, 20% of executive pay, and within the bonus pool specifically, non-core financial metrics such as ESG only contribute 20% of a potential total bonus payout. "When you have 20% of overall [bonus] compensation and divvy it up into a few different metrics, how much are you really tying something like cyber to it?" Shah said.

Long-term incentive plans tied to equity grants, especially in tech, are where the real money is made, and that's where these types of non-core financial metrics are low in prevalence. That would be the ideal place within a compensation plan to set pay against long-term cybersecurity and corporate goals, but it is difficult for firms to conceive of two-to-three year goals related to cybersecurity, consumer privacy and data breaches that can be measured like sales and profit. "It will be a challenge," Shah said. "Is it the number of incidents? The caution I have is the same as with ESG: you want to make sure not only the relevance is there, but you also want to make sure there are quantifiable goals. In a rush to adopt, if it's subjective, then it is less meaningful for shareholders."

Boards of directors already have the discretion to hold executives accountable each year and decide to do downward adjustments on bonuses, based on performance, including data breaches. To date, this type of bonus incentive/punishment has been mostly limited to chief information security officers, according to Mike Doonan, managing director at SPMB, an executive search firm where he specializes in technology. In his view, it's an imperfect comparison to look at the history of bonus pay tied to metrics such as worker safety, since many hacks occur due to third-party vulnerabilities, which are often beyond the company's direct control. But Doonan said he could see this type of executive incentive being adopted more broadly, "because it's good PR to say security is a top priority across the entire executive suite, and it might result in improvements." But he thinks there is an even better way to shore up corporate defense: "saving the bonus pool and investing those dollars into security programs."
There's a podcast that Apple executive Eddy Cue finds so irresistible, he sometimes stays in his car listening even after he gets home.

The show that has him glued to his driver's seat is called "Acquired," Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, recently told the Wall Street Journal. The show "tells the stories and strategies of great companies," according to its website.

Founded by co-hosts David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert in 2015, "Acquired" dives into the history of today's biggest companies, from genesis to present day. Each episode involves hundreds of hours of research, causing some episodes to be at least three hours long, the pair told the Journal.

Gilbert and Rosenthal both have venture capital backgrounds. They started the podcast as a "passion project" nearly a decade ago, Gilbert wrote on social media platform X earlier this month. Today, some of the business leaders from the very companies they research are avid listeners.

"It's hard to stop once you start listening," Cue said.

"I'm probably in for 80 hours," LinkedIn COO Daniel Shapero added, in a testimonial on Acquired's website.

The podcast has more than 600,000 monthly listeners, some of whom pay a $10 monthly subscription, according to its website. Sponsorships and other deals help Rosenthal and Gilbert bring in millions of dollars per year in revenue, they told the Journal.

Last year, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sat down with the duo to discuss the origins of his multibillion-dollar tech company. He gave listeners some advice on a common topic: business books.

"In the last 30 years I've read my fair share of business books ... You're supposed to, first of all enjoy it, be inspired by it  but not to adopt it," Huang said. "That's not the whole point of these books. The whole point of these books is to share their experiences."

"You're supposed to ask, what does it mean to me in my world, and what does it mean to me in the context of what I'm going through," Huang added.

Longtime Berkshire Hathaway investor Charlie Munger also spoke with the co-hosts in October 2023, a month before his death. In that episode, he shared his favorite piece of advice to give young people, which was  perhaps surprisingly  no advice at all.

"I don't give advice to just any young people," Munger said. "It's getting hard out there."

Munger had the perfect recipe for success in the 1960s, he said: timing, intelligence, hard work and luck. It's a concoction that his admirers today can't replicate exactly, so he didn't want to make himself "more of a guru than I already am," he added.

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U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks regarding student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Wednesday August 24, 2022.

The Biden administration said on Wednesday that it would forgive $7.7 billion in student loans for more than 160,000 borrowers, its latest effort to reduce the burden of education debt on households.

The relief is a result of the U.S. Department of Education's improvements to its income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

"The Biden-Harris Administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country," said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement.

Wednesday's loan forgiveness includes $5.2 billion for 66,900 borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and $1.9 billion for 39,200 people enrolled in income-driven repayment plans.

Another $613 million will go to 54,300 borrowers under the Biden administration's new income-driven repayment option, known as the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan. That option leads to student loan forgiveness after 10 years for those who originally borrowed $12,000 or less.
Key South Korean and U.S. Forces Korea special operations officials discussed ways Wednesday to enhance special warfare capabilities amid North Korea's evolving threats, Seoul's defense ministry said.

The rare meeting, hosted by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, brought together top military officials, commanders of special forces units under the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Marine Corps as well as the U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, according to the ministry.

Shin called for enhanced special warfare capabilities and close cooperation between relevant units in South Korea and the United States to deter the North's threats.

"Special warfare units play a core role in deterring and responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," Shin was quoted as saying by the ministry. "The concept of offensive special operations should be more meticulously developed and a close cooperation system between South Korea and U.S. special warfare units should be established."

Wednesday's meeting came as North Korea has been ramping up weapons tests and provocations. In April, the North conducted a tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack involving super-large multiple rocket launchers that are classified as short-range missiles that could put the entire South Korean territory within range. (Yonhap)
The ex-husband of a former BP mergers and acquisitions manager was sentenced to two years in federal prison for insider trading that netted him $1.76 million after he eavesdropped on her work calls about the oil giant buying another company.

The ex-husband, Tyler Loudon, also was sentenced to one year of supervised release after his prison term and fined $10,000 by U.S. District Court Judge Sim Lake in Houston on Monday.

Loudon's lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg, asked Lake to sentence him to one year of home confinement followed by two years of supervised release, citing, among other reasons, the need to care for Loudon's ailing mother.

The prison sentence was at the bottom end of the 24-to-30-month range requested by federal prosecutors.

Loudon, as part of his guilty plea to a charge of securities fraud in February, already had agreed to forfeit the illicit profit he made in February 2023 from selling off the nearly 46,500 shares of TravelCenters of America after that company's stock price soared more than 70% on news it was being acquired by BP for about $1.3 billion.

The 42-year-old Houston resident, who was an engineer for an oil and gas company, bought TravelCenters shares for about $2 million over several months beginning in December 2022.

His purchases started after he secretly listened to his wife's work calls about BP buying TravelCenters and later discussed the deal with her in "normal" married-couple kinds of conversations, according to court records.

Loudon's eavesdropping occurred when he and his wife were working remotely "in close quarters" to one another due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the time, records show.

"Racked with guilt and fear," Loudon "confessed to his wife" what he had done in March 2023 after learning that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority had asked BP for a list of people "in the know" about the TravelCenters deal before it was finalized, according to court filings.

Loudon's wife, who was not accused of wrongdoing, reported his actions to her BP supervisor, but she ended up getting fired later, court records show. She also divorced Loudon.

A sentencing memo filed last week by Loudon's attorney says that at the time he bought the TravelCenters, Loudon was a "frequent day-trader of stocks" whose "marriage was under a great deal of stress as a result of multiple relocations and job changes" for both him and his wife.

"Mr. Loudon began to fear that his marriage was in jeopardy, an event that was particularly freighted in his mind due to the divorce he experienced as a child," the memo said.

"In a wholly misguided belief that money could somehow help address the marital stresses the couple was experiencing, Mr. Loudon made the fateful decision to betray his wife's trust, as well as his own better judgment," the memo said.

"Tyler deeply regrets his conduct, has taken responsibility for it, and looks forward to putting this behind him and moving on with his life," Zeidenberg told CNBC on Wednesday.
People walk by a CitiBank location in Manhattan on March 01, 2024 in New York City.

LONDON  British regulators on Wednesday dished out a combined 61.6 million ($79 million) in fines to U.S. investment bank Citi for failings in its trading systems and controls.

The fines were issued by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, whose investigation focused on the period between April 1, 2018, and May 31, 2022. Citi qualified for a 30% reduction in the amount of the penalty after agreeing to resolve the matter.

"Firms involved in trading must have effective controls in place in order to manage the risks involved. CGML [Citigroup Global Markets Limited] failed to meet the standards we expect in this area, resulting in today's fine," Sam Woods, deputy governor for prudential regulation and the chief executive officer of the PRA, said in a statement Wednesday.

The regulators said that certain system and control issues persisted during the probe period and led to trading incidents, such as so-called fat-finger trading blunders. The main incident highlighted took place on May 2. 2022, when an experienced trader incorrectly inputted an order, which resulted in $1.4 billion "inadvertently being executed on European exchanges."

"Deficiencies in CGML's trading controls contributed to this incident, in particular the absence of certain preventative hard blocks and the inappropriate calibration of other controls," the statement read.

In a statement to CNBC, a Citi spokesperson said that the bank was pleased to resolve the matter from more than two years ago, "which arose from an individual error that was identified and corrected within minutes."

"We immediately took steps to strengthen our systems and controls, and remain committed to ensuring full regulatory compliance." the spokesperson said.
Crown Castle founder Ted Miller's bid to secure four board seats at the telecommunications giant was resoundingly rejected by shareholders on Wednesday, ending a closely watched, litigious process that pitted Miller against activist juggernaut Elliott.

Miller had put forward four candidates, including himself, for election. He had left Crown Castle more than 20 years ago, but argued that his candidates, which included his son-in-law, possessed strategic insight that Crown Castle's 12 incumbent directors, including Elliott partner Jason Genrich, lacked.

Shareholders rejected that argument, as well as his claims of poor governance. All 12 of the company's nominees, including Genrich, were elected to the $44 billion company's board.

The preliminary vote count showed that none of Miller's candidates garnered more than 10% of the shares voted, according to people familiar with the matter. The count is preliminary, and while the vast majority of shares voted have come in, a small number of votes remain to be counted, the people said.

Lawrence Elbaum, co-head of Vinson & Elkins' shareholder activism defense practice, told CNBC that Miller's campaign faced steep odds going up against a company that had already begun making meaningful changes at Elliott's urging.

"This campaign was over before it began," Elbaum said. "Trying to change up a board and business very recently repositioned  and then blessed  by Elliott will always be a losing proposition."

Miller and his investment firm Boots Capital took particular aim at a standstill and cooperation agreement between the company and Elliott, which was signed in December and resulted in Genrich and one other director joining the Crown Castle board.

Boots Capital sued Elliott and the company in Delaware court in February to invalidate the agreement, and saw early success. Such cooperation and standstill agreements are common practice when a company is seeking to placate an activist, but Boots described it as unsound governance and "hostility to shareholders."

Boots' effort gained some traction. Influential proxy advisor Glass Lewis said it would support Miller's campaign. The other major proxy advisor, ISS, sided with management's nominees.

Elliott's December cooperation agreement coincided with the departure of Crown Castle's prior CEO. It was the second campaign the activist had run at the company. A 2020 attempt ended without action.

The activist wanted Crown Castle to initiate a strategic review process for its underperforming fiber division, among other changes. The company announced that strategic review in partnership with outside advisors alongside the settlement with Elliott; it also began a CEO search process that concluded with the appointment of Steven Moskowitz in April.

Miller's efforts did have some impact. Boots' litigation prompted changes to the cooperation agreement between Elliott and the company, including that the activist would vote its shares proportionally to how other shareholders voted. That provision would not have altered the percentage of votes that Boots received, but the quantity.

"We thank our shareholders for the trust they have placed in our highly qualified board members as they oversee the creation of a stronger, more valuable Crown Castle," the company said in a statement. A representative for Miller did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The city of Denver, Colorado, has undergone notable growth as skilled professionals and businesses move into the state that prides itself on 300 days of sunshine.

"There's both a homegrown component of creation happening and a real magnet effect of people looking for the quality of life they want in a city. And I don't think any place checks as many boxes as Denver does," said the city's mayor, Mike Johnston.

From 2010 to 2020, the population of Denver grew by almost 20%. Now, the city is facing both housing and labor shortages. Denver needs more workers to come in and fill job openings, yet it's already short 70,000 homes.

Affordability is also at the forefront of the city's concerns: The median household income was $87,619 at the end of 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That's about 15% of the price of an average home in Denver, according to real estate site Zillow.

The influx of companies to Denver raises complex infrastructure and investment questions, according to Scott Wasserman, president of the Bell Policy Institute, a research and advocacy firm focused on Colorado economic mobility.

Watch the video to learn more.
Erifili Gounari launched The Z Link, a marketing agency run entirely by Gen Zers, in 2020 while she was a college student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

In 2024, Gen Z workers are expected to outnumber baby boomers in the American labor force for the first time. But right now, the workforce's youngest generation, the oldest of whom are 27, is treated as a novelty  with everything from their email signatures to their salary expectations put under the microscope. CNBC Make It explores how Gen Zers are really putting their mark on career advice, office culture and more. Imagine a workplace without meetings or long email chains  a place where you set your own hours and your co-workers discuss their salaries and therapy appointments openly. As more members of Gen Z enter the C-suite, such workplaces are becoming more common in offices and online. The average CEO age is still about 54. But the number of Gen Z CEOs is on the rise, according to McKinsey & Co. Those who haven't ascended the corporate ladder are interested in becoming the big boss: Gen Z is more than twice as likely to want to be CEO compared with Gen X (38% versus 18%, respectively), McKinsey reports. That's compared to 21% of baby boomers and 31% of millennials who say they'd want to be a CEO. Much of Gen Z came of age amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a time marked by deep social unrest, historic quitting rates and widespread burnout, all of which have influenced their desire to be their own boss and do meaningful work with a sense of autonomy and flexibility. To be clear, Gen Zers are not the first 20-somethings to challenge the workplace as we know it. Millennials have been on the receiving end of similar stereotypes lobbed at Gen Z now, namely, that they're coddled, lazy and entitled job-hoppers. "Both generations of leaders have similar values," says John Avi Socha, the 27-year-old COO and legal operations director of Hemmat Law Group, a small firm in Seattle. "I think millennials were just as bushy-tailed and bright-eyed at our age as we are now," he adds, pointing out that the main difference between both generations is that millennials took the brunt of the 2008 recession, which stunted their career growth and earning potential. Ballooning student debt and rising real estate costs further squeezed millennials, which Socha suggests has made some millennial leaders "more jaded and cautious" than their Gen Z counterparts. Here's what Gen Z is bringing to the C-suite:

No meetings and free-for-all scheduling

At The Z Link, a marketing agency comprised entirely of Gen Z employees, meetings are a rare occurrence. It's a work style introduced by Gen Z founder and CEO Erifili Gounari, 24, who launched The Z Link in 2020 while she was a college student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. The company is entirely remote  Gounari, who works from London, manages 25 employees spread out across a dozen countries including Portugal, Finland, Spain and the U.S. Gounari and her team have built up a robust client list that includes Deloitte and Ikea. "I've been in too many work environments [in internships and previous jobs] with tons of meetings that felt like a genuine waste of time," she says. "Having something that operationally makes no sense, but just sounds good on paper, is not good leadership, it just takes away people's time from other projects and responsibilities."

Erifili Gounari, founder and CEO of The Z Link, manages 25 employees spread out across a dozen countries including Portugal, Finland, Spain and the U.S. Photo: Rosie Lugg

Instead, employees at The Z Link send voice memos or messages on Slack and collaborate on Google Docs to share feedback and problem-solve together. Meetings are only held at a client's request, or if there's an emergency. Although millennials have had access to smartphones and the internet for much of their careers, Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with the internet and other technological innovations like AI and social media. Being digital natives has shaped much of the behaviors and preferences of Gen Z CEOs thus far, says Gounari. "We have a knack for using technology to be as efficient as possible, and embrace tools that will help our teams work faster and smarter," she adds. For similar reasons, employees at The Z Link have embraced asynchronous work and choose their own schedules. People working on client projects together will coordinate their hours but beyond that, employees have autonomy over their schedules. Gen Z overwhelmingly prefers working flexible hours at convenient times for them over a set work schedule, according to a 2023 Adobe report, which also found that a quarter of Gen Zers reported their productivity peaks between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m. By comparison, less than 15% of millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers said they log on after 6 p.m. As Gounari explains: "You can't rush creativity and you can't force it, so trusting people to work during the time they're at their most creative and productive has helped us produce the best work."

Making workplaces more casual and open

Sid Pandiya, a 24-year-old CEO, includes therapy appointments on his work calendar and prefers a clever GIF over a carefully-written email. So do his co-workers, and Pandiya says they're better off for it. "We're open with our feelings and comfortable with each other," Pandiya, the CEO and co-founder of Kona, a Slack-integrated tool for remote managers. "I feel like in other places I've worked, there was an element of policing our language and tone to be more formal and buttoned-up." Pandiya works remotely from San Francisco and manages a team of five employees online  two millennials and three Gen Zers. Pandiya says Gen Z is less concerned with the narrow confines of "professionalism" than previous generations. Instead, they value transparency at work, particularly in discussions involving mental health. "The shared ethos of a lot of older leaders I've worked with [at internships] is that work is work and you don't need to share how you're feeling or your personal life," says Pandiya. "But being vulnerable and open has helped our staff trust each other and feel more comfortable working together."

Kona CEO and co-founder Sid Pandiya smiles alongside his co-founder, Yen Tan. Photo: Kona

An overwhelming majority  92%  of Gen Zers say it's important for them to feel comfortable discussing mental health at work, and 52% would turn down a job that doesn't offer a good work-life balance, according to a Monster survey of 1,000 18 to 24-year-olds. Creating a casual, open workspace supports young employees' mental wellness, Pandiya says. "Vulnerability builds stronger connections," he explains. "And you can only have a vulnerability in the workplace if there's open, safe space to talk about mental health, burnout and other challenges you might face in your job." Plus, "it's easier to feel comfortable and motivated at a job where you can 100% be yourself," he says. Communicating casually has helped prevent workplace conflicts, Pandiya adds: "We don't have to overthink how things are going to be construed, we all understand that everyone is working toward the same goal and always assume positive intent." It's hard to pinpoint what, exactly, sets Gen Z CEOs apart from their predecessors this early on in their tenures. But if Pandiya had to guess, he says it's that they understand the importance of humanizing work more. "All of the Gen Z leaders I've worked with share the same mindset, which is that taking care of your people will take care of your company," he says. "Empathetic leadership is becoming more of the norm among Gen Z, it's like an innate understanding that your work is not your whole life, and that your personality and interests outside of your job enrich your ability to work hard and do your best to help your company succeed."

How Gen Z and Baby Boomers are working together in the C-Suite

When Socha, the 27-year-old COO, started working at Hemmat Law Group in 2019, it was just him and his 62-year-old boss, Steven Hemmat, an attorney and CEO of the firm, on staff. Hemmat wanted to hire more Gen Z talent, and Socha knew the best place to start: including salary ranges in job ads. Economic uncertainty and a higher cost of living have made salary a priority for Gen Z job seekers, with 85% saying they are less likely to apply for a job if the company does not disclose the salary range in the listing, a December 2023 Adobe survey of more than 1,000 Gen Zers found. In 2019, when Socha first entered the workforce, salary transparency was a fringe movement, but rapidly gaining momentum: That year, Colorado became the first state in the nation to enact a salary transparency law. It was also a constant topic of conversation between Socha and his friends. "I started my career working in the non-profit sector earning maybe $50,000 a year, wondering if I had enough money to pay rent next month," he recalls. "My friends had similar experiences of trying to make low salaries work in an expensive city."

John Avi Socha, COO at Hemmat Law Group in Seattle, started including salary ranges in the firm's job ads in 2020 to recruit and retain Gen Z talent. Photo: Brad Kevelin
Hedge funds have been adding numerous lesser-known beneficiaries from the artificial intelligence boom while dialing back exposure to megacap tech stocks after a strong rally, according to Goldman Sachs. The Wall Street investment bank analyzed the holdings of 707 hedge funds with $2.7 trillion of gross equity positions at the start of the second quarter. It looked at the smart-money cohort's ownership of AI-related stocks in several aspects of the advanced technology: infrastructure, enabled revenues, productivity and power. Goldman found that hedge funds added to under-the-radar winners across the entire AI universe, particularly players in infrastructure, including Marvell Technology , TD Synnex , AES Corporation and Littelfuse . Walgreens Boots Alliance and First American Financial were the two names that hedge funds flocked to last quarter as their productivity has been enhanced by the use of AI. Copper miner Freeport-McMoRan and solar tracking company Nextracker, both involved in AI's power production, also saw increased popularity among hedge funds. "Among the various phases of the AI trade, firms exposed to AI infrastructure investment have recently performed best and captured the most interest in our client conversations," Ben Snider, Goldman's equity strategist, said in a note to clients. Due to that outperformance, the proportion of semiconductor stocks in U.S. hedge funds' long portfolios jumped to a record high of 6.5% in the first quarter, Goldman said. However, Nvidia , the chipmaker that has been the biggest winner in this AI cycle, has proven less popular with hedge funds after its eye-popping rally, the firm said. All eyes are on Nvidia's quarterly earnings report due out postmarket Wednesday as year-over-year revenue growth is expected to top 200% for a third straight period. Nvidia shares are up more than 90% this year after soaring roughly 240% in 2023. Hedge funds also trimmed positions in other megacap stocks benefiting from the AI enthusiasm, including Microsoft , Meta Platforms and Amazon . These shares have continued their strong rallies in 2024, rising as little as 15% and as much as 33%. Apple was the exception in the so-called " Magnificent Seven " group  hedge funds added exposure to the Tim Cook-led iPhone maker, according to Goldman.
Honor already has a number of smartphones on the market that fold like a book, such as the Magic V2 that was launched in July 2023 shown here. The Chinese tech company is now preparing to launch a vertical-folding style smartphone, its CEO George Zhao told CNBC at the Mobile World Congress.

Chinese smartphone maker Honor on Wednesday became one of the first device makers to say it will bring Google's artificial intelligence features to its upcoming devices.

Honor will integrate generative AI experiences into its forthcoming hardware, which will be powered by Google Cloud, the company said.

A spokesperson for the Chinese firm told CNBC that this would include Google's AI assistant Gemini, as well as Imagen 2, a text-to-image generation tool.

Smartphone makers are attempting to bring AI features to their phones, in a bid to get users to upgrade to their latest flagship devices.

The integration with Google's AI features builds on Honor already running the U.S. firm's operating system Android on its smartphones. Designing advanced generative AI features can be difficult for individual smartphone makers, so partnering with Google gives them a shortcut to the latest generative AI apps that employ the tech.

Honor is among just a handful of companies to commit to Google's AI tools. In January, Samsung announced a partnership with Google Cloud to bring Gemini Pro and Imagen 2 to its devices.

Honor has been talking up AI features in its devices this year. In February, the company launched the Magic 6 Pro with a feature powered by the company's own AI that allows users to open an app just by looking at their phone. A user can stare as a notification pops up at the top of the screen, prompting the eye-tracking tech to open up the relevant app.
Count Baked by Melissa founder Melissa Ben-Ishay among the entrepreneurial success stories founded on getting out of the corporate rat race.

Before starting her company, Ben-Ishay worked at an ad agency in New York City  a role she felt unfulfilled in. The day she was fired was an "aha moment," she recently told CNBC. She visited her brother at work, and he suggested the two start a business selling her cupcakes. They quickly created a website and shot images of cupcakes using a white sheet as a backdrop.

Back in 2008, Ben-Ishay was doing it all: hand-delivering cupcakes to tastings, cold calling caterers from her bedroom and, once she had an order, boarding the subway with a white cardboard deli box full of her trademark tie-dye sweets. At the time, every cupcake came from her tiny New York City apartment kitchen.

Baked by Melissa would sprinkle the city with bite-sized cupcakes in tie-dye boxes for the next few years, with her big break coming when the owner of Cafe Bari, who had fallen in love with the bite-sized cupcakes and offered Ben-Ishay the opportunity to use his commercial kitchen in exchange for selling him cupcakes at cost for the NYC holiday markets.

"Seven months after we founded the company, my dad drove in from Bergen County and helped me move all of my stuff from my little teeny kitchen to the basement of Cafe Bari," she recalled at a recent CNBC event.

The cafe owner became a shareholder in Baked by Melissa, and the company was able to continue using the space for years. The organic foot traffic was already lucrative, Ben-Ishay says, but as the press started to catch on, people lined up around the corner. A year after it moved into the Cafe Bari space, Baked by Melissa opened its second location in Union Square.
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Post Office Limited Paula Vennells (C) arrives to give evidence to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, in central London, on May 22, 2024. More than 700 people running small local post offices received criminal convictions between 1999 and 2005 after faulty accounting software made it appear that money had gone missing from their branches. The scandal has been described at an ongoing public inquiry as "the worst miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history".

LONDON  The former chief executive of Britain's Post Office, Paula Vennells, on Wednesday apologized for the scandal that led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters who ran the institution's local branches.

The Post Office took 700 people to court between 1999 and 2015 based on faulty evidence resulting from central I.T. system failures. Another 283 people were prosecuted by other bodies, based on the errors of the same system. More than 200 of the total were sent to prison and in some cases, victims died before they were exonerated.

"I would just like to say... how sorry I am for all that sub-postmasters and their families and others have suffered, as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long," Vennells said on Wednesday during a government inquiry hearing.

Her first public comments in nearly a decade came at the start of a three-day testimony, in which Vennells is being questioned by lawyers as part of a wider government inquiry. Questions remain over what Vennells and other executives knew, all while the Post Office continued to push for sub-postmaster prosecutions. Focus is also on the myriad of issues with accounting software that were made by Japanese firm Fujitsu .

At one point, Vennells broke down in tears while discussing the case of Martin Griffiths, who took his own life while being pursued by the Post Office for an alleged shortfall of 60,000 ($76,314).

As the Post Office is a state-owned company, questions have also been raised about the government's role in the scandal, which has been described as one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British history.

Vennells joined at a time when the Post Office was losing significant amounts of money and was under pressure to improve its financial performance.
A federal judge in Texas on Wednesday said Exxon Mobil can sue to bar a climate change proposal from an activist investor, in a case that has raised concerns about its future effect on shareholder resolutions.

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman for the Northern District of Texas ruled that Exxon's lawsuit can proceed against Boston-based Arjuna Capital, but dismissed the oil major's claim against a second activist shareholder, Follow This, because the firm is based in the Netherlands.

Exxon sued the two investors in January after they submitted a proposal to be tabled at the May 29 annual shareholder meeting that called for the company to accelerate carbon dioxide emissions reductions.

Arjuna and Follow This subsequently withdrew the proposal, but Exxon proceeded with its claims against the two firms, arguing that they could file similar proposals at future shareholder meetings.

Exxon's claims are based on Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to exclude shareholder resolutions if they deal with a matter relating to the company's ordinary business operations, or are substantially similar to proposals offered in the past five years.

Pittman said Arjuna and Follow This were following a "Trojan Horse" model in which they aggregate enough shares in oil companies to vote and submit proposals aimed at fighting climate change.

The judge, appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in 2019, said Exxon should not be faulted for distrusting the activist investors. He said Arjuna could slightly modify its withdrawn 2024 proposal for submission to future shareholder meetings.

"Rather, the company's position is a rational response to entities categorically opposed to Big Oil," Pittman wrote. "Exxon is big. And Exxon is Oil. And another court has already found at least Defendant has leadership that's 'manifestly biased' against Exxon."

Arjuna, which calls itself "a sustainable investment firm that works with accredited investors and institutions to invest their assets with a lens toward sustainability," did not immediately respond to an e-mail request from CNBC for comment.
By Jung Min-ho

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for brutally assaulting a woman after being asked to leave the ladies room at Busan Station last year.

The Busan District Court convicted the man, in his 50s, of inflicting severe injuries including a skull fracture on the victim, in her 50s, in an obvious attempt to kill her on Oct. 29.

He told police later that he was upset because of her complaint about him being in the ladies bathroom.

Investigators had initially considered pressing assault charges against him. But after securing evidence that he repeatedly and specifically struck her head and other body parts near vital organs, the prosecution indicted him on an attempted murder charge instead.

He was also ordered to wear a location-tracking electronic anklet for 10 years after finishing his time behind bars.

Judges rejected his claim that he did not have an intention to kill her, saying he was apparently aware of that risk.

After rendering her unconscious in a brutal attack, he left the scene, knowing the possibility of her death, the court said. It was unprovoked violence aimed at a random person, which he deserves a heavy penalty for.
Norway, Ireland and Spain will recognize an independent Palestinian state, the three countries' prime ministers said Wednesday, with the stated aim of bringing about a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has raged for more than 75 years.

"In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a news conference, according to Reuters.

Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said on social media that his country will approve the recognition of a Palestinian state in the Council of Ministers on May 28, according to a CNBC translation.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also confirmed the news in a news conference: "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."

Harris expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of other countries following suit.
Peugeot is partnering with German startup Vay to assess the use of remote-driving tech on last-mile delivery.

PARIS, France  French car giant Peugeot told CNBC this week that it's partnering with Vay, a German mobility startup, to integrate so-called "teledriving" tech  an alternative to autonomous cars  into its vehicles.

The deal will see the two companies assess the use of Vay's teledriving tech on "last-mile delivery" vans and smaller logistics vehicles, with a focus on business-to-business (B2B) customers.

The idea is to recreate the journey a delivery vehicle typically takes from an order fulfillment center to households or businesses, similar to the widely-known model already offered by Amazon  only this time with remote-controlled cars.

The first exploratory test drives of Vay's technology with Peugeot vehicles already took place last year with the Pegueot E-308 electric car.

The partnership has been 18 months in the making, Justin Spratt, Vay's chief business officer, told CNBC via emailed comments, adding that it selected Peugeot as its first OEM partner for integration of its teledriving tech due to its "innovative standing and wider customer demographic."

Spratt said its deal with Peugeot will "showcase how delivery operations can be made more efficient  as vehicles can be delivered on demand, redistributed and taken to cleaning and charging  in a more cost-effective way."
Passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore, which made an emergency landing in Bangkok, greet family members upon arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore on May 22, 2024.

SINGAPORE  More than 140 passengers and crew that were on the Singapore Airlines flight that made an emergency landing in Bangkok Tuesday after encountering severe turbulence arrived safely in Singapore early on Wednesday.

One passenger died and 30 others were injured onboard the London to Singapore flight on Tuesday, which encountered "sudden extreme turbulence" about 10 hours after departing from Heathrow Airport.

A relief flight carrying "131 passengers and 12 crew members who were on board SQ321 arrived in Singapore" at 5:05 a.m. local time on Wednesday, the airline said in a Facebook update.

The Boeing 777-300ER, which was carrying carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, was flying over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet when it experienced sudden turbulence.

A 73-year-old British national died of a suspected heart attack during the incident. At least 30 people were injured, with 18 of them hospitalized and 12 being treated in hospitals, the airline said.

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We also deeply apologise for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight," Singapore Airlines' CEO Goh Choon Phong, said in a video message posted on Facebook.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok, and the plane arrived at the Thai capital at 3:45 p.m. Bangkok time.
"Various representatives of the Kyiv regime and Zelenskyy himself have been making many statements in recent days, sometimes actually slipping into hysterics. This is due to the extremely unfavorable position of the forces of the Kyiv regime at the fronts," Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said, in comments translated by NBC News.

The Kremlin said Tuesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's latest appeal for more Western aid and involvement in the conflict is due to Ukraine's "extremely unfavorable" situation on the battlefield.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov looks on during a visit of CIS heads of state to the Catherine Palace at the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum and Reserve in Saint Petersburg, Russia December 26, 2023.

"This is also due to the quite difficult situation in which the Ukrainian military finds itself, despite all the promised help. The] [supplies- are not as regular as hoped for. And most importantly, there is a growing understanding that even if this rhythm of military supplies is restored, this will still not allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to change the dynamics at the fronts. This understanding is growing and it does not add confidence or balanced judgment to the Kiev regime representatives," he added.

Peskov's comments come after Zelenskyy told Reuters Monday that he was trying to get Ukraine's partners more directly involved, asking them to help intercept Russian missiles and to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian military equipment at the border and targets inside Russian territory.

He said he understood they were wary of antagonizing Russia, however. "It's a question of will," Zelenskyy told the news agency. "But everyone says a word that sounds the same in every language: everyone is scared of escalation."

Zelenskyy told Reuters that the situation on the front lines had stabilized in the last week, though he conceded that Ukraine's forces had been in a more difficult position after Russia launched a new offensive in the northeast.

 Holly Ellyatt
In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, May 17, 2024, a Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying spacecrafts of the Russian Defense Ministry takes off from a launch pad of Plesetsk Cosmodrome outside Plesetsk, northern Russia.

Russia accused the United States of disinformation Wednesday after the Pentagon said Moscow had launched what it assesses to be a counterspace weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite.

The latest clash between the Kremlin and Washington came as Moscow kicked off exercises to simulate the use of tactical nuclear weapons, in a likely signal to the West against deeper involvement in Ukraine.

In a briefing Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. has assessed that Moscow deployed the satellite on May 16. "Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counterspace weapon, presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit," Ryder said.

It was launched into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite, Ryder said, without elaborating on whether the American satellite was in any immediate danger.

The U.S. will be monitoring the situation, he added, but is ready to protect the "space domain."

Russia's state space agency, Roscosmos, said in a statement in the early morning hours of May 17 local time that a Soyuz launch vehicle with "spacecraft on board" took off from its Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia "in the interests of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation." It was unclear whether the launch was related to the "counterspace weapon" that the U.S. assessed Russia put into space.

The latest space feud comes three months after Washington raised fears that Russia was developing a space-based nuclear weapon potentially designed to target U.S. satellites. Moscow strongly denied it, with President Vladimir Putin saying he was categorically against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.

The new U.S. assessment was once again dismissed by Russia on Wednesday.

"I don't think we should respond to any information hoax from Washington," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by state news agency Tass, adding that Russia has consistently opposed the deployment of weapons in low Earth orbit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a daily news briefing that Russia has been acting in accordance with international law and has repeatedly called for a ban on any weapons in space, but those initiatives have been turned down, including by the U.S.

Washington and Moscow have clashed over the space weapons issue at the United Nations in recent weeks.

A Russian-drafted Security Council resolution that called on all countries to prevent "for all time" the placement, threat or use of any weapons in outer space failed on Monday. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the outcome of the vote "disappointing," saying that the U.S. and its partners had once again demonstrated their "true priorities" in the space field, including transforming it into an "arena of military confrontation."

But Russia vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution last month that called on countries to prevent an arms race in outer space.

The latest exchange of rhetoric comes amid growing tensions between Russia and the U.S. over Washington's continued support for the Kyiv fight in the two-year war. Putin has engaged in nuclear brinkmanship on many occasions throughout the war, threatening to unleash Russia's powerful nuclear arsenal if its existence is threatened.

On Tuesday, his defense ministry said it had begun the first phase of the drills on the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in its Southern military district, which borders Ukraine.

The exercises were ordered by Putin earlier this month. The defense ministry reiterated Tuesday that the drills were in response to "provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation," in a likely reference to a growing discussion around the possibility of sending NATO troops to Ukraine.

 Reuters and Mosheh Gains contributed.
A staggering 7061 crores of public funds have been siphoned off by a nexus of cybercriminals operating primarily from Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos in the first four months of this year alone.In fact, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has received over 6 lakh complaints.Recognising the scale of these crimes, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded the alarm on the escalating cybercrime menace targeting India from the region.These cybercriminals employ a spectrum of fraudulent schemes, ranging from stock market scams to fake gaming and dating apps.To combat the menace, Indian authorities have taken stringent measures, freezing 3.25 lakh mule accounts and blocking 3,000 URLs and 595 apps under Section 69A of the IT Act.Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C, revealed the intricate web of deceit employed by these criminal syndicates, which exploit social media to lure unsuspecting Indian youths with false job prospects.Cybercrime operations based in these countries employ a comprehensive array of deceptive strategies, including recruitment efforts by exploiting social media to lure Indian youths with fake employment opportunities. These individuals are then compelled to engage in various cyber scams (such as investment scams, pig butchering scams, trading app scams, dating scams, etc.), often communicating via messaging platforms using Indian SIM cards to target Indian nationals. The illicit gains from these activities are laundered through sophisticated financial channels, including Indian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and cash withdrawals across various countries, among others," Rajesh Kumar said.The illicit proceeds from these operations are laundered through sophisticated means, including cryptocurrency transactions and cash withdrawals spanning multiple countries.Money exits India through various ways. It includes international fund transfers, physical gold, cryptocurrency, cash withdrawals from India and other countries, and hawala. They use the complex layering of bank accounts. In one case where the victim lost 70 lakh rupees, fraudsters used nine bank accounts and finally transferred money into cryptocurrency," Kumar added.The gravity of the situation prompted the formation of a high-level inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs."Compounds in Cambodia were used where Indians went to the country. They use multiple telegram channels to trap Indians. The maximum amount and number of victims are trapped in investment scams. Places in Cambodia like Poi Pot, Bavet, Phnom Penh, etc. are hot spots for such compounds," Kumar said."I4C (MHA) is continuously monitoring and blocking cybercrime infrastructure such as Skype accounts, Google advertisements, meta advertisements, SMS headers, SIM cards, bank accounts, etc.," MHA said.The ministry also stated that thousands of Indians, willingly or unwillingly working in these call centers, are involved in fraud.In light of the aforementioned concerns, a high-level inter-ministerial committee under the chairpersonship of the Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, has been constituted to coordinate with relevant ministries and departments for implementing comprehensive measures aimed at mitigating cybercrime originating from Southeast Asia targeting India and creating a resilient ecosystem to prevent such crimes from originating from other geographies.After the recent revelation by Vishakhapatnam police of a human trafficking racket operating in Cambodia, the decision to form the committee has gained prominence.According to the AP police, over 300 Indians were lured to Singapore with the promise of employment opportunities.However, they were subsequently trafficked to Cambodia, where their passports were confiscated.They were subjected to torture and coerced into committing cybercrimes against Indian nationals.These individuals have been rescued and repatriated to India. In response, the Indian embassy in Cambodia has issued an advisory, urging those seeking job opportunities in Cambodia to only engage with authorised agents.Additionally, it advised job seekers to conduct thorough background checks on prospective employers.
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By Lee Hae-rin

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said, Wednesday, that it has developed artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance technology capable of identifying and detecting digital sexual exploitation content targeting youth. The city government believes the technology's introduction will help combat digital crimes against children automatically on a 24/7 basis.

The Seoul Institute, a research center established by the Seoul city government, started developing the technology in March last year and completed the project this month.

The initiative comes after the city government first introduced AI technology that automatically surveils and tracks digital crimes last year.

The city governments newly developed technology can quickly determine whether the victim in sexual exploitation content is an adult or a minor. In the case of the latter, many cases go unreported because victims often have difficulties telling their parents about the crime, the city government explained.

According to the Seoul Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Center, which is a city-led organization that provides aid to the victims of digital sexual exploitation, only 7.8 percent of digital sex crimes against youth are reported by victims.

Due to the nature of the crime, digital sexual exploitation content tends to spread quickly without being investigated.

Under the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses, sexually exploitative content featuring children can be immediately removed from platforms without the consent of the victim or their parents.

Thus, the newly developed technology system, which can determine the age and gender of the youth, based on AI deep learning facial recognition technology, will be effectively used to quickly monitor and detect content displaying the sexual exploitation of minors and delete them preemptively.

Notably, the technology takes only 90 seconds from inserting keywords to detect illegal video content, which is around 80 times quicker than before, when a person needed to manually search for sexual exploitation content for an average of two hours. The accuracy is also enhanced by over 300 percent, the city government explained.

With the introduction of the new technology, the city government will be able to automatically monitor some 300,000 cases of sexual exploitation content, which is nearly double last years manual monitoring of 156,837 cases.

Meanwhile, two alums of Seoul National University (SNU) have been arrested for digital sex crimes on Telegram, reigniting public outrage over the notorious Nth Room scandal from 2019, Tuesday.

According to the Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, a 40-something man, identified only by his surname Park, and a 31-year-old man surnamed Kang, were arrested for illegally producing and distributing pornographic content containing images of female SNU students on Telegram since 2021.

The two had collected multiple images of female SNU students from their social media accounts and made them into sexually explicit content. Park and Kang are also accused of revealing the victims personal information in group chats.
Having now answered the key question of whether you can run a UK limited company from abroad, its fitting to address another query were often asked  Can I work as a UK contractor for a company in another country? writes Kevin Austin, managing director of Access Financial.

Certainly, its possible, and with the weather often better abroad, its even understandable!

Top 10 considerations to work as a remote UK contractor for a company overseas

With more controllable aspects in mind, let me breakdown the top 10 considerations for working as a remote contractor for a company in another country while you, a UK tax resident, continue to be based in the UK:

1. Your UK tax residency

First and foremost, working remotely for a foreign company likely doesn't affect your UK residency  but residency needs to be ticked off as a top consideration.

For this reason, it's best to consult a tax adviser for specifics, especially regarding potential tax implications on your worldwide income.

As a general rule, days spent outside the UK do not impact your UK tax liability. However, if you are looking at spending days abroad, incidental to your duties, then this spending of a significant amount of time is what can cause issues or changes.

But you would have to leave the UK for an entire year for work to lose ( or escape depending on your motivations) your UK tax residence.

2. Your tax residency status in the client country

Less obvious to many UK contractors who dabble in contracting overseas, you may spend long enough abroad to become liable for taxes in the client-companys country.

For example, individuals become residents in Switzerland if they have worked in Switzerland for a period exceeding 30 days.

This rule is based on the Federal Act on Direct Federal Taxation (DBG) and the Tax Harmonisation Act (StHG).

The Swiss authorities will look at your intention to reside permanently, so this '30-day rule' may not be rigidly enforced.

That said, Switzerland has Double Taxation Treaties with most developed states so getting a set-off should be straightforward.

But to any contractors put off, I would say this should not be a reason not to work in Switzerland, where taxes are low by advanced country standards.

On the other hand you could work remotely in Namibia -- and never be taxed on your foreign earnings at all!

3. Meetings / visas if you attend the client country

If you are contracting from the UK but for a non-UK company which is abroad, you should always check the visa requirements for the country in advance of needing to visit it for business meetings.

For reference, as a Briton, you can obtain a business visa for EU and EEA countries, permitting you to attend business meetings, but be aware that it prohibits the carrying out of paid work. More positively, as well as meetings, such a visa does permit you to attend conferences and training sessions, however.

However, a business visa is typically more difficult and takes longer to obtain than a tourist visa. Increasingly, where you need a tourist visa, obtaining one on arrival is becoming a more common occurrence.

Coming to Cyprus, for example, on a business visa from India might take six weeks to obtain. By contrast we have seen work visas issued in one day.

To restate -- business visa holders may attend meetings, exhibitions, training and the like. However, they cannot perform lucrative employment. They may, though, sign lucrative contracts!

And finally on visas, remember that should a border official suspect that you are not on holiday when travelling on a tourist visa they have the power not to permit entry. So, if you turn up on a freezing cold day in a business suit without sun cream and Speedos, you might raise suspicion as to your true motives and be denied entry!

4. Whose laws apply and when?

UK company law tax law (IR35) applies since the place of supply is the UK (i.e. when you're working remotely in the UK).

As youll likely know, IR35 determines your tax status. However, because your client is outside the UK (and lets assume for the purposes of this article the client is wholly overseas and so has no UK connection), you, the director, have the responsibility to assess whether you are inside or outside of IR35.

However, if youre on-contract with this wholly overseas organisation, foreign laws might apply in specific situations. For example, intellectual property rights. If in doubt, I recommend consulting a lawyer familiar with both UK law and the host countrys business frameworks.

5. Certification of tax residence

Depending on where your client is located, you may need to provide them with a certificate of tax residence.

In fact, many states nowadays will demand evidence of your tax status, without which they will not apply treaty provisions such as 0% or reduced rates of 'withholding taxes' (or 'WHT').

The payer (i.e. your client) would then be obliged to apply the standard rate of WHT from your invoices.

Withholding taxes are not based on a tax liability, but a mechanism that ensures states receive their share of revenues and that they do not grant treaty relief without evidence of residence in that other state.

In the event that your client is obliged to deduct local WHT from their 'remittances' (i.e. payments made from a taxpayer -- a company or individual, in one state to a taxpayer in another state), you should be able to obtain set-off relief from your taxes due to HMRC.

Remember though, to handle your own tax obligations -- whether company or individual, you must advise HMRC of your business operations. You must also comply with HMRCs reporting / filing requirements and deadlines.

6. Your set-up, and your money

Setting up a UK limited company is an alternative to working in the UK as a sole trader or an umbrella company may be best for your operation. Each model has its own tax and administrative implications but generally speaking, a UK limited company will be more anticipated by an overseas-based end-user.

Should you decline being a brolly employee for the assignment, you should open a business bank account in the UK to manage your finances and receive payments. A UK business bank account isnt required if you opt to be a sole trader (as it is for a limited company, but its still highly recommended to keep your monies separate.

When dealing with an overseas client, you should consider the international transfer fees and currency fluctuations. Shop around for deals here, and even ask the client if they may know of a broker who they use and so might vouch for.

7. Technology / infrastructure

Remote working has a reputation for never being more convenient than in 2024, but this largely depends on your own individual access to a reliable and high-speed internet connection. Wed further recommend video conferencing and project management tools for effective communication and collaboration with the non-UK client.

8. Factor in no agency (potentially)

As overseas engagements are more likely to be direct-to-client opportunities, you wont have a recruitment agency in the chain. Thats why, above, I recommend potentially being free if you wish to be a sole trader  a candidate set-up most agencies wont engage with.

However the downside of not having an agency can be sharp  so strongly consider replacing this vacuum by seeking professional advice, ideally from an accountant specialising in UK contractors working abroad for comprehensive tax and legal guidance specific to your situation.

9. Insurance

Longer distance gigs are inherently riskier and with language differences to potentially factor in as well, business insurance can be a wise decision to protect your company.

You should look into professional indemnity insurance to protect against claims for errors and omissions. If you employ others or have people visit you, you should check if you need civil or employment insurance.

10. Cultural clashes

Language differences can lead to flashpoints but theres also business etiquette to consider  what goes down well in Tokyo youd be laughed at a little for trying in Tijuana!

So try to get the skinny (a phrase it may help to know if your client is US-based) on whats the done thing in terms of business engagement, approach and interaction with your overseas client company. When in Rome can be helpful, even if you will be UK-based.

Similarly, it doesnt hurt to keep abreast of local laws that potentially affect you and them, while of course not forgetting that its the UKs regulations on visas, taxes, and business operations which will affect you most as a UK contractor supplying goods or providing services to a company based wholly overseas.
A considerable portion of individuals with traumatic brain injuries, whose families opted to withdraw life support, might have had the potential to survive and experience some level of recovery, according to a recent study.

Traumatic brain injuries, stemming from forceful impacts, head jolts, or foreign objects penetrating the brain, pose challenges in outcome prediction. While some patients regain partial independence over time, families often face the daunting decision of whether to continue life-sustaining treatments shortly after severe injury.

To delve into the potential outcomes of such scenarios, Yelena Bodien and colleagues from Massachusetts General Hospital gathered data on intensive care unit patients in the U.S. over a seven-and-a-half-year span.

Among these patients, 80 had life support withdrawn, and their outcomes were contrasted with those continuing treatment, some of whom showed signs of partial independence.

The study pinpointed factors influencing life support withdrawal, such as age and gender. Utilizing an algorithm, researchers estimated the likelihood of recovery had treatment persisted.

Results indicated that 42 percent of patients with life support withdrawn might have survived and achieved partial independence six to 12 months post-injury.

Bodien noted the uncertainty in traumatic brain injury prognosis saying, "Prognosis after TBI [traumatic brain injury] is highly uncertain, and expressing this uncertainty to families is very important."

"Our results suggest that a more cautious approach is warranted when establishing prognosis [and that] careful consideration is required when making such an irreversible decision as withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment."

Bodien pointed out a dearth of long-term traumatic brain injury outcome information, which complicates prognosis determination and may lead clinicians to presume a bleak prognosis, potentially influencing withdrawal recommendations.

Damian Cruse from the University of Birmingham urged caution in interpreting the results, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of withdrawal decisions and the importance of considering patient preferences regarding recovery levels.

"Decisions to withdraw are multifaceted and don't necessarily hinge on dichotomies of 'will they be in a vegetative state or not?', but are more about whether the level of recovery is something that the patient would have been happy with," Cruse explained, according to New Scientist.

"That said, it is clear from this and other data that we are not as accurate in our predictions of recovery from the early period after injury as we would like to be, especially as these predictions will feed into families' difficult choices."

The researchers plan to broaden their study to compare recovery rates across countries and explore statistical methods for imputing outcomes accurately, aiding future estimations in patients whose life support is withdrawn.
If only there were some three-syllable word to use as shorthand for the folly of man

This Wikipedia entry doesnt even include the Titan submarine that puckered out of existence in 2023. But these attempted replicas, all designed by greedy morons, share that same spirit of hubris and edgelordiness.

Lets take a look at a few phrases from the list that really capture the idiocy of recreating one of the biggest and most cursed failures in human history

5 Significant Changes to the Original Design Required to Produce a Safe and Economically Viable Ship It may sound obvious, but ultimately its at the center of this whole farce: the Titanic was a bad ship. Its the first conclusion that everyone, except a handful of idiot billionaires, draws when they spend any amount of time thinking about the Titanic. Don't Miss In 1998, Popular Mechanics was asked about the feasibility of reconstruction, and basically said, Build a completely different boat. One of the significant changes they suggested was to weld, rather than rivet, the hull (as explained in the movie, the rivets popped off like the buttons on a fat cartoon businessman moguls pants). Not a crazy suggestion. But they also proposed replacing the 159 coal furnaces and 29 boilers with a diesel engine, and using the enormous space that would free up for modern amenities like air conditioning. They said this would all cost about twice as much as building a regular cruise ship, which begs the question: What is the point? Why go all Pimp My Ride on the worst ship ever built?

4 Evidence Accumulated Strongly Suggesting That the Project Had Been Abandoned These replicas have one important factor in common: Theyre vanity projects designed by the richest, numbest numbnuts on the planet, solely to bolster their own reputations. Theyre all doomed to fail, and it appears that none of them are currently on track to actually, ya know, happen. But these people are heavily invested in looking like theyre working on it. Australian billionaire Clive Palmer seems to have the most contradictory updates on his stupid little project, the Titanic II. He started a company called the Blue Star Line, a nod to the White Star Line, the company that owned the original ship. Thats about as far as he got. He announced his intentions in 2012, planning to hit the open sea by 2016. But by 2015, conflicting reports emerged that construction had been halted, then that it never started at all, then that it was revived. Ultimately, it came out that the Blue Star Line trademark had been abandoned altogether. Advertisement Palmer pushed back the date to 2018, then 2022, and most recently, he assured the world that hed start construction on this bad boy in 2025. For real, this time! Advertisement

3 Expressed Her Opposition to the Project Look, just about everyone on the planet would express opposition to any of these abominations. Who, then, is so notable that her opposition to South African billionaire Sarel Gous Titanic II made this Wikipedia entry? That would be Millvina Dean, the youngest passenger of the original Titanic, and the longest living survivor. Gous claims to have gotten his mitts on the original drawings of the ship, and wanted to bring it back to life, rivet-for-rivet. It makes sense; if you found the blueprints for Frankensteins monster, youd wonder if maybe you could do a better job. Gous one refurbishment would have been to include enough lifeboats to not drown a bunch of once-frolicking immigrants. But ironically, modern safety regulations made it impossible for that many lifeboats to even fit on a ship the size and shape of the Titanic. Advertisement This was all supposed to happen in 2006, and Millvina was able to express her opposition to the project before she passed away in 2009.

2 In Bad Taste Advertisement Once again, this whole idea is in bad taste  what could possibly stand out as particularly tone deaf and cruel? The Romandisea Titanic is supposed to be a floating hotel, the same size and shape as the original, but docked in a river in landlocked Sichuan, China. They actually succeeded in building about half of its hull, but construction appears to have stalled out around 2020. It was meant to be the keynote attraction of a huge resort theme park (whose theme was, we guess, the folly of man?). To really drive the point home, they announced plans to include an audiovisual simulation of the sinking of the Titanic, on the replica of the Titanic. Thats like building a Tower of Terror at the 9/11 memorial. Advertisement This idea was deemed in bad taste, and the creators removed the Agonizing Death Simulator from their attempt to profit off of an international tragedy.
The far left and far right agree: Maher's book tour is obnoxious.

Bill Maher keeps complaining that he might get canceled any minute now, and with any luck, hell soon be proven right. Yesterdays appearance on The View probably wont get the job done, but at least Maher is giving it the old college try.

Maher and The View hosts got right into Mahers favorite topic  the word woke and all things associated with it. Maher continued to insist that hes neither on the left nor the right, and that both sides are guilty of leading America into ruin. I think we agree about the danger of the super far right, and I cant say it enough, I think theyre the bigger threat, he pontificated. But dont tell me that the left hasnt changed. I mean, Im old enough to remember when it was the conservatives who hated the Jews, okay?

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The response from both the panel and the studio audience:

Even Maher acknowledged the awkward elephant in the room: That was a joke. Note to Maher: When you have to let people know its a joke, its probably not a good one.

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Alyssa Farah Griffin didnt think so. Too dark! she laughed to break the silence.

Well, maybe it is, but its true, replied Maher. So not a joke after all, just more of Maher speaking for the vast middle.

The book-plugging appearance gave Sunny Hostin a chance to poke Maher over his woke obsession. It struck me that in the first segment, you used the term woke, and you said that woke is what was ruining everything, she said.

Not exactly, said Maher. I didnt say ruining everything. I said thats why Trump could get re-elected.

In other words, ruining everything.

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Nevertheless, Hostin expressed that woke is a word thats been co-opted by the right and weaponized and bastardized. So I was surprised to hear you use the term because historically, as you know because I think youre quite brilliant, woke is a word used by the Black community to note that we must be aware of social injustices. Why is that a bad thing?

Maher, nodding in agreement with Hostins brilliant description, said its not a bad thing but that words migrate. Alert to injustice  whos not for that? he offered. Ill use any term you want because maybe thats a word thats triggering. How would The View ladies feel about superfar left?

One point of agreement for everyone around the table: Watching the nightly news is a chore, with any individual outlet only providing one side of the story. I just want one place for all the pieces of the picture, pleaded Maher.

And, of course, he smirked, its my book and my show where you can get both.
Hopefully someone has contacted the Guinness World Records people to see if they can add a Most Public Embarrassments in a Single Week page to their next book. Just a few days ago, we got the news that Rudy Giuliani had been served notice of an indictment (for allegedly trying to overturn election results) at his 80th birthday party, after taunting Arizona prosecutors on social media for not being able to locate him.

Not long after that, Americas Broke as Shit Mayor was widely ridiculed for his latest attempt to raise funds to pay off his massive debts: coffee! Yup, the former Time Magazine Person of the Year is now hawking his own line of coffee beans, as evidenced by this 100 percent professional, not sad at all commercial.

While one might think that this would be the end of his public humiliation for, I dont know, a day or two at least, not long after his MAGA Starbucks ad dropped, Giuliani appeared at a virtual arraignment over Zoom, and mistakenly inspired a staggering number of streaming jokes.

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According to reports, as he waited for his turn, seemingly Giulianis mic wasnt muted, and just as his name was finally called, there was a sound of some kind of liquid dropping into another liquid, which really sounded like someone taking a piss. Is that me, Rudy Giuliani? he then asked, right as the noise stopped.

If were to take this moment at face value, the hearing was weirdly similar to a memorable scene in The Naked Gun, in which Leslie Nielsens Lt. Frank Drebin accidentally leaves his wireless mic on while going to the bathroom during a City Hall press conference.

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Naturally, a lot of people responded to the Giuliani news by posting Naked Gun memes  although, to be fair, Frank Drebin was never once accused of attempting to subvert democracy.

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While one might assume that this was merely a viral marketing stunt to promote Rudy Coffee, Giuliani didnt respond to reporters requests for a comment. But he later posted on X/Twitter stating that that the video was false. Although he didnt explain whether the video was doctored, or if he was caught doing something other than tinkling, like playing with toy boats in a bathtub, for instance.

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Instead Giuliani pointed out that he survived prostate cancer and now comforts others facing cancer. Which doesnt really clear up what happened.

Between this and Joe Piscopo showing up at Trumps trial, its been a big week for unexpected 80s comedy references at legal proceedings involving right-wing celebrities. Hopefully Giuliani will get a few days off before inevitably publicly shitting his pants in front of Sydney Sweeney and everyone he went to high school with.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday he will reexamine the policy response to tackle Korea's low birth rate by creating a new ministry fully dedicated to overcoming what he called a "national emergency."

Yoon reiterated the plan to create the new ministry during an address to the Asian Leadership Conference held in Seoul.

"We will establish the low birth response planning ministry to review the policy from the ground up and fully commit to overcoming the national emergency of the low birth rate," Yoon said in an opening speech.

"The low birth rate is a problem intertwined with various social and cultural factors, and fundamental solutions require a nationwide effort to innovate across society," he added.

Yoon earlier said the head of the new ministry will double as the deputy minister for social affairs and draw up policies across the education, labor and welfare sectors.

The establishment of a new ministry requires a revision of the government organization law in the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

South Korea's total fertility rate, or the average number of children expected to be born to a woman over her lifetime, reached a record low of 0.72 in 2023, one of the lowest in the world.

The figure is far below the 2.1 births per woman needed to maintain a stable population without immigration. (Yonhap)
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Korea will maintain the current ban on short selling until a reliable system is established to prevent illegal trading, a presidential official said Wednesday.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) imposed a temporary ban on short selling in November last year to crack down on illegal short selling by global investment banks. The measure is set to remain in place through the end of June.

Hopes of lifting the ban were raised after FSS chief Lee Bok-hyun said last week during an investors' event in New York that he "hopes or plans to partially resume short selling in June."

The presidential official said Lee's remarks during his meeting with investors appeared to reflect his personal hopes and clarified that the government does not plan to resume short selling next month.

"We will not resume short selling until the issue of illegal short selling is resolved and a trustworthy system is in place. There is no change in our stance," the official told reporters.

In January, President Yoon Suk Yeol said the ban on short selling will remain in place until measures are devised to resolve short selling's harmful effects on retail investors.

During the New York event, the FSS chief said the agency is working to create a computer system for short selling, though there are some technical and legal issues to be addressed. (Yonhap)
A former wartime sexual slavery victim on Wednesday asked the German Embassy in Seoul to help preserve a girl statue erected in Berlin years ago to symbolize the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

Lee Yong-soo, a 96-year-old victim of the Japanese military's sexual slavery during World War II, made the plea in a news conference held in front of the embassy, saying the Berlin statue should never be removed.

Activists set up the statue in a public place in Berlin's Mitte district in 2020 to internationally publicize the issue of wartime sexual slavery victims euphemistically called "comfort women." The news conference, also attended by pro-comfort women activists, came after Berlin's mayor has reportedly hinted at dismantling the statue.

The comfort women statue erected in many countries worldwide is intended to protect the countries and symbolize world peace without war, Lee said.

Following the news conference, Lee delivered a letter of protest also signed by 173 civic groups and 1,861 citizens to the German Embassy, which says Germany will lose the trust it has built in the international community, if the statue is removed. (Yonhap)
Investigators attempted to have the Marine Corps chief and a former chief Marine investigator confront each other during questioning over the military's handling of a conscript's on-duty death last year, but the commander refused, officials said Wednesday.

The previous day, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) brought in Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan and Col. Park Jung-hun, former chief investigator of the Marines, for questioning over the case.

The high-profile investigation centers on allegations that the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in Park's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a risky search mission for victims of heavy downpours in the central county of Yecheon in July last year.

According to Park, who led the initial inquiry into the death, he brought charges of professional negligence resulting in death against eight military leaders and reported the findings to the defense minister.

A press briefing planned on the inquiry was then abruptly called off by the chief Marine commander, followed by a call from a legal affairs officer from the ministry, ordering the removal of all suspects and charges from the report.

Park has accused the commander of involvement in alleged interference with the inquiry by the presidential office and the defense ministry, claiming that the commander told him "the VIP (the president) went into fury" and that he had a phone call with the defense minister. The Marine commander is flatly denying these allegations

During Tuesday's questioning, the CIO attempted to have Kim and Park face each other for a cross-examination regarding their contradicting claims, but Kim's side refused.

The CIO quoted Kim's side as responding, "Having the chief Marine commander confront a subordinate to argue over right and wrong would inflict grave wounds to the Marine Corps and could possibly disrupt its ability to carry out its missions."

As the Marine commander left the CIO office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, at around 11:30 p.m., following 14 hours of questioning, he remained tight-lipped in the face of a barrage of questions from reporters.

It was the second round of questioning he has faced in connection with the investigation, following the first one in early May. (Yonhap)
Key anti-graft campaign bearing fruit

10:42, May 22, 2024 By Yang Zekun ( Chinadaily.com.cn

China is continuously improving the legal framework and strengthening international cooperation to advance the work of preventing the escape of corruption suspects, pursuing fugitives, recovering stolen assets and improving the cross-border corruption governance system, experts said.

The Ministry of Public Security recently launched the Fox Hunt 2024 operation targeting economic crime suspects who have fled abroad, instructing public security organs to intensify efforts in key cases and to expand law enforcement cooperation channels.

Since 2014, about 9,000 economic crime suspects have been captured and handed over to China from more than 120 countries and regions via the Fox Hunt operation, leading to the recovery of about 49 billion yuan ($6.77 billion) in assets.

The operation is part of the Sky Net campaign initiated in 2015 by the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group. The campaign targets fugitives facing corruption charges.

This year's Sky Net campaign was launched in March. It aims to maintain a high-pressure stance on fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, deepen cross-border corruption governance, and promote an integrated mechanism for preventing escapes, pursuing fugitives and recovering assets.

Ji Yaping, head of the School of Administrative Law at Northwest University of Political Science and Law, emphasized that to eradicate the breeding grounds for corruption, it is crucial to intensify efforts to combat corruption domestically and tighten the network for tracing and apprehending fugitives, leaving no room for escape.

"The dual emphasis on preventing escape, pursuing fugitives and recovering illicit assets, as well as governing cross-border corruption, could dispel the notion among potentially corrupt individuals that they can evade punishment by fleeing," he said.

All the departments involved in Sky Net were urged to coordinate international and domestic efforts to advance the pursuit of fugitives and the recovery of assets, strengthen anti-corruption efforts among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and maintain a high-pressure stance on anti-corruption.

The communique from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China in January highlighted the need to focus on addressing cross-border corruption issues. According to the CCDI, Sky Net 2023 successfully repatriated 1,624 fugitives, with the number of newly escaped individuals remaining at a low level.

Resolute will

Ji Ying, an associate professor of law at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, noted that this year marks the 10th year of the Sky Net campaign, with consistent efforts to pursue fugitives and recover illicit assets abroad demonstrating China's resolute will to combat corruption.

"In current corruption cases, foreign-related factors are increasingly prominent, and some cases are old with long time spans and few effective leads, urgently requiring deeper international cooperation," she said.

Challenges such as criminals' money laundering activities, the complex financial systems of different countries, and the inadequate enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations complicate the process of recovering corrupt assets, she added. Furthermore, the high cost of asset recovery and the attitude of the country where the assets are located also affect the recovery process.

Moreover, most countries with which China has signed extradition treaties are developing nations. However, the primary destinations for Chinese fugitives, such as the United States, Canada and Australia, lack effective bilateral extradition treaties with China, increasing difficulties in effective extradition cooperation with these countries, she said.

Legislative improvement

Ji noted that China has continuously improved its legislation and mechanisms related to anti-graft to tackle these challenges and adapt to new needs.

As of October, China had signed 171 bilateral judicial assistance treaties with 83 countries and joined nearly 30 international conventions that include judicial assistance and extradition, with cooperation spanning over 130 countries.

In June 2014, the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group were established, followed by the establishment of similar offices at the provincial level in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

In March 2018, supervisory commissions were fully established at the national, provincial, municipal and county levels, and the Supervision Law was enacted, specifically outlining provisions for international anti-corruption cooperation.

In October 2018, China introduced the law on international criminal judicial assistance and amended the Criminal Procedure Law to include procedures for trials in absentia. In 2020, an amendment to the Criminal Law was approved regarding the crime of money laundering.

In July last year, the Law on Foreign Relations was enacted. It emphasized deepening mechanisms for international law enforcement cooperation and improving judicial assistance systems. In addition, the Anti-Money Laundering Law is being amended.

New characteristics

Li Xiao'ou, an associate professor of law at UIBE, noted that current corruption cases also exhibit new characteristics linked to the internet, such as new cross-border money laundering methods and virtual currency laundering. International cooperation on cross-border evidence collection and the rising difficulty in investigating digital crimes continue to pose challenges.

Apart from enhancing judicial cooperation with foreign countries, more research and legislation regarding international laws, especially to address conflicts between Chinese laws and the laws of foreign countries where corrupt individuals are located, should be conducted, Li said.

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption provides a basic framework for the pursuit of fugitives and for asset recovery, but substantial differences in culture, values and legal systems among countries still require intensified efforts for successful cross-border pursuits and asset recovery, Li said.

China has joined the UNCAC, and its domestic laws need further alignment with the convention, while the mechanisms for cross-border pursuit of fugitives and asset recovery require thorough implementation, Li added.

As the efforts intensified in pursuing fugitives and recovering illicit assets, many fugitives abroad have voluntarily surrendered. Vigorous pursuit of fugitives is an effective way to prevent them from fleeing abroad, and the expanding achievements in fugitive repatriation have a powerful deterrent effect, she said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday stepped up criticism of President Yoon Suk Yeol for vetoing a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death and urged the ruling party's cooperation in repassing the bill.

Lee, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), made the demand during a party Supreme Council meeting, saying the ruling People Power Party (PPP) should "break away" from what he described as "bad politics that turns a blind eye to the death of a citizen."

"If the PPP continues to act as defenders of the president and denies the will of the people, they will be recorded in history as accomplices of an atrocious government," Lee said.

On Tuesday, Yoon exercised his veto power, the 10th time in his two years in office, by approving a motion demanding parliamentary reconsideration of the bill that was railroaded through the opposition-controlled National Assembly on May 2.

The bill calls for a special counsel to look into allegations Yoon's office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the Marines' investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

Meanwhile, the PPP has hit back at the opposition, taking issue with a solo visit by former first lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of former president Moon Jae-in, to the Taj Mahal in India in 2018.

Kim's visit drew controversy over whether she was officially invited and for using public funds worth 400 million won ($278,940). It was the first time in 16 years that a South Korean first lady had made a foreign visit without the president.

Members of the PPP have called for a special counsel probe into Kim, which the DPK has accused as an attempt to "water down" issues regarding allegations that the current first lady Kim Keon Hee illegally received a luxury handbag as a gift in 2022. (Yonhap)
At the childrens playpark near my Buckinghamshire home, wildflowers were planted during the pandemic. When they erupted into colour, they spelt out NHS inside a heart.

That beautiful floral display summed up the way Britain felt about its health service just four years ago. But in a twist that feels equally symbolic, the flowerbed was dug over this spring and the tribute has gone.

Public trust in the NHS, already badly eroded by reckless strikes by junior doctors, nurses, paramedics and consultants, was dealt another blow this week by Sir Brian Langstaffs excoriating report into the infected blood scandal.

I listened to the news reports of a 40-year catalogue of lies, evasion and incompetence by politicians and the medical and scientific establishment that led to 3,000 deaths and the ruin of 30,000-plus lives with a mixture of anger and despair.

After 50 years as a doctor  both in the NHS and private sectors  I have a clear idea of whats needed: we must restore the best parts of the service

Anger at the medics who behaved with such callous disregard for the welfare of their patients, and despair because I know, deep down, that the NHS is irretrievably broken but no political leader has the guts or initiative to repair it.

Just as we submitted to the unthinkable during lockdown and gave up our basic freedoms, we are becoming resigned to record waiting lists, bloated bureaucracy and failing hospitals. Across much of the country, a three-week wait for a GP appointment is the norm, and in some areas, including my own, its often double that.

Many surgeries will not accept bookings in person but expect patients to call at 8am on the dot, to be entered into a kind of telephone lottery. No wonder private GP services, which offer appointments on demand for 100 a pop, are booming.

The official target for starting cancer treatment  my speciality  is 62 days, a built-in wait that is far too long. And even this target is routinely missed, despite evidence that survival chances in all sorts of cancer fall by about ten per cent for every months delay.

The situation in A&E departments nationwide is horrific. Crisis management is now the order of the day  every day: new arrivals are often waiting all day and night to be seen and such is the bed shortage that even seriously ill patients are left on trolleys in corridors or forced to lie on the floor.

Reform is desperately needed. We cant go on like this.

Professor Karol Sikora is a consultant oncologist in London and a former director of the WHO Cancer Programme

As long as Britain continues to treat the NHS as a substitute religion, the prospect of improving it is remote. But surely the time is now: the mood is shifting and politicians must seize this opportunity to implement radical changes.

After 50 years as a doctor  both in the NHS and private sectors  I have a clear idea of whats needed: we must restore the best parts of the service that weve lost while also embracing the future. This boils down to a six-point plan.

First and most crucially, we all have to admit that the problems are deep-rooted, not superficial. They exist at all levels, not only within management but across the Department of Health and on both sides of the Commons, where politicians are too timid to tackle the crisis and rise to the challenge of creating an NHS for the 21st century.

We are past the stage where the NHS can be fixed with cosmetic tweaks and minor upgrades. Yet politicians talk as though repairing the health service is simply a matter of application and attitude.

Just this week Rishi Sunak was trumpeting advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and claiming that AI cancer detection would revolutionise treatment of the disease.

But the reality is that computerised diagnosis has played an increasing role in oncology for a decade, during which time the waiting lists have grown steadily longer. I welcome technological innovations but its wrong to pretend they can magically make the NHS fit for purpose once more.

Politicians have also got to stop imagining they can spin their way out of this. The collapse of healthcare is not a public relations problem.

Point two: the waiting lists. As long as theres a backlog, the NHS will continue to fail every single patient. We dont need to make waits shorter  the goal should be to eliminate them. Other countries have achieved it and were mad to accept anything less here.

I was in Krakow, Poland, earlier this month, where patients with cancer symptoms are given a diagnostic scan within a week of first seeing their GP, and are in treatment within two weeks.

Its only 35 years since Poland was a moribund society, choked by its corrupt Communist regime, where owning a car was beyond the wildest hopes of most, never mind accessing effective cancer care.

The Poles have conquered problems far greater than we face. If they can fix their health service, we can fix ours.

Once a British patient reaches the front of a waiting list for cancer treatment, they will get attention that is second to none. Poland cannot claim to offer better  but great care is not much use to patients facing delays that seem endless.

Waiting lists are killers, not only because disease can progress while people are waiting, but also because of their psychological effects. The frustration and terror produced by delay are significant contributory factors in illness.

One way to reduce the backlog is to get our existing services working night and day, and across weekends. Every time theres a half-empty carpark, there must be spare capacity somewhere in the building. Lets put it to work.

Thirdly, lets make use of the tech weve all already got: our smartphones. Where are the healthcare apps that could help monitor patients health? Currently, those phones are good for little more than dialling 999 or 111.

Point four: we need people in charge who know what they are doing  not junior executives straight out of the graduate scheme for managers but people who have qualifications and experience in the departments they are overseeing. In cancer care, that might be diagnostics, scans, chemotherapy... all these specialisms will benefit hugely from being run by someone who has real-world experience of how they actually work.

It doesnt have to be a doctor. It could be a nurse or a radiographer. Whoever is appointed should have the job on merit, not because the health service is top-heavy with managers who need to be placed in some office or other.

The fifth point follows from this: the NHS needs to be a meritocracy, where the best people can make progress.

Currently, it is stagnant: a pyramid with no ladders to the higher levels. New Labour tried to correct this, spending 80 million on assessing the feasibility of an NHS University to help its staff gain qualifications  but the scheme drifted and died, the money wasted.

We are past the stage where the NHS can be fixed with cosmetic tweaks and minor upgrades

Wasted money... thats point six. The NHS is not underfunded, it just spends billions every year on the wrong salaries. The number of managers paid more than 100,000 a year is startling. Theres no need for these people. Massive private corporations such as Tesco or Amazon dont require them.

Thousands of middle managers and bureaucrats in NHS Trusts who contribute nothing but empty PR and diversity training, working nine-to-five in luxurious offices (see point one), have to go.

Inevitably, there will be howls of protest from those whose jobs are affected, with shroud-waving accusations that these cuts are costing lives.

I still bear the scars on my own back from the days when I tried to introduce reforms but gave up when I came to the conclusion that the NHS was the last bastion of Communism in this country.

But the truth is we can save countless lives by redirecting money into cutting waiting lists and promoting people on merit. Our National Health Service is not beyond saving.

Now is the time to prove how much it means to Britain... by showing it tough love.

Professor Karol Sikora is a consultant oncologist in London and a former director of the WHO Cancer Programme.
Was there ever any doubt that the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor would eventually accuse Israel of war crimes?

He represents an institution that is seen by some as a political pressure group as much as a court of law.

Advising the prosecutor, a barrister named Karim Khan, was a panel of jurists including human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy from the sanctimonious Left (who did condemn Hamas after October 7).

Even so, the chances of their having total sympathy with Israel in its struggle for survival were not high.

The truth is, Mr Khan's decision to request an arrest warrant for Israel's elected prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister is an absurd overreach.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak to the media on March 16, 2023

Mr Khan's panel included Labour peer Baroness Kennedy (pictured) and a barrister from Cherie Blair's former chambers.

He tried to show some semblance of even-handedness by also calling for the arrest of three Hamas leaders, but this made the situation even worse.

It draws a moral equivalence between the genocidal terror group that sparked this latest conflict with an orgy of rape, murder and kidnap, and a democratic government acting to defend itself.

It's true that Israel has exacted a heavy price in Gaza, but its sole aim is to stop such abominations as the October 7 massacre happening again. This is not a 'war crime', it's simply war.

Should Labour win power at the election, such confused and erratic foreign policy will make the world a more dangerous place

It's easy for puffed-up ICC lawyers to pronounce judgment, but they are not the ones Hamas wants to exterminate.

Mr Khan's panel included Labour peer Baroness Kennedy and a barrister from Cherie Blair's former chambers.

Little surprise then, that shadow foreign secretary David Lammy seemed to back the ICC decision. It is typical of his party's endless flip-flopping.

He and Sir Keir originally supported Israel's right to self-defence. Now, to placate their Muslim voters, Labour's frontbench is endorsing the arrest of its prime minister.

Should Labour win power at the election, such confused and erratic foreign policy will make the world a more dangerous place.

A win for Rwanda

Picture shows Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as they hold a joint news conference after their meeting in Vienna

Rishi Sunak's policy of sending Channel migrants to Rwanda is continually denounced by the British Left.

Yet in their beloved EU, where a migration crisis has exploded, politicians are openly supportive of the Prime Minister's plan.

As many as 15 European nations are now pursuing schemes that involve processing asylum claims in safe third countries.

Yesterday, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer praised the UK as a 'pioneer' in its approach to stopping the boats.

With Ireland flooded by illegal migrants from the UK trying to avoid deportation to Rwanda, the plan seems to be having an effect before a single plane has taken off.

So Sir Keir's promise to scrap the Rwanda deal even if it is working is increasingly out of step with opinion on the Continent.

Coupled with Labour's plan to offer thousands of asylum seekers an effective amnesty, Rishi Sunak is not exaggerating when he says Britain under Sir Keir would be the 'soft touch of Europe'.

A major report calls for a crackdown on extreme protest groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil which wilfully disrupt our everyday lives.

On the same day, the High Court rules that the Government's previous attempt to curb their demonstrations was 'unlawful'.

Question: Who runs this country? Is it Parliament, elected by the will of the people, or an ever-more activist legal establishment answerable to no one?
Dresden at the end of World War II was a moonscape. The German city once known as 'Florence on the Elbe' thanks to its exquisite architecture had been devastated by Allied bombing missions that dropped almost 4,000 tons of high explosive, flattening no fewer than half its residential buildings.

It was there that my mother and her father found themselves in the summer of 1945.

Her mother - my grandmother - had died at the hands of the Soviets but, thanks to my grandfather's upbringing in the Russian Empire, he spoke the language of the Red Army soldiers that now ruled the city and they put him to work as a translator. It may well have saved his life and that of my mother.

In time, he and my mum found their way to East Berlin and from there to the West. She arrived in Britain a few years after the war to work as an au pair.

I relay this story of my antecedents to show that I bear no animus towards people in genuine need seeking sanctuary in this country, nor people who come here to contribute. But immigration must be legal and manageable, and increasingly it is not.

MP for the Isle of Wight Bob Seely (pictured) has said it's time to cap the number of legal immigrants and refugees coming to the UK to 100,000 a year

Pictured: Dresden in ruins in 1947, two years after being bombed almost flat by Allied forces

Pictured: Dozens of people attempt to cram onto a single, low-lying dinghy in the Channel last September (file pic)

Thanks to brilliant work done by my Parliamentary colleagues Robert Jenrick and Neil O'Brien for the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), we now know that, in the 25 years to 1997, cumulative net migration to the UK was just 68,000. In the succeeding 25 years, it was a scarcely believable 5.89 million.

I believe there is only one way to get a grip on this problem  and that's for MPs to own it. Parliament should have the responsibility of setting annual limits on both the amount of legal migration and the number of asylum claims accepted. That means an annual vote in Parliament to set a legally-binding cap on numbers.

Don't get me wrong, Rishi's government has done more to address this issue than any other to date. We are making serious progress, while Sir Keir Starmer's spineless Labour party shows every sign of being a soft touch on both legal and illegal immigration.

But the only way MPs will get serious about this issue in the long run is if they have to look you, their constituents, in the eye and explain their actions.

This is why I'm introducing a private member's bill on Immigration and Asylum law today. I believe it should be at the heart of the Conservative manifesto for the next election as it is the only way that we will permanently get the number of legal migrants and refugees down to a level that the UK public believe is acceptable: 100,000 a year or less.

My plan will work like this.

The Government will present a figure to Parliament. MPs will have access to official data to see on what assumptions and facts ministers have based their opinion and they will be able to amend the total as they see fit. We will see the potential impacts on housing, on welfare and on the economy. Either way, MPs will own the figure and it will be illegal for the Home Office to exceed that number.

Pictured: Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick

MP Seely's mother was a migrant who fled war-shattered Germany to build a new life here

MP Seely has said parliament should have the responsibility of setting annual limits on both the amount of legal migration and the number of asylum claims accepted (file pic)

That will make us think. Do we really need to grant non-Brits visas for jobs that British people could do with a bit of encouragement? Rather than hoovering up computer programmers, doctors or care workers, couldn't we train more people ourselves? And is it really in our national interests to allow universities effectively to flog work visas as part of UK degrees by giving foreign students the right to take up employment here after graduation?

A tight grip on numbers would also ensure that Government would have to do its sums better. When the health and care worker visa was introduced in 2020 to attract foreign labour to the NHS and our adult care sector, it was calculated that 6,000 people a year would use this route to come to the UK.

This prediction turned out to be a colossal underestimate. In 2023 alone, 146,000 people with 203,000 dependents - 349,000 people in all - entered the country by this route.

Only by placing a limit on numbers can we hope to prevent a repeat of such a staggering level of incompetent assessment.

A limit will make us focus on exactly what sort of talents and skills the nation requires and also give us a much greater incentive to invest in our own people, one of the big reasons for Brexit.

My proposed law will also mean a cap on refugee numbers, of course. And all successful applicants will be drawn from UN programmes.

The United Nations High Commission on Refugees may be a far from perfect organisation, but it is still the global body that processes refugees and, by working with it, my plan will ensure that we only take refugees that come from genuine war-torn areas.

Such a law is not anti-immigrant, and the way in which Labour and the Left have tried to stifle debate over immigration in this country is shameful.

Thanks to Jenrick and O'Brien's research, we now know that many of the claims peddled by the immigration lobby are false. It has long argued that migrant workers boost the economy, but mass migration may actually be making us poorer.

High immigration has coincided with a slowdown in GDP growth per head and a shift away from labour-saving technology towards low-productivity labour.

It has also exacerbated pressures on everything from public services to housing.

It has long argued that migrant workers boost the economy, but mass migration may actually be making us poorer, MP Seely has said

In London, for example, over the past 20 years the population increase due to migration has been greater than the growth in housing stock. Around half of households in social housing and 67 percent of households in private rented housing in London are headed by someone not born here. How is that fair on working families who have dutifully paid their taxes year in, year out?

The truth is that the British people want the Government to get to grips with immigration. This is not a party political issue. The view that illegal immigration is out of control and must be stopped, and legal migration must be brought down from the mid to high hundreds of thousands, is one shared by a majority of people across the political spectrum.

Get migration down to manageable amounts and we will be in a better position to get housing sorted, relieving pressures on both suburban and rural Britain, and get more young people into their own homes.

The British people want a fair but robust immigration system. Progress is being made on the issue but my law will deliver a step change because it will make us, your Members of Parliament, answerable to you in a way that we have not been forced to be before.

Bob Seely is MP for the Isle of Wight
Elif Shafak will be speaking at the Queen's Reading Room Festival in June

Turkish-British author Elif Shafak has praised Queen Camilla for 'supporting poets and writers' ahead of the launch of the Queen's Reading Room Festival next month.

Award-winning Shafak, whose 2021 novel The Island of Missing Trees was shortlisted for the Costa Award and Women's Prize for Fiction (amongst others), will be discussing her new book There are Rivers in the Sky at the June festival.

Authors Sir Ian Rankin, Lee Child and Kate Mosse - as well as actresses Miriam Margolyes, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Harriet Walter - will also be in attendance at Hampton Court Palace for the second Queen's Reading Room Festival.

Speaking to Hello!, Shafak said of the Queen: 'She loves supporting poets and writers and honours the work, the craftsmanship and the art of storytelling.'

The author, 52, appears to be a favourite of Queen Camilla's since her 2013 novel The Architect's Apprentice was among the first few books selected for the online book club she set up as the Duchess of Cornwall three years ago.

Turkish-British author Elif Shafak (pictured) has praised Queen Camilla for getting behind writers and poets

Shafak added: 'It's so good to have a champion like her, someone who understands the power of literature and is a reader herself.'

The writer, who has published 19 books, told Hello! that she was recently involved in a literary project at Windsor Castle.

Shafak was one of a group of writers tasked with making a miniature book for the library in Queen Mary's Dolls' House.

She admitted: 'It was so difficult and my handwriting is quite messy.'

Kicking off on June 8, the festival, which last year drew 8,000 visitors, forms part of the Queen's broader efforts to promote literature.

Indeed, her chart-topping Reading Room podcast returned on Monday 20 May for a second season.

The podcast was launched at the start of this year and is an audio version of Her Majesty's popular online bookclub, which has 172,000 followers on Instagram.

Her Majesty is renowned for her love of books and the launch comes just weeks after the charity's research into benefits of reading.

The Queen's Reading Room Festival, which was launched by Queen Camilla in 2023, will return to Hampton Court Palace in June

Queen Camilla 's Reading Room chart-topping podcast returned for a second season on Monday 20 May

The podcast was launched at the start of this year and is an audio version of Her Majesty's popular online book club

Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant are among the authors and actors set to feature on the nine-episode series.

The first season of the podcast took the charts by storm reaching the top one per cent of podcasts globally at its launch, before spending several consecutive weeks at #1 in the UK arts and books podcast charts with listeners in 158 countries.

While Vicki Perrin, CEO of the Queen's Reading Room, hosts the podcast, Queen Camilla has pre-recorded her segments.

And this season will see Camilla's segments appear at the start of the episode rather than at the end as she reveals some of her all-time favourite reads to royal fans.

The first series of The Queen's Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley, and comedian David Baddiel and was listened to in 158 countries.

Available weekly, the second season of 'The Queen's Reading Room Podcast' will continue to create a space where book lovers - and those who wish to connect more with books - can hear straight from the mouths of literary heroes.

The new season will feature a celebrated literary line-up which boasts American Gods author Neil Gaiman, Labyrinth author Kate Mosse and author of the 'Roy Grace' series Peter James, who will invite listeners inside their own reading rooms.

This brand new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favourite reads.

Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant (pictured with Camilla in February 2023) are among the authors and actors set to feature on the nine-episode season which returns on Monday, May 20

This brand new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favourite reads

CEO of The Queen's Reading Room and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: 'We were astounded by the response to the first season of The Queen's Reading Room Podcast.

'It is clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners globally, enabling them to connect and fall in love with books.

'I hope that this second season of the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to go on new literary adventures and help those wishing they loved books a little more, to discover the true joy of reading.'
The clip has over 40 million views and was flooded with hundreds of comments

Her parents asked her if she wanted to stay at the Four Seasons Orlando hotel

An infant has gone viral on TikTok for her enthusiastic response to a question

It's the conscious baby with luxury taste that had the internet abuzz.

A now-viral TikTok video showing a baby enthusiastically - and hilariously - responding to a question has the internet in stiches, and her parents are now speaking out about their 'observant' daughter.

The clip, which was posted on May 20 and has already reached over 40 million views, shows a man holding an infant wearing a diaper.

The eight-second video features a woman behind the camera simply asking: 'I have a question for everybody. Who wants to go to the Four Seasons Orlando?'

While the couple's four-year-old daughter energetically responds 'me' as she tots into frame, their 13-month-old daughter solemnly looks at the camera and raises her hand, simply saying, 'me.'

A family has gone viral on TikTok after they asked their 13-month-old baby girl if she wanted to stay the Four Seasons Orlando hotel - to which she enthusiastically replied 'me'

'How does she know what the Four Seasons Orlando is?' one person commented. 'I don't even know what it looks like' (hotel pictured)

The video, posted by the baby's Aunt Stefanie, quickly gained traction online, with users in hysterics and awe over a child who can't form full sentences being able to respond to a luxury hotel invite.

'How does she know what the Four Seasons Orlando is?' one person commented. 'I don't even know what it looks like.'

'The gesture of raising one finger then the entire hand, the giggle, and double confirmation. She's been here before and probably at the Four Seasons,' another person wrote.

Someone else added, 'That baby's speech and level of understanding is so impressive omg and the fact he was fully focused when you said that???'

And it's really true - the baby, whose name is Kate - is definitely a talker, and has been that way since she was born.

Her parents, Bailey and Will Wise, who live in Tampa, Florida, have since explained to Today that she picks up a lot from her older sister, Madelyn, who is four years old.

'That's Kate's personality,' Bailey told the outlet. 'She certainly has a lot of tendencies to mimic Madelyn, whom she learns a lot from. From the day Kate was born... she's been curious.'

'We don't think much of it because Madelyn was vocal early on as well... neither of them miss a beat,' she continued.

Her parents, Bailey and Will Wise, who live in Tampa, Florida, have since explained to Today that she picks up a lot from her older sister, Madelyn, who is four

Bailey explained that Kate had been to the Four Seasons Orlando before, when she was just six months old.

The family was building a house in the Tampa area, they explained in a separate interview with Rolling Stone, so would sometimes stay at the luxury hotel with the kids to get out of the space.

Since they came back from their big adventure, Kate has seen photos and videos of their time at the hotel.

Bailey noted to Today that her daughter is very 'observant,' and her speech milestones are right on track for her age.

She also told Rolling Stone that you can 'carry a conversation' with Kate to 'some degree.'

'We have tested it on certain things and when we say the Four Seasons, she always says "me,"' Bailey said.

'I think she knows [what she's saying], but we can't be too certain.'

Now, the family is adjusting to their viral fame.

Viewers were left in stitches by the video, and had some hilarious comments about the 'concious' baby

According to Bailey, the video was meant to convince her parents, who also live in Florida, to join them for a weekend at the Four Seasons Orlando.

It was sent in a private family group message, she told Rolling Stone. She also sent it to Aunt Stefanie, who sent it to her friends and posted it on TikTok.

'I got a text at 7.30am from Bailey in the group chat being like, "why are Will and my kids going viral?" with the eye scrunch emoji,' Stefanie told Rolling Stone.

However, they've been mostly pleased with the hilarious response from viewers, and find some of the comments totally hysterical.

And, yes - they're definitely going to be taking that trip to Four Seasons Orlando very soon.
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To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Incredibles film franchise, movie giants Disney and Pixar have brought Edna Mode's mega mansion to life.

Located in Los Angeles, California, the unique single-day experience allows visitors to explore the inconspicuous yet magnificent home of the fictional no-nonsense designer.

Highlights include being greeted by Edna via intercom before being taken by one of her assistants to roam around Edna's mansion - with full access to her closet where guests can see what the designer herself wears.

The immersive attraction, which will be available to visit from May 24, will also offer attendees the chance to design a own one-of-a-kind Incredibles Supersuit tailored to their own special powers.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Incredibles film franchise, movie giants Disney and Pixar have brought Edna Mode's mega mansion to life

The immersive attraction, which will be available to visit from May 24, will also offer attendees the chance to design a own one-of-a-kind Incredibles Supersuit tailored to their own special powers

Located in Los Angeles, California, the unique single-day experience allows visitors to explore the inconspicuous yet magnificent home of the designer

Edna Mode was the no-nonsense Supersuit designer who helped create the perfect ensembles for all members of the Incredibles family

She dished: 'It will be bold! Dramatic! Heroic! But remember  NO CAPES!'

Throughout the mansion there is exquisite attention to detail, such as the 'super' security access panels for entrance into the mansion and art pieces in the home which are reflected in the film.

Guests will have the opportunity to look at Edna's top-secret sketchbook and then draw out their own weird and wonderful creations.

The kitchen will provide visitors with snacks to feed creativity before heading into the depths of the lab where Edna's team of expert designers will lead the Supersuit experience.

Once there, guests will get the chance to witness the machine that puts Supersuits to the test, including enduring a 'deadly frozen mist,' designed to push the outfits to their limits.

The Supersuits will then arrive by the US Post in just a few short weeks.

Edna, who holds the listing on Airbnb, explained her choice to continue designing Supersuits.

The property listing reads: 'I could never truly retire from Super work, and I'm always looking for the next challenge.

'So, come explore my years of hard work in the world of fashion and glamour, and design a Supersuit of your very own, fit for any adventure.

Highlights include being greeted by Edna via intercom before being taken by one of her assistants to explore Edna's mansion - with full access to her closet where guests can see what the designer herself wears

Throughout the mansion there is exquisite attention to detail, such as the 'super' security access panels for entrance into the mansion and art pieces in the home which are reflected in the film

Guests will get the chance to witness the machine that puts Supersuits to the test, including enduring a 'deadly frozen mist,' designed to push the outfits to their limits

Visitors will have the opportunity to look at Edna's top-secret sketchbook and then draw out their own weird and wonderful creations

The property listing, held by Edna, reads: 'I could never truly retire from Super work, and I'm always looking for the next challenge'

She explained: 'It will be bold! Dramatic! Heroic! But remember  NO CAPES.' Pictured is Edna's closet with black heels, blazers and trousers and red bags for accents

Pictured is the sleek living room with a circular table as the centerpiece with the space finished with a gladiator mural as well as black and red furnishings

The kitchen will provide visitors with snacks to feed creativity before heading into the depths of the lab where Edna's team of expert designers will lead the Supersuit experience

The entrance to the mansion features a security system that includes a code and hand print to gain access inside

The gated front entrance offers an intercom where you get connected to Edna before you are allowed to enter

Just like in the movie, Edna pops up to talk to guests through the state-of-the-art security system while standing on her toes

The outside of her house is sleek and unassuming - with floor to ceiling windows and balconies throughout - but holds a treasure trove of secrets inside

'It will be bold! Dramatic! Heroic! But remember  NO CAPES!'

This isn't the first time that Disney and Pixar and Airbnb have collaborated to bring movies to life for its 'Icons' series.

The brands have also created Pixar's UP house, which is visually suspended by balloons in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

The adorable property features sentimental details from the animated film, such as Carl and Ellie Fredricksen's lounge chairs, The Adventure Book, and even a framed picture from their wedding.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked angelic in a white peplum top and cream skirt for a roundtable discussion at the UN in the Philippines, as part of three day visit in the southeastern Asian country.

The Dutch royal, who was involved in talks with development partners to help improve financial inclusion in the country, looked her usual glamorous self for the visit in the floral pattern top.

The mother-of-three paired her the summery look with a knee-length beige skirt and subtle make up including warm flushed cheeks and a nude lip.

She accessorised with a brooch featuring a glowing pearl which matched perfectly with her shimmering white pearl earrings.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, pictured, looked dazzling as she attended a roundtable discussion at the UN in the Philippines earlier today, as part of three day visit in the southeast Asian country

Maxima, pictured fourth from the left, joined development partners at the UN in Manila

The queen's hair golden blonde hair was casually swept back into a relaxed yet sophisticated clip.

A trained economist who had a career in international finance and emerging markets, Maxima was appointed as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development in 2009.

The queen first visited the South-East Asian country in 2015 where she began working to help improve 'financial inclusion' for 'all types of people'.

Since then, progress has been made in the Philippines where now the number of adults with one bank account has risen to from 26.6 per cent 51.4 per cent in 2021.

The Dutch royal was at a roundtable discussion with development partners with the aim of improving financial inclusion in the country

Maxima was appointed as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development in 2009

However the Philippines is still one of the top ten countries without access to financial services.

'There's still a good 40 percent of the population that actually do not have access and that is clearly the people who are more far away, the farmers, also women. So we need to do a lot more work on that side,' the Queen said during her visit.

Yesterday, the queen visited the Philippines' Talim Island on the first day of her trip to the archipelago.

Her first day look featured a floral pattern dress in purple, green and blue and three-quarter sleeves while her woven sandals combined deeper shades of blue and purple.

Maxima accessorised her outfit with a blue clutch bag and a pair of earrings with large blue stones as well as a number of gold and silver bracelets and a silver watch.

With her shoulder-length, blonde hair loose, the Dutch royal was happy and relaxed despite the heat thanks to a large hand-held fan.

The Queen, who had received a decorative garland with a large yellow flower, was seen greeting children, talking to local people and even standing on a small fishing boat.

The queen, pictured at the United Nations in Manila, visited the Philippines' Talim Island on the first day of her trip to the archipelago yesterday

Maxima, pictured in the middle, wore a textured white frock cinched in at the waist alongside a long beige skirt

The mother of three showing off her gorgeous smile at the UN roundtable

Her trip to the Philippines comes after a busy week of engagements in the Netherlands.

Last Thursday evening, Maxima wowed in a statement one-shoulder jumpsuit on Thursday evening as she attended a ceremony celebrating the very best of Dutch business.

Featuring a diamond broOch on the left shoulder, the royal's cream satin outfit was nothing short of a showstopper.

As such, it was the perfect choice for 'Oscars of the Dutch Business Community', the King Willem I Prize, which was presented in the northeastern city of Zwolle.

Maxima's striking wide-leg jumpsuit, which showed off her toned physique, featured a slim waist belt in the same cream satin with a rectangular buckle.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked in high spirits as she visited a healthcare institution and a school with her husband King Willem-Alexander.

The mother-of-three, 52, looked just as excited to meet the children as they were to catch a glimpse of the royal in Groningen.

She was snapped smiling and laughing with the primary school kids, who were wearing paper crown hats in the colours of the Dutch flag.
Tatler has unveiled a new portrait of the Princess of Wales on its latest cover to honour Kate's 'strength and dignity' - but royal fans have branded it 'dreadful' and 'nothing like the royal'.

The cover of the British society bible's July issue is dominated by the quirky painting, which was inspired by the mother-of-three's first state banquet of the King's reign and created by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor.

Kate - who has stepped back from public duties amid her cancer diagnosis - did not sit for the artwork. Instead, Uzor used different photographs to make the unique painting, declared 'a portrait of strength and dignity' by the magazine.

However, people online were left less than impressed by the artwork, with one individual writing on X, formerly Twitter: 'You cannot be serious. That looks nothing like her.'

Another person insisted: 'Looks like it was created by a child,' while a third added: 'She needs to make an appointment urgently with Specsavers because who in the Princess of Wales is that?'

Tatler has unveiled a new portrait of the Princess of Wales on its latest cover (pictured)

Attending the first state banquet of King Charles's reign at Buckingham Palace in November 2022, the Princess, 42, stole the show in a gem embellished white dress from her favoured Jenny Packham as she entertained the president of South Africa.

Featuring a statement cape, the dazzling gown was paired with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana's diamond and pearl drop earrings, all of which are captured in detail in Uzor's painting.

But for some, the elegant outfit is the only part of the portrait they easily recognise. One person said on X: 'Doesnt look like Catherine at all. If she wasnt wearing that dress Id have no clue as to who its meant to be.'

Another individual wrote: 'Is this a joke? That is never the Princess, that is another woman in her dress. It also looks like she has much shorter hair. This cover photo should not be published like this. It is an insult to Princess Catherine!'

The painting has also been criticised by the managing director of a London gallery for 'falling short in fully encapsulating the strength suggested by its title'.

Grove Gallery's Alex Bury told MailOnline: 'Hannah Uzors new portrait of Kate , the Princess of Wales, graces the cover of Tatler Magazine, aiming to portray strength and dignity.

'However, this depiction falls somewhat short of fully capturing these qualities. While the title suggests a portrait of strength, the artwork itself leans more towards a sense of calm and dignity.

'The light and dark blue background provides a soothing, tranquil atmosphere, a stark contrast to Jonathan Yeos recent portrait of King Charles III, dominated by chaotic red hues.

Attending the first state banquet of King Charles 's reign at Buckingham Palace in November 2022, the Princess, 42, stole the show in a gem embellished white dress from her favoured Jenny Packham as she entertained the president of South Africa

Reaction: People online were left less than impressed by the artwork, with one individual writing on X, formerly Twitter : 'You cannot be serious. That looks nothing like her.'

However, not everyone was disappointed with the painting. One person wrote on X: 'I like it, well done'

Featuring a statement cape, the dazzling gown was paired with Queen Mary 's Lover's Knot Tiara and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana 's diamond and pearl drop earrings, all of which are captured in detail in Uzor's painting (pictured)

'This calmer backdrop suggests a different artistic direction, one that emphasises stability and serenity over overt strength.'

Alex added: 'The eyes in this portrait fail to capture the true beauty and engaging presence of the Princess of Wales.

'This misalignment between the serene, almost passive expression in the portrait and the vibrant personality seen in her public appearances detracts from the overall impact of the piece. It lacks the femininity of power and dignity that she naturally exudes.'

Uzor prepared the portrait by looking at pictures of Kate, explaining: 'When you cant meet the sitter in person, you have to look at everything you can find and piece together the subtle human moments revealed in different photographs: do they have a particular way of standing or holding their head or hands? Do they have a recurrent gesture?

'[Kate] has really risen up to her role  she was born for this. She carries herself with such dignity, elegance and grace,' said Uzor. I sense with her the joy of motherhood.'

In March, Kate revealed her own cancer diagnosis and said in a deeply emotional video message that she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

Discussing whether the Princess' video gave her a new perspective, the artist added: 'Without a doubt. All my portraits are made up of layers of a personality, constructed from everything I can find about them.'

The video added another layer to Uzors reading of the Princess, apparently showing a moment of dealing with something difficult, speaking from the heart, having the courage to tackle it head-on.

The cover of the British society bible's July issue is dominated by the painting, which was inspired by the mother-of-three's first state banquet of the King's reign and created by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, pictured at her home in St Albans

Tatler's latest commission is its third portraiture special and Uzor, who is a mother of three and based in St Albans, is the third artist sourced by The Akoje Gallery to receive a commission from the magazine. She follows Sarah Knights, whose portrait of King Charles III appeared on Tatlers July 2023 cover

Oluwole Omofemi's tribute to Queen Elizabeth II graced the magazine's commemorative Platinum Jubilee cover in 2022

Tatler's latest commission is its third portraiture special and Uzor, who is a mother of three and based in St Albans, is the third artist sourced by The Akoje Gallery to receive a commission from the magazine.

She follows Sarah Knights, whose portrait of King Charles III appeared on Tatlers July 2023 cover, and Oluwole Omofemi, whose tribute to Queen Elizabeth II graced the magazine's commemorative Platinum Jubilee cover in 2022.

Both of these projects inspired rugby star Maro Itoje and his business partner Khalil Akar to create The Akoje Residency Programme in collaboration with the Kings Foundation, which provides opportunities for African, Caribbean and diasporic artists to spend time at Dumfries House in Scotland to focus on their artistic practice.

Uzor's artwork comes after the release of the first official portrait of the King, which divided opinion online thanks to its 'fiery' shading.

The painting was commissioned back in 2020 to celebrate the then-Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company.

Renowned artist Jonathan Yeo had four sittings over several years, beginning when His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House.

Charles was still sitting for the portrait, unveiled earlier this month at Buckingham Palace, when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8th 2022 and he became monarch.

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.

Kate put her best fashion foot forward in a gem embellished white gown from her favoured Jenny Packham as she joined Prince William at the state banquet in November 2022

The Princess of Wales accompanied a member of the South African delegation at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in November 2022

The Princess of Wales at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in November 2022. She can be seen wearing Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, as well as a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings, both of which were favourites of her late mother-in-law Diana

Meanwhile, Kate was revealed yesterday as the 'driving force' behind a new report calling on businesses to introduce more family-friendly working practices.

Her Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood has unveiled a major new report which argues that investing in early childhood could generate more than 45.5 billion for the national economy each year.

Downing Street, as well as senior ministers in the departments of health and education, have already been briefed about its findings - although palace officials are at pains to point out that it is not a political campaign.

A Kensington Palace spokesman also stressed that the news should not be seen as Kate returning to work after undergoing major abdominal surgery and revealing she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for cancer. She has not undertaken public engagements at all this year.

But they confirmed that she has been across every aspect of the report from home, despite her illness.

Her spokesman said: 'The work of The Prince and Princess' projects is "always on"early childhood is a huge priority for The Princess and so she has been kept fully updated throughout the development of the Taskforce's work and she has seen the report. '

A senior royal aide added: 'The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force. She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it.

'This is a clear commitment she has made that throughout her life of public service that this will be focus. That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now. She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.'

Artist Jonathan Yeo poses next to his painting of the King at Buckingham Palace on May 14

Christian Guy, executive director of the early childhood centre, added: 'This is another crucial moment for HRH's early childhood work...its impact, and the work of her Centre for Early I know, having briefed The Princess on this, that she is enormously grateful to the members of the Taskforce who have made such fantastic progress on this work over the past year.

'She feels passionately about the transformational impact of getting this right together, both for the current generation and for many more to come. I know that she is keen to encourage all businesses, no matter what their size or purpose, to join us on this journey and is looking forward to seeing momentum grow in the coming months.'

A source close to the Princess said: 'She is excited about it. Action is so important for her, so having eight of the most important businesses in Britain come forward to make the case to their fellow business leaders is exciting to her. It's a priority going forward.'

The report is the result of six months of research into how businesses can better prioritise children in the most crucial stage of their lives between birth and five.

Taskforce members - Aviva, The Co-operative Group, Deloitte, Iceland Foods, IKEA, The LEGO Group, NatWest and Unilever UK - have identified key opportunities for firms to help their workforce, whether they be a small coffee shop in Wolverhampton or a major international corporation.

It argues proper investment in the field could generate more than 45.5 billion for the economy, including 12.2 billion from helping improve people's social and emotional skills in the earliest years, a 16.1 billion saving in public funds on remedial help for those who have adverse childhood experiences and 17.2 billion from supporting working parents, particularly with more affordable childcare.

The reports' authors also set out how 'building a culture' that prioritises early childhood within businesses, local communities and wider society is crucial in preventing a raft of social, health and mental issues in later life.

This includes offering parents and carers greater practical support, resources and flexibility with their work, and better access to quality, affordable and reliable early childhood education and care.

And it issued a 'major rallying call' to their fellow business leaders across the country to stand with them and the princess.

Firms such as The Co-op have already committed to raising 5 million over the next five years to create more than 600 apprenticeships, while NatWet is extending its lending target for the child care sector to 100 million.

In a joint statement the eight inaugural taskforce members said: 'Last year the Princess of Wales brought us together. She asked us to think radically about our approach to early childhood and the golden opportunity it presents to transform the lives of children

'If we get this right, the results for business, for the economy and for society are clear for all to see. '

Mr Guy added: 'Tomorrow some of the most significant businesses in Britain will be joining forces to deliver a 'major early years rallying call' to their fellow business leaders across the country  urging their peers to stand with them, the Centre for Early Childhood, and The Princess to help transform the way our country supports the vital early years.

'Through a landmark report and by announcing the first tranche of initiatives they have developed, Taskforce members are stepping forward to make the case forhy other businesses need to act alongside them - for the good of the country now and in the future, including to unlock an enormous 45bn economic return for Britain.'

Further details on the report and its findings can be seen at centreforearlychildhood.org.

See the full feature in the July issue of Tatler, available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday 30 May.
Actor Rafe Spall has revealed he now refuses to film sex scenes as he hits back at 'outrageous' websites that document celebrity nudity in film and TV.

The star, 41, who is currently starring in the Apple TV+ plus series Trying, discussed his aversion to on-screen nudity on comedian Kathy Burke's podcast Where There's A Will, There's a Wake.

During the interview, the conversation turned to Rafe's romance with his co-star Esther Smith - who is expecting their first child.

After the pair began dating, Rafe revealed that he felt 'shy' acting in front of Esther and admitted he felt 'vulnerable'.

Kathy then broached the subject of how the real-life couple now feel when kissing for the camera, which prompted Rafe to discuss his feelings about sex scenes.

The star (pictured), 41, who is currently starring in the Apple TV+ plus series Trying, discussed his aversion to on-screen nudity on comedian Kathy Burke

The star said: 'People are always very curious about sex scenes, I've actually now said that I don't want to do them anymore.

'I've done loads. Too many.'

The father-of-three - who was married to Hollyoaks actress Elize du Toit from 2010-2021 - revealed that he's been asked if the scenes are 'nice' to film.

He joked: 'They're nice if you like 50 blokes watching you pretend to have sex. If that's your thing!

'And also, I've had my willy out too many times.'

In 2021, Rafe told Jay Rayner on his Out to Lunch podcast that he has filmed roughly 18 love scenes over the course of his career.

Pictured: Love scene Rafe Spall filmed for the 2006 BBC film Wide Sargasso Sea, where he played Mr Rochester

One of Rafe's first sex scenes appeared in the 2006 BBC drama The Chatterley Affair, where he did full-frontal nudity

Speaking to Kathy Burke, Rafe (pictured in the 2006 film The Chatterley Affair - joked: '[Sex scenes] are nice if you like 50 blokes watching you pretend to have sex. If that's your thing!'

He said: 'I couldnt sleep one night and I counted my sex scenes. I have done about 18 at last count. I have had my willy out a lot. Too much!'

The star revealed that he wanted to stop filming sex scenes for the sake of his 13-year-old daughter Lena and sons, who are aged 11 and nine.

Rafe continued: 'Ive stopped. Ive stopped. Im not doing it any more. Ive got kids in the playground going - they are the age when kids talk to them about it.

'It is not good. It is wholeheartedly inelegant to get your willy out!'

One of Rafe's first sex scenes appeared in the 2006 BBC drama The Chatterley Affair. Later that year, his love scenes in Wide Sargasso Sea also aired.

Elaborating on how 'strange' it is, he went on: 'You do a sex scene and this is how I pay my mortgage. This is what I exchange for cash.'

No 1: Reflecting on his favourite sex scene, he recalled starring in 2008 TV film Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me with David Walliams

Trying co-stars Rafe Spall and Esther Smith confirmed they expecting their first child together on Lorraine earlier this month

The real-life couple (pictured) went public with their romance in November 2022, after it was revealed Rafe and former Hollyoaks star Elize du Toit - who have three children together - had split after 12 years

Reflecting on his favourite, he recalled starring in 2008 TV film Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me.

'A high point of the sex scenes in my life - my number one was probably with David Walliams. He played Frankie Howerd and I played his life-long lover Dennis.

'David has become a great friend. He is a really lovely, loyal person. But part of his bit in life is being flirtatious. That is part of his Schick. And being very fluid across the genders. That is part of his thing.

'But when it came to the sex scene he was all scared. I had done so many of them. And the ones with David. I w**ked him off and I had to kiss him and we had to do all sorts of things. I had to get in the bath with him.

'And when you do a sex scene with a woman I am always acutely aware that you are in a room with predominantly men so all my concentration goes into making it as comfortable for her. But with David it was like, "f**king come here you big dish. Get over there!"'

Earlier this month, Rafe and his girlfriend appeared on Lorraine to promote the fourth series of the Apple TV+ comedy, and Esther said: 'I've got a little bump.'

In Trying, Rafe and Esther portray couple Jason Ross and Nikki Newman who want to become parents, but struggle to conceive a child.

When the host asked if the pregnancy could be weaved into a potential series five plot, Esther said: 'We hope there's another series.'
It's finals week on MasterChef, and four contestants still in with a shot of lifting the trophy headed for one of the country's most prestigious restaurants - before it closed its doors to the public for the final time.

Michel Roux Jr's Le Gavroche in London's Mayfair officially shut up shop in January after 35 years, but MasterChef filmed a tense semi-final episode in the famous eatery - and met some of its rather unique serving staff while there.

Viewers tuning in to see contestants Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod vying for three places in the final enjoyed the behind-the-scenes TV insight into what was once one of the world's best restaurants - including meeting the restaurant's unique waiting staff, dubbed 'The Sisters'.

Meet The Sisters! One of the MasterChef semi-finals was filmed at Le Gavroche, Michel Roux Jr's Mayfair restaurant - which closed for good in January - and featured restaurant manager twins Sylvia and Ursula Perberschlager

Viewers tuning in said the identical twins, who hail from Austria and had worked at Le Gavroche for over 20 years, looked a little strict in their approach to service

Tense: the Austrian servers looked on as Louise struggled to perfect her dish

Louise breathes a sigh of relief on getting her dessert for Michel Roux Jr, right, out of the door and safely into the hands of The Sisters

Identical twins Sylvia and Ursula Perberschlager, who hail from Austria, have been part of the Roux dynasty for more than 20 years, and were on hand to deliver the semi-final dishes to a stellar crowd of critics - including MasterChef star Monica Galetti, three Michelin-star chef Pierre Koffmann and Michel's daughter Emily.

All eyes were on The Sisters, who speak seven languages and have enjoyed a cult following amongst Le Gavroche guests - with regular diners saying the twins were a huge part of the restaurant's success.

The sisters, who speak seven languages between them, were a huge part of the restaurant's success before it closed, say Le Gavroche regulars

They appeared to keep a very close eye on contestants' dishes, looking more than a little concerned when Louise's ice cream began to melt as she plated up a Michel Roux Jr dessert.

The semi-final was closely fought, with many viewers saying they were devastated when Abi, the youngest contestant on the show, was given the boot.

After the task cooking for the esteemed guests at Le Gavroche, the chefs whipped up a meal back at the MasterChef UK kitchen to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

But as Brin, 29, and Chris, 44, impressed with their skillful dishes, it was either Louise, also 44, or Abi who were set to miss out on a spot in the final three.

Tuesday's episode saw, from left, Chris Willoughby, Louise Lyons Macleod, Abi Kempley and Brin Pirathapan battle it out for a coveted place in this year's final three

Judge John Torode announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her on to win.

Ahead of her departure from the show, Abi served up the starter at Le Gavroche - which Michel Roux Jr's guests hailed 'delicious' - a poached scallop mousse on a julienne of vegetables and diced scallop, served with a Chartreuse liqueur veloute and a scallop coral tuile.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Abi fans wrote: 'Fallen at the final hurdle. Really thought it was hers to take.'

Other guests at the esteemed table in the semi-final included three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffman and Michel Roux Jr's daughter Emily

Viewers flocked to social media with cries that the duck looked too raw, with some suggesting his competitor vet surgeon Brin could 'get it up and walking'

But one dish raised eyebrows - circus performer Chris's poached and roasted spiced duck breast served with crispy duck leg

Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her on to win

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been challenge from start to finish'

Another added: 'Abi should be proud at how far she has come. To be only in her early twenties and getting to finals week on #Masterchefuk is an amazing achievement. I reckon she'll be a big chef in the future.'

'I would really really like to see what happens with you next because you are an amazing talent for somebody so young,' Gregg said. 'Well done.'

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been challenge from start to finish.

She told the show: 'I'm definitely really proud of what I've achieved.'
A bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death last year will be put up for a revote next week to override the recent presidential veto, the outgoing National Assembly speaker said Wednesday.

Kim Jin-pyo made the remarks during a press conference, saying a plenary session will be held next Tuesday, a day before his term is set to end, to vote on the bill even if the rival parties fail to come to an agreement by then.

The bill, which was passed by the opposition-controlled parliament early this month, calls for the appointment of a special counsel to look into allegations President Yoon Suk Yeol's office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the military's probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

Yoon exercised his veto power on Tuesday, the 10th time in his two years in office.

For a bill to pass the National Assembly in a revote, it requires a majority of the 300-member parliament to be present and two-thirds of them to cast their ballots in favor.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea holds 155 seats, and together with splinter parties and independent lawmakers, the number could rise to about 180.

Unless there is support from some ruling party lawmakers, the bill could be discarded during the current session of the National Assembly, whose term expires later this month. (Yonhap)
Queen Mary of Denmark cut a stylish figure during a visit to the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen this morning.

The Australian-born Queen, 52, offered her words of wisdom and gave a speech during the summit at DR Concert Hall.

Upon Mary's arrival, she was greeted by the director of Global Fashion Agenda, Federica Marchionni.

The Global Fashion Summit, presented by Global Fashion Agenda, aims to foster industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion.

During her visit, Mary explored textiles made from eco-friendly materials, such as seaweed.

Queen Mary was glowing as she attended the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition at DR Concert Hall in Copenhagen today

Today marks the second day of the three-day event, which is taking place in and around Copenhagen - a city respected for its trendy street style and minimalist designs.

And Mary buttressed the city's high fashion profile today with her chic outfit, combining a printed silk skirt with a plum-coloured wrap blouse.

The mother-of-four added an extra pop of colour to her ensemble with a pair of yellow suede heels.

Mary styled her long, chestnut tresses straight and kept her make-up simple for the occasion.

It comes after Queen Mary shared a sweet moment with her 13-year-old twin daughter Princess Josephine as they pulled funny faces at each other during Denmark's annual Royal Run.

The Queen, 52, was pictured looking cool in sunglasses to shield her eyes at the event, while she and her youngest daughter waited for King Frederik, 55, to finish the 10km race which takes place in Copenhagen.

Looking a picture-perfect pair in their purple running jerseys, the mother and daughter showed deep affection towards each other as Mary adjusted her daughter's collar and Josephine, in response, poked out her tongue.

Elsewhere Josephine and her older sister, 15-year-old Princess Isabella, larked about near the finish line and were pictured falling about in laughter together.

The Australian-born Queen, 52, took to the stage to give a speech at the event, which spotlights sustainability in fashion

Upon her arrival, Mary met the director of Global Fashion Agenda, Federica Marchionni (pictured right)

The mother-of-four explored textiles made from seaweed during the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition

The royal mother cut a chic figure in a printed silk maxi skirt and a long sleeved plum-coloured blouse

As the Queen opened up and showed warmth and laughter, her demeanour contrasted with several frosty appearances during the summer holiday she recently took with King Frederik to Sweden and Norway, months after rumours of an 'affair' rocked the Danish monarchy.

The royal mother-of-four, who takes part in the Royal Run with her husband every year, was pictured sharing a tender moment with her daughter Josephine as they played spectators for a short while - before Mary joined the runners herself.

It was a rare outing for the King and Queen's entire family - the youngest siblings of whom are often not seen in public while they complete their school studies.

However the show of family unity comes after a difficult few months for the Danish royal family, following rumours of an affair after King Frederik was spotted on a night out in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova, a Mexican socialite who lives in the Spanish capital.

Spanish magazine Lecturas published photos of the pair in the city in late October and reported they had visited an old flamenco restaurant where they dined together until the early hours of the morning. After the photos were published, Genoveva issued a strong denial that they were having an affair.

Mary opted for a casual makeup look for the occasion, complete with nude lipstick and a touch of eyeliner

While holding onto her glasses and notes, Mary looked confident as she approached the podium

The royal added a pop of extra colour to her elegant outfit with a pair of bright yellow suede heels

Mary appeared to concentrate as she learned about sustainable materials alongside the CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, Federica Marchionni

Since then, during public appearances, King Frederik and Queen Mary have given off mixed signals with their body language - including several frosty appearances.

The couple displayed distance in their body language during summer holiday on the Daneborg ship as they sailed to Sweden and Norway (which also happens to have coincided with their 20th wedding anniversary).

During this trip, the couple showed signs of frostiness in their body language in moments with each other; although such signs appeared to thaw when they greeted their hosts in each nation.

Upon arrival in Norway last week, the couple looked stern-faced before they docked to meet their hosts, King Harald and Queen Sonja.

Body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL: 'Arriving on a boat in Oslo we can see Mary back to her rather cooler facial expression with her eye-direction staring out into the distance rather than returning her husbands glance.

'He looks forlorn here, with one brow curled upward and the other lowered in a frown while his eye expression appears downcast and his lips barely pull into a royal smile.'

Judi added: 'Marys authentic smile and more tactile behaviours when meeting the Norwegian royals only seems to add to the idea that she was looking cooler with her husband again.'
Childbirth is never easy and rarely straightforward. Throughout human history, giving birth has been at best painful, at worst fatal. Its only in recent times that the expectation of both mother and child surviving has been the norm.

We have modern medical practice to thank for that. But as last weeks parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma has highlighted, there are aspects of pregnancy and motherhood that still seem rooted in what can only be described as a medieval mindset. Neglect verging on cruelty, dismissive, patronising attitudes, ignorance, ineptitude and a dangerous lack of rigour - all experiences described in this shocking report.

Writing about my own experiences of childbirth over two decades ago, I reflected that time and again, in conversations with friends and relatives who had been through the same, there was one common denominator: a lack of compassion and competence in the delivery room.

Throughout human history, giving birth has been at best painful, at worst fatal. Its only in recent times that the expectation of both mother and child surviving has been the norm

The very people who were supposed to guide us through the process of childbirth seemed all too often to be obstructive, uninterested and at times dangerously incompetent.

Several readers wrote in, wondering whether this might have something to do with the fact that midwives are no longer required to undergo nursing qualifications; some midwives got in touch to berate me for questioning their profession, accusing me of lazy journalism.

But by far the most overwhelming response was from women - of all ages - sharing their own, often heart-rending, sometimes devastating experiences. They paint a picture of a broken system that can no longer be ignored.

Sarah Vine

I nearly bled to death on the coffee table

After a first protracted birth where pre-eclampsia was belatedly diagnosed - midwives had repeatedly ignored my fears in the preceding months - I was terrified about giving birth a second time. It turned out I had good reason to be.

Having haemorrhaged the first time, it was written all over my notes that I should only give birth in hospital - a home birth or birthing centre were out of the question - as I was more likely to haemorrhage again.

I went into labour in the early hours of a cold November morning in 2016. After the first hour, the contractions were already happening every minute but when I spoke to a midwife at the hospital, she angrily declared the fact I could speak meant I was nowhere near labour so should stay at home.

Forty-five minutes later, I got the shock of my life when my waters broke and seconds later my baby was born in the living room - while my husband received instructions from the 999 operator. It was half an hour before the paramedics arrived to cut the cord, advising me that Id probably get away with not going to hospital at all.

When a young, nervous-looking midwife arrived, having got lost on the way, she helped me give birth to the placenta. She did not even glance at the notes which said I should be given an injection to hasten this part - due to the risk of bleeding. Thats when it all went wrong.

By the time her more senior colleague arrived, I was bleeding heavily - part of the placenta having got stuck. They plonked me on the coffee table and endlessly discussed whether to stitch me up there and then. Two hours passed, during which I lost my vision and panicked that the blood was still ebbing from me, before they hurried me into an ambulance.

When will midwives start listening to mothers, asks one woman, who requested anonymity (file photo)

Unable to see, feeling weak yet rigid with fear, I was utterly convinced I was dying as the siren blared on our rocky journey. My fears hardly allayed by the speed with which they pushed my trolley into theatre. When I asked the surgeon if I was going to die he replied simply, Its my job to try to prevent that. Why didnt he say no? Then everything went blank.

I lived to tell the tale of course - and thankfully my daughter had been born healthy - but no thanks to all that dithering. And the antenatal midwives who had ignored my fears I had pre-eclampsia a second time. I required six units of blood and spent days in intensive care where it emerged I had HELLP syndrome - a life-threatening variant of pre-eclampsia.

The NHS took it upon themselves to send my notes for negligence review. Surprise, surprise, it turned out they werent at fault.

When will midwives start listening to mothers?

Anon.

They ignored my pleas that something was wrong with my baby - then he died

I gave birth to my second baby in 1975. After a bad experience with my first son, I opted for the private wing of Harrogate hospital.

It started badly when an unfriendly nurse told me, Dont think youre anybody special because youve got your own room.

I gave birth to a 9lbs 2oz baby in the labour room and the nurse said he was healthy. They put him on the scales and I noticed he was shivering and his lips were quivering. When I commented about that they said, Have you never seen a babys lip quiver before?

They brought me my baby for feeding. I was to bottle feed but I just couldnt do it as I was in so much pain with haemorrhoids I couldnt sit up. I asked the nurse if she would help me feed him and she said, No we have better things to do. They left the bottle beside the bed. I noticed it was colourless. I asked the nurse why he wasnt being given any milk. She said, Its sugar and water, which is better for his kidneys and besides hes a big baby and he wont suffer - her exact words. I tried but it was not successful.

The next day, another nurse brought my baby to be fed and said to me, Here you are, yours is the one thats always blathered up. He was having constant diarrhoea. My husband came to visit that night. As he was leaving at 8.15pm, he saw the baby, who was crying at the time.

Half an hour later a nurse and a smartly dressed doctor appeared in my room looking solemn. He said, Your baby is dead. I was stunned. He had died of cot death. I immediately haemorrhaged and they discharged me with Valium.

The gynaecologist who performed my post-natal check said that I wasnt the first, that there had been nine deaths there that year. This was later denied.

When I eventually felt able to complain about my treatment there, I received a letter from the head of nursing stating that the relationship between patient and midwife is very often abrasive.

Until 2004 I was still trying to communicate with the hospital about this and attending meetings but getting nowhere. I was eventually able to read my babys medical notes which stated that he had been examined and was healthy and that he was being fed formula milk, which was a lie. He never had milk.

I think of the ordeal every day.

Jean Garbutt

If men gave birth, the sorry state of maternity care would be righted in a trice

I think Sarah Vine and I must have had the same ghastly midwife at Queen Charlottes Hospital, where my daughter was born 22 years ago. At one point during the labour the only way I could get any relief was on all fours on the floor - I vividly remember staring at my husbands (very smart) polished shoes. She aggressively ordered me to get back on the bed and when I said no she threatened (as a punishment) to get the doctor.

Of course when the lady doctor arrived she was charming and professional. But the midwife was clearly furious with me as she treated me with hostility and venom thereafter. I remember worrying through the labour that she was going to hurt me or - worse - put the baby in peril. Happily a trainee midwife joined the team and immediately came and held my hand, asking, Are you OK? And then soothingly, Youre doing really well. What a sweetie! But why should we women feel grateful for what should be standard kindness and empathy?

If men gave birth, this sorry state of maternity care would be righted in a trice.

Emma Kay

The hospital admitted causing my son's catastrophic brain injuries - but the midwife kept her job

It is dreadful to think that no improvements in maternity care have been made since my own terrible experience nearly 32 years ago.

I have three sons, the eldest, a healthy 37 year old with wife and family was born by emergency caesarean. Poor Andrew, who followed five years later, was a trial of scar [where labour is attempted after the previous child was delivered by C-section] and promises were made that all would be well.

Despite my protestations to the midwife on duty that things did not seem right, Andrew suffered a catastrophic brain injury at birth. He has lived with the consequences ever since. He has fits, cannot speak, feed himself and wears nappies. He has developed scoliosis of the spine, suffers sleep apnoea (with overnight alarm fitted), he has a feeding tube inserted into his abdomen, and the latest X-ray shows dislocation of both hips. He has lived all his life with pain and suffering and the mental indignation of having all his needs met by others.

This is an immensely complex set of circumstances for anyone to have to deal with. Andrew currently resides in a care home in Eastbourne which is 38 miles away from our home. At 64, I take him to all hospital/clinic appointments which are many, including The Royal National Orthopedic Hospital at Stanmore and St Thomas Hospital in London; long journeys with a vulnerable wheelchair-bound adult are not easy.

It is truly a tragic and unnecessary set of blunders by the midwife on duty that night. Despite my attempts to get her removed from her job via the UK Central Council For Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, they protected her - even though full causation of Andrews injury was admitted by the local hospital.

Clare Jenks

When I went to complain about mistakes causing my baby's brain damage, my medical notes were missing

I too suffered over 50 years ago from a shambolic birth at UCH... but in my case the midwives were correct and the junior doctors were at fault. The consultant never attended.

I was 21 at the time and thought I didnt need private care (how wrong was I!). I was three weeks overdue, put on an oxytocin drip and after three days my baby was passing meconium. The midwives told the registrar that I needed a caesarean, which they completely ignored, and gave me high forceps and vacuum extraction. My son, Jonathan, was born blue and not breathing. After five minutes or more they resuscitated, which left him completely brain damaged. When I consulted another obstetrician privately at the hospital he informed me I should have had a caesarean at that time due to my pelvis being small, the babys position and other factors.

Even 35 years later, one woman told how she is still suffering from the consequences of a forceps delivery that went wrong (file photo)

Fortunately I was able to have two more healthy children privately in a small clinic. My son Jonathan was at home with me for four or five years but with many sleepless nights with a distressed child crying day and night. He had multiple physio sessions to no avail, with no speech, no sight and immobility. He was then given a place at a phenomenal home and is still alive today but in a vegetative state.

I did not want to sue, but did not want any other mother to suffer, so I did go to my local MP, Margaret Thatcher, who at the time passed it on to the Minister of Health. But unfortunately half my medical notes were missing!

Lady Estelle Wolfson, London

Traumatic birth meant I could never contemplate having another child

My own experience of childbirth was sufficiently ghastly that I didnt even contemplate another pregnancy. And 35 years later, like so many other women, Im still suffering from the consequences of a forceps delivery that left my newborn looking like he had a black eye and me totally shell-shocked!

To add insult to injury I was in hospital for eight days and found the staff on the ward unfriendly and unhelpful (my dear mum was already dead so I didnt have her loving support). The one time somebody showed me some kindness I nearly cried.

For some considerable time, I could easily be brought to tears just thinking about the whole experience. As I couldnt face giving birth again, I fostered for over 20 years as I felt I had so much love to give to children.

Anon.

The doctor was so appalled by the midwives he said he'd help me complain

I was so shocked to read about the current situation regarding childbirth even today. It was bad enough in 1962, when I had my second baby.

I had been to antenatal classes and taught how to manage pain by relaxation and how to position myself into a frontal position to give birth. But two utterly callous midwives continuously laughed at me and kept throwing me roughly onto my side to push. Hours of non-birth resulted in a rushed forced ejection and me being torn tremendously.

They left me naked and bleeding with all the windows wide open while they fetched a doctor, which took ages. He was appalled when he saw me; Id gone into total shock by then. He covered me up, rushed around shutting all the windows and screaming for assistance, then took many minutes stitching me inside and out. He gently told me I might never be able to give birth this way ever again. He also said if I wanted to make a complaint, he would back me to the hilt.

Of course, I never did. I didnt have the strength, lost all my hair and my milk and never quite bonded with that baby as I did with my others, which was awful for us both.

I am now in my 80s and can never forget the most awful traumatic time in my life, ever.

Carole Giles, address supplied.

As a former midwife I would rather not have children then suffer this

I qualified as a midwife in 1972 and had superb training at Leeds Maternity Hospital. Prior to this, I had completed a three-year training to become a state registered nurse at Liverpool Royal Infirmary.

The care we gave in Leeds was excellent, as later was my own experience of the antenatal, delivery and postnatal care for me and my children.

I can hardly believe what horrific ordeals these women have endured. What a disaster for the future of this country. If I wanted a family at this time, I would have to pay to go privately or not become a parent.

Lesley Burton, Amble, Northumberland
They may be starring in one of the biggest shows in the world right now - but these actors have CBBC to thank for giving them their big break.

Adjoa Andoh, 61, is now a household name thanks to her role as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton.

But back in the mid-noughties, the actress, from Bristol, was more recognisable as the head of MI9 in the spy comedy MI High.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Bailey catapulted to stardom when he was cast at Viscount Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series, which is streaming platform's number one show.

However, the 36-year-old won his first millennial fans when he played Leonardo da Vinci in a series about the painter's life.

Pictured: Ruby Stokes, Phoebe Dynevor, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Thompson, Jonathan Bailey in season one of Bridgerton

On top of this, Claudia Jessie - who plays Eloise Bridgerton - is another CBBC alumnae who has gone on to achieve worldwide fame.

The actress' first major role was playing a teenage detective in the online series 'Dixie' about staying safe on social media.

Earlier this week, TikTok star Jam, from the UK, sent fans wild when she shared the Bridgerton stars' CBBC background with her 120,000 followers.

One replied: 'OMG LADY DANBURY IS FROM MI HIGH!!'

Another gushed: 'I used to love Leonardo!!' Meanwhile, a third gushed: 'Dixi was my life!'

Here FEMAIL revisits the Bridgerton stars' humble CBBC beginnings.

Adjoa Andoh

Adjoa Andoh is one of the main breakout stars from Bridgerton - having gone on to bag roles in The Witcher, Queen Charlotte and the Red King.

Pictured: Adjoa Andoh playing Lady Danbury in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, which debuted in 2020

Pictured: Actress Adjoa Andoh appeared in six episodes of the CBBC spy comedy MI High in the noughties

However, the star spent years making a name for herself in TV and radio.

As well as appearing in Law & Order UK, she also appeared in Casualty and The Bill.

From 2009 to 2011, Adjoa played the head of MI9 in the kids spy drama MI High - making six appearances in total.

Alongside this, the star also played two different roles in Doctor Who while David Tennant was playing the lead role.

Firstly, Adjoa played Francine Jones - the mother of the Doctor's sidekick Martha.

Pictured: Adjoa Andoh played Martha Jones' mother in Doctor Who while David Tennant was starring

Pictured: Adjoa Andoh playing Sister Jatt - the alien nurse with a cat's face - in the CBBC show in 2008

In 2008, she returned as Sister Jatt - the alien nurse with a cat's face.

During lockdown, Adjoa filmed a special message for Doctor Who fans where she spoke about her love of the show.

While filming Invictus, the actress was introduced to the assistant director - who gushed about 'thrilled' he was to meet her.

She claims he said: 'You're Martha Jones' mom!'

The actress continued: 'Of course, the reach of this show is all over the world and I think one of the things that is so brilliant is it talks about people coming together to take care of each other.

'When people are under threat, they come together and that's exactly what we're all having to do now.'

Jonathan Bailey

Pictured: Jonathan Bailey playing teenage Leonardo di Vinci in the CBBC show about the painter's life

Pictured: Jonathan Bailey playing Viscount Bridgerton in season two of the hit Netflix show Bridgerton

When he was 23 years old, Jonathan Bailey bagged the lead role in the CBBC show Leonardo.

The series - which ran for two seasons - imagined the 15t Century painter Leonardo di Vinci's life aged 15 and living in Florence.

The star began acting at 10 and appeared in the three plays with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Before he was cast in the show, Jonathan also stared an Open University course - but ultimately decided to focus on acting.

Speaking to the Official London Theatre in 2012, Jonathan said it was 'sort of an accident' that he ever got into theatre.

He said: 'It was sort of an accident. I went to a dance club in Henley. When you joined, you automatically got represented. I didnt really know what was going on, but they asked me to go for an audition aged six to sing a song for a lady from the RSC. I went along and it seemed like four weeks later wed started performing A Christmas Carol.

The CBBC series - which ran for two seasons - imagined the 15t Century painter Leonardo di Vinci's life aged 15 and living in Florence

'It became a hobby and the rule was as long as I did school and acting that fits within the summer or Christmas holidays, I could do it. So I started doing one thing a year.'

Jonathan joked to the BBC: 'When I found out I had got the part of Leonardo da Vinci I ordered a painting-by-numbers edition of the Mona Lisa but when it arrived it was tiny, three inches by three inches, with only three colours to fill about 10 different blocks!

'Needless to say I completed it in record time and the famous "enigmatic smile" had become a fluorescent pink blob amidst a background of black and brown triangles... Leonardo would be turning in his grave!'

Claudia Jessie

Pictured: Bridgerton actress Claudia Jessie playing Shari in the CBBC online safety series called Dixi

The actress, from Birmingham, was cast as Eloise Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series back in 2020

Eloise Bridgerton famously doesn't suffer fools - something she has in common with Claudia Jessie's CBBC character.

In 2014, Claudia was cast as Shari in the online mystery Dixi, which taught children about online safety.

The mystery show followed a group of teens as they tried to figure out who was framing innocent people on social media.

Before this, the actress had appeared in Call the Midwife, Josh and Casualty.

Dixi ran for a total of five series (amounting to 100 episodes) and was Claudia's first major role.

It also paved the way for more high-profile roles, including Amelia Sedley in the 2018 adaptation of Vanity Fair.

The mystery show followed a group of teens as they tried to figure out who was framing innocent people on social media

Despite playing a schoolgirl in Dixi, Claudia was homeschooled from the age of 14 because she struggled so much with bullying.

Speaking to The Guardian last month, she explained: 'I didnt develop any self-confidence.

'No matter how much my mum tried to instill it in me. But I knew from an early age I had the ability to make people laugh. Mum cleaned houses in exchange for my music lessons or dance classes  my only early performing experience was in the living room, doing Bruce Forsyth impressions.'

Sam Phillips

Hotel Trubble followed the day-to-day running of a English hotel and its quirky employees, including the bellboy Jamie (pictured)

Pictured: Sam Phillips playing Lord Debling Bridgerton, the new love interest of Lady Penelope Featherington

He's one of the new faces to join Bridgerton in season three - but Sam Phillips already has a devoted fanbase from his CBBC days.

The actor, 39, who has been cast as Lord Debling, played Jamie in the CBBC series Hotel Trubble from 2008 to 2011.

The sitcom followed the day-to-day running of a English hotel and its quirky employees, including the bellboy Jamie.

Following the show's end, the actor then went to appear in Far from the Madding Crowd, The Crown and EastEnders.

Earlier today, the MailOnline revealed that Sam is dating his Bridgerton co-star Bessie Carter.

Despite their characters not interacting on the show, the actors began dating after meeting on set of season three.

Filming for the series began in July 2022 and wrapped in March 2023, with Bessie moving into Sam's flat in Brighton three months later.

Bridgerton's Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips ARE dating and have secretly moved in together after romantic holidays

Bessie, 30, plays the role of Prudence Featherington on the hit Netflix show.

The pair have been photographed at several events with her family, including alongside Bessie's famous mum Imelda Staunton and dad Downton Abbey's Jim Carter.

The furthest back they have been pictured was in May 2023 where they looked cosy at a theatre event - suggesting they could have been together a good while.

Rumours recently began to swirl on TikTok that the pair could be an item, with one content creator posting a recent video titled: 'Bridgerton co-stars that are dating in real life'.

Many were quick to comment on the rumours as one said: 'Okayyyy featherington sisters bagging the hot ones!'

Another said: 'They're so cute!!', while a third penned: 'I love this so much!'

Ruth Gemmell

Pictured: Ruth Gemmell playing Tracy Beaker's mother in the hit CBBC series based on the 1990 book

Pictured: Ruth Gemmell playing Lady Violet Bridgerton in the third season of the hit series Bridgerton

What's more, millennial viewers first knew Ruth Gemmell not as Lady Bridgerton - but Tracy Beaker's mother in the hit noughties series.

The Tracy Beaker film and series are based on the 1990 book by Jacqueline Wilson, based on the tragic story of a troubled 10-year-old in foster care, who has been placed in a home due to a history of neglect and domestic violence.

As a way to escape her behavioural problems, Tracy tells a string of tall tales about her absent mother, insisting that she is a famous Hollywood star who will one day come and collect her to take them to live a fabulous life.

In 2020, fans joked that her appearance in the hit show mean that Tracy was in fact telling the truth all along and would come back to collect her.

There she is! Bridgerton fans have gone after realising Ruth Gemmell, 53, who plays the matriarch of the Bridgerton family, Violet Bridgerton, also starred as Tracey Beaker's mum Carly in 2004's Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me (pictured)

Can't unsee it! Flooding social media, a number of fans insisted they 'couldn't unsee' Ruth's former role, while others joked that Tracy - a troubled fantasist living in a foster home - wasn't lying when she said her mother was a famous Hollywood star

Tickled fans penned: 'The fact that Tracy Beakers mum is in Bridgerton. She really was a famous actress after all, I knew Tracy wasnt lying... Can't unsee that Daphne's mum in Bridgerton is Tracy Beaker's mum lol...

'i adore bridgeton but I cant stop seeing Daphnes mum as Tracy beakers mum... Anyone else watching #Bridgerton and cant stop thinking about daphnes mum being Tracy Beakers mum when she #turned up in the movie over a decade ago?...

'what business does tracy beaker's mum have being in bridgerton... no way tracy beakers mum is in bridgerton...

'i love that tracy beakers mum plays violet bridgerton in bridgerton... I cant unsee Lady Bridgerton as Tracy Beakers mum....

'I absolutely LOVED #Bridgerton on Netflix but I could not see Lady Violet Bridgerton as anyone but Tracy Beakers mum - she really was a famous actress after all Rolling on the floor laughing'.
Charles met with various celebrities at Buckingham Palace today

King Charles showed off his showbusiness credentials today as he met with various celebrities at a reception for ambassadors of the Prince's Trust at Buckingham Palace.

His Majesty, 75, who has recently returned to work after getting treatment for cancer met with Penny Lancaster, Martin Freeman, Declan Donnelly - who will later host the Prince's Trust Awards.

The star-studded celebrations also included Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and TV presenter and DJ Tyler West - who forewent the traditional handshake to fist bump the King.

His Majesty was typically stylish in an impeccably tailored grey suit with a navy spotted tie and a pocket square.

It's been a busy week for the King, who has been delighted to return to work after getting the go ahead from doctors last month. Following the reception, the King met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who asked for permission to call an election.

Following the announcement, Buckingham Palace announced that they will reduce royal engagements to not distract from the election.

At one point, the King forewent the traditional handshake as he fistbumped DJ Tyler West

King Charles met with various celebrities today as he held a reception for ambassadors of the Prince's Trust at Buckingham Palace

Charles is seen chatting to Ellie Simmons and Laura, the NatWest enterprise award winner

Tyler West and King Charles III share a fist bump during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

The King sent his best wishes to new dad Ant McPartlin, after being told the star was unable to join him at Buckingham Palace as he was helping to breastfeed his new baby.

His co-star and friend Dec Donnelly told the sovereign: He's not here today and sends his apologies, he's got a week old baby, he's breastfeeding, or helping with.

Chuckling Charles replied: Please give him my regards. Fantastic. Because you are amazing.

Ant and partner Anne-Marie Corbett have announced the birth of their baby son, Wilder.

Charles, 75, joined Dec and celebrity ambassadors Martin Freeman, and Ellie Simmonds, among others, to celebrate winners of The Princes Trust Awards 2024, which recognises young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

His Majesty was typically stylish in an impeccably tailored grey suit with a navy spotted tie and a pocket square.

The King also chatted to Love Island star and basketball player Ovie Soko who is 6ft 7in tall.

Gazing up at him, the King joked: You dont even have to jump.

Other stars included Kate Garraway, pop star Pixie Lott and Penny Lancaster, who told the King that her husband, Rod Stewart, was off on tour again.

DJ Cuppy (C) and King Charles III (R) during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

The King is seen chatting to Pixie Lott, one of the various celebrity guests in attendance

Charles, centre, poses with Prince's Trust Awards winners and ambassadors, during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards at Buckingham Palace

Celebs Go Dating host Anna Williamson said to the King, who is still having treatment for cancer: Its lovely to see you looking so well.

Among the winners was Arti, 18, who won the the Amal Clooney Womans Empowerment Award

She turned up at Buckingham Palace riding in a pink rickshaw - which the King got the chance to marvel at as it parked up.

The India State governments Pink Rickshaw campaign is an initiative to provide pink rickshaws for female passengers with female drivers.

The idea is to increase employment opportunities for vulnerable women and single mothers, like Arti, while improving womens access to safe transport.

Penny Lancaster during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

Charles speaks with Paul, the L'Oreal Paris Rising Star

Chuckling Charles giggles with Strictly star Johannes Radebe

Arti's, the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award winner's, pink rickshaw parks during the reception

Charles stands next to Arti, the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award winner

The eight UK Award categories include Enterprise Award, Education Award, Breakthrough Award and Young Change Maker Award.

The others are Young Achiever Award, Community Impact Award, Rising Star Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

There were also three Global Award categories, which are Global Young Achiever Award, Amal Clooney Womans Empowerment Award and The Prince's Trust Group Sustainability Award.

The King congratulated winners in the 1844 and Bow Room followed by a group photograph at the bottom of the Grand Staircase.

He founded The Princes Trust in 1976 with his naval pension, with the charity going on to help more than a million young people back into education, employment and training.

It's been a busy week for the King, who has been delighted to return to work after getting the go ahead from doctors last month.

Earlier this week, he was dubbed the 'King of Compost' by a group of school children at Chelsea Flower Show.

It's one of Charles's first public events following his return to work after his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Camilla recently revealed Charles was 'thrilled' to return to royal duties and joked that she had been 'trying to hold him back' during his cancer treatment.

The Queen, 76, spoke about the monarch's dedication to his work' during her reception at Buckingham Palace to relaunch the Wash Bags Project.

The monarch, 75, returned to public duties last month after doctors said they were pleased with his progress following his cancer diagnosis in February.

The Princes Trust Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

The 2024 winners include young people who have overcome challenges including poor mental health, educational troubles and youth unemployment with the help of the Trust.

The eight UK Award categories are: Enterprise Award, Education Award, Breakthrough Award, Young Change Maker Award, Young Achiever Award, Community Impact Award, Rising Star Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

The three Global Award categories are: Global Young Achiever Award, Amal Clooney Womans Empowerment Award and The Prince's Trust Group Sustainability Award. His Majesty The King will receive Chief Executive of The Princes Trust, Mr. Jonathan Townsend; Chief Executive of The Kings Trust International, Will Straw; and Chief Executive of The Kings Trust New Zealand, Rod Baxter, in the Carnarvon Room.
A wine connoisseur has shared his ultimate guide to affordable new reds for 2024, just in time for the chilly winter season.

Aldi Australia's wine expert and buying director Jason Bowyer compiled his recommendations, with each bottle under $16.

Popular picks include the Standing People Lighter in Alcohol Pinot Noir ($11.99), the Nerissimo Puglia Primitivo ($11.99) and the Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz ($15.99).

The cheapest of the wines is just $1.71 a glass.

Mr Bowyer says lower alcohol wines are rising in popularity - which makes the Standing People Pinot Noir all the more desirable.

A wine connoisseur has shared his ultimate guide to the top winter wines for 2024

The Standing People Lighter in Alcohol Pinot Noir 2023 (South Australia, Australia) - $11.99

He recommends pairing the drink with Aldi's Emporium Selection crumbed camembert ($4.49) for a 'toasty' starter or side.

Mr Bowyer also enjoys the Truly Wildly McLaren Vale Nero D'Avola ($13.99).

'A South Australian drop not to be missed, this berry-forward red is sure to be a hit with family and friends and at less than $14 you better get in quick!'

The last Australian wine on the new winter drop is the Mount Langi Ghiran 'Pepper Series' Shiraz ($15.99) from Victoria.

'This Shiraz boasts everything Australians have come to expect from the Grampian wine region and is widely considered the best of the best when it comes to quality,' Mr Bowyer said.

He'd pair the wine with Aldi's Emporium Selection smooth blue ($5.49) cheese as they 'go together like two best friends'.

Aldi's new winter wines under $16 The Standing People Lighter in Alcohol Pinot Noir 2023 (South Australia, Australia) - $11.99 Les Argelieres Pay's DOC Pinot Noir 2022 (Langeudoc-Rousillion, France) - $11.99 Truly Wildly McLaren Vale Nero D'Avola 2022 (South Australia, Australia) - $13.99 Nerissimo Puglia Primitivo 2022 (Puglia, Italy) - $11.99 Corte Carista Montepulciano D'Abruzzo DOC 2020 (D'Abruzzo, Italy) - $11.99 Mount Langi Ghiran 'Pepper Series' Shiraz 2022 (Victoria, Australia) - $15.99 Advertisement

Truly Wildly McLaren Vale Nero D'Avola 2022 (South Australia, Australia) - $13.99

The wine expert said those who prefer more of a fruity taste should try Les Argelieres Pay's DOC Pinot Noir ($11.99).

'It's sourced from the cooler mountain sites in France and delivers a rich flavour with hints of raspberry and dark cherries,' he said.

Speaking of European wines, Aldi has also just launched bottles of Nerissimo Puglia Primitivo ($11.99).

'Aldi shoppers who love to discover a new hidden gem are in for a treat with this Italian red,' he said. 'Ranked highly in the Yearbook of the Best Italian Wines 2024, this celebrated drop is packed with blackberry and dark chocolate notes.

'It's paired beautifully with the Emporium Selection goat's cheese ($3.99). The creamy French cheese with a mild, tangy flavour is great with fresh fruits or on a crisp salad.'

Another Italian wine expected to fly of the shelves is the Corte Carista Montepulciano D'Abruzzo DOC ($11.99) which was made by one of the world's top winemakers - Alberto Antonini.

'The ruby-red wine is packed with all the flavour without the price tag, so why stop at one bottle?' Mr Bowyer said.
A popular French bistro has announced its shock closure at the end of 2024 - and patrons are 'devastated' by the news.

Sydney restaurant Bistrot 916 in Potts Point is set to be demolished as a result of construction taking place on Challis Avenue.

The go-to spot is known for its 'classic and delicious' French food 'without an obnoxious price tag' and has almost 500 five-star reviews from customers.

Bistrot 916 - the brain child of owners Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson, and Michael Clift - first opened its doors to customers in February 2021.

The trio have since added two other eateries to Sydney's must-visit list: Clam Bar in the CBD and Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills, where superstars Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter were seen dining earlier this year.

Sydney restaurant Bistrot 916 in Potts Point is set to be demolished at the end of 2024

Another beloved restaurant Big Poppa's is also closing down because of the construction in the area.

Bistrot 916 might be closing its doors permanently in Potts Point but the owners are on the lookout for another spot to relocate the iconic eatery.

The restaurant shared the announcement on Instagram:

'We regret to announce Bistrot 916 will soon cease operations to accommodate an impending real estate development.

'As we prepare to dim the lights and await the approaching wrecking ball, we invite you for a final celebratory soiree.

'We would like to send our deepest gratitude to all of our incredible staff past and present and to our beautiful customers, it has been our pleasure.'

The go-to spot is known for its 'classic and delicious' French food 'without an obnoxious price tag' and has almost 500 five-star reviews from customers

Bistrot 916 - the brain child of owners Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson, and Michael Clift - first opened its doors to customers in February 2021

The post received hundreds of comments with foodies lamenting the 'great loss' to Sydney's restaurant scene.

'Bistrot 916 is my favourite place in Potts Point,' a woman said. 'This is terrible news.'

'One of the best restaurants I've been to in Sydney,' another wrote. 'Very nice, cosy and romantic deco.'

Others also praised Bistrot 916's decadent desserts and expert wine selection.

'We close this chapter with a mix of pride and nostalgia,' Clift told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'It's a shame. We are so happy with the restaurant - the vibe is amazing, our team is great, and it's busier than ever,' Tyson added.
Meth addicts are being paid to get clean in drug-riddled California as part of an experimental new program.

Participants are required to provide a negative urine sample to prove they are not using meth or crack cocaine, and they are given up to $26.50 in return per test.

But in a potential loophole, the samples are allowed to come back positive for other kinds of drugs, including opioids like fentanyl and heroin.

The taxpayer-funded project is being run in 19 counties across California and around 2,700 drug addicts have enrolled so far.

The above graph shows how drug overdose deaths have risen since 2002, shooting to a record high in 2022

A determined sheriffs deputy compiled these shocking before and after mugshots back in 2004 to show how meth ravages the appearance of addicts in a bid to deter people away from the drug

It is being funded through Medi-Cal, the state's taxpayer-funded program for low-income people, and California is expected to allocate $61million towards it.

Runners of the program admitted they were initially skeptical of the multimillion-dollar price tag for such an experimental program.

'You're talking about a lot of money,' John Duff, lead program director at Common Goals, an outpatient drug and alcohol counseling center in Grass Valley in Nevada County, told the LA Times via KFF Health News. 'It was a hard sell.'

GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement

The program comes in response to one of the worst drug crises in America. Deaths related to cocaine, meth and other stimulants have skyrocketed across in the past decade.

In 2021, there were nearly 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in California, compared to a total of 80,401 in the US.

In just three years, between 2019 and 2021, California's opioid-related deaths spiked 121 percent, according to the state's health department. The vast majority of these deaths were linked to fentanyl.

In 2021, 65 percent of drug-related overdose deaths involved stimulants, compared to 22 percent in 2011.

In California's Sierra Nevada, users say they can get their hands on meth almost as easily as beer or weed.

Quinn Coburn is one of the people enrolled on the new program, having used meth for the majority of adulthood.

He has been in jail five times for dealing marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin.

Now 56, Mr Coburn wants to stop drugs for good, having attempted to kick his habit countless times.

He says the financial experiment is helping. 'It's that little something thats holding me accountable,' the former construction worker said.

Mr Coburn wants to stay clean to fight criminal charges for possession of drugs and firearms, which he strongly denies.

He was give $10 for each clean urine test he provided during his first week in the program.

Quinn Coburn is one of the people enrolled on the new program, having used meth for the majority of adulthood. as completed 20 weeks of the program and earned $521.50 as of mid May

Pictured above is a man on the streets of San Francisco during the US drugs crisis

Drug addicts and the homeless in the SOMA (South of Market) District, San Francisco

More than 849 people are expected to die of drug overdoses in 2023, on pace to exceed the current record of 720 deaths in 2020

The amount per test increases throughout the weeks - participants get $11.50 per test in week two, $13 in week three, rising to $26.50.

Former drug addicts can earn up to $599 a year. Mr Coburn has completed 20 weeks of the program and earned $521.50 as of mid May.

Participants also get at least six months of additional behavioral health treatment after urine testing stops.

California has spent huge sums of money and effort into reducing opioid addiction and fentanyl trafficking, but stimulant use is also a big problem.

The rate of Californians dying from stimulants doubled from 2019 to 2023, according to the state Department of Health Care Services.

Fentanyl related deaths and other overdoses are spiking in San Francisco once again

These pictures, taken just three years apart, show how meth use has changed this woman's appearance over a short space of time

Pictured three years apart, this woman's skin has been ravaged by her addiction to meth

To qualify for the program, participants must have moderate to severe stimulant use disorder, with symptoms including strong drug cravings and putting drugs above personal health and wellbeing.

Experts have said that incentive programs that offer a reward to participants, even a modest one, can have a profound effect, especially among meth users.

Previous research has found that such programs can result in long-term abstinence.

Mr Duff, who leads the center where Mr Coburn receives treatment, said: 'The way stimulants work on the brain is different than how opiates or alcohol work on the brain.

'The reward system in the brain is more activated with amphetamine users, so getting $10 or $20 at a time is more enticing than sitting in group therapy.'

He became convinced of the program's success when users kept returning with negative urine tests.

'People are showing up, consistently. To get off stimulants, its proving to be very effective.'

It is not clear why the urine test needs to only be clear of stimulants in order for participants to receive the reward, but it may be that the incentive model is most effective against stimulants, as Mr Duff said.
Ministers were today told to put sanitary bins in men's public toilets to stop tens of thousands of them from suffering in silence.

Around one in three men over 65 in the UK suffer from urinary incontinence.

But under current laws, sanitary bins only need be provided for female staff in the workplace to dispose of used tampons and pads.

Most women's public loos also feature them, however no such provision exists for men.

The campaign group, Boys Need Bins, which is backed by Prostate Cancer UK wants this to change.

Businesses and public buildings across Worcestershire this week began installing these bins, after one patient wrote to organisations across the county. Ian Smith (pictured), 64, the patient who championed the change was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2022

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It comes as businesses and public buildings across Worcestershire this week began installing these bins, after one patient wrote to organisations across the county.

Ian Smith, 64, the patient who championed the change was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2022.

While he had undergone regular prostate-specific antigen tests to check for the disease, which strikes about one in eight men at some point during their lives, this was disrupted by Covid.

By the time his cancer was identified it had spread to his rectum and is now incurable.

Following radiotherapy and hormone treatment he now suffers from bowel incontinence and has to wear adult nappies.

He told the BBC: 'Because of my treatment, I suffered damage to my bowels and rectum and that's made me sometimes bowel incontinent.

'What I wear is full nappy pants... These are a real issue if you need to get rid of them, which is what the Boys Need Bins campaign is all about.

'Because blokes are what they are, they don't talk about it... and so most venue owners don't know it's a problem'.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, one in 20 men aged 60 and over will experience bowel incontinence.

And the shame and panic surrounding the issue can leave them leading less fulfilling lives, the charity warned.

The charity says more than a third of men with incontinence will avoid leaving home due to leaks and problems with disposing of pads and nappies  which can cost between 50p to 1 each  increasing their risk of social isolation.

Its research also shows a similar number keep wearing soiled pads, rather than try to find somewhere to get rid of them.

'It's a far bigger an issue than people tend to realise,' said Nick Ridgman, head of health information and clinical support at Prostate Cancer UK.

'Hundreds of thousands of men experience incontinence. But what we don't have for these men is the kind of provision that we have in women's toilets'.

Last year, the island of Jersey passed a law demanding sanitary bins in all men's public toilets, and Winchester Council in Hampshire has voluntarily installed them in its male toilets.

Meanwhile, hygiene specialist PHS Group has already fitted them in all 60 or so motorway service stations run by the Moto group.

More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year on average in the UK, making it the most common cancer in men. Around 12,000 men die every year from the disease - the equivalent of one every 45 minutes

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Last summer the minister for women, Maria Caulfield MP, said the government was also looking into the issue.

A spokesperson for the government watchdog, the Health and Safety Executive, told MailOnline: 'As the workplace regulator, we are currently reviewing the 'Approved Code of Practice' and guidance of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regarding provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets specifically, to ensure they meet the needs of both men and women.'

Around 52,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

But 9,000 men a year are diagnosed once it has already spread, making it the second most common cause of death from cancer in men after lung cancer.

Risk of prostate cancer increases with age, with most cases diagnosed in men aged 50 or older, the NHS says.

Symptoms include needing to urinate more often, having to wait longer before you can pass urine, erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, weight loss or any new and unexplained lower back pain.

Celebrities diagnosed with prostate cancer include Stephen Fry, who said he was 'stunned' after finding out he had the disease in 2018.

In 2022 musician Jools Holland revealed he had been successfully treated for prostate cancer after a diagnosis in 2014.

In August, Prostate Cancer UK also announced that referrals for the disease have reached a record high in the last year  rising 17 per cent  thanks to the 'Bill Turnbull' effect.

They said they believe the death of ambassador and TV presenter encouraged men to go and get tested.
The FDA is being sued for allegedly ignoring evidence that anti-depressants leave patients' sex lives permanently ruined - even years after stopping the meds.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) drugs like Prozac and Zoloft began carrying a label warning telling users they may cause erectile dysfunction, low libido, vaginal dryness and trouble orgasming only after patients began complaining of sexual side effects to their doctors in the 80s and 90s.

But thousands of former patients say they have been left completely asexual, numb below the waist, and unable to enjoy sex or sustain romantic relationships. Some patients have even experienced shrinkage of their genitals.

The FDA is now being sued by a team of scientists who say the agency has ignored their petition asking for a warning about permanent sexual side effects since 2018 and is asking the agency to warn doctors and patients about the long-term risks.

The condition mentioned in the lawsuit is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), which can cause genital numbness, a complete loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual function issues for years after going off the medications

As the fertility rate in the US gradually diminishes, more and more Americans are being prescribed SSRIs, the most common type of antidepressant. These drugs can lead to lower sperm quality in men

An estimated one in 10 Americans aged 12 and up takes an antidepressant.

The lawsuit was filed by Dr Antonei B. Csoka, a molecular biologist at Howard University.

The specific condition that Dr Csoka references in his complaint is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), which can also cause genital numbness, premature ejaculation, and emotional blunting.

The agency said in 2018 that it would further review the science and get back to him, but it never did.

The FDAs alleged lack of follow-up contradicted its own protocol, which says that citizens' petitions require a response within 180 days.

While the FDA has neglected to add the proposed warning label, regulatory agencies in Europe and Canada already have.

Scientists do not know for sure how many people are affected by PSSD, though more than half of all antidepressant users have reported some degree of sexual dysfunction while taking them.

A 2018 review of the scientific literature on PSSD found that around five to 15 percent of people on antidepressants developed sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction and lack of sex drive after taking SSRIs and SNRIs.

Dr Csoka is an advisor to the PSSD Network, an advocacy organization that encourages patients to tell their stories to raise awareness and hopefully find a cure for long-term sexual dysfunction.

Commonly prescribed antidepressants include SSRIs, which increase levels of mood-regulating serotonin in the brain, and SNRIs, which increase levels of both serotonin and another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, currently include package labels that warn of sexual side effects.

Drug manufacturers are required to warn patients and prescribers that their drugs could cause low libido and decreased ability to have an orgasm, but theyre not required to disclose that these effects could be permanent.

Dr Csoka said: Without adequate warnings about the risk of potentially permanent damage to sexual function, patients and health care professionals cannot weigh the benefits of the drugs use against the potential harms.

Patients sharing their stories through the PSSD Network have described a range of disturbances from erectile dysfunction, genital shrinkage, and numbness to a lack of any sense of attraction to others and an inability to feel pleasure.

One male patient had been prescribed various antidepressants at different points when he was 16 to deal with the death of his father and was able to stop taking them at 20.

Now, at 25 and off the meds, he has extreme genital shrinkage and discomfort, I have neurological dysfunction of the smooth muscle in my penis causing hypercontraction or persistent arousal disorder.

I have constant overactive bladder, urination, I have severe erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation I never had any of this before the meds.'

He added: I have seen a urologist that specializes in sexual health acknowledges the existence of PSSD; he conducted an ultrasound on my privates and told me that I have fibrosis in it, and he said its very common to see that in men who are on antidepressants for a while.

A female patient, meanwhile, stopped taking her antidepressant three years ago, but said now her sexuality is gone.

She said: My clitoris feels like a dead lump.

And a third patient who had been taking Lexapro for about three months said he is asexual now from the medicine.

He said: I used to be able to look at people that I was attracted to and you feel something but now I feel nothing, its just like looking at the wall. Basically taking away almost all positive emotions, they went from 100 to maybe less than one, thats how strong it is.

He added that the hardest part of the general emotional blunting caused by the medicines: When you hug the people you love, your mother, your father, your nephew, you dont feel anything You cannot get any emotional bond at all.

Dr Csoka has been researching sexual dysfunction linked to antidepressants since the early 2000s and was one of the first to posit that the medicines, as a side effect of driving up serotonin levels in the brain, caused DNA modifications that affect the activity of genes that regulate sexual function.

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He told the Guardian: Various scientists, including myself, have published studies showing that an SSRI can change epigenetics and human cells.

If thats happening, then those cells or tissues may not immediately revert back to how they were once treatment stops. Its as though an imprint has been left there. However, its still not known precisely what these epigenetic changes are. So what we need to do is narrow it down  what is happening?

His lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeks to force the FDA to issue a decision on the petition.

America has seen fertility rates plummet to historic lows in recent years, attributable to a large population of women who want to focus on their careers before starting a family as well as sedentary lifestyles that decrease fertility.

But an explosion in antidepressant prescriptions over the past two decades has also been blamed for the country's baby bust.

A 2022 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that SSRIs have 'a statistically significant impairment on semen quality, such as sperm concentration, sperm morphology, sperm motility,' the researchers wrote. However, semen volume was not impacted.

Since becoming widespread in the 1980s, scripts for the mood-boosting drugs have skyrocketed, with a record nearly one in five adults taking them in 2020 compared to around one in 50 at the turn of the century.

This could contribute to the overall fertility rate in the US, which has been steadily falling for decades.

In the US, women had an average of just 1.7 children, according to the United Nations' World Population Prospects, in 2020. In 1970, that rate was 2.3.

The global fertility rate- the average number of children born to each woman- was 2.3 in 2020, compared to 4.7 in 1970. This is a staggering 51 percent drop.
Marks & Spencer sales surged 9.4 per cent to 13.1billion last year, thanks to bumper growth across the retailer's food and clothing lines.

The high street icon posted adjusted operating profit growth of 33.8 per cent to 838.6million for the year to 30 March, after food and clothing sales jumped 13 and 5.3 per cent respectively.

Bolstered by the sizeable bottom line boost, M&S restored a 3p per share dividend on Wednesday.

The 140-year old retailer, one of the biggest names in British business, also said on Wednesday it was confident of further progress in its new financial year.

'We are at the beginning of a new M&S', chief executive Stuart Machin said.

'We are at the beginning of a new M&S', chief executive Stuart Machin said

M&S also told investors it is plotting 'a more productive estate', which will see it eventually close 'legacy stores that are more expensive to operate and do not demonstrate the M&S brand of today'.

It added: 'Rotation towards a target estate of 180 full line and 420 Food stores provides significant opportunity to invest and grow in the years ahead.

'We continue to seek new sites, to enable us to accelerate store closures and create an estate we are proud of by 2027/28.'

After two decades of failed turnaround efforts, M&S is finally reaping the rewards of an expensive investment programme to improve the quality and value of its clothing and food, upgrade its technology and e-commerce operations, and radically overhaul its store estate.

M&S shares rose 7.89 per cent or 21.60p to 295.40p on Wednesday morning, having surged over 80 per cent in the last year.

The group said: 'Given our track record of delivering volume growth, market share and free cash flow we are confident that we will make further progress in 2024/25 and beyond.'

M&S made an adjusted pre-tax profit for the year to 30 March of 716.4million, which was ahead of analysts' forecasts which ranged from between 665million to 705million. In the previous year, the group's adjusted annual pre-tax profit reached 453.3million.

The group said its website was 'accelerating growth, attracting new customers, and increasing profitability'.

Improved cash flow of 414million helped drive 'further balance sheet improvement and net funds position at year end', M&S added.

Upbeat: M&S said it was confident of further progress in its new financial year

Machin said: 'Two years into our plan to Reshape for Growth we can see the beginnings of a new M&S.

'We have made progress on "hardwiring" sustainable change - how and when we execute our strategic priorities - with progress in store rotation and supply chain.

'However, we need to move faster and be ruthlessly challenging on the areas where progress has been slower, building a more effective digital and technology infrastructure, accelerating the move to a truly personalised customer experience, and resetting priorities in International.

'We have a clear plan, a clear vision for the future, and there is so much opportunity ahead of us.'

The group also outlined plans to bolster its online operations, which it hopes to grow from 22 per cent of clothing and home sales five years ago to 50 per cent of sales.

It said: 'Online growth has increased, supported by better product and more effective marketing. Despite this, profitability is not yet market leading despite our scale advantage.'

Boost: M&S announced a new 3p per share dividend on Wednesday

Charlie Huggins, manager of the Quality Shares Portfolio at Wealth Club, said: 'M&S has had an excellent year and there is now enough evidence to suggest this isn't a flash in the pan.

'The most impressive thing about the M&S turnaround story so far has been the market share gains, in both Clothing and Food. They have been able to achieve this while reducing discounts, which is a good sign.'

Mark Crouch, analyst at eToro, added: 'In what has become one of the most emphatic turnarounds seen in British retail in recent years, the M&S comeback story is turning into something of a fairytale for investors.

'Shares are up over 50 per cent in the last twelve months as the business maintains the trend of attracting new customers and accelerating growth.

'Despite inflationary pressures easing, retailers remain fully engrossed in a tug of war for market share, one where quality and value are proving to be key battlegrounds.

'M&S, renowned for their quality, has applied focus to offering customers significant value along with it and it seems to be working.'

Russell Pointon, director of consumer at Edison Group, said: 'Challenges remain in the Ocado Retail Joint Venture and international segments, where adjustments are likely needed due to a decline in sales and increased losses.'
Party leadership urges members to unite in blocking bill's passage

By Lee Hyo-jin

The leadership of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is striving to prevent its members from voting in favor of a special counsel probe bill into the death of a Marine in an upcoming parliamentary re-vote, emphasizing the importance of party unity to thwart the bill's passage.

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's veto of the opposition-led bill on Tuesday, the National Assembly is expected to hold a re-vote on the bill during a plenary session on May 28. This session would mark the incumbent Assembly's final legislative act before its dissolution the following day.

The bill, pushed through by the majority-holding main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was initially passed during a plenary session on May 2. The bill aims to launch a comprehensive investigation into the government's alleged interference in the military's probe into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun during a flood rescue operation in July 2023. The DPK seeks to question high-ranking government officials, potentially including the president himself.

The presidential office and the ruling party have vehemently opposed the bill, labeling it as a political maneuver by the opposition bloc targeting the Yoon administration.

"If the DPK pushes ahead with the re-vote, we will act in unity without a single exception and put together our efforts to uphold our party's stance of opposing the bill," PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho told reporters on Wednesday, following a party meeting. Choo added that he is reaching out to all party members to deliver the message and has received positive responses from them.

For a vetoed bill to pass the Assembly in a re-vote, it requires a majority of Assembly members to be present and at least two-thirds of those present to vote in favor.

Currently, the DPK holds 155 seats out of the 295-member Assembly. When seats held by other opposition parties are added, this number increases to 180. Thus, at least 17 votes from ruling party lawmakers favoring the bill would ensure its passage.

Three PPP members  Reps. Kim Woong, Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoo Eui-dong  have publicly voiced support for the bill. Notably, Kim was the only ruling party lawmaker to vote in favor of the special counsel bill during a plenary session on May 2, while other PPP members exited the session in protest.

Uncertainty looms over whether PPP members will demonstrate a "one-team" strategy in the upcoming re-vote, particularly since it will be conducted through a secret ballot.

Additionally, it is uncertain whether PPP members who failed to secure seats in the next Assembly will remain loyal to the party. A total of 55 sitting PPP lawmakers have not secured another term during the general elections, either being cut from the party's nomination or having lost their respective contests. Some of them might not even attend the plenary session, which would increase the chance of the bill's passage.

DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung urged PPP members to make the "right decision," saying that the public would not forgive lawmakers who protect the president over the people's will.

"If the PPP continues to shield the president and denies the will of the people, they will be recorded in history as accomplices of a repressive government," Lee said during a party meeting Wednesday.

The DPK, along with other opposition parties, plans to hold a mass rally over the weekend in central Seoul, denouncing the president for wielding his veto power.

Even if the bill fails to pass in the upcoming re-vote, the opposition bloc plans to reintroduce it in the 22nd Assembly, which convenes on June 1. In the next Assembly, the broader opposition bloc will hold 192 out of 300 seats.
Takeover target Anglo American has agreed to enter talks with suitor BHP after rejecting the Australian miners latest 39billion offer.

The London-listed firm, whose empire includes De Beers diamonds and a potash mine in Yorkshire as well as vast copper and iron ore deposits, has given its larger rival another week to thrash out the terms of a deal.

It marked a significant concession by the Anglo board, which until recently had refused to engage with BHP, having rebuffed two earlier bids worth 31billion and 34billion.

The decision to enter talks could pave the way for a deal to be agreed.

Anglo yesterday said that it also turned down the third offer as it again included a demand for the sale of its South African business, which has become a major stumbling block.

Takeover target: Anglo American - whose empire includes De Beers diamonds - has given its larger rival BHP another week to thrash out the terms of a deal

It comes a week after the FTSE 100 company revealed its own radical restructuring to break itself up in a bid to fight off the takeover attempt.

BHP, the worlds largest listed miner, now has until 5pm on Wednesday, May 29 to make a formal bid or walk away from a merger that would be the largest ever mining sector deal.

City analysts previously said a bid of 40billion or more could seal a takeover.

Anglo chairman Stuart Chambers said the board rejected the offer as it does not address concerns about the structure.

He said the bid was too complex and placed too much risk on Anglo shareholders.

Under BHPs proposals, it would spin off Anglos South African platinum and iron ore units before buying the remaining assets, including its coveted copper mines in Peru and Chile.

Anglo has estimated that this could take more than 18 months. Multiple engagements with the BHP team have not yet been able to resolve the concerns on these issues, Chambers said.

However, the board is willing to continue to engage with BHP and its advisers on this topic, he added.

BHP said that it has made progress on the issue and was hopeful that a resolution will be reached in the next seven days.

Chief executive Mike Henry said: BHP looks forward to engaging with the board of Anglo American to explore this unique and compelling opportunity to bring together two highly complementary, world-class businesses.

Anglo has itself unveiled plans to spin off the Johannesburg-listed platinum unit but wants to hold on to its Kumba iron ore business.

Under proposals for Anglo to remain a stand-alone company, it would also sell diamond arm De Beers and its steel-making, coal and nickel businesses.

Meanwhile, the future of its Woodsmith mine in North Yorkshire is at risk.
Target: Hargreaves Lansdown said it has received two approaches from a consortium of buyers

Britains biggest investment platform has become the latest London-listed company to be targeted by foreign bidders.

After the market closed last night, Hargreaves Lansdown said it had received two approaches from a consortium of buyers regarding a possible takeover.

The latest offer  worth 985p a share or 4.67billion  was unanimously rejected by the board on the basis it substantially undervalues Hargreaves Lansdown and its future prospects.

But the suitors  private equity firm CVC, Nordic Capital and Platinum Ivy, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)  were considering a fresh offer.

Hargreaves Lansdown is just the latest London-listed company to be targeted by foreign buyers this year, with the value of bids from overseas topping 70billion.

The swoop became public just hours after mining giant Anglo American rejected a third bid from larger rival BHP worth 39billion.

But it agreed to enter talks with the Australian group in a sign that a deal may be on the cards after a drawn-out bid battle.

Others to have been approached in recent weeks include Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services (IDS), packaging giant DS Smith and cyber-security group Darktrace.

This week has also seen bids for the video game company Keywords Studios and energy firm XP Power.

Hargreaves shares, which rose 5 per cent, or 46.2p, to 979p, will be in sharp focus when trading resumes in London today.

The FTSE 250 firms stock, which has tumbled since the pandemic, has risen by a third this year to its highest level since August 2022.

Although it is considering another bid, the CVC-led consortium warned there can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made.

Under takeover rules, it has until June 19 to announce whether it wants to make a firm offer or walk away.

The assault on UK plc has fuelled concerns that British companies are undervalued and face a feeding frenzy of merger and acquisition activity.

A further concern is the lack of companies joining the stock market through initial public offerings (IPOs).One analyst even warned that the London stock market was facing a death by a thousand cuts as listed firms bow to foreign takeovers.
A Jamaican-American musician has called out Culture Kings after he was singled out instead of another group when a security alarm went off - forcing the retail chain to issue an apology.

Kiel Hoilett, known as Kilo, visited the streetwear store on Hosier Lane in Melbourne earlier this year, and stopped to take a photo of his friend at the store's entrance.

Just seconds after entering, Mr Hoilett saw a group of three men trigger the security alarm as they exited through Culture Kings' security gates.

He stepped aside to let a female employee speak with the group. However, the employee said 'all of you' and gestured for the group, along with Mr Hoilett and his friend, to walk back through the gates.

A Jamaican-American tourist has called out Culture Kings after he was singled out instead of another group when a security alarm went off

Just seconds after entering, Mr Hoilett saw a group of three men trigger the security alarm as they exited through Culture Kings' security gates

'I literally just walked in and walked back out,' Mr Hoilett told the worker.

She responded: 'The more you argue with me, the more I think it's gonna be you. If you want to just walk through [the gates], that's all I need from you.'

As Mr Hoilett walked back through the gate, a member of the other group triggered the alarm once again.

'Well look at that, the alarm went off,' the worker said.

She then told the group of three men they were 'good to go' and asked Mr Hoilett to empty his bag for inspection.

After checking the bag and finding no stolen items, the worker told off Mr Hoilett for 'throwing words' and called for another worker to join her at the door.

When Mr Hoilett and his friend tried to leave, the worker blocked them and asked to unzip his jacket.

'Why are you arguing with me if you didn't [take anything]? Just cooperate, that's all I need,' the worker said.

'I barely came in the store,' Mr Hoilett told her.

After complying, no stolen items were found.

Kiel Hoilett , known as Kilo, visited the Culture Kings store, where he was singled out when a security alarm went off

Kiel calls out Culture Kings

He told Daily Mail Australia the situation left him so shocked his 'mind went blank'.

'I complied with her requests, so that's what triggered me even more,' Mr Hoilett said.

Kiel (pictured) said the apology from Culture Kings does not cut it

'I really don't need to steal at all. When everyone else gets released, your mind starts to question why.

'I feel like I'm psychologically damaged from this experience because how could something so judgmental happen to me? In Australia, of all places?'

Mr Hoilett said he has been 'pretty down since the incident'.

'I didn't expect this from Australia.

'This never happened to me in America. So, to travel outside of there where you feel like things wouldn't be as bad is shocking.

'Culture Kings reached out and sent one of those copy and paste apology notes, and that s*** is not cutting it.'

Culture Kings is a popular streetwear and lifestyle retailer with stores across Australia

Culture Kings responds

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Culture Kings ANZ President Ian Everest said he was 'aware of the incident'.

'We sincerely apologise for the frustration this caused out customers,' he said.

'Culture Kings is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all our customers. It is never our intent to make patrons feel unsafe in our spaces.

'In light of this incident, our staff are undergoing further training so we can continue to cultivate a positive in-store experience.'
Rep. Ilhan Omar is facing a Democratic primary challenger in former Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels - who says her constituents have 'grown tired' of her antics.

The Jamaica-born toymaker and father of four says he did not emigrate to the U.S. to watch it devolve into political factions incapable of speaking to each other - which is why he's determined to root out people like Omar.

'She's actually created on our side, a far left version of what's on the far right,' Samuels, 75, said. 'We need leaders who can pull us together, she continues to pull us apart.'

Samuels just barely lost to Omar in the primary in 2022 by two percentage points.

Rep. Ilhan Omar is facing a Democratic primary challenger in former Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels - who says her constituents have 'grown tired' of her antics

The typically united House Democrats have found themselves torn apart on the matter of Israel. Samuels says Omar bears a large part of the blame.

'It's because of a very immature interpretation of reality that tends to be dualistic,' Samuels said.

'You got good guys and bad guys. You got pro-police and no police. You've got pro-genocide and anti-genocide.'

On Tuesday the sister of Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Susheela Jayapal, lost a primary for an Oregon Democratic seat.

Samuels and his wife Sondra, in 2021, sued the city of Minneapolis and Mayor Jacob Frey for failing to protect and police the city after anti-police protests led to the city council pledging to dismantle the police department.

Samuels said the couple has often opened their home to local kids in the city's embattled north side where they reside and advocate for better crime-fighting measures.

'Omar throws fuel on the fire of discontent and gets very popular for it generates a lot of intensity, but loses a lot of her constituents and pushes others into silence and alienation.'

Omar caused outrage with a post on X in 2019 linking support for Israel to financial contributions with her words: 'It's all about the Benjamins.'

She later apologized, but said she would continue to criticize AIPAC's role in politics.

'Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,' Omar said in a statement Monday afternoon.

'My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole,' she added. 'We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize.'

'At the same time, I reaffirm the problematic role lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry. It's gone on too long and we must be willing to address it,' Omar said. She tweeted out her statement with the words: 'Listening and learning, but standing strong.'

Samuels went on: 'She had sentiments that were interpreted by the Jewish community as anti-Semitic. And this didn't bother her.'

He said constituents had tried to express to her why they were offended and their cries fell on deaf ears.

'Believe me, there were meetings held with her there were people expressed to her the nuances of their sentiments and experiences and feelings,' said Samuels. 'It was not just that she was left to her own and in spite of that, she continued.'

The Jamaica-born toymaker and father of four says he did not emigrate to the U.S. to watch it devolve into political factions incapable of speaking to each other - which is why he's determined to root out people like Omar

Don and Sondra Sameuls

Later in 2019, Omar came under fire for comments during the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

At the time, Omar said that the council 'was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties'.

Samuels said of the remarks: 'the Jewish community and we all did feel like she did not have a representational kind of reaction to the terrorist attack.'

After his career in research and development for key toy companies brought in to north Minneapolis, Samuels met his wife Sondra and the pair resolved themselves to improving their community.

They brought in neighborhood children with tough home lives, organized vigils when deadly shootings occurred and organized neighbors into patrol watch as crime ravaged the community.

He says that while Omar has name recognition and the backing of party insiders - having won the coveted DemocraticFarmerLabor Party (DFL) endorsement earlier this month - Samuels says constituents have 'grown tired' of her antics.

'They're getting tired of the rancor the the divisiveness, the non representational leadership that takes off on flights of fantasy of its own versus representing the will of the people,' he said.
Kevin McCarthy-backed Vince Fong has beat out a Republican challenger to take the former speaker's congressional seat that has been empty since last year.

Fong will now serve in Congress for the next seven months and have the incumbent advantage in the November election.

He will boost the razor-thin House GOP majority that only allows for one Republican defection to pass party-line legislation.

The Bakersfield Assemblyman is a former top aide of McCarthy, who retired in December after being ousted from the speakership, a role he worked his entire career to achieve and held for nine months.

McCarthy's backing proved to be a win for establishment-type Republicans over burn-it-all down types like Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who prompted the movement to oust McCarthy.

Kevin McCarthy-backed Vince Fong has beat out a Republican challenger to take the former speaker's congressional seat

Fong, 44, served as McCarthy's district director for more than a decade.

McCarthy had taken the seat in 2007 after the retirement of his former boss, Rep. Bill Thomas, then chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Fong worked for Thomas alongside McCarthy for a time.

The full force of McCarthy's campaign dollars, fundraisers, consultants and affiliated PACs made the race against local sheriff Mike Boudreaux not particularly close.

Fong also won former President Donald Trump's endorsement, with McCarthy's help, in a district where 47 percent of registered voters are Republicans and 27 percent are Democrats.

Boudreaux acknowledged the forces working against him ahead of the election.

'I am the underdog,' Boudreaux told a crowd of supporters. 'I am pushing back against a machine that is so powerful that it's very challenging, to say the least.'

Mike Boudreaux, Tulare County sheriff, lost to Fong

'The McCarthy machine is huge,' Boudreaux said, adding it is 'daunting, to say the least,' to run against it.

The two candidates had highly similar policy platforms: securing the border, cutting taxes and working on water improvement and energy production for the region.

Fong nearly tripled Boudreaux's fundraising numbers by May 1: $1.5 million to $425,000.

McCarthy's backing proved to be a win for establishment-type Republicans over burn-it-all down types like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who prompted the movement to oust McCarthy.

Boudreaux, though not as hard right as some already in the House GOP conference, was up against the Bakersfield political machine that has propelled longtime political operators to Congress in Fong and McCarthy and ex-Rep. Bill Thomas before them.

Just between a McCarthy-linked PAC and Nevada-based Conservatives for American Excellence, a pro-Fong PAC collected nearly a million dollars ahead of the race. Conservatives for American Excellence seeks to boost mainstream Republicans to counter the anti-establishment Club for Growth and the far-right Freedom Caucus.

The top two vote getters, regardless of party, advance to a runoff if none get a plurality of votes under California's system. Fong and Boudreaux were the top two vote getters in a March special election.

Fong will face off against Boudreaux again in the November race for the full term.
If this human rights lawyer thing doesn't work out, Mrs. George Clooney should consider a career in Hollywood.

She makes quite the lady villain.

On Monday, Lebanon's spiciest export since falafel announced  to the delight of pro-Palestine agitators everywhere  that she, alongside other legal experts, had urged the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as Hamas's October 7 massacre-masterminds, for 'war crimes.'

'I hope that justice will prevail in a region that has already suffered too much,' wrote Amal, the daughter of a Muslim mom and Druze dad, in a perfectly vacuous statement only Kamala Harris could love.

But by lumping Bibi in with Islamist rapists, baby-killers, kidnappers and murders, Saint Amal earned herself a rebuke from our Dotard-in-Chief, who called the ICC decision 'outrageous'. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the 'equivalence of Israel with Hamas' was 'shameful'.

On Monday, Lebanon's spiciest export since falafel announced that she, alongside other legal experts, had urged the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as Hamas 's October 7 massacre-masterminds, for 'war crimes'. (Pictured: Amal and George last year).

By lumping Bibi (pictured) in with Islamist rapists, baby-killers, kidnappers and murders, Saint Amal earned herself a rebuke from our Dotard-in-Chief, who called the ICC decision 'outrageous'.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the 'equivalence of Israel with Hamas' was 'shameful'. (Pictured: The Clooneys' $100 Lake Como mansion).

OK, I'll say it  Caterpillar Eyebrows and her lawyer pals are giving Iran and its blood-soaked proxies just what they want  and this toothless ICC warrant is about as useless as Hunter Biden at a job fair.

It's going to be very awkward at next month's Biden-Harris fundraiser in LA when Amal's salt-and-pepper hottie husband hosts a multi-million-dollar donkey haul with his on-screen wife Julia Roberts and third-wheel Barack Obama.

Will Amal go? And if she does, when Genocide Joe leans in to sniff her hair will she stab him in the back with a celery stalk? Et tu, crudite?

I liked Amal much better when she was fighting for hundreds of Yazidis brutalized by ISIS  but, let's be honest, she looks at her best when she's flitting around Manhattan with Anna Wintour and lounging at her $100 million Lake Como palace.

Do you really want to help Gazans, hunny? Throw open the doors of your Italian Estate to refugees and use Georgie's gazillions to help Israel eradicate Hamas.

Otherwise, all this talk is just hot air.

Amal is a luscious lady who men want and women want to be, but she's overstepped the mark here.

She should stick to matching her red lipstick to her handbag  rather than flashing her pinko cards and stoking a hotspot that doesn't need the flames.

Maher mauls Joe

Bill Maher shocked wild witch of The View Joy Behar with a shot of brutal Biden honesty.

'I'm sorry, he's cadaver-like,' silver-sizzler Maher quacked. 'He is Dracula!'

I thought Joy was going to cry dust because, like our 46th President  who is also 81-years-old  she's really stayed too long at the table.

She desperately tried to convince Bill deserts are humid, whining: '[Biden's] brain is good, he's still great!'

No, he's not, Joy. He sucks eggs and everyone knows it.

Harry's pie in the face!

Prince Harry has received a tongue-lashing from 'American Pie' songwriter Don McLean, who slammed Duke Ginger Whinge as 'a hot house orchid, or a show horse who never did a thing.'

What made Don want to drive his Chevy to the levee of the Prince's rusted reputation?

After touring Graceland, Hapless Harry haughtily complained in his dreadful autobiography about the 'dark, claustrophobic' interior, 'tiny' rooms and 'shag carpets' in Elvis's infamous lair.

Them's fightin' words about our King  and McLean was having none of it, barking back: 'Harry criticized Elvis's home as if he's comparing it to Buckingham Palace don't criticize America when you're living here as our guest.'

Ouch! That's got to hurt right in the nepo-jewels.

Camilla flings off the fur

Heavy is the head that wears polyester and modacrylic  for Queen Camilla is making a bold, monarchical move by foregoing fur forevermore.

Wow, way to get with the times, Stella McCartney!

It's an strange and oddly self-congratulatory proclamation considering King Charles has long been a fussy greenie whose foie-gras ban is now old enough to drive.

What's the next big trend for Her Majesty, the Ice Bucket Challenge?

Bridgerton's bouncing return

Nasty nobodies are fuming at Bridgerton's focus on cherubic, mustard-frocked and fuller-figured Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) as this season's primary love interest.

But thanks to her stunning glow-up, and ample mini-watermelon assets, she proves the perfect sweet tart for ravenous Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

Whisper it, but this might be the best season yet with its slower burn, fewer gratuitous sex scenes and that ankle-baring carriage make-out session. These younger sibling castoffs have set the stage for a second installment of this third series that promises to be hotter than 'The Notebook' in a sauna.

Thanks to her stunning glow-up, and ample mini-watermelon assets, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) proves the perfect sweet tart for ravenous Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

Congress cat fight

The House has a dazzling new temptress. No, not Nancy Pelosi, but leggy blonde Beth Van Duyne.

The Texas Congresswoman has been openly caressing and raising eyebrows with Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick who has a His & Hers mutual restraining order with his recently estranged wife. How cute!

Was Beth the Stiletto Siren anything to do with the collapse of their marriage? Soon-to-be-former Mrs McCormick is stirring the Congress gossip pot.

'You should ask Rich and his colleague,' she said, before Van Duyne spat back that 'his marriage has been over for quite some time.'

And I can't help wondering what handsome Rich's fellow and newly single Georgian Marjorie Taylor Greene makes of this House hookup.

After her 'bleach-blonde, bad-built butch body' humiliation last week, MTG's own lack of loving must feel extra sore.

The House has a dazzling new temptress. No, not Nancy Pelosi, but leggy blonde Beth Van Duyne (pictured).

Fool's Gold

So much for conjugal visits.

Bribery Bob Menendez  facing his second federal trial for alleged corruption  is throwing his Missus under the Halal truck.

Senator Sellout's lawyers told the court he had no idea his wife Nadine was stashing cash and gold bars, allegedly 'gifted' to her by an Egyptian Islamic foods magnate, in her closet.

Jersey Bob, his attorney claimed, is the victim here  merely enchanted by this 'dazzling' daughter of Armenian rug merchants (no, they don't produce Kim K's tangled tresses).

Where is scheming seductress Nadine now? She's undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Chivalry is dead and buried in the Meadowlands next to Jimmy Hoffa.
It's surely the most opaque and confusing scandal in modern TV history. Just what 'horrendous things'  as one of his dance partners vividly put it  did Strictly Come Dancing's demanding star Giovanni Pernice do that has upset her and others so badly?

The crisis at the BBC's best-loved Saturday night programme is worsening by the day  and now threatens not only to destroy the career of the 33-year-old Italian heartthrob (who memorably won the glitterball with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021) but to jeopardise the entire future of the show.

Last night, dancers and producers alike were taking trenchant sides in this increasingly ugly dispute, after a raft of fresh allegations against the ballroom star emerged over the weekend in a red-top newspaper.

Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training

Amanda Abbington (pictured), Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him

For his part, Pernice has been spotted hiding out on the Portuguese island of Madeira. But if sunlight truly is the best disinfectant, as the old adage has it, then it will take more than a few UV rays to cleanse the Sicilian, and Strictly itself, of the taint from these toxic allegations.

So what is the truth? Is Pernice a bully, an abuser?

Or is he merely a perfectionist who rightly demanded the best of his partners in a tough competition  and who wanted to win at any cost?

The first allegations emerged back in January, when it was leaked to the Press that Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington  who had quit the show last October  had demanded that the BBC supply with her with footage of her rehearsals with Pernice. She claimed that she was suffering from 'post-traumatic stress disorder' after her dealings with him.

Giovanni Pernice in Dubai with his girlfriend Molly Brown last week

Giovanni also jetted off to Portugal with his girlfriend Molly amid the furore

Bosses naively wrote her off as a troublemaker, and I'm told that her claims even left some unsympathetic producers in fits of giggles.

TV chiefs thought the issue would simply blow over  not least because those close to her appeared to be making their complaints in anonymous briefings to the newspapers, rather than Abbington herself doing so through proper official channels.

'Nothing to see here' was the attitude,' a BBC source tells me.

They also pointed out that although Abbington had alleged misbehaviour against Pernice when she quit the show in October  Pernice was spoken to by a 'duty-of-care counsellor' as a result  she did not make a formal complaint to the BBC until some time during the past six weeks. One BBC source says: 'Producers couldn't understand why Amanda was making such a fuss.

'There was no official complaint from her  so the view was that she was just stirring things up. She didn't get on with Giovanni, so they assumed she was after some attention. We all knew Giovanni works people hard  but that's it.'

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni (pictured in 2020). The Good Morning Britain presenter complained about Giovanni to producers about their time on the show

Except that clearly wasn't it. Following Abbington's lead, her fellow Strictly contestants  Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh and TV presenter Laura Whitmore  met with her to discuss their own allegations against Pernice.

Suddenly it felt like a crisis.

Last week, it was confirmed that three women, Abbington among them, had hired the notoriously aggressive legal firm Carter-Ruck to pursue their claims against Pernice and the BBC with vigour.

The firm said: '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.'

Pernice has told friends he intends to quit the show  despite having launched negotiations to film this year's series, and even being handed a contract to appear in the 2024 competition as recently as April.

Some fans feel he has been hard done by  and undergone 'trial by media'. It is, all told, a sorry affair  one that has left this jewel of Saturday-night programming badly tarnished.

The scandal took a fresh twist this week when professional dancer Korina Travis, 29, who has performed with Pernice at private functions, wrote on Instagram: 'I've known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me. I will not speak about my experiences with him but I'm glad the world is seeing him for who he truly is.'

Last night, one cast member told me that the whole team is deeply shaken: 'Strictly has always been such a close-knit show, with everyone so supportive. But now people are finding themselves choosing sides.'

The source added: 'Some people are backing Gio, of course: he is adored by many. But others are finding themselves in the tricky situation of not wanting to disbelieve the women. It has caused some ructions: there is a lot of bluster.'

Part of the problem many face in choosing whom or what to believe is that it is still not clear what precisely Pernice is supposed to have done. Abbington told friends that she felt the Italian star to be 'abrasive' and 'bullying', amid claims that he had 'stamped on her foot' during rehearsals.

A source  believed by some to be Abbington herself  told the Sun newspaper that she had suffered bruising after their 'toxic' rehearsal sessions, that she was reduced to tears and left feeling 'sad and despondent'.

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

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

She had previously written on social media, in comments thought to be about Pernice: 'Make people feel embarrassed of being associated with misogynists. Make misogyny unprofitable for anyone to pursue. Deprive misogyny of the oxygen it needs to survive.'

Yesterday, Pernice was dealt a further devastating blow when a source close to deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis  with whom he won the show's 19th series  revealed that she 'believes' the claims against him.

A source told a newspaper: 'Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.

'She of course believes what others are saying, but she is just trying to not get involved. She won't be speaking about it publicly.'

Tellingly, Ayling-Ellis's official spokesman declined to say whether or not she continued to support Pernice. Yet while Ayling-Ellis may choose to 'believe' the women now lining up to savage the Strictly star, some observers have pointed out that she never raised a whisper of complaint against him during their long path to victory.

One exasperated insider points out: 'It's not yet clear what Gio has actually done. Yet he is being dragged through this and it is very much threatening his future. He is on public trial without the full story being divulged.'

Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice's former celebrity partners have complained they felt 'uncomfortable' with him and even feuded with the dancer (pictured with Laura Whitmore)

For now, at least, Pernice does have some firm and loyal allies. Judge Anton du Beke  a close friend with whom he has filmed the BBC's Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Sicily and Spain  is said to be supporting him behind the scenes. Strictly's head of make-up, Ant McPartlin's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, also appears to be 'Team Gio': she made her feelings on the matter clear when she 'liked' his online post defending himself.

Pernice wrote of Abbington's claims: 'I am totally surprised and disappointed to learn of these allegations. I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name . . .

'No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always strived 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.'

Amid the furore, some sympathetic fans have even coined the slogan: 'Justice for Gio!'

So now the question: can Strictly survive this scandal?

BBC insiders tell me that the fallout has left a 'dark cloud' hanging over the programme as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Pernice was, inevitably, due to play a significant role in this milestone. One source says: 'There are exciting plans for this year's series. Getting to 20 years is an amazing feat.

Amanda Abbington has reportedly accused Giovanni Pernice of 'stamping on her foot' during his 'militant' training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing

'The problem now is that the viewers will still be talking about Giovanni  and his absence will leave a gaping hole.

'But as well as that, the investigation or its aftermath is likely to plague the series.

'It's a terrible shame. It was supposed to be so special.'

Pointing out that Pernice had already been handed his contract for this year's series, one insider scoffed: 'Why wouldn't we have done that?

'The truth is that Amanda hadn't made a complaint to the BBC and neither had the other women.

'There was nothing for anyone to actually investigate because she was clearly talking to the papers rather than the BBC.'

As Strictly's longest-serving male dancer, who left school aged 14 and who arrived in Britain in 2015 barely speaking a word of English, Pernice has accumulated a huge and devoted following. Many fans flatly refuse to believe he mistreated Abbington  or anyone else for that matter.

The insider added Giovanni has lots of 'exciting projects' in the pipeline which is now his priority. The pro dancer has his own travel show with Anton Du Beke

His 2021 win with Ayling-Ellis cemented his popularity: as the couple performed to Clean Bandit's Symphony, the music stopped in the middle of their dance, giving fans an insight into Ayling-Ellis's life as a deaf person. The event won the 'Must-See Moment' at the 2022 Bafta television awards.

Yet now his career hangs in the balance. Pernice's team insist that he has exciting television projects lined up, but with these potential accusations hanging over him, experts say that producers are likely to question whether it would be appropriate to hire him unless and until his name is cleared.

Some have speculated that ITV could scoop him up and send him to the Aussie Outback to appear on rival reality show I'm A Celeb  but sources tell me it would be 'difficult' to do so in the current climate.

'How can any television channel put him in the jungle  a stressful and difficult environment  when these claims are still unresolved?' demands one insider.

In three weeks, Pernice is due to begin his 30-date UK 'tour' with Anton Du Beke, set to run through June and July.

When asked yesterday if this extravaganza was still going ahead, organisers were silent though there is, for now, every expectation that the show must go on (six nights have already sold out).

But while Pernice's army of mostly female fans will no doubt turn out to support him, it's unlikely that he will be able to shrug off these potential allegations any time soon.

And neither, it seems, will Strictly. As one BBC source put it: 'It feels like this could be the beginning of the end  and what an absolute travesty that is. What a way for the show to go.'
Hunter Biden tried to blame his missing handgun on Mexican workers at a Delaware supermarket he smeared as 'shady' and 'prolly illegal', according to a 2018 police report published for the first time this week.

The First Son made the controversial comments in October 2018 while being interviewed by state police looking for his handgun and bullets after his lover and brother's widow Hallie Biden threw them in a public trash can at Janssens Supermarket in Wilmington, across the road from a high school.

The police search for the gun led to them obtaining Hunter's gun purchase form, in which he lied about not being an addict  the criminal charge that he now faces in Delaware federal court. The trial is due to start on June 3.

The debacle was first revealed by news site Politico in 2021. But the police report, with all its embarrassing details, has now been published for the first time last among pre-trial filings by Delaware prosecutors.

In October 2018, Hallie Biden tossed a gun that she'd found in Hunter Biden's pick-up truck. She was concerned he was going to kill himself with it, he told police later. She then went to retrieve it but it was gone

Hallie wrapped the gun in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside Janssen's Market in Wilmington. Hunter tried to blame the missing gun on Mexican grocery store workers

It shows Delaware State Police wrote up Hallie for 'stealing' his Colt Cobra .38 handgun out of his truck and dumping it in the Janssens trash can on October 23 2018.

One officer wrote in his report that he interviewed Hunter at the supermarket later that day about who might have fished his gun out of the trash.

Hunter told the officer, Sergeant Vincent Clemons: 'they have some shady people working at the market' and gestured at two Mexican store workers adding that they were 'prolly illegal'  then brought up that his father is Joe Biden.

Hunter told Clemons that Hallie threw away the gun because she was scared he would kill himself.

Detective John Penrod sent his daughter to the same private Catholic high school as Hunter, Joe, and the late Beau Biden: Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, where tuition fees are currently $34,100 per year

He denied he was suicidal, but whined that 'he has been living in a nightmare' and told Clemons 'to put myself in his shoes, and try to feel what it would be like to fall in love with [redacted, his brother's widow Hallie] and then have everyone look at him.'

The report also says police got CCTV of Hallie appearing to dump the gun.

Clemons's report says cops were worried because the supermarket is across the street from a high school 'and we didn't need a student to find the weapon'.

Intriguingly, the police report confirms that the FBI were involved in the case, helping go through the trash looking for the gun.

And Hunter's texts, obtained by DailyMail.com from his abandoned laptop, suggest that a senior law enforcement officer who worked with the FBI was creating a back channel to the official investigation and recommending ways the Bidens could avoid getting in trouble with police.

Detective John Penrod is named in the police report as 'DSP JTTF FBI Task Force', an acronym for Delaware State Police Joint Terrorism Task Forces. According to the FBI, JTTFs consist of multiple agencies and work out of FBI offices.

Amid the incident, on October 23, 2018 Hunter texted Hallie: 'And Hallie John Penrod: 'Hallie have David call if something like this ever happens again (implying  next time Hunter f**ks Up)'.'

'David' is a reference to David I Walsh, the son of Joe Biden's former law partner and decades-long friend David Walsh Sr. Texts on the laptop show Hunter was jealous and paranoid that Hallie was sleeping with Walsh Jr.

Pictured is Hunter's Colt Cobra .38 revolver that Hallie found in his truck and dumped

Texts from October 2018 show Hallie and Hunter arguing about the gun incident. 'I need you to stop doing everything you possibly can do to make a life here an unbearable preposition,' he told her

In texts between Hunter and Hallie, Hallie told Hunter that she threw the gun away because she was scared he would use it on himself

Hunter's texts suggest that Penrod, a top Delaware state cop who worked with the FBI, was creating a back channel to the official police investigation by speaking to the Bidens and recommending ways they could avoid police trouble.

Penrod sent his daughter to the same private Catholic high school as Hunter, Joe, and the late Beau Biden: Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, where tuition fees are currently $34,100 per year.

The former top Delaware State Police officer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The police involvement in the incident was sparked not by a 911 report, but instead by a phone call to Penrod by an 'acquaintance', according to the police report.

Sgt Clemons, who interviewed Hunter, wrote that 'Det. Penrod (DSP JTTF FBI Task Force) requested that a Troop 1 Patrol Supervisor contact him in regards to a suspicious gun complaint.'

Clemons said that Penrod 'received a telephone call from [redacted] who is an acquaintance, reporting suspicious activity of [redacted]. According to [redacted], [Hallie] discarded a handgun into an outside trash can and she was in the owner's office at Janssens Market.'

The report shows police lieutenant Millard Greer tracked down an unnamed Wilmington veteran who routinely combed the trash at the store looking for recyclable material to sell, he admitted that he found the gun and a box of Hornady .38 caliber bullets, and handed them over to Delaware State Police.

Amid the incident, on October 23, 2018 Hunter texted Hallie: 'And Hallie John Penrod: ''Hallie have David call if something like this ever happens again (implying  next time Hunter f**ks Up)''.' Hunter's texts suggest that John Penrod, a top Delaware state cop who worked with the FBI, was creating a back channel to the official police investigation

The owner of the gun store, Ron Palmieri, said Secret Service agents visited the store and asked for the records that proved Hunter owned the gun. He refused to hand them over

Secret Service agents visited StarQuest Shooters (pictured) and asked for records that proved Hunter owned the weapon

Using the serial number on the gun and information from Hunter, state police traced his purchase from StarQuest Shooters gun store in Wilmington earlier that month, and interviewed store owner Ron Palmieri.

Palmieri told the FBI this month that Secret Service officers also separately showed up after the incident and demanded Hunter's gun purchase form  a document which is now the basis for the charges against him in Delaware.

Palmieri refused to hand over the form, and instead turned it over to an agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

The involvement of the agency that protects presidents was highly anomalous, as they had no apparent jurisdiction, and the Bidens were not eligible for Secret Service protection at the time.

Palmieri's FBI interview was published among pretrial court filings on Monday.

Despite the gun store owner's statement to the FBI under penalty of criminal prosecution, the Secret Service still denies any knowledge of their agents' involvement.

'There is no change in our statement. We were aware of the claims made at that time and could not independently corroborate them,' the agency's communications chief, Anthony Guglielmi, told DailyMail.com.
A police officer is being investigated after a social media video appeared to show him striking a disabled man in a wheelchair.

Witnesses were shocked to see the officer 'pushing and punching' the one-legged man as he sat in his chair in St Peter's Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Norfolk Police said the incident happened after the officer was threatened with a bottle and spat at by 'a verbally abusive' man in the street just after 5.15pm on Monday

The force confirmed that 'a thorough investigation of the circumstances' was being carried out 'including a review of the officer's body worn video'.

The matter has been referred to the force's Professional Standards Department and is also due to be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Onlookers said the man in the wheelchair had been in the middle of the road, holding a bottle of alcohol, when the police officer arrived on the scene.

They said the man moved as though he was about to get up before the officer took the bottle and started 'pushing and punching him'.

A police officer is being investigated after a social media video appeared to show him striking a disabled man in a wheelchair

The video taken by a passer-by showed the officer shoving the man back into the doorway of a Londis store as he cowered in his chair.

Justin Fenn, manager of the Londis shop, said his CCTV cameras had filmed the incident from several angles.

He said: 'The policeman pulled up and the man's brandishing a bottle. He's just tipped out contents and he's brandishing it, instantly confrontational to the policeman.

'I can only imagine the policeman's asked him to move, and he just wants to have an argument. He's shouting and screaming.

'[The police officer] got the pepper spray. He's asking for assistance [via his radio set] because he [man in wheelchair] is not doing anything rational.'

Mr Fenn's footage showed the officer appearing to discharge a spray, and taking hold of the wheelchair, moving it and the man from the road onto the pavement, where a scuffle ensued.

He added: '[The police officer] has got the bottle, but the man's grabbed the CS spray, and now the policeman is trying to get it back.

'The man in the wheelchair is in a very controlling position. He's got hold of the CS spray and [the officer] is doing everything he can to get it back.

'The policeman is just defending himself.'

Diari 'Jay' Salih, 40, who runs a barbershop opposite where the altercation happened, said witnesses were shocked by the incident.

He said he had approached the police officer and told him to stop after allegedly seeing the man being pepper-sprayed.

Mr Salih added: 'Nobody's happy about this. I can't get the image out of my head. People around here now do not feel safe with the police.'

Carla Carvalho, 43, who works at a nearby business, described how the man in the wheelchair had been 'in the middle of the road, dancing and singing and all happy when the policeman comes and stops him'.

She told the BBC: 'He was trying to get up with a bottle of beer in hand and I think the police guy thinks he was going to throw the bottle at him. Then you see in the video the police guy punches him.

'Whatever they say to each other I don't know, but he doesn't need to do this. He should be waiting for other ones [police officers].'

Another woman who works nearby said: 'The man in the wheelchair is around here a lot of the time. Everybody knows him here.

'He had a bottle of alcohol in his hands. He was in the middle of the street. The police officer came from around the corner and pushed him to the corner.

'The man in the wheelchair did a movement like he was going to get up. Then the police officer started pushing and punching.'

She added that a van with more police then arrived and the man in the wheelchair was eventually arrested.

Another woman said the man in the wheelchair did not appear to be armed and that his bottle was not broken.

The video has been shared widely on social media and has attracted comments from users criticising the use of force by the officer and others defending him.

One user said: 'Surely this is not happening on our streets in the UK' while another added: 'No words'.

A comment on Norfolk Constabulary's Facebook page added: 'Total loss of control on your officer's behalf.

'The guy had one leg so I'm certain the officer could've easily restrained him!'

Witnesses were shocked to see the officer 'pushing and punching' the one-legged man as he sat in his chair in St Peter's Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

But another user said: 'Cops are there to enforce the law and keep law abiding citizens safe from those who want to spread fear and intimidation without consequence.'

A Norfolk Police statement said: 'Police are investigating the conduct of an officer in Great Yarmouth following the circulation of a video showing the arrest of a man in a wheelchair yesterday evening.

'The incident happened at 5.16pm in St Peter's Road in Great Yarmouth, when an officer on patrol came across a man being verbally abusive in the street.

'During the incident, the man threatened him with a bottle and subsequently spat at the officer.'

Local Policing Commander Chief Inspector Matt Dyson added: 'We are aware of a video circulating on social media.

'The matter has been referred to the Professional Standards Department and we are carrying out a thorough investigation of the circumstances including a review of the officer's body worn video.

'We will also be referring the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

'We recognise the public concern around the level of force used in this incident and this will form part of our investigation.'

Following the incident, a man in his 30s was arrested for a Section 5 public order offence of causing harassment, alarm, or distress and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was taken to the Police Investigation Centre at Great Yarmouth for questioning and remains in custody.

The law allows officers to use 'reasonable force' when carrying out their role of law enforcement.

This provision is under Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which states: 'A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.'

Norfolk Police said: 'Anyone with any information in relation to the incident or footage should contact professionalstandards@norfolk.police.uk quoting reference: NC-20052024-329.'
Sydney property has now become so expensive that a real estate expert warns there are only two ways for young people to buy a home - have rich parents or be an OnlyFans star.

The shocking claim was made by experienced real estate auctioneer and property guru Tom Panos.

'It's uncomfortable for me to say, but the young people buying properties have their parents helping them, or if they've been really lucky with some sort of business that's gone off,' Mr Panos told Wizard Home Loans founder Mark Bouris.

'OnlyFans, believe it or not! I know a few people who have sold property and the agent has said to me, "Mate, she's got an OnlyFans account and she's putting it into property",' he said on the Yellow Brick Road podcast.

'Isn't it interesting, where we are as a society now, to achieve the dream we've always been told?'

Sydney property has now become so expensive that property guru Tom Panos warns there are only two ways for young people to buy a home - have rich parents or be an OnlyFans star (stock image)

'I know a few people who have sold property and the agent has said to me, "Mate, she's got an OnlyFans account and she's putting it into property",' Mr Panos said on the Yellow Brick Road podcast

Mr Panos said those who don't have rich parents, or a successful OnlyFans account, will on average have to save for 20 years just to get a bare deposit for a unit.

'If you're a young person now, and you have no money, a grand in the bank, it will take you 20 years to save for a deposit (for a unit) that's going to allow you to comfortably buy in Sydney,' he said.

'Obviously a little bit less for Melbourne and Brisbane.

'A house, if you're age 20. It will take you until the age of 60 to get a deposit.

'Back in the old days, that was the goal to have your home paid off by then, not to be saving for a deposit.'

Mr Panos said the average age at which Australians are taking out home loans shows how bad the problem has got.

In 2009, the average age of those taking out a home loan was 23, but that has now blown out to 32 in 2024 and continues to rise as housing demand outstrips supply.

He said young buyers at auctions are regularly seen in the company of their parents as the 'bank of mum and dad' is now the only option, given that an income of $300,000 is now needed to comfortably pay a Sydney mortgage.

In a previous video posted online, Mr Panos used the example of a worker in a cafe where he was buying a coffee.

'See the guy behind us, I know what he's making $20 or $30 an hour, works his a*** off,' he said.

'If this guy starts saving up, he'll be able to get a deposit for a property when he's 63 years of age.

'Yeah, you've got everyone worrying about Brittany Higgins, and this guy is going to have to work for 45 years just to get a deposit.'

'If you're a young person now, and you have no money, a grand in the bank, it will take you 20 years to save for a deposit (for a unit) that's going to allow you to comfortably buy in Sydney,' Mr Panos told Mark Bouris on his podcast (pictured, apartments and houses in Sydney)

Mr Panos (pictured) said 'young people buying properties have their parents helping them'

The property expert also called out real estate agents who now think they are big stars because what they're selling is so expensive.

'At some point the hero moved from being the vendor, the client, and the real estate agent decides to become the hero.

'Including the way they acted, the way they behave, even the way they market it.

'In some properties, the way they market it, the agent is more marketed than the actual home. And it's being funded by the vendor.'
By Kwak Yeon-soo

A power struggle between major presidential contenders in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is deepening, with many of them picking fights and criticizing the governments policy on regulating foreign e-commerce companies more stringently.

Last week, the government announced its plan to prohibit consumers from making purchases on foreign e-commerce platforms of goods in 80 product categories that do not have a Korea Certification (KC) safety mark. However, the move has been met with broad criticism, with the PPP denouncing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration for not conducting extensive consultations. As a result, the government made a U-turn regarding the policy over the weekend and the presidential office issued an apology on Monday for causing confusion.

Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min called the governments decision to unilaterally ban overseas direct purchases an ignorant policy. The government's policy to ban direct overseas purchases of 80 product categories without the KC mark is like burning a whole house to catch bedbugs, he wrote on Facebook, Saturday.

Former interim leader Han Dong-hoon also wrote on Facebook, Saturday, that the regulation should be reconsidered because it excessively limits a consumer's right to choose."

"If the KC mark becomes a mandatory requirement, it will constitute excessive regulation affecting a broad range of products based on vague criteria," he said.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, another potential candidate for the presidential election who is perceived to be in the pro-Yoon faction, refuted their criticisms and defended the governments measure to protect the public and homegrown e-commerce companies.

We should never compromise on our citizens safety and corporate protection. It is regrettable to see ruling party members pointing out policy problems when we have to thoroughly examine issues that lie in front of us, he wrote on Facebook, Monday.

Political commentators said the framing war and power struggle between the presidential contenders of the PPP has started.

The amateurish policymaking has fueled the political battle. Yoons innovation and reform efforts have been used up. So presidential contenders need to make moves to garner attention and distinguish themselves from the current administration. For those in the non-Yoon faction, its easier to criticize the governments policy efforts whereas for the pro-Yoon faction, they can only point out ones behaviors or gestures, political commentator Park Sang-byeong said.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who has railed against Han, once again lashed out at him, threatening to leave the party if Han decides to return to the party's leadership.

Political watchers believe the power struggle will escalate in the future due to the PPPs setback following the April 10 general elections.

The political battle will only get fiercer in the future. If Yoons power wanes everybody would want to take a different path and distinguish themselves from the president, Park said.
Five sisters who lost a High Court battle for a greater share of their grandfather's inheritance are 'puzzled and frustrated' by a judge's decision to hand them a 220,000 bill for legal costs, says a source close to the family.

The sisters were bequeathed just 50 each from their 91-year-old grandfather Frederick Ward Senior's 500,000 fortune.

They were cut out of his will because he was 'disappointed' at their 'very limited' contact with him in the years before he died in 2020.

The women's father, Fred Ward Junior, had pre-deceased their grandfather in 2015 and Fred Senior decided to split the bulk of his estate between his two remaining children - Terry Ward and Susan Wiltshire.

The sisters claimed Uncle Terry and Aunt Susan had 'unduly influenced' him to change his will in their favour. But the judge, Master Brightwell, ruled against them and has now ordered them to pay the bulk of court costs.

Former soldier Frederick Ward Snr, of South Ealing, London, died at the age of 91 in 2020

Christine Ward and her four sisters now face a court bill approaching 220,000

Angela St Marseille (pictured) and her four sisters were bequeathed just 50 each from their grandfather Frederick Ward Senior's 500,000 fortune

Carol Gowing, pictured outside London's High Court, sued her aunt and uncle alongside her four sisters

Fred Junior's widow, Ann Ward, declined to comment when MailOnline approached her last night. She is said to have 'no doubts whatsoever' that her husband would have been outraged at the way his father's estate was administered.

A family source said: 'The sisters and their mother feel this judgement is riddled with mistakes.

'They do not agree with the judge and they are puzzled and frustrated as to how he reached his decision. They do not understand why they should meet all the legal costs.

'Unfortunately, they just can't afford to challenge his ruling on appeal.

'Their solicitor and barristers are also at a loss to explain the logic of his judgement.

'There are so many discrepancies. For example, the judge stated that their grandfather did not have dementia. Yet he was diagnosed with dementia in 2014 and then had a second diagnosis two years later.

'The sisters' position has always been that Fred Ward Senior was entitled to leave his money to whoever he wished, despite promises he made verbally.

'The question is, did his will really reflect what he wanted?'

Giving judgement earlier this year, the judge rejected the sisters' claims (Pictured: Amanda Higginbotham)

Janet Pett was one of five sisters who were all handed 50 at the 'provocative' will reading

Before Frederick Ward Snr died in 2020 he cut out his late son Fred Jnr's five adult children because he was 'disappointed' by their 'very limited' contact with him in his latter years.

Their case was thrown out by a judge who ruled it was 'entirely rational' for the 'disappointed' grandfather to cut them out due to their 'very limited contact'.

Lawyers for the five granddaughters had argued that they should not pay all the costs of the case, and accused their uncle of 'provocative' behaviour, and asking for some of the bills of the fight to come out of their grandfather's estate.

But the judge ordered Ms Gowing and her sisters to pay 100,000 up front towards a total defence legal bill estimated at 136,470, with VAT to be added on. The sisters' own legal costs were 85,688.50.
An aspiring influencer has gone 'offline' after she was inundated with backlash following a video she shared about a restaurant that rejected her collaboration offer.

Melbourne-based Jamieson May, who styles herself as a 'travel, lifestyle, fashion and food creator', said she would be taking a break from social media in a post shared to her Instagram story on Tuesday night.

'Heading offline for a few days,' Ms May wrote along with a purple heart emoji.

It comes after a video shared by Ms May last month about vegetarian restaurant Patsy's located in Melbourne's CBD caused a stir among Australians.

Melbourne-based Jamieson May (pictured), who styles herself as a 'travel, lifestyle, fashion and food creator', received backlash after sharing a rant about a Melbourne restaurant that rejected her offer for marketing

The aspiring influencer has told her 15,600 Instagram followers she was taking a break from social media following the deluge of criticism she received

Ms May explained in the almost three-minute rant that she was left stunned by the restaurant's blunt reply to her marketing offer.

'I received the most horrible message yesterday from a restaurant [after] wanting to work with them and I need to make you aware so you guys never work with them and know your standards,' Ms May said in a TikTok video.

Ms May sent a message to Patsy's restaurant on Instagram asking if the owner would work with her to create marketing content.

The restaurant's account wrote back: 'You don't seem to have any followers, maybe you should approach us when you have over 100k.'

Ms May has 15,600 followers in Instagram and just over 9,000 followers on TikTok.

The influencer said she was 'gobsmacked' by the reply and replied claiming the message was 'extremely rude'.

'I'm absolutely gobsmacked. I had no words,' she said.

'I was actually disgusted that someone could say that to another person.

'This is clearly someone not in marketing - they don't understand literally anything.'

However, her online rant about Patsy's backfired when she was inundated with a deluge of criticism from social media users.

Ms May was 'absolutely gobsmacked' by the response she received from vegetarian restaurant Patsy's, located in Melbourne's CBD

Ms May offered to collaborate with Patsy's but the restaurant claimed the wannabe influencer did not have enough followers for marketing to be effective

The comments have since been switched off underneath the video.

'When I first outed the restaurant on TikTok, it reached the wrong audience of non-creators and influencers who didn't understand what was happening,' Ms May said.

'People sent extremely rude comments that I am just an entitled influencer who just wants 'free' stuff and I am complaining about it all.'

Ms May told Daily Mail Australia that she 'never asked for a free service' and that she just objected to Patsy's 'customer service'.

'I am standing up for small creators who might have amazing content but don't get the recognition they deserve,' she said.

'Most people have just been called me entitled when they don't fully understand how content creation works in the marketing world.

'All of my content creator audience and friends have agreed with me on the matter.'

Meanwhile, Patsy's, which is owned by restaurateurs Mathew Guthrie and Clinton Trevisi, defended its response and said it was 'obvious' that they did not want to work with Ms May given her follower profile.

'Her followers are not really people that we have in the venue often and probably not the market that we are looking to engage with,' Mr Guthrie told news.com.au.

'I think she was just hoping to increase her visibility with these outrage posts.

'It, sort of, has worked already but I am not sure how it will be able to be monetised as marketing.'
A group of Texas ranchers have claimed their animals are being killed by a toxic fertilizer that spread from a nearby farm - likening it to the Chernobyl disaster.

The farmers from Johnson County are suing Synagro, a fertilizer company that uses treated human waste in its products, for the contamination on their land.

According to Synagro, the fertilizer meets government standards - but the farmers say that their cattle, fish and horses are dying and getting sick because of the toxic product.

Rancher Tony Coleman is one of the farmers behind the lawsuit, which claims that runoff from the fertilizer has made the farmland useless. 'We are nervous, and we are scared,' he told WFAA.

Coleman said his neighbor used the Synagro product to fertilize his land, and what came after was a disaster.

Farmers from Johnson County (pictured) are suing Synagro, a fertilizer company that uses treated human waste in its products, for the contamination on their land

He lost 10 cows, two houses and five whole ponds of fish after his land was reportedly contaminated.

'You have your whole livelihood taken from you,' Coleman said.

Coleman contacted Johnson County Constable Detective Dana Ames - who traveled to the ranch to investigate the problem.

Ames said she learned later that what she had found in the area were piles of fertilizer made from biosolids - which come from human waste and are full of PFAS, which are known as 'forever chemicals' by scientists.

'It's chemicals that are man made,' Ames said. 'It's in the sewage sludge. It's in the biosolids.'

Ames partnered with scientists and experts to try to find out how the toxic man-made chemicals ended up on a ranch in rural Texas.

They eventually discovered that the chemicals were coming from Synagro - which uses 'sewage sludge' to make its' products.

Ames presented her findings to the Johnson County Commissioners Court. 'The contamination that has occurred on our victims' properties is pervasive,' she told commissioners in her presentation.

Alongside the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility group, also known as PEER, Ames looked at where the wastewater had come from and traced it back to a Fort Worth waste water facility.

One of the farmers behind the lawsuit claims he lost 10 cows, two houses and five whole ponds of fish. Pictured: A dead calf

The waste becomes intoxicated because all humans consume PFAS, a complex group of synthetic chemicals that can be found in anything from frying pans, to makeup, candy wrappers and even pizza boxes.

The PFAS chemicals all end up in a human waste and are sent to the wastewater facility, where the sewage sludge is then used to make the cheap fertilizer that is sold across the nation.

Since the allegedly toxic fertilizer was used in Johnson County, ranchers are looking at having to abandon farms and euthanize animals

When the farms were tested, extremely high level of PFAS were found in the animals as well as the well water. Everything was contaminated.

'My first thought was, you know, this is Chernobyl, a nuclear meltdown,' commissioner Kenny Howell said in court after the findings were presented.

The Chernobyl disaster began on April 26, 1986, at the nuclear power station in what was then Soviet Union-ruled Ukraine.

The No. 4 reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded and demolished the building, as well as releasing large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.

Within a few weeks, 30 people had died and over 100 others faced radiation injuries.

Millions of acres of forest and farmland were contaminated, livestock was born deformed and humans suffered long-term negative health impacts.

The Texan farmers are worried that their community could suffer similarly.

'This stuff should be banned all across America, what's our children gonna do? You're ruining their land - you're ruining their water source. What are they gonna do? You've got to stop,' Coleman said.

DailyMail.com have reached out to Synagro for comment.
A former pilot and aircraft accident investigator has suggested climate change may have been responsible for the horror plane plunge that left one passenger dead and injured dozens more.

Almost 60 Australians were on-board flight SQ321 from London to Singapore on Tuesday when the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft suddenly plunged more than 6,000 feet in just five minutes, hurling passengers and crew into the ceiling.

Geoffrey Kitchen, a 73-year-old musical theatre director from Gloucestershire, UK, died of a suspected heart attack, while eight Australians were later hospitalised from injuries sustained in the chaos.

The disaster, which was caused by a pocket of unexpected turbulence 11 hours into the journey, forced the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Almost 60 Australians were on-board flight SQ321 from London to Singapore on Tuesday when the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft suddenly plunged over 6,000 feet in just five minutes, hurling passengers and crew into the ceiling

The disaster, which was caused by a pocket of unexpected turbulence 11 hours into the journey, forced the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport

Shocking pictures taken inside the plane captured a scene of utter carnage including air stewards with blood smeared across their faces, oxygen masks dangling from the damaged ceiling and rubbish strewn in every aisle.

Tim Atkinson, an aviation consultant and a former aircraft accident investigator, said the plane was one of the 'largest and I daresay the most solid airframes flying around the world'.

'It's regarded as an exceptionally well-built machine in the piloting and aviation fraternity and for turbulence to have had this effect on a triple-seven it must have been really quite severe,' he told Sky News.

Mr Atkinson said that the area the plane was flying over, which is known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, is 'renowned among pilots, and I dare say passengers, for turbulence'.

After around 11 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

'Despite abundant caution occasionally, there's turbulence ahead which can't be identified, and the unfortunate result of an encounter is injury and, very rarely, fatality,' he said.

Mr Atkinson urged all passengers to keep their seatbelt fastened whenever they are seated.

He also suggested a disturbing theory for the disaster.

'We are seeing as climate change is occurring that turbulence is becoming more common and more severe and that's something that the aviation industry is trying to address at the moment,' Mr Atkinson told the BBC.

A global study published last year by Reading University in the UK found that climate change is increasing turbulence during flights  and it predicted that the trend is set to worsen.

Tim Atkinson (pictured), an aviation consultant and a former aircraft accident investigator, suggested that climate change might have been responsible for the horror plane plunge

It found that in a typical spot in the North Atlantic - one of the world's busiest routes - the total annual duration of severe turbulence increased by 55 per cent from 17.7 hours in 1979 to 27.4 hours in 2020.

'My message from this is we need to do something otherwise flights will become more turbulent in future (as climate change drives more turbulence),' said Professor Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist who co-authored the study.

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board the Singapore Airlines flight, Thai authorities said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom were seriously injured, with many sustaining lacerations to the head as they were thrown upwards.

At least eight Australians are in hospital in Bangkok and the Australian government is currently trying to identify if there are any more injured.

There were 56 Australians onboard among the 211 passengers and 18 crew.

'Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok are providing consular assistance to eight Australians taken to hospital in Bangkok,' a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.

'The Australian Embassy in Bangkok and the Australian High Commission in Singapore continue to make inquiries to confirm if any further Australians are affected.'

Singapore Airlines offered its condolences to the family of the man who died and apologised for the 'traumatic experience' passengers and crew suffered.
An ex-doctor from North Carolina convicted of murdering his sexually abusive father may finally be freed from prison two years after getting a pardon over a rare disease.

Vince Gilmer, 61, was conditionally pardoned in January 2022, while his medical mystery captured widespread attention after being documented in a popular radio program and a book.

But because of the strict terms attached to the pardon and what his advocates describe as delay or indifference from government officials and health care institutions, he's remained behind bars in a southwest Virginia prison as his health deteriorated.

Gilmer has Huntington's disease, a rare, devastating and incurable disorder that attacks the brain and affects patients' cognition and physical abilities.

His diagnosis - unraveled after his conviction by the physician who took over his practice and oddly enough shares his last name - was the basis of the pardon, which was granted after many years of advocacy.

Vince Gilmer, 61, was conditionally pardoned in January 2022, while his medical mystery captured widespread attention after being documented in a popular radio program and a book

Vince Gilmer admitted to killing his father, whom he accused at trial of committing horrific acts of sexual abuse against him as a child, and he received a life sentence.

Though no one claims Gilmer is innocent, his supporters argue that the outcome of his 2005 trial, where he insisted on representing himself and jurors rejected his insanity defense, would likely have been different if he had been properly diagnosed at the time.

They argued that mercy, in the form of admission to a treatment center, was the more appropriate outcome.

With the help of a North Carolina lawmaker, Gilmer's medical practice successor and now advocate and legal guardian, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer, has found a hospital willing to accept Vince Gilmer as a long-term patient, in line with the pardon terms.

He received confirmation from Virginia officials that Vince Gilmer will be released Thursday, he said in an interview.

'Its such a beautiful moment. But at the same time, were all stressed and anxious because, you know, you never know what could happen in between ... the door to the prison,' Benjamin Gilmer said.

The Virginia Department of Corrections did not directly address a question about when Gilmer would be released but confirmed in a written statement that it was working through 'logistics' to establish a release date 'as soon as possible.'

Benjamin Gilmer, who granted a series of interviews to discuss the case, recently visited the Marion Correctional Treatment Center where Vince Gilmer is in custody, to share the news. The two men are not related.

Gilmer admitted to killing his father, whom he accused at trial of committing horrific acts of sexual abuse against him as a child, and he received a life sentence

The Marion Correctional Treatment Center in Virginia where Gilmer currently lives

'He had a moment of joy and expressed that as best he could. But it was a little anticlimactic in a way because hes in such bad shape,' Benjamin Gilmer said.

Vince Gilmer is in the 'terminal phases' of his illness, confined to a wheelchair and fairly close to being bed-bound, struggling to eat, losing his cognitive abilities and at high risk for aspiration pneumonia, Benjamin Gilmer said.

The hospital setting will provide more robust treatment and allow Vince Gilmer to 'experience a little bit of life and dignity,' including more regular visits from his mother, said Benjamin Gilmer, who has arranged secure transportation for the transfer.

'I'm praying I can get there and just hold him again,' said Vince Gilmer's 80-year-old mother, Gloria Hitt.

Benjamin Gilmer wrote in his book, 'The Other Dr. Gilmer,' that he became fascinated with Vince Gilmer's case after he joined the family medicine clinic just outside of Asheville, where Vince Gilmer used to work.

Patients and former colleagues described Vince Gilmer as a beloved community member and dedicated clinician who made house calls, remembered birthdays and cared for patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Benjamin Gilmer eventually wrote to Vince Gilmer and began the effort to try to square his reputation with the horrific crime for which he'd been convicted.

His quest was documented by journalist Sarah Koenig, later the host of the wildly popular podcast 'Serial,' on an episode of 'This American Life' titled 'Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde.'

The gravesite of Gilmer's father, Dalton, whom he murdered

Dr. Benjamin Gilmer, the longtime advocate of Virginia inmate Vince Gilmer (no relation) who is expected to be released from prison later this week

Vince Gilmer's father, Dalton Gilmer, was found dead in southwest Virginia near the North Carolina border in 2004, shortly after Vince Gilmer checked him out of a psychiatric hospital.

He had been strangled and his fingers were severed. Vince Gilmer claimed at trial that his father made a sexual advance toward him and he snapped at a time when he was also hearing voices, the Richmond Times-Dispatch previously reported, citing trial transcripts.

Two prosecutors involved in the trial could not be reached for comment. The judge who presided over it said through a spokeswoman at the firm where he now works that he is unable to comment on prior cases.

Benjamin Gilmer's sleuthing eventually led to a Huntington's diagnosis confirmed by lab work. He began to connect with lawyers and other advocates who would assemble a strategy to free Vince Gilmer from prison by pursuing a clemency petition.

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, denied the request. Then Gov. Ralph Northam, his Democratic successor, did too.

But Northam, a physician, reconsidered and issued a conditional pardon on one of his final days in office.

The terms said Vince Gilmer had to be accepted to a medical or psychiatric facility, remain on probation and parole as directed by the Virginia Parole Board and provide his own 'secure' transportation.

Efforts got underway to find Vince Gilmer a placement. Benjamin Gilmer wrote that he unsuccessfully petitioned every Virginia public mental health hospital, as well as appropriate public mental health facilities in North Carolina, 'but they required that Vince first be in a Virginia hospital for a state-to-state transfer.'

'Vince was stuck in a bizarre no-man's-land,' he wrote.

Gilmer had to be accepted to a medical or psychiatric facility, remain on probation and parole as directed by the Virginia Parole Board and provide his own 'secure' transportation

Benjamin Gilmer's sleuthing eventually led to a Huntington's diagnosis confirmed by lab work. He began to connect with lawyers and other advocates who would assemble a strategy to free Vince Gilmer from prison by pursuing a clemency petition

'Nobody cares that they have a man dying in their prison,' Benjamin Gilmer said in an interview before hed received confirmation of a release date, adding that many private facilities were also reluctant to take in a convicted murderer.

Efforts by North Carolina state Sen. Julie Mayfield led to a breakthrough. Mayfield said in an interview she found a western North Carolina hospital that by mid-2023 had agreed to take Vince Gilmer.

If all goes according to plan, a welcome brigade along with a film crew working on a documentary about Vince Gilmer's story plans to meet him Thursday in Marion, with a special meal in hand: a Coke, Twinkies and a Whopper.

Benjamin Gilmer said his advocacy for Vince Gilmer, which has now stretched over a decade, has convinced him that the United States incarcerates far too many mentally ill individuals in a way that's 'not compatible with ethics or humanity or the Hippocratic oath.'

'We haven't had any trust in the Virginia carceral system over the years,' he said. 'We're not going to celebrate until Thursday.'
A fresh lawsuit filed against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has accused him of exerting excessive force against a woman just a few months before the killing of George Floyd.

On Tuesday, a complaint, seeking $9 million in damages, was filed by Robins Kaplan LLP in federal Minnesota court against Chauvin and his former partner, Ellen Jensen.

The suit alleged that in January 2020, some five months before George Floyd's death, a woman named Patty Day was 'violently jerked from her car' and thrown to the ground by Chauvin and Jensen.

Chauvin then allegedly applied his knee to Day's back while she lay there handcuffed - the same stance he would infamously take for some nine minutes during his encounter with Floyd.

On Tuesday, a complaint, seeking $9million in damages, was filed by Robins Kaplan LLP in federal Minnesota court against Derek Chauvin and his former partner, Ellen Jensen

Day says that due to the excessive force used against her, she suffered 'significant' arm and shoulder injuries, as well as a fractured tooth.

All the while, Jensen did nothing to intervene, according to the suit.

It continues to argue that the City of Minneapolis was aware that officers within its police department had a history of 'gratuitous use of excessive force.'

In the press release that accompanied the firm's filing of the complaint Tuesday, Day said: 'Sadly, my experience with Derek Chauvin is not unique.'

'George Floyd died at the hands of this individual, and had the City intervened on his behavior after my interaction, he could still be alive today ... It was a traumatic part of my life that I hope no one else will have to endure.'

Day is asking for $9million in compensatory damages, in addition to punitive damages in an amount that will be determined by a jury.

Several years ago, former officer Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder for the killing of Floyd, an incident that launched the country into a summer of riots and protests in the name of racial justice.

Chauvin is currently serving a 22-year sentence.

The suit alleged that in January 2020, some five months before George Floyd 's death, a woman named Patty Day was 'violently jerked from her car' and thrown to the ground by Chauvin and Jensen.

Chauvin is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence - late last year, he was reportedly stabbed in the big house

Last spring, the Minneapolis City Council agreed to settle two civil cases filed against Chauvin for close to $9million.

Both suits alleged that the former law enforcement officer used excessive force several years before Floyd's death, including one that involved a 14-year-old.

The eight-digit settlement arrived two years after the city approved a historically large $27million settlement with Floyd's family.

Late last year, Chauvin was reportedly stabbed in prison.
Hunter Biden's gun trial will feature some scintillating testimony from his ex-lovers that could reveal the personal details of his drug use when he purchased a firearm.

The president's son's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, his ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan and his deceased brother Beau's widow Hallie Biden - whom Hunter had a romantic relationship with - all could be called to testify, according to court papers filed Monday.

Hunter Biden is charged in Delaware with three charges related to illegal possession of a gun. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.

Though the court filing does not identify some of his former muses by their names, it does clarify that 'Witness 1 was previously married to the defendant' and that 'she would check his vehicle from time to time because she did not want their children in a vehicle with drugs.'

Zoe Kestan, one of Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriends, is expected to testify at his gun trial. She allegedly told prosecutors he smoked crack 'every 20 minutes'

Witness 3, according to the filings 'was in a romantic relationship with the defendant in October 2018, and before and after.'

And it also references another woman who 'was previously in a romantic relationship' with Hunter and 'observed the defendant using crack cocaine frequentlyevery 20 minutes except when he slept.'

Witness 1 is alleged to be Buhle, 2 to be Hallie Biden and 3 to be Kestan.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected throwing out the federal gun case against the president's son, 54, clearing the way for the trial to start June 3.

It's expected the trial will last up to nine days.

Also next month, Hunter Biden could go to trial on the opposite coast for the case involving tax evasion. That trial is scheduled to start June 20.

If convicted in the case, Biden faces a maximum of 17 years in prison.

The timeline means if convicted at either trial, the president's son could face prison as his father runs for a second term in the White House.

Biden aides and family members are worried about the weight the trial will place on the president according to reporting by POLITICO.

It also said the president has expressed fear that his son may serve prison time.

Zoe Kestan attends American Gods & Now Apocalypse Live Viewing Party At #TwitterHouse at Lustre Pearl on March 10, 2019 in Austin, Texas

Kathleen Buhle (right) is also expected to testify in Hunter Biden's case. Above she is pictured with her and Hunter Biden's daughter, Naomi Biden

Kathleen Buhle stands outside the Vietnam Cafe as she attends a lunch with President Joe Biden and family in Philadelphia, Monday, May 15, 2023, after the President attended a commencement ceremony for his grand daughter Maisy Biden, Buhle's daughter, at the University of Pennsylvani

Hallie Biden, widow of Beau Biden - Hunter's brother, could also be brought to the stand. After Beau passed away Hallie and Hunter embarked on a romantic relationship

A picture from Hunter Biden's laptop showed the now 53-year-old first son posing nude with a firearm

Hunter Biden is charged in Delaware with three counts in the gun related case. He is accused of lying about his drug use in October 2018 on a form to buy a gun that he kept for about 11 days.

Special Counsel David Weiss brought the gun charges in September, when Biden became the first child of a sitting president to be indicted.

Hunter Biden has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine during that time, but his lawyers argued he did not break the law.

A federal appeals court last week also said the case could move forward to trial.

Hunter Biden's efforts to have the other criminal case he faces in California involving tax allegations scrapped have also failed.

The investigation into the president's son looked like it would be wrapped up last year with a plea deal, which would have resulted in two years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges.

But the agreement fell apart after the judge expected to approve the deal instead raised further questions.

In January, Biden instead pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges.

Hunter Biden raised some eyebrows in 2017 when it was revealed he began dating his brother Beau's widow Hallie (right) shortly after his death

Kestan and Hunter Biden spent many nights together at LA and New York hotels in 2018

Kathleen Buhle and Hunter Biden in 2016 before the couple's divorce the following year

A court sketch of Hunter Biden alongside his lawyer Abbe Lowell in federal court on January 11, 2024. The president's son pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges filed after a plea deal imploded

Biden is charged with nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses.

Federal prosecutors accuse the younger Biden of a four-year scheme to skip out on paying $1.4 million in taxes he owed the IRS between 2016 and 2019 and instead spending the money on his extravagant lifestyle including drugs and alcohol.

Republicans including Donald Trump criticized the original plea deal which fell apart as a 'sweetheart deal.'

Hunter Biden's lawyers have slammed the deal's implosion, claiming Congressional interference and accusing special counsel of bowing to political pressure.

Under the initial plea deal, Hunter Biden would have also avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble.

Hunter Biden takes a stroll with his current wife, Melissa, and their son while in 2021

Close friend of Hunter Biden, Kevin Morris, left, is said to be 'tapped out' of cash after financially supporting his legal battles over the last four and a half years to the tune of $6m. Hunter's lead defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, seen right, doesn't come cheap

Hunter's lead defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, seen right, charges between $855 and $1,500 an hour for his services

Ahead of the looming trials, Hunter Biden's 'sugar brother' Kevin Morris, 61, is reportedly tapped out of cash after financially supporting Biden's legal battles over the last four and a half years.

Morris decided to step in after believing Hunter had little support, loaning him more than $6.5 million.

But Morris has since confirmed he is no longer going to continue to lend money to the first son to fight his legal battles.

Hunter Biden's troubles are not a new headache for the president. He was attacked mercilessly during the 2020 campaign by Trump over his son's business dealings and drug addiction.

The president's son has acknowledged struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine during that period in 2018, but his lawyers have said he didn't break the law

Then-candidate Biden faced attacks over his son Hunter during the 2020 campaign. During the debate he addressed his son's past drug addiction head on saying 'he's working on it, and I'm proud of him.'

During a standout moment the first presidential debate in 2020 Biden shot back about his son's drug problem 'he's fixed it, he's working on it, and I'm proud of him.'

But it is a new reality the president's son could face prison this year as the president seeks a second term in the White House.

While a president's children and other family members have posed a series of challenges for them throughout history, prison time for a sitting president's child during a campaign is unprecedented.

Meanwhile, Trump has also faced legal challenges this election season that have forced him to spend the better part of the last two months in a courtroom rather than on the campaign trail.

Donald Trump in the Manhattan criminal court for his hush money trial on May 14

New York prosecutors could rest their case in the hush money trial next week. And jury deliberations could begin as soon as next week as the ex-president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Prosecutors accuse him of attempting to cover up the payment to a porn star.

He also faces charges in Georgia, Florida and Washington, DC for election interference and mishandling classified documents after leaving office.

Trial dates for those cases have not yet been set and could be put off indefinitely as Trump mounts his presidential bid.
Dame Joan Collins made a splendid speech at the Carlton Clubs sardine-packed Churchill Room to launch my colleague Andrew Pierces memoir, Finding Margaret.

Dame Joan - cheered by the likes of Norman Lamont, Nigel Farage, Jeffrey Archer and Feargal Sharkey - spoke for just slightly shorter than the six minutes blink and youll miss her ex-PM Liz Truss stayed at the do.

Dame Joan Collins made a splendid speech at the Carlton Clubs sardine-packed Churchill Room to launch my colleague Andrew Pierces memoir, Finding Margaret

She spoke for just slightly shorter than the six minutes blink and youll miss her ex-PM Liz Truss stayed at the do

Dame Joan was cheered on by the likes of Norman Lamont, Nigel Farage (picturd) , Jeffrey Archer and Feargal Sharkey

When Meghan visited Malta in 2015 she explored the haunts of her great-great-grandmother Mary who was born on the island before moving to the US.

She was even photographed in a ghonella, a traditional hooded shawl which her buzbuznanna Mary probably wore.

When Meghan visited Malta in 2015 she explored the haunts of her great-great-grandmother Mary who was born on the island before moving to the US

She declared: This feels like home. Exploring her heritage, she described it as magical, adding: Im fitting in a piece of the puzzle.

Proud of being 43 per cent Nigerian, isnt it grand that Meghan is also part Maltese

Brooklyn star Saoirse Ronan has been presented with a copy of writer Colm Toibins new sequel to the novel, the adaptation of which was nominated for three Oscars.

But Toibin would prefer to forget his experience of the Academy Awards.

Generally, I think its really important for novelists to go to those awards to realise youre nobody and youre nothing, he explains.

Brooklyn star Saoirse Ronan has been presented with a copy of writer Colm Toibins new sequel to the novel, the adaptation of which was nominated for three Oscars. But Toibin would prefer to forget his experience of the Academy Awards

And if you said to anyone, Im the guy that wrote that, they would say, Are you famous? No, youre not famous. You are some bald guy from Ireland.

Looking back on meeting the late Queen after hosting one of his many London Palladium shows, Jimmy Tarbuck recalls: She asked me, How many of these have you done now?

I said, Four more than you! The Queen smiled and said, It certainly seemed like it tonight. Proud royalist Tarby fondly adds: Thats your hand smacked!

When Frank Ifield, who has died at the age of 86, was a bigger star than The Beatles, he shared a teenage girlfriend Iris Caldwell with Paul McCartney.

She played him the bands Please Please Me and reported back to McCartney. Frank just burst out laughing, she said. Macca was devastated.

When Frank Ifield, who has died at the age of 86, was a bigger star than The Beatles, he shared a teenage girlfriend Iris Caldwell with Paul McCartney

Stephen Merchants crime series The Outlaws does not, alas, feature his childhood acquaintance described as the worlds laziest burglar.

Having broken into a house he lingered until the owner returned. Merchant tells Radio Times: Dave, what are you doing? said the homeowner.

Im not called Dave, said Dave. I know who you are, Dave, said the homeowner. You live next door.
Embattled District Attorney Fani Willis' prosecutor 'lover' Nathan Wade stunned guests by making an appearance at her primary victory party on Tuesday night.

Wade was forced to resign from the Donald Trump prosecution in March after admitting having an affair with Willis while they were working on the case.

The pair have since ended the relationship that sparked calls for Willis to be disqualified from the Trump trial, but both celebrated her convincing win.

Willis handily defeated her Democratic primary opponent Christian Wise Smith, a former Fulton prosecutor, despite a flood of controversy over her handling of the prosecution into Donald Trump.

District Attorney Fani Willis won her primary election Tuesday evening, as she runs for reelection during her chaotic prosecution of former President Donald Trump

The Associated Press declared Willis the winner of her primary, as she led Smith by 77 points with 39 percent of the vote tallied.

Willis addressed supporters after her victory, thanking them for sending a strong message to the country.

Wade was in the crowd and schmoozing guests as his ex-girlfriend thanked the crowd for her support.

'It's a message that is p***ing folks off, but there is no one above the law in this country nor is there anyone beneath it,' she said.

Willis urged her supporters to donate to her campaign, calling it just the beginning of her fight against her Republican opponent.

She referred to her Monday evening interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow to emphasize the stakes that they face in November.

'A very brilliant woman last night, Rachel Maddow said, that this campaign, this movement, is a bellwether of Democracy,' she said. 'We need you to support us.'

Willis made a name for herself after filing an ambitious RICO case against former President Donald Trump, charging him with conspiring to change the results of the 2020 presidential election.

But she was also caught up in scandal after details leaked of her romantic affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, a man she paid handsomely to work on the case as they traveled together on luxury vacations.

The Trump legal team argued the relationship represented conflict of interest, as they triggered a lengthy hearing on whether she should still be able to prosecute the case.

Her Democratic opponent Wise Smith campaigned on the need for a more sober, professional prosecution of Trump but to no avail.

Willis' 'lover' Nathan Wade made a shock appearance at the party after details of their relationship were laid out in a hearing to disqualify her from the Trump case

Willis handily defeated her Democratic primary opponent Christian Wise Smith, a former Fulton prosecutor, despite a flood of controversy over her handling of the case

Wade greeted and schmoozed with guests at the victory party in Fulton County

Willis was hailed as a champion for the left because of her defiance against Trump and his allies despite her personal scandal triggering a storm of media coverage.

In response, Willis routinely shared details of death threats as the controversy continued as well as multiple verbal attacks on her race and her gender.

Willis also appeared at the congregation of Big Bethel AME during the scandal, comparing her plight to that of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr and rallied Democrats to her side.

'You cannot expect black women to be perfect and save the world,' she told the church congregation. 'The Lord is completing us. We are not perfect. We need your prayers. We need to be allowed to stumble. We need grace.'

All smiles! Willis set aside the slew of scandals as she was congratulated by guests at the party

Willis walks on stage to thank her supporters after her convincing primary victory

Willis' willingness to fight appears to have galvanized Democrats who want to see Trump convicted of criminally trying to overthrow the election in Georgia.

Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ultimately concluded in March that Willis had made a 'tremendous lapse in judgment,' but could remain on the case as long as Wade was removed.

Judge McAfee is also projected to win his primary, despite his controversial decision to preserve Willis' position in the prosecution of Trump.

Despite McAffee's ruling, however, the Georgia federal appeals court agreed Thursday to revisit the case, casting the timeline of the Trump trial into doubt.

The date for that hearing has not been set.
Downing Street must give more airtime to popular Cabinet ministers like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch, a minister has said in an extraordinary intervention.

Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, accused No 10 of 'placating' Rishi Sunak and behaving as though the Prime Minister were still as popular as when he took office.

Criticising Downing Street's 'haphazard, un-themed and loose' communication strategy, he questioned why the pair of ministers were not sent on the airwaves more often as they are far more popular with Tory members than Mr Sunak.

Instead, he said, 'average performers' like Transport Secretary Mark Harper were given 'important slots', according to The Times.

Downing Street must give more airtime to popular Cabinet ministers like Penny Mordaunt (pictured) and Kemi Badenoch, a minister has said in an extraordinary intervention

Kemi Badenoch at the Conservative Party conference on October 3, 2022 in Birmingham

The Prime Minister's latest popularity rating on the ConservativeHome website is minus 51 - lagging far behind Ms Mordaunt on minus 23 and Ms Badenoch, who tops the rankings on minus 15.

The memo, written on a train earlier this month and captured by a fellow passenger, exposes the divisions within Mr Sunak's Cabinet.

The MP for Plymouth Moor View wrote: 'Political communication seems haphazard, un-themed and loose. We have average performers during important slots. How many people did Harper win over for us this weekend?

'Team in No 10 operating as though the PM is as popular in the polls as he was two years ago.

'It appears to be all about placating him/ managing him/ promoting him on social media. We are only going to get through this as a team.

'There are good, capable, senior colleagues around the cabinet table who people clearly like, who should see more airtime and be more prominent. The [ConservativeHome] cabinet polling should not be ignored (Mordaunt/Badenoch  irrespective of the personal views of No 10 staff).'

Jonathan Ashworth, Labours Shadow Paymaster General, said: 'With high profile Tory ministers exposed as lacking confidence in Rishi Sunak and his weak leadership, its no wonder the British public are demanding its time for change.'

Johnny Mercer (pictured), the veterans minister, accused No 10 of 'placating' Rishi Sunak and behaving as though the Prime Minister were still as popular as when he took office
Loyalists flex muscle as their voices grow

By Nam Hyun-woo

Former President Moon Jae-in has triggered intense debate with his recently published memoir, reigniting controversy surrounding his wife's visit to India during his term.

It has sparked a fresh call from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), which was the opposition party at the time, to investigate former first lady Kim Jung-sook. The party claims that the visit was aimed at fulfilling her wish to visit the Taj Mahal on taxpayer money, despite Moon's explanation that the Indian government invited her.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which was the ruling party at the time, is baffled by the resurfacing of the issue. Additionally, the mainstream of the DPK, a faction loyal to its Chairman Lee Jae-myung, questions the timing of the memoir, particularly as unity within a faction supporting Moon has been growing ahead of Thursday's memorial event for former President Roh Moo-hyun, Moon's longtime friend.

The memoir, titled "From the Periphery to the Center," published Saturday, contains Moon's reflections on major issues during his presidency from May 2017 to May 2022.

Creating controversy was Moon's description of his wife's 2018 visit to India using the presidential jet, which drew criticism from conservatives at the time. They argued that the first lady's trip amounted to a junket financed by taxpayer money.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited me to return to India for the opening of the Heo Hwang-ok Memorial Park, but it was difficult for me to visit India again," Moon wrote.

"So I declined, and India then asked me to send my wife instead  The reason I elaborate on this is that there are people who maliciously distort (the facts) as if my wife went on a junket using taxpayer money."

Moon described the visit as "the first standalone diplomacy by a first lady." It was the first time for the former president to speak about the controversy, which has been a target of criticism from the conservatives for years.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, however, India first extended an invitation to then-Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

In a statement released on Monday, the ministry explained that it declined the invitation extended to Kang due to her other commitments. Subsequently, India extended an invitation to then-Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan. During the communication regarding Do's trip, the ministry informed India that the first lady, Kim Jung-sook, might accompany the delegation, prompting India to send an invitation to her.

The PPP is raising its voice against Moon's account of Kim's visit to India, calling for an investigation into the trip.

"Kim's trip was not an example of standalone diplomacy, but a standalone junket," PPP Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun said during a radio interview with KBS. "Her visit to Taj Mahal seems to be the subject of a special counsel probe."

Moon's comments on the summit between himself and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as well as former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim, also stirred considerable debate.

Recalling his talks with Kim during their summit in April 2018, Moon said, "Kim reiterated that he has no intention to use nuclear weapons."

Moon also noted that the second U.S.-North Korea summit, held in February 2019, was delayed more than expected because then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "demanded a list detailing their nuclear-related facilities, capabilities, and weapons," ultimately leading to the summit ending without any deal.

In response, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho told reporters on Monday that ignoring North Korea's missile and nuclear capabilities and focusing solely on its intentions would lead to making incorrect judgments about the situation.

Regarding the PPP and the government's offensives, members of the pro-Moon faction within the DPK are expressing strong opposition.

Moon's former spokesperson, Rep. Ko Min-jung, called the offensive "a smear campaign not even worth responding to."

However, the mainstream of the DPK is not actively responding to the ruling bloc's offensives. Some members say the memoir "unnecessarily offered" a chance for the ruling bloc to mount offensives.

Amid mixed responses within the party, its pro-Moon faction is asserting its influence ahead of a memorial ceremony for Roh, the deceased former president, who was a friend and political mentor to Moon.

The ceremony will take place in Roh's hometown of Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday. Not only Moon, but also a slew of pro-Moon faction members  including former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, a protege of Moon who recently arrived here from the United Kingdom  are expected to attend the ceremony.
A talented teen artist died when doctors misdiagnosed her meningitis for a 'boring' virus.

Mia Ginever, 19, died at Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Surrey, when medics delayed life-saving antibiotics because of 'conscious bias' from her initial diagnosis.

The terrified straight A-student heartbreakingly begged her mother, Mel, 47, not to 'let me die' when she was rushed to hospital with a searing pain in her head and red spots on her skin that didn't fade. She later developed a stiff neck and became delirious.

Doctors and nurses rushed around the 'beautiful and vibrant' Mia as she deteriorated in front of a helpless Mel's eyes but it would take five hours until medics would finally assess her.

The registrar refused to carry out blood tests or give her antibiotics and instead administered a 'sticking plaster' of fluids and pain relief.

Mia Ginever, 19, died at Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Surrey, when medics misdiagnosed her meningitis for a 'boring' virus

It took doctors eight hours to administer the straight A student with antibiotics, but by then it was too late and Mia died two days later in intensive care in March 2022

Bacterial meningitis, which requires urgent hospital treatment, affects the membranes in the spinal cord and brain

A new doctor on shift finally ordered blood tests where it was discovered she had meningitis B and finally gave her some antibiotics - eight hours after she arrived at the hospital.

WHAT IS MENINGITIS? Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Anyone can be affected but at-risk people include those aged under five, 15-to-24 and over 45. People exposed to passive smoking or with suppressed immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy, are also more at risk. The most common forms of meningitis are bacterial and viral. Symptoms for both include: Pale, blotchy skin with a rash that does not fade when compressed with a glass

Stiff neck

Dislike of bright lights

Fever, and cold hands and feet

Vomiting

Drowsiness

Severe headache Bacterial meningitis Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics. Some 10 per cent of bacterial cases are fatal. Of those who survive, one in three suffer complications, including brain damage and hearing loss. Limb amputation is a potential side effect if septicaemia (blood poisoning) occurs. Vaccines are available against certain strains of bacteria that cause meningitis, such as tuberculosis. Viral meningitis Viral is rarely life-threatening but can cause long-lasting effects, such as headaches, fatigue and memory problems. Thousands of people suffer from viral meningitis every year in the UK. Treatment focuses on hydration, painkillers and rest. Although ineffective, antibiotics may be given when patients arrive at hospital just in case they are suffering from the bacterial form of the disease. Source: Meningitis Now Advertisement

By now it was too late and Mia was placed in an induced coma and died two days later in intensive care. Just months earlier, she had announced to her parents she wanted to be an organ donor.

A week earlier in March 2022 the talented student was making plans to go travelling and applying for internships in the summer with dreams of becoming an interior designer.

When a sore throat, aches, and a headache got worse during the week she went to A&E at Frimley to get checked over.

Medics told her she had a 'boring' virus and could go home, but Mia's pain got worse and she went back to the hospital with Mel when she noticed red spots on her body wouldn't fade.

'Mia's whole future has been taken away through no fault of her own. She had so much to give to the world and was just ready to embrace her life,' Mel told the Times.

She added: 'We trusted the doctors to make the right decisions. If I had any inclination she was going to die, I would have been screaming.'

An inquest into her death will begin at Surrey coroner's court in Woking today and is scheduled to end on Friday.

Frimley Park hospital has admitted doctors did not assess Mia properly for meningitis and sepsis, and that it failed to follow NHS protocol of giving antibiotics within an hour of arriving at hospital for the second time.

Mia's father, Phil, 60, was shocked by the state of things when he arrived at the hospital.

He described the care of his beloved daughter as 'so poor' and said the pain from Mia's death will never go away.

'After she died they let us take her handprints and hair, like a newborn. But then she was all alone. I should've stayed and waited,' he said.

The hospital conducted a serious incident review which found Mia had already developed meningococcal sepsis by the time she arrived at Frimley hospital for the second time.

It found 'conscious bias' of the first diagnosis of a viral infection had influenced decisions made by doctors.

Since Mia's death the Ginevers have raised 70,000 for Meningitis Research Foundation and her parents have been raising awareness about the meningitis B vaccine.

Mel said doctors told her 'it was one of the most severe and fast-acting cases they have ever experienced'.

Writing on LinkedIn, six months after Mia's death, Mel posted a heartfelt tribute to her daughter.

She said: 'Mia was quick-witted and the life and soul, but she was also a "home bird" and still lived at home. We desperately miss her beautiful smile and infectious laugh every day.'

A week earlier the talented student was making plans to go travelling and applying for internships in the summer with dreams of becoming an interior designer

A serious incident review conducted by the hospital found 'conscious bias' of the first diagnosis of a viral infection had influenced decisions made by doctors

Deborah Nadel, a legal director at Fieldfisher, is representing the family at the inquest and in an ongoing negligence claim.

She said: 'The pain for Mia's family of learning that her death was preventable by prompt treatment is unimaginable.

'Hospitals need to improve how they learn from mistakes and the family are hoping that the coroner's investigation will highlight this.'

Mia's organs have helped to save the lives of four people and Mel described them 'lucky... to have a part of our precious girl giving them second hope'.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust told MailOnline said it would not be commenting until the conclusion of Mia's inquest.
St Albans is bidding to become the first city in Britain that is smartphone-free for children under the age of 14.

Teachers in the Hertfordshire city have called for parents of children and adolescents to delay buying the electronic devices for them.

It comes amid fears over the impact smartphones have on children's mental health and development, with particular concern over the fact that some children as young as seven now have them.

As well as the impact on health and wellbeing, recent reports have suggested that students who don't have mobile phones in class get higher grades, sparking calls for them to be banned at school.

School heads in St Albans have called for parents to resist pressure from their children to buy the devices, even though many of places of education in the city already have a version of the no-phone policy in place.

St Albans is bidding to become the first city in Britain to be smartphone-free for children under the age of 14. Pictured: A view of St Albans Clocktower

Headteachers in the city have urged parents to delay buying their children smartphones until they are in year 9. Pictured: An image of a child wearing school uniform distracted by a mobile phone

In a letter sent to parents the St Albans Primary School Consortium urged parents to wait until at least Year 9 before buying a smartphone for their children.

'We encourage all parents to delay giving children a smartphone until they reach the age of 14, opting instead for a text/call phone alternative if necessary,' it said.

'As head teachers we have committed to promoting our own schools as smartphone-free. We believe we can all work together across St Albans and join the growing movement across the country to change the 'normal' age that children are given smartphones.'

The consortium's letter, which was signed by 20 of St Albans' 24 primary school headteachers, said it was supporting the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign which has gained traction in recent months.

Justine Elbourne-Cload, executive head of Cunningham Hill Schools and chair of the consortium, said that there are 'lots of issues' of children joining WhatsApp groups that are then bombarding them with inappropriate material.

She told The Times: 'There was a WhatsApp group that started in schools and then became a wider WhatsApp group and there was pornography. Somebody had joined from TikTok and was sending all sorts of dodgy images.'

The school group said that the connectivity of these devices means that there is little chance for children to break away from their peers, opening them up to the dual threats of addiction and bullying.

Ms Elbourne-Cload said she hopes that the movement will work to the extent that 'it would be a shock to see a child under the age of 11... with a smartphone'.

She said: 'It is far easier if it is the general norm that no children or very few children have smartphones. If the norm is they will walk around with old Nokia bricks, that's what everyone will have and that will be fine. Because it always was fine. We're just trying to roll back that age.'

She added that parents had been 'overwhelmingly positive' about the idea and 'they would love the fact that it was taken out of their hands'.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, pictured in Westminster on May 16, has urged schools to crackdown on smartphone use by children

There have been concerns raised about the impact such a policy could have on secondary school students who use their smartphones to access homework and have to take buses that only allow tickets to be used via an app.

The campaign against smartphones in schools has gathered pace in recent months, with many schools putting in place no-mobile policies in the classroom.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan unveiled new guidance earlier this year that she said could 'change the norms' of children using mobiles at school as part of a crackdown on the devices.

It set out four options for 'bans', including insisting devices are left at home, teachers collecting them every morning, or having to keep them out of sight in bags.

Heads were also urged to include devices as items that can be searched for under behaviour policies.

Ms Keegan said she wanted to give teachers the tools to 'take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best  teach'.

In a round of interviews, Ms Keegan told GB News: 'Many of the ones who have a ban today will say you can't take your phone out your bag, and if you take your phone out of your bag, then you'll get the phone confiscated and you'll get detention.

'Sometimes that is effective. What we're trying to do is change the norm in our schools, that phones are not acceptable in our schools. Some other countries have already done this, quite a few countries have already done this.'

She added: 'There's been some calls recently for social media to be banned for younger people, for smartphones to be banned for younger people. This is a step that I can take, which is to set the social norm that phones are banned in schools.

'People will have a conversation, between parents and children as well, to say, 'look, if your school says it's no good for you in the day, then obviously it's right to limit it', though. That's something that I hope will just set new norms really.'

The benefits of having 'effective bans' are stark according to one think-tank which claimed that students achieve higher grades when smartphones are forbidden in class.

Parents and teachers have raised concerns about the impact of smartphones on children's wellbeing and mental health. Pictured: A stock image of a girl using a mobile phone

A report by Policy Exchange found that there was a 'clear correlation' between schools with an effective phone ban and academic performance.

From this, the think-tank recommend that headteachers 'implement effective bans on mobile phones', which would see the devices 'handed in or stored in lockers' for the duration of the school day.

Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, has also been campaigning to restrict phone use among teenagers.

Her daughter, Brianna, 16, was murdered by two teenagers from her school, who plotted her death over vile messages exchanged on WhatsApp and Snapchat.

Scarlett Jenkinson, who was sentenced to a minimum term of 22 years imprisonment for Brianna's murder, had downloaded a special browser to watch real-life torture and murder on the dark web.

Ms Ghey, 37, has campaigned for mobiles phones for those under 16 without access to social media - an idea backed by the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza.

She had a video meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan in February to discuss her campaigns.

Speaking about the meeting, Ms Ghey said: 'Approaching the meeting as both a parent and the Prime Minister, Rishi listened to my thoughts around both mindfulness in schools and concerns over mobile phone safety for our children.

'The Prime Minister showed his concerns and support for many of the points raised, making a real commitment in supporting parents and taking suggestions on board around the dangers and issues faced by our young people.

'It was an encouraging start and I hope to continue to work with Rishi, Michelle and other leaders across Government to make the world a safer, more empathetic and resilient place.'
Anthony Albanese's decades-long dream for Australia to split from the monarchy and become a republic is teetering on the brink.

Infighting within the Australian Republican Movement comes on the back of revelations the Assistant Minister for the Republic role is set to be axed in a future cabinet reshuffle.

The rancour comes after Peter FitzSimons stepped down as chair of the organisation after seven years at the helm, following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.

Now former Olympian Nova Peris has stepped down from her role as co-chair of the ARM this week on the back of a public statement from her colleague, Craig Foster, against Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Gaza.

'Given our different styles of leadership and our different visions on how to promote dialogue, reconciliation and social cohesion, it is untenable for me to continue alongside Craig as co-chair of the ARM and I'll be stepping down,' Ms Peris told SMH.

Anthony Albanese 's decades-long dream for Australia to split from the monarchy and become a republic is teetering on the brink

Foster wished Peris well but said 'there can be no silence when a duty to protect other humans exists for us all'.

The PM has made no secret over his time in public life of his dream for Australia to become a republic.

But any hopes of holding a referendum on the matter any time soon were dashed with the crushing defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

'Referendums are pretty hard,' the PM recently said, speaking of his other desire to extend the length of a federal government term from three to four years.

Doing so would also require a referendum.

The Voice referendum - which was defeated in every state and territory except the ACT - cost the Australian taxpayer about $450 million.

Former Olympian Nova Peris stepped down from her role as co-chair of the ARM this week on the back of a public statement from her colleague, Craig Foster, against Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Gaza

Australians have already voted against becoming a republic, back in 1999 when the referendum saw a 54 per cent No vote.

The death of the Queen and in-fighting between Princes William and Harry sparked renewed hope amongst anti-monarchists that the tide could once again turn.

And Mr Albanese's decision to appoint an Assistant Minister for the Republic following his election in 2022 was seen as a promising step forward.

Daily Mail Australia reported early this week that Mr Thistlethwaite's job could be on the chopping block ahead of any summer or winter cabinet reshuffle.

A source close to the Prime Minister said the Albanese government is trying to distance itself from any 'woke' political issues - including Australia becoming a republic - in the aftermath of the Budget.

Mr Albanese swore allegiance to King Charles at his coronation in May in the wake of the Queen's death, and despite being a 'life-long republican', insisted he has 'a great deal of respect' for the King

It's understood Albanese hasn't been particularly impressed with Mr Thistlethwaite's selling of a republic referendum, and doesn't want to be accused of it being a distraction from more important economic challenges.

Mr Thistlethwaite - who is a member of the powerful NSW right faction - won't fall off the frontbench entirely. He's also assistant minister for veterans' affairs and defence which he's likely to keep in any reshuffle.

Mr Albanese swore allegiance to King Charles at his coronation in May in the wake of the Queen's death, and despite being a 'life-long republican', insisted he has 'a great deal of respect' for the King.

And he assured members of the public both in Australia and abroad a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic is out of the question for the near future.

'What I don't want to do is to be a prime minister who presides over just constitutional debates,' he said at the time.

Mr Thistlethwaite acknowledged in November 2023, just weeks after the Voice vote, that a referendum was not on the horizon for the party.

'It's in our platform that we begin a discussion with the Australian people around having one of our own as our head of State at some time in the future,' he said.

'Now is not the right time for that.'

He said the Labor party 'has a longer term vision for Australia as a mature and independent nation' and still has ambitions for the country to sever ties with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Incredible drone footage has captured the immense trail of destruction left across a small Iowa town after a tornado ripped through the state - killing multiple people and injuring dozens more.

Entire neighborhoods were flattened by several deadly twisters that gripped the region on Tuesday evening, with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds placing 15 counties under disaster emergency proclamations.

Hours after a tornado touched down in Greenfield, aerial footage showed where a tornado tore through the town as homes were leveled and trees were shredded down to their stumps.

Carnage is expected to continue through the Midwest as a storm system develops - with over 25 million people currently under severe weather warnings, stretching from Missouri to Wisconsin.

Iowa Police confirmed there have been multiple fatalities in the deadly weather front. One death occurred in Adams County, Iowa, around 90 miles southwest of Des Moines, when a woman was ejected from a vehicle during the brutal storm.

Shocking drone footage showed the trial of destruction left through Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday as a powerful tornado ripped apart the small town of 2,000 people

Shocking images from Greenfield showed widespread damage, with reports indicating that the town has also reported several injuries

Footage showed widespread damage hours after the tornadoes tore through rural Iowa, including entire trees being shredded from their roots.

The small town of Greenfield, around 40 miles from the death in Adams County, was among the hardest hit, and a tornado that developed around 5pm leveled hundreds of homes and left several people injured, Iowa State Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Alex Dinkla said.

At a press conference, Dinkla estimated that over a dozen people were hospitalized, but could not offer an exact number. He added that all known residents were accounted for, but searches were still ongoing through the wreckage.

Images shared to Facebook by a Greenfield resident saw entire homes reduced to rubble and turned into scattered debris, while brick walls were flattened by the force of the twister.

A local hospital was hit by the fierce tornadoes, forcing staff and patients to evacuate the ransacked buildings and set up field hospitals at nearby high schools.

Massive wind turbines were also destroyed by the gusts, with at least three turbines destroyed in Adams County, and MidAmerican Energy Company said it owned several more that were destroyed in Adair County.

While aiding injured residents, the Adair County Memorial Hospital also 'sustained tornado damage', officials said, that forced it to transfer patients to other nearby medical centers.

Entire homes were flattered when the fatal tornados hit on Tuesday

A car is damaged by flying debris during the tornados

In total across the Midwest, over 25 million people were under at least a Level 3 severe thunderstorm warnings on Tuesday evening

Over 25 million people are under severe weather warnings across the Midwest

Trees were shredded to their roots by the force of the twisters, with meteorologists predicting more tornadoes may be generated that could exceed speeds of 111mph

Numerous wind turbines were ripped apart by the tornadoes, including at least three in Adams County

Heavy cleanup crews have been spotted across the state, with unaffected counties including Guthrie and Madison reportedly enlisted to help clear damage in Greenfield (pictured)

Greenfield instated a mandatory curfew from 10pm to 7am as the aftermath is surveyed, however officials said the true extent of the devastation may not be clear until daybreak.

Heavy cleanup crews have been spotted across the state, with unaffected counties including Guthrie and Madison reportedly enlisted to help clear damage in Greenfield.

Early reports said multiple tornadoes were also reported in Montgomery County, and Meteorologists warned that the storm system across the Midwest may generate several more catastrophic-strength tornadoes.

In total across the Midwest, over 25 million people were under at least a Level 3 severe thunderstorm warnings on Tuesday evening.

It comes after a period of intense storms through the nation's heartland in recent days, including three minor tornadoes registered Monday in Minnesota, Nebraska and Colorado.

June Handsaker consoles his brother Larry Handsaker after a tornado damaged his house in Nevada, Iowa

A man sorts through the remains of a home damaged by a tornado

A woman and a child walk past damage after a tornado Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Although much of the early damage was contained to rural Iowa, officials warned that several large cities and population centers could find themselves in the storm's path.

Chicago and Milwaukee are both at risk of being hit by destructive storms, and Des Moines International Airport closed its runways in anticipation of tornadoes potentially landing late Tuesday.

Multiple regions have also seen flash flooding due to the storms, with heavy rainfall warnings instated across the Midwest.

Through Tuesday night, the Storm Prediction Center launched a rare 'potentially dangerous situation' tornado watch spanning Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

The tornado watch is only used when experts believe there is a high chance for multiple, long-lasting tornadoes registering at EF2 or stronger, meaning speeds of at least 111mph.

Power lines were downed across the state (pictured in Nevada, Iowa) that left tens of thousands without power

Residents reported widespread damage to homes and businesses, although much of the early destruction struck rural areas of Iowa

Residents in Greenfield described witnessing the devastation across their town, with Valerie Warrior telling KCCI she was our riding her bike when the storm descended.

'There's houses down all over the place,' Warrior said, noting that she raced to her basement to wait out the tornado before emerging to find the town covered in debris.

'Devastating,' she added.

Stunning images from storm chaser Nahel Belgherze focused on the damage seen in one Greenfield street, as a sleepy suburb was turned into rubble within hours.

Resident Donnell Griffith said despite the carnage, the small town of roughly 2,000 people will recover from the storms.

'We're a small community, we're a tough community... we will rebuild this community together,' she said.

'We're small but we're mighty.'
A woman visiting Australia from China disappeared from a Surfers Paradise hotel more than seven months ago and has not been seen since.

Jianming Xia, 58, was part of a tour group visiting the Gold Coast when she vanished from her View Avenue hotel on October 18 last year.

When she was last seen, Ms Xia had a distinctive yellow handbag with her, but left her suitcase behind at the accommodation.

She contacted an associate at the time, advising her that she was leaving the tour group and would return to China in November.

Jianming Xia (pictured), who was visiting Australia from China, disappeared from a Surfers Paradise hotel more than seven months ago and has not been seen since

Ms Xia, 58, was part of a tour group visiting the Gold Coast when she vanished from her View Avenue (pictured) hotel on October 18 last year

But Ms Xia did not return to China and there has been no sight of her since then, despite extensive searches by the Queensland police.

She is described as having a medium build and brown hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police.
Nancy Pelosi has once again faced heckling from anti-Israel protesters at an event where she was presented with a 'Distinguished Citizen of the Year' award in her hometown of San Francisco.

Pelosi, the former speaker of the house and still a powerful Congressional Democrat, was being given the award by the Harvard Club of San Francisco for its 150th anniversary.

The club credited the representative - who still serves San Francisco in the House - for her '37-year career of outstanding leadership.'

As she was accepting the award, however, a protester began to yell at Pelosi in a rant captured on video.

'Congratulations, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi,' she yells. 'What good is getting a scholarship if we're using our money from Harvard to retaliate and repress and suppress our own students?'

Nancy Pelosi once again faced heckling from anti-Israel protesters at an event where she was presented with a 'Distinguished Citizen of the Year' award in her hometown of San Francisco

She then asked: 'What good can you be as a distinguished citizen when you are aiding and abetting this war and this ongoing genocide in Palestine?'

The unidentified woman was very quickly escorted out of the event by security but not before she got off a few more rants.

'Shame on everybody here! Shame on you! How dare you do this? Where our own students are getting attacked by your administration!'

Pelosi responded by saying that 'we respect your right to have your say.'

However, she followed it up with a joke, adding: 'Welcome to San Francisco, everybody' to the laughter of the audience.

Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee said that they were also calling for the university to divest from what they call 'the illegal occupation of Palestine.'

This is not the first time Pelosi has faced protesters in public for her stances on Israel's war against Hamas.

In April, her address to the Oxford Union in the UK was interrupted by a pair of pro-Palestine demonstrators, days after she said such protests have a 'Russian tinge' to them.

As she was accepting an award, a protester began to yell at Pelosi in a rant captured on video

Pelosi responded by saying that 'we respect your right to have your say.' However, she followed it up with a joke, adding: 'Welcome to San Francisco, everybody' to the laughter of the audience

The California Democrat was giving an address to the debating society in Oxford as the protestors walked just in front of her podium and silently held up Palestinian flags, until being escorted out by security.

Outside the building some 250 demonstrators chanted 'free Palestine' and 'end the genocide.'

The group was led by Youth Demand, which put out a statement calling Pelosi a 'warmonger.'

The ex-speaker and longtime Democratic leader was giving as part of the Benazir Bhutto Memorial.

Bhutto was the first woman to serve as prime minister of a Muslim nation when she was elected to lead Pakistan through the late 1980s and mid 1990s.

She was assassinated in 2007 when a gunman opened fire and detonated a suicide bomb during a political rally.

At that time, Pelosi cast doubt on some of the motivations of the anti-Israel protesters.

'It's in Putin's interest for 'What's His Name' to win, and therefore I see some encouragement on the part of the Russians,' said Pelosi, who typically avoids naming Donald Trump.

This is not the first time Pelosi has faced protesters in public for her stances on Israel's war against Hamas. In April, her address to the Oxford Union in the UK was interrupted by a pair of pro-Palestine demonstrators, days after she said such protests have a 'Russian tinge' to them

The California Democrat was giving an address to the debating society in Oxford as the protestors walked just in front of her podium and silently held up Palestinian flags, until being escorted out by security

She defended President Biden's response to the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.

'[Biden] now is calling for a ceasefire. Who's resisting the ceasefire at this point is Hamas,' Pelosi said.

She complained that protesters had shown up outside her house 'at 3 o'clock in the morning' with signs that read 'Genocide Joe.'

'I trust the sincerity of many of the demonstrators,' Pelosi went on. 'It's organic, it's spontaneous, it's real. But some of it, I think, has a Russian tinge to it.'

Pelosi has previously called for an FBI investigation into pro-Palestine protestors and has claimed that they are financially backed by Russia.
QUESTION What is mascara made of? What makes the thousands of variations available different?

The use of mascara dates back to antiquity. Ancient Egyptians used kohl, which was made from various toxic ingredients such as lead, antimony and soot, to darken both their eyelashes and eyebrows. This served both cosmetic and practical purposes, as they believed it protected their eyes from the sun and warded off evil spirits.

In the late 19th century, Eugene Rimmel, a French-born British perfumer, created cake mascara by combining petroleum jelly and coal dust, which users would apply using a brush.

Most modern mascaras use carbon black or iron oxide as a base. Carbon black is a deep non-reflective black colour. Iron oxide is more versatile; it can give variety to mascara shades, mostly browns but also yellow and red colouring.

Close up image of female's green eye, with black painted eyebrow, black mascara, black eyeliner (stock)

Other common colourants include ultramarine and ferric ferrocyanide (blue), titanium dioxide (white), carmine (red), chromium oxide and chromium hydroxide (green), and manganese violet. There are also a whole host of organic dyes available, in particular Azo dyes, synthesised from aromatic amines that can create more than 2,000 colours.

Modern mascaras typically also contain waxes and thickening oils such as lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin wax, castor oil, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax, to preserve the mascara and give it body.

Karine Rowland, Manchester.

QUESTION Why was the wife of George I known as the Prisoner of Ahlden?

The prisoner of Ahlden refers to Sophia Dorothea of Celle, the repudiated wife of George I, who was imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden in Germany from 1694 until her death in 1726.

Sophia Dorothea was born in 1666. She was the daughter of George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, and his mistress, Eleonore Desmier dOlbreuse.

The prisoner of Ahlden refers to Sophia Dorothea of Celle, the repudiated wife of George I (pictured), who was imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden in Germany from 1694 until her death in 1726

Sophia married her cousin George Louis, Electoral Prince of Hanover, in November 1682, after reportedly shouting, I will not marry the pig snout! The motivation was financial; Georges mother Princess Sophia of the Palatinate stated: One hundred thousand thalers a year is a goodly sum to pocket, without speaking of a pretty wife, who will find a match in my son George Louis, the most pigheaded, stubborn boy who ever lived, and who has round his brains such a thick crust that I defy any man or woman ever to discover what is in them.

TOMORROW'S QUESTIONS... Q: Were any of the thousands of Stasi informers punished after reunification? Jenny Cowan, Chelmsford, Essex. Q: Was there a landmark court case concerning the 1973 film The Three Musketeers? Nancie Rutherford, Sevenoaks, Kent. Q: Do submarines have to take evasive action during a hurricane? R. W. Freebody, Weaverham, Cheshire. Advertisement

Following the births of their children George Augustus (born 1683) and Sophia Dorothea (born 1687), George took up with his mistress Melusine von der Schulenburg. His wife responded by taking a lover of her own, Count Philip Christoph von Konigsmarck. George ended up physically attacking his wife over her affair and Konigsmarck disappeared in 1694. On December 28, 1694, the marriage was dissolved and Sophia Dorothea was found guilty of maliciously leaving her husband.

She was sent to Ahlden House, a stately home in Lower Saxony. She tried to secure her release by sending her former husband a letter of condolence after his father died in 1698, assuring him that she prayed for him every day and begged him on her knees to forgive her mistakes. George did not respond.

George became King of Great Britain and Ireland on August 1, 1714. His mistress Melusine became Duchess of Kendal and of Munster. Sophia Dorothea died in lonely isolation on November 13, 1726.

Danny Jacobs, Chatham, Kent.

QUESTION What is the origin of the term whippersnapper and is it a compliment or an insult?

Whippersnapper is an insult. It originally referred to neer-do-wells or layabouts, though the meaning has softened over the years.

The word probably arose from a whip-snapper, a layabout who literally snapped whips while idling the time away.

There was an earlier term, snipper-snapper, reserved for a self-important young man. John Ford, in his 1625 The Fancies Chaste And Noble, wrote, Thourt a prick-eared foist... a kanck, a snipper-snapper. The earliest known use of whippersnapper is in the Irish author Richard Heads narrative on the life of the highwayman Francis Jackson  Jacksons Recantation, 1674: Have a care of Marlborough Downs, there are a parcel of whipper snappers have been very busie there of late. Both snipper-snapper and whippersnapper are examples of reduplication, a pair of words that rhyme or repeat a basic syllable sound for effect.

Martin D. Leeves, Eastbourne, East Sussex.
The mother of a toddler who was killed in a murder-suicide by his father has broken her silence.

Dr Sophie Roome expected Rowan, two, to be returned by her ex James Harrison at about 4pm on Sunday after the ICU physician dropped him off for an access visit that morning.

She called police who visited Harrison's Lismore unit at about 5.30pm and left when no-one answered the door, however, upon returning four hours later at the insistence of the boy's grandmother, officers broke in and found the pair dead.

Dr Roome issued a statement with her family on Wednesday afternoon.

'Our family is facing incomprehensible grief. Our beloved Rowan was taken from us in the most unfathomable way.

'Rowan's life was ended by an evil and cowardly act of violence, perpetrated by a person he should have been able to trust the most. There are no possible excuses for this hurt, and no end to the pain it has caused.

Lismore doctor Dr Sophie Roome with her son Rowan, who was tragically killed in a murder-suicide on Sunday night

'Rowan was a beautiful, joyful, and adored little boy. He had so many amazing qualities, and his short life was filled with rich and happy experiences.

'He loved music, the beach, swimming, his friends and his family. He touched the hearts of everyone lucky enough to be in his world.

'We are devastated. We will love and miss Rowan forever. We thank all those who have provided support, and we acknowledge the suffering of James' family, which is also immense.'

NSW Police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell said on Monday that 'it was obvious to us that the father had taken his life and the life of the two-year-old'.

'My understanding is there was no weapon involved.'

He said Harrison appeared to have made a system inside the house 'where both he and the child passed away as a result of the system he set up'.

Police reportedly found a 'gas poisoning' apparatus rigged up inside the rental property.

Dr Roome said Rowan's life was ended by an 'evil and cowardly act of violence'

An AVO against James Harrison (pictured) to protect his former partner was extended by the courts in just a few months ago

Detectives are investigating the circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

'A more tragic event you wouldn't come across,' Mr Thurtell said.

It's been revealed that Dr Roome had primary custody of Rowan but that Harrison frequently visited his son.

She and Harrison separated last year not long after moving to the Northern Rivers region.

Dr Roome went to Lismore Local Court in August 2023 seeking an apprehended violence order after her former partner showed concerning controlling behaviour following their separation, friends told The Daily Telegraph.

While there were no violent incidents, the AVO was extended by the court just two months ago to protect Dr Roome from his concerning behaviour and attempts to dictate how she lived her life.

The AVO also banned Harrison from assaulting or threatening Dr Roome, stalking her or destroying her property.

Deputy Commissioner Emergency Management Peter Thurtell said there was no weapon involved but Harrison rigged up an apparatus in the rental property that killed the pair

It's understood Dr Roome's family has travelled from Tasmania to support the grieving mother.

Harrison portrayed himself as a fan of the great outdoors, with his social media littered with photos from hiking and camping expeditions.

He worked for a number of IT companies before he joined NSW Health in 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile

His current employer is listed as Northern NSW Local Health District.

There are also online rants about Covid-19, terrorism and equality rights.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, NSW Police admitted that police had attended the house twice on Sunday.

James Harrison and his two-year-old son were found dead inside the East Lismore unit, in NSW's Northern Rivers region, on Sunday night

Forensics teams are pictured at the unit on College Street on Monday

'About 5.30pm on Sunday 19 May 2024, a concern for welfare was raised at Lismore Police Station,' a NSW Police spokesperson said.

'A short time later, police attended an address on College Street, East Lismore, where they attempted to contact the occupant.

'After the occupant was unable to be raised, police canvassed the area before returning to the police station to conduct further inquiries.

'As a result of further information received, police re-attended the East Lismore property at 9.30pm where they forced entry.'

Questions have been raised about why police had not searched inside the property on the their first visit after Dr Roome called them with concerns Harrison had run off with their son.

As investigations continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For confidential support 24/7, contact:

LIFELINE 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

1800 RESPECT
Embattled Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is facing a new controversy after issuing an order which saw a man walk free from detention only to allegedly commit murder weeks later.

Emmanuel Saki, 29, who arrived from Sudan with his family aged 12, was charged with murder after the stabbing death of Bosco Minyurano, 22, on May 12.

Just weeks earlier, Saki was released from immigration detention following a successful appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Acting on orders from Mr Giles issued in January 2023, AAT deputy president Stephen Boyle reversed a decision from 2019 which stripped Mr Saki of his visa.

Mr Giles' direction compels decision-makers to take into consideration whether a non-citizen who commits a crime has spent his formative years in Australia.

Embattled Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is facing a new controversy after issuing an order which saw a man walk free from detention only to allegedly commit murder weeks later

Bosco Minyurano (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death at a park in Brisbane earlier this month

In this case, given Saki arrived in Australia as a child, the tribunal determined he had 'considerable' ties to Australia which were enough to reverse the cancellation of his visa.

'The Minister accepted that considerable weight should be given to the fact that the Applicant has been ordinarily resident in Australia during and since his formative years and accepted that this primary consideration weighs in the Applicant's favour,' Mr Boyle wrote, according to The Australian.

'I agree that that is the case.'

Police will allege in court that Saki stabbed Mr Minyurano in a park on Mortimer Rd at Acacia Ridge, in Brisbane's south shortly after midnight on Mother's Day.

The pair were allegedly known to each other.

His visa was initially cancelled after he failed the character test, prompted by several violent attacks which resulted in jail time in 2017 and 2018.

Emmanuel Saki was released from WA's Yongah Hill immigration detention centre (pictured) in April, only to be charged with murder weeks latter

Emmanuel Saki has been charged with murder over the alleged stabbing in Acacia Ridge (scene pictured)

He had been convicted of choking a person unconscious, assault occasionally actual bodily harm and assault.

Mr Giles is openly sympathetic to the plight of refugees, having acted as a solicitor representing 433 asylum seekers trying to get to Australian territory aboard the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa In 2001.

And he has repeatedly been singled out by the Coalition as the weakest link in the Albanese ministry over his handling of the disastrous High Court decision to free 149 asylum seeker detainees into the community.

But he's had several small wins of late which has eased the pressure on him, namely the ASF17 High Court win earlier this month.

The High Court ruled against a bisexual Iranian man who is refusing to be deported from Australia, in a landmark judgement which could have freed almost 200 more detainees.

Mr Giles celebrated the win, quickly issuing a statement which said: 'The Government fought strongly to defend our position in the High Court in the matter of ASF17 v Commonwealth of Australia.

'We welcome todays unanimous decision of the Court, which has found that individuals who are not cooperating with their own removal are able to remain in immigration detention until they are removed from Australia.

'Community safety continues to be our highest priority and we will continue to take all necessary steps to keep Australians as safe as possible.'
His teenage son has won an award as he fights for change

Family say quicker access to a defibrillator could have saved his life

A teenage boy whose father drowned trying to rescue him from the surf has won an award as he fights to prevent the same tragedy happening to other families, his mother has revealed.

Ashwin Bhalsod, 54, tragically died on a Yallingup beach, south of Perth, on October 1, 2022, after he became caught in a rip while swimming out to rescue his boys Isaac and Jeremiah, then aged 15 and 13, respectively.

A surfer in the area tried to access a defibrillator at the site after calling triple-0 but was allegedly forced to wait seven crucial minutes before being given a pin code to open the device.

Imelda Bhalsod said the tragedy prompted Isaac to speak out to demand a review of regulations to increase accessibility to the life-saving devices, leading to him being recognised as a 2024 Community Citizen of the Year.

'I felt compelled to address the issue surrounding defibrillator lockbox pins, especially after witnessing how a more efficient procedure might have potentially saved my dads life,' Isaac said, accepting the award last month.

Isaac Bhalsod ( pictured left) with mother Imelda and brother Jeremiah

'Losing a loved one deeply impacted me and served as a powerful motivator to advocate for change. My familys experience fueled my determination to prevent others from enduring similar loss and pain.

'By raising awareness about this issue, Im grateful that my family and I were able to effect positive change, potentially saving numerous lives.'

The 16-year-old, who is a gifted child and member of high-IQ society MENSA, said he was extremely honoured to take out the prize - which he says has fuelled his determination to 'continue making substantial changes on a broader scale.

The former Guildford Grammar School student, who started high school at age 10, is in his first year of a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Western Australia has set his eyes on making contributions to the country's healthcare system.

'In five years, I envision myself working in a hospital, either in research or applying my knowledge directly to medical practice,' he said.

'I have aspirations to pursue further studies in medicine with the goal of becoming a doctor, although Im still exploring this path.'

Isaac was last month awarded the City of Swan Young Community Citizen of the Year

The Bhalsod family are pictured together during happier times

In November 2022, just a month after losing their father, Isaac and Jeremiah spoke out to share their story in a bid to fight for change.

Speaking to Nine News Perth, the brothers said their father could still be alive if there had not been a delay in using the defibrillator.

'It should be something fast because when a serious emergency is happening, the code should be given instantly, but it took several minutes, and I'm frustrated by the fact it took that long because there would have been some hope if it had taken less time,' Isaac said at the time.

'It's not really good enough ... they should know all of this stuff and I could still have my dad today if it wasn't for them.'

It is understood the triple-0 caller was transferred to St John Ambulance, where he had to wait two minutes for someone to answer.

He was then put through to police who didn't know the pin code, so they called paramedics to get it.

Mr Bhalsod took to the water when he thought he saw his children struggling in the water, but tragically became caught in a rip.

When the podiatrist reached the teenagers he pushed Jeremiah towards the shore before he and Isaac were swept onto rocks.

The brothers said their father could still be alive if the defibrillator was able to be used on time

A surfer in the area tried in vain to access a defibrillator for him after calling triple-0, waiting seven crucial minutes before being given a pin code to open the device.

Isaac told Nine News Perth he could see his dad was struggling in the water.

'So I said, 'Hey grab onto me, I'll grab onto these rocks.' So we stayed there for like 30 seconds until a couple of waves hit us and we were apart from each other then and I couldn't see him,' Isaac said.

He said a couple of rescuers helped get him and his brother back to shore and then went to find his dad.

But a couple of minutes later he saw his father's body floating face down in the water, as the men dragged his body in before starting CPR.

The delays in getting to the life-saving device were part of a report which was given to the State Coroner.

St John Ambulance and Western Australian police also conducted their own independent investigations into the case.
By Gwynne Dyer

Madeleine Albright, the former U.S. Secretary of State, once called Slovakia the black hole at the heart of Europe, which seems a harsh judgement on five million Slovaks. The assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico was alarming, but we can narrow the problem down to a more specific group of people.

Albright was really talking about the gang of ex-Communists in which Fico honed his political skills. Some were violent thugs from the start, and their tactics have enabled them to hold power in Slovakia for almost half the time since Communist rule was overthrown in 1989. But first, lets be clear on what this attempted assassination did not mean.

It does not herald a new era of political extremism in Europe. It stands on the lowest rung of the escalation ladder, in which some lone wolf individual with obscure or unknown motives tries to kill a prominent political figure.

That always generates speculation about broader motives, like Slovak security expert Juraj Zabojniks remark that when four or five shots are fired, someone is at fault. I didnt see anyone jump in front of the prime minister (to take a bullet or five for him).

Come on. Maybe Ficos bodyguards were distracted, or maybe they just didnt love him enough to die for him.

The second rung of the ladder is when governments arrange the killing of opponents at home or abroad. This is fairly common, and ranges from India ordering contract killings of Sikh nationalists in Canada to Israel killing Iranian generals with ballistic missiles in Irans embassy in Syria. It is seen as very naughty, but not worth a war for.

The highest level is reached when governments arrange the murder of the heads of other governments. That is very rare, because the consequences can be unpredictable and extreme.

Serbian army officers set up the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, and triggered the First World War. The murder of John F. Kennedy might have caused the Third World War if the CIA had concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald, his assassin, had been acting on Moscows orders. (He did spend time in the Soviet Union.)

However, the events in Slovakia last week will not cause a war. We are on the doorstep of a civil war, warned Matuutaj Etok, the interior minister in Ficos government, stirring up panic while pretending to calm it, but Slovakia is nowhere near that.

Ficos Smer Party is the kind of nationalist-populist organisation that is now commonplace in eastern Europe. It tries to shut down opposition media  hyenas, idiots, and anti-Slovak prostitutes, in Ficos words  and it likes Putins regime in Russia. It loathes Jews, Roma, gays, Ukrainians and the European Union (although it takes EU money).

In other words, Fico is the lost twin to Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban. They are both cousins to Polands Jarosaw Kaczyski (except that his Law and Justice Party, being Polish, is deeply pro-Catholic and anti-Russian). And they all look hard-right, but its more complicated than that.

The fact, generally unmentioned in polite company, is that most underskilled, poorly educated people did better under the Communist regimes than they are doing now. They are getting old, which makes them feel even more excluded. And since Eastern European countries have very low birth rates, they are still quite a big chunk of the adult population.

So if you are an ambitious younger politician who is flexible on ideology, this is the voting group you need to appeal to: disappointed, left-behind, and with all the old national prejudices intact. Orban started out as a liberal firebrand and he managed to find them; Fico started out as a careerist young Communist and he found them too.

This cohort are not stereotypically "right wing." They dislike minorities and fear immigration, but they are all in favor of big state welfare spending. They are not much concerned about human rights and media freedoms, and a little rough stuff doesnt bother them either.

The attack on Fico was a much bigger deal and of course they are concerned, but they are unlikely to respond with violence. After all, their party is still safely in power  and anyway, its not clear who they should attack.

The man who shot Fico, Juraj Cintula, was a 71-year-old retired security guard with no known political ties, although acquaintances say he had previously supported some of Ficos policies and opposed others. We dont know what he was thinking last Wednesday, but it seems to have been a fairly random event.

Fico will survive, although his injuries are clearly life-changing. There is a "surge" in violent rhetoric in Europe, but not in actual violence. As for the voting block that empowers people like Fico, it is ageing out one year at a time.

Gwynne Dyers new book is Intervention Earth: Life-Saving Ideas from the Worlds Climate Engineers. Last years book, The Shortest History of War, is also still available.
The family of a woman who died after her father left her with catastrophic brain injuries as a child have slammed the justice system as he prepares to walk free.

Western Australian man Terrence Bice, 42, was convicted and jailed twice for offences related to his daughter Teagen Ferguson.

In 2005, Bice was charged with grievous bodily harm for violently throwing Teagen, aged two at the time, to the ground because she would not stop crying.

Teagen suffered a catastrophic brain injury and endured 16 chronic medical conditions before dying in June 2020 at 18-years-old.

In September last year, Bice was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter following his daughter's death.

Teagen Ferguson (pictured) died in June 2020 after suffering from 16 chronic medical conditions caused by a catastrophic brain injury when her father violently threw her to the ground when she was two-years-old

Terrence Bice, 42, pled guilty to manslaughter after Teagen's death and is set to be released on parole on Wednesday (pictured, Teagen as a toddler)

Bice is set to be released on parole on Wednesday but the reasons for the decision of his release are being withheld by the Prisoners Review Board.

It is understood time already served was taken into account, with Bice spending a total of five-and-a-half years behind bars.

Teagen's sister Courtney - who was present when Bice violently threw Teagen - said she feels justice has not been served.

'Yes he was eligible for it, but he didn't need to be given it. It doesn't feel like justice at all. It doesn't feel long enough,' Courtney told WA Today.

'I feel like I do deserve to know  I feel like it's not fair that I don't know [the reasons for Bice's release].

'He didn't just destroy Teagen's life, he did destroy my life too.'

The girls' aunt, Tanya Fogarty, said she was 'angry' with the parole board for releasing Bice and for not offering the family an explanation for their decision.

'Even though he has been held accountable by the law - he hasn't really spent enough time for the time that he's taken away from Teagen,' Ms Forgarty said.

Tragically Teagen and Courtney's mum, Kristy Ferguson, died of cancer just two weeks after Bice was sentenced for manslaughter.

'Since then, it's been quite traumatic and hard because Courtney's now been left without her sister and now her mum,' Ms Fogarty said.

Tragically Teagen's mum, Kristy Ferguson, died of cancer just two weeks after Bice was sentenced for manslaughter.

Teagen's sister, 23-year-old Courtney, said she felt justice had not been served and struggles with emotional and mental pain from the death of her mum and sister

Ms Fogarty added Courtney struggles emotionally and mentally due to the death of her mum and what happened to her sister.

A GoFundMe page was created by Courtney's family to help the 23-year-old heal from the trauma.

Courtney explained her sister 'never gave up' and fought every day with a smile on her face.

'I'm trying raise some money... to take that little bit of financial stress away from Courtney and make things a little easier for her at a time when she really needs it,' Ms Fogarty wrote.

At the time of writing the fund has received seven donations totalling $425 and has the goal of raising $3,500.
An Australian woman has recalled the terrifying moment she was thrown into the plane's roof while she was asleep on the Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence and resulted in the death of one passenger.

Fifty-six Aussies were on board SQ321 from London to Singapore on Tuesday afternoon when it suddenly plunged, sending passengers and crew into the ceiling.

Geoffrey Kitchen, a 73-year-old musical theatre director from Gloucestershire, UK, died of a suspected heart attack while dozens more were injured.

Eight Aussies are in hospital along with several others, while the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Teandra Tuhkunen, 30, from Melbourne, was left with one arm in a sling after she was thrown into the aircraft's roof.

'I was woken up because I was thrown to the roof and then to the floor,' she told Sky News from Bangkok's Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital.

Teandra Tuhkunen, 30, from Melbourne, was left with one arm in a sling after she was thrown into the aircraft's roof

'It was just so quick, over in a couple of seconds and then you're just shocked. Everyone's pretty freaked out.'

Ms Tuhkunen said she didn't have time to put her seatbelt on when the sign came on, and was immediately hurled upwards.

A 68-year-old grandfather from the UK, Jerry, will now have to miss his son's wedding in Australia after he, his wife and his daughter were injured in the flight.

Jerry was interviewed by the BBC with a large bandage across his forehead.

'Suddenly the plane plunged, I don't know how far but it was a long way and so sudden. There was no warning at all,' the passenger said.

'I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling (and) my wife did. Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults, it was absolutely terrible.

'Suddenly it stopped, and it was calm again. The staff did their best to tend to the injured people, there were a lot of them.'

A 68-year-old grandfather from the UK, Jerry, will now have to miss his son's wedding in Australia after he, his wife and his daughter were injured in the flight

He praised the staff on board, with several of them also suffering injuries.

When they landed in Bangkok, medical teams shipped the injured passengers off to hospital.

Jerry said he and his wife were initially separated but managed to reunite.

His daughter and wife remain in hospital, with the family to fly home from Bangkok and miss their son's wedding.

David, from Aberfoyle Park in Adelaide, said his sister and her husband were on board and were luckily buckled in when the turbulence hit.

'She said basically the seatbelt light came on, no chance for people to put their belts on, it (the plane) just dropped and everyone near them just flew and hit the roof,' David told FIVEaa Radio.

He said his sister called close family and friends to tell them she loved them, fearing the worst.

It comes as former Bachelor star and pilot Jimmy Nicholson shut down news reports the plane had plunged over 6,000 feet in just five minutes.

'This is not a sudden drop due to turbulence, this is a controlled descent,' he said in a TikTok explaining the incident.

'Likely because the airplane needed to divert to Bangkok or because they were descending out of the turbulence.

'This is a very sad and very rare event but it is important to remember that these things don't happen very often.

'We do our absolute best to avoid turbulence but sometimes it happens.'

Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas backed up Nicholson's comments, saying the plane likely plunged up to 20 metres, rather than 6,000 feet, before the pilot descended.

In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

'The aircraft has either encountered a severe thunderstorm and flown too close to it or it's been impacted by clear air turbulence in the form of wind shear, which is a change in the wind direction,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Thomas said the type of aircraft would have had a weather radar that allows it to see up to 500,000km ahead, but areas of turbulence are not so easily detected.

He said that turbulence could be spotted from about 50km away but even then it's not always accurate.

'If it was clear air turbulence, the pilot may have had a warning from 50km out but he also could've had no warning at all,' Mr Thomas said.

The expert said the passengers on board may have suffered spinal injuries, broken arms and wrists, and cuts and lacerations to their heads.

Mr Thomas, who has been writing about aviation for 45 years, said he believes seatbelts should be mandatory for passengers whenever they're seated.

The disaster, which was caused by a pocket of unexpected turbulence 11 hours into the journey, forced the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport

'When you're on the plane they say we recommend you wear your seatbelt but I think they should say you must have your seatbelt fastened,' he said.

'I think it needs to come from the captain and the safety video.'

Turbulence has also increased by 55 per cent from 1979 due to climate change, according to a study from the UK's University of Reading.

'It was a freak accident but having said that, these things are going to become more common,' Mr Thomas said.

'But it is very rare and flying is amazingly safe, if you think about it there are 110,000 flights that happen everyday.'

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board the Singapore Airlines flight, Thai authorities said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom were seriously injured, with many sustaining lacerations to the head as they were thrown upwards.

A relief flight with 143 of the SQ321 passengers and crew members who were able to travel arrived in Singapore early on Wednesday morning.

Singapore Airlines offered its condolences to the family of the man who died and apologised for the 'traumatic experience' passengers and crew suffered.
Killer bodybuilder Sven Lindemann will be jailed for 31 years, with a non-parole period of 25 years over the frenzied six-knife stabbing of his partner Monique Lezsak after she attempted to end their relationship.

Lindemann had previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Lezsak, 39, as well as recklessly injuring her 10-year-old daughter, given the pseudonym of Lily, who was found covered in her mother's blood after intervening in the horrific attack.

Had he not entered into a plea, Lindemann would have been sentenced to a total of 37 years, Justice Hollingworth said.

On May 30, 2023 the Melbourne man stabbed his ex-partner 17 times on her head, neck and chest in their Endeavour Hills house, in Melbourne's southeast, with the attack occurring in the days after Ms Lezsak attempted to end their five-year relationship.

Lindemann is 52 years old, so the earliest he will be released is when he turns 77.

Sven Lindemann will face sentencing for the murder of Monique Lezsak. Picture: Supplied

While Lindemann ducked the maximum penalty of a life sentence, Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a 'brutal, frenzied attack,' adding that domestic homicide was 'not a less serious category of murder because of the pre-existing relationship'.

She said it was 'sheer luck' Lily was not seriously injured, and said Lindemann failed in his duty as a stepfather to protect Lily and her twin brother from harm by subjecting them to a terrifying ordeal.

Justice Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a 'rational act,' which was motivated by jealousy, and an 'unwillingness to allow your partner to move on with her life'.

She noted his 'hypocrisy and sense of entitlement,' that caused him to become 'enraged' by the thought Ms Lezsak 'might choose to leave you and start a relationship with someone she'd recently met'. This is despite the fact that he had previously cheated on his ex-wife.

However Justice Hollingworth accepted there was 'no evidence' his attack was premeditated, and she accepted it was a relatively spontaneous act.

Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said Lindemann allegedly stabbed her after an altercation turned violent. Picture: Supplied

Daughter's bravery praised

Graphic details were revealed in previous hearings, which detailed how Lily saw Ms Lezsak dragged from the bedroom, to the kitchen, after Lindemann's knife broke.

In total, Lindemann used six knives in the attack, and inflicted seven stab wounds and 10 slashing wounds on Ms Lezsak, with Lily sustaining five wounds in the attack.

Sven Lindemann pleaded guilty to the murder of his partner Monique Lezsak. Picture: Supplied

The court was told Lily managed to disarm Lindemann twice, before she called triple-0, with the attack unfolding while Lily's twin brother was in a nearby room.

On Wednesday, Justice Hollingworth also noted Lily's 'bravery,' and commended her attempts to save her mum.

'Hopefully as she grows up, Lily will come to understand that there was nothing more she could have done to save her mother who would have been so very proud of his courage and determination,' she said.

Monique Lezsak was stabbed in an Endeavour Hills home in May 2023. Picture: Instagram,

Her twin son and daughter were home at the time, with her 10-year-old daughter Lily intervening in the attack. Picture: Instagram

Lindemann ordered to stop 'crocodile tears'

Prior to adjourning the case for sentencing earlier this month, Justice Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed the 'terrible' act after a day of 'seething'.

'He was so angry he dragged her through the house, he grabbed six different knives and was able to break two of them in the process,' she said.

'He was not deterred by a 10-year-old girl trying to stop him ... He was out of control, ferocious and determined to kill her.'

Justice Hollingworth also admonished the bodybuilder for wailing in court, demanding he 'stop the crocodile tears'.

'It's not remotely persuasive. It's a bit late for him to pretend he's remorseful,' she said.

'The evidence is completely to the contrary. He still maintains she ruined his life, he doesn't accept that he killed her and ruined his own life.'
January 5

On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 - a Boeing 737 Max 9 - lost a door plug at 16,000 feet on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California.

That part is designed to replace an unneeded emergency exit door, and it blew out within just 20 minutes of takeoff.

An emergency landing was required and the plane landed safely, but a teddy bear, two mobile phones, a child's t-shirt were all said to have have flown out during the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 of the 737 Max 9s in the aftermath and six of the flight's passengers went on to sue the airline.

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also went on to find loose parts on their grounded jets' door plugs.

On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 - a Boeing 737 Max 9 - lost a door plug at 16,000 feet on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California

The missing door panel was found in a high school physics teacher's back yard

January 16

An anonymous whistleblower broke rank to say that the door plug blowout 'was Boeing's fault', rather than its supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

First reported by The Seattle Times, they claimed the fuselage panel was removed for repair then reinstalled improperly at its Washington factory

'The reason the door blew off is stated in black and white in Boeings own records,' they wrote on aviation site Leeham News.

'It is also very, very stupid and speaks volumes about the quality culture at certain portions of the business.'

February 6

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report said that the January 5 incident was down to four crucial bolds being missing from the panel which blew out.

February 21

Boeing's 737 Max program chief, Ed Clark, was reportedly fired in a structural shakeup at the company.

Clark was also general manager at the company's Renton, Washington, facility and had been at Boeing for 18 years.

He was replaced by Katie Ringgold, while a 'senior vice president of quality' role was created too.

March 3

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 veered off the runway after landing in Houston due to some sort of gear collapse.

Shocking footage showed the plane lying flat on its wings on grass by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder.

A Boeing 737 Max operated by United Airlines veered off the tarmac into the grass when exiting the runway at George Bush Airport in Houston early Friday

March 4

An audit by the FAA of both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems 'found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements'.

March 6

The head of the NTSB accused Boeing of 'not cooperating' with its investigation into the January incident.

Jennifer Homendy said investigators sought the names of the 25 people who work on door plugs at the Renton facility, but had not received them from Boeing.

She told a Senate Committee hearing 'it is absurd that two months later we don't have it'.

However, Boeing spokesperson Connor Greenwood pushed back and insisted that names of employees were provided 'early in the investigation'.

The same day, a 737's engine caught fire in mid-air above Texas, causing an emergency landing minutes into its journey to Fort Myers, Florida.

March 7

A wheel fell off a Boeing 777-200 shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, crushing cars below.

The plane with 235 passengers and 14 crew diverted to Los Angeles Airport after it was alerted to the landing gear failure and landed safely with no further incident and no injuries reported on the ground.

March 9

Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62 - a former quality control manager and employee of 32 years - was found dead in his truck outside a South Carolina hotel days after testifying against the company in a lawsuit.

The coroner put it down to a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in the head, though the police confirmed that they would investigate further.

Barnett had made a string of complaints to his higher-ups in his time as a quality control manager before leaving the company on health grounds in 2017.

In January 2024, he appeared on TMZ to say that the 737 Max 9 aircraft were being launched back into the air too soon in the wake of the accident, suggesting corners had been cut.

Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in his truck outside a South Carolina hotel days after testifying against his former employer

March 11

A Boeing 777 was was forced to land due to hydraulic fluid spewing from its landing gear area.

The forced landing happened as the San Francisco-bound 777-300 embarked from Sydney, with fluid filmed leaking from its undercarriage.

March 15

A United Airlines 737 was grounded after it was found to be missing a panel after it touched down successfully in Medford Airport, Oregon, despite the missing part.

March 20

A Boeing 737 900 bound for Atlanta was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing after an engine blow out on take-off from Aruba.

The Delta flight circled the Caribbean island four times before coming back into land following the 'mechanical issue'.

March 29

United Airlines flight 990 - a Boeing 777-200 - from San Francisco to Paris had to touch down early in Denver after engine problems.

April 4

Alaska Airlines announced that they had received $160 million in compensation from Boeing after their 737 Max 9s were grounded following the January 5 door blowout.

The amount was equal to the revenue lost according to a filing from the airline, but Alaska added that it anticipated receiving extra compensation too.

April 10

Another whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, came forward in a Senate committee hearing to accuse Boeing of taking shortcuts when building its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and added that the company had retaliated against him when he raised concerns.

He doubled down on the claims a week later, adding on NBC that 787s should be grounded fearing 'fatal flaws' which could case them to fall apart mid-air.

In a 1,500 word statement, Boeing said it was 'fully confident' in the 787 and called concerns about structural integrity 'inaccurate.'

Pictured: Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testifies before the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations on April 17

April 11

An internal Boeing review in response to an initial Wall Street Journal investigation found that CEO Dave Calhoun and other bosses at the aviation firm spent $500,000 on company private jets for personal trips which were improperly recorded as business travel.

Boeing's review concluded that some of the flights taken by executives in 2021 and 2022 'were not previously classified as perquisites by the company'.

In the company's proxy filing on April 5, Boeing said that these flights 'should have been classified as such in accordance with SEC rules and guidance'.

April 16

United Airlines indicated it will reduce reliance on Boeing after announcing a $124m loss in the first quarter of 2024, which it blamed on the scandal-laden manufacturer.

April 24

Boeing's CEO assured investors after a first-quarter loss of $355m was announced which coincided with a six per cent dip in share prices.

Calhoun added that he had a successor lined up for his departure at the end of 2024 who would come from inside the company.

April 26

Delta flight 520 was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport when an emergency slide fell off the Boeing 767 an hour into its journey to Los Angeles.

FAA records indicated that the plane was 33 years old.

April 30

Joshua Dean (pictured) died suddenly on April 30 aged 45 having raised the alarm about supposed defects in 737 Max jets

Dean was employed by Spirit AeroSystems based in Wichita, Kansas

A second whistleblower, Joshua Dean, died suddenly aged 45 having raised the alarm about supposed defects in 737 Max jets.

The former Spirit employee previously said he was fired from his quality auditing role for questioning standards at the supplier's plant in Wichita, Kansas, in October 2022.

His family said on social media that Dean died in hospital after a sudden illness.

Earlier in 2024, Dean spoke with NPR about being fired. 'I think they were sending out a message to anybody else. If you are too loud, we will silence you,' he said.

May 6

The US Federal Aviation Administration revealed it has opened an investigation into Boeing after the company reported that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes.

Boeing said its engineers have determined that misconduct did not create 'an immediate safety of flight issue'.

No planes have been taken out of service, but having to perform the test out of order on planes will slow the delivery of jets still being built at the final assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Boeing must also create a plan to address planes that are already flying, the FAA said.

Shocking footage showed the moment the plane attempted an emergency landing, smashing down into the runway and scraping its nose along the concrete

May 8

A FedEx Airlines Boeing cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport without the front landing gear deployed and managed to stay on the runway, Turkey's transport ministry said, adding that there were no casualties.

The Boeing 767 aircraft, flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, informed the traffic control tower at Istanbul Airport that its landing gear failed to open and it landed with guidance from the tower, the ministry said in its statement.

Airport rescue and fire fighting teams made necessary preparations on the runway before landing, and no one was injured, the ministry also said, without giving a reason for the failure.

Footage showed sparks flying and smoke billowing as the front end of the plane scraped along the runway before being doused with firefighting foam.

May 9

A Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 plane's front tire burst upon landing at an airport in southern Turkey on Thursday, the Turkish transport minister said, adding there were no casualties and all 190 passengers and crew were evacuated.

The front landing gear strut was damaged on the Corendon Airlines plane, arriving from Cologne, Germany, as it landed at Alanya-Gazipasa airport in Antalya.

The same day, a Boeing passenger plane came off the runway during takeoff from Dakar international airport, injuring 11 people and shutting the hub for hours.

A Boeing 738 plane of Corendon Airlines that operated Cologne-Antalya flight gets stuck on runway due to a burst tire in Antalya, Turkiye on May 9, 2024

Pictures from the scene in Turkey showed the stationary aircraft on the tarmac flanked by emergency vehicles - its front wheels and landing gear crumpled underneath. Corendon Airlines denied Turkish reports that the aircraft had landed on its nose

In this grab taken from video people jump down emergency slides, running from a plane, in Dakar, Senegal, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. A Boeing 737 plane carrying 85 people caught fire and skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 11 people

The Air Senegal flight was bound for the Malian capital Bamako and had 78 passengers on board, plus a crew of six including two pilots, airport management company LAS said in a statement.

Images showed the aircraft in an overgrown area with first aiders surrounding an injured person. Smoke and flames are also visible near the plane.

Also on May 9, the US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating statements made by Boeing Co. about its safety practices after a mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX flight in January.

The SEC will examine whether the planemaker or its executives misled investors in violation of the Wall Street regulator's rules, the report said, citing three people familiar with the development.

May 14

Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft more than five years ago, the Justice Department told a federal judge.

It is now up to the Justice Department (DOJ) to decide whether to file charges against Boeing. Prosecutors will tell the court no later than July 7 how they plan to proceed, the department said.

May 21

One person died and others were injured on a flight from London to Singapore which plummeted 6,000ft in five minutes before making an emergency landing in Thailand.

The Boeing 777 plane operated by Singapore Airlines left the UK's Heathrow airport on Monday evening at 22.17pm local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

However, flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence while flying close to Myanmar airspace in a region being battered by extreme tropical thunderstorms.

Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident on Tuesday, with belongings strewn across the floor and oxygen masks dangling from above

Passengers are seen on the Singapore Airlines plane after it made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday. Oxygen masks fell from the ceiling, as did other components

Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, (pictured) who ran the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol, was on board the plane when the incident happened

After around 11 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped from an altitude of around 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within just five minutes as it finished traversing the Andaman Sea and neared Thailand.

Boeing said: 'We are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one, and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew.'
James Harrison and his son Rowan were found dead at home

A NSW health executive has described a father who killed himself and his two-year-old son at his home during a planned custody visit a 'wonderful colleague' and 'beloved friend'.

James Harrison, 38, a NSW Health business analyst and his toddler son Rowan were found dead inside a unit on College Street in East Lismore on the NSW far north coast on Sunday night after police were called to perform a welfare check.

Employees at NSW Health Clinical Excellence Commission received an email on Wednesday, three days after Harrison's murder-suicide.

The bodies of James Harrison, 38 (pictured) and his son Rowan were found inside the East Lismore unit

CEC Director of Information Management Andre Jenkins sent an email to all staff on Wednesday morning in which he described Harrison as a 'wonderful colleague' and 'beloved friend' despite NSW police treating his and his son's deaths as a murder-suicide

The email, which was sent by CEC Director of Information Management Andre Jenkins following a morning staff meeting, outlined 'support services' available in the wake of Harrison's death.

'It is with indescribable sadness that I find myself letting you know that James Harrison and his son Rowan died on Sunday,' Mr Jenkins wrote in the email obtained by The Telegraph.

'There are no words to adequately describe the loss of a wonderful colleague and beloved friend.

'Many of you also shared and [had] memories of Rowan popping up in meetings with his proud dad.'

Staff slammed Mr Jenkins' email as 'tone-deaf' as it did not acknowledge that Harrison and his son's death was being treated as a murder-suicide by NSW police.

Health Minister Ryan Park labelled the email as 'completely unacceptable' and claimed it caused staff 'significant distress'.

Mr Park added the email did not reflect the views of NSW Health and was not endorsed or authorised by the department.

Details emerged on Tuesday that Harrison had a history of domestic violence and an apprehended violence order (AVO) was extended by the courts in March to protect the mother of his son Doctor Sophie Roome.

Police discovered the bodies of Harrison and Rowan after Dr Roome raised the alarm when her only child was not dropped back home in the afternoon as planned.

The intensive care specialist, who works as a doctor at the local hospital, went to police with initial fears that Harrison may have fled town with Rowan.

An unanswered police knock at Harrison's front door heightened fears.

Several hours later, police returned and forced their way inside, where they found the tragic scene.

Police have since admitted they walked away when no-one answered the door of the home when they first attended at 5.30pm.

Local police admitted to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that the officers then returned to their police station to make 'further inquiries'.

It took another four hours after the alert was first raised before they returned to the address under pressure from the boy's distraught mother and her family.

Lismore doctor Dr Sophie Roome with her son Rowan, who was tragically killed in a murder-suicide on Sunday night

Officers finally went back to the address more than four hours later at 9.45pm and found Harrison had set up an elaborate 'poison gas' system to kill him and little Rowan.

It's been revealed that Dr Roome had primary custody of Rowan but that Harrison frequently visited his son.

She and Harrison separated last year not long after moving to the Northern Rivers region.

As investigations continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For confidential support 24/7, contact:

LIFELINE 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

1800 RESPECT
A teenager hailed a hero for helping a woman who was being viciously attacked by a savage dog has admitted being 'scared to death' when she stepped in to help.

Schoolgirl Indianna Seiler, 14, saw the woman in her 50s being mauled at a park in Upper Coomera on the Gold Coast on Monday and rushed to help.

The victim suffered serious facial injuries, but Indianna was able to use her jacket to try to stop the bleeding, while also trying to reassure the distressed woman.

'After I saw there were no adults around I tried helping as best I could,' the high school student told 7News.

Schoolgirl Indianna Seiler (pictured) has been hailed a hero for helping a woman who was being viciously attacked by a savage dog, and said she was 'scared to death' when she stepped in to help

Indianna, 14, saw the woman in her 50s being mauled at a park (pictured) in Upper Coomera on the Gold Coast on Monday and rushed to help

Other pupils used their school bags to keep the dog at bay while Indianna called triple-0 for help.

'In the moment I didn't feel brave, I was scared to death,' she said.

Her mum, Monique Coonan, said Indianna was 'covered in blood' but had potentially helped save the woman's life.

'The nurse did say if Indi didn't do what she did, and apply the pressure that she did as quickly as she did, that woman might not have been in the position she was,' Ms Coonan said.

The woman was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition, Queensland Ambulance Service said.

Gold Coast Council is investigating what happened and said the dog has been impounded.
A bakery has been forced to remove itself from social media after a photo of its Hamas cake for a four-year-old sparked massive outrage.

Sydney's Oven Bakery by Fufu shared images of the young boy standing beside a large cake featuring the Palestinian flag and spokesman of Hamas, Abu Ubaida, on Tuesday.

The boy wore a headscarf and outfit similar to Ubaida's, copying his pose with a finger in the air.

The masked terrorist was also pictured on a batch of cupcakes with the Palestinian flag.

Oven Bakery by Fufu initially received praise for the cake, with commenters writing the boy 'was a champion' and 'what a cutie mashallah' alongside hearts.

Oven Bakery by Fufu took down its social media accounts on Tuesday after sharing photos of a four-year-old's Hamas cake (pictured)

The large cake and matching cupcakes (pictured) featured the Palestinian flag and spokesman of Hamas, Abu Ubaida

However, criticism quickly overtook the controversial post and the bakery was forced to close its Instagram and Facebook pages.

The business is known for delivering custom cakes across Sydney and claims it was recently invited to cater for the annual Iftar Muslim community dinner in Sydney.

Premier Chris Minns described the photos as 'horrifying'.

'Hamas is an evil terrorist organisation,' he said.

'Kids parties should be innocent and fun, not hateful.'

Jewish groups have also condemned the bakery for making the cake for a children's party.

'Dressing a child up as a terrorist, including with what appears to be a Hamas headband is reprehensible and a form of child abuse,' Australian Jewish Group chief executive Robert Gregory said, the Daily Telegraph reported.

'Islamic extremism and radicalisation of youth is not just a problem for the Jewish community. It's a threat to all Australians.

'Australia has seen several recent incidents of Muslim youth allegedly stabbing or plotting to attack other Australians.

'Indoctrination starts at a young age and is similar to what is seen across the Middle East.'

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin slammed the theme and said young boys should celebrating with Batman or Real Madrid themes.

Premier Chris Minns described the photos as 'horrifying' while Australian Jewish Group chief executive Robert Gregory compared the cake to 'indoctrination' (pictured, Abu Ubaida)

'It takes a rare kind of psychosis to want to teach infant children that Hamas terrorists are to be admired and emulated,' he said.

'If this is what is happening in some Sydney homes, we should prepare for a generation of violent extremists.

'The authorities should be aware of this incident.'

The bakery has been contacted for comment.
An Aboriginal Elder has insisted residents will not lose their land as the Victorian government prepares to begin negotiations for a Treaty with Indigenous Australians.

Aunty Jill Gallagher, who is not directly involved in the negotiations, revealed what kinds of compensation she wanted First Nations people to receive.

'I think reparations should be on the table,' she told 3AW radio on Wednesday.

'It might not be in the way of money form, it might be in the way of empowerment, it might be in the way of land, but definitely not private land,' she said.

'No one is going to lose their private land through this Treaty process.'

Her comment came as the Allan government refused to rule out giving compulsorily acquired private property to Indigenous groups on Tuesday.

Aboriginal elder Jill Gallagher has said land 'must' be part of reparations for Aboriginal Australians under a proposed treaty being considered by the Victorian government

Treaty and First Peoples Minister Natalie Hutchins was pressed on the matter as she fronted the Public Accounts and Estimate Committee hearing.

'The focus that we have on Treaty is about building a new pathway going forward with Aboriginal people,' she said.

Ms Gallagher said land 'must' be part of the reparations with the government to potentially buy land and hand it over to Indigenous organisations.

'It would be amazing if our elected body, the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, that if land came on the market we'd have the opportunity to buy it,' she said.

Ms Gallagher was questioned over a measure which would see Indigenous-only seats in the Upper or Lower House in Victoria's state parliament.

'Do you think that's a good idea?' 3AW host Tom Elliott asked.

'I think being empowered to have influence over decisions that happen in our communities is vital in the Treaty process,' Ms Gallagher replied.

'Issues that affect Indigenous people have gone under the radar for 250 years and if we are empowered to influence those decisions, in whatever form that looks like, that would be amazing, because only then will we close that life expectancy gap.'

Ms Gallagher said the details of the Treaty will be finalised in 2025 with any agreements needing to be legislated by the state parliament.

In a speech at the Treaty Statewide Gathering in Geelong in April, Ms Gallagher called for Indigenous people to be exempt from land tax and council rates.

She also called for Aboriginal people to be exempt from fees for tertiary education and interest-free loans so they can be empowered to purchase homes.

In a speech at the Treaty Statewide Gathering in Geelong in April, Ms Gallagher (pictured left) called for Indigenous people to be exempt from land tax, university fees and council rates

'As a proud Aboriginal woman, I cannot sit idly by and watch Aboriginal communities continue to experience health and wellbeing outcomes that are disproportionately poorer than their non-Indigenous counterparts,' she said in a statement.

'Some people forget that Aboriginal people across this continent were robbed of the opportunity to generate wealth.

'For many, many years we were not allowed to purchase land.'

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has previously declined to comment on whether the government would accept or reject the proposals.

'This and a whole range of other matters will be put on the table for negotiation, so I'm not going to engage in a separate negotiation through the media,' she said.

The state government is taking steps toward a Treaty via the Yoorrook Justice Commission, in a completely separate process to the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament national referendum in October 2023.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) has previously declined to comment on whether the government would accept or reject the proposals

According to the government website, the Yoorrook Commission 'is investigating historical and ongoing injustices committed against Aboriginal Victorians since colonisation, across all areas of social, political and economic life'.

Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who campaigned against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, has described the proposals as 'outlandish and insulting', saying they will create further division.

'These separatist policies have failed and were rejected by the Australian people at the referendum,' Ms Price said.
The US has confirmed that Russia has launched a potential counter space weapon into the same orbit as an American satellite.

Major General Pat Ryder revealed news at a press conference Tuesday, after US Ambassador Robert Wood made the initial allegation to the UN on Monday.

'What I'm tracking here is on May 16, as you highlighted, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we that we assess is likely a counter space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit,' Ryder told ABC News.

'Russia deployed this new counter space weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite,' he added. 'And so assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter space payloads from 2019 and 2022.'

It came after Wood made the statement to the UN on Monday, coming as the United States and Russia have drafted rival resolutions in an attempt to outlaw weapons in space.

The US made multiple claims this week that Russia has launched what could be a counter space weapon into the same orbit as an American satellite. Major General Pat Ryder confirmed the news at a press conference Tuesday

The drafts focused on different types of weapons, with the U.S. and Japan specifying weapons of mass destruction. The Russian draft discussed all types of weapons.

Members of the United Nations Security Council condemned the actions even as they failed to pass a measure against it.

'The culmination of Russias campaign of diplomatic gaslighting and dissembling is the text before us today,' U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council.

Russias U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, denied that his nation was trying to mislead the world. Backed by China and others, he called the vote 'a unique moment of truth for our Western colleagues.'

'If they fail to support this, then they will clearly show that their main priority remains keeping freedom of the way for themselves to expedite the militarization of outer space,' Nebenzia said.

Every nation says it wants weapons barred from space, and council members repeated that Monday.

But when it came time to vote, the council evenly split 7-7 between backers of the U.S. and of Russia, with Switzerland abstaining. The measure failed under U.N. rules because it didn't receive nine votes.

Ryder said that the US remains vigilant at what appears to be Russia's attempt to weaponize space.

US Ambassador Robert Wood made the initial allegation to the UN on Monday

Russia already has several space-based military assets. These include co-orbital anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, direct-ascent ASAT missiles, and Starlink communication satellites it is contracting for its war on Ukraine

'Obviously, that's something that we'll continue to monitor,' he said. 'Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force.'

'And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment.'

Ryder would not say if the US knew in advance that Russia was making the launch.

In early May, a Pentagon official warned lawmakers that Russia's development of a nuclear space satellite could knock out all other global satellites for up to a year.

Satellites aren't built to withstand the radiation from a nuclear explosion and some could be destroyed by the blast and have 'devastating' consequences for the US and other countries' capabilities in space.

This marks the first time the Biden administration has openly discussed the 'indiscriminate weapon' at an open Congressional hearing, after a bombshell revelation by lawmakers in February.

Meanwhile, China has launched the first mission to collect samples from the dark side of the moon, even as the US government has warned that China could claim ownership of the moon if it reached the lunar surface first.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) has denied claims that reports that the country is building a nuclear anti-satellite that could destroy all other satellites in space for up to a year.

'The concept that we are concerned about is Russia developing and  if we are unable to convince them otherwise  to ultimately fly a nuclear weapon in space which will be an indiscriminate weapon,' John Plumb, the assistant secretary of defense for space policy, said at a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing.

READ MORE: Republicans question if the US has the capability to respond to Russia attacking its satellites Russia blew up one of its own satellites in 2021 using a missile. Cosmos 1408, a defunct spy satellite launched in 1982, was the destroyed target, which resulted in a field of 1,500 pieces of debris endangering the crew of the ISS Advertisement

He added that the weapon wouldn't distinguish between civilian, commercial or military satellites which provide cell phone reception, internet access and data about foreign threats.

SpaceX's Starlink has 5,400 satellites in orbit that have been vital to Ukraine remaining online and having communication capabilities during the ongoing Russian invasion.

In February, lawmakers first warned that Russia was developing a nuclear anti-satellite, also called a nuclear EMP, that posed a 'serious national security threat' to the US.

'Our general knowledge of Russian pursuit of this kind of capability goes back many, many months, if not a few years,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN at the time.

'But only in recent weeks now has the intelligence community been able to assess with a higher sense of confidence exactly how Russia continues to pursue it.'

The weapon has not yet been placed in space and Plumb said there isn't an 'imminent' threat to public safety, and the anti-satellite wouldn't be able to attack humans or cause physical destruction on Earth.

However, if the nuclear EMP is deployed, it 'could pose a threat to all satellites operated by countries and companies around the globe, as well as to the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial, and national security services we all depend upon,' Plumb said.

Shortly after lawmakers said Russia was building the anti-satellite nuclear weapon, Russian President Vladimir Putin vehemently denied the reports during a meeting with his defense minister in Moscow and claimed he was against deploying nuclear weapons in space.

China launched its Chang'e 6 rocket on Friday (pictured) that will travel to the dark side of the moon to collect rock samples from the lunar surface

Concerns over Russia's potential impact on space satellites come as China launched the Chang E' 6 mission to the dark side of the moon on Friday, making it the first country to deploy a mission to the region.

Last month, NASA warned that China could be using its civilian space program as a cover for military operations and their plans to create a landing base on the lunar surface could pose a threat to national security.

He noted that much of his concern stems from the Chinese space programs' close-knit ties to the People's Liberation Army - a military branch of the Communist Party.

'My concern would be if China got there first and suddenly said: 'Okay, this is our territory, you stay out,''' Nelson said.

He said his concern stems from the Chinese space programs' close-knit ties to the People's Liberation Army - a military branch of the Communist Party.

'My concern would be if China got there first and suddenly said: 'Okay, this is our territory, you stay out,''' Nelson said.

He argued that if anyone doubts his warning, they should look at Beijing's claims that it owns the majority of territory in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea which China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines jointly own.

'China has made extraordinary strides, especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive,' Nelson said at the hearing.

'We believe that a lot of their, so-called civilian space programs is a military program,' he continued. 'And I think, in effect, we are in a race.'
A Queensland farmer who is accused of rape allegedly walked around naked in his house, forced a British backpacker into a sex act after an evening of drinking and told her, 'suck my c*** you w***e.

Wayne Robert Green from Mondure, 283km north-west of Brisbane, is charged with one charge of rape, one of assault, and procuring a sexual act by intimidation - all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.

He testified behind closed doors on Wednesday morning on the second day of his trial in Kingaroy District Court.

On Tuesday, on the first day of what is expected to be a three-day trial, the court heard that Green allegedly assaulted and raped the woman while she worked on his farm.

Crown prosecutor Christa Nicola said the woman moved to Australia from the UK, the South Burnett Times reported.

Queensland farmer Wayne Robert Green (pictured), who is accused of rape and assault, testified behind closed doors at his trial in Kingaroy District Court on Wednesday morning

'She had dreams to come to Australia on a working visa and having the Aussie experience,' Ms Nicola said. 'This turned into something very different.'

In order to extend her visa and stay in Australia for an extra year, the young woman had to complete 88 days of farm work.

Green had posted an online ad on Gumtree which the woman responded to and started to work for him.

One night after getting back from a local bar with Green, he allegedly told her to 'take her clothing off', the court heard.

'She didn't want to, he was bigger than her and dominating,' the crown prosecutor said.

Green allegedly told the woman 'he would pay her' for oral sex or a 'handjob' and 'she could keep her job'.

Ms Nicola said she was worried he was going to rape her if she didn't comply.

The alleged victim was drunk and Green was naked during the conversation, the court heard.

The farmer took the woman by the hand to to another room.

'She felt as though she had no choice. He laid her on the sofa, she was naked, he was naked, he was touching himself  at some point she had his penis in her mouth,' Ms Nicola said.

Green allegedly said 'suck my c*** you w****'.

In another incident, Green allegedly touched the woman's breasts without her consent while she was in a truck with Green and a male farm worker.

But the other man told the court he didn't see Green touch her breasts during the trip.

'There was one point where we were all drunk and she was all flashing cars with her breasts,' the witness said. 'I was flirting with her, I might have touched her breasts.'

He also said he may have 'sucked on her breast' during the journey, that he was friends with the woman and slept with her a couple of times.

The man said the backpacker had told him about having oral sex with Green, but that he 'didn't really ask questions about it'.

However, three other witnesses told the court that the British woman told them that she had been sexually assaulted by Green, with one saying she said it 'was the worst time of her life'.

Two witnesses said the alleged victim said Green had a 'no doors policy' in the house, would walk around naked and sometimes go into the bathroom while she was showering.

Green, from Mondure (map pictured) is charged with one charge of rape, one of assault, and procuring a sexual act by intimidation - all of which he has pleaded not guilty to

This made her uncomfortable and scared to be there alone with him, one witness said.

The woman allegedly told one of the witnesses that 'he made me suck his d***'.

The court was told that Green threatened to fire the backpacker if she didn't perform oral sex on him.

The trial continues.

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
Clarify suspicions surrounding Marines death

President Yoon Suk Yeol has sparked a major controversy by vetoing a motion to appoint a special counsel to investigate the death of a Marine involved in a rescue mission. The presidential veto came 19 days after the opposition-initiated motion was approved by the National Assembly, marking the 10th time Yoon has exercised this power since taking office.

Yoons recent move has drastically escalated tensions with the opposition bloc, which is now poised to use all possible means, including the potential impeachment of the president. The opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), plan to hold a massive outdoor rally on Saturday, vowing to push for a revote on the motion.

The presidential office opposes the special counsel, citing the ongoing investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk argued that the special probe should not precede the CIO's investigation, suggesting it would only be necessary if the CIO's findings prove to be flawed.

However, the presidential offices stance seems implausible, considering the CIOs limited investigative capabilities. Concerns loom over potential delays and the possibility of results sparking a fierce backlash. Most significantly, various surveys indicate that more than two-thirds of the public support invoking a special counsel investigation.

Public suspicion has been mounting over the possibility of external pressure influencing the investigation into the Marines death. Several questionable incidents occurred during the transfer of the investigation results to the police.

Yoon invited further suspicion by appointing then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as the ambassador to Australia, even though he was under investigation by the CIO. A central issue is the allegation that the president expressed furious anger when briefed on the probe. Yoon also fueled suspicion by stating during a press conference, I scolded the defense minister only when I heard of the accident.

The opposition is intensifying its attacks on Yoon, describing his recent veto as being unconstitutional and constituting grounds for impeachment. The DPK and other minor parties aim to conduct a revote on the bill during a plenary session next week. Yet, they face the challenge of securing an additional 17 votes for approval. The passage of the bill remains uncertain, hinging on potential defections from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Rejection of the bill could set a precedent for similar practices in the forthcoming 22nd National Assembly, characterized by unilateral passages of bills by the opposition, followed by presidential vetoes.

Yoon should have offered an explanation regarding the allegations surrounding himself to alleviate the public's suspicions. Remaining silent, he cannot anticipate public understanding. Yoons complaint that the motion infringes the principle of the separation of powers because he cannot appoint the special attorney lacks merit. The motion is aimed at investigating irregularities involving Yoon. The bill was inevitable due to Yoon losing the public's trust, rendering it inappropriate for him to appoint the attorney.

The presidential office blamed the opposition parties for the unilateral passage. Yet, it was the PPP that postponed the related discussion. It is improper for Yoon and the presidential office to shift the blame onto the opposition after contributing to the current situation.

The presidential office emphasized the role of the president as the guardian of the Constitution, claiming that Yoon was fulfilling his duty by vetoing the bill. Yet, according to the Constitution, the presidents primary mandate is to protect the life and safety of the people. Yoon should have made efforts to clarify the incident. With the matter now before the National Assembly, it falls upon lawmakers to exercise prudent judgment and make a thoughtful decision.

Yoon, along with both the ruling and opposition parties, should pursue nuanced approaches to prevent the recent case from escalating confrontation and distrust. In doing so, they can prevent further confusion and uncertainty, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole. It is crucial for them to remember that the people will closely monitor whether their actions are motivated by the nation's welfare and the interests of its citizens.
The governor's office asked a parole board to review a decision to free her

Plans to release former LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus from prison were denied by the California Board of Parole Hearings following dramatic testimony from the friends and family of the woman she murdered in 1986.

Tuesday's decision overturned a November recommendation by a parole panel that Lazarus should be freed after serving 15 years of a life sentence.

The 64-year-old former member of the Los Angeles Police Department was jailed in 2009 following a dramatic trial that led to Lazarus' conviction some 25 years after the murder of her ex's new wife.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office asked the parole board to review the plan to set Lazarus free in April.

According to the LA Times, tears flowed as John Ruetten spoke of the brutality used to murder his wife, 29-year-old Sherri Rasmussen.

Stephanie Lazarus, now 64, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering her ex-love interest's new wife in 1986 and subsequently covering it up for decades

Sherri Rasmussen and John Ruetten on their wedding day, a mere four months before Stephanie Lazarus murdered Rasmussen

Lazarus, jealous of the pair's relationship, murdered the new bride, a crime that she finally confessed to committing before a parole panel last year.

Lazarus had been a detective with the LAPD for 25 years when homicide investigators reopened the cold case of Rasmussen's murder and tested DNA from a bite mark on the victim.

The reopened investigation led to the 2009 arrest of Lazarus, who had expertly covered up her actions all those years ago and then lied for decades to friends and family.

Lazarus met Ruetten while they were both students at UCLA in the late 70s.

The pair dated unseriously for several years post-graduation, but Ruetten testified at the murder trial that he would not have used the word girlfriend to describe Lazarus.

Shortly after Ruetten proposed to Rasmussen, Lazarus confronted him and begged him to break it off.

But Ruetten and Rasmussen got hitched in 1985, just one year before Ruetten returned home from work one day to find his wife deceased after having been badly beaten and shot in the chest several times.

The first investigation found that Rasmussen had been the victim of a robbery by two men at the home she shared with her husband. No arrests of any suspected killers were ever made.

On Monday, some of Rasmussen's friends and family, including her two sisters, asked the parole board to keep the killer behind bars.

Lazarus, they said, was anything but a 'youthful offender' at the time - she was 25 at the time of the killing - and according to her detractors was a highly skilled member of the police force who used her knowledge to plan and execute the murder.

John Ruetten, pictured at Lazarus' mid-2000s sentencing hearing, delivering a victim impact statement

Sherri Rasmussen was just 29-years-old and had only been married for four months when she was murdered in her marital condo

Parents of shooting victim, Sherri Rasmussen, Neil Rasmussen, and his wife Loretta appear at news conference after a court hearing for Los Angeles Police detective Stephanie Lazarus, Tuesday June 9, 2009 in Los Angeles

Though criminal justice reform groups have advocated for the release of Lazarus, a parole board decided against it on Tuesday

Criminal justice reform groups have long-been focused on Lazarus' case and have argued in favor of her freedom due in part to the leadership she has shown during her time in prison.

Jane Dorotik of LA's Innocence Project, called Lazarus 'kind, compassionate and a dedicated individual. She has taken full responsibility for her actions.'

Dorotik previously served a dozen years before having her conviction overturned.

Others told the board that they believe Lazarus is a 'transformed person.'

Lazarus herself did not make an appearance before the board on Monday, but spoke to the panel in November about the murder:

'It makes me sick to this day that I took an oath to protect and serve people, and I took Sherri Rasmussens life from her, a nurse. All I could think about was getting out of there before the police showed up.'

The LAPD detective who arrested Lazarus a decade-and-a-half ago, Gregg Stearns, spoke against her release.

'Stephanie Lazarus stalked her victim, chose a time and place when she knew she would have the victim alone. Brought cordage to bind her, used an improvised suppressor to execute her, staged a burglary and then disposed of the murder weapon and filed a false police report with an outside agency to explain the absence of that weapon,' said the veteran Robbery-Homicide Division officer.

'Those are not the hallmarks of youthful offense. They are the hallmarks of criminal sophistication and maturity,' he added, noting that he believes Lazarus is certainly capable of committing the same sort of crime again.
A former Royal Marine accused of spying for Hong Kong has been found dead in 'unexplained' circumstances.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found in a park near his home on Sunday just days after being charged with carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance on pro-democracy activists in the UK for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

The suspected spy, who worked as an immigration enforcement officer for the Home Office, was due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday charged with betraying his country.

His family said: 'We're mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family man.'

Police said yesterday that they were treating the death as unexplained. But it can be revealed that prosecutors wanted to remand Trickett in custody for his own safety, after a previous suicide attempt he made following his arrest.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found in a park near his home on Sunday just days after being charged with carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance for the Hong Kong intelligence service

It can be revealed that prosecutors wanted to remand Trickett in custody for his own safety, after a previous suicide attempt he made following his arrest

Despite this, the Afghanistan veteran was released on bail on Monday last week. Six days later he was found dead at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

In an extraordinary espionage case which is the first of its kind, Trickett and two other men, Chi Leung Wai, 38, who works at Heathrow for UK Border Force, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, a trade official, are jointly accused of carrying out surveillance operations in the UK allegedly targeting dissidents of the regime.

It is the first time that anyone has been charged with spying on British soil for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

The trio were charged last Monday under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states within the UK.

Born in Poole, Dorset, in 1987, Trickett enlisted into the Royal Marines aged 19 and served for seven years, rising to the position of detachment commander.

He fought against the Taliban and Somali pirates in the Red Sea before leaving the military in 2013. He set up his own security company in 2021, working as a bodyguard for engineers, foreign dignitaries and corporate organisations as well as wealthy families.

Trickett was then employed by the UK Border Force at Heathrow before joining Home Office Immigration Enforcement on February 21 this year.

When he appeared in court last Monday, there were concerns for his health after he had attempted suicide two days earlier.

Kashif Malik, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'On Saturday morning he attempted to hurt himself, to commit suicide. The custody team intervened and he is now on a 24-hour watch.

'On two separate occasions he told custody sergeants when he is released he will kill himself, he has nothing to live for. How realistic that is, we don't know, but having already tried to harm himself while in prison, he should be remanded in custody for his own safety.'

Trickett was found dead at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire, six days after his release

But Julian Hayes, defending, played down the suicide attempt, which he blamed on Trickett's medical condition.

He said: 'He suffers from hypogonadism, a hormone deficiency that requires testosterone, which he takes every other day.

'He wasn't getting that in custody and as a result his mood crashed and he did endeavour to self-harm. It was more a cry for help than a genuine attempt.'

Mr Hayes told the court it was 'in the interests of his own welfare' to release Trickett on bail and suggested he could report daily to a police station.

Yesterday a Thames Valley Police spokesman said Trickett's body had been found six days later: 'At around 5.15pm on Sunday, officers attended Grenfell Park, Maidenhead.

'Emergency treatment was commenced but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.'

The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
The Charlise Mutten murder trial has heard how the nine-year-old's body was bound with bloodstained ties and buried in a sand-filled barrel with her pink Nike slides.

The barrel was then dumped by a lonely riverbank, where it was later discovered by detectives before being taken to Sydney's major mortuary, the court was told.

On Wednesday, the jury heard details of the schoolgirl's post-mortem examination and where she sustained gunshot wounds.

The alleged murder weapon - a BSA .22 calibre bolt-action rifle, which had been wrapped in plastic with its magazine, ammunition and scope - was also shown to the jury, who were allowed to handle it as they passed it around.

The court was later told of a comment accused killer Justin Stein made at a dinner party weeks before Charlise's alleged murder.

A dinner guest told the court that Stein had said: 'If anything happened and the child didn't go back to Queensland that he would end up in prison again.'

Stein, 33, the former fiance of Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten, 40, is on trial at NSW Supreme Court in Parramatta accused of shooting her nine-year-old daughter.

Grisly details about how Charlise Mutten's (above) body was buried in sand in a barrel with her pink Nike slides have emerged in the trial of her alleged murderer, Justin Stein

The body of schoolgirl Charlise was found in a foetal position in the barrel (pictured in the back of the red ute) which was dumped on the banks of the Colo River in January 2022

At the time of her death, Charlise was visiting her mother during the school holidays at Stein's family property at Mount Wilson in the NSW Blue Mountains.

Stein, who was engaged to Ms Mutten at the time, is accused of killing the girl between 7.16pm on January 11 and 10.06am on January 12, 2022.

He was arrested on January 18 after Charlise's body was found in a barrel on the Colo River, 58km from Mount Wilson.

He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Charlise, but has said he helped dispose of the child's remains.

Homicide Squad Detective Senior Constable Justin Haydon revealed he had gone to to search the riverbank at a set of GPS co-ordinates taken from Stein's mobile phone.

He told the court he found a 'red-brown coloured drum with a lid  down an embankment' which was later recovered via a hydraulic crane.

After unscrewing the barrel lid and clearing sand away, police located 'what appeared to be human remains'.

They immediately resealed the barrel which was then taken to the morgue at Lidcombe in Sydney.

Former forensics and crime scene police officer, Mitchell James, described how the post-mortem of 'the unknown female within the barrel' began at 8.30am on January 20, 2022.

Reading from his post-autopsy statement, Mr James said 'the deceased appeared to be head down in a foetal position... bound with a number of blood-stained wrappings'.

Also inside the barrel was up to 100kg of sand, vegetation and soil 'with apparent blood staining', he said.

'The deceased was bound in a number of bloodstained wrappings, her head and legs... in a bloodstained blue tarpaulin with clear and brown packing style tape' and a 'plastic bag with a pair of pink Nike slides,' he told the court.

The custody of Kallista Mutten's (above) daughter Charlsie was a topic of discussion at a dinner party not long before the schoolgirl's alleged shooting murder

Kallista Mutten's heavy ice use has been laid bare during the trial

Mr James said the girl's head and torso was within a white plastic woven bag, which was bloodstained and bound with black tape.

Apart from the pink Nike slides, Charlise clothes included a black jacket, red shirt, boys' boys black track pants, a size 10 black Target skirt 'with penetrating damage to the rear' and a sole black, hooped earring in her left earlobe.

An internal examination during the post-mortem revealed lead fragments in the deceased girl's brain and in her left hip.

Examination of the body also found a 5mm x 5mm entry wound to the right cheek where the bullet struck and dislodged a tooth and stuck in the base of the skull.

There was also an oval-shaped entry wound to the lower left back above the right hip which was 5mm high and 8mm wide and had perforated the pelvic bone.

Tony Hutt, one of the Steins' next-door neighbours at Mount Wilson, told the court he frequently socialised with Stein's mother, Annemie, at dinner parties at their respective homes.

He described a bizarre encounter with Stein when he was lying face down in a culvert and claimed he was 'digging for treasure' when he was disturbed by Mr Hutt and his German Shepherd dog.

Mr Hutt told the court he later led police to that location where they allegedly found two firearms, the .22 BSA rifle and a .30 lever action Winchester rifle.

On another occasion at a dinner with Stein, his mother, Charlise and Kallista, he told the court the accused had made an odd remark.

The post mortem revealed details about the 9-year-old's fatal gunshot wounds sustained while on holiday with her mother and then stepfather, Justin Stein

Justin Stein, 33, is charged with the alleged murder of Charlise Mutten while the schoolgirl was staying at his family property, Wildenstein

Describing Ms Mutten's apparent relationship with her daughter as 'exceptional', Mr Hutt said the question of Charlise's custody was discussed.

Due to Ms Mutten's extensive drug history with methamphetamines, Charlise normally lived with her maternal grandparents at Tweed Heads.

The court heard Ms Mutten had been using 17 points of ice daily and been admitted to hospital twice in the months before Charlise's planned visit.

But Mr Hutt said on that night Ms Mutten had remarked that she might just 'take off' with her daughter.

Mr Hutt said he also remembered one remark in particular from Stein about Charlise.

'I can remember the conversation,' he told the court.

'Justin said that if anything happened and the child didn't go back to Queensland that he would end up in prison again.'

The trial before Justice Helen Wilson continues.
Mark Latham's defence of a homophobic, explicit tweet angered fellow MP Alex Greenwich and made his stomach churn, a court has been told.

Mr Greenwich has sued the former NSW One Nation leader for defamation in the Federal Court over a tweet sent in March 2023, days after the state election.

Mr Latham's sexually explicit tweet was in response to an earlier post quoting the independent state MP describing him as a 'disgusting human being'.

Mr Greenwich claims Mr Latham's post defamed him by claiming he engaged in disgusting sexual acts and was not fit to be a politician.

He also alleges that statements made by Mr Latham and published in the Daily Telegraph in April 2023 defamed him further by accusing him of grooming children in schools.

State One Nation leader Mark Latham (pictured) is being sued over a homophobic tweet directed at independent MP Alex Greenwich who called him a 'disgusting human being'

Appearing in the witness box on Wednesday, Mr Greenwich said Mr Latham's defence angered and saddened him while making his stomach churn.

'I've been in public life for a long time,' he told the court.

'I have... tried to just make the point that gay people are normal, we're just like everybody else.'

He denied Mr Latham's attempts to say he had gone into schools to talk with kids about sexual activity, he said.

'I don't and I wouldn't.'

The online sparring match between the two politicians came after violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest where Mr Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023.

Around 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church, the court heard.

In opening the case, Mr Greenwich's barrister Matt Collins KC said Mr Latham's tweet had unleashed a torrent of abuse, including death threats, despite only being online for two hours and 20 minutes.

'Our case is that in (that time), the course of Mr Greenwich's life changed,' he told Justice David O'Callaghan.

The ex-One Nation leader had played on two tired stereotypes - that gay people were somehow depraved and a danger to children - when making his comments, Dr Collins said.

The barrister said while his client had attempted to engage in a bona-fide debate arising out of the violent incident, his opponent took a different route.

'Mr Latham, rather than engaging in that debate, went as low as possible,' he said.

Mr Greenwich (pictured) claims Mr Latham's post defamed him by claiming he engaged in disgusting sexual acts and was not fit to be a politician

Latham wrote: 'Disgusting? How does that compare with sticking your d*** up a bloke's a*** and covering it with s***?'

The abuse, both online and in messages to his Sydney electoral office, included claims Mr Greenwich was a groomer and a pedophile and that death was too good for him, the court was told.

The violent nature of these words caused serious harm to the independent MP, Dr Collins said.

'As a result of Mr Latham's conduct, he gets panic attacks, he feels anxious, he lacks in confidence,' the barrister said.

'He finds himself becoming overly emotional, crying, he is reluctant to attend large gatherings out of fear.'

Under cross-examination by Mr Latham's barrister Keiran Smark SC, Mr Greenwich denied his initial comment to a Sydney Morning Herald journalist calling Mr Latham a disgusting human being was intended to provoke.

'This was the first instance of political violence in an election period in Australia for some time,' Mr Greenwich told the court.

'There had been a campaign by Mr Latham to target vulnerable members of the LGBT community.

'Those two things combined, I believe my assessment was appropriate.'

The former federal Labor opposition leader will not take the stand.

The hearing continues.
The boss of Santander UK - who earns 3.3million a year - has admitted he works from home and wouldn't have accepted the job if he'd had to work in London five days a week.

Mike Regnier, the chief executive of one of Britain's biggest banks, spends up to two days a week working in the company's main offices in Milton Keynes and London.

For the rest of the week, the 52-year-old works from his home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, or travels the country to visit branches and other satellite offices.

Regnier says he would not have accepted the job if he had to travel in for work everyday and says it is not 'absolutely vital' that people spend their entire working week in the office.

He was previously working as the chief executive of the Yorkshire Building Society, whose headquarters was located in the region, and lived in the country for two decades with his family.

But in April 2022, Regnier was lured to join Santander after the bank allowed him to work out of the office most of the time.

Mike Regnier, the chief executive of one of Britain's biggest banks, spends up to two days a week working in the company's main offices in Milton Keynes and London

Speaking to the Guardian, Regnier said: 'I don't think it's absolutely vital that people spend all five days a week in the office as they did pre-Covid.

'And, actually, had it not been for Covid, I wouldn't have accepted this job, because I wouldn't have wanted to be away from home five days a week in London. That wouldn't have been good for the family or for me.'

The 19,000 staff members at Santander UK, which is owned by Spanish parent Banco Santander, are expected to be in the office two days a week.

Earlier this year, workers at Disney were demanded to return to the office for four-days-a-week after managing director Bob Iger said 'nothing can replace' staff being physically together.

Furthermore, Goldman Sachs chief executive David Solomon said working from home was an 'aberration' that was bad for collaboration and innovation.

But Regnier, a father-of-two, said he lost a lot of quality time with his own father, as would spend hours commuting by train to London from Leatherhead in Surrey in his role as an oil economist.

The chief executive made the move to Yorkshire 20 years ago after he and his wife decided they did not want to raise children in London.

He added: 'He was an amazing father. One of those people who's extremely hard-working and felt that was the most important thing in life. So [he was] not absent, but I probably didn't see as much of him as my kids see of me now.'

Regnier (pictured at Santander HQ in Milton Keynes) says he would not have accepted the job if he had to travel in for work everyday

Staff members at Santander UK, which is owned by Spanish parent Banco Santander, are expected to be in the office two days a week (file image)

Regnier career initially began in consulting before he found his first senior role in Asda.

He was then convinced to switch careers and join the fast-growing HBOS bank - which was a successful bank in Halifax at the time - in 2006.

However, it went spectacularly wrong and Halifax Bank of Scotland's bosses accumulated 45bn in debts that required a 20bn taxpayer bailout after an emergency takeover by Lloyds TSB in 2008.

The biggest thing Regnier learned from the experience was the 'importance of good culture in the banking sector'.

He then went on to join TSB Bank, before being asked to join Yorkshire Building Society, where he was told he would have a shot at becoming chief executive - a role he held for five years between 2017 and 2021.

Surprisingly, Regnier had never intended to go into the financial world, having wanted to follow in the footsteps on his grandfather and become and engineer.

However, he was convinced to take a combined engineering, economics and management degree at Oxford after his father told him that 'in the UK, it's accountants who run industry'.
An infant girl has fallen from a hotel balcony, sparking an urgent helicopter rescue mission.

A Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter rescue crew flew to Wahroonga, in Sydneys Upper North Shore, about 11am on Wednesday, following reports of the horror fall.

CareFlights specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the little girl at the scene and then took her by road to The Childrens Hospital at Westmead.

The infant girl is in a stable condition.
A woman who was stabbed near a primary school in Luton was the victim of a 'targeted attack', police have revealed.

The victim - understood to be an Albanian woman in her 20s who lived nearby - was knifed repeatedly just after dropping her children off and taken to hospital with serious injuries on Tuesday morning.

Bedfordshire Police confirmed the victim was currently in a stable condition following the attack which happened near Beech Hill Community Primary School in Dunstable Road at 8.30am.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and is currently being questioned by Bedfordshire Police, who continue to have a strong presence in the area.

According to the locals in the area, the woman was first chased down the street and then held by the throat, before screaming: 'Help me, help me I'm losing blood.'

Detective Chief Inspector Marios Wheeler revealed that detectives were treating the stabbing as a 'targeted attack' and believe the young woman was known to the offender.

Police officers and forensic officers by a forensic tent at the scene in Luton, where a woman has been seriously injured in a stabbing near a school on Tuesday

The victim - understood to be an Albanian woman who lived nearby - was stabbed repeatedly just after dropping her children off and left in a pool of blood

Detective Chief Inspector Marios Wheeler, investigating, said: 'We are treating this as a targeted attack on a young woman who was known by the offender, and would reassure the public that there is no wider risk to them.

'That said, the incident took place at a busy time of day and was witnessed by several people. We would urge people with any information whatsoever to come forward.

'We understand this incident is worrying for pupils and parents of the school, local residents and the wider community. A dedicated team is working closely with our partners to reassure people who live, work and study in the area.

'Our officers will remain at the scene to ensure we carry out a thorough investigation and bring the person responsible to justice.'

Following the attack, staff at the school put the premises into lockdown for an hour.

Police confirmed that all children at the school were safe and there was no wider threat to the public.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries after she was stabbed outside a primary school. Here is a look at Dunstable Road on a map

Another look at the forensic officers on Dunstable Road. The stabbing took place at 8.30am during the school drop-off

Councillor Javeria Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Education, said: 'Whilst this was an isolated incident outside of the school grounds, I would like to commend the professionalism of the school staff in implementing the correct procedures rapidly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and staff.

'The school was on lockdown for approximately one hour purely as a precautionary measure. We fully appreciate that some staff and pupils may be affected by today's incident therefore we have ensured that emotional support services are available to all who may require it.'

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Noriker.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said: 'We are investigating the stabbing of a woman near a school in Dunstable Road, Luton shortly after 8.30am this morning (Tuesday).

'The victim has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. One man has been arrested and is currently in police custody.

'All children are safe within the school and there is no wider threat to the public. Police will maintain a strong presence in the area for reassurance.'
Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells today issued a grovelling apology to the victims of the Horizon scandal.

The 65-year-old businesswoman said she was 'very, very sorry' as she took to the witness box at the public inquiry into why hundreds of branch managers were wrongly prosecuted amid claims they stole from the business.

Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 after Horizon, owned by Japanese company Fujitsu, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

The scandal was deemed the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history, while Ms Vennells' central role in it was portrayed in ITV's acclaimed drama series Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, prompting much public anger at what happened.

Ms Vennells, who was chief executive at the company from 2012 to 2019, began her evidence by turning directly to campaigners and victims, sat a short distance away from her.

Vennells did not answer any questions as she entered Aldwych House earlier this morning. At the beginning of her evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry today, Vennells was given a self-incrimination warning.

The warning made clear she could decline to answer a question and the chairman Sir Wyn Williams said her objection would be ruled upon thereafter.

Vennells continued: 'I would just like to say, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others who suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long.'

As Vennells spoke, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing.

Paula Vennells is sworn in to the Horizon inquiry at Aldwych House today

Paula Vennells is pictured giving evidence to the Horizon Inquiry at Aldwych House on Wednesday

As Vennells spoke, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing

One woman (centre) places her hands on her face as she watches the inquiry from Fenny Compton

Vennells continued: 'I followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and I was very affected by them. I remember listening to one postmaster whose name I noted who said that he would like somebody to go and stand outside his old Post Office with him so he could tell them exactly what he had gone through. I would do that. I am very, very sorry.'

She also said sorry to the campaigners and investigators, whose work she said was made 'so much harder'.

She added: 'My third apology is really about today.

'I will answer the questions truthfully. I am very aware they will be very difficult to listen to, for you and for me, and I ask for your understanding in advance of that.'

Ms Vennells said she was 'too trusting' when Jason Beer KC, lead lawyer for the inquiry, opened his questioning by asking if she was 'the unluckiest CEO (chief executive officer) in the United Kingdom.'

Ms Vennells said: 'As the inquiry has heard, there was information I wasn't given and others didn't receive as well.

'One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting.'

She said she was 'disappointed' that information 'wasn't shared' with her.

Mr Beer asked: 'Was there a conspiracy at the Post Office which lasted for nearly 12 years involving a wide range of people, differing over time, to deny you information and to deny you documents and to falsely give you reassurance.'

Ms Vennells smiled briefly as she replied: 'No I don't believe that was the case.'

She added: 'I have been disappointed - particularly more recently listening to evidence at the inquiry - where I think I have learnt that people know more than perhaps they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.

'My deep sorrow in this is I think individuals, myself included, maybe didn't see things, didn't hear things. Conspiracy feels too far-fetched.'

She pointed the finger at unnamed 'colleagues' who 'did know more information than was shared'.

There was a small ripple of laughter as Ms Vennells said she was sometimes criticised in team development events 'for being too curious'.

She told the inquiry: 'I asked questions, I oversaw the strategy which would have introduced changes where we felt it was appropriate to the organisation.

'I probed, I worked in a structured way and an informal way.'

Post Office boss Paula Vennells gestures as she gives evidence to the inquiry at Aldwych House, central London

Ms Vennells, pictured giving evidence as part of phases five and six of the Post Office inquiry, which is looking at governance, redress and how the Post Office and others responded to the scandal

Paula Vennells, 65, was CEO of the Post Office for much of the time subpostmasters were being wrongly prosecuted

Paula Vennells was told almost a decade ago that some postmasters had potentially been wrongly convicted

Mock-up of the email sent by former Post Office boss Paula Vennells after she received detailed case files of eight subpostmasters that had potentially been wrongly convicted

Ms Vennells denied continuing to blame the Horizon system for the failures in her witness statement which said 'lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system'.

Mr Beer asked: 'Even after all the inquiry has revealed and the thousands of documents you've read, do you continue to think that the issue was with the computer system, the Horizon system, as opposed to the conduct, competence and ethics of those within the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, and apologies if that is not clear.

'What I meant to say is as a result of all of the matters relating to Horizon.'

She denied Mr Beer's suggestion that the comment in her witness statement, submitted less than two months ago but read for the first time in public today, was 'a perpetuation of a culture that ran through the Post Office of failing to take responsibility for the use of powers that it elected to use, and indeed use robustly, and instead blame the IT'.

Ms Vennells replied: 'No, it isn't that at all. 'The tragedy we are dealing with today is the result of something much, much broader than an IT system.'

Ms Vennells said she believed there had been no miscarriages of justice - wrongly prosecuting any subpostmaster for false accounting due to faults with Horizon - by the time she left the organisation in 2019, four years after such prosecutions ceased.

Inquiry lawyer Mr Beer asked: 'Did you believe right up until the point at which you left the business, there had been no 'miscarriages of justice?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'I was told multiple times  that there had been no evidence found. I was told that nothing had been found.'

Asked again if she believed when she stepped back from the Post Office that there had been no miscarriages of justice, Ms Vennells replied: 'I think that's right.'

Mr Beer asked: 'Were you clear in your convictions that nothing had gone wrong in your time at the Post Office, so far as Horizon was concerned and the prosecution of subpostmasters was concerned?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, there were problems with Horizon all the way through my tenure.'

Ms Vennells, wearing a grey trouser suit and orange scarf, was met by bustling crowds as she arrived at the inquiry centre in central London shortly before 8am, two hours before her eagerly-awaited evidence began.

Seema Misra, who ran a Post Office in West Byfleet, Surrey, and was jailed in 2010 after being accused of stealing 74,000, told reporters she urged Ms Vennells to 'for god's sake, speak truth'.

More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted for theft by the Post Office and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015 as Fujitsu's faulty IT system, known as Horizon, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

Many were sent to jail and bankrupted, while at least four are believed to have taken their own lives over it.

Prosecutions continued to happen under Ms Vennells' watch despite repeatedly being told there were concerns about the reliability of the evidence.

Ms Vennells initially submitted a short statement to the long-running inquiry three years ago in which her legal team said she had been 'deeply disturbed' after judges ruled the prosecution of subpostmasters was 'an affront to justice'.

Her statement added: 'What has come to light, above all in relation to the conduct of private prosecutions of sub-postmasters over a lengthy period, was clearly unacceptable.'

But today marks the first time Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest, has given live evidence to the inquiry - and offered her the opportunity to respond to a litany of allegations about her time at the Post Office.

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry

Earlier, speaking ahead of her appearance, Ms Hamilton has said she Vennells 'knew' people were being wrongly convicted.

She told GMB she 'almost fainted' after pleading guilty to false accounting charges and being told she would not receive a custodial sentence.

'I was so relieved, I had tears pouring down my face,' Ms Hamilton said.

'I think she has to have known it's been going on, she can't be stupid to be CEO and you have to know.

'But how much she knew we're going to find out, but she had to know what was going on because she was head of the tree.

'I sat behind her in the select committee in 2015 and you could see from the body language, I believe she knew then in 2015.'

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry - even having her number blocked by ex-head of IT Lesley Sewell after seeking her help to avoid one.

The inquiry heard this included standing by the conviction of Jo Hamilton, and authorising the wrongful prosecution of Lee Castleton, both of which were featured in the ITV drama.

Ms Hamilton was falsely accused of taking the money from the Post Office branch she ran in South Warnborough, Hampshire.

She eventually pleaded guilty to false accounting in fear of going to jail - having twice re-mortgaged her house - and was prosecuted in 2006, but had her conviction quashed in 2021 when she was found to be a victim of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

In a letter to Lord James Arbuthnot, Ms Hamilton's then-MP, in 2012, Ms Vennells wrote: 'There has been no evidence to support any of the allegations and we have no reason to doubt the integrity of the system, which we remain confident is robust and fit for purpose.'

Lord Arbuthnot said Ms Vennells and senior colleagues 'had become defensive, legalistic, and determined to keep from MPs information about which they had previously promised to be open' when he and others began to raise concerns about the prosecutions.

The inquiry heard Ms Vennells likely signed off the trial bill of more than 300,000 to prosecute Mr Castleton, after a 23,000 shortfall during a 12-week period at his branch in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Mr Castleton repeatedly asked the Post Office for help but was sacked and sued for refusing to repay the cash. He was made bankrupt after a two-year legal bill and ordered to pay more than 300,000 for the company's legal bill.

Speaking before Ms Vennells gave evidence, Mr Castleton said: 'It's a good platform for her to finally speak. She's not been able to, for whatever reason, speak for all these years. I think it's important that she is listened to and heard and then we can all judge that.'

He said he was hoping to hear 'the truth'.

Asked what message he would send to Ms Vennells if he could, Mr Castleton said: 'This is your chance to put it out there. The world's listening, if you like. Do what you feel is right.'

The Post Office has come under fire since the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, which put the Horizon scandal under the spotlight

Earlier this year, ITV bosses announced the first episode of Mr Bates vs. the Post Office had been watched by 9.2million viewers

Ms Vennells is said to have maintained Horizon was 'robust' and was so wedded to issues being a fault with the subpostmasters rather than the software that she falsely told a Government minister in 2012 that the courts found in the Post Office's favour 'in every instance' when prosecuting subpostmasters for theft or false accounting.

She also suggested that 'temptation was an issue' for branch workers, and that some had been 'borrowing' money from the tills.

Ms Vennells forfeited her CBE for services to the Post Office and to charity earlier this year after 'bringing the honours system into disrepute' following the public backlash brought on by the TV series.

She was handed the honour in 2019, just a month before quitting the beleaguered government-owned company.

ITV News reported that the October 2013 email, as well as a recording of a phone conversation involving Ms Vennells, confirmed she was sent case files of eight subpostmasters.

The email from Ms Vennells to Ron Warmington, a forensic accountant with firm Second Sight who were drafted in to review independently the Horizon system, read: 'Apart from finding them very disturbing (I defy anyone not to), I am now even better informed.

'The form you have devised is very helpful as it removes some of the emotion and highlights very clearly areas we need to address as well as investigate for the mediation process, which I hope will bring closure for some of these people.

'As I said... I take this very seriously...'

In 2015, she told MPs she had seen no evidence of miscarriages of justice and that there were no faults in the Horizon system.

Counsel to the inquiry are likely to probe Ms Vennells on whether she deliberately misled the business select committee.

The revelation has been described by Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi as the 'smoking gun' that is the cover-up of the Horizon IT scandal and has called on her to 'finally admit the truth'.

Jason Beer KC previously told the probe she made a false statement in 2012 to then Conservative MP Oliver Letwin when she wrote about the prosecution of subpostmasters, in which she said: 'In every instance, the court has found in our favour.'

Questions about the Post Office's alleged 'defensive and self-absorbed' culture also loom over Ms Vennells - with the business's current chief financial officer Alisdair Cameron speaking of an 'unacceptable, self-serving' relationship with subpostmasters.

He told the probe that Ms Vennells had been 'clear in her conviction from the day I joined that nothing had gone wrong' - adding that she did not believe there had been any miscarriages of justice.

She has not yet spoken in detail about her role in the scandal, but previously apologised for the 'devastation caused to subpostmasters and their families'.

Ms Vennells was made a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List 'for services to the Post Office and to charity', but voluntarily handed the honour back after a petition attracted more than 1.2 million signatures.

The Metropolitan Police previously said they are looking at 'potential fraud offences' arising out of the prosecution of subpostmasters; for example, 'monies recovered... as a result of prosecutions or civil actions'.

Two Fujitsu experts, who were witnesses in the trials, are being investigated for perjury and perverting the course of justice - but nobody has been arrested since the inquiry was launched in January 2020.

There are unlikely to be any criminal charges until inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams completes his final report, which is expected to be published next year.

In the meantime, hundreds of subpostmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts.
Britain's rental market is booming, as experts say hired and second-hand items are no longer the subject of stigma, but rather seen as a 'badge of honour'.

Renting goods has been revolutionised over the past decade, with shoppers now able to hire everything from high-end bikes and flash cars to designer dresses without breaking the bank.

It has seen the fashion market smashed wide open, allowing people to remain eco-conscious and keep up with the latest trends while still keeping a firm hand on the purse strings.

This was famously demonstrated when Carrie Symonds rented a white Christos Costarellos gown for 45 for her high-profile marriage to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The latest to join the ranks of the renters is Peloton, who announced that customers can now hire their equipment for just 99 a month, a noticeably cheaper alternative to the hefty 1,995 price tag for a new one.

Carrie Symonds, aka the third Mrs Boris Johnson, pioneered a new thrifty, eco-conscious but and stylish approach, by hiring her wedding dress (pictured) for just 45

The latest to join the ranks of the renters is Peloton , who announced that customers can now rent their equipment for just 99 a month, a noticeably cheaper alternative to the hefty 1,995 price tag for a new one

John Lewis and M&S jumped into the fashion renting market two years ago, which is expected to be worth 2billion by 2025, by offering their 'dress for hire' services allowing customers to pay a fee to rent an item for up to 20 days

As the New York based exercise company marked its fall from grace this week when its share price hit 97 per cent below its 2020 peak, when the indoor bikes were the Covid 'must have'.

John Lewis and M&S jumped into the fashion renting market two years ago - expected to be worth 2billion by 2025 - by offering their 'dress for hire' services allowing customers to pay a fee to rent an item for up to 20 days.

John Lewis' mission was to create 'a more sustainable way of shopping', and through its partnership with Hurr, it meant users could rent a Chanel minidress for 51 or a Balenciaga bag for just 130.

Sarah Montano, a professor of retail marketing at Birmingham University told MailOnline: 'There is now longer a stigma around the renting of goods or second-hand shopping, in fact with sustainability and environmental factors key in customer's decision making - the option to rent or buy is preferable.

'Saying that your clothes are rented or second-hand is now a badge of honour, that shows how shopping savvy you are.'

She added: 'Renting offers people a way to get the feeling of fast-fashion and the dopamine hit of pleasure but with the added sense of smart bargain hunting.'

A survey by Accenture of 6,000 people in 11 countries across North America, Asia and Europe showed that 72 per cent are buying more environmentally-friendly products than they were five years ago, and 81 per cent said they expect to continue becoming more environmentally-conscious in their purchasing habits.

Personal contract hire allows customers to buy a more expensive car than they might be able to afford because of the lower monthly payments

Brompton bicycles also offers a rental service that allows customers to hire one of its folding bikes for 5 a day from one of more than 70 lockers nationwide, meaning its users don't have to fork out over 950 for a brand new one

In 2020, John Lewis launched a similar partnership allowing customers to rent furniture including bed frames, bar stools and statement sofas, with prices starting at 17 a month for a desk or chair rented for a year and rising for larger goods.

Almost its entire collection was hired within 48 hours.

Brompton bicycles also offers a rental service that allows customers to hire one of its folding bikes for 5 a day from one of more than 70 lockers nationwide, meaning its users don't have to fork out over 950 for a brand new one.

Launched 14 years ago from a luggage desk at Waterloo station, Brompton Bike Hire now also lets riders hire a fully-insured bike on-the-go, for anything from 24 hours to long-term if you want to take it on holidays with you.

It is even popular now to lease your car for two to four years, then trade it in for a newer model, rather than buy it outright.

Personal contract hire allows customers to buy a more expensive car than they might be able to afford because of the lower monthly payments.

Professor Jim Saker from Loughborough University said: 'In the car industry there is a strong move especially among city based young people that they want to use but not necessarily own cars.

'Subscription schemes are being launched so that you can choose a specific type of car eg SUV for the weekend or holiday then a small car for journeys around town.

'This mind set opens the possibility of using as opposed to owning an up-market vehicle for a special occasion. Historically it has always been done for weddings  a very posh Uber!'
The founder of Naver Corp., the operator of Korea's biggest internet portal, has called for the creation of various artificial intelligence models to reflect cultural diversity at a global AI summit, the company said Wednesday.

"We need to develop various AI models that understand different cultural and environmental context of each region and provide colorful perspectives," Lee Hae-jin, currently Naver's global investment officer, said during the leaders' session of the AI Seoul Summit held Tuesday.

The leaders' session was hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the first day of the two-day AI Seoul Summit.

Leaders from the Group of Seven countries  the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan  also attended, with tech industry leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and representatives from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and Meta.

Lee expressed concern about the danger of only a few AI models, which would limit future generations' perspective on history and culture.

"Unlike search engines that allow users to select information from various search results of a certain keyword, AI gives no choice but to accept its answer," Lee said, noting such a characteristic can have a huge impact on children.

"Naver will provide technological support to create various AI models that respect and understand the cultures and values of different regions with responsibility so that countries around the world can have an independent, sovereign AI," he added.

Naver plans to unveil its AI Safety Framework next month as part of efforts to enhance innovation and inclusiveness in AI technologies.

On Tuesday, the AI Seoul Summit adopted a declaration on promoting safe, innovative and inclusive AI to address challenges and opportunities associated with the technology.

The AI Global Forum is set to take place at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology on the following day to discuss actions to create an effective AI governance. (Yonhap)
The Singapore Airline turbulence disaster which resulted in the death of a British grandfather and dozens of injuries is the latest in a string of incidents affecting passengers on Boeing's 777 jets.

The triple sevens are among the bestselling long haul aircraft in the world, and were the first commercial jets designed entirely by computer.

But since coming into service in 1995, they have been at the centre of a number of controversies - including in April when a whistleblower accused Boeing of taking shortcuts when building it.

Pilot and crew error, as well as undiagnosed faults and misfortune, can all play a part in air disasters, which the 777s have been no stranger to over the years - with crash-landings to engine problems and parts of the plane falling out of the sky.

Here, MailOnline looks at the times passengers and crew on the aircraft have had their lives put at risk.

A passenger died and dozens of others were injured on a flight from London to Singapore, forcing an emergency landing in Thailand. Pictured: The plane and ambulances are seen on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, has been identified as the British passenger who died aboard the Boeing 777 plane

Fight SQ321's sudden drop unleashed mayhem onboard and forced the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi

Beijing to London - British Airways Flight 38 - January 2008

British Airways Flight 38 crashed just short of the runway when it was landing at Heathrow on January 17 2008.

The Boeing 777-200ER, which had flown in from Beijing early that morning, with its flight path over Mongolia, Siberia, and Scandinavia - where temperatures were as low as 74C (101 F) - meaning the crew kept a close eye on the fuel temperatures.

While the fuel itself did not freeze, small amounts of water in it did - forming a slush of ice.

It did not affect the flight until it was coming into landing, with the frozen liquid blocking the flow of fuel to the engines.

The passenger jet suffered a loss of power - which the pilot and first officer cleverly mitigated with their quick actions.

An internal BA investigation found that captain Peter Burkill changed the angles of the plane's wing flaps in order to reduce the drag, helping the aircraft to maintain speed.

A British Airways Boeing 777 aircraft which made an emergency crash landing at Heathrow airport after suffering engine failure on the approach to Heathrow

Meanwhile senior first officer John Coward pushed the plane's nose towards the ground in order to accelerate before levelling out just before the Boeing crashed on to the grass.

All 136 passengers and 16 crew on the flight were safely evacuated from the wreckage.

Miraculously, only one passenger suffered serious injuries - concussion and a broken leg - while four crew members and eight passengers sustained minor injuries.

Seoul to San Francisco - Asiana Airlines Flight 214 - Boeing 777-200 - July 2013

Asiana Airlines Flight 214's catastrophic landing short of the runway at San Francisco Airport was the first fatal crash of a 777 since it entered service in 1995.

The flight from Incheon, near Seoul in South Korea, was about to land when the tail section broke off after striking the seawall before the runway.

Of the 307 people on board, three died in the crash. Another 187 were injured, 49 of them seriously - including four flight attendants who were thrown onto the runway.

The wreckage of Asiana Flight 214 lies on the ground after it crashed at the San Francisco International Airport in July 2013

An investigation into the cause of the crash concluded that it was caused by the flight crew's mismanagement of the final approach.

Contributing factors included Asiana Airlines' pilot training and deficiencies with Boeing's flight documentation.

India to Dubai - Emirates Flight 251 - August 2016

Emirates Flight 521 crashed as it aborted its landing at Dubai International Airport in August 2016.

The plane, which had flown in from Trivandrum, India, hit the runway and skidded some 800 metres and swung to the right as its landing gear was partly retracted.

The cabin began to fill with smoke as several fires started, with videos showing passengers grabbing their luggage and failing to evacuate quickly.

Incredibly, all 282 passengers and 18 crew on the flight did manage to escape through emergency exits as the cabin filled with smoke and were able to sprint to safety moments before the plane exploded into flames.

All of those on board, including 24 Britons and six Americans, were led to safety at Dubai International Airport, minutes before the Boeing 777 was completely destroyed in a massive fireball.

Emirates Flight 521 crashed as it aborted its landing at Dubai International Airport in August 2016. It caught on fire and was almost completely destroyed

Tragically, airport firefighter Jasim Issa Mohammed Hassan was killed as he helped to battle the blaze, while 32 people were injured including four with serious injuries.

The accident is the only hull loss of an Emirates aircraft.

A 2020 report into the accident concluded that 'The flight crew reliance on automation and lack of training in flying go-arounds from close to the runway significantly affected the flight crew performance in a critical flight situation which was different to that experienced by them during their simulated training flights.'

Denver to Hawaii - United Airlines Flight 328 - Boeing 777-200 - February 2021

United Airlines Flight 328 was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Denver when it suffered major damage to one of its engines.

Video recorded by passengers aboard the flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, which was carrying 231 travelers and 10 crew members, shows how the engine became engulfed in flames.

The pilot made a mayday call and diverted the Boeing 777-200 back to Denver and landed safely at 1.30pm local time, about 30 minutes after takeoff.

Video recorded by passengers aboard Flight UA328, which was carrying 231 travelers and 10 crew members, shows the engine on fire

Huge pieces of debris from the engine were shed by the plane over Denver, with pictures showing parts of the fuselage on a front lawn.

One homeowner in the suburb of Broomfield, Colorado told KMGH-TV they were making a sandwich in their kitchen when debris crashed through their roof and landed just two feet away.

Passengers described feeling the heat from the fire and many believed they were just moments dying. Miraculously, there were no reported injuries either on board or on the ground.

San Francisco to Osaka - United Airlines Flight 35- March 2024

The United Airlines flight 35 left San Francisco Airport on its way to Osaka in Japan and was barely off the runway when the Boeing 777-200's wheel came off

A 256lb wheel fell from a United Airlines plane shortly after take-off in San Francisco and crushed cars parked below as it plummeted to the ground.

The United Airlines flight 35 left San Francisco Airport on its way to Osaka in Japan and was barely off the runway when the Boeing 777-200's wheel came off.

Passengers said it felt like a routine take off, and were not told that something had gone wrong until around 10 minutes into the flight.

The plane with 235 passengers and 14 crew diverted to Los Angeles Airport after it was alerted to the landing gear failure.

The aircraft dumped fuel before making an emergency landing, with unharmed passengers having a three-hour layover before heading back on their journies.

Sydney to San Francisco - United Airlines Flight 830 - March 2024

A United Boeing jet bound for San Francisco (seen here) was forced to land after hydraulic fluid was filmed spewing from its landing gear area moments after take off

The forced landing happened as the San Francisco-bound 777-300 took off from Sydney, as fluid was seen leaking from its undercarriage

United Airlines Flight 830 was forced to land shortly after takeoff at Sydney Airport due to hydraulic fluid leaking from its landing gear area.

The incident on March 11 was reported to have been the fifth involving a Boeing plane in the span of seven days.

The forced landing happened as the Boeing 777-300 set off for its cross-Pacific flight to San Francisco with fluid filmed streaming from its undercarriage.

A United Airlines spokesperson said that the flight returned to Sydney due to a hydraulic leak, and added that the plane landed safely and passengers disembarked normally at the gate. There were no injuries.
Huge crowds of Iranians thronged the streets of Tehran today for the funeral march of president Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who died in a helicopter crash.

In the capital city centre, mourners clutching portraits of Raisi gathered in and around the University of Tehran, where Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the prayers.

The caskets of the dead were draped in Iranian flags with their pictures on them. On Raisi's coffin sat a black turban - signifying his direct descendance from Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Flanked by top officials - as well as leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah - Khamenei said prayers over the coffins of the dead, who also included Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

'Oh Allah, we didn't see anything but good from him,' Khamenei said in the standard prayer for the dead in Arabic, the language of Islam's holy book, the Quran.

Huge crowds of Iranians thronged the streets of Tehran today for the funeral march of president Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Iran 's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured centre), led the prayers over the coffins

Thousands of people lined the streets as the funeral procession moved through Tehran

The coffins were loaded onto a semitruck trailer for a procession through downtown Tehran to Azadi, or 'Freedom,' Square, where Raisi gave speeches in the past

Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber - who stepped into the role after Raisi's death, stood nearby and openly wept during the service.

In attendance were top leaders of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, one of the country's major power centres.

The leader of Palestinian group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, also joined the procession, as did the deputy leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Naim Qassem.

'I say once again... we are sure that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its support for the Palestinian people,' Haniyeh told the crowd.

'I come in the name of the Palestinian people, in the name of the resistance factions of Gaza ... to express our condolences.'

Haniyeh also recounted meeting Raisi in Tehran during Ramadan, the holy Muslim fasting month, and heard the president say the Palestinian issue remains the key one of the Muslim world.

The Muslim world 'must fulfil their obligations to the Palestinians to liberate their land,' Haniyeh said, recounting Raisi's words.

He also described Raisi calling the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war, which saw 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage, an 'earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity.' The war since has seen 35,000 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of others in the West Bank in Israeli operations.

As he spoke, people chanted 'Death to Israel'.

Khamenei soon left and the crowd inside rushed to the front, reaching out to touch the coffins. People then carried the coffins out on their shoulders, with more chants outside, this time of 'Death to America!'

They loaded them onto a semitruck trailer for a procession through downtown Tehran to Azadi, or 'Freedom,' Square, where Raisi gave speeches in the past.

Raisi's helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as he headed back to the city of Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan. Pictured: The wreckage of the crash is seen in this drone footage

Rescuers are seen working on the mountainside where the helicopter crashed on Sunday

A screen grab captured from a video shows from Akinci Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which participated in search and rescue operations for the helicopter carrying the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation in Iran on May 20, 2024

The Helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is seen leaving the site of the ceremony, hours before it crashed into the mountainside on May 19, 2024

Raisi's helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as he headed back to the city of Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan.

A huge search and rescue operation was launched, involving help from Turkey, Russia and the European Union.

State television announced Raisi's death early on Monday.

Raisi, who was widely expected to succeed Khamenei as supreme leader, was 63.

In the capital, huge banners have gone up hailing the late president as 'the martyr of service', while others bade 'farewell to the servant of the disadvantaged'.

Tehran residents received phone messages urging them to 'attend the funeral of the martyr of service'.

From the university, the coffins will be driven to the huge Enghelab Square in the city centre and on to Azadi Square, state media said.

Funeral rites for Raisi and his entourage began on Tuesday with processions through Tabriz and the Shiite clerical centre of Qom drawing tens of thousands of black-clad mourners.

From Tehran, the bodies will be taken to Iran's second city of Mashhad, Raisi's hometown in the northeast, where he will be buried on Thursday evening after funeral rites at the Imam Reza shrine.

Also expected to attend services in Tehran were Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Taliban of Afghanistan, including their Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi.

Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran, has declared five days of national mourning, encouraging people to attend the public mourning sessions.

Typically, government employees and schoolchildren attend such events en masse, while others take part out of patriotism, curiosity or to witness historic events.

Raisi was elected president in 2021.

He succeeded the moderate Hassan Rouhani at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear activities.

The ultra-conservative's time in office saw mass protests, a deepening economic crisis and unprecedented armed exchanges with arch-enemy Israel.

Vice president Mokhber, 68, has taken over as caretaker president until a June 28 election for Raisi's successor.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri, who was Amir-Abdollahian's deputy, has been named acting foreign minister.

The country's armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri has ordered an investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash.

After Raisi's death, global allies Russia and China sent their condolences, as did NATO, while the UN Security Council observed a minute's silence.

Messages of condolence also flooded in from Iran's allies around the region, including the Syrian government as well as Hamas and Hezbollah.

For Iran's Shiite theocracy, mass demonstrations have been crucial to demonstrating the legitimacy of their leadership since millions thronged the streets of Tehran to welcome Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution, and also attended his funeral 10 years later.

An estimated 1 million turned out in 2020 for processions for the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was slain in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

In that ceremony, Khamenei openly wept over Soleimani's casket alongside Raisi.

On Wednesday, Khamenei appeared composed, though he later hugged family members of the dead on his way out.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei leads a funeral prayer for late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials

A truck carrying the bodies of those killed in Sunday's helicopter crash is seen moving through Tehran as thousands of black-clad mourners throng the streets

Mourners hold posters of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a funeral ceremony for him and his companions who were killed in a helicopter crash, in Tehran, on May 22, 2024

Thousnads of people are seen in a main square in Tehran today for the funeral of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others killed in the crash

Mourners attend the funeral for victims of helicopter crash that killed Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others, in Tehran, Iran, May 22, 2024

Whether Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others draw the same crowd remains in question, particularly as Raisi died in a helicopter crash, won his office in the lowest-turnout presidential election in the country's history and presided over sweeping crackdowns on all dissent.

Prosecutors already have warned people over showing any public signs of celebrating his death and a heavy security force presence has been seen on the streets of Tehran since the crash.

Raisi, 63, had been discussed as a possible successor for Iran's supreme leader, the 85-year-old Khamenei.

His death now throws that selection into question, particularly as there is no heir-apparent cleric for the presidency ahead of planned June 28 elections.

Despite the mass show of support in Tehran, among Iranian communities abroad, few years are being shed. But there are not always loud cheers, either.

While some hope the demise of a powerful figure in Iran's authoritarian Islamic government may bring change, others fear it could result in more repression.

'It's a better world without him,' said Maryam Namazie, a UK-based women's rights campaigner. 'He is one of the pillars of the Islamic regime of Iran.

'He has been there since its inception.'

But, she added: 'Raisi, however much of a pillar he was, is expendable. There are many others to take his place.'

Inside Iran, authorities are keeping a tight lid on reaction to the deadly crash.

Outside Iran, some expatriates felt bold enough to dance in the street. Nazenin Ansari, editor of Kayhan London, a news website for Iranians abroad that is critical of the country's theocracy, said that within hours of news of Raisi's death, Iranians gathered in cities across Europe and beyond to celebrate.

The Iranian diaspora is large, including those who fled soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later waves who left because of continued repression or economic woes. More than half a million Iranians live in the US - many in California - and there are large communities in European cities, including London, Paris and Stockholm.

Dissidents have shared social media videos showing dozens of Iranians dancing and cheering in the streets of Toronto and Cologne, Germany, Ansari said.

'I understand their anger, I understand why they are celebrating,' she said.

'For me, I wish this guy stayed alive so he can be taken to an international court, to look in the eyes of his victims and reply to them. I'm sorry he won't be able to stand in a court of law and take responsibility for his actions.'

Raisi, 63, was reviled by opponents, and sanctioned by the U.S., for his role in mass executions of political prisoners at the end of Iran's long war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Many also hold Raisi responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in September 2022 after being detained for allegedly violating Iran's mandatory headscarf law.

Amini's death sparked mass protests against the country's ruling theocracy, and a security crackdown that saw more than 500 people killed and over 22,000 detained.

A UN fact-finding mission found Iranian authorities responsible for the 'physical violence' that led to Amini's death.

'Each member of this regime that goes is a victory for us,' said Guilda Torabi, spokesperson for the Homa association, an Iranian support group in France.

'It's a step forward, a little victory for the Iranian people. It's one step to vanquishing the regime. We are getting closer to the objective, which gives us hope.'

Even thousands of miles from Iran, some expatriates were unwilling to relax their reticence. Iranian critics of the government have been attacked overseas - including Pouria Zeraati, a newscaster with Farsi-language TV channel Iran International, who was stabbed in the leg near his London home in March.

The channel has been demonized for years by Iran's government, as well as other foreign-language Farsi broadcasters and their journalists.

Television in Iran is entirely state-controlled and run by hard-liners, often airing coerced confessions of prisoners.

In the Los Angeles area nicknamed 'Tehrangeles' - home to Persian cafes, ice cream parlors, grocery stores and rug shops - a husband and wife eating at the Pink Orchid bakery said that while they cheered the president's death, they were not optimistic it would bring major changes.

'Everyone knows someone worse is going to come,' said the wife, who grew up in Iran and left when she was 21.

The couple refused to give their names for fear of retaliation against family and friends who remain in Iran, as well as concerns about their own safety.

Poone, who only gave her first name for fear of retaliation against her family in Iran, said Raisi's death provided a measure of justice. She said the late president 'had a lot of blood on his hands.'

Others saw reason for hope.

As news of the crash circulated in Iran on Sunday night, anti-government chants could be heard in some areas of Tehran. Namazie said many Iranians shared dark jokes and social media memes.

Aliasghar Ramezanpoor, executive news director at Iran International, said many Iranians were contacting the station to express happiness at Raisi's death.

Iranians pass by a poster of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi two days after his death

Billboards pictured Raisi have spring up around Tehran

An Iranian woman passes by a poster of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi two days after his death at a religious-cultural production mall on May 21, 2024 in Tehran

Ramezanpoor said the Islamic Republic's authorities would likely be shaken by the realization that many Iranians saw the president's death as cause for celebration.

'People are talking about the crash as a kind of sign of hope,' he said. 'Everyone sees how losing a president (caused) national celebration - which sends a powerful message to everyone in the government.'

Namazie said political instability might bring more brutality as the government moved to repress dissent. But even so, 'any infighting opens up the space for people to be able to push back the regime, to weaken it.'

'It opens up the space for protest,' she said. 'That's what we need - from below, not any kind of regime change from above, not foreign intervention. People themselves will be able to challenge this regime and bring it to an end.'
Pro-Palestine TikTokers are being force revaluate their criticism of Amal Clooney as it was revealed that the human rights lawyer was behind the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants relating to the war in Gaza.

Among those targeted for warrants were Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas' leader Yahya Sinwar, both are accused of war crimes.

Prior to this development, Amal was accused of not using her platform to highlight the alleged plight of the Palestinian people. The attorney's father is Lebanese and her mother is a Sunni-Muslim of Palestinian ancestry.

The deadly war in Gaza that has so far killed over 35,000 Palestinians, at least half of them women and children, according to the latest estimates by Gaza health officials.

'I served on this Panel because I believe in the rule of law and the need to protect civilian lives,' Clooney wrote in a statement about her role in filing the warrants.

'The law that protects civilians in war was developed more than 100 years ago and it applies in every country in the world regardless of the reasons for a conflict.'

George Clooney and Amal Clooney pictured together in December 2023, the pair were roundly criticized over their human rights foundation's silence in the wake of October 7

A portion of the statement released by the foundation in the wake of the revelation involving Amal's role in the arrest warrants

At least one TikTok user compared Amal to DJ Khaled, the Palestinian-American music sensation who has remained silent on the issues.

Another, MillennialRox, said the Amal was more concerned with her Hollywood lifestyle than with the atrocities in Gaza.

MillenialRox also pointed out that Amal had been vocal in condemning Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

In January, the user Bored Bedouin posted a video saying: 'It's really disappointing that this hero for Arab girls has turned her back without uttering a single word for the Palestinian cause or the genocide in Gaza.'

That user also pointed out that in 2014, Amal refused the opportunity to investigate potential human rights abuses in Gaza perpetrated by Israeli forces.

The panel comprised experts in international humanitarian law and international criminal law, and two of its members are former judges at criminal tribunals in The Hague, where the ICC is based, Clooney wrote.

She added that their decision was unanimous. The panel also published an op-ed about its recommendation in the Financial Times on Monday.

In the wake of Hamas brutal assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, there had been no comment from the Clooney Foundation for Justice that Amal started with her husband in 2015.

'To me, it's disgusting that Amal Clooney is a Lebanese-born Palestinian herself, and still quiet as f**k. What a sham,' X user Mehrooz Waseem wrote in December.

Many of her former critics took to social media to apologize for their harsh comments about the human rights lawyer.

TikTokers MillennialRox, said the Amal was more concerned with her Hollywood lifestyle than with the atrocities in Gaza

In January, the user Bored Bedouin posted a video saying: 'It's really disappointing that this hero for Arab girls has turned her back without uttering a single word for the Palestinian cause or the genocide in Gaza'

One wrote on X: 'I fully take back criticism of Amal Clooney for not speaking publicly about Gaza. She couldn't as she was involved with the proceedings.'

Another said: 'Amal Clooney quietly working on the ICC proceedings to bring Israel to The Hague for war crimes while she was being dragged online for not posting about Gaza. Queen, sorry we doubted you.'

Clooney, a renowned human rights lawyer, was named as one of the six legal experts who helped British prosecutor Karim Khan come to the decision, announced today, to seek warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders.

Clooney revealed that she had been asked to help Khan evaluate the evidence of alleged war crimes in Gaza and Israel four months ago.

She added in a statement on her foundation's website: 'As a human rights lawyer, I will never accept that one child's life has less value than another's. I do not accept that any conflict should be beyond the reach of the law, nor that any perpetrator should be above the law.'

Israel and its allies have already lashed out at the ICC for its decision.

An Israeli official slammed the ICC's move as a 'baseless blood libel' against the country, while senior figures including President Isaac Herzog called the move 'outrageous,' saying it 'cannot be accepted by anyone'.

'[The] ICC prosecutor's baseless blood libel against Israel has crossed a red line in his lawfare efforts against the lone Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East,' the official said, according to the Financial Times.

Amal Clooney (pictured), a renowned human rights lawyer, was named as one of the six legal experts who helped British prosecutor Karim Khan come to the decision

Yahya Sinwar (pictured) was accused of committing severe war crimes in the Middle East

The ICC called for an arrest warrant to be issued against Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured)

Palestinians walk past damaged buildings in Khan Younis on April 8 2024

Hamas and Israel were accused of committing war crimes

'The blood libel will not deter Israel from defending itself and accomplishing all its just war objectives' in Gaza, the official added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday denounced as 'shameful' a bid by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to arrest Israeli leaders, rejecting the court's authority and saying the move put ceasefire efforts at risk.

'We reject the prosecutor's equivalence of Israel with Hamas. It is shameful,' Blinken said in a statement.

A spokesperson for British prime minister Rishi Sunak said: 'This action is not helpful in relation to reaching a pause in the fighting, getting hostages out or getting humanitarian aid in.'

'We fully respect the independence of the ICC,' Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer said. 'The fact however that the leader of the terrorist organisation Hamas whose declared goal is the extinction of the State of Israel is being mentioned at the same time as the democratically elected representatives of that very State is non-comprehensible.'

In an interview on Monday, Khan said the warrants are for war crimes and crimes against humanity over the October 7 attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent war in the Gaza Strip.

For months, Clooney was harrassed for not taking stance on the war in Gaza

Hamas' incursion into Israel killed around 1,200 people, almost all of whom were civilians, on October 7

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court has said today he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant - as well as three Hamas leaders

He said warrants were being sought for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (aka Mohammed Deif), the leader of the Al Qassem Brigades - Hamas' military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader.

Khan told CNN that the charges against the trio include 'extermination, murder, taking of hostages, rape and sexual assault in detention.'

'The world was shocked on the 7th of October when people were ripped from their bedrooms, from their homes, from the different kibbutzim in Israel,' Khan told CNN host Christiane Amanpour, adding that 'people have suffered enormously.'

In a separate statement, he said that he saw for himself 'the devastating scenes of these attacks and the profound impact of the unconscionable crimes charged in the applications filed today.

'Speaking with survivors, I heard how the love within a family, the deepest bonds between a parent and a child, were contorted to inflict unfathomable pain through calculated cruelty and extreme callousness. These acts demand accountability.'

He also said the ICC was applying for warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for their part in the assault on the Gaza strip that continues today.

'We have applied for warrants  of course the judges must determine whether or not to issue them, but we have applied today,' he told Amanpour.

He said the charges against Netanyahu and Gallant include 'crimes of causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.'

Speaking of Israel's actions, Khan said in a statement that 'the effects of the use of starvation as a method of warfare, together with other attacks and collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza are acute, visible and widely known.

'They include malnutrition, dehydration, profound suffering and an increasing number of deaths among the Palestinian population, including babies, other children, and women,' he added.

Khan said arrest warrants were being sought for three Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar (pictured, file photo)

Warrants are also being sought by the ICC for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (aka Mohammed Deif, pictured left), the leader of the Al Qassem Brigades - Hamas' military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader who is based in Qatar

An arrest warrant is also being sought for Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (pictured)

Several senior Israeli officials slammed the ICC's move to seek warrants against Netanyahu and his defence chief.

'Any attempt to draw parallels between these atrocious terrorists and a democratically elected government of Israel - working to fulfil its duty to defend and protect its citizens entirely in adherence to the principles of international law is outrageous and cannot be accepted by anyone,' President Herzog said.

Benny Gantz, an Israeli war cabinet minister, called the ICC's move a 'distortion'.

'Drawing parallels between the leaders of a democratic country determined to defend itself from despicable terror to leaders of a blood-thirsty terror organisation (Hamas) is a deep distortion of justice and blatant moral bankruptcy,' he said.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he would 'speak with foreign ministers of leading countries around the world to urge them to oppose the prosecutor's decision and declare that even if warrants are issued, they do not intend to enforce them against Israeli leaders.'

Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician and finance minister, said the decision was a 'show hypocrisy and Jew-hatred'.

'Arrest warrants against them are arrest warrants against us all,' he said.

Hamas also responded to the news.

'Hamas strongly denounces the attempts of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to equate the victim with the executioner by issuing arrest warrants against a number of Palestinian resistance leaders,' the terror group said.

'Hamas... demands the cancellation of all arrest warrants issued against leaders of the Palestinian resistance, for violating UN conventions and resolutions.'

On the other hand, war crimes prosecutor Reed Brody praised the ICC.

'Many thought this request would never come. Israeli leaders are finally facing a legal reckoning for their actions,' he said.

'Top Hamas officials likewise face justice for the cruel and inhuman taking of hostages and other crimes against humanity.

'ICC warrants if approved would make Netanyahu a wanted man, in the same category as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Omar al-Bashir of Sudan.'

In an interview on Monday, Karim Khan (pictured in April) said the warrants are for war crimes and crimes against humanity over the terror group's deadly October 7 attack and Israel's subsequent war in the Gaza Strip

The United Nations and other aid agencies have repeatedly accused Israel of hindering aid deliveries throughout the war. Israel denies this, saying there are no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and accusing the UN of failing to distribute aid.

The UN says aid workers have repeatedly come under Israeli fire, and also says ongoing fighting and a security vacuum have impeded deliveries.

Israel launched its war in response to an October 7 cross-border attack by Hamas that killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage.

The Israeli offensive has killed around 35,000 Palestinians, at least half of them women and children, according to the latest estimates by Gaza health officials.

The Israeli offensive has also triggered a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, displacing roughly 80 percent of the population and leaving hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of starvation, according to UN officials.

The prosecutor must request the warrants from a pre-trial panel of three judges, who take on average two months to consider the evidence and determine if the proceedings can move forward.

Israel is not a member of the court, and even if the arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant do not face any immediate risk of prosecution.

But Khan's announcement deepens Israel's isolation as it presses ahead with its war, and the threat of arrest could make it difficult for the Israeli leaders to travel abroad.

Both Sinwar and Deif are believed to be hiding in Gaza as Israel tries to hunt them down. But Haniyeh, the supreme leader of the Islamic militant group, is based in Qatar and frequently travels across the region.

There was no immediate comment from either side when approached by the Associated Press, the news agency reported.

Meanwhile on Monday, Gallant said the Israeli military would expand its operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah in talks with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who met with Israeli military leadership in Tel Aviv.

Sullivan's visit comes two weeks into the military's foray into Rafah, where troops have been battling Hamas fighters and escalating bombardment.

The Biden administration has opposed a full-fledged invasion of Rafah because of fears for the civilian population.

Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 19, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas

Palestinians salvage items from the rubble of a family house that was hit overnight in Israeli bombardment in the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah in southern Gaza on May 20, 2024

So far Israeli forces have mainly been operating in eastern parts of the city, but the fighting has already triggered an exodus of more than 810,000 Palestinians, according to the United Nations.

'I emphasised to him (Sullivan) Israel's duty to expand the ground operation in Rafah, to dismantle Hamas and to return the hostages,' Gallant said in a post on X.

In his visit, Sullivan was also discussing postwar plans for Gaza at a time when Netanyahu faces criticism from the other members of his War Cabinet.

Netanyahu's main political rival Benny Gantz has threatened to leave the government if a plan is not created by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza.
Supermarkets today urged against panic buying as the Government launched a 'preppers' website warning families to gather an 'emergency kit' of tinned food, batteries and bottled water for use in a crisis.

Oliver Dowden will today advise people to make contingency plans for dealing with potential emergencies to help build 'national resilience' and ease pressure on emergency services.

The Deputy Prime Minister wants to encourage families to stock up with enough food and water to survive for three days in the event of an emergency like a flood.

Whitehall sources insisted that the plan was not designed to create a nation of US-style survivalists. One said Mr Dowden's intervention was not meant to be 'alarmist' and was simply 'common sense' advice.

Retailers warned shoppers to take time building their supplies instead of resorting to Covid-style panic buying, which saw shelves cleared of essentials such as toilet paper and pasta.

A MailOnline graphic illustrating everything you need in your emergency survival kit, according to the Government website

While the 'prepping' movement is bigger in the US, some Brits have got on board. Pictured is Newquay businessman Lincoln Miles at his shop selling emergency supplies last year

Andrew Opie, director of food & sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, told MailOnline: 'Retailers did an excellent job ensuring the country had access to food and other necessities throughout the pandemic, and we are confident they will rise to future challenges.

The emergency survival kit that will get you through a national crisis:  Battery or wind-up torch  Portable power bank for charging a mobile phone.  Battery or wind-up radio to get updates during a power cut  Spare batteries for torches and radio  A first aid kit with waterproof plasters, bandages, gloves, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape, eyewash solution and sterile dresses  Hand sanitiser and wet wipes  Bottled water  Non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking  Pet food  Baby supplies including nappies and baby form It is advisable to build the emergency kit over time rather than buying all of the items at once. Advertisement

'While it is sensible to have some additional food at home, most households will find they already have sufficient non-perishables sitting in the cupboard.'

Ministers believe preparations by individual households will help take pressure off the emergency services when dealing with a crisis.

The most common risk to people according to the Government's risk register is flooding, causing power and water outages.

Other threats that people should prepare for include a pandemic, a cyber-attack, disruption to space systems that affect GPS signals or, in extreme cases, a nuclear attack.

The website, prepare.campaign.gov.uk, aims to make sure people are aware of the risks in their local area so they can plan appropriately.

As per the advice, households should put together emergency kits at home.

Last year Mr Dowden said people should stock up on 'analogue capabilities', such as candles, torches and wind-up radios, to boost their 'personal resilience'.

He has been inspired by similar preparations in countries such as Finland, which operates a '72-hour concept' for coping in situations where 'society's services are disrupted or even discontinued'.

Finns are encouraged to stockpile food and water and be prepared to 'shelter indoors' by taping up gaps in windows and 'waiting calmly for instructions' on the radio.

Mr Dowden has previously introduced an 'emergency alert' system, which allows authorities to trigger an alarm on millions of mobile phones to inform people of a potential crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden (pictured) will advise people to buy a list of essential items to keep at home

How to stay informed in times of emergency:

Find out more about the risks in your local area, particularly if you are more prone to flooding or power cuts. Sign up to the Gov.uk alerts so you can be aware of potential risks ahead of time. Learn basic first aid skills and check online to see if an employer will pay for basic first-aid training. Check to see if your employer or a place that you volunteer at, has a plan for what you should do if you cannot contact them during an emergency Source: prepare.campaign.gov.uk Advertisement

The Prime Minister warned last week that Britain had 'some of its most dangerous years' ahead and was at a security 'crossroads'.

Describing the threats on the rise, Rishi Sunak highlighted a new axis of anti-western states including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Among other challenges were rising immigration and artificial intelligence.

A similar public information campaign was launched by the Government in 2004, advising British citizens on what to do in the event of a natural disaster, an accident or an act of terrorism.

It began in the wake of several major disasters, including the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak, the SARS epidemic and the Madrid train bombings of 2004.

The campaign was mocked with a satirical website, preparingforemergencies.co.uk, which was created by University of York student Tom Scott.

The Home Office originally objected to the website, but eventually conceded on the issue and it was allowed to remain.

While British ministers believe it is wise for people to take precautions, they will be keen to avoid imitations of the elaborate preparations for 'doomsday' scenarios made by US survivalists.

One of the risks Mr Dowden will warn about is flooding. Pictured, a flooded pub earlier this year in Croscombe, Somerset

Health crises like the Covid pandemic are another example of the threats faced by Britain. Pictured, a woman wearing a mask on the Tube in 2020

Rowan MacKenzie, from Missouri, recently hit the headlines after revealing she had spent more than $90,000 on her hidden bunker stockpile.

The 38-year-old began stocking up her cupboards 13 years ago and, initially, bought lifelong essentials, such as beans and rice, which she taught herself to preserve through trial and error.

She said: 'I've always said that if you didn't help build it, then hard decisions will have to be made.

'My door won't be open to anyone, family or not, as I've prepared for my own home. I feel bad, but hard times call for hard knocks - and a harsh reality.'

As her stock grew, the homemaker spent more than $10,000 on having the underground space built into the basement of her home, where she keeps food and water, as well as weapons.

Rowan MacKenzie, a 38-year-old from Missouri, has been prepping her home for disaster for the last 13 years

Ms MacKenzie's doomsday bunker, which contains water, non-perishable food supplies and weapons
The widow of a retired doctor who died after slipping in a puddle on the floor of their luxury Caribbean hotel suite whilst on a romantic couples break is suing for 1 million compensation.

Retired Buckinghamshire GP, Mark Tweedy, 66, died as a result of injuries sustained when he slipped in a pool of water said to have leaked from the air-con unit in their suite at the five-star Couples Sans Souci hotel, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Dr Tweedy suffered a bad leg break in the fall at the 1000-a-night hotel, which required surgery.

But post-operation complications resulted in heart failure two days later and death from multi-organ failure just a week after his fall.

His widow, Helen Tweedy, is now fighting for up to 1 million in damages from the company through which they booked their holiday - Travelbag Ltd - which is denying liability over the tragic hotel slip.

The travel company has claimed Dr Tweedy is to blame for the fall by failing to look where he was going, with its KC stating: 'contributory negligence is alleged'.

Helen Tweedy (left) is suing after her beloved husband Dr Mark Tweedy (right), 66, tripped and fell while on holiday, before suffering complications from surgery

The couple were staying at a luxury romantic couples resort in Jamaica which cost 1,000 per night

The adults-only Couples Sans Souci Hotel, which boasts stunning ocean views and its own spa nestled in the cliffs, is described in one review as 'the epitome of romance'.

The resort offers five restaurants and seven bars, as well as a private 'au naturel' beach and pool where guests are 'prohibited' from wearing any clothing during the daytime.

Dr Tweedy and his wife, Helen, were visiting the deluxe resort on a dream holiday, which rapidly turned into a nightmare when complications developed following surgery on his stricken left thigh in March 2020.

He had sustained the break when he slipped in a puddle which had leaked onto the hotel floor from an air conditioning unit in the hotel room, his widow claims.

'He broke his leg, had surgery, there were complications and he died,' explained his widow's KC, Katherine Deal, as she sketched out the case in London's High Court.

Dr Tweedy, who practised in High Wycombe, was rushed to Jamaica's St Ann's Bay Hospital after crashing down on his left side when he slipped.

The father-of-four went through surgery to pin his smashed thighbone the day after the accident, explained Ms Deal in court documents, but post-op complications set in, resulting in heart failure two days after the operation and death from multi-organ failure a week after the accident.

Dr Tweedy, who practised in High Wycombe, was rushed to Jamaica's St Ann's Bay Hospital after crashing down on his left side when he slipped

Mrs Tweedy is suing on behalf of her husband's estate and on behalf of their family, also claiming compensation for his 'pain and suffering' during his final days because, as a doctor, 'he knew what was happening to him'

Travelbag Ltd is denying the air-con unit caused the fatal puddle accident and, in a brief hearing at London's High Court, Mrs Tweedy's barrister told the judge, Master Lisa Sullivan, that the key issue in the case will hinge on whether the air-con unit was properly maintained at the time.

Mrs Tweedy is suing on behalf of her husband's estate and on behalf of their family, also claiming compensation for his 'pain and suffering' during his final days because, as a doctor, 'he knew what was happening to him'.

'She alleges that (Travelbag) is liable to her for the consequences of the original accident, which include Dr Tweedy's death,' Ms Deal explained.

'Travelbag accepts that it owed a duty under the holiday contract that reasonable skill and care would be exercised in the provision of services and facilities.

'It admits there was an air conditioning unit in the suite. It appears to accept that the unit was one of the facilities provided under the holiday contract and that inspecting the unit and cleaning the suite were services provided under the holiday contract - at least, the contrary is not asserted.

'However, it says that reasonable skill and care was exercised and the unit was adequately inspected and maintained.'

Another issue at the trial will be Dr Tweedy's life expectancy, in light of a medical history which included diabetes and hypertension.

The case came before Master Sullivan in the High Court as lawyers on both sides discussed the evidence to be heard at the future five-day trial, for which no date has yet been fixed.

Tributes from former colleagues, friends and patients after Dr Tweedy's death highlighted his compassion and calmness, with many patients recalling his habitual smile and air of kindness.

'He was always a person that made others feel calm,' said one former patient, whilst another praised him as 'a good listener and someone you could truly trust to talk to'.
Middle class shoppers are falling for an online scam by fraudsters masquerading as Cornish fashion company Seasalt - despite the fake site spelling the county's name 'Cornwoll'.

A slew of mums have admitted they fell for the scam after clicking on a link they saw on Facebook, which then led them to the knock-off clothing website.

The page - incorrectly spelled seasaltcornwoll.com - used images from the real Seasalt site and sales of up to 80 per cent off to draw hapless buyers in.

Some items on the bogus website were listed for as low as 1, with one advertised deal offering six pieces for 42.

Littered with pop-ups urging people to buy straight away as the offers will only last for a few more minutes, the post on Facebook claimed Seasalt was struggling and wanted to sell off old items as cheaply as possible.

In fact, the real Seasalt's turnover surged from 96.4m to 118.8m in the year to January 2023.

Pictured: A screenshot from the fake site, advertising a cotton jumper for just 13

The bogus website used real photographs from Seasalt's website to dupe buyers

Here, an organic cotton cardigan is being sold for 12. The site contained a number of pop-ups counting down to the sale being over to push customers to buy

The original post on Facebook claims Seasalt is struggling and wants to sell off old items as cheaply as possible

One of the sale offers promised six items for just 42, pictured above

The fake site promises jumpers for as little as 12, while dresses are as low as 10 and jewellery is on offer for just a couple of pounds.

After filling their cart, the customer is promised free shipping and is prompted to put their card details and address in.

However, those who did place orders say they've lost the money and have not received any goods.

The real Seasalt has since put a warning on its website in response to the fake site.

Last night a spokesman said the sites 'are not legitimate and are in no way connected to our business'.

Victims of the scam took to popular parenting site Mumsnet to detail how they were duped.

One said on May 18: 'I just placed an order on a seasalt webpage for some stuff they are selling really cheaply.

'When I looked at the order confirmation it said seasalts not seasalt for the company name. I did pay on my credit card.

'What can I do to stop it going through? Can't believe I fell for this. Must be getting old.'

Those who did place orders on the fake site (pictured above) say they've lost the money and not received any goods

This bag is advertised on sale for just 1

Jewellery that was usually priced in the 20-30 range was featured on offer for just 5

And after being encouraged to report it, the poster said: 'Thanks everyone I'm reporting it now.

'I'm so annoyed. Apart from anything else I've got better bloody things to be doing than reporting fake websites.

'Jesus why don't people just get proper jobs for all the effort they put into making scam websites?'

One user replied: 'Facebook really ought to be made to sort this sort of s*** out.'

Another said: 'Is it the ad that says they are closing some of their stores and selling off stuff really cheaply?'

One said they saw the post on Facebook and noticed the website address used a hyphen between seasalt and Cornwall while the genuine site doesn't.

Another site that is still active today spells Cornwall Cornwoll.

'I have reported the seasalt one twice this morning - my suspicions were raised when it said closing down sale, yet they had new stock on the website,' said another Mumsnetter.

'I opened the real web page and compared the URL at the top of the page.

'Facebook are very slow to react.'

Victims of the scam took to popular parenting site Mumsnet to detail how they were duped

One said on May 18: 'I just placed an order on a seasalt webpage for some stuff they are selling really cheaply. When I looked at the order confirmation it said seasalts not seasalt for the company name'

The scam advertisements were spotted by others too, who felt suspicious

One said they saw the post on Facebook and noticed the website address used a hyphen between Seasalt and Cornwall whilst the genuine site doesn't

'My suspicions were raised when it said closing down sale, yet they had new stock on the website,' said another Mumsnetter

Others lamented Facebook's slow response time in taking down ads for the scam pages

Yesterday Seasalt said it was working with Facebook owner Meta to sort the issue out

Another said they had seen similar scams for womenswear brands Lucy & Yak, Joules, Boden, Cath Kidston and Jigsaw

One user spoke about being duped by a similar fraudulent website pretending to be British homeware and clothing brand Cath Kidston

Another said they had seen similar scams for womenswear brands Lucy & Yak, Joules, Boden, Cath Kidston and Jigsaw.

'If it looks too good to be true, it is! If you really want to be sure if a good brand is selling everything off for 3.99 or something, go independently to their actual website,' one said.

And another added: 'I've reported so many of these but they're still there. Hope you get your money back OP.'

Another spoke about being duped by a similar fraudulent website pretending to be British homeware and clothing brand Cath Kidston.

Earlier this week Bank of Ireland warned consumers about a new wave of purchase scams luring unsuspecting shoppers through fake online ads.

It said the past 12 months had seen a 32% increase in scams reported to them.

Meanwhile the Chartered Trading Standards Institute also warned of similar scams, with 800,000 people across Europe and the US believed to be affected.

An international investigation by the Guardian, Die Zeit and Le Monde showed the sites are run from China, with an astonishing 76,000 websites created and 43million estimated to have been taken.

Yesterday Seasalt said it was working with Facebook owner Meta to sort the issue out.

A spokesman said: 'In recent weeks, we have been made aware of a number of unauthorised websites and fraudulent social media accounts trading under the appearance of Seasalt Cornwall, using our branding and logo and targeting our customer community.

'These sites and accounts are not legitimate and are in no way connected to our business.

'We have posted messages across our channels to warn our customers and advise them not to transact with these sites, including providing additional security advice on our site.

'We have also requested that our community reports all targeted ads directly to social media platforms so they can be blocked as promptly as possible.

'We are taking this situation extremely seriously and we are carrying out every possible action to get these sites reported and removed.

'We have a specific process in place for dealing with this that includes reporting the sites to relevant authorities and third parties to have them taken down.

'We are members of Meta's Brand Protection Scheme and we are working closely with them to ensure these fraudulent advertisers are removed.

'Our priority is ensuring our Seasalt customers and brand do not continue to be victims of this fraudulent activity and can shop with Seasalt and our trusted retail partners in complete confidence.'

Seasalt was founded by the Chadwick family in 1981.

Meta is aware and has been contacted for comment.
Do YOU live in the area?

Do YOU live in the area? Email frankie.elliott@mailonline.co.uk

Caravans took over the car park of an historic cathedral city in West Sussex today - days after hundreds of Travellers descended on nearby Wickham for its annual horse fair.

A large group parked in the Cattle Market car park in Chichester that is used by people who work in the city centre, with pictures showing people sitting in camping chairs.

A market is usually held in the car park on Saturdays and a carboot sale on Sundays - though it remains unclear if the Travellers will have been moved on by the weekend.

The local council has previously had difficulty with Travellers parking in the area and recently announced plans to spend 65,000 on installing barriers to stop caravans from entering.

It comes just days after members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities gathered a dozen miles away in Hampshire for the annual Wickham Horse Fair.

Do YOU live in the area? Email frankie.elliott@mailonline.co.uk

This image shows a caravan parked in the Cattle Market car park

Young children were seen sitting outside a parked caravan

This aerial picture shows caravans parked in Chichester

Councillor Harsha Desai said there had been a number of unauthorised encampments in council-owned Chichester car parks in the past.

She said: 'Complaints from the public and local businesses have increased and car parking spaces reduced as a result of the encampments.'

Council leader Adrian Moss added: 'I think it is really important that our partners West Sussex County Council and the police understand the real enormity of this and the work we're doing.

'And hopefully they'll be working closely with us in the future to ensure that when we do get incursions, we can actually move them on and ensure that the police come forward and support us at the earliest possible opportunity.'

The Wickham Horse Fair falls on May 20 every year, unless that falls on a Sunday, and dates back 755 years, when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market.

That weekly market went on to become the annual fair as it is known today, held mainly on the town square.

This year, pubs closed as early as midday on Sunday to avoid an unmanageable influx of customers.

A number of horses were then raced down the streets of Wickham while others were paraded through the town.

A caravan currently parked in Cattle Market where the council is supposedly losing 1,000 from pay and display revenues

Fun fairs, burger vans and other stalls were also set up to cash in on the historic day that has been celebrated 'every year' since it was founded in the 13th century.

That includes in 2021, when people descended on Wickham despite the event being cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aside from horses, visitors at the event this year were seen selling clothes, bedding and cleaning products.

In 2020 and 2021, the event was banned due as lockdown was imposed on the country.

However, in the latter of those years, up to 150 people were understood to have turned up, in a move slammed by police and angry business owners.

Travellers earlier at Wickham, Hampshire for a traditional horse fair dating back to 1269

The Wickham Horse Fair is an opportunity to sell and trade horses

Pictured: A man riding a horse at the Wickham horse fair

The agreed plan had been to hold a small, symbolic event involving 'one or two horses' to maintain the tradition of the festival.

Police had already closed roads anticipating an attempt to run the event anyway, meaning that local businesses missed out on their usual footfall.

It was back in full force in 2022 with thousands of attendees - and the following two years seem to have been as popular as ever.
Egyptian intelligence scuppered a possible Gaza ceasefire deal this month by secretly changing the terms after they had been signed off by Israel.

'Duped' US officials say a deal different to that agreed by Israel - with additional Hamas demands added - was then put in front of the terror group, who thought Israel had agreed to them.

Three sources revealed to CNN Tuesday the deal fell apart after senior Egyptian intelligence official Ahmed Abdel Khalek made covert last-minute changes in an offer to Hamas without informing the Israelis.

The quiet tweaks meant fellow mediators, the US and Qatar, were left in the dark, with one of the sources claiming: 'We were all duped.'

The ceasefire agreement that Hamas announced on May 6 was not what the Qataris or Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review, sources said.

Khalek had offered one set of terms to Israel while presenting another to Hamas, in which the Palestinian leaders received more of their demands, reported CNN.

Egyptian intelligence covertly changed the terms of a ceasefire deal already signed off by Israel before presenting different proposals to Hamas, according to US officials. Pictured: The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, May 22, 2024

An Egyptian source told the outlet that a day before Hamas made their public May 6 announcement agreeing to the proposal, Egypt had received Hamas' response and relayed it to Israel

Israeli soldiers with their tanks gather at an undisclosed location near the border fence with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, May 21, 2024

'All sides were under the assumption the Egyptians provided the same document,' that Israel approved, one of the sources revealed.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani assured Mossad that Egypt had acted alone in making the changes, two of the sources added.

The details signed off on by Hamas included the goal of reaching a permanent ceasefire and a 'sustainable calm' during the second phase of the three-part agreement, according to a Hamas document obtained by the outlet.

Hamas announced it had agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire on May 6, but Israeli officials snapped back claiming they had not approved the proposed framework because it was a 'softened' version of what was originally put forward which included 'far-reaching' conclusions that Israel could not accept.

One Israeli official at the time told Reuters it was a ruse by the terror group in hopes of creating backlash against Israel for not going along with the deal.

The changes made by Egyptian intelligence reportedly led to anger among Israel, the US, and Qatar, against the Egyptians with one source claiming the Egyptians 'deceived us all'.

An Egyptian source told the outlet that a day before Hamas made their public May 6 announcement agreeing to the proposal, Egypt had received Hamas' response and relayed it to Israel.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani assured Mossad that Egypt had acted alone in making the changes

A woman salvages items from a waste dump expanding along a tent displacement camp west of Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip on May 21, 2024

Civil defense teams and civilians conduct search and rescue operations among the destroyed building after Israeli attack on the Az-Zawayda neighborhood, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on May 22, 2024

Hamas announced it had agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire on May 6, but Israeli officials snapped back claiming they had not approved the proposed framework because it was a 'softened' version of what was originally put forward which included 'far-reaching' conclusions that Israel could not accept

'Several alternatives and scenarios were proposed to overcome the main point of contention related to ending the war,' said the source.

'Hamas was telling their people, 'We will have a deal in place tomorrow',' the first source said.

But what Hamas returned, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, was 'very far from Israel's core demands'.

CIA Director Bill Burns, who played a role in orchestrating the unaltered version of the hostage deal was reportedly both angry and embarrassed that the deal had been edited without US, or Israeli knowledge.

Burns 'almost blew a gasket,' the source said, as Khalek had been the director's counterpart in leading Egypt's mediation in the ceasefire discussions.

Following the outrage at the under-the-table changing of terms and the current stall in ceasefire talks - alarm bells are now ringing for those involved as questions regarding Egypt's motives are raised, despite the country having played a key intermediary role between Israel and Hamas for several years.

The changes come less than a month after a group of Egyptian negotiators flew to Israel to iron out some of the final details of a framework which would lead to a temporary stop in the fighting in Gaza and the release of some Israeli hostages and even more Palestinian prisoners.

Palestinians inspect the damage following Israeli strikes early on May 22, 2024

A Palestinian youth inspects the damage following Israeli bombardment early on May 22, 2024

Talks had been ongoing for several months, following the last pause in the conflict falling apart in December.

Hopes were raised that a peace deal was close at hand as Israel agreed to go further than they previously had done before after seeming willing to accept fewer hostages while releasing more Palestinian prisoners and allowing Gazans in the southern part of the enclave to return home to the north unrestricted.

If talks continue, it is expected that the Qataris would play a more prominent role, one of the sources revealed, although Egypt would still be expected to be a central figure in the discussions given their relationship with Hamas.

The discussions are still expected to centre around a framework that would see up to 33 Israeli hostages released over at least a period of six weeks in an initial stage.

Hamas has been calling for the inclusion of the bodies of the dead hostages to be released too, and to also have both stages merge together with no break in between - both demands which Israel have rejected.

Israel's bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 34,700 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them children and women, according to Gaza health officials.

More than 80 per cent of the population of 2.3 million have been driven from their homes, and hundreds of thousands in the north are on the brink of famine, according to the UN.
Passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from Heathrow awoke on Tuesday morning to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, totally oblivious to the horror about to unfold.

At 8:05am UTC - more than 10 hours into a 13-hour-long flight - some had got up from their seats to stretch their legs while pleasant and professional crewmembers distributed the refreshments.

Others lounged in their comfortable seats, seatbelts undone, and finished off their breakfast as the aircraft soared peacefully through the skies above Myanmar at around 37,000ft.

But moments later, the cabin was plunged into a state of utter chaos when the Boeing 777-300 hit a bout of brutal turbulence that saw the aircraft drop some 6,000ft between 8:06am and 8:09am.

The effect was devastating.

Passengers who were unfortunate enough to be standing were volleyed into the ceiling, performing involuntary somersaults before slamming back down to the floor, their bodies viciously contorted by the sudden G-force and the awkward landing.

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At least one person died after a Singapore Airlines (SIA) SQ321 flight from London (Heathrow) to Singapore got into severe turbulence

After around 10 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SG321 is pictured after emergency landing

The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SG321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024

Those who had relaxed in their chairs without a seatbelt were lifted out of their seats, in many cases smacking their skulls into the overhead cabins and sustaining savage cuts and lacerations.

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, more than 100 people received first aid and dozens were taken to hospital. Of those injured, 20 are in intensive care across two hospitals in the Thai capital, officials confirmed today.

Meanwhile, 73-year-old British grandfather Geoff Kitchen suffered a fatal heart attack, such was the severity of the turbulence

Aircraft tracking provider FlightRadar 24 said at 0849 BST the flight encountered 'a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event' as it soared over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, based on flight tracking data.

It was cruising at an altitude of around 37,000ft before plunging 6,000ft in 180 seconds.

Pilots quickly decided to perform an emergency diversion and began their descent to land in Bangkok shortly after.

Weather forecasting service AccuWeather on Tuesday said rapidly developing, explosive thunderstorms near the flight path of Flight 321 most likely contributed to violent turbulence.

A pilot who regularly flies to Singapore and Southeast Asia speaking on condition of anonymity said that such storms 'are not a rare occurrence' in the region.

The pilot added that just days ago, he was forced to 'fly 30 miles off track' to avoid thunderstorms on the way to Singapore.

It is likely that rising air currents from the huge tropical storms engulfing the region caused the violent turbulence that forced the aircraft down.

However, full analysis of the type of turbulence that led to the tragic incident is likely to take some time.

Several passengers spoke of the savage turbulence and recounted the brutal injuries sustained by those on board in the hours following the emergency landing.

'I saw people from across the aisle going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in like really awkward positions. People, like, getting massive gashes in the head, concussions,' Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student onboard the flight, said after arriving in Singapore.

One traveller named as Jerry, who was on his way to his son's wedding, said it was 'the worst flight of my life'.

Speaking to BBC reporters with a bandage covering part of his head, he said: 'Suddenly the plane plunged... there was no warning at all, and I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling, and my wife did.

'Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults. It was absolutely terrible,' he said solemnly.

Photographs from the interior of the plane showed gashes in the overhead cabin panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling and luggage strewn around.

A passenger said some people's heads had slammed into the lights above the seats and broken the panels.

Another passenger, named as Josh, said that he blacked out amid the savage turbulence. When he came to, he said pools of blood had collected on the cabin floor.

'There was water everywhere, blood everywhere, people's belongings just strewn all over the plane,' the Times reported.

The victim of the fatal heart attack was named as Geoff Kitchen, 73, who was on his 'last big holiday' with his wife, who remains in hospital.

Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident today, with belongings strewn across the floor and oxygen masks dangling from above

Passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, which made an emergency landing in Bangkok on its flight from London to Singapore, greet family members upon arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore, 22 May 2024

Turbulence is the bane of any long-haul flight, but this natural phenomenon can be far more than simply annoying

It was later revealed that the grandfather had helped fundraise for local businesses during the pandemic with a local musical theatre group, and he and his wife spent the weekend with their grandchildren before jetting off for their 'trip of a lifetime'.

The retired insurance worker and his wife, from Thornbury, near Bristol, were heading abroad on a six-week holiday of a lifetime to South East Asia, Indonesia and Australia when disaster struck around 11 hours into their flight from Heathrow.

Neighbours yesterday told MailOnline that he had suffered heart problems in recent years and had stents put in to widen his arteries.

Close friend Steve Dimond, 73, who lives a few doors down from Mr Kitchen's three-bed home in Thornbury, said: 'You wouldn't know it, he carried on as normal and was very fit and active.

'He was very involved with amateur dramatics and was helping me make scenery for our new production. He's known his wife since they were teenagers, they are a lovely couple. It's a terrible shock, he was a really nice bloke.'

Another friend paid tribute, describing Kitchen as 'the most wonderful human being'.

'I just can't believe that I'm having to do this, he was the most wonderful human being that you could ever know, really one of the top ones - he was stable and reliable and you always knew you were in safe hands with Geoff, he was just a remarkable man, really,' they told BBC's Today programme.

Thai rescuers hurriedly carry out severely injured passengers on stretchers

The damaged interior of the Singapore Airlines flight is seen in this screenshot

Geoff Kitchen, 73, suffered a suspected heart attack on the flight, according to a spokesman for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the plane was diverted and forced to make an emergency landin

The plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew made an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where medical staff used gurneys to ferry the injured to ambulances waiting on the tarmac.

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew landed at Singapore's Changi Airport this morning, but 80 passengers and six crewmembers remained behind in Bangkok for treatment.

Singapore Airlines later released a statement saying another relief flight will shuttle a few more travellers on to their destination today, as others remain in the Thai capital.

'As of 1700 (1000 BST) on 22 May 2024, Singapore Airlines can confirm that an additional five passengers who were on board SQ321 will be returning to Singapore today.

'Another 74 passengers and six crew members are still in Bangkok. This includes those receiving medical care, as well as their family members and loved ones who were on the flight. One crew member is scheduled to return to Singapore tomorrow, 23 May 2024,' it read.

Earlier, Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong said: 'On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger.

'We also deeply apologise for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight.

'We are providing all possible assistance and support to them, along with their families and loved ones, during this difficult time. The well-being of our passengers and staff is our utmost priority.'

The airline said that it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers, and was sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional help needed

Photos were posted on social media by accounts claiming to show the aftermath of the emergency landing. One (left) purportedly showed food strewn across the floor, while another (right) was said to show the ambulances on the tarmac at the airport

Although the airline initially said 30 people were injured, Samitivej Hospital in Thailand said it was treating more than 70 passengers.

Singapore's Prime Minister said authorities will launch a 'thorough investigation' into the incident.

Lawrence Wong also offered condolences to Kitchen's family, adding: 'I also hope and pray that those who are injured will recover and return home soon.'

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing over 50,000 workers at 20 airlines, said it is important for passengers to wear seatbelts whenever seated.

'It is a matter of life and death,' Nelson said.

Turbulence-related airline accidents are the most common type of accident, according to a 2021 NTSB study.

Airport officials stand near the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 22, 2024

From 2009 through 2018, the US agency found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents and most resulted in one or more serious injuries, but no aircraft damage.

Singapore Airlines, which is widely recognised as one of the world's leading airlines and is seen as a benchmark for much of the industry, has not had any major incidents in recent years.

Its last accident resulting in casualties was a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles via Taipei, where it crashed on Oct. 31, 2000 at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, killing 83 of the 179 people on board.
A gloating Hamas has hailed Ireland, Norway and Spain's decision to recognise a Palestinian state as an 'important step' - as Israel lashed out, accusing the European countries of a 'twisted' move that 'rewards terrorism'.

The decision from the three nations comes more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war and after Hamas' deadly October 7 terror attack.

Ireland, Norway and Spain said they would formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28, bringing the number of UN countries that do to 146.

Israel strongly opposes the move, arguing that it amounts to 'rewarding terrorism' after the Palestinian terror group Hamas launched its unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel which sparked the bloodiest ever Gaza war.

But Hamas welcomed the decision and urged other countries to follow suit.

'We consider this an important step towards affirming our right to our land,' it said, calling 'on countries around the world to recognise our legitimate national rights'.

A gloating Hamas has hailed Ireland, Norway and Spain 's decision to recognise a Palestinian state as an 'important step' - as Israel lashed out, accusing the European countries of a 'twisted' move that 'rewards terrorism'. Pictured: A map showing which countries recognise the State of Palestine, including the three new countries shown in red

Israel said it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway for 'urgent consultations' and was expected to do the same with its ambassador to Spain.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz charged that 'the twisted step of these countries is an injustice to the memory of the 7/10 victims.'

In Jerusalem, meanwhile, a far-right government minister paid a provocative visit to a flashpoint holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque, which Jews refer to as the Temple Mount, was likely to escalate tensions across the region.

The development is a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came against the backdrop of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive there.

Norway was the first to announce its decision to recognise a Palestinian state, with Ireland and Spain quickly announcing that they would do the same.

Most Western governments including the United States say they are willing to one day recognise Palestinian statehood - but not before agreement is reached on thorny issues like its final borders and the status of Jerusalem.

However, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez charged that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign of 'pain and destruction' in the Gaza Strip was now putting the two-state solution in 'danger'.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said 'recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict'.

'In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security.'

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the October 7 attack 'barbaric' but added that 'a two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment'.

A senior Hamas figure, Bassem Naim, told AFP news agency: 'These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people. We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.'

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris (pictured today) called the October 7 attack 'barbaric' but added that 'a two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment' as Ireland announced it would recognise the State of Palestine

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez charged that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign of 'pain and destruction' in the Gaza Strip was now putting the two-state solution in 'danger' as he announced Spain would recognise the State of Palestine

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (pictured today) said 'recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict'

A shirtless young protester is seen in Gaza gripping a Palestinian flag with one hand and swinging a slingshot over his head with the other in 2019. Palestinians have long been fighting for their independence, leading to deadly clashes with Israeli police and armed forces

The decision from the three nations comes more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war and after Hamas' deadly October 7 terror attack. Pictured: A Hamas gunman is seen in Israel of October 7. The attack left around 1,200 people dead in Israel

Several EU countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

The decision may generate momentum for the recognition of Palestine by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the UN, deepening Israel's isolation.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

'The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,' the Norwegian government leader said. 'Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.'

Wednesday's announcements come more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993. Since then, 'the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution,' the Norwegian government said.

It added that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

'The war in Gaza and the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades,' it said.

In making his announcement, Irish Prime Minister Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway - and that it was a 'historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.' He said it was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

Harris said he thinks other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state 'in the weeks ahead.'

Sanchez, Spain's Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation's Parliament on Wednesday.

Israel said it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway for 'urgent consultations' and was expected to do the same with its ambassador to Spain. Pictured: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (file photo)

Hamas welcomed the decision and urged other countries to follow suit. 'We consider this an important step towards affirming our right to our land,' it said, calling 'on countries around the world to recognise our legitimate national rights'. Pictured: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (file)

He had spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition, as well as for a possible cease-fire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.

'We know that this initiative won't bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope,' Sanchez said.

'This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people,' Sanchez added, while acknowledging that it will most likely cause diplomatic tensions with Israel. 'It is an act in favour of peace, justice and moral consistency.'

Sanchez argued that the move is needed to support the viability of a two-state solution that he said 'is in serious danger' with the war in Gaza.

'I have spent weeks and months speaking with leaders inside and outside of the region and if one thing is clear is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a project of peace for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate,' the Spanish leader said.

The head of the Arab League called the step taken by the trio of European nations as 'a courageous step.'

'I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict,' Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit wrote on the social media platform X.

Turkey also applauded the decision, calling it an important step toward the restoration of the 'usurped rights of the Palestinians.'

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said the move would help 'Palestine gain the status it deserves in the international community.'

As of May 2024, the State of Palestine is recognised as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. They include many Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries, but not the United States, Canada, most of western Europe including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan or South Korea.

The United States and Britain, among others, have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East's most intractable conflict. They insist, however, that Palestinian independence should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

In April, the United States used its veto at the UN Security Council to prevent a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member state.

On November 15, 1988, during the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally proclaimed an independent Palestinian state.

On November 15, 1988, during the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally proclaimed an independent Palestinian state. Pictured: US President Bill Clinton, center, looks on as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, and PLO leader Yasser Arafat shake hands in the East Room of the White House after signing the Mideast accord in Washington on September 28, 1995

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli soldiers during a demonstration along the border fence in east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on November 8, 2019

Smoke billows during a raid by Israeli forces in the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on May 21, 2024

Smoke rises among the settlements following a raid by Israeli forces in the Jenin Refugee Camp in Jenin, West Bank on May 21, 2024

In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) claimed sovereignty over the internationally recognised Palestinian territories: the West Bank, which includes East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, as well as the Gaza Strip (pictured May 21, 2024)

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) claimed sovereignty over the internationally recognised Palestinian territories: the West Bank, which includes East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, as well as the Gaza Strip.

At their closest points, the two territories are around 20 miles from each other, separated by the state of Israel.

Arafat made the announcement in Algiers, at a meeting of the exiled Palestinian National Council, which adopted the two-state solution as a goal, with the independent states of Israeli and Palestinian states existing side by side.

Minutes later, Algeria became the first country to officially recognise an independent Palestinian state.

Within weeks, dozens of other countries, including much of the Arab world, India, Turkey, most of Africa and several central and eastern European countries had followed suit.

The next wave of recognitions came in late 2010 and early 2011, at a time of crisis in the Middle East peace process.

A host of South American countries including Argentina, Brazil and Chile answered calls by the Palestinians to endorse their statehood claims.

This came in response to Israel's decision to end a temporary ban on Jewish settlement building in the occupied West Bank.

In 2011, with peace talks at a standstill, the Palestinians decided to push ahead with a campaign for full UN membership for a State of Palestine.

The quest failed but, in a groundbreaking move on October 31 of that year, the UN cultural agency UNESCO voted to accept the Palestinians as a full member.

The decision triggered a furious reaction from Israel and the United States, which suspended their funding of the Paris-based body.

They quit UNESCO outright in 2018, although the United States rejoined last year.

In November 2012, the Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at the United Nations in New York after the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to upgrade the status of the Palestinians to 'non-member observer state'. Three years later, the International Criminal Court also accepted Palestine as a state party.

In 2014, Sweden, which has a large Palestinian community, became the first EU member in western Europe to recognise a Palestinian state.

The move followed months of almost daily clashes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

A state of Palestine had earlier been recognised by six other European countries - Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Israel reacted angrily to Stockholm's move, with then foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman telling the Swedes that 'relations in the Middle East are a lot more complex than the self-assembly furniture of IKEA'.

A Palestinian man descends on a rope across the concrete wall of Israel's controversial separation barrier into the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina after having climbed and crossed over from the al-Ram in the occupied West Bank, on May 8, 2024

Israeli forces are seen as they demolish a Palestinian-owned house that it was allegedly 'unauthorized' in East Jerusalem on May 2, 2024

Displaced Palestinians spend their time on the beach due to the high temperature in the area of Khan Yunis camp in southern Gaza Strip, 20 May 2024

Now, Israel's relentless offensive in Gaza - retaliation for the October 7 attack - has revived support in Europe for Palestinian statehood.

Norway, Spain and Ireland have said they will recognise a Palestinian state by May 28, defying threats from Israel.

Malta and Slovenia in March also expressed 'readiness to recognise Palestine' when 'the circumstances are right'.

Australia recently too has floated the possibility of unilaterally endorsing Palestinian statehood.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has also said the question of recognising a Palestinian state without a negotiated peace is no longer 'a taboo for France'.

Hamas's attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

The militants also took 252 hostages, 124 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 35,647 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Israel also imposed a siege that has deprived Gaza's 2.4 million people of most water, food, medical supplies and fuel, and brought much of the population to the brink of famine.

Heavy fighting has raged around Gaza's far southern city of Rafah, the last part of Gaza to face a ground invasion, where an AFP team reported more air and artillery strikes early Wednesday.

Heavy battles have also rocked Gaza's northern and central areas where Hamas forces have regrouped, and more Israeli air strikes have hit Gaza City, Jabalia and Zeitun.

Ten people were killed in the central town of Al-Zawaida during the night, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

And the Gaza civil defence agency said six bodies were recovered from the rubble of a family house in Jabalia.

The World Health Organization has said northern Gaza's last two functioning hospitals, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan, were besieged by Israeli forces, with more than 200 patients trapped inside.

Israeli troops began their ground assault on Rafah early this month, defying international opposition over fears for the more than one million civilians trapped in the city.

Israel has ordered mass evacuations from the city, and the UN says more than 800,000 people have fled.

Heavy fighting has also rocked the other major Palestinian territory, the occupied West Bank, where an Israeli raid entered its second day in the city of Jenin.

Explosions and gunfire were heard from inside the Jenin refugee camp, an AFP correspondent said, after eight Palestinians were killed Tuesday.

Amid the carnage of the Gaza war, Israel has faced growing international opposition to its devastating military campaign and siege.

An aerial view of thousands of Palestinian worshipers gather to break their fast on the last Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan and perform prayer on the night of Laylat al-Qadr at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, on April 5, 2024

A Palestinian child stands in front of a spray painted wall in the Silwan district of East Jerusalem in Jerusalem, Israel, May 15, 2024

International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan said Monday he had applied for arrest warrants for leaders on both sides, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The warrant request also targeted Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas's Qatar-based leader Ismail Haniyeh and its Gaza political and military chiefs, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

US President Joe Biden backed Netanyahu in condemning the warrant request against Israeli leaders as 'outrageous'.

If granted by the ICC judges, the warrants would mean that any of the 124 ICC member states would be required to arrest Netanyahu and the others if they travelled there, although the court has no mechanism to enforce its orders.
A group of Korean and global tech companies adopted a joint pledge on Wednesday, vowing to responsibly develop and use artificial intelligence (AI) and to address social challenges with the technology.

The Seoul AI Business Pledge was announced by 14 companies, including Korea's Samsung Electronics, Naver, Kakao and KT, as well as global big tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and IBM, during the opening ceremony of the AI Global Forum in Seoul.



The AI Global Forum is part of the two-day AI Seoul Summit co-hosted by Korea and Britain as a follow-up to last year's inaugural global AI safety summit, where the first global guidelines on AI safety were adopted.

"We commit to upholding the three strategic priorities, through our efforts including advancing AI safety research, identifying best practices, collaborating across sectors, and helping AI meet society's greatest challenges," the pledge read.

The three priorities are: ensuring responsible development and use of AI, pursuing sustainable development and innovation in AI, and ensuring the equitable benefits of AI for all.

In the pledge, the companies acknowledge the rapid acceleration of technological advancements in AI and their growing impact on the global community. They vowed to work to ensure responsible AI development in line with the Seoul Declaration adopted by the AI Seoul Summit the previous day.

The Seoul Declaration called for promoting safe, innovative and inclusive AI to address challenges and opportunities associated with the fast-evolving technology.

The AI Global Forum is taking place on Wednesday with representatives from 19 countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, attending the ministers' session to discuss actions to strengthen AI safety.

Industry officials, including Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer of OpenAI, and Tom Lue, vice president of Google DeepMind, are set to join roundtable discussions.

In the opening ceremony of Wednesday's forum, Andrew Ng, head of the global AI venture studio AI Fund, delivered a keynote speech, urging governments to promote both innovation and safety in AI.

"Even though the media tends to focus on AI technology, most of the opportunities are in building AI applications," said Ng, emphasizing the distinction between technology and its applications, which meet specific customer needs.

He noted, "Risks are a function of the application, not the technology," and recommended that governments regulate specific AI applications rather than general-purpose technologies like large language models.

Ng also said AI can be a "solution" to the challenges the global society faces, such as climate change, by providing AI simulations.

Marc Raibert, founder of U.S. robotics firm Boston Dynamics and the executive director of the AI Institute, also said in a speech that the integration of AI and robotics technologies can increase productivity around the world and give opportunities to solve humanity's problems. (Yonhap)
A mother-of-two who went on a drunken rampage on a hospital ward blamed it on a brain injury which she says has left her unable to remember her actions for up to seven days at a time.

Former PA Colette Amor-Garton, 49, was arrested in March after she shouted abuse at staff and caused distress to patients by setting off a fire alarm when she was admitted to Warrington General Hospital in Cheshire.

But when quizzed in a court as to why she had the meltdown, Amor-Garton, 49, from Runcorn, said the incident was 'out of character' for her as she has a terminal growth in her brain which causes amnesia.

She also insisted her erratic behaviour could be mistaken for drunkenness and that she would often go on shopping errands and then never remember them.

She even has a 'DNR' tattoo on her chest complete with a heart rate image which she said stands for 'Do Not Resuscitate.'

Former PA Colette Amor-Garton, 49, was arrested in March after she shouted abuse at staff and caused distress to patients by setting off a fire alarm when she was admitted to Warrington General Hospital

At Warrington magistrates court, Portugal-borrn Amor-Garton, who worked in South Africa for 13 years before moving to the UK, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.

She was fined 90 and was also ordered to pay 117 in costs and surcharge.

The court heard she was previously given a community order and was told to abide by an eight-week curfew in 2020 after she was convicted of assaulting three police officers during another medical episode when she was living in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

And in 2017 she suffered cuts and bruises after she was dragged along the road as she clung onto the moving car of her then-boyfriend during a tiff in nearby Barnstaple.

Joseph Kindley, prosecuting, said: 'This latest offence occurred on March 26 at approximately 11.20pm. Staff at Warrington General Hospital contacted Cheshire Police stating a patient was being verbally offensive and abusive towards staff members and staff required assistance due to her erratic behaviour at the time.

'The defendant was intoxicated when brought into hospital. She was being irate towards staff and heard shouting and swearing, being a general nuisance. She stopped staff members from attending to patients at the time.

She was fined 90 and was also ordered to pay 117 in costs and surcharge by the court

'At that point she was arrested in relation to the matter but one witness said that the defendant set off the fire alarm in the hospital which caused some distress to patients. Although it was a false alarm the fire services did attend, it being a hospital and the alarm going off.

'Distress was caused to numerous people especially when the fire alarm was triggered.'

Representing herself, Amor-Garton, who is currently in receipt of Universal Credit said: 'This was very out of character for myself to behave in that manner. I am very remorseful for my actions.

'I do suffer from amnesia episodes. I have been diagnosed with a growth in my brain. It is terminal and will progressively get worse.

'Social services are involved. This is causing my amnesia episodes. I can have amnesia for up to three to seven days. Now social services are getting involved to assist with everything.'

Amor-Garton detailed her condition on social media. It is not known how she sustained the injury but in one post she said: 'Having a brain injury is very debilitating. So far I have had 29 staples. It is hard work, and not just for me but for those close to me.

'I have to be so careful of stress. Having a brain injury effects one's personality, ways of getting frustrated. It is horrible and I often think why did I survive, but I am here.

'I buy clothes and don't remember. At least I chose nice clothes. I have lost a lot of weight due to forgetting to eat, take meds and general daily stuff one does. It can last up to five days. I have been found on a farm, miles away just walking and getting lost in my mind. Not good, sad really.

'Changes of the environment also affects me. It can be like going somewhere on the bus, especially on my own. I do prefer to be with someone as I feel safe.'

Another post reads: 'Amnesia and disassociation is also very debilitating for some. People with this sort of brain injury are often not understood by others, thinking that they are 'drunk', they get confused, rude and at times get emotional. Be kind, not all disabilities are visible.'
A former Royal Marine accused of spying for Hong Kong who was found dead in a park should have never been released from custody because he was considered a suicide risk, it was claimed today.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found in a park near his home on Sunday just days after being charged with carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance on pro-democracy activists in the UK for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

The suspected spy, who worked as an immigration enforcement officer for the Home Office, was due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday charged with betraying his country.

His family said of Trickett, who is single and lives alone: 'We're mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family man.'

Police said yesterday that they were treating the death as unexplained. But it can be revealed that prosecutors wanted to remand Trickett in custody for his own safety, after a previous suicide attempt he made following his arrest.

Kashif Malik, prosecuting, previously told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'On Saturday morning he attempted to hurt himself, to commit suicide. The custody team intervened and he is now on a 24-hour watch.

'On two separate occasions he told custody sergeants when he is released he will kill himself, he has nothing to live for. How realistic that is, we don't know, but having already tried to harm himself while in prison, he should be remanded in custody for his own safety.'

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found in a park near his home on Sunday just days after being charged with carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance for the Hong Kong intelligence service

It can be revealed that prosecutors wanted to remand Trickett in custody for his own safety, after a previous suicide attempt he made following his arrest

But Julian Hayes, defending, played down the suicide attempt, which he blamed on Trickett's medical condition.

He said: 'He suffers from hypogonadism, a hormone deficiency that requires testosterone, which he takes every other day.

'He wasn't getting that in custody and as a result his mood crashed and he endeavoured to self-harm. It was more a cry for help than a genuine attempt.'

Mr Hayes told the court it was 'in the interests of his own welfare' to release Trickett on bail and suggested he could report daily to a police station.

David Videcette, a former Scotland Yard counter-terror detective, questioned why the suspect was ever released on bail.

He told MailOnline: 'The CPS clearly decided he was a risk to himself and made an application to the court - which agreed - but subsequently somebody has decided that risk didn't warrant keeping him in custody

'It's tragic. It's difficult to know what the bail application involved, and officers would have checked on him when he came to sign on at the police station.

'But he should have been kept in custody to make sure he was looked at more regularly. This is a serious charge to be hanging over you, particularly for a former Royal Marine.'

Despite this, the Afghanistan veteran was released on bail on Monday last week. Six days later he was found dead at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

In an extraordinary espionage case which is the first of its kind, Trickett and two other men, Chi Leung Wai, 38, who works at Heathrow for UK Border Force, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, a trade official, are jointly accused of carrying out surveillance operations in the UK allegedly targeting dissidents of the regime.

It is the first time that anyone has been charged with spying on British soil for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

The trio were charged last Monday under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states within the UK.

Born in Poole, Dorset, in 1987, Trickett enlisted into the Royal Marines aged 19 and served for seven years, rising to the position of detachment commander.

He fought against the Taliban and Somali pirates in the Red Sea before leaving the military in 2013.

Trickett was found dead at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire, six days after his release

He set up his own security company in 2021, working as a bodyguard for engineers, foreign dignitaries and corporate organisations as well as wealthy families.

Trickett was then employed by the UK Border Force at Heathrow before joining Home Office Immigration Enforcement on February 21 this year.

When he appeared in court last Monday, there were concerns for his health after he had attempted suicide two days earlier.

Yesterday a Thames Valley Police spokesman said Trickett's body had been found six days later: 'At around 5.15pm on Sunday, officers attended Grenfell Park, Maidenhead.

'Emergency treatment was commenced but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.'

The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The spokesman added: ''Mr Trickett was on court bail, awaiting court proceedings, which required him to register at a police station regularly. Therefore, because Thames Valley Police had prior contact with Mr Trickett, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is normal in such circumstances where there has been a death following police contact.

'The IOPC have assessed that referral and decided that the matter should be investigated by Thames Valley Police's Professional Standards Department.'

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
TikTok will begin laying of a 'large percentage' of its global 1,000-man workforce today, it has emerged.

The firm, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, will be axing staffers in its global user operations, content and marketing teams, current employees have told The Information.

The precise number of layoffs is unknown, but insiders claim TikTok is completely disbanding its global operations team, which deals with user support and communications.

Such a large-scale layoff is unusual for ByteDance, which experts claim typically makes cost-cutting measures in smaller stages.

TikTok's alleged downsizing comes just weeks after President Joe Biden signed a law banning the platform in the US unless it is sold to an American company.

TikTok will begin laying of a 'large percentage' of its global 1,000-man workforce today, it has emerged. Current employees allege the firm will be sending layoff notifications to an unspecified number of staffers late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. Pictured: TikTok Headquarters in Singapore

Current employees told the news outlet that TikTok would be sending layoff notifications to an unspecified number of staffers late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

The sources also claimed the global user operations team will be scrapped.

Members of that team who are not laid off will be reassigned to other departments, such as trust and safety, marketing, content and product.

TikTok already cut dozens of employees at the start of the year, but is understood to 'rarely' carry out large-scale layoffs that have become more common at other tech companies.

It comes as Biden last month signed a law that gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok, which used by 170 million Americans, to a US-based company or face a ban.

The law prohibits app stores like Apple, and Alphabet's Google, from offering TikTok and bars internet hosting services from supporting the short video app unless ByteDance divests TikTok.

The White House has said it wants to see Chinese-based ownership ended on national security grounds but not a ban on TikTok.

TikTok's alleged downsizing comes just weeks after President Joe Biden (pictured yesterday) signed a law banning the platform in the US unless it is sold to an American company

A group of TikTok creators last week said they filed a lawsuit in US federal court seeking to block the proposed law.

'Although they come from different places, professions, walks of life, and political persuasions, they are united in their view that TikTok provides them a unique and irreplaceable means to express themselves and form community,' said the lawsuit.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, a law firm representing the creators, provided a copy of the lawsuit to Reuters it said had been filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The suit, which seeks injunctive relief, says the law threatens free speech and 'promises to shutter a discrete medium of communication that has become part of American life.'

ByteDance filed a similar lawsuit earlier this month, arguing that the law violates the US Constitution on a number of grounds including running afoul of First Amendment free speech protections.

TikTok creators filed a similar suit in 2020 to block a prior attempt to block the app, and also sued last year in Montana asking a court to block a state ban.
Campaigners in France are calling for employers to give animal owners the day off work to grieve if their pet dies.

Workers are currently given statutory paid leave after the death of a close relative but there are no provisions in place for animals, with owners now pushing for the ability to compassionate leave if their beloved pet passes away.

Data has revealed that a staggering 68 per cent of pet owners consider their creatures to be a part of the family, sparking a BFM TV debate on Monday that racked up strong opinions.

One recruiter said that if such a policy were to be implemented, it would help retain Generation Z workers across the country.

This year, the Society for the Protection of Animals, France's oldest animal rights charity, began offering their staff an extra day of leave after the death of a pet.

Animal owners in France are calling for employers to give them a day off if their pet dies. Pictured: Dog's grave with candles and a red rose in a pet cemetery

A cat sits on a monument at the Cimetiere des Chiens, a burial ground for pets established in 1899 at Asnieres-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris

'This applies to each of our 750 employees, whatever their animal companion,' said Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the charity's president.

'The animals that surround us contribute to our wellbeing and balance.'

In response, one listener of the debate joked about buying 'hundreds of goldfish' so they could claim several days off.

Currently, only a limited number of employers have official animal bereavement policies in place - including Wamiz, a pet advice site in Paris, and SanteVet, an animal insurance firm.

But Jonathan Gozard, a recruiter from France, said that all employers across the country should follow in their footsteps as such attractive schemes would bring in the best candidates for job positions.

'Generation Z is very receptive to these kinds of benefits,' he added.

He suggested that employers explore looking at tailored support for their staff instead of putting all of their time and resources into deciding how many days off to offer for each type of bereavement.

'It's in the employer's interest to let individuals take the necessary amount of bereavement leave, whether that's one day or ten days, because we have to remember that the employee is selling us their productivity,' Gozard said.

The recruiter went on to claim that any sensible employer will provide necessary individual psychological support as it will benefit them too.

The Animalist Party, a political party centred on animal rights, campaigned during the parliamentary elections of 2022 to implement into law a 24-hour paid break after the death of a pet.

But it failed to obtain any seats in the national assembly so the proposal was never lifted off the ground.
The broadcaster Narinder Kaur described her 'upskirting' ordeal as being 'assaulted every day' after Laurence Fox uploaded an intimate picture of her onto social media.

Ms Kaur, 51, said the reaction to the picture, thought to be taken over a decade ago, from social media bullies left her feeling as though she were a 'laughingstock'.

The successful actress who contributes to Good Morning Britain used to work with Fox and was left devastated after he shared the picture on X, on 30 April to his 500,000 followers.

While enjoying a friend's birthday at the Mayfairs Park Lane hotel, London, with a media crowd including panellists on the Jeremy Vine show, she was told about the picture which she described as: 'unimaginably mortifying.'

The tweet from Mr Fox- who traded an acting career to become a political activist- was picked up by Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson who are also on the far right of the political spectrum.

Narinder Kaur says the 'upskirting' picture of her has left her feeling like she is being assaulted

Police are investigating after Laurence Fox (pictured) was criticised for sharing an 'upskirt photo' of broadcaster Narinder Kaur on social media

Ms Kaur was labelled a 'slut' by followers of Mr Fox, while Tate questioned if she was a victim of human trafficking, and Robinson brought up her previous OnlyFans page.

Speaking to The Times, Ms Kaur said: 'It is like being assaulted every day, every time I tweet or go online, being called names again and again to the point where either I come off social media altogether  but thats part of my job  or I carry on.'

'I didnt want to be a victim and Im trying not to think its my fault.

'Its possible I didnt have the right underwear that night, well over a decade ago, and worried the seam would show through the dress.

'Now I think, why did I do that? Why have I put myself at risk? But also, why am I having to justify this?'

Broadcaster Narinder Kaur complained to the police about the matter who interviewed her

Ms Kaur complained to the police after friends told her the image was online.

She praised the police's fast response- within 20 minutes of her making a complaint- but has since grown frustrated with delays in the case, adding she feels 'fobbed off'.

After the complaint was made a spokesman for the MET police said: 'We have been made aware of a post on social media regarding an up-skirting offence and we are currently investigating the circumstances.'

No suggestion is being made that Mr Fox, 45, has committed an offence himself.

After her article in The Times was published, Ms Kaur expressed her feelings about the matter in a series of tweets today, in which she said she felt 'humiliated.

She wrote: 'What Laurence Fox did to me was humiliating. Every day is like being assaulted since.'

Adding shortly afterwards: 'Whether I wear knickers or not is my choice.

'Whether I have an OF (Only Fans) account or not again - my choice.

'What isn't my choice is being upskirted and certain men using that image to humiliate me on their platform.'

There was outrage after Mr Fox posted the photo which he has deleted having at first stood by his decision to upload it saying: 'It's not my fault she forgot to put her pants on'.

Adding: 'I didn't take the photo and I didn't forget to put my pants on. Jog on.'

But many supported Ms Kaur and expressed similar sentiments of shock and outrage.

Ms Kaur, whose career spans from Big Brother to hosting her own show 'Undercover Lovers' and a series of films added: 'He seems to justify himself by pointing out I once had an OnlyFans account.'

Mr Fox created the Reclaim Party and has stood for public office in London- arguing he is champion of free speech and seeks to defend British values.

When he posted the image of Ms Kaur he was standing in the London Mayoral elections to become a London Assembly member on 2 May- which he failed to do.

Two years ago he played the son of American President Joe Biden, in 'My Son Hunter'.

Mr Fox through the The Reclaim Party has been approached for comment.
A school bus driver has died and multiple children are injured after the vehicle careered off a road and into a tree.

The bus was carrying students from Assumption College in Kilmore, north of Melbourne, when it crashed just after 3.30pm.

Its 65-year-old driver died at the scene.

A school bus driver has died and students are injured after the vehicle careered off a road and into a tree

The bus was carrying students from Assumption College in Kilmore, north of Melbourne , when it crashed just after 3.30pm

There were about 32 students on board the bus. One has suffered serious injuries and some others were slightly hurt.

An Assumption College spokesman said: 'A number of students were treated for minor injuries at the scene by emergency services.

'All are expected to return home this evening.

'Counselling and other support will be made available to students and families.

'The College immediately notified all families and Principal Paul Finneran and other staff travelled to the scene.

'The College thanks emergency services for their rapid and professional response.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved in this accident.'

There were about 32 students on board the bus. One has suffered serious injuries and some others were slightly hurt

A hero tradie called Colby was among those first on the scene and told the Herald Sun how he helped rescued dozens of students.

'When I got there me and another fella jumped through the window and helped the kids out, I wasn't sure of the bus driver though,' he said.

'We smashed one of the front emergency windows open with the hammer, we brought a ladder over and helped them out from the top of the bus.'

Ambulance Victoria said: 'Paramedics treated one child on scene for a minor upper body injury and transported them to Kilmore Hospital in a stable condition.

'About 30 other children on board were assessed at the scene but did not require emergency ambulance transport.'
One of the ringleaders of the anti-Israel protests that took place at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that she was left 'homeless' after being removed from campus for her role in the anarchy.

Eliana Atienza, 19, who calls herself a climate activist and community organizer, made the claims in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer. The sophomore made similar comments in an interview with NBC Philadelphia.

Protests engulfed college campuses across the United States amid Israel's response to Hamas' brutal assault on the Jewish state on October 7.

The Filipino native told the newspaper that she was stopped from going to her dorm as her student ID was turned off after being ordered on mandatory leave. 'I'm the only one made homeless by this,' she said while adding that friends offered to help.

Atienza added that her family is all in the Philippines. Since that interview, it has been revealed that Atienza is a member of a wealthy, prominent and highly politically connected family in her homeland.

Eliana Atienza, 19, said that she was stopped from going to her dorm as her student ID was turned off after being ordered on mandatory leave. 'I'm the only one made homeless by this'

Atienza added that her family is all in the Philippines. Since that interview, it has been revealed that Atienza is a member of a wealthy, prominent and highly politically connected family in her homeland

Her father, Kim is better known as Kuya Kim in the Philippines where he is a well-known television talk show host.

Kim shares his opulent lifestyle on social media, posting a video showing him in enjoying caviar in a first class during a flight, reports the Washington Free Beacon. Another video on his Instagram shows off his impressive collection of motorcycles.

Atienza's grandfather is Lito Atienza, a prominent politician who served as deputy speaker in the country's house of representatives and who ran as a vice presidential candidate alongside boxer Manny Pacquiao, arguably the most famous Filipino of all time and noted homophobe.

The pair finished a distant third to Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.

Atienza social media pages are packed with images and videos celebrating her various adventures

Atienza's father Kim, is better known as Kuya Kim in the Philippines where he is a well-known television talk show host

Kim pictured with Atienza's mother, Felicia Hung Atienza, the couple are celebrities in their homeland with Felicia once adorning the cover of Tatler magazine

The Free Beacon reports that Atienza said on Instagram that she is a victim of 'administrative violence.'

'I am also an international student. The University knows this. This is their weapon. So disappointed to be attending an institution that resorts to administrative violence,' she wrote.

The same report notes that in January, Atienza took a vacation to Antarctica.

On her website, Atienza jokes that she: 'Enjoys drinking coffee and crying during protests (non-negotiable).'

In another section of the site, Atienza recounts how she was once doxxed online due to social justice activism.

Atienza's grandfather, Lito, pictured with his presidential running mate Manny Pacquaio, arguably the most famous person from the Philippines

Protests engulfed college campuses across the United States amid Israel's response to Hamas' brutal assault on the Jewish state on October 7

In July 2022, Kim welcomed television cameras into his home for a tour in which he he showed off his collection of fossils, dinosaur eggs and his exotic pets.

Kim also said that he owned two BMWs that were used by the Nazis in World War II.

According to her mother, Felicia Hung Atienza's LinkedIn page, she is a graduate of Donald Trump's alma-mater, The Wharton School.

After graduation, Felicia held executive positions at Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan before opening the Chinese International School in Manila, the Filipino capital, in 2007.

Earlier this week, Kim posted on Instagram pictures showing his family at his wife and son's graduations from Tufts University in Massachusetts, his wife was studying for a qualification in nutritional science.

On her website, Atienza jokes that she: 'Enjoys drinking coffee and crying during protests (non-negotiable)'

In January, Atienza took a vacation to Antarctica, shown here, just four months later she would be rendered homeless

Lito and Atienza file their certificate of candidacy as president and vice president in October 2021

Just this week, a half-dozen University of Pennsylvania students were among 19 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during an attempt to occupy a school building, university police said Saturday.

Their arrests came a week after authorities broke up a protest encampment on campus and arrested nine students  and as other colleges across the country, anxious to prepare for commencement season, have either negotiated agreements with students or called in police to dismantle protest camps.

Members of Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine announced the action Friday at the school's Fisher-Bennett Hall, urging supporters to bring 'flags, pots, pans, noise-makers, megaphones' and other items, the University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety said in a news release.

Officers could be seen closing in 'within the hour,' The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. University police supported by city police then escorted the protesters out and secured the building, news outlets reported.

Police said after clearing the building that they recovered 'lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields fashioned from oil drums.'

Exit doors had been secured with zip ties and barbed wire and barricaded with metal chairs and desks, while windows were covered by newspaper and cardboard, and bike racks and metal chairs blocked entrances, police said.

Seven of the students arrested on Friday remained in custody Saturday awaiting felony charges, including one person who assaulted an officer, campus police said. A dozen were issued citations for failing to disperse and follow police commands. They have been released from custody.

The attempted occupation of Fisher-Bennett Hall 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.
A woman was killed by a 'screaming naked' man in Switzerland while 'he attacked multiple people' in a Swiss park.

The jogger was assaulted shortly before 8pm at the Villa Alma Park in Mannedorf on Tuesday evening, according to local reports.

Passersby had raised the alarm when the man, 19, began attacking people at random, and when police arrived on site, they discovered the Swiss woman lying on the ground in a critical condition.

The perpetrator, also a Swiss, was found on the park grounds and was immediately arrested by police.

Local reports claim the man was 'running around naked, screaming and physically attacking other people' in Alma Park, before he was apprehended.

A man, 19, killed a female jogger and physically attacked other people at the Villa Alma Park (pictured), in Mannedorf, on Tuesday evening

The topless attacker was filmed being arrested and led to a vehicle by two officers following the assaults

According to a local, the lifeless woman was lying on the grass beside the shore of Lake Zurich when she was discovered.

But tragically, despite immediate resuscitation attempts, the jogger died at the scene from her serious injuries.

She has not yet been identified.

'It couldn't be a swimming accident because the place isn't easy to reach. It's a narrow place that you can only get to via a narrow staircase,' he told Blick.

Another stunned resident spoke of his shock following the terrifying ordeal, saying: 'There are a lot of young people out and about in this park in the evenings.

'It's crazy what happened here. I was very shocked when I found out this morning'.

Another Mannedorf local who said he often visited the park told 20Minutes: 'You always think it's a quiet and safe place and then something like this happens.

'The fact that the attack took place between seven and 8pm is worrying.

'The man practically attacked the jogger in broad daylight'.

According to police, the alleged perpetrator also injured another woman on Tuesday evening, who suffered with minor injuries.

Cops are still investigating what exactly the teen used to injure the victims in Tuesday's attacks and have not yet provided any details about the man or if there was any relationship between him and the woman.

The crime scene is still visible at the park on Wednesday, with images showing a pool of blood on a path covered with sand.

A concerned resident who lives opposite the Villa Alma told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger that he was left startled by the sirens and flashing lights visible from his home on Tuesday evening.

He revealed he paid a trip to the crime scene on Wednesday, saying: 'I already have a bad feeling.'

The unnamed resident said that park has been eerily quite following the incident, when usually it is full of locals.

In the evenings, and especially on weekends, young people often visit the park, he said, but it is currently unclear how many people were there on Tuesday evening during the time of the crime.
Downing Street aides have been blasted for allowing Rishi Sunak to hog the limelight and acting as if the PM is still as popular as he was when he first took office.

In an extraordinary intervention by top minister Johnny Mercer, No10 officials were warned to stop 'placating' Mr Sunak and giving airtime to 'average' colleagues.

Mr Mercer demanded that more popular Cabinet ministers like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch are instead given more media appearances.

He vented his frustrations in a bombshell memo written on his laptop, which was in full view of fellow train passengers as he travelled to London from Exeter.

Images of Mr Mercer's laptop screen were handed to The Times after being photographed by a passenger in the same carriage on 6 May - four days after the local elections.

But, as well as a focus on Mr Mercer's explosive words, there has also been a backlash within Tory ranks about the Plymouth Moor View MP's decision to travel bare foot on public transport.

Johnny Mercer vented his frustrations in a bombshell memo written on his laptop, which was in full view of fellow train passengers as he travelled to London from Exeter

The veterans' affairs minister blasted Downing Street aides for allowing Rishi Sunak to hog the limelight and acting as if the PM is still as popular as he was when he first took office

Mr Mercer demanded that more popular Cabinet ministers like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch are instead given more media appearances

Images of Mr Mercer's laptop screen were handed to The Times after being photographed by a passenger in the same carriage on 6 May - four days after the local elections

Mr Mercer warned No10 officials to stop 'placating' Mr Sunak and giving airtime to 'average' colleagues

In his memo, the minister for veterans' affairs wrote: 'Political communication seems haphazard, un-themed and loose. We have average performers during important slots.

'How many people did (Transport Secretary Mark) Harper win over for us this weekend?

'Team in No10 operating as though the PM is as popular in the polls as he was two years ago.

'It appears to be all about placating him/managing him/promoting him on social media.

'We are only going to get through this as a team. There are good, capable senior colleagues around the Cabinet table who people clearly like, who should see more air time and be more prominent.'

Polls of Conservative members showing that Business Secretary Ms Badenoch and Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt are more popular than Mr Sunak 'should not be ignored', Mr Mercer said.

Both Ms Badenoch and Ms Mordaunt are seen as potential Tory leadership contenders if the party loses the general election.

Mr Mercer, who has been an outspoken backer of Mr Sunak, also wrote that too many special advisers were 'overpromoted and underskilled' and had 'poor political judgments'.

He said that despite his access to No10 and the Prime Minister, 'I don't feel part of the team'.

His efforts to persuade No10 to allow veterans to use their IDs at polling stations had been blocked by special advisers, he said, adding: 'Feels like even I cannot have any impact on the grid/government comms.'

Mr Sunak's latest popularity rating on the ConservativeHome website is minus 51 - lagging far behind Ms Mordaunt (left) on minus 23 and Ms Badenoch (right), on minus 15

Fellow Tory MP Michael Fabricant hit out at Mr Mercer's decision to ditch socks and shoes as he sat in the train carriage from Exeter St Davids to London Paddington

Mr Sunak's latest popularity rating on the ConservativeHome website is minus 51 - lagging far behind Ms Mordaunt on minus 23 and Ms Badenoch, who tops the rankings on minus 15.

Labour's shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said: 'With high-profile Tory ministers exposed as lacking confidence in Rishi Sunak and his weak leadership, it's no wonder the British public are demanding it's time for change.

'The only way to turn the page and end the ongoing Tory chaos is with a Labour government delivering change the country needs.'

Fellow Tory MP Michael Fabricant hit out at Mr Mercer's decision to ditch socks and shoes as he sat in the train carriage from Exeter St Davids to London Paddington.

He posted on X/Twitter: 'I remember flying back from Brussels once and a BA official at the boarding desk telling someone to put their shoes and socks on before boarding the flight.

'When asked why, she replied "People don't like looking at other people's toenails or smelling their feet." I agree.'
Human remains discovered in a river in south London on Tuesday are those of missing woman Sarah Mayhew, police have confirmed, as two people remain in custody charged with murdering and dismembering her.

Last month police were called to a location in New Addington where they discovered Sarah's arms, legs and head.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police were called to Rawnsley Avenue in Mitcham at 2.18pm yesterday after contractors carrying out repair work discovered her torso - some nine miles away from where the rest of her body was found.

A forensic tent was set up at the scene and police cordons put in place.

Sarah, 38, from Croydon, was last seen in Sutton, south-west London, on the evening of March 8.

Gemma Watts, 48, and Steven Sansom, 44, have been charged with her murder and preventing her lawful and decent burial.

Sarah, 38, from Croydon, was last seen in Sutton, south-west London, on the evening of March 8

Police set up a forensic crime scene with tents and taped of areas of woodland as they search an area in southwest London after a limbless torso was found in the River Wandle in Ravensbury Park

Gemma Watts, 48, and Steven Sansom, 44, were arrested on Saturday and subsequently charged with Ms Mayhew's murder and preventing her lawful and decent burial

It is alleged that the couple killed Ms Mayhew at a residential property before her body was dismembered with power tools.

The cause of Ms Mayhew's death remains unknown, and her family are being supported by specialist officers.

Sarah's death was confirmed last month after partial remains were discovered in Rowdown Fields in New Addington.

Examinations of her partial remains previously found two small vertebrae were broken in her voicebox, bruising to the skull and that her head had been shaved.

Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who is leading the investigation, said: 'My thoughts remain with Sarah's family. We will continue to provide our support as our investigation progresses.

'I expect my officers to remain in the area for some time as they carry out important work at the scene.

A court heard that the couple allegedly killed Ms Mayhew at a residential property before her body was dismembered with power tools

A dog walker alerted the police to the first grim discovery after their canine had uncovered a human bone. A DNA test later found they belonged to Ms Mayhew (pictured)

'Two people arrested, who were known to Sarah, were later charged with her murder. At present we are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death. Enquiries are ongoing.'

Watts and Sansom appeared at the Old Bailey last month, where they were remanded into custody.

Judge Katz set a plea hearing for June 27 and a provisional four-week trial from February 17 next year.

Sansom, of Burnell Road, Sutton, south-west London, also faces three separate charges of making indecent images of a child.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation who has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101, quoting reference 1656/02Apr.
Companies adopt Seoul AI Business Pledge for equal benefit to people

By Baek Byung-yeul

Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom and other global AI-related companies vowed Wednesday to ensure the safe and sustainable development of AI.

At the Global AI Forum, a side event of the AI Seoul Summit held on Tuesday, the companies announced the Seoul AI Business Pledge and agreed to promote diversity and inclusion so that everyone in the world can benefit equally from AI technology.

"Safety, innovation, and inclusion are the priority themes of the AI Seoul Summit and the Global AI Forum and they are closely interconnected," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said during an opening speech of the event at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. "Safety is a crucial factor determining sustainability in the global market."

The Seoul pledge was jointly made by 14 companies  Samsung Electronics, LG AI Research, SK Telecom, KT, Naver, Kakao, Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, IBM, Anthropic, Adobe, Cohere and Salesforce.

"The Seoul AI Business Pledge is a voluntary commitment from domestic and overseas tech companies to pursue responsible AI development and benefit-sharing," Lee Jong-ho, minister of science and ICT, said. "We will strengthen cooperation with AI safety research institutes for responsible AI development and use."

The ICT minister also mentioned that AI companies agreed to implement measures to identify AI-generated content with watermarks and strengthen cooperation for developing international standards.

They also promised to share best practices for safety frameworks and reduce the use of AI-generated content to prevent the spread of misinformation that threatens democracy.

The pledge aligns with the Frontier AI Safety Commitments agreed upon by 16 organizations at the AI Seoul Summit on Tuesday.

These commitments state that companies will not develop highly advanced AI that cannot be controlled by humans if they cannot mitigate the risks.

Unlike the AI Safety Summit held in the United Kingdom last November, the Seoul summit and the forum presented innovation and inclusion as new goals, aiming to spread the message that developing AI services in a way that leaves no one behind should be a global goal.

In line with this scheme, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong announced Tuesday at the summit that the company would participate in the international community's efforts to create safe, innovative and inclusive AI.

"AI is not just about industry disruption or economic growth. It is about fundamentally reshaping how we live, work and interact with the world," the executive chairman said via video. "We see a very unique opportunity to leverage this technology for good, but it is also essential that we do it responsibly. As we progress in innovation, minimizing the misuse and maximizing the benefits of AI must be a global conversation."

Saying that one of Samsung's core values is "moving humanity forward through technology," the Samsung chief emphasized that the company's technology and products would enable humanity to enjoy the benefits of AI.
Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells today slammed campaigner Alan Bates as being 'unhelpful' after he blamed the Post Office for the suicide of a wrongly accused postmaster.

The 65-year-old businesswoman took to the witness box today at the Horizon IT public inquiry into why hundreds of branch managers were wrongly prosecuted amid claims they stole from the business.

Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 after Horizon, owned by Japanese company Fujitsu, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

The scandal was deemed the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history, while Ms Vennells' central role in it was portrayed in ITV's acclaimed drama series Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, sparking public anger at what happened.

Ms Vennells, who was chief executive at the company from 2012 to 2019, began her evidence issuing a grovelling apology to victims of the scandal, saying she was 'very, very sorry' - which one postmaster later described as a 'PR apology'.

At one point during the inquiry, Ms Vennells broke down in tears as she was asked about her response to the death of Martin Griffiths, a subpostmaster who died by suicide after he was wrongly accused of fraud.

Ms Vennells described campaigner Alan Bates' accusations of blame against the Post Office after Mr Griffiths' death as being 'unhelpful' and claimed his language directed at Post Office staff, accusing them of 'thuggery', was 'extreme'.

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells is seen breaking down in tears as she gave evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry today

Ms Vennells dries her tears with a tissue as she gives evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry

Martin Griffiths, 59, who took his own life in 2013 after he was falsely suspected of stealing money from a Post Office in Ellesmere Port

The inquiry was shown an email exchange in September 2013, prompted by the incident involving Mr Griffiths', in which he pointed out that the Post Office had 'driven him to suicide'.

What Paula Vennells told the inquiry today 'I am sorry' 'I would just like to say, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this, how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry is looking into.' 'Too trusting' 'One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting. I did probe and I did ask questions and I'm disappointed where information wasn't shared and it has been a very important time for me... to plug some of those gaps.' 'Unacceptable' 'It's completely unacceptable that that (not knowing the extent of the Post Office's criminal investigations) was the case and that people, including myself, didn't know. 'Status quo' 'My only explanation for that is that it had been going on for so long, that it was an accepted reality, it was the status quo that I joined and accepted, I shouldn't have done.' 'Disappointed' 'I have been disappointed, particularly more recently, listening to evidence of the inquiry where I think I remember people knew more than perhaps either they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.' 'No conspiracy' 'I have no sense that there was any conspiracy at all. My deep sorrow in this is that I think that individuals, myself included, made mistakes, didn't see things, didn't hear things.' 'Should have known' 'I should have known and I should have asked more questions, and I and others who also did not know should have dug much more deeply into this.' Advertisement

An email from Mr Bates criticising the Post Office after Mr Griffiths had stepped in front of the bus was shown.

In the email, Mr Bates said Mr Griffiths's case was a 'prime example of the thuggery being exerted on defenceless subpostmasters' as he was said to have been denied legal representation during a meeting by 'arrogant and uncontrolled Post Office personnel'.

In response Ms Vennells said the campaigner was 'rightly very, very angry about this', but his language about her colleagues 'was extreme'.

Jason Beer KC asked: 'You say in your statement that 'this was a time of great distress for Mr Griffiths's family, and I felt the accusations of blame were unhelpful'... is that right that you felt that Mr Bates's accusations of blame were unhelpful?'

Ms Vennells responded: 'I think at this stage some of those accusations of blame were unhelpful, yes, because the Post Office needed to respond to this properly and at that stage, I had no understanding as to what had gone on.'

The inquiry was shown an email from Mr Bates to Ms Vennells and others in which Mr Bates said he had received an email from a relative of Mr Griffiths on September 23, 2012, the day he walked in front of a bus.

At the time Mr Girffiths was in hospital, and the relative said 'the Post Office had driven him to suicide'. Mr Griffiths died in hospital three weeks later.

An email chain between former Post Office general counsel Susan Crichton and Ms Vennells was also shown, in which Ms Vennells says 'if it is an attempted suicide, as we sadly know, there are usually several contributory factors'.

Asked why she was raising the fact that there were usually several contributory factors, she said she was 'very sorry', adding: 'Every email you will see from me about Mr Griffiths, I start with him and how he was and how his family are. The Post Office took far too long to deal with it.'

She added that as chief executive, she had to communicate 'something so serious as this to the board' and was trying to find out 'whether there was anything else behind it', then broke down in tears as she mentioned a previous experience of a Post Office colleague taking their own life and spoke to their family who explained that there were 'other issues involved'.

Speaking of Mr Griffiths's case, she said: 'I imagine that what I was doing here in this email was recalling that previous incident, but what you will see is that in every email I wrote on this, my first concern was for Mr Griffiths and his family, and as I said in my statement, sorry is an inadequate word, I'm just so sorry that Mr Griffiths isn't here today.'

Alan Bates, former sub-postmaster and founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance

Paula Vennells is sworn in to the Horizon inquiry at Aldwych House today

Post Office boss Paula Vennells gestures as she gives evidence to the inquiry at Aldwych House, central London

The inquiry was shown another internal email, where Ms Vennells subsequently asked: 'I know (sadly from experience in business and personally) that there is rarely a simple explanation for such deaths.

How Martin Griffiths took his own life after he was falsely accused of stealing money from the Post Office

Father-of-two Martin Griffiths, 59, took his own life in 2013 after he was falsely accused of stealing money from the Post Office. Mr Griffiths worked at Hope Farm Road post office in Ellesmere Port, and had spent about two decades with the company, with 18 of those as a sub-postmaster. He was wrongly accused of taking 39,000 from the branch due to an unexplained shortfall. He was also deemed culpable for an armed robbery in May 2013 for which the Post Office demanded he pay them back 7,500. Mr Griffiths was sacked from his job in July of that year and he was forced to use his parents' life savings to pay off the sum. The turmoil had a huge impact on the father-of-two's physical and mental health, his family said. On September 23, 2013, Mr Griffiths parked his car on the A41 in Ellesmere Port after leaving a note for his loved ones and walked in front of a bus. He died in hospital 18 days later. Advertisement

'Can you let me know what background we have on Martin. I had heard but have yet to see a formal report that there were previous mental health issues and potential family issues.'

Asked by inquiry lawyer Mr Beer if she was asking her team to 'dig' into Mr Griffiths' records, Ms Vennells replied: 'I'm so sorry. I had as Chief Executive to pass this information onto group executives and board colleagues.

'Mr Bates said the Post Office was to blame, but I did know from previous examples  it doesn't matter, I shouldn't have said it. I shouldn't have used these words.'

Ms Vennells said tasking her team with looking into Mr Griffiths' situation was because she wanted to find out about allegations the Post Office was responsible for his death, and not to 'get on the front foot'.

She said: 'What I was trying to do, quite simply, was to get the wider picture and  to understand particularly the very difficult challenges that Mr Bates had levelled at some Post Office colleagues.'

Later on Ms Vennells said she 'regretted' using the word 'noise' in association with complaints launched by subpostmasters about the Horizon IT system.

Asked if 'noise' was what complaints were seen as at the top end of the Post Office, Ms Vennells said: 'No, and I'm sorry it is not a good word but you have also seen how I have responded personally to other individual matters. It is a word I regret using.'

Asked if it reflected the 'workings of the minds' of those at the top of the business, Ms Vennells said: 'I think it reflects a wrong understanding yes that people believed that Horizon worked and this is me deploying a word that was unwise.

'I did not in any way mean that I personally did not take seriously issues when they got to me.'

A few minutes later there was sardonic laughter in the inquiry room as Ms Vennells was quizzed about an email to her from subpostmaster Tim McCormack in 2015 explaining he had evidence of flaws.

Mr McCormack said he had proof of 'an intermittent bug in Horizon that can and does cause thousands of pounds of losses to subpostmasters'.

Urging her to investigate, he wrote: 'We can stop this farce now. You can wake up and realise that the people you rely on to tell you the truth about what's happened don't have the ability to do so.'

Asked what she did about this email, Ms Vennells said: 'I don't recall. I genuinely don't recall.' Her response prompted the trickle of laughter from campaigners.

Undeterred, the inquiry heard Mr McCormack wrote again to Ms Vennells, an Anglican priest.

He wrote: 'A typical head in the sand reply from the team you have placed too much trust in. I do wonder what kind of god you worship.'

He later emailed her to describe her team as 'a complete bunch of idiots playing havoc with the lives of people you have little interest in.'

Paula Vennells seen arriving at the post office Enquiry this morning surrounded by police officers and members of the press

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells arrives to testify at the Post Office inquiry on May 22, 2024 in London

As Vennells gave evidence, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing.

Speaking after her brief break down earlier, a former subpostmaster accused Ms Vennells of making a 'PR apology'.

Mark Kelly, 45, who was a subpostmaster in Swansea from 2003 to 2006, said: 'The apology I think was quite well-rehearsed, the speech of the apology and also the response to the questions.

'The reason why I think the apology was more like a PR apology was because all these years she could have made an apology like that.

'Why did she have to wait until today to do that?'

Jess Kaur, 52, an ex-postmistress in Walsall who was wrongly accused in 2009 of stealing 11,000, said: 'I was just thinking to myself when she started crying that we were crying like that at the time.

'It was nice to see her tears, but at the same time she's got a lot to answer for. She just needs to tell the truth.'

Janet Skinner expressed sympathy over the position of the former chief executive on Wednesday, giving evidence to a room of people with 'eyes full of hatred'.

The former subpostmistress was sentenced to nine months in prison in 2007 for false accounting. She was 35 at the time and had to leave her two children behind.

She told PA: 'I'll be honest, I felt quite emotional this morning.

'I actually felt emotional for her because she is up there and she has got all these eyes there that are just full of hatred towards her and that must be such an overwhelming, horrible, intense feeling.'

She said Ms Vennells 'has brought it all on herself', continuing: 'This is her time on that stand to now put her side of the story out there.

'Everybody has chucked mud at her, it's time for her to open up and be quite open and honest about who was at the forefront of it all.'

Other subpostmasters recalled the times they had cried over the scandal.

Former subpostmaster Lee Castleton said Ms Vennells will 'never' shed as many tears as he has.

Mr Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004. He was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

Speaking about Ms Vennells' evidence, he said: 'She's got a huge opportunity to get what she sees as the truth out there.

'I think it's a huge stage for her, I think the paperwork is fantastic, to see what was being written at the time it's really, really important for us to see that.

'And what she remembers really is kind of a background for me, the actual verbal evidence is not really that important.'

Asked about Ms Vennells breaking down in tears, he added: 'She'll never shed as many as I have, I'm afraid, or my family, or the rest of the victims or the wider group.

'Not that I have no empathy for that because I do, I understand completely.

'I'd imagine a lot of it's nerves too and doing her best. I think she's got a need or want to do the right thing.'

As Vennells spoke, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing

One woman (centre) places her hands on her face as she watches the inquiry from Fenny Compton

Former post office worker Lee Castleton who was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004

Elsewhere during the inquiry, Ms Vennells said she did not agree with a sentiment expressed by former managing director Alan Cook when he sent an email she was copied into referring to 'subbies with their hands in the till'.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked: 'Was that a sentiment that you agreed with?'

Ms Vennells responded: 'No, I never used the word subbies, I thought it was completely the wrong word.'

Mr Beer then said: 'What about the more important thing about them having their hands in the till?'

After a ripple of laughter from those watching proceedings in the hearing room, Ms Vennells replied: 'I beg your pardon, I wasn't avoiding answering that question - neither - either calling them subbies or having their hands in the till.'

She later appeared to become emotional as she discussed reading details of complaints from eight subpostmasters in 2013, which she described as 'very disturbing'.

The complaints included faults with Horizon, problems with mis-balancing, shortfalls being wrongly attributed to subpostmasters, wrongful convictions, and complaints about Horizon training and its helpline.

Ms Vennells said: 'All cases were by their nature disturbing.'

She then paused for several seconds to compose herself as she choked back tears, before adding: 'There were questions in the organisation at a board and executive level, about whether this was a distraction of management time.

'When I read these reports, it seemed to me that this was an important distraction of management time.'

Ms Vennells agreed with inquiry lawyer Mr Beer that it was a 'serious issue' for 'folklore' to develop within the Post Office, relating to incorrect claims about its 100 per cent success rate on prosecutions, that Horizon was faultless, and that remote access to the system was not possible.

Mr Beer said: 'Each of these things turn out to be false. How is it that on all of these critical issues, so many false statements were circulating within the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'At the time they were not considered to be false statements. I didn't believe any of those statements were folklore at all.' She suggested the Post Office legal team may have been the source of some inaccuracies.

Earlier in the day, Ms Vennells said she had no idea when she joined the company in 2007 that the Post Office was investigating its own staff, taking them to court, and trying to recover money from them.

She said: 'I didn't understand that the Post Office was bringing its own criminal investigations. Investigations can be taken at all sorts of different levels.

'I certainly didn't read into this that the Post Office was conducting criminal investigations to the level that I later understood.'

She said she did not appreciate the situation fully until 2012, when she became chief executive.

Ms Vennells said: 'I should have known and I should have asked more questions. I and others who also didn't know should have dug much more deeply into this. It was a serious mistake that I didn't understand before 2012 the extent of what this meant.'

She said she thought Post Office workers were instead prosecuted by 'external authorities'. She said she and other colleagues 'were surprised' when they discovered about the prosecutions by the organisation.

Ms Vennells, pictured giving evidence as part of phases five and six of the Post Office inquiry, which is looking at governance, redress and how the Post Office and others responded to the scandal

Earlier this morning, Ms Vennells did not answer any questions as she entered Aldwych House, where the inquiry is taking place. At the beginning of her evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry today, Vennells was given a self-incrimination warning.

The warning made clear she could decline to answer a question and the chairman Sir Wyn Williams said her objection would be ruled upon thereafter.

Vennells continued: 'I would just like to say, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others who suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long.'

'I followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and I was very affected by them. I remember listening to one postmaster whose name I noted who said that he would like somebody to go and stand outside his old Post Office with him so he could tell them exactly what he had gone through. I would do that. I am very, very sorry.'

She also said sorry to the campaigners and investigators, whose work she said was made 'so much harder'.

She added: 'My third apology is really about today.I will answer the questions truthfully.

'I am very aware they will be very difficult to listen to, for you and for me, and I ask for your understanding in advance of that.'

Ms Vennells said she was 'too trusting' when Jason Beer KC, lead lawyer for the inquiry, opened his questioning by asking if she was 'the unluckiest CEO (chief executive officer) in the United Kingdom.'

Ms Vennells said: 'As the inquiry has heard, there was information I wasn't given and others didn't receive as well. One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting.'

She said she was 'disappointed' that information 'wasn't shared' with her.

Mr Beer asked: 'Was there a conspiracy at the Post Office which lasted for nearly 12 years involving a wide range of people, differing over time, to deny you information and to deny you documents and to falsely give you reassurance.'

Ms Vennells smiled briefly as she replied: 'No I don't believe that was the case.'

She added: 'I have been disappointed - particularly more recently listening to evidence at the inquiry - where I think I have learnt that people know more than perhaps they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.

'My deep sorrow in this is I think individuals, myself included, maybe didn't see things, didn't hear things. Conspiracy feels too far-fetched.'

She pointed the finger at unnamed 'colleagues' who 'did know more information than was shared'.

There was a small ripple of laughter as Ms Vennells said she was sometimes criticised in team development events 'for being too curious'.

She told the inquiry: 'I asked questions, I oversaw the strategy which would have introduced changes where we felt it was appropriate to the organisation.

'I probed, I worked in a structured way and an informal way.'

Ms Vennells denied continuing to blame the Horizon system for the failures in her witness statement which said 'lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system'.

Mr Beer asked: 'Even after all the inquiry has revealed and the thousands of documents you've read, do you continue to think that the issue was with the computer system, the Horizon system, as opposed to the conduct, competence and ethics of those within the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, and apologies if that is not clear.

'What I meant to say is as a result of all of the matters relating to Horizon.'

She denied Mr Beer's suggestion that the comment in her witness statement, submitted less than two months ago but read for the first time in public today, was 'a perpetuation of a culture that ran through the Post Office of failing to take responsibility for the use of powers that it elected to use, and indeed use robustly, and instead blame the IT'.

Ms Vennells replied: 'No, it isn't that at all. 'The tragedy we are dealing with today is the result of something much, much broader than an IT system.'

Ms Vennells said she believed there had been no miscarriages of justice - wrongly prosecuting any subpostmaster for false accounting due to faults with Horizon - by the time she left the organisation in 2019, four years after such prosecutions ceased.

Inquiry lawyer Mr Beer asked: 'Did you believe right up until the point at which you left the business, there had been no 'miscarriages of justice?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'I was told multiple times  that there had been no evidence found. I was told that nothing had been found.'

Asked again if she believed when she stepped back from the Post Office that there had been no miscarriages of justice, Ms Vennells replied: 'I think that's right.'

Mr Beer asked: 'Were you clear in your convictions that nothing had gone wrong in your time at the Post Office, so far as Horizon was concerned and the prosecution of subpostmasters was concerned?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, there were problems with Horizon all the way through my tenure.'

Mr Beer said: 'Why were you telling Parliamentarians every prosecution involving the Horizon system had been successful and had found in favour of the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells, becoming tearful, said: 'I fully accept now - excuse me.' She then began sobbing before wiping her tears as she tried to continue: 'The Post Office knew that (not every case was won).'

'Personally, I didn't know that and I'm incredibly sorry that that happened to those people, and to so many others.'

Paula Vennells, 65, was CEO of the Post Office for much of the time subpostmasters were being wrongly prosecuted

Mock-up of the email sent by former Post Office boss Paula Vennells after she received detailed case files of eight subpostmasters that had potentially been wrongly convicted

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry

Ms Vennells later said she was not aware of any system in place to record if the Post Office lost any of its criminal cases.

She said: 'I don't believe there was (a system), and there should have been.'

The inquiry previously heard Ms Vennells told MPs the Post Office had never been defeated at court when prosecuting subpostmasters.

Inquiry lawyer Mr Beer asked: 'How did it come about that false information was perpetuated, regurgitated, deployed in this way?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'I didn't believe it was false information.'

Ms Vennells, wearing a grey trouser suit and orange scarf, was met by bustling crowds as she arrived at the inquiry centre in central London shortly before 8am, two hours before her eagerly-awaited evidence began.

Seema Misra, who ran a Post Office in West Byfleet, Surrey, and was jailed in 2010 after being accused of stealing 74,000, told reporters she urged Ms Vennells to 'for god's sake, speak truth'.

More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted for theft by the Post Office and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015 as Fujitsu's faulty IT system, known as Horizon, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

Many were sent to jail and bankrupted, while at least four are believed to have taken their own lives over it.

Prosecutions continued to happen under Ms Vennells' watch despite repeatedly being told there were concerns about the reliability of the evidence.

Ms Vennells initially submitted a short statement to the long-running inquiry three years ago in which her legal team said she had been 'deeply disturbed' after judges ruled the prosecution of subpostmasters was 'an affront to justice'.

Her statement added: 'What has come to light, above all in relation to the conduct of private prosecutions of sub-postmasters over a lengthy period, was clearly unacceptable.'

But today marks the first time Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest, has given live evidence to the inquiry - and offered her the opportunity to respond to a litany of allegations about her time at the Post Office.

Earlier, speaking ahead of her appearance, Ms Hamilton has said she Vennells 'knew' people were being wrongly convicted.

She told GMB she 'almost fainted' after pleading guilty to false accounting charges and being told she would not receive a custodial sentence.

'I was so relieved, I had tears pouring down my face,' Ms Hamilton said.

'I think she has to have known it's been going on, she can't be stupid to be CEO and you have to know.

'But how much she knew we're going to find out, but she had to know what was going on because she was head of the tree.

'I sat behind her in the select committee in 2015 and you could see from the body language, I believe she knew then in 2015.'

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry - even having her number blocked by ex-head of IT Lesley Sewell after seeking her help to avoid one.

The inquiry heard this included standing by the conviction of Jo Hamilton, and authorising the wrongful prosecution of Lee Castleton, both of which were featured in the ITV drama.

Ms Hamilton was falsely accused of taking the money from the Post Office branch she ran in South Warnborough, Hampshire.

She eventually pleaded guilty to false accounting in fear of going to jail - having twice re-mortgaged her house - and was prosecuted in 2006, but had her conviction quashed in 2021 when she was found to be a victim of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

In a letter to Lord James Arbuthnot, Ms Hamilton's then-MP, in 2012, Ms Vennells wrote: 'There has been no evidence to support any of the allegations and we have no reason to doubt the integrity of the system, which we remain confident is robust and fit for purpose.'

Lord Arbuthnot said Ms Vennells and senior colleagues 'had become defensive, legalistic, and determined to keep from MPs information about which they had previously promised to be open' when he and others began to raise concerns about the prosecutions.

The inquiry heard Ms Vennells likely signed off the trial bill of more than 300,000 to prosecute Mr Castleton, after a 23,000 shortfall during a 12-week period at his branch in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Mr Castleton repeatedly asked the Post Office for help but was sacked and sued for refusing to repay the cash. He was made bankrupt after a two-year legal bill and ordered to pay more than 300,000 for the company's legal bill.

Speaking before Ms Vennells gave evidence, Mr Castleton said: 'It's a good platform for her to finally speak. She's not been able to, for whatever reason, speak for all these years. I think it's important that she is listened to and heard and then we can all judge that.'

He said he was hoping to hear 'the truth'.

Asked what message he would send to Ms Vennells if he could, Mr Castleton said: 'This is your chance to put it out there. The world's listening, if you like. Do what you feel is right.'

The Post Office has come under fire since the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, which put the Horizon scandal under the spotlight

Earlier this year, ITV bosses announced the first episode of Mr Bates vs. the Post Office had been watched by 9.2million viewers

Ms Vennells is said to have maintained Horizon was 'robust' and was so wedded to issues being a fault with the subpostmasters rather than the software that she falsely told a Government minister in 2012 that the courts found in the Post Office's favour 'in every instance' when prosecuting subpostmasters for theft or false accounting.

She also suggested that 'temptation was an issue' for branch workers, and that some had been 'borrowing' money from the tills.

Ms Vennells forfeited her CBE for services to the Post Office and to charity earlier this year after 'bringing the honours system into disrepute' following the public backlash brought on by the TV series.

She was handed the honour in 2019, just a month before quitting the beleaguered government-owned company.

ITV News reported that the October 2013 email, as well as a recording of a phone conversation involving Ms Vennells, confirmed she was sent case files of eight subpostmasters.

The email from Ms Vennells to Ron Warmington, a forensic accountant with firm Second Sight who were drafted in to review independently the Horizon system, read: 'Apart from finding them very disturbing (I defy anyone not to), I am now even better informed.

'The form you have devised is very helpful as it removes some of the emotion and highlights very clearly areas we need to address as well as investigate for the mediation process, which I hope will bring closure for some of these people.

'As I said... I take this very seriously...'

In 2015, she told MPs she had seen no evidence of miscarriages of justice and that there were no faults in the Horizon system.

Counsel to the inquiry are likely to probe Ms Vennells on whether she deliberately misled the business select committee.

The revelation has been described by Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi as the 'smoking gun' that is the cover-up of the Horizon IT scandal and has called on her to 'finally admit the truth'.

Jason Beer KC previously told the probe she made a false statement in 2012 to then Conservative MP Oliver Letwin when she wrote about the prosecution of subpostmasters, in which she said: 'In every instance, the court has found in our favour.'

Questions about the Post Office's alleged 'defensive and self-absorbed' culture also loom over Ms Vennells - with the business's current chief financial officer Alisdair Cameron speaking of an 'unacceptable, self-serving' relationship with subpostmasters.

He told the probe that Ms Vennells had been 'clear in her conviction from the day I joined that nothing had gone wrong' - adding that she did not believe there had been any miscarriages of justice.

She has not yet spoken in detail about her role in the scandal, but previously apologised for the 'devastation caused to subpostmasters and their families'.

Ms Vennells was made a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List 'for services to the Post Office and to charity', but voluntarily handed the honour back after a petition attracted more than 1.2 million signatures.

The Metropolitan Police previously said they are looking at 'potential fraud offences' arising out of the prosecution of subpostmasters; for example, 'monies recovered... as a result of prosecutions or civil actions'.

Two Fujitsu experts, who were witnesses in the trials, are being investigated for perjury and perverting the course of justice - but nobody has been arrested since the inquiry was launched in January 2020.

There are unlikely to be any criminal charges until inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams completes his final report, which is expected to be published next year.

In the meantime, hundreds of subpostmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts.
A 'creepy' Royal Navy recruit has been convicted of sexually assaulting three fellow male trainees by 'cupping and squeezing' their genitals while they were naked in the shower, sleeping in bed or walking past him in the corridor.

A court martial heard that Michael Carmona, 25, 'targeted' one aspiring sailor in particular, who he blew kisses at, hugged, tickled the chin of and winked at.

It was heard that Carmona also 'creeped' out fellow classmates by 'looking at their genitals rather than their faces' while they were showering during the three-week period they trained together.

When confronted about his behaviour towards his three alleged victims at the Royal Navy's largest training establishment of HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, Carmona claimed it was just playful 'banter'.

After a one week trial at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, he was convicted of four counts of sex assault.

Carmona, who has since left the Navy, will be sentenced on July 15.

Michael Carmona, 25, assaulted the three trainees while they were naked in the shower, sleeping in bed or walking past him in the corridor, a court martial heard

Opening the trial, prosecutor Graham Coombes had said the offences took place early last year.

'They were all phase one recruits in the accused's training class,' he said.

Carmona targeted' one aspiring sailor in particular, who he blew kisses at, hugged, tickled the chin of and winked at

'They had their genitals touched by the accused. As a result, he was given a written lawful command not to approach any of the complainants.'

Mr Coombes detailed Rct Carmona's charges of one fellow recruit in particular which he found 'upsetting'.

'In week two, without warning [Rct Carmona] cupped his genitals with his right hand over his clothing out of nowhere' he said.

'On another occasion the accused made physical contact with his genitals, squeezing his penis briefly.'

The court heard Carmona and the first alleged victim were in training together before the accused was suspended.

'On other occasions he tickled his chin and poked him in the ribs,' Mr Coombes continued.

'He would say his name in a creepy, high pitched voice and grabbed his hips with both hands and thrust his genitals into his bottom.

'He found his [Carmona's] behaviour increasingly upsetting.'

The court heard a second recruit, whose bed was next to Carmona, complained of his conduct.

'On the second day whilst he was laying on his bed in the evening with lights out, the accused came into his bed area and then put his hands onto his crotch area on the duvet,' Mr Coombes said.

'He said 'whoa what are you doing?' and the accused said 'oh, wrong bed'.'

The court heard he found this weird but something 'similar' happened the next night when he 'squeezed' the recruits genitals over the duvet.

Mr Coombes said the final alleged victim was another recruit in the same class and occurred whilst he was in the shower at 10pm on his own.

After a one week trial at Bulford Military Court (pictured), Carmona was convicted of four counts of sex assault

'The accused followed [complainant] into the shower where they were both naked,' he said.

'As he was washing hair and face with soap the alleged cupped his genitals in his hand and slapped him on this bottom before he pushed him away.'

The court heard he 'smacked' his bottom, while clothed, on a different occasion, hugged him and kissed him on one of his face cheeks.

Of his showering habits in general, he said: 'When he and other male recruits were in the shower, he would look at their genitals rather than their faces which he would find creepy.

The court heard other recruits noticed Carmona blowing kisses, winking and 'squeezing' the bottom of one of them.

Giving evidence, one of the sailors said everyone had received training in the first week about 'no touching policy' in the ranks.

He said the touching was 'unpleasant' and made him 'really uncomfortable' that he was being 'targeted' sexually.

'It made me overthink,' he told the court.

'I started to get sleepless nights. I felt trapped being with him 'I felt like I couldn't do anything.'

When confronted about his behaviour towards his three alleged victims at the Royal Navy's largest training establishment of HMS Raleigh in Cornwall (pictured), Carmona claimed it was just playful 'banter'

He eventually reported it to superiors and Carmona was suspended.

When interviewed, Carmona said the incidents were 'playful but not sexual'.

He said he 'sometimes went too far' with what he called 'banter' and admitted to hugging one recruit 'every other day'.

Carmona also denied touching him sexually, other than one grab of his 'breasts' from behind.

The court heard he initially told service police he touched the first sailor's genitals as 'banter' but has since claimed if there was any touching, it was accidental.

He also claims the contact that did occur was 'an attempt to try and fit in with the group'.

He was convicted of the sex assaults but cleared of disobeying a lawful command for allegedly contacting one of the recruits after being ordered not to.
Ms Murray has walked 200 miles in 16 days from the spot her son died in 2017

The mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim has ended a 200-mile walk by calling on Rishi Sunak to bring legislation to prevent similar tragedies in future.

Figen Murray arrived at Downing Street this morning, 16 days after setting off from the spot her son Martyn Hett, 29, was killed alongside 21 others who attended an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

Martyn's mother is pushing for the implementation of 'Martyn's Law' which would require venues and local authorities in the UK to have training requirements and preventative plans against terror attacks.

Ms Murray said she had waited 18 months since the Prime Minister told her in a phone call that he was supportive of the legislation, which has yet to get beyond draft stage.

Flanked by her husband Stuart at the gates to Downing Street, she added: 'I'd like an answer, I'd like a date [when legislation will be brought to parliament] please. I think we deserve a date.'

This is the moment Figen Murray, mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett, arrived at Downing Street on the anniversary of the terror attack having walked 200 miles as part of a campaign to see tough new counter-terror laws brought to the UK

Martyn's Law, named after the 29-year-old victim (pictured), would require venues and local authorities in the UK to have training requirements and preventative plans against terror attacks

Pictured: Ms Murray handing in a letter about Martyn's Law to Number 10 this morning

This is the moment Figen Murray arrived at Downing Street!



Shes completed her 200 mile walk from Manchester Arena to ask the Prime Minister for an exact date to enact #martynslaw - to improve the readiness of venues to respond to terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/YRKfeqBj1P  Hits Radio News | Manchester (@hitsmcrnews) May 22, 2024

She later added: 'To be fair to the Government, we had Covid and changes in leadership - those delays didn't help. But the draft legislation has been made for quite some time.

'And that is the reason I'm here because I'm not sure why it's delayed and I'm really expecting the Prime Minister to give me an answer today as far as the date is concerned.

'I'm hoping that Keir Starmer is also supportive of it [Martyn's Law], which I think he will be because when we had the very first press conference about Martyn's Law back in Manchester we actually had cross-party support.

'Nobody objected to it and hopefully that continues.

'Today is the seventh anniversary of Martyn's death and it's important because I don't want any other family to go through what we went through.

'Martyn's Law is legislation to keep people safe in venues when they go out and about and it has to be mandated sooner rather than later.'

Ms Murray set off from Manchester Arena at 11am on May 7 with the intent to look Mr Sunak 'in the eye' and call for the implementation of Martyn's Law.

She sat in the public gallery in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions today and was due to meet Mr Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir afterwards, with the end of her 16-day journey marking the seventh anniversary of her son's death.

Mr Sunak said he looked forward to meeting her, adding: 'I'd like to pay tribute to Figen Murray... for her courage and her bravery of her campaigning in her son Martyn's memory.'

Sir Keir said: 'I also welcome Figen Murray. She's campaigning for Martyn's Law which we must make a reality as soon as possible.'

In a subsequent House of Commons debate about Prevent, security minister Tom Tugendhat said: 'It's been an absolute joy to work with Figen Murray on another area - she has been a remarkable advocate for individuals across our country but for those who have been victims of terror.

'Seven years ago, almost to the day, she lost her son Martyn, and I know we all pay enormous tribute to her and for the dignity and the professionalism with which she has approached her campaign - one which has led to an awful lot of support, including from the Prime Minister and others as well.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (seen in the House of Commons today) paid tribute to Ms Murray as she sat in the public gallery at PMQs today adding that he looked forward to meeting her

The campaigner later met Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in Westminster (pitured)

Mr Tugendhat said he could not offer any updates on a new anti-terrorism law, known as Martyn's Law, which could 'impose requirements in relation to certain premises and events to increase their preparedness for, and protection from, a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps'.

Shadow security minister Dan Jarvis had earlier said: 'The dignity and tenacity shown by Figen remind us all of the painful legacies left by terrorism that are faced by too many people in our country.'

SNP home affairs spokesperson Alison Thewliss had also asked for an update on the proposed Martyn's Law and said: 'I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Figen Murray for all her work and advocacy that she has done following the Manchester Arena bombing.'

Ms Thewliss also paid tribute to Eilidh MacLeod, a 14-year-old from Barra, Scotland, who died in the attack, and the Eilidh Macleod Memorial Trust which supports 'the advancement of music education of children and young people'.

Ms Murray was joined by numerous supporters throughout her walk, including murdered MP Jo Cox's husband Brendan and Charlotte Dixon Sutcliffe, whose husband David was killed in the Brussels Metro bombing in 2016.

Joining Ms Murray on the second half of her trek, Mr Cox, whose wife Jo was murdered by a right-wing extremist outside a West Yorkshire library in June 2016, said he had been 'inspired' by the grieving mother.

He said: 'It shouldn't come to this, frankly. The reality is that Government knows there's this loophole in our security, it has promised to fix it, it has got draft legislation but it hasn't put that to Parliament and until that is implemented, nobody is safer.'

Ms Murray (seen on May 14) set off from the spot her son died at 11am on May 7 with the intent to look Mr Sunak 'in the eye' and call for the implementation of Martyn's Law, 18 months after she says the new PM told her in a phone call that he was supportive of the legislation, which has yet to get beyond draft stage

She has been joined by numerous supporters throughout her walk, including murdered MP Jo Cox's husband Brendan (pictured), who said he had been 'inspired' by the grieving mother

A Home Office spokesperson previously said: 'As set out in the King's Speech, we are committed to bringing in Martyn's Law  legislation that will better protect the public from terror attacks, and we are grateful to Figen Murray for her tireless support of this issue.

'It is important that our new law stands the test of time and is a fitting tribute to those who have campaigned for it. That is why we have consulted on how we can protect the public without putting unnecessary burdens on smaller businesses.

'We are now in the final stages of drafting this legislation, and it will be brought in as soon as possible.'

Martyn's Law was a commitment in the Conservative Manifesto in 2019 and was followed by public consultations.

Currently there is no legal requirement for venues to employ security measures at the vast majority of public places.

Seven in 10 of the 2,755 respondents to the consultation agreed that publicly accessible locations should take measures to protect people from attacks, according to the Home Office.

But the department said there was an understanding that measures should be proportionate to the size of the venue, with a greater onus put on those that are larger.

Priti Patel, then-Home Secretary, detailed proposals in January 2022, saying the department 'worked closely with Figen Murray, victims' groups and partners' to develop the proposals aimed at improving security around the country.

Since then, an official enquiry into the attack heard that MI5 had the perpetrator, Salman Abedi, on its radar from 2010 but regarded him as low priority.

Additionally, in the months before the attack, the intelligence service received two vital pieces of intelligence on Abedi, which it failed to act upon quickly.

Director-general of MI5 Ken McCallum said in March 2023 that he was 'profundly sorry' that MI5 did not stop the bombing at the concert.

He added: 'Gathering covert intelligence is difficult but had we managed to seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma.'

Consequently, 250 survivors have launched legal action against MI5 over claims it failed to take action to stop the attack.

Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders explained that MI5 received information about Abedi on 20 occasions between 2010 and the days leading up to the attack in May 2017. It came from Abedi's contacts with known extremists.

But MI5 did not investigate him closely. Crucially, Sir John said MI5 received two significant pieces of information of national security concern about Abedi in the months before his attack when he was amassing bomb material.

Pictured: The victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert

Hundreds of survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing have launched legal action against MI5 over claims it failed to take action to stop attacker Salman Abedi (pictured) after an official inquiry heard he was regarded as low priority

But the two pieces of intelligence  which Sir John could not reveal  were not acted upon by MI5 quickly enough.

Abedi was in Libya for a month and returned to Britain four days before the attack.

Sir John believes it was in Libya that he was trained how to make a bomb and even brought back a detonator switch.

Had MI5 acted on the two pieces of intelligence, he would have been searched on re-entering the UK, and officers would have tailed him, which would have led them to a car full of bomb-making materials.

Sir John said there was a 'realistic possibility' that 'actionable intelligence' could have been obtained that might have prevented the attack, adding: 'The reasons for this significant missed opportunity included a failure by a Security Service officer to act swiftly.'
A teenager, who survived being set on fire by his dad as a child, has fulfilled his dream of being in a blockbuster Hollywood film.

Sixteen-year-old Spencer Connelly, from Tasmania's north-west, has been cast in the epic movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, after he auditioned as an extra for the action film which premieres on Thursday.

Spencer's father Paul Brian Edward Connelly set him on fire aged five alongside his older brother Fletcher, then an eight-year-old, inside a car in Burnie, west of Devonport, on December 5, 2012.

The siblings survived however they suffered serious burns in the horror incident. Their father had tried to kill them and himself to prevent their mother from getting custody of them.

Spencer Connelly will feature in the blockbuster Hollywood film alongside Chris Hemsworth

Connelly had placed two gas cylinders in the back of his car when he picked the siblings up from day care 12 years ago.

Around 5pm that day, he lit the gas cylinders with a cigarette, causing them to explore.

Spencer suffered burns to nearly half his body while Fletcher suffered burns to more than 20 per cent of his body.

Connelly was sentenced to 20 years behind bars with a 15-year non parole period for attempted murder in 2013.

Spencer, who recovered from his severe injuries but still bears the scars, was offered the opportunity to audition for a role in the film by its director George Miller, who was moved by Spencer's story.

The teenager wasn't allowed to reveal he was playing a role in the film after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

'It's the biggest movie franchise in Australia, so keeping it from everybody was definitely a challenge,' Spencer told the ABC.

Spencer (pictured right) and his older brother Fletcher (pictured left) were set alight by their father in a car, while their dad picked them up from day care in December 2012

The teenager (pictured left) got to walk the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of the blockbuster film in Sydney earlier this month (pictured right Aussie actor Mark Wales)

Spencer got his shot to be a part of the movie with the help of the Kids Foundation, a child welfare charity that has been helping with his recovery.

'I actually hadn't watched a Mad Max movie, I didn't know what Mad Max was before,' he said.

Susie O'Neill, Chief Executive of the Kids Foundation, said Spencer revealed it was his goal to be cast in a movie during a camp run by the organisation a few years earlier.

'The young people write down the top three things that they want to achieve in the next 12 months,' she said.

'All the others had written things like dogs, computers, and the things that you would expect. Spencer's was he wanted to be in a blockbuster movie.'

Ms O'Neill said she had a chance encounter with the owner of a plot of land in Victoria that was being used to film a part of the movie.

The man helped turn the unlikely dream into a reality after he offered to give his role in the film to Spencer, with the teenager playing one of the 'war boys', who are known as a group of soldiers.

The 16-year-old (pictured) said he would never let his scars and injuries get in the way of achieving his goals

Spencer will not only feature in the film alongside big name stars, he also graced the red carpet at the film's Sydney premiere earlier this month with Chris Hemsworth.

The movie has a budget reportedly worth $168million.

Spencer said he was grateful for the opportunity to be cast in the film and said he never wanted to let his trauma get in the way of achieving his goals.

'I've always said that I've wanted to make my burns, my scars worthwhile and I believe I've done that now,' he said.

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Vladimir Putin looks set to make an underwater land grab by redrawing Russia's maritime borders, further risking a direct conflict with NATO.

According to a draft government decree, Russia's defence ministry has proposed a revision to its borders in the Baltic Sea, drawing a rebuke from NATO-members Finland and Lithuania.

Dated May 21, the decree shows the ministry proposed adjusting the border around Russian islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and around Kaliningrad.

'The state border of the Russian Federation at sea will change,' a summary of the draft decree said. If approved, the decree would come into force in January 2025.

The defence ministry argued in justification of the change that an earlier Soviet measurement of the border from 1985 used mid-20th century nautical charts and so did not fully correspond to more modern cartographical coordinates.

Vladimir Putin looks set to make an underwater land grab by redrawing Russia 's maritime borders in the Baltic Sea, further risking a direct conflict with NATO

According to a draft government decree, Russia's defence ministry has proposed a revision to its borders in the Baltic Sea, drawing a rebuke from NATO-members Finland and Lithuania. Pictured: Russian corvette Gremyashchiy fires a test missile in the Baltic Sea (file photo, 2020)

NATO ships sail during the Northern Coasts exercise in the Baltic Sea, September 2023

It was not immediately clear from the draft decree exactly how the border would be adjusted and what - if any - consultation had taken place with other states around the Baltic Sea, although Finland's Prime Minister said no contact had been made.

The news emerged just a day after Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, warned that Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea, and that the Russian dictator had 'both eyes' on the island of Gotland.

Finland said it was investigating the news released in the Russian media.

'The Finnish authorities are investigating information in the Russian media about the definition of maritime zones in the Gulf of Finland,' President Alexander Stubb said.

'The government is monitoring the situation closely. Russia has not been in contact with Finland in the matter. Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts.'

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that his country had received no contact from Russia over the issue.

'The Finnish authorities are analyzing the reports in the Russian media concerning the maritime zones in the Gulf of Finland,' he wrote.

'The political leadership is monitoring the situation closely. Russia has not been in contact with Finland on the matter.

'Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts,' he added.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that Russia should abide by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and said that Russia was sowing 'confusion'.

Dated May 21, the decree shows the Russian defence ministry proposed adjusting the border around Russian islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and around Kaliningrad, in what appears to be a underwater land grab by Vladimir Putin (pictured May 15)

'The Finnish authorities are investigating information in the Russian media about the definition of maritime zones in the Gulf of Finland,' President Alexander Stubb (pictured today) said

Lithuania's foreign minister said the Russian proposal was an escalation against the US-led NATO military alliance and against the European Union.

'This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response,' Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.

Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said officials were in touch with Finland, Lithuania and other Nordic and Baltic nations.

They were working to 'clarify the situation,' he said.

In what appeared to be an attempt to calm tensions, Russian media outlets later ran identical news articles claiming that 'Russia has no intention of revising the state border line in the Baltic [Sea]'.

They attributed the quote to a 'military-diplomatic source'.

The Russian outlets reported him as saying: 'There were and are no intentions to revise the width of territorial waters, the economic zone, the continental shelf off the mainland coast and the state border line of the Russian Federation in the Baltic.'

News of the Russian plans emerged after alarm bells were rung by Sweden's Micael Byden over Putin's intention for the Baltic Sea.

The news emerged just a day after Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, warned that Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea, and that the Russian dictator had 'both eyes' on the island of Gotland

A Swedish soldier sits on a military boat with a machine gun during the Baltic Operations NATO military drills (Baltops 22) on June 11, 2022 in the Stockholm archipelago (file photo)

'I am confident that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea,' Byden said in an interview with German media.

'Who controls Gotland controls the Baltic Sea.'

Gotland, Sweden's largest island, sits in the middle of the Baltic Sea and has strategic significance for any nation looking to control the region.

Around 60,000 people also live on the island.

The island is located around 200 miles north of the Russian exclave Kaliningrad, the headquarters of Russia's Baltic Sea fleet and its most Western point.

Byden warned that if Russia seized control of the island, then it could threaten other NATO countries from the Baltic Sea.

'This would signify the end of peace and stability in the Nordic and Baltic regions,' the Swedish military chief said in the interview. 'The Baltic Sea should not turn into Putin's playground where he intimidates NATO members.'

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden has been working to reinforce the island with permanent troops and additional forces

Soldiers from Gotland's regiment patrol Visby harbour, amid increased tensions between NATO and Russia over Ukraine, on the Swedish island of Gotland, 13 January 2022 (file photo)

A Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet flies over Sweden's Gotland island in the Baltic Sea, May 11, 2022 (file photo)

The war - as well as fears over Putin's future plans - prompted both Sweden and Finland to abandon their policies of military non-alignment and join NATO.

Sweden joined on March 7 this year, almost two years after it applied. Finland officially joined April 4, 2023.

All NATO countries are protected by the alliance's Article 5, which states that if any member is attacked, then all others are obliged to come to their aid.

The NATO alliance includes 32 members across Europe and North America, including the United States, the UK, France and Germany.
A Home Office brag that it has achieved the 'biggest-ever cut' in legal migration has spectacularly backfired.

Visa applications across key routes fell by a quarter in the first four months of 2024, which the Government claimed was owing to its tightening of visa and migrant employment laws.

Yet critics pointed out that record numbers were making illegal crossings and suggested the Government was driving migrants to break the law by curbing legal routes.

Replying to the Home Office's post on X/Twitter, Brits slammed the department's boasting and said it showed the Conservatives have 'no plans to deal with the actual issue'.

One fuming social media user said: 'You should cut illegal immigration. Focus on it.'

Another said: 'Are you intentionally trying to make the British people furious? Stop the boats, stop encouraging the boats, stop leaving no option but the boats.

'The legal people are background-checked, law abiding, tax paying contributors. The boat people are soldiers, criminals, tax sponges.'

The Home Office bragged that it had achieved the 'biggest-ever cut' in legal migration as visa applications across key routes fell by 25 per cent

Yet critics pointed out that record numbers were making illegal crossings and suggested the Government was driving migrants to breaking the law by curbing legal routes

A third said, 'no one is bothered by legal migration,' while a fourth joked, 'Of course, now the migrants come free of visa through the channel.. is not that wonderful!'

The Home Office is struggling with a huge backlog of asylum claims, with the Government admitting that cutting the number of unprocessed applications is 'pivotal' in stopping small boats crossings.

A report from the Refugee Council in October found nearly three quarters of migrants making illegal crossings on small boats would be granted asylum if their claims were processed.

It estimated that 14,648 people who crossed from January to October last year would be recognised as refugees if their claims were processed, representing 74 per cent of all small boat arrivals in the same period.

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.

There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

So far this year there have been 9,803 arrivals. This puts the rate ahead of any other in the past five years.

A total of 7,217 arrived by the same date last year while 8,693 cane in 2022, 3,112 in 2021 and 1,492 in 2020.

Today, the Home Office praised its measures to reduce what it called 'unsustainable migration' as 'continuing to deliver'.

It hailed Government measures to tighten student visas, which came into force in January.

The number of arrivals of 2,600 more than the total counted at this time last year

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Last year, there were 67,337 asylum applications to the UK. Of those, 29,437 came from people who arrived in small boats. The Government claims the Rwanda scheme will act as a deterrent, however it only has the capacity to send 200 people a year to the East African country

Home Secretary James Cleverly (pictured) said on Wednesday: 'The plan to deliver the largest-ever cut to legal migration in our country's history is working'

The department said this prevented most international students starting courses this year from bringing family members, with 79 per cent fewer student dependent applications in the first four months of 2024.

Students can also no longer switch their visa before completing their course, stopping people using the route as a backdoor to work in the UK, while clamping down on institutions that undermine the UK's reputation by selling immigration not education.

There were more than 30,000 fewer student visa applications made between January to April 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

The data also showed that in the first full month the restrictions on care worker dependants were in place, there was a 58 per cent fall in Health and Care dependant application numbers, from 15,100 in April 2023, to 6,400 in April 2024.

The Government has claimed an unprecedented rise in care worker dependant visa numbers was disproportionate and unsustainable.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday: 'The plan to deliver the largest-ever cut to legal migration in our country's history is working. This monthly data is the most up-to-date picture of visa levels, showing that on current trajectories legal migration continues to fall across key routes.

The Prime Minister has said 'nothing will stand in our way' of getting flights off the ground after the Government's Rwanda deportation plan passed through Parliament

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured leaving Parliament at 11.30pm after his Rwanda Bill passed

Planes have already been booked and migrants will soon be detained ahead of deportation to Rwanda, the PM said (Pictured: Staff boarding a plane which was set to be the first to transport migrants to Rwanda in June 2022)

'The British people deserve an immigration system that puts their interests first. Our approach is about control and fairness; to the highly skilled coming here who deserve a decent wage, to taxpayers who shouldn't be relied on to support them, and to British workers who shouldn't be undercut.

'We will continue to keep these measures under close review and if needed, we will not hesitate to go further.'

The Home Office added: 'Together with efforts to crack down on abuse, through our changes requiring firms sponsoring migrant care workers in England to be CQC registered, we are determined to see these numbers continue to fall.'

The Home Secretary's plan to reduce legal migration will mean approximately 300,000 people who arrived in the UK last year would no longer be able to.

Other measures include:

Increasing the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas by 48 per cent to 38,700.

Restricting care workers from bringing dependants with them and requiring care providers acting as sponsors in England to register with the industry regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.

Abolishing the Shortage Occupation List and replacing it with a new Immigration Salary List, with employers no longer able to pay migrants less than UK workers in shortage occupations.

Raising the minimum income requirement for the family visa, to reach the level of the Skilled Worker visa, currently 38,700 by early 2025.

The Home Office said delivering the measures was part of the Government's plan to crack down on rising migration, both legal and illegal, and reform the immigration system.

It said: 'The plan is working, with small boats crossings down by around a third last year, and work continues to tackle this global challenge including by working with international partners and clamping down on the criminal gangs with stepped-up enforcement.

'Now that the Safety of Rwanda Act has passed and the Treaty with Rwanda has been ratified, the government is entering the final phase of operationalizing this landmark policy, with the first flight set to take off to Rwanda in early July.'

Asylum seekers who have made it to the UK illegally have already received 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.

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.
The father of a four-year-old boy who was supposedly discovered inside a 'cage' at a worksite has come forward to defend his actions and share his side of the story.

The little boy was spotted inside a makeshift playpen at a job site on the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory by a contractor who reported the matter to the authorities.

It later emerged that the boy was being kept there from time-to-time while his dad fixed cars - because he was unable to attend childcare because of his allergies.

Now the boy's hard-working father, Martin Rasas, has explained his family's situation and why he felt he had no choice but to take his son to work and keep him in the pen.

The father of a four-year-old boy who was supposedly discovered inside a 'cage' at a worksite has come forward to defend his actions and share his side of the story

Mr Rasas, a Sudanese migrant, explained to the NT News that he is a security guard by night and occasionally helps work on cars at his immigration sponsor Ken Martin's business in the day.

The father explained that his wife works in the day as a pharmacist and that his son cannot go into day care because of his fish and egg allergies.

'We tried to get him into childcare but centres won't take him because of his allergies so I got knocked back several times. I'm the parent taking care of him,' Mr Rasas said.

'I worked for a few days in the yard working on my car, and I had my son there with me and I had his playpen just next to myself and somehow, someone contacted the police.'

The concerned contractor reported the 'cage' on April 14 and police have already confirmed no crime had been committed, however NT WorkSafe and Territory Families are investigating.

Mr Martin has ended the childcare set-up with Mr Rasas and is now helping him make appropriate daycare arrangements.

'Martin had bought gym mats and it was comfortable and he had lots of toys in there to play with. The boy was very safe but it will stop from now on,' Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin and his wife Jenny sponsored Mr Rasas when he arrived in Australia as a refugee aged 16.

He earlier described the outcry to Sky News Australia as a 'storm in a teacup' and rubbished claims the 3.5m-by-2.5m playpen was a 'cage'.

'We have an industrial business,' he said. 'If you have a child here, they must be safe.'

The businessman added the situation was not a horror story of abuse or neglect, but an example of a hard-working dad trying to make ends meet.

A Territory Families spokeswoman said the agency was aware of the matter and is investigating.

'The safety of children is our top priority, and we take seriously any allegation of child harm,' she said.

Darwin businessman Ken Martin described the outcry as a 'storm in a teacup' and rubbished claims the 3.5m-by-2.5m playpen was a 'cage'

Under mandatory reporting rules in the Northern Territory, a person must report their concerns if they believe a 'child is being, or has been, harmed or abused'.

'This includes police who can report suspected harm to our department,' the spokeswoman said.

'We work with children, families, communities, police and relevant agencies to assess and respond to any reports of suspected harm to children.'

One witness, who asked to not be named, said the toddler was in the secured area to prevent them 'running around the worksite'.

'Because three-year-olds climb over playpens all the time... it's so they didn't wander around,' they told NT News.
An alleged kidnapper today denied abducting, drugging and sexually abusing a nine-year-old girl after she was taken from her family outside London's iconic department store, Harrods.

The child was missing for three hours before police swooped to arrest the suspect.

Robert Prussak, of no fixed address, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court via video-link this morning over a string of charges.

The 56-year-old, who spoke with an American accent, pleaded not guilty to kidnap and three counts of sexual assault.

He also denied administering a substance, namely the antihistamine Benadryl, with the intention of stupefying or overpowering to enable sexual activity.

The nine-year-old girl was separated from her family outside Harrods and was found three hours later

Robert Prussak, who spoke with an American accent, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court via video-link where he denied the charges (stock)

Prussak was remanded into custody ahead of a six-day trial later this year.

Judge Martin Edmunds told him: 'Mr Prussak I have today given directions for preparation of matters.

'Your trial will commence on 21 October this year with a time estimate of five to six days.'

A police spokesperson earlier said: 'The charges relate to an incident involving a nine-year-old girl who was reported missing at Brompton Road, SW1 on Monday, April 22.'

A Harrods spokesperson said: 'We supported the Metropolitan police with an incident outside Harrods that has now thankfully been resolved.

'We cannot comment any further on the details as it is a police matter, but are thankful the Met Police's swift actions led to this safe resolution.'

Prussak will next appear at a pre-trial hearing on October 2.
A Montana couple who lost custody of their 14-year-old daughter after refusing to let her transition claims the teen was taken by the state without a warrant.

Todd and Krista Kolstads filed state and federal lawsuits claiming their child, born Jennifer but currently identifying as Leo, was taken from them because they opposed their gender transition due to their religious beliefs.

In one of the suits, they claim the state's Child Protective Services lied to a court judge in order to take the 14-year-old child without a warrant, as reported by the Daily Montanan.

The teen was removed from their dad and stepmom's home last summer after their school called claiming they had tried to kill themselvesf with toilet bowl cleaner and painkillers.

The state said they were trying to find a psychiatric placement for the child, and sent her to a Wyoming facility and a Billings group home. The child is now under the custody of their biological mother in Canada.

Todd and Krista Kolstads filed state and federal lawsuits claiming their child, born Jennifer but currently identifying as Leo, was taken from them because they opposed their gender transition. The teen (left) pictured with parents Todd and Krista Kolstad and their sister

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has called the situation 'tragic', but Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services and the court had 'followed state policy and law.'

As part of the ongoing legal challenge, the couple sent a cease and desist letter to Juras demanding she stop lying about the case and apologize to them.

In their cease and desist request, the parents claim: 'You have said that CPS's seizure of the Kolstads' daughter was lawful and have repeatedly accused the Kolstads of lying about their daughter's seizure... You have it exactly backwards  it is your statements about the Kolstads that are unfounded, malicious and slanderous under Montana law.

Parents from Montana, Krista and Todd Kolstad lost custody of their 14-year-old daughter, Jennifer, now identifying as Leo, after they obtained sex change hormones through Amazon

As part of the ongoing legal challenge, the couple sent a cease and desist letter to Montana Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras demanding she stop lying about the case and apologize to them

The letter continued: 'CPS workers instead seized the Kolstads' daughter and took her to Wyoming against her parents' will. CPS did this because they believed the Kolstads' objections to transgenderism made them unfit parents.

'They told the Kolstads that their daughter would not be returned to them until they accepted her transgenderism. When the Kolstads refused to compromise their faith, CPS workers took their daughter to her biological mother in Canada.'

Before the child was taken by the state, the teen reportedly had obtained gender transitioning hormones through Amazon so the parents wouldn't find out.

'One of her friends was ordering her hormones off of Amazon and having them sent to her house, not ours and then giving those to our daughter, Jennifer. You don't have to prove that you're 18 or anything,' Krista Kolstad told the Post-Millennial.

Krista is the teen's step mother while Todd is the girl's biological father

Krista, who is the teen's step mother, and their father Todd, said the child had a tough upbringing and several undiagnosed mental health concerns, including attention-seeking behavior and lying, which they believe caused the urge to transition and were overlooked by social services.

The teen had first expressed a desire to change gender to the parents at the age of 13.

The parents said she was too young to make such as decision and sent them to counseling to explore why they felt that way.

The couple opposed their child's transition due to their personal moral and religious beliefs

'We were told that letting Jennifer transition and live as a boy was in her 'therapeutic best interest' and because we aren't willing to follow that recommendation, the court gave CFS custody of Jennifer for six months,' Krista told Reduxx.

The Kolstads said the teen had a traumatic upbringing, claiming their birth mother walked out when they were young and was only around sporadically.

Statements from the teen and their sister's counselor showed them describing their biological mother as uncaring, abusive and 'crazy.'
A remarkable treasure trove of Charlie Chaplin's annotated typescripts, letters and photos is being sold by his goddaughter for 50,000.

The scarce material was assembled by British publisher Max Reinhardt who published the comic actor's highly anticipated autobiography in 1964.

The archive includes photos of Chaplin as well as letters from the actor himself and his wife Oona detailing his writing process and even a botched attempt to steal his coffin after his death.

Mr Reinhardt and his wife Joan became close friends with the English actor, writing to each other regularly and they carefully kept hold of their correspondence.

Proceeds of the sale will be donated to MaxLiteracy, a charity and educational initiative set up in his memory to stimulate literacy through the visual arts in partnership with museums, galleries and writers.

Charlie Chaplin in one of his films. The comic actor, best known for his physical work in silent films but he also worked with a British publisher to complete his autobiography

A treasure trove of archive material is being sold for 50,000 by Chaplin's goddaughter. included are letters and photos

A photo included in the sale showing Chaplin (centre) with his wife (second from the right)

Mr Reinhardt was a British publisher who worked with George Bernard Shaw, Graham Greene and Alistair Cooke under his publishing house, the Bodley Head.

The life of Charlie Chaplin Chaplin was born into poverty in London in 1889, where both his parents performed in music-hall theatre. After a stint in vaudeville he moved to America in 1913, becoming an instant success as the Tramp. By 1923 he was rich, famous, powerful and a star. As he made his way through Hollywood, he also made his way through no fewer than four wives and it's claimed he slept with more than 20,000 women. His wives included the 16-year-old Mildred Harris. The pair were wed after a false pregnancy scare. His second wife, Lita Grey were married for three years and it is believed Chaplin seduced her when she was 15 and he was 35. He then married Paulette Goodard who was 22 when she married the 43-year-old comic. They were married from 1936 to 1942, after which Goddard received a settlement and kept quiet about their union. Chaplin's last wife was Oona O'Neil who he moved on with a year after his third divorce. She bore him eight children and stayed with him until his death in 1977. Throughout his career he tried to push boundaries, even financing his own film Th Great Dictator in 1940, a satire of Hitler which was his last major hit. He continued to make films up to 1967 and starred opposite Marlon Brando and Sofia Loren who both branded him as difficult to work with. Chaplin was marred by scandal throughout his career including paternity suits with disgruntled former lovers and concerns over his political leanings eventually resulting in him being banned from the US. He died aged 88 in 1977 in Switzerland. Advertisement

He saw off fierce industry competition to secure a 'gentleman's agreement' with Chaplin for publishing rights to his life story.

Chaplin was such a perfectionist that it took seven years for the final version to be released after multiple re-writes.

The archive includes two typescript proofs of Chaplin's autobiography covered in the actor's pencil-written corrections.

There are 14 letters from Chaplin to Reinhardt discussing different stages of the writing process as the project came together.

In one typed 1959 letter, Chaplin apologises for how long he is taking to write the book, which he says is due to time he is spending 'putting music' on film projects.

He promises to 'forge on to the bitter end' to complete the autobiography.

He writes: 'I have had many interruptions such as putting music to some of my films, which has delayed my work on the biography.

'However, I am starting again now and I hope to forge on to the bitter end.'

In 1959, Chaplin released The Chaplin Revue, three silent films he added a soundtrack to to explain them to modern audiences.

Oona was an even more prolific writer, penning 23 letters to the Reinhardts, which continued after Chaplin died in 1977.

One of the letters touches on the distressing ordeal of Chaplin's coffin being stolen in Switzerland in a botched ransom attempt by two Eastern European refugees.

She wrote in late March 1978: 'Three nerve racking weeks of phone calls asking for ransom, photographs of the re-dug-up coffin, threats to kidnap Christopher (their 16-year-old son), advice from the police to keep Annie & Chris out of school...

'Geraldine (Chaplin's daughter) dedicated to a 24 hour watch by the telephone... brilliantly dealt with the kidnappers.

'One of them practically fell in love with her... an unbelievable story... the police are convinced we are dealing with amateurs.'

In another letter, Oona praises the Reinhardts for how they handled her husband: 'I am convinced that no one else living could have managed to deal with Charlie through these past years as you have.

'It's been a pleasure that such a difficult relationship as publisher and author has ended in real friendship.'

Letters and notes are included in the treasure trove which have been hand annotated by Chaplin

A black and white portrait of the comic actor without his iconic white makeup dark eyes and moustache and bowler hat

Other letters mention famous mutual friends including Noel Coward and Richard Attenborough, who Oona described as 'terribly sweet'.

She shines a torch on Chaplin's failing health when she says she was ready to cancel a Royal meeting because of it, 'Queen or no Queen'.

The archive features three photos of Chaplin by American photographer Edward Steichen, dating from 1925 and 1931.

Both were significant years for Chaplin, with the release of The Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931).

Another batch of photos were taken at the star-studded autobiography launch party at the Savoy in September 1964.

There is a rare playbill from 1903 listing Chaplin as 'Billy' in a production of Sherlock Holmes at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Reinhardt died in 2002 and the archive has passed down to his daughter Veronica Reinhardt, Chaplin's goddaughter, who is selling it at London-based auctioneers Bonhams.

Matthew Haley, books and manuscripts specialist at Bonhams, said: 'The autobiography of the legendary Charlie Chaplin was a publishing sensation, and a major coup for Max Reinhardt and Graham Greene at The Bodley Head.

A full length portrait of Chaplin holding his trilby hat and leaning on a cane. Photos are included among letters and notes in the archival material that is due to go under the hammer

A 1903 playbill listing Chaplin as 'Billy' in a production of Sherlock Holmes at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

A series of portraits of the actor playing around with a bowler hat and a cane

The contents of the archive were carefully kept by British publisher Max Reinhardt who published the comic actor's highly anticipated autobiography in 1964

'Reinhardt had taken over The Bodley Head in 1957 and under his 30 year tenure he was to publish authors such as Greene and George Bernard Shaw.

'At the time, however, taking on Chaplin's book was a huge financial gamble for the company, under the pressure of competition from publishers worldwide and a gentleman's agreement; taken on trust with an author refusing to sign a contact.

'This archive demonstrates not only the behind-the-scenes negotiations that brought My Autobiography to fruition and the relationship between author and publisher, but offers an extraordinary insight into the creative process of one of the world's most famous celebrities.

'Throughout the process, Max and Joan Reinhardt became longstanding family friends of the Chaplins, and Chaplin became godfather to Reinhardt's daughter Veronica, from whom this archive derives.

'Chaplin is one of the public figures of the 20th century and is instantly recognisable with his silhouette of the bowler hat and cane.

'The provenance is amazing and we are expecting a huge amount of interest in the archive not just from Britain but also Hollywood.'

The sale takes place on June 20, 2024.
Kurdistan Rights Commission Criticizes Seat Allocation

The head of the Kurdistan Human Rights Independent Commission has criticized the Iraqi Federal Court's decision to allocate Community Seats in the Kurdistan Region Parliament to Sulaymaniyah province, given that the province doesn't have as many different minorities compared to Erbil and Duhok.

On Wednesday, Muna Yako, the head of the independent human rights commission in the Kurdistan Region, stated that the number of Christians in Sulaymaniyah is very small, yet a seat has been allocated for them, while no seat has been allocated for Christians in Duhok.

Yako told Arabic media that the decision of the Iraqi Election Commission was a 'surprise' and expressed her confusion over the Federal Court decision.

"There is confusion in the interpretation of the provisions of the constitution, and the decisions are contrary to the texts," said Yako.

She explained that the reduction of community seats from 11 to 5 was 'temperamental.' However, she questioned Iraqi authorities, asking 'why it was reduced. Why was it reduced to five seats?'

The Iraqi Election Commission (IEC) has decided to allocate five seats for the communities: two for Erbil, two for Sulaymaniyah, and one for Duhok.

According to media reports, Duhok, the largest position of Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, has not been allocated any seats. "The number of Christians in Sulaymaniyah is much lower, yet seats have been reserved for Chaldeans and Assyrians," added Yako.

The head of the Human Rights Commission did not hide her frustrations and acknowledged that the return of seats was considered the interests of a particular political party, stating that 'otherwise, the decision is a blow to the interests of the communities.'

On Tuesday, the Election Judicial Board (IEB) ordered Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to allocate five seats in the Kurdistan Region's parliament to various communities. Later on the same day, the Iraqi Federal Court passed the decision and declared it final.

According to the new rulings, five seats have been allocated to different communities in the Kurdistan Region: two seats for Erbil, two seats for Sulaimaniyah, and one seat for Duhok province. This includes one seat each for Turkmen and Christians in Sulaymaniyah, one seat each for Turkmen and Christians in Erbil, and one seat for Armenians in Duhok.
American teacher finds home in E Chinas Qingdao

People's Daily Online) 11:20, May 22, 2024

Anna Baerman, an American art teacher at Qingdao No. 1 International School in Shandong Province, has found a sense of belonging in the coastal city of Qingdao, located in eastern China.

In 2019, Baerman settled in Qingdao and established an international club to facilitate collaboration between local and overseas businesses. Her two daughters quickly adapted to the local life and fell in love with Chinese culture.

The American educator said that what impressed her most about China was the sense that anything is possible.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
By Ko Dong-hwan

Woojin Industrial Systems has clinched a $210 million deal from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) to upgrade its decades-old subway cars ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in the city, the Korean medium-sized company said Tuesday.

The deal includes fixing 74 subway cars made by Italy-based Ansaldo Breda in 1999 by upgrading their operating systems with Woojin's latest information technologies.

A Woojin official said the job will take 56 months and is more difficult than building a new subway car from scratch. The deal also includes restoring operating systems of 14 other subway cars that were left incomplete by a company outside the United States.

Woojin was selected by LA Metro for the project in February after the authority's board of directors earlier that month designated the Korean company as an exclusive bidder.

The tender was first made in December 2022 and the authority visited Woojin's manufacturing plant in the U.S. in July 2023. Woojin submitted its final proposal for the project in November.

The company said it will install its railway vehicle propulsion control, auxiliary power, train control monitoring, broadcasting display devices and air conditioning systems. It will also test system unit performance for the improved vehicles and main line.

Woojin, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of establishment this year, launched its subsidiary and manufacturing plant in Los Angeles in 2011, seeing a potential in the U.S. railway market. It subsequently signed deals with traffic authorities in the states of Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts and Utah to supply subway operating system equipment and parts.

"It's a great achievement for us to have won the project, by which the U.S. has recognized our restoration capabilities for existing hardware-plus-software electronic systems," a Woojin official said. "We'll secure more business opportunities using our more than 10 years of experience in the U.S. railroad vehicle market."

Woojin, to complete its latest U.S. project, will build a new subway compartment manufacturing plant there.

It said its planned factory has already acquired approval from LA Metro in accordance with the U.S. Buy America Act.

The law assists the country's rail and road transportation through purchases related to the construction of highways, railways and rapid transit systems.
An Australian dad allegedly caught with meth in Bali has been moved out of jail and into rehab.

Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19g of methamphetamine at Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali, on April 30.

Police allegedly found a further 0.4g of the drug that had been bought in Bali, along with a bong and a lighter.

Mr Smith, 49, was initially charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years, but was later charged with drug trafficking.

In what appears to be a positive move, it was announced on Wednesday night that documentation had been submitted and 'a forensic assessment' conducted into the father's medical condition.

Troy Smith, 49, has been moved from a crowded cell to a rehabilitation centre, in what could be seen as a positive move for the father

The father, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19g of methamphetamine in Bali

'As a result, Troy has been moved from the cells of the Central Police to a rehabilitation facility,' a statement from the consultancy firm his family hired said.

'We acknowledge and appreciate the professionalism of the Indonesian police force and allied health services.'

It had been reported that Mr Smith was struggling in the crowded concrete cell at police headquarters in Denpasar with only a bucket to use as a toilet.

Mr Smith's lawyer, Edward Pangkahili, said that Mr Smith had been crying in jail and was very stressed following the charges, The Advertiser reported.

Mr Smith's lawyers said the drug package was allegedly sent to him by a friend as thanks for helping with the purchase of a car, and Mr Smith did not know what it contained.

The father is a newlywed after meeting his wife, Tracy Ijusa, on Tinder and marrying in her native Kenya in late December

Mr Smith said he was now 'loving life' after meeting his wife, saying she gives him 'motivation to do everything'

At a press conference on Monday, one of Mr Smith's lawyers, Sienny Karmana, claimed his client had tried to evade arrest 'because he was scared', with police firing two warning shots into the air before he was detained.

'Police said that he tried to run away, but police got him back. They fired shots into the air, he was surprised and then he fell down and then police got him,' she said.

Mr Smith struggled with alcoholism earlier in his life, which resulted in his children cutting off contact with him and his marriage breaking down.

Just weeks ago, he was enjoying a globetrotting life as a newlywed, having tied the knot with his wife, Tracy Ijusa, after they met on Tinder.

He proposed in Bali in October, and the pair married at the end of December in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, where Ms Ijusa is from.

'I've had an interesting last twelve years,' Mr Smith said in a video.

'Chronic alcoholic, absolutely hit rock bottom. You couldn't have drunk any more than me.

'I didn't see any way out and I probably should be dead to be honest. Kids don't speak to me anymore.

'But then in the most bizarre of circumstances, in a Tinder meeting I met this girl in Nairobi and I've since been to Bali.

'Now I'm loving life. This girl gives me motivation to do everything. She's my life now.'
A schoolgirl who fell victim to one of the UK's most notorious grooming gangs was plied with vodka and driven 30 miles to a restaurant so that older men could queue up to rape her, a court has heard.

Mubarek Ali, 41, has been sentenced to another 12 years in prison after he admitted he had groomed, raped, and pimped out the 'vulnerable' girl for years alongside nearly 100 others, all from Telford, Shropshire.

The victim, now in her 30s, told Shrewsbury Crown Court she was once driven 30 miles to Stoke-on-Trent along with three other girls where a group of older men were waiting. Upon their arrival, one of them is said to have asked: 'So, who's first?', before all four girls were sexually abused.

In a harrowing witness statement, she described how the predatory paedophile plied her with vodka and Red Bull, raped her in several locations and took her to restaurants where men would be 'queuing up' to abuse her.

Ali's latest crime has emerged more than a decade after he was caged for 14 years for abusing teenagers as young as 13 and trafficking them around Britain.

Mubarek Ali, 41, has been sentenced to another 12 years in prison after he admitted he had groomed, raped, and pimped out the 'vulnerable' girl for years alongside nearly 100 others, all from Telford, Shropshire

He and his brother Ahdel 'Eddie' Ali led the gang of seven men, which preyed on 100 young girls in Telford, Shropshire, between 2006 and 2009.

They targeted schoolgirls who they controlled as child prostitutes by giving them alcohol, food and money.

The court heard how the victim first met Ali when he was in his 20s at the house of a woman in the Wellington area of Telford with a friend and neighbour, who was older than her.

The house was frequented by men including Ali, who would 'drink and smoke weed' and the victim said Ali was 'nice at first'.

But not long after they started getting to know each other, Ali told her he would 'f*** you when you turn 16'. Ali did not wait until she was able to legally consent before having sex with her.

He took the girl to various places for sex himself and to pimp her out to others, including hotels, his mother's house and takeaways.

The court heard Ali would threaten to have his victim beaten up if she did not do as he pleased.

The offences all took place in the 2000s, when the victim was in her teens, with the rape charges relate to when she was aged 16 and 17.

Ali once sexually abused the victim in public while a dog walker looked on in disgust.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, would also be bombarded with phone calls from men she did not know, asking: 'How much do you charge?' They told her that Ali had put them in touch with her.

Ali, aged in his 20s at the time, 'befriended' the girl, plied her with vodka and Red Bull and made her 'fall madly in love' with him.

Prosecutor Mr Perian said: 'He charmed her and got her to fall in love with him to the extent she was besotted with him.'

In a harrowing witness statement, the victim described how predatory paedophile Mubarek Ali (pictured) plied her with vodka and Red Bull, raped her in several locations and took her to restaurants where men would be 'queuing up' to abuse her

Ali could have been released this month as his custody was due to be reviewed by the Parole Board - but his latest convictions mean he now remains behind bars.

On Monday, Judge Peter Barrie sentenced 'dangerous' Ali to a further 12 years in prison with an extended licence period of eight years, telling him he had shown 'no remorse'.

Judge Barrie said: 'She was a vulnerable girl who had been through a very difficult childhood. [She was] desperate for a stable relationship and you... must have seen that. You were an adult.

'You met her at this house where young people used to go. There was alcohol and cannabis available and shared. You struck up a relationship with her.

'She did not have the maturity or experience to understand what was going on. It is understandable that she thought she was in love with you.

'You made her have sex with you in different places, in different ways and with different people. It became normalised behaviour for her. As she became older, she became less easy for you to manipulate.

'You took advantage of the hold you had over her to get her to have sex with other men. Often with older men it involved being taken to restaurants where they were queuing up to have sex with her.

'Money must have been part of the benefit you gained for carrying out this activity [the sex trafficking]. You may also have got some obscene, perverse sexual gratification as a result of it.

'It is not the sort of thing you would have undertaken if it wasn't in your own interests. There continues to be a high risk that you may cause serious harm to young females through the commission of further offences against them.'

Judge Barrie also thanked the victim for her bravery and said. 'I acknowledge the great courage it must have taken to come forward to the police and to relive all this. Thank you for everything you have done to help the criminal justice procedure to take its course.'

The victim sat in court holding onto a family member as her statement was read by prosecutor Steven Perian KC.

In it, she said: 'He saw a young vulnerable child and groomed me into thinking I loved him. The fact he pleaded guilty comes as no satisfaction. The pain is still there.

'It is hard for me to explain how one person has affected my whole life - how one person had so much power over me. He saw a young, vulnerable child and groomed me into thinking he loved me, love that I so desperately craved.

'Some days I hold my head up high. Some days I've cried into my pillow. I have cried alone, with my family and with the police. If it wasn't for the love of my family and friends I don't know where my life would end up.'

Ali initially denied charges relating to the victim, but admitted to several counts on the second day of a trial. He eventually admitted to two counts of rape, one of trafficking for sexual exploitation and three counts of sexual activity with a child.

Jacob Hallam KC, defending, asked the judge to take into account Ali admitted some of the charges. Ali will be on the sex offenders' register for life and also subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Cindi Lee, who led the investigation, said: 'We welcome the sentence given to Ali yesterday by the judge, and even though I welcome it, it does not take away the lifelong trauma he caused the victim and her family.

'Ali is a highly dangerous individual who preyed on young girls, and it is incomprehensible that he would commit such crimes against them.

'For the victim to come forward and to report these crimes it took a lot of courage and strength, and I would like to commend her for her bravery throughout the investigation and trial.'
Disgraced policeman Derek Chauvin is accused of using the same deadly restraint against a woman just a few months before he murdered George Floyd.

Patty Day is suing him and the City of Minneapolis for $9 million in damages for injuries and psychological trauma she suffered during a January 2020 arrest.

The lawsuit filed by Robins Kaplan LLP in federal Minnesota court alleged that five months before George Floyd's death Day was 'violently jerked from her car' and thrown to the ground by Chauvin and his partner Ellen Jensen.

Chauvin then allegedly applied his knee to Day's back while she lay handcuffed - the same stance he would fatally take for nine minutes during his arrest of Floyd.

Patty Day is suing him and the City of Minneapolis for $9 million in damages for injuries and psychological trauma she suffered during a January 2020 arrest

Disgraced policeman Derek Chauvin is accused of using the same deadly restraint against a woman just a few months before he murdered George Floyd (pictured)

Day claimed that due to the excessive force, she suffered 'significant' arm and shoulder injuries, as well as a fractured tooth.

All the while, Jensen did nothing to intervene, according to the suit.

She argued the City of Minneapolis was aware officers within its police department had a history of 'gratuitous use of excessive force'.

'Sadly, my experience with Derek Chauvin is not unique,' Day said.

'George Floyd died at the hands of this individual, and had the City intervened on his behavior after my interaction, he could still be alive today... It was a traumatic part of my life that I hope no one else will have to endure.'

Day, who was at the time communications director for the Minneapolis Department of Public Works, got behind the wheel after drinking on January 17, 2020.

Chauvin and Jensen showed up after someone called 911 to report a driver who appeared to be intoxicated stuck in a snowbank.

Chauvin is serving a 22-year prison sentence - late last year, he was reportedly stabbed in the big house

The officers 'violently yanked Patty from her vehicle' without even asking her to get out, while she was trying to show them the keys were not in the ignition.

'Without justification, [they] threw her to the ground in the middle of the street, fracturing her tooth, injuring her arm and shoulder, and causing other significant injuries before handcuffing her,' the lawsuit claimed.

'Chauvin then assumed his signature pose, pressing his knee into the subdued and handcuffed Patty's back - just as he would later do to snuff the life out of George Floyd - and remaining that way well after Patty was controlled.'

Day claimed she was stabbed in her left hand when she was handcuffed, causing a deep gash that left a scar, and still has pain in her arm and shoulder years later.

Because she was arrested over the Martin Luther King Day weekend, she was held for days in lockup in the same building she worked.

Chauvin and Jensen downplayed their use of force in their reports and didn't mention kneeling on Day's back, the lawsuit claimed.

'The material lies and omissions in the officers' reports are the type that MPD rank and file are accustomed to making without consequence or repercussion from supervisors and those all the way up the chain of command,' it claimed.

Lawsuit claimed the officers threw her to the ground, fracturing her tooth, injuring her arm and shoulder, and causing other significant injuries before handcuffing her

Day claimed she still has pain in her arm and shoulder years later

Day was charged with two counts of third-degree DWI but prosecutors bumped it down to a fourth-degree charge due to her treatment.

'The state does not condone the conduct of former officer Chauvin, in the sense that the extraction of defendant from the vehicle likely could have been dealt with much differently and in a way that did not cause so much injury,' they wrote.

Judge Julie Allyn ruled Day was never asked to get out of her car before Chauvin and Jensen 'both began pulling her out of the vehicle'.

She found the evidence was 'insufficient to support a finding that there was probable cause to arrest her for obstruction' and the case was dismissed.

Day said though the police bodycam was played in court, she was never sent a copy despite requesting it.

The lawsuit claimed Chauvin's excessive force used on Day was part of a pattern, both by him and other MPD officers, that went unchecked.

'MPD officers were mollycoddled by the City, despite clear use of improper and excessive force,' it claimed.

Day's lawsuit cited two other cases from 2017 where the police bosses failed to discipline Chauvin after he used excessive force.

Chauvin repeatedly bashed 14-year-old boy John Pope in the head with a metal flashlight and then pinning him to the ground with a knee on his back for 15 minutes after handcuffing him

On Tuesday, a complaint, seeking $9million in damages, was filed by Robins Kaplan LLP in federal Minnesota court against Derek Chauvin and his former partner, Ellen Jensen

One involved Chauvin repeatedly bashing 14-year-old boy John Pope in the head with a metal flashlight and then pinning him to the ground with a knee on his back for 15 minutes after handcuffing him.

The same year, he slammed Zoya Code to the ground and used the same knee restraint on her.

Last spring, the Minneapolis City Council agreed to settle both civil cases filed against Chauvin for close to $9 million.

'To John Pope, Zoya Code, and anyone else that has experienced this kind of egregious conduct at the hands of Derek Chauvin, our city deeply apologizes,' Mayor Jacob Frey said at the time.

Police Chief Brian O'Hara went further, calling Chauvin's actions 'an example of the cancer that has infected this department'.

'Nearly six years after these two incidents occurred, we are forced once again to reckon with the deplorable acts of a person who has proven to be a national embarrassment to the policing profession, and the continued harm he has caused members of our community,' he said.

The suit alleged that in January 2020, some five months before George Floyd 's death, a woman named Patty Day was 'violently jerked from her car' and thrown to the ground by Chauvin and Jensen.

Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder on April 20, 2021, for killing Floyd and jailed for more than 22 years

Police have been long warned against restraining suspects while prone, with 1995 Department of Justice advice reading: 'As soon as the suspect is handcuffed, get him off his stomach.'

Then after David Smith was killed by MPD officers who held him on the ground with pressure on his back for four minutes in 2010, the department promised to 'require its sworn police officers to undergo training on positional asphyxia'.

Day is asking for $9 million in compensatory damages, in addition to punitive damages in an amount that will be determined by a jury.

Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder on April 20, 2021, for killing Floyd and jailed for more than 22 years.

The city approved a historically large $27 million settlement with Floyd's family.

Late last year, Chauvin was reportedly stabbed in prison.
A 28-year-old woman who was helping her friend move a piano is now paralyzed from the waist down after a freak accident.

Danielle Drummond told local news station WOIO that she was in the process of putting an item under the piano when her friend lost her grip, causing it to slip and fall on top of her.

'She dropped like a whole upright grand piano on me, and it severed my spinal cord,' Drummond said. 'Now, I'm paralyzed from the waist down.'

She was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors told her that she would be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

'I'm trying to keep like in high spirits because I know this is my life now, but it's hard. As of right now I need a lot more physical therapy. I need to rebuild my strength,' she said.

Danielle Drummond, 28, was helping her friend move a grand piano is now paralyzed from the waist down after a freak accident

Drummond had just moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Eugene, Oregon to live out of a van with her German Shepherd when the accident happened. While moving back home with her family would make the most sense in her condition, it would be a major undertaking, especially considering the additional challenges of transporting her medical equipment.

She also said she if she wants to be able to live on her own, she will need a home health aide for the rest of her life.

'I don't even know like how I would get home, let alone like how to transfer all the medical stuff, and I don't feel like I'm able right now to do like that far of a car ride or a trip in an airplane,' she said.

'I hope that people who are going through this don't give up,' Drummond said.

Her sister Rosie Hayne has set up a GoFundMe to pay for the medical costs. Hayne posted an update on her sister's health journey on May 1, and how her sister has coped with the pain.

Drummond (pictured) was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for here severed spinal cord

Doctors told her she would never walk again, a fate Drummond has accepted

'Danielle is getting around really well in the hospital wheelchair,' the post read.

'She wants to make it clear that she is not expecting to ever walk again. She has accepted the reality of her situation. But she has an amazing spirit and an overall positive outlook, focusing on what she can do.'

Drummond has not mentioned her friend's identity or if she's apologized. The status of their friendship is unclear.
A nursery worker who ignored the 'serious and obvious' risks of strapping a baby face down on a bean bag to sleep was today jailed for 14 years after being convicted of the infant's manslaughter.

Kate Roughley stared straight ahead as she was sentenced over the death of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan - known as 'Gigi' - who was left for over 90 minutes before being found 'unresponsive and blue. She was emotionless as she left the dock.

During a month-long trial, jurors heard the 37-year-old displayed a 'lack of sympathy' towards children  labelling Genevieve 'vile', a 'whinger' and a 'diva', and treating the baby roughly before she put her to sleep.

CCTV even showed her ignoring the youngster's crying and desperate last movements as she struggled to survive while tightly strapped to the bean bag, swaddled in a blanket.

Roughley, who had 17 years' experience as a nursery worker but no children of her own, then 'lied' to cover up what she'd done, claiming she constantly checked on babies in her care.

Genevieve, the daughter of barrister John Meehan and solicitor Katie Wheeler, died from asphyxiation brought on by a combination of pathophysiological stresses created by a 'very unsafe sleeping environment'.

Kate Roughley, 37, tightly swaddled nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan before she further restrained her with a harness and then inappropriately covered her with a blanket

Paramedics tried to revive Genevieve but her condition was irreversible and she died later that day in hospital.

Genevieve's parents, John and Katie, giving a statement outside court following Roughley's conviction

Mrs Meehan earlier told of her agony that she would never hear her daughter say 'Mummy' or take her first steps.

Both Genevieve's parents said they could not forgive themselves for leaving her at the nursery but the judge said they had nothing to feel guilty for as they had left her with 'qualified nursing staff'.

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen said to Roughley: 'By your callous act, you have deprived (Genevieve) of the future she should have had.'

She said a life sentence was not appropriate because she deemed Roughley did not pose a further risk to the public.

A heartbreaking victim impact from Genevieve's six-year-old sister was read out to court.

The child, who was not named, said: 'Every day, I get punched with sadness What this lady has done is terrible and something nobody should experience.

'My younger sister should have the experience of having two older sisters and I should have a younger sister. This has changed my life forever.'

Prior to sentencing, the judge told Roughley: 'Her death was absolutely avoidable, the results of your unlawful actions on that day.'

Earlier in the hearing, the distraught mother of Genevieve Meehan revealed she feels 'dead inside' and only lives for her two older daughters.

She said: 'Nothing can reflect the horror of her death and the life I now live.

'I lived that day in complete ignorance of what was happening to Genevieve.

'I feel so ashamed and such a failure because I was living in complete ignorance of what was to come.

'The day was so insignificant when I was sat upstairs on a work call when the phone rang.

'The woman (on the end of the line) told me they'd woken Genevieve from her sleep and she was weak and blue, that they had called an ambulance.

'I knew I had to tell John and I had to get to her.'

Mrs Meehan recalled running into the street, where she was picked up by a police officer who took her to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport.

She told how after her daughters was pronounced dead, she held Genevieve in her arms and 'couldn't bear to let her go'.

'In those circumstances, I lost every bit of myself.

'I lost who I'd been, I became the person I am now, dead inside, incapable of living.

'I struggle to understand how this could happen to my little girl.'

She told how it was only the day before her daughter's death that she had been trying on sunglasses and a swimsuit for a family holiday planned for two months later.

Mrs Meehan added: 'When I found out what happened to her and how she was treated, it shredded any faith I had in there being good in the world.'

She also read a statement by Genevieve's six-year-old sister, from whom the baby had developed an 'inseperable' bond.

The sister said: 'Every day I get punched by sadness. What this lady (Kate Roughley) did was terrible.'

Mrs Meehan, a solicitor, went on to describe how she had gone from being an 'ambitious' career woman to being in 'a state of existence, not living'.

'I want to scream every day about how angry I feel.'

But she added: 'I want the world to know how loved Genevieve was.'

Her barrister husband John, 38, said to Roughley, who sat staring downwards in the dock: 'For you, there will be no redemption and no legacy. You will never be anything but a child killer but Genevieve's name will live on.'

Roughley showed no emotion and stared straight ahead as jurors at Manchester Crown Court returned their verdicts on Monday after nearly six hours' deliberations.

In a statement outside court, Genevieve's lawyer parents John and Katie Meehan told how they had been devastated by Genevieve's loss and that they could 'never forgive' Roughley.

Mr Meehan, 38, said: 'We will never forgive the callousness of Kate Roughley's actions. She was entrusted with the care of or our daughter but instead she treated her with contempt.'

Mr Meehan, stood with his tearful solicitor wife Katie, 39, paid tribute to their daughter who 'loved life, to play the tambourine, spend time with her big sister', and was 'kind, infectious and mischievous'.

'We loved every day watching her develop. We'll never accept the cruelty of her life being taken away,' he said. 'Her life was full of promise and wonder, and it was taken.

'Genevieve's loss has destroyed our family and we grieve for her every day. We're desperate to see her smile, see her laugh and feel her warm embrace.'

Manchester Crown Court heard Genevieve suffered fatal asphyxia and pathophysiological stress caused by the 'unsafe sleep environment' at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, an affluent area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, on May 9, 2022.

Roughley (pictured) had risen to become deputy manager at Tiny Toes nursery in Stockport after 17 years in childcare

A video grab released today showing Roughley being interviewed by police

During the trial, Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, told the jury: 'Her death was not the result of some terrible or unavoidable accident.

'We say her death arose from ill- treatment she suffered at the hands of this defendant.'

On the day of tragedy, deputy manager Roughley was acting as leader in the nursery's understaffed baby room where she was one of only two workers looking after 11 babies.

Genevieve had been dropped off by her parents, barrister John Meehan and solicitor Katie Wheeler at 9am and was found unresponsive at 3.12pm. She could not be revived was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Mr Wright said the reason for the baby's condition wasn't immediately apparent but became clear from CCTV footage.

He said Genevieve had been put to sleep by Roughley that afternoon, who had swaddled in her in a blanket so tightly she was unable to move.

The child had also been placed not on her back, according to safe sleep policies, but on her front and face down, strapped to a bean using a harness.

Genevieve (pictured) was strapped face down onto a bean bag for more than an hour-and-a-half

A blanket was also placed over her that practically covered her head to toe, with the 'inevitable consequence' it would make observations more difficult and increase the risk of overheating.

He said Genevieve was visibly 'distressed by this treatment' yet her thrashing and cries were ignored and she was left from around 1.35pm until she was discovered unresponsive - an hour and 37 minutes later.

Mr Wright said: 'The risk to her of asphyxiation and death was, we say, both serious and obvious.

'Yet the defendant ignored it and by the time she checked on Genevieve with anything vaguely representing any genuine interest it was too late.'

The jury heard how the baby had been enrolled at the nursery just a few weeks earlier in April after she 'thrived' despite being born premature at 35 weeks.

Genevieve had been treated in hospital for bronchiolitis - common in young infants - and was using an inhaler but expert witnesses said the condition was not a factor in her death.

Mr Wright said that in the days running up the tragedy Roughley had displayed a 'lack of affection' towards Genevieve that was 'not merely visible, but tangible'.

Genevieve was left 'virtually immobilised' from 1.35pm to 3.12pm, CCTV footage revealed

Katie Meehan, Genevieve's mother, cries while her husband makes a statement outside Manchester Crown Court on Monday

On the day of Genevieve's death, Roughley had used the bean bag as a 'form of restraint', Mr Wright said, ignoring safety advice never to place babies face down.

Under cross-examination during the trial, Roughley, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, insisted: 'I would never not like a nine-month-old baby. To say I disliked her is far from the truth.'

Asked if she thought that Genevieve's death was avoidable, she said: 'I feel that if I had checked on her a couple of seconds or minutes earlier it may have been different.

'It was a common practice for children to sleep in the bean bag bed.

'I feel responsible in the fact that Genevieve was in my care that day. However, I don't feel my actions were the reason for the death.'

She denied that calling Genevieve a 'whinger' and 'a diva' was 'malicious'.

Roughley said: 'Often we would say to children 'stop whingeing' This was not shouted at the children or said in any malicious way. They were just passing comments through the working day.'

Sarah Elliot KC, defending, told the jury Roughley looked after children in a 'practical, responsible, no-nonsense but caring way'.

She said the defendant denied failing to make safe-sleep arrangements and had 'kept an appropriate eye' on Genevieve.

The defence criticised poor staffing at the nursery.

When the guilty verdict was read out, Roughley's mother was heard to say 'She's not a monster'.

In the wake of the trial, Stockport Council has confirmed it is investigating possible health and safety offences at Tiny Toes.

Franck and Karen Pelle, directors of Abacus Play Limited, which owned the nursery, and their daughter Grace Pelle, also a former director, have not commented on the case. Franck and Karen Pelle are believed to be in France.

Roughley (left) arrives at Manchester Crown Court last Friday with her parents

After the sentencing, police branded killer Kate Roughley 'abhorrent'.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Whalley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'This has been a truly harrowing and disturbing investigation. Due to Kate Roughley's lack of remorse and refusal to take accountability for her actions, Genevieve's family have been forced to relive the worst day of their life repeatedly, having their most painful memories made public.

'On Thursday 9 May, whilst the family should have been able to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Genevieve's death, they instead had to endure a day at court listening to the defendant's version of events.

'Their pain is unfathomable, and throughout this nightmare they have kept their dignity, putting their trust in us to get justice for their little girl, but I know that no outcome will ever be enough to replace the loss and grief that they feel.

'The impact of Roughley's abhorrent crime is immense and far reaching. Genevieve's life was robbed, and others must now live with the painful consequences of Roughley's actions.'

Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West's Complex Casework Unit, said: 'Kate Roughley's callous and spiteful actions towards Genevieve Meehan, a vulnerable baby, who she was entrusted to care for, were unconscionable.

'Roughley put Genevieve's parents through further anguish by not taking responsibility for what she had done and taking the case to trial.

'The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the strongest possible case to secure justice for Genevieve.

'Everyone involved in the case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Genevieve's death.

'Nothing can ever make up for what Genevieve's parents and loved ones have lost but I hope they can take some comfort in knowing Roughley will face the consequences of her actions. My thoughts remain with them.'
A cash-strapped fire brigade forked out more than 40,000 in legal fees after being sued by a firefighter who was sacked for buying weapons online.

Tyrone Bahar alleged the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority was 'institutionally racist' for firing him in light of his criminal offences, which saw him jailed for five years.

An employment tribunal heard the firefighter, who was behind bars when he brought forward claims, felt the sanction to dismiss him was 'too severe'.

He sued for unfair dismissal and race and disability discrimination, but his claims were thrown out after an employment judge found the authority was right to sack him, stating it was a perfectly 'reasonable response' to his crimes.

The judge said a firefighter possessing dangerous weapons is 'not compatible' with the principles of a public servant who is 'entrusted with safeguarding'.

Now, a freedom of information request has revealed the fire brigade had to fork out 41,683 in legal fees to defend these claims.

It comes after the fire brigade said its funding position for 2024/25 is 'uncertain' while demands increase.

The service said it was making 'efficiencies' of more than three quarters of a million pounds.

Tyrone Bahar, from Slough, was arrested at Birmingham Airport on his return from a holiday in Jamaica

Tyrone Bahar collected a stash of illegal weapons including a revolver and a forward venting blank firing pistol

The tribunal in Reading heard Mr Bahar was employed by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority as a firefighter at the Langley station in December, 2003.

In 2011, Mr Bahar was certified as a competent firefighter.

Some seven years later, the firefighter's bosses were contacted by the National Crime Agency as part of an 'ongoing investigation' regarding 'the illegal purchase of firearms'.

Days after the NCA attended his workplace, Mr Bahar told his companies HR that he had been arrested and he was consequently advised to stay at home due to 'stress'.

Then, later that month, Mr Bahar was suspended 'on health and safety grounds' due to his 'arrest and its effects on his health' whist the investigation was underway.

His employers were informed the firefighter was arrested because he was suspected of importing and being in possession of restricted items.

Whilst the NCA did not find anything in his locker - several items were found in his car and home.

These included five firearms, nine gas canisters, three stun guns, two machetes, one baton (ASP), six ammunition, as well as a 'quantity of white powder'.

For 11 months, Mr Bahar was suspended on full pay whilst an investigation was underway - but records stated his absence was due to 'stress' to maintain confidentiality.

Ammunition (pictured) was also discovered by National Crime Agency officers

In September 2019, the NCA told bosses Mr Bahar had been charged with 14 serious offences therefore Royal Berkshire Fire Authority commenced disciplinary proceedings.

In August 2020, the first investigatory meeting was held and Mr Bahar told bosses whilst he accepted that he pleaded guilty to possessing firearms, he asserted that he had thought they were legal and would not have bought them if he had realised they were illegal.

The panel heard evidence from a psychological report, which stated the firefighter had a 'disorder of collecting items' and this hoarding 'could explain the behaviour exhibited by collecting several weapons'.

After lengthy enquiries deciding the outcome of the investigation, Mr Bahar was eventually informed via letter, in June 2021, that he had been dismissed.

The firefighter appealed this decision and his representatives said this 'sanction was too severe', but bosses deemed his dismissal as 'appropriate'.

The panel said Mr Bahar, then aged 44, was eventually sentenced on February 1, 2022, at Kingston Crown Court, London, to five years imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of possession of a prohibited firearm, two counts of possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate and five counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, it said.

Among the items recovered by officers were a revolver, a forward venting blank firing pistol, eight spray canisters, two stun guns, 569 rounds of ammunition, a machete and an extendable baton.

Three further firearms, a stun gun and 145 rounds of ammunition were found at his mother's home.

Whilst his prison sentence was live, Mr Bahar brought forward a claim of unfair dismissal.

In a 251 page witness statement read by the panel, the firefighter alleged there was an 'unhelpful atmosphere' at the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority which was 'based on race'.

Mr Bahar alleged several incidents of race discrimination - by claiming his locker was urinated in, he was wrongfully accused of physically assaulting another employee, and he was subjected to racial abuse at training among others.

These claims were not upheld by EJ Thomas Talbot-Ponsonby who said: '[Mr Bahar's] case is that he perceives that there is institutional racism, and that he has suffered ongoing discrimination and harassment due to his race, which he feels is either tolerated or even condoned by management.

'The tribunal consider that, having regard to the pleaded case... [Mr Bahar] has not provided evidence to support this allegation.'

Addressing the claims of unfair dismissal, EJ Talbot-Ponsonby highlighted how Mr Bahar was employed as a public servant where he was 'entrusted with safeguarding the safety of members of the public'.

He said: 'He was required to comply with the Nolan principles.

'A conviction for possession of illegal firearms, weapons and ammunition is contrary to those principles and conflicts with his duties to members of the public as a firefighter.'

Concluding the employment tribunal, EJ Talbot-Ponsonby added: 'The tribunal accepts that the reason was that [Mr Bahar] had pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing an illegal firearm, two counts of possessing illegal ammunition and five further counts of possession of an illegal weapon.

'[This] was confirmation that he had been in possession of items not compatible with the behaviours and standards expected of an individual occupying the role of a firefighter whose duties include protecting the public to make the communities of Berkshire safer.'

A freedom of information request found the authority paid 24,202.40 in legal costs and an extra 4,847.17 in VAT.

They then paid 10,500 in fees, plus 2,100 VAT, making a total of 41,683.

A spokesman for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service told MailOnline: 'In the opinion of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), in this case there was a fundamental breach of our Employee Code of Conduct, which we were required to defend.

'Unfortunately as this case shows, doing so can incur significant legal expenses.

'We were disappointed to have to incur such significant costs in a case where a former employee was found guilty of a criminal offence. However, we place a high value on our ethical principles and ensuring that our staff act in a professional manner and offer the highest standards of service to the public.'
Thirteen fed-up counties in liberal Oregon have voted in support of measures to start negotiations to secede from the state and join conservative Idaho.

Crook County became the latest to approve the 'Greater Idaho Measure' following a vote on Tuesday.

The proposal seeks to move the Oregon border 200 miles to the west, meaning that 14 counties and several partial counties would fall under Idaho state lines.

Organizers behind the Greater Idaho movement say east Oregonians are being alienated by the state's progressive policies which they blame for high crime rates.

They claim a move to Idaho would allow residents to take advantage of lower taxation and provide better representation and governance.

More than a dozen fed-up liberal counties in eastern Oregon have voted in support of measures to start negotiations to secede from the state and join conservative Idaho

'The Oregon/Idaho line was established 163 years ago and is now outdated,' the movement's website states.

'It makes no sense in its current location because it doesn't match the location of the cultural divide in Oregon.

'We want an economy that is not held back by Oregon regulations and taxes, including environmental regulations.

'Well still have federal and Idaho regulations, and thats plenty. Idaho knows how to respect rural counties and their livelihoods.'

Measure 7-86, as it was known, passed by 53 percent in Crook County in the latest boost to the Greater Idaho campaign.

However, the vote is not legislatively binding and just means residents are in favor of informing state and federal representatives that they support negotiations to annex part of Oregon.

'The voters of eastern Oregon have spoken loudly and clearly about their desire to see border talks move forward,' Greater Idaho Executive Director Matt McCaw said.

'With this latest result in Crook County, there's no excuse left for the Legislature and Governor to continue to ignore the people's wishes.

The proposal, pictured, seeks to move the Oregon border 200 miles to the west, meaning that 14 counties and several partial counties would fall under Idaho state lines

Organizers behind the Greater Idaho movement including Sandie Gilson (pictured) say east Oregonians are being alienated by the state's progressive policies, which they blame for high crime rates

Air Force veteran Mike Mccarter is part of the movement to split counties from Oregon with a bid to joining a greater Idaho state

'We call on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President to sit down with us and discuss next steps towards changing governance for eastern Oregonians, as well as for the legislature to begin holding hearings on what a potential border change will look like.'

'For the last three years we've been going directly to voters and asking them what they want for their state government,' President Mike McCarter added.

'What they're telling us through these votes is that they want their leaders to move the border.

'In our system, the people are the ones in charge, and it's time for the leaders representing them to follow through.'

Oregon was plunged into chaos after lawmakers brought in a controversial 2021 law known as Measure 110 which scrapped criminal penalties for drug possession.

Under Measure 110, police handed addicts a ticket imposing a $100 fine that is cancelled if they called a treatment referral hotline and agreed to participate in a health assessment.

The system proved useless  more than 95 per cent of tickets went ignored.

Of 4,000 drug-use citations issued during the first two years of Measure 110, only 40 people phoned the hotline asking about treatment. As a result, it was calculated that each call cost taxpayers $7,000.

The measure was finally reversed by Oregon governor Tina Kotek last month in an embarrassing U-turn.

Crook County became the 13th to approve the Greater Idaho Measure following a vote on Tuesday

Organizers behind the Greater Idaho movement say east Oregonians are being alienated by the state's progressive policies which they blame for high crime rates and drug use

The last time the Oregon state line was moved was 1958, although it was a minor adjustment.

According to NewsNation, a recent poll found that people in Idaho also strongly support the proposal.

Similar schemes have been proposed elsewhere in the country, including in Texas where last year a state senator introduced a bill to allow for a vote on Texit.

Within the state itself, the wealthy Austin enclave of Lost Creek, saw an overwhelming majority of 91 percent of residents vote to break away from the city during a May 4 election.

Meanwhile, several counties in Illinois have previously voted to move to another state and parts of Colorado have expressed interest in joining Wyoming.

Last year Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor-Green tweeted that the US needed a 'divorce' between blue and red states.
Screaming terrorists press terrified, blood-stained teenage girls against a wall as they hurl insults and make veiled threats of rape.

These are the horrifying first moments in captivity for the five youngest women held in Gaza by sick Hamas fanatics since October 7.

Now the parents of Liri Albag, 19, Naama Levy, 19, Daniela Gilboa, 20, Agam Berger, 19 and Karina Ariev, 19, have taken the agonising decision to release the footage as their daughters still remain hostages more than seven months later.

It shows one terrorist pointing at Karina, still in her Snoopy pyjamas having been snatched from her bed.

At one point the terrorist appears to refer to the women as Sabaya, an ancient Islamic term that can be used to describe females as slaves.

He adds chillingly in Arabic: 'You are so beautiful.'

These are the horrifying first moments in captivity for the five youngest women held in Gaza by sick Hamas fanatics since October 7

The parents of Liri Albag 19, Naama Levy 19, Daniela Gilboa 20, Agam Berger 19 and Karina Ariev 19, have taken the agonising decision to release the footage (pictured) as their daughters still remain hostages over seven months later. One of the Hamas terrorists seen holding them captive in the video (pictured) is heard telling the women 'You are so beautiful'

Another shouts: 'You dogs, we will step on you,' as Naama is seen bleeding severely, her face pushed against the wall.

'I have friends in Palestine,' says the teenager who volunteered for Palestinian charities and dreams of becoming a diplomat.

Liri can then be heard trying to tell them she can speak English, with terrorists screaming at them to be quiet and sit down.

'Our brothers died because of you, we will shoot you all,' they tell the girls.

Agam, whose mouth is covered in blood, is asked where she is from. 'Israel, Tel Aviv,' the terrified girl responds.

Just hours earlier they had been taken from the Nahal Oz base on the Gaza border doing mandatory national service as observation lookouts.

Agonisingly, it was Naama's first day on base when she was taken.

The Mail first highlighted the girls' plight in January in a powerful article that was shown to the UN and The Hague.

But now the families have released the most harrowing images of their daughters yet as they plead with mediators to restart talks and get their children home.

The 3 min 10 seconds video has been edited by the IDF to preserve the identities of the murdered - meaning it does not show some of the worst violence.

It starts at 9am on October 7 a few hours after the Hamas slaughter of 1,200 innocents began across southern Israel.

The terrified teenagers - their hands tied behind their backs, still dressed in their pyjamas - try to speak to the heavily armed terrorists who are telling each other: 'Take pictures of them.'

In one scene some of the fanatics appear to be praying on the floor next to the captives.

Liri Albag, 19 (centre), is heard in the video trying to tell the Hamas gunmen she can speak English, with the terrorists screaming at them to be quiet and sit down

19-year-old Agam Berger (right) is seen, her face covered in blood. In the video she is asked where she is from. 'Israel, Tel Aviv,' the terrified girl responds

A group of Hamas terrorists are seen gathered in the footage, with the terrified young women sat with their back against a wall

Early in the video, the young women are seen pinned against the wall with their hands tied

Karina, still in her Snoopy pyjamas, is seen being bundled into the back of a truck by the Hamas gunmen in the video that was released today

Naama Levy's oldest brother Amit Levy, 21, who now advocates for the hostages, told MailOnline that the video made him feel sick.

'It's unbelievable that human beings are capable of treating other human beings this way,' he said. 'And what we should remember is that human beings from the same terror organisation are the ones holding them now for 230 days.'

The video ends with the girls being loaded, visibly injured, in pain and limping, into a jeep where they are taken into Gaza.

Part of the same series of footage was from the infamous scene where Naama's tracksuit bottoms were bloodied, triggering fears of abuse.

Testimonies of sexual abuse, rape and torture have emerged since hostages were released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal which fell through when Hamas refused to return some of the female hostages.

Back in November, released hostages said they saw the girls inside captivity.

However, the last time Daniela and Karina were seen was on January 26 when Hamas released a proof of life psychological video that also featured 30-year-old Doron Steinbrecher which was made under duress.

'It's very hard to watch and it shows just a glimpse of the horrors that my sister has been going through. But it also gave me some strength because I really think that Naama and the other girls in the video handle this horrific situation well.'

Amit, who is currently in London meeting with politicians to highlight the hostages' plight, said: 'I see her like a superhero and that does give me and my family strength. She is an athlete and it gives me strength to know how mentally strong she is.

Naama Levy, pictured in this poster distributed by the campaign calling of the Israeli government and Hamas to bring the terror group's hostages home, was one of the five young Israeli women who were seen in the video

Agam Berger (left) and Liri Albag (right), pictured in 'Bring Them Home' posters, were also seen in the footage released by the five young women's families today

Karina Ariev (left) and Daniela Gilboa (right) are also seen in the chilling video. Just hours before the clip was recorded, the group of five young women had been taken from the Nahal Oz base on the Gaza border doing mandatory national service as observation lookouts

'She's amazing. In the video you can hear her say she has friends in Palestine. She really believes in building bridges and peace. That's Naama.

'She is a kind soul that volunteered a lot for kids in poverty,' he added.

'It's not too late, we can save them, we just need a deal to bring them home.'

In a statement released along with the video, The Hostages Families Forum said the clip was a 'damning testament to the nation's failure to bring home the hostages' and demanded that the Israeli government negotiate for the hostages' released.

'The disturbing video has been the reality of Agam, Daniela, Liri, Naama, Karina, and 123 other hostages for 229 days,' the group said.

'The video is a damning testament to the nation's failure to bring home the hostages, who have been forsaken for 229 days. There is no greater mission, no more significant achievement, and no chance to restore hope to Israel without the return of all - the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for burial.

The Israeli government must not waste even one more moment - it must return to the negotiating table today!' it added.

On Monday, Amit was joined by Ilay David, 27, whose brother Evyatar David, 23, was kidnapped and Gal Gilboa Dalal, 29, whose brother Guy Gilboa Dalal, 23, was also taken by Hamas when he was at Nova music festival with his brother.

The families, speaking from the Israel embassy in central London, urged the world not to forget about their siblings' plight.

Pressed on whether they blame the Israeli government for not doing enough to secure their loved ones' release, Mr David said: 'I don't blame anyone. I focus on who can help us right now.

'I'm focusing my energy on the things that can make my brother return home.'

This family handout photo shows 19-year-old Naama Levy, one of the five young hostages seen in the video that has been released by their families

Naama Levy (second right) and her siblings are pictured on holiday together in Italy two years ago. Left to right: Michal, 16, Omri, 12, Naama, 19 and Amit, 21

Naama Levy's oldest brother Amit Levy (pictured right), 21, who now advocates for the hostages tells the Mailonline that the video made him feel stronger emotions than feeling sick

Mr Dalal added: 'There is only so much they can do. I have to trust in my army and in my government because if I can't trust them, then who can I trust?

'I don't have any other option. I just want to see my brother back. I have to believe he (Netanyahu) can do what he can.'

Mr Levy said: 'We trust them (the IDF) because we don't have another choice. I believe they're doing whatever they can in very tough circumstances. The relatives of the hostages said Hamas bore responsibility for those remaining in captivity.

Mr Dalal said: 'The ball is in Hamas' hands. They're using our loved ones as prisoners.

'Until now we did not receive any sign that they're treating our people fairly. We don't know their condition. It makes us think like the world is asking us to fight a knife with hugs and kisses - and you can't.'

Asked how he manages to get on with his life with his sister in captivity, Mr Levy said: 'I don't think I really have a choice. All our family members are suffering.

'We can't let ourselves give up on them. If they wake up every morning, we should wake up every morning and fight for them. Naama (my sister) is the strongest person I know. I'm telling myself stories about how she's surviving this.'

Mr Dalal recalled how his brother was taken hostage while he was still on the run from Hamas gunmen.

The tech support worker said: 'I was rescued at 2pm. I was running and hiding for nine hours. When I got out, they told me that my brother was kidnapped and the video (of him in Gaza) was published at 11am.

'My family did not tell me so I could focus on saving my life.'

Asked about how they cope with the failure of recent ceasefire negotiations, Mr David said: 'It was hard to hear that maybe there's something on the table and it was not accepted, but we cannot know for sure.

'It's like we are looking at a chess game and we can only shout. We cannot understand what's going on in their heads.'

(L-R) Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, Gal Gilboa Dalal, Nova survivor and brother of Guy Gilboa Dalal, and Amit Levy, brother of Naama Levy, speaking at the Embassy of Israel in London with young family members of hostages currently being held in Gaza, May 20

Mr David also said that the war has brought the hostages' families closer.

He said: 'We became like a big family, that's the only thing we have.

'It breaks my heart every time to see hostages alive coming back (when Evyatar is not among them), but it's the only thing that really gives me hope.

Mr Dalal added: 'I want to see (my brother) soon. The most awful thing I can think about is that he'll return home in a coffin. We hope that the world is with us.'
One of the five Americans arrested in Turks and Caicos after being caught with ammunition in their luggage has pleaded guilty.

Tyler Wenrich, a 911 operator and EMT from Virginia, pleaded guilty to the charges on Tuesday and faces at least 12 years in prison when sentenced on May 28.

However, a judge can decide to lower the minimum sentence under exceptional circumstances.

Before his plea hearing, Wenrich, a married father, told WPVI: 'I have a lot of fear and anxiety.

'You know, the best outcome to this is that the judge will find leniency and compassion in this situation, and steer away from the 12-year sentence and be able to give a sentence that is less than that and a fine, hopefully.'

Tyler Wenrich, 31, pictured with his wife Jeriann, is also facing 12 years in prison after two 9mm bullets were found in his luggage on April 20 as he departed a bachelor party cruise

Wenrich has been in Turks and Caicos since April 20. He was granted bail and is staying with his father.

It comes after a US delegation including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman failed to secure their release on Monday.

Since February, the five US tourists, all unknown to each other, have been detained in the territory and charged with possession of firearms after loose bullets were allegedly found in their luggage.

Wenrich, Ryan Watson, Bryan Hagerich, and Sharitta Shinse Grier all remain trapped on the island, while Michael Lee Evans was bailed and allowed to fly back to the US as he has a serious medical condition.

They claim they didn't know any bullets were in their bags - saying they could have been left there after hunting trips or by mistake - and have asked for mercy.

But a delegation of two US senators, three members of the House and embassy and state department representatives were 'not able to find a path forward' to secure their release, meaning they are still facing 12 years in prison.

Monday's delegation was hoping to bring the Americans home, but Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma told the Miami Herald: 'Despite our willingness to work with Turks and Caicos officials to get our constituents home, we were not able to find a path forward today.'

Wenrich has been in Turks and Caicos since April 20. He was granted bail and is staying with his father

A delegation of two US senators, three members of the House and embassy and state department representatives were 'not able to find a path forward' to secure the release of five US tourists facing a minimum of 12 years in prison

Sharitta Grier, center, is now living in a rental home on the island with Ryan Watson, left, and Bryan Hagerich, seen right, who were all caught with ammunition in their bags

He added: 'We went in respectful of their sovereignty, and with an open mind looking to find common ground.

'At this point, well-intentioned American citizens are facing a dozen years in prison all for unknowingly having one or two bullets in their luggage.

'The unintended consequences of TCIs law have been at the expense of well-intentioned American tourists, including a grandmother, who had no intention of breaking the law.'

If the tourists are not released and are jailed, Mullin said: 'We will need to consider additional actions to safeguard American citizens.'

Following the meeting the Turks and Caicos Governor's Office said the government has 'clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and/or ammunition and strict penalties are in place to serve and protect all who reside and visit the Turks and Caicos Islands.'

Ammunition was found in Sharitta Shinese Grier's luggage during a routine security check

They added: 'Where the court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge does have discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case.'

The territory tightened their gun laws two years ago and banned civilian firearms or ammunition. Under the stricter rules, offenders are sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison.

Sharitta Shinese Grier, 45, was the fifth tourist to be arrested at the Howard Hamilton International Airport, with Turks and Caicos police saying bullets were found 'during a routine security check.'

It is latest in a spate of arrests made on the island since February which have seen four others now facing charges after they were caught carrying ammo in their luggage.

Willie Lucas, Grier's mother said it was heartbreaking to leave her daughter behind on the island while the rest of the family returned home to Florida.

Sharitta Shinese Grier is the fifth U.S. tourist to be arrested in Turks and Caicos

Willie Lucas, left, was at a loss for words upon learning that her daughter, Sharitta Grier, had been arrested while visiting the Turks and Caicos on charges of possessing ammunition

'I didn't want to come home,' she told Fox 35. 'Be safe when you go out of town. Just be safe. Be careful and keep us in your prayers, cuz God knows we sure gonna need it.'

Chanchy Willis, Grier's cousin has said it was 'just a horrible mistake' that the ammunition was found.

'Just for two bullets? It was just a horrible mistake for all five of them ,' Willis said.

Grier posted bail and is now living in a rental property on the island alongside other Americans who have been apprehended. None are allowed to leave the island.

She will appear before a judge on July 5.

Evans, 72, was granted $20,000 bail and given permission to return back to the U.S due to a medical condition, with reports indicating he is suffering from terminal cancer.

Ryan Watson, 40, of Oklahoma, said that his family is in the dark about his fate, and 'we can't set any kind of expectations on when I can be home to those kids.'

Bryan Hagerich (left) and Ryan Watson (right) are both facing 12 years in Turks and Caicos prison after loose bullets were found in their luggage

Ryan Watson and his wife Valerie pictured together arriving at their Turks and Caicos vacation

'To not be with my kids, to not be home with Valerie right now, it's the most awful thing that I have ever lived through at this point,' he said during an interview last month.

He said getting back to his children is 'and always will be, my ultimate goal.'

Watson has remained on the islands for almost a month as he faces a June 7 court date.

At one point his wife Valerie also faced prison before her charges were dropped.

A small bag of bullets in a Ziploc bag were found in Ryan's luggage, triggering questions as to how American TSA missed them when he left for the vacation through Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma.

'We had no intentions of ever bringing anything into this country. It was just trying to pack board shorts and flip-flops, and that was all we were concerned about bringing,' Watson told Fox News.

Ryan was held in the Chalk Sound police station (pictured) until he posted bail, however he is unable to leave the island as his passport was seized

Michael Lee Evans, 72, was granted $20,000 bail and given permission to return back to the U.S due to a medical condition, with reports indicating he is suffering from terminal cancer

Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, was about to head back home to the U.S. and insists he had no intention of bringing ammo to the islands.

He said being away from his family has been difficult.

'As a father, it's my responsibility to provide for my family, to protect my family, to support them in every way imaginable. And for me it's just been catastrophic,' he said.

Bryan has since missed both of his children's birthdays, and said he is terrified of the prospect of missing their childhoods if he is sentenced to the full 12-year term.

Each of those arrested could potentially face up to 12 years in prison.

'Twelve years is a long time, and all those special things you look forward to as a parent, knowing you potentially couldn't be there for those, that's what keeps me up at night,' he said.

Bryan Hagerich (pictured with his wife Ashley and their children, Palmer and Catherine) was arrested in February

Bryan Hagerich, 39, left, was arrested in February while Ryan Tyler Watson, 40, right, was charged in April - both with possession of ammunition

Ryan Watson, 40, an avid hunter, said loose hunting bullets were found in his luggage as he and wife his Valerie left their vacation. He still remains on the island

'It never dawned on us to research any of these things. And there are a lot of locals that have been just such a blessing and have had such gracious hearts.'

The detainees must now argue before the TCI Superior Court they were arrested under 'exceptional circumstances,' which includes proving they have no prior criminal record, they did not intend to bring ammunition into the airport and why a 12-year sentence would be excessive in their cases.
A man has died and another is assisting police with their inquiries following a confrontation inside an apartment.

Paramedics rushed to the unit on Richmond Avenue in Auburn, Sydney's west, at about 7.30pm on Wednesday, but were unable to save the critically injured man.

'NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a man, but he died at the scene.' NSW Police said in a statement.

A man has died following a confrontation inside an apartment in Auburn, in Sydney's west, on Wednesday night (pictured ambulance and police vehicles outside the apartment complex)

Paramedics (pictured) rushed to the scene but the man who was critically injured could not be saved

The incident took place at a unit in an apartment block on Richmond Avenue (pictured)

'Officers from Auburn Police Area Command arrested a 32-year-old man a short time later on South Parade, Auburn.'

'He has been taken to Auburn Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries.'

A crime scene has been set up and police are investigating the incident.

Police set up a crime scene and officers are investigating the incident (pictured cops outside the apartment complex in Auburn)

Officers have arrested a 32-year-old man and he is assisting police with their inquiries (pictured police officers at the scene on Wednesday night)

Police have alleged the two men are known to each other but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear (pictured police officers at the scene)

Police were alerted to the incident around 7.30pm on Wednesday night (pictured officers were seen conducting inquiries into the incident)

Officers have alleged the men are known to each another but their exact relationship remains unclear, along with the cause of the man's death.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact police immediately.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Park Yong-jin, a 30-year-old office worker in Seoul, used to go to restaurants near his office for lunch but began to feel the impact on his wallet because of soaring dining costs.

Therefore, he has recently begun using a cafeteria where he can use coupons provided by his company. Most of the local restaurants near his office have increased their menu prices steeply, therefore Park needs at least 10,000 won ($7.33) to have a meal. However, the coupons bring the cost of a meal down to half of that for him.

Now is not the time to splurge on my appetite. I mean, look how expensive food has become, Park said. Nowadays, I go to a cafeteria and the place is packed. It looks like all the workers in this area have begun rushing to it.

Another office worker Choi Yu-ra, 26, also finds lunchflation hard to swallow and has recently started visiting a cafeteria near her office.

Her small-size company didnt offer coupons and she personally went out searching for them. The cafeteria wasnt big but had quite a variety in its buffet so she didn't have to worry about leaving the place feeling unsatisfied. And she pays just 5,000 won per meal.

I used to eat at my favorite places with my colleagues, Park said. But as lunchflation was no longer just news and began to affect me personally, I stopped hanging around and started tightening my purse strings.

Rising dining prices at local restaurants are increasingly drawing people to cafeterias where meals are sold at more affordable prices. Large-size companies with their own cafeterias started seeing an increasing number of visitors, while employees at smaller companies are rushing to local canteens where food service companies are selling meals for lower prices than local restaurants.

According to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., food service firms that saw their sales rise last year outnumbered those with reduced sales.

Statistics Korea said that the consumer price index for dining out last month jumped three percent from the previous month. The index also topped the average of consumer price indexes, continuing the higher-than-average streak for the 35th month.

Food service firms are seeing rising profits and have begun expanding their businesses.

Samsung Welstorys operating profit in the first quarter registered 32 billion won, a 10.3 percent increase from the previous year. It is currently catering to offices of SK hynix, CJ Cheiljedang and Hanwha Aerospace.

Shinsegae Food saw an operating profit of 4.6 billion won during the same period, a 1.7 percent jump from the previous year, and Hyundai Green Food saw an operating profit of 29.8 billion won, a 12.5 percent jump from 2023.

We saw rising demand from local cafeterias as well as from outside the country, a Hyundai Green Food official said. The companys first quarter sales registered 559.5 billion won, a 4.6 percent jump from the previous year. Here, our clients include Naver, Hyundai Motor Company and Shinhan Securities. Our services also met demands from large-scale construction sites in the Middle East, Mexico, China and the United States.
British tourists are being urgently evacuated from the Pacific holiday island of New Caledonia as the French-run territory has erupted in deadly riots and looting.

Over a week of riots has left six people dead and hundreds more injured, as cars, shops, and buildings are set ablaze and destroyed.

With some 3,200 tourists trapped in the territory - British nationals are being supported by the UK government as it works on a coordinated response.

The UK has joined forces with New Zealand and Australia in their efforts to rescue their citizens from the paradise-turned-hellhole.

A small number of Brits yesterday boarded flights organised by New Zealand and Australia to leave their territory.

Tourists are being urgently evacuated from New Caledonia as deadly rioting and looting takes over the French-run territory. Pictured: Members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, along with other military personnel, preparing to assist people being evacuated on May 21

A masked bystander poses in front of burnt vehicles in a roadblock at the entrance to Ducos, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 21, 2024

French forces smashed through around 60 road blocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia's capital to the airport but have still not reopened the route

The Pacific territory of 270,000 people has been in turmoil since May 13, when violence erupted over French plans to impose new voting rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights

France deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, and imposed a state of emergency on May 16 after three nights of clashes that left four dead and hundreds wounded

The Brits who remain in New Caledonia have been advised by the UK government to register their presence and follow the Foreign Office's travel advice for further updates.

Images from the island show charred vehicles, burnt to a crisp in the middle of roads with some stacked on top of each other to form makeshift roadblocks.

Fire and smoke can be seen billowing skywards from piles of vehicles set alight as French forces were forced to smash through 60 roadblocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia's capital, Ducos, to the airport.

Rebels can be seen with their faces wrapped in scarves as they continue looting shops and destroying the once-peaceful island.

As well as witnessing fires and looting, holidaymakers who have been stuck for more than a week have reported food shortages.

'The situation in New Caledonia remains dynamic, and New Zealand officials are continuing to work with French counterparts and other partners especially Australia to understand what is needed to ensure the safety of our people there,' New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

French President Emmanuel Macron is flying to the Pacific territory on Wednesday following the arrival of French police who arrived on the island last week.

Louis Le Franc, the French High Commissioner, said officers had been deployed to 'regain control of all the areas that we have lost'.

A street blocked by debris and burnt out items is seen following overnight unrest in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 18, 2024

The unrest has left six people dead, including two police, and hundreds injured

A Kanak flag waving next to a burning vehicle at a roadblock in New Caledonia on May 19, 2024

Charred vehicles are stacked on top of each other to form roadblocks across the territory

The unrest is the deadliest seen in the French pacific territory since the 1980s as Paris last week declared a state of emergency on the island.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said 1,000 extra police were joining the 1,700 personnel already there. He added that authorities would push for 'the harshest penalties for rioters and looters'.

Six people have already had their lives claimed as a result of the protests which erupted nine days ago after lawmakers in Paris voted through changes that will allow more French residents to vote in local elections.

This was a move that leaders among the territory's indigenous Kanak people said will dilute the political influence of natives.

Macron will meet with elected officials and local representatives tomorrow for political talks and the discussion around the reconstruction of the island, aides said.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Macron 'will discuss with all the forces in New Caledonia', claiming the objective of talks was to 'prepare and anticipate reconstruction'.

He added: 'The president is also going to re-establish dialogue'.

One French family stranded in New Caledonia told The Guardian they would unfortunately be packing up their boat and heading for Brisbane, Australia, in coming days.

Dad-of-three Xavier Decramer and his wife Maeva Zebrowski, are preparing for around six days of sailing as they make a desperate attempt to flee the violence-stricken island.

People look for groceries and food among nearly empty shelves in a supermarket in New Caledonia, on May 18, 2024

A man stands in front a burnt car after unrest in Noumea, New Caledonia, on May 15, 2024. Last week France imposed a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory

People wait in line to buy provisions from a supermarket along a street blocked by debris and burnt out items following overnight unrest

A truck burnt by rioters in order to block access to an expressway is seen on a road in Noumea

'Bearing in mind my wife was born here, we wanted to settle here.

'It's difficult. We're really torn between the need to put our family in safety  and the feeling that we are leaving people behind here  people who cannot leave,' he said.

Travel advice from the Australian government has warned people not to try and get to the airport themselves saying the route 'is not yet considered safe'.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the unfolding situation as 'deeply concerning'.

The Noumea international airport remains closed for commercial flights, and a decision on when to reopen it will be reassessed on Thursday, the local government has said.

Schools and businesses have also been burned down, with supplies and necessities reaching concerning low levels for the 3,200 tourists and 270,000 residents.

The New Caledonia government explained: 'The problem is not so much a lack of staff, medical and food supplies but more importantly one of access.'

On Tuesday night, two Royal Australian Air Force planes flew 108 Australians and other tourists from New Caledonia to Brisbane, while the New Zealand military flew 48 people to Auckland.

France revealed it expects to evacuate around 500 people via military aircraft from Wednesday.

Viro Xulue, a member of a community group currently helping Kanak people, said the current unrest was similar to the civil war in the 1980s.

He said: 'We are really scared about the police, the French soldiers, and we are scared about the anti-Kanak militia terrorist group.

'The French government doesn't know how to control people here.

'They send more than 2,000 military to control, but it's a fail.'
Passengers injured when extreme turbulence hit a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday could receive huge compensation payouts of US$150,000 due to an international treaty.

A British grandfather died and 71 were treated for injuries after the flight from London Heathrow to Singapore was shaken by clear air turbulence and forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Now lawyers have said that even if the carrier is not found to have been negligent, those with injury claims could be in line for substantial sums of money.

Under the Montreal Convention, if injured passengers file a lawsuit for an injury they were not to blame for, the airline cannot contest damages up to around $150,000 under 'strict liability'.

But the figure is often far higher depending on financial losses and where the claim is being made from, and is often difficult for airline firms to avoid.

Emergency services took people off the plane after it made an emergency landing in Bangkok

Emergency ambulance vehicles standby to transport injured passengers from the flight to a hospital in Bangkok. 71 people were treated for injuries

Paramedics treat people at the scene after the plane made an emergency landing on Tuesday

'If the injured party or the family of the deceased suffer losses greater than [$150,000], the airline is only able to avoid paying for the entire compensation if they can prove the accident was not caused by their negligence or was caused by a third party,' according to law firm Irwin Mitchell.

'However, proving this can be very difficult for the airline so larger compensation awards are common.'

California attorney Mike Danko, who represents passengers, said the airline could try to limit their liability by showing the passenger bore some of the fault for the injury, such as by ignoring warnings to wear a seat belt.

The size of damages often comes down to the country where the case is filed and how the legal system assesses the amount of compensation.

'First and foremost what is the jurisdiction where you can bring a claim and how do they value injury claims,' said Daniel Rose, a New York attorney with Kreindler & Kreindler, which represents passengers.

For example, US juries have awarded passengers more than $1 million for the emotional trauma of severe turbulence, while many courts in other countries award far less if anything for similar emotional distress.

The Montreal Convention sets out various rules for determining where a claim can be brought, which can depend on the destination, where the ticket was purchased and the residence of the passenger.

Tuesday's flight departed from London bound for Singapore and carried passengers from around the world.

Aviation attorneys said British passengers on a round-trip ticket originating in London could file a claim in UK courts.

Others might have been planning to catch a connecting flight to return home to Indonesia, where they would have to bring their claim. As a result, claims might differ widely in value for the same injury.

Curtis Miner, a Florida attorney who represents passengers, said the 2013 crash of an Asiana Airlines plane in San Francisco resulted in injured passengers with widely varying compensation because many were flying round-trip originating from various East Asian cities.

'The passengers were from all over the place,' said Miner. 'So people who may have had similar injuries, some could bring their case in San Francisco but others who were not able to.'

Images taken on board of the aftermath of the incident showed how the cabin was littered with debris, and oxygen masks hung from the ceiling. Passengers had tried desperately to stem the blood flowing from severe cuts and blunt force injuries

An injured person is seen being carried off the plane in a stretcher after the incident yesterday

Demetrius Danas, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 'While it would be wrong to speculate on what may have caused this incident, airlines have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their passengers. Therefore, understandably, those on board will have many questions and concerns.

'It's now vital that the airline operator and the authorities carry out the most thorough and transparent investigation so that those affected can understand what has happened, and where appropriate, any valuable lessons can be learned.

'In the meantime, those affected need to be supported to ensure not only they receive the answers they deserve but any access to specialist support and treatment they may require.'

Singapore Airlines has said it will co-operate fully with the relevant authorities.
There are still around 100 desperate Aussies 'stuck in limbo' in New Caledonia as they try to flee riots that have killed at least six people.

A French plane arrived in Brisbane on Wednesday night carrying 103 Australian citizens and family members after 84 Australians and 24 other nationals were repatriated to the Queensland capital on Tuesday.

A total of 187 Australians and their family members had now returned from New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a post on social media platform X.

There are about 500 Australians in New Caledonia and some 300 in total had registered their interest in coming home with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy told ABC TV on Wednesday.

Australia would continue to work with the French government on further flights, Mr Conroy said.

A further 103 Australians and their family members have landed in Brisbane on Wednesday night (pictured) on a French assisted-departure flight from New Caledonia

Relieved passengers arrived in Brisbane on Wednesday night but around 100 Aussies are still stranded and waiting for a flight home

'The primary plan is more French flights but as I've indicated publicly, we do have contingency plans and we do have planes on standby should there be an issue with that,' he said.

Those on board the first two flights were filled with relief after days of failing to find a way off the island, said Fadi Chemali, who was on the first plane to reach Australia.

'Everyone clapped once we landed, we were all just so happy,' he told AAP after landing in Brisbane.

Mr Chemali had been holidaying with his wife and daughter for a week before rioting erupted and spent eight days scrambling to find a way home.

'I didn't see any of the violence up close but we heard a lot, including gunshots from where we were, it has been fairly intense.'

At least six people have died in the territory and hundreds have been injured since violence broke out last Monday.

Rob Slade (pictured left) greets his partner Vicki Murray (right) after arriving from New Caledonia

Australian tourists Monique (left), Juliett (centre) and Pascal Urban (right) arrive from New Caledonia

French troops are trying to stem further unrest, with buildings razed, shops looted and roads barricaded.

Australia's Consul-General in New Caledonia, Annelise Young, posted on X that her team had been working round the clock with officials in Canberra and Paris and closely with French authorities to ensure safe passage for Australian tourists.

New rules changing who is allowed to participate in the nation's elections have been slammed by the indigenous Kanaks, who fear their vote will be diluted by thousands of French nationals who have moved to the island.

About 270 rioters have been arrested and a 12-hour curfew imposed from 6pm to 6am.

France has sent more than 1000 security personnel, with hundreds more to join to help quell the unrest.

The reopening of the international airport for commercial flights will be reassessed on Thursday.

Australia has urged people to reconsider travel to New Caledonia.

Those there have been advised to limit their movement.
A TikTok star married to Paris Fury's traveller cousin was attacked in a terrifying home raid by a gang armed with a gun and crowbars who threatened to kill her.

Nikia Marshall, 24, a gorger - or 'settled person' - believes she may have been targeted by members of the traveller community who are hostile to her because she's seen as an 'outsider'.

The former glamour model - whose husband Michael was at work at the time - says she only survived by fleeing upstairs with her dogs.

She said: 'I think it's because I'm an influencer online, and I post very controversial videos. I'm a bit of a comedian, but I've got dark humour.

'I'm married to a gypsy as well. Three years ago, there were arguments with gypsies up, down, left and right. I know that this was a gypsy-related thing.'

Chilling footage shows the balaclava-clad men rush to her house in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and smash the front door with a crowbar on Monday.

Nikia Marshall, 24, (pictured) a gorger - or 'settled person' - believes she may have been targeted by members of the traveller community who are hostile to her because she's seen as an 'outsider

Balaclava-clad men at Nikia's address in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, who smashed the front door with a crowbar

Pictured: Damage to Nikia Marshall's home after the break-in

The former glamour model - whose husband Michael was at work at the time - says she only survived by fleeing upstairs with her dogs

Nikia said she was asleep on the sofa at around 5.30pm when she was confronted by two intruders who broke through her glass back door.

She was hit by one of the men before she fled with her two dogs, Bella and Princess, upstairs while they did '100,000' worth of damage to her kitchen and living room.

And as she looked out of her bedroom window below, the group's 'chubby' ringleader made a chilling threat to 'shoot her' and 'finish the job'.

She said: 'All I heard was popping sounds - bang, bang, bang.

'Two attackers got in at the back, and there were three at the front. One hit me, and I pushed him off and continued to run up the stairs.

'I just remember hanging out the window because I thought if they come up and they try and kill me, I can jump out my window.

'When I was hanging out the window, the main guy looked up at me and he said, 'I'm going to come back and I'm going to finish the job - and I'm going to shoot you'.

She added: 'One of them had a gun as well.'

Nikia sprang to fame in 2021 when she fronted a six-part YouTube series called 'I Married A Traveller' with her roofer husband, Michael, 38.

The show revealed how she was branded a 'prostitute' and a 'home-wrecker' - and was rejected by her traveller in-laws due to not being a member of the community.

She is married to Paris Fury's traveller cousin - Michael

Pictured: A smashed window at Nikia Marshall's home

Nikia said she was asleep on the sofa at around 5.30pm when she was confronted by two intruders who broke through her glass back door

She was hit by one of the men before she fled with her two dogs, Bella and Princess, upstairs while they did '100,000' worth of damage to her kitchen and living room

Nikia sprang to fame in 2021 when she fronted a six-part YouTube series called 'I Married A Traveller' with her roofer husband, Michael, 38

She also shamed men who later took to social media to pester her for sex, saying she was at one point getting 20 requests a day to cheat on her husband.

Nikia, who now runs the fashion store Red Hot Ltd on TikTok, said she had reported the attack to the police, who were now installing panic buttons in her property.

But she said her love for her two eight-year-old chihuahuas, Bella and Princess, had stopped her from getting seriously injured in the attack.

She said: 'My dogs probably saved me from getting really badly hurt because I'm a bit of a fighter.

'If my dogs weren't there, I would have picked something up and I would have gone at them. And my husband wasn't here, he was down the street because he's a roofer.'

Nikia had tried to identify the men while the attack was happening and said the squat ringleader had bizarrely put on a fake 'London' accent when speaking to her.

She said: 'They were all balaclava-clad. The two at the back were tall and slim. But they were all quite big men, to be honest.

'The main guy put on a fake London accent. He was the shortest one of them all.

'He was about 5ft 8 inches. He was chubby. He was a white man and he had piercing blue eyes that were very wide apart. I will find these men.

She added: 'I think they've done 100,000 worth of damage. I had a lot of expensive stuff downstairs.

Police outside Nikia Marshall's home in South Yorkshire

Nikia, who now runs the fashion store Red Hot Ltd on TikTok, said she had reported the attack to the police, who were now installing panic buttons in her property

'I had Worcester dolls, Crown Derby porcelain, my flat-screen TV - and all my Italian furniture.'

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'Officers responded at 5.31pm on Monday May, 20, to reports of an aggravated burglary at an address on Brecks Lane.

'It is reported that five males smashed the windows of a property before gaining entry and assaulting a 24-year-old woman.

'The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries that are not believed to be serious.'

'A scene was established at Brecks Lane and enquiries are ongoing.'
Downing Street today rebuked top minister Johnny Mercer after he was snapped with bare feet on a train while penning a bombshell memo about Rishi Sunak.

The veterans' affairs minister was photographed by a fellow passenger without shoes or socks as he travelled from London to Exeter earlier this month.

Images showed the Plymouth Moor View MP working on his laptop, while close-ups of his screen revealed Mr Mercer's scathing words about the PM's team in No10.

In an extraordinary missive, Mr Mercer blasted aides for allowing Mr Sunak to hog the limelight and acting as if he is still as popular as he was when he first took office.

The minister demanded that more popular Cabinet colleagues like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch are instead given more media appearances.

But, despite the cutting nature of Mr Mercer's comments, much focus was also put on the minister's decision not to cover his feet while sitting among fellow train passengers.

Asked whether Mr Sunak thinks it is appropriate to take your socks off on public transport, the PM's press secretary told reporters this afternoon: 'Absolutely not.'

She added: 'I think the PM will probably talk to him about the feet thing.'

Mr Mercer attempted to explain his decision to go bare foot in a social media post, writing: 'So some little weirdo has gone round snapping my laptop reading private messages from a private email account.

'My shoes and socks were off because Id just cycled across Dartmoor in the rain. Shoot me now. Or grow up.'

Johnny Mercer vented his frustrations in a bombshell memo written on his laptop, which was in full view of fellow train passengers as he travelled to London from Exeter

The veterans' affairs minister blasted Downing Street aides for allowing Rishi Sunak to hog the limelight and acting as if the PM is still as popular as he was when he first took office

Mr Mercer demanded that more popular Cabinet ministers like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch are instead given more media appearances

Mr Mercer attempted to explain his decision to go bare foot while among fellow train passengers in a social media post

Mr Mercer vented his frustrations in a bombshell memo written on his laptop, which was in full view of fellow train passengers as he travelled to the capital from the South West.

He warned No10 officials to stop 'placating' Mr Sunak and giving airtime to 'average' colleagues.

Images of Mr Mercer's laptop screen were handed to The Times after being photographed by a passenger in the same carriage on 6 May - four days after the local elections.

In his memo, the minister for veterans' affairs wrote: 'Political communication seems haphazard, un-themed and loose. We have average performers during important slots.

'How many people did (Transport Secretary Mark) Harper win over for us this weekend?

'Team in No10 operating as though the PM is as popular in the polls as he was two years ago.

'It appears to be all about placating him/managing him/promoting him on social media.

'We are only going to get through this as a team. There are good, capable senior colleagues around the Cabinet table who people clearly like, who should see more air time and be more prominent.'

Images of Mr Mercer's laptop screen were handed to The Times after being photographed by a passenger in the same carriage on 6 May - four days after the local elections

Mr Mercer warned No10 officials to stop 'placating' Mr Sunak and giving airtime to 'average' colleagues

Polls of Conservative members showing that Business Secretary Ms Badenoch and Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt are more popular than Mr Sunak 'should not be ignored', Mr Mercer said.

Both Ms Badenoch and Ms Mordaunt are seen as potential Tory leadership contenders if the party loses the general election.

Mr Mercer, who has been an outspoken backer of Mr Sunak, also wrote that too many special advisers were 'overpromoted and underskilled' and had 'poor political judgments'.

He said that despite his access to No10 and the Prime Minister, 'I don't feel part of the team'.

His efforts to persuade No10 to allow veterans to use their IDs at polling stations had been blocked by special advisers, he said, adding: 'Feels like even I cannot have any impact on the grid/government comms.'

Mr Sunak's latest popularity rating on the ConservativeHome website is minus 51 - lagging far behind Ms Mordaunt (left) on minus 23 and Ms Badenoch (right), on minus 15

Fellow Tory MP Michael Fabricant hit out at Mr Mercer's decision to ditch socks and shoes as he sat in the train carriage from Exeter St Davids to London Paddington

Mr Sunak's latest popularity rating on the ConservativeHome website is minus 51 - lagging far behind Ms Mordaunt on minus 23 and Ms Badenoch, who tops the rankings on minus 15.

Labour's shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said: 'With high-profile Tory ministers exposed as lacking confidence in Rishi Sunak and his weak leadership, it's no wonder the British public are demanding it's time for change.

'The only way to turn the page and end the ongoing Tory chaos is with a Labour government delivering change the country needs.'

Fellow Tory MP Michael Fabricant hit out at Mr Mercer's decision to ditch socks and shoes as he sat in the train carriage from Exeter St Davids to London Paddington.

He posted on X/Twitter: 'I remember flying back from Brussels once and a BA official at the boarding desk telling someone to put their shoes and socks on before boarding the flight.

'When asked why, she replied "People don't like looking at other people's toenails or smelling their feet." I agree.'

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer think it is acceptable to travel on public transport without shoes and socks, a spokesman for the Labour leader said: 'No.'
A British climber and his guide are missing on Mount Everest after ice collapsed and fell on their expedition, according to local reports.

Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, and Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, have not been heard from since they reached the summit at about 4.40am local time on Tuesday, Nepalese officials said.

'A cornice broke off and washed down a few climbers including Daniel and his guide towards the Tibet side,' a member of a team at Everest base camp told The Times.

The collapse is reported to have happened at Hillary Step, a nearly vertical rock face just beneath the summit of the world's highest peak.

An expedition has been launched to find the men, but hopes are fading that anyone could survive more than a day in an area known as the 'death zone' due to its high altitude.

Missing Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, is pictured on May 11 ahead of his climb to the summit

Mr Paterson with his partner Beck Woodhead. She said yesterday that she had not heard from him

Mr Paterson's partner Beck Woodhead said yesterday that she had not heard from her partner and was waiting for news with their families.

The fitness enthusiast had dedicated his climb to a late friend from Wakefield Crossfield Club, which he co-owns, and recently announced that members had raised 10,000 for her family.

A keen climber, he had trained in the Himalayas last year and said he was emotional when he saw the Everest summit, telling followers: 'My dream will always be to conquer this.'

A Sherpa with Mr Paterson's group said earlier today that the expedition had successfully reached the summit, before sharing the news the two men went missing during the climb.

'Eyewitnesses reported the incident took place between Summit Ridge and South Summit and some climbers were swept away in Kangshung Face,' he said.

'Our dedicated search and rescue teams are deployed on the ground. They are working tirelessly to locate our missing climbers. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this challenging time.'

The missing men were part of a 15-strong team with 8K Expeditions, led by Bolivian climber David Hugo Ayaviri Quispe.

Mr Paterson previously said it had always been his dream to 'conquer' the Everest summit

Mr Paterson posted two weeks ago to say he was 'waiting impatiently for a summit window'.

Officials reportedly said that a window of calm weather over the past few days has seen an influx of climbers heading to the summit, but that this would close by the end of the week.

It comes after Mongolian climbers Usukhjargal Tsedendamba, 53, and Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, 31, went missing on Everest on May 13.

The pair, who had not relied on sherpa guides, were found dead a week later at two different locations after summiting the peak.

Mr Paterson, who received the news along with the rest of his team as they prepared for their own expedition, shared a post to his story with the caption 'very sad news'.

The British climber's last post to his Instagram followers was six days ago, when he reshared a friend's good luck post which said he would 'be back down in 6 days ish'.

The fitness enthusiast had dedicated his climb to a late friend from Wakefield Crossfield Club, and recently announced the group had raised 10,000 for her family

A Foreign Office spokesperson said this afternoon: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who is reported as missing in Nepal and are in touch with local authorities.'

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres (26,246 feet) and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring climbing season.

Everest is only climbable in the short windows of clear weather when the winds are calm.

This has led to long queues forming at challenging sections, leaving climbers waiting in the freezing cold and burning through their valuable oxygen supplies.

As climbers can only summit in small weather windows, queues can form on the mountain which substantially increases the risk of death

There have also been concerns that some companies are bringing inexperienced climbers up into the 'death zone', above 8,000m, creating serious risks for them and others.

Trackers have recently been introduced which authorities hoped would make finding and rescuing injured climbers easier.

Ahead of the season, specialised 'icefall doctors' set the climbing route of ropes and ladders, building a route across plunging crevasses and constantly shifting ice, including the treacherous Khumbu icefall.

Tragically, in April 2023, three Nepali climbers perished when a block of glacial ice fell and swept them into a crevasse as they were crossing the icefall on a supply mission.

Ms Woodhead has set up a fundraiser for a search and rescue operation for her partner which can be found here.
A paedophile actor who starred in a red carpet scene shoot alongside 90 child extras faces a trial over allegedly breaking the terms of his sex offender register.

Prosecutors claim Jacky Jhaj, 38, breached court orders imposed after he was jailed for four years in 2016 for having sexual activity with two 15-year-olds.

Jai who poses as a film producer, faces trial at Isleworth Crown Court on 4 August 2025, for breaching notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.

He attended Isleworth Crown Court today for a further case management hearing wearing white jogger bottoms and a beige knitted jumper.

Claire Davies, KC, who he is paying for privately, said he wants the venue moved to accommodate the hearing sooner because he fears losing his representation.

Jacky Jhaj faces trial for breaching courts orders after being convicted of sexual offences

Jhaj, of Feltham, was jailed after supplying the two 15-year-olds with alcohol and taking them to parties in Hounslow, west London, in his silver Range Rover.

He pretended he was 21 and a top Hollywood producer before assaulting them.

Jhaj was filmed on 17 October with up to 200 children and young women playing fans of Jhaj who was hosting a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square, in London.

He was spotted outside the Odeon Luxe cinema, where a red carpet was set up with barricades.

Jhaj can be seen repeatedly parading up and down in different outfits and then greeting some of the extras, in videos and photographs seen by the BBC.

But casting agencies have said actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.

Judge Edward Connell fixed a further hearing for 29 July for the trial venue to be resolved.
Kim Jong-un was reportedly 'desperate to get rid of his nuclear weapons and did not want his daughter's generation to live with the burden' of nukes,' claimed South Korea's former leader.

Moon Jae-in, who facilitated the historic summits between Kim and former US President Donald Trump, revealed in a new memoir that the North Korean leader 'repeatedly' and 'desperately' made clear that Pyongyang did not plan to use its weapons and expressed frustration over the global mistrust.

Moon also added that the tyrant dictator surprisingly 'mentioned that he has a daughter and doesn't want her generation to live with the burden of nuclear weapons.

'He sincerely explained his commitment to denuclearisation,' he added.

Moon's memoir, entitled 'From the Frontier to the Centre,' included the passage - which has now sparked backlash - stating that Kim Jong-un 'repeatedly said that he had no intention of using nuclear capabilities.'

Former South Korean president Moon Jae-in's recently published memoir, titled 'From the Periphery to the Centre' claims North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was 'desperate to get rid of his nuclear weapons'. Pictured: The memoir is displayed at a bookstore in Seoul on May 21, 2024

Kim allegedly said he did not want his daughter's generation to 'live with the burden' of nukes. Pictured: Kim, his 10-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae daughter and an official watch what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile launching from an undisclosed location in North Korea last December

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows missiles launched during a simulated nuclear counterattack drill last month

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, visits a military vehicle production plant on January 5, 2024

The memoir sparked outrage and strong criticism from the South Korean Minister of Unification and top official on North Korea Kim Yung-ho, who said Monday that 'trusting completely' in the country's intent to denuclearise rather than develop its nuclear capabilities could result in a 'miscalculation' that could have a 'severely negative security outcome' for South Korea.

If South Korea relies only on North Korea's 'good faith', its people and national security could be at risk, Kin warned.

'Rather than denouncing the previous administration, he should behave more like a Minister of Unification and focus his energies on restoring inter-Korean relations,' he told a press conference.

But Moon's remarks comes just a month after Kim oversaw North Korea's first ever 'nuclear trigger' drills , which involved simulating a nuclear counterattack as a warning to enemies.

The drill took place on April 22 and Seoul's military had earlier announced that the North had fired several short-range ballistic missiles that day, with Tokyo also confirming the launch.

Kim 'guided a combined tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack involving super-large multiple rocket artillerymen,' the official Korean Central News Agency reported at the time.

This picture taken on March 15, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 16 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (centre R) and his daughter Ju Ae (centre L) attending the completion and commissioning ceremony for the Gangdong Comprehensive Greenhouse in Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un and his daughter inspected a missile that North Korea said could reach mainland United States, Seoul and Tokyo, last December

Kim Ju Ae has been pictured alongside her father and North Korea's weapons arsenal on several occasions since she first appeared in November 2022

Kim Jong Un (front 2nd R) and his daughter Ju Ae (R) inspecting a training of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea on March 15, 2024

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, visits a military vehicle production plant on January 5, 2024

The rockets 'hit their island target' some 219 miles away, it continued, saying Kim had expressed 'great satisfaction' over the result, which boosted 'the Korean-style tactical nuclear strike' - contradicting his apparent 'desperateness' to 'get rid of his nuclear weapons'.

KCNA said the drills were in response to a US-South Korean joint air drill, which runs from April 12 to April 26.

The US and South Korean air forces said the annual exercises would serve for 'demonstrating lethality in the air domain, and enhancing their ability to deter, defend, and defeat any adversary.'

Pyongyang claimed it is 'seriously threatened by the hostile forces' ceaseless military provocations' KCNA said on April 23.

As a result, the North needs to 'more overwhelmingly and more rapidly bolster up the strongest military muscle,' it added.

Kim's daughter, Ju Ae, has been photographed alongside her father at several key public events which stirred speculation that she could have been chosen as the next leader of the nuclear-armed North, for a third hereditary succession.

In an image released by Pyongyang in March, Ju Ae was seen using binoculars to observe recent paratroop drills, standing beside her father and senior military officials.

And in December last year, Kim brought his young daughter to watch the third test of his country's most advanced missile system that could hit the U.S., Seoul and Tokyo.

But little was known about Ju Ae, believed to be the middle child of three, until she made her first public appearance at the time of a missile launch in November 2022.
Tories reacted with anger and panic tonight after Rishi Sunak stunned Westminster by announcing a general election for 4 July - with some suggesting the PM has a 'death wish'.

After an extraordinary day of rumours, the usually cautious premier stepped into the pouring rain in Downing Street and took a massive gamble by announcing a summer contest, despite Labour's huge poll lead.

As his suit became drenched, and with protesters playing the New Labour anthem of 'Things Can Only Get Better' in the background, Mr Sunak pointed to inflation being 'back to normal' and he was 'stopping the boats'.

The Conservative leader later hauled Cabinet ministers and party activists to east London for a campaign launch, where he warned Labour would take the country 'back to square one'.

In a nod to many thinking the election result is already a foregone conclusion, the PM was met with applause as he vowed to show Labour that 'the British people will never be taken for granted'.

But some seemingly unenthusiastic faces among his Cabinet colleagues hinted at the angst within Tory ranks at Mr Sunak's decision to go to the polls much earlier than many had been expecting.

One Conservative MP hit out at the 'disaster' and accused Mr Sunak of 'condemning the Tory party to 'election oblivion'.

Another Tory MP told MailOnline: 'The mood is funereal. It's like that scene at the end of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

'This is a disaster. Just look at the launch  it was a disaster. I've spoken to three people today and they have all said they're screwed. The mood is one of resignation.

'I remember the 1997 campaign and we're going to do this again. It will be a repeat performance.

'This is a complete and bloody shambles. Colleagues are just shell-shocked.'

Rishi Sunak hauled Cabinet ministers and party activists to east London this evening for a campaign launch, where he warned Labour would take the country 'back to square one'

Some seemingly unenthusiatic faces among his Cabinet colleagues hinted at the angst within Tory ranks at the PM's decision to go to the polls much earlier than many had been expecting

Tories have reacted with anger and panic after Mr Sunak stunned Westminster by announcing a general election for 4 July - with some suggesting the PM has a 'death wish'

Just after 5pm, in the pouring London rain, Mr Sunak addressed the nation from Downing Street as he announced the date of the general election for six weeks' time in the wake of earlier positive news on falling inflation.

'The question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future... now is the moment for Britain to decide its future,' he said.

'On July 5, either Sir Keir Starmer or I will be prime minister. He has shown time and time again that he will take the easy way out and do anything to get power.

'If he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won't do exactly the same thing if he were to become prime minister?'

But backbenchers warned of potential fresh attempts to unseat him if he pushes ahead while the Conservatives are currently languishing far behind Labour in the opinion polls.

Most are giving Sir Keir Starmer's party a lead of around 20 points, which if replicated at the ballot box could give Labour a majority of more than 200 seats and erase a swathe of Tory big-hitters.

MPs told MailOnline that Mr Sunak has a 'death wish' and the Parliamentary party will go 'nuts'.

Another said of the decision to go early: 'At least this means the end will be mercifully quick.'

Rishi Sunak pulled the trigger on the election in a soaking Downing Street tonight

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There are claims that 1922 Committee chairman Graham Brady is now accepting letters of no confidence in the leader via text message. Just 52 are needed to trigger a challenge to Mr Sunak's leadership.

One former Cabinet minister said: 'There will be queues outside Graham Brady's door.'

The latest Savanta poll gave Labour a 17-point lead over the Tories. According to Electoral Calculus, those numbers would produce a 236 majority for Keir Starmer.

He would have 443 MPs, while the Conservatives would have just 124. That is compared to the 376 returned in Boris Johnson's 2019 landslide.

But Savanta is not an outlier, in fact it has a smaller Labour lead than similar polls by Redfield & Wilton Strategies and YouGov.

They most recently put Labour's lead at 22 and 27 points respectively.

Mr Sunak said it was the 'moment for Britain to decide' its future, whether he should stay as PM or Keir Starmer take over

Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt were among the ministers at Cabinet tonight

Despite seeming to ease just before Mr Sunak emerged from the famous black door, the rain quickly redoubled

Preparations are being made for a Conservative rally at the Excel centre later tonight with campaigning due to kick into overdrive.

It will be the first July election since 1945, when Clement Attlee's Labour defeated Winston Churchill's Tories.

Mr Sunak said: 'These uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to charter a course to a secure future.

'You must choose in this election, who has that plan, who is prepared to take a bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children?

'Now, I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right. No government should, but I am proud of what we have achieved together, the bold actions we have taken and I'm confident about what we can do in the future.'

The Prime Minister listed increasing the state pension by 900, reducing taxes on investment and reforming education as among his Government's achievements.'

Downing Street said in a statement: 'The Prime Minister has today asked His Majesty The King to proclaim the Dissolution of Parliament. His Majesty has been graciously pleased to signify that he will comply with this request.

'Parliament will be prorogued on Friday 24 May. Dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May.

'The General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July. The new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members, and the State Opening will be on Wednesday 17 July.'

The King met with Mr Sunak in person at Buckingham Palace for about 15 minutes during the afternoon, in place of his usual audience in the evening.

The rumours gathered pace after Mr Sunak hailed a 'major milestone' this morning with inflation tumbling to the lowest level in nearly three years.

At PMQs in the Commons at lunchtime, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: 'Speculation is rife, so I think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question. Does the Prime Minister intend to call a summer general election or is he feart?'

Mr Sunak replied: 'There is, Mr Speaker, spoiler alert, there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.

'At that moment, the British people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election Mr Speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard-earned economic stability, or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom.'

Then it emerged Lord Cameron had cut short a trip to Albania to be back in time for the Cabinet meeting at 4.15pm, while Jeremy Hunt cancelled an appearance on ITV tonight.
Shocking photos have been shared showing how Britain's own Tiger King kept big cats in squalor as he is convicted of causing suffering to animals.

Terrence Moore, director of the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was found guilty on May 20 - after being dubbed the 'UK Tiger King' by one visitor.

The Cat Survival Trust is home to 31 animals, including Bengal cats, jungle cats, leopards and wildcats, although it is not clear if it is currently in operation.

Prosecutor Charles Miskin described the sanctuary during the trial as 'messy and dirty' with 'inadequate or insecure' housing, and 'a large number of unvaccinated domestic cats'.

Dead carcasses were also previously found in the freezer.

Terrence Moore (pictured), director of the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was found guilty on May 20 - after being dubbed the 'UK Tiger King' by one visitor

The on-site office at the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Pictured: Jags, a female Jaguar, at the sanctuary

Moore was convicted of four charges of causing unnecessary suffering of an animal, and seven of using an animal species for commercial gain without licence at St Albans Crown Court.

He was cleared of eight charges of causing unnecessary suffering of an animal and four of using an animal species for commercial gain without a licence.

Moore - who was likened online to the 'UK Tiger King' - is set to be sentenced on May 30, and is expected to face a five-year ban on keeping animals, as well as 10,000 in fines.

Hertfordshire Police originally visited the site alongside a vet in July 2022, where they found a number of animals suffering from various conditions.

Pictured: Lily, a Jungle Cat at the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Pictured: Two boxes of Traumeel, a homeopathic product for human use in cases of acute musculoskeletal injuries on unbroken skin

Shocking photos show horror inside big cat 'sanctuary' with animals living in squalor

Pictured: Star, a female Amur Leopard at the sanctuary in Hertfordshire

Pictured: Water bowls inside the sanctuary

Daily logs kept by volunteers appeared to show no treatment when recording feeding and care.

When they returned in April 2023, they found more than 20 animal carcasses in the freezers - including two animals they had observed during the previous visit.

Post mortems on the bodies found they died from various diseases.
By Park Jae-hyuk

STX signed a contract with the Peruvian armory on Monday (local time) to supply Hyundai Rotems K808 wheeled armored vehicles, the Korean trading firm said Wednesday.

The first-ever export of Korea-made wheeled armored vehicles came as STX and Hyundai Rotem were selected on April 30 (local time) as the preferred bidder for a project to enhance the Peruvian Armys mobility.

Under the contract, 30 wheeled armored personnel carriers worth $60 million will be delivered to the Peruvian Army by the end of 2025. In addition, the Korean companies are able to supply 90 additional wheeled armored vehicles for various purposes, such as infantry fighting, command and anti-aircraft defense.

STX and Hyundai Rotem also obtained the status of preferred suppliers of various military vehicles for the Peruvian armed and police forces.

Tonight we are witnessing a significant milestone on the path towards strengthening our industry, especially the defense sector, said Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, who attended the signing ceremony. Thanks to this agreement, a vehicle assembly plant will be installed at the FAME (Army Weapons and Ammunition Factory) headquarters, where a wide range of cutting-edge special units will be produced.

The president thanked the Korean companies, asking more foreign companies to invest in Peru. Korean Ambassador to Peru Choi Jong-uk also highlighted the bilateral cooperation between Peru and Korea, especially in the defense industry.

STX CEO Park Sang-jun said: This strategic partnership agreement is significant as it expands our presence in the land defense market, following our expansion in the naval defense market.

Since 2013, STX has participated in $120 million worth of the Peruvian patrol vessel project.

Last month, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a 640.6 billion won ($463 million) contract with SIMA, a Peruvian state-owned shipyard, for joint production of one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and two 1,400-ton amphibious warfare ships in Peru.

The deal is the largest among naval ship orders that any Latin American country has placed with a Korean company so far.

As the contract makes the Korean shipbuilder a strategic partner of the Peruvian government and navy for the next 15 years, the company was chosen as the preferred bidder to build five additional frigates, three OPVs and two amphibious warfare ships for the South American countrys navy.

The Korean firm also vowed to make the SIMA shipyard its regional foothold in Latin America.

For cooperation with the Peruvian Air Force, Korea Aerospace Industries exported 20 KT-1P trainer jets to the South American country between 2014 and 2017. The Korean aircraft maker has also promoted the FA-50 light combat aircraft in Peru over the past few years.
The general election will see the UK's political parties face-off across the length and breadth of the country - but some contests will be more keenly fought than others.

Party activists will flood key battlegrounds in the run-up to polling day as they target voters in priority areas.

With the Tories trailing far behind in opinion polls, Rishi Sunak will be looking to mount a desperate defence of those 'Red Wall' constituencies the Conservatives won in 2019.

But the Prime Minister will also be wary of the threat to his party in its own traditional strongholds - known as the 'Blue Wall' - from both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will hope the SNP's meltdown will allow him to scoop a swathe of Scottish seats and deliver a huge boost to his chances of entering Downing Street.

The 'Red Wall'

At the last general election, in 2019, then prime minister Boris Johnson won an 80-seat majority for the Conservatives.

His huge victory was delivered, in large part, by the Tories' success in winning over previous Labour voters in 'Red Wall' seats across the North and Midlands.

Mr Johnson's pro-Brexit campaign helped to convince many Britons to vote for the Conservatives for the first time in constituencies that had only ever elected Labour MPs in the past.

But polls have shown that Mr Sunak is struggling to hold on to the support of voters in Red Wall areas as the next general election nears.

Sir Keir has also made winning back Labour's previous strongholds a key part of his efforts since becoming party leader in 2020.

This month's Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll of 'Red Wall' voters found Labour leading the Tories by 25 percentage points - a five-point rise from April.

The latest survey put Sir Keir's party on 47 per cent support, with the Tories' 22 per cent their lowest vote share in 'Red Wall' constituencies since Mr Sunak became PM.

This was also only one point above the lowest vote share the Conservatives have ever achieved in Redfield & Wilton's polling, which was 21 per cent in mid-October 2022 when Liz Truss was PM.

Redfield & Wilton surveyed 1,300 voters between 11-12 May in 40 'Red Wall' constituencies.

These are seats that were won by the Tories at the 2019 general election - as well as Hartlepool that was won by the Conservatives in a 2021 by-election - but have traditionally been held by Labour.

The Redfield & Wilton poll showed Reform UK on 16 per cent support among 'Red Wall' voters.

There are fears in Tory ranks that the Nigel Farage-backed insurgent party could split the right-wing vote at the general election and hand a huge boost to Labour's chances.

At the Tamworth by-election in October last year, the 1,373 votes won by Reform was more than Labour's winning margin over the second-placed Tories.

With the Tories trailing far behind in opinion polls, Rishi Sunak will be looking to mount a desperate defence of those 'Red Wall' constituencies the Conservatives won in 2019

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will hope the SNP 's meltdown will allow him to scoop a swathe of Scottish seats and deliver a huge boost to his chances of entering Downing Street

This month's Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll of 'Red Wall' voters found Labour leading the Tories by 25 percentage points - a five-point rise from April

The 'Blue Wall'

At the same time as Mr Sunak will be looking to defend Tory seats in the 'Red Wall', he will also be wary of losing constituencies in the 'Blue Wall'.

This is a term used to describe a swathe of southern constituencies held by the Tories, which are the party's traditional strongholds.

Labour will be attempting to win over disgruntled Conservatives in these seats, while the Liberal Democrats have also been pouring resources into these areas.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey has made a habit of staging 'Blue Wall' campaign stunts, including the smashing of blue bricks with an orange hammer following success over the Tories at the Chesham and Amersham by-election in 2021.

A Redfield & Wilton poll of 'Blue Wall' voters, conducted on 28 April, found Labour on 34 per cent support, with the Tories on 25 per cent and the Lib Dems on 23 per cent.

At 25 per cent, the Conservatives' vote share in these seats was found to have slumped to the lowest level ever recorded by the pollster.

'Blue Wall' constituencies are defined as the 42 seats that - among other factors - are in the South of England and were won by the Tories in 2019, 2017 and 2015.

The Conservatives won 49.74 per cent of the vote in these constituencies in 2019, with the Lib Dems supported by 27.45 per cent of voters, and Labour third on 20.6 per cent.

The Redfield & Wilton poll showed Reform on 11 per cent support in 'Blue Wall' seats.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has made a habit of staging 'Blue Wall' campaign stunts, including the smashing of blue bricks with an orange hammer following success over the Tories at the Chesham and Amersham by-election in 2021

A Redfield & Wilton poll of 'Blue Wall' voters, conducted on 28 April, found Labour on 34 per cent support, with the Tories on 25 per cent and the Lib Dems on 23 per cent

Scotland

A revival of Labour's fortunes in Scotland has long been regarded as key to the party's chances of forming a government at Westminster again and ensuring Sir Keir becomes PM.

In April, a YouGov mega-poll projected Labour would comfortably be Scotland's largest party in terms of seats at the upcoming general election.

The MRP study, based on detailed seat-by-seat polling, found Sir Keir was set to win 28 Scottish seats at the general election compared to the SNP's 19, while the Tories and Liberal Democrats would win five each.

Such a result would be a remarkable turnaround nearly a decade on from Labour's 2015 general election performance under then-leader Ed Miliband, when they suffered a near-wipeout in Scotland.

Labour went from winning 41 out of 59 seats in Scotland at the 2010 general election to retaining just one Scottish constituency five years later.

Over the same period, the SNP went from winning six seats in 2010 to securing near-dominance in 2015 when they scooped 56 out of 59 Scottish constituencies.

But since their high-water mark in 2015 - the year after the Scottish independence referendum - the SNP's fortunes have suffered a gradual decline.

In 2016, the SNP lost their overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, while the 2021 Holyrood contest also saw the SNP fall one seat short of a majority.

The SNP's woes have deepened in recent months after Humza Yousaf was forced to resign as first minister, to be replaced by John Swinney (pictured), when his decision to junk a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens catastrophically back-fired

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The party's woes have deepened in recent months after Humza Yousaf was forced to resign as first minister, to be replaced by John Swinney, when his decision to junk a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens catastrophically back-fired.

A new YouGov poll published this week showed support for the SNP had slumped to its lowest level since 2014.

Labour was found to have a 10-point lead over Mr Swinney's party when Scots were asked who they would vote for at a Westminster election.

In the survey, conducted between 13-17 May, Labour were up five points in a month to reach 39 per cent.

Meanwhile, the SNP were down four points to 29 per cent.

It was forecast that such a level of support would see Labour win 41 Scottish seats at the general election, while the SNP would be left with just eight seats - down 40 since the 2019 general election.
Tiffany Henyard, also known as 'America's worst mayor,' charged the wrong taxpayers and put them out about $10,000 after she went to a glitzy White House conference.

In mid-January, Henyard visited Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Winter Meeting, as she filmed her experience, which included meeting President Joe Biden.

According to Fox 32, the embattled mayor incorrectly billed $9,167 to taxpayers who do not live in Dolton, Illinois, where she is mayor. Instead, she used a credit card for Thornton Township to pay for the hefty expenses.

Former municipal lawyer, Burt Odelson, who represents Dolton trustees said, 'These appropriations are misappropriations.'

'Every time I say I can't believe she would do something, here comes another,' Odelson added.

In mid-January, Dolton, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard visited the White House and incorrectly billed $9,167 to taxpayers in Thornton Township, where she is supervisor. (pictured: Henyard posing with President Biden)

Currently, Henyard is under federal investigation, and was recently served federal subpoenas seeking records about trips taken by city officials and potential financial mismanagement.

The 40-year-old municipal leader has developed a nationally terrible reputation for her confrontational antics, failure to do her job, alleged corruption and apparent disdain for her constituents, whom she has berated publicly and once with the assistance of a DJ.

A breakdown of her costs from the trip included $5,000 to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a plane ticket for her and her assistant Keith Freeman for $718 a piece, hotel rooms at the Washington Hilton for more than $1,000 each and $629 for a rental car.

'The township residents are paying for her fun,' Odelson said.

After reviewing credit card statements, Odelson found that Henyard charged the expenses to a credit card from Thornton Township, where she serves as the supervisor.

When shown the credit card reports, Thornrton Township trustee Chris Gonzalez said it doesn't make sense, but he wasn't surprised.

'No, it really doesn't. But unfortunately, this is kinda what we see going on for a while now,' Gonzalez told Fox 32.

Although he wasn't shocked by the blunder, Gonzalez expressed his frustration with the matter.

'That's one of the reasons I vote no when we go through out board packets. Some of the stuff you don't know exactly what it's for. And then when you ask a question there's no answer,' Gonzalez said.

In her video, Henyard was seen having a joyous time as she indulged in hors d'oeuvres and posed with Biden multiple times

Henyard is seen smiling big as President Biden speaks inside the White House during the meeting

'It's not that hard. If it's for Dolton, Dolton pays for it. If it's for Thornton Township, Thornton Township pays for it,' he added.

DailyMail.com contacted the Village of Dolton and Henyard for comment.

A former Thornton Township employee, Stephanie Wiedeman, who was fired by Henyard, is the one who obtained the credit card statements via an open records request.

Weideman revealed that this isn't the first time Henyard's roles as the mayor of Dolton and supervisor in Thornton Township, a completely separate government body, clashed.

'I have found bills that were made out to the Village of Dolton that were paid with a Thornton Township check,' Wiedeman said.

'It's hard to decipher what is Dolton and what is township because she blends them so carelessly.'

She believes that the mayor is using funds from Thornton because Dolton does not have enough money to cover costs.

Dolton trustees have estimated that the village in Cook County is approximately out of $5 million due to Henyard's trips, multiple lawsuits against her, credit card usage and her police security detail.

Following her Facebook live-stream video at the event, Henyard posted an edited music video of her experience on her page.

The 40-year-old municipal leader has developed a nationally terrible reputation for her confrontational antics, failure to do her job, alleged corruption and apparent disdain for her constituents. (pictured: her pointing at the Abraham Lincoln portrait in the White House)

Dolton trustees have estimated that the village in Cook County is approximately out of $5million due to Henyard's trips, multiple lawsuits against her, credit card usage and her police security detail (pictured)

'Thrilled to have been specially invited to the White House! Honored to represent our community in the front row. Grateful for the opportunity and excited for the year ahead. Always working on positive change and great things for our village and communities,' she captioned the video.

In it, Henyard was seen having a joyous time as she indulged in hors d'oeuvres and posed with Biden multiple times.

Recently, Dolton appointed a mayor pro tempore who could, in theory, step in to serve in place of Henyard, should she refuse to execute the duties of her office.

Jason House, a trustee of the city, was voted in as mayor pro tempore at a special meeting. Should Henyard be absent, or otherwise unable or unwilling to perform her duties, House now has the ability to pay town bills and sign off on official business.

Henyard, who calls herself a 'supermayor,' is expected to veto the action, despite consistent reports that she is ignoring important town business, and the move was made in order to ensure the village can function and its residents can receive necessary services.

Recently, Dolton appointed a mayor pro tempore, Jason House (pictured), who could, in theory, step in to serve in place of Henyard, should she refuse to execute the duties of her office

'This is not a replacement. This ordinance is strictly in the refusal or inability for the mayor to do her duties, an appointed senior trustee to step in and make sure the necessary documents are signed and business moves forward,' House said at the trustee meeting following the decision.

Henyard was elected mayor in 2021 and makes nearly $300,000 a year in a combined salary as the mayor and township supervisor.

Since her election, she has faced allegations of corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement, including a lawsuit filed a month ago claiming she worked to cover-up a sexual assault on a trip to Las Vegas in 2023.

She has already vetoed the board's request to launch a federal investigation into her alleged misuse of town finances, and most recently, she vetoed the board's hiring of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had been recruited to lead a special investigation into Henyard.

Alongside the mayor, her assistant, Freeman, was also one subject of the subpoenas, which asked for information that included reimbursements involving his businesses.

If Henyard is re-elected in 2025, she will retain the salary  but if anyone else takes the supervisor post, the pay falls 90 percent to $25,000, a measure critics say is designed to discourage anyone from running against her.
A Texas high school valedictorian delivered an emotional graduation speech just hours after his father's funeral, breaking the news of his passing to the audience.

Early College High School graduate Alem Hadzic, 18, gave his commencement address on May 16 at the Dallas College  Brookhaven campus.

The teen's father, Miralem Hadzic, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer five months earlier.

Alem had only told a few of his friends about his father's battle, and shocked the audience when he revealed Miralem had died the day before graduation.

'My father died yesterday, May 15, 2024, and I attended his funeral today right before graduation,' Alem said.

Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic (pictured), 18, revealed his father, Miralem Hadzic, had died the day before graduation in his emotional commencement speech

The teens father, Miralem Hadzic (left), had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer five months earlier

'That's why my shoes are muddy, that's why my arms are shaking because I had to carry him into his grave and bury him.'

'I can't stand up here and pretend I want to be doing this speech right now. But I can't throw something away he worked so hard for me to achieve,' he said.

Miralem immigrated to the United States from Bosnia, and at one point, delivered Domino's pizzas to help build a better life for his children, reported WFAA.

'That's why I am going to go to college and I am going to spend every hour of every day working as hard as I can to achieve all my goals. Because that's what he wanted and I'm going to do it for him,' Alem said in his speech.

Alem said he attended his father's funeral the same day as graduation and felt compelled to deliver his address in honor of his dad

The audience let out gasps and stifled sobs as Alem encouraged his classmates to cherish their loved ones.

'Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD is incredibly proud of Alem and all of our graduates who will cross the stage this month,' said the school district.

Alem is set to attend the University of Texas at Austin and study chemical engineering.

'I was scared because I really didn't know. I went to my dad's funeral right before. I couldn't just talk about what I wrote because so much more had happened since then,' he told Fox 4.

Miralem (pictured) immigrated to the United States from Bosnia and at one point delivered Domino's pizzas to help build a better life for his children

'And so, I got on stage. I started reading the script and when I got to the part about my dad, I couldn't just read off a script anymore. I had to talk about my experience, and I had to talk from the heart.'

The 18-year-old said he has received an outpouring of support since giving the speech.

'I got up there. I said my speech. I looked in the audience and I didn't expect to see so many people crying,' Alem said.

'I didn't know any of them but they came up to me. They made me feel better. They wanted to take pictures with me.'

'They told me how strong I was and it made me feel so much better. It made me feel so good on such a dark day. It was really what I needed,' he said.
A Turkish businessman jailed for 12 months following a High Court dispute which previously involved the Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, has had his sentence suspended at the Court of Appeal.

Selman Turk was imprisoned after being found to have committed several offences of contempt of court, following a row over money linked to fellow Turkish national Nebahat Isbilen.

Mr Turk had agreed to help Ms Isbilen move millions of pounds worth of assets out of Turkey after her husband became a political prisoner, but she alleged he misappropriated funds worth around 40 million, the High Court previously heard.

Lawyers for Ms Isbilen previously told the court in London that tens of millions of her funds had been misappropriated, with Mr Turk then failing to explain where the money had gone.

Mr Turk was ordered in 2021 to disclose what he had done with Ms Isbilen's money but failed to share the information.

Selman Turk (pictured here with Prince Andrew) was imprisoned after being found to have committed several offences of contempt of court, following a row over money linked to fellow Turkish national Nebahat Isbilen

Mr Turk had agreed to help Ms Isbilen move millions of pounds worth of assets out of Turkey after her husband became a political prisoner, but she alleged he misappropriated funds worth around 40 million, the High Court previously heard

The Duchess of York with Selman Turk in an exclusive London restaurant in 2019

Barristers for Ms Isbilen applied for him to be sent to prison, with the court told in November and December last year that Mr Turk had advanced 'claims in deceit'.

He was found guilty of five counts of contempt of court in March this year after failing to share the information, with the judge, Sir Anthony Mann, jailing him for 12 months.

Mr Turk, a businessman and former banker, served around three weeks of his sentence before being granted bail to challenge the length of his sentence at the Court of Appeal.

And in a ruling on Wednesday, Lord Justice Lewison said he would suspend Mr Turk's prison sentence for three months.

The appeal judge, sitting with Lord Justice Moylan and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing, said: 'I can see nothing wrong with the sentence that the judge passed.

'But even so... this court can go down the road of mercy rather than justice.'

Lord Justice Lewison continued: 'I would not, however, suspend the sentence unconditionally.

'Accordingly, I would suspend the sentence for three months beginning on the date this judgment is handed down.

Earlier court documents that emerged during the case alleged that the Duke and Duchess of York were paid 'substantial sums' by Mr Turk with Ms Isbilen's money

The Duke of York shaking hands with Mr Turk after his eyebrow raising win at the Pitch Palace Dragons' Den-type mentoring network. Nine days later Mr Turk paid the Duke 750,000

'If at the end of that period there is still substantial non-compliance by Mr Turk with his disclosure obligations, then the sentence may be activated.'

The judge denied Mr Turk's appeal against the decision to find him guilty of contempt.

During the case, earlier court documents alleged that Andrew and Sarah were paid 'substantial sums' by Mr Turk with Ms Isbilen's money.

This included a payment of 750,000 US dollars (about 590,000) which was allegedly for 'assistance' in getting Ms Isbilen a new passport in late 2019.

But Mr Turk told a bank employee the money 'was by way of a wedding present for HRH Princess Beatrice of York', and also attended a charity event at St James's Palace.

Ms Isbilen claimed Mr Turk 'dishonestly' alleged that she 'needed to make a gift to HRH Duke of York in connection with her passport', which was false and an example of dishonesty.

The duke has since repaid the sum, with the court told in November last year that there had been a 'settlement' between Ms Isbilen and the Duke and Duchess of York.
American Airlines has issued a statement taking back a legal filing where they blamed a nine-year-old girl for being filmed in a plane's bathrooms by a male flight attendant

Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, was arrested in January after he allegedly recorded four underaged girls - aged 7, 9, 11 and 14- as they used the bathroom aboard several AA flights. He has pleaded not guilty.

In their response to a lawsuit filed by the nine-year-old's family, the airline argued it was not liable to the alleged victim because she should have known the bathroom had been compromised.

The airline now says it was an error by their outside legal counsel, which was retained by their insurance company.

'The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning,' AA told DailyMail.com on Wednesday.

'We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously.'

Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, was arrested in January after he allegedly recorded a total of four underaged girls - aged 7, 9, 11 and 14- as they used the bathroom aboard several AA flights

AA put forward several defenses, including that they are not responsible because of 'the doctrine of comparative negligence, contributory negligence, comparative responsibility and/or comparative causation.'

AA's legal defense continued: 'Defendant would show that any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.'

The plaintiff's lawyer Caroline Recupero said: 'In other words, American Airlines is blaming a 9-year-old-girl for being filmed by an American Airlines flight attendant, arguing the child knew or should have known that the airplane toilet contained a recording device.'

'It is our firms position that this assertion is both shameful and absolutely outrageous.'

She added: 'It is our firms position that this assertion is both shameful and absolutely outrageous.'

The teen, 14, entered the bathroom and saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid stating, 'INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT', 'REMOVE FROM SERVICE' and 'SEAT BROKEN' handwritten in black ink on one of the stickers

Many have taken issues with AA's legal filing, with one social media user saying the airline should have 'sucked it up and paid damages to the children involved.'

They added: 'This defense makes them look heartless and downright stupid. It's a PR nightmare that could've easily been avoided.'

Others have demanded the public boycott the airline over their legal response.

In the lawsuit, the girl's parents claim Thompson took images of the girl in January, 2023, as she used the bathroom of the flight heading to Los Angeles. The girl and her family had been on their way to Disney World and a gymnastics competition.

The images, recovered from Thompson's iCloud by the FBI, showed the girl's face, buttocks and genitals, according to the complaint.

The alleged child abuse materials were found after Thompson was arrested after a 14-year-old girl told her family about the camera in the plane's bathroom.

Many have taken issues with AA's legal filing, with one social media user saying the airline should have 'sucked it up and paid damages to the children involved'

The FBI then found other victims, including the nine-year-old from Texas, after searching his devices and iCloud, as well as AI generated pornography.

'It felt like we were living in a nightmare when the FBI showed up on our doorstep to tell us that our daughter had been secretly filmed by an American Airlines flight attendant. Since then, our daughter has struggled with fear and anxiety,' the nine-year-old girl's family told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'We are doing everything we can to support her during this traumatic time. An important part of our familys healing is making sure that the flight attendant and American Airlines are held accountable for what happened to our daughter. We hope that this lawsuit is the first step in making sure nothing like this ever happens to another family.'

Investigators said that about midway through the September 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the first-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, stating, 'INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT', 'REMOVE FROM SERVICE' and 'SEAT BROKEN' handwritten in black ink on one of the stickers, according to court documents.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving. Thompson then immediately went back into the bathroom.

The girl told her parents, and her father confronted Thompson, who locked himself in the lavatory with his iPhone for three to five minutes before the flights descent, investigators said.

The minor's parents also informed other flight attendants and the captain was notified. The captain then contacted law enforcement on the ground.

When the flight landed, police said Thompson's phone may have been restored to factory settings while he was locked in the bathroom.

A search of Thompsons suitcase found 11 'INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT' stickers, investigators said. A search of his iCloud account allegedly revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft.

In the lawsuit, the nine-year-old girl's parents claim Thompson took images of the girl in January, 2023, as she used the bathroom of the flight heading to Los Angeles (stock photo)

American Airlines issued a statement saying they take the allegation very seriously. They also said the flight attendant was 'immediately withheld from service following the September 2023 incident' and hasnt worked since.

'They dont reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people,' the statement read. 'We have been fully cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation as there is nothing more important than the safety and security of our customers and team.'
A manipulative paedophile has been jailed for 26 months after being caught by paedophile hunters on Facebook for the third time

Paul Rickson had tried to meet a girl who he thought was 12-years-old on October 7 last year in Reading, Berkshire, a court heard.

The 45-year-old was instead greeted by members of the paedophile hunting group 'Confronted and Caught', who filmed the encounter.

Jane Davies, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant used his own profile and account on Facebook to make contact with four females which he believed were aged 12 to 14.

'During the contact he made requests for sexual acts and images and supplied his own telephone number, his own address.

'The most serious of the offending is he then arranged to meet one of the girls.'

Paul Rickson, 45, has been jailed for 26 months after being caught by paedophile hunters on Facebook for the third time

Rickson had tried to meet a girl who he thought was 12-years-old on October 7 last year in Reading, Berkshire, a court heard

Police, who arrived to arrest Rickson after the sting, were provided with evidence that Rickson had also been speaking with two other social media accounts which he thought were being operated by girls aged 14 and 12 between September 27 and October 7.

The accounts were actually being operated by adults from the paedophile hunting group, prosecutors said.

It was the third time Rickson, who had three convictions for 10 offences, had been foiled in his attempts to meet children by paedophile hunter groups, Reading Crown Court heard.

Rickson was first hauled to court on two counts of attempting to incite a child under 16 into sexual activity on September 30 2016, after having been stung.

He was slapped with a community order and a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Three years later, on August 22 2019, Rickson was back at court on three counts of breaching his SHPO and three counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 into sexual activity.

Judge Sarah Campbell said that offence 'involved him giving his care workers the slip to go to the local library to contact girls'. Following that case, Rickson was jailed for 16 months.

Rickson was instead greeted by members of the paedophile hunting group 'Confronted and Caught', who filmed the encounter

Police, who arrived to arrest Rickson after the sting, were provided with evidence that Rickson had also been speaking with two other social media accounts which he thought were being operated by girls aged 14 and 12 between September 27 and October 7

Davies said his latest offences 'represents an escalation in his risk to children', when the defendant appeared for sentence on Tuesday.

Janick Fielding, defending, said: 'I met the defendant today and he is clearly vulnerable, he is clearly - meaning no disrespect to him - very simple.

'His ability to strike up an age appropriate relationship is a serious hurdle for him. He wants to have a girlfriend, he wants to be in a relationship but communication with those of his age is something he obviously finds extremely difficult.'

Rickson, of Woodhurst Lane, Wokingham, admitted two offences of sexual communication with children, one offence of attempting to meet a child after grooming and one offence of a breach of a SHPO.

Judge Campbell, sentencing, said: 'You appear to not understand that sex with children is morally wrong and abusive.

'You do not appear to grasp the seriousness of the offences or the potential harm. That, in my view, increases the seriousness of the risk you pose.'

The judge made a finding that Rickson was dangerous and so sentenced him to 26 months, of which he would need to serve two thirds before being considered for parole. He will serve an extended licence periods of four years.
A travel influencer flew across the Atlantic Ocean from New York City to London for just one memorable day.

Kevin Droniak, 26, later said that the reason for his whistle stop trip was because his beloved grandmother, who stars in many of his videos, suffered a fall and he needed to take care of her, originally he planned to spend a week in the English capital.

Instead of missing the trip completely, Kevin decided to board a six-hour flight and make the most of his short time across the pond, taking in afternoon tea, riding on the underground and a double decker bus before spending the night bar hopping.

Around 6am the following morning, he was back at Heathrow Airport and on his way back to the US, albeit with a dead phone.

Droniak made the journey on May 10 and says it was definitely 'worth it' as the flight cost just $350 and he was able to travel without any luggage.

'Since the clock was ticking when I arrived, it was a jam-packed day, there wasn't much sitting around. If you have a large amount of time to travel you often want to relax but I was like "let's go,"' he says.

'It was a fun day. It felt like a dream because when I got back I was like 'I can't believe I did that.'

Travel influencer, Kevin Droniak, flew from New York City to London for one memorable day

Droniak boarded a six-hour flight and make the most of his short time across the pond, taking in afternoon tea, riding on the underground and a double decker bus before spending the night bar hopping

Droniak posted about his exploits on his Instagram page, where he boasts over 120,000 followers.

The first video began with him standing outside of Grand Central Station in Manhattan, indicating that he secured a cheaper flight by traveling out of Newburgh Airport, located an hour north of the city.

'If you dont travel often, youre going to have a conniption at what Im doing right now. Im going to for just one night. Thats why Im heading to the airport with just a backpack,' he said.

When traveling through the airport, Droniak said that even the person at the check-in counter asked him: 'Are you seriously flying across the world for one night?'

'My flight is only six and a half hours, and its a red eye. And Im going to be going to sleep anyway tonight. So I might as well go to sleep on a plane and wake up in London,' Droniak tells his followers.

Many commenters were angry at Droniak for apparently contributing to pollution by taking the plane ride for such a short trip.

He countered these claims in a brief comment he made to The Independent arguing that the jet was headed to London with or without him on board.

'Therefore emitting the same amount of carbon as it would have if I didnt board the plane. I believe people should put their energy towards celebrities who abuse their private jets and also the major corporations who are contributing to climate change, instead of me, a consumer,' he said.

Droniak made similar comments in a subsequent Instagram video where he pointed out that many of his critics are also not the most responsible when it comes to the environment, at least one who was highlighted purchased clothing via fast fashion.

Fast fashion largely relies on the use of materials that cannot be broken down or recycled, contributing to the plastic waste problem.
A group of Trump volunteers say they were confronted by a 'deranged leftist' outside a union event attended by Vice President Kamala Harris as they set up up a table of campaign literature.

Video taken by one volunteer shows a heavy set man with sunglasses and grey hair who started yelling at the group as he walked passed the table walking his dog.

'He'll be in jail by the time he gets to run for president,' the man taunted.

'F**k you,' a person behind the table responded.

Trump volunteers 'attacked' outside Kamala Harris event in Philadelphia before she orders cheesesteaks

WATCH: Deranged Leftist violently lunges at Team Trump volunteers outside @KamalaHarris event in Pennsylvania today.



This comes as reports expose Bidens FBI authorized use of DEADLY FORCE against President Trump in the 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid.#BidenAttacksDemocracy pic.twitter.com/ltqXpukVhm  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 21, 2024

'F**k you!' The man replied, and lunged at one volunteer, knocking over water bottles on the table before walking away with his dog who grew increasingly agitated by the conflict.

Other photos from the event showed the Trump volunteer group's tables flipped over with campaign literature scattered on the street.

'Outside Kamala's event in Pennsylvania, Far Left activists resorted to violence against Team Trump volunteers and flipped over tables outside the venue,' the Trump War Room social media account reported, demanding that Biden and Harris denounce the violence that took place.

The Trump team connected the attack to the news that the Department of Justice authorized deadly force to raid the former president's club in Florida to recover classified documents in his possession.

'This comes as reports expose Bidens FBI authorized use of DEADLY FORCE against President Trump in the 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid,' the Trump account posted with the hashtag, #BidenAttacksDemocracy

The Biden campaign did not respond to the video.

Harris spoke at the Service Employees International Union on Wednesday, thanking them for their support.

'I think one of the most important signs of a character of a leader, and this is a room full of leaders, is people who have a sense of empathy who have a sense of concern and care about the wellbeing of other people and do something about it,' she said.

After the event, Harris went to buy Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, a time-honored political tradition in Philadelphia.

Trump volunteers recover after someone allegedly flipped their table of campaign literature over outside a Kamala Harris event

Kamala Harris orders cheesesteaks after a political event in Philadelphia

Harris spoke about her desire to lift up small businesses during her visit to Jims West Original Steaks & Hoagies

'I want a cheesesteak you okay if I do it with provolone?' she asked the workers laughing. 'I think that's okay right? I can still walk out of here with respect.'

She also ordered a cheesesteak was for her husband Doug Emhoff, which workers at the restaurant recommended she get with 'cooper and whiz.'

During her speech to the SEIU, Harris condemned Trump for sharing a video she claimed 'highlighted language from Nazi Germany.'

'This kind of rhetoric is unsurprising coming from the former president and it is appalling and we got to tell him who we are,' she said.

Harris repeated her warning that Trump and his campaign were threat to the country.

'It shows our freedoms and our very democracy are at stake in the face of these attacks,' she said.
An American tourist who visited Taliban-controlled Afghanistan despite State Department advice warning against it is sharing insight into his experience.

Kansas City native Eli Snyder, 25, posted a video on TikTok revealing what tourists must do in order to 'safely' visit Afghanistan after he stayed in the country for 10 days in January.

The State Department advice is not to travel to the country for 'any reason'.

Speaking with DailyMail.com, the University of Michigan graduate - who quit his US-based job to travel full time - shared his motivation for the trip.

'I wanted to visit Afghanistan for several reasons. I live for visiting places as dissimilar as possible from how Ive grown up, in suburban America outside of Kansas City.

'Sometimes this means visiting a dangerous place, but it remains true, as Id much rather visit Pyongyang than Winnipeg,' he said.

'Afghanistan is repeatedly on the list of Top 10 Fav Countries of travelers who have visited every country! Ive heard the best things about the hospitality, nature, and food. I plan to visit every country in the world.'

Backpacker and content creator Eli Snyder, 25, posted a TikTok video on May 20 about the necessary steps a traveler must take to visit Afghanistan

Snyder has created a series of videos about his Afghanistan trip

Snyder wrote in his video description that his trip was 'scary' but absolutely worth it.

His May 20 video has received over one million views, and over 75,000 TikTokers have commented on it.

The backpacker, who is known for his travel videos, has posted three other TikToks about his Afghanistan trip this month, giving viewers a peek into what he saw.

Snyder began recording his Afghanistan adventures shortly after he entered the country with 22-year-old German traveler Valentin Oeckl, who he says is one of the closest friends he's made since he started traveling full-time.

He visited Kabul, Bamiyan & Band-e-Amir, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Balkh during his stay.

The TikToker, who referred to his Afghanistan adventure as his 'most ambitious trip yet' in an Instagram post, wanted to visit the country for multiple reasons.

'Afghanistan is repeatedly on the list of Top 10 Favorite Countries of travelers who have visited every country. Ive heard the best things about the hospitality, nature, and food,' he told DailyMail.com.

'Afghanistan isnt a country you visit for Tourist Attractions per se, but a country where you can walk out of your doorstep and be immediately stimulated by the ongoing ebb and flow of daily life.'

The backpacker revealed that his most memorable moment was when he and Oeckl crossed the Torkham border.

'We were stamped out of Afghanistan, had walked through the long corridor of barbed wire fences, and found ourselves alone in the Afghanistan immigration office,' Snyder wrote.

'We handed over our passports to the Taliban official, who stamped us into the country. There was an eerie silence and stillness in that moment, and those simple three words will forever be engraved in my mind.'

Snyder spend 10 days in Afghanistan in January with 22-year-old German traveler Valentin Oeckl. He visited Kabul, Bamiyan & Band-e-Amir, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Balkh

Snyder referred to Afghanistan as 'a country where you can walk out of your doorstep and be immediately stimulated by the ongoing ebb and flow of daily life'

Snyder generally felt safe during his trip, but he did have a 'hairy moment' in Kabul.

'We didn't have our permits and were walking to the Ministry of Information & Culture,' he wrote.

'We were apprehended, and they were stern with us for not having our permits, but mostly they were just curious to see two tourists walking around Kabul without a guide.'

Although he enjoyed the vacation, Snyder revealed that navigating Afghanistan without a tour guide was a challenge.

'The issue is that guides are thousands of dollars, due to the low demand, and the fact that people will pay anything for safety. 'Unfortunately it was out of our budget, so Valentin and I went alone,' he wrote.

Despite the price for a tour guide, Snyder suggested that tourists who enter Afghanistan have a tour guide with them.

According to Snyder, 'Traveling with a guide opens the doors to women, gays, POCs, everyone to visit Afghanistan. Only the most experienced traveler should consider traveling that country without a guide.'

Snyder generally felt safe during his trip, but traveling with no tour guide made things challenging during his stay in Kabul

The backpacker, who has not gone back to Afghanistan since his 10-day stay in January, now has crucial tips for anyone looking to visit the country.

One tip Snyder mentioned in his May 20 TikTok is that travelers must get a visa before traveling out of the country.

'Once the government switched, most Afghan embassies closed. However, there are a few Taliban consulates,' he said in his video.

'The most expensive visas are upwards of $300, and the cheapest is just $1900 in Peshawar, Pakistan.'

Once the traveler gets their visa, they can enter the country by flying into Kabul or crossing a land border.

He went on to recommend that tourists cross the Torkham border to enter the country.

Travelers can enter the country by flying into Kabul or crossing a land border. He recommended that tourists cross the Torkham border

Snyder then noted in his video that 'the most crucial step' in entering Afghanistan is to make sure one has all of their permits and that a traveler can go to jail if they don't have them.

Snyder is not looking to slow down his travels, and he revealed that Oeckl will join him on more trips.

'That trip made us so so close and I wouldnt have felt comfortable doing it without him,' Snyder wrote.

'Now We FaceTime once a week I would say, and have travels planned to Germany, Liechtenstein, and Syria before the end of the year.'

A State Department spokesman repeated the government's advice against travel to the country in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'The Travel Advisory for Afghanistan remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel.

'U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan for any reason. We encourage U.S. citizens to read the entire Advisory, which is available on our website, Travel.State.gov.

'We also encourage U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov to receive timely alerts and safety information.

'Multiple terrorist groups are active in country and U.S. citizens are targets of kidnapping and wrongful detentions. The Department has assessed that there is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens by the Taliban.

'The Taliban have harassed and detained aid and humanitarian workers. The activities of foreigners may be viewed with suspicion, and reasons for detention may be unclear. Even if you are registered with the appropriate authorities to conduct business, the risk of detention is high.

The Taliban do not regularly permit the United States to conduct welfare checks on U.S. citizens in detention, including by phone.

'Detention can be lengthy and while in detention, U.S. citizens have limited or no access to medical attention and may be subject to physical abuse.'
The long-time politician was holding hemorrhoid creme and appeared in pain

Sen. Bob Menendez has spent an awful lot of time sitting down as he attends court for his ongoing bribery trial, so much so that it might have prompted an uncomfortable and embarrassing medical condition.

Exclusive images from the DailyMail.com show the embattled New Jersey Democrat exiting his vehicle at home Wednesday holding hemorrhoid creme.

The pictures show Menendez holding a box of RectiCare, a creme meant to help users deal with the discomfort caused by swollen anus and rectal veins.

It looked like he was in pain too as the images show the lawmaker grimacing, possibly due to the discomfort of the condition.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., spotted arriving home holding a box of hemorrhoid cream in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The Senator is on trial in New York City and arrived back to his New Jersey home with luggage this morning. Bob was seen blocking his keypad entry into his garage with his suit bag while he dialed the code to get into his garage

Menendez also had his luggage in tow when arriving at his home, though it is unknown why he had the baggage as he lives just miles from Manhattan where his ongoing trial is playing out.

And hemorrhoids aside, it has already been a tough week for Menendez.

On Tuesday, new images revealed in his ongoing bribery trial portrayed his messy home littered with gold bars and wads of cash stuffed in Timberland boots and in his bed.

The images of $100, $50 and $20 dollar bills spewed all over the New Jersey Democrat's unkempt house were shown to the jury during his ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan.

The photographs were taken during the FBI's raid of the Menendez residence in June 2022.

He and his wife Nadine are both charged in a bribery scheme featuring gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments and a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible.

He is accused of using his influence as the powerful then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to benefit a handful of businessmen and the government of Egypt.

Menendez, Nadine and two New Jersey businessmen - Wael Hana and Fred Daibes - have pleaded not guilty.

The lawmaker was spotted with a box of RectiCare as he exited his vehicle at his New Jersey home

He was seen grimacing as he got out of his vehicle, possibly an indication of the pain caused by hemorrhoids

The long-time politician arrived home, exited his vehicle with the creme, and went inside

He was carrying the hemorrhoid cream, a metal water bottle, a suitcase and luggage upon his arrival back home

It is unknown why he needs luggage to attend his Manhattan court trial, which is just miles from his New Jersey home

The Democrat also held his suit bag up to hide the code he entered to open his garage

The luggage indicates the lawmaker could be opting to stay in Manhattan amid his trial to not have to make the hour long commute back and forth

After entering his garage code, the senator walked inside his home and disappeared from view

Last week, Menendez's legal team threw Nadine under the bus, saying she was storing gold bars in the couple's home without the lawmaker's knowledge.

His defense strategy was revealed despite Nadine announcing that she has breast cancer.

The Democrat's attorney Avi Weitzman claimed during opening statements that the 'gold bars were found in a locked closet' and that it wasn't the lawmaker's but 'it is Nadines closet.'

He then pulled out a photo of the closet and highlighted how it was filled with Nadine's clothes.

'The senator did not know the gold bars were there,' Weitzman told the jury.

Federal prosecutors, however, claim Menendez was directly involved in the bribery scheme.

'This case is about a public official who put greed first. Who put his power up for sale,' US Attorney Lara Pomerantz said Wednesday.

'This was not politics as usual. This was politics for profit.'

'He was powerful. He was also corrupt. And what was his price? Gold bars,' Pomerantz said.

Money was even stuffed into a Timberland boot found in his house

The pictures of $100, $50 and $20 wads of cash all over the New Jersey Democrat's home were shown to the jury during his ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) arrives at federal court on May 21

Senator Bob Menendez's home was littered with gold bars and wads of cash

Wads of cash were found all over the Menendez home

Images were taken by the FBI during their June 2022 raid of the Menendez house

Documents with cash stuffed between them were discovered

'The scheme filled his pockets, it filled his wifes pockets, and it fed their greed.'

'Menendez abused his positions to feed his own greed and to keep his wife happy,' the federal prosecutor stated.

Pomerantz even claimed that Menendez deployed his wife to handle communications in the bribery scheme.

'He used Nadine as his go-between to deliver messages to and from the people paying bribes.'

Judge Sidney H. Stein, who is presiding over the case, told potential jurors that renowned lawmakers, former white house officials and even one man considered to be in the running for a Trump vice presidential slot could all be called in to testify in the high-profile corruption case.

More cash in $20 bill increments were spewed all over the home

More pictures taken of what appears to be a safe

Jury were shown the exhibits of all the cash found around the Menendez residence

The list of potential witnesses given out by Stein included: Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Tim Scott, R-S.C., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Chris Coons, D-Del., Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Kristen Sinema, I-Ariz., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

It also includes former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin, former senior advisor to President Obama David Axelrod and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y.

The list of potential witnesses notably mentions Scott, who has been rumored to be a top pick for Donald Trump's 2024 running mate.

It also lists two of the former president's closest advisors: Mnuchin and Pompeo.
Reports of NK soldiers in Ukraine may show Russia's 'profound' desperation: US official
A 13-year-old boy has become the second teenager to die after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne.

Aras Rudzianskas from Newcastle, died in hospital on Tuesday, Northumbria Police have said.

It comes after 14-year-old David Radut, also from Newcastle, died at the scene near the bridge at Ovingham on Saturday.

A group of friends were believed to be messing about on a rope swing over the river when the two teenagers ended up in the water.

According to one report the older boy David attempted to rescue his younger friend who was in difficulty in the River Tyne.

Aras Rudzianskas from Newcastle, died in hospital on Tuesday, Northumbria Police have said

David Radut was named locally by friends who laid flowers at the scene in the Northumberland village of Ovingham

Firefighters cut down the swing on Sunday afternoon following the tragic incident

The scene on Monday where the rope swing tree has been chopped down and flowers left at the scene on the riverbank

Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to Aras on social media following his death yesterday.

Devastated pals previously paid tribute to his friend David Radut, who died earlier this week.

The incident on Saturday afternoon prompted someone to chop down the tree that the rope swing was attached to.

Northumberland County Council, however, has confirmed it was not responsible for the move.

Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police, said: 'Our sincerest sympathies go to the loved ones of both boys and we will continue to provide whatever support we can at this devastating time.

David Radut also from Newcastle, died at the scene near the bridge at Ovingham on Saturday.

Fourteen-year-old David Radut (pictured), also from Newcastle, died at the scene near the bridge at Ovingham on Saturday

A group of friends were believed to be messing about on a rope swing over the river when the two teenagers ended up in the water. Pictured: The rope swing over the River Tyne

A helicopter was seen on site, helping with the desperate search efforts on Saturday

The fire brigade used a boat during the search on Saturday

Police forensic officers gather evidence in Ovingham, Northumberland on Sunday morning

'Since Saturday, our thoughts and those of the wider community have been with the families and friends of those affected.

'We would ask that the public continue to respect the privacy of the families both online and in the community.'

The parents of both boys continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.

A spokesperson for the Northumbria force 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 and rescue services were immediately sent to the area. 'Sadly David Radut, 14, from Newcastle, passed away at the scene.

'The second boy  Aras Rudzianskas, 13, also from Newcastle  was taken to hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he tragically passed away yesterday (Tuesday).'
The mother of a nine-month-old girl who was killed when she was strapped face down to a bean bag by a nursery worker says 'nothing can reflect the horror of her death and the life I now live'.

Genevieve Meehan had been left on the bean bag for more than 90 minutes at Tiny Toes nursery in Stockport by Kate Roughley, who was jailed for 14 years today after being found guilty of her manslaughter.

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement read out at Roughley's sentencing today, Kate Meehan said that she was 'dead inside' after her daughter's death and 'words are simply inadequate' to express the loss their family felt.

Mrs Meehan, who sobbed in the public gallery as prosecutor Martin Reid KC read out the statement on her behalf, told how 'every day is torturous' and 'this has destroyed my family'.

Manchester Crown Court also heard a victim statement from Genevieve's six-year-old sister, who revealed how she is 'punched with sadness' every day when she remembers her younger sibling is no longer there.

The parents of Genevieve Meehan have spoken of their heartbreak at her killing. Pictured: John and Katie Meehan outside Manchester Crown Court on May 20

Genevieve Meehan (pictured) died after being strapped face down to a bean bag by a nursery worker for more than 90 minutes

Nursery worker Kate Roughley has been jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of manslaughter. Pictured: Roughley arrives at Manchester Crown Court on May 20

Roughley stared straight ahead as she was sentenced to 14 years in prison for what Mrs Justice Ellenbogen described as a 'callous' act and was emotionless as she left the dock.

During a month-long trial, jurors heard the 37-year-old displayed a 'lack of sympathy' towards children  labelling Genevieve 'vile', a 'whinger' and a 'diva', and treating the baby roughly before she put her to sleep.

CCTV even showed her ignoring the youngster's crying and desperate last movements as she struggled to survive while tightly strapped to the bean bag, swaddled in a blanket.

Roughley, who had 17 years' experience as a nursery worker but no children of her own, then 'lied' to cover up what she'd done, claiming she constantly checked on babies in her care.

Genevieve, the daughter of barrister John Meehan and solicitor Katie Wheeler, died from asphyxiation brought on by a combination of pathophysiological stresses created by a 'very unsafe sleeping environment'.

Mrs Meehan earlier told of her agony that she would never hear her daughter say 'Mummy' or take her first steps.

Both Genevieve's parents said they could not forgive themselves for leaving her at the nursery but the judge said they had nothing to feel guilty for as they had left her with 'qualified nursing staff'.

Earlier in the hearing, the distraught mother of Genevieve Meehan revealed she feels 'dead inside' and only lives for her two older daughters.

She said: 'Nothing can reflect the horror of her death and the life I now live.

'I lived that day in complete ignorance of what was happening to Genevieve.

'I feel so ashamed and such a failure because I was living in complete ignorance of what was to come.

'The day was so insignificant when I was sat upstairs on a work call when the phone rang.

Kate Roughley, 37, tightly swaddled nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan before she further restrained her with a harness and then inappropriately covered her with a blanket

Genevieve's parents, John and Katie, giving a statement outside court following Roughley's conviction

'The woman (on the end of the line) told me they'd woken Genevieve from her sleep and she was weak and blue, that they had called an ambulance.

'I knew I had to tell John and I had to get to her.'

Mrs Meehan recalled running into the street, where she was picked up by a police officer who took her to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport.

She told how after her daughter was pronounced dead, she held Genevieve in her arms and 'couldn't bear to let her go'.

'In those circumstances, I lost every bit of myself.

'I lost who I'd been, I became the person I am now, dead inside, incapable of living.

'I struggle to understand how this could happen to my little girl.'

She told how it was only the day before her daughter's death that she had been trying on sunglasses and a swimsuit for a family holiday planned for two months later.

Mrs Meehan added: 'When I found out what happened to her and how she was treated, it shredded any faith I had in there being good in the world.'

Mrs Meehan, a solicitor, went on to describe how she had gone from being an 'ambitious' career woman to being in 'a state of existence, not living'.

'I want to scream every day about how angry I feel.

'How is any parent supposed to live with this. It was and is so horrifying. I dont know how I have survived. Every day is torturous and I dont know how I will live like this for the rest of my life. This has destroyed my family.'

But she added: 'I want the world to know how loved Genevieve is and how desperate I am to have her, hold her, hear her breath in my ear and for her to have her cheek next to mine. My little Gigi was and is a beautiful soul, the image of her daddy and the light of our lives.

Her barrister husband John, 38, said to Roughley, who sat staring downwards in the dock: 'For you, there will be no redemption and no legacy. You will never be anything but a child killer but Genevieve's name will live on.'

A heartbreaking victim impact from Genevieve's six-year-old sister was also read out to court.

Roughley (pictured) had risen to become deputy manager at Tiny Toes nursery in Stockport after 17 years in childcare

A video grab released today showing Roughley being interviewed by police

The child, who was not named, said: 'Every day, I get punched with sadness. What this lady has done is terrible and something nobody should experience.

'My younger sister should have the experience of having two older sisters and I should have a younger sister. This has changed my life forever.'

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen said to Roughley: 'By your callous act, you have deprived (Genevieve) of the future she should have had.'

She said a life sentence was not appropriate because she deemed Roughley did not pose a further risk to the public.

Prior to sentencing, the judge told Roughley: 'Her death was absolutely avoidable, the results of your unlawful actions on that day.'

Roughley showed no emotion and stared straight ahead as jurors at Manchester Crown Court returned their verdicts on Monday after nearly six hours' deliberations.

In a statement outside court, Genevieve's lawyer parents John and Katie Meehan told how they had been devastated by Genevieve's loss and that they could 'never forgive' Roughley.

Mr Meehan, 38, said: 'We will never forgive the callousness of Kate Roughley's actions. She was entrusted with the care of or our daughter but instead she treated her with contempt.'

Mr Meehan, stood with his tearful solicitor wife Katie, 39, paid tribute to their daughter who 'loved life, to play the tambourine, spend time with her big sister', and was 'kind, infectious and mischievous'.

'We loved every day watching her develop. We'll never accept the cruelty of her life being taken away,' he said. 'Her life was full of promise and wonder, and it was taken.

'Genevieve's loss has destroyed our family and we grieve for her every day. We're desperate to see her smile, see her laugh and feel her warm embrace.'

Manchester Crown Court heard Genevieve suffered fatal asphyxia and pathophysiological stress caused by the 'unsafe sleep environment' at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, an affluent area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, on May 9, 2022.

During the trial, Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, told the jury: 'Her death was not the result of some terrible or unavoidable accident.

'We say her death arose from ill- treatment she suffered at the hands of this defendant.'

On the day of tragedy, deputy manager Roughley was acting as leader in the nursery's understaffed baby room where she was one of only two workers looking after 11 babies.

Genevieve (pictured) was strapped face down onto a bean bag for more than an hour-and-a-half

Genevieve was left 'virtually immobilised' from 1.35pm to 3.12pm, CCTV footage revealed

The defendant's case was that Genevieve's death was a 'terrible and unavoidable accident'

Genevieve had been dropped off by her parents, barrister John Meehan and solicitor Katie Wheeler at 9am and was found unresponsive at 3.12pm. She could not be revived was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Mr Wright said the reason for the baby's condition wasn't immediately apparent but became clear from CCTV footage.

He said Genevieve had been put to sleep by Roughley that afternoon, who had swaddled in her in a blanket so tightly she was unable to move.

The child had also been placed not on her back, according to safe sleep policies, but on her front and face down, strapped to a bean using a harness.

A blanket was also placed over her that practically covered her head to toe, with the 'inevitable consequence' it would make observations more difficult and increase the risk of overheating.

He said Genevieve was visibly 'distressed by this treatment' yet her thrashing and cries were ignored and she was left from around 1.35pm until she was discovered unresponsive - an hour and 37 minutes later.

Mr Wright said: 'The risk to her of asphyxiation and death was, we say, both serious and obvious.

'Yet the defendant ignored it and by the time she checked on Genevieve with anything vaguely representing any genuine interest it was too late.'

The jury heard how the baby had been enrolled at the nursery just a few weeks earlier in April after she 'thrived' despite being born premature at 35 weeks.

Genevieve had been treated in hospital for bronchiolitis - common in young infants - and was using an inhaler but expert witnesses said the condition was not a factor in her death.

Mr Wright said that in the days running up the tragedy Roughley had displayed a 'lack of affection' towards Genevieve that was 'not merely visible, but tangible'.

Katie Meehan, Genevieve's mother, cries while her husband makes a statement outside Manchester Crown Court on Monday

Roughley (left) arrives at Manchester Crown Court last Friday with her parents

Kate Roughley's father Stuart and mother Jane leave Manchester Crown Court on May 20

On the day of Genevieve's death, Roughley had used the bean bag as a 'form of restraint', Mr Wright said, ignoring safety advice never to place babies face down.

Under cross-examination during the trial, Roughley, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, insisted: 'I would never not like a nine-month-old baby. To say I disliked her is far from the truth.'

Asked if she thought that Genevieve's death was avoidable, she said: 'I feel that if I had checked on her a couple of seconds or minutes earlier it may have been different.

'It was a common practice for children to sleep in the bean bag bed.

'I feel responsible in the fact that Genevieve was in my care that day. However, I don't feel my actions were the reason for the death.'

She denied that calling Genevieve a 'whinger' and 'a diva' was 'malicious'.

Roughley said: 'Often we would say to children 'stop whingeing' This was not shouted at the children or said in any malicious way. They were just passing comments through the working day.'

Sarah Elliot KC, defending, told the jury Roughley looked after children in a 'practical, responsible, no-nonsense but caring way'.

She said the defendant denied failing to make safe-sleep arrangements and had 'kept an appropriate eye' on Genevieve.

The defence criticised poor staffing at the nursery.

When the guilty verdict was read out, Roughley's mother was heard to say 'She's not a monster'.

In the wake of the trial, Stockport Council has confirmed it is investigating possible health and safety offences at Tiny Toes.

Franck and Karen Pelle, directors of Abacus Play Limited, which owned the nursery, and their daughter Grace Pelle, also a former director, have not commented on the case. Franck and Karen Pelle are believed to be in France.

After the sentencing, police branded killer Kate Roughley 'abhorrent'.

Roughley was working at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport (file picture)

Detective Inspector Charlotte Whalley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'This has been a truly harrowing and disturbing investigation. Due to Kate Roughley's lack of remorse and refusal to take accountability for her actions, Genevieve's family have been forced to relive the worst day of their life repeatedly, having their most painful memories made public.

'On Thursday 9 May, whilst the family should have been able to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Genevieve's death, they instead had to endure a day at court listening to the defendant's version of events.

'Their pain is unfathomable, and throughout this nightmare they have kept their dignity, putting their trust in us to get justice for their little girl, but I know that no outcome will ever be enough to replace the loss and grief that they feel.

'The impact of Roughley's abhorrent crime is immense and far reaching. Genevieve's life was robbed, and others must now live with the painful consequences of Roughley's actions.'

Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West's Complex Casework Unit, said: 'Kate Roughley's callous and spiteful actions towards Genevieve Meehan, a vulnerable baby, who she was entrusted to care for, were unconscionable.

'Roughley put Genevieve's parents through further anguish by not taking responsibility for what she had done and taking the case to trial.

'The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the strongest possible case to secure justice for Genevieve.

'Everyone involved in the case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Genevieve's death.

'Nothing can ever make up for what Genevieve's parents and loved ones have lost but I hope they can take some comfort in knowing Roughley will face the consequences of her actions. My thoughts remain with them.'
House Republicans have released new documents from IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler that they say proves Hunter Biden lied in his interview with congressional investigators on at least three occasions.

The House Ways and Means Committee voted in closed-door session to make the information public.

Instead of impeaching President Joe Biden, lead Republicans are now focused in on criminal referrals to the Justice Department for prosecution.

They say Hunter lied about using his last name to help business partners with visa issues, his association with a company that was taking in massive foreign payments and threatening a Chinese businessman over WhatsApp.

House Republicans have released new documents from IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler that they say proves Hunter Biden lied in his interview with congressional investigators on at least three occasions

'Lying during sworn testimony is a felony offense that the Department of Justice has prosecuted numerous individuals for in recent years, and the American people expect the same accountability for the son of the President of the United States,' Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith said in a statement.

'Hunter Bidens lies under oath, and obstruction of a congressional investigation into his familys potential corruption, calls into question other pieces of his testimony. The newly released evidence affirms, once again, the only witnesses who can be trusted to tell the truth in this investigation are the IRS whistleblowers.'

At one point during the deposition, investigators asked Hunter what services he provided to Burisma executives while he was getting paid $50,000 a month to sit on their board. They asked him whether he'd used his father's name and influence to help them obtain visas.

Hunter at the time swore he was unwilling to provide 'any work as it related to visas that they needed' and that he would 'never pick up the phone and call anybody for a visa.'

The committee on Wednesday released an email from Hunter's ex-business associate Devon Archer in response to concerns over the revoking of Burisma CEO Nikolay Zlochevskys visa.

'Hunter is checking with Miguel Aleman to see if he can provide cover to Kola on the visa,' the email read, with 'Kola' being a reference to Zlochevsky.

'Please send Hunter an email with all Kolas passport and visa documents and evidence and copy me. Well take it from there,' the email went on.

The committee also said Hunter lied about his now-infamous WhatsApp message with Chinese energy company CEFC official Raymond Zhao.

At one point Hunter messaged the Chinese associate: Im sitting here with my father, and we would like to understand why the commitment has not been fulfilled.

Shortly after $5 million flowed from CEFC affiliates to companies connected to Hunter and James Biden.

But Hunter claimed he sent that message to the wrong Zhao.

'The Zhao that this is sent to is not the Zhao connected to CEFC,' Hunter claimed. He 'had no understanding or even remotely knew what the hell I was even Goddamn talking about.'

Phone records of Hunter Biden's WhatsApp account show that he only ever communicated with one Zhao - Raymond Zhao - and he continued to send messages with that same 'Zhao' about CEFC matters for months afterward.

Hunter also testified that he had no part in shell companies that received foreign payments. Archer had testified that he and Hunter had equal stake in Rosemont Seneca Bohai and evidence offered by IRS whistleblowers showed Hunter was the beneficial owner of the entity's associated bank account.

That account was used to receive Hunter's Burisma salary and other foreign wires, such as one from a Kazakhstani oligarch that was the same amount - $142,000 - as a Porsche purchased by Hunter one day later.

In the spring of 2014, Joe joined Hunter and a handful of his business partners for dinner at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C. Those at the dinner included Kazakhs Kenes Rakishev, Karim Massimov, Yelena Baturina and possibly Eric Schwerin.

On April 22, $142,300 was wired into the Rosemont Seneca Bohai account from Rakishev.

Neither Rosemont Seneca Bohai, nor its associated bank accounts, were 'under my control nor affiliated with me,' Hunter said in his interview.

IRS whistleblower Ziegler provided the committee with evidence that Hunter was the beneficial owner of a bank account named Rosemont Seneca Bohai and a signed document that reads: 'I, Robert Hunter Biden, hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of Rosemont Seneca Bohai, LLC.'

That document was used to enter into a contract with Porsche Financial Services.

The Republicans also released a series of emails between whistleblower Shapley and the Department of Justice that they say proves the CIA intervened to prevent Hunter Biden friend and attorney Kevin Morris from being interviewed by him.

The emails show Shapley, former assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf, and DOJ official Matt McKenzie trying to set up a time for Shapley to come in to learn a 'need to know' situation with 'one of the witnesses.'

According to Shapley, IRS investigators were preparing to interview Morris when the CIA allegedly summoned to DOJ officials to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia for a briefing on why they could not interview Morris.

The CIA denied being involved or preventing them from interviewing Morris.
Alan Bates says he has no sympathy for Paula Vennells after she broke down in tears three times today.

The former subpostmaster and campaigner gave his reaction to the shamed former Post Office boss giving evidence today at the Horizon IT public inquiry amid fury about her 'PR apology'.

The 65-year-old ordained priest took to the witness box today in which she labelled Mr Bates as 'unhelpful' after he blamed the Post Office for the suicide of a wrongly accused postmaster.

The flag bearer of the campaign to clear the 900 wrongfully convicted subpostmasters hit back as he spoke outside Aldwych House, where the inquiry is being held.

Mr Bates said: 'The whole thing is upsetting for everybody, including for so many of the victims.

'I've got no sympathy really.'

Alan Bates says he has no sympathy for Paula Vennells after she broke down in tears three times today

The 65-year-old ordained priest took to the witness box today in which she labelled Mr Bates as 'unhelpful' after he blamed the Post Office for the suicide of a wrongly accused postmaster

Ms Vennells leaves Aldwych House today after giving evidence to the Post Office Horizon IT public inquiry

Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 after Horizon, owned by Japanese company Fujitsu, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

During her evidence today, Ms Vennells, who was chief executive at the company from 2012 to 2019, broke down in tears three times.

She started her evidence issuing a grovelling apology to victims of the scandal, saying she was 'very, very sorry' - which one postmaster later described as a 'PR apology'.

Asked if he thinks she is genuinely sorry, Mr Bates added: 'I wonder about these apologies, these are just words.'

At one point during the inquiry, Ms Vennells broke down in tears as she was asked about her response to the death of Martin Griffiths, a subpostmaster who died by suicide after he was wrongly accused of fraud.

Ms Vennells described campaigner Mr Bates' accusations of blame against the Post Office after Mr Griffiths' death as being 'unhelpful' and claimed his language directed at Post Office staff, accusing them of 'thuggery', was 'extreme'.

The inquiry was shown an email exchange in September 2013, prompted by the incident involving Mr Griffiths', in which he pointed out that the Post Office had 'driven him to suicide'.

An email from Mr Bates criticising the Post Office after Mr Griffiths had stepped in front of the bus was shown.

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells is seen breaking down in tears as she gave evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry today

Ms Vennells dries her tears with a tissue as she gives evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry

Martin Griffiths, 59, who took his own life in 2013 after he was falsely suspected of stealing money from a Post Office in Ellesmere Port

In the email, Mr Bates said Mr Griffiths's case was a 'prime example of the thuggery being exerted on defenceless subpostmasters' as he was said to have been denied legal representation during a meeting by 'arrogant and uncontrolled Post Office personnel'.

What Paula Vennells told the inquiry today 'I am sorry' 'I would just like to say, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this, how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry is looking into.' 'Too trusting' 'One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting. I did probe and I did ask questions and I'm disappointed where information wasn't shared and it has been a very important time for me... to plug some of those gaps.' 'Unacceptable' 'It's completely unacceptable that that (not knowing the extent of the Post Office's criminal investigations) was the case and that people, including myself, didn't know. 'Status quo' 'My only explanation for that is that it had been going on for so long, that it was an accepted reality, it was the status quo that I joined and accepted, I shouldn't have done.' 'Disappointed' 'I have been disappointed, particularly more recently, listening to evidence of the inquiry where I think I remember people knew more than perhaps either they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.' 'No conspiracy' 'I have no sense that there was any conspiracy at all. My deep sorrow in this is that I think that individuals, myself included, made mistakes, didn't see things, didn't hear things.' 'Should have known' 'I should have known and I should have asked more questions, and I and others who also did not know should have dug much more deeply into this.' Advertisement

In response Ms Vennells said the campaigner was 'rightly very, very angry about this', but his language about her colleagues 'was extreme'.

Jason Beer KC asked: 'You say in your statement that 'this was a time of great distress for Mr Griffiths's family, and I felt the accusations of blame were unhelpful'... is that right that you felt that Mr Bates's accusations of blame were unhelpful?'

Ms Vennells responded: 'I think at this stage some of those accusations of blame were unhelpful, yes, because the Post Office needed to respond to this properly and at that stage, I had no understanding as to what had gone on.'

The inquiry was shown an email from Mr Bates to Ms Vennells and others in which Mr Bates said he had received an email from a relative of Mr Griffiths on September 23, 2012, the day he walked in front of a bus.

At the time Mr Girffiths was in hospital, and the relative said 'the Post Office had driven him to suicide'. Mr Griffiths died in hospital three weeks later.

An email chain between former Post Office general counsel Susan Crichton and Ms Vennells was also shown, in which Ms Vennells says 'if it is an attempted suicide, as we sadly know, there are usually several contributory factors'.

Asked why she was raising the fact that there were usually several contributory factors, she said she was 'very sorry', adding: 'Every email you will see from me about Mr Griffiths, I start with him and how he was and how his family are. The Post Office took far too long to deal with it.'

She added that as chief executive, she had to communicate 'something so serious as this to the board' and was trying to find out 'whether there was anything else behind it', then broke down in tears as she mentioned a previous experience of a Post Office colleague taking their own life and spoke to their family who explained that there were 'other issues involved'.

Speaking of Mr Griffiths's case, she said: 'I imagine that what I was doing here in this email was recalling that previous incident, but what you will see is that in every email I wrote on this, my first concern was for Mr Griffiths and his family, and as I said in my statement, sorry is an inadequate word, I'm just so sorry that Mr Griffiths isn't here today.'

The inquiry was shown another internal email, where Ms Vennells subsequently asked: 'I know (sadly from experience in business and personally) that there is rarely a simple explanation for such deaths.

Alan Bates, former sub-postmaster and founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance

Paula Vennells is sworn in to the Horizon inquiry at Aldwych House today

Post Office boss Paula Vennells gestures as she gives evidence to the inquiry at Aldwych House, central London

'Can you let me know what background we have on Martin. I had heard but have yet to see a formal report that there were previous mental health issues and potential family issues.'

Asked by inquiry lawyer Mr Beer if she was asking her team to 'dig' into Mr Griffiths' records, Ms Vennells replied: 'I'm so sorry. I had as Chief Executive to pass this information onto group executives and board colleagues.

How Martin Griffiths took his own life after he was falsely accused of stealing money from the Post Office

Father-of-two Martin Griffiths, 59, took his own life in 2013 after he was falsely accused of stealing money from the Post Office. Mr Griffiths worked at Hope Farm Road post office in Ellesmere Port, and had spent about two decades with the company, with 18 of those as a sub-postmaster. He was wrongly accused of taking 39,000 from the branch due to an unexplained shortfall. He was also deemed culpable for an armed robbery in May 2013 for which the Post Office demanded he pay them back 7,500. Mr Griffiths was sacked from his job in July of that year and he was forced to use his parents' life savings to pay off the sum. The turmoil had a huge impact on the father-of-two's physical and mental health, his family said. On September 23, 2013, Mr Griffiths parked his car on the A41 in Ellesmere Port after leaving a note for his loved ones and walked in front of a bus. He died in hospital 18 days later. Advertisement

'Mr Bates said the Post Office was to blame, but I did know from previous examples  it doesn't matter, I shouldn't have said it. I shouldn't have used these words.'

Ms Vennells said tasking her team with looking into Mr Griffiths' situation was because she wanted to find out about allegations the Post Office was responsible for his death, and not to 'get on the front foot'.

She said: 'What I was trying to do, quite simply, was to get the wider picture and  to understand particularly the very difficult challenges that Mr Bates had levelled at some Post Office colleagues.'

Later on Ms Vennells said she 'regretted' using the word 'noise' in association with complaints launched by subpostmasters about the Horizon IT system.

Asked if 'noise' was what complaints were seen as at the top end of the Post Office, Ms Vennells said: 'No, and I'm sorry it is not a good word but you have also seen how I have responded personally to other individual matters. It is a word I regret using.'

Asked if it reflected the 'workings of the minds' of those at the top of the business, Ms Vennells said: 'I think it reflects a wrong understanding yes that people believed that Horizon worked and this is me deploying a word that was unwise.

'I did not in any way mean that I personally did not take seriously issues when they got to me.'

A few minutes later there was sardonic laughter in the inquiry room as Ms Vennells was quizzed about an email to her from subpostmaster Tim McCormack in 2015 explaining he had evidence of flaws.

Mr McCormack said he had proof of 'an intermittent bug in Horizon that can and does cause thousands of pounds of losses to subpostmasters'.

Urging her to investigate, he wrote: 'We can stop this farce now. You can wake up and realise that the people you rely on to tell you the truth about what's happened don't have the ability to do so.'

Asked what she did about this email, Ms Vennells said: 'I don't recall. I genuinely don't recall.' Her response prompted the trickle of laughter from campaigners.

Undeterred, the inquiry heard Mr McCormack wrote again to Ms Vennells, an Anglican priest.

He wrote: 'A typical head in the sand reply from the team you have placed too much trust in. I do wonder what kind of god you worship.'

He later emailed her to describe her team as 'a complete bunch of idiots playing havoc with the lives of people you have little interest in.'

Paula Vennells seen arriving at the post office Enquiry this morning surrounded by police officers and members of the press

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells arrives to testify at the Post Office inquiry on May 22, 2024 in London

As Vennells gave evidence, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing.

Speaking after her brief break down earlier, a former subpostmaster accused Ms Vennells of making a 'PR apology'.

Mark Kelly, 45, who was a subpostmaster in Swansea from 2003 to 2006, said: 'The apology I think was quite well-rehearsed, the speech of the apology and also the response to the questions.

'The reason why I think the apology was more like a PR apology was because all these years she could have made an apology like that.

'Why did she have to wait until today to do that?'

Jess Kaur, 52, an ex-postmistress in Walsall who was wrongly accused in 2009 of stealing 11,000, said: 'I was just thinking to myself when she started crying that we were crying like that at the time.

'It was nice to see her tears, but at the same time she's got a lot to answer for. She just needs to tell the truth.'

Janet Skinner expressed sympathy over the position of the former chief executive on Wednesday, giving evidence to a room of people with 'eyes full of hatred'.

The former subpostmistress was sentenced to nine months in prison in 2007 for false accounting. She was 35 at the time and had to leave her two children behind.

She told PA: 'I'll be honest, I felt quite emotional this morning.

'I actually felt emotional for her because she is up there and she has got all these eyes there that are just full of hatred towards her and that must be such an overwhelming, horrible, intense feeling.'

She said Ms Vennells 'has brought it all on herself', continuing: 'This is her time on that stand to now put her side of the story out there.

'Everybody has chucked mud at her, it's time for her to open up and be quite open and honest about who was at the forefront of it all.'

Other subpostmasters recalled the times they had cried over the scandal.

Former subpostmaster Lee Castleton said Ms Vennells will 'never' shed as many tears as he has.

Mr Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004. He was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

Speaking about Ms Vennells' evidence, he said: 'She's got a huge opportunity to get what she sees as the truth out there.

'I think it's a huge stage for her, I think the paperwork is fantastic, to see what was being written at the time it's really, really important for us to see that.

'And what she remembers really is kind of a background for me, the actual verbal evidence is not really that important.'

Asked about Ms Vennells breaking down in tears, he added: 'She'll never shed as many as I have, I'm afraid, or my family, or the rest of the victims or the wider group.

'Not that I have no empathy for that because I do, I understand completely.

'I'd imagine a lot of it's nerves too and doing her best. I think she's got a need or want to do the right thing.'

As Vennells spoke, postmasters watching the inquiry livestream from Fenny Compton could be seen shaking their heads and laughing

One woman (centre) places her hands on her face as she watches the inquiry from Fenny Compton

Former post office worker Lee Castleton who was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004

Elsewhere during the inquiry, Ms Vennells said she did not agree with a sentiment expressed by former managing director Alan Cook when he sent an email she was copied into referring to 'subbies with their hands in the till'.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked: 'Was that a sentiment that you agreed with?'

Ms Vennells responded: 'No, I never used the word subbies, I thought it was completely the wrong word.'

Mr Beer then said: 'What about the more important thing about them having their hands in the till?'

After a ripple of laughter from those watching proceedings in the hearing room, Ms Vennells replied: 'I beg your pardon, I wasn't avoiding answering that question - neither - either calling them subbies or having their hands in the till.'

She later appeared to become emotional as she discussed reading details of complaints from eight subpostmasters in 2013, which she described as 'very disturbing'.

The complaints included faults with Horizon, problems with mis-balancing, shortfalls being wrongly attributed to subpostmasters, wrongful convictions, and complaints about Horizon training and its helpline.

Ms Vennells said: 'All cases were by their nature disturbing.'

She then paused for several seconds to compose herself as she choked back tears, before adding: 'There were questions in the organisation at a board and executive level, about whether this was a distraction of management time.

'When I read these reports, it seemed to me that this was an important distraction of management time.'

Ms Vennells agreed with inquiry lawyer Mr Beer that it was a 'serious issue' for 'folklore' to develop within the Post Office, relating to incorrect claims about its 100 per cent success rate on prosecutions, that Horizon was faultless, and that remote access to the system was not possible.

Mr Beer said: 'Each of these things turn out to be false. How is it that on all of these critical issues, so many false statements were circulating within the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'At the time they were not considered to be false statements. I didn't believe any of those statements were folklore at all.' She suggested the Post Office legal team may have been the source of some inaccuracies.

Earlier in the day, Ms Vennells said she had no idea when she joined the company in 2007 that the Post Office was investigating its own staff, taking them to court, and trying to recover money from them.

She said: 'I didn't understand that the Post Office was bringing its own criminal investigations. Investigations can be taken at all sorts of different levels.

'I certainly didn't read into this that the Post Office was conducting criminal investigations to the level that I later understood.'

She said she did not appreciate the situation fully until 2012, when she became chief executive.

Ms Vennells said: 'I should have known and I should have asked more questions. I and others who also didn't know should have dug much more deeply into this. It was a serious mistake that I didn't understand before 2012 the extent of what this meant.'

She said she thought Post Office workers were instead prosecuted by 'external authorities'. She said she and other colleagues 'were surprised' when they discovered about the prosecutions by the organisation.

Ms Vennells, pictured giving evidence as part of phases five and six of the Post Office inquiry, which is looking at governance, redress and how the Post Office and others responded to the scandal

Earlier this morning, Ms Vennells did not answer any questions as she entered Aldwych House, where the inquiry is taking place. At the beginning of her evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry today, Vennells was given a self-incrimination warning.

The warning made clear she could decline to answer a question and the chairman Sir Wyn Williams said her objection would be ruled upon thereafter.

Vennells continued: 'I would just like to say, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others who suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long.'

'I followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and I was very affected by them. I remember listening to one postmaster whose name I noted who said that he would like somebody to go and stand outside his old Post Office with him so he could tell them exactly what he had gone through. I would do that. I am very, very sorry.'

She also said sorry to the campaigners and investigators, whose work she said was made 'so much harder'.

She added: 'My third apology is really about today.I will answer the questions truthfully.

'I am very aware they will be very difficult to listen to, for you and for me, and I ask for your understanding in advance of that.'

Ms Vennells said she was 'too trusting' when Jason Beer KC, lead lawyer for the inquiry, opened his questioning by asking if she was 'the unluckiest CEO (chief executive officer) in the United Kingdom.'

Ms Vennells said: 'As the inquiry has heard, there was information I wasn't given and others didn't receive as well. One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting.'

She said she was 'disappointed' that information 'wasn't shared' with her.

Mr Beer asked: 'Was there a conspiracy at the Post Office which lasted for nearly 12 years involving a wide range of people, differing over time, to deny you information and to deny you documents and to falsely give you reassurance.'

Ms Vennells smiled briefly as she replied: 'No I don't believe that was the case.'

She added: 'I have been disappointed - particularly more recently listening to evidence at the inquiry - where I think I have learnt that people know more than perhaps they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.

'My deep sorrow in this is I think individuals, myself included, maybe didn't see things, didn't hear things. Conspiracy feels too far-fetched.'

She pointed the finger at unnamed 'colleagues' who 'did know more information than was shared'.

There was a small ripple of laughter as Ms Vennells said she was sometimes criticised in team development events 'for being too curious'.

She told the inquiry: 'I asked questions, I oversaw the strategy which would have introduced changes where we felt it was appropriate to the organisation.

'I probed, I worked in a structured way and an informal way.'

Ms Vennells denied continuing to blame the Horizon system for the failures in her witness statement which said 'lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system'.

Mr Beer asked: 'Even after all the inquiry has revealed and the thousands of documents you've read, do you continue to think that the issue was with the computer system, the Horizon system, as opposed to the conduct, competence and ethics of those within the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, and apologies if that is not clear.

'What I meant to say is as a result of all of the matters relating to Horizon.'

She denied Mr Beer's suggestion that the comment in her witness statement, submitted less than two months ago but read for the first time in public today, was 'a perpetuation of a culture that ran through the Post Office of failing to take responsibility for the use of powers that it elected to use, and indeed use robustly, and instead blame the IT'.

Ms Vennells replied: 'No, it isn't that at all. 'The tragedy we are dealing with today is the result of something much, much broader than an IT system.'

Ms Vennells said she believed there had been no miscarriages of justice - wrongly prosecuting any subpostmaster for false accounting due to faults with Horizon - by the time she left the organisation in 2019, four years after such prosecutions ceased.

Inquiry lawyer Mr Beer asked: 'Did you believe right up until the point at which you left the business, there had been no 'miscarriages of justice?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'I was told multiple times  that there had been no evidence found. I was told that nothing had been found.'

Asked again if she believed when she stepped back from the Post Office that there had been no miscarriages of justice, Ms Vennells replied: 'I think that's right.'

Mr Beer asked: 'Were you clear in your convictions that nothing had gone wrong in your time at the Post Office, so far as Horizon was concerned and the prosecution of subpostmasters was concerned?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'No not at all, there were problems with Horizon all the way through my tenure.'

Mr Beer said: 'Why were you telling Parliamentarians every prosecution involving the Horizon system had been successful and had found in favour of the Post Office?'

Ms Vennells, becoming tearful, said: 'I fully accept now - excuse me.' She then began sobbing before wiping her tears as she tried to continue: 'The Post Office knew that (not every case was won).'

'Personally, I didn't know that and I'm incredibly sorry that that happened to those people, and to so many others.'

Paula Vennells, 65, was CEO of the Post Office for much of the time subpostmasters were being wrongly prosecuted

Mock-up of the email sent by former Post Office boss Paula Vennells after she received detailed case files of eight subpostmasters that had potentially been wrongly convicted

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry

Ms Vennells later said she was not aware of any system in place to record if the Post Office lost any of its criminal cases.

She said: 'I don't believe there was (a system), and there should have been.'

The inquiry previously heard Ms Vennells told MPs the Post Office had never been defeated at court when prosecuting subpostmasters.

Inquiry lawyer Mr Beer asked: 'How did it come about that false information was perpetuated, regurgitated, deployed in this way?'

Ms Vennells replied: 'I didn't believe it was false information.'

Ms Vennells, wearing a grey trouser suit and orange scarf, was met by bustling crowds as she arrived at the inquiry centre in central London shortly before 8am, two hours before her eagerly-awaited evidence began.

Seema Misra, who ran a Post Office in West Byfleet, Surrey, and was jailed in 2010 after being accused of stealing 74,000, told reporters she urged Ms Vennells to 'for god's sake, speak truth'.

More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted for theft by the Post Office and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015 as Fujitsu's faulty IT system, known as Horizon, made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.

Many were sent to jail and bankrupted, while at least four are believed to have taken their own lives over it.

Prosecutions continued to happen under Ms Vennells' watch despite repeatedly being told there were concerns about the reliability of the evidence.

Ms Vennells initially submitted a short statement to the long-running inquiry three years ago in which her legal team said she had been 'deeply disturbed' after judges ruled the prosecution of subpostmasters was 'an affront to justice'.

Her statement added: 'What has come to light, above all in relation to the conduct of private prosecutions of sub-postmasters over a lengthy period, was clearly unacceptable.'

But today marks the first time Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest, has given live evidence to the inquiry - and offered her the opportunity to respond to a litany of allegations about her time at the Post Office.

Earlier, speaking ahead of her appearance, Ms Hamilton has said she Vennells 'knew' people were being wrongly convicted.

She told GMB she 'almost fainted' after pleading guilty to false accounting charges and being told she would not receive a custodial sentence.

'I was so relieved, I had tears pouring down my face,' Ms Hamilton said.

'I think she has to have known it's been going on, she can't be stupid to be CEO and you have to know.

'But how much she knew we're going to find out, but she had to know what was going on because she was head of the tree.

'I sat behind her in the select committee in 2015 and you could see from the body language, I believe she knew then in 2015.'

The probe previously heard Ms Vennells had hoped that there would not be an independent inquiry - even having her number blocked by ex-head of IT Lesley Sewell after seeking her help to avoid one.

The inquiry heard this included standing by the conviction of Jo Hamilton, and authorising the wrongful prosecution of Lee Castleton, both of which were featured in the ITV drama.

Ms Hamilton was falsely accused of taking the money from the Post Office branch she ran in South Warnborough, Hampshire.

She eventually pleaded guilty to false accounting in fear of going to jail - having twice re-mortgaged her house - and was prosecuted in 2006, but had her conviction quashed in 2021 when she was found to be a victim of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

In a letter to Lord James Arbuthnot, Ms Hamilton's then-MP, in 2012, Ms Vennells wrote: 'There has been no evidence to support any of the allegations and we have no reason to doubt the integrity of the system, which we remain confident is robust and fit for purpose.'

Lord Arbuthnot said Ms Vennells and senior colleagues 'had become defensive, legalistic, and determined to keep from MPs information about which they had previously promised to be open' when he and others began to raise concerns about the prosecutions.

The inquiry heard Ms Vennells likely signed off the trial bill of more than 300,000 to prosecute Mr Castleton, after a 23,000 shortfall during a 12-week period at his branch in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Mr Castleton repeatedly asked the Post Office for help but was sacked and sued for refusing to repay the cash. He was made bankrupt after a two-year legal bill and ordered to pay more than 300,000 for the company's legal bill.

Speaking before Ms Vennells gave evidence, Mr Castleton said: 'It's a good platform for her to finally speak. She's not been able to, for whatever reason, speak for all these years. I think it's important that she is listened to and heard and then we can all judge that.'

He said he was hoping to hear 'the truth'.

Asked what message he would send to Ms Vennells if he could, Mr Castleton said: 'This is your chance to put it out there. The world's listening, if you like. Do what you feel is right.'

The Post Office has come under fire since the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, which put the Horizon scandal under the spotlight

Earlier this year, ITV bosses announced the first episode of Mr Bates vs. the Post Office had been watched by 9.2million viewers

Ms Vennells is said to have maintained Horizon was 'robust' and was so wedded to issues being a fault with the subpostmasters rather than the software that she falsely told a Government minister in 2012 that the courts found in the Post Office's favour 'in every instance' when prosecuting subpostmasters for theft or false accounting.

She also suggested that 'temptation was an issue' for branch workers, and that some had been 'borrowing' money from the tills.

Ms Vennells forfeited her CBE for services to the Post Office and to charity earlier this year after 'bringing the honours system into disrepute' following the public backlash brought on by the TV series.

She was handed the honour in 2019, just a month before quitting the beleaguered government-owned company.

ITV News reported that the October 2013 email, as well as a recording of a phone conversation involving Ms Vennells, confirmed she was sent case files of eight subpostmasters.

The email from Ms Vennells to Ron Warmington, a forensic accountant with firm Second Sight who were drafted in to review independently the Horizon system, read: 'Apart from finding them very disturbing (I defy anyone not to), I am now even better informed.

'The form you have devised is very helpful as it removes some of the emotion and highlights very clearly areas we need to address as well as investigate for the mediation process, which I hope will bring closure for some of these people.

'As I said... I take this very seriously...'

In 2015, she told MPs she had seen no evidence of miscarriages of justice and that there were no faults in the Horizon system.

Counsel to the inquiry are likely to probe Ms Vennells on whether she deliberately misled the business select committee.

The revelation has been described by Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi as the 'smoking gun' that is the cover-up of the Horizon IT scandal and has called on her to 'finally admit the truth'.

Jason Beer KC previously told the probe she made a false statement in 2012 to then Conservative MP Oliver Letwin when she wrote about the prosecution of subpostmasters, in which she said: 'In every instance, the court has found in our favour.'

Questions about the Post Office's alleged 'defensive and self-absorbed' culture also loom over Ms Vennells - with the business's current chief financial officer Alisdair Cameron speaking of an 'unacceptable, self-serving' relationship with subpostmasters.

He told the probe that Ms Vennells had been 'clear in her conviction from the day I joined that nothing had gone wrong' - adding that she did not believe there had been any miscarriages of justice.

She has not yet spoken in detail about her role in the scandal, but previously apologised for the 'devastation caused to subpostmasters and their families'.

Ms Vennells was made a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List 'for services to the Post Office and to charity', but voluntarily handed the honour back after a petition attracted more than 1.2 million signatures.

The Metropolitan Police previously said they are looking at 'potential fraud offences' arising out of the prosecution of subpostmasters; for example, 'monies recovered... as a result of prosecutions or civil actions'.

Two Fujitsu experts, who were witnesses in the trials, are being investigated for perjury and perverting the course of justice - but nobody has been arrested since the inquiry was launched in January 2020.

There are unlikely to be any criminal charges until inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams completes his final report, which is expected to be published next year.

In the meantime, hundreds of subpostmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts.
A 38-year-old woman has died following a fall at a Buenos Aires hospital where she worked at after she underwent a colonoscopy.

Brenda Berges was admitted to Domingo Mercante Hospital on May 13 and was put on anesthesia as required by the procedure's guideline.

Berges still under the effects of the anesthesia when she was placed on a stretcher that did not have a guardrail.

She was in her room and attempted to move in the stretcher when she fell to the floor.

Brenda Berges underwent a colonoscopy at Domingo Mercante Hospital, where she also worked, on May 13 and fell off a stretcher that did not have a guardrail. Berges, who was under the effect of an anesthesia at the time of the fall, fractured her cranium and jaw and was treated for internal bleeding. She died Monday at Esteban Echeverria Bicentennial Hospital

A friend told Argentine news outlet Diario Efecto that Brenda Berges (pictured) was kept at Domingo Mercante Hospital for two days after she suffered the tragic fall and her family was not notified until she was transferred to Esteban Echeverria Bicentennial Hospital, where she died Monday

Berges suffered a fracture in her cranium and the jaw and was treated for internal bleeding.

Berges spent two days at Domingo Mercante Hospital and was then transferred to Esteban Echeverria Bicentennial Hospital, where she was kept in observation for five more days before she succumbed to her injuries on Monday.

One of her friends told local online news outlet Diario Efecto that the staff at Domingo Mercante Hospital kept her family in the dark before they contacted them.

'They hid her two days until the family became aware that she was going to be relocate her to Bicentennial and that's where they had to what transpired,' the man said.

The Buenos Aires Health Ministry told La Nacion newspaper that it was investigating the incident.

Berges was employed as a department administrator at Domingo Mercante Hospital.

Buenos Aires' Health Ministry is investigating Domingo Mercante Hospital following the death of its employee, who died Monday, a week after she fell off a stretcher with no guardrails while she recovered from a colonoscopy

The staff at Domingo Mercante Hospital reportedly did not alert the family of one of its workers, Brenda Berges, until two days after she fell off a stretcher while she recovered from a colonoscopy

Brenda Berges was hospitalized for five days at Esteban Echeverria Bicentennial Hospital, where she was treated for internal bleeding before dying Monday

'It is with deep pain that we inform the community that today our great colleague and worker at the Mercante Hospital, Brenda Berges, has passed away,' the medical facility said in a statement. 'We accompany the family and loved ones in this very difficult time.'

Berges' friends flooded social media networks, where she showered her with praise and called for justice.

'Such sad news, Brenda Berges is flying high and I hope you rest in peace,' Salo Sanchez wrote. 'I hope your holy father Xango takes into account the injustice done to you.'

'You are more than a co-worker,' one of the Domingo Mercante Hospital said. 'You were a sister, aunt, partner. A tireless fighter who always found a way to smile despite adversity.'
Rishi Sunak is sending the country to the polls for a general election in July for the first time since 1945.

The Prime Minister announced a contest for 4 July this year as he said it was 'the moment for Britain to choose its future'.

It means voters will head to polling stations across the UK almost exactly 79 years since the last time a general election was held in July.

But the 1945 contest holds few good omens for Mr Sunak, as the post-Second World War general election saw Labour secure a landslide win over the Tories.

The 1945 election - which took place on July 5 - came within two months of VE Day and initiated a political transformation that saw the creation of the NHS and the building of social housing.

The Prime Minister announced a contest for 4 July this year as he said it was 'the moment for Britain to choose its future'.

It means voters will head to polling stations across the UK almost exactly 79 years since the last time a general election was held in July. But the 1945 contest holds few good omens for Mr Sunak, as the post-Second World War general election saw Labour secure a landslide win over the Tories led by Winston Churchill.

Clement Attlee, the Labour MP for Limehouse who replaced Winston Churchill as prime minister, introduced sweeping reforms such as the nationalisation of public utilities and the formation of the National Health Service.

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Parliament was dissolved only three weeks before Britons went to the polls, in contrast to the six weeks to go until July 4 this year.

The Labour Party gained a 145-seat majority and the Liberal Party leader, Archibald Sinclair, lost his seat. The Conservatives lost 189 seats.

Clement Attlee, the Labour MP for Limehouse who replaced Winston Churchill as prime minister, introduced sweeping reforms such as the nationalisation of public utilities and the formation of the National Health Service.

A new generation of MPs who came to define 20th century British politics entered Parliament, including James Callaghan, Michael Foot and Harold Wilson.
A late night comedy show roasted Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday for her multiple viral 'word salads' during her first three years in office, joking they were the result of a special 'thought advisor' on her staff.

Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show' featured well-known viral video clips of Harris speaking in circles about the 'significance of the passage of time,' the 'need to get to go and need to be able to get where you need to go' and her comment about 'the time for us to do what we are doing and that time is every day.'

The show presented a fictional character with the name of 'Dahlia Rose Hibiscus' played by comedian Desi Lydic joking that she was the 'holistic thought advisor' behind Harris' political speeches.

The 'advisor' character said that Harris' confusing comments were 'word voyages' instead of 'sentences,' citing the vice president's viral 'coconut tree' speech as an example.

Kamala Harris featured in the Daily Show

'Its a process I call speaking without thinking,' the 'thought advisor' character explains. 'Its not about the destination of the thought, its about the journey and how many words you use to describe the journey.'

The video also features Harris during a joint press conference with Poland's President Andrzej Duda on March 10, 2022 talking about Russia's atrocities during the war in Ukraine.

'That's on top of everything else, that we know and don't know yet, based on what we've just been able to see and because we've seen it or not does not mean that it hasn't happened,' Harris said.

The 'thought advisor' jokes that she begins her jobs by cutting up the vice president's speeches drafted by her staff into individual words before rearranging them, such as her comment about 'the ability to see unburdened by what has been.'

Other Harris speeches featured in the humorous video include the vice president's comment about having the ability to 'see the moment in time in which we exist in our present and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future.'

'I hear the counter-arguments all the time,' the character adds. 'People should be able to understand what their leaders are saying when they talk, but I prefer to leave Kamalas thoughts open to interpretation like a work of modern art that you look at and go, I wonder what that was all about.'

Harris earned mockery for her so-called 'word salads' during her first three years as vice president as even her allies admitted she struggled with her rhetoric.

'It is true that she often burdens her sentences with more dependent clauses than they can bear, and verbatim transcripts of her extemporaneous remarks can sometimes be hard to follow,' Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson wrote in April 2023.

As President Joe Biden and Harris are increasing their activity on the campaign trail the vice president has tightened up her speeches, staying carefully within her prepared themes on important campaign issues.

But during an Washington, DC, event with Asian Americans with comedian Jimmy O. Yang, Harris employed the 'f-bomb' to emphasize a point she was making about seizing opportunities.

'Sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open, and sometimes they wont and then you need to kick that f***ing door down,' Harris said.

The White House excused the comment, noting that the vice president was 'passionate' about the issue.

'I think it's important to have someone who's passionate about what they are speaking about,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said to reporters. 'I could not be more proud to have her as someone I look up to as vice president and I think that many people here would say the same.'
An owner of a survivalist shop insists stocking up is 'common sense' amid panic buyers flocking to the emergency 'prepper' after ministers urged Brits to stash three days' worth of stock.

Leigh Price has noticed a steady increase in customers heading to his shop The Bug Out, in Wales, since the Government launched a 'preppers' website.

It warned families should gather an 'emergency kit' of tinned food, batteries and bottled water for use in a crisis.

Mr Price says some of the influx of people are panic buying with many worrying about whether they can 'live as normal as possible' when 'disaster strikes'.

Oliver Dowden today advised people to make contingency plans for dealing with potential emergencies to help build 'national resilience' and ease pressure on emergency services.

Leigh Price, owner of survivalist shop The Bug Out, in Wales, has noticed a steady increase in customers heading to his survivalist shop The Bug Out, in Wales, since the Government launched a 'preppers' website

Mr Price says some of the influx of people are panic buying with many worrying about whether they can 'live as normal as possible' when 'disaster strikes'

A MailOnline graphic illustrating everything you need in your emergency survival kit, according to the Government website

It led to supermarkets issuing a warning out of fears panicked shoppers could flock to stores and strip bare shelves.

The Deputy Prime Minister wants to encourage families to stock up with enough food and water to survive for three days in the event of an emergency like a flood.

Mr Price, who served in the army between 1991 and 1996, opened his store during the pandemic and told MailOnline most of those coming to his store ask for advice.

Asked about sales, he said: 'Its been a steady incline. It goes up and down so when there's like something on the news you have some who panic buy but others that know their bread and butter come throughout the year.

'We see a broad range of the population up here.

'It's just common sense [to stock up]. You're making sure no matter where you are in the country that you've got enough supplies whatever happens. It's an insurance policy.'

His store sells anything from pouched and self-heating meals, such as chicken casserole and all day breakfast, to water purification tablets and bad weather bags.

'When there's something like this in the news you do get an influx of customers mainly who come in for advice,' he said.

Mr Price, who served in the army between 1991 and 1996, opened his store during the pandemic and told MailOnline most of those coming to his store ask for advice

Mr Price says there has been a steady incline in sales and 'it goes up and down when there's something on the news'

His store sells anything from pouched and self-heating meals, such as chicken casserole and all day breakfast, to water purification tablets and bad weather bags

Mr Price holds up some the food pouches that he stocks in his store. He says 'it's just common sense [to stock up]. You're making sure no matter where you are in the country that you've got enough supplies whatever happens'

Mr Price holds up a radio which customers can purchase as part of their survival kits

Equipment such as compasses, water purification tablets and bad weather bags are also sold at the store

Pouched meals of beef goulash and Italian sausage in marinara sauce which Mr Price sells at his survivalist store

'[Customers ask] What about clean water? So ways of purifying water or cleaning in water if your normal water means stops or there's a failure somewhere. We've got freezer food or army rations here. The next thing is if the lights go out for a period of time, what can they do to keep things running?

'People's mains concerns are how can I live as normal as possible at any period of time when a sort of disaster strikes.

'It's pretty timid up here we get a bit of bad weather but not like other parts of the world. What I'm preparing for up here is external factors whether it's an impending financial crash or what looks like World War Three. It's what people can do to make sure their family's safe.

'One of the main things is having a plan B like a Bug Out grab bag so if you house has flooded or you have to vacate because there's a problem, a gas leak or a fire, then you can just grab a bag at a moment's notice.'

Whitehall sources insisted that the plan was not designed to create a nation of US-style survivalists. One said Mr Dowden's intervention was not meant to be 'alarmist' and was simply 'common sense' advice.

Retailers warned shoppers to take time building their supplies instead of resorting to Covid-style panic buying, which saw shelves cleared of essentials such as toilet paper and pasta.

While the 'prepping' movement is bigger in the US, some Brits have got on board. Pictured is Newquay businessman Lincoln Miles at his shop selling emergency supplies last year

Andrew Opie, director of food & sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, told MailOnline: 'Retailers did an excellent job ensuring the country had access to food and other necessities throughout the pandemic, and we are confident they will rise to future challenges.

The emergency survival kit that will get you through a national crisis:  Battery or wind-up torch  Portable power bank for charging a mobile phone.  Battery or wind-up radio to get updates during a power cut  Spare batteries for torches and radio  A first aid kit with waterproof plasters, bandages, gloves, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape, eyewash solution and sterile dresses  Hand sanitiser and wet wipes  Bottled water  Non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking  Pet food  Baby supplies including nappies and baby form It is advisable to build the emergency kit over time rather than buying all of the items at once. Advertisement

'While it is sensible to have some additional food at home, most households will find they already have sufficient non-perishables sitting in the cupboard.'

Ministers believe preparations by individual households will help take pressure off the emergency services when dealing with a crisis.

The most common risk to people according to the Government's risk register is flooding, causing power and water outages.

Other threats that people should prepare for include a pandemic, a cyber-attack, disruption to space systems that affect GPS signals or, in extreme cases, a nuclear attack.

The website, prepare.campaign.gov.uk, aims to make sure people are aware of the risks in their local area so they can plan appropriately.

As per the advice, households should put together emergency kits at home.

Last year Mr Dowden said people should stock up on 'analogue capabilities', such as candles, torches and wind-up radios, to boost their 'personal resilience'.

He has been inspired by similar preparations in countries such as Finland, which operates a '72-hour concept' for coping in situations where 'society's services are disrupted or even discontinued'.

Finns are encouraged to stockpile food and water and be prepared to 'shelter indoors' by taping up gaps in windows and 'waiting calmly for instructions' on the radio.

Mr Dowden has previously introduced an 'emergency alert' system, which allows authorities to trigger an alarm on millions of mobile phones to inform people of a potential crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden (pictured) will advise people to buy a list of essential items to keep at home

How to stay informed in times of emergency:

Find out more about the risks in your local area, particularly if you are more prone to flooding or power cuts. Sign up to the Gov.uk alerts so you can be aware of potential risks ahead of time. Learn basic first aid skills and check online to see if an employer will pay for basic first-aid training. Check to see if your employer or a place that you volunteer at, has a plan for what you should do if you cannot contact them during an emergency Source: prepare.campaign.gov.uk Advertisement

The Prime Minister warned last week that Britain had 'some of its most dangerous years' ahead and was at a security 'crossroads'.

Describing the threats on the rise, Rishi Sunak highlighted a new axis of anti-western states including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Among other challenges were rising immigration and artificial intelligence.

A similar public information campaign was launched by the Government in 2004, advising British citizens on what to do in the event of a natural disaster, an accident or an act of terrorism.

It began in the wake of several major disasters, including the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak, the SARS epidemic and the Madrid train bombings of 2004.

The campaign was mocked with a satirical website, preparingforemergencies.co.uk, which was created by University of York student Tom Scott.

The Home Office originally objected to the website, but eventually conceded on the issue and it was allowed to remain.

While British ministers believe it is wise for people to take precautions, they will be keen to avoid imitations of the elaborate preparations for 'doomsday' scenarios made by US survivalists.

One of the risks Mr Dowden will warn about is flooding. Pictured, a flooded pub earlier this year in Croscombe, Somerset

Health crises like the Covid pandemic are another example of the threats faced by Britain. Pictured, a woman wearing a mask on the Tube in 2020

Rowan MacKenzie, from Missouri, recently hit the headlines after revealing she had spent more than $90,000 on her hidden bunker stockpile.

The 38-year-old began stocking up her cupboards 13 years ago and, initially, bought lifelong essentials, such as beans and rice, which she taught herself to preserve through trial and error.

She said: 'I've always said that if you didn't help build it, then hard decisions will have to be made.

'My door won't be open to anyone, family or not, as I've prepared for my own home. I feel bad, but hard times call for hard knocks - and a harsh reality.'

As her stock grew, the homemaker spent more than $10,000 on having the underground space built into the basement of her home, where she keeps food and water, as well as weapons.

Rowan MacKenzie, a 38-year-old from Missouri, has been prepping her home for disaster for the last 13 years

Ms MacKenzie's doomsday bunker, which contains water, non-perishable food supplies and weapons
He also apologized for making misogynistic comments about female coworkers

Dr. Anthony Fauci's former top aide was dumbstruck during an intense grilling by Republicans over his efforts to cover up his emails discussing COVID origins.

Dr. David Morens was confronted about his 'intentional' efforts to subvert federal transparency laws when discussing COVID origins and links to a Wuhan, China, virology lab during a testy Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday.

He was also forced to apologize when confronted over 'disgusting' and misogynistic comments he made about women in his correspondence.

His comments about Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky - and how he believed she got the job because she 'wears skirts' - were put on blast.

'I find your comments to be disgusting,' Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, told Morens.

Dr. David Morens apologized to lawmakers for intentionally deleting his emails about COVID-19 while serving as Dr. Anthony Fauci's top advisor and for making misogynistic comments about former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky

His email insinuated Walensky only got her top job because she is a woman. 'You should be ashamed of your character and be embarrassed.'

'It's a misogynistic statement and it was the same snarky joking stuff,' he retorted before Miller-Meeks exploded.

'Sir, that is not a snarky joke. That is an underlying behavior that indicates how you approach women and how you think of women - and its disgusting.'

Earlier in the day, the committee released a trove of emails he made on a personal account to colleagues. They show Morens making additional inappropriate comments about women.

'Beverage is always good, and best delivered by a blonde nymphomaniac, if you can manage that,' he wrote to Daszak in December 2020.

'Actually, at my age Ill take a brunette. Even a red head. Any hair at all.'

To say the hearing was a disaster for Morens would be an understatement.

Emails show Morens asked for a 'kickback' from his friend Daszak after his organization EcoHealth Alliance recieved $7.5 million in federal funding. Daszak said he would compensate the former Fauci aide, but when asked if he received anything, Morens said he got nothing

The former Fauci aide was forced to apologize repeatedly for his misogyny and for the reason he was actually testifying to in the first place - deleting emails to cover up a trial of communications between himself and Dr. Peter Daszak, a defamed coronavirus researcher at the center of the committee's COVID-19 origins investigation.

Daszak and his organization - EcoHealth Alliance - were conducting research using funds from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in conjunction with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to study coronaviruses at the time COVID-19 began.

EcoHealth's research is at the center of the committee's probe into the origins of the virus, as are key allies of Daszak, Morens and Fauci himself.

The former Fauci advisor admitted to helping Daszak apply for federal funding and even asked him for a 'kickback' after the coronavirus researcher, who he said is a friend, received $7.5 million from the agency Morens oversees.

'Do i get a kickback????? Too much fooking money! DO you deserve it all? Lets discuss,' Morens sent Daszak in an email.

'Of course there's a kick-back,' Daszak responded in an email revealed Wednesday.

When pressed on the exchange by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Morens said he was just joking.

'Um, that's typical black humor between people like Peter and me,' Morens responded.

Morens testified he had not received any compensation from EcoHealth or Daszak.

Though several lawmakers on the committee appeared to not believe him.

Morens suggested to Daszak he could send information to Fauci's personal email or deliver it personally to avoid transparency laws

EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak arrives for a House Select Subcommittee hearing on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Capitol Hill on May 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, the committee announced he is soon to be disbarred by HHS from getting any more money from the U.S. government

Also on Wednesday, the committee revealed that after a review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) EcoHealth and Daszak are now barred from ever gaining access to U.S. taxpayer-funded grants again.

'EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszaks personal debarment will ensure he never again receives a single cent from U.S. taxpayers nor has the opportunity to start a new, untrustworthy organization,' the committee Chairman Brand Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said in a statement announcing the debarring.

Last week, HHS announced it was halting grants to EcoHealth pending a review of the organization's practices.

HHS deputy assistant secretary for acquisitions Katrina Brisbon said then that 'immediate action is necessary to protect the public interest' and there was 'adequate evidence' to prove the nonprofit was not up to department standards.

'Dr. Daszaks impending debarment does not shield him from accountability to the American people,' Wenstrup's statement continued.

'It appears that Dr. Daszak may have lied under oath about his relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and his compliance with NIH grant procedures.'

'The Select Subcommittee intends to hold Dr. Daszak accountable for any dishonesty and reminds him that this debarment decision does not preclude him from producing all outstanding documents and answering all the questions of this Congressional body.'

Daszak's EcoHealth had been awarded $2.6 million in grant funding from HHS in 2023 for three separate proposals - and last week the agency halted those funds.

Dr. Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance (left) pictured with Dr. Anthony Fauci (right)

Peter Daszak, right, Thea Fischer, left, and other members of the World Health Organization team investigating the origins of COVID-19 arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology

Dr. David Morens, a former top aide to Fauci, tried to blatantly skirt federal transparency requirements by conducting official work on his personal email account

Now, it appears EcoHealth will not get the outstanding amount awarded to it.

Emails published Wednesday also show that Morens worked with the NIH's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office to skirt government transparency laws by using his private email account to communicate with Daszak about EcoHealth, its research and the federal funds approved for coronavirus research at WIV in Wuhan, China.

Morens wrote to Daszak in February 2021 that he 'learned from our FOIA .. lady here how to make emails dissapear after I am foia'd.'

'Plus I deleted most of those earlier emails after sending them to gmail,' he told Daszak.

Morens was subpoenaed by the committee and testified before the body Wednesday afternoon after his emails were published.

'I ask you both that NOTHING gets sent to me except to my gmail,' Morens said in another email to the EcoHealth president.

Previously, the committee revealed that Morens told them 'I will delete anything I dont want to see in the New York Times,' showing his flagrant disregard for agency transparency protocols.

Dasak was among the scientists tasked by the World Health Organization to investigate the origins of COVID-19. They did not find that the virus came from a the WIV, where Daszak was conducting coronavirus research

In another email recently revealed, Morens told Daszak 'We are all smart enough to know to never have smoking guns, and if we did we wouldnt put them in emails and if we found them wed delete them.'

Morens also heaped praise on his boss Dr. Fauci, writing there 'is no worry about FOIAs. I can either send stuff to Tony on his private gmail ... or hand it to him at work or at his house.'

'He is too smart to let colleagues send him stuff that could cause trouble,' Fauci's loyal lieutenant said of the long-time National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director.
The seriously injured wife of plane passenger Geoff Kitchen has been told he died when their aircraft hit turbulence at 37,000ft.

Mother-of-two Linda Kitchen suffered serious spinal injuries when the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 suddenly dropped 6,000ft.

Her husband Geoff, 73, a retired insurance worker, is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died in the seat next to her.

The plane diverted to Bangkok where critically injured Mrs Kitchen was taken off along with up to 70 injured passengers and crew.

She is in intensive care and was told this morning that her husband of almost 50 years had died in the tragedy.

Mother-of-two Linda Kitchen (pictured here on the right with her husband Geoff) suffered serious spinal injuries when the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 suddenly dropped 6,000ft

Her husband Geoff, 73, is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died in the seat next to her

Oxygen masks are seen hanging from the ceiling in the cabin of the Singapore Airlines flight

Grandmother Mrs Kitchen was able to speak to her son Stuart on the phone from her hospital bed this morning.

A family friend said: 'She was woozy with painkillers and she's going for a second scan.

'She has spinal and shoulder injuries - I think she was unconscious when they got her off the plane.

'The tragic news was broken to her this morning. They were such a devoted couple, you can't imagine what it must be like for her.'

The 'adventurous' couple were on their way to a six-week holiday of a lifetime taking in Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia before heading to Australia.

Injured passengers were given numbers on their stretchers when they came off the plane because their names weren't known.

Geoff and Linda's family in the UK were unable to get information until the Thai authorities brought in translators to help worried family members of those caught up in the plane drama.

The couple's children Stuart and Anna Proctor have remained in the UK but the close friend said there were plans for them to fly to Bangkok, while heartbroken Anna earlier today posted on Facebook: 'Love you Dad x.'

Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, ran the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol

His heartbroken daughter Anna Proctor earlier today posted a tribute on Facebook

The aircraft had hit an air pocket and plummeted an astonishing 6,000ft in just five minutes, with the sudden drop unleashing mayhem onboard and forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.

It has been revealed that grandfather Mr Kitchen had helped fundraise for local businesses during the pandemic with a local musical theatre group.

He and his wife spent the weekend with their grandchildren saying goodbye before jetting off for their planned holiday.

A friend of the couple told the BBC this morning they 'loved to travel' and were 'very excited' for the trip, which would see them embark on a cruise in Indonesia before travelling to Australia.

Lizzie Atkins also described him as 'the most wonderful human being that you could ever know'.

Ms Atkins, a fellow member of Bristol-based Thornbury musical theatre group, said: 'He would do anything for you. He was just amazing.'

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: 'He was just a remarkable man, really.

'He was stable and reliable, and you always knew you were in safe hands with Geoff.

A video posted online shows how Mr Kitchen (bottom left) was involved in his local musical theatre group

Photos were posted on social media by accounts claiming to show the aftermath of the emergency landing. One (left) purportedly showed food strewn across the floor, while another (right) was said to show the ambulances on the tarmac at the airport

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SG321 is pictured after yesterday's emergency landing

'He had a really dry sense of humour and had a twinkle in his eye and every time you saw him you just knew that he was going to make a funny joke.'

She added: 'He was the most wonderful human being that you could ever know, one of the top ones.'

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said it was supporting Mr Kitchen's family and was in contact with local authorities.

Neighbours yesterday told MailOnline that he had suffered heart problems in recent years and had stents put in to widen his arteries.

Close friend Steve Dimond, 73, who lives a few doors down from Mr Kitchen's three-bed home in leafy Thornbury, said: 'You wouldn't know it, he carried on as normal and was very fit and active.

'He was very involved with amateur dramatics and was helping me make scenery for our new production.

'He was a good singer, a fine actor, he was on the committee, he loved musical theatre.

'He and his wife like live music, all sorts, folk jazz, everything. He's known his wife since they were teenagers, they are a lovely couple. It's a terrible shock, he was a really nice bloke.'

Video shows emergency services taking one passenger out from the cabin on a stretcher

Passengers are seen on the Singapore Airlines plane after it made an emergency landing in Bangkok today. Oxygen masks fell from the ceiling, as did other components

Wine bottles, kettles and food trays are seen scattered across the floor of the cabin

He added: 'They were very adventurous and had been planning the holiday for a long time.

'They spent last weekend with their grandchildren because they wouldn't be seeing them for a while.'

Fellow members of the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group were left devastated by the news.

One member, Steve Young, said: 'Total shock. Geoff was a tremendous chap who had time for everyone. He never failed to make me laugh.'

Peter Wiggins added: 'Such a lovely man, very talented and great fun to work with. I'll never forget his Fagin in Oliver, superb.'

Nigel Newman said: 'A real shock, so sad. In my time with the group Geoff was always a great go-to guy, and as others have said, a man with kindness and humour, and an insightfulness I always appreciated. My wishes and thoughts go to all those close to him.'

Passengers on the fateful flight told how they and flight crew desperately tried to save Mr Kitchen's life by delivering CPR, as well as tending to other injured passengers.

In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday evening, Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident.

Emergency ambulance vehicles drive to transport injured passengers from a flight from London to Singapore to a hospital, after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, Thai authorities said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom were seriously injured

Passengers said Thai emergency services worked quickly to help those on board after the plane made an emergency landing

A woman in a wheelchair and carrying a baby is seen being taken off the tarmac in Bangkok

'Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.

'His commitment to TMTG was unquestionable and he has served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding various offices within the group, including Chairman, Treasurer and most recently Secretary.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy.'

A video posted online in 2020 showed how Mr Kitchen led the group in a rendition of You Will Be Found from musical Dear Evan Hansen, as a way to 'say thank you to the people and businesses of Thornbury for everything you have done'.

The poignant message added: 'To our friends, family, audiences, local businesses, the Armstrong Hall which has given us a home for almost 50 years and everybody else in our local community, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.'

The 16-year-old Boeing 777 had left Heathrow at 10.17pm on Monday and was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time (9.45am BST) on Tuesday.

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew on board - including 47 passengers from the UK and four Irish nationals.

Singapore Airlines said: 'Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 20, encountered severe turbulence en route.

After around 11 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

Exposed pipes are seen on the plane after yesterday's incident

The Singapore airline aircraft is seen on tarmac after requesting an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024

'We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board.

'Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.'

Terrified passengers have described how they had little to no warning to put their seatbelts on before the aircraft suddenly dropped while the crew were serving breakfast, with one passenger saying people were 'launched into the ceiling' as the plane fell through the sky.

Others described how those not wearing seatbelts at the time were launched into the air, sustaining head injuries, while others were seen with bleeding ears.

Pictures from the flight show debris littering the plane, oxygen masks deployed and damage to interior fittings.

One traveller on board Flight SQ321 to Singapore said the plane suffered a 'dramatic drop', meaning people not wearing a seatbelt were 'launched immediately into the ceiling'.

Another passenger, Jerry, who was travelling to his son's wedding, told the BBC the day was 'the worst of my life'.

He also revealed his harrowing experience trying to locate his wife, daughter and grandson at a Bangkok hospital.

Speaking with a bandage covering part of his head, he said: 'Things were going very smoothly at first. I'd just been to the loo, came back, sat down, bit of turbulence, and suddenly the plane plunged.

Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident today, with belongings strewn across the floor and oxygen masks dangling from above

General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn speaks to the media during a press conference after a flight from London to Singapore diverted in an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

This flight tracker showed the plane's route from London before diverting to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Flight tracking websites showed flight SQ321 diverting from its planned route to Singapore and instead landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The plane is shown dropping 6,000 feet as it flies over Myanmar

'I don't know how far, but it was a long way. (It was) so sudden, there was no warning at all, and I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling, my wife did.

'Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults. It was absolutely terrible, and then suddenly it stopped and it was calm again, and the staff did their best to tend to the injured people.

'There were a lot of them and some of the staff are injured themselves, so they did a sterling job.'

Flightradar24 said its tracking data showed the plane encountering turbulence at approximately 8.49am BST while flying over Myanmar.

The flight tracking service said data sent from the aircraft showed a 'rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event', adding that there were 'some severe' thunderstorms in the area at the time.
By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motor is on track to advance its hydrogen value chain in the United States, focusing on logistics and transportation to consolidate its footing in future mobility powered by the sustainable energy source, the carmaker said Wednesday.

The company displayed the vision during this years Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas where the company also unveiled an enhancement concept for its XCIENT Fuel Cell truck.

Under the hydrogen roadmap shared at the fair, the Korean carmaker will supply North America with not just hydrogen-fueled vehicles, but also the energy source.

The company is also moving to build a more complete hydrogen mobility value chain encompassing maintenance for eco-friendly cars and relevant charging stations.

The carmaker is set to equip Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia with eco-friendly HTWO logistics solutions. HTWO is Hyundai Motor Groups hydrogen fuel cell system brand launched in 2020.

The brand aims to sell more than 700,000 hydrogen fuel cell systems by 2030. Specifically, the carmaker will supply its XCIENT hydrogen trucks to transport vehicles and parts to the factory.

Our HTWO brands expanding role reflects our unique reach beyond mobility into an integrated hydrogen value chain to lead the global energy transition, Ken Ramirez, executive vice president and head of the global commercial vehicle and hydrogen business at Hyundai Motor, said during a press conference on the sidelines of the event.

We are like no other energy company with roots deeply grounded in mobility, he said. Our mission has always been clear: leverage our strength in both mobility and energy sectors to realize our vision for a hydrogen society.

Hyundai Motor already maintains a strong hydrogen footing in the U.S.

The company engages in the NorCAL ZERO project under which it provides its hydrogen electric vehicles for zero-emission freight transportation to some regions in San Francisco. Last year it provided 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to its U.S. freight transportation business partner.

Such moves are seen as part of the groups key strategy unveiled at this years CES tech trade show when the groups Executive Chair Chung Euisun underscored the company's vision for the hydrogen business, even if it does not generate any immediate and outstanding returns for the company. Chung said that the era of hydrogen-based mobility is for the benefit of the next generation, not the current one.
She died in a humble three-bedroom home in Florida in January, 2000

Hedy Lamarr helped create the tech behind the telephone and wireless internet

Once dubbed the world's most beautiful woman, Hollywood siren and legendary inventor Hedy Lamarr spent her last years in a humble home in Florida.

Despite being one of the most important inventors of the 20th century, she lived her last days in solitude, far from the Hollywood glare, in a three-bedroom home in Casselberry, 20 minutes outside Orlando.

Described as a recluse during her last years, Lamarr died at the age of 85 in January, 2000, never having been fully recognized for her invention that helped change the world.

'Mom visited friends in Florida & just ended up staying there,' Lamarr's daughter Denise Loder-DeLuca told Click Orlando.

It was an unexpecting ending to a woman who defied every expectation of women at the time, helping to create the technology behind the telephone and wireless internet in an effort to help the allies during World War II.

Once dubbed the world's most beautiful woman, Hollywood siren Hedy Lamarr spent her last years in a humble home in Florida

Lamarr, born in Austria, captured Hollywood's attention after she fled her Nazi-sympathizing husband in the early 1930s.

The beauty, who was married six times, emigrated to the United States after a stop in London and went on to star in films with the likes of Spencer Tracy, James Stewart and Clark Gable in what proved to be a glittering career.

But after becoming disillusioned with acting and the roles she was offered, she helped to devise the technology she became most famous for in response to the Nazis' repeated jamming of radio signals being used to guide torpedoes to their targets in WWII.

Along with composer and fellow inventor George Antheil, she created a device that allowed 'frequency hopping', which made the radio transmissions harder to intercept and allowed the missiles to reach their target.

The pair based the system on a piano's 88 keys and submitted a patent for the idea in 1941.

She helped to devise the technology she became most famous for in response to the Nazis' repeated jamming of radio signals being used to guide torpedoes to their targets in WWII

Despite being one of the most important inventors of the 20th century, she lived her last days in solitude, in a three-bedroom home in Casselberry, 20 minutes outside Orlando

The Florida home is a far cry from the Hollywood mansion Lamarr once lived in at 2707 Benedict Canyon Road

A patent was then granted the following year, but the US Navy opted against using the technology in the war.

Instead, Lamarr supported the war effort by using her celebrity to help sell war bonds in her adopted country.

Her technology was later used on US warships during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 - although Lamarr did not receive a penny.

It was decades after Lamarr had arrived in the US for a peace of the American Dream.

Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler to a banker and a pianist in Vienna, Austria in 1914.

She got her start as an actress in her teenage years, debuting in the Czech film Ecstasy at the age of 18 in 1933.

The film was controversial because it portrayed the first female orgasm ever seen in a non-pornographic film.

Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler to a banker and a pianist in Vienna, Austria in 1914

She got her start as an actress in her teenage years, debuting in the Czech film Ecstasy in 1933. The film was controversial because it portrayed the first female orgasm ever seen in a non-pornographic film

It was in 1934 in her native Vienna that she married her first husband, arms manufacturer Fritz Mandl but quickly became disillusioned with the union and fled their home in the middle of the night.

She later claimed in her autobiography that Mandl had struck up close business ties with the Nazis and alleged that Adolf Hitler and Italy's fascist ruler Benito Mussolini attended parties at his home.

After going to London, it was MGM studio chief Louis B.Mayer who she convinced to hand her a lucrative contract - even though she could only speak a small amount of English at this point.

Lamarr then moved to the US and mixed with the likes of future US President John F Kennedy and the aviation millionaire Howard Hughes - who she dated - in Beverley Hills.

He gave her the equipment she needed to run experiments in her trailer and took her to his aeroplane factory, where he showed her how his machines were built.

After seeing his planes, Lamarr sketched a new wing design for them, prompting Hughes to brand her a 'genius'.

Lamarr is credited in a total of 35 films, but the actress was reportedly bored of the roles she was given that were often light on lines and focused on her looks

Her technology was later used on US warships during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 - although Lamarr did not receive a penny

Lamarr is credited in a total of 35 films, but the actress was reportedly bored of the roles she was given that were often light on lines and focused on her looks.

'Any girl can be glamorous,' she once famously said. 'All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.'

Lamarr, who had three children, divorced from her sixth husband in 1965 after just two years with him.

The star died in the year 2000 in Florida after suffering from heart failure.

The 2017 documentary film Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr story re-told the story of the film star's incredible life.
A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a woman who was stabbed near a primary school in Luton yesterday.

Barze Faesal, 30, of no fixed address, was arrested after a woman in her 20s was stabbed multiple times on Dunstable Road at around 8.30am on Tuesday.

She suffered serious injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Faesal appeared at Luton Magistrates' court today and he has been remanded in custody.

He is next due at Luton Crown Court on 24 June.

Police officers stand by a forensic tent on Dunstable Road in Luton, where a woman was seriously injured in a stabbing near a school

Police and forensic officers speak by a tent yesterday morning following a stabbing

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries after she was stabbed outside a primary school. Here is a look at Dunstable Road on a map

Bedfordshire police said: 'Officers will continue with high-visibility patrols in the area for community engagement and reassurance in the wake of the incident.'

Officers kept guard outside a tent covering the scene of the stabbing. A forensic team was also on the site.

All the children were said to be safe in the school, which the force did not name, but officers are set to remain in the area for reassurance.

Women working in the A Family Food Store, just down the road from the scene of the attack, said they had heard a woman had been stabbed and taken to hospital, but were unaware of her condition.

A school spokesperson said: 'Bedfordshire Police is investigating the stabbing of a woman near the school in Dunstable Road.

Another look at the forensic officers on Dunstable Road. The stabbing took place at 8.30am on Tuesday during the school drop-off

All children were put into lockdown for their own safety. Fortunately, they were all safe within the school

'Following the incident, the school was on lockdown for approximately one hour purely as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and staff.

'Parents have been advised of the incident and emotional support is available to all children and staff who may require it.'

The force released a statement that said: 'Bedfordshire Police is investigating the stabbing of a woman near a school in Dunstable Road, Luton shortly after 8.30am this morning.

'The victim has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. One man has been arrested and is currently in police custody.

'All children are safe within the school and there is no wider threat to the public. Police will maintain a strong presence in the area for reassurance. Anyone with information can call the force on 101 quoting the reference 84.'
The former House of Fraser outlet on Oxford Street is to be refurbished, while the controversial flagship M&S store located down the road is due to be flattened.

The iconic Marks & Spencer building was built in 1938 and became a landmark in the world-famous shopping district.

But it has become the centre of controversy after plans were revealed that it is to be flattened and replaced by a nine-story office building and retail space.

Meanwhile, just a mile and a half away, the House of Fraser, built in 1937, is to be refurbished with work projected to be finished by 2025.

The House of Fraser building will include a gym with a swimming pool in the basement and the project is estimated to cost 132million. Pictured, a visualisation of how the finished project will look

Both the House of Fraser and the Marks & Spencer stores were built in the 1930s

Developer Publica Properties is turning the store into a mixed-use scheme.

It will have retail in the basement, ground and first-floor levels with offices above.

The building will include a gym with a swimming pool in the basement and the project is estimated to cost 132million.

The architect is Studio PDP and the structural design is the responsibility of Civic Engineers.

Simon Bennett, associate director at the engineer, told building.co.uk: 'Fundamentally, this is a big, heavy, robust, good-quality building with a useable grid.

Marks & Spencer building was built in 1938 and became a landmark in the world-famous shopping district

In November 2021, Westminister Council granted planning for the redevelopment of two major department stores on London's Oxford Street

'We talked to the client about demolishing and rebuilding it, we talked about facade retention.

'But, because it is a building of merit in a conservation area, complete demolition would probably have been challenging [from the planning perspective].

We talked about a doughnut, where you keep the facade and the first bay of the structure to restrain the facade with a new building in the middle.

'This building has a really good structure, so our conclusion was: why would you demolish it as this is very wasteful?

But not all the structure could be retained as the northwest corner was said to be a 'warren of columns, walls and holes'.

This was cleared out and the existing floors were taken out with a new structure put in.

In November 2021, Westminister Council granted planning for the redevelopment of two major department stores on London's Oxford Street.

The first was M&S, which involved demolishing three interlinked buildings and replacing them with one low mega mixed-use, low-energy scheme.

Meanwhile, the second was for the former House of Fraser which was also a mixed-use scheme but the difference being that most of the building's existing structure and facade would be retained.

M&S took action against the Government in the High Court over its 'unusual' decision to refuse permission. Above: How the M&S proposal could look

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove (pictured) intervened to block the plans, arguing that the building should be refurbished rather than demolished

The M&S proposals became embroiled in one of the most high-profile and significant planning rows in recent years and it still hasn't been fully resolved.

Campaign group SAVE Britain's Herirage argues that Orchard House is part of an ensemble of early five to six-story 20th-century department stores.

They claim that replacing it with one 10-storey mega block would disrupt the urban grain.

The House of Fraser was also built in the 1930s and shares very similar features with its neighbour.

M&S claimed that its store, which consists of three buildings rather than being one giant store like the House of Fraser, was unsuitable for refurbishment.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove intervened to block the plans, arguing that the building should be refurbished rather than demolished.

He also said the demolition would negatively impact nearby heritage assets including the Grade-II-listed Selfridges store directly opposite.

But High Court Judge Mrs Justic Lieven ruled in favour of Marks & Spencer, issuing a damning judgement that the Government misunderstood planning policies and that Mr Gove had tried to 'rewrite' planning policy.

M&S took action against the Government in the High Court over its 'unusual' decision to refuse permission.

Mr Gove said there was no 'compelling justification' for demolition over refurbishment and that flattening the building would cause harm to nearby heritage assets, including the Grade II-listed Selfridges store directly opposite.

But he also acknowledged that it was unclear whether there was a 'viable and deliverable alternative'.
A stepfather called himself 'the monster that hurt that little girl' after a cruel campaign of abuse that killed his stepdaughter.

Chloe Guan-Branch captivated the world on Mother's Day 2015 as her mother Ada Guan gave birth mid-flight while claiming to not even know she was pregnant.

But the famous child died just five years later after enduring more than a year of torment from her stepfather Justin Cassie-Berube, who was found guilty in March of manslaughter over the girl's death in 2020.

The abuse included head injuries, cuts across her body, and a ruptured bladder that forensic pathologists ruled contributed to her death.

Chloe Guan-Branch, who made headlines when she was born during an international flight in 2015, tragically passed away in May 2020 after enduring years of torment at the hands of her stepfather

Chloe's mother Ada Guan stunned the world when she gave birth in 2015 mid-flight while claiming to not even know she was pregnant

Cassie-Berube admitted to much of the abuse at trial, and told police in his first interview he often blacked out while drinking, according to the Toronto Sun.

He also told them he needed help if he was 'the monster that hurt a little girl... because I'm the one that caused everything that's happening right now'.

According to a judge's summary of his trial, Cassie-Berube would often threaten to commit suicide if Guan left him, while repeatedly inflicting beatings on Chloe at home.

A neighbor testified that he tried to explain away Chloe's injuries with excuses like she fell off her bed, as the neighbor recalled several incidents, including one around Christmas 2019 when she saw the girl's face was 'shocking, bruised and banged up'.

In text messages reported by the Toronto Sun, Guan would complain over the injuries to the stepfather, but appeared most concerned with them being noticed.

'I just don't wanna see her face all bruised and f**ked up no more. I don't wanna go out and have to cover her face up just cause there's marks on it. That's suspicious.'

He responded: 'OK. I'm sorry I understand what u mean, u do have every right to yell and get mad. I'm sorry for what I did.'

The sickening ordeal continued until Chloe's fifth birthday, when she suffered a ruptured bladder.

Justin Cassie-Berube, pictured embracing Chloe, was found guilty of manslaughter, assault, criminal negligence and failing to provide the necessities of life in March, and carried out a sickening campaign of abuse on the child

Chloe's father (pictured left cradling the girl following the mid-air birth) split up with Ada Guan (right, also following the birth) around a year after Chloe's birth and his family said they became estranged

Cassie-Berube, who admitted to much of the abuse, claimed that the injury came as the girl fell onto her bed railing and was not the result of a punch.

The horror case had been shielded from public view until the conclusion of Cassie-Berube's manslaughter trial, as a publication ban was lifted by a court challenge from several Canadian outlets.

Following Chloe's birth on board an Air Canada flight, cameras from across the world had received news of the mid-flight arrival and were waiting as her father Wesley Branch carried the newborn onto the runway.

Wesley and her mother Ada Guan told of their shock at the happy news, with Wesley telling reporters upon landing that he 'couldn't image this just happened, completely unexpectedly.'

Notably, the new parents also quickly turned off supporters as they launched a GoFundMe seeking $50,000 because Guan worked part-time and Branch was unemployed, and Branch compared raising a baby to raising a cat.

Cassie-Berube told investigators that he would blackout drinking, and admitted he needed help if he was 'the monster that hurt a little girl'

The young girl's life got off to a rocky start as Chloe was taken from her parents' care by the Children's Aid Society within a few months, and was only returned to Guan at the age of three.

Chloe's parents also split around a year after she was born, and her paternal grandparents said they lost contact with Chloe's mother's side of the family following the breakup.

Guan moved with her daughter to Alberta, Canada, and met Cassie-Berube online, before moving with him to Ottawa in February 2019.

The Branch family said their estrangement extended up to the point that Chloe died, as they didn't even know the girl was in Ottawa until police contacted them to inform them of the tragedy.

'We were hoping one day we could meet her. We thought we'd reminisce about the day she was born on a plane to Japan,' they wrote in a victim impact statement ahead of Cassie-Berube's sentencing.

At Cassie-Berube's trial, Guan testified against him as she said he would often erupt in fits of anger and use little Chloe as a 'punching bag', a dynamic that only worsened as the trio were left alone during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She also testified that Cassie-Berube 'grabbed her and tossed her around, spanked her, put soap in her mouth, smacked her lips and face, threw her on the bed, squeezed her ankles, grabbed her forearm, yanked her forward, and hit her on top of the head with a wooden spoon.'

The release of a court order revealed sickening details of the abuse inflicted on Chloe

Chloe was found in a soiled bed after complaining of agonizing stomach pain for days, and police said she had a 'shocking' number of injuries when she was found.

A forensic pathologist ruled that the ruptured bladder was a result of blunt impact abdominal trauma to a full bladder, which left her with painful symptoms including a hard stomach, vomiting, lacking appetite, and in 'imperative' need of medical care.

Her other injuries included a laceration and serious head injury caused by blunt force, rib fractures, and a slew of bruises across her arms, abdomen and legs.

Investigators added that they also found 'possible cigarette burn marks on her left lower hip area.'

Guan testified that despite the injuries, she was stopped from taking Chloe to the hospital because Cassie-Berube threatened her that the bruises 'would raise a lot of questions.'

Chloe's cause of death was listed as acute uremia, a fatal condition caused by waste entering the bloodstream.

At trial, Cassie-Berube was found guilty of all six counts he faced, listed as manslaughter, assault, criminal negligence and failing to provide the necessities of life to the five-year-old girl.

The stepfather is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24.
Long-term Colorado homeowners have been left enraged after utility boxes for broadband were installed in their front yards, without their permission.

Residents of Kipling Villas in Jefferson County were caught by surprise when they saw several people digging up their yards and installing utility boxes for BAM Broadband, formerly known as DirectLink, into the holes in the ground.

Michael Clarkson, who bought his parents house in the area in 1976, described the entire process as 'very violating.'

'We can't get our county, who's usually really responsive, to act on this,' he told ABC7.

Residents of Kipling Villas in Jefferson County were caught by surprise when they saw several people digging up their yards and setting up utility boxes for BAM Broadband, formerly known as DirectLink

Michael Clarkson (pictured), who bought his parents house in the area in 1976, described the entire process as 'very violating'

But officials argue that the residents had been informed of the setup and said there was a permit between the county and company that allowed the installation.

In February, the Kipling Villas Home Owners Association published its monthly newsletter that read: 'Why is there a box in my yard? About every other house will have an access box in their yard. This box is necessary to access and bring fiber internet to your home.'

The Jefferson County's website also reads: 'As a Jefferson County resident, you may be wondering why crews are installing fiber in your area.

'The Colorado General Assembly has deemed the regulation of broadband a matter of statewide concern and limited the ability of local governments to regulate the location of broadband in the local rights-of-way.

Clarkson later said that after weeks of complaining, the box in his yard has been removed but others remain

'Under this legislation, broadband providers are provided the authority to locate in public rights-of-way.'

But residents do not believe that their yards disrupted by the installations constitute as 'rights-of-way.'

One resident told the channel, 'For me, this is as much about liability as much as is about our community as a whole.

'Because here's the thing, one company comes and does this, and it's OK. Five, six, more will follow.'

Clarkson later said that after weeks of complaining, the box in his yard has been removed but others remain.

BAM Broadband has yet not commented on the complaints.
Developers argue the land is suitable and they were not informed of zoning rules

A proposed rock quarry in the town of Greenback, Tennessee has caused a feud between the town and developers.

The town of Greenback and the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission are locked in a legal battle with M&M Stone Farms and Tri-County Crushed Stone, companies set their sights on a 236-acre plot along Hutton Road in March 2023 to establish a limestone quarry.

The biggest issue is zoning. The town of Greenback maintains that the property falls under a M1 light industrial designation, prohibiting mining activities like quarrying.

M&M and Tri-County, led by president Rodney Murphey, however, argue they were never informed of this zoning and believe the land is suitable for a quarry. They also claim that the property they want to use is close to a property owned by the town's mayor.

Both companies claim the town failed to provide them with 'constitutionally required notice and an opportunity to be heard' when the zoning was implemented.

A rock quarry proposal in Greenback, Tennessee has sparked a legal dispute

Joy LaForce (pictured), a local resident, said the construction is already impacting her home

In an email to local NBC affiliate WBIR, Murphy shared the following statement.

'It is really disappointing that the Mayor didn't even tell me about the zoning after I had been generous enough to come to a Town meeting at his request to explain my plans for the quarry. You would have thought he would have the common decency at least to tell me about the meeting. But I guess we'll have to let a judge settle it now.'

Neighbors, upset over the possible quarry, have come together to raise awareness to the project. Joy LaForce, a local resident, said the construction is already impacting her home.

'They're ruining our peacefulness that we used to have here in Greenback,' LaForce, told WBIR.

'Can you imagine laying by a pool listening to that in your retirement?'

Another neighbor - Stacy Oneil - said, 'I don't want to see Greenback destroyed and I feel that if we don't have people behind us, that's what we're gonna see.'

The countersuit filed in May 2024 by M&M and Tri-County details their efforts to be transparent with the community and seeks to have the ordinance declared null and void

To save face, Murphy attended a town meeting in April 2023 and assured residents of their intention to operate within all regulations.

Additionally, the countersuit points out the property had existed for 25 years within Greenback's limits without facing zoning restrictions.

However, public opposition to the quarry arose, prompting the town to initiate a rezoning process in December 2023.

M&M and Tri-County allege they were completely unaware of this process and never received official notification. The countersuit claims the town also failed to notify the public of the rezoning's approval.

The companies argue they were unaware of the zoning and are suing to allow the quarry

Greenback is countersuing to block development, claiming the zoning protects the town. The court will decide the future of the project.

The lawsuit from Greenback seeks to prevent the companies from moving forward with the quarry, while M&M and Tri-County's countersuit demands permission for both agricultural and quarrying uses on the property.

They also want to prevent the town from interfering with their development plans.

The upcoming court battle will determine the fate of the quarry and its potential impact on the future of the town.

A website dedicated to the opposition of the quarry lays out all of the reasons residents should be upset over the quarry, notably air pollution, traffic disruption, water contamination, and a threat to groundwater.
'Dark Brandon' wants someone to help him go viral. And he is willing to pay for it.

A new online posting by the Biden campaigns lists an opening for 'Partner Manager, Content and Meme Pages.'

The role will involve pushing out memes and talks with on-line bigs that can help Biden break through with stories that boost his image or tear down Donald Trump's online.

That, in turn, can help make up for negative memes that can go viral, such as when he stumbles while boarding Air Force One or has trouble immediately locating the exit after a speech.

The position doesn't list a salary, although the applicant must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and be willing to move to Wilmington, Delaware.

Responsibilities include cultivating and managing 'relationships with top digital media companies, podcasters, and meme pages across a number of social media platforms.'

The person would work independently and 'land engagement opportunities' while knowing how to make a deal.

Seeking mems: President Joe Biden's campaign is hiring a 'Partner Manager, Content and Meme Pages' official. Biden's team strives to break through to get 'earned media' with pithy moments that break through the dense media environment

'Experience in contract negotiation is a plus, but not required,' according to the posting.

Biden, 81, is struggling in the polls against predecessor Donald Trump, 77, and is down in many of the key swing states according to recent polling.

Even as the president himself has stumbled through speeches  the White House issued nine corrections for a single recent fundraising speech  his online presence has often ribbed Trump and talked up the economy and near record low unemployment, sometimes trying to keep the tone light.

So whereas the real Biden might mistakenly identify a hostage as being in the audience at a Jewish American heritage month event, botch the name of the NAACP, or inaccurately call himself the first person in his family to go to college, the online Biden is always ready with a zinger.

One recent video that helped line up a TV debate with Trump mocked his court schedule. 'I hear you're free on Wednesdays,' Biden deadpanned.

Biden got 1.3 million 'likes' when he posted on his Instagram an image blowing out the candles on his 81st birthday.

This one caught fire: More than a million people 'liked' Biden's 81st birthday missive that joked about his age

'Experience in contract negotiation is a plus, but not required,' according to the posting .

'Thanks for the birthday well-wishes today, everyone. Turns out on your 146th birthday, you run out of space for candles!'

Biden loyalists have also adopted the 'Dark Brandon' meme, a turnaround on the original anti-Biden jeers of 'Let's go Brandon.' His team used it to mock a conspiracy theory that the Kansas City Chiefs were engineered to win the Super Bowl as a way to get a boost form Taylor Swift.

'Just like we drew it up,' according to the post. The Washington Times first reported the job notice.
A high flying sales executive has won 90,000 after he was sacked because his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

David Graham was forced out of his top role at Gravity Supply Chain Solutions by boss Graham Parker shortly before his dying spouse Jules passed away, an employment tribunal heard.

Mr Parker said Mr Graham's wife's cancer diagnosis was 'not ideal' for their business and had quietly hatched a plan to remove him, it was heard.

Mr Graham, who now works for authentication firm Authentix, according to his Linkedin, survived on only four hours sleep a night as he worked around the clock and looked after his gravely ill wife but eventually suffered a breakdown.

Just weeks after being signed off work to look after his wife in her final days, Mr Graham was told he was being demoted and given an ultimatum about his career, before being sacked.

A tribunal ruled Mrs Graham's cancer diagnosis was a 'material and significant reason' for Mr Parker's actions as he was more concerned about the impact her deterioration would have on his business.

David Graham (pictured) was forced out of his top role at Gravity Supply Chain Solutions

Graham Parker (pictured) told his employee to either accept the demotion or lose his job

Mr Graham has now been awarded 89,861 in compensation after the sales executive successfully sued CEO Mr Parker and his supplies and logistics company.

Mr Graham, who was on a salary of 132,000, won claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination against the software development firm and Mr Parker, 56.

The tribunal in Nottingham heard married father of one Mr Graham was based in Hong Kong in January 2019 when his wife was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Mr Graham had been due to relocate to the USA for work but Mr Parker suggested he return to the UK for his wife's treatment.

A tribunal report said: 'However, whilst Mr Parker was clearly prepared for Mr Graham to relocate to the UK, it did come at a price.

'Although the move was on the face of it supportive, we find the implications to the business remained uppermost in Mr Parker's decision making about Mr Graham.

'It is that which we find sowed a seed of dissatisfaction in Mr Parker's mind, based on his own assumptions about what Mrs Graham's deteriorating disability would mean to Mr Graham and the business over time..'

It was heard due to the international nature of their work, Mr Graham began his day at 6am, dealt with his son and school and then began work.

Due to time zone differences, he worked throughout the day and attended remote board meetings fixed for Singapore time at 11pm until 2am.

Boss Graham Parker (pictured) said Mr Graham's wife's cancer diagnosis was 'not ideal' for their business

Mr Graham won claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination plus unauthorised deduction from wages and accrued but untaken holiday pay

'Committed' Mr Graham survived on four hours sleep and despite Mrs Graham's chemotherapy becoming more and more gruelling he still worked to a high standard.

However, in the summer of 2021 Mrs Graham's health deteriorated further and while on a family trip to Wales he had a 'breakdown'.

He sent a WhatsApp to Mr Parker saying he wants to continue to work but 'I've given everything I can possibly give over these nearly six years and I'm not sure I'm physically able to give anymore of myself without making myself more ill than I feel right now'.

He was placed on sick leave but Mr Parker carried out his plan to fire Mr Graham.

The report said: 'Rather than supporting Mr Graham, we find Mr Parker executed what had been a long-held plan to fundamentally change the sales structure.

'That included recruiting to a new role of chief commercial officer. That post was something that Mr Graham had been advocating for.

'However, instead of it being an additional post, as Mr Graham had advocated, it was in effect instead of him.'

In September 2021, a month into his sick leave, his wife was in hospital having treatment and Mr Graham sat in his car in the car park and dialled into a Zoom meeting Mr Parker asked him to attend.

In the meeting, Mr Graham was told about the changes, was told he was being demoted, was having his pay decreased by 35 per cent, and was told he was being put on statutory sick pay despite having 120 days of sick pay available.

Over the following weeks Mr Graham 'stood his ground' but the relationship soured.

During meetings, Mr Graham said: 'You can understand my shock and my dismay, and my disappointment in how I felt I was being treated after nearly six years of giving everything.

'What I'm going to struggle with, and I'm sure you would, too, is I really don't feel supported. So... at my lowest of what's going, what's happening here - and you know this, and you've been through this before in your own family life - at the one point when I've really needed support, it's not been there.

'And that's the thing that hurts the most, really not feeling like I'm supported.

'And I know it's a business and you have to run a business, but when you employ people, and when you put a contract in place, there's a responsibility to look after the wellbeing of those people, regardless. That's your responsibility, as an employer.'

Mr Graham was told to either accept the demotion or lose his job.

In December 2021 he was fired and told it was because he 'breached the mutual term of trust and confidence' and that his job was redundant.

Mrs Graham sadly passed away in April 2022.

At the tribunal, Employment Judge Robert Clark ruled the demotion was 'unescapably directly linked to Mrs Graham's cancer and the perception Mr Parker had of Mr Graham's ability to do the job he wanted doing'.

Judge Clark added: 'From that we infer that from the moment Mr Graham and his family returned to the UK, Mr Parker's knowledge of Mrs Graham's terminal cancer was increasingly operating on his beliefs, perceptions and concerns as to what the inevitable deterioration in her health would mean to the business.

'That is not to say some of the thought process did not include some benign consideration of Mr and Mrs Graham's circumstances.

'We accept he seems to have suggested the return to the UK driven entirely by Mrs Graham's diagnosis, but it is also a change that he himself described as not being 'ideal' for the business.

'That is where the seed of concern was sown.

'The further inevitable deterioration in her condition at some future point would inevitably lead to further demands on Mr Graham which would be in conflict with what Mr Parker expected from him, the growth plans and what it might cost the business.

The fact that Mr Graham was vulnerable, and the fact that he may reasonably have anticipated support from his employer, as he highlighted at the time, adds to the relative measure of his injury and we are satisfied makes it more serious.'

Mr Graham won claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination plus unauthorised deduction from wages and accrued but untaken holiday pay.

Mr Graham, who has a new job, lost claims of victimisation, breach of contract, and unauthorised deduction of wages.

MailOnline has contacted Graham Parker for comment.
A Sky News journalist was 'forcibly removed' from Rishi Sunak's campaign launch event on live television.

Political correspondent Darren McCaffrey was removed from the campaign rally at London's ExCel Centre by two security guards in red hi-vis jackets.

The journalist and his camera crew were led down a corridor and bundled into an elevator, even though their bags were still in the room where the event was being held.

Mr McCaffrey remained calm during the ordeal and said: 'I am being forcibly removed.

'We just simply wanted to have access tonight at Sky News but unfortunately we were told that because there are pool arrangements in place we are not allowed to be here.'

A Sky News journalist was 'forcibly removed' from Rishi Sunak 's campaign launch event on live television

Darren McCaffrey was escorted from London's ExCel Centre

The journalist continued: 'What we are trying to film is the campaign event where the Prime Minister is due to speak in the next couple of minutes.

'It's not entirely clear why we don't have access to it.'

Another angle shows the journalist being pushed out of the room by security before a staff member closes the door behind him.

Members of the media gathered at the ExCel Centre just hours after Rishi Sunak announced in a rain-soaked speech in Downing Street that a general election would take place on July 4.

At a rally with party loyalists, the Prime Minister was introduced by Home Secretary James Cleverley.

Mr Sunak said: 'We have shown the country that it is only this Conservative Party that can deliver the economic stability, the foundation of our national success.'

He added: 'Let's show Labour that the British people will never be taken for granted.'

But as the Prime Minister launched his campaign, the evicted Sky News journalist was filmed walking alongside Royal Victoria Dock with a security guard following closely behind him.

The journalist (pictured) and his camera crew were led down a corridor and bundled into an elevator, even though their bags were still in the room where the event was being held

The journalist was removed from the campaign rally at London 's ExCel Centre by security guards in red hi-vis jackets

Another angle shows the journalist being pushed out of the room by security before a staff member closes the door behind him

'I am now not just being forced to be ejected from the room but also from the entire site altogether,' Mr McCaffrey said.

Sophy Ridge, a presenter at Sky News, joked: 'Darren, I have to say I am really enjoying the fact that you are being escorted by a security guard I can see behind you - just to make sure you don't try and scramble back into the venue.'

MailOnline has approached Rishi Sunak's office for comment.
Several properties used by a Mississippi district attorney have been raided by the FBI.

Democratic Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens' office was raided on Wednesday, as was the Downtown Cigar Company, a tobacco shop and lounge he owns in Jackson, per Idaho News.

The reason behind the searches has not been revealed by officials.

FBI spokesman Marshay Lawson said in a statement: 'The FBI is executing federal search warrants at the multiple locations.

'The affidavit in support of the search warrants has been sealed by the court and so I am prohibited from commenting further. There is no threat to public safety,'

Democratic Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owen's office was raided on Wednesday

The Hinds County District Attorneys Office said in its own statement that it was fully cooperating with the probe.

The office added it is 'fully functioning and continues its work on behalf of the citizens of Hinds County.

'That has been and will continue to be our primary focus.'

Owens was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.

In 2022, he was accused of threatening a man with a gun inside his chief of staff Samantha Grant,'s apartment.

Owens was accused of having a relationship with Grant.

The Downtown Cigar Company, a tobacco shop and lounge Owen owns in Jackson, was also searched

He has denied all allegations.

The George-Soros funded prosecutor ran on a platform that promised alternatives to incarceration.

He oversaw a record-high number of murders in Jackson in 2021, as reported by CNN.
The United Nations suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation caused by Israels expanding military operation. The U.N. warned that humanitarian operations across the territory were nearing collapse.

A senior United States official said Israel has addressed many of the Biden administration's concerns about a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters there. U.S. President Joe Biden had previously opposed a total military assault on a city filled with displaced civilians if plans did not prioritize the safety of innocent Palestinians. The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli invasion plan, but said Israeli officials changes to the planning suggested they were taking the American administrations concerns seriously.

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Rafah in a chaotic exodus, seeking shelter in new tent camps or crowding into areas already devastated by previous Israeli offensives. Some 400,000 people are believed to still be in Rafah after around 900,000 rushed to escape, according to COGAT, the Israeli military office in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs.

Getting aid to displaced civilians has been hampered by closed and chaotic land crossings, as well as problems plaguing the U.S. militarys new floating pier meant to provide an alternative sea route for aid into Gaza. Over the weekend, hungry Palestinians took aid from a U.N. vehicle convoy coming from the pier, and the U.N. said since then it had been unable to receive trucks there.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington that for the past few days, forward movement of aid from the pier was paused but it resumed Tuesday. There was no confirmation from the U.N.

The U.N.'s World Food Program said it was running out of food for central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are now living.

Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, said Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson. If food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread, she said.

The warning came as Israel seeks to contain the international fallout from a request at the worlds top war crimes court for arrest warrants targeting both Israeli and Hamas leaders. The move garnered support from three European countries, including Israel's key ally France.

Use of starvation as a method of warfare was among the accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court  charges they and other Israeli officials angrily deny. The prosecutor accused three Hamas leaders of war crimes over killings of civilians in the group's Oct. 7 attack.

The U.N. says some 1.1 million people in Gaza  nearly half the population  face catastrophic levels of hunger and that the territory is on the brink of famine. Throughout the war, Rafah has been filled with scenes of hungry children holding out pots and plastic containers at makeshift soup kitchens, with many families reduced to eating only one meal a day.

The humanitarian crisis deepened after Israeli forces pushed into Rafah on May 6. Tanks and troops seized the vital Rafah crossing into Egypt, and it's been closed ever since. After May 10, only about three dozen trucks made it into Gaza via the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel because fighting made it dangerous for aid workers to reach it, the U.N. says.

Israel insists it puts no restriction on the number of trucks entering Gaza. COGAT said 450 trucks entered Tuesday from its side to Kerem Shalom and a small crossing in northern Gaza. It said more than 650 trucks are waiting on the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom to be retrieved, blaming lack of logistical capabilities and manpower gaps among aid groups.

For months, the U.N. has warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah could wreck the effort to get food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians across Gaza.

Asked about the ramifications of suspending aid, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said simply: People dont eat.

Etefa said the WFP was still passing out hot meals and limited distributions of reduced food packages in central Gaza, but food parcel stocks will run out within days, she said.

The U.S. touted the $320 million pier project as a route for accelerated deliveries. The first 10 trucks rolled off a ship onto the pier on Friday and were taken to a WFP warehouse. However, a second convoy on Saturday was met by Palestinian crowds who removed all the food from 11 trucks, and only five truckloads made it to the warehouse, Etefa said.

No further deliveries came from the pier Sunday or Monday, Etefa said.

The responsibility of ensuring aid reaches those in need does not end at the crossings and other points of entry into Gaza  it extends throughout Gaza itself, she said.

At the same time, battles have escalated in northern Gaza as Israeli troops conduct operations against Hamas fighters, who the military says regrouped in areas already captured in offensives months ago.

One of the main hospitals still operating in the north, Kamal Adwan, was forced to evacuate after it was targeted by Israeli troops, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Around 150 staff and dozens of patients fled the facility, including intensive care patients and infants in incubators under fire from shelling, it said. The Israeli military did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The nearby Awda hospital has been surrounded by troops the past three days, and an artillery shell hit its fifth floor, the hospital administration said Tuesday. A day earlier, the international medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said Awda had run out of drinking water.

The war between began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostage. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan accused Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh of crimes against humanity, including extermination, murder and sexual violence.

Israel responded to the Oct. 7 with an offensive that has laid waste to Gaza and killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between noncombatants and fighters in its count.

Monday's call by Khan for arrest warrants deepens Israels global isolation at a time when it is facing growing criticism from even its closest allies over the war. France, Belgium, and Slovenia each said they backed Khan's decision.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz headed to France on Tuesday in response, urging it to declare loud and clear that the request for warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant "is unacceptable to you and to the French government.

His meetings there could set the tone for how countries navigate the warrants  if they are eventually issued  and whether they could pose a threat to Israeli leaders. A panel of three ICC judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed. The judges typically take two months to make such decisions.

Israel still has the support of its top ally, the United States, as well as other Western countries that spoke out against the decision. But if the warrants are issued, they could complicate international travel for Netanyahu and his defense minister, even if they do not face any immediate risk of prosecution because Israel itself is not a member of the court. (AP)
The legal troubles plaguing President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden are about heat up as his tax trial was moved to September, with an outcome expected immediately before the election.

A federal judge in California agreed to delay Hunter's trial on federal tax crimes until September 5. He was scheduled to face a jury at the end of June.

His separate trial in Delaware on gun charges is still on track to begin June 3.

The timeline puts his charges for illegally obtaining a gun and tax evasion center stage as the 2024 presidential election season for his father intensifies.

It is the latest courtroom activity that could hold weight in the 2024 presidential election as presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is also spending a significant amount of time in court and the possibility of more criminal trials this year.

President Biden with his son Hunter Biden arriving in Syracuse, NY on February 4, 2023

Hunter Biden is charged in Delaware with three charges related to illegal possession of a gun. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected throwing out the federal gun case against the president's son, 54, clearing the way for the trial to start June 3.

It's expected the trial will last up to nine days.

If convicted in the tax evasion case, Biden faces a maximum of 17 years in prison.

The timeline means if convicted at either trial, the president's son could face prison as his father runs for a second term in the White House.

Biden aides and family members are worried about the weight the trial will place on the president according to reporting by POLITICO.

It also said the president has expressed fear that his son may serve prison time.

President Biden hugs his sone Hunter after they leave a restaurant on Hunter's Birthday in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024

A picture from Hunter Biden's laptop showed the now 53-year-old first son posing nude with a firearm

Hunter Biden is charged in Delaware with three counts in the gun related case. He is accused of lying about his drug use in October 2018 on a form to buy a gun that he kept for about 11 days.

Special Counsel David Weiss brought the gun charges in September, when Biden became the first child of a sitting president to be indicted.

Hunter Biden has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine during that time, but his lawyers argued he did not break the law.

A federal appeals court last week also said the case could move forward to trial.

Hunter Biden's efforts to have the other criminal case he faces in California involving tax allegations scrapped have also failed.

The investigation into the president's son looked like it would be wrapped up last year with a plea deal, which would have resulted in two years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges.

But the agreement fell apart after the judge expected to approve the deal instead raised further questions.

In January, Biden instead pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges.

A court sketch of Hunter Biden alongside his lawyer Abbe Lowell in federal court on January 11, 2024. The president's son pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges filed after a plea deal imploded

Biden is charged with nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses.

Federal prosecutors accuse the younger Biden of a four-year scheme to skip out on paying $1.4 million in taxes he owed the IRS between 2016 and 2019 and instead spending the money on his extravagant lifestyle including drugs and alcohol.

Republicans including Donald Trump criticized the original plea deal which fell apart as a 'sweetheart deal.'

Hunter Biden's lawyers have slammed the deal's implosion, claiming Congressional interference and accusing special counsel of bowing to political pressure.

Under the initial plea deal, Hunter Biden would have also avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble.

Close friend of Hunter Biden, Kevin Morris, left, is said to be 'tapped out' of cash after financially supporting his legal battles over the last four and a half years to the tune of $6m. Hunter's lead defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, seen right, doesn't come cheap

Hunter's lead defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, seen right, charges between $855 and $1,500 an hour for his services

Ahead of the looming trials, Hunter Biden's 'sugar brother' Kevin Morris, 61, is reportedly tapped out of cash after financially supporting Biden's legal battles over the last four and a half years.

Morris decided to step in after believing Hunter had little support, loaning him more than $6.5 million.

But Morris has since confirmed he is no longer going to continue to lend money to the first son to fight his legal battles.

Hunter Biden's troubles are not a new headache for the president. He was attacked mercilessly during the 2020 campaign by Trump over his son's business dealings and drug addiction.

The president's son has acknowledged struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine during that period in 2018, but his lawyers have said he didn't break the law

Then-candidate Biden faced attacks over his son Hunter during the 2020 campaign. During the debate he addressed his son's past drug addiction head on saying 'he's working on it, and I'm proud of him.'

During a standout moment the first presidential debate in 2020 Biden shot back about his son's drug problem 'he's fixed it, he's working on it, and I'm proud of him.'

But it is a new reality the president's son could face prison this year as the president seeks a second term in the White House.

While a president's children and other family members have posed a series of challenges for them throughout history, prison time for a sitting president's child during a campaign is unprecedented.

Meanwhile, Trump has also faced legal challenges this election season that have forced him to spend the better part of the last two months in a courtroom rather than on the campaign trail.

Donald Trump in the Manhattan criminal court for his hush money trial on May 14

New York prosecutors could rest their case in the hush money trial next week. And jury deliberations could begin as soon as next week as the ex-president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Prosecutors accuse him of attempting to cover up the payment to a porn star.

He also faces charges in Georgia, Florida and Washington, DC for election interference and mishandling classified documents after leaving office.

Trial dates for those cases have not yet been set and could be put off indefinitely as Trump mounts his presidential bid.
It's almost enough to make you feel sorry for John Swinney. He might have rushed heroically to pull the SNP out of the frying pan but now he faces the fire of a General Election.

And with the Scottish Nationalists popularity plummeting, the First Minister faces a bruising campaign followed by a humiliating result.

When Humza Yousaf resigned little more than two weeks ago, Mr Swinney was persuaded to change his decision to wind down his political career. The SNP was in a crisis of increasing magnitude, with once loyal supporters abandoning the party, and  as far as senior MSPs were concerned  only one man could fix what had gone so wrong.

This morning, Mr Swinney may regret answering the call of his colleagues.

Euan McColm believes John Swinneys first major milestone as leader looks likely to be humiliation in an election

The First Minister  whose first spell as party leader between 2000-04 was punctuated by shockingly bad election results  inherited from Mr Yousaf a party hopelessly split on independence strategy and divided on policy priorities.

A public backlash against the SNPs agenda  from utterly inept attempts to reform the Gender Recognition Act to the introduction of a hate crime law that clashes with the right to free speech  only added to the seventh First Ministers burden.

Not so very long ago, any new political opinion poll in Scotland would have been expected to confirm the SNPs dominance.

But the days when the Nationalists could put forward an imbecile (see much of the intake from 2011 onwards) as a candidate and take victory for granted are gone. Now, pollster YouGov reports a ten-point lead over the SNP for Scottish Labour.

This alone would be worrying enough for the Nationalists but, as politicians so often insist (usually incorrectly), context is important. Labour is not just ten points ahead but the momentum is with it. Just weeks ago, YouGov had Labour only two points ahead. The SNP is on course to lose more than 20 of its MPs.

The hope among SNP politicians was that Mr Swinney would turn around their fortunes, heading off electoral defeat. But it would appear there has been no Swinney bounce for Scotlands current party of government.

Its hardly surprising, is it? For almost two decades, the SNP has taken the right to power for granted. Victory in the 2007 Holyrood election saw the party transform into everything it had once stood against.

We have watched as the SNP has abandoned promise after promise and grown ever more complacent. We have heard the repeated and dangerously divisive demands for a second independence referendum that the majority of Scots do not want.

And we have witnessed the devastation of vital public services by a party so obsessed with the constitutional argument that it rarely gives the impression of even caring about actual priorities of voters.

Once, Nicola Sturgeon toured the nation, feted by her fawning nationalist supporters as a heroic leader who could do no wrong. Mr Swinney will campaign across towns and cities full of people utterly disillusioned by the actions of his party.

Those in favour of the Union have been bitten far too many times to believe Nationalist lies about a vote for the SNP being a vote for good government.

Meanwhile, many Scottish Nationalists  quite understandably  wonder what the point of sticking with the SNP is.

Independence supporters have been served just as badly as Unionists by the party, which has misled them again and again about the prospects of a second referendum.

One veteran strategist said: The party used to be so good at taking the pulse of the country. In 2007, people thought we were so much more in tune with them than Labour were and the best of it was that we actually were. You look at it now and the pendulums swinging away again. Enough people are starting to think we dont care about them that its a big problem.

Another matter damaging the SNP brand is the ongoing police investigation  Operation Branchform  into the partys finances. That probe has already seen Nicola Sturgeons husband Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, charged.

In a recent interview, Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said a final report would be handed to prosecutors within weeks. The SNP faces the prospect of that investigation making fresh headlines during the election campaign.

That is, as one SNP politician put it, far from ideal.

Theres something else now worrying smarter Nationalist politicians. Simply, they do not think their party is ready  either financially or in terms of canvassing power  for a major campaign.

Twenty years ago, former election candidate Gordon Guthrie was responsible for introducing a new computerised voter ID system called Activate. This allowed the Nationalists to overtake Labour in terms of intelligence on voters.

While the SNP was able to focus clearly on persuadable voters, the partys opponents were engaged in costly random ring rounds.

But times have changed and the SNP machine no longer outstrips Labours or the Conservatives.

One veteran strategist said: We used to have the best canvassing operation anywhere. We knew where our voters were and we knew where the voters we might get onside were. That was a major part of winning in 2007 and 2011.

But now were way behind Labour when it comes to contact with voters. Nobodys updated Activate. It used to be cutting edge but now the other side have better systems.

And who is to blame for this state of affairs?

That strategist is in no doubt. Peter Murrell filled party headquarters with all these kids doing stuff online  and nobody had a clue what they do, by the way  and meanwhile were not doing proper phone canvassing because the party hasnt got the money to buy proper voter data. Were just not in good shape for a campaign, particularly not one where were on the defensive.

It is impossible to overestimate just how damaging severe General Election losses would be to the SNP. The false narrative that Scotland is on an unstoppable march towards independence would shatter into a billion tiny pieces.

And a change of government at Westminster, with Labours Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, would mean an end to the SNPs tired mantra that only independence can free Scotland from the Conservatives.

During Prime Ministers Questions yesterday, just hours before Mr Sunak announced the General Election date of July 4, the SNPs Westminster leader Stephen Flynn goaded him about going to the country. Would he name the date or was he feart?

Later, Mr Swinney reacted to the election news with a statement declaring: This is the moment to remove the Tory Govt and put Scotland First by voting SNP.

But for all the bullishness of Messrs Flynn and Swinney, they know they face the toughest campaign of their political lives. And they know their party is not fit for the fight ahead.

John Swinney returned to the helm of the SNP in order to steady a sinking ship. Now his first major milestone as leader looks likely to be humiliation in an election.

Itll be just like old times for our First Minister.
John Swinney is staring down the barrel of heavy losses as voters hit the polls less than two months after he became First Minister.

Pro-Union parties believe they can inflict major defeats on the SNP in seats across the country as the party continues to be mired in scandal and crisis.

Campaigners are also preparing tactical voting drives to explain to voters how they can help oust Nationalist MPs when they go to the polls on July 4  a date that clashes with the start of most school holidays in Scotland.

A young pupil appears less than impressed during a visit from John Swinney to Capshard Primary School in Kirkcaldy

Labour is on course for major gains in Scotland, while the SNP could plunge to as few as 11 seats, according to recent polling.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats also believe they can win seats from the Nationalists with heavily targeted campaigns.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: This election in Scotland is a huge opportunity to defeat the SNP and put an end to their obsession with independence for good.

If voters unite in the many seats where its a straight fight between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP, we can get rid of Nationalist MPs who have never focused on the things that really matter.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: The people of Scotland and the UK are desperate for an election and desperate for change.

A YouGov poll this week put Labour on 39 per cent of the vote for the General Election, which was five percentage points higher than last month.

The SNP fell four points to 29 per cent, while the Tories dropped two to 12 per cent, the Lib Dems were unchanged on 8 per cent and the Greens were up three points at 7 per cent.

According to polling expert Sir John Curtice, the result would mean the SNP would plunge from the 48 seats it won at the 2019 General Election to only 11. Labour would soar from one to 35, while the Tories would be unchanged on six and the Lib Dems would rise by one to four.

Sir John, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, told BBC Radio Scotlands Drivetime: Of all the political parties, the party that is most unhappy  apart from perhaps some Conservative MPs who didnt want to retire until the autumn  will be the SNP.

Rather than John Swinney having the autumn to perhaps try to turn things around and to try to narrow and maybe get back into the lead over Labour at least in terms of votes, the party now needs to fight a difficult election in which its position as the third party inside the House of Commons could well be at risk.

Results from latest YouGov polls showing a slump in general election voting intentions

The Scottish Tories believe that they are best placed to challenge the SNP in 12 key seats and will relentlessly target pro-Union voters in each constituency.

They believe the party can hold its six seats won in 2019 and then be the strongest challenger to the SNP in other seats, including the new Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency; Gordon and Buchan; Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber; Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock; East Renfrewshire; Angus and Perthshire Glens.

Alastair Cameron, chairman of the Scotland in Union campaign group, said: The Nationalists have obsessed about yesterdays issues and on stirring up divisions. People in Scotland now have an opportunity to elect MPs who will work collaboratively at Westminster to solve todays problems.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: People have had enough. Its time for change and Scottish Liberal Democrats are here for it.

Mr Swinney, who was sworn in as First Minister on May 8 after Humza Yousaf resigned days after ending the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, said: This is the moment to remove the Tory government and put Scotland first by voting SNP. We will work night and day to protect them from the damage done by Westminster.

The Greens have pledged to field a record number of candidates in the General Election, which could further damage the SNP vote.

Co-leader Lorna Slater said her party will be standing more candidates than ever before on July 4.

Alba Party leader Alex Salmond said: Alba has emerged as the only party seeking an independence mandate at each and every election and, with the SNP,

Greens and Tories now all in substantial disarray, we are increasing our effort for this years Westminster poll.
A terrified British tourist has revealed how she was left in 'excruciating' pain after being thrown up in the air and slammed back into her seat during a water taxi crossing in Spain, resulting in her breaking her spine.

The woman, from London, was on holiday with her daughter and had spent the day on the uninhabited island of Lobos after a calm crossing from Fuerteventura that morning.

But by around 3pm, conditions had changed and they faced huge waves on the return journey.

'It was absolutely horrendous, one of the worst experiences of my life,' recalled the woman, 54, who was recently awarded a 15,000 damages settlement for the injuries she suffered.

'The crossing in the morning was fine, and I must admit that at that point I'd not really been concerned as we were not given life jackets. It was a pleasant experience.

A terrified British tourist has revealed how she was left in 'excruciating' pain after being thrown up in the air and slammed back into her seat during a water taxi crossing in Spain , resulting in her breaking her spine. Pictured: A water taxi from the company concerned, Fuertacharter

The woman says the boat had 'music blasting out' with some passengers encouraging the captain to 'jump' waves on the return crossing. Pictured: A promotional photograph of the water taxi service depicts passengers enjoying themselves

'However, when it was time to return, the sea was really rough, so much so that the captain struggled to get the boat to the area where we had to board the boat.

'It must have taken him about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the steps where we were waiting.

'Once we got out to sea the waves were huge, probably about 8ft high, and I was immediately uncomfortable with the conditions and how fast he was going. '

The woman says the boat had 'music blasting out' with some passengers encouraging the captain to 'jump' waves on the return crossing.

'We went over a huge wave and I was thrown up into the air and I was slammed back down into my seat.

'I immediately felt the most excruciating pain in my back and I was completely unable to steady myself,' she recalled.

'Because I screamed out so loudly and was clearly in so much pain he stopped the boat, but because the sea was so rough it felt like the boat was going to tip over, and that would have been me in the water, with a broken back and no life jacket.'

She recalls being in a state of 'complete panic' as she struggled to make her way to a hard seat, at the front of the boat, which had a rope to hold onto.

'I still get flashbacks to that moment. I can remember my daughter trying to get to me and help me, and the boat rocking, and I was fearing we'd all end up going overboard,' she said.

'I remember the captain saying he couldn't leave the engine off and that we had to go, and thankfully we got back to Fuerteventura, but it was a hairy experience the rest of the way.

'My daughter had to hold me down to prevent me from being thrown into the air again. I used my arms to keep my body weight off my back for the remainder of the journey. I was in absolute agony.'

Once back at Fuerteventura, she was taken to hospital by ambulance where she was told she had fractured her spine.

The 'horrendous' incident occurred while the woman and her daughter crossed back to the island of Fuerteventura

She returned to the water taxi company the following day, having been advised to ensure she had documentation detailing the accident, signed by the operators to confirm she had been injured on their boat.

'I was told by a man who was working at the ferry port, who was from London, that even the ferries had not been out that afternoon because it was so dangerous, and when I thought back I couldn't remember seeing many other boats in the sea,' she said.

'He said that I had to get this form filled in and signed by the water taxi operators, and that if they refused to sign it, I should go to the police.'

When she returned home, the woman instructed Hudgell Solicitors, who specialise in supporting people injured.

A claim for damages was made on her behalf against the boat trip operators, Fuertecharter, which is based in Corralejo, Las Palmas.

Solicitor Paul McClorry described the case as 'challenging', but they were able to ultimately gain compensation for the woman by serving Fuertecharter and their insurer with English legal proceedings.

'At times this was a hugely challenging case.

'That is often the case when people are injured on holidays which they have not organised through a package holiday specialist, which bring greater protection should something go wrong.

'In this case we had to commit significant legal resource and cost to bring it to a successful conclusion.

'This was a really good example of how the 'no win, no fee' legal agreement can really help people to fight for and secure justice.

'We had a team of specialist English and Spanish lawyers working on the case on my client's behalf.'




President Biden risks not being on the general election ballot in Ohio come November the Ohio Secretary of State warned this week.

It's the latest in a series of warnings given to Democrats in the key state which was once considered a presidential battleground.

The issue is Ohio requires that parties certify their presidential candidates at least 90 days before Election Day.

However, the Democratic party won't certify Biden as the party's nominee even though he has clinched the necessary number of delegates until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which does not take place until the third week of August.

That means the nomination process 75 days before the election does not meet the Buckeye state's requirements under state law.

It means either the Democratic party or the state legislature needs to take action, and Republicans in the state this week signaled, they're not going to be the ones to solve the issue.

President Biden is at risk of not being on the November ballot in Ohio because the state requires parties certify nominees 90 days before the election but the Democratic National Convention is not until August 19 to 22

'Ive said from here to Colorado that its in the best interest of voters to have a choice in the race for president. Im also duty-bound to follow the law as Ohios chief elections officer. As it stands today, the Democratic Partys presidential nominee will not be on the Ohio ballot,' warned Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Tuesday.

'That is not my choice. Its due to a conflict in the law created by the party, and the party has so far offered no legally acceptable remedy,' he went on.

In the letter to the Ohio Democratic party chair he noted two solution he previously suggested to remedy the issue: change the date by which the party formally nominates Biden or by action in the Ohio General Assembly to create an exception.

But LaRose pointed out that Ohio's Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens said on Tuesday there won't be a legislative solution.

LaRose urged Democrats to find a solution that 'upholds the law and respects the voters' and quickly.

'Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, and we are assessing next steps accordingly,' said Charles Lutvak of the Biden campaign.

'Election after election, states across the country have acted in line with the bipartisan consensus and taken the necessary steps to ensure the presidential nominees from both parties will be on the ballot,' he added.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a letter to the Ohio Democratic party chair urging the party to take action after the Republican House speaker said there won't be a legislative fix to ensure Biden is on the Ohio ballot

LaRose warned Biden is at risk of not being on the presidential ballot if immediate action is not taken and said the Democratic party has not offered a legally acceptable remedy so far

Ohio's Democratic party chair Elizabeth Walters slammed Republicans for playing politics in response to the state House speaker saying there won't be a fix from state lawmakers.

'Republican politicians at the statehouse made clear they want to take away Ohioans' ability to choose who they want to be President,' Walters said in a statement.

'Throughout this process, corrupt politicians in Columbus have politicized the process and used it to play political games with Ohioans ability to hold their government accountable,' she continued.

Speaker Stephens said this week there is not the will in the Republican Ohio supermajority to move back the August 7 deadline to ensure Biden would be on the November ballot. He called it a 'hyper political environment' this time of year.

Ohio Democratic House Minority Leader Allison Russo also signaled the issue is unlikely to have a legislative fix in the state, noting the 'dysfunction' in the state legislature.

She said lawmakers have not been able to put aside partisanship and infighting and suggested it is likely going to have to be an intra-party fix or perhaps court action to ensure Biden's inclusion.

Donald Trump is not at risk of not being on the Ohio ballot because the Republican National Convention will take place in July meeting the 90 day requirement in the state

Republicans do not risk Trump not being on the Ohio ballot because the party is holding its nominating convention in July this year.

Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Republican Ohio lawmakers moved the deadline from 90 days to 60 days before the election which meant it fell in early September allowing both parties which held their national conventions in August 2020 to meet the requirement.

Lawmakers also created a temporary fix in 2012 to make sure Republican nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama would both be on the ballot when both formal nominations took place in late August and early September.

Biden was also at risk of not making the Alabama and Washington general election ballots this year.

However, Republican Alabama lawmakers earlier this month approved legislation to ensure Biden is included.

In Washington, officials said they would allow a provisional certification to make sure Biden is on the ballot despite the deadline conflict.
Reform UK's refusal to stand down candidates could help deliver victory to Sir Keir Starmer in the General Election.

Richard Tice, who inherited the leadership of the insurgent party from Nigel Farage, hopes to stand a candidate in every seat.

He has repeatedly ruled out reaching any 'deals' with the Tories, saying the Conservative Party 'has to be punished for what it's done to this country'.

And last night he again indicated that he would not stand down his candidates, including recent recruit former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson, saying it was only his party 'that can now save Britain'.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice (right) joins newly-defected former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson MP on a campaign for their party

Nigel Farage gives a speech on Day 1 of The National Conservatism Conference at the Claridge on April 16, 2024

He said: 'We're ready for the General Election on July 4. Reform UK is the party with the common-sense policies.

'But what a scene: the Prime Minister drenched in rain, drowned out by the boogie blaster of Steve Bray, no less, highlighting the utter incompetence of this Conservative government. The electorate have a clear choice, people know that the Tories have broken Britain, Labour and Starmergeddon will do what they always do which is bankrupt Britain.

'It's only Reform UK's common-sense policies that can now save Britain.'

But many Tories fear Reform could put a real dent in Rishi Sunak's hopes of a return to Downing Street come the election.

And there are questions about whether Nigel Farage will play a major role in the campaign  or even stand as a candidate.

Last night Mr Farage said that Mr Sunak has 'chosen suicide over political obliteration'.

'I don't like the look of a Labour government one little bit, but this lot, having betrayed Brexit, having betrayed everything I gave them in 2019, all the help I gave them five years ago, deserve everything that is coming to them.' He has previously indicated that the US presidential race is more important to him than the UK vote.

Speaking in America earlier this month, he said: 'Yes, we've got an election year, but the biggest election in the world is taking place here. While I'm not ruling out anything in the UK completely, I think where I am this week is an indication of my thinking.' But the UK is now going to the polls in July, long before the US election in November, which opens the door to Mr Farage playing a major role in Reform's campaign.

Richard Tice (centre) leader of the Reform UK party waits ahead of the declaration during the count for the Blackpool South by-election

Mr Tice has previously said that he will stand '630 candidates across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales'

In March, a huge study involving more than 18,000 people in multiple polls found that a surging Reform UK threatens to cost the Tories dozens of seats.

If the party, formerly known as the Brexit Party, were to stand down its candidates or reach a pact with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Tories could hang on to 133 seats, the study suggested. But this drops to 80 with Reform still in the picture.

Mr Tice has previously said that he will stand '630 candidates across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales'.

'We're not standing in Northern Ireland, but we will not be doing any form of deals with the Tories. I've made that absolutely clear,' he told GB News at the end of last year. You cannot reward failure with more incumbency. That's the bottom line. And people who continue to do a bad job, who continue to mislead, to misinform people, they have to be punished.'

However, the party has already been forced to ditch a number of candidates, for reasons including offensive comments about black, Jewish and Muslim people.
Rishi Sunak looks 'prepared to fight hard' and gave off a good 'vibe' in his election announcement despite the pouring rain, Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine has told this week's The Reaction.

Hosts Sarah and Andrew Pierce discussed the Prime Minister's speech in which he revealed there would be a General Election on July 4 on the latest episode of the Mail's talk show, which you can listen to here.

The presenters suggested that despite the troubles facing the Conservatives in the polls and the inclement weather at Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Sunak came across well as he kicked off the election campaign.

'Rishi did not look like someone who is ready to compromise and I think that's really good,' Sarah said.

'I thought his vibe was really good. He didn't look like he was coming out and saying 'alright guys I've run out of ideas let's have a General Election'.

Sarah Vine and Andrew Pierce discussed how Rishi Sunak came across as 'someone really prepared to fight hard' in the upcoming election during his speech today. Pictured: Rishi Sunak stands in the rain in front of Downing Street after announcing on Wednesday that there will be a General Election on July 4

Sarah and Andrew discussed how there is 'no great appetite for Keir Starmer'. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer speaking in Westminster after Rishi Sunak called a General Election on Wednesday

'He looked like someone who was really prepared to fight hard and I think we're going to see a really strong attack from him.'

Sarah and Andrew said that Mr Sunak's wealth, which has been used by some critics as a stick to beat him with, means he is a true 'vocational politician' who cares about the country.

'This is a person who is there not because he's part of some weird political machine, he's there because he wants to be there,' Sarah said.

'He's very good at being focused and sticking to his lane and getting on with what he needs to do and I think people respect that.'

The pair discussed why the election had been called at this time, suggesting that the war in Gaza and rising tensions across the globe had played a part.

The Prime Minister is 'casting himself as the safe pair of hands' and appeared 'very sharp', Sarah said.

Andrew agreed, adding that in contrast to Mr Sunak, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer 'has not cut through'.

He remarked that 'there is no great appetite for Keir Starmer' and that the election campaign will see some Labour MPs thrust into the limelight who the public might not like, including Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The Reaction is available every Wednesday on the Daily Mail's YouTube channel and Spotify.
The 15-year-old girl charged with brutally beating Kaylee Gain and leaving her in a coma will not be charged as an adult, a judge has ruled.

The decision followed testimony from a juvenile officer earlier this month, who claimed that Gain, 16, was a serial bully who tormented her attacker, Maurnice Declue, 15.

It was also alleged that Gain initiated the fight and threw the first punch, and was suspended for fighting another girl just the day prior.

On Wednesday, a St. Louis judge followed the officer's recommendation and decided that the case will remain in the juvenile court system.

Kaylee Gain, the 16-year-old seen being brutally beaten by a fellow student in a now-viral video filmed in March, was a serial bully who started the fight, a juvenile officer testified

Footage of Gain, 16, being attacked by fellow student Maurnice Declue, 15, went viral, as Gain was seen being body slammed into concrete

Gain made national headlines and saw an outpouring of support after footage of her confrontation with Declue outside their school on March 8 went viral.

In the clip, Declue was seen slamming Gain's head into the pavement, which left her in a coma with severe brain injuries, and she only began walking again two months later.

Declue was charged with first-degree assault, and has remained in the juvenile detention system as she waited to hear if she would be tried as an adult.

But on May 10, months after the video circulated widely on social media, a judge heard testimony from the juvenile officer that went against the initial narrative of the fight.

The officer cited both girls' school records, and said Gain was a serial bully at her school who picked on Declue before their fight, and had been suspended the day before for another fight.

It was also recently revealed that Declue was an honor student who skipped the seventh grade, and has been said to have been on good behavior while locked up in juvenile detention.

The defense also produced several witnesses, including both girls' teachers, who revealed Declue never before had any behavioral problems, as the officer suggested she had been baited into the fight by the serial offender.

Spanish teacher Richard Bly praised Declue as a 'model student' who behaved well in his class, further revealing how her grades were so good, she had skipped the 7th grade and was one of the youngest kids in class.

Kaylee was left in a coma after suffering severe head injuries during the fight, and only began walking two months after the incident

The Missouri teen's family say she has been recovering well, but has no memory of the attack and has had to relearn to talk

Gain's stepmother, allowed to stay anonymous, said during the same hearing: 'A terrible choice made by two teen girls to solve their issues through violence caused one to go too far with her bare hands and a concrete road.'

She detailed how Gain has had to relearn to walk and talk as she recovers from the injuries, is still experiencing memory loss and has been forced to wear a custom-made helmet to protect her brain.

Declue's mother, Consuella Declue, tearfully added: 'My family, my church, we all prayed for KG [Kaylee Gain].

'I think [my daughter] was just defending herself, I don't think she had any intent or thought this would happen.

'We are very sorry,' she concluded, adding that her daughter regretted the incident, but still was acting in her self-defense.

Gain's family said she has 'improved considerably' since the incident, but is still missing part of her skull and will need to undergo additional surgeries to have it reattached.

Lawyer Bryan Kaemmerer wrote in a statement: 'While hospitalized, Kaylee underwent a craniectomy which is a neurosurgical procedure that involved removing a portion of Kaylee's skull in order to relieve the pressure on her brain.

'The portion of Kaylee's skull that was removed still has not been put back in place,' he added, weeks after the father of the St. Louis schoolgirl whose beating horrified much of the nation revealed she endured a childhood marred by drugs.

Clinton Gain, 41, told The New York Post, the pair had agreed to the fight, producing text messages between the two as proof.

Gain's father, Clinton Gain, 41, (pictured together in her childhood) revealed that her childhood was marred by both parents' drug addictions

Clinton Gain said that his daughter and her attacker agreed to meet up before the fight so they could 'settle' a weeks-long feud

He admitted that a period of dysfunction and instability involving him and the girl's mother predated the footage, offering an account that somewhat coincided with the juvenile officer's on Friday.

'She was just a normal kid,' Clinton said, recalling how he and Kaylees mother, April Nordstrom, were both addicts during her youth.

'We tried to give them some stability and structure', he went on, before conceding that she indeed suffered during those years.

Things got worse, he said, when the couple split up - back when Kaylee was only five.

This left her and her little brother to live with Nordstrom, he said - when she was still knee-deep in addiction.

Eventually, when Kaylee was 8, he said, the situation became so bad that both kids were sent to live with their grandparents for around two years.

He said her childhood continued up and down as Kaylee yearned for her mother - who he said had also kicked her drug habit - but after Kaylee moved in with her, the teen's behavior spiraled.

Following the viral fight, he told the Post that both girls had been insulting each other for weeks before the fight, and 'they both agreed to the fight, to meet up and settle what was going on.'
Police chiefs refused to pause arrests last night after a Government plan to solve prison overcrowding backfired.

A major row broke out among Britain's most senior officers as Scotland Yard announced that it would 'never agree to pausing any necessary arrests'.

The chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, or APCC, also revolted against the advice issued by the National Police Chiefs Council.

The NPCC told forces to consider pausing 'non-priority arrests' and to suspend operations that may trigger 'large numbers of arrests' until there is enough capacity in prisons across England and Wales. It came after ministers triggered emergency measures without warning last week to keep defendants in police cells because jails are running out of space.

Known as Operation Early Dawn, the emergency measures plunged some magistrates' courts into chaos, with bail hearings postponed at the last minute as meetings took place to determine where spaces could be found for suspects remanded in custody.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) was said to be fuming about the advice

The NPCC told forces to consider pausing 'non-priority arrests' and to suspend operations that may trigger 'large numbers of arrests' until there is enough capacity in prisons across England and Wales

Now the NPCC has pleaded with forces to scale back their arrests to avoid police cells filling up.

The NPCC said: 'Consideration is to be given to pausing non-priority arrests and any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease the pressure within the criminal justice system.

'Notwithstanding public protection remains a priority and a considered threat, harm and risk assessment is to be completed when considering any pause in police operations.' But several police chiefs refused yesterday. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was said to be fuming about the advice.

Yesterday his deputy Dame Lynne Owens said: 'We will always put protecting the public first and will never agree to pausing any necessary arrests.

'We will not hesitate to seek for suspects to be remanded in custody where the grounds for that are made out.'

APCC chairman Donna Jones also hit back saying: 'The overcrowding in prisons is not an issue for chief constables or Police and Crime Commissioners.

'The job of the police is to keep the public safe  it is what we pay them to do. They must continue to arrest suspects as usual so that those who commit crimes and cause harm to others are taken off the streets. Managing the prison population is for the Ministry of Justice. The impact of not arresting suspected criminals will have consequences. It is not a position I can support.'

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Chief Constable Scott Chilton was also defiant: 'We continue to be proactive in arresting those who are suspected of committing crimes, targeting prolific offenders and people who are wanted on warrants.

'We are arresting more people and bringing them into our custody centres, and this remains our approach.'

APCC chairman Donna Jones (pictured) also hit back saying: 'The overcrowding in prisons is not an issue for chief constables or Police and Crime Commissioners'

Policing Minister Chris Philp (pictured) told MPs there had been no delays to arrests and only a 'small number' of delays to court proceedings

Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove warned: 'This has the potential to significantly undermine public confidence in policing and discourage victims from coming forward.'

The prison population increased by 5,200 in the year to June 2023.

But Policing Minister Chris Philp told MPs there had been no delays to arrests and only a 'small number' of delays to court proceedings.

He said the NPCC contingency plan would be dropped today. 'I am delighted to confirm, the contingencies referenced did not materialise.'
Scott is the only one of the three to show up to Trump's criminal trial in New York

He will be running against GOP Whip John Thune and former Whip John Cornyn

Sen. Rick Scott has jumped into the Senate GOP leader race in a bid to replace the old-school, neoconservative Mitch McConnell with a more Trumpist brand of leader.

'I believe now is a moment we need dramatic change,' Scott wrote in a Dear Colleague letter, arguing voters want them to use the leadership election to 'upend the status quo in Washington.'

He will be running against GOP Whip John Thune and former Whip John Cornyn. Former President Donald Trump, a longtime McConnell antagonist, has not thrown his weight around in the race yet.

Scott is the only one of the three to show up to Trump's criminal trial in New York.

'There have been far too many backroom deals cut in secret, rarely do things go through the committee process, and it's accepted practice to not allow amendment votes to trillion-dollar spending bills,' Scott went on.

Scott, the former governor of Florida, is known to work in close concert with the House right-wing Freedom Caucus.

Scott posted a photo with former President Donald Trump the night before he announced he would run for the top spot in the Republican Senate conference

'Rarely do we work in concert with Republicans in the House,' he said. 'We often take votes that unite Democrats and divide us.'

In March Scott met with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home.

In a shock speech in March, McConnell announced he would not seek re-election in November. He's led the Senate GOP conference since 2007.

Scott was the sole opponent who ran against McConnell for the leader position in 2022. He lost, receiving only 10 votes.

Another conservative thought to be in the race, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the third highest-ranking GOP senator, also backed away from running for leader, opting for whip instead.

'After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader.'

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., will also not run to be Republican leader.

A source confirmed to DailyMail.com Tuesday Cotton would instead run for Senate GOP Conference Chairman, the third-highest leadership position in the caucus.

Scott's bid makes him the third Republican to officially enter the race.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was the first to declare his run for leader following McConnell's announcement last week.

'I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell,' Cornyn wrote in a statement Thursday. 'I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership.'

He said the Senate is broken but that it can be fixed and he intends to play a role in that.

'Throughout my time I've built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause,' Cornyn continued.

The Texas senator previously has served in senate leadership as whip and as the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

McConnell is the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history, serving in the post since 2007

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (center) announced last week he would not run for Republican leader in November. Sens. Rick Scott,R-Fla., (second from left) and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., (second from right) have announced they are in the race to replace him.

Sen. John Thune announced on Monday he is seeking to become the next Senate Republican leader after long-time leader Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek reelection

Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn from Texas and John Thune of South Dakota are considered the 'three Johns'

Another candidate, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the second most powerful Senate Republican behind McConnell, has announced he is running for the top Republican leadership spot.

'Well, I hope to be [leader], and I'm going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues,' Thune told a South Dakota news outlet.

'For me, it's really about trying to be a difference-maker,' Thune told Dakota News Now. 'I think I have something to contribute there.'

'In my view, this is a chance for a reset and I'd like to be a part of it.'

Steve Daines, R-Mont., is also rumored to be mulling a run for the Republican leader role.
The United States should slap sanctions on International Criminal Court officials who seek an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a top foreign policy adviser to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Tuesday after meeting the Israeli leader.

Robert O'Brien, who served as Trump's fourth and final national security adviser, made the comments in a Jerusalem interview with Reuters after meeting Netanyahu and other Israeli officials during a multi-day visit to the U.S. ally.

O'Brien, who said Trump would be briefed on the results of the trip, discussed what he called the ICC's "irrational decision" to issue a warrant for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three Palestinian Hamas leaders, in his meetings with the Israeli officials.

"We can sanction the bank accounts, the travel. We can put visa restrictions on these corrupt prosecutors and judges. We can show some real mettle here," O'Brien told Reuters from Jerusalem.

O'Brien was joined by former U.S. Ambassador to the UAE John Rakolta and former Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen.

The trip, first reported by Reuters, was a rare case of Trump allies traveling abroad as part of an organized delegation to meet foreign officials. It took place amid strains between Israel and the Biden administration about the U.S. Middle East ally's conduct of the war in Gaza.

In addition to Netanyahu, the delegation met in recent days with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, and Gallant, O'Brien said. Their itinerary did not include Palestinian leaders.

O'Brien said rescuing all remaining hostages held by Hamas and capturing Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that prompted Israel's Gaza offensive, would be key to declaring victory over the militant group.

"This is something I did share with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and President Herzog and Benny Gantz from the war cabinet: We've got to move quickly," O'Brien told Reuters. "Israel has to defeat Hamas in Rafah."

The group said they did not go to Israel at Trump's behest.

But O'Brien, Rakolta and McMullen all speak regularly to Trump who, despite facing four criminal trials, is ahead of his Nov. 5 presidential election rival, Democratic President Joe Biden, in opinion polls in most battleground states.

In addition to meeting political leaders, members of the delegation traveled to areas of Israel that were targeted in the Hamas attack in October, including the site of the Nova Music Festival and the Nir Oz kibbutz, both near Gaza.

Trump imposed sanctions on ICC while president

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's seven-month-old assault on the Gaza Strip, according to health officials in the Hamas-ruled enclave. The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 others, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says that more than 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, including several Americans.

On Monday, the ICC's prosecutor in The Hague, Karim Khan, requested the warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and three Palestinian leaders, alleging they had committed war crimes.

In the Reuters interview, O'Brien said he was throwing his support behind Republican-led legislation in Congress that would sanction ICC employees that investigate officials in the U.S. or in allied countries that do not recognize the court, like Israel.

It was unclear how much bipartisan support that bill could garner, though both Democratic and Republican officials have been sharply critical of the ICC.

In 2020, Trump issued an executive order to restrict travel and freeze assets of court staff involved in investigating U.S. conduct in Afghanistan, sanctions which were reversed in the opening months of the Biden administration.

O'Brien's comments suggest Trump's advisers would be willing to reimpose and expand sanctions should the former president return to the White House. While the U.S. has at times engaged with the ICC in a limited fashion, it has never been a member of the court, and many U.S. political leaders argue the ICC's international jurisdiction threatens national sovereignty.

Throughout the interview, O'Brien, Rakolta and McMullen rejected assessments by many U.S., Palestinian and international officials who say Israel is not doing enough to protect civilian life.

"The Israelis are conducting themselves in a really fine tradition of a modern, humanitarian military, and I think that's the biggest takeaway from the meetings we've had in my view," O'Brien said.

The Biden administration has at times dissented from that view, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying earlier in May that Israel lacked a credible plan to protect civilians in Rafah.

While the Trump administration backed a two-state solution to Middle East conflict, O'Brien said the conflict in Gaza and Palestinians' hostile attitude toward Israel makes discussing it a moot point at the moment.

The U.S. government has long held that the pathway to a lasting peace runs through the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Since Oct. 7, however, Trump has indicated in interviews and on the campaign trail that he is rethinking his stance.

O'Brien and Rakolta played central roles in the Abraham Accords, which normalized bilateral Israeli relations with both Bahrain and the UAE during Trump's term.

They remained interested and hopeful regarding the possibility of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though Israel would need to win the war in Gaza before that process could begin in earnest, they said. (Reuters)
Birdie's in Austin and John's Food and Wine in Chicago use the unique method

Customers wait in line to order three course meals before they even sit down

A new trend of fine-dining restaurants forcing customers to order expensive meals at the counter are sweeping across the states.

'Counter cuisine', as it has been dubbed, is when diners wait in line to order their entire meal - start to finish with drinks - and then pay before even sitting down.

Despite skipping the step that entails table service, restaurant patrons are still expected to tip generously on top of the price of food.

While this system is normal for a low-key lunch spot or a casual eatery at the lower end of the price scale, U.S. restaurants have started using the counter method for menus where items cost upwards of $40 and fine wine comes by the bottle.

Despite the casual ordering system, food at these spots are usually served in courses on formal dinner plates and proper silverware.

Birdie's in Austin, Texas , is one of the spots to adopt the high-end eatery meets casual customer service approach to ordering (Pictured: TikToker Olivia Adriance at Birdie's)

Birdie's in Austin, Texas, is one of the spots to pioneer this paradoxical high-end eatery meets casual customer service approach.

'We treat the counter as the first interaction at a fine-dining restaurant,' Arjav Ezekiel, co-owner and beverage director of Birdie's, told the Wall Street Journal.

Birdie's regularly changes its menu - but the restaurant is currently serving a minute steak for $36 and a rockfish dish for $34, both which would be ordered at the counter.

The eatery offers a selection of small plates that range from $14 to $24, snacks from $7 to $13 and desserts for around $14.

A glass of wine ranges between $14 and $28 and Birdie's carries a huge range of bottles from around the world.

At the counter, customers typically spend about five minutes talking to an employee who helps them match their choice of food with the right glass of wine.

The goal of this system is to create a personal connection between servers and diners while slowing down orders so that the kitchen doesn't get overwhelmed.

At the counter, customers typically spend about five minutes talking to an employee who helps them match their choice of food with the right glass of wine (Pictured: TikToker Olivia Adriance at Birdie's)

Diners see perks to the system as well. Even though they aren't being served on, it means they can avoid the stress of booking a reservation that often comes with eating at high-end restaurants.

Customers can still flag down servers if they have a question or want to order another round of drinks.

Birdie's opened in 2021 - and management has tweaked their style over the years as the business has grown.

These changes included hiring more people to roam the floor and take follow-up orders rather than forcing settled diners to have to get back in line again. 'We've done more things to make people comfortable once they sit down,' Ezekiel says.

Marisa Bittenc-Muramoto, 34, is a project manager who has visited Birdie's a handful of times - she says she's now gotten used to the system and will hop back in line with her glass of wine in tow.

'You can kind of hang out and chitchat,' she adds. 'It's no different than having to grab a seat at the bar.'

Some customers struggle with the tipping aspect. Megan Koppenhoefer, a 44-year-old healthcare administrator, said ''There's a certain discomfort that happens when you're already tipping on that amount without being served at a table.'

Other restaurants in major U.S. cities have adopted similar ordering methods. John's Food and Wine in Chicago forces customers to order at the counter, but also provide QR codes for refills of wine or cocktails

Other restaurants in major U.S. cities have adopted similar ordering methods. John's Food and Wine in Chicago forces customers to order at the counter, but also provide QR codes for refills of wine or cocktails.

Despite being able to order Hamachi crudo for $23 or duck breast for $47 - the restaurant still uses the fast-food style of service.

Adam McFarland co-owns the restaurant - he said the team has been fine-tuning the model since they opened in 2023.

McFarland said both of the owners, who are also chefs, prioritize roaming the restaurant dining floor each evening, and that diners are served by the chefs or the sommelier.

A popular eatery in the Arts District of Los Angeles also runs on a similar ordering system. Diners at De La Nonna, a restaurant that doesn't take reservations, are greeted by a host who leads them to their table - and then they return to the front of the restaurant where orders are taken at a counter

Customers of John's have mixed feelings about the unique dining experience. Coabi Kastan said she was apprehensive at first, but now she visits on a weekly basis and finds the method especially useful when she wants to enjoy nice food but can't be bothered to wrangle a reservation.

Mariana Suarez said that ordering nice high-end food at a counter makes her feel rushed and that she would rather mill over the menu for a bit. 'You don't necessarily have time to do that,' Suarez, 24 said.

A popular eatery in the Arts District of Los Angeles also runs on a similar system.

Diners at De La Nonna, a restaurant that doesn't take reservations, are greeted by a host who leads them to their table - and then they return to the front of the restaurant where orders are taken at a counter.

De La Nonna offers good quality food for reasonable prices, like pizzas for under $20 and posh starters like tuna tartare for $17.

The restaurant offers good quality food for reasonable prices, like pizzas for under $20 and posh starters like tuna tartare for $17.

Because of the lack of service, the business requires less employees - which means they get paid more and receive perks like health insurance.

'We run a leaner team, so everybody makes more money,' Lee Zaremba, who opened De La Nonna in 2021, said.
For decades, Princess Anne has been the nation's no-nonsense royal.

The petite 73-year-old often doesn't act as though she is a member of the Royal Family - she competed in the Olympics and still shamelessly wears her favourite Team GB mirrored sunglasses.

The Princess Royal also famously told her would-be kidnapper that it was 'not bloody likely' she would get out of the car, even though he had a pistol.

But Anne's dry wit - which she seemingly inherited from her father Prince Philip - is what makes her one of the nation's favourite royals, as an approval rating of 71 per cent proves.

She is also the hardest working member of the Royal Family, with recent figures showing how she has carried out a third of all engagements this year.

Here are the iconic moments that have made Anne the 'normal' princess we know and love.

Carrying luggage

Anne lands in Sri Lanka and carries her three bags down the stairs to the runway, January 2024

Carrying her own bag, Anne is seen in Montreal ahead of her participation in the Olympic Games, 1976

Anne has been dubbed a 'boss lady' on social media for carrying her own luggage, despite having plenty of opportunities to dump her bags on someone else.

This un-royal preference can be dated back to her attendance at the Olympics Games in Montreal in 1976.

At the age of 25, Anne was the first royal to ever compete in the Olympics as a member of the British Equestrian Team, riding the Queen's horse Goodwill for the occasion.

Anne sits on the Queen's horse Goodwill. She was the first royal ever to compete in the Olympics

Prince Phillip talks to Princess Anne prior to her event at the Olympics, while the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew listen in

Princess Anne seen in January as she holds her own luggage while boarding a commercial flight to Sri Lanka

The Princess Royal was pictured carrying her own luggage as she arrived in Canada in front of her then husband Mark Phillips.

More recently, the King's sister carried her own bags whilst travelling to Sri Lanka in January.

Anne broke royal norms by insisting on travelling by commercial airline and boarding the plane in a relaxed camel-coloured wrap with no make-up on - a sensible choice for a 12-hour flight.

When she arrived in Sri Lanka, the Princess Royal had swapped her comfy outfit for a practical blue shirt and her trademark sporty sunglasses.

Despite the glamorous red carpet that welcomed her, Anne lugged her own three bags down the stairs to the runway.

The 73-year-old didn't even reach for the railing to steady herself going down the stairs.

Driving

Although Princess Anne could be driven anywhere in a private car, she likes to driver herself around.

When attending the Cheltenham Races in 2008, Anne revealed that in her car door she keeps only the essentials - a bottle of water, a Barbara Dickson CD and her race card.

Princess Anne drives herself away from the Blue Cross's Animal Adoption Centre in Oxfordshire

Princess Anne drives at Sandringham with her father Prince Phillip in the passenger seat, January 2020

In Princess Anne's car door is a water bottle, a Barbara Dickson CD and a race card for the Cheltenham Races, 2008

Anne drives a utility vehicle with her dog in the passenger seat in the grounds of Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, 2004

But the Princess Royal can drive more than just a car.

When asked by Terry Wogan what she would do if the Royal Family were abolished, the Princess nonchalantly replied that she'd simply have to 'work even harder on the farm.'

She then revealed that 'out of necessity' she qualified as a 'heavy goods vehicle driver.'

Anne's need for speed has seen her rack up numerous fines - she was even banned from driving for a month in 1990.

Sense of humour

Anne is known to have a laid-back sense of humour.

While appearing on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, Anne's son-in-law Mike Tindall confirmed this fact.

Explaining a rather embarrassing encounter with the Princess, he talked about dancing too vigorously during Zara Tindall's birthday.

Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall and Princess Anne attend a service of thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine of Greece at St George's Chapel, Windsor, February 2024

Mike Tindall, Princess Anne's son-in-law, appears on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2022

He said: 'Ripped my trousers, straight in front of her. It happened to be that my boxers that I had on at that time said 'nibble my nuts.''

The Princess calmly quipped back: 'I'd rather not.'

Anne also deploys her dry wit around the rest of her family.

The Channel 4 documentary called A Very Royal Christmas: Sandringham Secrets revealed that Anne once gave her brother Charles a white leather toilet seat as a gift.

The hidden message behind the rather potty present? Anne was simply giving her brother, the longest-serving monarch-in-waiting in British history, a chance to ascend to the 'throne'.

In the documentary former royal butler Paul Burrell noted: 'Of course, the royals love lavatorial humour.'

Refusing help

When Anne slipped and fell during a royal visit in Guernsey in 2007, she brushed off any offer of help, picked herself up and carried on her way.

Anne could even be heard telling off the island's bailiff Geoffrey Rowland for trying to assist.

Shooing him away, she firmly said: 'Don't do that'.

The Princess slips and falls during a visit to Guernsey

Princess Anne lines up to buy a coffee as she attends the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park in 2011

Princess Anne and her husband buys coffee at a pop-up shop in Gatcombe Park in 2019

While other members of the royal family have their every need catered to, it is clear that Princess Anne is happy to look after herself.

She has been pictured queuing up to buy her own coffee at several different events including the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials in 2011.

Spending time with grandchildren

Princess Anne is considered one of the hardest working royals - regularly attending hundreds of engagements each year.

But with five grandchildren, Anne regularly takes time to relax with her family.

The Princess has been pictured playing with her grandchildren at various public-facing events, even stopping to kick a ball for Mia Tindall to play with at the Beaufort Polo Club in 2016.

Princess Anne with her granddaughter Mia Tindall at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park in 2015

Princess Anne kicks a polo ball for her granddaughter Mia Tindall at Beaufort Polo Club in 2016

Mia Tindall gives her grandmother Princess Anne a kiss at Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury

The Princess Royal and Zara Phillips hold Mia Tindall's hands as she jumps around at Gatcombe Park in 2017

Anne seems to have found true happiness in spending time with the youngsters.

Although the princess was once known for her furrowed brow and stern expression, Anne now cracks jokes and pulls silly faces in public to entertain the children.

A royal source said: 'Anne is hands-on as a grandmother, and the older they get, the more she will be. Riding lessons, sailing lessons; she'll instruct the girls in these things and more. She admires courage but is absolutely not afraid to discipline the girls with a sharp word.'

It's all very much in keeping with how Peter, 38, and Zara, 34, were raised.

Anne declined to give them titles or anything resembling a royal life, and made them help with chores from cooking to mucking out horses.

Re-using clothes

You could perhaps forgive a royal for being glib with their possessions and refusing to wear the same outfit twice.

But eagle-eyed fans have noted that Anne does not think twice about re-using her clothes.

Anne wearing her blue fur-lined coat while attending the Christmas day church service at the Sandringham Estate in 2008

The Princess royal looked elegant in a turquoise number she first wore in 1978 as she attended Ascot's second day on Wednesday (left, 45 years ago, and right, this week)

Anne sporting her favourite Team GB Adidas sunglasses during a visit to the Great Yorkshire Show in 2018

The Princess Royal's trademark mirrored glasses are Team GB branded. Above: Anne wearing the shades in 2021

She has owned one blue fur-lined coat for over five decades, wearing it out on Christmas Day in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2012.

Anne was also spotted re-wearing an elegant turquoise dress to attend the second day of the Royal Ascot in 2023.

She first wore the piece as she and the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Botswana's president Sir Seretse Kham and his wife Lady Khama at Buckingham Palace 45 years ago in 1978.

The Princess Royal wore her old dress to attend the second day of the Royal Ascot.

And Anne has a few pairs of mirrored sunglasses but her pair from Adidas - branded with the Team GB logo - is on regular rotation, showcasing her preference for practicality above all.

Role in the Queen's funeral

The Princess Royal was hailed by royal insiders as the 'unsung hero' of the late Queen's funeral proceedings.

Princess Anne was by her mother's side when she died at Balmoral and accompanied her coffin on a six-hour long car ride to Edinburgh.

Anne was the first woman ever to partake in the Vigil of the Princes, standing alongside her brothers as they guarded the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall.

The Princess Royal was also hailed by royal insiders as the 'unsung hero' of the late Queen's funeral proceedings.
Oklahoma has become the latest state to be sued by the Biden Administration over attempts to make illegal immigration a state-level crime and allow local cops to act as immigration officers.

A newly passed law, HB 4156, that is set to take effect July 1 would allow local and state police to arrest illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the Sooner State.

Under the mandate, any illegal immigrant arrested for committing a crime would be required to leave the state within 72 hours following conviction or release from custody.

However, arresting migrants for the crime of being in the country is a power the courts have traditionally decided is the sole power of the federal government.

Currently, when an illegal immigrant commits a crime in the US, they are prosecuted for the crime by local and state courts.

A Guatemalan migrant man is searched by a federal immigration officer as his son, 6, looks on in El Paso, Texas

Once they have served their time, the illegal immigrant is supposed to be turned over to US Customs and Immigration Enforcement, a federal agency, so they can be prosecuted for the federal crime of being in the US without authorization.

The US Department of Justice announced it had filed a lawsuit Tuesday to stop the Oklahoma law from being put into place, after warning state officials not to move forward with the law or face legal action.

'Oklahoma cannot disregard the U.S. Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent,' Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, stated.

'We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration.'

Oklahoma officials anticipated a legal challenge from the Biden Administration, who has already sued Texas and Iowa over similar laws.

'Regrettably, this administration has adopted a one-size-fits-all, theyre the federal government and they know best, all states are stupid and unconstitutional,' Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told a local outlet.

Oklahoma City immigration attorney Sam Wargin Grimaldo speaks to a group outside the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday, April 23. Demonstrators gathered to show their opposition a bill that would impose criminal penalties to be in the state illegally

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond anticipated a legal challenge to his state's immigration law as two other states have been sued by the feds for similar laws

Drummond tried to calm fears that HB 4156 could lead to racial profiling, as the law only targets migrants who are accused of committing crime.

'If youre an illegal immigrant in Oklahoma and obeying the law, I dont have any concern for you I wish you to have success as you work through the process of legally immigrating,' the attorney general added.

However, immigration lawyers and other organization who work with migrants have already been flooded with calls from both legal and illegal migrants who are afraid.

'99 percent of the calls we get is what is going to happen to me and my family now,' Tulsa Immigration Attorney Mosiah Olvera told a local station.

Despite the creation of state task force that is supposed to ensure legal migrants aren't caught up in the enforcement of the law if they're stopped for something as simple as speeding, the migrant community is already preparing for a worst case scenario that moms and dad won't come home to their children.

Under President Joe Biden, more than 1.5 million migrants have crossed into the US since October, according to federal statistics

Migrants reach through a border wall for clothing handed out by volunteers as they wait between two border walls to apply for asylum in San Diego

'You have moms and dads sitting down their kids trying to explain to them, "Hey, if I don't come home because I don't have status, I need you to be a man. I need you to be a big boy. I need you to be a big girl. I need you to take care of your siblings,"' Olvera explained.

'"The property we own-- the papers are over here. The emergency contacts are over here. My little stash of money in case you need to pay bills is over here. I need you to be a big girl and a big boy and take care of your siblings.' Those are the types of conversations that are happening right now."'

As with the Texas law, the Oklahoma law faces additional hurdles.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the Texas legislation from going into effect.

Additionally some police departments in the Lone Star State said they would not enforce the law.

The state bills lookin to crack down on illegal immigration comes as the US has faced historic levels of people arriving at the southern border since 2021

A group of illegal immigrants sneaking into the country is stopped in Texas by a US Border Patrol agent

At demonstrations protesting the law, opponents noted that the legislation could have a negative impact on the state's economy if migrant workers go other places in order to avoid a crackdown.

'Everyone has touched migrant labor, whether it's the food that you grab at the grocery store, the restaurants where the food is cooked (or) construction projects,' State Rep. Arturo Alonso Sandoval told a local paper.

'I represent a predominately Hispanic district, and I see the people paving the streets, the people building the buildings, a lot of that does depend on undocumented labor.'
On the eve of the second anniversary of the Uvalde elementary school massacre, 19 victims' families reached a $2 million settlement with the city and announced they are suing nearly 100 'cowardly' state troopers.

Javier Cazarez, whose daughter Jackie was among the 19 children and two teachers who were slaughtered inside classrooms 111 and 112 said: 'No amount of money is worth the lives of our children.

'It's been an unbearable two years. We all know who took our children's lives, but there was a obvious systemic failure out there on May 24. The whole world saw that.'

Speaking in Uvalde on Wednesday, a lawyer for the families, Josh Koskoff, explained the settlement with the City of Uvalde was a good faith effort, but headed off a lawsuit against the city government.

Around 26 officers from the City of Uvalde responded to Robb Elementary School on the day of the shooting.

An army of almost 400 cops from local, state and federal agencies were at the school within minutes of first shots fired, and yet waited 77 minutes to take down the shooter

They were among the nearly 400 officers from local, state and federal agencies who rushed to the crime scene.

Three minutes after the shooting began, 11 officers were inside the school, a Department of Justice review found.

Yet inexplicably, officers waited for 77 minutes after the shooting started to take down the lone gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos.

'The most significant failure was that responding officers should have immediately recognized the incident as an active shooter situation, using the resources and equipment that were sufficient to push forward immediately,' the federal report stated.

School district Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who has been identified as the incident commander, said he waited to go into the classroom, telling officers who did want to storm the gunman to stand down because he believed the gunman was barricaded with children who were still alive.

However, Arredondo's decision contradicts law enforcement training, which states police must take action, putting their own lives in danger, if shots have already been fired.

Families of the Uvalde victims announced they are suing all 92 Texas DPS officers who were part of the botched respond to the school shooting at their kids' school. The chart above was part of the DOJ report on the school shooting, showing how many officers responded to the massacre

Over 90 Texas Department of Public Safety officer responded to the shooting in Uvalde and went against their training, which tells them to stop the shooter before all else

Uvalde school police chief Pedro "Pete" Arredondo told investigators he was more concerned about saving students in other classrooms than trying to stop a gunman who had already shot children and teachers

Surveillance videos from the school hallway have shown police officers running away from the classroom they tried to engage the gunman, who had an AR-15 rifle, and he shot at them.

But the narrative told by officers is in direct conflict with survivors, some of whom called 911 while trapped in the classroom.

Those children told 911 operators that people were shot, but still alive and pleaded for ambulances to be sent to them.

Both state and federal investigations have found that some victims might have been saved if they had received medical attention sooner.

'We've been let down so many times. The time has come to do the right thing,' Cazarez added at the press conference on Wednesday, while surrounded by other grieving families of victims.

A separate $2 million settlement with Uvalde County is still being worked out, Koskoff told reporters.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed it was investigating an incident after a video posted on Twitter showed a DPS trooper shoving a Uvalde mother who's child was a victim in the Robb Elementary mass shooting

Harrowing police body worn footage shows distraught Uvalde students with blood-soaked hair and clothes fleeing Robb Elementary on school bus as one girl tearfully tells trooper how she tried not to cry while calling 911 to report mass shooting

'Yes, we are suing the state of Texas,' the lawyer added.

Koskoff also announced a separate lawsuit against the federal government, who had the most cops in attendance, would be filed in the future.
It is the British seaside town where wealthy families from London decamp to during the summer months to fresh sea breeze and sandy beaches.

As a result, Salcombe, Devon, has once again been named as the most expensive place in Britain to buy a home by the coast.

The affluent town boasts some luxury homes with stunning views across the Kingsbridge estuary, and an average house price of that's just shy of 1million.

But, despite that, the area has seen prices plummet in the last year.

Devon's Salcombe retains the title for being the most expensive seaside town to live in

The average value of a property in Salcombe stands at 970,657, according to the latest Lloyds survey.

This is down 22 per cent on the 1.2million recorded in 2022, the equivalent of 230,000 being knocked off the average house price since that time.

The average value of a property in Salcombe currently stands at 970,657, according to Lloyds

All of the top ten most expensive seaside towns are in the South West, with Salcombe followed by Sandbanks.

Home to celebrities such as Harry Redknapp, Sandbanks is well known for its modern properties that would not look out of place on the Californian coastline.

The Dorset peninsula has an average house price of 957,739, according to Lloyds.

It is in sharp contrast to the location recommended by Lloyds (scroll down for more information) for those looking for a cheaper coastal area to live in, if you have a significantly smaller budget of just 100,000.

Padstow in Cornwall is ranked third in the list of most expensive coastal areas to live in, with homes typically costing 701,979.

Meanwhile, Lyme Regis in Dorset and St Ives in Cornwall have entered the top ten most expensive coastal locations, with average property prices of more than 500,000 in both areas.

All of the top ten most expensive seaside towns are in the South West, including Sandbanks

In contrast to the affluent picture of seaside towns that these luxury destinations provide, Lloyds was keen to point out that 'the idyllic image of a seaside resort' doesn't always apply.

It said some coastal areas in Britain can experience high level of 'deprivation' due to declining local industries.

Amanda Bryden, of Lloyds Bank, explained: 'Sea views, sandy beaches, brisk morning dips - it's easy to see why coastal living is so desirable.

'Our data shows the most sought-after coastal locations in the country can attract average price tags of close to a million pounds - with in demand properties often going for much more.

'These pricier areas can result in a lack of affordable homes for first-time buyers, a problem often exacerbated by high levels of second home ownership, meaning that many who have grown up in the area may find themselves priced out of owning their own home locally.'

THE CHEAPEST AREAS TO BUY A PROPERTY BY THE SEASIDE Coastal location Region Average house price 2023 Rothesay Scotland 101,477 Greenock Scotland 107,111 Girvan Scotland 107,349 Millport Scotland 113,622 Saltcoats Scotland 115,372 Campbeltown Scotland 115,813 Ardrossan Scotland 119,166 Port Bannatyne Scotland 119,951 Stranraer Scotland 120,157 Fraserburgh Scotland 129,606 Source: Land Registry House Price Data 12 months to December 2023

She added: 'There are more affordable places to call home by the sea, especially the further north you head.

'Those with a more adventurous streak may want to consider setting up home in Rothesay on the charming Isle of Bute, which will set buyers back around 100,000 on average.

'It's also important to remember that in some coastal areas around Britain, the idyllic image of a seaside resort doesn't apply.

'Indeed there are specific socio-economic factors, often as a result of changing tourism habits, or the decline of other local industries, which can lead to higher levels of deprivation.'

The seaside location with the cheapest average house prices is Rothesay on the Isle of Bute

Rothesay on the Isle of Bute is the seaside location with the cheapest average house prices - at just 101,477, according to Lloyds.

The Isle of Bute - known as Bute - is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland and it is linked by ferry to the mainland.

Rothesay is the island's main town, and has at its centre a 13th century ruin called Rothesay Castle.

All of the locations in the list of ten cheapest places to live by the sea are in Scotland and include Greenock and Girvan at 107,111 and 107,349 respectively.

BIGGEST PRICE INCREASES IN COASTAL LOCATIONS 2013 VERSES 2023 Coastal location Region Average house price 2013 Average house price 2023 10-year change Margate South East 151,196 309,049 104% Amlwch Wales 127,342 255,189 100% Menai Bridge Wales 196,979 379,472 93% Ramsgate South East 156,103 297,804 91% Broadstairs South East 232,256 440,654 90% Deal South East 207,727 390,089 88% Lymington South East 348,793 648,881 86% Whitstable South East 257,294 473,680 84% Perranporth South West 223,232 410,946 84% Padstow South West 382,560 701,979 83% All coastal locations GB - 198,631 293,710 48% Source: Land Registry (E&W) and ROS (Scotland) - house price data 12 months to December 2013 and 2023

The biggest increases in house prices in coastal locations during the past decade have also been revealed by Lloyds.

Margate in the South East leads the way with a 104 per cent increase, with average values rising from 151,196 to 309,049 between 2013 and 2023 respectively.

It is followed by Amlwch and Menai Bridge - both in Wales - which have seen a 100 per cent and 93 per cent increase respectively.

The average coastal location in Britain has seen its house prices rise 48 per cent during the past decade.
While many of us try our best to reduce our salt intake, the lure of a salty bag of crisps or a salt-laden ready meal can be too much to resist.

But help is finally at hand, in the form of a futuristic spoon.

Scientists at Meiji University in Japan have developed an electric spoon that zaps your tongue to enhance the salty taste of bland food.

This gives you all the benefits of a salty hit without the fear of your blood pressure sky rocketing.

The spoon has gone on sale for 19,800 yen ($127) this month, but with just 200 available, you'll have to be quick to get your hands on it!

Scientists at Meiji University in Japan have developed an electric spoon that zaps your tongue to enhance the salty taste of bland food

The product launch marks the first commercialisation of technology that last year won an Ig Nobel Prize, which honours unusual and whimsical research.

Kirin Holdings will sell just 200 of its Electric Salt Spoons online for 19,800 yen ($127) this month and a limited run at a Japanese retailer in June, but is hoping for 1 million users globally within five years.

Sales overseas will start next year.

The spoon, made of plastic and metal, was co-developed with Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita, who previously demonstrated the taste-enhancing effect in prototype electric chopsticks.

The effect works by passing a weak electric field from the spoon to concentrate sodium ion molecules on the tongue to enhance the perceived saltiness of the food.

The spoon, made of plastic and metal, was co-developed with Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita, who previously demonstrated the taste-enhancing effect in prototype electric chopsticks

Weighing 60 grams, the spoon runs on a rechargeable lithium battery

How does the Electric Salt Spoon work? The power can be turned on with the handle of the spoon. The user can then pick how intense they want the salt flavour to be - there are four levels. Then use the spoon the same way as normal. The weak electrical current will pass through the food to produce the effect. Advertisement

Kirin, which is pivoting towards healthcare from its traditional beer business, said the technology has particular significance in Japan, where the average adult consumes about 10 grams of salt per day, double the amount recommended by the World Health Organization.

Excess sodium intake is related to increased incidence of high blood pressure, strokes and other ailments.

'Japan has a food culture that tends to favour salty flavours,' said Kirin researcher Ai Sato.

'Japanese people as a whole need to reduce the amount of salt intake but it can be difficult to move away from what we're used to eating.

'That's what led us to develop this electric spoon.'

Weighing 60 grams, the spoon runs on a rechargeable lithium battery.

Miyashita and his co-creator, Hiromi Nakamura, were presented with the Ig Nobel Nutrition Prize by immunologist and Nobel Prize laureate Peter Doherty in an online ceremony last year.

This isn't the first time that Professor Miyashita and his lab have explored ways that technology can interact with and stimulate human sensory experiences.

Last year, he developed a lickable TV screen that can imitate various food flavours.

The device is called Taste the TV (TTTV) and contains a carousel of 10 flavour canisters that can spray taste samples on to the surface of the screen.

The different flavour profiles in the canisters can then combine to create tastes similar to those being shown on screen - for example coffee or pizza.

It is an experimental technology, produced by Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, with its developers expecting a commercial version to cost about 650 ($875).
READ MORE: Ice shelf that jumps twice a day could trigger an icequake

New iceberg is around 146 sq miles (380 sq km) - the size of the Isle of Wight

Incredible new images show the birth of a massive iceberg in the Antarctic that's about the size of the Isle of Wight.

The enormous floating berg, called A83, has a total area of 146 sq miles (380 sq km) and is around 490 feet (150 metres) thick.

It broke away from Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf on Monday just weeks after a new crack was spotted in satellite images, experts say.

According to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the movement of iceberg A83 is now being strongly controlled by ocean currents.

'As of this morning it had moved about a mile to the west and rotated slightly,' Dr Oliver Marsh, a glaciologist at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), told MailOnline.

A new crack in the ice running perpendicular to the Halloween Crack (running horizontally) has birthed the new iceberg, called A83

How do icebergs form? Icebergs form when pieces of ice break off the end of an ice shelf or a glacier that flows into a body of water. This is called 'calving' and its a natural process that is responsible for ice loss at the edges of glaciers and ice sheets. As famously demonstrated by the sinking of Titanic in 1912, icebergs often pose a danger to ships. An iceberg's mass can spread widely under the water's surface, meaning a berg can look smaller than they actually are. Source: antarcticglaciers.org Advertisement

Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf  named after Welsh meteorologist David Brunt  has seen a number of icebergs break away over the last few years.

This latest one, A83, finally came away after a vertical crack connected up with a previously-existing horizonal crack, like scissors cutting out a triangle of paper.

About 30 miles across, the horizonal crevice is called Halloween Crack because it was discovered on October 31, 2016.

But the shorter vertical crack  measuring 8.6 miles (14 km)  was only spotted on April 26 this year.

The final break happened in the early hours of Monday May (20), according to BAS experts who studied satellite and GPS data.

'This calving was expected since the appearance of Halloween Crack eight years ago,' said Dr Marsh.

'[It] reduces the total area of the ice shelf to its smallest extent since monitoring began.'

Ice shelves are large floating platforms of ice that connect to a landmass, such as Antarctica, although they're also found in other polar locations such as Greenland.

These shelves act as a protective buffer for the mainland ice, keeping the whole Antarctic Ice Sheet from flowing into the ocean, which would dramatically raise global sea levels.

An outline of the new iceberg is provided in red. Nearby is Halley VI, a relocatable research station that's operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

Pictured, a still from a flyover video of a huge chasm that appeared in the Brunt Ice Shelf, filmed in January 2023

Antarctica is home to a number of ice shelves marked out in this map, including Brunt, Shackleton and Ross. Brunt is to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula (the bit that sticks out from the Antarctic mainland like a little tail)

The melting of ice shelves has been linked with global warming, but according to BAS, the cracks that led to iceberg A83 were created by a natural process.

Dr Marsh said the berg broke off because of the flow of Brunt Ice Shelf towards a fixed point on the sea floor (known as the McDonald Ice Rumples).

'Over time this created a bending stress in the ice to the north of Halloween Crack which increased until it exceeded a critical value,' he told MailOnline.

'This type of calving is just one of the mechanisms through which the ice sheet loses mass to stay in balance with the year-round snowfall.'

The horizonal crack is called Halloween Crack because it was discovered on October 31, 2016. The latest measurement of the crack (prior to the separation event) put it at about 30 miles across

The Halley VI station consists of eight units which each sit on skis so they can be easily manoeuvred away from the edge of the the ice shelf when needed

The horizonal crack is called Halloween Crack because it was discovered on October 31, 2016 and runs about 30 miles across. This image shows the crack in September 2023

The Brunt Ice Shelf is also the location of BAS's Halley VI research station, where important monitoring work is carried out.

Halley VI consists of eight units which each sit on skis so they can be easily manoeuvred away from the edge of the the ice shelf when needed.

In 2016  the same year Halloween Crack was detected  BAS experts took the precaution of relocating the base 14 miles inland, further away from the water.

If it had stayed put, it would have sailed away on an iceberg that broke away in January 2023.

Currently, Halley VI is unstaffed, but a new team will return to the station in November.
AT&T is down for thousands of Americans - three months after a widespread glitch left people without service for hours.

Wednesday's issues appeared around 4am ET and are plaguing mobile phones and internet.

While DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages, showed customers in Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and other major cities are experienced problems, AT&T told DailyMail.com that only customers in Virginia and North Carolina were impacted.

AT&T is down for thousands of Americans - three months after a widespread glitch left people without service for hours

DownDetector's website shows issue reports for AT&T began to flood in around 10am ET on Tuesday, but has since jumped to more than 1,300 users as of 7am ET.

Approximately 58 percent of users cited issues with their mobile phones, 32 percent do not have a signal and 11 percent are having issues with mobile internet.

However, the outage is not hitting all American customers at the moment.

Users flocked to Elon Musk's X early Wednesday morning to share their frustrations about limited cell service, but to ask the masses if they are also experiencing issues.

One X user stated that they are switching phone carriers today due to AT&T going down three times in the past two months.

Others shared that they expect to receive a discount on their June bill.

Wednesday's issues appeared around 4am ET and are plaguing mobile phones and internet

While DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages , showed customers in Chicago , Dallas, Phoenix and other major cities are experienced problems, AT&T told DailyMail.com that only customers in Virginia and North Carolina were impacted

The current outage has reminded customers of the major glitch that hit in February, which knocked out service for more than 70,000 AT&T users for nearly the entire day.

The spike of that outage also occurred around 4am ET and left users' devices on SOS, which means there is not a connection.

AT&T has more than 240 million subscribers, the country's largest, which means when issues hit a majority of Americans do not have cellular service.

There had been speculation that the February issue may have been the result of a cyberattack, but the company said there were 'no indications of malicious activity'.

During the widespread outage, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI revealed they were opening up an investigation into what could have happened.

However, AT&T made a statement following the news: 'Based on our initial review, we believe that today's outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack.'

'We are continuing our assessment of [the] outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.'

While AT&T provided the answer of human error, how the outage played out has raised many questions, such as why were only some people impacted and others not.
From grey squirrels to Asian hornets, several invasive species are already causing problems in the UK.

But things could be set to get even worse, thanks to increased flooding.

That's according to researchers from The Rivers Trust, Plantlife, and Buglife, who have warned of an influx of invasive plants and animals due to more extreme weather in Britain.

The wildlife groups have released a list of eight species set to wreak havoc, including Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, and Red Imported Fire Ants.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: 'As climate change brings increasingly volatile weather, the risk of invasive species spreading will grow.'

Wildlife groups have released a list of eight species set to wreak havoc, including Japanese Knotweed (pictured), Giant Hogweed, and Red Imported Fire Ants

The Red Imported Fire Ant was first discovered in Europe last year, and has since been spotted spreading in floodwater by joining together to create a raft

The last 18 months have been the wettest in England since records began back in 1836.

Beyond making us all miserable, this wet weather could also spark a surge in invasive species that thrive in wet conditions, according to the experts.

'Invasive species are already one of the biggest threats to the UK environment, from smothering waterways to outcompeting native species,' Mr Benwell said.

'They also cause billions of pounds in damage a year to homes and businesses, and even pose risks to human health.'

The team highlights six invasive species already established in UK, which spread and thrive in excessively wet conditions.

The team highlights six invasive species already established in UK, which spread and thrive in excessively wet conditions, including Giant Hogweed

Zebra Mussels spread primarily via clinging to watercraft, but experts have warned that floods can help the mussel spread to new waterways

Two populations of Chinese Mystery Snail have been identified in Sussex and Hampshire. In the US they have been found to carry parasites and diseases and outcompete native species for food and habitat

The invasive species that could wreak havoc on Britain Already established in the UK Japanese knotweed Himalayan Balsam Giant Hogweed Rhododendron ponticum Zebra mussels Chinese Mystery Snail On the horizon Golden Apple Snail Red Imported Fire Ant Advertisement

This includes Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Rhododendron ponticum, Zebra Mussels, and Chinese Mystery Snail.

Even more worryingly, the researchers pinpoint two invasive species that are not yet in Britain but could be 'on the horizon' amid the rise in flooding.

The Red Imported Fire Ant was first discovered in Europe last year, and has since been spotted spreading in floodwater by joining together to create a raft.

It carries a venomous sting, and could wreak havoc on ground-nesting birds, buildings, and public health, according to the team.

Meanwhile, the Golden Apple Snail is listed in the top 100 invasive species worldwide, mostly for its impacts on crops.

And flooding could facilitate its spread along UK waterways.

David Smith, Social Change and Advocacy Officer at Buglife, said: 'We're already seeing big impacts on native insects and invertebrates due to invasive species, including earthworms being predated by non-native flatworms to American Signal Crayfish damaging riverbanks and undermining flood defences.

Himalayan Balsam is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. The plant also increases flood risk as when it dies in the winter it leaves large areas of eroded exposed riverbanks

The Golden Apple Snail is listed in the top 100 invasive species worldwide, mostly for its impacts on crops. And flooding could facilitate its spread along UK waterways

'With highly invasive species known to spread via floodwaters, such as Red Imported Fire Ants, Chinese Mitten Crab & Chinese Mystery Snail, making their way across Europe, we must act now to stop further damage to our native wildlife.'

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for authorities to take urgent action to protect Britain from an influx of invasive speies.

Erin Shott, Communications and Policy Officer at Plantlife, said: Rising flood risks and falling local resources to control invasive species could lead to a perfect storm for the spread of damaging species.

'It's key that the UK gets ahead of the rising tide of invasive species as part of the climate crisis by providing the national leadership and local resources needed to tackle this issue.'
The Flower Moon will bloom in the night sky this week and dazzle the world for three days.

The moon will appear full at 9:35am ET Thursday and reach its peak 50 minutes after the sun goes down.

The term 'flower moon' also marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror against the Osage Nation in the 1920s when white men murdered members of the tribe to inherit their oil assets.

The historical events inspired the 2017 book, 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' written by journalist David Grann that was later turned into a Martin Scorses film.

The moon will appear full at 9:35am Thursday and reach its peak 50 minutes after the sun goes down. Pictured is a super Flower Moon that happened May 25, 2023

The Flower Moon coincides with the flowers blooming in May, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

And it is also called a 'Mother's Moon', 'Milk Moon' or 'Corn Planting Moon.'

Native Americans named the celestial event as they knew it was time to start planting crops.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise will happen by roughly 8:35pm ET Thursday, crossing the meridian at 1:14am before setting at 5:46am on Friday. morning.

Skygazers are set to get a preview of the Flower Moon on Wednesday when it rises just a few minutes before sunset - Americas should cast their eyes to the east to see it.

But the main event will take place on Thursday when the moon appears next to Antares, which lies about 600 light-years from Earth - one light year is about five trillion miles.

The star, while a blazing ruby color, is nearing the end of its life because it is running out of fuel.

The Flower Moon will also shine near Antares, an aging giant star that is set to explode, located in the constellation Scorpius

Once that happens, Antares will collapse and become supernova - the powerful and luminous explosion of a star.

Scientists captured images of the star in 2017 using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLTI), revealing the most detailed look yet.

The photos showed that there was a turbulent, low-density gas much further from the star than predicted.

The team suggested that this movement could not result from convection  the process by which the movement of matter transfers energy from the core to the outer atmosphere of many stars.

This indicated that a new, currently unknown, process may be needed to explain these movements in the extended atmospheres of stars like Antares.
AT&T was down for thousands of Americans Wednesday - three months after a widespread glitch left people without service for hours.

The issues appeared around 4am ET, plaguing mobile phones and internet, but service was restored about four hours later.

While DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages, showed customers in Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and other major cities are experienced problems, AT&T told DailyMail.com that only customers in Virginia and North Carolina were impacted.

AT&T was down for thousands of Americans Wednesday morning - three months after a widespread glitch left people without service for hours

DownDetector's website showed issue reports for AT&T began to flood in around 10am ET on Tuesday, but has since jumped to more than 1,300 users as of 7am ET.

Approximately 58 percent of users cited issues with their mobile phones, 32 percent do not have a signal and 11 percent are having issues with mobile internet.

Users flocked to Elon Musk's X early Wednesday morning to share their frustrations about limited cell service, but to ask the masses if they are also experiencing issues.

One X user stated that they were switching phone carriers today due to AT&T going down three times in the past two months.

Others shared that they expect to receive a discount on their June bill.

Wednesday's issues appeared around 4am ET , but dissipated about four hours later

DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages , shows customers in Chicago , Dallas, Phoenix and other major cities are experiencing problems. However, AT&T told DailyMail.com that only customers in Virginia and North Carolina were impacted by degraded cell towers

The current outage has reminded customers of the major glitch that hit in February, which knocked out service for more than 70,000 AT&T users for nearly the entire day.

The spike of that outage also occurred around 4am ET and left users' devices on SOS, which means there is not a connection.

AT&T has more than 240 million subscribers, the country's largest, which means when issues hit a majority of Americans do not have cellular service.

There had been speculation that the February issue may have been the result of a cyberattack, but the company said there were 'no indications of malicious activity'.

During the widespread outage, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI revealed they were opening up an investigation into what could have happened.

However, AT&T made a statement following the news: 'Based on our initial review, we believe that today's outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack.'

'We are continuing our assessment of [the] outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.'

While AT&T provided the answer of human error, how the outage played out has raised many questions, such as why were only some people impacted and others not.
A teacher has amazed her students by defying the laws of gravity.

Mrs. Madden, from Mount Kisco, New York, performed a spell bounding experiment for her science class by flipping a jar of water upside down in a way that not a drop spilled out from the opening.

While the feat appeared to be something of magic, it was possible using air pressure that flowed into the container and trapped the water inside.

A teacher from Mount Kisco, New York taught her young students how water could defy gravity and stay in a jar, even after it was flipped upside down

Students filmed Madden standing in front of the classroom and covering a jar of water with what seemed to be a thin piece of cardboard.

When she turned the jar over, an air bubble appeared at the top of the liquid and she slowly removed her hand, showing the cardboard wouldn't fall off.

Madden told her students that by flipping the jar, it created air pressure which pushed upwards in all directions, causing a magnet-like effect between the cardboard and the water.

The air pressure would hold the liquid in, she told her students as she removed the cardboard from the bottom.

When she turned the jar over, an air bubble appeared at the top of the liquid and she slowly removed her hand, showing the cardboard wouldn't fall off

When no water fell from the jar, her students cried out in shock as she explained that the jar's air pressure was stronger than gravity which kept it in the container.

Madden poked the exposed water and aside from a few droplets, no water came out.

Her students rushed to her desk to touch the water, exploding with excitement as the liquid stayed firmly in its jar.

The video was captured in 2019, but has resurfaced on social media where it received heartwarming responses praising Madden's teaching efforts.

One person commented: 'She looks so happy that she is making a core memory for these kids, and shes TEACHING.

'A lot of teachers dont get time to teach but his was beautiful to watch.'

Another person wrote: 'This is how you put kids on the right path. Indulge their curiosity with simple but amazing stuff.

'I bet those kids will remember her well into their lives.'
Stand in the centre of the elegant old bullring in Seville, with its cheerful white and yellow colonnades, and you can almost hear the cheers of entranced crowds echoing down the centuries.

Scrape your feet across the rasping sand and you feel just a little of what it must be like to be a matador, standing alone and facing down a 1,500lb mountain of muscle bred for sheer aggression.

This is the ring where some of the greatest of all bullfighters  such as the slender and saturnine Manolete in the 1930s  enraptured their fans with breathtaking skill and courage.

Its an ancient ritual that still provokes passionate support but also intense loathing. Whatever your view, you can see in the visceral struggle for survival how the corrida is a metaphor for the history of Andalucia itself, shaped by a long saga of violent conquest.

Ive long been fascinated by the balletic brutality that makes up the six acts of a bullfight. But where do the bulls come from, how are they bred and raised  and are they ever spared the fate that awaits them?

Jeremy Phillips explores Andalucia's controversial bullfighting tradition. Above, a bullfight in Sevilles Maestranza

The best way to understand the place they hold in this regions heart is to undertake a journey which ends on a hilltop far to the east, where I finally find myself staring into the eyes of a Santa Coloma.

One of the best ways to discover Spain is to stay at some of the idiosyncratic properties Sawdays offers across the region.

So, with two teenagers in tow, we begin in Seville at the La Bella Sevilla, a neat hotel that could not be better placed for the head-swimmingly vast cathedral that dominates the city, a short stroll from the Plaza de Toros.

Real Maestranza, explains Jeremy, is the ring where some of the greatest of all bullfighters  such as the slender and saturnine Manolete in the 1930s  enraptured their fans with breathtaking skill and courage

With rooms on a charming roof terrace three floors above the bustling alleyways, we drink morning coffee gazing up at the third-largest church in the world from which the vast square bulk of the Giralda tower thrusts into the sky.

Christopher Columbus is buried in the building, but its the soaring roofs that transfix us as we wander around feeling like ants far below.

Its a beautiful, relaxed, compact city and you can walk everywhere before taking your pick of the bustling restaurants in the cheerful side streets.

Centuries ago, you could have floated along the Guadalquivir river from Seville to Cordoba. But these days, its an agreeable 90-mile drive north-east.

Jeremy stays at El Anadio ranch in the Jaen province, a working farm that produces top-class bulls

In the afternoon, we stroll soberly around the bullfighting museum hidden up one of Cordobas elegant little alleyways  a shrine to local boy Manolete. He also fought in Granada, the next stop on our journey, where we take a break from the city visits in the calm of Cortijo del Marques hotel, an elegant mini-fortress on a hillside that is a cocoon of peace.

We dine in a tranquil square within the walls. Its a fine base from which to explore the jewels of the Alhambra, half an hours drive away.

When our appetite for the spellbinding craftsmanship of its architects is sated, we head back to our retreat in the hills for a swim before dinner.

With every stop on this odyssey into Spains past, we are one step nearer the renowned El Anadio ranch where, for generations, the family of Maria Jesus Gualdo, a feisty lady of a certain age, has sought to create  through a subtle alchemy of breeding and experience  some of the most terrifying beasts on the planet.

In Grenada, Jeremy seeks refuge at Cortijo del Marques hotel, 'an elegant mini-fortress on a hillside that is a cocoon of peace'

As Maria proves with her bold handling of the fighting bulls, she is entirely at home in this testosterone-soaked world. In these wild rolling hills of Jaen province north-east of Granada, the famous Santa Coloma bulls  one of Spains four foundational bloodlines  have been raised for generations to be sent out to do battle with matadors in bullrings across France and Spain.

We pick our way up a rocky five-mile track to the ranch, which has several rooms for guests, a restaurant, courtyard and pool but which is absolutely a working farm.

So what of the fighting bulls? Aged between four and six, they have the run of a large enclosure right outside our bedroom but behind a solid stone wall.

Maria sends around 30 off to fight each year in corridas, earning up to 2,000 for a top bull.

Jeremy strolls 'soberly' around Cordoba's bullfighting museum

TRAVEL FACTS Sawdays (sawdays.co.uk) offers double rooms at Cortijo del Marques in Granada from 130 per night B&B, or family rooms from 180 a night B&B. Rooms for two at La Bella Sevilla are from 82 a night. Rural El Anadio rooms for two are from 108 a night. Fly from Gatwick to Malaga with British Airways from 42pp each way (ba.com). Advertisement

What I didnt know is that some bulls are spared in the ring if they are deemed to have fought bravely. The crowd wave their handkerchiefs furiously to indicate their wishes. Miguel, a farmhand who drives us around, proudly tells me that El Anadio has five bulls who were returned in this way.

Our visit is a unique experience and, while the place is far from lavish, its comfortable. One day we ride out on horseback across the hilltops around the ranch.

In the evenings, we eat hearty dishes under the stars to the sound of the fighting herd snuffling behind their wall.

After dinner, I stroll over and find one majestic creature in the half-dark staring at me. I know in that moment that if that wall were not there, those coal black eyes below the curving horns would be the last thing I ever saw.

Yet it is not just bulls who die in the ring. The great Manolete lost his life after he was gored in the ring at nearby Linares. He was just 30  one more fallen warrior in the dance of death that weaves through the history of Andalucia.
Two short-haul flights across Europe are among the world's 10 most turbulent plane journeys, statistics suggest.

Hour-long hops across the Alps between Milan-Geneva and Milan-Zurich come fifth and tenth, respectively.

A 1,905km trip between Santiago in Chile and Santa Cruz in Bolivia ranks top.

That is according to Turbli, a turbulence forecast website which analysed more than 150,000 long-haul and short-haul flight records from 2023 to discover which are the most jarring.

The rankings, illustrated in a set of animated maps by MailOnline, follow the death of a 73-year-old Brit onboard a Singapore Airlines jet rocked by extreme turbulence.

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Around 11 hours after take off from London Heathrow yesterday, the Boeing 777 jet hit an air pocket and sharply dropped 6,000ft in five minutes.

It unleashed mayhem in the cabin, forcing the plane  carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew  to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Terrified passengers described how they had little warning to put their seatbelts on before the aircraft suddenly dropped.

One passenger said people were 'launched into the ceiling' as the plane fell through the sky.

Geoff Kitchen, a beloved grandfather travelling with his wife Linda on their 'last big holiday', died, Thai officials said. More than 70 others were injured. Seven suffered critical head injuries.

Turbulence is the bane of any long-haul flight  but the natural phenomenon can be far more than simply annoying.

In the worst-case scenario, violent rattling can lead to structural damage to the plane itself and even harm passengers.

Turbulence is the bane of any long-haul flight, but this natural phenomenon can be far more than simply annoying

Disturbance is ranked on a scale from 'light', which causes slight erratic changes in altitude, to 'severe', in which the aircraft is violently tossed about.

Turbli used 'eddy dissipation rates' (EDR) to rank the routes.

EDR measures the intensity of turbulence at a given spot - 0-20 is light, 20-40 is moderate, 40-80 severe, and 80-100 is extreme.

The 1,184-mile (1,905km) route from Santiago, Chile, to Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, was ranked as the most turbulent in the world, with an average EDR of 17.5.

Second shakiest is the 210-mile short-haul jump from Almaty in Kazakhstan to its capital, Bishke (EDR 17.4).

Six of the top ten rockiest rides across the globe are routes in Japan and China. Turbli attributes this to high jet-stream activity in these regions disrupting the air.

The worst turbulence in Europe overall was experienced on the 132-mile flight path from Milan to Geneva (EDR 16.3), ranking as the fifth-most turbulent trajectory in the world overall.

Five of the top ten most turbulent routes in Europe took off or landed in Zurich, with mountain wave turbulence coming off the Swiss Alps likely responsible for its heavy presence on the list, according to Turbli.

Routes across the US were less turbulent than the worst European routes, with the most turbulent American leg the 441-mile flight from Nashville to Raleigh scoring an average EDR of 14.7. This wouldn't break the top ten on the European list.

A passenger onboard a Singapore Airlines jet travelling from the UK described the extreme turbulence that killed a fellow flyer. Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident today, with belongings strewn across the floor and oxygen masks dangling from above

After around 11 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

Geoff Kitchen, 73, suffered a suspected heart attack on the flight, according to a spokesman for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the plane was diverted and forced to make an emergency landing

The rest of the ranking for America comprises Charlotte - Pittsburgh (second); Denver - Puerto Vallarta (third); New York - Raleigh/Durham (fourth); Warwick - Syracuse (fifth); Atlanta - Dulles (sixth); Pittsburgh - Raleigh/Durham (seventh); New York - Portland (eighth); Boston - Syracuse (ninth); and Boston - Philadelphia (10th).

Down under, the 450-mile flight from Brisbane to Sydney tops the Oceania table, with an average EDR of 15.3.

If you're particularly worried about a rough landing or take-off, Turbli has also pinpointed the most turbulent airports in the world.

Number one in the worldwide ranking is Santiago Chile, where the average EDR is 17.1. It attributes this meteorological phenomenon to the surrounding Andes causing mountain wave turbulence.

The rest of the top five in the bumpiest global airports ranking comprises Natori, Japan (second); Wellington (third); Sapporo, Japan (fourth), and Osaka (fifth).

In Europe, Vienna tops the table (EDR 14.8), followed by Zurich, Marseille and Geneva, while in the USA Portland proves the most shaky airstrip to take off from (EDR 15.2), followed by Denver (second); Las Vegas (third); Vancouver (fourth); Salt Lake City (fifth); Prince George (sixth); Calgary (seventh); Quebec (eighth); Reno (ninth); and Seattle (10th).

In the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand's Wellington airport is the most turbulent in Oceania, scoring an EDR of 16.3.

The choppy air we feel as turbulence doesn't have a single cause and comes from a number of different sources, like normal atmospheric wind patterns, or by wakes of other nearby aircraft.

One of the most common causes of severe turbulence is 'mechanical turbulence'  which is very common around mountains and other physical obstructions.

If you imagine waves hitting a rock in the ocean, the previously uniform water is now broken up and choppy. When winds hit mountains, the same thing happens, forming what are known as 'mountain waves'.

Oxygen masks are seen hanging from the ceiling in the cabin of the Singapore Airlines flight

A passenger died and 30 others were injured on a flight from London to Singapore this afternoon forcing an emergency landing in Thailand. Pictured: The plane and ambulances are seen on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok today

These broken-up air currents create packets of rolling, turbulent air which can shake planes that try to pass through, says Dr David Birch, of the Centre for Aerodynamics & Environmental Flow at the University of Surrey.

Some of the most violent turbulence is caused by thunderstorms which create huge vertical currents of violent air.

According to the National Weather Service, these currents can cause planes to rise or fall between 600 and 1830 metres (2,000-6,000ft) at a time.

Turbli's reporting is likely to prove increasingly relevant to jet-setters, as global warming has caused an increase in the severity of turbulence, according to scientists.

Research conducted by the University of Reading indicates that turbulence during flights is on the rise, with severe turbulence increasing by 55 per cent since 1979.

However, you can console yourself with the knowledge that although turbulence may be uncomfortable and scary, it is extremely unlikely to cause your plane to crash.

As a long-haul Dreamliner captain who spoke to MailOnline stated: 'In terms of what it might do to you, yes it's unpleasant, nobody likes being bounced up and down like that, or very few people do, but it's not unsafe...

'Aircraft like flying, they don't like falling out of the sky, and you've got to try pretty hard to make them do that.'
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Rising sea levels are threatening the future of one overcrowded island in northern Panama, with residents being forced to relocate to the mainland.

Carti Sugtupu, which also known as Gardi Sugdub or 'Crab Island,' is the focus of a short YouTube video, where locals reveal how their livelihoods are being severely impacted by global warming.

The tiny outcrop, which measures some 1,300 feet by 500 feet, is home to around 2,000 people and in one scene the camera pans to show how many houses are built on stilts due to constant flooding.

Magdalena Martinez, who is a longtime resident of Carti Sugtupu, reveals in another scene how 'we think that we are going to sink [and] we know it is going to happen... in several years.'

'So we as parents, are thinking about our children,' she adds.

Carti Sugtupu, which also known as Gardi Sugdub or 'Crab Island,' is the focus of a short YouTube video, where locals reveal how their livelihoods are being severely impacted by global warming

The tiny outcrop, which measures some 1,300 feet by 500 feet, is home to around 2,000 people and in one scene the camera pans to show how many houses are built on stilts due to constant flooding

Magdalena Martinez, who is a longtime resident of Carti Sugtupu, reveals in another scene how 'we think that we are going to sink [and] we know it is going to happen... in several years'

Currently the main form of income on Carti Sugtupu, which is populated by the indigenous Guna community, is fishing

Magdalena is one of around 300 residents who is waiting to move to a government-funded home on the mainland.

The island elder explains that while she feels 'good' about the move, she is sad about leaving her home and she has left 'many dreams [and] many tears there.'

Unlike the homes on Carti Sugtupu, the new purpose-built community on the mainland known as Isber Yala, will have electricity, drinking water and sanitation systems.

Towards the end of the documentary, Magdalena shows the camera crew the interiors of her new home, with the kitchen area yet to be installed.

The islander explains to viewers as she conducts a tour: 'Here, I'm going to put my fridge and my stove but as you can see, it's very small.

'I'm going to make it a little bigger outside... because I like to cook and I'm good at it.'

Currently the main form of income on Carti Sugtupu, which is populated by the indigenous Guna community, is fishing.

The locals also rely on cultivating cassava and plantain harvesting from the mainland along with traditional textile production.

Another resident who features in the documentary is primary school teacher, Braulio Navarro. He explains that trading Carti Sugtupu for the mainland is a 'no brainer'

The locals also rely on harvesting cassava and plantain harvesting from the mainland along with traditional textile production

Magdalena is one of around 300 residents who is waiting to move to a government funded home on the mainland. Above, a view of what the purpose-built community looks like

Another resident who features in the documentary is primary school teacher, Braulio Navarro.

He explains that trading Carti Sugtupu for the mainland is a 'no brainer' and in one scene he is seen sweating in the extreme heat as he tells students 'it's hot, too hot, too hot.'

Touching on what the future holds, he muses: 'Moving to the school on the mainland is going to be very nice because there we have 24-hour electricity and all the classrooms are ready.

'We will have two fans there that we do not have here due to the lack of electricity. I know we are all going to be better there.

'In the beginning, I know it will be a little difficult, but little by little we will get used to it. That is what I think... I am happy.'

After years of delays, the Panamanian government says that most families will be relocated from Carti Sugtupu to the mainland in 2024.

Currently the island only sits 3.2 feet above sea level, making it at high risk of flooding.

Steven Paton, a researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, reveals in the film that Carti Sugtupu is part of an archipelago of 365 islands, most of which are facing similar issues.

Focusing on the future of Carti Sungtupu, he says: 'That island, with the sea level rise that we have today will not last more than 20 or 30 years at the most.

'Each island is going to have to decide for itself when it is going to have to relocate.

'But the fact is, with sea levels rising as a direct result of climate change, almost all islands are going to be abandoned by the end of this century.'

According to a 2021 World Bank study, 216 million people across six world regions will have to migrate by 2050 due to climate change.
Elsa Hosk turned heads on Tuesday evening as she attended the Parthenope premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Swedish model, 35, looked nothing short of sensational as she flashed some side-boob while going braless in a chic black gown.

The stunning ensemble showcased Elsa's toned figure and boasted a halterneck neckline as well as a racy backless design.

The beauty opted for further accessorising the stylish number with a gold choker necklace, a gold-toned bangle, and a pair of gold stud earrings to match.

She added inches to her frame with a pair of black strappy heels and styled her blonde locks in a voluminous half-up-half-down hairstyle.

Elsa Hosk turned heads on Tuesday evening as she flashed some side-boob while attending the Parthenope premiere at the Cannes Film Festival

The Swedish model, 35, looked nothing short of sensational as she went braless in a chic black gown

Parthenope is written, produced, and directed by Paolo Sorrentino.

The film also stars the likes of Celeste Dalla Porta, 26, Stefania Sandrelli, 77, Gary Oldman, 66, Silvio Orlando, 66, Luisa Ranieri, 50, Peppe Lanzetta, 68, and Isabella Ferrari, 60.

According to Paolo, the film is about a woman named Parthenope 'who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth.'

Parthenope had its world premiere on 21 May and is scheduled to be theatrically released in France.

It comes after the Swedish bombshell looked radiant as she showed off her abs in a bikini during a shoot in the Caribbean.

The Vogue model posed up a storm as she wore a floral bikini before going topless in a slew of racy snaps.

The star - who was seen the day before in a pink swimsuit - also took to her caption to talk up her new collaboration with New York based brand Heavy Manners.

'Elsa x @heavymanners is HERE! One of my favourite collabs Ive ever done' cooed the model.

The beauty opted for further accessorising the stylish number with a gold choker necklace, a gold-toned bangle, and a pair of gold stud earrings to match

She added inches to her frame with a pair of black strappy heels and styled her blonde locks in a voluminous half-up-half-down hairstyle

'Im in love every piece in this little swim capsule, the colours, the different personalities of the prints, the energy, the cuts, the vibes!'

She then said: 'Thank you @hotstufflildevil for being such a bad a** boss angel and for collaborating in the truest form, creating with you was magical. I hope you all love it as much as we do. (Im wearing some velvet morning).'

It comes after the beauty debuted her partnership with online brand Heavy Manners earlier this week.

Heavy Manners is a New York City based ready-to-wear and swimwear brand and the company was founded by Lisa Caprio in 2019.

The star wrote in her Instagram caption: 'My swim collab with @heavymanners LIVE today at 3pm EST Im wearing Lolita, Light Of My Life.'

Elsa was seen in three bathing suits: She had on a light hot pink design, a red cherry print number, and a brown 1960s-style print.

Heavy Manners wrote online: 'I cant wait for you guys to see the entire collection. Thank you Elsa for making this the most special experience.'

'There are no words and so many words at the same time.'

'Your creativity and your attention to detail is something I have admired for so long.'

'The way you create moments and images that stick in peoples minds is incredible but who you are and your heart is admirable beyond words...

'Thank you for gracefully guiding me through not only our first collaboration but our first major campaign...

'Thank you to everyone that helps my little world go round, I think the world of you, and my little family in Portugal that works so hard for me every single day to make a little kid's dreams come true.'

It comes after the Swedish bombshell looked radiant as she showed off her abs in a bikini during a shoot in the Caribbean

The Vogue model posed up a storm as she wore a floral bikini before going topless in a slew of racy snaps

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.

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.
Michael Easton held his friend Kamar De Los Reyes' hand until his final moment on Earth.

The beloved actor passed away from cancer in December at age 56 after a private battle with cancer.

Easton, 57, revealed those personal details on Thursday, May 16 during the Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up to Cancer - We All Have a Story livestream.

The General Hospital actor said his longtime friend was with those who loved him most at the time of his passing.

'I was holding his hand when he passed, and he was surrounded by family and friends,' he explained.

Michael Easton (L) held his friend Kamar De Los Reyes' (R) hand until his final moment on Earth. The beloved actor passed away from cancer in December at age 56 after a private battle with cancer

'There was so much love around him. I mean, he touched so many lives.'

The One Life to Live alum, who shared screentime with De Los Reyes on the daytime drama for several years, went on to reveal the two friends met on the set of their first film, 1990's Coldfire.

'I was scared and I was quiet and I was instantly drawn to his bravado and his sense of himself,' the Emmy nominee recollected. 'Kamar was larger than life.'

The two remained best buds for the next three decades.

'He was the best man at my wedding, and I am the godfather to his son, Michael. His loss was profound on all of us,' the Port Charles alum stated.

'There hasnt been a day gone by that I havent thought of him, and his family and what he brought to this world, and the contributions he made, not only to this acting community,' he said of his friends benevolence.

'He loved being an actor and he was a great actor.'

His love and commitment to his craft meant that De Los Reyes continued working throughout his illness, showing up on the set of All American, 'two weeks before his death. He was fierce to the end,' Easton said.

The General Hospital star made the emotional revelation during the May 16 Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up to Cancer - We All Have a Story livestream

Easton revealed he and De Los Reyes had been friend since meeting on the set of their first movie, 1990's Coldfire. The actor went on to be Easton's best man at his wedding and in turn Easton is godfather to the All America actor's son Michael (Pictured in Los Angeles in March 2020)

De Los Reyes is survived by his wife, actress Sherri Saum, 49, and their twins Michael and John, 10. The actor is also survived by his son Cayden, 26, from a previous relationship (Pictured in Los Angeles in March 2022)

'He never talked about being sick. Even though the odds were stacked from the very beginning, and its still really hard for me to talk about, but I was in awe of his strength and his resolve. I wouldve shut down long before he did.'

The late actor's family has not disclosed what type of cancer claimed his life. De Los Reyes was married to Good Trouble star Sherri Saum, 49. The couple shared twin sons Michael and John, 10. The actor was also dad to son Cayden, 26, from a previous relationship.

The Hollywood community turned out to support the family as they bid farewell to their beloved husband and father.

'People stretched out all the way outside,' he said of the attendance at the memorial. 'People showed [who] hadnt seen him in 20 years. That was the effect. So many of the One Life to Live cast members came and [the] cast from All American' turned out as well.'
Anya Taylor-Joy was a sight to see as she surfaced in New York this week amid her publicity rounds for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

The 28-year-old plays the title role in the origin story of Imperator Furiosa, the character first portrayed by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road.

While dashing between media appearances in support of her new film, Anya has caught the eye with her eminently stylish ensembles.

For her latest sighting, she selected a swank Marni minidress that featured a striking black and electric blue print that was vaguely reminiscent of leopard spots.

Cinched in to emphasize her trim midriff, the outfit was cut high enough to show off Anya's statuesque legs as she pounded the pavement.

Anya Taylor-Joy was a sight to see as she surfaced in New York this week amid her publicity rounds for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

The 28-year-old plays the title role in the origin story of Imperator Furiosa, the character first portrayed by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road

Letting her curtains of platinum blonde hair down, she sharpened her winningly pixie-like features with a slick of scarlet lipstick.

She accessorized with a large pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses that matched her blank ankle-strap heels, lending the look a touch of glitz with a gleaming bracelet.

Her latest outing comes after she confessed she had no driver's license before she had to stunt-drive for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

'They just threw me in the car and went you're going to do this. I was like: "Okay,"' she said while being interviewed with her co-star Chris Hemsworth on Lorraine.

She noted how 'fun' it was 'that the first thing I learned how to do in a car was' the strenuous stunts she had to perform for the movie.

'I have fallen in love with it, I want to get my normal driving license, I want to get my stunt driving license. It's a really cool way to learn how to drive.'

Fury Road starred Charlize Theron as Furiosa, an avenging warrior who leads a tribe of women in a relentlessly macho, post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Now Anya's new movie is on the verge of release, relaying the heartrending origin story that turns Furiosa into a hardened, ruthless killer.

For her latest sighting, she selected a swank Marni minidress that featured a striking black and electric blue print that was vaguely reminiscent of leopard spots

Cinched in to emphasize her trim midriff, the outfit was cut high enough to show off Anya's statuesque legs as she pounded the pavement

She accessorized with a large pair of sunglasses that matched her blank ankle-strap heels, lending the look a touch of glitz with a gleaming bracelet

Her latest outing comes after she confessed she had no driver's license before she had to stunt-drive for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Anya plays the title role, starting off as a long-haired beauty who turns into the cropped-haired, warpainted bruiser that Fury Road fans will instantly recognize

The warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth, kidnaps her from her luscious, green homeland and out of the arms of her 'magnificent' mother

Anya plays the title role of Furiosa, starting off as a long-haired beauty who turns into the cropped-haired, warpainted bruiser that Fury Road fans will instantly recognize.

The warlord Dementus, played by Chris, kidnaps her from her luscious, green homeland and out of the arms of her 'magnificent' mother.

Dementus and his gang are at that point waging a conflict with another warlord called Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) - later the villain of Mad Max: Fury Road.

During the events of the prequel, Immortan Joe is seen developing an alliance with Furiosa, who enters his employ on the basis of their common enemy.

Directed by George Miller, the mastermind behind the whole Mad Max franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga debuted at Cannes last week.

The movie was met with a warm reception at the festival, including a six-minute standing ovation and glowing reviews to the tune of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

While promoting the movie, which bows on Friday, Anya recently revealed that one extended 15-minute sequence took a staggering 78 days to film.

'We shot it for 78 days, 78 days!' she shared on The One Show. 'Yes. It's called Stowaway. It was 100 per cent the mountain we were all trying to climb.'
Penelope Mitchell put on a very leggy display as she attended the Parthenope premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.

The Australian actress, 32, showcased her svelte figure in a rhinestone-covered mini dress with long sleeves and a perilously short hemline.

She completed her eye-popping ensemble with pointy-toed silver pumps and diamond drop earrings, while styling her curly blonde locks in a loose up-do.

For makeup, the Vampire Diaries star complemented her dazzling look with a comparatively subdued peach blush, eye shadow and taupe lipstick.

Mitchell looked in her element as she cheekily hammed it up for the cameras and stuck out her tongue and made a peace sign with her fingers while rocking her best angles.

Penelope Mitchell, 32, (pictured) put on a very leggy display as she attended the Parthenope premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.

Penelope's latest movie called Oh, Canada - which co-stars Jacob Elordi and Richard - was screened at Cannes on May 17.

The movie earned a four-minute standing ovation following the star-studded screening.

Oh, Canada is a 2024 American drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader and is based on the 2021 novel Foregone by Russel Banks.

The Australian actress (pictured) showcased her svelte figure in a rhinestone-covered mini dress with long sleeves and a perilously short hemline

She completed her eye-popping ensemble with pointy-toed silver pumps and diamond drop earrings

For makeup, the Vampire Diaries star complemented her dazzling look with a comparatively subdued peach blush, eye shadow and taupe lipstick

The film follows Leonard Fife, one of sixty thousand draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam.

Cannes is the world's biggest film festival and 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.

Mitchell looked in her element as she cheekily hammed it up for the cameras and stuck out her tongue and made a peace sign with her fingers while rocking her best angles

The bombshell ensured her enviable assets were highlighted on the night

Penelope's latest movie called Oh, Canada - which co-stars Jacob Elordi and Richard - was screened at Cannes on May 17
Natalie Barr struggled to contain herself live on television Wednesday morning when she conducted a bizarre interview with CNN correspondent Richard Quest.

The British journalist, 62, was very energetic when he appeared on Sunrise to give details on the fatal aviation disaster which also left eight Aussies injured on Tuesday.

In a particularly animated discussion with the breakfast show anchor, 56, Richard used several props, including a 'makeup puff', and left Nat fighting not to laugh.

The interview began with shocking images from the Singapore Airlines flight which hit turbulence so severe musical theatre director Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, was killed.

Baggage and food items were flung around inside the Boeing 777 plane when it flew into a tropical storm over Myanmar and plummeted 6,000ft in just five minutes.

Natalia Barr, 56, (left) struggled to contain herself live on television Wednesday morning when she conducted a bizarre interview with CNN correspondent Richard Quest, 62, (right)

Richard attempted to explain how panels and compartment doors within the aircraft could have been ripped off, injuring more than 70 people in total.

But when he whipped out a model airplane and began waving it up and down, Nat found herself struggling to keep a straight face.

'The numbers show the plane only went up and down by several hundred feet at a time. It would go up 100, down 200... but the force was so intense,' he said.

Richard then began abruptly waving the model plane up and down as he attempted to re-enact what the passengers onboard the terrifying flight experienced.

'It's these smallish movements but with tremendous force that creates the damage and destruction you see,' he added.

The British journalist was very energetic when he appeared on Sunrise to give details on the horrific aviation disaster which left eight Aussies injured on Tuesday

In a particularly animated discussion with the breakfast show anchor, 56, Richard used several props, including a 'makeup puff', and left Nat fighting not to laugh

At that point, Nat attempted to pull herself back together and carry on the interview, asking Richard to explain how the baggage compartments became 'broken'.

'That takes force for someone to fly up into the air and break it. Why would that have happened? Would that be because people didn't have their seatbelts on?' she said.

Richard responded, 'Let me find a prop,' before proceeding to whip out a makeup puff and say: 'Imagine this is one of the people. It's just a makeup puff.'

Nat broke into a smile as Richard demonstrated with the compact how passengers were thrown into the roof of the plane when it dropped through the air.

'That's exactly what happens to people on the plane. Think of an egg in a bottle. If you shake the bottle, the egg is going to break,' he said.

The interview began with shocking images from the Singapore Airlines flight which hit turbulence so severe musical theatre director Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, (pictured) was killed

'Is this a reminder, for all of us, who probably think... I won't put my seatbelt on? Although they warn us to put our seatbelt on?' Nat asked.

Richard responded: 'Let me ask you a blunt question, what sort of idiot would sit in a metal tube that's bouncing through the air at five or six hundred miles an hour in unpredictable circumstances without being tied down?'

When the camera cut back to Nat, the breakfast show host could be seen biting her lip and looking off camera to her team in the studio as she attempted not to laugh.

It comes as the British passenger who died onboard the Singapore Airlines jet travelling from the UK was identified as Geoffrey Kitchen from Gloucestershire.

The pensioner died from a suspected heart attack, officials said, with Geoffrey's wife Linda thought to be among the injured who are currently in hospital.

Tributes have poured in for Geoffrey, who ran Thornbury Musical Theatre group and is said to be a grandfather, with heartbroken friends describing him as 'adventurous' and 'a really nice guy'.

Baggage and food items were flung around inside the Boeing 777 plane when it flew into a tropical storm over Myanmar and plummeted 6,000ft in just five minutes

The retired insurance worker and his wife were heading abroad on a six-week holiday of a lifetime to South East Asia, Indonesia and Australia when disaster struck around 11 hours into their flight from Heathrow.

The aircraft hit an air pocket and plummeted an astonishing 6,000ft in just five minutes, with the sudden drop unleashing mayhem onboard and forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.

Terrified passengers have described how they had little to no warning to put their seatbelts on before the aircraft suddenly dropped while the crew were serving breakfast, with one passenger saying people were 'launched into the ceiling' as the plane fell through the sky.

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, Thai authorities said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom were seriously injured, with many sustaining lacerations to the head as they were thrown upwards.
Bridgerton made its comeback last week.

And according to What's On Netflix the hit romance series is back and better than ever as it pulled in a shocking 45.1M views within just four days of going global on Netflix.

Within its first four days, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 reportedly scored 165.20 million viewing hours, equating to 45.10 million views.

Netflix described the views from the opening four days as 'only the beginning' and teased more to come.

In a press release released by them, they said: 'Spring has sprung, which means its finally #Polin (not pollen) season. Part 1 of Season 3 of Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton debuted at #1 on the English TV List, racking up 45.1M views.

Bridgerton made its comeback last week and according to What's On Netflix the hit romance series is back and better than ever as it pulled in a shocking 45.1M views within just four days

Within its first four days, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 reportedly scored 165.20 million viewing hours, equating to 45.10 million views

'The series, which stars Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, was #1 in 78 countries and reached the Top 10 in 92. And this is only the beginning.

'With Part 2 set to release on June 13, who knows how high this wallflower will climb? PSA for the millions of fans having post-binge withdrawals: find yourself a support group, put on some music, light a candle and get into something comfy  more of the carriage-style scenes youre craving will be here shortly.'

It comes after Nicola showed off her kooky sense of style in a red satin dress with a dramatic hood as she continued the Bridgerton series three promo trail in Brazil on Monday.

The actress, 37, joined her onscreen lover Luke, 31, for the screening at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro.

The pair star in the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton as Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, with season three following their journey from friends to lovers.

After fans tuned in to watch the first part of the series, which dropped last week, Nicola spoke about the one sex scene she felt most pressured to get right.

'The fans are horny little devils and they used to send us pictures of carriages constantly and carriages rocking,' she said.

'So, this has to be both beautiful, touching, romantic and sexy, which is a lot of things. In her mind after the kiss, its just shes messed it up completely and shes like, "He will never fancy me. He doesnt fancy me. Its embarrassing. Im going to move on,"

Netflix described the views from the opening four days as 'only the beginning' and teased more raunchy 'carriage-style' scenes to come

'There's no part of her when he gets in that carriage that thinks anything like this is gonna happen.'

Nicola made a statement in her red satin dress which had long evening gloves embellished with gold leaf print and a huge hood.

Luke, meanwhile, wore a cream dappled coat with black high-waisted trousers and a low-cut shirt which exposed his chest hair.

Season three of the show dropped on Thursday morning, with eager fans settling down to devour the latest antics of the Regency-era romantics.

The romp-fest came under fire for its lack of steamy scenes in the second series, with a meagre three minutes of bedroom action amid eight hours and 29 minutes of screen time.

Viewers can already expect more from the first four episodes of series three, with at least six minutes of kissing, sex, threesomes and lesbian love-making.

But after being promised that this season is the steamiest yet, viewers are made to wait until the closing moments of part one for the central love story to really kick off.

It comes after Season three of Bridgerton dropped on Thursday morning, with eager fans settling down to devour the latest antics of the Regency-era romantics

Series three focuses on the will-they-won't-they flirtation between Penelope and Colin, but the plotline of best friends realising their true feelings proves to be a slow burner.

It ends on a steamy cliffhanger as after being unable to think of anyone else, Colin eventually declares his love for Penelope in a carriage after she was left heartbroken by Lord Debling.

The pair finally give into their passions, with Colin lifting up Penelope's dress in the back of the carriage for a very steamy finale, ahead of part two dropping on June 13.

Just as the fans are begging for more, even the characters in the new series are left wanting.

Portia (Polly Walker) urges her daughters to get pregnant as questions surround their family fortune, and is seen asking her girls: 'Must we tell a baker to bake?' leading to the Featherington sisters competing in the bedroom to be the first to make an heir.
Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a promotional post as part of her partnership with the underwear brand Lounge.

The 26-year-old content creator  who vacationed with BFF Kylie Jenner in April  posed in a white bra and thong combo.

She teased her famous figure, showing off her enviable washboard abs and perky cleavage.

Stassie layered the pieces underneath a heather gray sweatsuit from the range, which she tagged in her post.

As she engaged with her 10.4 million followers, the star opted to skip a caption.

Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a promotional post as part of her partnership with the underwear brand Lounge

Karanikolaou pulled her glossy dark hair into a neat bun, which was styled with a center part.

Her face was fully made up with a berry-toned blush used on her cheeks, sleek liner on her eyelids, and a matte, mauve-colored lipstick.

Anastasia flaunted a belly-button ring, drawing attention to her taut midriff.

The trio of photos were snapped using a beige wall as the backdrop as the influencer stood next to a white couch.

One day earlier, the socialite was active on Instagram, sharing a video clip featuring friends Kylie and Victoria Villarroel.

The women, along with Jenner's six-year-old daughter Stormi, took a spontaneous trip to In-N-Out Burger in the snippet.

Stassie wrote in her social media caption, 'in n out is always a good idea.'

The beauties piled into the Kylie Cosmetics founder's luxury SUV as they recorded themselves placing their order and later munching on their food.

The 26-year-old content creator posed in a white bra and thong combo

She teased her famous figure, showing off her enviable washboard abs and perky cleavage

Stassie tried Kendall Jenner's new Erewhon smoothie and called it 'YUMMY' as she tagged Kendall as well as the trendy grocery chain

Kendall launched her Erewhon smoothie earlier this month

Earlier this month Stassie tried Kendall Jenner's new Erewhon smoothie and called it 'YUMMY' as she tagged the model and the trendy grocery chain.

She gave the Peaches and Cream creation her stamp of approval as she displayed the drink with French manicured hands.

The influencer shook her head in satisfaction before lightly kissing the plastic cup to imply her contentment.

A description of the smoothie on the Erewhon website reads: 'In this Kendall Jenner creation, ripe organic peaches are paired with rich coconut cream.

'Beneath the refreshing flavor, she's supercharged this tonic with electrolytes, lucuma, aloe vera juice, and gut-friendly kombucha.'
Australian beauty queen Gabby Epstein sparked concern among fans on Wednesday when she revealed her very dramatic weight loss.

The lingerie model, 29, who is currently based in Los Angeles, shared a few snaps to Instagram of her extremely thin frame in a bikini.

Fans of the blonde bombshell claimed the images of Gabby at the beach in the two-piece looked 'dangerous' and 'unhealthy'.

'Gabby you really need to put on some weight! Much love!' one person wrote.

'Nobody is saying anything about how too thin she's getting. Love her but it's looking dangerously unhealthy and we don't want to hear how it could have been handled before it's too late. Praying for the best for her,' another commented.

Australian beauty queen Gabby Epstein sparked concern among fans on Wednesday when she revealed her very dramatic weight loss

'Go eat something,' a third person said alongside a sad emoji.

'I hope you are healthy,' another commented while one person added: 'Needs to eat the wind will blow her away.'

Despite the slew of negative comments, many fans rallied around the Playboy model and left messages of love and support.

'Gorgeous as ever,' one person wrote while another one said: 'You are absolutely gorgeous.'

'Wow Gabyy. Wow stunning.. so beautiful,' a third commented.

The lingerie model, 29, who is currently based in Los Angeles , shared a few snaps to Instagram of her extremely lithe frame in a bikini

Fans of the blonde bombshell claimed the images of Gabby at the beach in the two-piece looked 'dangerous' and 'unhealthy'

It is not the first time Gabby has been forced to hit back at comments about her appearance as fans previously shared their concerns for her health.

At the time, she slammed the comments regarding her health as she told fans that she recently dropped some weight because 'all I do is workout'.

'Please if you don't have something nice to say, you don't have to say anything at all xoxo,' she added.

With almost four million followers on Instagram and a huge following on Snapchat, Twitter, and OnlyFans, Gabby is one of Australia's hottest glamour models.

She has recently appeared on the cover of Playboy and Maxim, and is considered one of the country's most successful modelling exports.
Jessica Alba plays a highly-trained operative who channels her brute force into cleaning up her hometown in the trailer for Trigger Warning.

The 43-year-old actress stars as Parker, an active-duty Special Forces officer who takes over her father's bar in her hometown after his sudden death.

After returning home, she realizes a violent gang has been terrorizing her small town, as she aims to stop them in their tracks.

Alba not only stars but also serves as an executive producer through her newly-minted Lady Spitfire production company, which was formed in February 2024.

The trailer comes just a day after Alba and husband Cash Warren celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary in Los Angeles.

Jessica Alba plays a highly-trained Special Forces operative who channels her brute force into cleaning up her hometown in the trailer for Trigger Warning.

The 43-year-old actress stars as Parker, an active-duty Special Forces officer who takes over her father's bar in her hometown after his sudden death.

The trailer begins with a mournful parker clad in black, spreading his father's ashes, while an older man says, 'I'm sorry about your dad... but I'm glad you're home, kid.'

She meets up with Senator Ezekiel Swann (Anthony Michael Hall) at the bar she took over before they have a chat at her home as well.

'People like you around here. They like Harry... or liked him. I'd like to keep it that way,' Swann tells her.

She sits down with the town's sheriff Jesse (Mark Webber), telling him, 'I don't think his death was an accident.'

'Parker, stay out of it,' he tells her, though one night, she interrupts a robbery in progress, as she springs into action, subduing them easily.

'So what do you do for the government?' Mike (Gabriel Basso) asks Parker, as we see flashback shots of her in action with her Special Forces team.

Another shot shows her talking on the phone with her cover ops partner and hacker Spider (Tone Bell), who asks her, 'How's home?'

'What do you know about Senator Swann?' Parker asks, as she's seen fleeing from gunfire, as it seems Swann has gotten into the weapons game.

'What have you gotten into?' Spider asks, while Swann asks Jesse, 'How much does Parker know about this?'

Her brother Elvis (Jake Weary) tells Swann, 'Too much,' as Parker says, 'This is about more than just my dad. I need to know the truth.'

The trailer begins with a mournful parker clad in black, spreading his father's ashes, while an older man says, 'I'm sorry about your dad... but I'm glad you're home, kid'

She meets up with Senator Ezekiel Swann (Anthony Michael Hall) at the bar she took over before they have a chat at her home as well

She sits down with the town's sheriff Jesse (Mark Webber), telling him, 'I don't think his death was an accident'

'Parker, stay out of it,' he tells her, though one night, she interrupts a robbery in progress, as she springs into action, subduing them easily

At one point, Swann and Mike have subdued Parker, tying her up by her wrists, as she tells Mike, 'If you pivot on the back foot, you won't punch like such a little bitch.'

Swann leans in and says, 'Do you want to know what really happened to Harry?' insinuating she may have been right, that her father Harry's death wasn't an accident.

The trailer's final scenes show someone throwing Molotov cocktails inside her house, setting it ablaze... though that doesn't stop her from throwing an assailant over the edge as the trailer comes to an end.

The film, directed by Mouly Surya, written by John Brancato & Josh Olson and Halley Gross, and produced by Erica Lee, Basil Iwanyk and Esther Hornstein, debuts on Netflix June 21.
The Jared Padalecki-starring series Walker has been canceled after four seasons on The CW.

The news about the action-drama show's cancellation was revealed on Tuesday, and it was also announced that the program would finish out its fourth run of episodes next month.

Representatives for The CW released a statement to confirm the news about the show's demise and to express their gratitude for the efforts of the cast and crew of the program.

They stated via The Hollywood Reporter: 'We want to thank the entire cast, crew, writers, directors and producers of Walker for their hard work and dedication over four incredible seasons,' they said.

The statement continued: 'We also want to give a special thanks to star and executive producer Jared Padalecki, who has been a member of The CW family for over 20 years and was integral to some of the biggest hits on the network.'

The Jared Padalecki -starring series Walker has been canceled after four seasons on The CW

Padalecki, 41, also confirmed the news by sharing a photo on his Instagram account, in which he showed off one of Cordell Walker's hats.

The Supernatural star went on to write a lengthy statement in which he shared his gratitude for the support that the program's fans showed him during the series' run.

'It's a tough piece of news to be sure, but we are SO thankful for the #WalkerFamily that has been built, both on set and off,' he wrote.

The performer then added that he, as well as the program's other cast and crew members, would be 'forever grateful' for the 'love' that they received from the show's fanbase.

'It has been a unique honor to be a part of the cast and crew (and fandom!) that helped #Walker tell the stories that we told. I will forever smile on the years I got to spend with the cast and crew and studio and network and fandom that made this all possible,' he wrote.

Walker served as a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, which starred Chuck Norris and ran from 1993 until 2001.

The show was centered on a Texas Ranger and widower who returned to his home town of Austin in order to continue his career in law enforcement.

In addition to Padalecki, the cast of the program included Lindsey Morgan, Odette Annabelle and Mitch Pileggi.

Padalecki, 41, also confirmed the news by sharing a photo on his Instagram account, in which he showed off one of Cordell Walker's hats

The Supernatural star went on to write a lengthy statement in which he shared his gratitude for the support that the program's fans showed him during the series' run

Walker served as a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, which starred Chuck Norris and ran from 1993 until 2001

In addition to Padalecki, the cast of the program included Lindsey Morgan, Odette Annabelle and Mitch Pileggi

The first season of the program debuted in January of 2021, its subsequent two sets of episodes premiered in October of 2021, October of 2022.

Walker's fourth season premiered last month, and it is scheduled to conclude on June 26.

Negotiations for a potential fifth season of the program had been underway, although they ultimately fell through.

A spinoff series entitled Walker: Independence, which served as a prequel to the main series, aired for a single season between 2022 and 2023.
BBC bosses are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal continues to rumble on.

Sources claim that bosses are bracing themselves for yet more complaints from former contestants, after being forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.

It's also claimed that Amanda Abbington - one of the three stars who have filed complaints against Giovanni - has vowed to leave 'nothing unsaid' in her meeting with investigators this week.

The actress claimed she was left with PTSD following her time on the show last year.

Giovanni has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, writing on social media: 'I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour and I look forward to clearing my name.'

BBC bosses are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice 's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal rumbles on

Sources claim that bosses are bracing themselves for yet more complaints from former contestants, after being forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims'

A source told The Sun: 'Amanda believes she has a duty to ensure the truth comes out.

'There's a suggestion this is all about Giovanni simply being a strict trainer and someone who pushes people too hard. It's about a lot more than that.

'Meanwhile the BBC who have, until now, dragged their heels on this developing story, are duty-bound to investigate the matter fully to get to the bottom of these complaints.'

Insiders added that bosses are now scouring hundreds of hours of footage so a 'full and frank verdict can be reached.'

A representative for the BBC declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Giovanni Pernice for comment.

Away from Strictly, on Monday a professional dancer accused Giovanni of 'horrendous' behaviour.

Industry colleague Korina Travis, who performed with Pernice at private functions and has no association with Strictly, accused the Italian dancer of behaving questionably when they worked together.

'Ive known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me,' she said in a statement.

Amanda Abbington (pictured) is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him

The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies

She added: 'I will not speak about my experiences with him... Ill leave it at that.'

Former Strictly contestants Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have all critical in their review of Pernice's methods.

According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the Italian on Strictly are contemplating joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation for 'serious workplace misconduct claims'.

A source disclosed that several former dance partners of Pernice's have been communicating privately and suggested that even more names could come forward.

The source went on to say that the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to 'clear his name.'

They revealed: 'Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio's, have been in contact with one another behind the scenes.

'Three women that we know of have come forward, and taken things a step further with legal action.

'But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, have quietly been speaking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.'

The fresh claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strictly after the scrutiny became 'too much'.

Off the back of Pernice's departure, friends close to Amanda spoke 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, who dramatically withdrew from last year's competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Laura and Ranvir, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with him.

Pernice 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.

Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling-Ellis reportedly admits she believes what others are saying amid BBC probe into 'abusive behaviour' (pictured in 2021)

'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 statement, Pernice was dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis announced she would 'not be getting involved' while he fights 'to clear his name' amid a probe into his workplace conduct.

It was believed Pernice was still on good terms with Rose, who he won Strictly Come Dancing with in 2021.

Now though, it's been claimed that Ayling-Ellis is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'.

A source told The Sun: 'Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.

'She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won't be speaking about it publicly.'

The news will no doubt come as a surprise to Pernice, who had a positive relationship with the deaf contestant Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.

Now, Pernice looks set to be planning a whole new career after leaving Strictly under a cloud.

Last month, the professional dancer, 33, quietly set up two new companies, which suggest that hes embarking on a life outside of the BBC show and heading for the classroom.

The Latin and Ballroom champion filed Rock You Productions Ltd at Companies House, which relates to the operation of arts facilities.

This suggests that hes making a move to create his own dance school, similar to ones set up by other performers such as Kevin Clifton.
Jim Jefferies has revealed he has been punched twice by rude hecklers on stage and said he is 'not the best' at dealing with them.

The Australian comedian, 47, appeared on Channel 7's Sunrise to discuss his upcoming Australian tour and also touched upon his experience with hecklers.

He was asked by hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington what his best 'put down' for hecklers is, to which he responded that he isn't 'the best' at dealing with them.

Jim admitted he has been punched twice by hecklers, one of which was caught on camera in 2007 at Manchester's The Comedy Store in now-infamous footage.

'If you Google Jim Jeffries punched, you will see what people do with me when they heckle,' he shared.

Jim Jefferies has revealed he has been punched by rude hecklers on stage and said he is 'not the best' at dealing with them

'I've actually been punched on stage twice, but it's only been caught on film once. I'm not the best.'

Jim has previously addressed the 2007 punch video and said he hadn't spoken to the audience member, who stormed on stage and hit him after being upset by a joke.

The 1% Club host told how his tour began selling out after the video went viral as he laughed off the shock situation.

Elsewhere on Sunrise, Jim also showed his support for fellow comedian Arj Barker, who came under fire last month for ejecting a breastfeeding mother from his gig.

Arj, 49, sparked controversy when he asked mother-of-three Trish Faranda and her baby Clara to leave his Melbourne Comedy Festival show for being disruptive.

Jim told how he has been punched twice by hecklers, one of which was caught on camera in 2007 at Manchester's The Comedy Store in now-infamous footage (pictured)

It provoked a huge online backlash, but American funnyman Arj insisted a baby should never have been allowed at his over-15s comedy gig in the first place.

Now, Jim has agreed with him and showed his support for Arj after the divisive social media debate on the issue, insisting children shouldn't be allowed at comedy gigs.

He said: 'No children in my shows, I swear a lot! Of course you're not meant to have babies!

'I couldn't believe this was even an argument that poor Arj Barker got in trouble because someone was breastfeeding in the show.'

'It's an adult show you are going to. It's not like if you went to a strip club, "I was trying to breastfeed me baby in the strip club and everyone got upset at me", no, of course you aren't meant to have kids there,' he went on.

On Sunrise, he was asked by hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington what his best 'put down' for hecklers is, to which he responded that he isn't 'the best' at dealing with them

'It's nothing to do with breastfeeding, mothers, not battle of the sexes thing, it's just children shouldn't be at live comedy shows.'

Audience member Ms Faranda claimed she was humiliated and reduced to tears when she and her seven-month-old daughter Clara were booted from the theatre.

She claimed Clara 'had a bit of a whinge' before she gave her a feed, with Arj asking her to leave about 15 minutes into the gig because they were 'disrupting his show'.

However, Arj said baby Clara should not have been at his over-15s show in the first place, but also apologised to Ms Faranda for the embarrassment caused.

'I hope you're doing okay. I'm sorry that that was a difficult situation, and I would like to make peace,' he told Sunrise last month.

'I would like to meet up with her and have a serious discussion about selling the movie rights and go 50-50.

Arj, 49, (pictured) sparked controversy when he asked mother-of-three Trish Faranda and her baby Clara to leave his Melbourne Comedy Festival show for being disruptive

'Also, to the beautiful baby who I have nothing against, I want to offer that little child a ticket to my show post-dated 2039.'

'I'm not gonna hide because I want people to know the truth of what happened, at least from my perspective,' he went on. 'Both myself and the woman were put in a position we shouldn't have been in.'

Arj insisted he has no issue with public breastfeeding which he described as perfectly natural, and said he did not know that's what she was doing at the time.

'I couldn't see her well enough to know if she was breastfeeding or not - that's something I only heard about two days after the incident,' he continued.

'I want to make that really clear because it's been mentioned so much I had, and if she was, I wouldn't care.'

He also acknowledged that the baby was not screaming but that her 'cute' noises were distracting the audience.

Arj (pictured in 2001) sparked controversy when he asked mother-of-three Trish Faranda and her baby Clara to leave his Melbourne Comedy Festival show for being disruptive

'It's about the crowd enjoying an immersive experience of watching a comedy show with timing and pauses and getting drawn into the show,' he explained.

'As a performer, I have a right to ask a disruptive audience member to leave the show.

'Unfortunately, it was a cute little baby at this time and nothing to do with the mum or the gender of the parent. If it was a father, I would have said the exact same thing.

'From where I'm standing on stage, I'm merely trying to create a nice environment to perform my show.'
As she takes on the media industry, Paris Hilton is serving power couple goals with husband Carter Reum.

The Paris in Love star, 43, donned a classic look in a chic blue dress as she appeared with Reum, 43, at the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival on Tuesday in New York City.

The short-sleeved number was trimmed in lace, featuring a mid-length pleated skirt and a matching blue dress.

She completed the look with black cat-eye sunglasses, matching pumps and a black heart-shaped purse embroidered with her name.

Hilton posed for photos with her husband before they spoke on the panel, The Future of Influence: Tech, Media and the New Model for Moguls.

Paris Hilton donned a classic look in a sheer blue dress as she appeared with husband Carter Reum at the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival on Tuesday in New York City

The Simple Life alum has been hard at work on 11:11 Media, the company she launched with Bruce Gersh in 2021.

11:11 Media recently acquired rights to Sarah Ditum's book Toxic: Women, Fame, and the Tabloid 2000s.

Hilton is producing a docuseries based on the book about 'the sexist, exploitative culture that let down' nine famous women of the early aughts, including herself.

'When I discovered Toxic, I was immediately taken by the depth of Sarah's dedication, research and writing,' she told Variety last month.

'Sarah's work inspired me to envision Toxic as a documentary series where we can provide a platform for similar stories of those who had to navigate intense public scrutiny,' added Hilton. 'So they can reclaim their narrative from a time when they had little control.'

She is also working on a new reality series with longtime friend and The Simple Life co-star Nicole Richie, which James Corden's streamer Fulwell 73 bought.

Although the series is in early development, it will reportedly not be related to their 2003-2007 show.

The 'Stars Are Blind' artist is working on a follow-up to her self-titled 2006 debut album as well, announcing a new album executive produced by Sia.

'I'm here to save pop music,' Hilton told Canada's Fashion Magazine. 'It's very popcentric, obviously, but it also has love songs, dance music and a few ballads.'

The short-sleeved number was trimmed in lace, featuring a mid-length pleated skirt and a matching blue dress. She completed the look with black cat-eye sunglasses, matching pumps and a black heart-shaped purse embroidered with her name

Hilton posed for photos with her husband before they spoke on the panel, The Future of Influence: Tech, Media and the New Model for Moguls

Reum, who married Hilton in 2021, co-founded the investment firm M13 with his brother Courtney

Hilton's company 11:11 Media recently acquired rights to Sarah Ditum's book Toxic: Women, Fame, and the Tabloid 2000s, which she plans on turning into a docuseries

She also raved that being in the studio with Sia, 48, was 'such a dream come true' after releasing their collab 'Fame Won't Love You' last month.

'I love Sia so much,' she said. 'She's one of my closest friends and is the most brilliant songwriter of our time.

'I just  I'm so honored to be working with her, and she's the executive producer of my whole album,' added Hilton.

Reum, who married Hilton in 2021, co-founded the investment firm M13 with his brother Courtney.

The couple shares son Phoenix Barron, 16 months, and 6-month-old daughter London Marilyn.

The Simple Life alum has been hard at work on 11:11 Media, the company she launched with Bruce Gersh in 2021

She is also working on a new reality series with longtime friend and The Simple Life co-star Nicole Richie, which James Corden's streamer Fulwell 73 bought

Hilton previously admitted that she hopes her kids 'won't be as addicted to social media as I am' as she appeared on a panel in March.

'I just want my children just to feel just so loved and seen and want to be that next generation of someone that brings positivity to the world and just to have big hearts and big loving,' she explained.

'That's something that's really important to me,' added Hilton. 'And also to live a world outside of social media and being on their phone all the time.'
Farmer Wants A Wife stars Joe and Sarah have sparked split rumours after failing to both attend Farmer Andrew's wedding to Jess.

During Tuesday's episode, 33-year-old cattle and sheep farmer Joe from NSW picked Sarah, 31, a livestock administrator from New South Wales.

The second half of the episode saw him being a groomsman at Farmer Andrew from the 2021 season of the show's wedding to Jess.

While Joe was getting ready for Andrew's big day, he FaceTimed Sarah, who couldn't make the wedding due to a 'prior commitment'.

However, some fans have speculated the pair may have split and this is the reason why Sarah didn't join Joe at the event.

'Very strange. In a normal, happy relationship it would have to be something extremely major for your partner not to attend one of your best friend's weddings!' one person wrote.

Farmer Wants A Wife stars Joe and Sarah (pictured) have sparked split rumours after failing to both attend Farmer Andrew's wedding to Jess

Another said: 'Anyone think it was weird that she couldn't make it to the wedding? Prior commitment my a**.'

'It's because they had already split,' a third insisted.

Joe picked Sarah, 31, on Tuesday night while breaking the heart of his other love interest, Keely, who had dreamed of her life with the farmer.

In an emotional exchange, he told Sarah: 'This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I love the person you are. I love how strong and determined you are.'

Tuesday's episode saw Joe attending being a groomsman at Farmer Andrew from the 2021 season of the show's wedding to Jess

While Joe was getting ready for Andrew's big day, he FaceTimed Sarah, who couldn't make the wedding due to a 'prior commitment'

He went on: 'It hasn't always been easy with us. We've had some tough times. I've sometimes felt that you've pulled away.

'But I also know that you can be a shy person and take your time to get to know people. I also like that you challenge me.'

Joe added: 'I don't have all the answers for us, but I do see myself falling for you in the future. I want to tackle the future with you by my side, and us as a team.'

'I'm looking for someone who doesn't need me, but who wants me,' he professed before asking Sarah if she wanted to come back to the farm with him.

Excited, Sarah replied 'absolutely' before the happy couple sealed it with a kiss.
Stephen Merchant confessed during an interview with Heat Magazine that he 'would have done a third series of The Office' if he had his time again and discussed his dream role as a 'James Bond' figure.

The co-writer and co-director of the British TV comedy series, 49, starred as Nathan 'Oggy' aka The Oggmonster in the hit series which ran from 2001-2003.

And now, the comedian confessed that 'looking back, we could have squeezed out another series.'

When asked by Heat Magazine if The Outlaws is the first show he's done a third series of the actor responded with: 'It is, yes. Although to be honest, if I had my time again, I think we probably would have done a third series of The Office.'

'You come to realise how hard it is to come up with a bunch of characters like that who are good and that people warm to and ask to see more of.'

Stephen Merchant confessed during an interview with Heat Magazine that he 'would have done a third series of The Office' if he had his time again (pictured with Ricky Gervais in 2002)

He also discussed his dream role as a 'James Bond' figure (Daniel Craig pictured in 2006)

'And so, had we not been so naive, wed have probably thought, "Yeah, theres a cash cow here!"'

The star also touched on how he should one day write himself a role where he stars as more of a 'James Bond' figure as he tends to give himself the 'awkward nerd roles'.

During the interview, Stephen also discussed his crime thriller comedy television series The Outlaws.

Stephen co-created the show with American writer and film-maker Elgin James and the first episode of the series was released in October 2021.

The BBC comedy thriller - which follows seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol - is set to return for a third series on BBC1 and iPlayer on May 30.

When discussing the show, he told Heat his reasons for wanting to do a third series and claimed he wants to make the most out of it as he is currently 'enjoying the characters' and the actors are 'doing a good job'.

It comes after Eleanor Tomlinson, Stephen, and Jessica Gunning reunited on Monday at a special screening of the third series of their show, The Outlaws.

Eleanor, 32, looked typically glamorous in a black minidress covered in gleaming sequins, which showed off her long legs.

And now, the comedian confessed that 'looking back, we could have squeezed out another series.' (Pictured L-R Stephen, Shaun Williamson, and Ricky)

He added: 'If I had my time again, I think we probably would have done a third series of The Office.'

The Poldark actress also sported black satin high heels and wore her signature fiery red hair in bouncy waves.

She plays posh-girl influencer and out-of-touch socialite Lady Gabriella 'Gabby' Penrose-Howe, who struggles with substance abuse issues.

The second series of the show ended with her character attending a support group to try to get off the drugs.

Eleanor beamed as she posed alongside her co-star and the show's creator Stephen, who towered over her thanks to his 6ft 7in height.

The comedian, 49, cut a dapper figure in a dark green suit, which he paired with a white spotted shirt and black leather trainers.

He was joined by his girlfriend Mircea Monroe, who looked effortlessly stylish in a tweed cream jacket and jeans.

As well as writing and creating the show, Stephen stars as Greg Dillard, an unsuccessful lawyer coming out of a divorce.

The previous season ended with Greg impulsively quitting his job and taking the plunge with a date.

He also touched on how good the characters were 'You come to realise how hard it is to come up with a bunch of characters like that who are good and that people warm to and ask to see more of.'

Stephen and Eleanor were joined by rising star Jessica, 38, who looked chic in a black velvet jumpsuit.

The actress - who recently shot to fame with her breakout role as Martha on Baby Reindeer - added a black belt around her waist and matching heels.

She stars as Diane Pemberley, former juvenile delinquent-turned-supervisor for community service with an inflated sense of authority.

Also in attendance at the screening were fellow stars Grace Calder, Clare Perkins, Gamba Cole and Rhianne Barreto.

Grace stars as DS Lucy Haines in the series, while Clare plays militant socialist feminist and activist, Myrna Okeke.

During the interview, Stephen also discussed his crime thriller comedy television series The Outlaws (pictured in 2019)

Stephen co-created the show with American writer and film-maker Elgin James and the first episode of the series was released in October 2021 (Stephen pictured with Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning)

The BBC comedy thriller - which follows seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol - is set to return for a third series on BBC1 and iPlayer on May 30

Gamba plays Ben Eastfield, a young nightclub security guard looking after his younger sister, who pretends to be Christian Taylor to do his community service.

Rhianne stars as Rani Rekowski, a young student struggling under the expectations of her strict parents.

The Outlaws - formerly known as The Offenders - has produced 12 episodes so far following its 2021 debut, after filming was initially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bristol-based series set a record for the most-streamed comedy on BBC iPlayer in 2021, with the first season being highly acclaimed, while series two had more mixed reviews.
Cheryl has taken a hilarious swipe at Nadine Coyle's iconic viral gaffe, after the band kicked off their long-awaited reunion tour.

Last week, the group took to the stage together for the first time in 11 years, and on Monday night the tour continued with a show in Belfast.

During the show, Cheryl took a moment to poke fun at the Nadine's blunder from her time on Irish Popstars, when she lied to bosses about her age.

In footage captured by a fan on X, Cheryl told the crowd: 'We had to come to Ireland anyway You know why? To make sure Nadine remembered her passport.'

Before Girls Aloud was formed, Nadine was a contestant on Irish Popstars, and viral footage showed the moment she suffered a slip-up lying about her age.

Cheryl has taken a hilarious swipe at Nadine Coyle 's iconic viral gaffe, after the band kicked off their long-awaited reunion tour

During the show, Cheryl took a moment to poke fun at the Nadine's famous blunder from her time on Irish Popstars, when she lied to bosses about her age

She told the camera: 'I'm Nadine Coyle. I'm from Lark Hill in Derry. Date of birth 15th of the sixth 1985, making me a Gemini.

'And what date of birth did I say there?'

Nadine's date of birth meant she was would have been 16 at the time, but contestants had to be at least 18 to take part.

Despite to maintain her ruse, Nadine conveniently misplaced her passport when bosses requested to see it to confirm her age.

Nadine later confessed to judge Linda Martin about her age - and she was booted off the show.

In a 2021 interview, Nadine revealed that fans would throw passports at her onstage during performances, as a result of the viral gaffe.

She told Metro: 'I did a show in Belfast last week, and you know the way people throw stuff on stage, I've been thrown an actual passport!

'Their actual passport! And you're looking at it going, 'This is someone's actual passport.' Not a pretend one, not one that they've made for the night.'

In footage captured by a fan on X, Cheryl told the crowd: 'We had to come to Ireland anyway You know why? To make sure Nadine (pictured) remembered her passport'

Last week, Girls Aloud kicked off their nationwide tour with a show in Dublin, and the show included an emotional tribute to their late bandmate Sarah Harding

Sarah tragically died in September 2021 after a battle with breast cancer (Pictured in 2017)

Last week, Girls Aloud kicked off their nationwide tour with a show in Dublin, and the show included an emotional tribute to their late bandmate Sarah Harding.

Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh made up the iconic girl band alongside Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.

The girl group's opening night had their late bandmate at its centre with a rendition of 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.'

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.
Kelly Osbourne reflected on her abrupt departure from E!'s Fashion Police while taking aim at former co-host Giuliana Rancic  nine years after the racism scandal involving Rancic and Zendaya.

In February 2015, Rancic, 49, 'joked' that a then-18-year-old Zendaya 'looks like she smells like patchouli oil or weed' because she wore dreadlocks to the Oscars.

The episode, which featured Osbourne, Rancic, Kathy Griffin and George Kotsiopoulos, sparked major backlash with Zendaya herself publicly slamming Rancic's 'ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.'

Rancic insisted that her remarks 'had NOTHING to do with race' as she apologized for 'offending' Zendaya.

At the time, Osbourne was forced to shutdown rumors that she had also said the Zendaya 'joke' off-camera and, just weeks later, announced her exit from the show after five years.

During Tuesday's episode of The Osbournes Podcast, the influencer called the 2015 race row one of her 'biggest regrets' as she discussed the fallout with her family.

Kelly Osbourne reflected on her abrupt departure from E!'s Fashion Police while taking aim at former co-host Giuliana Rancic  nine year after the racism scandal involving Rancic and Zendaya

She admitted that Fashion Police was 'the best job I've ever had' when she was working under the late Joan Rivers, who hosted with Osbourne and other panelists from the show's 2010 premiere until her death in September 2014 at age 81.

The comedian's daughter Melissa Rivers, 56, served as executive producer until the show's 2017 cancellation.

Kelly told mom Sharon Osbourne, 71, that it was 'the closest thing that I had to working with my mom.'

But at Sharon's mention of her time with Rancic, Kelly fired back: 'We don't need to give her any f*****g anything.'

Kelly's brother Jack Osbourne, 38, then rehashed the Giuliana/Zendaya scandal for listeners.

'One of the co-hosts of the show made a really kind of a f*****g racist comment about her hair, and nothing happened to the woman that that made the comment,' Jack explained, in reference in Rancic.

'And then Kelly kind of took the stand of, like, "That's f****d up. I don't wanna work with someone like that."'

'And then it somehow got turned around that Kelly said the comment, but Kelly didn't say the comment,' Jack concluded.

In February 2015, Rancic, 49, 'joked' that a then-18-year-old Zendaya 'looks like she smells like patchouli oil or weed' because she wore dreadlocks to the Oscars

The episode, which featured Osbourne, Rancic, Kathy Griffin and George Kotsiopoulos, sparked major backlash with Zendaya herself publicly slamming Rancic's 'ignorant slurs and pure disrespect'; Zendaya seen at the 2015 Oscars

Rancic insisted that her remarks 'had NOTHING to do with race' as she apologized for 'offending' Zendaya

'It turned into this whole thing, and it made me take a long hard look at where I was, and it made me realize that I didn't wanna be there without Joan [Rivers],' Kelly explained.

She continued: 'It's one of my biggest regrets in all of it, to be honest with you, was how Melissa got hurt in all of it because she had just lost her mom and then the show.'

Months after condemning Giuliana's Zendaya comments, Kelly found herself in a racism scandal of her own during an appearance on The View in August 2015.

Kelly was on the talk-show during Donald Trump's campaign for president and on the heels of his 'Mexico isn't sending their best' speech, as she declared 'If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilets?'

She quickly received shocked gasps from the audience and co-hosts Rosie Perez and Whoopi Goldberg, followed by backlash, accusations of racism, and death threats.

Kelly reflected on the incident in a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, telling the outlet that she considers it 'the worst thing I've ever done'.

'That to me, is by far makes it the worst thing I've ever done... And to be labeled as something you're not is really difficult. But it happened. There's nothing I can do,' she said.

When asked about who she saw when she looked at that video now, she replied: 'A self-righteous little c**t.'

She went on: 'I hate it. I hate it so much because I look at it and I'm like, "You think you know everything and you know nothing. Nobody wants to hear [your] opinion on this."'

The mom-of-one also revealed that she can now see a bit of the humor in the 'cringe' moment, thanks to a new TikTok trend where users recreate the clip by sharing their own problematic stereotypes.

Osbourne was forced to shutdown rumors that she had also said the Zendaya 'joke' off-camera and, just weeks later, announced her exit from the show after five years

'It turned into this whole thing, and it made me take a long hard look at where I was, and it made me realize that I didn't wanna be there without Joan [Rivers],' Kelly explained; Fashion Police co-hosts Osbourne, Rivers, Rancic and George Katakouzinos pictured

'If you kick out evert white woman out of this country, who's gonna rescue all the pit pulls?' one user on the app inquired.

'If you kick every lesbian out of this country, whos going to rent your trucks, U-Haul?' another TikToker participating in the trend asked.

Kelly said of the trend: 'It's the most cringe moment of my entire life. But to see people be creative with it does put a smile on my face. It turns something so ugly into something funny.'

Though she did add that seeing the original clip has not gotten any easier: 'I'd be lying if I said I didn't hate myself a little bit more each time I see it.'

The daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne and TV personality Sharon Osbourne then clarified what she meant by the words she said eight years ago.

'This whole country is built on immigrants, and if you stop people from coming into this country who do the jobs that make this country exist and thrive and flourish, who's going to do all the jobs that you don't want to do yourself?' she said, adding, 'It came out so wrong.'
The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1)

Rating:

Fifty years ago, they were the butt of the joke, more often than not. But we're finally learning to appreciate the strong women of vintage sitcoms.

Watch an episode of Fawlty Towers now and it's the magnificent Prunella Scales who dominates many scenes. And far from being a downtrodden housewife in Happy Ever After, June Whitfield is the mainstay of that show, not her onscreen hubby Terry Scott.

Greatest of them all was Penelope Keith as The Good Life's arch snob, Margo Leadbetter, a woman with a voice so strident she could make flowerbeds stand to attention.

Woodwork teacher Neil named her as his inspiration for a 1970s-style dress with a pageboy collar, as The Great British Sewing Bee returned. 'I didn't appreciate it at the time,' he admitted, 'but Margo was a fashion icon.'

Esme Young and Patrick Grant are back as Sewing Bee's judges, but this is the first full season for presenter Kiell Smith-Bynoe

This is the Sewing Bee's tenth series and it features the oldest contestant yet, 84-year-old retired scientist Don

The dress was orange with a paisley pattern that used to be popular, I seem to remember, on crockery. Margo's husband might have had reservations about it but 'Jerry! Be quiet!'  he wouldn't have dared to let on.

This is the Sewing Bee's tenth series and it features the oldest contestant yet, 84-year-old retired scientist Don. In fact, as far as I can see, Don's the oldest person ever to tackle a reality contest on British TV.

Arlene Phillips was 78 when she appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2021, and Angela Rippon was a year older than that when she showcased her high kicks on Strictly last year. The oldest Bake Off cake-maker was Flo Atkins, a mere stripling at 71 when she took part in 2017.

Don proved a real character and, though he might struggle to meet the Sewing Bee's punishing deadlines, he proved octogenarians can compete with rivals a quarter of their age.

Don (pictured) proved a real character and, though he might struggle to meet the Sewing Bee's punishing deadline

The judges seem more relaxed, too, without the obligation to engage in scripted banter

TV bosses are missing a trick by ignoring this age group. There are many in their 80s who are just as energetic and sparky as any bunch of raucous twentysomethings . . . and the oldies have got better stories to tell. Never mind Big Brother, we want Big Grandad.

Esme Young and Patrick Grant are back as Sewing Bee's judges, but this is the first full season for presenter Kiell Smith-Bynoe. He brings a more laid-back style than any of the previous hosts, with a light touch of humour instead of the forced jokiness of predecessor Sara Pascoe. The judges seem more relaxed, too, without the obligation to engage in scripted banter.

The dressmakers are an unusually chatty crowd, commentating as they sew. One revealed that her fabric was handmade in Tanzania, another explained why her top-stitching was exactly 3.5cm from the folded edge of her hem. All Kiell had to do was watch and learn.

He was distracted by photos pinned up by amateur artist Janet, 75. They included some of her paintings, including one of her and her partner Adrian naked in bed, 'having an afternoon off'.

A pension book is no guarantee of good behaviour these days.
Richard Foronjy, who appeared in films such as Midnight Run, Repo Man and Carlito's Way, died on Sunday at age 86.

Foronjy was arrested more than 20 times and spent more than eight years in prison before turning to acting, according to an article on Tuesday by The Hollywood Reporter.

The Brooklyn native after his lone conviction served 8 1/2 years in Sing Sing and Attica prisons in New York before being released at age 32.

Foronjy specialized in playing both bad guys and police officers.

He made his film debut in the 1973 film Serpico playing a cop killer for director Sidney Lumet.

Richard Foronjy, who appeared in films such as Midnight Run, Repo Man and Carlito's Way, died on Sunday at age 86

Foronjy had a starring role as a police officer in Lumet's 1981 epic crime drama Prince Of The City and also played a police sergeant in Lumet's 1986 psychological thriller The Morning After.

'I was especially good at playing cops, no doubt because I got to know them so well when they were busting me every other week,' Foronjy told UPI in 1986 while promoting The Morning After.

Foronjy played mobster Tony Darvo in the 1988 film Midnight Run and mobster Peter Amadesso in the 1993 film Carlito's Way.

He also played both sides as a corrupt cop in Italian director Sergio Leon's 1984 crime epic Once Upon A Time In America.

Foronjy in the 1984 film Repo Man starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton played rent-a-cop Arnold Plettschner and had a memorable speech.

'You're f***in' right I'm Plettschner! Arnold Plettschner! Three times decorated in two world wars! I was killing people while you were still swimming around in your father's balls! You little scumbag! I worked five years in a slaughterhouse, and ten years as a prison guard in Attica!,' Plettschner ranted in Repo Man.

His other roles included parts in The Gambler, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, The Jerk and Ghostbusters II.

Foronjy also had numerous TV credits including: Who's the Boss, Murphy's Law, Silver Spoons, The Jeffersons, Cagney & Lacy and Hill St. Blues.

The late actor is shown in a scene from the 1988 film Midnight Run with Dennis Farina and Robert Miranda

Foronjy had a starring role as a police officer in director Sidney Lumet's 1981 epic crime drama Prince Of The City and is shown in a scene with Jerry Orbach

His memoir From The Mob To The Movies was published in 2020.

Forojny is survived by significant other Wendy Odell Chiaro; children Charles, Susan, Christine and Richard; brothers, Charles, Frank and William; along with 17 grandchildren.

'His journey as a father was marked by challenges and complexities,' his family noted in an obituary on Legacy.com.

Forojny died peacefully but his cause of death was not revealed.
Poh Ling Yeow has opened up about her heartbreaking miscarriage and admitted she is still 'grateful' for her pregnancy despite the devastating loss.

The MasterChef Australia judge, 50, told how she became pregnant during her marriage to her now-ex-husband Jono Bennett, who she split from in 2021.

Speaking on the Share My Mood podcast, Poh said she was 'elated' when she became pregnant by accident, but then tragically lost the baby at 12 weeks.

'I got pregnant by accident, and it was interesting because even though I was really worried about it when it happened, I don't know, whatever the hormones that kick in, I was elated. It was great,' she told The KIIS Network's Will & Woody.

'And then on the 12th week, it was literally on the day that I could tell people, I lost the baby.'

Poh Ling Yeow has opened up about her heartbreaking miscarriage and admitted she is still 'grateful' for her pregnancy despite the devastating loss

Poh explained that she heartbreakingly went through a ten-hour labour at her home amid the miscarriage as she bravely opened up about her loss.

'It's so intense that it's quite surreal in my head, it's a bit dream state because, I mean, I was in a lot of pain and I was losing so much blood,' she went on.

'Yeah it was pretty full on. It was ten hours I actually saw the baby. I birthed.'

Despite the devastating experience, Poh admitted she is still 'grateful' she went through her pregnancy and shared that she kept her baby's ultrasound scan.

'I'm still really grateful. I still have the picture of the ultrasound on my fridge, which creeps people out,' she shared.

The MasterChef Australia judge, 50, told how she became pregnant during her marriage to her now-ex-husband Jono Bennett (pictured), who she split from in 2021

'I went through pregnancy. I actually went through the process of birthing. I know what that feels like and I know what it feels like to have something growing inside me, which is just such a special thing, you know? So, yeah, that's how I went through it.'

Poh also addressed the stigma around talking about miscarriages, saying she finds it 'really weird' people are encouraged to stay silent about their experiences.

'I actually think that it's a really weird thing that we're encouraged to not tell people "we're pregnant" when I think it's the opposite, but it might be my brain type,' she shared.

'I think if you tell everyone, then when it does happen or if it happens [miscarriage] - which is like a third of pregnancy, so how I processed it was with those figures. I was like, I'm not special.

'I always go back to you are a dot, you are not special and I always go back to instead of why me?, why not me? and that gets me out of everything.'

Speaking on the Share My Mood podcast, Poh said she was 'elated' when she became pregnant by accident, but then tragically lost the baby at 12 weeks

Poh and Jono went their separate ways in early 2021 after seven years of marriage, and he has now found love again with a new partner, who he shares a baby with.

The MasterChef season one runner-up said she couldn't be happier for Jono and his new partner, saying she is so pleased that he got the family he always wanted.

She went on: 'Jono and I ultimately ended up breaking up, so I was really gratefuland now he's actually got a baby with a new partner now, which I'm so I'm so happy for them because that's what he's wanted the whole time.'

Poh said Jono had always wanted a child during their relationship, while she became unsure because she didn't know how it would work financially as they depended on her income.

'My ex really wanted a child [and] he was like, I definitely want to, that's always been part of my plan,' she said.

Poh explained that she heartbreakingly went through a ten-hour labour at her home amid the miscarriage as she bravely opened up about her loss

'And I thought I always did, but I was in a position where my earning capacity was higher than his and we'd built a lifestyle around my income.

'I was starting to get older, and that was starting to make me feel a bit frigid about the idea [of having kids]. It was like we had heaps of time, and then suddenly you're like 40.'

Poh also touched on the 'unique issues' women face when deciding whether to start a family as she discussed how she felt about having children.

'I was like, oh man, I, I actually don't know how this would work now... financially and also practically and just talking about being an individual,' she said.

Poh first began dating Jono (pictured in 2016) in 2009 when they met on the set of MasterChef and they went on to tie the knot in 2014, before separating in 2021

'I started to think about how so much of what I do is about me being free and I think if I had started earlier, I would have had more courage and I would have bounced back quicker with considering it.

'But as I got older, I got more fixed in my ways and I got more frightened about how it would encroach on my independence.

'As I'm getting older, as a creative, there's so many ideas I want to express with my art and all these other projects that I have and I was starting to think, do I have a child or do I keep creating?

'Like I have to pick, right and you have to as a woman. That's something that is unique to a woman and for time and eternity will be the unique issue.'

She was married to her first husband Matt Phipps in 1989 for nine years. Matt is now married to her best friend Sarah Rich and they all maintain a close friendship (all pictured with Jono)

Poh first began dating Jono in 2009 when they met on the set of MasterChef and they went on to tie the knot in 2014, before separating in 2021.

She previously married her first husband Matt Phipps in 1989 but they later split after nine years together. Matt is now married to her best friend of 20 years Sarah Rich.

Poh maintains close friendships with both of her ex-husbands and even runs the Jamface cafe in Adelaide with Matt and his new wife Sarah.

If you have been affected by this story, call SANDS's 24-hour support hotline on 1300 308 307.
Oliver Phelps has opened up how he ruined a couple's romantic proposal during a trip to Sydney.

The Harry Potter star, 38, revealed how the 'shameful' incident took place while he was on holiday in Australia with his wife Katy Humpage for New Year's Eve one year.

Oliver, who played George Weasley alongside his twin brother James, said they were watching the famous Sydney Harbour fireworks when a man started bothering him to move.

But Oliver said he refused to give in and firmly stood his ground, only to be left red-faced when the man proposed to his girlfriend when he finally moved out the way.

'I've had a few shameful incidents on holiday too, one New Year's Eve I was watching the fireworks on Sydney harbour with my wife, Katy,' he told The Times.

Oliver Phelps has opened up how he ruined a couple's romantic proposal during a trip to Sydney

The Harry Potter star, 38, revealed how the 'shameful' incident took place while he was on holiday in Australia with his wife Katy Humpage (pictured in 2011) for New Year's Eve one year

'A few minutes before the clock struck midnight a guy started to bug me for my space.

'Being stubborn I didn't want to give it up and miss out on a romantic moment, so I refused to budge, [but] eventually I moved to one side when the fireworks had finished and there was just a cloud of smoke left.

'The guy proceeded to get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend, with not a firework left in sight  I felt terrible!'

An embarrassed Oliver admitted the awkward experience has somewhat tarnished his memory of Sydney.

However, in June 2022, Oliver and James still visited Australia again for a string of Harry Potter fan events in both Sydney and Perth.

Oliver said they were watching the famous Sydney Harbour fireworks when a man started bothering him to move (a picture of the landmark shared to Oliver's Instagram page)

But Oliver said he refused to give in and firmly stood his ground, only to be left red-faced when the man proposed to his girlfriend when he finally moved out the way

The brothers famously portrayed the loveable Weasley twins in the film series adaptations of JK Rowling's popular wizarding franchise.

Since the popular films, the brothers have continued to work together on an array of projects and often attend Harry Potter fan events with their co-stars.

In recent years, Harry Potter author JK Rowling has become embroiled in a series of online rows over her controversial views about the transgender community.

Earlier this month, Daniel Radcliffe commented on the controversy as he said his beliefs don't have to align with the author's just because she made him a star.

Oliver and his brother James famously portrayed the loveable Weasley twins in the film series adaptations of JK Rowling's popular wizarding franchise

In recent years, Harry Potter author JK Rowling (pictured in 2022) has become embroiled in a series of online rows over her controversial views about the transgender community

The actor, 34, said he has had no direct contact with Rowling since the controversy first erupted as he voiced his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

He told The Atlantic: 'Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn't mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life.'

'It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic,' he went on.

'I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people, and have no further comment than that.'

Earlier this month, Daniel Radcliffe (pictured in Harry Potter) commented on the controversy as he said his beliefs don't have to align with the author's just because she made him a star

The actor, 34, (pictured in October) said he has had no direct contact with Rowling since the controversy first erupted as he voiced his support for the LGBTQ+ community

Daniel and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 34, and Rupert Grint, 35, have all been outspoken in their support of the transgender community in light of Rowling's comments.

Rowling has faced frequent attacks for saying that trans women should not be allowed in women's spaces in a series of online posts.

Her spat with Daniel started after she commented on an article that used the phrase 'people who menstruate' instead of women, writing: 'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?'

Shortly afterwards, Daniel penned an impassioned article for an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention charity that said 'transgender women are women'.

Rowling has previously insisted that she won't forgive stars who had spoken out against her, including Daniel and his Harry Potter co-stars.
Shelley Sullivan's estranged husband has broken his silence in the wake of the couple's abrupt marriage breakdown - as rumours swirl a third party was involved.

Shelley, the multimillionaire founder of popular skincare brand MCoBeauty, and her accountant husband Anthony parted ways two weeks ago after an explosive argument.

The heated row prompted Anthony, 46, to leave for the United States, while his wife moved into the InterContinental in Double Bay. He is believed to be returning to Sydney soon.

'The stories circulating are incorrect, malicious and hurtful to our family,' Anthony said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.

'Shelley and I have separated for our own private reasons and no third party is involved.'

Shelley and Anthony Sullivan pictured in happier times

Kristin Fisher has slammed rumours that she is involved in the marriage breakdown as 'unequivocally false'

Anthony is an accountant and CEO of Quantaco which provides financial services to companies in the hospitality trade.

Shelley, 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.

The couple had known each other for years and were friends before they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Point Piper in 2016.

'Our personal relationship grew out of our business partnership, leading to our marriage seven years ago  a marriage built on mutual love and respect,' Mr Sullivan said on Wednesday.

'We jointly own and run businesses across finance, technology, professional services and cosmetics.

'We remain close and are working through next steps.'

His statement comes one day after the couple's friend, Kristin Fisher, slammed rumours she was the 'other woman' behind the couple's split.

'This is absolutely not true,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I am so sick of being the clickbait in all of these stories and having to defend myself over something that I've got nothing, and I mean NOTHING, to do with.'

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

Reports have wrongly insinuated that Kristin (pictured left) was involved in the split

Shelley was seen in Sydney's financial district being comforted by her mum

The Double Bay eyebrow queen doubled down on the false rumours, admitting she is romantically involved with somebody else.

'The truth is I've only been with one person of late,' Kristin said.

On Monday, one day after news of the well-heeled couples split broke, Shelley was seen being consoled by her mother in Sydney's financial district, where her multi-million-dollar business is based.

The pair looked visibly distressed as they shared a tender moment in the midst of her marital breakdown.

Shelley told Daily Mail Australia she would not be commenting on the marriage break-up.

'Shelley is absolutely shattered by the split,' a close friend told Daily Mail Australia.

'Anthony was her rock, she's devastated - her marriage was everything to her.'

The businesswoman's close-knit group of friends are doing their best to support her as she deals with the split.

'She has an amazing network that has just put their arms around her at this time,' the friend added.

Shelley and Anthony have since moved out of their $11,000-a-week heritage-listed rental mansion Leura in Bellevue Hill.

The couple were living in the heritage listed mansion Leura in Sydney's eastern suburbs

Shelley Sullivan is now calling celebrity hotspot Intercontinental Double bay home

The beauty boss launched her brand's Tan Airbrush In a Can more than 20 years ago and it still sells a bottle every 36 seconds worldwide.

She is also credited with introducing the world to the first heated eyelash curlers.

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.

In 2022, MCoBeauty was approached by a large Australian conglomerate that acquired a portion of the business.

The brand is on track to generate $247million in the 2024 financial year.
READ MORE: Cate Blanchett commands attention in a sparkly gold gown as she leads the stars attending the Rumours premiere at the Cannes Film Festival

Cate Blanchett has left fans baffled after describing herself as 'middle class' despite a staggering $95million net worth.

The Aussie actress, 55, spoke during a press panel at Cannes Film Festival where she discussed the importance of giving refugee filmmakers space to tell their stories.

During the chat, Cate acknowledged her privileged position but left fans stunned as she went on to describe herself as 'middle class', despite her celebrity status.

'I'm white, I'm privileged, I'm middle class and I think one can be accused of having a bit of a white savior complex,' she said.

But many Australians and Americans were stunned that someone with a net worth of $95million and a multinational property portfolio would consider themselves 'middle class'.

Cate Blanchett has left fans baffled after describing herself as 'middle class' despite a staggering $95million net worth

Taking to the comments section, they wrote: 'Darling middle class?????'; She's upper class. Her net worth is 95million'; 'Middle class ??';

'Is she saying 'middle class' because she's not in the aristocracy?! Lol what is this naming convention some people use?';

'Middle class. Yup. Ok'; 'So out of touch if she considers herself middle class. Maybe middle of the road millionaire.'

However, some Poms pointed out she was using the term in a strictly British context, where class was traditionally tied to family and heritage, not their bank account.

The Aussie actress, 55, spoke during a press panel at Cannes Film Festival where she discussed the importance of giving refugee filmmakers space to tell their stories

In the UK, the term 'upper class' was historically used to refer to those of the highest social rank, the aristocracy or someone with a formal title like duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron.

When a British person calls themselves middle class or upper-middle class, they are usually saying they are comfortably well-off, but not aristocratic.

One fan explained: 'Important context is that in the UK, 'class' is more of a social label than a socio-economic one.

'Class has historically had more to do with your relationship to the aristocracy than the number in your bank account. The 'upper class' typically refers to people with aristocratic heritage.

During the chat, Cate acknowledged her privileged position but left fans stunned as she went on to describe herself as 'middle class', despite her celebrity status and privileged background

'Those in the 'middle class' can absolutely be very wealthy, but if you don't have a formal title, you still identify as 'middle class'.'

Cate was privately educated at a Melbourne girls' school and has gone on to become a global celebrity and Hollywood star with a net worth of $95million.

Cate, who was born and raised in Sydney, is based in the UK and has lived in East Sussex with her playwright husband Andrew Upton and their four kids since 2015.

The couple, who tied the knot back in 1997, share three sons Dashiell, 22, Roman, 19, and Ignatius, 16, and a daughter Edith, eight.

Cate, who was born and raised in Sydney, is based in the UK and has lived in East Sussex with her playwright husband Andrew Upton and their four kids since 2015

Cate owns a 5million historic country estate near Crowborough, East Sussex, where she also bought up land next door - a 1.5million farmhouse with 100 acres.

She also bought a 5million eco home in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, back in 2020 and has been busy renovating the five-bedroom property.

Cate and her Australian husband Andrew also have property Down Under as they also own an investment home in Sydney's CBD.

Earlier this year, they also sold their three-bedroom family home in Prahran, Melbourne, for more than $3million - much higher than the guide price of $2.25million-$2.45million.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has submitted plans for a new $5.058 million home on her oceanfront property in Clovelly, Sydney.

The four-bedroom home, designed by prominent architect Madeleine Blanchfield, features an elegant paradise aesthetic with a flat roof in Colorbond shale grey.

The co-host of KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show, 49, plans to build a three-storey house on the site.

The renovation includes a central courtyard, a pool, a rainwater tank, and double garaging.

'It's like you are in Italy on the Amalfi Coast,' she recently said on her breakfast program, surprising her co-host Kyle Sandilands with her vision for the property.

Jackie 'O' Henderson, 49. (pictured) has submitted plans for a new $5.058 million home on her oceanfront property in Clovelly

The four-bedroom home, designed by prominent architect Madeleine Blanchfield, features an elegant paradise aesthetic with a flat roof in Colorbond shale grey. The co-host of KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show plans to build a three-storey house on the site

Her landscaping, designed by Dangar Barin Smith, will feature a blend of native and Mediterranean plants, and a 'root barrier' will be installed to protect nearby structures and services.

Jackie hinted she was renovating the site in January when she shared a sneak peek into her final planning meeting with her architect.

In her Instagram stories, the radio star shared a picture of herself finalising her designs for the luxury home.

The renovation includes a central courtyard, a pool, a rainwater tank, and double garaging. 'It's like you are in Italy on the Amalfi Coast,' she recently said on her breakfast program, surprising her co-host Kyle Sandilands with her vision for the property

Her landscaping, designed by Dangar Barin Smith, will feature a blend of native and Mediterranean plants, and a 'root barrier' will be installed to protect nearby structures and services

Jackie was seen sitting across from her architect with plans and illustrations laid out in front of her.

'Final design meeting,' the blonde beauty captioned the image, tagging her architect Blanchfield.

In March, it was revealed Jackie splashed-out $13.25million on a three-storey oceanfront house in Clovelly at an open auction.

The fixer-upper is set back from the road, offering privacy she didn't have on the narrow streets of her former address.

Jackie had previously complained about intrusive paparazzi as the reason for her sale of her past home.

Jackie hinted she was renovating the site in January when she shared a sneak peek into her final planning meeting with her architect
Chinese scientists succeed in speed rice breeding in desert greenhouses

13:10, May 22, 2024 By Jiang Jianke ( People's Daily

A group of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) recently announced the success of a trial planting to halve the growth cycle of a conventional rice variety in a desert greenhouse in Hotan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

"We started the breeding in February this year. Supported by soilless farming, it took just 60 days for the rice seedlings to harvest," said Wang Sen, a researcher with the CAAS's Institute of Urban Agriculture (IUA).

Photo shows rice cultivated in a desert greenhouse in Hotan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo from the official account of the Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences on WeChat)

China is the first country in the world to cultivate rice. With ordinary farming practices, it usually takes 120 to 150 days on average for rice to mature in China's major rice-growing areas.

Why can the growth cycle of rice be significantly reduced in desert greenhouses of Hotan?

In 2021, Yang Qichang, chief scientist with the IUA, and his team successfully cut the growth cycle of rice by half in a plant factory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. They also achieved a technological breakthrough that allows rice to be cultivated throughout the year, without being limited by seasonal factors.

Yang noted that cultivating rice in a plant factory is costly, adding that he and his team hoped to explore a technical approach that could achieve speed breeding while also significantly reducing costs.

"We found that Hotan is an ideal place for building greenhouses because the land and operating costs are relatively low here with its vast deserts, abundant sunlight and heat resources. Implementing speed breeding here can significantly reduce costs," Yang explained.

Photo shows desert greenhouses in Hotan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo from the official account of the Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences on WeChat)

In the greenhouses of Hotan, Yang and his team replaced soil cultivation with nutrient solutions and employed multi-spectrum LED light sources and environmental control technologies to regulate the lighting and temperature conditions. After more than two years of experiments, the team finally achieved speed rice breeding in desert greenhouses.

Later, Yang and his team continued to explore key technologies for the fast breeding of other crops in desert greenhouses, including soybeans, corn, wheat, oilseed crops and cotton.

The successful trial planting demonstrated that speed breeding in desert greenhouses is entirely feasible and provides an effective method to produce more generations of rice each year, Yang said. Besides, the efficacy of low-cost, highly efficient and energy-saving gutter-connected desert greenhouses has also been validated, he added.

After future integration with new energy and other technologies, construction and operating costs will be greatly reduced, which will make such greenhouses strongly competitive globally, Yang told People's Daily.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
A bowling outfit worn by Jeff Bridges' The Dude from The Big Lebowski is set to be auctioned off next month, along with other mementoes from the 1998 cult classic.

The ensemble Bridges wore consists of his vintage bowling shirt and plaid shorts, according to organizers. It is expected to pull in between $100,000-$200,000.

Bridges wore the outfit in multiple scenes in the film, including a bowling sequence, and the scenes in which The Dude and Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) visited a funeral parlor and the oceanside.

In the latter scene, the tandem subsequently spread the ashes of their late bowling partner Donny (played by Steve Buscemi, who is on the mend after he was attacked by a man in New York City earlier this month).

The auction, titled Hollywood Legends: Danger, Disaster and Disco, will be held over four days from June 12-June 15 in Los Angeles and online on Julien's website, the organization said.

A bowling outfit worn by Jeff Bridges' The Dude from The Big Lebowski is set to be auctioned off next month, along with other mementoes from the 1998 cult classic

The ensemble Bridges wore consists of his vintage bowling shirt and plaid shorts, according to organizers

The auction incudes 'a stunning collection of over 1,300 of the most famous and celebrated artifacts from popular film franchises, Golden Age of Hollywood and modern classics,' according to organizers.

Another of The Dude's outfits, seen in the scenes with Jackie Treehorn (played by the late Ben Gazzara) and Larry Sellers (Jesse Flanagan), will be hitting the auction block with an estimated sale price of $50,000-$70,000, according to the auction house.

The outfit consists of 'a dyed purple Jockey V-neck T-shirt, and loose-fitting cotton pants with a distinctive Jamaican pattern,' according to the auction house.

Among the other items from the Coen brothers film that will be auctioned include the jumpsuit John Turturro wore in the role of Jesus Quintana; an outfit John Goodman wore as Walter Sobchak; and a two bowling alley lanes used in the making of the motion picture.

From Turturro's infamous Quintana character - who was the focal point of the 2019 standalone film The Jesus Rolls - comes a 'six-piece purple ensemble consisting of a purple, short sleeve jumpsuit and matching zippered jacket featuring the name "Jesus" stitched over the proper left chest,' according to Julien's.

The lot includes 'a pair of purple socks and purple Linds lace-up bowling shoes,' and is seen in the sequence in which the Quintana character is first introduced to the tune of The Gipsy Kings' cover of Hotel California, according to the auction house.

It is expected to sell for between $100,000-$200,000, according to the auction house.

Fans of Goodman's mercurial character can bid on a seven-piece ensemble consisting of a pair of cotton Canyon Ridge khaki shorts, a cotton and polyester Cotton Mist brown polo shirt and custom made multi-pocketed tan hunting vest, according to Julien's. It also includes a pair of dark green socks, and distressed green canvas and black leather combat boots.

Bridges' The Dude was seen in the costume as he and Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) visited a funeral parlor

Bridges wore the outfit in the scene in which The Dude and Sobchak spread the ashes of their bowling partner Donny

A gust of wind makes for an awkward moment toward the end of the dark comedy

Bridges' The Dude is one of the most cited film characters in pop culture over the past 25 years

Another of The Dude's outfits will be hitting the auction block with an estimated sale price of $50,000-$70,000, according to the auction house

The outfit (sans coat) consists of 'a dyed purple Jockey V-neck T-shirt, and loose-fitting cotton pants with a distinctive Jamaican pattern'

The lot from Sobchak is accompanied by a photo of Goodman in the costume, according to Julien's. It is expected to sell for between $15,000-$25,000.

Also up for sale are the actual ball return lanes used during production of the movie, which are expected to sell for between $8,000-$10,000, according to the auction house.

A portion of the earnings from The Big Lebowski items will go to No Kid Hungry, a campaign from the nonprofit Share Our Strength to combat childhood hunger, according to the auction house.

'Launched in 2010, the No Kid Hungry campaign equips schools and community organizations across the country with the technical assistance, funds and resources they need to connect kids to the food they need to thrive,' according to Julien's.

The latest auction comes about six months after a robe and shirt worn by The Dude character sold for $169,000, while a pair of sunglasses the character wore sold for $88,900.

Another iconic film character, James Bond, is represented in the auction by a number of items from the 2021 movie No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig.

They include a pair of monogrammed cufflinks expected to sell for between $10,000-$20,000; a bullet-hit Aston Martin DB5 window expected to sell for between $5,000-7,000; and a briefcase used as a prop in the movie, estimated to draw between $5,000-7,000 in bids.

Other James Bond-related items include a stunt submachine gun Lashana Lynch's Nomi character used in No Time To Die, expected to sell for between $4,000-$6,000; an ice pick used by Dave Bautista as Mr. Hinx in the 2015 movie Spectre, estimated to sell for between $8,000-$10,000; and a one million dollar casino chip prop from 2006's Casino Royale, expected to sell for between $2,000-$3,000.

From Turturro's infamous Quintana character comes a 'six-piece purple ensemble consisting of a purple, short sleeve jumpsuit and matching zippered jacket,' according to Julien's

The purple ensemble is seen in the sequence in which the Quintana character is first introduced to the tune of The Gipsy Kings' cover of Hotel California

The Quintana character was the focal point of the 2019 standalone film The Jesus Rolls, written and directed by Turturro

An item from the iconic 1932 movie The Wizard of Oz is included in the set: A green coat worn by the Emerald City townsman in the famed film; it's expected to sell for $20,000-$30,000, according to Julien's.

Elsewhere in the auction, the dance floor used in the film Saturday Night Fever will be among the pieces of movie memorabilia that hits the auction block next month, Julien's Auctions said Tuesday.

Dubbed 'Hollywoods most famous dancefloor of all time,' the floor is the one danced on by John Travolta, who played the role of Tony Manero in the 1977 culture-defining disco film scored by the Bee Gees.

The floor used in the film is estimated to sell for between $200,000-$300,000, according Julien's.

'Both the original acrylic panels and the modern production-made panels feature wear from use,' the auction house said in a news release. 'The dance floor and components are housed within three rolling production carts, two crates, and one road case.'

Multiple mementos from a modern hit film - the 2017 Gal Gadot tentpole Wonder Woman - are also arriving on the auction block.

The flagship item of the Wonder Woman lot is the full costume of the character made for Gadot in the film franchise. It is estimated to sell for between $60,000-80,000, according to the auction house.

Another iconic film character, James Bond, is represented in the auction by a number of items from the 2021 movie No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig

They include a pair of monogrammed cufflinks expected to sell for between $10,000-$20,000

An item from the iconic 1932 movie The Wizard of Oz is included in the set: A green coat worn by the Emerald City townsman in the famed film; it's expected to sell for $20,000-$30,000

The dance floor used in the film Saturday Night Fever will be among the pieces of movie memorabilia that hits the auction block next month, Julien's Auctions said Tuesday

Dubbed 'Hollywoods most famous dancefloor of all time,' the floor is the one danced on by John Travolta, who played the role of Tony Manero in the 1977 culture-defining disco film scored by the Bee Gees. Pictured with Karen Gorney in the motion picture

Other Wonder Woman items up for sale include a tiara estimated to sell for between $20,000-$30,000; gauntlets estimated to sell for between $10,000-$20,000; and bracelets of submission and a harness estimated to sell for between $3,000-$5,000.

Fans of the Indiana Jones franchise have a treasured item they can bid on: 'An original Ark of the Covenant prototype used for the making of the action-adventure film' that came out in 1981, according to Julien's.

'This prop that became an iconic treasure within the blockbuster Indiana Jones film series starring Harrison Ford comes from Peter Stoltz, the Industrial Light & Magic Visual Effects artist who used the prop for the films lighting and pyrotechnic testing,' the auction house said in a news release.

The item was past seen on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow, in which expert James Supp identified the item 'as being the closest a collector could get to owning an Ark of the Covenant since the hero prop used in the final version of the film is held by Lucasfilm Archives,' according to Julien's.

It is estimated to sell for between $50,000-$70,000, according to organizers.

Multiple mementos from a modern hit film - the 2017 Gal Gadot tentpole Wonder Woman - are also arriving on the auction block

The flagship item of the Wonder Woman lot is the full costume of the character made for Gadot from the film. It is estimated to sell for between $60,000-80,000, according to the auction house

Gauntlets in the movie are estimated to sell for between $10,000-$20,000

A golden tiara worn by Gadot in the film franchise is among the items to go up on sale

The character's famed lasso is among the items included in the auction, titled Hollywood Legends: Danger, Disaster and Disco

Gadot starred in the DC staple in 2017's Wonder Woman and 2020's Wonder Woman 1984

Fans of the Indiana Jones franchise starring Harrison Ford have a treasured item they can bid on

An original Ark of the Covenant prototype used for the making of the action-adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark, which came out in 1981, is up for sale, according to Julien's

The Ark of the Covenant is pictured in a frame from the 1981 action-adventure movie

A stunt hook used by Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook in the 1991 Steven Spielberg movie Hook is up for sale

A jacket Michael J. Fox wore in 1989's Back To The Future: Part II is expected to sell for between $10,000-$20,000, according to the auction house

In the movie, which featured a late 1980s prediction of what the year 2015 would be like, the premise was that the jacket could fit itself to any size with the push of a button

A number of other cinematic items are up for sale in the auction next month.

They include a stunt hook used by Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook in the 1991 Steven Spielberg movie Hook, according to organizers. It is estimated to sell for between $10,000-$20,000.

A jacket Michael J. Fox wore in 1989's Back To The Future: Part II is expected to sell for between $10,000-$20,000, according to the auction house.

In the movie, which featured a late 1980s prediction of what the year 2015 would be like, the premise was that the jacket could fit itself to any size with the push of a button.
Less than a year into her husband's 30-year prison sentence, Bijou Phillips is living it up with a luxury holiday abroad.

The Almost Famous actress, 44, recently vacationed with longtime pal Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who shared photos of their trip to London and France for the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

'Girls trip GB,' Rothschild, 40, captioned photos of their London trip, during which they posed in front of a classic red phonebooth.

They were also joined by Australian clothing designer Rebecca Vallance-Gasan for the British jaunt.

Phillips later embraced the spring weather in the south of France, where they attended a Miu Miu event at Cannes.

Bijou Phillips recently vacationed with longtime pal Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who shared photos of their trip to London and France for the 77th Cannes Film Festival

'Girls trip GB,' Rothschild captioned photos of their London trip, during which they were joined by Australian clothing designer Rebecca Vallance-Gasan

The nepo baby donned a pink and white striped dress with tied spaghetti stripes and matching white sneakers for the event.

Her latest trip comes after husband Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison in September following his guilty verdict for raping two women.

In a letter to the judge, Phillips defended Masterson, 48, as a 'life-saving partner' and 'amazing father' before he was sentenced.

'We need him more than you can imagine,' she wrote of their 10-year-old daughter Fianna Francis.

'I know he has been convicted of serious crimes,' added Phillips. 'But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.'

Phillips filed for divorce from the That '70s Show alum days after he was sentenced, claiming they lived apart for five years before he was convicted.

A source told DailyMail.com that the Raising Hope actress, who tied the knot with Masterson in 2011, chose to end the marriage to show their daughter that 'need to be held accountable,' as well as 'to protect her assets and protect her future.'

'She doesn't want to lose money and land and housing over a future civil lawsuit against Danny, she is looking to protect her future and that is one big reason she has pursued divorce,' the insider explained.

'Bijou will never say anything negative about Danny's parenting skills, he is incredible in that department.'

Phillips later embraced the spring weather in the south of France, where they attended a Miu Miu event at Cannes

The nepo baby donned a pink and white striped dress with tied spaghetti stripes and matching white sneakers for the event

Her latest trip comes after husband Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison in September following his guilty verdict for raping two women

The source added, 'Bijou loves Danny, always will, and really hopes that his sentence is eventually lessened and or reversed.'

Masterson has since agreed to give Phillips full custody of Fianna.

After Masterson was expelled from the Church of Scientology and deemed a 'suppressive person' in October, Phillips quietly cut ties with the church in January.

Masterson, who was transferred from a maximum security prison to a less harsh penal colony in February, was previously denied bail as the judge considered him a flight risk.

A source told DailyMail.com that Phillips found it 'very triggering' while Masterson was in the maximum security prison that once held Charles Manson.

'She has been able to go out and also vacation which has been a stress relief to get back to a somewhat normal life, but it still hurts her inside that her life is forever changed,' they said.

'It is going to get better but also it will take forever to heal from it all. She has had a very stressful life dealing with this and what her father has been accused of.'

The source added, 'It has been an emotional toll that has taken her to places of extreme stress and heartache. That is going to continue for a long time.'

Phillips and Fianna visited Masters for the first time during his sentence as they celebrated his 48th birthday in March.
Khloe Kardashian debuted a luscious new strawberry blonde hairdo in a series of sizzling Instagram snaps this week.

The 39-year-old reality star beamed as she showed off her new look while modeling a busty floral gown as springtime wound down.

Her gown was perfectly fitted to emphasize her hourglass frame, reminding fans why she once hosted a show called Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian.

Bringing out her radiant complexion with makeup, she jazzed up the look with jewelry including a glittering cross.

'Strawberry Shortcake Vibes,' she wrote in her caption, thanking her colorist Tracey Cunningham and her hair extension stylist Priscilla Valles.

Khloe Kardashian debuted a luscious new strawberry blonde hairdo in a series of sizzling Instagram snaps this week

The 39-year-old reality star beamed as she showed off her new look while modeling a busty floral gown as springtime wound down

Khloe's latest makeover - achieved with Redken - comes after she welcomed the impending summer by indulging in a beach outing with her children.

She shares her six-year-old daughter True and her 21-month-old son Tatum with her serially unfaithful ex-boyfriend, NBA heartthrob Tristan Thompson.

For her latest day soaking up the sun at the beach, Khloe was also accompanied by her seven-year-old niece Dream Kardashian.

Dream's father is Khloe's younger brother Rob Kardashian, with whom Khloe has famously been especially close over the years.

Rob shares Dream with his ex-fiancee Blac Chyna, who carried on an explosive feud with the Kardashian-Jenner family after the engagement ended.

She unsuccessfully sued multiple members of the family - including Khloe - claiming they connived to have her reality show Rob And Chyna canceled.

After losing the suit, Chyna became a born-again Christian and overhauled her life, quitting OnlyFans, having her plastic surgery reversed and going on the wagon.

On an episode of The Kardashians last year, Khloe described herself as Dream's 'third parent' and confessed that she was not in touch with Chyna.

Her gown was perfectly fitted to emphasize her hourglass frame, reminding fans why she once hosted a show called Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian

Bringing out her radiant complexion with makeup, she jazzed up the look with jewelry including a glittering cross

'I do not have a relationship with Dream's mom,' she said. 'It's hard to have a relationship with someone when they sue you for hundreds of millions of dollars.'

Meanwhile Khloe and Tristan had a tempestuous on-off relationship that was repeatedly buffeted by Tristan's infidelity before finally falling apart in 2021.

She left him for the last time when she learned that he had conceived his son Theo with fitness trainer Maralee Nichols while still dating Khloe.

By the time it emerged that Maralee had given birth to Tristan's baby, he and Khloe already had a surrogate pregnant with Tatum.

True was born less than 48 hours after DailyMail.com exclusively broke news of Tristan's alleged fling with New York City strip club bartender Lani Blair.

Khloe recently enjoyed a beach outing with her children True, six, and Tatum Thompson, 21 months, as well as with her seven-year-old niece Dream Kardashian

He and Khloe remained together then, but broke up in 2019 after Tristan shared a kiss at a party with Kylie Jenner's then best friend Jordyn Woods.

When the coronavirus lockdowns struck, Tristan and Khloe moved in together so they could both be with True - and wound up rekindling their romance as well.

Reports of their latest split began circulating in June 2021 as Tristan found himself denying a swirl of rumors about his fidelity.

Then DailyMail.com exclusively obtained court documents in late 2021 claiming Tristan was having a baby by Maralee, kicking off the scandal that ultimately prompted Khloe to end her romance with him for good.
The controversial star of Netflix's explosive Ashley Madison docuseries has admitted he would have taken his infidelity secrets 'to the grave' with him.

Sam Rader and his wife Nia both opened up about his shock cheating in the newly-released documentary about the controversial cheating website Ashley Madison.

In 2015, it was revealed Sam had signed up for the website when someone hacked the platform and shared the name of every member online in a shocking leak.

In the explosive docuseries Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, And Scandal, Sam laid bare his infidelities as he and his wife opened up about the difficult time in their lives.

Sam has now appeared on Melbourne radio show Fifi, Fev & Nick to discuss the docuseries, which has soared to number one on Netflix's UK viewing charts.

Sam Nader, the controversial star of Netflix's explosive Ashley Madison docuseries, has admitted he would have taken his infidelity secrets 'to the grave'

The Fox's radio host Brendan Fevola quizzed Sam on whether he would have come clean about signing up to the site and his infidelities if it hadn't been for the leak.

The Christian YouTube star admitted that though he had deleted his account on Ashley Madison two years before the leak, he had been taking those secrets 'to the grave'.

'I was taking those secrets to my grave. That was (going to) the grave with me,' he confessed when asked if he ever would have told his wife Nia.

'However, I had repented of that lifestyle. It had been two years since I had deleted Ashley Madison  which wasn't clear in the documentary.

'That was frustrating, they took that out of context. I deleted Ashley Madison before [our career in] YouTube came along. But I had repented that lifestyle and was taking those secrets to the grave.

In 2015, it was revealed Sam (pictured with his wife Nia) had signed up for the website when someone hacked the platform and shared the name of every member online in a shocking leak

'And the Lord said, 'If you're not going to tell her  I'm going to tell everyone.' So, He exposed me, and I give Him all the credit for it. He only exposed the least of what I had done.'

Sam went on to reflect on the moment he found out his name had been released in the leak back in 2015, admitting he felt like he was going to 'pass out'.

'I thought it was all over. When my name was discovered, and I got that initial tweet. We were at the airport, and I nearly passed out,' he candidly shared.

'I got nauseous, severe tunnel vision I was just panicking. My eyeballs were just like earthquakes in my skull. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.'

Sam and Nia, who both grew up in Wills Point, Texas, started dating when they were in high school after bonding over their Christian faith.

The Christian YouTube star admitted that though he had deleted his account on Ashley Madison two years before the leak, he hadn't planned to tell his wife Nia (pictured)

They were together for five years before they tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed their daughter, Symphony, in July 2010.

In the docuseries, Sam said the 'responsibility' that came with welcoming his first child with Nia in their 20s made him 'long for passionate romance' as he discussed what led to his infidelity.

'I love being a dad, I love my children, crazy about 'em. But it was just this sudden inundation of responsibilities. So much responsibility that I wasn't ready for,' he explained.

'Paying bills, keeping up with our finances, not getting in debt, making sure our mortgage got paid in time, making sure the electric didn't go off...

'I had imagined my life being exciting, but it wasn't exciting anymore. Life became monotonous.

'I longed for passionate romantic love. I didn't want to leave my family but I wanted something exciting in my life. I wanted more of the good stuff that life had to give.'

Sam, who was working nights as an ER nurse, said he came across an ad for Ashley Madison one night and their tag line, 'Life is short. Have an affair,' caught his eye.

'When I signed up for Ashley Madison I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life,' he confessed.

Sam went on to reflect on the moment he found out his name had been released in the leak back in 2015, admitting he felt like he was going to 'pass out'

'Ashley Madison was just a way for me to find women who'd be attracted to me so I could suck up their validation.'

The pair welcomed their son, Abram, in 2013, and they later launched their YouTube channel, Sam and Nia, where they now have 2.5million subscribers.

In the Netflix series, Sam explained that once their account took off, that gave him the 'validation' that he had previously been looking for on Ashley Madison.

Nia also appears in the documentary and detailed how she learned to forgive Sam despite him 'humiliating' her and making her feel like she 'wasn't enough for him'.

She said: 'I thought, "I've been a good wife and mother. There was just no reason. He's got everything he needs. I'm there for him in every way, what in the world is missing that he needed to go on this website for?"'

Nia also appeared in the Netflix docuseries and detailed how she learned to forgive Sam despite him 'humiliating' her and making her feel like she 'wasn't enough for him'

Sam first claimed that he had never got intimate with any other women or met anyone face-to-face, before going on to confess all of his infidelities to Nia.

He told her how he had gone to 'massage parlors and strip clubs' because they were 'easy access to pleasure' and even came on to 'a couple of their friends'.

'He had pursued someone who was special to me which led to her cutting herself out of my life,' Nia explained.

'I lost this very close friend because of Sam. It was a lot to face. I started reeling inside, I felt like my world was crumbling.

'Every single aspect of my life up until this point felt like a lie. Everything that we had dreamed about... all of these very special [memories], our wedding day, the day we met, suddenly it was just over.

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

'It was years of betrayal, years that he had acted out in our marriage. It was hell. Something I had to wrestle with was, I wasn't enough for him. I worked so hard to be what I thought he wanted.'

Sam said that while 'there's a lot of things he regrets', he's thankful for the 'hack' because it forced him to come clean and ultimately strengthened their relationship.

They have since welcomed two more daughters together, Juliet in 2016 and Josie in 2021.

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.

Listen to Fifi, Fev & Nick on Melbourne's 101.9 The Fox from 6-9am weekdays, also on LiSTNR.
Riley Keough cut a casual figure as she stepped out in Venice Beach on Tuesday, following news that she's challenging a foreclosure auction sale of Graceland.

The Daisy Jones and The Six star, 34, was joined by her husband Ben Smith-Petersen as they shopped for a Rivian Truck and did a test drive on a sunny afternoon.

The actress  who became the sole trustee of her grandfather Elvis Presley's estate after the 2023 death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley  rocked a black sweatshirt with matching bike shorts that put her toned legs on display.

She shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses and completed her casual outfit with white sneakers.

The outing comes just a day before an injunction hearing is set to take place on Wednesday, after Keough filed a lawsuit against a 'fraudulent' auction of Elvis' home and burial site.

Riley Keough cut a casual figure as she stepped out in Venice Beach on Tuesday, following news that she's challenging a foreclosure auction sale of Graceland

The Daisy Jones and The Six star, 34, was joined by her husband Ben Smith-Petersen as they shopped for a Rivian Truck and did a test drive

Graceland, the former home and burial site of her legendary grandfather Elvis Presley, is set to be sold off at a foreclosure auction this Thursday; Elvis seen at Graceland circa 1957

On Tuesday's outing Riley was pictured holding hands with her husband, who sported a red shirt over a black tank top and jeans.

The pair have been married since 2015. The duo share daughter named Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen, who was born via surrogate in August 2022, and whose name is an homage to Elvis, who was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935.

On Monday it was revealed that Graceland, the former home of the legendary Elvis, is set to be sold off at a foreclosure auction this Thursday.

According to a legal notice published this month, Graceland and surrounding land on Elvis Presley Boulevard will be auctioned off for cash to the highest bidder at Shelby County Courthouse on May 23, as per WREG-TV News.

Keough, who is the current owner of Graceland, is challenging the sale with a lawsuit, claiming it is 'fraudulent.'

A temporary restraining order on the sale was issued on Monday, as per Keough's attorney, and an injunction hearing is set for Wednesday.

A representative for Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises told Dailymail.com in a statement, 'Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed to stop the fraud.'

According to the legal notice Riley's mother, and Elvis' only child, the late Lisa Marie, allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 in order to secure a $3.8 million loan, using Graceland as collateral.

The alleged loan was taken through a Missouri company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending.

Now, the company is claiming Lisa Marie did not pay back the money prior to her death at 54 last year.

But Riley's lawsuit, filed May 15 in Shelby County Chancery Court, claims that her mother did not borrow money from the company.

'These documents are fraudulent,' states the lawsuit.

The actress rocked a black sweatshirt with matching bike shorts that put her toned legs on display

She shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses and completed her casual outfit with white sneakers

The outing comes just a day before an injunction hearing is set to take place on Wednesday, after Keough filed a lawsuit against a 'fraudulent' auction of Elvis' home

On Tuesday's outing Riley was pictured holding hands with her husband

He sported a red shirt over a black tank top and jeans

The pair have been married since 2015

The duo share daughter named Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen, who was born via surrogate in August 2022

The actress became the sole trustee of her grandfather Presley's estate after the 2023 death of her mother Lisa Marie Presley

Keough alleges that her mother's signatures on the deed are forgeries. The lawsuit also claims that Naussany Investments is not even a real company.

The notary listed on the documents has denied that she notarized Lisa Marie's signature or ever met her, as per the documents.

The King of Rock and Roll bought the Graceland estate in 1957 for $102,500, the same year he recorded a slew of iconic hits including 'Blue Christmas' and 'All Shook Up.'

Lisa Marie inherited the estate after her father's death in 1977. It was later opened to the public as a museum in 1982. When Lisa Marie died in January 2023, her daughter became heir to the estate.

The Graceland estate is an iconic symbol of arguably the greatest pop culture figure of all time.

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the 13.8-acre property attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, as people remember one of America's most impactful musicians.

The property was constructed in 1939 by Ruth Brown Moore and her husband Dr. Thomas D. Moore, who named the property 'Graceland' after Ruth's aunt Grace Toof, the original owner of the land.

A temporary restraining order on the sale was issued on Monday, as per Keough's attorney, and an injunction hearing is set for Wednesday

According to the legal notice Riley's mother, and Elvis' only child, the late Lisa Marie, allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 in order to secure a $3.8 million loan, using Graceland as collateral

Now, the company is claiming Lisa Marie did not pay back the money prior to her death at 54 last year. But Riley's lawsuit, filed May 15 in Shelby County Chancery Court, claims that her mother did not borrow money from the company

'These documents are fraudulent,' states the lawsuit

Keough alleges that her mother's signatures on the deed are forgeries. The lawsuit also claims that Naussany Investments is not even a real company

A representative for Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises told Dailymail.com in a statement, 'There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed to stop the fraud'

The King of Rock and Roll bought the Graceland estate in 1957 for $102,500, the same year he recorded a slew of iconic hits including 'Blue Christmas' and 'All Shook Up'

The duo were seen test driving the new Rivian truck

Graceland is known as a zany, folksy look into Elvis' lifestyle, including the notable 'Jungle Room' filled with greenery and family heirlooms, which was initially used as a practical joke by Elvis, who purchased many items of furniture in an attempt to annoy his father.

According to a video on the Graceland website, every item of furniture in the home is an original piece of furniture that was purchased during Elvis' time there.

Today, the property at 3763 Elvis Presley Blvd stands as one of America's most famous musical landmarks, which was acknowledged in 1991 when it was added to the American National register of Historic Places.

It features a museum that houses some of the most notable artifacts from his career, including a 40ft high wall that contains every single of the awards he was given after his death.

Riley's settlement over the ownership of the Graceland mansion was approved by a judge ten months after her mother Lisa Marie's death in January 2023.

She was named the sole trustee of the family estate after a legal battle with her grandmother Priscilla Presley, 78.

Their disagreement centered around a 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie's will that excised Priscilla as trustee of the estate.

Attorneys for Priscilla said she only became aware of the amendment after the death of her daughter.

The amendment removed Priscilla and Lisa Marie's former business manager Barry Siegel, and replaced them with Lisa Marie's children Riley and Benjamin Keough.

Benjamin died in 2020, at age 27, after shooting himself dead in the family's mansion, with sources revealing he had been struggling at the time.

Lisa Marie inherited the estate after her father's death in 1977. It was later opened to the public as a museum in 1982. When Lisa Marie died in January 2023, her daughter became heir to the estate; Lisa Marie seen January 10, 2023, two days before her death

Fans seen visiting the grave of Lisa Marie and Graceland meditation pool during her memorial on January 22, 2023

Lisa Marie died in January 2023, at the age of 54, after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California.

It was later found that she died from a 'small bowel obstruction' caused by a bariatric surgery that she had undergone according to the autopsy.

Last year Priscilla confirmed it is her wish to be buried next to her late ex-husband Elvis on his Graceland estate when she dies.

Elvis, Lisa Marie and her son Benjamin are all buried at Graceland.
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Bella Hadid and Demi Moore proved to be the women of the moment as they attended Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in France on Tuesday.

Supermodel Bella, 27, has been ruling the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival for years and continued to turn heads with her latest look as she went braless beneath a plunging silver gown that showcased her phenomenal figure.

The Vogue cover girl glittered under the bright lights as she sported dazzling diamond earrings and a necklace that complemented the jewel detailing on the bodice of her gown.

She added to the glamour with a pair of barely-there silver heels that gave her model frame a boost, while her glossy chestnut locks were slicked back into a chic chignon to accentuate her striking features.

She was rivalled in the style stakes, however, by actress Demi, 61, who was this year dubbed 'the godmother of Cannes' as she continues to marvel Hollywood with her career resurgence, dubbed the 'Moore-naissance'.

Bella Hadid (left) and Demi Moore proved to be the women of the moment as they attended Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in France on Tuesday

Supermodel Bella, 27, has been ruling the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival for years and continued to turn heads with her latest look as she went braless beneath a plunging silver gown that showcased her phenomenal figure

Bella was rivalled in the style stakes by actress Demi, 61, who was this year dubbed 'the godmother of Cannes' as she continues to marvel Hollywood with her career resurgence, dubbed the 'Moore-naissance'

The mother-of-three exuded glamour in a strapless canary yellow gown that clung to her slender physique and complemented her tanned complexion.

A racy thigh high split put her toned pins on display and exposed a pair of pink court heels that added another pop of colour to the look.

Highlighting her tiny waist, pink floral embellishment was attached to the bodice, matching a pair of chandelier earrings in the same style.

While Bella is no stranger to a Cannes red carpet, for Demi this year has been the first time she's attended the festival since 1997.

Demi is the star of The Substance, which opened in Cannes on Sunday night to rave reviews and a standing ovation which lasted 13 minutes.

The American Ghost actress, who was one of the go-to film stars in the Nineties, has left critics stunned by her performance in the film, which is competing for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

Demi has never been nominated for an Oscar, although she has previously clocked up three Razzies Golden Raspberries, which are awarded for the 'worst' performances. (For Striptease, GI Jane and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.)

But the consensus in Cannes is that all of that is about to change.

Godmother of Cannes Demi and queen of fashion Bella were in good company at the latest Chopard event as they joined the likes of (L-R) Eva Green, Nicky Hilton stunned in custom Rebecca Vallance alongside and Bella Thorne at the star-studded dinner

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, had fun on the red carpet a she played around with her billowing white gown

Petra Nemcova flashed her toned legs as she swished her navy floral gown around, exposing her bodysuit beneath

Vogue cover girl Bella glittered under the bright lights as she sported dazzling diamond earrings and a necklace that complemented the jewel detailing on the bodice of her gown

Mother-of-three Demi exuded glamour in a strapless canary yellow gown that clung to her slender physique and complemented her tanned complexion

In The Substance, Demi plays an ageing Hollywood actress turned aerobics workout host called Elisabeth Sparkle who gets fired from her TV network  for being old  and ends up deciding to try a body enhancement program called The Substance.

When she takes the injections she passes out and her skin splits down her spine, with her new self, Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, emerging as the sexy young woman she would love to be.

The price of the transformation is that they will have to spend a week in suspended animation, and a week in the real world.

The problem comes when Sue decides that she doesn't want to swap over every seven days  and when she takes some of Sparkle's fuel, the older version starts to age.

They get locked into a modern version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a Frankenstein where the monster is physically perfect. It's a feminist reflection on self hatred which packs a tremendous punch.

The subject of the gory horror  hailed as an instant cult classic  is the lengths which women will go to to transform themselves cosmetically and so hang on to the media spotlight.

Demi has been the woman of the moment at Cannes and was recently named godmother of the Trophee Chopard, which honors two emerging actors.

Created in 2001 by Chopards co-president and artistic director Caroline Scheufele, the Trophee Chopard is given annually during the festival 'to an actress or actor at the start of their career' as a way to promote the big screens next generation and underscore Chopards commitment to cinema.

Eva put on a busty display in a plunging sheer black gown that highlighted her phenomenal figure and ample cleavage

Bella Thorne wowed in a chocolate brown dress with a leather bodice while Flora Coquerel dazzled in a plunging black gown with silver beading as they joined pals at the event

Petra strutted her stuff along the red carpet in her eye-catching ensemble

Diane Kruger wowed in a black dress with a flowing train while she accessorised with a scarlet heart shaped clutch bag

Rebecca Vallance and Nicky Hilton made for a picture perfect duo as they posed for snaps together

Emma looked in high spirits as she posed up a storm in her glamorous white gown

Demi presented the award to Australian star of Talk to Me, Sophie Wilde and American Challengers actor Mike Faist in a glittering ceremony last week, where she joked about her 'godmother' title.

'In my country it kind of means that you have no responsibility,' she quipped. 'But remember as your godmother, Im here for more than just the fun stuff, and you dont have to do it all alone.'

Speaking about the decision to pick Demi, Chopard copresident and artistic director Caroline Scheufele announced: 'She is perfect for this role, as she embodies what rising talents can strive for, with a constant reinvention through daring role choices she fearlessly embraced.

'Her long and diverse career epitomizes the Hollywood success story and I am sure that the laureates of the 24th Trophee Chopard will receive invaluable advice from their godmother.'

Godmother of Cannes Demi and queen of fashion Bella were in good company at the latest Chopard event as they joined the likes of Eva Green, Bella Thorne and Nicky Hilton at the star-studded ceremony.

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.

Poppy Delevingne dazzled in silver sequins, Catrinel Marlon was a vision in a lace gown and Greta Gerwig turned heads in a plunging dress as they hit the red carpet

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.

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.

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.
Married at First Sight Ellie Dix, 32, and Jono McCullough, 39, have hit the road for an extended holiday.

The loved-up pair have splashed out on a luxury caravan and now plan to drive around Australia.

Ellie shared the exciting news on Wednesday telling Instagram followers that the pair have also enjoyed a reunion with MAFS co-star Tim Smith.

The couple met Tim in the country town of Casino in northern NSW where the controversial groom had just bought a light single-engine plane.

She also shared that Tim will be joining the couple for part of their road trip.

Married at First Sight Ellie Dix, 32, and Jono McCullough, 39, have shared a major relationship update. Both pictured

The loved-up pair have splashed out on a luxury caravan and now plan to drive around Australia

Posting videos of the reunion, Tim's plane can be seen in the background as Jono and Tim share a joke.

Ellie also shared video of their plush new caravan as well as several pictures featuring highlights of their road trip so far.

One photo features Ellie posing with the Australian Standing Stones, a tourist destination in the Centennial Parklands near Glenn Innes.

Another picture shows Ellie and Jono posing in front of their new caravan 'home'.'On Monday, Jono & I picked up our home,' Ellie posted.

'And for the next couple of months we are making our way around Australia 'We met Tim in Casino NSW where he picked up a plane he purchased off Marketplace (along with a pair of RM Williams).

'And we are both heading south, one towing a caravan and the other a plane, until Tim heads back to Melbourne to get his (legitimate) pilots licence.

The couple met Tim in the country town of Casino in northern NSW. Pictured

The pair pose against a view of the NSW countryside during their current road trip

'So far we have visited Casino, Grafton and Glen Innes to see the Australian Standing Stones and last night we stayed in Tamworth.'

It comes after the pair recently shared a loved-up holiday in the Whitsundays, off the Queensland coast.

'We just started a trip to the sunny Whitsundays! Just wanted to say hi to everyone,' Jono shared in a social media post earlier this month.

In March, tensions came to a head on MAFS when Lauren Dunn finally confronted husband Jono about texting fellow bride Ellie after she left the show.

Lauren's heart was shattered when she found out her groom was secretly texting the brunette bombshell.

A dramatic episode saw Lauren, 32, demand to see Jono's iPhone, only to discover he had texted Ellie hundreds of times after she left the experiment.

It comes after the pair recently shared a loved-up holiday in the Whitsundays, off the Queensland coast.

'You reached out to her. These aren't just relaying information that happened the night before, this is more than that. My stomach dropped,' Lauren told Jono.

Jono finally admitted he had secretly been texting Ellie - but attempted to downplay their relationship as just platonic.

Despite his efforts to convince the other couples he wasn't romantically interested in Ellie, the pair unveiled their relationship during the show's explosive reunion.

Jono insisted the pair are 'so happy' while Ellie said she felt she had 'won Married At First Sight'.
A first of its kind trailer for Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been released teasing the hit West End show as the production announces it is being extended.

The Netflix-spin off first hit theatre land at the end of last year and its huge success with Stranger Things fans has earned it a run into next year at the Phoenix Theatre.

The new trailer teases the groundbreaking theatrical special effects on film for the first time, as the show's villain Henry Creel's origin story is brought to life.

The play is a prequel set 20 years before the streaming platform's sci-fi phenomenon and follows the story of how Creel became the fearsome antagonist, Vecna.

The production is also set in the fictional town of Hawkins, which is described as a 'a regular town with regular worries'.

A first of its kind trailer for Stranger Things : The First Shadow has been released teasing the hit West End show as the production announces it is being extended

The Netflix-spin off first hit theatre land at the end of last year and its huge success with Stranger Things fans has earned it a run into next year at the Phoenix Theatre

The new trailer teases the groundbreaking theatrical special effects on film for the first time, as the show's villain Henry Creel's origin story is brought to life

Recognisable characters from the series are seen as their younger selves; Jim Hoppers car wont start, Bob Newbys sister wont take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town.

New student Henry arrives in town hoping for a fresh start with his family but finds that a fresh start isnt so easy - and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team, this gripping adventure takes fans back to the beginning of the story  and may hold the key to the end.

The eerie trailer begins with Creel's arrival in Hawkins joined by his parents Victor and Virginia, as the voiceover says: 'The perfect home for the perfect family, this is going to be a fresh start, for all of us'.

Creel is seen moving through the crowds at school as his peers go about their lives while he walks alone, a voice, presumably his mother's, says: 'If you start to feel upset, just take a deep breath and say to yourself...'

Creel then says: 'I'm Henry Creel, I'm normal - it's not real', as he tries to steady himself in front of a bathroom sink, before forming a connection with Patty Newby, daughter of the school principal.

Viewers are then transported to Hawkins National Laboratory, which will be recognisable to fans from the series where Eleven escapes from after being experimented on as a young girl due to her supernatural powers.

The play is a prequel set 20 years before the streaming platform's sci-fi phenomenon and follows the story of how Creel became the fearsome antagonist, Vecna

The production is also set in the fictional town of Hawkins, which is described as a 'a regular town with regular worries'.

The eerie trailer begins with Creel's arrival in Hawkins joined by his parents Victor and Virginia, as the voiceover says: 'The perfect home for the perfect family, this is going to be a fresh start, for all of us'.

Creel is seen moving through the crowds at school as his peers go about their lives while he walks alone, a voice, presumably his mother's, says: 'If you start to feel upset, just take a deep breath and say to yourself...'

Creel then says: 'I'm Henry Creel, I'm normal - it's not real', as he tries to steady himself in front of a bathroom sink'

Creel forms a connection with Patty Newby, daughter of the school principal

A darker force then begins to take over Creel as he battles with his inner demons, which results in him levitating into the air while gripped in a trance.

A flashing sequences then teases some incredible illusions designs and visual effects a darkness takes over the town.

The new play is written by series writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry and directed by The Crown's Stephen Daldry with co-director Prima Facie's Justin Martin.

Matt and Ross Duffer, who are the creators of the Netflix series, previously said: 'The cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow is nothing short of phenomenal.

'These actors brilliantly explore the early days of many fan favourites - including Hopper, Joyce, Bob, Henry and Dr. Brenner - while also bringing new characters to vivid life.

'We couldn't be more thrilled and can't wait for you to meet them all live on stage. See you in London, nerds!'

The First Shadow stars include Shane Attwooll, Christopher Buckley, Michael Jibson, Oscar Lloyd, Louis McCartney, Isabella Pappas, Patrick Vaill, Lauren Ward and Ella Karuna Williams.

The ensemble includes Kemi Awoderu, Chase Brown, Ammar Duffus, Gilles Geary, Florence Guy, Max Harwood, Matthew Pidgeon, Calum Ross, Maisie Norma Seaton, Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes and Meesha Turner.

Recognisable characters from the series are seen as their younger selves; Jim Hoppers car wont start, Bob Newbys sister wont take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town

Viewers are then transported to Hawkins National Laboratory, which will be recognisable to fans from the series where Eleven escapes from after being experimented on as a young girl due to her supernatural powers

A darker force then begins to take over Creel as he battles with his inner demons, which results in him levitating into the air while gripped in a trance

A flashing sequences then teases some incredible illusions designs and visual effects a darkness takes over the town

The new play is written by series writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry and directed by The Crown's Stephen Daldry with co-director Prima Facie's Justin Martin

Creel's wrist is tattooed with a number from Hawkins National Laboratory

People in hazmat suits take to the stage as a dark force begins to take over the town

The show will be produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions whilst the Duffer Brothers act as creative producers.

Stranger Things premiered in July 2016 and swiftly became one of Netflix's most popular TV series ever and its fourth season alone garnered over 140.7 million global views.

Grounded in 80s nostalgia, the show has rekindled interest in pop culture artefacts from that era with each new season, such as Eggo waffles and New Coke.

In June 2022, the series revitalised Kate Bush's song Running Up That Hill, when it was featured as an emotional cornerstone in Max's character journey (played by Sadie Sink) causing a surge in Spotify streams.

The series has also amassed more than 70 awards globally, including Emmys and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and received nominations for over 230 awards.
Bridgerton co-stars Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips have sparked romance rumours - after meeting on season three of the show.

Bessie, 30, plays the role of Prudence Featherington on the hit Netflix show, while Sam, 39, plays Nicola Coughlan's character Penelope's new suitor Lord Debling.

The pair have been photographed at several events with her family, including alongside Bessie's famous mum Imelda Staunton and dad Downton Abbey's Jim Carter.

The furthest back they have been pictured was in May 2023 where they looked cosy at a theatre event - suggesting they could have been together a good while.

And those on TikTok think that they could be an item, with one content creator posting a recent video titled: 'Bridgerton co-stars that are dating in real life'.

Bridgerton co-stars Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips have sparked romance rumours - after meeting on season three of the show (seen looking cosy in May 2023)

The pair have been photographed at several events with her family, including alongside Bessie's famous mum Imelda Staunton and dad Downton Abbey's Jim Carter

Bessie, 30, plays the role of Prudence Featherington (left) on the hit Netflix show, while Sam, 39, plays Nicola Coughlan 's character Penelope's new suitor Lord Debling

Many were quick to comment on the rumours as one said: 'Okayyyy featherington sisters bagging the hot ones!'

Another said: 'They're so cute!!', while a third penned: 'I love this so much!'

Representatives for Bessie and Sam have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The pair were first pictured together in May 2023 as they attended the Theatrical Consequences: The 5th Annual Platform Presents West End Gala after party at Tequila Mockingbird in London.

Then in November 2023 the pair attended the Wonka premiere together with Bessie's famous actress mother Imelda, 68.

They posed as a trio with Imelda stood in the middle - suggesting Sam had been introduced to her side of the family some time before.

Then in December 2023 Bessie her famous dad Jim, 75, accompanied Sam to The Crown season 6 finale celebration event.

He plays the Queen's Equerry Stephen Chambers in season 3 & 4 of Netflix's The Crown.

In December 2023 Bessie her famous dad Jim, 75, accompanied Sam to The Crown season 6 finale celebration event

In November 2023 the pair attended the Wonka premiere together with Bessie's famous actress mother Imelda, 68

The pair were first pictured together in May 2023 as they attended the Theatrical Consequences: The 5th Annual Platform Presents West End Gala after party at Tequila Mockingbird in London

Bridgerton made its comeback last week.

And according to What's On Netflix the hit romance series is back and better than ever as it pulled in a shocking 45.1M views within just four days of going global on Netflix.

Within its first four days, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 reportedly scored 165.20 million viewing hours, equating to 45.10 million views.

Netflix described the views from the opening four days as 'only the beginning' and teased more to come.

In a press release released by them, they said: 'Spring has sprung, which means its finally #Polin (not pollen) season. Part 1 of Season 3 of Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton debuted at #1 on the English TV List, racking up 45.1M views.

'The series, which stars Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, was #1 in 78 countries and reached the Top 10 in 92. And this is only the beginning.

'With Part 2 set to release on June 13, who knows how high this wallflower will climb? PSA for the millions of fans having post-binge withdrawals: find yourself a support group, put on some music, light a candle and get into something comfy  more of the carriage-style scenes youre craving will be here shortly.'

It comes after Nicola showed off her kooky sense of style in a red satin dress with a dramatic hood as she continued the Bridgerton series three promo trail in Brazil on Monday.

The actress, 37, joined her onscreen lover Luke, 31, for the screening at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro.

The pair star in the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton as Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, with season three following their journey from friends to lovers.

After fans tuned in to watch the first part of the series, which dropped last week, Nicola spoke about the one sex scene she felt most pressured to get right.

'The fans are horny little devils and they used to send us pictures of carriages constantly and carriages rocking,' she said.

'So, this has to be both beautiful, touching, romantic and sexy, which is a lot of things. In her mind after the kiss, its just shes messed it up completely and shes like, "He will never fancy me. He doesnt fancy me. Its embarrassing. Im going to move on,"

'There's no part of her when he gets in that carriage that thinks anything like this is gonna happen.'

Season three of the show dropped last Thursday morning, with eager fans settling down to devour the latest antics of the Regency-era romantics.

The romp-fest came under fire for its lack of steamy scenes in the second series, with a meagre three minutes of bedroom action amid eight hours and 29 minutes of screen time.

Viewers can already expect more from the first four episodes of series three, with at least six minutes of kissing, sex, threesomes and lesbian love-making.

But after being promised that this season is the steamiest yet, viewers are made to wait until the closing moments of part one for the central love story to really kick off.

Series three focuses on the will-they-won't-they flirtation between Penelope and Colin, but the plotline of best friends realising their true feelings proves to be a slow burner.

Sam and Bessie (right) are seen together at a Bridgerton promo event in New York earlier this month

Those on TikTok think that they could be an item, with one content creator posting a recent video titled: 'Bridgerton co-stars that are dating in real life'

Bessie is seen with her parents Imelda and Jim in 2016

It ends on a steamy cliffhanger as after being unable to think of anyone else, Colin eventually declares his love for Penelope in a carriage after she was left heartbroken by Lord Debling.

The pair finally give into their passions, with Colin lifting up Penelope's dress in the back of the carriage for a very steamy finale, ahead of part two dropping on June 13.

Just as the fans are begging for more, even the characters in the new series are left wanting.

Portia (Polly Walker) urges her daughters to get pregnant as questions surround their family fortune, and is seen asking her girls: 'Must we tell a baker to bake?' leading to the Featherington sisters competing in the bedroom to be the first to make an heir.
MasterChef viewers were left devastated after their true 'winner' was sent home at the final hurdle.

Tuesday's episode saw Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod battle it out for a coveted place in this year's final three.

After a tense task cooking for guests of Michel Roux Jr at his now closed-restaurant Le Gavroche, the chefs whipped up a meal back at the MasterChef UK kitchen to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

But as Brin, 29, and Chris, 44, impressed with their skilful dishes, it was either Louise, also 44, or Abi, 22, who were set to miss out on a spot in the final three.

Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her on to win.

MasterChef viewers were left gutted after their true 'winner', Abi Kempley, was sent home at the final hurdle during Tuesday's episode

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: 'Fallen at the final hurdle. Really thought it was hers to take,';

'This woman should be in the final,'; 'Gutted for Abi - youre a winner in my eyes!!';

'Gutted Abbie went . Brin to win,'; 'I really like Brin and Chris but Abi is incredible for her age,';

'Abi should be proud at how far she has come. To be only in her early twenties and getting to finals week on #Masterchefuk is an amazing achievement. I reckon she'll be a big chef in the future.'

Brim and Chris were revealed to have impressed the judges and earned a spot in the final, leaving Abi and Louise at risk.

Announcing Abi's departure, John said: 'Abi and Louise, one of you is going through to the final, one of you is leaving us.

'The contestant leaving us... is Abi. Abi than you its been an incredible journey for you.'

'I would really really like to see what happens with you next because you are an amazing talent for somebody so young,' Gregg said. 'Well done.'

Tuesday's episode saw Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod battle it out for a coveted place in this year's final three

Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her on to win

Taking to X, formerly Twitter , they wrote: 'Fallen at the final hurdle. Really thought it was hers to take

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been challenge from start to finish'

Ahead of her departure from the show, Abi served up the starter - which Michel Roux Jr's guests hailed 'delicious'

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been challenge from start to finish.

'I'm definitely really proud of what I've achieved.'

Tuesday's episode saw the contestants cook up a storm in legendary restaurant Le Gavroche.

Ahead of her departure from the show, Abi served up the starter - which Michel Roux Jr's guests hailed 'delicious' - poached scallop mousse on a julienne of vegetables and diced scallop, served with a Chartreuse liqueur veloute and a scallop coral tuile.

But one dish raised eyebrows - circus performer Chris's poached and roasted spiced duck breast served with crispy duck leg.

Viewers flocked to social media with cries that the duck looked too raw, with some suggesting his competitor vet surgeon Brin could 'get it up and walking'.

They wrote: 'I don't think that duck's even dead,'; That duck is f***ing RAW,';

But one dish raised eyebrows - circus performer Chris's poached and roasted spiced duck breast served with crispy duck leg

Viewers flocked to social media with cries that the duck looked too raw, with some suggesting his competitor vet surgeon Brin could 'get it up and walking'

They wrote: 'I don't think that duck's even dead,'; That duck is f***ing RAW'

'Brin could get that duck up and walking again if he was serving this course,';

'I love Chris's creativity, but WHY do all professional chefs insist on meat being so rare?'

And it wasn't the only dish of the day to be met with criticism for its cooking time, as later in the show back at the test kitchen Brim served up a South American inspired dish dedicated to his fiance Anna - which consisted of pan-fried fillet of beef coated in Colombian coffee.

Viewers said: 'That beef is too pink! Needs to be cooked more!'; 'That steak is still mooing

'Someone call a vet. The beef's still breathing.....'

And it wasn't the only dish of the day to be met with criticism for its cooking time, as later in the show back at the test kitchen Brim served up a South American inspired dish dedicated to his fiance Anna

The dish consisted of pan-fried fillet of beef coated in Colombian coffee
kate moss looked stylish in leggy black leather shorts as she modelled for Anine Bing's latest campaign for summer 2024 on Wednesday.

The model, 50, showed a glimpse of toned pins in the high-waisted shorts as she went braless in a skimpy white vest to complete the look.

She styled the outfit with a relaxed beach bag and wore dark shades while her blonde tresses were worn in loose waves.

Kate later added a trendy khaki jacket to the look and added some small gold hoop earrings.

For another look as part of the ad she wore a chic denim jacket and matching jeans, teamed with a sleek black handbag.

Kate Moss looked stylish in leggy black leather shorts as she modelled for Anine Bing's latest campaign on Wednesday

For another look as part of the ad she wore a chic denim jacket and matching jeans, teamed with a sleek black handbag

For another more evening look she wore black leather trousers and a sophisticated oversized blazer.

It's Kate's second campaign for Anine Bing, having previously showcased the label's Fall 2023 collection.

It comes as Kate is working on her own signature makeup range just like her fashion rival Victoria Beckham after her latest wellness brand reportedly 'flopped'.

The star will sell cosmetics under her full name in a marketing move that helped fellow style queen Victoria, also 50, rake in a fortune.

According to The Mirror, Kate lodged a trademark application in December for her latest venture and was given the go-ahead in March.

This means that the catwalk queen can now sell her own cosmetic essentials such as lip gloss, mascara, eyeshadow, and blush.

Although her precise plans are yet to be announced, her patent reportedly includes a handwritten logo featuring Kate's name followed by a love heart.

Documents sent to the Intellectual Property Office show a string of other possible products  including Kate Moss eyewear and stationery.

Victoria Beckham Beauty, which was launched in 2019 by the former Spice Girl, became an overnight success thanks to her Satin Kajal Liner, which has 16 colours and is hailed as 'the perfect piece of make-up' by many women across the globe.

The model, 50, showed a glimpse of toned pins in the high-waisted shorts as she went braless in a skimpy white vest to complete the look

Kate later added a trendy khaki jacket to the cool look and added some small gold hoop earrings

Fashion icon Kate wore dark shades while her blonde tresses were worn in loose waves and she opted for natural makeup

The popularity of the liner went through the roof after the fashion designer gave tutorials on TikTok and Instagram and pals claimed she also used it on herself.

MailOnline has contacted Kate's representatives for comment.

Kate's latest venture follows the apparent 'flop' of her wellness brand, Cosmoss, which reportedly owed lenders more than 405,000 in April last year.

The skincare brand sells 20 herbal tea bags for 20, as well as perfumes, and skin creams - including a 105 regenerating face oil and a 125 Sacred Mist room spray.

Kate claimed Cosmoss is 'self-care created for life's modern journeys' upon its launch on September 1, 2022.

It has been likened to a British version of Gwyneth Paltrow's US business Goop as Kate became the latest celebrity to jump on the wellness market.

Kate's beauty products, made from 'potent, natural substances', are split into three daily rituals which are said to balance the 'body and soul with the natural environment and the circadian cycles'.

The website describes these rituals as enabling us to 'adjust to the rhythm of nature, help us find inner peace and self-fulfillment, and open a door to balance, restoration and love'.

The full three rituals cost more than 400, while the popular Golden Nectar serum - which contains the 'mythical' tears of Chios, a plant resin produced on the Greek island - has a 105 price tag alone.

The dawn ritual, which fills the body with 'positive energy', costs a total of 287 and includes a 21 antioxidant 'dawn tea', a 52 cleanser and 95 anti-ageing face cream.

Last year, the Daily Mail revealed that Kate had won a legal battle with a pharmaceutical firm over the name of her brand Cosmoss.

It means she has trademarked Cosmoss for ranges such as herbal preparations for medicinal purposes, plus food and mineral supplements in her latest venture.

For another more evening look she wore black leather trousers and a sophisticated oversized blazer as she posed with designer Anine

'Kate has huge ambitions for the Cosmoss brand,' the Daily Mail's Richard Eden was told at the time.

Kate applied to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in 2022 to trademark Cosmoss for applications from aromatherapy candles, vitamin supplements and teas to magazines, videos and home furnishings, but Danish firm Pharmacosmos objected to her application.

The company, which makes products for those with iron deficiencies, has been in business for more than 50 years.

It gave a 'likelihood of confusion' as the reason for its objection, but the opposition to Kate's application has been dropped, it was revealed last year.

A filed update at the IPO showed at the time Cosmoss no longer planned to trademark goods intended for treating iron deficiency, meaning there would be no clash with the Danish firm.
Ana de Armas looked sensational as she shared some fun beach snaps on Instagram on Tuesday.

The Bond actress, 36, showed off her incredible figure in a cream bikini top and a white ruffled mini skirt.

Ana, who currently resides in Spain, appeared in top spirits as she danced around the beach and watched the sunset.

She showcased her natural beauty by going makeup-free and letting her long brunette tresses flow freely down her back.

The actress' outing comes just weeks after her two of her fans finally settled a bizarre lawsuit they had triggered with Universal Pictures.

Ana de Armas looked sensational in a cream bikini and white mini skirt as she shared some fun beach snaps on Instagram on Tuesday

The Bond actress, 36, showed off her incredible figure as she waded thro

In 2022, two fans sued the company after they used actress Ana in a trailer for the 2019 movie Yesterday but cut her from the film.

Peter Rosza and Conor Woulfe, two dedicated fans, sued Universal Pictures in 2022, claiming they had spent $3.99 to rent Yesterday after seeing the actress in a trailer.

Despite appearing in the trailer, her role was cut entirely from the film, leading Rosza and Woulfe to sue the studio for $5 million for false advertising.

Rosza and Woulfe scored one legal victory, with a judge allowing the case to move forward in December 2022 and it has now been settled.

No terms of the settlement were disclosed and it's unclear if any money actually changed hands, despite the huge amounts both sides were asking for.

The film Yesterday was released in 2019, following a struggling musician named Jack (Himesh Patel) who is hit by a bus one day.

When he wakes up, he realizes that he's the only person on Earth who remembers who The Beatles actually are, and sets out on a profound musical journey.

Brazilian actress Ana was initially set to play a woman vying for Jack's affections, who appeared in a brief role late in the movie.

Ana, who currently resides in Spain, appeared in top spirits as she danced around the beach and watched the sunset

She showcased her natural beauty by going makeup-free and letting her long brunette tresses flow freely down her back

The actress is clearly letting off some steam as her outing comes just weeks after her two of her fans finally settled a lawsuit they had trigger with Universal Pictures

In 2022 two fans sued the company after they used actress Ana de Armas in a trailer for the 2019 movie Yesterday but cut her from the film

-Despite appearing in the trailer, her role was cut entirely from the film, leading Rosza and Woulfe to sue the studio for $5 million for false advertising

While scenes shot with de Ana were used in the trailer, director Danny Boyle ultimately decided to cut the character altogether after her arc failed to connect with test screening audiences.

Ana did not appear in the finished film, which earned a solid $154.6 million worldwide from a $26 million budget.

Despite this legal victory, allowing the case to move forward, the class action lawyers failed to provide any data that would comprise an actual class for the lawsuit.

Then in August 2023, a judge dismissed the class action status, meaning the false advertising case could only move forward with the two plaintiffs - dropping the case's value from a prospective $5 million down to $7.98 - the cost of the rental fees.

The studio then filed a motion to have the plaintiffs cover the studio's legal fees, which they calculated to $672,000, though offered a, 'generous' deduction to $472,000.

The judge knocked it down even further to $126,705, with Universal offering to settle, though the plaintiffs' lead attorney, Cody R. LeJeune, hinted at still fighting.

He filed multiple discovery requests, while his former co-counsel, Matthew A. Pequignot, filed a settlement proposal of his own, stating his clients would drop the lawsuit for a $750,000 lump sum payment.

The film Yesterday was released in 2019, following a struggling musician named Jack (Himesh Patel) who is hit by a bus one day

Ana was initially set to play a woman vying for Jack's affections, who appeared in a brief role late in the movie

Despite this legal victory, allowing the case to move forward, the class action lawyers failed to provide any data that would comprise an actual class for the lawsuit

Universal's lawyers were not amused, with Stephanie Herrera writing, 'The attorneys who filed and sunk two years into this frivolous case are trying to pressure Universal into making a huge monetary payment (with no legal or factual basis) to end a case that is now worth $7.98.'

She then asked the judge for another $43,000 for 'abuse of the discovery process,' with a hearing that was set for April 30, and the trial set to start May 21.

Both parties filed a joint notice of settlement on Friday with the case believed to be fully dismissed in April
James Corden got stuck into rehearsals recently ahead of his West End return in The Constituent at London's Old Vic theatre this summer.

The comedian, 45, put on an animated display while practicing his lines with his co-star Anna Maxwell Martin, 47.

And in first look rehearsal images ahead of their anticipated show, James and Anna were seen having a heated conversation.

His return to the stage will mark his third West End performance throughout his career.

James last starred in a West End show a decade ago, in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011 and before that, he performed in Martin Guerre in 1996.

James Corden, 45, got stuck into rehearsals ahead of his West End return in The Constituent at London's Old Vic theatre this summer

The comedian put on an animated display while practicing his lines with his co-star Anna Maxwell Martin, 47 (pictured)

During rehearsals, BAFTA-winning Anna cut a stylish figure in a matching denim co-ord, teamed with white heeled boots.

Anna is renowned for staring in the Motherland, Line of Duty and Poppy Shakespeare.

James opted for a casual fitting, wearing a blue shirt and navy trousers with red piping.

Anna stars as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by James.

The duo will star in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's The Constituent at the Old Vic theatre from June 13 to August 10.

The Late Late show star moved back to England with his wife Julia and their three children last year after quitting Hollywood.

Despite making the decision to slow down on work to spend more time with his family, James has now embarked on an exciting new project.

Directed by Old Vic Artistic Director and Olivier Award winner Matthew Warchus, The Constituent deconstructs politics, panic alarms and the conflict between public service and personal safety.

And in first look images ahead of their anticipated show, James and Anna were seen having a heated conversation

His return to the stage will mark his third West End performance throughout his career

Anna stars as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by James

James opted for a casual fitting, wearing a blue shirt and navy trousers with red piping

The duo will star in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's The Constituent at the Old Vic theatre from June 13 to August 10

The play is directed by Matthew Warchus (pictured)

Zachary Hart (pictured) plays a parliamentary protection officer in the show

James last starred in a West End show a decade ago, in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011 and before that, he performed in Martin Guerre in 1996

The Late Late show star moved back to England with his wife Julia and their three children last year after quitting Hollywood

Despite making the decision to slow down on work to spend more time with his family, James has now embarked on an exciting new project (pictured in 2023 with wife Julia)

Joe Penhall said: 'I began writing this play four years ago, as I became fascinated and appalled by the growing antipathy towards elected politicians.

'But during lockdown it looked like theatre was done for, so when I showed a rough first draft to Matthew and he had such a confident vision for it, I was simultaneously thrilled and doubtful of our chances.

'Its beyond exciting to be finally doing it and I feel utterly indebted to The Old Vic and everyone involved for getting us here.'
Poppy Delevingne looked effortlessly chic as she left the Hotel Martinez in a white pinstriped blazer and a pair of denim mini shorts during Cannes Film Festival.

The socialite, 38, stepped out in the Cannes sunshine on Wednesday morning after attending Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc the previous night.

Poppy exuded style as she headed out for the day in a smart-casual ensemble, which included a white blazer with thin blue stripes.

She paired the blazer with frayed denim shorts, a Gucci belt and a white T-shirt, as well as a pair of AQUAZZURA 'Almost Bare' flat sandals.

The beauty's light blonde locks were kept natural and tucked neatly behind her ears, and she finished off the look with a pair of tortoise Miu Miu sunglasses.

Poppy Delevingne looked effortlessly chic as she left Hotel Martinez in a white pinstriped blazer and a pair of denim mini shorts during Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

The socialite, 38, stepped out in the Cannes sunshine on Wednesday morning after attending Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc the previous night

On Tuesday evening, Poppy cut a glamorous figure as she left the Hotel Martinez ahead of the Chopard's.

She looked nothing short of sensational in a silver gown which boasted a plunging sweetheart neckline.

The stunning ensemble featured a floor-length design and was embellished all over with silver teardrop coins that sparkled in the light.

She further accessorised the glam ensemble with a diamond-encrusted choker necklace and a pair of diamond drop earrings to match.

Poppy styled her locks in a chic updo for the evening and appeared in high spirits as she struck up a pose for the camera.

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.

Poppy exuded style as she headed out for the day in a smart-casual ensemble, which included a white blazer with thin blue stripes

She paired the blazer with frayed denim shorts, a Gucci belt and a white t-shirt, as well as a pair of gold strappy sandals

The beauty's light blonde locks were kept natural and tucked neatly behind her ears

Poppy finished off the look with a pair of tortoise Miu Miu sunglasses

The socialite was glowing as she was left Hotel Martinez

Poppy stepped out after attending a dinner the evening before

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.

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.

Poppy a glamorous figure as she left the Hotel Martinez on Tuesday evening

She looked nothing short of sensational in a silver gown which boasted a plunging sweetheart neckline

Poppy opted for further accessorising the glam ensemble with a diamond-encrusted choker necklace and a pair of diamond drop earrings to match

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.

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.
Lizzie Cundy turned heads in a red dress as she celebrated her birthday in Chelsea with photographer David Bailey's son Sascha on Wednesday.

The British socialite, who turned 56 on May 2, looked incredible in the figure hugging midi dress as she enjoyed lunch at Italian Pizzeria Cinquecento.

She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering matching heels and completed her outfit with a pair of dark sunglasses.

Leaving her long blonde tresses loose, the stunner accessorised with a gold necklace and wore a glamorous palette of makeup.

The TV presenter seemed in good spirits at the party as she posed for photos and tucked into a delicious pizza.

Lizzie Cundy turned heads in a red dress as she celebrated her birthday in Chelsea with photographer David Bailey's son Sascha on Wednesday

The British socialite, who turned 56 on May 2, looked incredible in the figure hugging midi dress as she enjoyed lunch at Italian Pizzeria Cinquecento

She was joined by a number of her glamorous gal pals as they all beamed for a group picture during the party.

Lizzie and her guest enjoyed several different kinds of pizzas with wine during the lavish lunch.

During the day she was joined by Sascha who dressed smart in a white double breasted blazer and matching trousers.

It comes after Sascha recently revealed he almost transitioned into a woman after he fell into the 'transmaxxing' scene during the break up his marriage.

Sascha said at this time he was reeling from the end of his marriage to Japanese lawyer Mimi Nishikawa and was planning to return to the UK where he would live as 'Sacha without the s.'

So he had a ten-minute interview in a specialist gender clinic in Nagoya where he was immediately prescribed hormone replacement medicine as he believed he was 'born in the wrong body.'

Sascha is now identifying as a man once more and in a new relationship with photographer Lucy Brown, who previously worked as an assistant to Tommy Robinson, told the paper that historic sexual abuse as well as a suicide attempt led him to question his identity. '

He told The Times: 'I often found it hard growing up to identify with males and male characters. I used to love Ripley [Played by Sigourney Weaver in Alien] because she was strong and she didnt represent the person who had hurt me - she looked sufficiently different.

Certain in his mind, Sascha told his then wife Nishikawa, who he claims was supportive with certain conditions.

She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering matching heels and completed her outfit with a pair of dark sunglasses

The TV presenter seemed in good spirits at the party as she posed for photos and tucked into a delicious pizza

Lizzie beamed as she posed with her gal pals

She showed off her amazing figure in the red dress

Lizzie was all smiles as she posed in the entrance of the Chelsea restaurant

During the day she was joined by Sascha who dressed smart in a white double breasted blazer and matching trousers

He explained: 'She tried to make me sign a contract where I agreed that I would give her most of my money while I was transitioning and she could be with anyone she wanted, but I had to stick around and pretend not to be trans for a long time.'

Sascha says his journey down the trans pathway came when he stumbled across internet forums on 'transmaxxing', a sub culture of men who believe their life will be easier if they transition into women.

He recalled: 'It's a form of problem solving. When you think about [transmaxxers] you have to take away all the feelings and the internal stuff because what theyre trying to do is make themselves right for the situation.'

After returning to England, Sascha says he was ready to begin the 'project' of transitioning and had his HRT medicine ready to go but delays in securing his second month's prescription from the NHS ultimately gave him time to reconsider.

He said: 'I wasnt going to start because the worst thing you can do is to stop and start.'

He then says he met Lucy Brown who he also told of his plans, however her response was slightly different.

He says: 'She repeated back my reasoning to me and I just started laughing. It all unravelled from that point.'

Sascha's father David, now 86, counts famed beauties Catherine Deneuve and Marie Helvin among his ex-wives, and he has a portfolio of extraordinary fashion and celebrity portraiture.

Sascha's mother Catherine  to whom David remains married today  is also a celebrated model.

Together with his older siblings Fenton and Paloma, Sascha grew up in bohemian privilege between London and the Bailey country estate in Devon. The family are close.

Sascha, who is now identifying as a man once more and in a new relationship with Lucy Brown, who previously worked as an assistant to Tommy Robinson

Sascha is the son of legendary photographer David Bailey and his model fourth wife Catherine (pictured in 1999 at the Barbican Art Gallery)

David, now 86, counts famed beauties Catherine Deneuve and Marie Helvin among his ex-wives, and he has a portfolio of extraordinary fashion and celebrity portraiture

'Growing up with my parents was fantastic  they were both inspirational people,' he says, recalling a household which was no stranger to A-listers.

'I remember Ronnie Wood told me to tie people's shoelaces together at some event, and the shoe designer Manolo Blahnik kicking me, which was well deserved, as I had pulled someone to the floor as a result,' he smiles.

Dyslexic, Sascha was educated privately at a specialist London school, leaving at 16. Within a year, having inherited his mother's fine bone structure and brunette colouring, he'd been signed by renowned model agency Storm.

What is 'transmaxxing'? 'Transmaxxing' is a relatively new concept on the gender spectrum and evolved on incel internet chat rooms. It is defined by young, celibate men professing a desire to transition into women to make their lives easier. The movement claims that by doing so they 'will escape sexual rejection and improve their lives.' Aside from sexual encounters, the thesis also posits that the transitioned men will enjoy a host of other 'female benefits' - such as cheaper car insurance. Advertisement

By then he was already living with an older girlfriend. 'I was going through a rebellious phase, and just wanted to get out there and do my own thing,' he says.

Then, aged 19, having returned from several months of modelling in Japan, he met lawyer Mimi Nishikawa through a mutual friend. She was 20 years his senior, but this was no bar to an instant attraction.

'She was magnetic and charming, and we just bonded,' he says. 'I think we were both a bit lonely, too, and I guess we found each other.'

Of the age gap, he says: 'It did raise a few eyebrows, but honestly that part of it was never an issue for me, and still isn't.'

In any case, the relationship unfolded with astonishing speed: within three months the couple married at Camden register office with just two witnesses  Sascha's best friend and Mimi's roommate  despite the misgivings of friends and family.

'Loads of people told me it was a bad idea, but when you are in that sort of zone, you have blinkers on,' he says.

'I know people were worried, although my dad laughed and said: 'Do whatever you want.' He was married at around the same age, so what could he say?'

The marriage was happy enough at first, with the couple settling in Whitechapel, East London. Over time, however, it became increasingly toxic.

'It got to the point where it was pretty terrible,' he says. 'There were a multitude of issues.'

By the end of 2019, Sascha suggested the couple move to Japan for a fresh start. They settled on the outskirts of Tokyo, but things continued to deteriorate.

Shockingly, by September 2022 he confides he was so unhappy that he considered taking his own life.

Sascha began transitioning in Tokyo but fled Japan after the collapse of his ten-year marriage to Japanese lawyer Mimi Nishikawa, who is two decades his senior (pictured in 2014)

Nurtured by his family and the love of a new partner, 32-year-old photographer Lucy Brown, he has been pulled back from the brink of a life-changing decision (pictured with Lucy in 2023)

'I wrote a note,' he reveals. 'I still have it on my phone.' He changed his mind at the last minute. 'After that, I just couldn't get out of bed for ages,' he says.

It was at this point that the notion of changing gender started to crystallise. 'I'd already been thinking about it and it's an idea that just grew and grew,' he says. 'It became this way of not having to kill myself, but to become someone new.'

Having made the decision to transition towards the end of September 2022, he felt liberated.

It's fair to say that process is ongoing; while Sascha is in a 'much better' place, he confides to still feeling rather lost.

'Going through any traumatic experience takes time,' he says. 'I'm also having to confront the fact that ten years have gone, I've lost my home, we'd built up an art company together and that's gone too.'
Giovanni Pernice brushed off the scandal surrounding his Strictly Come Dancing exit as he proudly posed with his new puppy.

The Italian dancer, 33, has recently returned from a trip to Dubai and Portugal with girlfriend Molly Brown amid furore over his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.

Yet Pernice clearly had other things on his mind on Wednesday, as Brown took to Instagram to show off their new addition.

Alongside a snap of Pernice cuddling the Pomeranian puppy, Brown wrote: 'Meet Roxy'.

There was no reference to the current media storm Pernice finds himself in, following claims that Strictly bosses are bracing themselves for yet more complaints from former contestants.

Giovanni Pernice brushed off the scandal surrounding his Strictly Come Dancing exit as he proudly posed with his new puppy on Wednesday

The Italian dancer, 33, has recently returned from a trip to Dubai and Portugal with girlfriend Molly Brown amid furore over his 'militant' training style

Yet Pernice clearly had other things on his mind on Wednesday, as Brown took to Instagram to show off their new addition

The BBC are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Strictly professional Pernice's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal continues to rumble on.

It's also claimed that Amanda Abbington - one of the three stars who have filed complaints against Giovanni - has vowed to leave 'nothing unsaid' in her meeting with investigators this week.

On Monday evening, industry colleague Korina Travis, who performed with Pernice at private functions and has no association with Strictly, accused the Italian dancer of behaving questionably when they worked together.

'Ive known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me,' she said in a statement.

She added: 'I will not speak about my experiences with him... Ill leave it at that.'

Travis works for ballroom company Burn The Floor alongside numerous former Strictly Come Dancing professionals.

She was previously considered for a role on the BBC show in 2016 before producers opted for Chloe Hewitt.

Former Strictly contestants Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have all been critical in their review of Pernice's methods.

Pernice faced further claims of workplace misconduct on Monday evening after professional dancer Korina Travis accused him of 'horrendous' behaviour

According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the Italian on Strictly are contemplating joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation for 'serious workplace misconduct claims'.

A source disclosed that several former dance partners of Pernice's have been communicating privately and suggested that even more names could come forward.

The source went on to say that the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to 'clear his name.'

They revealed: 'Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio's, have been in contact with one another behind the scenes.

'Three women that we know of have come forward, and taken things a step further with legal action.

'But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, have quietly been speaking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.'

The fresh claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strictly after the scrutiny became 'too much'.

Off the back of Pernice's departure, friends close to Amanda spoke 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'.

In recent weeks, the professional dancer has come under fire for his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims'

Abbington, who dramatically withdrew from last year's competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Whitmore and Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with him.

Pernice 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 statement, Pernice was dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis was said to 'not be getting involved' while he fights 'to clear his name' amid a probe into his workplace conduct.

It was believed Pernice was still on good terms with Ayling-Ellis, who he won Strictly Come Dancing with in 2021.

Now though, it's been claimed that Ayling-Ellis is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'.

A source told The Sun: 'Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.

'She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won't be speaking about it publicly.'

The news will no doubt come as a surprise to Pernice, who had a positive relationship with the deaf contestant Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.

Amanda Abbington (pictured) is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him

The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies

Pernice has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since 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

Now, Pernice looks set to be planning a whole new career after leaving Strictly under a cloud.

Last month, the professional dancer, 33, quietly set up two new companies, which suggest that hes embarking on a life outside of the BBC show and heading for the classroom.

The Latin and Ballroom champion filed Rock You Productions Ltd at Companies House, which relates to the operation of arts facilities.

This suggests that hes making a move to create his own dance school, similar to ones set up by other performers such as Kevin Clifton.

Pernice's new business is with Paul Irving, who produced his and other Strictly stars' tours.

Paul is also the founder member of The Strictly Foundation, set up to 'raise funds to place talented youth in stage schools and arts training courses.

Pernice's second firm is called GP Ballando and the nature of its business is cultural education.

Debbie Lee serves as director after working with Giovanni and other Strictly celebs on their dance classes.

Last year, Pernice turned his hand away from dancing to set up his own cosmetics range GP Vita, selling fragrances for men and women.

He announced on Instagram at the time that 'my dream come true is finally here!' adding: 'VITA is my new fragrance for men and women - an intoxicating scent that captures the sensuality, vitality and energy of Sicily.'

The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show

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

Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling-Ellis reportedly admits she believes what others are saying amid BBC probe into 'abusive behaviour' (pictured in 2021)

As well as teaching, Pernice could be set for a career in Hollywood.

The dancer is set to make his film debut this year with insiders predicting he'll 'have more acting roles coming his way.

Pernice has filmed a role in Man & Witch - a heart-warming homage to the lo-fi fantasy films of the Eighties.

He will appear alongside Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd in the movie, which follows the tale of a lonely goatherd - who cursed at birth to never take a wife - bargains with a witch to reverse the spell if he can complete her three 'impossible' tasks.

Pernice takes on the role of the Master of the Dance, the best dancer in the kingdom and the only person who knows the Dance of a Thousand Steps which is one of the tasks the Witch sets the Goatheard to master in order to find love.

Speaking about Pernice's new role, a movie insider told MailOnline: 'Its a really fun role where not only does he show his amazing dance talent but also gets to show his comedy and acting chops.

'Hes in the film with most amazing cast, including some Hollywood legends, so who knows what might happen, he may well find some more acting roles coming his way.'

Pernice, who also stars alongside Sean Astin (Goonies, Lord of the Rings), Tami Stronach (The NeverEnding Story) and Michael Emerson (Lost).

Man & Witch premieres in the UK on June 2 and will be released in US at the end of August.

While Strictly fans may miss seeing him every weekend in the ballroom, there might not be that long to wait to see him back on the small screen.

Insiders confirmed that Pernice is already mulling over offers away from BBC and he would find it 'difficult to resist' a lucrative contract with jungle show I'm A Celeb.

While a cloud surrounds his Strictly exit, a new career could be around the corner, with Pernice set to appear in Man & Witch (pictured with co-star Daniel Portman)

Giovanni takes on the role of the Master of the Dance in the movie and will star alongside acting legends Christopher Lloyd (left) and Sean Astin

Another insider revealed that the BBC are considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback

A source told MailOnline: 'Giovanni has been under intense pressure and scrutiny following last year's series of Strictly when Amanda quit.

'The last thing he wants is for that to continue for him and whoever he could be paired with next so he felt there was no other option but to take a step back from the show.

'His close friendship with Anton Du Beke has made it difficult, he really wants him to stay and tried convincing him to look past everything that's happened.'

A TV insider added: 'With I'm A Celeb round the corner, Giovanni would be a dream signing for producers, especially now he's looking for new opportunities and a way to hopefully show audiences he's a good guy.

'The money ITV could offer would be seriously tempting for him too, plus, he loves a challenge.'

He hasn't completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC are considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback.
She's known for her racy displays and jaw-dropping physique.

And Bar Refaeli wowed in another sexy lingerie post as she took to Instagram with her latest daring post on Wednesday.

The Israeli supermodel, 38, showcased her washboard abs as she left little to the imagination in a black lacy underwear set from FEMINA.

Going barefaced for the snaps, the star looked positively radiant as she took the mirror selfie, while blonde locks cascaded over her shoulders in natural waves.

Bar, who shares three children Liv, five, Elle, four, and David, two, with her husband Adi Ezra, 49, an Israeli businessman, shared two snaps as she changed only the direction of her gaze in each.

Bar Refaeli put on a VERY racy display in black lacy underwear as she flaunted her washboard abs in her latest Instagram post on Wednesday

Going barefaced for the snaps, the star looked positively radiant as she took the mirror selfie, while blonde locks cascaded over her shoulders in natural waves

Last month Bar accused Bella Hadid of spreading fake news with a post showing Palestinian children.

Bella, 27, had shared an image of the children to her 60 million followers along with the caption: 'Gaza on my mind' - a reference to the continuing situation in the Palestinian territory currently under attack by Israel.

However, the clip was originally from the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria and came from a 2021 documentary directed by Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war.

After social media users began pointing out the image was from Syria, Instagram added a note saying the post was missing important context and could mislead people.

The note linked to a web page that explains the images are from a refugee camp in Syria showing the victims of Assad's regime, not Israel.

And Bar made sure to call out Bella as she shared a screenshot of her fellow model's post with a red 'fake news' stamp over the top.

'Didn't you learn from your sister's mistake?' she wrote, likely in reference to Bella's older sister Gigi Hadid's own blunder in which she claimed Israel is 'the only country in the world that keeps children as prisoners of war'.

Gigi's post accused Israel of the 'abduction, rape, humiliation, torture, murder of Palestinians' but the model - whose father is Palestinian and who last year likened Israelis to Nazis - apologised for her 'mistake', which she said was careless.

Last month Bar accused Bella Hadid of spreading fake news with a post showing Palestinian children. However, the clip was originally from the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria and came from a 2021 documentary directed by Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war

Taking to Instagram to call out Bella, Bar shared a screenshot of her fellow model's post with a red 'fake news' stamp over the top

Instagram added a note underneath Hadid's post saying it was missing important context and could mislead people (pictured)

Bella's older sister Gigi apologized last November after claiming Israel 'is the only country in the world' keeping children as prisoners of war

'Taking innocent people as hostages is never okay,' Gigi wrote at the time, adding: 'Hurting someone because they are Jewish is never okay.'

At the time, Bar hit out at Gigi in the wake of her post. She shared other posts calling out Gigi, and also shared a video of a spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces talking about the country's Iron Dome defence system and the ongoing conflict with Hamas - which was sparked by the October 7 terror attack.

Israel launched its war in Gaza after the Hamas attack that left around 1,200 people dead. Hamas militants also took roughly 250 people hostage and Israel estimates 129 remain in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead.

'I think there's a lot to be mad at, but I think the anger of the world should be directed at Hamas (for its attack on Israel),' the spokesperson said in the video shared by Bar at the time.

'Because Israel didn't start this war. We didn't want this war.'

'Our war is against Hamas,' the spokesperson continued, adding, 'It's not against Palestinians.' The video ends with the spokesperson urging the world to do their research and 'be on the right side of history.'

'I think she's talking to you,' Bar wrote along with the video, tagging Gigi.
Poppy Delevingne put on a leggy display in a black strapless minidress as she left the Hotel Martinez during Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

The socialite, 38, looked stunning in the chic polka dot number which showed off her incredible figure.

She kept comfortable for the outing in a pair of Aquazzura gold flat sandals and carried her belongings in a small white handbag.

Poppy, the sister of supermodel Cara Delevingne, accessoried with a chunky gold ring and wore a pair of chic sunglasses.

Poppy flashed her gorgeous smile as she blew kisses and waved to waiting fans outside the iconic French Riviera hotel.

Poppy Delevingne put on a leggy display in a black strapless minidress as she left the Hotel Martinez during Cannes Film Festival

The socialite, 38, looked stunning in the chic polka dot number which showed off her incredible figure

Earlier in the day, Poppy looked effortlessly chic in a white pinstriped blazer and a pair of denim mini shorts as she left the hotel in a different outfit.

She stepped out in the French town after attending Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc the previous night.

Poppy exuded style as she stepped out in the smart-casual ensemble, which included a white blazer with thin blue stripes.

She paired the jacket with frayed denim shorts, a Gucci belt and a white T-shirt, as well as a pair of gold strappy sandals.

The beauty's light blonde locks were kept natural and tucked neatly behind her ears, and she finished off the look with a pair of tortoise Miu Miu sunglasses.

On Tuesday evening, Poppy cut a glamorous figure as she left the Hotel Martinez ahead of attending a Chopard event.

She looked nothing short of sensational in a silver gown which boasted a plunging sweetheart neckline.

The stunning ensemble featured a floor-length design and was embellished all over with silver teardrop coins that sparkled in the light.

She kept comfortable for the outing in a pair of flat gold sandals and carried her belongings in a small white handbag

Poppy, the sister of supermodel Cara Delevingne, accessoried with a chunky gold ring and wore a pair of chic sunglasses

Poppy flashed her gorgeous smile as she blew kisses and waved to waiting fans outside the iconic French Riviera hotel

Earlier in the day, Poppy looked effortlessly chic in a white pinstriped blazer and a pair of denim mini shorts as she left the hotel in a different outfit

She stepped out in the French Riviera after attending Chopard's Once Upon A Time dinner at Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc the previous night

She further accessorised the glam ensemble with a diamond-encrusted choker necklace and a pair of diamond drop earrings to match.

Poppy styled her locks in a chic updo for the evening and appeared in high spirits as she struck up a pose for the camera.

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.

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.

Poppy a glamorous figure as she left the Hotel Martinez on Tuesday evening

She looked nothing short of sensational in a silver gown which boasted a plunging sweetheart neckline

Poppy had a facial from Shane Cooper ahead of the party to get her skin looking perfect

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.

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.
Former Strictly contestant's Ellie Leach and Ellie Simmonds have become the latest stars to 'snub' Giovanni Pernice amid a probe into his workplace conduct.

The professional dancer, 33, has come under fire for his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.

Amanda Abbington is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him.

The BBC are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Giovanni's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal continues to rumble on.

And now Leach, 23, and Simmonds, 29, have reportedly unfollowed the Italian dancer after he rejected any allegations of 'threatening and abusive' behaviour.

Former Strictly contestant's Ellie Leach (left) and Ellie Simmonds have become the latest stars to 'snub' Giovanni Pernice amid a probe into his workplace conduct

The professional dancer, 33, has come under fire for his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help

Leach's former dance partner Vito Coppola has also reportedly hit the unfollow button, according to The Mirror.

MailOnline have contacted Vito, Leach and Simmonds representatives for a comment.

Giovanni has also seemingly lost the support of his Strictly partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who has stayed silent amid the claims.

It was believed Giovanni was still on good terms with Rose, who he won Strictly Come Dancing with in 2021.

But, in recent days it's been claimed by sources that Rose is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'.

A source told The Sun: 'Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.

'She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won't be speaking about it publicly.'

The news will no doubt come as a surprise to Giovanni, who had a positive relationship with the deaf contestant Rose, 29, whom he led to victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.

Amanda Abbington is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him

The BBC are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Giovanni's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal continues to rumble on

And now Leach and Simmonds have reportedly unfollowed the Italian dancer after he rejected any allegations of 'threatening and abusive' behaviour

Leach's former dance partner Vito Coppola has also reportedly hit the unfollow button

MailOnline contacted Rose's representatives for comment.

Giovanni brushed off the scandal surrounding his Strictly Come Dancing exit as he proudly posed with his new puppy on Wednesday.

He has recently returned from a trip to Dubai and Portugal with girlfriend Molly Brown.

Yet Pernice clearly had other things on his mind, as Brown took to Instagram to show off their new addition.

Alongside a snap of Pernice cuddling the Pomeranian puppy, Brown wrote: 'Meet Roxy'.

There was no reference to the current media storm Pernice finds himself in, following claims that Strictly bosses are bracing themselves for yet more complaints from former contestants.

The BBC are reportedly scouring nine years of footage from Strictly professional Pernice's training sessions, as the explosive show scandal continues to rumble on.

It's also claimed that Amanda has vowed to leave 'nothing unsaid' in her meeting with investigators this week.

Giovanni has also seemingly lost the support of his Strictly partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who has stayed silent amid the claims (pictured in 2021)

It was believed Giovanni was still on good terms with Rose, who he won Strictly Come Dancing with in 2021

But, in recent days it's been claimed by sources that Rose is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'

On Monday evening, industry colleague Korina Travis, who performed with Pernice at private functions and has no association with Strictly, accused the Italian dancer of behaving questionably when they worked together.

'Ive known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me,' she said in a statement.

She added: 'I will not speak about my experiences with him... Ill leave it at that.'

Travis works for ballroom company Burn The Floor alongside numerous former Strictly Come Dancing professionals.

She was previously considered for a role on the BBC show in 2016 before producers opted for Chloe Hewitt.

According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the Italian on Strictly are contemplating joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation for 'serious workplace misconduct claims'.

A source disclosed that several former dance partners of Pernice's have been communicating privately and suggested that even more names could come forward.

Giovanni brushed off the scandal surrounding his Strictly Come Dancing exit as he proudly posed with his new puppy on Wednesday

The Italian dancer has recently returned from a trip to Dubai and Portugal with girlfriend Molly Brown amid furore over his 'militant' training style

Yet Pernice clearly had other things on his mind on Wednesday, as Brown took to Instagram to show off their new addition

The source went on to say that the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to 'clear his name.'

They revealed: 'Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio's, have been in contact with one another behind the scenes.

'Three women that we know of have come forward, and taken things a step further with legal action.

'But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, have quietly been speaking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.'

The fresh claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strictly after the scrutiny became 'too much'.

Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda spoke 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, who dramatically withdrew from last year's competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Whitmore and Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with him.

Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies.

Pernice faced further claims of workplace misconduct on Monday evening after professional dancer Korina Travis accused him of 'horrendous' behaviour

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!'

Now, Pernice looks set to be planning a whole new career after leaving Strictly under a cloud.

Last month, the professional dancer, 33, quietly set up two new companies, which suggest that hes embarking on a life outside of the BBC show and heading for the classroom.

The Latin and Ballroom champion filed Rock You Productions Ltd at Companies House, which relates to the operation of arts facilities.

The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies

Pernice has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since 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

This suggests that hes making a move to create his own dance school, similar to ones set up by other performers such as Kevin Clifton.

Giovanni's new business is with Paul Irving, who produced his and other Strictly stars' tours.

Paul is also the founder member of The Strictly Foundation, set up to 'raise funds to place talented youth in stage schools and arts training courses.

Giovanni's second firm is called GP Ballando and the nature of its business is cultural education.

Debbie Lee serves as director after working with Giovanni and other Strictly celebs on their dance classes.

Last year, Pernice turned his hand away from dancing to set up his own cosmetics range GP Vita, selling fragrances for men and women.

He announced on Instagram at the time that 'my dream come true is finally here!' adding: 'VITA is my new fragrance for men and women - an intoxicating scent that captures the sensuality, vitality and energy of Sicily.'

As well as teaching, Pernice could be set for a career in Hollywood. The dancer is set to make his film debut this year with insiders predicting he'll 'have more acting roles coming his way.

The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show

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

Pernice has filmed a role in Man & Witch - a heart-warming homage to the lo-fi fantasy films of the Eighties.

He will appear alongside Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd in the movie, which follows the tale of a lonely goatherd - who cursed at birth to never take a wife - bargains with a witch to reverse the spell if he can complete her three 'impossible' tasks.

Pernice takes on the role of the Master of the Dance, the best dancer in the kingdom and the only person who knows the Dance of a Thousand Steps which is one of the tasks the Witch sets the Goatheard to master in order to find love.

Speaking about Pernice's new role, a movie insider told MailOnline: 'Its a really fun role where not only does he show his amazing dance talent but also gets to show his comedy and acting chops.

'Hes in the film with most amazing cast, including some Hollywood legends, so who knows what might happen, he may well find some more acting roles coming his way.'

Pernice, who also stars alongside Sean Astin (Goonies, Lord of the Rings), Tami Stronach (The NeverEnding Story) and Michael Emerson (Lost).

Man & Witch premieres in the UK on June 2 and will be released in US at the end of August.

While Strictly fans may miss seeing him every weekend in the ballroom, there might not be that long to wait to see him back on the small screen.

While a cloud surrounds his Strictly exit, a new career could be around the corner, with Pernice set to appear in Man & Witch (pictured with co-star Daniel Portman)

Giovanni takes on the role of the Master of the Dance in the movie and will star alongside acting legends Christopher Lloyd (left) and Sean Astin

Another insider revealed that the BBC are considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback

Insiders confirmed that Pernice is already mulling over offers away from BBC and he would find it 'difficult to resist' a lucrative contract with jungle show I'm A Celeb.

A source told MailOnline: 'Giovanni has been under intense pressure and scrutiny following last year's series of Strictly when Amanda quit.

'The last thing he wants is for that to continue for him and whoever he could be paired with next so he felt there was no other option but to take a step back from the show.

'His close friendship with Anton Du Beke has made it difficult, he really wants him to stay and tried convincing him to look past everything that's happened.'

A TV insider added: 'With I'm A Celeb round the corner, Giovanni would be a dream signing for producers, especially now he's looking for new opportunities and a way to hopefully show audiences he's a good guy.

'The money ITV could offer would be seriously tempting for him too, plus, he loves a challenge.'

He hasn't completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC are considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback.
More than one million listeners have tuned out of BBC Radio 2 since veteran DJ Ken Bruce left the station last year.

And while they're desperately trying to claw back the dwindling fanbase, Bruce's replacement Vernon Kay will be topping up his salary with a three-week stint in panto this year.

The presenter, 50, who was a controversial choice to replace the beloved broadcaster when he quit the BBC last March, will appear in Aladdin at the Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe from December 13  January 5.

In a move that could irk some of BBC radio's diehard listeners, Kay is one of a growing number of presenters who are taking lucrative jobs outside of their licence-fee-funded salaries.

Kay, who is thought to be on a salary of around 300,000 at the BBC, will present his normal mid-morning slot on Radio 2, which runs from 9.30am-12pm, before hot-footing it to the Buckinghamshire town to appear on stage.

Vernon Kay has signed up for a lucrative three week stint as Aladdin in a panto version of Cinderalla in High Wycombe

More than one million listeners have tuned out of BBC Radio 2 since veteran DJ Ken Bruce left the station last year (pictured Vernon Kay at BBC R2)

In a move that could irk some of BBC radio's diehard listeners, Kay is one of a growing number of presenters who are taking lucrative jobs outside of their licence-fee-funded salaries

'The Master of the Dad Joke is back! I'm so excited to be returning to the Wycombe Swan, my local theatre, in Aladdin this year,' he said in a press release for the show.

'It's a fantastic story, an absolute classic. I can't wait to get back on the stage for all the panto madness.

'Great song and dance, lots of audience interaction and amazing slapstick. Expect a whole lot of high paced, high tempo full of energy and blink and you miss it action. I'll see you there!'

Kay performed in the theatre's production of Cinderella last year and was such a hit with audiences that he was named Best Newcomer at the annual UK Pantomime Awards.

It seems that he enjoyed it so much that he may have convinced fellow Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills  who took over from Steve Wright last year  to also sign up to panto.

Mills appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk at Leicester De Montfort Hall in 2023, after admitting Kay told him to do it as 'it's just the greatest fun.'

Many big name BBC stars such as Bradley Walsh and Craig Revel-Horwood regularly appear in panto during the festive season and pocket six-figure salaries for doing so.

According to the latest radio industry figures, published last week, Radio 2 has lost 1.23 million listeners in the period covering January-March, compared to the same period last year.

And while they're desperately trying to claw back the dwindling fanbase, Bruce's (pictured) replacement will be topping up his salary with a three-week stint in panto this year

Kay shows off his magic lamp in a promotional shot ahead of his new panto run

It is understood that Kay has continued to lose listeners in his coveted presenting slot, down 30,000 on last quarter and is now getting 1.5m less than Bruce got while hosting the same show.

After quitting the BBC, Bruce moved to Greatest Hits, which has seen a steady increase in listeners since he joined.

He was controversially taken off air two weeks before the end of his contract at the BBC last year and later said he felt he had been taken for granted by bosses.

Kay's appointment had a mixed reaction, with some claiming the BBC was prioritising younger, television stars over veteran radio broadcasters.

Last week Kay also appeared on a special one-off episode of Loose Women  titled Loose Men  to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.

The BBC and Kay's reps declined to comment.

He certainly looked the part after dressing as Aladdin for a series of photos this week

Kay performed in the theatre's production of Cinderella last year (pictured: Vernon Kaye in Cinderella at the Wycombe Swan 2022)

He was such a hit with audiences that he was named Best Newcomer at the annual UK Pantomime Awards (pictured)
Blake Lively rolled up her sleeves this week to work with Michelin-starred chef, Daniel Boulud.

The 36-year-old actress has curated her own omakase box, oji Box by Betty B at Bouluds JojiBox. It is an extension of the chefs Michelin-starred Omakase restaurant.

She is also tying in her sparkling beverage brand, Betty Booze, which she announced is now for sale nationwide.

For this collaboration, the celeb-curated box will be paired with one of Betty Boozes flavors, the Sparkling Tequila with Lime Shiso.

Joji Box by Betty B consists of 'fresh sushi pieces handpicked by Blake herself and carefully paired to complement the flavors of her Booze cocktail,' the press release said.

'Been keeping this news under my hat for a while. @BettyBooze now available nationwide. Thank you @danielboulud for making all my tiny chef dreams come true,' wrote Blake - who was seen in her new trailer for It Ends With Us - on Instagram.

Blake Lively rolled up her sleeves this week to work with Michelin-starred chef, Daniel Boulud this week as she announced her beverage Berry Booze is available nationwide now

The 36-year-old actress has curated her own omakase box, oji Box by Betty B at Bouluds JojiBox. It is an extension of the chefs Michelin-starred Omakase restaurant

For this collaboration, the celeb-curated box will be paired with one of Betty Boozes flavors, the Sparkling Tequila with Lime Shiso. Joji Box by Betty B consists of 'fresh sushi pieces handpicked by Blake herself and carefully paired to complement the flavors of her Booze cocktail,' the press release said

Shot in Bouluds eponymous Restaurant DANIEL kitchen, Lively is seen bustling about in the kitchen.

She had on a white chef's jacket with her hair up and gold earrings on.

'She was cooking up a meal full of only the freshest ingredients to create a dish worthy of the renowned chefs palette,' the release shared.

The spot ends with Lively presenting her finished product to Boulud.

The chefs NYC properties will now also offer Betty Booze & Betty Buzz to consumers including Joji Box, Epiceries, and the Blue Box Cafe.

'The alliance is in celebration of Betty Boozes national distribution and showcases the brands continued growth and ability to appeal to culinary masterminds by collaborating with best in class partners that provide innovative, gourmet products,' the release added.

'Been keeping this news under my hat for a while. @BettyBooze now available nationwide. Thank you @danielboulud for making all my tiny chef dreams come true,' wrote Blake on Instagram

Shot in Bouluds eponymous Restaurant DANIEL kitchen, Lively is seen bustling about in the kitchen. She had on a white chef's jacket with her hair up and gold earrings on

'She was cooking up a meal full of only the freshest ingredients to create a dish worthy of the renowned chefs palette,' the release shared

The star had an intense look on her face as she used olive oil and garlic

Here the movie star was seen tasting her creation from a wood spoon

This comes after the trailer for her highly-anticipated new romance film, It Ends With Us, was released.

Blake plays Lily Bloom, a woman beginning a passionate - and then abusive - relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni, 40) - before the return of her ex Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar, 32).

The film is based on the bestselling book by Colleen Hoover and is directed by Baldoni.

Blake's good friend Taylor Swift even lends her voice to the trailer - her 2020 song, My Tears Ricochet, serves as the soundtrack for the teaser.

The trailer begins with Lily meeting Ryle at her new flower shop, before the duo hit it off and strike up a romantic relationship.

Lively's highly-anticipated new romance film, It Ends With Us, was released last week

It doesn't take long for things to get steamy for Blake's character

The duo go on a date and it doesn't take long for things to get steamy.

'I want to see you again,' Ryle tells Lily. 'Now you see me,' she jokes.

'You know what I mean,' he replies.

But then a darker side of Ryle emerges.

During a tense conversation, Ryle is shown standing up and smashing an object into the floor.

'I'm so sorry,' he tenderly tells her afterwards.

But then, Atlas returns. Lily is shown running into him, as flashbacks of their relationship as kids flash before the screen.

'I still remember the day I saw you in the window,' Atlas muses.

Lily first meets Ryle Kincaid at her newly opened flower shop

They strike up a romantic relationship

Ryle displays his sculpted abs as he discards his clothing

But things take a toxic turn as Ryle's darker side emerges

'Yeah, we were just kids then,' Lily replies.

Noticing the man she is holding hands with, Atlas asks, 'Is that your guy?'

'Yeah. That's Ryle,' she replies.

Ryle seems suspicious of Lily as he asks her at one point, 'Do you love him?'

'I love you,' she assures him.

'That wasn't my question,' Ryle replies.

Lily poses a powerful question to Ryle: 'If one day you had a daughter, what would you say to her?

'She came to you and said the person she loved was hurting her? What would you say to her?'

Over voiceover, she muses, 'As hard as this choice is. We break the pattern. Or the pattern breaks us.'

It Ends With Us is set for release on August 9.
The course of true love rarely runs smooth on Netflix smash hit Bridgerton.

Yet away from the cameras, co-stars Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips have struck up a romance, with the cute couple so serious that they moved in together last year.

MailOnline can reveal that despite their characters not interacting on the show, the actors began dating after meeting on set of season three.

Filming for the series began in July 2022 and wrapped in March 2023, with Bessie moving into Sam's flat in Brighton three months later.

Bessie, 30, plays the role of Prudence Featherington on the hit Netflix show, while Sam, 39, plays Nicola Coughlan's character Penelope's new suitor Lord Debling.

Bridgerton's Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips ARE dating and have secretly moved in together after romantic holidays

Sam has been dropping hints about their romance, uploading snaps of himself and Bessie wearing the same white fluffy robe while enjoying a holiday at a beach house

The pair have been photographed at several events with her family, including alongside Bessie's famous mum Imelda Staunton and dad Downton Abbey's Jim Carter.

The furthest back they have been pictured was in May 2023 where they looked cosy at a theatre event - suggesting they could have been together a good while.

Rumours recently began to swirl on TikTok that the pair could be an item, with one content creator posting a recent video titled: 'Bridgerton co-stars that are dating in real life'.

Many were quick to comment on the rumours as one said: 'Okayyyy featherington sisters bagging the hot ones!'

Another said: 'They're so cute!!', while a third penned: 'I love this so much!'

Representatives for Bessie and Sam have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The pair were first pictured together in May 2023 as they attended the Theatrical Consequences: The 5th Annual Platform Presents West End Gala after party at Tequila Mockingbird in London.

Then in November 2023 the pair attended the Wonka premiere together with Bessie's famous actress mother Imelda, 68.

They posed as a trio with Imelda stood in the middle - suggesting Sam had been introduced to her side of the family some time before.

Bessie revealed she'd moved home last year when she shared a snap of her packed up boxes in a slideshow of images with the caption 'Aggy as HELL August (with some fun times with great pals and cats etc xox)'

In the same slideshow of snaps, she posted an image of Sam spending time at an allotment

She tagged a picture of a kitchen with Sam, who confirmed it was his abode by sharing another snap of the same kitchen captioned 'home'

It should've been clear that the pair were together when they posted identical snaps of the view from time in Barcelona, yet while Bessie posted on her grid, Sam just added to Stories

Bessie kept coy with the fact they were on holiday together in September 2023 as she just posted the back of his head in a picture

Rumours recently began to swirl that the pair could be an item, with one content creator posting a recent video titled: 'Bridgerton co-stars that are dating in real life' (pictured in May 2023)

Bessie, 30, plays the role of Prudence Featherington (left) on the hit Netflix show, while Sam, 39, plays Nicola Coughlan 's character Penelope's new suitor Lord Debling

Then in December 2023 Bessie her famous dad Jim, 75, accompanied Sam to The Crown season 6 finale celebration event.

He plays the Queen's Equerry Stephen Chambers in season 3 and 4 of Netflix's The Crown.

Bridgerton made its comeback last week.

And according to What's On Netflix the hit romance series is back and better than ever as it pulled in a shocking 45.1M views within just four days of going global on Netflix.

Within its first four days, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 reportedly scored 165.20 million viewing hours, equating to 45.10 million views.

Netflix described the views from the opening four days as 'only the beginning' and teased more to come.

In a press release released by them, they said: 'Spring has sprung, which means its finally #Polin (not pollen) season. Part 1 of Season 3 of Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton debuted at #1 on the English TV List, racking up 45.1M views.

'The series, which stars Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, was #1 in 78 countries and reached the Top 10 in 92. And this is only the beginning.

'With Part 2 set to release on June 13, who knows how high this wallflower will climb? PSA for the millions of fans having post-binge withdrawals: find yourself a support group, put on some music, light a candle and get into something comfy  more of the carriage-style scenes youre craving will be here shortly.'

It comes after Nicola showed off her kooky sense of style in a red satin dress with a dramatic hood as she continued the Bridgerton series three promo trail in Brazil on Monday.

The actress, 37, joined her onscreen lover Luke, 31, for the screening at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro.

The pair star in the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton as Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, with season three following their journey from friends to lovers.

The pair have been photographed at several events with her family, including alongside Bessie's famous mum Imelda Staunton and dad Downton Abbey's Jim Carter

In December 2023, Bessie her famous dad Jim, 75, accompanied Sam to The Crown season 6 finale celebration event

The pair were first pictured together in May 2023 as they attended the Theatrical Consequences: The 5th Annual Platform Presents West End Gala after party at Tequila Mockingbird in London

After fans tuned in to watch the first part of the series, which dropped last week, Nicola spoke about the one sex scene she felt most pressured to get right.

'The fans are horny little devils and they used to send us pictures of carriages constantly and carriages rocking,' she said.

'So, this has to be both beautiful, touching, romantic and sexy, which is a lot of things. In her mind after the kiss, its just shes messed it up completely and shes like, "He will never fancy me. He doesnt fancy me. Its embarrassing. Im going to move on,"

'There's no part of her when he gets in that carriage that thinks anything like this is gonna happen.'

Season three of the show dropped last Thursday morning, with eager fans settling down to devour the latest antics of the Regency-era romantics.

The romp-fest came under fire for its lack of steamy scenes in the second series, with a meagre three minutes of bedroom action amid eight hours and 29 minutes of screen time.

Viewers can already expect more from the first four episodes of series three, with at least six minutes of kissing, sex, threesomes and lesbian love-making.

But after being promised that this season is the steamiest yet, viewers are made to wait until the closing moments of part one for the central love story to really kick off.

Series three focuses on the will-they-won't-they flirtation between Penelope and Colin, but the plotline of best friends realising their true feelings proves to be a slow burner.

Bessie is seen with her parents Imelda and Jim in 2016

It ends on a steamy cliffhanger as after being unable to think of anyone else, Colin eventually declares his love for Penelope in a carriage after she was left heartbroken by Lord Debling.

The pair finally give into their passions, with Colin lifting up Penelope's dress in the back of the carriage for a very steamy finale, ahead of part two dropping on June 13.

Just as the fans are begging for more, even the characters in the new series are left wanting.

Portia (Polly Walker) urges her daughters to get pregnant as questions surround their family fortune, and is seen asking her girls: 'Must we tell a baker to bake?' leading to the Featherington sisters competing in the bedroom to be the first to make an heir.
New York City council members are urging Mayor Eric Adams to revoke Diddy's symbolic key to the city.

After a 2016 clip of the rapper beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was released in a video by CNN last week, several council members are requesting Adams, 63, take back the honor.

'Mayor Adams should immediately revoke Diddys key to the city,' Council Member Sandy Nurse told TMZ. 'As an abuser, Diddy lost his right to have such an honor and should be held accountable for his actions. Mayor Adams should set the example and take it away.'

Shaun Abreu, who represents Manhattan's 7th District, agreed as he told the outlet: 'Mayor Adams should snatch back Diddy's key and slam the door behind him. We won't be missing you.'

Council Member Joe Borelli added that 'taking away an honor from a woman beater seems like par for the course.'

New York City council members are urging Mayor Eric Adams to revoke Diddy's symbolic key to the city, which is awarded to notable New Yorkers who actively serve the community (seen in 2023)

Justin Brannan, another member of the New York City Council, suggested that they give Diddy's key to rapper Nas.

On Monday, Adams told PIX11 that his team was getting together to reconsider the honor.

'I think all of us were deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the young lady being assaulted by him,' he said. 'The committee and the team have never rescinded a key before, but we are now sitting down to see what the next steps forward are going to be.'

Diddy is currently under federal investigation and facing serious allegations of sexual assault and abuse.

After the horrifying video resurfaced, Diddy posted a front-facing camera video apologizing for his behavior.

He said he had hit rock bottom but was not making any excuses.

'I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,' he said.

Adams said his team will arrive at a final decision on the matter at a later date.

After a 2016 clip of the rapper beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was released in a video by CNN last week, several council members are requesting Adams, 63, (pictured earlier this month) take back the honor

Diddy and Adams pictured last September when he gave Diddy the key

Last September, when he gave Diddy the key, he declared it as a representation of everything the rapper has done for NYC, through his long-running support for black entrepreneurs, including millions of dollars in donations.

'A son of Harlem, Combs worked his way to the top, becoming a successful musical talent both in front of and behind the mic,' said Adams.

'Despite all of his successes, Sean has never forgotten where he came from,' he said, calling Diddy the 'embodiment of New York City attitude.'

Diddy broke his silence on Sunday.

Cassie is seen trying to flee in an elevator. Diddy, after chasing her down the hall, grabbed her by the back of the hoodie and threw her to the ground

Diddy is seen dragging Cassie back to their hotel room after collecting her bags

'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses,' he said in a video, uploaded to Instagram.

He continued: 'So difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you got to do that. I was f***ed up.'

'I mean I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses, my behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video, I'm disgusted,' Diddy insisted.

He noted he was 'disgusted' with himself, then, and now, before revealing he 'sought out professional help,' started going to therapy and went to rehab to work on his issues.

Diddy broke his silence Sunday after the shocking video of him beating Ventura surfaced last week

The rapper took to Instagram on Sunday morning to apologize, saying: 'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses' (pictured in 2016)

'Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I am committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness, I'm truly sorry,' he concluded.

Sources said Diddy went to rehab following the 2016 incident and continues to seek both therapy and spiritual work.

The video, obtained by CNN, shows the rapper shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist, chasing Cassie down the hall at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.

As she tried to get into an elevator, he grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed her to the ground.

He then kicked her as she lay on the floor motionless, before grabbing the two designer bags she'd tried to escape with.

Diddy stood over her, kicked her again, and then dragged her back to their room by the hoodie.

Cassie claimed in a since-settled lawsuit that Diddy had paid the same hotel $50,000 for the footage after the attac; seen in 2018

Cassie claimed in a since-settled lawsuit that Diddy had paid the same hotel $50,000 for the footage after the attack.

Speaking on Sunday, Cassie's attorney Meredith Firetog, said: 'Combs most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt.

'When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.

'That he was only compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.'

The apology comes after the LA County District Attorney said they would not be able to prosecute Diddy for the assault as the statute of limitations had passed.

California's statute of limitations for simple assault is one year, though aggravated assault is three years. Based on the timeline, neither charge could be levied against Diddy.

In response to the backlash, Peloton, the company which manufactures fitness equipment with adjacent streaming workouts, says it will no longer use material from Diddy in its future programs
King Charles couldn't contain his laughter during a sweet encounter with Declan Donnelly in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

The King, 75, hosted a reception for the winners of the 20th Prince's Trust Awards at the palace.

And during the reception King Charles asked Dec, who attended with wife Ali Astall, 45, where his right-hand man was.

Explaining why Ant McPartlin, 48, wasn't able to attend his event, Dec joked that Ant was 'too busy breastfeeding' after welcoming his first child with wife Anne-Marie, a son named Wilder, a week ago.

Dec said: 'Good to see you, nice to see you too. He's [Ant] not here today but he sends his apologises. He's got a week old baby so he's home breastfeeding or something.'

King Charles, 75, couldn't contain his laughter during a sweet encounter with Declan Donnelly, 48, in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday

The King, 75, hosted a reception for the winners of the 20th Prince's Trust Awards at the palace (Dec pictured with wife Ali Astall)

Explaining why Ant, 48, wasn't able to attend his event, Dec joked that Ant was 'too busy breastfeeding' after welcoming his first child a week ago (Ant and Dec pictured on Tuesday)

King Charles asked: 'Is it his first one [child]?'

Dec responded: 'Yeah, it's his first one. They've got daughters from previous marriages but it's his first one.'

'So will you please give him my many congratulations', King Charles added.

Dec said: 'I will, of course.'

The Princes Trust Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

The 2024 winners include young people who have overcome challenges including poor mental health, educational troubles and youth unemployment with the help of the Trust.

The eight UK Award categories are: Enterprise Award, Education Award, Breakthrough Award, Young Change Maker Award, Young Achiever Award, Community Impact Award, Rising Star Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

Ant made his first public appearance on Tuesday evening at the 2024 National Prince's Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards since becoming a father for the first time.

During the reception King Charles asked Dec, who attended with wife Ali Astall, 45, where his right-hand man was

Dec said: 'Good to see you, nice to see you too. He's [Ant] not here today but he sends his apologises. He's got a week old baby so he's home breastfeeding or something.'

King Charles asked: 'Is it his first one [child]?' Dec responded: 'Yeah, it's his first one. They've got daughters from previous marriages but it's his first one.' 'So will you please give him my many congratulations', King Charles added

Ant made his first public appearance on Tuesday evening at the 2024 National Prince's Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards since becoming a father for the first time.

On Saturday, Ant set the record straight and addressed fans' accusations that he 'snubbed' his dog Hurley in his new tattoo (pictured with wife Anne-Marie in 2021)

The presenter took to X to thank fans for their 'kind messages' after announcing the birth of his son Wilder on Tuesday

Tyler West and King Charles III share a fist bump during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

DJ Cuppy (C) and King Charles III (R) during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

The King is seen chatting to Pixie Lott, one of the various celebrity guests in attendance

Penny Lancaster during a reception for the winners of The 20th Prince's Trust Awards

Charles speaks with Paul, the L'Oreal Paris Rising Star

Chuckling Charles giggles with Strictly star Johannes Radebe

On Saturday, Ant set the record straight and addressed fans' accusations that he 'snubbed' his dog Hurley in his new tattoo.

The presenter took to X to thank fans for their 'kind messages' after announcing the birth of his son Wilder on Tuesday.

In his post, Ant also addressed fans' concerns that he'd 'snubbed' Hurley in a new tattoo paying tribute to his family after the dog's name appeared to be absent from the design.

Ant wrote: 'Hey all, I just wanted to say thank You so much for the kind messages of love and well wishes for our baby Wilder. Hes doing great.

'Glad you loved the tattoo as well. For all you dog lovers who asked why my beloved Hurley wasnt on the family tree..he was!! He was just covered by our newborn. All my love, gratitude and heartfelt thanks A.'

Ant then shared a snap showing the full tattoo on his shoulder, with Hurley's name visible on the tree design.

The tattoo could be seen on Ant's shoulder in an Instagram post where Ant revealed he'd welcomed a son named Wilder Patrick with wife Anne-Marie.

Charles stands next to Arti, the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award winner

Arti's, the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award winner's, pink rickshaw parks during the reception
Shania Twain took a night off from her third Las Vegas residency to host an Haute Living dinner party celebrating her magazine cover, which was held at Villa Azur last Tuesday.

The 58-year-old Canadian crooner looked conservative wearing a modest red-patterned turtleneck blouse.

Shania - who relies on stylist Chris Horan - paired her modest top with dark-rinse denim and what appeared to be brown hiking boots with a bit of a heel.

Twain's complexion was fully contoured, she had false lashes on, and she wore her natural brunette locks coiffed in waves.

The event celebrated the five-time Grammy winner as well as artist Jonathan Schultz, who presented a custom golden floral art piece to her.

Shania Twain took a night off from her third Las Vegas residency to host an Haute Living dinner party celebrating her magazine cover, which was held at Villa Azur last Tuesday

Shania (born Eilleen Edwards) got on the mic while chatting to the invited dinner party guests, including her second husband Frederic Thiebaud, whom she wed in 2011.

Twain made sure to pose with chef Ivana Lee, who prepared a feast featuring crispy tuna rice cake, hearts of palm crudo, steak frites, duck confit potatoes, and panna cotta.

The 'Queen of Country Pop' is excited to take to the Pyramid Stage for the coveted 'legends' slot at England's Glastonbury Festival, which runs June 26-30 near Pilton, Somerset, England.

'I am getting into the spirit of the whole experience. I will be bringing rubber boots  wellies, as you call them here,' Shania told How to Fail podcast host Elizabeth Day on Tuesday.

'I want to go to other stages and I've heard that you should be prepared for the mud. I will probably wear a cowboy hat if it's raining if going around the stages, so I can keep myself from looking like a wet rat.'

Twain - who gets 15M monthly listeners on Spotify - added that she hasn't figured out what she'll be 'wearing yet but I will figure it out.'

But first, the A Man in Full guest star will resume her 24-date Las Vegas residency Come On Over this Thursday at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino's Bakkt Theater, and it runs through December 14.

Shania vowed to donate $1 of every ticket to her non-profit organization Shania Kids Can providing programs that educate, inspire, and empower children in vulnerable communities.

The 58-year-old Canadian crooner looked conservative wearing a modest red-patterned turtleneck blouse

Shania - who relies on stylist Chris Horan - paired her modest top with dark-rinse denim and what appeared to be brown hiking boots with a bit of a heel

Twain's complexion was fully contoured, she had false lashes on, and she wore her natural brunette locks coiffed in waves

The event celebrated the five-time Grammy winner as well as artist Jonathan Schultz (R), who presented a custom golden floral art piece to her

Shania (born Eilleen Edwards) got on the mic while chatting to the invited dinner party guests, including her second husband Frederic Thiebaud, whom she wed in 2011

Twain made sure to pose with chef Ivana Lee (R), who prepared a feast featuring crispy tuna rice cake, hearts of palm crudo, steak frites, duck confit potatoes, and panna cotta

The 'Queen of Country Pop' is excited to take to the Pyramid Stage for the coveted 'legends' slot at England's Glastonbury Festival, which runs June 26-30 near Pilton, Somerset, England

Shania told How to Fail podcast host Elizabeth Day (R) on Tuesday: 'I am getting into the spirit of the whole experience. I will be bringing rubber boots  wellies, as you call them here. I want to go to other stages and I've heard that you should be prepared for the mud. I will probably wear a cowboy hat if it's raining if going around the stages, so I can keep myself from looking like a wet rat'

But first, Twain will resume her 24-date Las Vegas residency Come On Over this Thursday at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino's Bakkt Theater, and it runs through December 14
A Tennessee judge issued an injunction Wednesday halting the sale of Graceland, the former home and burial ground of Elvis Presley, which was set for a foreclosure auction Thursday.

'The court will enjoin the sale as requested because, one, the real estate is considered unique under Tennessee law. And in being unique, the loss of the real estate would be considered irreparable harm,' Chancellor Joe Dae Jenkins said.

Jenkins added that the notary whose signature is on the Deed of Trust from 2018 said in a sworn affidavit that she did not notarize Lisa Marie Presley's signature, WDTN reports.

Jenkins stated that this crucial piece of information brought into question the authenticity of the signature and of the Deed of Trust.

According to a legal notice published this month, Graceland and surrounding land on Elvis Presley Boulevard was set to be auctioned off for cash to the highest bidder at Shelby County Courthouse on May 23.

Graceland, the former home and burial site of the legendary Elvis Presley, is set to be sold off at a foreclosure auction this Thursday; Elvis seen at Graceland circa 1957

Elvis' granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, 34, is challenging the sale with a lawsuit, claiming it is 'fraudulent'; Riley seen April 15, 2024 in Los Angeles

Elvis' granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, 34, who is the current owner of Graceland, has been challenging the sale with a lawsuit, claiming it is 'fraudulent.'

The delay on the trial will now allow the other side to come up with a defense to the fraud claims made by Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough.

A temporary restraining order on the sale was issued on Monday, as per Keough's attorney, and an injunction hearing is set for Wednesday.

According to the legal notice Riley's mother, and Elvis' only child, the late Lisa Marie Presley, allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 in order to secure a $3.8 million loan, using Graceland as collateral.

The alleged loan was taken through a Missouri company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending.

Now, the company is claiming Lisa Marie did not pay back the money prior to her death at 54 last year.

But Riley's lawsuit, filed May 15 in Shelby County Chancery Court, claims that her mother did not borrow money from the company.

'These documents are fraudulent,' states the lawsuit.

Keough alleges that her mother's signatures on the deed are forgeries. The lawsuit also claims that Naussany Investments is not even a real company.

The notary listed on the documents has denied that she notarized Lisa Marie's signature or ever met her, as per the documents.

A representative for Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises told Dailymail.com in a statement, 'Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed to stop the fraud.'

According to a legal notice, Graceland and surrounding land on Elvis Presley Boulevard will be auctioned off for cash to the highest bidder on May 23, as per WREG-TV News

The King of Rock and Roll bought the Graceland estate in 1957 for $102,500, the same year he recorded a slew of iconic hits including 'Blue Christmas' and 'All Shook Up.'

Lisa Marie inherited the estate after her father's death in 1977. It was later opened to the public as a museum in 1982. When Lisa Marie died in January 2023, her daughter became heir to the estate.

The Graceland estate is an iconic symbol of arguably the greatest pop culture figure of all time.

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the 13.8-acre property attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, as people remember one of America's most impactful musicians.

Elvis' only child, the late Lisa Marie Presley, allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 in order to secure a $3.8M loan that she did not pay back, using Graceland as collateral; Lisa Marie seen January 10, 2023, two days before her death

Riley's lawsuit claims her mother did not borrow money from the company, and that her signatures on the deed are forgeries; (L-R) Lisa, Priscilla Presley, and Riley seen in 2022

A temporary restraining order on the sale was issued on Monday, as per Keough's attorney, and an injunction hearing is set for Wednesday

The property was constructed in 1939 by Ruth Brown Moore and her husband Dr. Thomas D. Moore, who named the property 'Graceland' after Ruth's aunt Grace Toof, the original owner of the land.

Graceland is known as a zany, folksy look into Elvis' lifestyle, including the notable 'Jungle Room' filled with greenery and family heirlooms, which was initially used as a practical joke by Elvis, who purchased many items of furniture in an attempt to annoy his father.

According to a video on the Graceland website, every item of furniture in the home is an original piece of furniture that was purchased during Elvis' time there.

Today, the property at 3763 Elvis Presley Blvd stands as one of America's most famous musical landmarks, which was acknowledged in 1991 when it was added to the American National register of Historic Places.

It features a museum that houses some of the most notable artifacts from his career, including a 40ft high wall that contains every single of the awards he was given after his death.

Riley's settlement over the ownership of the Graceland mansion was approved by a judge ten months after her mother Lisa Marie's death in January 2023.

She was named the sole trustee of the family estate after a legal battle with her grandmother Priscilla Presley, 78.

Their disagreement centered around a 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie's will that excised Priscilla as trustee of the estate.

Attorneys for Priscilla said she only became aware of the amendment after the death of her daughter.

The King of Rock and Roll bought the Graceland estate in 1957 for $102,500, the same year he recorded a slew of iconic hits including 'Blue Christmas' and 'All Shook Up'; seen in 1956

As the former home and burial site of the legendary Elvis, the Graceland estate is an iconic symbol of arguably the greatest pop culture figure of all time

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the 13.8-acre property attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, as people remember one of America's most impactful musicians

Fans seen visiting the grave of Lisa Marie and Graceland meditation pool during her memorial on January 22, 2023

The amendment removed Priscilla and Lisa Marie's former business manager Barry Siegel, and replaced them with Lisa Marie's children Riley and Benjamin Keough.

Benjamin died in 2020, at age 27, after shooting himself dead in the family's mansion, with sources revealing he had been struggling at the time.

Lisa Marie died in January 2023, at the age of 54, after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California.

It was later found that she died from a 'small bowel obstruction' caused by a bariatric surgery that she had undergone according to the autopsy.

Last year Priscilla confirmed it is her wish to be buried next to her late ex-husband Elvis on his Graceland estate when she dies.

Elvis, Lisa Marie and her son Benjamin are all buried at Graceland.
Michelle Rodriguez has been soaking up the Mediterranean sun during her trip to Cannes over the past week.

And the actress, 45, was seen enjoying a swim once again as she stripped down to a very skimpy bikini on Wednesday.

The Fast And The Furious star was joined by Carmen Vandenburg as the pair took a dip at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in France.

Showcasing her incredible physique in the brown and white string bikini, the women looked to be enjoying themselves as they relaxed in the pool.

Meanwhile musician Carmen donned a simple black bikini as she showed off her array of tattoos.

Michelle Rodriguez flaunted her incredible physique in skimpy bikini she joined Carmen Vandenburg as they enjoyed a dip at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in France during Cannes Festival on Wednesday

The actress, 45, left little to the imagination in the brown and white string bikini

The pair looked to be debating jumping in together before they relaxed at the pool's edge overlooking the stunning view.

Michelle scraped her wet dark hair over her head after the dip as she was seen taking a shower beside the pool.

The star also enjoyed diving at the pools earlier this week as she teetered along a diving board just before making a splash.

On Sunday, 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.

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.

She gave a wide smile to the wall of photographers on duty at the red carpet event as she showed off her toned legs in the long dress.

She showcased her incredible physique while soaking up the sun

The pair looked to be debating jumping in together to cool down again

The Fast And The Furious star was joined by her musician friend Carmen

Carmen wore a simple black bikini as she showcased her array of tattoos

The women enjoyed a dip together amid the prestigious film festival

Michelle scraped her wet dark hair over her head after the dip as she was seen taking a shower beside the pool

The star looked to be preparing herself to jump in

Last month Michelle and Carmen enjoyed a beach day together in Cancun, Mexico.

The star  who attended an amfAR Gala event in Italy last fall  sported a barely-there, brown animal print bikini with beige trim.

She showed off her fit figure in the swimwear while soaking up the sun with Carmen, who wore black.

Meanwhile the English musician wore a low-cut bikini top with matching micro-shorts bottoms.

The women got into the turquoise blue water, splashing around while holding hands and laughing.

The hotel's pool is in the cliff and looks out over a stunning view

Carmen threw on a pair of stylish shades

Michelle cooled off in the hot weather

This isn't the first time the pair have holidayed together after they enjoyed a beach day together in Cancun, Mexico last month

The women got into the turquoise blue water, splashing around while holding hands and laughing

Carmen displayed her washboard abs

Carmen's pixie blonde hair was also wet and stuck to her head

She showed off her diving skills at the pool

On Sunday, Michelle was one of many stars in attendance at the Women In Cinema Gala including Eva Longoria, Eiza Gonzalez and Alessandra Ambrosio
Docs became a key battleground in her and Brad Pitt's battle over Miraval estate

New filings reveal Angelina Jolie must produce every NDA from 2014 to 2022

Angelina Jolie has been hit with another legal blow in her bitter battle with Brad Pitt over their Chateau Miraval estate, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The Tomb Raider actress, 48, has been ordered by a judge in LA Superior Court to produce every NDA agreement that she signed with a third-party over an eight-year period from 2014 - the year they married - to 2022.

Documents detailing the judge's decision were made public as part of the ongoing 'War of the Roses', with the A-List couple stuck in an acrimonious battle over her rights to sell their French vineyard and home.

Jolie sold her $62million stake to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021, which Pitt argues went against their agreement to offer the other the right of first refusal.

NDA's have become a key battleground in the dispute over Chateau Miraval after Jolie claims she backed out of their agreement because Pitt, 60, asked her to sign a one as part of their business deal.

Angelina Jolie is now required to turn over all nondisclosure agreements she has entered with a third party from 2014 to 2022, new filings in her and Brad Pitt's ongoing legal battle over their Miraval winery

Brad Pitt had demanded his ex-wife hand over documents for previous agreements she's entered with third parties after she claimed she backed out of the deal over his 'cruel' NDA clause. He is pictured at the chateau with business partner Marc Perrin

She claims that it was an 'unconscionable' attempt by her ex-partner to 'control her' after their split in April 2019, with his lawyers asking LA Superior Court to unwind the sale because of their agreement to not sell to a third party.

But Pitts attorneys have argued that Jolie's NDA objection was really just a cover story which she cooked-up to 'rationalize' her betrayal of Pitt by deciding to sell her stake behind his back.

The Fight Club star's attorneys also claim that Jolie herself 'weaponized' NDAs, and asked for Pitt to sign a broader NDA just six months later as part of their divorce settlement talks.

Pitt's legal team asked in previous filings that she come clean about NDAs she entered into with third parties including staff.

In a ruling made public on Wednesday, Judge Lia Martin dismissed Jolie's objections that her own NDAs had 'no relevance', agreeing with the motion filed by Pitt's team.

She ordered the actress to produce all NDAs she proposed, or that were proposed to her by others, regardless of whether they were finalized or agreed.

The ruling also obliges Jolie to produce NDAs entered into by companies she controls, as well as documents reflecting the reasons that she or her companies asked for the agreements within 60 days.

Paul Murphy, one of Jolie's attorney's, told DailyMail.com the judge's order also opens the window for the actress to demand documents related to Pitt's alleged abuses.

'Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr. Pitts last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct,' Murphy said. 'We are more than happy to turn them over and we are gratified that the Court acknowledged that the only potential relevance is to the unconscionability of Mr. Pitts conduct, a now confirmed key issue in this case.'

He continued, 'The judges ruling completely opens the door to discovery on all issues related to Pitts abuse. We welcome that transparency in all parties discovery responses, including Mr. Pitts.

'Angelina looks forward to the eventual end of this litigation with its false narratives that continue to hurt the family and interfere with their ability to heal.'

A source close to Brad, however, said Jolie's decision to use the NDA as a strategy 'as backfired spectacularly.'

'Her defense has been exposed as a house of cards, and she will now have to provide details of all the NDAs she demanded of third parties.

An aerial view of Chateau Miraval in Le Val, southeastern France, the winery and home that Brangelina bought for $27million

Pitt was shocked when his ex-wife sold her half of their stunning Chateau Miraval estate without his consent to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021

'There is no question that this is a huge setback for her. Theres a long way to go, but in the context of the case so far, this is a hugely important and far reaching ruling which will be problematic for her defense,' the source added.

It comes less than two weeks after Jolie was accused of trying to drive a wedge between her estranged husband and their six kids in the aftermath of their split, according to court filings lodged at LA Superior Court.

In an explosive declaration seen by DailyMail.com, a former bodyguard for the couple was informed by his own contractors that Jolie was pushing for her children to avoid Pitt when she had custody of them.

The South of France chateau, where the couple wed in 2014, became Pitt's 'passion' and one of the world's most highly-regarded producers of rose wine

Former British SAS solider Tony Webb worked for the family for more than 20 years, starting in 2000, but claims that Jolie fired him after two of his security personnel sided with Pitt after the split.

According to documents lodged by Pitt's lawyers in May, Webb claims that the two colleagues were told by Jolie's personal assistant that she 'would sue' after it emerged that they might give evidence in the couple's custody battle.

Documents submitted to the court, seen by DailyMail.com, state Webb's colleague told him he overheard Jolie 'encouraging the children to avoid spending time with Pitt during custody visits.'

His declaration accuses Jolie of repeating her threat to sue the bodyguards in a follow up email, with Pitt's lawyers using the claims as part of their motion to force the actress to reveal her use of NDA's.

NDAs are not typically used to gag witnesses coming forward to testify in court proceedings, though despite the threats Webb told the hearing that both his colleagues testified under subpoena.

His comments make up part of the motion Pitt's team has now won, where Jolie is called a 'hypocrite' for claiming he wanted to use an NDA in the sale of their French vineyard to 'control' her  despite regularly gagging her own staff with similar contracts.

Pitt's team argues that Jolie is 'using NDA's in an 'improper manner'.

The ruling - which was made public on Wednesday - also obliges Jolie to produce NDAs entered into by companies she controls, as well as documents reflecting the reasons that she or her companies asked for the agreements within 60 days

In a separate previous legal filing, Pitt's attorney John Berlinski argued that Webb's evidence shows that Jolie has 'weaponized' NDAs in a bid to keep the couple's 'family issues' under wraps.

He added: 'The very thing that Jolie claims was so sacred to her that Pitt's proposed NDA caused her to renege on her deal to sell to him.

'Jolie's use of NDAs to silence her security detail and attempt to prevent them from testifying truthfully in court about what actually happened behind closed doors bears a striking resemblance to Jolie's (false) allegations in this case that Pitt improperly used an NDA to 'silence' her.

'The only reason this motion is even before the Court is because of Jolie's ploy to turn this business dispute into a sideshow about family court matters.

'In short, establishing that NDAs are a commonplace feature of Jolie's personal and professional life, and entirely routine for her, goes directly to the credibility of her defense regardless of the precise terms or subject matter of any one particular NDA.'

He went on to accuse Jolie of using the NDA proposal to 'introduce into this case the unfortunate circumstances related to the dissolution of the couple's marriage, claiming that the proposal engendered an 'emotionally devastating' reaction in her.'

Berlinski added that her timeline 'does not work', claiming that the confidentiality agreement suggested by Pitt was provided after she 'opened negotiations' with the Russian billionaire.

The arguments come after Pitt has landed several legal victories in the battle for the winery including a key judgement in Luxembourg which handed him back control of the award-winning vineyard pending further hearings.

In March, LA Superior court rejected the allegations that his suit was 'frivolous, malicious, and part of a problematic pattern.'

A source close to Angelia, however, said Brad only fought to obtain the NDAs as further retribution against the actress.

'Pitt and his team know that these NDAs are never going to see the light of day at trial,' a source told DailyMail.com.

'They also know that this will force Angie to spend resources tracking all of this information down, which is just another way to drain her resources and punish her for leaving.'
Lily Collins cut a chic casual figure on Wednesday as she stepped out in Rome with her husband Charlie McDowell.

The actress, 35, - who is currently enjoying a break from filming Emily In Paris - looked incredible in an oversized beige striped shirt as she linked armms with her love.

She teamed a white vest underneath and opted for a pair of loosely fitted black shorts as she and her husband did some sightseeing around the city.

The beauty put on a leggy display as she wore a pair of comfortable trainers and toted her essentials around in a black rucksack.

She styled her brunette locks in loose voluminous waves for the day and sported a pair of oversized black shades.

Emily In Paris star Lily Collins links arms with husband Charlie McDowell during romantic trip to Rome on Wednesday

The actress, 35, - who is currently enjoying a break from filming Emily In Paris - looked incredible in an oversized beige striped shirt

Meanwhile, her husband Charlie, 40, cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt and checked shorts.

The film director - who made his directorial film debut with the romantic thriller The One I Love - also opted for a pair of comfortable trainers and wore a pair of black high socks to match.

He toted around a shopping bag as the pair strolled around the backstreets of Rome.

It comes after Lily and Eugenio Franceschini looked cosy as they were spotted riding a Vespa at Villa Borghese in Rome as they continued filming Emily In Paris last week.

The actress, who stars as American Emily Cooper in the Netflix show, was all smiles as she wrapped her arms around his waist in the scene.

She looked incredible in a retro polka dot midi dress, with white and black shoes and sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Eugenio, 32, who is new to the show, wore a burgundy ensemble and helmet during filming.

The scene resembled Lily James and Dominic West's very public scandal - which saw them riding through the streets of Rome on one e-scooter.

She teamed a white vest underneath and opted for a pair of loosely fitted black shorts as she and her husband did some sightseeing around the city

The beauty put on a leggy display as she wore a pair of comfortable trainers and toted her essentials around in a black rucksack

She styled her brunette locks in loose voluminous waves for the day and sported a pair of oversized black shades

Dominic, who is married to Catherine FitzGerald, and Lily, were later hit by accusations they breached Italy's COVID-19 safety guidelines following the romantic city break.

Emily In Paris is returning for a fourth season which lead star Lily has promised will be full of 'adventure.'

Lily has confirmed the upcoming episodes will land on the global streaming platform in two parts.

The first five shows will be available to watch on August 15 with viewers having to wait almost an entire month for the second instalment in September.

And the cast, including Lucien Laviscount, 31, who plays Emily's British love interest Alfie and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, 61, aka her Parisian boss Sylvie, say the new season is going to bring more drama than ever before.

Lucien branded the series 'chaotic' and 'heartbreaking' while Philippine gave a taste of the action by saying the new episodes are all about 'revenge.'

Earlier this month, Lily announced: 'Season four comes out this August 15 for part one. Part two drops on September 12, you're welcome.'

In an accompanying video, Lily and her co-stars answered in three words how they would describe the new series, with Camille Razat, 30, whose character discovered she was pregnant at the end of season three, saying it's 'messy.'

Meanwhile, her husband Charlie, 40, cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt and checked shorts

The film director - who made his directorial film debut with the romantic thriller The One I Love - also opted for a pair of comfortable trainers and wore a pair of black high socks to match

The pair put on a cosy display as they strolled around the backstreets of Rome together

It comes after Lily and Eugenio Franceschini looked cosy as they were spotted riding a Vespa at Villa Borghese in Rome as they continued filming Emily In Paris last week

Ashley Park, 32, who plays Emily's best friend, Mindy Chen, joked: 'If I could describe season four in three words right now not finished yet'

Luca, one of Emily's French colleagues acted by Bruno Gouery, hinted towards a possible new love interest for the marketing executive, calling the series 'Bellezza' which is 'beauty' in Italian.

His tease follows new photographs of the upcoming series which showed Emily looking lovingly at a handsome man, played by actor Eugenio Franceschini, during scenes filmed in Rome, Italy, at the Trevi Fountain.

Emily hasn't had the best luck with dating since relocating from Chicago to Paris in pursuit of her dream marketing job.

She fell for neighbour Gabriel aka Lucas Bravo, 36, despite the chef being in an on/off relationship with her close friend Camille.

Emily In Paris is returning for a fourth season which lead star Lily has promised will be full of 'adventure'

Ashley Park, who plays Emily's best friend Mindy Chen, joked: 'If I could describe season four in three words right now not finished yet'

And her romance with Brit Alfie came to a dramatic end when Camille refused to marry Gabriel in the series three finale, revealing she had always known about his hidden feelings for Emily.

There are secrets yet to be exposed including Camille's affair with artist Sofia, which Emily knows about, but Gabriel remains unaware.

Plus, the major revelation of Camille's pregnancy, will leave any possible chance of a romance between Emily and Gabriel even harder to navigate.

Emily In Paris was created by Sex and the City writer Darren Star, who has admitted he understands why viewers have made comparisons between Lily's character and Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker.

He said: 'I get why people will link the two series. Each takes place in a glamorous city with a female lead but the idea of Emily In Paris was very different. I've wanted to write a show about an expatriate living in Paris for quite some time.'

In January, Lily revealed she was back filming with the cast in Paris and teased she needed to work on her selfie taking skills for the sake of her influencer character

Emily In Paris was created by Sex and the City writer Darren Star, who has said he understands why viewers have made comparisons between Lily's character and Carrie Bradshaw
Andrew Scott has brushed off fans' wild theories that his Whatsapp group with Joe Alwyn inspired the name of Taylor Swift's record-breaking album The Tortured Poets Department.

The Sherlock star, 47, addressed the claims in a new interview with Variety, insisting that the chat, which he called Tortured Man Club, was a short-lived idea that consisted of just 'three texts.'

Following the release of The Tortured Poets Department, fans were quick to theorise that Taylor's album title was a dig at her ex-boyfriend Joe.

Back in 2022, Joe revealed a mutual friend created a WhatsApp group with him and Andrew's pal Paul Mescal, called The Tortured Man Club.

They later explained to Variety that Andrew 'started the group,' with Paul saying: 'He's just on it every day. He's just on it by himself.'

Andrew Scott has brushed off fans' wild theories that his Whatsapp group with Joe Alwyn inspired the name of Taylor Swift's record-breaking album The Tortured Poets Department

The Sherlock star addressed the claims in a new interview with Variety , insisting that the chat, which he called Tortured Man Club, was a short-lived idea that consisted of just 'three texts'

Joe jokingly added: 'Just messaging himself good mornings.'

Andrew has now set the record straight, telling Variety: 'Let me tell you what that is!... So they were about to play these tortured characters, and I had played a tortured character in Fleabag.

'It wasn't about our own characteristics!... I think there were three texts, like, ''Hey, guys.'' You know those groups that you set up, and they just collapse.'

Sharing his thoughts on Taylor's new album, Andrew added: 'Taylor's new album is sensational!

'I texted her yesterday to say how amazing it isI think she is just a force of nature, just an extraordinary human, and this album is really, really amazing.'

During the interview, Andrew shared that he's grown to dislike the use of the term 'openly gay' when it comes to describing his sexuality.

He said: 'It's wonderful to be able to talk about sexuality in an open way. But I do feel sometimes, other peopleand by other people, I mean straight peopledon't have to explain or talk about their sexuality every time they go to work

'The idea that I'm being defiant by just being exactly who I am Be open about it? Why wouldn't you be open about it?... But the word 'openly,' for me, just seems a little loaded.'

In 2022, Joe revealed a mutual friend created a WhatsApp group called The Tortured Man Club, and after his split fromTaylor Swift, fans quickly claimed her album's title was a dig at him

During the interview, Andrew shared that he's grown to dislike the use of the term 'openly gay' when it comes to describing his sexuality

During the interview, Andrew also reflected on the sad passing of his mother Nora following a 'sudden illness,' just a month before Ripley was released

The All Of Us Strangers star has also been promoting his role in the Netflix thriller series Ripley, which hit the streaming service earlier this year.

Andrew said: 'I found an enormous amount to like. There's something about that character that, I think, a lot of people see themselves in. And I think it's to do with being an outsider

'He probably is more of an artistic sort, but he doesn't feel he's got the class to call himself that

'I'm always really interested in the vulnerability of people. What's the thing they're unconfident about? What are they hiding? It was hard to access that

'Not everybody is charming and capable and socially adept and sexy. You have to advocate for people who don't have it easy. That's what made me have some degree of affection for him.

'I'm just concerned about how it would be perceived, how it would change things for me

'When I played James Moriarty [in 'Sherlock,'] I was younger than people wanted the character to be. And they'd go, ''I wanted the character to have a beard and wear a top hat, and this little f****r is now playing it like this, and I don't want that!''

'The biggest challenge for you is to put your dukes up and go, Sorry, but this is this.'

During the interview, Andrew also reflected on the sad passing of his mother Nora following a 'sudden illness,' just a month before Ripley was released.

He shared: 'It came very suddenly to our family, and its landed in the middle of all of this stuff. Her spirit is so alive in me in the immediate aftermath of her death her way of dealing with people was so kind, but she wasnt very good at small talk.

'She connected with people in a very particular way. What I was taught was the idea of being authentically yourselfIts a really funny thing, to be honest.

'I cant disappear the fact that this has happened in the midst of all this.

'The juxtaposition of these two extremes in my life where all these projects are coming out, and Ive had to be much more public-facing than I usually am, at a time when Im going through this extraordinary personal loss.'

Nora's death was confirmed in a statement on March 9, with family members adding that she passed away on Thursday March 7 surrounded by her family at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.

An obituary read: 'It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Nora Scott (nee Boyle), beloved wife of Jim, mother of Sarah, Andrew and Hannah.

'Scott, Sandymount, Dublin, formerly Omagh Co. Tyrone, March 7th 2024 peacefully surrounded by her loving family and best friend Anne, in St Vincent's Hospital following a sudden illness.

'Nora will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Jim, her loving children Sarah, Andrew and Hannah.'

In 2018, Nora revealed Anthony Hopkins sent her 'more than three dozen red roses,' after finding out she was ill when speaking to Scott on the set of King Lear.

Hopkins, 86, starred in the BBC's Shakespeare adaptation as an English Stalin with Scott playing Edgar - who becomes Lears secret protector.

She told RTEs Ryan Tubridy at the time: 'There was probably more than three dozen red roses and attached to them was a little card from Anthony saying "Be well, sending hugs", and all sorts of things.'

Read the full interview in the latest edition of Variety, on sale now

'I was thrilled to get such a gift and for the kind thought that promoted it.

'Now I have recovered, I can enjoy these exquisite roses that grace our hall. It was such a beautiful gift.'

In January, Scott and his co-star Paul Mescal admitted they weren't too keen on their family members watching their new film, gay drama All Of Us Strangers.

The movie stars Scott as a screenwriter drawn back to his childhood home who enters into a relationship with a mysterious neighbour, played by Mescal, 27.

The film features several intimate scenes between the actors which the pair discussed during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show.

Asked if their families had seen the flick yet, Mescal said: 'With the Irish premiere, trying to allocate tickets to all the aunties and uncles is a tricky business.

'They have seen my bum before but there is a little more going on in this movie I would say!'

Scott added: 'I don't want to be there when my parents watch it!'

Read the full interview in the latest edition of Variety, on sale now.
Nicky Hilton put on a very glamorous display as she arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of The Count Of Monte Cristo during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

The socialite, 40, turned heads in a plunging pale blue satin gown, with a daring thigh-high split and diamond waist detail by Rebecca Vallance.

She elevated her height in silver strappy heels and accessorised with matching jewellery, while her blonde locks were styled in a neat bun.

Paris Hilton's sister, who shares Lily-Grace with her banker husband James Rothschild, 38, is staying at the iconic Hotel Martinez while in France.

Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival.

Nicky Hilton put on a very glamorous display as she arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of The Count Of Monte Cristo during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

The socialite, 40, turned heads in a plunging pale blue satin gown, with a daring thigh-high split and diamond waist detail by Rebecca Vallance

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 .

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.

Paris Hilton's sister, who shares Lily-Grace with her banker husband James Rothschild, 38, is staying at the iconic Hotel Martinez while in France

She elevated her height in silver strappy heels and accessorised with matching jewellery, while her blonde locks were styled in a neat bun

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 .

Nicky's gorgeous gown (R) was designed by Rebecca Vallance (L) who also attended the event

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.

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.
Hugh Hefner's ex-wife Crystal Hefner has broken her silence after being called a 'master manipulator' by her former stepson Marston Hefner.

Marston, son of the late Hugh Hefner, made the shocking statement during an appearance on Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt's Girls Next Level podcast last week, where he blasted Crystal and said she was chasing fame and fortune.

Holly has also slammed Crystal, accusing the former DJ of 'copying' her 2015 memoir Down The Rabbit Hole with her own tell-all tome, Only Say Good Things.

Responding to Marston's claims, Crystal told Us Weekly, 'I feel that obviously he has a lot of pain and hurt still from the relationship or lack thereof with his father.'

She added, 'And there are some things I think hes trying to heal or get answers to that hes realizing may never be answered. So maybe hes filling in the blanks themselves.'

Hugh Hefner's ex-wife Crystal Hefner has broken her silence after being called a 'master manipulator' by her former stepson Marston Hefner

Crystal also accused Holly Madison (left) and Bridget Marquardt (right) of wanting attention after they hosted Marston on their podcast

Crystal also strongly denied Marston's claims that she had Hugh 'dosed with f***ing medication' and that she had 'invited strangers' to Hugh's funeral.

'I was married to him. I was closest to Hef,' she insisted.

Regarding Holly and Bridget, Crystal said that the duo were trying to 'sabotage' her and 'pull my life apart'.

'If I have a problem with someone, Ill go to the person and talk to them. Obviously they just want attention,' she sniffed.

Earlier this month, Crystal told Us Weekly that she wished Holly would 'stop picking on me'.

It comes after Marston launched a scathing attack on Crystal and appeared to suggest that she took advantage of the Playboy mogul before he died.

Marston, 34, made the damning claims about his father's widow on the Girls Next Level podcast, suggesting the 38-year-old was hellbent on power and oversaw changes to his father's will when he was mentally fragile.

The 38-year-old opened up about the feud in Us Weekly magazine

Responding to Marston's claims, Crystal said, 'I feel that obviously he has a lot of pain and hurt still from the relationship or lack thereof with his father'

Marston made a series of damning claims about his father's widow Crystal on the Girls Next Level podcast last week, suggesting she was hellbent on power. (Crystal pictured with Hugh)

Marston (left), 34, accused Crystal of being a 'master manipulator'  and appeared to suggest she took advantage of the Playboy mogul before he died (pictured with his brother Cooper)

Speaking to hosts Holly and Bridget, he said: 'When Crystal came in [to the mansion], there started to be tribes. And so there were people who were on Crystal's team.'

He said she became addicted to the 'idea of control and power,' and would determine who could and could not enter.

'She liked controlling the guest list,' he said. 'She liked taking girls off and on the guest list depending on how, whatever the whims were at the time She liked being in that position where you had to go through her or you had to ask her for things.'

Marston, who welcomed a child with his wife last year, also accused Crystal of destroying the fun he used to have with his father during games night at the mansion when they would play Uno, claiming she brought a 'dark energy' that dissuaded him from ever returning.

Her alleged obsession with control appeared to extend to matters of Hugh's will, with Marston suggesting Crystal oversaw changes when his father was 'sick' and 'dosed with f***ing medication,' which he claims left the businessman unaware of his surroundings.

'He was really sick and that's why she got all these NDA things,' he said. 'According to her, she didn't want people to see him not able to walk, not able to talk.'

Marston questioned some of Crystal's claims in her memoir Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy And Finding Myself - as well as her motivation for writing it

Hefner's ex-girlfriend Holly (left) has also accused Crystal of 'copying' her memoir

Marston and his brother, Cooper, pictured with their father Hugh and mother Kimberley Conrad in 1998

Crystal, pictured right, was the final wife of the Playboy founder - pictured together with Kristina and Karissa Shannon at Hugh's 83rd birthday pool party in 2009

Marston, whose mother is model Kimberley Conrad, said his father would struggle to remember how to play backgammon with him, owing to strong medication for his back pain.

'The year that he passed away, he changed the will and he gave me, another person, and Crystal more money,' he said. 'And I don't know how much more, I don't remember if Crystal got more than us....

'I was looking at that when I was getting the inheritance, and I was like, "Why? When he wasn't here, when he didn't know what the f*** was up or down half of the time, why would he change his will?"'

He continued: 'And that's why I sent an email saying, "I don't think he's competent anymore, guys, can we agree on this?" And nobody really wanted to address what I perceived as the elephant in the room.

And then more than that, it's like why is it when somebody can't play his favorite thing and doesn't know where he is, why is he changing his f***ing will? Why are people allowing that to happen?

Crystal famously wed the magazine publisher in 2012 when she was 26 and he was 86. They were married until his death, aged 91, in 2017 as a result of heart failure and septicemia after contracting a deadly strain of e-coli. He left a reported $43 million fortune.

Earlier this year she published her explosive memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy And Finding Myself, in which she made a number of bombshell claims, including that she never loved the late magazine kingpin and she felt imprisoned in their four-year marriage.

Marston revealed how he messaged Holly and Bridget, referring to Crystal as a 'master manipulator' after reading her book, and questioned some of her claims - as well as her motivation for writing the memoir.

Suggesting she buys Instagram followers, he asked: 'If you're not interested in fame, why are you buying Instagram followers?

'If you're not after money, then why was she hustling as Crystal DJ Hefner? And she said that she was building a real estate empire, but she was building one as a Hefner. So she did need to be there in order to build it, in my opinion.'

Crystal (pictured with Hugh on his 84th birthday in 2010) made a series of explosive claims about the notorious libertine in her memoir

She made a number of bombshell claims, including that she never loved the late magazine kingpin and she felt imprisoned in their four-year marriage

Marston, who runs an OnlyFans account to fund his love for collecting Pokemon cards and rare comic books, then accused Crystal of allowing Hugh to buy a property for her against the advice of his accountants.

'I heard that it was far beyond his budget,' Marston continued. 'It was not wise. And I heard that his financial advisors were like, "Don't purchase this, dude. You can't afford this...."

'And he said, "I love this person and I'm going to..." This is my own subjective feelings is like, why would you ask your husband who is in debt to purchase you a mansion that he can't really afford if you don't need the money?'

DailyMail.com contacted representatives for Crystal for comment.

Crystal was Hugh's third wife. He married her in 2012, two years after his divorce from Kimberley was finalized.

They were married for 21 years from 1989 and also share son Cooper, 32.

Hugh's first wife was Millie Williams with whom he had children Christie and David.
Gregg Wallace took to his social media to share a rare snap of his eldest son Tom Wallace as he celebrated his son's 30th birthday.

The broadcaster, 59, often posts about his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, and their son Sid, five, on social media and his eldest children Tom, 30, and Libby Wallace, 27, from a previous marriage, are occasionally referenced too.

Taking to his Instagram story, Gregg shared a rare snap of his lookalike son wearing a beige T-shirt and sporting a pair of dark sunglasses as he soaked up some rays.

The MasterChef presenter simply captioned the snap with: 'Tom Wallace.'

It comes just two months after Tom celebrated his birthday in March and Gregg marked the special occasion at the time by writing a sweet post to his son on the social media platform.

Greg Wallace took to his social media to share a rare snap of his eldest son Tom Wallace as he celebrated his son's 30th birthday

He captioned the snap with: 'Happy 30th Birthday Tom Wallace. Very proud of you.'

Gregg has previously shared several snaps of Tom, who is the eldest of his two children from his marriage to his late ex-wife Denise, with his followers.

One snap showed the father and son posing beside each other as they spent some quality time together at Twickenham Stadium back in 2022.

Gregg has regularly spoken about his family during interviews as well and discussed his eldest kids being older siblings to his son Sid.

Speaking to The Mirror earlier this year, Gregg said that Tom and Libby 'adore' their younger brother.

He added that they have 'melded' into the family, which includes Sid's mother Anne-Marie and his grandmother Rina Sterpini.

It comes after Gregg and his wife Anna welcomed their son Sid and shared that he had been diagnosed with autism almost two years ago.

Speaking about his wife with The Sun, Gregg said: 'She's got an autistic little boy, she's just lost her dad, she's got grown-up stepchildren and a workaholic husband. That girl is an absolute pillar of strength and I have nothing but admiration for her.'

Tom, pictured with Gregg in 2022, is the eldest of the presenter's three children from his marriage to his late ex-wife Denise

It comes after MasterChef viewers were left devastated after their true 'winner' was sent home at the final hurdle.

Tuesday's episode saw Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod battle it out for a coveted place in this year's final three.

After a tense task cooking for guests of Michel Roux Jr at his now-closed restaurant Le Gavroche, the chefs whipped up a meal back at the MasterChef UK kitchen to impress judges John Torode and Gregg.

But as Brin, 29, and Chris, 44, impressed with their skilful dishes, it was either Louise, also 44, or Abi, 22, who was set to miss out on a spot in the final three.

Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her to win.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: 'Fallen at the final hurdle. Really thought it was hers to take,';

'This woman should be in the final,'; 'Gutted for Abi - youre a winner in my eyes!!';

'Gutted Abbie went. Brin to win,'; 'I really like Brin and Chris but Abi is incredible for her age,';

'Abi should be proud at how far she has come. To be only in her early twenties and getting to finals week on #Masterchefuk is an amazing achievement. I reckon she'll be a big chef in the future.'

Brim and Chris were revealed to have impressed the judges and earned a spot in the final, leaving Abi and Louise at risk.

Announcing Abi's departure, John said: 'Abi and Louise, one of you is going through to the final, one of you is leaving us.

'The contestant leaving us... is Abi. Abi than you its been an incredible journey for you.'

'I would really really like to see what happens with you next because you are an amazing talent for somebody so young,' Gregg said. 'Well done.'

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been a challenge from start to finish.

It comes after MasterChef viewers were left gutted after their true 'winner', Abi Kempley, was sent home at the final hurdle during Tuesday's episode

Tuesday's episode saw Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod battle it out for a coveted place in this year's final three

Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, sparking upset from viewers who had been willing her on to win

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: 'Fallen at the final hurdle. Really thought it was hers to take

'I'm definitely really proud of what I've achieved.'

Tuesday's episode saw the contestants cook up a storm in the legendary restaurant Le Gavroche.

Ahead of her departure from the show, Abi served up the starter - which Michel Roux Jr's guests hailed 'delicious' - poached scallop mousse on a julienne of vegetables and diced scallop, served with a Chartreuse liqueur veloute and a scallop coral tuile.

But one dish raised eyebrows - circus performer Chris's poached and roasted spiced duck breast served with crispy duck leg.

Viewers flocked to social media with cries that the duck looked too raw, with some suggesting his competitor vet surgeon Brin could 'get it up and walking'.

They wrote: 'I don't think that duck's even dead,'; That duck is f***ing RAW,';

Of missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: 'Obviously a little gutting to be going home at this stage, so close but the whole competition has been challenge from start to finish'

Ahead of her departure from the show, Abi served up the starter - which Michel Roux Jr's guests hailed 'delicious'

'Brin could get that duck up and walking again if he was serving this course,';

'I love Chris's creativity, but WHY do all professional chefs insist on meat being so rare?'

And it wasn't the only dish of the day to be met with criticism for its cooking time, as later in the show back at the test kitchen Brim served up a South American-inspired dish dedicated to his fiance Anna - which consisted of pan-fried fillet of beef coated in Colombian coffee.

Viewers said: 'That beef is too pink! Needs to be cooked more!'; 'That steak is still mooing

'Someone call a vet. The beef's still breathing.....'
Nineties acting icon Matt Dillon seems to be embracing his later years.

While at the Cannes Film Festival in France this week, the 60-year-old Tex actor was seen with some silver strands in his light brown carefully cut mane.

The actor normally has very dark brown hair, but on Wednesday he looked like he was beginning to welcome a silver fox style.

Dillon was in a dark blazer with a black shirt and gray jeans as he attended the photo call for Being Maria at Palais des Festivals. In the film he plays Marlon Brando.

The New York native has a long and varied career that includes classic like Drugstore Cowboy (1989) and massive hits like There is Something About Mary (1998) which starred his girlfriend at the time, Cameron Diaz.

Matt has also been pulled into the limelight lately as he met with Angelina Jolie when she was at an event for her stage version of The Outsiders; Dillon starred in the movie version of the story in the 1980s.

Nineties acting icon Matt Dillon seems to be embracing his later years. While at the Cannes Film Festival in France this week, the 60-year-old Tex actor was seen with some silver strands in his light brown carefully cut mane

Seen in the left on Wednesday with a light beard and on the right in the 1989 film Drugstore Cowboy

His new film Being Maria is about Maria Schneider's rise to fame after Last Tango in Paris.

Dillon plays her Tango costar Marlon Brando. Maria is played by Anamaria Vartolomei.

The film in part tracks the controversial production and wrenching fallout of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 masterpiece.

The Academy Award nominee made his film debut in Over the Edge (1979).

Jane Bernstein and a friend were assisting director Jonathan Kaplan cast the teen boy in the drama Over the Edge.

They ran into Dillon ditching class at Hommocks Middle School in Larchmont.

Dillon auditioned for a role and landed it. Dillon's performance was well-received.

He was also teen when he starred in the classic 1980 film My Bodyguard. He played a high-school bully opposite Chris Makepeace.

Next he worked with Tatum O'Neal in the sex comedy Little Darlings (1980) in which he had scenes with Kristy McNichol.

And then came Liar's Moon (1982), The Flamingo Kid (1984) and Tex (1982).

By the time he starred in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Outsiders (1983) he was a bona fide teen heartthrob.

Dillon was in a dark blazer with a black shirt and gray jeans as he attended the photo call for Being Maria at Palais des Festivals

His hair looked more gray in the back as he wore a tuxedo in Cannes on Tuesday

He will play Marlon Brando in Being Maria; Brando with Eva Marie Saint in a scene from the film On The Waterfront in 1954

He starred as a more gritty character in the edgy Drugstore Cowboy (1989).

The actor played an intense drug addict in the acclaimed Gus Van Sant film.

And he was part of an ensemble with Bridget Fonda in the Seattle-based rom-com Singles (1992).

Matt took on a more mature role opposite Nicole Kidman in To Die For (1995) as he played her character's husband.

When he was in 1998's There's Something About Mary he played against his screen idol type as he donned false teeth to star the dorky cheeseball opposite the insecure everyman played by Ben Stiller.

Matt received an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.

In 2005, Dillon co-starred in Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded He then did comedy with You, Me and Dupree opposite Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson in 2006.

In 2018, Dillon played the lead role in the Lars von Trier thriller The House That Jack Built.

Next he worked with Tatum O'Neal in the sex comedy Little Darlings (1980) in which he had scenes with Kristy McNichol, right

In 1983 with Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell and Tom Cruise in The Outsiders for Francis Ford Coppola

He starred as a more gritty character in the edgy Drugstore Cowboy (1989). The actor played an intense drug addict in the acclaimed Gus Van Sant film

The star was part of an ensemble with Bridget Fonda in the Seattle-based rom-com Singles in 1992

When he starred in 1998's There's Something About Mary he played against his screen idol type as he donned false teeth. Matt received an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain

More recently he has taken smaller roles in quirkier films like Asteroid City (2023).

For Crash (2004), he won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Proving how well rounded he is, Dillon made a cameo appearance as a detective in Madonna's Bad Girl music video which also stars Christopher Walken.

From 2014 to 2024 he was in a relationship with Italian actress, dancer and choreographer Roberta Mastromichele.
Veterinary surgeon Brin Pirathapan has been crowned the winner of MasterChef 2024 after what was deemed the best final in the show's history.

Becoming part of MasterChef history, Brin joins two decades of outstanding champions - Thomasina Miers, Peter Bayless, James Nathan, Mat Follas, Dhruv Baker, Tim Anderson, Shelina Permalloo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, Kenny Tutt, Irini Tzortzoglou, Thomas Frake, Tom Rhodes, Eddie Scott, and last year's champion, Chariya Khattiyot.

Cooking his way past 57 other culinary competitors after eight weeks of increasingly tough challenges, Brin's high stakes cook-off was in the Final Three, against Louise Lyons Macleod and Chris Willoughby.

John told the finalists: 'Twenty years, we've been doing MasterChef. That is the best final we've ever done.'

On his win, Brin said: 'I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. I can't breathe! I'm a big mix of my background, my culture and all the opportunities my parents have given me.

Veterinary surgeon Brin Pirathapan has been crowned the winner of Masterchef 2024 after what was deemed the best final in the show's history

Cooking his way past 57 other culinary competitors after eight weeks of challenges, Brin's high stakes cook-off was in the Final Three, against Louise Lyons Macleod and Chris Willoughby

On his win, Brin said: 'I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. I can't breathe! I'm a big mix of my background, my culture and all the opportunities my parents have given me'

'They've been incredible and I've done it for them as much as I've done it for myself. The experience itself has been incredible and to top it off with this is just the most amazing thing, ever.'

MasterChef judge, John Torode, said: 'Brin is an extraordinary cook and an amazing talent. He takes combinations that don't sound like they belong together, but they actually work.

'Today, he's delivered three absolutely sensational courses that could grace the table of any restaurant up and down the land.'

MasterChef judge, Gregg Wallace, commented: 'These are ingredient combinations that Brin is inventing.

'That makes him dangerously clever. He's got technique, he's got creativity. In my experience, Brin is unique. One of the cleverest talents I've ever, ever seen.'

In an exhilarating and intense final week, MasterChef has offered Brin on the trip of a lifetime with the Final Four, travelling to Singapore  one of the world's most vibrant and multicultural food cities.

Brin took on a trio of challenges: celebrating Singapore's dizzying array of ingredients at a hawker market, cooking for discerning locals under the godfather of Singapore heritage cuisine, chef Damian D'Silva; producing a spectacular dish from Michelin-starred Chef Malcolm Lee's high-end menu at his most recent restaurant Pangium; and finally, taking what they'd learned cooking at Singaporean stoves to host a VIP lunch of their own creation, at the five-star Fullerton Bay Hotel, for some of the island's leading culinary figures.

An incredible Chef's Table then took place at Le Gavroche, one of the world's most celebrated restaurants, at the forefront of gastronomy for the last 35 years.

The Final Three then took on the most high-pressured challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives

Brin's main course was spiced venison loin, beef short-rib and pickled mushroom tartlet, celeriac and miso puree

Brin had the honour of cooking for one of the iconic restaurant's last ever services - guided by Michel Roux Jr. himself.

Taking on one of the Le Gavroche's star dishes, Brin served illustrious diners including - legendary three-star chef Pierre Koffmann, MasterChef's Monica Galetti and Michel Roux Jr.'s daughter and chef, Emily, who said of Brin's lamb raviolo dish: 'This was amazing. For an amateur chef, this is pretty mind-blowing'.

The penultimate test back at the MasterChef kitchen was to create one exceptional dish dedicated to something or someone they love  food that comes straight from the heart.

The Final Three then took on the most high-pressured challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives.

Brin's winning menu started with fried capers, pickled chilli, pickled and charred shallots, orange and honey-glazed octopus with tempura mussels, herb tuilles dusted with scallop roe, an orange gel and samphire, on a romesco sauce.

Gregg told Brin: 'It's delightful. This is a beautiful piece of work,' and John added: 'Your mind and how it works, I'm not quite sure. But I'd eat the whole plate. I'd eat three plates.'

The main course was spiced venison loin, beef short-rib and pickled mushroom tartlet, celeriac and miso puree, salt-baked beetroot and pak choi, served with a gochujang and red wine sauce split with a herb oil.

John reacted with: 'You eat it and your palate comes alive it's a huge amount of work and it tastes delicious,' and Gregg said to Brin: 'I could dip venison into your sauce all day long. I think your ideas are absolutely inspired.'

Brin finished his menu with a dessert of white chocolate and cardamom and saffron cremeux, with pistachio meringue shards, whisky-poached mango, raspberry gel, pistachio crumb and a mango, lime and chili sorbet.

Brin grew up in Chelmsford, Essex and moved to Bristol for his veterinary studies, where he still lives with his fiance, Anna

Gregg commented: 'My friend, the warmest congratulations on an absolutely knock-out of a dessert,' and added after the tasting: 'I so admire your courage. You are such a brave cook. Don't ever change.'

Brin grew up in Chelmsford, Essex and moved to Bristol for his veterinary studies, where he still lives with his fiance, Anna  who he says is his biggest supporter (and occasional critic).

He credits his parents, who are originally from Sri Lanka, for inspiring his love of food and flavour: 'Cooking definitely runs in my family. I'm really lucky that I've got this amazing spicy culinary background from my parents.

'They are great cooks and I've been lucky enough to be treated to amazing Tamil Sri Lankan flavours throughout my life.'

Talking about what drives his creativity in the kitchen, he added: '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.'

Looking back over his time on MasterChef, Brin said: 'My personal highlight of the competition was the 20th anniversary dinner.

Receiving a huge standing ovation from a room full of culinary royalty was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had. I've loved cooking for John and Gregg but it's been absolutely nerve racking and waiting for their feedback during tastings feels like an eternity!

'They are such a pleasure to cook for. No matter how stressful this competition can be, it's been fantastic. It's been one of the greatest experiences of my life and all I know is, I have to involve cooking in my future'.

On his next goals, Brin said: 'I'd love to have a future in the food industry. Waking up every morning knowing that I'm doing something I absolutely love would be a great feeling.

'It would be incredible to write a cookbook and, explore supper clubs or private dining.

'Longer term, I'd love food to take me all over the world. MasterChef has already given me an opportunity to cook for some of my absolute heroes  including Tom Kitchin, Monica Galetti, Pierre Koffman.

'I'd love to do another Chef's Table for some more of the greats and see what they really think of my food! I feel like I've got so much more to learn and this is hopefully just the beginning.'

MasterChef Series 20 is available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
Paul Bettany is set to reprise his MCU role as the android-turned-Avenger Vision for the sixth time in a new Disney+ spin-off series scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Star Trek: Picard executive producer Terry Matalas will resurrect the synthezoid and serve showrunner duties for the untitled show following the adventures of 'Ghost' Vision, Variety reported on Wednesday.

The Emmy-nominated Englishman - turning 53 next Monday - originated the role of Vision in Joss Whedon's 2015 film Avengers: Age of Ultron where Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) created him using his artificial intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S., Ultron, and the Mind Stone.

Vision was then killed by Thanos (Josh Brolin) in the Russo Brothers' 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War so he could retrieve the Mind Stone for his Infinity Gauntlet, which enabled him to snap his fingers and disintegrate half of all life across the universe.

Paul's character returned twice - as 'Ghost' Vision and 'White' Vision - for Jac Schaeffer's surreal nine-episode spin-off WandaVision, which aired in 2021 on Disney+.

Paul Bettany is set to reprise his MCU role as the android-turned-Avenger Vision for the sixth time in a new Disney+ spin-off series scheduled to premiere in 2026

Scarlet Witch aka Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) created 'White' Vision as an android, and she created 'Ghost' Vision using Hex magic powered by grief, but she restored 'Ghost' Vision's memories before he faded from existence.

'I have been a voice with no body. A body, but not human. And now a memory made real,' Vision said in the finale.

'Who knows what I might be next?'

Jac Schaeffer had been working on an earlier version of the spin-off called Vision Quest but, instead, he became showrunner of Kathryn Hahn's upcoming WandaVision spin-off, Agatha All Along.

Bettany will next play a mystery role in Robert Zemeckis' ambitious big-screen adaptation of Richard McGuire's 1989 graphic novel Here - hitting US theaters November 22 - alongside Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.

The SAG Award nominee is currently in Hungary filming his role as Antonio Salieri in Joe Barton's limited series adaptation of Peter Shaffer's 1979 play Amadeus, which will premiere next year on Sky Max.

Paul is also set to reprise his West End role as pop artist Andy Warhol in Kwame Kwei-Armah's big-screen adaptation of The Collaboration alongside Jeremy Pope as Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Star Trek: Picard executive producer Terry Matalas (R, pictured September 7) will resurrect the synthezoid and serve showrunner duties for the untitled show following the adventures of 'Ghost' Vision, Variety reported on Wednesday

The Emmy-nominated Englishman - turning 53 next Monday - originated the role of Vision in Joss Whedon's 2015 film Avengers: Age of Ultron where Tony Stark (L, Robert Downey Jr.) created him using his artificial intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S., Ultron, and the Mind Stone

Vision was then killed by Thanos (R, Josh Brolin) in the Russo Brothers' 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War so he could retrieve the Mind Stone for his Infinity Gauntlet, which enabled him to snap his fingers and disintegrate half of all life across the universe
MasterChef viewers have praised Brin Pirathapan as a 'worthy winner' after he was crowned champion of the 2024 series on Wednesday night.

The veterinary surgeon, 29, was chosen as this year's winner after what was branded 'the best final in the show's history.'

Following the win, fans took to X to praise judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode's decision to crown him as the victor, after Brin won them over with an impressive three-course dinner.

Tweets included: 'Thoroughly deserved champion, well done Brin;'

'Well done Brin. Cooked some amazing food and worthy winner; Well done Brin, a very worthy winner;'

MasterChef viewers have praised Brin Pirathapan as a 'worthy winner' after he was crowned champion of the 2024 series on Wednesday night

The veterinary surgeon was chosen as this year's winner after what was branded 'the best final in the show's history'

'I hope Brin wins it, I think he deserves it the most;'

'Brin has won this all day every day. Amazing.'

Becoming part of MasterChef history, Brin joined two decades of outstanding champions - Thomasina Miers, Peter Bayless, James Nathan, Mat Follas, Dhruv Baker, Tim Anderson, Shelina Permalloo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, Kenny Tutt, Irini Tzortzoglou, Thomas Frake, Tom Rhodes, Eddie Scott, and last year's champion, Chariya Khattiyot.

Cooking his way past 57 other culinary competitors after eight weeks of increasingly tough challenges, Brin's high stakes cook-off was in the Final Three, against Louise Lyons Macleod and Chris Willoughby.

John told the finalists: 'Twenty years, we've been doing MasterChef. That is the best final we've ever done.'

On his win, Brin said: 'I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. I can't breathe! I'm a big mix of my background, my culture and all the opportunities my parents have given me.

'They've been incredible and I've done it for them as much as I've done it for myself. The experience itself has been incredible and to top it off with this is just the most amazing thing, ever.'

MasterChef judge, John Torode, said: 'Brin is an extraordinary cook and an amazing talent. He takes combinations that don't sound like they belong together, but they actually work.

Following the win, fans took to X to praise judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode 's decision to crown him as the victor, after Brin won them over with an impressive three-course dinner

Brin was crowned the winner after impressing with his final three course dinner

Cooking his way past 57 other culinary competitors after eight weeks of challenges, Brin's high stakes cook-off was in the Final Three, against Louise Lyons Macleod and Chris Willoughby

On his win, Brin said: 'I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. I can't breathe! I'm a big mix of my background, my culture and all the opportunities my parents have given me'

'Today, he's delivered three absolutely sensational courses that could grace the table of any restaurant up and down the land.'

MasterChef judge, Gregg Wallace, commented: 'These are ingredient combinations that Brin is inventing.

'That makes him dangerously clever. He's got technique, he's got creativity. In my experience, Brin is unique. One of the cleverest talents I've ever, ever seen.'

In an exhilarating and intense final week, MasterChef has offered Brin on the trip of a lifetime with the Final Four, travelling to Singapore  one of the world's most vibrant and multicultural food cities.

Brin took on a trio of challenges: celebrating Singapore's dizzying array of ingredients at a hawker market, cooking for discerning locals under the godfather of Singapore heritage cuisine, chef Damian D'Silva; producing a spectacular dish from Michelin-starred Chef Malcolm Lee's high-end menu at his most recent restaurant Pangium; and finally, taking what they'd learned cooking at Singaporean stoves to host a VIP lunch of their own creation, at the five-star Fullerton Bay Hotel, for some of the island's leading culinary figures.

An incredible Chef's Table then took place at Le Gavroche, one of the world's most celebrated restaurants, at the forefront of gastronomy for the last 35 years.

The Final Three took on the most high-pressured challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives

Brin's main course was spiced venison loin, beef short-rib and pickled mushroom tartlet, celeriac and miso puree

Brin had the honour of cooking for one of the iconic restaurant's last ever services - guided by Michel Roux Jr. himself.

Taking on one of the Le Gavroche's star dishes, Brin served illustrious diners including - legendary three-star chef Pierre Koffmann, MasterChef's Monica Galetti and Michel Roux Jr.'s daughter and chef, Emily, who said of Brin's lamb raviolo dish: 'This was amazing. For an amateur chef, this is pretty mind-blowing'.

The penultimate test back at the MasterChef kitchen was to create one exceptional dish dedicated to something or someone they love  food that comes straight from the heart.

The Final Three then took on the most high-pressured challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives.

Brin's winning menu started with fried capers, pickled chilli, pickled and charred shallots, orange and honey-glazed octopus with tempura mussels, herb tuilles dusted with scallop roe, an orange gel and samphire, on a romesco sauce.

Gregg told Brin: 'It's delightful. This is a beautiful piece of work,' and John added: 'Your mind and how it works, I'm not quite sure. But I'd eat the whole plate. I'd eat three plates.'

The main course was spiced venison loin, beef short-rib and pickled mushroom tartlet, celeriac and miso puree, salt-baked beetroot and pak choi, served with a gochujang and red wine sauce split with a herb oil.

John reacted with: 'You eat it and your palate comes alive it's a huge amount of work and it tastes delicious,' and Gregg said to Brin: 'I could dip venison into your sauce all day long. I think your ideas are absolutely inspired.'

Brin finished his menu with a dessert of white chocolate and cardamom and saffron cremeux, with pistachio meringue shards, whisky-poached mango, raspberry gel, pistachio crumb and a mango, lime and chili sorbet.

Brin grew up in Chelmsford, Essex and moved to Bristol for his veterinary studies, where he still lives with his fiance, Anna

Gregg commented: 'My friend, the warmest congratulations on an absolutely knock-out of a dessert,' and added after the tasting: 'I so admire your courage. You are such a brave cook. Don't ever change.'

Brin grew up in Chelmsford, Essex and moved to Bristol for his veterinary studies, where he still lives with his fiance, Anna  who he says is his biggest supporter (and occasional critic).

He credits his parents, who are originally from Sri Lanka, for inspiring his love of food and flavour: 'Cooking definitely runs in my family. I'm really lucky that I've got this amazing spicy culinary background from my parents.

'They are great cooks and I've been lucky enough to be treated to amazing Tamil Sri Lankan flavours throughout my life.'

Talking about what drives his creativity in the kitchen, he added: '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.'

Looking back over his time on MasterChef, Brin said: 'My personal highlight of the competition was the 20th anniversary dinner.

Receiving a huge standing ovation from a room full of culinary royalty was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had. I've loved cooking for John and Gregg but it's been absolutely nerve racking and waiting for their feedback during tastings feels like an eternity!

'They are such a pleasure to cook for. No matter how stressful this competition can be, it's been fantastic. It's been one of the greatest experiences of my life and all I know is, I have to involve cooking in my future'.

On his next goals, Brin said: 'I'd love to have a future in the food industry. Waking up every morning knowing that I'm doing something I absolutely love would be a great feeling.

'It would be incredible to write a cookbook and, explore supper clubs or private dining.

'Longer term, I'd love food to take me all over the world. MasterChef has already given me an opportunity to cook for some of my absolute heroes  including Tom Kitchin, Monica Galetti, Pierre Koffman.

'I'd love to do another Chef's Table for some more of the greats and see what they really think of my food! I feel like I've got so much more to learn and this is hopefully just the beginning.'

MasterChef Series 20 is available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
You cannot argue with her beauty, nor with the elegance with which she turned out to promote Kevin Costner's new Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga, in Cannes this week, stealing the show in diaphanous, pale blue chiffon by French fashion house Chloe.

At 42, she's never looked lovelier and with boyfriend Oli Green, 27, and her charming 11-year-old daughter Marlowe joining her on the red carpet, Sienna Miller has never looked happier either.

It may be that acting acclaim still eludes her at this, the third  or maybe fourth  time of asking. The critics don't think much of the film, or of her in it.

But, actually, does it matter? For Sienna, the posh boho girl, who has been engaged four times while fitting in flings with actors Daniel Craig and Balthazar Getty (a scion of the oil dynasty), has lived her life to the full, embracing one adventure after another. And she does not regret a thing.

Her new boyfriend, Oli, an actor who is 15 years her junior, is just like her  instinctive and a free spirit. In an interview earlier this year she explained: 'I think you either live your life with caution or you take risks.'

At 42, Sienna Miller has (pictured) never looked lovelier and with boyfriend Oli Green, 27, (pictured) and her charming 11-year-old daughter Marlowe (pictured) joining her on the red carpet

Sienna Miller and Kevin Costner attend the 'Horizon: An American Saga' Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals

Sienna, the posh boho girl, has been engaged four times

Sienna Miller (L) and US director Kevin Costner (R) arrive for a screening of the film 'Horizon: An American Saga'

Sienna Miller departs the 'Horizon: An American Saga' Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival

She added that whatever success, or otherwise, her choices are met with, she is finally at peace.

'For the longest time, I felt the need to really prove something, and I can see that reflected in the choices that I made. I pursued roles that were very heavy and very dramatic and challenging emotionally because I felt that I was probably seen as frivolous. I'm now completely over that.'

Most significantly, of course, she finally has a settled personal life, which is bringing her joy. Her family unit, beyond Oli and the baby girl they welcomed in December, includes Marlowe and her father, Sienna's ex, Tom Sturridge, to whom she remains close (they dated from 2011 to 2015).

Lucky Marlowe has access to both Sienna's wardrobe and that of Alexa Chung, the model and TV presenter, who is engaged to Sturridge. Sienna is said to be delighted by the match.

When she decided to relocate from New York back to London almost two years ago, Sturridge agreed to do the same in order to make it easier to share custody of Marlowe, known as 'Mar'.

The critics almost universally don't care for Costner's film Horizon, an old-fashioned Western, and find her role in it, while well-executed, 'a cliche'

Kevin Costner and cast members Sienna Miller, Georgia MacPhail, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, and Isabelle Fuhrman pose on the red carpet during arrivals for a screening

Although Sienna bought a 16th-century thatched-roof cottage in Buckinghamshire, which she showed off in the pages of top property magazine Architectural Digest in 2022, she, Green and the children are now thought to be living in West London, with her ex and his fiancee Alexa only a few miles away in North London. There was a slightly tricky period during lockdown, when the exes ended up living together with their then partners in New York. Sturridge was with Uma Thurman's daughter, Maya Hawke, and Sienna was dating Lucas Zwirner, a musician.

Sienna said later: 'I had my then boyfriend, and Tom's then girlfriend came and . . . it was definitely eccentric. I can't go into detail but the wheels came off and everything went horribly wrong.'

She added that, on the upside, 'it will make a fantastic play'.

Her new daughter  whom Sienna brought to Cannes but not on to the red carpet  is adorable, of course (the couple have yet to announce her name).

And in Oli Green she has found someone every bit as easygoing as she is. There's a sense that neither of them are too driven, and their life will be all the richer for it.

Actress Emily Blunt, who is a close friend, told Vogue recently: 'I see so much of her in him, in that free-spirited, curious, guileless thing that he has.

Miller stars in Horizon: An American Saga

Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller

'He's the kind of guy you could just bring anywhere, and everyone would love him.' Blunt also notes that Sienna always wanted another child  saying she felt guilty about not giving Marlowe a 'partner in crime'.

'We've talked about it for years,' Blunt said. 'She just needed the right person, and I really see that in Oli.'

Sienna burst on the scene  a stylish, smiley blonde whose penchant for boots and studded belts launched a million imitations  in the early Noughties. Her father Edwin is an American dealer in Chinese art, while her mother, Josephine, a former model, was once personal assistant to David Bowie. Born in New York, she was raised between London and Wiltshire after her parents split when she was five.

A rebel at Heathfield boarding school in Ascot, she went on to study drama at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. Her big break came in 2004, at 23, when she played opposite the already-famous Jude Law in a remake of the classic film Alfie.

A starlet was born, and with Law freshly divorced from actress Sadie Frost, their relationship seemed meant to be.

But to Sienna's humiliation, the following year Law was caught with his trousers down in the company of his children's nanny. She later had a fling herself  with Law's close friend and future 007 Daniel Craig, with whom she starred in crime film Layer Cake.

Jena Malone, Isabelle Fuhrman, Ella Hunt, Georgia MacPhail, Sienna Miller, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Wase Chief attend the 'Horizon: An American Saga' Photocall

British actress Ella Hunt and Coleman and British-US actress Sienna Miller arrive for the screening of the film 'Horizon: An American Saga'

It was reported that she had found herself pregnant and chose not to have the child. In an interview she said: 'People on the street would shout 'baby killer' at me. That's fine. That's their opinion. You know, there's always going to be people like that.'

H er romance with Law always seemed unpredictable. In one of their periods apart she dated Notting Hill actor Rhys Ifans. Her image, too, became increasingly unconventional. She was known for living in wild style, once admitting a fondness for magic mushrooms, and claiming to have experimented with morphine to see what heroin would be like.

She later reflected on 'a couple of years of absolutely chaotic behaviour. I did not know which way was up or down.

'I was, I suppose, in the midst of an absolute breakdown on every single level. I couldn't say what had actually happened. My way of dealing with that was to slightly lose it. And I did, I was running around the Vanity Fair party with no shoes on and getting really p****d'.

In 2008, after splitting from Law for good, she had a romantic fling with Balthazar Getty and was photographed topless on holiday with him.

An heir to an estimated 2.5 billion fortune, he was married with four children. The liaison fizzled out and Getty went back to his wife Rosetta.

In an interview with GQ magazine in 2009, she admitted that the stories 'probably looked awful. I probably seem like not a particularly nice person, not a girl's girl'.

Sienna Miller arrives for the screening of the film 'Horizon: An American Saga'

Sienna Miller, Kevin Costner, Wase Chief and Luke Wilson attend the 'Horizon: An American Saga' Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival

In terms of her career, she cites her 2009 role in GI Joe: The Rise Of The Cobra as a low point. 'It had become difficult for me to get the work I wanted,' she said.

'I sabotaged things. I burnt a lot of bridges . . . I wasn't behaving the way you should. I'm very lucky to have a second chance.'

A stint on Broadway in After Miss Julie was well received and she was better still in the 2011 West End production of Flare Path, directed by Trevor Nunn. Professionally she began to get the roles that had eluded her and her private life also seemed to settle as she got together with Sturridge. Marlowe was born in 2014.

That same year, Sienna starred in American Sniper, opposite Bradley Cooper, and in Foxcatcher. Both won her plaudits. She even took on the demanding role of Sally Bowles in a Broadway production of Cabaret. She had passed 30, she said, and now was her time. Yet, once again, that promise didn't quite translate into the big leagues.

In 2022, Vogue magazine pronounced a 'Siennaissance' after the modest success of the Netflix drama Anatomy Of A Scandal, a Westminster-set thriller. And again this year, only a few months after having a second child, the idea of a Sienna moment is in the air again. She has new friends, including actress and model Cara Delevingne and 'It-girl' Lady Lola Bute, whose recent 25th birthday party had tinges of decadent movie Saltburn and a guest list to die for.

Greta Gerwig, Sienna Miller, Chemena Kamali, Emma Mackey and Zoe Saldana attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala 2024 in New Yo

Sienna Miller attends the 'Horizon: An American Saga' Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival

Friends say Sienna is 'effervescent' and the life and soul of every party. Romantic disappointments don't seem to have dimmed her love of a good night out.

The critics almost universally don't care for Costner's film Horizon, an old-fashioned Western, and find her role in it, while well-executed, 'a cliche'.

She plays settler Frances Kittredge, who ends up hiding in a hole under the floorboards and having to use a gun barrel as a breathing tube. As an image of a woman driven to extremes just to survive, that takes some beating.

But, in reality, glorious Sienna can breathe freely. She's making money as never before, thanks to her fashion deal with Marks & Spencer.

Her first collection came out this autumn to great acclaim. The association has been successful and is thought to net her over 500,000 a year.

She is developing her own range of skincare, which seems an obvious path to go down. She might say her extraordinary glow is all down to Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics, but women want to know the real secret of how she's bounced back to look quite so film-star gorgeous just months after giving birth to her second child in her 40s.

She's also got a West End gig lined up, a stage adaptation of the 1940s Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell vehicle His Girl Friday that will likely open in London in 2025. The big question is, who will play her Cary Grant?
Natasha Andrews ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the annual Cannes Film Festival in France on Wednesday.

The Australian actress left little to the imagination in a very low cut black dress as she arrived to the screening of Le Comte de Monte-Cristo with her boyfriend Pierre Niney.

The Magic in the Moonlight star showed off her incredible figure in the revealing frock which was also backless and had a thigh-high split.

Natasha completed her glamorous look with a pair of black strappy heels, a long silver necklace and statement earrings.

She packed on the PDA as she shared a passionate kiss with her beau on the red carpet before watching the film.

Natasha Andrews ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the annual Cannes Film Festival in France on Wednesday with her French actor boyfriend Pierre Niney

Pierre, 35, looked dapper at the event in a black tuxedo and matching coloured dress shoes.

The French actor slicked his locks back and accessorised his ensemble with dark sunglasses as he joined his girlfriend at the event.

Natasha grew up in Brisbane before moving to Paris at the age of 18 to study acting at The Cours Florent drama school.

She packed on the PDA as she shared a passionate kiss with her beau on the red carpet before watching the film

The Australian actress left little to the imagination in a very low cut black dress as she attended the screening of Le Comte de Monte-Cristo

She met Pierre while at the drama school and they fell in love.

The couple started dating in 2008 and eventually welcomed two children together, Lola, seven and son Billy, five.

In 2009, Natasha landed her first role in a feature film called Vivre!

She went on to star in the 2014 romantic comedy Magic in the Moonlight directed by Woody Allen.
Kyle Sandilands has blasted proponents of Australia's cashless future.

The shock jock, 52, unleashed with an extraordinary tirade against the movement during Thursday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'What happens when ATMs aren't working?' asked the radio star. 'Oh, this whole digital money, it's fine for convenience until s**t doesn't work.

'And then we're all going to starve to death.'

Kyle predicted 'cashless society is going to be a big problem.'

Kyle Sandilands (pictured) has blasted proponents of Australia's cashless future. The shock jock, 52, made the candid comments during Thursday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show

'What you're not understanding is if things are fine today, if there's a big internet problem tomorrow, Australia wide, no one's got any money.'

Sandilands claimed the movement was being driven by banks' greed for profits.

'The banks want to stop [employees] working [in branches] and have no real money, just digital money. But we can't stop any hacking.

'All these old people are getting robbed. Left, right and centre. No one can do anything. We're not ready for it.

'We're not ready for full cashless society.'

'What happens when ATMs aren't working?' asked the radio star. 'Oh, this whole digital money, it's fine for convenience until s**t doesn't work.' Pictured: stock

The on-air outburst comes just days after a handwritten sign at a Woolworths triggered celebration among Australians protesting the ongoing transition to a cashless society.

The notice posted in the window of the supermarket in Sebastopol, Victoria, on Thursday and Friday last week told shoppers they would have to pay the old-fashioned way - with notes and coins.

'Cash only, no EFTPOS. Sorry,' read the sign, which led to posts of appreciation on the Call Out Cashless Businesses Facebook page.

'It's finally happened,' the original poster wrote.

'Woolworths supermarket Sebastopol, Victoria, Friday 17 May 2024  cash only due to all EFTPOS machines being out of order.

'Girl at the door telling people to go to a bank to withdraw cash then come back to do your shopping.

A handwritten sign (pictured) at a Woolworths store has triggered celebration among Australians protesting the ongoing transition to a cashless society.

'This is the proof that cashless society will never work. Made my day.'

Two Woolworths staff were positioned at the store's front door telling customers that EFTPOS was down and that there were two ATMs nearby.

'There was a hardware issue which meant store trade was disrupted for a short period of time,' a Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

The problem at the Sebastopol outlet was fixed in time for normal operations over the weekend and there have been no issues since.

But the two days of cash-only payment delighted hard currency advocates, who said it highlighted the potential problems of a 'cashless society'.

'Cash is king no matter what the politicians tell you... they are fools for the banks to rip us off by using your card,' one commenter wrote on the post.

'Makes you wonder what a 'cash free store' does when the EFTPOS system goes down,' said another.

'Spread the news, this is happening everywhere. People need to know this cashless c*** doesn't work we must keep our money and our independence,' a third poster said.

Many said they were happy the EFTPOS machine broke down, with one writing that it was 'fan bloody Tastic this will get people thinking'.

'Cash never breaks down - cash glorious cash,' wrote another.

'Happening more and more... hope it's a regular thing now,' said a third person.

One woman said she'd had a similar experience where she works.

All Woolworths stores across Australia continue to accept cash as well as card payments

'This has happened several times in the supermarket I work at. Call me a b****, but I do chuckle on the inside, as I call out, 'Is anyone paying by cash? Come to the front of the line',' she wrote.

Despite the brief reprieve caused by a malfunctioning EFTPOS connection, some warned that the move away from cash was still going ahead.

'It will happen unless people wake up,' one wrote.

All Woolworths stores across Australia continue to accept cash as well as card payments.
A local Marxist in the southern Ukrainian city of Pervomaisk, Bogdan Syrotiuk, was arrested by the SBU on 25 April. He is being held in a high security prison in Mykolaiv under poor conditions under charges of treason and aiding the Russian invasion. Some of our comrades have known Bogdan for a number of years, and it is clear that these are made up charges by Ukrainian state security against a known left activist in the area.

Bogdan has been a local Komsomol activist for several years, but has maintained a position independent of the opportunism of the Communist Party of Ukraine leader Petro Symonenko, who scandalously defended the invasion of February 2022 in line with the Communist Party of Russia. Comrade Syrotiuk defended a class line with his organisation (Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists) that opposed both sides of the inter-imperialist conflict.

Given the relatively small activist circles in Pervomaisk, he was targeted by local reactionaries who reported him based on his left politics rather than any collusion with Russia. The SBU is happy to overlook these details when targeting someone critical of the government, and have placed trumped up charges on his head. If found guilty of the charges, Bogdan could be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. What makes it more tragic and sinister is that he was living with a sick grandmother who depended on him for help.

The Zelensky government has used the invasion to slander any opposition as collaborationists with Russia. This has driven the already modest revolutionary left movement underground or into exile. Repression like this will only show the weakness of the capitalist government in Kyiv. They are unable to solve the problems of the working class, so they target its critics. We call on solidarity with Bogdan Syrotiuk in his ordeal.

Free Bogdan Syrotiuk!

Stop the repression of left activists and their slander as collaborationists!

Down with the inter-imperialist conflict which only benefits the ruling classes!

Sign the petition here.
Her underwear collaboration with M&S boasts a range of silk and lace options for women to add a touch of luxury to their wardrobes.

But despite having her own range, it appears Rosie Huntington-Whiteley seemed to forget to actually put her underwear on as she shared a series of glamorous images online.

While staying at the luxurious 725-a-night Carlton Hotel for Cannes Film Festival, the 37-year-old model posed apparently nude on her bed just wearing jewellery.

She appeared to have on a pair of 2,800 Tiffany feather earrings and a 28,400 necklace from the same collection by Italian designer Elsa Peretti.

She was also believed to be wearing a glittering seven-carat Jessica McCormack Livewire Helix diamond ring worth 350,000. Behind her, a set of French windows were open showing a view out across the sea.

While staying at the luxurious 725-a-night Carlton Hotel for Cannes Film Festival, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley posed apparently nude on her bed just wearing jewellery

Ms Huntington-Whiteley also posted a photograph of herself wearing a 505 white outfit from British brand A.W.A.K.E. Mode

At the film festival, the model has been seen on the red carpet at the premiere of Demi Moores body horror movie, The Substance

She shared the picture wearing more than 380,000 worth of bling with her 20 million Instagram followers yesterday and wrote: Morning in Cannes, France.

Ms Huntington-Whiteley also posted a photograph of herself wearing a 505 white outfit from British brand A.W.A.K.E. Mode. At the film festival, the model has been seen on the red carpet at the premiere of Demi Moores body horror movie, The Substance.

The model has two children, Isabella, two, and Jack, six, with actor husband Jason Statham, 56, who is filming in London for Levons Trade  a comic book adaptation by Sylvester Stallone.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu oozed confidence as she arrived at the APM Monaco event during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday evening.

The Love Island winner, 29, flashed her bronzed legs and cleavage in a glamorous yellow dress, with a daring thigh-high split.

She elevated her height in stylish gold heels and accessorised with dazzling APM Monaco jewellery.

Earlier in the day, Ekin-Su showcased the stunning jewellery on Instagram, with a picture of Eva Longoria, the brand ambassador, on the table in her hotel.

Ekin-Su also told her 3.8 million followers that she feels 'honoured' to be invited to the lavish event in France.

Ekin-Su Culculoglu oozed confidence as she arrived at the APM Monaco event during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday evening

The Love Island winner, 29, flashed her bronzed legs and cleavage in a glamorous yellow dress, with a daring thigh-high split

She elevated her height in stylish gold heels and accessorised with dazzling APM Monaco jewellery

It comes after it was revealed Ekin-Su has struck up a shock romance with TOWIE star James Argent.

MailOnline can reveal the pair have grown close after enjoying cosy dates round each other's Essex houses following Ekin's dramatic elimination from Celebrity Big Brother in March.

Sources say while the couple are not official, friends are excited to see where their relationship could go after James, 36, supported Ekin, 29, when she struggled to cope with harsh trolls amid the reality show backlash.

It is Ekin's first dalliance since her split from Love Island boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti , 29, in January and former TOWIE star James hasn't been with anyone since parting ways from Stella Turian, 19, last November.

An insider told MailOnline: 'James lives close to Ekin, they are practically neighbours  so when she needed a friend after Celebrity Big Brother, he was there for her.

'Their friendship developed into something stronger and they started to spend more time together, even passionately kissing.

'It's still early days and they both appreciate they need to take it slow, having come out of high-profile relationships in the past six months but there's no denying the feelings and chemistry between them.'

Earlier in the day, Ekin-Su showcased the stunning jewellery on Instagram, with a picture of Eva Longoria, the brand ambassador, on the table in her hotel

It comes after it was revealed Ekin-Su has struck up a shock romance with TOWIE star James Argent

Ekin-Su won Love Island in 2022 alongside ex-boyfriend Davide, who she was in an on/off relationship with until they finally parted ways in January

Ekin was the fourth housemate to be voted out of Celebrity Big Brother after enduring a turbulent few weeks on the series, which she starred on alongside the likes of Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.

But her treatment post-elimination was worse after she became embroiled in a bullying row on spin-off show Late & Live, and was wrongly accused by Lorraine Kelly of pulling out of an appearance on her morning show at the last minute, which the Scottish TV host later apologised for.

She decided not to attend the Celebrity Big Brother final, with both her management and the ITV1 team keen to protect the star, who had been feeling 'vulnerable' and exposed to hateful trolls.

As she kept a low profile following the end of CBB, she grew close to James, and together they bonded over their mutual ups and downs of being well-known figures in the industry.

James, who has found new success with The Arg Band, is looking better than ever after having 'life changing' gastric band surgery in 2021 and prioritising his health and wellbeing.

After attending a rehab facility, losing over 14 stone and eradicating drugs and alcohol, the former TOWIE star has transformed his life and is now more than three years sober.

MailOnline has contacted Arg and Ekin's representatives for comment.

Since their split, Ekin has gone onto star in the US series of The Traitors and Celebrity Big Brother and has previously featured in the cast of Dancing On Ice

Ekin-Su won Love Island in 2022 alongside ex-boyfriend Davide, who she was in an on/off relationship with until they finally parted ways in January.

Since their split, Ekin has gone onto star in the US series of The Traitors and Celebrity Big Brother and has previously featured in the cast of Dancing On Ice.

In April, Davide was caught on camera 'handing out hippy crack balloons' months after he was seen with a 'suspicious white powder' during a trip to Ibiza.

His breakup antics, including being spotted partying with a bevy of women, have caused him to lose out on lucrative brand deals with the likes of boohooMAN and protein power Sci-mx.

However, Ekin's career continues to flourish, as the ambassador of makeup brand BPerfect Cosmetics and a regular guest at red carpet events.
Heidi Klum appeared in high spirits as she enjoyed a spot of lunch at Eden Roc during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

The German model, 50, put on a busty display in a plunging brown skin-tight dress, with a shimmering gold bikini underneath.

She accessorised with oversized gold shades and styled her golden tresses in loose waves.

Earlier in the day, Heidi showed off her toned figure in the tiny two-piece while sunbathing by the pool.

Her arrival back at Cannes comes almost a week after she was seen taking to the red carpet sporting a dramatic red gown on Tuesday for the premiere of The Second Act.

Heidi Klum appeared in high spirits as she enjoyed a spot of lunch at Eden Roc during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

Earlier in the day, Heidi showed off her toned figure in the tiny two-piece while sunbathing by the pool

But hours later at the gala dinner for the festival's opening ceremony, held at the Casino Le Palm Beach, Heidi debuted a different dress - a sleek black number.

Her gala dinner dress had a cut out at one side of her waist and an asymmetric hemline.

She was joined at the gala by Hollywood icon Meryl, 74, Barbie director Greta, 40, and Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily, 37.

Ensuring she claimed her own share of the spotlight, supermodel Heidi turned heads earlier in the day as she graced the red carpet in a deep red evening dress with a distinctive train and just enough length to show off her toned legs.

The German model needed the help of two male assistants to carry the lengthy train as she made her way along the Cannes Croisette ahead of Tuesday's screening.

The day before, Heidi posed for a few glammed-up snaps as she arrived at an event ahead of the first day of the film festival.

Heidi showcased her toned form while wearing a jet-black dress featuring a sheer panel along one hip.

The German model, 50, put on a busty display in a plunging brown skin-tight dress, with a shimmering gold bikini underneath

She accessorised with oversized gold shades and styled her golden tresses in loose waves

She enjoyed what appeared to be an aperol spritz and some food

She was chatting to a pal at the hotel restaurant

She was previously seen relaxing alone outside in the sun

She opted for a natural makeup look for the pool day

Heidi, who shares her four kids with ex-husband Seal , 61, to whom she was married from 2005 to 2014, enjoyed the trip solo

Her arrival back at Cannes comes almost a week after she was seen taking to the red carpet sporting a dramatic red gown on Tuesday for the premiere of The Second Act

Ensuring she claimed her own share of the spotlight, supermodel Heidi turned heads earlier in the day as she graced the red carpet in a deep red evening dress with a distinctive train and just enough length to show off her toned legs

She accessorised with several pieces of gold jewellery, while her bright blonde hair cascaded down her back.

Heidi arrived at in Cannes for the film festival on Sunday May 12 , donning an oversized pink leather jacket with a matching ostrich Hermes Birkin bag.

She layered the jacket over a pastel print bandana top with a matching scarf and baggy faded jeans with detachable zip-up legs.

The America's Got Talent judge finished the look with a pair of white trainers and some large round sunglasses.

Heidi was all smiles as she posed in front of a sign at the airport that reads, 'I love Nice.'

She teased something big as she posed on the balcony of her hotel room with the ocean in the background. 'So excited to be here in Cannes to announce something very very special,' Heidi captioned the post.

Documenting her descent into Nice on Instagram, Heidi rode shotgun in the cockpit with the pilots,' captioning videos: 'Viva la Cannes.'

Taking to Instagram on Monday, Heidi shared that she was heading back to the festival with the caption: 'Cannes Round 2 let's go!'

She teased something big as she posed on the balcony of her hotel room with the ocean in the background

She posed for a selfie with the pilots after landing, sharing it to her Instagram Story with a 'thank you.'

Heidi later shared a video from her car as she enjoyed the Parisian view, setting the clip to 'La Vie en Rose' by Zaz.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel also posted a video of her gorgeous suite, where multiple Mother's Day floral arrangements were waiting for her.

'For the best mom in the world. We love you!' read a note from her kids Leni , 20, Henry , 18, Johan , 17, Lou , 14, and husband Tom Kaulitz , 34.

She shares her four kids with ex-husband Seal , 61, to whom she was married from 2005 to 2014.
Poppy Delevingne turned heads as she arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of The Count Of Monte Cristo during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

The socialite, 38, put on a very leggy display in a grey tulle gown with a sheer skirt, allowing a glimpse at her satin hotpants underneath.

Her ruched dress also boasted a plunging neckline to showcase her ample cleavage, and she ensured all eyes were on her with a dazzling diamond necklace.

The sister of Cara Delevingne finished off her ethereal look with a pair of gold strappy high heels and yellow bejewelled earrings.

Earlier in the day, Poppy looked typically chic in a black strapless minidress as she left the Hotel Martinez.

Poppy Delevingne turned heads as she arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of The Count Of Monte Cristo during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

The socialite, 38, put on a very leggy display in a grey tulle gown with a sheer skirt, allowing a glimpse at her satin hotpants underneath

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.

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.

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.

Her ruched dress also boasted a plunging neckline to showcase her ample cleavage, and she ensured all eyes were on her with a dazzling diamond necklace

Poppy wore her blonde hair parted to the side and styled in soft Hollywood waves, while sporting smoky eyeshadow and deep pink lipstick

She sported a bronzed makeup palette which accentuated her natural features

The train on her gown fluttered in the breeze as she climbed the stairs to the screening

She flashed her dazzling white smile for the camera

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.

Earlier in the day, Poppy looked typically chic in a black strapless minidress as she left the Hotel Martinez

Poppy had a facial from Shane Cooper ahead of the party to get her skin looking perfect

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.

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.
Los Angeles cops have arrested two minibike 'gang' members thought to be involved in a biker brawl involving 90210 actor Ian Ziering.

Five months ago, 60-year-old Zierling and his daughter Mia, 12, were confronted by a gang of mini-bikers on Hollywood Boulevard - which led the actor to exit his car, at which point the confrontation escalated.

LAPD confirmed on Tuesday evening that they had arrested Jacob Esteban Hernandez, a 20-year-old male resident of Rosemead, and Angie Teresa Guizar, a 40-year-old female resident of Los Angeles.

Hernandez was booked for felony vandalism and Guizar was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, TMZ reported.

Authorities reportedly cited videos of the incident, which took place at the end of 2023, as key pieces of evidence in the investigation - but none of the footage directly led them to identify the suspects.

Pictured: The terrifying moment Ian Ziering got jumped by a group of bikers running amok in Los Angeles

Pictured: 90210 actor Ian Ziering, 60

An incident statement from LAPD investigators said that the altercation took place at around 3 pm on New Year's Eve while Ziering and his daughter were sitting in traffic in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

'The confrontation began between the victim and one of the minibike riders over possible damage to his vehicle,' the statement said. 'Three to four additional minibike riders jumped in and assaulted the motorist.'

Now that arrests have been made, the case is being sent to the District Attorney's office, and it will be decided whether charges will be filed or not.

Ziering shared a moving update with his fans on Instagram the day following the jarring attack.

'Yesterday, I experienced an alarming incident involving a group of individuals on mini bikes,' Ziering wrote on Instagram on January 1.

'While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation.'

'In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself.'

Ziering confirmed that he and his daughter were left 'unscathed' - but said that he was concerned about the 'growing boldness' of such groups.

Pictured: The shocking altercation between the gang of mini-bikers and Ian Ziering in Los Angeles

The 60-year-old star of 90210 was snapped here heading to the gym a few days after his confrontation

He went on to say the brawl highlighted a larger issue of 'hooliganism' on the streets and the 'need for effective law enforcement responses to such behavior.'

'I have always been an advocate for standing up against intimidation and misconduct, and this incident reinforces my belief in the importance of personal and community safety,' Ziering continued in the Instagram caption.
Stores are now having clearance sales offering up to 30 percent off

British designer Ted Baker will shutter all 31 of its US stores after filing for bankruptcy last month.

Customers can now snap up its clearance sales with up to 30 percent discounts at all of its locations in North America and Canada.

Ted Baker filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in a New York court last month, following similar proceedings in Canada and the UK.

The decision came after Authentic Brand Group - which acquired Ted Baker in 2022 - stopped paying its suppliers, reports in the Wall Street Journal suggested.

Approximately 600 employees in North America will be affected by the closures.

British designer Ted Baker will shutter all 31 of its US stores after filing for bankruptcy last month

Ted Baker - which first opened in Glasgow in 1988 - has picked up impressive celebrity endorsements over the years including Emma Stone and Amal Clooney. Pictured: Clooney in a Ted Baker dress in 2017

It comes amidst a widespread 'retail apocalypse' which is forcing more and more bricks-and-mortar stores to shutter.

John McNamara, chief strategy and transition officer for Authentic Brands Group, previously told Fashion Network: 'We wish that there couldve been a better outcome for the Ted Baker employees and stakeholders.'

There are 31 Ted Baker stores in the US with three in New York and one in San Francisco's troubled Westfield Mall.

There are a further nine stores in Canada.

Ted Baker - which first opened in Glasgow in 1988 - has picked up impressive celebrity endorsements over the years including Emma Stone and Amal Clooney.

It was founded by Ray Kelvin who famously quit in 2019 amidst allegations he forced female employees to embrace him and asked them to sit on his lap.

Mr Kelvin, who denied allegations of misconduct, was also accused of massaging employees and kissing their ears.

At that point, he had been with the company since founding it 32 years earlier.

Mr Kelvin, started working in his uncle's Enfield menswear shop aged 11 and founded the Ted Baker brand in 1988, when he opened a shop specializing in men's shirts in Glasgow turning it into one of Britain's top brands.

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Ted Baker filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in a New York court last month, following similar proceedings in Canada and the UK

Authentic Brands, the US-based company behind Juicy Couture and Reebok, is still the owner of Ted Bakers intellectual property.

After announcing its bankruptcy last month, joint administrator Benji Dymant said: 'Ted Baker is an iconic British brand with strong partners around the world.

''These store closures, whilst with a regrettable impact on valued team members, will improve the performance of the business, as Authentic continues to progress discussions with potential UK and European operating partners for the Ted Baker brand to bring the business back to health.

'We would like to thank Ted Baker team members and partners for their ongoing efforts and support at this difficult time.'
MOHELA must be 'fired' as a student loan servicer, furious lawmakers and campaigners have demanded, amid mounting reports of widespread failures.

Members of Congress, advocacy groups and student loan borrowers held a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday to demand the federal government terminate its contract with the company.

They insist that the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority - otherwise known as MOHELA - is axed for its mismanagement of millions of student loan accounts.

Borrowers have complained about nine-hour long wait times to get help, delayed and lost paperwork and miscalculated payments.

One of the most distressing issues faced by some borrowers is having debts suddenly appear on their accounts out of nowhere - when they believed they had been paid off or forgiven.

Poor customer service has left anxious graduates spending months trying to get to the bottom of whether the debt is genuinely owed, or if it is a system error.

Members of Congress , advocacy groups and student loan borrowers held a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday to demand the federal government terminate its contract with the company. Centre is Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

Frustrated campaigners on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to hold the company 'accountable'.

Until May 1, MOHELA was the sole servicer of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program - which has been a major feature of the administration's debt forgiveness initiative.

The PSLF program, which was created in 2007, writes off the remaining balance of borrowers who work in public sector or government jobs after 10 years of eligible repayment.

MOHELA became the sole servicer of the program in July 2022. But the program will in future be managed in-house by Federal Student Aid - with the transition happening this summer.

The servicer has faced widespread criticism for its handling of the program - and for the managing of student loan repayments restarting in October last year.

The Education Department withheld over $7 million from the company in October 2023 after it failed to send timely billing statements to 2.5 million borrowers, which meant more than 800,000 people were delinquent on their loans.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joined campaigners from the Student Borrower Protection Center, the American Federation of Teachers and the Debt Collective at the event on Wednesday.

She told the crowd: 'This is outrageous. It's a grave injustice. We are now calling on the administration to do right by borrowers and to fire MOHELA.

'The stories are heartbreaking, infuriating and have become far too common. These stories are not just statistics, these are lived experiences of our family members and our friends.

'MOHELA has evaded accountability while recklessly expanding its portfolio of borrowers.'

Congressman Greg Casar criticized that the servicer's management of the PSLF program.

'That isn't the way we respect our teachers, our public defenders, our public servants, and our young people,' he said.

Senator Ed Markey also called for MOHELA to be axed. He said he had heard from borrowers who had been hassled by debt collectors for loans they had already paid off and borrowers who were facing the anxiety of deciding between paying rent or paying loans - only to find out they had been billed incorrectly by the servicer.

Thomas Gokey, organizer and co-founder at Debt Collective, told the crowd how he had been kept on hold for nine hours by the servicer to try and get answers about his loans.

He criticized the Biden administration for 'forgiving MOHELA instead of canceling debt.'

'Joe Biden restarted our student loan payments  he didn't have to do that but he did  and now he's going around claiming that he has 'fixed' the student lending system,' he said.

'The truth is the student loan system has never been more broken than it is now and MOHELA is the primary reason.'

It comes as a former employee alleged all call center workers at MOHELA were told to keep concerned customers on hold for at least 15 minutes before they could transfer them to a supervisor.

The anonymous worker, who is in their late twenties and lives in Kentucky, said they were subcontracted out to work for the MOHELA call center from an agency.

'Representatives are given very minimal and spotty training and expected to be able to effectively work under high pressure,' they told DailyMail.com. 'There was no individual training.'

Often the queries from borrowers were complex but call center agents were instructed to handle everything in one call without transferring escalating the call if possible, they alleged.

Frustrated campaigners on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to hold the company 'accountable' (Pictured: President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona)

Thomas Gokey, organizer and co-founder at Debt Collective, showed the crowd a screengrab of how he was kept on hold for nine hours to try and get answers about his loans

Senator Ed Markey joined the call to 'fire MOHELA' at Wednesday's event in Washington DC

'We're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars for some of these people, and the majority of that being in interest that they don't know where it came from. And we can't tell them because we don't know either,' they said.

'Seeing what I saw from the inside, I would have to say there's a lot of incompetency higher up the chain at MOHELA and also at the Department of Education.'

Call center representatives go through an extensive training process and receive support to respond to customer inquiries, a MOHELA spokesperson said in a statement.

'Claims of a company policy that require a representative to put someone on hold for 15 minutes are false,' they added.
Buffalo Wild Wings has announced an all-you-can-eat wings deal - while also poking fun at Red Lobster.

The Atlanta-based chain announced a new promotion on a social media post, which also appeared to take a shot at Red Lobster which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month.

Buffalo Wild Wings, with 1,300 outlets, posted a photo announcing all-you-can-eat boneless wings and fries to dine-in customers on Mondays and Wednesdays - for $19.99.

The caption read: 'Pls don't bankrupt us'.

The seafood chain offered a similar $20 endless shrimp promotion, which bosses have now blamed for its mounting losses.

The Atlanta-based chain announced a new promotion on a social media post, which also appeared to take a shot at Red Lobster

Posting the deal poster above on Instagram, it added a cheeky comment

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy earlier this month - after last week announcing it was shuttering almost 100 restaurants in 27 states.

The company has blamed the endless shrimp deal, which had been a once a year fixture until it was made permanent in 2023.

While the promotion drew more customers to restaurants, it resulted in millions of dollars in losses because it was simply too cheap.

Seafood lovers devouring plates of shrimps was the key reason that Red Lobster's majority owner Thai Union lost $11 million in just three months after the deal was made a permanent fixture in June 2023.

Ludovic Garnier, chief financial officer at Thai Union, said: 'We knew the price was cheap, but the idea was to bring more traffic in the restaurants.'

'So we wanted to boost our traffic, and it didn't work.'

The seafood restaurant chain said in a court filing late Sunday that it has more than 100,000 creditors and estimated assets between $1 billion and $10 billion.

The bankruptcy petition is signed by CEO Jonathan Tibus, a corporate restructuring specialist who took the top post at Red Lobster in March.

Buffalo Wild Wings announced an all-you-can-eat wings deal - while also poking fun at Red Lobster

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy earlier this month - after last week announcing it was shuttering almost 100 restaurants in 27 states

Buffalo Wild Wings is taking precautions with its all-you-can-eat offering to avoid falling into the same trap.

According to the company's social media post, the offer is limited to one person per order and cannot be shared.

Tax, fees and service will also be an extra charge on top, it said, and the promotion is not available with other offers. It runs until July 10.

Leftovers also may not be taken home 'to go', Buffalo Wild Wings said.
There will be seven on the starting line. The presidential election on June 29 in Mauritania will pit the outgoing head of state, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and six other men, according to the final list of candidates published Monday May 20 by the Constitutional Council. Mr. Ghazouani, 67, at the head since 2019 of this vast country of around 4.5 million inhabitants at the crossroads between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, is the favorite for a second term.

The Constitutional Council did not accept the candidacy of its predecessor, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who had fallen into disgrace under Mr. Ghazouani, who had been one of his most faithful companions in the past and whose election he had prepared in the presidency following him in 2019. Mr. Aziz is now imprisoned. He was sentenced in December 2023 to five years in prison for illicit enrichment. He denies having abused his power to amass a fortune and has always called it a conspiracy.

No jihadist attacks since 2011

Justice had, against all expectations, authorized Mr. Aziz to leave prison to submit his candidacy to the Constitutional Council last week. But the Council immediately declared the file inadmissible for technical reasons, including the insufficiency of the required sponsorships, said a source close to the body.

Other candidates include the leader of the opposition Islamist Tewassoul party, Hamadi Ould SidEl Moctar, and human rights activist Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, runner-up in the 2019 presidential election. Mauritania has experienced a succession of coups. State from 1978 to 2008, before the 2019 election marked the first transition between two elected presidents. While jihadism spread elsewhere in the Sahel, the country has not seen an attack since 2011.
Jai Bhagwan Goyal, chairman of the Global Vaishya Federation, senior BJP leader, and International executive president of the United Hindu Front, strongly raised the long-standing demand for social security by traders and professionals at a seminar held today at Constitutional Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

He emphasised that those who fill the nation's coffers have never received due attention from the government. Although the issue of their social security has been discussed, no concrete measures have been implemented by the Government.

The Global Vaishya Federation organised this special seminar to bring this demand to the government's notice. Traders, Chartered Accountants (CAs), and other professionals attended the seminar.
India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) on Tuesday said the revamping of the built-operate-transfer (BOT) model is a tactical move to attract private capex, which is estimated to surpass Rs 1 trillion by 2030, as per the government.

According to the rating agency, during the past seven years, the government has successfully rolled out about 400 Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) road projects in India, worth over Rs 4 trillion.

This approach has balanced risk appropriately between private and public partners, thereby boosting public-private partnership activity in the sector.

Also, the governments enhanced focus on monetisation via the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) has attracted foreign investors, including various sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, it added.

Ind-Ra asserted that developers need to be mindful of aggressive bidding, taking projects beyond the appetite of their balance sheet, and overestimating toll revenue for greenfield projects to protect them from volatilities in the longer run.

The road sector in India has been at the forefront of performance and innovation and has played a crucial role in shaping the countrys economic growth trajectory, with a CAGR of about 14 per cent over the past decade, it said.
The ultimate battleground is UP, where Yogi Adityanaths unwavering leadership is crucial in the BJPs fight to maintain its stronghold

Another 10 days to go and the two-month-long election process would be over. These elections would be remembered for the spearhead of the ruling party, Narendra Modi and of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi battling the heat and dust of the famed Indian summer to spur their cadres to give the best performance.

In the national media, whats being discussed is the punishing schedule of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda trying to match him with almost equal vigour. From the opposition side, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has ensured to create the perspective that the campaign just did not rest on the shoulders of the Gandhi family.

In any war, there always is a clinching battle that decides who won and who lost. In World War II, the Battle for Berlin proved to be the most crucial. Its the image of the Soviet soldiers putting the flag of the USSR on the Reichstag in Berlin in May 1945 which marked the defeat of Germany under Adolf Hitler.

Similarly, the general elections of 2024 will always be remembered and will be decided on who wins the battle of Uttar Pradesh. With 80 seats, Uttar Pradesh is the citadel of the BJP monolith, which has a dominant presence in the Hindi heartland States of Bihar, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Unlike MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, in Uttar Pradesh the BJP is not in a direct contest with the Congress but a strong regional outfit  Samajwadi Party. UP also cannot be compared to Bihar, where its fighting another strong regional party  the Rashtriya Janata Dal but in the companionship of another strong regional outfit  the Janata Dal (United).

Thus in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is completely on its own with nowhere else to look forward to but its cadres and leaders. Here the role of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath becomes crucial. The Mahanth of the Goraknath Math has been in campaign mode ever since he retained power with a thumping majority in 2022.

He first delivered the Ram temple at Ayodhya. The consecration of the idol at Ramlalla temple in January this year has been the biggest-ever achievement of the right-wing schema in the country. This would not have been possible but for the determined, firm and passionate execution of the construction plan by the Uttar Pradesh Government of not just the temple complex but the whole of the city of Ayodhya.

The second has been to galvanise the cadres and keep them functioning for a full two months to ensure that the rivals are stopped and checked in their determined assault. He started the polls campaign with the Prabudh Jan Sammelan on March 27 and would continue it till May-end the last phase of polling.

Prime Minister Modis campaign has been faulted several times and has also caused concern among his supporters for allowing the achievements of the past ten years to be pushed to the background in pursuing a very polarising agenda. The campaign has not aligned with Modis espousal of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas (Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth, Everyones Trust) slogan, which encapsulates an inclusive approach aimed at fostering economic growth and social cohesion.

Prime Ministers initiatives, such as Make in India, Digital India and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), which underscore his commitment to modernising Indias economy and infrastructure, have seldom found space in his speeches. This has somewhere allowed the opposition to attack the Government. On the other hand, Yogi Adityanath, who in the past seven years has combined his vision with a strong emphasis on law and order and cultural nationalism (Hindutva), has continued to keep his campaign on the same track. His leadership in Uttar Pradesh is characterised by a drive to restore cultural heritage and end minority appeasement, as seen in initiatives like the grand celebration of Diwali in Ayodhya and the renaming of places to reflect their historical Hindu significance.

The lynchpin of his governance has been the emphasis on strict law enforcement, aiming to improve safety and reduce crime, which resonates even with many of his non-Hindu constituents. His determined perusal of anti-crime drives has found a fan following that goes beyond the traditional Hindutva admirers.

Coming back to the battle of Uttar Pradesh, it would take the collective strength of the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Uttar Pradesh chief minister to make the BJP bandwagon have a safe journey to the national Capital. Modi and Yogi are both distinct personalities and both have significantly impacted Indian politics and governance, albeit in different ways. On June 4, in the event of the BJP unfurling its flag, the contributions of the Uttar Pradesh chief minister would as much be accounted for as that of the Prime Minister.

(The writer is the author and president of The Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice; views expressed are personal)
Actor Manisha Koirala met UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at his residence to celebrate 100 years of United Kingdom-Nepal's friendship treaty.

The "Heeramandi" star took to her Instagram to share a series of photographs from the celebrations at Sunak's official residence 10 Downing Street in London.

"It was an honour to be invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate United Kingdom - Nepal relations and 100 years of our friendship treaty. It was such a pleasure to hear the Prime Minister @rishisunakmp speak fondly of our country Nepal.

"I took the liberty of inviting the PM and his family to come trek to Everest Base Camp," the Nepal-born actor posted.

Koirala, 53, also said that it was surprising that many people at the event had watched her OTT series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar".

"Can you believe that most of the attendees had seen 'Heeramandi' on Netflix and loved it? I was thrilled!!" the actor wrote.
With only two phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections remaining, the Election Commission has now upped the ante against political parties particularly the BJP and the Congress asking them to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language, and religious lines, asserting that India' socio-cultural milieu cannot be made a casualty to elections.

The two phases will see polls on 115 seats including in Delhi on Saturday. The Election Commission on Wednesday in a stern warning to both the BJP and the Congress, the EC has also directed them to issue a formal notice to its "star campaigners" disallowing them from making statements that "divide the society" and may cause tension between different castes and communities.

The EC had last month issued notices to JP Nadda on Opposition charges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan's Banswara. A similar notice had been issued to Mallikarjun Kharge, too, based on the complaints filed by the BJP against him and the main Opposition party's senior leader Rahul Gandhi regarding their remarks. The commission rejected the defence by Nadda and Kharge and asked them to instruct their parties' star campaigners to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language, and religious lines.

The EC also asked the Congress not to politicise defence forces and make potentially divisive statements regarding socio-economic composition of the armed forces.

The EC had broken from norms when it issued notices to the BJP and Congress presidents on April 25 on complaints against Modi by the Opposition and against Rahul and Kharge by the ruling party. While the EC did not name Modi or Rahul, it asked Nadda and Kharge for their "comments" on the "star campaigners" alleged MCC violations.

"Elections are periodic exercises, they come and go, but political parties like yours endure; even more enduring preserve is India's socio-cultural milieu; political parties are in the task of nurturing leaders for the country for present and future," the commission said.

It also asked the Congress to ensure that its star campaigners and candidates do not make statements which give false impression that the Constitution may be abolished or sold. The EC asked the presidents of the two national parties to issue formal notes to their star campaigners to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum.

Referring to their respective replies to the notices issued to them on April 25, the election authority said "technical loopholes or extreme interpretations of other political party's utterances" cannot discharge the parties and their campaigners from the core responsibility of their own content which ought to be corrective to the ongoing discourse "and not further plummeting the quality of campaign discourse".

It reminded the two parties of provisions of the model code which state that no party or candidate will include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

In his reply to the notice, Nadda had maintained that the statements of BJP's star campaigners rely on facts to expose the "mal intent" of the Congress to the nation. He had also told the EC that the Congress and the INDIA Bloc, in pursuance of vote-bank politics, have begun opposing India as a nation, its identity, its original Hindu religion.

The poll body rejected Nadda's defence describing it as "not-tenable" and asked him and his party's star campaigners to desist from campaigning on religious and communal lines. It also asked the BJP to stop campaign speeches that may divide society. "The commission expects BJP, as the ruling party at the Centre, to fully align the campaign methods to the practical aspects of the composite and sensitive fabric of India."
Riding high on the electoral sympathy after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seems to have lost its advantages after the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal in the run up for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi.

The Maliwal incident has dented Kejriwal's image badly, who is facing corruption charges in the excise policy scam case, which is visible in the party's campaign. The saffron party seems to have an upper hand in all seven seats as this has not gone well among the women voters.

Top BJP leaders are confident to repeat the 2019 results. The BJP, which is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma and corruption free administration in his 10 years rule, has now focussed its strategy, utilising the alleged assault on Maliwal, to portray its top leadership, including Kejriwal, as responsible  first through "silence", acceptance, and then a "direct attack" on Maliwal  for "denigration" and "assault" of their own women colleagues.

On the other hand, Kejriwal who has maintained radio silence, seems to be on back foot, hurting the party's electoral prospects. The BJP's campaign strategy to counter the INDIA Bloc in Delhi has been to target the AAP more than the Congress.

Besides, the BJP has consistently raked up corruption allegations against the AAP, including the now-scrapped excise policy and 10 other alleged scams. AAP hopes Kejriwal's arrest will generate sympathy for the party in the general elections and help it win maximum seats in Delhi and Punjab.

The BJP hopes that Kejriwal's arrest has dented his image and the image of a party with a difference (AAP), and it would not get any sympathy votes in Delhi. BJP leaders in Delhi, however, are confident of retaining all the seven seats the party has held since 2014.

According to political pundits, the election is being contested between two personalities -Modi and Kejriwal in Delhi. This is for the first time that an election is being fought without any issues. Interestingly, there is no anti-incumbency factor against the Modi Government at the Centre. The BJP has crafted its electoral campaign well planned to corner the Kejriwal Government.

The BJP has also sought to balance the caste factor in announcing its candidates -- fielding Harsh Malhotra a Punjabi from East Delhi against AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar. Baniya leader Praveen Khandelwal from Chandni Chowk against Congress veteran Jai Prakash Aggarwal, MLA and Gujjar leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from South Delhi and AAP candidate Sahiram Pehalwan, Jat leader Kamaljeet Sehrawat from West Delhi against AAP leader and former Congress MP Mahabal Mishra and Dalit leader Yogendra Chandolia from the reserved North West Delhi seat against Congress leader Udit Raj.

It has retained sitting MP Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi where Congress has fielded former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar.

Aggarwal and Mishra have posed some challenges to BJP candidates while Kumar is facing a financial crunch to run the campaign. Kumar is collecting money through crowdfunding. The alliance of AAP and Congress, which are fighting jointly in Delhi, also seems to have not worked.

Insiders said AAP supporters do not want to revive the Congress. Similarly, Congress supporters are also against the AAP.

Besides, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has also fielded seven candidates here with an aim for a stronger showing. In the early 2000s, the BSP emerged as a significant competitor to Delhi's established political parties. However, it gradually lost its support and voter share to the AAP and onwards. Despite this setback, the BSP's resilience and determination remained steadfast.

The party has this time given a ticket to former Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, who resigned from Government and AAP in April, from New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. In East Delhi, it has fielded Md Waqar Choudhary who earlier claimed to have campaigned for AAP.

The BSP has given tickets to Muslim candidates on two more seats - Abul Kalam Azad, a lawyer, in Chandni Chowk and Abdul Basit in South Delhi.

The other candidates include Vishakha, the lone woman in the BSP's line up, from West Delhi, Vijay Bauddh from the reserved constituency of North West Delhi and Ashok Kumar in North East Delhi.

The party sent 17 Councillors to MCD in 2007, 15 in 2012 and three in 2017. It, however, failed to open the account in 2022.

Delhi has witnessed split voting in the past 10 years, voters backing the BJP overwhelmingly in national elections and the AAP in Assembly Elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP again swept Delhi, winning all seven seats. The AAP's vote share fell to 18 per cent, while the BJP's improved to 57 per cent.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP had secured 56.5 per cent of the polled votes in the national Capital, the Congress 22 per cent, and the AAP 18.1 per cent. In the 2020 Vidhan Sabha elections, the AAP again won 62 of the 70 seats, its vote share jumping to 54 per cent, while the BJP's declining to 39 per cent.
Naor Gilon, the Ambassador of Israel to India, while celebrating National Day of Israel in India said both the Government and the people of India stood on the side of Israel since October 7. Gilon thanked the Government of India and the people for standing with the Jewish nation in its hour of crisis. "From October 7, both the Government and the people of India stood on the side of Israel. And this we will never forget. The amount of support we get here is nothing short of amazing. It's a testimony of the extraordinary relations between the Indian and the Jewish people," said the Israeli Ambassador.

Ambassador also paid tributes to two Keralites who risked lives to save aged couple during the attack by Hamas on October 7. "I take this occasion to salute the heroism of people of Indian descent: Meera and Sabitha, caregivers from Kerala, who saved an elderly couple during the terror attack; and Romi (6), an Israeli child of Indian descent, whose parents were murdered in front of her, tried to protect her little sister  Lia (3) during the attack. They have shown extraordinary courage and a strong spirit, inspiring the entire nation of Israel," said Gilon.

The 76th anniversary of Israel was observed on Tuesday at New Delhi with a call to the Hamas to release the 128 citizens of Israel who were taken hostage by the Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel's National Day was organised by the Embassy of Israel in India with Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the foreign secretary of India, gracing the occasion as chief guest. Despite the deep wounds inflicted by the Hamas terrorists on Israeli people, the Ambassador paid glowing tributes to the two caregivers from Kerala who saved an aged couple from the jaws of death.

He stated that this Independence Day was complicated and painful. "But our resolve is strong. While we mark this Independence Day, our thoughts are with the 128 loved ones who are still held captive. Their immediate release remains our sincere hope and ongoing mission.

Speaking at the event, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, "We join the people of Israel to celebrate this momentous occasion. It is deeply inspiring that the extraordinary journey of a nation that has not only survived and thrived against all odds, but also transformed itself into a flourishing landscape of innovation, advancement, and growth.

Over the years, our partnership has grown exponentially and is marked by mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration across various sectors."

"The terror attacks on October 7 have left us all shaken. India itself is a victim of cross-border terrorism and has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There can be no justifications for acts of terror. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the hostages and innocent lives lost in these heinous acts," he added.

The national anthems of India and Israel were played along with a special video message by the Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. Elsewhere in Kerala, the Christian Alliance and Action for Social Action reiterated its commitment to Israel in fighting the terrorists attacking the Jewish State. "Our hearts are with the people of Israel. We pray for the safe return of the 128 hostages at the earliest," said Kevin Peter, CASA's president.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launching a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc for destroying the Hindu Shakti, said with confidence that after June 4, India would emerge as a mahashakti with the support of matrishakti (women).

He was addressing the Nari Shakti Samvad programme at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University here on Tuesday evening. The programme was attended by thousands of women from different sections of society apart from Bharatiya Janata Party workers.

Visiting his parliamentary constituency for the second time within a week, Mofi, who is seeking his third consecutive win from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, also attacked the rivals for skyrocketing prices of essential commodities saying, During the time of Congress a film song Mehangai dayan khay jaat hai was very popular and if the same government continued, the price rise would be two to three times more than it was today. He said that he continued to work to check the price rise and help the people to increase their savings.

Modi said that by providing free ration, the government had helped the poor to save Rs 12,000 per year and the scheme would continue for another five years, if the BJP comes to power again.

He also highlighted several other schemes, including Ujjwala, PMMVY (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana), Ayushman etc, and the promises given by the BJP in its Sankalp Patra (manifesto).

Wooing the women, Modi termed INDI Alliance as anti-women and recalled the law and order situations in UP and Bihar before the BJP came to the power. The girls feared to come out and attend their colleges as crimes against the women were at their peak and the most shocking aspect of the same was that the ruling party leaders had safeguarded the criminals, he said, praising the Yogi Adityanath government for teaching a lesson to such elements.

The prime minister asked the women workers to tell the people the story of success of the last 10 years. Making them emotional, he said that it was the first time when he could not seek the blessings from his mother before filing nomination papers so he said that Maa Ganga had now adopted him.

Welcoming the prime minister, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Modi government had increased the respect of half the population by giving them a place in his agenda in the last 10 years.

The four castes he (Modi) discussed in the country. They include the poor, food providers, youth and women. After the year 2014, various campaigns, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Matri Vandan and others, have been launched in the country, Yogi said, adding that not only this, the Modi government has given an opportunity to half the population to be represented in the legislature of the country by passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in the new Parliament.

On the occasion, Union minister and BJP candidate from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Machhlishahr MP and candidate BP Saroj, Rajya Sabha member and Uttar Pradesh Mahila Morcha president Geeta Shakya, Archana Mishra and Meena Choubey and others were also present on the dais.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who was allegedly assaulted by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar, claimed on Wednesday that the party was putting pressure on everyone to leak her personal photos and do fake sting operations. She said that she got a call from a senior leader of the party on Tuesday. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, they have to break her by leaking her personal photos, she said.

Maliwal on Wednesday claimed that there is a conspiracy within the Aam Aadmi Party to malign her by leaking her personal photos. In a post on X, Maliwal, who has accused Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals personal secretary Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her, alleged that AAP leaders are under immense pressure to speak ill of her.

She stated, Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of doing PC and someone else has been given the duty of tweeting.

Maliwal further claimed that party members have been assigned various tasks to undermine her, such as contacting volunteers in America to gather information against her and preparing fake sting operations through beat reporters close to the accused.

Without naming anyone specifically, Maliwal alleged that a woman minister of Delhi was maligning her character. I am not angry with them, the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I dont even expect anything from anyone. I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party, she said.

I have started a fight for my self-respect, I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight but I will not give up, she added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has brought back Bibhav Kumar from Mumbai, where he had been taken for data discovery from his iPhone. Kumar is currently in a five-day police custody in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal at the Delhi CMs residence. His phones, laptop, and CCTV recordings from Kejriwals house have been sent for forensic examination.
AIIMS Bhopal and National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore will now work together for the rehabilitation of mental patients. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed at AIIMS Bhopal. On this occasion, Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS Bhopal said that we usually do not even discuss mental health.

He said that we do treat mental patients but do not pay attention to their rehabilitation after that. Today the biggest need is that we have to increase professional skills in them so that they can lead a respectable life in the society. For this, the patient and his family members will also have to be explained that mental illness can also be cured like any other diseases. Earlier, Professor Vijendra Singh, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Bhopal said that after treatment, the patient needs the most care. In which rehabilitation has an important role and such patients will not only be advised by the NIMHR but they will also be made capable by giving them training during rehabilitation.
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday claimed that BJP is winning all seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi. Addressing the media here he said that the party has completed several development works worth 54 thousand crore rupees in the last 10 year in the national capital.

Slamming the Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi Government for apathy towards its citizens, he said that Aam Aadmi Party did not implement central flagships like Ayushman Bharat scheme and Pradhan Mantri Awash Yojana in Delhi but the Chief Minister had built luxurious houses for himself.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital, he enlisted the details of the projects approved by the Centre in the last one decade. He said that Rs 16.188.29 crores have been approved for DDA/MCD/UDF projects, Rs 31,436.74 crores for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) during 2014-2024 and Rs 6,422 crores allotted through MoHUA missions. for the national capital

Constituency-wise, Puri said, North West Delhi had received Rs 7560.36 crore for 44 projects of DDA/MCD/UDF, New Delhi (Rs 1,144.86 crore) for 51 projects, South Delhi (Rs 1,832.60 crore) for 111 projects, Chandni Chowk (Rs 271.93 crore) for 18 projects, North East Delhi (Rs 89.98 crore) for 11 projects, East Delhi constituency (Rs 3,039.48 crore) for 32 projects, West Delhi (Rs 2,232.48 crore) for 332 projects.
BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo taunted the INDIA bloc leaders alleging that INDIA bloc leaders are shedding crocodile tears in the name of protecting the Constitution, but the reality is that people of this bloc have insulted the Constitution the greatest number of times.

Pratul said that the first amendment to the Constitution was done by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951 when he was the Prime Minister of the interim government. Many restrictions were imposed on freedom of expression. Pratul said that in 1975, when Indira Gandhi lost the case in the Rajnarayan case, she suspended the entire Constitution and imposed emergency in the country. People's fundamental rights were snatched away. In the name of population control, forceful sterilization started. In 1976, Indira Gandhi made the biggest change in the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment, in which 20% of the Constitution was changed. The powers of the State Government, Supreme Court, High Court were reduced and given to the PMO. The Supreme Court in the Minerva case, Its controversial provisions were repealed in the Union of India case.

Pratul said that after that, in 1986, Rajiv Gandhi changed the decision of the Supreme Court in Shah Bano case just for Muslim appeasement and went against the basic spirit of the Constitution and got the decision of the court overturned. Apart from this, freedom of the press is mentioned in the Constitution. But Rajiv Gandhi had tried to curb the press by bringing in a defamation MLA in 1988. Pratul said that Rahul Gandhi had insulted the country's Constitution in 2013 by publicly tearing the ordinance passed by the Cabinet of Parliament, born from the womb of the Constitution. Pratul said that Congress and its allies do not have faith in the Constitution of the country.

Pratul said that the central government crossed all limits of minority appeasement even during the UPA regime. Pratul said that it is clearly mentioned in the UPA government's outcome budget of 2013-14 that 15% of the budget amount will be used in different schemes for minorities.

He said that on the contrary, the basic mantra of Modi government is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. For Congress, minority means only Muslims. Because if Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians were also in their minority list, then they would not have opposed CAA.

Pratul said that today Congress is in alliance with CPM directly and indirectly in the entire country. Which has promised to remove Article 370 in its manifesto. Apart from this, CPM has played with the sovereignty of India by talking about CAA, ED and ending the stockpile of nuclear weapons. Pratul said that Congress has made efforts to implement its hidden agenda through its allies. No Congress leader has condemned this announcement of CPM. Tariq Imran was also present in today's press conference.
Indian National Congress Spokesperson and Star Campaigner, Sadhvi Sadhna Bharti said that Lord Ram resides in every particle. There is no one in this entire universe who can bring Lord Ram. There is a strange situation in the country. People are roaming around with contracts to bring Lord Ram to themselves. Everyone has contributed to the Ram Mandir movement, including tribals, Dalits and backward people, she added.

Bharti said this during a press meet held at the party headquarter in the State Capital on Tuesday.

Bharti said that after all, why were the leading leaders of the Ram Mandir movement, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Advani and even Indias tribal woman President kept away. Why would we go to the temple program on his invitation, or would we go to get photographs taken with him? The job of these people is to chant Ram-Ram and take someone else's property as their own. These people did the work of donating donations and doing business in 10 years, she added.

The party Spokesperson also said, Do we need anyone's certificate to be Hindu and Ram devotee? Ram temple has been built, we can go anytime. Our leader MLA also went. Ram temple is not owned by anyone. As soon as elections come, all arrangements are made in BJP to make religion a business. To lick the scratches of power, many mongooses in BJP also have relations with snakes. BJP is not Ramwadi, but Ravanwadi. Not Krishnawadi, it is Kanswadi. Sanjay Nishad, who was involved in BJP's thugbandhan, had said that Lord Ram is not the son of Dashrath, Sanjay-Nishad expressed doubt on the existence of Mata Kaushalya, yet BJP made Sanjay Nishad a member of the Yogi cabinet. Till date Sanjay Nishad has not been removed from the post of minister. BJP leader Naresh Aggarwal compared Lord Ram with rum and Mother Sita with liquor in Rajya Sabha. Still BJP sent Naresh Aggarwal to Rajya Sabha. His son was included in the Yogi cabinet.

Bharti said that BJP is neither Ramist, nor Krishnaist, nor religious. BJP is only a note seeker. There is only one work of BJP, give donations and take business, chant Ram-Ram, someone else's property is yours. Therefore, BJP people, run away now, otherwise the public will beat you, she added.

Rakesh Sinha, Kamal Thakur, Abha Sinha, Neetu Devi, AAP's Saurabh Srivastava and others were present on this occasion.
A group of 177 Haj pilgrims from Bhopal left for Jeddah on Tuesday morning. A direct flight took off from Bhopal to Jeddah. All Haj pilgrims were sent off with rose flowers. Another batch of Haj pilgrims will also leave on Wednesday morning to Jeddah.

A total of 380 passengers will leave in two days. On the first day, Tuesday, at 5:30 am, the flight left for Jeddah carrying 177 passengers. Before leaving, Haj pilgrims were welcomed at Raja Bhoj Airport.

Haj Committee Chairman Rauf Warsi and other officials gave rose flowers to everyone and bid farewell.

President Warsi said, flights will fly from Bhopal on May 22 also. About 7 thousand Haj pilgrims from the state are departing from Mumbai airport from May 21. This sequence will continue till June 9.

Most of the Haj pilgrims are from Bhopal. Some are from outside, who reached Haj House on Monday evening itself. All Haj pilgrims reached the airport at 2.30 pm. Arrangements for seating arrangements, coolers, mobile toilets, parking, drinking water etc. have been made in the Haj House for the pilgrims and their accompanying family members.

Along with doctors and paramedical team 24 hours at the airport, a special team of doctors and doctors are deployed to secure beds in Hamidia Hospital in case of emergency. Along with this, ORS packets were also distributed in view of the heat in the Haj House.
he Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned by a day the hearing of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's plea challenging a high court order refusing him bail. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief was arrested in January on charges of money laundering.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said it will hear the plea on May 22 after hearing the case for an hour.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren cited the case of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and asked the court to release the JMM leader him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

The adjournment was sought by Soren's lawyer senior advocate Kapil Sibal after the court questioned him on how he could have challenged the constitutional validity of his arrest while the special court had already taken cognisance of the offence.

The court also asked if the arrest could be challenged after the special court rejected Soren's bail plea.

Sibal argued that the case was about 8.86 acre of tribal land which couldnt be transferred. Soren is accused of forcibly occupying the land in 2009-10 but the action against him was taken in 2023. The issue was a civil dispute over a piece of land and Soren did not have anything to do with the case, Sibal said. The ED concluded Soren's involvement merely by relying on some statements, he said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed Sorens bail plea on May 20. In its affidavit, the ED argued that evidence establishes Soren's involvement in the illegal acquisition and possession of properties.

Contending that a politician can claim no special status higher than that of an ordinary citizen, the ED told the apex court that if Soren is granted interim bail for poll campaigning, then all incarcerated politicians would seek a similar treatment claiming that they are a "class of their own".

Emphasising that elections are all-year-round phenomena in the country, the probe agency said no politician can be arrested and kept in judicial custody if Soren's prayer for grant of "special treatment" is acceded to.

In a counter-affidavit filed in Soren's plea against his arrest and seeking interim bail for electioneering, the ED said, "Therefore, there is an active attempt on the part of the petitioner (Soren) to subvert the investigation by misusing state machinery and to project the proceeds of crime as untainted through his stooges." It added the materials on record establish that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader is involved in the acquisition/possession of properties, which are proceeds of crime, illegally.

"Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) alone, presently, there are many politicians who are in judicial custody and their cases are examined by competent courts upholding their custody, the ED counsel had pleaded.
Congress on Tuesday claimed that the National Democratic Alliance would witness the worst ever defeat in this election and the INDIA bloc would get an absolute majority and form a government.

Addressing a rally in Siddharth Nagar, the city of Buddha, Congress national general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande said that this land, which was witness to Siddharthas childhood pastimes and youthful games, was most dear to him.

Our ancestors of this city rejected religious ostentation and traditions that institutionalised prohibition, control, contempt and insult on the lives of Dalits and backward people. In its place, Buddhas message of social equality, non-violence and compassion was adopted. Tathagata is a world man born on the land of India, whose flag is still flying from Sinhala to Siberia i.e. Sri Lanka, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Tibet, China, Japan. But if his legacy is registered in the name of any part, then it is Siddharthnagar, he said.

Standing from this sacred land, I can say on the basis of this legacy that we will achieve a decisive victory in the war against the culture of hatred sponsored by the Bharatiya Janata Party. This city of Tathagata will work to put the last nail on the coffin of the forces of hatred by giving victory to the candidate of INDIA bloc, Pande said, adding that the message of love, compassion and affection of Mahatma Buddha will be re-established in the state and country.

Pande said that the election of 2024 was against the culture of hatred at the ideological level and the message of peace and tranquility of Tathagata, Kabir, Nanak, Gandhi, Baba Saheb. There is a war in which we will be successful only by following the path of Tathagata, he said.

The Congress leader added that if the BJP government thinks that by locking the freedom of expression, by keeping the constitutional institutions in chains and by putting the opposition leaders in jail, the Constitution of India will end then they are not correct.

The Constitution of India is present in the hearts of the people of this country and in their dreams. Baba Sahebs legacy is not a paper document, it is a dream of Dalits, backward classes, minorities, half of the population, and instills confidence in them to be free from inequality, slavery and discrimination of any kind. It is impossible to erase that dream during the tenure of Rahul Gandhi, he said.

The Congress UP in-charge said that today the Constitution was in danger, reservation was in danger, the resources of our country were also in danger. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modis 21 capitalist friends had accumulated wealth equal to the wealth of 50 per cent of the countrys population. Eighty crore people are standing in line for a 5-kg ration. The countrys food provider is in distress. The promise of doubling the income of farmers by 2022 has proved to be a mere phrase. Indias farmers, who live on a daily income of Rs 27, have a debt of Rs 16,80,000 crore. Instead of waiving the loan of distressed annadatas, the Modi government is waiving the loans of its corporate friends. The youth are troubled by unemployment. Instead of filling the 30 lakh vacant government posts, outsourcing and contract culture is taking hold. Now the phrase of providing two crore jobs is not repeated by the prime minister even by mistake, he said.

The Congress leader added that schemes like Agniveer have also posed a threat to the countrys defence. The identity of our sisters and mothers is in danger because the BJP has been giving political protection to many leaders like Prajwal Revanna, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Chinmayanand, Kuldeep Sengar, he said. He added: This government is silencing the voice of dissent from the House to the streets. The public has been intimidated by the government machinery. In such an environment, Rahul Gandhi appeared before the country as a ray of hope. Through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he went among the marginalised communities in all the areas of the country and instilled confidence in them and questioned the Modi government for its wrong doings.

On the basis of his personal experience, the Congress in-charge said that after completing a series of coordination meetings on 77 Lok Sabha seats, he could say with confidence that like the entire country, there was a wave of change in Uttar Pradesh too. When the results come on June 4, the BJP will have to face its worst defeat in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He appealed to make INDIA bloc candidate Kushal Tiwari victorious with huge votes. Besides Pandey, Congress national secretary Satyanarayan Patel, Ganesh Pandey, chief election manager of Samajwadi Party candidate Kushal Tiwari from Dumariyaganj Lok Sabha seat, all the office-bearers and former MLAs of the district unit of Congress and Samajwadi Party were present on the stage.
The BJP on Tuesday rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals statement that only 500 people attended Home Minister Amit Shahs rally here on Monday and said Kejriwal is a master of lies.

Lambasting the AAP convener, BJPs South Delhi candidate Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said Kejriwal is as usual spreading lies. Bidhuri said that there were more than 50,000 people present at Amit Shah's rally in Sangam Vihar, South Delhi, but Kejriwal, as usual, is trying to mislead the public by lying. Actually Kejriwal was shocked to see the people at Shahs rally. AAP convener had never expected such crowds in the extreme heat temperature. His own protest went flopped at ITO, he said.

Claiming that Kejriwals statement is completely baseless and false, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to come and watch the recording of yesterday's rally of Mr. Amit Shah to find out whether there were 500 people or 25,000.

Showing photographs of the rally, state BJP chief said Kejriwal is claiming that only 500 people attended the event when in fact thousands were present. He needs to change his political spectacles because there was indecent behavior with Swati Maliwal, a woman MP, in his house, but he neither showed her nor has he said anything about it so far.

The Delhi BJP President said the Aam Aadmi Party receives funding from abroad, and those who talk about breaking the countryside and stand with separatist elements of the country take political donations from them. Should we call those who join hands with the enemies of the country and take money from them patriots?

Sachdeva said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the 140 crore people of the country his heirs, while on the other hand, there is Kejriwal, who has already chosen the path of jail in the scams done for himself.
nAAP convener and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of referring to the people of Delhi as Pakistanis and asserted that they are his family and should not be abused.

Addressing a virtual press conference, Kejriwal said with the completion of each phase of the Lok Sabha polls, it is becoming clearer that the Narendra Modi government is on its way out and the INDIA bloc is coming to power on June 4. He said the INDIA bloc will give a stable government to the country.

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath addressed public meetings in South Delhi and East Delhi parliamentary constituencies respectively. Kejriwal alleged the number of people who attended Amit Shah rally was less than 500.

He said the supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are Pakistanis. I want to ask him that the people of Delhi have formed the government by giving us 62 seats (and) 56 per cent vote share. Are the people of Delhi Pakistanis. The people of Punjab have formed the government by giving us 92 out of 117 seats. Are the people of Punjab Pakistanis? The people of Gujarat gave us 14 per cent votes. Are the people of Gujarat also Pakistanis? The people of Goa gave us love (and) trust. Are the people of Goa also Pakistanis. Kejriwal questioned. He also said the AAP panch, sarpanch, municipal mayors and councillors were elected in many parts of the country in the panchayat and municipal elections. Are all the people of this country Pakistanis? What are you saying, said the Delhi chief minister. Kejriwals reaction came in response to a statement made by Shah during his rally a day earlier while seeking votes for his party candidate in the South Delhi constituency, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Kejriwal and Rahul (Gandhi) have no support in India. Their supporters are in Pakistan; the home minister had said.Addressing the media, he said, Today I want to tell you three things. Firstly, as the fifth phase of the elections got completed and the elections are progressing, it is becoming clear that on June 4 Modi government is losing and the INDIA Bloc government is going to be formed. He further added that he is saying this based on the various surveys done and the findings of the surveys.
More than 1200 medical students from Madhya Pradesh are trapped in the ongoing violence and unrest in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan; Chief Minister Mohan Yadav talked to these students through video call to take stock of the situation.

Students told to CM that they need their exams to be conduted online.

On this the CM said, 'The government is worried about you. The government is with you. You study by staying in the hostel. Exam is going to happen soon. After this there will be a break of two and a half months. Then we will call you home.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yadav talked Rohit Panchal, Ravi Sarathe and Vivek Sharma studying in Kyrgyzstan about the situation there. Assuring full help, he talked about returning to India.

The CM said, 'Pakistani students had a dispute with the local people in Kyrgyzstan. The children of India are also worried. I have talked to children from Ujjain, Mandsaur, Neemuch and other places of Madhya Pradesh. They are safe. The Government of Madhya Pradesh is continuously talking to the Government of Kyrgyzstan while contacting the Government of India.

CM Yadav said, 'It has been decided that the children should be called back only after their examination. Otherwise they will suffer losses for the entire year. There is also a question of children's lives, so we have talked to the administration there that in any case, the exams should be conducted on time. Full care should be taken for their safety. It is hoped that the situation will become normal as soon as possible. I am in touch with the parents of the children.

CM Mohan Yadav said that about 30,000 children from India are studying there. Of these, more than 1200 are from Madhya Pradesh. When there is a local conflict, there is some tension but all the children are safe there. Everyone is in the hostel. There are complete police arrangements. We all know that as much as we worry about the exam, we also worry about our life and property. Our officers are in constant touch.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently out on interim bail till June 1 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections, addressed a vibrant poll rally in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, in support of JMM candidate Samir Kumar Mohanty.



In his address, Kejriwal said that the 2024 elections are special to save democracy. He said that if the INDI Alliance wins the elections on June 4, Hemant Soren will be among the people outside jail on June 5.

He praised Kalpana Soren, wife of jailed JMM leader Hemant Soren, comparing her to the iconic freedom fighter Jhansi ki Rani for her defiant stance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "With the intention PM Modi put Soren and me behind bars has backfired on him. AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab and the JMM government in Jharkhand have not collapsed; instead, all AAP and JMM leaders have united against PM Modi," Kejriwal asserted.



Kejriwal criticized the legal actions against Hemant Soren, pointing out that no court has found Soren guilty yet. "An inquiry is underway. So, why is he in jail? This is Modi's 'goondagardi' (hooliganism). There is no court order against me, but I was jailed. Tomorrow, anyone can be jailed," he stated emphatically.



Expressing confidence in the upcoming elections, Kejriwal declared, "We will win all 14 seats in Jharkhand." After his speech, Kejriwal engaged with the crowd by playing a drum, energizing supporters as part of the election campaigning for the I.N.D.I.A bloc in Jamshedpur.



Kejriwal said that the Indi alliance is going to win 14 out of 14 seats in Jharkhand. He said that 2.5 crore people of Delhi are grateful to Hemant Soren because he had delivered oxygen to Delhi during Corona, which saved the lives of many people. He said that dictatorship is going on in the country. If Hemant Soren is sent to jail, then tomorrow Champai Soren will be put in jail. The time has come to answer this. He said that Narendra Modi hates the tribal society.



He thanked Hemant Soren for lending crucial help to Delhi during the pandemic. The CM said that at the time of crisis Jharkhand Government led by Soren reached out to Delhi in combating the situation.



This rally in Jamshedpur marks a significant moment in the ongoing election campaign, highlighting the solidarity and resilience of opposition leaders amidst political turmoil.



Kejriwal recalls his Jamshedpur days



Jamshedpur: In a heartfelt moment during his campaign rally in Jamshedpur, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his early career days spent in the city. Addressing the crowd, Kejriwal shared his personal connection to Jamshedpur, where he worked with Tata Steel from 1989 to 1992. "This city holds a special place in my heart. I used to stay at the GT Hostel, and those were some of the most formative years of my life," he said, evoking a warm response from the audience.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working on a special project of one nation, one leader and claimed that what was happening with the AAP is an experiment that will be replicated with other Opposition parties.

Addressing the Adhivakta Sammelan organised by the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) legal cell, Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail till June 1, appealed to the lawyers to save the country. I have no personal grudge against Prime Minister Modi. Ensure that PM Modi should not form government again. Lawyers contributed in a big way to freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Moti Lal Nehru  all of them were lawyers. There is little time left. Whatever you can do for campaigning in Delhi and across the country, please participate, he said. Kejriwal told the gathering that he was not there to ask for votes but to appeal to them to save the country.

What is happening in the country is dangerous. They arrested me. The PM is working on a special project, one nation one leader, he said. Kejriwal said the opposition leaders who speak against him will be put in jail. He named former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, former Delhi ministers Satyendar Jain and Manish Sisodia and himself who were put behind bars.

They have put many ministers of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata didi (Banerjee) in jail. They can put Tejashwi Yadav or Pinaryai Vijayan in jail. No opposition chief minister will be left. They split the NCP and the Shiv Sena in two parts, he alleged.

The chief minister said in Russia, President Vladimir Putin either imprisoned the opposition leaders or got them killed and won the elections. Likewise, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put the opposition leaders in jail in Bangladesh and won with majority.

Even in Pakistan, Imran Khan was sent to jail and his party symbol was snatched. Something similar can happen here. Either they will not get elections conducted or even if they will, all the opposition leaders will be in jail, he claimed. This is going to happen in our country. The AAP is just an experiment. They have made a plan to crush our party, he charged.

Stressing that there has been no money trail found in the excise policy case, he said there is a theory that has been floated that the money went to Goa. Did it vanish in thin air? Three days before the Punjab assembly elections, the prime minister said in Abohar that Kejriwal wants to break the country in two parts, wants to make Khalistan and become its prime minister. What is this? Is it toys play?

Despite this, we got 92 seats out of 117. This means no one takes him seriously. The way this is comical, in the same way the excise policy case is comical, he asserted. He said the AAP has been made an accused in the excise policy case and claimed that this model will be replicated on other parties too.

But I want to say that the AAP is no longer a four-member party. People love the AAP not because of me but because of our work. The AAP resides in hearts of 140 crore people. It is a thought that is spreading.

If you freeze our bank accounts, people will deposit crores of rupees in multiple ban accounts in the country. If you shut our office, people will open hundreds of offices across the country. It is impossible to trample the AAP, he asserted.
In his first poll meeting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after returning from the UK following an eye surgery, AAP MP Raghav Chadha said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be voting for Congress and Rahul Gandhi will be voting for AAP when the national capital goes to polls.

Addressing a poll meeting in South Delhi on Tuesday in support of party's Lok Sabha pick Sahi Ram Pahalwan, Chadha said, "I am here to support my brother not only because he is a good person but also because this election is about saving the country and the Constitution."

The future of your children depends on your vote, the Rajya MP told the gathering.

Amid questions over his long absence at a time when party was grappling with the arrest of Kejriwal, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj had said Chadha had developed a serious eye ailment which could have led to blindness.

Chadha was present at the party's protest on Sunday near the BJP headquarters.

"Since the AAP came into power, people of Delhi have saved around Rs 18,000 per month on electricity, medicines, water, school fees, and women also save on bus travel costs," he said.

In return, they are only asking for votes, the AAP leader said.

"Press on the 'jhadoo' (AAP's poll symbol) on the 25th and support Kejriwal. When Rahul Gandhi goes to cast his vote on May 25, he will vote for the AAP candidate and press the broom symbol. Likewise, when CM Arvind Kejriwal casts his vote, he will vote for the Congress party."

Chadha had contested from the South Delhi constituency in 2019 and had lost to Ramesh Bidhuri of BJP.

Expressing confidence in a strong victory of the Congress-AAP alliance, Chadha said, "This time, I believe that we will win with the highest number of votes in South Delhi."

All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls on May 25.
The Juvenile Justice Board has issued a notice to a 17-year-old boy, who allegedly crashed his car into a motorbike killing two persons in Pune, to appear before it on Wednesday.

This comes after the Pune police approached the board with a petition to review its bail order.

The board is expected to hear the revision petition at around 12 noon at its office in Yerawada area here.

The Porsche car, allegedly driven by the 17-year-old, who the police claim was drunk at the time, fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers at Kalyani Nagar in Maharashtra's Pune city in the early hours of Sunday.

The teenager, son of a real estate developer, was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board which granted him bail hours later.

"After we approached the board with the revision petition, it has issued a notice to the juvenile to appear before it," Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil said.

The Pune police had approached a sessions court challenging the bail order and seeking permission to allow them to treat the body as an adult saying the crime committed was "heinous".

However, the court asked the police to approach the Juvenile Justice Board with a petition to review the order.

On the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, the accused juvenile along with his friends went to the two establishments between 9.30 pm and 1 am and allegedly consumed liquor, police had said.

While passing the order on Sunday, the board stated the Child-in-Conflict with Law (CCL) is released on bail on executing his personal bond and surety bond of Rs 7,500 with conditions that his parents shall take care of him and he will never get involved in offences in future.

It also directed him to visit the Regional Transport Office and study traffic rules, and submit a presentation to the board within 15 days.

"The CCL will write an essay of 300 words on the topic of road accidents and their solutions," the order read.
Those lovely people up on high who control everything that happens are possibly counting on Bird Flu as the next pandemic. Touted as Disease X, this time the planned pandemic will no doubt be another good excuse to reduce democratic freedom across the globe further. What little democracy remains in the West is currently hanging off a cliff by a broken fingernail anyway, but another pandemic will no doubt really fuck things up.

H3N8 H5N1 H7N9 P27

Whittling down the global population has to look realistic, you cant just have one massive disease that lasts forever, you have to have outbreaks here and there to make things look more natural. There is no doubt that Covid was released by the PLA Chinese chemical warfare scientists but as a first run, the Covid virus was not efficient enough and the Chinese scientists have been working overtime to perfect a better lab-created concoction incorporating bird flu. Millions of Chinese tourists around the globe are a perfect conduit for viral dispersion. Already someone has died after contracting the virus in China blamed on a market, the same ruse followed by the Wuhan outbreak in 2019.

Covid engineered by China

Analyses of COVID-19 have shown that it has a 96 percent genetic similarity with the RaTG13 bat virus. While viruses need to be at least 99 percent similar to call them the same, the differences in particular have led researchers to speculate that COVID-19 was manufactured by modifying and weaponising RaTG13 for human infection. A French research team that examined the gene sequence of COVID-19 discovered that it has four more amino acids than other coronaviruses, making its transmission easier. Chemical warfare research is a large part of CCP funding for the PLA, and is a very effective clandestine form of warfare which weakens the enemy not only healthwise but economically.

Mutations of viruses that occur naturally only result in small, singular changes, where one would not normally see a naturally mutated virus suddenly take on four amino acids. While such a large mutation is not impossible, it is highly unlikely.

Further proof that Covid-19 was a lab created virus lies in the fact that if a virus does not occur in nature, then it is likely to be entirely stamped out.

This is quite different from natural forms of influenza, which cannot be easily eradicated, because they are part of the ecosystem. As of today, Covid is now a mere forgotten memory.

US elections

Trump derangement syndrome should possibly be labelled as a virus as well, and the timing of the Covid pandemic coinciding with the US election of 2020, means that in 2024, the people who released Covid will no doubt bring forth another virus to ensure Biden wins again. Many nations fear a Trump presidency, and top of the list is of course China because they know Trump does not take any shit from the Chins.

It is with great hope that the analysis of the current situation is completely wrong, but we all know sometimes the craziest scenario can be a fact, its just that no one wants to see what is directly in front of them simply because of fear driven blindness. Disease X of course could be anything, but the key is to look out for early warning signals when it is released into the environment.
Destination wedding gains traction in Dali, SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 13:23, May 22, 2024

People pose for wedding photos at Erhai Lake in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhao Yu)

A wedding ceremony was recently held for a couple in the picturesque surroundings of Erhai Lake in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"The wedding ceremony was meticulously planned and left a beautiful impression on us and our guests," Liu Siqi, the bride hailing from southwest China's Sichuan Province said, as she expressed her gratitude toward Yang Libin, the wedding planner.

Destination wedding is a new form of tourism that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves couples selecting their preferred travel destination to host a personalized and distinctive wedding ceremony, said Yang.

Yang added that last year, his team organized over 400 wedding ceremonies, and this year's bookings are already scheduled until September.

Organizing a wedding ceremony usually requires a minimum of two months. To curate a personalized experience for couples, wedding planners need to grasp their preferences, unravel their love story, and determine their wedding theme in advance, according to Yang.

Zhao Canhui, head of the association for destination wedding ceremonies under the tourism association in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, said that the destination wedding industry in Dali has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In 2023, Dali hosted over 4,400 destination wedding ceremonies, and 90 percent of the customers had come from outside the province.

Records show that there are currently more than 100 wedding planning entities in Dali, which have stimulated the growth of over 120 related businesses such as wedding hosting, photography, makeup, and decorations.

The rise of the destination wedding industry in Dali can be attributed to its beautiful natural scenery.

Zhao explained that as ecological conservation efforts continue to progress, Dali has become a popular wedding destination among many young people.

Zhou Liling, deputy director of Dali's culture and tourism bureau, said that Dali has implemented measures to integrate wedding and tourism, and formed a diverse business chain. These efforts have significantly supported the growth of the destination wedding industry.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
RTE 2FM today announced that the Drive It with The 2 Johnnies is to come to an end on May 31.



Head of RTE 2Fm, Dan Healy said:

"After two very successful years, The 2 Johnnies are leaving 2FM. Johnny B and Johnny Smacks have brought their original South Tipp humour and interesting music choices to 2FM audiences right across Ireland.

"The listenership for the drivetime show has been very strong from the very start and the most recent listenership results continued that trend. They've been a great part of the 2FM family here and we'll be sad to see them go but wish them well as they continue their adventures".



Johnny Smacks said,

"Weve had unreal craic over the last two and half years working on 2FM. We came in with the idea to have a laugh on the afternoons and cheer people up and get more mad scones on the radio from every county in Ireland telling stories and auld yarns. After two and a half years my jaws need a rest from all the laughing.

"Thank you to our unbelievable team who backed us and brought our crazy ideas to life with us, to our brother Aindriu de Paor, our producers/mammies Anita and Caroline and to our on-air sister Aifric O'Connell, the show wouldnt be what it is without you thank you so much. And the biggest thank you of all is for you the listeners, the show was all about ye, ye made it what it was.

"So, to Bob in Waterford, geezer John, Mouse and the lads, Pip in Toronto and all our listeners, thanks for laughing along with us. Theres great people working in 2FM and we wish them all the success in the world. Who knows, we may be back on the radio someday, but for now as we say on the show Were out the gap!".



Johnny B said:

"Weve loved our time on the show. The team are legends, our sister Aifric O Connell, the great Aindriu de Paor, Producers Caroline, and Anita.Our listeners have been the funniest, maddest, soundest crowd alive. The stories theyve come on air to tell have been outrageous.

"Its made me proud to be Irish to talk with the nation every evening. The Parish Quiz has thrown up some wild characters, weve tried to reach every inch of the island of Ireland. Well keep the mixer going and the ball pucked out".



Dan Healy continued:

"I want to acknowledge the great content created on the drivetime show by Aifric O'Connell, Aindriu De Paor and Emma Power who shared the airwaves with The 2 Johnnies over the period. Also, a very big thanks to the producers who worked on the show particularly Caroline Clarke and Anita Ward.

"We are fortunate to have such great talent working at 2FM and with them the station will continue to prosper".



RTE 2FM will announce its summer schedule in the coming weeks.
Council is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition at Coleraine Town Hall, Peace Heroines. This vibrant display was developed by the Herstory Education Trust and celebrates the pivotal role played by women in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Peace Heroines will be on show at Coleraine Town Hall until 22nd June, and is accompanied by a display developed by Coleraine Museum (supported by Councils Good Relations) which explores the stories of inspiring Causeway women.

The Peace Heroines exhibition has been blazing a trail across Northern Ireland and internationally since it launched at the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, touring to venues including the Derry Tower Museum, the US Congress in Washington DC, and the United Nations in New York, among others.

The exhibition explores how women from all walks of life contributed to peace and continue cross-community and reconciliation projects today. Ordinary women with extraordinary courage, they faced daily threats to their lives and the lives of their families. The women featured did everything from supporting victims of sectarian violence to lobbying politicians, founding integrated education, starting cross-community projects, organising mass peace marches, and inspiring women to

participate in political and public life.

Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services were joined by members of the public, elected members and contributors at a launch event on Thursday 16th May.

Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Margaret-Anne McKillop, who launched the display, said: We are very pleased to see such an exciting exhibition arriving at Coleraine Museum in Coleraine Town Hall.

These women have helped generations of people across the Borough and further afield and we are excited to be able to share their stories with future generations.

We are very proud of the hard work seen here and we cannot wait to share their inspirational stories.

Some of the women featured in the exhibition include Pat Hume, Baroness May Blood MBE, Linda Ervine MBE, Saidie Patterson MBE and former United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The display also highlights the contributions of local women to the Suffragette movement, peace efforts and integrated education across the Borough.

Admission is free. The exhibition closes on Saturday 22nd June.

Coleraine Town Hall is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm (closed Bank Holidays).

For more information, email Museum Services: museums@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or phone 028 2766 0230.
EarthWatch is launching the largest citizen science freshwater testing campaign to help build a national picture of the water quality throughout the UK.

On the weekend of June 7 to 10, 2024, people signing up for the Great UK WaterBlitz will receive a free sample kit that will allow them to understand the water quality of their nearby rivers.

After gathering a sample of the water and testing it, the data will need to be uploaded via their website or app.

This will allow EarthWatch to build a snapshot of the water quality of the rivers throughout the UK by taking a few minutes of peoples walk outside.

EarthWatch said that the UK's rivers and freshwater habitats are at crisis point and we need urgent action.

With this data, we can fight for real change.

People participating in the data gathering will need to sample water between June 7 and 10 and then upload the results via the app or website.

The test only takes 20 minutes to complete. It will measure the levels of nitrate and phosphate in the sampled water.

Nitrate and phosphates are naturally present in the environment but human actions such as sewage or fertiliser can increase the levels in the water and cause high levels of bacteria. It can decrease oxygen in the water and kill plants and animals.

A new report published at the beginning of May by the Office for Environmental Protection shows that Government and the Environment Agency (EA) are currently not on track to meet the Environmental Objectives.

"The OEPs worst case assessment would see just 21% of surface waters in Good Ecological state by 2027, representing only a 5% improvement on the current situation.

In March, a study by the Rivers Trust revealed that Northern Irish rivers failed to meet good overall status.

According to the general results of the study on the rivers of Northern Ireland almost 70 per cent failed to meet the requirements for good ecological status, says the study.

On the biological status side, 47 percent of river stretches failed to reach good biological status.

53 percent were given good or high general Physico-Chemical status, which looks at conditions that affect life in the river, such as temperature and nutrient composition.

In March, Mark Horton, Director of The Rivers Trust All-Ireland and Chief Executive Officer of Ballinderry Rivers Trust talked to the County Derry Post about it. He said that the Rivers Trust report was an alarm bell to every local community, citizen, politician, landowner, and our business community.

We need to take collective action now if we want to improve and protect this vital freshwater resource that we all depend on and avert a deepening environmental and ecological crisis, he said.

To respond to these new studies EarthWatch launches this campaign to truly assess and improve water quality in the UK.

The campaign aims to uncover the secrets hidden underneath the surface and make the invisible, visible.

"We are at a critical juncture where urgent action is needed to safeguard the future of our freshwater ecosystems," said Dr Sasha Woods, Director of Science and Policy at EarthWatch Europe.

"The Great UK WaterBlitz isn't just about collecting data; it's about catalysing grassroots action and fostering a sense of ownership over our freshwater resources. By engaging citizens across the country, we're not only generating valuable data but also building a movement for change."

All over the UK, EarthWatch said that only 14 percent of the UK's rivers meet the criteria for good ecological health, and none meet the required chemical standards.

EarthWatchs FreshWater Watch is the UK's largest programme that allows citizens to participate in science water quality testing.

The result will then be online from June 17 on the global map. They will then be used to provide the Environment Agency with information on rivers they do not monitor, and to inform the Office for Environmental Protection on any activities we suspect are illegal, it is explained on the website.

Over a few years, a total of 40,725 sample kits have been used to collect water quality data all over the world.

More information and a sample kit can be requested at earthwatch.org.uk/greatukwaterblitz/
Derry City and Strabane District Council are inviting stakeholders and residents to a public information session on the proposed designs for Hazelbank Play Park.

The event will take place on Wednesday, June 19 and is open to residents, community groups and stakeholders with an interest in replacing the play park in Hazelbank.

Plans will be on display at Ballymagroarty Community Centre from 10am until 1pm and in St Eithne's Primary School from 6pm until 8pm and Council officers will be in attendance to explain the designs.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, encouraged people to attend the meeting so the project and design can be tailored to meet their needs.

This is a key element of the design phase of the new Hazelbank Play Park project and an opportunity to speak directly with the design team, she said.

"Outdoor play provision for children is a key priority in our Strategic Growth Plan and we have invested significantly in parks projects throughout the City and District through Councils Play Plan.

"We believe the provision of outdoor play facilities is critically important to the lives of children and young people contributing to the development of essential skills that support social, intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being.

It also provides a means of connecting with the wider community as well as plenty of opportunities for fun and enjoyment.

Lisa Moore-Maguire from the Outer West Partnership added: This project is part of a wider redevelopment proposal for the Ballymagroarty and Hazelbank areas and one of a number of projects that is included in the overall Strategic Action Plan 2024-2029 for the Outer West Foyleside area.

As Strategy Manager, I will be working with the local community, elected representatives and relevant statutory organisations on progressing this project, as well as other physical infrastructure priorities for the area.

I would welcome resident engagement in this project and others going forward".

Emer McDaid, Manager of Ballymagroarty-Hazelbank Community Partnership, stated that she would welcome the prospective redevelopment of the playpark area that will increase inclusivity, integration, and community cohesion within the area.

Through our current interventions and capacity building initiatives, this redevelopment would complement our role in improving accessibility for children and young people and ensuring a concept for lifetime neighbourhoods with doorstep and local playable spaces.

It will help to alleviate the potential for anti-social behaviour which could emanate due to the current condition of the site.

The redevelopment of the playpark will increase confidence in the area, reduce isolation and increase the overall wellbeing of all residents and will be wholly welcomed by the entire community.
The interim report confirms the Good Shepherd Sisters have agreed to release their records relating to its former St. Marys Home on the Dungiven Road. The Sisters of Nazareth will supply information on the former Nazareth House baby home in Fahan, Nazareth House childrens home in Bishop Street and St. Josephs childrens home at Termonbacca.

The Independent Panel was set up as part of the 'Truth Recovery Programme' seeking; truth, acknowledgement and accountability around Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, in advance of a statutory Public Inquiry. The 10-person panel includes practitioners from areas of expertise including trauma informed practice; human rights law and genealogy as well as three Victims-Survivors Representatives to ensure a victim-survivor centred approach.

The need for an Independent Panel became apparent during the Truth Recovery design process after many victims-survivors expressed that they wanted to be able to tell their lived experiences in a non-adversarial forum. This was supported by the Truth Recovery Design Panel, who reported that many people who gave testimony to the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry felt traumatised by the process.

Finding the best practice in order for victims-survivors to feel safe when they tell their lived experience has a been major part of the Independent Panels work in its first year, engaging with victims-survivors in how testimony should be gathered, undertaking specialist training for Testimony Facilitators and building capacity gradually and safely so delays between contact and testimony sessions are avoided.

The Independent Panel has so far prioritised hearing from registered participants aged 70+ or with a health issue. In the next phase of testimony collection over the coming months, the Independent Panel will approach the remainder of those who have already declared an interest in giving testimony. A wider appeal for people to come forward will begin in the summer, with those testimonies being collected from October.

Those who have already given their testimony have given positive feedback, commenting that the professional manner of the team had made it easy to tell their lived experience, and how much it meant for them to be listened to.

On identifying and locating records relating to the Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, the Independent Panel has been working closely with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).

A significant number of institutions have agreed to have their records digitised and made available to the Independent Panel for their investigation and as of April 2024, over 3,000 items have been received by PRONI. This includes 178 volumes/registers; 43 annual reports/accounts; 350 case files and 2,550 index card case notes.

The Independent Panel would encourage the number of remaining institutions who have not yet shared their records to do so, as this process is not only important to their work, but also to that of the wider Truth Recovery Programme to ensure the Public Inquiry and/or the Redress Service will have access to digital copies of the records.

Another important branch of this work is supporting those victims-survivors in navigating the often complicated and emotional process of trying to access information and records held on them. The Independent Panel has been mapping the relevant records available and has begun to prepare guidance for accessing them. It has also engaged with The Executive Office and Department of Justice to recommend changing the law to provide free legal advice and assistance to victims-survivors in their applications for access to records.

The Independent Panel is considering the best ways to advocate on behalf of people affected by the issues under investigation, to assist them in accessing information and support in participating with the Independent Panels work. The Independent Panel is committed to working with victims-survivors, the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) and related agencies to develop and adapt advocacy services.

In the next 12 months, the Independent Panel will be examining records more closely for their Final Report, which is expected to be published in 2025 and will include recommendations for the upcoming Public Inquiry. The Independent Panel looks forward to working with the Chair of the Public Inquiry as soon as they are appointed to ensure a smooth transition between the work of the Independent Panel and that of the Public Inquiry.

Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean OConnell, Truth Recovery Independent Panel Co-Chairs commented on the publication of the Interim Report: Our report outlines our trauma-informed testimony collection process, which ensures that individuals who chose to share their experiences with us, can do so in a safe, respectful and supportive environment. We are indebted to the victims-survivors who helped us to shape this and want to thank those who have come forward to share their testimony with us so far. We hope they have found this to be a positive experience.

This work is laying strong foundations for the Public Inquiry, enabling it to carry out its work more effectively and we look forward to engaging with the Inquiry.

We know that those seeking the truth about themselves have faced significant challenges and this report outlines our dedicated efforts to support victims-survivors and their families in that journey by making it easier to access their records. As we move forward, we will continue to build on this work, ensuring a victim-survivor centred approach.
Ireland has announced its recognition of the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

Irish premier Simon Harris said the decision was based on a belief in permanent peace and taken due to Irelands understanding of a countrys fight to be recognised internationally.

The decision is to formally take effect in the three countries next Tuesday May 28.

The Palestinian flag is due to be flown at the Irish parliament buildings next Tuesday to mark the event.

The Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail confirmed to the Dail that the flag will be flow as part of the day.

The Taoiseach said that ideally recognition of Palestine would have been taken as part of a peace settlement in the Middle East, but said our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely.

Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, said Mr Harris.

Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

Shortly before Mr Harris made the announcement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Israel recalled its ambassador in Ireland Dana Erlich temporarily for consultations.

Asked on RTEs Six One programme if she would be returning to Ireland, Ms Erlich said: I dont feel that I have finished my time here. I think that there is still much more to be done.

Israels foreign affairs minister Israel Katz calling Palestinian recognition a distorted step and said he has issued a severe demarche to the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian ambassadors to Israel.

Israels embassy in Ireland said that it views Irelands move to recognise Palestine as undermining its sovereignty and security and as damaging to our bilateral relations.

We are disappointed by the Irish Governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months, the embassy said.

We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness, as well as her Spanish and Norwegian counterparts, had been summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The Taoiseach said that Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine and condemned the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7 last year.

Recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike, Mr Harris said.

There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.

He said that Ireland understands the importance of recognition as an act of powerful, political and symbolic value through its own past.

On January 21 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination and justice.

Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.

Mr Harris called for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, no further military incursion into Rafah, and no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel.

Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.

Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th. Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024

A statement from the Irish Government said that Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told Mr Harris that the announcement was a beacon of hope to the Palestinian people.

An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy as part of the Governments belief in a two-state solution.

Irelands deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin is to travel to Brussels on Sunday to meet with 40 countries, where a focus is expected on the Arab states proposed peace plan and Palestinian recognition.

Mr Martin said it was Irelands deeply held belief that there can be no peace in the Middle East until the Israeli and Palestinian peoples alike enjoy the same rights to self determination, statehood, peace, security and dignity.

It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force, a future based on violence, domination, subordination, and exclusion become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

Condemning the savagery of Hamas attack on October 7, he added: It is important that our decision to recognise Palestine is not misrepresented as a hostile act towards the state of Israel.

Todays decision is about the empowering of moderation within Palestine.

It can be argued that the Israeli strategy, war and suppression of the Palestinian people, has empowered extremism, and were moving in a different direction.

Today Ireland recognises the state of Palestine. We believe that recognition will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/SaI2fTzECx  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 22, 2024

He added: This is very much about peace.

Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that Ireland had learned the hard way that violence against civilians to achieve political aims must never win.

Whether that be a car bomb on the streets of Omagh or Jerusalem; be that a rocket landing in Tel Aviv or a no-warning blast in a Birmingham pub; be that an assault on a kibbutz or a bomb dropped from a jet fighter onto a refugee camp or a Gaza hospital, it is all wrong.

He added: We have been considering for decades, I recall, in our parliament this issue of the recognition of the state of Palestine, and for many decades weve said now is not the right moment, this is not the right time.

But today is the right time, an important time for us to do that.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who is facing a series of historical sex offence charges, will not contest the general election, his solicitor has confirmed.

The statement came after a judge fixed a date for a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send Donaldson to trial.

The July 3 date for the committal proceedings  known as a preliminary enquiry (PE)  was fixed when the case against Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

After the hearing, Jeffrey Donaldsons solicitor John McBurney confirmed that the Lagan Valley MP would not be standing for re-election, but indicated he intends to remains as an MP until the general election.

I can indicate that it is not Jeffreys intention, of course, to stand for re-election, he told reporters.

He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges. He is continuing as the MP at the present time. Theres various matters to be dealt (with), constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth.

Neither accused was in court on Wednesday morning, having been excused from attending.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.

He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.

His wife, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

The next review hearing in the case will take place on June 12.

Barrister Fiona OKane, for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, gave an update on progress of the case on Wednesday.

The case is progressing quite expeditiously, she told District Judge Eamonn King.

The position this morning is that we would hope to be able to have the PE (preliminary enquiry) itself on the third of July.

She said the review hearing on June 12 would provide an opportunity to check that progress towards the committal hearing was still on track.

The barrister said papers on the case were being prepared.

I understand that both defendants solicitors will accept service of the papers to facilitate the progress of the PE, so that makes matters a lot easier, she added.

A lawyer representing Eleanor Donaldson questioned whether the PE could be brought forward to the June 12 hearing date. When Ms OKane indicated that would not be possible, he said he was content not to pursue that request.

Judge King then confirmed the preliminary enquiry would take place on July 3.

Well review on the 12th of June to make sure that we are on track for the PE on the third of July, he added.

The judge also agreed to a request from a lawyer representing Jeffrey Donaldson to make an uncontentious amendment to his clients bail conditions.

No other substantive issues were raised during the brief review hearing, which lasted only three minutes.

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations against him emerged in March.

It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers at the time, he made clear he would be strenuously contesting all charges against him.

Weeks prior to his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

East Belfast MP and deputy leader, Gavin Robinson, has been appointed interim DUP leader.
Power HV: transforming transformer monitoring in the energy sector

In the vast and intricate realm of the energy sector, where reliability and efficiency are paramount, Canadian startup Power HV emerges as a notable player with its innovative approach to transformer monitoring. Founded and led by Sizwe Dhlamini, the company is making strides in reshaping how utilities manage their electrical grids through advanced condition monitoring solutions.

Power HV's inception stemmed from a recognition of the limitations of traditional methods in transformer monitoring, which often led to reactive responses and associated costs. Dhlamini, drawing upon his extensive industry experience, identified an opportunity to shift towards more proactive maintenance strategies.

Dhlamini had a lightbulb moment when he realized that directly measuring partial discharge activity  the leakage of current from electrical insulation  could provide much earlier warning signs of impending failures. However, the sensors available on the market for detecting partial discharge were too large, power-hungry, and expensive to deploy at scale across entire grid networks.

Credit: Power HV

That realization prompted Dhlamini to launch Power HV in 2015 and develop a radically different monitoring solution. After several years of intensive R&D, the company emerged with a patented combination of compact sensors and machine learning software that can be easily retrofitted onto existing transformers, switchgear, and other critical infrastructure.

Compact and energy-efficient sensors

Power HV's sensors can be mounted directly on transformer tanks without modifications, sipping just 5 watts of electricity  a fraction of competitors' requirements.

In addition, Dhlamini explains that Power HV offers various integration options to streamline data exchange with existing enterprises, including ERP or CMMS systems. They tailor data formats to meet customer needs, providing CSV files for easy integration into SCADA or other enterprise solutions.

"We create a digital twin of the assets and their operating environment, so customers don't have to wade through thousands of data points," says Dhlamini. "If it's green, the equipment is healthy. Yellow means they should start planning maintenance. And red is the signal to remove that component from service before catastrophic failure."

Credit: Power HV

Non-invasive and preserving asset integrity

In contrast to conventional monitoring methods that can be invasive, the company's solutions are designed to be non-invasive, minimizing disruptions and preserving the integrity of critical components.

"We've developed sensors that are compact, energy-efficient, and highly accurate." Power HV's sensors boast smaller footprints and lower power consumption compared to traditional alternatives, making them suitable for widespread deployment across electrical grids. Furthermore, the company's proprietary machine learning algorithms enable real-time data analysis, providing utilities with actionable insights into asset health and performance.

While the underlying concept seems straightforward, developing Power HV's solution was an immense technical challenge that required leapfrogging conventional monitoring methods. "Existing knowledge was great for diagnosing problems after the fact, but not preventing them," notes Dhlamini. "We patented new hardware and software to make that predictive capability possible."

Credit: Power HV

A vision for a smarter grid

But Dhlamini has far bigger ambitions than simply selling condition monitoring systems. His vision is for Power HV to spark a fundamental shift in how electricity networks are managed by finally giving operators the real-time visibility they've long lacked. "Every utility wants a smarter, more predictable grid to reduce outages and improve reliability," he says. "We're helping make that possible by preventing failures before they happen."

To accelerate its impact, Power HV is actively pursuing partnerships with transformer manufacturers and other condition-monitoring companies looking to enhance their offerings. The company is also exploring the development of adjacent products and services, including energy management systems for buildings.

With plans to expand its product line to include energy management solutions for buildings, the company aims to redefine sustainability and efficiency in the built environment.

"We envision ourselves as more than just a monitoring company," Dhlamini emphasizes. "We're pioneers in clean technology, dedicated to shaping a greener, more resilient energy infrastructure."

Collaborating with Taiwanese partners

Furthermore, Power HV's commitment to collaboration presents opportunities for partnerships with global leaders in the energy sector. From manufacturers to investors seeking to drive innovation, the company is open to collaborations that align with its vision for a sustainable future.

In terms of collaboration with Taiwanese partners, Power HV sees numerous opportunities, particularly in leveraging Taiwan's expertise in PCBs. They aim to work with Taiwanese companies proficient in PCB assembly to enhance the production of their sensors.

Additionally, Power HV seeks partnerships with Taiwanese firms already engaged in transformer monitoring, offering complementary sensor solutions such as partial discharge monitoring. For transformer manufacturers in Taiwan, Power HV envisions collaboration on advanced transformers integrating sensing technology and energy-efficient bushings. Given Taiwan's technological prowess, Power HV is eager to tap into this market.
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Japan vows to make 12 million software-defined vehicles by 2030

Japan is trying to catch up with the US and China in the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) segment.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced a draft of the country's automotive digital transformation strategies on May 20. As battery EVs and premium cars evolve toward SDVs, Japan aims to account for 30% of the 35 million to 41 million global SDV sales in 2030, about 11 million to 12 million units.

The Japanese government also targets 17 million to 19 million SDVs by 2035 when the vehicle becomes prevalent. This target means Japan-based automakers will take up 30% of global SDV sales, between 57 million and 64 million cars.

To reach the first-phase goal by 2030, Japan will have to accelerate R&D speed and the update of automotive architecture, including the R&D of car SoCs and LiDARs, and applications of Generative AI (GenAI).

According to the draft, Japan must establish SDV R&D and verification environments and critical technologies around 2027 to lay the foundation for global competition. Other SDV-related targets comprise the modification and experiments about self-driving trucks and the support for robotaxi's R&D and service verification.

Japan plans to launch autonomous trucks and robotaxis services at 50 locations within the country by the end of March 2026 and increase the number to over 100 two years later.

Multiple government funds will subsidize the above plans. About JPY1 billion (US$6.4 million) of the Post-5G fund, which has accumulated JPY485 billion (US$3.1 billion), will be allocated to the Advanced SoC Research for Automotive (ASRA) to develop chiplet-based advanced automotive SoCs by 2028. ASRA has gathered 14 Japan-based enterprises, including Toyota, Renesas, and Denso.

According to Nikkei and Sankei, in response to the Japanese government's call, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda intend to collaborate on software and other next-generation technologies to spur SDV development.
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A large scale swoop by the Criminal Assets Bureau on properties in Donegal has been linked to a notorious international crime gang.

The drug trafficking gang is now said to have 'extensive links' to Donegal.

CAB officers, with the assistance of several units of An Garda Siochana, swooped on properties in Donegal on Wednesday morning.

A simultaneous operation took place in the Dublin area.

The operation was carried out as part of a CAB investigation into the assets of persons who are suspected of being involved in drug trafficking on an international scale.

The organised crime gang at the centre of the probe is said to have 'extensive links' to Donegal, north Dublin as well as Scotland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

The operation was conducted with support of Gardai from the Milford District and others across the Donegal Division, the Regional Armed Support Unit, the Customs Dog Unit and members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

A 2023 reg Volvo XC90, around 73,000 in a bank account, electronic devices and financial documents were among the items either seized or frozen as a result of an operation which involved a total of 70 personnel and 23 different searches.

They included operations at dwellings, business premises and professional searches.

A CAB spokesperson said: Todays search operation was conducted as part of an on-going proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including real estate, deriving in whole or in part from the proceeds of criminal activity.

This particular investigation was supported by a number of food citizens reports (GCRs) and also the assistance of a divisional assets profiler.
A member of the Irish Defence Forces is to retire after serving for 42 years, while his son has just started a six-month tour in Lebanon.

Company Sergeant Martin Clabby, of the 6th Battalion in Athlone, Co Westmeath, will retire in three weeks and become Mr Clabby.

CS Clabby has served on 13 overseas missions, including nine tours in Lebanon.

He said he has loved his career in the Defence Forces and has got to see the world.

His son Nathan Clabby, a sergeant in the 6th Battalion, has just started a six-month tour with the 124th Infantry Battalion.

The father and son have served two tours of Lebanon together.

Over the weekend, Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin spent the weekend at Camp Shamrock in southern Lebanon where he spoke to Irish peacekeepers.

CS Clabby, who joined the army when he was 17, said: Retiring is going to be a bit of a shock to me, trying to get used to civilian life after 42 years in the army.

Ive already served twice with Nathan overseas and I know hes capable, so Ive no worries about him.

Asked about his time in the Defence Forces, CS Clabby said: Ill be honest, I love it. Everything (about it).

If youre into fitness, its a great job. The lifestyle, getting to see the world. Ive been to Africa twice, Liberia, Chad. Ive been to Syria. Ive been to Lebanon nine times. Ive been to Kosovo. So Ive got to see the world.

Liberia and Chad is where I really soldiered. I like that. Im a soldier there.

CS Clabby is also Recce qualified and has previously served as the battalion commanders eyes and ears.

Recce soldiers can operate up to 10km forward of the battalion, gathering information about terrain, routes and the enemy and feeding it back to battalion headquarters to enable decision-making and planning.

It can be scary. Youd be going through the jungle and then youd see the rebels and their checkpoints, he said.

So we used to stop short and it was my job then to walk forward and try and chat to them (rebels).

They would have rifles. So you had to tell them to sling their rifles, put it behind their back, that there was a full company of men coming behind and they mightnt take kindly to pointing their rifles at them.

Theyve already heard. There was a UN radio station set up out there and they were broadcasting every day and telling them that the UN were coming through and to tell them to sling their arms and they did. I have to say they did.

He added: I have loved every mission. Ive actually loved doing my job. Ive done different jobs, numerous different jobs. Come overseas, get on with it. Thats all you do.

Asked if he is proud of his son, he said: Yeah, super proud of him.

Sgt Nathan Clabby said he is looking forward to his mission, adding that he was delighted to be out in Lebanon.

He arrived at Camp Shamrock earlier this month and went into Groundhog within days.

Groundhog is the Defence Forces term for taking cover in bunkers.

The first one goes off, and you are thinking to yourself, right, Im here now, this is the real deal out here now at the minute. But like I said, weve done all our training before, so were ready for any incident that happens, Sgt Clabby said.

Asked if he is looking forward to his mission, he said: Yeah, cant wait, looking forward to it.

Ive been here before so Im kind of used to it now, but for the first timers, I say, it (Groundhog) would have been more of a shock to them. But look, like I said, we are trained and were ready to go.
Irish Cabinet ministers have been briefed on plans to recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of the month, as Israel warned that the announcement will fuel extremism and instability.

Irish and Spanish officials have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine.

The announcement is expected within the next 10 days.

The leaders of the three coalition parties briefed Cabinet ministers on the latest stage of negotiations on Tuesday.

Irish premier Simon Harris and deputy premier Micheal Martin are involved in ongoing co-ordination with other European leaders about the announcement, a Government spokesman said.

The spokesman said that recognising Palestinian statehood has been a foundation stone of Irish foreign policy, adding that the Government believes in a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, in a online video targeted at Ireland, Israels Foreign Ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

The narrator says: Ireland, the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.

Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace. Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/81f7Gxweol  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 21, 2024

Such a move will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian authority.

The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as wake-up call.

Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Dont be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to recognition.
A British man who died when a flight to Singapore was hit by severe turbulence was the most wonderful human being that you could ever know, a friend has said.

Geoff Kitchen, 73, suffered a suspected heart attack on the Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow, and seven other people were seriously hurt.

Dozens more suffered minor injuries.

Lizzie Atkins, a friend of Mr Kitchen, said he and his wife had been planning to go on a cruise in Indonesia before travelling to Australia, describing the pair as adventurous travellers.

She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I just cant believe that Im having to do this. He was the most wonderful human being that you could ever know, really one of the top ones  he was stable and reliable and you always knew you were in safe hands with Geoff. He was just a remarkable man, really.

He had a really dry sense of humour and he had a twinkle in his eye. Every time you saw him you just knew he was going to make a funny joke.

She added that he was a staunch supporter of Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Thornbury, north of Bristol, where the pair met around two decades ago.

Mr Kitchen had been its secretary, treasurer and chairman, she said, adding: He would do anything for you, anything for the group  he was just amazing.

Thornbury Musical Theatre Group described Mr Kitchen as a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity.

His neighbour Valeria Murray, 89, told the PA news agency that his death has shocked residents in the area.

She said: I knew him more as a neighbour, walking up and down the road and so on grinning at each other and saying hello. He seemed a very, very nice sort of chap. It was, I think, just a shock for everybody living locally.

I hadnt realised it was going to be a special holiday, for several weeks apparently, were all having to take a deep breath and take it all in.

Hes a grandfather, his son cleans all our windows and we have seen both of them  Geoff and Linda  with the grandchildren walking up and down the road.

Somebody you know who has been around is suddenly gone.

Ive just been sort of thinking about it all the time, really in the back of my mind, you know, gosh, somebody that you have known  not very well  but known, and then just suddenly, I dont really know how to describe it, you just sort of feel numb in a way.

Its going to take a little while.

Singapore Airlines said the flight encountered sudden extreme turbulence at 37,000ft above Myanmars Irrawaddy Basin about 10 hours after departure, with the pilot declaring a medical emergency and diverting the plane to Bangkok.

The carriers chief executive, Goh Choon Phong, said he offered his deepest condolences to Mr Kitchens family.

We are deeply saddened by this incident, he said.

We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through.

We are fully co-operating with the relevant authorities on the investigations.

He said some 79 passengers and six crew members are receiving medical treatment in Bangkok and a relief flight carrying the remaining passengers and crew members arrived in Singapore early on Wednesday.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesman said officials are supporting the family of the passenger and are in contact with local authorities.

One passenger on board Flight SQ321 to Singapore said the plane suffered a dramatic drop, meaning people not wearing a seatbelt were launched immediately into the ceiling.

Another passenger, Jerry, who was travelling to his sons wedding, told the BBC the day was the worst of my life.

Speaking with a bandage covering part of his head, he said: Things were going very smoothly at first. Id just been to the loo, came back, sat down, bit of turbulence, and suddenly the plane plunged.

I dont know how far, but it was a long way. (It was) so sudden, there was no warning at all, and I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling, my wife did.

Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults. It was absolutely terrible, and then suddenly it stopped and it was calm again, and the staff did their best to tend to the injured people.

There were a lot of them and some of the staff are injured themselves, so they did a sterling job.

Images posted on social media showed damage to the ceiling of the cabin, and food, cutlery and other debris strewn on the floor after the incident.

The 16-year-old Boeing 777 left Heathrow at 10.17pm on Monday and was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time (9.45am BST) on Tuesday.

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew on board  including 47 passengers from the UK and four Irish nationals.

Flightradar24 said its tracking data showed the plane encountering turbulence at approximately 8.49am BST while flying over Myanmar.

The flight tracking service said data sent from the aircraft showed a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event, adding that there were some severe thunderstorms in the area at the time.

Aviation consultant John Strickland told the PA news agency that turbulence happens but, even with millions of flights each year, incidents are limited and fatalities are rare.

He said: Exposure is greater in different parts of the world.

The South Atlantic, Africa and the Bay of Bengal are all places that spring to mind where theres a greater incidence.

There are discussions about whether climate change is influencing an increase in occurrences.

Mr Strickland said airlines use a variety of methods to minimise the chances of a flight being affected by turbulence, such as weather forecasts, radar and reports from aircraft ahead.

A spokesman for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: Our deepest condolences go out to all those who have been affected.

Accidents of this nature are extremely rare and aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel.
Doolin Ferry, Ireland's largest passenger ferry operator, had the honour of hosting world-renowned celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay during his visit to the picturesque Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands.

Ramsay's journey aboard Doolin Ferry marked a special moment for both the company and the upcoming season of National Geographic's acclaimed series "Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted."

During his visit, Gordon Ramsay brought a wave of excitement as he mingled with the crew and passengers aboard.

Liam O'Brien, owner of Doolin Ferry, fondly reminisced about Ramsay's visit, highlighting the chef's personable nature and his enthusiastic participation in the ferry experience.



Gordon Ramsay chatting onboard and with Doolin Ferry owner Liam O'Brien

"Having Gordon on board brought a buzz of excitement for us all. He was incredibly personable, chatting with the crew and posing for photographs. He even took the wheel of the ferry for a moment, fully immersed in the experience."

Ramsay even took the helm of the ferry briefly, immersing himself fully in the journey.

"We're eagerly awaiting his upcoming cookery show, knowing that it will captivate audiences, not only for Gordon's delicious culinary creations but also for showcasing the stunning landscape of the west coast of Ireland," Liam continued.

In the National Geographic series "Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted," the chef journeys to some of the most incredible and remote locations on earth in search of culinary inspiration, epic adventures, and cultural experiences.

The newest series, featuring an episode titled "The Cliffs of Ireland," is set to launch on Tuesday, May 28th, on Hulu and Discovery+.

Viewers can anticipate breathtaking scenes of the iconic Plassey shipwreck and captivating culinary collaborations, including a segment with Irish chef Anna Hugh cooking against the stunning backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher.
Louth County Councils Local Authority Integration Team hosted a LAIT Welcome event in Dundalk on Friday 17th May.

The event was held to introduce the team to all the local stakeholders and both the International Protection and Ukrainian centre managers as a group. It also featured a networking session to allow the stakeholders and centre managers to discuss important matters.

The Louth Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) was set up by Louth County Council in November 2023. These teams are being set up in all 31 Local Authorities in Ireland.

The Louth LAIT is available to provide on-going integration supports to people categorised in any of the following groups living in County Louth;

International Protection (IP) applicants,

Programme Refugees

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP)

Those with Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Permission to Remain status.

The functions of the LAIT include; initial orientation to life in Ireland, support in acquiring English language proficiency, support in finding suitable employment,) support to access education and/or training, support for cultural, social and political participation and support in living with and/or overcoming identified vulnerabilities.

Over the last six months the team have met numerous groups, state agencies and accommodation providers. The Welcome event was aimed at facilitating introductions between all of the stakeholders.

Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council said:

The implementation of the Local Authority Integration Team in County Louth has been broadly welcomed, and the team must be commended for their work over the last six months as the lead coordinator for the integration of International Protection Applicants, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, and Programme Refugees.
A father of nine who seriously assaulted another man, following an earlier row over comments the victim made about his girlfriend, has been sentenced to 180 hours community service at Dundalk Circuit Court in lieu of a two year sentence.

Thomas McGuinness (37) of Chestnut Court, Johnstown, Navan pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm arising out of the incident at Mullaharlin Park, Dundalk in the early hours of December 18th 2016.

The original sentencing hearing was told he had been out socializing with the injured party, and had returned to the house from the pub and stayed up talking, and Mr. McGuiness had confronted him about passing a remark about his then girlfriend's physical appearance.

The complainant told gardai that hed no recollection of that but had told the defendant If I said that Im sorry. Later on, when the mans girlfriend went to the bathroom, he said the defendant came in holding an implement in his right hand. He grabbed him by the throat and struck him on the forehead.

The defendant dragged him into the bathroom and turned on the shower to wash away the blood. The victim slipped and fell, banging his head, and lost consciousness and when he came to, walked with his girlfriends assistance to the Louth County Hospital where he was bandaged up, before ringing a friend to get a lift to the ED at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, where he was treated for a skin-deep cut on his forehead, which has left scarring.

The man tracked down the defendant on Facebook and when he went to make a statement of complaint, the investigating garda noted a bloodstain on his jacket, which was seized as evidence. A white pillow case, with blood on it was found in a neighbours bin while the victims blood was found on jeans found at the scene of the assault.

The court heard Thomas McGuiness, who has 31 previous convictions, has not come to garda attention since the incident and raises funds for charities through Motorbike Ireland.

The Defence barrister stressed his client works 12 hour days repairing roads across Dublin city and his offending was from a chaotic period where he had a substance and alcohol addiction, but he has since mended his hand and reformed his ways and remains sober.

Judge Dara Hayes put back the case for a Probation Service report on Mr. McGuinness suitability to perform community service. Last Tuesday he said the aggravating factors were that an implement had been used and the victim had been scarred for life, but in mitigation, he noted the defendant has not come to garda attention in the seven and a half years since the incident.

He added that he is otherwise a productive member of society and is the sole earner for his family of nine children and in this case an immediate custodial sentence was not required.

He made an order directing that the defendant completes 180 hours community service in the next 12 months in lieu of a two month sentence and warned that the jail term will be imposed if there is a failure to comply with the order. The judge added Your debt to the community can more usefully be paid by working for the community.
An amateur treasure hunter who was convicted under the National Monuments Act, over part of a medieval horse harness that was found during a search of his home, lost his appeal against his conviction but had his fine reduced at Dundalk Circuit Court last week.

Kaspars Salmins with an address at College Manor Dundalk, was originally fined 1,000 at Dundalk District Court arising out of the discovery of the archaeological object on April 4th 2019.

Sgt. Alan Connell gave evidence last Wednesday of the metal ring of a horse harness strap distributor, being found when he searched the appellants home under warrant, with an authorised officer from the National Museum of Irelands antiquity division, as he wouldn't have known what he was looking for without 'some additional help'.

The appellant was outside the country at the time, but later voluntarily attended Dundalk Garda Station and provided his membership card of the UK-based Federation of Independent Detectorists.

Sgt. Connell outlined how Mr Salmins said he attended rallies with metal detectorists and claimed that the object in question was found in Northern Ireland. He denied ever conducting metal detection in the Republic and he knows it's illegal to do so.

The use of metal detectors to search for artefacts here is regulated under the terms of the National Monuments Act.

The authorised officer explained that by law any archaeological object found in this jurisdiction has to be reported to the National Museum within 96 hours and all such objects without a known owner are the property of the State, but different sets of regulations are in place in the UK such as England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The witness gave evidence that the appellant came to the National Museum's attention and Dundalk Garda Station was contacted after he posted the object on Facebook and YouTube.

The court was also told that the object had not been reported to the authorities in Northern Ireland. The court heard the appellant, who is a grounds worker, no longer engages in metal detecting.

The Defence barrister sought a not guilty direction, on the grounds that the search was unlawful as the wording on the warrant only provided for a search by members of An Garda Siochana, and did not make reference to being accompanied by the authorised officer.

Judge Dara Hayes refused the application and affirmed the conviction, but reduced the fine to 300.
Thousands of free and subsidised higher education places will be available to people in Louth under Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 Graduate Conversion Programmes for the academic year 2024/25.

The courses are open to people who are unemployed, returners, recent graduates and those who are in employment and are looking to upskill or change career. A total of 11,400 places on 355 courses are being made available nationwide.

Details of the array of opportunities for upskilling and reskilling were unveiled today (21.05.24) by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick ODonovan TD, and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins TD.

Under the Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 initiatives, which are managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, 37% of all the courses nationwide will run entirely online, and 61% through blended learning. This means people in Louth will have access to hundreds of courses across the country.

Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 courses are available across different sectors, with a particular focus on areas of critical skill shortages and emerging technological demand. The offering includes courses in cybersecurity; virtual reality; health innovation; logistics; climate, sustainability, and energy; and many more.

Commenting today, Dr Vivienne Patterson, Head of Skills, Engagement and Statistics at the Higher Education Authority, said:

Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 offer a wide range of courses, delivered in a blended or online format, to meet the needs of individuals trying to balance work or family commitments but are also interested in a gaining a qualification to achieve career development goals, those looking for a new career, and those looking to return to the workforce or to keep their skills up to date in a transforming industry.

With the blended and online learning options, there are hundreds of options available to the people of Louth, which is vital in ensuring people in every corner of the country  whether they are in employment or returning to the workforce  can easily access courses. The subsidised nature of the two initiatives also ensures accessibility for a diverse group of learners, contributing to a more resilient and adaptable workforce.

Launching the programme, Minister ODonovan said: There are now more than 350 free or subsidised courses offering people incredible opportunities to upskill or reskill in areas where businesses are crying out for workers.

The courses are designed to empower individuals and allow them to thrive in the evolving job market. They offer not just an exciting and valuable education but also pathways to sustainable employment.

Minister Collins said: Todays announcement helps us ensure that our workforce is ready to respond to the changes happening in the world of work, and also provide the country with the skills to deliver in key areas such as climate, sustainability and renewable energy.

Its vitally important that the programmes are accessible to everyone, and thats why most of them are delivered either fully online or in a blended format.

While the Year of Skills has just ended, it offered us a valuable reminder of the importance of lifelong learning and why we must remain committed to delivering the skills needed to meet the needs of a rapidly-evolving economy.

With applications opening 21st May 2024, applicants will find full details on the approved courses on the dedicated information and applications website www.springboardcourses.ie.

Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 represent vital funding investments in Irelands human capital, reinforcing the countrys commitment to education, innovation, and economic growth.
Two more people have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of Lee Slattery.

Gardai at Mayorstone, Limerick have arrested two men as part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of Lee Slattery, 24, whose body was discovered in the Delmege House estate near Moyross, Limerick, in May, 2010.

His body was found several days after he had been reported missing.

A post-mortem examination established he had been shot a number of times before being buried.

Both men were arrested yesterday evening, May 21 and are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, and Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Garda Stations in the Limerick Division.

A woman, aged in her 30s, was also arrested on May 19 and remains in custody.



The two males arrested on May 20 were released without charge last night, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.



Gardai continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact them at the incident room in Mayorstone Garda Station at 061 456 980, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Israel has ordered back its ambassador from Ireland, after its foreign affairs minister called the decision by the Irish Government and other nations to recognise Palestine a distorted step.

Ireland announced on Wednesday that it will formally recognise the state of Palestine, with premier Simon Harris saying the country is joining Norway and Spain in making the historic move.

Israels foreign minister Israel Katz then accused Ireland of undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security, saying he has ordered Ambassador Dana Erlich to return to Israel.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries decisions to recognise a Palestinian state, Mr Katz said on social media site X.

Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defence.

Israel will not remain silent  there will be further severe consequences.

The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home.

There are no more just causes than these.

Ms Erlich told Newstalk radio that she was being recalled to discuss possible steps and the future of our relations.

The Israeli embassy in Ireland also released a statement saying it views Irelands move as undermining its sovereignty and security and as damaging to our bilateral relations.

We are disappointed by the Irish governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months, it said in a statement.

Reacting to the statement, Mr Harris said Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine.

We need to see a two-state solution, he said. A solution that recognises the state of Israel, recognises the state of Palestine and recognises that both have a right to exist in peace, security and stability in the region.

We must now, in the face of huge adversity and huge challenge, keep the destination of a two-state solution alive.

We must be on the right side of history. When people look back on this period of time in the decades ahead, I want to be able to say proudly that Ireland spoke up and spoke out in favour of international law, in favour of a political pathway to peace, and in favour of two-state solution.

Irelands deputy premier Michel Martin said: In respect of minister Katzs contribution and statement, part of that statement does say that the route is to direct negotiations. Id agree with that aspect of the statement.

We do need negotiations. Recognition of a Palestinian state creates that equal status in terms of Palestinians going to that table.

But Id also remind foreign minister Katz that there had been negotiations prior to this war, in Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Firm agreements were reached but they were not implemented and those were in respect of the settlements, for example, and the violent settlers in the West Bank and there was an agreement that that would cease.

There was an urgent need to get back to the negotiating table and to get on to a political track and the recognition of a Palestinian state is part of the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness, as well as her Spanish and Norwegian counterparts, had been summoned to the Israeli foreign ministry.

Mr Katz said he had issued a severe demarche to the ambassadors, in which they were to be shown video of the brutal and cruel kidnapping of Israeli children by Hamas.

Ms McGuinness said the decision to recognise a Palestinian state is to allow a future where Israelis and Palestinians live in security and dignity.

In an opinion piece published in Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ms McGuinness said there can be no sustainable solution to the current crisis without a clear, irreversible political pathway towards this solution.

I recognise that in the current context, and to many Israeli ears, this sounds at best, naive, and at worst, destructive and dangerous. It is neither, she added.

Recognition of a Palestinian state is not a reward for terror  it is the opposite.

It is an endorsement of a vision of Palestinian self-determination in which a free and independent Palestine accepts both the rights and the duties of a state, including full adherence to the UN Charter and pursuit of its aims through exclusively political and diplomatic means.
Israel has instructed their ambassador to Ireland to immediately leave the State.

It comes after Ireland today (May 22) formally recognised the State of Palestine while simultaneously condemning the October 7 massacre and Hamas, which Taoiseach Simon Harris said "has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike".

In his speech, the Taoiseach referenced Ireland's own struggle for freedom, and said, "On the 21st of January 1919 Ireland asked the world to recognise our right to be an independent State.

"Our Message to the Free Nations of the World was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our right to self-determination and justice.

"Today we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a State."

He said today's recognition is a statement of "unequivocal support for a two-State solution - the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples".

However, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, immediately recalled their ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, as well as their ambassador to Norway following Norway's decision to also recognise Palestine's statehood.

In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Katz stated, "I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

"Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

"Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

"This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defense."

He continued: "Israel will not remain silent - there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

"The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these."

The minister's comments come despite the Taoiseach re-iterating Israel's right to exist "securely and in peace with its neighbours".

He said, "Let me be clear that Ireland condemns the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th last. Civilians attacked and murdered. Hostages taken in the most brutal and terrifying of circumstances, including a young Israeli-Irish child.

"We call again for all hostages to be immediately returned to the arms of their loved ones.
A march in solidarity with Israel is due to take place this weekend.

That's according to the Ireland Israel Alliance (IIA), which today (May 22) confirmed groups including the All Nations Church will join them at the demonstration this Sunday (May 26).

In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), the IIA stated, "Join us! Dublin Solidarity March and Rally for Israel. Delighted that All Nations Church will join us and other cross-community organisations to take a stand this weekend!"

Demonstrators will meet at Stephen's Green (Harcourt Street end) from 3pm and march to Dail Eireann, where there will be key speakers.

People interested in attending are encouraged to bring both Israeli and Irish flags.

Earlier today, the IIA issued a statement titled 'Ireland Rewards Palestinian Terrorism with a State' in response to Ireland's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.

It reads, "Today is a very sad day for Ireland-Israel relations and indeed for the nation of Ireland, as almost 8 months since the horrors of October 7th, our political leaders have decided the reward for Palestinian terrorism should be the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

"The Ireland Israel Alliance opposes the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state as do so many others here in Ierland, including the vast majority of Ireland's beleaguered Jewish community. We believe that such a move rewards terrorism and that far from bringing a peaceful resolution to this tragic conflict, it will only further inflame tensions.

"Synagogues in this country have had to implement additional security measures in response to the outpouring of antisemitism, with many Jews and Israelis in Ireland fearful of publicly showing signs of their identity for fear of attack. Quite simply, where is the voice of reason? Where is the voice of moderation in Irish politics - who will raise the plight of the hostages, who will challenge the rise in antisemitism, who will refuse to support Palestinian terror?"

It continues: "A Solidarity March and Rally for Israel will be held in Dublin this coming Sunday 26th at 3pm. We will be joining ranks with a number of organisations including the Ireland branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, All Nations Church Dublin, TJCII, and the Irish Jewish and Israeli communities. Our rally will include key cross-community speakers including the newly inaugurated Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Yoni Wieder.

"Rabbi Wieder's speech will include personal testimonies from the Jewish community in Ireland who feel their viewpoint is being completely delegitimised by our political and media establishments, as well as their feelings of betrayal at being told that their feelings have no space in Irish society at this time.

"We hope you will join us. Meanwhile, we can only hope for better days ahead!"
A NEW wellbeing room which will provide a space to run health and wellbeing programmes and community services has been opened at The Glen Resource Centre.

The space was officially opened this week by Minister of State at the Department of Health, Cork North Central TD Colm Burke, who said the new wellbeing room marks such a positive step forward for the local community.

I would encourage all to get involved, to experience first-hand some of the empowering new initiatives and courses being run in the wellness room at The Glen Resource Centre, the Fine Gael TD added.

The wellbeing room is funded by HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and Cork City Council.

Deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork, Independent councillor Mick Finn said spaces such as the new wellness room are, key to providing opportunities to learn in local accessible venues.

The local community can enjoy a wide variety of free programmes at the space in collaboration with the Health Action Zone, Dillons Cross Project, Cork City Partnership and Cork Prison, with popular courses including the Slaintecare healthy food made easy programme, barista courses and demonstrations, pilates, mindfulness and more.

Sorcha Ni Chrualaoich, HSE principal community worker with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, welcomed the launch of the wellbeing room.

The Health Action Zone and community health work partners here are committed to providing an exciting programme of activities to people in The Glen, Blackpool, Ballyvolane, Mayfield, and the wider community healthcare network, which further enhances the health and wellbeing of the community, she said.

Catherine McCullagh, healthy food made easy (HFME) tutor, added: I just finished my HFME tutor training and I cant wait to start delivering community courses soon. The room is fantastic.
Church choir concert raises crucial funds for the Ethiopia Deaf Project

The Ethiopia Deaf Project, a Togher-based volunteer group dedicated to supporting deaf children in the African country, hosted a star-studded concert in Cork city last weekend to raise funds for its vital work.

The Holy Trinity Church on Father Mathew Quay was packed on Saturday night for the concert, which featured the White Horse Gospel Choir and their guest performers U.M.A.N and Aine Whelan.

Thais Riquelme and Leon Trifunic, city centre, at the Ethiopia Deaf Project concert at the Holy Trinity Church on Fr Mathew Quay.

A spokesperson for the EDP described the performances as inspiring.

The White Horse Gospel Choir started the evening with a lively and harmonious mix of gospel and popular songs, she said.

Read More All About Cork: Calls for community centre in Ballyvolane

Both Aine Whelan and U.M.A.N received enthusiastic responses for their individual and joint performances, culminating in a group rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Liz and Donal OCallaghan from Rochestown, at the concert.

This song was also performed in sign language, highlighting the events cause of supporting the deaf children at the Ambo Deaf School in Ethiopia.

The EDP supports the running of the Ambo Deaf School, where 100 children are presently benefiting from the opportunity to go to school.

Anne and Amy Twomey from Tower, enjoying the Ethiopia Deaf Project concert.

The EDP was instrumental in setting up the Ambo Deaf School and is committed to supporting deaf children trapped in such isolation to attend school and experience the joy of inclusion and learning.

The audience was deeply moved by EDPs presentation on the challenges faced by deaf children in Ethiopia, who grow up without a way to communicate or even know they have a name, the spokesperson added.

Marjorie and Ann Brickley from Wilton and Bandon, at the concert.

The event highlighted the life-changing impact of the school, which gives these children a voice and a chance at a fuller life.

U.M.A.N performed a very touching and catchy song he wrote while reflecting on the lives of the deaf children in Ambo called Humming My Own Song, which had the effect of moving some of the audience to tears.

Sinead and Arthur Milward from Fermoy, at the concert.

The concert was a wonderful mix of joy, music, and empathy. The energy in the venue was overwhelmingly positive, leaving every attendee feeling inspired, satisfied, and heading home happy.

For more information on the EDP and the work these volunteers do, email info@edp-ambo.com or check out www.edp-ambo.com.

Read More All About Cork: On your bike for Ballincollig school fundraiser

Have Ballyphehane news you wish to share? Contact Darragh Bermingham.
THE case against a 36-year-old man accused of burgling a house and medical centre was adjourned until June 5 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Mary Dorgan put the case back until that date at Cork District Court after Sergeant Dave Delea said DPP directions were not yet available in respect of these recent alleged incidents.

The background allegations against Don Duggan, who is originally from 65 Ballinderry Park, Mayfield, are that a man woke to see a stranger in his home in the early hours of April 5.

Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan objected to bail being granted to the accused on the charge of carrying out that burglary at Old Youghal Rd at around 3am on Thursday, April 4.

He faced a second charge of burgling a doctors surgery at Mayfield Medical Centre on March 27.

Det Sgt OSullivan said CCTV footage of that alleged incident showed a man getting in to the premises by a back window, moving around inside, and taking 50 from a cashbox.

In respect of the April 4 burglary at the house, the detective said: A female was home at 3am. when her son saw an unknown male in the house. Seeing the son (who is in his 20s), he fled the scene.

Her bank card was tapped at a nearby garage 27 minutes later for a 37 transaction, Det Sgt OSullivan said, adding that gardai recognised the defendant from CCTV at the garage and in the previous incident at the medical centre.

Mr Duggan said he would be pleading not guilty to the burglary charges. Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said it was disputed by the defendant that he was seen on CCTV which he described as being of poor quality.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted bail on extensive conditions that included twice daily signing at his local Garda station, an 11pm curfew and 5,000 bail with half of that to be lodged. An independent surety of 7,500 was required, with 3,500 of that to be lodged in court.

He is to reside at an address at Newtown Avenue, Boherboy, Lotabeg, if granted bail.

Mr Duggan is in custody with consent to bail and is planning to appeal those bail terms to the High Court, Mr Collins-Daly said on Monday.
The newest addition to the naval services fleet, LE Aoibhinn, went to sea for the first time with the Irish navy on Monday morning.

LE Aoibhinn (P71) along with the LE Gobnait (P72) are the two inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) that were delivered to Cork last May to replace the decommissioned LE Orla and LE Ciara.

The IPVS were purchased from the New Zealand Government in March 2022.

A spokesperson for the Naval Service confirmed to The Echo this week that LE Aoibhinn proceeded to sea for the first time with the Irish navy on Monday morning and will commence its initial operating capability (IOC) process.

This process will allow the ships company to develop the skills and knowledge to safely operate a new type of ship in the Irish navy fleet.

This process will take a period of time and currently the Royal New Zealand Navy are assisting us in our familiarisation to the inshore patrol vessels, the spokesperson explained.

The spokesperson added that, on completion of the IOC process, the LE Aoibhinn will be put through the full operational capability (FOC) process which is used to ensure the ship can complete the full range of military taskings required for it to commence maritime defence and security operations.

LE Aoibhinn is expected to achieve FOC later in 2024.

On completion of LE Aoibhinns FOC process and subject to continued and increased recruitment into the Navy and a stabilisation in personnel numbers serving, focus will move to LE Gobnait commencing her IOC process and onward to FOC thereafter, the spokesperson continued.

Fishery protection

Speaking last month, Tanaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheal Martin said the IPVs main daily tasking will be to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with Irelands obligations as a member of the EU.

They will also carry out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance.

The core ships company complement is 20, with the capacity to take up to 16 others.

Their area of operations will be the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast.

The two Lake-Class inshore patrol vessels are the former HMNZS Rotoiti and Pukaki.

They will be the eighth class of ship to be commissioned into the Irish Naval Service since its foundation in 1946.
LOCAL people in a residential area of Cork city have expressed their sadness that a woman in her 60s may have lay dead in a house for more than a year.

The body of the woman, who has been named locally as Joyce OMahony, was discovered in her home in Brookfield Lawn, a quiet residential area near The Lough, on Tuesday afternoon by workers who then alerted the gardai.

It is understood that Ms OMahonys remains may have lay undiscovered for some time and locals said she had not been seen in the area for a considerable period.

Gardai, the fire service, the ambulance service and a doctor attended the scene, and Ms OMahonys body was removed to the morgue at Cork University Hospital, where formal identification will take place after a post-mortem examination this afternoon.

A garda spokesperson said the results of the post-mortem will determine the course of their investigations, but it is understood that foul play is not suspected at this time.

The Cork coroner has been notified and an inquest will be heard in due course.

Shock

Ms OMahony was predeceased by her father, Dr Thomas J OMahony, who ran a large GP surgery in The Lough area in the years prior to his death in 2010, and her mother Patricia, known as Patsy, who passed away in a nursing home in January 2021.

People in The Lough area expressed their shock and sadness on Wednesday at the news of Ms OMahonys death.

Bernadette ORegan, who is the manager of Lloyds Pharmacy at The Lough, said many people in the area had believed that Ms OMahony, who had lived previously in the UK, had moved back there after her mother passed away.

I would have known Joyce for the last 15 years. She was a very private person, very nice, very gentle, and very quiet person, she would have kept to herself but she would have been seen around, she was in and out of local businesses here most days, youd at least see her once a week, Ms ORegan said.

She was a very private, very gentle person, and we often stopped, if I was leaving work of an evening, wed meet in the car park, and we had many a conversation.

She would always stop to chat with me, we were both quite fond of each other.

I was very upset. Joyce wouldnt be the type of person to chat with everybody, she had her selected few. Its very tragic.

Richard Hanley of Hanleys Garage said he had known Ms OMahonys parents quite well, but while he had known Ms OMahony to see, he hadnt really spoken with her.

People are upset that she was there so long, she said.

'A sad day for the area'

Brian Kelly, from the neighbouring Earlwood estate, said he had seen the emergency services attend the scene on Tuesday afternoon.

I was walking to town and I knew something was seriously wrong when I saw the ambulance and the fire brigade and the guards.

Its very sad that the poor woman died like that and nobody knew for so long, but at least theyre saying there was no foul play, thanks be to God, Mr Kelly said.

An older woman, who was pushing a child in a stroller and declined to give her name, said it was very sad.

What can you say? It just goes to show you, you dont know whats going on in anyones life or behind anyones door.

This is a lovely area, and its just a tragedy to think that someone could die like that and not have anyone close in their lives, she said.

An older man, who similarly wouldnt give his name, said it was a sad day for the area.

Its tragic to think of someone lying on their own for so long, he said.

Paddy OBrien, who has been an advocate for the elderly for many decades, told The Echo Ms OMahonys death had been a terrible tragedy.

He said that the State could make a simple change to policy, one which might have the effect of helping vulnerable people or alerting authorities to tragedies.

If a person doesnt collect their pension for six weeks, the Department of Social Protection will write to them, and if it doesnt hear back, it will cut them off.

They should contact the gardai and alert them that a person might be in trouble. The current system is completely wrong, and with a very small change, a lot of good could be achieved, Mr OBrien said.
The DPP has indicated that a new charge is to be brought against a 63-year-old Cork man charged with two assault charges arising out of an alleged attack on his sleeping wife with boiling water and a claw-hammer.

Judge Mary Dorgan explained to Noel Twomey of 18 Carbery Grove, Knocknaheeny, Cork, that the Director of Public Prosecutions had progressed the case to the point that a new charge is now going to be brought against the accused.

The accused man appeared by video link from prison where Sgt Gearoid Davis indicated that the new charge would be brought against Noel Twomey on May 27.

Judge Dorgan said the accused should be brought before the court in person for that to happen.

As things stand he faces two charges of assault causing harm on his wife. He has been refused in his bail applications at Cork District Court and at the High Court.

When the case came before Cork District Court initially, Detective Garda Brian Murphy testified that the accused man flagged down a garda patrol car while soaked in blood and carrying a bloodstained hammer in a plastic bag at 5am on Monday January 15 at Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork.

Det Garda Murphy charged Mr Twomey with two counts of assault causing harm to his wife, Jackie Twomey, at the family home.

Objecting to bail, Det Garda Murphy said: This is very serious. She went to sleep in the safety of her own bed.

"Noel Twomey made the very conscious decision to boil a pot of water and retrieve a claw hammer from the tool box

"He then entered his bedroom where his wife slept and attacked her in a cowardly fashion as she lay asleep.

Sgt Davis did not indicate what charge was to be brought against the accused on Monday.
A 30-YEAR-OLD chef who smashed windows at the bus station on Parnell Place, and then lashed out with both hands against gardai dealing with the situation, has been jailed for 10 months.

Jamie Kavanagh of Fernwalk, Greenfields, Ballincollig, Cork, appeared before Cork District Court where Sergeant Dave Delea outlined the background to the incident.

Mr Kavanagh was accused of obstruction of gardai, possession of a blade, being drunk and a danger, being threatening and abusive and causing criminal damage on February 14, at the bus station.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused was pleading guilty to all charges.

Repairing the criminal damage cost more than 2,000 and it was accepted by the defence that it would not be possible for Mr Kavanagh to raise this compensation.

Judge Mary Dorgan offered to suspend the last two months of the 10-month sentence if the accused would comply with the directions of the Probation Service.

However, the defendant, who appeared by video link from prison, said he was not interested in going to probation and just wanted to go back working once his time in jail was completed.

The judge had suggested that the Probation Service may be of assistance to him in dealing with his underlying alcohol addiction.

Mr Burke said the young mans 45 previous convictions for the one offence of being intoxicated to the extent that he was a source of danger to himself or others, spoke volumes about the defendants background problem.

Sergeant Dave Delea described the aftermath of the criminal damage incident when gardai arrived at the bus station:

As gardai were assisting him to stand up, he became abusive and told gardai to f*** off in an angry tone of voice and tensed up his body, became aggressive and lashed out with both hands.

Two windows were smashed at the bus station a short time earlier that day.

Mr Burke said the accused qualified as a chef and worked in major hotels in Cork and Killarney, but that when issues arose for him, he turned to alcohol.

Judge Dorgan said: You are very highly qualified as a chef. It is an awful shame you have this addiction issue. Are you going to deal with it?

Kavanagh replied: I am trying to stay off drink.
THE three Cork charities selected to benefit from the Lord Mayors Charity Ball, which was held in April, were this week presented with cheques from funds raised at the event.

This years ball was in aid of three local charities: The Rainbow Club, the Mercy University Hospital Foundation and the Cork Mental Health Foundation. A total of 21,000, which was divided equally between the beneficiaries, was raised at the gala event.

The Lord Mayor, speaking at the cheque presentation at City Hall, expressed his delight at the opportunity to present the proceeds of the ball.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees on the night, and of local businesses and sponsors who came on board with the event, a significant amount of money was raised that will support vital services for the people of Cork, he said.

As well as raising much-needed funds, the charity ball was also a key community awareness initiative for me which has togetherness at its heart.

The Lord Mayor also expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors who supported the charity event. These included Aiken Promotions, Barry & Fitzwilliam, Barrys Tea, Cork Airport, Cork City FC, Cork International Hotel, the elected member of Cork City Council Mick Finn, Heineken Ireland, the INEC Arena in Killarney, the Rebel City Distillery, and the Rochestown Park Hotel.

When the Lord Mayor launched the event in February, he described the charity ball as a key community awareness initiative which has togetherness at its heart.

Mercy University Hospital Foundation CEO Michael Sheridan said money raised through the new partnership would support ongoing projects at the hospital, and beneficiaries would include cancer patients and their families attending the hospitals Mercy Cancer Care Centre that opened its doors in March.

The CEO of the Cork Mental Health Foundation, Brendan McCarthy, expressed the gratitude of the body and said the funds raised at the charity ball would be used to support its work throughout the city, such as Joy In The Park and The Next Step.
NEGOTIATED over almost ten years, the EUs New Pact on Migration and Asylum was adopted by MEPs in the European Parliament in April. The new rules entail tougher measures to respond to migration.

The Pact was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee On Justice to be scrutinised. While Taoiseach Simon Harris assured it would come back before the Dail, some TDs expressed concerns about the lack of debate on the matter.

In order to implement the Pact, the Minister for Justice will put in place a range of measures which will include the full repeal of the International Protection Act 2015.

The Taoiseach has said the overhaul of EU migration and asylum policy would result in a fair but firmer migration system. He added that Ireland would disproportionately benefit from the rules of the Pact as it is an EU country primarily concerned with so-called secondary movements of refugees.

But is the new Pact something Ireland can benefit from, and does it propose a fair but firmer system?

The Pact introduces a number of reforms, including accelerated asylum procedures, a solidarity mechanism for EU countries during times of migratory pressure, as well as the expansion of the role of Eurodac (EUs fingerprint database for asylum seekers).

One of the expected benefits for Ireland would be enhanced solidarity with the 26 other Member States. A complex solidarity mechanism will establish a solidarity pool, whereby all EU countries will have flexibility as to how they will contribute during times of migratory pressure. For example, Member States can contribute by relocating asylum applicants to their territory. There is a minimum annual requirement to relocate 30,000 asylum seekers from Member States that receive the most arrivals in the EU to Member States that receive considerably less.

Alternatively, Member States can make a financial contribution under the mechanism, which will be fixed at 600 million.

It is important to note that Member States have full discretion as to the type of solidarity they choose to contribute.

Additionally, a key element of the asylum procedures regulation is the Safe Third Country concept, which allows Member States to return refugees to countries they deem safe. The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) warned that the regulation lowers the threshold for a country to be classed as safe and the Pact could allow for Member States to send people to supposedly safe parts of non-safe countries.

Other human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Medecins Sans Frontieres have decried the Pacts consolidation of harmful practices such as procedures at EU borders where people are subject to containment which can result in de facto detention, as has been the case in Greece and Italy.

While it may be true that Ireland will benefit from enhanced solidarity with other EU countries, it is clear the Pact presents grave human rights concerns which will benefit no one, least of all people seeking refuge.

The latest Eurobarometer surveylast month found that 42% of Irish citizens cite migration and asylum as the main issue they would like to see discussed during the European Parliament electoral campaign.

There is currently a severe shortage of accommodation for refugees in Ireland due to the long-running housing crisis. According to the most recent figures from the International Protection Office (IPO), 1,717 people are still awaiting an offer of accommodation, with some forced to sleep in tents outside the IPO on Mount Street in Dublin in recent months.

Concerns around housing, resources, and lack of consultation with local communities, at times manipulated by far-right groups, have driven anti-migration protests around the country.

On April 18, a small group of individuals with banners featuring anti-migration slogans gathered outside the home of Minister for Integration, Roderic OGorman, in Dublin.

Executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, Dr Natalia Kanem, referred to concerns that refugees coming to Ireland are facing scapegoating and discrimination.

In 2023, the number of first-time asylum applications in Ireland was 251 per 100,000 inhabitants, higher than countries such as Italy, Portugal and France, but lower than countries such as Spain, Germany and Austria.

According to data by UNHCR, as of mid-2023, the total refugee population in Ireland was 99,048, about 1.9% of its total population. Germanys figure is about 3%, Polands is 2.7%.

Research has challenged the view, often promoted by right-wing actors, that the past decade has seen an upward trend of an ever-increasing refugee population worldwide. According to UNHCR data, refugee numbers fluctuate in response to levels of conflict and crisis in refugees origin countries. Ireland is no exception to this.

Applications for international protection in the EU declined by almost a half between 2016 and 2019. However, since 2020, there has been a steady rise in the EU and Ireland. Despite this, in the last four years, the EU and, in turn, Ireland continues to receive only a small share of the worlds refugees, over half of whom come from just three countries (Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan). In fact, the EUs share of the global refugee population has significantly decreased, from 70% in 1993 to under 20% since 2018. About 74% of refugees are hosted by low-income and middle-income countries.

The EUs Pact on Migration and Asylum may propose firmer migration management but the notion it is fair risks promoting a narrative that obscures some of the real risks: that it will undermine states obligations to protect people fleeing war and human rights violations.

This approach also removes agency from those central to the conversation on migration - those who have a legal right to international protection.

If Irish citizens want to see migration discussed in this electoral campaign, lets ensure those discussions are fair but firm when it comes to human rights.
WEVE all had that moment, when you stand in front of a wardrobe bursting with clothes, but have nothing to wear.

The idea of a capsule wardrobe, with a small number of quality pieces you can mix and match, sounds like the perfect solution. But most budgets dont stretch to owning expensive, designer clothing. So we end up buying more fast fashion that isnt made to last, and the cycle continues.

This problem has been noticed by Elma Collins-Botha, from Castlemartyr, and Alison OKeeffe, from Crosshaven. Although both women hail from Cork, they met while working for a major retailer in Australia. Together, they have founded Best Kept Secret, Corks brand new fashion rental service.

The idea was the brainchild of Alison, who moved back to Cork 18 months ago with her husband and young child, and started working for Musgrave. Shes since had her second baby and is currently on maternity leave. Before Christmas, she mentioned the idea of a fashion rental service to Elma, who is still based in Melbourne with her family.

Elma Collins-Botha, co-founder of Best Kept Secret.

Elmas expertise is in procurement, while Alison is focused on the customer.

Coupled together, were a nice mix to make things happen, says Alison.

The very first conversation we had about this was on December 14, says Elma.

Just four months later, they have opened the doors of their showroom in Carrigaline.

Both women were exposed to the rental market while living in Australia.

Its a much more advanced industry globally than what you see in Ireland, says Alison.

The immature market here was a light bulb moment for them.

Best Kept Secret carries pieces by Australian designers, and is all about versatility, quality, and elevated design.

Its founders embody their brand. When we meet over Zoom, Elma is wearing a stylish pink shirt from the Australian brand Aje, while Alison wears a denim, sleeveless summer dress with a statement collar, also from Aje.

Talking about Alisons dress, Elma says, You can wear that for a gorgeous summer lunch, but equally going into the city with sandals.

Alison O'Keeffe showcasing some of the fashion available to rent from their business in Carrigalin.

Using the service is simple. You contact Best Kept Secret through Instagram, WhatsApp or their website www.bestkeptsecret.ie, arrange a try-on session in their showroom, provide them with some information, and they select pieces that they believe will work for you. You can bring a friend if you like, and Alison will be there to guide you through the process and help with styling.

We want to make the customer feel comfortable, we want to make them feel confident, and make sure its their experience, says Alison.

Alison O'Keeffe of 'Best Kept Secret'.

Were here to make it as pleasant and as fun as possible, and offer whatever advice we can.

Pieces can be rented for 24 hours, four days, or for longer periods. They look after the dry-cleaning as part of the rental fee.

Alison and Elma acknowledge that renting clothes is a new concept in Ireland, and its often seen as something just for occasions like weddings. They believe the market is evolving.

Already, we can see the move away from occasion wear to everyday, says Elma.

For the rental market to succeed, they say the focus needs to shift away from throwaway, wear once clothing.

Were not interested in having a warehouse of dresses, says Alison.

Alison O'Keeffe of Cork's new dress rental 'Best Kept Secret' which is based in Carrigaline, Cork. Picture; Dan Linehan

Fast fashion has taken over the world because its the only access people have to clothes, says Elma.

A capsule wardrobe of good quality, well-crafted clothes is unattainable to most people.

She says renting gives you access to good quality pieces you otherwise cant have.

One of the dresses available to rent from Best Kept Secret, modelled by Emma Hennessy.

They choose hard-working garments that can be styled three ways, so you get the most out of your rental period.

We select pieces that will take you from day to night, says Alison.

That really cool outfit for a professional business meeting, that you can then wear to dinner that evening.

People have less space in their wardrobes, people are moving into smaller properties, the cost of living crisis is a challenge, so affordability is right up there in peoples thoughts, says Alison.

In Australia, you dont have Penneys, Elma explains.

You walk down the street in Cork, and everyone is wearing the same coveted coat. You dont have high streets in Australia. Australian brands are the bread and butter of what everyone is wearing.

One of the outfits available to rent from Best Kept Secret, modelled by Emma Hennessy.

Elma says the lifestyle in Australia is laidback, effortless and the clothes are really focused on form, and texture, and well-crafted pieces.

At Best Kept Secret, you can expect to find something a little bit different.

Alison adds that pockets are a big feature of Australian design, which their customers in Cork have been delighted to discover.

A dress available to rent.

She says they want to be an extension of your own wardrobe.

When you come to your appointment, they encourage you to bring your own shoes or accessories.

We will make your clothes work as hard as our pieces work, she says.

When you start to wear clothes that fit really well and are hard-working, theres a joy with that.

Find @bestkeptsecret.rentals on Instagram.
THE founder and chief executive of the Sexual Violence Centre in Cork, Mary Crilly, welcomes the release of the Sex for Rent (SFR) report.

The National Womens Council (NWC) report details the sexual exploitation and sexual harassment experienced by tenants in the rental market in Ireland.

Launched last week, it comprises both national and international research, alongside selected expert interviews, and unique data gathered through the monitoring of online sites. The expansive damage caused by this particular kind of abuse is detailed in the report.

Orla OConnor, director of the NWC, describes sex for rent as damaging, degrading, and dehumanising for women.

This is nothing new, says Mary Crilly, speaking to The Echo in her office on St Patrick Quay.

This has been going on for years. Prime Time did a great documentary a couple of years back in which you can see men blatantly suggesting a tenant pay them back for accommodation in certain ways  as if providing accommodation is doing someone a huge favour.

I was glad to see (Irish Examiner) journalist Anne Murphy getting a mention in the report too as she is the only journalist in the country who really stuck with it and kept it in the public consciousness.

Ann, previously of The Echo, was bestowed with a prestigious Justice Media Award from the Law Society of Ireland in 2020 for her work in relation to the SFR scandal.

A worsening problem

The report refers to the feminisation of homelessness, as it is mostly women who find themselves in the most precarious situations because, in Ireland, like in most EU countries, housing cost overburden is higher for women than men.

While the exploitation explored in the report is not new, and is most certainly widespread, what is new, according to Mary Crilly, is the prevalence of the problem.

There are simply more and more people now who are very vulnerable. The situations people find themselves in, often people from outside Ireland, are awful

People sharing rooms, renting a bed beneath a stair Ultimately it comes down to a landlords accountability and what they get away with. Thats what we need to tackle.

The lack of security for the tenant is horrendous, she explains. The property market plays a part, as do the informal, unregulated agreements vulnerable people find themselves making out of desperation. And this is where most of the problems arise.

Precarity

The report places considerable emphasis on renters who are legally considered licensees as opposed to tenants.

Sex is suggested as recompense when renters seek to rent a room from a landlord under a license agreement, as opposed to a self-contained dwelling which would be covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). The tenant is thereby left without the usual protections. One recommendation is to bring these agreements under the umbrella of such legislation.

The truth is that even if a tenant agrees to have relations, it is no guarantee that they will be able to stay. The landlord may very well decide to move on to someone else.

It makes me so angry that young women and young men are being taken advantage of by people with money and property. Those people could do the decent thing and help them out, instead they behave towards them in ways that are humiliating, degrading and abusive.

There is also a growing imbalance of power in the sector.

More and more landlords have a huge amount of accommodation, explains Crilly.

We need far more regulation and legislation than we have currently. Landlords must police one another. They must get onto people who are being abusive and confront them. It is the culture that must change. Its the same with the guy who will tell his pals about the drunk girl he took advantage of the night before. We know he will tell his pals. We need to work on their responses to him.

Changing Culture

According to Ms Crilly, who has fought and campaigned against sexual abuse and harassment for decades, people know whats going on.

These tenants have no lease so they have no security. They are being offered a bed for a few hundred euro a week. Its all word of mouth.

People know the difference between a private house and a rented property. People need to speak up about it.

People will know in a community if someone is declaring two bedsits but is actually profiting from eight. We do plenty of monitoring for Air B&Bs; we need to do the same across the market.

The stories

The stories Mary has heard over the years range from people being forced to field the unwanted attentions of landlords, to highly vulnerable tenants becoming confused about the nature of their relationship.

Some of these people are extremely vulnerable and scared. They are also very lonely, and they might start to imagine they are in a type of relationship.

They might nearly welcome the attention. How dare landlords take advantage of these vulnerable people. Everyone deserves somewhere safe to sleep. The law must change to protect people.

This is at the core of why Mary welcomes the research released by the NWC. It details how women in extreme housing difficulty are being forced to make a choice between sexual exploitation and homelessness. People need to be aware of the problem to tackle it, she says.

Recommendations

The report recommends that landlords engaging in sex-for-rent exploitation, or indeed even suggesting it, should be criminalised. It calls for an extension of protections for renters and the need to place legal pressure on the online platforms to filter out ads with any suggestion of sex for rent.

Furthermore, it advises that women who are victim-survivors of SFR exploitation receive supports from frontline services who must be better-equipped and better-informed to tackle the issue.

For Mary Crilly, this research successfully combats any lack of belief that this is happening in Ireland. It raises awareness in a way that might contribute to changing the culture.

Feargha Ni Bhroin, NWCs Violence Against Women Officer and author of the report, echoes much of what Mary has to say, and highlights the issues of women being affected by SFR.

Sex for rent exploitation is gendered. It is overwhelmingly women who are impacted, and it is mostly men in privileged positions relative to the women  they have housing and the victims do not  who are carrying it out.

At its root is the intersection of the housing crisis with a general context of gender-based violence.

It primarily affects women who are renting a room in a house, as opposed to own-door accommodation, so they enter a situation of living with their predator, and these renters do not have the protections granted to other tenants.

"The two-tier rental system. where some renters are protected by law, but others are not, must end.
E-commerce shops based in North America that are not yet selling in Europe are missing out on expanding their customer base and increasing profits.

Europes market size, at US$631 billion and rising, has over 540 million mostly affluent consumers. Thats why it is no surprise that thousands of North American brands have decided to start selling there.

Getting started requires some research about the tax and selling regulations in place for member countries of the European Union (EU). For instance, not all of them use the euro, and laws and taxes vary across European nations, including those that are not EU members.

Basic information is available from numerous internet sources. These include shipping companies and e-commerce platforms.

Sellers based in North America must register for a Value Added Tax (VAT) before they can begin selling operations in Europe. This handy PDF explains the registration process in detail.

According to Jordi Vermeer, VP of revenue for North America at global e-commerce platform ChannelEngine, the level of North American-based e-commerce activity in Europe is a somewhat broad question to answer.

Europe has a more complicated and advanced marketplace landscape, with a wider variety of channels in the various countries and nice markets. For instance, some countries dont have Amazon as a leading platform, Vermeer told the E-Commerce Times.

Planning for Selling in Europe

One approach to beginning to sell to Europe is to update your retail site and let customers order from you directly. That might well be your first step.

Even if you go it alone, you must adhere to various EU and non-EU regulations. Other things to consider are translating your product and buying information, and do not forget about translating reviews, too.

A handy way to do this is to include a Google Translate link. Also, consider offering different payment options suitable for European consumers. Ensure you have reliable shipping details with provisions for handling returns from unsatisfied buyers.

Eventually, you will discover that solutions to many of these start-up tasks are conveniently wrapped up by subscribing to an international marketplace. Many established online marketplaces can help you break into the European market. These include Etsy, Amazon Global, Argos, Shopify, and eBay.

Other options include e-commerce platforms such as PrestaShop, Woo Commerce, and OpenCart.

The first steps in planning to sell into European markets are figuring out where and what to sell, how to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements, and how to ship your goods and fulfill orders.

Going Behind the European E-Commerce Marketplace

Currently, around 35% to 40% of ChannelEngines North American clients actively sell or plan to sell in Europe. The nature of the companys products helps brands generate additional revenue streams by using existing platforms and their traffic (marketplaces) to expand their brand presence, Vermeer explained.

We asked him to explain the process of North American-based retailers selling into European marketplaces in more detail.

Why should North American-based -e-commerce merchants consider selling in Europe?

Europe is a perfect destination for North American brands. It is comprised of highly developed countries where e-commerce penetration is strong and continues to grow.

Jordi Vermeer: Expanding into a new region is an effective way to grow your brand and increase revenue. Provided you execute well and avoid common pitfalls, it can transform your business.

First, there is a large pool of potential consumers in Europe, and they love shopping online. There will be an estimated 564 million European online consumers in 2025, according to Statista, and more than 91% of Europeans (aged 16-74) use the internet. 75% of them shop online, according to the European Commission. Most active online consumers are concentrated in the 27 EU countries and the United Kingdom.

Second, European consumers have a high purchasing power parity. This is good news for brands worried about their margins eroding due to the cost of selling overseas. As European consumers are relatively affluent, price is not always the main factor in buying decisions, depending on the product, of course.

Are e-commerce merchants on their own as they seek inroads into selling to Europe?

Vermeer: Europe has a diverse e-commerce landscape with many highly successful channels beyond well-known players like Amazon and eBay. North American sellers should not be put off by this. Using a platform with ChannelEngines deep knowledge, expertise, and established connections lets our clients operate successfully in the region.

How does your platform help independent retailers get started with marketing to European customers?

Vermeer: In addition to a dedicated customer success manager who develops a channel strategy with our clients, we offer a wealth of learning materials to educate sellers on the top-performing channels by country and industry.

We have three ebooks that help guide sellers through various market niches. One is The European Marketplace Strategy Guide. The second is The Home & Living Marketplace Guide Europe. The third, titled Ecommerce in Europe made easy: A blueprint for US companies, guides US companies through understanding market differences.

Editors Note: Completing a form is required to access the ChannelEngine ebooks. The E-Commerce Times is not compensated.

How else does ChannelEngine assist American e-commerce shops in maximizing and increasing revenue by selling into Europe?

Vermeer: ChannelEngines integration software is a complete platform and partner ecosystem rolled into one. We enable brands to integrate all their separate e-commerce channels into one streamlined platform. Brands can manage their orders and inventory, update pricing and promotions, syndicate product listings, and visualize entire sales operations without leaving their ChannelEngine account.

What best practices are involved with starting to sell into European markets?

Vermeer: Planning, preparation, and overall strategy are important to develop first. This includes defining goals and scope [marketplaces, countries, assortment] and the seller model that works best for you [1P, 3P, Merchant of Record, or reseller model].

Getting started with listings, translation, and getting in the first results are key to developing further. Determining the right fulfillment setup: Cross-border, 3PL, FBA, and MCF are all considerations. A returns and customer service strategy is also essential.

What basic rules or guidelines must North American e-tailers follow to sell in Europe?

Vermeer: The European market landscape is fragmented. Instead of selling in Europe, brands need to think about selling in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, etc.

Each national market has its own trends, buyer profiles, and select marketplaces. So, sellers will need to engage with all of them as they expand into different countries.

Why is the European sales marketplace so strong and growing?

Vermeer: Doing multichannel sales is inevitable in Europe, whereas in the U.S., just selling on Amazon could be enough. It has many great vertical-specific, niche, or local hero channels on which sellers need a presence to be successful in Europe.

Using local partners to help develop and implement your strategy can accelerate your growth. They understand the market, help localize content, and can handle a large part of the work if you lack resources.
Individuals and organizations are still struggling with how and how much to integrate AI into daily life. Rarely has that been more clear than a case out of Emory University in which the school went from awarding students with an entrepreneurship prize worth $10,000 for their AI-powered studying tool to suspending them for it, 404 Media reports. No, the students didn't suddenly misuse the tool, known as Eightball, in any way; they did just as they said they would, and all the while, Emory promoted them  until they didn't.

Eightball allowed students to turn any coursework or readings into practice tests or flashcards for studying. It also connected to Canvas  the platform professors at Emory use to share course documents with their students. A demo video for Eightball called it similar to ChatGPT but trained on Canvas courses, looking at everything from lectures to slides, rather than students having to upload each PDF individually to the tool.

Emory's Honor Council accused Eightball's creators of cheating, plagiarizing and helping other students violate the Honor Code in November 2023 and the duo shut the tool down. The Council also claimed Eightball attached to Canvas without permission, despite it being stated during the awards competition in Spring 2023. The body launched an investigation into the students, which found that Eightball hadn't assisted with cheating and that the student creators had never lied about its capabilities.

Yet, the Honor Council recommended a year suspension for one of the students, Benjamin Craver, and expulsion for the other (who ideated Eightball). The Council's director called the situation "unprecedented" due to the harm it could cause at Emory. Craver was eventually suspended for the summer and fall 2024 semesters  after which he would need to apply for readmission. He was also given a mark on his permanent record and required to complete an educational program. His co-creator received a one-year suspension.

Craver filed a lawsuit on May 20 against Emory detailing how Eightball came to be, teachers' support and use, articles promoting it in the university's newspaper and that the students had always been transparent in its use. Among other evidence, the lawsuit also shares words of support from the associate dean of Emory's business school about Eightball following the award and her choice to connect the students with an outside entrepreneur, an Emory Alumnus. "While nothing about Eightball changed, Emory's view of Eightball changed dramatically," Craver's lawsuit states. "Emory concedes that there is no evidence that anyone has ever used Eightball to cheat. And to this day Emory advertises Eightball as an example of student innovation and entrepreneurship."
New research indicates the suns magnetic field originates close to the surface and not deep within the star, according to findings published in the journal Nature . This upends decades of prevailing scientific thought that placed the field more than 130,000 miles below the surface of the sun. It also brings us closer to understanding the nature of the suns magnetic field, which has been on scientists minds since Galileo.

The study, led by Northwestern University and a team of international researchers, suggests that the magnetic field actually generates 20,000 miles below the surface. This was discovered after the team ran a series of complex calculations on a NASA supercomputer. Its worth noting that these are just initial findings and more research is required to confirm the data.

The suns magnetic field fluctuates in a cycle that lasts 11 years. During the strongest part of this cycle, powerful winds and sunspots form at the solar equator, along with plumes of material that cause the aurora borealis here on Earth. Previous theories that place the magnetic field deeper within the sun have had a difficult time connecting these various solar phenomena. Scientists hope that, given further study, theyll be able to use this theory to not only explain the creation of solar events, but more accurately predict when they will occur.

Each second, 1.5 million tons of solar material, traveling at 100 miles per second, shoot off the sun. Earth's magnetic field deflects most of it, but not all. The solar wind, a stream of charged particles, flows at 447 km/s (1 million mph), and while the magnetic field protects pic.twitter.com/40CSNZYesU  Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) January 1, 2024

This could lead to more than just earlier predictions of the next aurora borealis event. The suns intense magnetic energy is also the source of solar flares and eruptions of plasma called coronal mass ejections. When these ejections travel toward Earth, all kinds of bad things happen. This famously occurred back in 1859, when a giant geomagnetic storm created the largest solar storm in recorded history.

This is called the Carrington Event , attributed to British astronomer Richard Christopher Carrington. The solar flare, which was actually a magnetic explosion on the suns surface, briefly outshone the sun and caused colored lights to erupt all over the planet, similar to the aurora borealis. It also supercharged telegraph cables, shocking operators, and set telegraph paper on fire. It was pretty nasty.

Now, this was 1859, before the modern use of electricity and before computers and all related technologies. If something like the Carrington Event were to occur today, wed have it much worse . The emitted X-rays and ultraviolet light would interfere with electronics, radio and satellite signals. The event would cause a solar radiation storm, which would be deadly to astronauts not fully equipped with protective gear.

It would also lead a coronal mass ejection to bump up against Earths magnetic field, which would shut down power grids , cell phone satellites, modern cars and even airplanes. The resulting global power outages could last for months. Last months smallish (relatively speaking) storm messed with electronics and that was no Carrington-sized event. Even worse? We are absolutely due for this to happen. Its basically a ticking time bomb.

So these findings could, in theory, be used to prepare new early warning methods for large-scale solar flares hitting Earth. Someday, we might have solar flare warnings alongside hurricane warnings and the like. The research has already demonstrated some interesting links between sunspots and the suns magnetic activity.

We still dont understand the sun well enough to make accurate predictions of solar weather, lead study author Geoffrey Vasil of the University of Edinburgh told The Hill . These new findings will be an important step toward finally resolving this mysterious process, added co-author Daniel Lecoanet of Northwestern University.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
OpenAI and News Corp, the owner of The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, The Sun, and more than a dozen other publishing brands, have struck a multi-year deal to display news from these publications in ChatGPT, News Corp announced on Wednesday. OpenAI will be able to access both current and well as archived content from News Corps publications and use the data to further train its AI models. Neither company disclosed the terms of the deal, but a report in The Wall Street Journal estimated that News Corp would get $250 million over five years in cash and credits.

The pact acknowledges that there is a premium for premium journalism, News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson reportedly said in a memo to employees on Wednesday. The digital age has been characterized by the dominance of distributors, often at the expense of creators, and many media companies have been swept away by a remorseless technological tide. The onus is now on us to make the most of this providential opportunity.

Generative AI has exploded in popularity ever since OpenAI released ChatGPT at the end of 2022. But the quality of the responses provided by AI-powered chatbots is only as good as the data that is used to train the models that power it. So far, AI companies have trained their models by scraping publicly available data from the internet often without the consent of creators. But in recent times, they have been striking financial deals with the news industry to make sure that AI models can be trained on information that is current and authoritative. Over the last few months alone, OpenAI has announced partnerships with Reddit, the Financial Times, Dotdash Meredith, the Associated Press, German publisher Axel Springer, which owns Politico and Business Insider in the US and Bild and Die Welt in Germany, and Spains Prisa Media. Last month, News Corp also struck a deal reportedly between $5 and $6 million with Google to train its AI models, according to a report in The Information.

Google and OpenAI arent the only companies striking these deals to train their AI models. Hours before the News Corp announcement, Business Insider reported that Meta, which recently stuffed its own AI chatbot into Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and also sells AI-powered sunglasses, was thinking about striking its own deals with news publishers to get access to training data.

Money from AI companies is increasingly a growing revenue source for a struggling news industry. But some publishers are still wary of striking these deals. The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over using content for training AI systems. And the NYT, the BBC and The Verge have blocked OpenAI from scraping their websites.
Revitalizing the ancient Great Wall

14:26, May 22, 2024 By Wu Jie ( Global Times

Photo: Li Hao/GT

The residents of a suburban village in Beijing were overjoyed to receive a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 17 acknowledging their efforts to protect the Great Wall and encouraging them to pass on this heritage to future generations.

In his response to a recent letter from residents living in Shixia village, Badaling township in Beijing's Yanqing district reporting their work in protecting the Great Wall, President Xi said he was pleased to learn that the villagers had taken the initiative over the years to protect the Great Wall, inherit Great Wall culture, and rely on its resources on their way to prosperity.

The Great Wall is a representative symbol of the Chinese nation and an important symbol of Chinese civilization, Xi said. "It is our common responsibility to protect and pass on this historical and cultural heritage."

Xi said he hopes that the villagers will continue protecting the Great Wall as they protect their homes, carry forward Great Wall culture and tell stories about the Great Wall well.

Li Qinghua, Party secretary of Badaling Township, told the Global Times that he felt honored to receive the letter from President Xi and was greatly encouraged by his words.

"We also feel a strong sense of responsibility and political mission. As the protection and inheritance of the Great Wall is a tradition of our Chinese nation, for those of us who were born and grew up at the foot of the Great Wall, it is also our undeniable responsibility to carry on this tradition," said Li.

"We will remain committed to our efforts in protecting the Great Wall and pass on this time-honored asset to future generations while helping more people understand the culture of the Great Wall," Li Handong, Party secretary of Shixia Village, said.

On the 30th anniversary of an initiative to protect China's largest cultural heritage, the villagers' letter is a renewed effort to carry on their commitment to protecting the Great Wall as they would protect their homes, which also set the villagers on the path to prosperity through years of tourism development.

Possessing a length of the wall stretching over a distance of 179.2 kilometers, the Yanqing district boasts the longest section of the Great Wall with the most magnificent view in Beijing, according to the People's Government of Yanqing. It includes the world-renowned tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Badaling section of the Great Wall, and many untapped stone and brick sections that continue to thrive thanks to constant maintenance and preservation.

By the end of 2023, Yanqing had carried out more than 50 Great Wall emergency protection projects, repairing 19 castles, 22,247.96 meters of wall, 106 platforms, and 10 beacon towers. The emergency repair rate of the brick and stone sections of the Great Wall has reached 88 percent. The plan for the next three years is to repair 3,700 meters of key sections of the Great Wall and five platforms, to ensure that the entire brick and stone sections of the Great Wall are free of danger and achieve a 100 percent rate for handling other Great Wall dangers, according to local authorities.

Liu Manli, vice director of the Yanqing District Cultural Heritage Bureau, said that the protection of the Great Wall is the cornerstone of the inheritance and promotion of Great Wall culture.

"Currently, in the Yanqing District, emergency repairs and maintenance have covered over 20 kilometers of the Great Wall with a total investment of 360 million yuan ($50.77 million)," Liu said.

"By utilizing multiple cutting-edge technologies, we are systematically advancing the protection of the Great Wall, setting a new benchmark for the conservation of Great Wall heritage. In terms of digital technology applications, we have completed a three-dimensional model of the entire Great Wall in the region, achieving a precision of up to two centimeters. We have implemented regular unmanned aerial drone patrols of the Great Wall and online diagnosis and treatment of dangers to the Great Wall, and pioneering digital protection of the Great Wall in China," Liu noted.

A Great Wall protection team was established in 2019. Currently, a total of 20 team members in Badaling township take turns to patrol the untapped sections of the man-made defensive structure built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

"Our daily patrols involve monitoring potential risks, cleaning garbage, recording 'ailments' along the wall and advising tourists against actions that may pose a risk to the Great Wall," Mei Lanfen, one member of the team, told the Global Times after navigating a dirt path littered with thorny bushes to the top of a tower in Shixia village.

For generations, local villagers in Shixia have voluntarily engaged in the protection of the Great Wall.

"I've developed a profound affection for the Great Wall since my childhood. It has become a habit for our villagers to clean up trash and persuade tourists not to climb the unopened sections," said 71-year-old villager Gu Tongfu.

The villagers have also reaped rewards for their efforts as the development of the Great Wall tourism industry, represented by branded homestays, has driven local economic growth, leading to a significant increase in villager income.

In the past, villagers could only rely on selling corn and local specialties to earn a meager income. Now, with tourism, homestays, and catering, the village hosts over 40,000 tourists each year. The cultural resources at the Great Wall have paved the way for villagers to lead a better life, according to Li Handong.

Li Qinghua said that the next step is to transform the Great Wall resources into concrete measures for rural revitalization.

"We plan to create a sweeping Great Wall scenic area that combines the Badaling section with the neighboring sections, improve transportation facilities and establish new climbing and riding trails," said Li Handong.

Hou Lin, deputy director of the Yanqing District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said that Yanqing will continuously explore the cultural resources of the Great Wall, promote and inherit the culture of the Great Wall and create unique cultural and tourism products, burnishing the reputation of the Badaling Great Wall as a world-class icon.

"We will continue to hold cultural events themed around the Great Wall, such as the ongoing Beijing Great Wall Concert and Great Wall Cultural Festival, to promote the profound history and cultural heritage of the Great Wall," said Hou.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The first crewed flight of Boeings Starliner capsule still hasnt launched more than two weeks after its originally scheduled liftoff date, and there's going to be at least another week of waiting and uncertainty before it does. NASA announced last night that the Starliner team is now targeting a June 1 launch as engineers continue to assess the vehicle in the wake of discovering a helium leak from the propulsion system earlier this month. If the June 1 attempt is scrubbed, it'll have other chances to fly on June 2, June 5 and June 6.

It was at first looking like the mission would be postponed indefinitely after NASA called off the May 25 launch attempt on Tuesday night and didn't set a new date. At that time, NASA said it would share more details once we have a clearer path forward, per SpaceNews. In a blog post published Wednesday night, NASA said the leak remains stable, but the teams are still working to assess Starliner performance and redundancy. It's also planning to evaluate the propulsion system again to understand potential helium system impacts on some Starliner return scenarios and conduct another readiness review of the craft.

The first launch attempt at the beginning of the month was scrubbed due to the discovery of a faulty oxygen relief valve on the ULA Atlas V rocket carrying Starliner. Engineers replaced the valve and Starliner was slated to fly later that week, but that attempt was postponed, too. On May 14, NASA revealed that engineers were working to resolve a helium leak from the spacecrafts propulsion system. In an update a few days later, NASA said the leak was stable and would not pose a risk at that level during the flight. A new targeted launch date was set at that time and ultimately rescheduled.

Delays have defined Starliners development up until this point, but since two astronauts  Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams  will be on board for this mission, the stakes are especially high; now isn't the time to start cutting corners. There has been a great deal of exceptional analysis and testing over the last two weeks by the joint NASA, Boeing and ULA teams to address the issues that have popped up, Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said on Wednesday.

It has been important that we take our time to understand all the complexities of each issue including the redundant capabilities of the Starliner propulsion system and any implications to our Interim Human Rating Certification, Stich said. We will launch Butch and Suni on this test mission after the entire community has reviewed the teams progress and flight rationale at the upcoming Delta Agency Flight Test Readiness Review.

Update, May 23 2024, 10:08AM ET: This story has been updated to reflect new launch opportunities announced by NASA on Wednesday night, and to include additional information relating to the review process ahead of the flight.
A daycare owner and three employees in New Hampshire have been charged after endangering children behind closed doors.

Owner of the in-home daycare, Sally Dreckmann and her employees, Traci Innie, 52, Kaitlin Filardo, 23, and Jessica Foster, 23, have all been charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child after sprinkling melatonin on the children's food. WMUR-9 reported the daycare is unlicensed, but is allowed in the state under select circumstances.

Manchester NH Police posted on Facebook, informing users that the three women have turned themselves in on child endangerment charges.

Melatonin is largely available over the counter, often advertised as a sleeping-aid. However, the National Institute of Health reports that there aren't many studies on its effect on children. Per the Mayo Clinic, side effects of the aid include headache, dizziness, nausea, and daytime drowsiness.

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"This comes after a lengthy investigation led by the Manchester Police Juvenile Division. In November 2023, detectives received a report alleging unsafe practices going on in an in-home daycare at 316 Amory Street," the department wrote.

"Through the investigation, police determined that the children's food was being sprinkled with melatonin without their parent's knowledge or consent."

According to NH Police, warrants were issued for the owner of the daycare before all three women turned themselves in. The comment section was riddled with Facebook user's brutally honest opinions.

RELATED: Intended Victim Stabs Suspect Multiple Times During Assault As Random Attacks In NYC Continue To Skyrocket

"In home daycare on Amory st OK sounds good, what kinda moonbat operation was this, they should all do life," one user responded. "Wow, look at the appearance of these 'so-called' daycare workers! I would not leave my kids with any of these people!!!" another wrote.

NBC News reports Dreckmann, 52, was released on $400 cash bail and is set to be arraigned on June 10. Co-workers Innie and Foster were released on personal recognizance bail and are due in court on June 6.

Details rearding Filardo's court date or bail remains unknown.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed Scarlett Johansson's concern over ChatGPT's voice, which she said sounded similar to her.

The "Avengers" actress' legal team sent OpenAI two letters questioning the company after it released its AI voice assistant known as "Sky." Johansson said it "sounded so eerily similar to mine," but Altman denied using her voice or intending Sky to sound like her.

"The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson's, and it was never intended to resemble hers," Altman told Forbes in a statement. "We cast the voice actor behind Sky's voice before any outreach to Ms. Johansson. Out of respect for Ms. Johansson, we have paused using Sky's voice in our products. We are sorry to Ms. Johansson that we didn't communicate better."

OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati also spoke with NPR and clarified that they did not pattern Sky's voice after Johansson's or her film "Her." Additionally, she insisted that the voice is "not present" and depends on the interaction or "based on inputs."

"It says more about our imagination, our storytelling as a society than about the technology itself," Murati explained. "The way we developed this technology is not based on the movie or a sci-fi story. We're trying to build these machines that can think and have robust understandings of the world."

She also claimed that she wasn't familiar with Johansson's voice.

"I don't know about the voice. I actually had to go and listen to Scarlett Johansson's voice," she added.





The company also released a statement in a blog post late Sunday giving the same response. OpenAI said that the AI voice in question belonged to a voice actress, and they decided not to reveal her identity to protect her privacy.

"We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice -- Sky's voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice," the company wrote.

Meanwhile, Johansson issued a statement to NPR detailing the controversy over Sky's voice. According to her, Altman wanted to hire her to voice ChatGPT 4.0 because he believed that the "Black Widow" actress' voice "would be comforting to people" and "could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives and help consumers to feel comfortable with the seismic shift concerning humans and AI."

However, Johansson chose to reject the offer for "personal reasons." But when Sky was released nine months later, her friends, family and the general public reportedly told her that "'Sky' sounded like me."





"When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference," Johansson said.

"Mr. Altman even insinuated that the similarity was intentional, tweeting a single word 'her' -- a reference to the film in which I voiced a chat system, Samantha, who forms an intimate relationship with a human."

Wow... this is insane! Scarlett Johansson's statement about Sky pic.twitter.com/GigB2MUHVk  Bindu Reddy (@bindureddy) May 20, 2024

her  Sam Altman (@sama) May 13, 2024

Johansson also claimed that two days before the ChatGPT 4.0 demo was released, Altman contacted her agent, asking her to "reconsider" his offer.

"As a result of their actions, I was forced to hire legal counsel, who wrote two letters to Mr. Altman and OpenAI, setting out what they had done and asking them to detail the exact process by which they created the 'Sky' voice," she continued. "Consequently, OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the 'Sky' voice."

Johansson clarified that she just wanted protection from deepfakes and her works and likeness being imitated. She concluded her statement by saying she was looking forward to a "resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individuals rights are protected."




Prince Harry's biographer claims he has become a "spare" in his marriage to Meghan Markle.

Angela Levin, a British journalist, author and royal commentator, recently weighed in on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's marriage as they just celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday. According to the "Harry: Conversations with the Prince" author, King Charles' youngest son, who titled his 2023 memoir "Spare," ended up in the same situation -- being a spare -- in his marriage to the former actress.

"I think when he wrote his book about the spare, he didn't think that maybe he would be a spare now," Levin said on GB News. "Meghan pushes him, pulls him if she wants to go on if she's bored somewhere, as we saw in footage from Africa."





She also commented on Markle's behavior during their three-day trip to Nigeria two weeks ago. According to Levin, Prince Harry appeared "scared" of his wife and "pulled about" by her at events.

"She pulls him away and gives him a look, and he leaves immediately. He's obviously scared. I think he's very frightened of her," Levin continued. "He loves her to pieces. He wants to please her. But she is a very difficult woman and so it's very hard for him."

Levin also talked about the fear that the "Suits" actress had "taken over" the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry founded in 2014, two years before they started dating.





"That was Harry's, that was his star. That's what he'd done very well. And Meghan's taking it over. She gives the speeches, and she stands in front of former and army people who are walking, and she walks on, and she gives them the marching orders," Levin stated.

"Well, that's ludicrous because the last time she did it, she had very, very short shorts on, and it was most inappropriate."

Levin previously said that Markle knew nothing about battles and wars, yet she was too involved in Prince Harry's annual sporting event for the veterans. She also claimed that the Invictus Games was Prince Harry's "job" and the people involved were "quite sorry for him" and "angry" with how Markle allegedly took over the event.





Host Mark Dolan also mentioned in another GB News episode with Levin that about 2,000 ex-military had already left the event because they felt it "lost its original meaning." Some veterans had also allegedly asked Prince Harry to step down.

Duncan Larcombe, an award-winning British journalist and former royal editor of The Sun, also said Prince Harry became "entirely in Meghan's shadow" during their trip to Nigeria. However, he noted that it benefited the royal prince because he was content with "playing second fiddle" and never really enjoyed the attention.




FINANCIAL TIMES / STATISTA 1000 EUROPES FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES 2024 - SWIXX BIOPHARMA/PR NEWSWIRE

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

With the addition of $220 million in sales, over 300 employees and therapeutic coverage in Neurology, Oncology, Immunology, Gastroenterology, Rare Diseases and Specialty, acquisition extends & transforms Swixx BioPharma's footprint

The acquisition is immediately accretive and creates a compelling, single-stop, multi-continent partner for biopharma companies

The acquisition builds on Swixx BioPharma's rapid rate of organic growth; the company has been recognized as one of Europe's fastest growing companies in 2024

BAAR, Switzerland, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Swixx BioPharma AG, a global commercial platform dedicated to unlocking access to innovative medicines worldwide, announces today its strategic expansion into Latin America with the signature of an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity of Pharma Consulting Group S.A. the holding company of Laboratorios Biopas SA. With operational headquarters in Bogota, Colombia, Biopas is one of Latin America's leading independent marketing and distribution companies for international biopharmaceutical firms. Biopas has a presence in 20 countries, including Latam's "Top 5" markets of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia & Mexico. Closing of the transaction is expected after relevant regulatory approvals, anticipated in June-July 2024.

This acquisition follows on the entry of Swixx BioPharma into the Middle East region in September 2023 and marks another important step towards fulfilling Swixx's mission to become the preferred partner for biopharma companies seeking indirect routes to launch their medicines. Through Biopas' comprehensive Latam continental coverage, Swixx will now be able to provide a compelling offering covering Central and Eastern Europe, CIS/Eurasia, MENA and now Latin America.

Biopas leadership team remains at the helm of the combined company in Latam. Biopas name will be retained for Latam operations, even as Biopas becomes part of the Swixx BioPharma group.

Jean-Michel Lespinasse, CEO of Swixx BioPharma, warmly welcomed the Biopas team into the Swixx BioPharma family: "we look forward to working closely with the brilliant, dedicated professionals that Biopas has attracted across Latam," commented Lespinasse. "We shall work passionately, with respect for Biopas' personnel and entrepreneurial culture, to join the two companies and thereby create something greater than the sum of the two parts."

"Let me also take this opportunity to salute Biopas' Founders Pascal and Maria Fernanda Forget, who I am happy to announce will join us with the respective positions of Executive Regional General Manager Latam and Executive Operations Advisor. The Forgets also become our shareholders and Pascal will take a role on Swixx BioPharma's Board of Directors."

Benoit Chastaing, Swixx BioPharma's Non-Executive Board Member and Managing Partner at Merieux Equity Partners (Swixx Investor) enthused that "this represents a landmark move for Swixx. In a stroke, we are creating a well-scaled, completely new breed of partner for global pharma  offering a genuine, single-stop shop with real presence in three continents. This gives to multinational biopharma, for the first time, a capable, serious yet simple (and easily managed) strategic alternative to having direct presence outside of their top 20 global markets."

Pascal Forget, CEO and co-founder of Biopas, commented: "We welcome the opportunity to join the Swixx BioPharma group and contribute to the development of a broad and distinctive interregional platform. We strongly believe that by joining forces with Swixx, we will be better placed to fulfill our mission to bring innovative medicines to the Latin American population. Both companies have similar missions and business models, and their combination will generate significant value for our partners and our patients. We will continue to provide efficient solutions and unlock access in the region, while nurturing long-term relationships with all Biopas stakeholders."

About Swixx BioPharma

Swixx BioPharma operates fully owned subsidiaries across Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, Russia and several Eurasian countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Middle East and now Latin America. Swixx BioPharma has over 1,300 employees and sales likely to exceed a billion Euros in 2024. The company is one of the fastest-growing, largest, independent, intercontinental commercial platforms for the biopharmaceutical industry. Swixx has gathered outstanding rare disease, oncology-hematology, specialty, vaccines and self-medication talent under one roof. For more information about Swixx BioPharma, please visit: www.swixxbiopharma.com.

About Laboritorios Biopas Group

Biopas is a leading pharmaceutical company in Latin America, specializing in the in-licensing, marketing, and sale of cutting-edge specialty pharmaceutical products. Our mission is to address unmet medical needs and facilitate access to innovative medicines. We provide efficient solutions to international pharmaceutical companies seeking to tap into sales opportunities across the region. Operating throughout Latin America with fully owned subsidiaries, we hold leading positions in CNS, Immunology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Oncology, and Rare Disease biopharmaceuticals. Our anticipated sales for 2024 are approximately $220 million, supported by a dedicated team of over 300 employees.

Swixx BioPharma Investor and partner inquiries:

Jean-Michel Lespinasse, CEObd.info@swixxbiopharma.com

Stuart Swanson, Head of Corporate Development bd.info@swixxbiopharma.com

Swixx BioPharma media inquiries:

Vedrana Sokac Brataljenovic, Public Affairs Directorvedrana.sokac@swixxbiopharma.com, Tel: +385 1 425 6086

Biopas inquiries:

Pascal Forget, Executive Regional General Manager Latam bd@biopasgroup.com

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European countries saw a nine-year high in the total number of cases of African swine fever (ASF) in pigs last year.

A five-fold increase in the number of ASF cases in pigs was recorded in Europe in 2023, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Fourteen countries recorded outbreaks in domestic pigs, its annual report says, making 2023 the worst year for domestic outbreaks since 2014.

Whilst ASF doesnt affect humans, it is a highly contagious and fatal notifiable disease that is also present in parts of Asia and Africa.

UK pig sector concerns are currently heightened, as large quantities of illegally imported meat have been seized at the Port of Dover.

Most of this was pork from ASF-affected parts of Europe, with the prospect that this work will be compromised due to funding cuts.

The National Pig Association (NPA) is pushing for import checks on illegal meat imports to be properly resourced in the UK.

It is also calling for the 2kg threshold on non-commercial pork imports to be dropped in favour of an outright ban.

NPA chief executive. Lizzie Wilson said there was 'no doubt' that ASF remained the biggest threat to the British pig industry.

We continue to make the case to government for proper resources to be put in place at Dover, and other points of entry, to help ensure we keep it out," she said.

"We also continue to seek clarity on the governments plans and the rules that would apply in the event of an outbreak, including in relation to regionalised pork trade.

But it is also essential that everyone who works in the pork sector does their bit to keep the virus at bay and is prepared, as much as possible, in the event an outbreak.

We urge all members to take a good look at our comprehensive guidance, which is a live document that is updated as new information comes through."
Arable farmers face losing nearly a billion in revenue as a result of the wet winter, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has revealed.

Analysis by the non-profit organisation found that revenue from key arable crops is set to reduce by 19% following relentless autumn and winter rainfall.

Based on current prices for wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape, and previous estimates of the impact of the wet winter on harvests this year, farmers could lose 890m on these crops compared to what they could have made if theyd produced as much as in 2023.

Compared to the average production achieved between 2015-2023, these losses increased to 1.2 billion, according to ECIU's analysis.

The analysis does not cover crops such as potatoes, sugar beet and field vegetables, all hit hard by heavy rainfall, with the group warning that the real financial impact was likely to be much higher.

Tom Lancaster, land analyst at ECIU said: "With crops hit by the winter washout, the UKs food security has been shaken and farmers are left counting the cost.

There is now an urgent need to move faster to support farmers to become more resilient to these impacts."

Compared to the same level of production as 2023, and based on selling at current prices, ECIU estimates that farmers stand to lose 751m on the wheat harvest, 183m on winter barley and 173 on oilseed rape.

These are only partly offset by gains of 43m growing oats and 175m more growing spring barley.

When applied to some hypothetical example farms, these losses translate to tens of thousands of pounds in lost revenue for farms typical of their region.

Applied to a 500ha farm in the east of England with average cropping, the analysis suggests losses around 80,000 this year.

In a potential lifeline for farmers, figures recently released to parliament by Farming Minister Mark Spencer suggest that much of this lost revenue could be offset by income from the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), more details of which were released this week.

Using these Defra figures, ECIU estimates that three out of four of these example farms could generate scheme payments in excess of these projected losses.

For example, a typical 250ha farm in the East Midlands would generate a scheme payment of 37,000, against projected wet winter losses of 35,000.

Mr Lancaster said more regenerative farming and nature-friendly techniques were 'a key part' in any new support for farmers.

"The governments new green farming schemes can also provide vital income to offset these climate losses, providing a climate lifeline for those hardest hit.

The analysis comes after the NFU recently warned that the drastic reduction in crops had shown just how vulnerable British farms are.

Its election manifesto sets out how more funding is needed by the Environment Agency so it can deliver a plan of management and re-investment in the watercourses and flood defences.

The manifesto also urges the next government to commit to an agricultural budget that ensures British farming can meet the challenges of climate change.
The mental health of farmers and other rural workers is being 'neglected' and more investment is needed for bespoke support, experts say.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is calling for an overhaul in mental health support for rural areas.

Its new report warns that current provisions are 'insufficient' and 'neglect' struggling countryside communities.

Despite rural communities facing a unique set of daily complex challenges, the NHS and current mental health services 'cannot provide the required level of support'.

Financial stress and the cost of living crisis compound pre-existing hardships and push people to breaking point, the association warns.

Loneliness, isolation, and the rural premium are just some of the common issues faced by those living in the countryside.

But farming communities also face additional economic and environmental challenges which are often out of their control  such as poor weather, rising costs and Brexit impacts.

The new report found that these communities are seemingly being left to just get on with it as individual needs are forgotten.

BACP warns the government that by not providing bespoke support, they are neglecting rural communities as the NHS and third sector 'simply cannot cope'.

Recommendations to the government include making area-based mental health plans to reflect the specific challenges and profile of rural communities.

BACP says its 'absolutely vital' to improve access to a wider range of psychological therapies  and suggests using the counselling workforce in primary care settings.

This includes the Primary Care Networks in England and the multi-disciplinary teams based within GP hubs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It also strongly advises the government to provide appropriate funding for third sector specialist services - which is currently plugging the gap and providing support where statutory services are unable to help.

Dr Lisa Morrison Coulthard, director of research at BACP, said the cost of living crisis had greatly impacted rural communities.

In particular, farmers faced numerous unique mental health challenges due to closures from disease, bad weather, reduced government support, and post-Brexit funding issues.

She said: "Rising input costs worsen their situation and government is often perceived as lacking understanding of external market forces and their effect on the farming sector  which fuels the belief that farmers are being neglected.

Current funding support available for rural areas is much lower per head than for their urban counterparts - so public services in these areas suffer and the communities who rely on them are greatly disadvantaged by location.

"The lack of available or accessible NHS services in some rural areas has also meant that third sector organisations often pick up the tab for underinvestment."

Dr Coulthard concluded: Governments across the UK must address the different needs of countryside communities, and provide essential bespoke support."
The sheep sector has welcomed new legislation banning the exports of live animals for slaughter as Brexit "effectively closed" the trade.

A new ban on exporting live animals has come into law as the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent earlier this week.

The bill means that livestock can no longer be exported from Great Britain for slaughter or fattening.

However, live exports in other specific circumstances, for example, for breeding and competitions, will still be allowed.

The National Sheep Association (NSA), which once warned against a live export ban, said it now welcomes the move.

The body said that the export trade for live animals has "effectively been closed since the UKs departure from the EU due to no live animal border facilities able to process consignments".

Fortunately, market conditions in the UK have been favourable without this," explained NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker.

"So we have seen little negative impact of not having exported lambs for slaughter or further finishing  and exports of British lamb/sheep meat via carcasses and cuts into the EU continue to remain strong.

As the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protections Index, the government stated that it is committed to high animal welfare standards and therefore it moved to end live exports for finishing or slaughter.

Government data shows up to 40 million farm animals, including sheep, calves and pigs, have been exported from Britain for further rearing or slaughter since the 1960s.

At its height, one million animals were being exported annually - and animals have travelled from ports such as Dover, Ramsgate and Brightlingsea.

But Mr Stocker said the NSA was pleased over the bill's passing, as it reiterated a commitment to animal welfare from government.

"The legislation will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high welfare UK slaughterhouses, reinforcing our position as a world leader on animal welfare," he added.

The ban doesnt include breeding animals, with the government keen to promote the live export of breeding animals.

Mr Stocker said the NSA supports this and the continuing of P&O bookings for the movement of breeding animals, but only once facilities are able to take live animals on the other side of the channel.

Due to the lack of Border Control Posts (BCP), he warned there had been 'devastating impacts' for the UK's breeding animal trade.

"British genetics and breeding stock are highly sought after worldwide and preventing this trade through the lack of BCPs has had significant financial implications for many businesses," he said.
Ariana Madix hopes to prove her doubters wrong after she finally opened her sandwich shop.

Ariana Madix has opened a sandwich shop in Los Angeles

The 38-year-old star and Katie Maloney recently opened their sandwich shop, Something About Her, in Los Angeles, and Ariana is hopeful that it will prove to be a huge success.

She told Us Weekly: "We made a joke that we were going to put a sandwich on the menu called Your words, so they can eat them."

Ariana ultimately hopes that fans will "love" the sandwich shop.

The TV star said: "Were just gonna continue to do the best that we can and grow and make it better and better as time goes on."

Katie, 37, believes fans will be able to see the extent of their hard work when they walk inside the shop.

She said: "I dont think we have to say anything. Everythings going to speak for itself."

Ariana split from Tom Sandoval last year, and the reality star previously admitted that she was "not in a good place financially" at the time.

During an episode of 'Vanderpump Rules', Ariana shared: "The internet thinks Ive made millions of dollars. That is not true."

Ariana subsequently explained that she invested a lot of money into her sandwich shop venture.

The TV star - who split from Tom after it emerged that he had a months-long affair with Rachel Leviss - said: "When I first started making decent money, we decided we wanted to buy a house.

"Then I was playing catch up all the way up until Katie and I found a great location for a sandwich shop.

"Then a bunch of my money went toward that. Now I was at a point where in March I was literally on my last $2,000. I am not kidding."
Gary Oldman is the "happiest" he's ever been.

Gary Oldman feels happier than ever

The 66-year-old actor has revealed that he feels much more comfortable in his own skin than he did during his younger years.

Gary - who struggled with alcoholism earlier in his career - told The Hollywood Reporter at the Cannes Film Festival: "Im the happiest Ive been.

"Im more comfortable now than I was in my skin when I was younger  There was chaos, pain and a lot of drama in my life when I was younger.

"Its no secret that I used to drink and I just celebrated 20 years of sobriety."

Gary stars in 'Parthenope', which has been described as director Paolo Sorrentino's love letter to Naples, and the actor has revealed that he relished the experience of shooting the movie.

What's more, Gary suggested that the film will change the life of his co-star, Celeste Dalla Porta.

He said: "I am, of 50 years of doing it, a veteran with experience and age and Celeste is a young actress whose life will change after this film and there is an innocence and purity that will be lost forever."

Meanwhile, Gary previously revealed that acting has served as a form of escapism for him.

The Oscar-winning star admitted that he loves the challenge of "stepping into the characteristics and the behaviour of someone else".

Gary - who is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time - told Interview magazine: "I think it was my way out, a sort of avenue of escape.

"The fun of it was getting away from myself and stepping into the characteristics and the behaviour of someone else. It stems from that thing of not necessarily being that comfortable in your own skin."
Matthew Perrys drug death is reportedly being probed by authorities including the US postal service.

Matthew Perrys drug death is reportedly being probed by authorities including the US postal service

The Friends star was found dead aged 54 in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023, with an autopsy revealing he had been killed by acute effects of ketamine.

It was reported on Tuesday (21.05.24) by TMZ his passing is still under investigation as police want to identify the supplier of the drugs that killed the actor.

The outlet has now reported the Drug Enforcement Administration is getting assistance from the US Postal Inspection Service in its efforts to find the person who gave the actor the ketamine that killed him.

It said: Law enforcement sources tell us the USPS federal investigatory authorities are now involved in the probe, and looking into whether Matthew acquired any drugs through the mail.

Were told the postal inspectors are offering their expertise  including their ability to track packages and other mail-related investigation tools.

TMA previously reported: Law enforcement sources tell us there is an ongoing investigation into where Matthew got the ketamine that ended up playing a part in his death  and the main questions are who provided the drug, and under what circumstances.

Its report went on: Our sources say both local police and the DEA have been looking into this matter for months, but its unclear where exactly investigators are in the probe.

We do know theyve already interviewed some key people in Hollywood.

While our sources could not provide names they told us investigators have approached and spoken to people who are known to have a history of drug use or abuse.

Were told those people are not necessarily the actual source of ketamine, but they could have information leading to the source.

So far, no arrests have been made.

The LA County Medical Examiners Office revealed in December Matthews death was drug related.

Drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects were also listed as other contributing factors in his passing.

At the time, a medical expert speculated to Page Six the actor had likely obtained ketamine illegally for recreational use.

Even though Matthew was undergoing ketamine treatment for anxiety and depression at the time of his passing, his autopsy report noted the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy.

Matthews Friends co-stars have continued to honour him since his death, with his on-screen lover Courteney Cox, 59, telling CBS Sunday Morning this weekend she thinks he still visits her  adding: I sense Matthews around for sure.
Two people have been arrested in connection with a fight involving Ian Ziering and a group of bikers.

Ian Ziering was involved in an incident earlier this year

The 60-year-old actor - who is best known for playing Steve Sanders on TV series 'Beverly Hills, 90210' - was seen fighting with a group of riders before being chased across the street in Hollywood in video footage that circulated online at the beginning of the year, and now Los Angeles police have announced Jacob Esteban Hernandez, 20, and 40-year-old Angie Teresa Guizar have been taken into custody in connection with the incident, which took place on New Year's Eve (31.12.23).

Hernandez was arrested for felony vandalism, while Guizar was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, and the District Attorney's office must now decide whether to file charges.

According to TMZ, the video footage posted online days after the incident was seen as key evidence in the investigation because it helped police identify the suspects.

The 'Sharknado' star previously spoke out about the "alarming" incident.

He wrote on Instagram: "Yesterday, I experienced an alarming incident involving a group of individuals on mini bikes. While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation. In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself."

Fortunately, Ian and his 12-year-old daughter Mia were "both completely unscathed", but the incident has left the actor "deeply concerned" about a "larger issue of hooliganism" on the streets.

He added: "I am relieved to report that my daughter and I are both completely unscathed, but the incident has left me deeply concerned about the growing boldness of such groups who disrupt public safety and peace.

"This situation highlights a larger issue of hooliganism on our streets and the need for effective law enforcement responses to such behaviour. As a citizen and a parent, I find it unacceptable that groups can freely engage in this kind of behaviour, causing fear and chaos, while the response from authorities seems insufficient."
Predictiv AI Inc. (TSXV:PAI.H)(OTC PINK:INOTF)(FSE:71TA) ("Predictiv AI" or the "Company"), www.predictiv.ai, announces that it has completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 10,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.02 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $200,000. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.05 for a period of 24 months. If the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares is equal to or greater than $0.10 for any 10 consecutive trading days, the Company may, upon providing written notice to the holders of Warrants, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such written notice. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months from the date of issuance.

Predictiv AI also completed its previously announced debt settlement with certain creditors of the Company (the "Creditors"), pursuant to which Predictiv AI has issued to the Creditors an aggregate of 25,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.02 per Common Share in full and final settlement of accrued and outstanding indebtedness in the aggregate amount of $500,000 (the "Debt Settlement"). All securities issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months from the date of issuance.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101

Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company has issued an aggregate of 10,593,619 Common Shares to officers of the Company ("Insiders"), constituting, to that extent, a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insiders participation in the Debt Settlement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Debt Settlement nor the securities issued in connection therewith, in so far as the Debt Settlement involves Insiders, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Debt Settlement as the details of the Debt Settlement and the participation therein by the Insiders were not settled until recently and the Company wishes to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PredictivAI/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/predictivai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/predictivai/

Company Contact:

Khurram Qureshi

Mobile: 647.831.1462

Email: kqureshi@predictiv.ai

About Predictiv AI Inc.

Predictiv AI Inc. www.predictiv.ai is a technology company which helps businesses and organizations make smarter decisions using advanced artificial intelligence, deep machine learning and data science techniques. Its Weather Telematics Inc. subsidiary uses patented air quality monitoring sensors to provide predictive weather risk information to the insurance, logistics, fleet management and public safety sectors. The Company's R&D division, AI Labs Inc., develops new products that solve real-world business problems. Due to financial constraints, Predictiv AI's operations have been put on hold.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection stated in such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to other factors referenced in the Company's other continuous disclosure filings, which are available at sedarplus.ca. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

SOURCE: Predictiv AI, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
QINGDAO, China, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the 48th International Museum Day on May 18, the Art Exhibitions China and Oriental Outlook jointly released the national museum (exhibition) overseas influence assessment report in 2023. In this list of the top 100 museums, which includes the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China, the Tsingtao Beer Museum stands out as the only corporate brand museum.



A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Tsingtao Beer, a globally renowned Chinese brand established 121 years ago and exported to 120 countries, is beloved by consumers worldwide. Located in the birthplace of Tsingtao Beer, the Tsingtao Beer Museum narrates the brand's history and embodies the essence of Tsingtao Beer culture. With a brand heritage that has endured over time, it stands as a timeless landmark and a city symbol deeply engraved in the public memory.

Visitor to the Tsingtao Beer Museum can do more than just drink beer - they can also indulge in beer-infused cuisine, accommodations, and activities. Delve into 121 years of history to experience the craftsmanship culture; savor various beer flavors for a taste of brand innovation; enjoy a creamy beer ice cream when tired, relish a rich beer yeast bread when hungry, sip on an inspiring fresh wine fruit tea when thirsty, and take home a creative beer culture souvenir before departing. This destination offers a fresh and dynamic one-stop beer experience for global consumers.

Among Chinese brands going global, Tsingtao Beer has served as a cultural ambassador by virtue of its excellent taste and continuous innovation.

Since 2019, research institutions such as the Art Exhibitions China, Oriental Outlook, and digital technology companies have supported the continuous release of the national museum (exhibition) overseas influence assessment report for four years in a row to conduct comprehensive evaluations of national first-tier museums, with over tens of millions of views in total.

Source: Tsingtao Beer Museum
LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21st, at the invitation of London Business School (LBS), Guo Wei, Chairman of Digital China, participated in the esteemed "Managing the Digital Organization" lecture, engaging with a cohort of prospective business leaders. Focusing on the trending topics of 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'Digital Transformation', he imparted the digital philosophy and practices of Chinese enterprises amidst the digital civilization era.

Digital China, a prominent player in China's digital economy, has harnessed over two decades of deep involvement in the nation's information industry to embrace the power of digitization. This has culminated in what Guo Wei refers to as 'China's Vibrant Blueprint for Digital Transformation', carving a distinctive path of digital metamorphosis. Notably, Digital China's transformation narrative has been incorporated into LBS's esteemed case library, underscoring its significance as a teaching instrument.

In his lecture, Guo Wei emphasized that the digital economy now constitutes the backbone of supply, with digital technology emerging as the paramount catalyst for economic expansion. The hastening pace of global digitization propels us into an epoch of digital civilization. For multinational corporations, digital strategies have escalated to the status of corporate strategy, and the amassing of data assets constitutes the pivotal lever for business innovation. Amidst this evolution, AI-fueled digital-cloud integration signifies a disruptive technological innovation, poised to invigorate the global landscape. Digital China feels honored to reprise its role in elite international business school case repositories, thereby contributing insights to academia. This recognition signifies that Chinese enterprises' digital and AI acumen resonates globally, exemplifying world-class practices.

Professor Julian Birkinshaw, Vice Dean and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at LBS, remarked, "As a global institution, we constantly seek out exemplary cases worldwide. Digital China was chosen not solely due to its prominence in China but also its sophisticated implementation of digital technologies, demonstrating adaptability and offering invaluable insights to our students about the contemporary business milieu. The story of Digital China encapsulates Mr. Guo Wei's philosophy - digitization transcends being a mere process; it embodies the existential rationale for companies. This philosophy underpins our decision to feature Digital China in our case studies."

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Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2024) - Tiny Ltd. (TSXV: TINY) ("Tiny" or the "Company"), a Canadian technology holding company, today announced that it will report financial results for the period ended March 31, 2024, before the market opens on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

About Tiny Ltd.

Tiny is a leading technology holding company with a strategy of acquiring majority stakes in wonderful businesses. Tiny has three core business segments, Beam, WeCommerce and Dribbble, with other standalone businesses including a private equity investment fund.

Beam, and its subsidiary companies, including MetaLab, helps start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to design, build and ship premium digital products for both mobile and web. The Company's capabilities as an end-to-end product partner provide clients with intimate insight into end-user behavior, allowing for a thorough, strategy-led approach to product design, engineering, brand positioning and marketing.

WeCommerce provides merchants with a suite of ecommerce software tools to start and grow their online store. Our family of companies and brands include Pixel Union, Out of the Sandbox, Archetype, Foursixty, Stamped, KnoCommerce, Clean Canvas and Orbit Apps. As one of Shopify's first partners since 2010, WeCommerce is focused on building, acquiring and investing in leading technology businesses operating in the Shopify partner ecosystem.

Dribbble is a creative network and community that design professionals use to meet, collaborate, and showcase their work. Dribbble also hosts an online marketplace for graphics, fonts, templates, and other digital assets.

Other standalone businesses include several software and internet companies and the operation of a private equity fund where the Company serves as the general partner (the "Tiny Fund"). The Tiny Fund commenced operations in August 2020 and has total committed capital of US$150 million.

For more about Tiny, please visit https://www.tiny.com or refer to the public disclosure documents available under Tiny's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information about the Company, please contact:

David Charron

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: 416-418-3881

Email: david@tiny.com

Source: Tiny Ltd.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210060

SOURCE: Tiny Ltd.
New research from Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, shows the massive potential of Generative AI to boost workplace productivity by helping UK workers to save 19 million hours a week on the routine and repetitive tasks that often fill their day and lead to burnout.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521519690/en/

New research from Pearson shows how Generative AI could help UK workers to save 19 million hours a week by 2026 (Photo: Business Wire)

The latest instalment of Pearson's Skills Outlook series, 'Reclaim the Clock: How Generative AI Can Power People at Work' looks ahead to 2026 and identifies the top 10 job tasks with the most time saved by using the technology, in five countries (Australia, Brazil, India, UK and US).

Pearson's workforce planning platform, powered by generative AI, finds that the work Gen AI can most effectively support is focused on tasks related to maintaining records, data collection, or researching and compiling information for others.

The ten work tasks with most hours saved by Gen AI by 2026 in the UK are:

Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise (679,000 hours) Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures (665,000 hours) Create visual designs or displays (525,000 hours) Maintain operational records (512,000 hours) Prepare legal or regulatory documents (490,000 hours) Maintain health or medical records (406,000 hours) Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities (401,000 hours) Advise others on products or services (387,000 hours) Explain regulations, policies, or procedures (386,000 hours) Monitor individual behaviour or performance (383,000 hours)

By augmenting basic tasks with generative AI, companies and their workers can reallocate time to focus on the high value work that humans do best: strategic thinking, collaboration, caring for others, decision making, innovation, problem solving, empathy, leadership.

At an individual level, even small amounts of time saved with Generative AI can help people feel more in control of their job and achieve a better work life balance.

Oliver Latham, VP of Strategy and Growth for Pearson Workforce Skills, said:

"In nearly every workplace, people spend their day on common, time-consuming tasks that eat away at productivity or their work-life balance. If those tasks could be augmented with generative AI, employers and their workers could reallocate time to the things that needs a more human touch and mean more to their customers. Employers should consider how to incorporate this new technology into their teams, and redesign roles to free people up to focus on more valuable, human tasks. They should also consider the need for training and support for employees, so they can use it effectively and responsibly."

Methodology

At Pearson we believe that the future of work can be one where people and Gen AI can collaborate by using AI as a tool to enhance human potential. For this study, Pearson used census and other workforce datasets to create a single view of the current workforce in the US, UK, Australia, India and Brazil. Using Pearson's proprietary occupations ontology of 5,600 jobs and 76,000 tasks, each job can be viewed as a collection of tasks. This allows our machine learning algorithms to calculate future technology impact at a task level.

Pearson looked at hours currently spent, countrywide, in the UK on work tasks each week, and then calculated what this would be in three years' time as Gen AI technology is adopted into the workplace. We then identified the tasks which would have the greatest hours reduced by the technology (specifically LLM Chatbots and AI Text-to-Visual Media Generators).

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521519690/en/

Contacts:

hannah.hawkins@pearson.com
MILAN, Italy, May 22, 2024, the European leader in pharmacy automation, is thrilled to announce its successful tender win at AZ Saint Lucas Hospitalin Brugge, facilitated by its business partner, Robapharma. This milestone marks Deenova's entry into the Belgian market and underscores its ongoing commitment to international expansion. Deenovais now present in over 100 hospitals across nine European countries.



The collaboration with AZ Saint Lucas Hospitalexemplifies Deenova's dedication to advancing medication safety through cutting-edge technology. By implementing Deenova's latest modular AIDE automation solutions, AZ Saint Lucas Hospital will enhance its pharmacy operations, ensuring higher accuracy, improved patient safety, and increased efficiency in medication management.

"Entering the Belgian market is a pivotal step for us," said Marco D'Inca, Solution Design and Product Development Manager at Deenova. "We are excited to bring our innovative solutions to Belgium with Robapharmaand look forward to a fruitful partnership with AZ Saint Lucas Hospital. This is the first of a series of promising projects in the country."

Belgium is one of the most advanced countries in terms of medication safety and traceability. The new royal decree outlining guidelines for good hospital pharmacy practices mandates that medication for inpatients should be dispensed in single-dose packaging, and requires traceability for all medicines and implantable medical devices.

Dr. Vermeire, Adjunct Medical Director and Head of Pharmacy at AZ Saint Lucas Hospital, commented, "We are excited to integrate Deenova's advanced pharmacy automation solutions into our hospital. This partnership will not only streamline our medication dispensing processes but also significantly enhance the safety and personalization of patient care. We believe that this collaboration represents a major advancement in our commitment to healthcare excellence."

AZ Saint Lucas Hospitalis a leading healthcare institution in Belgium, dedicated to providing high-quality medical care and innovative treatments. With a focus on patient-centered care, AZ Saint Lucas Hospital employs advanced technology and practices to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

For the past 20 years, Deenovahas been at the forefront of pharmacy automation and patient-specific unit dose supply systems, revolutionizing medication management in hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide. Headquartered in Piacenza, Italy, Deenovacontinues to grow, driven by a steadfast commitment to enhancing patient safety and healthcare efficiency. More information on www.deenova.com.

Contacts:

Christophe Jaffuel, c.jaffuel@deenova.com,

Martina Buccianti, m.buccianti@deenova.com, +39 0523785311

Photo: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a03993e7-546c-40e3-bd50-35608024f69f
At its annual meeting, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners should make a time-bound commitment to increase reusable packaging

LONDON, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As shareholders of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) gather in London today for their annual meeting, Oceana will take to the surrounding streets, calling on the company to commit to more reusable packaging. Although the Coca-Cola Company pledged in 2022 to reach 25% reusable packaging by 2030, CCEP - the world's largest bottler and seller of Coca-Cola products - has yet to make a similar commitment.



Oceana released the following statement from Matt Littlejohn, Oceana's Senior Vice President:

"Plastic is devastating our oceans and Coca-Cola is the world's top plastic polluter according to survey resultspublished by the Break Free From Plastic Movement. In order for Coca-Cola to meet its reusable commitment, it needs support from its bottlers, especially CCEP. If the Coca-Cola Company meets its commitment, it could, by 2030, eliminate the cumulative equivalent of over 100 billion 500 ml single-use plastic bottles and cups and prevent up to 14.7 billion of these plastic containers from entering our waterways and seas.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, please stop delaying. The Coca-Cola Company itself has reported that refillable bottles can have the lowest carbon footprint of any packaging type and the highest collection rate, especially when compared to single-use plastic bottles. Reuse is clearly the winning strategy for our oceans and planet. Make a commitment now to scale up reusable packaging and help save our oceans. They can't wait."

Oceana sent a letter to the company, and will distribute it to shareholders, staff, and executives as they walk into their annual meeting today. The plea will also appear in the Financial Times, on chalk sidewalk ads, and on mobile billboards so shareholders and employees can see and understand the importance of CCEP making this commitment. The full letter is available at CCEPmorereusenow.org.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world's wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.

Contact: Gillian Spolarich, Anna Baxter | email: gspolarich@oceana.org, abaxter@oceana.org
Regulatory News:

CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA) has been appointed by market leading dog food manufacturers PsiBufet and Butternut Box to build a specialist facility to produce fresh and healthy dog food for distribution across continental Europe.

The specialist new facility is being developed in a build-to-suit model at CTPark Zabrze to enable the production of fresh and healthy meals for dogs. Situated in the Katowice Special Economic Zone, the production facility will cover an area of nearly 40,000 sqm and will ultimately employ several hundred people. PsiBufet and Butternut Box plan to deliver the first meals produced at CTPark Zabrze by mid-2025.

PsiBufet is a Polish brand that offers fresh, individually tailored food for dogs, delivered directly to pets in a D2C model. In 2023, PsiBufet was acquired by UK-based Butternut Box, the European market leader in fresh dog food. Founded in 2016, Butternut Box is present in the UK and Poland (as PsiBufet), as well as in Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and, more recently, in Germany.

The construction of the production facility in Poland is possible thanks to the funding that Butternut Box secured in 2023. The company raised 280 million (more than PLN 1.4 billion) from the General Atlantic fund and existing investor L Catterton.

David Nolan, founder and CEO of Butternut Box said:

"Our meals are made today in Rudie's Kitchen in Doncaster, UK, one of the most modern dog food manufacturing facilities in Europe. We are growing rapidly, and another factory is necessary to meet the challenge of growing demand. Poland is a key market for us, and I am delighted that it is becoming a regional hub for the Butternut Box business. Production at CTPark Zabrze will allow us to deliver fresh food even faster to hundreds of thousands of dogs in Germany, as well as other countries in mainland Europe.

Piotr Wawrysiuk, founder of PsiBufet said:

"After choosing Poland as the best location for the production plant, Upper Silesia became our favourite. It is a large labour market, full of highly skilled workers, with a very well-developed infrastructure. CTPark Zabrze, in turn, is located in close proximity to the junction of the A1 and A4 motorways, allowing fast delivery to dogs from all over Poland, Germany and other European countries. The possibility of receiving public aid also played a major role in the choice of site for the investment. We also received support from the city and the entire region, as well as irreplaceable commercial advice from CTP

Bogi Gabrovic, Director of Client Relations Corporate Affairs at CTP Poland said:

"CTP's development strategy focuses on locations that are key to Poland's export opportunities providing fast trade and shorter delivery times. Hence the decision to develop a portfolio of business parks in, among other places, the Silesian Voivodeship, close to the German market. To date, we have built almost 67,000 sqm within CTPark Zabrze. For the needs of the PsiBufet and Butternut Box brands, we will rebuild one of the buildings in the complex, providing the tenant with suitable conditions for the production and storage of pet food. In this way, we will support the tenant in serving the ever-growing demand for fresh and healthy meals for dogs.

Lukasz Tomczyk, Business Developer at CTP Poland said:

"Being appointed to redevelop the ZAB3 building in Zabrze to replicate the specialist standard of the Doncaster factory reflects our expertise and experience in implementing complex manufacturing processes across Europe, something we are increasingly doing in Poland. We feel a huge responsibility towards the ambitious business plans of our new partner and let's not forget hundreds of thousands of dogs today and millions of dogs in the future, who are impatiently waiting for their first meals prepared in our park in Zabrze.

ABOUT CTP

CTP is the largest listed owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate in terms of gross leasable area, with 12.0 million sq.m. GLA in 10 countries (as of 31 March 2024). The company certifies all new buildings to BREEAM at a level of 'very good' or above and has achieved a negligible-risk ESG rating from Sustainalytics, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. For more information, please visit: www.ctp.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521748664/en/

Contacts:

Karin Mizak

Head of Marketing

CTP

E: karin.mizak@ctp.eu

M: +48 532 566 712

Monika Sadowska

Senior Consultant

Linkleaders

E: monika.sadowska@linkleaders.pl

M: +48 502 243 620
FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. ("CKE") announced a new agreement with Boparan Restaurant Group ("BRG") to develop Carl's Jr. restaurants in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland ("Territory"). This collaboration marks an exciting addition to CKE's growing list of international locations and will bring guests the big, bold flavors the brand is known for worldwide. Carl's Jr.'s crave-worthy menu includes over-the-top, juicy chargrilled burgers, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders, and Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shakes.

Under this agreement, BRG will open, operate, and franchise restaurants throughout the territory as the exclusive Carl's Jr. developer. This partnership further solidifies Carl's Jr.'s European presence which includes nearly 100 restaurants across Spain, France, Denmark, Turkey, and Switzerland.

"As part of our strategic growth plan, we've had our sights set on the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland for quite a while and are extremely excited to answer the international demand for our signature flavors," said Mike Woida, President of CKE International.

"Carl's Jr.'s international success speaks for itself. The brand offers fantastic food quality and brilliant innovation, and we look forward to replicating the born in California, 'Eat Like You Mean It' experience in the U.K." said Satnam Leihal, CEO of BRG. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences, and we look forward to introducing Carl's Jr. to the U.K. and Irish markets."

With a rich heritage and more than 80 years in business, the California-born restaurant chain is accelerating plans for global expansion. CKE currently operates more than 1,100 international restaurants in more than 35 countries around the world.

"BRG has a proven record of success and shares our vision for Carl's Jr. in the U.K. We look forward to serving our guests in the region as we continue our path toward global growth," Woida said.

For international franchise information visit https://carlsjrfranchising.com/international.

About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., a privately held company based in Franklin, Tennessee, operates Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, two beloved brands, known for premium and innovative menu items such as iconic chargrilled burgers and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders. With both a U.S. and international footprint, Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC have more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants domestically and more than 35 international markets and U.S. territories. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.

About Boparan Restaurant Group

BRG is one of the UK's leading restaurant companies, managing a diverse portfolio of well- known brands, including Slim Chickens, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), FishWorks, Carluccio's, Caffe Carluccio's, Giraffe, Ed's Easy Diner, and Cinnamon Collection. BRG has established itself as a key player in the food and beverage industry. Online: https://boparanrestaurantgroup.co.uk/.

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Costa Coffee launches 'Lattenomics', a report which takes a deep dive into the UK's coffee consumption habits - the influences and impact.

51% of consumers voted Costa Coffee as preferred high street coffee brand.

Drive-Thru outlets have increased by 15% over last 12 months.

Consumers twice as likely to customise drinks when ordering digitally.

LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Coffee, the Nation's Favourite Coffee Shop* has launched 'Lattenomics', a report exploring the UK's changing coffee consumption habits, the influences that shape it, and the impact on wider high street and societal culture.

Using sales ratios and aggregated data from every Costa Coffee store and franchise partner over the last 24 months, the report provides an unparalleled insight into consumer trends in the post-pandemic era.

The findings reveal:

An increased presence of coffee shops on our high streets, and how our use of coffee shops is changing.

How coffee shops are responding to the rise in hybrid and remote working.

Customers want more from their coffee, and how this is driving innovation.

1.) Coffee as a cultural catalyst

Unlike other hospitality venues, coffee shops have weathered the storm of weakened consumer confidence and economic turmoil in recent years. The total number of coffee shops across the UK grew by 353 in the last 12 months, and market researchers Allegra predict there will be over 11,600 coffee retail outlets across the UK by January 2029[1].

Nick Ridley, Property Director for Costa Coffee says: "High streets are often portrayed as struggling, but with the right mix of retail and hospitality they will continue to thrive. That's why brands like Costa Coffee have a crucial role to play from an economic and a social point of view".

Costa Coffee data shows consistency in weekend footfall over the last two years, suggesting that weekend trading remains strong despite cost-of-living pressures. Footfall post 5pm has also increased, with 5.4% of under 35-year-olds visiting coffee shops in the early evening which, coinciding with a decline in alcohol consumption amongst younger consumers[2], presents an exciting role and function for coffee shops within the evening economy.

Ridley adds: "Coffee shops can play a greater role in the early evening space with younger consumers who don't want to drink alcohol but are still looking for the sociability that a pub has to offer. Here's our opportunity to provide what our customers are looking for - a place where they can be productive, creative, or just have fun."

2.) A convenient cup

On-the-go consumption has grown exponentially since the pandemic, due to the rise in hybrid and remote working. As a result, the number of Drive-Thru outlets nationwide has grown 15.1% over the last 12 months, of which Costa Coffee operates 43% of these.

Costa Coffee also has over 14,800 self-serve Costa Coffee Express machines across the country, to deliver an authentic coffee shop experience at the touch of a button.

With that, the RTD (ready to drink) market is also seeing considerable growth amongst time-strapped consumers. Sales data from Costa Coffee shows that 20% of under 35 buy RTDs, compared to just 6% of over 55s.

Andrew Miller, Director of Costa Express & Costa Corporate Partnerships says: "While there are still consumers who want to visit stores, we also see customers who are time poor, so speed of service, technology and convenience are really important. The rollout of our Costa Express machines, which is rooted in travel & convenience, has allowed us to reach these customers and continue to serve as a brand that delivers for all customers".

In response, technological advancements enable brands like Costa Coffee to provide a greater speed of service for customers whilst maintaining the same quality as an in-store beverage, offering the same customisation options.

Miller adds: "As a result we are working towards advancing our Costa Coffee Express service, so that people expect to be able to order almost the same drink, and have the same experience from a machine, as they would from a coffee shop."

3.) The Costa-misation of Coffee

While two-thirds of UK consumers stick to a classic Latte or Cappuccino, they are becoming more adventurous with their changing coffee tastes, according to Costa Coffee.

Sales data shows that over a third (36.4%) of UK consumers customise drinks aligning with their milk preferences, with oat milk named most popular (31.4%). Similarly, flavour trends continue to disrupt the market, and Costa Coffee data shows that 40% of customers like to add a flavour syrup to their hot beverage when given the chance, with most popular flavours being caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut. However, the data also shows that flavour syrups are most popular with younger consumers (34% Gen Z vs 5.3% over 55s).

Moreover, research from the Costa Coffee's Store Of the Future, a new store re-design programme launched in 2019, also found that people are twice as likely to customise their coffee when ordering via a digital ordering screen, rather than over the counter, sighting judgement as a barrier to customisation.

Sandra Ferreira, Beverage Innovation Director at Costa Coffee says: "Alongside customisation, people also want a multi-sensory experience with their drinks and we're seeing a growth in demand for texture in drinks with the addition of cold foams and bubbles, e.g. a Tropical Mango Bubble Frappe with bubbles, or Iced Whipped Lattes."

The results of the Lattenomics report reflect huge socio-economic changes in the UK and the need for the industry to innovate to continue meeting the growing demands of consumers.

"We're on so many high streets, and we're one of the most loved brands, so we have a responsibility to give people a reason to go back" says Ferreira. "Costa Coffee's role is to continue to be the go-to place where people connect."

The report is available from 21st May on the Costa Coffee website. To find out more please visit https://costanewsroom.vuelio.co.uk/press/press-releases/4dbda2b7-a830-458a-a913-5becb27086fd/lattenomics-the-state-of-the-nation-from-the-eys-of-a-coffee-cup

Notes to Editors

*Allegra Strategies, 2022

About Costa Coffee

Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa now has 2,800 stores across the UK and Ireland. Costa Coffee is present in 45 countries around the world with over 130 stores globally. Named the "Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland" by Allegra Strategies for 13 consecutive years (2010-2024). Since 2007, The Costa Foundation, a registered charity with the aim of improving the life chances of children in coffee growing communities by helping them access a safe, quality education. So far, The Costa Foundation has funded over 100 school projects and changed the lives of more than 120,000 children.

[1] Allegra World Coffee Portal report, January 2024

[2] https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/research/alcohol-facts-and-data/alcohol-consumption-ukhowmanypeopledonotdrinkalcohol

PDF: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2418196/Costa_Coffee_Lattenomics.pdf

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Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 22

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

21 May 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 21 May 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid 430 pence per share Highest purchase price paid 431 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid 429 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 19,614,362 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 226,477,061 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 21 May 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 431.00 429.00 12:51:56 14:57:41 00070016895TRLO0 00070020881TRLO0 LSE LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
Highlights:

The updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") considers 28,783 meters of diamond drilling to increase the Indicated Resource tonnage by 164%: Indicated Resource: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO ? and 6.6% CaF2, and Inferred Resource: 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF2.

Contains a high percentage of the magnet feed rare earth elements neodymium (Nd) & praseodymium (Pr), exceeding that of several active global producers: (Nd2O3 + Pr2O3) / TREO ("NdPr") of 21.2% (indicated) and 21.4% (inferred)

The geological model interprets a single, continuous, mineralized carbonatite body outcropping at surface, with a footprint approximately 700 m along strike, over 300 m across, and 600 m deep as defined by the current resource estimate and remains open at depth.

The MRE incorporates three monazite-mineralized zones (A-Zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)). Other rare earth element-bearing lithologies such as the BD-Zone require additional metallurgical studies and were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project.

A forthcoming niobium drill program is set to investigate additional resource potential.

? TREO = sum of all lanthanide oxides + yttrium oxide

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit (the "Ashram Deposit" or "Ashram"). The Ashram Deposit, wholly owned by the Company, is located in northeastern Quebec, Canada, approximately 130 kilometres south of the community of Kuujjuaq.

The updated MRE for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit firmly establishes it as a globally significant rare earth element ("REE") deposit, and one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite REE deposits in the world: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF2 (indicated), and 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF2 (inferred), at a cut-off of $287 Net Metal Return (NMR) per tonne (7).

Ashram also continues to demonstrate very high NdPr distributions (i.e., percent of neodymium plus praseodymium oxide of the TREO) at 21.2% NdPr (indicated) and 21.4% NdPr (inferred), exceeding that of several active global producers. The favourable distribution starts at surface, allowing these high value elements to be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario and thereby, enhancing the project's strategic value and operational efficiency. This enrichment in the magnet feed REEs also extends to dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

The MRE update underscores the Ashram Deposit's potential as a long-term, sustainable source of critical minerals, vital for the evolving technology and energy sectors. The Company remains committed to advancing the project, with ongoing work to further delineate the deposit's full potential, and a planned niobium drill program poised to unlock additional value.

Chris Grove, President and CEO of Commerce Resources, stated: "We are very excited by this updated mineral resource estimate for the Ashram Deposit, as it positions the Company to become the front-runner in providing a long-term source of magnet-feed REE supply to the North American and European markets. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world. This milestone will be the new basis of future economic and development studies that further de-risk and unlock the development potential of this asset. In addition to the Ashram Deposit, the Eldor carbonatite remains highly prospective for a number of high value commodities, including niobium and phosphate minerals."

Patrik Schmidt, Company Vice President of Exploration, comments: "We are thrilled with this updated resource estimate, which continues to demonstrate the consistency of the magnet-feed REE enrichment throughout the Ashram Deposit. This resource has firmly established Ashram as one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite rare earth deposits globally and remains open at depth."

The primary objective of the mineral resource update was to increase the confidence of resources from the inferred category to the indicated category to support economic and development studies. This conversion was highly successful with an 164% increase in the indicated resource category compared to the prior MRE completed in 2012 (see news release dated March 6, 2012).

The 2024 MRE was completed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 with an Effective Date of April 4th, 2024, and is based on 117 diamond drill holes totaling 28,783 metres of NQ, HQ and BTW size drill core.

Table 1: NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Statement for Ashram Deposit

Cut-off NMR ($/t) 287 Category Indicated Inferred Tonnes Mt 73.2 131.1 Total TREO % 1.89 1.91 NdPr 21.2 21.4 TbDy 0.7 0.5 La2O3 ppm 4,829 4,969 Ce2O3 8,753 8,933 Pr2O3 907 927 Nd2O3 3,112 3,162 Sm2O3 412 385 Eu2O3 98 87 Gd2O3 223 195 Tb2O3 24 19 Dy2O3 102 73 Ho2O3 14 10 Er2O3 31 21 Tm2O3 3 2 Yb2O3 18 13 Lu2O3 2 2 Y2O3 419 280 Fluorspar (CaF2) % 6.6 4.0

(a) TREO is sum of lanthanides (as oxides) + yttrium oxide

(b) NdPr distribution calculated as (Nd2O3 + Pr2O3) / TREO x 100

(c) CaF2 calculated from fluorine assay using factor of 2.055 (F to CaF2). Assumes all fluorine is contained within the mineral fluorite ("fluorspar").

(d) Cut-off expressed as NMR ($)/t only considers payable elements La-Nd-Pr-Tb-Dy.

(e) TbDy distribution calculated as (Tb2O3 + Dy2O3) / TREO x 100.

(f) Prices shown are in CAD

(g) Differences may occur in totals due to rounding.

Notes for Resource Table:

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they have not demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Resources are presented as undiluted and in-situ for an open-pit scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The constraining pit shell was developed using an overall pit slope of 52 degrees, and the resulting strip ratio is 2.7:1. 3D modelling was prepared using Leapfrog Geo v.2023.2.1 with a database of 213 surface drill holes, 6 surface channels and 32,962 samples, of which 117 drill holes and a total of 18,495 assays were used to interpolate the block model mineralized zones. Resources encompass three REE-bearing zones (A-zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)), each defined by wireframes. A value of zero grade was applied in cases of core not assayed. High-grade capping was done on the composited assay data and established on a per-zone basis for each element. Density values were interpolated using Ordinary Kriging for four rock types in the geological model, including the three mineralized rock types (A-Zone, B-Zones and Breccia (Classic)), with density averages of 3.08 g/cm3 for A-Zone, 3.00 g/cm3 for B-Zone, 3.05 g/cm3 for Breccia (Classic) and 2.92 g/cm3 for BD-Zone. Surrounding country rock lithologies were given a fixed density value from their range median values: carbonatites ranging from 2.85 to 2.97 g/cm3, Metavolcanic = 2.84g/cm3 and Lamprophyre = 2.97g/cm3." Grade model resource estimation was interpolated from drill hole data using an Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in a sub-blocked block model using blocks measuring 5 m x 5 m x 5 m in size and sub-blocks down to 1.25 m x 1.25 m x 1.25 m. The MRE cut-off, expressed as a Net Metal Return (NMR) value, was calculated to be CAD154/tonne, which is based on a 3-year annualized average (2021, 2022, and 2023) for the five payable oxidesa; (USD1.25/kg for La2O3, USD95/kg for Pr2O3, USD95/kg for Nd2O3, USD1,500/kg for Tb2O3, and USD375/kg for Dy2O3), estimated metal recoveries, and operating costs for mining, processing, transportation and G&A. A cut-off of CAD287/tonne is considered as the base case for the MRE and is guided by reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe. The cut-off grade considers a CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.30

(a) Sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024) Inferred mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 200 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is shown. Indicated mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 70 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is displayed An open-pit mining method was considered for the MRE and a conceptual pit shell to constrain the resources was developed using Hexagon's MinePlan 3D software, Version 16.05. Calculations used metric units (metre, tonne). Metric tonnages have been rounded, and any discrepancies in total amounts are due to rounding errors. CIM definitions and guidelines (2019) for Mineral Resource Estimates have been followed. The QPs are unaware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political or marketing issues or any other relevant issues that could materially affect this MRE.

Table 2 and Figure 1 illustrate the sensitivity of the 2024 Ashram Deposit MRE with respect to various Net Metal Return cut-offs for a potential open-pit scenario with reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The figures provided in these tables should not be interpreted as a mineral resource statement. The selected cut-off NMR for the base case is 287 $/tonne with the revenue factor 1 pit shell constraint.

Table 2: Mineral resource sensitivity analysis based on NMR $/t cut-off

Figure 1: Ashram mineral resource sensitivity analysis - grade-tonnage curve with base case NMR $287/t cut-off

Figure 2: Pit shell and mineralized footprint of Ashram's mineral resource estimate in plan, highlighting the deposit scale and drilling post-2012 MRE used to improve the Mineral Resource Estimate

Figure 3: Geological model cross-section of the Ashram Deposit highlighting carbonatite lithological domains considered in the mineral resource estimate (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). Note the BD-Zone (not shown) is currently not part of the MRE.

Figure 4: Cross-section showing Ashram indicated and inferred classifications within block model.

Figure 5: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross section displaying NMR ($/t) by block.

Figure 6: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross-section displaying TREO (%) distribution by block.

Figure 7: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying NdPr distribution.

Figure 8: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying TbDy distribution.

Figure 2 shows the surface projection of the pit shell and mineralized footprint of the Ashram deposit, with its lithological domains (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). It also includes the BD-Zone, another REE-bearing lithology that requires additional metallurgical studies due to their different REE-bearing mineralogy. These were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the monazite-mineralized lithologies that form the basis of the updated mineral resource estimate. The geological model is supported by drill holes through to the end of the 2022 fall program (hole EC22-207). Multiple cross-sections displaying parameters of the resource block model are presented in Figures 4 - 8. Figure 4 displays the indicated and inferred resource breakout in the block model which is shown in subsequent figures as dashed contour lines. Figure 5 shows the NMR ($/t) distribution within the deposit, with Figure 6 showing the respective TREO (%) distribution within the same block model slice. Figure 7 and Figure 8 are cross-sections of the magnet feed REE-oxide ratios (NdPr and TbDy, respectively) within the block model. Figure 7 shows high NdPr near surface, making it a high-value target which continues to be favourable throughout the deposit. The TbDy distribution shown in Figure 8 is overlapping with the high NdPr near surface but is not as elevated at depth.

Pit Optimization

A pit design was developed which constrains the pit shell to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The pit geometry considered an overall pit slope of 52 degrees based on previous geotechnical studies. The pit design considered 3-year annualized average pricing (2021, 2022, and 2023) for five payable oxides (USD1.25/kg for La2O3, USD95/kg for Pr2O3, USD95/kg for Nd2O3, USD1,500/kg for Tb2O3, and USD375/kg for Dy2O3), which were converted to Canadian Dollars using an exchange rate of 1.30 CAD:USD. The pricing was sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024).

The pit optimization considered the following combined metallurgical recoveries for the concentrator and hydromet plant: 60.5% for La2O3, 58.9% for Pr2O3, 59.0% for Nd2O3, 42.7% for Tb2O3, and 38.6% for Dy2O3. A mining cost of CAD8/tonne (plus an incremental mining cost with depth of CAD0.02/tonne for every 10m of depth), variable operating costs of CAD60/tonne milled for the concentrator, CAD3,000/tonne of mixed REO product for the hydromet plant, and CAD7,700/tonne of product for the separation plant, fixed annual operating costs of CAD25M, CAD10M, CAD11M, CAD10M, for G&A, the concentrator, hydromet plant, and separation plant respectively, and transportation costs of CAD200/tonne of mixed REO product. The operating costs have been established using a combination of comparable projects and industry benchmarks and are therefore conceptual in nature.

The aforementioned economic parameters result in a Net Metal Return (NMR) cut-off of CAD154/tonne. An elevated cut-off of CAD287/tonne was considered as the base case for the MRE to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe.

The resulting pit shell has a conical shape with a diameter of approximately 1,200m, a depth of roughly 600m, and has a 2.7:1 ratio of waste to mineralized material.

Metallurgical Methods

The mineral processing and hydrometallurgy assumptions are based on the optimized flowsheet announced in the March 4th, 2024 press release. This was a significant simplification and optimization of the Ashram Deposit's front-end mineral processing flowsheet whereby 30-35+% TREO monazite mineral concentrates at strong recovery are produced using only flotation. In addition, a streamlined hydrometallurgical flowsheet was developed by L3 Process Development ("L3") and demonstrated at bench scale for the downstream processing of the monazite flotation concentrate. The hydrometallurgical flowsheet uses a standard acid bake - water leach process followed by thorium removal and direct rare earth element ("REE") precipitation.

Qualified Persons

The independent qualified persons for the 2024 MRE, as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines, are Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc. (Mineral Resource Estimate), Jeffrey Cassoff, P.Eng., of BBA Inc. (Pitshell optimization and cut-off grade), Jordan Zampini, P.Eng., from DRA Global (Mineral Processing parameters), and Tommee Larochelle, P.Eng., of L3 Process Development (Hydrometallurgical parameters). The effective date of the 2024 MRE is April 4th, 2024. The qualified persons have approved the technical contents of this press release.

Mr. Richard has worked in the mining industry for over 20 years with various commodities over the years, including REE projects. Mr. Richard has acted as QP or lead QP for a considerable number of technical reports, mineral resource estimates, and due diligence reviews as a consultant with different firms, and for PLR Resources since 2022. Mr. Richard has been involved with the Ashram project since 2021 and has visited the property.

About the Ashram Deposit

The Ashram Deposit is central to the Eldor Carbonatite Complex and bordered by an earlier staged calcio-carbonatite and various altered (fenitized) wallrock units. In contrast to its host rocks, the Ashram Deposit appears as a magnetic low and gravity high. Currently, the deposit geometry and geology can best be described as a moderate to steeply NE dipping ovoid, with simple rare earth mineralogy (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) that has an unusual enrichment in magnet feed elements (i.e. higher Nd+Pr Oxide/TREO). The Deposit is a single mineralized body outcropping at surface and has a drill delineated footprint of over 700 m along strike, 300 m across, and 600 m deep, and remains open at depth.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (more than 30 - 45% TREO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (more than 60 - 75%) in line with active global producers. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

" Chris Grove "

Chris Grove

CEO and President

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: http://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the updated mineral resource estimate positions the Company to become a frontrunner as a long-term source of magnet-feed REE to the European and North American markets; that the high NdPr distributions can be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario; that there is potential upside of the REE-bearing mineralogy of the BD-Zone; the highly conceptual estimates of operating costs and economic parameters with respect to pit optimization to develop a constraining pit shell; that Ashram has the potential to become one of the largest fluorspar sources in the world and a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth element producers globally, with a focus on being a long-term global supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if we are able raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BRUSSELS, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's distribution grids need to be urgently modernised to enable massive electrification of transport, heating and industry, integrate renewables and withstand more frequent extreme weather and cyber threats. Eurelectric's Grids for Speed study shows that distribution grid investments should increase from an average 33 billion to 67 billion per year from 2025 to 2050, roughly 20% of what the EU spent on fossil fuel imports in 2023. Getting the grid up to speed will significantly reduce fossil fuel imports, create more than 2 million jobs, bring energy savings and deliver more reliable power supply while accelerating the decarbonisation of Europe's economy.

Societal shifts are changing Europe's energy system at a disruptive speed. By 2050, electricity will make up 60% of final energy use compared to 23% today, renewable capacity will have increased six-fold from 2020 with 70% of renewable generation and storage connecting at distribution level. Connection requests are increasing faster than grid modernisation and will continue to grow as electrification of end-use sectors progresses. These developments put a strain on the grid.

To relieve the strain, annual investments into new and modernised infrastructure, including digitalisation, should reach 67 billion from 2025 to 2050, around 0.4% of EU GDP. Forward-looking grid strategies such as anticipatory investments, optimal asset management and grid-friendly flexibility could lower this to 55 billion per year if properly implemented. Failure to invest would jeopardise 74% of prospective connections in key decarbonisation technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps and renewables. Investing, on the contrary, will accelerate electrification and help the EU save 309 billion every year on fossil fuel imports from 2040 to 2050.

"For a successful energy transition the EU needs massive amounts of additional grid capacity. Investment volumes for distribution system operators needs to double. Whilst this will require a significant ramp up, the cost of not investing is even higher. To succeed we need attractive returns for investors to be able to finance it, technology and fast electrification to manage the distribution fees." says Eurelectric's President and E.ON CEO Leonhard Birnbaum.

Scaling grid investments requires a dual effort. National authorities should implement the agreed legislation - such as anticipatory investments - while adapting the regulatory regime to support the investment surge. This means eliminating investments caps, fast-tracking grid permitting and procurement procedures and de-risking investments to spur private funding while opening up of public financing through EU budget.

Futureproofing the grid also depends on the supply chain. Even if necessary investments are met, current shortages of copper, a talent deficit, extended manufacturing lead times and transformers' costs can hamper infrastructure development. Such bottlenecks must be addressed through strategic planning, enhanced collaboration between policymakers and industries and new training initiatives to ensure a skilled workforce.

Eurelectric calls on policymakers both at national and regional level to secure grid investments, strengthen supply chains and unleash the societal benefits of Grids for Speed.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eurelectric-double-investments-in-power-distribution-or-lose-europes-race-to-net-zero-302149302.html
Further strengthens BaseLaunch's global pharma industry partnerships

24 early-stage biotech ventures have now been supported by BaseLaunch

Portfolio companies have raised over US$ 600 million in equity capital.

BASEL, Switzerland, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BaseLaunch, the Basel-based biotech venture incubator, today announces that AbbVie has become its newest partner. Through this strategic investment into BaseLaunch, AbbVie gains access to the highest quality life science deal flow in central Europe. By taking a seat on BaseLaunch's investment board, AbbVie will lend its unique experience in biotech innovation and development of medicines that matter to the incubator. This will greatly add to the venture building capabilities of BaseLaunch.

AbbVie joins other pharmaceutical, venture fund and biotechnology partners supporting BaseLaunch's company creation endeavours. BaseLaunch's mission is to help scientists and entrepreneurs build exceptional biotech companies. Its partners now include AbbVie, Roche, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, CSL, Pureos Bioventures, CMS and Bridge Biotherapeutics. Since 2018, BaseLaunch has supported 24 early-stage biotech ventures, providing financing and assisting in all aspects of company creation and growth up to Series A financing. Of the 24 ventures, 10 have now collectively raised over US$ 600 million in equity capital, and six have assets that have entered the clinic. Last year, T3 Pharma, a company initially supported by BaseLaunch, was acquired for US$ 500 million. Further highly promising ventures are being added to BaseLaunch's portfolio on a rolling basis. The most recent, Salvina Therapeutics, is developing new therapies to break efficacy ceilings in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Christian Schubert, Vice President and Head of AbbVie Ventures, Cambridge, MA, commented: "Through our strategic investment in BaseLaunch, we will further strengthen our ties to the European biotech innovation ecosystem. With our involvement in the review process and funding decisions through our investment board seat, we aim to contribute to BaseLaunch's company creation track record and leverage AbbVie's expertise in translating innovative science into novel therapeutics. We look forward to working closely with the BaseLaunch team to enable the progress of innovative venture companies and medicines."

Stephan Emmerth, Director Business Development & Operations at BaseLaunch, Basel, CH added: "Today's announcement further validates the Basel area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, and we are delighted to welcome AbbVie as our newest partner. AbbVie is a leading global pharmaceutical player which will be a source of world-class help and advice, instrumental to the successful development of our growing portfolio of cutting-edge biotech companies."

BaseLaunch is operated by Basel Area Business & Innovation, the investment and innovation promotion agency of the Basel region. BaseLaunch has partnered with a diverse group of international life sciences organizations with the aim of harnessing the Basel area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, as well as its rising popularity among investors, to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies.

About BaseLaunch

BaseLaunch is the Basel-based incubator and accelerator that helps scientists and entrepreneurs launch exceptional biotech companies. It serves as a growth platform for early-stage ventures developing cutting-edge therapeutics. BaseLaunch helps build companies from inception through to Series A funding, providing financing and supporting all aspects of company creation and growth. It is operationally run and financed by Basel Area Business & Innovation, the investment and innovation promotion agency helping companies, institutions and startups find business success in the Basel area. BaseLaunch partners with leading global pharma and biotech companies and a venture fund - AbbVie, Roche, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, CSL, Pureos Bioventures, Bridge Biotherapeutics and CMS, which also feed into the pool out of which BaseLaunch funds ventures.

Domain and regional partners include KPMG, Vossius & Partner, Alloy Therapeutics, Walder Wyss attorneys at law, WuXi AppTec, KPBMA, Lonza, Charles River Laboratories, Schrodinger, Wuxi Biologics, VISCHER as well as the Tech Park Basel, and the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area. Since 2018, BaseLaunch supported ventures have raised in total over US$ 600 million. Harnessing the Basel area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, as well as its rising popularity among investors, BaseLaunch is looking to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies. Interested groups can find more information at www.baselaunch.ch .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/baselaunch-announces-a-new-partnership-with-abbvie-302151730.html
STOCKHOLM, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindab committed very early to purchasing near-zero emissions steel from H2 Green Steel. The two companies have since converted the early term sheet agreement into a 7-year supply contract with deliveries planned to start in 2026. The total volume covered by the contract is 159.000 tons of near-zero emissions steel.

Lindab delivers solutions for energy-efficient ventilation and a healthy indoor climate to the construction industry. Buildings account for 40% of global energy consumption. Efforts to increase energy efficiency in the construction sector are therefore crucial to achieving the target of the Paris Agreement. Lindab is an industry-leader in Europe and also leads the way in sustainability by both helping construct healthy buildings and reduce the environmental impact from its own and its customers' operations.

"At Lindab, sustainability is a way of thinking and working. In order for us to deliver on our mission to create buildings with a healthy indoor climate, we need to work with the right partners to minimize the impact in our supply chain. Steel is the biggest emissions driver in our supply chain and together with H2 Green Steel, we will make big strides in this area," says Ola Ringdahl, President and CEO at Lindab.

One of Lindab's focus areas for its operations is sustainable sourcing. This agreement with H2 Green Steel will contribute to a significant drop in carbon emissions in Lindab's materials supply chain, as steel accounts for a majority of its material purchases.

"This contract shows real commitment from both parties to working together on long-term solutions for significantly reducing the CO2 footprint in this critical sector. Founded in Sweden, Lindab started 65 years ago and have since developed into an international company whilst keeping a down-to-earth culture. This is a journey we can take inspiration from as H2 Green Steel grows, together with partners like Lindab," says Stephan Flapper, Commercial Director, H2 Green Steel.

For further information

Karin Hallstan, Head of Public and Media Relations, phone: +46 76 842 81 04, email: press@h2greensteel.com

Catharina Paulcen, Head of Corporate Communications, phone +46 701 48 99 65, email: catharina.paulcen@lindab.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/h2-green-steel/r/h2-green-steel-supports-lindab-in-reducing-its-co-2--footprint-from-steel,c3985747

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/h2-green-steel-supports-lindab-in-reducing-its-co2-footprint-from-steel-302152525.html
Combining d2o's PMI GoGreen environmental management tool and BeCause's sustainability data management platform offers hotels the only CSRD compliance solution rooted in efficiency and profitability.

NICE, France, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BeCause , the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel, and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, has partnered with d2o , a leading forecasting and resourcement management technology provider for the hospitality industry, to create a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) solution for hotels. The collaboration unites the BeCause Sustainability Hub with d2o's PMI GoGreen suite of prediction, targeting, tracking, and allocation tools to create an auditable CSRD reporting solution that goes beyond compliance to boost efficiency and profits. The partnership was announced yesterday at the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Spring Summit in Nice, France.

By joining forces, BeCause and d2o have taken a giant leap toward building a viable, valuable ecosystem between the hotel industry and technology providers that leverages the power and potential of daily sustainability data management. CSRD compliance is just the starting point; BeCause and d2o are demonstrating that with the right technology, sustainability initiatives can drive operational efficiency and profitability for hotels around the world.

"As an inventor and entrepreneur, it is a dream come true to have a product that fully meets the needs of our customers' stakeholders, including owners, guests, staff, authorities, and local communities," says d2o CEO Young Nguyen. "The partnership between d2o and BeCause will enhance the hotel industry's ability to transform a costly compliance challenge into a business opportunity. We call this partnership PMI GoGreen BeCause because the hotel industry and the planet require a comprehensive solution to address a complex issue."

Going Beyond CSRD Reporting and Compliance

As a result of this partnership, the PMI GoGreen tools will be seamlessly integrated into the BeCause platform. This integration, facilitated by an API, allows for the sharing and mapping of data, making it reusable for CSRD reporting. This not only simplifies the compliance process for hotels but also ensures accuracy and auditability at the activity level, meeting financial-grade CSRD reporting standards.

However, the joint solution goes beyond compliance and reporting. By centralizing data within the BeCause platform and applying the integrated PMI GoGreen tools, hotel chains gain visibility into which individual properties are meeting their targets for reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption, water usage chemicals, waste, towels & linens, and food waste. The combined solution also utilizes machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to identify those targets and help properties optimize resource usage to meet them amidst daily fluctuating demand. System integration service ensures seamless interoperability between the BeCause Sustainability Hub, PMI GoGreen tools, and various internal hotel systems, including property management, point-of-sale, table reservations, sales and catering, timekeeping, and more.

These combined capabilities allow hotels to increase efficiency-hotels are projected to reap 12-15% in resource savings-cultivate ownership among frontline managers, showcase their sustainability efforts to travelers, and, of course, meet their CSRD compliance obligations.

"We believe in the power of ecosystems, and by partnering with d2o, we've built a particularly effective one," says BeCause CEO and Co-founder Frederik Steensgaard. "Not just in terms of helping hotels reach CSRD compliance, but by using the combined capabilities of our solutions to address everyday issues that impact their margins and organizational effectiveness. Why should compliance and reporting be a cost-heavy headache for hotels when it could be driving profitability and operational efficiency?"

An Efficient Solution Specifically Designed for Hospitality

BeCause is a purpose-built, AI-powered hub that centralizes a hotel's sustainability data and automates the transmission of that data amongst different stakeholders, such as travel and accommodation booking marketplaces and industry certifications. Additionally, once a hotel enters its data into the BeCause platform, it can be upcycled and automatically mapped to multiple frameworks, making qualifying for voluntary green certifications faster and more efficient while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The PMI GoGreen suite of tools developed by d2o enables hospitality groups to achieve their long-term environmental goals by breaking them down into monthly targets tailored to each property's attributes and seasonal variations. Each hotel's future targets are dynamically adjusted based on progress, ensuring the consistency of the group's end goal. Individual hotels and hotel chains can track their progress with forward looking data-based indicators and utilize predictive analytics to optimize resource allocation, minimize waste, and cut operating costs.

The combined PMI GoGreen BeCause solution leverages these capabilities to deliver at least 100% ROI for hotels that implement it. The solution will undergo a phased roll-out through the summer of 2024 before formally launching in September.

For more information about BeCause, d2o or the partnership, or to request an interview, please contact: Vanessa Horwell at vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com for BeCause CEO and Co-founder, Frederik Steensgaard or Young Nguyen young@d2o.com for d2o, Founder and CEO.

About BeCause

BeCause is an enterprise software company that streamlines the flow of sustainability data and creates synergies between different stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, empowering them to make decisions that result in positive, responsible change for people, the planet, and their profits. BeCause works with over 25,000 hotels, including brands like Radisson, certification entities like GreenKey, industry partners like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the SHA, and marketplaces like Booking.com. For more information, visit because.eco .

About d2o and PMI GoGreen

Founded in Norway and built on Scandinavia's legacy of employee well-being and sustainability, d2o has over 20 years of experience helping clients optimize resources for maximum profit while navigating high-cost environments. The company's PMI GoGreen Environmental Management System (EMS) empowers hotel managers to surpass compliance and achieve true sustainability. Leveraging auditable data, predictive analytics, and hotel demand, PMI GoGreen reduces CO2 emissions and the usage of critical resources like energy, water, and food and transforms hotel sustainability obligations into a profitable, cross-functional endeavor. For more information, please visit www.d2o.com/sustainability-gogreen-with-pmi-by-d2o/ .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/because-and-d2o-team-up-to-create-first-of-its-kind-csrd-solution-for-the-travel-and-hospitality-industries-302152291.html
May 22, 2024

Philips wearable ePatch and AI analytics platform help detect potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeats

The solution helps University Hospital Vall d'Hebron achieve reduced average length of stay, relieve emergency room pressure, and reduce costs

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Madrid, Spain - Royal Philips paired with its AI-driven Cardiologs analytics platform. 14 Spanish healthcare providers across the country are now using the company's ePatch extended wear Holter monitors to detect life-threatening heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF). The solution has been proven to detect heart arrhythmias missed by traditional Holter monitors, enhance patient comfort, improve care access, and potentially better clinical outcomes, in addition to reducing overall costs.

Philips' ePatch provides reliable data for up to 14 days of continuous monitoring. When paired with Philips' AI-driven Cardiologs analytics platform, the solution empowers the hospitals' cardiology and neurology teams with an end-to-end solution that enhances their ability to detect and diagnose AF - a potentially life-threatening [1] cardiac arrhythmia and also the world's most common. AF significantly increases the risk of stroke, dementia, and heart failure, yet often goes undetected due to its lack of noticeable symptoms and infrequent occurrence intervals.

"The key advantage for healthcare professionals lies in its user-friendly interface and high-quality 14-day continuous recording capabilities," said Dr. Jorge Pagola, Neurologist Postdoctoral Researcher at University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. "Applied as a chest patch in just a few minutes, it seamlessly integrates an analysis program, facilitating swift examination of recordings. Thanks to its AI-based analysis assistant, AF events can be classified for rapid review by our team. Patients experience enhanced comfort as they are free from cumbersome cables of the conventional Holter, allowing them to dress, shower, and carry out their daily activities without any hindrance."

Dr. Jorge Pagola further explains, "Using the ePatch program, we expedited hospital discharge for 80 patients in 2023. This initiative led to a reduced average length of stay, relieved emergency room pressure, and an estimated total cost reduction of  28.800 in 2023 [2]."

Pilot programs in major hospitals across Spain

In addition to Hospital Vall d'Hebron, where Philips' ePatch is being used to detect post-discharge AF in patients, pilot projects demonstrating the device's effectiveness in cardiology and neurology are being conducted at other major hospitals in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Alicante, Madrid, Cadiz, and Navarra [3]. Applications include monitoring patients for AF after cardiac ablation therapy or heart valve replacement procedures, and studies of the link between magnesium insufficiency and AF.

In some Spanish hospitals, the ease-of-use and cost benefits of Philips ePatch are helping reduce waiting lists that built up during the COVID-19 pandemic, making a tangible difference to people's access to care. In total, more than 1500 patients are currently being monitored with Philips ePatch devices in Spain.

"This innovative new service allows clinical teams to conveniently monitor patients as they go about their everyday activities for extended periods of time, collecting the real-life data that helps reveal the patient's true condition," said Miquel Barras, Ambulatory Monitoring & Diagnostics Lead for Philips in Spain.

In a recent US study comparing the diagnostic abilities of 7-day and 14-day monitoring with Philips' extended wear ePatch compared to conventional 24-hour Holter monitoring, the ePatch detected 2x more clinically significant heart arrhythmias during 7 days of monitoring and more than 2.5x as many over 14 days [4].

[1] Heart.org

[2] Data on file in hospital Vall d'Hebron

[3] Madrid: Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Hospital Universitario Infanta Elena, Hospital de La Princesa, University Hospital Quironsalud Madrid, Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos. Barcelona: Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Hospital de Sant Joan Despi Moises Broggi, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Hospital de Sant Pau. Bilbao: Hospital Universitario Cruces. Alicante: Hospital General Universitario de Elche. Cadiz: Hospital Universitario De Jerez. Navarra: Hospital General de Navarra.

[4] Parikh, P, Grigoriadis, C, Dunn, A. et al. Diagnostic Yield of 24-hour Holter vs 7-day and 14-day ePatch Extended Wear Holter. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Mar, 81

For further information, please contact:

Cesar Garcia Requena

Philips Iberica

Tel: +34 670 264 471

Email: cesar.garcia.requena@philips.com

Joost Maltha

External Relations

Tel: +31 6 10 55 8116

Email: joost.maltha@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

Attachments
NTT DATA invites attendees at SAP Sapphire 2024 in Orlando and Barcelona to learn how to bring out the best in their business with SAP, across a range of hosted talks and sessions during the events

NTT DATA will reveal "Transformation Study 2024" insights at the event in partnership with its subsidiary Natuvion

Award Ceremony in Orlando: Four prestigious SAP Pinnacle Awards underscore NTT DATA's success as a key partner for SAP globally

BARCELONA, Spain and ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT service provider, has announced today that it will celebrate its long and successful partnership with SAP by attending the upcoming SAP Sapphire 2024 conferences worldwide. NTT DATA will be a Platinum Sponsor at the SAP Sapphire and ASUG Annual Conference 2024 from 3-5 June 2024, in Orlando, Florida, and will also be a Platinum Sponsor at the SAP Sapphire event in Barcelona (11-13 June).

"SAP Sapphire is always a highlight for us. We are the top winner this year with four Pinnacle Awards and five finalist recognitions. This underscores the trust that SAP and our customers have in our 35 years of expertise," said Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions and EVP NTT DATA, Inc.

Transformation Study to be released at SAP Sapphire

In collaboration with its subsidiary Natuvion, NTT DATA will unveil the Transformation Study 2024 at the SAP Sapphire conference in Orlando and will make it available for download at their booth during both Orlando and Barcelona events. The report will provide in-depth insights into the challenges, success factors and lessons learned by enterprises during the transition from legacy IT systems to modern, innovative technologies. With perspectives from industry leaders in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, UK and the USA, the study reveals how their organizations are modernizing their IT infrastructure and planning for their future.

Celebrate with NTT DATA in Orlando and Barcelona

Meet us in Orlando to learn how we can help power intelligent and sustainable enterprises and ignite tomorrow, today with innovative technology solutions, industry domain expertise and an assortment of SAP lifecycle-based tools and accelerators. Leaders from four NTT DATA Group organisations will address the following topics in Sapphire theatre presentations:

4 th June, 10:30am, Orlando - Transforming SugarCreek for Tomorrow with SAP S/4HANA (Strategy Talk)

June, 10:30am, Orlando - Transforming SugarCreek for Tomorrow with SAP S/4HANA (Strategy Talk) 4 th June, 11:00am, Orlando - NTT DATA and SAP Preferred Success: Maximizing Value for SugarCreek (Customer Success Story)

June, 11:00am, Orlando - NTT DATA and SAP Preferred Success: Maximizing Value for SugarCreek (Customer Success Story) 12th June, 1:30pm, Barcelona - Andel: Transitioning two SAP ECC systems to SAP S/4HANA in the cloud

Make sure to stop by our booth or schedule a meeting with our SAP experts who will be available in booth #351 in Orlando, Florida and booth #5.305 in Barcelona, Spain.

For more information visit nttdata-solutions.com.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. We invest over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure, and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group and headquartered in Tokyo. Visit us at nttdata.com

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepare for an exciting keynote at the London Blockchain Conference; top business and tech marketing expert Steven Bartlett opens today's conference.

Today will also feature Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Partner Tibor Merey, who will take the stage in the afternoon to discuss best practices for enterprise blockchain adoption.

Finally, tune in for an insightful discussion following one of the biggest cyclical changes in the digital assets world: the halving. Jim Niemeijer, Partner, Pantheon; Kurt Wuckert Jr., Chief Bitcoin Historian, CoinGeek; and Jacopo Gil Casas, VP of Business Development, CS Global Energy, will discuss how mining will evolve post-halving.

Please register here if you would like to attend or listen to any of the sessions today.

If you want to interview any speaker from today's sessions, please email pr@lightningsharks.co.uk.

About the London Blockchain Conference

NETWORK. LEARN. ENGAGE.

At the London Blockchain Conference, we show how Blockchain will change the world and help people see another way to manage data, build scalable on-chain solutions and achieve great things. We do this by creating valuable, insightful, and engaging events that educate and inform, allowing you to connect and network to build strong business relationships. Our conference is the best avenue to see blockchain innovations, ecosystem announcements, product launches, technology updates, keynote speeches, panels, and fireside chats from blockchain leaders. Join us and experience it for yourself.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/day-2-news-alert-unveiling-day-2-of-the-london-blockchain-conference-302152581.html
Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial.



Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten.



Warum sollten Sie dabei sein?

Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird.



Nutzen Sie die Chance!

Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor.

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On May 17, in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, the world's first five-terminal flexible DC transmission project, Zhoushan five-terminal VSC-HVDC transmission project, is undergoing a complete overhaul for the first time after it was put into operation. Aeroamphibious intelligent equipment and advanced technology are used in this overhaul, in order to greatly enhance working efficiency by decreasing the overhaul duration in the converter station to 9 days, which took 15 days in the past.

It is reported that the overhaul is the largest after 10 years' running. For example, in the Zhoudai converter station, the hub of 5 converter stations, the staff need to conduct an overall test on electrical equipment, like sub-modules, water cooling systems, wall bushings, and transformers, involving 8 working surfaces and over 210 items of inspection test in total.

Black technologies used by State Grid Zhoushan Power Supply Company help improve the quality and efficiency of this overhaul, such as the X-ray inspection device to check the integrity of the water electrode inside the water cooling system on the valve tower, the intelligent inspection UAV to check and accept the maintenance of the equipment in the high place of the valve hall, and the underwater robot to check the wear condition of the submarine cable in the intertidal zone and diagnose the health of the protective insulation layer outside the submarine cable.

Upon completion of the overhaul, the power supply reliability of the island grid in the north of Zhoushan will be significantly improved. At the same time, it will also provide an overhaul demonstration for other multi-terminal flexible DC projects in China.

Zhoushan five-terminal VSC-HVDC transmission project is the world's first five-terminal flexible DC transmission project, as well as the flexible DC transmission project with the most terminals in the world.

The project was put into operation in 2014, including 5 converter stations called Zhouding, Zhoudai, Zhouqu, Zhouyang and Zhousi, with a DC interconnection network set up among the islands of Zhoushan through 283km DC submarine cables, realizing DC interconnection and energy interconnection among the power grids of several islands in the north of Zhoushan.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521677664/en/

Contacts:

Company Name: STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO. LTD.

Contact Person: yuqing.fu

Email: fuyuqing@zs.zj.sgcc.com.cn

Website: www.zj.sgcc.com.cn
As of 22 May 2024, funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree") have assumed ownership of FC Internazionale Milano ("Inter Milan" or the "Club"). This follows the non-repayment of Oaktree's three-year loan to Inter Milan's holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395m.

In May 2021, with Inter Milan forecasting record financial losses during the 20/21 season, Oaktree provided its holding companies with rescue capital to stabilize the Club's financial situation and enable it to continue operating, including to pay its players and employees. In the three years since Oaktree's rescue financing, Inter has lifted its eighth and ninth Coppa Italia, secured its sixth, seventh, and eighth Supercoppa, earned its 20th Scudetto title and historic second star, and reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2010.

Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders. Oaktree values the legacy of the Club, the passion of the players, the loyalty of the Interisti, and the Club's significant role in Milan, Italy and the global sporting community. Oaktree is committed to working closely with Inter Milan's current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch; focusing on robust management, operations and governance with a vision for sustainable growth and success.

Alejandro Cano, Managing Director and Co-Head of Europe for Oaktree's Global Opportunities strategy:

"As new owners, we recognize our responsibility to Inter Milan's community, history and legacy. We are committed to the long-term success of the Nerazzurri and believe our ambitions for the Club are united with those of its passionate fans in Italy and around the world. Our initial focus is operational and financial stability. We have great respect for Inter Milan's management team and look forward to working closely with them to provide strong leadership for the Club. Winning the second star was a pivotal moment for the Club and our aim is to build on the momentum achieved on the pitch to develop a clear path for consistent growth and success."

Oaktree and Inter Milan's management team will communicate with key stakeholders in the coming weeks to ensure there is a smooth transition.

About Oaktree

Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $192 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. The firm emphasizes a value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real assets and listed equities. The firm has over 1,200 employees and offices in 23 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree's website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240522519806/en/

Contacts:

Media Inquires

FGS Global

London Rory King

Milan Claudio Albanese

mediainquiries@oaktreecapital.com
Mumbai, India--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) India is set to attend GTR India 2024 in Mumbai on 22nd May 2024. As the Knowledge Partner of the event, LIBF India brings a wealth of trade expertise to the discussions. The Trade and Transaction Banking Qualifications from LIBF are highly sought after in more than 100 countries worldwide, making it a leader in trade education.



Among the attendees representing LIBF are Alex Gray, Director of Trade and Transaction Banking at LIBF, and Sumit Mehta, Founding Director of LIBF India. Joining them are Astha Arora, Vice President of LIBF India, and Amit Pradhan, also Vice President of LIBF India. This prestigious one-day event will convene over 400 market leaders, industry experts, and key stakeholders to discuss pivotal issues in the trade and finance sector.

Figure 1: LIBF India to Showcase Financial Expertise as Knowledge Partner at GTR India 2024

In line with its commitment to driving financial transformation, LIBF India will present its insights and solutions aimed at bridging the trade finance gap, promoting sustainability in trade, and enhancing access to credit for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). LIBF India's participation in GTR India 2024 aligns with its mission to foster financial innovation and support the growth of trade and export in India. By engaging with industry experts and market leaders, LIBF India aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and innovative financial solutions that can drive economic growth.

"Education is the cornerstone of a thriving financial sector. With a strong presence in India, and a rich history of 140 years, we are committed to providing world-class education and professional development opportunities to empower finance professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the modern banking world," said Sumit Mehta, Founder Director of LIBF India.

'The role of trade finance is critical in promoting global economic stability and growth. LIBF has continually been dedicated to equipping professionals with the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of international trade", said Alex Gray, Director of Trade and Transaction Banking of LIBF.

GTR India 2024, organised by Global Trade Review (GTR), is set to gather industry leaders in Mumbai on May 22 for a day of networking and insightful discussions on trade, supply chain, export, and infrastructure financing. This premier annual event will focus on themes such as trade resilience, digital innovation, supply chain optimisation, and ESG compliance.

Aligned with LIBF India's mission of providing world-class education and professional development opportunities, GTR Mumbai offers attendees a platform to gain market insights and engage in meaningful dialogue with experts. LIBF India's trade and transaction banking qualifications and higher education programmes, including the Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS) and the MSc in Risk and Compliance, empower finance professionals to navigate complex trade landscapes and challenges effectively.

In conclusion, GTR Mumbai serves as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and collaboration, offering attendees the opportunity to explore key themes shaping the future of trade and finance. LIBF India supports industry professionals with its comprehensive qualifications and educational programmes, ensuring they stay ahead in the industry.

About LIBF India

The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) is a leading provider of banking and financial education and professional development. With a strong presence in India, LIBF India is dedicated to enhancing the skills and knowledge of finance professionals through its comprehensive range of specialized certificates and programs. By leveraging its global expertise and local insights, LIBF India aims to contribute to the advancement of the Indian banking and finance sector.

LIBF India offers a range of Trade Finance and Transaction Banking qualifications, including the Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF), Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC), Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF), and Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees (CSDG), among others. Their Higher Education programme, MSc in Banking and Finance, which is offered with three specialisms-fintech, risk and compliance, and sustainable finance-is also popular among professionals and students looking to excel in the global banking arena. The programme is designed to equip finance professionals with advanced knowledge and skills for the modern banking world and its challenges.

For more information about LIBF India and its certification courses, please visit http://libf.in or contact Astha Arora: info@libf.in

PR Contact: ZEX PR WIRE, info@zexprwire.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210065

SOURCE: ZEX PR WIRE
Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential.



In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen.



Handeln Sie Jetzt!



Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls.



Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report.
Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben?



Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub  von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien.



Warum sollten Sie dabei sein?



Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren  und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen.



Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten!



Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance!



Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor.



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CHICAGO, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Structural Adhesives Market by Technology (Solvent-based, Water-based), Resin (Epoxy, Polyurethane, Acrylic, MMA, Cyanoacrylate), Application (Building & Construction, Automotive, Wind Energy, Aerospace), & Region - Global Forecast to 2029", Structural Adhesives Market size was USD 13.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.7 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2024 and 2029.

The growth in the automotive industry for the structural adhesives market is driven by the increasing emphasis on lightweight vehicle design to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which requires advanced adhesives for bonding modern materials like composites and aluminum. Additionally, structural adhesives enhance crashworthiness and structural integrity, meeting stringent safety standards while allowing for greater design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Structural Adhesives Market".

122 - Tables

47 - Figures

200- Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=209974695

"The major driver for the structural adhesives market is growth of automotive industry."

The growth in the automotive industry for the structural adhesives market is driven by the increasing emphasis on lightweight vehicle design to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which requires advanced adhesives for bonding modern materials like composites and aluminum. Additionally, structural adhesives enhance crashworthiness and structural integrity, meeting stringent safety standards while allowing for greater design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency.

"Water-based is expected to hold largest share of the technology segment in the market during the forecasted period."

Water-based technology holds the largest share of the technology segment in the structural adhesives market due to its environmentally friendly profile and compliance with stringent regulatory standards aimed at reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These adhesives offer safety and health benefits, including low odor and reduced toxicity, making them preferable in indoor and consumer applications. Additionally, advancements in water-based formulations have significantly improved their performance, bringing them closer to the strength and durability of solvent-based alternatives. The growing emphasis on sustainable and green manufacturing processes further drives the adoption of water-based structural adhesives across various industries.

"Epoxy holds the largest resin segment in overall structural adhesives market during forecast period."

Epoxy holds the largest market share in the structural adhesives market due to its exceptional bonding strength and durability, making it suitable for high-stress applications across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and construction. Its excellent resistance to environmental factors such as heat, chemicals, and moisture ensures long-lasting performance in demanding conditions. Additionally, epoxy adhesives can bond a wide range of substrates, including metals, composites, and plastics, enhancing their versatility. The ability to customize epoxy formulations for specific applications further boosts their popularity and widespread use.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=209974695

"Asia Pacific region likely to account the largest share of the global structural adhesives market during forecasted period."

Asia Pacific is likely to account for the largest share of the structural adhesives market due to its rapid industrialization and urbanization, which drive significant demand in key sectors such as construction, automotive, and electronics. The region's booming automotive industry, particularly in countries like China, India, and Japan, requires advanced adhesive solutions for lightweight vehicle design and manufacturing efficiency. Major investments in infrastructure projects across the region further contribute to the high demand for structural adhesives in construction applications. Additionally, the presence of large manufacturing hubs and a robust supply chain network in Asia Pacific facilitates the production and distribution of adhesives. The region's growing emphasis on renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power, also boosts the demand for structural adhesives in the energy sector. Combined with supportive government policies and a strong focus on technological advancements, these factors position Asia Pacific as the leading market for structural adhesives.

The key players profiled in the report include Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), Sika AG (Switzerland), 3M (US), DuPont (US), and Huntsman Corporation (US). The companies are majorly following product developments, acquisitions, investments, expansions, and agreements as the strategy to grow and expand the market.

Browse Adjacent Market: Coatings Adhesives Sealants and Elastomers Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Epoxy Adhesives Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2027

Americas Structural Adhesives Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2026

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MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / American Lithium Minerals (OTC PINK:AMLM) is pleased to announce that it has received encouraging assay results from initial sampling at its Buckley Flat Graphite property.

Rising Demand for Graphite

According to a recent report, Graphite is deemed a critical material by the US, and about a century ago it was mined abundantly in the country, mostly in Alabama. However, there has been no Graphite mining in the United States since 1990, when United Minerals suspended operations at its graphite mine in Montana. As a result, the US now imports all of its graphite, mostly from China, with additional imports from Mexico, Canada and India.

Graphite is used in batteries, brake linings, lubricants, powdered metals, refractory applications and steelmaking.

Demand for graphite is rising because it is used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries typically contain 10 to 30 times more graphite than lithium. Graphite is also necessary for sodium-ion batteries.

Reportedly, Tesla's Reno gigafactory and mission to source materials from North America have played a significant role in growing calls for US-produced graphite. The company is planning to add additional gigafactories in the coming years, and other manufacturers are following suit.

AMLM's Buckley Flat Graphite Property

AMLM's Buckley Flat Graphite project is located near Hawthorne, in Mineral County, Nevada. The property is comprised of four unpatented lode mining claims (80 acres) on land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management. The property is about midway between Reno and Tonopah, Nevada, and is accessed by Nevada State Route 839 from US Hwy 50 or US Hwy 95. It is about 110 miles (2-hour drive) from the Tesla Gigafactory.

Buckley Flat is one of a small handful of documented Nevada Graphite occurrences. AMLM acquired the property by staking in 2022. There are a number of historical mine shafts and prospect pits. A composite grab sample of several pieces of mineralized rock was taken from the dumps of the Main Shaft by AMLM personnel.

The sample was submitted to the ALS Reno office, where the sample was crushed, split, pulverized and analyzed for Carbon by IR Spectroscopy. Quality Control procedures were followed using both a blank sample and a duplicate sample.

The sample assayed 1.52% Carbon. AMLM views this result as very encouraging. It is highly anomalous as the average crustal abundance of Carbon is only 0.02%. The 1.52% Buckley Flat assay result is also in the same order of magnitude as the reported 5.1% average grade for an advanced Graphite exploration project of another company in Alaska. AMLM believes that Buckley Flat deserves rigorous geochemical work, to be carried out over the 12 months.

About American Lithium Minerals, Inc.: AMLM is a Nevada-based lithium exploration company with five (5) lithium projects in Central Nevada (Sarcobatus, Stonewall Flat, West End, Silverpeak and Claystone Hills). AMLM also has four (4) projects in Nevada, Arizona and Illinois for other battery metals, named Blue Bull Cobalt, Nickel and Manganese; Buckley Flat Graphite; Kingman Rare Earth and Hicks Dome Rare Earth.

Contact:

Barbara Bauman, President

702-533-8369

American Lithium Minerals, Inc.

SOURCE: American Lithium Minerals, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - WORDANS announces the launch of its latest collection: Stylish and Versatile Zip Hoodies, available from June 1, 2024. This new collection, designed to offer both comfort and style, is an ideal choice for individuals and businesses alike.

The new collection of zip hoodies from WORDANS is crafted to meet the diverse needs of today's fashion-conscious consumers. Key features of the collection include:

Made from high-quality materials, these hoodies provide the perfect blend of comfort and durability.

The convenience of a zipper makes these hoodies incredibly versatile. They can be worn open for a relaxed look or zipped up for extra warmth.

The new collection features a wide range of colors and sizes, catering to every preference. From classic neutrals to bold, vibrant hues, there is a zip hoodie for every taste and occasion.

WORDANS zip hoodies are an excellent choice for businesses looking to outfit their teams in stylish, uniform apparel. These hoodies can also be customized with logos or designs, allowing businesses to create a professional, cohesive look for their staff. For individuals, the zip hoodies offer unmatched versatility and comfort, perfect for casual wear, workouts, or layering.

About WORDANS:

WORDANS was founded with the vision of making the best basic clothing available to everyone, whether wholesalers or individuals. With the support of suppliers, WORDANS has built a robust platform that includes more than 50 brands with a total of 3000 references. WORDANS is dedicated to providing top-quality apparel that meets the needs of a diverse customer base. For more information, visit the website or contact the customer service team.

For those interested in exploring the full range of zip hoodies, browse the extensive collection here to view the full range of hoodies in different colors.

Contact Information:

Emily Johnson

Wordans

customerservice@wordans.ca

+1 647-946-8323

One Dundas Street West Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1Z3

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209651

SOURCE: Media Feature
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Hannan Metals Limited's ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to announce that a significant copper-gold porphyry discovery has become evident at the Previsto Central prospect within the 100%-owned Valiente Project in Peru (Figures 1 and 2).

Highlights:

Discovery : Outcropping porphyry-style copper and gold mineralization has been discovered over a significant 4 km by 1 km area at Previsto Central (Table 1, Figures 3 and 6) within a previously unmapped area. The discovery remains open in all directions.

: Outcropping porphyry-style copper and gold mineralization has been discovered over a significant 4 km by 1 km area at Previsto Central (Table 1, Figures 3 and 6) within a previously unmapped area. The discovery remains open in all directions. Extensive surface anomalism : Stream sediment, soil and geochemical sampling shows extensive copper and gold anomalism, with soil anomalies extending over 1,000 m long and remain open. Soil samples commonly exceed 0.1 g/t gold and 0.025% copper (Figures 3 and 7).

: Stream sediment, soil and geochemical sampling shows extensive copper and gold anomalism, with soil anomalies extending over 1,000 m long and remain open. Soil samples commonly exceed 0.1 g/t gold and 0.025% copper (Figures 3 and 7). Scale : The new discovery coincides with a 10 km x 5 km large airborne magnetic and radiometric potassic anomaly (Figures 8 and 9). Mapped mineralization at Previsto is associated with areas of elevated magnetic and potassium. The footprint of the combined magnetic and potassic anomaly is considered significant on a global scale.

: The new discovery coincides with a 10 km x 5 km large airborne magnetic and radiometric potassic anomaly (Figures 8 and 9). Mapped mineralization at Previsto is associated with areas of elevated magnetic and potassium. The footprint of the combined magnetic and potassic anomaly is considered significant on a global scale. Cluster: The Previsto discovery is the eighth significant porphyry and/or epithermal target discovered within an area of 25 km by 10 km at Previsto and Belen which Hannan now believes represents a district-scale porphyry cluster.

Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "The Previsto Central discovery, at this pre-drilling stage, appears to be an extremely large porphyry-epithermal system in the making. What we are initially seeing in outcrop at Previsto Central is just a glimpse of what maybe hidden under thin soil cover and only a very small portion of the target area of about 10 km by 5 km area has been prospected to date. Our focus during the dry season will be to continue de-risk and move Previsto Central forward to drill permitting as soon as possible."

Stream sediment sampling (Figure 3) by Hannan in 2021 provided initial signs of a mineralized system at Previsto Central. The Company gained social access to the area late last year and prospecting work since the start of 2024 has confirmed that a significant copper-gold porphyry discovery exists in the area.

Previsto Central is defined by a large 10 km by 5 km airborne magnetic and radiometric anomaly. Alteration associated with porphyry intrusions is often magnetic potassic, and at Previsto where mapped mineralization is associated with areas of elevated magnetic and potassium indicating areas rich in magnetite and sericite/biotite/K-feldspar, minerals associated with porphyry alteration. The footprint dimensions of the alteration system at Previsto is considered significant on a global scale for a porphyry system (Figures 8 and 9). This area will remain the main focus of the Company's upcoming field program during the dry season.

This Previsto Central prospect is located 2.5 km west of the Previsto East (reported on April 10, 2024). The style of mineralization observed at both prospects show strong similarities, where alteration assemblages and mineralization styles include hydrothermal breccias, intense phyllic alteration and relics of potassic alteration, roscoelite veining/dissemination and replacement of feldspars, observed sulfide minerals includes chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite. Veining is rare and generally only thin quartz and quartz-pyrite-iron oxide veinlets have been observed in boulders.

Previsto Central exhibits highly anomalous soil geochemical anomalies over 1,000 m, with anomalous rock chip samples and numerous windows of exposed copper and gold mineralization within a 4 km by 1 km area (Figures 3 to 7).

Preliminary soil sampling at Previsto Central has been collected at a 100 m to 200 m sample spacing. The results show a strong correlation with copper mineralization in outcrop. The area defined by soil anomalies to date remains open but initial results indicate a significant footprint. Areas with more dense sampling show individual anomalies extending over 1,000 m long with soil samples commonly exceed 0.1 g/t gold and 0.025% copper (Figures 6 and 7). The best channel sample result from six reconnaissance trenches was 0.25% copper over 5.8 m (Table 1 and Figures 4, 5 and 10). Litho-geochemistry at Previsto shows a clear alkaline composition of the porphyry instructive host. The porphyries intrude sediments (sandstone, limestone, and shale) which show contact metasomatism around dykes and intrusive stocks.

At Previsto East, a 1,800 m by 400 m area contains a high gold in soil anomaly associated with multiple large local copper and gold mineralized boulders, covered by scree and soil cover from 1 m to 5 m thick. Previsto East could represent either a secondary alluvial deposit that is locally or distally sourced (Photo 1). A large-scale IP geophysical survey is in the initial stages of planning to map the bedrock of the extremely large Previsto Central and East target to test areas under cover, support drill planning and demonstrate the scale of the mineral system.

About the Valiente project

The 100% owned Valiente project is in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figures 1 and 2). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was discovered in 2021 during an extensive greenfields exploration program initiated by Hannan for back-arc porphyry copper-gold systems. The Company has been actively exploring the project since 2021 and has successfully gained social permits progressively in all areas of interest.

During 2021 Hannan staked and still holds 1,002 km2 of 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente covering unexplored terrain for potential mineralized porphyry targets in central eastern Peru. Early surface prospecting discovered two outcropping copper-gold porphyry targets and one epithermal target at Belen (see Press Release Feb 16, 2023) that is now being drill permitted (Figures 1 and 2). Porphyry discoveries quickly followed at Serrano Norte, Serrano and Pucacunga. The focus more recently has been on Previsto. At Previsto and Belen, a district-scale porphyry cluster within an area of 25 km by 10 km, with eight porphyry and/or epithermal targets now identified in more detail with up to 10 earlier stage targets awaiting further work.

In January 2024 Hannan submitted it first drilling application (DIA) covering two porphyry targets and one epithermal target at the Belen zone (here for news release). The company is now expanding the footprint by exploring new areas to build a pipeline of projects that will be permitted, and drill tested over the coming five years.

Technical Background

All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using trackable parcels and by company staff. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four-acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. Gold was analyzed in rock and soils by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 30g fire assay sample charge. Soil samples were analyzed by a portable XRF (VANTA-VMR) using an inhouse protocol which includes routing use of CRM and field duplicates as well as 10% check samples analyzed by ALS Lima.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTC PINK:HANNF)

Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson"

Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information

www.hannanmetals.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary,

+1 (604) 685 9316, info@hannanmetals.com

Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; the Company's expectations regarding its mineral projects; the preliminary nature of the Company's operations; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news.

Picture 1: View from Previsto East looking west showing the 4 km2 footprint of the Previsto Central porphyry target area and the core 3 km x 1 km target.

Table 1: Channel results at 500ppm lower Cu cut-off from leached outcrops at Previsto Central

Channel From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu_ppm Gold_ppm Mo_ppm V_ppm CH14277 4 6 2 508 0 27 293 CH14277 14 18 4 564 0.026 25 251 CH14685 0 4 4 959 0.006 6 399 CH14948 4.2 5.7 1.5 643 0.001 3 102 CH14955 2 6 4 559 0.016 2 137 CH14955 8 12 4 728 0.01 14 126 CH14961 0 8 8 1240 0.005 8 126 CH14969 0 2.2 2.2 726 0 93 329 CH14969 8.2 14 5.8 2520 0.001 37 1732

SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - The Third Edition of Abu Dhabi Family Office (ADFO) Summit is pleased to announce a stellar cast of over 250 influential attendees, partners, and 32 esteemed speakers brought together for the event. Scheduled for May 30th, 2024, the summit offers a platform for insightful discussions and fruitful collaborations.

Conceived by Obediah Ayton, the Abu Dhabi Family Office (ADFO) Summits aim to foster open debate, collaboration, and discussions on matters of significance. The event offers a platform for diverse voices, featuring an increase of female family office participants and hearing from the next generation of family members.

ADFO Summit is renowned for its thought-provoking discussions, bringing together thought leaders, family principals, and investment officers to address key issues of the day. The event, expertly curated and moderated by Nick Ayton, commences with event registration at 08:00, followed by an opening keynote and a series of interactive panels covering a wide-ranging agenda.

Themes explored during the summit include optimizing tech investing, navigating the rise of private credit, understanding the dynamics of commodities, the influence of longevity on investments, emerging trends in fintech and capital markets, and strategies for effective asset allocation.

The summit kicks off with a cocktail evening on May 29th, serving as an icebreaker and networking opportunity, followed by a post-event cocktail evening on May 30th to conclude the proceedings. The event will be held at the prestigious Rotana Resort in Abu Dhabi.

ADFO Summit attracts both regional and international families, as well as family groups operating or seeking to establish a presence in the UAE. The unique format encourages candid exchanges of views and opinions, laying the groundwork for collaboration and co-investment opportunities.

Throughout the day, discussions will delve into critical topics such as succession planning, family governance best practices, and the perspectives of the next generation. Key themes include sustainable investing strategies, the integration of traditional and digital assets, the impact of AI on investment decisions, and the growing importance of philanthropy.

About ADFO Summit

The ADFO Summit serves as a global platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, bringing together diverse voices from families, investors, and business leaders to navigate the evolving economic, technological, and regional landscape. With a focus on fostering meaningful discussions and transformative ideas, the Summit aims to catalyze positive change.

Contact

ADFO Summit

Owner: Obediah Ayton

Phone: +971503506152

Email: pr@stankeviciusmgm.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210064

SOURCE: Dhabi Hold Co
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - Altamira Gold Corp. (TSXV: ALTA) (FSE: T6UP) (OTC Pink: EQTRF), ("Altamira" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of 12 additional drill holes at the Maria Bonita gold discovery.

Highlights:

MBA029 returned 146m @ 1.0 g/t gold from 23m depth in hydrothermally altered rhyolite intrusive rocks. This interval is part of a wider zone of mineralization with the entire hole returning 213m @ 0.8 g/t gold and terminating in mineralization, indicating the mineralized body remains open at depth.

As with previous drill intercepts, the gold values in MBA029 are remarkably consistent with a peak value of 2.4g/t gold. The collar of drill hole MBA029 is located 85m south-east of the original discovery holes and extends the known mineralization both to the north, south and to depth.

Other significant drill results include: MBA016: 90m @ 0.6g/t Au from 14m and 65m @ 0.4g/t from 118m MBA018: 105m @ 0.5g/t Au from 23m and 24m @ 0.4g/t Au from 144m MBA020: 72m @ 0.4 g/t Au from 59m MBA022: 53m @ 0.7 g/t Au from surface MBA025: 26m @ 0.5 g/t Au from 68m and 40m @ 0.5g/t Au from 118m MBA027: 41m @ 0.4g/t Au from surface



CEO Mike Bennett commented; "This result is by far the best drill intercept to date at Maria Bonita and confirms the depth continuity and pervasive style of the mineralization. We have more than doubled the previous best depth extent to the mineralization. The consistency of gold values down-hole reinforces the presence of a significant disseminated mineralized system in intrusive rocks which is open to the north and south and at depth. It also enhances the prospectivity of the target and suggests a north-east plunge to the known zone of coherent mineralization at or around 1g/t gold. Maria Bonita is a "blind" discovery with no outcrop, and we are extremely encouraged to have now identified extensions to the core mineralized zone which gives us further drill targets to pursue."

CAJUEIRO PROJECT

The Cajueiro project is located approximately 75km NW of the town of Alta Floresta in the state of Mato Grosso (Figure 1) in central western Brazil and is easily accessible by road and has grid power and local water supply. Cajueiro is the most advanced of three key projects that Altamira controls in the region, the other two being Apiacas and Santa Helena (Figure1).

Figure 1: Location of the Cajueiro, Apiacas and Santa Helena projects.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_16c4e3fc7489cbdc_001full.jpg

The Cajueiro project has current NI 43-101 resources of 5.66Mt @ 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 oz in the Indicated Resource category and 12.66Mt @ 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 515,000 oz in the Inferred Resource category (estimated using a gold price of US$1,500/oz). Included in these totals are near-surface oxide portions of the Cajueiro resource, containing an estimated 75koz of gold.

Maria Bonita Target

Maria Bonita is located 7km west of the Cajueiro mineral resource and is easily accessible by road. The current drill programmed is follow-up to the initial round of discovery drillholes which include 69m @ 1g/t gold (MBA005), 50m @ 1.1 g/t gold (MBA004), 55m @ 1.0 g/t gold (MBA002), 50m @ 1.0 g/t gold (MBA001) and 45m @ 1.4 g/t gold (MBA003) - all from surface (see press releases dated September 7, November 16, 2022, and January 18, 2023). The gold mineralization is notably uniform and pervasive in the initial discovery holes, with a peak assay value of 7.7 g/t Au. Initial metallurgical tests returned gold recoveries of 88% (column leach of saprolite) and 90% (agitated leach in saprolite and fresh rock) on composite drill core samples.

There is no outcrop in the project area, therefore this second drill programme is largely guided by the results of the prior drilling, plus ground magnetics and soil survey data. Prior soil surveys have defined a pronounced soil anomaly over 0.4 g/t gold, measuring 250m by 300m, within a larger trapezoid-shaped magnetic low, bounded by interpreted structures (see Figure 2 and the press release dated December 5, 2023). The extensive magnetic low may reflect the hydrothermally altered package of host mineralized intrusive rocks.

This second drill programme was planned to determine the limits to the known bedrock gold mineralization at Maria Bonita. To date, in the current programme, 19 diamond core drillholes have been completed for a total of 3,304 metres.

Table 1 and Figure 2 show the drillholes for which complete assay data is available.

Figure 2: Location of completed drillholes (white) and those reported in this release (yellow). Background shows interpreted significant structures within the broad trapezoid-shaped magnetic low that hosts the alteration and mineralization. The 400ppb gold-in-soil contour highlights the highest potential for sub-cropping mineralization.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_16c4e3fc7489cbdc_003full.jpg

Table 1: Summary drill collar data for diamond drillholes to date at Maria Bonita. Initial scout programme holes MBA001-009 and follow-up programme MBA010-029. Results area awaited for two drillholes (asterisked)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_052220241table1.jpg

Table 2: Summary drill results for diamond drillholes in the second drill programme

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_05222024table2.jpg

The drill programme was designed to step out from the original discovery area using the soil and auger data as a guide to bedrock gold distribution. The structures evident within the ground magnetic data (Figure 2) were thought to reflect the net effect of hydrothermal magnetite (positive anomalies) and de-magnetization associated with later hydrothermal overprint events - possibly related to the introduction of gold (negative anomalies).

The drill data show a general positive correlation between quartz vein intensity and gold in the rhyolite intrusive, however overlapping chlorite and sericite rich alteration events also influence gold content. A three-dimensional geological model has been constructed and updated as drill data has been received. This model is used to interpret the grade distribution in three dimensions as assays are received, allowing the drill plan to be updated accordingly.

Most drillholes intersected highly anomalous and relatively consistent gold over very thick intervals. Typically, these values were in the range 0.3 - 0.5g/t Au over 50-100m with the central zone containing consistent grades around 1g/t Au. The geometry of the core zone is a key focus in the ongoing interpretation as this will drive the economics of any future hard rock mineral resource.

The mineralizing event is likely to have consisted of more than one phase, overlapping in three dimensions. Prior petrological evidence from the demagnetisation of original magnetite in the quartz stockworks confirms the concept of a multi-phase hydrothermal system. In this scenario, interpretation of the alteration halos and style of veining is key to determining vectors towards potentially better grade.

The drill data will lead to a geological model in which the alteration and mineralization envelopes can be interpreted as the basis for a mineral resource estimate.

Figure 3: Multiple parallel quartz vein segregations in mineralized quartz porphyry intrusive from MBA029.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_16c4e3fc7489cbdc_006full.jpg

Figure 4: Schematic cross section (north-south) through the projection of MBA005 and MBA029. The deeper intercept of the higher-grade zone in MBA029 correlates with similar grade intervals in MBA015 and MBA005. In addition, the southern zone in MBA022 lies outside the 0.4g/t gold-in-soil contour (see Figure 2) and indicates that significant gold may be found under shallow cover outside the main soil anomaly.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4500/210063_16c4e3fc7489cbdc_007full.jpgFi

Following the observation of visible gold in some sections of the drill core, follow-up sampling is underway for selected core intervals using:

screen fire assay - each sample consists of 1000g of crushed sample a non-destructive, neutron activation analytical method (400g of crushed sample)

These methods analyse a significantly larger sample than the conventional 50g fire assay, used routinely in the industry (and used to date by Altamira) and should reduce the statistical risk of missing particulate (visible) gold in zones where such gold is recorded or suspected. Results will be assessed as they are received.

The current drill results have successfully identified a broader and deeper mineralized zone than previously recognised from the initial round of drilling. The mineralization has been confirmed to have a three-dimensional form and to extend from surface to at least 213m downhole (174m below surface). Further drilling is now planned, using a rig on site, to further test the recent higher-grade and deeper discovery in hole MBA029 plus the zones of shallow mineralization that remain open such as that in hole MBA022 (Figure 4).

Qualified Person

Guillermo Hughes, FAIG and M AusIMM., a consultant to the Company as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Altamira Gold Corp.

The Company is focused on the exploration and development of gold and copper projects within western central Brazil. The Company holds 6 projects comprising approximately 190,000 hectares, within the prolific Juruena gold belt which historically produced an estimated 7 to 10Moz of placer gold. The Company's advanced Cajueiro project has NI 43-101 resources of 5.66Mt @ 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 oz in the Indicated Resource category and 12.66Mt @ 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 515,000oz in the Inferred Resource category.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

ALTAMIRA GOLD CORP.

"Michael Bennett"

Michael Bennett

President & CEO

Tel: 604.676.5660

Toll-Free:1-833-606-6271

info@altamiragold.com

www.altamiragold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the extension of the Warrants. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Notes

Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored under the supervision the Company's exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps are returned to the Company and archived. Drill holes results are quoted as down-hole length weighted intersections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210063

SOURCE: Altamira Gold Corp.
LONDON, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aztec Group, a leading international fund and corporate services provider, has strengthened its senior team with three key management appointments, who will also join the Executive Board.



Stuart Fulton has joined the Group as Chief Financial Officer, Jane Hanson as Chief People Officer and Richard Larnder as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer.

"It's great to have Stuart, Jane and Richard on board with their wealth of expertise in financial services and fresh perspectives from other sectors, their insight will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business, develop our teams and deliver exceptional service to our clients," said Aztec Group CEO Kathryn Purves.

Stuart Fulton will lead Aztec's Finance, Legal and Risk Functions. Stuart joins Aztec from Vistra, where he spent more than seven years.





Jane Hanson will lead the Group's People function, including the specialist learning and development team at the Aztec Academy, Reward, Recruitment and Culture. Jane comes to the Group after five years at Nationwide Building Society.





Richard Larnder will lead Aztec's Strategy, Innovation and Transformation efforts, in addition to Sustainability and Corporate Communications. Richard has worked in private equity for more than 15 years with a focus on leading businesses through strategic change.



Stuart said: "Aztec's phenomenal growth over the past two decades is a testament to its client service and the people who deliver it. It is an exciting time for the Group and I'm looking forward to helping us continue the growth trajectory over the next phase."

The new executive additions come at a key time in Aztec's growth. Jane noted that the Group is making significant investments in technology and people. "Aztec is built on the strength of its people. Across all our locations, hiring and retaining the best is critical for our continued success. I'm thrilled to join a team that understands the value of its people," she said.

The new additions to the management team will join the Executive Board and will also help shape Aztec's strategy of delivering excellent client service.

Richard said: "Aztec's ambition is to be the premium provider of private market asset services. Continuing to look ahead and evolve our strategy will be key to making that ambition a reality. I'm proud to join the Group at this pivotal point in its journey."

Part of the journey includes Aztec's international expansion into the U.S. Recently, the Group strengthened its team with the appointment of Scott Kraemer as Head of U.S. Markets. Scott has overall responsibility for Aztec's growth in the U.S. from its Philadelphia and New York offices.

Over the past year, Aztec Group has also expanded to Ireland and made substantial investments in Investor Services and AIFM while also strengthening teams serving the Real Assets and Private Credit asset classes.

Notes to Editor

About the Aztec Group

Established in 2001, Aztec Group is an award-winning independent provider of fund and corporate services, employing more than 2,000 people across the UK, U.S., Luxembourg, Ireland and the Channel Islands. The Group specialises in alternative investments, administering more than 600 billion in assets, 450 funds and 4,500 entities for a range of clients, spanning the major asset classes including private equity, venture capital, private credit, real estate and infrastructure.

Contact Details

Sophie Morgan

Senior Communications Manager

Sophie.morgan@aztecgroup.co.uk
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is hosting the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, attended by over 5,000 aviation experts and leaders from more than 100 countries.

On the second day of the forum, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) called on the international community to establish a 'Global Aid Aviation Council.' Bringing together the aviation community, humanitarian agencies and governments, the new body would facilitate and protect humanitarian aid delivered across air routes. As part of the proposal, H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah stated that all programs must be protected under international humanitarian law.

The Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in three ways: by ensuring uninhibited access to airports, flightpaths, and refuelling facilities for aircraft delivering aid; by removing all duties and tariffs on aircraft transporting aid; and by streamlining the coordination of aid delivery. The removal of duties would reduce costs, helping to bridge the humanitarian funding gap.

H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah emphasized the vital role of civil aviation in delivering humanitarian aid during both man-made conflicts and natural disasters:

"Civil aviation is crucial for the swift transportation of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency supplies such as food, water, medical supplies, and shelter materials. An international community-backed Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of such aid, saving lives and helping those in need."

KSrelief has leveraged aviation to deliver critical health supplies and aid in crisis zones. Its airbridge programs have supported Gaza with 50 flights from Riyadh to Al Arish in Egypt, to Sudan with over 20 flights, and provided vital assistance to the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Additionally, an ambitious airbridge program for Ukraine has sent over 21 airplanes carrying essential aid to border cities in Poland.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2419325/KSRELIEF.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ksrelief-calls-for-international-community-backed-global-aid-aviation-council-302152735.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / BeMetals Corp. (TSXV:BMET),(OTCQB:BMTLF),(Frankfurt:1OI.F) (the "Company" or "BeMetals") is pleased to announce that three of four new core holes have intersected significant copper sulphide mineralization at the Pangeni Copper Project in Zambia (the "Project" or the "Property"). Today's new analytical results support and enlarge the Company's discovery of extensive zones of copper mineralization covering more than 1.7 kilometres of strike length under sand cover. Importantly, the copper mineralization bears many of the hallmarks in terms of style, width, grade, and geology to deposits that are mined in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt.

DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM CURRENT 2024 PROGRAM AT THE D-PROSPECT:

Hole D24-C1 intersected 16.16 metres grading 0.74% copper ("Cu") with 533 parts per million "ppm" cobalt ("Co"), including 5.50 metres grading 0.93% Cu with 701ppm Co.

Hole D11-C3 intersected 23.20 metres grading 0.54% Cu with 263ppm Co, including 7.90 metres 0.92% Cu with 453ppm Co.

Hole D22-C2 intersected 14.78 metres grading 0.42% Cu, including 4.88 metres grading 0.65% Cu.

The intercepts in Holes D24-C1, D11-C3 and D22-C2 have copper grades and mineralized widths that approximate or exceed those of certain large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt (1) (2) (3) .

The D-Prospect copper mineralization demonstrates many of the same geological features of the large-scale Lumwana Copper Mine deposits in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt.

The total footprint of copper mineralization now extends for more than 1.7 kilometres along strike, with the mineralized intervals present from immediately beneath the sand cover, at approximately 25 metres depth, to some 275 metres vertically.

Mineralization remains open along strike in both the SW and NE directions as well as down dip to the SE.

Note: Table 1 below provides details of these 2024 drilling program results.

John Wilton, President and CEO of BeMetals, stated "We are very excited with these latest drilling results from our Pangeni Copper Project and given continued positive results, our team is increasingly confident that, at this stage of the exploration, we are on the verge of making the first new copper discovery in the Zambian Copperbelt in decades. So far this year three of four drill holes from which results have been received have intersected significant zones of copper mineralization, which in several intervals have associated cobalt values. We are pleased to see that our drilling success has improved with increasing understanding of the geological controls of the copper mineralization. The Project continues to deliver compelling results, indicating significant scale to the mineralization, and with ongoing drilling success, the potential for discovery of a tier one copper deposit beneath the Kalahari sand cover.

These technical results are enhanced by the pedigree of the Zambian Copperbelt, the increasing copper mining and exploration investments into Zambia, and the strong fundamentals for copper demand. The Company acknowledges the hard work of our Project field team, Remote Exploration Services ("RES") and BluRock Mining (Drilling), and our project partners Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC"), Copper Cross Zambia Limited and Pangeni Mineral Resources Limited. The Company also recognizes the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development for its continued support of the exploration Project, as well as strategic investor B2Gold Corp. (a 19% shareholder of the Company)."

PANGENI COPPER PROJECT: D-PROSPECT

At the beginning of March 2024, during the Zambian rainy season, BeMetals commenced the first phase of core drilling as part of the 2024 exploration program planned to comprise six holes for approximately 2,000 metres at the D-Prospect area of the Pangeni Property. This phase of drilling was successfully completed on the 20th of May with a total of 2,038 metres. Currently, analytical results have been received for four of the six drill holes, with geological logging and sampling still in progress for the last two holes.

The current exploration program is focused on identifying zones of higher grades and extending zones of known copper mineralization. In January 2024, the Company reported an intersection of 18.10 metres grading 0.70% Cu in Hole D22-C1 (see BeMetals news release January 9, 2024). This zone is characterized by consistent copper sulphide mineralization, comprising disseminated and veinlet chalcopyrite and subordinate bornite. It is generally hosted within a scapolite and kyanite bearing schist unit. It has been named the Nkala Zone. The Nkala Zone is interpreted to extend for at least 1.1 kilometres along strike within the overall 1.7 kilometres of known copper mineralization. In the southwest of the currently drilled prospect, it has increased widths and copper grades in a lens or shoot currently termed the Ingwe Shoot (see Figure 1).

To-date, Hole D24-C1 is the southwestern most hole to have encountered copper mineralization in the Nkala Zone, with an intersection of 16.16 metres grading 0.74% Cu and 533 ppm Co, including 5.50 metres grading 0.93% Cu and 701 ppm Co (see Figures 1 and 2 for location and cross section). Hole D22-C2 intersected 14.78 metres grading 0.42% Cu some 110 metres to the northeast of D24-C1, and Hole D11-C3 intersected 23.20 metres grading 0.54% Cu with 263 ppm Co, including 7.90 metres at 0.92% Cu, a further 500 metres east-northeast of Hole D24-C1 (see Figure 1 for drill hole locations).

There are now four drill holes D24-C1, D22-C2, D11-C3, and previously reported D22-C1 that all intersected the interpreted Ingwe Shoot of the Nkala Zone (see Figure 1, yellow symbols), with copper grades that approximate or exceed those of several large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt (1) (2) (3) (see mines and locations in Figure 3). The Ingwe Shoot, with higher-grade copper and associated cobalt mineralization, is interpreted to be structurally controlled, similar in style to the Equinox, Chimiwungo Main and East Shoots at the Lumwana Mine (2).

As reported in April 2024, Dr. Richard Sillitoe, technical advisor to BeMetals, concluded from review of the drill core at the D-Prospect that the copper mineralization is closely similar in geological setting, style and age to that of the large-scale Lumwana Copper Mine operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. The Lumwana Mine is producing at grades of 0.51% Cu and has a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.36 billion tonnes grading 0.52% Cu, containing 7.1 million tonnes (15.5 billion pounds) of copper2.

Hole D14-C1, previously reported, intersected multiple zones of copper mineralization, including 12.64 metres grading 0.32% Cu, 12.91 metres grading 0.37% Cu, and 5.89 metres grading 0.38% Cu (see BeMetals news release April 3, 2024). Importantly the upper zones of mineralization in this drill hole are projected to extend to the base of the Kalahari sand cover at roughly 25 metres vertical depth.

Drill hole D11-C2 intersected 14.00 metres grading 0.13% Cu within the Nkala Zone, interpreted as a possible margin of the Ingwe Shoot, whereas Hole D11-C3 appears to have intersected a more central portion of the Shoot, returning robust grades over significant widths (see Figure 1).

Thus far, copper grades in the Ingwe Shoot appear to be improving to the southwest and southeast, and additional drilling will be required to test for further extensions of the mineralization as well as to confirm grade continuity. There remains significant potential to expand the copper mineralization, following identification of additional target zones to the northeast. Also of interest is the association of the higher-grade copper intercepts in D24-C1 and D11-C3 with appreciable intervals of cobalt mineralization, ranging from 263 ppm Co over 23.20 metres in D11-C3 to 701 ppm Co over 5.50 metres in D24-C1. Table 1 includes all the latest available analytical results from the 2024 drilling campaign. Table 2 provides azimuth, dip, end of hole depth and collar coordinates for all these new drill holes.

As a result of the success of the ongoing exploration campaign, BeMetals intends to conduct a second and larger phase of core and aircore drilling later this year to accelerate expansion of the mineralized footprint at the D-Prospect.

(1) First Quantum Minerals Ltd. website, Mineral Reserves - as at December 31, 2022, and reported based on a long-term $3.00/lb Cu price. The current depleted in-pit Mineral Reserve as at December 31, 2022 for Sentinel.

(2) Barrick Gold Corporation website, Mineral Reserves - December 31, 2013, Technical Report on the Lumwana Mine, North-Western Province, Republic of Zambia, Barrick Gold Corporation, Report for NI 43-101, March 27, 2014.

(3) Bernau, R., Roberts, S., Richards, M., Nisbet, B., Boyce, A., Nowecki, J. (2013) The geology and geochemistry of the Lumwana Cu ( Co  U) deposits, NW Zambia. Mineralium Deposita, 48:137-153.

Figure 1: Pangeni Copper Project: D-Prospect: 2024 Drilling Program Results to Date: D24-C1, D11-C3, D22-C2 and D11-C2: Results, Plan Map with Previous Core Drill Holes, and Air Core Results (Inset Map Showing Project Licence Area of 575km2)

Figure 2: 2024 Drill Program: Simplified Cross Section Through Drill Hole D24-C1 (Looking Northeast)

Table 1: 2024 Drill Program First Phase: D-Prospect: D24-C1, D11-C3, D22-C2 and D11-C2 Drill Hole Intersection Results

Prospect, Borehole ID & Interval From (m) To (m) Core Interval (m) Cu % Co ppm D-Prospect D24-C1 Interval 302.21 325.00 22.79 0.59 423 Including (Nkala Zone) 302.21 318.37 16.16 0.74 533 including 312.00 317.50 5.50 0.93 701 Interval 320.55 325.00 4.45* 0.31 163 D11-C3 Interval (Nkala Zone) 275.80 299.00 23.20 0.54 263 Including 275.80 283.70 7.90 0.92 453 Including 275.80 281.70 5.90 1.03 507 D22-C2 181.70 183.70 2.00 0.37 78 Interval 200.00 227.16 27.16* 0.35 51 Interval (Nkala Zone) 200.00 214.78 14.78 0.42 62 including 200.00 204.09 4.09 0.49 64 also Including 208.03 212.91 4.88 0.65 63 also Including 211.86 212.91 1.05 1.62 76 Interval 222.16 227.16 5.00 0.50 51 including 222.16 223.16 1.00 1.71 84 D11-C2 (Nkala Zone) 188.00 202.00 14.00* 0.13 67







Table 1 Notes: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Perth, Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 85 and 90% of the drilled intersections. A nominal cut-off grade of 0.30% Cu has been used to determine the boundaries of these intersections with no more than 6.02 metres of internal dilution of the intercepts. *A nominal cut-off grade of 0.10% Cu has been used to determine the boundaries of these intersections with no more than 6.91 metres of internal dilution of the intercept.

Figure 3: Map Showing Selected Large Scale Copper Mines and Projects in Zambia and DRC

Source: Modified after MacIntyre, T., Gysi, A., Hitzman, M., (2018). Geology and Geochemistry of the Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit, Zambia.

Table 2: Pangeni Project: 2024 Program First Phase: Drill Hole ID, Azimuth, Dip, End of Hole Depth and Collar Coordinates

Drill Hole ID Azimuth degree Dip Degree End of hole Depth (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Status D24-C1 300 -70 372.40 176762 8600991 1318 Priority zone results received D22-C2 300 -65 300.00 176817 8601084 1321 Results received D11-C3 300 -60 333.00 177270 8601036 1307 Priority zone results received D11-C2 300 -60 303.00 177100 8601134 1313 Priority zone results received D2-C3 310 -60 382.10 177525 8601062 1288 Logging and sampling in progress D14-C2 300 -60 347.54 177726 8601231 1292 Logging and sampling in progress

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL

The results reported here for this core drilling program were analyzed by Intertek Genalysis, an independent and accredited laboratory. Samples were prepared at their facility in Kitwe, Zambia and analytical work conducted in Perth, Australia. The results were determined using multi-acid, near total digest, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma ("ICP") Optical (Atomic) Emission Spectrometry ("OES"). The core sampling was conducted with a robust sampling protocol that included the appropriate insertion of standard reference material, duplicates and blanks into the sample stream. Field operations and management have been provided by Remote Exploration Services ("RES") an independent geological consulting and contracting company. The core drilling was conducted by BluRock Mining (Drilling) Services of Kitwe, Zambia.

QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT

The technical information in this news release for BeMetals has been reviewed and approved by John Wilton, CGeol FGS, CEO and President of BeMetals, and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF BEMETALS CORP.

"John Wilton"

John Wilton

President, CEO and Director

For further information about BeMetals please visit our website at bemetalscorp.com and sign-up to our email list to receive timely updates, or contact:

Derek Iwanaka

Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Telephone: 604-928-2797

Email: diwanaka@bemetalscorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration, development and advancement of the Kazan Projects in Japan and the Pangeni Project in Zambia, and the acquisition of additional base and/or precious metal projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", "anticipates", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the actual results of exploration activities, the availability of financing and/or cash flow to fund the current and future plans and expenditures, the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions of the option agreement for the Pangeni Project, and changes in the world commodity markets or equity markets. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its b

SOURCE: BeMetals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") announced today the results from 2 newly identified exploration targets - Electra and Maia. A total of 196 samples from 25 auger drill holes were assayed by SGS-GEOSOL Laboratories in Vespasiano, Brazil. The results confirm again that the regolith developed over the Ipora Granite presented significant enrichment of Heavy Rare Earth Oxides (HREO), indicative of the Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC) rare earth elements (REE) deposits similar to the Target IV zone already identified as IAC REE. This will be confirmed by the desorption analysis which is currently underway.

Stephen Burega, President, commented, "Appia's geology team continues to identify significant new target zones at the PCH project, and further our understanding of the IAC mineralization across the overall project area. The impressive HREO results now identified across multiple zones of homogeneous mineralization highlights the true potential of the PCH project. We are very pleased with what we have accomplished to date and are moving quickly to our next phase of definition drilling, and the commissioning of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) report including the expansion of the existing maiden Mineral Resource Estimate. Management is working on many fronts to build strong industry linkages and participate in international forums to support the next phase of project development."

Highlights

The new targets are in the Central and Mid-western portion grouping of claims, Maia is located approximately 7 km east-northeast from Target IV, and Electra 5 km north-northeast from Target IV (see Figure 1).

Selected intercepts for Heavy Rare Earth Oxide (HREO), Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), Dysprosium plus Terbium oxides (Dy+Tb) and Praseodymium plus Neodymium oxides (Nd+Pr) grades in Parts Per Millions (ppm): PCH-AH-036 - 5m@1646ppm TREO, 381ppm HREO, 53ppm Dy+Tb, 416ppm Nd+Pr from 5m. PCH-AH-042 - 3m@1120ppm TREO, 155ppm HREO, 24ppm Dy+Tb, 225ppm Nd+Pr from 5m. PCH-AH-044 - 4m@980ppm TREO, 127ppm HREO, 18ppm Dy+Tb, 199ppm Nd+Pr from 3m. PCH-AH-094 - 4m@1054ppm TREO, 327ppm HREO, 37ppm Dy+Tb, 169ppm Nd+Pr from 3m. PCH-AH-105 - 4m@1041ppm TREO, 207ppm HREO, 27ppm Dy+Tb, 181ppm Nd+Pr from 6m. PCH-AH-177 - 1m@1067ppm TREO, 245ppm HREO, 32ppm Dy+Tb, 163ppm Nd+Pr from 7m. PCH-AH-178 - 1m@1462ppm TREO, 177ppm HREO, 25ppm Dy+Tb, 233ppm Nd+Pr from 4m. PCH-AH-179 - 2m@1490ppm TREO, 187ppm HREO, 26ppm Dy+Tb, 310ppm Nd+Pr from 3m. PCH-AH-180 - 4m@1645ppm TREO, 174ppm HREO, 24ppm Dy+Tb, 340ppm Nd+Pr from 1m. PCH-AH-181 - 3m@1174ppm TREO, 199ppm HREO, 27ppm Dy+Tb, 195ppm Nd+Pr from 3m. PCH-AH-182 - 3m@918ppm TREO, 188ppm HREO, 25ppm Dy+Tb, 207ppm Nd+Pr from 2m. PCH-AH-183 - 6m@1133ppm TREO, 150ppm HREO, 20ppm Dy+Tb, 209ppm Nd+Pr from 1m. PCH-AH-184 - 4m@1350ppm TREO, 182ppm HREO, 30ppm Dy+Tb, 298ppm Nd+Pr from 3m. PCH-AH-188 - 4m@1494ppm TREO, 175ppm HREO, 24ppm Dy+Tb, 308ppm Nd+Pr from 4m. PCH-AH-189 - 6m@1427ppm TREO, 261ppm HREO, 34ppm Dy+Tb, 271ppm Nd+Pr from 2m.

The grade distribution signature found at depth in the auger drill holes is comparable with the pattern commonly found on IAC REE deposits (see Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6).

The Electra and Maia targets cover an area of 395 and 321 hectares respectively. Currently, the four new target zones (Merope, Taygeta, Maia and Electra) equal approximately 2,400 hectares in total area (Figure 2). In comparison, the Target IV and Buriti zones, where Appia's maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) was calculated, equal a total area of 483 hectares.

These first phase auger drill holes average 7.84 metres in depth, and the majority of drill holes ended in mineralization leaving the interval open at depth.

Intercepts of all auger drill holes are presented in Table 1. The full set of results are included in this LINK.

Andre Costa, VP Exploration for Brazil, commented, "Once again we are seeing well-developed zones with the same lithological development and distribution of REE mineralization within the regolith associated with the weathered Ipora Granite that underlays a majority of the PCH project area. A representative group of samples from the Maia and Electra zones are being prepared for desorption analysis. Meanwhile, our ground-crews continued to delineate new targets zones and auger drill testing will ensue across the +40,000-hectare property. To date, Appia has only tested approximately 30% of the total project area."

On March 1st, 2024, the Company announced its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) on Target IV and the Buriti Zone (Click here for the Press Release), and the companion NI 43-101 technical report on the PCH Project was filed on April 16th, 2024. (Click here for the Press Release)

Hole ID From To Length TREO HREO Dy+Tb Oxides Nd+Pr Oxides Target

metre metre metre ppm ppm ppm ppm

PCH-AH-036 5 10 5 1646 381 53 416 MAIA PCH-AH-042 5 8 3 1120 155 24 225 MAIA PCH-AH-044 3 7 4 980 127 18 199 MAIA PCH-AH-088 6 7 1 814 142 20 146 MAIA PCH-AH-089 1 2 1 618 118 17 119 MAIA PCH-AH-090 6 10 4 622 120 16 145 MAIA PCH-AH-092 3 5 2 693 201 24 116 MAIA PCH-AH-093 6 7 1 600 121 17 96 MAIA PCH-AH-094 3 7 4 1054 327 37 169 MAIA PCH-AH-097 3 7 4 862 236 31 170 MAIA PCH-AH-098 6 10 4 927 190 25 144 MAIA PCH-AH-099 5 6 1 906 196 28 222 MAIA PCH-AH-105 6 10 4 1041 207 27 181 MAIA PCH-AH-171 5 6 1 916 156 23 222 MAIA PCH-AH-176 7 8 1 929 181 24 110 MAIA PCH-AH-177 7 8 1 1067 245 32 163 MAIA PCH-AH-178 4 5 1 1462 177 25 233 MAIA PCH-AH-179 3 5 2 1490 187 26 310 MAIA PCH-AH-180 1 5 4 1645 174 24 340 ELECTRA PCH-AH-181 3 6 3 1174 199 27 195 ELECTRA PCH-AH-182 2 5 3 918 188 25 207 ELECTRA PCH-AH-183 1 7 6 1133 150 20 209 ELECTRA PCH-AH-184 3 7 4 1350 182 30 298 ELECTRA PCH-AH-188 4 8 4 1494 175 24 308 ELECTRA PCH-AH-189 2 8 6 1427 261 34 271 ELECTRA

Table 1 - Intercepts from all auger holes on targets Maia and Electra. For a full list of results, please click here.

*Total Rare Earth Oxides: TREO = Y2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + La2O3 + Ce2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3

*Heavy Rare Earth Oxides: HREO = Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3

*Nd+Pr Oxides= Nd2O3+Pr2O3

*Dy+Tb Oxides= Dy2O3+Tb4O7

*Element to Oxide Conversion Factor - Cerium Ce2O3 1.1713, Cerium CeO2 1.2284, Dysprosium Dy2O3 1.1477, Erbium Er2O3 1.1435, Europium Eu2O3 1.1579, Gadolinium Gd2O3 1.1526, Holmium Ho2O3 1.1455, Lanthanum La2O3 1.1728, Lutetium Lu2O3 1.1371, Neodymium Nd2O3 1.1664, Praseodymium Pr2O3 1.1703, Praseodymium Pr6O11 1.2082, Samarium Sm2O3 1.1596, Terbium Tb2O3 1.1510, Terbium Tb4O7 1.1762, Thulium Tm2O3 1.1421, Yttrium Y2O3 1.2699, Ytterbium Yb2O3 1.1387

Figure 1 - Map of exploration auger drill hole locations and outlines Maia and Electra targets zones.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Map presenting all new targets identified in PCH and MRE Target IV and Buriti.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_002full.jpg

Figure 3 - Strip logs of selected auger holes from Electra Target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_003full.jpg

Figure 4 - Strip logs of selected auger holes from Electra Target (continuation).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_004full.jpg

Figure 5 - Strip logs of selected auger holes from Maia Target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_005full.jpg

Figure 6 - Strip logs of selected auger holes from Maia Target (continuation).



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/210042_0c231e62c4099896_006full.jpg

QA/QC

Auger drill holes are vertical and reported intervals are true thickness. The material produced from drill holes are sampled at one metre intervals, resulting in average sample sizes of 5-10 kg. Quartering of the material was performed at Appia's logging facility using a riffle splitter and continued splitting until a representative sample weighing approximately 500g each was obtained, bagged in a resistant plastic bag, labeled, photographed, and stored for shipment.

The bagged samples are sent to the SGS laboratory in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais. In addition to the internal QA/QC of the SGS Lab, Appia includes its own control samples in each batch of samples sent to the laboratory.

Quality control samples, such as blanks, duplicates, and standards (CRM) were inserted into each analytical run. For all analysis methods, the minimum number of QA/QC samples is one standard, one duplicate and one blank, introduced in each batch which comprise a full-length hole. The rigorous procedures are implemented during the sample collection, preparation, and analytical stages to insure the robustness and reliability of the analytical results.

All analytical results reported herein have passed internal QA/QC review and compilation. All assay results of Auger samples were provided by SGS Geosol, an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Certified Laboratory, which performed their measure of the concentration of rare earth elements (REE) with the IMS95R analytical method that uses lithium metaborate fusion prior acid dissolution and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

The technical information in this news release, including the information related to geology, drilling, and mineralization, has been reviewed and approved by Andre L. L. Costa Appia's VP Exploration for Brazil, with more than 29 years of relevant experience. Mr. Costa is a Fellow of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia)

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario.

Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 145 million shares fully diluted.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, visit www.appiareu.com.

As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here.

Contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director

(c) (416) 876-3957

(e) tdrivas@appiareu.com

Stephen Burega, President

(c) (647) 515-3734

(e) sburega@appiareu.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210042

SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.
Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2024: 26 large ships lost worldwide in 2023, down by one third year-on-year, the industry's lowest ever total

War and geopolitical conflicts shake up the shipping industry, with a number of major consequences

Climate risks on the rise while decarbonization of fleets remains a major challenge

Given as much as 90% of international trade is transported across oceans, maritime safety is critical. Thirty years ago, the global shipping fleet lost around 200 large vessels a year. This total fell to a record low of 26 in 2023, a decline of more than one third year-on-year and by 70% over the past decade. However, the fact that shipping is increasingly subject to growing volatility and uncertainties from war and geopolitical events, the consequences of climate change, as well as ongoing risks resulting from the trend for larger vessels means the sector will have its work cut out to maintain this status quo in future, according to marine insurer Allianz Commercial's Safety and Shipping Review 2024

"The speed and extent of the way the industry's risk profile is changing is unprecedented in modern times. Conflicts such as in Gaza and Ukraine are reshaping global shipping, impacting crew and vessel safety, supply chains and infrastructure, and even the environment. Piracy is on the rise, with a worrying re-emergence off the Horn of Africa. The ongoing disruption caused by drought in the Panama Canal shows how the changing climate is affecting shipping , all at a time when it is having to undertake its most significant challenge, decarbonization," says Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial

Southeast Asia emerges as maritime region with highest total losses

During 2023, 26 total losses were reported globally compared with 41 a year earlier. There have been more than 700 total losses reported over the past decade (729). The South China, Indochina, Indonesia and the Philippines maritime region is the global loss hotspot, both over the past year and decade (184). It accounted for almost a third of vessels lost last year (8). The East Mediterranean and Black Sea ranks second (6) with activity up year-on-year. Cargo ships accounted for over 60% of vessels lost globally in 2023. Foundered (sunk) was the main cause of all total losses, accounting for 50%. Extreme weather was reported as being a factor in at least 8 vessel losses around the world in 2023, with the final total likely higher.

The number of shipping incidents reported globally declined slightly last year (2,951 compared to 3,036), with the British Isles seeing the highest number (695). Fires onboard vessels a perennial concern also declined. However, there have still been 55 total losses in the past five years, and over 200 fire incidents reported during 2023 alone (205) the second highest total for a decade after 2022. Fires remain a key safety issue on larger vessels given the potential threat to life, scale of the damage, and the fact associated costs can be severe, a factor contributing to the long-term increase in the cost of large marine insurance claims.

Consequences of geopolitical conflicts

Recent incidents, such as in the wake of the conflict in Gaza, have demonstrated the increasing vulnerability of global shipping to proxy wars, disputes and geopolitical events, with more than 100 ships targeted in the Red Sea alone by Houthi militants in response to the conflict. Disruption to shipping in and around the region has persisted and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future. The re-emergence of Somali pirates, following their first successful hijacking since 2017, is an additional cause for concern.

"Both the war in Ukraine and the Red Sea attacks have also revealed the increasing threat to commercial shipping posed by new technology such as drones, which are relatively cheap and easy to make, and difficult to defend against without a large naval presence," says Khanna. "Looking to the future, more technologically driven attacks against shipping and ports are also a distinct possibility. Reports of vessels experiencing GPS interference are increasing, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea."

The report also notes that in the three years since Russia invaded Ukraine the gradual tightening of international sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports has contributed to the growth of a sizable 'shadow fleet' of tankers, somewhere between 600 to 1,400 vessels. "These are mostly older, often poorly maintained vessels that operate outside international regulation, often without proper insurance. This situation presents serious environmental and safety risks," says Justus Heinrich, Global Product Leader, Marine Hull, Allianz Commercial. Vessels have been involved in at least 50 incidents to date, including fires, engine failures, collisions, loss of steerage, and oil spills. "The cost of dealing with these incidents often falls on governments or other vessels' insurers if one is involved in an incident

Rerouting brings risks and environmental challenges

Attacks against shipping in Middle East waters have also severely impacted Suez Canal transits down by more than 40% at the beginning of 2024 and trade. Coming so soon after the ongoing disruption caused by drought in the Panama Canal, this amounts to a double strike on shipping, causing yet more issues for global supply chains. Whichever alternative routes vessels take, they face lengthy diversions and increased costs, also impacting their customers. Avoiding the Suez Canal adds at least 3,000 nautical miles (over 5,500km) and 10 days sailing time, rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope.

Rerouting also impacts the risk landscape and the environment. Storms and rough seas can be more challenging for smaller vessels used to sailing coastal waters, while infrastructure to support an incident involving the largest vessels, such as a suitable port of refuge or a sophisticated salvage operation may not be available. Environmental gains may be lost as rerouted vessels increase speeds to cover longer distances. Red Sea diversions are already cited as being a primary contributor to a 14% surge in emissions in the EU shipping sector this year.

Green shipping challenges

Shipping contributes around 3% of global emissions caused by human activities and the industry is committed to tough targets to cut these. Reaching these targets will require a mix of strategies, including measures to improve energy efficiency, the adoption of alternative fuels, innovative ship design and methods of propulsion.

Decarbonization presents various challenges for an industry juggling new technologies alongside existing ways of working. For example, the industry will need to develop infrastructure to support vessels using alternative fuels, such as bunkering and maintenance, while at the same time phasing out fossil fuels. There are also potential safety issues with terminal operators and vessels' crew handling alternative fuels that can be toxic or highly explosive.

"Increasing shipyard capacity will also be key as the demand for green ships accelerates. Such capacity is currently constrained with long waiting times and high building prices," says Heinrich. Over 3,500 ships must be built or refitted annually until 2050, yet the number of shipyards more than halved between 2007 and 2022. "Capacity constraints on shipyards could have a knock-on effect for repairs and maintenance, with damaged vessels or those with machinery issues potentially facing long delays." Machinery damage or failure is the most frequent cause of shipping incidents, accounting for over half of these globally in 2023 (1,587).

About Allianz Commercial

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world's largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world's #1 insurance brand, as ranked by Interbrand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what's ahead: They trust us to provide a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services, as well as seamless claims handling. The trade name Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2023, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated more than 18 billion gross premium globally.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240522431348/en/

Contacts:

Jo-Anne Chasen

Tel. 917 826 2183

jo-anne.chasen@agcs.allianz.com



Erin Burke

Tel. 631 681 8770

eburke@stantonprm.com
GALA TO BE HELD ON JUNE 4th

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) continues to use the lessons of the Holocaust to fight antisemitism and all forms of hatred through impactful international educational programs, and providing assistance to victims of mass atrocities and genocide.

To support its vital mission as a global institution, AJCF holds an annual Gala honoring exemplary individuals who have joined in this crucial humanitarian work.

AJCF's US Director Aviva Miller praised this year's honorees, "From Joe Scarborough of MSNBC, to Alex Spiro, Esq. Partner of Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, to the Honorable John P. "Sean" Coffey of the US Navy, Leonard Fournette of the NFL, and the IL-USDocAid courageous doctors who volunteered to treat victims of mass atrocity, all represent allies and advocates dedicated to building a better future."

This year's honorees will be invited to participate in AJCF's mission in January 2025 to commemorate the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps. Previous honorees included the Mayor of New York City, The Honorable Eric L. Adams, and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who visited Auschwitz and AJCF's campus, where he met with Holocaust survivors and made headlines around the world by renouncing hate.

In addition to the honorees, the Gala also includes many Holocaust survivors as special guests. AJCF's American Service Academies Program (ASAP) is highlighted at the event. This distinguished program selects a group of top cadets and midshipmen from the U.S. Army, Naval, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force academies for an intensive course in Ethical Responsibility in the Military. ASAP begins in NYC with a Holocaust survivor mentorship program, and continues at AJCF's Center in Poland, where the cohort is immersed in Holocaust history as they visit the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and former Jewish ghettos.

2024 Gala Honorees and Awards

The AJCF Excellence in Media Award:

Joe Scarborough, TV Co-Host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Author, Former Congressman

The AJCF Advocacy Award:

Alex Spiro, Esq., Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

The AJCF Fighting Hatred Award:

The Honorable John P. "Sean" Coffey, General Counsel, Department of the Navy

The AJCF Medal of Valor Recipients:

Leonard Fournette, Super Bowl Champion, Activist, Philanthropist

IL-USDocAid Initiative, Milu-EM, Magen David Adom Initiative, US Physicians Volunteering to Assist the Victims of Mass Atrocity and the Israel Economic Mission to the USA (East Coast)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Geralyn Lucas: 917.499.1409 / GeralynLucas@gmail.com

SOURCE: Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NILEMDO ? (bempedoic acid), a first-in-class, oral treatment and NUSTENDI ? (bempedoic acid ezetimibe fixed-dose combination) receive label update approval from the European Commission as treatments to reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels 1,2

This makes bempedoic acid the first and only LDL-C-lowering treatment indicated for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events

Up to 80% of patients do not reach guideline-recommended LDL-C goals despite receiving treatments such as statins and remain at an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke and in need of additional treatment3,4,5,6

Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH (hereafter, 'Daiichi Sankyo') and Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. jointly announced today, that the European Commission (EC) has approved the label update of both NILEMDO?(bempedoic acid) and NUSTENDI? (bempedoic acid ezetimibe fixed-dose combination (FDC)), as treatments for hypercholesterolaemia (high levels of cholesterol) and to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.1,2 The EC's decisions to update the labels of bempedoic acid and bempedoic acid ezetimibe FDC are based on the positive CLEAR Outcomes trial results and makes them the first and only LDL-C-lowering treatments indicated for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.

The EC decisions follow the previous CHMP opinions received in March this year, and approved bempedoic acid and its fixed-dose combination (bempedoic acid ezetimibe) for use in adults with established or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering LDL-C levels, as an adjunct to correction of other risk factors [see full details below].1,2

In Europe, around one in seven people have high LDL-C levels, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, responsible for more than 10,000 lives lost every day.3,7 However, up to 80% of patients do not reach guideline-recommended LDL-C goals despite receiving treatments such as statins and are at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.3,4,5,6

Bempedoic acid is a first-in-class oral treatment which lowers cholesterol, and which can be combined with other treatments to help lower cholesterol even further. Bempedoic acid provided additional cholesterol lowering of up to 28% on top of statin therapy, compared to placebo.8 Bempedoic acid ezetimibe FDC combines two complementary ways of reducing cholesterol in a once-daily tablet, reduced LDL-C by 38% compared to placebo in high-risk patients already taking maximum-tolerated statin therapy.9

"Today's announcement marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to reduce cardiovascular risk. With the new indication, which covers both primary and secondary prevention, we can support healthcare professionals to better meet the treatment needs in their daily practice. At the same time, we're confident it will reassure patients that their medication truly addresses their CV risk. This reaffirms our commitment to be a trusted ally in improving cardiovascular care throughout Europe," said Oliver Appelhans, Head of Europe Specialty Division, Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH.

"We are delighted with the European Commission's approval, which reflects the significant cardiovascular risk reduction benefit that the bempedoic acid global franchise brings to patients worldwide," said Sheldon Koenig, President and CEO, Esperion. "This further supports our efforts towards delivering innovative treatment options to manage cardiovascular risk for patients with elevated LDL-C."

Today's positive label update reaffirms the efficacy of both these treatments for reducing LDL-C levels and ultimately reducing patients' risk of serious cardiovascular events," said Professor Alberico Catapano, University of Milan, Italy. "The announcement will provide doctors across Europe with further confidence in prescribing bempedoic acid, alone or in combination with ezetimibe, for managing the needs of their patients."

EC approval is based on results of the Phase 3 CLEAR (Cholesterol Lowering via Bempedoic Acid, an ATP citrate lyase (ACL)-Inhibiting Regimen) Outcomes trial.10 The trial randomised a total of 13,970 patients aged 18-85 years old and was conducted at 1,250 sites in 32 countries, including 485 sites across Europe.10 Results from the Phase 3 CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrated:

a 13% reduction in the relative risk of major adverse cardiovascular events defined as a four-component composite of death from cardiovascular (CV) causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or coronary revascularisation (MACE-4). 10

Results of the key secondary endpoints and subgroup analyses have also been published.10

-ENDS-

About bempedoic acid and its fixed-dose combination with ezetimibe

Bempedoic acid is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily treatment to lower cholesterol, and which can be combined with other oral treatments to help lower cholesterol even further.1,3 Bempedoic acid inhibits ATP citrate lyase (ACL), an enzyme which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver.11

Bempedoic acid acts on the well-known cholesterol synthesis pathway, upstream of the statin target in the liver, which allows additional LDL-C lowering when added to statin or other LDL-C-lowering therapies.12 Bempedoic acid is not activated in skeletal muscle.11

Bempedoic acid is indicated in adults with established or at high risk for atherosclerotic CV disease to reduce CV risk by lowering LDL-C levels, as an adjunct to correction of other risk factors:1

in patients on a maximum tolerated dose of statin with or without ezetimibe or, 1

alone or in combination with ezetimibe in patients who are statin-intolerant, or for whom a statin in contraindicated.1

The fixed-dose combination NUSTENDI combines two complementary ways of reducing cholesterol in a once-daily tablet. NUSTENDI is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet containing bempedoic acid (the active pharmaceutical ingredient in NILEMDO) and ezetimibe.

Bempedoic acid ezetimibe FDC is indicated in adults with established or at high risk for atherosclerotic CV disease to reduce CV risk by lowering LDL-C levels, as an adjunct to correction of other risk factors:2

in patients on a maximum tolerated dose of statin and not adequately controlled with additional ezetimibe treatment or, 2

in patients who are either statin-intolerant, or for whom a statin in contraindicated, and not adequately controlled with additional ezetimibe treatment or, 2

in patients already being treated with the combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe as separate tablets.2

Daiichi Sankyo Europe has licensed exclusive commercialisation rights to bempedoic acid and its FDC with ezetimibe (marketed as NILEMDOand NUSTENDI) in the European Economic Area, UK, Turkey and Switzerland from Esperion and is the full Marketing Authorisation Holder in these territories.

About CLEAR Outcomes trial

The CLEAR Outcomes trial was a Phase 3, event-driven, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.13 It was designed to evaluate whether treatment with bempedoic acid, marketed as NILEMDOin Europe, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in a mixed population of patients who had or were at high-risk for CVD, and for whom primary or secondary CVD prevention was clinically indicated but who were unable or unwilling to receive statin treatment.12

The trial, which was fully enrolled in August 2019, randomized 13,970 patients, aged 18-85 years of age with an average age of 65.5 years at 1,250 sites in 32 countries across the world including 485 sites in Europe.10 Patients had a mean LDL-C at baseline of 3.59 mmol/L (139.0 mg per decilitre) and were randomised to either treatment with bempedoic acid 180 mg daily or matching placebo on a background of guideline-directed medical therapy in both the bempedoic acid and placebo groups.12 Patients were followed up for a median duration of 40.6 months.12

The primary endpoint of the CLEAR Outcomes trial was a four-component composite of major adverse CV events (MACE-4) defined as death from CV causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or coronary revascularisation.12 Key secondary endpoints included: MACE-3, a composite of three major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke); fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction; coronary revascularisation; fatal and non-fatal stroke; cardiovascular death; and all-cause mortality.12

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops, and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular, and other diseases with high unmet medical need.

For more information, please visit www.daiichi-sankyo.eu

This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring.

References

_______________________________ 1 European Medicines Agency. Nilemdo opinion on variation to marketing authorisation. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/variation/nilemdo. Last accessed May 2024. 2 European Medicines Agency. Nustendi opinion on variation to marketing authorisation. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/variation/nustendi. Last accessed May 2024. 3 The Task Force for the management of dyslipidaemias of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS). 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. Eur Heart J. 2020. 41;(1): 111-188. 4 Bandyopadhyay D., et al. Safety and efficacy of extremely low LDL-cholesterol levels and its prospects in hyperlipidemia management. Journal of Lipids. 2018. 5 Fox, K.M., et al. Treatment patterns and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment among patients receiving high- or moderate-intensity statins. Clin Res Cardiol. 2018. 107;(5): 380-388. 6 Kotseva, K., et al. Lifestyle and impact on cardiovascular risk factor control in coronary patients across 27 countries: Results from the European Society of Cardiology ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V registry. Eur J Prev Cardio. 2019. 26;(8): 824-835. 7 Timmis, A., et al. European Society of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2019. European Heart Journal. 2020. 41;(1) 12-85 8 Ballantyne, C.M., et al. Efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid added to ezetimibe in statin-intolerant patients with hypercholesterolemia: A randomized, placebo-controlled study. Atherosclerosis. 2018. 277: 195-203. 9 Ballantyne, C.M., et al. Bempedoic acid plus ezetimibe fixed-dose combination in patients with hypercholesterolemia and high CVD risk treated with maximally tolerated statin therapy. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2019. 27;(6): 593-603. 10 Nissen, S.E., et al. Bempedoic Acid and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Statin-Intolerant Patients. N Engl J Med. 2023. 13;388;(15): 1353-1364. 11 European Medicines Agency. NustendiSummary of Product Characteristics. May 2024. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/nustendi-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed May 2024 12 Pinkosky, S.L., et al. Liver-specific ATP-citrate lyase inhibition by bempedoic acid decreases LDL-C and attenuates atherosclerosis. Nat Commun. 2016. 7: 13457. 13 Nicholls, S.J., et.al. Rationale and design of the CLEAR-outcomes trial: Evaluating the effect of bempedoic acid on cardiovascular events in patients with statin intolerance. Am Heart J. 2021. 235: 104-112.

HQ/BIL/05/24/0014

May 2024

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514593487/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Gillian D'Souza

Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH

Senior Manager, Public Relations, Specialty Medicines

+49 1515 5195599
CAI's best-in-class verification and risk management practices combined with Fedegari's innovative sterilization equipment and engineering to reduce cost and accelerate speed to market

CAI, a global company that provides technical, operational consulting, and project management services, today announced its strategic partnership with Fedegari Group, a manufacturer and service provider of high-performance sterilization systems. This partnership will elevate steam sterilization capabilities for companies spanning the life sciences and biotech industries. The goal of the partnership is to improve the application of steam sterilization science and minimize sterilization process implementation time, in order to reduce lifecycle costs, lower cost of goods, as well as streamline manufacturing processes.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521030399/en/

According to the terms of the partnership, Fedegari and CAI will integrate their offerings to provide a seamless experience from procurement to operation. In addition, the partners will cooperate on developing and validating state-of-the-art sterilization technology, driving science-based sterilization process and protecting both sensitive products and process equipment.

"Fedegari is a world leader in providing aseptic manufacturing solutions, without operator intervention to produce advanced sterile products. As a strategic partner to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, we resolve customer needs, thanks to our valuable expertise in sterilization and bio-decontamination processes. For this reason, we always pay close attention to technological innovation," said Stefano Nanni, Fedegari's General Manager. "Partnering with CAI is a significant step forward in our mission to introduce a groundbreaking sterilization technology to the world. Their support will be instrumental in accelerating this innovation."

"In this unprecedented time of innovation for biopharma and biotech, operational excellence throughout each phase of manufacturing, especially in sterilization, is critical to effective manufacturing operations," explained Alice Redmond, CAI's Chief Strategy Officer. "Our partnership with Fedegari will empower companies to streamline operations and accelerate delivery of groundbreaking treatments to patients worldwide."

For more information about the comprehensive solutions offered to pharmaceutical manufacturers through this partnership, please visit cagents.com or fedegari.com.

About CAI:

Since its founding in 1996, CAI has delivered more than $1.25 billion dollars in services for hundreds of clients across thousands of projects globally. With offices in the US, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, UK, Korea, Switzerland, India, Ireland, Italy, China, Japan and Singapore, CAI has built an international team of more than 800 professionals providing local support from a global company. CAI's engineering, technical, and consulting services are fashioned to deliver mission-critical facilities with a high level of performance and reliability. When operational readiness and startup are critical, CAI delivers to a higher standard.

About Fedegari:

Fedegari Group is the world-class leader for the supply of highly customized integrated solutions for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Fedegari was created by brothers Giampiero and Fortunato Fedegari in the early 1950s. With over 70 years of trusted expertise in designing and manufacturing various process equipment for producing sterile drugs and MDs Fedegari is unwavering committed to support its clients in sharing its deep know-how on sterilization and bio-decontamination, to deliver the most effective therapies, following corporate values. Fedegari, with a turnover of 114.4 million euros and a strong focus on exports, operates in 100 countries world-wide, with headquarters in Italy and subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, US, Singapore, India, Russia, Japan, and China, Fedegari employs more than 700 people.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521030399/en/

Contacts:

CAI

David Shenberger

+13177219847

dwshen@cagents.com

Press Office

Fedegari Group

Benedetta Salvadeo

+39 3403311420

BSA@fedegari.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") announced continued multiple wide, high-grade oxide gold drill intercepts from its West White Rock Springs target located on the northern portion of the East Camp Douglas property. Intercepts include 6.10 meters grading 3.47 grams per tonne (g/t) gold within 9.14 meters grading 2.45 g/t gold, 4.57 meters grading 4.62 g/t gold within 13.72 meters grading 1.83 g/t gold, and 1.52 meters grading 9.79 g/t gold within 15.24 meters grading 1.74 g/t gold. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

West White Rock Springs drill highlights include (m=meters, g/t=grams per tonne) (full drill table below):

Hole# ECDRC-168:

9.14 m of 2.45 g/t gold

incl.

6.10 m of 3.47 g/t gold

Hole# ECDRC-171:

13.72 m of 1.83 g/t gold

incl.

4.57 m of 4.62 g/t gold

Hole# ECDRC-173:

30.48 m of 1.21 g/t gold

incl.

4.57 m of 2.06 g/t gold &

4.57 m of 2.48 g/t gold

Hole# ECDRC-199:

15.24 m of 1.74 g/t gold

incl.

1.52 m of 9.79 g/t gold &

4.57 m of 1.67 g/t gold

Multiple rounds of drilling at East Camp Douglas North in 2023 and 2024 have returned numerous high-grade gold intercepts. Company drilling, combined with historic third-party drilling, continue to define a high-grade gold system at East Camp Douglas North and this recent drill program adds to the current geologic model.

"East Camp's West White Rock Springs target has returned notable high-grade gold intervals," stated Mr. Allan Turner, Vice President of Exploration for Fortitude Gold. "This program focused on infill drilling in previously untested orientations in the central portion of the target area, and further delineation of gold-bearing intervals in the north central portion. Additional exploration efforts planned include very low frequency electromagnetic and ground magnetic geophysical surveys over the entire White Rock Springs project area to discern correlations of structures and gold values. We are delineating the gold mineralization at White Rock Springs that is associated with NNE striking faults and testing the relationship with the regional East-West oriented fault corridor".

"Our East Camp North area continues to deliver exciting and impressive gold grades and interval widths including over thirty meters, or one hundred feet, of 1.2 grams per tonne gold," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "This thick one-gram gold per tonne intercept combined with additional assays as high as 9.79 grams per tonne is exciting as both a potentially substantial and clearly high-grade gold area. Our East Camp is a large district sized land position with numerous gold bearing targets in both veins to the north and within a lithocap to the south. We continue to invest in exploring both of these exciting East Camp target areas with a goal to define initial economic resources."

EAST CAMP DOUGLAS, WEST WHITE ROCK SPRINGS, MAY 2024 DRILL SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Hole # Angle From Interval Au Hole # Angle From Interval Au deg Meters Meters g/t deg Meters Meters g/t ECDRC-167 -45 4.57 3.05 1.39 ECDRC-174 -45 10.67 1.52 1.13 83.82 1.52 0.59 39.62 1.52 0.63 89.92 3.05 0.96 44.20 1.52 0.89 incl. 91.44 1.52 1.42 48.77 7.62 0.98 ECDRC-168 -45 12.19 9.14 2.45 68.58 4.57 0.56 incl. 12.19 6.10 3.47 86.87 1.52 0.63 22.86 4.57 0.54 108.20 1.52 2.37 36.58 4.57 1.73 112.78 1.52 1.14 incl. 36.58 1.52 4.42 115.82 1.52 0.97 64.01 1.52 0.89 ECDRC-175 -45 3.05 3.05 0.91 ECDRC-170 -60 6.10 1.52 1.06 27.43 3.05 0.66 13.72 1.52 1.82 44.20 4.57 0.56 18.29 1.52 1.51 ECDRC-176 -45 89.92 1.52 1.69 ECDRC-171 -45 16.76 13.72 1.83 94.49 3.05 0.45 incl. 16.76 4.57 4.62 ECDRC-177 -45 33.53 4.57 0.37 36.58 3.05 0.38 99.06 3.05 0.90 50.29 4.57 0.35 105.16 3.05 0.42 56.39 4.57 0.76 111.25 3.05 1.28 incl. 56.39 1.52 1.64 ECDRC-198 -45 12.19 1.52 0.37 ECDRC-172 -55 10.67 1.52 1.54 16.76 1.52 0.49 22.86 4.57 0.51 51.82 1.52 2.02 28.96 4.57 0.49 59.44 6.10 0.65 54.86 6.10 0.55 ECDRC-199 -45 35.05 15.24 1.74 79.25 1.52 1.09 incl. 35.05 1.52 9.79 ECDRC-173 -45 15.24 4.57 1.16 incl. 39.62 4.57 1.67 21.34 1.52 2.13 54.86 3.05 0.30 30.48 1.52 0.30 Assays by American Assay Laboratories, Sparks, Nevada, USA. Meters downhole, not true width. 45.72 30.48 1.21 incl. 50.29 4.57 2.06 incl. 56.39 4.57 2.48

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of seven high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and an eighth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.

CONTACT:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com

www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Bird River Resources Inc. (CSE:BDR) ("Bird River" or the "Company") announces that effective May 16, 2024 Mr. Donal Carroll has resigned as a Director of Bird River Resources Inc. The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Carroll for his valuable contribution over the past several years.

About Bird River Resources Inc.

Established in 1958, Bird River is a Winnipeg, Manitoba based diversified resource company which currently holds a net royalty smelter interest in a platinum palladium property in the Bird River Sill area of northeastern Manitoba near the Ontario border. Management and the Board of Directors are currently focused on the renewable power sector and resource exploration activities. Additional information on the Company is available at www.SEDAR.com.

For further information, contact:

Jon Bridgman, CEO

Bird River Resources Inc.

Tel: 1-877-587-0777

Email: jonbirdriver@gmail.com

This news release is for information purposes only and no statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities and may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs as well as a number of assumptions about future events and words such as may, should, could, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, project should not be taken out of context. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Bird River Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
A catalytic multi-million grant from longtime partner Wells Fargo is supporting Grameen America's first-time presence in Phoenix to bring access to capital to women entrepreneurs

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Grameen America, the fastest-growing nonprofit microfinance organization in the United States, announced the opening of its new branch location in Phoenix, Arizona with major philanthropic support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. To expand access to affordable capital for women entrepreneurs, Wells Fargo made a $3.25 million grant over three years to help Grameen America expand its operations to Phoenix and advance the organization's technology and digital platforms.

Grameen America provides low-income women entrepreneurs with affordable loan capital, financial education, asset- and credit-building, and peer support. With the funding from Wells Fargo, Grameen America estimates the new branch will disburse nearly $14 million in capital to over 2,000 women business owners by the end of 2026. Since launch, the Phoenix branch has already disbursed over $327,000 in loan capital through microloans supporting over 130 women entrepreneurs. Members in the Grameen America program with first time loans of up to $2,500 complete their repayment cycles at an impressive 99% repayment rate and are eligible to receive larger loans every six months to grow their businesses.

According to a new Wells Fargo report, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area offers a growth environment for women-owned businesses with a 13.7% firm growth rate, demonstrating the area's high entrepreneurial culture. The number of women-owned businesses between 2019 and 2023 increased at nearly double the rate of those owned by men; and from 2022 to 2023, the rate of growth increased to 4.5 times. The report also shows that closing the gap in average revenues for women of color has the potential to generate $667 billion in additional revenue, while closing the gap in average revenues between women- and men-owned businesses has the potential of generating $7.9 trillion in additional revenue to the nation's economy.

"For over a decade, Wells Fargo has been an invaluable partner committed to supporting women small business owners holistically with access to capital, credit establishment, savings, and digital tools," said Andrea Jung, president and CEO of Grameen America. "The investment from Wells Fargo is instrumental in Grameen America's capacity to scale its program to new geographies like Phoenix, where low-income women entrepreneurs are growing, but often experience barriers to financial mobility. We are thrilled to bring our program to this new community, where we know our members will have the opportunity pursue their business dreams, support their families, create jobs in the community, and drive economic growth."

"Our goal was to create transformative change for the Phoenix small business community by expanding Grameen's reach," said Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. "Small business owners are essential to creating local jobs and thriving communities. This grant is part of our overall focus on supporting small business growth nationwide and reaching a wide variety of entrepreneurs who need capital to grow, and ultimately, strengthening the small business sector for the long term."

The $3.25 million grant is also supporting the roll out of Grameen America's member mobile app across the country and future product enhancements. The initiative launched in April 2023 to advance the organization's technology foundations and enhance the member experience with a centralized platform to manage loan and membership information. The mobile app also automates operational responsibilities, allowing Grameen America to reallocate time for member outreach and relationship-building, the core of the organization's high-touch model. In addition, the app will provide data-driven insights on program impact and member satisfaction.

###

About Grameen America

Grameen America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit microfinance organization dedicated to helping underserved women build small businesses to create better lives for their families. The organization offers access to affordable loan capital, financial education, asset- and credit-building, and peer support to transform communities and advance financial mobility in the United States. Since opening in January 2008, Grameen America has invested $4.1 billion in nearly 195,000 low-income women entrepreneurs. Opening initially in Jackson Heights, Queens, Grameen America has expanded to 27 cities in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Camden, NJ, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Connecticut, Dallas, TX, Fresno, CA, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Los Angeles, CA, Memphis, TN, Miami, FL, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, Omaha, NE, Oakland, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Riverside, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Bernardino, CA, San Jose, CA, Trenton, NJ and Union City, NJ.

Mayor Gallego joins Grameen America and Wells Fargo to celebrate the opening of Grameen America's branch in Phoenix.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wells Fargo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Wells Fargo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wells-fargo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Wells Fargo

View the original press release on accesswire.com
For the fifth year in a row

TISSIUM, a privately-owned medtech company developing biomorphic programmable polymers for tissue reconstruction, confirms its selection for the fifth year in a row in the French Tech 120 Program by joining the class of 2024.

Launched in 2019 by the Mission French Tech, the French Tech 120 is a program from the Government to support the 120 most promising French start-ups, who have the potential to become world-class technology leaders.

TISSIUM will benefit from daily, personalized support throughout the year of the 2024 class. The aim of the program is to provide individual and collective support on strategic issues such as international development, financing, recruitment, industrial implantation, intellectual property, and regulatory issues. Start-ups will thus be able to rely on a dedicated start-up manager within the Mission French Tech, enhanced visibility, specific support on regulatory issues, and collective support in the form of experience-sharing events and expertise contributions.

"We are delighted to once again be part of the French Tech 120 program, particularly during a 2024 that will mark the continued expansion of our growing business and the achievement of important clinical and regulatory milestones in preparation for the upcoming commercialization of our first products. For the fifth consecutive year, this recognition is a validation of our ongoing commitment to innovate and grow in order to transform the field of tissue reconstruction," said Christophe Bancel, CEO of TISSIUM.

About Mission French Tech

Mission French Tech is the government mission tasked, since 2013, with supporting the structuring and growth of the French start-up ecosystem, in France and internationally.

Attached to the Direction Generale des Entreprises, within the Ministere de l'Economie, des Finances et de la Souverainete Industrielle et Numerique, it federates and animates the French Tech ecosystem with a network of 17 Capitales and nearly a hundred labeled French Tech Communities, in France and in 52 countries around the world.

It also supports start-ups by facilitating their interactions with the administration via a network of over 60 French Tech correspondents.

Mission French Tech supports the most mature start-ups through the French Tech Next40/120 program and start-ups positioned in sectors identified as strategic within the framework of France 2030 with the French Tech 2030 program.

Find all the information on the French Tech Next40/120 on the Mission French Tech website: www.lafrenchtech.com/en

Mission French Tech press contact: ft.presse@finances.gouv.fr

About TISSIUM

TISSIUM, a privately-owned medtech company based in Paris, France and Boston, USA, is dedicated to the development and commercialization of products derived from its unique biopolymer platform. The company's products will address multiple unmet clinical needs, including atraumatic tissue repair and reconstruction.

TISSIUM is developing a portfolio of products that leverage its proprietary family of fully biosynthetic, biomorphic, and programmable polymers, which are the foundation of the company's technology platform. Currently, the Company has a pipeline of seven products across three verticals, including sutureless nerve repair, hernia repair and cardiovascular sealants. Each product is designed to enhance the tissue reconstruction process in a unique way. In addition, the company develops complementary delivery and activation devices for enhanced performance and usability of its products.

TISSIUM's technology is based on world-class research and intellectual property from the laboratories of Professor Robert Langer (MIT) and Professor Jeffrey M. Karp (Brigham and Women's Hospital), who co-founded the company in 2013.

For more information, please visit: www.TISSIUM.com

Or visit us on LinkedIn

###

CONTACTS

Investor relations

Romain Attard - Chief Financial Officer

rattard@TISSIUM.com

Tel: +33 1 76 21 72 28

Press

Jeanene Timberlake

jtimberlake@rooneypartners.com

Tel: +1 646-770-8858

SOURCE: TISSIUM

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

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SHENZHEN, China, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) and Cartier International are proud to announce a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs to drive impactful change.

This historic partnership marks the first collaboration between a leading Chinese business school and the luxury brand, built upon shared values and a commitment to fostering impact entrepreneurship and business for good. Leveraging CKGSB's expertise in business education and social innovation, alongside Cartier's passion for supporting impact entrepreneurship, the MOU sets the stage for joint initiatives focused on enhancing women's business strategies, governance practices, and sustainable social and environmental development, such as joint programs, academic research and forums.

CKGSB's Dean and Dean's Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance Li Haitao expressed the school's belief in empowering women through social innovation. "Closing the gender gap requires meaningful collaboration involving the private sector, governments, multilateral and non-profit institutions, and civil society, which we refer to as social innovation at CKGSB. We strongly believe that, through social innovation, we can empower women and help to achieve the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Against this backdrop, we are proud to contribute our expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and impact-driven businesses in support of women leaders, and to collaborate with Cartier in powering these leaders to create a positive ripple effect in society."

Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier, shared his enthusiasm for this collaboration, emphasizing Cartier's continued commitment to support women impact entrepreneurs to reach their full potential and multiply their collective impact. "At Cartier, we believe in the importance of collective actions to deliver change, for good. That is why we are excited to kick off the collaboration with the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) and the Cartier Women Initiative. This tailored program aims at offering women entrepreneurs in China additional academic and mentoring support to increase their positive development and impact," said Cyrille Vigneron.

The partnership agreement was signed by Dean Li Haitao and Cyrille Vigneron and announced at the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Ceremony held on May 22, 2024 in Shenzhen, China.

Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China's first privately-funded, research-intensive and not-for-profit business school, dedicated to developing business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and the ability to lead with empathy and compassion.

A reference in the world of luxury, Cartier through its Cartier Women's Initiative program, strives to shine a light on women impact entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary financial, social and human capital support to grow their businesses and build their leadership skills.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ckgsb-and-cartier-partner-to-empower-women-impact-entrepreneurs-302152845.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: W28) ("European Energy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its independent technical report for the Company's Central Finland Lithium Project . The report titled "Technical Report on the Central Finland Lithium Project, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland" is dated May 2, 2024 (with an effective date of May 2, 2024) (the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report can be found on the Company's website (www.europeanenergymetals.com) or under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

The Technical Report summarizes historical and recent mineral exploration work completed on the Project by previous operators and EEM and includes recommendations for further mineral exploration and evaluation programs on the Project.

The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("National Instrument 43-101") by David Murray, P.Geo., President and Principal Consultant of Resourceful Geoscience Solutions Ltd. of Halifax, NS, Canada, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About European Energy Metals Corp.

European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company primarily focussed on its 100 percent owned Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The Company's concessions are located within 15 kms of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in H2 2025. The Company cautions the presence of lithium mineralization on Keliber's properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Company's mineral reservations.

An estimated 600 million investment by Keliber's parent company Sibanye-Stillwater Limited in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi) is underway in the Kautinen Region and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com).

The Finnish Pegmatite Project covers approximately 2,500 km2 within geological terrane that hosts numerous LCT spodumene pegmatite prospects and deposits. The Company's exploration Licences are situated less than 10 km from Keliber's Spodumene Concentrator Plant The 2023 inaugural exploration season saw the discovery of multiple occurrences of lithium-bearing spodumene pegmatite mineralization. The highlight was the discovery of the Kyrola Prospect, a 350m long by 110m wide spodumene-bearing boulder field, where 49 rock chip grab samples assayed from 3.84% Li2O to 0.003% Li2O, with 15 of the 49 samples returning grades in excess of 0.50% Li2O (Li2O = lithium oxide). The extent of the boulder field is constrained only by low-lying overburden covered areas and farm fields. The mean assay of these samples was 0.53% Li2O. Fifteen samples assayed greater than 0.50% Li2O, eleven assayed greater than 1.00% Li2O, 4 assayed greater than 2.00% Li2O and 1 assayed greater than 3.00% Li2O. It is interpreted, based on glacial history of the area, that the boulders have only been transported 300-500 m from source.

The Company also has several 100 percent owned precious metals projects in Northern Finland. They are located in the Paleo-Proterozoic Greenstone Terrane of Northern Finland comprised of multiple greenstone belts including the CLGB which hosts world-class gold (eg Kittila Deposit, owned by Agnico Eagle and Ikkari Deposit, owned by Rupert Resources) and base metal deposits (eg Kevitsa owned by Boliden and Sakatti owned by Aglo-American). The belt's potential is also suggested by the presence of several major mining companies in the belt. The belt has very recently garnered significant interest following an offer from Rupert Resources to buy B2Gold's 70% interest in a Joint Venture between B2Gold and Aurion Resources which lies adjacent to Ruperts Ikkari Deposit, for $102 million. The joint venture ground is strategic to Ruperts proposed development of the Ikkari Deposit but is also host to numerous gold prospects along a structural corridor that extends >125 km.

QA/QC Statement

Mike Basha, P.Eng., P.Geo. (NL), VP Exploration of European Energy Metals Corp., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved this press release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier, CEO

Telephone: 604-722-9842

Email: info@europeanenergymetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210035

SOURCE: European Energy Metals Corp.
Takeaways highlight the value of time, technology, and transformation when building an innovation strategy and planning for the future

ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, brought together leaders from community banks and credit unions across the United States for its annual Ignite! customer conference in Orlando. Hosted in late April, the event facilitated interactive working groups between Finastra's Universal Banking leadership, subject matter experts, and customers. The conference also featured an executive forum at the start of the event, facilitating productive conversations and brainstorming sessions between top financial institution executives.

Addressing attendees during the opening remarks, Narendra Mistry, chief product and technology officer, Universal Banking said, "Change and transformation are not new, but the pace of change, the rapid advance of technology, and the ability of new players to enter the market are all factors the industry is facing. This evolution makes it more important than ever for financial institutions to adapt and transform to continue to keep pace with the competition and stay ahead of what customers will come to expect. Through a combination of vision, drive, ambition, and the right technology, banks and credit unions can make transformation a reality sooner rather than later."

Throughout the forum and customer events, several key takeaways were highlighted, including:

The concept of "digital Darwinism": When technology and society evolve faster than a financial institution's ability to adapt, it will fall behind. To improve enterprise agility, financial services firms must employ a holistic approach, powered by technology to define the future. Guided by the voice of the customer and industry insights, financial institutions can implement open technology, cloud, and digital infrastructure while embracing analytics, increased security, and the fintech ecosystem to deliver on their innovation goals. Through this approach, firms can be more agile and transform as needed to keep pace with customer needs. Embracing the rise of artificial intelligence (AI): AI, particularly generative AI (Gen AI), represents the next big shift in how people work, and is a key transformation tool for individuals, teams, and businesses. With this shift happening now, not in months or years, the faster, agile organizations will have the advantage. Through an effective AI transformation program, financial institutions can take small steps to enrich the employee experience, reinvent customer engagement, and reshape processes, accelerating innovation in the process. During a panel discussion, Adam Lieberman, chief AI officer, explained that to use AI responsibly it should first be viewed as assisting, rather than replacing people, as organizations start to explore the technology. Peter Longo, VP product management, Universal Banking, added that AI must be plugged safely into the core and digital journey, enabling the humans behind the technology to become more efficient and creative. A robust risk management and cybersecurity strategy is a must: In an era where cyber threats loom large and cause significant impact, the imperative for financial institutions to be primed for potential breaches is more pressing than ever. Attendees heard from a community financial institution that despite its significant investments in cybersecurity, fell victim to an attack. The institution's subsequent recovery served as testament to the effectiveness of responsive technology partners. Eric Hussey, Finastra's chief information security officer, highlighted the value of comprehensive and actionable threat-based risk assessments that understand an organization's end-to-end value chain vulnerability. With this understanding, mitigating risk through outcome-focused processes and technology investments is a prudent approach and further underscores the incredible importance of integrating leading technology with the insights of those deeply versed in risk management. The discussion also brought to light the critical role of a reliable core banking partner. Leveraging a cloud-based core supports the security and availability of customer data, minimizing disruptions to daily operations. Retaining the community focus while embracing generational change: Community banks and credit unions are well positioned to address the financial services needs of younger generations, while still meeting and exceeding the expectations of existing customers and members. Howie Wu of Seattle Bank and Cyrene Wilke of Horicon Bank discussed how the so-called "Amazon effect" is impacting banking, and noted the industry is experiencing this shift now. Gen Z consumers, for example, do not know life without technology, which presents an opportunity for smaller institutions. With these customers expecting instant and efficient digital experiences that resemble the user experience of day-to-day purchases, financial institutions must keep up and deliver the right solutions. However, while some generations have rapidly adopted technology, most expect a combination of both human and digital interactions within their financial services journey. Panelists noted that younger people are often not as financially aware as prior generations, presenting a chance for community-based institutions to stand out amongst the competition by delivering financial education.

"Innovation is at its best when our customers, partners, and employees work as a team to solve problems and brainstorm new ways to address the challenging financial services landscape," said Swathy Parthasarathy, chief operations officer, Universal Banking. "By coming together during this event, we've not just had the chance to highlight our own innovations, but to facilitate meaningful conversations between financial services leaders across the US. The industry is truly better when we work as one, and Finastra is proud to enable a robust and successful open ecosystem of ideas and solutions."

To close the event, Finastra demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility and its ESG values with a volunteer activity alongside the nonprofit organization Clean the World Global, benefitting One Heart for Women and Children. Ignite! attendees worked together to assemble 1,400 hygiene packs to help combat complications associated with hygiene-related illnesses, providing items needed for local families.

About Finastra

Finastra is a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, and launched the leading open platform for innovation, FusionFabric.cloud, in 2017. It serves institutions of all sizes, providing award-winning software solutions and services across Lending, Payments, Treasury & Capital Markets and Universal Banking (Retail, Digital and Commercial Banking) for banks to support direct banking relationships and grow through indirect channels, such as embedded finance and Banking as a Service. Its pioneering approach and commitment to open finance and collaboration is why it is trusted by over 8,000 institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/finastras-ignite-conference-emphasizes-the-importance-of-agility-mindset-and-culture-as-community-financial-institutions-evolve-302151975.html
Named after legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, this must-visit stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is part of the distillery's multi-year expansion plan

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wild Turkey Distilling Co., the award-winning distillery known for its iconic bold Kentucky bourbon, today announces the opening of the Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience. This newly renovated visitor center, named in honor of the legendary master distiller, embodies the brand's deep-rooted commitment to Kentucky hospitality. The destination, set to attract bourbon aficionados worldwide to Wild Turkey Hill, is now open for public tours and tastings and represents a significant step in the ongoing expansion of the Wild Turkey campus.

As a founding member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Wild Turkey has long been a must-visit stop thanks to breathtaking views overlooking the Kentucky River, the storied Russell family behind the brand, and exceptional bourbon and rye whiskeys. With the new renovation, the iconic visitor center aims to make the most of these distinctive attributes and further embrace the warm Kentucky hospitality and sense of community Wild Turkey is known for. Spanning over 12,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art space invites bourbon fans into the Wild Turkey family through tours & tastings, three new indoor & outdoor bars, seating areas, and a retail experience that reflects over a century of bourbon-making tradition.

Of course, there is no fixture more important on Wild Turkey Hill than Jimmy Russell himself, whose philosophy about life and community greatly influenced the newly redesigned space. To kick off Jimmy's 70th anniversary year with Wild Turkey, the renaming of the visitor center commemorates Jimmy's unwavering dedication to crafting bourbon his way - the right way. Guests who have a chance to meet, hear a story or share a toast with Jimmy during their visit will instantly understand the spirit of space.

The new Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience features an array of stunning amenities, including:

Outdoor Pavilion & Bar: Overlooking the lush landscape and Kentucky river with views of the historic Jo Blackburn Bridge and Young's High Bridge, the outdoor pavilion and terrace provides a picturesque setting for events, tastings and gatherings while enjoying the finest American whiskeys from Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve and Longbranch.

Overlooking the lush landscape and Kentucky river with views of the historic Jo Blackburn Bridge and Young's High Bridge, the outdoor pavilion and terrace provides a picturesque setting for events, tastings and gatherings while enjoying the finest American whiskeys from Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve and Longbranch. History Walk: Visitors can stroll a video hallway which traces the evolution of bourbon, discovering the milestones that have shaped Wild Turkey's rich history, and provides a deep dive into the whiskey production process.

Visitors can stroll a video hallway which traces the evolution of bourbon, discovering the milestones that have shaped Wild Turkey's rich history, and provides a deep dive into the whiskey production process. Generations Lounge : Named in celebration of three generations of the Russell family working at Wild Turkey, this contemporary mixology lounge offers panoramic views of the Kentucky River and an innovative cocktail program with a rotating menu of classics and modern favorites.

: Named in celebration of three generations of the Russell family working at Wild Turkey, this contemporary mixology lounge offers panoramic views of the Kentucky River and an innovative cocktail program with a rotating menu of classics and modern favorites. Tasting Rooms: Wild Turkey's expert guides will lead guests through a curated selection of the distillery's fine bourbons & ryes in two brand new tasting rooms, featuring displays of historic Wild Turkey bottles through the years.

Wild Turkey's expert guides will lead guests through a curated selection of the distillery's fine bourbons & ryes in two brand new tasting rooms, featuring displays of historic Wild Turkey bottles through the years. Expanded Tour Offerings: An array of new tour packages allow guests to dive deeper into the specific Wild Turkey offerings. Options include premium tastings, production tours, rickhouse visits, and a new Russell's Reserve maturation tour.

An array of new tour packages allow guests to dive deeper into the specific Wild Turkey offerings. Options include premium tastings, production tours, rickhouse visits, and a new Russell's Reserve maturation tour. Retail Experience: Guests can explore a wide range of American whiskeys, merchandise and gifts including exclusive and limited-edition offerings from across the Wild Turkey portfolio, such as coveted collector favorites like Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Collection and the Master's Keep series.

"For our family, this isn't just a place to visit; it's like a second home," says Bruce Russell, Associate Blender at Wild Turkey. "We're thrilled to now be able to open our doors a little wider and welcome even more folks into this community. The Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience is a perfect tribute to grandad and his life-long commitment to spreading the word of bourbon."

The modernized Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience is part of larger renovations to the Wild Turkey campus. First announced last year, Wild Turkey will soon break ground on a new distillery designed to produce 5 million additional proof gallons, increasing the total capacity to 14 million proof gallons and allowing the distillery to continue to meet demand and continue to grow. These renovations are part of Campari Group's more than $160 million investment in the distillery and will add dozens of jobs to the community.

Whether a seasoned bourbon aficionado or new to the world of whiskey, Wild Turkey invites you to book your upcoming visit to the Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience. More information on opening hours, location and tours can be found at wildturkeybourbon.com/our-distillery.

ABOUT WILD TURKEY

The distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high-quality product. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have over 100 years of collective experience working at the Wild Turkey distillery.

The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a wild turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for "some of that wild turkey whiskey" and the brand was born.

Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbons. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 "alligator" char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Website: wildturkey.com.

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, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier.

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.

The 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 Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 23 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 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.

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Steinberg's decades of experience driving strategies for corporate talent and people management will strengthen the company's market position and enhance its impact on the global human resources space

TORONTO, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Borderless AI , the AI-powered startup revolutionizing the Employer of Record (EOR) industry, has appointed Beth Steinberg , former Chief People Officer at Chime, to its Board of Advisors to leverage her deep understanding of the unique needs of human resources teams to build successful global HR programs.

Following Borderless AI's $27M seed funding in March 2024, Steinberg's appointment furthers the company's focus on harnessing the vast capabilities of generative AI to automate and accelerate the processes of onboarding, managing, and paying international team members. Borderless AI's novel AI agent Alberni, is the first of its kind specifically created to perform complex and time-consuming HR tasks, such as automating the process of generating global employment agreements or onboarding new global employees, all within minutes by leveraging conversational AI. Steinberg's appointment underscores the need for advanced technology to propel innovation in the HR category and the company's commitment to advancing the work of people management and HR teams.

"Having an acute sense of the HR industry is critical to ensure we are providing products and services to our customers that drive real value and impact," said Willson Cross, co-founder and CEO of Borderless AI. "Beth brings vast expertise and understanding of the nuances of the human resources category, and her leadership experience and passion for innovation will help Borderless AI equip organizations with the tools and information they need to scale globally and deliver results for their people."

Steinberg most recently held the position of Chief People Officer of Chime, where she currently serves in an advisory role. During her time as Chime's Chief People Officer, Steinberg led the company's human resources strategy, building purposeful programs to drive HR efforts and people and team growth across the organization.

"I am excited to join the advisory board of Borderless AI, a company whose mission aligns with my belief that talent should be borderless," said Steinberg, Board of Advisors, Borderless AI. "The company's all-in-one platform allows businesses to focus on growth while tapping into the world's talent pool, simplifying global HR processes. By harnessing this innovative technology, Borderless AI is breaking down barriers and empowering companies to build diverse, high-performing teams. I look forward to being part of this transformative journey."

Steinberg joins Borderless AI as a tenured HR expert, with over 30 years of experience holding leadership and advisory roles in the human resources field. In addition to her role as Chime's CPO, she has led human resources teams at various companies including Meta, Nike, Electronic Arts, and Nordstrom, driving change and impact on an individual and company level.

A committed member of the HR community at large, Steinberg will continue to advise numerous other companies, including freelance and talent management platform Contra, and VC firm Felicis, in addition to her role on Borderless AI's Board of Advisors. She also holds an acting role at Mensch Ventures, the People and Talent advisory firm she founded in 2016, and has served for over 10 years as a company sponsor and mentor in the TechWomen program , helping to empower young women around the world to build careers in STEM.

Steinberg is joining the Board of Advisors alongside recent appointee Leonard Shen, a former Visa and PayPal executive, who is advising the company's growth in the compliance arena. Together, Steinberg and Shen bring expertise in pivotal functions to further Borderless AI's market position and advancement in the EOR space.

For more information on Borderless AI, visit hireborderless.ai . You can also try out Alberni for free here .

About Borderless AI

Borderless AI is a global payroll solution that leverages the power of generative AI to automate and speed up the process of onboarding, managing, and paying international team members. With Borderless AI, businesses can compliantly hire and manage talent worldwide without establishing a foreign entity while alleviating the complexities and risks associated with hiring global employees. With a focus on innovation and customer service, Borderless AI developed Alberni, the world's first AI agent for global HR. Alberni uses conversational AI to simplify global employment tasks from contract creation to expense management. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and has raised $27 million in seed funding to date, backed by Susquehanna and Aglae Ventures .

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Using their SPID-Technology, Laxxon Medical has manufactured a 3D printed oral tablet combining a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a permeation enhancer intended to increase bioavailability

LXM.2 is being developed using the 505(b)2 pathway with an expected NDA submission in early 2027

Laxxon is seeking to partner or out-license LXM.2

Laxxon Medical announced today the development program for LXM.2, a 3D printed oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity.

LXM.2 is an enterically coated oral solid tablet consisting of a GLP-1 receptor agonist combined with a permeation enhancer intended to increase bioavailability. The addition of the permeation enhancer was made possible using Laxxon Medical's SPID (Screen Printed Innovative Drug) platform technology.

"Polypeptides and proteins like GLP-1s are known to have low bioavailability due to the degradation in the GI tract and poor uptake, meaning they need protection from degradation and their absorption benefits from permeation enhancers. Traditionally, it has been difficult to manufacture products containing the permeation enhancer via conventional methods, such as direct compression or granulation, given its physicochemical properties. It has additionally been challenging for these traditional manufacturing methods to apply an enteric coating to the finished product." said Dr. Achim Schneeberger, Laxxon Medical's Chief Scientific Officer. "SPID-Technology is not only characterized by precise and tailored dosing - its unique formulation allows manufacturing of oral solids containing clinically relevant doses of permeation enhancers at convincing hardness and low friability."

The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in LXM.2 has already been approved by the FDA for use in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity. LXM.2 is eligible to be developed using the 505(b)2 pathway. Laxxon has designed a streamlined development program and is targeting an NDA submission in early 2027.

Laxxon Medical CEO Helmut Kerschbaumer said: "LXM.2 would be a game-changer for patients struggling with obesity. Injectable medications, while effective, can be inconvenient and pose a barrier for some people. An oral option would offer greater ease of use and potentially improve adherence to treatment. This could significantly increase the number of patients who can successfully manage their weight and achieve long-term health benefits. The ability to use the 505(b)2 pathway means we can potentially get LXM.2 to patients quickly."

Laxxon is seeking to partner or out-license LXM.2. A team of Laxxon Medical representatives will be attending BIO in San Diego, June 3-8, 2024.

Read more about LXM.2 here.

About Laxxon Medical

Laxxon Medical is a pharma-technology company pioneering a new generation of advanced pharmaceuticals with SPID, a novel 3D screen printing platform technology. For new and common pharmaceutical drugs, SPID unlocks innovative drug delivery advancements paired with fast-tracked market access and extensive IP protection to yield disruptive opportunities for partners and life-changing results for patients.

Laxxon's pipeline includes ongoing working-projects with notable pharma players, biotech companies and research universities, in addition to 13 in-house Advanced Patented Generics products. Laxxon's IP is continuously growing and consists of 150 patents and patent applications with more than 3,000 patent claims.

Investor Contact: Alexander Ruckdaeschel, Chief Strategy Directoralexander.ruckdaeschel@laxxonmedical.com

Business Development Contact: Jessica McHargue, Director of Business Development jessica.mchargue@laxxonmedical.com

Media Contact: Frances Hoggard, Communications Manager frances.hoggard@laxxonmedical.com

SOURCE: Laxxon Medical

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WESTBURY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Stewards Investment Capital, a boutique investment management and advisory firm and FAVO Capital's its strategic partner, have been recognized by Global Finance for the Best Fixed Income Investment Innovation Award as part of their Annual Top Innovation in Finance Awards for 2024.

This accolade highlights Stewards Investment Capital's groundbreaking APEX Structured Liquidity Solution, an investment product linked to the burgeoning private credit market in which FAVO Capital plays a major role.

Global Finance's eleventh annual Innovators Awards program celebrates entities across various categories, including banks, companies, and fintechs, that consistently pioneer new paths and develop innovative financial tools. The APEX Structured Liquidity Solution by Stewards Investment Capital was recognised for its unmatched innovation, effectiveness, and impact in diversifying investment options for its investors.

Global Finance was founded in 1987, audited by BPA, and readers in 192 countries. Its headquarters are in New York, with offices in London and Milan. Each year Global Finance selects the best financial institutions around the world and these awards have become a recognized and trusted standard of excellence. Past winners include HSBC, DBS, Citi, Standard Bank, BNP Paribas, Societe General, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Nedbank, ABSA amongst others.

Stewards Investment Capital's award-winning APEX Structured Liquidity Solution represents a paradigm shift in fixed income investments, offering investors a unique and dynamic approach to managing liquidity while maximizing returns. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, advanced risk management strategies, and a profound understanding of market dynamics, Stewards Investment Capital together with FAVO Capital have developed a solution that not only delivers superior performance but also substantial value to its investors.

Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance, noted, "Innovation continues to help banks and other financial institutions gain a strategic competitive advantage. By embracing new technologies and creative approaches, this year's winners have crafted groundbreaking solutions that ease customer pain points and deliver exceptional user experiences."

Glen Steward, Founder and Chairman of Stewards Investment Capital and Chief Strategy Officer and Board member of FAVO Capital Inc., expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are humbled and thankful to Global Finance for this honor and recognition. I would also like to thank our dedicated team at Stewards and FAVO Capital, whose relentless efforts ensure that our investors' money works harder everyday. Mr. Steward added, "This award is a testament to our continued commitment to innovation."

Shaun Quin, President at FAVO Capital Inc., remarked, "We are incredibly proud to see Stewards recognized for their groundbreaking work with the APEX Structured Liquidity Solution. Steward's ability to navigate and lead within the evolving private credit market aligns perfectly with FAVO Capital's mission to support innovative financial solutions. Congratulations to Glen Steward, Bilal Adam, and the entire team at Stewards Investment Capital for this well-deserved award."

Bilal Adam, CEO of Stewards Investment Capital, added, "This prestigious award is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence while providing investors the opportunity to diversity their portfolio in emerging asset classes such as private credit." He added. "Our Apex Structured Liquidity Solution is a low-risk cash management solution offering fixed income returns in USD. Besides the attractive yearly returns, this solution has no mark-to-market volatility and options for monthly liquidity, making it even more attractive for investors."

More About FAVO Capital, Inc.

FAVO Capital, Inc. (OTC Pink:FAVO) is a rapidly growing direct funding company headquartered in USA. With extensive expertise in business, entrepreneurship and finance, their dedicated professionals offer a range of personalised funding solutions to emerging, small, and medium-sized businesses. FAVO's goal is to facilitate swift and efficient funding without imposing rigid requirements, enabling businesses to grow in a seamless manner.

Their services include Merchant Cash Advance (MCA), Invoice financing, Equipment financing, Business lines of credit, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and Real estate backed bridge financing.

FAVO Capital Inc. employs over 120 people in 5 offices globally.

About Stewards Investment Capital

Stewards Investment Capital is boutique investment advisory leader with a 25-year legacy within the Stewards affiliation of companies. With a strategic presence in Mauritius, South Africa and USA, they specialize in tailoring niche investment solutions with optimized risk adjusted returns for high-net-worth individuals, pension funds and institutional investors.

The Stewards affiliation of companies has multiple financial services licenses and business in South Africa, Mauritius and USA with operations spanning forex, trade finance, investment management, micro finance, private credit, payments, market maker and liquidity provider. https://www.stewardsinvestment.com

Watch Our Corporate video here: https://tinyurl.com/4kvw3nk2

Contact:

Email: info@favocapital.com

Tel: 833.328.6477

Website: www.favocapital.com

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements, estimates, and projections of future trends and of the anticipated future performance constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Series' expectations, beliefs, or future strategies that are signified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," or similar language. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release FAVO Capital, Inc and its Management Team expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, unless specifically required by law or regulation.

SOURCE: FAVO Capital, Inc.

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The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Artificial Intelligence Services vendors.

SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Artificial Intelligence Services vendors. Sopra Steria with its comprehensive technology for Artificial Intelligence Services, receives strong ratings across the parameters of technology excellence and customer impact.

PARIS, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant Knowledge Solutions announced today that it has named Sopra Steria as a 2024 technology leader in the SPARK MatrixTM analysis of the global Artificial Intelligence Services Market.

The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix: Artificial Intelligence Services, Q1, 2024, includes a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading Artificial Intelligence Services vendors in the form of its SPARK MatrixTM. It gives strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position.

Yves Nicolas, Corporate AI program manager and deputy Chief Technology Officer at Sopra Steria Group, comments "Being positioned as the leader in the SPARK Matrix for Artificial Intelligence Services not only acknowledges our technological excellence but also confirms the strategic positioning of Sopra Steria in the AI landscape. This recognition underscores our commitment to harnessing advanced AI technologies and strategic collaborations to drive impactful solutions that empower businesses globally."

According to Akash Dicholkar, an analyst, at Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, "Sopra Steria offers robust AI services offerings by strategically integrating Generative AI technologies to provide high-value offerings that empower businesses for achieving their objectives effectively. Sopra Steria's focus on integrating AI into software engineering process ensures high quality code development and maintenance and offers engineer productivity. Sopra Steria's partnership with cloud providers help them in accessing ML services and expand AI opportunities to deliver tailored solutions, addressing specific business needs. Sopra Steria's enterprise virtual assistant NAIxus and the InnerData platform leverages Natural Language Processing skills to improve LLM deployments."

"The company further supports use cases covering fraud prevention in finance, better customer care, improved diagnostics and med management in healthcare, and smart supply chain tools. Its future involves developing Generative AI tools based on customer feedback and releasing a fully operative Generative AI-assisted system. Sopra Steria with its precise segmentation and personalization, cloud-native architecture, AI-powered capabilities, flexible and easy to use solutions, and comprehensive vision & roadmap, has retained its position as one of the leaders in the SPARK Matrix: Artificial Intelligence Services, Q1, 2024," Akash adds.

Additional Resources:

For more information about Sopra Steria's Artificial Intelligence Services: visit

https://www.soprasteria.com/services/artificial-intelligence

https://www.soprasteria.com/services/artificial-intelligence Complimentary download- SPARK matrix: Artificial Intelligence Services, Q1, 2024: SPARK Matrix: Artificial Intelligence Services, Q1 2024

About Sopra Steria

Steria Sopra Steria, a major Tech player in Europe with 56,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development. It helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a fully collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In 2023, the Group generated revenues of 5.8 billion.

The world is how we shape it.

Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) - ISIN: FR0000050809 For more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com

Media Contacts:

Sopra Steria Group: Aurelien Flaugnatti - aurelien.flaugnatti@soprasteria.com - +33 7 85 20 73 16

About Quadrant Knowledge Solutions

Quadrant Knowledge Solutions is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients as a strategic knowledge partner in achieving business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth Advisory Services. Quadrant's research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments.

For more available research, visit: https://quadrant-solutions.com/market-research/

Media Contact

Ajinkya Ingle

Quadrant Knowledge Solutions

Regus Business Center

35 Village Road, Suite 100,

Middleton Massachusetts 01949

United States

Email: ajinkya@quadrant-solutions.com

Phone: (+1) 978-344-2770

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Rajant Provides a Natural Complement to Airsys.Cloud Portfolio of Radio Communications

Malvern, Pennsylvania, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with Airsys.Cloud, a leading provider of Group Communication as a Service (GCaaS). Operating in over 35 countries, Airsys.Cloud's agreement with Rajant represents Rajant's further investment in Europe. Airsys.Cloud's appointment as distributor enables them to introduce the world-leading Kinetic Mesh solution to their customers within industries such as Security, O&G, Construction, Utilities, Transport, and Logistics. This strategic alliance aims to revolutionize how deskless workforces operate, ensuring optimal efficiency and safety.

"We are excited to partner with Rajant to provide their 'connectivity' solution across the region, delivering business-critical private wireless networks to all those hard-to-reach places where safety and security are paramount", shares Neil Boxer, Airsys.Cloud's Managing Director. "This partnership will deliver a high throughput, highly secure, and low latency solution, ensuring your deskless workforce can work safely at optimal efficiency. We look forward to delivering enhanced connectivity solutions to our customers and partners."

Airsys.Cloud understands the challenges its customers and partners face with their existing networks, particularly regarding mission-critical connectivity and data transfer. This partnership with Rajant Corporation is Airsys.Cloud's response to these challenges. Leveraging Rajant Kinetic Mesh, Airsys.Cloud will provide a solution to these network infrastructure challenges. With Rajant technology, which is adaptable, scalable, and readily deployable. The pairing will equip customers and the partners that service them, a fully mobile network for voice, video, and data available today.

Rajant VP of Sales, EMEA Erich Smidt adds, "Rajant is pleased to add Airsys.Cloud as its latest distribution partner for the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe. Airsys.Cloud has a strong history of providing business critical connectivity solutions in demanding environments through their established channel partners. We look forward to being a part of their portfolio to further enhance their solution offerings."

####

About Airsys.Cloud

Airsys.Cloud is a subscription-based SaaS offering providing GCaaS (Group Communication as a Service.) GCaaS provides enhanced connection, protection, and information for deskless workforces. For too long, the needs of the deskless worker have been overlooked, and so we've made it our mission to change the narrative. Representing 80% of the global workforce, deskless workers are the backbone of many industries. Yet, 60% of them are unsatisfied with the technology they're provided. We're here to bridge that gap. Airsys.Cloud is a trailblazer in the industry, powering an engaged, efficient, and safe deskless workforce. Our innovative solutions are trusted by over 100 satisfied customers, with more than 4,000 active licenses and 1,000+ protected lone workers. Our success is built on strong partnerships. With 40+ active channel partners, we've created a robust network that extends our reach and impact. But it's not just about numbers. It's about relationships. Our client engagement process ensures a comprehensive, consultative, and client-centric approach. Whether you require a complete end-to-end solution or a specialised point solution, Airsys.Cloud has the tools to align with your specific requirements. We're not just a provider; we're a partner in your success. Join us in revolutionising the deskless workforce and better Connect, Protect & Inform.

About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant and its family of products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant's Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.comor follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube.

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LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Free cPanel with all the managed VPS and dedicated server hosting plans, MilesWeb is all set to rewrite the UK web hosting rulebook.

MilesWeb, a foremost hosting provider, is making a game-changing entrance in the UK web hosting industry. By offering a free cPanel with its managed VPS and dedicated hosting services, they're setting a new standard that's practically unheard of in the industry.

It's a milestone set by MilesWeb, empowering businesses and favouring beginners and experts without extra charges. The management of the VPS and dedicated services with cPanel brings control, performance, and flexibility.

Unlike other providers, users won't have to pay extra for cPanel; during migration with MilesWeb-managed VPS and dedicated servers, it's included for free. All of MilesWeb's UK VPS and dedicated hosting plans include a free cPanel, which eliminates additional expenditure of your pounds on a control panel. It also brings effortless website management with a few technicalities. Users get free website migration with the best uptime, ensuring stress-free hosting.

"This isn't just about offering free cPanel," says Deepak Kori, Founder of MilesWeb UK Ltd. "We're thrilled to lead the industry with this pioneering moment in the hosting industry. It will encourage all budget-conscious individuals to try the wide spectrum of VPS and dedicated servers and take their dream business to the next level."

Key Benefits for UK Businesses

Easy-to-Use Control Panel:

cPanel is the leading control panel due to its intuitive dashboard, management, and less technical handling.

Cloud Infrastructure:

All the VPS servers are built on high-grade cloud infrastructure for enhanced performance.

Transparent Billing

With its true pricing and transparent billing structures, you also get free cPanel without any hidden charges.

Resource Tracking:

With its user-friendly control panel, there's no need for an individual resource monitoring manager.

Free-Setup

Even if it's a free cPanel, MilesWeb takes complete responsibility for setting up the server configurations and core settings.

About MilesWeb:

MilesWeb, since its establishment in 2012, has expanded as an outstanding leader in the global web hosting industry. They are well-known for comprehensive web hosting services, including shared, VPS Hosting, cloud hosting, dedicated servers, reseller hosting, and more. Additionally, they are a one-stop solution for their global 50000+ customers, offering backups, domains, SSL, and other industry-grade assistance with 24/7 support and the best security.

Media Contact:

Jackson Lane

sales@milesweb.co.uk

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CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / PRConsultants Group (PRCG), an exclusive network of senior-level public relations professionals in the U.S., is proud to announce the addition of three new members, solidifying PRCG's position as a leader in the industry.

"As agency owners and leaders, what we hear from clients so often is that they are looking for seasoned, veteran PR and marketing pros who maintain the close, working relationships with media, influencers and stakeholders that can really deliver results within a target market," said Tracie Broom, president of PRCG.

"It can be tough for clients to get that high level of service, experience and relationships from massive PR firms," Broom added. "Our new members bring decades of excellence and professionalism to the table in key Midwestern markets, delivering strategic insight, innovative solutions and - because these are local, independently owned firms - exceptional value."

The newest PRConsultants Group members include:

Amy Jordan Wooden of AJW Consulting in Kansas City, Missouri:

Launching her firm in 2003, Amy Jordan Wooden is a veteran communications professional who has served elected officials, political candidates, influential community leaders, private corporations, government departments, trade associations, and not-for-profit institutions. AJW Consulting's work has involved creating comprehensive public affairs plans that engage the general public and influential stakeholders through earned media, compelling video productions, and targeted outreach for events. Amy is one of the Midwest's most experienced crisis communications specialists, helping clients navigate complex media and legal inquiries in crises and guiding clients through tricky reputation management events.

Marie Silver Keister of MurphyEpson, Inc . in Columbus, Ohio:

Marie and her team provide strategic counsel for popular and controversial initiatives to build public support and secure funds for complex public infrastructure initiatives - from highways and transit systems to airports and new water plants. Marie is a certified planner with the American Planning Association, accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and named one of the top 50 women in public relations in the U.S. by PR News. During her career spanning over three decades, Marie has designed and facilitated 1000+ stakeholder and public meetings, advisory committees, strategic planning sessions and discussion panels to help public and private sector clients build a better world. The firm counsels clients on reputation management and crisis communications.

Jeff Link, Link Strategies in Des Moines, Iowa:

In 1999, during his return to Iowa to obtain a law degree from Drake University, Jeff Link founded Link Strategies. Jeff has worked as an Iowa-based entrepreneur, lawyer, and communications consultant with a deep background in government and politics at the state and federal levels in the U.S. and abroad. Link's experience in government, paid media strategy, data analytics, public opinion research, and crisis communications offers a strong background for clients. He directed message development through polling, focus groups, web tests, and ad testing in target states. He created state-specific ads, direct mail, and collateral materials, as well as directed advertising strategy and media mix with TV and cable buys. Link develops effective messages and builds organizations that can deliver them.

About PRConsultants Group

Established in the year 2000, PRConsultants Group (PRCG) is an exclusive, nationwide network of more than 50 highly-regarded, award-winning senior-level PR and communications consultants working in every sector of every major U.S. market. Members specialize in executing projects for national and international brands, focusing on strategic planning and creative execution in media relations, social media communications, promotions, crisis communications management, event site selection, and much more. PRCG has a unique business model. When a client needs a small or even a large group to develop and execute communications tactics across the U.S., a customized PRCG team can be created to help that business achieve its goals.

For more information on PRCG, visit https://www.prconsultantsgroup.com/ or LinkedIn for more updates.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Chan, Porch Light PR, jennifer@porchlightpr.com , 317.490.3770

SOURCE: PR Consultants Group

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Updates on ETC Marketing, Inc and Ownership of ITV-1 and IPF

ALLEN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Enzolytics, Inc. (OTC PINK:ENZC) (" enzolytics.com " )(the "Company") announced today that it has entered into a Letter of Intent with Enogenesis (ENGN) for the specific use of the therapeutic application of ENGN's patented Nitric Oxide Compound ( "NOC"). The initial focus for sales will be combining NOC with the nutraceutical products of the wholly owned subsidiary of Sagaliam Acquisition, Corp ("SAGA"), Virogentics Inc's ("VIRO"). The current products include IPF Immune, brain detox, liver detox and a new weight loss compound. The NOC patented compound can be produced in a liquid, solid or spray which can be included in the drops, pill or spray form currently being produced by VIRO. In addition, VIRO is the exclusive licensee of the patents on ITV-1, owned by Zhabilov Trust and invented and patented solely by Harry Zhabilov Jr. ITV-1 is beginning the pharmacokinetics investigation stage for future permitting in Europe with the European Medicine Agency (EMA) which the Company believes will be an additional market for NOC.

The discovery of nitric oxide's role as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system led to the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The groundbreaking work by Robert F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro, and Ferid Murad revealed how nitric oxide regulates blood vessels, influencing blood pressure and overall health. Their research spanned several decades, culminating in this prestigious recognition. It was named the "Molecule of the Year" in 1992 by the Journal of Science. Nitric oxide is a diatomic molecule in gaseous form. It is highly active, and its short half-life makes it difficult to convert it into other states than its gaseous form. Historically, a standard of care treatment for COPD has been the application of NOC in its gaseous form in a hospital setting, at a cost of over $7,000 per patient application. Enogenesis has patented the application of technology to enable the use of NOC in standalone and combination therapies at a low-cost in prescribed, over the counter and nutraceutical compounds with a long shelf life.

One of the initial licensed applications will be for diabetes, where ENZC and ENGN will work to use NOC with Metformin. The Company believes the addition of NOC will significantly lower the gastro intestinal adverse effects (lactose acidosis) associated with the use of Metformin and other anti-diabetic drugs containing Metformin by increasing the effectiveness of the delivery allowing lower doses to be administered. The Company will also license the topical NOC cream for application to diabetic neuropathy.

It is anticipated that Enzolytics will be able to bring the NOC Metformin to market quickly. The Enogenesis technology allows for oral delivery of the combination of NOC with Metformin, and topical cream formulation of NOC with Metformin for Neuropathy. These products are formulated for timed release to deliver efficacy in prescribed dosage and timed Metformin delivery. NOC formulation with Metformin is a direct delivery that improves on the bioavailability of the current products on the market, and significantly reduces the quantity of Metformin needed. According to Statistica, Metformin is primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and in 2020 and 2021, the annual number of prescriptions in the U.S. exceeded 90 million.

Robert Kremer, the President of Enogenesis commented, "Our team has devoted decades to exploring the development of commercial technology for delivering low-cost therapies incorporating NOC. The Metformin application is one of the most widely used prescription therapies for diabetes. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Enzolytics on both the commercialization of the NOC Metformin application, as well as using our technology to accelerate the commercialization of Enzolytics and Virogentics' portfolio of current and future products. The NOC technology application is a versatile and highly innovative solution for the health industry that has the potential to address many markets."

Dr. Mahantesh Navati, the Chief Scientific Officer of Enogenesis, commented, "We have developed a unique combination drug therapy with nitric oxide that leads to many biomedical applications. The NOC technology can enhance the effectiveness of many drugs currently on the market, opening a vast field for licensing and sales opportunities, especially in brain diseases based on nitric oxide's ability to cross the blood brain barrier."

Steve Sharabura, Interim CEO of Enzolytics, commented: "This agreement with Enogenesis is exciting. It's a cutting-edge technology. This fits nicely with our existing expertise, and is the basis for Enzolytics' further technological expansion."

Harry Zhabilov, the Chief Scientific Officer of Enzolytics and Sagaliam commented, "The NOC technologically is a powerful compound to improve the effectiveness and bioavailability of other therapies. We believe that applying the Enogenesis technology to Virogentics' pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products will greatly accelerate our ability to commercialize our products. I would like to assure the shareholders of SAGA, the majority of which are Enzolytics shareholders, that all the misleading information currently being stated about ownership of my patents and the exclusive licensing of the patents to Virogentics will be vigorously protected. "

Marketing will be managed through ETC Marketing, the recently announced venture formed by ENZC, focusing on licensing of products in the medical devices, nutraceuticals, medical testing and other wellbeing and safety product markets. As part of the relationship with ETC Marketing, SAGA is expanding its product categories from nutraceuticals, to also partnerships in the distribution of consumer medical devices and home tests for multiple indications. To fund this opportunity, SAGA is in the final stages for an award of a $25 million grant from an organization based in Tokyo, Japan with a mission to sponsor promising technologies and businesses focused on making significant global contributions to healthcare, science, technology and education.

About Enzolytics, Inc.

Enzolytics, Inc. is transitioning from a drug development company committed to commercializing its proprietary proteins and monoclonal antibodies to treat debilitating infectious diseases to a sales, marketing and distribution entity focusing on medical devices, medical testing and nutraceutical products.

About Enogenesis

Enogenesis LLC is a unique applied technology-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Enogenesis' scientists are focused on delivering Nitric Oxide and our partner's molecule utilizing the Combination Drug Delivery Platform (CDDP) with enhanced therapeutic drug effects for patients.

Enogenesis' development team has written over 30 papers on nitric oxide and has over 30 years of collective experience in nitric oxide research before developing the technology over the last four years. Enogenesis was formed in 2020 by Robert Kremer and Mahantesh Navati to develop the next generation of nitric oxide ("NO") combination therapy for more efficient NO production and delivery. Enogenesis' Drug Delivery Platform of Nitric Oxide is INONOx, which has been developed in its New York City laboratory.

Additional information on Enogenesis is available at: https://www.enogenesis.us/

Forward Looking Statements

The disclosure herein includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations, Company's ability to enter into a definitive business combination agreement and Company's ability to obtain the financing necessary to consummate the potential business combination transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: Company's ability to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the proposed business combination or consummate a transaction; the risk that the approval of the stockholders of Company for the potential transaction is not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the potential transaction, including as a result of a delay in consummating the potential transaction or difficulty in integrating the businesses of Company; the amount of redemption requests made by Company's stockholders and the amount of funds remaining in Company's trust account after satisfaction of such requests; those factors discussed in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of Company filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Company presently does not know or that Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Company's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Company's assessments to change. However, while Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this disclosure statement. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Enzolytics, Inc.

Steve Sharabura, Chief Executive Officer

3002 Royal Palm

Baytown, Texas 77523

Tel: (845) 925-4597

X/Twitter: @EnzolyticsInc

SOURCE: Enzolytics, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The Funding Round, led by PeakSpan Capital, will Accelerate Investments in Key Areas, Including Global Sales Infrastructure, Product Innovation, and AI-enabled Workflows.

NEWARK, Del., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOCRadar , a leading provider of enterprise-grade, end-to-end threat intelligence and brand protection, today announced the successful completion of its Series B funding round, raising $25.2 million. The round was led by PeakSpan Capital , with participation from Oxx , reflecting investor confidence in SOCRadar's innovative approach to cybersecurity.

External cybersecurity has rapidly escalated in criticality since the onset of the pandemic, fueled by unparalleled levels of digital transformation, cloud migrations, and increased levels of remote work. According to Verizon's DBIR 2023 Report, 83% of respondents cited external threats as the number one cause of cyber threats, with ransomware, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and phishing leading the way. As supporting evidence, the FBI's Internet Crime Report 2023 shows that phishing is the number one cause of complaint count, and BEC is the second highest in complaint loss. What is more concerning is that at the current growth rate, financial damage from cyberattacks will amount to about $10.5T annually by 2025 - a 300% increase from 2015.

SOCRadar is dedicated to delivering pre-emptive defense against cyber threats, such as ransomware, phishing, and BEC, as well as all externally sourced attacks, and, most importantly, to detect and prevent attacks before they happen.

"Our main mission is to provide proactive protection against external cyber threats for companies of all sizes," said Huzeyfe Onal, CEO of SOCRadar. This investment will help us continue to expand in key geographies and further bolster our AI capabilities across our platform.

SOCRadar's innovative go-to-market strategy focuses on product-led growth and sales, successfully reaching and engaging customers globally. The company has reached over 25,000 freemium customers from 150+ countries worldwide and boasts 600+ active paid customers alongside 350+ channel partners. This global adoption is a testament to the shared problem faced by all companies worldwide and the effectiveness of SOCRadar's solution in addressing external cybersecurity needs.

SOCRadar's flagship product, the Extended Threat Intelligence (XTI) cloud-based SaaS platform, offers an end-to-end suite of external cybersecurity solutions, including Cyber Threat Intelligence, External Attack Surface Management, Brand Protection, Dark Web Monitoring, and Supply Chain Threat Intelligence. Cost-effective, natively unified, and easy to use, SOCRadar's platform empowers organizations to proactively defend against all primary external breach vectors.

The funds raised in the Series B round will primarily be used to drive the company's expansion in the US market, invest in the EU market to strengthen the company's strong presence in the region, continue to penetrate the Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) markets and invest in research and development. Specifically, SOCRadar will continue to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) across all aspects of its platform to enhance threat detection, response, and automated remediation capabilities.

"We are excited to partner with Huzeyfe, Ahmet, and the entire SOCRadar team in their pursuit of democratizing external threat intelligence for enterprises and mid-market organizations globally," said Sanket Merchant, Partner at PeakSpan Capital. "The team is attacking arguably one of the most strategic challenges in cybersecurity today, which is only growing in criticality, with exceptional product innovation/leadership and a compelling, high-velocity value proposition that is truly differentiated. We see an incredible opportunity for SOCRadar to emerge as the leading global provider of external cybersecurity for a strategic (and underserved) market segment and couldn't be more privileged to be their partner navigating this next stage of their scale-up journey."

Richard Anton, Co-Founder and General Partner at Oxx , continues, "We're delighted to join forces with US-based investor PeakSpan and early investor 212 as we partner with SOCRadar. As an international European investor, we look forward to providing SOCRadar with the best support possible as they accelerate their global go-to-market strategy. We are committed to supporting SOCRadar's expansion in Europe."

With this latest round of funding, SOCRadar is poised to further strengthen its position as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to defend against external cyber threats and safeguard their digital assets.

About SOCRadar

SOCRadar is a pioneering cybersecurity company committed to delivering advanced threat intelligence solutions that enable organizations to proactively defend against cyber threats. SOCRadar's flagship Extended Threat Intelligence (XTI) platform offers a comprehensive suite of tailored products. These are Cyber Threat Intelligence, External Attack Surface Management, Brand Protection, Dark Web Monitoring, and Supply Chain Threat Intelligence. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, SOCRadar enhances threat detection capabilities and promptly provides proactive and actionable intelligence. ensuring that businesses can always stay ahead of cyber risks. With a significant global footprint. SOCRadar's mission is to fortify organizational defenses, mitigate external risks, and foster a safer digital ecosystem worldwide.

About PeakSpan Capital

PeakSpan Capital is a growth equity firm based in New York City and San Mateo. Having partnered with over 40 high-growth software businesses and with $1.5B+ in AUM, PeakSpan's mission is to be the partner of choice for growth-stage entrepreneurial teams who are building amazing software targeted at business buyers of all sizes. PeakSpan combines deep domain expertise within a select number of themes with a proprietary technology platform providing visibility into company and market performance to help disruptive entrepreneurs drive resilient, risk-adjusted value creation.

To learn more about PeakSpan Capital and its portfolio, please visit www.peakspancapital.com .

About Oxx

Oxx partners with the most promising B2B software companies at the scale-up stage. As a specialist SaaS investor, Oxx's strategy is built around the concept of "Go-To-Market Fit," developing a structure for thinking about how to build a repeatable, sustainable growth engine that accelerates and propels the growth of SaaS companies.

Oxx was founded by Richard Anton and Mikael Johnsson in 2017 and is headquartered in London and Stockholm. For more information, visit oxx.vc

For further information, please contact:

Burak Uyduran

Email: press@socradar.io

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Care navigation platform celebrates a decade of amplifying benefit strategies to help employers contain costs and improve health outcomes

CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / HealthJoy, a care navigation platform that transforms healthcare outcomes by reimagining benefits, recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. With over $100M in fundraising to date, HealthJoy gives HR leaders, CFOs and benefit consultants the platform needed to contain costs and improve benefits utilization by guiding employees to affordable, high-quality care.

As healthcare costs continue to rise, employers find themselves under immense pressure to establish an effective healthcare cost containment strategy while also delivering valued benefits to retain talent.

HealthJoy helps employers confront long-term healthcare spend by connecting employees - no matter their current health status - to the right care, at the right time. As a result, high-cost claimants who activate HealthJoy experience 21% lower healthcare spend and employees with less complex needs have easy access to high-quality, affordable care.

"This is a special milestone in our journey to create an intuitive, connected experience that removes the complexity from being healthy and well," said Justin Holland, CEO and co-founder of HealthJoy. "Obviously, so much has changed over the past 10 years. Due to the hard work and dedication of our global team, we are in the strongest position we have ever been to support employers and benefits consultants."

During the past 10 years, HealthJoy has expanded its footprint by collaborating with over 300 benefits consultants and third-party administrators (TPAs) while partnering with global leaders in care delivery to provide the best possible cost and quality outcomes.

These partnerships fuel the platform's ability to leverage claims and pre-certification data to adapt to an employee's wants and needs and bundle an unbundled benefits strategy - providing a seamless experience.

"Justin and I are so thankful for the global HealthJoy team that helped us build and grow the company to what it is today. The team works tirelessly to bring together everything employees need to navigate their care journey," said Doug Morse-Schindler, President and co-founder of HealthJoy. "We are excited for what the next 10 years will bring. As healthcare costs continue to rise, we're committed to our mission of guiding employees to affordable, high-quality care options while helping employers contain costs."

HealthJoy provides in-depth care navigation to over 1,500 U.S. employers, supporting the management and delivery of world-class benefits to over a million members and dependents.

The company has garnered workplace awards for Inc.'s Fastest Growing Startups and Built In Chicago's Best Places to Work while growing globally to over 450 team members.

###

ABOUT HEALTHJOY

HealthJoy is a care navigation platform that helps more than 1,500 employers and their partners bring benefits strategies to life. The platform transforms healthcare outcomes by making it simple for employees to choose the highest-quality, most cost-effective care. This results in healthier employees and a healthier bottom line. To learn more, visit healthjoy.com.

Contact Information

Lynette Grinter

VP, Marketing at HealthJoy

lgrinter@healthjoy.com

(312) 804-4515

SOURCE: HealthJoy

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / As attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure have intensified in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, humanitarian needs are growing quickly. However, a drop in funding is an imminent threat to Action Against Hunger and other humanitarian organizations who are trying to respond to the emergency.

Since the large-scale Russian offensive began on May 10 in the Kharkiv region, more than 6,000 people have been forced to evacuate, most of them to Kharkiv, the country's second largest city, which for months has been under attack from missiles, glide bombs and drones. Most of the displaced people in the areas closest to the Russian border are women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

To support people affected by this latest Russian offensive, Action Against Hunger and its local partners are implementing an emergency humanitarian campaign in the Kharkiv and Soumy regions, including the distribution of hygiene kits, food vouchers, financial aid. The organization is also supporting primary health centers and psychological and psychosocial support sessions in temporary accommodation centers.

"Action Against Hunger teams are closely monitoring the situation in order to provide humanitarian assistance as close as possible to the needs of the population. Should the conflict intensify and Russian forces gain more territory, more people could be displaced and needs could increase significantly," said Eric Fort, Director of Action Against Hunger in Ukraine.

Since March 2022, Action Against Hunger has been supporting displaced populations affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in an increasingly dangerous security context. Located some thirty kilometers from the Russian border, the Kharkiv region is subject to incessant and indiscriminate attacks, which exhaust the population's coping strategies and jeopardize economic recovery.

After more than two years of conflict, the Ukrainian population is facing increased levels of poverty and aid dependency. 65% of Ukrainian households have seen their incomes fall, and almost 44% are struggling to meet their basic needs, despite receiving government aid of up to 3,000 hryvnias (around USD $80 per month). In all, 40% of Ukraine's population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

The wave of solidarity that followed February 24, 2022 is showing signs of weakening as the conflict drags on and other crises change the direction of international aid. According to the United Nations, $3.1 billion is required for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, yet only 21% of the appeal has been funded to date. By October 2024, Action Against Hunger anticipates a 90% drop in funding from its largest donor.

"The war is not over; needs continue to grow and public services cannot cope on their own. For humanitarian organizations to be able to plan ahead and provide effective aid, it is important to ensure long-term, predictable funding," said Fort.

Action Against Hunger condemns the attacks perpetrated against the population and civilian infrastructures, including energy infrastructures, which have been deliberately targeted since the beginning of the international conflict in Ukraine. The organization is urging the parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and call for an immediate ceasefire.

About Action Against Hunger in Ukraine

Action Against Hunger works with the most vulnerable people both directly and through Ukrainian partners. From the start of its intervention in March 2022 to February 2024, Action Against Hunger and its partners have helped nearly 960,000 people in the following areas:

133,000 people received help to improve their food security through hot meals, food distributions, food kits or cash assistance.

610,000 people benefited from hygiene kits and improved access to water thanks to Action Against Hunger's support for water distribution networks.

17,000 people received psychosocial support through psychosocial education and counseling sessions, psychological first aid (PFA) training or stress management modules.

198,000 people received health and nutritional assistance.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

The city of Dnipro, Ukraine has been largely affected by the ongoing conflict. // Photo by Arthur De Poortere





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Action Against Hunger on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Action Against Hunger

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/action-against-hunger

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Action Against Hunger

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BUDAPEST, Hungary, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 20, 2024, Smartee Denti-Technology, a global leader in clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions, presented its innovative Smartee GS Mandibular Repositioning Technology at the 2nd HADO Exhibition, held from May 16-19, 2024 in Budapest.

The Hungarian Association for Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics (HADO) Exhibition serves as a platform for sharing advanced orthodontic practices and perspectives among orthodontists from all over the world. With over 300 attendees and partners, 32+ hours of intensive learning, and 4 days of professional experience sharing, the event fostered a culture of continuous learning in the orthodontic community.

During the exhibition, the Smartee booth attracted a steady stream of visitors eager to explore Smartee's unique innovations and solutions, particularly the Smartee GS mandibular repositioning solutions of S8, S9, S10, and S11. Smartee's commitment to innovation and excellence in orthodontic care resonates deeply with HADO's mission to empower the next generation of orthodontic professionals.

Prof. Gang Shen from Taikang Bybo, Smartee's Chief Scientist in R&D, was invited by HADO to deliver a keynote lecture titled "The Clear S8 Orthopedic Therapy: Fundamental Mechanisms, Therapeutic Procedures, and Clinical Efficacy." Prof. Gang Shen's presentation provided attendees with invaluable insights into a non-invasive approach for treating severe Class II malocclusion, addressing a pressing challenge in the current orthodontic field.

Reflecting on Smartee's contribution, Dr. Felkai, Vice President of HADO, remarked, "Smartee clear aligners offer a blend of effectiveness in correcting malocclusion, comfort during wear, unique solutions and customization options. I'm particularly intrigued by Smartee's GS mandibular repositioning technology, which holds promise for addressing severe Class II malocclusions, also after the end of growth. On behalf of HADO, I look forward to welcoming more innovative orthodontic solution providers to future events."

Smartee's participation underscores its dedication to empowering doctors and orthodontists with cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive support. With its series of unique solutions S1-S20, Smartee continues expanding its portfolio and has launched over 10 aligner products catering to different malocclusion problems for children, adolescents, and adults.

For further information, please visit https://smarteealigners.com/

About Smartee Denti-Technology:

Founded in 2004, Smartee is the leading provider of clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, Smartee has two research & development centers and manufacturing plants that are fully automated. By serving over 64,000 doctors from 48,000 medical institutions in over 47 countries, Smartee has achieved over 1 million perfect smiles worldwide.

With the advance of digital solutions, Smartee continues expanding its portfolio and has launched over 10 aligner products catering to different malocclusion problems for children, adolescents and adults. Collaborating with Prof Gang Shen and his Orthodontic Team, Smartee has developed an innovative product: Smartee GS, which provides orthodontists with mandibular repositioning technology to treat patients with complex indications including facial prognathism, facial retrognathism and mandibular deviation more effectively.

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ABU DHABI, UAE, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today bestowed the First Class Order of Zayed II on several global dignitaries in recognition of their contributions to the success of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) hosted by the UAE late last year.

During the ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, His Highness expressed his gratitude to all recipients for their sincere efforts that contributed to the success of COP28 and resulted in the historic UAE Consensus that has become a key framework for global climate action and sustainability.

His Highness emphasised that the legacy of sustainability established by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a cornerstone of the UAE's efforts to support sustainability, promote effective climate action, and ensure equitable economic and social development for a better future for humanity.

He praised the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the world during COP28 and the unity of nations in addressing one of the most pressing global challenges. His Highness reiterated the UAE's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and its constructive role in advancing climate action to find practical solutions to climate challenges by leveraging the achievements of COP28.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO), and a number of officials.

The event also honoured the late Prof. Saleemul Huq, a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the award to Prof. Huq's wife, son, and daughter in recognition of his distinguished efforts and contributions to operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund. Prof.

The honourees of the First Class Order of Zayed II were:

Dan Jrgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Denmark, was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.

Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, was a vocal advocate of the UAE and COP28 Presidency, as well as part of the finance ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.

Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, Minister of Environment, Jordan, was a respected COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who advocated for COP28 among parties.

Alioune Ndoye, Former Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecology Transition, Senegal, and Chair of the Least Developed Countries Negotiating Group, supported in garnering inputs and support among the most climate-vulnerable countries on the UAE Consensus outcomes.

Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Russia, provided key support in driving consensus on the Global Stocktake and negotiated outcomes.

Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, former Chairman of G77 and China, Cuba, was a strong supporter of COP28 and played a critical role in unifying the G77 and China around COP28 draft negotiated outcomes, especially the Global Stocktake.

Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa'olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative to UN, Samoa, and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, helped to ensure small island developing states' input and support in the final decisions, particularly on mitigation and Loss and Damage.

Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, was a supportive partner to the UAE, particularly concerning the delivery of key Presidential Action Agenda outcomes across climate finance and energy.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, was a firm advocate of COP28 and facilitated the engagement of senior government leaders.

Kate Hampton, CEO, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, was a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided valuable advice in the lead-up to and during COP28.

Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises, was a dedicated COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member and Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy who mobilised multistakeholder engagement at the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum to advance net zero and nature-positive goals.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, was a firm advocate for the UAE in the lead-up to the climate conference, especially on advancing climate finance outcomes and reform of the international financial system.

Larry Fink, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, was a valued COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided counsel to COP28 in the run-up to the conference and beyond.

Dr. Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, as a leading figure in macroeconomics and debt issues was instrumental in helping COP28 deliver the Global Climate Finance Framework and climate finance outcomes.

Hindou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, was a committed member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee.

Prof. Carlos Lopes, Chair of the African Climate Foundation Board, was a valued member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who lent his esteemed support and guidance to COP28.

Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, provided her valuable expertise on food systems transformation and supported the delivery of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, was a supportive partner to COP28 and mobilised global cooperation and co-convened four high-level energy dialogues in the lead-up to COP28.

Prof. Saleemul Huq, a passionate advocate for addressing climate challenges affecting the world's most vulnerable, was posthumously honoured. He passed away at 71 in October 2023, with his wife, Kashana, and son and daughter accepting the award from His Highness the President.

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland, provided political guidance and counsel as a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee Member.

John Kerry, former US Presidential Climate Envoy, was an active and loyal partner to the UAE in the lead-up to and during COP28 by enhancing global cooperation and advocating for COP28.

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Index Ventures led heavily oversubscribed round with participation from late-stage investment firms ICONIQ Growth, Teachers' Venture Growth, and more

Rapid enterprise adoption of DeepL has fueled the company's growth in 60+ global markets for 100,000+ businesses, governments, and other organizations

DeepL's Language AI Platform for business provides category-leading AI-powered translation and writing solutions

COLOGNE, Germany, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepL, a leading Language AI company, today announced $300 million of investment at a $2 billion valuation. Led by Index Ventures, the heavily oversubscribed round attracted strong support from new investors, who will bring their extensive expertise, connections, and resources to support DeepL's growth and long-term vision to transform the way companies communicate around the world. Additional late-stage investors, including ICONIQ Growth, Teachers' Venture Growth, and others, also participated, along with existing investors IVP, Atomico, and WiL.

"We're approaching an inflection point in the AI boom where businesses who are racing to adopt the technology begin to discern between hype versus solutions that are secure and actually solve real problems in their business," said Jarek Kutylowski, founder and CEO of DeepL. "This new investment comes during what is on track to be DeepL's most transformative year yet and is a testament to the crucial role that our Language AI platform has in solving the complex linguistic challenges global companies face today. We're highly focused on continued growth and innovation to expand our solutions and ensure they remain industry-leading in terms of quality, precision, and security. This will bring us closer to a future where every company, regardless of location, can operate seamlessly on a global scale with our AI."

The new investment comes during a period of significant growth and momentum for DeepL, which has amassed a customer network of 100,000+ businesses, governments, and other organizations worldwide. This network includes Zendesk, Nikkei, Coursera, and Deutsche Bahn, who rely on its highly accurate and secure enterprise Language AI platform to deliver seamless communication, driving international growth and cost savings. In response to surging demand from global enterprises, DeepL has accelerated its expansion efforts and strategic investments into key markets over the past year. In January 2024, DeepL deepened its commitment to the U.S.-now its third largest market-by opening its first office in the region. The company continues to expand its team in the U.S. to support growing demand.

Within the last 12 months, DeepL has also substantially broadened its product offerings tailored for businesses. In April 2024, the company launched DeepL Write Pro, a writing assistant specifically tailored for business writing, powered by its own proprietary LLM technology. The company also continues to expand the range of languages supported by its platform with the recent additions of Arabic, as well as Korean and Norwegian, bringing its total number of languages to 32.

"DeepL's runaway success is a bit of an 'open secret' in the business community," said Danny Rimer, who led the investment from Index Ventures. "The company is exceptionally thoughtful about creating cutting-edge AI products that deliver real and immediate value to their customers. Jarek and the rest of the DeepL team are equally research and commercially minded - both of which are key to the company's success." Index Ventures is recognized for its investments in highly successful SaaS businesses like Figma, Slack, Wiz, and Scale AI.

Demand for AI solutions among global enterprises is on the rise. A recent IBM study found that 42% are already actively deploying AI and 40% are exploring its potential. Within this rapidly evolving landscape, DeepL is leading the way in applying AI to transform the $67.9 billion language industry , which is projected to grow to $95.3 billion by 2028.

Since its inception in 2017, DeepL has become the Language AI provider of choice for businesses across multiple industries including manufacturing, legal, retail, healthcare, technology, and professional services. The company's specialized Language AI platform has become a critical investment for global businesses today, addressing a variety of communication challenges ranging from internal communications to customer support and international market expansion. Unlike general-purpose AI systems, DeepL's cutting-edge translation and writing solutions rely on specialized AI models specifically tuned for language, resulting in more precise translations for a variety of use cases and a reduced risk of hallucinations and misinformation. In business translation and writing, accuracy is paramount, making specialized AI models the most reliable and preferred solution for language challenges.

DeepL's Language AI platform is also proven to drive significant cost savings and efficiencies. A 2024 Forrester study revealed that the use of DeepL delivered 345% ROI for global companies, reducing translation time by 90% and driving a 50% in workload reduction, underscoring, in our opinion, the power of its platform for businesses looking to grow their revenue and enter new markets faster and at scale.

"At Zendesk we see first hand the power of infusing AI tools into customer experience, and DeepL's industry-leading translation is a prime example," said Adrian McDermott, CTO, Zendesk. "The ability to have accurate AI translation allows companies from startups to large enterprises the ability to scale globally, reaching prospects and existing customers in new ways. Zendesk's open and flexible platform allows for seamless partnerships, and the tangible results we've seen so far from joint customers have us looking forward to continued work with DeepL."

Looking ahead, DeepL will continue to invest in research and product innovation to strengthen its suite of leading AI communication tools for businesses. The company is also doubling down on global market expansion and talent recruitment across multiple areas including AI research, product, engineering, and GTM.

About DeepL

DeepL is on a mission to break down language barriers for businesses everywhere. Over 100,000 businesses, governments and other organizations and millions of individuals in 63 global markets trust DeepL's Language AI platform for human-like translation and better writing. Designed with enterprise security in mind, companies around the world leverage DeepL's AI solutions that are specifically tuned for language to transform business communications, expand markets and improve productivity. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jaroslaw (Jarek) Kutylowski, DeepL today has over 900 passionate employees and is supported by world-renowned investors including Benchmark, IVP and Index Ventures.

Contact:

Sebastian Ries

Openers GmbH

deepl@opnrs.com

+49 1578 058 8488

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Chinese company builds floating solar plant in Indonesia, contributes to Indonesia's green development

14:31, May 22, 2024 By Cao Shiyun ( People's Daily

About two hours' drive southeast of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, lies a tranquil mountain range in West Java. As one navigates the winding roads that snake through the mountains, breathtaking vistas gradually unfold. In the distance, under blue skies and white clouds, the Cirata Reservoir emerges, nestled amidst the majestic peaks. What catches the eye, however, are the neatly arranged massive arrays of photovoltaic (PV) panels that float on the surface of the reservoir.

Spanning across the equator, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world. It boasts mammoth oceanic area and rich solar resources. The Indonesian government has decided to develop solar power generation into the strongest pillar of its clean energy supply by 2060.

Photo shows the Cirata floating solar plant in Indonesia. (Photo/Zhang Yizhou)

As a collaboration project between Indonesia's state electricity corporation PLN and the United Arab Emirates energy company Masdar, the Cirata floating solar plant was constructed by China's PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited (HDEC). The 192-megawatt-peak capacity power plant was connected to the power grid in November last year.

The Cirata floating solar plant features 13 PV arrays. Each of them measures 430 meters long and 230 meters wide, and includes 48 sub-arrays. Together, they comprise a total of over 28,000 solar panels.

Wang Shaofeng, deputy chief engineer of the project, told People's Daily that it was the first time for HDEC to build a floating solar farm so huge and challenging that required the company to overcome various problems throughout the designing to construction phases.

According to Wang, the Cirata floating solar plant is the first floating solar farm in the world that floats on a reservoir with depths up to 100 meters.

Due to the complex topography, steep slopes and thick sludge under the water, it was difficult to fix anchor blocks during the construction, Wang noted, adding that the project team specifically developed anchor blocks with higher bearing capacity to make the anchor system stable.

"The Cirata floating solar plant is the first floating PV project in Indonesia and the largest in Southeast Asia. It is a key strategic project of Indonesia at the national level. The smooth implementation and completion of the project have boosted the country's confidence in energy transition," said Guo Xiaodan, the representative of PowerChina in Indonesia.

Today, the Cirata floating solar plant accounts for 25 percent of Indonesia's total new energy generation capacity. It is expected to generate 300,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year, providing clean energy to about 50,000 Indonesian households.

According to preliminary estimates, the project will save 117,000 tons of standard coal for Indonesia on an annual basis, and reduce the annual emission of carbon dioxide, coal dust, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 214,000 tons, 82,000 tons 9,000 tons, and 4,500 tons respectively.

So far, the project has offered over 8,000 jobs for local communities both directly and indirectly. Tang Lijun, on-site manager of the project, told People's Daily that most of the project's employees used to be farmers and fishers, whose incomes were very unstable as they lived at the mercy of the elements.

Their incomes have significantly increased after working on the project, with some experiencing a fourfold surge in monthly earnings, Tang said. After the completion of the project, they can continue to work in operations and maintenance of the project using the skills they have acquired or seek employment in other projects, Tang added.

It is learned that the project has also organized professionals to visit local middle schools to promote PV knowledge, and worked with the local government to recruit interns from Indonesian universities in an effort to cultivate a talent pipeline.

Yoga, a university student in internship on the project, said: "The staff on the project patiently guided and helped us. Here, I learned a lot of knowledge and experience that cannot be gained at university."

Guo said that the project has always followed a localization strategy, employing local designing, construction and installation teams, and offering multiple safety and skill training sessions for local workers. The project has nurtured a batch of outstanding professionals in the PV industry, Guo added.

The Cirata floating solar plant exemplifies the practical cooperation between China and Indonesia. In recent years, the two countries have achieved significant progress in their collaboration on renewable energy. Notably, PowerChina's successful river diversion at the Batang Toru Hydropower Station has laid a crucial groundwork for future work. Additionally, Trina Solar, a Chinese PV company, has signed an agreement with Indonesian partners to establish Indonesia's inaugural production base for PV cells and modules.

"China owns advanced technological expertise in renewable energy. Strengthening cooperation with China will help Indonesia achieve its energy transition goals," said Agung Pribadi, director of the Center for Mineral, Coal and Geothermal Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia. He emphasized that China will play a crucial role in assisting Indonesia in achieving its carbon neutrality objectives.

"The Cirata floating solar plant has become another iconic project of the Belt and Road cooperation between Indonesia and China after the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway," said Veronika S. Saraswati, convener of the China Studies Research Unit at Indonesia's leading think-tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The successful operation of the Cirata floating solar plant once again demonstrates the achievements and potential of cooperation between Indonesia and China in the field of renewable energy, she noted.

She believes that the two countries will continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership for more mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Tron DAO

TRON DAO at DC Blockchain Summit



22-May-2024 / 17:30 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NEWS RELEASE BY TRON DAO

Geneva, Switzerland | May 22, 2024 09:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Geneva, Switzerland, May 22, 2024 - TRON DAO , a leading innovator in blockchain technology, showcased its prowess as a Silver Sponsor at the prestigious DC Blockchain Summit held in Washington DC on May 15, 2024. This pivotal event gathered the most influential figures in blockchain and digital assets to engage with top policymakers and regulators, shaping the discourse on the future of blockchain technology.

Engagement and Advocacy in the Capital

The DC Blockchain Summit is renowned for its focus on connecting leaders within the blockchain space with key policymakers to advocate for the technology's potential and address regulatory challenges. As a Silver Sponsor, TRON DAO played a crucial role in these discussions, emphasizing the need for a regulatory framework that supports innovation and growth within the blockchain sector.

Panel Discussion on Blockchain for Social Good

Highlighting the conference was a panel discussion featuring Dave Uhryniak, Ecosystem Development Leader at TRON DAO, who spoke on the topic "Blockchain for Social Good" on May 15th from 3:20-3:40 PM. Moderated by Jackie Price, Marketing and Communications Advisor at The Digital Chamber, the discussion provided a platform to explore how blockchain technology can drive social impact globally.

Dave Uhryniak began by defining "social good" to set the stage for the discussion. He then shared several use cases and stories of companies leveraging blockchain technology to enhance social welfare:

Uhryniak emphasized the global impact of blockchain technology, steering the conversation away from US-centric political issues and focusing on how blockchain fulfills its original purpose of improving lives worldwide.

Networking and Strategic Collaborations

A significant aspect of the event was the successful networking opportunities with various projects and leaders in the blockchain community. These interactions fostered discussions about potential collaborations, reinforcing TRON DAO's strategic position within the global blockchain landscape.

Future Commitments and Outlook

Looking ahead, TRON DAO remains dedicated to playing a significant role in shaping the blockchain landscape through ongoing dialogue with policymakers and continued participation in key industry events. The insights gained and relationships forged at the DC Blockchain Summit will aid TRON DAO in its efforts to advance blockchain technology and advocate for policies that benefit the wider digital asset community.

For more updates on TRON DAO's initiatives and future engagements, please follow our social media platforms and stay connected with the evolving blockchain ecosystem.

About TRON DAO

TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.

Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of May 2024, it has over 230.22 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 7.64 billion total transactions, and over $22.12 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN.

In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country.

TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum

Media Contact

Hayward Wong

press@tron.network

Company Website

https://trondao.org/

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.




MUMBAI, India, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to global publishers and eCommerce companies providing content, analytics, and technology solutions, is thrilled to announce the opening of its office in Dumaguete, Philippines, marking an exciting milestone in the company's journey.

Situated in the Dumaguete Business Park, this expansion demonstrates Lumina Datamatics' dedication to expanding its global presence and tapping into the region's large talent pool.

Mr. Sameer L. Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, said, "Our presence in Dumaguete, Philippines will allow us to better serve our clients by capitalizing on the region's talent pool and expertise in the English language to offer Editorial Services, Project Management, Author Services, and other value-added services. With a seed team already present in Cebu, Philippines, catering to the international marketplace, Lumina Datamatics remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional content-related solutions to its clients across the world."

About Lumina Datamatics

Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are amongst the largest service providers in this space and our customers include 8 of the 10 largest Publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers/Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics' expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 3,500 professionals across the United States, UK, Germany, Philippines, and India.

To learn more about Lumina Datamatics, visit www.luminadatamatics.com.

Media Contact

Jamie Israel

Vice President, Marketing

Phone: 1-848-200-6188

Email: Jamie.israel@luminad.com
Extension of Deadline in Accordance with Rule 24.1(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING AN EXTENSION of the deadline provided for in rule 24.1(b) of the Irish takeover panel act 1997, takeover rules, 2022 (the "irish takeover rules").

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On 24 April, 2024, K1 made an announcement pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Irish Takeover Rules (the "Rule 2.7 Announcement") of a firm intention by Meridian Bidco LLC ("Bidco"), a newly formed Affiliate of K1, as general partner of K5 Capital Advisors, L.P., as general partner of Private Investors, L.P., to make an offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of MariaDB.

Pursuant to Rule 24.1(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, K1 therefore had 28 days, expiring on 22 May, 2024, to send its Offer Document to MariaDB's shareholders (the "PublicationDeadline"). K1 confirms that the Irish Takeover Panel has consented, at the request of K1, to an extension of the Publication Deadline until Friday 31 May, 2024 to facilitate the finalization and posting of the Offer Document and related acceptance materials.

In accordance with Rule 24.1(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, K1 is now required to send its Offer Document to MariaDB shareholders on or before Friday 31 May, 2024.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement (the "Announcement"), unless otherwise defined, shall have the meanings given to them in the Rule 2.7 Announcement. The terms and conditions of the Offer are set out in the Rule 2.7 Announcement and will be set out in full in the Offer Document.

Important Notices

The K1 Responsible Persons (being the investment committee of K1), the Bidco Officers and the Topco Officers accept responsibility for the information contained in this Announcement To the best of the knowledge and belief of the K1 Responsible Persons, the Bidco Officers and the Topco Officers (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in this Announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, together with its affiliate Lazard & Co., Limited (which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority) ("Lazard"), is acting exclusively as financial adviser to K1 and Bidco and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than K1 and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lazard nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matters referred to in this Announcement. Neither Lazard nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard in connection with this Announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Disclosure requirements of the Irish Takeover Rules

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of MariaDB, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of MariaDB or any securities exchange offeror (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3:30 pm (U.S. Eastern Time) on the 'business day' following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the 'offer period' ends. If two or more persons cooperate on the basis of any agreement either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of MariaDB, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules.

Dealing Disclosures must also be made by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with them in accordance with Rule 8.2 of the Irish Takeover Rules.

In general, interests in securities arise when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of the securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website.

Details of the offeree company in respect of whose relevant securities Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel at telephone number +353 1 678 9020.

Further Information

This Announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to sell or invitation to purchase any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In particular, this Announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this Announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

This Announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with the laws of Ireland and the Irish Takeover Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of Ireland.

Overseas Shareholders

The laws of certain jurisdictions may affect the availability of the Offer (including the Unlisted Unit Alternative) to persons who are not resident in Ireland. Persons who are not resident in Ireland, or who are subject to laws of any jurisdiction other than Ireland, should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any failure to comply with any applicable legal or regulatory requirements may constitute a violation of the laws and/or regulations of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the companies and persons involved in the Offer (including the Unlisted Unit Alternative) disclaim any responsibility and liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or K1 or required by the Irish Takeover Rules, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Offer (including the Unlisted Unit Alternative) will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in any Restricted Jurisdiction, and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance from within a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction.

The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in or into certain jurisdictions may be restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of this Announcement and all other documents relating to the Offer (including the Unlisted Unit Alternative) are not being, and must not be, released, published, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should observe these restrictions. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, K1, the K1 Group and Bidco disclaims any responsibility or liability for the violations of any such restrictions by any person. MariaDB Shareholders who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

Further details in relation to overseas shareholders shall be contained in the Offer Document.

If you are a resident of the United States, please read the following:

This Announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer (including the Offer), invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, tender, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor will there be any acquisition or disposition of the securities referred to in this Announcement in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable Law or regulation.

This Announcement is not a substitute for the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance or any other document that Bidco may file with the SEC in connection with the Offer, if any. A solicitation and an offer to buy MariaDB Shares will be made pursuant to a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO that Bidco intends to file with the SEC. At the time the tender offer is commenced, MariaDB will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer. MARIADB SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFER. SUCH DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER. Investors and MariaDB Shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of these materials (if and when available) and other documents containing important information about MariaDB and the Offer once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

The Offer, if made, will be made in the United States pursuant to the Exchange Act and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of the Irish Takeover Rules. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that may be different from those typically applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law. In addition, the Offer Document and any other documents relating to the Offer have been or will be prepared in accordance with the Irish Takeover Rules and Irish disclosure requirements, format and style, all of which may differ from those in the United States.

MariaDB is incorporated under the laws of Ireland. The director on the MariaDB Board at the date of this Announcement is resident in a country other than the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for United States holders of MariaDB Shares to effect service of process within the United States upon MariaDB or the director of MariaDB or to enforce against any of them judgements of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. It may not be possible to sue MariaDB or its officers or director(s) in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. In addition, US holders of MariaDB Shares should be aware that, if K1 and Bidco elect to proceed pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (as described herein), the federal securities laws of the United States may not be applicable.

Publication on website

This Announcement, together with all information incorporated into this document by reference to another source, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, will be made available on K1's website (https://k1.com/meridian-offer-update/). Neither the content of any such website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on such website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annual General Meeting of Minesto AB was held today, May 22, 2024, at Hotel Riverton at Badhusgatan 26 in Gothenburg. Chairman of the Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") was Eric Ehrencrona from MAQS Advokatbyra.

The following main resolutions were resolved upon at the AGM:

Adoption of income statement and balance sheet for the company and the group

The AGM resolved to adopt the presented income statement and balance sheet for the company and the group.

Allocation of results

The AGM resolved, in accordance with the board of directors' proposal in the annual report, that no dividends be paid for the financial year 2023 and that available profits are carried over to the new balance sheet.

Discharge from liability

The AGM resolved to discharge all individuals who had served as board members or CEO during 2023 from liability for the financial year of 2023.

Directors of the board and auditor

The AGM resolved, in accordance with the nomination committee's proposal, to re-elect Martin Edlund, Joel Lybert, Goran Linder, Jonas Millqvist and Git Sturesjo Adolfsson as board members. As deputy board member the AGM resolved to re-elect Andreas Gunnarsson. Jonas Millqvist was re-elected as chairman of the board of directors.

The AGM resolved to elect Grant Thornton Sweden AB (Grant Thornton) as the company's auditor, who has informed that Grant Thornton has appointed Victor Cukierman as principal auditor.

Remuneration to the board of directors and the auditor

The AGM resolved, in accordance with the nomination committee's proposal, that remuneration to the board shall be paid with four price base amounts to the chairman and with two price base amounts to each of the other board members not employed by the company. The price base amount per 2024 shall be applied. It was further resolved that no fees be paid to the board of directors' remuneration committee and audit committee.

Furthermore, the AGM resolved, in accordance with the nomination committee's proposal, that fees to the auditor shall be paid according to invoices approved by the company.

Principles for the nomination committee

The AGM resolved to adopt the nomination committee's proposed principles for the nomination committee, which correspond to the previous year's principles.

The complete proposal of the nominations committee is available on the company's website, www.minesto.com .

Authorization for the board of directors to issue shares and/or warrants and/or convertibles

The AGM resolved, in accordance with the board of directors' proposal, to authorize the board of directors to resolve, on one or several occasions, on issue of shares and/or warrants and/or convertibles during the time until the next AGM.

The complete proposal of the board of directors is available on the website of the company, www.minesto.com.

Adoption of new articles of association

The AGM resolved to adopt new articles of association in accordance with the board of directors' proposal, to enable the board of directors to resolve that the general meeting can be held digitally.

The complete proposal of the board of directors is available on the website of the company, www.minesto.com.

For additional information, please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer

+46 735 23 71 58

ir@minesto.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/report-from-annual-general-meeting-2024-of-minesto-ab,c3986344

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https://mb.cision.com/Main/14621/3986344/2815492.pdf Report from AGM 2024 Minesto AB

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ZIGUP plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 22

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

22 May 2024

ZIGUP PLC

("ZIGUP" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

ZIGUP plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 22 May 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 25,000 Weighted average purchase price paid 429 pence per share Highest purchase price paid 429 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid 429 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 19,639,362 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 226,452,061 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 22 May 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 429.00 09:07:10 00070030078TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

ZIGUP (formerly Redde Northgate plc) is the leading integrated mobility solutions provider, with a platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle to help people keep on the move, smarter. The Company offers mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across a broad range of areas from vehicle rental and fleet management to accident management, vehicle repairs, service and maintenance.

The mobility landscape is changing, becoming ever more connected and ZIGUP uses its knowledge and expertise to guide customers through the transformation, whether that is more digitally connected solutions or supporting the transition to lower carbon mobility through providing EVs, charging solutions and consultancy.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, smarter - through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With our considerable scale and reach, ZIGUP's mission is to offer an imaginative, market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group seeks to achieve this through the delivery of its new strategic framework of Enable, Deliver and Grow.

ZIGUP supports its customers through a network and diversified fleet of approx. 130,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 700,000 managed vehicles, with over 175 branches across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 7,500 employees. We are a trusted partner to many of the leading insurance and leasing companies, blue chip corporates and a broad range of businesses across a diverse range of sectors. Our strength comes not only from our breadth of our award-winning solutions, but from our extensive network reach, our wealth of experience and continual focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience.

Further information regarding ZIGUP plc can be found on the Company's website: www.zigup.com
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 22

For immediate release

22 May 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announce that it has today purchased 145,262 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 845.42 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 42,228,846; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 182,762,457.

The figure of 182,762,457may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
NORTH TONAWANDA, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / The City of North Tonawanda recently confirmed Solar Simplified as its Community Solar administrator to bring substantial savings and sustainable energy solutions to its residents. This initiative underscores the City's commitment to environmental stewardship and economic savings for its citizens.

Effective immediately, residents of North Tonawanda can enroll in Community Solar at www.SolarSimplified.com/NT and enjoy guaranteed 10% savings on all solar credits generated on their behalf. These savings are applied directly to their electric bills, providing immediate financial relief and a seamless transition to greener energy without the necessity for individual solar panel installations.

The decision to collaborate with Solar Simplified was driven by its success in managing municipal campaigns in the region. Notably, its partnerships with various municipalities, including Lancaster, New York, have demonstrated consistent, substantial savings and a robust promotion of renewable energy solutions. Solar Simplified's Community Solar expertise and customer-focused approach drive its success.

Mayor Austin Tylec expressed his support for the initiative, stating, "The City of North Tonawanda is dedicated to finding ways to save community members money while taking on new green initiatives. Collaborating with Solar Simplified allows us to do both, providing our residents with financial relief and contributing to a more sustainable future."

Community Solar offers a multitude of benefits to participants. The primary advantage is the financial savings, as Community Solar guarantees a 10% discount on all applied solar credits, directly reducing participants' electric bills. This reduction provides meaningful savings, allowing residents to allocate their resources to other essential needs or discretionary spending.

Community Solar allows residents to benefit from solar energy without needing to install personal solar panels. This is particularly advantageous for renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners with unsuitable roof conditions. It democratizes access to renewable energy, making it available to a broader segment of the population.

Environmental impact is also a key benefit of the Community Solar program. By participating, residents contribute to the expansion of clean, renewable energy sources in New York State.

Aviv Shalgi, CEO of Solar Simplified, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to work with the City of North Tonawanda and deliver significant savings to their population. We are especially proud to collaborate with this community because it is included in NYSERDA's Disadvantaged Communities Map. Our mission is to make renewable energy accessible and beneficial for everyone, and this is a perfect example of that commitment."

About Solar Simplified: Solar Simplified is a leading national Community Solar aggregator, revolutionizing the industry by removing customer-associated barriers and risks, allowing Solar Developers and IPPs to scale quickly and effectively. With a commitment to sustainability and equity, we aim to make clean energy accessible to all through community-focused engagement and consumer education. The ability to seamlessly match residents and businesses with local solar farms, and handle acquisition, management, billing and collection makes Solar Simplified the best choice for Community Solar aggregation.

Contact Information

Sasha Lukovenko

VP of Sales and Marketing

sasha@solarsimplified.com

312-216-0978

SOURCE: Solar Simplified

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Enbridge oil export facility in South Texas reaches 500 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) loaded without incident

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / It's a "very large" milestone.

And a very impressive safety achievement, to boot.

On Sunday, the Amphion supertanker left the dock at the Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center (EIEC) near Corpus Christi, Texas-marking the 500th safe loading of a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) at North America's premier oil export terminal.

The EIEC is America's largest crude oil export terminal by volume, loading about 25% of all U.S. Gulf Coast exports every year, and is the first terminal in the U.S. to load 500 VLCCs.

Above all, though, on the way to 500, safety has always been Priority One.

"At the EIEC, we all understand the importance in what we do, and that we have an obligation to each other's families, our customers, our neighbors, and the environment to operate in a safe and responsible manner," says Joey Franco, supervisor of EIEC operations.

VLCCs, which can carry up to 2.2 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) product, are responsible for most crude oil shipments around the globe. The EIEC, which can load two VLCCs simultaneously, is strategically located-with proximity to open water and international shipping lanes to enhance efficiencies and reduce shipping emissions.

And given the renewed focus on global energy security in recent years, the EIEC is a lynchpin of Enbridge's commitment to provide secure, sustainable and responsibly sourced North American energy around the world.

"Safety is our number one guiding principle. Our goal is to ensure that we practice safety 24/7 in all that we do," notes Brandi Rogers, supervisor of scheduling operations at EIEC. "Loading 500 Very Large Crude Carriers without incident requires the teamwork of the 70-plus people who work at the facility in collaboration with some incredible area partners."

Those partners include Gregory-TX-based SR Trident, which provides terminal and pipeline maintenance at EIEC, and Signet Maritime, which provides tugboat escorts for VLCCs and Suezmax vessels in and out of Ingleside harbor for an added layer of safety.

Says SR Trident CEO Ryan Berthold: "As a resident who was born and raised in San Patricio, I take special interest in seeing our local economy prosper from having incredible companies like Enbridge operate in the Coastal Bend. Our partnership with Enbridge has paid off over the years because we both believe that people are our most important assets, and therefore health and safety are always a top priority."

Remarks Capt. Joshua Macklin, Signet Maritime's general manager: "Providing state-of-the-art, technologically advanced equipment designed for multi-disciplinary work, and ongoing training for our mariners, has earned Signet the highest certifications available for the marine transportation industry. We congratulate EIEC on achieving this significant safety milestone benefiting all stakeholders in the Coastal Bend community."

The Amphion supertanker, owned by Capital Ship Management Corp., shown here at the Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center on April 13, 2024, became the 500th Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) safely loaded at the EIEC

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Enbridge

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Enbridge

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Mirus Bio's transfection reagents strengthen Merck's upstream portfolio

Acquisition will advance Merck's ambition to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive solution for viral vector manufacturing

Reinforces Merck's continued commitment to shaping the future of gene therapies and other novel modalities

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire for US$ 600 million. Mirus Bio, part of Gamma Biosciences, is a life science company based in Madison, Wisconsin, USA that specializes in the development and commercialization of transfection reagents, such as TransIT-VirusGEN. Transfection reagents play a critical role in the production of viral vector-based gene therapies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240523399185/en/

Merck operators monitoring viral vector production in a bioreactor in Merck's Carlsbad, California manufacturing facility. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Viral vector-based cell and gene therapies have demonstrated their potential with more than 20 approvals over the last 10 years1 and will continue to advance, with a projected growth of 30 percent until 20282," said Matthias Heinzel, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Life Science. "This acquisition, combined with our comprehensive portfolio, enables us to provide a truly differentiated and integrated offering to meet the growing demand for these life-saving therapies."

"We have been driving innovation in nucleic acid delivery for two decades," said Dale Gordon, CEO of Mirus Bio. "Merck's broad portfolio, scale and global reach, combined with our leading transfection reagents, will help take our business to even greater heights and allow us to serve more customers, and ultimately patients, worldwide."

Merck's Process Solutions business offers one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry and provides flexible solutions for viral vector manufacturing to advance cell and gene therapies from preclinical through commercial production. This comprehensive portfolio includes cell lines, cell culture media, processing chemicals and buffers, enzymes, as well as systems, filters, hardware and consumables to support every step of the viral vector manufacturing processes. Merck's expertise and portfolio covers a variety of viral vector types, including adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, and adenovirus. Additionally, Merck's Life Science Services business offers both contract testing services and a suite of comprehensive CDMO services for viral vector manufacturing, leveraging three decades of experience supporting cell and gene therapies to de-risk the path to commercialization.

This deal is anticipated to close in Q3 of 2024 and is subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions.

All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of 21 billion in 65 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

1 https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products

2 EvaluatePharma 2023

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240523399185/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

rachel.bloom-baglin@merckgroup.com

Phone: +1 978 436 1725
ShibaKeanu, a new BNB-based meme token, is ready to bring forth a fresh start in the cryptocurrency world by blending the Shiba Inu token with the philanthropic spirit. The token aims to redefine the role of meme tokens in the market, combining fun, anticipation, and a meaningful purpose. With a vision and a community-driven ethos, ShibaKeanu aspires to pave a new path in the crypto world.

ShibaKeanu boasts a total circulation of 888 trillion tokens, reflecting a commitment to both crypto innovation and social responsibility. Notably, half of this supply - 444 trillion tokens - will be allocated for charitable endeavors, showcasing the token's real-world utility and positive societal impact.

From its inception, the future of the token will be determined by the ShibaKeanu community through a fair and transparent voting mechanism. This bolsters that every step of the project's development is inclusive and accountable to its supporters.

ShibaKeanu is designed as a dynamic ecosystem, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation. The project is supported by dedicated locked Developers and Marketing wallets, both controlled by the community.

The official listing of ShibaKeanu is planned for May 22, 2024. Investors and enthusiasts are encouraged to join this transformative journey and become active members of the ShibaKeanu community.

The salient features of ShibaKeanu are as follows:

Explosive Potential:

Anticipation is high for $SHIBK's listing on its first Centralized Exchange (CEX), with expectations of significant growth.

Ongoing Collaboration:

$SHIBK represents a continuous collaboration between its community, creators, and incoming beneficiaries, bolstering sustained development and innovation.

Growth Projections:

The token is projected to achieve a 10x increase in value soon, with the potential to surpass 100x in the coming months.

Experienced Team:

The founders of $SHIBK have undergone Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and bring a wealth of business management experience providing a mature and seasoned approach to the project.

Community-Driven:

$SHIBK is a community-driven project. Every decision is shaped by the collective voice of its supporters, fostering loyalty among investors.

Charitable Aspect:

$SHIBK stands out with its groundbreaking charitable aspect, with half of the tokens entrusted to esteemed charitable endeavors. This u feature adds value and virtue to the token, making it more than just a meme.

For more information about ShibaKeanu, please contact them on

Website | YouTube | Telegram | Reddit

Media Contact

Organization: ShibaKeanu

Contact Person: Jordan KR Neo

Website: https://shibakeanu.io/

Email: info@shibakeanu.io

City: Beverly Hills CA 90211

Country: United States

SOURCE: ShibaKeanu

View the original press release on accesswire.com
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - Bracewell LLP announced today that Nicole Boeckmann, a former First Assistant United States Attorney of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), has joined the firm's renowned government enforcement and investigations practice.

Boeckmann, who joins as a partner in the firm's New York office, is the third high-profile addition to Bracewell's government enforcement and investigations practice since January 2024. Earlier this year, Judge Roslynn R. Mauskopf joined the firm in New York, and Mark Hunting joined in London. Boeckmann will work closely with the firm's newly appointed practice chair and former EDNY Acting US Attorney Seth D. DuCharme.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Nicole to the firm," said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. "Nicole's leadership at the DOJ as well as her experience in both criminal and civil matters complements the strengths of our highly regarded government enforcement and investigations team."

During her impressive career at the Department of Justice, Boeckmann demonstrated unparalleled leadership and skill as a prosecutor. She most recently led the Long Island Division as Division Chief, and also previously served as the Acting First Assistant United States Attorney and Acting Chief of the Criminal Division. As Chief of the Long Island Division, she oversaw a team of over 60 employees, including 25 Assistant United States Attorneys in both the Criminal and Civil Sections.

Boeckmann's track record includes serving as the lead attorney on 32 jury trials, and briefing and arguing multiple appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of complex legal matters, including white-collar crime, public corruption, national security, cybercrime, racketeering, money laundering, False Claims Act and environmental justice issues.

"Nicole brings true insights into how investigations are changing in the EDNY and at the Department of Justice across the nation. As companies increasingly become more proactive in mitigating the risk of potential government investigations, Nicole's experience will prove invaluable to our clients," said DuCharme. "I'm pleased that she has chosen Bracewell and look forward to working closely with her once again."

"I am excited to embark on this new chapter at Bracewell, transitioning from public service to my first private practice role alongside my former EDNY colleagues Seth DuCharme and Roslynn Mauskopf," said Boeckmann.

In addition to Boeckmann, Bracewell's team of highly experienced white-collar defense attorneys, former federal judges and former prosecutors includes Daniel S. Connolly, Seth D. DuCharme, Rachel G. Goldman, Hon. Barbara S. Jones, Thomas F. Kokalas, Hon. Roslynn R. Mauskopf and David A. Shargel in New York; Kevin D. Collins and Timothy A. Wilkins in Austin, Matthew G. Nielsen in Dallas; Jeffery B. Vaden in Houston; Mark Hunting in London; and Stephen L. Braga, Michael W. Brooks, Charles R. Mills, Britt Cass Steckman and Robert J. Wagman Jr. in Washington, DC.

Boeckmann graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1994, and received her J.D., magna cum laude, from The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law in 1997.





Nicole Boeckmann, Bracewell LLP, Partner



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9451/210085_56d134a15410fadd_001full.jpg

About Bracewell LLP

Bracewell is a leading law and government relations firm primarily serving the energy, infrastructure, finance and technology industries throughout the world. Our industry focus results in comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the commercial, legal and governmental challenges faced by our clients and enables us to provide innovative solutions to facilitate transactions and resolve disputes.

###

Contact:

Jay Plum

T: +1.212.508.6197

E: jay.plum@bracewell.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210085

SOURCE: Bracewell
Top Five Conveyor Car Wash Company Expands Footprint in Alabama and Wisconsin

THOMASTON, GA. / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, celebrated the grand opening of two brand-new locations this week in Tuscaloosa, AL, and Platteville, WI.









To celebrate the Grand Openings, both new locations are offering eight days of free car washes from May 22 - May 29. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 - saving up to $40.

"We're excited to expand our footprint in Alabama and Wisconsin this week," said founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "The opportunity to bring our industry-leading car wash to more people is what it's all about, and both locations are joining communities we have not previously operated in. Our team is looking forward to sharing our easy, efficient and exceptional car wash experience with folks in Tuscaloosa and Platteville for years to come."

Tuscaloosa, AL Location: 8901 Hwy 69 S, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

Nearby Locations: Hoover, Helena



Platteville, WI Location: 1651 Progressive Pkwy, Platteville, WI 53818

Nearby Locations: Dubuque, IA

Tidal Wave Auto Spa is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and friendly customer service at every location. Stop by for a single wash or join Tidal Wave's Clean Club for the ultimate experience. Members can wash every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment and save time with exclusive club member wash lanes - plus, memberships can be used at any Tidal Wave location. For those needing to wash multiple cars, Tidal Wave offers discounted monthly family plans and fleet plans for businesses with five or more vehicles.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa opened its first Alabama location in 2020 and currently operates twenty-three car wash locations throughout the state. The company currently has three Wisconsin locations and will open brand-new locations in Marshfield and Weston in the coming months. For additional information, including upcoming locations, fundraising, fleet plans, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/.

About Tidal Wave Auto Spa

Tidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of its 263 locations sprawling 27 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.





Contact Information

Heather Coleman

Marketing Manager

media@tidalwaveautospa.com





Andrea Traylor

Senior Director of Digital Marketing

andrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com

2058212220





SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Southern Company

Southern Company

Southern Power, a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, announced the expansion of its 29th solar project - Millers Branch Solar Facility. The Phase II expansion represents an additional 180-megawatts (MW) from the current Phase I 200 MW facility that is nearing the start of construction. The project has the potential to expand up to a total of approximately 500 MWs.

"We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Millers Branch Solar Facility," said Southern Power President Robin Boren. "This 180 MW renewable energy expansion represents a clean, innovative solution to help a diverse group of customers achieve meaningful progress on their own sustainability objectives. It's one more example of how Southern Power is building the future of energy and meeting the evolving needs of our customers and communities."

The project, located in Haskell County, Texas, contributes to the company's growing renewable fleet of clean generating assets from California to Maine. Southern Power will lead the continued development and construction of both phases of Millers Branch. Phase II is expected to achieve commercial operation in the second quarter of 2026.

Cisco, Juniper Networks, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Cadence, Bio-Rad, PTC and a large healthcare company, with support from Sustainability Roundtable Inc., and together as members of the Net Zero Consortium for Buyers, each signed power purchase agreements with Southern Power for all the environmental attributes, such as renewable energy credits (RECs), produced by the 180 MW Phase II portion of the Millers Branch Solar Facility.

With the addition of Millers Branch Phase II, Southern Power's solar portfolio consists of more than 2,920 MW of solar generation currently operating or under construction. Southern Power's solar facilities are a part of the company's 5,450 MW renewable fleet, which consists of 30 solar and 15 wind facilities currently operating or under construction.

This project aligns with Southern Power's overall business strategy of strengthening its wholesale business by acquiring and developing generating assets that are covered by long-term contracts with counterparties with strong credit support.

About Southern Power

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries, some of which are owned in part with various partners, own or operate 55 facilities operating or under development in 15 states with more than 13,000 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Southern Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southern-company

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Southern Company

View the original press release on accesswire.com
As the inaugural London conference continues into day two, attendees heard from industry experts on Reducing Risk & Improving Trust with Blockchain.

LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The London Blockchain Conference continued to captivate attendees with yet another day filled with informative and thought-provoking speakers. The discussions revolved around crucial topics such as regulatory frameworks for Digital Currencies, enabling the growth of blockchain and Blockchain Venture Capital.

Today we heard from Steven Bartlett, Entrepreneur, Investor and Author of "The Diary of a CEO", who kickstarted Day 2 with a fireside chat with Mark Lobel from the BBC. He delved into how B2B enterprises can adapt, thrive, and stay ahead in an ever-changing marketplace. The session highlighted the dynamic landscape of B2B interactions in the digital era, exploring innovative strategies, emerging trends, and invaluable insights to empower businesses for success.

Other sessions included:

Universal Plastic and Next-Gen Verification: Blockchain, AI, and Social Engagement - Alvaro Bravo, CEO of Universal Plastics, discussed how technologies like Blockchain and AI revolutionise verification processes, making them user-friendly and accessible to all and how the Universal Plastic initiative is a prime example of how these technologies can draw corporate interest and promote environmental responsibility.

- Alvaro Bravo, CEO of Universal Plastics, discussed how technologies like Blockchain and AI revolutionise verification processes, making them user-friendly and accessible to all and how the Universal Plastic initiative is a prime example of how these technologies can draw corporate interest and promote environmental responsibility. The Role of Governments in Fostering Innovation - A distinguished panel including Dean Armstrong KC from Maitland Chambers, Alun Cairns MP of UK Parliament, Tom Spiller, Legal Director (Rosenblatt), Stefan Kromolicki from APCO, Mayor Hillary Schieve from City of Reno, and Elizaveta Palaznik, Independent Consultant, discussed whether effective policymaking and government intervention can catalyse growth and societal progress or if the market should determine its destiny.

- A distinguished panel including Dean Armstrong KC from Maitland Chambers, Alun Cairns MP of UK Parliament, Tom Spiller, Legal Director (Rosenblatt), Stefan Kromolicki from APCO, Mayor Hillary Schieve from City of Reno, and Elizaveta Palaznik, Independent Consultant, discussed whether effective policymaking and government intervention can catalyse growth and societal progress or if the market should determine its destiny. Currency of Tomorrow: Navigating the Future of Money - This session featured insights from Amarachi Amaechi, Co-founder at Bitpowr Technologies Inc, Kaj Burchardi, Head of Emerging Technology at Boston Consulting Group, Vincent Mele, Founder at Otranto, Blake O'Donnell, Partner at Punter Southall Law, and Simit Naik, Director, Commercial & Strategy at nChain. They dissected emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory dynamics shaping the next era of monetary systems.

- This session featured insights from Amarachi Amaechi, Co-founder at Bitpowr Technologies Inc, Kaj Burchardi, Head of Emerging Technology at Boston Consulting Group, Vincent Mele, Founder at Otranto, Blake O'Donnell, Partner at Punter Southall Law, and Simit Naik, Director, Commercial & Strategy at nChain. They dissected emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory dynamics shaping the next era of monetary systems. Navigating the Academic Landscape of Blockchain Research: Opportunities, Challenges, and Collaborative Initiatives - Alessio Pagani, Research Director at nChain, dived into the latest blockchain research within academia, examining the opportunities, challenges, and real-world impacts stemming from blockchain innovation in higher education.

- Alessio Pagani, Research Director at nChain, dived into the latest blockchain research within academia, examining the opportunities, challenges, and real-world impacts stemming from blockchain innovation in higher education. Monetizing Strategies for Content in Web3 - This session featured Utkarsh Amitabh, CMO, at 5ire, Anuradha Chowdhary, Founder of ZeroTo3 Collective, Tony Mugavero, CEO of Rad, and Sunny Jiang, Founder of MaasDAO, who presented innovative strategies for content creators to thrive in the decentralized, blockchain-powered ecosystem of Web3. They discussed how Web3 technologies can revolutionize content creation economics, enabling them to establish new revenue streams and engage with their audiences in novel ways.

- This session featured Utkarsh Amitabh, CMO, at 5ire, Anuradha Chowdhary, Founder of ZeroTo3 Collective, Tony Mugavero, CEO of Rad, and Sunny Jiang, Founder of MaasDAO, who presented innovative strategies for content creators to thrive in the decentralized, blockchain-powered ecosystem of Web3. They discussed how Web3 technologies can revolutionize content creation economics, enabling them to establish new revenue streams and engage with their audiences in novel ways. Breaking Barriers: Paving the Way for the UK to Emerge as a Global Digital Asset and Emerging Tech Hub - Professor Naseem Naqvi MBE, President of British Blockchain Association, Sean Kiernan, Founder of Greengage, and Marcus Foster, Head of Policy Campaigns at Startup Coalition, dissected the puzzle pieces required for the UK to lead the global tech race.

- Professor Naseem Naqvi MBE, President of British Blockchain Association, Sean Kiernan, Founder of Greengage, and Marcus Foster, Head of Policy Campaigns at Startup Coalition, dissected the puzzle pieces required for the UK to lead the global tech race. Mining and Transaction Processing: How Mining Will Evolve Post-Halving - Jim Niemeijer Partner at Pantheon, Kurt Wuckert Jr, Chief Bitcoin Historian and Co-Founder of GorillaPool, and Jacopo Gil Casas, VP Business Development & Strategy, CS Global Energy explored the upcoming Bitcoin halvening event's impact on miner profitability. They discussed Bitcoin mining economics, the difference between mining subsidies and transaction fees, and why mining operations need to turn into transaction processors to compete in the future.

- Jim Niemeijer Partner at Pantheon, Kurt Wuckert Jr, Chief Bitcoin Historian and Co-Founder of GorillaPool, and Jacopo Gil Casas, VP Business Development & Strategy, CS Global Energy explored the upcoming Bitcoin halvening event's impact on miner profitability. They discussed Bitcoin mining economics, the difference between mining subsidies and transaction fees, and why mining operations need to turn into transaction processors to compete in the future. Block Dojo Global Venture Builder - the audience heard from two lively speakers who demonstrated Blockchain use cases driving value today. The first was Michael Olagunju, CEO of ExamSolutions - the multi-modal AI learning platform. Michael discussed ExamSolution's unique B2C and enterprise offering for STEM-based learning, via an AI model which captures a student's responses as they're written, and offers feedback in real-time. Today, the company is amongst the world's largest online exam preparation providers, with over 4,000 video tutorials and live streaming support. Next up was Robin Russel, co-founder of Satva Trust - the ClimateDataTech company leveraging blockchain technologies to drive decarbonisation. Satva provides independent data on ship emissions and fuel consumptions, enabling global benchmarking across the world's fleet in real-time.

- the audience heard from two lively speakers who demonstrated Blockchain use cases driving value today. The first was Michael Olagunju, CEO of ExamSolutions - the multi-modal AI learning platform. Michael discussed ExamSolution's unique B2C and enterprise offering for STEM-based learning, via an AI model which captures a student's responses as they're written, and offers feedback in real-time. Today, the company is amongst the world's largest online exam preparation providers, with over 4,000 video tutorials and live streaming support. Next up was Robin Russel, co-founder of Satva Trust - the ClimateDataTech company leveraging blockchain technologies to drive decarbonisation. Satva provides independent data on ship emissions and fuel consumptions, enabling global benchmarking across the world's fleet in real-time. Best Practices For Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: Tibor Merey - MD and Partner at Boston Consulting Group - discussed why he remains bullish on Web and Blockchain. Tibor shared lessons from 150+ blockchain and web3 projects BCG has done in the enterprise space. He outlined the four burning questions any blockchain or web3 project needs to answer: i) Does it matter? ii) Will it work? iii) Can we win? iv) Will it grow?

Please register here if you would like to attend or listen to any of the sessions today.

About the London Blockchain Conference

NETWORK. LEARN. ENGAGE.

At the London Blockchain Conference, we show how Blockchain will change the world and help people see another way to manage data, build scalable on-chain solutions and achieve great things. We do this by creating valuable, insightful, and engaging events that educate and inform, allowing you to connect and network to build strong business relationships. Our conference is the best avenue to see blockchain innovations, ecosystem announcements, product launches, technology updates, keynote speeches, panels, and fireside chats from blockchain leaders. Join us and experience it for yourself.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unveiling-key-insights-from-day-two-of-the-london-blockchain-conference-302153318.html
MUHARRAQ, Bahrain, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bahrain Oncology Centre (BOC) has achieved a significant milestone, becoming amongst the first centres in the World to offer the ground-breaking CASGEVY (exagamglogene-autotemcel or 'exa-cel') gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT). This achievement follows the BOC's successful accreditation, recognising its adherence to international standards for bone marrow transplant and cell therapy services.

The first Bahraini patient with SCD is about to begin the treatment journey, marking a new era of advanced healthcare in the region.

The launch of the CASGEVY (exa-cel) programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, Government Hospitals, and the National Health Regulatory Authority.

This pioneering initiative aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to elevate Bahrain's healthcare sector and reflects the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide the highest quality care for all citizens and residents, particularly those with inherited blood disorders.

The Bahrain Oncology Centre submitted comprehensive documentation for evaluation, showcasing the expertise of its team, state-of-the-art equipment, and robust policies adhering to international standards for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cell therapy (CT). Following a thorough review of the submitted documentation, there was an on-site audit, culminating in the BOC's recognition as a certified centre for bone marrow transplant and cell therapy services upon meeting all administrative and operational requirements.

The CASGEVY (exa-cel) therapy involves a multi-stage process, beginning with a comprehensive patient assessment. Following a blood exchange transfusion to prepare the bone marrow, stem cells are collected and sent to a laboratory for genetic editing. Rigorous quality checks ensure the safety and efficacy of the modified cells before they are returned to the Kingdom of Bahrain for transplantation. The patient is then closely monitored as the new cells enter the bone marrow and start producing new cells.

The Bahrain Oncology Centre's dedication to advancing healthcare through partnerships with national institutions ensures that the entire community can access state-of-the-art medical technologies. The recent accreditation solidifies Bahrain's position as a regional leader in innovative healthcare solutions.

About Bahrain Oncology Centre

Bahrain Oncology Centre is a leading provider of comprehensive cancer care services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The centre is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to patients through a multidisciplinary approach, utilising the latest technologies and treatments

For more information, please contact the National Communication Centre of the Kingdom of Bahrain on communication@ncc.gov.bh.
Validated, off-the-shelf kit for multiplexed seasonal hemagglutinin (HA) detection and quantification addresses the unique challenges faced by vaccine developers and manufacturers.

BOULDER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / InDevR, Inc., a global leader in vaccine testing and multiplexed assay development for vaccine manufacturers, is excited to announce the launch of OmniFlu HA, a validated, off-the-shelf kit for seasonal influenza vaccine manufacturers for the detection and quantification of hemagglutinin (HA).

Every flu season, the World Health Organization releases influenza strain recommendations that often require updates to currently used analytical methods, increasing the test development burden on vaccine manufacturers. InDevR does all of this development work up front, with OmniFlu HA providing simultaneous quantification of 4 seasonal HA antigens (A/H1, A/H3, B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata). Additional validated kits in the InDevR influenza solutions portfolio offer quantification of seasonal neuraminidase (NA) proteins or nucleoproteins (NP). All kits are specific for the current flu season - saving manufacturers months of development time.

Based on the company's proven VaxArray Platform, and leveraging more than 300 meticulously selected influenza antibodies from the InDevR library, OmniFlu HA allows vaccine developers to harness microarray-based multiplexed immunoassays to streamline vaccine characterization, reducing their validation bottlenecks and accelerating analytical development. OmniFlu HA analyzes up to 64 samples with results in less than two hours compared to the several days needed to obtain results using manual ELISA, plate-based, or bead-based immunoassays. It simplifies testing with an out-of-the-box solution that is routinely tested and optimized to ensure seasonal influenza vaccine manufacturers' needs are met.

InDevR's deep expertise encompasses over 20 influenza seasons across 10+ years. "Through close partnerships with vaccine producers, we understand the unique challenges influenza vaccine development poses," said Kathy Rowen, PhD, CEO of InDevR. "OmniFlu HA is a flexible, efficient, and reliable solution that meets the industry's, and ultimately the public's, needs. It is a critical tool in our ongoing mission to improve global health through novel solutions that streamline vaccine production."

The OmniFlu HA microarray contains multiple antibodies targeting each vaccine component for comprehensive multiplexed detection of influenza HA from a wide range of vaccine production systems including egg-based, cell-based, recombinant, and in vitro expressed protein for application to mRNA vaccines. Capture reagents are pre-validated for high specificity to the A/H1, A/H3, B/Victoria and B/Yamagata components across every biannual strain recommendation made by the World Health Organization.

OmniFlu HA is just one of many innovative kits designed for use on the VaxArray Platform. InDevR's easy-to-use benchtop instrument, ready-to-go kits and customizable assays let vaccine developers and manufacturers simplify and standardize their workflows. The platform provides solutions at multiple stages of the process, allowing researchers to move from early development and optimization to clinical evaluation to potency testing with a single platform.

"InDevR's technical expertise in establishing methods to quantify various viral agents using the VaxArray Platform has been an invaluable asset for us," noted Dr. Raymond P. Goodrich, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at Colorado State University's Research Innovation Center. "The ability to streamline processes and compress project timelines has led to significant efficiency gains, and ultimately contributed to advancing our goals for vaccine development."

For more information about OmniFlu HA or to learn how it can transform your vaccine production process, please visit indevr.com/omnifluha.

Contact Information

Craig Hoechstetter

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

csh@indevr.com

SOURCE: InDevR, Inc.

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Revenue increases 20% YoY to S/1,076 million, with operating profit increasing 26% to S/182 million

Adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.4% in Peruvian operations

Auna (NYSE: AUNA) ("Auna" or the "Company"), one of the largest and most recognized company in Latin America's healthcare industry with operations in Mexico, Colombia and Peru, today announced unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("first quarter 2024" or "1Q24").

Financial results are expressed in Peruvian Soles ("S/" or PEN") and are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), unless otherwise noted. Figures in US dollars (US$ or USD) for 1Q24 are presented for indicative purposes and were calculated using an FX rate of US$1= S/3.718. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year ("YoY"), unless otherwise noted; additionally, results are presented in an FX neutral basis ("FXN") for consolidated revenues, consolidated cost of sales and services, consolidated selling and administrative expenses and consolidated adjusted EBITDA, as well as, in local currency for the Mexico and Colombia segments, to eliminate the effect of foreign exchange, or "FX," volatility between the comparison periods.

Financial results are preliminary and subject to year-end audit and adjustments.

1Q24 Consolidated Financial Highlights

Consolidated Revenue increased 20% YoY to S/1,076 million driven by growth across all geographic markets

Gross Profit of S/414 million, up 26% YoY

Operating Profit of S/182 million, up 26% YoY

Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% YoY to S/241 million

Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 22.4%, down 1.2 p.p. YoY, but up 1.5. p.p. QoQ

Adjusted Net Income increased to S/22 million, up from breakeven in 1Q23

Leverage ratio improved 0.17x QoQ and 0.52x YoY to 4.29x

Message from Auna's Executive Chairman and President

"Guided by strong leadership in our clinical, technology and business teams across Auna, our regional, horizontally and vertically integrated healthcare platform delivered strong results in the first quarter. Our 20% consolidated revenue growth was the main driver of the 26% YoY increase in our operating profit and 14% increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

Importantly, Peru reached our target Adjusted EBITDA of 20%. As our continued success in Peru makes clear, we are capable of generating substantial returns as our capacity utilization rises. This strengthens our conviction in Mexico, where we are committed to deploying the same integrated business model. Accordingly, we continue to invest in bringing our operations in Monterrey up to AunaWay standards and in hiring top talent, both essential to expanding our high-complexity services and ramping up capacity utilization in Monterrey's fast-growing market. Our recent performance at our OCA network in Monterrey is encouraging, with Adjusted EBITDA increasing 34% versus Q423 in local currency. We are also investing in the planned launch of OncoMexico later this year, with the intention of fully leveraging the nationwide insurance license and extensive distribution network that we gained through the acquisition of Dentegra last year.

As we continue to build our capabilities in Mexico, we expect returns to strengthen in the latter half of the year, giving us the ability to improve our financial position by reducing absolute debt levels and our leverage ratio.

To expand on our outlook for the remainder of 2024, we expect Adjusted EBITDA to increase 20% or more versus 2023. We remain confident in our ability to disrupt, modernize and integrate healthcare in Spanish Speaking Latin America, delivering strong value creation for Auna's stakeholders. Of course, that would not be possible without the many doctors, nurses, technicians, managers and other colleagues dedicated to our mission of transforming healthcare in the region."

Key Financial and Operating Metrics

(Figures in millions of Soles and millions of US Dollars, unless expressed otherwise)

*Revenues include intercompany revenues 1Q'24 (USD) ? 1Q'24 vs Key Financial Metrics 1Q'24 4Q'23 1Q'23 4Q'23 1Q'23 Healthcare Services Mexico 83 308 284 271 9 14 Healthcare Services Colombia 94 349 335 252 4 38 Healthcare Services Peru Oncosalud 113 419 402 371 4 13 Healthcare Services Peru 65 241 225 212 7 14 Oncosalud 68 253 244 221 4 15 Holding and Eliminations (20 (76 (67 (62 13 22 Total Revenue 289 1,076 1,021 894 5 20 Cost of sales and services (178 (662 (645 (566 3 17 Gross Profit 111 414 376 328 10 26 Gross Margin 38.5 36.8 36.7 1.6 p.p. 1.8 p.p. SG&A (66 (244 (235 (190 4 29 Operating Profit 49 182 130 145 40 26 Operating Margin 16.9 12.7 16.2 4.2 p.p. 0.7 p.p. Net Finance costs (45 (168 (302 (122 -44 38 Net Income (Loss) (2 (8 (219 0 Healthcare Services Mexico 28 104 82 113 26 -8 Healthcare Services Colombia 13 50 58 36 -14 40 HC Serv. Peru Oncosalud 24 85 72 61 19 40 Healthcare Services Peru 10 37 17 22 113 70 Oncosalud 13 48 55 39 -12 24 Holding Eliminations 1 2 1 2 Adjusted EBITDA 65 241 213 211 13 14 Adjusted EBITDA Margin 22.4 20.9 23.6 1.5 p.p. -1.2 p.p. Leverage Ratio 4.29x 4.46x 4.80x -0.17x -0.52x Adjusted Net Income (Loss) 6 22 (6 1 Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (0.28 (4.81 (0.09 Adjusted Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share 0.36 (0.08 (0.08 Key Operating Metrics Healthcare Services Total bed capacity 2,199 2,199 2,192 0 0 Occupancy (total capacity) 65 64 63 1.3 p.p. 2.5 p.p. Average revenue per patient 787 2,928 3,317 2,374 -12 23 Healthcare Plans Plan memberships 1,237 1,271 1,171 -3 6 Average monthly revenue per plan member 16.0 59.3 58.3 57.6 2 3 MLR 55.1 53.8 53.3 1.3 p.p. 1.8 p.p. Oncological Plans 51.5 50.6 52.1 0.9 p.p. -0.6 p.p.

2024 Financial Guidance

Guidance: For full-year 2024, the Company expects consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to increase at least 20% YoY on an FX-neutral basis.

Assumptions: Auna's guidance is based on management's current performance outlook and expected macroeconomic and regulatory conditions in the three countries where the Company operates. Any changes in these conditions could have an impact on the guidance provided.

Disclaimer: The 2024 financial guidance reflects management's current assumptions regarding numerous evolving factors that are difficult to accurately predict, including those discussed in the Risk Factors set forth in the Company's Form F-1 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Reconciliations of forward-looking non-IFRS measures, specifically the 2024 EBITDA guidance, to the relevant forward-looking IFRS measures are not being provided, as the Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such guidance and reconciliations. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile projected EBITDA to projected net income without unreasonable effort. The 2024 financial guidance constitutes forward-looking statements. For more information, see the "Forward-Looking Statements" section in this release.

For a full version of AUNA's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Release, please visit: https://aunainvestors.com/1q24-earnings-report

Conference Call Details

When: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, May 22nd, 2024

Who: Mr. Suso Zamora, Executive Chairman of the Board and President

Mrs. Gisele Remy, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

Miss Ana Maria Mora, Head of Investor Relations

Dial-in: +1 888 596 4144 (U.S. domestic), +1 646 968 2525 (International)

Passcode: 3884034

To access Auna's financial results call via telephone, callers need to press to be connected to an operator.

Webcast: click here

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements convey our current expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to,"or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations, regarding various matters, including, our expected 2024 Adjusted EBITDA growth, the expected impact on revenues and profitability of certain initiatives we are pursuing in Mexico and our target leverage level. Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be inaccurate. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors.

The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our expectations and forecasts as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether these forward-looking statements are realized, see our Form F-1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About AUNA

Auna is a Latin American healthcare company with operations in Mexico, Peru and Colombia, prioritizing prevention and concentrating on high complexity diseases that contribute the most to healthcare expenditures. Our mission is to transform healthcare by providing access to a highly integrated healthcare offering in the underpenetrated markets of Spanish Speaking Americas. Founded in 1989, Auna has built one of Latin America's largest modern healthcare platforms that consists of a horizontally integrated network of healthcare facilities and a vertically integrated portfolio of oncological plans and selected general healthcare plans. As of March 31st, 2024, Auna's network included 31 healthcare network facilities, consisting of hospitals, outpatient, prevention and wellness facilities with a total of 2,308 beds, and 1.3 million healthcare plans.

For more information visit www.aunainvestors.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240522306193/en/

Contacts:

IR Contact

Email: contact@aunainvestors.com
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - Quixotish, based in Philadelphia, PA in the US, is organizing a first-of-its-kind NFT auction/sale for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The fundraising event will take place at the Consensus 2024 conference in Austin, TX, featuring original artwork, donated NFTs, newly minted NFT collections, and NFT badges for donors.

Sam Whitaker, the founder of Quixotish, set out a personal goal of raising $2.4 Million for St. Jude in 2024 to fund the hospital's operations for one day. After raising $30,000 from an extremely generous donor who wished to remain anonymous at a conference in New York in April, this is his next project toward reaching that goal.

"Web3 is all about community and what could be more fundamental and unifying than the simple statement: 'Kids Shouldn't Get Sick'," said Whitaker. "We're calling on artists, degens, collectors, and communities across all chains to donate artwork, NFTs, limited mints, and even their time to bring the Web3 community together for an amazing cause."

Donated artwork and NFTs will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude and direct donations through the Digital Donor Hub will receive NFT badges that can be shared on LinkedIn.

The 24-hour event will be broadcast via the Twitch livestreaming service May 30-31. Whitaker plans to broadcast the entire time ("Jerry Lewis telethon-style" in his words) and will be speaking with industry leaders from across the Web3 space while subsisting on caffeine and granola bars.

Quixotish has partnered with several organizations including:

Christie's Auction House will be reviewing all submitted artwork and if any donated pieces meet their standards, will be listing them for St. Jude in an upcoming auction.

Women of Web3, is a community of female Web3 professionals ensuring the industry is built on a foundation of diversity and inclusivity.

One Love DAO, is creating a better place for artists to connect, teach, learn, support, and, most importantly, LOVE one another.

Along with many members of the Web3 community who have donated their time, expertise, and influence to this cause.

Quixotish (kwicks-OTT-ish) is an homage to Don Quixote, Cervantes' knight errant who roamed the countryside attempting to battle the inequities of the world. There is no greater inequity than a sick child.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital doesn't charge patients for care. Their parents don't pay for hotel rooms in Memphis so they can focus fully on their child. St. Jude freely shares every bit of their research with institutions around the world for one fundamental reason: Kids. Shouldn't. Get. Sick.

The Quixotish Mission Statement is a quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."

Quixotish invites members of the press and the Web3 community interested in participating or learning more about the event to contact Sam Whitaker directly via email: sam@quixotish.com or X: @quixotish and to post on socials with the tag ThisNFTSavesLives

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210122

SOURCE: Quixotish
Green Bridge Metals Corporation (CNSX:GRBM)(OTCQB:GBMCF)(FWB:J48)(WKN:A3EW4S) ("Green Bridge" or the "Company") is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Henrickson as Technical Advisor to the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Henrichsen, with his expertise in structural geology and a distinguished career at Newmont Corporation, brings strategic insights that will significantly enhance the leadership capacity of Green Bridge. Throughout his career, Mr. Henrichsen has distinguished himself in various leadership roles.

Newmont Corp 2008 - 2011: Mr. Henrichsen managed the technical program in Ghana, West Africa, where he oversaw projects involving a team of geoscientists. His oversight was critical in achieving multiple discoveries within the Ahafo district, contributing significantly to both the discovery of new gold deposits and the expansion of existing resources.

Newmont Corp 2011 - 2013: In his role as Global Structural Geologist, Mr. Henrichsen oversaw critical initiatives to locate high-grade ore near existing mining operations, notably at Yanacocha, Peru (South America's largest gold mine1), and Long Canyon, Nevada. His effective collaboration with local teams played a pivotal role in identifying new ore bodies in both districts, significantly enhancing the mining prospects.

Auryn Resources 2015 - 2020: Mr. Henrichsen held the position of Technical Lead at Auryn Resources, where he was instrumental in developing a comprehensive project portfolio across Canada and Peru. His strategic initiatives led to a major $35 million investment from Goldcorp, which significantly propelled the development of the portfolio. A notable achievement during his tenure was his pivotal recommendation for the acquisition of the Homestake Ridge Project in the Golden Triangle, purchased for $12 million in cash and shares in July 2016. This project was later sold to Dolly Varden Silver for approximately $55 million in December 2021, realizing a substantial return on investment.

Torq Resources 2020 - Present: Mr. Henrichsen, as Chief Geological Officer at Torq Resources, played a crucial role in forming a strategic partnership with a leading Chilean geological team to develop a premier exploration portfolio in northern Chile. This collaboration and the resulting portfolio led to a $15 million investment in Torq from Goldfields. The investment primarily supported the flagship Santa Cecilia project, strategically positioned near the Norte Abierto JV, which is a collaboration between Barrick Gold and Newmont Corp. Additionally, at the Margarita iron oxide-copper-gold project, a significant new Greenfields discovery was achieved under his guidance.

"We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Henrichsen joining as Technical Advisor to our Board. His vast geological knowledge and demonstrated success in resource and reserve development are invaluable assets that will greatly influence our strategic decisions. His expertise will undoubtedly accelerate our growth and help shape the future direction of our Company," stated David Suda, CEO of Green Bridge Metals.

1 https://www.newmont.com/operations-and-projects/global-presence/south-america/yanacocha-peru/default.aspx

About Green Bridge Metals

Green Bridge Metals Corporation (formerly Mich Resources Ltd.) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on acquiring 'battery metal' rich mineral assets and the development of the South Contact Zone (the "Property") along the basal contact of the Duluth Intrusion, north of Duluth, Minnesota. The South Contact Zone contains bulk-tonnage copper-nickel and titanium-vanadium in ilmenite hosted in ultramafic to oxide ultramafic intrusions. The Property has exploration targets for bulk-tonnage Ni mineralization, high grade Ni-Cu-PGE magmatic sulfide mineralization and titanium.

ON BEHALF OF GREEN BRIDGE METALS,

"David Suda"

President and Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please contact:

David Suda

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604.928-3101

investors@greenbridgemetals.com

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Green Bridge Metals Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
National private equity real estate investment firm adds fourth location with plans to further expand acquisition and fundraising reach in the Mountain West region

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / MLG Capital today announced that it has expanded its nationwide footprint with the addition of a new Denver office located in the Denver Tech Center (8490 E Crescent Pkwy, Greenwood Village, CO, Suite 120), one of the metro area's primary employment hubs. This addition adds to MLG Capital's offices in Brookfield, WI; Dallas, TX and Sarasota, FL.

The firm is looking to expand its footprint in the Mountain West region and recently acquired Lowry North, a 192-unit multifamily property in Denver. This acquisition adds to MLG Capital's existing Colorado portfolio which also includes a 112-unit multifamily property in Durango. The firm sees strong potential for additional acquisitions in Denver and the broader Front Range.

"As MLG Capital continues to grow strategically, we believe there is an exciting opportunity in the Mountain West to take advantage of significant demand drivers in multiple markets across the region," said Tom Pugh, Assistant Vice President at MLG Capital and new Denver office lead. "We're excited to introduce and expand our strong, 37-year reputation as a respected acquisition partner and proven investment manager in the Denver metro area and beyond."

MLG Capital offers accredited investors the opportunity to participate in its series of private real estate funds, which target tax-efficient returns through real estate investments. MLG Private Fund VI is currently open for investment with a targeted equity size of $400M and is set to close to new investors later in 2024.

Additionally, the MLG Legacy Fund is a tax-deferred vehicle designed for owners of appreciated real estate to contribute their property to the fund in exchange for units in the fund. To date, the Legacy Fund currently consists of approximately $1.2B of Total Property Value** across 19 states.

MLG Capital's existing and historical investment holdings have a Market Value* of approximately $7 billion. MLG Capital has been recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. by Inc. 5000, as a Multifamily Influencer by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum and as a Best Place to Work by Milwaukee Business Journal. Individual company leaders have also received honors, including Woman of Influence by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, Rising Star by Multi-Housing News and other recognitions.

###

About MLG Capital

MLG Capital is a sponsor of private real estate funds targeting investment from investment advisors, family offices, high net worth and accredited individuals. For more information about MLG Capital and its investments, visit the firm's newsroom.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell an investment in a security. Offers to sell an investment in a security can only be made to a qualified purchaser by delivery of a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (the "Memorandum"), any supplements to the Memorandum and accompanied by a Subscription Document Booklet. The information contained in this release may be preliminary in nature and may have not been independently verified by MLG Capital or its affiliates. The recipient of this release should consult with its own investment, tax and/or legal professionals about the merits of the investment. MLG Capital does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information presented in this release. Any financial information or projections may be initial estimates and may be subject to change without notice to recipient. An investment into a private offering is subject to various risks, none of which are described herein. All figures as of 12/31/2023. Value consists of disposed of assets as well as the current internal valuation of currently held assets as of 12/31/2023. Values may not have been reviewed by an independent 3rd party and may be internal projections.

*As of 3/31/2024, for determination of Market Value, sold properties are valued at actual sales price. Active and pending investments are based on MLG Capital's estimate of current value. Recent acquisitions are generally valued at the acquisition price.

**As of 3/31/2024, Total Property Value is equal to the fair market value of assets owned (directly or indirectly) by MLG Legacy Fund LLC in accordance with the Valuation Policy outlined in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of MLG Legacy Fund LLC (as it may be amended from time to time). Total Property Value is adjusted for MLG Legacy Fund LLC's proportionate ownership in each asset.

For more information, contact:

Katie Whitlock

Laughlin Constable Public Relations

kwhitlock@laughlin.com

414-305-5927

SOURCE: MLG Capital

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Des Moines, Iowa--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - Bowmar Nutrition, founded by certified nutrition specialists and ISSA fitness trainers Josh and Sarah Bowmar, is thrilled to announce the launch of three new premium products. Known for their dedication to wellness and impressive combined social media following of over 1.3 million, the Bowmars guide their audience toward optimal well-being with effective goal-setting strategies. Bowmar Nutrition's meticulously crafted offerings-including protein powders, pre-workout supplements, and protein-rich snacks-are manufactured in a GMP-certified and FDA-accredited facility, ensuring unparalleled quality and purity through rigorous third-party testing. Each product, carefully formulated and personally sampled by Josh and Sarah, promises exceptional taste and efficacy. Experience the power of Bowmar Nutrition's top-tier supplements and elevate the fitness journey.

Oyster Capsules:

Crafted with a blend of carefully selected ingredients and backed by Sarah Bowmar's personal journey, these capsules offer a rich source of vital nutrients to enhance overall health and vitality. Since they were first available on the Bowmar Nutrition website in 2023, these capsules have sold out six times. They have recently been reformulated and will be restocked again in June 2024. Bowmar Nutrition's Oyster Capsules can help:

Boost natural energy, fortify the immune system.

Support bladder and urinary tract health, adrenal function, and thyroid health.

Provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Lutein+ Gummies:

Perfect for screen users, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children, Bowmar Nutrition's Lutein+ Gummies are formulated to protect and fortify eyes against strain and fatigue. Suitable for all ages, these gummies are crafted with care using clinically proven ingredients for optimal absorption and efficacy to help:

Protect against blue light exposure and enhance cognitive abilities.

Support overall well-being with improved sleep, reduced headaches, and enhanced focus.

Beef Liver Capsules:

Experience nature's multivitamin in a convenient capsule form with Bowmar Nutrition's Beef Liver Capsules, which are ideal for those overcoming anemia, hormone regulation, and cognitive enhancement. Each capsule is packed with essential vitamins and minerals and delivers pure nutritional support for enhanced vitality and well-being that helps to:

Fortify immune function and promote natural skin radiance.

Increase energy, improve mood, and enhance cognitive clarity.

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About Bowmar Nutrition

Bowmar Nutrition is committed to providing the highest-quality and best-tasting supplements on the market. Founded in 2018 by Josh and Sarah Bowmar, the company's mission is to enrich lives through health and wellness by setting a new standard in the supplement industry. With revolutionary formulas, top-caliber manufacturing processes, and vigorous testing, Bowmar Nutrition takes pride in its premium products. All are produced in a GMP-certified and FDA-accredited facility and tested by a third-party ISO 17025 lab.

In addition to offering supplements that boost immune health, digestive wellness, weight loss, and cognitive function, the brand also encompasses APEX Protein Snacks (launched in 2020), the online training platform Bowmar Fitness, and the couple's companion Bowmar Fitness YouTube Channel, where they document their healthy eating habits and share their workout tips.

Bowmar Nutrition is also proud to participate in multiple charitable initiatives. The brand sponsors the 3rd & Goal Foundation holiday drive, which collects winter coats, socks, and other essentials for veterans. Bowmar Nutrition also donates tens of thousands of dollars worth of its branded supplements to naval battleships and army bases yearly. In 2020, Bowmar Nutrition was excited to announce that it delivered $700,000 worth of products to 11 food banks, 20 military bases, and 750 individual front-line workers, such as police officers, teachers, nurses, and first responders. Additionally, Bowmar Nutrition sponsors a K9 unit for the nonprofit OUR to help detect and arrest child sex offenders and traffickers.

Media Contact:

Madison Baber

madison@rprfirm.com

2102132426

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210099

SOURCE: R Public Relations
The Company secured a $20M senior secured credit facility

Sales increased by 41% to $20,523,521

Gross profits increased by 44% to $6,994,697

Product gross margins increased by 2.3% to 42.4%

Store profits increased by 59% to $1,696,715

Same store sales increased by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2024) - PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) ("PesoRama" or the "Company"), a Canadian company operating dollar stores in Mexico under the JOi Canadian Stores brand, today announced its financial results for the year ended January 31, 2024 ("FY 2024"). All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

"As the only true dollar store company in Mexico, we are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible," said Rahim Bhaloo, Founder & Executive Chairman of PesoRama. "Creating a new market space requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and execution, which is reflected in our financial results. During the fiscal year 2024, we saw an increase in-store traffic of 15.6%, over the fiscal year 2023. We attribute this to the success of our unique merchandising strategies, product assortment, and overall customer experience. Our JOi Dollar Plus Stores are increasing in popularity as we continue to expand our footprint and brand loyalty. We believe our growth strategy is being proven out by our success and we are meeting the needs of the cost-conscious shopper in an underserved market that will ultimately drive long-term value for our shareholders."

Key Financial Highlights: 2024 vs 2023

Multi-price points continue to lead to increased product assortment and increased growth of new product categories across all departments.

Store profits increased by 59% to $1,696,715 for the year ended January 31, 2024, an increase of $627,062 from the year ended January 31, 2023.

Total sales increased by 41% to $20,523,521 due to organic growth of existing stores as well as our two new stores opened in November and December 2023.

Gross profits increased by $2,145,036 to $6,994,697, primarily driven by an increase in revenue of 41% compared to an increase in cost of sales of 40%.

Product gross margins increased by 2.3% from $5,821,479 or 40.1% to $8,696,378 or 42.4% due primarily to an increase in revenue from the introduction of the multi-price strategy and assortment mix which resulted in higher sales price per item and increase in demand.

Other Performance Metrics: 2024 vs 2023

Sales units increased by 12% as a result of increase in demand, increased product assortment and mix.

Same store sales increased by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023.

Key Achievements 2024

On June 9, 2023, the Company secured a $20M senior secured credit facility to finance their expansion plans.

On November 17, 2023, the Company opened its 22 nd JOi Dollar Plus Store in Tlalnepantla, Mexico. This 458-square meter site marks the Company's first stand-alone JOi store and strategically positions PesoRama in the first square of the municipality of Tlalnepantla, located 13 kilometers from the center of Mexico City, in proximity to key retailers, schools, banks, and hospitals, the store is strategically placed to serve the diverse needs of the local community.

JOi Dollar Plus Store in Tlalnepantla, Mexico. This 458-square meter site marks the Company's first stand-alone JOi store and strategically positions PesoRama in the first square of the municipality of Tlalnepantla, located 13 kilometers from the center of Mexico City, in proximity to key retailers, schools, banks, and hospitals, the store is strategically placed to serve the diverse needs of the local community. On December 1, 2023, the Company opened its 23rd JOi Dollar Plus Store in Iztapalapa, Mexico. Situated in the Complejo Industrial Tecnologico neighborhood, the 425-square meter store strategically targets the approximately 1,835,486 inhabitants in the municipality, located 16 kilometers from the center of Mexico City. The grand opening aligns with PesoRama's confidence in expansion plans, anticipating further growth in Mexico.

This earnings news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2024, which can be found on PesoRama's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

About PesoRama Inc.

PesoRama, operating under the JOi Canadian Stores brand, is a Mexican value dollar store retailer. PesoRama launched operations in 2019 in Mexico City and the surrounding areas targeting high density, high traffic locations. PesoRama's 23 stores offer consistent merchandise offerings which include items in the following categories: household goods, pet supplies, seasonal products, party supplies, health and beauty, snack food items, confectionery and more.

For further information please contact:

Rahim Bhaloo

Founder & Executive Chairman

rahim@rahimbhaloo.com

416-816-3291

Non-IFRS Measures

There are measures included in this news release that do not have a standardized meaning under international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use them as a means of assessing financial performance. Adjusted gross margin, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, one-time transaction expenses and financing costs. Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross profit plus distribution costs divided by sales.

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial information used to evaluate our performance in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in the Company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted gross margin, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA in making investment decisions about the Company and measuring its operational results.

Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the adjusted gross margin, operating profit, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA as financial metrics to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business.

Adjusted EBITDA is more fully defined and discussed, and reconciliation to IFRS financial measures is provided, in Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended January 31, 2024.

Cautionary Note

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, among other things, statements regarding the Company's planned expansion, new store openings and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate. While the Company believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements, including due to changes in consumer behaviour, general economic factors, the ability of the Company to execute its strategies, the availability of capital and the risk factors which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's prospectus dated January 31, 2022 and filed under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. PesoRama undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of PesoRama, its securities, or its financial or operating results (as applicable).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210166

SOURCE: PesoRama Inc.
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:SWLF)(OTCQB:SWLFF) ("Silver Wolf" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 6,666,667 units of the Company ("Units") at a purchase price of C$0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000, subject to a minimum of 4,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of not less than C$600,000. Subject to the acceptance of the Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"), the Company will carry out the Offering utilizing the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and the shares to be issued as part of the Units will be free-trading except in certain cases. The Company reserves the right to increase the size of the Offering, subject to the approval of the TSX-V.

Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 at any time up to 36 months following the date of issuance. Finder's fees may be paid by the Company in connection with the Units sold under the Offering as permitted under the policies of the TSX-V and applicable securities laws.

The Units may be offered in all provinces of Canada except Quebec. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions where permitted by law, and in the United States to Qualified Institutional Buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), as well as "accredited investors" as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the 1933 Act, by way of private placement pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Ana Maria property in Mexico, and for the Company's general working capital requirements.

There is an offering document related to this Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at the Company's website at www.silverwolfexploration.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

To the extent that any directors and/or officers of Silver Wolf (collectively, the "Insiders") participate in the Offering, such participation will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects any participation by the Insiders in the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the Insiders, nor the consideration for the Units to be paid by the Insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Common Shares issued to Insiders under the Offering may also be subject to a 4-month resale restriction under TSX-V policies.

Debt Settlement

The Company is also announcing today that it has entered into debt settlement agreements to settle an aggregate of C$673,000 in indebtedness with two of its principal creditors; Oniva International Services Corp. ("Oniva"), a private company which provides administrative services to the Company and is controlled by David Wolfin, the Company's CEO, and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ("Avino") for administrative expenses and exploration and evaluation services, which shares common management and directors. No management fees or salaries are included as part of this settlement, and no fees or salaries are being charged by management.

The Company has agreed to issue 1,073,000 common shares to Oniva and 2,292,000 common shares to Avino, each at a deemed price of $0.20 per share for an aggregate total of 3,365,000 common shares. The proposed debt settlements are subject to the acceptance of the TSX-V. The shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance.

Oniva and Avino are each considered to be "related parties" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 by virtue of the aforementioned relationships; however, the Company can rely upon exemptions from the requirements for a formal valuation and majority of the minority approval afforded by sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(b) of that Instrument, respectively. Oniva was a "control person" of the Company prior to the transaction.

Previously Announced Shares for Debt Settlement

As announced on December 29, 2023, the Company has received TSX-V approval to settle an aggregate of $30,000 in indebtedness for the provision of accrued consulting fees for the period from January 2023 to December 2023, in exchange for the issuance of a total of 150,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.20 per share. The creditor is at arm's length to the Company and its Affiliates or Associates. The issued shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance.

"We are excited to reduce our outstanding debt and kickstart our financing to get drilling on our Ana Maria property," said Silver Wolf's President, Peter Latta. "With these transactions, we will have the resources to take this project to the next level where we look forward to making a discovery."

About Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf is an exploration company focused on exploring high potential projects in prime silver and gold regions of Mexico including the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties. The Ana Maria claims are located 21 kilometres (km) northwest of the City of Gomez Palacio and the adjacent City of Torreon. The property consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares (ha). The claims are located in a well-known area that is prolific for carbonate replacement deposits (CRDs) in the vicinity of many active or historic mining operations. The Company has operational synergies with Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. and shares many years of combined experience in exploration, development and production. In addition, Silver Wolf has an experienced geological field team who have worked on similar projects with a demonstrated understanding of the jurisdiction and local communities.

For further information please contact Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. at ph. (604) 682-3701 or visit our website at www.silverwolfexploration.com.

The management team at Silver Wolf welcomes the opportunity to connect with investors and answer questions. Connect with us on Twitter @SWLFexploration and on LinkedIn at Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Peter Latta"

_________________________________

Peter Latta

President

Cautionary Note

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on numerous assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the uncertainties surrounding the mineral exploration industry. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume an obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

SOURCE: Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Captain T Cell, a Schoenefeld/Berlin, Germany-based biotechnology company developing T cells against solid tumors, raised 8.5M in Seed funding.

Backers included i&i Biotech Fund I SCSp, Brandenburg Kapital GmbH, and HIL-INVENT Ges.m.b.H. In addition, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the company through its GO-Bio program. The financing also marks the appointment of Jorn Aldag as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The company intends to use the funds to further progress its lead program towards the clinic along with a novel allogeneic platform for off-the-shelf treatments of solid tumors.

Led by CEO Dr. Felix Lorenz, Captain T Cell develops efficacy-enhanced TCR-T cells for solid tumors that are not addressed by existing therapies. Using a toolbox of technologies, itl generates TCR-T cells with enhanced persistence and the capacity to cope with the hostile tumor microenvironment of difficult-to-treat solid tumors. In preclinical in vivo models, the company has been able to eradicate aggressive tumors using these efficacy-enhanced T cells. A key technology established by the Captain T Cell team is its proprietary TCR-ALLO platform for off-the-shelf treatment of solid tumors, which is a versatile tool that can be expanded to a variety of cancer indications.

The company is a spin-off from the Max Delbruck Center, Berlin, Germany, a leading European biomedical research institution.

FinSMEs

22/05/2024
InfinitForm, a Los Angeles, CA-based company providing GenAI software, raised an undisclosed amount in Seed funding.

The round was led by Schematic Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Led by CEO and Founder Dr. Michael Bogomolny, InfinitForm provides engineering GenAI software that streamlines the design-to-manufacturing process, integrating with various manufacturing methods to optimize cost, speed, efficiency, and performance.

This software enables mechanical engineers to establish higher standards through extensive GPU-accelerated design simulation and optimization tools, collaboration features, and an intuitive user interface. The platform integrates into existing workflows, offering engineers and manufacturers capabilities from concept to production.

In 2024, the company has progressed from a beta version to a commercial product.

FinSMEs

22/05/2024
Majuro, Marshall Islands, May 22nd, 2024, Chainwire

Multipool, a leading innovator in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry, launched their Fjord Foundry LBP on May 21st, raising $200k in the first 24 hours. Making waves in the crypto industry, Multipool is taking a leading role in the marketplace transforming the trading landscape for real-world assets (RWAs) and cryptocurrencies.

Im thrilled with the strong response from the community so far, weve reached $200k on Fjord Foundry on day one. Were off to a fantastic start in the LBP and I cant wait to see how far we go over the next 48 hours. Stay tuned and GET MULLED Wojciech Kaszycki, a Core Contributor at Multipool.

The LBP offers crypto enthusiasts the chance to participate in a next-generational crypto project which is aiming to take RWAs & Crypto to the mass market. Following the close of the LBP, Multipool will launch publicly on Uniswap V3.

Multipool Partnerships

Multipool is supported by some of the industrys best companies, including BSO, Mobilum, NxGen, Hacken, and IMMIN8 Labs. Leveraging their knowledge, contacts, experience and expertise, Multipool aims to make waves in the industry and give users the opportunity to never have CEX again.

To learn how to participate in the Fjord Foundry LBP, refer to the guide here.

For more information on Multipool and its features, please visit:

Website  www.multipool.finance

Telegram  t.me/multipoolfi

X  www.x.com/multipoolfi

About Multipool

Multipool is a cutting-edge decentralized exchange (DEX) transforming the trading landscape for real-world assets (RWAs) and cryptocurrencies. Multipool is designed for fairness and equality, featuring a fully decentralized on-chain order book, deep liquidity through dynamic bracket pools, and seamless trading of RWAs and cryptocurrencies. Utilizing world-class innovations including industry-first FIX APIs, low latency networks, zero price impact auctions, trustless RFQs, peer-to-peer repo lending, and MEV bot protection, Multipool sets a new standard in DeFi trading. Experience unparalleled efficiency and security in your trading journey with Multipool  The DEX with CEX appeal.

https://www.multipool.finance/

Multipool is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

Contact

Public Relations Manager

Angie Hermosa

Multipool

[email protected]
Nanopath Inc., a Cambridge, Mass.-based point-of-care diagnostics company enabling high-quality molecular testing in minutes, received $4m in federal funding.

The company was awarded:

a $3m grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and

a $1m grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Both grants were awarded through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, a competitive program designed to stimulate technological innovations developed by small businesses. These grants bring the companys total funding to over $15m.

The funding will support the development of its point-of-care diagnostic platform for womens health.

Led by CEO Amogha Tadimety, and President, and CTO, Alison Burklund, Ph.D., co-founder, Nanopath is dedicated to improving health equity worldwide, starting with womens health via a proprietary molecular diagnostic testing platform. The company has developed advanced prototypes of both its disposable test cartridge and benchtop readout instrument and is actively developing its pipeline of test offerings through clinical collaborations with preeminent hospitals in New England.

FinSMEs

21/05/2024
Majuro, Marshall Islands, May 22nd, 2024, Chainwire

Leading Cryptocurrency broker, PrimeXBT, has just launched a total revamp of its brand, website, and all-in-one platforms, as part of its vision to democratise the financial markets and make investing available to all.

PrimeXBTs new look and feel debuts alongside equally substantial upgrades to the brokers product offering, including lower fees across 100+ CFD markets, increased leverage on Crypto CFDs, and new fiat payment options, aiming to offer traders more for less. This is in addition to offering traders the ability to buy popular Cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC outright. The revamp is accompanied by a campaign simply titled We listen, where the Crypto broker reveals that a lot of the upgrades were inspired by client feedback.

Additional upgrades to PrimeXBTs offering include a substantially improved user experience across its website, webtrader, and app. The revamped PrimeXBT website now also features a News section, so traders can get the latest news and insights from the Crypto world, and other CFD markets. Finally, the broker also debuted a new Partnership Program. Crypto Affiliates can earn up to $2,500 in CPA per client, and Introducing Brokers (IBs) can get up to 50% RevShare, making PrimeXBTs the most competitive program currently on the market.

Aleksandr Khvoinitskii, Head of Crypto Growth for PrimeXBT had this to say:Our vision at PrimeXBT has always been to provide people with easy and immediate access to the markets, as well as the education and tools they need to succeed, regardless of their experience. We want to give the world control over their finances, once and for all, and we believe this revamp brings us closer to realising that vision.

The Crypto brokers core brand values are clearly displayed on the upgraded PrimeXBT website; innovation, client-focus, empowerment, and transparency. All four are in clear focus with this wide-reaching revamp. The addition of new tools to the brokers webtrader and app attest to innovation, while the simplified user experience empowers traders of all levels to take control of their finances. Making the language used across its website and platforms as clear and easy-to-understand as possible shows transparency, while helping build trust with their users. Finally, all of the changes and upgrades clearly reflect PrimeXBTs client-focus, incorporating user feedback to improve the overall experience on offer.

Users can learn more about the products and services PrimeXBT offers.

About PrimeXBT

PrimeXBT offers the only all-in-one trading platform that allows clients to buy and sell Cryptocurrencies, and use them to trade 100+ popular markets including Crypto Futures, and CFDs on Crypto, Forex, Indices, Stocks, and Commodities. Since being founded in 2018, PrimeXBT has grown exponentially to serve 1,000,000+ traders in 150+ countries all around the world. Clients enjoy the confidence of trading with an award-winning brand, committed to security, and benefit from round-the-clock support.

Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personal investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The financial products offered by the Company are complex and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Virtual assets are inherently volatile and subject to significant value fluctuations, which could result in substantial gains or losses. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Before engaging, you should consider whether you understand how these leveraged products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. PrimeXBT does not accept clients from Restricted Jurisdictions as indicated in our website.

Contact

PrimeXBT

[email protected]
Setting a company apart from its rivals in the very competitive legal services sector is mostly dependent on marketing. Long dominating this industry, traditional marketing agencies provide tactics that, while successful in their day, frequently fail in the digital era.

Now enter FirmPilot AI, a trailblazing startup that uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way legal companies draw in and keep clients. As a modern marketing agency, FirmPilot AI offers a fresh approach that combines AI-driven insights with effective content strategies to outperform traditional methods.

Founded by Jake Soffer, an expert in natural language processing (NLP) with over 15 years of experience, FirmPilot AI has rapidly gained traction by offering a cutting-edge solution. Jakes journey began when his brother, a personal injury lawyer in Miami, struggled with ineffective and costly marketing services.

Recognizing the potential for a more targeted, data-driven approach, Jake developed FirmPilot AI, raising over $2 million from top investors to bring this vision to life.

The Power of Proprietary AI in Legal Marketing

FirmPilot AI relies on a proprietary AI engine that specifically analyzes competitors marketing strategies and web presence. This sophisticated tool utilizes NLP and machine learning algorithms to sift through vast amounts of data, including Google trends, competitor websites, and social media engagement metrics.

The goal is simple yet profound: to generate high-performance content that significantly outperforms traditional marketing efforts.

Understanding the competitive edge

One of the primary challenges law firms face is understanding what their competitors are doing right. Traditional marketing agencies might offer generalized advice, but FirmPilot AI dives deep into the specifics. By analyzing the keywords, content strategies, and backlink profiles of competing law firms, the AI engine identifies what works and what doesnt.

This granular level of insight allows FirmPilot AI to craft bespoke content strategies that are not only highly relevant but also highly effective.

Automated content generation

Content remains king in the digital marketing world, and for law firms, producing consistent, high-quality content is crucial. FirmPilot AIs engine automates this process, ensuring that content is not just relevant but also optimized for performance. AI can generate blog posts, articles, social media updates, and even client newsletters that resonate with the target audience.

By keeping the content pipeline full and fresh, law firms can maintain a robust online presence without the continuous overhead of manual content creation.

Leveraging Google Trends for Maximum Impact

Understanding what potential clients are searching for is the key to effective marketing. FirmPilot AI incorporates Google Trends data to stay up-to-date with the latest search behaviors and interests. This allows our clients to create content that aligns with current trends, ensuring higher engagement and conversion rates.

AI ensures timely and relevant content, whether it addresses new legislation, popular legal questions, or trending topics.

Cost-effective and high ROI

Traditional marketing agencies often come with hefty price tags and uncertain returns. FirmPilot AI flips this script by offering a solution that not only costs significantly less but also delivers measurable results. Our clients have reported a 200300% increase in their monthly client base, a testament to the effectiveness of our AI-driven approach.

By automating much of the content creation and strategy development process, FirmPilot AI reduces the need for extensive human resources, cutting costs while boosting ROI.

A Proven Track Record

Proven results form the foundation of FirmPilot AIs success. Our proprietary AI engine has already helped numerous law firms enhance their online presence and attract more clients. The data-driven approach ensures that every piece of content serves a purpose, whether its to inform, engage, or convert potential clients.

The vision of Jake Soffer

Jake Soffers vision for FirmPilot AI was born out of a personal frustration with the status quo. His background in AI and NLP provided the technical foundation, but it was his brothers struggles with ineffective marketing that fueled his passion. Jake realized that while generic AI tools like ChatGPT had potential, they lacked the specificity and depth needed to drive real results for law firms.

Jake designed FirmPilot AI to bridge this gap by providing a specialized solution that automates and optimizes legal marketing.

Conclusion

FirmPilot AI is not just another marketing agency; its a revolutionary tool that combines the power of AI with deep industry insights to transform how law firms approach their marketing efforts. By analyzing competitors and leveraging the latest trends, our proprietary AI engine creates high-performance content that drives growth and cuts costs. For law firms looking to stay ahead in a competitive market, FirmPilot AI offers a proven, cost-effective solution that delivers real results.
Sinn Studio Co-Founders Almir Brljak (left) and Alek Sinn (right)

Sinn Studio Inc., a Toronto, Canada-based XR studio, closed a $2.5m funding round.

The round was led by Hartmann Capital, with participation from Boost VC, Republic, Alumni Ventures, Mana Ventures, MetaVision, and a number of industry angels such as Chris Ye of Uken Games. In conjunction with the funding, Felix Hartmann, Managing Partner of Hartmann Capital, joined the Sinn Studio Board.

The company intends to use the funds to further develop its first real-time Player vs Player (PvP) VR combat game.

Led by Almir Brljak and Alek Sinn, Sinn Studio is a premier XR studio specializing in developing virtual reality combat experiences. The forthcoming free-to-play title is driven by its proprietary Combat Engine and is supported by the innovative Large Intent Model (LIM), a neural network specially designed to discern and learn from the intricate subtleties of human motion during combat.

The studio, which started with a single developer in 2017, now boasts a full-time team of 30.

FinSMEs

22/05/2024
As the economy remains robust and resilient the Board has approved the transfer of Rs 2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2023-24 read more

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on Wednesday, approved a record dividend payout of Rs 2.11 lakh crore to the Government of India for the fiscal year 2023-24.

The decision was announced during the 608th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of RBI held on May 22 in Mumbai under the Chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das.

As the economy remains robust and resilient, the Board has decided to increase the CRB (Contingent Risk Buffer) to 6.50 per cent for FY 2023-24. The Board, thereafter, approved the transfer of Rs 2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2023-24, RBI said in a statement.

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Although the payout is for FY24, it will reflect in the governments account for FY25. The dividend is also seen sharply higher than what the government had expected.

It is worth mentioning that the dividend announced is highest-ever distributed by the central bank in its history.

As per experts, the higher dividend will help support the governments liquidity surplus, and, thereafter, expenditure.

The RBI said that the transferable surplus for the year (2023-24) has been arrived at on the basis of the Economic Capital Framework (ECF) adopted by the bank on August 26, 2019 as per recommendations of the Expert Committee to Review the extant Economic Capital Framework of the Reserve Bank of India (Chairman: Dr. Bimal Jalan).

During accounting years 2018-19 to 2021-22, owing to the prevailing macroeconomic

conditions and the onslaught of Covid-19 pandemic, the Board had decided to maintain

the CRB at 5.50 per cent of the Reserve Banks Balance Sheet size to support growth

and overall economic activity. With the revival in economic growth in FY 2022-23, the CRB was increased to 6.00 per cent, the RBI further said.

What is contingency risk buffer?

Lets understand what the contingency risk buffer is. It is a specific provision fund by the RBI which is primarily used during any unexpected and unforeseen contingencies including depreciation of securities values, risks from monetary rate policy changes, systemic risks to the system.

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For each fiscal year, the central bank has to keep the buffer fund of a certain percent of its balance sheet and at the end of the fiscal year, it transfers the surplus fund (in the form of dividend) to the government.

The surplus fund, or dividend is transferred to the government as per the economic capital framework (ECF) adopted by its board.

How RBI earns surplus or profits?

Primarily the RBI earns its profits from the interest it gets from the purchase and sale of government securities, the interest earned from lending to banks as well as interest earned on bond holdings earned on open market principles.

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RBI is not a commercial organisation that earns profits. But it has huge income. The bank earns huge income from seigniorage., i.e., printing of currency and putting that currency into circulation. The cost of printing a Rs 500 note is around Rs 2. So when RBI prints it and puts it into circulation, it makes a profit of Rs 498, VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, told Firstpost.

The RBIs surpluses are transferred to government for meeting public expenditure, Vijayakumar added.

The net profit is calculated by subtracting the operation expenditures and other expenses as stipulated in section 47 of the RBI Act.

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With inputs from agencies
In the recent Porsche acccident that happened in Pune that led to the killing of two people has become hot topic of discussion. Talking about the case to the publication Free Press Journal, special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat who secured Salman Khans conviction talked about vicarious liability.

Gharat said- Section 199A of the Motor Vehicle Act reads: Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

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He added, Under the new amended Act the guardian is made independently liable for the offence. Therefore the ingredient of the offence that the car of the guardians hands been used by the minor for the commission of the offence, immediately the guardian becomes liable so the arrest of the father of the minor can be explained.



While acquitting Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case, the Bombay High Court also absolved him from charge of leaving the accident spot without providing aid to the victims; this was in 2015.

According to the prosecution, Khan fled from the spot after his SUV ran over people sleeping on footpath in suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four, on 28 September, 2002.

A mob had gathered after the accident and the situation led the actor to leave the place, said Justice AR Joshi in the judgement, a copy of which became available too.

Though this court has held that the prosecution has failed to establish that the appellant-accused (Salman) was driving the vehicle during the incident, still it is a factual position that he was present in the vehicle and this position cannot be negated. As such, the import of Section 134 of Motor Vehicles Act is required to be construed, the court said.

Under Section 134, not only the driver but every person in charge of a vehicle which is involved in an accident is duty-bound to give medical assistance to the victims.

Considering this argument (that people armed with sticks, rods, etc., had gathered) and the factual position that the circumstances were such that in order to escape from the fury of mob and these circumstances were beyond the control of the appellant, no such appropriate steps were taken to secure the medical aid to the injured persons, the judge said.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will fly to Iran today to attend an official ceremony to pay condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Meanwhile, Teslas infringement case against an Indian company will be heard in the Delhi High Court read more

Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President of India will travel to Tehran today to attend an official ceremony mourning the loss of Ebrahim Raisi. File image/PTI

Its Wednesday and its going to be a busy day.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will fly to Iran today to pay condolences over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.

From EV maker Teslas case in Delhi High Court (HC) over trademark infringement to an update on former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Sorens bail plea hearing, many prominent cases will come up before courts.

In other news, several regions in Mumbai will face 16-hour long water cuts owing to a maintenance operation.

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To bolster Congress poll campaign, Rahul Gandhi is expected to hold rallies in Haryana ahead of Phase 6 of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Heres a glimpse of what is expected today.

Vice Presidents Iran visit

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will fly to Iran on Wednesday to attend an official ceremony to pay condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.

Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar will pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on 22 May to attend official ceremony to pay condolences on the tragic demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials in an unfortunate helicopter crash on 19 May, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences on the demise of Raisi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the embassy of Iran here on Tuesday to convey Indias condolences on the loss.

Tesla Vs Tesla hearing at Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court will hear Elon Musk-led EV maker Teslas case in a trademark infringement lawsuit against a Gurugram-based battery maker, Tesla Power India.

During its previous hearing, the court issued a notice to Tesla Power in response to the plea from the US carmaker and prohibited the company from releasing any promotional advertisements that feature EV products using a similar Tesla trademark.

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US-based Tesla stated that consumers were mistakenly buying Tesla Power batteries assuming they are associated with Tesla Inc. and registering complaints with them. Meanwhile, the Indian company argued that it does not at all have the intention to enter the EV-manufacturing business.

Hearing in Salman Khans house firing case

The Bombay HC will hear status reports of the two inquires initiated into the custodial death of one of the shooters in the firing case outside Salman Khans house in April.

During the previous hearing, the court asked for an an update on the magisterial and CID probes into the death of Anuj Thapan who allegedly died on 1 May while he was inside the toilet of the Mumbai police crime branchs lock-up for shooting outside the actors house.

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While the police claimed that Thapan killed himself, Anujs mother Rita Devi filed a petition in the court alleging foul play on 3 May and claimed that her son was killed while in custody. She also sought CBI inquiry into the case.

Mumbai prepares for long water cuts

Residents in several parts of Mumbai, especially those in K East, K West, and P South ward, are bracing themselves for a 16-hour-long water cut on Wednesday after the citys civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a major maintenance operation.

Several parts of Mumbai to face water cuts on 22 and 23 May. Representative image. Reuters

BMC says that the operation, which will continue until Thursday aims to bolster the citys water infrastructure for sustained and improved supply in the future.

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The civic bodys operation will involve a complete water shutdown as it will work on connecting main water lines and removing old damaged water lines in the city.

Land scam case: SC to hear Sorens bail plea

The apex court will hear former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Sorens plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has sought interim bail in an alleged land scam case. PTI

The matter will be heard by the bench of vacation judges Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma for the second day. Soren is also seeking an interim bail to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Jharkhand is scheduled to go to the polls in the next phases on 20 May, 25 May, and 1 June.

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The ED had earlier opposed Sorens bail plea arguing that campaigning for election while being involved in a case was neither a fundamental, constitutional, nor a legal right.

Rahul Gandhi to hold rallies in Haryana

Congress Rahul Gandhi is gearing up to campaign in Haryana today. The Congress leader along with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will hold rallies in Dadri, which is part of Bhiwani-Mahendergarh parliamentary constituency, and the grain market of Sonipat. In the evening, he will chair a seminar, Samvidhan Samman Sammean at Panchkula.

Yesterday party president Kharge spent the day in Jagadhara, part of the Ambala parliamentary constituency, and in the evening held a presser in Chandigarh.

Haryana will go to polls in the next phase on 25 May to elect 10 parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha.

With inputs from agencies
The International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking an arrest warrant against the leaders of Israel has driven a wedge between US president Joe Biden and his European allies. France and Belgium have throw their support behind the move and Germany has said that it respected the courts independence. Experts have criticised Biden for calling the development outrageous, asserting that the warrants deal with how Israel has defended itself read more

US president Joe Biden slammed the ICC prosecutor and reasserted Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. AFP

Joe Biden has been in an uncomfortable position for months.

The US president has been trapped between those throwing their full support behind Israel after the 7 October attack and youth and Muslim voters who want him to use his influence to restrain Jerusalem from making things worse for the Palestinian people.

Now, a new development is only adding to his discomfort.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking an arrest warrant against the leaders of Israel has driven a wedge between Biden and his European allies.

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Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the worlds top war crimes court, has sought an arrest warrant against Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.

Khan has accused them of crimes against humanity in Israel and Gaza.

Though Netanyahu and Gallant are in no danger of being arrested, the development still comes as a setback that only further illustrates Israels isolation on the world stage.

Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic.

Biden, meanwhile, has also slammed the prosecutor and reasserted Israels right to defend itself against Hamas.

Biden said the effort to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant over the war in Gaza was outrageous, adding whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas.

A panel of three judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed. The judges typically take two months to make such decisions.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has sought arrest warrants for five leaders  Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Also, Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar; Mohammed Al-Masri, the commander-in-chief of the military wing of Hamas who is widely known as Deif; and Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas political bureau. File image/Reuters

Israel is not a member of the court, so even if the arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant do not face any immediate risk of prosecution.

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But the threat of arrest could make it difficult for the Israeli leaders to travel abroad.

Key allies break with Biden

According to NBC, key US allies such as France and Belgium have defended the independence of the ICC.

Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators, Belgium foreign affairs minister Hadja Lahbib wrote on X.

Politico quoted Slovenias foreign ministry as saying that war crimes must be prosecuted independently and impartially regardless of the perpetrators.

Accountability is crucial to prevent atrocities and to guarantee peace, the ministry wrote.

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The French foreign ministry said it had been warning for many months about the imperative of strict compliance with international humanitarian law and in particular about the unacceptable nature of civilian losses in the Gaza Strip and insufficient humanitarian access.

It added, France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations.

Germany said it respected the courts independence, but said it was worried that seeking warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas suggested the false impression of equivalence.

But other US allies stood by Israel.

NBC quoted UKs prime minister Rishi Sunak said the move was not helpful to reaching a pause in the fighting, getting hostages out or humanitarian aid in.

The ICC Chief Prosecutors proposal to issue an arrest warrant for the representatives of a democratically elected government together with the leaders of an Islamist terrorist organisation is appalling and completely unacceptable, Czech prime minister Petr Fiala wrote.

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Meanwhile, Austrias Chancellor Karl Nehammer said, We fully respect the independence of the ICC.

The fact however that the leader of the terrorist organisation Hamas whose declared goal is the extinction of the State of Israel is being mentioned at the same time as the democratically elected representatives of that very State is non comprehensible.

What do experts say?

Some have criticised Biden for supporting Israel.

Bidens response was deeply disappointing, Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of Human Rights Watch, told NBC. There was nothing outrageous, he said, about Khans decision to apply for arrest warrants at all.

Roth said Khan made no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

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He simply charged both sides for their separate crimes. And to use Bidens term, it would have been outrageous had he ignored one sides crime."

These charges are not about Israels right to defend itself, which no one questions. Theyre about how Israel has chosen to defend itself, and no cause, no matter how just, can be used as an excuse to commit war crimes, Roth added.

Roth also pointed out the difference between the US reaction to an arrest warrant being issued for Netanyahu as compared to Russias Vladimir Putin.

Roth said the different response speaks more to the lack of principle in the US governments purported respect for the rule of law.

Its not the rule of law when it applies only to ones adversaries and not to ones friends, he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah and Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic.. Reuters

Meanwhile, Shibley Telhami, a Middle East scholar at the University of Maryland, wrote on X that Bidens defense of Israeli leaders was unsurprising given his posture on Israel and the Gaza war.

Telhami added that Bidens furious attack on ICC and disregard for other (international organisations) has been shocking, out of touch with his own core constituency, and undermines the global order."

Professor Zinaida Miller, an international law expert at Northeastern University, told Politico the ICCs move hints that they think the arrest warrants will be approved.

The prosecutor would not apply for warrants at this stage unless he was confident in what he has determined thus far, Miller said.

She added that zeroing in on just a few individuals would result in a limited capacity to address the larger context of these crimes other than in ways that directly bear on the criminal process.

[But] its worth keeping on an eye on the limited nature of the process even as we see the historic significance of the applications, particularly regarding Israeli officials, Miller added.

Is unacceptable

Among the prosecutors allegations against Israel was using starvation as a method of warfare."

The UN says some 1.1 million people in Gaza  nearly half the population  face catastrophic levels of hunger and that the territory is on the brink of famine.

Throughout the war, Rafah has been filled with scenes of hungry children holding out pots and plastic containers at makeshift soup kitchens, with many families reduced to eating only one meal a day.

Israels foreign minister Israel Katz headed to France on Tuesday in response, urging it to declare loud and clear that the request for warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant is unacceptable to you and to the French government.

His meetings there could set the tone for how countries navigate the warrants  if they are eventually issued  and whether they could pose a threat to Israeli leaders.

If the warrants are issued, they could complicate international travel for Netanyahu and his defense minister, even if they do not face any immediate risk of prosecution because Israel itself is not a member of the court.

The war between began on 7 October, when Hamas-led militants crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostage.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan accused Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh of crimes against humanity, including extermination, murder and sexual violence.

Israel responded to the 7 October with an offensive that has laid waste to Gaza and killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between noncombatants and fighters in its count.

With inputs from agencies
ICCs chief prosecutor has sought arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and top Hamas officials for alleged war crimes. The 124-member ICC prosecutes individuals for the most heinous crimes known to humanity including genocide, crimes against humanity and more read more

The exterior view of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor said on 20 May that hes seeking arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders in connection with their actions during the seven-month war. File image/AP

After more than seven months of the battering war in Gaza, the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor Karim Khan said that he had requested warrants in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for arrest of top Hamas and Israeli figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The chief prosecutor on Monday, said he had reasonable grounds to believe the five men including PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior Israeli and Hamas figures bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the 7 October attacks and the subsequent Gaza War.

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The Netherlands-based ICC stands as a pivotal institution in the realm of international law, established to prosecute individuals for the most heinous crimes known to humanity including genocide, war crimes,crimes against humanity and more. But how does the court work? Heres a closer look
Heat strokes and dehydration amid record temperatures in Mexico have likely caused the deaths of around 138 howler monkeys in the countrys forests. Authorities are now placing buckets of water and fruits to help them survive read more

Hundreds of primates have been found dead since early May in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco, according to estimates from a biodiversity group. AP

As temperatures soar in Mexico, the countrys tropical forests are witnessing a tragic phenomenon: Howler monkeys, iconic inhabitants of the region, are falling dead from trees.

Hundreds of primates have been found dead since early May in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco, according to estimates from a biodiversity group. Many of them are rescued by locals in critical condition with fever and dehydration.

The mantled howler monkeys are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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As the brutal heatwave continues to batter the South American country, locals are doing all they can to save the apes.

Mass deaths of vulnerable monkeys

According to the Biodiversity Conservation of The Usumacinta group, at least 138 of the midsize primates, who are known for their roaring vocal calls, were found dead since 16 May. In Tabasco, a local volunteer fire-and-rescue squad showed up with five of the creatures in the bed of the truck.

Unprecedented temperatures are surpassing the tolerance levels of the monkeys. Around a third of the country is amid a brutal heatwave where temperatures soared to a high of 45 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

Several primates have taken ill and are being nursed to health. They (monkeys) arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever, Dr Sergio Valenzuela told the Associated Press (AP). They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke, he added.

He put ice on their limp hands and feet as well as hooked them to IVs. Theyre recovering. Theyre aggressivetheyre biting again, he said, noting that was a healthy sign for the animals.

While most of the monkeys at Valenzuelas office are now doing well, many of them in the forests are not so lucky. A source from Tabascos civil protection agency told Reuters that cases of monkey deaths have now been confirmed in three municipalities of the state with dehydration being a reason.

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Howler monkeys, known for their roaring vocal calls, are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. AP

The Tabasco civil protection institute stated that authorities and conservationists were conducting patrols to offer water and food, primarily fruits, to assist monkeys in maintaining hydration.

Heat to be blamed

Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo told AP that the monkey die-off started on May 5 and reached its peak over the last weekend. This is a sentinel species, Pozo said, referring to the canary-in-a-coalmine effect where one species can say a lot about an ecosystem. It is telling us something about what is happening with climate change.

They were falling out of the trees like apples, Pozo said. They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes, he added.

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Around 138 monkeys have reportedly fallen to their deaths amid brutal heatwave. Reuters

On Monday, Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who also hails from Tabasco, reacted to the situation and said, It is because the heat is so strong. Ive been visiting the state for a long time and I have never felt it as much as now.

So, yes, we have to care for the animals and yes we are going to do it, he added.

Later in the day, Mexicos environment ministry said in a statement that it was coordinating efforts to address the monkey deaths, which it attributed to several likely causes, including heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition or the spraying of crops with toxic agro-chemicals.

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With rainfall below the usual levels across nearly the entire country this year, lakes and dams in Mexico are drying up with water resources dwindling. By 9 May, at least nine cities in Mexico had set temperature records, with 26 people dying due to heat-related issues.

With input from agencies
An IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Varanasi was forced to return to the airport, just before takeoff, on Tuesday morning. This came after the crew alerted the pilot about a standby passenger standing at the rear of the plane as it was overbooked read more

An IndiGo Airlines aircraft arrives at a gate of the domestic airport in Mumbai. Reuters

Its not uncommon to see more people than seats on trains and buses.

However, in a similar incident, just before takeoff, an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Varanasi was forced to return to the airport on Tuesday morning.

The reason behind this was that the crew noticed an overbooked passenger standing at the rear of the plane.

Lets take a closer look.

IndiGo flight returns to the airport

The incident occurred at around 7:50 am when IndiGo flight 6E 6543 was taxiing from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMA) in Mumbai.

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The crew had alerted the pilot about the male passenger standing near the back end of the IndiGo aircraft.

One of the passengers, Akhilesh Chaubey, who was heading to Varanasi on a business trip, was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying, The flight returned to the bay and the passenger was offloaded. The airline then checked the cabin baggage of all passengers on board before proceeding with the take-off after a delay of at least an hour.

Amit Mishra, another passenger, told the newspaper that they landed in Varanasi at around 10.30 am.

To catch a flight of 7.50 am, one needs to be at the airport by 6.30 am at the latest if one does not have a check-in bag. Such delays due to the airlines illegal motives need to be taken up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation," he told HT.

The standby passenger

The Hindustan Times reports that the standby passenger was an IndiGo employee travelling on SLT (staff leisure travel), a benefit that entitles employees to reduced airline tickets.

Under this policy, staff may only travel on a space-available (standby) basis; they may board per seat availability before pushback.

In the latest incident, one confirmed passenger was late and was ultimately classified as a no-show (someone who does not show up for the trip), according to sources close to The Times of India. Thus, the standby passenger got on board the plane.

But the confirmed passenger also showed up and occupied his seat, and the staff had to stand close at the rear end of the plane without a seat.

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According to the report, the standby passenger was to travel with a cabin bag and had no checked luggage.

An IndiGo airline representative confirmed the incident and said that the standby passenger was deboarded when the error was discovered before the takeoff, according to News18.

There was an error during the passenger boarding process of 6E 6543 from Mumbai to Varanasi, wherein a standby passenger was allotted a seat reserved for a confirmed passenger. The error was noticed prior to the departure of the aircraft, and the standby passenger was deboarded. This led to a slight delay in the departure of the aircraft.

IndiGo will take all measures to strengthen its operational processes and regrets the inconvenience caused to customers, the spokesperson added.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked IndiGo to submit a report on the incident, an official close to the matter said.

Overbooking flights

Airlines typically overbook flights to reduce the possibility of flights leaving with empty seats.

The HT report stated that airlines had been penalised by the aviation authority, the DGCA, for refusing to allow passengers to board even with valid tickets.

Regulations announced in 2016 state that an airline is not required to pay passengers if an alternative flight is booked within one hour of the planned departure.

The airline must pay 200 per cent of the scheduled one-way basic fare plus the airline fuel charge, up to a maximum of Rs 10,000, if it plans an alternate trip within 24 hours of the boarding being denied.

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According to the Economic Times, in 2022, Air India was fined Rs 10 lakh by the aviation regulatory body for failing to compensate passengers who were denied boarding.

With inputs from agencies
The Pune Police have said that they will seek a higher courts permission to prosecute the 17-year-old accused in the Porsche hit-and-run case as an adult. The Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, was replaced by the 2015 Act, which for the first time, provided for trying juveniles, aged 16 to 18, as adults in cases of heinous offences. We explain why the law was amended and what it entails read more

The Porsche car found without number plate, in Pune, Tuesday. The vehicle was allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy who knocked down two motorbike riders on Sunday, causing their death. PTI

A horror unfolded on the streets of Pune in the wee hours of Sunday. A speeding Porsche allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy rammed into a motorcycle in the citys Yerwada area, killing two young techies in their 20s. After the accused was leniently granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board, an outrage ensued.

The minor should be tried like an adult, demands the victims family, the Pune Police, and politicians. But is that a possibility? What does the law say? We explain.

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How Pune Police is building a case against teen driving Porsche

The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) granted the teenager involved in a car accident bail asking him to write a 300-word essay . What followed was anger and allegations of a shoddy investigation, as reports emerged of the boy drinking in a pub.

On Wednesday, the JJB issued a notice to the boy to appear before it at noon. He will be tried for drink driving, the juvenile court ruled.

The Pune Police have said they will seek a higher courts permission to prosecute the boy as an adult. According to police, a case has been registered against him under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder ) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Police have also registered a case against the youngsters father , a real estate developer, who has now been arrested.

Builder Vishal Agarwal is brought to the Pune Police commissioners office after his arrest in Pune on Tuesday. PTI

The 17-year-old accused had acknowledged that his act caused death and the Indian Police Code section had been applied against him accordingly, the Pune Police chief Amitesh Kumar told NDTV. According to the commissioner, the police are trying to build a watertight case.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, has criticised the extremely lenient way the teen was granted bail. The order of the Juvenile Justice Board is shocking. We have filed a revision petition I need not speak more on that, Fadnavis said.

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Also read: Pune Porsche crash: Why teen, who killed 2, has been let off with writing an essay while father has been detained

The BJP leader said that there was a lot of anger among people after the death of two youngsters. In this regard, I held a meeting with the police commissioner and got details of the action taken so far as well as the future actions to be taken. We also discussed the steps to be taken to prevent such incidents in future, he claimed.

Fadnavis added that in their remand application before the Juvenile Justice Board, the Pune Police had mentioned that after the amendment to the law in the wake of the Nirbhaya incident (2012 Delhi gang rape), those above 16 years of age involved in heinous crimes should be treated as adults, according to a report in The Indian Express.

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#WATCH | Pune car accident: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis holds a meeting with Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and other senior officials at the CP office. pic.twitter.com/rVu1utPAJk  ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2024

Why was the Juvenile Justice Act amended? When can a juvenile be tried as an adult?

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After the Delhi gang rape, which led to the womans death, an amendment was proposed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development led by then-minister Maneka Gandhi. One of the offenders was a 17-year-old, which led to the ministry proposing the change. The J S Verma Committee, which was formed to recommend amendments, stated that it was not in favour of reducing the age of a juvenile from 18 to 16.

In 2015, the Juvenile Justice Act of 2000 was amended with a provision which allowed for Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) to be tried as adults under certain circumstances. As per the act, a child is someone who is under 18 years of age. The age of the date of the offence determines if a child is in conflict with the law and whether he or she is an adult or not.

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According to the amended law, children aged 16 to 18 can be tried as adults if they have committed a heinous offence. It attracts a maximum punishment of seven years. But the act doesnt make it mandatory for all children in this age group to be tried as adults.

A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest against the verdict of a teenager, who was sentenced to three years in juvenile detention, in New Delhi on 1 September 2013 for the December gang rape of a woman, leading to her death. The law on juveniles was amended in 2015. File photo/Reuters

Section 15 of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (JJ Act) says that when a child of 16 or above has committed a heinous offence, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is required to conduct a preliminary assessment with regard to his mental and physical capacity to commit such offence, ability to understand the consequences of the offence and the circumstances in which he allegedly committed the offence.

Based on this assessment, a decision is made if a child is tried as an adult. This has to be done within three months from the date the offender is first produced before the Board.

The Board comprises a judicial member, a principal magistrate, and two non-judicial-appointed members, who are social workers.

Also read: Pune Porsche crash: How a night out turned tragic for two young techies

How is the assessment conducted?

Last year, the National Commission for Protection of Children (NCPCR) issued guidelines for the JJB to conduct a preliminary assessment of the offender. The Board shall examine the mental and physical capacity of the child to commit the crime, the ability to understand its consequences and the circumstance in which the alleged offence was carried out.

The JJB should have at least one member who is a practising professional with a degree in child psychology or child psychiatry and if not the Board should take the assistance of psychologists or experts who have the experience of working with children in difficult times, reports The Hindu.

The child should also be provided with legal aid counsel through the District Legal Services Authority, who shall be present during the preliminary assessment, the report says.

In 2015, the Juvenile Justice Act of 2000 was amended with a provision for Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) to be tried as adults in case of heinous crimes. Representational image/Pixabay

What happens if a juvenile is to be treated as an adult?

After a decision has been arrived at, the case is transferred to the childrens court, which will decide if there is a need for a trial of the child as an adult or not, according to Section 19 of the amended act, reports The Indian Express. It is the courts responsibility to send the offender to a place of safety until they reach the age of 21 after which they are moved to a jail.

The court can order the conditional release after the offender turns 21. However, a child who is tried as an adult is not allowed two protections given to juvenile offenders  protection from disqualification and erasure of conviction record after a reasonable period, the report says.

Have there been cases where children are tried as adults?

Yes, there have been a rare few cases in which children have been ordered to be tried as adults.

In September 2017, a Class 2 student of a prominent Gurgaon school was found murdered inside its washroom. A conductor was first arrested but after the CBI took over the investigation it arrested a Class 11 student.

The JJB, which decided to treat the student as an adult, was asked to make a fresh assessment in October 2018 by the Punjab and Haryana Court HC. The court order was challenged by the CBI and the victims father in the Supreme Court, which ordered a status quo in the case. The petitions were dismissed in July 2022 and the accused has remained in an observation home since his arrest.

In September 2022, the Supreme Court rejected the Kathua gang-rape-murder case accuseds juvenility to order him to face trial as an adult. The case involved the abduction, gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl, belonging to the nomadic Bakarwal community by six Hindu men and the minor in January 2018.

People attend a protest against the rape of an eight-year-old girl, in Kathua, near Jammu in New Delhi in April 2015. File photo/Reuters

Last September, a Delhi court directed the prosecution of two minors, both around 17 years of age, as adults in a murder case, noting that they were emboldened to commit a brutal crime after being let off early in another murder case, reports PTI news agency.

With inputs from agencies
Passengers recount the absolute terror they experienced when severe turbulence hit a Singapore Airlines flight from London, killing one person and leaving 71 injured. The flyers saw people and objects being flung across the cabin as the plane suddenly plunged from 37,000 feet to an altitude of roughly 31,000 feet read more

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 after it made an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, following its encounter with severe turbulence, which killed one person and injured another 71. Reuters

The thing I remember the most is seeing objects and things flying through the air. I was covered in coffee. It was incredibly severe turbulence, said Britains Andrew Davis as he recounts the horrific scenes that unfolded on board a Singapore Airlines flight after it encountered turbulence, killing one person and injuring 71 others.

Passengers on board Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321, which had taken off from Londons Heathrow Airport, experienced extreme turbulence around 11,300 metres (37,000 feet) over Myanmar, during which it violently rose and plunged several times.

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Such was the severity that pilots requested for an emergency landing at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport where the airlines team extended support and aid the 211 passengers and 18 crew members.

Breakfast turns bloody

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, travelling from London to Singapore, was in the midst of its breakfast routine when all hell broke loose and chaos reigned. Ten hours into the journey, the plane encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet.

Flight Radar 24, a website that compiles public information about flights, appears to show that about 10 hours later, the plane went from 37,000 feet to an altitude of roughly 31,000 feet in only a few minutes.

One of the passengers on board the plane, Dzafran Azmir from Malaysia, paints a picture of what exactly happened midair. The student said that he got the feeling that the plane was tilting upwards and beginning to shake. He immediately put on his seatbelt, recounting that many on board did not.

Le Boeing 777 de Singapore Airlines qui faisait le trajet de Londres a Singapour a fait une chute de 1800 metres. Faisant 1 mort et des blesses, apres de fortes turbulences. pic.twitter.com/Y7dgNSFhmO  75 Secondes  (@75secondes) May 21, 2024

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Suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it, Azmir told Reuters.

People dropped to the ground, my phone flew out of my hand and went a couple aisles to the side, peoples shoes flung about.

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Another passenger, Andrew Davies said the seatbelt sign was turned on moments before the plane dropped. So many injured people, head lacerations, bleeding ears, he wrote on X, adding that a female passenger was screaming in pain.

Peoples belongings were scattered, with coffee and water splattered on the ceiling.

Peoples belongings were scattered, with coffee and water splattered on the ceiling, reported the passengers after they received treatment for their injuries. Reuters

Allison Barker told the BBC that her son, Josh, messaged her from the flight, saying: I dont want to scare you, but Im on a crazy flight. The plane is making an emergency landing I love you all.

Teandra Tukhunen, who was on the plane, told Sky News that she was asleep and woken up because I was thrown to the roof and then to the floor. She said when the seatbelt sign came on pretty much immediately, straight after that I was flung to the roof, before I had time to put my seatbelt on unfortunately.

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It was just so quick, over in a couple of seconds and then youre just shocked. Everyones pretty freaked out.

Another passenger describing the horror told the BBC that some poor people who were walking around ended up doing somersaults.

Azmir later added that it was the crew and people inside the lavatories who were hurt the most. We discovered people just on the ground not able to get up. There were a lot of spinal and head injuries, he told Reuters.

The interior of Singapore Airline flight in Thailand where it made an emergency landing. Reuters

One dead, over 71 injured

The pilots of the Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 then requested for an emergency landing at Thailands Suvarnabhumi Airport from where the injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

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Suvarnabhumi Airport said in a statement, At 3:35 pm the airport received a distress call from the Singapore Airlines flight saying there were passengers on board injured by turbulence, and requesting an emergency landing. The plane landed at the airport and the medical team was sent to treat all the injured.

The director of Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, was quoted as telling AFP that most of the injured passengers on the flight suffered blows to the head.

While 71 passengers received treatment, the airline also confirmed the death of a 73-year-old on board, who was later identified as Geoff Kitchen from Britain. It has been reported that Kitchen was on a six-week holiday with his wife to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

In a post on Facebook, Thornbury Musical Theatre Group paid tribute to Kitchen: It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident.

Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy.

Members of a rescue team discuss after a London-Singapore flight was diverted to Bangkok due to severe turbulence, in Bangkok, Thailand. The plane apparently plummeted for a number of minutes before it was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. AP

Kittikachorn, the head of Bangkok airport, said earlier that the 73-year-old died from a probable cardiac arrest.

Following the incident, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said that they were very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board the flight, SQ321, went through on Tuesday.

On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through, Phong said.

Trouble in the air

According to aviation experts, the SQ321 likely encountered clear air turbulence (CAT), which is not visible on a jets weather radar. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, clear air turbulence is air movement created by atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts or thunderstorms.

As the plane travelled across Myanmar, satellite data showed a strong storm beginning to form and bubble into the higher elevations, which suggests that the atmosphere in the region was becoming unstable. The plane was also moving toward other storms that were developing along the coast of Myanmar.

Aviation experts note that death by turbulence is rare; the FAA data shows that 30 passengers and 116 crew members have been seriously injured due to turbulence from 2009 to 2021. Airline passenger numbers are currently estimated to be at around four billion a year, so such incidents are clearly still rare.

However, a study has shown that severe turbulence has increased by 55 per cent in the past four decades due to the impact of climate change.

Passengers of the turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight greet family members upon arrival at Changi Airport in the city state. AFP

Buckle up

Flight attendants, pilots and aviation insiders say that the one lesson that this episode can teach flyers is to fasten their seatbelt during the flight.

The Air Line Pilots Association said the safest way for passengers to protect themselves is by making sure their seatbelts are always fastened. This was also echoed by Aerospace safety expert Anthony Brickhouse, who said passengers need to minimise their movement on flights and always stay buckled in, regardless of the seatbelt light.

With inputs from agencies
The death of a British man and injuries to dozens of passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence on 21 May underscore the potential hazards of flying through unstable air. We explore whether cases of air turbulences are directly proportional to the rising climate change threat read more

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, front, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, 22 May, 2024. AP

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday (21 May) which resulted in one death, with officials reported numerous injuries among the passengers, some of which were severe.

An airport official suggested that the 73-year-old British man may have suffered a heart attack, although this has not been confirmed. The Boeing 777, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was en route from Londons Heathrow airport to Singapore when the incident occurred. Due to the turbulence, the aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing in Bangkok amidst stormy weather conditions.

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What is clear-air turbulence?

Turbulence refers to unstable air that moves unpredictably and in a chaotic manner.

It is categorised as light, moderate, severe, or extreme. While the first two can be alarming to some passengers, only the latter two pose significant danger, particularly to those who are not securely fastened.

Though turbulence is often associated with heavy storms, the most perilous type is clear-air turbulence (CAT). This wind-shear phenomenon can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even clear air near thunderstorms, where differences in temperature and pressure generate powerful air currents.

Members of a rescue team discuss after the London-Singapore flight was diverted to Bangkok due to severe turbulence, in Bangkok, Thailand, 21 May, 2024. AP

CAT frequently occurs in or near high-altitude jet streams. Wind shears occur when two large air masses move at different speeds. Planes can encounter clear-air turbulence without warning.

Is climate change making air turbulence worse?

One study at UKs Reading University found that higher temperatures resulting from the climate crisis are causing significant increases in turbulence across transatlantic flights.

The June 2023 study analysed modern atmospheric data from four decades of observations (19792020) to investigate whether clear-air turbulence (CAT) had already started to increase. Using 21 different turbulence calculations to ensure reliability, the study found clear evidence of significant increases in CAT at aircraft cruising altitudes in various locations worldwide since satellite observations began.

The study revealed that at a typical point over the North Atlantic  one of the worlds busiest flight routes  the total annual duration of severe turbulence increased by 55 per cent from 17.7 hours in 1979 to 27.4 hours in 2020, the research found. Moderate turbulence increased by 37 per cent from 70.0 to 96.1 hours, and light turbulence increased by 17 per cent from 466.5 to 546.8 hours.

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Airport officials gather near the aircraft ladder attached to the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, 22 May, 2024. Reuters

The study also stated that at a typical point over the North Atlantic, the upward trend is such that the strongest category of CAT was 55 per cent more frequent in 2020 than 1979.

Prof. Paul Williams, one of the studys authors, stated at the time that the predicted choppier skies have already arrived.

Following a decade of research showing that climate change will increase clear-air turbulence in the future, we now have evidence suggesting that the increase has already begun. We should be investing in improved turbulence forecasting and detection systems, to prevent the rougher air from translating into bumpier flights in the coming decades," Williams had said.

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Also Read: Can pilots avoid in-flight turbulence?

While the US and North Atlantic have experienced the most significant increases, the study also found that other busy flight routes over Europe, the Middle East, and the South Atlantic have seen substantial rises in turbulence.

How rare is a death due to CAT?

The last fatality caused by clear-air turbulence on a commercial flight occurred on 28 December 1997, on a United Airlines flight from Tokyo to Honolulu, stated Williams in a statement on Tuesday, reiterating that there was strong evidence that turbulence is increasing because of climate change.

A 2021 report by the US National Transportation Safety Board indicated that turbulence accounted for 37.6 per cent of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. Additionally, the US Federal Aviation Administration reported 146 serious injuries caused by turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

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Stranded passengers from Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 wait for a relief flight after an emergency landing at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, 21 May, 2024. Third party via Reuters

The aviation sector utilises specialised turbulence forecasts to plan smooth flight routes around turbulent air. While these forecasts have significantly improved over the past few decades, there is still considerable room for enhancement.

Future technological advances could enable pilots to remotely detect invisible clear-air turbulence from the cockpit in real time. However, the high costs currently make this technology impractical.

Also Read | Bleeding ears, loud screams: How 5 minutes of turbulence on Singapore Airlines plane left one dead, 71 hurt

For now, the best advice to passengers is to keep their seatbelt fastened. Remember, turbulence strong enough to cause injuries is relatively rare.

With inputs from agencies
Three European nations  Spain, Ireland and Norway  announced that they would officially recognise the Palestinian state from 28 May. In their announcement, they called on other countries to join them. Currently, 142 of the 193 UN countries recognise a State of Palestine. However, does it really matter? read more

A demonstrator takes part in a pro-Palestine march in Dublin, Ireland. On Wednesday, European nations, Norway, Ireland and Spain announced that they would recognise Palestinian statehood on 28 May. File image/Reuters

How do you bring peace to Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war? For some, the answer has been the two-state solution . Based off this argument, European nations, Norway, Ireland and Spain, announced on Wednesday (22 May) that they will recognise Palestinian statehood on 28 May.

While Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state, Israel immediately announced it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway for urgent consultations.

Spain, Norway and Irelands announcement

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On Wednesday, it all began with Norway, whose Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said, There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

The PM said the ongoing war in Gaza had made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question. In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security, Stre said.

He added that Oslo believed that a two-state solution was also in Israels best interests, and the formal move will take place on 28 May.

Norways foreign minister Espen Barth Eide and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announce that the government will recognise Palestine as an independent state from 28 May , during a press conference in Marmorhallen in Oslo, Norway. Reuters

Norways foreign minister also posted on X about the countrys decision to recognise Palestine as a state. Espen Barth Eide said: A two-state solution is the only viable pathway to peace for both Israel and Palestine.

He added: At this critical juncture, our recognition comes in support of the work towards a comprehensive plan for regional peace.

Norway will recognize Palestine as a State.



A two-state solution is the only viable pathway to peace for both Israel and Palestine.



At this critical juncture, our recognition comes in support of the work towards a comprehensive plan for regional peace. pic.twitter.com/0nyt45gYZY  Espen Barth Eide (@EspenBarthEide) May 22, 2024

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Irelands prime minister Simon Harris too made a similar announcement, calling it an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine. He said the move was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

He said a two-state solution was the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, Palestine and their peoples. The recognition of statehood has particular resonance in Ireland given its history, Harris said.

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Taking our place on the world stage and being recognised by others as having the right to be there was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our state, he said. He added that Ireland was unequivocal in fully recognising Israel and its right to exist securely and in peace with its neighbours, and he called for all hostages in Gaza to be immediately returned.

Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez in parliament said that Spain would recognise Palestine on 28 May. Amid applause, he said: We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words  peace, justice and consistency. We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.

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It is essential that the two sides negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognise Palestine.

Haciendonos eco del sentir mayoritario del pueblo espanol, el proximo martes 28 de mayo, Espana aprobara en Consejo de Ministros el reconocimiento del Estado de Palestina.



Ha llegado la hora de pasar de las palabras a la accion.



Por la paz, la justicia y la coherencia. pic.twitter.com/OYhRleIdHE  Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 22, 2024

He also said the time had come for concrete action. Prime Minister Netanyahu is still turning a blind eye and bombing hospitals, schools, homes. He is still using hunger, cold and terror to punish more than a million innocent boys and girls  and things have gone so far that prosecutors at the international criminal court have this week sought his arrest for war crimes.

He further added: The two-state solution is in danger of never existing. We cannot allow this. We have an obligation to act. In Palestine like in Ukraine without double standards.

This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews. It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour or peace and coexistence.

People hold flags during a protest in support of Palestinians amid their ongoing conflict with Israel, at King Carlos III statue, in Madrid, Spain. File image/Reuters

Israel and the world reacts

Shortly after the three European nations made the announcement, Israel ordered an immediate recall of its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.

Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence. I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem.

The hasty steps of the two countries will have further serious consequences. If Spain realises its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it, said Israels foreign minister Israel Katz.

On the other hand, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state and called on other countries to follow. He said the decision would enshrine the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation also hailed the decision as historic.

Palestinian militant group Hamas also welcomed the move, saying: We consider this an important step towards affirming our right to our land.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim was quoted as telling AFP that it was the brave resistance of the Palestinian people that spurred the move by the three European countries. We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Implications of recognising Palestine statehood

Spain has historical ties with Israel and Palestine. In 1986, Spain established diplomatic relations with Israel. And in the years that followed, Madrid established itself as a mediator between Israel and the Arab world. For instance, the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference laid the groundwork for the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Similarly, Irelands support for an independent Palestine has deep historical roots.

A Palestinian woman walks past a house destroyed by an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Rafah, southern Gaza. Geopolitical observers note that the move will have little to no effect for the people on ground. File image/Reuters

Geopolitical analysts note that the move by Spain, Ireland and Norway amid the raging war doesnt extend beyond symbolism. Thats because it is unclear how much of a difference the move by the three countries might make. Many note that the reality on the ground doesnt change with Ireland, Norway and Spains move. As BBC reported, It will not change the reality on the ground.

Nevertheless, it is a significant accomplishment for Palestinians, as it legitimises their struggle even further.

Countries that already recognise Palestine

Spain, Ireland and Norway now join the list of countries that recognise Palestinian statehood. Of the 193 countries of the United Nations, 142 of them recognise a State of Palestine. These include many West Asian, African and Asian countries, but not the United States, Canada, most of western Europe, Australia, Japan or South Korea.

Interestingly, it was Sweden in 2014 that became the first EU member in western Europe to recognise a Palestinian state. Israels then foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman had then reacted angrily, telling Sweden that relations in the Middle East are a lot more complex than the self-assembly furniture of IKEA.

Six other countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania, had recognised Palestinian statehood earlier.

Of the 193 countries of the United Nations, 142 of them recognise a State of Palestine. These include many West Asian, African and Asian countries, but not the United States, Canada, most of western Europe, Australia, Japan or South Korea. File image/AP

Notably, the Israel-Hamas that began following the 7 October attacks, which has claimed over 35,000 lives, has revived support in Europe for Palestinian statehood. Slovenia has announced announced that it might recognise Palestine as a state by mid-June. EU member Malta may also provide its backing. In April, it also voted in favour of f ull membership for Palestine in the United Nations , but the initiative fell through due to a US veto.

Frances Emmanuel Macron in February asserted that the question of recognising a Palestinian state without a negotiated peace is no longer a taboo for France.

However, British foreign secretary David Cameron said no recognition of Palestine could come while Hamas remains in Gaza, but that it could happen while Israeli negotiations with Palestinian leaders were in progress.

With inputs from agencies
A new film about Donald Trump, titled The Apprentice, has premiered at the Cannes film festival, receiving an eight-minute-long standing ovation. The movie, which traces his origins in New York, has attracted legal attention from the former US president, who has called it garbage read more

Jeremy Strong (left) and Sebastian Stan in movie 'The Apprentice'. The movie premiered at Cannes, with reports saying it received an eight-minute-long standing ovation. Image Courtesy: Cannes Film Festival

What does the US presidential election campaign and the ongoing Cannes film festival have in common? The answer is Donald Trump.

On Monday (20 May), The Apprentice, the story of the 45th US presidents early years as a real estate developer, earned an eight-minute standing ovation after it premiered at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.

While it received high praise and a lengthy standing ovation in the French Riviera, the movie has earned the wrath of the former US president, calling it malicious defamation and threatening legal action.

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Whats the movie about?

The Apprentice , a reference to the TV series Donald Trump fronted in the early 2000s, is a movie based on the former US presidents early years while he was making his name in real estate. The movie starts off with a disclaimer that many of its events are fictionalised.

Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by the author Gabriel Sherman, the movie stars Sebastian Stan (famous for playing Winter Soldier in The Avengers franchise) as Trump, who is seeking to establish himself as a real estate magnate in the US. He finds a mentor in the wily lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong) and a first wife in the fashion model Ivana Zelnickova (Maria Bakalova). The movie depicts how Cohns lessons such as admit nothing, deny everything and attack, attack, attack become Trumps motto in later life.

News agency AFP says the film paints an unflinching but nuanced portrait of the former US president.

Gabriel Sherman, Director Ali Abbasi, and cast members Maria Bakalova, Sebastian Stan and Martin Donovan pose on the red carpet as they leave following the screening of the film The Apprentice in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Reuters

The movie that shows Trump as a striver has, however, a lot to upset his supporters. At one point during the film, he is shown raping Ivana inside their apartment at Trump Tower. During their real-life divorce proceedings, Ivana had accused Trump of raping her, although she later retracted the allegation. She died in 2022 .

In the rape scene, which has stirred controversy, Bakalova (Ivana) is shown presenting a book to him about the female anatomy. However, the discussion turns dark and Stan (Trump) is then shown saying that he is no longer attracted to her. They argue and then Trump throws her to the ground and rapes her.

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The movie also shows Trump abusing amphetamines in order to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction surgery to lose his love handles. Moreover, a young Trump in the movie is shown as making deals with underworld figures so Trump Tower can move forward as planned and failing to pay bills and making a bad bet on a Jersey City casino.

How Trump has reacted?

While Variety reported that the movie received a great response at Cannes with an eight-minute-long standing ovation, Trumps campaign is seething.

Trumps campaign communications director Steven Cheung said legal action would be taken to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers.

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This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalises lies that have been long debunked, he added in a statement. This is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their candidate of choice because nothing they have done has worked.

Donald Trump, the subject of the biopic The Apprentice has slammed the movie, calling it garbage. His campaign team has said that legal action would be taken. File image/Reuters

And its not just Trumps campaign that is threatening legal action against the movie. Billionaire and Donald Trump supporter Dan Snyder is also furious with the movie. For those unaware, Snyder donated $1.1 million to Trumps 2016 campaign and $100,000 to his 2020 campaign. He also poured money into The Apprentice through production house Kinematics, thinking the movie would depict his buddy in a positive light.

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However, as Variety reports, when Snyder finally saw a cut of the film in February, he was said to be furious. Kinematics lawyers were enlisted to fight the release of The Apprentice, and the cease-and-desist letters began flying.

Kinematics president Emanuel Nunez confirmed to Variety that his company had tried to stop the release but that it was a result of creative disagreements between the company and the filmmakers and had nothing to do with Snyder.

How has the films director defended his work?

Director Ali Abbasi said, I dont think it is a movie he would dislike. I dont necessarily think he would like it, but I think hed be surprised. So Im happy to meet him, have a screening and then we can discuss it afterwards.

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He also hoped that the film would hit theatres in mid-September, ahead of a November US election that Trump, 77, is contesting as Republican presidential candidate.

Director Ali Abbasi attends a press conference for the film The Apprentice in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. He hopes that the film would hit theatres in America in mid-September. Reuters

A Reuters report also quoted Abbasi as saying, Everybody talks about him suing a lot of people, they dont talk about his success rate though.

Speaking to Washington Post later, Abbasi said: Hes a complex character. I think anyone who thinks Donald Trump is stupid or banal or superficial is gravely mistaken. I think a lot of my liberal friends think that because he doesnt speak as eloquently as Barack Obama, hes dumb and he doesnt know what hes doing.

He continued: He has a very intuitive, actual ability to understand the masses. The Donald Trump in the movie is a construct, you know? I can call it a persona. And I cant say that I decoded him.

How has the movie been received?

Critics who were at the screening of The Apprentice at Cannes have given it broadly positive reviews.

Kevin Maher, writing for The Times, said: This is the Donald Trump movie that you never knew you needed: full of compassionate feeling yet ruthless in analysis.

Variety in its review wrote, Sebastian Stan plays Donald Trump in a docudrama that nails everything about him but his mystery.

Deadlines Pete Hammond described it as a smart, sharp and surprising origin story. This is not a hit job on Trump, he said. It presents a person somewhat driven but awkward, a man striving for the approval of a tough-love father, unsure but determined to succeed and even oddly charming at times.

With inputs from agencies
Vietnams parliament elected top security minister To Lam as the countrys new president on 22 May. This follows the recent appointment of a new chairman by the National Assembly. Lams election may bring an end to two months of significant political turbulence in the communist state, during which three of the countrys top five leaders resigned over an ongoing anti-corruption scandal read more

To Lam swears in the position after he was elected as the president at the National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam on 22 May, 2024. VNA via AP

Vietnams communist parliament publicly voted in To Lam, the minister of public security, as the countrys new president on Wednesday (22 May), following the resignation of his predecessor due to a significant anti-corruption campaign .

Vietnams leadership structure consists of four key positions: the Communist Party general secretary, the president, the prime minister, and the head of the National Assembly, the four bureaucratic positions have been informally dubbed the four pillars in regard to leadership and decision-making in the country.

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With the resignation of the National Assembly chairman in April over violations and shortcomings, two of these top positions had been vacant for a month.

The president is elected by the National Assembly through a secret ballot, with the results then approved by the deputies. To Lam received an overwhelming majority, with 472 out of 473 votes in his favour.

A general view of the Vietnam National Assembly during the opening ceremony of its 7th session, in Hanoi, Vietnam, 20 May, 2024. Reuters

Tran Thanh Man, 61, was also nominated as the new chairman of the National Assembly on Monday, and the party has also appointed four new politburo members.

Who is To Lam?

To Lam was born on 10 July, 1957, in Xuan Cau village, Vietnam, to Colonel To Quyen, a revered figure in the Peoples Armed Forces. His fathers was a decorated army officer who was honoured with the Hero of the Peoples Armed Forces medal.

To Quyens commitment to the revolution led him to serve in the South under the Central Bureau until the countrys reunification, earning him the moniker Uncle Tu To Lam.

Following his fathers footsteps, To Lam pursued studies in security, enrolling in the sixth course of the Central Public Security School in October 1974, later renamed Peoples Security University.

Continuing his academic journey, he delved into the field of law, culminating in the attainment of a PhD in Jurisprudence. In recognition of his academic prowess, he was bestowed with the title of Professor of Security Sciences in October 2015.

To Lams commitment to the Communist cause was evident as he joined the Communist Party of Vietnam on 22 August, 1981, officially becoming a party member a year later.

Embarking on a dedicated career in public service, To Lams trajectory saw him rise through the ranks within the police forces of Vietnam. He held various key positions, including Head of the Central Highlands Steering Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security, and Director-General of the MPS First General Department of Security.

His tenure was marked by significant contributions to law enforcement and security, earning him recognition within the Communist Party. To Lams ascent within the party ranks was steady, as he became a Member of the Central Committee in 2011 and later ascended to the Politburo in 2016.

Since April 2016, he held the position of Minister of Public Security, until his nomination for the presidency in May 2024.

Lams controversial role as Vietnams top security minister

During Lams tenure at the helm of the Public Security Ministry, Vietnam has drawn severe criticism from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other watchdog organisations for its tactics of harassing and intimidating critics.

In 2021, courts convicted at least 32 individuals for expressing dissenting views about the government, handing them lengthy prison sentences, while authorities detained at least 26 others on fabricated charges, as reported by HRW.

Under Tams leadership as Vietnams chief security official, civil society encountered additional restrictions, with foreign aid limitations imposed in 2021 being further tightened in 2023. The nation witnessed the imprisonment of environmental activists, alongside the introduction of legislation aimed at censoring social media, according to Ben Swanton of The 88 Project, an organisation advocating for freedom of expression in Vietnam.

A general view of the Presidential Palace of Vietnam, in Hanoi, Vietnam, 11 May, 2024. File Image/Reuters

With To Lams ascent to the presidency, Vietnam is now a literal police state, Swanton told AP, noting the increasing dominance of current and former security officials within the Vietnamese ruling Politburo. He anticipates a further escalation of repression and censorship.

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While Vietnam grappled with a COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, a video emerged showing Turkish chef Nusret Gokce, famously known as Salt Bae, serving Tam a gold-adorned steak in London. Despite attempts to suppress it, the video spread rapidly, fueling widespread outrage among individuals enduring lockdowns, which exacerbated economic hardships.

In the midst of this, a Vietnamese noodle vendor named Bui Tuan Lam, who parodied the Salt Bae video, was arrested on charges of disseminating anti-state propaganda and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison.

Vietnams then-Vice Minister of Public Security To Lam poses for a photo in Hanoi, Vietnam, 25 January, 2016. File Image/Reuters

Furthermore, it was under Lams tenure as public security minister in 2017 when German authorities allege that Vietnamese businessperson and former politician Trinh Xuan Thanh, along with a companion, were forcibly abducted and transported in a van in central Berlin, an act described by German officials as an unprecedented and fragrant violation of German and international law.

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With inputs from agencies
People with HIV can breastfeed their babies, as long as they are taking medications that effectively suppress the virus that causes AIDS, a top US pediatricians group said in a sharp policy change read more

The American Academy of Pediatrics releases updated recommendations on breastfeeding for people living with HIV. Image used for representational purposes/Pixabay

For the first time, the American Academy of Paediatrics has shifted its stance to allow mothers who are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) to breastfeed their infants who are at very low risk as long as they follow specific recommendations and receive support from their medical team.

According to a new clinical report from the American Academy of Paediatrics published on Monday in the journal Paediatrics, breastfeeding is the only method with no risk of HIV transmission. However, paediatricians should continue to provide support and counselling to women who want to breastfeed, as long as they are adhering to their doctors prescription for antiretroviral therapy, or ART, and are maintaining an undetectable level of virus in their bodies.

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Previously, the academy advised mothers living with HIV in the US not to breastfeed their children, irrespective of their use of antiretroviral therapy or viral load.

Antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV breastfeeding risk

The new report recognises that routinely prescribed drugs can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV via breast milk to less than one per cent, said Dr Lisa Abuogi, a pediatric HIV expert at the University of Colorado and lead author of the report.

The medications are so good now and the benefits for mom and baby are so important that we are at a point where it is important to engage in shared decision-making, Abuogi said.

About 5,000 people who have HIV give birth in the US each year. Nearly all take drugs to suppress the virus to very low levels though viral levels can rebound if they dont stay on them. Representational image /Reuters

The drugs, known as antiretroviral therapy, dont eliminate all the risk of transmitting HIV through breast milk. Avoiding breastfeeding is the only certain way to prevent the spreading of the virus, Abuogi said.

In addition, parents must breastfeed exclusively for the babies first six months because research shows that switching between breast milk and formula can disrupt an infants gut in ways that increase the risk of HIV infection.

About 5,000 people who have HIV give birth in the US each year. Nearly all take drugs to suppress the virus to very low levels, Abuogi said, though viral levels can rebound if they dont stay on them.

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The shift in policy

Before the medications became widely available starting a decade ago, about 30 per cent of HIV infections transmitted from moms to babies occurred during breastfeeding, said Dr Lynne Mofenson, an adviser to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In the early 1990s, about 2,000 infections occurred in US infants each year. Today, its fewer than 30.

The AAP policy comes more than a year after the National Institutes of Health and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reversed longstanding recommendations against breastfeeding by people with HIV. That guidance said people with consistent viral suppression should be counselled on their options. It also emphasises that healthcare providers shouldnt alert child protective services agencies if a parent with HIV seeks to breastfeed.

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The goal is listening to patients and not blaming or shaming them, said Dr Lynn Yee, a Northwestern University professor of obstetrics and gynaecology who helped draft the NIH guidance.

Breastfeeding provides ideal nutrition for babies and protects them against illnesses and conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes, research shows. Nursing also reduces the mothers risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

How recommendations for HIV-positive moms are evolving

The World Health Organization has recommended since 2010 that women with HIV in developing countries breastfeed their infants and have access to antiretroviral therapy. The guidance weighed the risk of infants acquiring HIV through breastfeeding and the risk of babies dying from malnutrition, diarrhoea and pneumonia in places where safe replacements for breast milk arent available.

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In developed nations, however, experts had recommended against breastfeeding because the wide availability of safe water, formula and human donor milk could eliminate the risk of HIV transmission, Yee said.

That frustrated people with HIV who were flatly refused the option of nursing.

Ci Ci Covin, 36, of Philadelphia, said she was diagnosed with HIV at age 20 and was not permitted to breastfeed her first child, Zion, now 13. I couldnt understand how come my sister who lives in a place like Kenya, who looks just like me with the same colour brown skin, was given the option to breastfeed and how my option was starkly no, she said.

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Not being able to nurse her son sent Covin into a spiral of postpartum depression, she said. When she became pregnant with her now two-year-old daughter, Zuri, her healthcare team helped her successfully breastfeed for seven months. Covin took her prescriptions as directed and also gave the baby drugs to prevent infection.

Breast milk has everything in it that my baby would need, Covin said. Thats a beautiful thing.

Abuogi said the AAP report provides crucial guidance for paediatricians, nurses and lactation specialists who work directly with children and families.

Some providers were already helping people treated for HIV to nurse their babies, despite the earlier recommendations. The new guidance should expand the practice, hopefully quickly, Abuogi said.

This is a unique situation because its not just doctors and providers who are changing, Abuogi said. Our patients are pushing this as well.

With inputs from AP
For the next five days, the meteorological agency has forecast prolonged hot to severe heatwave conditions. According to reports, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan demonstrated the intense heat in Rajasthan by roasting papad. The same video went popular on social media and received a wide range of responses from online users read more

In the 48-second clip, a BSF jawan can be seen wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a handkerchief over his face to protect himself from the intense heat

At present, a heatwave is searing through North India, with maximum daytime temperatures above 47C in multiple places. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi and portions of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh due to the persistently high temperatures.

For the next five days, the meteorological agency has forecast prolonged hot to severe heatwave conditions. According to reports, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan demonstrated the intense heat in Rajasthan by roasting papad. The same video went popular on social media and received a wide range of responses from online users.

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Temprature soars to 47 in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The sand along International Border fells like a furnace, but our troopers serving motherland stand strong.



Video showing a BSF Jawan roasting a papad in bikaner's sand goes viral.



Salute Bravehearts  pic.twitter.com/eEZYXpslIn  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) May 22, 2024

Temperature soars to 47C in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The sand along the International Border feels like a furnace, but our troopers serving the motherland stand strong, the video was shared on X with the caption.

In the 48-second clip, a BSF jawan can be seen wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a handkerchief over his face to protect himself from the intense heat. Holding his service gun in one hand, he carefully sets the papad in the hot sand and waits for it to cook. He smashes and cracks the papad towards the conclusion of the film to show that it has been cooked through in the sand.
The bench directed that the executive orders classifying 42 classes made by the state from March 5, 2010, till May 11, 2012, were also quashed, with prospective effect, given the illegality of the reports recommending such classification read more

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday struck down several classes as Other Backward Classes (OBC) under an Act of 2012 of West Bengal for reservation of vacancies in services and posts in the state, finding these illegal.

Passing judgment on petitions challenging the provisions of the Act, the court clarified that the services of citizens of the struck-down classes, who are already in service or have availed the benefit of reservation or have succeeded in any selection process of the state will not be affected by the order.

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The court struck down several classes for reservation as Other Backward Classes (OBC) given under The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.

In the judgment, the division bench comprising justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha clarified that the executive orders of the state government classifying 66 classes of OBC before 2010 were not interfered with, since these were not challenged in the petitions.

The bench directed that the executive orders classifying 42 classes made by the state from March 5, 2010, till May 11, 2012, were also quashed, with prospective effect, given the illegality of the reports recommending such classification.

The bench said that the opinion and advice of the Backward Classes Commission is ordinarily binding on the state legislature under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.

The bench directed the Backward Classes Welfare Department of the state, in consultation with the Commission, to place a report before the legislature with recommendations for the inclusion of new classes or for the exclusion of remaining classes in the state list of OBCs.
Canada has accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in Canadas Surrey read more

Four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar were produced in a Canadian court on Tuesday.

While three accused Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28) were produced physically in a court in British Columbias Surrey, the fourth accused Amandeep Singh, 22, was produced via video conference, according to The Canadian Press news agency.

Amandeep is being held in Ontario on weapons charges unrelated to the Nijjars case.

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Nijjar was shot dead in June 2023 outside a Sikh gurdwara in June 2023. The Indian government had designated him as a terrorist. The organisation that he headed, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), had also been designated as a terrorist organisation. Later, in September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that there were credible allegations of Indian governments role in Nijjars killing.

Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, said Trudeau at the time in the Canadian parliament.

India rejected Trudeaus claim as absurd and the episode plunged the India-Canada relationship to its lowest in decades.

Judge orders accused to avoid contact with community members

In the case of Nijjars death, the judge ordered the four accused to have no contact with several people in the community, as per The Canadian Press.

Richard Fowler, the lawyer for accused Karan Brar, told the Vancouver Sun that such an order was completely understandable.

Its completely understandable given the context why there is an enormous amount of community interest in this case. That level of community interest makes meto ensure that those charged with these offences have a fair trial, said Fowler.

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I have no doubt the members of East Indian community, broader Canadian community, and the international community are equally interested in ensuring that there was a fair trial, that justice is done, said Fowler.

As the case was being heard, hundreds of local Sikhs carrying Khalistan flags and posters showed up at the court, according to the report.

Canada has been a hub of the Khalistan movement, which seeks to carve out a separate homeland for Sikhs out of India called Khalistan. The movement waged a bloody insurgency in India, primarily in Punjab, for decades and only ebbed in the 1990s. While it ebbed in India, the movement made countries like the United Kingdom and Canada its hubs. The Canadian governments inaction over the Khalistan movement breeding on its soil has been a constant irritant in India-Canada relationship.
As Firstpost digs deeper into the security breach at BrahMos, new details have emerged about the alleged role of former CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace, Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra, sending the countrys security apparatus into a tizzy read more

Concerning information has come to light regarding the BrahMos security breach. Agencies

In an extremely concerning development in the BrahMos Aerospace security breach matter, Firstpost has found that the documents allegedly mishandled by former CEO and MD of BrahMos, Dr Sudhir Mishra, included files of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The secret files of as many as four countries are involved in this pressing issue. Every single one of these countries are known to have displayed interest in the BrahMos missile system at some point.

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According to a document accessed exclusively by Firstpost, the claimed security breach was not an accident, but was done deliberately. The document, a part of the evidence collected during the investigation, contains the signed statement of the Personal Assistant to Dr Mishra.

Dr Mishra used to keep all the Top Secret, Secret and export-related files in his room in the almirah, the PAs signed statement, given at the headquarters of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on April 18, 2024, reads.

On November 30, 2021, Dr Mishra told his PA to give him the CCS files of three nations that have shown an interest in the BrahMos missile systems in the past.

The significance of the CCS files

The CCS is the final decision-making body on all matters of Indias national security, including defence policy and expenditure. How crucial the content of the files must have been is anybodys guess, a highly placed DRDO source, who is a part of the Fact Finding Investigation Committee (FFIC) and privy to the developments regarding this probe, said.

Other important files mishandled too

Apart from the CCS files, Dr Mishra also asked for correspondence files pertaining to two nations, and Market Representative (MR) files of four nations.

Statement exclusively accessed by Firstpost. The names of the four countries, have been colour-coded and redacted in consideration of national security implications. The name and signature of the ex-BrahMos CEOs PA has been redacted to maintain their privacy.

Firstpost has redacted the names of all these countries in consideration of implications for national security.

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Delays in action from DRDO?

Firstpost accessed BrahMos internal investigation report and highlighted, on 1 May, 2024, that Dr Mishra had allegedly taken out confidential documents from the BrahMos premises on the day of his retirement  30 November, 2021.

Eventually, BrahMos launched an investigation about the potential mishandling of sensitive documents by Dr Mishra. This report was submitted to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Based on this, DRDO formed an FFIC. The committee was formed after an internal investigation by BrahMos flagged Dr Mishras alleged role in removing documents from its premises.

The Directorate of Public Interface (DPI), DRDO, in response to that article, had said, DRDO had received complaint against Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra Ex-CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace. Based upon the complaint, a Fact Finding Inquiry Committee was formed by Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO. However the committee didnt find any evidence to back the allegation levied.

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Less than a week after Firstposts initial report on 1 May, an internal email was sent to DRDOs top brass, including its Chairman, Dr Samir V Kamat and to the Directorate of Personnel (DoP), Dr Sanjai K Dwivedi. The email said that the probe into the matter is being revisited in light of media reports and the absence of a statement from the current BrahMos CEO.

For the uninitiated, DRDO is heavily involved because BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between Indias DRDO and Russias military-industrial consortium, NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

Vipin Kaushik, Director, DPI, DRDO, said the organisation had no comments in response to Firstposts questions regarding the statement.

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Dr Mishra told this correspondent, I was the custodian of all classified files and they used to be in my custody in locker. Therefore the question of the PA accessing them or me asking the PA to bring them does not arise. He claimed that the PAs statement was false and may have been made under duress.

BrahMos had not responded to a request for comment till the time of publishing. The companys response will be added to this story as and when received.

Catch the entire investigation by Firstpost here:
The Supreme Court said it was not inclined to entertain Hemant Sorens petition since he had pursed parallel remedies by filing two separate pleas - one challenging his arrest and another seeking bail read more

The bail plea of Hemant Soren was dismissed as withdrawn by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The former chief minister of Jharkhand withdrew his interim bail plea after a Vacation Bench asked why he had not disclosed the facts relating to the Special Court already taking cognisance of the complaint by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Tell us why was this not mentioned anywhere that cognisance has been taken. Why was cognisance not disclosed, the Vacation Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra told senior advocate Kapil Sibal who was appearing for Soren.

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Sorens petition before the apex court challenging his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case concerning a huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia in Jharkhand. He was arrested on January 31.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the top court asked Sibal (appearing for Soren) to satisfy it on the proposition that the validity of arrest can be examined by them, despite the trial court taking cognizance of the ED complaint and rejecting a regular bail application filed on behalf of Soren.

The Bench further said it was not inclined to entertain Sorens plea since he had pursued parallel remedies by filing two separate pleas - one challenging his arrest and another seeking bail - but had failed to disclose that the trial court had taken cognisance of the offence.

Soren had moved the SC seeking interim bail to campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which are currently underway. On Monday, the ED had vehemently opposed any special treatment to him.

Voting on 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand was spread across four phases. Polling for seven seats has been completed, with the rest of the constituencies to vote in the last two phases on May 25 and June 1.

Responding to Sorens plea, the ED said he is highly influential and there is an active attempt on the part of the petitioner to subvert the investigation by misusing state machinery and to project the proceeds of crime as untainted.

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With inputs from agencies
PM Modi also claimed that the Opposition would close the 50-crore Jan Dhan accounts opened under the BJP government and take all money read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the INDIA bloc has diseases worse than cancer.

PM Modis comments came as he addressed a public rally in Uttar Pradeshs Shravasti. The INDI alliance has diseases worse than cancer. They can destroy the whole of India if they spread. Three diseases can be more destructive for the country than cancer. These diseases are, these people are extremely communal, these people are extremely racist, these people are extreme nepotists.

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India has voted for five phases of the Lok Sabha elections with just two more to go. The five phases covered 430 out of 543 seats. The fifth phase recorded 60.48 per cent voter turnout. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh recorded 58.02 per cent turnout.

Highlighting the historical importance of Shravasti, PM Modi said, Shravasti is rich in history and mythology and tourists from all over the world want to visit this place. The previous governments of SP, BSP and Congress never thought about its development.

They were neither concerned about the development of Shravasti nor the heritage of the country. Our government is working to give Shravasti a separate identity on the map of the country, he added.

The Indian prime minister also claimed that the Opposition would close the 50-crore Jan Dhan accounts opened under the BJP government and take all money.

Modi opened Jan Dhan accounts for more than 50 crore poor people, they (the Opposition) will close your bank account and snatch away your money, he said.
Pune Police Commissioner, Amitesh Kumar, said the accused in the Pune Porsche accident case first visited Cosie, a restaurant-pub, on Saturday evening where he spent Rs 48,000 read more

The 17-year-old Pune boy, son of a renowned real-estate developer Vishal Agarwal, spent a whooping Rs 48,000 in just 90 minutes in one of the two pubs he visited on Saturday evening where he consumed alcohol with his friends before ramming his Porsche Taycan into a motorcycle, killing two young techies.

As per Pune Police Commissioner, Amitesh Kumar, the accused in the Pune Porsche accident case, along with his friends, first visited Cosie, a restaurant-pub, at 10:40 pm on Saturday, where he spent Rs 48,000 on drinks.

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We have obtained a bill of Rs 48,000 from Cosie pub which was paid by the underage driver of Porsche involved in the accident on Sunday. The bill includes the cost of liquor served to the teenager and his friends at the pub, a report by The Time of India quoted the Pune Police Commissioner as saying.

Minor & friends asked to leave Cosie pub

Punes Cosie pub stopped serving the boy and his friends, but it appeared that their party mode did not end. They then hopped into their cars and went to a second pub, Blak Mariott, where they reached at 12:10 am, the report said.

Ample CCTV footages of boy drinking alcohol

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manoj Patil said the cops have ample CCTV camera footage of the minor accused and his friends consuming alcohol in both the pubs before he drove his Porsche Taycan, while being under the influence.

The blood sample reports are still awaited, Patil was quoted as saying by the daily.

A report by NDTV mentioned the Pune Police Commissioner saying that the accused driver in Pune Porsche accident case was taken for a medical test in the early hours of Sunday. His blood sample was taken and sent for a forensic report.

Boys father arrested from Aurangabad

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Pune Police, on Tuesday, detained the minor accuseds father from Aurangabad . He was absconding soon after his son was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Sunday evening.

Also Read: New SIM, shuttling cities: Heres how 17-year-old Pune Porsche accident accuseds father misled cops

Three top executives from both the pubs have also been arrested for serving liquor to the minors.

On Saturday, the boy along with his 10-12 friends went out partying to celebrate his Class 12 results. They splurged on food and alcohol till around 3:15 am on Sunday, after which, the accused and two of his friends left Blak Mariott and sped away in their Porsche Taycan.

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They then went on drive in a reckless manner and rammed a bike in which two young techies were returning home from a party.

Also Read: Viral videos show 17-year-old Pune boy getting drunk, killing 2 with speeding Porsche

The two techies  Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta (both 24-year-old and friends)  were from Madhya Pradesh and were working in Pune in an IT company. Their bike was hit by Porsche Taycan driven by the accused at Kalyani Nagar junction. Both of them died after the accident.

Also Read: 17 YO Pune boy, who killed 2 with Porsche, gets bail in hours, asked to write essay on accident

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The accused teenager was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) which granted him bail with 15 hours of police detention.

With inputs from agencies
The Indo-Pacific war of ports has intensified in 2024. In 2023, Indias Adani group had taken custody of the Haifa ports while its share price was under attack by short sellers. It was also the year when India and the United States finally were able to break through to Sri Lanka, Adani obtained the concession for the West Container Terminal in Colombo and it was financed by the US Federal Development and Finance Corporation. In response, China restarted its project in the Bay of Bengal at Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, trying to establish an alternative to its failed Gwadar port in Pakistan.

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Chinas strategy with Gwadar and the entire China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was to build a port city that mirrored Dubai. The plan was to have crude oil delivered from the Persian Gulf to Gwadar, refined there, and then transported by pipeline to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. However, this strategy has faced several obstacles. First, the development of the announced $10 billion Saudi Aramco refinery is progressing slowly. Second, engineers deemed pumping crude or refined oil over the mountains through Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly during the harsh sub-zero winters, to be an expensive and impractical venture. Additionally, Gwadars location in Balochistan, a province facing Baloch independence movements, has created significant security threats for both China and the workers from Punjab that Pakistan brought in as part of its attempt at ethnic replacement.

The CPEC strategy to avoid the Indian Ocean and the Malacca and Sunda Straits for shipping Chinas energy needs from the Persian Gulf was a failure. But Gwadar, all by itself, gave China a strong presence in the Indian Ocean, especially as it is a port very close to India and the India-Fujairah shipping route.

But Gwadar has also failed as a commercial port. A recent DW report on Gwadar and Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) port, labels it the most underperforming port in Chinas portfolio. It has only managed to log 22 ships in its best year since its completion in 2007. While China will never admit the failure of Gwadar and CPEC, the deserted port and infrastructure raise concerns about their potential use for expanding Chinese military presence and activity in the Indian Ocean.

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Gwadar, despite its failure, is a thorn in the Indian side. That is why Indias Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, travelled to Tehran during the busy election period to sign the concession to operate Chabahar port in Iran 160 km east of Gwadar. The concession was granted to India Ports Global Ltd., a Government of India-owned company.

The United States has cautioned India on its Iran deal despite having previously granted India an exemption for Chabahar. Both partners are fully aware that in the war with China in the Indian Ocean, neither can lose Chabahar to the Chinese. If India did not sign the concession, promising over $370 million in investment in exchange for operating the port, China would naturally step in.

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Chabahar is the most convenient non-Pakistani port for landlocked Afghanistan. Even the Taliban, once vassals of Pakistans intelligence, have now started maintaining distance from their former allies. Chabahar is also a convenient port for the landlocked Central Asian Republics, courted by the US, China, Russia and India. Above all, Chabahar allows India and indirectly the US, to keep China under check at Gwadar. For India, Chabahar is an important port for the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), that connects Russia and India.

From the Indian perspective, the INSTC and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced at the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, create supply chain resilience and future-proof trade routes with its most important allies. While in China, President Putins choice to visit Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, is significant. China has been marketing the Heilongjiang province extensively as a base for international companies who may choose to manufacture in China for the Russian market, essentially evading sanctions. The city grew in the late 19th century with the influx of Russian engineers constructing the eastern leg of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The INSTC is Indias connection to maintaining its trade corridor to Russia and keeping its foot in the door with countries such as Russia and Iran which are slowly seeping deep into the sinosphere. A sinosphere which is now a geographic reality, from North Korea to Iran, with Mongolia and the Central Asian states essentially undecided, but surrounded by Chinese allies and vassals.

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While Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China to increase industrial and military cooperation, Myanmar has chosen Russia to build and operate the strategic Dawei port project. Following the military coup, Myanmar initially favoured China as an infrastructure partner due to Western sanctions. However, Myanmar has recently shifted its stance, awarding the management of the strategically significant Sittwe port, located near India, to Indias state-owned India Global Ports Ltd. Beijing has renewed work on the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port and SEZ just 120 km away from Sittwe.

While China had expressed interest in the Dawei port, by choosing Russia, Myanmar has favoured a third party that India sees favourably. Seeking to bolster its ties with Moscow, Myanmars Junta is actively pursuing Russian investment not only for the port project but also for a special economic zone that includes an oil refinery.

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The Dawei port is located on Myanmars border with Thailand. It is a port on the sea of Andaman and proposed plans for the project entail the construction of a port with a capacity of 10 million tonnes and an oil refinery capable of processing 100,000 barrels per day. However, China is apprehensive that Russias involvement in Myanmars port sector may undermine its own projects in Kyaukphyu and potentially disrupt global trade dynamics in the region. Both Dawei and Kyaukphyu have the potential to avoid the straits of Malacca and Sunda for China, a strategic advantage.

While the Russian-built and owned refinery does not change the energy dynamic significantly for China, Dawei starts a dangerous precedent of Russia encroaching on strategic assets in Asia, much as it has in Africa. Despite Putins successful visit to Beijing, both India and China must be on guard of the expansion of Russian influence in their backyard.

The author is an Indo-Italian entrepreneur and writer, has worked closely and continues to advise various governments in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is the founder of the Dialogue on Democracy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
In an interesting development, Ghulam Qadir Wani, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Kashmir, in his recent interview, has expressed a desire to participate in elections should the government lift the ban on Jamaat and encouraged Jamaat followers and cadres to vote in the current and upcoming assembly elections. He himself voted in this election and stated categorically that Jamaat has always opposed militancy, supported democracy, and now intended to restore peace in Jammu & Kashmir.

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Is it a positive sign heralding the beginning of a new era with the separatist outfits joining the mainstream or a development signalling re-entry into the next phase of disaster, destruction, and bloodletting in J&K?

Indeed, it is good news for the typical narrow and vainglorious bureaucratic minds populating the Indian intelligence agencies ever since their inception. Short of specialised training that could enable them to cultivate a long-term strategic vision and in-depth understanding of Islamism, they have mostly fooled, misled, and misguided the political leadership in Delhi into unleashing short-term and quick-fix solutions for the Kashmir issue, ultimately doomed to achieve self-goals. They might have argued that post-abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir is going through massive alienation in the absence of a vibrant political process.

Given that Jamaat needs to be mainstreamed through its participation in the electoral process, it has a strong social and religious support base. Also, they might have suggested that the experimentation with new political leaders and parties, such as the Apni Party backed by the Centre, would be a non-starter because they have no ground-level support base, unlike in the case of entities like Jamaat. Besides, opening the electoral pathway for Jamaat will help contain the monopoly and influence of the two mainstream dynastic parties, i.e., NC and PDP, and it will discredit the separatist narrative and agenda.

Some of the more intelligent ones are likely to argue that the militancy started after the alleged rigging of the 1987 elections because Jamaat got disillusioned with Indias democracy. Realising that they had nothing to gain with Indias democracy, they chose Pakistan and became the flag-bearers of militancy. Once again, the Centre is faced with the same choice, and they should not repeat the blunder of 1987. Rather, they should facilitate and support Jamaats entry into elections.

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Further, they might have argued that Jamaats election participation will majorly dent Pakistans image, credibility, and agenda. That the participation of Jamaat-e-Islami, the central pillar of Pakistans proxy, Islamism, and separatist agenda, in the elections will shatter peoples faith in Pakistan. Also, the youth disillusioned with Jamaats surrender to India and betrayal to the separatist cause will never vote for Jamaat candidates; instead, they are likely to question Jamaat leaders if they decide to join the electoral fray driven by the desire for power, perks, and privileges, why did they orchestrate the gory terrorist violence and stone-pelting which led to death and destruction in Kashmir.

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However, such arguments and analyses appear intellectually appealing and attractive at a superficial level. They are the typical products of short-sighted bureaucratic minds. They sell well in the international media and multilateral forums like the UN. It is not surprising that this idea emerged at a time when one expected Delhi to deal a final blow to the Islamist and separatist ecosystem in Kashmir. It has happened in the past, too.

Jamaat-e-Islami commenced its activities in Kashmir in the 1940s. Initially, it faced massive resistance from Sheikh Abdullahs National Conference due to political reasons and the local Etqadi Islam due to differences in religious doctrines. However, Delhi, as usual, guided by usual suspects, decided to propose Jamaat-e-Islami to counter Kashmirs ethnic nationalism. Jamaat was seen as a robust counterweight to the National Conference in Delhi circles. Hence, as a part of this strategy, Jamaat made its forays into elections in 1969, 1977, 1987, and 2001. However, in 2002, its participation was not direct, instead, Centre raised PDP, a local political party thriving on the strong support of Jamaat-e-Islami and known for its soft separatism and Islamism. Interestingly, in his book K-File, Bashir Assad writes that in Kashmir circles, it was popular that the real chief of Jamaat was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and the formal appointees were a pale shadow of Mufti. However, such experiments always failed and, in their failures, brought massive strategic setbacks to India.

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Understanding Jamaats Real Character

Continuous support and facilitation for Jamaat secured its massive rise and penetration in Kashmir in the 1980s in the political vacuum that emerged after the death of Sheikh Abdullah. Little did Delhis strategic masterminds realise that Jamaat was an organisation that has always adhered to Maulana Maududis totalitarian and predatory Islamist ideology premised upon the centrality of Islamic religious doctrines in human beings personal and social lives. In the academic jargon, this is called Political Islam or Islamism, different from Islam as a religion. However, in my interviews with Wahhabi scholars, they have always ridiculed such terminology as the products of diffident minds of half-baked secular scholars of Islam, primarily driven by their leftist moorings and the urge to be politically correct. The Wahhabi scholars suggested that Islam is essentially political and one cannot separate politics from Islam.

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According to Maulana Maududi, Shariah is the sole authority that guides society in cultural, legal, governance, and religious matters and guides an individual person in his private life. This ideology is rooted in the supremacy of Islam; hence, the non-Muslims are called Kafirs and reduced to the status of Dhimmis, who can live in a sharia-governed state by paying protection money or face the consequences in the form of forced religious conversions. In essence, they are not treated on par with humans. Ideologically, Jamaat is a South Asian cousin of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Giving space to Jamaat in mainstream politics is akin to handing over Kashmir to the Taliban. Notably, we have done that in the past with severe consequences. As mentioned previously, Jamaat spread its tentacles wide and deep in Kashmir in the 1980s. In 1986, after the locks of Babri Masjid were opened, Jamaat played a crucial role in engineering the anti-Kashmiri pundit riots in Anantnag. Several temples were desecrated, and Hindu houses were attacked. Reportedly, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed organised the riots. The Anantnag riots of 1986 can be called the dress rehearsal of the anti-Kashmiri Pundit ethnic cleansing of 1990.

After the onset of militancy in 1988, Jamaat became the main pillar of Pakistans proxy war against India. It became the core engine of Pakistans game plan of Islamic radicalisation of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the long-term sustainability of jihadi terrorism in a state that was otherwise sticking to relatively moderate and syncretic Sufi Islam.

Jamaat became the intellectual arm of the new terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) launched by Pakistan to replace the relatively moderate and less Islamist separatist outfit Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Jamaat indulged in raising finances for terrorist groups and provided strategic, religious, and operational guidelines to them. Jamaat cadres emerged as the overground support system of an array of terrorist organisations working in Kashmir. Since, formally, Jamaat existed as a socio-religious and educational organization, it never faced any backlash from the state. Its claim to represent authentic Islam, heavy investment, and focus on education, running orphanages, schools, colleges, madrasas, and religious ijtemas in remote rural areas enabled it to emerge as a de facto leader of the Kashmiri society.

Besides, with its strong links with terror groups and Pakistani support, it could threaten and coerce ordinary people to follow its line. While researching for my books in Kashmir, my informed interlocutors told me that people never dared to cross Jamaat. If Jamaat invited someone for ijtemas, no one would say no. Jamaat released strike calendars and organised stone-pelting, violent civil unrest, and protests. Jamaat was instrumental in organizing the widespread unrest and violence in the 2008 Amarnath row and a series of agitations yearly, including the deadly post-Burhan Wani agitation. Its fear was so intense that if Jamaat called for boycotting elections, people hardly ventured out of their houses on the polling day. Jamaat was the main force sanctioning the targeted killing of pro-India voices in the valley.

Jamaat ran a vast empire of schools and colleges. In the early 1990s, in Jamaat-engineered attacks, all the secular government schools, branded by Jamaat as vehicles of Delhis Hinduising agenda, were attacked and burnt by Jamaat. They were replaced by Jamaat schools with much better infrastructure and better funding. However, those schools taught Maududi Islam and regressive religious doctrines. The students graduating from Jamaat institutions ended up with an extreme anti-India, Islamist, pro-Pakistan, and radicalized mindset. They ended up joining militancy and working as OGWs (Over Ground Workers) for terrorist groups. Many students also carried this separatist and extremist agenda while joining the police, academia, politics, media, cultural organisations, civil society, and financial institutions of the government.

Jamaat raised huge funding from its educational institutions, which reportedly went into terror financing. Besides, Jamaat cadres in government institutions facilitated the smooth functioning of separatists and Islamist ecosystem. No political party could displease Jamaat. Through Jamaat, Pakistan exercised overwhelming influence in the mainstream politics of J&K. Bashir Assad has even discussed incidents of top-level, mainstream politicians of J&K sheltering terrorists in their homes. During the rule of state-level political parties, Jamaat played a crucial role in transfers, postings, appointments, and allocation and utilization of development funds. It had penetration in the police, intelligence, and secretariat.

Through its string of charities and trusts, Jamaat played a crucial role in raising and moving terror funds. Internationally, it has enjoyed linkages beyond Pakistan with anti-India and Islamic charity organizations in West Asia, the US, Europe, and Turkey. Many such foundations in the West, with Jamaat linkages, were later found to have strong links with terrorist groups. I have discussed Jamaats international linkages with terror groups in my recently released book, Terror Financing in Kashmir.

Repeating Blunders

As a strategic analyst, I am puzzled and dumbstruck by Indias intent and capacity to incessantly repeat the same set of blunders that ruined and devastated its last thousand years of existence into a phase of slavery, decadence, and decline. Today, when one finally witnesses the separatist ecosystem in Kashmir facing an existential crisis, what really motivates us to give it a new lease of life by reviving it through mainstreaming diabolical organisations like Jamaat? Also, it is pertinent to mention that Jamaat has always taken its instructions from Pakistan. If it asks the central government to lift the ban and allow it to participate in elections, it is least likely to happen without a green signal from GHQ Rawalpindi. Reportedly, that is the case, and if so, it cannot be without a hidden agenda.

Allowing Jamaat to enter mainstream politics legitimises its ideology, tactics, and long-term strategy of pan-Islamism. It also condones its role in innumerable sins that it committed running the terror and genocide machinery in Kashmir for three decades. Also, legitimising Jamaat is the highest order of appeasement and a death blow to our constitutional ideals of secularism, democracy, diversity, equality, and freedom of expression. It is indeed the greatest betrayal to those Kashmiri Pandits who were killed by terrorists and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting terrorists.

By chance, if Jamaat becomes a legitimate political force to reckon with, it will be the gateway to global Islamist and terrorist forces in Kashmir and then to the Indian hinterland, leading to massive damage to Indias strategic and security interests. Notably, Jamaat has also expressed a desire to work with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Interestingly, it comes at a time when the Muslim society in the Indian hinterland is going through intense radicalisation and polarisation, and outfits like Jamaat-e-Islami are found to be relatively more vocal in expressing their anti-Hindu and anti-state outpourings.

Finally, the question arises: Why do we end up committing the same blunders again and again? Before I answer, it is important to mention a few more in addition to what I have discussed earlier. In the 1977 elections, Jamaat allied with Bhartiya Jan Sangh, the Hindutva predecessor of BJP. Hard it is, indeed, to imagine an Islamist party that invokes Shariah to be in bed with a party that aimed to promote and protect Hindu interests. Then, it again happened in 2001 when PDP was raised and bolstered to counter NC. PDP had its base in Jamaat strongholds, and during its rule, Jamaat deeply entrenched itself in mainstream institutions. Under Jamaats influence, the PDP disbanded the Special Operations Group, the key anti-insurgency squad. Jamaat fooled our agencies in 1997 by making formal proclamations to shun violence and support democracy.

All that was to get the ban lifted and pursue its separatist and extremist agenda with freedom and under state patronage. Once again, the same mistake was committed by mainstreaming Hurriyat by inviting it for talks. The talks resulted in nothing because Hurriyat essentially was an offshoot of the same ideology which Jamaat adhered. In that ideology, there is hardly any scope for accepting democratic and secular constitutions. All such talks and dialogues are tactical methods to buy time and strengthen themselves. Ultimately, Hurriyat transformed into a parallel government in Kashmir between 2003 to 2016. After that, the same mistake was repeated when the BJP formed a coalition government with the PDP in 2016.

In another such experiment, the Indian agencies in the late 1990s and 2000s pumped in Deobandi maulvis from UP and Bihar, thinking that they would counter the local Kashmiri religious scholars and their separatist and Islamist agenda. However, the experiment ended up making things murkier. Deobandi Darul-ulooms sprang up in entire Kashmir, leading to intense radicalisation and creating a support system for Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-supported Deobandi terror group. In Gujjar-dominated regions, where pro-India sentiments dominated and Islamic extremism hardly existed, Deobandi institutions have radicalised the ordinary people in Poonch-Rajauri and Doda-Kishtwar, which is currently going through a revival of militancy. Hindu-Muslim frictions in these areas are at a critical juncture. Hindus in these districts stand on the verge of being forced out.

The description of the series of dumb-witted experiments done by the Indian agencies cannot be complete without discussing their promotion of Wahhabi/Salafi institutions in Kashmir to counter Jamaat and Pakistan-sponsored terror groups. The growth of Wahhabi institutions created a huge constituency for pan-Islamist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS. As a result, Wahhabi mosques mushroomed in Kashmir. Even the educated youth was attracted to them. They started seeing the Kashmir conflict in parallel with Palestine and Syria. Radical preacher Zakir Naik became a celebrity in J&K.

Having discussed a series of strategic blunders committed by the Indian state, it must be told that our agencies, intelligence masterminds, academic experts, and political leaders had an extremely poor understanding of Pakistan and Islamic extremism. One look at Indias diplomatic engagements with Pakistan during the last three wars, Siachen negotiations, the Kargil war, the IC-814 Hijack, and a series of terrorist attacks that rocked India in the 2000s clearly show that our diplomats and intelligence brass always denied the centrality of Islamic extremism and worldview in India-Pakistan relations and Pakistans proxy war in Kashmir and Indian hinterland. Most of them generally argue that the problem is not religious; it is a typical boundary and geostrategic problem between two nation-states. One example of such shallow and poor understanding is evident from former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Satya Brat Pals advice to the Indian government after the Mumbai attack. He advised the Indian government to marry Gandhi and Chanakya and show generosity, sympathy, and large-heartedness towards Pakistan. Overall, the buzzword was strategic restraint in response to Pakistans gravest acts of terrorism. When Babri mosque was demolished, the Indian HC, SK Lamba, took a defensive stand, arguing that it was a horrendous act, but Indias democracy was strong. He hardly emphasised the destruction of 120 Hindu temples and the ruthless conversion of Hindus in Pakistan. Likewise, in response to all our peace initiatives, Pakistans only reply was more terrorism. Some of the legendary Indian diplomats agreed to offer Siachen on the platter. They readily accepted Gen Pervez Musharrafs four-point Kashmir plan, which was, in effect, offering Kashmir to Pakistan on the platter.

In Kashmir, the senior intelligence officials, mostly with a police background, have displayed a poor understanding of Islamist organisations like Jamaat and their long-term agenda. In their understanding, the most potent indicators of normalcy in Kashmir were elections and vote percentages. Once again, this reflects a very short-term and shallow understanding of how to achieve quick-fix solutions. They never realised that Islamist outfits have no basic faith in the tenets of democracy and that the democratic process was just a way for power to pursue their devious agenda. The true sign of normalcy in Kashmir begins with the dissociation of the local populace from the extremist ideology and the fading away of Islamist groups from the socio-political scene. If that happens, it would be reflected in the form of local people inviting Kashmiri Pandits back home without any religious bigotry.

Indias intelligence czars always considered Jamaat as a group of religious scholars and pious community leaders who helped them contain civil unrest by convincing people; however, they failed to realise that most of the agitations were primarily engineered by those so-called Jamaat religious scholars who later offered to resolve them in return for money, which reportedly ended up with terror groups. I was shocked to find many senior IPS officers in Kashmir sad about the ban on Jamaat. In their opinion, it was a pious and naive charity group. Lastly, it also needs to be understood that intelligence agencies develop a sense of fatigue over the long duration of conflict management. They run out of ideas. They lose their ability to differentiate between the enemy and a friend and a productive and damaging asset, particularly in a place like Kashmir, where an average mind is highly complex and layered. The worst happens when dealing with double agents. Most of the time, they have ended up using our agencies to the advantage of ISI and its proxies. They also develop stakes in the continuation of conflict, making them ruminate on such fool-hardly ideas of reviving and mainstreaming Jamaat.

Lastly, at a political level, we never had any long-term roadmap for Kashmir and Pakistan. Hence, mostly the bureaucrats had a major say in conceptualising and implementing policies. Occasionally, whenever political leadership took the initiative, they came up with more disastrous ideas, such as PM Morarji Desais decisions to cease all the covert operations and, later, the Gujral doctrine and PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singhs utopian and dream-like peace initiatives with Musharraf.

For the first time in Indias history, Delhi has correctly understood Pakistan and the nature of Islamic extremism. Their policy of no talks with terror and tough kinetic action against terrorists and terror financing has paid dividends. Terrorism is on the decline. Separatist outfits like Hurriyat have become redundant. After Indias response to Uri and Pulwama, Pakistan has not dared to conduct any major terror attack. The separatist ecosystem appears to be on its last legs. Hence, Delhi should not repeat those past blunders by reviving Jamaat.

The policy wonks should immediately throw such devilish ideas into the trash cans and resume its long-term vision to liquidate Islamist outfits and terrorist infrastructure. With this, they should incentivise secularism and progressive thinking and leave no stone unturned in weeding out organisations like Jamaat. Last, they must focus on providing effective governance, modern education, and development.

The author is the founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, a foreign policy and national security think tank. A Cornell University grad in public affairs, and the author of Radicalisation in India: An Exploration. His latest book Terror Financing in Kashmir has been published by Routledge in December 2023. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
One significant outcome of this summit was an agreement among attending AI companies to implement a kill switch policy. This policy would halt the development of their most advanced AI models if they were deemed to have surpassed certain risk thresholds read more

Representatives from 16 major AI companies, including Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI, along with officials from 10 countries and the EU, met at a summit in Seoul, South Korea. The goal was to set guidelines for responsible AI development.

AI technology has advanced rapidly, sparking both excitement and concern. While it offers immense opportunities, there are fears about its potential risks, including scenarios where AI might become uncontrollable. Recognizing these concerns, the worlds leading AI companies are voluntarily collaborating with governments to address these issues.

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However, without strict legal measures, these conversations can only go so far.

One significant outcome of this summit was an agreement among attending AI companies to implement a kill switch policy. This policy would halt the development of their most advanced AI models if they were deemed to have surpassed certain risk thresholds.

However, the effectiveness of this policy is uncertain since it lacks legal enforcement and clear definitions of risk thresholds. Additionally, AI companies not present at the summit or competitors to those that agreed are not bound by this pledge.

The policy paper, signed by companies like Amazon, Google, and Samsung, stated, In the extreme, organizations commit not to develop or deploy a model or system at all if mitigations cannot be applied to keep risks below the thresholds.

This summit followed the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit from last October, which faced criticism for its lack of actionable commitments. Participants at Bletchley Park had committed to lofty ideals without concrete regulatory mandates, leading to accusations of the summit being worthy but toothless.

An open letter from attendees highlighted the need for enforceable regulations rather than voluntary measures, arguing that historical experience shows regulatory mandates are more effective in mitigating risks.

The fear of AI surpassing human control, often referred to as the Terminator scenario, has been a recurring theme in discussions about AIs future. This concept, popularized by the 1984 film The Terminator, encapsulates the anxiety that AI, if left unchecked, could become a formidable adversary to humanity.

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While this remains a theoretical concern, the rapid progress in AI capabilities underscores the need for proactive governance.

UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to harness AIs potential while managing its risks. The acknowledgement of AIs dual natureimmense opportunity paired with significant riskdrives the ongoing dialogue among policymakers and tech leaders.

AI companies themselves are acutely aware of these challenges. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned about the risks associated with Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which he describes as AI that exceeds human intelligence.

Altman acknowledges that while AGI holds tremendous potential, it also carries risks of misuse, accidents, and societal disruption. OpenAI advocates for a balanced approach where development continues but with careful oversight and societal collaboration to mitigate risks.

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Despite these initiatives, global regulatory frameworks for AI remain fragmented and largely non-binding. The United Nations recently approved a policy framework to safeguard against AI risks, protect human rights, and monitor personal data usage, but this framework lacks enforceable power. Similarly, the Bletchley Declaration did not commit to tangible regulatory measures.

In response to these gaps, AI companies have started forming their own organizations to advocate for AI policy. For instance, the Frontier Model Foundation, founded by Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, and recently joined by Amazon and Meta, aims to advance the safety of frontier AI models. However, the foundation has yet to propose concrete policies.

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On the other hand, individual governments have made more substantial progress. President Bidens executive order on AI safety, for example, includes legally binding requirements for AI companies to share safety test results with the government. The European Union and China have also enacted formal policies addressing issues like copyright law and data privacy in AI development.

State-level actions are also noteworthy. Colorado recently introduced legislation to ban algorithmic discrimination and mandate that AI developers share internal data with state regulators to ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Looking ahead, the global AI regulatory landscape is expected to evolve further. France will host another summit early next year, building on the discussions from Seoul and Bletchley Park. Participants aim to develop formal definitions for risk benchmarks that necessitate regulatory interventiona crucial step towards creating a more structured and effective governance framework for AI.

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In conclusion, while the collaboration between AI companies and governments represents a positive movement towards responsible AI development, the effectiveness of voluntary measures remains limited without legal enforcement. The ongoing efforts to establish robust regulatory frameworks will be essential in ensuring that AIs transformative potential is harnessed safely and ethically.
China may temporarily raising tariffs on imported cars with engines larger than 2.5 liters, which could legally reach up to 25 per cent under World Trade Organisation rules. Key manufacturers likely to be affected by these tariffs include Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW read more

Composite image of Chinese President Xi Jingping and US President Joe Biden. The China may impose tariffs on all US & EU-made cars in retaliation of tariffs on Chinese EVs. Image Credit: Reuters, Reuters

China may impose tariffs as high as 25 per cent on imported cars with large engines, according to the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU), signalling heightened trade tensions with the US and European Union. This potential move, revealed by insiders, could significantly impact European and American automakers and strain Beijings relations with Brussels.

The possible tariffs come as the European Commission prepares to announce its decision on whether to impose duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) by June 5. The EU is investigating Chinese subsidies in its booming EV market, and China has responded with threats of reciprocal tariffs on European wine and dairy products.

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The CCCEU highlighted comments from Liu Bin, chief expert at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center, published in the Communist Partys Global Times newspaper. Liu suggested temporarily raising tariffs on imported cars with engines larger than 2.5 litres, which could legally reach up to 25 per cent under World Trade Organization rules. In 2023, China imported around 250,000 such cars, making up about 32 per cent of all imported vehicles.

Key manufacturers likely to be affected by these tariffs include Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Daniel Kollar, head of consultancy Intralinks automotive and mobility practice, noted that Toyotas Lexus brand would be impacted only if China targets imports from all countries, not just the US or EU.

Despite Chinas retaliatory stance, the EU remains firm in its position. Eurasia Group analysts noted that Brussels aims to send a strong message to Beijing through its EV subsidy investigation, signalling that it will counteract Chinese market overcapacity and subsidies.

Chinas export of 1.55 million EVs last year, with significant shipments to Europe and North America, underscores the global reach of its automotive industry. The Biden administration has recently announced 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric cars, while the EU continues its investigation into Chinese subsidies across various sectors. This scrutiny is driven by Chinas dominance in the battery supply chain and its expanding EV production, which has raised concerns about cybersecurity and market overcapacity.

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Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping visited Europe, attempting to dissuade the EU from aligning with the USs tough stance on Chinese imports. Xis visit highlights Beijings concern that American allies might adopt similar restrictive measures.

In his interview with the Global Times, Liu Bin criticized these restrictive measures, arguing that they contradict the green development concept and ultimately harm the interests of consumers in the regions imposing them.

The unfolding trade tensions between China, the US, and the EU could have wide-reaching implications for the global automotive industry and international trade relations, particularly as each side seeks to protect its economic interests in a rapidly evolving market.

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(With inputs from agencies)
Google is highlighting several problems with Microsofts cybersecurity practices, and is positioning itself as a more secure alternative for managing sensitive government data and operations read more

Google has published new security recommendations and a detailed white paper scrutinizing Microsofts cybersecurity practices following recent nation-state attacks.

This move appears to be part of Googles strategy to attract Microsofts government customers. Additionally, Google has announced a new Workspace program designed to help these customers transition from Microsofts legacy systems.

The importance of this development lies in Googles attempt to capitalize on Microsofts recent cybersecurity issues, aiming to draw in government clients who currently rely on Microsofts services.

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By highlighting these vulnerabilities, Google is positioning itself as a more secure alternative for managing sensitive government data and operations.

This shift in the competitive landscape was driven by the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) report, which criticized Microsofts security practices, particularly in light of a Chinese hack that was deemed preventable. This report has opened the door for competitors like CrowdStrike, Trellix, and now Google, to target Microsofts customer base, suggesting that there are more secure options available.

In response to the CSRB report, Google released a blog post authored by Jeanette Manfra, Google Clouds Senior Director of Global Risk and Compliance, and Charley Snyder, Googles Head of Security Policy.

The post outlines their recommendations for improving cybersecurity practices, detailing a 14-page white paper that describes how they believe Microsoft was breached and the security principles that Google follows. These suggestions inherently promote Googles own government services and aim to guide federal agencies towards more secure technologies.

Googles recommendations include encouraging the federal government to diversify its tech vendors and adopt products with built-in secure-by-design principles. This approach not only suggests improvements based on the issues highlighted in the CSRB report but also subtly promotes Googles offerings as a safer alternative.

In the broader context, Microsoft is currently facing significant scrutiny following the CSRB report.

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Lawmakers are coordinating with Microsoft to schedule a congressional hearing regarding the breaches, and competitors are challenging a Pentagon decision to upgrade its Microsoft licenses while transitioning to zero-trust security principles.

In response to these criticisms, Microsoft has announced plans to address the security flaws that led to the recent breaches.

Additionally, CEO Satya Nadella has directed staff to prioritize cybersecurity over rapid production cycles, signalling a shift towards more robust security measures within the company.

Googles recent actions underscore the competitive landscape among tech vendors vying for government contracts, particularly in the context of cybersecurity.

As Microsoft works to resolve its security issues, competitors like Google are positioning themselves as more secure alternatives. The ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers and government officials will likely continue to influence the strategies of both Microsoft and its competitors in the cybersecurity domain.
The accused, 42-year-old software engineer from Wisconsin used a modified version of Stable Diffusion AI image generator to produce the images. He then reportedly used these images to attempt to lure an underage boy into inapproriate situations read more

The US DOJ aims to establish that AI generated sexual content is still illegal, even if no real children were involved in its creation. Image Credit: Pexels

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) made headlines last week by arresting a Wisconsin man for generating and distributing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This landmark case marks the first instance where AI technology was used to create illegal material, setting a significant judicial precedent.

The DOJ aims to establish that such exploitative content is still illegal, even if no real children were involved in its creation. Put simply, CSAM generated by AI is still CSAM, stated Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a press release.

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The accused, 42-year-old software engineer Steven Anderegg from Holmen, WI, allegedly used a modified version of the open-source AI image generator, Stable Diffusion, to produce the images. He then reportedly used these images to attempt to lure an underage boy into sexual situations. This aspect of the case is expected to be crucial in the forthcoming trial, where Anderegg faces four counts of producing, distributing, and possessing obscene visual depictions of minors, and transferring obscene material to a minor under 16.

The DOJs charges detail that Anderegg created images depicting nude or partially clothed minors lasciviously displaying or touching their genitals or engaging in sexual intercourse with men. He supposedly used specific prompts, including negative prompts (instructions for the AI model on what to avoid producing), to generate these explicit images.

While cloud-based image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E 3 have measures to prevent such misuse, Anderegg allegedly used Stable Diffusion 1.5, a variant known for fewer restrictions, reportedly produced by Runway ML. Stability AI confirmed this versions origin to Ars Technica.

The DOJ also revealed that Anderegg communicated online with a 15-year-old boy, explaining his use of the AI model to create the images. He allegedly sent the teen direct messages on Instagram, including several AI-generated images of minors lasciviously displaying their genitals. Instagram reported these images to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which then alerted law enforcement.

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If convicted on all four counts, Anderegg could face between five to 70 years in prison. He is currently in federal custody, awaiting a hearing scheduled for May 22.

This case challenges the belief that CSAMs illegality is tied solely to the exploitation of real children in its creation. Even though AI-generated CSAM does not involve real human subjects, it could still normalize and encourage the production and distribution of such material, potentially leading to more predatory behaviors. The DOJs stance aims to clarify this as AI technology continues to evolve and become more accessible.

Technology may change, but our commitment to protecting children will not, Deputy AG Monaco emphasized. The Justice Department will aggressively pursue those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse materialno matter how that material was created. Put simply, CSAM generated by AI is still CSAM, and we will hold accountable those who exploit AI to create obscene, abusive, and increasingly photorealistic images of children.

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(With inputs from agencies)
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder disclosed this information on Tuesday, stating that the satellite, launched into low Earth orbit, is believed to be a counter-space weapon read more

The US Department of Defense has raised alarms over a recent Russian satellite launch, suspecting the satellite could potentially target other satellites. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder disclosed this information on Tuesday, stating that the satellite, launched into low Earth orbit, is believed to be a counter-space weapon.

He mentioned that the satellites orbit is aligned with that of a US government satellite, and emphasised that Washington is closely monitoring the situation to protect its interests.

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Russia has not issued any public comments on the matter. The tension between Moscow and Washington over space militarisation has been escalating, with both nations accusing each other of attempting to turn space into a battleground.

Earlier on Tuesday, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russias foreign ministry, accused the US of trying to transform space into an arena for military confrontation.

Military experts have long predicted that space could become the next frontier of warfare, especially in a world increasingly reliant on technology.

General Ryder reiterated the Pentagons belief that the Russian satellite could attack other satellites in low Earth orbit. He highlighted the importance of readiness to protect and defend the space domain to ensure uninterrupted support for joint and combined forces.

A spokesperson for the US Space Command echoed these concerns, identifying the satellite as Cosmos 2576, which was launched on May 16 from Russias Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The Russian space agency Roskosmos confirmed the launch, stating it was conducted on May 17 using the Soyuz-2.1b vehicle and was intended for the Russian defence ministry. The discrepancy in launch dates can be attributed to the time difference between Moscow and GMT.

Space analysts have noted that Cosmos 2576 shares its orbit with the US satellite USA 314. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has hinted that US satellites supporting the Ukrainian military could be considered legitimate targets.

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In February, the White House acknowledged that Russia was developing a concerning new space weapon, although it had not yet been deployed. This announcement followed a cryptic warning from a senior Republican congressman about a significant national security threat, which fueled intense speculation in Washington, DC.

A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, based in Washington, DC, released last year, indicated that Russia is working on various anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. This includes a missile successfully tested against an old Soviet-era satellite in November 2021.

The current situation underscores the ongoing rivalry between the US and Russia in space, with both nations vying for dominance and security in an increasingly contested domain. As space becomes more integral to national security and military operations, the potential for conflict over satellite capabilities and intentions appears to be rising.
Nigerian travel filmmaker Tayo Aina also recounted his humiliating experience at Ethiopian immigration, where he was forced to provide a stool sample to prove he hadnt ingested drugs. It was my most humiliating experience traveling within Africa, read more

Despite his vast business interests across Africa, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote experiences significant travel difficulties that European passport holders largely avoid.

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Dangote lamented, As an investor and someone committed to Africas progress, I need 35 different visas on my passport.

He added humorously, I really dont have the time to visit embassies for visas, drawing laughter from the audience.

At 67, Dangotes frustrations underscore the broader issue of intra-African travel barriers. The disparity in visa requirements between African and European passport holders is particularly galling for many. Dangote highlighted this when he told French executive Patrick Pouyanne, I can assure you, Patrick, that you dont need 35 visas on a French passport, giving you freer movement in Africa than I have.

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Dangote praised Rwanda, which eliminated visas for all African nationals in 2023, along with Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles, which also offer visa-free access to Africans. However, many African nations still impose visa requirements on each other, often accompanied by discriminatory practices, hostility, and exorbitant fees.

Height of humiliation

Nigerian travel filmmaker Tayo Aina also recounted his humiliating experience at Ethiopian immigration, where he was forced to provide a stool sample to prove he hadnt ingested drugs. It was my most humiliating experience traveling within Africa, Aina said from London. He has also faced detentions in Kenya and South Africa due to his Nigerian passport.

In response, Aina purchased a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis for $150,000 to facilitate easier travel. Sometimes you arrive in a country, and the visa-on-arrival policy has changed mid-flight, resulting in deportations, he explained.

The African Union aims to eliminate travel restrictions for Africans, promoting visa-free travel as part of the African Continental Free Trade Area. However, progress has been slow.

Migration researcher Alan Hirsch noted that fears of permanent migration deter African countries from easing travel for their neighbors. Richer African nations worry about people from poorer countries seeking to move permanently, he said, adding that informal border crossings and potential asylum seekers further complicate the issue.

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While regional travel within Africa is somewhat easier, challenges persist for long-distance journeys. East African Community countries offer visa-free travel within the bloc, and most Southern and West African regions are open to their nationals.

However, policy changes can introduce new hurdles. For example, Kenyan passport holders now face a $215 e-visa fee for Nigeria, replacing the previous $25 visa on arrival.

Kenyan President William Rutos promise to eliminate visas led to the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorisation, a process akin to a visa application, costing $30 and requiring several days for approval. Applicants often face rejection due to incomplete documentation or unclear reasons.

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South Africa held my passport for nearly five months, Tayo Aina shared. His new St. Kitts passport now allows him more access within Africa than his Nigerian one ever did.
The British police have ruled the death as unexplained and have launched an investigation into the case read more

A man charged by the British Police for allegedly spying for Chinese-controlled Hong Kong has been found dead near London.

The man has been identified as Matthew Trickett, 37. He was among the three people charged earlier this month for gathering information, doing surveillance, and carrying out acts of deception for Hong Kongs intelligence services.

The police have ruled the death as unexplained and the looking into the case. Trickett was found dead in the park in Maidenhead in Berkshire near London on Sunday, according to a statement from the police.

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The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom and Hong Kongs Chief Executive John Lee have both rejected the accusations of espionage.

Hong Kong is an autonomous region of China which was once a British colony. After the colony was handed over to China, it was governed under a one country, two systems format where Hong Kong had personal freedoms and civil liberties that were absent from the Chinese mainland. In recent years, however, Beijing has crushed all dissent in Hong Kong and has done away with erstwhile freedoms enjoyed in the city.

Matthew Trickett was out on bail

At the time of his bail, Trickett was out on bail.

In addition to the espionage charges, Trickett along with two others was also charged with forced entry into a house, according to Associated Press.

While the three were granted bail, they were barred from leaving the UK and were handed a night-time curfew. They were also required to report to their local police station every week.

Trickett worked in private security industry: Reports

The British media has reported that Trickett was a former soldier in the UKs Royal Marines and was running a private security company.

One of the men accused in the case, Chung Biu Yuen (63), has been confirmed by Hong Kong authorities as the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, according to AP.

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The incident has come at a time when tensions between China and UK have risen in recent days. UK officials have become increasingly vocal lately about Chinese security threats and have accused China of being behind cyberespionage operations that have targeted British electoral institution and politicians.
Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan was convicted for the offence of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, which is frequently used in China to target activists read more

A pro-democracy activist holds a placard with the picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was imprisoned by the Chinese regime, in Hong Kong on December 28, 2020. (Photo: AP)

China has released citizen journalist Zhang Chan after four years of imprisonment for her coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

Zhan was among the few independent voices to cover the Covid-19 outbreak in China in 2020. She went missing in May 2020 and was revealed to be in Chinese governments custody in December 2020 when her conviction was announced. She was sentenced to four years in jail.

Zhan was convicted for the offence of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, which is frequently used in China to target activists.

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Concerns remain about Zhans surveillance, freedoms

In a video released by Zhan after her release, she thanked people for their help and concern.

Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), the RSF said there are still concerns about her being surveilled.

Police released me from prison at five in the morning on May 13 and sent me to my older brothers home in ShanghaiThank you everyone for your help and concern, I wish you all the best there is not much more that I can say, said Zhang in the video.

Although Chinese journalist #ZhangZhan was able to share a video today confirming her release from prison after four years, we're worried about her situation under strict surveillance. Our call for her full & unconditional release remains urgent. #FreeZhangZhan pic.twitter.com/UBluQCU6Ze  RSF (@RSF_inter) May 21, 2024

Separately, UK-based activist Jane Wang said on X that while Zhan appears to have been released, her contact with the outside world and daily life are all under surveillance.

She only has limited freedom, said Wang.

Who is Zhang Zhan?

Zhang Zhan is a Chinese citizen journalist who showed the life during the initial months of the Covid-19 outbreak and how the Chinese authorities were containing the disease at a time. She is a former lawyer.

Zhan lived in Shanghai before her arrest. She is reported to be 37-years-old at the time of her arrest.

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In February 2020, Zhan travelled to Wuhan, the known epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak. From Wuhan, the outbreak spread to the world and became the pandemic that went on to kill close to 6.9 million people in the world. She posted her content on X, WeChat, and YouTube.

In a video in February 2020, Zhan said the Chinese authorities were imprisoning people in the name of pandemic prevention.

In another video, Zhan showed a hospital overflowing with patients. In another video of a crematorium working past midnight, she said, Its 12:40 am. The sound of the funeral homes crematorium. They work day and night.

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Zhans portrayal of the Covid-19 pandemic went against the narrative that the Chinese regime was pushing at the time. In the Communist Party of China (CPC)-approved narrative, China was containing the outbreak brilliantly after building news hospitals in record time and imposing lockdowns under Zero Covid strategy.

Zhan published her last video in May 2020, according to The New York Times. In the video, she said, The governments way of managing this city has just been intimidation and threats. This is truly the tragedy of this country.

After this video, Zhan went missing. It was reported in December that she had been convicted for four years.
Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measures came after the US indiscriminately imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on a number of Chinese entities on the grounds of so-called Russian-related factors and that the US continued to sell arms to Chinas Taiwan region read more

China on Wednesday sanctioned 12 defense-related U.S. companies and 10 executives over arms sales to Taiwan and to retaliate earlier American sanctions on Chinese companies tied to Russia.

The entities include units of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics and other companies. Senior executives of Northrop Grumman Corporation and General Dynamics were also targeted.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measures came after the US indiscriminately imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on a number of Chinese entities on the grounds of so-called Russian-related factors and that the US continued to sell arms to Chinas Taiwan region.

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China claims the self-governed island as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. It has long opposed any weapon sales by the U.S. to the island. While the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a country, Washington is obligated by a federal law to ensure the islands government has the means to defend itself.

Following the inauguration of Taiwans new president Lai Ching-te on Monday, China announced sanctions on Boeing Defense, Space and Security and two other U.S. defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan, and against Mike Gallagher, a former Republican representative from Wisconsin who has shown support for the island.

The latest round of sanctions, imposed under Chinas Anti-Foreign Sanction Law, will freeze all assets by the businesses inside China and denying the individuals and their immediate family members the visa to enter the country, including Hong Kong and Macau. The businesses and individuals will also be banned from doing any business with Chinese firms. It wasnt immediately clear what impact these actions would have, but such sanctions are often mainly symbolic in nature.

The measures come in addition to those announced last year that barred Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.s Raytheon Missiles and Defense from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country.

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On May 1, the US imposed new sanctions on hundreds of companies and people tied to Russias weapons development program, which included more than a dozen Chinese entities accused of helping Moscow to evade earlier penalties.
The Vatican City is one of the few countries to recognise Taiwan over China, but the Holy See and Beijing have shown signs of mutual outreach read more

Despite tensions, the Vatican and China appear to be working to improve ties (Photo: Reuters)

China and the Vatican City appear to be engaged in fresh outreach to improve ties.

The outreach, however, is complicated by some harsh realities. The Vatican City is one of the few countries in the world to recognise Taiwan over China, which violates the One China Policy of Beijing which it considers a red line. On the other hand, Beijing has been accused of interfering in the appointment of Catholic priests in the country.

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Despite such irritants in the relationships, the sides appear to be working towards improving bilateral ties.

Vaticans top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has said the Holy See would want to open an office in China. On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China is willing to work with the Vatican to improve ties, as per Reuters.

We are willing to work together with the Vatican to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations, said Wang Wenbin, as per Reuters, adding that the two sides have maintained deep communication on bilateral relations and international hot issues.

Taiwan weighs in on China-Vatican outreach

Taiwans Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, shortly after the new administration took over, said it is paying close attention to the China-Vatican outreach.

Taiwan flagged that Beijing has continued to violate the terms of 2018 agreement with the Vatican that would have allowed for the appointment of bishops in the country. The issue has long been an irritant in the China-Vatican ties.

China has been generally criticised for interference in religious affairs despite being an atheist country. It is also reflected in the manner Beijing has interfered in Tibetan affairs and has declared the intent to announce the next Dalai Lama as opposed to a leader appointed by the Tibetans.

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Taiwan further said that it continued to promote cooperation with the Vatican in fields such as humanitarian assistance and defending religious freedom, as per Reuters.

We understand that the Holy See hopes to promote the freedom of belief and rights of Chinese Catholics, and has publicly expressed its desire to send representatives to China many times, said Taiwans Foreign Ministry in a statement.

It accused China of clamping down on religious freedom and called upon all the nations to urge China to stop its violations of religious freedom and basic human rights.
Haitis police are up against heavily armed gangs, worsening humanitarian conditions and lack equipment and infrastructure read more

Haitis national police force will take charge of a much-awaited UN-backed security mission set to launch by the end of this month, Haitis transition council said on Tuesday.

Police will oversee the force, meant to wrest back control over large swathes of Haiti from gangs, and will make decisions on its makeup, objectives, rules of engagement and health measures, the transition council said on X.

Last year, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the missions deployment. However, progress has lagged as Haiti has fallen into further chaos, which saw interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry pushed out and an interim council installed in April.

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Kenya has offered 1,000 officers to lead the force, though their deployment has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges despite construction on a base to house them underway.

Kenyan President William Ruto will visit Washington this week to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The two are expected to speak about Haiti.

Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh have also pledged personnel to the force.

Other foreign governments have been reluctant to take part in the mission. Many Haitians have also been wary of international interventions after previous U.N. missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals.

Haiti, through the Haitian National Police, will have overall control over the mission on the ground, the transition council said, adding it should be deployed before the end of May.

Haitis police are up against heavily armed gangs, worsening humanitarian conditions and lack equipment and infrastructure. Some 80 police officers were killed in action, died in accidents or disappeared last year, according to a union report.
Clashes have rocked Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the 2021 military coup read more

The United States said Tuesday it was deeply troubled by increasing violence and intercommunal tension in Myanmars Rakhine state and said this raised the risk of atrocities being committed.

Clashes have rocked Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the 2021 military coup.

The US State Department cited reports of towns being burned and residents including Rohingya people being displaced.

The United Nations human rights chief issued a similar warning over the weekend, saying tensions were high between ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya and that Myanmars military junta was stoking these tensions.

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The militarys previous acts of genocide and other crimes against humanity targeting Rohingya, in addition to its history of stoking intercommunal tensions in Rakhine State and elsewhere across the country, underscore the grave dangers to civilians, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The current increased violence and intercommunal tensions also raise the risks of further atrocities occurring, he added.

Miller called on the military regime and all armed actors to protect civilians and allow unhindered humanitarian access.

The AA is one of several armed ethnic minority groups in Myanmars border regions, many of which have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948 over autonomy and control of lucrative resources.

The AA claims to be fighting for more autonomy for the states ethnic Rakhine population.

Clashes between the AA and the military in 2019 roiled the region and displaced around 200,000 people.

The military launched a crackdown on the Rohingya minority there in 2017 which is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case.
The impact on press freedom is very serious, said Arif Zulkifli, head of the councils law and legislation division. Indonesias press law says there must not be any censorship or banning of journalism. So this is contradictory read more

Indonesias parliament is proposing changes to its broadcast law that would ban investigative journalism and LGBT content, sparking criticism from civil society groups and filmmakers over restrictions to press freedom and creative expression.

Changes to the 2002 broadcast law were first discussed in 2020 but the details in the latest revisions have spurred concern, with Indonesias press council saying it would undermine media independence.

The impact on press freedom is very serious, said Arif Zulkifli, head of the councils law and legislation division. Indonesias press law says there must not be any censorship or banning of journalism. So this is contradictory.

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The government is yet to receive the draft bill, communications minister Budi Arie Setiadi said, adding the revisions must not muzzle media freedom.

The planned curbs on journalism in the worlds third-largest democracy would harm freedom of expression and hard-won liberties since Indonesia emerged from decades of authoritarian rule in 1998, journalism and civil society organisations say.

The bill does not provide details on the proposed ban on investigative reporting and how it might work, but journalist groups were concerned about censorship.

It will mean that we as journalists will no longer be able to reveal important stories, such as on corruption, nepotism and environmental crimes, said Bayu Wardhana, head of the association of independent journalists.

If the bill is implemented, there will be no press independence, the chair of Indonesias press council, Ninik Rahayu, said, adding that the council had not been consulted during the bills drafting process.

The bill has drawn criticism also because it seeks to ban content displaying violence, mysticism, LGBT or negative behaviour or lifestyles that potentially harm the public.

Prominent filmmaker Joko Anwar slammed the proposal, describing it as dangerous and impossible to implement.

The ban on such content not only impedes the creativity of the creative industry, and freedom of the press, but also undermines peoples capacity to filter what they watch, he said.

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Legislators from commission 1, which is overseeing the bill, have stressed the bills revisions are in the initial phases and subject to change.

We dont want to give the impression that we are homophobic, and monitor excessively, said Nico Siahaan, a commission 1 member, adding the law would be strongly debated.

Homosexuality is a taboo subject in Indonesia, one of the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nations, where it is illegal in the sharia-ruled Aceh province.

If passed, the changes would apply to all content broadcast in Indonesia, including online streaming platforms.

The Indonesian parliament has been deliberating a series of controversial legal revisions in recent weeks, including changes to the constitutional court law that would allow the government greater power to remove sitting judges.
Every year since its establishment, the International Day for Biological Diversity has been observed to raise awareness and encourage action for the preservation of biodiversity read more

In observance of the Convention on Biological Diversitys (CBD) adoption on May 22, 1992, the UN declared May 22 to be the International Day for Biological Diversity.

An international agreement known as the CBD aims to safeguard biological diversity protection, fair and equitable distribution of benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources, and the advancement of sustainable development.

Every year since its establishment, the International Day for Biological Diversity has been observed to raise awareness and encourage action for the preservation of biodiversity.

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Biodiversity, the complicated network of life on our planet, supports human well-being today and in the future, and its fast decrease endangers both the environment and civilization.

Scientists and decision-makers worldwide are becoming more and more interested in this complicated topic.

Walter G. Rosen used the term biodiversity in 1985 to describe the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms.

The significant day seeks to raise understanding and awareness of biodiversity challenges.

The theme for the 2024 International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is Be part of the Plan, which is a call to action for all stakeholders to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also known as the Biodiversity Plan, to stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity.

Governments, local communities, non-governmental organisations, enterprises, politicians, and individuals are encouraged to highlight their efforts in support of the Biodiversity Plans implementation by participating in this subject.
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei presided over the ceremony and held prayers for Raisi and the others who died in the crash read more

Funeral for Iran's President Raisi and other victims of the helicopter crash, in Tehran. Reuters

Irans capital Tehran is all set to host several foreign leaders who will attend president Ebrahim Raisis funeral on Wednesday after the leader died in a helicopter crash in northern Irans East Azerbaijan province.

Thousands of people were already seen gathering in the capital city to bid farewell to Raisi. Iranian state media on Monday confirmed Raisis death after his chopper crashed on Sunday evening. Several other leaders, including Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were present with the president in the helicopter during the fatal crash.

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Aerial video of the rare presence of the people of Tehran at the funeral ceremony of President #Raisi pic.twitter.com/zMElJ6EctW  IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 22, 2024

While prominent world leaders paid their respects to the Iranian president, many will also be attending his funeral in Tehran on May 22. Heres a list of attendees:

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh

Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani

Indias Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

Head of the Russian Duma Vyacheslav Volodin

Representatives of the Taliban from Afghanistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif

Khamenei says prayer for Raisi

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei presided over the ceremony and held prayers for Raisi and the others who died in the crash.

The coffins of the slain leaders will be taken from Tehrans Revolutionary Square to Freedom Square where supporters are congregated for the next stage of the procession.

Following this, Raisis body will be moved to Irans second-largest city of Mashhad where he was born and raised.
Of the 193 member-states of the United Nations (UN), 139 have recognised the State of Palestine read more

Of the 193 member-states of the United Nations (UN), 139 have recognised the State of Palestine (Photo: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Ireland, Spain, and Norway have announced that they will recognise the State of Palestine next week.

The announcement has come at a time when the high death toll in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian crisis has outraged the world and has led to increased calls of finding a solution to the Palestinian question.

In a sharp reaction to the announcement, Israel recalled the ambassadors to Ireland and Norway and dubbed the action of the three countries as a distorted step that would reward Hamas and Iran.

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On the other hand, Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestinian Authority (PA) which governs the West Bank as the de-facto Palestinian government, welcomed the announcement of the recognition.

"Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine."



Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris says this is a "historic day for Palestine".https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3



 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/y3vLHQr899  Sky News (@SkyNews) May 22, 2024

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defence, said Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

There cant be peace in Middle East if theres no recognition

Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said that there could not be peace in the Middle East if there was no recognition of the Palestinian state.

By recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan, said Gahr Stre, adding that Spain will regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that comes with being an independent state.

Gahr Stre said such a recognition was a fundamental right of Palestine.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel. Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state, said Gahr Stre.

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Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the recognition of Palestine as a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez dubbed the recognition as an act in favour of peace, justice, and moral consistency.

This recognition is not against anyone. It is not against the Israeli people. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency, said Sanchez.

At the same time, Sanchez said that the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate.

Israel warns of severe consequences over Palestines recognition

After announcing the recall of ambassadors from Ireland and Norway, Katz said similar action will be taken regarding Spain if it goes ahead with the announced recognition. He further warned of severe consequences.

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If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it. The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these, said Katz.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.



Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

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How many countries recognise Palestines statehood?

Even though Palestine does not yet exist as a full-fledged state, 139 of the 193 UN members recognise the State of Palestine.

Much of the international community is committed to the two-state solution. It refers to the proposed resolution of the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that leads to the creation of a Jewish State of Israel and an Arab State of Palestine side-by-side in the same area.

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Earlier in May, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly passed a resolution that called for the State of Palestine to have full membership of the UN. It currently has the status of non-member observer status.

Even though most of the world recognises the State of Palestine, the US, United Kingdom, and other Western nations dont recognise it. The USA Today noted that until the Wednesdays announcement, Sweden was the only European Union (EU) member state to recognize Palestine.
Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region read more

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israels ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel, as Norway said it would recognise a Palestinian state and Ireland was expected to do the same.

I am sending an unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway  Israel will not let this go quietly, Katz said.

He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israels hostages being held in Gaza and make a cease-fire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran. He also threatened to recall Israels ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

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Earlier Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

Gahr Stre said the Scandinavian country will officially recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

Norway, which is not a member of the European Union but mirrors its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, the Norwegian government leader said.

Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state, Gahr Stre told a news conference.

The move comes as Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricting the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

The Scandinavian country will therefore regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails, Gahr Store said.

Norways recognition of a Palestine state comes more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993.

Since then, the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution, the Norwegian government said.

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It said that the World Bank determined that Palestine had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011 and that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still means that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades, the Norwegian government said.
In Jabalia, a sprawling refugee camp built for displaced civilians 75 years ago, the Israeli army used bulldozers to clear shops and property near the local market, residents said, in a military operation that began almost two weeks ago read more

Israeli forces thrust deeper into Jabalia in northern Gaza on Tuesday, striking a hospital and destroying residential areas with tank and air bombardments, residents said, while Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people in Rafah in the south.

Simultaneous Israeli assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip this month have caused a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

In Jabalia, a sprawling refugee camp built for displaced civilians 75 years ago, the Israeli army used bulldozers to clear shops and property near the local market, residents said, in a military operation that began almost two weeks ago.

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Israel said it has returned to the camp, where it had claimed to have dismantled Hamas months ago, to prevent the militant group that controls Gaza from regrouping.

In a roundup of its activity over the past day, the Israeli military said it had dismantled about 70 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including military compounds, weapon storage sites, missile launchers and observation posts.

Palestinian medics said Israeli missiles struck the emergency department of Jabalias Kamal Adwan Hospital, prompting panicked staff to rush patients on hospital beds and stretchers to the rubble-strewn street outside.

The first missile when it hit, it hit the entrance of the emergency department. We tried to enter, and then a second missile hit, and the third hit the building nearby, said Hussam Abu Safia, the head of hospital.

We cannot go back inside to them  The emergency department provides a service for children, the elderly and people inside the departments of the hospital.

Residents and medics said Israeli tanks were besieging another Jabalia hospital, Al-Awda Hospital, for the third day. In Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said northern Gazas sick and wounded were running out of options.

These are the only two functional hospitals remaining in northern Gaza, Tedros said. Ensuring their ability to deliver health services is imperative.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, which is now in its eighth month, according to the Gaza health ministry. At least 10,000 others are missing and believed to be trapped under destroyed buildings, it says.

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Israel is seeking to eradicate Hamas after militants from the group stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, by Israeli tallies.

The war has devastated the overcrowded coastal enclave, destroying houses, schools and hospitals and creating a dire humanitarian crisis.

Aid from a US-built pier resumed moving into warehouses in Gaza on Tuesday using alternative routes, the Pentagon said. The distribution was halted for three days after crowds of needy residents intercepted trucks.

Airstrikes

In the south, airstrikes killed three children in a house in Khan Younis and at least five people including three children in a home in Rafah, health officials said.

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East of Khan Younis, residents said they were fleeing Khuzaa town after Israeli troops began an incursion on the eastern edge of the territory, bulldozing across the border fence.

Bombing everywhere, people are leaving in panic. It was a surprising incursion, one resident from Khuzaa told Reuters by phone as he and his family were leaving.

Israel is pushing on with its operations in Rafah on Gazas southern border with Egypt, where more than half of the territorys 2.3 million population had sought refuge after being displaced from areas further north.

UNRWA, the main United Nations agency in Gaza, estimated as of Monday that more 800,000 had fled since Israel began targeting the city in early May, despite international pleas for restraint over concern about civilian casualties.

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On Tuesday, the agency said food distributions had been suspended in Rafah due to lack of supplies and insecurity.

Israel has pledged to continue with the Rafah assault to root out what it says are four remaining battalions of Hamas fighters holed up there. Tanks made incursions into the eastern Rafah suburbs of Jeneina, Al-Salam, and Brazil, according to residents.

The Israeli military said over the past day it had identified a terrorist shooting mortar shells at IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) troops, though no injuries were reported. It said it had taken out the enemy with an airstrike and had located rockets and additional military equipment in the area.
Ireland, Spain, and Norways acceptance of a Palestinian state was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority as well as by Hamas, its rival organization. While Hamas maintains sovereignty over Gaza, the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-government over the West Bank read more

Situated atop a hill, the Al Aqsa Mosque compound is of great holy significance to Muslims and Jews alike. Numerous violent episodes in the past have been caused by the competing claims over the location

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels minister of national security, visited the Al Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem on Wednesday. He declared that the contested holy site belongs only to the state of Israel during his visit.

Ben-Gvir said that his visit was a direct reaction to the recent unilateral recognition of an independent Palestinian state by three European nations.

He firmly stated, We will not even allow a statement about a Palestinian state.

Situated atop a hill, the Al Aqsa Mosque compound is of great holy significance to Muslims and Jews alike. Numerous violent episodes in the past have been caused by the competing claims over the location.

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Although Jews are welcome to visit the complex, they are not permitted to pray there by Israel.

This follows Norways and Irelands official recognition of Palestine as a state.

Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said that, There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

Gahr Store said that the Scandinavian country will recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, the Norwegian government leader said.

Ireland, Spain, and Norways acceptance of a Palestinian state was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority as well as by Hamas, its rival organization. While Hamas maintains sovereignty over Gaza, the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-government over the West Bank.

In recent weeks, a number of European Union nations, including Malta, Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia, have announced their intention to recognize the other, claiming that a two-state solution is necessary for enduring peace in the area.

Although Norway is not a member of the EU, it follows its lead in advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
This airline is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely in Abu Dhabi. Kenyan taxpayers would foot the tab for Rutos trip to and from the US, which comes to roughly Sh. 200 million. According to a breakdown of fees, the Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet of Dubai can be chartered for $18,000, or Sh. 2.4 million per hour read more

The expenses due to the Dubai corporation will surpass Sh 200 million, as President Ruto is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC Image Courtesy AP

William Ruto is in the US as president. He took off from Kenya on Sunday night aboard a business aircraft, a Boeing 737-700. This aircraft is not owned by a Kenyan business or the government of Kenya. The Royal aircraft of Dubai is the operator of the Boeing 737-700 business aircraft.

This airline is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely in Abu Dhabi. Kenyan taxpayers would foot the tab for Rutos trip to and from the US, which comes to roughly Sh. 200 million. According to a breakdown of fees, the Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet of Dubai can be chartered for $18,000, or Sh. 2.4 million per hour.

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The elite markets in Europe and the USA are the target audience for this planes services. A quote given to the Standard Media Group by the jets owner states that the one-way ticket from Nairobi to Atlanta, Georgia, the location of Rutos landing, costs $748,600 (Sh. 98 million).

The entire cost of a chartered Nairobi-Atlanta return flight is around Sh. 196 million, since the return leg costs the same. This quote refers to the eighteen-hour journey to and from Atlanta.

The expenses due to the Dubai corporation will surpass Sh 200 million, as President Ruto is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC.

The elite markets in Europe and the USA are the target audience for this planes services. A quote given to the Standard Media Group by the jets owner states that the one-way ticket from Nairobi to Atlanta, Georgia, the location of Rutos landing, costs $748,600 (Sh. 98 million).

The entire cost of a chartered Nairobi-Atlanta return flight is around Sh. 196 million, since the return leg costs the same. This quote refers to the eighteen-hour journey to and from Atlanta.

The expenses due to the Dubai corporation will surpass Sh 200 million, as President Ruto is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC.

If the corporation charges for the flight it took from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi to take up Ruto and the return leg from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi, this number might go even higher. On Saturday, the Boeing 737-700 business jet departed Abu Dhabi at 8.03 a.m. (Kenyan time). On Saturday at 12:40 p.m., it touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

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At 9.48 p.m. on Sunday, the aircraft with Ruto on board departed the JKIA. It touched down at 5.30 am local time (7.30 am Kenyan time) at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The flight took eight hours and forty-two minutes on this segment. Following refueling, the aircraft departed Santiago de Compostela, Spain, for the approximately two-hour second leg of its journey to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Lithuania expelled Russias ambassador and downgraded its diplomatic relations with Moscow in April 2022 in response to atrocities discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. According to a draft Russian defence ministry resolution published on Tuesday, Moscow plans to extend its territorial waters from January 2025 by changing its maritime border in the Baltic Sea with Finland and Lithuania read more

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda speaks to journalists after voting during the first round of Lithuania's presidential election in front of a polling station in Vilnius on May 12, 2024.

Lithuania said Wednesday it has summoned a Russian diplomatic envoy over plans to unilaterally extend Russias maritime border into Lithuanian and Finnish waters, warning the move could be a hybrid warfare tactic.

Lithuanias foreign ministry said it was summoning a representative of the Russian Federation for a full explanation. Finlands Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told reporters her government was following the situation.

We dont have any official information of what Russia is planning, she said.

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Lithuania expelled Russias ambassador and downgraded its diplomatic relations with Moscow in April 2022 in response to atrocities discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

According to a draft Russian defence ministry resolution published on Tuesday, Moscow plans to extend its territorial waters from January 2025 by changing its maritime border in the Baltic Sea with Finland and Lithuania.

The redefined geographical coordinates would see Moscow declaring Finnish and Lithuanian sea areas as Russian.

Russias borders in the Kaliningrad region and the Gulf of Finland would be altered, according to the document.

The Russian Federation is also a member and party to the UN Convention on maritime borders. We only expect Russia to respect that convention, Valtonen said.

It should be remembered that causing confusion is also hybrid influence. Finland will not be confused, she wrote on X, the former Twitter.

Lithuanias Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said: Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea.

This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response, he said on X.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the countrys ambassador to NATO has expressed concerns to allies over the Russian plans.

Nauseda told reporters that the move may be part of Russias broader actions against NATO.

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It is a flagrant, blatant violation of international law not only to denounce the treaty, but even to speak or disseminate information of this nature, he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that there was nothing political about the move, although the political situation has changed a lot since 1985 - the year the Russian territorial waters were demarcated.

You can see what the level of confrontation is at the moment, especially in the Baltic region. This requires the appropriate bodies to take the appropriate measures to ensure our security.

A Lithuanian foreign ministry statement urged Russia to respect and abide by the universally recognised principles and norms of international law, in particular UN Convention on the Law on Sea.

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Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who oversees Finlands foreign policy, wrote on X that Russia had not been in contact with Finland on the matter.

The Russian defence ministry said the move was necessary because the current coordinates do not fully correspond to the current geographical situation.
The new budget, to be presented on May 30, would put New Zealands defence spending at 0.9% of GDP, down from 1% in the current year. The cuts come as recent government reports have warned about old equipment, and the military has struggled to hire and retain personnel. read more

Despite New Zealands armed forces grappling with ageing equipment, personnel shortages and ambitions for a more significant regional role, the conservative government plans to cut military spending by 6.6 per cent, according to the defence ministers office.

Defence Minister Andrew Little said that the proposed defence budget for the year ending in June 2025 will drop to NZ$4.95 billion ($3.03 billion), down from this years NZ$5.3 billion. The new budget, set to be presented on May 30, will reduce New Zealands defence spending to 0.9% of GDP, compared to 1% in the current year.

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These cuts come amid government reports highlighting issues with outdated equipment and difficulties in hiring and retaining military personnel. Despite these challenges, the government aims to enhance the condition of the armed forces, undertake more regional and global missions, and explore the possibility of joining the AUKUS defence pact.

I have been consistently clear that Defence will need more funding and am committed to supporting Defence, Defence Minister Judith Collins told Reuters in an email, adding that big decisions on capital spending would be made after the completion of a Defence Capability Plan in June.

The cuts put New Zealand at odds with many of its traditional partners, such as Australia and Japan, which are ramping up spending in response to Chinas growing military presence in the region.

Japan, which spent roughly 1% of GDP on defence as recently as 2022, will hit about 1.6% next year and aims to reach 2% by 2028. Australia will go from 2% to around 2.4% over the next decade.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has worked hard to increase international engagement since taking office, including sending a maritime security team to the Red Sea. But falling revenue and rising debt have hamstrung the countrys ability to boost defence spending even as it says it is concerned about Chinas growing presence in the Pacific and a worsening global security environment.

The government has made it clear that it wants to spend more on defence and be seen to be doing more in the defence space, but decades of sustained underinvestment mean chickens are coming home to roost, said David Capie, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University. Its not going to be fixed in one budget; its going to take significant and sustained investment over a long time.

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The countrys Finance Ministry presents the government budget, which parliament must approve. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in an email that the government had announced NZ$571 million of new spending over the next four years.

The government noted that defence force spending in the current year had been significantly boosted by large capital expenditure on new C-130J aircraft. The government has said it wants to cut spending on average by 6.5% to 7.5% across all agencies.

With inputs from agencies.
Womens affairs minister said the wedding violates Nigerias Child Rights Acts and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act that criminalises forced marriages for women and girls. This marriage impinges on the rights of girls and women, who are my constituency, and I have taken action to put an end to it read more

A plan to marry off 100 Nigerian girls and young women in a state-sponsored mass wedding has sparked heated debate about child marriage and female education, with last-ditch efforts under way to ban the ceremony.

Nigerias womens minister, who is leading the campaign to shelve Fridays wedding, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation she had filed a court injunction to stop it.

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye said the wedding violates Nigerias Child Rights Acts and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act that criminalises forced marriages for women and girls.

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This marriage impinges on the rights of girls and women, who are my constituency, and I have taken action to put an end to it, the minister said in an interview.

Many of the girls due to be married off are believed to be under age, sparking sharp criticism from rights advocates.

The wedding came to light when Abdulmalik Sarkindaj, speaker of the state assembly in the Muslim-majority state of Niger, announced plans to sponsor the ceremony and foot the dowries.

He said the girls parents were killed in attacks by bandits and kidnapping gangs that have terrorised villages and towns in his conservative state in northern Nigeria.

While several Muslim clerics have defended the marriage as a charitable act for orphans, critics said it contravenes Nigerias commitment to protect children and womens rights.

The speaker later withdrew his offer to host the ceremony, which has triggered petitions from rights groups that have gathered thousands of signatures. It was not immediately clear if the ceremony would go ahead with another sponsor, as local Muslim clerics have vowed to defy the minister.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said while she had received assurances from the states traditional rulers that the wedding would now be called off, she would pursue her injunction to be safe.

What Im fighting is illegality. Im not fighting tradition or religion. This is to make sure it doesnt happen, she said.

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When she met with the leaders, the group discussed enrolling some of the girls in school, and opening bank accounts for others so they can start earning.

Marriage is not empowerment and doesnt change somebodys life. Rather, it worsens if you have no money to care for your family, the minister said.

Nigerias Child Rights Act sets the minimum marriage age at 18, but younger girls routinely wed in northern states, with more than half of women aged 20-24 marrying before they turn 18.

Nerida Nthamburi from GirlsNotBride, a non-profit advocating against early marriage, said laws were not enough given cultural norms still push girls into early wedlock.

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Parents in some northern states marry off daughters once they menstruate or reach puberty, she said, urging government to enlist the help of traditional and community leaders.

High poverty rates have also forced more families into marrying off girls to pay off debts or generate income.

She called on government to invest in programmes that keep girls in school and make them less vulnerable, saying education was the best antidote to forced marriage.

If families are economically empowered, then well find it less likely that they are selling their girls and more likely that they can afford at least to keep their children in school, Nthamburi said.
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention in the Ukraine conflict led to a pause in the fighting in Kharkiv and Sumy in northeastern Ukraine read more

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention in the Ukraine conflict led to pause in the fighting twice.

Jaishankar said that Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin twice to pause the fighting in Ukraine.

In an interview with Times Now, Jaishankar said that Modis intervention resulted in pauses in fighting in Ukraines Kharkiv and Sum fyor the evacuation of Indian students stranded at those places.

While Modis intervention in Kharkiv led to the pause in Russian shelling, the intervention in Sumi led to a trilateral understanding between Ukraine, Russia, and a private militia in the region.

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Jaishankar narrates how PM Modi intervened in Ukraine conflict

Jaishankar said the two occasions on which Modi reached out to Putin for pause in the fighting happened in March 2022. While he did not give the date for the first time, he said the second conversation regarding Sumy took place on March 8.

The first time it was done was in March in Kharkiv. Our students were going to a safe zone outside the city. There was shelling in the area around the safe zone by the Russian army. Modi Ji called President Putin and asked him to stop since there was an understanding among us to get to safe zone. Within a short while, the shelling stopped and the students could go to the safe zone, said Jaishankar in Hindi.

"Our Prime Minister called President Putin and asked him to stop the shelling to make way for our students." - EAM @DrSJaishankar shares inside story on how PM Modi stopped Russia-Ukraine war.



Watch #PublicManch with @navikakumar. pic.twitter.com/HtZi8p4uIo  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 21, 2024

Jaishankar described the second incident at Sumy as more complicated. There, he said the fighting was between the Russian army, Ukrainian army, and a private militia. He said the Modi government pursued a two-pronged plan. Firstly, he said that two senior Russian-speaking officials were sent to Sumy.

Since the morale of our students was too low, we sent senior officials there, so they realise that if someone from Delhi could reach there, they could also reach Delhi from there, said Jaishankar.

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Secondly, Jaishanker said that Modi intervened personally and reached out to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for an understanding to halt the fighting in the area.

Jaishankar said that there were four roads that could be taken to evacuate the students, but we could not take the risk until there was an understanding between the three sides that there would be no firing through the day.

Modi Ji talked to President Putin and President Zelenskyy and they instructed their officials to work with Indian representatives. We then worked and created a sanitised pathway. They [students] left in buses via that pathway, said Zelenskyy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters at the Capitol he had given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer until Tuesday to sign a letter inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting read more

The Republican leader of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Tuesday he was close to inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers even if the Senates Democratic leader did not go along.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters at the Capitol he had given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer until Tuesday to sign a letter inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting.

If not, were going to proceed and invite Netanyahu just to the House, Johnson said.

Schumer confirmed that he was talking to Johnson. Im discussing that now with the speaker of the House and, as Ive always said, our relationship with Israel is ironclad. It transcends any one prime minister or president, Schumer told reporters at his weekly news conference.

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The possible divide between the two parties over the issue underscored the politicization of Israel policy, months before a November presidential election in which Democratic President Joe Biden is running against Republican former President Donald Trump.

Republicans have criticized Biden for holding up a weapons shipment to Israel, although other U.S. arms shipments to the Middle East country remain in the pipeline.

Israel launched an assault on Gaza after Hamas militants attacked Israel in October, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza health ministry. Malnutrition is widespread and much of the coastal enclaves population has been left homeless, while much of its infrastructure has been destroyed.

Bidens handling of the war has sparked protests from many of his fellow Democrats and at college campuses across the U.S. Biden has urged Netanyahu to minimized civilian casualties in Gaza and has opposed a large-scale attack on Gazas southernmost city, Rafah.

Netanyahu, who has long aligned himself with U.S. Republicans, in March addressed party members in the Senate via a video link, nearly a week after Schumer gave a Senate speech branding the prime minister an obstacle to peace and urging new elections in Israel.

Addresses to joint meetings of Congress by foreign leaders are a rare honor generally reserved for the closest U.S. allies, or major world figures. Netanyahu has already given such addresses three times, most recently in 2015.

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That year, Republican congressional leaders invited Netanyahu to address a joint meeting without consulting Democratic then-President Barack Obama, as Netanyahu joined Republicans in opposition to Obamas international nuclear deal with Iran.

Netanyahu would be the first foreign leader ever to address joint meetings of Congress four times. He is currently tied at three with Britains wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill.
Earlier, the proposed draft plan by Russia prompted Lithuanias foreign minister to share concerns about the same as he called it an escalation against NATO and the European Union. read more

Russia has no intention of revising its maritime border in the Baltic Sea, its exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, Russian news agencies cited what Interfax described as a military-diplomatic source as saying on Wednesday even as European leaders shared concerns over the same.

The denial, which was also carried by state news agencies TASS and RIA, followed the publication of a bill drafted by Russias defence ministry which appeared to propose revising the way Russias Baltic border is determined.

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Earlier, the proposed draft plan by Russia prompted Lithuanias foreign minister to share concerns about the same as he called it an escalation against NATO and the European Union.

Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on social media platform X.

This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response, he added. Finlands foreign minister, Elina Valtonen also voiced concerns and said that Russia should abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea and has his eye on the Swedish island of Gotland, Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, said in an interview with the German media network RND published on May 22.

A day earlier, Russia unveiled its plans to unilaterally change the maritime border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea. Moscow intends to appropriate inland sea waters in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and near the cities of Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in Kaliningrad Oblast, according to a decree prepared by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The exercises are being held in Russias Southern Military District, which borders and encompasses areas of Ukraine that Moscow has unlawfully seized and occupied since its full-scale invasion started in February 2022, according to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Tuesday read more

Russia's Ministry of Defence released video footage of soldiers at an airbase preparing a bomber to carry a nuclear payload, and trucks transporting missiles to a field where launch systems were ready Image Courtesy Reuters

In territories bordering Ukraine, Russia has started the first round of tactical nuclear weapons training using Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.

The exercises are being held in Russias Southern Military District, which borders and encompasses areas of Ukraine that Moscow has unlawfully seized and occupied since its full-scale invasion started in February 2022, according to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.

The precise site of the drills was not disclosed by the ministry.

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It is also anticipated that Belarus, where Russia claimed last year to be putting tactical nuclear weapons, will participate.

Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has repeatedly talked up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and its readiness to deploy them in the face of a security threat.

According to nuclear experts, Vladimir Putin is using the drills as a warning to Ukraines Western friends, who have given Kyiv arms and intelligence, to keep them from getting more involved in the conflict.

In response to provocative statements and threats made by individual Western officials against the Russian Federation, the ministry stated that the exercises are intended to make sure that units and equipment are prepared for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to respond and unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state.

Following suggestions from Western officials that they could be willing to take their backing of Ukraine a step further, Putin ordered the drills.

David Cameron, the foreign minister of the United Kingdom, stated that Kyiv had the right to launch Western missiles onto Russian territory earlier this month, while French President Emmanuel Macron stated he had not ruled out sending troops to Ukraine under certain circumstances.

Russias Southern Military District, which has its headquarters at Rostov-on-Don, 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the Ukrainian border, serves as the command center for its offensive against that country.

Russias Ministry of Defence released video footage of soldiers at an airbase preparing a bomber to carry a nuclear payload, and trucks transporting missiles to a field where launch systems were ready.

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According to the report, the exercises included driving to approved launch sites, loading launch vehicles, and loading planes with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.

Nuclear weapons with a great deal of destructive power that are intended for use in combat are referred to be non-strategic or tactical weapons.

Although exact numbers are unknown, the Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia possesses roughly 1,558 non-strategic nuclear bombs.
Notably, for a similar injury, a passenger suing in Singapore might receive different compensation compared to one filing a lawsuit in the United Kingdom read more

People look at the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok on 22 May, 2024. Reuters

On Wednesday, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed heartfelt apologies, acknowledging the distress caused by the recent incident. He deeply regretted the traumatic experience endured by all on board SQ321.

However, the airline faces turbulence on the ground as passengers in all likelihood seek compensation under the Montreal Convention for the ordeal they went through.

Tragically, one passenger lost their life and the airline revealed that 30 others were treated for injuries after an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday, following a flight from London to Singapore.

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What is the Montreal Convention?

The Montreal Convention is a treaty that standardises rules for international air travel adopted by member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in 1999. It aims to unify and simplify regulations regarding passenger rights and airline liability. It was designed to modernise and consolidate the Warsaw Convention system which had regulated international air travel since 1929.

Under Chapter III of the convention Liability of the Carrier and Extent of Compensation for Damage, Article 17 says: The carrier is liable for damage sustained in case of death or bodily injury of a passenger upon condition only that the accident which caused the death or injury took place on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking.

In the same chapter, Article 21 [Compensation in Case of Death or Injury of Passengers] states:

1. For damages arising under paragraph 1 of Article 17 not exceeding 100 000 Special Drawing Rights for each passenger, the carrier shall not be able to exclude or limit its liability.

2. The carrier shall not be liable for damages arising under paragraph 1 of Article 17 to the extent that they exceed for each passenger 100 000 Special Drawing Rights if the carrier proves that:

(a) such damage was not due to the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the carrier or its servants or agents; or

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(b) such damage was solely due to the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of a third party

In a nutshell, the Montreal Convention sets out the liability for passenger injury or death. Airlines are strictly liable for proven damages up to 100,000 Special Drawing Rights, a mix of currency values established by the International Monetary Fund. For damages exceeding this amount, the airline is liable unless it can prove that the damage was not due to its negligence or was solely due to the negligence of a third party.

What it means for Singapore Airlines and the passengers

Passengers hurt in severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight may get compensation but there are various conditions to be fulfilled before an amount is fixed as per applicability.

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If passengers sue, the airline cant challenge damages up to about $175,000, said an Interaksyon report.

As per California attorney Mike Danko, as quoted by Interaksyon, if a passenger seeks damages beyond the prescribed limit, Singapore Airlines might attempt to limit its liability by demonstrating that it took all necessary precautions to prevent the turbulence. Alternatively, it may try to restrict compensation by attributing some responsibility to the passenger such as disregarding seat belt warnings. However, convincing the court wont be a straightforward task for the carrier.

Who gets how much?

The amount of compensation often depends on the country where the lawsuit is filed and how its legal system calculates damages. The Montreal Convention outlines specific rules for deciding where a claim can be filed based on factors like the destination, the place of ticket purchase and the passengers residence. In this scenario, for a similar injury the compensation might vary widely depending on where it is filed.

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Fortunately, in a 2019 review the ICAO updated the compensation limits for international air travel under the Montreal Convention of 1999, effective since 28 December, 2019.

Why Montreal Convention is applicable in this case

A key provision of the Montreal Convention is that it applies only to international flights involving member countries. Domestic flights within a single country are excluded unless the flight includes a layover in another country making it an international journey. Currently, 141 countries including the United Kingdom and Singapore are signatories to the Montreal Convention. However, the Montreal Convention has its limitations and is not as extensive in safeguarding passengers rights as other regulations, such as Europes EC 261 or Brazils ANAC 400.

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For both Singapore Airlines and the affected passengers, the long-haul flight has set the stage for a lengthy and complicated legal battle.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is trying to slash record levels of regular and irregular immigration before a general election due sometime this year. His Conservative government announced in December that social care workers arriving from overseas would no longer be allowed to bring dependants on their visa read more

The number of migrants applying to work in health and social care in Britain has plummeted since visa regulations were tightened, the government said on Wednesday.

The fall of more than 75 percent for the first four months of this year comes despite the sector struggling to fill tens of thousands of posts, in part because of tougher immigration rules post-Brexit.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is trying to slash record levels of regular and irregular immigration before a general election due sometime this year.

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His Conservative government announced in December that social care workers arriving from overseas would no longer be allowed to bring dependants on their visa.

It also hiked the minimum salary for skilled workers from 26,200 ($33,000) to 38,700.

The number of health and care skilled worker visa applications fell 76 percent between January and April compared to the same period last year, according to provisional data released by the interior ministry.

That was down from 50,900 to 12,400, the Home Office figures showed.

Care England, which represents independent care providers, has warned that there are 152,000 vacancies in the sector in the country.

Many of the posts were previously filled by overseas workers, including from the European Union, before freedom of movement ended when the UK left the bloc.

The plan to deliver the largest-ever cut to legal migration in our countrys history is working, said Home Secretary James Cleverly.

The data also showed that number of other skilled worker visa applications actually rose year-on-year by 41 percent.

Annual net migration  the difference between the number of people arriving and those leaving  topped a record high of 745,000 in 2022, data released in November showed.

The governments crackdown on regular migration includes tougher rules governing overseas students, which has led to criticism about its impact on universities, many of which depend on the higher fees paid by non-UK undergraduates and graduates.

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The latest figures showed a 12-percent decrease in applicants for a sponsored study visa, from 49,400 in January-April 2023, to 43,600 in the same period this year.

There was also a 79-percent reduction in applications from dependants, from 38,900 to 8,300.

On irregular migration, the government wants to deport 5,700 irregular migrants to Rwanda this year under a controversial scheme to stop small boats carrying asylum seekers from crossing the Channel from northern France.

The Conservatives lag well behind the main opposition Labour Party in most opinion polls ahead of the nationwide vote, the date of which Sunak is yet to announce.
Russian airstrikes have damaged key infrastructure since March, including Kyivs largest thermal power plant, and caused significant blackouts even in the capital, which had been spared since the first year of the war. read more

German's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks to Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko during official visit to a thermal power plant which was destroyed by a Russian rocket attack in Ukraine, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. - AP

Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraines power grid in recent weeks have forced leaders of the war-ravaged country to institute nationwide rolling blackouts.

Since March, Russian airstrikes have damaged key infrastructure, including Kyivs largest thermal power plant, and caused significant blackouts even in the capital, which had been spared since the first year of the war. A particularly devastating attack on May 8 targeted power facilities across several regions.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that in all, half of Ukraines energy system was damaged by Russias strike.

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This situation could deteriorate further if alternative electricity sources are not secured before winter. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko highlighted the difficulty of repairing power stations only to have them targeted again by Russian strikes, underscoring the urgent need for more air defense systems and spare parts from Western allies.

The grids resilience will be tested in July and August, when consumption can rival winter levels. By mid-May, the effects of the attacks were already felt in Kyiv, where a cold snap increased energy demand, prompting Ukrenergo, the main transmission system operator, to implement controlled blackouts nationwide.

Ukraine cannot currently generate enough power for peak evening hours and cannot import sufficient electricity from neighbouring Poland, Slovakia, and Romania to bridge the gap.

Ukrainian soldiers in the Kharkiv region near Vovchansk report that the combat situation is even more intense than it was around the fallen city of Bakhmut, though they now have sufficient ammunition to counter the Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukrainian troops are achieving tangible progress in Kharkiv, but he acknowledged that the frontline near Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Kurakhove remains extremely difficult.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 14,000 people have been displaced from the Kharkiv region in recent days. Jarno Habicht, the WHO representative in Ukraine, noted that nearly 189,000 people still reside within 25 kilometers of the Russian border, facing significant dangers due to the ongoing conflict.
Palestinians in Gaza have not received aid for over two days via the US-made pier which was seemingly functioning and was being used to deliver supplies to Gaza via the sea route read more

The lack of food supplies and other humanitarian aid has forced the United Nations to suspend food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Palestinians in Gaza have not received aid for over two days via the US-made pier which was seemingly functioning and was being used to deliver supplies to Gaza via the sea route. UN has also warned that the $320 million project may prove futile unless Israel starts setting conditions safe for humanitarian groups to function safely in the region.

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The suspension of food distribution in Rafah was announced by UNRWA on X. The aid agency said that owing to the ongoing military operation in eastern Rafah, the UNRWA distribution centre and the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse are now inaccessible while food distribution in Rafah is currently suspended due to a lack of supplies and insecurity.

As a result of the ongoing military operation in eastern Rafah the @UNRWA distribution centre and @WFP warehouse, both in #Rafah, are now inaccessible.



Food distributions in Rafah, southern#Gaza, are currently suspended due to lack of supplies and insecurity. pic.twitter.com/EQfdjHYwrk  UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 21, 2024

However, the WFP continues to provide hot meals and has limited distributions of food parcels in central Gaza. The agency will run out of parcel stocks within days, WFP warned.

Food trucks not reaching warehouse

Last week, Gaza received the first shipment of aid via a temporary pier designed to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to the war-torn region.

The pier project, expected to cost $320 million, was ordered more than two months ago by US President Joe Biden to help starving Palestinians as Israeli restrictions on border crossings and heavy fighting hinder food and other supplies from making it into Gaza.

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After 2-3 days of normal functioning, the plan was hit by a snag as desperate Palestinians intercepted the food trucks carrying supplies from the pier before they could even reach a WFP warehouse.

WFP Spokesperson Shaza Moghraby said that the last day trucks were able to reach the warehouse successfully was May 18.

Crowds had stopped the trucks at various points along the way. There was what I think I would refer to as self-distribution. These trucks were traveling through areas where thered been no aid. I think people feared that they would never see aid. They grabbed what they could," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

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What will UN do now?

The UN is now evaluating alternative routes, logistics and security measures within Gaza to ensure the safe delivery of aid.

WFP has collaborated with US Agency for International Development to coordinate the delivery of food supplies via the new US route.
The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 to stem traffic and pollution in central London. Drivers within the congestion charge zone are required to pay a USD 19 daily charge between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays and 12 pm and 6 pm on weekends. read more

The US embassy in London has refused to pay over USD 18.6 million in unpaid congestion fees, claiming diplomatic immunity from the fines, CNN reported, citing Transport for London (TfL), which manages the citys extensive transport network.

The congestion charge, introduced in 2003 to reduce traffic and pollution in central London, requires drivers within the zone to pay a USD 19 daily fee between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays and 12 pm and 6 pm on weekends.

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TfL said that it will pursue all unpaid fees and is pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice. In accordance with international law as reflected in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, our position is that the congestion charge is a tax from which diplomatic missions are exempt, a US embassy spokesperson said, CNN reported.

Our long-standing position is shared by many other diplomatic missions in London, the spokesperson added. However, TfL insisted that in an agreement with the UK government, Londons congestion charge constitutes a service and not tax. This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it, it stated. It has also politely declared there to be a stubborn minority of embassies that do not pay the charge, despite representations through diplomatic channels, and posted a lengthy list of offenders.

As of December 31, 2023, a total of 161 embassies, high commissions and consulates owed more than $182 million combined in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to TfL data.

According to TfLs figures, the Japanese embassy owes the second highest amount from unpaid congestion charge feesaround USD 12.8 million. CNN reported that this is not the first time a dispute has emerged over whether the US embassy should pay the charge.

In July 2005, the embassy issued a diplomatic note, claiming the charge is a tax that cannot be lawfully imposed on the US Government, its diplomatic and consular personnel, or its military force. While the embassy initially paid the charge, it stopped doing so on July 12, 2005, declaring the charge to be in tension with duties owed to foreign missions and diplomats.

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In 2020, then UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said British officials held meetings with a number of diplomatic missions and international organisations to press for payment of outstanding fines and debt, including unpaid congestion charge fees.

The Japanese embassy told CNN that the government of Japan is of the view that the charge corresponds to neither dues and taxes such as represent payment for specific services rendered nor charges levied for specific services rendered, as stipulated in the relevant international conventions, and therefore the Embassy, its diplomatic agents and their family members should be exempt from the charge.

The UK Foreign Office said that diplomats are expected to pay the charge, adding that they believe there are no legal grounds for diplomatic exemptions, CNN reported.

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With inputs from ANI.
The US has been driving the build-out of a global supply chain for rare earth, metals used in magnets for green energy industries and defence, beyond dominant producer China since COVID upended global supply chains early this decade. read more

The United States is on track to establish a domestic rare earth supply chain to meet its defence needs by 2027, a senior defence official said on Wednesday.

The US has been driving the build-out of a global supply chain for rare earth, metals used in magnets for green energy industries and defence, beyond dominant producer China since COVID upended global supply chains early this decade.

Assistant Secretary of Defence for Industrial Base Policy Laura Taylor-Kale said at a mining conference in Perth We are on track to meet our goal of a sustainable mine-to-magnet supply chain capable of supporting U.S. defence requirements by 2027,.

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Australia is classified as a domestic source of supply, alongside Canada and the UK, for critical minerals for the US under the Defence Production Act and the US has been offering funding opportunities to Australian mine developers. The US this year extended its support for the first time to back two Australian-listed rare earth projects with up to $850 million to help build out the supply chain.

It has already funded Australian producer Lynas Rare Earths, the worlds biggest producer outside of China, to build a new rare earths processing facility in Texas.

Government support for the sector is also coming domestically. In Australia, the federal government has pledged a A$1 billion ($667 million) loan to mineral sands producer Iluka Resources to build a new minerals processing plant on the countrys west coast. But these expansion projects have come as prices for rare earths have slumped, hurt by rising supply as China exports more to global markets.

As China-based prices of rare earth have plunged, so have the cashflows and accounting profits of rare earth producers in the West, but also Chinas top three rare earth producers, said Ilukas Tom OLeary.

So today they are still losing money.. and yet they are still producing. This is not a normal market, he said, arguing for prices of Western rare earths to delink from Chinese prices. Amanda Lacaze, chief executive of Lynas, agreed there was a market imbalance that could be mitigated by more growth in supply outside of China.

The important thing is growing the non-Chinese industry, said Lacaze. Things like the partnership that we have with the U.S. government, Ilukas relationship with the Australian government, these are all about growing critical mass outside of China. And once we do that, we start to address the imbalance."
All were 18 years old, according to the statement. The impact of the crash caused one vehicle to go off the roadway and into a tree line, where it flipped over. The incident on May 14 prompted the closure of the roadway between Hembree Road and Maxwell Road read more

Three Indian-American students were killed and two others were injured in a fatal road accident as their speeding car flipped over in the US state of Georgia, according to the police.

The deceased were identified as Sriya Avasarala, Anvi Sharma and Aryan Joshi were passengers in a single-vehicle crash last week on Westside Parkway in Alpharetta, according to local police.Based on evidence at the scene, it is believed that the driver lost control of their car which then came to rest upside down in the tree line.

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Two of the occupants - Joshi and Avasarala - were found dead at the scene. The remaining three occupants were transported to North Fulton Hospital for treatment. Sharma succumbed to injuries at the hospital, Alpharetta police said in a statement.

Rithwak Somepalli, a Georgia State University student and driver of the vehicle, and Mohammed Liyakath, a senior at Alpharetta High School, were identified as the other two students who were injured.

All were 18 years old, according to the statement.

The impact of the crash caused one vehicle to go off the roadway and into a tree line, where it flipped over. The incident on May 14 prompted the closure of the roadway between Hembree Road and Maxwell Road.

Avasarala and Sharma were also University of Georgia students. Joshi was a senior at Alpharetta High School.The investigation remains ongoing; however, from the initial data gathered it is believed that speed may have been a factor in the crash, the statement said.The University of Georgia community mourns the lives lost in this tragic accident. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. We hope their memories bring comfort and strength to all who knew them, UGA Media Relations said.
Lams appointment represents the latest shuffle in Vietnams top leadership, a nation historically noted for its political stability under the strict control of the Communist Party. However, a years-long anti-corruption crackdown has caused unprecedented political upheaval, coinciding with Vietnams rise as an alternative international manufacturing hub to China. read more

To Lam swears in the position after he was elected as the president at the National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam on Wednesday May 22, 2024. - AP

Vietnams public security minister has been appointed as the countrys next president, months after his predecessor stepped down as part of an anti-corruption crackdown.

The National Assembly elected General To Lam as president on Wednesday, following his nomination by the ruling Communist party over the weekend, according to state media reports. 66-year-old Lam has been public security minister since 2016 and has taken a hard line on human rights movements in the country.

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This appointment represents the latest shuffle in Vietnams top leadership, a nation historically noted for its political stability under the strict control of the Communist Party. However, a years-long anti-corruption crackdown has caused unprecedented political upheaval, coinciding with Vietnams rise as an alternative international manufacturing hub to China.

The crackdown, spearheaded by party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, has led to the resignation of two presidents since January 2023 and the arrest of hundreds of government officials. In April, real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced to death for her involvement in a $12 billion fraud.

Tran Thanh Man, 61, was also nominated as the new head of Vietnams National Assembly, state media said, becoming one of Vietnams four most powerful leaders, Al Jazeera reported.

Man succeeds Vuong Dinh Hue, who asked to step down last month because of violations and shortcomings.

The nominations have been accepted by the partys central committee but will be officially voted in by the National Assembly, which is due to meet next week.

All top leadership must be truly united, truly exemplary, wholehearted and devoted to the common cause, the central committee said, Al Jazeera reported. In April, a court in Vietnam sentenced a property tycoon to death for her role in a USD 12.5 billion financial fraud case, the countrys largest on record.

Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery and violations of banking rules at the end of a trial in Ho Chi Minh City.

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With inputs from agencies.
Shortly after Iranian president Ebrahim Raisis helicopter crashed on 19 May, the European Union (EU) responded to a request for assistance from Tehran by activating its rapid satellite mapping service to aid in the search efforts. Rescue operations were hampered by dense fog and low temperatures read more

Rescue team works following a crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, 20 May, 2024. WANA via Reuters

In an attempt to locate the helicopter carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, which crashed in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, 19 May, the European Union (EU) activated its emergency satellite mapping service at Irans request. The search and rescue operations were hampered by dense fog and low temperatures with low visibility.

Confirming this, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, wrote on X, Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EUs @CopernicusEMS rapid response mapping service in view of the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of Iran and its foreign minister.

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A day later, he replied to his post, writing, The provision of a @CopernicusEMS satellite mapping upon request for facilitating a search and rescue operation is not an act of political support to any regime or establishment. It is simply an expression of the most basic humanity."

The provision of a @CopernicusEMS satellite mapping upon request for facilitating a search and rescue operation is not an act of political support to any regime or establishment. It is simply an expression of the most basic humanity.  Janez Lenarcic (@JanezLenarcic) May 20, 2024

On Monday morning, the helicopter was found after an extensive search. State media confirmed that Raisi along with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian , and other officials were found dead at the crash site near the border with Azerbaijan.

The rapid mapping service is a crucial component of the Emergency Management Service (EMS), which is part of the EUs Copernicus programme. What is this programme and how does it work?

What is EUs Copernicus programme?

Named after 15th-century scientist Nicolaus Copernicus, the programme serves as the earth observation component of the EUs space initiative. Initially known as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Programme (GMES), Copernicus was launched in 1998.

The programme utilises global data from satellites, as well as ground-based, airborne, and sea-borne measurement systems, to provide environment-related information. This data is used by researchers, policymakers, public authorities, international organisations, and commercial and private users to address issues related to climate change, disaster management, agriculture, and more.

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Emergency personnel walk in a foggy area following a crash of a helicopter carrying Irans President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, 19 May, 2024 in this screen grab from a video. Iranian Red Crescent Society via Reuters

Currently, the programme is implemented by EU member states with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the space component and the European Environment Agency (EEA) for the in-situ component.

Additional support is provided by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), EU agencies, Mercator Ocean, the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the Joint Research Center (JRC).

Also Read: Why politicians use helicopters despite history of crashes

The Copernicus Programme is supported by dedicated satellites known as the Copernicus Sentinel families, as well as additional Contributing Missions operated by various commercial and national agencies. Since the launch of Sentinel-1A in 2014, the EU has been working to establish a constellation of nearly 20 more satellites in orbit by 2030. This satellite data is complemented and validated by in situ data.

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The programme includes six Copernicus Services, which process and analyse the full data to create value-added information, such as informative maps and data sets. These services are:

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service The Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service The Copernicus Climate Change Service The Copernicus Emergency Management Service The Copernicus Security Service

What is the Copernicus EMS that aided in Raisis chopper search?

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been active since 2012. The service supports crisis managers, Civil Protection authorities and humanitarian aid actors dealing with natural disasters, man-made emergency situations, and humanitarian crises, as well as those involved in disaster risk reduction and recovery activities, says the services website.

The CEMS consist of five main components:

Risk & Recovery Mapping

Rapid Mapping

Early Warning & Monitoring Systems for Forest Fires (European and Global)

Early Warning & Monitoring Systems for Floods (European and Global)

European Drought Observatory (EDO)

The CEMS covers floods, earthquakes, landslides, severe storms, fires, technological disasters, volcanic eruptions, humanitarian crises, tsunamis.

The EMS operates on two models: on-demand mapping and early warning and monitoring. These models provide warnings, risk assessments, and information on the impact of disasters worldwide, before, during, or after a crisis.

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On-demand mapping delivers detailed information for specific emergencies, while early warning offers critical geospatial data through monitoring and forecasts for floods, droughts, and forest fires. Following Raisis helicopter crash, the EU activated the rapid mapping service.

Rescue vehicles are seen following a crash of a helicopter carrying Irans President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan , East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, 19 May, 2024. WANA via Reuters

Rapid Mapping delivers geospatial information within hours or days of activation to support emergency management activities immediately following a disaster. Standardised mapping products are provided to:

Ascertain the situation before the event (reference product)

Roughly identify and assess the most affected areas (first estimate product)

Assess the geographical extent of the event (delineation product)

Evaluate the severity of the damage resulting from the event (grading product)

Risk and Recovery Mapping provides on-demand geospatial information to support disaster management activities not related to immediate response. This includes activities focused on prevention, preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and recovery phases. There are three broad product categories:

Reference Maps Pre-disaster Situation Maps Post-disaster Situation Maps

Who can access & activate the Copernicus EMS?

The EMS Mapping component can be activated for any part of the world by or through an Authorised User. Authorised Users include National Focal Points in EU Member States and Copernicus Participating Countries, as well as EU Delegations worldwide.

A helicopter carrying Irans President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, 19 May, 2024. WANA via Reuters

Activations can also be triggered directly by or, for countries without a National Focal Point, through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commissions Directorate General of Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection. In all cases, a Service Request Form, available on the Copernicus EMS website, must be completed.

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EFFIS (European Forest Fire Information System) and GWIS (Global Wildfire Information System): These systems are accessible online to both users and the general public without the need for a password or registration.

GloFAS (Global Flood Awareness System): Access requires creating a free account.

EFAS (European Flood Awareness System): Information is restricted, but access can be provided upon request.

Also Read: Why many in Iran are celebrating Ebrahim Raisis death
realme just launched its most expected realme GT 6T smartphone in India today. This is a comeback smartphone for the company in the GT series after the GT 2 which was launched in India 2 years back. It has several features such as LTPO display, faster Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC, and a large battery. Is this worth the price? Let us dive into the review and find out.

Box Contents

realme GT 6T 12GB + 512GB in Fluid Silver colour

120W SUPERVOOC charger

USB Type-C Cable

Protective case

SIM ejector

Quick Start Guide and Warranty Information

Display, Hardware and Design

The realme GT 6T features a 6.78-inch (27801264 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED display with 1-120Hz refresh rate 8T LTPO display, which is better than any other display on phones in the price range.

The phone has 450 PPI pixel density. The display is bright since it has up to 6000 nits peak brightness, which works for HDR, and the global maximum brightness has also increased to 1600 nits It offers good colour output since it has 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and the sunlight legibility is good as well.

You can select from vivid, Natural and Pro screen colour modes. I am also a fan of nature tone display feature, which adjusts the display based on the ambient lighting conditions.

The phone has a 2160Hz high-frequency dimming technology. There are also eye-protection features such as sleep mode, ambient color adaptation, DC dimming, and comprehensive eye protection to enhance user comfort and reduce eye strain. The phone has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

The phone also has HDR 10 support, which works for YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but HDR or Dolby Vision didnt work for Netflix for some reason. You can enable video color boost from display settings, which increases the colors in select apps. There is also image sharpener option.

The phone doesnt have a notification LED, but this has an always-on-display that shows contextual info and notifications all day or as per schedule. The phone has ultra narrow bezels side bezels of 1.36mm, making it compact to hold. It has strong vibration motor.

The phone has a tiny punch-hole that houses a 32-megapixel camera. Above the display, there is an earpiece on the top edge that doubles up as a secondary speaker. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner. There is a 1.94mm ultra-narrow bezel on the bottom.

Coming to the button placements and ports, the power button is present on the right side along with the volume rockers. There is nothing on the left side. The Dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C port and the loudspeaker grill are present on the bottom. The secondary microphone is on the top, along with a speaker vent and an IR blaster.

The phones back cover has a nano-level mirror coating technology that undergoes over 30 meticulous processes to achieve, highlighting the contrast of bright and matte metal textures, said the company. Even though it is not glass, it offers a premium look. The stainless steel camera module, with 20% increase in hardness, ensures enhanced lens protection.

Camera

50MP rear camera with Sony LYT-600 sensor, OIS, f/1.8 aperture

8MP IMX355 112 ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture

32MP front-facing camera with Sony IMX615 sensor, f/2.45 aperture

The camera UI in the realme UI 5 is familiar. There is Pro mode, Panorama, Macro, Flim, Slo-mo, Time-Lapse, Dual-View video, text scanner, starry mode and tilt-shift. The rear camera offers 12.5MP output after pixel binning, and the front camera images are 32MP in size. There is a new Camera QR code scanning feature.

Daylight shots were decent, and the dynamic range is better with auto HDR. 2X is good, but as you zoom in you lose details even though you get up to 20X zoom. The portrait mode offers a good edge detection. This drops the 2MP macro camera, which is a good thing.

The colors are good, but I felt the IMX890 or any other larger sensor would have done a better job. The night mode is useful, but it takes a few seconds to process. There is also a tripod mode. The 32MP front camera does a decent job in daylight, but doesnt do much in low light. The bokeh shots are good, and the edge detection is decent.

Check out the camera samples.

It can record videos at up to 4K 60 fps, slow motion 1080p at 120fps, and the front camera can record at 4K 30fps videos finally. Ultra-wide camera shooting and Portrait video mode video with the main camera are limited to 1080p, 30 fps. There is OIS and EIS which does decent job. There is ultra-steady mode which is limited to 1080p 60fps.

Software, UI and Apps

It runs Android 14 based realme UI 5.0 out of the box. It has Android security patch for April 2024. The phone will get 3 Android updates and 4 years of security updates.

realme UI 5.0 offers improved self-developed technology for smooth performance, and enhanced safety and privacy tools. The phone also brings Air Gesture, and the usual set of software features present in other realme phones.

Apart from the usual set of realme apps and Google apps, it comes with several preloaded apps such as Facebook, Amazon, Snapchat, Myntra, Paytm, and LinkedIn. These apps can be uninstalled, but come back once the phone is reset. There are also Hot Apps and Hot Games. Since this has an IR blaster, there is an IR remote app which is useful.

Out of 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, you get 11.05GB of usable RAM, and about 7GB of RAM is free when default apps are running in the background. It also has DRE or dynamic RAM expansion feature, which uses the built-in storage as RAM. This has up to 12GB of additional RAM expansion. Out of 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, you get about 457GB of free storage. The 128GB version uses UFS 3.1, and the other models use UFS 4.0.

Fingerprint sensor and Face unlock

It has an in-display fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone quickly. You can add up to 5 fingerprints. You can also use the fingerprint for app local and payments in apps. Furthermore, you can change the fingerprint animation and also disable it, and also enable quick launch option to launch apps directly from the lockscreen by holding the fingerprint. The phone also has face unlock feature.

Music and Multimedia

YouTube Music is the default Music Player. It has customizable Smart, Movie, Game and Music modes, but doesnt have Dolby Atmos. It doesnt have FM Radio support. Audio through the stereo speakers is good without any distortion even in full volume. Audio through earphones is good as well.

This has Widevine L1, so that you can play HD content on Netflix and other streaming apps. It supports HDR content on YouTube, but this doesnt work on Netflix for some reason. Hope this will be fixed in update.

Dual SIM and Connectivity

The realme GT 6T has support for n1/n3/n5/n8/n28A/n40/n41(2535-2655MHz)/n77/n78 SA and n1/n3/n41 (2535-2655MHz)/n78 NSA Network Bands in India. It has 4G Wi-Fi and VoLTE, with support for Carrier Aggregation on 4G. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.4, GPS / GLONASS / Beidou. It has OTG support, and NFC support. Moving on, the call quality is good, and we did not face any call drops and the earpiece volume was loud.

The realme GT 6Ts body SAR is 0.368W/Kg and head SAR is at 1.175/Kg, which is well under the limit of 1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) in India.

Performance and Benchmarks

This is the first phone to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC in India. It uses the same microarchitecture as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but the CPU cores are underclocked and this uses a different GPU.

It uses 1 x Kryo Prime CPU (Arm Cortex-X4 based) at up to 2.8GHz, 4 x Kryo Performance CPUs (Arm Cortex-A720 based) at up to 2.6GHz and 3x Kryo Efficiency CPUs (Arm Cortex-A520 based) at up to 1.9GHz.

The SoC is fabricated using the TSMC 4nm Process Technology, same as Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It promises 15% CPU performance improvements and 5% overall power savings compared to Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. The phone has the 9-layer cooling system incorporates a 10014mm 3D tempered dual VC.

There is 10870mm large copper foil above the screen, a 7075mm superconductive graphite in the screen compartment, a 10000mm dual Stainless Steel Vapor Chamber, cooling gel, a 1420mm mainboard top graphite copper foil, the PCB, a 800mm bottom copper foil, a

5300mm press plate support graphite, and an AL metal support.

The Adreno 732 GPU promises 45% performance improvements compared to 7+ Gen 2. We did not face any issues or frame drops in the graphic-intensive games like COD, BGMI and Genshin Impact. It reached maximum 43 in our testing indoors in 5G, but this might vary outdoors.

In 3D Mark wild life stress test, it scored 54.6% which is just average, but there was not throttling issue. The temperature shot up from 30 to 43 degrees, which is not much, thanks to the cooling solution. That said, check out some synthetic benchmark scores below.

As you can see, this is clearly close to the benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and is clear better than Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

Battery life

Coming to the battery life, the phone packs a 5500mAh (typical) battery, which is slightly bigger compared to older realme GT series phones. It can easily last for a day with heavy use and for 2 days with typical use.

I got close to 6 hours of screen on time with 2 days use, mostly on Wi-Fi, and occasional 5G use in 120Hz. Since the phone has support for 120W SuperVOOC fast charging, it can charge up to 50% in about 10 minutes, and 100% in less than half an hour. There are smart charging, option to stop charging at 80%, and the smart rapid charging can charge the device faster if the battery is too low.

Conclusion

At a starting price of Rs. 30,999, the realme GT 6T is a performance champ that ticks almost all the boxes since it has an LTPO display, a powerful SoC, a large battery and fast charging support. The camera set up could have been better.

Pricing and availability

The realme GT 6T is priced at Rs. 30,999 for the 8GB + 128GB, the 8GB + 256GB model costs Rs. 32,999, 12GB + 256GB model costs Rs. 35,999 and the top-end 12GB + 512GB model is priced at Rs. 39,999. It will be available from Amazon.in, realme.com and offline stores starting from May 29th.

Alternatives

If you spend more, there is iQOO Neo9 Pro which offers a better camera, and a slightly better performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. POCO F6 should be a direct competitor with a slightly faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, but it should cost more.

Pros

1.5K AMOLED 120Hz LTPO display is brilliant

Smooth performance and good gaming performance

Eye-catching design

Long battery life with 120W fast charging

Cons

Average camera performance

Bloatware
Sony is reportedly planning to launch a new camera-focused smartphone for professionals. The upcoming device, expected to be named the Sony Xperia PRO-I, follows the recent releases of the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI.

Leaked information from the Insider Sony has revealed key specifications and some design details of the new Xperia PRO-I. This successor to the 2021 Xperia PRO-I might be called the Xperia Pro C. It is set to feature professional-grade camera specifications in a more compact design compared to its predecessor.

The Xperia Pro C is rumored to have a 6-inch OLED display with an anti-reflection coating, instead of the previous 6.5-inch screen. The display will have a 2K resolution, similar to the Xperia 1 VI. The flagship device will also incorporate ZEISS camera technology, continuing the trend from its predecessor.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Xperia Pro C is expected to feature a 1-inch 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 20mm focal length, and optical image stabilization. This main sensor will support RAW 12-bit and 14-bit DCG RAW shooting, and it might use an OmniVision sensor.

The phone will also likely include a 12MP secondary camera with autofocus, capable of 4K recording at 120fps, a 10-bit 420 S-LOG gamma curve, and HLG recording. Additionally, it might support 60fps RAW recording, Sony S-Cine-tone, and Creative Look. Another 12MP lens with a 20mm focal length may support 4K 60fps HDR recording, though zoom capabilities remain unknown.

Other specifications of the device are expected to include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Despite the smaller 6-inch screen, the new Xperia PRO model is expected to have a larger, 5000mAh battery and a 45W PD fast charging solution.

The launch of the Xperia Pro C is anticipated in Q4 2024.

Source
China Coast Guard dispatch vessels over 300 times per day in 2023 for law enforcement

14:32, May 22, 2024 By Hu Yuwei ( Global Times

The CCG holds a meeting on May 21, 2024 to summarize its achievements in law enforcement in 2023. Photo: Courtesy of CCG

In 2023, the China Coast Guard (CCG) dispatched vessels more than 300 times per day on average, achieving significant results in law enforcement actions such as combating smuggling, illegal fishing, and theft of sea sand, according to a meeting on Tuesday to summarize the CCG's law enforcement achievements in 2023 that was attended by the Global Times.

The CCG also strengthened law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries last year, with more than 40 bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities conducted throughout the year.

Specifically, the CCG hosted the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (NPCGF) multi-task exercises, organized for vessels to conduct fisheries law enforcement patrols in the North Pacific Ocean, participated in multilateral mechanism meetings such as the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Enhancing Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Cooperation, signed a cooperation memorandum with the Russia Coast Guard, hosted high-level meetings with the coast guards of South Korea and Vietnam, and organized activities such as joint patrols, youth officer exchanges, and ship visits.

In 2023, CCG agencies at all levels consistently adhered to the cooperative concept of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together," and jointly carried out operations to combat smuggling in the Beibu Gulf and crack down on illegal sand-related crimes.

At the same time, in 2023, CCG agencies at all levels cracked down on smuggling cases worth 1.49 billion yuan, seized 4.2 tons of drugs, arrested more than 160 illegal immigrants, and dismantled more than 20 smuggling gangs.

Throughout the year, an average of more than 300 vessels were deployed daily, an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous year. There were 17,643 effective police responses, an increase of 16.4 percent compared to the previous year. A total of 5,648 cases were investigated and handled, an increase of 15.7 percent compared to the previous year.

The CCG also maintained off-season fishing ban enforcement actions, investigated and handled 341 cases of illegal occupation of sea areas, illegal dumping, and violations of island use, and closely guarded against activities that damage marine resources and the environment. This has led to a strong crackdown on prominent issues such as illegal sand mining, with a significant reduction in illegal sand mining and transportation activities.

The CCG 3rd division deploys timely aid to rescue two injured crew members on March 16, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of CCG

The CCG also rescued 1,745 people in distress, an increase of 65.7 percent compared to the previous year. CCG spokesperson Gan Yu cited an example from March 16 last year, when a Fujian-registered fishing boat in the South China Sea experienced a gas explosion, seriously injuring two crew members. Upon receiving the distress call, the CCG immediately sent a vessel from its third division, and coordinated with the search and rescue center in China's Sansha city to transport the injured fishermen.

In another case, on the night of September 20 last year, a fish farming vessel carrying 26 people ran aground due to operator error, and the ship was in danger of capsizing at any moment. Upon receiving the distress call, the CCG Guangdong bureau quickly organized a rescue operation. After six hours of emergency assistance, all 26 fishermen were rescued.

Zhao Xuexiang, deputy director of the CCG, stated that CCG agencies at all levels have played a vital role as the main force in safeguarding maritime rights and law enforcement, effectively protecting national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and effectively serving the country's maritime economic development.

On February 29, 2024, the CCG division in Putian, East China's Fujian Province, successfully handles an oil tanker fire accident. Photo: Courtesy of CCG

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Explore the rich history and architectural beauty of Trinity Episcopal Church in this captivating tour given by Reverend Jimmy Abbott. Join J.R., Lisa, Erika, and Reverend Jimmy in uncovering the layers of history, from its founding in 1841 to its role in wartime and natural disasters.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
They grow up so fast.

Graduation season in the Grand Valley brought plenty of out-of-town grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents to witness bittersweet milestones for graduates of local high schools and Colorado Mesa University.

What parent can watch a child in a cap and gown collect a diploma and not marvel at how quickly the years zipped past to arrive at this moment? Or contemplate how empty the nest might feel?

Its a different story for the graduates. Theyre at a crossroads that took them a lifetime to reach. A new phase of life awaits, whether its attending college, finding an adult job, starting an apprenticeship, leaving for basic training, traveling during a gap year or going to graduate school.

The optimism is palpable. But so is the anxiety. Parents recognize that the world is far different than the one they inherited. Todays grads have been immersed in a technology-enabled society that defines how they navigate life.

This generation has grown up with smart phones, social media and the weight of climate change and deep partisan divides on their shoulders. Is it any wonder that theyre a little jaded about the future?

Every spring, the Harvard Youth Poll surveys Americans between 18 and 29 years of age.

In an open-ended question about which national issue concerned them most, about a quarter (27%) volunteered something related to the economy. Immigration (9%), foreign policy (8%), and environmental issues followed behind.

Only 9% of young Americans say the country is headed in the right direction; economic concerns, along with reproductive freedom, continue to be top of mind for young voters.

While we could write a book about the accomplishments of the Class of 2024, we wanted to recognize two Mesa County graduates who encapsulate the breadth of extracurricular achievement.

The first is Bryce Davis, who graduated from Central last week and plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder to major in computer science and minor in political science.

For the third straight year, Davis received the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award from the Colorado Secretary of States Office for registering at least 85% of eligible students to vote.

Davis  also the recipient of Daniels Fund and Boettcher scholarships  has led the student organization We Vote since he was a freshman.

Its an organization within District 51 that encourages students to pretty much be civically engaged, go out to vote, pre-register and register to vote, and it also teaches students K-12 a lot of things about civics, how elections work, how different positions work, why its important to be actively involved, Davis said.

The ability of this generation to shape the future hinges, in part, on exercising its voting power.

Our other notable grad is De Beques Scottie Vines, a track star who qualified for the Olympic Trials by clearing 7 feet in the high jump earlier this year.

Vines broke his own Class 1A state meet record over the weekend, but windy conditions hampered his goal of breaking the national high school high jump record.

Still, Vines ends his prep career as an ambassador of small-school magic. Scrawled across the shoes he wore at the state track meet were signatures and words of encouragement from family, friends and teachers back in De Beque.

Having them on my shoes reminds me that theyre here even if they might not be here in person, Vines said at the meet in Lakewood. Its a community up there and everybody is family. Thats really what these (messages on the shoes) mean.

Theres no shortage of inspirational stories and anecdotes about members of this years graduating class. Were certain that theyll fan out and make their mark on the world and remind everyone that western Colorado is a great place to grow up and prepare for the rigors of adulthood.
Sat Saturday

85 /53

More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low 50s.
Statement by the Ministers for European Affairs of France, Germany, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain

Germany Federal Foreign Office

21.05.2024 - Press release

With the envisaged adoption of the Council conclusions on "Democratic resilience: safeguarding electoral processes from foreign interference", we are taking an important step to defend our European democratic values, fundamentals and political culture and should continue this integrated approach to address current challenges we face from outside the EU. We welcome the ongoing debate on how to protect our European Democracy and want to contribute with concrete ideas, which should also be considered by the future Commission and High Representative.

There is no "single solution" to counter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and attempts of destabilization with the aim to undermine and discredit our democracies. This is why we need to strengthen our detection and unveiling capabilities, enforce a swift response to identified threats and support and mobilize all parts of our European societies, to strengthen the resilience of our foundations with a view to the EP elections and beyond.

Detecting and combating information manipulation, enforcing robust legal reaction and sanctions, enhancing effective, coherent and proactive political communication, strengthening independent media nationally and at EU level, fostering civic education and digital and media literacy, creating opportunities for and access to political and social engagement and participation are all necessary mechanisms, which in combination strengthen our democratic resilience.

The freedom of our Union and our neighbourhood is built upon our strong democratic foundations. Consequently, our approach should include the enlargement countries, where long-term dedication to democratic resilience is essential to strengthening and protecting our future European Union.

Building on today's Council conclusions and contributing to the ongoing debate, we, the Ministers for European Affairs of France, Germany, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, present the following concrete proposals to step up efforts covering different aspects:

Strengthening collective resilience by sharing information and working with civil society

As stated in the Council conclusions, digital and media literacy of citizens and as well as independent and free media play an essential role in strengthening the EU's resilience. Many initiatives and projects in this area exist across the EU, but a more structured exchange of best practices between MS would improve our effectiveness. Proposals:

1. MS should regularly discuss which approaches and projects have been implemented and were most effective to combat foreign information manipulation interference (FIMI). The Horizontal Working Party on Enhancing Resilience and Countering Hybrid Threats (HWP ERCHT) could serve as a hub for a structured exchange to draw lessons learnt and make recommendations as appropriate.

2. The Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) and the Rapid Alert System (RAS) are useful tools to share information about FIMI, but are only limited to MS governments and EU institutions. A more open information-sharing with the public (including researchers, media and NGOs, similar to the IPCR use during the COVID pandemic) would complement ongoing efforts and enhance awareness with the wider European public, and allow for a quick and coordinated response to FIMI campaigns. Therefore, we encourage the EEAS to present a proposal which bundles existing tools and efforts of dissemination to achieve this aim.

3. It should be combined with additional funding and a platform for knowledge exchange between civil society, researchers and Member States on strategies for strengthening media literacy and civic education in the EU to share experiences, evaluations, new research and present funding opportunities, while building on the expertise of existing structures, such as the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO).

4. Publics are less likely to believe disinformation about the EU if they are aware of EU's benefits and added value. Enhanced strategic communication about the EU in Member States is therefore needed.

5. We are convinced that a European media platform would contribute to countering disinformation by providing high quality information and independent journalism to all EU citizens.

Enhancing detection, unveiling capabilities

Building on the Council conclusions, it is essential to strengthen our ability to detect foreign information manipulation and interference in order to swiftly unveil them, in order to break their virality as early as possible and limit their impact.

6. Member States should enhance the cooperation and sharing of information between their competent national agencies on identified or supposed threats, intensify their use of the Rapid Alert System for this purpose. They should also increase the unveiling of detected manipulation campaigns in a coordinated way, to enhance at the European scale the dissemination of our strategic communication including factual positive narratives.

7. We encourage the Commission and EEAS to continue their efforts towards more efficiency and cooperation with national agencies and look forward to proposals and initiatives in the following months.

Enforcing regulation and establishing restrictive measures

The Digital Services Act is a landmark regulation that is giving the Commission extraordinary tools to hold Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) accountable and live up to their responsibility in managing systemic risks, in particular regarding FIMI. We welcome the Commissions' decision to open formal proceedings against VLOPs which have failed to do so.

Restrictive measures are an important tool to target the authors of FIMI campaigns and show a clear sign that the EU will act against individuals and entities which are attempting to interfere in our democracies. Proposals:

8. The full regulatory infrastructure of the DSA should be set up without delay, so that it can fully function and effectively enforce the regulatory framework.

9. The Commission should continue to engage swiftly with Member States and civil society through briefings and publicly denounce any failure by VLOPs to implement their legal obligations under the DSA and commitments under the Code of Practice on Disinformation, and open formal proceedings if necessary.

10. New tools of the EU and Member States support for civil society involvement in implementing the DSA should be explored, including the creation of advisory and consultative bodies to the national Digital Services Coordinators. The opinions and proposals presented by these bodies could range from trusted whistleblower status and verified researcher status to complaints and court proceedings.

11. The Code of Practice on Disinformation should be converted to a binding Code of Conduct as foreseen by the DSA.

12. The Council should swiftly conclude ongoing discussions to establish a new regime of restrictive measures targeting Russia's destabilisation efforts, which include FIMI campaigns.

Strengthening our neighborhood

Furthermore, our efforts to strengthen democratic resilience must include our neighborhood. The candidate and potential candidate countries are equally subject to FIMI and other targeted interference campaigns. An investment into their democratic resilience is also a long-term investment towards the resilience of the current and future European Union. Furthermore, public support to enlargement in current Member States is volatile and vulnerable to FIMI. Proposals:

13. We need to enhance our strategic communication in countries in the accession process. The EEAS Western Balkans and East StratCom Task Forces have done important work, but need to expand their activities to cover all countries in the accession process.

14. We call on the EEAS to focus on countries in the accession process and develop a comprehensive strategy, in cooperation with relevant Commission DGs and Member States for engagement, fields of programming and cooperation with current EU Member States on the ground.

15. We also invite the EEAS to enhance its cooperation with StratCom institutions in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans in countering FIMI.

16. The incoming Commission and High Representative should identify and allocate specific funding for programmes countering FIMI in countries aspiring to join the EU, in particular media literacy and civic education programmes.

17. The incoming Commission should in coordination with Member States develop a communication strategy within the EU to enhance public support for EU enlargement.

18. The Council should continue regular discussions on StratCom issues in COWEB, COELA, COEST, HWP ERCHT and other Council working groups including focus on evaluation of efforts and analysis of gaps with experts in the region.

19. In addition to the actions listed above, we would welcome a discussion in the broader European framework to enhance cooperation in countering FIMI.

Future work in EU institutions

We welcome the announced reorganisation of the EEAS StratCom divisions, with the aim to further streamline and reinforce efforts in strategic communication and countering FIMI, including clear communication on the EU's benefits and added value.

In the Council, several Council formations will continue to discuss democratic resilience as a crosscutting issue with an internal and external dimension. The GAC should remain seized of this matter, with a particular focus on societal resilience in MS and the role of FIMI and level of democratic resilience in potential and candidate countries. Proposal:

20. The GAC should keep the topic of democratic resilience on its agenda for a regular discussion. Informal consultations could also be organised with candidate and potential candidate countries. After the European elections, an exchange with the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) could be organised as soon as possible to discuss the impact of FIMI, lessons learnt and possible future steps

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How Kremlin uses false fact checks to spread disinformation

By Oleksii Kovalenko May 21, 2024

Just a few weeks after Russia's full invasion of Ukraine, Moscow started to promote a website that claims to tell the truth about the war.

"War On Fakes" was presented as a fact-checking resource where experts and journalists debunk the most "egregious" statements about Russia and the "unprecedented stream of fake news" about the war.

In reality, however, "War on Fakes" is one of the main groups that push and promote false narratives through fake fact-checking. The purpose, say analysts, is to dispel or distract criticism of Russian policy or action and to flood people with misleading content.

Fake fact-checking is an effective way of spreading state propaganda and disinformation, according to Roman Osadchuk of the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

"War on Fakes," he told VOA, is not only a key source of disinformation but a site that aims to counter credible fact-check initiatives.

Hundreds of independent fact-check sites have started up in recent years. Among the most reliable in countering Kremlin propaganda are the American website PolitiFact, the British site FullFact, and Ukraine-based StopFake. VOA also has its own version: Polygraph.

But as these sites spread, authoritarian regimes use the language of "fact checking" to try to discredit critics or justify repression.

"They are trying to undermine the basis of this tool as an objective presentation of information," said Osadchuk. "This harms many media workers and researchers in the world, making their work more difficult."

Osadchuk cited a fake analysis that sought to discredit photographic evidence of Russian war crimes in the Ukrainian city of Bucha as "a classic example" of how these sites seek to change the narrative. A 2022 U.N. report and multiple independent news groups in 2022 detailed the killings of civilians by Russian troops in Bucha, and a February 2024 UN report said more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians were killed in the first two years of Russia's full-scale invasion.

"War on Fakes" seeks to discredit that evidence.

"They were publishing their forged analysis ... claiming that Russian troops left the city before bodies of the killed people appeared on the streets," said Osadchuk.

Eva Maitland of the U.S.-based disinformation research site NewsGuard has also seen a growth in fake fact checks.

She cites false narratives around an attack on the Moscow Crocus City Hall concert in March, when gunmen killed more than 140 people and set fire to the building. The militant group Islamic State, also known as IS, ISIS and ISIL, later claimed responsibility.

"Russia and Russian media said that the ISIS statement taking responsibility for the attack was false, and it was a fabricated ISIS statement," she told VOA.

Martin Innes, director of Cardiff University's Crime and Security Research Institute, says authoritarian states have "a long tradition of using fact-checking methods as part of their propaganda efforts."

When the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in Britain in 2018, the Russian disinformation machine supported Moscow by reinforcing the government's denials and seeking to deflect attention from the allegations.

But, says Innes, false fact-checking has been more institutionalized since February 2022. "For example, 'War on Fakes' became a brand," he said.

Maitland believes the aim is to oversaturate the information space with contradictory information, so that audiences no longer know what to believe.

And while the main audience is inside Russia, experts say that the number of languages in which fake fact checks appear are an indication that they also want to reach an international audience.

"War on Fakes," for example, started with a Russian Telegram channel, said Osadchuk, adding that it also posts in English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Arabic.

"So, they aim not only at the Russian audience, but also at a wider audience," said Osadchuk.

Experts also say the Kremlin has developed a massive industry to debunk accusations against Russia. These false narratives are then shared by officials, ministries, embassies, state-run media outlets, and on social media.

The Kremlin has dismissed claims it spreads disinformation, accusing the West instead of engaging in "information terrorism."

"Russia is competing for those people who are sympathetic to their worldview and their narratives and who might give their kind of version of reality some degree of credence," said Innes.

Its efforts to undermine Western and credible fact-check sites, however, can run into problems.

An August 2022 PolitiFact study found that "War on Fakes" publishes "so many false claims that they sometimes contradict each other."

This story originated in VOA's Ukrainian Service.

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Briton charged in Hong Kong foreign intelligence case found dead

By VOA News May 21, 2024

Matthew Trickett, 37, was pronounced dead Sunday in a park in Maidenhead, an area of southern England west of London, according to a statement by Thames Valley Police. The police said they discovered Trickett's body after receiving a call from a member of the public.

"An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained," the police said in their statement.

Trickett was a former Royal Marine, and he owned a private security firm. After facing the charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference under Britain's National Security Act, he was given bail on May 13.

The foreign intelligence service referred to in the charges is that of Hong Kong. Trickett was one of three men accused of spying for China.

The other men involved are Chi Leung Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63. The National Security Act, which was passed in December, targets threats from foreign countries. It is supposed to enhance UK security and protect the country's democratic institutions, economy and values.

Their next court appearance was supposed to be this Friday.

Trickett's lawyer expressed surprise at the death of his client and was unable to comment more. His family was "mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member," the same statement said.

The court case involving Trickett has created diplomatic tension between Britain and China. The British foreign ministry told the Chinese ambassador that espionage and cyberattacks were impermissible in the country.

The Chinese Embassy in London accused Britain of fabricating the charges. It also said that Britian did not have the right to interfere with Hong Kong.

This comes after Britain has denounced the treatment that pro-democracy figures face in Hong Kong, a former British colony. The country also developed a visa program that allow Hong Kong residents to come to the UK. Britain and China have also disagreed over the conditions of Uyghur Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, a region of China, as well as human rights in Tibet.

Officials warned that Britain could face "China's firm and strong retaliation." The tension follows a "Golden Age" of stronger relationship between London and Beijing, but those ties have considerably weakened in recent years.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

20 May 2024

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Noon Briefing Guest

All right, good morning, good afternoon, all. Just a programming note: tomorrow, I will be joined here by our guest, Peggy Walters, who is the Spokesperson and Director of the Department of Media and Communications for the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

She will brief you on the IOM's International Dialogue on Migration. Stefano, I hope you will be there. Good.

** Iran

I have a statement which I will read out, but which was issued early this morning on Iran. The Secretary-General is saddened by the death of Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as their colleagues in the helicopter accident that took place yesterday on 19 May.

The Secretary-General expresses his sincere condolences to the families of thedeceased, as well as to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tell us that Israeli bombardment continues to be reported across much of Gaza, as well as ground incursions and heavy fighting, especially in eastern Rafah in the south and in Jabaliya in the north of Gaza.

More than 900,000 people  which is about 40 per cent of Gaza's population  have been displaced over the past two weeks  that includes some 812,000 people from Rafah and more than 100,000 others in northern Gaza.

To date, more than 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip  which is about 285 square kilometres  is under evacuation orders, amid escalating hostilities. Under international humanitarian law, there is no need to remind you, but I will remind you nonetheless, civilians  whether they move or stay  must be protected. Wherever they are in Gaza, their essential needs, including food, shelter, water and health, must be met.

As the large-scale displacement of civilians in Gaza continues, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing extremely poor living conditions.

Our humanitarian partners  working to provide shelter to the people in Gaza  report that there are no tents and very few shelters left in the distribution.

OCHA says that people displaced from Rafah are seeking shelter in Khan Younis and in Deir al Balah on any open land available, that includes access roads and agricultural land, and damaged buildings that have not been checked and may be structurally unsafe.

Meanwhile, our colleagues are working to provide water, sanitation and hygiene support in Gaza, and they say that there are shortages of hygiene kits and water containers for households to collect and store water. This is especially critical given the ongoing displacement.

As more people move to areas lacking basic necessities such as water and food, our partners trying to maintain health care in Gaza are bracing for a further surge in communicable diseases and in malnutrition.

The escalating fighting in Rafah and in northern Gaza has severely disrupted nutrition services, according to our colleagues working on that part of the response.

In Rafah, the partners of the World Food Programme (WFP) have lost access to more than 100 distribution points for malnutrition prevention activities.

** Senior Personnel Appointment

I have a senior personnel announcement to share with you: Today, the Secretary-General is appointing Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands as his new Special Coordinator for Lebanon.

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert succeeds Joanna Wronecka of Poland, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her commitment and leadership of The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL).

Currently serving as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert brings to this position over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, international security and Middle East affairs. Prior to that, as you well recall she was the Minister of Defence of the Netherlands (2012-2017)  and she was the first woman to hold this position.

Her full biography is available to you.

** Deputy Secretary-General's Travel

Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Barbados to open the inaugural Global Supply Chain Forum alongside Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Rebeca Grynspan, the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The forum brings together industry leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss policies that can support the global supply chain management in the face of increasingly frequent supply chain shocks and the future of global trade.

While in Barbados, the Deputy Secretary-General will also discuss the reform of the international financial architecture with Prime Minister Mottley, including the Prime Minister's Bridgetown initiative.

The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York tomorrow evening.

** Humanitarian Affairs

And also on travel, our Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, is in Doha in Qatar to hold talks with senior government officials on ways to bolster the partnership between Qatar and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He is also there to discuss ways to ensure the humanitarian system is better prepared to address crises and there are quite a few of those.

Today, Mr. Griffiths spoke at the Global Security Forum, where he noted that strategic competition has been the hidden  and not so hidden  hand behind the outbreak of seemingly endless conflicts.

But he said that he has hope  because in the fiercest conflicts, humanitarian diplomacy has appealed to the common good, such as with the Black Sea Initiative.

"Humanity will outlive the decisions of bad leaders," Mr. Griffiths said.

** Ukraine

Turning to the situation on the ground in Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues in Ukraine are telling us that today and over the weekend, escalating hostilities in the Kharkiv Region have continued to cause multiple civilian casualties  including among children, first responders and health personnel  that's what local authorities are telling us.

Meanwhile, attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine over the weekend caused scores of civilian casualties and damage to homes and civilian infrastructure, again that's what authorities and humanitarian workers are telling us.

In the Kharkiv Region, aid organizations have registered nearly 8,500 people at the transit centre in Kharkiv City, where they are now receiving humanitarian assistance, including food, clothes, hygiene items and health services.

Aid workers are also providing support in other parts of Ukraine that are impacted by the hostilities.

** Security Council

And this morning, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, briefed the Security Council in an open meeting on threats to international peace and security. She said that over the last months, transfers of arms and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces have continued. On the other side, there have also been reports of States transferring, or planning to transfer, weapons to the Russian armed forces and that these weapons have been used in Ukraine.

She warned that the large-scale influx of arms and ammunition into any armed conflict raises significant concerns for peace and security including as a result of diversion and proliferation even after the conflict has ended.

And just to flag that this afternoon there will be an open meeting at the Security Council on the situation in Rafah.

Members will be briefed by Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, he will do that via videoconference, and also by OCHA's Director of Operations and Advocacy, Edem Wosornu.

We will try to get and share those remarks beforehand with you.

** Myanmar

And on Myanmar, I can tell you that we continue to follow closely the situation in Rakhine State, which is worsening the vulnerabilities of all communities in one of country's poorest regions.

Our team on the ground is deeply alarmed by the latest reports of further escalating violence and destruction taking place in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

In the capital of Rakhine State  that is the town of Sittwe  the situation in that town also remains concerning, with reports of food shortages, unavailability of cash, soaring market prices, water scarcity and the spread of water-borne diseases. Humanitarian assistance and essential services have been heavily interrupted across the states.

Over the weekend, the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, both called on all parties to pause the fighting, protect civilians and allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access.

They also appealed to neighbouring countries to extend protection and to allow safe access to refugees fleeing for their lives.

We call on all military and political leaders, as well as community influencers to do their part to deescalate and defuse attempts to reignite intercommunal tensions, particularly between ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya, and to avoid the repetition of past human rights atrocities that we have seen in Rakhine State.

** Abyei

Some good news from our peacekeeping colleagues in Abyei. Our peacekeeping colleagues are telling us that over the weekend, the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities signed an agreement at a post-Migration Conference in central Abyei to foster peaceful farming and grazing and improve intercommunal relations. The gathering was a follow-on to the successful pre-migration conference held in Noong, which is located to the west of Abyei, in December of last year, and follows a welcome decline in clashes between the two communities during the migration season.

More than 140 community leaders and members from both communities, including 41 women, attended the four-day conference facilitated by the UN peacekeeping mission (UNISFA) and other UN and non-UN organizations.

** Resident Coordinator

We have a new Resident Coordinator [announcement] to share with you.

The Secretary-General has appointed Kristele Younes of Lebanon as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guinea, with the host Government's approval. She started today. Ms. Younes brings more than 20 years of experience in humanitarian, human rights and development work in international organizations and academia. She previously served as Director of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Concentration at Columbia University's Graduate School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in New York. Her work experience has been in Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bosnia [and Herzegovina] and the Middle East. Lots more online. We congratulate her.

** World Bee Day

Big international day today, with a bit of buzz in the air, if I may say so.

It is the World Bee Day.

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, have a fundamental role to play in the survival of our ecosystem.

Unfortunately, they are increasingly under threat from activities by us, humans. We are the culprits as usual.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Madame Saloomey?

Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of questions, but first you mentioned Rafah and military activity there. Can you give a little more detail on the extent of the operations that are happening in Rafah now? Is it ground troops? Is it constant fighting? Is it just bombardment? Is it back and forth?

Spokesman : Listen, the operations are ongoing in different forms. They don't seem that limited to us. People are forced to flee, to seek safety, to seek shelter. This has been constant, especially in the last months where they're seeking safety where nowhere is safe, and then they're being told to move again. It's having a disastrous impact obviously on the civilians. It's having extremely complicated impact on our humanitarian operations. I mean, nothing has come through Rafah. So, I...

Question : Would you call it a full-scale invasion of Rafah?

Spokesman : I can't... it's not for me to qualify it, but these military activities are ongoing.

Question : On the International Criminal Court (ICC), I know it is not a United Nations body and... However, it has been criticized of late of being political, not impartial. I'm wondering if the Secretary-General has faith in the neutrality of the International Criminal Court and what it does, and can you characterize his feelings about it and its role and what it's there for? [cross talk]

Spokesman : Look. As you said in your preamble, it is a separate organization from the United Nations. I mean, we have an agreement on how we operate with each other, and that's a public document that was issued back in 2013. The SG is obviously aware of the request by the prosecutor to a pre-trial chamber for the issuance of warrants, but they're separate institutions. He has no voice in how the Court is run, on how the Prosecutor does his job. So, it's not for him to comment on it.

Question : Does he welcome the referral? Does he have any reaction to it at all?

Spokesman : He's aware of it.

Dezhi?

Question : Yes. Has the Secretary-General had any contact or phone calls with any Iranian officials after the helicopter crash?

Spokesman : Yes. He spoke to the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this morning, to express the feelings that are in the... his condolences to express the feelings that are in the statement.

Question : Does the...? Is the Secretary-General concerned this would impact the stability of the region there?

Spokesman : Look, I think that's a question for analysts and journalists such as yourself. I mean, we've been informed that there have been... successors have been named in accordance with the constitution. So, I'll leave it at that.

Question : Another separate issue. China's Taiwan region was seeking for participation in the WHA (World Health Assembly). Can you remind us: what's the position of the UN on this issue?

Spokesman : Well, it's up for the members of the World Health Assembly to decide for themselves. As you know, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency. It has its own governing body, which is the World Health Assembly. So, Secretary-General has no say on how they work. For ourselves, on the Secretariat end, our policy towards China is guided by the relevant General Assembly resolution that you know well.

Miriam?

Question : Thanks, Steph. A question about Rosemary DiCarlo's trip to Afghanistan. Can you share us more information on that trip and what has been discussed in the meetings? Because there are some statements coming out from the Taliban's de facto authorities, saying that they should be recognized as the sole representatives of Afghanistan, in order for them to participate in the third Doha meeting with the Special Representative of the country.

Spokesman : I don't have any readouts of her meetings, but I will try to get you something. [cross talk]

Question : What is the purpose of the trip? Do you have that?

Spokesman : I don't have anything for you at this point, but I'll try to get you something as soon as I can.

Question : Yeah. Please, if you can send us something on that. And also on the Special Envoy for Afghanistan and the process of picking someone, has the Secretary-General decided? [cross talk]

Spokesman : No updates.

Question : Is he in a rush, because the third Doha meeting is coming?

Spokesman : No updates. We're at strike two on my end. I apologize.

Alan?

Question : Thanks, Stephane. On 20 May, in 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy became a President. So, according to the Constitution of the Ukraine, today is the last day of his five-year tenure at this position. So, there are no elections. There is not any comment from the constitutional court of Ukraine in this regard. So, my question is, does the UN... I mean, if and when Russia and Ukraine start and resume their negotiations, peace negotiations, does the UN find Zelenskyy, consider him reliable enough to be a signatory to this possible document?

Spokesman : Look, those are internal issues to Ukraine that will need to be dealt with through Ukrainian processes. President Zelenskyy continues  I mean is, for us, the Head of State in Ukraine and the person that the Secretary-General speaks with when he needs to speak to the Ukrainian leader.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. My question is about UNAMI. You mentioned that the Head of UNAMI, Ms. Jeanine Hennis, is leaving her position. And I wonder, do we know who will be the next? Who is the UN...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : There's a process under way. We hope to announce her successor shortly.

Mike?

Correspondent : I don't want this question to sound harsh.

Spokesman : That's okay. [laughter]

Question : Ebrahim Raisi was widely recognized as being responsible for brutal executions of thousands, possibly tens of thousands of dissidents. He led a brutal crackdown on protesters at home. Women's rights went by the wayside. What exactly is the Secretary-General saddened about?

Spokesman : Look, we have the Secretary-General, through his reports on human rights in Iran, through the words that he said himself, through what I've said here, has never been shy about expressing his deep concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, notably on the issues of women. I mean, those words are very clear. They're in black and white, and they stand. It does not stop him from expressing condolences when the Head of State of a Member State of this Organization, and a Foreign Minister, with whom he met regularly, who was here in New York a few weeks ago, dies in a helicopter crash.

Question : Condolences, I understand; but it seems like he's personally saddened by the death, according to the... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Well, I mean, that's exactly it. But I think those... to be saddened by the death of the Head of State does not mean that he doesn't stand by everything he said about the issue of human rights in Iran.

Question : Second question for you. There have been a lot of discussions here lately about the statistics, about the fatalities and casualties in Gaza back and forth. When all is said and done, does the UN have any intention, any mechanism of separating civilian casualties from combatant casualties in Gaza?

Spokesman : We've been very clear as to the source of the data that we are sharing with you. And I think we've always been transparent on that. In conflict zones, when we're able to physically verify the number of deaths or have direct access, we do so. And we disaggregate... [cross talk] excuse my... Thank you. Excuse this; non-native English speaker  inasmuch as we can. For the obvious reason that there is conflict still going on in Gaza, we're not able to do that, but I think we're very transparent on the numbers that we use.

Question : Have you asked... has the UN asked for those categories?

Spokesman : Those numbers are just not being shared.

Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. One is a follow-up on, Raisi, President Raisi's death. When was exactly the last time that the Secretary-General had the contact with the President of Iran, specifically on what you were saying before, like, you know, the human rights and especially the rights of women?

Spokesman : I think the last time he saw him, which I can check the dates; but I tell you those issues have been regularly raised. You should also take the time, if you're interested on issues of human rights in Iran, on reading the Secretary-General's report on human rights in Iran, which I think is extremely, extremely clear and direct.

Question : So, in one phrase, how will you... how the Secretary-General will have considered... what he would have said to the President of Iran about the situation of human rights and especially women?

Spokesman : He's raised... I mean, read the readouts that we issue. I mean, they are... [cross talk]

Correspondent : But you can't... [cross talk]

Spokesman : He has raised his concerns repeatedly in meeting with Iranian officials on the issues of human rights. We still have the Head of State and a Foreign Minister, as I said, that the Secretary-General has regularly met with. Right? Regularly spoken to, died, killed in a helicopter crash. I think the Secretary-General's sentiments as expressed are humane.

Question : But does the Secretary-General hope...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : I think...

Question : Okay. Then I have another question that is to do with the ICC... To clarify, I mean, has to still... has to be accepted, this warrant by the...

Spokesman : I think that's... you need to look at the procedure of how the ICC works.

Question : Yeah, but let's say, if this is going to... going far, does the Secretary-General, let's say, will meet with the Prime Minister of Israel if there's... [cross talk]

Spokesman : On Israel, it's a hypothetical question. [cross talk] Let me finish. It's a hypothetical question because no warrants have been... Other people have been issued warrants. And there is a UN document which outlines exactly what UN officials can do. And it's a public document. We're happy to share it with you, given it's a public document. In our guidelines, they set up policy on the contacts between UN officials and persons who are subject of arrest warrants or summonses from the ICC. In essence, contacts between UN officials and such individuals should be limited to those which are strictly required for carrying out essential UN-mandated activities. So, there's... it's not... other people have been issued ICC warrants. There is a policy which we follow on what to do.

Not just yet. Monsieur then madame.

Question : Thank you, Steph. Follow-up on the ICC application for arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders. Does the Secretary-General perceive this as an indictment, or it's a separate stage from a formal indictment by the Court? The arrest warrant.

Spokesman : I mean, it's...

Correspondent : Because it's not a summons.

Spokesman : On the issue of the procedures of the ICC, talk to the ICC. Right? But I'm not a lawyer. I don't pretend to be one. But I think even I know there's a difference between issuing a warrant and an indictment.

Linda?

Question : Thank you, Steph. This is in regard to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency). I was just wondering if you could give us a little update in terms of UNRWA's principal role these days, activities in Gaza given the conflict. And is there any schooling going on? How many people are staying at facilities? That kind of things.

Spokesman : I don't have the... it's a good question. I can get an update on the number of people staying that UNRWA is sheltering in some of their places, which is... it's huge. UNRWA is trying to do whatever it can to alleviate the suffering of the civilians in Gaza. Schooling as it was done before is non-existent. Right? They are trying to help children overcome the trauma that they're suffering every day. It's opportunistic assistance. It's haphazard, and it's not sustainable because of the ongoing conflict.

Question : Can I just ask you, in terms of aid... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Your microphone, a little closer, please?

Question : Thank you. In terms of aid delivery, can you just clarify what is UNRWA's role? What are they doing now in terms of physically delivering aid to... [cross talk]

Spokesman : I mean, they're helping feed people. They're helping... they're providing health care... they're trying to fulfil their mandate, in the middle of a conflict, which ain't easy.

Madame?

Question : Thanks, Stephane. I have a question on Haiti. The first contingent of Kenyan policemen are expected this week in Haiti. Do you have an update for us on the financing of the mission? And there were some issues about the Kenyan policemen being paid upfront or afterwards.

Spokesman : Yeah, I mean, the only thing I can give you, which may have been given to you on Friday, is that we have $21 million deposited in the trust fund. And I feel your pain. I feel your frustration about trying to get answers. But we're not managing this mission. And I know it's not easy for you to figure out who to call. The only person I can tell you not to call is me. [laughter] Because you have to speak to the Haitians, speak to the Kenyans, speak to the US, but we are not involved in the minutia of the logistics here. All right. You can... you can call me if it's not about Haiti.

Yeah?

Question : On the ICC, if an arrest warrant is issued, can you spell out how that works for the person if they want to come to the United Nations for a visit, given that the United States isn't a party to the ICC, but technically what... would that person be welcome here? Would that person be arrested here? What would...? How would the UN respond if they tried to come?

Spokesman : I think it's, at this point, it's a question I can't answer with full certainty. Obviously, as you say, they would require visa issuance for wherever that person is going. And for us, in terms of our own relations with anyone indicted by the ICC, it has to be necessary in the fulfilment of our mandate.

Dezhi and then madame.

Question : Two questions. First, does the Secretary-General feel disappointed that both President Zelenskyy and President [Vladimir] Putin rejected a possible proposed ceasefire during Olympics?

Spokesman : We want to see an end to this conflict in line with everything that we've always said  General Assembly, territorial integrity, et cetera. We very much hope that an end to this conflict can be found. And we've always supported an Olympic truce.

Question : And one more question on the ICC application. Just now, President [Joseph] Biden said that the application is outrageous. I mean, a year ago, President Biden said ICC decision on Putin was justified and make a very strong point. Does the Secretary-General believe it's a pure double standard, and would that be the double standard from the most powerful country in the world would lead to the impunity that the Secretary-General called many times?

Spokesman : We are, as I've said to you, I think a number of times, Dezhi, I'm not here to provide colour commentary on what other people said. What I do believe is that the principles of international law, and the Secretary-General I think has been very clear on that  these principles of international law always need to be applied equally across the board.

Margaret Besheer?

Question : So, when you say equally across the board, there's been a lot of outcry about the State of Israel being put on the same plane as Hamas, which some countries view as a terrorist group. They're saying it's a false equivalency because they're both being brought up in this arrest warrant. [cross talk] So...

Spokesman : I'm not going to comment on details of what the Prosecutor put forward. For our part, we have been very clear in condemning violations of international law from wherever they come, whether those comes from Member States or from armed groups.

Question : And do you have any reaction to legislators in this country, threatening to sanction the Prosecutor, over these requests for the warrants?

Spokesman : I mean we've seen a lot of rhetoric. I'm not going to get into it.

Stefano, and then we'll go to the screen.

Question : After all he has suffered, does the Secretary-General feel vindicated by the warrant against [Benjamin] Netanyahu? After the criticism that he had suffered from the beginning.

Spokesman : The Secretary-General, every Secretary-General has suffered from a lot of criticism from day one to the last day.

Abdelhamid?

Question : Oh, thank you, Stephane. I have a few questions, too. I start with the floating dock of the Americans; they've been on the Gaza shores. Can you update us with the activity of this pier that...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : I mean, there is nothing new today. I think Farhan [Haq] updated you over the Friday night and over the weekend, but there were no... the World Food Programme is the lead on the logistics cluster, did not take in any trucks today.

Question : My second question, you mentioned about the displacement, about 900,000 had been displaced for a person to the people of Gaza. They've been displaced second, twice, three times, some of them six times. Displacement is illegal in international law, especially if there is no safe place to go, as you always mentioned. Then why you don't call it as it is? It's a genocidal war and not talking about just the symptoms, but rather give it the exact name of what's happening in Gaza.

Spokesman : Abdelhamid, I understand your frustration. I think we've been very clear in describing the situation, and I think you know very well our answer on the issue of genocide.

Nabil? [cross talk]

Correspondent : My last question.

Spokesman : Go ahead.

Question : On the ICC, I mean, two Israelis were involved. I mean, they mentioned by name, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister. On the other side, three were in or to be indicted maybe. Does that make it a mockery of the ICC, when all the crimes Israel committed in Gaza and being in the ICC... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Abdelhamid, with respect you need to ask that question of Karim Khan, the Prosecutor.

Nabil and then Dennis.

Nabil? All right. Dennis, why don't you fill the gap?

Correspondent : Okay, Steph. [cross talk]

Spokesman : Go ahead, Nabil. Go ahead.

Question : Yeah. On the ICC also, are you concerned that the Prosecutor may have difficulties in getting a visa maybe to visit the UN Headquarters? Do you have a position on his ability to attend meetings in New York in the Headquarters?

Spokesman : Well, you know, that's a hypothetical, but I can tell you, that we've always called on any Member State that is host to a UN meeting or to UN Headquarters to facilitate the travels of anyone who is coming to attend a meeting either at Headquarters or at a UN-sponsored conference. And that is our principled position and not going to change.

Dennis?

Question : Just wanted to have an update. Does Secretary-General plan to go to Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland this...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : No, no update for you on who would represent the UN at that conference. As soon as I have something, I will share that with you.

You want to stand between me and lunch? Go ahead.

Question : Apologies. But did you just say that the UN would request to allow someone with a warrant, with an ICC warrant, even if they had a warrant, you would request... [cross talk]

Spokesman : No, he was talking about... if I understood Nabil's question about Karim Khan, about threats against people from the ICC not being delivered visas.

Correspondent : Okay.

Question : But also on the pier, in the trucks, you said there was no new trucks today. Does that include the weekend, as well?

Spokesman : There were trucks on Friday, Saturday and nothing on Sunday and nothing today. And I think Mike has a question.

Question : What are you having for lunch?

Spokesman : I brought my lunch from home. Curry chicken.

On that note, goodbye.

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Five things to know about the catastrophic flooding in the East and Horn of Africa

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Torrential rains across the East and Horn of Africa have claimed hundreds of lives and washed away homes, uprooting thousands of people including refugees and other previously displaced people.

By UNHCR staff

20 May 2024



Severe flooding has hit countries in the East and Horn of Africa as heavy El Nino-rains continue to afflict a refugee-hosting region at the front line of the climate crisis, where deep droughts followed by intense rains have in recent years become the new normal.

When flooding occurs, it is often refugees and other displaced people who are among the hardest hit because they live precarious lives in temporary or semi-permanent shelters in sites erected in often remote locations.

Most recently in Kenya, Burundi and Somalia, houses, schools, and community buildings have been damaged or washed away, along with livestock and crops, leaving people facing an increasing risk of hunger and disease outbreaks.

Here is a look at the scale and impact of the flooding, its causes, and what the UNHCR and its partners are already doing to respond.



1. Torrential rains bring displacement, destitution, and death

Through March and April, unusually heavy rains linked to the El Nino weather system have fallen across East Africa causing rivers to burst their banks, dams to collapse, and sewerage and wastewater systems to be overwhelmed.

Homes and possessions, schools, and other buildings have been washed away or damaged by the flood waters, leaving people destitute and homeless. Some of the worst damage has been done in the poorest most congested parts of cities and towns where infrastructure is fragile, drainage inadequate, and homes flimsy, as well as in refugee and displacement camps.

More than 637,000 people have been affectedLink is external, with an estimated 234,000 of them displaced. The worst of the flooding has been in Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, and Tanzania. In Kenya more than 23,000 refugees were displaced from their homes in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, while in Burundi, a predominately agricultural country, around 10 per cent of farmland has been destroyed.

2. A haven for refugees, the East and Horn of Africa is feeling the effects of climate change

Countries in the East and Horn of Africa have generously hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees for decades. Investments in economic inclusion and strengthening of social services need to be made to support refugees and the local communities that have welcomed them. Now with both refugee and host communities impacted by the flooding, these investments are even more urgent. In Kenya, an estimated 20,000 refugees have been displaced from shelters in the Dadaab refugee camps by the heavy rains, some of whom fled amidst a devastating drought in neighbouring Somalia in recent years, while in Burundi nearly half of the refugee population of nearly 90,000 live in areas already affected or likely to affected by flooding.

3. Extreme weather means extreme impacts

The climate crisis is triggering extreme weather events such as storms, wildfires, and floods around the world, but their effects are felt most strongly by the poorest and most vulnerable.

These include those living in basic accommodation, as well as refugees and other displaced people, who often lack basic resources, decent infrastructure, permanent shelters, and robust social safety nets.

The torrential rains hitting the East and Horn of Africa are part of an emerging global pattern of extreme weather, coming just months after heavy rainfall and flooding late last year that itself followed long months of drought. The cumulative effect is to make parts of the region increasingly unlivable, forcing people to flee.

4. UNHCR is protecting refugees and others from the ongoing threats of climate change

Announcing the $100 million UNHCR Climate Resilience Fund UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said, "The impacts of climate change are only becoming more devastating, increasingly exacerbating conflict, destroying livelihoods and, ultimately, triggering displacement."

Climate change is a displacement threat multiplier: in 2022, over 70 per cent of refugees and asylum-seekers fled from countries and regions suffering the effects of climate change. The fund will reduce the environmental impact of emergency responses, provide sustainable resources and clean energy for refugees and displaced people, and help equip them to withstand future climate shocks.

But when disaster strikes, UNHCR is there for everyone in need, for example by providing emergency relief items to residents of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

5. More help is needed

With this unusually severe rainy season expected to continue through May, this could lead to further destruction and potentially more loss of life. Consequently, there is a critical need for additional support.

UNHCR has launched a public fundraising page to facilitate contributions from those eager to assist. The funds raised will support the distribution of essential supplies such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, feminine hygiene products and soap to those displaced by the floods as well as aid in reconstructing shelters and providing cash assistance to affected most vulnerable families.

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Speakers in Security Council Urge Israel to Stop Military Incursions into Rafah

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9631st Meeting (PM)

SC/15701

20 May 2024

No Words Found for Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza, UN Aid Official Warns

Saving lives and ensuring humanitarian access in Rafah and across the Gaza Strip are urgent priorities, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today, as delegates urged Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah.

"I fear the worst," Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said, for Rafah's terrified civilians, for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225 days and for the overstretched humanitarian operation in Gaza.

Military manoeuvres by Israel Defense Forces in and around Rafah have intensified and Israel has ordered 100,000 Palestinians in the southern city to immediately evacuate to a so-called "expanded humanitarian area" in Al-Mawasi which lacks adequate shelter, food, water and sewage infrastructure, he said. Nowhere is safe in Gaza, including for humanitarian workers, he observed, noting that the total number of UN staff killed in Gaza since the start of hostilities has reached 193.

Underscoring the need for a long-term solution in Gaza, he called on the international community to enable the new Palestinian Government to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza and eventually govern the whole of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This is an opportunity to take a tangible step towards unifying Gaza and the West Bank politically, economically and administratively, he pointed out.

"To be frank, we are running out of words," said Edem Wosornu, Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, after describing what is happening in Gaza as a catastrophe, a nightmare and "hell on Earth". Some 35,000 people have now been killed and more than 79,000 injured while Gaza's health-care system is under impossible strain, with an estimated 14,000 patients currently requiring medical evacuation. About 1.7 million people have been forcibly displaced within Gaza, many of them up to four or five times, including because of repeated evacuation instructions from the Israel Defense Forces, she added.

Noting that the Rafah crossing remains inaccessible for humanitarian cargo, fuel and personnel movement, she said that around 82,000 metric tons of supplies are stranded on the Egypt side of the crossing with food spoiling and medicines expiring. The Kerem Shalom is extremely difficult for aid organizations to access from the Gaza side due to hostilities, while areas in the vicinity of the newly opened Erez West are under evacuation orders. While welcoming the first aid shipment delivered via a newly constructed floating dock, she emphasized the importance of land routes. "We need the facilitation of rapid, unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief into and within Gaza," she stressed.

In the discussion that followed, many Council members called on Israel to reconsider its invasion of Rafah and expressed concern about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. "As a friendly country," the Republic of Korea calls on Israel to immediately suspend its operation in Rafah, that country's representative said, cautioning that "this bloody offensive in Rafah" will only fan the flames of additional extremism and jeopardize Israel's long-term security. The United Kingdom's delegate said his country will not support an expanded operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan to protect people and save lives. "We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support an expanded operation in Rafah," he stressed.

While stressing his country's "iron-clad commitment" to Israel's self-defence, the representative of the United States said it will not support an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. His country has proposed alternatives to a major ground offensive in Rafah that "we believe will better advance Israel's goal of an enduring defeat of Hamas", he said, calling on the Council to be clear with Hamas on the need to reach a deal on the ceasefire and release of hostages. He also highlighted his country's tireless work in enabling the arrival of the first shipments of humanitarian assistance in Gaza through the "multinational humanitarian pier".

However, Council members stressed that the newly constructed pier is not a substitute for land crossings. Egypt's delegate pointed out that it is possible to resume humanitarian action if Israel withdraws immediately from the Rafah border crossing and opened all six border crossings to Gaza from the Israeli side. Rejecting the narrative that aid can only be delivered through the Rafah crossing, he said that humanitarian action in Rafah has become tantamount to a suicidal mission. "You all are fully aware that Israel has been aiming, since the beginning of the war, to turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place," he added.

Algeria's delegate also called for the reopening of all crossing points, noting that Rafah is the last remaining area in Gaza that has not been completely destroyed. But Israel's operations in Rafah have already started, he said adding: "This is the darkest moment in the seven-months nightmare." What is being witnessed in Gaza is not a war, but "genocide", he stressed, cautioning that abandoning the people of Gaza means "abdicating our humanity".

Also addressing the Council today was the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, who said Gaza will haunt the conscience of the world long after this genocide stops. Israel has determined its enemies, which include the Palestinian people, the United Nations, the Council, the Assembly, the world courts and "every State on Earth that dares to denounce its crimes," he said. The whole world opposed Israel's assault on Rafah and yet Israel is proceeding. "It will not listen to reason or to your protests, to your calls or your demands," he said, urging the Council to use all its tools to stop the massacres.

However, Israel's delegate said what started the war was "sheer evil perpetrated by Hamas", and the way to end it is by holding terrorists accountable. Calling on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, he stressed: "Show them that the Council no longer follows their script." Israel is advancing its operations slowly and carefully, he said, adding that his country entered Gaza to bring the hostages home. "We did not want to be in Gaza. We do not want to be in Gaza. We have no intentions of staying in Gaza. It is only about saving lives," he said.

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

Briefings

TOR WENNESLAND, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process , noting that talks for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire ended on 9 May without agreement, said: "I fear the worst for the beleaguered and terrified civilians in Rafah, for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225 days, and for the overstretched humanitarian operation that remains on the brink in the Strip." Noting that Israel Defence Forces' operations and military manoeuvres in and around Rafah have intensified, he said that on 5 May, Hamas launched mortars and rockets at soldiers massed on the Israeli side of Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing, killing four and wounding 10 of them. Israel Defense Forces' tank shelling and a series of air strikes in Rafah killed at least 19 Palestinians on the same day, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, he said.

The following day, he added, the Israel Defense Forces said it would operate with "extreme force" against Hamas in eastern Rafah and ordered 100,000 Palestinians to immediately evacuate to what it described as an "expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi". Stressing that this so-called humanitarian area lacks adequate shelter, food, water and sewage infrastructure, he added that crossings for the entry of humanitarian goods have already been directly affected. In the wake of the Hamas strike on 6 May, Israeli authorities closed Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing for three days. The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed. Active hostilities and Israel Defense Forces operations continue to render "nowhere safe in Gaza", including for humanitarian workers, he said, noting that 193 UN personnel have been killed in Gaza since the start of hostilities.

The current trajectory, he said, will further undermine efforts to scale up the entry of humanitarian goods and their safe distribution to desperate civilians. Welcoming the opening of the Erez West crossing in Gaza's north, he noted the immense scale of needs in Gaza and stressed that there is no substitute for the full and increased operation of existing land crossings. The Secretary-General, as well as numerous international partners, including Egypt, have objected to a military operation in Rafah. Saving lives and addressing the critical needs in Rafah and Gaza more broadly must be the immediate priority, he said, while pointing out that a large-scale military operation in Rafah exacerbates the risk of escalating regional tensions, particularly across the Blue Line with Lebanon.

"There can be no long-term solution in Gaza that is not fundamentally political," he underscored. The new Palestinian Government, with eight ministers from Gaza, represents an important opportunity to support tangible steps towards unifying Gaza and the occupied West Bank politically, economically and administratively. Calling on the international community to support the new Government, he called for assistance in addressing its fiscal challenges, strengthening its governance capacity and preparing it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza and, ultimately, govern the whole of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Palestinian Authority must also be an integral part of planning for Gaza's recovery and reconstruction. "Now is the time to lay the foundations for a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region," he added.

EDEM WOSORNU, Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , said that the situation in Gaza has been described as a catastrophe, a nightmare and hell on Earth. "To be frank, we are running out of words to describe what is happening" in the Strip. She noted that living conditions continue to deteriorate particularly in Jabalaya and eastern Rafah and the number of casualties continues to increase. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 35,000 people have now been killed in the violence, and more than 79,000 injured, she said. Gaza's health-care system is under impossible strain. In Rafah, 21 medical points, four primary health-care centres and four hospitals are now inaccessible. In the north, two hospitals, five primary health-care centres and 16 medical points are inaccessible, she said, adding that an estimated 14,000 critical patients currently require medical evacuation.

Seventy-five per cent of the population  1.7 million people  has been forcibly displaced within Gaza, many of them up to four or five times, including because of repeated evacuation instructions from the Israel Defense Forces. In the past two weeks, more than 800,000 people have been displaced from Rafah into other areas of Gaza, she said, emphasizing unequivocally that those forcibly displaced must be guaranteed the right to voluntarily return, as international law demands. Once over-crowded camps and emergency shelters in Rafah have now largely emptied, with most of the displaced seeking refuge in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. But the situation at these sites is horrendous, with a dearth of adequate latrines, water points, drainage and shelter. "Civilians' essential needs must be met," she said, adding that these appalling conditions leave serious doubt as to compliance with basic obligations.

The Rafah incursion is making an already fragile aid operation even more difficult, she said. As of 17 May, the Rafah crossing remains inaccessible for humanitarian cargo, fuel and personnel movement. Around 82,000 metric tons of supplies are stranded on the Egypt side of the crossing with food spoiling and medicines expiring. Fuel shortages, meanwhile, impacts the functioning of bakeries, hospitals, water wells and other critical infrastructure. The crossing at Kerem Shalom is extremely difficult for aid organizations to access from the Gaza side due to hostilities, challenging logistical conditions and complex coordination procedures. Erez crossing opened and subsequently closed and the newly opened Erez West is now being used for limited quantities of aid but areas in the vicinity are also under evacuation orders. She welcomed the first aid shipment delivered on 17 May via the floating dock set up by the United States. But land routes remain the most effective way to deliver the scale of aid needed, she stressed.

The United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator is actively engaging with relevant parties to accelerate the provision of humanitarian aid, she said, demanding the protection of civilians, their homes and infrastructure. "We need the facilitation of rapid, unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief into and within Gaza," she said, adding that all available access points must be open and kept open for a sustained period to allow aid to enter at scale. Humanitarian and UN staff must also be protected. Adequate funding, particularly for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is also needed. As of 20 May, the 2024 flash appeal is only 25 per cent funded, she said.

Statements

The representative of Algeria said Rafah is the last remaining area in Gaza that has not been completely destroyed and the only place capable of hosting those rendered homeless as all other places lie in ruins. Observing that Israel's operations in Rafah have already started, he stressed: "This is the darkest moment in the seven-months nightmare." UN humanitarian affairs officer Yasmina Guerda, who recently returned to Gaza for a second deployment, said: "We would need to invent brand new words to adequately describe the situation that Palestinians in Gaza find themselves in today [...] There is lack of everything. There is pain. There is just incredible suffering." Calling for reopening of all crossing points, he said that what is being witnessed in Gaza is not a war, but "genocide". Inaction means abandoning the Gaza people, he said, adding: "Abandoning them means abdicating our humanity."

The representative of Slovenia condemned the loss of civilian lives. "Some of us have been calling for [a] ceasefire for months," he said, noting the adoption of resolution 2728 (2024) on 25 March to demand a ceasefire, a resolution that was not respected by Hamas nor by Israel. "For the past few weeks, we have been united in rejecting the prospect of a military operation in Rafah. Our calls are being ignored," he said. "Briefing after briefing, we are being told that there is no safe way to conduct a military operation in Rafah without killing civilians and causing huge human suffering." It is disturbing that Israeli leaders are ignoring calls by all the Security Council members, global public opinion and the order from the International Court of Justice. He condemned the operation in Rafah, calling for its immediate end and expressed concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the risk of full-blown famine.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said 1.4 million people have been packed in a state of panic, devastation, hunger and instability in Rafah. "As a friendly country", the Republic of Korea calls on Israel to immediately suspend its operation in Rafah, he said, noting the disturbing reports of mass graves at the ruins of Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals, as well as pending evacuation orders for the remaining functional hospitals in Rafah. The current operations in Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces are even more alarming as no substantial operational plans to protect civilians are in place. "This bloody offensive in Rafah will only fan the flames of additional extremism," endanger the safe release of hostages and further jeopardize Israel's long-term security in the region, he said, demanding an immediate ceasefire throughout Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages, as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.

The representative of Malta said her delegation is gravely concerned at the expanding Israeli military offensive into Rafah and categorically rejected Israel's ongoing offensive. The protection of civilians remains paramount and an expanded offensive into Rafah will only compound the catastrophic humanitarian situation as the Rafah crossing is a main entry point for aid into Gaza. Its seizure and closure by Israel has severely compromised the provision and distribution of aid, and the maintenance of essential infrastructure and services, including hospitals, bakeries, water and sanitation facilities. The Rafah crossing must be reopened immediately, and necessary measures taken to ensure scaled-up, unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. While the completion of the floating dock off Gaza's shore is an encouraging development, land routes remain the most viable and effective delivery modes. Malta remains deeply concerned that relevant Council resolutions are being completely disregarded by the conflict parties and she called for their full implementation.

The representative of the United Kingdom said the situation in Gaza is desperate as the toll on civilians grows. The United Kingdom is clear it would not support an expanded operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan to protect people and save lives. "We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support an expanded operation in Rafah," he said. He urged Israel to let humanitarian aid enter Gaza through all crossings, including reopening Rafah. Israel must fulfil its commitments to increase aid and guarantee deconfliction for aid convoys and other humanitarian work. The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which returns the hostages and pauses the fighting. "We must then work to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire," he said, adding steadfast support must be provided to the new Palestinian Government as they implement much-needed reforms.

The representative of France said she was profoundly concerned by the situation in Rafah, which continues to deteriorate. Expressing firm opposition to the Israeli offensive in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences, she noted the forced transfer of civilian populations is a war crime. The closure of the Rafah border point has devastating consequences for civilians at a time when humanitarian aid entering Gaza is patently insufficient, she said, adding that the humanitarian and health situation is unbearable. Calling on Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing and all necessary crossing points and to allow the most vulnerable people to leave the Gaza Strip, she also urged Israel to spare no effort to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel. "France remains engaged on the path to ending the crisis in a prompt way, based on a two-State solution," she said.

The representative of Switzerland called for an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the current military operation in Rafah, whose consequences for a civilian population that has been prey to bombardments, repeated displacements and famine for over seven months are unacceptable. "This population now needs assistance, not further suffering," she asserted. Further, she rejected deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects protected under international law, called for the release of the hostages and reiterated the duty to ensure the safety, protection and freedom of movement of humanitarian organization personnel. While welcoming the efforts that have led to the establishment of an option to deliver humanitarian aid by sea, she cautioned that humanitarian assistance entering Gaza remains largely insufficient and called on all parties to provide humanitarian access throughout the Strip. "This tragedy has gone on far too long," she stated, fully supporting the International Criminal Court, which is seeking arrest warrants against certain individuals.

The representative of China said that 220 days into the Gaza conflict Member States witnessed an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Despite the calls for a ceasefire, Israel has chosen to turn a deaf ear and advance a large-scale offensive in Rafah. "Nothing can justify the perpetuation of conflict," he stressed, adding that the collective punishment of civilians does not create conditions conducive to the rescue of hostages. Expressing support for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2729 (2024), he also voiced hope that the United States  as the country with major influence on Israel  can uphold impartiality and facilitate cessation of hostilities. He also called the attacks on UNRWA alarming. Further expressing support for the two-State solution, he underscored: "Gaza is an inalienable part of Palestine."

The representative of Sierra Leone highlighted the long-lasting impact of the conflict on young people and children, noting that Gaza has been under constant bombardment for months, with its residents subjected to multiple displacements. Humanitarian activities have become almost impossible as resources dwindle and access remains limited. "This devastation could have been avoided and is still avoidable," he added. Expressing regret that all efforts to bring about cessation of hostilities are proving to be futile, he called on the international community to persist. Calling for a permanent ceasefire, he added that "we cannot be paralysed witnesses" to this calamity. Attacks on United Nations premises and refugee camps are unacceptable, he said, calling for the immediate release of all hostages.

The representative of the Russian Federation said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unprecedented and continues to escalate. "When it comes to Gaza, there simply is no safe zones," he said, condemning attacks on UN representatives and humanitarian personnel and expressing support for the Secretary-General's call to conduct an independent international investigation into the deaths of those who were helping Palestinians. The wounded and the ill are unable to receive the necessary care amid military hostilities, and civilian life is becoming even more unbearable, he said. A ceasefire looks elusive. "The current Israeli leadership is bent on pursuing military hostilities despite the increasingly obvious inability to achieve all of the stated objectives of their operation," he said, cautioning: "Unfortunately, such obstinacy threatens the lives of Israeli hostages, too. With each passing day, the likelihood of relatives seeing their loved ones alive dims."

The representative of Japan said the situation in Rafah is rapidly worsening due to intensifying attacks and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Also, more than 800,000 Palestinians have been forcibly re-displaced since the start of the military operation in the city, with many having fled mainly to Deir al Balah or Khan Younis, overcrowded areas with dire humanitarian conditions. Moreover, the Rafah border crossing closure has led to a standoff that has prevented desperately needed aid from reaching the population. A full-blown famine has already gripped the north and is now imminent in the south. "The crossing must be reopened at once," she stressed, noting that  while the maritime corridor through the pier built by the United States is now operational  "it can be no substitute for land-route humanitarian aid". For its part, Japan contributed to the recent opening of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital in Rafah to help address overwhelming medical needs.

The representative of Ecuador observed that "agreements which seemed to be close, have not come to pass", noting that they would have allowed the cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages. Furthermore, military operations have expanded in the east of Rafah. Spotlighting the activation of the mechanism mandated by Council resolution 2720 (2023) and the completion of the temporary pier for the entry of aid to Gaza by sea, he emphasized: "All of these valuable efforts are unfortunately insufficient." Stressing that a ceasefire is needed now, he also called for the immediate release of all hostages. He further reiterated that the only way to end this conflict is through a peaceful, negotiated, definitive and just solution for all parties with the existence of two States  Palestine and Israel  upon the basis of 1967 borders.

The representative of Guyana said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic. With the essential Rafah and Karen Abu Salem crossings blocked or ineffective because of the security situation, humanitarian operations are being crippled. She called on Israel to adhere to its legal obligations as an occupying Power to ensure that the population's basic needs are met and essential supplies provided. The International Court of Justice has clearly underlined Israel's obligations, yet that country turns "a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rule of law". Her delegation called on the Council to make impactful decisions and consider all its options to end the war. "Let us starve the war of its fuel," she said. The impunity with which these acts against the Palestinian people are being committed must end. The Council cannot let justice be outsourced but must act decisively to ensure that it is served.

The representative of the United States expressed his country's "iron-clad commitment" to Israel's self-defence, stating, however, that it will not support an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. Reiterating objection to any large-scale military operation in Rafah that risks mass civilian harm, he noted the displacement of 800,000 civilians from the city in recent days, with displaced Palestinians facing life-threatening conditions, including "the threat of mass contagion from raw sewage". Israel should take immediate and decisive actions to remedy the situation and ensure the protection of civilians. The Rafah crossing must be reopened now, he said, adding that "lives depend on it". Also expressing concern about the killing of a United Nations staff member, he said: "We need not wait for the results of an investigation to know what more Israel can and must do to fix the broken deconfliction process in Gaza."

Noting the first shipments of humanitarian assistance that arrived on the shores of Gaza through the "multinational humanitarian pier", he highlighted the "the tireless work" of his country and partners in enabling this. The United States will continue to work to further increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza by land crossings, he said, adding that it has also proposed alternatives to a major ground offensive in Rafah that "we believe will better advance Israel's goal of an enduring defeat of Hamas". Just as his country has been clear with Israel regarding the best course of action, the Council must be clear with Hamas on the need to reach a deal on the ceasefire and release of hostages, he said.

The representative of Mozambique said that for the last seven months, the Gaza Strip has tragically become one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Even humanitarian workers are not spared, he said, emphasizing that it is crucial to take the necessary action to alleviate this immense and unacceptable suffering. Reports of forced displacement of civilians in Rafah and the denial of vital humanitarian aid are alarming violations of international law that cannot be tolerated, he said, calling for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis. A large-scale military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences for civilians, he said, calling on Israel to fully comply with international law and to allow increased humanitarian access and prioritizing civilian protection. "All efforts must be made to ensure aid reaches those in desperate need, swiftly and unimpeded," he said.

The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine said Gaza will haunt the conscience of the world long after this genocide stops. "And stop it must," he said, "Now." Israel is deliberately destroying life in Gaza and is not deterred by the rules of international law or positions adopted by States or international bodies. It will only be deterred by resolute action holding it accountable for its decisions and forcing it to change course. The whole world opposed Israel's assault on Rafah, and yet, Israel is proceeding. Israel has pushed an entire population to the southern border of Gaza, to Rafah, through mass killing and destruction. Israel must pull out from the Rafah crossing, open all crossings and allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid and withdraw its occupation forces from the Gaza Strip. He said Israel has determined its enemies, which include the Palestinian people, the United Nations, the Council, the Assembly, the world courts and "every State on Earth that dares to denounce its crimes".

While the Council speaks often of the international law-based order, Israel is asking the Council to destroy this order so it can continue killing the Palestinian people and annex their land in full impunity. "It will not listen to reason or to your protests, to your calls or your demands," he said, adding that Israel has gone further and further in its breach of the Charter and the law. He believes that very soon a tipping point will be reached at which countries will stand up to defend freedom, justice and peace. He urged the Council to use all its tools to stop the massacres.

The representative of Israel said that "in an act of outrageous absurdity and moral bankruptcy" the International Criminal Court's Chief Prosecutor announced that he will seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. "This is a despicable and unforgettable day, in which an immoral equivalence is being made between a terror organization and the leaders of a vibrant democracy," he stressed, adding that international organizations "have lost their way". While the "forces of evil" have physical weapons, they also have diplomatic and legal weapons  "an arsenal of evil that includes weaponization of this institution and its bodies," he observed, adding that "all have become tools in the hands of monsters". Noting that the Council held a moment of silence to commemorate the "mass-murdering" President of Iran, he asked: "What's next? Will the Council hold a moment of silence for Bin Laden? Will there be a vigil for Hitler?"

"This Council does not function through logic or morality", he continued, calling it a "political tool exploited by some Members". What started the war was "sheer evil perpetrated by Hamas", he recalled, reiterating that the way to end it is by holding terrorists accountable. Noting that Israel entered Gaza to bring the hostages home, he emphasized: "We did not want to be in Gaza. We do not want to be in Gaza. We have no intentions of staying in Gaza. It is only about saving lives." Calling on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, he stressed: "Show them that the Council no longer follows their script." Israel is advancing its operations in Gaza slowly and carefully, he said, urging the Council to utilize its power and pressure the terrorists. "Help bring this war to an end, with Hamas eliminated and our hostages returned," he stressed.

The representative of Egypt , highlighting Israel's approach to deliberately turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place, said that despite continued mediation efforts by his country, Qatar and the United States, as well as multiple Council resolutions, "the response was another military operation in Rafah". Citing UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, he underscored that Israel's claim that it is possible to transfer civilians to safe places is not credible. The areas to which people are directed to go do not fulfil the minimum conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid. Adherence to international law, international humanitarian law and the rules of war is not optional, he said, adding that the international community should not accept flimsy justifications for the military operation in Rafah.

The flow of humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing has stopped as a direct result of the continued Israeli military operation, he said, adding that this is also a direct threat to the lives of humanitarian workers. Humanitarian action in Rafah "has become tantamount to a suicide mission", he said, adding: "You all are fully aware that Israel has been aiming, since the beginning of the war, to turn the Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable place." It is possible to resume humanitarian action if Israel withdrew immediately from the Rafah border crossing and opened all six border crossings to Gaza from the Israeli side. Rejecting the narrative that aid can only be delivered through the Rafah crossing, he said this narrative holds his country and the United Nations responsible for the aid not being delivered.

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On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby

May 20, 2024

Via Teleconference

2:02 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR: Hey, everyone. Thanks for joining us. Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we'll get through as many questions as we can.

MR. KIRBY: Hey, everybody. I know you've all seen the statement from the President on the International Criminal Court's prosecutor's application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, as the President said, is outrageous. And there should be  there is none  any equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

Hopefully, you've also already seen Secretary Blinken's statement, to the same effect, about our utter rejection of any equivalence between Israel and Hamas and of this particular call by the ICC, or arrest warrants, which we believe is totally without merit whatsoever.

I know you all have questions, I'm sure, about the helicopter crash in Iran. I'm afraid I'm just going to be disappointing to you; I don't have any additional detail to share. You've hopefully seen our statements. We certainly offer  as the U.S. government, offer our condolences. But we don't have any more detail or context about the nature of this crash to speak to. This would be something that Iranian authorities would have to speak to.

For our part, we're going to continue to stand with the Iranian people as they fight for their own civil rights and  as they should. And we're going to continue to hold Iran accountable for all their destabilizing behavior in the region, which continues to this day.

Lastly, if I could just quickly mention that National Security Advisor Sullivan is wrapping up his visit to the region today. Today he was in Israel. He had chance to meet with the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, as well as the Minister of Defense, Mr. Gallant, and a couple of members of the Israeli war cabinet to include Benny Gantz. The purpose there was to  the purpose there was to  I'm sorry, that was my granddaughter calling me. I apologize for that.

The purpose there was to talk, obviously, about the situation in Gaza and U.S. support  continued support for Israel in the face of the various threats that they're under. And, again, there was a broad range of discussions here to include humanitarian assistance and making sure we can increase that flow, get it more sustained, as well as doing everything that they can to reassure and make comfortable humanitarian aid workers as that aid starts to get in.

And, of course, Mr. Sullivan reiterated our commitment to seeing Hamas defeated and also to try to see if we can't get a hostage deal in place moving forward.

So with that, with apologies for the interruption there, we'll take some questions.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our first question will go to Steve with Reuters.

Q John, thank you. I know you don't want to say much about Iran. Will the U.S. send a delegation to the Raisi funeral? And how might this incident alter U.S. relations with Iran?

MODERATOR: I think we might be having an audio issue. Can you try talking again?

Q Can you still  can you hear? Are you there? Sorry.

MODERATOR: Steve, can you try talking again, please?

Q Okay, how about  is this okay? I think the others can hear me. I'm getting notes from 

MODERATOR: I'm going to go on to our next question just in case it's not something on our end, and then I'll go back to you, Steve.

Aamer, would you mind unmuting and seeing if it will work?

Q Can you guys hear me?

MODERATOR: Yep, we can.

Q Okay. And Steve was asking  I was able to hear Steve. He was asking if the U.S. will be sending a delegation to the Iranian president's funeral.

And secondly, I wanted to ask myself: Can you sort of explain why the U.S. is expressing official condolences for the death? This is someone the U.S. has previously cited for overseeing terrible human rights abuses. Was this something that the President himself weighed in on? And can you just sort of suss out, you know, the term "official" in the statement that was put out earlier? Because I do think that is confusing to some people.

And then second, could you also address the Iranian officials' allegations that U.S. sanctions limiting aviation parts and supplies is at least partly to blame for this crash?

Thanks.

MR. KIRBY: I don't have anything on a delegation for a funeral to speak to today.

And offering condolences is a typical practice. I mean, President Raisi was responsible for atrocious human rights in his own country  the arrest and the physical violence against hundreds of protesters, for instance. And, of course, he's responsible for the support that Iran provides  or he was responsible for the support that Iran provided terrorist networks throughout the region, which obviously led to  the support that he'd given Hamas led to the slaughter of 1,200 innocent Israeli people on the 7th of October.

No question this was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands. That said, as we would in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life, and offered official condolences as appropriate.

Now, as for this claim about U.S. sanctions being responsible, it's utterly baseless. The cause of the crash, of course, isn't clear, at least not clear to us. But I would note, Aamer, that Iranian official sources were out there citing poor flying conditions as a cause for concern, specifically fog.

And every country, no matter who they are, has a responsibility, their own responsibility, to ensure the safety and reliability of its equipment, and that includes civil aviation. So, again, totally baseless accusation. No truth to it. And it's not surprising, sadly, but not surprising that the Iranian regime would once again find a way to try to blame the United States for problems of its own making.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Nick with PBS.

Q Hey, John. Questions on Jake's visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia. The first one is on the Rafah. Do you believe that the Israeli operation remains limited? And the reassurances that Jake and the team got on Rafah, has that at all answered some of your concerns about what's to come in Rafah, or what could come?

And then, the Saudi question is: Are there steps being taken right now between DOD and the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia? And are those the final steps before the Saudi-U.S. bilateral security agreement is finalized? Thanks.

MR. KIRBY: So, on Rafah: Yes, of course, Jake raised our continued concerns about Rafah and the potential for any major operations there and the risk that that would put the hundreds of thousands of people that are still down there, near  in or near Rafah.

I'm not going to characterize Israeli operations. I'll just say what I've said before: We have not seen them execute that sort of an operation. And part of the reason Jake went was sort of building out on this strategic consultative group format. This was a little different format, of course, because Jake was over there in person, but it was building out on those conversations that we've had in that context, and he was grateful for the opportunity to do it. It is another example of Israeli willingness to continue to hear us out on our concerns but, just as critically, on our ideas about alternatives for them to go after Hamas in Rafah that wouldn't require a large ground operation, because we still believe there are viable alternatives available to the Israelis.

On the second question about the Saudi discussions, I would just say that Jake was able to make significant progress on the bilateral elements of what we believe would be a truly historic deal that would lead to a more integrated region. I could refer you directly to the Saudi readout, which, again, we think put it all into proper context. It discussed it being a near-final bilateral agreement. And I think I'd leave it at that.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Kayla with CNN.

Q Thank you so much for taking my questions. I have two questions. The first is with regard to the ICC. I'm wondering, Admiral, if you can explain the difference in the U.S. posture with regard to potential war crimes in Ukraine  where just today Secretary Austin says the U.S. continues to work with the ICC on that  and the U.S. position on the ICC's application for arrest warrants of Israeli leaders.

And then, just, my second question is if you can give us a little bit more detail on what Jake Sullivan communicated to Israel's defense minister when he essentially met with him right around the time that the news of the application for his arrest warrant was coming out. What did the administration communicate that it would be willing to do in response to that?

MR. KIRBY: Yeah. So, on your first question, as we have made clear for many, many months, while we aren't a member  or a party to the ICC, we had committed and stay committed to helping Ukraine as they document evidence for a range of international bodies, not just the ICC, but a range of international bodies to investigate, document claims of war crimes by Russia.

I would remind everybody that it is an actual war aim of Mr. Putin to kill innocent Ukrainian people. I mean, he's deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure with the aim of killing innocent civilians, and it's just baked into his operational strategy.

As we have said before, that is not what the IDF is doing. I'm not at all suggesting that there have been too many civilian casualties. Of course, there have been. And we continue to talk to the Israelis about being more discriminant, more targeted, more precise  part of what Jake's conversations were. But IDF soldiers are not waking up in the morning, putting their boots on the ground with direct orders to go kill innocent civilians in Gaza.

And the larger issue here is: As I've said earlier, and as was in our statements, we don't believe the ICC has any jurisdiction here with respect to what's going on in Gaza. And I'll leave it at that.

To your second question about Jake's meeting with Defense Minister Gallant: I obviously wasn't at that meeting so I can't relay to you anything that Jake may have said in that moment or how close to the moment of this announcement by the ICC prosecutor was with relation to the meeting with Gallant.

I'll just say that we're going to continue to stay in touch with members of Congress as appropriate here on this, and I don't have any actions one way or another to speak to today.

Q Would the administration support any efforts by members of Congress to levy new sanctions on the ICC in response to this?

MR. KIRBY: I would just say we're going to stay in touch with members of Congress here. This is only, you know, early hours here right after this television interview announcement. And I just don't have anything more to add. We're going to stay in touch with members of Congress, as you would expect us to do.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We are going to go back to Steve and try this again, because he had a little bit more.

Q How's that? Is that better?

MODERATOR: Perfect.

Q Okay. Hey, and thanks for indulging me. John, just following up on Nick's question about the Saudi deal: If it's near final, do you expect an announcement soon? And is it contingent on an agreement for a pathway to a Palestinian state? You know, what needs to happen now?

MR. KIRBY: Yeah, I would probably not want to get into specific timing. As you saw on the Saudi readout, "near final," we agree with that; we believe we're very close. But I'm not at liberty now to put a date certain on it or a timing notion on this.

But, look, as a part of this, I'll just say what we said before: The effort here is designed to help get to  hopefully  get to normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which we believe, as I said earlier, will help lead to a much more integrated, cooperative region, which the President believes is better for security and stability, not just for the United States and our national security interests, but the interests of those who are living in the region.

And from the very get-go, there has always been an understanding that as part of this process there has to be something in it for the Palestinian people, of course. And the President remains committed to a two-state solution, but he recognizes that, you know, that's not something we're going to see anytime in the imminent future.

We do believe that if we were able to get to a more integrated region, which would include potentially normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, that that could help set some of the conditions for leadership in the region to do what leadership in the region needs to do, and that's really trying to get to a two-state solution.

The bottom line for us is that we believe the only way to get a two-state solution that is sustainable and enduring is through leadership in the region and direct negotiations between the parties, and that hasn't changed.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Nathan with KAN-TV.

Q Thanks so much. I wanted to go back to Israel. Both Defense Minister Gallant and Cabinet Minister Gantz made statements in the past week, basically demanding from Netanyahu to clarify his day-after policy for Gaza. Where does the U.S. stand on that? Do you think these statements are helpful? Does this echo the administration's view?

MR. KIRBY: I'm sorry, their statements on what?

Q On the need to clarify Israel's day-after policy in Gaza.

MR. KIRBY: Look, this is something Secretary Blinken has been focused on since very, very early in the conflict. And we continue to believe that active and energetic discussions about post-conflict Gaza governance are more than warranted. And we are going to continue to have those discussions with our Israeli counterparts, as well as our Arab partners in the region to boot.

We don't believe that whatever the post-conflict governance picture looks like in Gaza, that it can include Hamas, and we certainly don't still support any IDF occupation. But this is a topic of ongoing discussions, has been in just recent days, and will continue to be going forward.

I think, again, we've been very, very clear that Israeli military operations absolutely require a political plan to help ensure the lasting defeat of Hamas and a post-conflict situation in Gaza where the aspirations of the Palestinians who live there and call it home can be met.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Yuna with Israel 12.

Q Hi. Thank you for taking my question. Another specific on the Saudi deal. Is the Israeli element, the normalization element, is the key element of what you're saying close to a statement, or there could be an agreement without the normalization for just the U.S.-Saudi? Or is the U.S. or the Saudis waiting to see if there could be some progress or there could be some statement by the Israelis on this?

MR. KIRBY: The significant progress I'm referring to from Jake's trip is the bilateral elements between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Q Anything specific on that?

MR. KIRBY: No, I think I'll leave it at that.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Neria with Israel 13.

Q Hi. Thank you so much for doing this. I wanted to ask about a Palestinian state. We did hear that Netanyahu declared last Saturday, two days ago, that he will not be willing to allow a Palestinian state be formed, also as a part  also if (inaudible) of the normalization with Saudi Arabia. How do you comment on that?

MR. KIRBY: I hate to ask you to repeat the question, but it was a little broken there in the middle, and I didn't quite get 

Q I'm going to try to ask it again. I'm going to try to ask it again. I hope you can hear me well.

We did hear Netanyahu's declaration about not allowing a Palestinian state even if it comes with (inaudible) the Saudi (inaudible). So I'm asking, how do you react to that statement by Netanyahu on Saturday, two days ago?

MR. KIRBY: I would just  first of all, the Prime Minister can speak for himself, obviously. I would just tell you that nothing has changed about President Biden's commitment to a two-state solution. He believes in the promise of it. He believes it's attainable. He knows it's not going to happen tomorrow  of course not  but he still believes in it. And he also believes that it's going to require leadership, leadership here in the United States but also leadership there in the region, to make it work.

At the same time, he still believes in what I said earlier about the value of a more integrated, more cooperative region. And he believes that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia can help lead to that effort.

Now, Jake was in Saudi Arabia, largely just working on the bilateral pieces of this between the United States and Saudi Arabia. And as I said earlier, we're close to finality on that, but there's an awful lot of work ahead of us, diplomatic work ahead of us, and the United States will stay committed to that.

I can't speak for the Prime Minister and his views; he'll have to do that. But nothing has absolutely changed about where President Biden is on this.

Q And if I can follow up on that, just to ask: Will the U.S. be willing to do a deal with the Saudis without Israel, if Israel will not be willing to allow a Palestinian state?

MR. KIRBY: I just  I'm not going to get into a hypothetical at this point in where we are in the process. Again, Jake had good discussions in Riyadh over the course of the weekend. And as I said, you know, we are closer now than we've ever been in terms of the bilateral nature of this agreement, which could help lead, again, to a more integrated region. And that's what we're focused on.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Danny with AFP.

Q Thanks very much for doing this. And thanks, Admiral. Apologies if this has already been asked. I had a slightly dodgy connection. But I just wanted to ask your position on the ICC prosecutor asking for the arrest warrants for Hamas leaders. Do you support that despite the President opposing the arrest warrant applications for Netanyahu and Gallant? Thanks.

MR. KIRBY: There's no  there's absolutely  first of all, the ICC  we still don't believe the ICC has any jurisdiction in this matter. That's  and there should be no equivalence rendered at all. None. It's ridiculous to render equivalent Israel and Hamas after what Hamas did on the 7th of October. They need to be held accountable. In a military sense, they are being held accountable by the IDF. And the United States is also, through our assistance to the IDF as well as, as you've seen, the sanctions that we have imposed, we are also looking at our own ways of holding Hamas accountable for what they did.

But there's no equivalence between Israel and Hamas, a known terrorist organization. And again, we don't believe the ICC has any jurisdiction in this matter.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Nadia.

Q Hi, Sam. Hi, John. A couple of questions. Talking on the two-state solution, there is a Reuters report  I think it was yesterday  that there is bipartisan efforts from both parties to block any chance of a plan for a two-state solution, because as you know, Netanyahu said it will be a reward for terrorism. Is this an uphill battle for the White House if you have lawmakers going against it as well?

And second, just to clarify what the President said yesterday at the Morehouse College, he said that "I demanded a ceasefire," and there was a clap from the audience. But he did not say that it was conditional or humanitarian or repeating what was in the past six weeks, et cetera. He just said "a ceasefire." Can you clarify this, please? Thank you.

MR. KIRBY: He was referring, Nadia, as we've all been referring, to the temporary ceasefire that we're trying to get in place, tied to a hostage deal. That's what he was referring to  the same thing that we've all been referring to.

Q So no change of policy here?

MR. KIRBY: There's no change in policy.

Q Okay. Okay.

MR. KIRBY: And as for lawmakers: Look, again, I'll let lawmakers speak for themselves. We're going to continue to engage members of Congress, as I said earlier, on all of these issues, and that includes our continued pursuit of a two-state solution, which we still believe is the right answer.

And, you know, nobody is pollyannish about it here. We understand how difficult this is going to be. We don't expect to get there, as I said, anytime imminently. But, my goodness, that doesn't mean you stop trying. It's still the best thing for safety and security in the region, not just for the Palestinian people, but for the Israeli people as well, because any two-state solution is going to have to factor in Israel's security as a guarantee. And we're committed to that. It's the right thing to do for so many reasons. And the President is not going to give up on that, and we'll continue to engage members of Congress as appropriate going forward.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question, we'll go to Haley with Scripps.

Q Hey. Thanks, Sam. Thanks, John. You mentioned that Jake had talked about efforts to get a hostage ceasefire deal in place. I just wanted to see if you could provide any update, if there's been any progress out of his trip to the region on this front. Thanks.

MR. KIRBY: I don't have any specific muscle movements to speak to today. It is something that we continue to maintain and even strain on, and that includes in Jake's discussions over the weekend. But I can't, sadly, sit here and talk to you and tell you that  you know, that we're closer right now than we were a week or so ago. But that doesn't mean we're not going to stop working on it.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Brian with Fox.

Q Oh, I didn't know I was with Fox. (Laughter.)

MODERATOR: Oh, apologies. I thought you were 

Q (Laughs.) That's all right.

MODERATOR: We were going for you anyway.

Q (Inaudible.) Well, hey. First, John 

MR. KIRBY: You can be whoever you want to be, Brian.

Q (Laughs.) Thanks, John. I hope you're having fun with your granddaughter.

But my question is just a follow-up on a couple of things with Sullivan coming out of the visit. Is there anything concrete other than just the hope of a solution? Or do we have something concrete coming out of that?

And then, on the ICC, what would we accept from them if we feel they have no jurisdiction? Where do we think their jurisdiction lies?

MR. KIRBY: Well, we don't believe they have jurisdiction in this matter and, again, utterly reject this call for arrest warrants of Israeli leaders. Just, again, totally baseless here.

It's not that we're looking for something out of the ICC. We're looking to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. We're looking for ways to hold Hamas accountable in an appropriate way. And we're looking to make sure that the people who  the Palestinians who live in Gaza not only get the food, water, and medicine that they need, but they can look forward to a future where they actually have a vote and a voice in that future, that their aspirations can be met. That's what we're focused on here.

And on your first question, I really don't want to go any further than I went earlier, that we  Jake believes that he made significant progress on the bilateral elements, that is the U.S.-Saudi elements, of a package deal that we believe would have historic possibilities for a more integrated region. And as I said earlier, we believe coming out of this weekend that we have achieved a near-final set of text on some of those bilateral agreements. But it is really bilateral between the U.S. and Saudi at this point.

Q So nothing concrete? Just hope that we're getting closer towards a solution?

MR. KIRBY: Well, when you've  I mean, I'm not going to get  I'm not going to get ahead of the text, Brian, but the fact that we believe it's near final should indicate to you that there are some specifics in there, some details, some tangible achievements. But it would be imprudent for me to get into the details of it now when it's not final. Near final does not mean final, and I don't want to get ahead of it.

Q Would you be sharing those  do you anticipate being able to share some of those soon?

MR. KIRBY: We hope we can get there real soon, and I'm sure we'll be as transparent with everybody as we can be.

MODERATOR: Thank you. And apologies again for misidentifying you.

Our last question will go to James Rosen.

Q Thank you very much, Samantha. And thank you, Admiral, as always.

This sudden transition in Iran, its causes are not known; as you say, the cause of the crash is not clear to the United States. And it would seem to me the cause would have a significant impact, depending on what it is, on how this plays out inside Iran and what it might mean for the United States and the region and so on.

For example, were it, in fact, a deliberate act and not a function of technical problems or weather issues, that might portend a more drawn-out power struggle inside the regime and so forth.

Given that you don't know that, what we do know is that this is very abrupt, bracing, perhaps traumatic in some quarters of Iran. And I wonder if the United States, apart from extending its official condolences following this incident, is determined to exploit it for some advantage on the world stage against an entity that is, after all, not like China, a strategic competitor, but an out-and-out adversary.

MR. KIRBY: All I would say to that, James, is that regardless of what caused the crash, regardless of how the Iranian government responds to the death of President Raisi and their foreign minister, and what their internal political dynamics are, we will continue to hold Iran accountable for their destabilizing behaviors; for their support to terrorist networks like Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis; like the attacks that they continue to conduct on shipping, in the Gulf region; and for their support for Mr. Putin in Ukraine.

All those things, even as you and I are speaking, are still going on, even with the death of President Raisi. And so, all of those things  it's incumbent for us to be able to continue to hold them accountable for all of those things. And we'll do that.

Q It sounds similar to what Jake Sullivan said at the lectern in the White House press briefing room the other day, when I asked about the new Russian defense minister. In essence, in this system, there's only one person that calls the shots. In essence, as he more or less conveyed, it doesn't matter who the defense minister in Russia is. And it almost sounds as though you're saying  telling us that it doesn't matter who the Iranian president is; it's the Ayatollah who calls the shots. And those same destabilizing behaviors are very likely to continue regardless of whether Raisi had survived or whoever is put in his place. Am I summarizing you accurately?

MR. KIRBY: Yes, we have to assume that. And the Supreme Leader is the one who makes these decisions. And the Supreme Leader, as he did in the last so-called election, made sure to stack the deck with only candidates that met his mandates.

So we don't anticipate any change in Iranian behavior, and, therefore, the Iranians should not expect any change in American behavior when it comes to holding them accountable.

MODERATOR: Thank you. And that is all the time we have for today. As always, if we didn't get to your question, please reach out to the NSC press distro, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks all.

2:35 P.M. EDT

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May 21, 2024

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Finland's Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen to the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Finland's Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, Mr. Minister, welcome to the Pentagon.

Finland and the United States are long-standing defense partners, and now, we're meeting as NATO allies. Since Finland joined NATO in April of 2023, her highly-impressive and highly-capable Armed Forces have already made this great alliance even stronger, and we appreciate Finland's strong determination to integrate itself into NATO.

We're also grateful for Finland's determination to tackle regional and global security challenges. Finland has stood strong with Ukraine as it continues to fight back against Putin's unprovoked aggression. Finland has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February of 2022, and those donations have helped meet Ukraine's urgent needs on the battlefield, and they have made a real difference for the security of both Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

The United States is also grateful for Finland's commitment to our bilateral defense relationship, and we look forward to working together to implement the Defense Cooperation Agreement that we signed in December. I'm eager to hear your views on areas where we can build our defensive capabilities, strengthen our interoperability and deepen the security bond between our two militaries.

So, Mr. Minister, we've got a lot to talk about today. I want to thank you again for making the trip, and I look forward to a great discussion.

DEFENSE MINISTER ANTTI HAKKANEN: So Mr. Minister and dear Lloyd, first, we would like to thank you for your personal leadership support Ukraine that's highly-valuable for European security, and also supporting Swedish and Finnish membership in NATO. That's  that's truly highly-important for Nordic security also.

I come to the Pentagon as the first minister of defense of Finland in NATO. That's a huge thing for us. We want to be a reliable and effective ally to that contributes to NATO's deterrence and defense. The alliance has taken two steps, and Finland has pragmatic proposals on how to go even further. We have a unique conscription system in Finland. Out of 5.5 million Finns, almost a million have received military training. We spend 2.3 percent of our GDP on defense, and in a few years, we will operate one of the biggest F-35 fleets in Europe. Through our know-how and technology expertise in resilience and high will to defend, we will make NATO stronger.

Our bilateral relationship is getting new dimensions. In December, I came to D.C. to sign the Defense Cooperation Agreement. In the beginning of May, we joined the State Partnership Program, and today, our departments will sign a statement of intent on Special Operations Forces cooperation.

All this means that we prepare to defend together, and we are already doing this. In a few days, our defense forces will exercise in the Arctic with that biggest-ever contingent of U.S. troops in Finland.

Mr. Secretary, I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine even stronger. How the war ends will have a major impact on both of our countries. We must not let Putin win. I deeply appreciate the U.S. leadership, and I can guarantee that we are doing our share in Europe, and especially in Finland. Finland has provided Ukraine with two billion Euros' worth of defense material. We are also currently producing over five times more artillery ammunition than before the war. The E.U. and its member states have made available of $100 billion US dollars in financial, military and humanitarian assistance.

We will also discuss developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. There are a lot  there are no isolated security (inaudible). The West needs to be united and strong in all forms. And Mr. Secretary, Europe needs strong United States, but in the era of strategic competition, the United States also needs that strong Europe. We can build a dynamic relationship based on trade, technology and security.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Mr. Minister, and again, welcome to the Pentagon, and I look forward to a great discussion.

Thanks, everybody.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3783070/

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May 21, 2024

Transcript

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing

Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary

MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right, well, good afternoon, everyone. Just a few things at the top, and I'll get right to your questions.

So as you're aware, Secretary Austin hosted the 22nd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting yesterday, where he highlighted the urgent need to support Ukraine amid a challenging and dangerous fight against a new Russian offensive. He underscored the extraordinary courage of Ukrainian defenders and the critical role of the some-50 nations that comprise the Contact Group in providing essential capabilities to the defense of Ukraine through eight separate capability coalitions. The secretary also emphasized the importance of ongoing assistance and coordination to ensure Ukraine's long-term security, as well as our continued laser focus on Ukraine's near-term battlefield requirements.

Separately, earlier today, Secretary Austin hosted Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Hakkanen here at the Pentagon for a bilateral discussion on the strong defense relationship between the U.S. and Finland. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to NATO's collective defense and addressed current European security challenges, particularly Russian aggression. Secretary Austin praised Finland's role in regional security and within NATO, and both leaders committed to deepening our strategic partnership to ensure regional stability. Readout will be posted to the DOD website later today.

GEN. RYDER: Looking further ahead into the week, Secretary Austin will travel to Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday, where he'll provide the commencement address to the U.S. Naval Academy's 2024 graduating class of our newly-appointed U.S. Navy ensigns and Marine Corps second lieutenants. The commencement ceremony - ceremony will be live-streamed on Defense.gov.

And switching gears to a couple of operational updates. To date, over 569 metric tons of humanitarian assistance has been delivered across the temporary pier, or JLOTS, to Gaza for further distribution by humanitarian partners, with more aid on the way. This humanitarian assistance has been donated by the United States, United Kingdom, UAE, European Union, and many other partners.

And as you've heard us say previously, the pier's a temporary solution and contribution as part of a broader international effort to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian people. As JLOTS operations continue, we'll be sure to provide updates as appropriate on this important international humanitarian endeavor.

And finally, four U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and deployed airmen began a routine bomber task force deployment to the U.S. European Command area of operations this week. Operating out of the UK's RAF Fairford, these aircraft deployed from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota will provide numerous training and operational opportunities alongside NATO allies and regional partners.

This deployment underscores the U.S. commitment to NATO's collective deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic region against hostile actors. The bomber task force in Europe is part of a large - is part of Large Scale Global Exercise 2024, which enhances U.S. Joint Force's training with allies to address global security challenges - excuse me. For further questions, I'd refer you to U.S. European Command Public Affairs.

And also, I'd like to thank Air & Space Forces Magazine for watching our left flank over here. Thanks, Chris.

And with that, we'll go ahead and go to AP first.

Q: Thanks, Pat.

GEN. RYDER: All right.

Q: Over here on the other flank.

(LAUGHTER)

Some of the aid that has come off the pier, there was difficulty in getting it distributed over the last couple of days. Some of the trucks were overrun by people trying to pull the aid off, et cetera. Is the U.S. concerned that some of that aid is not actually getting to the warehouses and thus to the distribution point? Any - are you aware of any steps that either the U.S. or allies and other coordinators on the ground are taking in order to kind of improve this process at this point?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Lita. So actually, yes, a - a - a few updates on that front. So there have been discussions between the U.S., Israel, United Nations, as well as joint efforts to identify alternative routes for the safe movement of staff and cargo.

And so movements from the temporary facility from the - the assembly area, they have resumed today. And so we do anticipate that assistance will be distributed in the - the coming days here, of course conditions permitting.

And so, you know, as we move forward on this, the - the safety and security of - of all the humanitarian assistance organizations is going to continue to be critical, and we'll continue to work closely with the international community on that front.

Ultimately, the goal of course is to get this - this humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people who need it most.

Q: Just a quick follow - I just wanted to make sure, on the 569 that you gave us, is that as of today or yesterday?

GEN. RYDER: That is as of this briefing. I know that more aid's coming. So there - there may be updated numbers later today, but that's as - as a - what I have as of coming into this briefing right now.

Yep, Natasha?

Q: Thanks, Pat. So originally, the plan was to, I mean, according to senior military officials who were briefed on this, start off by getting roughly 90 trucks per day of aid into Gaza and then scaling up to ultimately 150 trucks per day, but it seems that as of today, only about 26 total trucks have gotten in since Friday, including 14 yesterday, and some of them of course had been intercepted. So why are more trucks not making it across the causeway into Gaza at this point?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so a couple things, Natasha. So first of all, I would emphasize, you know, a key point that you just made - that is aid is flowing in, and that's additional aid for the people of Gaza. And so that's a - that's a very good thing.

The second thing is I would highlight, you know, again, for additional context, this is - it's just over three days since JLOTS first went operational and we've already been able to push, as I mentioned, over 596 metric tons of aid for onward delivery into Gaza, more on the way. And again, it's also important to remember that this is a combat zone and that it is a complex operation.

And so, we know, we've been very clear from the beginning that we're going to take a crawl, walk, run approach to make sure that we are implementing this system in a way where we're working out the - the processes, the procedures, and - in - including taking into account the security conditions.

So I think you're going to see, as we work together, the amount of aid increase and the ability to get it distributed increase. But we never said it was going to be easy. I mean, again, the circumstances that we're dealing with here are - are challenging.

But the bottom line is that we're - we're taking action now and we're focused on what we can do to help save the lives of - of those in Gaza who need this aid. And so that's what we'll continue to stay focused on.

Q: Aid kind of waiting to flow across the causeway? Is the - is - is the - is DOD essentially holding back the number of trucks because there's not the logistical ...

GEN. RYDER: No. So aid - aid - as - you know, as you - as we've talked about, aid will go - be delivered to the floating pier, then transported via logistics support vessels, delivered to the causeway and then put into assembly areas on shore, and that's where NGOs pick up that aid and then further distribute it.

So to my knowledge, there's no stoppage. Again, as we've mentioned, this is going to be a crawl, walk, run approach and you're going to see those numbers increase in the days ahead.

Let me go to Lara and then I'll come to Tom.

Q: Thank you. I just wanted to follow up on Lita and Natasha's questions. So you say that aid is continuing to flow through but it's - it's sort of at this very small, slow pace. So is there a backlog somewhere? Like, is aid coming into the marshaling area and then getting stuck there for a while, or can you explain to us where all this aid is right now?

GEN. RYDER: The aid is in the assembly areas on shore, right? So it's - it's taken - the - so the military - the U.S. military is delivering it to the causeway. It's then taken by non-U.S. contractors, driven over onto shore, put into an assembly area, which is where the NGOs that are supporting this effort pick it up and take it for onward distribution.

But as I mentioned, you know, via some discussions that have happened, again, as we work out processes and procedures, alternative routes for the safe movement of that cargo have been established, and aid is now being taken from those assembly areas to - to warehouses for further distribution throughout Gaza.

Q: So when you say that 569 metric tons have gotten in, do you mean that they've gotten out?

GEN. RYDER: That's what we've brought to - that's correct. That's what we have delivered onto the shore for further distribution elsewhere throughout Gaza. OK?

And let me go to Tom and then we'll ...

Q: ... 569, can you give us a breakdown, how many trucks that is? And also, how many trucks were sort of overwhelmed by people just grabbing the humanitarian aid?

And finally, on the causeway itself, who's providing security for that causeway? Is it the Israelis? Is it private security? Who is - who is that (inaudible)?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so a couple things there, Tom. So first of all, you know, I - I would - I would caution you around getting focused on the number of trucks that are going back and forth from an LSV to the shore, right? I mean, it's a continuous circuit. So, the focus is on the amount of aid. The amount of trucks is irrelevant to the amount of aid that's going to be delivered out into the communities.

And again, let's differentiate between the trucks that are taking it from the end of the causeway to the assembly area. It's two different things. Once it gets to the assembly area, it will be loaded onto trucks, and that is managed by the NGOs that will then take it off to other warehouses throughout Gaza for further distribution. So, there's that piece.

So, talking about over 596 metric tons. That is what the U.S. military has been able to deliver to the end of the causeway and then taken by contractors into the assembly area. In terms of security, so, it's a multi -- I'm not going to get into super specifics here, but it's multi-pronged. You've got the Israelis, of course, providing security on the shore, also at sea.

And you also have, you know, U.S. military personnel that are able to defend themselves if they needed to, although they're not obviously going onto the shore. And then you also, in the -- in the maritime area there have U.S. destroyers that are also patrolling and able to provide security. So, it's a -- it's a multi-step process there in terms of providing security.

Q: Getting back to the metric tons, it would be helpful, I think, if we do apples and apples, if you're talking 90 trucks and you're going to go up to 150, it would just be helpful for everybody, I think, if you just say 40 trucks got in today --

GEN. RYDER: Yes, I think what you're, again, so look, as the amount of aid increases into the deliver the causeway and you start to ramp up the number of trucks that are taking the aid off the end of the causeway and delivering it to the assembly areas, I mean, that's an interesting factoid, but it doesn't change what the ultimate endeavor here is, which is to get humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

So, the real key statistic here is how much aid is being brought onto the shore, and then ultimately delivered throughout Gaza via the NGOs to the people of Gaza. So, again, we'll continue to keep you updated on that front. I think what you'll see again is as this pier, you know, continues to move towards full operational capability, you'll start to see more aid coming in, and you'll start to see the numbers increase in terms of the amount of aid that's brought into the assembly areas.

Q: And lastly, on the truck issue, how many were overwhelmed by Palestinians grabbing at stuff, do you know?

GEN. RYDER: You know, I've seen the reports about civilians along some of the transportations routes out in Gaza. Again, importantly not -- this is not in the causeway, it's not in the assembly areas, it's out in Gaza. Once it left that maritime marshaling area, I think we can all agree that that demonstrates the importance of making sure that we can continue to get aid into Gaza, not only by maritime routes but also by land routes and the desperation that's out there.

So, again, as I mentioned earlier, there's been discussions today to look at how we can get that aid, how the NGOs can get that aid out into where it's needed most. So, but to answer your question, I don't have the specific numbers. Liz?

Q: Thanks, Pat. Israeli officials seized camera equipment belonging to the Associated Press. They said the AP violated a new media law. Does the U.S. support that move?

GEN. RYDER: Of course not. I mean, I've seen those press reports. You know, we obviously support a free and independent press being able to do its job to tell the world the news about what's happening. And so, no.

Q: Does Secretary Austin talk about this with his counterpart?

GEN. RYDER: I'm not going to get ahead of any discussions that we have, but again, from a DoD standpoint, we've been very clear on our support for a free and independent press. Yes, sir. Since you were holding down the fort over here.

Q: Proud to be joined by all my colleagues. Now that JLOTS is in place, is the plan to continue U.S. airdrops for a period of time? The airdrops have been primarily in northern Gaza along the shore where JLOTS is generally in place. So, will there be any adjustments to the airdrops, such as new drop zones, to reach different parts of Gaza? Is that under consideration?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, I don't have any announcements to make in terms of changes today, Chris. I mean, certainly, as you highlight, air drops are an option that we have used and are using, but I don't have any announcements to make in terms of any shifts in that. If we do, obviously keep you posted.

Q: But that's, for the time being, that's planned to keep going? The airdrops?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. I mean, again, it's an option that we have available to us, and we've done airdrops. Again, whether that continues well into the future, I will keep you posted. OK, let me just go to the phone here real quick. Idrees from Reuters?

Q: Hey, Pat, a couple of questions. Firstly, just so it's clear, how many tons of aid have been delivered from the marshaling area to the UN, and how many tons remain in that sort of holding area off the pier?

And secondly, in these discussions, have you talked about any potential sort of protection, whether it's armed guards or otherwise, for the convoys? Because presumably, these new routes will be figured out given the desperation of people in Gaza and might be overwhelmed again. So, has there been any other talks other than just changing the route?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks, Idrees. So, as it relates to the aid deliveries by the NGOs that are supporting this, I'd really have to refer you to USAID. I just don't have those statistics with me right now. As mentioned, I am tracking, we are tracking, that movements have begun to put some of that aid into warehouses, for onward distribution within Gaza.

So, again, I would have to refer you to USAID on that front. And then similarly, as it relates to providing security for those NGOs, that again is a topic that really comes down to the preferences of those NGOs. As I mentioned, there continue to be ongoing discussions with Israel, with the UN and the groups involved in terms of how best to support them when it comes to ensuring that aid can be distributed. And as I mentioned, one of those approaches is using alternative routes.

But it's really best for them to talk about their preferences in terms of how they prefer to have security as they conduct their routes. Again, obviously, U.S. military is not involved in that particular piece. In terms of escorting, we don't have any forces on the ground, but obviously something that we're continuing to monitor. But again, I'd refer you to USAID on that one. Let me go to Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you. Just a quick clarification first. 569 or 596 metric tons? And the second is, an expert has said that the Russians now have 510,000 troops involved in the war with Ukraine. The expert is from the Royal United Services Institute. I'm wondering, can DoD confirm that number or say that's about right, 510,000?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks, Jeff. So, to clarify, it's 569 metric tons. If I said 96, I apologize. It's 569. And then, I'm sorry, can you say your second question again?

Q: Sure An expert with the Royal United Services Institute has estimated the Russians now have 510,000 troops involved in the war in Ukraine, which is much more than was part of the initial invasion. Can DoD say is that figure, does that sound right?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Jeff. So, I don't have a specific number to provide, other than to say that we do know that there's tens of thousands of Russian forces inside Ukraine, continuing to, you know, depending on where they're located, down near Kharkiv, of course. They have -- are conducting a renewed offensive, making some small gains, and then, of course, forces along that whole forward line of troops. But I'm just not able to provide a specific number for you. Thank you.

Let me come back into the room. Yes?

Q: Thank you. Staying in the region, can you please confirm, General, that the United States military was asked to assist with the Iranian search and rescue operations on Sunday?

GEN. RYDER: So, I'd have to refer you to, yes, I'd have to refer you to State Department on that. I know from a DoD standpoint, we were not requested to provide any support.

Q: (inaudible)

GEN. RYDER: No. So, I'd refer you to State. I believe they had some comments to that effect, but I don't have anything...

Q: If I can have a follow up. The fact that it was a Turkish surveillance droid of a NATO country that ended up locating the crash site of the Iranian presidential helicopter. What does that say, do you think, about Iran's capabilities in the region that they couldn't even locate their own presidential helicopter?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, I mean, I appreciate the question. I'm not going to comment on what their search and rescue capabilities are or not. You know, certainly, it's not unusual to request assistance from neighbors in these types of situations. And so, I'd just leave it there.

Let me go to Janne, and then I'll come back to inside the room.

Q: Thank you, General. On Russia and China, Russian President Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping said during their meeting last week that they oppose threatening actions in the military field by the United States and its allies. And the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said again today that United States and its allies are escalating tensions on Korean Peninsula, provoking confrontation with North Korea. How will the Pentagon reaction to this?

GEN. RYDER: Well, you know, I'm not going to comment on anything said by the Russian foreign minister. What I will do is highlight that the peace, security and stability that the U.S.-ROK alliance has brought to the region and beyond, despite the provocations and rhetorical threats that are emanating from the DPRK, really are testament to the relationship that our two countries have, and towards the efforts that the U.S., ROK, Japan and other allies and partners in the region have really done over many, many decades to uphold stability and security throughout the region.

So, we're going to continue to work with our allies towards that end. And when it comes to our mutual defense, we'll continue to work with both the ROK and the Japanese governments to address any threats that are posed by the DPRK. And of course, as we've always said, that we encourage the DPRK to return to substantive discussions on identifying ways to manage those risks and to create a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: General, how can you say about President Putin and President Xi Jinping, who do not point out North Korea's continued missile launch and dangerous behavior?

GEN. RYDER: You know, again, I - I think the - the relationship that we see developing between North Korea and Russia is certainly concerning, and I - and I think we see in many ways, you know, Russia looking to - to help bolster its ability to conduct its illegal and aggressive campaign in Ukraine.

And so, you know, I just think it's indicative of the situation that they find them - themselves in, but again, what we're going to stay focused on is regional security and stability, not only in the Indo-Pacific region but also throughout Europe.

And we're going to work with our likeminded allies and partners to prevent broader conflict and again try to send the strong signal that the kind of bullying and provocative behavior that we've seen from Russia as it relates to Ukraine is not acceptable.

All right, let me move on. Konstantin?

Q: Thanks, Pat. So to - to your point about sort of the JLOTS trucks and making apples-to-apples comparisons, can you say on average how much - one truckload, how many tons that is, just so that we can get a sense of - and then the 569 metric tons, are you able to estimate how many people that'll - that aid is able to feed?

GEN. RYDER: Let me take those questions for you. I - I don't have them in front of me. Thanks.

Luis?

Q: Yeah, early on - two points. Early on, you - when we announced - when the United States announced JLOTS from the podium, it was said that between 90 to 150 trucks equivalence. That would ramp up to - or be the same as two million meals a - a day. Are you stepping back from the - those comparisons that you've made, based on your new comment today ...

GEN. RYDER: No. Because what we're talking about here is a capability. And again, I think if we, you know - and again, I mean, I fully understand the interest in the statistics, and, you know, that - and that - that all makes sense. And - and again, we'll continue to provide that information.

But if we take a step back here and look at the - the forest for the trees, this is a capability - it's essentially another avenue by which we can get aid into Gaza. You know, despite all of the challenges as it pertains to land routes and - and land crossings, it provides another mechanism by which the international community can get aid into Gaza. And so that is - that is the - the strategic goal here, right, is to be able to facilitate the delivery of that aid.

And so as it - as it relates to JLOTS, what we're talking about - it - it has the capacity to do that. And so as we continue to work with the international community and receive additional aid and start to be able to - to get that outward, I think you'll see those - those numbers go up.

Q: But - but - but reaching the 90 to 150 that you said from the podium or ...

GEN. RYDER: I mean, has the capacity to do that, right? So, I mean, that's, again, what we'll work towards. And - and of course, you know, as more aid comes in, we'll - we'll do that. Obviously, you have to pick up the aid from Cyprus and - and that aid has to be there.

And so again, as we continue to work with the international community and - and partners that want to use that avenue of approach, so to speak, it'll have the capacity to do that.

Q: The other topic - at the United Nations - U.S. representative of the United Nations talked about how last week, Russia launched an anti-satellite weapon, potentially the same altitude as an American satellite. Is this a concern? Can you confirm that information that was presented at the United Nations? And what is - what is the message, if you have a comment?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so it - it - and what I'm tracking here is on May 16th, as you highlight, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we - that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.

Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite. And so assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter-space payloads from 2019 and 2022. And so, you know, obviously that's something that we'll continue to monitor.

Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the domain - the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force. And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment.

Q: Does it pose a threat to that government satellite - the U.S. government satellite right now?

GEN. RYDER: Well, it's a counter-space weapon in the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite, so.

Yes, sir?

Q: Yesterday, we heard from the Secretary on his views about striking targets in Russia with American weapons, but can you explain why Ukrainians cannot use those capabilities to strike back and respond to these attacks that come from Russian territory? I mean, we know that the Pentagon does - doesn't support that, but what's the reasoning behind this approach?

GEN. RYDER: Well, you know, look, as - as the Secretary highlighted, you know, our policy hasn't changed. We are focused on providing Ukraine with capabilities that it needs to defend itself within Ukraine - Ukrainian sovereign territory.

And so, you know, we understand that. We're going to continue to have those conversations with our Ukrainian partners, as well as our international allies and partners, when it comes to the kinds of capabilities, to include air defense, that Ukraine needs to defend itself. So I'm - I'm just going to leave it there.

Q: (Inaudible) Secretary also said that aerial dynamic is a little bit different. So, could you please clarify this commentary? Does this mean that restrictions do not apply to aerial defense in Ukraine - basically can strike targets that are in Russian territory of those aerial defenses?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so, you know, again, as the Secretary highlighted, I'm - I'm not going to get into picking apart a bunch of different scenarios. Again, the strategic intent here is enabling Ukraine to defend itself and defend its sovereign territory.

And so, you know, if - if and when we have anything to - else to provide on that, we certainly will, but I'm just going to leave it there.

Yes, sir?

Q: Thank you very much, General. My first question is about this lady, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. She has been in the U.S. prisons for last 15 years. She was accused of killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan but no U.S. soldier was killed. A U.S. lawyer, British-American lawyer, Clive Stafford, met - went to Afghanistan just last week to provide some more evidence that she had no role - or she - she's innocent. The lady's half dead. I've been raising voice for her release. Can Secretary look into this lady's issue and - because I feel like this - this whole bureaucratic issue is hurting her release.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah - no, I appreciate the question. I'm familiar with the (Sadiqi ?) case but I'd have to refer you to the Department of Justice for any questions on that.

Q: One more ...

GEN. RYDER: And if you can keep it short, please.

Q: The - Pakistan and the U.S. recently had a - security talks. In the handout they released was - the last two words were "global security and fight against ISIS." On this podium, when General McKenzie was here, I had asked him six years ago, seven years ago, that ISIS fighters were coming to Pakistan -- I mean to Afghanistan and that whole (inaudible) region.

Do you see a new level of global terrorism again rising from that region in the shape of ISIS now?

GEN. RYDER: Well, I mean, ISIS-K has been a threat in the region for a while. It's one of many terrorist groups that we know operate throughout that region. And of course, the U.S. and Pakistan have a counterterrorism cooperation effort that's been longstanding.

And so, certainly, as it relates to regional threats like ISIS or other terrorist groups, we'll continue to work with our Pakistani partners to confront and address that issue. I think it's just one of those things that we have to continue to take seriously.

And the last thing I'd say is, if you look at our national defense strategy, it recognizes the fact that countering violent extremist organizations like ISIS will continue to be an important part of our national defense strategy.

Let me go to Joseph, and then I'll come to Fadi.

Q: General Ryder, one on Russia and one on Gaza. The Russian, and I'm sorry if I missed this earlier, but the Russians announced that they had started tactical nuclear weapons exercises today. You guys have any comment on that? Is there any heightened concern that they could be potentially used nuclear weapons in the near term?

And then secondly, can you talk about or elaborate on any updated plans the Israelis have provided you with potential larger scale or large-scale invasion of Rafah?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, on the Russian exercises, I don't have anything additional to provide. Again, you know, we've seen that rhetoric, in terms of the threat to use nuclear weapons. It's irresponsible, inappropriate, and I'll just leave it there. As it relates to Rafah, to my knowledge, the Israelis have not provided us with a more detailed understanding, although those conversations continue.

As you know, Mr. Sullivan, the national security advisor, was recently in Israel. But to my knowledge, don't have any additional information on that front. And what we do see in Rafah continues to be a limited operation near the Rafah gate.

Q: Is there any concern that the decision by the ICC could impede on any potential travel by Israeli officials here?

GEN. RYDER: I'm not tracking any concerns in that regard. Fadi?

Q: So, thank you, General. I believe you said this operation, the causeway, it's three days. Right?

GEN. RYDER: March 17 was the first day of --

Q: (inaudible) on Friday, so today is Tuesday night in the region. So, it's been five days.

GEN. RYDER: See, that's what happens when you work here at DoD. I don't even know what day it is.

Q: Five hundred....

GEN. RYDER: But thank you for pointing that out.

Q: 569 metric tons. Is it, am I accurate to say zero has been delivered to the people of Gaza so far?

GEN. RYDER: You'd have to check with the World Food Program. I know that aid is getting in, but it's not accurate that no aid has been delivered. You know, we've been doing air drops. We've been helping to facilitate aid coming over the land crossings, but the causeway has been able to get over 569 metric tons of aid into Gaza for onward delivery. So, yes, very shortly, I think you'll see aid starting to be delivered.

Q: (inaudible) that has been delivered, right? As of today.

GEN. RYDER: As of today? I do not believe so.

Q: OK. And is Israel -- you said Israel is cooperating on this, trying to help. But it seems from what you said, the desperation of people created security issues for the distribution of aid from the assembly area. And that desperation is related to the fact that Israel is shutting down aid routes. Right?

GEN. RYDER: So, we're shifting from questions to editorializing. I'm going to go ahead and go to somebody else.

Let's go to Tom Watkins, The National.

Q: Thanks. Thanks, General. Yes, a couple of questions, if I may. So, NBC and the New York Times reported that there was very nearly a transfer of 11 or 12 detainees from Gitmo. But then October the 7th happened. Are you able to confirm that? And then my second question is, does Secretary Austin have any reaction to the ICC prosecutor seeking the arrest warrant for Yoav Gallant? And has the secretary spoken to him since that was announced?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Tom. On the Guantanamo question, obviously saw those press reports. I'll have to take that question for you. The secretary has not spoken to his Israeli counterpart, although, as you know, they speak frequently. So, I would anticipate that he'll have the opportunity to speak to him soon. Don't have anything to announce right now, but certainly we'll provide a readout as it relates to that conversation.

GEN. RYDER: Alright. I'll come back into the room. Yes, sir?

Q: Thank you, General. A couple of questions on Iran. Do you have any information about exactly what caused the Iranian president's helicopter crash? And secondly, do you expect any foreign policy change from Iran, especially from supporting these policies?

GEN. RYDER: So, no, we don't have any insight into what caused the helicopter crash, as was highlighted yesterday. We know that it's under investigation. So, I'd have to refer you to the Iranian authorities for any outcomes as it relates to that. And I'm sorry, your second question?

Q: Yes. Do you expect any foreign policy change from Iran, especially from supporting various prophecies in Iraq and Syria (inaudible)?

GEN. RYDER: I'm not tracking any changes in terms of our current foreign policy as it relates to Iran. Liz?

Q: It's a follow-up on Loui's question from earlier. Did Russia communicate with the U.S. at all that it was going to launch the anti-satellite weapon? And has there been any communication since?

GEN. RYDER: I'm not aware of any communication, but I'll have to take that question. As you know, there's a process by which there are launches are conducted, so I'll have to take that question. Natasha?

Q: I just have a follow up on the pier. Again, I'm trying to understand. So, last week, Admiral Hooper, and then previously, he had said that the goal was originally to start with 500 tons of aid moving across the causeway per day. We know that it's been, what, four or five days now? It's been a total of 569 tons. None of it, according to what you just said, that you believe it has actually been delivered to the Palestinians yet?

So, is the reason why that initial 500 tons of aid per day is not being moved across the causeway because we're not seeing any of it be delivered yet? That stuff that we are moving to the Palestinians, and so, we're kind of holding back? Or is there another reason why you haven't met that 500 tons per day goal yet?

GEN. RYDER: So, aid is taken to Cyprus, where it's loaded onto ships. So, the aid is coming from, as I mentioned, many different countries. That aid is then put onto larger ships and taken to the floating pier. So, again, part of that is going to be the amount of aid that is available to load onto those ships taken to the floating pier and then transloaded to the causeway.

And so, again, I think you're going to see, as this process works out, as more aid is delivered to Cyprus, you're going to see the amount of aid that's brought into Gaza increase. And to the point earlier, again, understanding that this is a multi-prong international effort, this is a one aspect of getting international aid into Gaza. It's not the only delivery mechanism by which to get aid into Gaza.

And so, we're going to continue to make this a viable avenue of approach to be able to get aid to humanitarian organizations that will then provide that for outward delivery. Again, as was highlighted earlier, some of that initial aid that was brought in, as it was being taken along a transportation route, was intercepted by some people who took that aid off those vehicles.

Subsequently, there's been discussions by which to ensure that there's alternate routes so that it can be delivered to warehouses. Again, fully appreciating the desperation, but also fully appreciating the fact that it is very important that this aid get to the people who need it most. That's going to continue to be the focus.

So, I understand, you know, the focus on why is this not working? Or why is that not working? But what we're focused on is how we can work to ensure that the Palestinian people get the aid. So, that's what we're going to stay focused on. There's always, in any operation of complexity, there's going to be challenges and hurdles that have to be overcome. That's what we specialize in overcoming, and that's what we're going to do.

So, again, appreciate the questions, appreciate the skepticism, but we're going to make it happen, and we're going to get this food to the Palestinian people. Laura?

Q: Sorry to harp on the same point, but.

GEN. RYDER: Please, harp on the same point.

Q: So, you're saying, you said that some of the trucks got intercepted after they were taken from the marshalling area?

GEN. RYDER: Correct.

Q: You said you were looking at alternative routes to distribute aid from the marshalling area, but I just don't understand why, what's the problem before the getting to the marshalling area?

GEN. RYDER: There's no problem getting to the marshalling area.

Q: So, why had there only been 569 metric tons of aid delivered to the marshalling area?

GEN. RYDER: That's how much aid has been delivered to the end of the pier to be brought into the marshalling area.

Q: So, was there less aid flowing through Cyprus than you thought there would be?

GEN. RYDER: I don't have a flowchart that shows what aid is expected and what's not. All I know is we're going to continue to push aid, and as I mentioned, more is on the way. So, you're going to see those numbers increase. But I guess my question for you is, I mean, yes, I'm not going to get into rhetorical questions.

Lita?

Q: I just -- I think where our disconnect, I think, is, just so you can take the question and figure it out later, is the 90 to 150 trucks a day was kind of the metric everyone was focused on from Admiral Cooper and everyone early on, and now you guys sort of shifted to metric tons a day. And we're trying to equate. Is that -- is that 90 trucks per day?

How many -- how many -- and that's why, because we didn't know if that 569 metric tons would have gotten in. Whether that equates to whether you're falling short or meeting or whatever those initial goals of the 90 to 150 trucks. Unfortunately, that was the metric we got early on. And now, with the metric tons, we're trying to figure out how those two equate. I think that's just the question.

Q: And adding to that, too, is somebody must know how many trucks have gone along that causeway into the marshalling area. That's a number somebody should have.

Q: Because we're reporting x number of trucks left. And I think people are equating the number of trucks that go on and off the pier filled with aid to the number of trucks leaving the marshalling area. That's not the same trucks, and it's not the same size trucks, if I'm not mistaken. So, it would be inaccurate to say the number of trucks going on and off the pier is the same as the 10 or 11 trucks that left the pier or left the marshalling area and left. Is that accurate?

GEN. RYDER: Correct. Correct. And again, look, we'll continue to keep you updated on this. I understand the intense interest in it, and we'll continue to provide you as many statistics as we can. But again, looking at the forest through the trees here is about getting aid to the people of Gaza, and that's what we'll continue to focus on doing, no matter how many trucks are driving on or off the causeway. Courtney?

Q: Question about the trucks.

GEN. RYDER: Yes, please. Keep on trucking.

Q: The trucks that you mentioned that were intercepted, who was responsible for the security of those at the time?

GEN. RYDER: Again, you know, when it - when it comes to the security of NGOs, that's a decision that they all make internally. So I really can't speak to them or - or what specifically was on that - on that convoy, but - but again, broadly speaking and as I'm sure you can appreciate, I - I'm - I'm just not able to go into details in terms of the tactics, techniques, and procedures.

There has been a discussion to look at alternate routes to ensure the safety of the - the staff and the - and the cargo that's being delivered, and I - I just have to leave it there.

Q: No, I - I ask cause I - I - I was under the impression that - that until it got - that the - the Israeli Defense Forces were responsible for security of the humanitarian aid up to a certain point, including the delivery to the warehouses, but is that - that's not the case?

GEN. RYDER: I'll - I'll have to check on that. Thank you.

All right, Ellie?

Q: Initially, when you talked about the alternative routes, you said movements from the temporary facility resumed today. Is the temporary facility that you're talking about the marshaling area?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, the marshaling area.

Q: And then resumed. How many days were they not moving?

GEN. RYDER: It was just - well, just the last couple days. So they've resumed today. Two days.

OK, Fadi?

Q: Thanks for shutting me down before - for the opportunity again...

GEN. RYDER: ... no, that's alright. I apologize. Go ahead.

Q: No, no apology. Just hurt my feeling.

GEN. RYDER: Mine too - mine too.

Q: What I'm getting at is this was supposed to supplement the aid effort, and it seems the fact that the crossings are close is - is not helping the situation. As you said, desperate people intercepted some of the trucks, which created this delay.

Can you highlight or update us on the latest effort by the department, by the Secretary, with the Israeli counterparts, on the land routes? And where are you in that effort right now? Are you hopeful that we will see the crossing into Rafah, Kerem Shalom, areas open and functioning fully soon?

GEN. RYDER: So this is a - is an ongoing effort, not only with the Department of Defense but across the U.S. government, in terms of talking with the Israelis and other partners in the region to maximize the throughput of aid through the land crossings, to include Rafah.

And so, you know, I can assure you that that is a conversation that the Secretary has had with his Israeli counterpart and will continue to have, as well as other partners in the region - you know, most recently, as - as he mentioned, our - his Egyptian counterpart.

So we fully appreciate and recognize that land routes are the optimal way to get aid. And to answer your question, am I optimistic? You know, I'm an eternal optimist, so I will remain optimistic that we will be able to see the Rafah gate open and that we'll continue to see aid getting in.

And - and along those lines too, I mean, this kind of gets back to the - the reality of, again, we're talking about a combat zone here with many people in a - in a challenging and desperate situation. And so in the same way that, you know, logistically there have been challenges with the land routes, you know, going forward, even - even with air routes, there's always logistics - logistical challenges.

And so, you know, we shouldn't be surprised from time to time as the JLOTS goes forward that there are going to be challenges, but again, as we've done elsewhere, we will find a way to make it happen and we will find a way to get aid over the maritime corridor and to the people in Gaza.

And - and so again, this is not a - a sole U.S. military effort, it's an interagency effort, it's an international effort. And we understand the desperate need of the Palestinian people right now, and we're going to continue to work to get them what they need.

Ryo?

Q: On Monday, Taiwan's new President Lai was in (inaudible) China (inaudible) stop major threats against Taiwan. Since China's increased (inaudible) President Lai as a troublemaker, how much are you worried about the risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait on the occasion of the (inaudible)?

GEN. RYDER: Well, thanks, Ryo. As you've heard us say, we've urged the PRC not to use the election as a pretext for escalation. And so, you know, we have seen - as I've mentioned previously and as you - you and I have discussed, you know, we've seen them - used increased naval activity as a pressure tactic, to include in the South China Sea.

We remain concerned about those kinds of activities. We've raised that directly with the PRC. But we're going to continue to remain committed to open channels of communication to prevent potential miscalculation or risks.

And ultimately, at the end of the day, we're going to continue to be committed to work to ensure that Taiwan maintains a self-sufficient self-defense capability in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. Thank you.

We'll take the last question. Yes, sir?

Q: Thanks, Pat. I - just to follow up on the ...

GEN. RYDER: If you say "trucks," I swear I'm coming across this podium.

(LAUGHTER)

Q: Did the U.S. military have advanced notice of that launch in any way?

GEN. RYDER: Again, I think that's - the - the question was asked earlier, in terms of, you know, Russian requirements to do any type of launch notifications. You know, I'm - I'm going to have to take that question.

Q: So...

GEN. RYDER: Now - and if you're asking specifically about payloads and things like that, I'm just not going to get into intelligence about ...

Q: ... you knew there was some type of launch?

GEN. RYDER: Well, what I'm saying is that, you know, typically when there - when there are launches into space, there are requirements in terms of notifications - international notifications, notifications to airmen, things like that. The - so the question is did we have advanced notice of that launch? As it relates to payloads and - and what we know about and what we don't know about, i.e. intelligence, that - that is not something I can get into.

All right, thanks very much, everybody. Appreciate it.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3783786/

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May 21, 2024

By David Vergun, DOD News

Defense Minister: Finland Supports Global Security

Finland, which became a NATO member a year ago, will make the alliance stronger, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting today, welcoming Hakkanen to the Pentagon.

Finland has been a steadfast partner of Ukraine and will continue to support its defense, Hakkanen said.

But Finland is also interested in global security, he said, mentioning that today's discussion will include developments in the Middle East and in the Indo-Pacific.

Also, as an Arctic nation, Finland plans to hold exercises there in a few days, he said.

The defense minister noted that Finland spends 2.3% of gross domestic product on defense, a higher percentage than NATO's target goal of 2% for its 32 member nations.

Finland also has a unique conscription system, he said, noting that of Finland's 5.5 million people, nearly a million have received military training, which is considered a large portion of the population.

In conclusion, Hakkanen said: "Europe needs a strong United States. But in the era of strategic competition, the United States, also needs to have a strong Europe."

Austin said he's "grateful for Finland's determination to tackle regional and global security challenges. Finland has stood strong with Ukraine as it continues to fight back against Putin's unprovoked aggression. Finland has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February of 2022, and those donations have helped meet Ukraine's urgent needs on the battlefield, and they have made a real difference for the security of both Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

"The United States is also grateful for Finland's commitment to our bilateral defense relationship, and we look forward to working together to implement the Defense Cooperation Agreement that we signed in December. I'm eager to hear your views on areas where we can build our defensive capabilities, strengthen our interoperability and deepen the security bond between our two militaries," Austin said.

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Moldova: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after the EU-Moldova Association Council

European External Action Service (EEAS)

21.05.2024

Brussels

Check against delivery!

Very much welcome, dear Prime Minister, dear Dorin Recean, and your delegation here in Brussels, for the annual review of our relations with Moldova.

We are meeting at the highest institutional level, together with Commissioner [for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver] Varhelyi and myself, you and your team, for the first time after the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova, which was certainly a very important step on your European path.

Today, we have confirmed that the relations between Moldova and the European Union have never been closer.

We have discussed many topics. Allow me to focus on three of them.

Firstly, I want to commend the impressive determination of the Moldovan government to advance on the European path - and that, despite internal and external challenges.

On the domestic front, key reforms are met with resistance from those who stand to lose from the fight against corruption and vested interests.

Externally, Moldova is directly exposed to the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. You see Russian missiles and drones violating your airspace.

This difficult context has not prevented you, has not prevented Moldova, from making remarkable efforts to get closer to the European Union.

I want to use this opportunity to encourage you, my dear Prime Minister, to continue along this path. And, also, to ensure that the citizens all across Moldova, without exception, enjoy tangible benefits as a result of this process.

If they see the benefits that they [can] have in their ordinary lives, they will support the process, [more strongly].

You will organise a referendum on Moldova's European path together with the presidential elections in October.

This will be a great day, [having] both presidential elections and a referendum on the European path. This will be the greatest opportunity for the Moldovan citizens to express themselves on their EU aspirations.

And at the same time, we expect that foreign interference, information manipulation and disinformation will only intensify in the run up to these votes. We know that, we suffer [from] that here in the European Union. Every time there is an electoral process, foreign interference, information manipulation and disinformation appear, and we have to fight against this threat to democracy.

This brings me to the second point, that the European Union continues [to stand] in full solidarity with Moldova.

We do that for many reasons. Because you belong to the European family, but also because we see Russia actively trying to destabilise your country. That is a fact.

From outside, but also [by] using local proxies, to interfere and intimidate politically and economically. Russia has introduced a ban on import of your fruits and vegetables, to mention a very concrete thing.

In order to face that, we have considerably stepped up our support for reforms and built up capacities to protect your country against destabilisation efforts.

We continue to strengthen your energy security and expand sectoral cooperation. I will ask Commissioner Varhelyi to say more on this.

I want to concentrate my last words on the third point which is how can we jointly address our shared security challenges and further increase Moldova's resilience.

For that, today, Moldova has become the first country to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. We have done that minutes ago.

This is the first country, many others will follow, in order to create a network of friends that builds a strong Security and Defence Partnership.

This will include an ever-closer cooperation in areas ranging from cybersecurity to countering hybrid threats and disinformation, training and capacity building and will open new areas of cooperation.

On the other hand, do not forget what we have already done. We launched a year ago - I was there -, [it was a] great pleasure to launch the civilian European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova.

I remember it was a memorable day. It was a step further for us to become a reliable partner. [It] will further enhance Moldova's capacity to fight hybrid and cyber threats.

This also comes with financial support. We have been providing [almost] 140 million for the modernisation of Moldova's armed forces through the European Peace Facility. It has already been done, more will come.

More will come because Moldova can count on the European Union to continue our comprehensive support for your security, stability and resilience, to strengthen your democracy, to impulse - to push for - your reform process on European course.

I think that the future of the Moldovan people - Moldova and its citizens - is in the European Union, and this is a battle that has to be won together.

Thank you, Prime Minister.

Q&A

Q. How do you think Russia will react after the official opening of the accession negotiations and how will you help us?

I have to repeat everything I said. I have to repeat everything I said during the meeting. We are providing support. Allow me to stress the importance of that support through the European Peace Facility - what we have done, what we will continue doing. The Commissioner has given a complete explanation of all the capacities we are providing to Moldova. Certainly, Russia is not very happy with the fact that Moldova is willing to be part of the European Union, but it is not a matter of Russia. It is a matter of Moldova. It is the Moldovan people and the Moldovan authorities who matter for us.

Q. High Representative, I would like to know what is your reaction to the decision [announced] just an hour ago by Spain to withdraw the Ambassador from Buenos Aires. Do you think this is a proportionate measure? Do you think this will help to resolve the tensions? Do you think that maybe these tensions could affect the overall relations between Argentina and the European Union, in cases like MERCOSUR?

What do I do? We are talking about Moldova. Argentina is very far away from Moldova. Nothing that happens in Argentina affects our relationship with Moldova, no? So, I can tell you afterwards whatever you want, but I think it would be very unpolite from my side to use this opportunity, instead of talking about Moldova and the EU-Moldova relationship, to go and discuss something which has nothing to do with that.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-257189



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Finland and United States signed Statement of Intent on Cooperation among Special Forces

Finnish Ministry of Defence

21.05.2024

In Washington on 21 May 2024, Finland and the United States signed a Statement of Intent.

In Washington on 21 May 2024, Finland and the United States signed a Statement of Intent between The Office of the United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and Ministry of Defense, Finland. It was signed by Director General Janne Kuusela on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of Defence.

Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen is currently visiting the United States. "The statement of intent now signed will help Finland develop our defence and further deepen our defence cooperation with the United States," Minister Antti Hakkanen says.

"Regular exercises in the Baltic Sea and Northern Finland and other training activities are examples of the good cooperation between our countries' special operations forces," Minister Hakkanen says.

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China hopes ICC to uphold objective view on Palestine-Israel conflict

Global Times

Seeking Israel and Hamas warrants 'a symbolic pressure' but will increase moral pressure on Israel: experts

By Chen Qingqing Published: May 21, 2024 08:48 PM

China on Tuesday said it hopes that the ICC will uphold an objective and fair stance and exercise its powers in accordance with the law after the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.

Some Chinese experts said the ICC seeking Israel and Hamas warrants serves more of a symbolic pressure as its enforcement mechanism faces challenges. Yet, they noted the move will still increase moral and public pressure against Israel, leading to greater scrutiny under international law.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday that his office had applied for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged crimes committed during the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel and Israel's subsequent war on Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.

Khan announced his office had "reasonable grounds" to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant bear "criminal responsibility" for "war crimes and crimes against humanity," the media report said.

"We have noted relevant reports. We want to stress that the international community has overwhelming consensus on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ending the humanitarian crisis suffered by the Palestinians," Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday. The collective punishment of the Palestinian people should not continue any longer, Wang noted.

China has always stood on the side of fairness and justice and on the side of international law on the Palestinian issue. We support all efforts of the international community to promote a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the issue, the spokesperson said, noting that China hopes the ICC will uphold an objective and fair stance and exercise its powers in accordance with the law.

Both the US and Israel rejected the latest ICC act, as US President Joe Biden called the application for an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant "outrageous," and Netanyahu said the ICC decision was a disgrace and an attack on Israel.

The application was made as Gaza has been undergoing an intensifying humanitarian crisis with the living conditions continuing to deteriorate in certain parts of Rafah and as the number of causalities continues to increase, according to a UN Security Council briefing on Monday.

Some political figures like Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) party, said in an interview with Al Jazeera that the reaction of the US toward the warrant application highlights the hypocrisy of the Biden administration - "previously praising the ICC for issuing an arrest warrant against Putin while now describing the decision to apply for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant as outrageous."

"ICC's application for warrants is more of a symbolic pressure, as its enforcement is quite difficult. The application can be described as 'having little actual harm but inflicting great insult,'" Li Weijian, a research fellow with the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Especially when the international pressure on Netanyahu and the Israeli government has been increasing recently, the ICC's decision or the pending application can be seen as a very potent form of pressure, intensifying the overall judgment of the international community on this matter, Li noted.

Mounting pressure

Since the outbreak of the latest round of Palestine-Israel conflict, there has been a significant shift in the international public opinion, some experts said. At the beginning, there might have been some sympathy for Israel or condemnation of Hamas, but now the sentiment seems to have become more critical of Israel, including a notable change in the attitude of the US, they noted.

"The international community, especially vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue, has shown considerable support for Palestine's bid to become a full member of the UN, with many countries voting in favor," Li said. "This demonstrates the international community's support for Palestine and a clear opposition to Israel's attempts to maintain the status quo or to escalate the conflict."

The UN General Assembly recently adopted a resolution supporting the Palestinian bid to become a full UN member with 143 votes in favor, which also reflects the will of the international community.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said on Monday that Israel must immediately cease its military offensive in Rafah city in the Gaza Strip.

"Nothing can justify the perpetuation of conflict. The collective punishment of civilians does not create conditions conducive to the rescue of hostages. Israel must immediately cease its military operation in Rafah," he told the UN Security Council.

Some Western countries voiced their support for the ICC's move. French foreign ministry was quoted as saying in a Reuters' report on Monday that the country fights against impunity.

Belgium's Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib said in a post on the X platform that "crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators."

Enforcement challenges

US' reaction indicates that, since the outbreak of the latest round of the Palestine-Israel conflict, the US support for Israel has been consistent both in general and in policy terms, Liu Zhongmin, a professor with the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The recent divisions between the US and Israel mainly centered on issues such as avoiding humanitarian crises, handling refugees, and attacks on Rafah. However, overall, the US still supports and tends to favor Israel, Liu said. "The differences between the US and Israel are relatively insignificant, especially when considering the actions taken by Israel in Gaza in the context of violations of international law, the laws of war, and crimes against humanity."

The application for warrants now goes to one of the pre-trial chambers in the ICC, and will be decided on by a panel of three judges, The Guardian reported. If the arrest warrants are issued, the ICC does not have its own police force or enforcement mechanism, but the warrants would seriously limit the travel options of the indictees, media reports said.

"One possible outcome is the dismissal of the case, which is very likely, as the ICC may have dropped the investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan due to political pressure from the US, and another is to proceed with the prosecution," Tang Bei, professor with the school of international relations and public affairs at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The prerequisite for proceeding with the trial is that the suspect is in custody of the court and can appear for trial. Otherwise, the case will remain in the pre-trial stage. The court may also issue an arrest warrant again, Tang said.

As Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, the decision of the ICC, for Israel, is definitely "illegal," Tang noted. "However, the prosecutor's statement still has international influence, as the conflict continues, and the international community is highly concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region."

Although it may be difficult to actually arrest Netanyahu in reality, the resulting public opinion and moral pressure, as well as the further concretization of Israel's war crimes on the level of international law, are of great concern to Israel, Liu noted.

"The legality of the arrest may create an international trend that will put greater moral and legal pressure on Israel, and become a guidance that will subject Israel to greater international public opinion and international legal pressure," Liu said.

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Yemeni armed forces down US MQ-9 Reaper

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman of the Yemeni armed forces, announced that Yemeni forces have shot down the fifth American MQ-9 Reaper.

"The Air Defense Forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces shot down an American unmanned aerial vehicle, MQ-9 Reaper, while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Al Bayda Governorate," Saree said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the plane was targeted with a locally made surface-to-air missile, and scenes of the operation will be broadcast later.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed that the operation of shooting down this UAV came only a few days later from the shooting down of another UAV of the same type, in the airspace of Ma'rib Governorate," he noted.

According to Saree, with this operation, the Yemeni Armed Forces succeeded in shooting down five UAVs of this type during the Battle of the Promised Conquest and Holy Jihad.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to develop their defense capabilities to confront the American-British aggression against our country and continue to carry out their military operations in triumphing for the oppressed Palestinian people until the siege is lifted and the aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is ceased," he added.

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Iraqi resistance launches drone attack on Eilat Port

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has conducted a drone strike against a sensitive position in the Port of Eilat in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement released on Monday, the Iraqi resistance announced that its forces targeted the military airbase of the Israeli regime in the Port of Eilat with two drones.

The resistance carried out the operation in support of the people of Gaza and in response to the Zionist regime's genocidal war on the besieged strip.

Israeli news outlets also reported that the Iron Dome system has been activated in the city of Eilat in southern occupied Palestine.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out 243 operations against the Zionist regime since the beginning of the bloody war in Gaza in October last year.

So far, nearly 35,000 people, mostly children and women, have been killed in the enclave.

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Hezbollah pounds military headquarters of Israeli regime

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah targeted two military centers belonging to the Israeli regime in northern occupied Palestine on Monday evening.

Resistance-affiliated news media reported that Hezbollah fighters succeeded in hitting Al-Malikiyya and Hadb Al-Bustan military bases in the north of Israeli-occupied territories.

Meanwhile, Hadashot Bazaman Hebrew website acknowledged in an unprecedented article that Hezbollah is capable of disrupting the security situation in the north, but it pursues a war of attrition against the Israeli military.

Hezbollah is able to intensify its attacks within a matter of minutes and in a successful manner, and the drones they possess have the capability to target any location in the north, the Israeli media outlet argued.

It added that Hezbollah's drones have a higher efficiency because they do not use GPS as Israelis claimed, but are equipped with cameras and are controlled remotely, and they are usually used less at night.

Hadashot Bazaman also said that Hezbollah fighters are conducting military exercises on a daily basis and improving their offensive power, but Israeli media are not allowed to release the videos of their drills.

The Israeli army's spokesperson always speaks about their attacks on Hezbollah, but there is no report on Hezbollah's strikes on Israelis, the report added.

Since the initiation of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, Hezbollah started attacking northern occupied Palestine to engage a section of the regime's armed forces on that front and detach Israelis from the Gaza battlefield.

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Israel continues to target Palestinians in Gaza

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Tue / 21 May 2024 / 13:17

On the 228th day since October 7, the Israeli occupation forces continued their aggression against Gaza, killing dozens of Palestinians and injuring others, with many going missing as "Israel" bombs residential buildings, facilities, and infrastructure, leaving widespread destruction.

Tehran -ISNA- In a series of Israeli raids and artillery shelling on Beit Lahia, Khan Younis, Nuseirat Camp, al-Bureij Camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, alongside al-Zaytoun Neighborhood, Rafah city, and Sheikh Ajlin, many were killed, including women children and women.

In the north of the Strip, since the early morning hours, the IOF has bombed several homes in Tal al-Zaatar in Jabalia camp.

They also targeted a house in Beit Lahia, killing three Palestinians and injuring others.

Also earlier today, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea of Khan Younis opened fire intensely toward the east.

Due to an Israeli raid targeting the Abu Tir family house sought as a refuge by displaced Palestinians, in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, three Palestinians were killed.

Medical sources reported that due to the stoppage of the oxygen machine and the continued siege on Martyr Kamal Adwan Hospital, a girl in the nursery department of the latter was killed.

In the center of the Strip, IOF military vehicles advanced amid heavy gunfire northwest of al-Jadeed camp north of Nuseirat camp.

IOF continued to blow up residential squares and homes of Palestinians as it was reported this morning that they blew up a residential square north of Bureij Camp.

IOF aircraft and artillery also bombed the center and east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.

End Item

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UNRWA suspends food distribution in Rafah amid Israeli invasion

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 6:29 PM

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says it has suspended the distribution of food in the southern city of Rafah, citing Israeli attacks and a lack of supplies.

In a statement released on Tuesday, UNRWA said only seven out of its 24 health centers were operational and that it had not received any medical supplies in the past 10 days due to "closures/disruptions" at the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings into Gaza.

Humanitarian workers have sounded the alarm over the closure of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, which is part of Israel's military invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip where around 1 million displaced people have been sheltering.

Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel has killed 85 people in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

The regime seeks to broaden the assault on Rafah despite international warnings over the risk of mass casualties.

The majority of internally displaced Palestinians have been sheltering in Rafah. But over 900,000 people have fled the southern city in the past two weeks.

UNRWA says the rise in the number of displaced Palestinians sheltering in its Khan Younis facilities has occurred since Israel began issuing evacuation orders for Rafah early this month. The UN agency shared photos of its overcrowded Khan Younis shelters.

Simultaneous Israeli assaults on the southern and northern edges of Gaza have caused a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and sharply restricted the flow of aid.

Israel has displaced around 80% of the population of 2.3 million in Gaza since early October. The regime has killed more than 35,600 people there since.

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Itamar Ben-Gvir promotes future Israeli settlements in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 4:03 PM

An Israeli minister has once again called for the expulsion of the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and an expansion of settlements in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Itamar Ben-Gvir in comments carried by Israel's Maariv news site on Tuesday advocated a full military takeover of Gaza.

The far-right minister said Israel should push the Palestinians to "voluntarily" leave to make way for settlements.

"Israel should be the one that controls the Gaza Strip, unequivocally, and no one else," Ben-Gvir said.

Most important, he said, is "encouraging voluntary emigration of Palestinians" from the territory. "I would love to live in Gaza if possible."

Last week, the minister said the settlements called for by far-right attendees were the "true solution."

"We must encourage emigration. Encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza. It is moral!"

The minister has repeatedly called for the mass expulsion of Gazans and urged settlers to move into the besieged territory since Israel launched the savage military campaign across the region in early October.

Ben-Gvir has also said he "opposes transferring humanitarian aid" to the Gaza Strip, where basic necessities are scarce and a famine is looming.

Since early October, Ben-Gvir has encouraged shooting Palestinian women and children in Gaza, execution of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails "to free prison space." He has threatened to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet if the genocidal campaign ends.

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Israeli forces kill 7 Palestinians in Jenin

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 3:33 PM

Israeli forces have killed seven Palestinians, including a doctor, during a raid into the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops accompanied by dozens of military vehicles stormed the city on Tuesday, killing seven people and injuring 19 others.

The operation was started during the morning rush hour, as Israeli forces in at least 20 vehicles tore up streets near the city center.

The ministry further identified one of the victims as Dr. Aseed Jabareen, a 50-year-old surgeon at Jenin Government Hospital, was shot dead on his way to work, adding that a school teacher and a student were also among the dead.

Hospital director Wissam Baker also noted that Jenin hospital, the main governmental hospital in the city, is surrounded, adding, "It looks it will be tough hours ahead because the occupation is gathering more forces."

Ambulance driver Hazim Masarwa also stated that "Undercover forces raided the area suddenly and they were firing at any moving body in the street."

A female paramedic has also been reportedly injured by Israeli military bullets after the occupying regime forces opened fire on an ambulance in Jenin camp.

In a statement, the Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the "massacre" committed by Israeli troops in Jenin, after the regimes soldiers randomly opened fired at passers-by in the streets.

"This new massacre in Jenin, along with previous aggressions by the occupation military and settler gangs in various cities of the West Bank, and its ongoing aggression in Gaza, is conclusive evidence of the criminal mindset that governs Israel, and its ideological belief in killing our people and committing genocide against them wherever they are," it said.

The media office went on to say that what happened in Jenin, and the preceding invasions in various cities of the West Bank, "all respond to those who try to reverse the facts and blame our people and their Al-Aqsa uprising for the events of October 7."

It also stressed that the occupying regime neither needs excuses for its aggression nor does it wait for justifications for its crimes against Palestinians since the 'Nakba' in 1948, which marked the loss of the Palestinian homeland.

The media office further called on all Palestinians in the West Bank and al-Quds to rise up against the occupying regime and to take to the streets in mass demonstrations to condemn the crimes of the Israeli military and reject the aggression of the settlers.

"We urge the [Palestinian Authority] Security Forces to stand by their people and their resistance in the face of the occupation's crimes, and to fulfill their duty of defending our people and our land from these ongoing attacks." It added.

Israeli forces have recently been conducting overnight raids and killings in the northern occupied West Bank, mainly in the cities of Jenin and Nablus, where new groups of Palestinian resistance fighters have been formed.

Israel has intensified its attacks against Palestinians throughout the West Bank since October 7, when it launched its savage campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip. The Gaza Ministry of Health says the total number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank and al-Quds has risen to 513 since then.

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May 20: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 11:11 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed over 35,600 Palestinians so far, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Monday, May 20, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on May 20:

Launched a SAM-7 missile at an Israeli military helicopter east of the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.

Targeted an Israeli military Apache helicopter with a SAM-7 missile east of the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

Sniped an Israeli soldier east of the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip

Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers stationed inside the Rafah land crossing, south of the Gaza Strip, with mortar shells.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on May 20:

Bombed an Israeli military gathering and military vehicles positioned in the vicinity of the Eastern Cemetery with a 107-type short-range rocket barrage.

In a joint operation with the Martyr Abdulqader Al-Husseini Brigades, bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles east of the Jabalia camp with a 107-type rocket barrage.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli forces and their military vehicles east of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli forces positioned in the "Netzarim" axis with two 107-type short-range rockets.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles east of the Jabalia camp with regular 60-caliber mortar shells.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on May 20:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Civil Administration site east of the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip with a barrage of mortar shells.

In a joint operation with the Ansar Brigades, bombed the illegal settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip with a barrage of rockets.

Hezbollah's operations on May 20:

Eastern sector:

At around 13:30 local time, the Zibdin barracks in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with artillery shells.

At around 13:35 local time, the Ramim Barracks were targeted by Burkan missiles.

At around 14:45 local time, an Israeli military base in Ghajar was targeted with guided missiles.

At around 14:50 local time, the Al-Marj site was targeted by artillery shells.

At around 16:15 local time, the Metulla site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 17:00 local time, the Al-Marj military site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 21:10 local time, the Al-Marj military site was targeted with artillery shells.

Western sector:

At around 12:20 local time, the headquarters of the 91st Division in the Pranit Barracks was targeted with a Burkan missile.

At around 13:25 local time, the Rahib military site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 14:50 local time, Israeli soldiers at the Al-Malikiyah site were targeted with artillery shells.

At around 15:30 local time, the Ramia site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 16:50 local time, the Jal al-Alam site was targeted with missiles.

At around 22:30 local time, Israeli soldiers at the Al-Malikiyah site were targeted with appropriate weapons.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on May 20:

Targeted an Israeli military site in Umm Al-Rashrash (Eilat) in the occupied Palestinian territories with at least two drones.

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Yemeni air defenses intercept, shoot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Bayda province

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 11:06 AM

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) says the country's air defense units have successfully shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone while it was conducting hostile activities in the airspace over the central province of Bayda.

Yahya Saree said in a televised statement on Tuesday that the unmanned aerial vehicle was targeted with a locally made surface-to-air missile, and that footage of shootdown will be released later.

According to Saree, this is the fifth aircraft that the Yemeni air defenses have shot down since the start of the operations in support of Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israeli regime's genocidal war.

The spokesperson affirmed that Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to enhance their defense capabilities in order to confront the joint US-British aggression against their homeland, and will carry on conducting pro-Palestine operations until the Israeli aggression against Gaza ceases and the all-out siege on the coastal sliver is fully lifted.

The US military did not immediately acknowledge the shooting down.

Back on May 17, Saree said Yemeni forces had downed another US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the southeastern province of Ma'rib.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have staged numerous pro-Palestinian strikes since October 7, when the Israeli regime began the Gaza war.

American and British warships have been carrying out attacks against the Arab Peninsula nation as means of trying to halt strikes that it has been conducting against Israeli vessels or those heading towards the ports lying in the occupied Palestinian territories.

At least 35,562 Palestinians have been killed and 79,652 others wounded in the brutal Israeli military onslaught that was launched following Al-Aqsa Storm, a retaliatory operation staged by Gaza's resistance groups.

The US has been the main supporter of Israel, proving it with munitions and political support in its brutal war on Gaza. Washington has also used its veto power to protect Israel against UN resolutions.

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Hezbollah targets Israeli outposts in response to brutal aggression against Lebanon

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 6:17 AM

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance forces have conducted a string of strikes against Israeli military positions in the northern side of the 1948 occupied territories in retaliation for the brutal aggression against southern Lebanon.

Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television news channel reported that Hezbollah fighters on Monday launched attacks on Israeli positions, including al-Raheb, al-Marj, al-Malkia, and the Ramim barracks, the Zebdine post in the occupied Shebaa Farms, and an army position in the village of al-Ghajar in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Hezbollah said it targeted the Biranit barracks with a heavy-caliber Burkan missile.

Earlier in the day, a local Lebanese source said several people were killed and injured, when Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes against the border towns of Naqoura and Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.

Two houses were destroyed and several others damaged in the strikes in Naqoura, the official National News Agency reported.

An unnamed source close to Hezbollah later told AFP news agency that "at least four Hezbollah fighters were killed in Israeli raids on two different sites in southern Lebanon," identifying the locations as Naqoura on the coast and Mays al-Jabal, a border village to the east.

The Israeli regime launched its devastating hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza.

The Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed at least 35,562 people, most of them women and children. Another 79,652 individuals have also been wounded.

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Russia scoffs at US reaction to likely ICC arrest warrants for Israeli officials

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 3:08 AM

Russia has scoffed at the United States' reaction to potential issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli officials over Tel Aviv's Washington-backed war of genocide against the Gaza Strip.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the remarks on her Telegram channel on Monday.

Earlier, senior American officials, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had expressed fury after ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan applied for arrest warrants against Israeli war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Zakharova said the US reaction resembled the behavior of a scorpion that had stung itself or a spider "caught in its own web."

She also said, "The catastrophic situation in the Middle East is the work of American political engineers."

The war began in early October in response to a retaliatory operation staged by Gaza's resistance groups.

The onslaught has claimed the lives of at least 35,562 people across the besieged coastal sliver and driven around 80% of the territory's population of 2.3 million from their homes.

Since the onset of the war, Washington has equipped Tel Aviv with thousands of tons of lethal military aid.

It has also struck down several United Nations Security Council resolutions that have called for implementation of an immediate ceasefire in the brutal military onslaught.

Biden has, however, called the ICC prosecutor's application for the arrest warrants "outrageous," while Blinken has denounced it as "shameful."

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Biden vows 'ironclad' support for Israel as genocide rages on

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 12:12 AM

US President Joe Biden has vowed to continue providing "ironclad" support for the Israeli regime as the latter presses on with its Washington-backed genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.

Biden made the remarks on Monday, addressing a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House.

The war began in early October in response to a retaliatory operation staged by Gaza's resistance groups. The onslaught has claimed the lives of at least 35,562 people across the besieged coastal sliver and driven around 80% of the territory's population of 2.3 million from their homes.

"What's happening is not genocide," Biden, however, asserted.

The comments came, although, the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor Karim Khan has applied for arrest warrants against Israeli war criminals, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli regime also faces legal proceedings at a different tribunal, the UN's International Court of Justice, which is dealing with accusations against the regime by South Africa that has billed the Israeli war as genocidal.

The US president went on to say, "We want [the Gaza-based resistance movement] Hamas defeated. We're working with Israel to make that happen."

Since the onset of the war, Washington has equipped Tel Aviv with thousands of tons of lethal military aid. It has also struck down several United Nations Security Council resolutions that have called for implementation of an immediate ceasefire in the brutal military onslaught.

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Philippines demands China 'open' Scarborough Shoal for global, environmental audit

Manila accuses Beijing of damaging environment, illegally harvesting giant clams and other species from the shoal.

By Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2024.05.21 -- The Philippines on Tuesday demanded an independent and international audit of China's alleged environmental destruction of Scarborough Shoal, including illegal fishing for giant clams, sea turtles and other species from those disputed waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has provided "incontrovertible proof" of such activities by Chinese fishermen in the shoal, according to National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya. The shoal lies within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, but Beijing has effectively controlled it since 2012.

On Monday, the PCG said it had monitored Chinese fishermen illegally harvesting giant clams from the shoal, which Manila calls Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. The agency also said it had "underwater footage" confirming harvesting activities that degraded the marine environment in the area.

"We call on China to open up Bajo de Masinloc to international inspection and we also call on 3rd-party inspectors from relevant United Nations bodies or respected environmental organizations to determine the true situation therein in order to protect the environment," Malaya said in a statement Tuesday.

He said the PCG had already presented "clear and convincing evidence" that since 2016, China had been hauling away "large quantities of giant clams, sea turtles, puffer fishes, stingrays, topshells, eels and other marine animals" from the area.

"Chinese entities have been continuously engaged in large-scale harvesting of endangered species, unlawfully exploiting the vulnerable species with wild abandon," Malaya said.

China's foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, did not categorically deny the allegations by the PCG, but reiterated Beijing's "indisputable" control over the South China Sea, including the shoal.

"If any environmental degradation appears in those waters, it is the Philippines who needs to reflect on its behavior, instead of wrongly accusing China," he said on Monday.

Giant clams are a declared protected species under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

"China has no legal rights over Bajo de Masinloc and all of its expansive claims over the entire South China Sea have been invalidated and nullified by the 2016 arbitral ruling," Malaya said.

He was referring to a landmark decision by an international court that nullified China's claims to most of the South China Sea on historical grounds, after Manila took Beijing to court over their territorial dispute at Scarborough Shoal.

"The Tribunal... found that Chinese fishermen have engaged in the harvesting of endangered sea turtles, coral, and giant clams on a substantial scale in the South China Sea, using methods that inflict severe damage on the coral reef environment. The Tribunal found that Chinese authorities were aware of these activities and failed to fulfill their due diligence obligations under the Convention to stop them," according to an excerpt from the arbitration ruling.

Beijing rejected the ruling and launched a building spree in territories it controls in the sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard spokesman for the South China Sea, said suspected Chinese maritime militia had been harvesting giant clams from the shoal since 2016.

"On top of China's consistent harvesting activities, underwater footage as early as 2017 confirm that their presence and ecological footprint has led to the degradation of the marine environment in Bajo de Masinloc," Tarriela told reporters on Monday.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.

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.

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Pakistani Student Exodus Damages Kyrgyzstan's Reputation, Causes Economic Fallout

By Farangis Najibullah and RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service May 21, 2024

Hundreds of Pakistani students have left Kyrgyzstan amid safety fears after mob attacks on South Asians last week left dozens injured in the capital, Bishkek.

Many of the students' parents urged Islamabad to bring their children home and some students say they are unsure about ever returning to Kyrgyzstan to continue their studies.

The violence also prompted some embassies in Bishkek, including the U.S. and Turkish ones, to advise their citizens to exercise caution in Kyrgyzstan due to safety concerns.

The violent events in Bishkek have damaged Kyrgyzstan's image as a safe place for foreigners and could potentially deprive it of a major source of revenue.

Kyrgyz authorities say foreign students studying in English-language universities bring in up to $180 million annually to the economy.

Kyrgyzstan hosts about 28,000 students from countries outside the former Soviet Union, according to Deputy Education Minister Rasul Abazbek-uulu.

The huge majority of the international students -- some 24,000 -- are from India and Pakistan and they mainly study medicine, paying about $3,000 in tuition per year. They collectively spend millions more dollars in Kyrgyzstan for room and board and living expenses.

"The foreign students who live here spend money in our country by using services such as taxis, restaurants, and hair salons, to name a few," Abazbek-uulu said in Bishkek on May 20.

"They bring in between $136 million and $181.4 million to our country every year, contributing to our economy," he added.

The total number of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan is about 60,000 according to official statistics, with the bulk of them from former Soviet republics.

That includes some 24,500 from Uzbekistan and more than 2,000 from both Russia and Kazakhstan. Students from neighboring countries study in Russian and Kyrgyz-language faculties that charge lower tuition than the English-language courses.

Abazbek-uulu said the violent attacks on at least four different student hostels in the capital will tarnish Kyrgyzstan's reputation as an "education hub" for foreign students -- an image Bishkek had spent "many years building."

The number of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan has significantly increased in the past decade.

According to official statistics, there were about 11,300 foreigners studying in Kyrgyzstan in the 2012-13 academic year, including 4,457 from Kazakhstan and some 1,140 from India, and 778 from Pakistan.

Abazbek-uulu mentioned the intense "competition" among countries trying to attract foreign students to boost their education sector and their economies.

Medical schools in Kyrgyzstan and its Central Asian neighbors Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have become increasingly popular with Indian and Pakistani students due to their comparatively low tuition fees and living costs, as well as their relatively easy visa regimes. Jobs in the medical sector are highly regarded and well-paid in India and Pakistan.

The tuition fees in other Asian countries are usually much higher and it costs tens of thousands of dollars to study medicine in the West.

Most Kyrgyz Welcome Foreign Students

Meerim Osmonalieva, the head of the Oasis Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, said it will take a "long time" for the country to rebuild its image after foreign students in Bishkek suffered "beatings, violence, and attacks on their dorms."

"Kyrgyzstan is a hospitable country. It's a shame that the reputation of our country is suffering. Recovery will take a long time," she told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

A survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration in 2021 showed that most Kyrgyz were in favor of their country hosting foreign students and migrants, saying they have a positive impact on Kyrgyzstan.

Between 80 and 90 percent of respondents said that foreigners bring money to the economy, increase peoples' interest in learning foreign languages and culture, while also creating new business and investment opportunities.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-student-exodus- damage-economy/32957912.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.

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U.S., EU Criticize Kosovo's 'Uncoordinated' Moves In Serb Areas

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 21, 2024

PRISTINA -- EU and U.S. officials have expressed mounting concern at uncoordinated actions by Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government that threaten to further raise tensions with ethnic minority Serbs in the north of that Balkan country.

Speaking to reporters in Pristina on May 21, visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Nicole Chulick urged Kosovo to "listen to the advice of its closest partners" as the partly recognized former Serbian province seeks to join Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Chulick said she had expressed concerns in meetings with Kurti and with Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani about a long-promised association of Serbian municipalities for dialogue with Pristina and a recent ban on the use of the Serbian dinar, which has remained in widespread use in four Serbian-dominated areas of northern Kosovo.

Kosovar police a day earlier forcibly closed and cordoned off six branches of Serbian banks operating in the region as a currency lifeline for tens of thousands of Serbs.

Pristina said the operation was aimed at establishing "order and legality."

The State Department had previously said in response to a question from RFE/RL's Balkan Service that the action had not been coordinated with Kosovo's international partners.

"Monday's operation proves again that Kosovo authorities prioritize unilateral and uncoordinated actions rather than cooperation with its friends and allies," EU spokesman Peter Stano said in a May 21 statement.

He said the seizures "without prior notice or coordination" just a few days after the last internationally mediated meeting aimed at establishing functioning Serbia-Kosovo relations "is escalatory and goes against the spirit of normalization and it undermines Kosovo's good faith in achieving normalization of relations."

Serbian and Kosovar officials have met seven times in Brussels in the span of just a few months to break the impasse over the currency ban and its effect on financial assistance from Serbia to Kosovar Serbs who make up a majority in 10 of Kosovo's 38 municipalities.

Many Kosovar Serbs don't recognize Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and continue to receive social and other payments from Belgrade and conduct cash transactions in dinars.

Kosovo's Central Bank imposed a strict prohibition in February against use of the dinar outside of designated financial institutions, sparking an immediate outcry from Serbs and Belgrade and compounding EU and U.S. frustrations at unilateral moves by Pristina that could further destabilize a fractious region.

Pristina regards as illegal the parallel structures that Serbia encourages in health care, education, and other aspects of life in northern Kosovo.

"Knowing also the responsibilities that the Central Bank of Kosovo has, we have constantly expressed our concerns about the manner of implementation [of the dinar ban]," Chulick said at her Pristina press conference. "We have not felt that it has taken into consideration how it will affect the communities, especially the Serbian community. So, we are observing the situation and we are concerned."

A previous Kosovar government pledged as early as 2013 to establish an Association of Serb Majority Municipalities.

"Kosovo must continue to work on these issues, address them, and move forward again," Chulick said.

The EU spokesman echoed the U.S. linkage between progress in talks and the establishment of an entity to represent minority Serbs in Kosovo.

"The status of all Serbia-supported structures and services is foreseen to be resolved in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, in connection with the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-Majority municipalities," Stano said.

Kosovar police said the operation followed reports from financial monitors including the central bank, and included Kosovar tax authorities.

The United States and the European Union have repeatedly expressed frustration with actions by Kurti's government, including the forcible seating of ethnic Albanian mayors in four majority-Serbian municipalities after boycotted elections in the north last year that sparked violent protests, injuring dozens of NATO KFOR peacekeepers.

KFOR vehicles were visible in areas where the Kosovar police were raiding the Serbian banks.

But KFOR said on May 21 that its personnel "were not involved in the conduct of these operations."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbs-us-eu-reaction- dinar-dialogue/32957814.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.

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Council Of Europe Commission Denounces Georgia's 'Foreign Agent' Law

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service May 21, 2024

TBILISI -- The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe said it "strongly recommends" that authorities in Georgia abandon efforts to introduce planned "foreign agent" legislation that has been condemned in the West and led to massive street protests in the South Caucasus nation.

"The Venice Commission strongly recommends repealing the law in its current form, as its fundamental flaws will involve significant negative consequences for the freedoms of association and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs as well as the prohibition of discrimination," its said in its "urgent opinion" published on May 21.

The commission, at the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, undertook to assess the Georgia legislation, which critics say is similar to laws used in Russia to silence independent media and civil society groups.

It said it "regrets that the Georgian parliament did not wait for its opinion before adopting the law, despite the calls by the president of the Parliamentary Assembly and by the secretary-general of the Council of Europe."

The ruling Georgian Dream party, which has pushed the legislation through parliament, quickly rejected the commission's report.

"We find many unsubstantiated and conflicting legal reasonings as well as a number of gross distortions of facts [in the conclusions], which further encourages the radicalization of specific groups," Georgian Dream member Salome Kurasbediani told a briefing.

"Obviously, all this undermines the credibility of the institution and the values it should serve," she said.

The so-called foreign agent legislation -- formally 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.

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.

Opponents have pointed to similar 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" and see it as endangering the country's path toward EU integration.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has increasingly feuded with the ruling Georgian Dream party since it endorsed her candidacy in 2018, has vetoed the bill.

However, Georgian Dream's parliamentary majority will allow it to easily override the presidential veto.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said lawmakers, as expected, will override the veto in the upcoming week.

During the crackdown on protesters, dozens of people have been arrested, with many reporting beatings at the hands of security forces or roving bands of thugs.

The government, which claims the law is necessary to ensure transparency in social matters, has denied that demonstrators have been beaten.

Bryan Bingham, 53, who says he is a tourist from the United States, told RFE/RL he was detained by security forces at a demonstration on May 13. He claims he was beaten by beaten by police wearing black masks.

"It happened very quickly," he said in an interview conducted three days later. "They pulled me through the police and dropped me on the ground."

"They beat me. And somebody punched my face."

"They quit beating me, but there were some Georgians that quickly arrived and they were being beaten badly," he said.

A pro-government media channel reported that Bingham came to Georgia to create "unrest," a claim he denies.

"How ridiculous," he said. "I came here to go backpacking, to meet some Georgian people."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-foreign- agent-dream-zurabishvili/32958044.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.

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Pakistani Students Continue To Leave Kyrgyzstan Following Mob Attacks

By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service May 21, 2024

BISHKEK -- Pakistani students are continuing to leave Kyrgyzstan following last weekend's violent mob attacks targeting university students from the South Asian nation who were studying in Bishkek.

Eight charter flights from Bishkek to the Pakistani cities of Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar took hundreds more students from the Central Asian nation's capital on May 21.

A day earlier, Kyrgyz officials confirmed that about 1,200 Pakistani students had left the country after the May 18 violence, which was triggered by the appearance on social media of a video purportedly showing a group of "people of Asian appearance" harassing foreign students on the night of May 13.

The group then pursued the students to their dormitory, where at least one foreigner was assaulted by several men and dragged along the floor.

Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry said on May 20 that more than 40 people were injured during the violence, some of whom were taken to hospital.

On May 21, Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry said Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, who is currently attending a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's foreign ministers in neighboring Kazakhstan, will visit Kyrgyzstan and meet with Kyrgyz officials to discuss the situation faced by Pakistani students in Bishkek.

The Interior Ministry said on May 21 that police detained a fourth Kyrgyz man suspected of being involved in the initial attack on foreign students. The ministry said earlier that four foreign nationals had also been detained on hooliganism charges.

The Kyrgyz government has vowed to pursue those responsible for the violence and rejected what it said were "insinuations aimed at inciting intolerance toward foreign students."

Still, 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."

Just three days before the violence, Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security detained 28 Pakistani nationals for "working illegally" in a sewing shop in Bishkek.

The same day, Bishkek city police shut down delivery services conducted by more than 400 foreign students, mostly from Pakistan, on motorcycles and scooters, citing traffic safety concerns.

Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on May 21 that six Pakistani nationals were detained overnight while trying to illegally enter Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistani-students-kyrgyzstan- attacks/32957472.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.

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ICC Warrant Request Is Attempt To Deny Israel The Right To Defend Itself, Says Defense Minister

By RFE/RL May 21, 2024

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has accused the the International Criminal Court (ICC) of trying to deny Israel the right to self defense after the court's chief prosecutor announced he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as senior figures in Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

"The attempt by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, to reverse the creation [of Israel] will not succeed -- the parallel of the prosecutor between the terrorist organization Hamas and the State of Israel is despicable and disgusting," Gallant said in a social media post on May 20, adding that any attempt "to deny the State of Israel the right to self-defense and to free its hostages must be rejected out of hand."

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said on May 19 that he has "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders -- Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh -- are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Khan specifically noted the "starvations of civilians as a method of warfare," "willfully causing great suffering," "intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population," and "other inhumane acts" as the grounds for the warrants.

The three Hamas leaders were accused of responsibility for "extermination," "taking hostages," "rape and other acts of sexual violence," "torture," and "other inhumane acts."

The court's three pretrial judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to issue warrants.

ICC spokesman Fadi Al-Abdallah told RFE/RL in an e-mail that the ICC judges "will issue their decision in due course" but did not offer a specific time frame.

The latest conflict, which has consumed the Gaza Strip where some 2.3 million Palestinians live, was sparked by a cross-border raid Hamas carried out on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people, mainly Israeli civilians, including children. In addition, Hamas took about 240 Israeli hostages back to Gaza, many of whom are still being held.

In response, Israel has launched a withering war against Hamas that has seen the devastating destruction of much of Gaza -- including the deaths of at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry -- and the breakout of a massive humanitarian crisis in the tiny coastal area.

Israel has denied committing war crimes during the seven-month-old conflict.

The ICC decision has launched a wave of strong reactions around the world, both for and against the prosecutor's controversial move.

France and Belgium released statements late on May 20 supporting the ICC decision, with the French Foreign Ministry saying it "supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations."

"Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators," Belgium's Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib said.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the court's bid to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders as an "outrageous" action.

"And let me be clear: Whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence -- none -- between Israel and Hamas," Biden said in a statement.

'More Complicated Cases'

David Bosco, a professor at Indiana University-Bloomington and an expert on the ICC, told RFE/RL that "one thing that's important to note is that over the years that the ICC has been operating, the judges and the prosecutor do not always agree.

"So it's not a foregone conclusion that the prosecutor will get all the arrest warrants that he wants, or for the precise charges that he wants.

"I think the arrest warrants for Hamas are probably more straightforward in the sense that you have...the October 7 attack that seemed to be aimed primarily at civilians," he said.

"With Israel," he added, "you've got a more complicated situation involving humanitarian aid and whether Israel has been allowing enough humanitarian aid in and has it actually been trying to use starvation as a weapon?

"Those are somewhat more complicated cases, I would say, from a legal perspective," he said.

Israel is not a member of the ICC, and, even if the warrants are issued, it is unclear whether Netanyahu and Gallant would face prosecution. But Khan's announcement does increase international pressure against Israel over its conduct of the conflict.

The Rome Statute, a 1998 treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, has been signed by 124 countries.

Sinwar and Dief are believed to be in Gaza, while Haniyeh is reportedly based in Qatar.

"The Hamas movement strongly condemns the attempts of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to equate the victim with the executioner by issuing arrest warrants against a number of Palestinian resistance leaders," the group said in a statement on May 20.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-icc-arrest- warrants-right-defend-hamas-criticism/32957364.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.

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Israeli Military Leaking Information About Gaza Aid Trucks to Radicals - Reports

Sputnik News

20240521

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israeli military is providing far-right activists and settlers with information on the location of aid trucks heading to the Gaza Strip, which they use to vandalize and block the vehicles, The Guardian reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources.

There is collusion among members of Israel's security forces to block the humanitarian supplies to Gazan civilians, according to messages from internet chat groups obtained by the UK newspaper. Those blocking the aid reportedly said that the convoys were being diverted by Palestinian movement Hamas instead of reaching the civilian population.

Palestinian drivers described "barbaric scenes" after their trucks had been attacked. They reportedly said that Israeli troops escorting the convoy ignored the attack.

"There is full cooperation between the settlers and the army. We are shocked and surprised that the army did not provide us with any kind of protection. Even though they were present and watching what was happening. The army was at the service of the settlers," a driver who came under attack at a checkpoint last week told the newspaper.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others were abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 35,600 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

 Sputnik

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Blinken Says Haiti on Brink of Becoming 'Failed State'

Sputnik News

20240521

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Haiti is on the verge of becoming a failed state.

"Haiti's on the precipice of becoming an all-out failed state," Blinken said during a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

On February 29, gang violence erupted in the downtown area of Port-au-Prince while Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was visiting Kenya to discuss the deployment of foreign forces in Haiti to fight organized crime. The gangs said their goal was to prevent the prime minister from returning to Haiti.

Gangs took control of many parts of the city and stormed Haiti's largest prison, freeing an unconfirmed number of inmates. The Haitian government responded by declaring a state of emergency in the capital region. On March 11, Henry announced that he would resign when a transitional presidential council was created.

The power of gangs in Haiti needs to be ended once and for all, Blinken said. Haitian police must be given the resources and support needed to regain control of the country, Blinken said.

Earlier this week, the Kenyan Foreign Ministry said that Kenyan police officers will arrive in Haiti soon to help improve the security situation in the country.

 Sputnik

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Warring parties must fully comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

21 May 2024

Thank you, President. Let me start by thanking Mozambique for convening this important debate and thank all our briefers, today, for their powerful presentations.

The Secretary-General's latest report on the protection of civilians presents a stark picture: a 72% increase in civilian deaths in armed conflict from 2022 to 2023; 117 million people experiencing conflict-related hunger; and a ten-fold increase in persons with disabilities in Ukraine due to conflict.

The United Kingdom is also concerned about escalating violence in El Fasher, Sudan, the deaths of civilians in Israel and Gaza, and the shocking levels of conflict-related sexual violence in the central Sahel and the DRC, among many other grave situations.

We should reverse these trends by taking a comprehensive approach to protection. I wish to make three points today.

Firstly, warring parties must fully comply with international humanitarian law and uphold their obligations to protect civilians. They must respect the special rights, needs, and vulnerabilities of children affected by conflict. We call on states to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. This includes in Sudan where the UK's atrocity monitoring work investigates attacks against civilians and infrastructure, and monitors hate speech and incitement of violence across the country.

Second, we urge all states to take practical steps to improve international humanitarian law implementation, which in turn will enhance protection. The UK is updating our voluntary report on domestic implementation of IHL, with a strong focus on the protection of civilians. We encourage others to undertake similar exercises.

Third, the protection of civilians should always be prioritised in peacekeeping missions. The UK is supporting peacekeepers with training on preventing conflict-related sexual violence, and our programming is increasing the participation of women in uniformed roles and helping to address misinformation and disinformation about missions. We call on member states to deepen their support to peacekeepers to ensure that UN peacekeeping remains an effective tool to protect civilians.

President, to conclude, I stress the importance of working to prevent conflict. And I note that in his long list of events in Ukraine, our Russian colleague forgot to mention the fact that this all could have been avoided without the illegal invasion and aggression against Ukraine.

We must invest in anticipating the risks, working in partnership with national governments and local organisations to address the drivers of conflict. Progress in this area would go some way to ending the harm facing civilians around the world.

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Gaza: WHO chief calls for end to latest hospital siege

21 May 2024 - As bombardments by the Israeli military reportedly continued overnight across Gaza, along with ground incursions and heavy fighting, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert on Tuesday for staff and patients at besieged Al-Awda Hospital in the north of the enclave.

"Medical staff inside the hospital reported an attack on 20 May, with snipers aiming at the building and an artillery rocket hitting the fifth floor," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

Some 148 staff and 22 patients and their companions have remained "trapped inside" the hospital since Sunday, the WHO Director-General added, before issuing an appeal for their protection.

Evacuation order impact

According to the WHO, only around one third of Gaza's 36 hospitals still function, leaving critical health care facilities "inaccessible" to patients and healthcare workers impacted by the violence or evacuation orders.

In the southern city of Rafah, Israeli military orders telling Gazans to move have affected more than 20 medical points, four hospitals and four primary healthcare centres, the UN health agency noted.

In northern Gaza, meanwhile, 16 medical points have been impacted as well as five primary healthcare centres and Kamal Adwan Hospital, in addition to Al-Awda Hospital.

In a social media post on X on Sunday, WHO's Tedros raised the alarm about reports of intense hostilities in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital coupled with an influx of injured patients despite the facility's limited ability to treat them.

At least 900,000 Gazans uprooted

In a related development, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported that the ongoing Israeli military operation and evacuation orders have uprooted well over 900,000 in the last two weeks - some four in 10 Gazans.

This includes 812,000 people from Rafah and more than 100,000 others in northern Gaza, with hundreds of thousands experiencing dreadful living conditions.

"Humanitarian partners working to provide shelter to people in Gaza report that there are no tents and very few shelter items left for distribution," OCHA said.

Camping on roads

"People displaced from Rafah are currently seeking shelter in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah on any open land available, including access roads and agricultural land as well as in damaged buildings that have not been structurally assessed."

To date, more than 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip - some 285 square kilometres - is under evacuation orders amid escalating hostilities, the UN agency said. "Under international humanitarian law, civilians - whether they move or stay - must be protected. Wherever they are in Gaza, their essential needs, including food, shelter, water and health, must be met."

No let up in violence

The escalating fighting has severely disrupted nutrition support services in the north and south, the OCHA update continued, noting that access had been lost to more than 100 food distribution points in Rafah alone.

Meanwhile, humanitarian partners working to provide water, sanitation and hygiene support in Gaza said that there are shortages of hygiene kits and water containers for households to collect and store water, which are critical for people who are forcibly displaced.

More generally, the desperate lack of basic services after more than seven months of war have fuelled severe acute malnutrition among Gazans, exacerbating already serious concerns about a "further surge" in communicable diseases and dangerous hunger levels, OCHA warned.

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'Alarming lack of compliance' with international law ramps up danger for civilians

21 May 2024 - The plight of civilians affected by war in 2023 was "resoundingly dire", as the world witnessed horrors not only in Gaza and southern Israel but also the intense suffering of populations in other crisis hotspots around the globe, senior UN officials said on Tuesday.

The United Nations alone documented over 33,000 civilian deaths in armed conflicts in 2023 - a horrific 72 per cent increase compared to the previous year - Joyce Msuya, UN Deputy Relief Coordinator, told ambassadors at the Security Council.

With the actual figures "likely higher", the harm and suffering caused to civilians in 2023 "signals an alarming lack of compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law," she said.

She went on to stress that the "reality is that much of the civilian harm we see in today's conflicts is occurring even when parties claim to be acting in compliance with the law."

Gaza: A war on children

The senior UN humanitarian drew particular attention to the desperate situation in Gaza where the ongoing Israeli military operation - following the brutal 7 October attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups - has "resulted in death, destruction and suffering at a pace and scale unprecedented in the recent past."

Tens of thousands have been killed and wounded. Over 75 per cent of the enclave's population is forcibly displaced and a famine is looming.

"Thousands of children have been killed and injured in what UNICEF (UN Children's Fund) colleagues have called a 'war on children'," she said, adding that an estimated 130 Israelis remain hostage amid concerns for their humane treatment.

Sudan: Real and growing risk of genocide

Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, also addressed the Security Council, sounding the alarm over the situation in Sudan.

The bloody conflict between rival militaries, which began in April, has resulted in severe ethnic violence, particularly in Darfur and El Fasher.

"Civilian populations are targeted on the basis of identity [they] have been attacked and killed because of the colour of their skin, because of their ethnicity, because of who they are," she said.

She underscored the urgency of ensuring that civilians are protected.

"The risk of genocide exists in Sudan. It is real and it is growing, every single day."

Between April and December, approximately 12,260 people were killed and a further 33,000 injured. Millions more have been displaced from their homes, including many who have fled into neighbouring countries, igniting a regional crisis.

Critical civilian infrastructure and services, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and water, sanitation and electricity networks have suffered extensive damage.

Ukraine: Heavy weapons in civilian areas

Ms. Msuya, who is also the deputy head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, highlighted the impact of explosive weapons on populated areas.

In Ukraine, the use of such weapons in populated areas was the leading cause of civilian casualties. In 2023, there was a 16 per cent increase in civilian casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, with 116 civilians killed and 383 injured, according to a UN report on global state of the protection of civilians, issued last week.

Furthermore, the conflict continued to damage the country's natural environment and biodiversity.

Ground and surface waters were exposed to harmful chemicals and pollution because of strikes on fuel infrastructure.

Other crisis hotspots

The report also outlined the impact of conflicts in various other regions.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over 219,000 victims were reported. Mali experienced 1,300 civilian deaths, while Myanmar saw increased conflict with airstrikes and shelling, particularly affecting urban areas.

Violence in northeast Nigeria resulted in 4,533 civilian deaths, and more than 1,400 civilians were killed or injured in Somalia.

South Sudan reported 1,527 civilian deaths and 597 abductions, while Syria reported 556 civilian deaths.

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UNRWA Situation Report #108 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 13 - 19 May 2024 is valid as of 19 May 2024 at 22:30 (local time)

UNRWA

21 May 2024

Key Points

Reports persist of ongoing strikes by Israeli Forces, encompassing aerial, land and maritime bombardment across the Gaza Strip. These attacks exacerbate civilian casualties, displacement and the decimation of residential structures and essential civilian infrastructure. The Israeli ground offensive continues to expand, particularly in the southern regions of Gaza city and eastern Rafah, notably around the Kerem Shalom and Rafah Crossings.

On 8 May, OCHA, UNRWA, UN Mine Action Service, and the UN Department of Safety and Security carried out a security assessment at both crossings, which remain heavily militarized. Due to current Israeli military operations and insecurity, critical land routes of Kerem Shalom and Rafah were closed from 6 - 10 May 2024.

On 10 May, the Health Cluster issued a warning: unless fuel is promptly permitted into Gaza, the operational lifespans of five hospitals and five field hospitals across the Strip would significantly reduce in less than 48 hours. Likewise, at risk are 28 ambulances, 17 primary health care centres, 23 medical facilities in Al Mawasi, and ten mobile clinics providing essential immunization, trauma care and nutrition services. The absence of fuel to power generators poses a critical threat, particularly endangering patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU), including newborns in neonatal ICUs, trauma patients requiring urgent surgeries and pregnant women in need of caesarian sections (C-sections). Urgent action to increase fuel supply into Gaza is imperative to keep health services going, with life-saving services hanging in the balance. As of 11 May, only 120,000 litres of diesel was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since 6 May, which is well below the requirement for UN and NGO partners on the ground, therefore urgent rationing and difficult choices have been taken.

According to OCHA, despite escalating humanitarian needs, access challenges persistently obstruct the efforts of humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable people, particularly in northern Gaza. From 1-9 May, only nine out of 32 humanitarian aid missions (28 per cent) to northern Gaza were facilitated by Israeli authorities. Five missions (16 per cent) were outright denied, eleven (34 percent) were impeded and seven (22 per cent) were cancelled due to logistical hurdles. Similarly, in areas of southern Gaza requiring coordination, Israeli authorities facilitated 25 out of 46 aid missions (54 percent). However, nine missions (20 percent) faced outright denials, three (6 percent) were impeded, and nine (20 percent) were cancelled due to logistical constraints.

The current Israeli military operation in Rafah is directly impacting the ability of aid agencies to bring critical humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Between 6 - 10 May the border crossings of Kerem Shalom and Rafah were closed due to a combination of military activity, insecurity and lack of approvals from Israeli authorities.

As of 12 May, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 189, an increase of one since the last report.

As of 11 May, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population)** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, the majority multiple times .*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south.

.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south. Already displaced families are on the move again namely due to insecurity and Israeli evacuation orders. As of 12 May 2024, the estimated number of people displaced out of Rafah amounts to nearly 360,000 people since 06 May. The majority of UNRWA shelters in Rafah have been left by the IDPs who moved to Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah. Furthermore, new evacuation orders have been issued affecting parts of Gaza City. It was reported that about 100,000 people were displaced from Zaitoun and Sabra areas towards the west of Gaza City. In the North of Gaza, it was reported that about 64,000 people were displaced from Jabalia and Beit Lahia after the new evacuation orders.

*This includes 1 million people living in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of 12 October, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in UNRWA shelters in Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates is up to 300,000 people. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by ISF, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA reported on 15 January in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs were either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

*** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

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Secretary-General's remarks to the AI Seoul Summit: "Building on the AI Safety Summit: Towards an Innovative and Inclusive Future"

United Nations Secretary-General

21 May 2024

Excellencies,

I thank the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom for convening this Summit.

Less than seven months after our meeting in Bletchley Park, we are seeing lifechanging technological advances...

And life-threatening new risks - from disinformation to mass surveillance to the prospect of lethal autonomous weapons.

AI systems are still being deployed with little oversight or accountability.

We cannot sleepwalk into a dystopian future where the power of AI is controlled by a few people...

Or worse, by opaque algorithms beyond human understanding.

We need rules. Safety. Universal guardrails.

How we act now will define our era.

September's United Nations Summit of the Future represents an opportunity to build the foundations of global AI governance.

And the independent Advisory Body I set up last year has identified clear priorities for inclusive, safe AI.

First - the creation of an International Scientific Panel on AI.

Policy makers cannot navigate this uncharted territory alone.

They must be guided by universal, undisputed, up-to-date knowledge.

Second - we need regular, structured dialogue on AI governance connecting existing initiatives at the national, regional and industry level.

This will help to identify and replicate best practices across borders and sectors.

Third - developing common AI ethics and standards.

Algorithms must be designed to reduce bias, prevent discrimination, and uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of every person.

Harmonizing standards - and regulations - is especially crucial for startups in developing countries.

Fourth and finally - we need global financial commitments to support developing countries in building capacity - in particular computing power - and participating in AI governance.

The digital divide cannot become the AI divide.

By pooling resources and expertise, we can harness the power of AI to reduce inequalities, advance the SDGs and leave no one behind.

I also welcome the Advisory Body's suggestion to create a United Nations AI Office as a light structure that would coordinate these efforts.

Excellencies, friends,

At the initiative of the United States, the UN General Assembly recently adopted its first Resolution on AI, promoting safe, secure and trustworthy systems.

Another resolution on capacity building for AI, put forward by the People's Republic of China, is now under discussion.

And the Global Digital Compact - to be adopted by Heads of States at the Summit of the Future in September - includes concrete proposals for international cooperation on AI.

I urge everyone to support these efforts.

AI can save lives, create jobs, foster progress, and contribute to an innovative and inclusive future.

So let us build innovative and inclusive global governance tools for AI - with human rights, human dignity, and human agency front and centre.

Thank you.

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USS Carney Returns Home from Historic Deployment

US Navy

21 May 2024

MAYPORT, Fla. -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) returned to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, May 19, after being deployed for more than seven months to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Africa and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command areas of operation.

Carney deployed for 235 days to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf, providing deterrence and defense to U.S. Allies and partners. Carney was the first ship in the area to intercept land-attack cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched by Houthi forces toward Israel in October 2023.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro welcomed the ship to Naval Station Mayport.

While independently deployed, Carney served as an air defense unit for strike group forces in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea and worked closely with Allies and partners during a variety of missions.

"I am incredibly proud of my team for their performance throughout this deployment," said Cmdr. Jeremy Robertson, Carney's commanding officer. "No matter the challenge, our crew was ready and demonstrated incredible professionalism, proficiency, and flexibility. Our missions required focus and grit, and the crew leaned on each other and took care of each other, as we will continue to do."

U.S. President Joe Biden recognized Carney's actions in the area, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed the crew back to the United States, May 10, when the ship arrived in Norfolk, Virginia.

"I could not be more proud of what the Carney team has done since September," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti aboard Carney. "Called to action on the very first day that you entered the U.S. 5th Fleet, you conducted 51 engagements in 6 months. The last time our Navy directly engaged the enemy to the degree that you have was way back in World War II, and it was the USS Hugh Hadley (DD-774), with her engagement record of 23. You saved lives, ensured the free flow of commerce, and stood up for the rules-based international order and all the values that we hold dear. It has been eye-watering to watch, you are truly America's Warfighting Navy in action."

Carney intercepted ballistic missiles and UAVs while operating in the Gulf of Aden, all while conducting defensive strikes into Yemen.

"This deployment has really tested the connectedness and resiliency of the crew. I believe our culture of inclusion created trust that enabled us to lean on one another to get through this historic and arduous deployment," said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Christopher Dunn. "We were able to fall back on the training we received throughout the training cycle and perform effectively and proficiently when called upon."

In addition to providing ballistic missile and air defense in the Red Sea, Carney also answered a distress call.

On Jan. 26, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. Carney provided 600 gallons of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), helping to extinguish a fire in one of the ship's cargo tanks. Carney's assistance ultimately aided the ship's survival with no lives lost.

"Looking back, I remember thinking this was just going to be another deployment; I never expected we would set records," said Fire Controlman (AEGIS) 2nd Class Tyler Robinson. "Without hesitation we did what we were trained to do. It brings me immense pride to see the weapon systems I was trained to operate prevail and make Carney the most lethal ship in the Navy. The invaluable experience gained over the last seven months will be an incredible case study for many generations of future Sailors."

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

NAVEUR-NAVAF, headquartered in Naples, Italy, operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic to ensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. For any inquiries, contact c2f_pao@us.navy.mil.

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Navy Announces Commissioning Date for the Future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29)

US Navy

21 May 2024

From Karli Yeager

SAN DIEGO -- The U.S. Navy has approved the commissioning date for the future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).

The Navy will commission Richard M. McCool Jr., an amphibious transport dock, September 7, 2024 at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida.

The naming of LPD 29 honors U.S. Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for the heroism he displayed after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he led efforts to battle a blazing fire on his ship and rescue injured sailors. LPD 29 will be the first of its name.

Richard M. McCool Jr. is co-sponsored by Shauna McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of the ship's namesake. As the co-sponsors, McCool and Oja lead the time-honored Navy tradition of giving the order during the ceremony to "man our ship and bring her to life!" At the moment, the commissioning pennant is hoisted and Richard M. McCool Jr. becomes a proud ship of the fleet.

Richard M. McCool Jr. will be the Navy's 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.

Amphibious transport docks are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

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Blinken: Gaza cease-fire still possible, but ICC's move complicates efforts

By Nike Ching May 21, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas militants in return for the release of hostages remains possible, but the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israeli leaders hindered ongoing efforts.

"There's been an extensive effort made in recent months to get that agreement. I think we came very, very close on a couple of occasions. Qatar, Egypt, others participating in the efforts to do this  we remain at it every single day. I think that there's still a possibility," Blinken told lawmakers during a hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

But Blinken said the "extremely wrongheaded decision" by the ICC prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister, defense minister and three Hamas leaders in Gaza for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Israel-Hamas war complicated the prospects of reaching such a deal.

On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the ICC prosecutor's decision to equate Hamas terror attacks and civilian abductions in southern Israel with Israel's military practices in Gaza, calling the ICC prosecutor's application for arrest warrants "outrageous."

Blinken said he will be happy to work with the Congress "on an appropriate response."

Some lawmakers are considering legislation to sanction ICC officials for prosecuting U.S. citizens or allies, including Israel.

The top U.S. diplomat began two days of congressional testimonies, which were immediately interrupted by protesters holding signs that read "war criminal." They were escorted out of the hearing room by Capitol Police.

Military operation in Rafah

In the nearly three-hour hearing, Blinken also said the Biden administration remains "very concerned" about a major military operation by Israel in Rafah.

The U.S. has opposed a full-scale military assault by Israel in Rafah, situated in the southern part of Gaza. Such an operation would endanger the lives of 1.3 million civilians who evacuated from the northern and central areas of the territory to seek safety from Israel's military response to Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel's military campaign has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 80,000, most of them civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The offensive was launched following a Hamas terror attack into Israel that killed 1,200 people.

US-Saudi defense pact

U.S. officials said the United States and Saudi Arabia are nearing a final agreement on a bilateral defense pact.

Once complete, it will be part of a broader deal presented to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who must decide whether to make concessions to his opposition regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state to secure normalization with Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, Blinken admitted that Israel might be reluctant to accept a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia if it requires them to agree to a Palestinian state.

In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Blinken told Democratic Senator Chris Murphy "the overall package could not go forward, absent other things that have to happen for normalization to proceed."

"And in particular," he said, "the Saudis have been very clear that would require calm in Gaza. And it would require a credible pathway to a Palestinian state. And it may well be, as you said, that in this moment, Israel is not able or willing to proceed down that pathway."

Blinken added that Israel must "decide whether it wants to proceed and take advantage of the opportunity" to achieve something that it has sought since its founding: normal relations with the countries in the region.

Netanyahu has rejected the two-state solution and the return of the Palestinian Authority controlling Gaza, demands that are widely supported by the international community.

The Saudis have demanded, as a prerequisite to normalizing ties with Israel, to see an Israeli commitment to the two-state solution.

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Israeli minister orders return of seized AP equipment following outcry

By VOA News May 21, 2024

Israel's communications minister ordered the return of seized camera equipment to The Associated Press after blocking the news outlet's live video feed of Gaza earlier on Tuesday.

The reversal comes after press freedom groups, the U.S. government and the United Nations condemned the incident as a press freedom violation.

Israeli officials seized a camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to the AP in southern Israel, accusing the AP of violating Israel's new foreign broadcaster law, including a ban on Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera is among the thousands of clients who receive live video feeds from the AP, the outlet said.

Press freedom groups, the U.S. government and the United Nations expressed concern about the incident. The AP called on the Israeli government to reverse the action.

"The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment," AP Vice President of Corporate Communications Lauren Easton said in a statement.

"The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country's new foreign broadcaster law," Eaton continued. "We urge the Israeli authorities to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world."

On Tuesday afternoon, officials from Israel's Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in the southern Israeli town of Sderot and seized the equipment, according to the AP. The officials gave the AP a piece of paper that was signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and alleged the AP was breaking Israel's new foreign broadcaster law.

Karhi is the minister who later ordered the seized equipment be returned to the AP.

That new foreign broadcaster law allows the Israeli government to temporarily shut down foreign news outlets viewed as threatening state security. Israel used the law to shut down Al Jazeera earlier in May, a move that was widely condemned by press freedom groups.

The AP was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza shortly before the equipment was seized.

The seizure came after a verbal order last week to cease the live transmission of Gaza, which the AP did not comply with.

"In accordance with the government decision and the instruction of the communications minister, the communications ministry will continue to take whatever enforcement action is required to limit broadcasts that harm the security of the state," the ministry said in a statement, according to the AP.

The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem expressed concern in a statement that the incident "could allow Israel to block media coverage of virtually any news event on vague security grounds."

Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, called the act against the AP "an act of madness."

The National Press Club in Washington also condemned the incident.

"There was no strategic reason for these actions, which are part of a pattern of aggression against journalism organizations by Israel," National Press Club President Emily Wilkins said in a statement.

"The lengths to which Israel is willing to go to stop news coverage of the military action in Gaza must not be overlooked by the media still covering the conflict and the public at large," she said.

Reporters Without Borders, meanwhile, decried the incident as "scandalous censorship."

The U.S. government has also expressed concern about the move. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on President Joe Biden's plane that "obviously this is concerning, and we want to look into it."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, called the incident "quite shocking."

"Journalists need to be able to do their work freely. The Associated Press, of all news organizations, should be allowed to do its work freely and free of any harassment," Dujarric told reporters.

The move comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which was sparked on October 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

The war has proven particularly deadly for journalists. As of May 21, 105 journalists have been killed since the war began, including 100 Palestinians, two Israelis and three Lebanese, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.

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UN official: 'Real and growing' risk of genocide in Sudan

By Margaret Besheer May 21, 2024

The U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide warned Tuesday that Sudan exhibits all the risk signs of genocide, and it may already have been committed.

"The protection of civilians in Sudan cannot wait," Alice Nderitu said. "The risk of genocide exists in Sudan. It is real and it is growing, every single day."

Nderitu addressed a meeting of the U.N. Security Council to mark the 25th anniversary of a resolution on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

She said many Sudanese civilians are targeted based on their identity.

"In Darfur and El Fasher, civilians are being attacked and killed because of the color of their skin, because of their ethnicity, because of who they are," Nderitu said in a video briefing. "They are also targeted with hate speech and with direct incitement to violence."

El Fasher is the capital of North Darfur, where fighting has recently escalated between the rival Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, based inside the city, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, who have now reportedly advanced into it.

El Fasher is the only city in the Darfur region that the RSF has not captured. More than 800,000 civilians are sheltering there, and a full-scale battle could unleash atrocities similar to those of the genocide carried out by Arab Janjaweed fighters against African Zaghawa, Masalit, Fur and other non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur in the early 2000s.

Janjaweed fighters make up today's RSF.

"Ethnically motivated attacks targeting these specific groups  the Masalit, and also the Fur and the Zaghawa  have been, and reportedly continue, being conducted primarily by RSF and allied armed Arab militias," Nderitu said. "They are reported to act in patterns whereby attacks against specific locations and individuals tend to be announced in advance, which could constitute indication of clear intent to destroy."

Intent to destroy is a key part of the crime of genocide.

Nderitu said attacks reported on villages around El Fasher appear intended to cause displacement and fear, rather than accomplish specific military objectives.

"It is imperative that all possible actions aimed at the protection of innocent civilian populations, in El Fasher as in the entire territory of Sudan, are expedited," she said. "It is urgent to stop ethnically motivated violence."

Nderitu visited refugees in neighboring Chad in October and said she saw camps set up there in the early 2000s to house civilians fleeing that genocide, side-by-side with camps for the new refugees.

In West Darfur, she said Masalit communities have been targeted, with many people killed as they fled to Chad or during the conflict.

She criticized both the RSF and SAF for ignoring international human rights and humanitarian law, for using heavy weaponry in densely populated areas, for arresting youth and men at checkpoints, and for using hate speech and inciting people to violence.

The special adviser expressed particular alarm about the use of rape and gender-based violence, the burning and looting of villages, the bombing of medical facilities and the lack of access to water and electricity.

Famine is also stalking parts of Sudan due to the 13-month-old war, and Nderitu said access to humanitarian assistance is urgent.

She told Security Council members they have a "special responsibility" to consider measures to prevent another genocide in Sudan.

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EU condemns Kosovo's closure of Serbian banks

By VOA News May 21, 2024

The European Union on Tuesday slammed Kosovo after police closed six branches of a Serbian-licensed bank on Monday, following the country's ban on the Serbian dinar currency.

The bank closures resulted in the loss of all Serbian financial institutions in northern Kosovo.

"In the continued absence of sustainable alternatives, this will have negative effects on the daily lives and living conditions of Kosovo Serbs and other communities eligible for financial transfers from Serbia," EU spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement.

Kosovo in February forced ethnic Serbian-dominated areas to adopt the euro, which is used in the rest of the country, heightening Serbia-Kosovo tensions.

Many Serbs in the country rely on financial assistance from the Serbian government, which delivers its support in dinars. Serbia also funds health, education and social security systems for Serbs in Kosovo.

Kosovo's government said payments to ethnic Serbs are not prohibited and can be made in euros.

Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said the closures uphold the "rule of law and order," which their government has repeatedly pledged.

Stano said "Monday's operation proves again that Kosovo authorities prioritize unilateral and uncoordinated actions rather than cooperation with its friends and allies."

Kosovo was once a part of Serbia. It declared its independence in 2008, which Belgrade does not recognize.

The two sides have previously held talks but have not reached an agreement.

"The EU urges Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiations table," Stano said.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbaiba has reaffirmed the national unity government's support for the United Nations' efforts to stabilize the country by holding elections in accordance with fair, consensual and enforceable laws
Habari! White House to welcome Kenyan president

By Anita Powell May 21, 2024

The White House gave three reasons for inviting Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday to break the 16-year drought during which no African leader has been honored with a pomp-filled state visit.

Those include the two governments' shared democratic convictions and their like-minded approach in leveraging the private sector to meet government aims.

But the primary reason, the administration's new top Africa policymaker told VOA, is Kenya's recent decision to assert itself globally by offering 1,000 peacekeepers for Haiti. The first tranche of boots on the ground are expected to hit Haitian soil this week.

"We chose Kenya for a few reasons," Frances Brown, senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, told VOA during her first media interview since taking the post. "No. 1 is the Kenya-U.S. partnership has really grown from a regionally focused one to a globally focused one. We've been really pleased by the way that Kenyans have stepped up to play leadership [roles] beyond their region."

Analysts say a state visit is a big deal.

"It is the highest diplomatic honor that our president can bestow," said Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow in the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"It's typically an indicator of a very close and important bilateral relationship. And so, elevating Kenya to the level of, let's say, a Japan, which was the most recent country to have a state visit, I think it is symbolic. And it's important for all the reasons that I just described as far as Kenya being on a level that we would give it the same privileges as one of our oldest and longest security partners," Hudson said.

Brown said the administration aims to use the visit to reach agreements in areas like technology, climate management, debt relief and health.

And on the Haiti mission, Washington has signaled its approval: with $300 million in support.

"We've been working really closely with them," Brown said. "As you may know, there's been planning underway for a number of months. It has included policing experts from around the world working to develop a concept of operations. Kenya is not going it alone."

Other priorities

Meanwhile, the Kenyan leader says his focus is on debt restructuring, and activists in the East African nation are sounding the alarm over human rights concerns.

Ruto, in Atlanta for his first stop of his four-day U.S. visit, said he'd use his time in Washington to "make a case for many countries in Africa, including Kenya, seeking to adjust international financial architecture."

"Many countries are in economic and debt distress occasioned by climate change and compounded by an unjust international financial architecture and also an imperfect multilateralism," he said.

"We now run the escalating risk of democracy and free markets being associated with poverty, and lending credit to the widespread lamentation that democracy is or has been on the retreat in many parts of the world, including Africa," Ruto added.

But human rights advocates in Nairobi told VOA they hope American leadership will also raise what they see as serious concerns, like reports of abuses by Kenyan police, who are taking the lead in the Haiti mission.

"We see this as a really excellent opportunity to focus on governance, human rights and rule of law, for many reasons," Irungu Houghton, executive director for Amnesty International Kenya, told VOA. "Both the United States and Kenya are nations that projected themselves as essentially, nations that believe in these values, and the state dinner is an opportunity really to focus on that."

Others highlight a tightening of public expression, especially over the hot-button issue of the Gaza war. Many African nations have criticized Israel's behavior in the conflict, but Kenya's government has kept largely quiet.

"Especially within the Muslim community in Kenya, we've had persons trying to protest them and to picket on this issue, but they had a very, very hard time having access to the streets, because every time they go out, the police arrest them," said Demas Kiprono, who leads the Kenyan section of the International Commission of Jurists.

Others say they hope American leadership will voice concerns over a pending Kenyan law that they say targets sexual minorities.

"It's criminalizing things even like pronouns. It's criminalizing things like using [gender] neutral toilets. It's a horrible, horrible law that is being financed by Family Watch International  that's the same organization that financed the Uganda bill and all the (LGBTQ)-related bills basically in Africa and even in the U.S.," said activist and organizer Yvonne Muthoni.

Family Watch International is a conservative Christian American lobbying group. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremist groups, says it "works within the United Nations and with countries around the world to further anti-LGBT and anti-choice stances."

"We are looking at violence that is coming from this. Whether it's online or physical violence, we are seeing a rise in the number of cases that are being reported, in the number of complaints, in the rallies that are being called for. So, it is quite a scary time for Kenya right now," Muthoni said.

The view from here and there

At the White House this week, a large Kenyan flag was displayed alongside an American flag, each covering the height of an entire story of the hulking gray Eisenhower Executive Building. Workers erected massive white sails around the White House's North Portico, where the Bidens plan to formally welcome the Rutos.

Meanwhile, the day after Ruto departed Nairobi  likely traversing the new Chinese-built superhighway that cuts the city in half and ends at the airport  one had to scroll far down on news to find mention of his American jaunt.

Instead, the nation's prominent newspapers focused on issues that Kenyans wrestle with daily. The Standard's front page wrote of 850,000 new jobs last year  close to the 900,000 the World Bank says is needed to sustain economic growth in the lower middle-income country.

That coverage mirrors Kenyans' priorities, Houghton said.

"Most Kenyans are economically distressed," he said. "They are very concerned about the cost of living. Thousands of them went onto the streets last year and almost rendered the country ungovernable in certain counties because they felt that the crippling number of taxes that had been introduced were essentially not making it possible for them to survive. We've seen a deterioration in terms of the services, education, health and otherwise. ... So, there is a very clear disproportionate, I guess, energy around this visit."

Farhad Pouladi contributed to this report from the White House.

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Spain recalls ambassador to Argentina after diplomatic dispute

By VOA News May 21, 2024

Spain has removed its ambassador to Buenos Aires, saying the action is permanent. The decision Tuesday followed a reported derogatory remark made by Argentine President Javier Milei about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife.

The right-wing libertarian Milei reportedly made comments about Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, at a rally in Madrid organized by Vox, a far-right political party.

Gomez had faced a court investigation after accusations of influence peddling and business corruption were made by the activist group Manos Limpias for allegedly using her influence to obtain sponsors to pay for a university course.

"We have no interest in nor desire for any escalation, but it's the government's obligation to defend the dignity and sovereignty of Spanish institutions, especially when the aggression occurs in the capital of Spain," Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said to reporters on the decision to remove the ambassador.

In addition to criticizing Gomez, Milei also criticized the Spanish government's socialist system at the rally, claiming that it could create "levels of abuse."

"What's happening is literally a folly typical of an arrogant socialist, who personally took a comment that didn't contain any names as an allusion and nonsensically decided to go for a diplomatic escalation, so it's Pedro Sanchez's problem," Milei said after the rally in an interview.

The recent diplomatic tension could have a larger impact on the business world, particularly for Spanish companies that invest $15 billion a year in Argentina. Only surpassed by U.S. business investment, Spanish companies are Argentina's second largest investors.

Some information in this report was provided by Reuters and AFP.

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Fearing rising tides, small island nations gain key win at UN ocean court

By VOA News May 21, 2024

The U.N. maritime court has ruled in favor of greater protection of the oceans in the face of climate change in a case brought by small island countries.

The countries brought the case in September after seeing disproportionate effects from climate change. Raised ocean temperatures have increased the melting of polar ice caps and the level of oceans, a threat for small islands. The countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Bahamas, Niue, Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The court stated that countries creating the pollution are under "the specific obligation to take all measures necessary to ensure that... emissions under their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage by pollution to other states and their environment." The case may be influential in the future regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because carbon emission also pollutes the sea.

According to a statement by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the 169 parties involved in UNCLOS "have the specific obligations to take all necessary measures to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution from anthropogenic GHG emissions and to endeavor to harmonize their policies in this connection.''

According to the plaintiffs, carbon emission is not recognized as a specific pollutant. The court is considering the interpretation of UNCLOS.

Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, spoke about his concerns regarding greenhouse emissions. "Some will become uninhabitable in the near future because of the failure to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We demand that the major polluters respect international law, and stop the catastrophic harm against us before it is too late," he said.

Globally, oceans also generate necessary oxygen for human life and absorb carbon to minimize global warming.

This is the first significant international climate case that focuses on the world's ocean. Amnesty International's head of strategic litigation, Mandi Mudarikwa, said the ruling was "likely to inform future climate justice cases in national, regional and international courts."

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Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Merrimack, NH

May 21, 2024

Aboard Air Force One

En Route Merrimack, New Hampshire

10:35 A.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hey, everybody. All right, I just have one quick thing at the top, and then we'll  we'll get at it.

So, we're on our way to New Hampshire, where the President will be joined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough and Senators Ha-  oh  Senators Shaheen and Hassan to deliver remarks on a key priority of the  of his Unity Agenda: supporting our nation's veterans.

President Biden signed the landmark bipartisan PACT Act into law almost two years ago in August, enacting the most significant expansion of healthcare benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans in more than 30 years. Thanks to this law, the President will continue  will announce today that more than 1 million PACT Act-related claims have now been granted.

More than 888,000 veterans and survivors across all 50 states and U.S. territories are now receiving new service-connected disabilities benefits, and that includes thousands of veterans in New Hampshire.

President Biden believes that our nation has a sacred obligation to properly prepare and equip the troops we send into harm's way and to care for them and their families when they return home.

And soon, you will hear directly from the President, who was  who will obviously share more on this.

Go ahead, Seung Min.

Q Thanks, Karine. Earlier today, Israeli officials seized equipment from the AP and took down our live shot that had been going into northern Gaza. How is that acceptable behavior in a democracy? They're citing their new media law. Does the administration have a reaction to that  the Israeli government's actions?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, thanks for the question. We've seen the reporting, and obviously we're looking into them. And you hear this from me and obviously the President himself when we talk about jou-  journalism and the importance and how essential it is to the pillars of our democracy. And we have women and men, certainly, worldwide who  who work very hard 24/7, obviously, to uphold those pillars of democracy.

And so, it is essential that continues, and that certainly includes journalists at the AP. And so, we're looking into it. We've seen the reporting. But we stand firm in our belief in  in making sure that journalists have the ability and the right to do the job that they're 

Q Do you 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  that's incred-  incredibly important for them to do.

Q Do you condemn that action?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, I want to be really, really mindful. I'm going to  we're going to  looking into it. And obviously, this is concerning. And so, we want to look into it.

But we've always been clear  the importance of the work that you all do and the work that journalists do, and, again, how it is the pillar of our democracy. It is part  certainly, part of our freedom.

And you hear us say this all the time. You guys are the Fourth Estate. You guys hold us  hold us accountable and make sure that the facts are out there. And that is essential to the American people, to the world, globally. And so, we're going to always continue to be steadfast on that. And certainly, we're going to look into this. And it is concerning to hear.

Q So, if 

Q And I wanted to 

Q Oh, go ahead.

Q Sorry. Sorry.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh 

(Cross-talk.)

Q The House Republicans are preparing legislation that would impose sanctions on the ICC after that announcement yesterday. Obviously, the President has condemned the ICC announcement as well. So, is this effort from Republican lawmakers something  something that he supports 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look 

Q  or something that he could support?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I'm just going to reiterate what the President said yesterday. You heard him di-  you heard from him directly when he delivered remarks yesterday afternoon. The ICC prosecutor's application for arrest warrants against Israel leaders is outrageous. We def-  fundamentally reject it. So, we're having discussions  to your questions  with  with Hill  with the Hill on the next steps. So, I'm not going to get ahead of those discussions.

But it doesn't  obviously, we  you heard the President speak to this pretty forcefully yesterday to all of you.

Q The former President had up a video  a video that referred to the "unified Reich." Does the White House have any reaction to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I'm going to be really mindful. Obviously, the former President is a  is a candidate  presidential candidate in 2024. So, going to be careful about responding to him directly.

I will say  point you to the  point you to the campaign's comments or statement yesterday.

I will also obviously share that the President is clearly tracking this, and you'll hear from him directly on this later today.

What I want to say more broadly is it is abhorrent, sickening, and disgraceful for anyone to promote content associated with Germany's Nazi government under Adof-  Adolf Hitler. Just as it is disgraceful to dine with Neo-Nazis and say there are "very fine people on both sides" after Charlottesville.

Any antisemitism dog whistle  whistling is dangerous and offensive and profoundly un-American. And I am pretty sure, pretty confident you will hear from the President later today.

Q Was that in reference to Donald Trump  what you just said?

Q Where  which 

Q I'm sorry.

Q Which  which event will the President get it  at the fundraiser or 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Wait, wait, say that one more time.

Q Which event will the President comment on this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I  I would say during his campaign event, you'll hear from him.

Q Karine, Prime Minister Net- 

Q On the FDC  FDIC chair  has the White House begun its search for his replacement yet? I mean, can you describe that search a little bit (inaudible)?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah. So, let me just say, because I know this is the first time we'll  we'll actually  you'll hear from me on this, so a couple things I want to say.

We want to thank the Chair for his service at the agency and for moving to swiftly implement the recent report's recommendation.

The President, of course, expects those serving in his administration to reflect the values of decency and integrity and to protect the rights of all employees.

The President will soon put forward a new  a new nominee for FDIC Chair who is committed to those values and to protecting consumers and our financial system, and we expect the Senate to confirm that nominee quickly.

I don't have  I don't have any detail on the process. Obviously, the Pres-  the President is taking this very seriously and is going to do his  obviously, everything that he normally does when he nominates someone  someone who is

qualified and can do the job.

Q And on Jake Sullivan's Middle East trip. Do you have a deeper readout yet on how those meetings went that you can share with us?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, a couple of things.

You know, you guys saw the readout from  from Jake Sullivan yesterday on the different components of the trip, what was discussed. Obviously, he went to Saudi Ara-  Arabia, where he met with the Crown Pinc-  Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, to discuss a comprehensive vision for an integrated Middle East region.

What I can say about that: We have seen a lot of progress on that front, made a lot of progress. And we are very close to [an] understanding on the major element between us. So, I think that's important.

We, of course, will also have  have to  have, then, to work on pieces that relate to the Israelis and the Palestinians, which is a critical component of any potential normalization deal and must be completed at the same time.

And obviously, he went to Israel  and we had a readout on that piece as well  where he met with a number of Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, to discuss the war in Gaza, including ongoing diplomacy to secure the release of all hostages, increasing flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and our sacred objective of [an] enduring defeat of Hamas.

And so, it was  it was an important trip and  and constructive meetings were had with Jake Sullivan.

Q Did you have any frustrations with the Israelis?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, we've heard those reports coming out, and  and they're not reflective of the meeting.

Just a couple of things just to  just to double down on. So, they had a constructive and detailed discussion on Rafah, building on previous consultations. And we'll now see whether Israel takes our views and concerns into account in how they proceed.

He also had a constructive and detailed discussion about the bigger regional picture, which I just mentioned, which I  I just laid out in  on the Saudi Arabia components and those meetings there. The Israeli government is reflecting on what Jake reported, and we will discuss next steps with them after they  they consult internally.

And Jake had a series of asks on the humanitarian front. Israel committed to addressing all of them, and so we are already seeing some progress. But obviously, we're going to keep watching.

And it is important. We have been very clear about this. We see the dire situation happening in Gaza. And we  and we want to make sure that all-important humanitarian aid continues to go into Gaza. And we certainly  this President and the United States has led in that effort.

Q Following up on Gaza. The  Prime Minister Netanyahu had an interview with MSNBC. He was asked about the World Food Programme's denomination [designation] of it as a "famine" in Gaza. He said that he has been  Israel has been flooding aid into Gaza. Does the White House agree with that characterization?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, let me just say  look, I just laid out the conversations that Jake had with the Israeli government on a commitment to continue to increase that humanitarian aid.

I'll give you a couple of updates on where we are.

On May 19th, over 400 trucks with aid entered Gaza. These include trucks that have come in via the temporary pier  that you all know  that went oper-  started its operational process just at the end of last week.

Since April 5th, more than 8,000 trucks have moved into Gaza.

Between April 5th and Ap-  May 19th, an average of 180 entered into Gaza daily.

And so, while  and we understand this  while the amount of the aid [that] has entered Gaza has increased in recent days, these level of aids remains insufficient. And so, we want to continue to press Israel to increase the level of assistance moving into Gaza soonest to reach those in need.

Again, as I just stated  answered in my last question, this is a President and administration that has led on this effort. You heard Jake Sullivan say this last week when he was at the podium: We're trying to do this by land, air, and sea. And so, we are committed  committed.

This is also why the hostage deal is so important, because we want to create  make sure we create an environment that  that  with the humanitarian aid that increases humanitarian [aid]; obviously, get hostages home; and, obviously, lead to a ceasefire, which is something that the President has been calling for.

Q Can I 

Q Go ahead, Emily. I'll come back.

Q Thanks. I wanted to ask about New Hampshire. Where we're going has a competitive House race in the Democratic primary. One of the President's former top aides, Maggie Goodlander, is running. She's married to Jake Sullivan, obviously. Is she going to be there? Is the President going to endorse her? Have he and Jake and Maggie talked about the race?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, I can't talk about an upcoming election, and you know this. Hatch Act, a federal employee. I have to be  I'm covered by that. I cannot speak on any  any campaign. So, I just don't have anything to share beyond what I just stated.

You would have to reach out to her campaign directly.

Q Just to go back to the U.S.-Saudi negotiations.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Should we expect an announcement on that agreement relatively soon? Or where does it stand?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, what I've said in my answer: We've seen significant progress.

Q Yes.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: And I think that's important. An un-  an understanding on the major  major elements between us. And so, I think that's important.

Obviously, we thought  as I stated, Jake's trip to both  not just Israel  obviously, Saudi Arabia was  was constructive and we're making progress.

I don't have a timeline to  to lay out to you right now or to read out, but conversations continue. And I think what you can see from this administration is the commitment  that commitment to get there.

Q Okay.

Q I wanted to  to ask a question about the upcoming state visit this week.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q It's the first state visit by a leader of Africa since 2008. And obviously, the President said he would visit the continent last year, and that never happened. I'm just wondering, you know, taken together, what does that say about the U.S. and the Biden administration's commitment to the U.S.-Africa relationship?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, I think the U.S.  the commitment to the U.S.-African relationship is critical and important. And you  you know, you saw that in his  I'm trying to remember  in 2022  right?  in that  in that  December 2022, where he had African  leaders of African nations, another summit that was historic, and they talked about U.S.  U.S.-Africa relations.

And the President did that because he wanted to, you know, deepen that relationship, truly work on it in a way that  that is  you know, that has  that has  you know, that has longstanding  longstanding effect.

As it relates to the state visit this week, we believe this is a significant visit. It marks the 60th anniversary of our official relations with Kenya and the first state visit by an African leader, as you just stated, since 2008.

Kenya is a key partner on any  on an array of issues, including security, trade, investment, health, and climate. And we're looking to forward to  to hosting. The President and the First Lady certainly are.

The visit is also emblematic of our broader commitment to deepening, as I just stated, our partnership across  across the continent of Af-  Africa, building on those conversations  that I just also laid out  back  that we had back in December of 2022 with the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

And so, we  we sought out a state visit not only to recognize the strategic importance of our partnership with Kenya but also to forge new paths ahead as we tackle common global priorities. And I think you'll see that from the President on  on Thursday. And so, we want to continue those diplomatic relationships.

Q And what's the reason why the First Lady is going to Andrews Air Force Base to greet the Kenyan leader and the First Lady? I  I think that's an unusual movement that we haven't seen before. Is there a particular reason why the White House and the President is sending the First Lady to JBA to greet them?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, I  certainly, I would refer you to the First Lady's Office. I  I wouldn't look too mu-  I wouldn't take too much from that.

I think the  again, the First Lady and the President is very much looking forward to  to hosting  hosting the leader and his wife. And I think that's what you can ta-  you can take from that.

It is  as you know, the First Lady went to Kenya when she went  when she did a trip to  to the African continent. And I think that that is a relationship that continues, a friendship that continues. So, I wouldn't take too much from  from her greeting them.

Q Can you preview any of the state dinner guests? Who should we be watching for?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Say that one more time.

Q Can you preview any of the state dinner guests?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I'm going to let 

Q Who should we be watching for?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I'm going to let the First Lady's Office  (laughter)  deal with their preview of the state dinner guests. That  that lives with them. (Laughter.) Sorry.

Thanks, everybody.

Q Thank you, Karine.

Q Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: See you on the ro-  see you on the ground.

10:50 A.M. EDT

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 228 - 21 May 2024

At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to

surrender and release every hostage.

Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

US Senate Chaplain Barry Black, during a session on the Senate floor, offered a prayer for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Black led an opening prayer from the Senate floor, expressing condolences for the people of Iran mourning the loss of President Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other officials who were aboard the helicopter that crashed in a mountainous region in the northwest of the country. Lord, we pray for the Iranian people who mourn the death of their president, Black said in the Senate. We pray in your loving name, Amen.

Amal Clooney, wife of the famous American actor, George Clooney , revealed that she was one of the legal experts who recommended that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seek to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the leaders of the Hamas armed movement. The American human rights lawyer, of Lebanese descent, wrote about her participation in a letter published Monday on the website of the Clooney Foundation for Justice. She said she and other experts in international law unanimously agreed to recommend that ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan seek to issue arrest warrants.

Israel is not a member of the court, so even if arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant face no immediate risk of prosecution. But the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Israeli leaders to travel abroad. The United States and other countries include Hamas on the list of terrorist organizations.

The request represents the first time that the International Criminal Court has sought to prosecute a major ally of the United States or the leader of a democratic country, according to Axios.

US President Joe Biden, an ally of Israel, described the request submitted by the International Criminal Court prosecutor as outrageous. Biden said in a statement Let me be clear, whatever this prosecutor means, there is absolutely no equality between Israels position and the position of Hamas. Washington condemned what International Criminal Prosecutor Karim Khan said, as President Joe Biden considered the request to issue an arrest warrant against Netanyahu disgraceful, and later stressed that Israels attack in Gaza is not genocide. Biden pledged "firm" support for Israel, adding, "We stand with Israel to eliminate Sinwar and the rest of Hamas' thugs." In turn, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken denounced the Attorney General's "shameful" request, warning that it endangered ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson accused the Biden administration of helping to advance the prosecution with its efforts to limit Israeli military operations in Gaza. Johnson said on Monday that the House may vote on sanctions against the International Criminal Court for seeking to obtain an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Congress is reviewing all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure its leadership faces consequences if they move forward, Johnson said in a statement.

According to what sources from the Republican Party reported to Axios , the vote is expected to come early this week. Republican Representative from Texas, Shep Roy, introduced a bill that would impose sanctions on International Criminal Court officials who investigate American citizens or their allies. The project has the support of nearly two dozen Republicans, including Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, chair of the House Republican Conference, according to the same source.

Axios reported that it is not only Republican lawmakers who reject the ICC's move, noting that Representative Cathy Manning (Democrat from North Carolina) said in a statement: "I completely reject the announcement of the ICC Prosecutor." Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, a staunch supporter of Israel, said the decision to seek a subpoena against Netanyahu was not law but politics", Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said there is "no equivalence" between Israel and Hamas and that equating them "demonstrates the ICC's gaping moral failure."

The vote will divide Democrats in the House of Representatives again over Israel. Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, said in a statement that the ICC must be allowed to conduct its work independently and without interference, describing Khans allegations as important. Representative Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin, also said, If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes to Congress to deliver a speech, I will be happy to accompany representatives of the International Criminal Court to the House floor so they can execute the arrest warrant issued against him.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Tuesday that potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli and Hamas leaders could hinder ongoing efforts to secure the release of 128 hostages in Gaza. Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Blinken described Khan's announcement as "shameful" and "wrongful," emphasizing that it complicates negotiations for a hostage release deal."

Theres been an extensive effort to get that agreement. I think we've come very, very close on a couple of occasions. Qatar, Egypt, and others are participating in the efforts to do this. We remain at it every single day. I think there's still a possibility, but it's challenged by a number of events such as Khans announcement," Blinken stated. Republicans accused the Biden administration of failing to support Israel adequately, while Democrats argued that it was not doing enough to aid civilians in Gaza. Blinken was interrupted by protesters, one of whom approached him with a sign reading "criminal" before being removed by security.

War Termination

The situation is further complicated by comments from Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, who noted that Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks remain "close to a stalemate." While Al-Ansari refrained from directly commenting on the ICC's decision, he stressed the need for accountability for the killing of civilians. While the war in Gaza continues, behind the scenes the United States is making great efforts to bring about normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. After the United States announced yesterday that "great progress has been made," this evening (Tuesday) we revealed in the main edition the details of the proposal - and the reasons that led to the hesitation In Israel if to accept it.

Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, visited Saudi Arabia and from there continued to Israel. In a series of meetings he held with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials, he conveyed a clear message to them: this move is possible, reach out to Saudi Arabia - and the ceremony or the solemn declaration will be soon He also added in their ears that "this is a historic opportunity".

The proposal includes normalization of Israel's relations with Saudi Arabia, but not only - but also a strategic envelope of a regional coalition with the US, as was the case on the night of the Iranian attack. In addition, the proposal promotes a hostage deal and also the possibility of peace in the north, which will be done by agreement.

But the price tag is what prevents Israel from "jumping on the offer". In exchange for normalization, Saudi Arabia demands that Israel provide a political horizon that reflects a two-state concept. At the same time, this is not a concrete offer but only a general commitment. Another demand that makes it very difficult to accept the proposal from Israel's point of view is to stop the war in Gaza.

Sullivan told this to the officials he was meeting with, and expressed frustration that Israel was not in a hurry to accept the offer. In the many meetings held, he conveyed a message according to which Israel actually has two options, "a significant victory that goes through normalization with Saudi Arabia and a hostage deal, or the continuation of the bastion in Gaza, an operation in Rafah - without victory and without hostages; you will never be able to eliminate every weapon holder who supports Hamas in the Strip."

At the beginning of the year, News 12 exposed the secret axis that Netanyahu is running during the war through Minister Ron Dermer in front of the White House on the issue. The same axis led to optimism in the US and a feeling in Washington that the Prime Minister would accept the offer, but now it seems that they do not recognize much enthusiasm. Therefore, it is estimated that President Biden will soon talk to Netanyahu on the subject.

At the beginning of the month it was reported that the US and Saudi Arabia were preparing to complete the extended defense agreement between the countries. John Kirby, the spokesman for the US National Security Council, said yesterday regarding the contacts with Israel that "we are very close as the Saudis said, I don't want to enter for the times".

As mentioned, Saudi Arabia insists on the same political horizon and Israeli commitment to a two-state solution. After the optimism expressed by Kirby, an official from the Saudi palace who spoke with N12 emphasized: "Without real guarantees for a two-state solution - there will be no normalization." According to the Saudi source, "(Israel) will not have peace with Saudi Arabia without recognition of a Palestinian state, therefore there is no normalization with the current Israeli government."

Operational Update

Operational Update - Gaza

According to the IDF, around 30 to 40 percent of Rafah is now under IDF control, while 60 to 70 percent of the city has been completely evacuated. UN estimates suggest that 900,000 people have been forced to flee from Rafah alone. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully evacuated approximately 950,000 Palestinian civilians from Rafah in the Gaza Strip in just two weeks since May 6, the military revealed on Monday. This large-scale evacuation was part of the ongoing Israeli military operations aimed at dismantling Hamas' control in the region. The remaining civilians, estimated at 300,000-400,000, are concentrated near the Tel al-Sultan area along the Gaza coast.

This evacuation was achieved despite earlier U.S. predictions that such a large-scale movement could not be accomplished without significant casualties or a lengthy timeframe of about four months. The majority of those evacuated have relocated to the northwest region of al-Muwasi, with smaller numbers moving to central Gaza and Khan Yunis.

The US Central Command said, on Tuesday, that more than 569 metric tons of humanitarian aid have so far been delivered to Gaza via a temporary floating dock, but it clarified that not all of the aid has reached the warehouses. Aid shipments began arriving at the dock established by the United States on the Gaza beach as of Friday, as Israel comes under increasing global pressure to allow more supplies into the besieged coastal enclave.

The United Nations said that 10 trucks loaded with food aid were transported from the dock site by UN contractors and arrived on Friday at a World Food Program warehouse in Deir al-Balah in Gaza. But only five trucks loaded with aid arrived at the warehouse on Saturday, after Palestinians took the loads of 11 other trucks during the trip, which passed through an area that a United Nations official indicated had witnessed a shortage of aid. The United Nations did not receive any aid from the dock on Sunday and Monday.

Critical supplies of food and medicine intended for Gaza are accumulating at the Egyptian border due to the continued closure of the Rafah crossing, creating significant disruptions in aid delivery efforts amid Israel's intensified military operations against Hamas. Despite initial successes, the U.S. pier initiative, designed to facilitate aid delivery, has seen inconsistent results with no recent aid shipments due to security concerns and logistical issues.

The Palestinian Information Center reported that the occupation aircraft and artillery continued their raids and violent bombardment at dawn today, Tuesday, in various parts of the Gaza Strip, targeting homes, displaced persons gatherings, and streets, killing dozens of martyrs and wounded. The occupation forces continue their ground invasion of large neighborhoods in Rafah, Jabalia, and other parts of Northern Gaza amid aerial and artillery bombardment and horrific massacres. The Civil Defense announced at midnight that its crews recovered a number of casualties as a result of gunfire from a Quadcopter aircraft at a group of citizens behind the Association for the Disabled on the Palestinian-Egyptian border, south of Rafah Governorate.

Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed that Tel Aviv will not stop the war in Gaza due to the International Criminal Court's decisions to arrest Israeli officials. Israeli aircraft continue to bomb various areas of the Gaza Strip on the 228th day of the war, leaving dozens dead, wounded and destroyed. During the past 24 hours, Israeli bombing killed 85 people and injured more than 200, bringing the toll since October 7 to 35,647 dead and 79,852 wounded. Israeli forces also continue to invade the Jabalia camp for the ninth day and control by firepower the Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Riad Al-Saliheen Square, Ezbet Mallin, Al-Ajarma Street and the northern areas up to the Sheikh Zayed Towers. In Rafah, Israeli tanks crossed the Salah al-Din Gate on the border strip south of the city and blew up several houses in the Brazil neighborhood, east of the city, and were also stationed in the vicinity of al-Najjar Hospital.

The Chief of Staff in Bel Jabalia : "We want to bring the abducted alive home, and those who unfortunately are not alive back to the grave of Israel" Fighters of the 401st TDF under Division 162 continue the operation in Rafah. The fighters carry out targeted raids on the terrorist infrastructure and suspicious buildings from which Hamas terrorists fired at our forces. During this activity, the fighters killed dozens of terrorists in East Rafah who tried to approach our forces.

Majd 932, Lt. Col. Dotan: "We are currently in East Rafah, continuing to deepen the operation, we will continue to carry out the mission as long as necessary. During the last week, we cleared several areas here, and we located several shafts here which we destroyed." Fighters of Battalion 932 carried out an activity to destroy terrorist infrastructures. During the operation, the fighters searched a building and inside it they located many weapons including protective equipment, explosives, weapons, anti-tank missiles, equipment and tools intended for breaching fences. During searches of the area, the soldiers of the battalion located an underground shaft containing an ammunition depot with short-range anti-tank missiles, grenades, weapons and explosives. This warehouse was intended for terrorist attacks against our forces. The shaft and the amla were destroyed.

During an activity of the Givatiya Military Police in the Rafah area under the command of Division 162, a force from the Sabar Battalion located three armed terrorists who came out of Pir. The force arrested the terrorists and they were taken for further investigation.

MP in the Sabar Battalion, Capt. Uriel: "We have been fighting in Rafah for several weeks, killing terrorists and destroying terrorist infrastructure. During an offensive operation, on the Kasbahs in the area, we captured three terrorists, who had various weapons on them, including grenades, cartridges, vests and the like.

From a preliminary investigation in the field, the terrorists constituted an intelligence asset for the continuation of the fighting. We, the Givat Army, will continue to act and fight at the front - wherever we have to." After searches of the building, many other weapons were discovered, including clutch weapons, RPGs and cartridges. Also, additional tunnel shafts were located in the area and about 20 terrorists were eliminated in the last day. Givati TDF continues to operate and carry out raids in the area, locate weapons and eliminate terrorists.

460 TDF fighters carry out raids on terrorist infrastructures in the agricultural areas of Jabalia. As part of them, the fighters located many weapons, including vests, a 'Mag' type rifle, hand grenades, explosives and ammunition. During extensive searches and guided by intelligence, the forces arrived at the mosque where they located missiles and rocket launchers, which were destroyed. The forces of the 98th Division continue fighting in the heart of Jabalia. The fighters of the combat teams of the paratroopers brigade and the 460th brigade continue to operate in the area and have eliminated a number of terrorists in the last day. The fighters of the 7th Brigade combat team directed an Air Force aircraft that attacked and eliminated a terrorist squad that fired at the troops.

The forces of Division 162 continue fighting in Rafah. Givati Brigade forces identified a terrorist who fired mortar bombs at the forces, there were no casualties. The forces directed an aircraft that attacked and eliminated the terrorist. The fighters of the 401st Brigade combat team eliminated a number of terrorists, in joint circuit closures with the Air Force forces, and also located rockets and combat equipment in the area.

The forces of Division 99 continue to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip. The fighters of the 679th brigade's combat team identified a terrorist squad moving towards the troops, in a quick closing circle, an Air Force aircraft attacked and eliminated the terrorists.

During the last day, aircraft and fighter jets of the Air Force attacked and destroyed about 70 terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip. Among the targets attacked were military buildings, IDF sites and warehouses, missile launchers, observation posts, terrorist squads, and other military infrastructure.

Operational Update - Judea-Samaria

The security forces began an operation to counter terrorism in Jenin, in the Menasha Brigade, and injuries to armed men were detected in the area. At 4:30 p.m This morning, the IDF forces of the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet launched an operation to counter terrorism in the Jenin area, following intelligence information from the Shin Bet indicating the activity of armed terrorists affiliated with the terrorist organizations Hamas and GAP and the presence of many terrorist infrastructures in the area. As part of the operation, the security forces conduct an exchange of fire with armed terrorists in the area and work to destroy terrorist infrastructures, terrorist attacks have been identified. Also, the security forces operated in the area to demolish the home of the terrorist Ahmed Barkhat, who carried out two shooting attacks, including the attack in Hormesh, on May 30, 2023, in which the late Meir Tamri was murdered. The terrorist was eliminated in an airstrike in March.

The Al-Quds Brigades - Jenin Brigade - affirmed on Tuesday that its fighters continue engaging Israeli occupation forces amid the incursion of the Jenin camp and its vicinity, with heavy fire. The Jenin Brigade announced that it detonated Improvised Explosive Devices in Israeli vehicles and against infantry forces on the outskirts and the inside of the camp. Confrontations against the Israeli occupation continue amid the IDF's incursion into the Jenin camp.

Israeli bulldozers deliberately continue demolishing Jenin's infrastructure, majorly in main and secondary streets, and across residential neighborhoods. Israeli forces launched a military offensive on Jenin and its refugee camp on Tuesday morning, killing seven Palestinians in the first few hours, including a child on his way to school, in addition to a teacher and a doctor while heading to work. The child was identified as Mahmoud Hamadneh, the doctor as Usaid Kamal Jabari, a general surgeon at the Jenin Governmental Hospital, and the teacher's name was revealed to be Allam Jaradat.

Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas affirmed that the massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the city of Jenin and its camp in the occupied West Bank will not weaken the resolve of the Palestinian people. In its statement, Hamas said that Resistance in the occupied West Bank is escalating despite the sacrifices. The group also pointed out that "the Jenin massacre is a continuation of the occupation's series of crimes involving killing, siege, and starvation in Rafah, Jabalia, and various areas of the Gaza Strip."

However, the Israeli crimes "will not weaken the steadfastness of our people and will not stop their Resistance and determined efforts to liberate their land and holy sites." Israeli media reported that over 1,000 soldiers are taking part in an attack on the area, which is expected to continue for several days.

According to The Guardian, the Israeli occupation forces are extremist settlers with intelligence on the whereabouts of assistance trucks headed to the Gaza Strip, in order to vandalize and stop the vehicles. Texts received by the Guardian from online chat rooms show members of "Israel's" security personnel are working together to restrict humanitarian supplies to Gazans.

The "barbaric scenes" according to truck drivers, happened after the Israeli forces accompanying convoys of settlers completely disregarded the attacks. A driver who was attacked at a checkpoint last week told The Guardian that this was in "full cooperation" between the IOF and the settlers, citing that the IOF was "present and watching what was happening." Palestinian truck drivers delivering aid to Gaza recounted "barbaric" scenes on Friday as their vehicles were obstructed and vandalized by Israeli settlers, hindering the delivery of vital humanitarian supplies to a population facing severe hunger.

The attack, which occurred on Monday at the Tarqumiya checkpoint in the occupied West Bank, saw drivers and contractors targeted. They also asserted that Israeli soldiers escorting the convoy did nothing to prevent the assault. The incident drew international condemnation after videos on social media showed Israeli settlers throwing boxes of essential supplies to the ground and setting at least one vehicle on fire.

This comes although aid agencies have reported famine conditions in Gaza, attributing them to Israeli restrictions on aid entering the territory. Humanitarian officials state that Gaza's population requires at least 500 truckloads of food, fuel, and other essentials daily, but they have received only a small portion of that, with weeks going by without one truck of aid coming into the enclave.

During Monday's attack, the Israeli soldiers escorting the convoy stood by and watched as the settlers went on a rampage. Even though they were present and watching what was happening. The army was at the service of the settlers. The drivers initially fled the scene but were attacked by armed settlers when they returned later to collect their belongings. Throughout this year, violence frequently broke out at crossings from Israel into Gaza, disrupting aid shipments to the territory. In March, the International Court of Justice instructed Israel to ensure unimpeded access of food aid into Gaza.

Operational Update - Lebanon

Last night (Monday), the IDF attacked and killed the terrorist, Kasem Skalawi, commander of the rocket and missile array in the coastal sector of the terrorist organization, using an Air Force aircraft in the Tsur region of Lebanon. Skalavi was responsible in his role for planning and executing many rocket firing plans towards the Israeli rear. As part of his position, he was involved in the promotion and planning of launching rockets and anti-tank missiles towards the State of Israel from the coastal area in Lebanon. In addition, warplanes attacked a Hezbollah launcher in the Ramiah area. Following the warnings in the Western Galilee region tonight, a number of individual launches were identified that fell in open areas.

Fighter jets attacked a series of Hezbollah targets in four different areas in southern Lebanon. Among the targets that were attacked, a Hezbollah terrorist cell in the Al-Adaisa area, a launcher used by the organization in the Halta area and Hezbollah military buildings in the Yaron, Marun al-Ras and Aita al-Sha'ab areas in southern Lebanon. A number of launches have been identified that crossed the territory of Lebanon towards a number of areas in the north of the country, there are no casualties. IDF forces attacked the sources of the fire with artillery.

Lebanese Hezbollah published scenes of targeting a stability and positioning point for Israeli army soldiers inside the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site in the Shebaa Farms on the southern border of Lebanon. Hezbollah issued a statement in which it said that the "Islamic Resistance" targeted a positioning and stability point for Israeli soldiers at the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with a guided missile. He confirmed in the statement that the hit was direct, which led to a fire igniting in the targeted area.

Operational Update - Syria / Iraq

Operational Update - Yemen

The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, announced on Tuesday that an American MQ9 drone was shot down while it was carrying out a hostile mission in the airspace of Al-Bayda Governorate in central Yemen. Saree said in a statement that the American march was shot down with a locally made surface-to-air missile , a few days after a plane of the same type was shot down in the airspace of Marib Governorate, northeast of the country. He stated that the total number of aircraft shot down during the Promised Conquest and Holy Jihad battle of this type reached 5 aircraft. The military spokesman for the Houthis confirmed, "Continuing to develop our defense capabilities to confront the American-British aggression and achieve victory for the oppressed Palestinian people."

Maps

All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

Bystanders

UN officials, including senior aid official Edem Wosornu, have expressed deep concern about the dire situation in Gaza, describing it as "a catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth." Wosornu reported to the UN Security Council that over 82,000 metric tonnes of essential supplies are stalled because of the crossing's closure, which Egypt attributes to ongoing military threats.

France expressed its support for the independence of the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor general requested the issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and others from the Palestinian Hamas movement. A statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry said, "France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all cases."

For its part, Germany said that it regrets that the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to request the issuance of arrest warrants against Netanyahu, his Defense Minister, and Hamas leaders gives a false impression of equality between the two parties. The German Foreign Ministry said that Israel has the right to defend itself provided that it applies international humanitarian law and its relevant obligations.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani said that equating the Israeli government with Hamas was "unacceptable." He added in television statements, "It seems to me really strange, and I would say unacceptable, to equate a government legitimately elected by the people in a democratic state with a terrorist organization that is the cause of everything that is happening in the Middle East."

Criticism of Israel's conduct in its war with Hamas reached a "new peak" when the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, announced that he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, on charges of crimes. They include starvation, premeditated killing, and extermination and/or murder, according to a Bloomberg report .

On Monday, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said that Israel had committed crimes against humanity, and accused it of launching a widespread and systematic attack against Palestinian civilians. Karim Khan also requested the issuance of arrest warrants against three senior Hamas leaders: Yahya Al-Sanwar, head of the movements political bureau in Gaza, Muhammad Diab Ibrahim Deif, commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the movements military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, head of the movements political bureau, on charges of genocide. Rape, sexual violence, and hostage-taking. Khan stressed that "international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to everyone," adding, "No infantryman, commander, or civilian leader - no one - can act with impunity."

The ICC is the world's first permanent international war crimes court, and was established in 2002 under a treaty called the Rome Statute to hold accountable those who commit mass atrocities. Its 124 member states are committed to the immediate arrest of the wanted person if he is present on the territory of a member state, but the court has no means to implement arrest warrants, according to Reuters. The court, based in The Hague, has a prosecutor who can investigate and propose charging individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

The ICC can pursue cases when a state requests an investigation within its territory or into its nationals, when the United Nations Security Council requests an investigation, or when a panel of judges of that court authorizes an investigation initiated by the Prosecutor. The prosecutor must also ensure that local legal systems do not truly seek justice, and the court may not impose a death sentence. Those sentenced to imprisonment will serve their sentences in the International Criminal Court's detention center in a Dutch prison. Currently, there are 124 states party to the Rome Statute, and Israel and the United States are not members of the ICC, as are China and Russia. The ICC only intervenes when a state is unwilling or unable to do so itself, while Israel says alleged war crimes in Gaza are being investigated domestically.

The ICC Prosecutor accuses Netanyahu of, among other things, starving civilians as a means of war and intentionally directing attacks against civilian populations, both of which are war crimes. In addition, he is accused of "persecution as a crime against humanity."

The residents of the Gaza Strip are suffering from "severe hunger" as a result of the war between Israel and the Hamas movement, which is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries, amid accusations of the Israeli government using the "weapon of starvation" and Israeli denials, while specialists reveal to Al-Hurra website the meaning of that term and who benefits from it. The suffering of civilians in the Strip.

On Monday, Netanyahu confirmed that he rejects with disgust the request of the ICC prosecutor to issue an arrest warrant against him. Netanyahu said in a statement, As Prime Minister of Israel, I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in The Hague between Israel, a democratic state, and the perpetrators of mass crimes in Hamas. Netanyahu added, "With what impudence do you dare liken the monsters of Hamas to soldiers of the IDF, the most moral army in the world?" He considered that "it is like establishing moral equality after September 11 between President (George) Bush and Osama bin Laden, or during World War II between the FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) and Hitler."

Yahya Sinwar is accused of genocide, murder, hostage-taking, rape and torture, among other war crimes. Yahya Al-Sinwar is the leader of the movement in Gaza, and the Israeli army described him as a dead man walking, intending to kill him, and Israel confirms that he is the architect of the October 7 attack. Israeli statements indicating that the Hamas movement, classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and other countries, is searching for an alternative to its leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, raised several questions about who are the replacements to the architect of the October 7 attack, and the extent to which the war can be stopped if this change occurs. This is what was revealed by specialists who spoke to Al-Hurra website.

Yahya Al-Sinwar (61 years old), a former leader of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was elected as head of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, and is on the United States list of most wanted international terrorists. Sami Abu Zuhri, a prominent leader in the Hamas movement, said that the International Criminal Courts decision to request the issuance of an arrest warrant against three leaders of the Palestinian movement equates the victim with the executioner. Hamas demanded the cancellation of the request to issue an arrest warrant for its leaders.

A panel of ICC judges will consider whether to accept Khan's request to continue the trials. In addition to accusing Netanyahu and Sinwar, Khan recommended filing cases against the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, and two other leaders of the Hamas movement, which is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries, namely the military commander, Muhammad Diab, Ibrahim al-Masri, Muhammad Deif, and the head of the Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.

Ismail Haniyeh (60 years old) was elected head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement in 2017, succeeding Khaled Meshaal, but he was essentially a well-known figure as he assumed the position of Palestinian Prime Minister in 2006 after Hamas surprising victory in the legislative elections that year. Haniyeh, who is considered a pragmatist, lives in exile and spends his time between Turkey and Qatar, according to Agence France-Presse.

Muhammad Deif holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, and is considered the first public enemy of Israel, which attempted to assassinate him at least six times. Deif, whose real name is Muhammad Diab al-Masry, was born in 1965 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza, and he has been on the United States list of international terrorists since 2015.

The court did not provide a time frame on when the decision is expected to be issued. In 2023, it took a panel of International Criminal Court judges just over three weeks to approve an arrest warrant request against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Can Netanyahu be tried for war crimes? According to Bloomberg, this is unlikely, and the International Criminal Court does not allow trials in absentia. It is unlikely that the court will lay its hands on him or any other Israeli official, and it relies on member states to carry out arrests, and Israel is not a party to the International Criminal Court. The court was unable to implement its order against Putin, but filing charges may restrict the countries to which Netanyahu can travel without fear of arrest. Even some ICC member states, such as Hungary, have said that arrest warrants issued by the court are not binding on their territories.

The State of Palestine is a party to the ICC, so in theory, some future ruling authorities in the Gaza Strip, where Sinwar and Al-Masri are believed to be hiding, could hand them over to the court. Ismail Haniyeh resides in Qatar, which is not a member of the International Criminal Court.

ICC judges have issued 46 arrest warrants so far and detained 21 people in its detention centre, while 17 people, including Putin and former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, remain at large. In the past, member states have not extradited suspects who entered their territories, including Al-Bashir, who has been wanted since 2005 on charges of war crimes and genocide, Reuters reported. Charges against seven people were dropped after their deaths, while judges issued ten convictions and four acquittals.

Axis of Resistance

An Israeli security expert, who served for 15 years as an intelligence officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), told Iran International that the war between Israel and Hamas is actually a war between Iran and Western values. I truly believe that the ayatollahs of Iran are promoting a campaign which is a threat not only to Israel. It's not just Israel's problem, it's a global threat, said Sarit Zehavi. Lieutenant Colonel Sarit Zehavi is the founder of the Alma Centre, which monitors and disseminates information about Israel's security challenges in the North to people outside of Israel. She briefs Washington officials, foreign delegations and policy makers from around the world.

While the world is familiar with ISIS and Al Qaeda as a radical form of Sunni Islam, what is lesser known is the Iranian ayatollahs  not the Iranian people  as a representation of radical Shiite Islam, according to Zehavi. She believes Iran wants to distribute its Islamic Revolution values around the world.

The Iranian regime, for example, has been militarily and diplomatically supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The alliance between Iran, Russia and China, forming to counter Western sanctions, is another threat to the economic and political basis of existing Western systems. Irans challenge to the West has only intensified with its controversial nuclear program. During this year's Iranian new year speech, Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the US will have no choice but to leave the Middle East.

What we experienced in the first seven months is the execution of the Iranian plan under the name unification of fronts. The Iranians wanted to create a multi-front campaign against the State of Israel and the Western presence here. It started from Hamas. We have Hezbollah launching missiles and drones as we speak, said Zehavi.

Allied for Democracy

Military affairs analyst for the newspaper "Haaretz", Amos Harel, said that the intention of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, to issue an arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, in addition to 3 leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), places Israel before a diplomatic reality the likes of which it has never faced. before. Harel added, in a news analysis in the same newspaper, that Khan's request puts the Israeli leadership for the first time, and in the short term, at risk of an international threat in the wake of its decision to continue the war in the Gaza Strip.

He added that if the arrest warrants were issued, the Israelis would likely find themselves facing a "flood" of diplomatic threats, with potentially far-reaching effects on the level of economic, scientific and commercial relations, and on other areas as well. Khan announced, on Monday, that he had submitted requests to issue arrest warrants regarding the situation in Palestine, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , his Defense Minister Yoav Galant , and 3 Hamas leaders: the Commander-in-Chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of Hamas, Muhammad Al-Deif, and the head of the movements Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh. In addition to the head of the movement in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar .

Harel considered that this step against Israel, which he described as a democracy and which is engaged in a war, was unprecedented, and threatened to hand over its prime minister and defense minister to the International Criminal Court if they visited the member states of the court. He claimed that there was a suspicion that the Public Prosecutors move was reversed. He sought to bring Israel's leaders to justice on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity , and added to the request the leadership of Hamas "to show a false image that suggests a neutral balance in the process."

The Haaretz military analyst believes in his article that the criminal prosecutors investigation has contradicted early expectations, as it targets only politicians and not the military, none of whom were included in the arrest warrants he intends to issue. Khan's move is likely to shed light on the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is deliberating a resolution calling for an end to the war, according to the article, which Netanyahu's refusal to comply with is expected to put Israel on the path to imposing international sanctions against it, if the UN Security Council begins discussing it. the case.

Harel claimed that Israel is not like Russia or Iran , it is a democracy that depends entirely on its relations with the West, and perhaps this situation is what bothers the far-right leaders in the government. He pointed out that there is an imminent danger that is developing that may - in his opinion - negatively affect the lives of many Israelis, claiming that Sinwar may not worry much about the matter because he cannot visit Europe. But the writer goes on to say that one of the reasons for the development of these events stems not only from the double standards of the international community towards Israel, but also from the foolish behavior of its leaders.

Political analysts on Al Jazeera agreed that the Israeli-American dispute - which arises from time to time - is intentional confusion with the aim of giving Tel Aviv a new deadline to implement its plans to liquidate the Palestinian presence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank , stressing that the two-state solution is not possible. According to the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Washington is not incapable, but rather unwilling to end the occupation, remove settlements, and recognize a Palestinian state, indicating that its talk about a two-state solution is hypocrisy and a cover for Israels continuation of its plans.

Barghouti adds that the administration of US President Joe Biden is angry with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for three reasons: the first is Netanyahus failure to achieve the goals of the war on Gaza, and its fear of his manipulation while waiting for Donald Trump to return to the White House, in addition to their view of Israel as a divided and internally fragmented state. He described the differences between the two sides as formal, pointing out that Israel anticipated the visit of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan by announcing the continuation of the war on Gaza and escalating the bombing there, in parallel with a major military operation in Jenin in the northern West Bank.

Sullivan wants from Israel something formal and a false cover about the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state as a justification for normalization with Arab countries - according to Barghouti - who also said that Israel does not accept that and refuses to show any flexibility in this framework. He stressed that Tel Aviv considers itself to be in the stage of resolving the conflict and liquidating the Palestinian issue and the entire Palestinian existence, stressing that the attack is not on the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) or Gaza, but rather on all Palestinians, which necessitates the need for the Palestinians to unite and put aside any divisions on the approach of struggle and resistance after the failure. Betting on negotiations.

In turn, Dr. Hassan Mneimneh, a researcher at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said that the current Israeli plan is based on the systematic destruction of Gaza and the denial of the means of life there, in parallel with the gradual annexation of the West Bank and undermining any Palestinian presence there. Mneimneh agreed with Barghouti regarding Israel moving forward with its plans to liquidate the Palestinian presence, at a time when Washington is talking about Arab gifts, settlements, or concessions to persuade Israel to back away from some of its plans. He stressed that there is an American awareness that the two-state solution is not possible because the displacement of 700,000 settlers is considered impossible, adding that the Israeli government is capable of rigidity because the price is more concessions that Washington and the Arab countries are pushing for.

He pointed out that there is complete agreement - except for formalities - between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government, and the former realizes that Israel faces a dilemma as an authoritarian state in the region, pointing out that Washington is not concerned with the massacres being committed in Gaza if they contribute to displacement, but it does not want to see hideous pictures. . He concluded that Israel cannot pass over the opportunity to liquidate the Palestinian presence in Gaza and then the West Bank, while pointing out that Israel is not an American tool, but rather a cost and a high price that Washington pays to the world, citing Tel Avivs failure to defend itself in the face of primitive Iranian marches.

For his part, researcher in political and strategic affairs, Saeed Ziad, confirmed that the United States is committed to Israel's security and the elimination of Hamas, and it provides it with 40% of its military and financial campaign against Gaza, and always wants it to be victorious. He added that America is disappointed with Netanyahu, and not with the destruction, annihilation, and displacement of Gaza, as it cannot accept a defeated Israel, and the disagreement between the two sides is a disagreement within one family, no matter how loud its echo.

Ziad warned that Netanyahu has crossed all the red lines drawn by Washington in the region, as the latter is putting pressure on him, similar to the conference of War Council member Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Galant , in addition to its communication with Iran regarding a new nuclear agreement. He added, explaining that what bothers America about Israel is the steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance on the ground, and the field resistance of the occupation army. He expressed his belief that Washington's talk about alternative methods to eliminate Hamas is definitely far from a military solution, in light of its conviction of the necessity of containing wars diplomatically and sitting at the negotiating table.

Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers

1,900,000 IDPs in Gaza

79,652 Gazans injured, 28% adult male

70,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza

70,000 Gaza housing units completely destroyed

70,000 Israeli IDPs from Lebanon border

45,000 bombs dropped in Gaza

45,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble

35,562 Gazans martyred

33,000 Gaza targets attacked

20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024]

15,140 Israelis injured [i24 TV]

15,000 terror operatives killed in Gaza [Israeli officials]

15,000 rockets launched from Gaza

14,520 Gazan children martyred

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12]

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF]

11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023

10,000 Gazans missing under the rubble

9,920 Gazan women martyred

9,400 Palestinians in Israeli prisons

9,000 IDF needing psychological assistance

8,665 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th

7,209 IDF injured admitted to rehabilitation [IDF]

6,800 IDF officers and soldiers injured [Channel 12]

6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS]

5,500 IDF wounded [reports]

4,800 West Bank Palestinians wounded

4,700 sites targetted in Lebanon

3,850 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria

3,600 administrative detainees

3,188 IDF wounded [IDF]

2,100 Gazan women are missing

1,609 terrorists killed on the first day

1,650 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas

1,160 Israelis killed on the first day

620 Israeli officers and soldiers killed since the start of the war

468 West Bank Palestinians martyred

364 people [including fighters] killed in Lebanon

274 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza

240 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon

126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers

116 living hostages in Palestinian custody

70 civilians killed in Lebanon

29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire"

15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel

Not every number is reported every day, so sudden jumps generally reflect reporting artifacts rather than actual upticks. Many of these numbers fluctate, up and down, with no apparent explanation. This list records the highest number reliably reported for each matter, under the theory that reality with catch up with reports, as is relentlessly the case.

Some reports claimed that the UN cut in half its earlier estimates of women and children killed in Gaza. Initially, they reported 9,500 women and 14,500 children killed, but later revised it to 4,959 women and 7,797 children on 08 May 2024. The UN acknowledged its inability to independently verify casualty figures. The seeming discrepancy is that HAMAS had about 10K KIA bodies on hand for which they do not have positive ID. It is possible to report the gender and approximate age [ie, juvenile] without knowing the name of the deceased.

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Indian police arrest 4 for suspected Islamic State links

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:41, May 21, 2024

NEW DELHI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Indin police Monday said it has arrested four Sri Lankan nationals for their alleged links with the extremist group Islamic State in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

The four people were arrested at the airport in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat on Sunday.

A senior Anti-Terrorism Squad official in Gujarat Sunil Joshi said during the interrogation, the suspects said they had been in contact with an Islamic State handler based in Pakistan since February. The handler's movement has also been traced to the United Arab Emirates and Britain.

Police also claimed that upon analyzing the suspects' mobile phones, they recovered some arms and ammunition from a location, where the suspects were supposed to pick up these weapons to carry out terrorist acts.

Police have registered a case against the four individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

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May 21, 2024

By Joseph Clark, DOD News

Space Officials Outline Key Investments Needed to Ensure U.S. Maintains Edge

The Defense Department remains focused on maintaining its edge in space as competitors attempt to shift the balance in the domain, a top space official from the Pentagon said today.

In testimony before a Senate Armed Services subcommittee, John D. Hill, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space and missile defense, outlined key investments in DOD's budget request for fiscal year 2025 needed to keep pace with challengers to the U.S. in the space-warfare domain.

"We are clearly in a time of rapid change in the space strategic environment," Hill told the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. "One that does not favor the slow or those resistant to change."

He noted efforts by China and Russia to rapidly field space and counterspace capabilities meant to degrade and challenge the joint forces' use of space-based services that provide warfighters with key advantages on the battlefield.

"The scale and scope of the threats in space present significant risks to the American people, to our national interests, [and] to allies and partners," Hill said.

Hill was joined by Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, and Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the Space Force's vice chief of space operations, in testifying before the subcommittee. They further underscored the need for urgent action to maintain U.S. leadership in space.

"Space has never been more critical to the security of our nation, and the success or failure of the joint force depends heavily upon the capabilities that we present," Guetlein said. "Repeated actions by both the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China underscore the urgency for action.

"Although we still maintain control of space over our competitors, they are still working hard to close the gap and assert their dominance in space," he added. "We cannot let this happen."

Hill highlighted key programs included in DOD's budget request that are aimed at ensuring the U.S. is postured to maintain its dominance in space.

The budget request includes $33.7 billion dollars for space programs in fiscal year 2025. Those investments include $2.4 billion for space launch capabilities; $1.5 billion for more resilient position, navigation and timing; and $4.2 billion for more resilient and protected satellite communications.

The request also includes $4.7 billion to develop new missile warning and tracking architectures and $12.3 billion for a range of other capabilities aimed at increasing the resiliency of DOD's existing space architectures.

Hill also highlighted key initiatives the department has undertaken recently to ensure warfighters maintain the space advantage.

Those include efforts to expand U.S. cooperation with allies to chart a path toward interoperability in space and strengthening collective deterrence. The department has also worked to remove obstacles that have impeded information sharing among the services and with allies.

Hill also highlighted this year's release of DOD's commercial space integration strategy, which outlines the department's approach to harnessing private sector space technology innovation.



The strategy highlights four priorities to achieve integration with the commercial partners.

First, it calls for outlining DOD's requirements in contracts and other agreements to ensure commercial solutions are available when needed.

Second, the strategy calls for the integration of commercial solutions into defense architecture during peace time a including planning, training and day-to-day operations a to ensure warfighters can seamlessly utilize those solutions during crisis or conflict.

Third, the strategy calls for protecting and defending against threats to U.S. national security space assets a including those in space and on the ground a and commercial space capabilities, where appropriate.

Finally, the strategy emphasizes that DOD will use its full range of financial, contractual and policy tools to support the development of new, commercial space solutions that have the potential to support the joint force.

During his testimony, Hill said DOD will continue to advance on key policy objectives to ensure the U.S. maintains its edge in space.

"I believe the progress we've already made together will pay dividends for years to come," he said.

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Training the future of mounted combat

By Captain Thomas Kaye

21 May 2024

Australian Army's School of Armour is not just where the school holds its history, but where the future of mounted combat is being formed.

Commanding Officer of the School of Armour Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Shepherd said the school trained new corps members while continually enhancing and developing the skills of those already highly experienced in their trade.

"Over the next two to three years, we will see the introduction into service of a new main battle tank, combat reconnaissance vehicle, infantry fighting vehicle and an armoured breaching and bridging capability," Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd said.

"That, coupled with modernisation in communications, battle management systems and counter-UAS, makes the school the forefront of training the combat force."

The school's future-focused training is highlighted by its application to shoot down drones - a new addition to all gunnery and tactical courses.

Sergeant Tyler Willson, a United States Marine Corps crew commander, said his team gained experience but also faced challenges with the drone shoot.

"We had to watch the drone the whole time - it started coming at me and I wasn't able to get a hit off on it, but it was fun," Sergeant Willson said.

It was something that hadn't previously been experienced by members, but highlights the reason for the training and getting crews comfortable with countering different threats.

Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd said the School of Armour's role extended beyond training just those within the armoured corps. It includes extending to mounted combatants, predominately across infantry and engineers.

As technology evolves, so too does the training at the School of Armour, ensuring it remains a critical component preparing soldiers for the challenges of modern warfare.

"We're working to ensure the school is at the forefront of integrating modern technologies into its training programs, preparing its soldiers for modern-day lessons and battlefields," Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd said.

The School of Armour is part of the newly formed Land Combat College and plays a pivotal role in ensuring Australia's soldiers are equipped to face the ever-changing demands of modern warfare.

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Canada - Joint Direct Attack Munition Tail Kits

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No: 24-51

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada of Joint Direct Attack Munition Tail Kits and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $96.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Canada has requested to buy an additional six hundred ninety (690) KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits; seventy-five (75) KMU-556 JDAM tail kits; and twenty-five (25) KMU-557 JDAM tail kits that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, valued at $16.1 million ($11.8 million in MDE), included a total of two hundred ten (210) KMU-572 JDAM tail kits; fifty (50) KMU-556 JDAM tail kits; and twenty-five (25) KMU-557 JDAM tail kits. This notification is for a combined total of nine hundred (900) KMU-572 JDAM tail kits; one hundred twenty-five (125) KMU-556 JDAM tail kits; and fifty (50) KMU-557 JDAM tail kits. Also included are Laser Illuminated Target Detectors; FMU-139 fuzes; weapons support equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $96.4 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of Canada, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress and is a contributor to military, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations around the world.

The proposed sale will improve Canada's capability to meet current and future threats by increasing available stores of munitions for its air force. Canada already has the JDAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Boeing Corporation, located in St. Louis, MO. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Canada.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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China's top diplomat urges SCO members to maintain strategic autonomy; do not allow external forces to turn region into geopolitical arena

Global Times

By Zhao Yusha and Sun Langchen Published: May 21, 2024 09:02 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members to maintain their strategic autonomy, solidarity and cooperation and never allow external forces to turn the region into a geopolitical arena.

Wang made the remarks at a meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs that was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that currently as the international situation is turbulent and changing, a few countries are pursuing hegemony and power, forming small cliques, establishing hidden rules, engaging in interference and suppression, "decoupling and cutting off ties," and even assisting the "three forces" in the region, with the aim of suppressing the strategic autonomy of the "Global South" and blocking the revitalization path of emerging markets and developing countries.

The "three forces" that Wang mentioned in his remarks refer to terrorism, separatism and religious extremism.

The more chaotic the world becomes, the more we need to adhere to the "Shanghai Spirit," grasp the correct direction, further strengthen and solidify the SCO, more effectively safeguard common interests, respond to various challenges and defend fairness and justice, said Wang.

Wang called for security cooperation, saying that common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security should be ongoing dynamics in the region.

The SCO countries should, taking the Global Security Initiative as a guide, work with the international community to solve security challenges, eliminate the root causes of conflicts, play a leading role in global security governance and contribute to promoting world peace, he said.

Murat Nurtleu, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the heads of delegations participating in the meeting in Astana.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in remembrance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, both died in a helicopter accident on Sunday in northern Iran.

SCO's unique role

In March, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a meeting in Boao, South China's Hainan Province, that all leaders of SCO member states plan to take part in the upcoming summit of the association in Astana in July, Russian News Agency TASS reported.

This year's SCO summit must deal with a weighty agenda, which includes discussions on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, institutional reforms and expansion of SCO membership, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural and other aspects, Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Cui noted that the meeting of SCO foreign ministers seeks to negotiate the result before the leaders' summit.

One highlight of this year's summit will be SCO expansion, Han Lu, an associate research fellow at the Department for European-Central Asian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The organization will include more countries and its international influence will be further elevated. This suggests the strong appeal the Shanghai Spirit has, Han said.

Belarus plans to become a full member of the SCO in July, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said, as the Belarusian state-run news agency BelTA reported in March.

Wang met with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik on Monday in Kazakhstan. Wang said that the two countries' heads of state have established a profound friendship as well as solid mutual trust, jointly steering China-Belarus relations into a fast lane.

Saudi Arabia's cabinet also approved a decision to join the SCO last year, Reuters reported.

Speaking at a reception in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the SCO Secretariat held in Beijing in February this year, Wang said that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. He pointed out that there is therefore a greater need for carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit and such a cooperation platform as the SCO.

Currently, the SCO is the largest regional multilateral organization composed of non-Western countries and it focuses on political and security cooperation. This is the uniqueness of the SCO, Cui said.

Cui noted that against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization trend and emerging challenges on especially political and non-traditional security, the current global governance framework cannot meet the needs of addressing security threats. This means the value of the SCO is further highlighted in coping with those challenges.

The SCO, in many aspects, represents a new cooperation model distinct from Western-centric organizations, which seek military expansion and make efforts to form small cliques. The SCO, on the other hand, provides a favorable platform for strengthening South-South cooperation, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

He said the SCO reflects a new multipolar reality and has increasingly exerted influence in the region. It has played an important role in promoting international fairness, justice, and global governance reform.

Solid cooperation

In their meetings with Wang, the foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan voiced their support for the one-China principle, and expressed their hope of promoting bilateral relations by expanding cooperation.

For his part, Wang told Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev on Monday that China supports the government of Kyrgyzstan in maintaining national independence and pursuing a development path that is in line with its own national conditions.

Wang told Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan in the fields of counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics and combating transnational crimes, to increase cooperation in countering interference and infiltration, and never allow external forces to disrupt Central Asia.

The core of the SCO is equality and mutual respect. Member countries recognize that regardless of the sizes of the countries, they should treat each other with respect and equality, support each other's development paths, and uphold each other's core interests, Han said. She said this is a true manifestation of mutual trust among SCO member countries.

Officials from SCO members also discussed trade and economic cooperation. For example, Wang said that trade volume, especially trade in agricultural products and new energy vehicles, has grown rapidly between China and Kyrgyzstan, and a number of major projects and new projects have been launched in succession.

The SCO framework has a depth and breadth of inclusion across a wide range of fields, including diplomacy, national defense, security, economy, trade, culture, education, transportation, technology and agriculture. The development of the SCO in recent years has helped promote cooperation between China and Russia, as well as between China and Central Asian countries, Qian said, noting that cooperation among these countries within the SCO's multilateral framework continues to expand and deepen.

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Literary farmers tell the story of China's rural revitalization

Xinhua) 14:35, May 22, 2024

LANZHOU, May 22 (Xinhua) -- For a long time, local villagers viewed Pei Aimin as just an ordinary farmer who spent her days toiling in the fields, taking care of her family and chatting with neighbors. In recent times, however, the 50-year-old woman from northwest China's Gansu Province has gained a reputation as a writer, gathering a fine literary harvest from the land.

"I always crouch in the fields, watching the clouds gather and scatter, feeling the breeze stroking the seedlings," she said. "The rhythm of nature brings tranquility, which I like to record with my pen."

Pei lives in Shangxin Village, Minqin County, which is surrounded by the Badain Jaran and Tengger Deserts. In 2022, she published her first book, "Diary of Aunt Vole," consisting of a collection of prose passages in diary format, describing rural life in the modern day.

"I used to think that farmers lived a hard and dull life. But through Pei's writing, I can see a free and unbounded pastoral life," said 26-year-old reader Fu Wei.

In Pei's room there is a work of calligraphy which reads, "Plowing in sunny days and reading when it rains," which is a reflection of Pei's life. After finishing her farm work, she often sits down to write or edit.

"The encouragement I've received has boosted my love of writing, and I want to share the changes taking place in our village," Pei said.

At the mention of changes in the countryside, she happily talks at length about the improvements that have taken place. Ten years ago, she grew corn and wheat on her family's 15 mu of land (about one hectare), earning up to 1,500 yuan (about 211 U.S. dollars) for each mu. Now, thanks in part to crop diversification, her income has increased significantly.

"Guess how much you can earn with 1.2 mu of land? If you set up a greenhouse to grow ginseng fruit, you can earn 100,000 yuan a year," said Pei, beaming.

She believes farming has been made much easier through intelligent agriculture and mechanical operation. "An area of corn measuring 10 mu can be reaped by harvesters in two hours. This same workload used to take us up to six days," she said.

Since China eradicated absolute poverty, rural vitalization has been in full swing throughout the country. Young people from various backgrounds, including fresh university graduates and those interested in rural development, have been keen to join the rural vitalization effort.

"Running a farm, or engaging in e-commerce, young people now have diverse career choices in rural areas," Pei said.

Such changes are also recorded in works of Song Yaping, a 54-year-old rural writer living in Lingtai County of Gansu.

According to Song, modern farmers are quite different from traditional ones: "Generally, they are intelligent and insightful. Although they live in villages, they have a broader vision. The world they care about is not limited to rural life."

In his view, the process of urbanization in the countryside means many farmers have purchased new houses or rebuilt old ones, thereby embracing a better quality of life.

"My aim as a writer is to truly describe the rural life that I'm familiar with, and to faithfully record the era in which I'm living."

One of his short stories has been adapted into a movie script, and will soon be hitting the silver screen.

"I hope my works will reach more and more readers, and a wider audience in the movies and television," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) - Communities in Zambias Eastern Province are set to reap the benefits of their efforts in forest conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and other activities such as fuel efficient cookstoves and sustainable charcoal production
Armed Z-20 helicopter revealed in official report

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: May 21, 2024 10:34 PM

An armed variant of China's independently developed Z-20 helicopter recently made its first appearance in an official report, with experts saying on Tuesday that even more Z-20 variants are expected to be developed.

The PLA Daily on Monday published a story regarding Yuan Yuqiang, a non-commissioned officer in service with a brigade under the 76th Group Army of the Chinese Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) who realized his dream to become a flight mechanical technician.

A picture attached to the story, captioned "a new type of domestically developed helicopter," featured two Z-20 helicopters.

Observers noted that while one of the helicopters looks identical to the Z-20 previously known by the public, the other one has some different traits, including what seems to be an electro-optical sensor replacing the radome on the helicopter's nose, as well as external wings that have the potential to carry weapons stations. These features match the long-expected armed variant of the Z-20.

A promotional video released in January 2022 by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the maker of the Z-20, showcased a computer-generated (CG) art for a Z-20 with a pair of short wings. Each wing was shown carrying four missiles and a multiple rocket launcher. Analysts at the time concluded that an armed variant of the Z-20 was already under development.

The Z-20 is a great utility platform that can give rise to many variants, and an armed variant is a logical progression, as it can provide escort for the base version during armed assault missions, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times that the original version of the Z-20 was designed to be a medium-sized utility helicopter with wide applications, and it has significant potential to be modified into different variants for special missions, anti-submarine warfare, patrols and reconnaissance duties.

The AVIC's CG art also gave the new Z-20 variant a long lance-like pole, likely a refueling probe, to the right of its nose, but this feature is not yet observed in the real-life photo published by the PLA Daily.

Deng Jinghui, chief designer of the helicopter, said in an interview with China Central Television in 2022 that the Z-20 could get upgrades, including the ability to receive aerial refueling in the future.

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Time to build China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway: Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kulubaev

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 21, 2024 01:21 PM

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev said that the planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway is of strategic importance, and he hoped the governments of the three countries could reach an agreement quickly and start its construction soon.

During his meeting with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday, Kulubaev highly praised the Kyrgyzstan-China relationship. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Kyrgyzstan and vowed to provide a safe and convenient business environment for Chinese companies.

The railway has been planned for at least 25 years. As early as 1997, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a railway linking the three countries.

According to plan, the total length of the CKU railway lasts 523 kilometers, including 213 kilometers in China, 260 kilometers in Kyrgyzstan and 50 kilometers in Uzbekistan, which will become the southern part of China-Europe freight rail, and link China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan with Central and Eastern Europe via Iran and Turkey.

Wang said during the meeting with Kulubaev at the SCO Foreign Ministers Council Meeting held at Astana, Kazakhstan, that China-Kyrgyzstan relationship has been elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, and a new development direction of bilateral relationship has been determined.

Led by the top leaders of the two countries, the China-Kyrgyzstan relationship has maintained strong momentum, especially for trade in agricultural products and new-energy vehicles, as well as a range of infrastructure programs, Wang said, noting that China is ready to promote economic and trade cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, expand mutual connectivity and communication and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

According to Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China and Kyrgyzstan in 2022 July signed medium- and long-term economic cooperation and trade exchange plan spanning to 2030. In the first four months of 2024, China-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade exceeded $6 billion, up 21.2 percent year-on-year.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 21, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-05-21 21:58

At the invitation of Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister I and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi will pay an official visit to China from May 22 to June 1.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Special Advisor to the President of Brazil Celso Amorim will visit China from May 22 to 29.a

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea will visit China from May 23 to 25.

People's Daily: Lately, leaders of many countries and international organizations reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle and support for China's reunification. Can you give us more details and what's your comment?

Wang Wenbin: Over the past few weeks, leaders of many countries and international organizations have reaffirmed the commitment to the just cause of upholding the one-China principle, which shows that upholding the one-China principle is where global opinion trends.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan is firmly committed to the one-China principle and this position will never change. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the elections in the Taiwan region are China's internal affair and other countries have no right to interfere or point fingers at it. He stressed once again that Uzbekistan's commitment to firmly upholding the one-China principle will never waver. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov expressed firm support for China on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Xizang. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is beyond any doubt. Venezuelan President NicolAs Maduro noted there is but one China in the world and in the UN-centered international system. This is a fact that is beyond doubt. Any attempt to undermine the one-China principle is doomed to failure. Kiribati President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau stated support for the right position that China upholds on ensuring national reunification, sovereignty and territorial integrity and Kiribati's commitment to UNGA Resolution 2758. The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level adopted a resolution reaffirming the commitment to the one-China principle. The Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Phillips noted he does not support Taiwan in joining any international organization that requires sovereign statehood or participating in international conferences. The Prime Minister of Tonga Hu'akavameiliku said Tonga is committed to the one-China principle and firmly supports UNGA Resolution 2758. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sated that on the Taiwan question, Russia supports China in realizing national reunification and this position is very clear. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric said Serbia has only one policy on the Taiwan question, that is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the friendly and brotherly China is inviolable. Serbia firmly supports the one-China principle, recognizes China within its full borders and believes that how to resolve issues including the Taiwan question is China's own affair. Sri Lanka's Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Botswana's Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, Office of the Palestinian President, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Executive Director of the South Centre and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization openly reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the one-China principle, following the UNGA Resolution 2758 and opposing all forms of "Taiwan independence" separatism.

As Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi pointed out, the one-China principle cannot be violated, separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence" are doomed to fail and the general trend of China's reunification is irreversible. Each time "Taiwan independence" separatists make waves, it reinforces the global consensus that the one-China principle must be upheld and garners understanding and support for China's positionaa good example of the old Chinese adage "a just cause enjoys the support of many." The abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend of the history of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable. Anyone trying to challenge the one-China principle and hinder China's reunification is attempting the impossible and will only wreck their own reputation.a

AFP: A US congressional investigation released yesterday found that automakers including the BMW had purchased parts from a Chinese manufacturer that is accused of participating in "forced labor" in Xinjiang. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: The so-called US "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" does not prevent "forced labor," but creates "forced unemployment." The act does not protect human rights, but undermines the right to subsistence, employment and development of people in Xinjiang in the name of human rights. The act might as well be called the most notorious and egregious law against human rights in the 21st century. This act not only imposes illegal sanctions on Chinese companies, but also forces companies around the world to join in the US attempt to contain and suppress China in the name of "compliance" and tries to create a coalition for economic coercion. This is a deliberate US action to serve its selfish agenda at the expense of international economic and trade rules and industrial and supply chains. This is bullying and double standard at its worst. This is an attempt to reverse human development. China strongly condemns and opposes it, and will resolutely defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Bloomberg: China and the US held the first meeting of government talks on AI in Geneva last week. How were the talks on AI going? What are the next steps? Did the talks produce any ground-breaking outcome?

Wang Wenbin: Both sides have released readouts on the talks. Let me stress that China upholds the principles of a people-centered approach and the development of AI for the good of humanity. We put equal emphasis on development and security, and work to ensure that AI is a force for good and ensure safety and fairness. We stand ready to work with the US to step up exchanges and cooperation on AI, explore ways to harness its benefits for sustainable development and have communication on risk mitigation.

Hubei Media Group: We noted lawmakers and former political figures from a handful of countries that have diplomatic relations with China attended the "inauguration ceremony" of Lai Ching-te or sent congratulations to Lai. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: China strongly opposes official interaction of any form between China's Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. This position is consistent and clear. The wrongful words and actions of a handful of countries and political figures violate the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, constitute blatant interference in China's internal affairs, undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and damage the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China strongly condemns those words and actions.

The one-China principle is the political foundation and prerequisite for China to grow ties with other countries. The definition of the one-China principle is very clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. We ask relevant countries and politicians to stop their political manipulation on the Taiwan question, stop sending any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatists, and stop those wrongdoings that breach its credibility among the international community and hollow out the one-China principle.

As I have said, over the past few days, political leaders and people from various sectors in many countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle and firm support for China's just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism and striving for national reunification. The world has spoken up for justice. This once again demonstrates that the international community's abiding commitment to the one-China principle is unshakable, the one-China principle must not be violated and the historical trend of China's reunification cannot be reversed. To use Taiwan to contain China is to play with fire and will definitely backfire. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its interests.

China News Service: China just announced the visit to China by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea. Can you share with us more on this visit? What's China's expectation for this visit?

Wang Wenbin: China and Cambodia have traditionally been close neighbors and iron-clad friends, and have stayed at the forefront of building a community with a shared future. Since last year, President Xi Jinping has met with King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet, and maintained strategic communication with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, ushering in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future. The two sides have signed the new action plan on building a community with a shared future, enriched the "diamond hexagon" bilateral cooperation framework, and made positive progresses on the building of the "industrial development corridor" and the "fish and rice corridor". Last month, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia and co-chaired the Seventh Meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee. The two sides reached important consensus on deepening the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

After becoming Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sok Chenda Sophea has expressed his wish to choose China as the destination of his first outbound visit. China appreciates this. Chinese leader will meet with him. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with him and the two of them will have exchange of views on implementing the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, deepening China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will make more substantive and solid progress in the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to the peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

AFP: Yesterday, a prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister and senior leaders of Hamas for alleged war crimes. Although China is not a member state of the ICC, what's China's comment on its decision?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. We want to stress that the international community has overwhelming consensus on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ending the humanitarian crisis suffered by the Palestinians. The collective punishment of the Palestinian people should not continue any longer. On the question of Palestine, China always stands on the side of fairness and justice and on the side of international law. We support all efforts by the international community for a full, just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine. We hope the ICC will maintain an objective and just position and lawfully perform its duties.

CRI: Could you share more details on Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Kazakhstan?a

Wang Wenbin: On May 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi paid an official visit to Kazakhstan. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu. The two foreign ministers signed a protocol with revisions of and supplements to the agreement on establishing the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee and met the press together.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that under the personal guidance and efforts of President Xi Jinping and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, China and Kazakhstan forged a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and, on that basis, decided to build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future, which have set the bar even higher, opened up new prospects and injected new impetus for bilateral relations. China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to focus on implementing the common understandings reached by the two presidents, carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and bring benefits to the two countries and peoples. Kazakhstan firmly upholds the one-China principle and supports China's opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatism and effort to achieve national reunification as early as possible. This is much appreciated by China. China will, as always, support Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and oppose any interference in Kazakhstan's internal affairs.a

The Kazakhstan side noted that Kazakhstan is a good partner that China can always trust. Strengthening friendship with China is a priority in Kazakhstan's foreign policy. The deep friendship between the two presidents is an engine for Kazakhstan-China friendship and cooperation, and has guided bilateral relations into another "golden 30 years." Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to strive for the sustained and fast growth of bilateral relations in the spirit of good-neighborliness, friendship and mutual respect. The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi are conducive to global security and sustainable development. Kazakhstan commends and actively supports the three initiatives. Kazakhstan is firmly committed to the one-China principle and this position will never change.

Both sides are of the view that the Kazakhstan-China relations have followed the prevailing trend of the times. Our ever-lasting friendship, high-level mutual trust, and commitment to sharing weal and woe together have come to define our bilateral relations. The two countries agreed to continue to draw on the complementarity of each other's industrial and market advantages, conduct high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and create more favorable conditions to step up cooperation in China-Europe freight trains. Both sides believe that China-Kazakhstan people-to-people and cultural cooperation enjoys bright prospects and will make full use of Luban Workshop, Confucius Institute and other platforms, speed up the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries and build closer bonds and amity between the two peoples. Both sides commended the success of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an. With the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism launched in Xi'an, we look to work with other Central Asian countries to strengthen the mechanism, make it a success, and provide a strong boost to building a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future. Both sides stressed the importance to uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, unequivocally oppose unilateralism, hegemonism and bullying, and make global governance more just and equitable.

Reuters: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated Taiwan's new leader. Does the Ministry have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: What the US has done seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint CommuniquAs, and breaches its political commitment to maintaining only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the Taiwan region. This sends a seriously wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China deplores and opposes it, and has made serious protests to the US.

There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. China firmly opposes official interaction in any form between Taiwan and the US and opposes US interference in Taiwan affairs in any form or under any pretext. We urge the US to correct its wrongdoing at once, act on President Biden's commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and not using Taiwan as a tool to contain China, stop fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, stop emboldening and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in any form and stop disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"Taiwan independence" leads nowhere and anyone who connives at and supports "Taiwan independence" is doomed to failure. No external interference can hold back the trend toward China's reunification. Any attempt to challenge the one-China principle and endanger China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with China's resolute response.

Beijing Youth Daily: Recently, Taiwan's "foreign affairs department" issued a statement protesting the mainland's condemnation over the Taiwan authorities' bribery of Guatemalan leaders and officials in exchange for political support. What's your comment?

Wang Wenbin: The facts and evidence on DPP authorities' "dollar diplomacy" with Guatemala are clear and solid. Guatemala's former president openly admitted that he had received bribery from the Taiwan authorities in exchange for maintaining so-called "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Last year, Taiwan's hospital project in Guatemala was involved in a corruption case. Relevant Guatemalan officials were put into jail. This is just one example of the Taiwan authorities' "dollar diplomacy." No matter how angrily they protest or try to deny it, the fact that they sought political support through "dollar diplomacy" will not change.

Around the world, 183 countries have established diplomatic ties with China. That proves the DPP authorities' reckless pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and secession to be futile and self-deceptive. Whatever the DPP authorities does, it will not shake the one-China principle, and will not hinder the unstoppable trend toward China's reunification. We hope that Guatemala and the very few other countries will come to recognize where the trend leads and make the right decision soon.

Global Times: Last week, the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level was held in Bahrain. The session adopted the Bahrain Declaration and relevant statement with a focus on the Palestinian question which emphasized Arab states' unified position on the Palestinian question, and commended China for supporting Arab states' position on the question of Palestine. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: China noted that the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States focused on the Palestinian-Israeli issue and adopted relevant declaration and statement. The session called for implementing the two-State solution and convening an international peace conference, supported reconciliation among different factions of Palestine, and called on the international community and influential international powers to transcend "political calculations" and "double standards" in dealing with international crises. China commends the session for that.

China supports the Arab states in strengthening solidarity and playing a bigger role on the Palestinian question. We stand ready to work with the Arab states to step up coordination and cooperation, and contribute to cooling down Palestinian-Israeli tensions and bringing the Palestinian question back to the right track of the two-State solution.a

Dragon TV: It's reported that the current Dominican President and candidate of the Modern Revolutionary Party Luis Abinader won the presidential election and is headed to a second term. What's China's comment and expectation of the future of China's relations with the Dominican Republic?

Wang Wenbin: China expresses hearty congratulations to President Abinader on his reelection. We believe under his leadership, the Dominican Republic will achieve new progress in socioeconomic development.

Over the past six years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and the Dominican Republic have maintained positive momentum in growing bilateral relations, deepened friendship between the two peoples, and had fruitful practical cooperation in various fields. China highly values its friendship with the Dominican Republic and stands ready to work with the new Dominican government led by President Abinader to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and let the relations between our two countries bear more fruitful results.

CCTV: It's reported that on May 20, the UK's High Court ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can continue appealing his extradition. What's your comment?a

Wang Wenbin: People care about the fate of Julian Assange, because his case tells the world what US-style "press freedom" actually meansarewarding those who disclose what other countries have done and punishing those who expose the US wrongdoings. Frankly speaking, for the US, freedom of pressajust like "democracy" and "human rights"ais just another tool to go after dissidents and perpetuate US supremacy. This is what the Assange case has taught us.a

Julian Assange may have won this round of battle against US hegemony. But will he win in the end? The world will be watching.

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Record number of Chinese warships operating in Cambodia

Five Chinese vessels carrying hundreds of troops are on deployment in Cambodian waters.

By RFA Staff 2024.05.21 -- Two large Chinese warships have arrived in Cambodia's Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand on a goodwill visit, joining three vessels already operating in Cambodia.

China's defense ministry announced the arrival of the training ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 83) at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Sunday.

The Cambodian navy, meanwhile, disclosed that the Qi Jiguang was accompanied by a Type 071 amphibious landing dock, the Jinggangshan (Hull 999).

During their four-day visit from May 19 to May 23, officers and crew from the two vessels are to pay a courtesy call on Cambodian navy leaders, visit military sites and conduct exchanges with Cambodian partners.

There was no mention of the ships' possible participation in the Golden Dragon exercise, involving Cambodian and Chinese forces, which began on May 16 and last until May 30.

Three other Chinese vessels, including two corvettes and a landing dock, are already taking part in the exercise - the sixth iteration of the annual bilateral wargames and the largest to date.

"From my memory, there weren't that many People's Liberation Army Navy's vessels at any one time in the country," said Collin Koh, a regional military analyst based in Singapore.

Powerful presence

Of the five Chinese vessels, the two corvettes have been stationed at Cambodia's Ream naval base for nearly six months.

The two Type 071 landing docks - Jinggangshan and Qilianshan - each have a displacement of 25,000 tons and can carry up to 800 troops, as well as 20 armored vehicles.

The 9,000-ton Qi Jigang is one of the Chinese navy's main training ships under the Dalian Naval Academy.

"It seems that this unprecedented Chinese naval presence is going to presage a regular presence in Cambodia in the foreseeable future," said Koh, who is a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

"The Ream base surely has facilitated this greater presence," he said.

Another analyst, Paul Chambers of the Center of ASEAN Community Studies at Naresuan University in Thailand, said that the level of Chinese-Cambodian military relations was "unprecedented."

"And then there is a Chinese tourism resort in western Cambodia, which could be easily converted into a Chinese military airfield," Chambers told RFA, referring to the Dara Sakor resort in Koh Kong province.

"It appears that Cambodia has become a military and economic dependency of China," the analyst said.

Cambodia's defense ministry has praised joint activities with China for enhancing its military's capabilities as well as its combat skills.

The Golden Dragon 2024 exercise is taking place in Kampong Chhnang and Sihanoukville provinces.

The large number of Chinese vessels this time was not "a game changer but a sign of ever-closer China-Cambodia cooperation given China's new base there," said Tom Shugart, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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US expects South Korea and Japan to manage ties with China at summit amid growing differences

By Christy Lee May 21, 2024

Ahead of a trilateral summit involving South Korea, Japan, and China this weekend in Seoul, Washington said it expects the event to be an opportunity for its two allies to manage their relations with Beijing.

"The United States respects the ability of nations to make sovereign decisions in the best interests of their people," said a spokesperson for the State Department.

"Just as the United States takes steps to responsibly manage our relationship with the PRC, so do our partners and allies," the spokesperson continued in an email to VOA's Korean Service on May 15. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is China's official name.

The summit would come amid a heightened tension between Washington and Beijing over trade and after China agreed with Russia to establish a "new era" partnership to create "a multipolar world order" during their summit last week.

The three East Asian countries are expected to hold their summit from May 26 to 27, but the official dates have not been announced. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to attend in place of Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The meeting would be their first trilateral summit since December 2019.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA on May 14 that Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul should be main drivers responsible for regional stability and security.

Pointing out what Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after a trilateral foreign ministers meeting in November, Pengyu said the three countries need to "address differences and disputes in peaceful ways" and "act as front runner of East Asia cooperation."

Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing are planning to discuss trade and investment, peace and security, and science and technology, among other items and include in a joint statement their cooperation on economic issues and infectious diseases, according to the Japan Times, citing Japanese government sources Sunday.

Former U.S. officials said while it will be important for the three countries to meet and talk at the summit, differences that Seoul and Tokyo have with Beijing on North Korea are unlikely to be resolved.

"With China determined to establish a new China-centric regional order and because of Beijing's open-ended support for the DPRK, we should not expect progress on this issue," said Evans Revere, a State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea.

North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"Nevertheless, it is important for South Korea and Japan to use this summit to convey their strong concerns," Revere continued.

At a bilateral summit last week, Beijing and Moscow criticized Washington and its allies for their "intimidation in the military sphere" against North Korea.

Zhao Leji, who ranks third in the Chinese Communist Party, visited Pyongyang in April and agreed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to boost cooperation on mutual concerns. It was the highest-level talks the two countries had held in years.

The upcoming summit comes after trilateral cooperation was agreed among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo at their Camp David summit in August 2023 to strengthen their deterrence against North Korean threats and to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific against Chinese aggressions.

Joseph DeTrani, who served as the U.S. special envoy for six-party denuclearization talks with North Korea from 2003 to 2006, said, "China will ask that the ROK and Japan not to align with the U.S. against China, an issue that wasn't on the table in 2019."

South Korea's official name is the Republic of Korea (ROK).

DeTrani said Seoul and Tokyo will "try to get China to convince North Korea to cease providing arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine" and "to use its leverage" with Pyongyang "to halt ballistic missile launches."

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, denied Pyongyang's arms dealings with Moscow, according to state-run KCNA on Friday. The same day, North Korea launched a tactical ballistic missile, said KCNA.

Gary Samore, who served as the White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration, said the summit will become "an opportunity for communication" among Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing to avoid conflict, but the differences that grew among them since 2019 will not be resolved as South Korea and Japan "leaned in the direction of cooperating with the U.S."

Eunjung Cho contributed to this report.

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PLA Navy's first female carrier-based aircraft pilots aim high

Global Times

By Guo Yuandan Published: May 22, 2024 02:19 AM

After the first group of female pilot trainees from the carrier-based aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy completed their inaugural solo flights in April, one of the female pilots told the Global Times that becoming a female cadet pilot is her quest. "I want to get on the best ship and fly the best aircraft," she said.

The PLA Navy started to recruit female cadet pilots to fly carrier-based aircraft for the first time in its 2023 recruiting program, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The recruiting program has been expanded to include science and engineering graduates from universities as well as college students who are doing military service in the Chinese navy. The first group of female cadet pilots began their studies at the Naval Aviation University following selection procedures.

They have completed a number of basic courses including aviation theory and parachute rescue, and have achieved excellent results in various assessments. After transferring to a training regiment, they completed theoretical study, cockpit practice and air practice, as well as independent ground taxiing, establishment of routes, and other basic flight ability training in less than four months.

After they completed their inaugural solo flights on April 25, a stage marking that they have the ability to independently fly an aircraft, they will also have training on instrumentation, formation, navigation, night navigation and other courses.

Becoming a pilot requires a high level of overall quality, and they need to master basic knowledge and skills in meteorology, including wind direction and wind speed calculations.

"Wind has a great impact on aircraft handling, and when I first learned to fly, it was a challenge for me to handle the aircraft well under different weather conditions," Guan Meifang, a female cadet pilot told the Global Times. "When piloting a fighter aircraft, you need to combine real-time wind direction to determine the direction of takeoff and landing, and correct the maneuver deviation in time."

The Global Times also noticed a model of the primary trainer they are flying on the desk, which was also the only ornament in the dormitory of the female cadet pilots. The cadets will use the aircraft model for ground exercises, recall the whole set of actions carried out in the cabin, review the deficiencies in the previous training, and strive to improve the formation of muscle memory in order to better solve the problems encountered.

Guan said that she wants to become a pilot of carrier-based aircraft, and flying skill is the key requirement.

The state of "human-machine unity" is the next goal that Guan wants to pursue. She said she hopes that in the near future she will be able not only to manipulate the aircraft, but also to sense the aircraft, and have the ability to anticipate subtle changes.

Flight instructor Yang Donglin spoke highly of this group of female pilot trainees, saying they have "solid theoretical foundations, and strong learning ability," and they also "work hard."

Yang noted the importance of maneuvering precision, as the ship can be easily swayed by the influence of wind and waves, coupled with effects of complex sea conditions. It means the requirements for a pilot's precise control are very high.

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Australia, New Zealand evacuating nationals from New Caledonia amid protests

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 9:38 AM

Australia and New Zealand are sending planes to New Caledonia to evacuate nationals stranded in the French-ruled territory which has experienced deadly protests calling for independence.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday confirmed that his country had received clearance from French officials for two flights.

The government would "continue to work on further flights," Wong wrote on the social media platform X on Tuesday.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also announced that a plane would head to New Caledonia early Tuesday afternoon to repatriate around 50 passengers with the most pressing needs from Noumea, adding that it would be the first in a series of planned flights.

"New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them home has been an urgent priority for the government," Peters said in a statement.

New Zealand, French and Australian foreign ministers held a call on Monday evening, after New Zealand and Australia said they were waiting for clearance from French authorities to send aircraft to evacuate tourists.

About 3,000 tourists are stranded in New Caledonia, including more than 300 Australians and around 250 New Zealanders.

The planned evacuation flights come as New Caledonia's international airport remained shut down, as Field Action Co-ordination Cell (CCAT), the activist group organizing the protests in the Pacific island, said blockades of roads would continue.

The protests erupted in the island on May 13 over electoral changes imposed by the French government in Paris that would allow tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents to vote.

Indigenous Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the Pacific territory's population of 270,000 people, say the latest rules would dilute their vote.

CCAT described the changes as a French "colonial state" plan, noting that indigenous Kanaks had suffered from discrimination for too long.

Sonia Lagarde, mayor of NoumAa, told French daily Le Monde that the approval of the electoral changes by both houses of the French parliament should be postponed.

Meanwhile, the government heads of four other French overseas territories, including La RAunion in the Indian Ocean, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean and French Guiana in South America, have also called for the withdrawal of the changes to avoid "civil war."

France has sent 1,000 security forces to address the worst unrest in the territory since the 1980s that left six dead, including two gendarmes, and hundreds injured.

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Macron to Visit New Caledonia Amid Ongoing Protests

Sputnik News

20240521

PARIS (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron will pay a visit to the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia amid ongoing protests on the island over planned electoral reforms, French Cabinet spokesperson Prisca Thevenot said on Tuesday.

The president will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking officials, she added.

"This evening, Emmanuel Macron is to pay a visit to New Caledonia to organize a mission there," Thevenot told a briefing after a ministerial council meeting.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is expected to visit the region after the European parliamentary elections scheduled to take place from June 6-9, French TV broadcaster reported earlier in the day.

The damage from the riots organized by the New Caledonian protesters might cost about a billion euro ($1.086 billion), David Guyenne, the president of the New Caledonia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Franceinfo radio station on Tuesday.

At least 200 enterprises have been burned and destroyed and, as a result, more than 2,000 employees are left without work, Guyenne said, adding that the riots affected both trade, industrial and service companies.

On May 13, a peaceful demonstration against a voting rights bill spiraled into unrest in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, and neighboring towns. Protesters, including many minors, looted and set fire to stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and car centers. On Thursday, French lawmakers voted in favor of the bill as the unrest continued.

The controversial bill lowers 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

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Spokeswoman: French President Macron to visit violence-wracked New Caledonia

By VOA News May 21, 2024

A French government spokeswoman says President Emmanuel Macron will travel to the violence-wracked Pacific territory of New Caledonia later Tuesday.

Macron's trip to the French-controlled archipelago comes a week after deadly riots broke out over a bill introduced in the French parliament that would allow French-born residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections. Leaders of the island's pro-independence movement say the measure would dilute the voting power of the indigenous Kanak people, who have suffered under decades of discrimination.

At least six people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in the violence. Scores of homes and businesses have been looted and burned in the capital, Noumea, prompting authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew and a ban on public gatherings. The violence has also prompted the closure of schools and businesses, as well as the island's airport, which left thousands of tourists unable to leave.

Groups of Kanak protesters have set up roadblocks leading in and out of Noumea which has prevented deliveries of food and medicine to citizens and tourists trapped in their homes and resorts.

Australia and New Zealand began sending planes to Noumea to evacuate their stranded citizens from the troubled island.

The first of two Australian military transport planes arrived at the airport to begin evacuating 300 Australian tourists.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on the social media platform X late Monday that Canberra has been cleared by France for "two government assisted flights" to evacuate Australians and other tourists from the archipelago. Wong added that passengers are being prioritized according to need, and that the government will "continue to work on further flights."

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the government there is sending a plane to Noumea to evacuate 50 of its nationals. Peters acknowledged that New Zealanders in New Caledonia "have faced a challenging few days" and that bringing them home "has been an urgent priority" for Wellington.

France has deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to help end the unrest, with hundreds more due to arrive Tuesday.

At least 270 people have been arrested.

France agreed in 1998 to grant New Caledonia more political power and autonomy and to hold three referendums over the island's status. Voters have rejected independence in all three referendums.

France's National Assembly approved the controversial measure last week by a vote of 351-153. The bill still must be approved in a special session of both houses of parliament next month.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.

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Indian Kashmir voting reaches 59%

By Muheet Ul Islam May 21, 2024

A voter turnout of 59% was reported Monday in Indian-administered Kashmir during the fifth phase of the Indian general elections. The May 20 polling marks significant progress for the area since the eruption of armed conflict in the region against Indian forces in 1989.

More than 1.7 million adults were eligible to vote in the disputed Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a region claimed by both India and Pakistan.

Historically, the Kashmir valley has experienced low voter turnout in parliamentary elections. The highest turnout was recorded in 1984 at 61.09%. In 2019, some 37% of voters participated.

The elections in India began in late April and will continue through June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in office. His bitter rival, Rahul Gandhi, is aiming to replace him.

"This year's poll percentage is definitely the second highest in the democratic history of Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency," reads a media statement issued from the office of Jammu and Kashmir's chief electoral officer, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole.

"The main reasons for the increased turnout include improved security and law-and-order conditions over the last 4-5 years, mobilization efforts by 22 candidates and political parties, election awareness initiatives by Deputy Commissioners and the CEO office through Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation activities, and, importantly, the voters' strong belief that it is the ballot which can lead to sustainable development," the statement added.

Polling for Baramulla, a northern constituency, started slowly but gained momentum in the latter half of the day. Voters of all ages were seen lining up to cast their ballots.

"Voting is a fundamental right that allows us to participate in the democratic process and honor those who fought for democracy and equal rights," Ruqaya Akhter, a first-time voter, told VOA. "Many individuals and movements have faced significant challenges to secure this right for all citizens, often in the face of violence, discrimination and imprisonment. By voting, we acknowledge and respect the sacrifices made by those who risked their lives to ensure a fair and inclusive society for everyone."

In Baramulla, the expected battle was between Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister and vice president of the National Conference, or NC, party, and Sajad Ghani Lone, a separatist-turned-mainstream politician and founder of the People's Conference, or PC, party. The dynamics shifted, however, when incarcerated politician and former member of the legislative assembly Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, decided to contest the election from New Delhi's Tihar jail.

Rashid is the founder of the Awami Ittehad Party. He is jailed under anti-terrorism laws.

"NC and PC have had a stronghold in north Kashmir, but this year people may surprise everyone as a large number of youth have come out in support of Engineer Rashid," Nazir Ahmad Reshi, a resident of the Sumbal area in Bandipora district, told VOA.

"One cannot predict the victory of any particular candidate. The youth are with Engineer Rashid while the rest of the people are with NC and PC," he said.

Despite having few resources to cover his campaign expenses, Engineer Rashid has attracted large support. Thousands rallied around him voluntarily when his son, Abrar Rashid, filed nomination papers on his behalf.

The elder Rashid was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir government in 2019 and later booked by the National Investigation Agency in a terror-funding case.

Simran Jan, a first-time voter, said she hoped Rashid would receive many votes.

"Engineer Rashid has always taken a strong stance and consistently advocates for the rights of Kashmiris. He is currently imprisoned due to his ideology. During the 2014 floods, he personally rescued victims using his own vehicle," Simran Jan said.

"Local and national political parties have consistently failed to fulfill their promises. I wish to see him free. The day he is released from prison will feel like a festival," she told VOA.

Rashid's detention came before the Modi government revoked the semiautonomous status of Muslim majority Kashmir in August 2019. Kashmir's loss of its special status led to the division of the region into two federal territories a Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Both areas are ruled by the central government and have no legislatures of their own.

Meanwhile, Ladakh also exercised its electoral franchise for the first time since it was separated from the previous state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Ladakh parliamentary constituency, the largest in the country in terms of area, recorded a voter turnout of approximately 67.15%, officials said.

"People of Ladakh choose this election as a referendum in order to send a message to the center government. In 2019 elections, BJP government did not fulfill the promises made by them during the previous elections," Padma Stanzin, a resident of the Leh district of Ladakh, told VOA. "The local population is upset. BJP is not coming into power in Ladakh. Independent candidates and Congress Party candidates may win because of anti-incumbency against BJP as we feel that our rights are at stake."

A candidate from Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Tashi Gyalson, and one from the main opposition party, Indian National Congress's Tsering Namgyal, are among those contesting the elections in Ladakh.

The BPJ is not contesting the elections in Indian Kashmir. News reports say the move signals ongoing discontent over the 2019 move, and there is speculation BJP candidates would have lost.

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US watchdog documents hundreds of India election rallies targeting Muslims

By Masood Farivar May 21, 2024

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stirred controversy with his anti-Muslim remarks since Indians began casting ballots in the country's parliamentary elections last month.

But it's not just Modi trafficking in controversial rhetoric about Muslims; top members of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been echoing similar sentiment as the party seeks a historic third term in power.

In the four weeks since the polls opened on April 19, Hindutva Watch, a U.S.-based watchdog, has documented hundreds of campaign rallies featuring the BJP's "star campaigners" and candidates delivering incendiary speeches targeting Muslims.

Hindutva Watch founder Raqib Hameed Naik said that in addition to Modi, the party's list of prominent campaigners includes Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda and the chief ministers of several large states. Hindutva refers to the BJP's Hindu nationalist ideology.

"They're the ones at the core of the entire thing," Naik said in an interview with VOA.

Largest election in world

India's six-week election, considered the largest of its kind in the world, pits the BJP against a broad coalition of opposition parties. Voting runs until June 1, and the results will be announced on June 4.

Modi sparked a firestorm on April 21 when he warned supporters that if the opposition Indian National Congress came to power, it would redistribute India's wealth among "infiltrators" and "those who have more children."

The word "infiltrator," once used for Bengali refugees, is often employed by right-wing Hindu nationalists to label all of India's 200 million Muslims as outsiders. Muslims are sometimes called "child breeders," a baseless stereotype used to fan demographic fears.

Understood in this context, Modi's comments were panned by opposition parties and civil rights groups. But in the weeks since, they've been picked up and echoed by other BJP politicians in what experts call the "elite effect."

Naik, an exiled Kashmiri Muslim journalist, founded Hindutva Watch in 2021. In the years since, it has emerged as a respected repository of hate speech and hate crime in India, its work cited by mainstream news outlets.

Though Hindutva has documented nearly 3,000 instances of hate speech and hate crime, Naik said the election-related vitriol seen this year is without precedent.

"I have never seen this kind of inflammatory, hateful election campaign at the national level targeting Muslim minorities," Naik said.

Spokespeople for the BJP in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Washington did not respond to repeated email requests for comment. VOA has reached out to the BJP's U.S. lobbying arm for comment.

Last week, Modi sought to address the controversy over his "infiltrators" remark. Speaking with a local broadcaster, he denied saying "Muslims have more children."

"I won't do Hindu Muslim," he told News18. "This is my pledge."

To critics, the pledge rang hollow. The day he disavowed playing the Hindu-Muslim card, Modi warned supporters in the eastern state of Jharkhand, "Infiltrators with jihadi mindset are getting support from [the] opposition and putting our sisters in danger."

In the days since, Hindutva Watch has documented at least 10 rallies where Modi has by turn warned voters about alleged plans by Congress to redistribute national wealth among Muslims, award minority quotas to them and shut down a revered Hindu temple built on his watch.

Not all anti-Muslim statements documented by Hindutva Watch amount to hate speech, which is not a crime in India. Some are classified as inflammatory, dangerous or communal.

What Indians call "communalism" has long colored the contentious electoral politics of India, a country of 1.4 billion people, eight major religions and 22 official languages.

In 1984, the Congress Party, now in opposition, swept the polls, riding a wave of anti-Sikh furor created by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said anti-Muslim rhetoric is "part and parcel" of the BJP's voter mobilization strategy.

Founded in 1980 and in power since 2014, the BJP has long pursued two core objectives, Vaishnav said: improving the economic lot of the poor and creating a Hindu state.

"I don't think that this rhetoric we've seen on the campaign [trail] particularly surprises me, because it is in a sense attached to every BJP campaign," Vaishnav said.

As far back as 2002 when he served as Gujarat's chief minister, Modi didn't shy away from inflammatory rhetoric during violent Hindu-Muslim riots, Vaishnav said. More recently, the country's 2019 elections witnessed a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric, he added.

"In a sense, [the current rhetoric] is unprecedented in part because of the way this gets magnified. But this kind of mobilization is certainly not new," he said.

'Love jihad,' 'land jihad,' 'vote jihad'

To mobilize voters, BJP candidates, along with other proponents of right-wing Hindu nationalists, have made frequent use of well-worn tropes and conspiracy theories about Muslims.

One is known as "land jihad," a conspiracy theory that alleges Muslims are taking over public lands with unauthorized religious buildings. Another, called "love jihad," accuses Muslim men of marrying Hindu women to convert them, with the ultimate goal of transforming India into a Muslim country. Hindutva Watch has recorded dozens of instances of both conspiracy theories during the campaign.

Earlier this month, a new variant of the phrase emerged: "vote jihad." After a local opposition leader called on Muslims to carry out a "jihad" of "votes" to oust Modi from power, the prime minister accused the Congress Party of announcing a "vote jihad" against the BJP.

"I hope you all know what the meaning of jihad is and against whom it is waged," Modi said.

The topic of jihad has routinely surfaced in campaign rallies. In a May 15 speech, independent candidate Sanjay Sharma warned supporters that "this jihadi mentality will keep spreading" if they "don't wake up now."

"Vote for me if you want to stop cow slaughter completely," Sharma said, according to a translation provided by Hindutva Watch. "Vote for me if you want to stop love jihad."

'Fear speech'

In a way, much of the rhetoric employed by BJP candidates is typical political strategy: politicians firing up supporters with exaggerated claims and fear-mongering.

"Look at what House and Senate candidates are saying on the campaign trail," Vaishnav said. "Look at what Republican social media influencers are tweeting about."

Rutgers University Professor Kiran Garimella described the campaign rhetoric suggesting a Muslim takeover through population growth as "fear speech," a term used by researchers.

"We see a lot of cases where this kind of rhetoric is being used both in India and in the U.S.," Garimella said.

But it's not just rhetoric that's worrisome, said veteran Indian journalist and civil rights activist Ajit Sahi.

"In India, the rhetoric is part of a larger movement, which is organized, financed and has boots on the ground," said Sahi, now advocacy director for the Indian American Muslim Council. "If there was just rhetoric, that would be possibly tolerable, but the rhetoric is combined with an organized and deeply financed and widely penetrated movement."

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Wang meets Iranian deputy FM, vowing support

Global Times

Tragic accident unlikely to impact foundation, direction of bilateral ties: experts

By GT staff reporters Published: May 21, 2024 10:51 PM Updated: May 21, 2024 10:52 PM

Following the tragic helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials on Sunday, Chinese and Iranian officials have reiterated their resolution to continue to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries, as experts noted that the passing of Raisi will not affect the overall direction and development of China-Iran relations, nor will it bring about fundamental changes in Iran's domestic politics.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari who represents Iran to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana. Wang once again expressed his condolences and sympathy for the unfortunate passing of Raisi and Abdollahian.



"Regardless of how the situation may change, China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran, safeguard common interests and make efforts for regional and global peace," Wang said.

Safari thanked Chinese side for its steadfast support to Iran, and emphasized that Iran's domestic and foreign policies will not change. "Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China and is committed to enhancing cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture," he said, stating that Iran is willing to continue the relevant processes and work toward improving relations with regional countries.

China's Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu held a phone conversation with Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri no Monday night, sending China's deep condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Iran over the tragedy.

Bagheri appreciated the announcement of the Chinese side's readiness to help the Iranian side during the first hours after the tragic event and Beijing's assistance in the past 24 hours, thanking Chinese officials for extending condolences and making phone calls today.

Bagheri noted that this is a sign of the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries and their friendship as well as the support the two governments to give each other in critical times. Iran is determined to continuously advance cooperation with China in all areas, he said.

Although the unexpected death of Raisi may cause a temporary vacancy for the successor to Iran's Supreme Leader and cause ripples to the internal power structure, Chinese experts believe that the accident will not affect relations between China and Iran, as senior officials from both sides have vowed.

The foundation of the relationship will not be disrupted, as the overall framework of bilateral ties remains stable and solid, indicating that the incident will not significantly impact the relationship between the two countries, Zhu Yongbiao, director of School of Politics and International Relations of Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

What's more, Zhu pointed out that Iran still sees strong anti-America sentiment in the country, under such a circumstance, there is a strong demand for pragmatic cooperation with China.

Aside from the bilateral cooperative framework, China and Iran also have multilateral platforms for communication and cooperation, such as SCO, which enriches the channels for dialogue and collaboration between the two countries, while China and Iran also have significant consensus on various regional issues.

While Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has currently assumed the interim presidency, Iran's government announced on Monday that the country's 14th presidential election would be held on June 28, the official news agency IRNA reported, as quoted by the Xinhua News Agency.

Although the passing of Raisi may impact Iran's crisis handling in the short term, analysts believe that the overall direction of its domestic and external policies will not be fundamentally altered.

Raisi has made significant achievements in improving relations with neighboring countries and expanding Iran's international relations during his tenure, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "Iran successfully joined the SCO and the BRICS cooperation mechanism, enhancing Iran's international presence."

Liu pointed out that the next step in the domestic policy direction is worth watching out for, as it remains to be seen whether the current conservative political direction of the government will continue or if the upcoming election on June 28 will shift toward a moderate direction.

Raisi's funeral will take place on Thursday in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, said Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri. Five days of national mourning was declared by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday, Xinhua reported.

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Russian FM blames US sanctions for Iran president's copter crash

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has blamed sanctions imposed by the united states on Iran for a deadly helicopter crash over the weakened that involved late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials of the country.

Lavrov said on Tuesday on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan, that US sanctions had worsened aviation safety in countries around the world.

He was commenting on the May 19 helicopter crash in northwest Iran which resulted in the deaths for Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, two senior local officials as well as two guards, two pilots and a crew member.

"The Americans disown this, but the truth is that other countries against which the United States announced sanctions do not receive spare parts for American equipment, including aviation," Lavrov said about the crash.

"We are talking about deliberately causing damage to ordinary citizens who use these vehicles, and when spare parts are not supplied, this is directly related to a decrease in the level of safety," he added, according to remarks carried by Reuters news agency.

Iran has been under a severe regime of US sanctions since 2018 when a former US president withdrew from an international deal on Iran's nuclear program and imposed sanctions on the country.

The sanctions have obviously restricted Iran's access to spare parts, forcing the country to rely on domestic know-how to upgrade its aviation fleet.

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Iran's caretaker FM condoles martyrdom of President Raisi, FM Amirabdollahian

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Ali Bagheri Kani, the caretaker of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, has conveyed messages of condolence for the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who losta their lives while serving the people and fostering peace and friendship among regional nations, to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, their esteemed families, and the noble people of Iran.

Bagheri Kani conveyed a message of condolence on Tuesday regarding President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian's martyrdom in a recent helicopter crash.

He emphasized his collaboration with the late President Raisi and Amirabdollahian in various roles, highlighting their enduring and influential services to the holy Islamic system and their deep love for the people of Iran.

In his condolence message, Iran's top diplomat described President Raisi's services as a demonstration of Jihadi and revolutionary governance, providing outstanding contributions to the people of Iran in various fields.

He noted that the late President prioritized diplomacy based on the strategic principle of "dignity, wisdom, expediency", aiming to comprehensively defend the rights of the Iranian nation, strengthen cooperation in foreign relations, prioritize neighboring politics, elevate Iran's position in the international arena, and support oppressed people, including those in Palestine, against global arrogance and the Zionist regime.

In his message, Bagheri Kani referred to martyr Amirabdollahian as a close friend of the president, noting that Amirabdollahian played a crucial role in advancing Iran's foreign policy in neighboring diplomacy, fostering friendly relations with nations and governments, and defending the Palestinian people.

Bagheri Kani highlighted Amirabdollahian's exemplary efforts for the prosperity and security of the region, especially during his presence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The message also praised Amirabdollahian's tireless efforts in supporting Iran's foreign policy goals, including backing the Axis of Resistance and strengthening relations with neighbors, Muslim nations, as well as emerging powers and new multilateral alliances.

It also acknowledged his high moral character, good temperament, and humbleness, stating that these qualities will be remembered forever.

Bagheri Kani stated that the valuable policy and thoughts for advancing the country's foreign policy will continue to be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without any disruption to their duties.

He also expressed gratitude for the messages of condolences and sympathies from various strata of people and officials of other countries, adding that undoubtedly the great nation of Iran is grateful for its servants and will follow its clear path by relying on the infinite power of God and the wise guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

President Raisi and his entourage, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollhian, were returning from an event on the border with Azerbaijan where they had inaugurated a dam project on Sunday, when their helicopter crashed due to harsh weather conditions over the mountainous terrain of Iran's northwest.

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Nasrallah offers condolences to Supreme Leader over martyrdom of President Raisi

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Tue / 21 May 2024 / 13:17

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Monday offered condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and people for martyrdom of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his comrades.

Tehran -ISNA- In a letter, Sayyed Nasrallah addressed Sayyed Ali Khamenei on behalf of Hezbollah, its Resistance fighters, the families of its martyrs and wounded, and the supporters of the Resistance.

"We share all the feelings and ramifications of the loss of these honorable leaders at this sensitive stage as you lead the Islamic nation in its bitter struggle with the forces of arrogance and hegemony," the Hezbollah leader stressed.

He noted that Sayyed Raisi was "a loyal servant," and his foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, "carried the banner of defending the resistance in all international forums."

"To us, and to all the oppressed, the resistance fighters, and the fighters on the path of righteousness, we extend our condolences and hope in your blessed presence, wise, guided, and courageous leadership," Sayyed Nasrallah added.

"I ask Allah Almighty to prolong your noble life and to strengthen your pure heart to bear the pain of losing these loyal and sincere leaders, and to bestow patience, solace, and great reward upon their noble and honorable families, our dear and great Iranian people, and all the esteemed officials of the Islamic Republic, God willing," he stressed.

It has been confirmed on Monday that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was martyred in a tragic helicopter crash on Sunday in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, following the return from the working trip. His entire entourage, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, the Imam for Friday prayers in the city of Tabriz also perished.

End Item

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Iran prepares for presidential election and Raisi's funeral

People's Daily Online

By Mike Gu (Chinadaily.com.cn) 11:11, May 21, 2024

The Iranian authorities will hold a funeral for the late president Ebrahim Raisi on May 23 and the next presidential election on June 28.

They said the election will be held on June 28 to determine the new president and the registration of candidates will be carried out from May 30 to June 3, and the election campaign period will be from June 12-27, Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Article 131 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran states the formation of a council to manage the executive affairs of the country for a period of 50 days and prepare for the presidential elections.

While Iran is mourning the death of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and a number of senior provincial officials for the second of five-day national mourning, authorities issued a notice, saying that a funeral will be held for Raisi in South Khorasan Province on May 23 and he will be laid to rest in his hometown Mashhad same day.

Raisi and his accompanying team lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Varzaqan, northwestern Iran, on Sunday while returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran's border with Azerbaijan.

Hojjatoleslam Mahmoud Hosseini, the director of a local office of Iran's Islamic Propagation Organization in Tabriz, told IRNA that in the funeral procession on May 21, the people of Tabriz will bid farewell to the president and carry his body to the Tabriz airport.

People in Teheran are already holding ceremonies mourning the death of Raisi.

Both Turkiye and Sri Lanka have announced a one-day mourning for the Iranian president, as cited by the Daily Mirror news website and IRNA.

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Iranian President's Casket Arrives In Tehran As New Crash Details Emerge

By RFE/RL May 21, 2024

The caskets of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and others killed in a May 19 helicopter crash arrived in a procession with an honor guard in Tehran on May 21 ahead of a planned journey to the holy city of Qom, where additional services were scheduled for later in the day as part of a five-day mourning period declared by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Several funeral ceremonies were taking place in Iran on May 21 to mark the deaths of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others in the helicopter crash that occurred in northern Iran near the city of Tabriz, the capital of Iran's northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

Following their journey to Qom, the caskets are to return late on May 21 to Tehran, where a funeral service is scheduled for May 22 presided by Khamenei and with a procession set to follow. Ceremonies are also being held in Birjand on May 23, when Raisi will be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine in the holy city of Mashhad, Iranian media reported.

The IRNA state-run news agency posted the first footage purportedly showing the caskets of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian on X, formerly Twitter.

State television later showed large crowds gathering in Qom ahead of services there.

Khamenei also named First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president. Iranian law stipulates that if the president dies, power is transferred to the first vice president.

A presidential election to determine Raisi's successor was announced for June 28. The election, which has to be held within 50 days, is to be organized by a council consisting of the speaker of parliament, the head of the judiciary, and the first vice president.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani was appointed acting foreign minister, Iranian state media reported.

After Iranian state television said on May 20 that the helicopter had crashed due to poor weather conditions, search-and-rescue teams found the bodies of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian at the site of the crash in northwest Iran.

Communication was lost while the helicopter was on its way back to Tabriz after Raisi attended the joint inauguration of a dam with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, on their common border.

On May 21, an official on another helicopter disclosed additional details of events on the day of the crash, according to a report by dpa.

Gholam Hossein Esmaili, the presidential chief of staff, told state television that upon the helicopters' departure, "the weather was cloudless, completely clear, and bright."

But he said clouds quickly emerged and that the pilot of the presidential helicopter -- flying in the center of the three-aircraft convoy -- ordered the copters to fly at a higher altitude.

Shortly afterward, the pilot of the helicopter Esmaili was traveling in realized that the Raisi craft was no longer with the others and was thought to have made an emergency landing.

The two other helicopters in the convoy circled for several minutes over the area before landing near a copper mine because of the poor conditions.

The Iranian government said the other two helicopters eventually landed safely in Tabriz.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said that all eight people aboard the Bell 212 helicopter purchased by Iran in the early 2000s were killed. Besides Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan Province, a senior cleric from Tabriz, a Revolutionary Guards official, and three crew members were killed, according to IRNA.

The bodies from the helicopter that crashed were severely burned but not beyond recognition, according to the head of Iran's Crisis Management Organization, Mohammad Hassan Nami. He said DNA tests were not needed to confirm the identities of those killed in the crash.

He added that Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, who served as Khamenei's representative in East Azerbaijan Province, survived the crash initially and remained alive for about an hour before he died.

Nami said that, during that time, Al-e Hashem had made contact with Raisi's chief of staff by phone. He did not reveal any further details.

Meanwhile, Washington said for the first time that Tehran had asked for U.S. help in the helicopter incident but that it was unable to provide assistance, mainly due to logistical reasons.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller did not specify how the request was made or the nature of it. The United States and Iran do not have diplomatic relations.

Foreign governments on May 20 issued expressions of condolence and solidarity. Lebanon announced three days of mourning to honor Raisi. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian were both "true, reliable friends of our country."

Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, issued a statement of condolence and thanked Raisi for his "tireless efforts in solidarity" with the Palestinian people.

The United States -- a bitter rival of Iran that had imposed financial sanctions on Raisi when he was head of Iran's judiciary in 2019 -- also offered its condolences.

"The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran," the State Department said in a statement.

"As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The White House, nevertheless, had harsh words for Raisi, saying he had "blood on his hands" for supporting extremist groups in the Middle East.

U.S. national-security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that "no question, this was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands."

U.S. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Raisi's rule was "barbaric" and marked by "terror, danger, and oppression."

"In these fateful days, we pray for stability in the Middle East, for Iranian leaders who will seek to live at peace with their neighbors and the West, and for the day when the flag of freedom will be raised in Iran," Johnsonwrote on X.

European Council President Charles Michel issued a statement of "sincere condolences," adding "our thoughts go to the families."

Some activists criticized the EU for assisting in the rescue operation of a leader who has been accused of overseeing major human rights abuses.

But EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic defended the move on May 20, saying that, by providing satellite mapping services to Tehran, Brussels was acting "upon request for facilitating a search and rescue operation" and was not "an act of political support to any regime or establishment."

"It is simply an expression of the most basic humanity," he added in a post on X.

Raisi was elected president in 2021 and had since tightened many restrictions on Iranians through the enforcement of morality laws and a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests spurred by the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code on head scarves.

Thousands of people, including protesters, journalists, lawyers, athletes, and artists have been arrested and at least 500 people have been killed in Iran's brutal crackdown on the protests.

Raisi also pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers while also allowing the country to markedly increase its uranium enrichment program.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-khamenei-abdollahian- funerals-helicopter/32957133.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.

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'A Symbol Of Murder Gone': Families Of Victims Of Mass Executions Express Relief After Iranian President's Death

By Fereshteh Ghazi May 21, 2024

Esmat Vatanparast lost 11 members of her extended family during the mass executions of political prisoners and regime opponents in Iran in the 1980s.

For the last three decades, the elderly Vatanparast has been grieving and seeking justice for the deaths of her family members, including her two daughters and three brothers.

On May 19, when President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran, Vatanparast says she obtained a semblance of justice.

Raisi allegedly played a role in the estimated execution of at least 5,000 members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), students, and leftist political parties and groups during the summer of 1988.

"My happiness has no limits," Vatanparast, who fled to Sweden after the massacre, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda on May 20, the day Raisi's death was confirmed. "Today is a beautiful day for the people of Iran."

Raisi, known as the "butcher of Tehran," was accused of serving as a prosecutor on a "death committee" that ordered the executions. Many were executed in prisons, including in the Iranian capital's notorious Evin prison.

Vatanparast said it was "very difficult" for the families of the victims of the massacre to witness the rise of Raisi, a former judiciary chief who became president following a controversial election in 2021.

"I want to congratulate all the mothers and fathers whose children were killed by the Islamic republic and couldn't say or do anything," said Vatanparast, who is in her 80s.

The mass killing was ordered by the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

In a fatwa, or religious decree, Khomeini declared that "apostates" and those who had taken up arms against the Islamic republic were "waging war against God" and should be sentenced to death. Some estimates of those executed run into the tens of thousands.

The fatwa was issued in the last days of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, during which members of the MKO switched sides and fought alongside Iraqi forces.

Only one Iranian has been convicted and jailed over the mass executions. Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian prison official, was sentenced to life in prison in Sweden in 2022 for his role in the massacre.

'Death Of This Executioner'

Mehdi Aslani was a former member of the leftist Fadayian-e Khalq organization who served time in Gohardasht prison near Tehran and Evin prison.

Aslani survived the mass executions in 1988 and then fled to Germany. He testified during Nouri's trial in Sweden.

"I'm happy at this moment because a symbol of murder is gone," the former political prisoner told Radio Farda. "I would be lying if I said the news of the death of this executioner did not bring me joy."

As rescue teams were still searching for the wreckage of Raisi's helicopter, videos emerged on social media showing fireworks going off at night in what appeared to be celebrations.

Mihan Rusta, whose husband was among those executed in 1988, says the celebrations were the result of decades of anger and pain.

Celebrating a death may "not be humane," she said, but it is to be expected when "you've been under pressure" for years.

"It's a natural and human reaction to feel a sense of relief when circumstances intervene when you couldn't," Rusta told Radio Farda.

Like many other family members of the victims of the mass executions, Rusta bemoaned that Raisi's death meant that he would evade justice for his alleged crimes.

Raisi took "part of the truth" to the grave, she said. "For those who seek justice...you will always carry this thought with you. The knowledge that you'll never know the whole truth," she added.

As president, Raisi oversaw a bloody crackdown on unprecedented antiestablishment protests in 2022 and the tightening of the country's morality laws.

Vatanparast said it would be "good for the world" for people like Raisi to go on trial. But she added, "The sooner they die...the safer people's children."

Written by Kian Sharifi based on interviews by Fereshteh Ghazi of RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-raisi-death-committee- executions/32957749.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.

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Iranians mourn late president

By VOA News May 21, 2024

Iranians gathered Tuesday in the northwestern city of Tabriz to mourn the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died Sunday in a helicopter crash in the region.

Crowds packed into streets held signs and banners with photos of Raisi along with others who died in the crash, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

The funeral ceremony is one of several taking place this week as Iran marks five days of mourning.

Ceremonies were also set for Qom and Tehran before Raisi's final burial Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.

Iranian officials have not publicly pinpointed a cause for the crash. The helicopter went down Sunday in a mountainous area during foggy weather as the Iranian delegation was returning from attending a dam project inauguration at the Iran-Azerbaijan border.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame the United States and its sanctions against Iran. Zarif told the Associated Press that the U.S. "embargoed the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities."

The United States rejected that argument, with the State Department saying Tuesday that Iran "has used its aircraft to transport equipment to support terrorism."

"We will continue to fully enforce our sanctions regime, including our sanctions regimes on aircraft for use by the Iranian government," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. "Ultimately, it's the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a 45-year-old helicopter in what was described as poor weather conditions, not any other actor."

As news of the crash circulated on Sunday, anti-government chants could be observed in some parts of the capital. Criticisms of Raisi and jokes about the crash also spread online.

Iran's head prosecutor issued an order demanding criminal investigations against those "publishing false content, lies and insults" against Raisi and other officials killed in the crash, according to the semiofficial ISNA news agency.

Prosecutors are warning against showing any public signs of celebrating Raisi's death while security forces are monitoring the streets of Tehran.

Some foreign officials have taken to social media to criticize Raisi.

"President Raisi's regime has murdered thousands at home, and targeted people here in Britain and across Europe. I will not mourn him," United Kingdom Security Minister Tom Tugendhat wrote on X.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote: "I don't feel comfortable sending condolences while Iran is sending drones that are used against civilians in Ukraine.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei placed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber in charge of the executive branch following Raisi's death. An election for a new president is due to be held within 50 days.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani was named as acting foreign minister.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Iran's rulers crack down on expressions of joy at Raisi's death

By Michael Lipin May 21, 2024

Iran's Islamist rulers have begun cracking down on expressions of happiness by their opponents over President Ebrahim Raisi's death Sunday in a helicopter crash.

Raisi and other senior officials died when their helicopter crashed in bad weather in East Azerbaijan province while flying back to Iran from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning in response.

Raisi was reviled by opponents of Iran's authoritarian Islamist government for his role as a prosecutor who ordered mass killings of political prisoners in 1988 and for using his presidential powers to violently suppress a women's rights protest movement that erupted nationwide in late 2022 and continued into 2023.

Dadban, an Iran-based group of lawyers defending political prisoners and rights activists, said in a Tuesday post on the X platform that it received messages from several citizens who reported being ordered by security agencies to remove online content expressing joy at Raisi's demise.

The head of Iran's cyber police had warned a day earlier that authorities were "carefully monitoring cyberspace" and advised citizens to refrain from publishing "provocative" content.

The Islamic Republic's Iranian critics inside and outside Iran have flooded social media with mockery of Raisi since his death, with some posting the Persian hashtag "helicotlet," a combination of the words helicopter and cutlet. Many of those critics celebrated the 2020 killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. missile strike in Baghdad by referring to him as a "cutlet."

Persian social media users also posted videos appearing to show people in different parts of Iran sharing sweets and chocolates on Monday to celebrate Raisi's death.

In one video sent to VOA Persian TV host Masih Alinejad and published by her on social media, a woman whose face is not shown carries a tray of sweet pastries in a public park in an unidentified part of Iran and offers them to another woman whom she approaches nearby.

In the ensuing brief conversation, one woman jokes about wanting to know the occasion for the pastries, while the other says they both know the occasion, in an apparent cryptic reference to Raisi's death.

In another video posted on Telegram by a progressive student organization in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, a woman whose face also is not shown walks along a street at night, bringing a tray of sweet pastries to several bystanders who accept her celebratory offer.

VOA cannot independently verify the circumstances of the celebratory videos, as it is barred from reporting inside Iran.

The mother of a teenage boy fatally wounded by Tehran security forces in September 2022 as he joined nationwide protests expressed her defiance of the late Raisi more openly.

In a video message posted to Instagram on Monday, Abolfazl Amir Ataei's mother, Maryam, said Raisi's death is a "result of the groans of myself and other mothers whose children you killed."

Dadban said Iranian security officers also took punitive action against political prisoners who rejoiced over Raisi's death in ward 15 of the city of Karaj's central penitentiary, transferring them to an unknown location.

Iran-based journalist Manizheh Moazen said authorities also targeted her in the crackdown. Writing Tuesday on X, she said the government prosecutor's office for culture and media has opened a new case against her because of how she reacted to Raisi's death.

Iranian American human rights lawyer and Atlantic Council analyst Gissou Nia told VOA's Afghan Service that the celebratory acts seen in Iran since Raisi's death stem from his "extraordinary" unpopularity.

"He was a perpetrator of crimes against humanity and atrocity crimes in every decade of the Islamic Republic. His policies led to extreme violence on women and a nationwide outcry," Nia said.

Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic in the diaspora engaged in more public celebratory activities in major Western cities.

On Monday, Iranians waving pre-Islamic Republic Iranian flags danced to music outside Iranian diplomatic missions in London, Copenhagen, The Hague and Hamburg.

There were similar scenes in midtown Toronto on Monday, and in Stockholm and Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Mehrzad Zarei, a Toronto-based father who lost his son in Iran's 2020 shootdown of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 over Tehran, told a VOA Persian reporter that Raisi's death in the helicopter crash was "sweet" but not what he had most wanted to see.

"Deep in my heart, I was wishing to see Iranian officials who have committed crimes a like Raisi who was known as the 'executioner of Evin [prison]' and killed many of our loved ones a being prosecuted and tried in a fair court," Zarei said.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA Persian Service journalists Niusha Boghrati, Behrooz Samadbeygi and Behrang Rahbari, who reported from Toronto. Zheela Noori of VOA's Afghan Service also contributed.

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AFP, May 19, 2024

Susannah WALDEN

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 travelers stopped to buy fruit. But then she heard one of her companions screaming: I realized 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.

Brill was unhurt, but the Lithuanian woman next to her was hit.

"She had gone completely white," Brill said. "She was saying, 'I'm cold, I'm cold... I'm 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 weren't sure if they were safe."But we didn't 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.

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 it's 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.

"I had to let go and say to myself, 'That's it, now I'm safe'," she said, speaking from Dubai.

Fledgling tourism industry

An avid traveler 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 country's 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 traveling independently, she still opted for a tour group -- conscious of the remaining challenges of traveling in Afghanistan, a country with poor infrastructure, dilapidated health services, tight Taliban government controls, little diplomatic presence and lingering security threats.

The attack on Brill's 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.

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.
Chinese Foreign Minister Reiterates Beijing's Support For Kazakh Independence

By Merhat Sharipzhan May 21, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated Beijing's readiness to "firmly support Kazakhstan's efforts to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

Speaking after a meeting with Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev in Astana on May 20, Wang echoed several similar statements made by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in recent years for China's backing of its neighbor to the northeast.

"China will support a series of strategies for development and important measures initiated by [the Kazakh] President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, oppose with resolve against any external forces that are trying to interfere in the internal affairs of that country," Wang said.

Since Moscow launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many in Kazakhstan and elsewhere have considered statements from Chinese leaders regarding Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations to be a message to Russia, where in recent months, many pro-Kremlin politicians and political observers have hinted that Kazakhstan is a takeover target for Moscow.

Toqaev, in his turn, praised Chinese-Kazakh ties, emphasizing that his country's giant neighbor "will remain Kazakhstan's reliable partner."

"China's diplomacy plays an important role in the world's policies. The future of Kazakh-Chinese relations is significant," Toqaev said during his talks with Wang.

The Kazakh presidential press service said that Toqaev also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on May 20.

Foreign ministers from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- China, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan -- arrived for a meeting in the Kazakh capital this week.

It was announced at the foreign ministers' gathering held on May 21 that the leaders of the SCO's member states will convene again in Astana on July 3-4.

With reporting by Xinhua and Tengrinews

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-yi-support-kazakhstan- independence/32957407.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.

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Airstrike kills woman on Myanmar-Bangladesh border

Three bombs were dropped while villagers were sleeping, residents said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.05.21 -- A Myanmar junta airstrike near the border with Bangladesh on Tuesday killed one civilian and injured 11, residents told Radio Free Asia, the latest casualties in a region that has seen some of the country's most intense fighting in recent weeks.

Junta forces launched air attacks after insurgents from the Arakan Army assaulted the military regime's Border Guard Force near Maungdaw town on Monday. In response, aircraft dropped three bombs on two nearby villages in Rakhine State's Maungdaw township.

Since November, the Arakan Army has captured eight townships across Rakhine state and has launched several offensives in other areas.

Fighter jets bombed Shwe Baho and Baw Di Kone villages at around 4 a.m., one resident, who declined to be identified in fear of reprisals, told RFA.

"A young woman died in Shwe Baho. She is a university student and was taking refuge in the village. The whole family was fleeing the battle but they were injured," he said. "The Arakan Army is attacking Lay Mile's Border Guard Force, so [the junta] bombarded all areas and surrounding villages."

The dead woman, Pan Ei Pyu, 22, also worked at a social assistance group, residents said. The wounded ranged in age from 5 years to 71, residents said.

Myanmar's junta has yet to release any information on the attack. Rakhine state's junta spokesperson, Hla Thein, did not answer calls from RFA.

AA advances

Forces of the junta, which seized power in an early 2021 coup, have lost territory in several parts of the country since late last year when militia groups, formed by pro-democracy activists and allied ethnic minority insurgent groups fighting for self-determination went on the offensive.

Despite making advances, the junta's opponents have no air power, leaving them, and villages in areas in which they operate, vulnerable to airstrikes.

Four civilians were killed and six were wounded between May 14 and 19 when the junta bombed villages in southern Maungdaw township, residents said.

On Saturday, the Arakan Army announced it had captured all junta camps in Buthidaung, a township along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

Hours earlier, the group was accused of attacking a school with a drone where members of the Rohingya minority, a mostly Muslim community that has faced persecution for decades, were sheltering. Eighteen people were killed and more than 200 were wounded, residents said.

The Arakan Army, in its Saturday statement, did not mention the Rohingya deaths, but said its forces were aiming to capture Maungdaw town, about 16 km (10 miles) west of Buthidaung township, also near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

Stoking community conflict

Two days later, the group released another statement, accusing junta troops and militiamen of setting fire to houses in the area "with the intention to create racial and religious conflict in Rakhine state."

On Tuesday, Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government issued a similar statement, saying that junta forces in Buthidaung had set fire to the homes of Hindus and majority ethnic Rakhines "with the intention of causing community conflict," carried out airstrikes and shelling, destroyed public property and burned villages, and forced the displacement of township residents, including Rohingyas. The statement acknowledged what it called "distressing reports" of an unconfirmed number of civilian casualties.

The junta has yet to issue any response to the statement and attempts by RFA to reach Rakhine state spokesperson Hla Thein for comment on the allegations went unanswered.

Casualties in resort township

Meanwhile, residents of the Rakhine state beach resort town of Thandwe told RFA on Tuesday that fierce fighting between the military and the AA there had left at least 23 civilians dead and five injured since the start of the month.

On Monday, a junta navy vessel "opened fire with heavy weapons," killing a child and injuring another person in Thandwe's Kha Maung Tone village, a resident said.

In one of the deadliest incidents this month, junta troops shelled Thandwe's Lin Thi and Shwe Hlay villages on May 14, killing 13 civilians. Four days later, a junta jet fighter dropped bombs into Thandwe's Nat Taung Maw village, killing nine and injuring another three.

Clashes between the two sides in the Thandwe villages of Yae Kauk and Pu Yit since April 22 have forced around 10,000 people to flee, residents said.

Amid the fighting, the military has cut off power to Thandwe township and increased the number of its troops at security checkpoints, they said.

International aid groups and local residents in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Thandwe townships were told to evacuate by the United League of Arakan, the political wing of the Arakan Army, after it issued a warning of more attacks on junta forces on Monday.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.

This report has been updated to include statements by the AA and the National Unity Government, as well as details of the situation in Thandwe township.

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.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Astana, May 20, 2024

20 May 2024 13:01

919-20-05-2024

Mr Minister,

Dear friend,

Colleagues.

We are convening shortly after President of Russia Vladimir Putin's visit to China. This marked his first foreign visit following his re-election to the presidency. The visit underscored the unique character of our strategic interaction and comprehensive partnership. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Chinese friends and hosts for their warmth, hospitality, and the remarkable organisation of our work throughout the trip.

The Joint Statement issued by the leaders, outlining the deepening of bilateral relations that coincides with the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, reverberated globally, including within the UN. It set forth new objectives, aiming to elevate our relations to an even more profound and multifaceted level.

Our schedule of contacts is packed. We eagerly anticipate your presence, esteemed Mr. Minister, dear friend, at the upcoming meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in June in Nizhny Novgorod. Our leaders will meet during the SCO summit in July in Astana. Plans are underway for marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the People's Republic of China.

Today presents a good opportunity to explore how we can seamlessly capitalise on the pace set to our relations by our discussions in Beijing and Harbin, without any interruptions or hesitations. We will issue the necessary instructions to our teams accordingly.

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Telephone conversation with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

May 21, 2024

12:45

The two leaders discussed the preparations for the Russian President's upcoming state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan. In this context, they addressed a number of practical issues related to advancing bilateral cooperation, including in trade and the economy.

Vladimir Putin also shared his impressions of the recent talks with the Chinese leadership in Beijing.

Both sides confirmed their commitment to consistently strengthening the alliance and strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan.

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Ex-Russian Army Commander Who Once Criticized Top Brass Arrested On Fraud Charges

By RFE/RL's Russian Service May 21, 2024

The former commander of Russia's 58th army -- who had once complained about his forces' lack of support from Moscow -- has been arrested on fraud charges, state-run TASS news agency reported.

TASS, citing unidentified law-enforcement officials, on May 21 said a military court had ordered that Major General Ivan Popov be detained for two months amid ongoing actions against current and former military leaders.

Interfax quoted Popov's lawyer, Sergei Buinovsky, as saying the general has claimed his innocence has appealed against the detention.

Popov was fired as commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army in Ukraine's occupied Zaporizhzhya region in July after complaining to top officials that his forces were not receiving the proper weapons and reconnaissance systems and that they were not being sufficiently rotated.

Dva Mayora and Grey Zone Telegram channels reported that the case against Popov is linked to alleged embezzlement of 100 million rubles ($1.1 million) allocated for military needs in parts of the Zaporizhzhya region.

The reports about Popov's arrest come less than a week after investigators arrested Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov, who headed the personnel directorate of Russia's Defense Ministry, in an alleged corruption case.

Kuznetsov's arrest on May 14 came just two days after President Vladimir Putin relieved his close ally Sergei Shoigu of his duties as defense minister.

In late April, police detained Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on bribe-taking charges and a court later sent him to pretrial detention for at least two months.

Putin replaced Shoigu with former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, 65, a politician who specializes in economic matters. The move is seen as part of a strategy to make the armed forces more streamlined with Russia's invasion of Ukraine now in its third year.

On May 20, Putin appointed Oleg Savelyev, the former minister on Crimean affairs, to the post of deputy defense minister.

The 58-year-old Savelyev also served as deputy minister for economic development and as the auditor at the Audit Chamber, a parliamentary group that serves as a financial watchdog.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-arrests-former- coammnder--general-ivan-popov/32957693.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.

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Imprisoned Kremlin Critic Kara-Murza Loses Another Appeal In Court

By RFE/RL's Russian Service May 21, 2024

The Moscow City Court on May 21 rejected an appeal filed by imprisoned Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza against a lower court's refusal to consider his lawsuit against Russia's Investigative Committee for failing to fully investigate his suspected poisoning.

"I am absolutely not surprised that nobody will investigate attempted murders of opposition politicians in current Russia, including the murders of [Kremlin-critics] Boris Nemtsov and Aleksei Navalny," Kara-Murza said after the ruling.

Kara-Murza suddenly fell deathly ill on two separate occasions in Moscow -- in 2015 and 2017-- with symptoms consistent with poisoning.

Tissue samples smuggled from Russia to the United States by his relatives were turned over to the FBI, which investigated the case as one of "intentional poisoning."

U.S. government laboratories also conducted extensive tests on the samples, but documents released by the Justice Department suggest they were unable to reach a conclusive finding.

Kara-Murza's lawyer sent requests to the Investigative Committee to investigate both of the poisonings, but those requests were denied.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the incidents.

Moscow's Zamoskvorechye district court rejected Kara-Murza's inaction lawsuit against the Investigative Committee in February this year.

Kara-Murza, 42, who holds Russian and British passports, was initially arrested in April 2022 after returning to Russia from abroad and charged with disobeying a police officer.

He was later charged with discrediting the Russian military, a charge stemming from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and a Kremlin push to stamp out criticism of the subject. He was later additionally charged with treason over remarks he made in speeches outside Russia that criticized Kremlin policies.

In April last year, Kara-Murza was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He and his supporters reject the charges as politically motivated.

With reporting by Mediazona

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moscow-court-rejects-another-appeal- filed-by-kremlin-critic-vladimir-kara-murza/32957629.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.

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Russian Military Ex-Commander Popov Arrested on Large-Scale Fraud Charges - Court

Sputnik News

20240521

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The former commander of the 58th army of the Russian armed forces, Major General Ivan Popov, was arrested on large-scale fraud charges, the 235th garrison military court told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"By the resolution of the 235th garrison military court of May 17, a preventive measure was chosen in the form of detention of Ivan Ivanovich Popov for 2 months," a court representative said.

Popov was charged with fraud on a particularly large scale, the representative added.

A Sputnik

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Behind Putin and Xi's embrace, Russia is junior partner, analysts say

By Henry Ridgwell May 21, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not known for public displays of affection.

So Xi's double embrace of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, last week a broadcast by Chinese and Russian state television a was widely seen as a calculated signal to the world of a blossoming personal and geopolitical relationship.

Putin's visit to China underlined burgeoning economic ties between Moscow and Beijing as the two countries signed a series of agreements aimed at forging closer cooperation, even as the West tries to isolate Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.

Personal warmth

The show of personal warmth was matched by a series of lavish state ceremonies, ostensibly marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

"It is a shared strategic choice of both countries to deepen strategic cooperation, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and follow the general historical trend of multipolarity in the world and economic globalization," Xi told Putin during the talks in Beijing on May 16.

Putin praised increased bilateral trade between Russia and China, which had, he said, reached an annual $240 billion a and touted his ambitions to sell more oil and gas to Beijing.

"Russia is ready and capable of uninterruptedly and reliably supplying the Chinese economy, enterprises, cities, towns with environmentally friendly, affordable energy, light and heat," Putin said following a visit to the northern Chinese city of Harbin.

Deepened cooperation

The Russian leader's visit to China achieved its aims, according to Liana Fix of the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations.

"(Coming) shortly after Putin's inauguration, it had a legitimizing effect for his fifth term as president on the international stage, demonstrating that even if the West does not accept his elections as free and fair, China sees him as the legitimate leader.

"Second, it served the purpose of deepening defense cooperation between these two countries, especially by circumventing U.S. sanctions on Chinese financial institutions for financing Russia's war effort, and by facilitating further Chinese deliveries to Russia's war machine," Fix told VOA in an email.

European snub

Putin's visit to China came days after Xi traveled to Europe, where EU leaders tried to persuade him to end support for Russia's war on Ukraine. It's clear they failed, said analyst Velina Tchakarova, founder of the FACE geopolitical consultancy.

"China provides the main lifeline for Russia. But China also practically set the stage for Russia to not get internationally isolated. Russia officially has announced that it's going in the direction of a long war that it wants to win, and here we see clearly that China is taking the side of Russia," Tchakarova told VOA.

That alliance a what Tchakarova calls the "DragonBear" a has ramifications beyond Ukraine.

"These kind of wars, as the one being waged right now in Europe [in Ukraine], and similarly the one in the Middle East [between Israel and Hamas], and obviously also the military tensions in the Indo-Pacific a these are hotspots, military conflicts and wars that are to be seen in this context of emerging 'Cold War 2.0' between the United States on the one hand, and China and Russia, or the 'DragonBear' on the other," Tchakarova told VOA.

Democratic threat

Xi and Putin are united by geopolitical aims, and their autocratic ideals threaten democratic societies, according to author Anne Applebaum, a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine.

"What they have in common is their dislike of the democratic world, their dislike of democratic language, and the ideals of freedom and justice and rule of law and transparency," Applebaum said. "And they are willing to join together to fight against them. It's a full-on central challenge from the autocratic world to them, and it's attacking both their citizens and their allies around the world, and we need to face it."

Unbalanced relations

The relationship is tilted heavily in China's favor, Applebaum said.

"They may have an interest in weakening Russia. A weaker Russia has to sell them oil and gas at lower prices. A weaker Russia is a more pliable ally, is a weaker player on the stage. And maybe they're hoping for that. It's pretty clear already that Russia is the junior partner in this alliance, which isn't something that we would have thought possible a couple of decades ago," she told VOA.

Putin is due to host Xi at the October BRICS summit in Russia, as both countries seek to galvanize global support for their vision of Beijing and Moscow as major players in a new, multipolar world.

VOA's Russian Service contributed to this report.

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Zuma barred from running in South African elections

By Kate Bartlett May 20, 2024

He's often been dubbed "the Teflon president" for his ability to endure scandal after scandal, but on Monday something finally stuck.

The Constitutional Court ruled that due to a 2021 prison sentence, former President Jacob Zuma will not be allowed to run for parliament in pivotal South African elections on May 29.

The country's Electoral Commission had always maintained Zuma was disqualified from running, because he had been sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court in a corruption case.

He served only two months before being released on medical parole.

Zuma's Umkhonto WeSizwe, or MK Party, spokesperson was defiant when addressing media outside the court after the ruling Monday.

"We are disappointed about the judgement, but I'd like to emphasize this: President Zuma will be on the ballot paper when we're going to vote ... He's still the leader of the party, he's in charge of MK Party," said Sihle Ngubane.

The Electoral Commission said in a statement that while Zuma's picture could still appear with other party members on the ballot, his name would be removed from the list of candidates nominated by the MK Party.

Rather than directly electing a president, South Africans vote for members of parliament. Whichever party wins a majority then puts their leader forward as president.

Another MK spokesperson told local media that despite the court decision, if the party came to power, whoever became president would essentially be a puppet because Zuma would still be "the brains behind any president that will be deployed."

Political analyst Sandile Swana told VOA in some ways the court decision could even play in Zuma's favor.

"The MK Party supporters are going to use this sentence again to look for sympathies that even the courts are against Zuma ... and playing the victim card to the fullest," he said.

Zuma, 82, was forced to resign near the end of his second term in 2018 amid numerous corruption scandals.

Bitter at his former party, the African National Congress (ANC), Zuma threw his weight behind the newly-formed MK in December 2023.

The ANC was shocked by the move, and to add insult to injury the MK Party takes its name from the ANC's disbanded armed wing a established by South African icon Nelson Mandela during the fight against apartheid.

Despite all the allegations against him a which include basically giving over state-owned enterprises and even some ministries to his businessmen friends a Zuma still has massive support in his home province of Kwa Zulu-Natal.

While MK has not been polling very high country-wide, elections next week are being seen as a test for the ANC, which surveys suggest will win under 50% for the first time in 30 years and may have to enter into a coalition.

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U.S. urges China to act with restraint after Lai's inauguration

ROC Central News Agency

05/21/2024 11:20 AM

Washington, May 20 (CNA) The United States has called on Beijing to act with restraint and not use Taiwan's transition as a pretext for provocative or coercive actions following the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te ().

In an email response to CNA on Monday (U.S. time), a State Department spokesperson welcomed the comments made by Lai in his inaugural address in Taipei Monday morning, noting his commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and to maintaining the status quo.

The inauguration was part of a normal, routine democratic process, the spokesperson said, and that if Beijing chose to escalate tensions or pressure Taiwan as a result, it should be seen as the provocateur.

U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed, opposing unilateral changes to the status quo by either side in line with its longstanding commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the spokesperson said.

The U.S. also does not support Taiwan independence but encourages cross-Taiwan Strait dialogue and expects that differences will be resolved peacefully and in a manner acceptable to people on both sides of the strait, according to the statement.

Following Lai's address on Monday morning, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua () said in a statement that the speech delivered by "the leader of the Taiwan region" "stubbornly insisted on the position of Taiwanese independence," China's Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chen, who was referring to Lai but did not mention his name once in his statement, also criticized the speech for containing "separatist fallacies" and attempting to "incite division" among people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing will unwaveringly adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 consensus, which expresses the idea that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and work toward its goal of "reunifying" Taiwan, Chen said.

(By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/ls



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Taiwanese reporters again excluded from WHA due to Chinese pressure

ROC Central News Agency

05/21/2024 10:44 PM

Paris, May 21 (CNA) Two Taiwanese journalists from the Taipei-based Central News Agency (CNA) were again denied press access to next week's World Health Assembly (WHA) apparently due to Chinese opposition after they were asked to provide a "Chinese passport" in order to apply for media credentials to cover the event.

Tien Hsi-ju (cca) and Judy Tseng (ac), Brussels-based and Paris-based correspondents with CNA, Taiwan's national news agency, recently submitted documents for media accreditation through the U.N. Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU) online accreditation system before the WHA meeting is set to start on May 27 in Geneva, Switzerland.

However, since there is no "Taiwan" or "Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name)" option in the U.N. accreditation system's drop-down menu of countries, the two CNA respondents selected "Thailand" and "Tuvalu" but specified in the notes section that they are reporters from "Taiwan (Republic of China)."

Tien and Tseng applied for media accreditation to cover the WHA in the same manner as they did last year, when their applications were initially approved but later rejected. At the time, they were informed by U.N. staff that they would not be permitted to claim their press passes due to pressure from China.

This year, the two CNA reporters encountered obstacles during the application phase. They received responses from the application review unit on May 9 and May 10, respectively, requiring them to provide "official Chinese passports" in line with U.N. policies and the guidance of U.N. General Assembly resolutions.

Tien said she then submitted a copy of her Republic of China (Taiwan) passport with supporting documents, but has heard no response.

According to Tseng, she also uploaded a copy of her passport and specified in the notes column: "The ROC passport is widely recognized in the world. A ROC passport holder can enter 110 countries without visa, while a PRC passport can get you (to) only 45 countries without visa."

Tseng said she also specified in the notes column that barring Taiwanese journalists from covering the meetings contradicts the WHA's principle of pursuing the universal welfare of all human beings.

She added that she implored the event organizers to allow journalists to carry out their task regardless of nationality or race to protect people's right to know.

However, Tseng said she has not received any reply so far and her application status is "pending."

Also Tuesday, the Association of Taiwan Journalists (ATJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on the U.N. to end exclusion of Taiwan journalists from the WHA.

The ATJ emphasized in a statement that the U.N. could not be unaware of the relationship between Taiwan and China, yet it still requires Taiwanese reporters to show "Chinese passports" that they cannot possibly possess.

The move is tantamount to denying Taiwanese journalists access to report the annual WHA and constitutes not only a breach of the U.N. Charter but also a violation of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the ATJ said.

Meanwhile, the IFJ said in an English statement: "Events like the World Health Assembly hold significant importance to people in all countries and it is the responsibility of the United Nations and other presiding authorities to ensure that the media can conduct its duties without interference from special interests. The United Nations and its affiliate organisations must fulfill its commitments to press freedom."

The WHA is the annual meeting of the governing body of the WHO, a U.N.-affiliated agency.

Taiwan, formally called the Republic of China, withdrew from the WHO in 1972, after losing its U.N. seat to the People's Republic of China due to the issue of "China's representation."

Since then, Taiwan has not been able to attend the WHA due to objections from China, except from 2009 to 2016, when cross-Taiwan Strait relations were warmer under the then Kuomintang government.

Taiwanese reporters have been banned from covering the annual WHA since 2017.

(By Tien Hsi-ju, Judy Tseng and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW





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Beijing to continue pressure on Taiwan after Lai's inauguration: Scholars

ROC Central News Agency

05/21/2024 07:26 PM

Taipei, May 21 (CNA) China is likely to further pressure Taiwan after President Lai Ching-te's () inaugural address on Monday, which Beijing criticized as promoting Taiwan independence, scholars said Tuesday.

Beijing could interpret Lai's remarks as attempts to internationalize the Taiwan issue, said Wang Hsin-hsien (), a deputy director of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at National Chengchi University, during a panel discussion in Taipei.

Beijing is also likely to interpret Lai's speech as indicating an intent to collude with the United States and seek Taiwan independence by further arming the military, he added.

"I believe these were the statements that concerned the mainland the most yesterday," Wang said.

In his speech, Lai emphasized that the future of cross-strait relations will have "a decisive impact on the world." He called on Beijing to cease its political and military intimidation of Taiwan, while stating that the country "must also raise our defense awareness and strengthen our legal framework for national security."

Wang predicted the policies to pressure Taiwan will continue, noting that different ministries in Beijing are now probably "checking their toolboxes and deciding what to deploy and when," which may include military exercises, media criticism, and economic sanctions.

"Further pressure on Taiwan will continue under the condition that it won't escalate into a war," he said.

Chen Te-sheng (), a research fellow from the same institute, said that Lai's speech highlighted a strong sense of sovereignty as he mentioned "Taiwan" 79 times and "China" seven times.

It "might have shocked people to some extent," Chen said.

As a comparison, Lai's predecessor Tsai Ing-wen () did not use the term "China" in either of her inaugural addresses in 2016 and 2020. Instead, she referred to "the other side of the [Taiwan] Strait," with only 41 and 47 mentions of Taiwan in her speeches, respectively.

Chen said that after Lai's speech, it will be more challenging to establish a foundation of trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, due to Lai's emphasis on Taiwan's sovereignty, which could lead to a communication crisis.

"Despite heightened tensions between China and the United States, their ministerial-level interactions remain frequent. Antony Blinken (the United States secretary of state) is able to visit China, and they have hotlines between their leaders to mitigate unforeseen risks," he said.

If the crisis of trust and communication cannot be resolved, the potential for unexpected military risks will persist, Chen added.

Although Lai only mentioned "the United States" once in his speech, IIR Director Kou Chien-wen () said he sees Lai as primarily targeting Washington.

"Given the competitive relationship between the United States and China, Taiwan must take a clear stance and align itself with the United States; therefore, how Beijing feels becomes secondary," Kou said.

What Lai said appears acceptable to the U.S., but it may not necessarily be accepted by Beijing, he added.

In an email response to CNA on Monday (U.S. time), a U.S. State Department spokesperson welcomed the comments made by Lai in his inaugural address, saying that if Beijing chooses to escalate tensions or pressure Taiwan as a result, it should be seen as the provocateur.

In contrast, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua () said in a statement on Monday that the speech delivered by "the leader of the Taiwan region" "stubbornly insisted on the position of Taiwanese independence."

(By Sunny Lai)

Enditem/AW

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Lai's address consistent with Taiwan's stance on China: Cheng

ROC Central News Agency

05/21/2024 03:29 PM

Taipei, May 21 (CNA) Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan () has defended President Lai Ching-te's () inauguration address after it was criticized by an opposition party and the People's Republic of China (PRC) as an attempt to promote Taiwanese independence.

Cheng, who will head the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in the new Lai administration, said Tuesday in Taipei that Lai reaffirmed in his speech Taipei's willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing and uphold the status quo based on the country's Constitution.

Lai also reiterated the stance that the Republic of China (ROC) -- Taiwan's official name -- and the PRC are not subordinate to each other, Cheng said.

The main points in Lai's speech on relations with China, Cheng said, were that China cannot avoid dialogue with Taiwan's elected government, and that it should choose "exchange over containment, and dialogue over confrontation" in dealing with Taiwan.

The new president's cross-strait rhetoric was in line with that of many former presidents, including Lee Teng-hui (), Chen Shui-bian () and Tsai Ing-wen (), with the only exception Ma Ying-jeou (), who upheld the so-called "1992 consensus" in engaging with the PRC, Cheng argued.

Cheng was responding to criticism of Lai's speech by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the PRC government.

KMT Chairman Eric Chu () expressed concerns that Lai "made the 'two-country doctrine' conspicuous," which Chu described as different from Tsai's emphasis on the ROC Constitution and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the local law dealing with exchanges with the PRC.

Ma's foundation also issued a press release arguing that Lai's inauguration speech violated the ROC Constitution by declaring the PRC as another country.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), meanwhile, criticized the speech for containing "separatist fallacies" and attempting to "incite division" among people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The TAO blamed Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the current tensions between Taipei and Beijing as the party has "refused to acknowledge the '1992 consensus' that embodies the one China principle."

The consensus has been described by the KMT as a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between Taiwan's KMT government and the Chinese government. It 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.

The DPP has never acknowledged the "1992 consensus," arguing that Beijing allows no room for the interpretation of "China" as the ROC, and that acceptance of the consensus would imply agreement with China's claim over Taiwan.

Cheng made his comments at a seminar held Tuesday to discuss Lai's challenges as the new Taiwan president.

At Tuesday's seminar, Stanley Kao (), Taiwan's top envoy to the U.S. from May 2016 to July 2020, said Lai's inauguration address was reassuring to the U.S. and international community because it was "calm, steady and predictable."

Former DPP Legislator Lo Chih-cheng (), agreed with Kao, and also said that because the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is tilting in China's favor, Taiwan needs to invest more in its self-defense.

That may be harder for Lai to do, however, because the ruling DPP no longer has an absolute majority in the Legislature, and the KMT and Taiwan People's Party, which now control it, are likely to oppose Lai's arms deal proposals.

The SEF is a semiofficial organization set up by the ROC government to handle technical and/or business matters with the PRC.

Its counterpart in the PRC is the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Chinese embassies in several countries lodge stern representations to oppose politicians' interactions with 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 21, 2024 12:13 PM

Chinese embassies in several countries, including the UK, Japan, and South Korea, have lodged solemn representations with these nations, opposing the attendance of certain politicians at the "inauguration ceremony" of the Taiwan regional leader. The Chinese embassies emphasized that Taiwan is an integral part of China and reiterated the one-China principle, urging these politicians to cease sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Taiwan's new regional leader and head of the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. According to media reports, several British parliamentariansaincluding Lord Rogan, co-chairaof theaBritish-Taiwan All-Party Parliamentary Group, visited to the Taiwan island forathe so-called "inauguration ceremony."

In response, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement on Tuesday that the behavioraby British politicians seriously violatedathe one-China principle, grossly interferedain China's internal affairs, and sentaa wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

"We are dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this, and haveamade stern representations to the UKagovernment," said the spokesperson.

The Taiwan question is purely a matter of China's internal affair and warrants no interference from external forces. No matter who becomes the leader of the Taiwan region, it willain no way change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and that there is only one China in the world. It will not change the prevailing consensus of the international community on adhering to the one-China principle.aAnd it will notachange the historical trend that China will eventually be reunified, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson also noted that the one-China principle is the political foundation and important prerequisite for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries. The UK government has the responsibility to abide by its commitment to China, handle Taiwan-related issues in accordance with the one-China principle, and not have any form of official contact with Taiwan.

"We urge British politicians to stop violating the one-China principle and stop interfering in China's internal affairs. Any moveathat undermines China's interests will be met with China's resolute response," said the spokesperson.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan also expressed opposition to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi's sending "congratulation" to Lai and some Japanese politicians' attending the "inauguration ceremony."

The spokesperson said that despite strong opposition from China, the Japanese government and some politicians insist on sending a seriously wrong signal to the Taiwan authorities, blatantly interfering in China's internal affairs, violating the one-China principle, and seriously violating the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan as well as Japan's commitments on the Taiwan question.

China strongly opposes this and has made solemn representations to the Japanese side, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that Japan had long been a colonial power in Taiwan and bears undeniable and serious historical responsibility. Therefore, Japan should act with utmost caution and prudence regarding the Taiwan question.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's vital interests, touching upon the political foundation of China-Japan relations and the fundamental trust between the two countries. It represents an uncrossable red line. Improving and developing China-Japan relations must be based on adherence to the one-China principle, said the spokesperson.

China firmly opposes all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference from external forces, including Japan, said the spokesperson.

"China will take all necessary measures to firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We solemnly urge Japan to immediately cease its provocative actions and political manipulation on the Taiwan question, stop any adventurous schemes that support 'Taiwan independence' forces, and avoid further harming peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and China-Japan relations," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in South Korea also released a statement on Tuesday, opposing People Power Party member Cho Kyoung-tae and some South Korean politicians' attending Monday's ceremony.

The spokesperson said that the act blatantly violates the one-China principle and the spirit of the China-South Korean Joint Communique, sending a serious wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and running counter to the strategic cooperative partnership between China and South Korea. China strongly opposes and condemns this behavior, and has lodged a solemn protest with the South Korean side.

The one-China principle is a prerequisite and foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. China consistently opposes any form of official exchanges between South Korea and the Taiwan island, said the spokesperson.

South Korean lawmakers represent the people of South Korea and have an official nature. We urge the South Korean side to adhere to the one-China principle, refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs in any way, and refrain from supporting and emboldening "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, according to the spokesperson.

"We urge them to take practical actions to safeguard the overall situation of China-South Korea relations," said the spokesperson.

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Global leaders reiterate support for one-China principle, highlighting general consensus of intl community

Global Times

Certain countries urged to stop interfering in Taiwan question

By Liu Xin Published: May 21, 2024 10:49 PM

Many leaders of countries and heads of international organizations in recent days have promptly voiced their adherence to the one-China principle, fully demonstrating that upholding the one-China principle is the righteous path and the general consensus of the international community. Such a declaration of support to the one-China principle comes in response to the new Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's plan to push "Taiwan independence." This push, along with the attempts of certain countries, especially the US and Japan, to play the "Taiwan card" to contain China, are doomed to fail, analysts said.

Leaders and senior officials of many countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Kiribati, as well as those of international organizations, such as officials from the UN Geneva Office, International Atomic Energy Agency, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, have recently restated that their countries or organizations abide by the one-China principle and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758.

This once again demonstrates that the abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable, and that upholding the one-China principle is where global opinion trends, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Each time "Taiwan independence" separatists make waves, it reinforces the global consensus that the one-China principle must be upheld and garners understanding and support for China's positionaa good example of the old Chinese adage "a just cause enjoys the support of many," said Wang.

Wang noted that the abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend of the history of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable. Anyone trying to challenge the one-China principle and hinder China's reunification is attempting the impossible and will only wreck their own reputation, Wang said.

Taiwan's new regional leader and head of the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. Some politicians from several countries attended the "inauguration ceremony" of Lai.

In response, on Tuesday, Chinese embassies in countries such as Japan, South Korea and UK lodged solemn representations with these nations and emphasized that Taiwan is an integral part of China and reiterated the one-China principle, urging these politicians to cease sending the wrong message to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang also said on Tuesday that China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between diplomatic allies and China's Taiwan island. Its stance on this question is always clear and consistent.

China has lodged stem representation to the US after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai.

Wang emphasized that the one-China principle is the political foundation and prerequisite for China to grow ties with other countries. The definition of the one-China principle is very clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

To use Taiwan to contain China is to play with fire and will definitely backfire. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its interest, Wang said.

While addressing the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan question, saying that it is at the core of China's vital interests and that "Taiwan independence" activities are the most destructive factor to peace in the Taiwan Straits.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the treacherous acts of Lai and his likes betray their nation and ancestors and are contemptible.

However, no matter how they stir up trouble, they cannot prevent China from achieving complete reunification. Taiwan will inevitably return to the embrace of the motherland and all "Taiwan independence" separatists will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, said Wang.

In recent days, Chinese embassies and consulates in different countries have also held press briefings to restate China's stance on the Taiwan question and refute disinformation and false narratives made by some US politicians and "Taiwan independence" secessionists on the UNGA Resolution 2758.

China has been actively addressing the Taiwan question to clarify the historical background of the matter on the global stage. The one-China principle is widely acknowledged internationally, and the current emphasis is on further exposing Lai's dubious intentions. Lai is attempting to conceal the agenda of "Taiwan independence" under the pretext of pursuing "peace and prosperity" for Taiwan, obscuring the inherent dangers and regional impacts, Xin Qiang, director of the Taiwan Studies Center at Fudan University, told the Global Times, on Tuesday.

Xin noted that Lai's speech on Monday unequivocally endorsed the "two states" rhetoric and advocated "Taiwan independence," cementing his position as a steadfast advocate of "Taiwan independence." This indicates that the prospects for cross-Straits relations are dim, with his speech signaling the ongoing trajectory of the DPP toward "de-sinicization" and pursuing independence by seeking support from the US and other external forces.

Analysts reached by the Global Times also noted that after assuming office, Lai will persist in strengthening political, economic, military, trade, and investment ties with the US. The US and Japan will also escalate collaboration with the DPP authorities, each pursuing their own interests, which may further destabilize the region.

Genuine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits hinge on acknowledging the one-China principle. If "Taiwan independence" forces cross the redline to further provoke the mainland, the mainland will not sit idly by, Xin said.

"Saying slogans or purchasing US weapons won't secure peace in the Taiwan Straits. Lai's strategy to confront the mainland while engaging with external forces, procuring arms, bolstering so-called self-defense capabilities, and using them as a deterrent is wishful thinking. Should 'Taiwan independence' forces persist in provoking the mainland with US backing, the risk of triggering clashes cannot be ruled out," said Xin.

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Exclusive: Lai likely to continue cooperating with US in latter's Indo-Pacific Strategy, rising risk of cross-Straits confrontation: pro-reunification group leader

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 21, 2024 09:33 PM

Taiwan's new regional leader and head of the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. Lai is likely to continue Tsai Ing-wen's approach of cooperating with the US in its Indo-Pacific Strategy to contain the mainland and maintain a status of cross-Straits confrontation, which concerns residents in Taiwan, Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Labor Party and also a convener of the Cross-Straits Peace Forum, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

Lai's inaugural speech on Monday, which omitted mention of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, has raised concerns within Taiwan island over future cross-Straits relations.

Wu said that Lai's future approach on handling cross-Straits relations can be observed from his so-called "four-pillar plan" which he outlined in an article published in The Wall Street Journal in July 2023 - strengthening defense deterrence capabilities, prioritizing economic and supply chain security, seeking and deepening relations with "allies" and maintaining "steady and principled" dialogue with the mainland.

Wu noted that the first three points indicate that Lai is likely to continue Tsai's approach of cooperating with the US in its Indo-Pacific Strategy to contain the mainland. The fourth point also mirrors Tsai's rhetoric, which is to verbally express a willingness to engage in dialogue while actually refusing to acknowledge the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus as the political foundation, thus maintaining a state where cross-Straits communication and dialogue are not possible.

Wu said that Tsai's performance over the eight years has been undoubtedly unsatisfactory. During her tenure, cross-Straits tensions sharply escalated, with then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island in August 2022 pushing cross-Straits situation to the brink of crisis.

Additionally, over the past eight years, Taiwan island has experienced skyrocketing prices, making life increasingly difficult for its people, while the energy shortage issue has become more severe, said Wu.

However, Tsai closely aligned her cross-Straits rhetoric and policy with the US strategy, which helped her earn approval from the US. Therefore, before the election, Lai continually assured the US that he would maintain Tsai's cross-Straits approach, meaning he would not aggressively pursue "de jure Taiwan independence" but would continue to cooperate with the US strategy and maintain a confrontational policy with the mainland, Wu said.

Wu also expressed concerns that Lai would further advance this confrontational stance in cross-Straits relations - after being elected as leader, Lai publicly stated his intention to launch a campaign within Taiwan to "cleanse people's hearts," emphasizing the promotion of "de-Sinicization" within the Taiwan military. Moreover, most of Lai's appointed heads of administrative departments are stubborn pro-independence figures.

'Symbolic, short-lived' relations

With Lai taking office, the US may deepen its "substantial relations" with Taiwan island and also mobilize its allies to develop ties with the Taiwan island. However, these relationships are usually symbolic and short-lived, as most Western countries or "pro-US" Asia-Pacific countries prioritize their relations with the mainland, Wu said.

The "relationship" between the US and the Taiwan island, which will be constrained by China-US relations, is unlikely to see "groundbreaking progress" with Lai becoming the Taiwan regional leader.

Wu noted that the mainland's current military strength is sufficient to deter US military actions in the Taiwan Straits, and its economic and diplomatic influence can also break through US containment. China has also set bottom-line principles on the Taiwan question, urging the US to honor its word to not support "Taiwan independence."

Although the US may not quickly change its overall strategy of using Taiwan island to contain the mainland, it is also unlikely to tolerate any adventurous move by Lai in order to avoid destabilizing US-China relations, said Wu.

The US' "arrangements" and "plans" for Taiwan island are relatively clear at present - selling weapons to Taiwan at several times their regular price and turning Taiwan into an ATM for American arms dealers. It also seeks to push the island to strengthen its defense readiness to resist the mainland.

Despite the Taiwan authorities' claim that US-Taiwan island relations are in their "best ever" period and bragging so-called "security assurances" from the US to Taiwan island, in reality, the US' actions are actually pushing Taiwan towards war and instigating fratricidal conflict across the Taiwan Straits.

The development of ties between the US and Taiwan island in recent years has had a significant negative impact on Taiwan society and cross-Straits relations.

The US has exerted stronger control over various aspects of Taiwan, extending to media propaganda and industries. Numerous Taiwan businesses have been compelled to adhere to US policies, such as the requirement for TSMC to build factories in the US. Given Taiwan's heavy reliance on foreign trade as an island economy, the aggressive control exerted by the US and its shift towards deglobalization unavoidably inflict significant repercussions on Taiwan's economic development, Wu said.

Increasing numbers of people in Taiwan are recognizing the detrimental impact of US actions on the island and the importance of maintaining stability and fostering goodwill in cross-Straits relations to protect Taiwan's economic progress.

As the US persists in tightening its grip on Taiwan for its own agenda, often at the expense of the Taiwan people, individuals on the island are gradually awakening to the true nature of US hegemony. They are coming to understand that "reunification brings prosperity, while independence leads to a dead-end, and reliance on external powers is unreliable," said Wu.

"We must be vigilant that Lai may further cooperate with Japan in promoting so-called cultural 'Taiwan independence' or de-Sinicization of social and cultural transformation on the island," said Wu.

Attempts that Lai may make to promote "relations" with Japan include strengthening economic and trade ties or promoting military contacts through the US' military interactions with Taiwan island, said Wu.

Joint efforts for reunification

After enduring the tense situation in cross-Straits relations during Tsai's eight-year tenure, exacerbated by continuous pressure from the US for Taiwan to bolster its combat readiness, security concerns in Taiwan society have steadily risen.

In the past, during the era in which there was a military standoff across the Straits, Taiwan relied on US for protection, seeking peace and security in the Taiwan Straits through American arms procurement. However, this approach represented a passive form of peace.

With the mainland's overall strength now capable of effectively balancing external forces like the US intervening in the Taiwan Straits, we have the necessary conditions for pursuing integration, reunification, and creating permanent peace across the Straits, said Wu.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 21, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/05/21

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1. Date:

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, May 20-21

2. PLA activities:

8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed Navy vessels and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

3.Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entering Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ during this timeframe.

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Leaders of many countries and intl organizations reaffirm commitment of upholding one-China principle: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 22, 2024 02:49 AM

Over the past few weeks, leaders of many countries and international organizations have reaffirmed the commitment to the just cause of upholding the one-China principle, which shows that upholding the one-China principle is where global opinion trends, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday during a regular press conference.

Wang made the remarks after Lai Ching-te attempted to push "Taiwan independence" in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan is firmly committed to the one-China principle and this position will never change. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the elections in the Taiwan region are China's internal affair and other countries have no right to interfere or point fingers at it. He stressed once again that Uzbekistan's commitment to firmly upholding the one-China principle will never waver.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov expressed firm support for China on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Xizang. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle and Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is beyond any doubt.

Venezuelan President NicolAs Maduro noted there is but one China in the world and in the UN-centered international system. This is a fact that is beyond doubt. Any attempt to undermine the one-China principle is doomed to failure. Kiribati President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau stated support for the right position that China upholds on ensuring national reunification, sovereignty and territorial integrity and Kiribati's commitment to UNGA Resolution 2758.

The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level adopted a resolution reaffirming the commitment to the one-China principle. The Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Phillips noted he does not support Taiwan region in joining any international organization that requires sovereign statehood or participating in international conferences.

The Prime Minister of Tonga Hu'akavameiliku said Tonga is committed to the one-China principle and firmly supports UNGA Resolution 2758. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that on the Taiwan question, Russia supports China in realizing national reunification and this position is very clear.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric said Serbia has only one policy on the Taiwan question, that is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the friendly and brotherly China is inviolable. Serbia firmly supports the one-China principle, recognizes China within its full borders and believes that how to resolve issues including the Taiwan question is China's own affair.

Sri Lanka's Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Botswana's Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and many other organizations openly reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the one-China principle, following the UNGA Resolution 2758 and opposing all forms of "Taiwan independence" separatism.

As Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi pointed out, the one-China principle cannot be violated, separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence" are doomed to fail and the general trend of China's reunification is irreversible.

Each time "Taiwan independence" separatists make waves, it reinforces the global consensus that the one-China principle must be upheld and garners understanding and support for China's positionaa good example of the old Chinese adage "a just cause enjoys the support of many."

The abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend of the history of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable. Anyone trying to challenge the one-China principle and hinder China's reunification is attempting the impossible and will only wreck their own reputation, said Wang Wenbin.

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Mainland says Lai takes more radical "Taiwan independence" stance

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:03, May 22, 2024

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Lai Ching-te has taken a more radical stance seeking "Taiwan independence" in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Tuesday.

Full of hostility and provocation and made up of lies and deception, Lai's Monday speech is a confession of "Taiwan independence," said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to a media query for further comments on Lai's speech.

The speech fully demonstrated that Lai is "a traitor to mainstream public opinion on the island and a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

It is clear that from the very beginning of his tenure, Lai cannot help but to expose his true colors as an advocate for "Taiwan independence" with an extremely arrogant attitude and more radical views, he said.

Not only did he fail to address the fundamental question of the nature of cross-Strait relations, but he also attempted to change the nature of the relations, which poses a serious challenge to the one-China principle, he said.

Chen reminded Lai of the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and its future can only be determined by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.

In his speech, Lai has turned to external forces for support of his independence agenda. However, no matter how much he fawns on external forces and seeks their support, he will always be a "pawn," Chen noted, adding that the "pawn" will inevitably become a discarded piece because "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and the attempts to seek independence by inviting in external forces will only backfire.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are Chinese and belong to the Chinese nation. No one desires more than we do to achieve national reunification through peaceful means," Chen said.

"However, in response to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces to provoke and seek independence, we must counteract and punish them," he added.

Lai's attempts to incite "anti-China" sentiments and pursue "independence" by force will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation of military conflict, Chen said.

In his speech, Lai talked superficially about "dialogue" and "exchanges," misleading people to believe that he has good intentions and sincerity to improve cross-Strait relations, Chen noted.

"However, the inability of mainland residents and students to travel to Taiwan for tourism or study is entirely caused by the DPP authorities," he said, adding that Lai showed no genuine intent to promote cross-Strait exchanges or improve the island's economy.

No matter what Lai says or how he says it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor can it alter the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Strait to become closer and more connected. It also cannot stop the irreversible trend of China's reunification, Chen said.

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22. Meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

Poland - Ministry of National Defence

20.05.2024

On May 20th, the 22. meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group was held remotely, chaired by the US Defence Secretarly Lloyd Austin. Over 50 delegations from partner countries, as well as NATO and EU representatives, took part in the meeting.

The Polish delegation was led by Ministry of National Defence secretary of state Cezary Tomczyk, who presented the progres made by Poland in the training, logistics and materiel support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group) is an alliance of over 50 states and organizations, supporting the defence of Ukraine by sending and maintaining military equipment as well as training personnel in response to the Russian invasion of 2022. The Group coordinates the ongoing sending of military assistance during its monthly meetings. The first meeting was held on the 26th of April 2022. Poland is one of the most active countries, both in terms of assistance to Ukrainian citizens, and sending military equipment to Ukraine.

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"Putin, in his imperial delusion, sought to grab Ukraine. Instead, he has allied it firmly with Europe." - Foreign Minister Baerbock visits Ukraine once again

Germany Federal Foreign Office

21.05.2024 - Article

On 21 May, Foreign Minister Baerbock arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for another visit. Read more to discover why the Minister's eighth visit comes at such a crucial moment.

Putin has been waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine for more than 800 days now. And for more than 800 days, the Ukrainians have defended themselves with courage and determination. Even if no day passes without people somewhere in the country being torn from their sleep by air raid sirens, and without Russia bombing yet more houses, schools, hospitals and power plants, the Ukrainians refuse to be discouraged, and tirelessly keep on rebuilding their country. The Foreign Minister wants to see on the ground just how impressive this indestructible will to stand up to the aggressors and to immediately reinstate any damaged infrastructure is.

The Ukrainians are also fighting courageously and with hope to secure a firm place for their country in Europe. Foreign Minister Baerbock shares the conviction that Ukraine's place is in the European Union:

Putin, in his imperial delusion, sought to grab Ukraine. Instead, he has allied it firmly with Europe. Never before has our fate as Europeans been so closely linked to that of Ukraine. Ukraine is defending its freedom with great determination and in so doing is fighting for the freedom of us all. Ukraine's EU accession is the necessary geopolitical consequence of Russia's illegal war of aggression. Ukraine has made impressive progress and is moving along a path of reform despite Russia's destructive fury. Now it is important for Ukraine not to relax its efforts - in the areas of judicial reform, the fight against corruption and media freedom.

Foreign Minister Baerbock has chosen a crucial moment for this trip to Ukraine. Just a few days ago, Putin launched renewed offensive operations against Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. The Foreign Minister's trip has the aim of reassuring her Ukrainian interlocutors that, even in view of the escalating situation in the combat zones, Germany and Europe continue to stand firmly at Ukraine's side and will not falter in their support.

The global initiative for enhanced air defence, which the Foreign Minister recently launched with Defence Minister Pistorius, is to be seen in this context. So far almost a billion euro have been pledged as additional support for Ukraine's air defence. And the work continues, so that the Ukrainians will in future still be able to live self-determined lives. At the same time, the initiative also protects the security of the EU states from Russian aggression.

Our support is rooted in the firm conviction that Ukraine will win this war. Putin is speculating that at some point we will run out of steam, but we have considerable staying power. Germany, together with many other countries from all parts of the world, stands unwaveringly alongside Ukraine. The people of Ukraine can build on this support in the long term. - Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock



This long-term approach and the conviction that the Ukrainians must be supported in their untiring efforts to rebuild their country also underpin the Ukraine Recovery Conference, to be held in Berlin this June. In addition to global partners, this Conference will bring together an alliance of business representatives, civil society and local government. The Foreign Minister's trip will moreover serve to prepare the Berlin Recovery Conference as an investment in the future of Ukraine.

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

21.05.2024 - Press release

Russian rocket attacks, constant air raid sirens, permanent power cuts, hardly any water: the situation in Ukraine has escalated dramatically once again since Russia's massive airstrikes on the civilian infrastructure and the brutal Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. Dayatoaday life is hard for the people, and yet they refuse to be disheartened. Workers repair bombedaout power plants, children learn mathematics and biology in bunkers six metres below ground, a young chef is opening a restaurant in Kharkiv, people help one another to survive. They all represent the impressive resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine urgently needs more air defence resources to protect itself from Russian missile and drone attacks. That is why I have launched a global initiative for enhanced air defence together with Defence Minister Pistorius. To date, almost one billion euro have been made available in additional support for Ukraine's air defence forces, and we are working intensively to increase that amount. We are leaving no stone unturned and have led the way ourselves by providing an additional Patriot unit. We now need to pool all our resources to ensure that Ukraine can hold out, so that Ukrainians will in future still be able to live self-determined lives. And so that Putin's forces will not soon be standing at our own borders.

Putin, in his imperial delusion, sought to grab Ukraine. Instead, he has allied it firmly with Europe. Never before has our fate as Europeans been so closely linked to that of Ukraine. Ukraine is defending its freedom with great determination and in so doing is fighting for the freedom of us all. Ukraine's EU accession is the necessary geopolitical consequence of Russia's illegal war of aggression. Ukraine has made impressive progress and is moving along a path of reform despite Russia's destructive fury. Now it is important for Ukraine not to relax its efforts - in the areas of judicial reform, the fight against corruption and media freedom.

Our support is rooted in the firm conviction that Ukraine will win this war. Putin is speculating that at some point we will run out of steam, but we have considerable staying power. Germany, together with many other countries from all parts of the world, stands unwaveringly alongside Ukraine. The people of Ukraine can build on this support in the long term. We will demonstrate this very clearly in June, when we are inviting the world to Berlin for the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Together with our partners around the world and a strong alliance of business representatives, civil society and local government, we are in the long term investing in safeguarding the future of Ukraine.
China urges US not to use Ukraine crisis to advance geopolitical strategies, provoke camp confrontations

Global Times

By Xu Keyue and Sun Langchen Published: May 21, 2024 10:01 PM

A Chinese envoy refuted the US representative's unreasonable accusations against China at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Briefing on Ukraine on Monday, urging the US not to use the Ukraine crisis to advance geopolitical strategies, provoke camp confrontations, or serve its own agenda.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made a speech at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine.

China is neither the creator of, nor party to, the Ukraine crisis, nor has the country provided lethal weapons to any party thereto, Geng said, debunking the US representative who made unreasonable accusations against China at the UNSC briefing.

Unlike the US, we have not and will not deliberately prolong the conflict and profit from it. Our position is to promote peace talks and a political settlement, Geng said.

According to the meeting coverage published by the UN on Monday, the representative of the US at the UNSC briefing expressed the so-called concern over "China's support to rebuild Moscow's defense industrial base."

China has the right to conduct normal economic and trade cooperation with all countries, including Russia. China has always had very strict controls on the export of dual-use items. We urge the US to stop spreading rumors, stop slandering, attacking and smearing China, and stop unilateral sanctions and unjust suppression on Chinese companies, Geng stated.

Shifting focus and passing the buck is not the correct way to solve the Ukraine crisis, Geng told the US side.

The UNSC briefing came as the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin committed on Monday to keeping the flow of US weapons moving to Ukraine.

According to AP News, Austin and as many as 50 defense leaders from Europe and around the world met on Monday to coordinate over sending more military aid to Ukraine.

The powers of Ukraine's incumbent president, Vladimir Zelensky, will expire under the Constitution on May 21 and there is no legitimate way of extending them, Russian News Agency TASS reported previously, citing Ukrainian member of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Alexander Dubinsky. According to The Economist on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Kremlin in Moscow has questioned the future political authority of Zelensky with no obvious possibility of elections.

Zelensky has been urging the US to send more weapons to Ukraine, but the political impasse in the superpower has delayed delivery.

In the four weeks since US President Joe Biden signed the $95 billion foreign aid package, which included about $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, the US has sent $1.4 billion in weapons pulled from Pentagon stockpiles and announced it was providing $6 billion in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, according to the AP.

While the global mainstream view is to call for a cease-fire, the US and a few European leaders are reluctant to see a halt to the conflict, Chinese analysts commented.

The fact that the US has pushed for more aid to Ukraine and is now striving to garner as much support from allies as possible indicates that the Biden administration is determined to at least maintain the situation in Ukraine until the US presidential elections, LA Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Without help from other countries, the US will struggle handling assistance to Ukraine alone, the expert noted.

A failure in Ukraine would not only tarnish the Biden administration but also damage the overall image of the US, dealing a heavy blow for the superpower to maintaining its global prestige, LA said.

In the context, a large amount of weapons and ammunition continue to flow into the battlefield, with the variety and scope constantly expanding, the lethality and casualties increasing, and the risks of loss and proliferation accumulating, causing deep concern, Geng said at the UNSC meeting.

While weapons may end wars, they do not bring lasting peace, reiterated Geng. China calls on all parties involved to prioritize peace and humanity, concentrate resources and efforts on diplomatic efforts to cease fire and end the war, and jointly promote an early political solution to the Ukraine crisis.

China is willing to continue to make unremitting efforts and play a constructive role in promoting an early political solution to the Ukraine crisis, the Chinese envoy said.

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Ukraine says armed forces hit Russian cruise missile carrier in Crimea

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 4:46 PM

Ukraine claims its armed forces have hit a Russian cruise missile carrier in the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

Ukraine's navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said the navy hit the small missile carrier "Tsiklon" in an attack over the weekend.

But, he said, it's not currently known if the cruise missile carrier is destroyed

Pletenchuk said on Monday that there was a possibility the ship had been "lost," but could not confirm the news at the time.

He said if the Tsiklon was indeed sunk, it would mean the loss of Russia's last missile ship in the Black Sea.

Crimea is home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters at Sevastopol. The region rejoined Russia following a referendum in 2014

Russia has not commented on the claims.

The Russian Defense Ministry only said on Saturday that Ukraine launched a 62-drone attack on Russian regions.

It said that Ukraine had used US, French and Ukrainian missiles in the attack on Russia.

Russian forces, it said, shot down at least 103 drones, including 62 over Russian regions, as well as US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) over Crimea.

They also shot down French guided "Hammer" bombs and US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The US and its Western allies have been providing huge military and financial support to Kiev since the start of Russia's "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine in early 2022.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that any shipment containing weapons and ammunition for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.

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Ukraine attacks kill two in Russia's Belgorod, Donetsk

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 May 2024 11:12 AM

Ukraine has killed two people in separate aerial attacks on Russia's border region of Belgorod and the city of Donetsk, officials say.

In a post on Telegram, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Tuesday "A kamikaze drone attacked a moving car in which there was a driver and three passengers."

"As a result of injuries sustained in the explosion, a woman died at the scene," he said.

The governor said three other people who were boarding the car were injured.

The attack took place near a checkpoint at the village of Oktyabrsky, about 12 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine has repeatedly been fatally attacking Belgorod in recent months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his forces launched a major operation against the Kharkiv region, which sits across the border from Belgorod, two weeks ago in order to create a buffer zone to protect Russian frontier villages from Ukrainian assaults.

During the new operation, Moscow has captured a dozen villages, scoring significant territorial gains.

Also in the city of Donetsk, a man was killed by Ukrainian shelling, the mayor of the capital of Russia's Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said on Telegram.

"Residential buildings, a shopping center and infrastructure facilities were also damaged. Windows were blown out, walls and roofs of buildings and a gas pipe were hit by fragments," Alexei Kulemzin added.

Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson signed agreements to join the Russian state at the Kremlin in September 2022, seven months after the start of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Moscow launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict.

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EU Approves Use Of Frozen Russian Assets For Ukraine As Zelenskiy Claims 'Tangible' Results

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 21, 2024

The European Union has given official approval for the use of proceeds from frozen assets of the Russian central bank to beef up the defense of Ukraine, the European Council announced on May 21, a move that could see as much as 3 billion euros ($3.23 billion) diverted to Kyiv's military this year.

The news comes as Ukraine continues to urge its Western allies to ramp up and accelerate military aid for its troops , who are struggling to stave off an offensive in the east by the much more numerous and better armed Russian forces.

It also comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on May 21 insisted that Ukrainian troops in the Kharkiv region were fighting back with "tangible" results against Russian forces amid reports of fierce battles and territorial setbacks in the northeast.

"In the Kharkiv region, our forces are destroying the occupier, the results are tangible," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address while acknowledging that the situation in some areas was "extremely difficult at the moment."

Battlefield claims could not immediately be verified.

The EU decision was announced in Brussels by the Belgian government, which currently holds the 27-member bloc's rotating presidency.

"The European Council has confirmed its agreement to use windfall profits from Russia's immobilized assets to support #Ukraine's military self-defense and reconstruction in the context of the Russian aggression," it said on X, formerly Twitter.

Some 210 billion euros ($225 billion) of assets belonging to Russia's central bank were frozen by the EU following Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 -- an amount estimated to generate interest of some 3 billion euros ($3.23 billion) annually.

Some 90 percent of the proceeds would be placed in the European Peace Facility fund used by most EU members to obtain reimbursement for military equipment delivered to Ukraine.

Separately, Reuters reported, quoting an unnamed source, that Germany -- the bloc's largest economy -- plans to increase its military aid for Ukraine by another 3.8 billion euros ($4.13 billion) this year, confirming a report by the German newspaper Bild.

The news came as German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Kyiv for a previously unannounced trip -- her seventh since the start of Russia's invasion.

Barbock called for more international support for Ukraine's air defenses in view of the current Russian offensive.

At the end of last month, Germany delivered Ukraine a fresh package of military aid, including weapons and ammunition.

Meanwhile, regional officials reported that four people were wounded and a transport infrastructure facility was damaged in a series of drone strikes on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv early on May 21.

Meanwhile, regional officials reported that four people were wounded and a transport infrastructure facility was damaged in a series of drone strikes on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv early on May 21, regional officials reported.

"Regarding the morning attack, the target was a transport infrastructure facility," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram.

Governor Oleh Synyehubov also said on Telegram that an infrastructure facility had been damaged, and added that debris from fallen drones damaged several private houses in Ukraine's second-largest city.

Earlier on May 21, a general air raid alert was declared for the whole territory of Ukraine.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-deal- profits-russia-assets-ukraine/32957634.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.

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Ukraine Loses Up to 425 Soldiers in Battles With Russia's Battlegroup Zapad - MoD

Sputnik News

20240521

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost up to 425 soldiers in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad over the past 24 hours, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 425 military personnel, a tank, two armored personnel carriers, six cars [among other military losses in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad]," the MoD said in a statement, adding that the group also repelled six Ukrainian counterattacks in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR).

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr repelled seven Ukrainian counterattacks in the DPR and Kiev lost up to 420 soldiers, while Russia's Battlegroup Yug improved its positions in the DPR and Ukraine lost more than 320 soldiers.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok repelled one counterattack and the armed forces of Ukraine lost up to 145 soldiers, the ministry said.

Additionally, Ukraine lost up to 245 soldiers in battles with the Russian Battlegroup Sever, the MoD added.

A Sputnik

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EU Approves Use of Income From Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine - Czech Foreign Minister

Sputnik News

20240521

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has approved the use of revenues from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Tuesday, adding that 90% of the sum would go to the Ukrainian armed forces.

"We have approved in the EU using revenues from Russia's central bank's frozen assets to help Ukraine. Up to a3B only this year, 90% goes for Ukraine's military," Lipavsky said on X.

Following the start of Russia's special military operation, the US-led West slapped widespread sanctions on Moscow, including freezing Russian assets worth approximately 300 billion euros ($329 billion). The bulk of this sum, approximately 200 billion euros ($221 billion), is being held in the European Union, predominantly in accounts at Euroclear, a European central securities depository.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the EU plan to seize Russian central bank assets was an "escalation of economic aggression" and a trade war, and warned that Russia would respond in a correspondingly harsh manner. She said that any attempt to confiscate Russian assets would be a gross violation of the West's own law, international rules and bilateral obligations.

A Sputnik

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German Foreign Minister Arrives on Unannounced Visit to Ukraine - Reports

Sputnik News

20240521

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has arrived in Kiev on an unannounced visit that was not mentioned earlier for security reasons, German news agency DPA reported on Tuesday.

Baerbock arrived in a show of support for Kiev regime, the news agency said on X.

On Monday, the German Defense Ministry said that seven more countries, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Romania, Belgium and Lithuania would supply equipment and missiles to Ukraine as part of the German Air Defense Initiative (IAAD), while Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada would assist Kiev financially, after an online meeting of the contact group on Ukraine.

Germany launched the IAAD initiative in April seeking to find and finance more air defense systems for Ukraine.

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.

A Sputnik

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UK strengthens ties with Finland in vow to support Ukraine

The UK and Finland have signed a strategic partnership declaring Russia as the most significant and direct threat to European peace and stability.

21 May 2024

UK and Finland set out commitment to bolster ties and highlight risk of Russian aggression for European security

Foreign Secretary will sign new Strategic Partnership with Finnish counterpart to deepen bilateral cooperation

Declaration sets out the 2 countries' ambition to work together on global security challenges and support Ukraine until the war is won

Finland and the UK will declare Russia as the most significant and direct threat to European peace and stability in a new Strategic Partnership signed today.

The agreement, which will bolster the relationship between the 2 countries, will be endorsed by Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen at an event in London.

The UK and Finland already share a long history of defence cooperation, including through military exercises and training, with the UK instrumental in securing Finland's NATO accession. Today's renewed partnership will expand cooperation across a range of other areas.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

As long-standing partners and new NATO Allies, the UK's relationship with Finland is going from strength to strength. As we stand together to support Ukraine, including through providing military aid and training, we are clear that the threat of Russian aggression, following the war it started, will not be tolerated. This Strategic Partnership, built on our shared values, will see the UK and Finland step up cooperation to bolster European security as well as seize new opportunities, from science and technology to closer energy ties.

A joint statement between the 2 foreign ministers will set out how Russia's illegal, full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally changed the European security environment.

It will underline the importance of the bilateral partnership, working together to deny Russia any benefit from the war it started, counter Russian disinformation, malicious cyber activities, and hybrid threats, and support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation.

The text will also outline the shared ambition to scale up collaboration on science and technology, trade and investment and tackling illegal migration.

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We Call on Chinese Cultural Figures to Spread the Idea of the Peace Summit for Achieving a Just Peace in Ukraine - Andriy Yermak

President of Ukraine

21 May 2024 - 18:06

The Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, took part in a videoconference with Chinese cultural and scientific figures within the framework of the "I Am with You" international project of Ukraine and China in support of peace. The title of the project coincides with the name of the song "I Am with You", which was composed in February 2020 by the Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk to the words of a Chinese poet to support the people and doctors of China in their fight against coronavirus.

Andriy Yermak noted that the contribution of cultural diplomacy to the process of building peace is very important because art unites people, and added that Ukraine values cooperation with China.

"President Zelenskyy has proposed a Peace Formula. And since Russia does not have the goodwill to stop the war, the international community must force it to do so. We ask you, dear Chinese friends, to spread the idea of holding the Summit and the information about it, to spread the idea of the need to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian Peace Formula," he said.

The Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that the Ukrainian Peace Formula is based on the UN Charter. That is why it is very important to involve the maximum number of leaders of states that respect international law, including the countries of the Global South and China.

Zhao Yongqiang, the Chairman of Zhejiang Yongchang Ledi Cultural Tourism Development Company, and Yang Heping, the President of Tchaikovsky International Academy of Music and Art, Hengshui University, both noted that they want to continue strengthening cultural and educational exchange between our two countries.

"I sincerely hope that Ukraine will be able to achieve peace and that the children of both nations will be able to study under a peaceful sky. I hope that the war will end as soon as possible and that our project will continue and be successful," Zhao Yongqiang said.

Sun Qing, a representative of Chinese students and postgraduates of the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music, stressed the importance of implementing the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

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The President Met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany

President of Ukraine

21 May 2024 - 16:19

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv.

The Head of State informed her in detail about the situation at the frontline and the priority defense needs of Ukraine. During the meeting, the parties discussed the joint initiative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense of Germany to find additional Patriot and other air defense systems for our country. They also talked about the possibility of additional anti-aircraft missile systems from Germany protecting Ukrainian skies in the near future.

"We are very grateful for the military support and financial assistance. We count on your further support. Our countries have very good relations. We are grateful to the German society for supporting Ukraine, for hosting our people," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President praised the support of the Ukrainian Peace Formula by Germany and the confirmation of personal participation in the inaugural Peace Summit on June 15-16 in Switzerland by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

During the meeting, the parties additionally discussed the progress of Ukraine towards EU membership and the organization of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2024) that will be held in June in Berlin, they also agreed on steps aimed at filling it with specific projects.

This is Annalena Baerbock's seventh visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

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UNHCR alarmed at growing humanitarian needs around Kharkiv, Ukraine

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

21 May 2024

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely worried about the worsening situation and resulting spike in humanitarian needs and forced displacement owing to the new ground offensive by the Russian Federation Armed Forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine.

At the same time, relentless aerial attacks continue, prolonging and exacerbating an already dire situation. More than two years since Russia's full-scale invasion, regular shelling and attacks continue to claim lives and destroy homes and critical infrastructure across the country. Most recently, last week on 19 May, an air attack targeted a recreation area in Cherkaska Lozova village in Kharkiv region, killing six people and injuring at least 27.

In the past week, more than 10,300 people were evacuated from their villages in Kharkiv region's border areas by Ukrainian authorities with the help of volunteers and humanitarian organizations. The majority of the evacuees, who had to escape their homes with only a few belongings, are already highly vulnerable and include mainly older people and those with low mobility or disabilities who were not able to flee earlier. Psychologists with whom UNHCR partners report that as a consequence, many are suffering from acute stress.

To receive and support many of the highly vulnerable evacuees, a transit center was immediately set up in Kharkiv city by the authorities and humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR and our national NGO partners Proliska and Right to Protection. They have now been registered as internally displaced people, provided with different types of humanitarian assistance such as basic relief items, psychosocial and legal aid, enrolled for cash assistance and advised on available accommodation options.

The vast majority of evacuees have expressed a clear wish to stay with family members or in rental accommodation and collective sites in Kharkiv and not move further from their homes, to be able to return when the situation allows. Alongside other humanitarian partners, and in coordination with authorities, UNHCR is exploring additional options for temporary accommodation.

At the same time, more people continue to flee from frontline communities in Donetsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions towards central and western regions. Here, the authorities leading the response are requesting support to help receive and assist the internally displaced people.

UNHCR is concerned that conditions in Kharkiv - Ukraine's second largest city, which is already hosting some 200,000 internally displaced people - could become even more difficult if the ground offensive and relentless aerial attacks continue. This could force many to leave Kharkiv for safety and survival, seeking protection elsewhere. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA is coordinating the development of enhanced response preparedness levels with the humanitarian clusters and lead agencies.

Last week, Kharkiv city experienced an air raid alert that lasted 16 hours non-stop. In addition, the attacks on energy infrastructure that have been impacting people across Ukraine are particularly critical in Kharkiv, where the energy supply is already well below standard capacity, affecting households, production capacity and the economy.

To ensure that UNHCR and partners can respond to the evolving situation, it is crucial that donors maintain robust and flexible funding for our humanitarian and recovery programmes. This also includes support to the winter response later this year, as the comprehensive damage to energy facilities is estimated to significantly increase the need for humanitarian assistance during the cold season. As of end of April, UNHCR's response in Ukraine is just 16 per cent funded from a total of $598.9 million required.

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Ukraine: humanitarian, health needs soar as Kharkiv hostilities intensify

21 May 2024 - The UN expressed new concerns on Tuesday over a rise in displacement and humanitarian needs in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region amid "relentless" Russian air and ground attacks.

"Relentless aerial attacks continue, prolonging and exacerbating an already dire situation," said UN refugee agency (UNHCR), spokesperson Shabia Mantoo. "More than two years since Russia's full-scale invasion, regular shelling and attacks continue to claim lives and destroy homes and critical infrastructure across the country."

Ms. Mantoo noted that in the past week, more than 10,300 people have been evacuated from their villages in Kharkiv region's border areas by Ukrainian authorities, with the help of volunteers and humanitarian organisations.

The majority of the evacuees are "highly vulnerable" people, including the elderly and people with low mobility or disabilities, who were not able to flee their homes previously.

Russian military advances

According to UN humanitarian affairs coordination office, OCHA, over 16,000 people are estimated to have fled the most affected localities in the Kharkiv region since 10 May amid reports of significant advances by Russian forces.

Inside Kharkiv - Ukraine's second largest city which already hosts some 200,000 internally displaced people - conditions "could become even more difficult if the ground offensive and relentless aerial attacks continue", Ms. Mantoo warned. "This could force many people to leave Kharkiv for safety and survival, seeking protection elsewhere."

The UNHCR spokesperson highlighted the fact that attacks on energy infrastructure are "particularly critical" in Kharkiv, where the energy supply is already "well below standard capacity" and households suffer from power shortages.

Civilian toll

Meanwhile, OCHA reported that the past three days have seen daily attacks in Kharkiv City resulting in "scores of civilian casualties including children and a pregnant woman", citing local authorities, "as well as an ambulance hit and a paramedic injured when two strikes reportedly impacted the same location in close succession".

Speaking from Kyiv, UN World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Ukraine Dr. Jarno Habicht said that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, "on average, 200 ambulances per year are damaged or destroyed in shelling attacks."

"That is a tremendous loss, depriving the Ukrainian people of urgent care," he insisted.

20,000 amputations

Overall, WHO has recorded more than 1,700 attacks on health in the country since February 2022, Dr. Habicht said.

The UN health agency representative added that some 10 million people in the country are likely suffer from mental health conditions, while more than 20,000 amputations have been conducted since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion - "two areas [which] need support from many humanitarian and development partners and in the long term".

While the intensification in hostilities in the Kharkiv region has driven humanitarian needs up "exponentially", Dr. Habicht also highlighted the need to "think medium term to get ready for the winter to come".

To ensure Ukraine's healthcare system can "continue functioning amidst prolonged adversity", WHO has begun installing "modular heating units" in hospitals, including in Chernihiv and Odesa in the coming days and weeks, Dr. Habicht said.

But, responding to both immediate and medium-term needs and preparing the winter response has been a challenge due to a drop in humanitarian funding for Ukraine compared to the past two years.

According to OCHA, the UN's $3.1 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the country in 2024 remains only 23 per cent funded. UNHCR's response in Ukraine and in neighbouring refugee-hosting countries is only 16 per cent funded, which, at the approach of the mid-year mark, is "abysmal", Ms. Mantoo said.

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Ukraine: Evacuees brought to safety as Russian strikes intensify

21 May 2024 - Fresh air strikes continue in Ukraine, where around 16,000 have been forced to evacuate from villages in the Kharkiv region near the border with Russia, since 10 May, according to the UN aid coordination office (OCHA).

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and partners facilitated the transport of some 2,500 people to safety who have arrived in the main city of Kharkiv, weary from more than two years of war.

These evacuees - mainly elderly persons or people with disabilities - are extremely vulnerable, said Alexander Mundt, UNHCR Principal Situation Coordinator in Ukraine, who recently returned to the capital, Kyiv from the northeast and plans to go back soon.

Immense loss

"It's not just that they're escaping fighting," he told UN News. "They've lost homes that they'll probably never be able to rebuild. They've lost literally everything at age 85."

During a recent briefing to the Security Council in New York, a senior UN humanitarian official described how Kharkiv and other regions, including Donetsk and Sumy, have been under relentless Russian shelling, with power plants and other civilian infrastructure increasingly being targeted.

"There's a chance in the coming weeks, if the Russian advance can't be halted, that they could be in artillery range of Kharkiv city, where 1.3 million people live," he warned.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Alexander Mundt: The situation is truly awful, and the toll on civilians is almost unspeakable. It's hard to even capture in words the level of trauma that you see among the people getting off the bus.

They're shaking, they can barely hold a cup of water. They're so traumatized, they almost can't speak. The tears come very easily. Even trying to assist them is a chore because they're just so disoriented by what's happened to them.

The tragedy is a lot of these people are very elderly, and part of the trauma is they realize they may never go home. Their villages have been completely destroyed. The level of destruction is immense. There is no question that it's just targeting civilian infrastructure, targeting people's homes, with an intent just to destroy lives.

On the bright side, the humanitarian response has been amazing. Denise Brown, the Head of the UN in Ukraine and the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, came out and we had a meeting. One of her comments was that you can really see how far the humanitarian response has come because the level of preparedness and the response is truly extraordinary.

In the transit site, there are 25 or 26 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing everything from hot meals to medical care, blankets, referrals for services in the town, helping people find places to sleep and temporary accommodation, providing emergency cash, and legal counseling to replace lost documents.

It's a really good example of what the humanitarian community can achieve when it works together.

UN News: What is the priority for UNHCR right now in terms of the humanitarian assistance?

Alexander Mundt: Our top priority is to help safely evacuate people, but also to ensure that the humanitarian assistance they are receiving has a lens towards the medium and the longer term. These people aren't going to go home right away, so what can we do "beyond the blanket"?

How can we help refer some of them to temporary accommodation that is sustainable in the long term? How can we help them recover from trauma? How can we ensure there are psychologists and trauma counsellors available?

What can we do in terms of legal assistance that will make sure they can continue to receive their pensions while they're in displacement? All of this has to come together.

I think the other point is, particularly for the elderly people who are alone, they're coming in with their neighbours from the villages.

We really need to focus on what we can do to make sure that their temporary accommodation is with people they know, because imagine if you're an elderly woman or elderly man and you've lost everything, and now you're put in a place in isolation.

Our focus really has to be on the protection elements of making sure that people can regain agency, can feel a bit of hope, and can recover from the trauma they've just experienced, in addition to all of the things the humanitarian response normally entails.

UN News: How are people coping in this situation?

Alexander Mundt: I think it's different because [more than 10,000] have been evacuated from frontline areas now under direct assault by Russian Federation forces. Many self-evacuated, so probably about 3,000 people came out on buses with support. And these were the truly vulnerable.

Of the other 7,000, many people relocated to Kharkiv city. They have family there; they have a support network to some extent already in place.

This is not to suggest that they don't need support in the medium and long term, but they have coping mechanisms that are in place that give us a bit of time to try to figure out how to address their needs.

For the 3,000 that came out in buses, I think their level of vulnerability is extraordinarily high, and their coping mechanisms are quite weak. I don't mean to suggest that they're not resilient people, but I think they're going to need lots of support and social accompaniment to access services, and basically just to find a way through what is a very dark period.

It's not just that they're escaping fighting. They've lost homes that they'll probably never be able to rebuild. They've lost literally everything at age 85. Every time I see these people coming off the buses, I think of my own grandmother, or what if this were your family, because it very much could happen to anybody.

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Zelenskyy's plea to allies: 'Means of destruction ... needed at the front right now'

By VOA News May 21, 2024

In his nightly video address on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again made a plea for the immediate arrival of weapons as his country continues its battle to beat back Russia.

While some countries, including the U.S., have promised weapons and other military equipment, their arrival in Ukraine has been slow. Zelenskyy, who met with his defense officials earlier in the day, said it is imperative that countries supporting Ukraine understand "the means of destruction that are needed at the front right now, in these weeks, not sometime in the summer."

Meanwhile, Russia has begun "practical training in the preparation and use of nonstrategic nuclear weapons," its Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month in "response to provocative statements and threats by Western officials," the ministry said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said NATO should not rule out deploying troops to Ukraine, while British Foreign Minister David Cameron has said Ukraine has the right to fire Western missiles into Russian territory.

The drills are being conducted in Russia's southern military district, which borders Ukraine and also includes parts of Ukraine that Russia claims it has annexed.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the training is designed to test "the readiness of personnel and equipment of nonstrategic nuclear weapons combat units to respond and to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state."

It was not immediately clear if any test firings have occurred.

The West has accused Putin of irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling.

Nonstrategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical, are less powerful than strategic nuclear weapons, but they also have the capacity to wield devastating destruction.

The governor of Ukraine's Kharkiv region said Tuesday the area was under Russian bombardment all night, while Ukraine's military said the country's air defenses shot down 28 of 29 Russian drones launched at multiple Ukrainian regions.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said falling debris from destroyed drones damaged several houses and injured at least three people.

Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said falling drone debris damaged commercial buildings.

The latest attacks came after Zelenskyy again appealed to allies to better equip Ukraine with air defense systems and new combat aircraft.

"Unfortunately, the free world still lacks efficiency in these two tasks," Zelenskyy said. "But we still have a perspective and promising work with several partners a and we are doing everything to make sure that the day comes as soon as possible when we can add the power of 'Patriots' [air-defense batteries] to our eastern regions, our cities a such as Kharkiv, Sumy and others."

Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday its air defenses destroyed a guided missile and two aerial drones over the Belgorod region, and another drone over the Kursk region.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, said a Ukrainian drone attack hit a car, killing at least one person.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and at least 50 other defense leaders from Europe and around the world met Monday to coordinate military support to Ukraine as it battles a renewed onslaught from Russia in the Kharkiv region.

Austin said Monday's meeting came at "a moment of challenge" and promised to move U.S. weapons to Ukraine "week after week."

The U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in late April after political gridlock largely stalled shipments to help Ukraine's military for months.

Russia during that time intensified its invasion of Ukraine, especially with its campaign in Kharkiv.

Austin said Monday the latest U.S. aid package would help Ukraine in Kharkiv and other areas facing Russian pressure.

"We've already delivered many of Ukraine's top-priority requirements, and much more assistance is on the way. That includes additional munitions for NASAMS and Patriot air-defense systems, more HIMARS systems and ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems," Austin said. "This package also includes armored vehicles, and that's essential for Ukraine's work to reconstitute its arsenal."

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Humanitarian needs spike as Russia escalates offensive in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

By Lisa Schlein May 21, 2024

U.N. agencies report Russia's escalating military offensive in Ukraine's Kharkiv region over the past two weeks is causing an alarming spike in humanitarian needs as deaths and injuries grow and thousands flee in the wake of relentless aerial attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.

"Over 14,000 people have been displaced in a matter of days, and nearly 189,000 more still reside within 25 kilometers of the border with the Russian Federation, facing significant risks due to the ongoing fighting," Jarno Habicht, World Health Organization representative in Ukraine said.

Speaking from the capital Kyiv, he told journalists in Geneva Tuesday that Russia's escalating hostilities are having widespread harmful ramifications throughout the country.

"Homes and civilian infrastructure are being badly damaged, and people across Ukraine, including here in Kyiv are facing electricity shortages as a result of attacks on critical power facilities," he said noting that a major missile strike Sunday on the outskirts of Kharkiv caused 11 deaths and many injuries, including a paramedic.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, reports that "children, first responders and health personnel," are among the multiple casualties.

Citing reports from authorities and humanitarian workers on the ground, OCHA said that "Attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine over the weekend caused scores of civilian casualties and damage to homes and civilian infrastructure."

The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, also expresses alarm about accelerating attacks by Russian forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region, which is "prolonging and exacerbating an already dire situation."

UNHCR spokesperson, Shabia Mantoo noted that in the past week, Ukrainian authorities with the help of volunteers and humanitarian organizations have evacuated more than 10,300 people from their villages in Kharkiv region's border areas.

"The majority of the evacuees, who had to escape their homes with only a few belongings, are already highly vulnerable and include mainly older people and those with low mobility or disabilities who were not able to flee earlier.

"Psychologists with whom UNHCR partners report that as a consequence, many are suffering from acute stress," she said noting that a transit center has been set up by authorities and humanitarian organizations in Kharkiv city to provide basic relief, psychosocial, legal, and other aid to the internally displaced.

Mantoo adds that more people continue to flee from front-line communities in Donetsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson towards central and western regions.

"UNHCR is concerned that conditions in Kharkiv a Ukraine's second largest city, which is already hosting some 200,000 internally displaced people a could become even more difficult if the ground offense and relentless aerial attacks continue," she said.

The World Health Organization shares these concerns. Since Russia's invasion more than two years ago, WHO has verified 1,682 attacks on health care in Ukraine, resulting in 128 deaths and 288 injuries of medical personnel and patients.

It reports, on average, 200 ambulances per year are damaged or destroyed in shelling attacks.

"That is a tremendous loss, depriving the Ukrainian people of urgent care," said Habicht. "With the worsening security situation, humanitarian needs in the region are growing exponentially.

"The conflict has significantly increased the number of trauma patients. We are currently funding critical care teams and ambulances to support emergency medical services," he said.

Anticipating the possible escalation of hostilities, Habicht said the WHO has prepositioned more than 22 metric tons of medical supplies - enough for 50,000 people - for treatment of acute trauma, surgical interventions and chronic disease management.

Additionally, he said the WHO has trained 120 medical professionals in Kharkiv region in mass casualty response, including the "management of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents."

While saying that he personally did not believe that these dangerous substances are likely to be used or inadvertently discharged in the current conflict, he cautioned that "In health, we have learned that we have to be ready for any risk."

The bigger problem, he said, is that of funding. He noted that the United Nations $3.1 billion appeal to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance for 8.5 million people inside Ukraine this year is only 23% funded.

The UNHCR is running into a similar problem in that the agency has received only 16 percent of its $1.1. billion appeal targeting 2.3 million refugees and the five communities hosting them.

"The funding situation is very alarming. We are concerned about the levels of funding for this humanitarian crisis.... The war is prolonging. So, we also know that the needs will accrue.

"We have got winter approaching. It seems far off, but we need to start planning now and make arrangements. More and more people are fleeing their homes that do not have shelter," she said.

The UNHCR Official observed that the damage inflicted by Russian forces to Ukraine's energy facilities will "significantly increase the need for humanitarian assistance during the cold season."

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Russia reports downing Ukrainian drones, missiles in western regions

By VOA News May 22, 2024

The governor of western Russia's Belgorod region said Wednesday falling fragments from a destroyed Ukrainian aerial drone damaged two residential buildings, while Russia's defense ministry said the country's air defenses shot down a total of three drones and six missiles over the region.

The defense ministry also said it destroyed an aerial drone over the Kaluga region, and the governor there said there were no reported injuries or damage.

Ukraine's military said Wednesday it destroyed all 24 Russian drones involved in overnight attacks.

The intercepts took place over the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Odesa, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his nightly address Tuesday to again plead for the immediate arrival of weapons from allies as his country continues its battle to beat back Russia.

Zelenskyy said it is imperative that countries supporting Ukraine understand "the means of destruction that are needed at the front right now, in these weeks, not sometime in the summer."

Meanwhile, Russia has begun "practical training in the preparation and use of nonstrategic nuclear weapons," its defense ministry said Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month in "response to provocative statements and threats by Western officials," the ministry said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said NATO should not rule out deploying troops to Ukraine, while British Foreign Minister David Cameron has said Ukraine has the right to fire Western missiles into Russian territory.

The drills are being conducted in Russia's southern military district, which borders Ukraine and also includes parts of Ukraine that Russia claims it has annexed.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the training is designed to test "the readiness of personnel and equipment of nonstrategic nuclear weapons combat units to respond and to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state."

The West has accused Putin of irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling.

Nonstrategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical, are less powerful than strategic nuclear weapons, but they also have the capacity to wield devastating destruction.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (Imperial or the Company) (TSX:III) reports diamond drill results from three more holes of the Mount Polley 2024 exploration program, including a notable interval of 257.5 metres grading 0.71% copper and 0.39 g/t gold from 35.0 metres in diamond drill hole SD-24-180. This phase of drilling is ongoing and is following up on the significant results obtained in the 2023 drill programs.

Hole SD-24-180 was a vertical hole located 33 metres northwest from previously released hole SD-24-179 which intersected 270 metres grading 0.65% copper and 0.48 g/t gold from 22.5 metres on section 3230N. Holes SD-24-180 and SD-24-179 were planned to target gaps in the southwest edge of the Springer Pit at both shallow and deep levels. The first 135.5 metres of this intercept are within the current ultimate pit design for the Springer Pit. The portion of this hole beneath the ultimate pit tests an area that has been studied for potential underground mining.

Significant intercepts:

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Copper (%) Gold (g/t) SD-24-180 35.0 292.5 257.5 0.71 0.39 including 187.5 292.5 105.0 1.13 0.58 including 202.5 287.5 85.0 1.29 0.65



Hole SD-24-180 had 18 metres of casing and encountered the first recoverable core at 33 metres. The lithology throughout the entire hole closely resembles hole SD-24-179 and alternates between intense crackle breccia to moderately pseudo-brecciated monzonite to monzodiorite, with strong potassium feldspar, biotite, calc-silicate, albite and magnetite alteration. Copper mineralization throughout the hole is dominantly disseminated with veinlet-controlled chalcopyrite and trace bornite. Similar to hole SD-24-179, hole SD-24-180 intersects pervasive calc-silicate and magnetite alteration three times, providing pockets with a higher percentage of chalcopyrite.

Hole SD-24-178 was an angled hole oriented at 225/-60 and was collared on the north rim of the current Springer Pit. The hole was planned to test the extent of mineralization of the Springer Pit near a fault that appears to form the northern boundary of Springer mineralization. The first 143 metres of this hole are within the ultimate pit design. The hole intersected 12.5 metres of 0.28% copper and 0.39 g/t gold starting at 30 metres along with some lower grade intervals in the pit that will be mined in the Phase 5 pushback of the Springer pit. Mineralization within the pit may provide some additional mill feed from upper benches of the Phase 5 pushback.

Hole SD-24-181 was a vertical hole collared on the eastern edge at the bottom of the Springer Pit. The hole was designed to test potential mineralization further to the east at depth. Hole SD-24-181 intersected two notable intervals of gold mineralization. The first interval had a width of 22.5 metres grading 0.18% copper and 0.44 g/t gold from 42.5 metres and is within the current pit design. The second interval had a width of 35 metres grading 0.17% copper and 0.49 g/t gold from 107.5 metres and is beneath the current ultimate pit design.

Jim Miller-Tait, P.Geo., Imperials VP Exploration, has reviewed this news release as the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the Mount Polley exploration program. Samples reported were analysed at Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver. A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was completed for all diamond drilling samples submitted to the labs. Significant assay intervals reported represent apparent widths. Insufficient geological information is available to confirm the geological model and true width of significant assay intervals.

Diamond drill data, cross sections and plan view maps are available on Imperialmetals.com.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia. These properties have defined areas of mineralization and clear exploration potential. Management continues to evaluate various opportunities to advance many of these properties.

Company Contacts

Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959

Jim Miller-Tait | VP Exploration | jim.miller-tait@imperialmetals.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Companys managements expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys expectations with respect to current and planned exploration drilling programs at Mount Polley and timing thereof; the potential for mineralization to be converted from resource to reserve; the potential for extension of mine life; and the impact of drilling on future pit designs and mine life schedule. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to the Company as well as the Companys current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Companys interim and annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements.
NEW ORLEANS, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) are investigating the proposed sale of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG) to Saltchuk Resources, Inc. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Overseas will receive $8.50 in cash for each share of Overseas that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-osg/ to learn more.

Please note that the transaction is structured as a tender offer, such that time may be of the essence.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

New Orleans, LA 70163
New York, NY, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Establishing itself as the ideal technology partner for businesses, industry innovator Sanctum AI captured the media spotlight in a recent article in top tech publication VentureBeat. Known for providing innovative and adaptive artificial intelligence solutions that elevate and support businesses, Sanctum AI and its co-founders, Tyler Ward and Christian Crowley, shared valuable insights into the future of artificial intelligence for business use cases. Highlighting the need for more secure and reliable AI systems to support key industries, the article explains how companies can safely gain the benefits of artificial intelligence around the office.

The AI Integration Challenges Faced By Todays Industries

After years of creating high-end technology aimed to serve and support businesses, the founders at Sanctum AI share a clear understanding of the challenges that companies face with the AI solutions available today. While large language models (LLMs) are the ideal technology powerhouses that can empower businesses, these systems can come with added risk due to cloud dependencies and third-party data management.



Although companies in key industries, like healthcare and finance, have everything to gain from the high-impact processing power of AI, many of the available systems pose significant risks for companies when used. In the recent VentureBeat publication, Sanctum AI is positioned as the safe, secure, and adaptive technology that every company needs.

Using Game-Changing Localized Technology to Eliminate Risk

A large language model (LLM) that relies on the cloud can lead to data breaches, data loss, and unexpected downtime. To combat this, Sanctum AI proposes a new, localized version of top-performing LLMs, allowing companies to gain the benefits of popular systems while eliminating the risks associated with cloud-based technology. Instead of AI processing data in the cloud, companies can process information and engage with AI systems locally, without private materials ever leaving the local devices or servers.

Keeping Data in the Hands of the Owner

The laws surrounding customer data are changing rapidly, tightening to ensure the protection of valuable data. In todays data-driven world, the risks and impacts associated with data exposure are more clear than ever. Customer data is given with trust and must be protected, says co-founder Tyler Ward, highlighting the need for companies to know exactly who has access to private data.



With cloud-based systems, companies are at the mercy of the third-party teams that make these AI solutions possible. This can lead to unintentional exposure, leaving companies on the hook for the mistakes that their partners make. Exposure is dangerous whether it is in the hands of a criminal or a competitor, which is why localized solutions have so much to offer businesses. Keeping data where it belongswith the company that obtained itis safer and better for everyone.

Better Security for a Better Customer Experience

Data breaches are one of the biggest challenges faced by companies today. In fact, recent estimates show that a single data breach can cost companies roughly $4.45 million dollars through direct and indirect costs. Every time that data is unintentionally exposed to the public or criminals, a company faces fines and takes a significant blow to its reputation.



Even a small data breach can attract negative media attention and leave companies open to lawsuits. Compounding this with the damage to customer retention rates, it is clear why companies need to protect their data at all costs. By minimizing overall exposure risk and keeping information local, companies can offer a much better customer experience as they integrate AI technology into their operations.

Minimizing Downtime and Delays

The cloud is very useful for sharing information and systems across long distances, but any system that is dependent upon cloud-based technology is always at risk of downtime. For the average business, downtime is a significant loss that can have notable financial impacts. It creates a poor customer experience, leads customers to opt out of making purchases, and causes lost work hours for staff. Cloud-based services are a powerful innovation, but when they go down, companies lose access to their systems until their third-party partners can find a solution, explains Christian Crowley, referencing how challenging and frustrating downtime is for modern businesses.



Sanctum AIs localized access to top-performing artificial intelligence systems means that companies do not have to worry about downtime for their preferred tools. With a localized system, companies will always have access to their systems, even during internet outages and times when the most popular cloud services are offline.

Looking to the Next Phase of AI for Businesses

The most powerful industries at work around the world have everything to gain from data collection and artificial intelligence systems, but their first priority always needs to be their customers. Protecting customer data should not be a natural risk that comes with wanting to improve business practices through support from large language models, and in VentureBeats article, Sanctum AI shows it doesnt need to be.





Contact:

Company: Sanctum AI

Contact: Christian Crowley

Website: https://sanctum.ai/

Email: info@sanctum.ai






DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 18, 2024, MetaHomes was honored to participate in the "Chinese Dragon" large-scale light painting creation event, hosted by world-renowned light painting artist Roy Wang, in Dubai. This collaboration added a touch of Chinese culture to Dubai's vibrant art landscape, further cementing MetaHomes' commitment to cultural integration and innovation.



MetaHomes' distinguished executives showed up in their numbers to witness the spectacular light painting creation and engage in in-depth exchanges with Roy Wang by actively participating in the light painting session. This event underscored MetaHomes' commitment to creating a unique cultural and high-quality life service experience for its users. The cooperation with Roy Wang, a luminary in the art world, not only introduced new cultural elements to MetaHomes but also enriched Dubai's vibrant art scene.

MetaHomes highlighted its innovative platform features, including its artificial intelligence (AI) and Virtual reality-powered system. Central to the company's brand identity is Kylin, a thoughtfully developed cultural AI mascot. As MetaHomes' brand ambassador, Kylin reflects the company's image while drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of Chinese traditional culture. This mascot serves as a user-friendly guide, empowering clients to make informed and cost-effective real estate decisions. Through this approach, MetaHomes strives to not only offer cutting-edge technological solutions but also foster a welcoming and approachable user experience. Notably, Kylin complements Roy Wang's "Chinese Dragon" light painting work by injecting new life into Dubai's cultural exchanges and symbolizing MetaHomes' innovative approach to real estate solutions.

Jerry Wu, CEO of MetaHomes, commented on the event, "Collaborating with Roy Wang has been an incredible opportunity for MetaHomes. His artistic vision and our technological innovations together create a unique blend of art and real estate. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to cultural enrichment and technological advancement."

Mr. Wang also shared his thoughts on the collaboration, saying, "Participating in this event with MetaHomes has been an extraordinary experience. Dubai's unique multicultural character provides an ideal backdrop for artistic innovation, and I am excited to see how our combined efforts will enhance the real estate landscape here."

Roy Wang, a dignitary in his field, is highly celebrated for his contributions to the global art scene. He introduced light painting New Media Art to China in 2015. Wangs artistic achievements have earned him a prestigious 10-year Golden Visa from the UAE government, an honor reserved for significant cultural and artistic contributors. He holds the distinction of being the first Chinese artist recommended by the UAE Dubai Ministry of Culture and serves as the President of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Greece Group Art Institute IAA in China. Additionally, Wang is the representative of the World Light Painting Alliance in China, making him the first Chinese member of this esteemed organization.

Funui Donard

donardfunui@metahomes.net

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39fb6314-8c29-452a-a272-258f53b27796
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cavli Wireless , a pioneer in the IoT solutions landscape, is set to announce its flagship CQS291 and CQS292 smart cellular IoT modules at Computex Taipei 2024, alongside its distributor partner, SCHMIDT IoT Technology . The event will be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan, from June 4 to 7, in Hall 2, Booth P0814. COMPUTEX Taipei is considered the largest ICT trade show in Asia and a premier platform for the global technology industry. This event serves as an excellent opportunity for global innovators like Cavli Wireless to showcase their flagship CQS29X smart IoT module series to the world.







The CQS291 and CQS292 modules are part of the CQS29X series from Cavli Wireless, based on the Qualcomm QWM2290 baseband chipset. These LTE Cat 4 modules provide data rates up to 150 Mbit/s downlink and 50 Mbit/s uplink with 2G fallback. Featuring the Cortex A53 quad-core CPU and Adreno 702 GPU, they deliver superior graphics, image quality, and power efficiency. Both modules measure 40.5 x 40.5 mm, with dimensions to be determined. They support multi-constellation GNSS, with the CQS291 offering L1 constellation support and the CQS292 featuring L1+L5 (including the new NavIC addition.). Additionally, both modules come with versatile features such as USB 3.1 Type-C/Micro USB, Wi-Fi 5, BLE 5.0, and future FM support. Designed for a range of applications including two-wheelers, e-mobility, telematics, and fleet management, the CQS291 and CQS292 also support Qualcomm LA2.1 Automotive Middlewarespecific to two-wheelers in the CQS291 and four-wheelers in the CQS292. Optional integrated eSIM and global connectivity are powered by the Cavli Hubble connectivity and modem management platform, enhancing their utility in connected vehicle telemetry and device management.

Also on the showcase is the CQS290 Android smart cellular IoT module . Cavli debuted the CQS290 as the first of the flagship CQS29X series of LTE Cat 4 Android smart modules with 2G fallback capability. Powered by ARM Cortex A53 quad-core CPU and Adreno 702 GPU, it delivers stronger graphics, better image quality, and excellent battery efficiency. The CQS290 supports versatile features such as USB 2.0 with OTG, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5 making it ideal for applications such as machine to machine IoT, POS terminals, Kiosks, Smart Healthcare. The module has in-built multi-constellation GNSS with support for L1 band and comes with optional integrated eSIM with global connectivity powered by the Cavli Hubble platform.

Alongside the smart module showcase is the CQM220 is the flagship 5G RedCap cellular IoT module from Cavli Wireless, compatible with 3GPP release 17 standards and designed for advanced IoT and M2M applications. It offers robust data bandwidth, up to 226 Mbps downlink and 121 Mbps uplink, and is available in LGA, PCIe Gen2, and M.2 form factors for broad compatibility. With optional integrated eSIM and in-built GNSS, it supports global connectivity and precise tracking, making it ideal for asset tracking and vehicular telemetry. The Linux-based module with OpenSDK support allows for application-specific coding directly on the device, eliminating the need for an external host MCU. This high throughput and global operability make the CQM220 perfect for Industry 4.0, smart city initiatives, and asset tracking, driving innovation and operational excellence.

The Cavli Hubble Stack further enhances the capabilities of these modules by introducing remote diagnosis, monitoring, and debugging of the module through Hubble Lens, an advanced component of the Cavli Hubble IoT connectivity & modem management platform . This feature eliminates the necessity for physical intervention, simplifying the expansion of IoT solutions. Through strategic alliances with operators worldwide, Cavli has established a substantial presence, delivering unparalleled connectivity solutions that set new standards in service quality and cost-effectiveness.

John Mathew, the CEO and the Chief Technology Architect of Cavli Wireless, remarked, We are thrilled to unveil our latest advancements in cellular IoT technology at Computex 2024. The CQS29X series, with its superior graphics quality and power efficiency, and the CQM220 module, with its robust 5G capabilities, represent our commitment to innovation and excellence in cellular IoT. These products are designed to provide businesses worldwide with seamless connectivity and performance, driving the future of IoT solutions in applications ranging from connected vehicles to smart city initiatives. We are excited to exhibit alongside our distributor partner, SCHMIDT IoT Technology, highlighting our collaborative efforts to bring our cutting-edge IoT solutions to the global market.

With the unveiling of the CQS29X smart module series along with the CQM220 at Computex 2024, Cavli Wireless reiterates its dedication to providing cost-effective, uninterrupted, and superior cellular IoT solutions. We encourage you to engage with our solution specialists to explore the ways the CQM220 can enhance your upcoming project. Embark on your path to dependable and effective connectivity with Cavli Wireless.

About Cavli Wireless

Cavli Wireless is a cellular IoT module manufacturer that combines IoT connectivity and data management into one platform. Cavli designs and manufactures industrial-grade cellular IoT smart modules that improve equipment reliability and expedite application development processes. Cavli's smart cellular modules are equipped with global cellular connectivity through integrated eSIM functionality that provides users with affordable global data pricing, simplified device management, and centralized subscription management through the proprietary cloud-based platform Cavli Hubble.

About Computex Taipei

COMPUTEX Taipei is a significant international technology exhibition held annually in Taipei, Taiwan. It is considered the largest ICT trade show in Asia and a premier platform for the global technology industry. The event brings together leading companies, startups, and industry professionals to showcase cutting-edge innovations, products, and services in the fields of computing, artificial intelligence, and other related technologies.

Media Contact:

Shariq Jalaluddin, Manager - Corporate Marketing

shariq.j@cavliwireless.com

Cavli Wireless

+91-6282917279

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7a35714-86e9-487a-81fc-db031524c6d7
Bristol & Warren (RI) / New York (NY), May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Counslr, the text-based mental health support mobile app, announced today that it has expanded its support into the State of Rhode Island through a partnership with the Bristol Warren Regional School District. The partnership rolled out to first focus on access to the Counslr app for the more than 500 faculty members, which includes unlimited texting sessions with Counslrs licensed and vetted mental health support professionals, available on-demand, 24/7/365. Students will soon have access to the app at the start of the new 2024-25 school year.

The need is great, and we are thrilled to begin working toward a solution with the Counslr team. As we see a continued rise in the need for mental health support, we are fully embracing the opportunities that Counslr provides for both our faculty and students, said Ana Riley, Superintendent of Schools for the Bristol Warren Regional School District. Mental health support is something we all could benefit from, no matter who we are  students or faculty  and having access to Counslrs 24/7/365 platform can indeed be the resource so many can access when they most need to.

The Counslr app was rolled out to all faculty in the District as part of Teacher Appreciation Week, and by the beginning of the next school year all students in the middle and high schools will also have access to the app.

We are thrilled to expand into Rhode Island and help faculty, and soon students as well, as they prioritize mental health and the well-being of the school district as a whole, said Josh Liss, CEO and co-founder of Counslr. Working with school districts has become a primary focus for the company, as we aim to help communities across the country prioritize their well-being. We are grateful to leaders such as those in the Bristol Warren Regional School District who embrace the challenge and seek solutions to help their community.

For more information on Counslr, please visit: www.counslr.com.







About Bristol Warren Regional School District

The Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD) is a PK-12 public school system supporting the education of students in the towns of Bristol and Warren. BWRSD comprises four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school currently serving approximately 2,900 students. The district is committed to providing the best possible educational experience for our students and creating a safe, welcoming, and conducive learning environment for your child. We are dedicated to ensuring that our facilities foster an atmosphere where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our current districts 2022-2027 Strategic Plan acts as a compass for our work, offering the necessary guidance to engage families and community partners in creating vibrant and adaptive learning environments that support all students in realizing their full potential as productive and successful members of our society. Our strategic plan serves as a roadmap for our districts future, and it focuses on key areas such as academic excellence, student and staff well-being, and community engagement.

By following the strategic plan we aim to:

Goal 1. Engage families and community partners in creating safe, inclusive, vibrant and adaptive learning environments that support all students in realizing their full potential as productive and successful members of our community.

Goal 2. Strengthen students PK-12 roadmap to college and careers through high quality ocre curriculum and robust Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) within each school.

Goal 3. Develop high quality Professional Learning experiences for all staff that are relevant, purposeful, systematic, and structured with a goal of improving and building upon educators practices and student outcomes.

Goal 4. Expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings for students and create the infrastructure and policies to support CTE expansion

Goal 5. Communicate timely and intentionally with students, families, staff, and the community to create and deepen an intentional, inclusive, and transparent culture.



About Counslr

Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that provides unlimited access to live texting sessions with licensed professionals, 24/7/365. Users can access support on-demand within two minutes of opening the app, or by scheduled appointment. Through real-time texting, users enjoy one-on-one, private communication with a licensed counselor that can be conducted anytime, anywhere. Counslr was designed to help individuals deal with lifes day-to-day issues, empowering individuals to address concerns while they are small to help ensure that they stay small. Counslr partners with organizations of all shapes and sizes (companies, unions, nonprofits, universities/colleges, high schools, etc) so that these entities can provide Counslrs services to their employees/members/students at no direct cost. For more information, please visit www.counslr.com.

Attachments
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Protein A Resin Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Protein A Resin Market has exhibited a robust growth trajectory, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.91% forecast from 2023 to 2029. A crucial component in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, Protein A Resin is indispensable in the purification of monoclonal antibodies and other proteins.

Technological advancements play a pivotal role in the market's expansion. With improved binding capacities, enhanced selectivity, and increased stability, next-generation protein A resins fortify the production capabilities of biopharmaceutical companies. The growing adoption of single-use technologies further contributes to this positive outlook, offering reduced cross-contamination risks and operational flexibility. These advancements are anticipated to be critical drivers of market growth.

Geographically, North America maintains a dominant market position due to its strong biopharmaceutical industry and advanced healthcare infrastructure. The region's commitment to high-quality biopharmaceutical production, underpinned by rigorous regulatory standards, ensures consistent demand for high-performance protein A resins.

Healthcare Concerns Escalate Demand



The rising prevalence of chronic diseases globally has sparked urgent demand for novel therapeutic options, particularly biopharmaceuticals. This surge in demand has, in turn, led to an increased requirement for Protein A Resin in the purification process for these therapies, emphasizing its integral role in meeting current medical needs.

Challenges and Opportunities



Despite the robust growth, the market faces challenges, such as capacity constraints due to the immense demand for Protein A Resin and competition from alternative purification technologies. Nevertheless, opportunities manifest in the rising demand for biosimilars and the expansion of the biopharmaceutical sector, with specific growth anticipated in the agarose-based matrix type and among biopharmaceutical manufacturers as end users. Regional

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 179 Forecast Period 2023-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.32 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $2.33 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.9% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

GE Healthcare Inc.

Merck Millipore

PerkinElmer, Inc.

GenScript Biotech Corp.

Agilent Technologies

Repligen Corp.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Abcam PLC

Novasep Holdings SAS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1tpunp

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "World's Largest Companies (Top 100) - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Top 100 World's Largest Companies report provides a detailed overview of the market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 100 companies, including Airbus, BASF and China Railway Group Limited.

Each of the largest 100 companies is scrutinised in an individual assessment and analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data.

Every business is examined on the following features:

A graphical assessment of a company's financial performance

Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet

A written summary highlighting key performance issues

Subsequently, you will receive a thorough 100-page market analysis highlighting the latest changes in the World's Largest Companies (Top 100) market.

This section includes:

Best Trading Partners

Sales Growth Analysis

Profit Analysis

Market Size

Rankings

The report is split into two sections and uses both a written and graphical analysis - analysing the 100 largest World's Largest Companies.



The World's Largest Companies (Top 100) report contains the most-up-to-date financial data and the publisher applies these figures to create their unique and authoritative analysis.



The first section thoroughly scrutinises the market and this section includes the following:

Best Trading Partners: These are companies that are winning in both sales and financial strength - for example Facebook, Inc. has been ranked as a best trading partner in the industry.

These are companies that are winning in both sales and financial strength - for example Facebook, Inc. has been ranked as a best trading partner in the industry. Sales Growth Analysis: This section reviews the fastest growing and fastest shrinking company - for example Rosneft Oil Company is among the fastest growing.

This section reviews the fastest growing and fastest shrinking company - for example Rosneft Oil Company is among the fastest growing. Profit Analysis : Analysis of gross profit and pre-tax profit over the last ten years and a profitability summary comparing profits in the industry against small, medium and large companies.

: Analysis of gross profit and pre-tax profit over the last ten years and a profitability summary comparing profits in the industry against small, medium and large companies. Market Size: Based on the largest 100 companies, this is a comparison between last year's market size and the most current figure.

Based on the largest 100 companies, this is a comparison between last year's market size and the most current figure. Rankings: The top 50 companies ranked by: Market Share, Sales Growth, Gross Profit and Pre-tax Profit.

The next section focuses on company analysis and provides an in-depth analysis of the largest companies within the World's Largest Companies (Top 100) industry.

The Top 100 World's Largest Companies analysis also provides you with full business name and address, name and ages of directors and registration address.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v2381o

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Rolled Copper Products Market Report 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



World revenue for the Rolled Copper Products Market in terms of value the market will surpass US$26.16 billion in 2024, with strong revenue growth through to 2034.



The global rolled copper products market is experiencing steady growth, driven by several key factors. The increasing demand for copper in various industries, including construction, electronics, automotive, and telecommunications, is fuelling the market's expansion. Rolled copper products, such as sheets, strips, and foils, are essential components in electrical wiring, plumbing systems, electronic devices, and architectural applications, contributing to their widespread adoption.



Furthermore, the growing emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient solutions is driving the demand for copper products. Copper's excellent conductivity, durability, and recyclability make it an ideal choice for green building initiatives, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles. As governments worldwide implement stringent regulations and initiatives to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions, the demand for rolled copper products is expected to continue growing.



Amidst the market's growth, several opportunities and challenges exist for industry players. The increasing adoption of antimicrobial copper surfaces in healthcare facilities and public spaces presents a significant opportunity for manufacturers of rolled copper products. The antimicrobial properties of copper make it effective in reducing the spread of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, enhancing its appeal for use in high-touch surfaces.



The availability of alternative metal foils poses a significant restraining factor in the copper market, particularly with the emergence of innovative materials that mimic the properties of precious metals like gold and silver. Japanese scientists have made significant strides in transforming copper-based substances into materials that replicate the characteristics of costly metals, offering promising applications in electronic device production. This breakthrough, involving the creation of copper nanoparticles, opens avenues for the development of electronic components that traditionally rely on expensive gold and silver counterparts.

Key Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

The Speedily Growing Electronics Industry and Rise of Smartphones

Copper Rolled Product Business for Automotive Terminals and Connectors

Growing Demand from Construction Industry

Market Restraining Factors

Availability of Alternative Metal Foils Hinder the Market Growth

Copper Shortages Present New Manufacturing Challenges

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices Hinder the Market Growth

Market Opportunities

Rapid Industrialization and Urbanization in Emerging Economies Present Significant Growth Opportunities

Geographical Expansion into New Markets or Regions with High Demand for Copper Products

Collaboration and Partnership Between Market Players Opportunities for the Market

Key Questions Answered

How is the rolled copper products market evolving?

What is driving and restraining the rolled copper products market?

How will each rolled copper products submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2034?

How will the market shares for each rolled copper products submarket develop from 2024 to 2034?

What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2024 to 2034?

Will leading rolled copper products markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2034 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2034?

Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

What are the rolled copper products projects for these leading companies?

How will the industry evolve during the period between 2024 and 2034? What are the implications of rolled copper products projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the rolled copper products market?

Where is the rolled copper products market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?

What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?

Forecasts to 2034 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects

In addition to revenue forecasting to 2034, the new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising rolled copper products prices and recent developments.

Segments Covered in the Report

Market Segment by Alloy Type

Pure Copper

Copper Alloys

Market Segment by Thickness

Thin Gauge (Less than 0.2 mm)

Medium Gauge (0.2-1 mm)

Thick Gauge (More than 1 mm)

Market Segment by Form

Rolled Sheets

Rolled Strips

Rolled Foils

Other Form

Market Segment by Application

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

Electrical Wiring

Roofing and Cladding

Heat Exchangers

Other Applications

Market Segment by End-Use Industry

Electrical & Electronics

Automotive

Construction

Industrial Machinery

Consumer Goods

Aerospace & Defence

In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets.

The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Rolled Copper Products Market, 2024 to 2034, with a focus on this segment of these companies' operations.



Leading companies and the potential for market growth

Aurubis

Chinalco Luoyang Copper Processing Co.

Freeport-McMoRan

Furukawa Electric Co.

Jiangxi Copper

JX Nippon Mining & Metals

LS-Nikko Copper

Metallurgical Corporation of China

Mitsubishi Materials

Mueller Industries

Ningbo Jintian Copper (Group) Co.

Sam Dong

Southwire Company

Wieland Electric

Wieland-Werke

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bkcqq

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Selbyville, Delaware, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aircraft Braking System Market is estimated to be valued at USD 10 billion by the end of 2032, as per a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc.

The growing demand for air travel driven by global economic growth and rising disposable incomes has led to the increase in the production of commercial aircraft. Modernization of military aircraft and expansion of global defense budgets are helping in the growth of braking systems. Military aircraft also require robust and highly controllable systems for many complex missions, further adding to the demand for aircraft braking systems.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/5100





Safety standards set by aviation authorities worldwide will also influence the market growth. Regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) require safety standards for aircraft components. For instance, in February 2022, the FAA unveiled a new initiative aimed at phasing out leaded aviation fuel by the end of 2030 while ensuring that the current piston-engine fleet remains unaffected. Compliance with these regulations is making way for continuous innovations, further encouraging manufacturers to develop advanced solutions.

Rising preference for UAVs

The unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAVs) aircraft type segment in the aircraft braking system market is likely to accelerate at a robust pace between 2023 and 2032, owing to its rising adoption across various industries, such as such as military, commercial, and civil applications. UAVs require high reliability and maneuverability during landing and on the ground, especially in harsh environments and high-risk missions. The growing use of UAVs for monitoring, surveillance and agricultural purposes is also driving the demand for special braking solutions to improve safety and performance.

Growing adoption by OEMs

Aircraft braking system market from the OEM end-use segment is expected to witness lucrative expansion from 2024 to 2032. OEMs are striving to integrate new and more reliable technologies into their aircraft to improve safety, performance, and compliance with strict aviation regulations. As airlines expand their fleets to meet the growing passenger and cargo demand, OEMs help in equipping each new aircraft with state-of-the-art braking systems. OEMs are further enhancing braking technologies to meet industry demands for lighter, more efficient, and durable systems through R&D, aided by collaboration with brake system manufacturers.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/5100

Asia Pacific to emerge as a lucrative market

Asia Pacific aircraft braking system market is estimated to attain substantial valuation by 2032. Demand for air travel has increased due to rapid economic development and rising disposable incomes in countries, such as China and India, prompting airlines to expand their fleets and routes. Government investments in airport infrastructure are also boosting the demand for anti-aircraft solutions, while driving growth in the aircraft manufacturing sector through local companies and joint ventures.

Aircraft Braking System Market Participants

Some of the prominent aircraft braking system industry players include Safran, Beringer Aero, Collins Aerospace, Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Crane Co., Meggitt PLC, and Honeywell International Inc. These firms are focusing on mergers & acquisitions, new product development & launches, collaborations, and customer retention to gain competitive perks. To illustrate, in April 2024, Honeywell launched Honeywell Forge Performance, a cloud-based platform utilizing AI and ML for transitioning the aerospace manufacturing and MRO operations by streamlining processes and lowering costs.

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hong Kong Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Hong Kong data center market will witness investments of USD 4.80 billion by 2029 from $3.97 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 3.23%

This report analyses the Hong Kong data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments.

The Hong Kong data center market is witnessing immense growth through investments from global and local data center operators. Some of the major colocation operators in the market include SUNeVision Holdings (iAdvantage), Equinix, Digital Realty, Vantage Data Centers, NTT DATA, Global Switch, BDx (Big Data Exchange) and AirTrunk.

The widespread use of cloud services is powering the growth of the Hong Kong data center market, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), handling large-scale data (Big Data), the Internet of Things (IoT), the rollout of 5G networks, improved connectivity, and the ongoing process of digital transformation.

Cloud giants like Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, and Tencent Cloud have established their presence in Hong Kong, each with dedicated cloud regions. Hong Kong has an acute land shortage for data center development. The government supports the data center market by providing industrial land. The country is expected to witness growth in brownfield developments due to the land shortage.

The government has introduced initiatives such as the Data Center Facilitation Unit (DCFU) to support the growth of the Hong Kong data center market. This effort seeks to attract substantial investments, improve infrastructure, promote industry collaborations, and create a favorable environment for data center operations.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The market is witnessing significant investment from major colocation and local operators. Some of the key colocation investors in the Hong Kong data center market are SUNeVision Holdings (iAdvantage), GDS Services, Equinix, AirTrunk, Vantage Data Centers, iTech Tower Data Centre Services, China Mobile International, BDx (Big Data Exchange), and others.

The colocation market is booming, and investment and real estate firms such as Goodman, ESR, Mapletree Investments, and Angelo Gordon are developing core and shell facilities. Goodman is among the major investors in the Hong Kong data center market and is continuously expanding its presence. In March 2024, the company announced the construction of the new Texaco data center facility in Tsuen Wan. The brownfield construction facility is likely to go online by 2026.

Telecom companies in Hong Kong, such as China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), SmarTone, Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings (HTHKH)'s brand 3, and CSL Mobile, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), are responsible for the deployment of commercial 5G services across the country. The country will likely be covered entirely or partially under 5G technology.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Hong Kong colocation market revenue is available.

An assessment of the data center investment in Hong Kong by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

This report details a detailed study of the existing Hong Kong data center market landscape, provides in-depth market analysis, and makes insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Hong Kong: I. Facilities Covered (Existing): 54 II. Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 12 III. Coverage: 6+ Locations IV. Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) V. Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data Center Colocation Market in the Hong Kong I. Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029) II. Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2023-2029) III. Retail Colocation Pricing IV. Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The Hong Kong data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

This report comprehensively analyzes the industry's latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects.

This section provides a business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the market.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Hong Kong data center market?

What is the growth rate of the Hong Kong data center market?

How many existing and upcoming data center facilities exist in Hong Kong?

How much MW of power capacity will be added across Hong Kong during 2024-2029?

What factors are driving the Hong Kong data center market?

Who are the key investors in the Hong Kong data center market?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 123 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.97 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $4.81 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.2% Regions Covered Hong Kong

Companies Featured

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Network

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Inspur

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

Arup

AtkinsRealis

Aurecon

BYME Engineering

Chung Hing Engineers Group

Cundall

DSCO Group

Gammon Construction

ISG

Studio One Design

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Airedale

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Fuji Electric

KOHLER

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Sumber

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

AirTrunk

BDx

CITIC Telcom International

China Mobile International (CMI)

China Unicom

Digital Realty

Equinix

ESR

GDS Services

Global Switch

Goodman

iTech Towers Data Centre Services

NTT DATA

SUNeVision Holdings (iAdvantage)

Telehouse

Towngas Telecom (TGT)

Vantage Data Centers

New Entrants

Angelo Gordon

Mapletree Investments

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Tseung Kwan O

Kwai Chung

Tsuen Wan

Fanling

Fo Tan

Chai Wan

Tai Po

Other Location

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Tseung Kwan O

Kwai Chung

Tsuen Wan

Fanling

Fo Tan

Chai Wan

Tai Po

Other Location

REPORT COVERAGE

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Tower, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Building & Engineering Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

DCIM

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

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TURIN, Italy, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a fleet where the average age is 23 years, the market currently comprises 10,729 motor yachts and 1,897 sailing yachts. There are 1,166 projects under construction or on order with Italy dominating this aspect on 51.4%, even though the country only represents 40.1% of global production in gross tonnage terms. Superyacht production has doubled in the last decade with 132 in-build. Germany leads on average length of superyachts in construction with 94.4m, followed by the Netherlands on 62m. Yachts customised by their owners represent 63.3% of the global fleet. It is the picture drawn at the Cluster Yachting Monaco which convened a hundred yachting professionals and a fleet of yachts moored in the YCM Marina for its first Open Day 2024. The meeting was a chance to take stock of the sector as it stands and make forecasts for 2030. The industry must set itself apart in the best possible way. Our Cluster is always cited as a reference and is one of the best in the world. We must keep up the momentum, began Bernard dAlessandri, Cluster Yachting Monaco President and General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.



After a presentation on statistics for the sector in 2024 by Katia Damborsky from Boat International, there were two sessions in the form of panels dealing with yachtings evolution in the immediate future with a 360 vision of the different players involved and their commitment to sustainability. All delegates also had an opportunity to visit the 15 yachts moored in the YCM Marina, presented by Sanlorenzo, Oceanco, Novamarine, RIB, Riva, Pardo, Saialia Yachts, Baltic Yachts, Dominator Yacht, Costruzioni Navali Tigullio, Palmer Johnson, Overmarine, Feadship and Philip Zepter Yachts.

International trends for 2024 show a marked preference for diesel engines, far outperforming hybrid and diesel/electric engines. The event also discussed the increase in use of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO). Feadship has taken another step towards its goal to produce carbon neutral superyachts by 2030, with the Obsidian, an 84.2m superyacht that can run on a HVO non-fossil diesel fuel. Not to be out done Sanlorenzo is also testing this new clean emission biofuel on the 44m Lammouche.

Optimising hull designs for better fuel efficiency, cleaner more efficient engines, hybrid, diesel-electric, and electric engines, rigid sails, HVO/bio fuels, solar energy, hydrogen / green hydrogen, methanol / green methanol and sustainable innovations are all solutions available now to improve vessel sustainability. What will the sector look like by 2030? A range of panellists attempted to answer this question by making overall projections for the industry. In my opinion the 360 approach is the most interesting, observed Artur Poloczanski, Public Relations Director at Sunreef. You have to know how to optimise a yacht to achieve the sustainability objective.

On 10th June 2024, Cluster Yachting Monaco members will meet again to celebrate ten years of the association. Founded in 2014 by Bernard d'Alessandri, the Cluster Yachting Monaco is one of the first in the world solely intended for yachting sector stakeholders. It is in line with actions taken by a government-led committee (Conseil Strategique pour lattractivite) with the aim being to provide a platform for dialogue with decision-making authorities. Defined as a centre of competitiveness uniting a hundred interdependent organisations and companies working in the same sector, the Cluster has proved to be a unifying force.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd93dc92-685f-43f8-896a-dbac27e8231e
Selbyville, Delaware, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horticulture Lighting Market value could reach USD 31.5 billion by 2032, as per a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc.

The Horticulture Lighting market is experiencing heightened demand due to increasing acquisitions and mergers among leading companies. These strategic consolidations are reshaping the industry landscape by driving innovation and expanding market reach.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/7134





By combining resources, expertise, and technological capabilities, companies can enhance product offerings, accelerate research and development, and improve market penetration. For instance, in November 2023, Acuity Brands revealed its intent to purchase Arize horticultural lighting products from Current Lighting Solutions, LLC. Concurrently, Acuity Brands will uphold a distribution collaboration with Hort Americas, headquartered in Texas, to oversee sales and support Arize products across North America. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of indoor farming methods, such as vertical farming and greenhouse cultivation, is driving demand for horticulture lighting.

Fluorescent technology to proliferate market growth

The horticulture lighting market from the fluorescent segment could exhibit a decent growth rate over 2023-2032, claims the report. Despite the emergence of newer technologies like LED, fluorescent lights remain popular for their affordability and versatility. They offer a balanced spectrum of light suitable for various growth stages of plants, making them ideal for both commercial and hobbyist growers. Additionally, fluorescent fixtures are readily available and easy to install, attracting growers seeking cost-effective solutions. As the demand for indoor farming and greenhouse cultivation rises, fluorescent lighting continues to maintain its relevance and contribute to the growth of the horticulture lighting industry.

Fruits and vegetables to expand market reach

The fruits and vegetables segment will register a noteworthy CAGR from 2023 to 2032, as per the report. With a growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and food security, indoor farming methods are increasingly adopted to meet the rising demand for fresh produce. Horticulture lighting plays a crucial role in this process by providing tailored light spectra and photoperiods to optimize plant growth and enhance yield and quality. As consumers prioritize health and sustainability, the demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables continues to rise, driving the adoption of advanced horticulture lighting solutions to support year-round production.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/7134

Europe to witness a high market value

Europe horticulture lighting market will register a robust CAGR from 2023 to 2032. With the continent's increasing focus on sustainable agriculture, there's a growing adoption of indoor farming methods such as vertical farming and greenhouse cultivation. Horticulture lighting is pivotal in enabling year-round production and enhancing crop yields. Additionally, supportive government policies and incentives for energy-efficient technologies further propel market growth. As European consumers prioritize locally grown, fresh produce, the demand for advanced horticulture lighting solutions continues to surge, positioning Europe as a key driver of market demand in the global landscape.

Horticulture Lighting Market Players

Heliospectra AB, Lumileds Holding BV, Signify Holding (Philips), Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Gavita International BV, and OSRAM GmbH, among others

Company efforts tailored to the Horticulture Lighting Market are driving demand through strategic initiatives. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of lighting solutions tailored to plant growth. Advanced technologies, such as LED fixtures with customizable spectra, optimize light wavelengths for different crops and growth stages, maximizing yields and quality. Additionally, companies are focusing on sustainability, developing energy-efficient lighting systems that reduce environmental impact and operational costs for growers. By aligning with market needs and sustainability goals, these efforts are shaping the future of horticulture lighting and driving market demand.

In November 2023, RED Horticulture, a dynamic lighting company, successfully concluded a $17 million Series A funding round. Headquartered in the Netherlands and France, the company specializes in innovative lighting solutions for advanced greenhouse operations.

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM, OTCQB:WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has received final assay results from its 2,396 metre drilling program completed in March 2024 at its 100% owned Fenelon Gold Project (Fenelon).



Highlights

Intersected multiple high-grade gold-bearing structures in the Enterprise and Andromeda vein swarms of the Area 51 zone at depths ranging between 60 and 150 metres below surface including: 29.48 g/t Au over 1.4 metres, 37.95 g/t Au over 1.9 metres in drill hole FA-24-578 12.09 g/t Au over 0.5 metres, 41.55 g/t Au over 0.5 metres in drill hole FA-24-579

Provided additional infill confirmation of gold grade continuity along Contact and Tabasco zone structures proximal to the Area 51 zone at relatively shallow depths ranging between 40 and 85 metres below surface with intercepts including: 2.15 g/t Au over 4.5 metres, 1.90 g/t Au over 4.1 metres in drill hole FA-24-575 3.39 g/t Au over 2.5 metres in drill hole FA-24-580

Deeper mineralization was also intersected in the Area 51-MIB and Tabasco zones at depths ranging between 350 and 500 metres below surface including: 7.75 g/t Au over 2.4 metres, 11.52 g/t Au over 1.7 metres in drill hole FA-24-578 50.13 g/t Au over 0.5 metres in drill hole FA-24-579

Confirmed continuation of gold mineralization along easterly strike projection of the Contact and Tabasco zone structures near the currently defined limit of the Fenelon mineral resource with 1.52 g/t Au over 8.0 metres in a down-hole extension of drill hole FA-20-194.

Additional highlights from the recently completed drilling are provided in the summary table below.

Wallbridges CEO Brian Penny commented: These new intercepts provide further confirmation of the continuity and distribution of gold mineralization within the Fenelon mineral resource. This near-surface mineralization could provide a positive impact on the project, and it will be used to advance the combined Fenelon-Martiniere preliminary economic assessment (PEA) currently in progress.

Earlier this year and during 2023, Wallbridge released a series of results from delineation and infill drilling completed at Fenelon subsequent to the announcement of the 2023 mineral resource estimate (see Wallbridge news releases dated February 7, 2024, June 6, 2023, March 6, 2023, January 17, 2023, and Amended and Re-stated: NI 43-101 Technical Report dated December 29, 2023). Links to a drill hole location map and cross-sections for the drill holes reported in this news release are provided here: Fenelon Gold Project: Q1 2024 Plan View Map & Cross-Sections

Subsequent to the completion of its Q1 Fenelon drill program, Wallbridge recently completed a Phase 1 drill program at its Martiniere Project, located 30 kilometres west of Fenelon (see news release dated March 4, 2024 ). Key objectives of the Phase 1 program include the collection of mineralized material for bulk metallurgical testing, collection of geotechnical data to support rock mass characterization studies, and infill drilling to upgrade resource classification. The Company will provide an update on the Martiniere Project once the final results of the Phase 1 program have been received. Additionally, final preparations are well underway for the commencement of the 2024 regional exploration drilling program, which is scheduled to begin in early June.

Wallbridge Fenelon Gold Project: Q1 2024 Drill Assay Highlights Drill Hole



From To Length Au Zone - Corridor (m) (m) (m) (g/t) FA-18-043_ext'n No Significant Results FA-20-194_ext'n * 918.0 926.0 8.0 1.52 Contact / Tabasco Including 918.0 920.0 2.0 2.79 * 920.0 924.6 4.6 0.41 * 924.6 926.0 1.4 3.36 FA-24-574 No Significant Results FA-24-575 40.5 45.0 4.5 2.15 Tabasco / Area 51 * 81.5 85.6 4.1 1.90 Tabasco / Area 51 Including 81.5 83.7 2.2 0.98 * 83.7 85.6 1.9 2.97 FA-24-576 No Significant Results FA-24-577 No Significant Results FA-24-578 * 75.5 76.9 1.4 29.48 Area 51- Enterprise Including 75.5 76.2 0.7 1.01 * 76.2 76.9 0.7 55.91 * 109.3 111.2 1.9 37.95 Area 51- Enterprise Including * 109.3 110.7 1.4 4.01 * 110.7 111.2 0.5 133.00 120.4 127.6 7.2 1.67 Area 51- Enterprise Including 120.4 121.5 1.1 4.29 121.5 126.9 5.4 0.25 126.9 127.6 0.7 8.31 158.4 159.0 0.6 19.60 Area 51- Enterprise 299.0 301.8 2.8 1.75 Area 51- Enterprise Including 299.0 300.0 1.0 3.37 300.0 301.8 1.8 0.85 384.0 386.4 2.4 7.75 Area 51- MIB Including 384.0 385.7 1.7 10.76 385.7 386.4 0.7 1.12 * 474.2 475.9 1.7 11.52 Area 51- MIB Including 474.2 474.9 0.7 1.63 * 474.9 475.9 1.0 18.94 486.0 487.0 1.0 7.05 Area 51- MIB * 515.1 518.2 3.1 3.61 Area 51- MIB Including 515.1 517.7 2.6 1.49 * 517.7 518.2 0.5 13.62 FA-24-579 * 47.4 47.9 0.5 9.50 Area 51- Andromeda * 73.3 73.8 0.5 12.09 Area 51- Andromeda * 80.0 80.5 0.5 12.26 Area 51- Andromeda * 91.0 91.5 0.5 9.50 Area 51- Andromeda * 106.4 106.9 0.5 41.55 Area 51- Andromeda * 459.6 460.1 0.5 50.13 Tabasco FA-24-580 36.0 38.5 2.5 3.39 Tabasco / Area 51 Including 36.0 37.5 1.5 0.62 37.5 38.5 1.0 7.55 Notes: True widths are estimated to be within 60 to 90% of reported core length intervals. * Indicates visible gold (VG) observed in drill core





A link to a complete summary table of assay results and drillhole information are provided here: Fenelon Gold Project: Q1 2024 Drill Assay Summary & Q1 Drillhole Information

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Wallbridge maintains a Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") program for all its exploration projects using industry best practices. Key elements of the QA/QC program include verifiable chain of custody for samples, regular insertion of blanks and certified reference materials, and completion of secondary check analyses performed at a separate independent accredited laboratory. Drill core is halved and shipped in sealed bags to SGS in Val dOr, Quebec where they are re-distributed to other SGS laboratory facilities according to the analytical method being requested by Walbridge. Gold analyses are routinely performed via fire assay with ICP-OES finish methods. For greater precision and accuracy, samples assaying 10 g/t Au or greater are re-assayed via metallic screen fire assay method or fire assay/gravimetric finish, depending on the amount of sample material remaining available. Samples containing visible gold are submitted directly for analysis by metallic screen fire assay method.

SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. All of SGS Canadian analytical sites are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for specific mineral tests listed on the scope of accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. ISO/IEC 17025 addresses both the quality management system and the technical aspects of operating a testing laboratory. Physical sample preparation involving accredited test methods as listed on the scope of accreditation may be performed at other sites listed on the SGS Canada Inc  Natural Resources  Minerals group accreditation or at offsite sample preparation laboratories that are monitored regularly for quality control and quality assurance practices, including SGS Canada Inc, Garson, SGS Canada Inc, Val dOr and SGS Canada Inc, Grand Falls-Windsor.

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release is Mr. Christopher Kelly, M.Sc., P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Wallbridge.

Annual General Meeting

Wallbridges annual meeting of the shareholders will be held in person at the TMX Market Centre, 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, Ont. M5H 1S3 and via live webcast at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/en/1615 on June 26, 2024, at the hour of 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time) (the Meeting). To access the live webcast of the Meeting, shareholders will need to open the following link: https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/en/1615. The password for the live webcast is wallbridge2024 (case sensitive).

About Wallbridge Mining

Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend in Quebecs Northern Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates (regional property map provided below).

Wallbridges most advanced projects, Fenelon Gold (Fenelon) and Martiniere Gold (Martiniere) incorporate a combined 3.05 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 2.35 million ounces of inferred gold resources. Fenelon and Martiniere are located within an 830 square kilometre exploration land package controlled by Wallbridge.

Wallbridge has reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at Fenelon that estimates average annual gold production of 212,000 ounces over 12 years.

Wallbridge also holds a 15.79% interest in the common shares of NorthX Nickel Corp. (formerly Archer Exploration) as a result of the sale of the Companys portfolio of nickel assets in Ontario and Quebec. For further information please visit the Companys website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact:

Wallbridge Mining Company Limited

Brian Penny, CPA, CMA

Chief Executive Officer

Email: bpenny@wallbridgemining.com

M: +1 416 716 8346 Victoria Vargas, B.Sc. (Hon.) Economics, MBA

Capital Markets Advisor

Email: vvargas@wallbridgemining.com

M: +1 289 242 3599

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this document.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved.

FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: statements regarding the results of the PEA; the potential future performance of the Common Shares; future drill results; the Companys ability to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources; environmental matters; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used to estimate the MREs at Fenelon and Martiniere (collectively the Deposits); the prospects, if any, of the Deposits; future drilling at the Deposits; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results.

FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI.

Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Notes to United States Investors

Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.





Wallbridge Mining Detour  Fenelon Gold Trend Properties

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72bed113-8419-41b5-ba03-f1a262c19e8e
Sales for the quarter increased 1.9 percent compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Organic sales increased 4.5 percent, foreign currency decreased sales by 0.3 percent and divestitures decreased sales by 2.3 percent.

Diluted EPS increased 9.4 percent to a record high of $1.05 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $0.96 in the same quarter of the prior year. Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* increased 14.7 percent to a record high of $1.09 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $0.95 in the same quarter of the prior year.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $171.1 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $129.9 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2023.

Earnings per diluted Class A Common Share guidance was raised for the full year ending July 31, 2024 from the previous range of $3.80 to $3.95 to the new range of $3.93 to $4.00 on a GAAP basis, and was raised from the previous range of $3.95 to $4.10 to the new range of $4.08 to $4.15 on a non-GAAP basis.

MILWAUKEE, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brady Corporation (NYSE: BRC) (Brady or Company), a world leader in identification solutions, today reported its financial results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter ended April 30, 2024.

Quarter Ended April 30, 2024 Financial Results:

Sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 increased 1.9 percent, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.5 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percent from foreign currency translation and a decrease of 2.3 percent from divestitures. Sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 were $343.4 million compared to $337.1 million in the same quarter last year. By region, sales increased 0.9 percent in the Americas & Asia and increased 3.8 percent in Europe & Australia, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.5 percent in the Americas & Asia and organic sales growth of 4.4 percent in Europe & Australia.



Income before income taxes increased 2.2 percent to $64.4 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2024, compared to $63.0 million in the same quarter last year. Income Before Income Taxes Excluding Certain Items* for the quarter ended April 30, 2024, which was adjusted for amortization expense in both periods, and removes the $3.8 million pre-tax gain on a divestiture from the same quarter last year, was $66.8 million, an increase of 8.2 percent.



Net income for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 was $50.9 million compared to $48.1 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $1.05 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to $0.96 in the same quarter last year. Net Income Excluding Certain Items* for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 was $52.7 million and Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 was $1.09. Net Income Excluding Certain Items* for the quarter ended April 30, 2023 was $47.6 million and Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* for the quarter ended April 30, 2023 was $0.95.

Nine-Month Period Ended April 30, 2024 Financial Results:

Sales for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2024 increased 1.2 percent, which consisted of organic sales growth of 3.0 percent, an increase of 0.6 percent from foreign currency translation and a decrease of 2.4 percent from divestitures. Sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 were $998.0 million compared to $985.9 million in the same period last year. By region, sales decreased 0.5 percent in the Americas & Asia and increased 4.7 percent in Europe & Australia, which consisted of organic sales growth of 3.0 percent in the Americas & Asia and organic sales growth of 2.8 percent in Europe & Australia.



Income before income taxes increased 11.0 percent to $179.6 million for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2024, compared to $161.9 million in the same period last year. Income Before Income Taxes Excluding Certain Items* for the nine months ended April 30, 2024, which was adjusted for amortization expense in both periods and removes the $3.8 million pre-tax gain on a divestiture from the same period last year, was $186.7 million, an increase of 11.5 percent compared to the same period of the prior year.



Net income for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2024 was $141.8 million compared to $125.5 million in the same period last year. Earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $2.91 for the nine months ended April 30, 2024, compared to $2.51 in the same period last year. Net Income Excluding Certain Items* for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 was $147.2 million and Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 was $3.03. Net Income Excluding Certain Items* for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 was $130.3 million, and Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 was $2.60.

Commentary:

This quarter we reported all-time record high EPS and strong organic sales growth. Our ongoing investment in research and development continues to add value for our customers and increase organic sales. This quarter we launched several exciting new products that separate us from our competition and complement our current product offering. We remain focused on innovation and on our consistent priorities, which we believe will continue to drive future growth, said Bradys President and Chief Executive Officer, Russell R. Shaller. Both regions performed extremely well this quarter and we are facilitating an increased pace of innovative new product development, which we believe positions us for future success.



In addition to our organic revenue growth of 4.5 percent and record EPS this quarter, we also used our strong balance sheet and cash generation to return funds to our shareholders in the form of share buybacks and dividends. This quarter, we repurchased a total of 863,365 shares for $50.4 million and we returned another $11.2 million to our shareholders in the form of dividends, said Bradys Chief Financial Officer, Ann Thornton. Our balance sheet provides significant opportunities to invest in both organic opportunities and strategic acquisitions in order to drive long-term shareholder value.

Fiscal 2024 Guidance:

The Company raised its GAAP earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share guidance for the year ending July 31, 2024 from the previous guidance range of $3.80 to $3.95 per share to the new full year guidance range of $3.93 to $4.00 per share. The Company raised its Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items* guidance for the year ending July 31, 2024 from the previous range of $3.95 to $4.10 per share to the new full year guidance range of $4.08 to $4.15 per share.



The assumptions included in fiscal 2024 guidance include a full-year income tax rate of approximately 21 percent and depreciation and amortization expense ranging from $30 million to $32 million. Capital expenditures are expected to approximate $75 million, which is inclusive of facility purchase and construction costs of approximately $55 million. Fiscal 2024 guidance is based on foreign currency exchange rates as of April 30, 2024 and assumes continued economic growth. Fiscal 2024 guidance does not include the Companys pending acquisition of Gravotech Holding, which is expected to close by the end of its fiscal year ending July 31, 2024. Excluding acquisition-related costs, Brady expects the acquisition of Gravotech Holding to be immaterial to earnings per share in fiscal 2024.

A webcast regarding Bradys fiscal 2024 third quarter financial results will be available at www.bradycorp.com/investors beginning at 9:30 a.m. central time today.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Bradys products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Founded in 1914, the Company has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as of July 31, 2023, employed approximately 5,600 people in its worldwide businesses. Bradys fiscal 2023 sales were approximately $1.33 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradyid.com.

* Income Before Income Taxes Excluding Certain Items, Net Income Excluding Certain Items, and Diluted EPS Excluding Certain Items are non-GAAP measures. See appendix for more information on these measures, including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

In this news release, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

The use of words such as may, will, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, should, project, plan or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Bradys control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the offer to acquire Gravotech; the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction with Gravotech, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the offer that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the risk that the proposed offer and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Brady and Gravotech to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; increased cost of raw materials and labor as well as material shortages and supply chain disruptions; decreased demand for our products; our ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute our strategy; our ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands; difficulties in protecting our websites, networks, and systems against security breaches; Bradys ability to identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies, and to manage contingent liabilities from divested businesses; risks associated with the loss of key employees; extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities; litigation, including product liability claims; adverse impacts of regional epidemics or global pandemics; foreign currency fluctuations; potential write-offs of goodwill and other intangible assets; changes in tax legislation and tax rates; differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders and changes in the regulatory and business environment around dual-class voting structures; numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including major public health crises and government responses thereto and those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Bradys U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the Risk Factors section within Item 1A of Part I of Bradys Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023.

These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.

For More Information:

Investor contact: Ann Thornton 414-438-6887

Media contact: Kate Venne 414-358-5176





BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended April 30, Nine months ended April 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net sales $ 343,384 $ 337,116 $ 997,991 $ 985,934 Cost of goods sold 166,357 167,425 487,162 504,539 Gross margin 177,027 169,691 510,829 481,395 Operating expenses: Research and development 17,681 15,715 50,215 45,025 Selling, general and administrative 95,803 90,975 283,415 273,202 Total operating expenses 113,484 106,690 333,630 318,227 Operating income 63,543 63,001 177,199 163,168 Other income (expense): Investment and other income 1,596 785 4,718 1,596 Interest expense (728 ) (753 ) (2,284 ) (2,886 ) Income before income taxes 64,411 63,033 179,633 161,878 Income tax expense 13,521 14,981 37,874 36,399 Net income $ 50,890 $ 48,052 $ 141,759 $ 125,479 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 1.06 $ 0.97 $ 2.94 $ 2.52 Diluted $ 1.05 $ 0.96 $ 2.91 $ 2.51 Net income per Class B Voting Common Share: Basic $ 1.06 $ 0.97 $ 2.92 $ 2.51 Diluted $ 1.05 $ 0.96 $ 2.90 $ 2.49 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 48,004 49,653 48,294 49,755 Diluted 48,386 50,001 48,640 50,033





BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands) April 30, 2024 July 31, 2023 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 160,458 $ 151,532 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $6,690 and $8,467, respectively 195,099 184,420 Inventories 153,272 177,078 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,443 11,790 Total current assets 521,272 524,820 Property, plant and equipmentnet 194,732 142,149 Goodwill 588,095 592,646 Other intangible assets 53,893 62,096 Deferred income taxes 14,881 15,716 Operating lease assets 27,438 29,688 Other assets 23,785 22,142 Total $ 1,424,096 $ 1,389,257 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 79,965 $ 79,855 Accrued compensation and benefits 73,697 71,470 Taxes, other than income taxes 14,462 13,575 Accrued income taxes 7,945 12,582 Current operating lease liabilities 12,230 14,726 Other current liabilities 64,850 65,828 Total current liabilities 253,149 258,036 Long-term debt 63,774 49,716 Long-term operating lease liabilities 15,552 16,217 Other liabilities 69,519 74,369 Total liabilities 401,994 398,338 Stockholders equity: Common stock: Class A nonvoting common stockIssued 51,261,487 shares, and outstanding 43,941,713 and 45,008,724 shares, respectively 513 513 Class B voting common stockIssued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares 35 35 Additional paid-in capital 354,432 351,771 Retained earnings 1,129,739 1,021,870 Treasury stock7,319,774 and 6,252,763 shares, respectively, of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost (356,210 ) (290,209 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (106,407 ) (93,061 ) Total stockholders equity 1,022,102 990,919 Total $ 1,424,096 $ 1,389,257





BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands) Nine months ended April 30, 2024 2023 Operating activities: Net income $ 141,759 $ 125,479 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 22,406 24,522 Stock-based compensation expense 6,422 6,427 Gain on sale of business  (3,770 ) Deferred income taxes (6,902 ) (5,947 ) Other 1,358 (1,336 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (15,915 ) 1,744 Inventories 20,861 9,279 Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,849 ) (3,429 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7,347 (19,704 ) Income taxes (4,393 ) (3,404 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 171,094 129,861 Investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (69,157 ) (12,912 ) Sale of business  8,000 Other (1,174 ) 11 Net cash used in investing activities (70,331 ) (4,901 ) Financing activities: Payment of dividends (33,890 ) (34,202 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 5,583 4,091 Payments for employee taxes withheld from stock-based awards (2,664 ) (1,965 ) Purchase of treasury stock (72,225 ) (29,774 ) Proceeds from borrowing on credit agreement 111,790 102,916 Repayment of borrowing on credit agreement (97,732 ) (147,067 ) Other 149 66 Net cash used in financing activities (88,989 ) (105,935 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (2,848 ) 1,953 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 8,926 20,978 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 151,532 114,069 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 160,458 $ 135,047







BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands) Three months ended April 30, Nine months ended April 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 NET SALES Americas & Asia $ 224,766 $ 222,813 $ 658,035 $ 661,375 Europe & Australia 118,618 114,303 339,956 324,559 Total $ 343,384 $ 337,116 $ 997,991 $ 985,934 SALES INFORMATION Americas & Asia Organic 4.5 % 1.2 % 3.0 % 4.0 % Currency (0.1 )% (0.8 )%  % (1.1 )% Divestiture (3.5 )% (0.3 )% (3.5 )% (0.1 )% Total 0.9 % 0.1 % (0.5 )% 2.8 % Europe & Australia Organic 4.4 % 3.4 % 2.8 % 7.0 % Currency (0.6 )% (4.8 )% 1.9 % (10.1 )% Total 3.8 % (1.4 )% 4.7 % (3.1 )% Total Company Organic 4.5 % 1.9 % 3.0 % 5.0 % Currency (0.3 )% (2.1 )% 0.6 % (4.1 )% Divestiture (2.3 )% (0.2 )% (2.4 )% (0.1 )% Total 1.9 % (0.4 )% 1.2 % 0.8 % SEGMENT PROFIT Americas & Asia $ 49,697 $ 49,192 $ 143,489 $ 130,511 Europe & Australia 19,537 17,099 51,335 47,316 Total segment profit $ 69,234 $ 66,291 $ 194,824 $ 177,827 SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF NET SALES Americas & Asia 22.1 % 22.1 % 21.8 % 19.7 % Europe & Australia 16.5 % 15.0 % 15.1 % 14.6 % Total 20.2 % 19.7 % 19.5 % 18.0 % Three months ended April 30, Nine months ended April 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Total segment profit $ 69,234 $ 66,291 $ 194,824 $ 177,827 Unallocated amounts: Administrative costs (5,691 ) (7,060 ) (17,625 ) (18,429 ) Gain on sale of business - 3,770 - 3,770 Investment and other income 1,596 785 4,718 1,596 Interest expense (728 ) (753 ) (2,284 ) (2,886 ) Income before income taxes $ 64,411 $ 63,033 $ 179,633 $ 161,878






NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faraday Copper Corp. (Faraday or the Company) (TSX:FDY) (OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Ventum Financial Corp (formerly known as PI Financial) as co-lead underwriter and joint bookrunner, on its own behalf and on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters including Canaccord Genuity Corp. and TD Securities Inc. as co-lead underwriters and joint bookrunners (collectively, the Underwriters), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 25,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of C$0.80 per Common Share for gross proceeds to the Company of C$20,000,000 (the Underwritten Offering).

The Company will grant the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 3,750,000 Common Shares (the Over-Allotment Option Common Shares and together with the Common Shares, the Offered Securities) to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes at a price of C$0.80 per Over-Allotment Option Common Share for additional gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 (the Over-Allotment Option and together with the Underwritten Offering, the Offering), exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the Closing Date (as defined herein).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration and development of its Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona, U.S., and for general working capital purposes.

The Common Shares will be issued by way of a prospectus supplement that will be filed in all provinces and territories of Canada, other than Quebec, under the Companys base shelf prospectus dated October 21, 2022. The Common Shares may also be sold in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), and other jurisdictions outside of Canada provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about May 30, 2024 (the Closing Date) and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the securities regulatory authorities.

The securities offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Faraday Copper

Faraday Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol FDY.

For additional information please contact:

Stacey Pavlova, CFA

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

Faraday Copper Corp.

E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com

Website: www.faradaycopper.com

To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the expected quantum and timing of closing the Offering and the intended use of proceeds.

Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as Risk Factors included in Faradays disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This news release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this news release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.
Highlights



The Bambino property is adjacent to AEMCs Angliers-Belleterre claim block and constructively adds to the property position.

The combined claims are underlain by thick basalt flow interlayered with gabbro sills and komatiite flows in a regional setting thought to include a mantle plume, and prospective for Kambalda or Raglan-style high-grade nickel mineralization.

Significant copper-nickel-PGE prospects Midrim and Alotta, held by Pivotal Metals Ltd. 2 , are located on adjacent claims.

, are located on adjacent claims. AEMCs exploration program is fully funded and will commence immediately. The program consists of approximately 4,000 soil samples, prospecting and a VTEM electromagnetic survey.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement (the Option Agreement), pursuant to which it will be granted an option to acquire 100% interest in the 57-claim, 3,320-hectare Bambino nickel (Ni)  copper (Cu) platinum group element (PGE) property (the Property) located in the Temiscaming Region of western Quebec, from a Quebec prospecting syndicate (the Vendors). The Property is located directly adjacent to the Companys 100%-owned Angliers-Belleterre (Angliers) property acquired in 20231 (Figure 1).

Our Nikolai nickel project in Alaska, which hosts the Eureka deposit, already contains one of the largest known nickel resources in the US. We intend to acquire Bambino so that we can further expand our contribution of nickel and other strategic metals to the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry and also the long-term energy storage industry in North America, says Gregory Beischer, CEO of Alaska Energy Metals. We are excited and ready to begin exploration in Quebec as we know these projects could further position AEMC as a leading producer of critical minerals in the North American market at a time when these commodities are going to be in even higher demand than they are today.

Figure 1: Location of AEMCs Angliers and Bambino Claims

BAMBINO PROPERTY

The Bambino property covers the southern portion of the western segment of the Belleterre-Baby-Angliers Greenstone Belt and is predominately underlain by mafic volcanic rocks intruded by mafic to ultramafic sills. The volcanic stratigraphy includes thick layers of pillowed and subordinate massive basalt flows overlain by volcaniclastic sediments that are both interlayered with gabbro sills and komatiite flows. Mineralization in the area is primarily hosted or spatially related to the gabbro sills as: a) primary magmatic sulfide Ni+CuPGE mineralization (disseminated to massive sulfides), b) remobilized hydrothermal Cu+PGE mineralization (sheared sulfides) and c) volcanogenic, disseminated pyrite mineralization in tuffaceous rocks. The mineralization is thought to be related to a mantle plume in a geological setting analogous to Kambalda in Western Australia and Raglan in Northern Quebec.

On the adjacent BAGB property held by Pivotal Metals Ltd.2, previous drilling at the Alotta and Midrim showings has returned significant intersections of high-grade Cu-Ni-PGE massive sulfide mineralization at shallow depths (Figure 2). Bambino has seen minimal, prior exploration work consisting only of regional airborne surveys and limited soil geochemistry. The Property has gold potential, demonstrated by the presence of many quartz veins on the property; however, no assurance can be given that assay results similar to those at the BAGB property will be obtained at the Bambino property. The Belleterre-Baby-Angliers Greenstone Belt is best known for the past producing Belleterre gold mine located approximately 50 km east of Bambino. Vior Inc. recently consolidated the area surrounding the former mine and is finalizing plans for a +60,000m drill program.3





Figure 2: Bambino Claims: Airborne Total Magnetic Field, mineral showings, and selected drill intersections on adjacent Pivotal Metals Ltd. Claims 2

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

Under the Option Agreement, AEMC will have the exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in the Bambino Property by paying $105,000 cash and issuing 700,000 common shares of AEMC to the Vendors and completing $500,000 of exploration work, scheduled as annual installments over a three-year term. Upon exercise of the option, the Vendors will retain a 2.0% Net Smelter Returns royalty. AEMC will have the right at any time to buy back half of the royalty (i.e., 1.0%) for $1,000,000 cash. The Option Agreement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

EXPLORATION PROGRAM

AEMC intends to commence work immediately on the Angliers and Bambino claims with property-wide soil geochemistry, prospecting, rock sampling surveys and an airborne VTEM survey. The goal of this work is to identify anomalous zones to follow up with Controlled Source Audio Magnetotellurics (CSAMT) and time-domain electromagnetic geophysical surveys. The exploration program will be 100% funded from AEMCs current flow-through account.

REFERENCES

AEMC Press Release November 24, 2023, https://alaskaenergymetals.com/news/closes-acquisition-of-the-angliers-belleterre-project-in-quebec/ Pivotal Metals Ltd. BAGB webpage, https://pivotalmetals.com/bagb/ Vior Inc. Belleterre webpage, https://www.vior.ca/projects/belleterre-gold/



QUALIFIED PERSON

Gabriel Graf, the Companys Chief Geoscientist, is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders.

AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project, Angliers-Belleterre, in western Quebec and the Bambino property, which is adjacent to the Angliers claim block. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, carbon mitigation, and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Sarah Mawji, Public Relations

Venture Strategies

Email: sarah@venturestrategies.com

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the statements as to the Companys intended exploration program on the Angliers and Bambino claims. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec5e46ac-0db4-4d89-8e48-800f418a6e84

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a459ba6f-3475-487c-acd4-a6d77fcca7fd
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brooklyn Law School announced today the new Fagen Professorship, which was created through a major gift from Les Fagen, a longtime member of Brooklyn Law Schools adjunct faculty and a veteran trial lawyer.

Fagen established this endowed professorship as a tribute to the strength of the schools faculty and its mission of educational access for students from all backgrounds. It also honors his late father, Herman Fagen, a Class of 1942 alumnus, who benefited from that mission as a first-generation college and law student.

We could not be more grateful to Les Fagen for this extremely generous and meaningful gift. It recognizes that the foundation of excellence for any law school is its faculty, and that attracting and retaining gifted scholars and teachers is vital to our future and to our students success, said President and Joseph Crea Dean David D. Meyer. That the gift comes from a longtime member of our faculty, and celebrates Brooklyn Law's distinctive mission of educational access, makes it all the more special.

Dedicated to education, Fagan said he was inspired by the Law Schools history of making legal education accessible to children of immigrants and its commitment to a part-time program that offers night classes that permit students to work during the day. He also noted that for several decades now, unlike many other law schools, Brooklyn Law has stood out for admitting a large number of women.

Brooklyn Law School is an important and iconic institution in the City of New York and that is part of why I decided to make this grant, Fagen said. In its history and to this day, the Law School has enjoyed an extraordinary faculty and admitted wonderful students who later became impressive lawyers.

The Law School has played an integral role in the Fagen family. Herman Fagen, who was born to immigrants, grew up during the Depression, graduated City College, and then followed his two older brothers, Bernard Fagen 30 and Israel Fagen 31, to Brooklyn Law School, which all three attended at night. Throughout college and law school, Herman worked a series of day jobs, including as a truck driver, and an ironworker.

Dad was always grateful to the Law School. Indeed, he wore his Brooklyn Law School ring until the end of his life, Les Fagen said. Over the years, Herman Fagen became an important executive at the New York City Transit Authority and an expert in tort law who taught as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College. He died at the age of 93 on Jan. 28, 2010.

Les Fagen, a graduate of Yale College and Columbia Law School, spent more than 40 years at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, including as chair of its litigation department and a member of the firms management committee. He also became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. At Brooklyn Law School, Fagen teaches a course titled, Litigating an IP Case.

To read more about the Fagen Professorship, visit the Brooklyn Law School website here.

About Brooklyn Law School

Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School offers a vibrant intellectual community emphasizing teaching excellence, leading-edge scholarship, and an innovative academic program designed to prepare students for public service, business, and private practice, nationwide and across the globe. It is an independent institution, unaffiliated with any university or college, and the only law school in Brooklyn. The Law School offers J.D. options that include a traditional 3-year program and an extended part-time 4-year program. Visit Brooklyn Law School at www.brooklaw.edu

Attachments
TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fengate Asset Management is pleased to announce the appointment of Luke Henderson to Managing Director, Investor Relations and Capital Formation.



In this new role, Luke will contribute to Fengates continued expansion into the U.S. market, building out the firms network with investors and investment consultants. Based on the west coast, he is the firms second U.S. capital formation hire, and will work closely with Tara Speers, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Capital Formation and Nick Leon, Director, Investor Relations and Capital Formation to continue enhancing Fengates North American distribution capabilities.

We are excited for Luke to join Fengate and look forward to his entrepreneurial approach to relationship building and capital raising, said Kevin Reid, Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and Capital Formation, Fengate. Lukes experience in the U.S. and his ambition will be invaluable to further build our investor network throughout the U.S., propelling our growth.

Luke has 15 years of capital formation experience, 10 with AMP Capital Investors supporting growth of their North American business, and most recently at BlackRock where he was responsible for fundraising efforts across the firms private infrastructure and real asset sectors.

Im delighted to join the firm during this exciting growth phase, said Henderson. I look forward to expanding Fengates relationships across the U.S., bringing our rich history and entrepreneurial approach to owning and developing high-quality assets and businesses to the market.

Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager, with more than $8 billion of capital commitments under management, focused on infrastructure, private equity, and real estate strategies. With offices in Ontario and Texas, and team members across North America, Fengate leverages 50 years of entrepreneurial experience to deliver excellent investment results on behalf of its clients. Learn more at www.fengate.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db65eafe-1cc7-4116-8373-72e832bb1a41
CHICAGO and RESTON, Va. and NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Orion, Transaction Network Services (TNS) and TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) announced their partnershipin effect since 2022 will deliver an estimated five billion branded business calls by the end of 2024. Through direct network integration with leading U.S. wireless carriers, the partnership offers enterprises a proven cross-carrier solution for business vetting, number verification, end-to-end call authentication and call branding with rich call content.



The solution helps enterprises improve customer engagement, while protecting consumers from robocalls, call spoofing and fraud. In addition, this partnership has helped enable milestones that continue to set a strong foundation for future branded call enhancements, including:

Branded calling adoption by over 4,000 U.S. businesses, including 10% of Fortune 500 companies

Over 1.5 billion calls branded in 2024 to date

Business number registration includes more than 180,000 businesses and 17 million phone numbers

Implementation of standards and best practices that ensure participants in the branded calling ecosystem deliver scalable solutions

Adoption of solutions to prevent spoofed calls from reaching consumers

Out-of-band call authentication across the three major mobile networks, enhancing call security with call authentication and rich call content

"Missed connections have a negative impact on businesses and consumers, and consumers are demanding more protection against fraud," said Joe Stinziano, president and CEO at First Orion. "Through this partnership, weve been able to offer businesses the expertise and solutions they need to help protect consumers and restore trust and transparency in the phone call.

Businesses need to protect their customers and dont want their brand reputation damaged by spoofed calls, said Dennis Randolph, president of TNS Communications Market and chief financial officer for TNS. Not only does branded calling and spoof protection help modernize the voice channel, customers are also more likely to trust the call which has a direct impact on conversion rates and ROI. By leveraging Out-of-Band capability APIs, only verified calls receive the full enterprise branded call treatment.

To really have a significant reduction in robocalls, call spoofing and fraud, we had to provide end-to-end call authentication, said James Garvert, senior vice president of TruContact Communications Solutions at TransUnion. Our network forensics indicated that only about 35% of business calls to consumers were being authenticated end-to-end with STIR/SHAKEN. Now, through this partnership, along with rich content and spoof protection solutions, we can help stop spoofed calls before they reach the customer.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that phone channel fraud cost consumers an average of $1,480 per instance in 2023. Consumers are demanding solutions that address this growing problem, and enterprises are responding. The adoption of branded calling in the U.S. grew more than seven-fold between 2021-2023.

About First Orion

Since 2008, First Orion has transformed the phone call experience for businesses, carriers and consumers through its industry-leading communication branding and protection solutions. As the market leader in branded calling, First Orion is a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and the largest U.S. mobile carriers. The global telecommunications solutions provider helps businesses generate more revenue, increase efficiency, and improve the customer experience by empowering them to brand their phone calls with their name, logo and reason for calling. First Orion also provides the industrys most secure calling experience and best-in-class analytics for call program optimization. For more information, visit firstorion.com.

About Transaction Network Services (TNS)

TNS, a market leader in call identification and robocall mitigation, provides an end-to-end ecosystem for protecting and restoring trust in voice calling. TNS addresses the full needs of wireless and wireline operators globally with TNS Call Guardian, the industry-leading call analytics solution that protects subscribers from high risk and nuisance robocalls. In addition, its Enterprise product suite, including TNS Enterprise Authentication and Spoof Protection and TNS Enterprise Branded Calling, is taking the next step in enriching consumer engagement, making the voice channel an integral part of an omnichannel customer experience program. TNS analyzes over 1.5 billion call events across more than 500 operators every single day, enabling enterprises to protect their brand and consumers, and carriers to identify more unwanted robocalls. For additional information visit: https://tnsi.com/resource-center/communications/.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good  and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

Learn more about TransUnion Branded Call Display (BCD).

Media/PR Contacts:

First Orion Media Relations

media@firstorion.com

TNS Media Relations

Brian Lustig

202-836-9112

tns@bluetext.com

TransUnion Media Relations

Dave Blumberg

david.blumberg@transunion.com

312-972-6646

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7169c2eb-f8f5-4941-a503-706599f33ffb
Smithtown, NY, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America's VetDogs, a national nonprofit provider of service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives voted this afternoon to pass H.R. 807: The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. The bill was introduced to the 118th Congress by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).

The bipartisan legislation authorizes the Department of Treasury to mint a three-coin commemorative series to honor the service working dogs provide to society. All surcharges from the sale of the coins will go to Americas VetDogs to ensure the organization continues to advance its mission to provide life-changing service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders, free of charge.

Working dogs are so embedded in our daily lives here on Capitol Hill, we often pass them by without noticing, said Chairman McHenry. The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act will help get these incredible animals the recognition and appreciation they deserve. This legislation not only honors the working dogs who protect Americans at home and abroad, but also the extraordinary people that benefit from their service. I would like to thank the Americas VetDogs team for their relentless work to get this bill to the floor today. This is more than just a coin bill, its a bill about improving the quality of life for our wounded veterans and first responderssomething we all can get behind. Im proud this legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.

We are grateful for the bipartisan support of The Working Dog Commemorative Coin by members of the House and want to thank Chairman McHenry, Rep. McGovern, and our Long Island delegation of Rep. DEsposito, Rep. Garbarino, Rep. LaLota, and Rep. Suozzi for their leadership and commitment, said John Miller, president and CEO, Americas VetDogs. Not only will this bipartisan bill and the commemorative coins represent the life-changing work of service and military working dogs, but it will also support Americas VetDogs in continuing our impactful mission of providing these highly trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, at no charge to the individuals.

Americas VetDogs provides a range of service dogs, including those for individuals with physical disabilities and mobility issues, PTSD service dogs to mitigate post-traumatic stress disorder, guide dogs for those who are blind or have low vision, hearing dogs for those with hearing loss, seizure response dogs, and facility dogs for animal-assisted therapy at military and VA hospitals. Since 2003, the organization has placed over 1,000 assistance dogs, supporting individuals nationwide and is able to provide service dogs to approved veterans and first responders in 12 months or less. In March, Americas VetDogs received the prestigious 2024 Community Service Citizens Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. To learn more, visit VetDogs.org.

About Americas VetDogs

For more than 20 years, Americas VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, Americas VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. Americas VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves individuals from across the United States. Americas VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but Americas VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. Americas VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. Apply, Volunteer, or Donate at https://www.VetDogs.org.

Attachments
ATHENS, Greece, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX) (the "Company"), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership and bareboat charter-in of dry bulk vessels, today announced that the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") was duly held on May 21, 2024, in a virtual format only via the Internet. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. acted as inspector of the Meeting.



At the Meeting, each of the following proposals, which are set forth in more detail in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Company's Proxy Statement sent to shareholders on or around April 10, 2024, was approved and adopted:

The election of four Class I Directors of the Company, to serve until the Company's 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and

The appointment of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.



About the Company

Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership and bareboat charter-in of dry bulk vessels. The Companys vessels are employed primarily on short to medium-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, anticipate, intends, estimate, forecast, project, plan, potential, may, should, expect, pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Company managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, including risks associated with the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, including the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.




Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Waste Management Compliance - How to Stay Within the Law Training Course" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This masterclass is ideally suited for anyone involved in dealing with waste management within a business or organization.

Managing waste involves critical and complicated regulations on how to handle and dispose of universal, special and hazardous waste. Companies need to ensure they understand and put into practice the strict regulations to ensure they are complying and not falling foul of the law.

The regulations apply to "any person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste". All reasonable care must be taken not to violate environmental permits, including waste disposal. It is also important to maintain written records of waste management, known as a "waste transfer note".

Not complying with these regulations can have serious consequences for businesses. Make sure you're fully up to date.

Benefits of attending

There is a legal obligation upon businesses to ensure that waste is handled and disposed of in the correct way. The regulations in this area are complex but compliance is essential. This course will give you the knowledge and skills to ensure you and your business are acting within the law.

The speaker, a specialist in waste management compliance, will use case studies and real-world examples throughout this webinar to help bring the subject to life, ensuring delegates gain a full understanding of this important area.

Certifications:

CPD: 3 hours for your records

Certificate of completion

Who Should Attend:

Waste Managers

Compliance Managers

Operational Managers

Environmental Managers

Directors

Office Managers with waste management responsibilities

Key Topics Covered:

Classifying waste

The definition of waste

Identifying the hierarchy of waste products

How the hierarchy applies in practice

Hazardous waste

Specific regulations relating to hazardous waste

Consignment notes

Rejected loads

Moving waste

Duty of care codes of practice

Environmental permits

Waste transfer notes

Waste permits and licences

Storing, using, treating and disposal of waste

Electrical waste

Packaging waste

Waste water

Other types of waste

Compliance considerations when organizing waste contracts

What to Consider

Pitfalls to be aware of

Final questions

Speakers:



Jodie Read

Penarth Management



Jodie Read, Managing Director of Penarth Management, joined the business as a Consultant in 2000 and became the Managing Director in 2006. She is actively involved in quality, environmental, health and safety compliance consultancy and training, whilst also being responsible for managing the teams who are assigned to look after clients. Jodie is also the lead contact for Mango Compliance Software implementation projects.



For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mpkn8o

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Taiwan Pharmaceutical Packaging Market, By Packaging Type; By Product; By Application; By Prescription Type; By End Use; By Region - Market Size, Industry Dynamics, Opportunity Analysis and Forecast for 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The pharmaceutical packaging market in Taiwan has experienced steady growth over the years, driven by factors such as increasing healthcare expenditure, a growing elderly population, and advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.



The pharmaceutical sector in developing countries like Taiwan is experiencing growth, driven by advancements in manufacturing techniques, technological progress, and increased corporate integration. Taiwan is particularly strong in producing high-value API biologics and injectables, with 59 pharmaceutical contract manufacturing sites, 44 of which are approved by the FDA or EMA and seven by Chinese authorities. Taoyuan leads in pharmaceutical production facilities among special municipalities and counties, accounting for 30% of all sites. Most of these facilities focus on producing API chemicals, with 46% also manufacturing commercial doses. For example, Formosa Laboratories Inc. in Taoyuan produces both API biologics (proteins and peptides) and injectable commercial dosages.





The retail pharmacy sector in Taiwan faces increasing competition and potential regulatory changes, which are crucial for ensuring consumer benefits through lower prices and improved services, as well as market consolidation. This rising demand has spurred growth in the pharmaceutical packaging market in Taiwan. Packaging manufacturers are investing heavily in research to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging solutions. The industry aims to meet the demands of healthcare professionals and consumers for products and packaging that are convenient and sustainable.



To enhance sustainability, companies are focusing on using post-consumer recycled (PCR) material and creating biodegradable packaging. Joiepack Industrial specializes in developing and producing automatic packaging equipment, including IV-bag packaging that features a horizontal pillow bag design, providing high performance, reduced downtime, minimized waste, and enhanced operational safety.



Segmental Overview

Packaging Type Primary Secondary Tertiary

Product Cardboard Boxes Cartons Display Unit Paper Label Leaflet Glass Ampoules Bottles Vials Pre-filled syringes (PFS) Cartridges Plastic Closure Bottles Bags Tubes Injection Trays Laminates with Paper or Foil Metal Collapsible Tubes Rigid Cans Foils Pressurized Containers Rubber

Application Oral Drugs Injectable Topical Ocular/Ophthalmic Nasal Sublingual Pulmonary Transdermal IV Drugs Others

Prescription Type Prescription Branded drugs Generic drugs OTC Branded drugs Generic drugs

End Use Pharma Manufacturing Contract Packaging Retail Pharmacy Institutional Pharmacy



Market Segmentation Insights



In 2023, primary packaging constituted 72.85% of Taiwan's pharmaceutical packaging market. Primary packaging is essential in the pharmaceutical sector as it directly contacts the product, protecting and preserving medicines from contamination while providing crucial information to consumers. Conversely, secondary packaging, which includes cartons, trays, and film bundles, is forecasted to grow at the highest CAGR during the period under review due to its critical role in providing physical protection, barrier protection, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.



Regarding materials, plastics held a 37.92% market share in Taiwan's pharmaceutical packaging sector in 2023, attributed to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. Taiwan's healthcare infrastructure advancements, such as the adoption of plastic-based face shields, PPE kits, sanitizer packs, and syringes, support this trend. Meanwhile, the glass segment is expected to see the fastest CAGR growth due to its lower environmental impact and increasing consumer awareness of health risks associated with various packaging materials.



Oral drugs led the market by comprising 30.36% of the share in 2023, driven by the preference for this simple, convenient, and safe administration method. Rising health consciousness and disposable income in Taiwan are also boosting market growth. Additionally, the nasal and pulmonary drug segments are anticipated to expand rapidly due to the increasing prevalence of lung disorders, including lung cancer, which has the highest incidence and mortality rates among cancers in Taiwan.



In terms of prescription type, the prescription segment captured 70.89% of the market share in 2023, fuelled by medical regulations that promote consultations and prescriptions from doctors. However, the Over the Counter (OTC) segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, driven by increased awareness of OTC products and higher pharmaceutical spending.



Pharmaceutical manufacturing dominated the market in 2023, holding a 44.69% share, with pharmaceutical companies being the primary consumers of packaging in Taiwan. Market growth is further supported by regional players. Contract manufacturing, as the second-largest segment, is poised for the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the global rise of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). The growing demand for generic drugs and escalating pharmaceutical R&D activities in Taiwan are likely to propel the growth of the pharmaceutical packaging market, facilitated by the increasing role of CDMOs in speeding up drug development.



Competitive Landscape



The competitive landscape of the Pharmaceutical Packaging market is characterized by the presence of numerous prominent players driving growth. Key players are Amcor, Taiwan Forever Co. Ltd., Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd., Kwang Dah Enterprises Co. Ltd. and Inora Pharmaceutical Machinery Co. Ltd.



These companies collectively account for approximately 60% of the market share, indicating robust competition within the sector. Furthermore, many players are actively engaged in research and development activities, partnerships, and collaborations to enhance their market presence and offerings. For instance: in 2020, Amcor broadened its pharmaceutical packaging portfolio by introducing new sustainable laminates and including recyclable high-barrier laminates in its range of pharmaceutical packaging solutions. This illustrates the ongoing efforts within the industry to innovate and offer environmentally conscious packaging options.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

Amcor Limited

Westrock Company

Kwang Dah Enterprises Co. Ltd.

Taiwan Forever Co. Ltd.

Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd.

Inora Pharmaceutical Machinery Co. Ltd.

Neostarpack Co. Ltd.

JENN CHIAN MACHINERY CO. LTD.

Mill Powder Tech Solutions

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 127 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $0.56 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.59 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 16% Regions Covered Taiwan

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/45mfst

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Electric 3 Wheeler Market by End Use (Passenger Carriers, Load Carriers), Range (Less than 50 miles, above 50 miles), Battery Type (Lead Acid, Lithium-ion), Battery Capacity, Motor Type, Motor Power, Payload Capacity and Region - Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global electric 3 wheeler market is projected to grow from USD 1.3 billion in 2024 to USD 1.5 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 2.2%. The electric 3 wheeler market is expanding rapidly due to rising demand for economical and environmentally friendly transportation alternatives in densely populated urban areas. Electric 3 wheelers are a low-cost, low-emission alternative to regular gasoline-powered vehicles. Government policies and incentives are another aspect driving the growth of the electric 3 wheeler market. Numerous countries are making efforts to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. These policies include subsidies, tax rebates for electric 3 wheeler manufacturers and customers, and investments in charging infrastructure.







Load Carrier segment to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period



The demand for Electric 3 wheeler load carriers has been rising due to the increased focus of countries on emission reduction. Various retail, logistics, and courier companies have already started adopting Electric 3 wheelers on a small scale. With technological advancements and the development of more vehicles, the adoption rate of Electric 3 wheeler load carriers will grow exponentially. The Electric 3 wheeler is a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation, making it ideal for businesses that must move goods quickly and efficiently. This type of vehicle is also a great choice for businesses that want to reduce their environmental impact. OEMs are partnering with logistics and last-mile delivery providers to increase the application of Electric 3 wheelers in the industry.



Lead acid to remain the favoured battery chemistry in most developing countries segment during the forecast period



Lead-acid batteries offer advantages such as low cost, high current delivery, and low internal impedance. The charging time of lead-acid batteries ranges between 6 and 8 hours, with a battery capacity of up to 6 kWh. However, they come with drawbacks such as slow charging times, high maintenance, and lower energy density compared to alternatives like lithium-ion batteries.



Despite these limitations, lead-acid batteries remain popular in applications like electric 3-wheelers due to their affordability and availability, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific where last-mile transportation demands are high. The market sees a significant presence of lead-acid battery-powered electric 3-wheelers, driven by their lower pricing compared to ICE counterparts. As the demand for emission-free vehicles rises, manufacturers are exploring options that offer longer ranges and more battery life cycles. Nevertheless, lead-acid batteries continue to find applications, especially in electric 3-wheelers, where affordability remains a key factor influencing consumer choices.



Asia Pacific to be the largest market during the forecast period



Asia Pacific to be the largest market during the forecast period. Increasing government initiatives to promote EVs in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, and the Philippines will boost the electric 3 wheeler market. The Japanese government has taken steps to increase the adoption of EVs in the country as part of its emission reduction programs, leading to the growth of Japan's electric 3 wheeler industry. Similarly, Bangladesh prepared an auto industry policy that called for at least 15% of registered vehicles to be powered by environment-friendly electricity in 2030.



This is expected to drive the electric 3 wheeler market in Bangladesh. Further, Philippines has been promoting the use of electric 3 wheelers across the country, including as a form of public transportation. Major cities in the Philippines have started using electric 3 wheelers to transport residents and transient workers. Electric 3 wheelers are also used in the country's major business districts and urban areas. Such factors are expected to keep Asia Pacific the leading electric 3 wheeler market.

Research Coverage



The report covers the electric 3 wheeler market, in terms of End Use (Passenger Carrier, and Load Carrier), Range (Less than 50 miles, and above 50 miles), Battery Type (Lead Acid, Lithium-ion, and Others), Battery Capacity (Below 5 KWH, 5-8 KWH, and Above 8 KWH), Motor Type (Hub Motor, Mid Motor, and Other Motors), Motor Power (Below 1500 W, 1500-2500 W, and Above 2500 W) Payload Capacity (Upto 300 kg, 300 kg to 500 kg, and Above 500 kg), Region (Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and RoW).



The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies. The market is dominated by a few globally established players, such as Mahindra&Mahindra Ltd. (India), YC Electric Vehicle (India), Saera Electric Auto Pvt. Ltd. (India), Piaggio Group (Italy), and Citylife Electric Vehicles (India). These companies manufactures and supplies electric 3 wheeler to various countries globally. These companies have set up R&D infrastructure and offer best-in-class solutions to their customers.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 327 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.2% Regions Covered Global

Premium Insights

Low Operating and Maintenance Costs to Drive Market

W Segment to Lead Market from 2024 to 2030

Lithium-Ion Segment to Lead Market by 2030

Above 50 Miles Segment to Register Higher CAGR from 2024 to 2030

kWh Segment to Lead Market from 2024 to 2030

Passenger Carriers Segment to Dominate Market During Forecast Period

KG Segment to Lead Market During Forecast Period

Mid Motors Segment to Dominate Market During Forecast Period

India to Account for Largest Market Share in 2024

Market Dynamics

Drivers Low Operating and Maintenance Costs Government Incentives and Subsidies Advancements in Battery Technology and Reducing Battery Prices Established Market for 3 Wheelers in Urban Transportation Stringent Emission Norms and Environmental Regulations

Restraints Lack of Charging Infrastructure Limited Power Output, Range, and Speed

Opportunities Automobile Manufacturer- and Customer-Oriented Policies to Promote Electric 3 Wheeler Sales Partnerships Between OEMs and Delivery and Logistics Fleet Operators

Challenges Limited Battery Capacity High Initial Investments Compared to Ice Variants Lack of Compatibility, Interchangeability, and Standardization



Technology Analysis

Key Technologies Regenerative Braking Systems Solid-State Battery (SSB)

Complementary Technologies Battery Swapping in Electric 3 Wheelers

Adjacent Technologies IoT in Electric 3 Wheelers Hydrogen Fuel Cell



Case Studies

Case Study 1: Race Energy's Battery-Swapping Solution

Case Study 2: Optimizing Electric Vehicle Performance in West Bengal's Heterogeneous Traffic

Case Study 3: Altigreen's Electric 3 Wheeler Cargo Revolution

Case Study 4: Kochi's Journey to Electric Autorickshaws

Case Study 5: Turno's Electric Goods Vehicles Transform Dairy Distribution

Case Study 6: Zyngo EV Mobility's Path to Sustainable Delivery Solutions in India

Case Study 7: Electric 3 Wheeler Logistics Fleet Operation with Captive Plug-In Charging

Case Study 8: Electric 3 Wheeler Logistics Fleet Operation with Battery Swapping

Companies Featured

Mahindra&Mahindra Ltd.

YC Electric Vehicle

Saera Electric Auto Pvt. Ltd.

Piaggio Group

Citylife Electric Vehicles

Kinetic Green

Mini Metro EV L.L.P.

Atul Auto Ltd.

Terra Motors Corporation

Lohia Auto Industries

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

Omega Seiki Mobility

Jiangsu Jinpeng Group Co. Ltd.

Skyride E Rickshaw

Shado Group International Pte. Ltd.

Xianghe Qiangsheng Electric Tricycle Factory

Kyburz

Prozza Hirose Manufacturing Inc.

Gayam Motor Works Pvt. Ltd.

Bemac Corporation

J.S. Auto (P) Ltd.

Saarthi E-Rickshaw

Unique International

Euler Moters

Lectrix EV Private Limited

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pw9f12

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Malvern, Pennsylvania (USA), May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with Airsys.Cloud, a leading provider of Group Communication as a Service (GCaaS). Operating in over 35 countries, Airsys.Clouds agreement with Rajant represents Rajants further investment in Europe. Airsys.Clouds appointment as distributor enables them to introduce the world-leading Kinetic Mesh solution to their customers within industries such as Security, O&G, Construction, Utilities, Transport, and Logistics. This strategic alliance aims to revolutionize how deskless workforces operate, ensuring optimal efficiency and safety.

We are excited to partner with Rajant to provide their connectivity solution across the region, delivering business-critical private wireless networks to all those hard-to-reach places where safety and security are paramount, shares Neil Boxer, Airsys.Clouds Managing Director. This partnership will deliver a high throughput, highly secure, and low latency solution, ensuring your deskless workforce can work safely at optimal efficiency. We look forward to delivering enhanced connectivity solutions to our customers and partners.

Airsys.Cloud understands the challenges its customers and partners face with their existing networks, particularly regarding mission-critical connectivity and data transfer. This partnership with Rajant Corporation is Airsys.Clouds response to these challenges. Leveraging Rajant Kinetic Mesh, Airsys.Cloud will provide a solution to these network infrastructure challenges. With Rajant technology, which is adaptable, scalable, and readily deployable. The pairing will equip customers and the partners that service them, a fully mobile network for voice, video, and data available today.

Rajant VP of Sales, EMEA Erich Smidt adds, Rajant is pleased to add Airsys.Cloud as its latest distribution partner for the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe. Airsys.Cloud has a strong history of providing business critical connectivity solutions in demanding environments through their established channel partners. We look forward to being a part of their portfolio to further enhance their solution offerings.

####

About Airsys.Cloud

Airsys.Cloud is a subscription-based SaaS offering providing GCaaS (Group Communication as a Service.) GCaaS provides enhanced connection, protection, and information for deskless workforces. For too long, the needs of the deskless worker have been overlooked, and so weve made it our mission to change the narrative. Representing 80% of the global workforce, deskless workers are the backbone of many industries. Yet, 60% of them are unsatisfied with the technology theyre provided. Were here to bridge that gap. Airsys.Cloud is a trailblazer in the industry, powering an engaged, efficient, and safe deskless workforce. Our innovative solutions are trusted by over 100 satisfied customers, with more than 4,000 active licenses and 1,000+ protected lone workers. Our success is built on strong partnerships. With 40+ active channel partners, weve created a robust network that extends our reach and impact. But its not just about numbers. Its about relationships. Our client engagement process ensures a comprehensive, consultative, and client-centric approach. Whether you require a complete end-to-end solution or a specialised point solution, Airsys.Cloud has the tools to align with your specific requirements. Were not just a provider; were a partner in your success. Join us in revolutionising the deskless workforce and better Connect, Protect & Inform.

About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant and its family of products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Washington, DC, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To commemorate national 529 Day, college savings programs across the country are using unique ways to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college. Leading these initiatives are members of the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN), a network of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), the leading objective source of information about Section 529 college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans.

Over the last 30 years, CSPN has tracked data which shows that American families are taking advantage of these tax-advantaged savings accounts. As of December 31, 2023, national savings in 529 savings plans surpassed $471.1 billion. A recent compilation of national data can be found here. The encouraging upward trend is a promising step towards combatting student debt, which currently amounts to almost $1.74 trillion in the United States.

May 29 - or 529 Day - comes at a time of year when families are thinking about education, with graduations of all kinds and decision dates for colleges, said Mary Morris, Chair of CSPN and CEO of Virginia 529, so it is a good time to remind families to start saving in a 529 account or contribute to an existing account.

As part of the National Association of State Treasurers Foundations (NASTF) partnership with Enrich, a learning module has been released on the Enrich digital financial wellness platform to educate users on the benefits of investing in a college savings plan.

Below is a sampling of the efforts happening nationally to encourage more Americans to save for education needs in a 529 plan in celebration of 529 Day:

For more information about the College Savings Plans Network, visit collegesavings.org.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. (CSE: NVLH; OTCQB: NVLHF; FSE: 87K) (Nevada Lithium or the Company) is pleased to announce the discovery of high-grade boron mineralization at its 100% owned Bonnie Claire lithium project (the Project or Bonnie Claire), located in Nye County, Nevada. The Company is also pleased to announce it has initiated work to examine any potential effects on metallurgy for the Project.



Nevada Lithiums CEO, Stephen Rentschler, commented: Metallurgical work on the recently discovered high-grade lithium mineralization in the lower mineralized zone has identified the presence of high-grade boron. Boron is a valuable industrial mineral with extensive and diverse uses including computer screens, fertilizers, powerful magnets for wind turbines, ceramics, insulation and more.



The high levels of boron appear to be associated with high levels of lithium at Bonnie Claire. Currently, the presence of boron is thought to be laterally extensive and open ended in three directions, coinciding with the high-grade lithium lower mineralized zone (see Press Release dated February 27, 2024). This exciting development presents the potential to generate a significant secondary revenue stream from Bonnie Claire.



He continued, Given the emerging, favorable comparisons between Bonnie Claires high-grade lithium zone and Ioneers advanced Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project (110km away), we have decided to thoroughly examine the inclusion of boron into a recovery circuit at Bonnie Claire.



At Rhyolite Ridge, the boron processing stream material averages 13,900 ppm (1.39%) boron, and the B5 high-grade boron bearing marl zone averages 62 feet (19 meters) thick1, with a maximum thickness of 131 feet (40 meters). In comparison, the recent Bonnie Claire drill intercepts have been greater than >550 feet (>168 meters) with boron grades averaging above 15,000 ppm (1.50%). Additionally, the average lithium grade of the Rhyolite Ridge processing stream is 1,750 ppm* lithium while the Bonnie Claire lower mineralized zone displays drill intercepts of up to 4,154 ppm lithium over 680 feet (207 meters) (see Press Release dated February 27, 2024).



This is a new, very exciting development for Nevada Lithium and we look forward to pursuing it further.





Join Stephen Rentschler, CEO of Nevada Lithium, for a LIVE Virtual Event



Date and Time: Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 12:30 pm ET / 9 am PT

Click here to register for the event >





Highlights:

Drill Hole BC2303C averaged 15,001 ppm (1.50%) boron over 560 feet (171 meters)





Drill Hole BC2301C averaged 14,195 ppm (1.42%) boron over 620 feet (189 meters)





Highest-grade boron zones correspond with the highest-grade lithium zones





XRD of core samples from the deep high grade lithium zone report up to 38% searlesite





The high grade lithium/boron remains open in multiple directions.





Global Resource Engineering (GRE) to investigate the possibility of incorporating boron into its ongoing estimation of a new lithium mineral resource estimate.





Lithium Mineralization

The Company is concentrated on identifying and developing significant lithium mineralization at Bonnie Claire. The 2023 drill program confirmed the presence of two mineralized zones: 1) a lower-grade upper zone and 2) a higher-grade lower zone. The Upper zone starts at surface and exhibits intercepts such as 967ppm lithium over 420ft (20-440ft) in drillhole BC-2303C (news release February 27, 2024). The lower zone is much thicker and exhibits much higher grades, such as 3076 ppm Lithium over 1100ft (1340-2460ft) in drillhole BC-2301C (news release November 20, 2023) and 4,154 ppm Lithium over 680 ft (207 m) from 1820-2500ft in BC-2303C (news release February 27, 2024). Lithium mineralization is hosted within claystone host rocks, disseminated within the minus 10 size fraction. The mineralized claystones are laterally continuous and appear to dip gently to the east and remain open for expansion in several directions.

Boron mineralization

Elevated boron assays have been encountered at Bonnie Claire since the 2022 drill program, though intercepts were not considered material to include for extraction. In 2023, the Company switched to sample preparation using four-acid digestion to provide more reliable lithium assays, but this preparation technique precluded the analysis of boron. The Company recently reanalyzed the original pulps from BC-2301C and BC-2303C for boron using a sodium hydroxide fusion (FUS-NA02) sample preparation that allows for high grade boron analysis by ICP-AES. The reanalysis of these two holes has returned significantly higher boron grades across longer intercepts than in previous holes. This has piqued the Companys interest in potentially exploiting the boron in the deeper zone. High boron and lithium assays appear to coexist within the lower claystones between approximately 1750 (533m) and 2500ft (762m) in depth. That relationship is illustrated in Table 1 and Figure 1 below.

The recent drill assays have been reinforced by new quantitative X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis results conducted by Hazen Research Inc. They have found that a significant portion (38%) of the lithium high grade zone rock may be comprised of searlesite. Searlesite is a relatively rare sodium borosilicate mineral (NaBSi 2 O 5 (OH) 2 ) , usually found disseminated in fine-grained lacustrine strata and often associated with altering volcanic ash.

Drill Hole Boron (ppm) Lithium (ppm) Start (ft) End (ft) Start (m) End (m) Intercept (ft) Intercept (m) BC-2301C 14195 3783 1740 2360 530 719 620 189 BC-2303C 15001 4221 1940 2500 591 762 560 171 BC-2201C 11664 3384 1771 2001 540 610 230 70 BC-2203C 8383 3480 1660 1998 506 609 338 103

Table 1: Boron and lithium drill intercepts in holes BC-2301C, BC-2303C, BC-2201C, and BC-2203C









Figure 1: Cross section illustrating downhole lithium and boron assays











Figure 2: Plan map of drill hole locations and boron intercepts. Boron intercepts as listed in Table 1 above. Lithium intercepts from existing press releases on BC-2201C (September 29, 2022), BC-2201C (December 7, 2022), BC-2301C (November 20, 2023) and BC-2303C (February 27, 2024).





Metallurgy

Initial metallurgical work by Hazen Labs Inc. suggests that that the presence of significant searlesite affects the physical behavior of the claystone that contains the high-grade lithium mineralization. The Company has engaged Hazen and Global Resource Engineering, Ltd. (GRE) to evaluate the behavior of the searlesite-rich material and investigate if any modifications may be required in the existing metallurgical circuit.

Lithium-Boron Mineral Resource Estimate

Because of the potential importance of this boron mineralization, Nevada Lithium has asked Global Resource Engineering (GRE) to investigate the possibility of incorporating boron into its ongoing estimation of a new lithium mineral resource estimate (see news release dated April 16, 2024).

As Hazen proceeds with metallurgical work on the extraction of lithium and boron from the high-grade lower zone, the Company continues to proceed with its plans to publish an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (see news release dated April 16, 2024.

About Boron

Boron is the 5th element on the Periodic Table with a powerful combination of physical properties, including hardness, light weight, and heat resistance. Borons physical properties make it a critical material and limited substitute ingredient in everyday and future facing applications, including permanent magnets, electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, fertilizers, specialty glass in cell phones, etc. 85% of current production is sourced from Turkey and the majority of refined Boron specialty and advanced materials are imported from China. 80% of Boron Carbides are sourced from China today. Demand for high quality boron is estimated to be growing above 4% annually on a base of approximately 5 MM tons produced in 2024. Supply deficits are expected to continue throughout the end of the decade, supporting prices of boron derivative products. (Source: 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. Form 8K, website, Mordor Intelligence)

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC)

A Quality Assurance / Quality Control protocol following industry best practice was incorporated into the program by Nevada Lithium. Drilling was conducted by Major Drilling. Core was transported by Major from the collar location and received by Nevada lithium staff at the Company storage facility in Beatty, NV. The facility is only accessible to Nevada Lithium staff and remains otherwise locked. Received core was logged and cut at the Facility by Nevada Lithium staff. Logging and sampling included the systematic insertion of blanks and duplicates.

Core samples intended for chemical assay were transported by Company staff to ALS USA Inc.s laboratory in Reno, NV. for sample preparation (Codes WEI-21 CRU-21, CRU-31, Pul-31, SPL-22Y, CRU-QC, PUL-QC, DIS-REJ21, and LOG-22), then shipped to ALS Vancouver laboratory in Burnaby BC, where the samples were digested with 4 acid (GEO-4A01) and analyzed via ICP-MS (Code ME-MS61), tailored for lithium analyses along with accessory elements. The 4 acid digestion did not allow for a boron assay in the initial multi-element analysis, so the pulps were pulled from internal ALS storage after analysis (FND-02) and subjected to sodium hydroxide fusion (FUS-NA02) for ICP-AES high grade boron analysis (B-ICP82a). Internal ALS Standards duplicates, and blanks in the drill results were approved as acceptable.

Core samples intended for mineralogical analysis were transported to Hazen Research Inc.s laboratory in Golden CO. The sample was analyzed as received. Analysis was performed using a Bruker D8 Advance XRD with Davinci design and a Lynxeye detector utilizing cobalt radiation produced at 35 kV and 40 mA. The scan range is 585 2-theta, with a step of 0.02 2-theta and a time per step of 0.4 s. Mineral quantification was completed using the Rietveld refinement method with Bruker TOPAS version 4.2 software. Please note the detection limit of XRD analysis for certain constituents can be as high as 2 to 5%.

About Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on shareholder value creation through its core asset, the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, located in Nye County, Nevada, where it holds a 100% interest.

Bonnie Claire has a current NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource of 3,407 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1,013 ppm Li for 18.372 million tonnes (Mt) of contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), at a cut-off grade of 700 ppm Li2

The PEA for Bonnie Claire indicates a Net Present Value (8%) of $1.5 Billion USD (after tax) using $13,400 USD per tonne LCE and after-tax IRR of 23.8%. With an LCE price of $30,000 USD per tonne, the Net Present Value (8%) of the Project is $5.9 Billion USD (after tax) and an IRR of 60.3%2.

For further information on Nevada Lithium and to subscribe for updates about Nevada Lithium, please visit its website at: https://nevadalithium.com/

QP Disclosure

The technical information in the above disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Jeff Wilson, PhD, P.Geo, Vice President of Exploration for Nevada Lithium, designated Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

1 See I Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) Report, produced for IONEER USA Corp. completed in April 2020.

2See Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, Nye Country, Nevada authored by Terre Lane, J. Todd Harvey, MBA, PhD, Hamid Samari, PhD and Rick Moritz (Effective date of August 20, 2021, and Issue date of February 25, 2022) (the PEA or the Preliminary Economic Assessment) as summarized in Nevada Lithiums news release dated October 13, 2021, which are available on Nevada Lithiums SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment represent forward-looking information. This economic assessment is, by definition, preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Stephen Rentschler

Stephen Rentschler, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Stephen Rentschler

CEO and Director

Phone: (647) 254-9795

E-mail: sr@nevadalithium.com



Media Inquiries

E-mail: email@nevadalithium.com



Find Nevada Lithium on Twitter and LinkedIn

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to matters that identify future events or future performance. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as could, pro forma, plans, expects, may, will, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved.

The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the performance of the Project and results of the 2023 Exploration and Development Plan (including, without limitation, its mineral resources, current claims and its ability to utilize global lithium needs); and the performance of lithium as a commodity, including the sustained lithium demand and prices.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, Nevada Lithium has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: market fundamentals that result in sustained lithium demand and prices; the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of Bonnie Claire in a timely manner; the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development; construction and continued operation of Bonnie Claire; the Project containing mineral resources; and Nevada Lithiums ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect Nevada Lithiums managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of managements considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Nevada Lithium believes that the expectations reflected in such forward- looking statements are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and under reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by Nevada Lithium. Among the key risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements are the following: operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Project; estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital; future prices of precious metals and lithium; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays or the inability of Nevada Lithium to obtain any necessary approvals, permits, consents or authorizations, financing or other planned activities; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities; risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on Nevada Lithiums business; as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Nevada Lithiums latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of Nevada Lithium filed with the Canadian securities authorities, copies of which can be found under Nevada Lithiums profile on the SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialized, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Nevada Lithium has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Nevada Lithium does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9190d6b2-c896-4d7f-b002-65db69ddb105

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3bf16207-e640-4cc4-98d8-51fb2c2e1b67
New York, NY, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET), a leader in advanced livestock waste treatment technology and premium sustainable beef, gave the following company update:

We have faced several challenges in the last year that began with the construction delays at Fair Oaks and were complicated by ongoing management transition issues (resulting from the passing of our long-term CEO/COO). As a result, we have been unable to raise sufficient capital through our traditional retail sources. We are exploring all strategic options to raise capital and propel the company forward. We knew that building a team and platform to commercialize our technology would require substantial strategic investment. We are optimistic about our ongoing conversations with potential clean energy, utility, and agriculture partners, and we have begun raising capital with existing shareholders to fund near-term requirements.

We are restarting operations at Fair Oaks, where we intend to complete several initiatives over the next few weeks before we begin third-party engineering. The demonstration of our ammonia recovery system at Fair Oaks has exceeded expectations and we are very enthusiastic about its performance.

Other than our financial challenges, which have been apparent for several months (and we are confident will be addressed), we are not aware of any event or news that would cause our recent market activity. Unusual activity began at the end of October 2023 and has continued to this date. It should be noted that Bion has a legacy shareholder base, including some larger blocks purchased by investors that have since passed away and the shares distributed to their heirs.

Stand-Alone Ammonia Solution

The new patent announced in January 2024 extended the coverage of our Ammonia Recovery System (ARS  our core technology) beyond animal waste, to include industrial and municipal waste streams. We believe there is an opportunity to use the ARS as a stand-alone ammonia control solution for some facilities that produce biogas/Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). We believe this opportunity could put Bion on a path to revenues much more quickly than our beef projects. We are currently evaluating opportunities in this space.

Ammonia has always been Bions primary focus, as evidenced by our patents. We developed the ARS to recover the ammonia produced when anaerobic digestion (AD) is used to generate biogas from animal waste, and that biogas is upgraded to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). However, the patent (and technology) covers anaerobic digestion of any organic waste stream, such as food, food processing, municipal wastewater, and slaughter/packing waste. These industrial sources are required to treat their waste streams to reduce ammonia and other nutrients.

We are confident some AD/RNG waste streams will meet a preferred profile, a sweet spot, where Bions ARS can provide the best ammonia control solution available. Clean fuels production in the US is projected to experience double digit growth over the next several years, which will require ammonia control solutions for regulated industrial and municipal AD facilities. EPA is currently tightening discharge requirements for the largest slaughter/packing facilities. We think the push from the energy and financial industries to expand the biogas supply chain will provide Bion with a unique opportunity to deploy our technology and help those partners secure that supply.

In recent months, ammonia from livestock manure waste has come under increasing scrutiny. States like Michigan, Minnesota, and Arkansas have joined California, Washington, and Oregon, as well as the EPA, in expressing concerns about air and water pollution caused by ammonia from livestock waste and anaerobic digestion of that waste. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the PM2.5 (smog), toxic algae blooms, and groundwater contamination, that have elevated a pollution problem into significant health risks.

We have also identified AD of animal waste in the European Union as another stand-alone opportunity. While not regulated in the US, agricultural ammonia is closely monitored and regulated in the EU. Bion is currently in discussions regarding a planned regional digester for dairy waste in Ireland, and we believe there will be additional opportunities there, as well as UK poultry, and swine in the Netherlands.

Sustainable Beef

We are establishing relationships with stakeholders throughout the beef value chain, as well as potential strategic partners for RNG, fertilizer, and solar. Further, we are in ongoing discussions with a large cattle feeder in Montana that could become a fourth project in our pipeline, and potentially our initial beef project. At this time, we are seeking distribution partner(s) to provide the offtake agreements that will be required to finance and commence beef projects.

We believe our sustainable beef opportunity represents a compelling opportunity for an RNG developer. While many large US dairies are already equipped with AD, there are virtually none in beef, with more animals and larger scale. Bions projects offer unique access to RNG from beef waste, without water quality concerns. We think Bions sustainable beef projects will be an attractive opportunity for clean fuels developers seeking to expand RNG supply. We intend to identify a strategic partner in this space.

About Bion

Bions patented core technology captures, stabilizes, and upcycles ammonia produced during the anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams to produce Renewable Natural Gas. The ammonia recovery system produces clean water and high-value organic and low-carbon precision fertilizers from the waste stream. It supports our Gen3Tech platform that will minimize the environmental impacts of large-scale livestock production, improve resource and production efficiencies, and drive premium pricing with a USDA-certified sustainable brand. Bion is focused on developing state-of-the-art indoor cattle feeding operations and providing ammonia solutions to the fast-growing clean fuels industry.

For more, see Bions website at https://bionenviro.com .

This material includes forward-looking statements based on management's current reasonable business expectations. In this document, the words will, believe, (are) confident and similar expressions identify certain forward-looking statements. It should be noted it is difficult to accurately predict the startup and optimization of a first-of-its-kind advanced waste treatment technology platform. The timelines discussed are estimates only. These statements are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Section 27A of the Securities act of 1933, as amended. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could result in actual results differing materially from expected outcomes.

Contact Information:

Craig Scott

SVP, Director of Communications

(406) 281-8178 direct
CASTLE ROCK, Colo., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HEI Civil, a privately owned, heavy civil construction company, proudly announces that its Board of Directors has been recognized as one of Private Company Director magazine's Private Company Boards of the Year for 2024. This prestigious acknowledgment underscores the commitment to excellence and high standards upheld by HEI Civil and its associated entities, including Horsepower Site Services and Peabody General Contractors.

Private Company Director magazine annually acknowledges private company boards for their exceptional governance performance. Among numerous entries, only 11 finalists were selected, undergoing rigorous interviews with judges from Private Company Director, Directors & Boards, and Family Business magazines. The judges ultimately narrowed it down to seven boards to receive this esteemed award.

"The recognition of HEI Civil's Board of Directors as one of the Private Company Boards of the Year for 2024 reaffirms our steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance," says Leo Denslow, CEO of HEI Civil. "This achievement is a testament to the collective dedication and hard work demonstrated by our Board, the entire enterprise, and our valued partners, customers, and vendors. The importance of collaboration with owners and management cannot be overstated, as it is essential for aligning our strategic vision and ensuring effective decision-making. Strong board governance is crucial for the longevity of our enterprise beyond the current leadership, providing a solid foundation for sustainable growth and enduring success."

Furthermore, HEI Civil is proud to announce that its Chair of the Board, Sam Judd, has been individually recognized as part of Private Company Director magazine's Directors to Watch Class of 2024. This recognition honors Judd's exceptional leadership and strategic vision, which have significantly contributed to HEI Civil's success.

The recognition of HEI Civil's Board of Directors and Judd's achievement reflect the enterprise's ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in the heavy civil construction industry. HEI Civil extends its sincere appreciation to its partners, customers, and vendors for their unwavering support and looks forward to continued collaboration and success in the future.

Founded in 1973, HEI Civil is a privately owned, heavy civil construction general contractor headquartered in Castle Rock, Colo., with two sister companies, Peabody General Contractors located in Austin, Texas, and Horsepower Site Services in Charlotte, N.C. The enterprises current portfolio includes daily work on over 70 projects, over 800 employees and 500 pieces of equipment. For detailed information, visit https://www.heicivil.com.

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Charleston, SC, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A heart-pounding new sci-fi detective thriller arrives this spring, featuring a bounty hunter in search of his lost humanity. In the world of Hollowpoint Bites, the Earth has been almost entirely depleted of the resources necessary to maintain civilization. Whats left is controlled by the rich and powerful, leading to class wars, poverty, and the unchecked rise of crime. Enter bounty hunters.

Like many of his trade, Richter Cohen keeps the peace for a price, and his services go to the highest bidder. In Zion, a city powered by nuclear fuel and fed through synthetic soil, that usually means Richter serves the corrupt elite. One of the top bounty hunters in Zion, Richter drowns his conscience in alcohol. But when a young girl is threatened, Richter is faced with the choice to help her or let her die. The whirlwind adventure that follows brings Richter in conflict with fellow bounty hunter Bonnie Riley, with whom he has a complicated relationship; he must also figure out how to work with the blunt and straight-shooting criminal investigator Joe Prince. As Richter resolves to finally do the right thing, hell have the wealthy and mighty gunning for him. With a young life at stake, will his acts of heroism be enough?

Hollowpoint Bites is a wild chase through turbulent streets for fans of Blade Runner, Altered Carbon, and Foundryside, along with intergenerational found family protector stories such as Logan. With mystery, intrigue, and a battle against the dark forces of the powers that be, this book will scratch your itch for heroes who rage against oppression. Written by the talented Bailey Perkins, this stunning debut launches soon as the first in a trilogy.

Hollowpoint Bites is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. For more information about the author, please visit any of his social media platforms.

Facebook: Bailey Perkins

Instagram: bperkin_

About the Author:

Bailey Perkins is a writer of detective stories and comic strips. He began authoring short mysteries in the third grade, and Hollowpoint Bites is his first novel. Bailey enjoys living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he is currently writing the second and third books of the Hollowpoint trilogy.

Media Contact: Bailey Perkins Email: bcpwnd@gmail.com

Available for interviews: Author, Bailey Perkins

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TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jenine Krause and Richard Boyce, Co-Chairs of the Young Peoples Theatre (YPT) Board of Directors, announced today the appointment of Camilla Holland as the next Executive Director of YPT. An award-winning arts leader and advocate for the Canadian theatre industry, Ms. Holland comes to YPT after serving as Executive Director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (RMTC) since 2011. She will officially begin her tenure at YPT in September 2024.



Our search committee interviewed exceptional candidates across Canada for the position of Executive Director at Canadas largest theatre for young people, says David Scandiffio, Chair of the Search Committee and YPT Board Past Chair. We are so thrilled to have Camilla Hollands passion and expertise as she steps into this leadership role at YPT.

Ms. Hollands strong personal connection to YPT began in 1987, when she saw The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. I was fourteen years old, and the experience was electric, says Ms. Holland. I became a YPT superfan.

Ms. Holland then became professionally involved with YPT  first as an usher in the late 1980s, followed by roles in YPTs Drama School, education and fundraising departments. Her two children were introduced to theatre through YPTs productions. Now, she has come full circle, as she steps into the role of Executive Director.

I am thrilled to return to Young Peoples Theatre as Executive Director, following Nancy Websters incredible and successful tenure, says Ms. Holland. YPT has a huge space in my heart as my introduction to theatre, and my early years in administration and the Drama School were critical to my career. Im excited to work with Artistic Director Herbie Barnes, the staff and the Board of Directors to uplift YPTs extraordinary work for young audiences.

Similar to Ms. Holland, Herbie Barnes also had his passion for theatre ignited by YPT. Camillas theatrical roots are firmly planted in our building, as she started her journey here at YPT, says Barnes. Im happy to see her complete the circle and I look forward to beginning a partnership with such a talented leader.

For three decades, Ms. Holland has built a career in theatre in various positions as general manager, producer, grants officer, fundraiser, community volunteer, board member, educator and advocate. Ms. Holland was the General Manager at Tarragon Theatre and has worked for a number of professional theatres, including Canadian Stage Company, Factory Theatre and Volcano Theatre. A Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award winner, Ms. Holland sits on the board of the Siminovitch Theatre Foundation. She recently served as a board member of the National Theatre School and was a member of the National Arts Centres Creation Fund Advisory Council.

Ms. Holland looks forward to bringing her expertise to the world of TYA once again. I feel incredibly fortunate that I started my career in TYA, watching first-hand the impact of live theatre on our youngest audiences, she says. I am a huge believer in the transformative power of arts education, and the importance of ensuring access for all.

The Search Committee included:

David Scandiffio, YPT Board Past Chair and Chair of the Committee

Herbie Barnes, YPT Artistic Director

Atulan Navaratnam, YPT Board Vice Chair

Carol Chiu, YPT Board Member

Craig Morash

Chris Pitts, Former YPT Board Member

Following 16 years at the helm of YPT, outgoing Executive Director Nancy Webster completes her tenure on May 28.

About Young Peoples Theatre

Young Peoples Theatre (YPT) is Canadas largest and oldest professional theatre for young audiences. Now entering its 59th season, the company produces and presents a full season of theatre and arts education programming, serving approximately 150,000 patrons annually. With the purchase and renovation of YPT 161 Studios across the street from its historic theatre, YPT has expanded its footprint, increased its accessibility, refreshed its lobbies, and upgraded the theatrical equipment capabilities of its 433-seat Ada Slaight Stage and 115-seat Studio. United in vision, the two facilities anchor the corner of Front and Frederick streets in downtown Toronto creating Canadas largest theatre complex for young people. With its broad-ranging educational programs and exceptional productions, the company has an annual operating budget of approximately $5 million.

Learn more .

Media Contact:

Clare Hill

Communications Manager, YPT

chill@youngpeoplestheatre.org

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Ottawa, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global implantable medical devices market size was valued at USD 105.7 billion in 2023, According to Precedence Research. The implantable medical devices market is driven by increasing chronic disorders, consumer awareness, and advanced technologies.



The implantable medical devices market refers to the sector within the healthcare industry that involves the design, manufacturing, and distribution of medical devices intended to be implanted into the human body for diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic purposes. An equipment inserted into the body and frequently used during surgery is called an implanted medical device.

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Pacemakers, blood pressure monitors, and corneal implants are a few examples. The FDA must approve these devices or provide 510k clearance. They are essential to healthcare because they monitor vital signs like blood pressure and heartbeat, which improve patients' safety and quality of life. They point people in the direction of the right care and notify medical experts of possible problems. Implantable medical devices are, therefore, crucial to healthcare.

Implantable Medical Devices Market Key Insights

North America led the market with the largest revenue share of 40.91% in 2023.

By product type, the orthopedic implants segment has held a major revenue share of 45.12% in 2023.

By Biomaterial, the metallic segment has generated the biggest revenue share of 49.73% in 2023.

By End User, the hospital segment has held the maximum revenue share of 55.22% market share in 2023.

U.S. Implantable Medical Devices Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033

The U.S. implantable medical devices market size accounted for USD 37.64 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 65.12 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of notable 6.3% from 2024 to 2033.

North America dominated the global implantable medical devices market in 2023. Several factors, including the rise in orthopedic and cardiovascular disorders, the introduction of new products, the advantageous reimbursement for implant procedures, and the efforts of non-profit organizations and governments to increase public awareness of healthcare issues, are driving the growth of the North American market. Conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, spinal abnormalities, and knee injuries are contributing to an increase in demand for orthopedic implants. The need for cardiovascular medical devices, such as pacemakers and stents, is being driven by the rise in cardiovascular disorders. Implantable microsystems are made possible by integrated circuits, tiny transducers, and MEMS and NEMS technologies. Clinical healthcare, industry, and biomedical research have all embraced wireless remote monitoring and control systems.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the most opportunistic market during the forecast period. China is expected to rule the region, as it utilizes advanced medical devices for disease treatment and screening. This growing healthcare expenditure is influencing the development of new diagnostic tests and surgical tools.

For instance, in October 2023, the surgical process of replacing damaged or malformed joints with prosthetics or implants is known as artificial joint replacement. It seeks to prolong a healthy life expectancy, lessen joint pain, and enhance quality of life. Joint replacement operations are rising in Japan as the country's population ages. Mitsubishi Chemical Group is attempting to add value in medical settings by utilizing its cutting-edge knowledge and extensive global network. Mitsubishi Chemical Group provides engineering polymers for prosthetic joints and surgical tools.



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Scope of Implantable Medical Devices Market

Report Attribute Key Statistics CAGR 6.9% from 2024 to 2033 Implantable Medical Devices Market Size in 2023 USD 105.7 Billion Implantable Medical Devices Market Size in 2024 USD 113.4 Billion Implantable Medical Devices Market Size by 2033 USD 207 Billion Largest Market North America Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024 to 2033 Segments Covered Product, Biomaterial, End User, and Region Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa

Implantable Medical Devices Market Highlights

Product Type Insight

The orthopedic implants segment dominated the implantable medical devices market in 2023. Orthopedic implants improve range of motion and strength depending on the type of implant used (metal vs. ceramic), relieve chronic pain brought on by diseases or traumas, and restore mobility in areas affected by age-related degenerative conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. They are an important tool for patients looking to improve their quality of life because they also shorten recovery times when compared to non-implant operations.

The dental segment is estimated to be the most opportunistic segment during the forecast period. When crowned, dental implants are strong and closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and texture. Compared to alternatives, they have many advantages, such as stability, longevity, maintenance of bone structure, natural feel, and aesthetic restoration. As the gold standard for replacing lost teeth, titanium dental implants have a success rate of over 97% over ten years. Since tooth loss results in the loss of 30% of the alveolar ridge, dental implants help prevent bone loss. They also keep neighboring teeth from drifting, which contributes to their stability. Dental implants can also correct cosmetic issues with the face, including depressed features, sagging skin, collapsed cheekbones, and misaligned bites. All things considered, dental implants have many advantages over other dental procedures.

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Biomaterial Insights

The metallic segment dominated the global implantable medical devices market in 2023. Biomaterials for joint replacement are becoming more dependent on metallic implants; available options include stainless steel, CoCr alloys, and Ti and Ti alloys. These materials are perfect for total joint replacement because they have great strength, biocompatibility, hardness, corrosion resistance, and fracture toughness. Low frictional resistance alloys like CoCrMo and CoNiCrMo are favored because of their cobalt basis.

Ti-based materials, such as CPTi and Ti-6Al-4V, are more biocompatible and have superior corrosion resistance than other metallic implants, but they are also softer and more prone to wear. Refractory metal zirconium exhibits strong chemical and thermal resistance, rendering it a viable option for joint prostheses. Surface topography and chemical composition influence how the surface responds to implants. To enhance surface properties, coatings such as growth factor, hydroxyapatite, titanium oxide, diamond-like carbon coatings, collagen, RGD peptides, zirconium oxide, and fibronectin are applied.

Implantable Medical Devices Market Dynamics

Driver: Rising use of implantable medical devices

The rise in usage of implantable devices is fueling the growth of the implantable medical devices market. Most used implantable devices are implantable drug delivery devices. By regulating the rate, timing, and location of drug release, the implantable drug delivery system (IDDS) is a medical device that can be surgically inserted into patient tissues to introduce a therapeutic material and enhance safety and efficacy. IDDSs are combination items that combine two or more regulated elements to form a single unit, such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, or biological products.

IDDS has several benefits, such as accurate medication distribution without bioavailability, low side effects, and extended, dose-controlled administration that eliminates the need for patient compliance for therapy. Smart IDDS with feedback-controlled drug release and sensors have several uses, including insulin pumps equipped with glucose level monitors and the prevention of epileptic seizures. Hormone-containing pellets were used as the initial IDDS application in cattle and poultry.

Restraint: High Cost

Because of their complexity and invasiveness, implantable sensors can be out of reach for many patients and healthcare systems, even though they are cost-effective for the global healthcare system. For patients with long-term monitoring needs due to chronic diseases, this is especially difficult. Conversely, wearable sensors are less costly but have limits on accuracy and usage time.

The decision between implanted and wearable sensors is based on the objectives of healthcare interventions and personal demands. Medical device development costs can exceed $100 million for certain devices and typically comprise R&D, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and legal and patent expenses. Because of this, only major medical device corporations with ample funding can commercialize these inventions.

Opportunity: Wireless charging system

A wireless charging device that might greatly increase the powering capacity of implantable biomedical devices, including pacemakers, insulin pumps, and neurostimulators. The apparatus can concurrently gather energy from ultrasonic and magnetic field sources and transform it into electricity to power implants. This is the first gadget that operates within the safety limits for human tissue while simultaneously harvesting these dual-energy sources with excellent efficiency. The device's 300% power generation above current state-of-the-art devices could open next-generation biomedical applications.

Smaller than a millimeter, battery-free bioelectronic devices may be implanted with ease and enable dispersed networks of sensors and actuators to monitor and control physiological activity across the body. This would allow for accurate and adaptable bioelectronic therapy with little danger or disruption to day-to-day activities. With implants getting smaller, conventional wireless charging technologies for electric cars and cell phones might not be the best option. At lower frequencies, magnetic fields and ultrasonic energy present appealing alternatives for implant wireless powering or charging.

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Ambulatory Surgical Center Market: The global ambulatory surgical center market size was estimated at USD 92.79 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach over USD 152.6 billion by 2030 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030.



The global was estimated at USD 92.79 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach over USD 152.6 billion by 2030 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030. Portable Medical Devices Market: The global portable medical devices market size was valued at USD 40.06 Billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 85.05 Billion by 2027 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.35% during the forecast period from 2020 to 2027.



The global was valued at USD 40.06 Billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 85.05 Billion by 2027 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.35% during the forecast period from 2020 to 2027. Microcontroller (MCU) Market: The global microcontroller (MCU) market was valued at USD 27 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 69.08 Billion by 2032 and is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.



The global was valued at USD 27 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 69.08 Billion by 2032 and is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market: The global medical affairs outsourcing market size was estimated at USD 1.82 billion in 2023 and is expected to be worth around USD 3.66 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2033.



The global was estimated at USD 1.82 billion in 2023 and is expected to be worth around USD 3.66 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2033. Medical Devices Vigilance Market: The global medical devices vigilance market size was valued at USD 80.40 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 176.80 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.19% from 2024 to 2033.



The global was valued at USD 80.40 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 176.80 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.19% from 2024 to 2033. Life Sciences BPO Market: The global life sciences BPO market size was estimated at USD 397.75 billion in 2023 and it is expected to reach around USD 853.09 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033.



The global was estimated at USD 397.75 billion in 2023 and it is expected to reach around USD 853.09 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033. 3D Printing Medical Devices Market: The global 3d printing medical devices market size reached USD 3.41 billion in 2022 and it is projected to be worth around USD 17.76 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 17.94% from 2023 to 2032.



The global reached USD 3.41 billion in 2022 and it is projected to be worth around USD 17.76 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 17.94% from 2023 to 2032. IoT Medical Devices Market: The global IoT medical devices market size reached USD 63.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 614.99 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 28.70% from 2023 to 2032.



The global reached USD 63.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 614.99 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 28.70% from 2023 to 2032. Smart Medical Devices Market: The global smart medical devices market size was valued at USD 46.80 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 152.30 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.52% from 2024 to 2033.



Recent Developments:

In April 2024, researchers in China created a novel battery that runs on oxygen that is found naturally in the body. This battery can greatly increase the longevity of implanted medical equipment, such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. By utilizing the body's oxygen-rich blood, the novel, flexible, and biocompatible battery produces power that lasts noticeably longer than traditional batteries.





In February 2024, researchers at Penn State created a wireless charging mechanism that can greatly increase implantable biomedical devices' powering capacity. The apparatus can concurrently gather energy from ultrasonic and magnetic field sources and transform it into electrical power for implants. This is the first gadget that operates within the safety limits of human tissue while harvesting these dual-energy sources with high efficiency.





In January 2024, electrostatic materials responsive to weak ultrasonic impulses were produced by a Pohang University of Science and Technology research team, opening the door for biomedical implants of electronic devices. The team selected ultrasonography because of its track record of safety in medical diagnosis and therapy. Through interlayer friction, the material generates efficient electrical energy with low output impedance. This results in static electricity.



Implantable Medical Devices Market Key Players

Abbott Laboratories

Biotronik SE & Co. KG

Boston Scientific Corporation

C. R. Bard, Inc.

Cardinal Health, Inc.

CONMED Corporation

Globus Medical, Inc.

Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation

Johnson & Johnson

LivaNova PLC

Medtronic plc

NuVasive, Inc.

Smith & Nephew plc

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

InstitutStraumann AG



Market Segmentation

By Product Type

Cardiovascular Implants

Orthopedic Implants

Opthalmology Implants

Dental Implants

Cochlear Implants

Microchip Implants

Others



By Biomaterial

Ceramic

Metallic

Polymers

Natural

By End-User

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Clinics



By Geography

North America



Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Rest of the World

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Burlingame, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Chiropractic Care Market is projected to grow from USD 1.38 billion in 2024, and it is projected to reach USD 2.24 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2031, as per the recent study by Coherent Market Insights. The global chiropractic care market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing preference for non-invasive and drug-free pain management techniques for chronic back and joint pain.



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Market Dynamics:

The growth of the global chiropractic care market is driven by increasing adoption of alternative treatment methods and rising prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractic treatment involves manual manipulation and mobilization of the spine and other joints to alleviate pain and improve mobility. It is a popular alternative treatment for back and neck pain. According to World Health Organization, low back pain is among the leading causes of disability worldwide and 71% of the global population experiences low back pain at some point in their lives. Moreover, growing awareness about the benefits of chiropractic treatments such as decreased use of medications and improved physical function is further augmenting the market growth.

Global Chiropractic Care Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $1.38 billion Estimated Value by 2031 $2.24 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% Historical Data 20192023 Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Treatment Type, By Pain Type, By Age Group Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Growth Drivers  Aging Population



 Work-related Injuries Restraints & Challenges  Unawareness among individuals



 Lack of scientific evidence to support claims

Market Trends:

Increasing use of advanced chiropractic equipment and expansion of chiropractic education programs are the major trends witnessed in the global chiropractic care market. Integration of IT in chiropractic clinics allow chiropractors to track and analyze patients health data for better outcomes. This in turn will propel the adoption of digital health solutions among chiropractors. Furthermore, presence of accredited chiropractic educational institutions in various countries is playing a vital role in spreading awareness about these alternative treatments and increasing the number of chiropractic healthcare professionals globally.

The global chiropractic care market segmented by treatment type, wherein chiropractic adjustments segment holds a dominant position owing to its effectiveness in providing pain relief without use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic adjustments help in alignment of spinal bones and improve spinal movement and flexibility thus reducing pain.

When segmented by pain type, the back pain segment is expected to dominate the market due to rising prevalence of back pain disorders namely lumbar spondylosis, slipped disc etc. due to sedentary lifestyle and prolonged sitting. Chiropractic care provides drug-free and non-invasive treatment alternative for back pain management.

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Recent Developments:

In August 2023, The Joint Corp, announced the opening of its 900th clinic, marking a significant milestone less than a year after celebrating 800 location opining in September 2022.

In March 2023, The Joint Corp, announced the signing of its first francise deal outside the continental U.S. Dr. Jason Comeford, D.C. and Major Jeanette Comeford will open two The Joint clinic in the US territory of Puerto Rico, focusing on South San Juan and Guaynabo.

Key Market Takeaways:

The global chiropractic care market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031, owing to growing aged population and subsequent rise in musculoskeletal disorders.

On the basis of treatment type, chiropractic adjustments segment is expected to hold a dominant position, owing to its effectiveness in providing pain relief without drugs or surgery. On the basis of pain type, back pain segment will dominate over the forecast period, due to rising prevalence of various back pain disorders with increasing age.

On the basis of age group, paediatric segment will dominate due to drug-free and non-invasive nature of treatment. Regionally, North America is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period, owing to well established healthcare infrastructure and availability of reimbursement for alternative medicine.

Key players operating in the global chiropractic care market include Chiro One Wellness Center, Chiropratic strategies Group Inc., ProHealth Chiropractic Wellness Center, The Joint Corp., Landmark Healthcare Services, Inc., America Chiropractic Clinics, OPTIMAL HEALTH & CHIROPRACTOR LIMITED, HealthQuest Chiropractic & Physical Theraphy, ATLAS CHIPRORATIC & WELLNESS.

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 Lactate Meters Market: Global lactate meters market is estimated to be valued at USD 164.3 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 296.8 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from 2024 to 2031.

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 Medical Headwalls Market: Global medical headwalls market is estimated to be valued at USD 952.9 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,389.8 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2024 to 2031.

 Binocular Loupes Market: Global binocular loupes market is estimated to be valued at USD 332.2 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 703.3 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients.
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) today announced Josh Kesselman, iconic CEO and philanthropic founder of HBI International , the company behind RAW Rolling Papers , will keynote the business conference taking place at Javits Convention Center in New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, June 5 and 6.

Hosted by CNBCs Fast Money investor voice, Tim Seymour, Kesselmans appearance will be on the main stage from 11 - 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5th. The address, styled after a fireside chat, is open to registered CWCBExpo attendees.

Kesselman grew up in New York and has since developed RAW Rolling Papers to legendary status. His brand has garnered a cult-like following with more than two million Instagram followers and mainstream name-drops and support from celebrity rappers like Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz. His products, sold worldwide, include a vast array of rolling papers, cones, tips, rolling trays, apparel, and other accessories.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and love of smoking culture, Kesselmans mission is to make people happy. If you ask me, New York is the most lit place on Earth! I was born there, which makes the Empire State the birthplace of RAW, said Kesselman.

RAW Giving, the name given to Kesselmans HBI International philanthropic efforts, recently surpassed $3 million in donations to non-profit organizations including The Weldon Project, a non-profit that advocates for the end of cannabis prohibition, the Last Prisoner Project, Sky's the Limit and Central Arizona Shelter Services, to name a few.

We are honored to have Josh Kesselman give the keynote address at our event. He exemplifies much of cannabis culture today and is an example of a successful entrepreneur who gives back, said Christine Ianuzzi, CEO of CWCBExpo.

The CWCBExpo New York, June 5-6 at the Javits Center, celebrating 10 years, is the premier business-to-business trade show event for legal cannabis. Founded in 2014, the expo provides a forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, medical professionals, investors, regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs to connect. For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.CWCBExpo.com .

About CWCBExpo (Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition)

CWCBExpo is an established business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis and hemp industry. It is held in New York City, the largest business, financial, and media market, and is the leading forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast-growing industry. Visit: www.cwcbexpo.com .

About HBI International

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and launched in 2005 by Josh Kesselman, HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, is an independent, global brand producing plant-based rolling papers and other smoking accessories. Their unbleached, slow-burning papers are the preferred product for millions of smokers. The company is committed to sustainability and social good and, through its RAW Giving initiative, has provided millions of dollars in direct cash contributions for many charities, including those that work to provide access to clean water and rescue homeless pets. For more information, visit: rawthentic.com .

Media Contact for HBI International

Sadie Thompson

Proven Media

602-527-0794

sadie@provenmedia.com

Editors Note: To request a media pass for CWCBExpo New York, please register here:

https://cwcbexpo.com/media-info or contact Annie Scully at press@cwwcbexpo.com .
TOKYO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Christian Day to our team. Dr. Day, a renowned expert in fusion fuel cycles, previously served as the Head of the Vacuum Department at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, and led the fuel cycle activities for the European DEMO team. KF will leverage Dr. Day's outstanding knowledge and experience to accelerate the development of its fusion fuel cycle systems, which are indispensable core technologies for commercial fusion energy plants.





In addition, KF announces the establishment of a subsidiary, Kyoto Fusioneering Europe GmbH (KFEU), as its European base.

A fusion fuel cycle system that provides a stable and safe fuel supply to the core is essential for fusion plants. The majority of the world's fusion energy reactors utilize the deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reaction, and these fusion fuel cycle systems consist of technologies to exhaust, separate and circulate hydrogen isotope gases through the core.

KF possesses world-leading expertise in this critical technology area and the fusion fuel cycle is one of the pillars of its business. The company partners with KIT and the Canadian Nuclear Laboratory (CNL), front-runners in tritium handling and fusion fuel cycle, to spearhead innovation as industry leaders in this field. KF has also co-founded Fusion Fuel Cycle Inc. with CNL to build UNITY-2, the world's first demonstration facility for integrated fuel cycle systems. This joint venture aims to make the facility and technical components as well as outcomes globally accessible.

With Dr. Day's addition, KF will further strengthen its capabilities and will be at the forefront of fusion energy realization.

The newly established KFEU in Germany will serve as a hub for technological development and business expansion in Europe. KF has signed a cross-sector R&D partnership agreement with KIT, a leading German research institution in fusion. Germany is home to the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) experimental stellarator and has strong fusion activity led by private companies. Germanys prowess in reactor engineering, robust industrial supply chains, and its ability to develop and procure the equipment necessary for the establishment of fusion fuel cycle systems make it an ideal location for KFs hub in Europe.

In collaboration with Kyoto Fusioneering UK Ltd., KFEU will advance KFs global technological and commercial endeavours as a key R&D base.

Co-founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd, Satoshi Konishi, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Christian, a world-class expert, to our team of experienced professionals from diverse industries.

"With his deep insights into tritium input and pump efficiency that he has developed as head of the vacuum division, as well as handling of tritium, which is at the heart of the fusion fuel cycle system, we expect KFEU to drive significant advancements in our fuel cycle technology development efforts."

Senior Vice President, Head of Fuel Cycle designate, Christian Day, commented:

"I am very proud that by joining Kyoto Fusioneering, I am able to contribute my part to make fusion happen. For me, this important step is the natural culmination of three decades of pioneering preparatory R&D work done on the academic side. But the best is yet to come. The new subsidiary in Europe, KFEU, will become a technology hub in the area of the tritium fuel cycle to foster the transition towards commercialization and to establish the supply chain for the key components necessary to operate any fusion power plant."

*For detailed information is here

Overview of Kyoto Fusioneering EU

Company name: Kyoto Fusioneering Europe GmbH

Representative: Christian Day

Date of establishment: February 2024

Start of operation date: July 2024 (scheduled)

Location: Karlsruhe, Germany

*This is the third subsidiary to be established outside Japan, following the UK and the US.

*The US, UK and European subsidiaries are all wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

About Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd

Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded fusion energy engineering company founded in 2019 building on decades of fusion research at Kyoto University. Uniquely dedicated to tackling advanced fusion engineering challenges, we leverage cutting-edge technologies such as gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycles, breeding blankets, and hydrogen isotope transfer pumps. Collaborating globally with fusion innovators, both private and public, and focusing on critical-path technologies, we strive to deliver the promise of fusion. Headquartered in Tokyo, with a presence in the UK, the U.S., and the EU and an in-house Kyoto R&D centre, we bring unmatched expertise and diverse solutions to the global fusion ecosystem. Explore more about KFs vision for the future of energy at www.kyotofusioneering.com/en/ or by contacting media@kyotofusioneering.com.

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PULLMAN, Wash., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- AROYA , the leading Cannabis Cultivation Platform, is proud to announce a significant milestone for its acclaimed podcast series, Office Hours Live. Over two years of broadcasting, Office Hours Live has achieved over 100 episodes, providing more than 100 hours of free, science-based, and expert-approved guidance on cannabis cultivation.



Since its inception, Office Hours Live has garnered millions of views and downloads worldwide, answered more than 900 cultivator questions, and welcomed 13 special guests from various sectors of the cannabis industry. The series, hosted by cannabis cultivation experts Seth Baumgartner and Jason Van Leuven, offers live Q&A sessions where participants can interact directly with the hosts, submit questions in advance, or during the live broadcast.

Christian Hertel, VP of Marketing at AROYA, commented on the success of Office Hours Live, saying, We created Office Hours to bridge the gap between novice enthusiasts and seasoned experts in cannabis cultivation. It's about democratizing knowledge, where questions find answers, and curiosity meets expertise. Every session is a chance to learn, share, and cultivate not just cannabis, but a community of informed growers.

Seth Baumgartner, co-host of Office Hours, expressed his gratitude towards the community, stating, Every episode is a new opportunity to connect with my fellow enthusiasts and exchange wisdom. I love it. I'm profoundly grateful to our guests and listeners for transforming what started as a small initiative into a thriving community of knowledge and growth.

Van Leuven, the other half of the hosting duo, added, Reliable grow information can be incredibly elusive these days. Finding solid sources can feel like a daunting task. Im glad we can help simplify the search. Were lucky to have the chance to help cultivate the community.

Office Hours Live is a testament to AROYA's commitment to advancing the cannabis cultivation industry. Through its interactive format, the show provides valuable insights into best practices, troubleshooting tips, and the latest developments in cannabis cultivation, benefiting both new and experienced cultivators.

Click Here to Watch Office Hours Episodes!

AROYA is the preferred cannabis cultivation platform for more than 600 top-shelf operators across the U.S. and Canada. The company combines innovative hardware and software to deliver actionable insights that help improve quality of final product while boosting yield in grams, per square foot, per year  predictably, profitably, and at scale. The company recently introduced AROYA GO , the most advanced cannabis grow kit to ever hit the consumer market. AROYA GO brings the companys industry-leading sensors, data science and intelligence, and weather station technology to at-home and craft cannabis cultivation.

About AROYA:

AROYA, based in Pullman, Washington, is the leading Cannabis Cultivation Platform. The company combines advanced sensor technology, software, and data-driven insights to empower cultivators. With 30 years of experience in sensor development, AROYA aims to help the cannabis cultivation industry increase yield, scale operations, and ensure consistent quality, enabling cultivators to make more purpose-driven decisions for their businesses. Visit www.AROYA.io to learn more.

CONTACT:

Mostafa Razzak

JMRConnect: Shaping Influence PR

m.razzak@jmrconnect.net

1-917-912-0623

Wire Service Contact:

IBN

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has earned the national 2024-2025 Military Friendly Schools designation for its support of nearly 500 veteran students and their families.



Institutions earning the honor were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. WCC has earned a Silver award for going above the standard.

It is the first national recognition of WCCs veteran support efforts. For six consecutive years, WCC has been named as a Gold-level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

WCCs Wadhams Veterans Center is at the heart of the colleges comprehensive veteran support services. Here, veteran students can study and fellowship between classes, receive career and academic advising and more. Wadhams Veterans Center staff members work one-on-one with veterans to help ease the transition from active military duty to their education and civilian life and remove barriers to success.

The college also sponsors an active Student Veterans of America Club on campus and other events.

WCC has established a system to evaluate and award academic credit based on military experience and is a destination point for many veterans from throughout the country whose goal is to transfer into the University of Michigans engineering and other programs. Overall, WCC is the top transfer school to U-M.

Our veteran students have bravely served us. It is a privilege to support veterans and their families and help them achieve their dreams. We are proud to be recognized with this national honor, said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.

More than 1,800 institutions nationwide participated in the survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. Participating schools included Tier 1 research institutions, large public universities, small community and vocational colleges, as well as private schools.

The 2024-2025 Military Friendly Schools list can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. The list was published in the Spring edition of G.I. Jobs and is expected to be included also in a Fall issue of the magazine.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in higher education. Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Final ratings were determined by combining the institutions survey scores with the assessment of the institutions ability to meet thresholds for retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Military Friendly is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard, said Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly.

About Washtenaw Community College

Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, educates students through a wide range of associate and certificate programs in areas such as health care, business, STEM and advanced transportation and mobility. The college also works through community, business and union partnerships to develop highly specialized training programs to meet the regions workforce talent needs.

About Military Friendly Schools

The Military Friendly Schools list is created annually based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools, and responses to the proprietary, Military Friendly Schools survey. Survey questions, methodology, criteria, and weighting were developed with the assistance from an independent research firm and advisory council of educators. It is administered for free and open to all postsecondary schools wanting to participate and receive award recognition in Gold, Silver, Bronze categories.

About Viqtory

Founded in 2001, Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands. Viqtory and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity.

For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:

WCC:

Fran LeFort

Director of Media Relations

flefort@wccnet.edu

(734) 677-5295

Military Friendly  Schools:

Kayla Lopez

Senior Director of Military Partnerships

For press inquiries visit:

www.militaryfriendly.com/support

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fee0586b-ecc9-4976-bb76-18ea26d6b255
Memphis, TN, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Civil Rights Museum brings civil rights legend David J. Dennis, Sr. and his son David J. Dennis, Jr. to discuss their book, The Movement Made Us, on the cusp of the 60th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer. The duo will also present a particularly poignant discussion around student activism today for the first time on Saturday, June 1, after inclement weather in 2023 caused a pivot to a virtual-only discussion. This will be Dennis Sr.s first visit to the museum since opening day in 1991.

The Movement Made Us is a dynamic family exchange that pivots between a father's and son's voices. It is a unique work of oral history and memoir, chronicling the extraordinary story of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and its living legacy embodied in Black Lives Matter. David Dennis Sr., a core architect of the movement, speaks out for the first time, swapping both harrowing and joyful recollections with David Jr., a journalist working on the front lines of change today.

These days it is rare that we have an opportunity to converse with the change makers, the sages who strategized and implemented what we have chronicled as the Movement in our museum galleries, said museum president, Dr. Russ Wigginton. Having Dave Dennis, Sr. share a blueprint from the front lines and his son interpret how similar struggles have manifested in todays movement is golden. Intergenerational dialogues like this are examples of how we keep the legacy alive by building stronger personal bonds within our common history and family heritage. It is an honor to have them both. he said.

A legend of the 1960s Movement, David Dennis Sr. began as a student activist at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he led student sit-ins at Woolworths counters. After he was forced to leave Southern, he attended Dillard University in New Orleans. He was a part of the Freedom Rides of 1961 from Washington, DC to New Orleans. He was arrested in Jackson, MS with hundreds of student Freedom Riders and jailed in the notorious Parchman Prison. In the book, there are scenes from across David Sr.s life, as he becomes involved in the movement, tries to move beyond it, and ultimately returns to it to find final solace and a new sense of self. It is the story of a nation reckoning with change and the hopes, struggles, setbacks, and triumphs of modern Black life.

The Movement Made Us is available for purchase in the museums online store and will be personally autographed by the authors. The hybrid Book & Author Series event begins at 2:00 pm Central and is free and open for registration. For more information, visit civilrightsmuseum.org /events .

About the National Civil Rights Museum

The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from slavery to the present. Since the Museum opened in 1991, millions of visitors from around the world have come, including more than 90,000 students annually. Serving as the new public square, the Museum is steadfast in its mission to honor and preserve the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s assassination. It chronicles the American civil rights movement and tells the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights, serving as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change. A Smithsonian Affiliate and an internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum is recognized as a 2019 National Medal Award recipient by the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the top national honor for museums and libraries. It is a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Top 5% U.S. Museum, USA Today's Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions; Top 10 Best Historical Spots in the U.S. by TLC's Family Travel; Must See by the Age of 15 by Budget Travel and Kids; Top 10, American Treasures by USA Today; and Best Memphis Attraction by The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Business Journal.

 civilrightsmuseum.org 
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Having successfully established itself as an independent business at the beginning of the year, Xolv Technology Solutions, Inc. has appointed a board of directors consisting of four professionals experienced in the areas of finance, law, technology and human resources.

The leadership team is prepared to enhance the company's already established track record of success. The board, made up of chairperson Kurt Garbe, Nolene Fabre, Yusuf Safdari and Kim Sullivan will help Xolv expand, solidify its position as an independent player in the behavioral health technology market and, later in the year, attract investment.

Garbe, the CEO of IMAT Solutions, a company that delivers medical data management solutions for health insurance payers and health information exchanges, made the transition from Xolvs former parent company Catalight and still sits on the Catalight board of directors as a 2-year member. Prior to his current position, Garbe held CEO seats at SolutionSet and Movaris, as well as executive roles at Adobe and USWeb. He is an MBA graduate from the Wharton Business School, with additional master's and bachelor's degrees from Cornell University and Clarkson University, respectively.

Im tremendously excited about the future of the company and thrilled to welcome Nolene, Kim and Yusuf, Garbe said. Many companies aspire to be mission driven but, for Xolv, its more than an aspiration, its been built into the DNA from the beginning. It is part of all our discussions and is an integral part of all their planning and ambitions.

When establishing the board, it was important to identify mission-driven experts with a strong background in the for-profit sector and a range of disciplines.

I believe that Xolv can revolutionize the care and services provided to individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities over time, said Safdari, who currently serves as the vice president and general counsel for Vianai Systems, an artificial intelligence platform and applications company. Through technology support, specialized applications and a wealth of knowledge, Xolv can drive positive outcomes for individuals, their families and the organizations that support them. Im looking forward to assisting as Xolv stays true to its laudable goals of easing inefficiencies and failures inherent in the way the healthcare system works today  thats something this patient population deserves.

Safdari, with a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Law from Northwestern University, has extensive leadership experience as a technology executive and corporate attorney in Silicon Valley spanning several decades. Throughout his career in corporate law firms, Safdari has provided legal counsel for prominent publicly traded technology companies, a leading top ten firm, venture capital-backed private enterprises and non-profit organizations.

Currently, Sullivan holds the position of chief people officer at Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that protects organizations greatest assets and biggest risks. With a 25-year background in business, she has demonstrated expertise in cultivating top-performing teams at companies such as Concentrix (CNXC), Kaiser Permanente, the University of Texas system and Walgreens.

Xolv is well positioned to have an even bigger impact on its customers by building a stronger foundation and strategic roadmap as an independent, private company, said Sullivan, who holds a bachelors degree from Texas Southern and a masters from the University of Houston. Im excited for the development of a customer-focused growth strategy that will improve customer experiences, accelerate growth and scale to enable efficiency and innovation. Were going to make our mark as a competitive player in the IT services industry.

Fabre, the chief financial officer and treasurer for Sees Candies, agreed: Xolv has a proven track record of delivering solutions. Im excited about helping the Xolv team expand its footprint in the behavioral health technology market as we focus on building new technology that works in a repeatable and scalable business model.

Prior to Sees, Fabre served as the CFO for the Gap brand and e-commerce divisions, as well as the corporate controller for Gap, Inc. Shes worked in the software industry with VERITAS Software and Hyperion Solutions and was the CFO for the non-profit Reading Partners. She holds a bachelors degree from Notre Dame de Namur University and is a certified public accountant.

While Xolv may be a newcomer, it distinguishes itself from typical startups due to its established revenue stream and experience gained through its customer relations with Catalight  one of the largest behavioral health networks in the United States. By having a competent board of directors in place, Xolv is well-equipped to drive success and achieve growth in the industry.

About Xolv

Xolv Technology Solutions, Inc. originated more than 11 years ago as the former tech support team with Easterseals Bay Area (now Catalight) and has evolved into an independent behavioral health technology company. Its primary mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their caregivers and organizations that support them. With years of extensive experience serving customers in the non-profit sector, Xolv has gained valuable insights into the healthcare system and identified the significant impact of technological deficiencies on both clinical staff and clients. Consequently, Xolv has created cutting-edge solutions to enhance the overall care experience for their clients by establishing new industry benchmarks, developing efficient care pathways, optimizing business processes and delivering adaptable, customer-centric services.
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) is pleased to announce today that it has declared monthly distributions on its Class A Units (the Units) of the PIMCO Canada closed end funds (the Funds). The distributions will be paid on June 14, 2024 to the holders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2024.

Details of the distribution amounts are as follow:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution

per Unit Change from

Previous

Month Percentage

Change from

Previous Month PIMCO Global Income Opportunities Fund PGI.UN $0.05688 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Fund PTI.UN $0.05580 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Opportunities Fund PTO.UN $0.05709 - - PIMCO Multi-Sector Income Fund PIX.UN $0.06538 - -

Unitholders are reminded that each Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (DRIP) which will provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest their distributions. Eligible unitholders are encouraged to contact the institution through which they hold their Units to confirm enrollment procedures and timelines. A copy of the DRIP is available at www.pimco.ca.

The Manager, PIMCO Canada, retains Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO), to provide investment management services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, drawing upon our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the worlds largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns.

This is not an offer to sell Units and not a solicitation of an offer to buy Units in any region where the offer or sale is not permitted. Before you invest, you should carefully read the Funds disclosure documents and consider carefully the risks you assume when you invest in the Units. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated. Copies of the Funds disclosure documents may be obtained from your financial advisor.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect each Fund, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). If the Units are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Units and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning Units. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Funds in these documents. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Each Fund is a closed-end exchange traded investment fund. The material presented here is only to provide information and is not intended for trading purposes. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. After the initial public offering, units are sold on the open market through a stock exchange. Closed-end funds may be leveraged and carry various risks depending upon the underlying assets owned by a fund. Investment policies, management fees and other matters of interest to prospective investors may be found in each closed-end funds annual and semi-annual report. For additional information, please contact your investment professional.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in each Fund, please see the Funds disclosure documents. Units of closed end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America LLC in the United States and throughout the world. 2024, PIMCO

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada Corp. may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054
Fighter jets participate in air battle training

China Military Online) 14:41, May 22, 2024

Pilots assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command get ready in the cockpit before an air battle training exercise in early May, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Fu Gan)

A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command takes off for an air battle training exercise in early May, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Fu Gan)

A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command takes off for an air battle training exercise in early May, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Fu Gan)

A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command takes off for an air battle training exercise in early May, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Fu Gan)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
COMBINED GENERAL MEETING AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS DATED 22 MAY 2024



Press release

Paris, 22 May 2024

Combined General Meeting

The General Meeting of shareholders of Societe Generale was held on 22 May 2024 at Maison de la Mutualite - 24 rue Saint-Victor - 75005 Paris and was chaired by Mr. Lorenzo Bini Smaghi.

Quorum was established at 55.61% (vs 53.45% in 2023):

631 shareholders participated by attending the General Meeting in person at the place where it was held on 22 May 2024;

898 shareholders were represented at the General Meeting by a person other than the Chairman;

11 113 shareholders voted online;

2 186 shareholders voted by post;

10 044 shareholders, including 7 650online, representing 1.10% of the share capital, gave proxy to the Chairman;

A total of 24 872 shareholders were present or represented and thus participated in the vote.

The agenda item, with no vote, was an opportunity to present and discuss with shareholders the Group's climate strategy and social and environmental responsibility.

In addition, 13 shareholders sent 72 written questions prior to the General Meeting. The answers were made public before the General Meeting on the institutional website.

All the resolutions put forward by the Board of Directors were adopted, in particular:

The 2023 annual company accounts and annual consolidated accounts;

The dividend per share was set at EUR 0.90. It shall traded ex-dividend on 27 May 2024 and paid from 29 May 2024;

The renewal of one director for 4 years: Mrs Annette Messemer

The compensation policy for the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officers and the Directors;

The components composing the total compensation and the benefits of any kind paid or awarded for the 2023 financial year to the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive Officers;

A favorable opinion was issued on the remuneration paid in 2023 to regulated persons;

The appointment of KPMG S.A et PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit as Statutory Auditors in charge of the mission of certifying the accounts and the mission of certifying sustainability information;

The authorisation granted to the Board of Directors to purchase ordinary shares of the Company was renewed for 18 months up to 10% of the share capital;

Authorisations for capital increases, including the authorisation to issue shares to employees under a company or group savings plan, as well as the authorisation to grant performance shares issued or to be issued, for 26 months;

The amendments to the By-laws relating to the terms and conditions for the election of directors representing employees elected by employees and for the election of the director representing shareholder employees appointed by the Ordinary General Meeting of shareholders.

The detailed voting result is available this day on the Company's website in the item "Annual General Meeting".

Board of Directors

Following the renewal of Mrs Annette Messemer's director's term of office, the Board of Directors is still composed of one non-voting director and 15 directors, including (i) 2 directors re-elected by the employees in March 2024 and (ii) 1 director representing employee shareholders appointed by the General Meeting.

In accordance with the by-laws, two employee directors have been re-elected and will assume their functions for a period of 4 years as from the General Meeting.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors remains composed as follows:

Mr. Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman;

Mr. Slawomir Krupa, Director;

Mr. William Connelly, Director ;

Mr. Jerome Contamine, Director;

Mrs. Beatrice Cossa-Dumurgier, Director ;

Mrs. Diane Cote, Director;

Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Director;

Mrs. France Houssaye, Director elected by employees;

Mrs. Annette Messemer, Director ;

Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Director;

Mr Johan Praud, Director elected by employees;

Mrs. Lubomira Rochet, Director;

Mr. Benoit de Ruffray, Director ;

Mrs. Alexandra Schaapveld, Director;

Mr. Sebastien Wetter, Director representing employees shareholders.

Mr. Jean-Bernard Levy, Non-voting Director (censeur).

The Board of Directors remains made up of 50% women and more than 90% (11/12) independent directors if we exclude from the calculations the three directors representing the employees in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article L. 225-23 of the Commercial Code, paragraph 2 of Article L. 225-27 of the Commercial Code and the AFEP-MEDEF code.

The Board of Directors held after the General Meeting has decided that, as of 22 May 2024, the Board committees will be composed as follows:

Audit and Internal Control Committee : Mrs. Alexandra Schaapveld (chairwoman), Mr. Jerome Contamine, Mrs. Diane Cote, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman and Mr. Sebastien Wetter;

: Mrs. Alexandra Schaapveld (chairwoman), Mr. Jerome Contamine, Mrs. Diane Cote, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman and Mr. Sebastien Wetter; Risk Committee : Mr. William Connelly (chairman), Mrs. Beatrice Cossa Dumurgier, Mrs. Diane Cote, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Mrs. Annette Messemer and Mrs. Alexandra Schaapveld ;

: Mr. William Connelly (chairman), Mrs. Beatrice Cossa Dumurgier, Mrs. Diane Cote, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Mrs. Annette Messemer and Mrs. Alexandra Schaapveld ; Compensation Committee : Mr. Jerome Contamine (chairman), Mr. Benoit de Ruffray, Mrs. France Houssaye and Mrs. Annette Messemer;

: Mr. Jerome Contamine (chairman), Mr. Benoit de Ruffray, Mrs. France Houssaye and Mrs. Annette Messemer; Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee: Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge (chairman), Mr. William Connelly, Mr. Benoit de Ruffray and Mrs. Lubomira Rochet.

Biographies

Mme Annette Messemer, who has German nationality, holds a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Bonn (Germany), a Master in International Economics from the Fletcher School at Tufts University (US) and a degree from SciencesPo Paris. She began her career in investment banking at JP Morgan in New York in 1994 and subsequently worked in Frankfurt and London. She left JP Morgan as Senior Banker in 2006 to join Merrill Lynch as member of the German subsidiarys Executive Committee. In 2010, she was appointed to the Supervisory Board of WestLB by the German Ministry of Finance before joining Commerzbank in 2013, where she was a member of the Groups Executive Committee and Head of the Corporate and Institutional Clients department until June 2018.



Mrs. France Houssaye, Head of External Business Opportunities, Regional Commercial Department, Rouen (Normandy), Societe Generale employee since 1989.

Mr. Johan Praud, Logistics manager, Societe Generale employee since 2005

The regulatory declarations on the absence of conflicts of interest and the absence of convictions mentioned on page 166 of the Universal Registration Document filed by Societe Generale on 11 March 2024 with the French market authority (AMF) under number D.24-0094, relating notably to the three directors whose terms of office are renewed with effect from the General Meeting of 22 May 2024, remain valid.

Press contacts:

Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com

Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

Societe Generale

Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with more than 126,000 employees serving about 25 million clients in 65 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.



The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.

, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.

, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.





Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.

Attachment
Highlights:



347 sq km granted exploration license (EL) located 140 km along strike of World Class Ok Tedi Copper-Gold Mine with very similar geological setting.

Tinga Valley Property highly prospective for large and high-grade porphyry style copper-gold mineralization and associated massive sulphide-magnetite skarn mineralization with elevated copper and gold-silver grades with several large high priority drill targets already identified over a 2.5km x 1.5km footprint.

Historic surface exploration work identified extensive Copper and Gold grades across a 2km copper mineralized zone including grades above 1.97% Cu, 12.7g/t Au.

Tinga Valley Property will complement extensive copper-gold portfolio in PNG with exploration planned to unlock major Copper, Gold Porphyry potential in 2024.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold, GPAC, or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Tinga Valley Copper & Gold Corp. (Tinga) pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation agreement dated April 12, 2024 (the Amalgamation Agreement) with Tinga and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC (the Acquisition). Tinga, through a Papua New Guinea (PNG) subsidiary, holds a highly prospective Papua New Guinea copper-gold project called the Tinga Valley Property.

Bryan Slusarchuk Chief Executive Officer of GPAC comments As a result of closing of our acquisition of the Tinga Valley Property, GPAC adds a large and commanding land position within a country (Figure 1) that hosts some of the worlds most important copper and gold deposits. With a strong treasury, in-country expertise, and an excellent technical team, we are well positioned to advance on multiple projects within PNG.

The Tinga Valley Property is drill ready with well-defined high-grade copper-gold porphyry and associated skarn exploration targets. Historical work has indicated the existence of an epithermal overprint as well as an excellent potential for project size with multiple porphyry bodies along a large alteration halo across a 2.5km x 1.5km footprint. The Ok Tedi Copper Gold Mine, which lies 140kms to the north west along the same geological belt, is a superb geological comparison to the Tinga Valley Property.

Figure 1: Great Pacific Golds Papua New Guinea Properties.

Terms of Transaction

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, in consideration of Tinga:

The shareholders of Tinga (the Tinga Shareholders) received 12,500,000 common shares of GPAC (the Common Shares), and each Tinga Shareholder received one (1) Common Share for every one (1) Tinga Share held.

The Common Shares issued to the Tinga Shareholders are subject to voluntary restrictions on resale, of which 33.3% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of four (4) months following closing of the acquisition of Tinga (Closing), 33.3% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of eight (8) months following Closing and 33.4% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of twelve (12) months following Closing.



Clarus Securities Inc. (Clarus) was appointed as the Financial Advisor to GPAC in connection with the transaction. In consideration of Clarus services, GPAC issued 600,000 common shares to Clarus.

The Acquisition is an arms length transaction between GPAC and Tinga. No new insiders were appointed or created as a result of this transaction.

Information on the Tinga Valley Property

The 347 sq km Tinga Valley property is located in the Papua Mobile Belt, a world class copper and gold district which is host to several Tier 1 copper and gold mines (Figure 2), such as:

Porgera, operated by Barrick Gold and located 70km to the northeast. The mine produced over 16 million ounces of gold between 1990 and 1999 and is currently being recommissioned by Barrick to resume production.

Ok Tedi a high-grade copper-gold mine in operation since early 1984s and located 140 Km to the NW of Tinga Valley  from the start of operations in 1984 to the end of 2022, Ok Tedi has produced 5.17Mt of copper, 15.9Moz of gold and 36.4Moz of silver.

Frieda River, operated by Australian registered PanAust  was one of the biggest copper and gold deposits in PNG with an estimated 19Moz Au and 26.5B lbs Cu.







Figure 2: Location of Tinga Valley, Papua Mobile Belt and Tier 1 deposits.

Mineralization on the above properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at Tinga Valley.

The Tinga Valley tenement is located within the Papua Mobile Belt, which hosts the Darai Limestone and sediments of the Iero Formation, which are intruded by diorite and andesite porphyry bodies (Figure 2). This represents a geologic setting and footprint like that of the Ok Tedi Mine, which between 1984 and 2022 produced over 5.17 million tonnes of copper and 15.9 million ounces of gold (Figure 2).

Historic work carried out initially by Kennecott Explorations and several other explorers since the early 1990s, through to the mid 2000s, identified extensive zones of porphyry related alteration, epithermal and skarn style copper and gold mineralization outcropping at surface. The mineralization and alteration have been mapped over a 2.5km x 1.5km area of diorite and andesite plugs intruded into limestone (Darai Limestone) and sediments of the Ieru Formation.

Several of the intrusive units at Tinga, show extensive mineralization and alteration with historic rock chip samples reporting grades of up to 1.97% copper and up to 12.7 g/t gold in areas of phyllic, argillic and potassic alteration. Sulphide mineralization reported includes galena-sphalerite-chalcopyrite and chalcocite. Calcsilicate skarn mineralization consisting of pyrite-chalcopyrite-magnetite have been mapped on the contact zones of the intrusive zones with the limestone.

The alteration occurs in concentric fashion around centres of potassic alteration, which are associated with the highest copper surface value. The alteration is indicative of a deeper, fully preserved porphyry copper-gold system.

Despite the highly encouraging results and being located in one of the most important copper-gold belts in the world, the main prospects at Tinga Valley have not been drill tested to date and present the Company with a compelling opportunity for a tier 1 discovery.





Figure 3: Tenement and Geology Map for Tinga Valley.

Figure 4: Tinga Valley - Alteration map and surface copper geochemistry from historic work.

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently holds a significant 2,513 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralization present.

The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralization.

The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements.

The Tinga Valley Property consists of one exploration license, EL2720, located in the Papua Mobile Belt, a world class copper and gold district which is host to several Tier 1 copper and gold mines.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralization and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 535 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltds Fosterville Gold Mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Golds Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralization. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralization and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralization, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All GPACs properties in Australia are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Chris Muller, PGeo, a director of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Muller is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of GPAC

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: info@greatpacificgoldcorp.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9248c22f-60a1-43a2-a2a6-182859b4c1cb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49d136a7-d530-46c5-b58f-7cdd2c00083b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1c84ad8-4d4a-49c9-9b27-ac369d8b3326

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Washington, D.C., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNCF (United Negro College Fund) proudly announces that Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Morehouse College. The degree is bestowed to those who have made outstanding contributions to society through humanitarian and philanthropic efforts.

Dr. Lomax was honored on May 19, 2024, during Morehouse's live-streamed 140th commencement ceremony, which featured President Joseph R. Biden as the commencement speaker. This recognition celebrates Dr. Lomaxs dedicated leadership and impactful contributions to promoting higher education in the African American community. The ceremony highlighted Dr. Lomaxs diligent advocacy for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which helped these institutions reach their highest fundraising goals.

We are immensely proud of Dr. Lomax and his unwavering commitment to educational excellence, said UNCF Board of Directors Chair Milton H. Jones, Jr. This honorary doctorate from Morehouse College is a testament to his visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for students of color.

Upon receiving his honorary degree, Dr. Lomax Dr. Lomax thanked the university for shaping his journey and underscored his commitment to expanding educational opportunities for underprivileged students. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and the role of education in transforming lives.





This was a special personal moment for me, and I am eternally grateful to my alma mater Morehouse College. But more importantly, it was an opportunity for all of us at UNCF to amplify our HBCUs as Morehouse welcomed President Biden to the campus as their commencement speaker and awarded him an honorary degree, said Dr. Lomax.

This was an event that attracted global attention, and it came at a time when US and global colleges and universities have been demonstrating and protesting the war in Gaza and Israel. At this challenging and heartbreaking time in history, the world cannot easily find common ground. The combatants cannot find peace, and so many innocent civilians are victims of brutality and violence, Dr. Lomax said.

Morehouse did not solve the problem, but they provided an opportunity for the president to address the war and speak directly to students who are going out into a dangerous world and will have to solve the problems that older generations have failed to address. I cannot tell you how impressed I was by the Morehouse students who expressed their views thoughtfully and powerfully. They also let the president speak and make the case for the United States' position and approach, noted Dr. Lomax.

During Morehouse's Baccalaureate services on Saturday, May 18, Dr. Lomax's official portrait was unveiled. This portrait will hang in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Chapelthe worlds most prominent religious memorial honoring the Morehouse alumnus. The picture, displayed in the Morehouse International Hall of Honor, features more than 200 original oil portraits of distinguished leaders in the global, civil, and human rights nonviolent movement.

Since 2004, Dr. Lomax has steered UNCF to become the nation's largest private provider of scholarships and educational support for African American students. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised over $5 billion, providing financial assistance to more than 500,000 students and supporting 37 HBCUs.

Dr. Lomax congratulated the first graduating class of Lomax Scholars who earned need-based scholarships of up to $10,000 for exemplary academic performance at HBCUs.

Dr. Lomax's career spans decades and is marked by notable achievements in academia and public service. Before joining UNCF, he served as president of Dillard University in New Orleans and held positions at Emory University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College. Additionally, Dr. Lomax remains a driving force in various civic and educational organizations, including the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools and the KIPP Foundation.

The ceremony is now available to view on Morehouses YouTube channel.

For more information about Dr. Lomax and his work with UNCF, please visit UNCF.org.

###

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelors degrees, 5% of masters degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on X (formerly Twitter) at @UNCF.

Attachments
CALGARY, Alberta, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Energy Creates contest is now open to students worldwide, offering a no strings attached full-tuition scholarship valued at up to $100,000 CAD. Initially, only Canadian youth aged 15-25 were eligible, but the contest has now been expanded due to significant international interest. One of the five $100,000 CAD scholarships being offered by the contest can now be awarded to a student from outside of Canada.



Ana Lucia Cayon, Colombian student at the University of Alberta



Mathew Embry, the contest creator, was inspired to change the contest rules after receiving a heartfelt request and unexpected global attention. "An email from Ana Lucia Cayon, along with thousands of website visits from all over the world, challenged our team to rethink," says Embry. "Changing the rules to allow international students to participate not only makes our contest more inclusive, but it also aligns perfectly with the Canadian Energy Sector's worldwide relevance and the themes of our contest."

Ana, a Colombian student at the University of Alberta, added, As an international student, knowing that I can now be part of this conversation is incredibly thrilling. It is an opportunity to engage with the country I chose to study in and use the opportunities it offered me to give back to it.

Energy Creates has engaged tens of thousands of young people from around the globe, with participation from the United States, Sweden, Mexico, and beyond. The enormous interest has led to the extension of the contest deadline to August 31, 2024, allowing more time for students to submit their creative works.

Embry notes, "Energy Creates is becoming more than a scholarship contest; its a platform uniting creative minds across continents. I'm thrilled to see the positive themes of 'Global Warning,' which is the cornerstone of the contest, resonating with young people. This film was created to inspire a different kind of conversation about energy, one that embraces hope, innovation, and collaboration."

Students are invited to submit creative works, including short films, songs, essays, and visual works, reflecting on the Canadian Energy Sectors global impact. These submissions will offer an opportunity to win a scholarship and participate in crucial energy conversations that cross international borders.

For more information about the contest, entry requirements, and to submit your creative work, please visit www.energycreates.com

Media Contact:

Lindsay Meli

Phone: 403-860-2026

Email: media@energycreates.com

Film: https://youtu.be/4qdhNURKpGs?si=-PUaBW8q4Kq3pWGT

Website: www.energycreates.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0acd1786-870c-4de8-b94b-1a986135bede

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5772230-1e25-4822-88dd-635725820975
INDIANAPOLIS, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hurst Limontes LLC, an Indiana-based personal injury law firm, is pleased to announce its expanded involvement with the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). Nearly all of the firms personal injury attorneys now have a role within the ITLA, further strengthening the relationship between the two organizations.



Notable changes and announcements include:

 Hurst Limontes' Managing Partner, Alex Limontes, has recently moved to the role of Treasurer Elect.

 Attorney Katherine Katie Karres, has recently been nominated to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors.

 For the third consecutive year, Attorney Chase Wilson is serving as Chair of the Young Lawyers Division.

 Attorneys Charles Chip Hubley and Chase Wilson are working as Amicus Counsel for the ITLA on a voluntary, non-paid basis.

 Alex Limontes and Chase Wilson were both recently honored with the ITLAs President's Award, a prestigious accolade that recognizes their dedication to the legal profession.

 Alex Limontes (Recent Verdicts), Chase Wilson (Investigating 1983 Claims), and Katie Karres (Bifurcating Difficult Liability Cases) all recently presented at the ITLA's 36th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar.

In addition, Hurst Limontes and its attorneys continue to work closely with the ITLAs staff and committee members on other various matters, helping to promote justice, uphold professional conduct, and improve legal standards within the state of Indiana.

Were proud to work closely with the ITLA to help fight for the rights of all residents in Indiana, said Limontes. The ITLA serves as an invaluable resource to Hoosiers, ensuring equal access to justice and safeguarding their interests, he added.

For more information, visit https://HurstLimontes.com or https://www.IndianaTrialLawyers.org.

About Hurst Limontes

Located in downtown Indianapolis and founded in 1981, Hurst Limontes focuses its practice solely on representing personal injury claimants who have been injured in an accident. With more than 116 years of combined experience between the attorneys, the firm handles complex personal injury cases including those involving automobile accidents, construction site accidents, slip and falls, and other causes.

About the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)

Founded in 1956, the ITLA is dedicated to the constitutional rights of open access to the courts and equal protection under the law. Members include many of the top civil trial attorneys in the State of Indiana, focusing on a variety of civil cases.
TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quisitive Technology Solutions Inc. (Quisitive or the Company) (TSXV: QUIS, OTCQX: QUISF), a premier Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions provider, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.



Management Commentary

In early 2024, our key priority is refocusing the business to solidify our position as a premier Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions partner. Building on the cost management measures we implemented in 2023, we have strengthened our gross profit margins and begun investing to prepare the company to seize the transformative opportunities presented by the era of AI. Through close collaboration with Microsoft, the efforts of our internal AI teams, and initial engagements with customers, weve developed a set of AI assessments and accelerators that are generating significant pipeline and delivering early business value to customers, said Quisitive CEO Mike Reinhart. By leveraging our strengths in data, security, and business applications, and continuing to conduct joint business efforts in lockstep with Microsoft, we are poised to drive growth and innovation. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of the industry, providing cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

The Companys condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and related managements discussion and analysis will be posted on the Companys website and on the Companys issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com on May 23, 2024 subject to completion of the interim review by the Company's external auditors. All figures are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

Revenue from continuing operations was $29.9 million compared to $31.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decline was driven by reduced market demand for professional services revenue and the Companys corresponding reduction in revenue-generating headcount.

Gross profit from continuing operations as a percentage of revenue increased to 42.8% compared to 37.3% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. The improvement was primarily due to the Companys various cost adjustments throughout 2023 to respond to market dynamics.

Gross profit from continuing operations was $12.8 million compared to $11.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $3.9 million compared to $3.3 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

The Companys total senior debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was approximately 1.9:1.0 on a pro forma basis at March 31, 2024.



First Quarter 2024 and Recent Operational Highlights

Appointed Dan Kunz as Executive Vice President of Microsoft Cloud and AI Global Delivery Organization

Completed the sale of PayiQ

Announced and completed the sale of BankCard USA

Announced the upcoming launch of MazikCare copilot and previewed at the 2024 HIMSS Conference

Participated alongside Microsoft at the 2024 HIMSS Conference

Awarded the AI and Machine Learning in Microsoft Azure Specialization

Fiscal Year 2024 Guidance

Quisitive is providing the following guidance for fiscal year 2024:

Low High Fiscal Year 2024 Revenue from Continuing Operations 120,000,000 130,000,000 Fiscal Year 2024 Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations 15,000,000 17,000,000

Conference Call

Quisitive management will hold a conference call today (May 22, 2024) at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss these results.

Company CEO Mike Reinhart and CFO Scott Meriwether will host the call, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Toll Free dial-in: 1-877-704-4453

International dial-in: 1-201-389-0920

Webcast Link: Here

Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 949-574-3860.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time today and will expire after Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921

International replay number: 1-412-317-6671

Replay ID: 13746641

For additional information, please visit the Investor Relations section of Quisitives website at: https://quisitive.com/investor-relations/.

The following tables summarize results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Revenue $ 29,903 $ 31,902 Cost of Revenue 17,096 20,007 Gross Margin 12,807 11,895 Operating Expenses Sales and marketing expense 3,904 3,188 General and administrative 5,061 5,373 Development 106 114 Share-based compensation 462 1,951 Interest expense 1,832 1,621 Amortization 1,971 1,940 Acquisition related compensation - 609 Depreciation 255 287 Foreign exchange loss (157 ) 15 Acquisition-related, transaction and other expenses 534 442 Other Income (5 ) (18 ) Net Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (1,156 ) (3,627 ) Income tax expense  current 24 628 Deferred income tax expense (recovery) - (528 ) Net loss from continuing operations (1,180 ) (3,727 ) Discontinued Operations Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 7,373 1,140 Income (Loss for the Period) $ 6,193 $ (2,587 )





Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Net loss for the period $ 6,193 $ (2,587 ) Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax 7,373 1,140 Net loss from continued operations (1,180 ) (3,727 ) Income tax expense 24 100 Transaction related expenses 534 442 Foreign exchange (157 ) 15 Depreciation 255 287 Amortization 1,971 1,940 Interest 1,832 1,621 Share-based compensation 462 1,951 Acquisition related compensation - 609 Other expense (income) 88 (7 ) Development 106 114 Adjusted EBITDA $ 3,935 $ 3,345 Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue 13 % 10 % Revenue $ 29,903 $ 31,902





Three months ended March 31, 2024 2023 Global Cloud Solutions Global Payment Solutions (Discontinued Segment) Consolidated Global Cloud Solutions Global Payment Solutions (Discontinued Segment) Consolidated Revenue $ 29,903 $ 10,821 $ 41,024 $ 31,902 $ 16,409 $ 48,311 Expenses 25,968 7,530 33,798 28,557 12,707 41,264 Adjusted EBITDA 3,935 3,291 7,226 3,345 3,702 7,047 All other expenses 9,092 9,634 Net gain from disposal of PayIQ and revaluation of BankCard assets held for sale (8,059 ) - Net income (loss) $ 6,193 $ (2,587 )

About Quisitive:

Quisitive (TSXV: QUIS, OTCQX: QUISF) is a premier, global Microsoft partner leveraging the power of the Microsoft cloud platform and artificial intelligence, alongside custom and proprietary technologies, to drive transformative outcomes for its customers. The Company focuses on helping enterprises across industries leverage the Microsoft platform to adopt, innovate, and thrive in the era of AI. For more information, visit www.Quisitive.com and follow @BeQuisitive.

Quisitive Investor Contact

Matt Glover and John Yi

Gateway Group

QUIS@gateway-grp.com

949-574-3860

Tami Anders

Chief of Staff

tami.anders@quisitive.com

972.573.0995

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA

Financial Measures and Adjusted EBITDA

There are measures included in this news release that do not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use these measures and metrics as a means of assessing financial performance. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is calculated as net earnings before finance costs (net of finance income), income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization of intangibles) is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information, used to evaluate our performance, in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in the Company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, in making investment decisions about the Company and measuring our operational results.

The term "Adjusted EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings before certain charges that management considers to be non-operating expenses and which consist of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related fees and taxes), changes in fair value of derivatives, transaction and acquisition-related expenses, US payroll protection plan loan forgiveness, and earn-out settlement losses.

Management considers these non-operating expenses to be outside the scope of Quisitive's ongoing operations and the related expenses are not used by management to measure operations. Accordingly, these expenses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, which we reference to both measure our operations and as a basis of comparison of our operations from period-to-period.

Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business. However, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with IFRS or other non-GAAP measures that may be used by other companies, such as EBITDA. The use of Adjusted EBITDA does have limitations as, some investors may consider these charges and expenses as a recurring part of operations rather than expenses that are not part of operations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forwardlooking information and forwardlooking statements (collectively, forward looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding Quisitive and its business. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forwardlooking statements. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the anticipated benefits of the sale of PayiQ and BankCard to Quisitive and its shareholders; the future growth potential of the Company and its cloud solutions business; the financial outlook of the Company following the divestitures of PayiQ and BankCard, including growth projections, capital allocation and cost savings;, potential for growth and expectations regarding the Companys ability to capitalize on the expanding opportunities emerging from AI advancements.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: the expected results from the completion of the sale of BankCard; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; the ability to realize on cost saving measures; the Companys limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the technology industry; unproven markets for the Companys product offerings; lack of regulation and customer protection; the need for the Company to manage its future strategic plans; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; network security risks; the ability of the Company to maintain properly working systems; foreign currency trading risks; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; use of the Companys services for improper or illegal purposes; global economic and financial market conditions; uninsurable risks; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; and those factors described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated May 23, 2023 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law..

This news release also contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (together, FOFI) about the Companys prospective results of operations, including statements regarding expected pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA following the completion of the sale of BankCard. FOFI is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraph. The Company has included the FOFI to provide an outlook of managements expectations regarding the Company on a post-Transaction basis and other anticipated activities and results, and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company and management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting managements reasonable estimates and judgements; however, actual results of operations and the resulting financial results may vary from the amounts set forth herein. Any financial outlook information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any financial outlook information except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fogo de Chao, the internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil, announced today the signing of a lease agreement to open its seventh location in the greater Baltimore and Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The new 7,500-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open in 2024 at 698 Maine Avenue SW at The Wharf, a vibrant waterfront neighborhood that boasts world-class residences, offices, shops and restaurants.



The Wharf location is a strategic step in our mission to redefine the elevated dining experience, said Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chao. "We have witnessed a growing demand for Fogo de Chao in Virginia and Maryland and the surrounding communities and opening our seventh location underscores our dedication to meeting the evolving tastes of our young, dynamic guests."

Designed in partnership with global architecture and design agency Harrison, the new restaurant will showcase Fogos recent brand transformation featuring enhanced design elements like outdoor dining areas, menu optionality, and innovation platforms like a dry-aged meat lockers. Each Fogo location provides its guests with a warm, timeless, and approachable setting that complements the specific restaurant and its local community while honoring Fogos authentic Southern Brazilian heritage.

At Fogo, guests can dine at an open churrasco grill while watching gaucho chefs butcher, prepare, and grill various cuts of protein over an open flame. A Market Table will anchor the restaurant and feature seasonal salads, fresh superfoods, cured meats, antipasti, and more. In the new restaurant, engaging social gathering spaces will be layered throughout Bar Fogo and the dining room to further enhance the guest experience and ambiance by providing inviting, conversational areas to linger and enjoy Bar Fogo Features. Dry-aged meat lockers for in-house aging will display indulgent cuts such as a 32 oz. Long-Bone Tomahawk Ribeye, aged for a minimum of 42 days for rich flavor.

For more information about Fogo, visit https://fogo.com/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Konnect Agency

fogocorp@konnectagency.com

About Fogo de Chao

Fogo de Chao (fogo-dee-shown) is an internationally renowned restaurant that allows guests to discover whats next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old cooking technique of churrasco  the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame  into a cultural dining experience of discovery. In addition to its Market Table and Feijoada Bar  which includes seasonal salads and soup, fresh vegetables, imported charcuterie and more  guests are served simply seasoned meats that are butchered, fire-roasted and carved tableside by gaucho chefs. Guests can also indulge in dry-aged or premium Wagyu cuts, seafood a la carte, Bar Fogo Features including signature cocktails, and an award-winning South American wine list, as well as smaller, sharable plates in Bar Fogo. Fogo offers differentiated menus for all dayparts including lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and group dining, plus full-service catering and delivery options. For locations and more information about Fogo de Chao, visit fogodechao.com.





Fogo de Chaos new Washington, D.C. location is set to open in 2024 at The Wharf. Fogo.com

Fogo de Chaos new Washington, D.C. restaurant will feature an expansive dining room and an open churrasco grill. Fogo.com





The Bar Fogo and dining room areas will feature multiple social gathering spaces, carefully integrated to elevate the guest experience. Fogo.com





Fogos Gaucho Chefs practice the culinary art of Churrasco - butchering, preparing and fire-roasting different cuts of protein over an open flame. Fogo.com

Guests can enhance their experience with a 20 oz. Wagyu New York Strip, renowned for intense marbling and buttery texture. Fogo.com

Guests will be able to enjoy Bar Fogo Features at the newest Washington, D.C. location in the dining room, patio, and Bar Fogo areas which include $5 Brazilian Beers, $8 South American Wines, and $10 Brazilian-inspired cocktails. Fogo.com

Brazilian-inspired seafood options will be available a la carte including a Seafood Tower with jumbo shrimp, lobster, crab and more. Fogo.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99d90c48-f13e-44a1-911b-13c74603eaeb

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Almonty Industries Inc. ("Almonty" or the "Company") (TSX: AII / ASX: AII / OTCQX: ALMTF / Frankfurt: ALI) is pleased to announce that in conjunction with its March 2024 Placement, the Company has closed a fourth tranche through the sale of the previously-announced firm commitment of 3,000,000 Placement Chess Depository Interests Units ("CDIs") at A$0.62 per unit and is scheduled to close on an additional 1,090,909 common share units at Cdn$0.55 per unit on May 23, 2024.

In addition, the Company has received firm commitments to raise further gross proceeds of A$1,194,500.06 pursuant to the issuance of 1,926,613 CDIs at A$0.62 per CDI Unit. This represents the final tranche of the March 2024 placement which is now closed. Settlement of this final tranche is expected to occur on or around Monday 27 May 2024 with allotment on or around Tuesday 28 May 2024.

Each CDI participant will be issued one free unlisted option for every one CDI issued ("Options), exercisable at A$0.84 with an expiry date of 24 months from the date of closing while each common share unit participant will be issued one share purchase warrant for every one common share ("Warrants") exercisable at Cdn$0.74 with an expiry date of 24 months from the date of closing.

Proceeds from the Placement will be applied towards general working capital and offer costs. The closing of the Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the acceptance by the TSX and ASX. RM Corporate Finance Pty Ltd acted as Lead Manager to the Placement and will be paid a total fee of 6% of the gross proceeds from the sale of CDIs.

The Company further announces that, in conjunction with the conversion in January 2024 by Dundee Resources Ltd. ("Dundee") of its entire holdings of long-term debt plus related accrued interest with Almonty, at the conversion price of Cdn$0.90 per share, the Company issued approximately 10.25 million common shares to Dundee. Dundee has been divesting investments, including its holdings in Almonty, and the Company wishes to thank Dundee for allowing us to manage the sale process of their shares and to thank our existing shareholders for absorbing all of them - thus eliminating their overhang on the Company's stock.

Chairman, President and CEO of Almonty said: "We are pleased to have finalised the remainder of the March 2024 placement which is now complete. We have also been working hard alongside Dundee in finalising the divestment of their holding in Almonty, which has been successfully placed to supportive existing institutions and high net worth investors."

About Almonty

The principal business of Toronto, Canada-based Almonty Industries Inc. is the mining, processing and shipping of tungsten concentrate from its Los Santos Mine in western Spain and its Panasqueira mine in Portugal as well as the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea and the development of the Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in northwestern Spain. The Los Santos Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2011 and is located approximately 50 kilometres from Salamanca in western Spain and produces tungsten concentrate. The Panasqueira mine, which has been in production since 1896, is located approximately 260 kilometres northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, was acquired in January 2016 and produces tungsten concentrate. The Sangdong mine, which was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, was acquired in September 2015 through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Woulfe Mining Corp. Almonty owns 100% of the Valtreixal tin-tungsten project in north- western Spain. Further information about Almonty's activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almonty's profile at www.sedar.com.

Legal Notice

The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. These statements and information are based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almonty's current expectations.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Almonty to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any specific risks relating to fluctuations in the price of ammonium paratungstate ("APT") from which the sale price of Almonty's tungsten concentrate is derived, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which Almonty's operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, forecasts and assessments relating to Almonty's business, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to the market price of Almonty's shares, the ability of Almonty to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Almonty and any of its operating mines, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Almonty, risks relating to exploration, development and operations at Almonty's tungsten mines, the ability of Almonty to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Almonty to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements, lack of suitable infrastructure and employees to support Almonty's mining operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Almonty's mining operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to mineral properties owned directly or indirectly by Almonty, the ability of Almonty to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Almonty to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, challenges related to global financial conditions, risks related to future sales or issuance of equity securities, differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules and acceptance of the TSX of the listing of Almonty shares on the TSX.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to, no material adverse change in the market price of ammonium para tungstate (APT), the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, no negative change to applicable laws, the ability to secure local contractors, employees and assistance as and when required and on reasonable terms, and such other assumptions and factors as are set out herein. Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almonty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD- LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521631533/en/

Contact

For further information:

Lewis Black

Chairman, President and CEO

Telephone: +1 647 438-9766

Email: info@almonty.com


Union Home Minister Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, said that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already crossed the 310 mark at the end of the first five phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Do you want to know the position of NDA as of now? I can tell you that after the first five phases, the NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi has already crossed 310, the Union Home Minister said while attending an election rally at Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency.



He also ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for the latters opposition to making Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) a part of India.



They are telling us that since Pakistan has nuclear bombs, it will be a dangerous venture to make PoK a part of India. I went to tell Rahul Baba that we are not afraid of nuclear bombs. There is no power that can stop us from making PoK a part of India, Amit Shah said.



The Union Home Minister also said that the fear of defeat has made West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee desperate and has prompted her to resort to rampant misuse of state police.



I just heard that the state police conducted late-night raid operations at the rented residence of the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. When Central agencies raided the residence of a leader of Trinamool Congress a massive amount of Rs 51 crore was recovered. But the police raids at Adhikaris did not result in recovery of even 25 paise. So I am asking the Chief Minister to refrain from misusing the state police. Else the people of West Bengal will give you a fitting reply, the Union Home Minister said.



Accusing the Trinamool Congress of pampering the illegal infiltrators while opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, Amit Shah also urged the Chief Minister not to play with the security of the nation for narrow political interests.




Report shines a spotlight on continued excellence in ESG performance and disclosure

(All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)

Toronto, May 21, 2024 - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) today released its 2023 Responsible Gold Mining Report (the "Report") titled At the Heart of Who we Are, the Company's ninth annual disclosure of its Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") performance. The Report can be found on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

"One of the key strategic pillars of our Company is to build on ESG excellence and our 2023 Responsible Gold Mining Report demonstrates our progress in this regard. While the quantitative metrics showcase our positive performance, it is the many stories within the pages that demonstrate how our purpose statement truly comes to life: 'To transform finite mineral resources into lasting prosperity by positively impacting all the lives we touch.'

"As we finalize the foundation of our future with the Media Luna Project and look to grow and diversify our business, we will continue to minimize our environmental footprint, build on relationships of trust and partnership with local communities, create prosperity for our people and business partners through well-paying jobs and local procurement, and foster lasting economic impact through sustainable community development. Our goal is to leave a net positive legacy in our host communities well beyond our mine life, and to replicate the positive impact we are making in Mexico in other jurisdictions as we grow, all while delivering robust returns to our shareholders."

2023 RESPONSIBLE GOLD MINING REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Industry-leading safety performance, ending 2023 with a lost-time injury frequency of 0.31 per million hours worked for our employees and contractors. The Company also achieved 10 million hours worked without a lost-time injury at El Limon Guajes (ELG) for the third time since 2020;

Zero reportable environmental incidents or spills;

Continued implementation of our Community Development Agreements ("CODECOPs") in partnership with 11 host communities, with $3.1 million directly invested in community development and infrastructure projects;

Released an Economic Impact Study demonstrating direct, indirect, and induced benefits in Mexico at the state and national levels, including a 3% annual contribution to Guerrero State's annual gross domestic product;

66% water usage recycled; 63% non-mineral waste recycled;

108.5 hectares reforested, with 70,560 native trees planted from two on-site greenhouses;

99% employees from Mexico with ~69% from Guerrero State; 9% overall turnover rate in 2023 down from 14% in 2022;

90% of procurement spend in Mexico; $158 million spent on procurement within Guerrero State, almost a 50% increase relative to 2022;

Continued progress on implementation of the requirements of the World Gold Council's Responsible Gold Mining Principles, International Cyanide Management Code, and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management;

Continued improvement in scoring from key ESG ratings agencies including MSCI, Sustainalytics, and CDP.

The Company's 2023 Responsible Gold Mining Report was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Standards and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") Metals and Mining Sustainability Accounting Standard. It also includes energy and climate-related data aligned with the Phase 1 recommendations of the Task Force of Climate-Related Financial Disclosure ("TCFD"). Aspects of our supply chain disclosures have also been aligned with the Local Procurement Reporting Mechanism ("LPRM") of the Mining Shared Value Initiative of Engineers Without Borders Canada.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Torex Gold Resources Inc.

Jody Kuzenko

President and CEO

Direct: (647) 725-9982

jody.kuzenko@torexgold.com

Dan Rollins

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Direct: (647) 260-1503

dan.rollins@torexgold.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the purpose statement to transform finite mineral resources into lasting prosperity by positively impacting all the lives the Company touches; as the Company finalizes the foundation of its future with the Media Luna Project and looks to grow and diversify our business, the Company will continue to minimize its environmental footprint, build on relationships of trust and partnership with local communities, create prosperity for its people and business partners through well-paying jobs and local procurement, and foster lasting economic impact through sustainable community development; the Company's goal is to leave a net positive legacy in its host communities well beyond the Company's mine life, and to replicate the positive impact the Company is making in Mexico in other jurisdictions as the Company grows, all while delivering robust returns to shareholders; and Torex's key strategic objectives to integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "strategy" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", or "is expected to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: skarn deposits, ability to obtain the timely supply of services, equipment and materials for the operation of the ELG Mine Complex and the design, development and construction of the Media Luna Project; the regulatory process and actions; ability to finance the Media Luna Project on reasonable terms, and those risk factors identified in the technical report ("Technical Report") titled ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, with an effective date of March 16, 2022, and a filing date of March 31, 2022 and in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, AIF, and MD&A are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/209954
Vancouver - (May 21, 2024) Goldgroup Mining Inc. ("Goldgroup" or the "Company") (TSX-V:GGA, OTC:GGAZF, BMV SIX:GGAN.MX) is saddened to report a fatality at its Cerro Prieto mine in Sonora, Mexico. In an isolated incident, a mining contractor's employee was fatally injured while working in the Esperanza pit when recently blasted rock dislodged striking the worker during inspection of the blasted aera. "It is with deep sadness that we report the tragic loss of a contractor colleague. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and our Cerro Prieto contractor team at this difficult time. The safety of our employees and contractors remains our top priority." said Ralph Shearing, CEO of Goldgroup.

Relevant regulatory authorities have been notified and are attending the site to investigate. The Company will cooperate fully throughout the investigation. Operations at Cerro Prieto Esperanza Pit have been voluntarily temporarily suspended until the conclusion of the investigation.

The Company will issue further statements and provide additional information as appropriate.

About Goldgroup

Goldgroup is a Canadian-based mining Company that owns and operates the Cerro Prieto heap-leach gold mine located in the State of Sonora, Mexico and is led by a team of highly successful and seasoned individuals with extensive expertise in mine development, corporate finance, and exploration in Mexico.

For further information on Goldgroup, please visit www.goldgroupmining.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Investor Relations

Toll Free: 1-877-655-ozAu (6928)

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver, May 22, 2024 - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire up to a 100% interest in the King Solomon Gold Project (the "Project") consisting of 178 claims covering approximately 1,140 hectares (3,560 acres) in central Nevada. The Project lies 32 kilometres (km) south for the Company's Dobbin Gold Project. Like Dobbin, the King Solomon Project covers a regional-scale Carlin-type gold system. The King Solomon Project is also 45 km east of Kinross Gold's Round Mountain gold deposit, (10 million ounce gold production over a 20 year period, according to public disclosure), and 45 km southeast of the sediment-hosted Northumberland Carlin-type gold deposit.

Dave Mathewson, Company Director, Geological Consultant and accomplished gold finder states, "Phenom is only going after gold projects in Nevada that have regional scale targets. I have had my attention on this prospect for many years, so we are very excited to have secured King Solomon at this time. There is excellent potential for discovery of significant Carlin-type gold deposits there. Previous explorers, appear to not have understood the full extent of, and significance of, the stratigraphy or gold model. Typical of earlier 1990's explorers, drilling was largely limited to shallow tests of 90m to 122m deep (300-400 feet), and was primarily focused on the potential within the overlying Tertiary volcanic rocks. Significant near surface gold intercepts within Tertiary volcanics which, noteworthy as they are, suggest a bigger potential within the underlying more permissive, Paleozoic carbonate package. Earlier explorers barely penetrated into the more prospective rock units, and only scratched the surface of this prospect. The carbonate sequence below the volcanics at King Solomon which I have identified include favourable gold host rock formations such as the Denay, Rabbit Hill, Roberts Mountain and Pogonip limestone Formations, with a collective thickness well in excess of 1000 feet. These rock units represent a very significant potential host package to gold deposits that have not been significantly drill tested here."

Dave Mathewson continues, "Drilling to date has confirmed the Carlin-replacement-style of mineralization and intercepts have approached desirable gold grades. The presence of permissive host rocks, Carlin-style epithermal-style alteration, and geochemistry of up to very high levels of arsenic, antimony, mercury, and locally gold, all indicate gold deposit prospectivity. I lean strongly toward believing the existence of one or more gold deposits are present in the area."

A thin veneer of Tertiary volcanics in the order of 60m thick (200 feet) overlies most of the lower plate carbonate package. Both volcanics and limestone units are highly silicified, hosting Au-Ag-As-Sb-Ba-Hg-Tl mineralized zones typical of a Carlin-gold type opportunity. Surface samples reached as high as 8.4 g/t Au (0.27 opt Au) from jasperoid within a 3km x 3km anomalous gold soil grid. Four exploration companies have drilled a total of 43 shallow RC drill holes to date, mainly in a 600m long (1970-foot) portion of the 4.8 km long (3-mile) mineralized area. The majority of the drill holes were drilled between 61m (200 feet) and 152m (500 feet) deep, typically cutting about 60m (200 feet) of volcanics before testing only from 38m (125 feet) to 99m (325 feet) of the carbonate stratigraphy. The deepest drill hole was 183m deep (600 feet). Many holes intercepted sizable, near surface mineralized zones in the order of 52m thick (170 feet) averaging 0.72 g/t Au (0.023 opt Au). Specific intercepts include 67.1m (220 feet) at 0.5 g/t Au (0.018 opt Au) in volcanic rocks and 80.8m (265 feet) at 0.8 g/t Au (0.028 opt Au) in carbonates. The fault pattern observed in the King Solomon Project area (north-south, west northwest and northeast) is a repetition of very common pattern throughout much of Nevada especially within gold deposit districts.

The King Solomon Project comes with a large land package and an extensive data package that included results from various exploration efforts by previous companies. The Project claims are on lands administered by the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Access is by maintained gravel roads, with King Solomon approximately 50 km from a paved highway.

King Solomon Transaction

The Company has signed a four-year option agreement with a private vendor pursuant to which it may acquire a 100% interest in 178 unpatented mining claims located in Nevada, commonly referred to as the King Solomon Property. Pursuant to the King Solomon Option Agreement, in order to fully exercise its option and acquire the property, over a four-year period, the Company will pay an aggregate of US$150,000 and make share issuance of 75,000 shares in the Company. The vendor will also retain an aggregate 3% net smelter return royalty on any mineral products derived from the property. Phenom will have the right to purchase up to a 2% NSR for US$3.0 million at any time, leaving the vendors with a 1% NSR. Advanced Royalty payments will be required thereafter under a schedule of US$60,000 per year from years 5-10, US$75,000 per year from years 11-15 and US$100,000 per year thereafter until production. Any additional claims staked within an Area of Interest around the current property would fall under the terms of the agreement. The Company has a 25-day due diligence period. All securities issued in connection with the property option will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period. The agreement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Phenom property (5-15km). The Company has options on two gold projects in Nevada, the Dobbin Property which is Carlin Gold-type target and the CVN Property, a Bonanza high grade gold vein-type target.

ON BEHALF OF Phenom Resources Corp.

per: "Paul Cowley"

CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

pcowley@phenomresources.com www.phenomresources.com

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, director and Geological Consultant of the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/210061
VANCOUVER - Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQB: FTZFF) ("Fitzroy Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a Definitive Option Agreement for the Polimet Gold-Copper-Silver Project in Chile has been signed. Fieldwork including geochemistry, geological mapping and sampling, and geophysics on the project is currently in development.

Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy Minerals commented, "Signing the Definitive Option Agreement on Polimet is a great milestone for Fitzroy Minerals. With gold and copper prices reaching all-time or inter-year highs, it is the perfect time to be consolidating ownership of a high-grade gold-copper asset. I look forward to seeing the results of the geochemical soil surveys and advancing the project to drilling later in the year."

Definitive Option Agreement

The terms of the Polimet Gold-Copper-Silver project are as follows

? Make a cash payment of US$ 30,000* on signing of a definitive option agreement, with a further US$80,000 on the first anniversary thereof;

? Incur exploration expenditures of at least US$2.25 million over a three year period, with no consecutive 12 month period seeing less than US$500,000 of exploration expenditures.

Subject to the requisite investment having been met, Fitzroy Minerals can exercise the Polimet Option by making a US$1.2 million payment to the Vendor in Year Four. In addition, the Vendor is granted a 2% NSR, of which 1% can be purchased by Fitzroy Minerals for US$3 million at any point prior to commercial production. The acquisition of the Polimet Option is an arm's length transaction.

*US$ 50,000 was previously advanced to the Project Vendor under an amendment to the Heads of Agreement.

Update Regarding January Private Placement

The Company announces that the final amount of the non-brokered private placement which closed on January 9, 2024 was reduced to 12,365,000 units for aggregate proceeds of $1,236,500. This is due to a clerical error which resulted in the issuance of 250,000 additional units, which have now been cancelled and returned to treasury.

About Fitzroy Minerals

Fitzroy Minerals is focused on exploring and developing mineral assets with substantial upside potential in the Americas. The Company's current property portfolio includes the Caballos Copper and Polimet Gold-Copper-Silver projects located in Valparaiso, Chile and the Taquetren Gold project located in Rio Negro, Argentina, as well as the Cariboo project in British Columbia, Canada. Fitzroy Minerals' shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FTZ and on the OTCQB under the symbol FTZFF.

On behalf of Fitzroy Minerals Inc.

Merlin Marr-Johnson

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Merlin Marr-Johnson

mmj@fitzroyminerals.com

+1 604-505-4554

For more information on Fitzroy Minerals, please visit the Company's website: www.fitzroyminerals.com

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Neither Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the completion of the Offering and the timing and pricing in respect thereof, the use of proceeds of the Offering, and timely receipt of all necessary approvals, including any requisite approval of the Exchange.

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of the Company. Such statements can generally, but not always, be identified by words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "forecasts", "schedules", "prepares", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. All statements that describe the Company's plans relating to operations and potential strategic opportunities are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and are reliant on assumptions made by the Company's management, and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking information, actual results could materially differ from those currently projected, and there is no representation by the Company that the actual results realized in the future will be the same in whole or in part as those presented herein. the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not undertake to update any for-ward looking statements, other than as required by law.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Autoren Amann, Frank Aschoff, Heiko Baader, Roland Balzer, Horst Dr. Bandulet, Bruno Dr. Barbera, Frank Barisheff, Nick Baudzus, Roman Bauernfeind, Reinhard Dr. Bergold, Uwe Dr. Bernecker, Hans A. Blaschzok, Markus Bock, Robert Dipl.-Kfm. Bocker, Hans J. Prof. Dr. Boehringer, Peter Bogner, Stephan Bonner, Bill Borg, Gregor Prof. Dr. Bozicevic, Falko Brkan, Tiho Brockmann, Claus Browne, John Buchenberg, Wal Buchwalder, Rene Buntrock, Christian Butler, Theodore Buttner, Jurgen Barligea, Ralph Chapman, David Christenson, Gary E. Clark, Jeff DAF Daughty, Richard Dennin, Torsten Dr. Deutsch, Reinhard dottore Droke, Clif DZ Bank AG Eibl, Christoph Eichelburg, Walter K. Eliseo, Jordan Elitebrief Engdahl, F. William Faber, Marc Dr. Feiten, Marco Fekete, Antal E. Prof. Fietkau, Claus-Peter Fischer, Andre Fischer, Martina Flierl, Ralf Foellbach, Paul Dr. rer. nat. Friedrich, Marc Fritsch, Rudy J. Fugger, Horst Furst, Christian Gan, Heiko Gasteiner, Michael Gburek, Manfred Gehrt, Ronald Geyer, Christoph Gilburt, Avi Gleason, Mike Gleason, Stefan Goldberg, Martin GoldMoney Graf, Hans-Wolff Grandt, Michael Dr. h.c. Grass, Claudio Greyerz, Egon von Grummes, Florian Haase, Daniel Hahn, Alexander Hamer, Eberhard Prof. Dr. Hamer, Eike Dr. Hamilton, Adam Hansen, Ole Hartmann, Robert Hedrich, Werner Heibel, Stephan Heidkamp, Bjorn Hell, Sebastian Hellmeyer, Folker Hellwig, Sonia Hemke, Craig Hera, Ron Heuschuch, Oliver Hewitt, Mike Hirsekorn, Alexander Hirt, Walter Hochreiter, Gregor Mag. Hoffman, Andrew Holmes, Frank Hommel, Jason Hook, Captain Hoose, Andreas Hopf, Philip Hurtz, Armin Huster, Hannes Hufner, Martin W. Dr. Hommel, Jason Kagels, Karsten Kamber, Kurt W. Kestermann, Oliver Kilbach, Michael King, Eric Klude, Carsten Klumpp, Frank Kneist Jan Jan, Jan Koning, John Paul Kosares, Michael J. Kuner, Jurgen Kammerer, Christian Kolz, Wilfried Lange, Friedrich A. LBBW Lechner, Christian Leuschel, Roland Lewis, Jeffrey Dr. Lips, Ferdinand Lorch, Matthias Lorenz, Michael Dr. habil. Lundeen, Mark J. Maa, Rudiger Mack & Weise Mahnert, Jorg Malisch, Ralph Manly, Ronan Martenson, Chris Dr. Martin, Paul C. Dr. Mauldin, John Maund, Clive May, Thomas Mayer, Walter Mayr, Richard Meier, Rainer Merk, Axel Meyer, Frank Mezger, Markus Minenportal.de Mittermaier, Christoph Dr. Morgan, David Mross, Michael Muratovic, Tea Muchler, Frank Mullenmeister, Hans Jorg Muller, Johannes Muller, Jurgen Dr. Mohrer, Christian Nef, Rolf Nieuwenhuijs, Jan Nitzsche, Marc Norcini, Dan Nowacki, Jurgen RohstoffRaketen Otte, Max Prof. Dr. OByrne, Mark Paulick, Steffen Pento, Michael Petch, David Pfauntsch, Uli Piepenburg, Matt Polleit, Thorsten Prof. Dr. Proettel, Thorsten Puplava, Jim Porschmann, Thorsten Rabe, Jens Radomski, Przemyslaw Rakhimov, Sean Redaktion Rethfeld, Robert Rettinger, Detlef Dr. Reymann, David Richardt, Florian Richebacher, Kurt Dr. Rickards, James Riemenschneider, Volkmar Dr. Rohstoff-Spiegel Rohstoff-Welt.de Roos, Hubert Roy-Byrne, Jordan Russell, Richard Saiger, Johann A. Salomon, Stefan Savage, Gary Saville, Steve Schall, Lars Schallenberger, Frank Dr. Schiff, Peter Schilbe, Stefan Schiml, Markus H. Schmidt, Mirko Schroder, Robert Schulz, Hans-Dieter Dr. Schafer, Henning P. Senf, Bernd Shedlock, Michael Shepherd, Ceri Siebholz, Dietmar Dr. Siegel, Martin Silberman, Greg Singer, Klaus Smart Investor Smeding, Nadine Smith, David Sobolev, Boris Speck, Dimitri Sprott, Eric St. Angelo, Steve Stahl, Markus Dr. Stanzl, Jochen Steffens, Jochen Steininger, Marius Stemper, Ralph W. Storfner, Sebastian Strehk, Marko Streitmayer, Sven Stoferle, Ronald Peter Mag. Suchecki, Bron Summa, Benjamin Taggart, Adam Taylor, Jay The Gold Report Theuerzeit, Thomas Tiggre, Lobo Todd Stein & Steven McIntyre Torney, Marcel Tschol, Egon Turk, James Ullmann, Werner Vartian, Christian Mag. Vermeulen, Chris Vertrauliche Mitteilungen Vitye, Robert Vogel, Gabor Vogt, Claus von Belang, Nicht Vorndran, Philipp Vronsky, I.M. Waldenberger, Karl-Heinz Warmbein, Uwe Watson, Roland Weber, Wolfgang Weinberg, Eugen Weiner, Keith Dr. West, James Weygand, Harald Williams, Kelsey Williams, Lawrence Willie CB, Jim Wolff, Ernst Wolter, Manfred Wright, Scott Wrzesniok-Robach, Wolfgang Zihlmann, Peter Zimmel, Manfred Zipfel, Hannes


Swati Maliwal assault case, CM Kejriwals ex-PS Bibhav Kumar taken to three locations in Mumbai Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals former personal secretary (PS) Bibhav Kumar, who is accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha member and former DCW chief Swati Maliwal, was taken to three locations in Mumbai, said police sources privy to the probe. Kumar had formatted his phone in one of the locations, which was revealed after technical investigation, said the source.



According to police, Kumar had formatted his phone on May 17, citing a malfunction.



Sources suspect that Kumar before formatting his phone had transferred data to another person's device.



Kumar was taken to Mumbai on Tuesday and was brought back on Wednesday.



On May 18, CM Kejriwal's close aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested in connection with the assault on Maliwal and produced late at night before a local court which sent him to a five-day police custody.



Kumar was also taken to CM's residence on Monday where the crime scene was recreated.



Delhi Police registered a case against Kumar after he allegedly assaulted Swati Maliwal at the Chief Minister's residence on May 13.



The FIR includes charges under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code at the Civil Lines police station.






US claims Russia likely launched space weapon into orbit last week The US has claimed that Russia launched what is likely a space weapon capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit, US Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder announced. Ryder added that the launch took place on May 16, and the Russian satellite is now in the same orbit as a US government satellite.



When asked whether the Russian satellite threatened the US satellite, Ryder said: "Well, it's a space defence weapon in the same orbit as a US government satellite."



American UN representative Robert Wood had previously expressed views similar to Ryder's.



The Pentagon stated that it is not the first time Russia has launched such space weapons, referring to 2019 and 2022.



On Monday, a UN resolution tabled by Russia against an arms race in space failed in the UN Security Council.



The draft resolution received seven votes in favour, while seven countries, including the US, voted against it.



US representative Robert Wood accused Moscow of using manipulative tactics after Russia vetoed a US resolution against nuclear weapons in space last month.



In February, reports in the US warned about Russia's nuclear ambitions in space, stating that the nuclear potential of weapons directed against satellites could pose a threat to national and international security.



The US government responded to the reports, accusing Russia of developing military capabilities for use against satellites, with President Joe Biden assuring that there is no nuclear danger facing Americans or people anywhere in the world.



Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the reports and said that Russia is against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.




This article originally appeared in Eating New York, a weekly newsletter for subscribers featuring food news and advice straight from our critics mouths. Sign up here. Photo: Courtesy of Xie Bao

Among the food-mall glories of Flushing  the original Xian Famous Foods, Joes Steam Rice Roll, the Uyghur restaurant Tarim  New York Food Court tends to be mostly overlooked. But amid the vendors who hawk flatbread stuffed with curry beef, salt-and-pepper chicken, and the usual noodles or dumplings, there is Xie Bao (133-35 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing), a crab-roe specialist that manages to offer something truly new to the citys food scene.

When you go, bring a crew and build a tasting menu, starting with crab-roe-stuffed pork meatballs, pork and crab-roe mooncakes, and crab-roe and shrimp spring rolls. If thats not enough, theres always crab-roe and chicken soup with pork skin. If its rice youre after, get the crab-roe and yellow-croaker rice soup. The broth is golden-orange like egg yolk with large slices of ginger floating about. Tender chunks of fish mix with crab roe and the rice itself. Personally, I liked the chewy noodles most of all. They are served undressed, with a bowl of crab-and-roe sauce on the side. Mixed together, each bowl becomes its own crab feast, loaded with lumps of salty roe and plenty of shredded meat. It is not cheap  $30 for a normal size, $20 for a small  but it is also unlike versions of the dish that are sold at many other New York restaurants, where owners cut corners as they try to keep costs low.

It was opened late last year by Homer Wu, who has a Ph.D. in physics, and his wife, Cherry. This is the food of my hometown, he says. Wu grew up in Dafeng, a coastal district in Jiangsu, before coming to study at NYU in 1992. Ive always had a passion to open a Chinese restaurant, since I came here, because I dont see many authentic Chinese foods here.

Xie Bao specializes in Huaiyang cuisine, a style from the lower Yangtze River basin region thats celebrated as one of Chinas four great cooking traditions. And Xie Bao is  and as far as I am aware  the only restaurant in New York dedicated to the crab-roe cooking found in Jiangsu and Shanghai. (Che Li also offers a variety of crab dishes, like wine-soaked crab and crab-tofu stew.)

Wu got the idea to open his restaurant when he was in Shanghai last year. He had briefly run a restaurant there, as well, and when he walked by the old space he saw it was home to a new place with lines out the door: Xie San Bao, the popular crab-roe restaurant. I was like, Hey, this is the food I ate when I was a kid, and I thought, Maybe I should bring this to the U.S., he says.

In Shanghai, where crabs are big business, Xie Bao would be right at home. Every fall, the region is gripped with a fever for mitten crab, which the writer Fuchsia Dunlop once described as the great autumn delicacy of eastern China. In Shanghai, restaurants, such as Cheng Long Hang in the Huangpu District, operate their own crab farms. One restaurant  Cejerdary  is run by a religious ascetic who believes that, because the modern world is mired in a bog of choice, we should all commit to doing one thing very well. (In his case, that thing is crab noodles.) Among mitten-crab connoisseurs, there are discussions of terroir and water quality and lakes of origins, of course; one Hong Kong writer described Yangcheng Lake as akin to the Iberian Peninsula for its pork; others swear by Taihu Lake. (Wu notes that when he was a kid there wasnt farmed crab, which now dominates.) The town of Xinghua, 170 miles northwest of Shanghai, cultivates as much as 73,854 tons of hairy crab a year, the value of which is estimated at $4.32 billion.

Wus bet to sell crab roe to America appears to be paying off: A few weeks ago, he opened a second Xie Bao location, in Edison, New Jerseys Festival Plaza, and the budding micro-chain has its fans: There arent any Chinese places that, normally, make me want to go back, says Irvan Xu, a sommelier. But, Xie Bao, definitely, I will go back.
Infinix just launched a new addition to its Note 40 portfolio in the Philippines - meet the Infinix Note 40 5G. The new smartphone has 512 GB storage, the most of any phone in the series and more than the majority of its competitors.

The Note 40 5G is a mix of two other devices from the series  it has the body of the vanilla Note 40 but the Dimensity 7020 chipset of the Note 40 Pro. The screen is the same 6.78 AMOLED with 1080p resolution, up to 120 Hz refresh rate and a Gorilla Glass on top.

At the back you get a 108 MP main camera and two auxiliary modules that serve little practical purpose. The selfie shooter has a 32 MP sensor.

The Note 40 5G's 5,000mAh battery charges at 33W over wire and 15W when doing wireless. The phone is also compatible with the MagKit, which includes a magnetic case, allowing the 15W puck to snap directly on the back. There is also a small 3,000 mAh external battery pack that does the same.

Infinix Note 40 5G comes with the company's Cheetah X1 power management chip that monitors the battery temperature and voltages to enable fast and safe charging.

This is the first Infinix Note 40 phone with 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage. It is available on TikTok Shop in the Philippines in three colors: Black, Gold, and Green, and it costs PHP 13,999 ($240/220).

Users who purchase the phone between May 23-25 will get a super attractive early bird price of PHP 9,999 ($170/158).

Source
New cars in California could come with technology that alerts drivers when theyre driving 10 mph over the speed limit. Leah Millis/The Chronicle

The California State Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would require new vehicles to come equipped with a function that warns motorists when theyre driving 10 mph over the speed limit.

If passed by the state Assembly and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, SB961 by San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener would make California the first state with such a requirement for new vehicles. The bill cleared a significant hurdle Tuesday, passing the state Senate on a 22-13 vote.

Specifically, SB961 would require new vehicles built or sold in California to include whats known as passive speed governors that warn drivers with audible and visual signals when they exceed the speed limit by greater than 10 miles per hour, according to Wieners office.

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Wiener says the bill aims to address the epidemic of traffic deaths that rose in the Bay Area and California since the pandemic.

California, like the nation as a whole, is seeing a horrifying spike in traffic deaths, with thousands of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians dying each year on our roads, Wiener said in a statement. These deaths are preventable, and theyre occurring because of policy choices to tolerate dangerous roads. The evidence is clear: Rising levels of dangerous speeding are placing all Californians in danger, and by taking prudent steps to improve safety, we can save lives.

The proposal would take effect fully in 2032. The requirement would not apply to older vehicles or cars bought in other states, nor would it apply to emergency vehicles.

Wieners bill initially sought to require active speed governors, not passive, that use GPS technology to override a drivers control of a vehicle by automatically capping a cars speed if it detects speeding.

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Its a familiar phrase the criminally accused often hears from a judge: If you cant afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.

Typically, that attorney falls under the Public Defender Service Corp. which, at a budget hearing Tuesday, was seeking a $9.8 million budget for fiscal 2025.

Officials said it was a rollover budget, with the bulk of the funding going to personnel salaries.

The spending plan calls for an additional $575,000 for attorney raises, and a $309,000 increase for the director and administrative directors offices.

Public Defender Service Corp. Executive Director attorney Stephen Hattori told senators that the Department of Administration-approved attorney pay plan called for a 24% raise for attorneys.

Hattori said they are not seeking to hire any additional attorneys, but do want to add a paralegal.

The budget hearing also highlighted the continuing problem of a lack of attorneys on Guam.

The Public Defender Service, which represents clients who are entitled to legal representation but cant afford an attorney, has said the shortage is made more difficult because they often encounter cases where there are conflicts of interests.

Hattori said one way to address it is to recruit a pool of private attorneys who would be willing to handle a limited number of cases in a given year.

That type of flexibility might be more attractive for them, Hattori said, They would say Ill do it if I only get 10 cases a year...because you never know how many cases youll end up with.

Officials also discussed the potential of establishing a second Alternate Public Defenders Office to minimize conflicts of interest, and augment the current alternate office that is staffed by just six attorneys.

The Judiciary has also weighed in on the attorney shortage and mandated that all attorneys in the Guam Bar must participate in the criminal defense attorney pool.

This may often include attorneys who are not well-experienced in criminal defense, officials at the budget hearing said.

Speaker Therese Terlaje, an attorney and chair of the justice committee, said rather than the court controlling the Public Defenders office, it should be a commission...weve been talking about this for years.

Hattori agreed. Its very clear it needs to get done, he said.

He said next year might be a good time to reconstitute the PDSC, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Del. James Moylan and his potential delegate challenger Ginger Cruz expressed different views on the Government Accountability Offices recent report on inadequate data collection from U.S. territories, which affects the programs provided to residents.

GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, gave a briefing to Moylans office regarding the recent report.

Moylan said GAO provided an assurance that there are ongoing discussions with government of Guam officials to address their concerns.

While there is nothing we can do Congressionally at this time to intervene, our office will reach out to the Office on Insular Affairs to see if there are grant options available for the local government to avail to obtain the resources needed to achieve the outlined objectives, Moylan said.

Cruz criticized Moylan for such a statement.

Del. Moylans response to the GAOs report is a glaring example of missed opportunity and lack of decisive action, Cruz said. Claiming that there is nothing we can do congressionally at this time is not only defeatist but also a disservice to the people of Guam. Instead of passively waiting for grant options and relying on overburdened local government officials, we should be seizing this moment to demand robust federal actionnot engaging in all-out surrender.

Cruz calls for a proactive amendment to current legislation, ensuring that federal data collection includes territories, and that this data is shared with Guam.

This approach, she said, will empower Guam to leverage data for improved federal funding and program implementation.

GAO noted that there are data gaps in federal statistical products for U.S. territories, which have an implication when it comes to federal funding. Moylan said while no specifics were provided in terms of how much Guam, or any other territory stands to lose annually due to these gaps, it was made clear that this could be substantial.

The GAO report recommends that the Office of Management and Budget develop a governmentwide approach for federal agencies to use to address these data gaps.

Cruz said rather than simply acknowledging these data gaps and proposing continued dialogue, she calls for immediate legislative action to address this issue head-on.

At a minimum, we can leverage robust federal tools, training, and resources to create an environment where good data collection can be achieved. We should mandate that all federal agencies collecting data must include territories in their datasets and make this information publicly accessible. This isnt just about filling gapsits about ensuring Guam receives the federal support it rightfully deserves.

Cruz said specific areas where improved data collection can have significant impacts include:

 Housing: Understanding the true scope of housing needs and challenges

 Veterans: Ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits and services they have earned

 Tax evasion by military contractors: Addressing potential financial abuses that cost the territory revenue.

 Immigration: Accurately counting immigrants to tailor services and policies effectively.

 Medicaid: Determining the share of funds going to non-U.S. citizens to ensure fair and adequate funding.

Del. Moylans approach is akin to giving Guam a placeboan ineffective solution when what we need is a strong, actionable remedy, Cruz said. We cannot afford to be passive. The data we need is already within federal agencies, and its time we demanded access to it.
From left, potential 2024 delegate candidates Sen. Amanda Shelton, former Guam Del. Michael San Nicolas, Ken Leon Guerrero and Ginger Cruz are seated on stage during a congressional town hall or assembly organized by the University of Guams Public Administration Capstone class on May 1, 2024.
Mary Therese Perez Hattori, a daughter of Guam who now serves as director of the Pacific Islands Development Program of the East-West Center, delivers the University of Guam commencement address on May 19, 2024 at the Calvo Field House.
Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics.
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Posters for the CA vs Hate hotline are displayed at the California Capitol last year. California Civil Rights Department

Californias anti-hate hotline, launched in response to a rising number of hate incidents in the state, documented slightly more than 1,000 reports in its first year, officials announced this week.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms announcement of the California vs. Hate network last May noted that hate crimes in recent years had reached their highest level since 2001. Hate crimes spiked 33% in 2021 from 2020, which saw the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a historic racial justice movement and nationwide increases in hate crimes against Black and Asian Americans.

The CA vs Hate network is a non-emergency, multilingual hotline and online program that allows people to anonymously report acts of hate and be connected to free resources regardless of immigration status, including legal, financial, mental health and mediation services.

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At its launch, officials noted that the program aimed to counter factors that contribute to underreporting of hate crimes, including distrust of law enforcement, fear of retaliation and lack of culturally competent resources for victims or witnesses.

On Monday, the states Civil Rights Department released data for the programs first full year in operation. It shows that the hotline received 1,020 reports of hate across 80% of Californias counties, including all 10 of the most populous.

A staff review of 560 reports, slightly more than half, found that the most cited bias motivations were race and ethnicity (35%), gender identity (15%) and sexual orientation (11%).

Among reviewed reports related to race and ethnicity, anti-Black bias motivation was most common at 27%, followed by anti-Latino bias at 15% and anti-Asian bias at 14%, the data showed. Black people make up 5% of Californias population, Latinos 40% and Asian American or Pacific Islander 15%, according to the U.S. census.

CA vs Hate is about recognizing and protecting the incredible diversity of our state and sending a clear message that hate will never be tolerated, Newsom said in a statement.

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In total, 2,118 people contacted the hotline seeking assistance. All were directed to resources, including the roughly half whose reports were not related to a hate act, officials said. Discriminatory treatment was cited as the top reason for a report, at 18%, followed by verbal harassment and derogatory names or slurs, at 17% each, the data shows.

The most common location of reported incidents was residential homes at 30%, according to the data. Workplaces and public facilities were second and third, at 10% and 9%, respectively.

State officials on Monday also announced new initiatives meant to strengthen the program and improve access to state resources. Billboards will go up across half a dozen cities, and digital ads will be released through a partnership with the California Department of Vehicle Motors, officials said.

The department is also launching targeted digital ads, developed with Indigenous tribes and members of the AAPI community, to underserved communities and hard-to-reach populations, officials said. They also plan to work with UC Berkeleys Possibility Lab for future data collection and analysis.

When California was confronted by an alarming increase in hate, we didnt just sit back and hope it got better. We came together and launched an array of nation-leading programs to ensure all our communities feel welcome and protected, said Kevin Kish, director of the Civil Rights Department.

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He added: With CA vs Hate, were doing our part to ensure that when people report they get support.

To report an act of hate, individuals can call 833-866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Online reports can be made at any time at stophate.calcivilrights.ca.gov/s/.

Those who are in imminent danger or who want report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately should call 911.

More information is available at CAvsHate.org.
Memorial Day, held this year on Monday, May 27, honors those who lost their lives in the U.S. armed forces. For military members and veterans looking to commemorate the holiday, these New Orleans attractions and museums offer discounts year-round.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Where: 25 Camp St., New Orleans.

Hours: Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art holds the largest and most comprehensive collection from Southern artists in the United States. Military members get in for $12, a 20% discount.

New Orleans Museum of Art

Where: 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The NOMA may be closed for Memorial Day (and all Mondays), but military members can take advantage of the discount all year-round with $15 tickets. Military members who reside in Louisiana get in for $10. Purchase tickets here.

JAMNOLA

Where: 2832 Royal St., New Orleans.

Hours: Open six days a week (closed Wednesdays), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

JAMNOLA, a whimsical and experiential pop-up in the Marigny neighborhood, stands for Joy and Music New Orleans. Active duty members and veterans get in for a discounted $24. (Or, if you live here, you can wait for Locals Tuesdays and Thursdays, when tickets are $15.50.)

The National WWII Museum

Where: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans.

Hours: Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This military history museum is considered one of the most expansive in the world. Its also massive: Curators recommend allocating two to three hours to explore the building, at minimum.

In addition to daily discounted tickets for $25, the museum also offers several dates with free admission for veterans and active military members. This summer, the dates are May 22, June 15 and Aug. 5.

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience

Where: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans.

Hours: Open six days a week (closed Tuesdays), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This museum explores the journey of Jewish settlers to the American South, and how their unique religion and culture arrived in the region. Active military members get in for a discounted $13.

Vue New Orleans

Where: 2 Canal St., New Orleans.

Hours: Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vue New Orleans is the citys only 360 indoor and outdoor observation deck, located atop 34 floors along the Mississippi River. A complimentary drink and a 30-minute guided tour are included with each ticket.

In a special Memorial Day offer, the Vue is providing 30% off tickets for active duty military and veterans, including families. Military ID is required at entry. Buy tickets here.
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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump reenacted the sound the six gunshots fired at Roger Fortson, 23, a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, who died after being shot six times by a Florida sheriffs deputy just seconds after opening the front door of his off-base, Fort Walton Beach apartment.

Fortson was reportedly on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend on the afternoon of May 3 when an Okaloosa County sheriffs deputy responded to a disturbance call at his apartment complex.

This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force shows Senior Airman Roger Fortson in a Dec. 24, 2019, photo. The Air Force says the airman supporting its Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, was shot and killed May 3, 2024, during an incident involving the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. (U.S. Air Force via AP)U.S. Air Force via AP

In a news conference Thursday, May 16, surrounded by Fortsons parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, Crump, who is representing the family, shared what he believes are two important details that he said serve as the crux of the investigation into his death  the contention that police were at the wrong apartment and the allegation of excessive force.

Crump told reporters that audio of the dispatch call on the day of the incident proves police were at the wrong apartment. Recounting the call, Crump said, The dispatch officer says  dont have any further, other than a male and female, its all fourth party information from the front desk at the leasing office.

The police already know, he continued. Theyve been told where the disturbance is at, there is a male and a female  Roger was in his apartment by himself.

Crump also contends that body camera footage reveals at least two people at the scene were uncertain where the disturbance was actually taking place  and who, specifically, was involved.

When the deputy arrives at the apartment complex, video shows a man in the leasing office admit to police, hes not sure what was going on and wasnt present during any incident.

Moments later, the deputy exits the office and approaches an unidentified woman in the parking lot, asking which apartment shes referring to, to which the woman replies, Im not sure.

The woman then goes on to explain that two weeks ago she heard what sounded like yelling and fighting but said she wasnt sure where it came from.

But, Crump said, when the deputy asks for the location of the apartment a third time, she says, 1401.

Addressing the moment the deputy approaches apartment 1401, Crump notes that when the deputy knocks for the first time, he steps to the side, out of the view of the peephole.

They want them to know its police  why step to the side? Crump asked. The deputy also did not identify himself at this time.

Thirty seconds later, the deputy bangs on the door again, this time yelling out, Sheriffs Office, open the door.

According to the footage, approximately 10 seconds after that, he bangs on the door a third time, once more yelling out, Sheriffs Office. Open the door.

Within seconds of that knock, Fortson opens his door and is immediately instructed by the deputy to step back. A gun is visible at Fortsons side, but it is not raised. Then shots ring out as the deputy fires six times at Fortson.

Executes him, six shots, six times, Crump said. Only after hes shot does he give a verbal command to drop the gun.

During the news conference, Fortsons family members hugged each other onstage as Crump, referring to Fortson as an American patriot, said of his family: They know all too well in America, if they dont come up here, even while grieving, and fight for justice they wont have any chance at getting justice.  We know that from Freddie Gray, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Terence Crutcher, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor and the list goes on.

Fortson enlisted in the military after graduating from high school with honors. Reportedly, he had no criminal record. By all accounts, Crump said, he was a stellar member of the Air Force and loved by his community.

Pastor Jamal Bryant, who appeared onstage with Crump, called Fortsons death, a dark moment in history.

It is a heavy moment, not just for this family, its a heavy moment not just for the community, this is a heavy moment for the nation. It is a dark moment in our history, that one of our patriots was slain, not on foreign field, but slain right here domestically just for the crime of being Black in America.

Hes taken an oath to defend our democracy and our constitution only to come back home and see that the warfare is still real and we are not in a postracial society

He made the decision to defend our country and our Constitution, only to come back home and see the warfare is still real and we are not in a post-racial society.

On May 16, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Chairman Steven Horsford, issued a statement regarding the fatal police shooting of Fortson, that read, in part, Senior Airman Fortson was a son, brother, friend, and patriot who should still be with his family today. He was an Air Medal recipient who served our nation honorably, and we are forever grateful for his heroism and service.

The public trust has been damaged, the statement continues. And the life of a young Black man was taken unjustly. The CBC is calling for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to release the findings of their investigation and additional information to the family and community who are hurting and calling for immediate justice and accountability for those involved.

In a statement on his website, Crump responded to the Congressional Black Caucus:

On the day that they will lay their loved one to rest, it brings some measure of comfort to the family of Roger Fortson to know that the Congressional Black Caucus stands behind them in their pursuit for justice. It is particularly powerful that this group of representatives is calling on the FDLE to release their investigation findings. With so many eyes on this case and investigation, we cant  and wont  stop fighting for justice for Roger.

In a post to the Sheriffs Office website, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Alden asked the public for patience.

We humbly ask for patience as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorneys office conduct the most thorough review of the facts in this case, Alden said. We continue to pray for Senior Airman Fortson and his family.




Haiti - FLASH : The Palace of 365 doors threatened with demolition by the Gran Grif gang





Members of Savien's "Gran Grif" gang threaten to demolish the royal castle of Belle-Riviere, better known as the Palace of 365 Doors in Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite, built in 1820 by Louis Dupeyrac to serve as a residence at his Highness Henri 1st., King of Haiti.



Fearing that this fully restored historic monument will serve as a base for the troops of the International Security Support Mission to attack them, just like the police station that they have started to demolish and the Administrative Complex which houses several public institutions, including the town hall.



Bertide Horace, Spokesperson for the Commission for Dialogue, Reconciliation and Awareness to Save the Artibonite, aware of the anger weighing on the Palace of 365 Doors, began talks with various civil society organizations as well as with local authorities to find solutions and safeguard this historical heritage, a potential source of income as a tourist attraction. Bertide Horace, appealed to the bandits to reconsider this project, likely to fuel the anger of the population against them...



Find out more about the Palace of 365 Doors :

The Palace measures 68 m long by 11 m wide. Originally the project was to include 365 doors (one per day) which was not the case in the end. On its west facade is a large rotunda 12 meters in diameter. The walls of the palace are made of stone masonry and clay bricks bonded with lime mortar. The first restoration work was undertaken in 1932. Although the restoration probably did not follow the rules of the art, it slowed the deterioration of the ruins and protected them from bad weather. In 1995, declared a national heritage site, it underwent another restoration after the 2010 earthquake, the palace was completely restored. However, today, the Palace is once again deteriorating due to lack of maintenance...



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Suspension of management permits, for violence against a student





Nesmy Manigat, the resigning Minister of National Education (MENFP) intends to reaffirm his determination to fight against acts of violence inside schools, in all their forms. The ministry recalls that school is a space where students must learn to live with respect for each other and with dignity.



The Minister informs that he has decided to suspend the management license of Clement Geffrard Lanier, Administrative Director of the "Georges Sylvain Institution" in Fresino (the town of Saint-Marc), after the serious violence committed against a student of this school. The management license of Felix Estime, the director of the school, was also suspended.



As was already done in the North-East at the beginning of May https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42253-haiti-northeast-the-minister-suspends-the-management-and-teaching-permits-of-a-school-director.html Manigat took this measure after receiving the report from the Artibonite Departmental Directorate of Education which confirmed the serious act of violence against a student at the school of secondary 2, Monday May 20 of the year 2024.



The behavior of this director does not respect any principle in school matters, nor what is said about the legal provisions on the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools.







As part of the efforts to further guarantee the well-being of the school every day, the Minister is also taking other measures to give this child the psychological framework necessary to avoid any damage to his academic work and is in contact with the judicial authorities in this case for the legal consequences..



Training will also continue to be organized to help school principals better understand their responsibilities in terms of school climate and student well-being, as provided for in international conventions and the Haitian law on the protection of child rights that all school staff must respect at all times.



The Minister asks parents to remain vigilant in order to curb acts of violence inside schools. Thus, they can call the Ministry's Call Center to file their complaints and denounce any dishonest act at the telephone numbers : 31 26 75 19/47 20 43 75.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42253-haiti-northeast-the-minister-suspends-the-management-and-teaching-permits-of-a-school-director.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : MSF activities threatened by the blockade of ports and airports





Since the end of February, Port-au-Prince has been plagued by unprecedented violence. Since the beginning of March, Haiti has been isolated from the outside world due to the closure of the airport and ports. The growing insecurity is seriously disrupting the medical activities of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which has not been able to import medicines and medical equipment since mid-March. The Haitian health system is even more seriously impacted, leaving the population without access to essential care services. MSF is launching an urgent appeal to the armed groups involved in the fighting and to the authorities in charge of customs to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies to the civilian population who urgently need them.



"If we do not receive our medical supplies in the next two weeks, we will be forced to drastically reduce our operations," says Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho, Head of Mission for MSF. "With the influx of patients, but unfortunately, the enormous consumption of medications means that we are currently in short supply."



More than 30 medical centers and hospitals have closed their doors, including the largest, the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, due to acts of vandalism, looting or because they are located in unsafe areas. The closure of the airport and ports in February led to critical stock shortages for MSF medical facilities. Despite the recent reopening of Port-au-Prince airport, broader cooperation is needed to speed up customs procedures.



"In this emergency situation, customs procedures need to be more flexible, so that the medicines and other supplies can be delivered as quickly as possible," warns Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho. People suffering from chronic illnesses, such as tuberculosis and HIV, are at risk of worsening conditions due to lack of access to care and medication.



The MSF Carrefour hospital, opened in March in response to the upsurge in violence, illustrates these challenges. Initially boasting a six-month supply, the hospital's reserves quickly dwindled due to the increase in patient numbers. "In this context, everything becomes a challenge. Even buying paper for medical reports is a big problem these days, explains Jean Baptiste Goasglas, MSF project coordinator. Between March and April 2024, MSF teams provided 9,025 outpatient consultations, treated 4,966 urgent cases, including 869 gunshot wounds and 742 road accident victims, and also admitted 99 patients seriously burned at Tabarre hospital, half of whom were children.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The name of the PM known this week ?

Among some 200 letters of support or candidate proposal "only", 68 files of candidates for the Position of Transitional Prime Minister are currently being examined and will be reduced considerably. All candidates who submitted their files without the support of a sector signatory to the agreement of April 3 or a related sector, and all those who submitted their files under the banner of a sector not signatory to the agreement of April 3 will be automatically rejected. Members of the Transitional Presidential Council wish to select the Prime Minister by consensus or by vote with a majority of 5 out of 7 of the advisors before the end of this week.



100 billion to rebuild Haiti

"We welcome the 50 billion 'Louverture plan' proposed by three Democratic members of the United States Congress https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42373-haiti-flash-3-american-democratic-representatives-propose-a-50-billion-plan-to-rebuild-haiti.html However, due to the needs of Haiti, a larger investment is necessary. 100 billion dollars over 10 years is essential to rebuild Haiti," declared the Conference of Haitian Pastors (COPAH).



The PNH will have overall control of the Mission

A meeting between the Presidential Transitional Council and the High Command of the PNH took place to discuss the arrival of the multinational security force. It was agreed that the PNH will have overall control over the Mission's operations on the ground. Whether it concerns the composition, objectives, rules of engagement and health control of the troops, everything will be coordinated and supervised by the Haitian police authorities. The coordination of operations and joint commands will also be supervised by the PNH.



Pastor Wallace Turnbull dies at 99

The Conservative Baptist Mission of Haiti and the Protestant community mourn the death Monday, May 20, of Pastor Wallace Turnbull, American missionary, in his residence in Fermathe, at the age of 99, Founder of the Conservative Baptist Mission of Haiti.



The CPT ready to work with Abinader

The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) welcomed the victory of President Luis Abinader re-elected, in the first round, with 57.46% of the votes. While wishing success to the re-elected President and the Dominican people during this new mandate, the CPT says it is ready to work with him, with mutual respect, for the relaunch of cooperation between the two countries.)



Condolences of the CPT to Iran

The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) presents its sincere condolences to the Government and people of Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raissi and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdolahian following a helicopter accident in the North-West of the country on May 19, 2024. The Council sympathizes with the pain of the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and that of the families affected by this bereavement.



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Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.
Chemicals being used in a training exercise Tuesday at the San Francisco jail in San Bruno wafted over a hill and sickened 20 schoolchildren and one adult, officials said. Steven G. De Polo/Getty Images

Chemicals being used in a training exercise Tuesday afternoon at the San Francisco jail in San Bruno got out of control, wafted over a hill and sickened 20 schoolchildren and one adult who were left with irritated eyes, throats and noses, officials said.

The chemicals, which included tear gas and pepper spray, didn't send the Portola Elementary School victims to hospitals, but ambulance and San Bruno Fire Department responders dashed to the scene, said San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa.

Citing other complaints in recent years of fights at the jail, and a backfiring truck that scared residents with sounds like gunshots, Canepa said the sheriffs office needs to tighten up its procedures.

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All those other incidents, and now they have the audacity to release pepper spray and tear gas in a training and it goes uphill to Portola Elementary? Canepa said. Heres the deal  the sheriffs office needs to assure the community that theyve figured out a plan so that this never, ever, ever happens again. What if it had been worse?

There should be protocols in place. I am absolutely floored that in this day and age something like this can occur.

According to a San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management missive, at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday there was a report of an odor of smoke near Portola Elementary School.

At this time, we have information this is not related to nefarious activity and was simply a mishandling of the chemical spray, the report said.

Tara Moriarty, director of communications for the San Francisco Sheriffs Department, said the release came when a planned public safety training involving chemical agents extended beyond designated training areas and affected the San Bruno community, including a school.

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At 12:45 p.m. a routine, two-hour multi-agency tactical training class for crowd management, intervention, and control was underway inside a structure on an isolated section of our San Bruno jail property, she wrote in a statement.

The San Francisco Sheriffs Office notified the San Bruno Police Department and Fire Department prior to the training, which involves the testing of chemical agents including CS (2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) gas and OC gas (oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray). Both irritants are commonly used by law enforcement agencies as a non-lethal option for subduing combative and violent suspects.

CS (2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) is a tear gas used by police in riot, hostage and other volatile situations.

These trainings are critical to law enforcement because they allow peace officers to test the safety of equipment for potential leaks, and they provide staff with hands-on experience with chemical agents, preparing them both physically and mentally for real-life situations, Moriarty said, adding that the sheriffs office and other Bay Area law enforcement agencies have been doing training exercises at that site for more than two decades.

This is an unprecedented situation that we take very seriously, she said. We sincerely apologize to Portola Elementary School, its faculty and students, and their families for this unforeseen event which must have been especially scary for children.  In light of this incident, the department is pausing all future chemical agent training exercises while it reviews current practices to make it safer for our neighbors and minimize any impacts on the community.

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Canepa and San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine said they will press the sheriffs office for a detailed explanation of what went wrong.
A recent study from the University of Helsinki reveals how female political leaders Marine Le Pen and Riikka Purra utilize the themes of gender and perceived threats to bolster their roles within right-wing populist parties. The research indicates that framing issues like Islam and feminism as threats allows these leaders to advocate for both men's and women's rights, enhancing their appeal across a broad spectrum of supporters.

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally, and Riikka Purra, head of Finland's Finns Party, navigate their identities as women and right-wing populist leaders in three primary ways. First, they emphasize strong leadership, portraying themselves as decisive guides for both men and women. Second, they position themselves as protectors of women allegedly threatened by Islamic ideology. Third, they advocate for men's rights against what they describe as misandrist feminists.

The study analyzed their official Twitter accounts and political blogs, scrutinizing their rhetoric on womanhood, equality, and leadership. According to Associate Professor Katarina Pettersson, Le Pen and Purra differentiate themselves from traditional feminist actors by championing women's rights without opposing men or ignoring the challenges posed by Islam to women's status.

"By managing their relationship with feminism, right-wing populist female leaders can present themselves as appropriately woman-friendly while also reinforcing their roles as advocates for men's interests," Pettersson explains. This balancing act allows them to appeal to diverse supporter groups, maintaining an image of empathy towards women's issues while projecting competence and strength in political leadership.

The study found that leveraging their female identity helps these politicians appear as empathetic champions for women's rights while simultaneously upholding the image of a strong political leader. This strategic use of gender allows them to address various constituencies effectively.

While both leaders share notable similarities in their rhetoric, there are differences. Purra's discourse includes a stronger element of victimhood, particularly highlighting perceived discrimination by the media due to her political background. This rhetorical strategy has seemingly aided her rapid rise within her party, contrasting with Le Pen's more measured approach.

"Speaking out for women's rights is more central to Purra, reflecting the Finnish political discourse and national identity, which prides itself on being a leader in gender equality and women's rights," Pettersson notes. This societal norm necessitates that Purra takes a firm stance on these issues to resonate with Finnish voters.

The study provides new insights into how female leaders in right-wing populist parties navigate their identities in a traditionally male-dominated space. By examining how Le Pen and Purra handle gender and political leadership in their online communications, the research opens up new perspectives on female populism and the broader appeal of right-wing populist parties.

This research underscores the complexity of modern political leadership, where gender and perceived threats are strategically employed to craft a compelling narrative that appeals to a wide audience. As Le Pen and Purra continue to shape their political identities, their approaches offer valuable lessons in the intersection of gender, politics, and populism.

HT
The Embassy of Malaysia in Helsinki, Finland, played host to a delightful gathering on 6 May 2024, as we welcomed guests to the 'Friends of Malaysia (FoM) Art Exhibition and Luncheon'. This vibrant event, held on the Embassy's premises, aimed to foster connections among individuals who share a profound affinity with Malaysia, as well as celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and cultural exchange.

The occasion was marked by a delightful array of authentic Malaysian cuisine, meticulously prepared by the talented members of the Malaysian Women's Association (PERWAKILAN HELSINKI). From fragrant nasi lemak and sambal udang to roti jala and kari ayam, the culinary delights transported attendees on a sensory journey back to their times in Malaysia.

Central to the event was the spotlight on a Malaysian amateur artist residing in Finland, Chinda Nang, whose portfolio comprises of her memories growing up in Malaysia, an array of oil & watercolour paintings of food, flora & fauna in vibrant colours and rich cultural motifs. The artists work served as vignettes of the unique heritage that Malaysians abroad carry in their hearts and minds every day, and was a wonderful backdrop for the conversations around fond warm memories the attendees had had in Malaysia.

Moreover, the event also served as a platform to further commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and Finland; highlighting the enduring partnership and shared values between the two nations. The invitees came from a myriad of backgrounds, including representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, business people, former students and lecturers as well as foreign diplomats previously stationed in Malaysia. However, many of them are currently working in education-related fields so it was no surprise that education emerged as a focal point of discussion, underscoring the importance of academic exchange and cooperation in driving bilateral ties forward.

According to the Charge D Affaires of the Embassy of Malaysia, Mr. Mohamed Ariff bin Mohamed Ali, the 'Friends of Malaysia' event is part of Project Synergy - a collaborative initiative inspired by the Malaysian Embassy's vision to strengthen ties with the Malaysian and Malaysia-loving community in Finland. The resounding success of the gathering highlighted its significance in fostering cultural understanding and nurturing friendships across borders.

In reflecting on the event, attendees lauded the Embassy of Malaysia for its efforts in bringing together like-minded individuals and creating a platform for meaningful engagement. The positive reviews and shared experiences resonated with the sentiment of unity and goodwill that pervaded the gathering.

As the afternoon drew to a close, guests departed with hearts full of warmth, stomachs full of joy, and minds buzzing with ideas for future collaborations. The 'Friends of Malaysia' event not only celebrated togetherness but also served as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship that transcend geographical boundaries.

Friend of Malaysia Family Photo

Remarks by Mr Mohamed Ariff Mohamed Ali, Charge DAffaires of Malaysia

Artist Chinda Nang unveiling her artwork for the world to see at the FoM Event

Inviting past, present, and future officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland to join in the unravelling of the artwork in honour of 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Malaysia-Finland

HT
The comprehensive study, conducted by FCG Finnish Consulting Group and commissioned by the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT ry), provides an in-depth analysis of both direct and indirect alcohol-related deaths.

A recent report reveals a startling increase in the impact of alcohol on public health in Finland, with over 37,000 life years lost annually due to alcohol-related causes. This new finding highlights the severity of alcohol as a health risk and a leading cause of premature deaths in the country.

This marks the first time such an extensive review has been carried out, encompassing the broader impact of alcohol on life years lost.

According to Statistics Finland's Labour Force Survey, there were 17,000 fewer employed individuals in April 2024 compared to the previous year. Concurrently, the number of unemployed people increased by 41,000 year-on-year. Despite these figures, given the generally weak economic conditions, the overall situation is deemed moderate.

Henna Busk, Senior Economist at Pellervo Economic Research PTT, commented on the employment statistics, noting that the anticipated economic turnaround is not yet evident in the employment figures. "The labor market typically reacts with a delay, so any improvement in employment would be seen only some time after the start of economic growth," Busk explained.

The report also sheds light on regional disparities in life years lost due to alcohol. The most affected areas include Kymenlaakso, North Karelia, and Kainuu, where the loss is significantly higher relative to the population. Specifically, Kymenlaakso experiences 884.2 years lost per 100,000 residents, followed by North Karelia with 808.5 years, and Kainuu with 804.9 years.

The study emphasizes that the commonly cited figures for alcohol-related deaths represent only the tip of the iceberg. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified alcohol as a contributing factor to over 200 diseases and health conditions, which substantially increases the societal burden of disease and premature mortality.

Emma Kajander, Business Director and expert physician at FCG, stated, "When assessing the societal impact of alcohol, it is crucial to consider both direct and indirect alcohol-related deaths. Counting the lost life years, rather than just the number of deaths, provides a more comprehensive picture by considering the age at which the deaths occur."

The report reveals that indirect alcohol deaths contribute to the loss of over 12,500 life years annually. These include deaths from cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and suicides where alcohol was a significant contributing factor.

The loss of life years due to alcohol has profound economic and social implications. These lost years translate to significant economic losses due to reduced workforce participation and productivity, alongside increased healthcare costs.

Juha Mikkonen, Executive Director of EHYT ry, highlighted the necessity of robust alcohol policies to mitigate these losses. "It is essential to consider how premature alcohol-related deaths can be prevented. Effective measures include restricting alcohol availability, adjusting pricing and taxation policies, and limiting marketing. The government should avoid policies that increase the economic and health costs associated with alcohol," Mikkonen urged.

Mikkonen also called for a realistic assessment of the costs of alcohol to society and recommended allocating sufficient resources to create a comprehensive cost analysis.

The findings of this report underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and comprehensive policy measures to address the significant health and economic burden posed by alcohol in Finland. By implementing effective strategies and fostering greater public awareness, it is possible to reduce the devastating impact of alcohol on individuals and society as a whole.

HT
With the geopolitical landscape shifting due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the topic of European Union expansion has reemerged as a pressing issue. The possibility of integrating up to nine new member countries into the EU during the next parliamentary term is on the table. According to a new report from the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, such expansion could cost Finland up to hundreds of millions of euros annually.

The report, which explores the future of the EU through four scenarios, emphasizes the significant financial and strategic implications of expanding the union. Despite the costs, the report suggests that the benefits for Finland and Europe outweigh the expenses.

"Finland must prepare for the real possibility of EU expansion not just in Ukraine, but also in the Western Balkans, Moldova, and possibly Georgia," said Matti Niemi, co-author of the report and an expert on EU policy. "At its core, this is about the security of Finland and Europe. Promoting enlargement is essential, as closing the door to EU membership would drive applicant countries toward Russian influence."

Niemi argues that successful enlargement requires significant reform within the EU. This would include adjustments in decision-making processes, particularly increasing the use of qualified majority voting to prevent individual countries from blocking crucial decisions, as Hungary has done with support for Ukraine.

The expansion would have notable economic effects, particularly on the EU budget and the financial contributions of existing member states. The report estimates that full membership for all nine candidate countries could result in approximately 25 billion euros in net subsidies from the EU. For Finland, this could translate to an additional cost of around 420 million euros annually, or about 76 euros per capita.

Niemi stresses that the costs should not be viewed solely in monetary terms. "Achieving stability is not free, but past enlargements have shown that the price is worth paying. Finland and the entire EU would benefit economically from larger internal markets, and the value of increased security cannot be measured in money alone."

The report also discusses the potential for a phased membership model to ease the financial and administrative burdens of enlargement. This model would allow benefits and obligations to be implemented gradually, providing incentives for applicant countries to continue their reforms while easing the transition for current member states.

"Implementing enlargement in stages ensures that internal political reforms in new member states take root and motivates them to continue progressing. It could also mitigate the economic impact on current members and allow the EU to better prepare for new members," said Jelena Simic, co-author of the report and project manager at the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation.

The report highlights that the most positive developments in candidate countries typically occur during membership negotiations. However, inconsistent EU policies have sometimes stalled progress, diminishing support for EU membership in regions like the Western Balkans.

"For candidate countries, it's crucial that the required reforms lead to progress in membership negotiations. The EU has not always been consistent in this regard, which can halt positive developments in democracy and the rule of law. For instance, support for EU membership has significantly declined in Western Balkan countries where negotiations have been stagnant for years," Simic explained.

The full report, "Table for Nine: Four Scenarios for EU Enlargement and Reform," is part of the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation's research project on just ecological transition, funded by the Wage Earner's Foundation and the Consumer Cooperative Foundation.

Matti Niemi serves as the Director of Relations for the City of Turku and has previously worked as an advisor to Prime Minister Sanna Marin on EU affairs and as a political advisor in the European Parliament. Jelena Simic is responsible for the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation's democracy project in the Western Balkans.

HT
The newspaper wrote that a parliamentary task force has found an agreement on the first phase of the reform: combining the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy into a universal benefit.

MEMBERS of Finnish opposition parties are supportive, with some reservations, of the goals of the social security reform outlined to Helsingin Sanomat last Wednesday by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (NCP).

The cross-parliamentary consensus ends there, though.

Grahn-Laasonen on Wednesday stated that in subsequent phases of the reform process also other basic benefits, along with the housing allowance and income assistance, should be incorporated into the universal benefit.

Matias Makynen, a deputy chairperson of the Social Democrats, stated to Helsingin Sanomat that incorporating the housing allowance and income assistance into the universal benefit would be such a major change that the government should adopt a more patient approach to the reform.

Rushing it comes with big risks, he said.

He estimated that it would be difficult to incorporate such a high number of benefits into a single benefit without either undermining the livelihood of social security recipients or increasing social security expenditure.

Both the National Coalition and Christian Democratic Party have adopted the long-term goal of creating a universal benefit in the vein of Universal Credit, the combination of six social security benefits in the UK. Its introduction, though, has resulted in a drop in benefits for people in the most vulnerable position, contributing to child poverty and homelessness, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

The outcome could be the same in Finland, warned Li Andersson, the chairperson of the Left Alliance.

Avoiding an outcome like that sounds very difficult especially when you account for the fact that this government has shown no willingness whatsoever to increase resources in the social security system, quite the opposite, she said to Helsingin Sanomat.

I have zero per cent of trust in the current government as the one carrying out this reform.

The ruling parties are also mulling over setting a maximum eligibility period for the universal benefit, a possibility that would distinguish it from the unlimited labour market subsidy. People who exhaust the benefit would have to rely on income assistance, a possibility that drew criticism from the Greens, Left Alliance and Social Democrats.

Income assistance is the most passivating form of support. We should do whatever we can to make sure people dont end up there, stressed Sofia Virta, the chairperson of the Green League.

Makynen, in turn, argued that people who end up living on income assistance due to prolonged unemployment rarely do so because working is not financially advantageous but because they have significant challenges finding employment. People dont end up there because theyre lazy or averse to working, but the reasons are much more complicated than what you can tackle with income assistance.

Also Annika Saarikko, the chairperson of the Centre, identified the eligibility period as a central open question.

That the government has yet to specify whether the benefit will be permanent or temporary isnt a minor detail. A large group of people receive the labour market subsidy, she commented to Helsingin Sanomat.

Saarikko added that although the labour market subsidy was not designed as a permanent source of income, the solution is not to make the universal temporary and turn income assistance into a permanent source of income.

The approach also cant be that you simply cant dump people into poverty, she remarked.

The objective of creating better incentives for work drew support from Saarikko, Virta and Harry Harkimo, the chairperson of Movement Now. Virta told Helsingin Sanomat that it would be great if a single application could provide people with all the security they need in their life.

The model that you create cant be one that increases poverty, though, she said. It should be created very craftily so that the incentives in the system genuinely improve and steer the system in a direction where people in all circumstances have an incentive to work. Thats the only way to reduce costs without increasing poverty.

Harkimo pointed out that the government has simultaneously take action to ensure jobs are available. You cant force people to work if there are no jobs, he summed up.

Andersson also questioned whether the government is genuinely interested in increasing work incentives, pointing to a track record of decisions that so far have increased bureaucracy and incentive traps.

The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) has estimated that the government decision to remove the exemption that has allowed unemployment benefit recipients to earn 300 euros a month without affecting their benefits has reduced the incentive to accept low-paid, short-term job offers.

It is important that all parliamentary parties are part of the reform process also going forward, underscored Makynen. Otherwise theres a risk that you do away with some benefits and the next government will reinstitute them. In terms of social security issues, its important to make sure the direction is the same across electoral terms.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The heavily criticised bill  dubbed as a refoulement act by critics  would enable the government, in co-operation with the president, to temporarily suspend the reception of applications for international protection at or in the immediate vicinity of Finnish borders.

THE GOVERNMENT of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Tuesday presented its bill to counter instrumentalised immigration to the Finnish Parliament.

Its purpose is to discourage foreign states from leveraging migrants to cause unrest in and exert pressure on Finland, specifically by directing large numbers of migrants to the border in a bid to overwhelm the asylum and border control systems.

This is to be achieved primarily by preventing migrants from entering the country in the first place with physical obstacles such as fences, signs and verbal orders. Migrants who manage to enter the country, though, could also be removed if they are deemed to not need international protection by an individual border guard.

An application for international protection can be received also if factors have emerged or been presented by [the applicant] that make it obvious, in the assessment of a border guard, that the person would be under a genuine threat of the death penalty, torture or other treatment violating human dignity in the country from which they entered Finland, the bill reads.

The assessment would be made based on documents presented by the applicant, discernible external factors and up-to-date information from various sources on the safety of the country in question.

Officials at the Finnish Border Guard levelled exceptional criticism at the first draft of the bill, viewing that it could force border guards to violate their official duty and thus expose themselves to criminal charges given the conflict between it and the foundations of the forms of state, constitutional order and rule-of-law principles.

In an apparent response to the criticism, the government assured that border guards would receive training and instructions that enable them to identify genuinely vulnerable people.

The assessment would in practice be carried out by a border guard who has received sufficient training and instructions on the matter. The summary assessment would be based on sufficient interaction that provides the person seeking entry with a genuine opportunity to raise issues that are relevant to the assessment. The case-by-case assessments would invariably be made without delay, the revised bill states.

Interaction between the applicant and border guard would be facilitated by means of phone interpretation, for example.

Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Poysti on Tuesday stated that although the basic provisions of the bill continue to pose a risk of violations of rights and international human rights treaties, he did not detect any legal obstacles for presenting it to parliament. The government, he added, has partly taken into account the observations he made in his provisional review as it continued to draft the provisions and justifications.

Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday wrote that the key legal issue in the amended bill remains the lack of a legal protection mechanism, namely the fact that migrants removed from the country would have no right to appeal the removal to a court because the removal is not considered an administrative decision.

Poysti in his provisional review demanded that the government either consider instituting a separate appeal or rectification procedure, or provide justification for the lack of such a procedure.

The government adopted the latter approach, stating in the revised bill that migrants cannot seek to overturn a removal decision by means of appeal.

The bill also states that migrants who are removed from the country must be notified of the grounds of the decision in written form and provided information on where they can submit an application for international protection.

YLE on Tuesday reported that legal experts remain concerned about the bill.

Im surprised that the bill will be presented to parliament in its current form, Martti Koskenniemi, a professor emeritus of international law at the University of Turku, stated to the public broadcasting company.

While the government has acknowledged that the bill is in tension with human rights, Koskenniemi rejected the characterisation, arguing that the bill is not in tension with but unequivocally violates international human rights.

He also viewed that the delegation of decision-making powers to individual border guards is a central practical issue with the bill. If I was a border officer, theres no way Id agree to make such an assessment.

The bill has divided opinion also within both the ruling and opposition parties.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
A BLUE plaque has been unveiled in Benson to commemorate the life of one of the Spitfire Girls of the Second World War.

Freydis Sharland was a pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary and flew planes between factories and airfields as part of the war effort.

She was one of about 160 women working for the ATA and after the war earned her RAF pilots wings.

The plaque was unveiled at her former home, Chalkstone Cottage in Brook Street, where she lived for 33 years.

The ATA was created at the start of the war to ferry new, damaged and repaired aircraft without radios or instrument flying equipment.

Between 1943 and 1945, Mrs Sharland flew 38 different types of aircraft, including Wellington bombers, Vickers, De Havilland Mosquito combat aircraft and Supermarine Spitfires.

On one mission she flew 4,000 miles to deliver a Hawker Tempest V to Karachi in Pakistan but on arrival was denied access to the officers mess because she was a woman.

After the war, Mrs Sharland became a commercial pilot.

In 1954 she became British Air Racing Champion, competing against 16 men. The following year she became the founding chairwoman of the British Women Pilots Association. Mrs Sharland gave up flying to bring up her children but later returned to it and flew microlights well into her old age.

She lived in Benson from 1981 until her death on May 24, 2014, aged 93.

The plaque was unveiled by her son Charlie and daughter Angie Stanbury and Bev Reardon, of the British Women Pilots Association.

Mrs Reardon said: Legendary names such as Freydis Sharland, Mary Ellis, Lettice Curtiss, Eleanor Wadsworth and Joy Lofthouse were all former ATA pilots and BWPA founder members.

They were also visionaries who, in thought and deed, were way ahead of their time.

In honouring Freydis Sharland we pay tribute to a true aviation pioneer, a trailblazer and role model for women in flight. May her legacy inspire us to dream big, fly high and never lose sight of the limitless horizons that await us.

Her courage, resilience, flying skills in the face of adversity earned Freydis the respect and admiration of all who served alongside her, regardless of gender or value.

When the war came to an end in 1949, Freydis had accumulated 607 hours, 25 minutes ride time, and became a freelance commercial pilot, gaining her licence and RAF wings badge qualification.

Freydis spent most of her life encouraging people to fly. Her warm kindness and unwavering dedication to her craft endeared her to all who had the privilege of knowing her, leaving an enduring legacy of friendship and camaraderie that transcends borders and generations.

George Verdon, a friend of Mrs Sharland, said: We became very good friends. I found her a warm-hearted, kind person with a mischievous sense of humour.

Nevertheless, behind her charm was an indomitable spirit. She was a very determined lady.

Mrs Sharlands son, Charlie, said: As a child, I grew up with a good woman, a strong woman, as a mother.

A loving mother, a mother who did really expect you to be good at what you do and to complete what you do.

As I tell my son Josh, when I talk about the things that mum said, you have got to take responsibility. Youve got to contribute to the world and you should care for people.

One time on a drive to Skiathos we were parked in a service station in Yugoslavia and opposite was a VW Beetle full of a family of probably six.

Mum was the one that wanted to invite some of the children to sleep in our car that night.

Dad was more practical, so it didnt happen, not by a long way, but we lived in a house where things were expected to happen.

Sadly, as children, you were never allowed to get away with things. We didnt have a trendy mum that would lie for you, which meant you had to go to school every single day.

Its wonderful to see that she is remembered because if there are younger people here I would say, Listen to what your mum and dad say because when theyre gone, its all gone.
A San Francisco man was convicted of a fatal shooting in front of Fishtail Market on the 300 block of Turk Street in the Tenderloin. Google Street View

A San Francisco jury on Tuesday convicted a man of manslaughter and assault with a semiautomatic firearm in a fatal 2021 Tenderloin shooting that killed one man and wounded another, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Jhacorey Wyatt, 28, could face decades in prison after a jury convicted him for what District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on Wednesday called extremely dangerous and reckless behavior. Police arrested Wyatt in August 2021 in connection with the late-night shooting that wounded a 23-year-old man and killed a 51-year-old man. He was scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 27.

Jenkins praised the conviction and said her office will continue to do everything we can to reduce gun violence in our city.

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Wyatt was acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges and convicted of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, apparently indicating the jury believed the killing was not planned. His defense attorneys intend to file a motion requesting a new trial, said Valerie Ibarra, a spokesperson for the public defenders office.

According to his attorneys, Wyatt acted in self-defense when he felt his life was threatened. Deputy Public Defender Bao Doan, an attorney who defended him in court, called Wyatt cherished member of his community.

Wyatt, who was legally barred from owning a firearm due to his status as a felon, struck the two men in front of Fishtail Market on the 300 block of Turk Street, the District Attorneys Office said in a statement, citing testimony presented at trial.

The intended target survived but suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and chest, prosecutors said. A bullet struck and killed a bystander who officials said was seated in a wheelchair nearby.

Investigators later recovered surveillance video footage showing Wyatt entering a dark SUV that was seen leaving the scene of the crime, police said at the time of his arrest. Officers detained him in the same vehicle three days after the shooting.

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Victim advocates worked closely with the surviving victim throughout the prosecution, officials said.
THIS is the seventh year of the Chiltern Arts Festival and there is no shortage of innovative ideas.

For this, the second event, saxophonist Huw Wiggin, pianist Noriko Ogawa and harpist Oliver Wass were joined by festival founder and creative director, Naomi Taylor, reading wonderful poems interspersed with the music.

The first half was full of cities night shadows, opening with Debussys glorious Rhapsodie for saxophone and piano, performed with attack and energy.

Naomi sustained the mood with Rhapsody on a Windy Night, T S Eliots unsettling commentary on night hours.

Night Paths by Joseph Phibbs followed: music that moved from darkness to upbeat jazz, then descended back into the dark. At one point, Huw turned round from the Jesus Chapel venue to play into the full church, the sinuous melody filling the space.

City of Poetry by Maria Luisa A Carino was Naomis next eloquently read poem about writing a city.

Liszts Hungarian Rhapsody was the plaintive and insistent close to the first half, with its many rapid saxophone trills and dancing rhythm.

Piano and sax were perfectly balanced in this series of highly demanding pieces, played with immense passion. We returned after the break to a lighter tone set by the rapturous poem Paris in Spring by Sara Teasdale and a pithy reflection on love, Liquorice, Mint and Seasalt by Padraig O Tuama.

Harpist Oliver joined the performers to play the gorgeous Someone to Watch Over Me and Summertime, composed by George Gershwin but arranged by Huw and Oliver.

The poem Tower by Vanessa Lampert ends with the line and grief would never dare to touch my life.

Bachs Largo from the Concerto in G Minor reinforced this feeling.

However, Simon Armitages A Vision overturned the mood, his closing commentary on city plans that come to nothing: All unlived in and now fully extinct. Astor Piazzollas Oblivion seemed to emphasise this but the excitement and possibilities presented by cities was encapsulated by Talking to the Sun in Washington Square by Nick Laird, then Rhapsody in Blue in which Huw played solo sax for the lyrical passages, switching to tenor for the overtly jazzy.

He seemed to embody Rhapsodys flamboyant spirit, leaping in his energy, and embellishing this piece for the sheer fun of it, with Norikos virtuosity the perfect foil.

The audience erupted at the end. We had been in the presence of greatness, performers and composers alike.

Jane Redley
Walmart is planning significant cuts at two of its Bay Area offices, resulting in more than 560 job losses. Photo provided/Matt Rourke / AP

Walmart is planning a significant reorganization at two Bay Area offices, impacting over 560 jobs.

According to regulatory filings, the retail giant plans to permanently lay off 388 employees at its San Bruno e-commerce center and an additional 180 at its Sunnyvale location, beginning Aug. 9. However, many of those employees will be able to reapply for new positions within the company.

Last week, Walmart announced the anticipated cuts in a memo to employees, stating that hundreds of corporate workers nationwide would be laid off. Others would be asked to relocate to the companys primary offices in Arkansas, New Jersey and California.

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While the overall numbers are small in percentage, we are focused on supporting each of our associates affected by these changes, Donna Morris, the companys chief people officer, wrote in the memo provided to media outlets.

The memo did not specify a reason for the layoffs but mentioned that some parts of our business have made changes, necessitating the cuts.

Walmart is constructing a 350-acre facility in Bentonville, Ark., hoping to bring more employees back into its offices following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company confirmed in its filings that many people included in the notices are associates who work remotely from their homes but are assigned to the San Bruno location.

It added that Walmart anticipates most employees will relocate or apply for a new position within the company.

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We believe that being together, in person, makes us better and helps us to collaborate, innovate and move even faster, Morris said. We also believe it helps strengthen our culture as well as grow and develop our associates.
India grapples with a severe water crisis characterized by a complex interplay of factors. Rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion strain water resources, while climate change exacerbates the situation with unpredictable rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. Urban areas face mounting pressure on water supply and sanitation infrastructure, leading to scarcity and contamination issues. Moreover, unequal distribution of water resources deepens socio-economic disparities, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of inadequate access to clean water. The water crisis in Bengaluru has escalated due to a combination of rapid urbanization, dwindling water resources, and inefficient management. With the city's population burgeoning and industrial demands increasing, the strain on water bodies like the Cauvery River and groundwater reservoirs has become untenable. Erratic rainfall patterns exacerbated by climate change further aggravate the situation. Consequently, residents face severe shortages, particularly during the dry season, leading to rationing and reliance on expensive water tankers. Urgent measures are imperative, ranging from improved infrastructure for rainwater harvesting to stringent conservation policies, to alleviate the escalating crisis and ensure sustainable water management for Bengaluru's burgeoning populace.

SayTrees : Vision of the Future

SayTrees has two factions in its working, the first one being the obvious Planting trees and second reviving water bodies. They aren't your average bunch of tree huggers (though they definitely appreciate a good, huggable tree!). They are a passionate community of climate change combatants, fostering local solutions and remarkable support systems. They partner with eco-warriors, businesses, and anyone who wants to make a difference. Together, they plant trees, revive water bodies, manage waste, and create a greener future for all. With 100+ Green Zones, they've sprouted over 7 lakh trees in urban areas and a whopping 22 lakh+ through agroforestry. Their dauntless ambitions extend to their blue zones; starting their groundwater and surface water rejuvenation journey in 2018, their goal is to increase 100 billion liters of water-holding capacity by 2035.

SayTrees is operational in 13 states and 03 union territories across India, with intensive work in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. Other states include Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Union territories include Delhi, Goa, and Ladakh.

While talking to The Logical Indian, Kapil Sharma (The Founder) said,Some might say environmental action requires sacrificing everything. But here at SayTrees, we prove that's not true. I have my career, and that allows me to contribute to a cause bigger than myself. Because let's face it, saving our planet isn't a solo act. It's about joining forces, building a community, and fostering camaraderie. Together, that's where real change happens.

Say Trees' Lake Revival Efforts Summary in Bangalore

They've achieved a remarkable feat in Bangalore by rejuvenating 8 lakes, effectively restoring approximately 22 crore liters of water-holding capacity. This journey, while immensely fulfilling, has been fraught with challenges over the past 7 years. From mastering the science behind lake restoration to ensuring community involvement and navigating through real-time crises such as unpredictable weather patterns, they've encountered and conquered numerous hurdles. Their commitment to the safe and sustainable rehabilitation of local flora and fauna has been unwavering.

Their latest endeavor at Choodasandra lake embodies a model lake plan co-designed with the community to ensure long-term sustainability. They recognize that they're not solitary agents of change; rather, their achievements are fueled by the support of citizens and the CSR community. As Bangalore grapples with an unprecedented crisis, their ambition to restore 100 billion liters of water-holding capacity now seems like an urgent goal. In the face of a city teetering on the edge of economic development at the expense of environmental degradation, they've made a resolute choice. They understand that without the capacity to cherish, respect, and coexist harmoniously with the life-giving elixir - water, there can be no thriving home for us all.

The latest endeavor at Choodasandra lake embodies a model lake plan co-designed with the community to ensure long-term sustainability.

Road Map and Pipeline (Funds soft commitment or secured, number of lakes to be revived in Bangalore)

They're embarking on a mission to rejuvenate their lakes, aiming to restore 100 BILLION LITERS of water storage capacity by 2030. This ambitious goal will have a ripple effect, revitalizing crucial habitats for countless fauna reliant on healthy lake ecosystems. With a plan to tackle 2-3 lakes annually, they're diving headfirst into this monumental task. However, it necessitates substantial funding (~150-200 crores), prompting them to appeal to the CSR fraternity for collaboration. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, they emphasize that water conservation is paramount, and together, they can make a significant difference.

Kapil Sharma, Founder & Director, SayTrees

Kapil Sharma: Leading Corporate Vice President and Environmental Visionary

Kapil Sharma, a Corporate Vice President and Environmental Visionary, embodies the harmonious blend of corporate acumen and environmental advocacy. Since assuming his role at Goldman Sachs in 2019, Kapil has demonstrated unwavering commitment, efficiently managing his responsibilities across different time zones from his base in Dallas, USA. Meanwhile, over the past 14 years, Kapil has passionately led SayTrees, a personal initiative dedicated to fostering a greener India. His journey began in 2001 when he fell in love with the city, sparking a deep-rooted desire to protect its essence. This sentiment propelled him to initiate tree planting initiatives and spearhead lake rejuvenation projects, driven by a heartfelt connection to his surroundings. Despite physical distance, Kapil's dedication to his hometown remains unwavering, as he tirelessly works to secure funding from the USA to support ongoing conservation efforts. Kapil recognizes the power of individual narratives in galvanizing support, leveraging personal stories to expand their network and amplify their impact in the pursuit of tree planting and lake rejuvenation initiatives.

Kapil's impactful work extends to rejuvenating lakes and fostering community engagement, earning SayTrees recognition as a top innovator at the Uplink Forum (World Economic Forum) by the World Economic Forum. His advocacy for sustainable practices and afforestation has resonated globally, showcased through his TED Talk and interviews with Radio One International and Change Started. Kapil's leadership has inspired individuals and earned him prestigious awards such as the Indian Achievers Award in 2022, recognizing his significant contributions to environmental conservation and community empowerment.

To sum up, Kapil Sharma's relentless dedication to environmental conservation through SayTrees exemplifies the transformative impact of grassroots initiatives. From restoring water bodies to advocating for sustainable forestry practices, his visionary leadership has catalyzed positive change in communities nationwide. As they forge ahead, Kapil's visionary spirit continues to inspire us to embrace our collective responsibility in safeguarding our planet's precious resources and fostering a harmonious relationship with nature.

We at The Logical Indian applaud the efforts and hard work Kapil Sharma has put into bringing a positive change in the future of India and its ecosystem. If you wish to be part of this journey Kapil Sharma has taken up please visit Saytrees.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
New Delhi, Less than two weeks after the airline's cabin crew called off their strike, a union of the Air India Express has flagged concerns about flight delays and cancellations, saying that the reduced number of departures is adversely impacting the salaries of the cabin crew. AI Express union says reduced flights impacting cabin crew salaries

The Air India Express Employees Union also claimed that more than 100 cabin crew are sitting idle without flying duties for the last two months due to the non-availability of airport entry passes.

The union represents a section of the airline's cabin crew.

On May 9, the cabin crew strike was called off after a meeting of the representatives of the union and the airline that was convened by the Chief Labour Commissioner in the national capital.

The strike, to protest against alleged mismanagement at the airline, had resulted in significant flight disruptions.

In a letter to the commissioner on Tuesday, the union claimed that cabin crew data was lost during the transition to a new software managed by the scheduling department.

According to the union, the cabin crew are manually assisting the scheduling department base-wise to cover flight cancellations and delays.

Seeking urgent intervention of the commissioner, the union said the reduced number of departures is adversely affecting the cabin crew's salaries.

The salaries are also linked to the flying hours of the cabin crew. There was no comment from the official spokesperson of Air India Express. An airline official in the know said the transition to a new crew scheduling system coincided with a section of cabin crew reporting sick, referring to the strike earlier this month.

The situation has resulted in a longer stabilisation period and issues have been largely mitigated, the official added. The next round of the conciliation meeting is scheduled for May 28.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Awfis Space Solutions IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of Awfis Space Solutions opens for subscription today (May 22). The issue will close on May 27 and its price band is set at 364 to 383 per share. Those who are investing for the IPO of the workspace solutions provider can apply in lot size of 39 shares while the minimum investment amount required by retail investors is 14,937. Ahead of the IPO, the company raised 268.62 crore from anchor investors on May 21. Awfis Space Solutions IPO: The allotment of Awfis Space IPO is expected to be finalized on May 28.

Awfis Space IPO details

The IPO- worth 598.93 crore at the upper end- comprises a combination of fresh issue of 33 lakh equity shares aggregating to 128 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) component of 1.23 crore shares which totals to 470.93 crore.

Awfis Space IPO key dates

The allotment of Awfis Space IPO is expected to be finalized on May 28 while the listing date is May 30. The shares of Awfis Space Solutions will be listed on both the stock exchanges BSE and NSE.

Awfis Space IPO objectives

Net proceeds from the IPO will be used by the company to fund capital expenditure towards the establishment of new centres and working capital requirements, it said.

Awfis Space IPO registrar

ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, IIFL Securities and Emkay Global Financial Services are the book running lead managers of the Awfis Space Solutions IPO. Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd is the registrar of the issue.

Awfis Space Solutions IPO GMP

The grey market premium of Awfis Space IPO today is 165 per share which implies that equity shares of the company are trading at 548 apiece in the grey market. This is a premium of 43% to the issue price of 383 per share.
French luxury group LVMH will deepen its partnership with Alibaba to leverage the firm's cloud and artificial intelligence capacities and boost its presence in China, the companies said on Wednesday. LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault arrives to attend an official state dinner as part of the Chinese president's two-day state visit to France, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.(AFP)

The world's biggest luxury group, and the Chinese e-commerce giant first forged a partnership in 2019. The reinforced ties come as luxury companies redouble efforts to cater to shoppers in China, where demand has been dampened by a property crisis and high youth unemployment.

The partnership also illustrates the growing focus of the high end luxury brands on improving online shopping, even as they invest in ever-more sophisticated physical retail stores.

It comes as the Chinese tech company -- the country's largest by market share -- seeks to focus on its core businesses including ecommerce in its domestic market.

Along with rival JD.com, Alibaba is facing competition from low-price and discount-focused platforms such as PDD Holdings' Pinduoduo and ByteDance-owned Douyin.

"The reinforcement of our partnership will help us to further accelerate our omni-channel business growth," said Stephane Bianchi, group managing director of LVMH, referring to various shopping avenues both in-store and online. LVMH has around 30 brands on Luxury Pavilion, the high end site on Alibaba's Tmall shopping platform, including jewellery houses Chaumet and Tiffany, which recently joined the platform, highlighting the embrace of digital channels by even the most traditional of luxury businesses. Although high end labels were traditionally reticent about entering the realm of digital shopping, the COVID crisis and increasing influence of social networks have accelerated the global industry's push to meet shoppers online.

Digital services on Tmall's Luxury Pavilion include 3D product displays, virtual try-ons, and live streaming.

As part of the agreement announced on Wednesday, LVMH will also gain access to technology from Alibaba Cloud, to help improve supply chain processes and customer insights, both companies said.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman defended his company saying that AI technology is safe for widespread use amid concerns over risks and lack of proper safeguards. His remarks came at a Microsoft event in Seattle after a controversy erupted over an OpenAI AI voice which closely resembled actress Scarlett Johansson. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the Microsoft Build conference at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building in Seattle, Washington.(AFP)

Scarlett Johansson issued a statement saying that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had approached her in September asking her if she would lend her voice but she declined the offer.

When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference, she said in a statement.

Sam Altman said, My biggest piece of advice is this is a special time and take advantage of it. This is not the time to delay what you're planning to do or wait for the next thing.

He added, We kind of take for granted that GPT-4, while far from perfect...is generally considered robust enough and safe enough for a wide variety of uses.

Sam Altman insisted that OpenAI had put in "a huge amount of work" to ensure the safety of its models.

"When you take a medicine, you want to know what's going to be safe, and with our model, you want to know it's going to be robust to behave the way you want it to," he said.

Questions about OpenAI's commitment to safety resurfaced last week when the company dissolved its "superalignment" group which was dedicated to understanding and reducing long-term dangers of AI.

Team co-leader Jan Leike announced his departure from OpenAI and slammed the company for prioritizing "shiny new products" over safety in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Over the past few months, my team has been sailing against the wind. These problems are quite hard to get right, and I am concerned we aren't on a trajectory to get there, he said.
Fintech firm One97 Communications, which owns the Paytm brand, reported a widened loss of 550 crore, according to the company's regulatory filing. The company had posted a loss of 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago. Paytm Q4 results: The annual revenue of Paytm increased by about 25 per cent to  9,978 crore for FY24.(Bloomberg)

The revenue from operations of Paytm declined 2.8 per cent to 2,267.1 during the reported quarter from 2,464.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the financial year 2023.

For the year ended March 31, 2024, the company's loss narrowed to 1,422.4 crore. Paytm had recorded a loss of 1,776.5 crore in FY23.

The annual revenue of Paytm increased by about 25 per cent to 9,978 crore for FY24 from 7,990.3 crore in FY23.

The Reserve Bank of India barred Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) from accepting deposits, credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, and FASTags, keeping in view the interest of customers, including merchants from March 15 onwards.

Paytm had estimated a 300-500 crore loss due to the RBI's restriction on PPBL.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's speech in which the latter opened up about what his father said when he first came up with the idea to launch his startup almost twenty years ago. Sharing the memory at Vishesh Sampark- an event hosted by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology- Deepinder Goyal talked about the startup landscape in India as well. Deepinder Goyal spoke at Vishesh Sampark- an event hosted by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.

He said, When I started Zomato in 2008, my father used to say tu janta hai tera baap kaun hai as my dad thought I could never do a start up given our humble background.

Praising the PM Modi-led BJP government, he said, This government and their initiatives enabled a small town boy like me to build something like Zomato, which employs lakhs of people today!

PM Modi shared a video of Deepinder Goyal's speech with a post saying, In todays India, ones surname doesnt matter. What matters is hardwork. Your journey is truly inspiring, @deepigoyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish.

Earlier, addressing a rally in Bihar's Motihari, the prime minister said, "Had it not been for Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Nehru would have never agreed to quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs. Nehru had made his views clear on the issue in letters he wrote to the then chief ministers in the country."

He continued, This has been the Congress' trait under successive prime ministers. Be it, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, they all opposed reservations. SCs, STs and OBCs have never got respect from the Congress.
Unidentified burglars allegedly targeted a locked house in Gurdev Nagar and decamped with cash, gold and diamond jewellery. The Division Number 5 police lodged a first information report (FIR) against unidentified accused after a complaint by Munish Kumar Sunda of Gurdev Nagar. (HT File)

The Division Number 5 police lodged a first information report (FIR) against unidentified accused after a complaint by Munish Kumar Sunda of Gurdev Nagar.

The victim said that he and his family had gone to Panchkula after locking the house and when they returned, they found the locks broken and the house ransacked.

Munish Kumar said that the burglars stole 2.40 Lakh in cash, two gold pendants, one diamond pendant, four pairs of gold earrings, a gold kara and a gold ring.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Harbhajan Singh said that police have registered a case under sections 454 (lurking house trespass) and 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the unidentified accused. They are scanning the footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed near the spot to trace the accused.
Actor-turned-politician Preeti Sapru on Wednesday sought Ayushman cards for veteran actors who are struggling to meet the expenses of treatment. Citing the example of veteran actor Satish Kaul, Sapru said that even the actor who was known as Amitabh Bachchan of Punjabi cinema was struggling in his last says. Actor-turned-politician Preeti Sapru addressing a press conference in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Manish/HT)

Sapru, who is the chairperson of Cine Artist Welfare Trust, said that some of the artists, who are out of a job due to age, health or other issues, are struggling for treatment. Such artists, who were loved by millions, die poor, she said and added that Ayushman cards would help them in getting treatment.

Sapru was in Ludhiana seeking votes for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu.

Sapru said she would appear on the Silver Screen soon. She recently made a comeback after 17 years.

Sapru, who belongs to Kashmir, said that her life goal is to construct a gurdwara remembering the ninth Sikh guru Teg Bahadur in Kashmir as he had sacrificed his life for the Kashmiri people. She claimed that she got Prime Minister Narendra Modis nod for it.

Targeting INDIA bloc, Sapru said that all parties who used to blame each other for corruption had formed a group to defeat Narendra Modi.
We Are China

Singapore sends investigators for turbulence-hit flight

Xinhua) 14:55, May 22, 2024

SINGAPORE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau have arrived in Bangkok for the case of turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said Wednesday.

United States' National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to support the investigation as a Boeing 777-300ER jet is involved in the accident, Chee noted.

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew earlier onboard flight SQ321 arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport this morning.

The accident left one dead. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey introduced a charter amendment to increase the number of officers on the citys police force. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey on Tuesday proposed a Charter amendment aimed at retaining staff and expediting hiring for the citys police force, his second attempt to fill vacancies in a department that some argue is short by more than 500 officers.

The proposal, co-authored by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin and Supervisor Catherine Stefani, would establish a new minimum staffing level for the police force and create incentives for officers to delay retirement. The voluntary deferred retirement option program, or DROP, would stave off the loss of retirement-age officers while luring officers from other departments.

Because laterally hired officers typically require significantly less academy time for full-duty police deployments, this plan will accelerate public safety improvements citywide, Dorsey said at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Dorsey is a former spokesperson for the Police Department.

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Dorseys proposal comes on the heels of another police staffing measure, Prop. B, which was roundly rejected by San Francisco voters in March. That initiative, which would have carved out $30 million a year to recruit new officers, was also introduced by Dorsey, but then rejected by its own author after an amendment by Supervisor Asha Safai.

That change, which Dorsey deemed a poison pill, would have made the funding reliant on new or modified taxes. It was slammed by its opponents as a cop tax, and failed to pass with 72% of voters against the measure.

The staffing measure introduced Tuesday, however, appears on track to avoid the messy fate of its predecessor. It has the support of six of the 11 supervisors, a simple majority needed to send the initiative to voters in November.

A spokesperson for San Francisco police said the department is short 504 officers; with an independent consultants recommended staffing at 2,074 for 2023.

Peskin, who is running to unseat Mayor London Breed in the fall, praised the proposed charter amendment as a win for public safety,

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San Francisco deserves a diverse and community-focused police force with the robust staffing required to implement the long-promised but never-realized goal of true community policing, he said in a statement.
Various political parties have installed oversized hoardings at their offices, which are allegedly in violation of the norms prescribed by the Election Commission of India. The EC guidelines restrict the size of banners at party offices to 4 feet X 8 feet. According to the EC rules, party offices can display only one party flag and banner with party symbols/photographs. (HT Photo)

According to the EC rules, party offices can display only one party flag and banner with party symbols/photographs. The size of the banner used in such offices should not exceed 4 feet X 8 feet, subject to an additional condition that if the local laws prescribe a lower size for banner/hoarding etc., then the lower size law shall prevail.

Deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Sakshi Sawhney said that they have issued notices to different parties in this regard. She said that another notice was issued on Wednesday also. We have sensitised all the candidates that EC norms have to be followed in letter and spirit and any special permissions shall be granted only as per norms under the model code of conduct, she added.

Major political party offices are situated on Ferozepur Road and Malhar Road. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office on Malhar Road has installed huge hoardings and banners outside.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) offices on Ferozepur Road and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) office on Malhar Road also have huge posters, flags and banners installed outside, violating EC rules.

Meeting with Punjab poll commissioner today

A meeting with the Punjab election commissioner, various district election officers and observers regarding the election process in Ludhiana is scheduled for Thursday.

Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Lok Sabha candidate from SAD, said, I will direct the party workers to remove the additional boards and hoardings from the office as only a single board with specified dimensions should be installed.

Rajnish Dhiman, district president of the BJP, said, I was not aware of this rule and will direct the party workers to abide by the EC guidelines.

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, candidate from Congress party said, 
33-year-old Ankit Goyal, arrested by police on Wednesday, for allegedly writing threatening graffiti against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inside Delhi Metro stations, has been granted bail by a court. After getting bail in the case, Goyal said that he had no intention of being famous. He said he is miffed with how Kejriwal has been running the government in Delhi since he came to power after riding on the popularity of Anna Hazare movement. He said he was disturbed by the involvement of Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) in various alleged scams. 33-year-old Ankit Goyal, who was arrested by police on Wednesday for allegedly writing threatening graffiti against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inside Delhi Metro stations, said that he had no intention of being famous.(ANI)

While extending apology to Delhi CM for his words, Goyal said crores of rupees should not have been spent on Kejriwal bungalow but rather on building roads, education and development.

"I have no intention of being famous...I am a government employee, working as a manager at a public service bank... I have been very impressed with Kejriwal as he has been IRS...I support the ideology of the Aam Aadmi Party but I do not support the things which came in between the campaign and the running government of Kejriwal...I apologise for the abusive words which I wrote on the walls of the Delhi Metro. 45 crore must not be spent on your (Kejriwal) bungalow...They must be spent on roads, education, development of New Delhi...I am not behind any party no party is behind me...," said Ankit Goyal after getting bail, as quoted by news agency ANI.

ALSO READ| Lok Sabha elections: Delhi metro services on all lines to begin at 4am on May 25

Goyal is accused of writing threatening graffiti against Kejriwal inside Delhi's Rajiv Chowk and Patel Nagar metro stations. According to the police, he is a resident of Baraeli. He is not associated with any political party, the police sources added, reported news agency ANI.

Goyal's graffiti led to a controversy and a war of words between the AAP and the BJP. AAP MP Sanjay Singh had alleged that the BJP was involved in the matter.

"The BJP has been in a state of panic ever since Arvind Kejriwal came out of jail. The BJP is now plotting to launch a deadly attack on Arvind Kejriwal. This conspiracy is being conducted directly from the Prime Minister's Office. A threat of attack on Kejriwal ji has been written at Rajiv Chowk and Patel Nagar Metro stations," Sanjay Singh had said.
Mumbai, The Mumbai civic body has set up an eight-member panel that includes experts from IIT Bombay for developing comprehensive guidelines concerning billboards and outdoor advertising in the city, an official said on Wednesday. HT Image

The guidelines will balance the "aesthetic, economic, and regulatory aspects" of outdoor advertising in Mumbai, said the official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, citing a BMC notification of May 8 concerning the committee.

On May 13, a giant illegal hoarding in the citys Ghatkopar area fell on a petrol pump during gusty winds and unseasonal rains, leaving 17 dead so far and over 70 injured.

Rakesh Kumar, an ex-employee of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute , is the environment expert on the panel, while IIT Bombays Prof. Avjit Maji, Prof. Nagendra Rao Velaga, besides Prof. Shreekumar from the department of Industrial Design, are other members.

BMC Additional Commissioner Ashwini Joshi will head the panel, which also has Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, BMCs Deputy Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar and Superintendent of Licence Anil Kate as members, the official said.

The emergence of digital hoardings with high-resolution animations brings forth a new set of challenges. It necessitates a comprehensive assessment of associated risks, such as driver distraction on expressways, health implications of placement in residential areas, and environmental impacts like light pollution, reads the BMC notification.

A multi-disciplinary committee will delve into the environmental, health, and traffic safety implications of granting permissions of digital hoardings, it further states.

According to BMC officials, the panel is expected to submit a report in one or two months.

In the wake of the Ghatkopar tragedy, the BMC has announced several steps to avoid such incidents.

Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani met all stakeholder agencies on May 16 wherein he stressed that compliance with the standards prescribed by BMC and Mumbai traffic police was mandatory for everyone irrespective of whether advertisement hoardings are on government or private land.

The 120 feet x 120 feet Ghatkopar hoarding had come up on land belonging to the Government Railway Police in the Chheda Nagar locality.

In a release issued the same day, BMC said that the civic chief had asked the Central Railway and Western Railway to remove oversized hoardings from their premises.

Gagrani also said that no new billboard would be allowed in Mumbai until a new hoarding policy was in place, as per the release.

During the meeting the civic chief, traffic officials had also raised concerns over digital advertising billboards, saying these hoardings distract citizens and motorists, especially in the dark.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Two women were killed and 15 other passengers suffered injuries after an Amritsar-bound tourist bus crashed into a trailer truck parked on the highway near Chehlan in Samrala on Wednesday morning. Ludhiana police initiated a rescue operation after receiving information about the mishap and rushed the victims to hospital. (HT Photo)

Police initiated a rescue operation after receiving information about the mishap and rushed the victims to hospital.

However, two passengers, Meenakshi, 51, and Saroj Bala, 54, both residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, succumbed to their injuries.

Rishabh, one of the injured victims, said the passengers were all tourists from Madhya Pradesh, on a multi-city tour. After visiting Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, they had hired a bus for Amritsar. While heading towards Amritsar via Ludhiana, the bus rammed into a trailer truck parked on the highway around 5.30 am.

Most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the collision, not allowing them to brace themselves for impact, leading to injuries, he added.
A local BJP leader and his cousin have been arrested in connection with the post-poll violence in Saran district on Tuesday in which an RJD supporter was shot dead and two others were injured, police said on Wednesday, adding that RJD candidate Rohini Acharya was also booked later for poll code violation and for provoking violence on a complaint by a BJP worker. Pappu Yadav visited one of the injured in Chapra violence at PMCH in Patna on Wednesday. (HT)

Superintendent of police (SP) Gaurav Mangla said Nagendra Rai, father of the deceased, identified as Chandan Kumar, had lodged an FIR against 12 named and 50 unidentified people, of which two named accused  Ramakant Singh, a state-level member of BJP working committee, and his cousin Ravikant Singh  were arrested and sent to judicial custody by a court on Wednesday. Police have recovered a licensed rifle, revolver and live cartridges from their possession, the SP said.

Preliminary probe suggests that on Tuesday morning, a heated exchange took place between two individuals over the polling on Monday. Soon, people from both sides gathered and started pelting stones at each other. Shots were also fired, the SP said, adding that police will initiate process to attach the properties of the absconding accused.

Meanwhile, tension continued to prevail in Chapra, the headquarter town of Saran district amid heavy deployment of police and paramilitary deployed at the spot. Shops and business establishments in several area remained closed on Wednesday.

The Election Commission of India has also sought a report from Saran district magistrate about the incident, officials said.

An RJD delegation met the family members of the deceased and handed over a cheque of 5 lakh from the party to his father. Kin of the injured were also given 2 lakh.

On the other hand, deputy chief minister and state BJP chief Samrat Choudhary alleged that Lalu Yadavs and Rabri Devis bodyguards were being misused and the booth was disturbed again and again. He demanded an investigation into the Chapra incident.

Former CMs bodyguards are being misused in Saran and Pataliputra parliamentary constituencies, he said.

RJD chief Lalu Yadavs daughter Rohini Acharya is the party candidate from Saran while his eldest daughter Misa Bharti, a Rajya Sabha member, is the party nominee from Patliputra, where polling is due on June 1.

RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav dismissed the charge, saying the administration has deputed three bodyguards for every candidate of his party.
City maps, used for navigating grey buildings and tarred streets, can also showcase the myriad colours of nature. That's exactly what some Indian cities have done by mapping their natural assets, including water bodies, green patches, animals, and birds.

On the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed annually on May 22 by the United Nations, we present to you the maps prepared by ICLEI  Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia which worked with more than 10 Indian cities to prepare their City Biodiversity Index (CBI) in India.

As part of their work, ICLEI has prepared illustrated natural asset maps for cities such as Hyderabad, Gangtok, Panjim, Kochi, Jammu, Srinagar, and Nagpurshowcasing diverse ecosystems, from lakes, water bodies, rock formations, green lungs, and flora and fauna.

Over the last few decades, cities have been synonymous with large blocks of paved streets with high-rise buildings, flyovers, and dense traffic. The dense concrete conglomeration is a reflection of the importance of the cities as a place of work and home to a large population compared to their less urbanised counterparts.

With the advancement of the economy and the rise in non-farm jobs, cities attracted more people. To cater to the rising population, much of the green cover and water bodies have been swallowed by these ever-expanding cities across the world, especially in the global South. Indian cities are no exception.

But for a city to be liveable, this uncontrolled expansion of grey infrastructure is unsustainable especially as effects of climate change come to the fore with ever-rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

Origins of CBI

Noting the importance of restoring natural elements in cities, the city-state of Singapore along with the United Nations introduced the City Biodiversity Index or the Singapore Index on Cities Biodiversity in 2008 at the Conference of Parties (COP or UN Climate Change Conference) held in Germany in 2008. Two years later in 2010 the COP held in Canada was formally endorsed by the COP as a self-assessment tool to promote the management of natural resources and conserve biodiversity in cities.

Kochi Natural Asset Map( ICLEI South Asia)

Adoption in India

Taking a cue from this, Hyderabad was the first city to adopt this system in 2012 as it hosted COP 11. Incidentally, it is also the only other city to do its assessment based on the city biodiversity index (CBI) to do it again.

At present, close to 30 Indian cities have now adopted this self-assessment following the Singapore model. These include big cities like the capital Delhi, and Pune and smaller cities like Bhagalpur and Itanagar. Some of these cities have adopted the CBI as part of their Smart City programmes.

What constitutes CBI

Primarily developed by the National Parks Board of Singapore in collaboration with experts around the globe and the UN measures 23 equally weighed indicators like native biodiversity, ecosystem services provided by biodiversity, and governance and management of biodiversity with a maximum possible score of 92. Some of the markers are the proportion of natural areas, the budget allocated to biodiversity, and participation and partnership with the public, civil society, and academia.

Srinagar Natural Asset Map( ICLEI South Asia)

Need for CBI

Experts working in the sector note that the CBI by itself acts as a guideline for cities to take measures that restore and expand their blue and green cover which in turn also leads to the conservation of animal habitats.

Faiyaz Khudsar, senior scientist at the Biodiversity Parks Programme at the Centre of Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) Delhi said, The index is a wonderful idea and the framework itself can work as a guideline to improve biodiversity. After conducting a thorough assessment, cities can decide on which measures need to be worked on priority. He said in the case of Delhi the exercise found that even though Delhi has good avian and butterfly diversity there is a dearth of protected areas.

He added in the future the score of Delhi will improve from its score of 39 out of 92 due to the good conservation work at the citys biodiversity parks although they are not technically protected.

Studies have shown access to green spaces and diverse natural habitats in cities has been linked to improved mental and physical health outcomes for residents. Further natural elements contribute to the cultural richness of cities by providing opportunities for recreation, education, and inspiration.

Asad R Rahmani, member of Governing Body of Wetlands International South Asia and former director at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) said the data on bird species which is one of the indicators for the CBI itself is a very good indicator. He explained, The presence of several bird species are a marker of good biodiversity. Further, birds like grey hornbills are seed dispersers. So, a city which has more hornbills obviously will mean that the city is better than a city which has a lesser number of such birds.

The first score of the CBI can act as a baseline for subsequent efforts over the year to check the progress of the policies and actions geared toward restoring natural assets.

Like in the case of Hyderabad the biodiversity index score improved from 36 to 57 over a span of a decade.

The HT Urban Affairs team brings to you each week a story about where we live and how it affects the way we live
University of Calicut has started the Calicut University UG Admission 2024 registration on May 18, 2024. Candidates who want to apply for Four Year Under Graduate Programmes and three year Under Graduate B.Voc Programmes can apply online through the official website of Calicut University Admission portal at admission.uoc.ac.in. Calicut University UG Admission 2024: Registration underway, direct link here

As per the official notice, the last date for online registration is till June 1, 2024. Candidates can make payment of fee till June 1, 2024 upto 5 pm.

Those candidates who are Eligible for Higher Studies as per the Higher Secondary Examination or a pass in the equivalent examination is the minimum criteria for admission to undergraduate programmes, unless otherwise specified. All candidates seeking admission to the under graduate programmes irrespective of the Quota (General Merit/ Reservation/ Sports/ Persons with Disabilities/ Community/ Management/Inmates of Juvenile Justice Home/Trans-gender etc.) should compulsorily register through Centralised Admission Process (CAP).

Calicut University UG Admission 2024: How to apply

To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of Calicut University Admission portal at admission.uoc.ac.in.

Click on Calicut University UG Admission 2024 for 4 years link available on the page.

A new page will open where candidates will get apply online link.

Click on the link and register yourself.

Once registration is done, login to the account.

Fill the application form and make the payment of application fee.

Click on submit and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The registration fee for SC/ST is 195/- and others is 470/-. Payment of fee for online registration can be made only through e-payment system (STATE BANK online/Nodal Centers functioning in Affiliated colleges/Friends Janasevena kendram/Akshaya kendras).

This admission process is conducted for the Four Year Under Graduate Programmes and three year Under Graduate B.Voc Programmes in the affiliated Arts & Science Colleges of University of Calicut for the academic year 2024-25 except those Under Graduate Programmes admission to which is based on entrance examinations and Programmes conducted in Autonomous Colleges. For more related details candidates can check the official website of University of Calicut.
RBSE 10th Result 2024 Live: Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education will announce RBSE 10th Result 2024 likely soon. The Rajasthan Board Class 10 results when announced can be checked by candidates who have appeared for it on the official website of RBSE at rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in. RBSE 10th result 2024 on HT Portal...Read More

Prior to declaration of RBSE Class 10 results, the Rajasthan Board will announce the date and time of declaration of results.

The Class 10 board examination across the state was conducted from March 7 to March 30, 2024. The exam was held in single shift  from 8.30 am to 11.45 pm. RBSE Class 10, or Madhyamik CWSN examination was conducted from March 7 to March 27, 2024, in a single shift- from 8.30 am to 12.45 pm.

More than 10 lakh students have appeared for Rajasthan Board Class 10 examination across the state. Follow the blog for latest updates on result, direct link, date and time and more details.
SET, SLAT, SITEEE Result 2024: Symbiosis International (Deemed University) on May 22 announced results of the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET 2024), Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT 2024) and the SIT Engineering Entrance Exam (SITEEE 2024). Students who have appeared in the Law, UG and Engineering entrance examinations of the institute can download their scorecards from set-test.org. Direct link and other details are below. Symbiosis SET, SLAT, SITEEE results announced on set-test.org

SET, SLAT, SITEEE scorecard download link

This year, the three entrance tests were held in two sessions. SEAT, SLAT and SITEEE 2024 test 1 was held on Sunday, May 5 and the test 2 took place on Saturday, May 11.

In both sessions, the undergraduate entrance test (SET 2024) was held in the middle shift (11:30 am to 12:30 pm), the Law admission test was held in the first shift (9 am to 10 am) and the Engineering entrance exam was in the third shift (2 pm to 3 pm).

In each of these three tests, there were 60 questions for 60 marks. In addition to the written test, there is also a personal interview component which will be considered in the preparation of final merit lists.

How to check SET, SLAT, SITEEE results 2024

Go to the university's entrance exam page, set-test.org. Open the SET, SLAT and SITEEE scorecard download link. Provide your ID and password. Submit and check your marks online.

The SET exam is for admission to BBA, BBA (Media Management) BCA, BBA (information Technology), BA (Mass Communication) , BSC (Economics), BSC (Applied Statistics and Data Science), BBA (Dual Degree, Honours/Honours with Research) courses.

SLAT is for admission to BA-LLB (Hons), BBA-LLB (Hons), BA-LLB and BBA-LLB courses.

The SITEEE exam is for admission to various BTech courses offered by institutes affiliated to Symbiosis International (Deemed University).

For further information, candidates can check the official website of the university.
At the moment, Alia and Ranbir live in an apartment in Bandra with their daughter Raha. Ranbir has been living in the apartment for a few years now, and Alia moved into his pad when they started living together. They also got married there in 2022.

Moving into new house

Now, an insider tells us that the actors will be moving into their new bungalow in two-three months.

The ongoing work on their bungalow is almost done, with the finishing going on, which should take one month or so. After the work is done and they get a green signal, the couple will move into the place. It is the moment they have been looking forward to, says a source in the know-how.

The insider adds, In fact, they will most probably be celebrating Diwali with Raha in the new house this year.

The Kapoor family, from Alia to Ranbir to Neetu, are often spotted on the construction site inspecting the work. As per the source, the whole family is personally invested in the construction.

The bungalow holds an emotional significance to the family, which is why everyone is so involved in the construction. Ranbir and Alia have made sure they take out time from their busy schedule and check the work status, says the insider, adding that Alia is now busy overlooking the decor of the place.

They are excited about this new chapter of their life in the new house with their little one. Stepping into the house with Raha will be a special memory for everyone for sure. It is the house where Ranbir grew up. Now, Ranbir as well as Alia wants to see Raha to grow up in the same place with all the memories surrounding her, says the source.

What we know about the bungalow

The bungalow has been under construction for a few years now. The mansion is named Krishna Raj after Ranbirs grandmother, which is the reason it holds a lot of emotional significance to the Kapoor family.

It used to belong to Ranbir's grandparents, Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj. It is believed that it was inherited by late Rishi Kapoor and Neetu in 1980. They raised their family in the same house. It was in 2016 when Rishi and Neetu initiated their plans to reconstruct the property.
Surveillance footage captures a Richmond police officer repeatedly striking, then tackling, Kwesi Guss as he attempts to film an arrest on his phone outside Joes Market in Richmond on May 5. Provided by Kwesi Guss

UPDATE: Man struck by Richmond police officer files assault claim against city

The Richmond Police Department has hired an outside investigator to review an incident in which an officer repeatedly struck, then arrested, a Black man who was filming police from a public sidewalk earlier this month.

In an email to the Chronicle, Lt. Donald Patchin, a spokesperson for the police department, said that Chief Bisa French has requested this investigation be handled by an outside entity.

Reached by phone on Wednesday, Jay Hill, a private investigator and co-founder of Chaplin and Hill Investigative Services, said the company is investigating the matter. I can confirm that we have been contracted with Richmond Police Department, but thats really all I can say at this time and thats really all there is to say at this time, Hill said.

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The Chronicle first reported that Kwesi Guss, 44, was confronted, struck and handcuffed by an officer he identified as Sgt. Alexander Caine as Guss used his iPhone to capture footage of an unrelated arrest on May 5.

A press statement accompanying Patchins email states that Caine ultimately arrested Guss for obstructing a peace officer, a misdemeanor offense.

Video footage of the encounter does not appear to show Guss obstructing officers during the incident. Instead, Caine runs around his car and into Guss, who had already complied with another officers request that he move from the road to a sidewalk outside of Joes Market.

Caine is seen striking Guss as he yelled, Get out of the fing way.

Shut yo b ass up, Guss replied.

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Caine turned. What was that? he asked as he ran toward Guss.

In surveillance footage captured by a nearby business, Caine is seen repeatedly striking Guss, sending him stumbling backward around the markets parking lot. Eventually Caine and another officer wrestle Guss to the ground and handcuff him. According to medical records that Guss provided to the Chronicle, the incident left him with bruised ribs, a head injury and an abrasion on his right cheek.

According to the press statement, Guss was transported to the Richmond Police Department, booked and released on a Notice to Appear citation.

In an interview Wednesday, Guss said that Hill had contacted him as part of the investigation. Guss, who filed a complaint with the police departments Office of Professional Accountability last week, said he was pleased that an outside investigator was probing the incident.

Im happy about that, Guss told the Chronicle. I dont trust the Richmond police.

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In an email Thursday, Patchin said the department had contracted with an outside investigator because the Office of Professional Accountability was short-staffed.

According to Chaplin and Hills website, Hill retired as interim chief of the Walnut Creek Police Department in 2021, ending a 25-year career in law enforcement. At one point, the website states, Hill was in charge of the Administrative Division (Investigations and Professional Staff).

Caine, who has been on the force since 2009, has seriously injured people in at least 11 separate encounters since 2014, according to records obtained by the California Reporting Project, a multi-newsroom coalition formed to obtain and analyze police records across the state. Last year, he shot and killed Kevin James McDonald, a 66-year-old man, in his bedroom after McDonald pointed a gun at officers. A coroners jury later ruled McDonalds death a suicide.

Filming the police is a constitutionally protected right, provided the person filming is not trespassing, harming the officer or otherwise interfering with their duties while doing so, David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, previously told the Chronicle.
Its after eight years that actor Sobhita Dhulipala returned to the red carpet of the prestigious Cannes film festival, with the feeling of nostalgia and pride taking over her head and heart. The actor says the Cannes red carpet is known for celebrating the world of cinema while creating fashion trends, and she is happy to see Indian films making great noise at the gala. (Also read: Cannes 2024: Sobhita Dhulipala takes over the red carpet in shimmery jumpsuit by Namrata Joshipura. It costs 1.8 lakh) Sobhita Dhulipala attended the Cannes film festival as representative of an ice cream band, Magnum India.

Earlier, Sobhita attended the film festival in 2016 for her film, Raman Raghav 2.0. The film premiered at the festival in the Directors' Fortnight section. This year, the actor did her bit to represent India through her association with an ice cream band, Magnum India. She walked the brown carpet at the fest.

On her return to the Cannes

Our messages (the message we want to convey to the international audience) are in our stories and our films, I feel privileged to have come to the Cannes film festival with my debut film Raman Raghav 2.0 which was part of the incredible directors fortnight segment in 2016 and now to return with a brand Ive personally loved, its a wonderful feeling, Sobhita tells us.

She adds, Representing India with a brand that Ive loved as a consumer for a long time, is a happy moment. To be part of their journey across the globe, spreading cheer and celebrating their legacy of pleasure is such fun.

For her first outing at the Cannes this year, she ditched the trend of hitting the red carpet in a gown, and went for a contemporary style statement in a jumpsuit. For her first look at the Magnum "Welcome To The Pleasure Express" event at Cannes 2024, Sobhita picked an outfit from the shelves of popular Indian designer Namrata Joshipura.

During one appearance, Sobhita wore a gold-gilded bodycon. Her ensemble was from the Indian clothing label Itrh.

Talking about her association, she further shares, I was thrilled to be onboarded by Magnum for their Cannes adventure. Its a brand I have worked with recently in Mumbai at the Lakme Fashion Week and it became clear to everyone that it was a collaboration with a long road ahead.

On Indian representation at the gala this year

This year, Sobhita joined stars including Aishwarya Rai, Kiara Advani, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Jacqueline Fernandez to add a desi splash at the international film festival.

When it comes to representation, Indian cinema is also getting noticed at the festival, with courtesy projects such as Santosh by Sandhya Suri, Chidananda S Naiks Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know, restored version of Manthan, Radhika Aptes Sister Midnight and Payal Kapadias All We Imagine As Light.

Talking about Indian cinema at the Cannes film fest, Sobhita proudly exclaims, Its an incredible year for Indian films at Cannes, a whopping 7 films in one single year. It is inspiring and exciting, Im looking forward to our stories being sung to this audience and hope they receive the love they deserve.

Along with films, the gala is also popular for its glamorous red carpet. And Sobhita feels they create a perfect balance between fashion and cinema.

Popular and celebrated events have been portals for new pop culture moments to be created, the iconic Cannes red carpet is glorious for many reasons and seasons - from artists to cinema celebrations to fashion trends to iconic imagery. Its a dynamic environment with much creative charge, says the actor, who recently received rave reviews for her international project Monkey Man, which also starred Dev Patel.

Her plans to work in Hollywood

She got a positive response for Monkey Man, which she followed with her appearance at an international film festival. Is she looking at doing more international projects?

I would love to be part of exciting stories, told with passion. Language, medium, no bar. As much as I love to consume films from every part of the world, even greater is my desire to contribute and create stories that can touch a variety of people, its something all artists enjoy, says the Made in Heaven actor, adding that she is excited to start work on two projects.

There are two projects Im excited to begin work on, announcements will be out soon. They are very different from all the work Ive put out so far, she ends.
'Can you believe most attendees saw Heeramandi?'

Manisha, who represented her country Nepal at the meeting, wrote in her caption that she was amazed to learn that most of the people present at the event had watched her new web series, Heeramandi. The actor wore a black and golden saree and was seen with Rishi Sunak in several candid photos from the event. She also posed solo in front of 10 Downing Street in a photo.

Manisha wrote in her caption, It was an honor to be invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate United Kingdom - Nepal relations and 100 years of our friendship treaty. It was such a pleasure to hear the Prime Minister @rishisunakmp speak fondly of our country Nepal. I took the liberty of inviting the PM and his family to come trek to Everest Base Camp. Can you believe that most of the attendees had seen Heeramandi on Netflix and loved it? I was thrilled!!

About Heeramandi

The period drama, based on the pre-partition lives of courtesans of Lahore, is directed Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The star-studded cast of Heeramandi, which is receiving praise from fans and celebrities alike, also includes Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal in the lead roles.
50 Cent slams Sean

After the news of the music mogul getting hit by another sexual assault lawsuit emerged on Tuesday, the In Da Club rapper, 48, reposted a screenshot of TMZs headline on Instagram and shared his reaction with his followers. However, he deleted the post in a few hours.

Got damn boy another one (eyes emoji), 50 Cent wrote in the caption of the since-deleted post. This my last puffy post I think he might kill himself. I dont want no parts of that, he added.

Fresh lawsuit against Sean

Sean is in fresh trouble as the music mogul has been hit by another lawsuit, which was filed in New York. This time, a former model is claiming that he drugged her and then forced her to perform oral sex on him during a visit to his studio in New York two decades ago. (Also read: Sean Diddy Combs' ex-assistant not surprised at Cassie Ventura video as intuition told her rapper is violent)

According to People magazine, in the complaint, Crystal McKinney has alleged that she was 22 years old when she was introduced to the mogul, now 54, by a fashion designer while working as a model back in 2003. They met at a restaurant in Manhattan.

More about the lawsuit

Later that night, according to the lawsuit, Sean invited her to his recording studio, where Crystal claims she was given alcohol and marijuana which she now believes was laced.

She said that Sean then led her to the bathroom, shoved her head down to his crotch, following which she was forced to perform oral sex on him. The lawsuit further stated that she then lost consciousness, and gained consciousness in a cab where she realised that she had been sexually assaulted.

In the complaint, Crystal also alleged that she was instructed to sit directly across from Sean at the event, adding that he made a very public display of coming on to (her) in a sexually suggestive manner which continued throughout the dinner at the event.

In the lawsuit, Crystal described Sean as flirtatious during the course of their meeting, saying that he had a lot of alcohol throughout the dinner, and refilled her glass with wine.

She also claimed that Sean blackballed her career. Due to the traumatic events to occur later, Plaintiff (Crystal) saved the unwashed clothing from that night in her closet where they remain in a plastic wrap, stated the lawsuit.

The amount she is seeking in damages is not known. At the moment, Sean is yet to react to the fresh lawsuit.

Seans growing legal woes

This is the sixth lawsuit against the rapper since he was accused of rape and abuse by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, in November last year. The lawsuit was settled in one day. Three more suits followed from women who accused him of rape. In March, two of Seans homes were raided as part of an investigation.

The music mogul has called the allegations against him false and sickening, describing the accusers as looking for a quick payday.

To add to the trouble, Seans conduct has come under intense scrutiny in recent days after CNN published footage from 2016 in which he is seen hitting his former girlfriend Casandra.

On Sunday, he apologised, saying in a video posted to Instagram, My behaviour on that video is inexcusable.
New Delhi, Author Kai Bird, who co-wrote the biography of J Robert Oppenheimer that went on to inspire the Oscar winning film, says he visited the sets and excitedly went Dr Oppenheimer, Dr Oppenheimer when he met actor Cillian Murphy, dressed in character in a baggy brown suit and hat. Audiences eager to see serious biographical narratives: author Kai Bird on success of 'Oppenheimer'

The 72-year-old confessed that his visit to the sets of the movie, which went on to win seven Oscars, including best picture and best actor, was a little boring.

The same scenes and dialogues were repeated and shot "like 15 times" from different angles but then came that encounter with the reel life Oppenheimer, considered father of the atom bomb.

"As he came over to me dressed in a baggy brown suit that looked like 1940s, in a silver belt buckle from New Mexico, the Oppenheimer hat. I jokingly cried out 'Dr Oppenheimer, Dr Oppenheimer, I have been waiting to meet you for decades', and he laughed," Bird told PTI.

Bird, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning 2005 work along with the late Martin Sherwin, hopes the massive success of the film by Christopher Nolan sends a message to Hollywood and Bollywood filmmakers.

"I'm gratified by the Oscars, but I hope this sends a message to Hollywood and Bollywood that audiences are eager to see filmmakers tackle serious historical and biographical narratives. I was very pleased with the film myself. I think it is an artistic achievement," he said.

Oppenheimer was a leading scientist on the Manhattan Project, a code name for the US government research project formed to produce the atomic weapon during World War II.

Bird and Sherwin were among the first in the long list of people that Nolan, who also wrote the script of the movie, thanked while receiving his maiden Oscar.

Sherwin, who died in 2021, worked on the book from 1980 until its publication in 2005. Bird joined as his writing partner in 2000 after a great deal of persuasion.

"Marty was persistent and kept coming back. He knew I was looking for a new book to write... and I didn't have a job in mind. He said, 'If you do not join me, my gravestone, my tombstone is going to read: He took it with him'. He was very witty," recalled Bird.

The blockbuster success of the movie has rubbed off on the readership of the book, which Bird said has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for six months.

The book is now available in multiple editions across the world, including Chinese, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

"It is amazing, the book came out 18 years ago and now it has found a new life, a new much larger audience. When it came out it got very respectful reviews, it sold modestly, but it never got on any bestsellers list. But now because of Nolan's movie it has been on the bestsellers list in the NYT," Bird added.

He said there were at least "three attempts" to adapt the book into a movie for over a dozen years before Nolan entered the scene.

Three parties commissioned different screenplays and tried to get one of the studios to back the movie or a big star to do it. All turned out to be unsuccessful, Bird said.

"Nolan came along suddenly in the year 2021... he had read the book in March. He wrote the screenplay in the next four-five months, and only in September 2021 he called me and said 'I have written the screenplay. I am picking up the option and I am making this movie'," he recalled.

In Birds view, the controversial intimate scene in the movie, involving J. Robert Oppenheimer and his lover Jean Tatlock reading Bhagavad Gita in bed together, may have been both "improbable" and "inappropriate".

Oppenheimer had learnt Sanskrit and was said to be influenced by Gita. The scene featuring a line from Hindu holy book led to protests in India.

"My wife said, 'it was unnecessary' . In the movie he was trying to tell two things there: conveying Oppenheimer's interest in the Gita, and in Sanskrit, and explaining his love for Tatlock. So maybe it was inappropriate to combine the two," Bird said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
By Hanna Rantala and Miranda Murray Gary Oldman says he jumped at chance to be in Cannes drama 'Parthenope'

CANNES, France, -

Gary Oldman jumped at the chance to be in Italian director Paolo Sorrentino's new coming-of-age drama, "Parthenope," even if it was just a small role, the Oscar-winning actor told Reuters.

"I was in anyway. I didn't care what it would have been either," said Oldman on Wednesday at the

Cannes Film Festival

, where the competition film celebrated its premiere.

Oldman has a bit part as melancholic American novelist John Cheever. The title character, a long-haired beauty played by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta, is inexplicably drawn to him on vacation.

Parthenope enchants the men in her life, and the film follows her from her birth in the waters of the Bay of Naples to her last day before retiring as a professor of anthropology.

Sorrentino said his own life experience gave him the idea of following a character through various ages.

"Being in my 50s, well, actually more, I was very fascinated with the idea of recounting the melancholies, sorrows, and hopes that revolve around the passing of time," he said.

"And so from there I came up with the idea of doing a long tale of a woman from when she was born until today," he added.

Sorrentino noted that the heroine's development also coincides with that of the city of Naples.

"Parthenope, in the first part of the film, when she is young, coincides with the city, they are two mysteries," said Sorrentino, a Cannes veteran who has brought seven films to compete for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

In the second part, she grows into a free and spontaneous woman who does not judge, which is also like the city, he added at a news conference in the French Riviera resort town.

Naples is sometimes known as Parthenope in reference to the ancient Greek settlement established there, named after a siren who according to legend drowned herself after failing to bewitch Odysseus and whose body washed up on the shores of the city.

THE NEWCOMER

Sorrentino won best foreign language film with 2013's "The Great Beauty" and was nominated for an Oscar for 2021's "The Hand of God," a personal family tragedy set in 1980s Naples. That film first put Dalla Porta, 26, on the director's radar.

"The casting agents who chose me as an extra called me to do Paolo Sorrentino's Bulgari commercial," she told Reuters. After a year or two, she said, she started auditioning several times for the starring role of Parthenope.

For Dalla Porta, the film not only is an allegory for Naples, but also for her own life.

"Before we started shooting the film I was still in a youthful, carefree phase of my life, where work was still something of a dream and being an actor somewhat an abstract idea," she said at a news conference alongside Sorrentino.

"But during the process of making the film, it was as if I had to let go of the little girl in me," she added.

The film's reception was tepid at best, with The Guardian newspaper calling it a "facile" film and saying it comes close to self-parody. Trade publication IndieWire called it "a superficial meditation on the relationship between youth and beauty."

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
By Hanna Rantala and Miranda Murray Gary Oldman says he jumped at chance to be in Cannes drama 'Parthenope'

CANNES, France -Gary Oldman jumped at the chance to be in Italian director Paolo Sorrentino's new coming-of-age drama, "Parthenope," even if it was just a small role, the Oscar-winning actor told Reuters.

"I was in anyway. I didn't care what it would have been either," said Oldman on Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival, where the competition film celebrated its premiere.

Oldman has a bit part as melancholic American novelist John Cheever. The title character, a long-haired beauty played by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta, is inexplicably drawn to him on vacation.

Parthenope enchants the men in her life, and the film follows her from her birth in the waters of the Bay of Naples to her last day before retiring as a professor of anthropology.

Sorrentino said his own life experience gave him the idea of following a character through various ages.

"Being in my 50s, well, actually more, I was very fascinated with the idea of recounting the melancholies, sorrows, and hopes that revolve around the passing of time," he said.

"And so from there I came up with the idea of doing a long tale of a woman from when she was born until today," he added.

Sorrentino noted that the heroine's development also coincides with that of the city of Naples.

"Parthenope, in the first part of the film, when she is young, coincides with the city, they are two mysteries," said Sorrentino, a Cannes veteran who has brought seven films to compete for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

In the second part, she grows into a free and spontaneous woman who does not judge, which is also like the city, he added at a news conference in the French Riviera resort town.

Naples is sometimes known as Parthenope in reference to the ancient Greek settlement established there, named after a siren who according to legend drowned herself after failing to bewitch Odysseus and whose body washed up on the shores of the city.

THE NEWCOMER

Sorrentino won best foreign language film with 2013's "The Great Beauty" and was nominated for an Oscar for 2021's "The Hand of God," a personal family tragedy set in 1980s Naples. That film first put Dalla Porta, 26, on the director's radar.

"The casting agents who chose me as an extra called me to do Paolo Sorrentino's Bulgari commercial," she told Reuters. After a year or two, she said, she started auditioning several times for the starring role of Parthenope.

For Dalla Porta, the film not only is an allegory for Naples, but also for her own life.

"Before we started shooting the film I was still in a youthful, carefree phase of my life, where work was still something of a dream and being an actor somewhat an abstract idea," she said at a news conference alongside Sorrentino.

"But during the process of making the film, it was as if I had to let go of the little girl in me," she added.

The film's reception was tepid at best, with The Guardian newspaper calling it a "facile" film and saying it comes close to self-parody. Trade publication IndieWire called it "a superficial meditation on the relationship between youth and beauty."

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Jennifer Garner is reportedly extending a helping hand to her ex-husband Ben Affleck. Amid multiple reports citing potential trouble in paradise for Bennifer 2.0, Lopez is said to be confiding in Garner, hoping to save their marriage and also Affleck who might be on the brink of losing his sobriety. This comes just a few days after the Peppermint actress was spotted visiting the Gone Girl star in the Brentwood neighbourhood, where he is currently residing after reportedly leaving his $60 Million Beverly Hills mansion. Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner, pic credit

Jennifer Garner desperately trying to help JLO and Affleck

Lopez and Affleck have maintained a good relationship with Garner, with whom the actor was married for over a decade. Together, they are co-parenting their children and are often spotted at school events and outings around Tinseltown. According to a report by Daily Mail, Garner is prioritising Affleck's well-being and offering support in hopes of mending things with JLo.

Also read: Diddy slapped with new sexual assault charges from a model claiming she was drugged and forced

JLo has been confiding in Jen because she knows that she is one of the only people in the world who would understand what she is going through, a source close to the situation told Daily Mail on Tuesday. The need for support from Garner seems very valid because, as the source states, she has been through it with the same man herself. The source further mentions that even though the situation was different, it was still the same man, and no one could understand him better than her.

Jen does not want Ben to pull the plug on marriage with JLO

The insider also mentioned that Garner is really and desperately trying hard to assist the couple because she genuinely cares about Lopez and doesn't want the relationship to falter due to ongoing scrutiny. Jen doesn't want Ben out of this marriage because she cares about JLo. Another reason why shes so determined to keep the marriage together is that she knows Lopez is the only one who can reach out to Ben and stop him from slipping back into his addiction. The source added.

Also read: Jennifer Lopez flies solo at Netflixs Atlas Premiere; all eyes on wedding ring as Ben Affleck stays away

Jen fears Ben might slip into addiction again

The 52-year-old said to be dating businessman John Miller, went to Afflecks new rental property sporting a black hoodie and makeup-free look just two days ago. Both Jens are concerned about Ben and fear that his frustration might take him back to his addiction era again. Affleck has spoken openly about his remorse for how his 13 years of marriage came to an end expressing feelings of 'shame' and 'regret.

Speaking to NewYork Times in 2020, the actor said, I drank relatively normally for a long time. What happened was that I started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart. This was 2015, 2016. My drinking, of course, created more marital problems.
This has not been a great year for Cannes Film Festival selections. But if you dig hard enough, you might find a rare diamond. Sean Baker's Anora was one, and the Russian language work was hilarious. It is about a sex worker who falls in love with a Russian nobleman. He is just 21, really a boy, but she is older, not necessarily wiser. The movie got a 7.5-minute standing ovation, largely because of its humour. (Also read: Internet dissects Kelly Rowland and security guard drama on Cannes red carpet) Director Sean Baker and cast member Mikey Madison pose during a photocall for the film Anora at the Cannes Film Festival.(REUTERS)

About Anora

In Anora, Mike Madison (Once Upon a Time In Hollywood) is 23, and is a stripper in New York. When she meets Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), Cupid strikes. He is stinking rich, and takes her to Las Vegas, where the two, on an impulse, get married. Then begin their woes. His parents are aghast and send Russian hoodlums to trace the couple and annul their marriage. It is a hilarious romp where the gangsters are more funny than vicious.

Baker has made other films, including Tangerine. It was shown at 2015 Sundance, and was shot on a smart phone. The clarity was remarkable.

A pattern to pursue?

He loves to film sex workers. In Tangerine, he made a movie about street walkers in Hollywood. They stood below tangerine-coloured lights. Hence the title. Next, he did The Florida Project in which a woman and her daughter struggle with their daily existence.

Baker is now part of the Cannes landscape. Red Rocket was screened in Competition and traces a retired porn star who has to camp out of his former wife's sofaset in Texas.

However, Anora marks a shift in this script. It is about rich people, although a streetwalker remains at the centre. The work reminded me of Pretty Woman or even My Fair Lady, where poor women get lucky when rich men fall in love with them. Maybe as Baker said in a press meet, it is a Cinderella story.
Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather is considered one of the best films ever made. It does seem hard to acknowledge that any actor would say no to an iconic role like Michael Corleone, but it was one of Hollywood's biggest stars back then, Jack Nicholson, who did so. In a 2004 interview with BBC, the actor had admitted that he was offered the part but he turned it down for multiple reasons, one of them being he felt that the actor who would play the part should be Italian. (Also read: The Godfather star Al Pacinos unconventional announcement of best picture goes viral) Jack Nicholson turned down The Godfather, and the role was played by Al Pacino.

What Al Pacino said

In the interview, he revealed he turned down both The Godfather and The Sting and said, Yes, that's true and I think I had enough business acumen I know by then to know that the both The Sting and the Godfather were going to be huge hits. At the same time, I happen to think That Last Detail and Chinatown are to me they were the more interesting of the films.

He continued, [The] Godfather was going to be a good film. I'd always wanted to work with Marlon [Brando], but I was asked to play the lead and, a) I felt it should be an Italian person and b) I didn't have any scenes with Marlon in the script I read. And I thought, well, I'm liable only to get to work with Marlon once and let's hope that it might be something where we really had to work together.

More details

The Godfather was an American gangster epic film that revolved around the Corleone family which was held together by patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). The film went on to become a massive commercial as well as critical success, winning Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay (for Mario Puzo and Coppola). Two sequels of the film were also made.

A film on the making of The Godfather is also in the works, titled Francis and the Godfather. Jake Gyllenhaal is set to star in the film directed by Barry Levinson.
Actor Ajith Kumars first look from Adhik Ravichandrans Good Bad Ugly was released on Sunday without much commotion. The sudden drop surprised fans who had been used to production houses teasing new updates for days. However, a report by TOI claims that Ajith had a charming reason for doing that. (Also Read: Ajith Kumar flips the bird in his first look from Adhik Ravichandrans Good Bad Ugly) Ajith Kumar's first-look from Good Bad Ugly.

Ajith wants to indulge fans

The TOI report claims that it was decided on May 3 that the film would go on floors on May 10. Despite the short time, 700 workers managed to put up sets in 3 locations in 7 days, with the work done by May 9, claims the report. After going on floors, Ajith decided to share his first look from the film to indulge the hardworking crew with selfies and not inevitably leak his look. And now that his quirky look from the film has been released, Ajith can give as many selfies as he wishes.

The report quotes a source from the films unit, The crew (of Good Bad Ugly) were eager to take selfies with Ajith, but the team had to keep declining because he was in a new look and they were concerned the look might get leaked. Since the workers toiled to put up the sets in record time, Ajith felt like they should release the first look right away so he could oblige their selfie requests. This is why the first look was released without much promotion.

Adhik, the Ajith fan boy

Sharing Ajiths first look from the film on his X (formerly Twitter), Adhik revealed just how much of a fan he was of the actor, writing, Im working with the most versatile performer ever, who can deliver Good Bad Ugly at the same time. Magic of life is, sticking my Stars poster in my cupboard and placing banners in theatres. And now presenting this first look poster not only as a fan boy, but also as a fan boy director. Thank you Universe & Kadavule #Ajith sir. @SureshChandraa sir. @MythriOfficial. #Naveen sir, #Ravi sir, #Dinesh sir.
California Film Institute General Manager Dan Zastrow hands out popcorn during the reopening of the Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Amid a challenging post-pandemic landscape for movie theaters, there was some good news this week in Mill Valley.

The two-screen Sequoia Cinema reopened after being dark for seven months as it went through upgrades and completed its transition from a Cinemark CineArts theater to one fully controlled by the California Film Institute, which operates the Mill Valley Film Festival.

The occasion was marked on Monday, May 20, by a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided over by Mill Valley Mayor Urban Carmel and attended by CAFilm board members, including board President Maggie ODonnell, and Dan Zastrow, CAFilms general manager and program manager for the Sequoia Cinema and the nonprofit organizations other theater, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

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A ribbon-cutting officially reopens the Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley. An artist painted an image of the theater from across the street. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

The communitys excited for this, Carmel said at the event. We get asked this question all the time, When is it going to be open? Were just really fortunate to have this theater. Its what makes our town exciting and vibrant. We are an arts community. We have lots of arts institutions, and none is perhaps more historically important than the Sequoia.

The theater at 25 Throckmorton Ave. first opened in 1929 and is advertising a soft opening this week as it screens classic films such as Vertigo and Jules and Jim for $1. On Friday, May 24, it resumes normal operations as a mainly first-run cinema by screening The Fall Guy and Challengers. Each auditorium seats just over 300 people.

Tickets are $14 for evening shows, and $10.50 for seniors 60 and older, youth 12 and younger and matinees. CAFilm members pay $8.50. Full schedules are at www.sequoiafilm.org.

Mill Valley Mayor Urban Carmel speaks during reopening of Sequoia Cinema on Monday. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

The Sequoia holds a special place in the hearts of many, and we are excited to welcome patrons back for the movie-watching experience, CAFilm founder and Executive Director Mark Fishkin, who was attending the Cannes Film Festival in France, said in a statement. Were eager to reconnect with our loyal patrons and share the magic of the big screen with them.

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Zastrow said first-run programming  as opposed to the art-house fare at the Smith Rafael Film Center  best serves Mill Valley.

Ive worked for small-town cinemas in the past, and this is such a tight-knit, small, walkable community, he said. To be able to walk to the cinema  how cool is that? And for your kids to walk to the cinema, right?

Special programs that are a part of CAFilms mission  such as a screening of Edge of Everything on May 31, a coming-of-age drama to be presented in person by writers and directors Sophia Sabella and Pablo Feldman  will also be part of the Sequoias programming by Zastrow and Jan Klingelhofer.

Each of the two theaters at the Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley holds just over 300 seats. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

The reopening completes a transition more than 15 years in the making. In 2008, an organization called Friends of the Sequoia LLC purchased the theater from heirs to Blumenfeld Theaters, the family that built the theater, for $2.5 million. The intention was for the LLC to transfer ownership to CAFilm bit by bit; one of the LLC members was CAFilm. But Cinemarks long-range lease to operate the theater ran through last year.

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After the completion of the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival in October, the theater closed so CAFilm could perform upgrades such as spiffy new bathrooms, a Dolby sound system, using lighter colored paint to brighten the lobby and a general deep clean.

A pair of huge ribbon-cutting scissors leans against the wall near the box office during the reopening of the Sequoia Cinema this week. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Zastrow said Cinemark took very good care of the theater and called the international movie chain a good partner during its association with CAFilm.

Fishkin said a planned renovation was delayed by the pandemic and appears to be years down the road; ODonnell said the organization will have to fundraise for it.

For years, the intention has been looking forward to taking over the theater and doing a big remodel, turning it into a community hub and education center, all of these things, ODonnell said. We do so much more than just do film festivals and show films. But unfortunately, everything was all going swimmingly until COVID. Obviously, we were not going to go out and do a capital campaign then.

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Inside one of the Sequoia Cinema's theaters during its reopening in Mill Valley on Monday, May 20. The 95-year-old facility was closed to equip it with upgrades such as new bathrooms, a Dolby sound system, new paint to brighten the lobby and a deep clean. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Still, while the renovation might be delayed, the 95-year-old theater is back in business and looking good.

California Film Institute General Manager Dan Zastrow sits in the theater during the reopening of Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley on Monday, May 20. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle
Mumbai, Actor Shalin Bhanot says he was one of last entrants on popular TV reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi", which revolves around celebrity contestants facing their worst fears and performing daring stunts to win the title. Shalin Bhanot had no plans to do Khatron Ke Khiladi

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty returns to host the 14th edition of the show, to be shot in Romania this year.

"Everybody had been finalized and they had got their visas too. It was not planned at all. I was not prepared, and it was not something that was on the cards, it was a last moment entry in KKK, Bhanot told PTI in an interview.

Best known for Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar, Bigg Boss 16, the actor said one cannot plan ahead for a stunt reality show like this.

"After many years theyve changed the location of the show. It is happening in Romania for the first time, so that attracted me too. I felt it will be fun to be part of KKK, which is a very different show and you cannot go prepared. Its a vacation for me, he said.

Bhanot, who had opened up about dealing with depression and anxiety issues during his stint on Bigg Boss, said he is in a good mental space post his exit from the reality show. In Salman Khan-hosted series, Bhanot finished on the fifth spot.

"In Bigg Boss, you are away from your family, and the entire world, you dont have a connection with anyone outside, you dont know how your parents or pets are doing health wise or otherwise, you dont have a mobile, you know nothing so there is mental challenge.

Now, Im at much better space, otherwise life is always about ups and downs, he added.

Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 features Shilpa Shinde, Sumona Chakravarti, Asim Riaz, Krishna Shroff, Abhishek Kumar, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Karan Veer Mehra, Kedar Aashish Mehrotraa, Aditi Sharma, Gashmeer Mahajani, Niyati Fatnani, among others.

The new season is likely to go on air next month on Colors channel.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The drama around Netflix's Baby Reindeer has surged in the last few weeks. Fiona Harvey went on to publicly confirm that she was the person, who inspired the character of Martha in Baby Reindeer. In the show, Martha is shown as a convicted stalker, who pleads guilty and spends nine months in prison. Baby Reindeer tells the true story of the stalking and harassment of Scottish comedian Richard Gadd. The show never reveals the real-life identity of the woman. (Also read: Baby Reindeers real Martha Scott sent Keir Starmer 276 emails, told him his life wont be worth living: report) Jessica Gunning played a female stalker in Baby Reindeer, although the real identity was never shared by the creator.

Fiona's interview

Earlier this month, Fiona's interview on Piers Morgan's YouTube channel garnered more than 10 million views within a week. In the interview, Fiona said that the events that were portrayed were untrue and defamatory.

She said of the show and the creator, I just generally think hes got extreme psychiatric problems Its a work of fiction. Its a work of hyperbole, as Ive always said. And there are two true facts in that. His name is Richard Gadd, and he works as a jobbing barman on benefits, in the Hawley Arms. And we met, two or three times.

Fiona threatens legal action

Fiona also issued a statement, as per Deadline, where she said that she is planning to take legal action against Netflix. Nobody ever approached me for any comment on the accuracy of Baby Reindeer, or the very serious and damaging allegation that I am a convicted criminal, with a serious criminal record, who has spent time in prison, it read.

The statement added, "Once I have a legal team in place, I expect that they will make a further statement, setting out the next steps that I will be taking to deal with everything that has happened, as a direct result of the dishonest and false picture of me, painted in Baby Reindeer and in the media generally.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that Fiona sent no less than 276 mails to UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer between January to August in 2020. Some of them had Fiona call Keir a stupid little boy, and a useless barrister. These emails were also signed Sent from my iPhone as they were shown in the Netflix series that released last month.
In the 1980s, India's health care landscape underwent a seismic shift with the arrival of the country's first corporate hospital. This ushered in an era prioritising cutting-edge technology, modern infrastructure, and skilled medical professionals, all focused on delivering superior patient care. This formula sparked a revolution in tertiary care, attracting not only domestic patients but also medical tourists seeking affordable, high-quality treatment. Today, numerous hospital chains have adopted this model, fostering a nationwide rise in health care standards. Health care

These corporate and tertiary hospitals not only excel in quality but also attract patients worldwide seeking affordable, high-quality medical treatments. However, this commendable standard of care remains largely confined to tertiary care. Nevertheless, valuable lessons can be learned and applied to other areas, like primary and secondary care, to extend and expand these hallmarks of quality and revolutionise the health care landscape in its entirety. India has witnessed a significant transformation in the realm of primary care. The convergence of health care and digital technology has played a pivotal role in reshaping the delivery of primary care services across the country.

While primary care services boast a talented workforce and are witnessing an unprecedented technological surge with telemedicine, remote monitoring, and wearable devices. With digital tools, health care providers have an extensive view of patient health by significantly increasing access to health data. However, they lack the crucial elements of standardised processes, clear SOPs, and advanced technology infrastructure, hindering the delivery of high-quality care.

For example, consider dental care--India boasts the second-highest number of dentists globally, exceeding the World Health Organizations (WHO) recommended dentist-to-population ratio by a significant margin.

Yet, despite this impressive workforce, a significant hurdle persists: The lack of standardised quality measurement. Patients often lack access to robust information regarding the quality of care offered by different clinics, making informed choices difficult.

Standardisation, as witnessed in the tertiary care revolution, offers a powerful blueprint to transform primary care. By leveraging digital health care, we can establish a measurable framework for setting excellence parameters across existing clinics. This will not only enhance patient experience but also ensure positive clinical outcomes. A phygital delivery model, for example, can provide transparency in equipment, sterilisation techniques, patient experiences, and treatment efficacy, building trust and empowering informed health care choices.

Imagine a future where India, already ranked 10th in the Medical Tourism Index, becomes a global hub for dental and cosmetic treatments. Favourable government policies are paving the way, but the missing piece is standardised quality parameters that empower patients to make informed choices about clinic quality and in-clinic experience.

The proliferation of digital platforms and telemedicine solutions has ushered in a new era for primary care in India. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and internet connectivity, patients now have unprecedented access to health care services at their fingertips. Teleconsultations, remote monitoring, and digital health records have empowered individuals to seek and receive primary care without the constraints of geographical barriers, thereby bridging the longstanding gap in health care accessibility.

Imagine a future where India, already ranked 10th in the Medical Tourism Index, becomes a global hub for dental and cosmetic treatments. Favourable government policies are paving the way for the advancement of India's health care sector. As an integral part of the nation's digital health ecosystem under the auspices of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the National Health Authority (NHA) has invited health information technology (IT) companies to participate in the creation of digital health solutions. This initiative includes the creation of the Unified Health Interface, facilitating interoperability among various digital health solutions, as well as the Health Claims Platform for e-claims submission by health care providers. The objective of these efforts is to augment the accessibility and effectiveness of the health care system. But the missing piece continues to be standardised quality parameters that empower patients to make informed choices about clinic quality and in-clinic experience.

Standardised quality parameters act as trust markers, guiding consumers towards clinics that deliver high-quality care and exceptional in-clinic experiences. Moreover, they provide health care providers with uniform benchmarks to adhere to, ensuring that patients receive consistent levels of care regardless of the clinic they visit.

Digital health care companies are poised to play a significant role in developing and implementing these standardised quality frameworks, particularly in the realm of dental care. By leveraging digital technologies, these companies can raise the bar for quality in dental services, setting a precedent for excellence that extends to other medical specialties as well.

The potential for transformative change in primary care is immense, with digital solutions readily available to support the implementation of standardised quality measures. However, achieving this transformation requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders within the health care ecosystem. By working together in the best interest of the patient, health care providers, policymakers, and technology innovators can collectively drive the advancement of standardised quality measurement, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and shaping the future of health care delivery.

This article is authored by Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, chief strategy officer, Practo.
She came, she walked and she conquered like a queen. Fashion influencer Nancy Tyagi is making waves globally after her debut at the Cannes red carpet, and is being the hottest talk of the town on social media. While everyone in the fashion circuit is singing praises for Nancys impressive DIY outfit that she wore at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, it's actor Sonam Kapoor Ahujas comment on her post that has left the influencer totally flattered. Sonam shared one of Nancys DIY reels on her Insta Story and asked the influencer to make an outfit for her. Nancy Tyagi at Cannes 2024

Sonam Kapoor itni badi celebrity hain, unhone mere liye Instagram par story lagaayi hai, its a very big thing for me. Main soch bhi nahi sakti. I am falling short of words, gushes Nancy, adding, Sonam liked my saree outfit, so I would like to make a different kind of saree for her, maybe thoda bada pallaa rakh ke. I feel overwhelmed that all this is happening, just cant believe it. Her sister Rhea also commented on my post, I would love to meet them both someday to create an outfit for them.

After impressing everyone with her red carpet look wearing a heavily frilled powder pink gown weighing 20kg, Nancy shared her second look for Cannes  an embellished saree with a veil, again stitched by her from the scratch, which got her all the adulation.

Recounting her experience of being at Cannes, and especially the red carpet, Nancy tells us, It was amazing to be there, and thankfully, sab kuch achhe se ho gaya. I met everyone who went from India at the gala dinner, from influencers to actors, I enjoyed a lot. The red carpet experience was great, and I cant believe I got to see all the Hollywood stars live with my own eyes. I never thought something like this would ever happen in my life. Main ek chhote se sheher se hoon, I did not expect this popularity and fame would come to me at such a young age."

The 23-year-old, who has carved a niche in designing and stitching her outfits from scratch by sourcing materials from local markets in Delhi, and has recreated looks by actors Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani and many others, began her journey during the lockdown.

I had nothing to do at home, but I knew how to stitch, toh socha kapde hi bana lu. I have my brother, mother and father in the family. My mother and brother live with me in Delhi, but papa gaon mai hi rehte hain. Initially, my dad didnt support my work at all, but now he does, so now I feel stress free. Things have changed a lot after my popularity on social media. And after Cannes, papa ne yeh realise kiya ki videos bana kar bhi insaan bada ban sakta hai, expresses Nancy, who hails from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.

Asked how she managed to make her social media videos at home and if her mum helped her in the process, and Nancy reveals her mother doesnt even know how to stitch.

As a child, I used to stitch my dolls clothes, so there was this innate interest in the craft since the very beginning. And for my content on social media, my brother used to help me in shooting and editing the videos, I just had to stitch, she tells us, adding that Youtube helped her a lot in learning more stitching techniques.

Now, I am not even getting the time to buy the fabric, so I explain my brother everything and he goes to the market to get it. Pata nahi aage kismat mein kya likha hai, right now my aim is just to keep making new outfits, she wraps up.
Chennai: With two weeks left for counting on June 4, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK, appears to be in disarray once again with a section of party leaders claiming that the result will determine the future of party supremo, Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS). AIADMK cornered to address speculation on split, Palaniswamis fate post Lok Sabha election results

In the event of the party finishing behind the BJP in terms of either voter share or seats, party leaders aware of the development said that there could be resentment over decisions taken by EPS, particularly his plans to field lesser known candidates for the Lok Sabha seats when Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 19. Close associates of EPS fear that a drubbing could lead to defections from the party to the BJP, while others seek a change in leadership.

Since EPS took over as chief minister in 2017, the AIADMK has lost every election. The parliamentary polls are his first after he ousted O Panneerselvam (OPS).

Tamil Nadu law minister S Regupathys recent statement that the AIADMK will split and see a change in leadership has got the close associates of EPS coming to his defence, claiming the party is firmly behind him. On EPS birthday on May 13, he said, We will know after the election results whether the AIADMK now led by EPS will change to dual leadership again. There is a chance of a major split in the AIADMK.

Regupathy was referring to the dual leadership of OPS and EPS helming the AIADMK from 2017 to 2022 until EPS expelled him. There has been a flurry of reports that OPS supporters are inching closer to the AIADMK and he may be taken back following the Lok Sabha results.

However, the party has dismissed such rumors. R B Udayakumar who replaced OPS as the deputy leader of opposition on Sunday said that he was instructed by EPS to convey that OPS will never be taken back.

Tamil Nadu went to polls in the first phase on April 19. The AIADMK broke the alliance with the BJP last September. The Dravidian major contested with only one major ally - the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) - with the remaining allies in the previous set of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) choosing to ally with the BJP.

There are divergent views within the party, said a senior AIADMK leader close to EPS not wishing to be named. The cadre desperately needs a win. Post elections in a close door meeting, EPS was not happy with some district secretaries for not doing enough work for the parliamentary polls. This did not go down well with some of them.

There has been a discontent since late last year that we were not doing enough to take on the DMK, said a second AIADMK leader.

But, once the campaign started, we saw how much anti-incumbency against the DMK there was and EPS was receiving a lot of support. But, we also received feedback that voters were not familiar with the candidates. Our leader also began attacking state BJP leaders much later in the campaign, he added.

AIADMK leaders have been forced to quell various speculation in the run up to counting. Wrong information is being spread that the party is facing some issues. We have accepted Edappadi K Palaniswami as our leader after MGR and Jayalalithaa as he saved the party and symbol after great struggle, former minister S P Velumani told reporters on Monday. There is no possibility for a separate faction to be formed again in AIADMK. Those who betrayed the party have gone out. There are no more confusions. He takes any decision only after consulting every one of us.

But his colleague in the party and former minister Sellur Raju on Tuesday posted a video clip of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on X saying that he admired him. Congress is the main ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the duo are part of the INDIA bloc. AIADMK leaders said there is a lot of uncertainty among party leaders and cadres over the future of the party after June 4.

Political analyst Maalan Narayanan said that there will be reverberations and changes in all three parties - the DMK, AIADMK and BJP following the results. If the AIADMK finishes behind the BJP, EPS will be forced to go for a compromise with the BJP and the OPS faction, Narayanan said. But, if the BJP is third, then EPS will be on top and he will try to strengthen his alliance and attempt to bring back allies who have joined the BJP.
Raipur: The dead body of a student pursuing medical studies at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, was found in his hostel room, police said on Wednesday. (Representative Photo)

Police said the deceased identified as Ranjeet Bhoyar, 25, was an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) PG intern.

Bhoyar hailed from Bhuvneshwar district in Odisha and was undergoing treatment for depression and overdosed on his medicines, said police.

The incident came to light after Bhoyars friends on Tuesday went looking for him and found him lying on the floor unconscious in his room at the hostel, said police.

They informed the hostel warden, who then called the cops, said police, adding that no suicide note was recovered from the incident spot.

Police said that a case has been launched in this regard after the initial findings pointed towards death due to an overdose of medicines.

If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 0222754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadavs rallies are drawing massive crowds. Last week, Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left a rally in Prayagraj without addressing it after their supporters rushed to the dais. A Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh and former Union minister believes the SP-Congress combination could win at least 30 of 80 seats in the countrys most populous state. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. (PTI)

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) needs to do well in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra (48 seats) if it hopes to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from returning to power.

Stampede-like situation

SP supporters breached security protocol, and barricades and rushed towards the dais at Yadavs public meeting in Lalganj Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. The police dispersed the crowd and took control of the situation after a stampede-like situation. As Yadav started addressing the people, the crowd became uncontrollable.

Shah seeks Patnaiks retirement

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asked Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, 77, to retire due to his advanced age and health issues, prompting Congress veteran P Chidambaram to take a swipe. Chidambaram asked if Shah was hinting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 73.

Shah promised BJP would make a young Odia-speaking native the chief minister if the party is voted to power in the state. Naveen babu is not keeping well, as a result of which 150000 government vacancies are not being filled up. If we form the government, we will make appointments to these posts.

Chidambaram posted on X, When Mr Amit Shah said that Mr Naveen Patnaik should retire because of advanced age (77 years) was he throwing a hint to Mr Narendra Modi (73 years, 7 months) -- in case the BJP formed the government?

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has said Shah will succeed Modi after he turns 75. The BJP has maintained Modi will continue after 2029 as well.

Stalin hits out at Modi

Chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday accused Modi of inciting hatred a day after the Prime Minister said the missing keys of Jagannath Temples Ratna Bhandar, where precious ornaments of the deities are stored, were in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said that the remark was aimed at maligning the Tamils for votes. The Prime Minister should stop defaming Tamil Nadu and Tamils for votes, Stalin said in a statement.

On Monday, Modi attacked Odishas Patnaik-led government saying even the temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is unsafe.

Tamil Nadus BJP chief K Annamalai said Odishas ruling Biju Janata Dal was promoting outsider VK Pandian, a Tamilian, and that it does not respect the people of Odisha and its culture

Bitter battle for Bengal

Three religious and social welfare organisations headquartered in West Bengal  the Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), and International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)  have been caught in a political storm involving the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP. Banerjee accused some religious and social organisations of helping the BJP. Modi hit back at Banerjee, sparking a war of words.
The Calcutta high court on Wednesday cancelled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010. Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government came to power in the state in 2011. Hence, the order is effective on all the OBC certificates issued under the Mamata government and the chief minister said the government won't accept the order. It was a BJP conspiracy, Mamata said adding that the OBC reservation quota introduced by the West Bengal government will continue. The Bill was drafted after conducting a house-to-house survey, and it was passed by the cabinet and the assembly, Mamata said reacting to the court order. Mamata Banerjee said the OBC verdict by the Calcutta high court is a conspiracy by the BJP.(Utpal Sarkar )

The BJP has conspired to stall it by using central agencies. How can the saffron party show such audacity? Mamata said.

The order came as the high court passed judgment on petitions challenging the provisions of the Act. The court said the verdict won't affect people who have got jobs in the OBC category or have been selected. The judgment will impact a sizeable number of people in the state, a lawyer involved in the matter told PTI.

The court struck down several classes for reservation as Other Backward Classes (OBC) given under The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.

In the judgement, the division bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha clarified that the executive orders of the state government classifying 66 classes of OBC before 2010 were not interfered with, since these were not challenged in the petitions.

The bench directed that the state's executive orders classifying 42 classes as OBCs from March 5, 2010, to May 11, 2012, were also quashed, with prospective effect, in view of the illegality of the reports recommending such classification.

The bench said that the opinion and advice of the Backward Classes Commission is ordinarily binding on the state legislature under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.

The bench directed the Backward Classes Welfare Department of the state, in consultation with the Commission, to place a report before the legislature with recommendations for inclusion of new classes or for exclusion of remaining classes in the state list of OBCs.

(With PTI inputs)
Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday suggested that Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who is 77 years old, should retire due to his advanced age and health issues. It prompted Congress veteran P Chidambaram to take a swipe at the home minister, asking if he was hinting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is 73 years and seven months old. Union home minister Amit Shah and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram.

Amit Shah was addressing back-to-back election rallies in Odisha ahead of the third phase of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in Odisha on May 25. Amit Shah said the ongoing polls are to make Narendra Modi the prime minister for the third term and restore Odisha's glory, which has been destroyed by the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government.

Promising that the Bharatiya Janata Party will make a young Odia-speaking 'bhumiputra' the CM if the party is voted to power in the state, Amit Shah said, Naveen babu is not keeping well, as a result of which 1.5 lakh government vacancies are not being filled up. If we form the government, we will make appointments to these posts.

Reacting to the home minister's speech, former Union minister Chidambaram on Wednesday posted on X, When Mr Amit Shah said that Mr Naveen Patnaik should retire because of advanced age (77 years) was he throwing a hint to Mr Narendra Modi (73 years, 7 months) -- in case the BJP formed the government?

It seems that Mr Amit Shah will be the happiest person if the BJP did not form the government and he, not Mr Modi, will sit as the Leader of the Opposition! Chidambaram added.

Chidambaram's swipe at Amit Shah apparently stemmed from Delhi chief minister Kejriwal's repeated claims that Modi would retire from politics once he attains 75 years of age in 2025, in accordance with the saffron party's rules. Arvind Kejriwal has also claimed that the prime minister is seeking votes for Amit Shah as his successor.

Modi, however, has dismissed allegations from opposition leaders, asserting that no such arrangement has been made.

"I do not have any inheritance of my own, you are my inheritance and you are also my heir," said Modi during his address in Bihar's Maharajganj on Tuesday.
Arvind Kejriwal spoke up for the first time on the Swati Maliwal assault row and said he wants justice and a fair investigation of the incident as it has two versions. In an interview with news agency PTI, Kejriwal reacted to the raging issue first time since it happened on May 13 creating a massive political storm in Delhi. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar of slapping and kicking inside the chief minister's residence on May 13 when Swati Maliwal went to visit him. Bibhav has been arrested while the Aam Aadmi Party stood by Bibhav and called Swati Maliwal a BJP's stooge. Arvind Kejriwal spoke about Swati Maliwal assault case, Sunita Kejriwal's political interest. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

Got a call from: Swati Maliwal makes fresh allegation against AAP

Delhi minister Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh put forward the party's stand on this issue so far while Kejriwal maintained his silence on the incident involving one of AAP's oldest members. At PTI's interview on Wednesday, Kejriwal said the matter is subjudice and his comment might affect the proceedings but he expects a fair investigation.

Delhi Police's SIT to probe Maliwal assault case, Bibhav taken to CM house

"But I expect there will be a fair investigation. Justice should be served. There are two versions of the event. Police should investigate both versions fairly and justice should be done," Kejriwal said.

Bibhav Kumar is currently in five-day police custody in connection with the case. He was taken to Mumbai where his phone locations were traced. Police belive Bibhav formatted his phone there.

Maliwal on Wednesday lobbed another big charge at the party claiming that everyone was pressured to leak Maliwal's personal photos.

"Yesterday I got a call from a big leader of the party. They told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to say bad things against Swati, they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that anyone who supports her will be expelled from the party," Maliwal wrote on an X post.

"Someone has got the duty of doing press conference and someone has got the duty of tweeting. It is someone's duty to call the volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me," she added.

On Sunita Kejriwal's political role

Speaking about his wife Sunita Kejriwal who was a messenger between him and the public when he was in jail, Arvind Kejriwal said Sunita was there at every stage in his life. "In every stage of my life, Sunita has supported me. I am fortunate to have a partner like her. To tolerate an eccentric person like me is not easy," Kejriwal said.

But Sunita has no interest in active politics, the Delhi chief minister asserted.
Eric Ehler, co-owner of Outta Sight Pizza, at the Tenderloin slice shop. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

One of the Bay Areas top pizzerias will open a new San Francisco location.

Outta Sight Pizza announced on Instagram it will launch a second restaurant, at 643 Clay St. in Chinatown, which will offer New York-style pies, slices and sandwiches. Chef and co-owner Eric Ehler said the new location will offer a similar experience and menu as the original in the Tenderloin, but that fans and customers can expect pies drawing inspiration from Chinatown staples like dim sum and Peking duck. Ehler hopes to open it as early as September.

We make San Francisco-style pizza, because we would do anything to pizza, Ehler said. He added that around 60% of the menu at the Chinatown location will lean traditional, with pies topped with pepperoni, sausage or mushrooms, and the rest will be a bit more fun and offbeat. Ahead of the opening the team is working on a pan pizza recipe, akin to Pizza Huts, which might be topped with char siu pork, Ehler said.

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Pesto, left, and a vodka slice from Outta Sight. Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle

Ehler and business partner Peter Dorrance have been in negotiations for the location since late 2023, saying they are drawn to the neighborhood since they met while working at Michelin-starred Mister Jius nearby. While at Mister Jius, the duo also worked with the team behind the new, buzzing neo-Cantonese restaurant Four Kings  which the Chronicles restaurant critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan called a rowdy good time. A few minutes walk separates the two restaurants.

The new spot, previously home to a sub shop and boba tea cafe, will be more geared toward takeout due to its long and narrow layout, but will still offer roughly 12 seats inside and outside. Because the space is in good condition, extensive repairs are not necessary.

General manager John Hill hands pizza to a customer at Outta Sight Pizza in the Tenderloin. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Outta Sight launched as a pop-up in 2020, and became well-known during its residency at Hayes Valley wine bar Fig & Thistle. Ehler and Dorrance opened a permanent space at 422 Larkin St. in the Tenderloin in late 2022. The shops classic pies, which command respect with crunch and tangy tomato sauce, according to Chronicle associate restaurant critic Cesar Hernandez, made the shop an instant hit. The pizzeria has a laid-back feel, with hip-hop playing from speakers and white tile walls decorated with Giants gear and skateboarding photography. Whether future patrons at the incoming Chinatown shop dine in or take their fresh pizza to go, Ehler said they can expect the same attention to detail and delicious, punchy pies Outta Sight is known for.

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A Member of Parliament (MP) from Bangladesh, belonging to the ruling Awami League party, has been killed in Kolkata, the country's home minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced on Wednesday. Bangladesh's ruling party MP Anwarul Azim (Source:X)

"MP Anwarul Azim Anar has been killed in Kolkata, and three have been arrested in Bangladesh," Khan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Anwarul Azim had gone missing from Kolkata, West Bengal, since May 18. He had entered India on May 12. A high-level search operation was launched to find him.

Anwarul Azim was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up. According to the ANI report, his family friend in Kolkata said that his last physical presence was before May 13 and that there had been no physical or direct contact with him since May 18.

However, messages have been exchanged from Azim's phone with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicating his intended journey to Delhi.

Indian authorities launched investigation

Indian authorities have launched a joint investigation into the killing of the Bangaldesh MP.



Azim's family members are also set to arrive in Kolkata for further formalities, and their visa process is underway, reported ANI.

As our Home Minister has announced, so I definitely believe that this has happened...But we still don't have any authentic information from the Government of India. So, we will have to wait. But we apprehend that he may have been killed or assassinated because our Home Minister has already announced it...There might be several reasons behind it, Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press), High Commission for Bangladesh in New Delhi told ANI.

"But we don't have any clear information...He was a very frequent traveller to Kolkata and had good relations with the people in Kolkata. He has a very close friend - Gopal Vishwas. Maybe, he came here for treatment or business purposes or any other issue. We don't know...His daughter is trying to come to Kolkata today..."

Also Read | HC grants bail to Bangladeshi national arrested in drugs case

Earlier, following the MP's sudden alleged disappearance, his family friend Gopal Viswas lodged a missing person complaint at the Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, after the MP's daughter reported being unable to contact her father.

According to ANI, "On the morning of May 16, he (Anwarul Azim) called his assistant but could not connect. Later, when his PA called him back, he did not answer," stated the complaint dated May 18, 2024.

"His daughter called me (Viswas), and said, I can't communicate with my father. Then I (Viswas) contacted all his (Anarul Azim's) acquaintances on the phone, but it was not possible to contact him," it added.

A copy of the complaint said, I was then requested to come to Baranagar police station on May 18 to register the complaint in the missing diary.
Kolkata: Bangladesh Awami League MP Md. Anwarul Azim (Anar), who came to West Bengal and went missing from Baranagar in the northern fringes of Kolkata last week, has been murdered, officials of both Bangladesh and West Bengal said on Wednesday. Bangladesh Awami League MP Md. Anwarul Azim (Twitter Photo/ IANS)

He had come to India on a personal visit. We had no intimation. We received a missing diary on May 18. Barrackpore city police set up a Special Investigation Team to trace him. On May 20, we received an intimation from the ministry of external affairs through the state government to look into the matter. On Tuesday, we received an input that he probably has been murdered. CID has taken over the investigation. We are yet to recover the body, AK Chaturvedi, Inspector-general of police, Criminal Investigation Department, told media persons in Kolkata.

Police said Azim had come to India on May 12 and visited the house of his long-term friend Gopal Biswas at Baranagar in North 24 Parganas. It was Biswas who lodged the missing diary on May 18, following which the probe to trace the MP began.

Azim, a resident of Dhaka, is a three-time MP from Jhenaidah. He had two mobile phones. While one had a Bangladeshi number another had an Indian number. His Bangladeshi number was switched off on May 12 when he entered India.

Also Read: Bangladesh MP killed in Kolkata, joint investigation launched. What happened?

He has been murdered in a flat in Kolkata. It was a planned murder. Both Indian police and Bangladeshi police are investigating, Asaduzzaman Khan, Bangladesh home minister, told media persons in Dhaka.

Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters in Dhaka that West Bengal police entered the flat where Azim was reportedly murdered but could not find his body.

Khan said three persons were arrested in Bangladesh. Were trying to catch a few more...According to the information we have so far, the people of our country [Bangladesh] are involved in the killing, Khan was quoted as saying by Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star.

According to the missing diary lodged by Biswas with the Baranagar police, a copy of which was seen by HT, Azim came to his house on May 12 evening around 7pm. He had come for some medical treatment.

The next day on May 13, Azim left around 1:40pm saying that he wont have lunch but would return in the evening. In the evening, Azim, however, sent a WhatsApp message to Biswas saying that he was going to Delhi for some work. In the message, he also said that he would inform Biswas after reaching Delhi and that Biswas shouldnt call him, said a police officer.

On May 15, Biswas again got a WhatsApp message from Azim around 11:20am saying that he had reached Delhi and that there were some VIPs with him. Biswas, who is known to Azims family, later came to know that the MP had sent the same message to his PA and family members back home in Bangladesh.

On May 16 Azim called his PA in the morning. His PA couldnt receive the call. Later when he called back Azim, he failed to contact him, police have learnt.

On May 17, Azims daughter called Biswas and informed him that she couldnt reach his father over the phone. Biswas and other family members tried throughout the day to reach Azim but failed. It was only then that Biswas lodged a missing diary on May 18 at the Baranagar police station.

Investigation revealed that after leaving Biswass flat Azim had been to a flat in New Town around 20 km from Baranagar. Police have collected CCTV footage and are even checking mobile tower locations.

The flat belongs to a man named Sandeep. He had given it on rent to one Rahaman, who happens to be a US national. Investigation is going on, said IG Chaturvedi.

Bangladesh Detective Branch chief Harun-or-Rashid told journalists in Dhaka that Bangladeshi criminals were behind the killing. It is a brutal murder. We are investigating whether family or financial causes, or enmity with local miscreants led to his death. We are working closely with the Indian police and getting plenty of information, he said.

Jhenaidah, the area which Azim represented in Bangladeshs Parliament, is known for its high crime rate, Khan said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Azim and expressed her sympathy to his family members.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Puri, Sambit Patras remark few days ahead of the May 25 polls has landed him in troubled waters. Patra, who is a party spokesperson and a popular television face landed himself and the party in a soup when during an interview where he claimed that he inadvertently said that even Lord Jagannath is a bhakt (devotee) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Patra has apologised and vowed penance, but the ruling BJD is having none of that. (PTI file photo)

Patra has apologised and vowed penance, but the ruling BJD is having none of that. The party, which was accused of hurting Odiya pride by projecting a non-Odiya VK Pandian as its face has returned fire, claiming that the BJP insulted Lord Jagannath.

The BJPs woes have been compounded as the DMK has taken umbrage to the PMs comment that the missing keys of the temples Ratna Bhandar or treasury have been taken to Tamil Nadu. The statement was a broadside against VK Pandian tracing his roots to Tamil Nadu.

MK Stalin the CM of Tamil Nadu has criticised the BJP and said that the prime minister has not only insulted Lord Jagannath, but also wounded, the people of Tamil Nadu who share a cordial relationship with Odisha.

He said the speech is aimed at instigating the people of Odisha against the people of Tamil Nadu, whose devotion to Lord Jagannath is immeasurable.

During his visit to Puri, the PM made a reference to the missing key and said, When the keys of houses are lost, we pray to Lord Jagannath and find them within one or two hours with the Lords blessing. But the keys of Lord Jagannath Ratna Bhandar are missing, and it has been six years now. The report of the commission of inquiry into the missing keys of Ratna Bhandar report has been suppressed for six years as the keys have gone to Tamil Nadu.

Censure

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has censured former Calcutta high court judge and BJP candidate from Tamluk in West Bengal Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his remarks against chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

The BJP candidate has been barred from campaigning for 24 hours beginning 5pm on Tuesday. The poll panel has also urged party president JP Nadda to issue an advisory to leaders to prevent lapses.

The former high court judge had made disparaging comments against Banerjee which the RLEC found were beyond dignity in every sense of the term and in bad taste.

For his part, the former judge has written to the pole panel to reconsider its decision after which he will approach the courts.

Gangopadhyays statement is not just a breach of the model code of conduct that bars vituperative campaigning, but also overlooks Prime Minister Narendra Modis instruction to party leaders to refrain from carrying out a negative campaign.

Ahead of the elections, the prime minister had explicitly told the party leaders to refrain from making disparaging comments or resorting to abuse of their political opponents.

This is also not the first time the election commission has been approached to act against a BJP candidates speech against their political opponent. The Congress had approached the poll watchdog with a plea seeking action against the PMs speech which they alleged targeted the minorities.
In rallies in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Opposition is completely defeated and destroyed after five phases of polling for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, that he has no successor, and accused top Congress leaders, starting from the countrys first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, of being against reservations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on Tuesday. (PTI)

The sixth and seventh phases of polling are scheduled for May 25 and June 1, for 58 and 57 seats, respectively, but Modi said that the Opposition is already defeated  a comment that came on a day when Union home minister Amit Shah said the Bharatiya Janata Party has already won 310 seats (of the 429 that have gone to the polls).

To be sure, that wasnt the only talk of numbers on Tuesday: Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the INDIA bloc of opposition parties would win more than 300 seats, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there was an undercurrent in favour of the bloc.

In Maharajganj, Modi said the Opposition could not tolerate the fact that people were supporting him. During the first phase poll, the Opposition felt dejected (passt) and following subsequent rejections, it was decimated (dhwast) by fourth phases and now after the conclusion of fifth phase, they are completely defeated and destroyed (paraasth).

He also emphasised his governments clean record, targeting the Opposition for corruption, and for dynastic politics. He said he had neither inheritance nor heirs, and that all people were his heirs.

They are all communal, casteist and dynastic..., he said.

In East Champaran, Modi also targeted the Opposition for the narrative it has sought to build, that the BJP is in pursuit of an absolute majority so that it can amend the Constitution, removing the benefits of reservation for backward castes and classes.

Had it not been for Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Nehru would have never agreed to quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs. Nehru made his views clear on the issue in letters he wrote to the then chief ministers in the country.

This has been the Congresss trait under successive prime ministers. Be it, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, they all opposed reservations. SCs, STs and OBCs have never got respect from the Congress, he added.

Referring to Champaran as Mahatma Gandhis karma bhoomi  it is where Gandhi launched his first satyagraha  Modi said the Congress betrayed his ideals upon coming to power and devoted itself to promoting the interests of one family.

Elections have been completed in 24 of Indias 36 states and Union territories. Just 115 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats remain for the last two phases on May 26 and June 1. Both the ruling party and the Opposition have claimed victory in the five rounds of polling that have finished.

Later in the day, Modi addressed a rally in Prayagraj and called the Opposition anti-development, adding that both the Congress and its ally Samajwadi Party competed in the appeasement of vote banks.

What used to happen (at Kumbh) during the time of SP-Congress? There used to be stampedes in the crowd, people had to die, there was anarchy everywhere... Because they were more concerned about their vote bank than the Kumbh, he said.

They (SP and Congress) were afraid if they were seen doing something extra for Kumbh, their vote bank might feel bad. A competition of appeasement used to take place between the SP and Congress, Modi said, addressing a rally in the region known for the Kumbh Mela and the Triveni Sangam.

This election of 2024 will decide the direction in which the Triveni of Indias future will flow, he added. Triveni is the confluence of three rivers considered sacred in Hinduism  the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati.

Modi alleged that INDIA bloc members are diametrically opposed to good governance and our faith.

These people boycotted the Ram temple and called the sanatan (dharma) dengue and malaria; would they allow next years Kumbh to be organised properly? he asked.

In Varanasi, Modi apparently referred to SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadavs boys will be boys remark from 2014, and slammed the regional party over the law-and-order situation when it was in power in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a womens conference in his home constituency, Modi said that there was jungle raj during the SP rule in Uttar Pradesh and women found it difficult to step out of their homes.

The SP people used to shamelessly say boys make mistakes, Modi said in an apparent reference to Yadavs controversial remark made a decade ago while opposing capital punishment for rape.

Let SPs boys make a mistake now, Modi said, adding that the Yogi Adityanath government will deal with them in a manner that they would not have imagined

Opposing death penalty for rape, Mulayam Singh in 2014 said, Galtiyan kabhi-kabhi ho jaati hain. Ladke to ladke hi rahenge. (Mistakes do sometimes happen. Boys will remain boys).

The PM also said that the Congress and SP always neglected the welfare of women but under the BJP government, women are at the centre of the countrys success story.

Terming the INDIA bloc members anti-women, Modi said that had the Congress been in power, kitchen expenses in every household would have gone up two to three times. He said the BJP government helped them improve their lives with the help of various schemes.There might not have been many discussions on the topic, but this is a big factor in the countrys success story, he said.

The womens vote is considered among the key factors in the ongoing polls, and almost every party is hoping to secure a chunk of this vote base.
NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday reiterated its concern over recent incidents of violence targeting foreign students in Kyrgyzstan but said the situation in the capital Bishkek had returned to normal because of swift action by local authorities. Hundreds of local men attacked buildings housing foreigners, especially students, last week, apparently in retaliation for an incident on May 13 in which some Kyrgyz men were allegedly beaten by Egyptian students.

No untoward incident was reported in Bishkek over the past few days and there are no restrictions on the movement of transportation or people, the Indian embassy in Kyrgyzstan said in a statement. However, classes are being conducted online as a measure of precaution, it said.

After 29 people were injured when violent mobs targeted foreign nationals in Bishkek last week, India had advised students in Kyrgyzstan to remain indoors. There were no reports of casualties among Indian students.

Hundreds of local men attacked buildings housing foreigners, especially students, last week, apparently in retaliation for an incident on May 13 in which some Kyrgyz men were allegedly beaten by Egyptian students.

The Indian embassy said a large number of Indian students join medical and other universities in Kyrgyzstan every year. There are currently about 17,000 Indian students spread across many cities in Kyrgyzstan and most of them are in Bishkek.

The embassy has been concerned at the recent incidents of violence against foreign students in Bishkek. However, due to swift action by the Kyrgyz authorities, the situation in Bishkek has returned to normal, the statement said.

Students and their families are urged not to pay attention to rumours being spread by some mischievous elements, it added.

The Indian embassy has actively worked with universities and senior government functionaries to address the concerns of Indian students. Two helplines - 0555710041 and 0555005538 - are functional round the clock for students to reach out to the embassy for all kinds of assistance.

Indian ambassador Arun Kumar Chatterjee visited Jalal-Abad State University on May 18 and the International Higher School of Medicine in Bishkek on Wednesday and interacted with Indian students. Embassy officials also visited the International Medical University and Eurasian Medical University on May 21 and the Royal Metropolitan University and Avicenna University on Wednesday to address the concerns of students.

Air connectivity between Bishkek and New Delhi is operational and flights to India can also be availed via Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah and Tashkent, the statement said. Local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek is accessible to Indian students.

As the academic year is coming to a close, prior to travelling back to India, including for summer vacations, all Indian students must contact their respective universities about the formalities required for the completion of their exams, it said.
Days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hatching a new conspiracy to target the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and alleged that its government in neighbouring Haryana has stopped water supply to the national capital. Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi during a press conference in New Delhi on May 22.(PTI)

Addressing a press conference, Atishi, who is also the Water minister, said the BJP has been hatching conspiracies to target AAP ever since the Lok Sabha polls were announced. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections here.

"Within five days of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested so that the AAP could not campaign in the polls. After he came out on interim bail, they used the party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to frame him, but even that plan did not work, Atishi said.

"Then they raked up the old issue of foreign funding to the party and now through their Haryana government, the BJP has stopped the supply of Yamuna water to Delhi," she alleged.

Atishi further accused the BJP of orchestrating a water crisis in Delhi. "I want to warn the people of Delhi that in the coming days till May 25, more such things will happen. They will do this to manipulate voters. I want to tell BJP that you cannot fool the people of Delhi," she said.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP Or Haryana government.

In Wednesday's press conference, Atishi said that the matter regarding the water supply came to light after her department started receiving complaints of water shortage even from those areas where such issues had never risen before.

She added that her department would write to the Haryana government today itself and said that her government will move an urgent application to the Supreme Court in case of inaction.

Also Read | AAP violated FCRA in receiving foreign funds: ED to home ministry

"The Yamuna level mostly remains at 674 feet at Wazirabad and even when it is at the lowest it remains at 672 feet. But on May 11, it was at 671.6 feet and remained at that level for three days. On May 14 and 15, it was at 671.9 feet and then on May 16 it came down to 671.3 feet and then it further declined to 671 feet in the subsequent three days, Atishi said.

"On May 21, maybe for the first time in history, Yamuna's water level came down to 670.9 feet," she added. Atishi accused the BJP of doing this to "tarnish the image of the AAP government" and "to trouble the people of Delhi".

(With inputs from PTI)
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the police will interrogate his old and ill parents tomorrow. The reason was not immediately clear, but it is suspected that police will be visiting the chief minister's residence in connection with the Swati Maliwal assault case. Swati Maliwal has alleged that she was "assaulted" by Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar when she went to meet the chief minister on May 13. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times)

Tomorrow Delhi Police will come to interrogate my old and ill parents, Kejriwal posted on X in Hindi.

Delhi minister Atishi later said, I want to ask PM Modi and BJP that 85-year-old father of Arvind Kejriwal who cannot walk alone without support and the mother of Arvind Kejriwal who just returned home a few days ago after spending a long time in the hospital, do they think that 85-year-old patients raised their hands on Swati Maliwal?

AAP MP Swati Maliwal, the former chairman of the Delhi Commission for Women, has alleged that Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar assaulted her at the chief minister's residence. The police have registered a case and arrested Kumar, who was brought back to Delhi from Mumbai on Wednesday.

Read: Got a call from: Swati Maliwal makes fresh allegation against AAP

Delhi Police had taken Bibhav Kumar to Mumbai for investigation in connection with the assault case. He was taken to three locations in Mumbai where his phone location was tracked, reported ANI.

Delhi Police had earlier mentioned in the Tis Hazari Court that they would take Kumar to Mumbai to the place where he had allegedly formatted his phone.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal broke his silence in the case and said he expects a fair investigation into the matter and justice should be served.

Read: In the Swati Maliwal case, AAP gets a taste of its street politics

In an interview to PTI, the chief minister said the matter is currently "sub-judice" and his comment might affect the proceedings.

"But I expect there will be a fair investigation. Justice should be served. There are two versions of the event. Police should investigate both versions fairly and justice should be done," Kejriwal said.

Reacting to his comment, Maliwal said irony died a thousand deaths, adding that Kejriwal has finally said that he wants free and fair investigation in the matter.

"After unleashing the entire army of leaders and volunteers at me, calling me a BJP agent, assassinating my character, leaking edited videos, victim shaming me, roaming around with the accused, letting him re enter the crime scene and tamper evidences and protesting in favour of the accused, the Chief Minister, in whose drawing room I was beaten up, has finally said that he wants free and fair investigation in the matter. Irony died a thousand deaths. I don't buy this one bit," she said in a post on X.
NEW DELHI: The charter of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which has come into force, is expected to give a fillip to Indias efforts to bolster its position as a key grouping in the region. The BIMSTEC charter, which entered into force on May 20, articulates the long-term vision and priorities of the member states (Facebook/BimstecInDhaka)

External affairs minister S Jaishankar hailed the entry into force of the BIMSTEC charter on Wednesday, saying the development reaffirms Indias commitment to a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable neighbourhood.

It is achieved by building on our shared history, culture, vision and mutual respect for each other. BIMSTEC reflects the synthesis of our Neighbourhood First and Act East policies! he said in a post on X.

The BIMSTEC charter, which entered into force on May 20, articulates the long-term vision and priorities of the member states  Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand  and establishes the legal and institutional framework for cooperation in the region.

The charter also confers legal personality on the grouping, enables the admission of new members and observers, and enables the conclusion of agreements with countries or sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions.

The development is a significant milestone and provides a framework for meaningful cooperation and deeper integration of the Bay of Bengal region, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The BIMSTEC charter was signed and adopted during the fifth summit of the grouping in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2022. With the endorsement of the charter by Nepals Parliament in April this year, all member states completed the ratification of the foundational document and the charter came into force.

The adoption and coming into force of the charter is a testament to the shared commitment of member states to promote regional cooperation in key sectors such as security, connectivity, trade, agriculture, environment, science and technology, agriculture and people-to-people contacts.

The seven members of BIMSTEC are home to nearly 22% of the global population and have a combined GDP of $3.6 trillion.

With cooperation under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) having stalled because of differences between India and Pakistan, New Delhi has sought to bolster regional cooperation under BIMSTEC and BBIN, which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the city government to take steps to fill up the post of state commissioner for persons with disabilities . Fill up post of state commissioner for persons with disabilities, HC tells Delhi govt

The court was dealing with a plea by National Federation of the Blind alleging non-compliance of last year's order which had directed the authorities to undertake a special recruitment drive for filling up the backlog of vacancies in various posts reserved for persons with disabilities in a time bound manner.

Senior counsel SK Rungta, appearing for the organisation, said that action was yet to be taken with respect to the recruitment drive and in the absence of a state commissioner, the matter should be marked to the chief commissioner.

"SCPD is not there. Let it be sent to chief commissioner," he said.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora issued notice on the plea and asked the Delhi government to file its response.

"Respondent Delhi government is directed to take steps to fill up the post of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for Delhi before the next date of hearing," the court said.

On March 6, 2023, a division bench headed by the then chief justice had directed the Delhi government to undertake a special recruitment drive for filling up the backlog of vacancies in various posts reserved for persons with disabilities in a time bound manner.

It had directed filling up of the vacancies reported by different departments against the reservation for promotion in relation to persons with disabilities and said any deviation from the time schedule set by it would invite contempt action for non-compliance.

The court had asked the SCPD to monitor the drive and clarified that once the process was over, the commissioner shall be free to examine the vacancy-wise roster from 33 departments that have reported zero vacancies and address any backlog.

The petitioner organisation had submitted that it filed the petition in 2017 after in spite of orders passed by the Supreme Court, the vacancies were not filled up.

The matter would be heard next on Juy 15.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Situated along the India-Nepal border in Bihar, the Sheohar Lok Sabha constituency is all set to witness a direct contest between two women candidates  each with distinct social and political background  representing two regional powerhouses in the state. Former MP vs LS debutant in Sheohar battle

While the Janata Dal (United), an ally in the ruling NDA, has fielded Lovely Anand, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a partner in the opposition INDIA bloc, has given a ticket to Ritu Jaiswal.

Distinct name to fame

Lovely Anand is the wife of mafioso-turned-political Anand Mohan Singh, who was incarcerated for 16 years after being convicted for the 1994 murder of G Krishnaiah, then district magistrate of Gopalganj. Singh, who was serving life sentence in the case, walked of the prison in April last year after the Bihar government amended the jail manual.

A two-term Bihar legislator, Lovely Anand had represented the Vaishali Lok Sabha seat from 1994 to 1996. She comes from the Rajput community, a so-called upper caste.

On the other hand, Ritu Jaiswal started her political journey by becoming the mukhiya (village head) of Singwania gram panchayat in Sitamarhi in 2016. She was honoured with the champions of change award by then Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu in 2018. She also contested, albeit unsuccessfully, the assembly election from Parihar in Sitamarhi in 2020 on an RJD ticket. Her husband, Arun Kumar, took a voluntary retirement from IRS, became a mukhiya himself and also tutors UPSC aspirants in Patna. She comes from the Vaishya community, a dominant caste grouping in the constituency.

Outsider vs local

Ahead of the May 25 polling in the constituency, the RJD has levelled an outsider charge against Lovely Anand  a claim her camp denies. In her counter, she points at her son Chetan Anand, who is a local legislator, and strongman husband, who is a former MP from the seat. In such a situation how can I be called an outsider, she said.

Chetan Anand, who was elected on a RJD ticket, had bailed out the Nitish Kumar government during the trust vote in February this year, by crossing over to the ruling camp. The trust vote was necessitated after Kumars crossing over to the NDA camp from the Mahagathbandhan.

Jaiswal, who is a native of Singwani in Sheohar constituency, is making the contest a battle of contrast by projecting it a fight between wife of the assassin of an IAS and a hard-working wife of an IRS officer who left luxury in Delhi to serve the people.

Will chief minister Nitish Kumar reply what was the compulsion of giving tickets to such people? Be it any party, people should think about caste and criminal background, she told HT.

Caste, a factor

For the ruling alliance, fielding a non-Vaishya candidate has antagonised the predominant Vaishya community in a seat that has 25% voters from the community. Rama Devi, the incumbent BJP lawmaker who won the previous three polls in the seat but had to opt out of the race after the seat went to the JD(U), comes from the Vaishya community traditionally BJP voters.

Besides Vaishya, EBCs constitute 30% of voters, Dalits 20%, Muslims 18% and so-called upper castes 17%.

It is true that our community has been denied ticket but we also should take into consideration the development work by the government. Post-2005, it was impossible to travel to Muzaffarpur, a distance of 45 km in even five hours, but today one can make two-three trips a day, Manu Kumar, a businessman who travels to Muzaffarpur every alternate day for wholesale marketing, said.

People in rural constituencies are tight-lipped on the inaccessibility of Lovely and Chetan Anand, but some BJP functionaries said that complaints of the latters inaccessibility was creating a negative momentum and hampering his mothers candidature.

With BJP out of the race in Sheohar, this has confused voters, particularly rural women who dont see any campaign from saffron party, Dharmesh Kumar, who runs a sweets shop near Bargania railway station, said.

To overcome the problem and ward off the confusion, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)  the ideological fountainhead of the BJP  has stepped in.

We have so far held over 4,000 meetings in panchayats. A team has been formed for every panchayat and by [May] 24, we plan to hold 10,000 such meetings. People are being told not to look at candidate, but the PM [Narendra Modi]. Ram mandir, Article 370, Covid vaccinations, benefits of welfare schemes are being taken to them. One of the aims is to ward off the negative image of candidate, an RSS functionary said, requesting anonymity.

Closed sugar mill

Twenty km from the district headquarters of Sitamarhi, the echoes of the closure of Rega sugar mill since 2020 reverberates. The mill, which used to produce 5,000 bags of sugar a day, today stands as one of the examples of decline of industries in Bihar.

It had workforce of 800 at the time of closure. Nearly 200 families depended on it and people of the area were attached to it directly or indirectly, Niraj Jha, chief security officer who visits the closed mill every day, said.

Our hopes are high from the Centre, Nand Kishore Shah, a local resident, said. Many people have migrated out to earn bread and butter.
Rams Gate Winery, which opened in 2011, has sold to ONeill Vintners & Distillers. Sam Wolson/Special to the Chronicle

Sonomas Rams Gate Winery, which produces single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from top California sites, has sold to beverage conglomerate ONeill Vintners & Distillers.

At first glance, ONeills acquisition of the Sonoma winery is unexpected, since the company has historically focused on less expensive and trend-driven wines, like low-sugar brand FitVine and Intercept from former Oakland Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson. Rams Gate, on the other hand, sells several Chardonnays for over $70 a bottle. But ONeill Vintners founder and CEO Jeff ONeill has a special connection to the winery: He was one of the four founders.

In 2006, a friend said, Hey you know a lot about this wine business. What do you think about this site? It was such a unique opportunity to create world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, said ONeill of the first time he visited the Carneros property. That whole area was really coming of age at the time. Nearly 20 years later, hes bought out his other partners for an undisclosed purchase price to become Rams Gates lone owner.

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Rams Gate, featuring views of San Pablo Bay, markets itself as the gateway to Sonoma Wine Country. Ramin Rahimian/Special to The Chronicle

Located 2 miles north of Sears Point, Rams Gate markets itself as the gateway to Sonoma Wine Country. Its the first winery people drive past when they turn off Highway 37 and the rural landscape gives way to vines. This location has helped make the winery a bustling tourist destination, and Rams Gate was also one of the first wineries in the area to offer fancy food pairings. Today, visitors can book a luxury picnic, a caviar experience and a five-course pairing.

ONeill said he originally took the lead on building the winerys home, recruiting renowned Wine Country architect Howard Backen to design the striking, barn-like structure that opened in 2011. I was there every day during building. I can tell you where every paver, every tile came from, said ONeill.

The 125-acre, organically farmed estate sits on a knoll that rises from the San Pablo Bay and provides visitors with rare waterfront views. The cooling influences from the bay and the nearby Petaluma Gap make this spot prime land for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though Rams Gate also sources fruit from some of the regions best-known sites, like renowned grower Larry Hydes Hyde Vineyard and El Diablo Vineyard, planted by the late Ulises Valdez.

ONeill, who stepped back from Rams Gate in recent years to focus on ONeill Vintners, said he hadnt planned on bringing the winery under the companys umbrella. But an opportunity presented itself for us to get in the Sonoma region, he said, and it was an opportunity for (the other founders) to take advantage of their investment. He added that the winemaking team, led by winemaker Joe Nielsen, will remain in place, and didnt note any major changes.

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Rams Gate produces single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from top California sites, and was one of the first wineries in the region to offer fancy food pairings. Ramin Rahimian/Special to The Chronicle

Rams Gate, which produces roughly 8,000 cases of wine annually, is the ONeill portfolios first winery from Sonoma, and its price point goes well beyond the average of the company, which produces about 1.2 million cases of wine per year, according to Wine Business Monthly. The acquisition has inspired ONeill to create a new luxury wine division, starting with Rams Gate and one other ONeill winery: Rabble, the Generation Z-focused red wine brand known for its augmented reality labels.

We keep talking about young people not coming into the industry and I think thats not exactly correct, said ONeill. Theyre not coming in at the super low end. What used to be a $5 entry-level wine 25 years ago is $15-$20 today, and I believe a lot of these new consumers are going to be coming in at a much higher level.

ONeill isnt the only wine company shifting its focus to the luxury tier. Constellation Brands, for example, has notably sold off many of its inexpensive labels to make room for higher-end ones, like Sea Smoke, the renowned Santa Barbara winery it purchased earlier this month. The new division means ONeill could be Constellations latest competitor, as its founder admitted hed like to buy other premium wineries soon.

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Two of the four Sri Lankans arrested from Ahmedabad on May 20 for suspected ISIS links, had been to India 38 to 40 times, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) said on Wednesday. Ahmedabad, May 20 (ANI): Gujarat ATS arrests four ISIS terrorists, at Ahmedabad airport in Ahmedabad on Monday. All four accused are Sri Lankan nationals.

The ATS identified the accused as Mohamed Nusrath, Mohamed Nufran, Mohamed Rasdeen, and Mohamed Faris, the ATS stated, adding that Nusrath and Nafran used to visit India frequently, while the other two are first-timers.

Their visits to India were also investigated. Nusrath and Nafran have been here 38 and 40 times respectively. These people are highly radicalised. They have shown their radical mindsets earlier too through other organisations, Sunil Joshi, Superintendent of Police (SP), ATS, said at a press conference in Ahmedabad.

According to the officer, Nusrath was previously arrested in a gold smuggling case and a drugs case, while Nafran has admitted to involvement in drugs smuggling. On the other hand, Rasdeen has at least three drugs cases against him, and Faris also has drugs cases registered against him in the island nation, the SP stated.

The suspects were held at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International on Sunday, having arrived here from Sri Lanka via Chennai.

As per the ATS, which made the arrests, the group wanted to teach a lesson to the Jews, Christians, leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological mentor.

The items recovered from them are evidence that shows their commitment to join the ISIS, follow the path shown by Abu Bakr Baghdadi, and teach a lesson to the attackers who commit atrocities against the Muslim community, as well as to Jews, Christians, and members of the BJP-RSS, the ATS noted.

(With ANI inputs)
Rajya Sabha and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal tweeted on Wednesday, saying that she received a call from a senior leader from the party. She alleged that everyone is under pressure to speak dirty things against her and that the party is plotting a personal photos' leak. Maliwal further claimed that the party threatened everyone who supported her. AAP MP Swati Maliwal leaves the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after investigation of alleged assault case in New Delhi. (File)(Sanchit Khanna / Hindustan Times)

Former Delhi Commission for Women chief Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence by his aide Bibhav Kumar on May 13, a case that the Delhi Police are currently investigating with Kumar in custody.

Taking to the social media platform X on Wednesday, Maliwal wrote, Yesterday, I received a call from a party's senior leader. He told me about the immense pressure on everyone to speak negatively about me, and to break me by leaking my personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports me will be expelled from the party. Someone has been assigned the duty of holding press conferences, while someone else has been assigned the task of tweeting. Someone's responsibility is to call volunteers in America and obtain something against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused must fabricate some fake sting operations.

She further mentioned that the party may assemble an army of thousands, but she will face it alone because the truth is with her.

I am not angry with them; the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I don't expect anything from anyone. I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party, she added.

I have initiated a fight for my self-respect, and I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight, but I will not give up! Maliwal said.

Maliwal's Hindi tweet has been translated roughly into English.

Update on Bibhav Kumar, accused in assault against Swati Maliwal

Delhi Police brought back Bibhav Kumar, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, accused in Swati Maliwal's assault case, from Mumbai on Wednesday. Kumar had been taken to Mumbai on Tuesday for data recovery from his phone, which was suspected to have been formatted before his arrest.

Kumar remains in five-day police custody in connection with the alleged assault on Maliwal at the Delhi CM's residence.

Authorities suspect Kumar formatted his phone after transferring its data to someone or a device in Mumbai. Kumar's phone, laptop, and CCTV recordings from Kejriwal's house have been sent for forensic examination.

Kumar's police custody is due to end on Thursday, so officials are actively gathering all evidence related to the case.

What is the case?

Swati Maliwal has alleged that Bibhav Kumar repeatedly slapped and kicked her in the drawing room of Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Delhi on May 13. She asserted that Kejriwal was present inside the house when the alleged assault occurred.

In response, the Aam Aadmi Party has defended Kejriwal's personal secretary, Kumar, asserting that Swati Maliwal entered the chief minister's house without prior appointment. The party further alleged that she intended to harm Kejriwal at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Bibhav Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on Sunday.

Additionally, the police have taken statements from all the staff members in Kejriwal's house on May 13.
The Delhi Police on Wednesday said that an email threat about a bomb was received by the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Delhi's North Block. Police personnel guard during searches at the Ministry of Home Affairs office after an email threat about a bomb was received, at North Block, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 22, 2024.(PTI)

The threat was subsequently declared a hoax after nothing objectionable was found.

The threat was received through an email at around 3.30pm by a senior officer posted at the ministry, PTI reported, citing an Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official.

It was written in the email that the "building will explode as bomb is planted", a police officer said and added that the IP address and other details of the mail are under investigation.

A bomb disposal squad, along with fire tenders, was dispatched for the search operation at the North Block.

"A thorough search has been carried out in the entire building and nothing suspicious has been found. Security agencies have come to the conclusion that the mail was a hoax," an unidentified official in the home ministry told PTI.

The incident is the latest among a spate of hoax bomb emails that have been sent to schools, airports, hospitals and jails in the national capital.

Besides Delhi, even schools in Jaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur and Ahmedabad have received similar threats.

After a hoax email threat prompted an evacuation of students and staff at over 150 schools in Delhi, an investigation was launched by the Delhi Police. The threat mail, purportedly sent from a mail.ru server, claimed that explosives were planted on school premises in Delhi.

Also Read | Why we must reassess emergency response in the wake of the Delhi school bomb hoax



On Monday, the Delhi Police said that the hoax bomb threats are suspected of having originated from Budapest, adding that it would contact its counterpart in Hungary for further investigations.

An officer involved in the investigation said the threat was sent from the mail ID, sawariim@mail.ru, which had a domain based in Russia. Its likely the IP addresses may be associated with a VPN and establishing the persons connectivity will be a challenge. We will seek Interpols help by sending it a Demi Official (DO) letter, seeking the details of the person who signed up for the email address, an officer had said earlier.

On May 6, the Union home ministry stressed the need to prepare a detailed protocol and standard operating procedures (SOP) for such situations.

The home secretary asked the Delhi Police and schools to coordinate closely to avoid any unnecessary panic due to misinformation. It had also emphasised the need to enhance security, CCTV cameras and regular monitoring of emails in schools.

The Delhi government, too, issued an advisory to the educational institutes asking them to check their official emails timely after the hoax bomb threat at schools in the national capital.
India's response to the Uri and Pulwama terrorist attacks sent a clear message to those responsible that they are not safe, even if they run away to that side (Pakistan), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted on Wednesday. An Indian Army soldier patrolling near the Line of Control in Poonch. (AP Photo/Used only for representation)

It was meant to demonstrate that no, life will not go on, and that there will be a price, and do not think that because you have done something, and run away to that side, that you are safe there, Jaishankar said at an event in New Delhi.

You will not be safe there. You will not be safe across the Line of Control or international borders. So, there was a clear and direct message out there, and I think the people to whom that message was intended to be sent, hopefully got it, he added.

Also, the ex-foreign secretary once again compared the BJP government's response to Uri and Pulwama attacks, with the erstwhile Congress administration's inaction after the November 26 attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

Look at our response to 26/11 in Mumbai and look at our response to Uri and Pulwama. I think nothing can tell you more clearly, more sharply, because, you know, at the end of the day, the armed forces are the same, the bureaucracy is the same, and the intelligence is the same. So if you look at what are the structural inputs and responses of the system, it would be the same, Jaishankar stated.

In September 2016, India carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), days after terrorists struck an army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri.

In February 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes in Balakot inside Pakistan in retaliation to the suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in J&K's Pulwama earlier that month.

(with ANI inputs)
Silchar: The Assam police on Wednesday arrested a Kazi (marriage registrar) and seven others for allegedly officiating a child marriage in Karimganj. Police said they arrested the Kazi and members of the family of the groom (HT Photo)

Police said they received information about a marriage function being held at the Kabariband village under Patharkandi police station in Karimganj on Monday evening, following which an operation was launched to arrest the people involved.

Patharkandi police station officer in charge Dipak Das said that the marriage had been officiated by the time police reached the spot. We arrested them and rescued the girl, Das said.

Speaking to HT on Wednesday, Das said that the groom, aged around 18, claimed he was in a relationship with the minor girl for a long time, and they were getting married with the blessings of both families.

Das said that they checked the birth certificate of the minor girl, a student of Class nine, according to which she is 17 years old but seemed much younger.

He said they arrested the groom identified as Bilal Uddin, his father Zahraul Islam, the father of the girl, Shabbir Uddin, the Kazi and some other family members.

A case under different sections of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCMA) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act has been registered at Patharkandi police station against all eight persons and they have been sent to judicial custody, police said.

All of them were produced before the court on Tuesday and have been sent to judicial custody by the judges. The minor girl has been sent to a shelter home where her statement will be recorded, Das said.

In a bid to curb child marriage, the Assam government launched a two-phase drive against child marriage last year, resulting in numerous arrests and case registrations.

In the first phase in February last year, 3,483 people were arrested and 4,515 cases were registered, followed by 915 arrests and 710 cases in the second phase in October.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that they are aiming to irradiate child marriage from Assam completely by 2026, and the crackdown will continue till they achieve the goal.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that he didn't want to become the next prime minister if the INDIA bloc wins the Lok Sabha elections. His main goal is to protect the country and democracy from "dictatorship". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (PTI)

He said, I have no such intention. We (AAP) are a very small party contesting only 22 seats.

In an interview with PTI, Kejriwal claimed that if the BJP returned to power, all opposition leaders would end up in jail, and the elections would be manipulated.

Speaking on whether he would accept Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the next PM, Kejriwal said, There has been no such discussion. It's a theoretical question. We will discuss it when we sit together.

When asked about the absence of the PM face of the INDIA bloc, Kejriwal said, The concern of all right now is that they will not spare anyone.

He added that he expected the opposition's alliance to win in Delhi. There is such a wave of AAP and INDIA bloc that I would not be surprised that the previous records of Vidhan Sabha polls in which we (AAP) won 67 seats (in 2015) and 62 seats (in 2020) are broken this time, he said.

He said that the opposition's prime minister candidate would be decided after the Lok Sabha election results are announced on June 4.

Kejriwal added that the INDIA bloc was getting closer to securing 300 seats.

It will form the government on its own. The alliance will give a good, stable government, he said.

Kejriwal on dictatorship

Without mentioning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he added, The current Lok Sabha polls were for saving the country and democracy from the prevailing dictatorship. They will finish democracy if they come back to power.

Kejriwal, who was given interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise liquor policy, said his arrest and time in jail is an emotional issue for Delhi voters and will hurt the BJP.

We are hearing about dictatorship and people saying that they have to vote against this dictatorship. This sentiment is very strong.

He said that people had tremendous anger as they felt a good man had been arrested. He added that his release was like a miracle of God

When I go for campaigning, people have moist eyes.

Compares India with other nations

Kejriwal compared India with Russia and Pakistan. He said, Elections will not be held, and even if it takes place, it will happen as in Russia. Putin either sent the entire opposition to jail or finished them and then held elections and got 87 per cent votes.

Further, he referred to PTI leader Imran Khan being sent to jail in Pakistan and said, They (BJP) will also do it... will send AAP (leaders) in jail, Mamata Banerjee in jail. No one will be left out. All will be in jail and then they will keep on winning elections.

Kejriwal blames BJP for sending him to jail

Kejriwal said the BJP sent him to jail, thinking it would weaken his party, but he added that the opposite happened.

They (BJP) thought after my arrest, the campaign will be affected and our party will disintegrate, MLAs will break away and the government will topple. But the opposite happened. Our party became more unified, our leadership worked like a family and our workers were encouraged to work harder when they saw their leader was in jail, said the AAP chief.
The Kerala high court on Tuesday quashed criminal proceedings against state Congress chief and Kannur MP K Sudhakaran in connection with an alleged conspiracy to murder Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader EP Jayarajan in a moving train in April 1995. K Sudhakaran (HT file)

A bench of justice Ziyad Rahman AA allowed the criminal revision petition filed by first accused Sudhakaran and third accused Rajeevan challenging a ruling of an additional sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sudhakaran was booked under section 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code by Thampanoor police in Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly hatching a conspiracy with other accused between March 28-31, 1995, at the Thycaud Guest House to murder Jayarajan, a political rival and currently the convener of the ruling Left Democratic Front led by the CPI(M).

Subsequently, Jayarajan, while travelling from Delhi to Kerala on the Rajdhani Express on April 12, 1995, was shot at by two men around 10 am while the train was passing through Chirala in Andhra Pradesh. The CPI(M) leader sustained injuries in the incident. A first information report was registered at the Chirala railway police station though Sudhakaran was not named. Jayarajan later filed a private complaint in Kerala against the Congress leader based on which the latter was booked.

The high court on Tuesday found the proceedings against Sudhakaran and others cannot be permitted to continue as they are part of a second FIR based on the same crime and included the same offences as the first FIR filed in Chirala. In this case, there is a specific bar in instituting the second FIR and therefore the prosecution against the petitioners are vitiated, as it violates, the rights of the petitioners including their fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the court said. Therefore, this is a fit case in which invocation of the inherent / extraordinary powers of this court is justified, if necessary.

Even though further investigation was proposed against Sudhakaran and others, they were never chargesheeted, the judge said. Even if the same is treated as an instance of lack of proper investigation, still the same would not justify the registration of a second FIR, but on the other hand, at the most, it could be a case where orders for further investigation in crime 14/1995 of Chirala railway police station should have been sought, the court said.

Sudhakaran, responding to the court verdict, expressed his happiness and accused the CPI(M) of fabricating charges to target him. It is a tight slap for the CPI(M), which tried to finish my political career and brand me as a criminal, he said.

Jayarajan said he would approach the Supreme Court against the high court ruling.
New Delhi, Inadequate parking space, unauthorised colonies and Ghazipur landfill are among the key issues for residents of the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency which may play a role in deciding the fate of the candidates in the polls. LS polls: Ghazipur landfill, parking major issues in East Delhi constituency, say voters

Crime in some of the areas is also a concern for the voters in the constituency.

BJP's Harsh Malhotra and A and INDIA bloc candidate Kuldeep Kumar are in a direct contest in the constituency, which has 21,20,584 voters.

Vimal Singh, a resident of Kondli, said that parking and water are key issues which the people of the area are facing.

"Parking is a main problem of the area. We do not have a proper parking space here. Water supply also gets affected in the area on a regular basis. Besides, our area does not have clean parks where kids can play.

"During monsoon, the roads get filled with water creating troubles for commuters. Heavy traffic near Kalyanpuri is also an issue where commuters get stuck during peak hours," Singh said.

Suraj Kumar, a resident of Ghazipur, said that they want their MP to work for giving them relief from the smell and pollution caused due to the landfill site.

"We want relief from this landfill. The foul smell continuously emanating from the site is irritating. The supplied water also stinks several times. The smell and pollution increase due to the nearby meat markets," Kumar stated.

The East Delhi constituency has big marketplaces like Lajpat Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Shahdara, and Krishna Nagar, as well as residential areas such as Vivek Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Mandawali, Surajmal Vihar, Preet Vihar, and Trilokpuri.

Federation of Lajpat Nagar Traders' Association general secretary Kuldeep Kumar said that the lack of basic facilities is a major concern for shoppers in the market.

"A number of women come from different parts of the city and also from neighbouring towns for shopping. The market does not have clean washrooms for them. The electricity wires are hanging.

"This area was earlier part of the New Delhi constituency. However, it has now become part of the East Delhi constituency. We demand that our marketplace should be shifted to the New Delhi constituency again," Kumar said.

The seat saw a three-way fight in 2019 polls when Gautam Gambhir was fielded by the BJP, Arvinder Singh Lovely by the Congress, and Atishi by the Aam Aadmi Party . Gambhir won the seat by getting over 55 per cent votes.

In 2014, BJP's Maheish Girri became the MP from the seat, while A's Rajmohan Gandhi was the runners up and former Delhi CM Sheila Dixit's son Sandeep Dixit was at the third position.

While pollution is a problem for the Anand Vihar and Ghazipur areas, the residents of Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri, and Mandawali areas are more concerned about crime.

Mayur Vihar resident Rohini Kaul said, "The maintenance of parks in the area should be done in a regular manner. The drains are also not covered well here."

The constituency also has some unauthorised colonies. Residents of such colonies said that everyone talks about getting their colonies regularised, but nobody works for the betterment of such settlements.

"We want basic amenities, including water and clean streets. The issues of slum dwellers always remain on top priorities for the politicians during the polls. However, nobody works for us after winning the elections," Mohammad Asad, a resident of an unauthorised colony, said.

In his priorities, INDIA bloc candidate Kuldeep Kumar has listed out the issues of law and order, freeing encroached land and working to remove the Ghazipur landfill site with more vigour.

"There is the North Campus and the South Campus of Delhi University but no East Campus. Getting an East Campus will be his prominent demand. Working to get better connectivity through Metro will be another priority," he had said earlier.

BJP candidate Harsh Malhotra recently told PTI that a mega hospital on the lines of AIIMS in the trans-Yamuna area and flats to slum dwellers will be among his priorities, if he wins the elections.

"We will try to build a central government's hospital on the lines of Safdarjung or AIIMS in east Delhi as private hospitals are very expensive and everyone cannot afford it. I think this is very important.

"My aim would be to provide flats to the people living in slums under the Prime Minister's 'jahan jhuggi wahan makan' scheme. With this scheme, they would get better homes, roads, and drinking water for a better life," Malhotra, a former EDMC mayor, had said.

The constituency has 11,51,211 male, 9,69,269 female, and 104 third gender voters. There are 35,104 first-time, 12,917 elderly, and 10,165 people with disability voters in the constituency.

Polling for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held in the sixth phase on May 25.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi, The MCD has begun its preparations to prevent mosquito breeding across its zones with increased inspections of houses, fogging activities, and special drives at hotspots where large-scale breeding of mosquito are reported, senior officials said. MCD begins preparations for mosquito control ahead of monsoon

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, however, refused to provide a report on the dengue figures in the Capital. The MCD stopped publicly releasing weekly data on vector-borne diseases on August 7 last year in the run-up to the G20 Summit.

The officials told PTI, that several anti-larval measures have been started to prevent transmission of vector-borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria and Chikungunya ahead of the monsoon.

The shower season in Delhi starts around the end of June or the first week of July.

To target the breeding at the source, the corporation has used "larva-eating fishes" called Gambusia affinis extensively at 216 biological control points across its 12 zones.

"The advantage of Gambusia fish is that they feed on larvae of mosquitoes. The cost of introducing larvivorous fish is relatively lower than that of chemical control and it is an environment-friendly method. They can be introduced in shallow water where mosquito larvae breed like ponds," a civic body official explained.

The Public Health Department of the corporation plans to open more such fish points in the jurisdiction of the MCD with the onset of the monsoon.

However, when asked about the dengue cases in the city, an official said "The data is not available to us".

As per the data accessed by PTI, the MCD has conducted more than 1.29 crore house inspections to date this year with action taken against 24,480 houses where domestic breeding of mosquitoes in open contaminated water was found. The corporation sprayed insecticides at 1,84,035 houses for the prevention of adult mosquitoes.

Furthermore, MCD claims to conduct special drives to cover vulnerable spots like construction sites, police stations, parks and nurseries, health institutions, schools and other educational institutions, and government offices, among others.

A fine of 5,18,605 has been collected by the MCD from action taken against 1,899 offenders under the Malaria Bye-Laws of the DMC Act. A total of 25,055 legal notices and 5,766 challans have been issued by the corporation to date.

"All known hotspot colonies are being checked and anti-mosquito measures are taken intensively. Public awareness by meeting with RWAs, Nodal Teachers, Market Associations School and Staff Rallies are also being organised from time to time. We also run WhatsApp groups in all wards of MCD to impart awareness and redress the complaints of the public," the official said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Bhopal: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) terminated the services of inspector Rahul Raj, who was caught red-handed and arrested by the agency while accepting a bribe to give clean chit to nursing colleges affiliated with the Nursing Council of Madhya Pradesh, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. (Representative Photo)

Moreover, the deputy superintendent of police and two inspectors have been suspended in connection with the case of accepting bribes.

The CBI on Monday arrested 13 people, including two of its inspectors, in connection with the scam.

In the first information report (FIR) filed by the Delhi CBI vigilance team, the agency has named four officers, deputy superintendent of police Ashish Prasad, inspector Rahul Raj and two inspectors of MP police  Rishikant Asathe and Sushil Kumar, who were on deputation in the CBI, with 19 others for accepting bribe of Rs.2 lakh to Rs.10 lakh to give a positive report regarding facilities, infrastructure and faculties at nursing colleges.

According to an officer of CBI, Raj has been terminated from service with immediate effect under the zero tolerance policy.

Rahul Raj and Sushil Kumar were arrested after they were caught red-handed while accepting a bribe, while Prasad and Asathe have been removed and will be arrested after the probe, an agency official said.

The action by the vigilance team comes after collecting details for the last three months following the Madhya Pradesh high courts order for conducting state-wide inspections to ascertain whether nursing colleges were following the laid down norms and were up to standards in terms of infrastructural facilities and faculty.

The CBI had inspected 308 nursing colleges out of the total 364, against which the high court had issued the direction in December 2022.

During its probe, the CBI found 169 colleges suitable to run the nursing course, 74 colleges deficient with minimal problems, which can be rectified and the remaining 65 colleges were found unsuitable to run nursing courses.

The CBI is also inspecting the remaining 200 colleges affiliated with Madhya Pradesh Nursing Regulatory Committee.

These officers, mediators and staff members were part of a team out of seven teams, who were inspecting the nursing colleges. It is wrong to raise questions on the entire investigation because the vigilance team has been keeping an eye on all officers of other teams too, a CBI spokesperson said.

Whistleblower and petitioner in the nursing scam, Vishal Baghel said, We will move application before the MP High Court against this corruption because nursing colleges are putting all the efforts to save their business of crores of rupees that is being run for years.
In April, San Franciscos Ida B. Wells High School had an astonishingly high chronic absenteeism rate of nearly 96%. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Its an emergency hidden in plain sight: hundreds of thousands of California kids and young adults arent in school or working.

And no one seems to know for sure where they are or what theyre doing.

In 2022, more than 1 in 10 Californians ages 16 to 24  nearly half a million youth  were disconnected, meaning they werent in school, employed or looking for a job, according to data crunched by the Public Policy Institute of California.

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This figure isnt as high as during the aftermath of the Great Recession in 2011, but in some ways, its more concerning.

Todays youth are doubly disconnected. They came of age during COVID lockdowns, enduring significant learning loss and missing out on critical social development. Largely left to their own devices by the state  which spent the past few years fighting a parent lawsuit alleging that its lengthy school closures and remote learning policies disproportionately harmed low-income students, before finally agreeing to a $2 billion settlement  these youth are once again being abandoned.

The scope of the problem may be even bigger than we realize.

Last week, the state Department of Education released 2023-24 school year data showing that enrollment in public schools continues to decline despite growing signups for transitional kindergarten, a new grade for 4-year-olds. The department noted this decline cant fully be attributed to kids fleeing for charter or private schools. Although private school enrollment is up since the pandemic, its still lower than it was about a decade ago.

Instead, the department said, Continually suppressed enrollment numbers more likely reflect family disengagement.

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To some extent, data also reflect lower birth rates and shifting immigration patterns. That kids are disengaged cannot be disputed.

A concerning number of kids enrolled in school arent showing up. Nearly 1 in 4 students, or about 4 million, were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year and missed at least 10% of school days. In April, San Franciscos Ida B. Wells High School had an astonishingly high chronic absenteeism rate of nearly 96%.

California has provided funding for staff to locate and engage chronically absent kids and poured billions of dollars into developing community schools that connect students and their families to medical care, counseling and other services. Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration is also expanding career, service and apprenticeship programs and developing a master plan for career education to increase access to classes and jobs, a spokesperson told me.

But state officials still seem disturbingly cavalier about what is clearly a crisis.

In a tone-deaf December press release, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hailed the significant reduction in chronic absenteeism from Californias pandemic high of 30% as encouraging news. Still, he acknowledged, our work is not complete.

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That might be the understatement of the century.

Given the severe and long-lasting consequences of Californias pandemic school closures, the state owes these youth a huge debt. It needs to find and engage kids who have become completely disconnected from school or work  and reconnect those who are technically enrolled in school but are missing critical amounts of instruction.

The situation is literally life or death, Ted Lempert, president of the advocacy organization Children Now, told me.

Research shows that disconnected youth tend to have worse future outcomes in health, employment, income and homeownership than those working or attending school.

These impacts serve only to widen existing disparities. The Public Policy Institute of California report found that nearly 20% of Black youth ages 16 to 24 are disconnected from school and work, compared to 8% of Asian American youth. (These figures dont include young people in jails, prisons or other institutions.) Young men now account for 53% of disconnected youth, a stark reversal from a few decades ago when young women were the majority.

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Researchers have yet to flesh out whats driving these trends. But one thing is clear: Not having this chunk of people engaged at any level  for the economy, thats a huge issue, Daniel Payares-Montoya, the Public Policy Institute reports author, told me.

Already, 1 in 3 jobs in California requires at least some higher education, and by 2030 an estimated 40% of jobs in the state will need at least a bachelors degree, according to a November report on Californias young workers from the UCLA Labor Center. Yet many California universities are reporting lower enrollment.

If youth, especially those who are disconnected, are not able to attain opportunities for future education or training  yes, our economy will suffer, but so will the general public in that they wont be able to access services that they need, Sophia Angeles, one of the UCLA reports authors, told me, citing ongoing shortages of teachers, nurses, construction workers and others.

Unfortunately, it looks like things will get worse before they get better.

With fewer students and Californias estimated $28 billion budget deficit, schools are staring down large potential reductions in state funding  which could further impair educational and extracurricular programming.

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Meanwhile, to help close the deficit, Newsom proposed cutting funding for his signature youth mental health initiative, a middle-class scholarship program for students studying to become public school teachers and a planned expansion of childcare for low-income families.

Newsoms administration has also proposed changing the payment structure for providers serving the states highest-needs foster youth. If lawmakers approve the changes, advocates warn, many of these programs  already teetering on the financial brink following poorly implemented state reforms  will be forced to close, leaving hundreds of high-risk kids with nowhere to go.

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

Theres no question that Newsom and lawmakers will need to make difficult decisions to solve Californias budget problem. But, as negotiations intensify ahead of the Legislatures June 15 deadline to pass a balanced budget, officials should be wary about reducing investments in vulnerable youth  particularly foster kids, who are the states legal responsibility.
Mumbai hoarding collapse: The death toll in the billboard collapse incident in Mumbai's Ghatkopar has jumped to 17 this week as a person receiving treatment after being rescued from the rubble succumbed to his injuries. Raju Sonawane, 52, was one of the 41 people receiving treatments for his injuries in the hospital after being pulled out of the wreckage when the hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump. The spot in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, where a large hoarding came crashing down, killing 16 people. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT)

Raju Sonawane was declared dead at 11pm on May 19 at KEM Hospital. Before this, the bodies of a couple were pulled out from a car trapped under the debris of the hoarding collapse, taking the death toll to 16.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Bhavesh Bhide, the company owner that put up the giant billboard, was arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch from Udaipur in Rajasthan last week and brought to Mumbai. Officials added that police are investigating how Bhide was awarded the hoarding contract and how much he earned.

Mumbai Police issued an official statement saying, Mumbai Crime Branch forms an SIT to investigate the incident. The SIT will now investigate the matter. The SIT comprises 6 officers. The SIT has checked the residence of prime accused Bhavesh Bhinde and seized important documents from there. He has a total of 7 bank accounts in different banks.

17 people died and 75 were left injured after an illegal hoarding bigger than the size of an Olympic pool collapsed on top of a petrol pump in Ghatkopar. The reason for the collapse was a weak foundation of the pillar on which the billboard was supported, and dust storms across the city.

The billboard collapse also triggered a political slugfest in Maharashtra. A day after the incident, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya took a jibe at the previous Maharashtra government.

I want to inform you that Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister on November 28, 2019. This property comes under the jurisdiction of the then-Maharashtra Government. The land jurisdiction doesn't come under Central Government or Railway Ministry, he said.

(With inputs from ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested a software engineer from Andhra Pradeshs Anantapur district in connection with the Bengalurus Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, people familiar with the matter said. NIA arrests Andhra techie in Rameshwaram cafe blast case

The NIA sleuths swooped on the residence of a retired headmaster Abdul Gaffoor at Nagulabavi area of Atmakur Street in Rayadurgam town early in the morning and carried out searches at a house on a specific information that a terror suspect, allegedly having links with the blast at Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru on March 1.

The NIA authorities conducted the raid after conducting recce in the area for the last three days. They took Gaffoors son Sohail into custody for questioning, a police official from Anantapur privy to the matter said, adding that the local police had provided logistic support to the NIA authorities in their operation.

The youth, who is in his early thirties, is employed at a software company in Bengaluru, along with his elder brother. The NIA authorities probing the Rameshwaram cafe blast discovered that Sohail had allegedly received a huge amount in his bank account.

The blast at Rameshwaram cafe had occurred on March 1, injuring 10 people. The NIA on April 12 arrested two accused Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa from West Bengal.

Sohail was later taken to Rayadurgam police station amidst tight security and after initial questioning, he was shifted to Bengaluru. The NIA authorities informed Gaffoor and the family in writing about the arrest of Sohail, the police official quoted above said.
Starting Wednesday, private super speciality hospitals in Andhra Pradesh will not provide cashless treatment to patients below the poverty line under the state governments Arogyasri health scheme in protest against non-clearance of their dues to the extent of 1500 crore pending since August last year, people familiar with the matter said. No free treatment for Arogyasari patients in Andhra

In a letter written to the Arogyasri Trust on Monday, Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA) said apart from patients being covered under Arogyasri, the private hospitals would also stop providing subsidised treatment to the state government employees under Employees Health Scheme (EHS).

The association said, despite several reminders, the government hasnt reimbursed the funds to private hospitals for providing cheaper treatments to state government employees and poor people. The government has not been clearing pending bills since August last year and the dues have piled up to around 1500 crore, the association said in the letter.

Stating that the specialty hospitals were compelled to take the decision to stop treatment only under unavoidable circumstances, the association requested the government to clear their dues to avoid any inconvenience to the poor people.

A senior office bearer of the association, who pleaded anonymity, said the Arogyasri scheme is a flagship program of the state government; yet, it hasnt released the funds to the hospitals for the last eight months, though as per the Memorandum of Understanding with the hospitals, the bills are supposed to be cleared within 45 days.

The scope of the treatment under Arogyasri was enhanced in the last five years and the number of procedures covered has risen from 900 to 3,200. This has caused a huge burden on the private hospitals, the office bearer said. Whenever we represented the matter to the government, it used to release small amounts to the hospitals. Even this has come to a halt over the last eight months.

While Arogyasri Trust chief executive officer Lakshmi Shah could not be reached for his reaction, Andhra Pradesh Arogyasri Network Hospitals Association president Busireddy Narendra Reddy said the smaller private hospitals would continue to extend the medical facility to the poor patients, though speciality hospitals have decided to stop treatment from Wednesday.

There are 2,700 private hospitals in the state and 20% of them are speciality hospitals providing specialised treatment to the patients. For now, only specialty hospitals have decided to discontinue the treatment under Arogyasri scheme, Reddy said.

However, he admitted that private hospital managements are finding it difficult to run their institutions due to non-payment of dues by the government on time. The number of patients getting treatment under the Arogyasri scheme has increased from 12 lakh in 2022-23 to 13.90 lakh in 2023-24. But the budget under the scheme remained the same at 3,350 crore. This has resulted in a backlog of payment, he explained.

Reddy expressed confidence that the government would release the dues to the private hospitals in the next few days to avoid inconvenience to the poor patients.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday claimed that the Opposition would close the more than 50 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts opened during his tenure and snatch the money. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the poll rally in UP's Shravasti.(BJP/X)

The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections.

Modi opened Jan Dhan accounts for more than 50 crore poor people, they (the Opposition) will close your bank account and snatch away your money, the prime minister said.

Modi brought electricity to every village, these people would again create darkness by cutting off the electricity connections. Modi is providing water to every home, SP-Congress people will even open the water tap of your house and take it away and they are experts in this.

He also alleged that the coalition of the SP- Congress will take away the keys of the 4 crore houses allotted to poor people and give them to their vote bank

Modi gave 4 crore houses to poor people, now SP Congress people have decided to reverse everythingthey will take the keys of these 4 crore houses from you, snatch the houses and give them to their vote bank, he said.

Modi also claimed that if the Congress wins the Lok Sabha polls, terrorists who are in jail today will be called to the PM's house and fed biryani.

Pair of two boys launched again in UP



In a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Modi said that a pair of two boys has been relaunched in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections.

"...People who did nothing for 60 years have come together to stop Modi. A pair of two boys has been launched again in UP. Same old flop film, same old characters, same old dialogues. The entire election is about to end, but did you hear even a single new thing from these people?... Both Shehzadas have said nothing related to development. Why they are seeking a vote?..."

He also reacted to the viral videos of the massive crowd at Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav's joint rally.

I saw some videos in which people were rushing towards the stage. So, I asked what this was all about. I was told that Congress and SP give money to people to attend their rallies. They did not pay them, so people rushed to the stage, Modi said in his address.

"If their situation is this, then how will they do work for you?" he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday targeted the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over the Calcutta High Court judgment that cancelled all OBC certificates issued in the state after 2010. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures during a poll rally in New Delhi.(X/BJP)

At a poll rally in Delhi's Dwarka, Modi claimed that the Trinamool Congress, which has been in power in the state since 2011, gave OBC certificates to Muslims for their vote bank. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections here.

Today, Calcutta HC has given a verdict that all the OBC certificates issued after 2010 have been cancelled. This was done because the West Bengal government inexplicably gave OBC certificates to Muslims, only for the Muslim vote bank. This vote bank politics, this politics of appeasement, is crossing every limit, Modi said at the rally.

Aaj Court ne tamacha maara hai, yeh Khan Market gang paap ki zimmedaar hai (Today, the court has slapped them in the face; this Khan Market gang is responsible for the sins). ...They say that Muslims have the first right on the country's resources."

Modi also accused the opposition of handing over government lands to the Waqf Board in return for votes.

These people are continuously giving government lands to the Waqf Board and asking for votes in return. These people want to reserve 15% of the country's budget for minorities. They also want to give loans from banks and government tender based on religion. These people are opposing CAA to please their vote bank...

In Wednesday's speech, Modi also trained guns on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Sometimes while speaking lies, the truth comes out of the Shehzada's mouth. Today, Congress' Shehzada has confessed a big truth. He has admitted that the system that was formed during his grandmother, his father and his mother's time, was severely against the Dalits, backwards and Adivasis, he said.

"This system of the Congress destroyed the generations of ST, SC and OBCs. Today, the Shehzada admitted this himself..."
Raipur: A team of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) visited the Pedia village in Chhattisgrahs Bijapur district, where 12 alleged Maoists were killed on May 10 and claimed in its report that the villagers clearly stated that it was by no means an encounter as claimed by the police but a clear case of extra-judicial killings by the security forces. At least 103 Maoists have been killed till May 10 this year (ANI Photo)

On May 12, two days after 12 Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district, villagers and activists alleged that it was a fake encounter and those killed were civilians who were later branded by police as insurgents.

However, police refuted the claims and said that all killed in the encounter were Maoists.

Deputy inspector general of police of South Bastar region Kamalochan Kashyap had then said, The Maoists changed clothes and mingled with the villagers. All of the deceased were Maoists, not villagers. The villagers had come to take the dead bodies of the Maoists who were their relatives.

The PUCL team comprised activists and tribal, including Sori, Rinchin, Hidme Madkam, Sukalu Kothari and Virendra Bharadwaj.

Upon visiting the alleged encounter site and meeting with affected villagers and family members of those who were killed, villagers clearly stated that it was by no means an encounter as claimed by the police but in fact a clear case of an extra-judicial killing by the security forces, where villagers engaged in their daily activities were surrounded, hunted down and shot by the police, the PUCL stated in its report.

It stated that people from two villages fled into the surrounding forests for shelter on hearing rounds of firing.

Some of them had climbed up onto trees for safety, where the police found them and surrounded them. Despite several pleas from them and other villagers  all of whom were just seeing to their daily tasks in the village and were unarmed, police and paramilitary personnel opened fire and killed them, the report stated.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh: Maoists allege Bijapur encounter fake, police deny allegation

The report further claimed that there was no evidence of any kind of cross-firing.

A young woman, Suneeta Kunjam, who was among the 11 killed, had climbed up onto a tree and was shot. Eyewitnesses repeatedly stressed that people had cried out several times to the police, saying they were unarmed and to stop shooting, but none of these cries were heeded. Villagers also said that the police barged into their homes, ransacked them and beaten up many of the women, the report claimed.

The PUCL demanded that a high-level enquiry should be done and the complaints of the families of the victims of the firing by security forces should be accepted by the police.

The team also demanded that a first information report (FIR) should be filed against the security forces and compensation should be provided to the kin of those killed.

Meanwhile, Bijapur superintendent of police Jitendra Yadav dismissed the claims and said that those killed in the encounter on May 12 were all Maoists.

Those killed were Maoists, and the villagers know this very well, Yadav said.

According to police, the insurgents, after they saw the movement of the security forces in the jungle, changed their uniforms and mingled with the local villagers in civilian clothes.

At least 103 Maoists have been killed till May 10 this year alone, more than the 22 and 30 killed in all of 2022 and 2023, respectively. In the biggest anti-Maoist operation in recent decades, the security forced killed 29 rebels in Kanker district on April 16.
Pune Police commissioner Amitesh Kumar has said the 17-year-old son of a prominent builder spent 48,000 in just 90 minutes at one of the two pubs he visited before ramming his luxury Porsche Taycan into a two-wheeler early on Sunday morning, killing two young IT professionals  Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. A new video emerged in the Pune Porsche crash case in which the 17-year-old boy is seen in a bar.

Amitesh Kumar said the teen driver and his friends first visited Cosie restaurant-pub at 10:40pm on Saturday, where they racked up the 48,000 bill. They moved to a second pub, Blak Mariott, at 12:10am after Cosie stopped serving them, The Times of India reported.

"We have obtained the 48,000 bill from Cosie, which includes the cost of the liquor served to the teenager and his friends," the newspapers quoted Amitesh Kumar as saying.

Amitesh Kumar told NDTV that the teenager was taken for a medical test in the early hours on Sunday and his blood has been taken and sent for a forensic report.

"Here, we are not applying a case of 304(a) of the Indian Penal Code of drunken driving and a rash and negligent act. We are applying Section 304, where we are saying that he had the knowledge that his rash act - where he was driving a Porsche without a number plate at a rash speed on a narrow street after consuming alcohol - could cause or was likely to cause death," the police commissioner told the news channel.

Assistant commissioner of police Manoj Patil said the teen accused had visited pubs and consumed alcohol before driving his Porsche Taycan car. "We have ample CCTV camera footage of the boy and his group consuming alcohol. The blood sample reports are still awaited," Manoj Patil was quoted by ToI.

The Pune Police has already detained the boy's father, who is a real estate developer, and arrested three executives of two hotels for serving liquor to the juvenile.

"The chief minister, the deputy chief minister and home minister (Devendra Fadnavis), and the (Pune) guardian minister (Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) have given clear instructions to the police to take stringent action in this case. The state director general of police has also instructed for strong action," Amitesh Kumar told reporters on Tuesday.

Also Read | Porsche crash case: Fadnavis expresses shock over JJB order

Asked about any pressure on the police in this case, the official said from the beginning, the police have been acting according to the law and there is no pressure on the cops from anyone.

On the allegations of preferential treatment being given to the juvenile while in custody after the incident, the top cop said stringent action would be taken against the police personnel if they were found to be aiding the teenager directly or indirectly.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had demanded that Amitesh Kumar be dismissed, and claimed the teenager was served pizza and a burger at the police station after his detention. He also accused an MLA from Ajit Pawar's NCP faction of being present at the police station and helping the 17-year-old.

A group of friends were returning on motorbikes at around 3.15 am on Sunday after a party when the speeding Porsche hit one of the motorcycles at Kalyani Nagar junction.

The two riders  Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, both 24-year-old IT professionals and hailing from Madhya Pradesh  died of their injuries, police said.

The accused teenager was subsequently produced before the Juvenile Justice Board which granted him bail hours later.
Kerala recently reported widespread outrage over a distressing dowry harassment case in Pantheerankavu near Kozhikode in which the husband and his close relatives viciously attacked a newlywed woman six days after the wedding.

An international manhunt has been launched to arrest the husband and primary suspect Rahul P Gopal  who is said to have fled to Germany after the incident became public  after Interpol issued a blue notice to apprehend him. Gopals mother and sister will be arrested for their alleged involvement in the reported brutalities, which included the tightening of a leather belt around the woman's neck.

Responding to the case and the outcry over it, the state government declared that it has zero tolerance towards dowry harassment cases, and said it will strictly deal with the perpetrators.

However, women rights activists pointed out that dowry-related crimes are nothing new to Kerala despite its progressive moorings, and that they have existed for a long time as a regressive patriarchal practice despite social reform movements and interventions by the government.

Though anti-dowry pledges are mandatory in government offices, schools, colleges, and other socio-cultural establishments across the state, and the government observes every November 26 as dowry prohibition day, dowry deaths are frequently reported from across Kerala. The deaths challenge the state's glowing credentials, including the countrys best literacy rate, an exemplary sex ratio, and gender parity.

Whenever dowry harassment cases evoke a sensation in Kerala, the state government pledges to enforce the much-hyped dowry prohibition act strictly. Yet, available statistics indicate that the conviction rates in such cases remain abysmal.

The current case

In the Pantheerankavu incident, the victim's father, K Haridas, alleged that the police were lax in registering and probing the case.

He alleged that the police mocked him for blowing' a family matter out of proportion' and helped the accused leave the country and evade arrest.

I approached the police as I wanted my daughter not to have the fate of Vismaya and Uthara, whose dowry-related murders in the last two years triggered widespread uproar across the state. However, they made fun of me and claimed that the media had fabricated the Vismaya and Uthara cases to create a sensation, Haridas said.

Activists supporting the family said the police initially charged Rahul under bailable sections but registered a case for attempted murder only after a strong public outcry.

In addition to the police action, the Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) and the State Human Rights Commission are investigating the issue and have sought reports from the investigating agency.

When contacted, Kerala's health minister Veena George, who also handles the women and child development portfolio, said the government has already ensured legal assistance to the victim and directed the relevant department to conduct an investigation into the polices alleged laxity.

Agreeing that the growing number of assaults on newly married women over dowry is a matter of worry, she said steps were being taken to ensure strong legal action to prevent people from perpetrating such crimes.

The government would soon initiate a mass movement against social evils such as dowry and domestic violence, she said.

The minister expressed concern over the increasing trend of immediate female relatives of the groom abetting and involving themselves in dowry harassment.

Kerala's leader of the opposition, V. D. Satheesan, finds police apathy to be the key reason behind the growing number of dowry-related crimes in the state.

"In all the major cases that surfaced in the last several years, the police remained sided with the accused and only jumped ship after the cases started getting traction on social media and television. The first thing that warrants change is the laxity of the police towards dowry harassment. If someone demands dowry, there should be platforms for the women to lodge complaints and seek legal action easily. There must be special anti-dowry squads in the state police, and special prosecutors must be appointed in district and magistrate courts to ensure speedy convictions in dowry-related cases," he said.

Accepted tradition in society

J. Devika, a scholar and women's rights activist, said that the dowry system is common in Kerala because religious and political leaders patronise social evil.

Grooms don't think twice about asking for it and will beat their wives, sometimes very badly, if it's not enough. The number of dowry harassment cases in the state is rising alarmingly even though the government has opened a 24-hour call centre service for victims of dowry harassment, domestic violence, and other crimes against women, she pointed out.

Kerala has a long, notorious history of dowry that needs to be changed. It's a sign of social standing; the more dowry someone gets, the more important they are in society. Dowry has been against the law in most of the country for over 60 years, but it is still common in progressive Kerala. Even the young generation feels nothing wrong with demanding dowry as it is prevailing as an established custom, said K. Ajitha of the women's rights group, Anweshi.

Expensive weddings and dowry are a trend

Experts said that the state maintains an unhealthy preoccupation with expensive weddings and ostentatious displays of gold. In the state, dowry continues to be paid directly and covertly, even though a 1961 statute makes giving or receiving dowry illegal. These payments can be in cash, gold, property, or automobiles.

In addition to families belonging to the upper castes of Hinduism, a significant number of Christian and Muslim households give and receive dowry. Many grooms and their families view dowry as a source of pride and an easily gained asset.

According to many researchers, until the early twentieth century, only Nambudhiri Brahmin communities and Syrian Christians practised the custom of dowry.

"An ordinary (economically) lower class marriage in Kerala involves a minimum of 10 sovereigns in dowry. But a very large number of families would have promised 100 to 300 sovereigns. Gold has been an inevitable part of weddings in Kerala. Apart from the ceremonial thaali (a leaf-shaped gold plate), several communities offer gold as the main part of the dowry. Also, gold is the major status symbol in the state, and the bridegroom's family extracts the maximum ornaments at the time of marriage," said Devika.

Recommendations to change the dowry act

Since 2010, the Kerala State Women's Commission has registered about 1,100 cases of harassment linked to dowry. But the real number is probably higher because such cases are often reported as cruelty against women by husbands or in-laws, which is often a cover for those who demand dowry.

On June 24, 2021, the Kerala state women's commission submitted recommendations to the state government on amending dowry-related laws.

The commission wanted an addition to Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, which would restrict wedding 'gifts' given by the parents/guardians to 1 lakh and ten sovereigns and 'other items' not to exceed 25,000. Gifts presented by relatives should not exceed 25,000 in cash or items equivalent in value. The commission also wanted counselling to be made mandatory for the bride and groom at the local body level.

In this regard, it was recommended that the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008, be amended to make counselling mandatory. The recommendations remain on paper.
In the ongoing 2024 general elections, more than 8,000 candidates are competing for 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Many of these individuals are contesting for the first time. Voters queue up to cast their vote at a polling station in Barrackpore, West Bengal, on Monday. (ANI)

One cornerstone of Indias electoral politics is the high turnover of elected representatives. Contrary to common practice in most democracies, incumbent candidates in India do not benefit from incumbency advantage; in fact, scholars have long spoken of an incumbency disadvantage in the Indian context.

In 2019, 226 elected members of Parliament (MPs) were incumbents (41%), which is a low figure considering that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) consolidated the single-party majority it won in 2014. Only half of the BJPs MPs (154 out of 303, to be exact) were elected in 2014, and 139 of its 149 non-incumbent MPs were elected to Parliament for the first time. Among the 228 elected Opposition MPs, only 67 were incumbents, while 132 were first-time MPs. Additional historical data on individual incumbency indicates that this phenomenon is not new. In fact, the share of reelected incumbent MPs was even lower during the first two decades after independence, during the previous era of the Congresss dominance.

The turnover among Indias political class and the declining pool of stable political representatives raises important questions about the nature of representation in India and the functioning of legislative accountability. This article reviews six decades of data on candidates, nomination patterns, and incumbency to extract broader trends that will not only determine the contours of the 2024 race but also inevitably shape the new Parliament that is formed after June 4.

Dissecting political turnover

What explains Indias high rates of political turnover? The following sections utilise data from the Trivedi Centre for Political Datas Indian Individual Incumbency Dataset, in which a unique identification number was coded for each of the 90,583 candidates who contested general elections in India from 1962 to 2019. This identification number enables the calculation of individual incumbency and career trajectory variables, such as the number of elections contested, terms served, incumbency status, as well as turncoat status of candidates.

The first explanation for the high turnover is that not all incumbent MPs rerun in the first place. From 1967 to 2019, fewer than 70% of all MPs, on average, re ran, and 55% of these re-running MPs got reelected. Therefore, if one does not factor in re-running rates, the average share of incumbent MPs in the Lok Sabha would stand at a scant 38%.

These figures are relatively consistent over time. The share of re-running MPs tends to increase when general elections are held in close proximity, as in the 1990s when a series of fractious coalition governments failed to complete their full five-year terms in office. In recent years, the share of rerunning MPs has declined further. In 2019, only 67% of all incumbent MPs stood for reelection.

The rate of incumbency varies across parties. For example, the Congress tends to retain more of its incumbents than the BJP. On the other hand, the renomination strategies of regional parties tend to fluctuate. In 2014, the ratio of rerunning incumbents was similar across the two national parties and regional parties. In 2019, by contrast, regional parties discarded most of their sitting MPs.

There are also regional variations. Some of the largest states including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengalexhibit a high rate of re-running incumbents. However, smaller states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana saw very few sitting MPs re-running in 2019. None of Chhattisgarhs eleven MPs elected in 2019 were incumbents (and 10 of them were first-time MPs).

Candidate reshuffling is not a function of electoral competitiveness but of political parties distinct organisations, cultures, electoral strategies, and recruitment practices. For instance, the BJP in Gujarat  during Narendra Modis chief ministerial tenure  used to, on average, discard 50% of their members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) each election.

Over the last two decades, my research has shown that most political parties tend to recruit candidates from similar sociological pools made of self-funded individuals connected to local business networks. Therefore, it is easier to discard sitting MPs when they are recruited from outside party organisations. The Bahujan Samaj Party, which recruits its candidates from locally dominant social groups, is a case in point. Turncoats regularly fielded by parties also reinforce the notion that candidates are interchangeable.

An assembly of newcomers

As a result of this high turnover, three-quarters of all MPs elected since 1977 have been either first-time or two-term MPs. While a high turnover of representatives may indicate elite circulation, it also limits cumulative legislative experience among parliamentary representatives. In the 17th Lok Sabha, elected in 2019, only 22% of MPs were elected for a third term or higher and were well distributed across parties and across regions.

During Modis tenure as prime minister, the share of experienced MPs has significantly decreased to levels not seen since the 1970s. This modern-day decrease is unsurprising given that the BJP won many new seats with new candidates over the past two elections. In the case of the Congress, only eleven of the 52 MPs elected in 2019 served in either of the two prior legislatures during the tenure of the Congressled United Progressive Alliance government. Only three  Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury  consistently served in the Lok Sabha during the last four terms.

Explanations for Indias Political Churn

Why do so few incumbent MPs re-run and get re-elected? Three types of explanations account for this phenomenon.

First, political parties have multiple incentives to remove sitting MPs. For instance, they can field fresh faces as an attempt to buck anti-incumbency. Some parties claim to use the spectre of renomination as a reward for high-performing MPs and as a sanction for underperforming MPs. Empirically, there is little evidence that performance predicts a legislators chances of renomination. More importantly, the threat of non-renomination is an effective instrument to generate and maintain party discipline and to punish faction leaders and their affiliates. Parties may also discard sitting MPs because of seat-sharing arrangements with other parties.

Second, MPs and candidates themselves can also induce turnover. Some MPs may leave their parties and try their luck with a different party affiliation. Other MPs may drop out of the race altogether if they are unable to sustain the cost of remaining in politics or when they find themselves outspent by adversaries. MPs can also choose to shift to a different legislative body, such as a state assembly or the Rajya Sabha. In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, 28 seats sat vacant after officeholders left the Lower House for the Upper House or passed away so recently that byelections could not be held on time.

Finally, voters also play a role in ensuring that few sitting MPs get re-elected. Across states, the strike rate of re-running MPs is low. In 2009 and 2014, incumbents strike rate dropped below 50%. On average, since 1977, only 55% of re-running incumbent MPs have been reelected. The propensity of voters to reject incumbents manifests the structural discontent that elected representatives face. The authors repeated interactions with MPs over the years reveal that MPs are expected to respond to endless demands and requests for assistance emanating from their constituencies, using limited resources or infrastructure. When considered alongside a high degree of local electoral volatility, such discontent likely accounts for the poor performance of most re-running MPs.

Indias Small Professional Political Class

The flip side of the high turnover of elected representatives is the constitution of a small-size class of professional politicians (MPs who have been elected more than twice). In Indias 17th Lok Sabha, 120 MPs fit this description, a number that has fluctuated over the years. Of those 120 MPs, 69 belong to the BJP, while only 14 belong to the Congress. There are only 36 regional party MPs who can claim to have significant legislative experience.

More worryingly, there are few women among this political class. In the 2019 general elections, 78 women were elected to the Lok Sabha, but only 12 were elected for a third term or more. Members of this stable political class are more likely to be older, hail from dynastic political families, and belong to the upper or intermediary castes than historically disadvantaged groups. This category of elected representatives includes top party leaders and their family members, as well as members of parties various high commands. There are only a few representatives whose popularity enables them to weather the electoral misfortunes of their own parties. The small size and enhanced elite profile provide a measure of the degree of concentration of political power in India. The production of this small class of professional politicians is a pan-Indian phenomenon, not specific to any region or any party.

The BJP now makes up more than half of Indias stable political class, a category that the Congress dominated until the mid-1990s. Regional parties started contributing to that category of representatives a decade after their emergence phase in the 1990s. Their share of Indias professional class has reduced over the last three general elections largely due to the decline of regional parties in northern India.

Implications

Low rates of individual incumbency  and the concentration of power it implies  have wide-ranging implications for the functioning of Parliament, the ability of the institution and its members to act as a check on the executive, the meaning of political representation, and the functioning of Indias democracy at large.

On the one hand, short political careers disincentivise newcomers from investing in the legislative aspects of their job. As related research shows, elected representatives typically focus instead on constituency service and on raising the resources necessary to have a career in politics. On the other hand, the combination of high barriers to entry and the high probability of early exit creates incentives for rent-seeking behaviour as the costs of campaigning explode.

The rapid turnover of elected representatives also means that descriptive representation is detached from the individuals meant to embody it. Descriptive representation is reduced to representatives caste or community identities but not to the representatives themselves. Descriptive representation can only be effective when Parliament itself is effective as an institution. The concentration of power within parties, and the executives dominance of the legislature, hollows out political representation and limits the ability of legislators to induce change or impact.

The transient character of political careers in India contextualises the poor functioning of the Lok Sabha. Data compiled by PRS Legislative Research show that the annual average sitting days of the Lok Sabha have consistently declined: The most recent session hit a record low, utilising just 55% of allocated time. Parliamentary committees rarely meet, and bills are barely discussed.

Other factors contribute to the marginalisation of elected representatives and, by extension, of political representation.

First, parties announce their candidates late in the campaign, sometimes just days before polling. They reshuffle candidates until the last moment, preventing voters from thoroughly understanding who is really running for office.

Second, the anti-defection law has also tamed the ability of MPs to enjoy agency as autonomous lawmakers.

Third, the professionalisation of campaigns and the rise of political consultants have led to the marginalisation of individual candidates. In private interviews, many aspirant candidates and sitting legislators have expressed anguish regarding their exclusion from decision making within their party and within government, more generally.

Finally, the decline of stable political representation resonates with other findings regarding the sociology of Indias political class, which reveal that despite parties claims of political inclusion, Indias political leaders tend to be homogenous in class terms.

What is striking is the long-standing character of these trends. The hollowing out of political representation in India is not simply a product of recent democratic decline but also a feature of political representation that gets exacerbated under single-party dominance.

Unsurprisingly, individual incumbency is lower during periods of single-party majorities; in fact, it was even lower when the Congress was in power in the 1950s and 1960s. Greater political competition and the negotiation of power-sharing arrangements at the federal level tend to bring in more experienced politicians, something that is sorely lacking in the current environment.

Gilles Verniers is the Karl Loewenstein Fellow and visiting assistant professor of political science at Amherst College and a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. The Carnegie-HT India Elects 2024 series analyses various dimensions of Indias ongoing election battle.
NEW DELHI: In separate but similarly-worded guidances that take no names and are addressed to presidents of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday asked the two parties to rein in their star campaigners. ECIs letters to JP Nadda of the BJP and Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress are a follow-up to its April 21 notice to the two party presidents and a response to the reply provided by them. An Indian security personnel walks past the office of the Election Commission of India, (AFP FILE PHOTO)

Specifically (and this is the only substantive difference between the two advisories), ECI has asked Kharge to ensure that the Congress star campaigners do not make statements that anyone can either abolish or sell or tear apart the Constitution of India etc as it is alleged to be instilling fear in the mind of voters about an uncertain future and an attempt to spread anarchy in the country. The ECI noted that such practices may prejudicially affect the prospects of certain candidates and thus may border as a corrupt practice under Section 123(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. In its communication to Kharge, the ECI reiterated that the MCC has a specific prohibition against use of armed forces for campaigning purposes.

And it has asked Nadda to ensure that the partys responses ought not to raise or, aggravate anxiousness amongst citizens/electors on the basis of ascribable identity by use of suggestive expressions. The MCC has the primary purpose to control and regulate the tempo and the quality of the campaign speech and conduct. The MCC, an agreed document by all political parties, further casts an extra responsibility on the party in power.

The ECI also noted that despite being sent a notice, BJPs star campaigners continued to allegedly violate the MCC. It is noted that even after this notice dated 25.04.2024, and upto 13.05.2024 i.e., date of your reply, rather than accounting for ECI notice of 25.04.2024, in the minimum, as a red flag for future conduct, BJP star campaigners in different election meetings are alleged to be continuously making inter alia following statements alleged to be violative of MCC, the commission said in its communication to Nadda.

While the original notices too did not take any names, the one to the BJP president was prompted by a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi made on April 21 in which he referred to Muslims as infiltrators and said that Congress would redistribute wealth amongst those who have more children, a thinly veiled dog whistle to talk about Muslims.

And the one to the Congress president was prompted by a speech by Rahul Gandhi in Kerala in which he said that the BJP was trying to create a nation with one religion and one language. The BJP had complained about this speech on April 19.

Those notices followed complaints by the Congress (against the BJP) and the BJP (against the Congress).

In its complaint, dated April 21, addressed to ECI, the Congress listed five instances of MCC violations by Modi during the ongoing general elections. All five instances were about Modi accusing Congress and the Oppositions INDIA bloc, and in particular Rahul Gandhi, of being against Hindu culture, and of appealing to people not to vote for Congress as it is a party of sinners who oppose a particular religion (referring to Hinduism).

This is the first year ECI has written to party presidents regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct by their star campaigners. Its usual practice has been to write to the individuals concerned.

ECIs April 25 notice to both parties did not mention the relevant sections of the Model Code of Conduct or the Indian Penal Code that were alleged to have been violated by the star campaigners though the attached complaints did. The notice also did not mention Modi or Gandhi by name.
Counselor Julissa Vinals, center, and other City College of San Francisco employees rally for better pay in October. Public school and community college employees are exempt from state disability leave laws. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2023

Would you like to sign up for disability insurance? the benefits coordinator asked me. It was 2018 and I was starting my first teaching job at a public high school in Pleasanton.

Like many people in their early to mid-20s, I was in good health but broke, so I replied: No. I need that money.

Thankfully, she persisted: If you plan on having kids you should. I knew nothing about insurance or parental leave in California, but I knew I wanted kids one day, so I signed up for the lowest-cost option.

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Five years later, when I was expecting my first child, I realized Id never read up on the insurance I signed up for. When I reached out for clarity, I learned that my maternity leave worked through my insurance was not what I thought it would be. First, I would have to exhaust my available sick leave days and then I would receive differential pay  meaning the cost of the daily substitute teacher to replace me would be deducted from my monthly salary. My human resources rep reassured me that since I had disability insurance, there should be little to no loss in pay.

This was not the case. Ultimately, my insurance covered only $1,500 of differential pay, and by the time I returned to work 12 weeks later, my pay had been cut by $9,000. I ended up returning to work well before I was ready solely because I couldnt afford to take more time off to physically heal and bond with my baby.

During those early days back at school, I had to call and beg for coverage so that I could pump breastmilk, break time that I am entitled to legally. Some days the only room available was a dark storage closet with no chair. Sometimes, my school was too short-staffed to provide coverage, so I had to sit in the back corner of the room and pump while my students worked independently. I regularly experienced painful clogged milk ducts, but because I had exhausted my sick days, I couldnt take time off. All this took a toll on my mental health. I was not able to show up as the teacher my students needed and I fear their learning suffered as a result.

It turns out Im not alone.

When I dug deeper, I discovered that the California Disability Code exempts any public employee  including those in public schools  meaning they do not have the same protections as other Californians.

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Its as though we live in an alternative version of our state.

California has some of the most protective and supportive laws surrounding parental leave. Most birthing parents in California are entitled to six to eight weeks of disability pay after giving birth. Then parents are entitled to another six weeks of paid family leave, or baby bonding. For most people, the state pays 60% of employees wages for those six weeks. However, because of how our state disability code is structured, hundreds of thousands of teachers dont have access to these benefits. This flaw in the disability code disproportionately discriminates against female educators who are forced to deplete their leave balances when they have children. Thats not just unfair, it has real consequences in the long term. Unused leave days can be counted toward your retirement, ultimately impacting a teachers pension.

And while unions can negotiate different conditions around disability and parental leave, its often not at the top of the list because of the many other issues to tackle. But with a teacher workforce that is over 70% female, this lack of protection for women and their families harms everyone.

Past legislative efforts to tackle this issue have unfortunately failed. Both former Gov. Jerry Brown and current Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation proposing parental leave for educators, citing concerns that it would infringe on the rights of local teachers unions and cost too much. However, there is reason to hope that change is coming.

This week, the Assembly passed AB2901, which would provide 14 weeks of paid parental leave to public school and community college employees  a notable increase from the previous legislative proposals. The bill, endorsed by the California Teachers Association and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, now moves to the state Senate for a vote.

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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

If enacted, AB2901 will help ensure these birthing parents are no longer penalized. It will also help address the states significant teacher shortage. Research shows that incentives like those in this new bill help recruit and retain teachers.
India already faces a poor nurse-population ratio and the situation is set to worsen with nurses emigrating to other countries in large numbers, doctors and medical experts have observed, noting this creates a big gap in addressing the country's healthcare needs. With 1.96 nurses per 1,000 population, India falls short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rate of three nurses per 1,000 population, he said.

The experts issued a joint statement here, expressing concerns over the shortage of nurses in the country.

Citing figures from the regulatory body Indian Nursing Council, Association of Healthcare Providers (India) director general Dr Girdhar Gyani said there are more than 33 lakh nursing personnel registered in the country but this figure is dismal given India's 1.3 billion population.

With 1.96 nurses per 1,000 population, India falls short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rate of three nurses per 1,000 population, he said.

Director of the Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, Dr Shuchin Bajaj said, "While the shortage of nurses and their massive emigration to foreign countries is a cause for worry, there is a need to train them at home, especially amid the advent of health tech and other technologies."

"The challenges are more persistent in Tier-2 and 3 cities, where there is a lack of a trained healthcare force despite the establishment of state-of-the-art hospitals or health facilities. Apart from that, the nursing community also looks forward to greater support from the government," he added.

While it is the need of the hour to focus on increasing the skilled workforce, it is equally important to invest in upskilling the existing workforce, Dr Gyani added.

"By arming our nurses with advanced training and specialised knowledge, we don't just fill staffing gaps, we unlock a cascade of benefits: better patient care, reduced healthcare costs and happier and motivated nurses," he added.

Speaking on the role of nurses in educating communities about eye health and disease prevention, Dr Rishi Raj Borah, country director at Orbis (India), said nurses work closely with patients and connect with them based on their knowledge of things beyond medical records.

By organising educational workshops, school screenings and community awareness campaigns, nurses can effectively disseminate essential information on eye health, he added.

"There is still a lack of awareness on how some easy-to-follow practices can go a long way toward healthy vision. Nurses can guide communities in incorporating these practices into their daily routines," he said.
Tamil Nadus ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) president MK Stalin on Tuesday launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he was inciting hatred, a day after the latters comments that the missing keys of Lord Jagannaths treasury in Odisha had gone to Tamil Nadu. Stalin hits back at Modi over his treasury remarks in Odisha

Rebutting Stalins statement, Tamil Nadus Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai said that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is promoting an outsider-- VK Pandian, a Tamilian without respecting the people of Odisha and its culture.

Stalin said that the PMs remarks were aimed at maligning the image of the Tamils for the sake of votes. The Prime Minister should stop defaming Tamil Nadu and Tamils for votes, Stalin said in a statement released by the DMK. On Monday, Modi had attacked the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha saying that even the temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is not safe in the hands of this government and added that the Ratna Bhandar key has gone to Tamil Nadu.

Stalin has now responded that Modi was creating a feeling of enmity between people of the two states. Isnt this a speech that incites the people of Odisha against the people of Tamil Nadu, who have unlimited devotion to Jagannath? Stalin said. It is not good for the country that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who should set an example in his campaigns by presenting constructive criticism on the policy, principles, action plans and the achievements of his government without violating codes of election campaigning, is inciting enmity among people and enmity between states through hate speeches.

Stalin also said that people will understand Modis duplicity because while campaigning in Tamil Nadu, he praises the Tamil language, Tamilians but he speaks ill of Tamils while campaigning in states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

It amounts to insulting Lord Jagannath, revered by crores of people, besides insulting and hurting the people of Tamil Nadu who have good relations and friendship with the state of Odisha, said Stalin. Can PM Modi disparage the people of Tamil Nadu as thieves stealing the treasure of a temple...doesnt it amount to insulting Tamil Nadu. Why such dislike and hatred for Tamils?

Responding to Stalins statement, Tamil Nadus BJP president K Annamalai said that the chief minister is lying. Naveen Patnaik has endorsed his confidante VK Pandian, a Tamilian in Odisha, which is wrong, Annamalai said.

VK Pandian has been the CMs secretary for 12 years. So, now where did the keys go? We have promised that if the BJP comes to power in Odisha, the keys will be retrieved and Lord Jagannaths respect will be restored, Annamalai said.

Technically the CM of Odisha is VK Pandian. CM MK Stalin must know what is happening in India beyond his room. Will DMK announce a person who joins them from another state who is close to the CM as the CM candidate of Tamil Nadu? We talk about being the son of the soil in TN. Does it not apply in Odisha? How can it be wrong if the PM addresses this issue in Odisha? BJP is promoting an outsider without respecting the people of Odisha while we want to make a person of Odisha origin the CM of the state.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, May 22, refused to entertain former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's petition challenging the Enforcement Directorate's arrest in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam in the state and seeking interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren. (ANI)

A vacation bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma also pulled up Hemant Soren for suppressing from it the fact that he filed a bail plea before a trial court, saying his conduct isn't free from blemish.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Hemant Soren, withdrew the application after the court warned it would otherwise dismiss the plea. The development means the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader won't be able to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Your conduct tells a lot. We expected your client to come up with candour but you suppressed material facts, the court told Hemant Soren's lawyer.

On Tuesday, Hemant Soren faced scrutiny from the Supreme Court, which asked how he could contest the validity of his arrest by the ED after a Jharkhand trial court has already acknowledged the existence of prima facie evidence of money laundering against him.

The court underscored the distinctions that set Hemant Sorens case apart from that of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was previously granted interim bail in a money laundering case so that he could campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

When Arvind Kejriwal was granted interim bail on May 10, he had not sought regular bail from a trial court, nor had there been any judicial order of cognisance against him in the Delhi excise policy case, pointed out a vacation bench. In contrast, a Jharkhand trial court has taken cognisance of the offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), relying on prima facie incriminating materials against Hemant Soren, and his bail plea was rejected, it observed.

As it heard Hemant Sorens plea challenging his arrest by ED in January and seeking interim bail due to the general elections, the top courts bench posed probing questions to Sorens legal team, led by senior counsel Kapil Sibal, regarding the validity of his challenge against the ED arrest in connection with an alleged land scam despite a judicial order taking cognisance of offences under PMLA.

The bench highlighted that the April 4 order of a Jharkhand court taking cognisance is based on its prima facie satisfaction on the existence of incriminating material linked to Soren. Once the cognisance has been taken, one judicial forum has applied its mind and reached a conclusion that prima facie there are materials justifying your arrest. In such a scenario, will another court look into the same materials? There is a judicial decision, and you need to satisfy us that after such an order, this court can still look into materials, the bench told Sibal.
AAP MP Swati Maliwal's allegations so far were against the party and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar. But on Wednesday after Kejriwal made his first comment on the assault issue, Swati Maliwal hit him back and said irony died a thousand deaths. Kejriwal in an interview with news agency PTI said he wanted a fair investigation and justice in the Swati Maliwal assault case as it has two versions. Swati Maliwal accused Arvind Kejriwal of unleashing the entire AAP army against her.(Hindustan Times)

Maliwal hit back at Kejriwal and accused Kejriwal of "unleashing the entire army of leaders and volunteers" at her, calling her a BJP agent, assassinating her character, leaking edited videos, victim-shaming her. In her X post, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP mentioned that Kejriwal continued to roam around the accused, let him (Bibhav) re-enter the crime scene and tamper with evidence. "...the chief minister in worse drawing room I was beaten up has finally said that he wants free and fair investigation in the matter. Irony died a thousand deaths. I don't buy this one bit," Maliwal wrote.

Kejriwal spoke for the first time on the incident which has taken the centrestage before Delhi votes on May 25. On May 13, Swati Maliwal called the Delhi Police control room from Kejriwal's residence alleging that she was assaulted. After maintaining silence for two days after the incident, Maliwal filed an FIR against Bibhav in which she detailed how she was slapped, kicked, beaten up by Bibhav as she went to the CM's residence to meet Kejriwal. The party denied the allegations and cited videos in which Swati Maliwal could be seen shouting at Kejriwal's security, walking out of the residence with the security with no injury etc.

Bibhav was arrested from CM's residence and the police alleged that he tampered with the CCTV footage. Police took him to Mumbai where they claimed Bibhav formatted his phone.

Swati Maliwal, meanwhile, made another grave charge against the party that AAP leaders were being pressured to leak Swati's personal photos.

"Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, and they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of doing PC and someone else has been given the duty of tweeting. Someone's duty is to call volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused have the duty of preparing some fake sting operations," Swati wrote in a post.
A 50-member cross-country team of senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is working to ensure the partys Varanasi Lok Sabha candidate - Prime Minister Narendra Modi  not only polls a record number of votes but also wins by a record margin, BJP leaders present at the party meeting in the temple town on Sunday told HT.

A key canvassing point for the group is the burgeoning south Indian community who live, work and study in Varanasi.

A core team, consisting of general secretaries of various states, members of parliament, and other office bearers, has been constituted to help Modi poll 10 lakh votes. The multi-ethnic population, the 200-odd ashrams and old-age homes that house tens of thousands of voters in the temple town are on the BJPs wish list.

Sunil Bansal, national general secretary chaired the meeting in Varanasi on Sunday, May 19, that ran into hours as operational details of the detailed voter outreach programme were planned. Tasks were delegated to leaders who would have to work as foot soldiers to deliver the ambitious target.

Our brief is to ensure we provide a record win for PM Modi netting more than 80% of the votes polled in the constituency. Each of us has been given a set of local leaders to work with for the last leg of the campaign to secure a high voter turnout by sanitising the voter list so that there are no discrepancies, said S Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, BJP general secretary from Andhra Pradesh who was present at the meeting in Varanasi.

BJPs focus on the southern community

A coveted electoral bloc in Kashi is the growing south Indian fraternity. Telugu and Tamils, who have a historic connection with the holy city account for two lakh voters while the Kannada and Malayalam-speaking population takes the number of southerners a notch higher by 50,000.

Our work has been divided based on the number of people from each state. The mapping of the voters to the polling booth and the origin of the voters has already been done in the last two years. We have now been tasked with addressing groups of voters in small meetings, said NVSS Prabhakar who has been nominated from Telangana along with Dhanpal Suryanarayana, sitting member of the legislative assembly (MLA) from Nizamabad, and Bandi Sanjay, former BJP Telangana President.

P Sudhakar Reddy, a current member of the legislative council (MLC), is Andhras additional representative.

General secretaries from Tamil Nadu and senior functionaries from Kerala have been tasked with addressing linguistic minorities in Kashi. PK Krishnadas and Kummanam Rajasekharan from Kerala are on the roster for campaigns in Delhi and Varanasi, party leaders who asked not to be named said.

Gayathri Devi, one of BJPs Tamil Nadu secretaries, R Rajalakshmi, and CT Palanichamy who joined the BJP from AIADMK, Nainar Nagendran, BJPs LS candidate from Tirunelveli, K Gopalaswamy, and five others participated in the meeting from Tamil Nadu.

A 10-member continent from Tamil Nadu is in Varanasi currently. Five of us have been here for the last week to engage with voters and speak of PM Modis work on the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, and other cultural issues, including installing the Sengol in the new parliament building, Devi said.

Two MLAs from Karnataka have been tasked with speaking to the Kannada Koota, or Kannada groups, in the temple town. From the famous ghats of the town to the Benares Hindu University, Tamil and Telugu voters are being canvassed.

According to the BHU student union, about 5% university students are from Tamil Nadu and about 6.4% are from the two Telugu-speaking states, reflecting the growing political prowess of the south-Indian community.

In addition to the southern bloc, party spokespersons and sitting MLAs from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal were also present at the meeting, the leaders, quoted earlier, said.

Sudhir Singh, a BJP block panchayat leader, told HT that his main job is to organise meetings for the leaders coming in from different states. Singh was with the Samajwadi Party (SP) earlier and switched to the BJP after the 2019 election. I am from Chiraigaon in Varanasi but I am familiar with the entire functioning of the South Varanasi assembly segment. In every booth, we have been told to increase the number of votes by 370, the target set by the BJP in the parliament. For this, all the non-Hindi speakers should come out and cast their vote, he said.

While Varanasi district president Hansraj Vishwakarma has been tasked with day-to-day supervision of the regional meetings, five BJP leaders  Ashwini Tyagi, Arun Pathak, Jagdish Patel, Satish Dwivedi, and Surendra Nayaran Singh  will report to Sunil Bansal on the overall preparedness of the party for the election on June 01.

A BJP leader who HT spoke to said: Our local teams have met prospective voters twice already - once before the nomination, and once after. Each of us has been tasked with meeting at least 50 voters per day in addition to the small gatherings we are holding.

The personalised meetings come a week after Modis nomination in Varanasi that was attended by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alliance partners from all states as a show of strength and party unity.

Modi garnered 63.62% of the votes in 2019, with 6,74,664 people casting their votes in his favour. The runners-up were Shalini Yadav from SP and Ajay Rai, the Congress Uttar Pradesh President who got 18.40% and 14.48% of the votes respectively. Modi won by a margin of more than 4.7 lakh votes.

In 2014, Modis vote percentage was 56.37% and Arvind Kejriwal, current chief minister of Delhi was his opponent who garnered 20.30% or 2.09 lakh votes.

Yes, we are looking at an improbable victory. But I do not think it is impossible, said Chandran from BJP Tamil Nadu who is coordinating the meetings of all the leaders in Varanasi.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar who is in Tehran, paid tribute to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday, who died in a chopper crash along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Amir-Abdollahian, and others. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar pays tributes to Iran's late President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials.(PTI)

The Vice President, also met the acting President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber as well.

In a post on X, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "VP Jagdeep Dhankhar @VPIndia met Acting President of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Mokhber in Tehran today. VP conveyed condolences on the tragic demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian."

ALSO READ | President Raisis demise leaves Iran at crossroads

The memorial ceremony is taking place in Tehran today to pay condolences to Raisi, Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials who met a tragic fate after their helicopter crashed in northwestern Iran on Sunday afternoon.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in Iran.

According to Press TV, at least 10 heads of state, 30 delegations headed by ministers, and speakers are attending the official ceremony to pay respect to the late President.

Of the dignitaries who paid their respects to Raisi, and Iranian officials, who are now no more were Azerbaijan Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Tunisian President Kais Saied, Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous

Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani were also present, amongst others.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi's death: Indian flag flies at half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Watch

VP Dhankhar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon to pay condolences and attend the memorial ceremony of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and other officials who died in a tragic helicopter crash. He departed for Iran in the early morning hours on Wednesday (May 22).

Meanwhile. thousands of people took to the streets in Iran as the funeral ceremony of Raisi began Friday in the city of Tabriz in the north-western region where the chopper in which he was travelling crashed on Sunday.

President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran.

The Iranian government has declared Wednesday as a public holiday as well.

Raisi's body will be buried in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday, Vice-President of the Republic, Mohsen Mansouri, announced.

On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled the demise of the Iranian President. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledges Raisi's contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship.

"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. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," PM Modi tweeted.
Three religious and social welfare organisations, all of them with headquarters in West Bengal  the Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) and International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)  have been caught in a political storm, which erupted between the ruling-Trinamool Congress government and its rival the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), over the weekend.

It all started on Saturday with chief minister Mamata Banerjee criticising in strong words a section of monks and naming one while accusing them of working on behalf of the BJP.

I have great respect for monks but not all of them are same. BSS has a unit in Berhampore (a Lok Sabha seat in Murshidabad district). I have heard about a Maharaj (monk) for a long time. His name is Kartick Maharaj. He said he will not allow any TMC election agent in polling booths. I do not consider him a monk because he is directly involved in politics. He is ruining the country. I have great respect for Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Banerjee said at a rally in Hooghly.

Referring to the Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda, Banerjee said: Instructions come from Delhi saying people should be told to vote for BJP. I know Ramakrishna Mission monks dont cast votes. Then why should they do these things? There is a Ramakrishna Mission in Asansol. Have you forgotten how I helped you? Vivekanandas home (in Kolkata) wouldnt be there had this daughter not been around. The Left Front stopped your activities. Do you remember? Banerjee had said.

Legal response

While both ISKCON and RKM did not react to Banerjees comments, Kartick Maharaj, secretary of three branches of the BSS in Aurangabad and Beldanga in Murshidabad and Payradanga in Nadia, sent a legal notice to the chief minister seeking an unconditional apology. The BSS, however, has said that it didnt endorse the move made by the 68-year-old monk.

What has happened is unfortunate. What can we possibly do if there is politics going on? Also, we dont bother and we dont mind. Let it be. Anyone can say anything, said Swami Biswatmananda, general secretary of BSS.

With Lok Sabha elections going on and Hindutva being one of the key issues this time, the BJP was prompt in mounting an attack on the TMC supremo.

I am directly alleging that the chief minister is badmouthing our great organisations and maligning them under pressure from hardcore Muslim outfits to secure votes. TMC is insulting Bengals heritage and culture. They repeatedly use vulgar words against Ram Mandir (in Ayodhya). Won't you reply to TMCs appeasement politics with your votes, Modi said while addressing a campaign rally in Bankura district on Sunday.

While the BSS is a Hindu religious and social welfare organisation founded in 1917 by Swami Pranavananda Maharaj, ISKCON is a Vaishnava Hindu religious organisation. RKM is also a spiritual and social welfare organisation founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 named after his spiritual guru Ramakrishna Paramahansha.

Political commentators feel that these organisations have millions of devotees across the world and any adverse statements would definitely leave a scar on their emotions.

RKM has a large number of devotees, particularly among the urban educated middle class. So definitely the statements made by the chief minister will have an impact on them. To what extent this will impact needs to be seen, said Biswanath Chakraborty, political commentator.

Banerjee, however, soon launched a damage control exercise. While isolating Kartick Maharaj, she said that she wasnt against RKM, BSS of ISKCON.

I am not against RKM. Why should I be against an institution and disrespect it? Even a few days back I went to see their Maharaj when he was unwell. I am against a section (of the monks). BSS has an office and an ashram at Ganga Sagar (Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas). They are so good. They really love me and work for the people," she said on Monday.

The BJP frequently attacks the TMC supremo of appeasing minority communities and claiming that Hindus were being relegated as second-class citizens in the state under the present regime. Banerjee, however, has often been heard announcing from public platforms about how she has stood beside these organisations to help them.

I had stopped the ancestral house of Swami Vivekananda from being sold out. Now people (political leaders) make a bee-line to that house just before elections. The state government acquired the house of Sister Nivedita (disciple of Swami Vivekananda) and restored it. Who has built the skywalk at Dakshineshwar Temple and the jetties at Belur Math? We have given 700 acres to ISKCON to build a new temple, she said at a rally in Bankura on May 20.

In January 2020, Modi visited Belur Math, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and National Youth Day. He even spent a night at the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, the first Prime Minister to do so.

The following day, however, he addressed the people on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Belur Math.

The Citizenship Act was not brought overnight. We have only brought an amendment to the Citizenship Act and have made it easier for those who have suffered persecution in Pakistan, after Partition, to get Indian citizenship, Modi had said while addressing the youth at Belur Math.

That, however, didnt down well with the members of Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Math and members of the two organisations expressed their displeasure over his political speech from an apolitical platform.

Swami Suvirananda, the then Ramakrishna Math and Missions general secretary, had said, We are an inclusive organisation, which has monks from Hindu, Islam and Christian communities. We live like brothers of the same parents. To us, Narendra Modi is the leader of India and Mamata Banerjee the leader of West Bengal.
Cannes 2024: Aditi Rao Hydari landed in Cannes and is already taking over the internet. After attending an event at the Bharat Pavilion today, Aditi stepped out in the French Riviera town with her team to serve fans with another gorgeous look. However, it was the actor recreating her viral Gajagamini walk in the video that stole the show. She posted the video of herself doing the internet-breaking walk from Heeramandi on the streets of Cannes wearing a colourful summer-ready floral gown. Keep scrolling to see the video. Cannes 2024: Aditi Rao Hydari, wearing a floral gown, recreates her viral Gajagamini walk from Heeramandi in Cannes. (Instagram)

Cannes 2024: Aditi Rao Hydari recreates the Gajagamini walk in a floral gown

Aditi Rao Hydari posted the video of her recreating the Gajagamini walk in Cannes with the caption, "#lorealparisindia #Cannes2024 Walking into Cannes like." The clip begins with Aditi, holding an umbrella and wearing a gorgeous floral gown, doing the Gajagamini walk with her Cannes team members. After a few seconds, they turn and burst out laughing, and then Aditi continues doing her viral walk. The fans' reactions were overwhelming, flooding the internet with videos of Aditi. One fan wrote, "The famous swan walk." Another commented, "The fever of Aditi's walk reaches Cannes."

Regarding the details of the gown Aditi wore to recreate the Gajagamini walk, the sleeveless ensemble comes in yellow, black, and green hues. It features a halter neckline, a black satin belt to cinch the waistline, a gathered design on the front and back of the bodice, and a ruffled tier attached to the high-low hem of the dress that showed off her legs and cascaded on the back to form a floor-sweeping train. The dress, a creation from the shelves of the designer label Gauri and Nanika, is a perfect blend of summer-ready and elegant.

Aditi accessorised her gown with chunky white sneakers and minimal gold jewels, including drop earrings and a ring. For the glam picks, she opted for darkened brows, pink lips, rouge on the cheekbones, and mascara on the lashes. Lastly, she tied her silky, long locks in a messy low bun, with loose strands sculpting her face.
Vaishakha Purnima 2024: The auspicious time of the year is here. Every year, Vaishakha Purnima is observed with a whole lot of pomp and grandeur all over the country. Vaishakha Purnima is considered the second Purnima in the year according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Vaishakha Purnima comes right after Narasimha Jayanti. One of the main reasons why Vaishakha Purnima is considered extremely auspicious is because Buddha Purnima falls on the same day. It is believed that Buddha Purnima is the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. According to legend, on this auspicious day Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment under the auspicious Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. He attained enlightenment after a long and deep meditation to seek the meaning of life and the root of all sufferings. Vaishakha Purnima will be observed on May 23 this year.(HT Photo)

ALSO READ: Buddha Purnima 2024: 12 teachings of Gautam Buddha that will change your perspective on life

Lord Satyanarayan is also worshipped on this day. Lord Satyanarayan is considered a benevolent avatar of Lord Vishnu. On this day, devotees of Lord Vishnu worship the idol of the lord, and observe Satyanarayan Vrat. Followers of Buddhism celebrate the day with processions and reminders about the life lessons of Gautam Buddha. Vaishakha Purnima will be observed on May 23 this year. As we gear up to celebrate the special day, here are a few dos and don'ts to follow.

Dos and don'ts to follow on Vaishakha Purnima:
This is the last edition of Terms of Trade before the 2024 election results. It makes no sense to publish the column on May 31; the day the next edition of the column is due, a day before the exit poll results will be published. I have not done any travel during these elections and therefore cannot even pretend to offer some insight from the field as far.

What this column will try and do instead is a breakdown of the national contest into six groups of large states, which have at least ten parliamentary constituencies (PCs). The only exception in this list is Delhi which has just seven PCs. Put together, these states account for 509 out of the 543 PCs in the country. The idea behind this exercise is that a common set of factors might influence the results in each of these groups.

Here we go.

1. Hegemonic states for the BJP: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam (69 PCs)

They account for 69 PCs. There is good reason to argue that the BJPs political grip over these three states, especially the first two, is the strongest in the country and it is immune to any large electoral upset.

The biggest reason for this is that the Congress, which continues to be the primary opposition party in these three states, is not perceived as capable of mounting a credible political challenge to the BJP. The fact that Congress and its allies saw nominations of three of their candidates being cancelled/withdrawn in the first two states is the biggest proof of this incapacity. In Assam, the BJP will likely make some electoral gains from the gerrymandering  almost all ruling parties do this during delimitation  it has been able to do via the delimitation exercise.

Whether or not the BJP replicates its 26/26 performance in Gujarat, 28/29 performance in Madhya Pradesh and 9/14 performance in Assam, its overall tally will not even be very different from 2019. To be sure, the BJPs vote share and seat share in Assam will likely be significantly smaller than what it will be in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. But it is largely a reflection of the fact that the BJP has a huge disadvantage in Assam because of the large Muslim population. BJPs political genius in Assam lies in uniting the hitherto antagonistic Bengali and Assamese Hindus, which is enough to guarantee a big win for it in the states. What the Congress would be hoping for in Assam is to eat into the AIUDFs  a party of largely Bengali-speaking Muslims  support base rather than the BJPs.

2. States with troubled allies for the BJP: Bihar, Maharashtra (88 PCs)

What has changed for the BJP in these two states with a total of 88 PCs is the dynamic within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) between 2019 and 2024.

In Bihar, there is a widespread consensus on the fact that Nitish Kumars fortunes are declining in Bihars politics. The only question is whether the Janata Dal (United) will dim or destroy NDAs 2019 landslide victory of 39 out of 40 PCs.

Kumars diminished stature in the campaign, and the BJPs own leadership vacuum at the state level, has given a huge opportunity to Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav to establish himself as a leader in his own right. What is even worse from the BJPs perspective is he is championing the issue of being a job provider which has very different optics from his fathers Muslim-Yadav consolidation politics. This would not have happened had Nitish not walked away from the BJP in 2022 and made Yadav his deputy in the new government.

In Maharashtra, the BJP is relying on the factions of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Because of erstwhile patriarchs of the two parties have gone to the Congress alliance, and acting like anything but junior partners of the Congress, even the BJPs standard right-wing critique of the Congress might not be very effective. Maharashtra is perhaps the only state in these elections, where the results will likely be a referendum on the recent churn in local politics. Once again, the problem is a creation of the BJPs refusal to, first offer the chief ministers post to the Shiv Sena after the 2019 elections, second, BJP allies deciding to usurp their original parties, and third, the NDA government in the state not holding any local body polls scheduled before the Lok Sabha. The second and the third have kept the de facto aura of the de-jure beleaguered Uddhav Thackrey and Sharad Pawar.

In both these states, there is wide unanimity on the fact that NDAs numbers will go down compared to 2019. The question is its overall and BJP-specific magnitude. The BJP and NDAs headache in these states will continue till the assembly elections.

3. Modi plus Hindutva versus local factors states: Karnataka, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi (95 PCs)

These are states where the BJP swept the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. However, its performance in state elections is not as good as its national performance because of multiple reasons. They include things such as salience of local issues and welfare schemes, a strong leadership of the opposition parties at the state level, caste and community dynamics within the state and intra-organisation differences within the BJPs own state units.

In almost all of these states, nobody expects the BJP to win less than half of the PCs in the state, and perhaps do even better. But the BJPs/NDAs challenge is to replicate its 2019 performance of 26/28 in Karnataka, 25/25 in Rajasthan, 12/14 in Jharkhand, 9/11 in Chhattisgarh, 10/10 in Haryana and 7/7 in Delhi.

This can only happen if the BJP manages to subsume every local-level contradiction within its larger narrative of Hindutva and Modis personal charisma. In some of these states, Modis tailwinds for the BJP will face headwinds from local anti-incumbency (Haryana), a broader caste coalition for the opposition (Karnataka), sympathy for state-level popular leaders being jailed (Jharkhand), and greater index of opposition unity (Delhi). The opposition is fighting these states like an underdog but it is not a pushover like in the states where the BJP is a hegemonic power. The BJP is banking on Modi to cut its losses as much as possible in these states.

4. States where BJP/NDA can gain from anti-incumbency: West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana (105 PCs)

These are the states in which the BJP is extremely confident when it comes to adding to its 2019 tally. The biggest reason is that in two of these, namely, West Bengal (42 PCs) and Odisha (21 PCs), the BJP is the principal opposition party and trying to convert the elections into a state-level contest against the incumbent TMC and the BJD.

In Andhra Pradesh (25 PCs), the BJP has entered into an alliance with the TDP and the Jan Sena and is hoping to piggyback the anti-incumbency against the YSRCP government.

In Telangana (17 PCs), the BJP is hoping to replace the BRS as the opposition party in the state even if it cannot hurt the incumbent Congress by adding seats.

The BJP had won 18 PCs in West Bengal, eight in Odisha, four in Telangana and none in Andhra Pradesh in 2019. If the BJP has to increase, or even maintain its overall 2019 tally, it will have to not just retain but also add to its 2019 performance in these states. It is in the realm of the possible, but not a done deal by any chance.

5. The cultural barrier states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab (72 PCs)

Tamil Nadu (39 PCs) and Kerala (20 PCs) have been states where the BJP has struggled to make an impact on its own in any election so far. The biggest reason is, that it does not have a socio-cultural narrative of its own against established political players in the state. Because of the language barrier, its leadership, Narendra Modi included, also faces cultural resistance in the state.

The historical political churn in these states has firmly aligned important social groups behind different political parties in the state. Some of these parties such as the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab have actually broken ranks from the BJP to preserve their own political base. To be sure, the BJP has been trying hard to push its ideological line with anti-incumbency in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and it has managed a series of defections from the Congress in Punjab (13 PCs), but whether these tailwinds push it beyond a vote share where it can hope to convert votes into seats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and even preserve 2019 tally in Punjab remain to be seen.

6. Where repeating 2019 will not be good enough: Uttar Pradesh (80 PCs)

This is what makes Uttar Pradesh the most important contest in the 2024 elections. The BJP swept the state in 2014 winning 73 out of the 80 PCs along with its ally the Apna Dal. It survived a major scare against a united challenge by the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in 2019 to win 64 PCs in the 2019 elections.

Given the fact that the SP and BSP have parted ways and former has teamed up with a much weaker Congress, the BJP is being seen as having a clear advantage in the state. But this also means that even reaching the 2019 level in these elections will not be seen as a good enough performance for the BJP in the state.

Anything below the 2019 benchmark, which is what will happen if the voting is along the lines of the 2022 assembly elections, will generate a massive headwind for the BJPs overall tally in the parliament. The opposition is primarily banking on a local-level resistance/aspiration for sharing power against what is seen as a double-engine centralised political set-up controlled by the extremely popular Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath in the state. It is also hoping to gain some of the BSPs votes to boost its fortunes without the counter-polarisation trigger of a formal alliance.

Indian politics is not just the sum of states

To be sure, it would be wrong to argue that Indian elections are just a summation of state-specific factors. There are issues which have national salience and can change political fortunes when nobody expects them to. The campaign narrative has listed many of these such as youth unemployment, unease about the BJP changing the constitution, loyal women voters for the BJP etc. But these are factors which cannot be pinpointed without access to real-time polling data. This is what the exit polls will hopefully capture. The eventual result will be shaped by the intersection of such factors with the state-level dynamics described above.

Roshan Kishore, HT's Data and Political Economy Editor, writes a weekly column on the state of the country's economy and its political fall out, and vice-versa
City Attorney David Chiu wants to force U.S. News & World Report to turn over confidential editorial information about its Best Hospitals ranking methodology. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2022

As a resident of North Carolina, Ive long admired San Franciscos reputation as a bastion of progressive values and champion of free speech. From the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s to the citys ongoing commitment to social justice and equality, San Franciscans have always been at the forefront of the fight for a more open, inclusive and democratic society.

Thats why I was troubled to learn San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu issued two subpoenas earlier this year, making dangerous demands of U.S. News & World Report. San Franciscos government wants to force a news organization to turn over confidential editorial information about its Best Hospitals ranking methodology. While Chiu believes his office is acting in the public interest by challenging a powerful corporation, his tactics represent a clear threat to a free press and our constitutional rights.

On May 7, U.S. District Judge William Orrick dismissed a lawsuit filed by U.S. News challenging the subpoenas. Judge Orrick ruled the case was premature, as Chius subpoenas by themselves cant force U.S. News to comply. If the news organization refuses to provide the requested information, the city attorney would need to go to a state court and ask a judge to order U.S. News to cooperate. Sadly, the judges decision disregarded the underlying First Amendment concerns raised by U.S. News.

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But in a troubling twist, Judge Orrick also granted Chius motion to strike down U.S. News claims under Californias anti-SLAPP law. This law was designed to protect free speech by allowing the quick dismissal of frivolous lawsuits intended to chill public participation. However, in this case, it was used against a news organization exercising its free press right against government overreach.

The irony of Judge Orrick punishing U.S. News financially for filing a meritless lawsuit against Chius office is alarming: Anti-SLAPP laws should protect the voice of the people. Now, its being wielded by two branches of government, punishing a news organization for daring to challenge the legality of subpoenas that threaten its editorial independence. This sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that government investigatory actions, no matter how intrusive, are shielded from any legal challenges by the laws designed to protect free speech.

Make no mistake: The subpoenas issued by the City Attorneys Office represent a blatant attempt to undermine the news medias autonomy and the First Amendment. By claiming that the inner workings of U.S. News and its journalistic process can be scrutinized by any government official  think about a future President Donald Trump  the city attorney is attempting to exert government control over the free flow of information. This is not a progressive value long championed by San Franciscans  its a hallmark of authoritarianism.

More troubling are the implications extending far beyond California. If a city attorney is allowed to bully and intimidate journalists whose work he disfavors, it will set a dangerous precedent that could be followed by local or federal government officials across the country. Imagine if politicians in red states like Texas or Florida unhappy with coverage of their actions, started issuing subpoenas to reporters and editors demanding access to their notes and sources. It threatens to undermine the ability of journalists to hold the powerful accountable and defend the publics right to know.

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To be clear, this is not about defending U.S. News or its best of rankings per se. Reasonable people can disagree about the news organizations approach or the impact of such lists. But the answer to questionable journalism is not censorship or government intrusion  it is more speech, more transparency and more public debate. If critics believe that U.S. News rankings are biased or misleading, they should make that case in the marketplace of ideas, not through legal intimidation.

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
Dowry has long been a prevalent issue in India. Though numerous steps have been taken to curb it, the problem remains. To highlight this issue more and make people aware about it, Anupam Mittal's Shaadi.com has a 'dowry calculator' feature on its app. An X user, who goes by the name @DoctorHussain96 recently highlighted about it and his post went viral. Snapshot of the dowry calculator app.

"Initially, I was shocked to see a dowry calculator on Shaadi.com. A segment of the site shows users how much they are worth in the 'dowry' stakes. When you enter details like educational qualifications and income, you are in for a surprise. Instead of showing their dowry worth, the 'calculator' shows the visitor stats about dowry deaths in India. Respect and wonderful idea @AnupamMittal," wrote @DoctorHussain96 as he shared about the feature on the app. He also added a picture of the same. (Also Read: Kerala woman accuses husband of torturing her for dowry: Police)

Take a look at his tweet below:

This post was shared on May 19. Since being posted, it has gained more than two lakh views, and the numbers are only increasing. The post also has over 2,500 likes. Many people flocked to the comments section of the post and shared their reactions. (Also Read: Ludhiana: Husband held for dowry death after woman ends life)

Here's what people said about it:

An individual wrote, "Shameful to see that people are still taking dowry in some form or other! In my and my husband's family, there has been no talk of dowry, even in our great-grandfather's days! All women have been educated since that time!"

A second shared, "Logged in accounts using the calculator should be reported to authorities. All accounts should require a signed affidavit saying they won't accept dowry in any form."

"Fantastic! No one should ideally click on the 'Dowry calculator' in the portal. They should also show how many people have used the tool," commented a third.

"Asking, receiving and giving dowry is a punishable offence," posted a fourth.
Delhi is currently witnessing the wrath of summer, with temperatures touching 48 degrees Celsius. IMD has issued a red alert for heatwave in the national capital and neighbouring states. In fact, the Delhi government on May 20 also directed private and government-aided schools to shut down with immediate effect. It is also said that the temperature will only rise in the coming days. Delhi has been seeing a steady rise in temperature in recent days, culminating in the highest temperature recorded this summer on Sunday when the temperature reached 44.4 degrees Celsius.(AFP)

As residents of Delhi fear to step out of their homes, numerous people have taken to social media to express their frustration regarding the heat. (Also Read: Severe heat wave in Delhi on voting day, say weather officials)

Here's how people reacted to Delhi's soaring temperature:

According to private weather forecaster Skymet Weather, Saturday's high could hit 45C. In a statement, Skymet added that the Election Commission of India has set up amenities at the 2,627 polling places in the city, including air conditioners, mist fans, cold drinking water, and covered waiting areas, to give voters a break.

They said, "Despite all the arrangements, keeping fingers crossed that the oppressive heat should not become a deterrent for the common man to cast their vote."

Mahesh Palawat, vice president meteorology and climate change at Skymet added, "The wind direction has changed to easterly briefly. There is cyclonic circulation over Haryana, which can cause isolated thunderstorm activity. But humidity is only 30% so there is no moisture. It's almost dry. On polling day again, it will be dry, hot and clear skies with high-velocity winds. Heatwave conditions are expected, so people should prepare accordingly."

The weather office also warned that heatwave might become severe over the plains of northwest India and in north Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat State in the next five days.

People in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh are likely to face heat illnesses and heat strokes.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, hosted Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan on May 20 to discuss the impact of the digital revolution under Prime Minister Modi. The event brought together start-up founders, innovators, IT professionals, and others to share their experiences. Varun Alagh, co-founder of Mamearth, also attended the event and shared about his start-up journey. Mamaearth's Varun Alagh speaking at the Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan hosted by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. (X/@HardeepSPuri)

We come from middle-class families, including my wife Ghazal and me. 2016 was the year when Startup India was started, and thats the year we quit our jobs and decided to start this company. In just seven years, we have been able to make the company public, and we have employed over 10,000 people now, said Varun during the event.

He added that in the next five years, the focus must be on quality, creating good jobs, and conducting research.

PM Modi responded to Varuns middle-class note and said, Keep up the great work and continue to inspire others with your success, Varun! Ours is a government that actively encourages Start-ups and wealth creation. We are proud of the youthful energy in every part of our nation, especially the Tier-2 and 3 cities.

Take a look at the posts shared by PM Modi and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri here:

During the same event, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shared what his father said when he initially came up with the idea to launch his start-up almost twenty years ago. He said, When I started Zomato in 2008, my father used to say tu janta hai tera baap kaun hai as my dad thought I could never do a start-up given our humble background.

PM Modi shared a video of Deepinder Goyals speech and said, In todays India, ones surname doesnt matter. What matters is hard work. Your journey is truly inspiring, Deepinder Goyal. It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the start-ups to flourish.
The family of Ashwini Koshta, one of the two IT professionals killed in the Pune car accident, were planning to meet her in June but are now left mourning her tragic loss. Koshta, who was killed days before her fathers birthday, had booked a ticket to Jabalpur to surprise him on his birthday. Pune Porsche accident: Ashwini Koshta died on the spot after a speeding Porsche rammed into the bike on which she was riding a pillion.

Just a day before the accident, Ashwini informed me that she would be returning home in Jabalpur and had booked her ticket for June 18 to surprise her father on his birthday. However, it ended this way, Ashwinis mother, Mamata Koshta, said.

Ashwini, who was riding pillion with Aneesh Awadhiya, was killed on the spot after a speeding Porsche Taycan, driven by a 17-year-old, rammed into their motorcycle in Punes Kalyani area. Aneesh was rushed to a city hospital, where he died soon after. The teenager, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, received bail hours after the incident. His bail conditions include working with the Yerwada traffic police for 15 days and writing a 300-word essay on road accidents.

Mamata further said that the family was looking forward to sending her off in a palanquin to the grooms house in the future but are now compelled to carry her body on a bier.

We were supposed to send her off in a palanquin (to the grooms house) after her marriage (in future), but now we were forced to carry her body on a bier, Mamata told PTI after performing her daughters last rites in Jabalpur.

We want justice for Ashwini. The minor boy and his parents should get stringent punishment. They have not raised him properly. They should not have given him the car, she added.

When asked about her views on the teenagers bail conditions, she shot back, Is it a joke? What essay will he write? A joke is being played.

What will happen by removing the (Pune police) commissioner? Others will also do the same thing unless the law is implemented properly for all, Ashwinis father, Suresh Koshta, said.

When asked about the steps the family wanted the police to take after the arrest of the boys father, he said even proper implementation of the measures in the Indian legal system would be enough. Besides conducting checks for the helmet rule, the police should take steps to curb overspeeding, drunken driving, and vehicles running without number plates, he said.

The police have registered a case against the teenager under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The police said they would move a higher court for permission to try the teenager as an adult.

Earlier, police arrested the father of the teen driver, one of Punes most prominent builders from Sambhajinagar, and three others for serving liquor to the juvenile. The arrest followed a 24-hour-long chase, during which the builder attempted to evade arrest by sending a car to Mumbai to mislead the police.

Pralhad Bhutada, owner of Cosie, the restaurant where the teenager and his friends first had drinks; the manager of Cosie Sachin Katkar, and Sandip Sangale, owner of Blak Club, the second place where the group went that night for another round of drinks. All three have been remanded to police custody until May 24.

The Porsche was bought by the builder in March this year. It was being driven without a license plate because of the unpaid 44 lakh road tax on the car. The teenager who was behind the wheel did not have a drivers license.

The builder has been booked under the Juvenile Justice Act for failing to fulfil his duties as a guardian. Additionally, he has also been charged under various sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Simon Charles Dorante-Day, a British living in Queensland, Australia, is fighting hard to prove that he is the son of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Simon Dorante-Day has previously declared that his claims about his lineage were the result of years of research. In an intriguing twist, Simon revealed in an interview with 7News that he and his spouse, Dr Elvianna Dorante-Day, have been meticulously gathering evidence, with some particularly intriguing case facts still shrouded in secrecy. Snapshot of Simon (right) next to King Charles and Camilla.

Here is all you need to know about Simon Dorante-Day in 10 points:

1. He was born 1966 in Gosport, Portsmouth, UK, Simon Dorante-Day was adopted by Karen and David Day, reported the 7News.

2. Simon grew up believing he was the secret love child of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. He was adopted at the age of eight months by a couple who were employed by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

3. Simon bases his theory on a 1965 trip to Australia when he says that 17-year-old Camilla was impregnated by his presumed father. Simon is certain that Charles and Camilla met much earlierin 1970, to be exact.

4. He also claimed that his grandmother had outright told him that he was the son of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

5. According to a historian, in the ten years of Simon's birth, not a single baby was delivered at the hospital mentioned on his birth certificate. It is also thought that the parents' names on his birth certificate were "fictitious," reported 7News.

6. The news outlet also added that Simon recalled being taken to homes in the Portsmouth area when he was a child. There, as his adoptive parents and security guards waited outside, he would spend time with a woman who he thought was Camilla.

7. Simon also takes to Facebook to share multiple updates on his journey of trying to prove he is the son of the royal couple. He also has a website dedicated to it.
A speeding Porsche car hit two engineers in Pune, causing their deaths on the spot. The driver was a 17-year-old accused of causing the accident while drunk driving. The minor is currently out on bail after being held by Pune Police. On Tuesday, the cops arrested his father, a prominent real estate developer in the city, in connection with the accident involving his son. The image shows the Porsche car that Pune real estate developer's minor son was driving at the time of the accident. (PTI)

FIR lodged against the builder

Soon after the accident, an FIR was lodged against the builder by Pune Police for giving his minor son a car despite knowing he didnt have a proper drivers licence. The builder bought the car in March of this year, and it was running without a license plate. He is also accused of letting his minor son party despite knowing his habit of alcohol consumption.

The arrest

According to the officials, the builder made several attempts to evade arrest. He reportedly sent a car to Mumbai to mislead the cop. Ultimately, after a 24-hour-long chase, the cops were able to arrest him from Sambhajinagar.

The builder after changing a few locations went to Kolhapur, and then moved to Samhajinagar while at the same time tried to send another car in Mumbais direction to mislead the police, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar told HT.

What are the charges against the builder?

He is booked under two sections of the Juvenile Justice Act for failing to carry out his duties as a guardian. He is also charged under the Motor Vehicles Act.

On Wednesday, a sessions court in Pune sent him to police custody till May 24.

The victims have been identified as Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. Both 24-year-olds were engineers who were returning from a get-together when the speeding car hit their bike, causing their deaths.
Toronto: Three of the four accused in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, appeared in person before a court in British Columbia on Tuesday. The fourth accused also appeared, virtually, and all four will continue in detention till the next hearing in June. A photo of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen during a news conference providing an update from the Sikh community about Nijjar's homicide from June 18, 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia, on May 3. (AP)

This was the first appearance by all four, all Indian nationals, before the BC provincial court in Surrey.

Clothed in prison garb, Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all from Edmonton and being held in BC, were present in person before the judge, while 22-year-old Amandeep Singh appeared from Ontario where he is in custody.

The judge presiding over the hearing Emmet Duncan set their next date for June 25, according to a report in the outlet Surrey Now Leader.

The prosecutor explained that the adjournment was due to disclosure obligations or for providing the lawyers for the defendants with material related to the cases against them.

As was the case with their previous appearances, pro-Khalistan elements gathered outside the courthouse and displayed anti-India signs and separatist flags.

Amandeep Singh made his first court appearance on May 15, while the other three appeared before a judge on May 7. Tuesday was the first time all four appeared before a judge. All four are facing charges related to first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Amandeep Singh was already in custody of the Peel Regional Police or PRP when he was named in the Nijjar case. He was arrested in November 2023 on nine charges including those related to unauthorised possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

The others were arrested from in and around Edmonton on May 3 and brought to British Columbia for the trial.

Canadian investigators have not, as yet, announced any link to the Indian Government in relation to the murder. However, on May 3, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, said there were separate and distinct investigations ongoing including investigating connections to the Government of India. A day later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the investigations were ongoing.

The killing of Nijjar on June 18, in Surrey, British Columbia, caused India-Canada relations to rupture after Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons three months later that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder. India reacted by saying those charges were absurd and motivated.
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong on Wednesday issued a public apology after its London to Singapore flight encountered severe turbulence, causing numerous injuries and one fatality. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phon apologises for turbulence incident.(Singapore Airlines)

"On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased," Phong said in a video message.

ALSO READ- Singapore Airlines flight horror: 3 Indians among passengers hit by turbulence

Passengers taken to Singapore via relief plane

The flight, originally bound from London to Singapore on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, diverted to Bangkok after experiencing turbulent conditions that tossed passengers and crew members around the cabin, resulting in some hitting the ceiling. More than 140 passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 777 flight arrived in Singapore on Wednesday morning, while some remained in Bangkok to receive medical aid.

A 73-year-old British passenger passed away, likely due to a heart attack, while around 30 others sustained injuries.

Phong assured that the airlines is providing all possible assistance and support to them, along with their families and loved ones, during this difficult time. He added that the carrier is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities in the investigation into this incident.

ALSO READ- Singapore Airlines turbulence: What Boeing said on mid-air horror

I saw people hitting ceiling: Passenger

Recalling the harrowing experience, Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old passenger, described witnessing people being flung across the aisle, hitting the ceiling.

"I saw people from across the aisle going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in like really awkward positions. People, like, getting massive gashes in the head, concussions," Azmir told Reuters after arriving in Singapore.

ALSO READ- IndiGos extra passenger: What exactly happened, explained

We also deeply apologise for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight, Phong said in the video message.
Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa to reverse his declaration of a state of "internal armed conflict" in the gang-violence torn country, saying it had opened the door to rights abuses. Ecuador rights abuses under state of 'armed conflict': HRW

Despite Noboa's efforts to reduce violence blamed on an escalating war between rival gangs, the security situation "continues to be dire," HRW Americas director Juanita Goebertus Estrada wrote in an open letter addressed to Noboa.

Not only that, but there have been "multiple instances of serious human rights violations committed by security forces."

Noboa declared a state of emergency in January after a dangerous narco boss Jose Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito" escaped from maximum security detention.

As gangsters vowed "war" in response, setting off explosions and kidnapping police officers, the president then declared the country to be in a state of "internal armed conflict" and ordered the army to "neutralize" 22 criminal groups.

HRW, in an assessment of the Noboa government's actions, concluded there appeared to be no legal basis for such a declaration, which allows for broader use of force and "opens the door to human rights violations."

The letter said "many people" detained since January "were apparently never taken before a prosecutor or judge," some of them beaten by soldiers and police.

It noted reports of at least "one apparent extrajudicial killing, several arbitrary arrests, and many cases of ill-treatment in prison which may in some cases amount to torture."

Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.

Gang wars have largely played out in the country's prisons, where criminal leaders such as Fito wield immense control.

The battles have left hundreds of inmates dead since 2021, their bodies often found dismembered, decapitated or incinerated.

Estrada urged Noboa to review his declaration, limit the role of the armed forces and strengthen disciplinary measures in the police and military.

The president should also condemn reported human rights violations, "making it clear that such cases will not be tolerated," she wrote.

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Iran President News Highlights: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, along with his foreign minister, was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. India's Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday paid his respects to Ebrahim Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials who died in the crash. Dhankhar also met Iran's acting President Mohammad Mokhber and conveyed condolences over the tragic demise of Raisi....Read More

The chopper carrying Iranian president Raisi, his foreign minister and other officials of the country disappeared over a mountainous region on Sunday evening. Rescue teams failed to reach the spot on May 19 due to fog and bad weather conditions. The wreckage of the helicopter crash was found by rescue teams the next day, who later announced that there was no sign of life on the crash site.

The incident came at a time when tensions remain heightened in the Middle East due to the ongoing war in Gaza. In the midst of the war in Palestine, Iran also witnessed escalations with Israel after both countries launched retaliatory attacks into each other's territory. Iran's president Raisi previously promised his country's unconditional support to Palestine, taking a firm stance against Israel.
Assembly Member Christopher Ward and members of the LGBTQ Caucus on Wednesday announce a bill that would ban school policies that force teachers to out transgender students to their parents. Courtesy of Assembly Member Christopher Ward A person holds a sign opposing a Chino Valley school district board policy requiring school staff to out students to their parents if the children ask to be identified by a gender that is not listed on their birth certificate in July 2023 in Chino (San Bernardino County). David McNew/Getty Images

Californias LGBTQ legislators unveiled new legislation Wednesday that would outlaw school policies that require teachers and staff to report students who identify as transgender to their parents  so-called forced outing policies that have become the subject of fierce legal fights across the state.

AB1955 is the latest attempt to block the parental notification policies, which have already been put in place in at least a dozen California school districts, though none are being enforced.

Opponents to the policies say they infringe on students right to privacy, and note that for some students it may not be safe for their parents to know that they are transgender. In school board meetings, trustees who have approved the policies say that parents have a right to know if their children are out at school or have talked to a teacher about their gender identity.

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Teachers are not meant to be gender police. Its not their job to report them, its their job to teach students and create a safe and supportive environment, said Assembly Member Christopher Ward, D-San Diego, vice chair of the LGBTQ Caucus who introduced the legislation.

The bill would bolster existing state protections for LGBTQ students, in particular those who identify as trans or nonbinary; prevent teachers and staff from retaliation if they disobey school policies that require them to report students; and provide resources for LGBTQ students and their families.

Since last summer, parental notification policies have passed in school districts across the state, largely in conservative pockets in Southern California. The policies generally share similar language, requiring school staff to tell parents within 72 hours if their children ask to change their name or pronouns or ask to use a bathroom or locker room that aligns with their gender identity.

Opponents have fought the policies through several channels, including reporting the policies to the California Department of Education, and the state attorney general sued the Chino Valley district over its policy, which is currently under a temporary injunction. In some districts, parents or teachers have sued.

In all, at least seven California school districts are in court over parental notification policies. The leading case is awaiting a hearing in the 4th District Court of Appeal in Riverside; in that case, the state is appealing a ruling by a Riverside County judge who refused to block a policy by the Temecula Valley Unified School District.

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A contrary ruling was issued last fall in San Bernardino County Superior Court, barring the Chino Valley district from enforcing its policy. The judge in that case said the district was discriminating against the students on the basis of their sex or gender identity.

Ward said legislators took their time putting together a bill to ban such policies in part because they were being litigated in court. We were aligned with a number of our community-based organizations, he said, but we thought it would be quicker to work through the courts and at least get a stay on enforcement.

School district leaders who have introduced the policies say that they frequently hear from parents who are concerned about their children and simply want to be included in important conversations about their kids lives.

Parents have a constitutional right in the upbringing of their children, Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley school board, said earlier this year in an interview. She added at the time that she had no intention to back off of the policy despite being sued by the attorney general.

Those who oppose the policies said they could put some students at risk if their parents are not supportive. But they also noted that even children whose parents would support them may have reasons for talking to a teacher about their gender identity first  and its important they have a safe space in school to explore those feelings.

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For anybody, coming out is an incredibly personal experience that should be done at their own pace, said state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, who is chair of the LGBTQ Caucus.

Eggman said that the rights of LGBTQ people, and especially transgender youth, have become a flashpoint for far-right conservatives. They think its a winning argument, Eggman said. But our goal is not to fight with anybody or win wars. Our goal with this is to protect kids.
New Delhi, Dissident Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, who recently fled Iran, will be attending the world premiere of his new film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof to attend premiere of new film at Cannes

Rasoulof, 52, fled Iran last week after being sentenced to eight years in prison, flogging and confiscation of property by the country's Islamic Revolutionary Court for making the movies and documentaries, according to American news outlet The Hollywood Reporter.

"The Seed of the Sacred Fig" is part of the film gala's competition line-up. It is set to be screened on Friday at Cannes where the filmmaker will also take part in press events and promotion for the movie.

The movie depicts the story of an investigating judge for the Revolutionary Court in Tehran as he grapples with paranoia amidst the nationwide political protests.

He finds himself in conflict with his own family, his wife and two daughters, as the regime cracks down on protesters.

According to the news outlet, Rasoulof escaped Iran by ditching all his trackable electronic devices and fleeing by foot over the mountains out of the country, before finding shelter in Germany.

In a recent interview with British publication The Guardian, Rasoulof said he still expects to return to his home country quite soon and sit out his sentence, even though he is aware that his decision to leave will likely earn him a new punishment from the Iranian authorities.

Rasoulof is considered among Irans leading filmmakers and one of the most prominent critics of the Tehran regime. He has twice served time in Iranian jails for his films and activism.

In 2020, the director won the Golden Bear at the Berlin film festival for his film "There Is No Evil", even though he couldn't attend the festival.

The filmmaker was the latest artist to be targeted Islamic Republic as part of its widening crackdown on all dissent in the following years of mass protests, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Palestinian health officials said eight Palestinians were killed Tuesday in an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin, where an AFP correspondent reported masked gunmen exchanged fire with Israeli forces. Armed Palestinians take positions during an Israeli raid on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on May 21, 2024. Palestinian health officials said seven Palestinians were killed on May 21, in an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin, where an AFP correspondent reported masked gunmen later exchanged fire with Israeli forces. (AFP)

Smoke billowed over the refugee camp adjacent to the city after a series of explosions inside, while at least five gunmen clashed with troops in a nearby downtown neighbourhood, the correspondent reported.

The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah said Israeli troops had killed eight people -- raising an earlier toll of seven -- and wounded nearly 20 others during the raid, which began in the morning in Jenin city.

An AFP journalist saw four bodies at Jenin's Khalil Suleiman government hospital morgue.

ALSO READ| Gaza battles flare as Israel slams arrest warrant bid for 'war crimes'

The Israeli military said it had launched a "counterterrorism operation" in Jenin, adding later that "exchanges of fire are underway between the security forces and the armed terrorists".

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that surgeon Usaeed Jabareen, from the government hospital, was among those killed.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on the social media platform X that Jabareen "was shot on his way to work".

A schoolteacher and a student were also among the dead, Wafa reported, quoting hospital director Wissam Bakr.

Amer Manasra, a 25-year-old freelance journalist, told AFP he had been wounded by Israeli forces during the raid.

"I was hit in the back of my leg by a stray bullet fired by Israeli forces," he said from a hospital bed, adding the incident had taken place near the entrance to the camp.

The Israeli army said it had raided the house of Ahmed Barakat, who was behind an attack on an Israeli civilian last year.

Meir Tamari, 32, was killed in May 2023 at the entrance to a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, medics and military officials said at the time.

All schools in Jenin and the camp were evacuated following the raid, Wafa said.

The streets near the camp were deserted in the afternoon, except for Israeli bulldozers moving debris.

The road between the hospital and the camp had been stripped of its asphalt by Israeli troops who said they were looking for concealed bombs.

Drones buzzed overhead and sporadic gunfire rang out.

- 'Criminal mentality' -

Crowds of mourners, including schoolchildren, gathered for the funeral of teacher Allam Jaradat.

Jaradat's body, wrapped in the green flag of militant group Hamas, was kept at a mosque where mourners offered prayers.

"The new massacre in Jenin... is conclusive evidence of the criminal mentality that rules the occupying state and its ideological belief in killing our people," Hamas said in a statement.

The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned Tuesday's raid, saying in a statement on Wafa Israel was "killing innocent people, doctors, and destroying the infrastructure of Palestinian hospitals, cities and villages".

Jenin has long been a stronghold of Palestinian militant groups and the Israeli army routinely carries out raids into the city and adjacent camp.

The West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has seen a surge in violence for more than a year, but particularly since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7.

At least 513 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war broke out, according to Palestinian officials.

Attacks by Palestinians have killed at least 12 Israelis in the West Bank over the same period, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

The Gaza Strip has been gripped by more than seven months of war since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 35,647 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
Prince Williams friend has said that Kate Middleton meeting Prince Harry would be "the last thing she needs, dashing hopes for a reunion amid their ongoing feud. It has been claimed that Harry would like to reunite with his family. However, friends of the royals said that such ambitions are only a fantasy. Kate Middleton meeting Prince Harry would be the last thing she needs, a friend of Prince William said (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File, AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

The Windsors are exhausted by the feud with the Sussexes, sources have said. Meeting with Harry is the last thing that William or Catherine want or need right now. Its a fantasy, Williams friend told The Daily Beast.

Its not about apologies or who said what, it is about protecting his family, the friend added. Kate is recovering from cancer, and they are avoiding stressful situations.

Prince Harry and King Charles meeting was a significant step in the right direction

Harry visited King Charles after the monarch was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. At the time, a friend of Charles and Queen Camilla said that the meeting was a significant step in the right direction. The idea that Harry and the kids are going to descend on Balmoral this summer is wishful thinking. Its all just very sad, the friend added.

Another friend of Camilla and Charles said, Everyone understands that William is absolutely furious with his brother, but absolutely furious isnt a deliverable plan for a King, which William will be, perhaps sooner than he had imagined.A King not speaking to his brother over an argument about a broken dog bowl, a costume party almost 20 years ago, or who said what about some lip gloss, will make William look petty and ridiculous, the friend said, adding that the king is gently trying to lead by example.

Recently, royal commentator Michael Cole said that Charles does not want to be bothered by Harry amid his cancer treatment. At the same time, he is the head of state and he has to maintain his duties and be out and be seen. He doesnt want his equilibrium to be upset, Cole said.
Queensland-based British-born Australian Simon Dorante-Day has been on a quest to prove his royal lineage and the possibility of having blue blood running through his veins. Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla walk during a visit to the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 20, 2024. Arthur Edwards/Pool via REUTERS(via REUTERS)

Adopted at eight months old by a couple whose parents worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Simon grew up with the belief that he was the secret love child of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Dorante-Day's claims

Alleged prince's theory centres around a 1965 trip to Australia, during which he claims that his supposed father, then just 17 years old, impregnated Camilla out of wedlock. As many headlines would have it known today, Charles and Camilla met much earlier in the year 1970, to be precise, but Simon does not have any doubt about it.

Buckingham Palace has never publicly addressed Dorante-Days claims, but he continues to seek confirmation of his identity.

Now, as the King and Queen plan a royal visit to Australia in October, Simon sees an opportunity to launch a legal bid. He intends to take them to court, urging them to submit to a paternity test.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry ready to forgive Royal family but tables have turned as King and William are

Alleged Prince Simon not looking for fame or money-just the royal identity

In an interview with 7News, Simon revealed his determination to uncover the truth. While keeping specific details of the case private, he assured that he and his wife, Dr Elvianna Dorante-Day, have been working tirelessly to gather proof.

When asked about his legal strategy, Simon told the outlet, What am I going to do this time? Well, Id be a very silly person not to take action when he comes into the same jurisdiction as me. But I think Id be even sillier to reveal my hand prematurely.

You know, theres always something going on in the background here at our place. It never stops. People think just because it goes quiet on Facebook, [the case] is quiet, but it doesnt. Were hammering in the background.

Simon has been seeking a DNA test from Charles and Camilla for several years. He clarifies, These accusations that Im doing this for money? Yeah, right, okay. And Im doing it for fame? None is true

Im 100 percent confident that I will have the answers, he asserts.

Im not doing all this to be a Facebook character. And Ive had to learn to do this and objectionably at times because we were private people.

Alleged Prince Simon continued, All we want is the truth. All we want him to do is tell the truth, and her, Camilla as well. They both need to own up.

ALSO READ| King Charles III and Prince William send a 'powerful message' to Prince Harry this way

In 2022, Simon expressed hopes that sharing his story through Netflix or other media platforms would compel the King and Queen to address his claims.

Im taking my case through the proper legal channels, but I know that sharing my story and getting as many people aware of my claims as possible is going to be key to having Charles and Camilla address my claims, he said.

The alleged prince concluded by saying, I want a DNA test from both of them, and added, If sharing my story with a wider audience helps achieve that, then lets do it.
A royal author has claimed that Meghan Markle has no second thoughts about her and Prince Harrys decision to step down from their royal duties, and she is enjoying her revenge now. Meghan Markle watches her husband Prince Harry play in an exhibition sitting volleyball match, in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, May 11, 2024. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)(AP)

The Sussexes left their royal duties in 2020, and their decision has not faltered, even after the storm of media attention and subsequent challenges.

A royal author, Tom Quinn, has told The Mirror UK, Harrys mental health has taken a hit since their departure, but Meghan has no second thoughts.

Meghans resilience seems to outshine the difficulties, as Quinn observes, Meghan is much tougher than Harry and thrives on the challenges. She feels vindicated, especially after the couples recent trip to Nigeria, where she felt recognized as a significant global figure.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs recent three-day sojourn to Nigeria has stirred up quite a reaction from the royal household. But Quinn confirms that Meghans resolve is unshaken.

ALSO READ| Prince George is set to skip his godfather's wedding because of

She is relishing her new role and the recognition that comes with it.

The Nigerian populace extended a warm welcome to the couple, complete with traditional dances, receptions, and engagements with local schools and charities, akin to the pomp of royal visits.

Quinn points out that Meghan and Harrys trip to Nigeria felt like the official recognition Meghan has always desired. Its no wonder she feels triumphant.

Nigeria trip did not sit well with the British royal family

Reports suggest that Prince William is incensed, and King Charles IIIs displeasure has reached new heights. Quinn notes, William is determined to prevent similar events in the future.

The visit has raised alarms within the royal circles, prompting concerns that Harry and Meghan might be seeking to unofficially retain their royal image. Quinn elaborates, Their behavior during the trip, from speeches to charity visits, was designed to project an image of them as still active royals.

King Charles, in particular, is said to be deeply troubled by the reception the couple received in Nigeria, which paralleled that of an official royal tour. Charles is seething. The treatment Meghan and Harry received in Nigeria, as if they were on an official royal tour, has deeply upset the royal applecart, Quinn asserts.

ALSO READ| Reason why Prince Harry and Meghan took free flights to Nigeria from 'wanted airline boss'

This has caused significant worry for William and Charles, who are keen to distinguish the couple from their official royal duties.

However, with the increased controversy on this visit, Meghan and Harry have made it clear to the world that they are going to extend their visit to Nigeria very soon. They have thanked Nigeria for the gesture and have further indicated their willingness and readiness to come out in public for other events.
Pakistan's Permanent ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram launched an attack on India during the General Assembly meeting this month, terming new India as a dangerous entity". Munir Akram further suggested India's involvement in the alleged targeted and extra-judicial assassinations in his homeland and elsewhere. Pakistan's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram

Quoting a report from a leading US daily, Pakistan's Munir Akram said the new India comes into your home and kills you.

Addressing the general assembly on May 2, Munir Akram said, "Pakistan's foreign minister informed the Security Council, as well as the secretary general and the president of the General Assembly of India's campaign of targeted assassinations in Pakistan. This extra-territorial state terrorism is not limited to Pakistan. It has been extended to targeted killings of political opponents in Canada and attempted in the United States and probably in other countries."

"The Washington Post reported that Prime Minister Modi last week told his cheering supporters, and I quote, "Today, even India's enemies know this is Modi. This is the new India. This new India comes into your home and kills you". This new India is a dangerous entity, it is a net provider of insecurity, not security," Pakistan permanent UN representative said.

Akram's remarks come after Britain's top daily The Guardian published a report alleging that India carried out multiple assassinations of targeted individuals inside Pakistan as part of their "wider strategy to eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil".

The report further alleged, citing intelligence sources, that India carried out targeted assassinations in 2023, with the government's involvement in the deaths of 15 people "most of whom were shot at close range by unknown gunmen".

Earlier, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of having involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist by the country's elite National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Nijjar was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. Recently, the Canadian authorities arrested four Indian nationals for their alleged involvement in the case.

Reacting to the arrests, external affairs minister S Jaishankar denied receiving any evidence implicating Indian nationals' involvement in the killing in Canada of the India-designated terrorist.

(With inputs from ANI)
New Delhi: Ireland, Norway and Spain said in coordinated announcements on Wednesday that they will recognise a Palestinian state amid the tensions created by the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the leadership of these countries saying they expect more European states to take a similar step. The Palestinian flag was raised in the courtyard outside Oslo City Hall on Wednesday morning in Oslo, Norway, (Reuters Photo)

The formal recognition of Palestine as a state by Ireland, Norway and Spain will take effect on May 28. A statement from the Norwegian foreign ministry said a number of other like-minded European countries will also formally recognise Palestine on that same date.

The Norwegian government has decided that Norway will recognise Palestine as a state. In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security, Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said at an event in Oslo.

Minutes later, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in Parliament in Madrid that his country too would recognise a Palestinian state. The time has come to move from words to action, he said. He made it clear the decision was not being made against Israel or the Jews or in favour of Hamas.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said in Dublin the three countries will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to their decision. He added, I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.

Harris described the Hamas attacks on October 7 last year as barbaric and called for the release of all hostages taken by the militant group. But let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Todays decision to recognise Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future, he said.

Israel reacted angrily to the development by recalling its ambassadors to all three countries for urgent consultations. Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the summoning of the envoys of Ireland, Norway and Spain for reprimand talks, during which they would watch a horrifying video of the kidnapping of women Israeli soldiers on October 7.

Katz said Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security. He added, Israel will not go over this in silence  there will be other serious consequences.

He also contended that the decision sends a message to Palestinians that terrorism pays, and would be a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defence.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian foreign ministry in the West Bank welcomed the decision.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Stre said a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for peace in West Asia.

The Palestinian people have a fundamental, independent right to self-determination. Both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace in their respective states. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East, he said.

Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide said in a post on X that a two-state solution is the only viable pathway to peace for Israel and Palestine. At this critical juncture, our recognition comes in support of the work towards a comprehensive plan for regional peace, he said.

There had been speculation in diplomatic circles that several European countries, including Spain and Norway, were set to announce their recognition of a Palestinian state this week. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez visited Ireland and Norway in April in an apparent attempt to coordinate the announcement.

Norway has a long history of involvement in efforts to address the tensions between Israel and Palestine and mediated the secret talks that led to the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. The Norwegian statement noted that the recognition of a Palestinian state was taking place just over 30 years after the signing of the first Oslo Accord. It added that the Palestinians had taken important steps since then towards a two-state solution. In 2011, the World Bank concluded Palestine had met the key criteria required to function as a state and national institution to provide the population with crucial services had been established.

Nonetheless, the war in Gaza and the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank have made the situation in Palestine more difficult than it has been in decades, the statement said.

Some 140 countries recognise a Palestinian state, including members of the Arab Group at the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). However, a Palestinian state is not recognised by the US and UK, both permanent members of the UN Security Council.

On May 10, India was among 143 countries that voted in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution, which stated Palestine is qualified and should be admitted as a full member of the United Nations. The resolution also recommended that the UN Security Council should reconsider the matter favourably.

India was one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in 1988. In 1996, India opened a representative office to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, and this was shifted to Ramallah in 2003.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his deep concern regarding the health of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, following reports that the 88-year-old monarch is receiving treatment for lung inflammation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with H.M. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(PTI)

Deeply concerned about the reports of the health of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Modi posted on X.

I join the people of India in wishing him a speedy and full recovery.

According to the Saudi state news agency, King Salman is undergoing treatment at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah after medical tests revealed lung inflammation. He will be treated with antibiotics until the inflammation subsides.

The Saudi king underwent medical tests earlier on Sunday at the royal clinics at Al Salam Palace due to a high temperature and joint pain. This follows a previous hospital visit in April for a routine checkup.

Read: Saudi Arabia set on securing lithium for EV ambitions

King Salman has been the reigning monarch of Saudi Arabia since January 2015, following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah. Under his rule, Saudi Arabia has seen significant reforms, particularly under the Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the kingdoms economy and reducing its dependence on oil.

King Salman's health condition prompted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, to postpone his scheduled four-day trip to Japan.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the postponement during a news conference in Tokyo, saying, "Saudi Arabia informed the Japanese government that due to the health condition of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed's visit, which had been scheduled to begin on the 20th, had to be postponed."

Read: Saudi Arabia makes history with first-ever swimsuit fashion show in groundbreaking move at Red Sea Fashion Week

Prior to news of the kings deteriorating health condition, 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.

with inputs from agencies
Prince George, the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, is expected to miss an important family event. Prince George set to skip godfathers nuptials. (Reuters)(AFP)

The young prince is likely to miss the wedding of his godfather, the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor.

The wedding slated for June 7, will see Olivia Henson formally become a member of the Grosvenor family.

Prince William, 41, will be there for the grand occasion in his capacity as an usher, according to Kensington Palaces report.

Prince George's absence is because of his educational commitments. As the heir-to-the-throne, he is currently enrolled at Lambrook School in Windsor, alongside his siblings, Princess Charlotte, aged nine, and Prince Louis, aged six. Unfortunately, the wedding date, Friday, June 7, coincides with a school day, and the 10-year-old prince is likely to miss the ceremony.

ALSO READ| Prince George breaches strict royal dress code to meet heads of state: That was a slap in the face

Kate Middleton, Prince Williams wife, is also not expected to attend due to her ongoing recovery from cancer treatment. However, yesterday, Prince William and Kate jointly announced that she is all set to make a comeback with a special film.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek weve brought together the inspirational Sam Stables from We Are Farming Minds and the brilliant Farmer Will for a very special film, the royal couple posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Sussexes are also likely to miss the wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are also set to miss the wedding.

Like Prince William, the Duke of Sussex shares a strong bond with the Duke of Westminster; however, he opted out of the event due to the ongoing rift. The latter, 33, is also the godfather to Prince Archie, Prince Harrys five-year-old son.

The wedding is expected to be grand, with around 400 guests invited to Chester Cathedral.

ALSO READ| Is Meghan Markle following Donald Trump's path to the White House? Political expert says, It would be a great story

Duke of Westminster feels the wedding is a huge thing for him

The Duke of Westminster expressed his sentiments with The Chester Standard, stating, Weve obviously got a long association with the cathedral as a family so we were here for my fathers memorial, my sisters wedding and every Remembrance Sunday that I can attend is here.

But Im unbelievably excited and I also wanted to make it very clear how unbelievably helpful people have been, how supportive theyve been so far, which Im unbelievably grateful for because I do realise that its going to be a big, big thing for the city. Its going to be certainly a huge thing for us and were grateful for all the help really.

After their wedding, Grosvenor and Henson plan to settle at Eaton Hall in Cheshire, the ancestral home of the Duke of Westminster.

ALSO READ| King Charles III and Prince William send a 'powerful message' to Prince Harry this way

The duke, who inherited his title and wealth at the young age of 25 following the unexpected death of his father, Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, from a heart attack in August 2016, has since topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List with a fortune of 10.1 billion.
More than 140 passengers and crew from a Singapore Airlines flight hit by heavy turbulence that left dozens injured and one dead finally reached Singapore on a relief flight on Wednesday morning after an emergency landing in Bangkok. Passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore, which made an emergency landing in Bangkok, are escorted by ground staff upon arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore. (AFP)

The London-Singapore flight on a Boeing 777-300ER plane diverted to Bangkok after the plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling.

A 73-year-old British passenger died of a suspected heart attack, according to an airport official, and Bangkok's Samitivej Hospital said 20 passengers were in intensive care, nine had undergone surgery, while five more were awaiting surgery.

"I saw people from across the aisle going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in like really awkward positions. People, like, getting massive gashes in the head, concussions," Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student onboard the flight, told Reuters after arriving in Singapore.

Photographs of the interior of the plane showed gashes in the overhead cabin panels, oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling and luggage strewn around. A passenger said some people's heads had slammed into the lights above the seats and broken the panels.

Singapore Airlines flew 131 passengers and 12 crew on the relief flight from Bangkok, which reached Singapore just before 5 a.m. (2100 GMT). There were 211 passengers including many Australians, British and Singaporeans, and 18 crew on the original flight. Injured fliers and their families remained in Bangkok.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said on Tuesday seven people were critically injured.

"On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased," Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a video message.

Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night, Singapore's Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a statement on Facebook.

As the incident involves a U.S. company, Boeing, which makes the 777-300ER aircraft, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was sending a representative and four technical advisers to support the investigation, he said.

The plane encountered sudden extreme turbulence, Goh said, and the pilot then declared a medical emergency and diverted to Bangkok.

Aircraft tracking provider FlightRadar 24 said the flight encountered "a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event" at 0749 GMT, based on flight tracking data.

"There were thunderstorms, some severe, in the area at the time," it said.

Weather forecasting service AccuWeather said on Tuesday that rapidly developing, explosive thunderstorms near the flight path of Flight 321 most likely contributed to violent turbulence.

"Developing thunderstorms often have strong updrafts, a zone of upward moving air, that rises very rapidly, sometimes at more than 100 mph, and can leave pilots with little time to react if it occurs directly in front of the plane," said Dan DePodwin, AccuWeathers senior director of forecasting operations.

The sudden turbulence occurred over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, about 10 hours into the flight, Singapore Airlines said.

"It is not a rare occurrence for big thunderstorms in the Bay of Bengal. There are always the chances of bumps," said an airline pilot who regularly flies to Singapore and Southeast Asia. The pilot declined to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

"We were about 30 miles off track flying around the thunderstorms two days ago on the way to Singapore," the pilot added.

Turbulence has many causes, most obviously the unstable weather patterns that trigger storms, but this flight could have been affected by clear air turbulence, which is difficult to detect.

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing over 50,000 workers at 20 airlines, said it is important for passengers to wear seatbelts whenever seated.

"It is a matter of life and death," Nelson said.

Turbulence-related airline accidents are the most common type of accident, according to a 2021 NTSB study.

From 2009 through 2018, the U.S. agency found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents and most resulted in one or more serious injuries, but no aircraft damage.

Singapore Airlines, which is widely recognised as one of the world's leading airlines and is seen as a benchmark for much of the industry, has not had any major incidents in recent years.

Its last accident resulting in casualties was a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles via Taipei, where it crashed on Oct. 31, 2000 at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, killing 83 of the 179 people on board.

Singapore Airlines shares were not trading on Wednesday because of a public holiday in Singapore.
John Mejia, driver and California gig workers union member, rallies against Prop. 22 outside the California Supreme Court in San Francisco on Tuesday. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Supervisor Connie Chan, left, and Ana Baragan, a driver, listen to speakers at a rally of California gig workers against Prop. 22 outside the California Supreme Court in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Genaro Salinas, a driver, holds a California gig workers union flag during a rally outside the California Supreme Court in San Francisco on Tuesday. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle California gig workers and supporters gather at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco on Tuesday to watch oral arguments on the legality of Prop. 22. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Attorney Scott A. Kronland speaks at the California Supreme Court in San Francisco on Tuesday during a hearing on Prop 22. Martin Novitski/Courtesy of the California Supreme Court

In a case with potentially major economic consequences, the California Supreme Court left little doubt Tuesday that it plans to uphold Proposition 22, a ballot initiative pushed by ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft and delivery services Doordash and Instacart that reclassified their 1.4 million drivers as contractors rather than employees.

Prop. 22, approved by 59% of the states voters in 2020, was opposed by labor groups because contractors lack many of the rights of employees, including minimum wages, overtime, sick leave, payment for work expenses and the right to organize a union. But their legal argument  that the initiative violates the state Constitution by denying workers compensation benefits to the drivers for workplace injuries  drew no sign of support from the justices.

While the California Constitution since at least 1918 has authorized the Legislature to regulate workers compensation, isnt the initiative power equal to the Legislature? Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero asked Scott A. Kronland, the labor groups lawyer, in the opening minutes of the one-hour hearing.

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California gig workers and supporters cross McAllister Street in San Francisco on Tuesday as they rally against Prop. 22. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

When Kronland replied that the amendment approved by voters more than a century ago expressly gave legislators unlimited power over workers compensation, Justice Martin Jenkins observed that the right to pass laws by initiative, added to the Constitution at the same time, created a sharing of legislative power with the voters, presumably allowing them to change existing state laws.

And when Kronland said the 1918 amendment was intended to protect workers, Justice Goodwin Liu, generally one of the courts most liberal members, asked, Why is that to the exclusion of the initiative power?

Or as Jeffrey Fisher, the lawyer for Prop. 22s sponsors, put it, Whatever the Legislature can do, the people can do. Likewise, Michael Mongan, solicitor general in Attorney General Rob Bontas office, invoked the voters precious power to make law by initiative.

Signs are displayed for people to hold during a rally of California gig workers against Prop. 22 in San Francisco on Tuesday. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

An Alameda County judge had ruled in 2021 that Prop. 22 was entirely unconstitutional because it stripped the Legislature of its constitutional authority over workers compensation. But by the end of Tuesdays hearing, Kronland was arguing only that the court should offer guidance on how the Legislature might amend Prop. 22 to restore compensation benefits to the drivers, seemingly conceding that the rest of the initiative would probably remain intact.

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The only remaining constraint would come from the federal government, at least during a Democratic administration. President Joe Bidens Labor Department has adopted regulations that would classify most or all of the California drivers as employees under U.S. law, entitling them at least to federal minimum wages  $7.25 an hour, compared with $16 in California.

The regulations, which overturned rules passed under President Donald Trumps administration, are being challenged in court by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an organization that includes Uber and Lyft.

The two Bay Area-based companies say their business depends on being able to treat drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, and have threatened to leave states and cities whose laws say otherwise.

Dora Manriquez, driver, holds a steering wheel handcuffed to her wrist during a rally against Prop. 22 in San Francisco on Tuesday. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

They were joined by food-delivery companies such as DoorDash and Instacart in a record $200 million campaign for Prop. 22. The initiative declared that the drivers were running their own businesses and were not under the control of the companies.

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Both sides have claimed support from a majority of the companies drivers. A study released this week by the UC Berkeley Labor Law Center found that drivers for Uber, Lyft and other passenger companies in California were making an average of $5.97 an hour after taxes, or $7.63 an hour including tips.
A Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean, causing it to descend 1,800 meters in three minutes, the airline reported on Tuesday. A British man, aged 73, died, possibly from a heart attack, after being shaked severely by turbulence. The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024. (REUTERS)

The Boeing 777 was flying from Londons Heathrow Airport to Singapore with 211 passengers and 18 crew members. The airline said three passengers were from India without specifying their conditions.

Due to the turbulence and stormy weather, the flight was diverted and landed in Bangkok. Authorities reported that multiple passengers were injured, some seriously.

ALSO READ- Student, 28, recalls horror on Singapore Airlines: 'Aircraft was shaking, people hit their heads, lights broke out'

Most passengers were from Australia

According to the carrier, the nationalities of the passengers are as follows: 56 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Germany, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 4 from Ireland, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 5 from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and 4 from the United States of America.

ALSO READ- Singapore Airlines turbulence: What Boeing said on mid-air horror

Singapore Airlines turbulence incident's latest updates

A relief flight carrying 143 passengers and crew from SQ321 arrived in Singapore this morning at 5:05 am (2:35am as per Indian time). Another 79 passengers and six crew members remain in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care and their family members.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong, in a video message, said the air carrier is committed to providing all necessary support and assistance to the passengers and crew members who were on board SQ321, as well as their families and loved ones.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the passenger who passed away, he said.

ALSO READ- Singapore Airlines crew were 'stoic, did everything they could': Passenger on turbulence nightmare at 37,000 feet

Singapore Airlines staff are providing assistance on the ground, Phong said.

The airlines has provided hotlines for relatives of the passengers: +65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom).
-There was little warning of the chaos that was to come as passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 relaxed with just three hours to Singapore after a long haul flight from London. Singapore Airlines plane made 'dramatic drop', people flung upwards, says passenger

But as the Boeing 777-300R soared above Myanmar it suddenly hit extreme turbulence, wildly throwing passengers, flight attendants and inflight meals and kettles around the cabin.

"Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking," Malaysian student Dzafran Azmir said.

The 28-year-old braced himself and checked he had his seatbelt on. He did. Many of the other passengers did not, he said.

"There was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it," Azmir told Reuters.

One passenger died of a suspected heart attack and at least 30 were injured after the flight encountered what the airline described as sudden extreme turbulence around 10 hours into the journey as it flew over the southern tip of Myanmar.

The flight experienced "a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event" at 0749 GMT, flight data provider FlightRadar 24 said.

"The entire thing happened within the span of less than 10 seconds," Azmir said. "People dropped to the ground, my phone flew out of my hand and went a couple aisles to the side, people's shoes flung about."

Oxygen masks hung down from the plane's ceiling, sections of which had fallen down or been dented and broken.

Debris, including fruit salad, kettles and trays of in-flight meals, was strewn about the cabin, eyewitness footage shows.

Turbulence - or pockets of disturbed air - can have many causes. Singapore Airlines did not say what type was involved.

Weather reports show severe thunderstorms in the area.

"It was cloudy outside, completely white," Azmir said.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok, landing around an hour later, and was met by a vast number of ambulances and emergency workers.

"The crew and people inside lavatories were hurt the most... There were a lot of spinal and head injuries," Azmir said.

Emergency crews lifted injured passengers over their heads on stretchers down the narrow aisles, while other passengers remain seated.

As a passenger filmed themselves walking through the carnage to disembark, a voice can be heard saying: "There are still people on the ground."

Medical tents were set up on the tarmac to examine the injured; some bound to stretchers, some in wheelchairs.

Passengers and crew not being treated in Thai hospitals were ferried to Singapore early Wednesday morning, met on arrival by Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

"No, we were very lucky," said one passenger on arrival in Singapore when asked if they were hurt.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The United Nations suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation caused by Israels expanding military operation. The U.N. warned that humanitarian operations across the territory were nearing collapse. Displaced Palestinian children line up to receive food in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip, on May 19, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant Hamas group. An Israeli incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, launched in the face of international outcry, has deepened an already perilous humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.(AFP)

A senior United States official said Israel has addressed many of the Biden administration's concerns about a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters there. U.S. President Joe Biden had previously opposed a total military assault on a city filled with displaced civilians if plans did not prioritize the safety of innocent Palestinians. The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli invasion plan, but said Israeli officials changes to the planning suggested they were taking the American administrations concerns seriously.

ALSO READ| Israel troops kill 8 in West Bank raid, claim Palestinian health officials

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Rafah in a chaotic exodus, seeking shelter in new tent camps or crowding into areas already devastated by previous Israeli offensives. Some 400,000 people are believed to still be in Rafah after around 900,000 rushed to escape, according to COGAT, the Israeli military office in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs.

Getting aid to displaced civilians has been hampered by closed and chaotic land crossings, as well as problems plaguing the U.S. militarys new floating pier meant to provide an alternative sea route for aid into Gaza. Over the weekend, hungry Palestinians took aid from a U.N. vehicle convoy coming from the pier, and the U.N. said since then it had been unable to receive trucks there.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington that for the past few days, forward movement of aid from the pier was paused but it resumed Tuesday. There was no confirmation from the U.N.

The U.N.'s World Food Program said it was running out of food for central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are now living.

Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, said Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson. If food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread, she said.

The warning came as Israel seeks to contain the international fallout from a request at the worlds top war crimes court for arrest warrants targeting both Israeli and Hamas leaders. The move garnered support from three European countries, including Israel's key ally France.

Use of starvation as a method of warfare was among the accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court  charges they and other Israeli officials angrily deny. The prosecutor accused three Hamas leaders of war crimes over killings of civilians in the group's Oct. 7 attack.

The U.N says some 1.1 million people in Gaza  nearly half the population  face catastrophic levels of hunger and that the territory is on the brink of famine. Throughout the war, Rafah has been filled with scenes of hungry children holding out pots and plastic containers at makeshift soup kitchens, with many families reduced to eating only one meal a day.

The humanitarian crisis deepened after Israeli forces pushed into Rafah on May 6. Tanks and troops seized the vital Rafah crossing into Egypt, and it's been closed ever since. After May 10, only about three dozen trucks made it into Gaza via the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel because fighting made it dangerous for aid workers to reach it, the U.N. says.

Israel insists it puts no restriction on the number of trucks entering Gaza. COGAT said 450 trucks entered Tuesday from its side to Kerem Shalom and a small crossing in northern Gaza. It said more than 650 trucks are waiting on the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom to be retrieved, blaming lack of logistical capabilities and manpower gaps among aid groups.

For months, the U.N. has warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah could wreck the effort to get food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians across Gaza.

Asked about the ramifications of suspending aid, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said simply: People dont eat.

Etefa said the WFP was still passing out hot meals and limited distributions of reduced food packages in central Gaza, but food parcel stocks will run out within days, she said.

The U.S. touted the $320 million pier project as a route for accelerated deliveries. The first 10 trucks rolled off a ship onto the pier on Friday and were taken to a WFP warehouse. However, a second convoy on Saturday was met by Palestinian crowds who removed all the food from 11 trucks, and only five truckloads made it to the warehouse, Etefa said.

No further deliveries came from the pier Sunday or Monday, Etefa said.

The responsibility of ensuring aid reaches those in need does not end at the crossings and other points of entry into Gaza  it extends throughout Gaza itself, she said.

At the same time, battles have escalated in northern Gaza as Israeli troops conduct operations against Hamas fighters, who the military says regrouped in areas already captured in offensives months ago.

One of the main hospitals still operating in the north, Kamal Adwan, was forced to evacuate after it was targeted by Israeli troops, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Around 150 staff and dozens of patients fled the facility, including intensive care patients and infants in incubators under fire from shelling, it said. The Israeli military did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The nearby Awda hospital has been surrounded by troops the past three days, and an artillery shell hit its fifth floor, the hospital administration said Tuesday. A day earlier, the international medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said Awda had run out of drinking water.

The war between began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostage. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan accused Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh of crimes against humanity, including extermination, murder and sexual violence.

Israel responded to the Oct. 7 with an offensive that has laid waste to Gaza and killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between noncombatants and fighters in its count.

Monday's call by Khan for arrest warrants deepens Israels global isolation at a time when it is facing growing criticism from even its closest allies over the war. France, Belgium, and Slovenia each said they backed Khan's decision.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz headed to France on Tuesday in response, urging it to declare loud and clear that the request for warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant "is unacceptable to you and to the French government.

His meetings there could set the tone for how countries navigate the warrants  if they are eventually issued  and whether they could pose a threat to Israeli leaders. A panel of three ICC judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed. The judges typically take two months to make such decisions.

Israel still has the support of its top ally, the United States, as well as other Western countries that spoke out against the decision. But if the warrants are issued, they could complicate international travel for Netanyahu and his defense minister, even if they do not face any immediate risk of prosecution because Israel itself is not a member of the court.
King Charles reportedly does not want to get bothered amid his ongoing cancer treatment, not even by Prince Harry. The king and the Duke of Sussex met several weeks back when the latter came to London following his fathers cancer diagnosis. During Harrys most recent UK trip, the two did not meet. Upset King Charles does not want to be bothered by Prince Harry, royal expert says (AP/PTI, James Manning/Pool via REUTERS)

Royal commentator Michael Cole has now said that the two did not meet as Charles wished to prioritise his public duties, and his recovery from cancer. I think it really is practicalities, Cole told GB News. The king is facing an unspecified cancer. That is really a harrowing thing for any person to do.

He doesnt want his equilibrium to be upset

At the same time, he is the head of state and he has to maintain his duties and be out and be seen. He doesnt want his equilibrium to be upset, Cole continued.

He added, It is upsetting to him that his younger son has said such heartless and cruel things, not just about himself, but about Queen Camilla, and that has gone home harder than anything else he could do.

Cole added that the king didnt want to be bothered with this because it is emotionally upsetting. I think any physician will tell you when youre undergoing treatment of this kind, the best thing to be is relaxed and clear your own mind, Cole said.

Let the physicians do their work and get better as soon as possible, that is what he wants to do. It has been upsetting for him to see, he added.

Royal expert Tom Quinn said last week that Harry and his wife Meghan Markles Nigeria trip left Charles furious. 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, he said. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him.
American Airlines is being lambasted following its absurd response to a lawsuit alleging that a 9-year-old girl was secretly filmed while using the plane's bathroom. A civil lawsuit filed against the company and one of its flight attendants sparked an outrageous response from the airlines. The companys legal team reportedly attempted to shift the blame onto the child, suggesting she "should have known" about the hidden recording device. American Airlines planes at Terminal B of LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the Queens borough of New York, US, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. American Airlines Group Inc. is expected to release earnings figures on April 25. Photographer: Angus Mordant/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

American Airlines blames 9-Year-Old filmed in bathroom

A flight attendant accused of filming young girls aged 7 to 14 on aircraft lavatories using his iCloud account, Estes Carter Thompson, III, was indicted last year. The alleged incidents occurred between January and August 2023. Following this, the 9-year-old victim's family filed a civil suit against Thompson and American Airlines.

Also read: Reason why Prince Harry and Meghan took free flights to Nigeria from 'wanted airline boss'

While arguing in court, the attorney representing the airline blamed the whole situation on the victim, stating that she should have been aware of her surroundings. Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence." The defense continued that the incidents were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.

American Airlines blasted for outrageous claims

What on Earth is American Airlines thinking by adopting such a strategy? The family of the girl was shocked to hear what the airline had to say. The legal attorney from the victims side told the post, I was absolutely shocked and I think its outrageous.

Lawyer Paul Llewellyn continued, The idea that American Airlines and its lawyers would blame a 9-year-old girl for being filmed, in my opinion, just smacks of desperation and depravity.

Also read: Diddy slapped with new sexual assault charges from a model claiming she was drugged and forced

Thompsons indictment happened last summer after he tried to film a 14-year-old in the bathroom of a Boston-bound flight with his cell phone while he was employed as a flight attendant. After an investigation was launched, four more cases came to light. According to reports, videos of girls aged 7, 9, 11, and 14 years old were found on his iCloud account. The recent statement from the airline also prompted a response from the 14-year-old girls family, saying, "This callous legal position shocks us. Our hearts go out to the Texas family."
Ahead of the US presidential elections, Joe Biden's re-election campaign announced a job opening for "Content and Meme Pages Partner Manager" on Daybook. The Biden campaign's job posting on Daybook for 'Partner Manager, Content and Meme Pages' stated, "The Biden for President (BFP) campaign is looking for a Partner Manager to join the Digital Partnerships team."(AFP)

The full-time job opportunity in Wilmington, Delaware, according to the Washington Times is an attempt by 81-year-oldBiden, who is the likely Democratic nominee and the oldest presidential contender in American history, to better connect with youngsters.

Biden's team to hire meme manager

The Biden campaign's job posting on Daybook for 'Partner Manager, Content and Meme Pages' stated, "The Biden for President (BFP) campaign is looking for a Partner Manager to join the Digital Partnerships team."

In this position, the meme manager will manage day-to-day activities for engaging the internet's most popular content and meme pages. The ideal applicant for this position should be enthusiastic about delivering political content to voters and should posses strong interest in politics.

The selected candidate's key tasks would involve cultivating and managing relationships with "top digital media companies, podcasters, and meme pages."

Also Read: Miffed Donald Trump blasts 'feeble' Biden for putting out Fake Story about his mid-speech freeze

Why does Biden campaign want to hire meme manager?

CNN polls conducted in April showed GOP leader Donald Trump leading among young voters aged between 18 and 34 by 11 points in a potential rematch, despite the fact that youngsters tend to support Democratic. However, it appears that Biden is losing out on the support of youngsters in response to Israel's ongoing war on Hamas.

Another reason of fall in Biden's popularity among the young voters is the TikTok ban bill, which was signed into law by Biden in April. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in February, one-third of all adults in the United States use the app, which is especially popular among those aged between the ages of 18 and 34.

Memes have had a major effect on the popularity of political personalities, to the point where the Biden campaign has used the 'Dark Brandon' meme, which depicts an alternative version of the incumbent president with laser eyes, as the profile photo for the Biden-Harris HQ page on X , formerly Twitter.

Internet flooded by memes as Biden campaign seeks meme manager

Reacting to the announcement one of the X users wrote: "Biden campaign's new meme manager swearing he'll have his team produce quality memes".

Young people: stop funding all these wars and killing civilians. Biden-Harris: we need a meme manager, another wrote.

"Biden checking in on the meme team," a third user chimed in.
Lawyers for late Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who was discovered lifeless in South Carolina after he failed to attend a deposition in a lawsuit against the corporation earlier this year, have accused the firm of his death following the leaking of the suicide note he penned before shooting himself in the head. John Barnett, a former Boeing employee. had raised concerns about the company's production standards,(@sentdefender)

On Tuesday, Barnetts lawyers, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles told Fox News in a joint statement, Mr. Barnetts last words make clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death.

Mr. Barnett's family wishes to thank the Coroner, the responders and all those who have reached out with kind words and support. It is hoped that Johns legacy will be his brave and courageous efforts to get Boeing to change its culture of concealment to one that places quality and safety first.

ALSO READ| Boeing may be criminally prosecuted for 737 MAX crashes, US says

John Barnett's cause of death revealed

Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo ONeals report confirms that Barnett died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His body was discovered inside a locked car, alongside a suicide note and a pistol.

The coroners findings were made public last Friday.

The whistleblower's lawyer claimed the investigators knew that Barnett was suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks.

His lawyers told the outlet, His mental condition was a result of the retaliation and hostile work environment he was subjected to in response to his complaint that Boeing senior management was pressuring workers to disregard processes and procedures required by law to be followed, allowing defective parts to be installed on the airplanes, and disregarding and ignoring problems that he believed pose a potential threat to the flying public.

The suicide note, written in all capital letters, leaves no room for ambiguity

The expletive-laden suicide note reads, f**k Boeing!!! and Barnett expressed love for his family and friends but said, I cant do this any longer. Enough!

In March, Barnett failed to appear for his second day of depositions in the lawsuit against Boeing.

ALSO READ| What's behind the wave of recent incidents on Boeing planes?

Bury me face down so Boeing and their lying a** leaders can kiss my a**, he wrote in the note.

His lawyers called for a wellness check after he failed to appear in the hearing.

Following Barnett's suicide, Boeings CEO, Dave Calhoun, announced his resignation.
Former Republican presidential candidate and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has purchased a minority stake in Buzzfeed, the digital publishing company that shut down its media outlet last year. Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in Buzzfeed, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Tuesday.(REUTERS)

Shares of the company skyrocketed more than 50% before the market open on Wednesday.

Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in Buzzfeed, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Tuesday.

Ramaswamy said in the filing that he believes Buzzfeed's stock is undervalued. He is looking to speak with the company's board and management.

Buzzfeed has struggled to prop up sales since it went public in 2021. In late 2022 job cuts began rolling out with the company citing a poor digital advertising environment, then early last year announced that it was shutting down its Pulitzer Prize winning digital media outlet BuzzFeed News.

The corporate parents co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti said in a memo to staff at the time that in addition to the news division, layoffs would take place in its business, content, tech and administrative teams.

Earlier this month, Buzzfeed reported a first-quarter loss of $35.7 million, or 72 cents per share, on revenue of $44.8 million. Advertising revenue fell 22%, while content revenue declined 19% and the company is projecting a worsening revenue situation.

Ramaswamy suspended his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in January and endorsed former President Donald Trump after finishing a distant fourth in Iowas leadoff caucuses.

The son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy entered politics at the highest level after making hundreds of millions of dollars at the intersection of hedge funds and pharmaceutical research, a career he charted and built while graduating from Harvard University and then Yale Law School.

Shares of Buzzfeed Inc., based in New York City, rose 59% to about $4 early Wednesday.
Cicadas are back in the Chicago area and across Illinois, with the fascinating insects popping out of the soil. Trillions of periodical cicadas have been emerging this year, marking the first time in 17 years that this has happened. While the spectacle is captivating and interesting for some, it is rather unsettling for others. Cicada season in Illinois: All you need to know about the fascinating insects (Pixabay - representational image)

Illinois witnesses both annual and periodical cicadas, with the annual ones appearing every year, and the periodical ones emerging every 13 or 17 years in large numbers. The periodical cicadas are in the spotlight this year. They have lived underground for 17 long years and fed on tree roots until they finally emerged.

Why are there so many cicadas in Illinois?

The Insect Asylum says that a rise in humidity levels can play a role in cicadas emerging in Illinois. As humidity levels rise, it is likely that sightings will climb. The insects generally begin emerging above the ground when the soil warms. This happens around late May or early June.

How long do cicadas live?

National Geographic says that the lifespan of cicadas varies, as there are more than 3,000 species. After the male and female cicadas have mated, and eggs have been laid, the eggs hatch about six weeks later.

The babies fall to the ground and dig themselves into the soil, where they live for 13 or 17 years. However, the parents die shortly after the mating process. They last above the ground for only about a month.

Are cicadas bad to have in your yard and are they harmful?

Cicadas are not essentially harmful, so having them in our yard is not a big problem. They feed only on plants and trees, do not bite or sting people, and do not spread any disease. However, cicadas are very loud, which can lead to disturbance in some cases.

Why are cicadas so loud?

Cicadas make their loud sounds with a corrugated exoskeletal structure in the thorax called a tymbal, according to Daily Science. The tymbal is an organ meant to produce sound.

According to Derke Hughes of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, if a human body were like a cicadas body, it "would have a thick set of muscles on either side of your torso that would allow you to cave in your chest so far that all your ribs would buckle inward one at a time into a deformed position. Releasing the muscle would allow your ribs to snap back to their regular shape, and then pulling the muscle again would repeat this."

Extension entomologist P.J. Liesch of the University of Wisconsin-Madison told CBS 58 in Milwaukee that several singing cicadas in a grove of trees could reach 70 to 80 decibels  almost as loud as a vacuum cleaner.
The House Ways and Means Committee voted to release 100 pages of new evidence proving Hunter Biden lied under oath to Congress during his deposition on February 28. The vote was passed on Wednesday, May 22. House committee votes to release 100 pages of evidence showing Hunter Biden lied under oath (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)(AP)

The evidence has reportedly been provided by IRS whistleblowers who investigated Hunters finances. It has been released that during his sworn testimony, Hunter indisputably lied at least three times.

What were Hunter Bidens lies?

The first son claimed he sent a threatening WhatsApp message to the wrong Chinese business associate while he was high or drunk. However, as per phone records of the text, the associate, named Raymond Zhao, had replied. Zhao knew exactly what Hunter was talking about, it has been revealed.

Hunter kept exchanging texts with Zhao even after sending the threatening message in question. IRS special agent Joseph Ziegler handed the committee documents that showed Hunter had signed off on and was the beneficial owner of a Rosemont Seneca Bohai bank account. However, the presidents son said in his testimony that it was not under my control nor affiliated with me and he didnt even know that there was such a thing as a corporate secretary of an entity.

I, Robert Hunter Biden, hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of Rosemont Seneca Bohai, LLC, the document reads. The document allowed Hunter to enter into a contract with Porsche Financial Services.

Hunter has also been accused of falsely denying that he would help his associates with any work as it related to visas that they needed or pick up the phone and call anybody for a visa, according to New York Post.Ways and Means obtained emails that revealed that he, along with his former business partner Devon Archer and other associates, attempted to secure a visa for Mykola Zlochevsky, Ukrainian gas firm Burismas founder.

Hunter is checking with Miguel Aleman to see if he can provide cover to Kola on the visa, Archer wrote in the email, and then added to Burisma associate Vadym Pozharskyi, please send Hunter an email with all Kolas passport and visa documents and evidence and copy me. Well take it from there.

Hunter Biden has shown once again he believes there are two systems of justice in this country  one for his family, and one for everyone else, House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) said in a statement. Not only did Hunter Biden refuse to comply with his initial subpoena until threatened with criminal contempt, but he then came before Congress and lied.

Lying during sworn testimony is a felony offense that the Department of Justice has prosecuted numerous individuals for in recent years, and the American people expect the same accountability for the son of the President of the United States, Smith added. Hunter Bidens lies under oath, and obstruction of a congressional investigation into his familys potential corruption, calls into question other pieces of his testimony. The newly released evidence affirms, once again, the only witnesses who can be trusted to tell the truth in this investigation are the IRS whistleblowers.
Shira Stein is the San Francisco Chronicle's Washington correspondent, covering California's role in national politics and policy from the nation's capital. She writes about issues that matter to California residents  like housing, abortion and LGBTQ rights  and California's influence on Congress and the White House. She was the primary chronicler of the last year of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's life, including her health, familial financial feud, and death.

Shira was born and raised in the Bay Area and now lives in Washington, D.C. She joined the Chronicle in 2022 after spending four years as an award-winning health care reporter for Bloomberg Law, where she was key in its coverage of the Covid-19, the fall of Roe v. Wade and health costs. She is a graduate of American University and interned at the Washington Post, Bloomberg Law and the Colorado-based Durango Herald.
House Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has made the bombshell claims that the Joe Biden-led Department of Justice used "deadly force" during an FBI raid on former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in order to "assassinate" him. US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) speaks alongside former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage / AFP)(AFP)

The searches were conducted on August 8, 2022 to recover boxes containing classified papers kept by Trump in his Florida mansion. The FBI seized several documents during the raid. On Tuesday, newly unsealed court files revealed that four more secret documents were found in Trump's bedroom following the FBI search at Mar-a-Lago.

The former president is currently facing 40 felony charges for allegedly mishandling top-secret materials taken to his home after leaving office. He disputes all charges brought against him.

Greene's claim comes following Trump's Tuesday post on his Truth Social website, stating that he had been "shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden's DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE."

He even wrote a fundraising email to his Maga followers, with the subject line "They were authorized to shoot me!"

Calling Biden a serious threat to democracy, the GOP leader suggested he should be removed from office via the Constitution's 25th Amendment.

Later, Trump's staunch supporter Greene took to X and shared a screenshot of Trump's post and wrote: The Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light."

Does everyone get it yet???!!!! What are Republicans going to do about it? I tried to oust our Speaker who funded Biden's DOJ AND FBI, but Democrats stopped it.

Reacting to Greene's post, one X user wrote: "Hes not dead. If they wanted him dead, hed be dead".

"Trump wasnt even there. The FBI went there August 8, 2022. Trump was in New York. Calm down drama queen!" another wrote.

FBI issues statement

In a statement to The Washington Post, the FBI argued that the term "use of deadly force" is common practice in all of its search operations.

The federal agency further stated that the Mar-a-Lago raid briefing followed conventional protocol like other search warrants, including a customary policy statement prohibiting the use of lethal force. "No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter."

Also Read: AOC, MTG engage in verbal battle over fake eyelashes and butch body jab: Are your feelings hurt?

Frank Figliuzzi, the agency's former associate director for counterintelligence, supported the FBI's stance in an X post. Yep, every FBI operations order contains a reminder of FBI deadly force policy. Even for a search warrant. Deadly force is always authorized if the required threat presents itself.

According to Justice Department regulation, law enforcement agents are allowed to use lethal force in situation when it seems "necessary" or "when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person.
After facing severe criticism from incumbent president Joe Biden and his re-election campaign for freezing up during his National Rifle Association (NRA) speech, Donald Trump hit back at his Democrat rival, claiming that the pause was a made-up Biden campaign story. During his speech in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Trump addressed hundreds of supporters. (AP)

During his speech in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Trump addressed hundreds of supporters. The GOP leader drew the attention of the Biden campaign and media with an extended pause during the QAnon trance portion of his speech, which critics described as "freezing" or "glitching."

The Biden-Harris team posted footage of Trump's appearance on X, during which he did not speak for around 35 seconds while music played. The tweet slammed him for playing "QAnon music during his bizarre slur-filled NRA speech". Later, the Biden's Wins account accused Trump of being "unfit for office" and "senile", stating that he "just glitched out and froze at his rally tonight".

While his podium wobbled due to improper installation, Biden team mocked him for nearly falling down onstage.

Reacting to the Biden's Wins video, one X user wrote: He does that nearly every speech now.

Looks like his teleprompter stopped working. He needs it so he knows what to say, a second user chimed in.

In another incident, Trump experienced an embarrassing onstage situation during a campaign rally in Minnesota, where the platform he was using titled.

Miffed with the mishap, Trump criticised the event organisers for putting up what appeared to be a faulty setup. Calling the stage "worst platform", Trump asked, who put this stage up?The freaking place is falling down, he added.

I notice, it keeps tilting further leftlike too many other things. What a crappy contractor this was, Trump said, prompting roars of laughter.

The Biden-Harris HQ later shared the clip of the mishap on X and captioned with a statement that mocked the former president.

A feeble Trump nearly falls down on stage after he leans on his podium too hard and then goes on an angry rant, calling his event workers crappy," it wrote.

Also Read: Michael Cohen admits he stole money from Donald Trump's company

Trump claims it is a MADE UP Biden Campaign story

Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, the former President stated that 30-60 second silences are common during his speeches with music playing.

He further blasted 81-year-old Biden over his mental acuity and stamina, stating "Donald Trump doesn't freeze" and that Biden "can rarely find his way off stage without help."

Trump claimed that the podium was defective and that he prevented it from tumbling by using his good reflexes and strength.

It is a MADE UP Biden Campaign story, put out in a dying Newspaper that I never heard of, and every Reporter knows it, including the large group that was there., he wrote.

Clapping back at the critics who insulted him over unsteady podium, Trump said it was an example of his good reflexes and strength that Biden does not possess.

Check out the clip! Crooked Joe is a completely incompetent and corrupt person, even when it comes to putting out a fake story like this, he said in another Truth Social post.

In a statement to Mediaite, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said that the freezing was deliberate.

It was clearly a strong dramatic effect, which has occurred previously because when any American reflects upon the disastrous Biden presidency, they can't help but be concerned about the direction of the country, Chug stated.

Addressing the crowd in Texas, Trump referred to gun owners as a "rebellious bunch" who avoid voting during elections. He further stated that they should be "rebellious and vote this time."
Amid the ongoing rift between King Charles and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussexes grabbed the attention with his recent visit to the UK and then an "unofficial" royal tour with Meghan Markle to Nigeria. While he spent three nights in London without meeting any of the royal family members, Harry's spokesman stated unequivocally that the Duke wanted to meet the King, but his father was "too busy" to see him. According to the Telegraph, Prince Harry was left "devastated" by the termination of his absolute right to protection from the police.(AP)

Meanwhile, the UK media reported that the Duke of Sussex declined his father's offer for lodging at a royal residence during his visit to London and he preferred to stay in a hotel. The decision was taken when everyone was speculating for his meeting with the King and Kate as both are undergoing treatment following their cancer diagnosis. However, Prince Harry dismissed the invitation from his father "due to security concerns".

As the monarch's offer did not include any personal security measures, it could have left Prince Harry in a "visible location with public entrance and exit points and no police protection". Therefore, Harry decided to stay in a hotel so that he could come and go unseen, GB News reported, citing sources.

According to the Telegraph, Prince Harry was left "devastated" by the termination of his absolute right to protection from the police.

Meanwhile, royal expert Victoria took to X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: Prince Harry turned down an invite from his father to stay at a royal residence earlier this month because of security fears.

Harry is now required to submit an application if he wants to avail security before landing in the UK. It will be submitted to the Metropolitan Police at least 28 days in advance, and his request will be considered individually by Ravec, the body which has the charge of safeguarding royalty and public figures.

Also Read: Don McLean reignites his feud with Prince Harry: You dont criticise America when

Where did the King offer Harry a room?

The location where the King offered Harry a room has not been confirmed, but St James' Palace, which hosts Princess Beatrice and Princess Anne, is a likely possibility.

While Beatrice has a permanent residence there, Anne has a suite of rooms as well as a parking space that she uses when visiting London.

The palace is used by other Royal Family members whenever it is required. Moreover. the grand property is situated right close to Clarence House, where the King would like to spend his time whenever he comes to London.

Unlike any London hotel, all royal residences include armed guards at access and departure points, as well as the most advanced safety measures in the UK to ensure safety of Royal Family members.

Prince Harry faces flak

Meanwhile, royal expert Angela Levin, a staunch critic of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, blasted the Duke for rejecting his father's offer to stay at royal residence.

Taking to X, Angela tweeted, The Telegraph says early in May Harry turned down the King's invitation to stay at a royal residence as it didn't come with taxpayer-funded security.

Yet it was no bother visiting Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Yet another example of hypocrisy," she added.

Apparently St James Palace has maximum security because of the other Royals who stay there., one of the X users commented on Levin's post.

We all know it's about him wanting IPP status. I hope the palace and govt don't give in to his demand, another added.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent trip to Nigeria raised a few eyebrows after reports surfaced that their internal flights in the West African country were provided free of charge by an airline whose owner faces serious legal charges in the United States. The Sussexes, basking in the success of their African tour, soon were lambasted for their 'controversial' choice of travel during the three-day stay in the country. However, a source close to Prince Harry has refuted these claims, stating that their travel was arranged by a high-ranking Nigerian official and has nothing to do with the estranged royals' personal preference. Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge to Benefit Sentebale, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Wellington, Fla. Prince Harry, co-founding patron of the Sentebale charity, will play on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)(AP)

Harrys free Nigerian flight was not his choice

Following the return of the Sussexes to California after touring the African country as part of their Invictus commitments, multiple reports cited how The Duke and Duchess were flown in and around the country on a private jet owned by Dr. Allen Onyema. Known for operating one of the biggest airlines in Nigeria, Air Peace, the boss is wanted in the US, with allegations of fraud involving millions of dollars looming over him.

Also read: Prince Harry ready to forgive Royal family but tables have turned as King and William are

Dr. Allen Onyema is the subject of a US federal indictment filed back in November 2019.Post cited the statement of the US Department of Justice, 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.

Denying any wrongdoings, a source close to Prince Harry has challenged the reports about their free flights in a report published by Daily Beast. They claim the internal travel within Nigeria was arranged by the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff, a high-ranking military official. For unversed, Harry and Meghan were reportedly invited to the country by Christopher Musa, the West African countrys top-ranking officer. Furthermore, the source emphasises that Air Peace, the airline in question, is a major carrier with regular flights connecting Nigeria to London, suggesting it was a logical choice for travel within the region.

Also read: Prince Harry and Meghan enjoy wine-filled double date with A-list couple to celebrate 6th anniversary

Harry ditches Royal Wedding as William plays usher

After their return to the US, the guest list for the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, stirred up a lot of attention. Reportedly, neither Harry nor Meghan were included in the list despite their close bond with Hugh. Meanwhile, William is set to play a key role in ushering in the marriage next month. Some experts suggest that Harry willingly declined the invitation to attend Archies godfather's wedding, as he doesnt want the royal rift to overshadow such a happy event. On the other hand, King Charles and Kate are believed to have politely declined the invitation due to their respective cancer treatments.
Music mogul Sean Combs is facing fresh legal trouble. Not even a week after his 2016 video showing him bashing and beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura went viral, a model has sued the Bad Boy record producer with severe charges. In a lawsuit filed this week, model Crystal McKinney alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Combs back in 2003. This is the sixth sexual assault accusation levied against Combs in the past six months. This November 4, 2004, file photo shows Sean P. Diddy Combs directing photographers as they sing "Happy Birthday," to him as his date Kim Porter, left, listens, after Combs arrived for his 35th birthday celebration at Cipriani on Wall Street in New York. (AP)

Sean Combs faces sixth assault charge

On Tuesday, former model McKinney made a claim that back in 2003 when she was just 22 years old, the rapper forced her to perform oral sex on him after drugging her during her visit to his NYC recording studio. The suit, obtained by TMZ, details a disturbing event where McKinney alleges she was invited to a Men's Fashion Week event at Cipriani Downtown in NYC, where she met Combs. He then invited her to his studio for work-related purposes, but instead, she claims he plied her with alcohol before assaulting her.

Also read: Taylor Swift suffers wardrobe slip at Stockholm Eras Tour but she nails It like a boss: Watch

Former model claims Sean Combs drugged and assaulted her

After a series of bombshell accusations against the American rapper, including from his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura and four other former close acquaintances, this sixth allegation might have opened up a very concerning factor about Diddy, whose controversies show no sign of stopping. In her suit, the model alleges how Combs and several of his colleagues were drinking beer and passing around joints. She took a hit, which she described as very powerful.

McKinney told in her suit, as per TMZ that the joint looked like it was laced with some kind of drug. The model went on to describe how the ex-Revolt CEO invited her to go to the bathroom with him, where he forced her to perform oral sex on him, according to the suit. She tried to resist, but she was forced to perform certain acts, the suit states. Next thing she remembers, she woke up in a cab and realised she had been been sexually assaulted. After the incident, devastated McKinney even tried taking her own life and attempted suicide in 2004, as detailed in the chargesheet.

Also read: Prince Harry ready to forgive Royal family but tables have turned as King and William are

For those unaware, back in April, Combs' LA and Miami mansions were raided by Homeland Security in connection with alleged sex trafficking charges. Since then, the rapper has been under constant scrutiny by federal authorities. However, he recently addressed how everyone had been slamming him with false claims until a video from 2016 emerged showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend. According to Cassie, Combs paid a significant sum to the hotel owner to prevent the clip from being leaked at the time. The footage aligned with a detailed description of the assault she provided in her November filing against Combs, which was settled outside of court the day after it was filed.
Terrence Howard is famed for being outspoken about his unconventional beliefs and conspiracy theories. Not afraid of speaking his mind, the Iron Man star spoke at length about gravity being fake and how he had retained the memories of being in his mother's womb on the Joe Rogan Podcast. The 55-year-old actor's bizarre claims seemingly left the podcaster taken aback as Rogan told him, If youre right, so many people are wrong. Terrence Howard shares some of the wildest conspiracy theories on The Joe Rogan Podcast(Joe Rogan/ Instagram)

Everyone is wrong according to Terrence Howard

Howard kicked off the interview, saying he remembers everything from the time he was in his mother's womb. I didn't wake up here, I was inside my mother's womb, I was like 'don't forget, don't forget, don't forget.' He continued, I remember being circumcised. I remember the whole nine.

Justifying his theories, the Triumph star told Rogan that everyone is wrong, adding, The universe backs me up. Continuing his streak of conspiracy theories, Howard told Rogan, Straight lines are an illusion...if you look at it from the side, from its real perspective, you see that it's not.''

Howard then went on to refute the Pythagoras Theorem and the Periodic Table. The Gully star continued to add that he could rebuild Saturn without gravity. Were about to kill gravity. Were about to kill their God, gravity, and they dont want that, Howard told Rogan.

And it has the rings with no animation. It has the rings and the hexagon thats observed at the very top of it without dark matter, without dark energy, without gravity, showing that its an outward, inward, outward force pushing down that creates the planet, he continued.

In an open challenge to scientists, physicists, and mathematicians, the Cut Throat City star said, You have all of these physicists saying something different but none of them have 97 patents. None of them have introduced a new form of flight. Howard explained how he holds the patent for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, which is cited by 31 companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Sony.
TikTok announced laying off its employees upto 1,000 employees around the world. U.S. flag and TikTok logo are seen in this illustration. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo(REUTERS)

On Tuesday The Information disclosed this in a report citing several staff members. This is quite a shift in the companys practices as it commonly sought to address its crises in phases  specifically, through stages of cost reductions.

ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is planning to do this in todays tough climate after the recent legislation passed in the US.

President Joe Bidens recent signing of a House bill that prohibits TikToks operation in the United States unless sold to an American company has put ByteDance in a tight spot.

ALSO READ| Joe Biden accused of hypocrisy over signing of TikTok ban bill, critics ask him to delete campaign account

TikTok is taking legal action against US gov

ByteDance has initiated legal action against the US federal government in response to the ban. The company argues that the prohibition infringes upon the First Amendment rights of American TikTok users.

ByteDance has been adamant about not selling TikTok or its proprietary algorithm. However, current reports from The Information suggest that the company is open to considering sales that exclude the algorithm. This potential shift in stance comes as the company faces unprecedented pressure from the US government.

ALSO READ| TikTok sues US government over potential ban, argues federal law violates constitution

The layoffs are expected to predominantly impact the content and marketing departments, according to anonymous employees who spoke to the tech news outlet.

Notifications regarding the job cuts are scheduled to be roll out late Wednesday and early Thursday.

TikTok also plans to dissolve its global user operations team responsible for user support and communication. The remaining staff members from this team will be transitioned to other departments within the company, including trust and safety, marketing, content, and product teams.

ALSO READ| Teen TikTok rapper Rylo Huncho accidentally shoots himself dead; social media video ends in fatal tragedy

TikToks presence in the US is huge, with around 7,000 employees based there as of 2023.

The platform boasted 150 million American users at the same time.

The US market is a major revenue generator for TikTok, contributing approximately 80% of its $20 billion revenue in 2023, as reported by the Financial Times on March 18.
Former US President Donald Trump has a history of raging about the judges, witnesses and prosecutors over his ongoing legal battles, accusing them of corruption and being part of incumbent President Joe Biden's political agenda. His latest target was Juan Merchan, the acting New York State Supreme Court judge supervising the former president's hush-money trial, in which he is accused of concealing business documents to pay an enormous amount to former adult film star Donald Trump. The judge hates Donald Trump. Take a look. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from, he said, seemingly referring to Colombia-born judge Merchan.(via REUTERS)

Since the trial began in Manhattan court, Trump has attempted to characterise the experienced judge as biased and the entire issue as a political "witch hunt" designed to hurt his presidential campaign. The GOP leader has already been fined on various occasions for violating the gag order issued against him. However, Trump on Tuesday went a step ahead, using a familiar racist slur against Merchan.

The judge hates Donald Trump. Take a look. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from, he said, seemingly referring to Colombia-born judge Merchan. He cant stand Donald Trump. Hes doing everything in his power.

However, some of the X users pointed out that Merchan and Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing his classified documents case, were born in Colombia and moved to the US.

"Judge Aileen Cannon is also Colombian-born," X user Mueller wrote.

Congressional lawyer Eric Columbus blasted Trump's remarks while mentioning that both Merchan and Cannon were born in Colombia.

"This is ugly stuff. Judge Juan Merchan comes from Colombia. He moved to the U.S. as a kid. Remarkably, Judge Aileen Cannon was also born in Colombia  but I doubt Trump knows that," he wrote.

"He's an American. And a patriot. Unlike Trump," one X user wrote, while another quipped, Trumps family comes from Germany.

Also Read: Donald Trump begins accepting cryptocurrency donations for presidential elections

All you need to know about Trump's cases and judges presiding over them

In March, Judge Merchan issued a gag order against Trump, prohibiting him from making any publiccomments regarding witnesses,attorneys and staff in the case. The ruling omitted Merchan and Alvin Bragg, but it was later amended to include both of their families after Trump launched a scathing attack on the judge's daughter, Loren Merchan.

Earlier this month, Trump was fined $9,000 for breaching the gag order nine times. He was again fined another $1,000 on May 6 after the judge warned him that further infractions may land him in jail.

Merchan moved to the US from Colombia with his family at the age of six. After being raised in Queens, New York, he started his legal career in 1994 as a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney's Office. In 2009, he was appointed as an acting state Supreme Court justice, with responsibility for felony criminal matters.

Cannon grew up in Miami, Florida after being born in Colombia, She served as an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of Florida's serious crimes and appellate divisions. Cannon was later appointed to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida in November 2020.

Cannon is presently handling the classified materials case, in which the former US president is accused of illegally keeping sensitive information at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and impeding federal officials' attempts to obtain them. Trump has rejected all the allegations and pleaded not guilty in the case.
In a tragic case of mistaken revenge and an absurd case of technology addiction a Denver boy's quest for his iphone landed him in jail with charges of second-degree murder. FILE - Investigators stand outside a house where five immigrants from Senegal were found dead after a fire in suburban Denver on Aug. 5, 2020. Kevin Bui pleaded guilty Friday, May 17, 2024, to a house fire that killed five members of the Senegalese family in 2020 in a case of misplaced revenge caused by mistakenly tracking his stolen iPhone to the home. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File)(AP)

Kevin Huy Bui, now 20, has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder for his role in a 2020 arson attack that killed five members of a Senegalese family.

Bui used the "Find My iPhone" app to track his stolen phone, however, it led him to the wrong house which he erroneously set fire, killing 5 members of a family.

The fire, which occurred on August 5, 2020, resulted in the deaths of Djibril Diol, 29; Adja Diol, 23; their 22-month-old daughter, Khadija Diol, Hassan Diol, 25; and her 7-month-old daughter, Hawa Beye. The blaze, which police described as a "coordinated arson attack," also left three other occupants injured after they escaped through an upstairs window.

How was the fire planned?

Surveillance footage showed the trio wearing masks and hoodies, and at least one suspect holding a gasoline can. Police documents revealed that Bui had discussed the plan with his co-defendants on social media, expressing his intent to retaliate after being allegedly robbed. The warrant went on to say that detectives reviewed conversations between the trio on social media including one on July 15, 2020, where Bui told his friends he was robbed and another where he wrote "they gonna get theirs."

On Aug. 1, 2020, the warrant reads, Bui sent Seymour this message on Snapchat: "#possiblyruinourfuturesandburnhishousedown.

Bui was 16 years old at the time of the crime. Along with his co-defendants, Dillon Siebert and Gavin Seymour, he was prosecuted as an adult. As part of a plea deal, Bui now faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced on July 2. He is awaiting his sentencing in the Denver County District Court on July 2

Siebert, who was 14 during the arson, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2022. He received a sentence of three years in a juvenile facility followed by seven years in state prison. Currently incarcerated, Siebert's estimated parole release date is February 2029.

Seymour, who was 16 at the time, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with an estimated parole release date of November 2050.
The United States' efforts to deliver humanitarian aid worth 500 tons daily to war struck Gaza has been significantly hindered. People look on as Palestinians inspect boats damaged in Israeli fire, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip May 22, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled(REUTERS)

According to the Pentagon, none of the aid unloaded from the temporary pier, constructed off the Gaza coast, has reached the people. This delay has been worsened even as the US, alongside the United Nations and Israel, are working hard to identify secure delivery routes within the enclave.

Pentagon's admission comes when situation in Gaza remains dire. Sonali Korde from the US Agency for International Development highlighted the worsening conditions, told CNN, "Across Gaza, 2.2 million people, the entire population, is facing acute food insecurity."

Also Read: UN halts humanitarian aid after running out of supply

Over the past week, the US has managed to transport 569 tons of aid to Gaza through a makeshift pier known as Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS). Despite this, the aid has faced numerous logistical obstacles.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated, "As of today, I do not believe any of the aid has been delivered to the people of Gaza." Ryder explained that the aid had been held in an assembly area on shore and only began moving to warehouses for distribution once alternative routes were established.

This initiative to deliver aid via the pier has not met initial expectations. Adm. Brad Cooper of the US Naval Forces Central Command had hoped to transport 500 tons of aid daily, a target that remains unmet due to logistical and security issues.

The challenges extend beyond transportation logistics. Last weekend, trucks carrying aid were intercepted by desperate Gazans, prompting the UN to suspend delivery operations temporarily. A Gaza resident expressed skepticism to CNN, "I dont understand this floating pier or what its purpose is. They say its for aid, but people are apprehensive. Is this aid or something else?"

US working with Israel and UN to establish alternative route

In response to these challenges, the US is collaborating with Israel and the UN to establish "alternative routes" for safe delivery. This collaboration includes efforts to facilitate aid through land routes and addressing logistical issues like sea and weather conditions. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is in discussions with Israeli counterparts to secure land crossings, including through Rafah, which remains a critical but complex point of entry.

Moreover, the US has conducted several humanitarian air drops in partnership with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, though the future regularity of these drops remains uncertain.

During White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivans recent visit to the Middle East, discussions with Israeli officials included "specific requests" for facilitating aid distribution. This included scanning aid in Cyprus before its direct shipment to the Israeli port of Ashdod, bypassing Egypt to expedite delivery.
Jackson Square has become one of San Franciscos hottest commercial real estate markets, with prices that are higher than any year since 2014. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Chefs chat outside the Quince restaurant in Jackson Square. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The Jackson Square neighborhood in San Francisco has become favored by investors, partially because its considered where affluence meets creativity in the city. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

When New York real estate developer Michael Shvo and his partners decided to pour nearly $1 billion into purchasing and renovating the Transamerica Pyramid in 2020, the deal triggered questions about whether the massive, mid-pandemic investment in the iconic but long-ignored landmark would pay off.

 Youre on the wrong side of Market Street  that was the notion at the time, Shvo said, referring to downtowns main commercial corridor. But its going to be the right side.

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Four years later, his decision looks more prescient. The citys downtown core remains in recovery as office vacancy sits at all time highs due to remote work and tech layoffs, while deteriorating conditions and concerns about crime have taken some luster from San Franciscos soaring glass skyline.

Meanwhile, the citys Jackson Square neighborhood, a small, historic office district on the doorstep of the pyramid that is known for its vintage buildings and as the place where affluence meets creativity, is thriving. Real estate prices are at their highest mark in 10 years, with recent activity in the roughly 14-acre neighborhood including a handful of buildings selling well above their market values. Meanwhile, the area is collecting a growing number of new office leases at a time when many companies in San Francisco continue to give up their downtown office space.

Clients say they like the relaxed, almost residential atmosphere of the Jackson Square neighborhood in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

I have no doubt that this is the new center of downtown, Shvo said.

Jackson Squares momentum has more than Shvo wondering whether the gravitational center of downtown has shifted north, at least temporarily, to an area with a more residential vibe thats favored by wealthy investors.

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I think you can piece together a case for that, said San Francisco Planning Director Rich Hillis. Certainly, the entitled office projects in Central SoMa dont seem to be moving anytime soon, and we are seeing more activity around Jackson Square and the Transamerica Pyramid, which are serving as a catalyst for filling surrounding vacancies. People are more interested in that office space.

Jackson Square, where direct office vacancy was 16.4% in the first quarter of the year, is a much smaller submarket compared with other downtown neighborhoods.

Its hard to say that there is more gross activity in Jackson Square, but I would say theres more leasing demand in the neighborhood at the moment than in SoMa, said Roman Adler of brokerage Newmark.

Thats because the priorities for the few office tenants who are actively in the market for space have shifted, said Dan Johnson, a tenant broker with Raise Commercial Real Estate who is focused on leasing in Jackson Square.

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Jackson Square has always been an attractive neighborhood, but the pandemic really boosted its profile, because a lot of tenants are now gravitating towards the neighborhood energy and amenities, the cleanliness, the safety, Johnson said. Theres a lot more green space in the neighborhood, and buildings with a little bit more character.

Jackson Squares strengths outweigh its trade-offs, including that space in the neighborhood is limited, he said. The area features around 2 million square feet of offices in buildings with little redevelopment potential and small floor plates that make it difficult for companies to expand in place. Besides the pyramid, the low-rise neighborhood doesnt offer many view spaces, which historically have been a coveted and pricey amenity in San Francisco.

Jackson Street, at the heart of Jackson Square, has a residential vibe thats favored by wealthy investors. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

There isnt a large number of nice buildings with great natural light, Johnson said. Even so, the best spaces in Jackson Square are still going for really healthy rents, and theres lots of activity from interested parties.

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Australian graphic design software company Canva will be the latest tenant moving into Jackson Square. The company is taking space inside a two-story brick building at 440 Pacific Ave.

Canva spokesperson Fenot Tekle said the company has previously occupied several co-working spaces in the Financial District, but the Jackson Square lease represents its first permanent location in the city. We considered the commute needs of our employees, and chose Jackson Square both for its convenience and the many amenities the location provides, Tekle said.

Others have already migrated north. At the end of 2022, venture capital firm Bain Capital signed a lease for a full building, near Canvas space at 450 Pacific Ave., and announced that it would give up its longtime offices in two downtown skyscrapers. And, at the end of last year, law firms BraunHagey & Borden LLP and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP also ditched their Financial District offices in favor of Jackson Square.

A worker sits at a desk inside the Aesop store in Jackson Square in San Francisco. The neighborhood has become more popular for office leases. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Surrounding areas have benefited from the Jackson Square buzz: Snapchat parent Snap Inc. and mobile game maker Supercell  tech firms that were previously located in SoMa and the Financial District  last year landed at Levis Plaza, a large office complex that sits about three blocks north of Jackson Square, at 1105 Battery St.

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Before the pandemic, new office developments largely sprouted up south of Market Street, which divides the Financial District. Many projects, including Salesforce Tower, the citys largest skyscraper, targeted Mission Street, which in a sense became the new Market Street, said Michael Gschwend of brokerage Kidder Mathews.

But that has changed, with neighborhoods north of Market Street, particularly Jackson Square, having absolutely made a comeback.

The blocks arent quite as long, theyre more tree lined, and Jackson Square and the Northern Waterfront almost feel like an extension of a residential neighborhood, Gschwend said. People have become accustomed to working from home and want to maintain that neighborhood feel.

A woman walks dogs past construction at 845 Montgomery Street in Jackson Square. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Last week, Gschwend sold a near-century-old brick building at 451 Pacific for roughly $9 million to New York venture capital firm Thrive Capital, which reportedly moved to Jackson Square to be close to LoveFrom, a design firm founded by famed former Apple designer Jony Ive. Since 2020, Ive has been busy buying several adjacent properties along Montgomery Street and Pacific Avenue, which he is now working to transform into the headquarters for LoveFrom.

While vacant office towers downtown are selling at half or less of their pre-pandemic values, Ives focus on building an urban campus in Jackson Square has been driving up real estate values in the neighborhood. Case in point: Ive purchased a vacant 35,000-square-foot building on Pacific Avenue in February for close $60 million. Meanwhile, an empty 90,000-square-foot downtown office tower on Market Street that, pre-pandemic, was valued at $62 million recently saw its value drop to $6.5 million.

Jackson Squares current and past character cast has been where some of the citys wealthiest indulge and stretch eccentricity boundaries, said veteran San Francisco broker Charles McCabe.

Apart from Ives urban campus, which features a private passageway between gated parking and design space, prominent personal injury lawyer Melvin Belli once had a space on Montgomery Street that featured an office skeleton named Elmer, and Richard Blum, the late Sen. Dianne Feinsteins husband, occupied an office in the neighborhood that was ensconced behind bulletproof glass, McCabe said.

But Jackson Square wasnt always the idyllic neighborhood that it is today. Before being rediscovered and then renovated in the 1960s, vacant buildings in the citys oldest business district fell into disrepair, McCabe said, adding that some were even used for dangerous industrial uses.

This includes 394 Pacific Ave.s abandoned furnace used to melt lead for printing type, he said, adding that the past use of 809 Montgomery St., a building that was purchased by Ive, was reportedly an electroplating facility.

Employees of Cotogna restaurant carry pig carcasses into the restaurant as they walk through Jackson Square. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

San Francisco Heritage CEO Woody LaBounty said Jackson Squares Gold Rush-era warehouses long served as an edgy bohemian enclave, which was gradually luxefied when decorators and furnishers moved in starting in the 1950s.

Thats when it went from artsy, and writers and painters having studios, to professional folks looking to use old buildings for high-end uses, LaBounty said.

In 1972, the year the pyramid was completed, San Franciscos burgeoning preservation movement resulted in Jackson Square receiving the citys first historic district designation.

Everything that is new usually tries to find a place in Jackson Square, LaBounty said. Over the last 75 years or so, its been that way. Its got cachet  like youre part of the new hot thing, but youre in this airy, ritzy brick building that just oozes coolness, and also affluence.

While the Transamerica Pyramid isnt technically part of Jackson Square, the San Francisco icon has influence over the neighborhood. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The neighborhoods most recent evolution from art and antique shops into a luxury shopping and fine dining district, with boutique offices that have drawn venture capital firms as tech flourished in downtown, was triggered by newcomers such as Michael Birch, who converted a warehouse at 717 Battery St. into a private social club known as the Battery after purchasing the property in 2009.

We loved the historical appeal of Jackson Square, and it had a very nice feeling to it  the neighborhood is sandwiched between North Beach, the Financial District and the waterfront, but it always felt very distinct, Birch said. We spent five years renovating the Battery, and, when we opened, I think it served as a bit of a catalyst for others to want to move there.

Similarly, the hope is that the more recent investments made by newer players in the area  Shvo, Ive and others  will have a spillover effect on other parts of the city.
Raj Shah, deputy chief of staff for House Speaker Mike Johnson's communications, is set to leave his role. While a date is yet to be confirmed, a source told CNN that Shah will exit Capitol Hill before the end of the Summer. The famed Trump ally is not the only one resigning, as three other policy staffers are also leaving Johnson's office. Raj Shah is set to exit Capitol Hill before the end of this Summer

Who is Raj Shah?

The 40-year-old emerged as a top Republican official under the Trump administration. Prior to his role as deputy chief of staff, Shah served as the White House deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president from 2017 to 2019.

Following his exit from the White House in 2019, Shah joined Fox Corporation as senior vice president. During his time at the network, Shah helped establish a pro-Trump direction at Fox after the 2020 elections.

Raj Shah to exit Capitol Hill

Announcing his exit on Wednesday, Shah said in a statement, It's an honor to serve Speaker Johnson, especially through such an historic time. He has shown tremendous leadership navigating the conference through difficult issues. Speaker Johnson has developed an authentic brand of a strong leader willing to make tough calls and place our nation and the institution first, he added, per Axios.

Who else is quitting Johnson's office?

Shah's exit comes amid a trio of policy staffers- Brittan Specht, Jason Yaworske, and Preston Hill announced their decision to step down. They also worked for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before his historic ousting. The outlet adds that the trio are now headed to start at Michael Best Strategies.

While several sources called the mass exits unsurprising, others argued they expected it to happen a lot sooner. Meanwhile, Johnson's office told the outlet that Meredith Schellin is to serve as their new digital director.
AS THE SUN beats down on the dusty yellow soil and a cluster of tin shacks near the city of Galkayo, in central Somalia, mothers point to their children, looking on shyly. Then almost all express variations of the same words: I dont know what I will feed them, or I have not cooked today because I have no food.

Theirs is a despair felt across a country where first it never rained, and then it poured. Between 2020 and late 2022 the rains, which usually come twice a year, failed five times in a row, causing Somalias worst drought in 40 years and pushing the country to the brink of a famine. The disaster was averted only by a $2.4bn emergency response led by the UNs World Food Programme (WFP) and international charities including Save the Children. Then last year came the countrys worst flooding in a century, which swept away fields, drove up food prices, and forced more than a million people to leave their homes.

If anyone doesnt believe in climate change, this is clear testimony that it is happening, says El-Khidir Daloum, the WFPs country director for Somalia. The Somali people didnt contribute to the climate crisis, but they are suffering from it.

The tiny settlement of Samawade is a microcosm of Somalia, a fragile state that has been engulfed in war since 1991 and that now finds itself at risk of being overwhelmed by more frequent extreme weather. Almost all of the 167 families living here have fled conflict, drought or floods, some of them more than once. Some, strictly speaking, are refugees from nearby countries, including Ethiopia and Yemen.

The precarious lives they now lead highlight not only how hard it is to rebuild failed states, but also how even the best-intentioned international efforts to do so can still leave people stuck in a dismal limbo, unable to return home but also unable to move on. And as the number of displaced and desperate Somalis has grown, so their mounting humanitarian needs are running up against rising donor fatigue.

About 4m Somalis, or roughly a fifth of the population, are facing crisis or emergency food insecurity, in the jargon used by the UNs experts to describe the finer gradations of human suffering. Plainly put, these are the two topmost rungs of a ladder of unimaginable misery, just below famine, the top rung. Among those climbing this ladder of death are 1.7m children under the age of five who face acute malnutrition. My biggest worry is what will my children eat, says Muslimo, a mother of nine. We need help.

Yet her plea is being ignored. Of the $1.6bn required for the humanitarian response in Somalia this year, less than $200m has been funded. That, says Mohamed Abdiladif, the acting country director for Save the Children in Somalia, is forcing aid agencies and charities to make impossible choices about whom to help. You see with your own eyes children who are severely malnourished and there is nothing very much you can do for them, he says. When you are incapable of helping, it really makes you question a lot.

Extreme weather and conflict are the most direct causes of the current crisis. But they would not be nearly as deadly if Somalias people had not been impoverished by decades of fighting and rapacious rule by warlords, jihadists and corrupt officials. Almost all statistics in the country, including population estimates, should be taken as guesswork. The last census was conducted in 1986, but was never released. Even so, it is certain that Somalia is one of the poorest countries on earth. Its GDP per person is probably less than $800.

Two things keep the economy afloat. The first is Somalias diaspora, which sends home about $2bn a year, a sizeable sum in a country with a GDP of only around $10bn. The second is foreign aid, which added up to about $3.6bn last year. That makes aid Somalias biggest industry after agriculture. It is also a tempting source of patronage and a target for graft in a country ranked the most corrupt out of 180 in an annual index compiled by Transparency International, a watchdog.

Somalias reliance on humanitarian aid may also help explain why roughly one in five of its people is stuck in godforsaken camps like Samawade. Across Somalia, almost 4m people are classified as internally displaced, up from about 1m a decade ago. Many would much rather return to their old homes and livelihoods or get jobs and new homes in the cities than stay where they are. I love farming, says Halima, a grandmother. You sleep when you like and you work when you like. Yet going home is not always an option: her farm was washed away by floods.

Daka, who has lived for five years in Kulmiye Garsoor, another camp, hankers after her old life of tending herds that roamed in search of grazing. I would go back because I would be someone with something, she says, recounting how she once owned 40 goats and two donkeys. The grass has returned with the rains, but Daka has no capital to replace her livestock, which perished in a drought.

Instead, it is displaced people who are, in effect, being herded having been pushed into camps, often on private land, where they have no security of tenure and rely on handouts. Right now they need urgent help to feed their children and themselves. But if Somalia is to break its cycle of crises, its rulers will have to start seeing them as citizens, not displaced people, and invest in transforming supposedly temporary camps into permanent neighbourhoods, complete with schools, clinics, decent housesand jobs.

Sign up to the Middle East Dispatch, a weekly newsletter that keeps you in the loop on a fascinating, complex and consequential part of the world. And for more coverage of climate change, sign up for the Climate Issue, our fortnightly subscriber-only newsletter, or visit our climate-change hub.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
-The Gaza war has put renewed focus on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, still seen by many countries as the path to peace even though the negotiating process has been moribund for a decade. What is the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict?

More than seven months into the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian war yet, the U.S. has said there is no way to solve Israel's security issues and the challenge of rebuilding Gaza without steps towards a Palestinian state.

On May 22, Ireland, Spain and Norway announced that they would recognise a Palestinian state shortly to help end the war, get hostages freed and revive peace talks. The three said they hoped other Western countries would follow suit.

The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation, welcomed the decision, while Israel recalled its ambassadors in protest, saying such moves could jeopardise its sovereignty and security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not compromise on full Israeli security control west of Jordan and that this stands contrary to a sovereign Palestinian state, which he says would pose "an existential danger" to Israel.

Obstacles have long impeded the two-state solution, which envisages Israeli and Palestinian states alongside each other.

These include Jewish settlement in occupied land the Palestinians seek for a state and uncompromising positions on core issues including borders, the fate of Palestinian refugees, and the status of Jerusalem, an ancient city holy to both sides.

WHAT ARE TWO-STATE SOLUTION'S ORIGINS?

Conflict occurred in British-ruled Palestine between Arabs and Jews who had migrated to the area, seeking a national home as they fled persecution in Europe and citing biblical ties to the land.

In 1947, the United Nations agreed a plan partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with international rule over Jerusalem. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which gave them 56% of the land. The Arab League rejected it.

The state of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948. A day later, five Arab states attacked. The war ended with Israel controlling 77% of the territory.

Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes, ending up in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In a 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from Jordan and Gaza from Egypt, securing control of all territory from the Mediterranean to the Jordan valley.

The Palestinians remain stateless, with most living under Israeli occupation or as refugees in neighbouring states. Some - mostly descendants of Palestinians who remained in Israel after its creation - have Israeli citizenship.

HAS A DEAL EVER BEEN CLOSE?

The two-state solution was the bedrock of the U.S.-backed peace process ushered in by the 1993 Oslo Accords, signed by Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

The accords led the PLO to recognise Israel's right to exist and renounce violence and to the creation of the Palestinian Authority . Palestinians hoped this would be a step towards an independent state, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

The process was hit by rejection on both sides.

Hamas, an Islamist movement, carried out suicide attacks which killed scores of Israelis, and in 2007 seized Gaza from the PA in a brief civil war. Hamas' 1988 charter advocates Israel's demise though in recent years it has said it would accept a Palestinian state along 1967 borders. Israel's says Hamas' shift is a ruse.

In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton brought Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to Camp David to clinch a deal, but the effort failed.

The fate of Jerusalem, deemed by Israel as its "eternal and indivisible" capital, was the main obstacle.

The conflict escalated with a second Palestinian intifada in 2000-2005. U.S. administrations sought to revive peacemaking - to no avail, with the last bid collapsing in 2014.

WHAT MIGHT PALESTINE LOOK LIKE?

Advocates of the two-state solution have envisaged a Palestine in the Gaza Strip and West Bank linked by a corridor through Israel.

Two decades ago, details of how it might work were set out in a blueprint by former Israeli and Palestinian negotiators.

Known as The Geneva Accord, its principles include recognition of Jerusalem's Jewish neighbourhoods as the Israeli capital, and recognition of its Arab neighbourhoods as the Palestinian capital, and a demilitarised Palestinian state.

Israel would annex big settlements and cede other land in a swap, and resettle Jewish settlers in Palestinian sovereign territory outside there.

HOW BIG ARE THE OBSTACLES?

The obstacles have grown with time.

While Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005, settlements expanded in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, their population rising from 250,000 in 1993 to 695,000 three decades later, according to Israeli organisation Peace Now. Palestinians say this undermines the basis of a viable state.

During the Second Intifada, Israel also constructed what it described as a barrier to stop Palestinian attacks. Palestinians call it a land grab.

The PA led by President Mahmoud Abbas administers islands of West Bank land enveloped by a zone of Israeli control comprising 60% of the territory, including the Jordanian border and the settlements - arrangements set out in the Oslo Accords.

Internal politics have added to the complications.

Netanyahu's government is the most right-wing in Israeli history and includes religious nationalists who draw support from settlers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said last year there was no such thing as a Palestinian people.

Hamas won elections in 2006 and a year later drove forces loyal to Abbas out of Gaza, fragmenting the Palestinians.

IS THERE A WAY FORWARD?

Gaza's fate is the immediate question.

Israel aims to annihilate Hamas and says it will not agree to any deal that leaves it in power. Netanyahu has said Gaza must be demilitarised and under Israel's full security control.

He has said he does not want Israel to govern Gaza or re-establish settlements there.

Hamas says it expects to survive and has said any arrangements for Gaza that exclude it are an illusion.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A protest encampment set up by students at the University of Michigan is currently being raided with police pepper spraying protesters in the face while attempting to dismantle the tents.

BREAKING: The Encampment at the University of Michigan is currently being raided. Pepper spray has been deployed. pic.twitter.com/GyDFKCw5cy  Stu (@thestustustudio) May 21, 2024

Universities nationwide continue to grapple with a wave of protests as students demand that Israeli assaults on Gaza cease, and call for college divestment from entities linked to Israel.

Over 2,000 people have been arrested across the country in connection to the demonstrations.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks launched in retaliation for Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 terror assault on Israel that killed some 1,200 civilians and seized more than 200 hostages.
Pixar reportedly laid off about 14% of its staff on Tuesday as the animation studio owned by Disney attempts to reorganize to focus on films.

Approximately 175 employees were let go. Pixar president Jim Morris send a memo to staff that all of the affected employees would be notified by the end of the day, Variety reported.

It is the second round of cuts in less than a year. 75 people were laid off last June.

Analysts have cited Disney's decision to bypass theaters and release animated features directly to Disney+ during the pandemic as a major factor that has caused Pixar to struggle.

Movies released in theaters in the past few years have delivered disappointing results, including the "Toy Story" spin-off "Lightyear" which cost $200 million to produce.

Pixar will stop making original shows for Disney+ as part of the restructuring, the New York Times reported.

Bob Iger, who returned as Disney CEO in 2022 has made broad cuts across multiple divisions as he works towards cutting costs.

Pixar has been producing shows to help support the Disney+ streaming service. Iger has pushed the company to make less original content for the service, CNBC reported.

The studio's next film will be "Inside Out 2." It is scheduled for release on June 14. The original movie in 2015 was a runaway success for Pixar.
Rapper Cam'ron ripped CNN during a cringeworthy and haywire appearance on Abby Phillip's NewsNight.

The "Hey Ma" artist, whose real name is Cameron Giles, appeared visibly annoyed while on-air Monday night discussing the domestic violence allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs, days after the network released chilling surveillance video of him attacking then-girlfriend Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

"Everything in the video was egregious, I'm against it," Giles, 48, began. "I don't support all the charges that's alleged against him. I don't support any of that trafficking minors. Domestic violence  I'm totally against it. So when I seen the video, yeah, I was kind of upset with it."

From there, the interview continued on a downward spiral, as Phillip asked Cam'ron if he "recognized" Combs' "anger" from his "experiences."

"What you mean do I recognize him? I recognize him. What you mean my experiences? I seen him and I thought it was disgusting," Cam'ron aggressively replied.

The interview went off the rails as the rapper chugged his brand's sex stimulant drink mid-conversation.

"I'm gonna get some cheeks after this Horse Power joint," he said, referring to sex, while knocking back the beverage.

Phillip, appearing unamused, posed a final question, asking Cam'ron if people in the industry were "protecting" Combs in permitting his violent behavior.

"Who the talent agent for this joint?" the rapper questioned. "You think I be sitting around watching what Diddy do and all this? I didn't know this was a Diddy joint that ya'll invited me to. Who booked me for this joint?"

Cam'ron first burst onto the rap scene in the 90s.

His single "Oh Boy" went on to become platinum-certified and earned him a Grammy nomination in 2002.

Combs apologized Sunday for the assault captured on camera.

"I was f---ed up. I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable," he said.

It's "so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that," he added.

While Los Angeles District Attorney George Gacon called the video calling "extremely disturbing," the attack occurred too long ago for any criminal charges to be filed. Gacon's office added that no one had come forward to file a complaint regarding the particular incident.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, fraud and forgery, related to his attempts to overturn Arizona's 2020 election results.

The arraignment was held in a Phoenix courtroom, but Giuliani attended virtually. This follows Arizona officials working for weeks to serve the former mayor with the indictment notice - eventually serving the document as Giuliani walked to his car, in Florida, following an 80th birthday celebration.



Prior to this, Giuliani posted a picture of himself surrounded by several women, with the caption "if Arizona officials can't find me by tomorrow morning 1. they must dismiss the indictment. 2. they must concede they can't count votes."

pic.twitter.com/jsyaDZcU6z  AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) May 18, 2024

The new indictments bring the total number of Trump associates facing prosecution for election interference to 50 individuals, across four states. Giuliani is facing an additional 13 charges in Georgia, including multiple counts of perjury and making false statements. He was also ordered to pay several million dollars to Georgia election officials whom he defamed in the aftermath of Biden's 2020 victory.

Giuliani's litany of legal troubles have left him strapped for cash - the former mayor recently launched a coffee brand as he struggles to pay the legal judgement, back taxes and attorney's fees.

In New York, Trump is currently on trial for alleged election interference in the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors allege that Trump illegally reimbursed Michael Cohen for hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Cohen testified that Trump directed him to make the payments due to concerns that female voters would "hate" him if they heard the allegations.

Trump will not be indicted in Arizona but is listed as a co-conspirator in court documents. In addition to Giuliani, state senator Anthony Kern, former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party Greg Safsten, former chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee Robert Montgomery and Turning Point USA executive Tyler Bowyer were among those charged. There are a further four individuals - including Mark Meadows and state senator Jake Hoffman - expected to be indicted in the nextr month.
A man who's spent more than 25 years on Alabama's death row for the murder of an off-duty sheriff's deputy could get a new trial after a district attorney said that "justice demands" it.

The evidence against Toforest Johnson "has unraveled over 20 years" and his 1998 conviction "cannot be justified or allowed to stand," Jefferson County DA Danny Carr wrote in court papers Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Carr, elected in 2018, has supported a new trial for Johnson since 2020 and filed a "friend of the court" brief on his behalf following a formal review of his case, according to the al.com website, which was first to report it.

Carr said credible witnesses placed Johnson elsewhere when Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff William Hardy was shot twice in the head while working a part-time security job at the Crown Sterling Suites hotel in Birmingham on July 19, 1995.

In addition, Carr said, physical evidence contradicts the key witness against Johnson, a woman who received a $5,000 reward after testifying that she eavesdropped on a three-way phone call during which she overheard Johnson confess to Hardy's murder.

"A thorough review and investigation of the entire case leaves no confidence in the integrity of Johnson's conviction. The interest of justice demands that Johnson be granted a new trial," Carr wrote.

The DA's filing marked the latest move in a long-running legal battle in which former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley, former Chief Justice Drayton Nabers and several former judges and prosecutors have also called for a new trial for Johnson, AP said.

The lead prosecutor at Johnson's trial also "now has such grave concerns" that he supports a new trial, Carr said.

in 2022, the Alabama attorney general's office asked a judge to deny Johnson's petition for a new trial, saying that "Mr. Carr's opinion that Johnson should receive a new trial is just that, his opinion."

A spokesperson for Attorney General Steve Marshall didn't immediately return a request for comment from HNGN on Tuesday.
Several pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

Blinken had just started speaking when a man holding a Palestinian flag got up and yelled, "Hind Rajab was six years old when Israelis killed her. Hind Rajab was six years old. Blinken, you will be remembered as the butcher of Gaza."

Security guards quickly grabbed the protester and moved him out of the room.

On his way out he yelled, "You will be remembered for murdering innocent Palestinians."

Others continued yelling and Committee Chairman Ben Cardin said, "The person - will the officer please remove the person who's making these comments?"

Two other women, including one who appeared to have red paint or dye on her hands, were removed from the hearing.

"Stop the genocide. Stop the genocide," a woman yelled as she was removed.

Some of the same group had stood with their hands over their head as Blinken entered the room before the hearing got underway.

Blinken has blamed social media in part for widespread pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, saying it has a "very, very, very challenging effect on the narrative."

He visited the Middle East earlier this month in an attempt to spur a deal on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages but has been unsuccessful.
After disagreeing over college finances, City College of San Francisco trustees are parting ways with Chancellor David Martin and have chosen Mitchell Bailey as an interim replacement. Ian C. Bates/The Chronicle 2013

Mitchell Bailey, a former vice chancellor in San Mateo, has been tapped as interim chancellor for City College of San Francisco, trustees announced Tuesday.

Alan Wong, the boards president, called Bailey a highly qualified and capable higher education leader in a letter sent to campus employees.

If approved by the trustees on May 30, Bailey would start working the next day, alongside outgoing Chancellor David Martin, whose contract ends on June 30. The campus is seeking a permanent chancellor.

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Bailey, who currently works as an education consultant, served from 2016 to 2022 as a vice chancellor in the San Mateo County Community College District, which oversees three colleges. Bailey also served as chief of staff to Ron Galatolo, the San Mateo college districts ex-chancellor, who is battling multiple felony counts for misusing public funds.

Mr. Bailey brings more than 20 years of executive experience in the higher education, government and non-profit sectors, and comes to the role with a significant operations and governance background, Wong wrote.

Bailey did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Mitchell Bailey, left, served from 2016 to 2022 as a vice chancellor in the San Mateo County Community College District, which oversees three colleges. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2021

The interim chancellor could remain in the role for a least a year because qualified applicants for the permanent job have been hard to find. If approved, Bailey will become the colleges 10th chancellor in 12 years, and its sixth interim boss.

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Its unclear whether Bailey will be able to shield the college from a range of crises aiming in its direction.

The big elephant in the room is that beginning next summer, City College revenue will be frozen until we increase enrollment even more, freeze expenses, or do a mix of both, Wong, the board president, wrote last week in the Sunset Beacon, a neighborhood newspaper. This is due to a revised state funding formula enacted in 2017.

Without a large influx of students  8% a year, Wong said  state funding for City College and its $314 million budget will remain at the current level for seven years.

Once among the nations largest community colleges, with more than 95,000 students just 15 years ago, City College now enrolls less than 40,000 full- and part-time students, although classes have been free to San Francisco residents since 2017.

Yet Wongs piece was optimistic, and he said that enrollment rose by the equivalent of 1,000 full-time students this academic year.

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(A)fter years of turmoil at City College, were turning the page to a better and more stable future, he wrote.

Without a large influx of students  8% a year, according to City College of San Francisco board President Alan Wong  state funding for the school and its $314 million budget will remain at the current level for seven years. Michael Short/The Chronicle 2013

What he didnt mention was that accreditors are cracking down on the college and blaming actions by the trustees. In January, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges placed City College on warning status after finding that the board was neglecting the schools long-term fiscal health, failing to follow its own policies and ignoring the chancellors authority. The commission gave the board until next March to demonstrate improvement.

Days later, Wong and other members of the boards majority voted not to renew Martins contract this June. The move incensed his supporters, who have credited Martin with restoring financial stability.

Under Chancellor Martins leadership, CCSF was finally getting back on track, Jill Yee, a former dean, wrote in a rebuttal of Wongs piece that also ran in the Sunset Beacon.

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Before joining the San Mateo County Community College District in 2016, Bailey was chief of staff at Sinclair Community College in Ohio and served in state and local government, Wong said in his announcement.
The United Nations has suspended all food distribution in Rafah, citing security concerns and a lack of supplies.

On Tuesday, the UN revealed that no aid trucks had entered in the past two days via a floating pier set up by the U.S. for sea deliveries.

While it has not been specified as to how many people have stayed in Rafah since the Israeli military began its intensified assault there two weeks ago, at least several hundred thousand Palestinians remain.

The World Food Program said it was also running out of food for central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing Rafah have sought shelter in a frenzied exodus, setting up new tent camps or crowding into areas already devastated by previous Israeli offensives, according to The Associated Press.

Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the UN's World Food Program, warned that "humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse."

If food and other supplies don't resume entering Gaza "in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread," she said.

The warning comes as Israel does damage control following the chief prosecutor's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, a move supported by three European countries, including crucial ally France.

The U.N. has warned for months that an Israeli assault on Rafah could destroy the effort to get food, medicine, and other supplies to Palestinians across Gaza.

Throughout the war, Rafah has been filled with scenes of hungry children holding out pots and plastic containers at makeshift soup kitchens, with many families reduced to eating only one meal a day.

The city's population had swelled to some 1.3 million people, most of whom fled fighting elsewhere, reported AP.

The main agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, announced the suspension of distribution in Rafah in a post on X, without elaborating beyond citing the lack of supplies.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UNRWA distribution center and the WFP's warehouses in Rafah were "inaccessible due to ongoing military operations."

When asked about the ramifications of the suspension of distribution, Dujarric replied, "People don't eat."
President Biden says he is canceling student loan debt for another 160,000 people.

The cancelation affects public service workers like teachers, nurses and law enforcement officials. Some are are borrowers who were approved for relief because of changes made to the income-driven repayment program.

He says the average debt being canceled is $35,000.

The people affected are enrolled in the administration's Student Aid and Relief (SAVE) plan. The plan requires people to make payments for 10 years before they are eligible to have loan forgiveness.

Biden says he has now canceled debts for 4.75 million people. He hopes to eventually cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans.

The Supreme Court struck down his initial sweeping reform that would've erased $430 billion in debt for millions of Americans.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, "One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted."

The cancellation program is facing legal challenges from Republican-led states. 18 states are suing to block the loan forgiveness.

"From day one of my Administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity," Bident said in a statement. "I will never stop working to cancel student debt - no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us."
Egyptian intelligence has tanked a Hamas-Israel peace agreement that was made earlier this month after offering different terms to both sides of the negotiating table.

The US also feels "duped" as they say Israel agreed to a completely different deal than the one presented to Hamas, which included several demands Israel claims it was unaware of.

The proposed agreement, which was announced on May 6, fell apart following senior Egyptian intelligence official Ahmed Abdel Khalek's last-minute changes to an offer to Hamas.

According to The Daily Mail, the ceasefire agreement that Hamas announced on May 6 was not what the Qataris or Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review, sources said.

'All sides were under the assumption the Egyptians provided the same document' that Israel approved, said a CNN source.

Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani assured the Mossad that they were not involved with the revisions Egypt had made.

The adjustments made to the deal reportedly caught the US, Qatar, and Israel off guard, garnering anger in return.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal was "very far from Israel's core demands."

Following the outrage at the changing of terms and current hold-up in ceasefire talks, officials are asking questions regarding Egypt's motives, despite the country having played a key intermediary role between Israel and Hamas for several years.

Should talks resume, Qatar is now expected to play a more significant role, although Egypt would still be considered a central figure in the discussions given its relationship with Hamas.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks launched in retaliation for Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed some 1,200 people and seized hundreds of hostages.
A suspect seen pouring lighter fluid around a convenience store and crafting a Molotov cocktail during a lengthy standoff in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday was shot and killed by a police officer, the Austin Police Department said.

During a press conference Tuesday night, interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said the standoff began at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday when officers on Salt Springs Drive spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The vehicle pulled into a gas station at the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road, and the driver entered the store.

Officers followed the armed suspect into the store and ordered him to drop the gun, Henderson said. When the suspect refused to comply, officers backed out of the store and called for a SWAT team as the suspect barricaded himself inside.

One employee who fled the store informed officers that another employee was trapped in a locked office inside.

As the standoff continued, officers observed the suspect pacing and pouring lighter fluid over the counter, and heard him making "suicidal threats," Henderson said.

Hostage negotiators urged the suspect to come out of the store, but he refused to comply, Henderson said. Instead, he threatened officers and confirmed he knew there was another person inside the store.

"At several points during the incident, the suspect fired his gun at officers," Henderson said.

The suspect continued to pour lighter fluid all over the store, as he held a lighter in his hand. Officers fired pepper balls into the store at the suspect, but he still refused to comply with commands to leave the store, Henderson said.

At around 4:49 p.m., officers observed the suspect crafting an "improvised incendiary device," described as a container of lighter fluid with a rag, otherwise known as a Molotov cocktail.

Deciding the device posed an imminent deadly threat, an officer shot the suspect. Officers immediately entered the store and freed the trapped employee.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was not immediately identified.

Henderson said there were no other injuries during the standoff.

The officer who fired on the suspect, who was not identified, has been placed on leave pending an investigation by police and the district attorney's office, Henderson said.

--with reporting by TMX
Police in Los Angeles have arrested a man and a woman accused of being part of a New Year's Eve street brawl that involved "Beverly Hills 90210" star Ian Ziering.

Ziering, 59, was driving with his 10-year-old daughter on Hollywood Boulevard at around 3 p.m. when four to five members of a minibike gang who were weaving through traffic swarmed Ziering's vehicle.

The actor got out and confronted one of the minibike riders over possible damage to his vehicle.

A violent brawl broke out as other bikers swarmed Ziering.

He made a run for the sidewalk as one of the bikers tried to keep ahold of him and another tried to trip him.

After the assault, police say the minibike riders vandalized Ziering's vehicle while his young daughter remained in the front seat. She was not hurt.

Ziering was eventually able to get away and drive off.

He described the incident on Instagram.

"While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation. In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself," Ziering wrote.

"I am relieved to report that my daughter and I are both completely unscathed, but the incident has left me deeply concerned about the growing boldness of such groups who disrupt public safety and peace."

The Los Angeles Police Department said it used videos of the brawl posted on social media to help them identify two suspects.

Warrants were executed at two homes at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday and both suspects were arrested.

Jacob Esteban Hernandez, 20, is charged with felony vandalism. His bail was set at $50,000. Angie Teresa Guizar, 40, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Her bail was set at $30,000.

The case was sent to the district attorney's office for prosecution.

--with reporting by TMX
A Dartmouth student who was missing since last Wednesday has been found dead.

Kexin Cai, 26, was last seen leaving a Lebanon store on her e-bike at 6 p.m. on May 15.

She was heading down Route 10 towards West Lebanon and was never seen alive again.

The Lebanon Police Department quickly deployed personnel to search the area. They say an extensive search continued throughout the weekend.

Police got a tip on Monday that Cai's e-bike was possibly seen at the Boston Lot Conservation Area, Thursday, or Friday morning by a passing motorist.

The search including a helicopter and K9s was concentrated in the conservation area and the adjoining Wilder Dam area.

A fisherman alerted authorities around 4 p.m. on Monday to a sighting he had along the Connecticut River in Windsor, Vt..

Local emergency services were dispatched and rescue personnel were able to retrieve a body later identified as belonging to Kexin Cai.

Police say there is no indication that there was foul play involved in her death.

"The Lebanon and Hanover communities came together with many good Samaritans requesting to help in the search," the Lebanon Police Department said in a release.

A Chinese national, Cai was a second-year doctoral student in psychological and brain sciences with a special interest in communication challenges in autism at the Ivy League school.

A school administrator called the news "devastating."

"Kexin was an exceptionally gifted and humble researcher with a genuinely sweet personality. She loved cats so much that she would sneak images of them into every poster or presentation," Jon Kull, the Dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies said in an email to students.

Dartmouth planned to hold a Day for Community on Thursday in the wake of Cai's death and the death of Julia Cross, another student who died last month of a rare disease.

"They were cherished by their friends, family, and loved ones and will be deeply missed," the school said in an email to students.
A child peers at a tent at 19th and Mission streets as she walks past with an adult this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Mayor London Breed and other San Francisco officials are touting significant drops in the number of unhoused people sleeping outside. But a Chronicle analysis of the data that included not just tents but also vehicles found that the reductions varied by neighborhood with a handful of areas seeing a jump.

Over the past year, San Francisco reported a 37% reduction in the number of tents and structures on sidewalks, parks and other public spaces, falling from 571 in April 2023 to 360 in April 2024, according to data collected quarterly by a collaboration of city agencies. Although the number of tents and structures set up across the city tends to fluctuate, last months total marked the lowest number that San Francisco had seen in five years, according to the Breed administration.

The count also found a 21% citywide decline in the number of vehicles that were believed to be occupied by unhoused people, which dropped from 908 to 719.

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Downtown neighborhoods experienced the largest declines in tents and structures, including the Tenderloin (dropping from 66 to 30), South of Market (86 to 29), Lower Nob Hill (30 to 10) and Showplace Square (42 to 16).

Tents along Folsom Street near 18th Street in the Mission District this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Golden Gate Park, on the other hand, saw homeless tents grow from eight to 28, according to city data.

The neighborhoods that experienced the steepest declines in vehicles occupied by someone potentially experiencing homelessness were Central Waterfront (115 to 48), and the neighborhood just west of it, which some refer to as the Produce Market (141 to 79) and Outer Sunset (70 to 28). The areas with the biggest jumps in vehicles were the Outer Richmond (which doubled from 18 to 36), Mission (28 to 48) and Potrero Hill (four to 23).

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The citys data on tents and structures falls in line with recent data recorded in a similar, federally mandated survey of San Franciscos homeless crisis, but its inconsistent with other vehicle estimates.

Results from the point-in-time count released this month found that the number of unhoused San Franciscans living in tents and other outdoor structures fell 13% in the past two years. Yet, the number of unhoused people living in vehicles spiked by 37% to reach 1,442.

The data, which is collected about four times a year, is based on a one-day visual count of tents, structures and vehicles in every neighborhood across the city.

A string of RVs along 23rd Street in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The citys quarterly tally of tents, structures and vehicles  performed by city workers and nonprofit partners  is used by city officials to identify pockets with the highest concentrations of tents and vehicles and prioritize outreach efforts, according to Sam Dodge, director of the citys Healthy Streets Operations Center, which conducts the quarterly counts.

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Dodge said the counts were designed to ensure that officials were really addressing the largest and most difficult encampments in the whole city and not just focusing on one neighborhood or known locations. It was also meant to capture more frequent snapshots of the citys street homelessness crisis than the federally mandated point-in-time count that occurs every two years.

Breeds office said the overall decline in tents and structures, coupled with the increase in people sleeping in shelters, demonstrated sustained progress in helping people off the streets and keeping neighborhoods cleaner.

But some residents say they havent noticed a drastic improvement in street conditions or their quality of life.

A pedestrian walks past tents at 19th and Mission streets this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Peter Gallotta, who has lived on Lower Nob Hill for 15 years, said hes never seen the neighborhood in this bad of shape.

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The reality is those metrics dont tell the whole story, Gallotta said. Tents are just one symptom of whats really happening. Everyday the streets are littered with illegal dumping, theres more open-air drug use and dealing, and now our whole block is graffitied.

The number of people living in tents and vehicles across San Francisco fluctuates from day to day, so none of the city counts provide a complete picture of the problem. About two weeks after the citys count in late April, the Tenderloin Community Benefit District counted 77 tents  nearly double the number tallied by the city in the same area.

Rhiannon Bailard, chief operating officer for UC College of the Law SF, said a news release and campaign blast from the mayor promoting a sharp decline in tents hit the wrong note.

Theres really no reason to celebrate, she said. The conditions within the Tenderloin with respect to tents and encampments and the drug dealing and stolen goods markets remain unacceptable.

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Max Durant, 32, of Massachusetts and his two dogs live in a van parked along Fulton Avenue in the Richmond District. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

UC Law SF  formerly UC Hastings  sued the city in 2020 to compel officials to clear tents from the neighborhoods dangerously crowded sidewalks. Despite quickly reaching a settlement that required city officials to make all reasonable efforts to eliminate encampments, the college in March filed a legal motion accusing the city of violating the deal.

Also in March, a group of Tenderloin residents and businesses filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the city has created a containment zone for open-air drug markets in the neighborhood.

Breeds office said a large part of the problem is unhoused people refusing shelter and other services. In about 70% of the encounters over the past year, encampment dwellers have either refused a shelter bed or said they already had somewhere else to stay, according to Breeds office.

Our teams are going out constantly to offer shelter and services and clean up encampments, with a focus on larger encampments, said Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan. This is challenging, and people often dont accept help. So while our teams do clean up an area and bring people indoors, many will return at a later date.

A pedestrian walks past tents under the Central Freeway along Division Street next to Showplace Square this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The situation with homelessness among people living in their vehicles is a different situation, but also challenging. The city is experiencing a surge in homeless families, with more than 100 living in vehicles.

The city has struggled to address the crisis of people living in their vehicles. San Francisco opened a safe parking site at Candlestick Point in January 2022 that was meant to hold up to 155 recreational vehicles, but so far the site has fallen far short of those projections. Promises to spend millions on creating a safe parking site on the west side were also broken after officials said they couldnt find a good location.

City officials at the same time have taken various measures to crack down on people living in their vehicles, including reviving an old parking ban on Bernal Hill and reconfiguring parking spots on the Lower Great Highway, but the problem persists. Many times, those living in their vehicles just gravitate to another neighborhood.

For instance, after the Lower Great Highway parking changes, the number of vehicles with potentially unhoused people living inside dropped while on the other side of Golden Gate Park, vehicles spiked in the Outer Richmond.

Faustino Choc, 54, of Guatemala lives with his son in an RV on 23rd Street in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

This has been a longstanding issue that weve been working on, piloting solutions and trying to figure it out, Dodge said about vehicular homelessness. Were in the middle of deciding what to do with it  we dont want to ban it, but we also dont want to condone it.

Faustino Choc, 54, was paying $1,000 for a shared bedroom above a liquor store in Potrero Hill when he said he became sick and was forced to stop working. Choc, who emigrated from Guatemala 10 years ago, was working three jobs to afford his rent and send money back home to his family.

After he was hospitalized with a fungal infection, he said he lost his jobs and used his last paychecks to buy an RV. Choc, who parks his vehicle on the same block as his former apartment, said hes tried to get a spot at the citys safe parking site but was turned away.

We try not to make too much trash and the neighbors dont complain, but Im not going to feel comfortable here because I live on the street, he said. I dont want to stay (here) all the time. If I become better, I will work again and then I can pay rent.
The union representing nurses at San Francisco public hospitals, including here at Zuckerberg General Hospital, said it has won improvements from the city in salaries, retention, recruitment, safer staffing and more. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle The union representing nurses at San Francisco public hospitals, including at Zuckerberg General Hospital, said it has won improvements from the city in salaries, retention, recruitment, safer staffing and more. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

San Francisco public nurses reached a tentative agreement with the city Tuesday, potentially ending the threat of a strike authorized just days ago over staffing shortages and unsafe conditions for patients at the citys public hospital and clinics.

The union representing the nurses, SEIU Local 1021, said the nurses secured improvements in several areas, including retention and recruitment, safety, and reduction in the use of contractors. The proposed deal would also narrow the wage gap between the public health department and private Bay Area institutions and add 47 registered nurse (RN) positions to help San Francisco Department of Public Health nurses now working on a temporary basis transition to full-time roles, union officials said.

The agreement must be ratified by a majority of the nurses represented by SEIU 1021.

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Our nurses sent a strong collective message to the City of San Francisco and the Department of Public Health, said Heather Bollinger, SEIU 1021s RN Chapter President at San Francisco General Hospital. We will do what it takes to give our patients the quality and continuity of care they deserve. While we are encouraged by the gains in this tentative agreement, we plan to remain engaged and diligent to ensure that the city honors the promises it has made.

San Francisco Department of Health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The union representing nurses at San Francisco public hospitals, including the Laguna Honda nursing home, said it has won improvements from the city in salaries, retention, recruitment, safer staffing and more. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle

The tentative agreement comes four days after more than 2,200 nurses who work for the San Francisco Department of Public Health overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike due to what they said was a lack of progress in contract negotiations, which began in February. The strike would have begun sometime after June 30. It marked the first time in almost 50 years that nurses called for a strike vote, according to SEIU 1021.

While its unfortunate that it took a landslide strike vote to get SFDPH management to take our issues seriously, we are pleased that we were finally able to reach an agreement that will make major strides in addressing our priorities of safe staffing, competitive wages for retention and recruitment, and reducing wasteful contracting out, said Jennifer Esteen, SEIU 1021s San Francisco Community RN Chapter President.

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In a statement Tuesday, Mayor London Breeds office praised the agreement.
Three years after TFE's homegrown A by Adina made its debut in Australia, TFE Hotels has announced the premium brand will head offshore with the opening of A by Adina Vienna Danube in Austria in 2025. The international announcement comes as TFE's Joint Venture Partner, TOGA Group, marks another A by Adina milestone closer to home, with NSW Government approval now confirmed for construction to commence on the 204-key A by Adina Sydney Central, which is part of Australia's biggest innovation district, Tech Central.

TFE Hotels CEO, Antony Ritch, said the A by Adina brand would be moving into a riverfront precinct that was setting new standards for premium apartment-style accommodation in Vienna.

The flagship A by Adina Vienna Danube Hotel will offer premium apartments within the award-winning DANUBEFLATS tower, with 108 apartments ranging from 23 square metres (studio) to 64 square metres (two-bedroom), as well as beautiful bar, cocktail lounge and restaurant with a terrace overlooking to the Danube River.

The hotel will also operate a fourth-floor wellness area that will include a gym, Pilates/yoga room, two saunas, quiet room, wellness bar, as well as a panoramic infinity pool (that's heated for year-round use).

"From our initial launch in Australia in 2021, we have always envisioned and planned to introduce this premium hotel living brand into new markets, so a move into Europe was the natural next step for us," Ritch said.

For their European debut, A by Adina has chosen a sensational location on the banks of the Danube River and a residence inside Austria's tallest and most prestigious residential tower. Local Owner/Developers S+B Gruppe and Soravia, together with innovative hospitality concept creators - BWM Designers & Architects, are delivering to the highest standards of architecture and design.

"Whilst our A by Adina Sydney guests are wowed by the Sky Lobby and the spectacular views from Dean & Nancy on 22 over Sydney's CBD, guests to A by Adina Vienna Danube will naturally gravitate to the spectacular infinity pool, overlooking the Danube River across to St. Franziskus Church in Vienna's old town," Ritch said.

Adina Europe's Chief Executive Officer, Asli Kutlucan, said A by Adina Vienna would build on the solid foundations that TFE Hotels and the Adina brand had already established as a leading apartment-style hotel provider in Europe.

"Adina Hotels was the very first Australian hotel brand to enter the European Market, some 15 years ago," Asli said. "So, it's exciting to see the elevation of this brand - a sort of 'sophisticated coming of age' if you will - with the launch of A by Adina into Europe."

A by Adina is a premium brand that's designed to appeal to confident travellers who appreciate detail and design.

"When you step inside an A by Adina, you'll find that perfectly suited balance between a hotel and a private apartment in the city," she said. "We want the entire experience at A by Adina Vienna Danube to be understated, but impactful."

For Asli, the hotel's location, in modern Vienna - just minutes by underground train to the historical heart, recreational parks and facilities, and Vienna's largest shopping centre - is a standout.

"Vienna is a city filled with rich history, a treasure-trove of iconic museums, galleries, and a vibrant cultural scene that attracts more than four-million visitors per annum. It's no wonder the city has been named the World's most liveable city many times over," she said. " And we are very much looking forward to welcoming A by Adina guests to the City of Dreams in 2025."

Hotel website
In the digital era where speed is the norm, its critical to the success of your establishment to provide users with a fast-loading website. In a connected world and thanks to globalization, travelers from all over the world are likely to visit your website to learn more about your hotel and make a direct booking. Thats why its important to have a fast-loading website, across all media (mobile and desktop) and around the world.

According to a Google study, 75% of users consider that the most important element of a website is its speed. More surprisingly, it is considered much more important than the attractiveness of the website. Making sure your website loads quickly is the cornerstone of all your direct digital distribution.

A fast hotel website prevents the loss of customers

Forbes, confirms this finding: 47% of users wont wait longer than two seconds for a website to load and 40% of users will leave a site if it takes more than three seconds to load .

A slow website makes you lose bookings

Did you know that 40% of visitors leave your website if your pages take longer than 3 seconds to load? In fact, if you have 10,000 unique monthly visitors and your website takes 4 seconds to load, you are losing 4,000 potential customers!

A slow website encourages visitors to leave, but above all it makes you lose customers and therefore revenue. This is not a theory: Amazon calculated that a one-second drop in the loading speed of its platform would result in a loss of 1.6 billion dollars.

But there are also long-term effects. Having a website that is too slow gradually hinders your natural growth. Fewer customers or prospects will want to book directly on your website if it doesnt perform well enough.

The speed of your hotel website impacts its visibility

Google is constantly seeking to improve the user experience of Internet users who use its search engine. Google regularly updates its algorithms to improve the relevance of the results provided. The loading speed of websites is a criterion taken into account by Google in its referencing of web pages, its representatives have clearly stated.

Of course, it is only one of many criteria, and a page that is very relevant on a topic but loads slowly will always be better ranked than a page that loads faster but whose content is not as relevant as the slower page. Nevertheless, speed is a strong argument when you want to gain new positions and you know the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for the visibility of a website.

How do I get a fast website for my hotel?

There are many technical aspects of a website that need to be optimized to ensure a fast loading time. If any of these aspects are not properly optimized, your hotel website will load slowly.

Here are the technical optimizations we do at Cendyn that you can implement to ensure that your hotel website is fast-loading.

Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

CDN is a technology that uses servers located in different geographical areas around the world to ensure that websites load very quickly.

When a user visits your hotels website, the information from your website is sent from the closest servers. For example, if a user connects to your website from Germany, your website data is loaded from the server closest to that user. With a wide distribution network, you can guarantee the best possible loading time for all users who connect to your website.

At Cendyn, we use AWS Amazon CloudFront, a global network of more than 225 points of presence around the world to reduce website loading latency.

A serverless connection

Traditionally, web hosting is set up so that every time a user logs into a website, it connects to the server to load it. Once the server is connected, it will load the latest version of the website with any new changes made.

The technology we use allows your website to load without latency thanks to the use of a server cache. The advantage of this cache is that it does not require you to connect to a server each time, which considerably speeds up the loading time of your website.

Please note that some websites still have trouble loading at optimal speed. The main cause of this problem is due to the presence of third-party scripts that can slow down the loading of a website considerably.

This is because you, or your website design agency, do not have control over this script and every load requires the user to connect to the third-party server.

How can I make my hotel website faster?

Hosting and media file optimization are two sources you can act on to increase the speed of your website. At Cendyn, we use the Amazon Web Services hosting platform to keep your page load times to a minimum and ensure a fast hotel website worldwide.

As far as visual content is concerned, images and videos are heavy files and consume a lot of server resources. This is why it is important to optimize their weight. There are 3 main techniques to reduce the weight of an image:

Compress the image with the ShrinkMe tool that we recommend. Easy to use, fast, 100% free, and without premium limitations.

with the ShrinkMe tool that we recommend. Easy to use, fast, 100% free, and without premium limitations. Change its format by converting your PNG images into JPEG and by limiting the use of GIF.

by converting your PNG images into JPEG and by limiting the use of GIF. Reduce its dimensions. The smaller the image, the fewer pixels it has, the less it weighs.

These actions should preferably be performed before uploading the images to your websites server, i.e. before adding them to the media library of your website.

Conclusion

The loading speed of your hotel website is essential in your web project. It plays an essential role in the user experience of your future customers.

Reducing your website loading time will allow you to provide a better service to your customers from the first interaction with your hotel. Thus, you improve the overall performance of your digital distribution and increase your online revenue.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests; drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 32,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com.

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Newton, MA - Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S., announced the execution of 15 franchise agreements during the first quarter of 2024 spanning several of the companys brands.

The 15 signed franchise agreements during the first quarter underscore Sonestas momentum as we welcome new owners into our growing portfolio and expand our market presence. With a fast, friendly, and flexible approach and a seamless conversion process for our franchisees, we expect continued growth throughout 2024. Keith Pierce, Sonestas EVP and the President of Franchise & Development

These new agreements showcase Sonestas traction in providing an appealing conversion option when compared to larger competitor brands. Sonesta continues to reinforce its strength as a preferred choice for hotel owners looking to maximize return on investment by enhancing their properties through a new brand.

The 15 new franchise hotels are distributed across Sonestas brands, including The James, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Essential, Americas Best Value Inn, Red Lion Hotels, Red Lion Inn & Suites and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts.

Sonesta inhabits a unique position as a growing hospitality company that distinguishes itself from competitors. With our many years of hotel ownership and operations experience, we have the unique ability to thoughtfully position owners for success and develop trusted working relationships. Brian Quinn, Sonestas Chief Development Officer

Sonesta provides owners with a range of options across the upper upscale, lifestyle, upscale, midscale, extended-stay and premium economy segments. Sonestas continued growth, owner centric approach, market availability and executive accessibility make it a compelling choice for developers.

In addition, all 15 of these new locations will provide new destinations for members to earn and redeem stays through the award-winning loyalty program Sonesta Travel Pass.

About Sonesta

Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James, Classico Collection by Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Cruises; MOD Collection by Sonesta, Sonesta Select; Sonesta Essential, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites, Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta; Signature Inn by Sonesta; Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta and Canadas Best Value Inn by Sonesta. Redefining hospitality through its award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, Sonesta offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for unparalleled value and personalized experiences. Sonesta Travel Pass members receive the best rates, earn immediate points towards free nights, and accelerated status progression based on stays. For more information about Sonesta, visit Franchise.Sonesta.com, email [email protected] or call 1.617.658.1596.

Lorie Juliano

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation

+1 617 421 5429

Sonesta
Even with the economy's ups and downs, travelers are spending more on experiences. They're going for bucket-list adventures that showcase their unique passions. This booming industry is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by the end of 2024! Airbnb is also stepping up its experience game with the announcement of its Summer 2024 Icons Program. This new initiative promises a collection of extraordinary experiences hosted by the biggest names in music, film, TV, art, sports, and much more.

What's fueling this surge? It's the irresistible allure of adventure and novelty. According to a recent survey by GetYourGuide, 90% of travelers plan to spend the same or more on activities in 2024, and 98% of travelers say the reasons they choose a destination hinge on the promise of unique experiences. People are looking to align travel with their personal passions with top destinations and activities focused on:

Culture and history

Adventure and nature

Immersive and unique

These travelers, dubbed 'The Explorers,' are splurging on experiences, indulging in longer trips, traveling more frequently, and propelling the experience economy to new heights.

From climbing mountains to diving into clear oceans, today's travelers aren't just visiting placesthey're really experiencing them. And it's not just about big adventures. How about a spiritual retreat in the Himalayas or a food tour in Italys vineyards?

This isn't just about ticking destinations off a bucket list. It's about meaningful, transformative experiences that offer personal growth and unforgettable memories. It's no wonder that adventure travel, especially for adrenaline junkies, is seeing a momentous rise. Whether it's bungee jumping off a cliff in South Africa or white-water rafting in the Colorado River, the quest for that adrenaline rush is a powerful motivator.

And even domestic tourism is getting a slice of the adventure pie. This summer, more people are opting for trips closer to home, rediscovering their own backyards in ways that reignite their sense of wonder. National parks, hidden hiking trails, and secluded beach spots are all getting newfound love from travelers seeking adventure without the long-haul flight.

Travel trends now focus on wellness and connecting with nature. Think forest walks in Japan or soaking in Icelands hot springs. These trips dont just refresh your body but also your mind and spirit. You come back with stories you'll share for years.

Destinations like Fajardo in Puerto Rico (with a jaw-dropping 419% increase in bookings from American travelers) and Hoi An in Vietnam (up 284% globally) are getting their moment in the spotlight thanks to their distinctive cultures and adventure-packed offerings.

So what does this tell us? It's clear travelers are seeking to deepen their sense of place and purpose. Theyre on a quest not just to see the world but to understand itand in doing so, they're also seeking to understand themselves a little more.

The shift toward experience-focused travel is not just a trendit's a movement driven by our innate desire to explore, feel alive, and connect with the world in deeper, more meaningful ways. Whether its a yoga retreat in Bali, a cooking class in the heart of Mexico, or a sustainable farming experience in the Spanish countryside, these activities aren't just funthey change you.

The key takeaway here? Dont just travel. Transform. Find experiences that speak to your soul, and let them guide your journey around our beautiful, unpredictable planet.

About Puzzle Partner

Puzzle Partner is a marketing agency focused exclusively on the complex B2B initiatives of hospitality and travel technology innovators. By combining industry expertise, strategic thinking, and passion for delivering exceptional results, the agency helps clients achieve their business objectives and stay ahead in competitive markets. With its deep understanding of the hospitality and travel sectors, Puzzle Partner has established itself as a trusted advisor to leading global brands. The agency's insights and holistic methodologies have helped clients navigate the evolving marketing landscape, maximize brand exposure, and drive revenue growth.

To learn more, visit puzzlepartner.co.
Excerpt from CoStar

Hotel operators have had to reinvent rewards-based stays in response to changing preferences of trip winners.

A piece of the corporate travel segment incentivizes employees to perform their best and incentivizes hotel companies to deliver on the rewards.

Incentive travel, which companies use to reward employees for achieving sales milestones or other goals, is on the rise. As more meetings and sales calls are held via videoconferencing and the number of business trips declines, an incentive trip begins to look more appealing than a cash bonus to some employees.

You can throw bonuses at employees and all kinds of extras, but travel is the most powerful motivator, said Janel Carnero, a luxury travel adviser with the Embark Collective.

Previously, Carnero was a regional manager for a hotel management company operating several brands and also worked as an executive with a shipping company where she always used incentive travel for her employees.

Pamela Ezeta, global group sales for the East Coast and North America at The Leading Hotels of the World, said 2023 was a phenomenal year for incentive travel. She added her company generates a lot of business in the incentive travel market.

With a greater number of workers in remote positions, there's a need for deeper connection through travel, Ezeta said. Employees see incentive trips not just as an opportunity to be rewarded, but an opportunity to connect at a human level with their fellow incentive trip winners and leadership.

Incentive travel is an awarded luxury to a companys top performers, said Catherine Demont, events director at The Londoner in London, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. It is particularly popular with large U.S.-based corporations. The key factor with these travel programs is demonstrating truly memorable, money-cant-buy experiences to the lucky winners.

According to a report published last year by Allied Market Research, the global incentive travel market garnered $42 billion in 2021 and is estimated to generate $216.8 billion by 2031 with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1% from 2022 to 2031. The 2023 Incentive Travel Index from the Incentive Research Foundation reported that 53% of senior leaders consider incentive travel a need to have, 48% call it an essential strategic differentiator, and only 13% see it an area to trim or cut. The largest expense expected in 2024 for incentive travel programs is for hotels, according to IRF, which should represent 25% of total budget allocation. Airfare will comprise 22%, followed by food and beverage spending at 18% and activities at 13%.

The IRF research showed that incentives are a strong differentiator in recruiting and retaining employees. Retaining talented employees was a primary reason behind incentive travels strategic importance, according to 90% of respondents in the 2023 Incentive Travel Index.

Throughout the hotel industry, there's plenty of demand for incentive travel, said Kristen Lindgren, vice president of sales and marketing operations at Sage Hospitality Group, a management company specializing in lifestyle hotels. Most of Sages incentive business books through consortia and wholesale partners, she said, and those segments were up 12% year over year in March, and up 21% year over year in February. Companies that may have scaled back or even eliminated incentive trips are bringing them back and those employees are geared up to travel.

Click here to read complete article at CoStar.
Image Credit Cendyn

A hotels website has become a must for selling rooms online. It allows hoteliers to get direct bookings and to reduce the share of OTAs on their turnover.

The final goal is to convince the traveler to book on your website and not elsewhere. Thats why, on your website, you must provide future customers with the most pleasant booking experience possible.

This is done by providing relevant information to the internet user on your hotel website. Find below some elements that will allow you to better sell your rooms on your site.

Connect a booking engine to your hotel website

To sell your rooms on your website, you must have a booking engine connected to it, thats the mandatory technological solution to sell your rooms via your website.

Make sure that your booking engine is user-friendly and easy to use by your future customers. This system should allow travelers to book one or more rooms, and to check your availability and rates in real time.

One of the most important elements to sell your hotel rooms online is to choose a responsive and fast booking engine. In other words, a booking engine adaptable to all available digital media (computer, tablet, and mobile).

This is to ensure a comfortable browsing experience during the booking process of your potential customers. Indeed, the rise of mobile users accessing the internet (65% of the search traffic is now done on mobile) means having a booking engine thats compatible with mobile devices is absolutely essential.

There are different booking engines on the market, it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your business and meets your needs to increase your direct bookings.

Add as much information as possible to your room pages

Make sure your rooms are attractively presented: its important to provide detailed descriptions, quality photos, and videos to show your rooms in their best light. Also make sure that information such as rates, amenities, and cancellation policies are easily accessible and clearly displayed.

On the room pages of your hotel website, we recommend adding as accurate a description as possible. For example, you can:

Indicate the number of people that can stay in the room or suite.

Add the surface area in m the room has.

Mention a major asset that could push a web user to book your establishments room or suite.

All the information that makes your room unique should appear on your room pages. It is also important to make this information visible, even if it can be described from a photo.

See the example of the Lodji Hotel:

On this hotel room page, there is key information about the room: how many people can stay in the room, how much space the traveler has, the type of sleeping arrangements, as well as what makes the room attractive and unique.

It is extremely important to make sure that all the elements present in your room descriptions on OTAs are also present in the room description on your official website. This will reassure the potential customer and remove any doubts about their room choice. Thus, the Internet user can easily compare your offers/rooms on your website with the OTAs.

Embrace price disparity and promotional offers

Depending on your type of establishment, you have the possibility to create specific offers for your hotel website. The objective of these offers is to persuade the traveler to book on your hotel website.

Travelers are often looking for the best offer. Thats why we recommend displaying the best price on your website compared to your other distribution channels. In your digital strategy, it is not enough to present your establishment well, you must also present the traveler with the best price that will make them book directly with you. You will have more chances to get direct bookings and increase your turnover.

Furthermore, on a hotel website, the offers page is one of the most visited pages, it represents on average 20% of the traffic of a hotel website (internal source). Indeed, Internet users are often looking for good deals. We therefore advise you to propose special offers, when you have the possibility, to encourage them to book directly on your website.

You can propose specific offers such as:

Breakfast included

Access to the SPA

Hotel-Restaurant offer

Family offer

3 nights + 1 free

You can keep the offers very simple while convincing the traveler to stay in your establishment.

Attract and retain travelers through emailings

At the same time, you can collect the e-mail addresses of your website visitors to send them promotions and special offers to entice them to book.

The same goes for your hotel guests, whom you can contact to retain them with exclusive offers. Email marketing is an effective way to reach potential customers and bring back travelers who have already stayed at your hotel.

Implement an effective SEO strategy

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is about increasing the visibility of your website on search engines. Make sure your website is optimized for your hotels name. The most important part of your SEO strategy is that your site always appears at the top of the search results page of your target market(s), on your brand name.

SEO settings are among the most important settings of your hotel website, via the implementation of title and meta description tags, pointing, choice of languages, translation and 301 redirection of URLs, etc.

If you want to go further in your SEO strategy, and capture a wider traffic, we advise you to work on a keyword strategy in order to go up on generic and/or long tail searches related to your hotel and the services and experiences it offers.

Identify the keywords for which you think it is important to be listed on the search engine results pages because your target clientele makes queries on these specific terms. For example: Hotel in Paris, Hotel Spa & Restaurant, Beautiful 4 star hotel, luxury double room, etc.

Generic terms are generally shorter and broader keywords and therefore more competitive. The long tail keywords are longer, composed of three words or more as in phrases like Hotel 4-star spa Paris. Use these keywords in the content of your site, always in a subtle way so as not to disturb your visitors reading.

Promote your hotel website on metasearch

The promotion of your hotel on metasearch is essential to sell better and more rooms on your website.

Indeed, metasearch engines like Google Hotel Ads, Tripadvisor, or trivago allow customers to compare the price of your rooms between your official website and your hotels distributors (booking.com, hotels.com, etc.) in real-time. By promoting your hotel on price comparison sites, you increase the visibility of your direct rates and the volume of actual bookings. You reach travelers at the moment they are interested in your establishment in their purchase phase.

Price comparison sites allow you to increase traffic to your booking engine. This enables you to stay competitive and reduce the share of bookings generated by online travel agencies (OTAs) in your revenue.

Metasearch can also help increase your hotels visibility and recognition among potential customers. For example, solutions such as Google Property Promotion Ads or Tripadvisor Sponsored Placements allow you to place your hotel at the top of the search results for your destination. This way, you reach travelers who do not yet know your hotel but are looking for an establishment in your city or region.

Invest in paid search (SEA)

Search Engine Advertising (SEA) allows you to appear at the top of the results pages of search engines such as Google, Microsoft Bing or Yahoo. This increases the visibility of your hotel to potential guests. This can result in more impressions, clicks, visits to your hotel website, and direct bookings.

With SEA, you can target specific keywords and demographics to reach your target audience. This means focusing your advertising efforts on those internet users who are most likely to book a direct stay with you. By doing so, you ensure that you only pay for ads that are likely to result in bookings, for a better return on investment.

Finally, by appearing at the top of search results pages, you increase traffic to your hotel website. This increased traffic can lead to more bookings. SEA can help you stand out in a competitive market and generate more visibility and ultimately more direct bookings.

Follow the whole purchase path on your hotel website

One of the major issues in improving the performance of your website to generate revenue is your ability to track the customer journey from the moment they arrive on your site.

Thanks to tools such as Google Analytics, you can follow the progression of your customers in your booking tunnel, that is to say from their arrival on the website to the completion of the booking. To do this, you need to make sure you link your booking engine to your website in order to get a global view of the customer journey.

In addition, there are several key performance indicators (KPIs) that you can use to track the performance of your website. Here are the most common KPIs to evaluate the performance of your hotel website:

Conversion rate : percentage of visitors who have made a reservation on your website. This is one of the most important indicators to evaluate the performance of your website.

: percentage of visitors who have made a reservation on your website. This is one of the most important indicators to evaluate the performance of your website. Number of bookings and online sales : this allows you to adjust your marketing strategy according to seasonality, occupancy rate, or specific offers. The online sales compared to the sales generated by your website will give you the volume of direct sales, an indication of the performance level of your site. This KPI validates your entire digital distribution.

: this allows you to adjust your marketing strategy according to seasonality, occupancy rate, or specific offers. The online sales compared to the sales generated by your website will give you the volume of direct sales, an indication of the performance level of your site. This KPI validates your entire digital distribution. Bounce rate : percentage of visitors who leave your website after visiting a single page. A high bounce rate can indicate that the website content is not attractive enough or that the navigation is not intuitive.

: percentage of visitors who leave your website after visiting a single page. A high bounce rate can indicate that the website content is not attractive enough or that the navigation is not intuitive. Visit duration : average duration of visits to the website. A longer visit duration may indicate that visitors find the website content relevant and engaging.

: average duration of visits to the website. A longer visit duration may indicate that visitors find the website content relevant and engaging. Booking abandonment rate : percentage of visitors who abandon their booking during the process. A high abandonment rate may indicate that the booking process is not seamless or that there are technical problems.

: percentage of visitors who abandon their booking during the process. A high abandonment rate may indicate that the booking process is not seamless or that there are technical problems. Return rate: percentage of visitors who come back to your website after having already visited it. A high return rate may indicate that visitors are satisfied with their experience on your website and are likely to book soon or again on your site.

By using these KPIs and analyzing the data regularly, hotels can identify the strengths and weaknesses of their website and make adjustments to improve overall performance.

Sell your rooms on your hotel website, a major advantage to reducing OTAs commissions

When you sell your rooms on your website, you reduce the OTAs commission on your bookings. Indeed, a traveler booking one of your rooms on an OTA like Booking.com, makes you subject to a minimum commission of about 17%*.

OTAs commissions increase according to the offers you activate, the minimum threshold is between 25% and 30% commission*.

The natural behavior of travelers is to use these price comparison sites as a search engine to find an establishment in a given area. The interest for hoteliers is to be visible on this type of platform but to get the reservations directly on their hotel website.

*Commissions vary by region and country.

Conclusion

To sell your rooms on your website, you must make it attractive. In an effective hotel sales strategy, you need to give travelers relevant and easily visible information about your property, as it contributes to their purchase decisions.

We recommend making the booking experience easy with a smooth booking engine, providing information about everything that makes your rooms unique. But dont forget that the rate at which you offer your rooms also contributes to the decision to book at your hotel. We, therefore, recommend that you offer the best deals directly on your website and promote them via SEA and metasearch.

Make your website the pillar of your online marketing that sets you apart from your competitors to better sell your hotel directly.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to Find, Book, Grow - driving revenue, maximizing profitability, and creating deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions.

Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn has over 32,000 customers in more than 150 countries including brands Outrigger Hospitality, Hyatt, IHG, Aman Resorts & Hotels, Relais & Chateaux, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Coraltree Hospitality, and Onyx Hospitality Group - generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base with offices across the globe.

To find out more, visit cendyn.com.
A cross-sectional rendering of the Transbay transit center after the completion of a downtown San Francisco rail extension to the hubs basement. Transbay Joint Powers Authority

San Franciscos vision to make the desolate Transbay transit center the Grand Central Station of the West has received support from the federal government, which has pledged $3.4 billion toward the citys downtown rail extension project.

The massive, four-block transit hub in SoMa opened in 2018 equipped with a dormant train platform in its basement and has, so far, lived a muted existence. That could change with the completion of a 2.4-mile rail extension that would connect Californias High Speed Rail and the Peninsulas Caltrain commuter rail to the heart of downtown.

The downtown rail extension is San Franciscos next big transit project after the completion of Munis Central Subway extension to Chinatown and Union Square. The project, dubbed the Portal, has an expected completion date of 2032 with costs projected up to $8.25 billion.

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Once completed, Caltrain and high-speed rail trains will transport riders underneath the Transbay transit center from the current northbound rail terminus at Caltrains Fourth and King Station.

The $3.4 billion federal funding commitment covers about 41% of the projected cost for the rail extension, which has secured about two-thirds of its funding costs, according to the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, which operates the hub, formally known as the Salesforce Transit Center.

Local leaders must find matching funds to receive the $3.4 billion federal grant.

This is a significant investment, but we still have a little bit of work to do to identify the matching sources, advancing design and do some pre-construction work before we would sign that full funding grant agreement and be able to start construction, said Adam Van de Water, the authoritys executive director.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2025 and will include 1.5 miles of new tunneling that will run underneath Second Street.

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The project has environmentally cleared a three-block underground concourse that would connect transit center commuters to BARTs Embarcadero Station without having to go up to the surface. Whether that pedestrian crossing becomes reality, though, depends on whether the authority can secure the required funding.

A cross-sectional rendering by the authority of the four-story transit center illustrates a transit hub bustling with commuters waiting to catch a bus or a Caltrain or High Speed Rail bullet train. It captures the potential that city officials and transit advocates have held for the transit center for decades.

Currently, though, the transit hub serves only bus commuters, and the Bay Areas transit agencies, including Caltrain, are still recovering from significant drops in ridership brought on by the pandemic.

The projects other transit benefactor, high-speed rail, also faces financial uncertainty over whether its bullet trains will ever shuttle passengers to San Jose and San Francisco, as envisioned when voters approved a bond for the project in 2008.

The Transbay transit center will serve 11 major bus and train operators if the rail extension project includes an underground concourse to Embarcadero Station and High Speed Rail to the Bay Area becomes reality.

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Another big development impacting how people will use the transit center will play out in the coming months when regional transit leaders make a key decision on the decades-long effort to build a second Transbay rail crossing, known as Link21.

The boards of BART and Amtraks Capitol Corridor are expected to decide by this fall whether to advance planning of the megaproject for a Transbay rail crossing that supports standard-gauge rail such as used by Caltrain and Amtrak, or a BART-specific gauge.

Last year, planners scaled down the megaproject, which initially envisioned building a second Transbay Tube for BART and another for regional rail, saying it would not generate enough ridership to justify the building costs.
Marriott's Revenue and Tech Chief on Travel Retail Ambition

Just a few weeks ago, Marriott International began testing a search with an artificial intelligence tool on its Homes & Villas website.

The initiative is based on natural language search and enables users to describe what they want from a vacation. The tool is in a testing phase with the hotel giant planning to take the learnings from this smaller part of the business before applying the tool across the group more widely, including its main site eventually.

AI, of course, is a critical topic and is going to transform so many things, so we want to experiment, said Drew Pinto, executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer for Marriott International.

We have a thing called the [generative] AI incubator that we set up, which is a place where we can try proofs of concept and organize all the ideas that our company has around how we use this technology. One of the top ones was search, and how do we make search much more effective and targeted and also just kind of exciting for the customer.

While its early days for the AI search tool, Pinto added that it has been well received, but that customers remain conditioned to enter destination and dates even when using the natural language-based search.

It's too early to talk in terms of conversion but certainly people are trying it and I think it's an indication of what's to come. We're going to learn a lot from it, both good and bad. We're also discovering here, and I think probably a lot of counterparts around the industry are learning the same. GenAI is very exciting, and I think it unlocks a lot, but it's also really hard to execute. The demand of these languages, the cost of it and the security and privacy piece. Its a lot to learn and we're excited to do it, but we're going to be pretty thoughtful about how we wade into this space.

The launch and learn approach is a bit of a departure for the company, according to Pinto. While in the past, it was more likely to perfect something new before putting it in front of associates and customers, now, where its perceived lower risk, its happier to put it out there and gauge feedback.

Another example is the recent launch of a global dining portal, which brings together the company's collection of bars and restaurants and lets customers search, again using natural language, across its entire offering.

Its going to bring all this different content that was hard for the customer to see into one place and make it really easy to discover.

Mindset matters

It may be a little rough around the edges currently, Pinto admits, but thats part and parcel of the change in philosophy.

I think that's a reflection of the new attitude we have. If it's an area of our business that we think we can accept some risk, let's try and let's let the customer and our associates tell us what's good and bad. And we will kind of adjust as needed and really improve as we go. I think what it's going to be reflective of is my vision here, which is for us to be thinking of ourselves as a travel retailer and being a best in class travel retailer.

Pinto is 14 months into a newly created role within Marriott, which sees the revenue and technology functions combined.

We've never had this role before, at least for the 20 years that I've been here, said Pinto. The thought behind it was really to bring together all our commercial functions with the digital and technology areas. We've taken all our sales channels, revenue management, all our pricing, customer engagement centers and then also all the commercial leaders in the continent - we have a headquarters and continent structure - and we brought that all together and paired it with the main points of delivery that are becoming more important, which of course, are digital and technology.

He added that a year in the feedback has been good. I feel like we're having really good commercial conversations, and that the digital and technology teams in particular are much more integrated into the strategy of the business. So were learning as we go, but I think it's been a really good idea.

But the AI developments, the travel retail strategy and Pintos wider remit are also part of a much bigger technology transformation that sees the replacement of its three core technologies: property management system (PMS), central reservation system (CRS) and loyalty platform.

Not unlike the message from many travel companies currently, he added that it all has to start with the customer experience being more digitally enabled. It also take the companys employees into account with the promise of more efficient processes freeing them up for other tasks.

There's the expectation of the guest booking with us or staying in our hotel, that they're going to have similar capabilities that assist them in their daily lives or purchasing other products. We have been in a position to deliver on some of those things, but not everything and certainly not at speed and at scale that we want. So really our investment is a recognition, less so about we have this big technology project, which is true, but that we are now going to be investing more time, focus, energy and of course financial resources into these areas.

I think that's a reflection of the new attitude we have. If it's an area of our business that we think we can accept some risk, let's try and let's let the customer and our associates tell us what's good and bad. And, we will kind of adjust as needed and really improve as we go. Drew Pinto - Marriott International

Clearly, the transformation goes right to the top of the organization with chief financial officer Leeny Oberg commenting earlier this year that Marriott would be making higher than normal investment in technology. Announcing full-year 2023 results in February, she said, Full year investment spending could total $1 billion to $1.2 billion. This includes another year of higher than historical investment in technology.

This is a really clear commitment, added Pinto, and theres no beginning and end because its a new mindset and critical for our business.

New partners, modern platforms

And alongside the wholesale replacement of the CRS and PMS, with the company working with technology providers including Amadeus, Agilisys and Oracle, its also making infrastructural changes so that its platforms are up to a standard that's modern, scalable, cloud-based. Everything that you see and read about the proper way to build a sustainable and flexible technology platform for tomorrow's demand, is all part of the plan.

Its still early days for developments on the loyalty side. With Bonvoy loyalty program members increasing and the related app bringing 22% more nights to the company in 2023 year over year, its not a surprise that Marriott wants to modernize the platform.

Its really early days. We don't have vendors all figured out. Underneath it all, our loyalty platform runs on a system that's on a mainframe. It's many years old, its not cloud-based, its very inflexible. We're looking for capabilities, where we can customize the loyalty program, make it more personalized and be much more streamlined for our Bonvoy members. We have great ideas, some which we've been able to implement that you see in the market. We have many more that are on the shelf, and we're running into those limitations of just what an old mainframe can and can't do.

With such a significant technology transformation ongoing, in addition to the need to manage the rapid pace of technological change, especially when it comes to AI, Pinto sees the sheer complexity of it all as the greatest challenge.

We have many things that we're doing at the same time, and we realized that this is one of the biggest technology transformations ever done in our industry, certainly in the history of our company. So I think it's just making sure we're very diligent about things like program management, vendor relationship, scope and prioritization. I'm very confident in the setup that we're going to be successful. The commitment that Tony [Capuano] talks about publicly, that translates clearly into the structure we have and the oversight we have on it. The board of directors is very involved, supportive. It's just a big undertaking. We decided to go pretty ambitious here and I'm okay with that because we can see what it's gong to unlock for our company and for our customers. Weve just got to manage the complexity.

This article originally appeared on PhocusWire.
How Columbia Universitys 89.9 FM found Radios lost script [Fred Jacobs]

Live campus radio coverage of recent protests proves that Gen Z is ready to reinvent broadcast radio if the current gatekeepers let them.

by Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media

Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University campus | Photo: Wikipedia

Last week marked another historic moment in our country, and another reminder the youth of America have been alienated by incumbent older generations who refuse to give up their jobs and their positions.

On college campuses on the east and west coasts, as well as here in the Great Midwest, college students are letting us know how angry they are about the direction America is taking. I wont dive into much of First Amendment free speech or the antisemitic language being used. But their alienation and frustration speaks for itself, no matter your politics. Like college student demonstrations of the past  and yes, I was in more than a few at the University of Michigan in 1968-69  their means arent always artful or even logical. But the emotion behind these student uprisings demands attention today, as much as it did in past eras of unrest.

At Columbia, the world of journalism  and maybe broadcast radio  got a first-hand lesson in how to cover a controversial event from the student news team at WKCR 89.9 FM, a non-commercial college station that celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2021. The station programs Jazz, eclectic, and non-traditional music, along with a news team dedicated to covering the university and the world around it.

Last week, the news team at WKCR found itself thrust in the center of activity as students took over historic Hamilton Hall  named for Alexander Hamilton whose statue adorns the entranceway into the building. While traditional journalists could not gain access to cover what was really happening, the young WKCR news team sprung into action with continuous coverage from inside and outside Hamilton Hall. The WKCR staff got a real-time lesson in how to gather information and report on a stressful, high-stakes story right in their backyard, that was essentially about them.

And not surprisingly, these student journalists used the social media tools of their trade expertly  regularly posting updates and giving their listening audience the opportunity to provide feedback and encouragement:

To their credit, the New York Times and Washington Post provided impressive coverage of WKCRs stellar efforts to report on this important story (alas, both behind paywalls). The Times photo essay is especially revealing, especially to use who got our starts in college radio. The carrier current Michigan State Network and affiliate stations in the universitys dorms served as my official start on the air. (Fortunately, all my old airchecks have been lost.) While I never was involved in any type of news event at MSU, seeing the photos of WKCRs hardy group brought back a torrent of memories.

These are the kids that love radio, very likely intensified by last weeks events. And when you read the key part of WKCRs stated mission, you cant help but want them working for broadcast radio stations across America:

(Hey, NPR: Wouldnt this be a smart move, bringing in some of these young news aces this summer for internships or apprenticeships?)

If youve ever been a part of meaningful emergency coverage at a station where you worked  especially early in your career  you can relate to what the young students on the WKCR staff experienced. For much of the crisis, they were the only reporters on the scene, not just informing the campus  but also the world. Their website crashed due to a streaming audience from across the globe. An estimated 20,000 listeners tuned in WKCRs reporting.

Not surprisingly, the Pulitzer Prize Board (located at Columbia) commented on the courageous WKCR team, noting they worked to document a major national news event under difficult and dangerous circumstances and at risk of arrest. These are heady times for these budding radio journalists, suddenly pressed into the lineup by circumstance, opportunity, and meeting the moment.

And it suggests that young people might be more capable than many radio professionals think. Over the years, I have heard lots of noise about the work ethic of young people, often framed in a negative light. While their priorities may be different than ours (more on this disparity later in this post), they are just as smart  if not smarter  than we were, and frankly, theyve been through a lot more with less to show for it.

The events of last week and the way the scrappy news team at WKCR stepped up to the plate suggests the same thing might have happened anywhere theres a college station, and a staff who knows a little something about covering the news.

This goes to the heart of why we have been  and will continue to be  supportive of College Radio Day, a celebration of campus radio originated by Dr. Rob Quicke back in 2011.

College students who gain needed experience at these stations are more than capable, plenty motivated, and ready to do whats necessary in order to fulfill their mission. In fact, when I was coming up in the radio business in the 1970s, many of the people programming and promoting stations were younger than the Millennials of today.

The other day I was perusing whats left of my vinyl collection and happened upon a promotional EP that XL102 in Richmond engineered. It was a limited pressing of John Lennons Happy Christmas (War Is Over) pressed on white vinyl. PD David Grossman worked hard to make these albums possible, thanks to the kindness of Yoko Ono. Proceeds from these 102 collectors items were given to the Northern Virginia Food Bank. XL did the promotion in collaboration with WTVR-TV also in Richmond.

It was an impressive project for a medium market radio station, to be sure. But what blew me away was the XL102 staff picture on the back cover. To my aging eyes, they look like babies. My sense is most were in their twenties. And like so many working in radio back in the day, they sure werent middle-aged by any stretch of the imagination.

When I read about the WKCR kids, I thought about these staffers at XL102 decades earlier. Were they better broadcasters than the current crop programming radio stations today? Thats a hypothetical question, and Im not going down that road. But I do think that back in just the third decades of most of their lives, the radio pros from yesteryear were more creative, more innovative, and more energetic than the aging group of programmers left today. They lived and breathed radio, often hung out together after 5pm, and were eager to learn whatever they could to do a better job with their precious radio brands.

Are the young aspiring radio stars of the day that much different? If anything, they may be more worldly, more seasoned, (OK, jaded), and certainly more knowledgeable about media and technology than most of us older hangers-on were. All they lack is the opportunity and the trust from management/ownership to do their best work. I marvel that back in the day, big companies like ABC and the other networks, along with some broadcasters still with us, like Bonneville and Hubbard, allowed young people of that time to prove what they could do at radio stations worth far more than their declining values today.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to radio or even the broadcasting industry. Depending on how you look at it, many young people in the workforce today are being held down or held back, making them accountable to aging Boomers and Xers. When you think about what Millennials and Gen Zs have had to swallow, it is no surprise theyre angry, frustrated, cynical, and deeply troubled by the lousy cards most of them have been dealt on the career front.

Scott Galloway | Photo: LinkedIn

If youre familiar with Dr. Scott Galloway, clinical marketing professor at NYUs Stern School of Business or youve read his books, chances are youve already considered the confining, limiting opportunities facing todays youth.

His new book, The Algebra of Wealth: A New Formula For Financial Security, is a primer on how young people can make the best of their futures. Galloway is currently making the rounds on the talk show circuit. Recently, he showed up on Morning Joe, where this short diatribe (OK, rant) clearly explains our societal dichotomy:

Of course, Galloway isnt singling out any industry, suggesting this set of circumstances is universal. And his We have lost the script line directly refers to the road to success young people once got from American society, a pathway that increasingly is lined with potholes, speed bumps, and other hazards that make it hard for them to succeed.

So while this new narrative is playing out in other businesses, that doesnt let us grizzled radio vets off the hook. Not only are young programmers (and managers) few and far between in 2024, but as an industry, we essentially wont even green light radio stations aimed at people younger than 25. What message does this send to Millennials and Gen Zs in your building  that their generation isnt worthy of radio catered to them?

At a time when radio needs any edge or advantage it can muster, the youth piece is never even a consideration. It is never on the table. The very last perceptual research study commissioned in broadcast radio will most certainly target 25-to-54s.

There was a time not that many years ago when 25 and 30 year-olds routinely programmed major market radio stations. But rarely anymore. We are now in a world where the motto should be Dont trust anyone under 30. In radio, thats how we roll.

We have lost the script.

P.S. Alexander Hamilton was a ripe old 21 years of age when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. (No, he was not one of the signers but played a major role in its creation and evolution.)

By todays generational standards, Hamilton was a Gen Z.

Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format. Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys. In 2008, jacapps was launched  a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created  a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the connected car and its impact. Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Medias commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment. Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Berkshire Museum Art of the Hills 2024, Opens Call for Art

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire Museum announces Art of the Hills 202 4, a bi-annual juried art exhibition to be held in Pittsfield highlighting the creative endeavors of both emerging and established artists based in the Berkshires.

Submissions for Art of the Hills 2024 are currently open, with the deadline for applications set for July 14, 2024.



Guidelines and requirements for submission are outlined as follows:

All artists aged 18 and above residing within an approximate 60-mile radius of Berkshire Museum are eligible to apply. Eligible submissions encompass a range of mediums: Two-dimensional work includes painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, and photography; three-dimensional work includes sculpture of all media. Two-dimensional pieces must not exceed 288 total linear inches (including framing). Three-dimensional submissions weighing over 100 lbs. must be installed by the artist and should not surpass a 48" x 48" x 48" footprint, with a maximum weight limit of 500 lbs. Video work will be evaluated but is subject to the availability of monitors during the exhibition. Two-dimensional works must be delivered ready to hang. The jurors retain the right to disqualify any work that is not suitably presented or does not correspond to the entry image. Each artist may submit up to three works completed after January 2020. The exhibition will run during normal business hours from October 5th to January 5th, 2024. Artists are responsible for the timely drop-off and pick-up of their works at local venues. Pieces not retrieved by January 19, 2024, will be deemed abandoned. Berkshire Museum will not arrange for the shipping of works back to the artists. Berkshire Museum reserves the right to photograph and video any submitted work for documentary, educational, and publicity purposes. Submission of the completed application form implies agreement with all conditions outlined in the prospectus. Berkshire Museum will insure artworks for the artists commercial value upon receipt and throughout the exhibition. Artworks generated using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) will not be considered for acceptance.

More information, a full timeline, and a submission form can be found at https://berkshiremuseum.org/ao th2024/.



There will be an opening reception on October 4, 2024, from 5:30 PM  7:30 PM at Berkshire Museum where jurors will award distinguished artists. Jurors to be announced.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced a proposed Charter amendment Tuesday to create an inspector generals office, which he says would help the city weed out corruption. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

A San Francisco supervisor running for mayor wants to create an inspector generals office to investigate fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct in city government and by city contractors as corruption scandals continue to tarnish City Hall.



Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced a proposed Charter amendment Tuesday to create the office, which he says would help the city weed out corruption, calling the inspector general model the gold standard in municipal public integrity. Voters would weigh in on the proposal in November if its backed by at least six members of the Board of Supervisors.

Other major American cities have inspector general positions, including New York, Chicago and New Orleans.

A climate of corruption and pay-to-play politics has been allowed to permeate our city agencies ancillary contract dealings for too long, Peskin said in a statement. Its time we stop relying on the FBI to uncover systemic corruption and take action to tend our own house.

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Peskin and the three other main challengers to Mayor London Breed in Novembers election are throwing out ideas for tackling the citys biggest problems, including corruption, its struggling downtown, high property crime, a persistently high homeless population and the drug crisis.

Corruption has been top of mind for San Francisco voters after years of public scandals involving city agencies and city contractors.

The Controllers Office is now in charge of investigating financial impropriety by city contractors and departments, but it is limited by understaffing and is also focused on its other crucial functions, such as processing payroll, managing city bonds and monitoring the citys $14.6 billion budget.



Peskins proposal would put the inspector general position within the Controllers Audit Division, at what he says will be no additional cost to taxpayers and without creating a new office. Under Peskins proposal, the controller would handpick the inspector general, subject to approval by the mayor and the Board of Supervisors, and the controller would have the ability to remove the inspector general.

The inspector generals sole responsibility would be to audit and investigate fraud, embezzlement and other financial irregularities.

Peskin said the controller does not currently have the full investigative powers or elevated mandate to proactively go after public corruption. His measure would expand the Controllers Office subpoena and search warrant power.

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The inspector general would also be the one-stop shop for city whistleblowers and would report on public integrity investigations twice a year to the mayor and Board of Supervisors.



Other proposed measures that might go before voters on the November ballot include proposals to tax ride-hailing companies to fund Muni, pension reform for firefighters, limiting the powers of city commissions and overhauling the citys business-tax structure.



San Francisco State University Professor Jason McDaniel said the proposed Charter amendment, if its sent to the voters, could be a win-win for Peskin because his opponents will be forced to take positions on the measure that are not politically advantageous.

If Breed supports the measure, shell give a small victory for Peskin ahead of November, and if she opposes it, she could be painted as unserious about weeding out corruption in the city, McDaniel said.

It seems like a reasonable idea, especially considering the recent history of corruption in San Francisco and abuse of city money by nonprofits and other contractors, McDaniel said. It sounds like something that would appeal to a lot of people in the city.

But voters are concerned about many more issues than just corruption, McDaniel warned. Recent polling shows San Franciscans are worried about the citys economy, the housing crisis, drug crisis, public safety and homelessness. Voters could blame Peskin for those issues since he has been in office off and on for two decades.



Peskin said we can pat our heads and rub our bellies at the same time, and that for people to have trust in the governments ability to deal with public safety, homelessness and the drug crisis, we have to have confidence in our government and its contractors.



Whether Peskin can shift voters focus away from what McDaniel called more salient issues to city corruption will be a more difficult lift.

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Angelina Jolie is required to submit eight years worth of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in her ongoing legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt over their French winery, Chateau Miraval, a Los Angeles judge has ordered.

In April, Jolies legal team filed a motion seeking to release communications that they say would prove Pitt would not let her sell her share of the winery to him unless she agreed to an expansive NDA.

Last week, Pitts lawyers asked that Judge Lia Martin compel his ex-wife to submit the NDAs she had signed in the past.

Judge Martin ruled in favor of Pitts request on Thursday (16 May). The legal documents state that Jolie, 48, must produce, within 60 calendar days of this Order, all non-privileged documents in her possession, custody or control that are responsive to the previous action filed by Pitt.

Pitts legal team argued that the NDAs were highly relevant to Jolies purported justifications for refusing to adhere to her contractual obligations to Pitt when she sold her shares of the winery to a Russian oligarch named Yuri Shefler.

According to People, a source close to Pitt, 60, called the recent ruling a significant blow to the credibility of Jolies case and a strong statement challenging them to match their rhetoric with actual facts, which they consistently have been not been able to do.

Jolies attorney, Paul Murphy, told The Daily Mail that they are more than happy to turn [the NDAs] over.

open image in gallery Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ( Getty Images )

Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr Pitts last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct, Murphy said, adding that they are gratified that the Court acknowledged that the only potential relevance is to the unconscionability of Mr Pitts conduct, a now confirmed key issue in this case.

Murphy said the ruling opens the door to discovery on all issues related to Pitts abuse and we welcome that transparency in all parties discovery responses.

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Angelina looks forward to the eventual end of this litigation with its false narratives that continue to hurt the family and interfere with their ability to heal, he said.

Pitt has argued that Jolie used his proposed NDA as justification for halting discussions with him and selling to Shefler.

In the action filed on Thursday, Pitts lawyers accused Jolie of refusing to produce any documents other than those (if any) concerning such an agreement between Jolie and Pitt.

It was therefore requested that Jolie hand over any NDA between Jolie and any third party with whom she is in a relationship or who has assisted with the care of the couples children.

The documents clarified that the production is limited in scope of time to calendar years 2014 through February 17, 2022 (when this action was filed).

Pitt first sued Jolie in 2022, claiming that she secretly sold her shares of the winery.

The Fight Club actor claimed that he invested a lot of time and money in the winery through the years and that the estranged couple had an understanding that neither of them could sell off their shares without the other persons consent.
A firefighter stands in front of a charred home on Grove Street where a dog walker recently targeted by racist threats lives. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

San Francisco firefighters on Wednesday continued to probe possible causes of a fast-moving fire that tore through the Alamo Square home of a beloved local dog walker, one who said he has recently been the target of hate crimes.

Its too early to tell what caused the fire at the home of dog walker Terry Williams, San Francisco Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Mariano Elias said, adding that fire investigators were working to determine what sparked the blaze that sent two people to the hospital.

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Williams, who is Black, was meeting with city officials about a series of racist and threatening items left near his home when he got a phone call about the fire and rushed to his Grove Street residence, where flames had enveloped three stories and spread to a nearby building.

Williams father, Luddie, was treated and released from a local hospital on Tuesday, while his mother, Carolyn, remained hospitalized with injuries, he told the Chronicle. Seven people and three dogs were displaced, fire officials said.

Representatives for the San Francisco Police Department said they had met with Williams this month about the items left at his home, including a doll with a noose around its neck, and are investigating the case as a hate crime. They did not provide additional details Wednesday.

An FBI spokesperson, Cameron Polan, did not say whether the agency was investigating the alleged hate crimes.

This fire is yet another hardship on a family already facing tremendous stress after weeks of racial terror, Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the area, said Wednesday.

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Williams and his parents were able to find temporary accommodations, Preston said, adding that his office will continue partnering with the mayors office to ensure ongoing support of this family as they start a long journey to return to their home.

We have also made it clear that this case is a priority for our office, and will continue elevating it with the police and fire departments as they work to determine the cause of the fire and find the person responsible for the threatening packages.

As dawn broke on the Alamo Square dog park Tuesday, residents expressed concern for the Williams family and shock at the timing of the fire, which erupted weeks after the dog walker told police he began receiving racist threats in the mail. It comes just two weeks after neighbors held a rally and fundraiser to support him.

Tossing a ball for her two energetic dogs early Tuesday, neighbor Meghan Burton called the Williams displacement from their home the worst part of the tragedy, and said she hoped his family and dogs were safe. She described Williams as a familiar presence in the park, where he was well known among dog owners.

Williams frequently greeted other dog owners and was well loved by many, said Greg Walter as he walked his Labrador, Wingman, up the parks eastern walkway.

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Gary Oldman is backtracking on previous remarks in which he called his Harry Potter performance mediocre, clarifying that he hadnt meant to be rude to any fans.

Speaking on Wednesday (22 May) at the Cannes press conference for his new movie Parthenope, Oldman  who was introduced as Sirius Black in the third Harry Potter movie, The Prisoner of Azkaban  was asked about his past criticism of his portrayal.

What I meant by that is, as any artist or any actor or painter, you are always hypercritical of your own work, he explained, according to Variety. If youre not, and youre satisfied with what youre doing, that would be death to me. If I watched a performance of myself and thought, My God, Im fantastic in this, that would be a sad day.

Oldman, 66, continued: There was such secrecy that was shrouded around the novels, they were under lock and key. And had I known from the very beginning, if I had read the five books and I had seen the arc of the character, I might have approached it differently. I may have looked at it differently and painted in a different color.

He shared that when he started Harry Potter, all I had was the book, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and that one representation of that man. One book in the library of Sirius Black.

And thats kind of what I meant by it. Its not me looking at the movie and saying its a terrible film or Im terrible, I just wish it had been under different circumstances, he said. Thats what I meant, not to be rude to any of the people out there who like that film.

Last year, during an interview on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Oldman shocked host Josh Horowitz by admitting: I think my work is mediocre in [Harry Potter].

open image in gallery Gary Oldman attends the Parthenope' Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival ( Getty Images )

Maybe if I had read the books like Alan [Rickman], if I had got ahead of the curve, if I had known whats coming, I honestly think I would have played it differently.

In his new movie, Parthenope  which had its world premiere at the film festival on Tuesday  Oldman stars as the late American writer John Cheever.

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The fantasy drama, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, also features Italian actors Celeste Dalla Porta, Stefania Sandrelli and Luisa Ranieri.

Discussing the role, Oldman said that he shares a few similarities with Cheever, including his previous struggles with alcoholism.

Ive made it no secret that I used to drink, and Ive just celebrated 27 years of sobriety. Cheever, my wife actually found a quote where he says, My shaking hand reaches for the phone to ring Alcoholics Anonymous, and instead it reaches the remains of the whiskey, the gin, the vermouth.  And Ive been there. I know what that means. So coming to this role, there were things that I instinctively understood.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you
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French actor Gerard Depardieu has been accused of repeatedly punching Rino Barillari, known as the king of paparazzi, in an incident on Tuesday (21 May).

According to a report in The New York Times, Depardieu, 75, accosted Barillari, 79, on the Via Veneto outside Harrys Bar.

The Times quotes La Repubblica columnist Gianni Riotta as a witness to the attack. He reports that Barillari had repeatedly been asked to stop taking photographs, and that when he left he was followed into the street by an upset woman who had been sitting with Depardieu.

Riotta said that Depardieu caught Barillari and hit him, hit him, hit him.

He added: There was a lot of blood.

Riotta gave a witness statement to the police, but it remained unclear whether Barillari, who was taken away in an ambulance, would press charges.

open image in gallery Gerard Depardieu and photographer Rino Barillari, known as the King of Paparazzi ( Getty )

The Independent has approached Depardieus lawyers for comment.

The woman who was sitting with Depardieu has been identified as Magda Vavrusova.

Vavrusovas lawyer, Delphine Meillet, said in a statement that Barillari had violently pushed Vavrusova, touching her chest with his arm.

She said that when Depardieu intervened, he had fallen and slid onto the photographer. Vavrusova was also taken to hospital and plans to sue Barillari, according to Meillet.

After everything that had happened, the photographer persisted in deluging them with photos, she added.

According to Riotta, after Depardieu got into a vehicle following the altercation Barillari jumped in front of the car and kept on shooting.

It was only after photographing the cars license plate that Barillari fell to the ground.

This is not the first incident that left Barillari in need of medical attention. A 2018 exhibition about his six-decade career recorded 163 hospital trips, 11 broken ribs, one stabbing and 76 smashed cameras, including stitches after a dust-up with the actor Peter OToole.

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Last month, Depardieu was ordered to stand trial in October over allegations of sexual assault by Paris prosecutors.

The actor was summoned by police over two separate allegations brought by two women who worked with Depardieu on film sets in 2014 and 2021, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

The women have reportedly alleged that Depardieu groped them during filming, once in 2014 on the set of The Magician and the Siamese, and the other in 2021 on the set of The Green Shutters.

Earlier this year, The Independents Geoffrey Macnab assessed the actors reputation and wrote that Depardieus brutish onscreen brilliance cant save a legacy in freefall.
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A Tennessee judge has blocked efforts to put Elvis Presleys landmark former home, Graceland, up for sale by a company that claimed his estate had failed to properly repay a loan that used it as collateral.

The decision comes after Presleys granddaughter, actor Riley Keough, branded the planned foreclosure auction of the historic building fraudulent and filed a lawsuit to halt it.

Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins issued a temporary injunction against the proposed auction that had been scheduled for Thursday this week.

A representative for Graceland told The Independent: As the court has now made clear, there was no validity to the claims. There will be no foreclosure.

Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home.

Keough was named the sole owner and trustee of the family estate after the death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, in 2023, and following a legal battle with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley.

A public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre estate in Memphis posted earlier in May said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owes $3.8m (2.9m) after failing to repay a 2018 loan.

Fans gather outside Elvis Presleys former home, Graceland mansion ( AP )

According to the legal notice, Lisa Marie allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 to secure the loan through a Missouri company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending, using Graceland as collateral.

Elvis Presley purchased the property for 102,500 in 1957  the same year he released hits such as All Shook Up and Blue Christmas  and lived there until his death in 1977.

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Keoughs lawsuit, filed on 15 May, claims her mothers signatures on the documents are forgeries, that the loan never transpired, that Naussany Investments is not a real company, and that the loans notary public did not notarise it.

In a statement to NBC News, Elvis Presley Enterprises, the organisation that runs Graceland and the assets of the Elvis Presley Trust, suggested the announced sale is a scheme.

Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed is to stop the fraud, a spokesperson said.

The Graceland estate was inherited by Lisa Marie upon the rock icons death and was opened to the public as a museum in 1982. The 13.8-acre property attracts around half a million visitors each year, as fans make a pilgrimage to pay tribute to one of Americas most significant musicians.
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Morgan Wallen has been prevented from erecting a 20-foot sign bearing his name over Nashvilles Broadway after the city council rejected his planning proposal citing his recent felony arrest and use of racial slurs.

The country star, 31, is set to open a new bar this Friday (24 May) on the citys Honky Tonk Highway, a busy area known for its neon signs.

The establishment will be called Morgan Wallens This Bar, a nod to his 2019 single This Bar, but will not feature a sign of its own after council members voted against it by a margin of 30-3.

I dont want to see a billboard up with the name of a person whos throwing chairs off of balconies and who is saying racial slurs, At-large Council member Delishia Porterfield said, as reported by The Tennessean.

Mr Wallen is a fellow East Tennessean. He gives all of us a bad name, another council member reportedly said. His comments are hateful; his actions are harmful.

Wallen was arrested in April and charged with three felony counts after allegedly throwing a chair off the roof of another six-story Broadway bar.

Morgan Wallen attends the CMA Awards in 2023 ( Getty Images )

Two police officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department said the chair landed just a few feet from them.

Officers reviewed the bars security footage, which reportedly showed Wallen lunging and then throwing the object over the roof.

The incident came after Wallen spent years repairing his image after being filmed using a racial slur in 2021.

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Wallen was suspended from his record label after the video emerged of him using the n-word.

The footage, reportedly filmed by neighbors annoyed at the late-night disturbance and then shared by TMZ, showed Wallen coming home from a night out with friends when he yelled the racial slur at a friend twice.

In a five-minute apology video shared a week after the incident, Wallen said he was on hour 72 of a 72-hour bender when hed used the slur.

Revealing hed been sober since the video was shared, he said he had accepted some invitations from some amazing Black organizations and executives and leaders to engage in some very real and honest conversations.

Despite his string of controversies, Wallen has remained one of the most commercially successful artists in the US.

Earlier this year his third studio album, 2023s One Thing at a Time, spent 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard 100 charts, making it the longest-running number-one country album of all time.

Meanwhile, his single Last Night stayed atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks, beating Harry Styless As It Was for the record of longest number-one run for a non-collaboration.

Read a full timeline of Wallens controversies here.
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Scotlands arts body is being asked to explain why it awarded 100,000 for a stage show that featured explicit sex acts.

Creative Scotland provided funds for the live show Rein, which was set to be based in a sex cave, feature leather-clad Daddies and include scenes with non-simulated sex.

In March, Reins funding was withdrawn after it emerged that the show would include genital contact  something the organisation claimed not to have been aware of before then.

However, newly released documents show that agency officials had been told about the nature of the show in 2022, when Creative Scotland awarded the show 23,219 in lottery funding while in its research and development phase.

After Rein included Creative Scotlands amendments, the arts body then gave 84,500 to the projects lead artist and director Leonie Rae Gasson in January 2024, which sparked outrage from ministers.

The funding was then withdrawn two months later, stalling the project.

Scotlands culture secretary Angus Robertson has now stated that he is deeply concerned about the situation, and said he has requested an urgent meeting with Creative Scotlands leadership to understand how the current position has transpired and discuss how confidence in the organisation can be restored.

In papers obtained by BBC News through a freedom of information request, the funding application for Rein acknowledged that development would involve a sex scene with genital contact involving three members of the cast.

open image in gallery Angus Robertson, Scotlands culture secretary ( Getty Images )

It said: In our initial short R&D phase we had a no genital contact rule.

In this development phase, we will work on a sex scene with genital contact with three of the cast.

It also stated that, where necessary, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) would be conducted before rehearsals.

The application added: In this R&D, we will not be filming or performing any explicit sex act. We anticipate the final performance to do so.

The document also detailed the intention to create a live experience using previously recorded footage.

It reads: Spatialised audio and moving image will transform the space, enveloping audiences in a new fantasy world, set in the hardest reaches of the Scottish highlands where leather-clad Daddies rhythmically spank the trees, sheer tulle draped Princesses playfully with each other in a loch and nude Doppelbangers roll around in the mud, clamouring for attention.

Initially, Creative Scotland supported the project as a challenging, creatively ambitious piece of experimental performance art.

open image in gallery Parts of Rein were set to be filmed in the Scottish Highlands ( PA )

In a statement, Creative Scotland said that though they had been aware of explicit elements of the production, the non-simulated sex portion of the project was unclear until the shows producers issued a casting call for dancers and sex workers, including those with disabilities, to take part in the show involving non-simulated sex.

A spokesperson said: We were always aware the project would be explicit and creatively challenging. But it was not clear until the project issued the call out for participants on its website, that the project was moving from performance to unsimulated sex.

It was at this point that Creative Scotland felt that there had been a breach of contract, and this breach of contract was not disputed by the applicant.

Creative work, across many art forms, can feature explicit depictions of sex. But there is a difference between that depiction and actual sex, which is not appropriate for public funding.

Creative Scotland has now recovered 67,741 of funding. The organisation decided not to claim back the 8,359 already spent, mainly on sub-contracted freelancers, "in the interests of protecting the often precarious income" of these workers.
Spare us from strutting men with stupid hair. Thats the vibe here as Globe artistic director Michelle Terry takes Richard III and turns him into the kind of swaggering, entitled, entirely self-regarding mop-haired misogynist man that weve seen way too much of in positions of power in recent years.

Her choice not to give the role to a disabled actor was met with immediate criticism, with more than 100 people signing an open letter published by the Disabled Artists Alliance calling for the role to be recast. Terry ploughed on, this week saying that the backlash was disproportionate and that the level of hate and anger towards me was dangerous. The (mis)treatment of women, it seems, was her main concern in conceiving the production. A cast of women and non-binary actors shows up not just the awfulness of bad men but their ridiculousness too. With an evil bleached bob and a manner that staggers from comic villainy to impotent rage via ennui, Terrys Richard starts out quite funny and becomes increasingly hideous.

Terry takes the starring role in a production directed by Elle While, in which the approach to the text isnt one of great reverence. References to Richards disabilities are gone, as are some of the most famous lines. Interpolated instead are quotes by Donald Trump, who could argue for a co-writing credit. When youre a star, they let you do it, you can do anything, Terrys Dick says randily after hes wooed the wife of the man he just killed.

Its a Richard III thats been amped up to make a point, and to make the point brashly and bluntly. Costumes reinforce it, a mad scramble of styles from Tudor to present  one actor wears doublet and hose and sparkly trainers  to show that there have always been horny old a***holes throughout history. Meanwhile, in case youre missing the point, Terrys apparel becomes more and more absurd. First comes an erect codpiece, then Calvins, then a latex muscly torso. And the more powerful Richard becomes, the more trashy too  soon hes wearing gold trousers.

This isnt subtle satire, Shakespeares undying language used to hang the politicians of the present. Its open mockery. Terry doesnt question masculine power, she doesnt even condemn it, she ridicules it. Every opportunity for a groin-thrust is seized. The way she does silly voices, her complete sense of entitlement in her swagger: shes taking the piss, turning these bloated men into stupid little children, as do Helen Schlesingers (stunningly pinstripe-suited) Buckingham and Catrin Aarons Hastings and the other yes men that prop up the big swinging Dick.

The conceit has its limitations: Shakespeare allows Richard a moment of self-doubt the night before the Battle of Bosworth as the ghosts of the people he killed come and haunt him. It gives Trump, Putin, Johnson and the other targets of Terrys disgust way too much credit to suggest they could ever have the capacity for such self-awareness.

It does feel like a Richard III hollowed out, in some ways, to make its point  and it relies heavily on Terrys charisma to carry it. But there are still good moments without her. Murders that usually happen offstage are executed with glee here, corpses rolling into a death pit in the centre of the stage. The killing of the little princes is particularly good. Meanwhile, one of the best scenes comes when the three surviving women, Margaret, Elizabeth and the Duchess of York, lament their dead male relatives in a strange incantation of names.

open image in gallery The company in Richard III at Shakespeares Globe ( Marc Brenner )

Its not a perfect production, but every time a question pops up, it seems to answer itself... isnt the idea a bit passe? Didnt we do Shakespeare-as-Trump metaphor back in 2016? Except here he still is, on trial for assaulting a writer and paying off a porn star. Arent the Trumpy quotes wedged in kind of crassly and hamfistedly (you half expect Richard to shout my kingdom for a whore at the end)? Yeah, but those are some of the best bits, Terry thrillingly gruesome as she delivers those modern lines. And doesnt it all feel a bit obvious? Richard III is a bad man, bad men are bad, is now and ever shall be? Well, yes  so obvious that no ones done it before.

Shakespeares Globe, until 3 August
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Giovanni Pernices family have issued a fierce defence of the star as he faces allegations of abusive and threatening behaviour.

It comes after speculation the 33-year-old had quit Strictly Come Dancing with the BBC understood to be scouring years of footage to look into the complaints.

The 33-year-old has denied all allegations of abusive and threatening behaviour in his teaching style, saying he is only passionate and competitive.

Questions about the Italian performers behaviour began in January when Sherlock star Amanda Abbington reportedly requested footage of her rehearsals with the pro after she unexpectedly quit the show in 2023, and did not mention Pernice in her leaving message.

Other celebrities and colleagues have come forward since.

Pernices sister Angela told MailOnline that the family were completely behind him.

Giovanni will always have our support, he is family and theres nothing else to say, she said from her home in Palermo, where the Pernice family are from.

The whole family is behind him, mum, dad, me and everyone else, whatever he says is the truth and we support him with all our strength.

We are 100 per cent behind him and nothing will change that.

open image in gallery Pernice has faced increased scrutiny after controversy around his training methods ( BBC )

Legal firm Carter Ruck said it had contacted the BBC regarding numerous serious complaints about his alleged behaviour while filming Strictly, according to BBC News.

Following reports about Abbingtons behaviour, it had been reported that Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, who previously said she was uncomfortable with Pernice, along with Abbington, had exchanged their respective difficult experiences with the dancer.

Dancer Korina Travis, 29, who has performed with Pernice in a professional capacity in the past, made further claims about the dancers conduct in an interview with The Sun.

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open image in gallery Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington ( BBC/Guy Levy )

Pernice made a statement denying all allegations on Instagram on Sunday (19 May).

Addressing his fans, the dancer wrote: You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.

The Strictly star described himself as passionate, competitive and ambitious, but rejected the insinuation that his behaviour had ever become abusive.

I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be, he said of his celebrity dance partners.

This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win  for me and my dance partners, Pernice concluded, thanking his fans for their continued love and support.
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Chad Michael Murray has opened up about the debilitating anxiety he experienced at the height of his career.

The One Tree Hill actor, 42, played the lead role of Lucas Scott in the high school drama, which aired from 2003 until 2012. He also starred alongside Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday (2003) and Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff in 2004.

Murray revealed he began having panic attacks and started to experience agoraphobia two years after taking on his One Tree Hill role and other job opportunities came piling in.

Speaking to The Cut, Murray said he was far more fragile than I ever put on and recalled walking around with a really pained heart at the peak of his career.

I was around 23 and I had an event in Miami, but I couldnt leave my hotel room, he said. The world felt like it was closing in; I was having anxiety attacks.

Murrays panic attacks began around the time of his divorce from his One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush. Their marriage only lasted for five months  from April to September 2005.

The actor admitted that by the time he turned 25 he felt unsettled in his career and didnt like the direction his life was going in.

open image in gallery Chad Michael Murray has said he experienced panic attacks and agoraphobia at the height of his career ( John Salangsang/Shutterstock )

I went to church, and I got a tattoo of a cross on my left wrist, and I was like, Im going to move myself in faith, he said.

Murray also made a rare comment about his short marriage to Bush. After their relationship ended, Bush filed an annulment request claiming fraud, The Cut reports. Her request was denied.

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I was a baby. I didnt know up, down, left, right, Murray said. You move out there, and you go, Well, what am I supposed to do now? Get married? Thats exciting!

open image in gallery Chad Michael Murray in One Tree Hill' ( The CW )

Currently, Murray has been married to Sarah Roemer since 2015, and the two share three children.

Bush has also spoken out about her relationship with Murray. Back in 2018, she told Andy Cohen on Radio Andy that Everyones been 22 and stupid.

The actress wasnt even happy about so many people bringing up that relationship of hers, wishing it would stop.

People wont let it go, she told Cohen. Can you imagine if the idiot you dated when you were a senior in high school  if people still would not stop talking to you about?
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TV presenter Narinder Kaur has laid bare her pain and fury after Laurence Fox shared an upskirt photograph of her to social media.

Fox, an actor turned Reclaim Party politician, posted a paparazzi photograph of Kaurs genital area to X/Twitter earlier this month. The post remained live for two days.

Kaur said people now bombard her with screenshots of the upskirt image every time she posts on social media, likening the experience to being assaulted every day.

Writing in The Times, the Good Morning Britain regular said any time she writes something on X/Twitter its like being assaulted every day, every time I tweet or go online.

[Im being called names again and again to the point where either I come off social media altogether  but thats part of my job  or I carry on.

Kaur reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police, who began investigating Foxs post on social media at the start of May.

The photo had reportedly been removed from the photo agencys archives when upskirting became a criminal offence, however Fox was able to share the image to his 500,000 followers.

open image in gallery Laurence Fox shared an upskirt photo of Narinder Kaur to social media in May and is now facing a police probe ( Getty )

However, the former Big Brother contestant claims she has received no update from the police since and feels frustrated and fobbed off.

Responding to criticisms of his post at the time, Fox suggested he had shared the unsolicited picture because Kaur had mocked right-wing commentator Leilani Dowding.

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She can go cry victim all she wants. Its not my fault she forgot to put her pants on, the whining cry bully hypocrite, he said.

Addressing Foxs justification for sharing the upskirt image, Kaur said Fox claimed shed criticised Dowding online for getting her baps out his words.

I dont know how he, or anyone, could come to that conclusion about me. I would never police another womans body and what she chooses to do with it, she said.

open image in gallery Fox said he shared the photo of Kaur in response to her bodyshaming right-wing commentator Leilani Dowding ( Getty Images )

Kauer revealed she initially thought the image Fox posted had been an AI generated photo. It was only after online sleuths matched her outfit to an event in 2009 she believed it was real.

She claims Foxs followers sent thousands of messages of abuse to her in the subsequent days. This trolling still continues today.

The abuse intensified when Andrew Tate tweeted to his 9.2 million followers that Kauer must have been human trafficked.

Tate is currently awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in Romania.

It was a toxic pile-on and totally horrifying to be on the end of it, Kauer said. Every day I wake up and go to sleep horrified. Its all because Laurence Fox and his gang of merry men decided I needed to be put in my place.

I want it to go away, to disappear.

Upskirting became a criminal offence under The Voyeurism (Offences) Act in April 2019, following an 18 month long campaign by activist and author Gina Martin.

This is a banned image: it cant be tweeted or shared on WhatsApp groups or published, Kaur said.

Those found guilty of sharing the images could face up to two years in prison and be placed on the sex offenders register. And yet here we are.

In April, Fox was ordered to pay 180,000 in damages in a libel case involving two people he falsely claimed were paedophiles.

The actor was fired from GB News after being suspended in October following a misogynistic on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans.

The Independent has approached Laurence Foxs representatives for comment.
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A team of Chinese scientists say they have come up with a way to build tunnels under artificial islands in the South China Sea,which Beijing uses to reinforce its claim to large swathes of contested territory.

These islands are small and overcrowded, especially in the Spratly reef chain where there are competing territorial claims from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

It was previously thought that the soft coral sand in the region was unsuitable for below-ground construction, but a research team from the Ocean University of China claims to have solved the problem with a new method for reinforcing the islands and their surrounds, the South China Morning Post reported.

The method involves injecting a slurry mixed with fine cement particles into the ground, solidifying the substrate and allowing safe tunnel construction without water seepage or risk of collapse.

According to SCMP, the team suggested using this method to build large tunnels beneath Chinas artificial islands in the region, and that this could bolster Beijings presence without provoking neighbouring countries.

The engineering team, led by Chen Xuguang, noted in a peer-reviewed paper published in April by the Ocean University of Chinas journal: As the functions required of the islands or reefs increase, more personnel are stationed on them and the living facilities on the islands are facing shortages.

The paper states that the tunnels could house living quarters, store weapons, and offer shelter from extreme weather, enhancing the military and economic utility of the largest islandsMeiji (Mischief), Yongshu (Fiery Cross), and Zhubi (Subi).

In total there are six parties  Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  with competing claims in the South China Sea, with Chinas being the most expansive. In 2016, an international tribunal rejected Chinas claims, but Beijing refused to accept the ruling.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies: China has 20 outposts in the Paracel Islands and 7 in the Spratlys. It also controls Scarborough Shoal, which it seized in 2012, via a constant coast guard presence, though it has not built any facilities on the feature.

It says that since 2013, China has engaged in unprecedented dredging and artificial island-building in the Spratlys, creating 3,200 acres of new land, along with a substantial expansion of its presence in the Paracels.

China has reportedly fully militarised three of its artificial islands in the contested South China Sea, arming them with missile systems, fighter jets, and other military facilities, senior US naval commander Admiral John C Aquilino said in 2022.

open image in gallery Buildings and structures are seen on the artificial island built by China in Cuarteron Reef on 25 October 2022 in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. China has progressively asserted its claim of ownership over disputed islands in the South China Sea by artificially increasing the size of islands, creating new islands and building ports, military outposts and airstrips. The South China sea is an important trade route and is of significant interest as geopolitical tensions remain high in the region ( Getty Images )

The function of those islands is to expand the offensive capability of the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] ... They can fly fighters, bombers plus all those offensive capabilities of missile systems, Mr Aquilino said at the time.

They threaten all nations who operate in the vicinity and all the international sea and airspace, he told the Associated Press.

Mr Aquilino said that over the past 20 years weve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War II by the PRC.

They have advanced all their capabilities and that buildup of weaponisation is destabilising to the region.

In 2015, Xi Jinping, during a visit to the White House said: Relevant construction activities that China are undertaking in the island of South  Nansha (Spratly) Islands do not target or impact any country, and China does not intend to pursue militarisation.

Mr Xi also said that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

open image in gallery Buildings and structures are seen on the artificial island built by China in Subi Reef on 25 October 2022 in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. China has progressively asserted its claim of ownership over disputed islands in the South China Sea by artificially increasing the size of islands, creating new islands and building ports, military outposts and airstrips. The South China sea is an important trade route and is of significant interest as geopolitical tensions remain high in the region ( Getty Images )

Earlier this month, the Philippines increased surveillance in its South China Sea territory amid accusations that China is building a new artificial island.

The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed a ship to Sabina Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, where it alleges Chinas construction activities have been causing damage to coral.

China denied these accusations, labelling them as groundless rumours and urging Manila to resolve maritime disputes through negotiation. The Sabina Shoal is a strategic point for resupplying Philippine troops stationed nearby.
Lurie, who founded the anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point Community, embraced his status as an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune by way of his late stepfather, longtime Levis CEO Peter Haas. Im proud of my stepfathers legacy, Lurie said after talking about the positive impact Levis has had in San Francisco. At every single turn, I have devoted my life to serving the community. Every door that has been opened for me, I have tried to bring as many people along with me as possible.

Breed tried to dispel a concern raised by the clubs president, Jeffrey Kwong, about whether her policies have favored wealthy interests over low-income people at risk of being priced out of the city. Lets be honest, where are we going to get all this money  to build some of this affordable housing that we so desperately need? Breed asked. Its not about a giveaway to the rich. Its about finding a balance and making sure that people want to do business in San Francisco, that they pay their fair share, But we dont overdo it so much that they choose some other place other than San Francisco to conduct business.

Asked to give his best pitch to progressives, Safai  a supervisor who was elected as a moderate but has been trying to appeal to left-leaning voters in the mayors race  noted his background as an immigrant born in Iran. He described himself as a champion of working families and emphasized his ties to labor. He said he wanted to make sure the city was not just for billionaires and millionaires: We have to provide a space for all San Franciscans to live, thrive and prosper in, he said.

Peskin said the city hasnt had a progressive mayor in a third of a century and he wanted to bring some of that back. He decried the millions and millions of dollars that he said he said had been spent by astroturf organizations and a handful of plutocrats who tried to paint him as an obstructionist standing in the way of progress through his opposition to various development proposals. While other people are talking, Im actually doing things and Im doing them in conjunction with the community, he said before discussing his proposal to create more financing for middle-class housing.
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Taiwans new president Lai Ching-te marked his first day at work watching thousands of people surround the islands parliament to protest a legislative attempt by opposition parties to subject the new administration to tighter scrutiny.

A reform bill brought by the Kuomintang and Taiwan Peoples Party aims to punish government functionaries for a vaguely described offence of contempt of parliament if they make false statements to the legislature or refuse to answer questions or provide documents or withhold information.

The proposed legislation also requires the president to make an annual address to the parliament on key policy matters.

Mr Lais party and its supporters claim that the legislation could undermine Taiwans security by compelling disclosure of sensitive diplomatic or strategic information to lawmakers.

The Kuomintang and the Taiwan Peoples Party, which are expected to make a final push to pass their bill on Friday, argue that new laws are needed to improve government accountability and combat corruption, CNN reported.

The opposition parties are considered to be more favourable towards Beijing. Mr Lai, his party and their supporters are viewed as separatist.

In his first speech after being sworn in on Monday, Mr Lai pointedly stressed Taiwans sovereignty, angering Beijing which has a longstanding policy of reunifying the island with the Chinese mainland.

The new leader said he hoped China will face the reality of Taiwans existence, respect the choices of its people and in good faith choose dialogue over confrontation. He added that the island was determined to defend itself in the face of the many threats and attempts at infiltration from China.

open image in gallery Protesters gather outside Taiwans parliament in Taipei ( Getty )

On Tuesday, as lawmakers debated the reform bill late in the evening, the protesters outside accused opposition parties of trying to force the reforms through and of working in concert with China to kill democracy.

I think with so many people coming out today it is a warning to lawmakers that they need to be aware their power is bestowed by the people, said Lee Li, 24, a university student.

open image in gallery A protester holds a placard outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei ( AFP via Getty )

Inside the parliament, known as Legislative Yuan, chaos reigned as lawmakers unfurled banners and shouted at each other. But there was no physical altercation like on Friday.

While ruling partys lawmakers wore headbands reading Democracy has died, opposition members displayed reading Reforming parliament, let sunshine in.

The ruling partys whip, Ker Chien-ming, taunted the opposition lawmakers saying: On the speakers platform today is not the KMT or the TPP. Its Xi Jinping.

He was met with shouts of Shut up!
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Fruit and vegetables will be in short supply, with crop harvests severely hit, as winter downpours become heavier in future, farm leaders have warned.

Farmers will struggle to keep cattle fed because grass will be underwater for longer periods amid climate change.

Scientists from the World Weather Attribution study have concluded that climate change made rainfall during storms in the UK and Ireland 20 per cent heavier over the winter.

The two countries suffered 13 to 14 severe storms in 2023-24, and in some places, farmland is still waterlogged.

Similar heavy rainfall is 10 times more likely in future, the experts say.

Crops were left inundated, and cattle were taken indoors, being fed hay and silage instead of grass in winters record rainfall.

Brussels sprouts being harvested in a flooded field in Lincolnshire in January ( Joe Giddens/PA )

The National Farmers Union (NFU) warned of a drop in food available and its quality, with higher imports, because of the devastating flooding.

Vice-president Rachel Hallos said: While farmers and growers continue to bear the brunt of it for now, consumers may well see the effects through the year as supply tightens.

The wet weather over the past eight months demonstrates just how vulnerable British food producing businesses are, and highlights the possibility of more crops being imported, potentially produced to standards that would be illegal here.

Domestic food security must be given priority, she said, calling for a plan and financial resources from the government to help farmers adapt.

Our members are still waiting to hear whether they will receive support through the Farming Recovery Fund, which is adding extra stress and uncertainty to an already difficult time with farmer confidence at an all-time low.

Funding also has to be provided for agencies such as the Environment Agency, so it can deliver proactive management and reinvestment into the watercourses and flood defences it is responsible for.

Floodwaters surround a solar farm in Yorkshire after the River Aire burst its banks in 2020 ( Getty )

George Hosier, a Wiltshire farmer, said in some parts of the UK growers did not plant much in the autumn because of months of above-average rainfall, and likewise have been unable to plant in the spring. For them, it will be disastrous, he said.

In some cases, there will be no profit left in farming, he told Radio 4s Today, and some landowners had applied to put solar panels on swathes of land.

David Eudall, of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, said last month that farmers had not been able to plant as much wheat as normal.

He said: With those roots sitting in the water, were seeing around 40 per cent of the crop in the country in a poor or very poor condition at the moment.

Farmers have reported ewes lying in pools of water, and high numbers of new-born lambs dying of cold.
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A deadly tornado ripped through a small town in Iowa on Tuesday, wreaking havoc on residents.

A devastating tornado hit Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday afternoon, a town of just 2,000 people. Multiple people are dead and injured as a result, said Alex Dinkla, the public information officer for the Iowa State Patrol, on Tuesday evening. Authorities have yet to release the number of fatalities.

The tornado was so powerful it blew debris 40,000 feet into the air, with people several miles away finding wreckage in their yards.

This town has a long road ahead of them, but if their actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more united than ever before, Sgt Dinkla said.

The tornado brought extensive damage to the small town.

Former state representative Clel Baudler, who resides near Greenfield, told The Des Moines Register that officials are now focused on rescue efforts.

open image in gallery Residents sort through tornado wreckage in Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. Multiple people in the small town are dead after the destructive twister hit their town ( AP )

Ambulances are running north and south like crazy, Mr Baudler said. Its all rescue and recovery right now.

Resident Carl Faust said he and his wife took shelter in their home as the tornado wrecked their town.

I got down five steps to the basement, and the house started popping, Mr Faust told The Des Moines Register.

open image in gallery Wreckage of the Greenfield, Iowa, tornado. At least 33 tornadoes hit the state of Iowa on Tuesday ( AP )

The Iowa governor, Kim Reynolds, said on Tuesday she is committed to providing the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort.

Some 1,400 people in Adair County, which houses Greenfield, are without power as of Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

Meanwhile, at least 32 other tornadoes spawned in the state on Tuesday. Almost all the tornadoes hit central and western Iowa, within 50 miles of the state capital Des Moines, reports local outlet Fox 9.

Iowans will see a reprieve on Wednesday as the severe weather begins to subside. Central Iowa is under a hazardous weather outlook warning for non-severe thunderstorms, while some counties are under flood warnings.

open image in gallery Rescue officials and residents walk down a street damaged by a tornado in Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. The governor has committed to helping the town of just 2,000 rebuild ( AP )

However, severe thunderstorms are now threatening much of eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

These storms will bring the possibility for large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes in the region, the NWS warns. Heavy rainfall may also contribute to flooding. Severe weather will peak on Wednesday afternoon in Oklahoma and Arkansas, while eastern Texas should be on alert through 1am on Thursday.

Survivors recount their experience of devastating Greenfield tornado

Severe thunderstorms in Texas will continue on Thursday, the NWS says.

On Monday, Kansas also saw significant damage as a brutal storm passed through the state. Power lines were downed, and homes, businesses and vehicles were damaged as heavy gusts of winds tore through Russell County, officials said.

Seven people also died in Houston, Texas, last week after severe weather hit the region. Residents now find themselves grappling with extreme heat amid widespread power outages.
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The parents of the baby who went viral for voicing her preference for the Four Seasons Orlando have shared how their daughter knows about the hotel.

In the now-viral TikTok video posted on May 20, Stefanie OBrien shared a clip of her 13-month-old niece Kate enthusiastically responding to her mother, Bailey Wise, who asked behind the camera if anyone wanted to go to the luxurious hotel. After she and her husband Wills four-year-old daughter Madelyn said Me, the camera showed Will holding Kate in a diaper as she hilariously looked at the camera, raised her hand with a solemn face, and said, Me.

If the @FourSeasonsHotels is looking for a baby ambassador my niece got you, OBrien captioned the clip, which has since garnered over 40 million views on TikTok, with viewers in stitches over the oddly conscious baby being able to proclaim her preference for the Four Seasons enthusiastically.

I think the baby is in charge of the family finances, one user wrote, while another added: Thats a professional human.

The gesture of raising one finger then the entire hand, the giggle, and double confirmation. Shes been here before and probably at the Four Seasons, one person commented.

Another added: That babys speech and level of understanding is so impressive omg and the fact she was fully focused when you said that???

I aspire to embark upon an extraordinary sojourn to the enchanting realm of Four Seasons Orlando, someone jokingly created an AI-rendering of Kate, speculating what the infants internal dialogue sounds like. Where opulence and splendor converge in perfect harmony.

Read more: Best Orlando hotels

The Tampa-based Wise family explained to Today that Kate has been very vocal since she was born, noting that she often picks things up after her older sister.

Thats Kates personality, Bailey explained to the outlet. She certainly has a lot of tendencies to mimic Madelyn, whom she learns a lot from. From the day Kate was born... shes been curious.

We dont think much of it because Madelyn was vocal early on as well ... neither of them miss a beat, she continued. However, despite Kates speech capabilities being normal for her age, she noted that her baby has a more in-depth grasp of more complicated topics. For her age, she is very observant ... you can tell shes attentive and listening and can follow cues about whats going on when a topic grabs her interest.

open image in gallery Will Wise holds his infant daughter Kate as she hilariously react to her mother Baileys question (@sobrizzle/TikTok) ( TikTok )

Bailey noted that its been funny so far seeing the comment section calling Kate things like the DreamWorks character Boss Baby or Family Guys Stewie Griffin. The theory that Kate is an old man stuck in a babys body has also had them dying with laughter.

Those ones crack me up, Will told the outlet, while his sister-in-law OBrien revealed: Our family group chat is exploding. We are crying while laughing.

I filmed it before bath time and sent it to my mom, Bailey said of the video. She explained that after sending it to the family group chat, her sister OBrien immediately shared it on TikTok to surprise viral success.

In a separate interview with Rolling Stone, the family revealed that since they were building a house in the Tampa area last year, they would sometimes stay at the luxury hotel with the children to get out of the small space they were living in the meantime.

My husband and I have the mentality of work hard, and play hard, Bailey explained to the outlet. And there were some fun Florida resident rates. So we thought, why not?

The hotel - located in Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida - is considered one of the most luxurious stays in the Orlando area, costing thousands per night. Little Kates viral reaction has led to an influx in interest for the high-end hotel, with a Four Seasons spokesperson commenting: Our Orlando property has seen a healthy engagement and growth on their social channels and we have our smallest fan to thank!
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Newly Michelin-starred chef Arturo Rivera Martinez stands over an insanely hot grill at the first Mexican taco stand ever to get a coveted star from the French dining guide, doing exactly the same thing he's been doing for 20 years: searing meat.

Though Michelin representatives came by Wednesday to present him with one of the company's heavy, full-sleeved, pristine white chefs jackets, he didn't put it on: In this tiny, 10-foot by 10-foot (3-meter by 3-meter) business, the heat makes the meat. And the heat is intense.

At Mexico Citys Tacos El Califa de Leon, there are only four things on the menu, all tacos, and all of which came from a cows rib, loin or fore shank.

The secret is the simplicity of our taco. It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce, and that's it. That, and the quality of the meat, said Rivera Martinez. He's also probably the only Michelin-starred chef who, when asked what beverage should accompany his food, answers I like a Coke.

open image in gallery Mexican chef Arturo Rivera Martinez, owner of Tacos El Califa de Leon, speaks with reporters in Mexico City ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

It's actually more complicated than that. El Califa de Leon is the only taco stand among the 16 Mexican restaurants given one star, as well as two eateries that got two stars. Almost all the rest are pretty darn posh eateries (hint: a lot of expensive seafood served in pretty shells on bespoke plates).

In fact, other than perhaps one street food stand in Bangkok, Thailand, El Califa de Leon is probably the smallest restaurant ever to get a Michelin star: Half of the 100 square-foot (9.29 square-meter) space is taken up by a solid steel plate grill that's hotter than the salsa.

The other half is packed with standing customers clutching plastic plates and ladling salsa, and the female assistant who rolls out the rounds of tortilla dough constantly.

In a way, El Califa de Leon is a tribute to resistance to change. It got there by doing exactly the same four things it has been doing since 1968.

Thousands of time a day, Rivera Martinez grabs a fresh, thinly sliced fillet of beef from a stack and slaps it on the super-hot steel grill; it sizzles violently.

He tosses a pinch of salt over it, squeezes half a lime on top, and grabs a soft round of freshly rolled tortilla dough onto the solid metal slab to puff up.

open image in gallery A worker hands a customer his order of tacos at the Tacos El Califa de Leon taco stand, in Mexico City ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

After less than a minute  he wont say exactly how long because thats a secret  he flips the beef over with a spatula, flips the tortilla, and very quickly scoops the cooked, fresh tortilla onto a plastic plate, places the beef on top and calls out the customers name who ordered it.

Any sauces  fiery red or equally atomic green  are added by the customer. There is no place to sit and at some times of day, no place to stand because the sidewalk in front of the business was taken over by street vendors hawking socks and batteries and cell phone accessories years ago.

Not that you really would want to eat inside the tiny taco restaurant. The heat on a spring day is overwhelming.

The heat is one of the few secrets Rivera Martinez would share. The steel grill has to be heated to an astounding 680 degrees (360 Celsius). Asked how it felt to get a Michelin star, he said in classic Mexico City slang, esta chido ... esta padre, or it's neat, it's cool.

The prices are quite high by Mexican standards. A single, generous but not huge taco costs nearly $5. But many customers are convinced it's the best, if not the cheapest, in the city.

It's the quality of the meat, said Alberto Munoz, who has been coming here for about eight years. I have never been disappointed. And now I'll come with even more reason, now that it has a Michelin star.

open image in gallery Pictures of the Week Latin America and Caribbean Photo Gallery ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Munoz's son, Alan, who was waiting for a beef taco alongside his father, noted this is a historic day for Mexican cuisine, and we're witnesses to it.

It really is about not changing anything  the freshness of the tortillas, the menu, the layout of the restaurant. Owner Mario Hernandez Alonso won't even reveal where he buys his meat.

Times have changed, though. The most loyal customer base for El Califa de Leon originally came from politicians of the old ruling PRI party, whose headquarters is about five blocks away. But the party lost the presidency in 2018 and has gone into a steady decline, and now it's rare to see anyone in a suit here.

And Hernandez Alonso noted that his father Juan, who founded the business, never bothered to trademark the Califa name and so a well-funded, sleek taco chain has opened about 15 airy restaurants in upscale neighborhoods under the name. Hernandez Alonso has been toying with the idea of getting the business on social media, but that's up to his grandkids.

By law, following the coronavirus pandemic, Mexico City restaurants have been allowed to open up street-side canopied seating areas. But El Califa de Leon doesnt even have a sidewalk for customers to eat on because of all the street vendors, so customers now stand cheek-to jowl with display stands and plastic mannequins.

Asked if he would like them to make room for a street-side seating area, Hernandez Alonso expressed an if it ain't broke, don't fix it attitude.

As the saying goes, why fix or change something that's alright? You shouldn't fix anything, he said, motioning to the street vendors. It's the way God ordered things, and you have to deal with it.
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The families of 19 of the victims in the Uvalde elementary school shooting in Texas have scheduled a news conference Wednesday ahead of the upcoming two-year anniversary of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.

The attack at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers when the teenage gunman burst into their classroom and began shooting.

One of the attorneys representing the Uvalde families, Josh Koskoff of Connecticut, helped families of the victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting win a $1.4 billion defamation judgement against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and reach a $73 million settlement with gunmaker Remington, the company that made the rifle used at Sandy Hook.

A number of lawsuits have already been filed over the Uvalde shooting. Several families of Uvalde victims did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A December 2022 lawsuit against local and state police, the city and other school and law enforcement, seeks at least $27 billion and class-action status for survivors. And at least two lawsuits have been filed against Georgia-based gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, which made the AR-style rifle used by the gunman.

The police response to the mass shooting has been criticized and scrutinized by state and federal authorities.

More than 370 local, state and federal officers responded to the scene but waited for more than 70 minutes before confronting the shooter. Terrified students inside the classroom called 911 as agonized parents begged officers, some of whom could hear shots being fired while they stood in a hallway, to go in.

A tactical team of officers eventually went into the classroom and killed the shooter.

A 600-page Justice Department report in January catalogued a cascading failures in training, communication, leadership and technology problems that day.

Another report commissioned by the city also noted rippling missteps by law enforcement, but defended the actions of local police, which sparked anger from victim families.

A criminal investigation into the police response by Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchells office remains ongoing. A grand jury was summoned earlier this year and some law enforcement officials have already been called to testify.
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The United Nations and other organizations have presented credible evidence that Hamas militants committed sexual assault during their Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel. Though the number of assaults is unclear, photo and video from the attacks aftermath have shown bodies with legs splayed, clothes torn and blood near their genitals.

Other accounts from that day, however, proved to be untrue. They include two debunked testimonies from volunteers with the Israeli search and rescue organization ZAKA, whose stories helped fuel a global clash over whether sexual violence occurred during the attack and on what scale.

Some allege the accounts of sexual assault were purposely concocted. Zaka officials and others dispute that. Regardless, APs examination of Zakas handling of the now debunked stories shows how information can be clouded and distorted in the chaos of the conflict.

The accounts have encouraged skepticism and set off a highly charged debate about the scope of what occurred on Oct. 7, one still playing out on social media and in college campus protests.

Here are key takeaways from the AP's look at how these stories originated:

VOLUNTEERS' INTERPRETATIONS WERE FLAWED

One account that turned out to be unfounded came from Chaim Otmazgin, a ZAKA volunteer who collected bodies after the attack.

After tending to dozens of shot, burned, or mutilated bodies in Kibbutz Beeri, one of the hardest hit communities, Otmazgin reached the home that would put him at the center of a global clash. He found the body of a teenage girl separated from two of her relatives. Her pants, he said, were pulled down. He assumed that meant she had been sexually assaulted.

Otmazgin says he told journalists and lawmakers details of what hed seen and asked if they might have some other interpretation. Today, he maintains that he never said outright that the girl whose body he saw had been sexually assaulted. But his telling strongly suggested that was the case.

Nearly three months later, ZAKA found out Otmazgin's interpretation was mistaken. After cross-checking with military contacts, ZAKA learned that a group of soldiers had dragged the girls body across the room to make sure it wasnt booby-trapped. As they did that, her pants came down.

The other debunked account originated from Otmazgin's colleague, Yossi Landau, also a longtime volunteer working in Beeri. In the days and weeks that followed the attack, Landau told global media what he thought he saw: a pregnant woman lying on the floor, her fetus still attached to the umbilical cord wrenched from her body.

But Otmazgin, who was overseeing the other ZAKA workers when he said Landau frantically called him and others into the home, did not see what Landau described. Instead, he saw the body of a heavy-set woman and an unidentifiable hunk attached to an electric cable. Everything was charred.

Otmazgin said he told Landau this wasnt a pregnant woman. Still, Landau believed his version, going on to tell the story to journalists who circulated the account internationally.

CHAOS AFTER THE ATTACK

Israel was caught off guard by the ferocity of the Oct. 7 assault, the deadliest in the nations history. About 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage. It took days for the military to clear the area of militants.

There were hundreds of bodies scattered across southern Israel, bearing various signs of abuse: burns, bullet holes, signs of mutilation, marks indicating bodies were bound. Confusion reigned over who was dead and who was taken captive.

Standard protocols for dealing with attacks, which Israel encountered frequently on a far smaller scale in the early 2000s, collapsed. The military was focused on battling back militants still hiding out in southern Israel. A ZAKA spokesperson said police forensics teams were focused on the southern cities of Sderot and Ofakim. Otmazgin said forensics workers were in the kibbutzim, but spread thin.

The gargantuan task of gathering the dead fell to ZAKA, a private civilian body made up of 3,000 mostly Orthodox Jewish volunteer workers. The organization focuses on giving each victim a proper Jewish burial. It had never witnessed anything like the carnage on Oct. 7. ZAKAs main experience with victim identification before then was limited to distinguishing militant attackers from their victims, not determining who was a victim of sexual assault.

That means bodies that might have shown signs of sexual assault could have eluded examination. Instead, they were loaded into body bags, sent to a facility to be identified and dispatched for quick burial.

EASY ACCESS TO THE VOLUNTEERS HELPED SPREAD THE STORIES

Almost immediately after Oct. 7, Israel began allowing groups of journalists to visit the ravaged kibbutzim. On the trips, journalists found ZAKA volunteers to be among the most accessible and willing to talk.

The groups usual media protocols were bypassed, and volunteers who typically would be vetted by ZAKA's spokesperson before being interviewed spoke to journalists directly, drawing conclusions about what they saw, even though the group acknowledges that its volunteers are not forensics workers.

After untrue accounts of sexual assault spread in the international media, the process of debunking them appeared, at times, to take center stage in the global dispute over the facts of Oct. 7.

Some of Israels critics seized on the debunked ZAKA accounts and other untrue ones as proof that the Israeli government distorted the facts to justify the war  one in which more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, many of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials.

ACCOUNTS WERE FALSE BUT EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT MOUNTS

The loud debate belies a growing body of evidence supporting the claim that sexual assault took place that day, even as its scope remains difficult to ascertain.

A U.N. fact-finding team found reasonable grounds to believe that some of those who stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7 had committed sexual violence, including rape and gang rape. But the U.N. investigators also said that in the absence of forensic evidence and survivor testimony, it would be impossible to determine the scope of such violence. Hamas has denied its forces committed sexual violence.

The investigators described the accounts that originated with Otmazgin and Landau to be unfounded.

The U.N. report shines a light on the issues that have contributed to the skepticism over sexual violence. It said there was limited crime scene processing and some evidence of sexual assault may have been lost due to the interventions of some inadequately trained volunteer first responders. It also said global scrutiny of the accounts emerging from Oct. 7 may have deterred survivors from coming forward.
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Watch as Donald Trumps hush money trial continues in New York as defense witness Robert Costello returns to the witness stand on Tuesday (21 May).

After the prosecution rested its case on Monday, Mr Trumps attorneys began to present theirs but immediately ran into trouble when Mr Costello was angrily admonished by Judge Juan Merchan for staring him down and muttering in response to the justices decisions.

Also on Monday, the former presidents estranged ex-lawyer Michael Cohen concluded his testimony after more than 17 hours on the stand giving evidence.

Cohen was accused of lying by defense attorney Todd Blanche and challenged over inconsistencies in his statements about the Stormy Daniels payoff at the heart of the case.

Mr Trump denies having an affair with the adult film star and all of the 34 felony charges he faces over the falsification of business records to hide the $130,000 payment made to Ms Daniels in October 2016.
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Mastercard said Wednesday that it expects to be able to discover that your credit or debit card number has been compromised well before it ends up in the hands of a cybercriminal.

In its latest software update rolling out this week, Mastercard is integrating artificial intelligence into its fraud-prediction technology that it expects will be able to see patterns in stolen cards faster and allow banks to replace them before they are used by criminals.

Generative AI is going to allow to figure out where did you perhaps get your credentials compromised, how do we identify how it possibly happened, and how do we very quickly remedy that situation not only for you, but the other customers who don't know they are compromised yet, said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security and cyber innovation at Mastercard, in an interview.

Mastercard, which is based in Purchase, New York, says with this new update it can use other patterns or contextual information, such as geography, time and addresses, and combine it with incomplete but compromised credit card numbers that appear in databases to get to the cardholders sooner to replace the bad card.

The patterns can now also be used in reverse, potentially using batches of bad cards to see potentially compromised merchants or payment processors. The pattern recognition goes beyond what humans could do through database inquiries or other standard methods, Gerber said.

Billions of stolen credit card and debit card numbers are floating in the dark web, available for purchase by any criminal. Most were stolen from merchants in data breaches over the years, but also a significant number have been stolen from unsuspecting consumers who used their credit or debit cards at the wrong gas station, ATM or online merchant.

These compromised cards can remain undetected for weeks, months or even years. It is only when the payment networks themselves dive into the dark web to fish for stolen numbers themselves, a merchant learns about a breach, or the card gets used by a criminal do the payments networks and banks figure out a batch of cards might be compromised.

We can now actually proactively reach out to the banks to make sure that we service that consumer and get them a new card in her or his hands so they can go about their lives with as little disruption as possible, Gerber said.

The payment networks are largely trying to move away from the static credit card or debit card numbers  that is a card number and expiration date that is used universally across all merchants  and move to unique numbers for specific transactions. But it may take years for that transition to happen, particularly in the U.S. where payment technology adoption tends to lag.

While more than 90% of all in-person transactions worldwide are now using chip cards, the figure in the U.S. is closer to 70%, according to EMVCo, the technological organization behind the chip in credit and debit cards.

Mastercard's update comes as its major competitor, Visa Inc., also looks for ways to make consumers discard the 16-digit credit and debit card number. Visa last week announced major changes to how credit and debit cards will operate in the U.S., meaning Americans will be carrying fewer physical cards in their wallets, and the 16-digit credit or debit card number printed on every card will become increasingly irrelevant.
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Donald Trumps legal team rested its case Tuesday in his hush money trial after calling just two witnesses and opting not to have the former president take the stand in his own defense.

But despite what Hollywood courtroom dramas might suggest, that isnt all that unusual, according to criminal defense lawyers and former prosecutors.

The reason is simple: Prosecutors need to prove their case, while the defense only has to show theres reasonable doubt their client committed a crime. And defense lawyers don't necessarily need to call different witnesses to knock holes in a prosecutor's case.

The burden is on the prosecution, and its a high burden, said Sarah Krissoff, a white-collar defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor in New York.

Trump has been charged with falsifying records at his company in order to disguise the true nature of payments made in 2017 to one of his lawyers, Michael Cohen. Prosecutors say the money was for Cohen's work suppressing negative stories about his boss during the 2016 presidential campaign, including one about an alleged sexual encounter with a porn actor, Stormy Daniels. Trump, who denies Daniels' account, has said the company properly classified them as legal expenses.

Most of the work of defense lawyers, Krissoff and other experts said, happens during cross-examination of the prosecutions witnesses, when they can challenge their testimony and credibility.

The defense narrative comes through during cross-examination, then they will tie it all together during the closing statement, she explained.

It isn't unusual for defense lawyers to call just a few witnesses of their own, or none at all.

A lot of the defense team's work happens before the trial begins, and involves trying to make sure incriminating evidence isnt admitted into the trial and is never seen or heard by the jury, Krissoff added.

What you see in a courtroom is really only a sliver of the work theyre doing, she said.

And while Trump has for weeks dangled the prospect of testifying, legal experts say that was never likely to happen.

There was no guarantee that if Trump testified that he would stay on point and not go completely off script in ways that would be, at best, not helpful to the defense and, at worst, harmful to them, said Richard Serafini, a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and former prosecutor with the U.S. Justice Department.

Krissoff agreed, adding that having a defendant testify can also open the door for other evidence and information to be introduced in trial that could be harmful.

Theyve done the calculus and decided that theyve made enough inroads, she explained, referring to Trumps lawyers. They feel theyve done the damage to the prosecutions case and theyre going to be able to stand up next week and argue that there isnt enough to convict the former president.

If anything, legal experts said, it was surprising that Trumps lawyers called any witnesses.

The defenses main witness was attorney Robert Costello, who testified Monday and Tuesday about conversations he had with Cohen in 2018, after the FBI raided Cohens home and office. Costello testified that Cohen told him at the time that Trump knew nothing about $130,000 in hush money paid to Daniels.

Im not sure that Costello moved the needle in favor of Trump, said Mark Bederow, a New York criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorneys office. But he and other legal experts said Trumps lawyers rightly zeroed in on Cohen's credibility.

Cohen testified that Trump knew all about the scheme to pay off Daniels. But under cross-examination, he also admitted stealing thousands of dollars from Trump's company and lying during congressional testimony. Cohen also claimed he was innocent of crimes, including tax evasion and bank fraud, despite having pleaded guilty to those crimes in 2018. Cohen said his guilty pleas were, themselves, lies.

His lack of credibility is just shocking, in terms of his personal bias, his financial motives, his lying and stealing from the company that he was working with, his dishonesty and tape recording his own client, Bederow said.

One potential witness who never wound up taking the stand was Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. According to the testimony of some witnesses, Weisselberg had knowledge of the payments made to Cohen.

But Weisselberg was sentenced last month to five months in jail for lying under oath during his testimony in the civil fraud lawsuit brought against Trump by New Yorks attorney general.

The problem was neither side could really call him, Krissoff said. Hes in custody for lying in a courtroom in the recent past. It was impossible for him to be a credible witness.

Closing arguments in the trial are expected May 28.

___

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.
May 21, 2024: France recently revealed its first locally made combat UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) equipped with explosives to damage or destroy a target the UAV is flown into. Called the Veloce 330 combat UAV, it is jet propelled with a maximum speed of 400 kilometers an hour and can take off and land vertically. Veloce 330 can remain airborne for 60 minutes and attack targets, usually armored vehicles, within fifty kilometers of the operator. A two or three kg explosive warhead is carried for these attacks. When used just for surveillance the range is 80 kilometers and airtime is about three hours. The sensors enable detection of a moving vehicle up to 15 kilometers in the day and three kilometers at night. The navigation system is resistant to most forms of jamming. Veloce 330 is expensive for a UAV, costing over $200,000 each.

It is unclear if or when Veloce 330 will enter service or be sent to Ukraine. There are already a lot of Ukrainian and Russian UAVs operating in Ukraine. During 2023 Ukraine used over 200,000 UAVs and in 2024 seeks to produce over a million UAVs locally. Average cost for each UAV is $2,500, with some UAV types costing less than $1,000 while a smaller number cost over $10,000 each. The majority of these UAVs are basically loitering munitions that are sent out to areas where surveillance UAVs have spotted a lot of targets, usually enemy troops, and vehicles. These UAVs have video cameras and a link to operators who view the video on a tablet or via goggles containing small video screens while the operators have a form of handheld game controller to maneuver the UAV and select a target for the UAV to collide with and explode. Russia is seeking to match or exceed Ukrainian production.

While many of these UAVs have been used in a variety of effective ways, loitering munitions have one tremendous advantage over earlier forms of firepower. Compared to bullets or artillery shells, a single loitering munition is much more likely to hit a target. In wartime it takes hundreds of artillery shells to cause one casualty. For rifle and machine-gun bullets, the number of bullets fired per casualty caused can be up to 100,000. Loitering munitions are much more effective because the operator scans the terrain below looking for a target. When one is found, the loitering munition attacks and almost always kills or wounds at least one soldier. Loitering munitions can be lost to enemy action. While small targets for riflemen or machine-gunners on the ground, they can be hit by ground fire. A more effective, and increasingly common way to defeat loitering munitions is EW, Electronic Warfare, specifically electronic jamming of the munitions control signals. As is common in combat, a jammer is not always available when you need it. Some UAVs are built to head for the last identified target if the control signal is jammed or lost.

In some ways, loitering munitions are not as useful as artillery or bullets. Many artillery shells and bullets are not fired at a specific target or with the intent of causing casualties. This is what happens with suppressive fire, artillery or rifle fire directed at an area to discourage the enemy from entering or moving into position to fire at your troops. You can consider a loitering munition overhead as a form of suppressive fire on the troops below. In that respect a loitering munitions does what snipers have been doing for over a century, forcing troops to stay out of sight or the known sniper will get you. This was common during World War I when trench warfare made snipers useful for keeping enemy troops from observing the terrain between the trenches of opponents. In the 21st century more troops had access to affordable and very effective scopes for their rifles or even machine-guns. The American marines officially recognized this as a combat specialty and designated most snipers as scout-snipers' because their more useful skills involved observing as well as accurate shooting. In armies with a lot of well-trained troops, about ten percent are designated and equipped to be snipers or sharpshooters. The latter is a soldier with a talent for accurate shooting but is not trained and equipped as a sniper. Professional soldiers in general are more likely to use individual, well aimed shots versus automatic fire, also known as spray and pray that you hit something.

You can see how this works in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian troops are better trained in the accurate use of rifle fire. It was Ukrainian troops who frequently used commercial quadcopters equipped with grenade or small bomb carry and release mechanisms. The Ukrainian soldiers often bought commercial UAVs for this and spent hours at a time sending out their quadcopter to search for targets. The quadcopter would have to frequently land to recharge. That demonstrates another 21st century development, the proliferation of electronic devices an infantryman can and often will take with him into combat.

NATO nations learned from these Ukrainian experiences and have sent Ukraine what the Ukrainians say they need. For example, a month after the Russians invaded, the United States agreed to send Ukraine a large quantity of weapons, many of them specifically requested. One of these was called Phoenix Ghost, a system that was rapidly developed and built in the United States for the U.S. Air Force from specifications supplied by Ukraine.

The air force revealed that the Phoenix Ghost was a project already in development before the Russians invaded. Ukrainians had already developed and built some innovative new weapons or modifications for existing ones the Americans were working on. The air force does not develop ground-based loitering munitions but does develop ones carried by aircraft. The Ukrainians made some suggestions which were included in the existing air force design and that resulted in the Phoenix Ghost, which went into production immediately. In other words, Phoenix Ghost is a custom made to user specifications UAV developed and manufactured in record time. The primary new feature of this loitering munition was its longer, six hour, flight endurance.

The U.S. sent Ukraine over 1,200 of these loitering munitions in the first year of the war. For a long time, all the public knew about Phoenix Ghost was that it was similar to the American Switchblade loitering munition that was also being sent to Ukraine. The input from Ukrainian engineers was essential because many of the most effective Soviet-era weapons engineers were Ukrainian. That meant Ukraine had a tradition of pragmatic and innovative weapons development that was mobilized after the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea and part of Donbas. The capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers were not exactly a state secret, but just not newsworthy. Foreigners familiar with weapons development knew about the Ukrainian skills and those who visited Ukraine for whatever reason, like American and other NATO military advisors, got a closer look at what those Ukrainian engineers could do.

Those skills became even more important after the invasion began and suddenly engineers and scientists in other fields began applying their skills to rapidly develop new weapons and equipment to protect Ukraine from the Russians. After the invasion began the capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers became part of the reporting on how the Ukrainians stopped and turned back the Russian attack. That enabled the Ukrainian proposal for Phoenix Ghost to be taken seriously and rapidly implemented. The Ukrainian specified COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf), components and kept in touch via the high-speed Internet links provided by Starlink. The rumors of Phoenix Ghost indicate it is an improvement over Switchblade and mainly meant to be a more effective loitering munition. The Russians eventually experienced what Ghost could do by examining the damage and reports from their troops.

Aevex Aerospace, the firm that developed and built Phoenix Ghost is itself a recent development, founded in 2017 and specializing in projects very similar to the Phoenix Ghost. Another American firm, AeroVironment, developed the Switchblade loitering munition and similar systems. Aevex is similar to AeroVironment, which has been around since 1971 and created many innovative commercial and military UAV designs. Switchblade is little-known to the general public but extremely popular with American troops fighting in small units, especially in remote areas. Switchblade was first revealed in 2005 and the Ukrainians are receiving at least a hundred of the Switchblade 300 plus some of the larger Switchblade 600s, which appears to be closer in weight-class and performance as Phoenix Ghost.

Switchblade 300 is a small UAV launched from its storage container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more, and more, and more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and since then has ordered a lot more.

While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss it in detail. Switchblade is still used and thousands have been ordered and many of them used. There have been several upgrades.

The original 2009 Switchblade was a lightweight and expendable, used only once, UAV that could also be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger two kg Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade system with a missile, container, and controller weighed 5.5 kg. Moving up to a kilometer a minute, the original Switchblade can stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it was armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location.

Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to take out snipers more quickly or a few enemy gunmen in a compound full of civilians.

Switchblade has been so successful that the army ordered several upgrades and the updated original Switchblade was renamed Switchblade 300. A new version appeared in 2016. It was heavier, at 2.7 kg, with 15 minutes endurance and a 10-kilometer range. The sensor has night vision and is stabilized. The 300 can lock onto a target and track it. The 300 comes with optional accessories, like a six-pack launcher that is used as part of base defense. This was first used for base protection in 2019 and proved effective.

One or more of these six packs are placed near the base perimeter and power is maintained with a solar panel. The base security commander can order a Switchblade to be launched from the six-pack and then control it to search for potential targets. Switchblade 300 is also capable of being used from a helicopter or larger UAV and controlled from the helicopter or by the operator of the larger UAV like a Reaper.

In 2020 a third version, Switchblade 600 was introduced. While the original Switchblade weighed one kilogram, Switchblade 600 weighed 23 kg, could stay in the air for 40 minutes and be controlled up to 80 kilometers from the operator. Top speed is 180 kilometers an hour and more economical cruise speed is closer to 150 kilometers an hour. The heavier warhead can destroy most tanks, although some modern tank designs include protection from top attack. Switchblade 600 was requested by the U.S. Army for longer range surveillance missions and the option to hit specific small targets, like a building or enemy position. Unlike the earlier Switchblades, the 600 uses a tablet controller with more options, including manipulating the more powerful video camera. Video transmitted back to the operator can be saved and passed on. The operator also has a wave off feature in which a quick tap on the controller screen can cause the 600 to abort an attack and be available for another try. The 600 can also be programmed to carry out a mission without operator control. This means there is no control signal for enemy electronic warning systems to detect or jam. In this case when time is up the 600 self-destructs. The 600 can be carried into a remote area and used quickly. It is most likely used in Ukraine against the locomotives of Russian military supply and troop transport trains operating near the border or inside Ukraine. The locomotives were reported as damaged and disabled but the cause of the damage was not revealed.

Switchblade is not a unique concept, as these loitering munitions have been around for decades. What Switchblade provided was a design that met the needs of combat troops, especially special operations personnel or small groups of Ukrainians seeking to halt Russian supply trucks. Since Switchblade entered service and its popularity became widely known, similar systems have appeared, trying to provide features that Switchblade lacked but features the troops wanted most.

Ukraine had already developed a loitering munition of its own, but these are not as efficient as Switchblade. The Ukrainians ended up developing and building many different loitering munitions, a process that continues. At the same time Ukrainian neighbor and ally Poland also developed the Warmate loitering munition and sent them off to Ukraine. Warmate is a 5.3 kg conventional UAV that carries a 1.4 kg warhead. Warmate has an endurance of 70 minutes, a top speed of 150 kilometers an hour and can be controlled 15 kilometers from the operator. While portable, Warmate requires five minutes to assemble and needs a road or catapult device to be launched.

Ukraine developed its own loitering munition, Silent Thunder, in 2019. This is a 9.5 kg UAV with a variety of different 3.5 kg warheads. It takes fifteen minutes to prepare Silent Thunder for use and it has a duration of 60 minutes and top speed of 150 kilometers an hour. It can be controlled up to 30 kilometers from the operator. Silent Thunder is reusable if no warhead is carried. Silent Thunder is a complex system to use and that limits its effectiveness.

Russia is also using its new Zala loitering munition in Ukraine. Zala carries a two kg explosive charge. Zala is a delta shaped, 1.2 meter wingspan UAV with a three kg payload that is used mainly for explosives plus a vidcam to locate the targets and dive on it. It is carried and launched from a catapult on a truck. Endurance is 30 minutes and top speed is 130 kilometers an hour. Zala has been available since 2017 and was apparently tested in Syria before use in Ukraine.

With the recent history of loitering munitions, the appearance of Phoenix Ghost is not surprising. As the Israelis have discovered, when you are facing constant threat of attack, innovative and rapidly developed weapons are a necessity.
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Watch as the Slovak government met for the first time since the shooting of Prime Minister Fico.

Fico was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting a week ago today (Wedneday 22 May).

The gunman shot Fico, 59, five times, initially leaving the prime minister in critical condition and undergoing surgery hours later.

Fico remains in hospital.

Fico, a dominant force in Slovakia for two decades, has drawn criticism for taking a more pro-Russian stance in the Ukraine war.

Describing the shooting as a monstrous crime, Putin said in a telegram sent to Slovakias President Zuzana Caputova: I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation.

The meeting in Bratislava was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic, Robert Kalinak,
Constance Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 50 ( PA )

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A jury has failed to reach verdicts in the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon over the death of their newborn baby.

Marten, 37, and Gordon, 50, have been on trial for manslaughter since January after their daughter Victoria died the previous January while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions.

The couple were on the run for nearly two months despite repeated public appeals for their whereabouts. Following their arrest, Victorias remains were found in a Lidl shopping bag in an allotment shed in Brighton, East Sussex, last March.

The couple denied charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year and causing or allowing the death of a child. They also denied charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing her body, along with concealing the birth of a child and child cruelty.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC discharged the jury at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, almost six months after the trial began, and following more than 72 hours of deliberation.

Marten and Gordon may face a retrial.
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Police chiefs are refusing to arrest fewer people in a sign that the governments plan to ease the prison overcrowding crisis has backfired.

The deputy commissioner of Britains largest police force, Londons Metropolitan Police, has insisted the service will never agree to pause necessary arrests after forces were told to consider halting non-priority arrests until there is capacity in jails.

Meanwhile, the chief constable of Hampshire Constabulary said they are arresting more people as they vowed to continue relentlessly pursuing criminals.

It comes after it emerged forces had been urged to pause any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease pressures in the criminal justice system in an internal document from National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) obtained by The Times.

This is thought to apply to operations that do not have to happen on a specific date and could be arranged for a later time.

The news is likely to heap pressure on Rishi Sunaks government, which has recently come under fire over a policy to free criminals from jail early and delays to court cases as part of efforts to cut prison overcrowding.

The Met will never agree to pausing necessary arrests (Kirsty OConnor/PA) ( PA Wire )

The Mets deputy commissioner confirmed the force had participated in NPCC meetings last week to discuss Operation Early Dawn - a controversial scheme to delay court hearings - and how the police could support government to ease prison pressures.

The Met asserted at this meeting and we repeat again today that we will always put protecting the public first and will never agree to pausing any necessary arrests, Dame Lynne Owens said on Wednesday.

We will not hesitate to seek for suspects to be remanded in custody where the grounds for that are made out.

We continue to work with the Government and other police services to ensure the safety of the public.

Meanwhile Chief Constable Scott Chilton, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, insisted we must keep the public safe.

He said: Relentlessly pursuing criminals and giving victims the service they expect from policing remain our core priorities.

We continue to be proactive in arresting those who are suspected of committing crimes, targeting prolific offenders and people who are wanted on warrants. We are arresting more people and bringing them into our custody centres, and this remains our approach.

We are aware of the pressures being faced by our partners within the wider criminal justice system, and working with them to ensure that people can continue to be brought before the courts in a timely manner. We will provide the support required, but we must keep the public safe.

Labour said the Tories mismanagement of the criminal justice system cannot go on as news of the letter broke.

Policing minister Chris Philp (PA) ( PA Wire )

Responding to an urgent question on the crisis in the House of Commons today, policing minister Chris Philp, insisted crime had decreased under the Tory government.

He said: Im delighted to have the opportunity to talk about public safety, to talk about the record number of police officers we have in this country - 3,000 more than we had under the last Labour government - delighted to talk about the fact that according to the crime survey, crime is less than half today what it was under the last Labour government.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said the Government has catastrophically failed to manage the criminal justice system or build the basic prison places promise.

The Labour frontbencher told the House of Commons: The ministers response is just shocking, telling people theyve never had it so good, faced with the crisis in the criminal justice system, I think that shows just how out of touch he is.

NPCC chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: We are working closely with criminal justice system partners to manage demand in the system and ensure that the public are safe.

Policing will always arrest anyone that they need to in order to keep the public safe, including policing protests and events and ensuring that people are arrested as expected.
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A British-Asian woman who carried a placard depicting prime minister Rishi Sunak and former home secretary Suella Braverman as coconuts has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Marieha Hussain, 37, was arrested after police posted an image in November on social media of her holding the placard at a pro-Palestine demonstration in London.

At the time, the Metropolitan Police said the woman in the photograph was being sought in relation to a hate crime.

Terms like coconuts, Bounty and coon have been used as insults within Black and Asian communities to describe other people from minoritised communities who are perceived as being sympathetic with white supremacist agendas  implying that the person is brown on the outside but Eurocentric on the inside.

The 11 November pro-Palestine protest was attended by thousands of people in central London, including Ms Hussain, who all called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Around this time, the home secretary had come under fire for repeatedly stoking racial tensions with inflammatory rhetoric about marginalised communities, describing the peaceful demonstrations as hate marches, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the protest as disrespectful.

Both Ms Braverman and Mr Sunak are of south Asian heritage.

Whilst I find it bewildering that the police have thought this would be a good use of their time and money, I am absolutely committed to fighting this charge in court, Ms Hussain, who is understood to be five months pregnant, said in a statement released through CAGE advocacy group.

The messages to me and the messages asking the CPS to drop their case against me have been overwhelming and I am truly grateful.

This case is the latest example of a people of ethnic minority heritage being investigated by the police for using this type of language to describe right-wing politicians political views.

The Independent first reported on the case of a Black man who was acquitted of hate crime charges after sending a raccoon - coon - emoji to a prospective Conservative MP on social media.

Ms Hussain, a former teacher from Buckinghamshire, was reportedly sacked from her job following negative media attention after her participation in the protest.

She is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 26 June.

A Met Police spokesperson said: Marieha Hussain, 37, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence in relation to a placard carried during a demonstration in central London on Saturday 14 November 2023.

She was charged by postal requisition on Friday 10 May and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Wednesday 26 June.

Media are reminded that proceedings are now active and nothing should be reported that could risk prejudicing those proceedings.
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A British passenger has described the carnage onboard the Singapore flight that dropped rapidly in turbulence killing one person and injuring dozens more.

The Boeing 777-300ER plane was en route from Heathrow to Singapore carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew when it made the emergency landing in Bangkok, the airline said in a statement. Seven of the 30 people wounded during the flight are seriously injured, Bangkok airports general manager told a news conference on Wednesday.

Andrew Davies describes experience from holding pen in Bangkok ( Sky News )

Passenger Andrew Davies, from Lewisham, south London, has described passengers performing CPR on a poor gentleman and calling for a defibrillator.

He told Sky News that the seatbelt sign came on moments before the fall, adding: The plane just dropped. It was an extremely surreal experience.

Suddenly peoples belongings, cushions, teacups, plates you name it, were hurtling through the cabin. I cant answer how long it happened for people say three minutes.

Passengers with medical training helping as much as they could, heposted on X. CPR on the poor gentleman that passed, he said adding that they had shouted for a defibrillator.

Oxygen masks that fell from the ceiling during the turbulent flight ( REUTERS )

Another passenger laid flat in aisle further behind me. Not sure what happened with them. Wish I could have helped more.

He warned: Lesson is - wear a seatbelt at ALL TIMES. Anyone who is injured, was not wearing a seatbelt. People who kept them on (including me) are not (as far as I could tell).

Members of a rescue team discuss after a London-Singapore flight was diverted to Bangkok due to severe turbulence, in Bangkok ( AP )

Peoples belongings scattered, coffee and water splattered the ceiling. Surreal. So many injured people - head lacerations, bleeding ears. A lady was screaming in pain with a bad back. I couldnt help her - just got her water.

He said that when the plane landed Bangkok emergency services [were] quick to respond. Very little warning.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, flight SQ321 from Heathrow is seen on tarmac ( AP )

Were you on board the flight? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student also on board said: Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.

Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it, he said.

The spokesperson for FlightRadar 24 said with regard to data showing a drop in height, our initial thinking is the turbulence event is prior to the standard descent from 37,000 to 31,000 feet. That appears to just be a flight level change in preparation for landing.

Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight, the airline said, adding it was working with Thai authorities to provide all necessary assistance.
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A former subpostmistress has told The Independent the Post Office accused her children of stealing money from the till.

Myra Philip worked at the counter alongside her mother, Mary, who ran a post office in Auchtermuchty, a town in Fife, Scotland.

With her mother, she paid 70,000 back to the Post Office through a combination of loans, savings and borrowing from family members, leaving her feeling humiliated, shamed, and frustrated.

This week, the inquiry into the scandal is hearing from Paula Vennells, who was chief executive of the Post Office from 2012 to 2019, by which point Myra and Mary had already been pursued by auditors.

Describing her ordeal, Myra said: Most weeks, there was a cash shortfall. We had to put money in, time after time. It took all the profit from the shop. It was so bad, I couldnt pay my mortgage, let alone the post office mortgage.

If there was a shortfall, we were there until 3am trying to make it work.

They were accusing my teenage children of getting up through the night and managing to get into a locked safe. I ended up sleeping with the keys to the Post Office under my pillow at one point.

( Myra Philip )

The former subpostmistress described the institution as rotten to its core, as new polling shows trust in the Post Office has plummeted.

Once Britains sixth-most-trusted financial, banking and insurance brand, it has dropped to 135th in the space of a year, according to polling by Savanta.

Public outrage at the Horizon IT scandal spread rapidly with the broadcast of the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Myra said the entire ordeal had a terrible impact on her mother, who was a former police officer and a respected figure in the local community. She was 65 when she was suspended by auditors in 2006 following an internal investigation.

( Handout )

Mary died in January 2018 at the age of 83 without knowing the truth behind the shocking scandal which rocked Britain.

She revealed that her mother would stocktake on paper and enter it into the broken Horizon IT system. She appealed multiple times to her local Federation of Subpostmasters rep who would speak to her like a criminal.

Mary went to her grave not knowing she was a victim of the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history.

I want to prove her correct because she would have loved that. She was very much an I told you so person. And she deserved to know that she was right.

( Myra Phillip )

We didnt talk about it much after because it still upset her, she said. And she wasnt the sort of person who was prone to emotional outbursts. She was a very strong woman.

Myra is still seeking compensation after she missed the deadline to apply in 2020. She claims she did not receive any contact from the Post Office because her mother was dead.

After the scheme closed, Myra reached out to the Post Office via email and was told to apply to the historic shortfall scheme.

They told me I couldnt apply because the scheme was closed and remained closed - and they were sure I would understand and wished me all the best, she said. That was the point that I completely lost my temper and then started campaigning.

( Handout )

Since the release of the hit ITV drama,Myra feels people no longer look at her like she is crazy when she explains the situation.

Ahead of Paula Vennells testimony at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, Myra said Ms Vennells crime was an attempted cover-up of the scandal.

At the inquiry on Wednesday, Ms Vennells apologised for the suffering of sub postmasters and their families, and broke down in tears. She said she was too trusting of the information she was given while she was in her post.

The Post Office said in a statement: We are sorry for the hurt and suffering that was caused to victims of the Horizon IT Scandal and their loved ones. The Horizon Shortfall Scheme was established to provide redress to victims of the scandal.

So far 117m has been paid to victims and the scheme remains open to late applications.

Interim payments of up to 100% of the proposed settlement under that scheme is made available to claimants pending an agreed final resolution in order to alleviate any immediate financial pressures and there are no caps on the amounts of redress available.
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The UK is being battered with heavy rain this week as the Met Office warned the worst is yet to come.

The forecaster issued an amber warning for rain across parts of north Wales and northwest England, including Manchester and Liverpool, between noon on Wednesday and the same time on Thursday.

Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely and there is good chance some communities could become cut off, suffer power cuts and see travel disruption, the Met Office said.

A yellow warning for rain also covers the north of England, the Midlands and north and central Wales until 6am on Thursday, while another is in place for southern and eastern Scotland from midday on Wednesday until 6pm Thursday.

Much of the south coast is expected to see lightning, with a yellow warning for thunderstorms in place from 8am until 7pm on Wednesday.

An amber weather warning is in place across parts of north Wales and northwest England, including Manchester and Liverpool, between 12pm on Tuesday and 12pm on Wednesday ( Met Office )

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said on Wednesday: There was a lot of rainfall overnight in the north-west and southern Scotland, as well as in areas such as the Midlands, East Anglia and the Home Counties.

The wettest area was Drayton Parslow in Buckinghamshire which saw 68.8mm in the last 24 hours. Thats almost a months rainfall in one day. For comparison, most other areas have seen an average of half a months rain in the same amount of time.

But the worst is yet to come. There is a lot of rain still to come in the next 12 to 24 hours, particularly in north Wales and north-west England. There could be some flooding in north Wales until midday on Thursday.

Many places could see 30-40mm of rain, while a few areas may receive 60-80mm. There is a small chance a few upland areas could see up to 150mm, the forecaster said.

It comes after top climate scientists warned human-induced climate change has made downpours and rainfall across the UK and Ireland more intense with the region facing wetter weather in future.

Much of the south coast is likely to see lightning, with a yellow warning for thunderstorms in place from 8am until 7pm on Wednesday ( Met Office )

The World Weather Attribution study found rainfall during storms across the UK and Ireland between October 2023 and March 2024 was made 20 per cent heavier by global warming.

The UK and Ireland saw 13 to 14 severe storms in 2023-24, which caused 13 deaths and widespread damage across the two countries - with similar heavy rainfall ten times more likely in future.

The Met Office said the south of England had its wettest February in a time series going back to 1836, with many parts of the region recording well over twice the average rainfall for the month.

Meanwhile, East Anglia has experienced both its warmest and wettest February on record, with an average of 106.4mm of rainfall across the month, beating the previous record of 95.2mm set in 1916, and a mean temperature of 8.2C, surpassing the previous record of 7.6C set in 1990.

The UK as a whole experienced its second warmest February, with a mean temperature across the month of 6.3C, behind the record of 6.8C set in 1998.
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Paula Vennells has been confronted with a damning text from the former chief executive of the Royal Mail suggesting she knew about flaws in the Horizon IT system used by the Post Office.

I think you knew, the ex-Post Office boss was told by Canadian-born Moya Greene, who was in charge of the Royal Mail for eight years.

Ms Vennells replied, telling Ms Greene: No Moya, that isnt the case.

But, in an exchange of messages shown to the official Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, Ms Greene told Ms Vennells she could no longer support her after what I have learned.

Paula Vennells was escorted into the inquiry by police ( EPA )

Ms Greene added: I want to believe you. I asked you twice. I suggested you get an independent review reporting to you.

I was afraid you were being lied to. You says the system had already been reviewed multiple times. How could you not have known?

The inquirys lead counsel Jason Beer KC asked whether Ms Vennells understood Ms Greenes message to be an accusation you knew about bugs, errors and defects in Horizon.

Ms Vennells said: No, I understood this to be Moya having been listening to all of the information in the inquiry trying to square her memory with what she was hearing.

I think she was possibly suggesting there was some conspiracy, and as I said I did not believe that was the case.

In 1999, Horizon, a defective Fujitsu IT system, began incorrectly reporting cash shortfalls at branches across the country. The accusations tore peoples lives apart, with many losing their jobs and homes.

Several people took their own lives due to the stress.

To this day, not a single Post Office or Fujitsu employee has been held to account over the scandal, much less faced criminal investigation.

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells apologised for all that subpostmasters and families have suffered as her evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry got under way (Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry/PA) ( PA Media )

Ms Vennells appearance before the inquiry is the first time she has spoken publicly in almost a decade, having last addressed the scandal before a committee of MPs in 2015.

The damning text exchange was shown to the inquiry as Ms Vennells apologised for "all that subpostmasters and their families... have suffered".

The 65-year-old ordained priest told the inquiry on Wednesday that she had been "too trusting".

She was given a self-incrimination warning by chairman Sir Wyn Williams, but told him: "Thank you, Sir Wyn... I plan to answer all questions."

Ms Vennells told the probe she had "no sense there was any conspiracy at all" and admitted that individuals, including herself, had "made mistakes".

Issuing a short statement at the beginning of the hearing, Ms Vennells said: "I would just like to say - and Im grateful for the opportunity to do this - how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry is looking into.

"I followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and I was very affected by them."

As his first major question to Ms Vennells, Mr Beer said: "Do you think you are the unluckiest CEO in the United Kingdom?"

Ms Vennells replied: "As the inquiry has heard, there was information I wasnt given and others didnt receive as well.

"One of my reflections of all of this - I was too trusting.

Alan Bates two-decade fight for justice inspired the ITV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire )

"I did probe and I did ask questions, and Im disappointed where information wasnt shared, and it has been a very important time for me to plug some of those gaps."

Ms Vennells apologised specifically to former subpostmaster and lead campaigner Alan Bates.

Addressing attendees at Aldwych House in central London, she said she would like to repeat an apology she made to Mr Bates, and a number of other individuals, in one of her witness statements.

In the statement, Ms Vennells said: "I also offer my apologies to Alan Bates, Ian Henderson, Ron Warmington, Lord Arbuthnot and all those who worked with them to secure justice for the subpostmasters."

Questioned on whether the scandal had been a conspiracy, the ex-Post Office boss said: "No, I dont believe that was the case.

"I have been disappointed, particularly more recently, listening to evidence of the inquiry where I think I remember people knew more than perhaps either they remembered at the time or I knew of at the time.

"I have no sense that there was any conspiracy at all.

"My deep sorrow in this is that I think that individuals, myself included, made mistakes, didnt see things, didnt hear things.

"I may be wrong but that wasnt the impression that I had at the time.

"I have more questions now but a conspiracy feels too far-fetched."
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Security guards removed a Sky News broadcast crew from the centre where Rishi Sunak was launching the Conservatives election campaign.

Journalist Darren McCaffrey and a film crew with him were escorted from the ExCel Centre in London before the prime minister gave his speech.

The political correspondent said they had not been allowed in because broadcast arrangements had been pooled - so other broadcasters there were obliged to share footage with others.

Outside, Mr McCaffrey and the crew  who had apparently been invited to the event  were followed by security guards as they walked around the exterior of the ExCel centre.

After the event, a solitary Sky producer, sans cameraman and Mr McCaffrey, was waiting patiently as everyone filed out of the Excel.

Rishi Sunak speaks to delegates and party members as he launches the Conservative Party general election campaign at the ExCel Centre ( Getty Images )

The group had been warned by a Conservative Party media handler that there was not enough room for their camera in the cramped room where Mr Sunak was to launch his campaign.

The producer told The Independent: We told them we were going on live and they were like we dont care.

We werent going to stop filming. It was absolutely ridiculous, absolute nonsense. If they dont want us here then why did they invite us?

Now theyve locked all our stuff away and I have to wait for everyone to clear out before I can pick up my cameramans bag.

At the rally with his Cabinet and Tory activists, Mr Sunak - in shirt sleeves having ditched his suit jacket that was soaked in Downing Street - stepped up his attack on Sir Keir Starmer.

The only certainty with Labour is that they will run out of money, he said.

The prime minister said Labour would scrap the Rwanda policy and enact a de facto amnesty for asylum-seekers, making us a magnet for every illegal immigrant in Europe.
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Ministers could face an unlimited fine if they are found to have broken the law in their treatment of disabled people after a watchdog launched the first investigation of its kind into a government department.

The probe, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, follows the deaths of a number of vulnerable benefits claimants.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, the chair of the EHRC, said her organisation was extremely worried about the treatment of some disabled people by the Department for Work and Pensions. We suspect the Secretary of State's department may have broken equality law, she added.

She described the investigation as the strongest possible action they could take.

The equalities watchdog is investigating the governments treatment of disabled people ( PA Wire )

Whistleblowers who have worked for the DWP and disability charities have been asked to be in touch.

The regulator began looking into the department after a group of MPs recommended it investigate the deaths of vulnerable claimants, by suicide and other causes, between 2008 and 2020.

The EHRC is looking at whether the DWP failed to make reasonable adjustments for those with learning disabilities or long-term mental health conditions during assessments for some benefit payments.

Baroness Falkner said the department was responsible for vital support which many disabled people rely on access to that support must be fair.

"Our investigation will find out whether the DWP and the Secretary of State have breached equality law. If they have, we will use our unique legal powers to hold them to account."

Work and Pensions secretary Mel Stride previously said people with depression or anxiety could lose access to sickness benefits under planned reforms ( PA Wire )

Possible sanctions are understood to include an unlimited fine.

The watchdog can also take the department to court if it does not co-operate with its probe. It is thought to be the first time the EHRC has used these powers to investigate a government department.

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride has previously been criticised after he said people with depression or anxiety could lose access to sickness benefits under planned reforms.

On Tuesday he claimed changes to the welfare system would uncover hidden treasure in the talents of unemployed Brits, unveiling skills bootcamps designed to cut reliance on overseas workers.

The UK had depended on foreign labour "for too long", he said, as he announced those on benefits would be offered training for roles in key sectors such as hospitality, care and construction.

Equality and Human Rights Commission chair Baroness Kishwer Falkner ( PA Archive )

The EHRC previously investigated Labour and found it had broken the law for its handling of antisemitism under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

A damning report, published in October 2020, found inexcusable failures which appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so.

It demanded a series of changes and continued to monitor the party for more than two years.

Mr Corbyn was also kicked out of the parliamentary party and remains an independent MP after he said he did not accept all of the EHRC findings.

David Linden MP, the SNP's social justice spokesperson, accused the DWP of failing disabled people for decades", and said "full transparency and accountability is imperative".

The DWP and Mr Stride have been contacted for comment.
Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis Begins March to the Supreme Court

NEWS PROVIDED BY

May 22, 2024



ASHLAND, Ky., May 22, 2024 / Christian Newswire / -- Liberty Counsel filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of former Rowan County Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis. This is the beginning of her journey to take this case to the U.S. Supreme Court, a case which will argue for religious freedom with the goal to overturn the 2015 marriage case known as Obergefell v. Hodges.

The Ermold v. Davis case, along with a second case in Yates v. Davis, both involved a same-sex couple who sued Davis in 2015 following the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision regarding "same-sex marriage." During the trial, two juries heard the same evidence and the same arguments in both cases. The jury in the Yates case awarded zero damages because the evidence did not support the awarding of any damages. The plaintiffs in that case originally asked for $300,000 in damages.

The Ermold jury reached a verdict of $50,000 for each plaintiff and the judge also awarded the plaintiffs an additional $246,000 in attorney's fees and $14,000 in expenses despite lacking evidence to support the awarding of emotional damages.

Liberty Counsel will argue that Davis is protected under the First Amendment Free Exercise of Religion, was entitled to religious accommodation, that the Supreme Court's 2015 opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges should be overturned, and that she is not liable for damages.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Kim Davis deserves justice in this case since she was entitled to a religious accommodation from issuing marriage licenses under her name and authority. This case has the potential to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges and extend the same religious freedom protections beyond Kentucky to the entire nation."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org


May 21, 2024: Egypt is once more negotiating with its Bedouin tribesmen to obtain help with the possible flood of up to 250,000 Palestinian refugees trying to get into Egypt because of Israeli operations against Hamas gunmen operating near the border town of Rafah. This is all about the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israelis and foreigners partying in Gaza. Israeli intelligence forces missed the preparations of Hamas in Gaza for a major attack. Seven months later, the aftereffects are still being felt.

Since 1979 there have been two Rafahs, one in Egypt and one in Gaza. There are over a million Palestinian refugees from the Gaza fighting gathered near Sinais Rafah border crossing and most of them want to get to safety where they can find it, especially across the border in Egyptian Rafah or Egypt in general. In Sinai, which is part of Egypt, most of the population consists of Bedouins,

About 0.5 percent of 111 million Egyptians are Bedouin while 3.5 percent of 9.8 million Israelis are Bedouin. In Israel the Bedouin do much better than those in Egypt. Educational and job opportunities are much better in Israel, while Israeli Bedouin get along much better with the security forces than in Egypt. Israel also has more Bedouin in the army and police than does Egypt. Smuggling is illegal on both sides of the border. Bedouin dominate it and realize that helping the security forces prevent Islamic terrorists from crossing the border means less military and police attention to the more traditional and lucrative smuggling of consumer goods and illegal migrants.

Most of the Bedouin live in the Sinai Peninsula, which is controlled by Egypt with some eastern portions controlled by Israel. As a result of the 1967 Arab Israeli war, Israel controlled all of Sinai from 1967 to 1982, when the Egyptian-Israel peace deal included returning control of Sinai to Egypt. There are 30 Bedouin tribes in Sinai, where the total population is 600,000. Most Sinai residents belong to one of the tribes.

In April 2024 the Egyptian army and the five largest Bedouin tribes in Sinai formed the Arab Tribes Union, or ATU. The paramilitary Union of Sinai Tribes (UST) works with the Egyptian military to police Sinai. UST was created in 2015 to deal with Islamic terrorists in Sinai and was once more dealing with Islamic terrorists in 2022. Now tribes are being asked to help keep Hamas gunmen out of Egypt and help settle Palestinian refugees in Egypt and Gaza.

The tribes are willing to help as long as the Egyptians provide military and economic aid. There is still a problem with Palestinians who belong to Hamas, especially those who are armed and belong to organized gangs. Hamas calls the gangs military units but the gang members do not wear uniforms. The ultimate Hamas goal is the destruction of Israel. At the moment the Israeli security forces are better armed, trained and more numerous than the groups of armed Hamas members. Israel wants to wipe out Hamas, or at least kill as many as possible. Hamas is on the defensive in Sinai and trying to get into Egypt, where they are not welcome. Egypt knows that Hamas will behave like outlaws in Egypt as they prepare for another attack on Israel.

The Bedouin tribes customarily offer sanctuary for fellow Arabs, but that does not include armed Hamas members looking for refuge from the Israeli military. Egypt also recognizes that some of the Palestinian refugees have kin in the Bedouin tribes and that makes it easier for Palestinians to find temporary, but not permanent sanctuary in Sinai. The Bedouin tribes do not have the resources to accept all the Palestinian refugees. Egypt does not want to accept all the Palestinians either. Egypt is trying to establish refugee camps and request economic aid from the UN so the refugees can be housed in tents and fed. Turning Palestinians loose inside Egypt is unpopular with Egyptian voters because it means more competition for a limited number of jobs. The current unemployment rate in Egypt is seven percent and the government has been gradually reducing the rate. An influx of Palestinian refugees would mean a lot of Egyptians would not be able to get a job or hang onto one they already have. The Bedouins in Sinai have their own economy which cannot handle a lot of Palestinian refugees.

Egypt is now building a 13.5 kilometer wall from the Mediterranean inland to the Israeli border town of Kerem Shalom to keep the Palestinian refugees fleeing the Hamas-Israel violence in Gaza. The Palestinians cant return to their homes or whats left of their homes in Gaza until the fighting between Israeli troops and the surviving Hamas gunmen is over. No one knows when the fighting will end but the Israelis are seeking to get it over with as soon as possible. So do the Israeli Bedouins, especially those in the Israeli military.
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Rishi Sunak has called a snap election for 4 July, following months of speculation about when the country would go to the polls.

Previously, chancellor, Jeremy Hunt suggested that the general election could be held in October.

And in March, Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of bottling a 2 May general election, which could have been called to coincide with council and mayoral elections being held across the country.

Now, it appears the prime minister has decided that improved economic figures and the prospect of flights heading to Rwanda could make up the difference with Labours huge lead in the polls.

Parties will have up to four weeks to convince Brits to vote for them in the ballots.

But why is Mr Sunak calling a snap election now? What significance will the date have on the results? And can we make any reasonable predictions on the outcome?

If you have a question on the local elections or, once they come in, the results, submit it now, or when I join you live at 12pm on Thursday 23 May for the Ask Me Anything event.

Register to submit your question in the comments box under this article.

Scroll down or click here to leave your comment.

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Dont worry if you cant see your question  they may be hidden until I join the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 12pm as I tackle as many questions as I can.
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The UK will go to the polls in July after Rishi Sunak announced the date for the next general election  but scores of high-profile MPs will not be facing the electorate after deciding to stand down.

Housing secretary Michael Gove and former business secretary Andrea Leadsom became the latest Tory MPs to announce they would not contest the next election, as the number of Conservative MPs deciding to stand aside hit a new post-war record. In his letter to constituents, Mr Gove cited the toll of public office as he said it was time to let a new generation lead following a political career spanning nearly 20 years.

As of 25 May, more than 120 MPs have said publicly they were either standing down from parliament or not contesting their seat at the general election. Some 78 out of those were Conservative  a record number for the party. Veteran Tory MP John Redwood - notorious for once mumbling his way through the Welsh national anthem - also joined the list on Friday.

Michael Gove has announced he will not be standing at the General Election (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Former prime minister Theresa May announced in March she would not stand again. In her farewell speech to parliament, the former PM urged remaining MPs to remember the importance of our democracy, to be a voice for the voiceless and warned that their job here is not to advance themselves but to serve the people who elected them.

Nadhim Zahawi, the former chancellor, education secretary and Conservative Party chairman, stood down in May, saying the time is right for a new, energetic Conservative to take over. Alok Sharma, the former Cop26 president, has also announced he would stand down at the next general election, saying it had been the honour of his life to have served as an MP.

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Mr Sharma, who represents Reading West, previously held the business secretary brief.

Sajid Javid, the former chancellor, Dominic Raab, the ex-deputy prime minister and Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary  all of whom were at one time touted as potential future Tory leaders - were among the other big-name Conservatives who have called it a day as their party struggles in the polls.

Former PM Theresa May said in March that she would stand down (Hannah McKay/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Sharma and Mr Raab, who resigned from his cabinet position following a slew of bullying allegations which he denied, would have been defending majorities of fewer than 5,000 had they stayed on to fight the next election.

Most MPs walking away from politics are Conservatives, which is unsurprising given they are the biggest party, winning 365 seats in the 2019 election.

According to the Institute for Government, the 2010 election saw nearly 150 MPs stand down, mainly from the Labour Party, which had been in power since 1997.

Sajid Javid is among the high profile figures stepping down ( REUTERS )

Some MPs announced they were standing down in response to the expenses scandal of the same year.

Harriet Harman, the former Labour leader, Margaret Beckett, the former foreign secretary, and Ben Bradshaw, the former culture secretary, are among some of the high-profile Labour MPs standing down.

The Conservative Party is on course for a heavy defeat at the next election, according to most opinion polls.
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Paula Vennells repeatedly burst into tears during her first appearance at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry as she mounted a desperate bid to salvage her reputation.

The disgraced former boss of the Post Office offered an apology to subpostmasters caught up in the scandal, dubbed the worst miscarriage of justice in British history.

But Ms Vennells, who ran the group from 2012 to 2019 as the scale of the scandal emerged, was blindsided by the inquirys lead counsel Jason Beer KC with a series of damning revelations about her time as chief executive.

Vennells was surrounded by police and press as she arrived at the inquiry ( PA )

Shell never cry as I have

In her first public appearance since 2015, Ms Vennells said one of her key reflections on the scandal, which saw hundreds of postmasters wrongly convicted of stealing after the groups defective accounting system made it appear as though money was missing, was that she was too trusting.

She also admitted she had made a false statement to a parliamentary probe in 2012, but unintentionally.

As the inquiry has heard, there was information I wasnt given and others didnt receive as well  I did probe and I did ask questions and Im disappointed where information wasnt shared, Ms Vennells said.

But in a ruthless grilling that reduced her to tears at least three times:

Ms Vennells was accused of trying to get on the front foot after the suicide of a sacked subpostmaster

She apologised for saying subpostmasters had been tempted to put their hands in the till

Ms Vennells denied there was a conspiracy at the Post Office to keep information from her

The inquiry was shown a damning text message from ex-Royal Mail boss Moya Greene saying: I think you knew

It was revealed six more former Post Office workers have had their convictions quashed for offences including theft and fraud

The 65-year-old ordained vicar began the session by making an individual apology to campaigners Alan Bates, Ian Henderson, Ron Warmington and Lord Arbuthnot, as well as all those who worked with them to secure justice for the subpostmasters.

The ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office brought a renewed focus on the scandal, while Lord Arbuthnot campaigned for the postmasters when he was an MP.

Mr Bates said Ms Vennellss evidence was like figure-skating on the head of a pin.

Vennells repeatedly broke into tears during her testimony ( (Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry/PA via AP) )

Lee Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004. He was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

He said after her evidence: Shell never shed as many as I have, Im afraid, or my family, or the rest of the victims or the wider group. 

I think you knew

Ms Vennells was shown a damning exchange of text messages with Canadian-born Moya Greene, who was in charge of the Royal Mail for eight years.

I think you knew, Ms Greene told Ms Vennells, who replied no Moya, that isnt the case.

But Ms Greene replied: I want to believe you. I asked you twice. I suggested you get an independent review reporting to you. I was afraid you were being lied to. You said the system had already been reviewed multiple times. How could you not have known?

Ms Vennells claimed the exchange was Ms Greenes way of suggesting there was a conspiracy at the Post Office. As I said, I did not believe that was the case, Ms Vennells said.

Vennells was shown damning texts from ex-Royal Mail boss Moya Greene ( Post Office Inquiry )

Lives torn apart

In 1999, the defective Fujitsu IT system Horizon began incorrectly reporting cash shortfalls at branches across the country. The accusations tore peoples lives apart, with many losing their jobs and homes.

Several people took their own lives due to the stress.

No Post Office or Fujitsu employee has been held to account over the scandal, much less faced criminal investigation.

In another damaging set of exchanges, Ms Vennells was accused of asking her team to dig into the records of Martin Griffiths, who stepped in front of a bus after being sacked from his branch in 2013.

Mr Beer quizzed her about an email she sent suggesting she had heard about previous mental health and family issues and asking Post Office executives what background we have on Martin.

He said: You had just been told about his death and were trying to get on the front foot here, werent you?

He added: You were tasking the team with finding out information to counter any narrative that the Post Office was to blame, werent you?

Vennells was quizzed on emails following a mans death ( Channel 4 )

Breaking down into tears for the second time of the hearing, Ms Vennells said she was trying to anticipate the questions the Post Office board and executives would ask.

She added: I did know from previous examples and other information that it doesnt matter. I simply should not have said it. I should not have used these words.

Just needs to tell the truth

Ms Vennells broke into tears a third time during the inquiry amid a grilling about what she called disturbing reports from postmasters as the Horizon IT scandal unfolded.

Former postmaster Sushma Blaggan had her conviction quashed on Wednesday and attended the inquiry.

Husband Narrinder Blaggan said: For Sushma to have appeared in court two decades after being wrongfully prosecuted, and for an inquiry only to be hearing from Ms Vennells as to what went wrong on the very same day, just shows how badly subpostmasters have been let down.

He continued: Sushma was destroyed by what happened to her. When she was first suspended, she tried to commit suicide, and then she did so again after she had been convicted.

Mark Kelly, 45, who was a subpostmaster in Swansea from 2003 to 2006, said: The apology I think was quite well rehearsed  the speech of the apology and also the response to the questions. The reason why I think the apology was more like a PR apology was because all these years she could have made an apology like that. Why did she have to wait until today to do that?

Jess Kaur, 52, an ex-postmistress in Walsall, who was wrongly accused in 2009 of stealing 11,000, said: I was just thinking to myself when she started crying that we were crying like that at the time. It was nice to see her tears, but at the same time shes got a lot to answer for. She just needs to tell the truth.
Rishi Sunak has finally announced that the general election will be on 4 July, but why did he settle for that date?

The practical reason for his decision comes from election law and the parliamentary timetable. Parliament needs to be dissolved 25 working days before the date of an election, which means options were running out for a summer election.

By calling an election on 4 July, next weeks planned recess will be cancelled, giving parliament a wash-up week to complete its remaining business by Thursday. Parliament can then be dissolved in time for a 4 July election. So, the prime minister could not have held the election any sooner.

He was also hamstrung by school holiday dates. In Scotland, schools go on holiday on Friday, 5 July and in England the same date applies for many private schools. With the risk that many voters could be on holiday or unable to arrange postal ballots, the latest a summer election could feasibly be held was on 4 July. The absence of private school parents would be particularly damaging for the Tories as they struggle to hold on to many of their seats.

Rishi Sunak consistently said the election would be held in the second half of the year ( PA Wire )

There was a faction in Downing Street that wanted an autumn election, which was also the desire of most of the parliamentary Tory party.

However, it seems that Mr Sunak has been warned the economic data is not expected to get much better. He had a small mild victory on Wednesday with inflation falling to 2.3 percent, but there appears to be little or no flexibility to offer tax cuts in an autumn Budget.

The other big issue in play is illegal migration, important for many Tory MPs defending red wall seats. The prospect of a summer of small boats crossing despite flights to Rwanda going ahead would show the policy had not worked in the minds of many voters.

Sir Keir Starmer has got the election date he has been seeking ( PA Wire )

Failure to stop the boats, as Mr Sunak promised in his five pledges has become emblematic of the divisions in his own party and the incompetence of his government.

The prime minister is gambling that with the first flights leaving, voters may be persuaded that the policy is going to work.

The final reason is a lesson from history. As John Major discovered in 1997, and Gordon Brown in 2010, leaving an election to the last minute generally makes things even worse for an unpopular incumbent.

Mr Sunak is hoping that this final piece of audacity may be enough for voters to take a more searching look at Labour rather than the civil war in his own party.

Whatever the reasons, the decision will go down as one of the great gambles in modern British politics.
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Twenty-seven nations and the European Union have signed a new agreement to create shared risk thresholds around the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to close the Seoul summit on the safety of the technology.

The agreement will see the countries develop an internationally recognised threshold for AI model capabilities and when it should be considered it poses a severe risk without appropriate mitigations.

That risk could include the potential for AI to help malicious actors acquire or use chemical and biological weapons, or by the technology attempting to evade human oversight through deception.

The agreement, known as the Seoul Ministerial Statement, was signed at the conclusion of the AI Seoul Summit in South Korea, which the UK has co-hosted.

Alongside the UK and South Korea, the United States, France, and the UAE were among those to sign up to the agreement, However China, which was involved in the summit talks, did not sign the statement.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: It has been a productive two days of discussions which the UK and the Republic of Korea have built upon the Bletchley Effect following our inaugural AI Safety Summit which I spearheaded six months ago.

The agreements we have reached in Seoul mark the beginning of phase two of our AI safety agenda, in which the world takes concrete steps to become more resilient to the risks of AI and begins a deepening of our understanding of the science that will underpin a shared approach to AI safety in the future.

For companies, it is about establishing thresholds of risk beyond which they wont release their models.

For countries, we will collaborate to set thresholds where risks become severe. The UK will continue to play the leading role on the global stage to advance these conversations.

As part of the agreement, the signatories have now set the target of developing the risk proposals alongside AI companies, civil society and academia, so that they can be discussed at the AI Action Summit, which is due to be hosted by France in 2025.

The announcement follows agreements also being reached on the first day of the summit which saw 16 leading AI companies from around the world commit to publishing safety frameworks on how they will approach specific risks around AI, and a second agreement between 10 nations and the EU to create an international network of AI safety institutes that will share research and other data.
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China is providing Russia with lethal aid for use in its war against Ukraine, Grant Shapps has warned.

The defence secretary suggested that British and US intelligence contradicts Beijings previous attempts to present itself as a moderating influence on Moscow and President Xis government is instead helping to arm Russia.

Mr Shapps used a speech at the London Defence Conference to reveal Chinas collaboration as he argued Nato needs to wake up and bolster defence spending alliance-wide.

This follows the UK government committing to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030. However, many Nato allies still do not meet the 2 percent minimum threshold.

Mr Shapps said: Today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said lethal aid is flying from China to Russia (PA) ( PA Wire )

He added: US and British defence intelligence can reveal that lethal aid is now flying from China to Russia and into Ukraine.

That recent visit we saw, the I think 64 percent increase in trade that weve seen between the two countries, reveals that there is actually a much deeper relationship there.

And this is new intelligence which leads me to be able to declassify and reveal this fact today. I think its quite significant.

The defence secretary said democratic states must make a full-throated case for freedoms that are dependent on the international order, meaning we need more allies and partners worldwide.

Its time for the world to wake up. And that means translating this moment to concrete plans and capabilities. And that starts with laying the foundations for an alliance-wide increase in spending on our collective deterrent, he said.

It comes after Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin put on a strong show of unity during a meeting in Beijing earlier this month which was closely watched by Western capitals.

The Chinese president said there should be a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine but did not give any details, despite calls including from Downing Street for him to urge Russia to cease its illegal war.

Beijing is a key supporter of Mr Putin, who is widely regarded as a pariah after he ordered the invasion in 2022.

It continues to supply Moscow with key components that the Kremlin needs for its war machine, and its purchase of Russian oil and gas has helped boost the Russian economy.

Mr Shapps intervention comes after Julianne Smith, the US ambassador to Nato, said China is continuing to sell supplies such as drone technology and gunpowder ingredients to Russia.

It is the latest show of heightened tensions between Beijing and the US and UK, which earlier this month accused Beijing of a series of cyber attacks targeting millions of people in Western countries.

In an interview with digital newspaper Politico, Ms Smith said: The PRC (Peoples Republic of China) cannot claim to be entirely neutral in this case, (and) they are in fact picking a side.

If they were not providing some of these components, or this materiel support, Russia would be in a very different situation and would have trouble pursuing some of these acts of aggression.
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A Wisconsin man could be the first person in the US to face a federal charge of making explicit images of children with artificial intelligence (AI).

Steven Anderegg, 42, of Holmen, La Crosse County, has been accused of using AI image generator Stable Diffusion to create more than 13,000 false images of minors engaging in sexual acts  including with grown men. The images did not show real children.

Authorities seized Mr Andereggs laptop and found the explicit material, according to the indictment against him.

He faces four counts of creating, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material and sending explicit material to a child under 16. He could serve up to 70 years in prison if found guilty, following his arrest last week.

In September, Mr Anderegg allegedly posted a realistic AI-generated image of children wearing bondage-themed leather clothes on his Instagram story.

The accompanying Telegram messages encouraged others to [c]ome check out what [they] are missing, according to court documents.

In another exchange on Instagram, Mr Anderegg allegedly explained how to use Stable Diffusion to a 15-year-old boy before sending him several AI images of children displaying their genitals.

Stable Diffusions website describes it as a deep learning model used for converting text to images giving users the freedom to produce reams of photo-realistic images.

Mr Anderegg allegedly created the sexualized images of children by inputting typed-out descriptions into the image generator software. He has been accused of using extremely specific and explicit prompts to create abusive material, according to the indictment.

He downloaded specialized add-ons, which could create genitalia, investigators said.

Lisa Monaco, the deputy attorney general, said that the DOJ will aggressively pursue those creating CSAM ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

A spokesperson for Stable Diffusions parent company, Stability AI, told The Independent: Since taking over the exclusive development of the Stable Diffusion series of models in late 2022 (Stable Diffusion 2 onwards), Stability AI has invested in proactive features to prevent the misuse of AI for the production of harmful content and to make it harder for bad actors to misuse our platform.

Stability AI is committed to preventing the misuse of AI and prohibit the use of our image models and services for unlawful activity, including attempts to edit or create CSAM, they added.

The Department of Justice said its the first case its aware of a person suspected of using AI to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM), an official told TheWashington Post.

All forms of computer-generated CSAM are illegal including textual, image and audio material, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The arrest comes as child pornography floods the web with help from AI software being championed by pedophiles on clandestine forums.

Officials have argued that AI-invented images should still be treated in a similar manner as child sex abuse recorded in the real world under the 18 US Code 1466A federal law on obscenity.

The Justice Department will aggressively pursue those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse material  or CSAM  no matter how that material was created, said Lisa Monaco, deputy attorney general, in a statement.

Put simply, CSAM generated by AI is still CSAM, and we will hold accountable those who exploit AI to create obscene, abusive, and increasingly photorealistic images of children, she added.

In February, Wisconsin county prosecutors filed documents charging Mr Anderegg with exposing a child to harmful material and sexual contact with a child under age 13. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond.
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The family of a man killed by an enraged moose trying to protect her newborn twin calves said he was a nature photographer who knew the risks of taking photos in the wild.

Even though there have been some calls for the moose to be killed, Dale Chorman's family does not want the moose put down because she was only protecting her calves.

Chorman, 70, and a friend were attempting to find the moose and calves to photograph them Sunday when the moose came charging out of the brush, said Chormans friend, Tom Kizzia, a Homer, Alaska, author and journalist.

They both turned to run, and the friend looked back and saw Dale lying on the ground with the moose standing over him, Kizzia told The Associated Press by phone.

There was no evident trampling, and they didnt see any signs of trauma later when they recovered his body, he said. I think the medical examiners going to try to figure out exactly what happened, whether it was just single blow in the terrible wrong place or something.

The friend sought help, and by the time medics arrived, Kizzia said the moose had faded back into the woods.

Chormans son, Nate Spence-Chorman, posted on social media that Dale was a loving husband to Dianne, a great father to me and (as you know) a fantastic friend to many.

Dale Chorman stands in the mountains of the Togiak ( Tom Kizzia )

The fatal attack occurred on Chormans 3-acre (1.21-hectare) property just east of Homer, where every spring moose give birth in a dense scrub forest of alder and elderberry.

Chorman was a builder and carpenter by trade, but also loved being around wildlife. He was a naturalist, an avid birder and a wildlife guide who loved sharing his photos.

This was not a hapless fool stumbling into danger  this was a person who went out looking for a great photo, knowing the risks, and got caught in a dangerous moment, his son wrote.

The moose should not be killed, Spence-Chorman wrote. The ungulate mother need not die. She was just protecting her offspring.

Even though the death was tragic, Spence-Chorman said his father would have accepted this outcome.

The truth is, he died doing what he loved, he wrote.

Alaska Fatal Moose Attack

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game normally receives reports of aggressive or unusual moose behavior, said Cyndi Wardlow, a regional supervisor in the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

In this case, were obviously very concerned about public safety, she said.

If there was an animal that was behaving in a way that continued to present a public safety threat, then we could possibly put that animal down but were not specifically pursuing that course, she said.

Wardlow encouraged everyone, including the many summer tourists just beginning to arrive in Alaska, to be aware of wildlife and cognizant of their surroundings.

In the case of moose, the largest in the deer family, small adult females can weigh up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms) with males twice that. They can also stand up to 6 feet tall (1.8 meters) at the shoulder.

It's estimated there are up to 200,000 moose in Alaska.

This is the second fatal moose attack in Alaska in the last three decades.

In 1995, a moose stomped a 71-year-old man to death when he was trying to enter a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Witnesses said students had been throwing snowballs and harassing the moose and its calf for hours, and the animals were agitated when the man tried to walk past them.

Dale Chorman grew up in Painesville, Ohio, but hitchhiked to Alaska in the 1980s, his son said in an email to the AP. He was well-traveled, spending time across the Americas, Europe, Asia and visited Antarctica.

He met his wife, Dianne, when she came to Alaska to view bears and he was guiding at a nearby river lodge.

Chorman's professional guiding work was primarily focused on brown bear photography, but he was passionate about all wildlife, especially birds, his son said. He could identify many species of birds by their calls alone and sometimes taught birding by ear classes in Homer.

Homer is located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, about 220 miles (354 kilometers) south of Anchorage.
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American Airlines legal team has blamed a nine-year-old girl for an incident in which one of its former employees filmed her while she was using an airplane bathroom.

The airline is being sued in a Texas court after a now-former flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, used a recording device to film girls between the ages of seven and 14 years old using the American Airlines bathroom for several months in 2023.

After Mr Thompsons arrest, the family of a nine-year-old victim sued the airline, alleging that the company should have known he was a danger to guests.

On Monday, a lawyer representing the airline wrote in a filing that the little girl should have been aware that a device was recording her while she was using the bathroom.

Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device, the filing said.

The attorney representing the victim told the New York Post that her family is absolutely livid.

Estes Carter Thompson III was arrested earlier this year

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? the girls mother said in a statement, according to WCVB. It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.

I was absolutely shocked and I think its outrageous, attorney Paul Llewellyn told The Post. The idea that American Airlines and its lawyers would blame a nine-year-old girl for being filmed, in my opinion, just smacks of desperation and depravity.

The Independent has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

The little girl was allegedly filmed during a January 2023 flight. She and her family flew from their home in Austin, Texas, to Disneyland.

In September of that year, a 14-year-old girl from North Carolina noticed that an iPhone was recording her while she was using the bathroom. Her discovery ultimately led to the arrest of Mr Thompson in January of this year.

The parents of the 14-year-old victim offered their sympathies to the Texas parents after American Airlines blamed the child in its lawsuit.

A former American Airlines flight attendant allegedly filmed a nine-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom. Attorneys representing the company blamed her for not noticing the recording device ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

This callous legal position shocks us. Our hearts go out to the Texas family, they said in a statement.

Police found that Mr Thompson had recorded girls on at least four occasions.

Mr Thompson has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child sexual abuse material depicting a minor, according to the Boston Herald. His next court date is 1 July.

In addition to blaming the nine-year-old victim, American Airlines also made clear that Mr Thompsons alleged recording of children while they used the bathroom was outside the course and scope of his employment.

In my view, it just smacks of desperation, Mr Llewellyn told WCVB. Really, are they going to stand up in front of a Texas jury and point to a nine-year-old and say, Don't blame us, its her fault.
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The newest Spirit AeroSystems whistleblower has dismissed conspiracy theories about two other whistleblowers who died shortly after coming forward with claims of safety issues at Boeing suppliers, but admitted hes remaining vigilant about his own safety.

Santiago Paredes, 40, exclusively spoke to The Independent just before he attended the celebration of life for his former coworker, friend and fellow whistleblower Joshua Dean, who died 30 April at the age of 45 after battling a sudden illness. Deans death came weeks after another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, died by suicide in March.

This week it was revealed that Barnetts suicide note included the lines I pray Boeing pays and Whistleblowers protection is f up too!

Santiago Paredes, on the left, shortly before the memorial for his friend and fellow Spirit AeroSystems whistleblower Joshua Dean ( Sheila Flynn for The Independent )

When asked about wildfire rumours regarding whether something nefarious happened to the men after speaking out, Paredes said: I dont think so.

But, you know, Im always looking behind my mirror to make sure nobodys cars following me, he said.

Im not saying that Im scared, but at the same time, I cant put a blind eye to the reality of what could be. I have to prepare myself for that.

The Spirit AeroSystems sign is seen, July 25, 2013, in Wichita, Kansas ( Mike Hutmacher/The Wichita Eagle via AP )

Paredes spent more than a decade as an inspector and team leader at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems before leaving in 2022 after repeatedly issuing warnings to superiors about quality control failings  which at one point resulted in his demotion, he says. Spirit AeroSystems  not to be confused with Spirit Airlines  manufactures plane components, including fuselages and wing parts, and Boeing is its largest customer.

The safety of Boeings 737 Max 9 planes came under scrutiny after a door plug blew off in mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. The FAA grounded all all 171 MAX 9 jets and instigated an investigation; multiple whistleblowers have come forward to reveal their concerning experiences at Boeing and its manufacturing supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

Paredes had been friendly with Dean, an auditor, who contacted him last year and asked him to help with a shareholder lawsuit. Paredes agreed to participate anonymously  but went public with his claims earlier this month after Deans death, revealing that hed been encouraged to play down any defects he found when inspecting plane fuselages.

Im picking up the mantle of where he left off and I have to carry on and see it through, Paredes told The Independent.

Joshua Dean ( Supplied )

Both men were represented by lawyer Brian Knowles, who also represented Boeing whistleblower John Barnett  who was found dead by suicide in March.

After Deans death, Paredes said, their lawyer said he felt like we were in a battle and we were losing people.

I was in a place where I started to freak out about what we were doing  if it was even the right thing, Paredes said. Its discouraging to lose people  not just friends, but friends who are with you in this battle.

A married father who now lives and works in Lawrence, Kansas, Paredes said he has been praying about the situation and is bolstered by the support and prayers of his family. His mother has been particularly concerned, he said.

My mom has been scared, he said on Thursday, just as news broke that up to 450 AeroSystems employees in Wichita would be laid off. Ive been like, Nothings going to happen. Its going to be all right. This is something Ive got to do  somebodys gotta do it.

Paredes said hed also been buoyed by the outpouring of support from former coworkers and others within the industry  many of whom expressed their own fears and stories of quality failings.

Santiago Paredes in Wichita, Kansas ( Sheila Flynn )

It gives me hope. Im very happy for the support Ive received, Paredes said. I was ready for people to try to discredit me, to say bad things about me  but I wasnt too worried about much, because I know that Ive impacted a lot of people that work there, and Ive encouraged a lot of people that work there.

He said he was hoping the efforts from Barnett, Dean, himself and other whistleblowers will prompt change and safety enhancements.

What I hope happens next is  theyre just honest, he said of his former employers. Look, the first step to making something better is admitting every mistake. Once you admit everything that youve done, and you put a highlight on where the things that are wrong are wrong, you can actually change it.

But right now, youre so busy trying to hide that you cannot correct it  because if you correct it, then its going to highlight that you actually were wrong.
May 22, 2024: In Myanmar (Burma) rural rebels, especially those belonging to tribal militias, continue their 34 year-old fight against an army dictatorship. The army was established in 1948 when Britain ended its colonial rule in South Asia. This meant Pakistan, India and Burma were now independent of colonial rule. While India managed to establish and sustain a democracy, Burma had persistent problems with its newly formed army and generals who believed they should rule rather than an unpredictable elected government. This dictatorship first appeared in 1962 when the generals took over and ran the government until they ran out of money and were unable to cope with the decades of sanctions imposed by most other nations.

The 1962 military government collapsed in 1988 and an elected government took over. That was made possible by concessions made to the generals that allowed them to keep most of their wealth and be granted immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while they were in power. This deal did not hold and since 2010 there have been continued efforts by the generals to regain power. The generals had stolen billions while they were running the country and managed to hang on to enough of that money to continue breaking agreements and attempting to regain power. The key problem was that too many Burmese believed these compromises were too lenient and that the generals must be punished for decades of misrule and atrocities against eh Burmese people. The generals also had the support of many wealthy business families in the major cities. These families owned businesses, including agricultural operations and provided the army with most of its officers, some of whom became generals. The families and the military were still a minority and unwilling to give up their political power.

As popular anger at the generals and wealthy families grew, it led to a series of rebellions and attempts at compromise. As these compromises continued to fail, the military became weaker and less able to stage more attacks on democracy. The latest military takeover took place in 2021 and the generals were unable to put down all the insurrections that resulted. Over the last two years the army has lost control over more and more territory. By 2024 all they had were some of the major cities and their suburbs. Cut off from most of the countryside means the cities cannot feed themselves. The military is retreating into the capital city and fortifying it to keep rebels out. The military has adopted scorched earth tactics to inflict major casualties on the rebels, including unarmed civilians. About five percent of the population has been driven from their homes and a third of the population lacks adequate food and other necessities. Hunger is increasing and the rebels do not have the resources to deal with all the hunger and homelessness.

What the rebels are doing is improvising to build needed military equipment, especially quadcopter UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to keep an eye on the enemy. Some UAVs are equipped with a weapons release mechanism. A hand grenade is light enough to be carried by the larger quadcopters and dropped on troops. This improvisation keeps the rebels going because most of the rebel military supplies are captured from the military or, like the armed quad copters, improvised. The rebels have managed to obtain some 3D printers and build even more themselves. The rebels, many of the university students, are able to put to use technical skills they recently learned in the classroom.

Currently the rebels are using their recently formed government to increase the pressure on the shrinking military forces. Few of the generals are fleeing the country, mainly because their names and misdeeds are known and they will have a hard time finding sanctuary anywhere.

The military rapidly collapsed as the rebels wore down their resolve and morale. Many army generals were surprised at how suddenly and quickly the troops in the north lost their will to fight and either deserted or joined the rebels. These attitudes spread quickly. In the capital, Naypyidaw, radio, and telephone calls from army units grew increasingly desperate. Many of the calls were for air support, by armed helicopters or fixed wing aircraft. The Myanmar Air Force had few attack aircraft, and most were Chinese or Russian jet fighters, many with pilots who were now unwilling to carry out attacks on civilians, even if they were armed rebels. There was much anger over the many airstrikes the government had ordered against armed rebels and unarmed civilians. The military government was weakened by sanctions and was unable to pay the troops on time or at all. This was one reason nearly 20,000 soldiers deserted, many of them joining the rebels.

The generals had trashed the economy and put more and more Burmese out of work and without access to food, the Internet, or the banking system. The resistance not only continued, but it also kept increasing in numbers of armed rebels and the unwillingness of soldiers to again make war on their own people.

The generals had another potential problem; they had become more dependent on their Chinese business partners. The Chinese were not only partners-in-crime with the generals, but they were also the source of cash for the generals and more weapons for the army. The generals considered the Chinese connection the vital key to victory, or fatal flaw in continued efforts to take over the government. It all depended on how much Burmese were willing to resist China. This is important in many ways and the result of regional changes that have taken place over the last few centuries.

Many Burmese diplomats outside the country at the time of the latest army takeover continued to support the elected government. Some Western countries reported that the Burmese military was seeking to kidnap or kill these rogue diplomats. Not to be outdone, in the north one of the tribal militias offered $3,000 to any Burmese soldiers who defected with his weapon, and safe passage out of the country. The military has refused to negotiate and refused UN offers to mediate negotiations.

The rebels up north obtained weapons from the army. Thousands of soldiers deserted with their weapons and some of these men knew where the army had stockpiled weapons and ammunition. Army officers usually remained loyal to the generals, but they were outnumbered and often killed by the rebels or their own men. Within a few weeks, most military units in the north had disappeared because of desertions and mutinies rather than attacks by the rebels.

The Burmese Army initially tried to keep the death toll down. Six months after the 2021 coup only about a thousand civilians had died and very few soldiers were killed. The generals were under pressure to pay close attention to troop morale and realized that another boost in soldier pay would not be enough to maintain loyalty in a force where most troops belong to extended families with many members who are not in the military and more of whom are being shot at by the military.

The Chinese realize that if the Burmese could avoid open warfare with an increasingly angry population, the generals might prevail. More Burmese were obtaining weapons and using them, and the generals had a hard time portraying dead or wounded soldiers as martyrs. None of Burmas neighbors are eager and ready to invade, as India did in 1971 Bangladesh. Bangladesh consists of a Moslem Bengali population. Most Bengalese were Moslem, which is why you had East Pakistan from 1948 to 1970. But a third of Bengalis were Hindu, including a few Christians. In 1970, not all Moslem Bengalis lived in East, or West Pakistan. The massacre of Bengalis in East Pakistan generated a lot of Indian support for intervention. There are often times when ethnicity trumps religion.

Such is not the case in Burma, where the Buran group, while possessing ancient ethnic connections with the Han in China, now consider themselves, like the Han-related majorities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as very distinct ethnicities and want as little to do with China as possible. This is a common pattern on all the current borders of China, where Han who wanted no part of a Chinese empire are still struggling to escape Chinese Han domination.

In Burma the 2021 coup was another expression of Han hostility. The continued resistance developed an armed component within 90 days. The CDM or Civil Disobedience Movement was mainly about organizing peaceful protests but, as more civilians were shot, some CDM factions began shooting back. Worse, there were organized attacks as well. This began when someone fired five rockets at the Shante Air Force base outside the city of Mandalay. The rockets caused no damage or injuries and were believed aimed at the Chinese CH-3A UAVs that were delivered in 2015 and used mainly to keep an eye on tribal rebels in the north. After the coup the army asked China for assistance in using all the manned and unmanned aircraft and helicopters China and Russia has sold to Burma in the last decade. The military had imported $2.5 billion worth of military gear since 2010. China provided 58 percent of it and Russia 33 percent.

Now these weapons are being used against the nationwide uprising. China is something of an expert on this as it is installing a Big Brother level surveillance in China. An elected Burmese government would never divert the huge sums required to purchase and install Chinese Big Brother levels of surveillance. The Burmese military is another matter, especially when it has taken over the government again. At the moment the military is in charge and China sees another major export sale looming. Better surveillance capabilities will provide immediate help to suppress the rebels.

China faces huge economic losses if the Burmese military government loses, and knows this is a real threat because the military government has already lost control over most of the country. China is a major foreign investor in Burma and its projects often displace Burmese illegally and without compensation. Most of this misbehavior occurred in the northern border areas where hostile tribes live. These tribes tend to have armed militias that have been fighting the military for over sixty years. Chinese investments gave the tribal rebels more targets for unarmed protests and armed attacks. China will do whatever it can to protect those investments, which include oil and natural gas pipelines from southern China to the northeast Burma coast. The pipelines have come under increasing attacks.

The first thing the new military government did after the 2021 coup was assure China that Chinese assets would be protected. China promptly used their veto powers in the UN to block UN actions against the new military rulers of Burma. Soon Russia also proclaimed support for the military government. The response of the military was not unexpected, because the civilian government knew that the Burmese generals maintained their connections in China.

The Burmese Army has long been at the center of most illegal economic activity in Burma. Some estimates indicate that at least $20 billion has been illegally moved out of Burma during the fifty years of military rule (which shows how poor Burma is). Almost all of that involved military personnel or their gangster and commercial allies. Military families still control a lot of the economy and most of the wealthy families in Burma have a military connection. The illegal cash leaving amounted on average to about six percent of GDP. The military may have surrendered much of their political power in 2010, but they held onto their considerable personal wealth.

The Burmese military is comfortable with a cozy relationship with China and Russia, but most Burmese are not. This has led to Chinese businesses being attacked since the coup and a few have been set on fire. The military was forced to assign more troops and hire some armed guards to protect the Chinese businesses.

The alliance of separatist northern tribes, which reached a peace agreement with the elected government in 2016, refused to recognize or cooperate with the military government. Burmese military leaders were surprised at the extent and duration of mass protests during the last six months. Despite most of the economy being crippled, the military still has income because during their decades of rule they came to control many businesses and some of those were joint ventures with China. A lot of Chinese firms pay the Burmese military directly for joint ventures. This provides the military with over a billion dollars a year, assuming the Chinese operations can keep functioning. Burmese army officers made a lot of money allowing China to do business in the tribal north, often at the expense of local civilians, most of them tribal people. After the return of democracy in 2011, China no longer had as much freedom in the north. Russia is of little help economically but is one of the few nations supporting the military government.

China is in uncharted territory here but is mainly risking money, not a lot of Chinese lives. The Chinese see this as an opportunity to see how far this new version of conquest by economic aggression can go. This is an important experiment because it is a new version of the tactics the Europeans, especially the British, used centuries ago to replace Chinese dominance of East Asia.

One thing the current Burmese conflict is unlikely to change is the dominance of the government by ethnic Burmese (Burman) people at the expense of the third of the population consisting of minorities. The army always played on this during the decades after the 1962 coup. Even after elections were resumed the army still had allies in the form of militant Buddhist nationalists. Another thing that unites and divides the country is religion. Some 80 percent of Burmese are Buddhists, including many of the rebellious tribes in the north. A third of the non-Buddhists are Christians, mainly in the tribal north and about 30 percent are Hindu. The ethnic Burmese are most hostile towards Moslems, who make up only about four percent of the population and less than ten percent of the minorities. Until 2012 about half the Moslems were ethnic Bengalis (Rohingya) who until the 1980s were considered Burmese citizens. That changed after an elected government took power in 2011 and since 2012 nearly a quarter of the million Rohingya are believed to have fled Burma to escape the growing violence of radical Buddhist Burmese nationalists. China assures the Burmese generals that they have proven solutions for all these problems.
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The family of a dead Boeing whistleblower says that they hold the aircraft manufacturer responsible for his death, even if the company had not pulled the trigger.

John Barnett, 62, a quality control engineer at Boeing for 32 years, was found dead at a South Carolina hotel in March, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A coroner later ruled that he died by suicide. At the time he was testifying in a lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer.

An autopsy report, released by the Charleston County Coroner, stated that a review of Barnetts medical records and interviews with his family showed he was suffering from chronic stress brought on by the lawsuit, as well as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A note found by law enforcement in Barnetts truck demonstrated he was going through a period of serious personal distress, according to the autopsy report.

A note found by authorities in Barnetts vehicle expressed his frustration with Boeing and the whistleblower protection programme ( City of Charleston Police Department )

Excerpts from the note, shared by Charleston police, showed the former employees frustration with the company as well as with the whistleblower protection programme, with one sentence reading: I pray Boeing pays.

Whistleblowers protection is f***** up too!

He also wrote: Family and friends, I love you I found my purpose! Im at peace!

On Tuesday, Barnetts family released a statement via their lawyers in which they reiterated their criticism for the manufacturer.

Mr. Barnetts last words make clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death, read the statement from attorneys Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles.

Mr Barnetts family wishes to thank the Coroner, the responders and all those who have reached out with kind words and support. It is hoped that Johns legacy will be his brave and courageous efforts to get Boeing to change its culture of concealment to one that places quality and safety first.

Barnett had alleged that Boeing intentionally used defective parts in its planes and warned that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner might face a lack of oxygen if a sudden decompression occurred.

He had traveled to Charleston on 26 February from Louisiana, to take part in a deposition as part of the lawsuit with Boeing. He was deposed by Boeing attorneys on 7 March and by his attorneys the next day.

John Barnett, a former Boeing employee-turned-whistleblower, died in March, while giving testimony in a lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer ( @Megatron_ron/Twitter )

He was due to resume testimony on 9 March. In the autopsy report, Coroner Bobbi Jo ONeal, noted that Barnett had not responded to a courtesy call from his lawyers on that day.

After he failed to arrive for the proceedings, his lawyers called for a wellness check, and he was found dead, according to authorities.

The coroners report, released last week, came following the death of a second Boeing whistleblower earlier this month.

Joshua Dean, who worked as a quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, died earlier this month, according to his family. The 45-year-old who had an active lifestyle and was believed to be in good health, passed away in hospital following the onset of a fast-moving infection.

Attorney Brian Knowles previously told The Independent that the men were heroes who wanted to help the company do better.

He added that there were at least ten other Boeing whistleblowers out there, both former and current employees, who are safe and sound.

However, the incidents with Barnett and Dean have been unsettling for some, including Santiago Paredes  another whistleblower who has come forward publicly against Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Mr Paredes, 40, dismissed conspiracy theories about two other whistleblowers who died shortly after coming forward with claims of safety issues at Boeing suppliers, but admitted hes remaining vigilant about his own safety.

Santiago Paredes, another whistleblower, came out against Boeing supplier Spirt AeroSystems, after the deaths of John Barnett and Joshua Dean ( Sheila Flynn )

Im always looking behind my mirror to make sure nobodys cars following me, he said. Im not saying that Im scared, but at the same time, I cant put a blind eye to the reality of what could be. I have to prepare myself for that.

Mr Paredes spent more than a decade as an inspector and team leader at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems before leaving in 2022 after repeatedly issuing warnings to superiors about quality control failings  which at one point resulted in his demotion, he says.

Spirit AeroSystems  not to be confused with Spirit Airlines  manufactures plane components, including fuselages and wing parts, and Boeing is its largest customer.

Questions and concerns about the safety of Boeings 737 Max 9 planes have been circulating since January, after after a door plug blew off in mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight. The FAA grounded all all 171 MAX 9 jets and instigated an investigation.

Mr Paredes had been friendly with Dean, an auditor, who contacted him last year and asked him to help with a shareholder lawsuit. Paredes agreed to participate anonymously  but went public with his claims earlier this month after Deans death, revealing that hed been encouraged to play down any defects he found when inspecting plane fuselages.

Im picking up the mantle of where he left off and I have to carry on and see it through, Paredes told The Independent.

Last week, Mr Paredes attended a celebration of Deans life at Cross Point Free Will Baptist Church. The gathering took place less than five miles from the sprawling headquarters of Spirit Aerosystems, which spans 600 acres and employs about 12,000  more than half the companys global workforce.

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.
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Chloe Guan-Branch made national news when her mother gave birth to her on a flight from Calgary to Tokyo in 2015.

Now, shes making headlines yet again for a different reason: She died on 15 May 2020 at just five years old after her caregiver assaulted and neglected her. The details of her life and ultimate death due to neglect were unknown until this week when an Ontario judge lifted a publication ban on the case in a challenge initiated by two Canadian news outlets.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Pierre Roger said Chloes paternal grandparents gave their permission to end the ban, as this would give the victim a final say, The Ottawa Citizen reports.

Her stepfather Justin Cassie-Berube, now 27, was arrested in June 2021 and convicted in March 2024 of manslaughter, assault, criminal negligence and failing to provide the necessities of life after Chloe was found dead in a soiled bed from neglect.

He will be sentenced on Friday.

Chloe Guan-Branch, pictured, died in May 2020 due to abuse and neglect at the hands of her stepfather newly unveiled court documents reveal ( Ontario Superior Courts )

The newly uncovered trial details reveal that Chloe was born to her mother Ada Guan and her father Wesley Branch. She was removed from their care after just a few months before returning to her mothers custody at three years old, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

At that point, Ms Guan moved to Alberta and met Cassie-Berube online. Ms Guan then moved to Ottawa to be with Cassie-Berube, bringing Chloe along, The Ottawa Citizen reports.

Ms Guan later testified that Cassie-Berube controlled her, threatening to end his life if she left him.

Officials said they found the young girl with a shocking number of bruises, cuts, a possible cigarette burn and a ruptured bladder, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

Chloe Guan-Branch (left) pictured with stepfather Justin Cassie-Berube (right) in February 2020. Her stepfather will be sentenced on Friday ( Ontario Superior Courts )

The five-year-old then died of acute uremia, a condition caused by waste entering the bloodstream, the outlets reported.

In the hours leading up to her death, Cassie-Berubes phone records indicated he was looking up her symptoms, the CBC reports. His searches included what to get kids to eat after puking and what should I eat after passing out. Cassie-Berube admitted to beating the five-year-old but said he never punched her in the stomach, instead claiming her ruptured bladder was caused by falling on her bed railing.

Pathologists were not able to determine the definitive cause of the rupture, the outlets reported.

At Cassie-Berubes trial, Ms Guan testified she wanted to take her daughter to the hospital but was afraid to make her partner angry. The mother also testified that Cassie-Berube was violent with her and Chloe, saying he used Chloe as a punching bag when he was angry, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

Cassie-Berube told officials, If Im the monster that hurt a little girl, I need to be helped, the CBC reports.

Mr Branch and his parents wrote in a victim impact statement that they never knew Chloe except as a baby, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

We were hoping one day we could meet her, the three said in their statement. We thought wed reminisce about the day she was born on a plane to Japan.
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The bodies of two missing Kansas moms were found by authorities in a freezer buried on a farm after they were allegedly killed by members of the Gods Misfits anti-government group.

It has been almost two months since Jilian Kelley, the wife of a local pastor, and her friend Veronica Butler set off from Kansas on a road trip to visit Bulters children in Oklahoma.

They vanished off the highway on 30 March, and their bodies werent found by authorities for another two weeks. On 13 April, four people were taken into custody on charges of murder and kidnapping in connection to the two missing moms. A fifth Gods Misfits member, 31-year-old Paul Grice, was also arrested later.

Newly filed Texas County court documents obtained by two local outlets are now shedding light on precisely where the bodies of the two mothers were found.

The two women were found inside a chest freezer that was located after a two-day excavation of a burial site in a cow pasture. A long list of other items were also dug up, most with possible blood on them, including jeans, sweatshirts, T-shirts, a black jacket, cloth gloves, ball caps, duct tape, a sheathed black knife and a black taser/flashlight, search warrants obtained by KFOR state. The documents do not provide more details on the manner of the moms murders and cause of death.

Veronica Butler, left, and Jilian Kelley were killed in rural Oklahoma after going missing at the end of March ( Facebook )

The burial site was on a property that was leased by Tad Cullum, one of the murder suspects, KATV reported.

The documents also alleged that Mr Grice had asked a witness on 18 April some suspicious questions in the aftermath of the four other suspects arrests.

Mr Grice asked the witness how long DNA would last in dirt if it was churned and also questioned if the witness knew how to get a guy and his family to Mexico, the documents say, according to the outlet.

He also allegedly told the witness he was concerned about his DNA being in the hole that the women were found in because he had been to the Twomblys house, although this was not further explained.

When Mr Cullum was arrested at his home on 13 April, Mr Grice was also there, the documents reportedly say, with the FBI noticing that his right pinky finger was bandaged.

Tad Bert Cullum, top left, Cora Twombly, top right, Tifany Machel Adams, bottom left, and Cole Earl Twombly, bottom right arrested in connection to ther murders of the two women ( OSBI )

Mr Grice told them he cut it working on his pickup, but a tip to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation stated someone saw Mr Grice on at the end of March and told them he injured it while cutting fencing, documents obtained by KATV state.

Data has also been seized from devices belonging to multiple suspects that could possibly link them back to the crime, the documents also reportedly detail.

The records allege that Cole and Cora Twombly, two of the suspects, had cellphones in a truck they were driving at the time of their arrest, with data on the devices linking them both to the site that the two women were abducted from, as well as the burial site, KFOR reports.

They also state that Tifany Machel Adams, another suspect, had purchased the cellphones and another device from a Walmart in February.

Before Mr Grices arrest, Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44 were all accused of luring Butler and Kelley to a rural crossroads before kidnapping and murdering them on 30 March.

That morning, Butler thought she was going to pick up her children, aged six and eight, from their paternal grandmother, Ms Adams, for her usual supervised visit.

According to court documents obtained by The Independent, the pair had been involved in a years-long, problematic custody battle over the children, whose father, Wrangler Rickman is Ms Adams son.

Veronica Butler, left, and Jilian Kelley disappeared on 30 March in rural Oklahoma. Their bodies were identified last week and five people have been charged over their murders ( OSBI )

Rickman had allegedly told his grandmother in February that they didnt have to worry about the custody battle much longer, because Adams had it under control and would take out Butler during a drop-off of the children, arrest documents said.

Mr Rickman denied having this conversation when questioned later, documents showed.

Ms Adams, Mr Cullum, Mr Grice and the Twomblys, who called themselves Gods Misfits according to court documents, allegedly plotted to kill Butler for at least a month, even staking out her home in Hugoton, Kansas, just across the border from Oklahoma.

Ms Butler was allowed supervised visits on Saturdays. The day before she disappeared, Ms Butler was told by Ms Adams that her usual, paid supervisor was not available, and she should bring her own chosen person.

Ms Kelley, a preachers wife, was that chosen person.

The pair were reportedly ambushed on the rural Highway 95, with their abandoned car found at the intersection with Road L by Butlers relatives after she failed to show up to a party with the children.

Butler and Kelleys causes of death are yet to be officially revealed, but it is believed they were not shot.

The Independent has contacted Texas Office of Court Administration for further information.
 Close Chad Daybells daughter testifies in his murder trial

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A new rebuttal witness for the prosecution testified that Chad Daybells son Garth had told him how he found his dead mother Tammy Daybell, which is different from what Garth told the court at his fathers triple murder trial earlier this week.

Shortly after the defense rested on Thursday, Jason Abegelen, who worked with Garth at a haunted house, recalled that Garth told him how he found his mother dead in the bedroom and that his father was not there.

But Garth had testified that in the early morning hours of October 19, 2019, his father woke him up to help after finding the mother-of-five dead and halfway off the bed on the floor, tangled up in sheets.

Daybell, 55, is on trial for the death of Tammy, and the murders of Lori Vallows two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ Vallow, seven. Two weeks after Tammys death, Daybell and Vallow married on a beach in Hawaii.

It was only after the children were reported missing  and authorities began delving into the couples bizarre cult beliefs  that questions were asked about Tammys death and her body was exhumed for an autopsy. It was determined she had died of asphyxia and Daybell was charged with her murder, as well as the murders of Vallows children, who were found buried in Daybells Idaho backyard nine months after they went missing.

Prosecutors say Daybell and Vallow justified the three killings by creating an apocalyptic belief system, which was part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles from their life.

But Daybells attorney claims he was manipulated by Vallow, who was convicted of the murders last year and received three life sentences.

Like Vallow, Daybell did not testify in his defense.

Closing arguments are expected to be next week and then the case will be in the hands of the jury.

If convicted, Daybell faces the death penalty or life in prison.
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The mother of a missing North Carolina girl said she hopes she is safe after she pleaded guilty to charges that she failed to report the disappearance of her middle-school-aged daughter.

Madalina Cojocari was eleven years old when she was last seen getting off her school bus in November 2022. A month later, her mother Diana Cojocari and her stepfather Christopher Palmiter were arrested after they only reported her missing two days prior.

Now, more than a year later and with Madalinas whereabouts still unknown, Ms Cojocari pleaded guilty on Monday to one felony charge of failing to report her daughter as missing. She had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge before reversing course and entering a new plea.

Ms Cojocari, who is not an American citizen, faces deportation to Moldova after changing her plea, local outlet WCNC reports. She has remained in jail since 2022 under a $250,000 bond.

She was released from jail on Tuesday and was asked by a WSOC-TV reporter if Madalina was safe and if she knew her whereabouts.

I hope so, she replied.

You hope, you know where she is? she was then asked by reporter Hannah Goetz. I hope she is safe, Ms Cojocari said.

Meanwhile, Mr Palmiter pleaded not guilty to the same charge. He was released from jail in August after posting a $25,000 bond. His trial began Tuesday.

Diana Cojocari (left) and Christopher Palmiter (right) pictured in booking photos after they were arrested on charges of failing to report Madalina Cojocari missing. Ms Cojocari pleaded guilty to the felony charge on Monday ( Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office )

Mr Palmiters trial begins 18 months after Madalina disappeared.

The eleven-year-old was last publicly seen on 21 November 2022 via surveillance footage of her stepping off a school bus. Her mother told investigators she saw Madalina at home two days later when she went to bed. Ms Cojocari claims her daughter was gone the next morning.

For the next several weeks, Madalinas school contacted her parents about her whereabouts. Ms Cojocari reported her daughters disappearance on 15 December to a school resource officer. Ms Cojocari and Mr Palmiter were arrested two days later.

In December 2022, Ms Cojocari claimed she did not report her daughter missing because she believed it would start a conflict between her and Mr Palmiter.

Madalina Cojocari, pictured, has been missing since 2022. Her stepfather has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of failing to report her missing ( Cornelius PD )

Investigators said at the time Ms Cojocari may have gone on a trip before reporting her missing. They also say she asked a distant relative if he would help with smuggling her and Madalina away to escape her bad relationship with Mr Palmiter.

Court documents obtained by WCNC indicate law enforcement officers spoke with Ms Cojocaris cousin, who said Madalina and her mother were in trouble from a third party unrelated to Mr Palmiter. They were attempting to flee the country after plans to stay with Mr Palmiters relatives fell through, Ms Cojocaris cousin told police, according to WCNC.

Mr Palmiters defense claims the prosecution failed to disclose the conversation with Ms Cojocaris cousin, as well as other pieces of key evidence, until recently.

The defense fails to understand how providing the entire file could compromise information that is now a year-and-a-half stale, Mr Palmiters defense team said, per WCNC.

The prosecution has pushed back, claiming the evidence was not relevant to the charge at hand.
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A disgruntled Texas woman opened fire at McDonalds drive-thru over missing hash browns and biscuits in her order.

Samantha Anthony, 32, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records, after allegedly resorting to violence after she took issue with her McDonalds meal, police said.

During the December 30, 2023 incident, Ms Anthony was accused of firing multiple gunshots from the drivers side car window into a drive-thru window around 5am, the arrest warrant obtained by KSAT states.

At least eight gunshots were fired into the window while employees were working. No one was injured as employees ran for cover behind walls and equipment as the woman opened fire, the warrant detailed.

Ms Anthony fled after opening fire, police said.

I heard the first shot, I kind of like had a late reaction," one unnamed employee told KENS5. "Whenever the other shot started ringing out, thats when all of us in the front started ducking and sliding."

The employee working at the drive-thru said Ms Anthony ordered her food, picked it up, then drove away without issue.

Samantha Anthony, 32, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing shots at a McDonalds ( Bexar County Sheriffs Office )

However, 30 minutes later, Ms Anthony pulled back up at the McDonalds and started to scream at employees that she did not get her order; the employee told the outlet, which reported included biscuits and hash browns.

"When I was talking to her, I noticed that she had the wrappers on her lap. I was just like, Can I see the bag? Because I noticed the bag," the employee told the outlet. "[She said], You didnt give me a bag either, even though I could see it on her lap."

The employee claimed they tried to tell the woman they gave her the food, with the manager even checking surveillance footage; however, Ms Anthony kept insisting she did not receive her food.

After half an hour of debating with the employees over whether she received her food, the employees then claimed that Ms Anthonys boyfriend visited the restaurant and asked the employees why they were ignoring her.

"She was hopping from the first drive-thru window to the second window, banging, talking, yelling," the employee claimed to the outlet.

The shooting occured at this McDonalds in Lone Star, San Antonio, Texas ( Google Maps )

The situation then escalated to the point that Ms Anthony then allegedly started to fire at the drive-thru.

I was crying, I was scared, I was having a panic attack, the employee recalled.

Police tool the woman into custody by identifying her as the owner of a gold Cadillac SUV, which surveillance footage captured her driving away in, the affidavit states.

The police said her SUV was easily identified by a white sticker of a rifle and a big A plastered on her vehicle, as well as Ms Anthony being identified by several tattoos also visible in surveillance footage of the shooting.

Ms Anthony was booked into the Bexar County Jail on 16 May on a $75,000 bond.

The Independent has contacted the Bexar County Sheriffs Office for further information.
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A woman who was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend outside her Manhattan home named him as her killer in her dying breath, New York City police said.

Ty did this, Shirley Rodriguez, 29, uttered to her father in her final moments after she stumbled inside following the attack on Monday, said Joseph Kenny, NYPDs chief of detectives, at a press briefing.

Tyquane Jemmott, 33, of the Bronx, was arrested in connection to the fatal stabbing. He was caught on the same day, hiding out at his uncles house in the Bronx, said Chief Kenny. Charges are still pending.

Chief Kenny said Rodriguez had just left her apartment building in the Washington Heights neighborhood around 5.30am on Monday to head to work when she was ambushed in the vicious one-minute attack that was caught on video. She was stabbed in her torso, back, neck, arms and face.

She was fighting back the whole time, the chief said.

Shirley Rodriguez was stabbed to death outside her Washington Heights apartment in New York on May 20, 2024 ( Provided )

The attacker was chased away by bystanders who called 911 while Rodriguez stumbled back into her building and buzzed her father on the intercom for help.

The father comes down to aid his daughter, Chief Kenny said. As shes dying, she tells him that Ty did this.

Rodriguez was rushed to Harlem Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The police chief said Rodriguez and Jemmott, who had previously filed domestic incident reports, ended their two-year relationship last week.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis doesnt want the Sunshine Skyway Bridge lit up in rainbow colors for Pride Month  and instead it will be illuminated in red, white and blue.

The 429ft, four mile-long bridge spans Lower Tampa Bay to connect Pinellas County to Manatee County.

With June marking Pride Month, LGBTQ communities are set to be celebrated around the world. Sunshine Skyway Bridges 1,800 LED lights are typically lit up in rainbow colours that month.

But plans to shine a light on the event using the Sunshine States flagship bridge have been stymied by Mr DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Floridas Skyway bridge lit up in rainbow colors in previous years. Governor Ron DeSantis has banned this years display ( Fox13 )

Instead, the Republican wants all bridges to be lit up in line with the Star Spangled Banner between Memorial Day and Labor Day  27 May to 2 September  as the state marks the start of the governors latest policy, Freedom Summer.

As Floridians prepare for Freedom Summer, Floridas bridges will follow suit, illuminating in red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day! Florida Transportation Secretary James Perdue wrote on X.

Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida continues to be the freest state in the nation, he added.

Mr DeSantis display will wipe out several scheduled lightings, including for Mental Health Awareness (28-31 May); Juneteenth (19 June); and Ovarian Cancer Awareness (1-7 September). Sickle Cell Awareness Day (18 June ) and World Fragile X Day for autism (22 July) were said to be close to getting approval.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge wont be lit up in rainbow colors this Pride Month ( Getty )

Mr DeSantis has also introduced the Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday, which will remove sales tax on state parks, museums, and outdoor recreation equipment in July.

Florida is stepping up to make summer more affordable for families, he said.

Light displays on Sunshine Skyway Bridge must be approved by commissions in the three counties it touches: Manatee, Pinellas, and Hillsborough.

In February, Manatees Commission Chairman Mike Rahn also objected to the bridge being lit up to honor Pride Month and Gun Violence Awareness Day, according to an email seen by the Tampa Bay Times.
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A female rancher was last seen walking alone along a dirt road in an extremely rural area of Utah before she disappeared, police say.

Elizabeth Green, 21, went missing in Juab County, Utah last month, according to the sheriffs office. Officials say the location she vanished in is three hours from any major city.

The womans mother, Vanessa Simmons, said her daughter was last spotted in Callao where she was starting a new job and was walking to a nearby ranch.

Im kind of at the point where I think maybe she had somebody pick her up, the mother told KUTV. I just dont know who that is, or if they actually picked her up, or if they didnt come and then she went trying to walk through the desert.

Police began looking for the woman on April 18, according to a search warrant for her electronic devices obtained by the sheriffs office and reviewed by the news outlet.

Family members reported Elizabeth Green missing on April 17 ( Juab County Sheriff's Office )

According to the outlet, the warrant states: This area of our county is approximately three hours away from any major cities and requires travel on dirty roads. SAR searched the area between her home and the ranch she was going to work at. They also searched in a grid pattern around the area. They were unable to locate Elizabeth or anything to determine where she could have gone.

Additionally, officials had searched the ranch property where the woman had been employed.

The warrant also states that the woman had suffered from mental health issues and had run away from home in the past. The difference this time, the outlet reported, was that the woman would usually return within a day and stay in communication with her family.

Based on the information that we have received, we are concerned about the possibility that Elizabeth is in danger of serious bodily injury or death, the warrant reads.

It is unknown if Elizibeth is in danger and lost in the vast desert, or if someone that she was communicating with met with her and is holding her against her will.

Authorities describe her as a caucasian female measuring 5 feet 11 inches tall and 125 pounds. She has light brown hair and green eyes and was last seen wearing a pink tie-dye hoodie, light blue jeans, black Converse shoes, and a white backpack purse.

The sheriffs office is asking anyone with information to contact dispatch at 801-794-3970 and reference case 24JC0335.
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Watch as New York Harbor welcomed the annual Parade of Ships for Fleet Week on Wednesday, 22 May.

Around a dozen vessels sailed up the Hudson River, passing landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower.

Ships on display included two from the US Navy, three from the Coast Guard, and four from the Naval Academy Yard Patrol, as well as vessels from Germany.

This years theme for the events, which will take place between 22 and 28 May, is Fleet Week New York...Celebrating Those Who Serve.

The US military estimates more than 2,300 Coast Guard, sailors, and marines will take part.

Spectators were able to watch the event for free along the river from Battery Park to south of the George Washington Bridge.
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A prominent Texas judge has been absent from court for over three weeks with no explanation on where shes gone or when shell return.

Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson, recently presided over several high-profile trials in the county, but has not been present at the 178th Criminal District Court since May 1, according to ABC13.

Courthouse staff told the outlet, which was first to report on her absence, that concerns have been raised previously about Judge Johnsons mental well-being, and a spokesperson said that she was out for personal matters.

Multiple trials and hearings at the court have been postponed or rescheduled due to her absence.

Judge Johnson was elected in 2016 to the 178th Criminal District Court after serving as Assistant District Attorney for 17 years. According to her court bio, she is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County.

She has two sons, a 12-year-old and 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett.

A Houston Police Department report from May 4 described Judge Johnsons involvement in an incident near her home, with an officer citing a "disturbance/CIT," a law enforcement acronym for crisis intervention.

Judge Kelli Johnson has been absent from court in Harris County, Texas, for over three weeks, prompting questions about her whereabouts and wellbeing ( Justex/ District Courts of Harris County )

Court staff told ABC13 that Johnson was a danger to herself and to the community."

The Independent has contacted the court for further information about Judge Johnsons whereabouts, but has received no reply.

Prior to her absence she presided over the trial of Brian Coulter, who was accused of beating eight-year-old Kendrick Lee to death. Coulter pleaded not guilty, but opted for a bench trial, without a jury present.

Judge Johnson deliberated for around 20 minutes before finding him guilty of capital murder, ABC13 reported.

Coulter was charged alongside the childs mother, Gloria Williams, who was accused of leaving her three sons in a Houston apartment with the remains of their dead brother.

Judge Johnson has also presided over the murder trials of AJ Armstrong, a man convicted of shooting his parents to death when he was a teenager in 2016.

A visiting judge has handled some court matters in her absence. Last week, retired Judge Jim Wallace presided over a trial, according to ABC13.

"At the end of the day, one of the responsibilities of the judge is to be able to serve," Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, told the outlet.

We already know our courts in Harris County are severely overburdened, and so, any missing judge means cases effectively stop in her court The end result is justice delayed for both the victim and those accused of crimes."
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After a medical examiner ruled his death an accident last year, Matthew Perrys passing was considered a closed case.

But almost seven months on an investigation, at both federal and local level, has been opened into who supplied the Friends actor with the ketamine which caused to his death.

The investigation into how Perry came to have so much ketamine involves the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the LAPD confirmed on Tuesday.

Hours before the LAPDs statement, DEA told The Independent that it does not confirm or comment on ongoing investigations. The Independent has contacted USPS for comment.

Two key questions remain: who provided the drug, and under what circumstances.

Matthew Perry, pictured in 2017. The 54-year-old was found dead at his Los Angeles home in October 2023 ( Getty Images )

On 28 October 2023, first responders found Perry, 54, unresponsive in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. The actor was pronounced dead at the scene.

A toxicology report confirmed that he had died from acute effects of ketamine, which caused the actor to drown in the heated waters. Sources close to the actor said he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety.

Yet his last infusion therapy was one and a half weeks before his death. The coroner noted that the ketamine in Matthews system could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamines half-life is three to four hours, or less.

His autopsy, released in December, found that the amount of ketamine in his blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. It was listed as the primary cause of death, which was ruled an accident with no foul play suspected, the report said.

Matthew Perry (right) played Chandler Bing on nineties hit sitcom, Friends ( NBCUniversal via Getty )

Drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects were listed as contributing factors to his death, according to the LA County Medical Examiners Office.

Authorities are looking for the person who might have supplied a secondary source of the drug, and whether Perry received narcotics in the mail, according to TMZ which first broke the news.

Authorities believe they could assist them track down Perrys ketamine dealer. No arrests have been made so far.

Federal postal inspectors will also leverage their tracking software, mail-related investigation tools and industry expertise as part of the investigation. Under USPIS guidelines, first-class letters and packages cannot be searched for drugs or seized, as they are protected under the Fourth Amendment and cannot be searched without a warrant.

Perrys drug addiction spiralled following a jet ski accident in 1997, where he became addicted to Vicodin, a powerful opiode-based painkiller.

Throughout the course of his life, the actor said that he spent $9 million on his quest for sobriety, went to 6,000 AA meetings, and entered rehab a total of 15 times, he wrote in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.

By 2021, he said that he had overcome his addiction.
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Heavy rainfall has hampered the ongoing search for two canoeists missing for five days after their canoes were swept over a waterfall in Minnesota.

Four people in two canoes went over Curtain Falls waterfall in the Boundary Waters wilderness on Saturday, falling 30ft into the waters of Iron Lake below. The waterfall is located on the border between the US and Canada.

Two people were rescued downstream from a small island on Sunday morning and were airlifted by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources helicopter.

Two men remain missing after the plunge. They were identified by authorities as Jesse Melvin Haugen, 41, and 40-year-old Reis Melvin Grams.

Curtain Falls, a waterfall on the border between the United States and Canada, swept away a group of canoeists on Saturday, with two people still unaccounted for ( St Louis County Rescue Squad )

The two people rescued were identified as Kyle Thomas Sellers, 47, and 43-year-old Erik Michael Grams, brother of one the missing canoeists. Mr Sellers was injured from the fall, and was flown to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. A fifth person in the group, Jared Jay Lohse, 33, was on the shore at the time of the incident.

Angie Grams, wife of Mr Grams, one of the missing canoeists, told Fox9 that she is holding onto hope that her husband will be found.

He is just a great, great man, she said. I need him home because the world needs him to be here longer.

The search for the missing canoeists is proving difficult due to harsh weather and rapid water conditions.

On Tuesday, the St Louis County Rescue Squad wrote that their efforts have been greatly curtailed due to weather, and predicted that the water volume over Curtain Falls will double, raising levels in the river basin between 11 and 23 inches.

Two teams worked the overnight until chased undercover by rain and winds, they wrote. They will remain spiked out in camp and hunkered down until this whopper storm passes.

Cloud cover has hindered the use of aerial surveillance and around 2inches of rain is anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday, Nate Skelton, division commander with the St Louis County sheriffs office, told the Star Tribune.

Right now, were pretty much at a standstill, Mr Skelton told MPR.

Rescue workers have remained camped at the scene with search efforts concentrated on the base of the falls, which flows into the Iron Lake.

The rescuers are hoping for a break in the harsh weather, as two more rescue personnel are waiting to be flown into the scene when it is safe to do so.

When they arrive, Mr Skelton told MPR that they would resume their search using remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), that they would use to search underwater using sonar and high-resolution cameras.

The missing men were part of a group who were familiar with the area.

The men were fishing above the falls when something happened; one of them got in distress, the other one tried to give some assistance, and they both ended up going over the falls, Mr Skelton told the outlet.
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Footage of a woman emerging from her secret home inside a sign on top of a Family Dollar store has been released by police after her story went viral.

The 34-year-old woman had been living in the sign on top of the retailer in Michigan for about a year, she told officers as they escorted her off the property.

Her accommodation even included bedding, a desk, a houseplant, a computer printer, a Keurig coffeemaker and food.

The woman, who has not been named by officials, said the dark, makeshift dwelling worked for her because of an allergy she had to the sun. She even said she was able to live in the space in the winter after spending some time in Alaska.

Police had caught on to the womans home when a contractor found the residence, MLive reported.

A woman created a small apartment out of a sign on top of a Family Dollar store in Michigan, police say ( Advance Local )

It was crazy. I about had a heart attack, the contractor told police, per video obtained by the outlet. This is the weirdest thing Ive ever found.

The responding officers who interacted with the woman took a different approach, calling the dwelling impressive and commenting on how it smelled like garlic.

The manager of the Family Dollar store had asked the woman to leave, stating that her being on the roof was a liability that could cost employees their jobs should something happen to her.

She hasnt been charged with a crime and the manager of the store said shed take care of her belongings and would leave them in a safe space for her.

The store employee said shed tried to get the woman, dubbed the roof ninja to come out of the sign before but she disappeared before officers could come into contact with her.

The woman declined to say how shed been getting onto the roof when asked by officers. When she returned the question, police said they had to use a ladder to speak to her, saying Were not a roof ninja.

A woman created a small apartment out of a sign on top of a Family Dollar store in Michigan, police say

With that, the woman came out of the home in a balaclava, Puma track jacket, Adidas track pants, gloves and large ski goggles. An officer said the department was familiar with the woman and had been getting calls about her due to her appearance.

She said shed known about the hideaway for a while, calling it a safe spot.

City officials have tried to set her up with assistance, but shes declined the offers. Both the woman and the store manager were able to engage in a conversation as the roof ninja was being escorted off the property, the outlet reported.

The manager warned the woman that if she returned to the property, shell be arrested for trespassing. She was encouraged to find somewhere safe to spend the night, but replied Trust me, its safer up there than it is on ground level right now. The woman identified herself as homeless to the police.

Following widespread media attention from the story, Family Dollar donated $10,000 to a local nonprofit working with homeless populations.
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A Southwest Airlines captain has filed a complaint against the airline, which sacked him over his decision to speak to passengers rather than fly the plane during an emergency last year.

David Legeros was in command of a Boeing 737 that saw an engine burst into flames moments after takeoff from Houston Hobby Airport in August 2023 on the way to Cancun.

The planes right-hand engine suffered severe damage during the emergency, but rather than take the controls the captain chose to let the First Officer fly the plane. Instead, Mr Legeros communicated with air traffic control for a return emergency landing back in Houston, according to court documents obtained by The Independent.

In an application for an injunction against the airline filed in a New York district court in April, Mr Legeros states that flames could be seen from inside the cabin, making the passengers unsurprisingly terrified.

The court papers state that Mr Legeros then spoke in Spanish and English to the passengers to try and reassure them that the situation was under control.

Following the incident he says that he was reprimanded by the airline, as Southwests standard operating procedures instruct the captain to take control of the aircraft during an emergency situation, according to PYOK.

The former captain claimed that if he had taken control of the plane, the aircraft could have suddenly jolted and detached the burning engine, leaving the risk of it falling to the ground.

Had SWA (Southwest Airlines) decided to reward Mr Legeros, or even ignore him, following his heroics, this story would be over, but SWA decided to punish him, the petition states.

The court documents claim that the airline found that Mr Legeros engaged in serious misconduct after they investigated the incident on Flight WN307.

Instead of immediate termination for the sin of safely getting a flaming aircraft to the tarmac, Mr Legeros was forced to sign a Last Chance Agreement with a myriad of extraordinary requirements for his retraining program, the injunction application wrote.

Despite the complaint claiming the passengers onboard were heavily Hispanic, it alleges that management had criticised him for speaking Spanish to the passengers.

Based on the pretense of some serious misconduct, but in reality due to his status as a person of color, SWA has been looking to push Mr. Legeros out, the complaint alleges.

Mr Legeros was then, and still is, grounded from flight status, and then in January, the airline said they wanted to conduct a Fitness for Duty psychological evaluation.

There are few better ways to remove an irritating pilot than to develop a medical record that purports to diagnose said pilot as insane, Mr Legeros lawsuit states.

Mr Legeros claimed he could not attend the initial evaluation due to his father being in hospital.

The lawsuit claims that Southwest now wants him to attend a meeting with their Chief Pilot where he would be allowed to resign or be terminated.

Mr Legeros is seeking injunctive relief to prevent SWA from compelling a psychological exam or the Fitness for Duty evaluation.

Southwest declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit to PYOK as the litigation is pending. But company spokesperson Lynn Lunsford said in a statement to the outlet that Southwest stood behind its decision to fire Legaros.

Southwest expects all of its Pilots to follow procedures and policies that exist to protect the safety of our Customers and Employees, the airline said in a statement.

Southwest stands behind its decision to dismiss Mr. Legeros and will respond to any claims in the appropriate forum.

The Independent has contacted Southwest for further comment.
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Donald Trump started the month owing his lawyers a seven-figure sum as the ex-president burns through thousands of dollars per day to cover his burgeoning legal fees.

Founded and controlled by Mr Trump, Save America leadership political action committee (PAC) has been his primary fundraising and political spending wing since he left the White House.

The PAC, composed of wealthy pro-Trump donors, has absorbed most of the cost from his legal troubles, as he faces 91 felony counts including 34 from his hush money trial alone. Mr Trump denies all charges held against him.

Last year, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee spent $55 million on legal bills, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), according to a filing in February. In February alone, Save America spent $230,000 on lawyer fees, as per the filing.

Save America entered 2024 with liquid cash of just $5 million after Mr Trump burned through his donors funds paying off his astronomical legal bills.

According to Save Americas most recent filings with the FEC, the former president owes approximately $1.1 million to five law firms. One law firm accounts for Save Americas greatest debt: Blanche Law, founded by Todd Blanche.

Donald Trump owed more than $800,000 to Todd Blanches firm up to the start of this month ( 2024 Getty Images )

Mr Blanche is representing Mr Trump who stands trial for falsifying business records over alleged hush money payments to adult star Stormy Daniels to quash claims of an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Mr Trump denies all 34 felony counts against him and any accusations of an affair.

The ex-president owed $837,000 to the firm with a majority of the fee accruing since the end of March, with jury selection for the case commencing on 15 April. Blanche Law has since been paid $854,000, according to The Daily Beast.

Mr Blanche is set for a lucrative year, also defending Mr Trump for his classified documents case in Florida, which has been postponed, and co-counsel for his federal election interference case in DC.

Additionally, Save America dished out nearly $3.3 million in May on legal consulting.

The PAC also had $168,000 of outstanding debt to Yurowitz Law PLCC in April  with attorney Steven Yurowitz, another lawyer on the hush money case.

Save America held $96,000 in debt to Dhillon Law Group, the firm founded by California Republican National Committee (RNC) member Harmeet Dhillon, as of the beginning of this month.

Former president Donald Trump with his attorneys Emil Bove (L) and Todd Blanche (R) on Tuesday ( AP )

It also spent almost $3.3 million on legal consulting in April to about a dozen firms. Save America reimbursed political accounting firm Red Curve Solutions another $45,000.

The committee appears to be relying on large transfers from two other Trump-affiliated PACs, which wont have to file campaign finance disclosures until July, as per the filing.

A refund of $2.75 million from another Trump-supporting PAC, Make America Great Again Inc also assisted in paying bills.

Mr Trump now has to balance the costs of a national presidential campaign ahead of Novembers election while hes embroiled in lawsuits.

It comes as the Biden campaign raised substantially less cash than the Trump campaign for the first time since 2020 as the pair prepare to face off in November.

Last month, President Joe Bidens campaign raised more than $51m, while $76m was raised by the campaign of Mr Trump and the Republican Party.

However, Democrats still lead Republicans in overall cash and Mr Biden himself has significantly more cash than Mr Trump.
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Pictures of multiple solid gold bars and wads of cash stuffed into boots were among items shown to jurors in the ongoing criminal bribery trial of embattled Senator Bob Menendez.

The collection of images, taken by federal authorities, showed confiscated valuables that had been shoved haphazardly around the New Jersey home of the Democrats wife, Nadine Menendez.

Mr Menendez, his wife and three New Jersey men - Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe - were indicted in September 2023 over an alleged scheme in which the couple accepted gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and payments for a Mercedes convertible in exchange for his political influence.

Lawyers for Mr Menendez, 70, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and the businessmen say their clients are not guilty and that the government is trying to turn common interactions between a politician and his constituents into crimes.

However, in June 2022, an FBI raid turned up 13 gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash in the home.

Pictures shown in court at the bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez showed rows of solid gold bars of varying size ( FBI )

Last week, the federal agent who led the raid testified at trial, saying tens of thousands of dollars were found stuffed in four jackets where the senator kept his coats. Other cash was found in bags and in a closet safe.

Pictures presented as evidence at trial showed gold bars of varying sizes laid out next to each other, some appearing to be worn, while others were kept inside plastic packaging.

Large stacks of bank notes were also found, including stuffed inside what appeared to be a Timberland brand work boot.

Stacks of cash were found stashed all over the New Jersey home of the senators wife, Nadine Menendez ( FBI )

Prosecutors say that the lawmakers actions ultimately benefited the Egyptian and Qatari governments. Mr Menendez faces 16 federal charges, including bribery, acting as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice and extortion. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all wrongdoing.

Mr Menendezs defense attorney blamed his wife for accepting gold bars, cash payments and hiding them from him, during opening statements at his trial. Avi Weitzman told the jury that the senator knew nothing of the gold bars and cash, which had been recovered from the New Jersey home in 2022.

The lawyer argued that it was Nadine Menendez who accepted the lavish bribes, hid them from her husband and then served as a messenger between the senator, his co-defendants and Egyptian officials.

A total of 13 gold bars were found by FBI agents during raids on the home, as well as over $480,000 in cash ( FBI )

Last week, the day after his lawyers tried to pin the crimes on Ms Menedez in court, the senator revealed his wife was fighting breast cancer.

As a result of constant press inquiries and reporters following my wife, she has asked me to disclose her medical condition, the New Jersey lawmaker said in a statement on Thursday. Nadine is suffering from Grade 3 breast cancer, which will require her to have mastectomy surgery.

We are of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease, he continued. She will require follow up surgery and possibly radiation treatment. We hope and pray for the best results.

Cash was found in various places in the home, including a work Timberland brand work boot ( FBI )

Ms Menendez requested earlier this year to undergo a separate trial from her husband and the New Jersey businessmen, citing a serious medical condition in court filings. She is supposed to face trial later this summer.

Mr Menendez is on trial along with Mr Daibes Mr Hana. They too have pleaded not guilty. Mr Uribe took an earlier plea deal.

Proceedings are expected to last six to seven weeks.
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A hearing in Donald Trumps classified documents case descended into a chaotic shouting match as lawyers fought over claims of an alleged threat against a defense attorney.

In the hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Wednesday morning, Walt Nauta, Mr Trumps co-defendant and valet, asked the judge to toss the charges against him, arguing that special counsel Jack Smiths office had vindictively and selectively charged him with criminal offenses.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Mr Trump, is expected to rule at a later date.

But the hearing quickly devolved into mayhem over a disagreement about an August 2022 meeting between prosecutor Jay Bratt and Mr Nautas defense attorney Stanley Woodward.

Mr Woodward claimed in court and in legal filings that, prior to the charges being filed, Mr Bratt had tried to convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with prosecutors against Mr Trump by threatening to affect his attorneys possible nomination of a judgeship.

Mr Nauta argues that he was then hit with charges because he did not cooperating with the Department of Justice and its probe into Mr Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents.

I had been recommended for a judgeship, thats beyond dispute, Mr Woodward said on Wednesday, according to CNN.

There was a folder about defense counsel on the table during the meeting, he claimed, adding that Mr Bratt referenced the judgeship. I think the implication was that I was to travel and convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the investigation, and if I didnt that, there would be consequences.

Donald Trump speaks after a break during his hush money trial at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on 21 May ( via REUTERS )

Prosecutor David Harbach furiously denied the accusations.

Mr Woodwards story of what happened at that meeting is a fantasy, he said, banging the lectern. It did not happen.

This is a lawyer whose allegations amount basically to him being extorted, he added waving his arms, before being told by Judge Cannon to calm down.

Judge Cannon presided over two separate hearings in the case on Wednesday  based on two separate motions, each of them seeking to dismiss charges in the federal classified documents case.

The first hearing was Mr Nautas while the second focused on Mr Trumps argument that the indictment has technical problems and needs to be dismissed.

The Trump legal team has already filed several motions to try to dismiss the charges against him in the classified documents case. All have so far failed.

Judge Cannon has however already delayed Mr Trumps trial in the case indefinitely.

It was initially scheduled to begin this week but Judge Cannon indefinitely postponed the trial on 7 May. She said that the original 20 May start date didnt work because of the number of remaining pre-trial motions.

Boxes containing classified documents in a bathroom in Mar-a-Lago ( DOJ )

The delay makes it unlikely that the case will be heard before the election and, if Mr Trump wins, hes likely to move to have all federal charges against him dropped.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty in June to charges that he illegally retained national defense information, that he took part in a conspiracy to obstruct justice, and that he made false statements.

Prosecutors allege that he kept secret files in unsecured parts of his Mar-a-Lago home and worked to obstruct authorities trying to get them back. The files included secret documents from the Pentagon, the National Security Agency, and the CIA.

Mr Trump, who is on currently on trial in New York for falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment to an adult film star, did not attend the proceedings on Wednesday.

The former president also faces two other cases in Washington DC and Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.
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Fani Willis, the district attorney for Fulton County and prosecutor who brought charges against Donald Trump in Georgia, sailed to victory in her Democratic primary reelection race on Tuesday night  and celebrated with Grey Goose vodka.

Ms Willis had been the favorite in the race against her opponent Christian Wise Smith, who she also defeated in 2020.

In a landslide victory, she took more than 80 per cent of all Democratic votes.

Now, she will face off against Republican candidate Courtney Kramer during the general election in November.

In her victory speech, Ms Willis thanked supporters saying: They want a district attorney that believes everyone deserves to be safe and everyone is entitled to some dignity.

And its a message that p***ing folks off but there is no one above the law in this country nor is there anyone beneath it, Ms Willis added.

Ms Willis brought charges against Mr Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants last year in a sprawling case under the states anti-racketeering RICO statute.

She alleged that the former president and his allies ran a criminal enterprise to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis celebrates winning re-election in the primary on Tuesday May 21 ( AP )

Mr Trump and his co-defendants sought to remove Ms Willis from the case by accusing her of misconduct because of her prior romantic relationship with Nathan Wide, a prosecutor who she had hired to lead the case.

They claimed Ms Willis financially benefitted from the case against the former president.

During hours of heated and, at times, embarrassing testimony, Ms Willis acknowledged her prior relationship with Mr Wade but insisted their relationship began after he was hired and ended before an indictment was brought against Mr Trump.

Ultimately Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the case, said Ms Willis could remain on the case but suggested either she or Mr Wade should withdraw themselves from the case. Mr Wade announced his resignation hours after the decision.

During her victory speech, Ms Willis made a callback to a revelation during some of her testimony in the disqualification hearing  that she enjoys Grey Goose vodka.

Every now and then you get to stop and smell the roses and tonight we gonna stop and smell these roses, we gonna celebrate, we are gonna party. The DA is drinking Grey Goose in case anybody wondering, Ms Willis said.

Judge McAfee also won re-election on the Fulton County Superior Court on Tuesday evening.
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Hunter Bidens trial on a string of tax charges has now been delayed until September  just two months before his father goes head-to-head with Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

The presidents son was indicted on nine tax-related criminal charges in December, three of which are felony counts.

Prosecutors allege that the 54-year-old made millions from 2016 to 2020 and engaged in a lavish lifestyle while skipping out on more than $1.4m in taxes. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial was originally slated to begin 20 June.

But, Mr Bidens legal team advocated for a delay arguing that they were struggling to prepare for both this trial in California and his second criminal trial which is slated to begin in Delaware in June.

The attorneys also cited the uniquely challenging and high-profile nature of the cases.

Prosecutors pushed back on the delay, arguing it was a straightforward case, but US District Judge Mark Scarsi ultimately sided with the defense.

At a hearing on 22 May, the judge ruled that  due to the needs of the defendant  the trial will now begin on 5 September in California.

The change in trial date comes after Mr Biden filed to dismiss the charges  a request which Judge Scarsi denied last month.

Hunter Biden, pictured, will now go on trial in September to face nine tax charges ( Getty Images )

Defendant provides no facts indicating that the Government undertook charging decisions in any respect because of public statements by politicians, let alone based on Defendants familial and political affiliations, Mr Scarsi said.

Instead of paying his taxes, the prosecution alleges that Mr Biden spent money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature.

According to the indictment, the presidents son engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020.

He faces up to 17 years in prison on the charges.

While this trial was pushed back, Mr Biden is still scheduled to go to trial on 3 June in a separate case regarding federal gun charges in Delaware. In that case, prosecutors allege he lied about his history of drug abuse in order to buy a gun that he possessed for eleven days.

He was indicted on three felony gun charges, including falsifying a firearms application, lying to a federally licensed gun dealer and possession of an illegally obtained gun, in September. Mr Biden has also pleaded not guilty to those charges.

His attorneys have argued that he struggled with drug addiction but did not break the law when filling out the form. He faces 25 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000 if convicted in that case.
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Progressive Democrats initially might have been wary of Sara Jacobs when she came to Congress in 2021. The Center for Responsive Politics showed that in 2020, she was the fifth most self-funded candidate, a product of the fact that her grandfather co-founded the semiconductor company Qualcomm. She also beat a candidate who had the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders, who had won the California primary. It would be easy to dismiss her as a moneyed nepo baby with nothing to offer to the left of the party.

But since becoming a congresswoman, the 35-year-old California Democrat has distinguished herself as one of the more progressive voices in Congress.

When members of the Squad slept on the steps of the US Capitol in 2021 in protest of a rent moratorium coming to a close, Jacobs brought protesters pizza. She has been a consistent voice for defending womens reproductive rights, always by leading with her own examples  she was the first member of Congress to discuss her own period on the House floor and has also openly talked about freezing her eggs.

But as the youngest Jewish American member of Congress, it is Jacobs support for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that stands out.

On Wednesday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu delivered a joint address to Congress, Jacobs was one of many Democrats to boycott the speech.

 I just came from listening to hostage families who were very clear that the most important thing to get their family members back is to end the war and to get a ceasefire, she told The Independent.  And that's what we should all be focused on doing and I know that something President Biden has been focused on and something vice president Harris has been focused on as well.

For Jacobs, the decision is personal. Some of her own relatives from Israel are currently staying with her family in San Diego, following the violence of October 7th.

I have family members who are members of Jewish Voice for Peace and have been part of the protests [against the war in Gaza], she tells The Independent at her office in Washington, DC. I have my Israeli family living with my family in San Diego. My parents are longtime supporters of the San Diego Jewish community and are very involved in it.

She is a big believer in Israels right to defend itself, which is why she supports the Iron Dome missile defense system and the United States assistance when Iran fired missiles into Israel last month.

But how they defend themselves matters, Jacobs says. And I don't think that what is happening in Gaza right now, what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza right now actually makes Israel any safer. I think it undermines their credibility in the world. And I know from my own experience working in conflict resolution that civilian casualties, human rights abuses actually just fuel more extremism.

Jacobs says that she does not believe that there can be a military solution to the war in Gaza that has led to more than 35,000 deaths, most of them civilians and many of them women and children.

The only way you're going to be able to do that is by taking away the underlying grievances that [Hamas] are able to prey upon, which is the Palestinians inability to have a say in the decisions being made about their lives, Jacobs continues.

Doing so, she adds, would be good for Israel  it would actually be a great act of love for a country that is supposed to represent the best of Jewish values.

The war in Gaza has caused some young voters to lead protests and demonstrations against the Biden administration. The day that The Independent spoke to Jacobs, protesters heckled Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling him the butcher of Gaza as he testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In Democratic primaries, President Joe Biden has seen uncommitted votes not just from heavily Arab areas of swing states like Michigan, but also in college towns.

As one of the youngest members of Congress and the youngest Jewish member, I spend a lot of time trying to make sure that I am expressing views of my generation that don't often get told in these rooms because they're not well-represented, Jacobs says.

Most importantly, she thinks the views of ordinary Jewish Americans  and indeed most Americans in general  are failing to be heard above the noise of political fighting: Here in Congress, the conversation has become very binary. And I dont actually think that that is where most Americans are at in the conversations Im having. What I hear the most is both that October 7 was horrific and inexcusable, and that what were seeing in Gaza is unacceptable. And that that is what I hear the most from the Jewish community that Im talking to.

Jacobs is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee. Earlier in the week, the International Criminal Courts top prosecutor announced he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior officials in Hamas. The Biden administration and leaders of both parties condemned the announcement, specifically for creating a false equivalence between Hamas and Israel.

Jacobs has a solid background in international affairs: She holds a Masters degree in international conflict, she worked as a foreign policy adviser on Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, and she is the top Democrat on the Africa subcommittee on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Given that background in working within international conflict zones, she has thoughts on the ICC. Indeed, she frequently speaks with leaders from the African continent who say they feel they are held to a different standard by the ICC than other countries.

I think supporting the ICC is important for the broader global context, she says. And frankly, if, the Israelis truly believe that they're not committing any war crimes, then they should welcome an investigation.

Doing so could be definitive in a way that investigating themselves never could, she continues, and they should be providing evidence that they aren't [committing war crimes] because that could actually be very helpful for them in terms of how they are viewed on the global stage.

I think one of the most important things that we need to be doing for our standing around the world is to be seen as holding our friends to the same standards were holding everyone else, she adds.

The numbers do show that Jacobs view is similar to that of many other younger Jewish Americans. A Pew Research Center survey from last month showed that while 62 per cent Jewish people overall thought Israels response to Hamas was acceptable, only 52 per cent of Jewish people between the ages of 18 to 34 thought so: 42 per cent found it unacceptable, the largest disapproval of any age group. The poll also showed 47 per cent of Jewish people in that group stopped talking to someone because of something they said about the war.

There are a lot of young people who feel like what they're seeing the US do does not reflect their values, and they're speaking up about that, and I think we should welcome that, Jacobs adds.

The walls of Jacobs office are adorned with photos of her with prominent Democratic party members, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden. When I ask her how she feels about Biden, who is hardly on the progressive side of the party, she is clear. Despite the concerns of young voters, she believes supporting Biden in this election is crucial.

I am having a lot of conversations with young people about why I still think it's important to support President Biden, even if you aren't happy with everything he's done on the conflict, she says. I absolutely think things will be much worse if Donald Trump is president, because we know he'll just give Netanyahu a blank check to do whatever. We saw him do that when he was president.

But like many young progressives in Congress, and even some more experienced Democrats, Jacobs also has a track record of criticizing the Biden administrations approach to Gaza. Earlier this year, the White House released a National Security Memo, known as an NSM-20, which found reasonable evidence that Israel had violated international humanitarian law while using US-made weapons in Gaza. But the memo stopped just short of using language that could have required the US to stop sending weapons to Israel.

There's all these different legalese explanations that we get from the administration, she says. But at the end of the day, the fact that we have to do air-drops [of humanitarian aid] and the fact that we have had to build this pier [to make sure aid gets delivered] and the fact that when Biden did apply pressure, more aid was able to get in, to me is clear evidence and all the evidence we should need that the Israeli government... did not facilitate that provision of humanitarian assistance, which is required under international law.

A couple months ago, 16 Jewish Democrats  including Lois Frankel and Jared Moskowitz of Florida, as well as Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey  voted for legislation proposed by House Republicans that would restrict Bidens ability to withhold aid to Israel. The vote came after the Biden administration paused the shipment of some arms over concerns they could be used with devastating effect on civilian areas in Rafah.

Jacobs opposed the bill, just as she voted against censuring Rashida Tlaib  the only Palestinian American congresswoman  for her comments about Gaza. She believes Republicans are, in many cases, weaponizing Jewish pain over antisemitism to push a conservative agenda.

Im incredibly angry at all of the politicians who are using the very real rise in antisemitism and Jewish pain and manipulating it and politicizing it for their own political gain, she says. It hasnt escaped her notice that many of those same politicians say theres good people on both sides [as Trump did about Charlottesville] and traffic in conspiracy theories and replacement theory and have given platforms to white supremacists and white nationalists. After all of that, she says, they then try and say that its the Democrats who are antisemitic because were standing up for free speech, which to me is not only disingenuous, it actually is very harmful to the American Jewish community.

Ultimately, Jacobs believes we need to be thinking about the long-term consequences of the decisions that were making.

And thats true when it comes to the conflict in Gaza, she adds. And its also true of all these bills that were seeing on antisemitism. Because while I dont think that the Biden administration would misuse them necessarily, these same things, these very bills that are being passed could be the things that Im sure Trump or another, future administration could actually use to go after the Jewish community and to undermine civil rights.
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The feud between South Dakotas governor and indigenous Native American tribes in her state escalated again on Wednesday as the ninth of the nine recognized tribes in the state voted to ban her from their lands.

Its a decision that is unlikely to move the Republican governor and conservative culture war enthusiast, who has been publicly gunning for a shot at being Donald Trumps running mate. But it does signal the deep dissatisfaction that the governor faces at home from her states Native population.

Noems feud with the tribes stems from a number of reasons, including disputes between the state government and tribal leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic and her efforts to save the doomed Keystone XL pipeline project. But her most recent spat with Native American leaders relates to her accusations that tribes are allowing drug cartels from Central America to operate on their territory.

She has also made comments about Native American parents and their children, which caused deep offense.

Her comments about cartels were made during a May 17 press conference: I ask them .... Why have they not banished the cartels? Why have they not banished the cartel affiliates? Why have they only focused their attention on me, who has offered them help, and not gone after those who are perpetuating violence? she said, at the time.

As evidence, she pointed to a quote from Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux, who testified before a US Senate committee in 2023. Star Comes Out blamed the federal government, which ultimately has law enforcement authority in tribal lands, for allowing cartels to move on to the Oglala Sioux reservation.

Kristi Noem speaks at the Library of Congress on February 17, 2023 ( Getty Images )

This week, Star Comes Out issued a statement insisting that no drugs or weapons were being produced on the reservation, but insisted that his tribe needed more law enforcement funding to battle organized crime on their territory.

Crime has only gotten worse, Star Comes Out said, pointing to an extreme officer shortage that have led to 30-60 minute response times. Other tribal leaders have argued that while crime is a real problem, cartels are not operating directly on their territory  its just where their products end up.

"We have cartel products, like guns and drugs. But they pass over state highways getting to the reservation. So, putting us all together like that and saying that all tribes are involved in this really shows to the ignorance of the governor's office," Crow Creek Sioux president Peter Lengkeek said.

Noems comments about the cartels specifically led to her banishment in February from the Oglala Sioux reservation; her latest ban came from the Flandreau Santee Sioux. Shes now banned from roughly one-fifth of her states total land mass.

The Executive Committee calls on the governor to reconsider the effectiveness of the liaisons she has appointed and whether or not they truly have an understanding of the issues affecting tribal nations as well as their ability to foster a cooperative relationship between the tribes and the state of South Dakota, said the Flandreau Santee Sioux in a statement.

The governor addressed her bans from tribal land at a May 17 press conference and called on tribal leaders to work with her administration to battle criminal gangs.

Banishing me does absolutely nothing to solve this problem, she said. All it does is help those who are perpetuating horrible violence and crimes against the people that are citizens of the state of South Dakota.

Her dispute with tribal leaders could provide a welcome relief for the governor in terms of media coverage. Its been a rough month for Noem, who was once thought to be near the top of Donald Trumps list of potential running mates. She saw her name plummet on that list after a vicious media cycle around an anecdote in her book in which she described killing a puppy with a shotgun.

She remains a close ally of Trumps, however, and the former president recently appeared alongside her at a fundraiser.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has told The Independent that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would sign a letter inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to Congress.

Mr Johnson had previously urged the Democratic leader of the Senate to sign a letter allowing Mr Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to Congress.

After votes on Wednesday, the Republican Speaker said that Mr Schumer had agreed to do so.

I spoke with him today and hes going to sign the letter jointly and itll get out to the prime minister this week, Mr Johnson told The Independent.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2024 flanked by House Majority leader Steve Scalise ( Getty Images )

The Speaker did not have a date set. No, Im going to talk about prime minister Netanyahu about that today, he said.

The invitation comes despite the fact that Mr Schumer has previously called for new elections in Israel and criticised Israels execution of its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Mr Johnson and Mr Schumer, along with nearly every major elected leader in Washington, condemned the International Criminal Courts announcement earlier this week that it would seek arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior Hamas officials.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) both have vocally supported Israel throughout their careers. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) ( Getty Images )

The Biden administration said on Wednesday that it had not been made aware of a planned visit by Mr Netanyahu.

So we have not at this point heard from the Prime Minister on a joint address to the Congress, the president talks to the prime minister in fact, he just talked to him not too long ago, senior administration officials engaged with him I just did so over the weekend, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. So we'll stay in touch with the prime minister and obviously we'll stay in touch with the Congress and see what happens.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer with senators Amy Klobuchar and Debbie Stabenow on May 22, 2024 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images )

President Joe Biden and Mr Netanyahu have been at odds over Israels plan to attack Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. The Biden administration recently paused the shipment of 2,000-lb bombs to Israel and Mr Biden said the US wont supply Israel with offensive weapons for use in a ground offensive that endangers the Palestinian civilians whove taken shelter in the city.

Some Democrats denounced a potential visit by the Israeli PM.

I think that the presence of Netanyahu here for a joint address is an incredibly divisive and unproductive activity, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.

I think given the fact that he has led a military campaign in Gaza which has created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, where hundreds of thousands of people now face starvation, I think inviting Mr Netanyahu to Congress is not a good idea, Senator Bernie Sanders also told The Independent.

The announcement comes as Ireland, Noway and Spain announced their recognition of Palestinian state on Wednesday.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson told The Independent on Wednesday afternoon that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to give a joint address to Congress.

I spoke with him today and hes going to sign the letter jointly and itll get out to the prime minister this week, Johnson told me.

The announcement comes after almost the entire congressional leadership and President Joe Biden condemned Karim Khan, the top prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, for his announcement that he is seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior Hamas officials.

As Inside Washington explained on Tuesday, Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the announcement a step in the wrong direction. Ranking Republican Jim Risch and Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed.

Schumer is the highest-ranking Jewish American in Congress, and his agreement to a joint address comes despite the fact that he has also called for new elections in Israel and criticized Netanyahus execution of Israels war in Gaza.

But the response among other Democrats was very mixed.

Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who faces a tough re-election, gave a non-answer.

I've heard the same things but I need confirmation, she told The Independent before Johnson made his announcement.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, one of only four senators who supports a ceasefire, also deferred when asked before Johnsons announcement.

I want to talk to Schumer before I say anything, the Illinois Democrat said.

Conversely, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the most pro-Israel Democrat, said he would welcome a visit from Netanyahu, recalling how Netanyahu spoke to Republicans over video months ago.

I wanted to hear from the prime minister months ago. I even approached the Republicans see if I could get on that, he told The Independent. They couldn't make that happen, but I'm glad to know that he's coming... It took too long.

Senator Elizabeth Warren had the opposite take. The senator for Massachusetts has criticized the Israeli government in the past but nonetheless voted to advance the Ukraine-Israel-Taiwan aid bill, and she told The Independent that having Netanyahu address Congress would be inappropriate.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has created a humanitarian catastrophe. And every day that goes by, he makes the problems in the Middle East worse, she said. I would like to see someone address the Congress who is committed to a long-term peaceful solution in the region.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who voted against the aid package last month, also said doing so would not be a good idea.

I think given the fact that he has led a military campaign in Gaza which has created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, where hundreds of thousands of people now face starvation, I think inviting Mr Netanyahu to Congress is not a good idea, he told The Independent.

Opinions were similarly mixed in the House of Representatives. Democrats in the House remain far more split, with some supporting a ceasefire in Gaza while others vocally supporting Israel.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who supports a ceasefire in Gaza, said that inviting the Israeli prime minister at this time would only have negative effects.

I think that the presence of Netanyahu here for a joint address is an incredibly divisive and unproductive activity, she told The Independent. She also pushed back on Democratic leaders, including Biden, for their criticism of the ICC prosecutor.

There's a large and growing consensus globally about respecting the independence of [the ICC]. I think that it is an alarming precedent to set to attack institutions of the international system who are responsible for litigating international law and considering international law, she added.

Conversely, Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida, a pro-Israel Democrat, said that Johnsons invitation was his prerogative.

If the speaker invites the leader of a democratic state, one of our greatest allies, then he should be allowed to come speak, regardless if there are policy differences among some of the members, he told The Independent.

But Representative Ritchie Torres, one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel in the Democratic caucus, gave a more mixed response.

The leader of an ally has every right to come before Congress and make his case, he told The Independent, but said he would not advise Netanyahu to do so. Just setting aside personal opinion, it's just a matter of honest political analysis hes a polarizing figure in American politics.

The United States continued support for the Israeli government comes despite the pushback from other countries. On Wednesday, Ireland, Norway and Spain announced their recognition of a Palestinian state. The US, in response, said that it supports the idea of a two-state solution but not via such unilaterial recognition.

The fact remains, however, that for the most part, Democrats who oppose such an address are still pushing back against the majority consensus in Washington. Even many Democrats who have objections to the Israeli government have deep objections about international bodies litigating how Israel manages the war.
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Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has roasted former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani over his latest business venture: selling coffee.

Mr Giuliani  who is grappling with bankruptcy and a string of legal issues  recently launched his new business Rudy Coffee offering three styles of coffee beans.

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; enjoying life, with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach; and Americas mayor, with an image of a smiling Mr Giuliani holding a cup.

While former president Donald Trump has chosen to sell sneakers and bibles to cover his legal fees, his former lawyer is flogging three coffee types: bold, morning, and decaf. The bags weigh two pounds each and can be purchased for $29.99.

The coffee will begin shipping in June with the first 100 bags signed by the former mayor.

Youre not just treating yourself to exceptional coffee, youre also supporting our cause, Mr Giuliani said in a new video advertisement on X.

The cause of truth, justice, and American democracy.

AOC, a progressive from New York, was quick to slam the ad.

Rudy Giuliani pictured advertising his new business, Rudy Coffee. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the venture on X ( Rudy Giuliani )

Does anyone remember falling asleep with the TV on as a kid and waking up to the weirdest ads on at 2am? AOC wrote on X.

This and the Trump campaign are basically that except the scams are to cover the legal fees of creeps, rapists, and traitors to democracy, she continued.

Mr Giulianis new business comes after he filed for bankruptcy in December.

He has subsequently missed deadlines to file financial disclosures.

Rudy Giulianis new coffee product, pictured, comes as he faces bankruptcy ( Rudy Giuliani )

His bankruptcy came after being ordered to pay two election workers $148m after he pushed a baseless conspiracy that they committed fraud in the 2020 election. On Wednesday, he agreed in a court filing to never again publicly accuse the two workers of tampering with votes in the 2020 election.

While Mr Giuliani faces dire financial straits, he is also contending with a string of legal battles over his actions around the 2020 election.

The former lawyer to Donald Trump faces nine felony charges for his alleged role in an Arizona 2020 presidential election interference plot.

Two Arizona officials served him with the indictment after his 80th birthday party last week.

Rudy Giuliani sings New York, New York at birthday before 'being served with court papers'

On Tuesday, he appeared virtually for his arraignment in Phoenix, Arizona, where he pleaded not guilty and was required to post a $10,000 bond. His trial will begin in October.

The former mayor has been charged alongside 17 others in the scheme. The Arizona indictment accuses the 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.

Prosecutors say that one month after the 2020 election, 11 Republicans supporting Mr Trump convened at the states GOP headquarters to sign certificates claiming the states electoral college votes.

The additional seven people charged, including Mr Giuliani, were included for their alleged roles in the scheme.

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani, told The Independent the former mayor looks forward to full vindication soon.

This comes after he was also charged in a sprawling RICO case including Mr Trump in Georgia. Mr Giuliani has also pleaded not guilty to the charges in that case.
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Disgraced ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has agreed to never again publicly accuse two Georgia election workers of tampering with votes in the 2020 election, allegations that have led him to personal bankruptcy.

In a draft agreement filed on Tuesday and obtained by CNN, the former lawyer for Donald Trump gave up his years-long campaign against Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss.

Mr Giuliani will be permanently enjoined from publishing, causing others to publish, and/or assisting in others publication of any statements that suggest that Plaintiffs, whether mentioned directly, indirectly, or by implication, engaged in wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election, the documents said.

The agreement will also give the women  to whom he owes $148m  significant power to hold him accountable if Mr Giuliani ever again repeats any potentially defamatory statements about them about the 2020 election.

The agreement will allow Ms Freeman and Ms Moss to take the former NY mayor to court immediately, should he do so, attorneys told CNN.

The former New York mayor has long accused Ruby Freeman, right, and her daughter Shaye Moss, left, of tampering with votes in the 2020 presidential election ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Mr Giuliani declared bankruptcy in December after being ordered to pay the massive sum to the women for pushing his baseless conspiracy theory. In April his bid to reverse the defamation verdict was rejected.

US district court Judge Beryl Howell dismissed the bid on 15 April, writing that the former mayors threadbare arguments fell well short of persuading the evidence and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom are so one-sided that reasonable men and women could not have reached a verdict in [plaintiffs] favor.

Since the original verdict was delivered, Mr Giuliani has been suspended from WABC Radio, where he had a daily show, but branched out into a new business venture  coffee  to help soften the blow of his mammoth payments.

Mr Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in December after being ordered to pay $148m to the two women ( Getty Images )

Mr Giuliani announced the launch of Rudy.Coffee, a brand offering three styles of coffee beans, on Tuesday.

The first 100 bags are signed by the former mayor, the products website claims, and will begin shipping in June.

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; enjoying life, with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach; and Americas mayor, with an image of a smiling Mr Giuliani holding a cup.
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Stephen Colbert has taunted the Trump campaign after the posting of a video that included a reference to the creation of a unified Reich if Mr Trump returns to the White House in November.

Trump posted a video touting how great a second Trump term would be ending with MAGA!!, Late Show host Colbert explained. But in grayscale underneath is the headline: Industrial strength significantly increased driven by the creation of a unified Reich.

Unified yike, the host reacted. Thats not a dog whistle thats a whistle made of dog.

Posted on Monday evening, the 30-second clip showed several hypothetical news headlines in the event that Mr Trump wins the presidential election in November, beating Democrat President Joe Bide.

Stephen Colbert reacts to the problematic mistake made by the Trump campaign after a video uploaded to Truth Social included the words unified Reich ( The Late Show with Stephen Colbert )

Its a landslide! faux newspaper clippings display in the video Trump wins!!.

The next headline states, Whats next for America?, along with a photograph of the former president staunchly holding up a fist to a backdrop of the American flag.

But looking closer at the pretend article in the back, the wording states the problematic sentence including the unified Reich.

Reich derives from the Germanic word realm, referring to an empire. It also carries the connotation of Germanys former dictator Adolph Hitlers Third Reich, another name for his Nazi regime.

The video has been deleted from Mr Trumps Truth Social feed ( AFP via Getty Images )

Pointing out that the same headline appears underneath the acronym MAGA!!, Mr Trumps long-standing slogan Make America Great Again, Colbert jokingly suggests it now stands for something different.

Evidently, MAGA now stands for Make America Germany Around 1938, he quipped.

A spokesperson for Mr Trump said of the post: This was not a campaign video, it was created by a random account online and reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word, while the president was in court.

Colbert then moved on to sharing the news that Mr Trumps Truth Social social media platform, where the now-deleted video was uploaded, has lost just under $328m within the last quarter, according to its earnings report.

How could they be losing money? Colbert joked Doesnt every business want to associate their product with the unified Reich?

Meanwhile, the host also turned his attention to the wrapping up of testimonies at Mr Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan over alleged hush money payments before the 2016 election. Trump denies all the charges against him.

After calling just two witnesses this afternoon, Trumps defence rested. Of course, Trump himself is fully rested, Colbert joked, making reference to Mr Trumps apparent doze-off in court in the early days of the trial.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Mr Trump for comment.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene has made the wild claim that the Justice Department had authorised the use of deadly force during an FBI search of Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence as a plan to assassinate the former president. The FBI have denied the accusation, saying that standard protocol was followed.

That raid on the former presidents Florida residence on 8 August 2022 ended with the FBI seizing hundreds of documents. On Tuesday, newly-unsealed court filings showed that four additional classified documents were discovered in Mr Trumps bedroom in the months following the bureaus search at Mar-a-Lago.

Mr Trump faces 40 felony counts for allegedly mishandling top secret documents taken to his estate after he left office. He denies all the charges against him.

In a fiery response, Mr Trump accused the Biden administration of soliciting the use of deadly force during the raid  which he called unconstitutional on Truth Social. He also sent his Maga followers a fundraising email with the subject line: They were authorized to shoot me!

Citing an operating order, the newly-unsealed filing stated: Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary.

Donald Trump denies all 40 charges held against him for the classified documents case ( PA Wire )

The agents planned to bring Standard Issue Weapon[s], Ammo, Handcuffs, and medium and large sized bolt cutters, it read.

Ms Greene claimed that Mr Trumps post showed there was a plan to assassinate him at his Florida estate.

The Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate [president] Trump and gave the green light, the Georgia representative wrote on X Tuesday evening.

Trumps sprawling Mar-a-Lago state in Flordia was raided in August 2022 ( Getty Images )

The FBI promptly gave a statement that denied allegations of wrongdoing, and said that its agents had followed standard protocol during the Mar-a-Lago raid.

The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force, the statement read.

No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter, it added.

Boxes of documents were stored in Mr Trumps bathroom at Mar-a-Lago ( AP )

According to Justice Department policy, law enforcement officers are allowed to use force only when no other safe alternatives appear to exist. The policy further says deadly force is permitted only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.

US District Judge Beryl Howells 87-page opinion said: Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago.

Mr Trumps attorney eventually handed over the four records to the FBI in January 2023, in compliance with another subpoena, according to the court filing.

His classified documents trial in Florida was indefinitely postponed earlier this month, with the judge citing the number of outstanding pre-trial motions.
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He doesnt even live here!

The news of Harry Dunns plans to run for Congress in Marylands 3rd congressional district went off like a fart in a crowded movie theater, at least among his soon-to-be-opponents. So much for any focus on local issues whatsoever: it was time to prepare to hear the phrase January 6 on repeat for four months.

Dunn had become a fixture on CNN because of his past career as one of hundreds of Capitol Police officers assigned to protect lawmakers on the day of the attack. Of several who testified to the January 6 committee in 2022, Dunn provided a unique, deeply personal and raw perspective as a Black officer subjected to racist taunts by rioters during the hours-long siege on Americas seat of democracy.

Once a virtual nobody, Dunn was now a well-known figure in DC circles. He was spotted at house parties hosted and attended by Washington journalists, and continued to appear in the odd cable news hit long after congressional hearings related to the attack concluded. And now, he was rocketing to the top of the power rankings (or close to it) of Democratic candidates vying in a crowded primary for a seat in Congress.

His first act was to announce his candidacy, unsurprisingly, in a CNN interview. Of course, he was the only candidate to run for the seat who scored an in-studio interview with a national news network over the course of the primary: another perk of being Washington-famous.

The district, Marylands third, is not inside the Beltway  but its about as close as one can get. Sandwiched between Washington DC and Baltimore, the district includes Anne Arundel and Howard counties, including the states capital of Annapolis and wide swath of suburbia, before extending up Interstate 70 to the west. If any voters were sufficiently TV-brained to elect a Capitol cop with zero experience and few concrete ties to his would-be district, they lived here.

Just one problem: Dunn was a resident of Montgomery County. As in, another suburb of Washington DC. Its close to district 3, but it is not, in fact, part of it.

Dunns lack of connection to the area  and lack of political experience  was not lost on voters, members of Marylands political class and especially his opponents.

Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, greets supporters at an election night watch party on 14 May 2024 ( Getty Images )

It even appeared to be understoon by Dunn himself, as he spoke to voters in my hometown of Severna Park in early May. The candidate met with a handful of potential supporters on May 6 at the house of a self-described MSNBC junkie (the jokes write themselves), covered by local outlet Maryland Matters. Even as he told those voters that he was hoping to let people know that Im more than January 6, Dunn made the admission: [If] January 6 doesnt happen, Im not standing before you today. Im at work at the Capitol.

That ended up being an understatement. Throughout his campaign, Dunn focused his message almost exclusively on Donald Trump and the battle against MAGA-aligned Republicans in Congress. Those MAGA Republicans, he argued, were working in the primary to keep him from making it to Congress  a claim that seemed outlandish, given the nature of a closed Democratic primary in a state where Trumps brand of Republicanism never caught on in any serious way. He faced constant questions, meanwhile, regarding why he was running for a seat in a district where he had never lived.

The anti-MAGA messaging continued on, even when it became clear that it was a useless tool. Text messages and statements sent by the campaign over the course of several months rarely, if ever, focused on his actual Democratic opponents, including frontrunner Sarah Elfreth, the state Senator who eventually won the primary.

The former cop ended the race in second place, buoyed undoubtedly by his support from activist anti-Trump donors nationwide. But he was unable to beat Elfreth, who was backed by the local Democratic political establishment. Meanwhile, his rivals were left questioning what could have been, had a thumb not been pressed so firmly on the scale.

One senior staffer for a campaign that fought unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination against Dunn and Elfreth in the 3rd district denounced a DC consultant class that they said had poured money behind a losing candidate on a pointless bid to satisfy their own obsessions.

Dunns loss is an indictment of the DC consultant class that think they can drop a national figure into a local race and win with flashy ads, said the source, who spoke to The Independent on condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the state of politics in Maryland. The same source lamented that Elfreth, who received a surge of AIPAC-linked donations as the race progressed, was the only candidate able to fight back against the barrage of spending Dunns team was able to unleash thanks to their national connections.

The saddest thing this proves is that you can only fight back against that if youre a lifelong politician that can garner mysteriously-motivated big PAC donations, they said.

One trip down I-95 to the south reveals that a similar dynamic is playing out in Virginia, where the departure of Abigail Spanberger in district 7 has triggered another crowded Democratic primary race. Like the MD-03 campaign, Virginias 6th was set to be a battle between local personalities but has been upended by the entrance of one of cable news favorite #Resistance champions: Eugene Vindman.

Eugene Vindman, left, and his brother Alexander, right, were central figures in the 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump. Eugene Vindman is now a candidate for Congress in Virginia ( Getty Images )

A former US Army colonel, Vindman and his brother Alexander worked for the White House National Security Council before they were famously fired by Donald Trump during the course of events leading up to his first impeachment trial in 2020. Eugene and Alexander, twin brothers, are credited with alerting the public to a phone call then-President Trump had with Ukraines president on which Trump pressed Zelensky to open a criminal investigation into Joe Biden in the hopes of damaging the latter politically.

Now, Eugene is running for the House of Representatives. Despite having never held elected office, not having a history of activism or service with local Democratic Party groups, and without serious connections to Virginias political establishment, hes leading the race in fundraising as the June 15 primary approaches. He also has the endorsement of The Washington Post, which in its endorsement of him did not list any qualifying or even notable factors beyond his participation in the impeachment process.

Unsurprisingly, his entrance into the race  and the oversized mark his national attention is causing  is not going over well with others in the race, or even some Democrats who have yet to endorse a candidate.

We need somebody who understands the entire district, not just the I-95 corridor, Vindmans rival, Carl Bedell, said.

Another critic of Vindmans is state delegate Joshua Cole, who tweeted that he had never seen the former colonel involved in local Democratic Party politics in Virginia at all.

I want to have someone representing me who understands what its like to live here in Fredericksburg, who knows what its like to understand Culpeper, who knows what its like to understand King George County, he told NOTUS, a nonprofit newsroom run by the nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute. We understand Donald Trump is a boogeyman right now, but there are other real-life issues that we are concerned about too.

It does get under some folks skin that hes trying to parachute into the district and win by talking about a bunch of national issues and just saying Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. And just waltz into Congress, just based on that, added Matt Borja, a Democrat running for school board in Culpeper County, to NOTUS.

It remains unclear if Vindman will fare better than his counterpart in Maryland. But either way, the attention of Washingtons media class is having a measurable effect on these local races, as low as the stakes may be in a race where there is little daylight between the candidates.

If he shares Dunns fate, the consultant class  WaPos editorial board very much included  may be overdue for a long, hard look at the kind of candidate whose proliferation they are encouraging, and whether it isnt just another bad investment.
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Testimony in former president Donald Trumps hush money trial wrapped up on May 21 and the trial is headed to closing arguments on May 28.

In the end, Mr Trump chose not to take the stand. A verdict could come as soon as May 29.

Ahead of testimony from 22 witnesses, a full jury was sworn in to hear evidence and decide the guilt or innocence of Mr Trump. Twelve jurors and six alternates were seated following a jury selection process that lasted a week.

Mr Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records after he allegedly instructed then-fixer/now-witness for the prosecution Michael Cohen to pay off adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election to remain quiet about her claim that she had sex with Mr Trump in 2006. The former president denies the affair.

During jury selection, a top priority for both sides was to root out potential stealth jurors  those who claim to be impartial but who hide their biases to get on a jury and possibly derail a trial.

Jurors are supposed to be impartial. A number of prospective candidates were dismissed from proceedings simply because they felt they could not be neutral while sitting in judgment of Mr Trump.

No doubt possible stealth jurors exist on both sides

Steve Duffy, from Trial Behavior Consulting, told The Independent that stealth jurors fully have an opinion  but [are] trying to get on the jury.

I have no doubt that there are jurors in the pool on both sides, who really want to be on the jury [but] have a very strong opinion, either for or against him, and are deliberately not saying anything to try to get on, Mr Duffy said, during the jury selection process. The way you figure out who those people are is with background research, which  both sides are undoubtedly doing.

Dismissed juror says Donald Trump 'looked less orange, more yellow'

Manhattan prosecutors posed several questions to jurors in the trials first week. Among them - Can they follow the facts and the evidence and the judges instructions, and can they remain fair and impartial, despite knowing the man sitting at the defense table in front of them is a former president and a current candidate for that office?

We dont expect you to be living under a rock for the last eight years, or the last 30 years, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told a group on 16 April.

But focus on the evidence, he told them.

Mr Trumps attorneys largely had only one question: what do you think of him?

Its important to President Trump that he gets a fair shake, lead defense attorney, Todd Blanche, told potential jurors.

Its easy to read something off a sheet of paper and say, Yes, Im going to be fair and impartial. What I want to do is test that a little bit, he said. We all know that every one of you knows President Trump, and you all know him in different ways, and you all have different views of him.

Nothing was off limits and there were no wrong answers, he said, and nothing would offend him.

Theyre going to have an opinion one way or the other

But rather than face a disgusted panel of New Yorkers, Mr Blanche instead received promise after promise to treat Mr Trump as any other criminal defendant and to separate whatever they might feel about him personally from the case in front of them.

Mr Duffy told The Independent that a possible stealth juror would not be volunteering information, or honestly answering because they want to be on the jury to either convict or prevent a conviction.

The prosecution looked to remove any Trump supporters, and the defense tried to get rid of anyone who may be left-leaning, which was difficult considering that President Joe Biden got 84.5 percent of the vote in Manhattan in 2020.

Trump appears in court for day 3 of New York hush money trial

The parties do background research on jurors. That means looking at peoples social media, and you can also look at any publicly available information, its fair game, Mr Duffy said. Everybody involved in any sort of legal proceeding does it with jurors ... because if you dont, youre putting yourself in a huge competitive disadvantage. So they will know whos Democrat, whos Republican, if people have made really strong statements on social media.

Apart from social media posts, attorneys on both sides also look at criminal convictions and publicly available information on political donations of potential jurors.

The faster the jury selection process works the harder it is to do that comprehensively, Mr Duffy said. Ive had jury selection take 30 minutes in federal court from start to finish  we basically knew nothing about the people  You could never do that in a case like this.

Trump only needs one supportive juror for mistrial

While Mr Duffy said removing possible stealth jurors was a big focus for both sides, it was particularly important for the prosecution as a unanimous verdict is needed to avoid a mistrial. The Trump team needs only a single juror who refuses to convict.

If you get one person who just says I dont care  I will never vote to convict, then youre going to get a mistrial, he said. So rooting out  what I would call a stealth juror, either for or against Trump is certainly a huge priority for both sides.

He added: In Trumps world, if he gets one of those people on the jury who just no matter what, will not vote to convict, then thats great because you wont get convicted. So rooting out anyone like that is imperative for the prosecution.

New York as a trial venue is tougher on Mr Trump when it comes to the jury pool compared to the area of South Florida where his classified documents case is being handled, because, in Manhattan, Trumps supporters stick out like a sore thumb, he said.

The prosecution certainly has [fewer] problems than Trump does, Mr Duffy noted during the jury selection process, but he added that Mr Trump doesnt need to get acquitted. He just needs a mistrial.

Delay is often the defendants best friend, he added. The percentage of jurors who are outwardly pro-Trump is going to be very low. But he only needs one.

Could a stealth juror derail Trumps trial?

Mr Duffy said that its clear that the attorneys in Mr Trumps trial did their due diligence on the jurors.

You see both sides directly ask jurors questions about their social media content. Thats unusual, to directly confront jurors with that, but its just a product of Donald Trump being such a ubiquitous presence in the public eye, he said.

For sure, Mr Duffy said when asked if a stealth juror may be able to derail the trial. One of the jurors who was dismissed ... the prosecution was insinuating [that he] could be that kind of juror.

The prospective juror failed to disclose that he had torn down political signs and that his wife had been party to criminal corruption proceedings, the consultant noted.

Any non-disclosure like that is going to be a red flag to an attorney, he added. The more off the grid you are, the easier it is to fly under the radar.

However, the issue of stealth jurors cuts both ways. There are people who may try to get on the jury and are hell-bent on convicting and there are those wholl refuse to convict regardless of what the trial may unearth, Mr Duffy said.

People seeking celebrity may overlap with those looking to get on a jury to affect the outcome. Especially nowadays, certainly there are people who might want to do that because its exciting to them or almost titillating to them to be involved, he added.

But the opposite issue exists as well.

One of the jurors who was dismissed ... was someone whos terrified of being involved in this because theyre afraid for their own safety, Mr Duffy said.
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The Democratic National Committee has launched a campaign to target the desperate race to the bottom to become Donald Trumps running mate.

The DNCs Trumps MAGA Veepstakes will highlight the Republican vice presidential hopefuls anti-abortion views, election lies, and support for gutting healthcare and Social Security.

Like any narcissist, Donald Trump will choose a VP in his image: an extreme, anti-choice MAGA election denier who wants to rip away Americans freedoms and sell out working families to help their special interest donors, DNC communications director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Trump has floated dozens of names, and while he trots them around like sad show ponies on the campaign trail, it doesnt really matter whos in his good graces one day and whos shooting their dog the next.

Trumps VP contenders have all already shown they pass his extreme, MAGA litmus test.

The campaign, first reported by Axios, will shape Democratic messaging during President Joe Bidens re-election campaign, which has broadened its scope to warn against the Republican partys growing far-right antidemocratic agenda and Mr Trumps dominance across US politics.

The MAGA Veepstakes campaign will reach across social media, in rapid response messaging and in candidates remarks, advertisements and debates, a DNC official told The Independent.

US Rep Byron Donalds, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson, former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Rep Cory Mills attend Donald Trumps hush money trial on May 14 ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Democrats will hammer Mr Trumps shortlist of running mates, which is chock full of anti-abortion extremists who are in lockstep with Trumps cruel anti-choice agenda to rip away womens freedoms, according to the DNC.

The campaign also will target the partys extreme election denialism and Mr Trumps bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Democrats will also focus on potential running mates who have vowed to gut the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, as well as Medicare and Social Security, and the GOPs yearslong records of threatening seniors pocketbooks.

The campaign will also zoom in on candidates support for Trump-backed tax cuts.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem hugs Donald Trump at a campaign rally in September 2023. ( REUTERS )

Mr Trump has not yet unveiled a running mate but hasnt turned away praise from a parade of loyalists who appear to be vying for the spot.

A string of hopefuls have been putting in an appearance at his hush money trial in New York, acting as his surrogates to rail against the case and the judge.

Vice President Kamala Harris has already accepted an invitation from CBS to debate Mr Trumps running mate on the network on either July 23 or August 13.

But Mr Trump wants it on Fox News.

The DNC and their media defenders will stop at nothing to gaslight the American people into believing their lies and forgetting their disastrous record, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.
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Nikki Haleys voters may not be voting for Donald Trump just yet, but the former candidate herself says shes ready to pull the lever.

The former South Carolina governor, who ran for president earlier this year before bowing out after Super Tuesday, told the DC-based conservative Hudson Institute think tank on Wednesday that she would vote for Trump in November.

"I will be voting for Trump," said Haley during a question-and-answer session following her remarks.

Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech, she said. Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me."

In the same remarks, she referred to the incumbent president, Joe Biden, as a catastrophe. During her prepared speech, she raked him across the coals for his criticism of Israels tactics in the war against Hamas in Gaza, where the US president has said that Israeli forces have carried out indiscriminate bombing campaigns in some instances.

Haley then went on to question why Russia should think the US would remain committed to backing Ukraine if it would not remain a reliable ally of Israel for more than a few months. She neglected to mention the obvious: that, of the two 2024 candidates, only Biden has committed to continuing arms shipments to Ukraine while much of the Maga wing of the GOP is vocally opposed to that prospect and refers to Ukraine as a corrupt state.

The ex-presidents last remaining primary challenger before she too dropped out, Haley was the only Republican to be even slightly competitive against Trump during the campaign and out of those who remained in the race as votes were cast, was the only one who had not endorsed him.

Nikki Haley speaks at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC on 22 May 2024, her first public remarks since leaving the presidential race ( YouTube: Hudson Institute )

Her voters continue to turn out in primary after primary, signalling to the Trump campaign the continued hestitance many GOP voters feel about backing the 88-times-charged former president who is awaiting verdict on his first of four criminal trials as of this week. Haleys capitulation on Wednesday could blunt that trend, if Trump and his allies are able to project a message of GOP unification.

The former governors remarks, however, indicate that the Trump team has done little to reach out to her or her allies in the wake of her decision to bow out of the 2024 race. Trump himself even snubbed her earlier in May when he dismissed rumors suggesting that he was considering her to be his running mate. Numerous reports have indicated that the former president is seeking to staff his administration with election deniers, a category in which Haley does not fall.

Her signal that she will vote for her former rival in November is also as clear a sign as any that Haley sees a future for herself in GOP politics. Other center-right Republicans and even conservatives who have opposed Trump but have opted to retire from politics, such as former House Speaker Paul Ryan, have ceased such displays of loyalty.

Even having served in the first half of his administration, Haleys heel turn is awkward compared to the endorsements of her former primary rivals Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott, who were all more vocally effusive to Trump even as they ran against him for the GOP nomination.

In her home state of South Carolina earlier this year, Haley argued that Republicans who publicly endorse the former president publicly dread him and the effect his movement is having on the larger GOP.

Many of the same politicians who now publicly embrace Trump privately dread him, she told supporters in Greenville. Republicans know what a disaster Donald Trump has been and will continue to be. They are just too afraid to say the truth out loud.
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A third of aid arriving from the US-constructed humanitarian bridge in Gaza is not getting to civilians, Pentagon officials admit.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that approximately 695 metric tons of humanitarian aid has been transported to Gaza by way of the US-built pier over the six days since it began operation.

Of that amount, Mr Sullivan two-thirds is either has gone or is on its way to going to Palestinian civilians.

The issue is not actually getting food to the pier [and] off the pier, its being able to ensure that we have necessary security arrangements in place to deliver it, he said.

His comments came as the World Food Program warned that Gazas hunger crisis could spiral out of control if massive amounts of aid arent delivered into the territory immediately

Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, said Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson. If food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread, she said Wednesday.

Israel Palestinians Aid Port under construction ( US Army )

Mr Sullivan told reporters the US and its partners had modalities to get some of that aid distributed and are currently in the process of building out to get more of it distributed.

His admission that a significant share of the supplies - roughly 230 tons of aid - is not reaching Gaza residents who have been left in a state of famine following nearly eight months of war comes after President Joe Biden and other White House officials have touted the temporary pier.

The temporary structure, which cost approximately $300 million to construct, was built in the Mediterranean Sea and anchored to a beach south of Gaza City, is supposed to be an alternate path for aid that can bypass frequently-closed crossings into Gaza and deliver much-needed aid to address what the World Food Program has described as a famine.

Palestinians line up for free food during the ongoing Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip in Rafah ( AP )

But a UN World Food Program spokesperson, Steve Taravella, has said the first tranche of aid trucks to roll off the pier was largely ransacked and looted by people before they could reach a UN warehouse on Saturday.

Of that batch of 16 trucks, he said only five arrived there with their full loads.

Yet Mr Sullivan denied the problems delivering aid over the pier were a failure of planning and instead called the bottleneck an indication this is a dynamic environment we need to continue to refine and stressed that aid to Gaza is flowing.

It is not flowing at the rate that any of us would be happy with because we always want more, but we are actually seeing good cooperation between the US, the IDF, the UN [and] humanitarian organizations to ensure that aid goes from that pier to innocent people in need, he said.

The Independent recently published an investigation into the Biden administrations role in failing to prevent a famine taking hold in Gaza.

It cited current and former US officials blaming the administration for rejecting or ignoring pleas to use its leverage to persuade its ally Israel  the recipient of billions of dollars of US military support  to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza.
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Families of the Uvalde school shooting victims have settled for $2million with the Texas city over the 2022 attack that left 19 students and two teachers dead.

The settlement comes nearly two years after the deadly attack at Robb Elementary School. Responding officers infuriated the public after it was revealed that they waited for more than an hour to enter the school and confront the gunman.

"Law enforcement did not treat the incident as an active shooter situation, despite clear knowledge that there was an active shooter inside," the attorneys representing the families said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The shooter was able to continue the killing spree for over an hour while helpless families waited anxiously outside the school."

The settlement requires the city of Uvalde to pay $2m to the families of 17 children who were killed and two children who were wounded in the attack, according to the statement.

Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School, June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Uvalde agreed on 22 May, 2024 to a $2m settlement with families of the victims of the shooting ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

While the settlement is relatively low when compared to other settlements related to mass casualty events, the families' attorneys said their clients weren't interested in bankrupting the city, CBS News reports.

"Pursuing further legal action against the City could have plunged Uvalde into bankruptcy, something that none of the families were interested in as they look for the community to heal," the attorneys said.

In addition to the $2m payout, the settlement also requires the Uvalde police officers to attend trainings and for the city to provide mental health services to families of victims, to survivors and to the broader Uvalde community. It will also require the city to create a permanent memorial and to make 24 May  the day the shooting occurred  an annual "Day of Remembrance."

For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day. This settlement reflects a first good faith effort by the City of Uvalde to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us, Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said.

The group said it also planned to file lawsuits against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety officers and Uvaldes school district.

But it wasnt just Uvalde officers who failed us that day. Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom, Ms Luevanos said.

Erin Rogiers, an attorney representing the families, said in a statement that those who lost loved ones in the shooting had a right to demand justice from all of those involved in the botched response to the attack.

Law enforcements inaction that day was a complete and absolute betrayal of these families and the sons, daughters and mothers they lost, the attorney said. TXDPS had the resources, training and firepower to respond appropriately, and they ignored all of it and failed on every level. These families have not only the right but also the responsibility to demand justice, both for their own loss and to prevent other families from suffering the same fate.

Wednesday's settlement ends one of the numerous ongoing legal actions resulting from the mass shooting.

Uvalde police officers and Texas DPS at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. They waited nearly an hour to confront the gunman

In November, the family of Eliahna Torres, a 10-year-old girl killed in the mass shooting, sued approximately two dozen people and organizations, including the company that manufactured the rifle used in the attack and the gun store that sold the weapon. Law enforcement officials at the scene were also named in the suit, CNN reports.

In December 2022, the families of the survivors filed a $27bn class action lawsuit in federal court against multiple Texas law enforcement agencies. Neither suit has a trial date at this time.

A report from the Justice Department in January found that the overall police response to the mass shooting was a failure.

"Had the law enforcement agencies followed generally accepted practices ... lives would have been saved and people would have survived, Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters after the report released.
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An Ohio woman was left paralyzed from the waist down after she was crushed by a grand piano that fell on her and severed her spine as she helped move it.

Danielle Drummond, 28, had just moved to Eugene, Oregon last month when she agreed to help a friend move the piano. She says that during the move the instrument slipped out of the friend's hands and severely injured her.

"She dropped like a whole upright grand piano on me, and it severed my spinal cord," Ms Drummond told 19NEWS in Cleveland. "Now, I'm paralyzed from the waist down."

Because she is new to Oregon, Ms Drummond has no family in the area and told the broadcaster that she was still searching for a permanent place to live.

Up until her accident, Ms Drummond had been living in a van with her dog, Lotus.

Her family back in Cleveland has set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to help pay for her "future medical needs" and to potentially move her back home.

Danielle Drummond, 28, outside in a wheelchair. Ms Drummond was left paralysed from the waist down after she was accidentally crushed by a grand piano ( GoFundMe )

Ms Drummond doesn't know what that would look like  or even if she could make the trip.

I dont even know like how I would get home, let alone like how to transfer all the medical stuff, and I dont feel like Im able right now to do like that far of a car ride or a trip in an airplane, she said.

She told her sister that she does not anticipate ever walking again.

"She has accepted the reality of her situation. But she has an amazing spirit and an overall positive outlook, focusing on what she can do," her sister, Rosie Hayne, wrote on the fundraiser page.

While Ms Drummond may have accepted that she isn't likely to walk again, she said she's worked hard to keep her spirits high.

Im trying to keep like in high spirits because I know this is my life now, but its hard, she told 19NEWS. As of right now, I need a lot more physical therapy. I need to rebuild my strength.

Ms Drummond's T11 and T12 vertebrae were fractured by the piano, her sister revealed.

In addition to the physical therapy, she will likely also need to employ a home health aide, which is expensive.

On 1 May, Ms Hayne posted an update on her sister's condition, saying that she was "getting around really well in the hospital wheelchair" but also noted she still needed to find a permanent place to live once she left the hospital.

Ms Drummond said she will remain "hopeful" that advances in medicine will one day provide her a means to walk again.
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A man messaged his mother I dont want to scare you from the Singapore Airlines flight when the plane was hit by severe turbulence.

Josh Barker was among 211 passengers and 18 crew onboard the flight heading from London to Singapore when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok amid extreme weather conditions.

Passengers have spoken of their terror as some were launched into the ceiling by the sudden drop, with some 79 injured. One 73-year-old man, Geoffrey Kitchen, died from a suspected heart attack.

Its since emerged that in the chaos, Mr Barker, texted his mother believing he could be sending her his final words.

His mother Allison Barker relayed the message to the BBC, which read: I dont want to scare you, but Im on a crazy flight. The plane is making an emergency landing... I love you all.

For updates on this story - follow our live blog by clicking here

Passengers who experienced severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight embrace after landing in Singapore ( via REUTERS )

Ms Barker was then waiting for two hours before hearing from him again, saying she was petrified.

She said: One minute, he was just sitting down wearing a seatbelt, the next minute, he must have blacked out because he found himself on the floor with other people.

She added that her son, who was heading to Bali, had sustained minor injuries.

Passengers onboard the flight have shared the drama onboard since landing in Bangkok.

Pictures from the cabin showed oxygen masks hanging down from the planes ceiling, with sections fallen down or dented and broken.

Passengers have revealed the terror onboard the Singapore Airline flight hit by severe turbulence ( REUTERS )

Jerry, 68, who was travelling to Australia for his sons wedding, said: I hit my head on the ceiling, my wife did - some poor people who were walking around ended up doing somersaults.

On Wednesday morning, Singapore Airlines said 58 people remained under treatment at several medical sites across Bangkok, including 20 in intensive care facilities.

A total of 27 had so far been discharged, said the airline. Some 131 passengers have continued their journey on to Singapore.

As investigations start, the airlines chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong made an apology online.

In a video on social media, he said: We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through.

He said the airline was providing all necessary support and pledged it would fully cooperate in investigations.
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Spain, Ireland and Norway have said that they will recognise the state of Palestine on 28 May, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israels war on Hamas.

The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and Norway, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israels isolation.

EU members Malta and Slovenia say they may follow suit.

Some 140 of the about 190 countries represented in the UN General Assembly have already recognised a Palestinian state.

Heres a look at how and why the new European announcements could be important:

Why does it matter?

A UN partition plan in 1947 called for the creation of a Jewish state alongside a Palestinian state, but Palestinians and the wider Arab world rejected it because it would have given them less than half of the land even though Palestinians made up two-thirds of the population.

The Arab-Israeli war the following year left Israel with even more territory, Jordan in control of the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and Egypt in control of Gaza.

In the 1967 war, Israel seized all three territories, and decades of on-again, off-again peace talks have failed.

The United States, Britain and other Western countries have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle Easts most intractable conflict, but they insist Palestinian statehood should come as part of a negotiated settlement. There have been no substantive negotiations since 2009.

Though the EU countries and Norway wont be recognising an existing state, just the possibility of one, the symbolism helps enhance the Palestinians international standing and heaps more pressure on Israel to open negotiations on ending the war.

Also, the move lends additional prominence to the Middle East issue ahead of the June elections for the European Parliament.

Why now?

Diplomatic pressure on Israel has grown as the battle with Hamas stretches into its eighth month. The UN General Assembly voted by a significant margin on 11 May to grant new rights and privileges to Palestine in a sign of growing international support for a vote on full voting membership. The Palestinian Authority (PA) currently has observer status.

The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia said in March they were considering recognising a Palestinian state as a positive contribution toward ending the war.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday, This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people, he said. It is an act in favour of peace, justice and moral consistency.

Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide said that, while the country has supported the establishment of a Palestinian state for decades, recognition is a card that you can play once.

We used to think that recognition would come at the end of a process, he said. Now we have realised that recognition should come as an impetus, as a strengthening of a process.

What are the implications of recognition?

While dozens of countries have recognised a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so, and it is unclear how much of a difference the move by the three countries might make.

Even so, their recognition would mark a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians, who believe it confers international legitimacy on their struggle. Norway said it will upgrade its representatives office for Palestine to an embassy but it was not clear what Ireland and Spain will do.

Little would likely change on the ground in the short term. Peace talks are stalled, and Israels hardline government has dug its heels in against Palestinian statehood.

What is Israels response?

Israel reacted rapidly by recalling its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain.

The Israeli government slams talk of Palestinian independence as a reward for the Hamas 7 October attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to the abduction of over 250 others. It rejects any move to legitimise the Palestinians internationally.

Steps like the ones by the three European countries on Wednesday will harden the Palestinian position and undermine the negotiating process, Israel says, insisting that all issues should be solved through negotiations.

Israel often responds to foreign countries decisions deemed as going against its interests by summoning those countries ambassadors and also punishing the Palestinians through measures such as freezing tax transfers to the cash-strapped PA.

Who recognises the Palestinian state?

Some 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state, more than two-thirds of the United Nations membership.

Some major powers have indicated their stance may be evolving amid the outcry over the consequences of Israels offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians according to Gazas Health Ministry.

British foreign secretary David Cameron said no recognition of a Palestinian state could come while Hamas remains in Gaza, but that it could happen while Israeli negotiations with Palestinian leaders were in progress.

France indicated that it isnt ready to join other countries in recognising a Palestinian state, even if it isnt opposed to the idea in principle. French foreign minister Stephane Sejourne, in comments relayed by his ministry after a closed-door meeting with his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday, said that recognising a Palestinian state must be useful in pushing forward a two-state solution and suggested that doing so now wont have a genuine impact in pursuing that goal.

AP
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Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced they will recognise a Palestinian state, as Israel accused the nations of rewarding Hamas for its brutal attack on 7 October.

All three countries see the move as necessary to secure a two-state solution and ensure peace for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, and it comes amid mounting international criticism over Israels plans to conduct a full-scale offensive in the besieged southern Gaza city of Rafah, where around one million Palestinians are sheltering. The move will officially come into force on 28 May.

Irish leader Simon Harris holds a press conference at the Government Buildings in Dublin, to recognise the state of Palestine ( EPA )

Around 1,200 people are believed to have been killed during the Hamas attack inside Israel, while 250 people were taken hostage, around 120 of which remain in Gaza. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 80,000 wounded during the Israeli assault on Gaza triggered by that attack, according to health officials in the Hamas-run strip.

Announcing plans to recognise the state of Palestine, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez received applause in parliament as he called for peace in Gaza.

We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words  peace, justice and consistency, he said.

We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez receives applause as he announces that the countrys council of ministers will recognise an independent Palestinian state during a plenary session of the lower house of the Spanish parliament ( Reuters )

It is essential that the two sides negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognise Palestine.

In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the main representative of the Palestinians, first declared the establishment of the state of Palestine. In practice, the Palestinians have limited self-government through the Palestinian Authority (PA) in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The PA lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007. The UN considers both territories as occupied by Israel and comprising a single political entity. Palestinians also want East Jerusalem as part of a future state.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said they must keep alive the two-state solution, heralding it as the only solution to the current crisis.

In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," Mr Stoere said.

Norway said the demarcation of the two states should be based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as capital of both, but added that its border recognition should not prejudice negotiations over ultimate border lines. Ireland also said the borders should be along 1967 lines.

Irish prime minister Simon Harris added that he was confident other countries would follow their decision and recognise the state of Palestine.

Israels foreign secretary, Israel Katz, suggested the move threatened the security of his country. He also recalled Israels envoys to Ireland and Norway for urgent consultations, saying he would do the same with Spain.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays, Mr Katz said.

Mr Sanchez spoke about that accusation in his speech: This recognition is not against Israel... It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour of peace and coexistence.

Recognition of a Palestinian state is still opposed for now by Israels closest ally the United States, which has the power to veto it at the United Nations and did so last month.

Washington says it favours Palestinian statehood eventually, but only as a result of negotiations with Israel, a position it shares with European powers including France and Germany.

President Joe Biden is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said. He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition. Germany said it was a matter that required further dialogue. France said the issue was not a taboo for Paris, but the conditions had not yet been met.

British foreign secretary Lord David Cameron said in January that Britain was looking at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state.

Before Wednesdays announcements by Spain, Norway and Ireland, some 140 out of 193 member-states of the United Nations recognised a Palestinian state. A number of other European Union members, including Slovenia and Malta, have indicated their intention to recognise the state of Palestine.

Earlier this week, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced he had applied for arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant in a further blow to the countries war effort in Gaza. The charges against Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, two of the three core members of Israels war cabinet, include starvation of civilians as a method of warfare  intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population  wilfully causing great suffering  persecution as a crime against humanity  [and] extermination and/or murder.

Arrest warrants were also applied for relating to Hamass leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, Hamass political leader Ismail Haniyeh and the groups military chief Mohammed Deif, are also wanted for arrest. Prosecutor Karim Khan accused the Hamas leaders of having committed crimes including extermination, murder, hostage taking, rape and sexual violence, and torture.

A panel of ICC judges will now consider Mr Khans application for the arrest warrants.

Mr Netanyahu responded angrily to the ICC prosecutors statement, saying Israelis were being painted as mass murderers and accusing Mr Khan of callously pouring gasoline on the fires of antisemitism that are raging across the world.
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A Russian airstrike using deadly glide bombs has destroyed a cafe, set a petrol station ablaze and left 10 civilians injured in Ukraines northeast region of Kharkiv.

The attack, which left one bus driver close to the explosion without both his legs, is the latest in Russias assault in the region after Vladimir Putins forces opened up a second front nearly two weeks ago.

Ive been left with nothing, the cafe owner Vahe Ohandzhanian said after the strike, as he stood amid the ruins of the building.

A 12-storey high rise across the road had nearly all its windows blown out, while a green trolleybus in which the driver who lost his legs had been sitting also suffered significant damage.

Regional prosecutors said Russia had used a UMPB D-30 guided bomb launched from the bordering Belgorod region to carry out the attack.

Ten injured civilians, four were hospitalised, one of the men is in serious condition, the Kharkiv regions governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. He posted pictures showing the destroyed cafe and the bloodied side of the green trolleybus.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, and the surrounding region have been targeted by Russian attacks since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.

But aid workers stationed in the region say the situation has become more tense in the six weeks or so since Russia has started using glide bombs.

These explosives, some of which weigh more than a tonne, are old bombs that have been modified with wings and GPS systems so that they can be dropped by fighter jets from afar, out of range of Ukrainian anti-air defences, and glide towards their target.

What they lack in accuracy, they make up for with destruction.

A white van is completely destroyed by a Russian glide bomb attack in Kharkiv, as a building seen behind has its windows blown out ( Telegram )

Ukrainian servicemen of the 92nd separate assault brigade prepare a M109 self-propelled howitzer to fire towards Russian troops near the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region ( REUTERS )

If a glide bomb hits, youve just got no hope, says Ada Wordsworth, a young Brit who runs a humanitarian aid charity in Kharkiv. The destruction is so massive.

Theres not much point in going into a shelter because if a glide bomb hits, the crater will be deeper than the shelter. Its a very weird form of a psychological torture that [the Russians] are instilling.

Strikes have become far more intense in recent months, hitting civilian and energy infrastructure, as Russian forces have opened their new front north of the regional capital, home to some 1.3 million civilians.

Soldiers of Ukraines elite 92nd Separate Assault Brigade have been sent to reinforce the positions near Vovchansk, a town around 35 miles from Kharkiv city that has become a key primary defence for Ukraine in the eastward assault of Russias multi-pronged attack on the region.

They say the fighting is constant and that they are trying to inflict maximum casualties on the advancing Russians.

We see them walking on foot to their positions. As they move, we of course try to hit them, to inflict maximum casualties," said Vitalii, commander of the brigades artillery unit, referring to a town on the Russian side of the border.

Further north, in the neighbouring Sumy region, a Russian attack on the areas energy facilities knocked out the power for more than half a million residents, according to the energy ministry.

The attack also impacted power supplies to consumers in the neighbouring Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions, but they have since been restored, according to the ministry.

The mayor of the city of Kharkiv told The Independent he believes that delayed US military aid is to blame for the Russian advance and their concurrent aerial onslaught. The $61 billion (48bn) package was blocked for six months by Donald Trump supporting Republicans. After being passed last month, the aid has been slowly arriving, but not early enough to stop the advance.

Sweden became the latest of Ukraines allies to step up to offer more support, announcing a 75 billion crowns (5.5bn) military package to Kyiv on Wednesday.

The pledge means they have committed 9.195bn in military aid to Ukraine, which is more than all of Ukraines allies excluding the US and Germany. The UK has pledged a little over 4.4bn.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the decision demonstrates Swedens practical solidarity with Ukraine in our struggle for freedom.

But the aid is scheduled to arrive in tranches over a three-year period, meaning the Ukrainian forces defending on the front, as well as the civilians in need of air defences, will still be left wanting in the short-term.
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Antony Blinken has indicated that he will work with American lawmakers on potential sanctions against the International Criminal Court after it sought arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and defence minister, setting the stage for a confrontation with the world court in the Hague.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan on Monday applied to have warrants issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoal Gallant as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

A panel of three ICC judges will decide, likely within a couple of months, whether to put out the warrants.

Since Israel is not a member of the court, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant do not face an immediate threat of prosecution even if the warrants are issued. But the threat of arrest could complicate their ability to travel abroad.

We reject the prosecutors equivalence of Israel with Hamas, Mr Blinken said, warning that the decision could jeopardise efforts to have a ceasefire in Gaza, agree a hostage exchange deal and increase humanitarian aid for the starving Palestinians.

The US secretary of state also said he is committed to acting against the profoundly wrongheaded decision of the ICC.

At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Mr Blinken was asked if he would support legislation aimed at preventing the world court from sticking its nose in the business of countries that have an independent, legitimate, democratic judicial system.

We want to work with you on a bipartisan basis to find an appropriate response. Im committed to doing that, Mr Blinken responded.

Theres no question we have to look at the appropriate steps to take to deal with, again, what is a profoundly wrongheaded decision.

The US sanctioned ICC officials Fatou Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko in 2020 for seeking to investigate alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

Michael Pompeo, the then-secretary of state, said Washington had restricted visas for individuals involved in the ICCs efforts to investigate US personnel.

The sanctions were lifted in 2021.

The latest ICC war crimes allegations are significant, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said in a statement, adding that the application for arrest warrants is merely the beginning of a judicial process.

ICC has been a functioning court, she added. It has seen convictions, acquittals and dismissals, as we would expect from an impartial and non-political judicial body.

Mr Netanyahu, on his part, has labelled the ICCs decision to seek arrest warrants against him and his defence minister a complete distortion of reality.

I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas, the prime minister said.

This is a complete distortion of reality. This is exactly what the new antisemitism looks like, it has moved from the campuses in the West to the court in The Hague, he added.

As prime minister of Israel, I pledge that no pressure and no decision in any international forum will prevent us from striking those who seek to destroy us.

US president Joe Biden also criticised the outrageous ICC application for Mr Netanyahus arrest.

The ICC prosecutors application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous, he said. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.

Israels war on Gaza has killed over 35,000 people, wounded 79,000 and left much of the Palestinian territory in ruin. The war, the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in occupied Palestinian territories, started after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October last year and killed 1,139 civilians and military personnel.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain have said their countries will formally recognise Palestine as a state for the sake of peace in the Middle East, Al Jazeera reported.

There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition, Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said.

His Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that his country will recognise an independent Palestinian state on 28 May.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, Irelands prime minister Simon Harris told a press conference. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

Im confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.
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A video showing the capture of seven female Israeli soldiers by Hamas on 7 October has been released by the Israeli government at the request of their families.

The graphic footage shows a chaotic scene as the bloodied women are forced to line up against a wall while Hamas fighters shout orders at them.

The fighters take photographs of the women as their hands are bound. One of the fighters shouts at the captured soldiers: Our brothers died because of you.

"I have friends in Palestine," one of the Israeli conscripts, 19-year-old Naama Levy, says in English.

One of the gunmen can be heard shouting back in Arabic: "You are dogs! he says, according to Reuters.

Later they are pushed into the back of a truck while gunshots ring out around them, and presumably taken to Gaza.

Still from a video showing the capture of Israeli women soldiers during the 7 October attack ( Hostage Families Forum )

The footage appears to have been filmed during the morning raid by Hamas at the Nahal Oz military base, near the northern Gaza Strip. The 7 October surprise attack killed nearly 1,200 people, including more than 750 civilians, and more than 250 people were taken hostage.

One of the women shown in the video, Ori Megidish, was rescued from Gaza by the Israeli army on 30 October. The body of Noa Marciano, a Corporal in the Israeli army, was recovered from Gaza in November.

The remaining five  named as Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy  are thought to still be held captive by Hamas.

The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the relatives of hostages held by Hamas, said it approved the release of the video to pressure the Israeli government to take action to rescue them. The footage was also released on Israels official account on X, formerly Twitter, and was previously released by Hamas in the aftermath of the attack.

Every new testimony about what happened to the hostages echoes the same tragic truth  we must bring them all back home, now, the Hostage Families Forum said in a press release Wednesday.

Still from a video showing the capture of Israeli women soldiers during the 7 October attack ( Hostage Families Forum )

With each passing day, it becomes more challenging to bring the hostages back home  the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial. The Israeli government must not waste another moment; it must return to the negotiating table today! it added.

The kidnapped women were reportedly Israeli army observers, or spotters, who monitored the border with Gaza.

In response to the brutal 7 October attack, Israel launched a widespread ground invasion into Gaza that has killed around 35,000 Palestinians  most of them women and children  and destroyed much of the territory.
 Close Mourners surround truck carrying remains of Iran president

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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.
 Close Spain announces recognition of Palestine as a state

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Norway, Ireland and Spain plan to recognise Palestine as an independent state, with Israel accusing them of rewarding Hamas for its brutal attack on 7 October.

The three European countries said the move would ensure peace, justice and consistency throughout the region. Around 1,200 people are believed to have been killed during the Hamas attack inside Israel, while 250 people were taken hostage. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza that has followed.

Some 140 out of 193 member-states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as an independent nation. Slovenia and Malta have also indicated their intention to recognise the state of Palestine.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words  peace, justice and consistency.

Israels Foreign Secretary, Israel Katz, said: Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays. This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of & October and a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists.
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Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced they will officially recognise Palestine as an independent state.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said this coordinated move by the three countries was a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.

The move was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution, he added.

In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the main representative of the Palestinians, first declared the establishment of the State of Palestine. In practice, the Palestinians have limited self-government through the Palestinian Authority (PA) in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The PA lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007. The UN considers both territories as occupied by Israel and comprising a single political entity. Palestinians also want East Jerusalem as part of a future state.

The UK does not formally recognise the state of Palestine, though the foreign secretary, David Cameron, has previously suggested Britain is ready to give it official, diplomatic recognition.

Currently, 143 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise the state of Palestine. Palestine has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012. Earlier this month, the United Nations General Assembly granted Palestine additional rights, including being seated with member states, the right to introduce proposals and participate in committees. It still does not have the right to vote.

In the EU, Sweden is the only country so far to have recognized Palestine while being a member. Seven EU countries took the step before joining the Union:

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Hungary

Romania

Poland

Slovakia

A number of other European Union members, including Slovenia and Malta, have indicated their intention to recognise the state of Palestine.

The EU itself and big countries such as Germany and France have representative offices (instead of embassies) in Ramallah and support the Palestinian authority financially. In February, President Emmanuel Macron said recognising a Palestinian state was not a taboo for France, adding we owe it to the Palestinians whose aspirations have been trampled for too long.

Among the G20, a group of worlds major economies, ten countries recognised the state of Palestine. These are:

Argentina

Brazil

China

India

Indonesia

Mexico

Russia

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Turkey

Nine countries in the G20, including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea do not.

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered Israels ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel in response  and said he would also do the same for Spain.

Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays, Mr Katz said.

The recognition could impede efforts to return Israels hostages being held in Gaza and makes a cease-fire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran, he added.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Norways recognition of a Palestinian state and called on other countries to follow their example. In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Mr Abbas said Norways decision will enshrine the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.
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UK officials are making inquiries into Microsofts latest AI feature, which collects records of everything people do.

The new tool, named Recall, takes screenshots of the screen every few seconds. Microsoft has said that it will be like having a photographic memory of everything that has been done on the device.

The company said that would be useful when combined with artificial intelligence, so that the computer can better know what its owner has done  and what they might want to do next.

But privacy experts have warned that the collection of screenshots could easily be exploited by attackers, who would be able to piece together all of the activity on a device.

Microsoft has said users have privacy control options around the tool  which will be exclusive to its new AI-powered Copilot+ PCs  that can limit the screenshots collected, but it has still raised privacy concerns.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) told the BBC that firms must rigorously assess and mitigate risks to peoples rights and freedoms before bringing new products to market.

The data protection regulator said it was making inquiries with Microsoft to understand the safeguards in place to protect user privacy.

We expect organisations to be transparent with users about how their data is being used and only process personal data to the extent that it is necessary to achieve a specific purpose, the ICO said. Industry must consider data protection from the outset and rigorously assess and mitigate risks to peoples rights and freedoms before bringing products to market.

In its launch for Recall, Microsoft said Recall worked locally, with the AI-powered processing taking place on-device to boost security, and will not capture screenshots of private web browsing sessions.

In a blog post published when the feature was announced on Monday, Microsoft said: Recall leverages your personal semantic index, built and stored entirely on your device.

Your snapshots are yours; they stay locally on your PC. You can delete individual snapshots, adjust and delete ranges of time in Settings, or pause at any point right from the icon in the System Tray on your Taskbar.

You can also filter apps and websites from ever being saved. You are always in control with privacy you can trust.

But Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at software security firm Eset, said the creation and storage of more private data through the feature could be an enticing prospect for cyber criminals.

Enabling a feature which has the ability to capture screen data not only offers even more data to the company behind the software but also opens up another avenue for criminals to attack, he said.

Whilst this feature is not on by default, users should be mindful of allowing any content to be analysed by AI algorithms for a better experience.

Although it may produce better results, there is a balance that must be kept regarding functionality versus privacy and so users must remain aware of the potential risks should any sensitive data ever become compromised.

Creating and storing more private data seems unnecessary when cyber criminals continually look for any given vulnerability to exploit.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Investigators have arrived in Bangkok to learn how and why severe turbulence sent a Singapore Airlines plane into a sudden dive that tossed passengers and crew around the cabin, leaving a British man dead and dozens others injured.

Twenty people remained in intensive care in hospital after Flight SQ321, which was flying from Londons Heathrow airport to Singapore, hit the turbulence Tuesday over the Andaman Sea. The Boeing 777, which carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members, descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said.

The captain diverted the plane to Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport, where medical teams evaluated those aboard and sent over 80 to hospital.

The hospital said nine people underwent surgery Tuesday and five more operations were expected to be completed Wednesday. It said it had provided 104 people with medical care, including 19 at its clinic at the airport.

Singapore Airlines sent a special flight to Bangkok on Tuesday night to pick up those well enough to travel. The airline said that 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived shortly after 5 am. at Singapores Changi Airport.

An additional 79 passengers and six crew members stayed in Bangkok, where the majority remained in hospital, said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where most of the injured were taken, said 20 people were being treated in intensive care while 27 others have been discharged. The ICU patients include six Britons, six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines, it said.

Officers from Singapores Transport Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok late on Tuesday, Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said.

He added that the US National Transportation Safety Board is also sending an accredited representative and four technical advisors to support the investigation because the incident involved a Boeing plane.

open image in gallery Singapore Flight

One of 56 Australians listed as passengers on board the flight told Sky News that the seatbelt sign had come on just ahead of the turbulence, but she could not act in time because she had been asleep.

Thirty-year-old Teandra Tukhunen, speaking from a hospital with her left arm in a sling, said she had been thrown to the roof and then to the floor.

It was just so quick, over in a couple of seconds and then youre just shocked. Everyones pretty freaked out," she said.

Recounting the accident, British passenger Andrew Davies also told Sky News that the seatbelt sign was illuminated but crew members didnt have time to take their seats.

Every single cabin crew person I saw was injured in some way or another, maybe with a gash on their head, Davies said. One had a bad back, who was in obvious pain.

Thai officials had withheld the name of the dead man, but he has been identified as Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, who was going on a six-week holiday with his wife. She was among the passengers taken to hospital in Bangkok.

He was described as formerly working in the insurance industry, and in retirement was continuing his decades-long involvement with amateur theater.

A Thai airport official said Kitchen might have had a heart attack, though that hadnt been confirmed.

open image in gallery British man killed in severe turbulence named as Geoffrey Kitchen ( Facebook )

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press showed Tuesdays flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters).

At one point, the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descended to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) over about three minutes, according to the data. The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later.

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

open image in gallery Thailand Singapore Flight ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration, another U.S. government agency, has said there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

For flight attendants and passengers alike, the dangerous, shaky feeling in midair called turbulence comes from air currents shifting, said a statement from the U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants.

While details of Singapore Flight 321 are still developing, initial reports seem to indicate clear air turbulence, which is the most dangerous type of turbulence. It cannot be seen and is virtually undetectable with current technology. One second, youre cruising smoothly; the next, passengers, crew and unsecured carts or other items are being thrown around the cabin.

Always follow crew instructions and wear your seatbelt whenever seated, it advised. It is a matter of life and death.

Officials from the British and Malaysian embassies on Wednesday visited the Bangkok hospital where most of the injured were admitted to check on their condition.

Singapore Airlines said the passengers, in addition to the 56 Australians, included two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one Icelander, four Irish, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 New Zealanders, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States.
SNP MP Alison Thewliss read out a hate message she received as she called on Rishi Sunak to ban misogynists from entering the UK.

Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday (22 May), the Glasgow Central MP said: In the wee small hours of Saturday morning I received an email, and I apologise for my language, calling me a f****** parasite, a rat and a piece of s***.

Ms Thewliss added: Can I ask the prime minister, who has spoken about banning hate preachers from entering the UK, if hell extend this to misogynists?

Mr Sunak replied: Those who seek to divide us undermine our values and indeed intimidate and threaten others, have no place in our society.
Silhouettes of 80 soldiers were etched on the sand of a beach in the town of Broadstairs, Kent, on Wednesday 22 May, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Britain will mark the anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings, when 150,000 Allied soldiers invaded France to drive out the forces of Nazi Germany, on 6 June.

Pete Gower, a 72-year-old veteran, remembered his father who fought with the Sussex Regiment in Normandy, as he watched the silhouettes of Tommies being engraved in the sand.

It must have been horrific for him, Mr Gower said.

What was going through his mind I will never know.
A group of Florida teenagers were scolded by police officers for laughing and joking after a drive-by shooting.

The Volusia Sheriffs Office responded late on Sunday evening (19 May) to a report of a shooting of an occupied home in the town of Pierson.

Deputies detained four young suspects during a traffic stop, recovering two handguns, boxes of ammunition and additional magazines in the truck.

Zared Castaneda, 18, along with two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old, were arrested and charged for the incident.

As they were told of the very serious felony charges, the teenagers were admonished by officers for laughing and joking.
39 Corporation Street is on the edge of Belfast city centre and close to the Ulster University campus

Dublin-based investment firm Elkstone Partners has announced plans to build an 850-bedroom block of student accommodation in Belfast.

The scheme at 39 Corporation Street is on the edge of the city centre and close to the Ulster University campus.

The firm has already built student accommodation in Galway, Cork and Dublin.

It will unveil a scheme of 156 student rooms at Bradbury Place in south Belfast over the summer.

Elkstone Partners said the Corporation Street site would address continued demand for student accommodation in Belfast.

Ciaran McIntyre, Elkstone Partners co-founder and head of real estate, said: Located a short walk from the Ulster University campus, the development of 39 Corporation Street would deliver significant regeneration and vibrancy to an under-utilised city centre area steeped in tradition and full of potential.

It represents a major investment that will deliver very tangible economic benefits, generating increased footfall and economic activity that businesses will welcome.

The 39 Corporation Street scheme would assist in meeting the future vision of a higher density city centre whilst being sensitive to the provision of appropriate and usable external amenity spaces.

The scheme is to combine self-contained studios with private kitchens, and clusters of single bedrooms with ensuites and a shared kitchen, living and dining space.

There would also be amenities such as a gym, laundry, cinema, common room, social space, study area and retail and services on the ground floor.

At the moment, there are empty offices and a car park on the site for the proposed scheme, which is bounded by Corporation Street, Gamble Street and Tomb Street.

A spokesman said: Further information regarding the 39 Corporation Street proposal will be provided in the coming weeks as Elkstone Partners delivers a community consultation period that will include public information events and media advertising.

Blocks of accommodation aimed at Belfast city centres growing student population have been mushrooming in recent years since Ulster University announced its intention to move to a new city centre campus in 2012.

The York Street building began welcoming students in September 2021.

Last month, South Bank Square confirmed it had submitted a planning application for a 55m (64m) purpose-built student accommodation of nearly 600 rooms on the site of Fanum House in Great Victoria Street.

And in Titanic Quarter, a proposed student village could see four blocks built  ranging from five to nine storeys  between the new Olympic House office building and Belfast Metropolitan College.

The proposal from Watkin Jones Group and Lacuna Developments would accommodate up to 1,200 students. Full plans have now been submitted.

Elkstone Partners purchase of 30 to 44 Bradbury Place close to Queens University Belfast was the first time the wealth management firm had acquired property in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in 2021, Mr McIntyre said: Purpose-built student accommodation has been a key strand of our real estate investment strategy for a number of years, and with clear demand for such accommodation in Belfast we are certainly keen to explore further opportunities.
Dublin-headquartered Nory has raised $16m (14.7m) in a Series A funding round, bringing its total raised to date to $25m .

Nory has developed an AI-powered operating system for businesses in the hospitality sector. The platform brings together the core functions involved in managing a business in hospitality and then provides suggestions for improvements in operational efficiencies following analysis of this data.

The funding round was led by venture capital firm Accel, with participation from existing investors Cavalry Ventures, Playfair, Samaipata and Triplefair.

The investment will be used to accelerate product development and international expansion. The company is currently active in Europe, the UK and the US.

The start-up recorded a 400pc jump in revenues last year, with Nory working with clients such as Buns from Home, the Jamie Oliver Group and Roasting Plant Coffee.

Norys technology is used by businesses to predict hourly venue demand using historical data and AI algorithms.

These algorithms focus on seasonal trends, weather and events to help restaurants and cafes decide on staffing levels.

Other areas of focus include cost and waste reduction, supply chain needs and daily revenue.

Nory founder and chief executive Conor Sheridan also founded the Mad Egg group of restaurants. There are now four Mad Egg locations in Dublin.

Mr Sheridan said he was disillusioned by existing software available to support companies active in the sector.

The industry is facing challenges and complexities like never before. Operators dont want more tools and apps that digitise every micro-workflow, he said.

Nory is on a mission to help systemise success for the restaurant industry and to stack the odds in their favour. Our Series A funding will help us on our path to building the worlds largest restaurant technology company, he added.

Accel partner Luca Bocchio said that restaurants today are under pressure to improve their productivity and operational efficiency.

The industry is still under digitised, with fragmented point solutions that prevent businesses from gaining more granular data insights on their own operations, Bocchio said.

Norys AI powered operating system provides restaurants with much needed access to a central, real time source of truth, which is easy to use and delivers fast return on investment, he concluded.
Revenue has published new guidelines outlining how the employment status of workers in the gig economy should be decided for tax purposes.

The move follows a Supreme Court judgment last year which classed Dominos Pizza delivery drivers as employees.

The case, which related to 2010 and 2011, centred around whether the drivers were employees for tax purposes. Karshan (Midlands) Ltd, trading as Dominos Pizza, had argued that they were independent contractors under contracts for service.

The judgment arose from an appeal by the Revenue Commissioners over a 215,718 tax bill they said Karshan owed for drivers working in 2010 and 2011.

In an unanimous decision last October, the seven-judge Supreme Court ruled in favour of Revenue and held that the drivers were employees of a franchise rather than independent contractors.

Revenue has now published a tax-and-duty manual which features a five-step decision-making framework that businesses must use to determine whether a worker is an employee or self-employed for tax purposes.

The framework consists of five question, including whether they are subject to sufficient control by the employer to render the agreement one that is capable of being an employment agreement.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

It asks employers to consider whether the arrangement points to the putative employee working for themselves or for the putative employer.

It also includes some practical examples to help firms which hire workers on an ad-hoc basis in determining what the Supreme Court decision means for this cohort.

In a statement Revenue encouraged all businesses engaging contractors, sub-contractors or other workers on a self-employment basis to familiarise themselves with the Supreme Court ruling. It said businesses should ensure the correct taxes are deducted from pay and reported through the PAYE system.

Moira Grassick, COO at employment law consultancy Peninsula Ireland, said the Workplace Relations Commission may also take a look at the Supreme Court judgment and may make some changes to their own codes, but we havent heard any clarification on that as yet.

This isnt a new area, she pointed out. It's one of those positions that has been a little bit vague for quite a number of years.

Ms Grassick urged employers to consider the new Revenue framework to see which category a worker falls into. This also includes consideration of issues such as substitute workers.

If Im a contractor, is the company I am contracted with only going to expect me? Can I send someone else in for substitution? Thats a really big test, she said.

Other areas to consider include how payment is made to the worker in question. Is it a wage that youre actually giving them, rather than some sort of remuneration package?

While workers in the gig economy have been the focus following the recent case, other sectors also need to consider whether people working for them are an employee or contractor, she pointed out.

You'd see a lot of contractors in the IT industry, for example, and in development, Ms Grassick said. That ruling could have a big impact on employers in different industries across the board, so it is something that people need to be cautious of, and make sure that theyre keeping an eye on what the guidelines are saying around it.
Scarlett Johansson says she was shocked and angered at how eerily similar one of the voices in ChatGPT sounded to hers.

OpenAI has said it will pause the use of one of the voices in ChatGPT after it drew comparisons with the Hollywood actress.

Some users had commented on a similarity between Johanssons voice and one of the voice options named Sky found inside the app following an update that makes ChatGPT more conversational and even flirtatious, according to some commentators.

Johansson famously provided the voice for the AI interface in the 2013 film Her, set in the near-future and where Joaquin Phoenixs character slowly falls in love with the virtual assistant.

OpenAI unveils new smarter, faster version of ChatGPT

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, OpenAI said: Weve heard questions about how we chose the voices in ChatGPT, especially Sky. We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them.

In a statement issued following that post, Johansson said OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman had approached her in September asking her if she would lend her voice to the system, saying he felt it would be comforting to people not at ease with the technology.

He told me that he felt that by my voicing the system, I could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives and help consumers to feel comfortable with the seismic shift concerning humans and Al, the actress said.

After much consideration and for personal reasons, (I) declined the offer.

The statement continued: Nine months later, my friends, family and the general public all noted how much the newest system named Sky sounded like me.

When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference.

She said OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the Sky voice after she hired lawyers who wrote Mr Altman letters asking about the process by which the company came up with the voice.

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In a blog post published alongside its X message, the artificial intelligence giant said: We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebritys distinctive voice  Skys voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.

To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.

The post added each of the voices ChatGPT uses has been carefully selected through an extensive process spanning five months involving professional voice actors, talent agencies, casting directors, and industry advisers.

The company said it had spoken to each shortlisted voice actor about the technologys capabilities and limitations, as well as its risks and the safeguards the company has in place before deciding on the final five who would be used in the app.

OpenAI unveiled its new AI model, named GPT-4o, last week, with a highlight of the update being the more conversational, human-sounding responses the apps various voices would now be able to give.

Those updated features have not yet been rolled out, but are due to reach paying Chat-GPT subscribers in the coming weeks.
The vehicle that was seized

A car, electronic devices and financial documents were seized today following a search operation in Donegal and Dublin.

The operation, led by the Criminal Assets Bureau, was conducted as part of an on-going proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including real estate, deriving in whole or in part from the proceeds of criminal activity.

A 2023 Volvo XC90 was also seized along with approximately 73,000 in a bank account.

This particular investigation was supported by a number of Good Citizen Reports (GCRs) and also with the assistance of a Divisional Assets Profiler.

Support was provided to CAB officers by gardai attached to the Milford District, Donegal Division, the Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda Dog Unit and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

Over 70 personnel were involved in 23 searches across Donegal and Dublin West. These locations including dwellings and business premises.

Todays searches relate to an ongoing investigation into the assets of persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking on an international level.

This Organised Criminal Gang (OCG) operates within this jurisdiction as well as Scotland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hospital overcrowding is forcing the the frequent transfer of patients out of critical-care beds frequently even though they are not ready, a hospital emergency consultant warned today.

Dr Peadar Gilligan, who works in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, said a lack of bed space meant doctors were having to make tough decisions.

We frequently have to move patients out of critical-care areas who are not yet ready to move out because of the pressure on that area, he told the Oireachtas health committee.

Dr Gilligan, who was among a delegation from the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) doctors union, said doctor fatigue is a patient-safety risk.

Lack of beds and overcrowding also increase risks. As a result, a patient who has suffered a heart attack or stroke may not receive timely treatment.

A patient with severe infection can have treatment delayed, Dr Gilligan said in response to questions from Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane.

Patients can have their entire episode of care over several days on a trolley without ever seeing a bed.

He said University Hospital Limerick (UHL) needed around 400 more beds in the area, as well as more access to stepdown and rehab care.

The meeting was also told that patients are not yet seeing the benefits of a new work contract based around more flexible rostering, including evening and Saturday shifts.

It could be worth up to 300,000 for consultants who opt for it.

IMO chief executive Susan Clyne said the contract, which means doctors will treat only public patients in public hospitals, had been taken up by 2,229 consultants.

She said: It is not realistic to infer that the health service will see tangible benefits if consultants are consistently rostered outside normal working hours.

With the deficits in our workforce, there is no room for manoeuvre  we are quite literally adopting a policy of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

She was asked by Senator Martin Conway why so few hospital consultants in UHL  the most overcrowded hospital in the country  had signed up to the new work contract allowing them be rostered at weekends.

Ms Clyne said she presumed it was possibly due to a lack of trust in how the hospital will be able to implement the terms of that contract.

Meanwhile, the meeting was told about the ongoing problem of junior doctors working excessive hours, which is being exacerbated by the HSEs recruitment freeze.

Dr Rachel McNamara, the unions junior doctor leader, said it was not unusual for trainees to work 100 hours a week.

An agreement was made two years ago to compensate junior doctors for lost rest days. So far, 1m has been paid to the trainee workforce, who make up around 9,000 medics in hospitals.
The lack of investment in public health services make it almost impossible for doctors to deliver safe care in a timely manner, an Oireachtas committee will hear tomorrow.

A meeting of the joint committee on health will be told how it is inconceivable that a recruitment embargo is in place at a time when we need more doctors not less.

The work of consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) has been impacted by dangerous levels of overcrowding in emergency departments, bed shortages, lack of basic supports and a bureaucratic system they are consistently battling, according to one representative.

The health committee is set to discuss the employment of consultants and NCHDs in public hospitals tomorrow, where they will hear how decades of underfunding in capacity, poor policy decisions around recruitment and retention and a lack of a coherent workforce plan has led to a system that is struggling to deliver care in a timely manner.

A representative from the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) will tell the committee how a failure to invest in capacity means each and every day they are fighting against the system to access care for their patients and leave work feeling demoralised and frustrated.

"The consistent narrative of record levels of health budgets and the additional numbers employed in the health service masks the reality of the demands on the health service and the deficits in funding for over a decade, the committee will be told.

The committee will hear how the recruitment freeze has led to an increase in illegal and unsafe working hours as 83pc of NCHDs routinely work beyond 48 hours per week and 68pc report they are regularly working beyond 10 consecutive days without compensatory pay or additional rest days in almost half of these cases.

It will be told how the lack of onsite childcare or supported childcare is impacting recruitment, how families of international doctors are separated for long periods due to significant delays in the visa application process and how doctors who graduated outside of Ireland are not treated equitably in terms of career progression.

Some 80pc of doctors are at risk of burnout and 94pc reported having some form of depression, anxiety, exhaustion, stress, emotional stress of other mental health condition relating to, or made worse by work, research from the IMO found.

The increasing emigration of NCHDs and burnout as a factor will also be addressed.

It is not necessarily higher incomes that drive emigration  Australia, Canada, North America and the UK are targeting Irish trained doctor and offering them better work life balances and the opportunity to work in a system that supports them and enables them to care for patients.

The committee will hear how doctors are trained over many years to deliver high quality care but the lack of investment in public health services make it almost impossible for doctors to deliver safe care in a timely manner.

The IMO will call for the health service to be appropriately funded to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population, calling on Government to recognise that increased funding is required if the health service is to deliver for patients.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Department of Health remain "committed to improving the working conditions for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs)".

"We continue to monitor the implementation of the rostering rules and compensatory rest provisions as set out in the Irish Medical Organisation, Department of Health and Health Service Executive (HSE) NCHD agreement from 2022," they said.

"The HSE have established a National Group to oversee the implementation of rostering rules and the Department of Health fully supports this. It is important to note that the temporary pause on recruitment excluded Consultants, Graduate Nurses and Doctors in formal training programme.

"A National Taskforce on the NCHD Workforce was established in September 2022. The purpose of the Taskforce is to put in place sustainable workforce planning strategies and policies to address and improve NCHD experience to support present and future retention of NCHDs in Ireland.

"The Interim Recommendations Report of the Taskforce was published in April 2023 and the Final Report was published on 7 February 2024. The Taskforce was primarily informed by the experiences of NCHDs, and from its work, describes a series of actions we need to take to improve their experience in work and in training and to support and enhance their welfare at work."
As one of a generation of Irish people who emigrated during the economic downturn in the 1980s, Christopher Doyle is well-placed to discuss our countrys status in Europe. Like so many others he joined the Irish workforce when there were few jobs to be had, when the only option was to seek employment on foreign shores.
Taoiseach Simon Harris defends his partys record on housing and FG spokesman decries opposition partys move on 13 years of figures as desperation stuff

Fine Gael governments spent almost 10bn on State-funded landlord subsidies, according to new figures compiled by Sinn Fein.

In a move aimed at shifting the election debate from immigration to the housing crisis, Sinn Fein analysed the multi-billion-euro spend on taxpayer-funded payments to landlords by three successive Fine Gael governments.

The figures given to the Irish Independent show the State spent 9.5bn on a series of different rental schemes since 2011, when Fine Gael entered power.

Sinn Feins housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin said the spending was a chronic waste of money and could have been used by the Government to pay for the construction of 40,000 new social or affordable houses.

The new figures come after details of a Housing Commission report calling for a radical reset of the Governments housing strategy as it estimated around 56,000 new homes will need to be built every year between next year and 2034.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the Housing Commission findings as a damning indictment of the Governments failure to tackle the housing crisis that has continued for more than a decade.

However, Taoiseach Simon Harris, who yesterday defended Fine Gaels record on housing in government, said it was the Government that established the Housing Commission so it could receive advice on how best to address the housing shortage.

The row comes as opinion polls showed the gap in public support between Fine Gael and Sinn Fein narrowing ahead of next months local and European elections. Sinn Fein has struggled to take advantage of the immigration crisis despite it being a key voter concern, whereas since his election as Taoiseach Mr Harris has moved to address public concerns over record numbers of asylum-seekers arriving in Ireland.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Mary Lou McDonald clash over call for radical reset on housing policy

The Fine Gael leader has said he wants to move the immigration debate from being one about accommodation to one about laws governing the asylum process.

The new Sinn Fein figures show Fine Gael-led governments spent 3.2bn on Rent Supplement, 1.8bn on the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), 3.5bn on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and 900m on long-term leasing schemes. The total figures across all these taxpayer-funded schemes amount to 9,583,731,000 since Fine Gael entered government in 2011.

The payments to landlords were a cornerstone of the plans of successive governments to address the housing crisis.

The Rent Supplement is a long-running landlord payment scheme which is still in place, but state spending on it dropped from 502m in 2011 to 62m last year. However, other state supports have replaced the scheme as the subsidy of choice for landlords.

Fine Gael introduced HAP to replace RAS in 2013.

The State spent 544m on HAP last year, along with a further 110m on RAS.

The Sinn Fein figures also include state payments towards long-term leasing arrangements between local authorities and landlords.

Sinn Fein has been critical for some time of the 25-year leasing scheme which allows local authorities to rent out accommodation for a quarter of a century and have to return it to the landlord in the same condition as it was first rented.

Mr O Broin said the State has become too reliant on landlord subsidy schemes under Fine Gael governments and the State was continuing to put the needs landlords ahead of those in need of social housing. What the analysis shows is in the last decade under Fine Gael and latterly Fianna Fail almost 10bn of subsidies have been paid directly to landlords for social-housing tenants.

This is money that could have been used to build real homes, and in fact a conservative estimate is that it could have delivered 40,000 new-build social homes at prices for development during that period. This is a chronic waste of money. Obviously there needs to be short-term rental support, but since 2014 these schemes have been designated as having the same status as social housing. Its putting landlords interests before those of social tenants.

Last night Senator John Cummins, Fine Gaels spokesman on housing, local government and heritage, described the tactics of Sinn Fein as desperation as he claimed the rental schemes cited by the opposition party helped accommodate the most vulnerable in society.

This is desperation stuff from Sinn Fein. To add up 13 years of supports that have ended [with] thousands of the most vulnerable people in society having roofs over their heads and [to] turn that into an attack shows Sinn Fein are scrambling and desperately panicking at the record housing numbers we are seeing,  with over 18,000 constructions started last month alone, he said.

Meanwhile, in the Dail yesterday, the Taoiseach was accused of sitting on the Housing Commissions report due to the closeness of the elections on June 7. Mr Harris said he is examining the report and urged the opposition to wait until it is published before insisting that its recommendations be implemented.
Workmen pictured repairing the damage to the front of St John's House in High St in Tallaght. Photo: Frank McGrath

Gardai are investigating a suspected petrol bomb attack on a Dublin property which will soon house families seeking asylum.

The firebombing in Tallaght last night is the latest arson incident in which a building linked to the housing of migrants has been targeted.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at St Johns House in the village at around 11pm on Tuesday night.

A large number of first responders, including gardai and the Dublin Fire Brigade, arrived at the scene which remained sealed-off overnight.

Detectives at Tallaght garda station have launched a criminal investigation into the incident and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area.

The Department of Integration said the property is intended for use by families and will be coming on stream shortly to house international protection applicants.

The Department has an obligation to report any incidents of criminality to An Garda Siochana (AGS) once brought to its attention. AGS is responsible for operational policing matters, and where intimidation or criminal acts have occurred, the Department is precluded from commenting or providing detailed information, as it may prejudice any consequent investigations or court cases, a spokesperson said.

Protests have also been taking place at the property recently against the proposed plans.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

A garda spokesperson said: Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a property in Tallaght, Dublin 24 on Tuesday 21st May 2024.

Gardai and emergency services were alerted to a fire at a vacant property on High Street at approximately 11:10pm and attended the scene.

Local fire services attended the scene and the fire was brought under control a short time later.

There were no injuries reported to any persons at the scene.

A technical examination of the scene has since been conducted.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Any person who was in the vicinity of High Street, Tallaght between 10:30pm and 11:30pm and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai.

Over 20 similar incidents have occurred across the country in recent years including in Dublin, Galway, Donegal, Kildare and Kerry.

In some cases the properties were to be used for housing asylum seekers, while in other instances false rumours had been circulated that the buildings targeted were intended for such use.

A garda investigation is also underway into a suspected arson at a site in Clonmel, Tipperary, being developed to house Ukrainian refugees.

The incident happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday and came just four days after security personnel at the site were assaulted by a number of individuals.

One worker was hospitalised and during the same incident several vehicles, including two diggers, were damaged by fire.

The Gardas Special Detective Unit (SDU) is coordinating the national response to the attack and at this stage no commonalities between the incidents have been established.

Investigators do however suspect that in many cases those responsible have been influenced by online commentary against asylum seekers from far-right agitators.

Under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 the offence of arson carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the most extreme cases.

Senior investigators have also liaising with colleagues across the country carrying out inquiries into similar incidents.
Tents belonging to asylum-seekers are removed from the camp along the Grand Canal yesterday. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Around 55 men have re-pitched their tents at the Grand Canal in Dublin, just hours after another state-agency operation to clear the banks of homeless asylum-seekers.

Gardai, staff from Waterways Ireland, the HSE, medics from the Safetynet charity and from the International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) were on-site from early yesterday morning where more than 100 tents had appeared in recent weeks.

As a result of a number of beds becoming available in recent days, 89 international protection applicants were offered spaces at specially designed accommodation yesterday.

The operation to remove the tents in which they had been staying, located between McCartney Bridge and Leeson Street Bridge, got under way at 9am.

Migrant tents at the Grand canal lock at Wilton Terrace/Mespil Road. Photo: Frank McGrath

Barriers were erected along the banks, similar to those used in previous clearances at the canal and at the International Protection Office (IPO) on nearby Mount Street, to stop further tents from being pitched.

However, a number of asylum-seekers who did not get offers of accommodation are still in place on the canal, after re-pitching their tents on a small patch of grass a few hundred metres beyond where they were before.

Last night, more men were on their way to bed down for the night.

I havent slept for three days. I did not eat, I cannot sleep or live anywhere. I do not know where I will go

There were tense scenes at lunchtime when a number of men appeared at the canal and began to shout abuse at those gathered. Attempts to calm the situation by one woman were met with further racist insults.

Earlier, as efforts to clear the area began, there was widespread bewilderment and confusion among the asylum-seekers. Some of the men had received an email from the IPO advising them to make their way to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum to avail of accommodation. The email advised that the Number 44 bus will bring you to Dundrum or alternatively you can take the Luas Green Line.

Many of the men do not speak English and were confused about where they should go.

Migrants pictured at the camp along the Grand Canal. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Using a translator app on a smartphone, one man from Jordan said he did not know whether he had received an email because he cannot read. He said he had been sleeping along the canal bank for a week.

Another man, Brian Mogotsi, said he had arrived in Ireland in January and had received no offer of accommodation since then. He had fled South Africa to seek asylum in Ireland due to safety fears for his life.

With each day that goes by I just get more and more desperate, he said. Im out here by myself and it can really get to a person. I honestly dont know how long I can keep this up.

40 tents pitched along Grand Canal after almost 100 cleared this morning

Ibrahim Nasir, from Ethiopia, said he had been sleeping at the canal bank since last Wednesday. I went to the IPO and then I came here, he said.  I had no tent for four days. I slept on the ground. I havent slept for three days. I did not eat, I cannot sleep or live anywhere. I came with two friends. I do not know where I will go. I have no place to go and no one I know here.

The previous Grand Canal camp had grown to more than 100 tents two weeks after a similar camp was dismantled.

The camp began to grow between Baggot Street Bridge and Wilton Place on the city centre side of the canal within days of the removal of a camp of around 100 tents at Mount Street Bridge on May 9.

Migrants pictured at the camp along the Grand Canal. Photo: Gerry Mooney

The removal of the Mount Street Bridge site came just over a week after an extended camp of more than 200 asylum-seekers was dismantled from Mount Street, Grattan Street and surrounding side streets and laneways on May 1, which had existed for more than a year. Asylum-seekers that time were brought off-site to accommodation in Crooksling and Citywest after residents and businesses in the Mount Street area threatened legal action.

In a statement yesterday morning, the Department of Integration said: International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) continues to work towards ensuring that the limited available bed space for international protection applicants is prioritised for those most in need, including those who are found to be rough sleeping.

Taoiseach Simon Harris

Last week, Taoiseach Simon Harris defended Government action on the growing problem of migrant camps and said he believed a blind eye was turned by official Ireland to the development of what became almost a public health emergency in relation to the camp on Mount Street.

He added that State-owned land must be identified very quickly to provide tented accommodation with sanitation for asylum-seekers.

We have obligations in relation to accommodation and we will meet them, said Mr Harris. But it is just one part of a broader conversation that needs to happen about what a sustainable migration system looks like.
A 19-year-old Irish girl has been rescued from the sea off the coast of central Portugal after she got caught in a rip current.

The teen was pulled from the water on Monday afternoon, after being dragged by a rip current on Costa Nova Beach, in the municipality of Ilhavo.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the alarm was raised at 5.39pm by a member of the public who was at the location, reporting that there were two people in difficulty in the water.

Members of the Aveiro Maritime Police Local Command and crew from the Aveiro Lifeguard Station rushed to the scene, as well as members of the Ilhavo Volunteer Firefighters.

On arrival they found that one of the young people managed to get out of the water by his own means.

However, the girl was in difficulty in the water and she was rescued by members of the Maritime Police and taken to the pier of the Port Authority of Aveiro.

The victim showed signs of exhaustion and hypothermia, Portugal News reports, having been assisted by members of the Ilhavo Volunteer Fire Department before being transported to a hospital unit.

Last month an Irish man died while swimming in Portugal.

The man got into difficulty while in the sea at Inatel beach, Albufeira.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

Officials said the alarm was raised on the afternoon of Saturday, April, 20, after three people got into difficulty swimming in the sea

It was reported that two Portuguese men went into the sea in an attempt to rescue the man after his partner raised the alarm.

The three men were rescued by lifeguards, but the 52-year-old Irish man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Portugals Maritime Authority confirmed that the two rescued men had attempted to come to the aid of the deceased man.

In a statement the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case.
Simon Harris said Ireland must be on the right side of history as he made announcementTaoiseach speaks to Palestinian president Mahmoud AbbasIsrael reacts with fury, recalling its ambassador and accusing Ireland of damaging bilateral relationsIsraeli ambassador Dana Erlich said: This sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism paysHamas and the Palestinian Authority have welcomed the moveNorway and Spain announced a similar move

We recognise the state of Palestine  Simon Harris says as Israel recalls ambassador in response

The Taoiseach has this evening spoken by phone to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, after he confirmed Ireland, along with Norway and Spain, would recognise the state of Palestine.

Israel reacted with fury to the move with the embassy in Dublin saying it would undermine Israels sovereignty and security.

This evening, Taoiseach Simon Harris told the President that he, on behalf of the people of Ireland, was recognising Palestine to keep the hopes of a two-state peace solution between Israel and Palestine alive.

President Abbas told the Taoiseach that Irelands recognition of the state of Palestine was a beacon of hope to the Palestinian people. He thanked Ireland, Spain and Norway," a statement said.

The Taoiseach told President Abbas that Hamas is a brutal terrorist organisation and he utterly condemned the barbaric attack on Israel on October 7th last.

President Abbas said he seconded the Taoiseachs statement that Israel had the right to exist in peace and security with its neighbours.

The two spoke about hopes for a lasting ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Israel has now recalled its ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich and said it was sending a strong message to Ireland following Mr Harriss announcement this morning.

Dubliners give their perspectives on Ireland recognising Palestine as a state

The Israeli government intends to isolate the diplomats of Ireland, Spain and Norway that recognised a Palestinian state, and "boycott" them, Israeli national broadcaster Kan has reported. This will occur by not summoning them to briefings, and preventing them from being updated, as well as delaying their requests.

Speaking on RTEs Six One programme this evening, Ms Erlich said she doesnt feel that she has finished my time here, theres still a lot more to be done.

I was asked by the minister to return immediately to Israel in order to discuss the next possible steps. When I came here eight or nine months ago, I saw the potential for collaboration between Israel and Ireland, there are so many things we can do together, and I still hope that we will be able to do so in the future, she said.

But right now we need to address our concerns about the anti-Israeli initiatives that are promoted here in Ireland. Antisemitism that is on the rise needs to be addressed and acknowledged.

The Irish ambassador to Israel is Sonya McGuinness. The Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz has also said he will summon Ms McGuinness and her Norwegian and Spanish counterparts to watch a video of Hamas abducting Israeli citizens on October 7.

The Israeli embassy in Ireland said it was disappointed by the decision and claimed it will damage bilateral relations.

Ms Erlich said: This sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. This act jeopardises any hope of Hamas releasing any of the 128 women, children and men kidnapped and held captive by them.

Israel sees this step as undermining its sovereignty and security and as damaging to our bilateral relations.

Mr Harris said Ireland was recognising Palestine because we believe in freedom and justice as fundamental principles of international law.

In the US, the White House said President Joe Biden opposes "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state.

President Biden "believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

Speaking on the same programme, Mr Harris said he respectively does not agree with Mr Bidens view.

Now is the correct time, there is never a wrong time to do the right thing, he said.

He added: Its always been the position of Ireland that we recognise States and not governments. There is a state of Israel, there is a state of Palestine, and both have an equal right to live in peace and security.

He expects other countries to follow in the weeks ahead.

It comes after Biden said an International Criminal Court prosecutors bid for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes in Gaza was outrageous.

Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs has done contingency planning on what the repercussions from Israel may be for Ireland after the Government announcement today.

Israel Katz, the foreign affairs minister in Israel, said he put out a severe demarche for the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian Ambassadors in Israel, where they will have to watch a a video of the brutal and cruel kidnapping of our daughters by Hamas terrorists, to emphasise the distorted decision their governments have made.

This was expected by officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and is being viewed as a given.

The Department of Foreign Affairs looked at scenarios on ramifications for the Irish Ambassador in Israel and the Israeli Ambassador in Dublin prior to the announcement today.

Officials pointed to when Sweden recognised Palestine in 2014 and there were no political visits for a long period of time, no contact or phone calls between political leaders and obstacles in Swedens access to Gaza.

The Government believes a working diplomatic channel should be kept even though there is very significant and severe disagreements between Ireland and Israel.

We said the point of recognising the state of Palestine was coming closer  that point has now arrived, Taoiseach Simon Harris said at Government Buildings.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine.

Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

The Taoiseach said that Irelands step, along with Norway and Spain, has recognised that Palestine has a legitimate right to statehood.

It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples.

Mr Harris added that Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation.

How can anyone justify children going to sleep at night, not knowing if they will wake up?

Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. The only pathway to peace is political.

Government party leaders at the press conference announcing recognition of the State of Palestine. Photo: Mark Condren.

On January 21 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle and our rights to self-determination and justice.

Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.

Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine, added the Taoiseach, in response to Israels decision to withdraw its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway.

We need to see a two-state solution, a solution that recognises the state of Israel, that recognises the state of Palestine.

He said that efforts to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive would be a huge challenge.

Government party leaders at the press conference announcing recognition of the State of Palestine. Photo: Mark Condren.

We must be on the right side of history, Mr Harris said.

In a statement, the Israeli embassy said: This decision brings more questions than answers, especially regarding its timing, after Hamas committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

In the wake of the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which saw the indiscriminate mass murder of 1,200 people and the kidnapping, rape and torture of hundreds more, a step such as this sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.

This act jeopardises any hope of Hamas releasing any of the 128 women, children and men kidnapped and held captive by them.

Unilateral gestures such as this will do nothing for either Palestinians or Israelis. We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

The Palestinian Authority and its rival group Hamas both welcomed the move by Ireland, Spain and Norway.

The Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank territory while Hamas runs Gaza.

Norways prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere also announced Norway will recognise an independent Palestinian state, while Spain is also expected to follow suit.

The move means Ireland has joined a number of European and Middle Eastern countries in officially recognising Palestines sovereignty to govern over its own territories.

The expected move triggered Israel to recall Ms Erlich for urgent consultations.

Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence. I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem, foreign minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state.

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Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defence.

Israel will not remain silent  there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

Recognising a Palestinian state will only strengthen Hamas - Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said few states in the world have invested as much intensive diplomatic engagement, energy and application as Ireland in supporting a solution for Palestinians and Israelis.

It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force a future based on violence, domination, subordination and exclusion, become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

Instead, we endorse a future that so many people, in the Middle East and internationally, have put so much time and energy and commitment into developing over decades  one based on mutual respect, equality and on two states for two peoples.

Todays decision is about the empowering of moderation within Palestine.

It can be argued that the Israeli strategy, war and suppression of the Palestinian people, has empowered extremism, and were moving in a different direction. This is very much about peace.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaks to the media at the announcement that Ireland was recognising the state of Palestine. Photo: PA

Norways prime minister said: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

He said the Scandinavian country will officially recogniSe a Palestinian state as of May 28.

By recogniSing a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan, he said.

Spain is also expected to follow suit later this morning with prime minister Pedro Sanchez likely to make an announcement in the Spanish parliament in the coming hours.

Irelands ambassador to Israel Sonya McGuinness said the decision to recognise a Palestinian state is to allow a future where Israelis and Palestinians to live in security and dignity.

In an opinion piece published in Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, Ms McGuinness said there can be no sustainable solution to the current crisis without a clear, irreversible political pathway towards this solution.

I recognise that in the current context, and to many Israeli ears, this sounds at best, naive, and at worst, destructive and dangerous. It is neither, she wrote.

Recognition of a Palestinian state is not a reward for terror  it is the opposite.

It is an endorsement of a vision of Palestinian self-determination in which a free and independent Palestine accepts both the rights and the duties of a state, including full adherence to the UN Charter and pursuit of its aims through exclusively political and diplomatic means.
Jeffrey Donaldson's solicitor has confirmed the former DUP leader will not be standing in the next election  but until then will continue as an MP.

It comes after Donaldson was in March charged with rape and 10 other historical sex offences.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson is a co-accused in the case and faces four charges.

Their case was mentioned in court on Wednesday ahead of a review on June 12, with a preliminary enquiry to follow at the start of July.

Speaking to RTE outside the court on Wednesday, his solicitor said: I can indicate that it is not Jeffrey's intention of course to stand for re-election.

He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges.

"He is continuing as the MP [for Lagan Valley] at the present time.

"There's various matters to be dealt, constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth.

Donaldson resigned as DUP leader after being charged. Both Donaldsons have said they would strenuously contest the charges.

Meanwhile, Gavin Robinson is now the party's interim leader.

Earlier this week, the Belfast Telegraphs latest poll with LucidTalk revealed the DUP has suffered a sharp drop in support as its unionist rivals gain ground after charges were laid against Donaldson.

The poll showed DUP support has dropped three points to 21pc  its lowest score in two years.

Eight in 10 people also said they wanted Donaldson to resign as Lagan Valley MP.

Women were more likely to want him to quit than men, and DUP voters were the least inclined to say he should go.

The opinion poll showed 81pc of people believed he should quit now, with 12pc saying he shouldnt and 7% unsure.
A man is due in court this morning after he was arrested following an incident on board a Dublin-bound flight last night.

The man, in his 50s, was arrested by gardai, who met the aircraft on the runway at Dublin Airport, under the Air Navigation & Transport Act.

He has since been charged and is due to appear before Criminal Courts of Justice, this morning at 10.30am.

Gardai said investigations are ongoing, adding that the passenger was not travelling to Dublin for the Europa League Final tonight.

Dublin Airport said it would not be commenting given it is now a matter for Gardai.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd
Friends of the Irish Environment say: It is unacceptable for elected officials to blame us for upholding the law of the land.

Micheal Martin described the devastating flooding at Lough Funshinagh, Co Roscommon as "a travesty", as he met with families driven from their homes as waters have risen around them in recent years.

The Tanaiste met with Ellie McLaughlin, who had to flee her home with her three young children in the middle of the night.

He also met with other families who have had to abandon their homes and farms due to catastrophic flooding at Lough Funshinagh, the once idyllic turlough in Co Roscommon.

Brian and Mary Fallon, who are aged 80 and 79, had to leave their farmhouse just hours after their neighbour Ellie.

Roscommon County Council first sought to drain floodwater at the lake in June 2021 under emergency provisions in the Local Authorities (Works) Act 1949.

This was successfully challenged in the High Court by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) citing EU law on habitats and other environmental protections given to the turlough as a special area of conservation. A second attempt by the council citing emergency provisions in the Planning and Development Act was again successfully challenged by FIE.

As part of the scheme, the council had proposed to construct a 3km pipeline, designed to take water from Lough Funshinagh, a seasonal lake 12km from Athlone, to nearby Lough Ree.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, the Tanaiste said there needed to be an understanding of the human impact of planning objections.

I think it is absolutely disproportionate what has happened in terms of a legal objection to a pipe line that would have alleviated such hardship. It is difficult to comprehend how there is such a lack of balance in terms of progressing issues like this, he said.

Those organisations might blame county councils and the OPW. Thats not good enough. We are all responsible for our actions, and in order to have a cohesive society, we need to weigh things up and I think what has happened here is a travesty, the Fianna Fail leader said.

What has happened here is wrong in terms of its impact on people. I have seen the stress and trauma.

He said that it did not appear to him that the consequences of the legal action were properly weighed up. He said that there clearly was a need to review planning laws and the capacity that the State should have to intervene to protect human life".

When asked whether Environment Minister Eamon Ryan should also visit the area, the Tanaiste said OPW Minister Kieran ODonnell had been to visit the area.

I dont think Minister Ryan has a responsibility for this, lets be clear. We shouldnt mix up the jerseys in this respect, he said.

Not only has the flooding destroyed homes and farms, it has also created an ecological disaster.

Fionnuala Mee with a newborn lamb that should be running in the field which is now flooded in Funshinagh, Co Roscommon. Photo: Brian Farrell

Fionnuala Mee and her family have a sheep farm on the banks of the lough.

We have a sheep farm and they dont even want to eat the grass or drink the water because of the taste, she said.

We live beside the lake, and it used to be really vibrant, beautiful.

We had ducks and swans  you name it. It is silent there now. Complete silence.

To preserve the wildlife, we have destroyed it.

All our trees are dead. They are completely rotten being submerged for so long.

Responding to Mr Martins comments, Tony Lowes of Friends of the Irish Environment told the Irish Independent: It is unacceptable for elected officials to blame FIE for upholding the law of the land. The suggestion that the council was entitled to break the law, and the organisation which challenged it in court is somehow responsible for the predicament of the local community of Lough Funshinagh is deeply unfair.

The Tanaiste is right  the Funshinagh debacle is a travesty  a gross distortion or mockery of what is considered right or good. In taking our legal action, FIE was seeking to ensure that a public authority was challenged and held to account. It is quite conceivable that a solution could have been approved by now had the council remained on the legally compliant pathway that they had been on before May 2021.

What concerns us is in our 2023 Annual Report: Is this the way we will face into the coming deluge? He who shouts loudest?
Appeal: witnesses who may have noticed suspicious behaviour in or around the HSE Modular Site, Upper Heywood, Clonmel between 8.30pm on Monday, May 20, and 1.30am on Tuesday, May 21, are asked to contact Gardai (stock image)

Construction work on the modular homes at the Heywood Road in Clonmel started on May 14

SECURITY is being increased at a Tipperary site where modular housing for Ukrainian refugees is under construction after two arson attacks in just five days.

Private security personnel have been in place on the Clonmel site over recent weeks and one security guard had to be treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries after being attacked during the May 16 attack.

A second attack occurred in the early hours of May 21 with a lighting system being set alight.

No one was injured in the second attack.

Protestors have been demonstrating at the site which is owned by the HSE but is set to be operated by the OPW.

They oppose the number of refugees set to be accommodated at the site - and have warned that Clonmel does not have the social infrastructure to cope with the influx.

However, the Government is pressing ahead with the 82 unit modular housing plan.

The number of private security personnel on site is now set to be increased in advance of major equipment being delivered to the site at Heywood Road outside Clonmel.

Personnel have been recruited from outside the Tipperary area given the attempted intimidation of local workers.

Further, Garda patrols in the area have been stepped up.

One source stressed that there will be no delay to the timeline for construction of the modular housing project.

Clonmel Gardai are investigating both attacks and are hopeful that CCTV security camera footage - and an analysis of vehicle traffic in Clonmel - will help them identify those responsible for the two arson attacks.

A mobile lighting system was damaged by fire in the incident. The scene was held for a technical examination, a Garda spokesperson said.

Inspector James White said Gardai are currently following a number of lines of enquiry.

It remains unclear if the same individuals were involved in both attacks or if the incidents were coordinated.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed the latest incident or who may have noticed suspicious behaviour in or around the Heywood Road site between 8.30pm on Monday, May 20, and 1.30am on Tuesday, May 21.

Likewise, Gardai are appealing to any drivers with Dash-Cam footage recorded who were in the Upper Heywood Road area, Clonmel between these times.

The incident follows an attack on the Heywood road site in Clonmel at 11.40pm on May 16, where a security guard had to be hospitalised and a number of vehicles were damaged in an arson attack.

Gardai are investigating whether the Clonmel incident may be linked to other attacks on refugee centres around the country, including Dublin, Cork, Wicklow and Galway.

Detectives do not believe the Tipperary incident involved any personnel involved in previous attacks but are concerned that it may have involved advice, information or coordination from those involved in other incidents.

Far-right groups have been blamed for inciting local fears over such accommodation centres.

In several cases, far-right activists have praised the attacks and, in one case, have taken credit for it.

There have been more than 25 attacks or threatened attacks on centres linked to refugee accommodation in Ireland. More than half of those attacks of threatened attacks have occurred over the past 18 months.

A total of 15 arson attacks occurred in 2023 alone  several targeting properties that were wrongly linked to refugee accommodation.

Gardai are also concerned by the number of people involved in the Clonmel attack  and the willingness to use violence against the security guards involved. A number of vehicles were also deliberately damaged.

The Heywood Road site has been earmarked for modular homes for refugees. It is planned to erect 82 modular homes at the State-owned site on the outskirts of Clonmel town. Each home will be capable of housing four people.

Anyone with any information or footage on these incidents, is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station on 052-6177640 or email CT.TipperarySouth.CE@garda.ie or alternatively phone the Garda Confidential Line Free-phone on 1800 666 111.
Taoiseach tells Mary Lou McDonald that if verbosity was an Olympic sport she would win gold

The Taoiseach has told Mary Lou McDonald that if fluency and verbosity were an Olympic sport she would win a gold medal.

The pair engaged in a row after the Sinn Fein leader argued the report of the Housing Commission revealed the Government had paid out 10 billion in accommodation supports since 2011  with nothing to show for it.

The money was spent on HAP, RAS and the Rent Supplement schemes to help people afford accommodation.

"You say landlords, I say renters," the Taoiseach said as to who was benefiting from the vast expenditure.

He held up a graph to show ramped-up housing provision since the Government came to office in 2020.

Simon Harris said that the situation in 2011, amid the financial crash, was the State could not afford a house-building programme and had provided supports where it could.

He said 3.2bn had been spent on rent supplement, 1.8bn on RAS, and 3.5bn on HAP, a total of 8.5bn.

But Ms McDonald said the findings in the Housing Commission report  to be published later today  were "damning", a description repeated by Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit.

She said the money had not gone into "bricks and mortar", while Mr Boyd Barrett said the money had gone to developers, landlords and investors, and the Government's housing policy was "a dog's dinner".

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the report is a damning indictment of the catastrophic failure of the Governments housing policy (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Sinn Fein leader said the report showed "Government waste of money".

She said: "By comparison with our European partners, Ireland has one of the highest levels of public expenditure for housing, yet one of the poorest outcomes. You have to ask yourself, why that is? Well, it's because you decided to pass the State's responsibility for housing people to private landlords."

Last week she had raised long-term leasing by local authorities, with 3bn "youre forking over to wealthy property funds to lease homes that neither the State nor the tenants will ever own.

"In one case, you're coughing up close to 1 million for one property in Dublin that goes back to the fund after 25 years. It's incredible incompetence."

She said the 10bn spent on supports was money "that could have been used, should have been used, to build tens of thousands of permanent homes for ordinary people.

"But instead you pay out 10bn to keep workers and families in the private rental sector with very little housing security. Housing supports are necessary, but they must be short term and temporary. Not a never-ending bill for the taxpayer."

Mr Harris said he could "paper the walls" with Sinn Fein demands for more expenditure on financial supports for rental tenants.
Screening is one of a number of measures targeting overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. Photo: Don Moloney

A plan to tackle spiralling patient numbers in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick with the creation of a GP screening unit has not led to improvements in its first month of operation.

The overcrowding crisis has even worsened, latest figures reveal.

A GP screening unit was put in place at the hospital entrance in April to assess people who arrived without having a GP referral.

It was hoped this would triage walk-in arrivals and divert them for alternative treatments. However the unit has only handled a trickle of patients, it has emerged.

The daily average has been a handful  less than five most days, a hospital source said.

A spokesperson for the hospital said the front-door initiative remains at a very early stage. Its criteria and performance is being monitored on a regular basis during this pilot phase of the initiative.

The HSE said the service was introduced on the week ending April 10, adding: The limited time-frame of a service very much in its infancy does not provide a reliable data-based indication of how effective this scheme can ultimately be judged; hence the need for regular ongoing monitoring of the initiative.

It should be noted that the new initiative is only one of a number of ED avoidance measures in the Mid-West region to assist us in the efficient delivery of care appropriate to patients needs, whether in cases of serious emergency or in less acute illnesses or injuries.

Other parts of the plan include the expansion of the Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) unit for over-75s to 24-hour operation on weekdays and the launch of two collaborative services with the National Ambulance Service: Pathfinder aims to deliver safe care at home for over-65s; while under the Alternative Pre-Hospital Pathway, emergency medicine doctors and paramedics delivering definitive care in the community to patients who call 999/112.

Meanwhile, a HSE-appointed national support team, headed by former Waterford University Hospital chief Grace Rothwell, has arrived at UHL tasked with sorting out the hospitals emergency system.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said the GP screening was one of a package of measures being implemented to relieve pressure on the hospitals emergency department.

However, he said a similar GP screening plan had been previously tried at UHL, but had not made much difference.

Figures for the emergency department showed that during the period from January 1 to April 21, the ED dealt with 26,063 patients, an increase of 12pc on the same period last year.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said yesterday that there were 111 patients waiting for a bed in Limerick, substantially more than any other hospital in the country.
Ireland will formally recognise the state of Palestine, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed this morning. Israel have recalled their ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich in response in a strong message to Ireland.

Simon Harris has said that Ireland was recognising Palestine because we believe in freedom and justice as fundamental principles of international law. We said the point of recognising the state of Palestine was coming closer, that point has now arrived, he said at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision. Simon Harris has said that Irelands step, along with Norway and Spain, has recognised Palestine has a legitimate right to statehood.
Chris Pratt says theres a big difference raising his daughters compared to his son

The Hollywood star shares a son with ex Anna Faris and two daughters with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger

Actor Chris Pratt. Photo: Getty

Meredith Clark UK Independent Wed 22 May 2024 at 03:30

Chris Pratt has admitted that he parents his daughters differently than his son. The Guardians of the Galaxy actor (44), recently explained why hes noticed a big difference between raising his 11-year-old son Jack, who he shares with ex Anna Faris, and his daughters Lyla (3), and Eloise (1)  who he shares with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger.
Teenagers spend a lot of time on social media  depending on the survey, that can mean anything between one and four hours a day. There are valid concerns about the sort of content that teenagers encounter online and the impact that it can have on them. But amongst the trends, viral memes and challenges are the Irish teachers who have realised its the ideal way to connect with Leaving Cert students ahead of this years exams, which kick off on June 5.
The Irish grandparents stepping up to help with childcare: It can be hard work, but its very rewarding

As childcare costs soar, Irish grandparents who help with the care of their grandchildren explain why they love doing the job even after rearing their own

Tom Hannigan, Siobhan Gleeson and their grandchildren Holly and Evan

Arlene Harris Wed 22 May 2024 at 03:30

In March of this year, Kris Jenner (of Keeping Up With the Kardashians fame) raised a few eyebrows when, in an interview with Los Angeles Magazine, she revealed that she doesnt spend one-on-one time with any of her 13 grandchildren, because it would take half a month to meet each of them and she doesnt have the time.
Taoiseach Simon Harris says 'step change' is needed in the approach to the housing crisis

A delusion has embedded itself in modern government that its possible to contain a story to protect political capital.

But no amount of nudging the narrative can deflect from the basic fact that this and several previous governments have failed when it comes to delivering on housing.

The leaked report of the Governments own Housing Commission has called for a radical strategic reset of housing policy.

The findings of the expert body have been with Housing Minister Darragh OBrien since early this month. Emergency action is now required to address the housing deficit, is the biting assessment in its executive overview. The underlying housing deficit ranges from 212,500 to 256,000, it says.

Responding to an attack from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said the report was a damning indictment, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: Every single day Government is restless to do more.

And thats why the Commission was set up in the first place, he added. The Coalition may well be trying, but it is not meeting the dire need for more homes.

Nor did Mr Harris need to wait for this report to discover just how great the gap between supply and demand was. In March last year, the then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted there was a deficit of 250,000 homes in the country. He, too, accepted it will take a long time to resolve the shortage.

He told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that 30,000 homes were built in 2022 and another 35,000 were under construction last year. However, the overall deficit in terms of need was at a quarter of a million, he said. This is the same figure as that mentioned by the Commission. It will take a long time to close the gap but the corner can be turned this year, Mr Varadkar told TD and senator colleagues.

More than a year later, the Governments own watchdog is calling for emergency action to address a flashing red light which was already acknowledged.

Mr Harris said the Government is restless to do more. Explaining why it hasnt done more to date will be critical when it comes to facing voters.

Mr Harris further said: What we need now, is we need a step change in terms of ambition.

Once again, voters will wonder where was that ambition before it escalated to an emergency.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: Years of economic prosperity have been wasted by successive governments that failed to tackle what is undoubtedly the issue of our time.

Its time to end the over-reliance on private investors in the housing market, she said.

We never expected a quick fix but a radical, effective response is now desperately overdue.

We know when our backs are to the wall there are wells of thought and dynamos of energy which we can tap into. The Government will need to do both on housing as its hard to see how a step change will suffice when its own advisers are highlighting a giant leap is urgently needed to span the divide.
Now that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant, can US president Joe Biden realistically continue with his support for Israel much longer?

In realpolitik terms, it could be all too late for Biden who may yet lose the election on account of his poor judgment and moral weakness in dealing with the war in Gaza.

Bidens criticism of the ICC prosecutors actions against Netanyahu and Gallant as outrageous is an attack on the independence of the office of the prosecutor and also damages the integrity of the office of the US president.

Given that arrest warrants have also been applied for against the Hamas leadership, the wording of the Irish governments planned recognition of the state of Palestine must contain an explicit reference to this recognition being dependent on the exclusion of this terrorist organisation from participation in this state, as well as for this state to have no part in acts of terrorism.

The response of Israels political leadership to the actions of the ICC prosecutor (Netanyahu expressed disgust and Israeli president Isaac Herzog said it was beyond outrageous) must also give the Irish government pause for thought in relation to its current relationship with Israel.

Finally, it must be recognised that being against Netanyahu and the Israeli governments actions in Gaza does not mean being antisemitic; it means being against war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Chris Fitzpatrick, Terenure Road East, Dublin 6

Allowing US military use of Shannon Airport makes Ireland complicit in war

The Irish government is responding to the wishes of the vast majority of the electorate by moving, albeit belatedly, to recognise Palestine as a state.

This decision is to be welcomed. The decision by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders should also be welcomed by all who value the rules of international and humanitarian laws. Complicity with war crimes and genocide is also a crime that comes within the remit of the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The US and several Nato and EU member states have been actively supportive of Israeli war crimes and probable genocide in Gaza, by supplying large amounts of the weapons and munitions that Israel has been using to commit those crimes.

By allowing US military aircraft to use Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, Ireland and its leaders and officials are at least indirectly complicit in war crimes and probable genocide.

Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

Small adjustment might make the portal a more pleasant experience for all

Concerning the Dublin-New York Portal, perhaps there might be an acceptable compromise solution that may well stop further antisocial behaviour from spoiling this wonderful international social experiment.

This solution might be to have a time delay of several seconds before whatever happens at the Dublin end of the portal can be seen over at the New York end of the portal while, likewise, whatever happens at the New York end of the portal should also take several seconds before it, too, can be seen at the Dublin side.

Any type of unacceptable social behaviour could then be spotted in time and blocked before it can be seen either side of the portal.

This small adjustment could still allow interactive communication as something particularly innovative and special without it becoming offensive to anyone.

Sean OBrien, Kilrush, Co Clare

Donald Trumps appalling promise to US gun owners is stupid and indefensible

Donald Trump has set another standard for utter stupidity, by confirming he would fight to the last to continue to allow US citizens to bear arms. This in a country where 350 million people own almost 400 million weapons, legally or illegally, ranging from handguns to automatic assault rifles.

Even allowing for the statement being made at a gun lobby meeting, it is still indefensible.

Does he care nothing for the 40,000 people killed by gun violence in the US each year?

When, or if, the planned election debates occur, one can only hope president Joe Biden, inept as he is, can show Trump for what he truly is.

David Ryan, Co Meath

Are councillors just the go-between for locals and their local authorities?

The upcoming local elections have reminded me of a conversation I had with a young candidate standing in the Dublin South-East constituency before the 2019 elections. I enquired as to what a councillor did.

She said she didnt know and was standing because the party wanted her to stand, that the salary would be a useful addition to her present income and that if she served her time she would end up with a reasonable gratuity on retiring or losing her seat.

She added that she would deal with constituents queries and problems, solving them with the local authority and government agencies.

I believed it was the local authority and the local agencies, given the numbers employed, that sort out local queries and problems. Are councillors needed as go-betweens for locals and their local authority?

Hugh McDermott, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

Coverage of houses built by the State not showing a true picture of spending

The national broadcaster and the media constantly refer to the numbers of houses built by the State, airing the views of politicians, lobbyists and vested interests claiming the same.

What needs to be spelled out clearly is that the State does not provide any such housing, but spends taxpayers money, often buying, leasing and renting housing from the private sector.

Paul Newsome, Address with editor

An apt new moniker for The Boss following his amazing Croke Park gig

I had the privilege of seeing Bruce Springsteen in Dublin, at GAA headquarters Croke Park on Sunday. What a night. It reminded me of the legendary US Irish-American Tammany Hall politician Richard Welstead Croker, better known as The Boss Croker. After this Dublin performance we have a new Boss Croker.

M OBrien, Dalkey, Co Dublin
In an unprecedented move, Ireland will formally recognise the state of Palestine, with Taoiseach Simon Harris declaring an important and historic day for both Ireland and Palestine.

Wednesday mornings announcement coincides with Spain and Norway also moving to recognise Palestine as an official state.

In response, Israel has abruptly recalled its ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, for urgent consultations. Mr Erlich, who previously faced numerous calls for expulsion, has had her say, labelling Irelands recognition of Palestine as a prize for terrorism.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Israel Katz has vowed to not remain silent on the issue, threatening severe consequences for Ireland, Norway, and Spain.

How significant is Irelands declaration? Does the timing of the imminent Local and European elections play a part? And what can we expect from Israel in terms of retaliation?

On this extra episode of the Indo Daily, host Ciaran Dunbar is joined in-studio by Philip Ryan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent, and by John Downing, Political Correspondent with the Irish Independent, to examine Irelands stance, and to ask: what comes next?
Tony OReillys story is the stuff of legend. He hobnobbed with royalty, world leaders and celebrities across the world and at one time was touted as a future government minister and even taoiseach.

He started playing international rugby for Ireland at the age of 18 before going on to become the most glamorous international Irish businessman of his generation.

OReilly began his business career at Bord Bainne, where he is credited with inventing the Kerrygold brand. This brought him to the attention of American giants Heinz, where he rose to become their CEO.

However, he would return to Ireland and become the owner and chairman of Independent Newspapers Ltd in Dublin, as well as leading a raft of other successful and unsuccessful enterprises, including Fitzwilton, Atlantic Resources, Eircom and Waterford Glass.

In the 2000s, he would engage in a bitter battle with his nemesis Denis OBrien which would see him lose Independent News and Media to him. This loss had a dramatic effect on OReilly and would see him overwhelmed by personal debt, selling some of his key properties including Castlemartin and his townhouse in Fitzwilliam Square.

In many ways, the rise and fall of Tony OReilly was a cautionary tale. From relatively humble beginnings he built a business empire  but along the way became a dominating patriarch, too fond of listening to those who told him what he wanted to hear. He made bad business decisions, some of them for sound patriotic reasons, and was too slow to close some of the businesses that were draining him of cash.

Today on the Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Liam Collins, journalist with the Irish and Sunday Independent to discuss the life and legacy of business tycoon Tony O'Reilly ahead of his funeral this Thursday.
Enterprises in the Cork County Council area have received no funding from the Increased Cost of Business Scheme

An Ireland South European Elections candidate has said that it is absolutely woeful that no funds from the Increased Cost of Business Scheme (ICOB) have been paid out to businesses in the Cork County area.

Sinn Fein candidate senator Paul Gavan said that It's absolutely woeful that not a single cent of ICOB funding has been paid out to businesses in County Cork operating under increasingly difficult conditions and increased costs.

In response to a parliamentary question asked by Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment revealed that as of May 15, there had been 4,722 submissions to the scheme in the Cork County Council area, but no businesses had been approved for funding and no money had been paid out.

Meanwhile, in the Cork City Council area 1,202 businesses had been approved for funding worth over 3 million, with 2,703, 868.91 paid out.

Its a big government failure, Senator Gavan said of the findings.

The Sinn Fein candidate said that the ICOB scheme has been bogged down with delays, confusion and incompetence.

No wonder when it closed on April 30th, less than half of qualifying businesses had applied for the support. Sinn Fein pushed the Minister for Enterprise to reopen the scheme so hard pressed business could apply for the relief, he said.

The European candidate said that businesses have not been able to apply for the scheme and firms which have applied and had their applications processed and thousands of approved businesses have not received any money to date.

Businesses in County Cork are paying the price for government incompetence for a scheme that was established six months ago, the senator said.

Struggling businesses in County Cork need this money and it should be released to all approved businesses immediately.

It's vital that government and local authorities urgently roll out a comprehensive communications plan to encourage further SME take up of the ICOB scheme before it closes for a second time.
Councillors in the Fermoy Municipal District will meet as a group with representatives from Fermoy Educate Together School to try and find a solution to their capacity and space issues

Fermoy Educate Together National School opened in 2018 in the Community Youth Centre, then moved to their current location, the bottom floor of the old Gaelscoil building the following year.

There are currently 87 students in the school, but their current capacity issues is leading to cramped classrooms and students being taught in corridors.

Independent councillor William OLeary brought forward a motion at last Tuesdays Fermoy MD meeting requesting approval to write to the Department of Education in an attempt to find a resolution to the capacity and space issues.

Cllr OLeary said parents and staff members at Fermoy Educate Together School want a resolution to be found. We all know numbers have increased in the school in recent years. They arent able to cope with the numbers. As councillors we did meet the staff there last year. We witnessed the students getting their extra tuition and assistance out in the hallway. It is not acceptable. We need direct ministerial intervention. It is incumbent on our elected TDs to approach the minister, he said.

Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson urged caution however on writing to the Department of Education as she warned that the situation is so delicate. We need to be careful as they are capped at a number and they havent reached that. Where they are caught is the amount of space for the pupils which is not fit for purpose. It is complex around ownership of the building. It is a delicate situation but it needs to be resolved. I am working on it in the background.

I have no problem writing to the Department of Education but we need to be careful what we are asking for. We need clarity on one point first. There are answers that need to be got before they can move the next piece. At the moment they have a special needs class in the corridor. That is not fit for purpose. It is a wonderful school, but the rooms arent big enough to cater for the children, she added.

Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre OBrien suggested that all the councillors could meet with representatives of the school to formulate a plan going forward together.

This suggestion was endorsed by Cllr Dawson who agreed that the councillors will be guided by the school representatives.

It is difficult for the pupils and the teachers, said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn. The conditions there at the moment doesnt lend itself to proper education. They are providing a good education. They are very passionate from the principal down. This situation needs to be resolved. We will support them. They have come up with different proposals and each of them was shot down.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy agreed that the councillors should meet with representatives from the school. Listening to the parents it is very complicated. The complication is that they havent reached their numbers which is 104. They have 87. They are full and they are out in the corridors. The classes are too tight. They are concerned. I can see their point of view. I think we should meet them as a group and ask them exactly where we can help.

It was agreed that the chairperson of Fermoy MD, Cllr William OLeary would contact Fermoy Educate Together School to organise a meeting with school representatives.
The information meeting will mark the public engagement phase of the towns regeneration plan

Kanturk residents have been invited to attend an information evening that will mark the public engagement phase of the Town Centre First Regeneration Plan.

The meeting will be hosted by Cork County Councils Town Regeneration Office staff and it will take place from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday, May 30 at Temperance Hall on Strand Street.

In March, an allocation of 30,000 was approved by the Department of Rural and Community Development to develop a Town Centre First Regeneration Plan for Kanturk.

The County Council said that the funding will be used to develop a community-led vision for Kanturk, culminating in a Town Centre First Plan that can then support competitive bids for national and local funding to progress the projects identified.

The national Town Centre First Policy aims to create town centres that function as vibrant, viable and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit while also serving as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.

Welcoming the commencement of the public engagement phase, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O Flynn, said that the Town Centre First plan for Kanturk will be informed by insights gathered from public consultation and surveys.

This information event is the first of many and I would encourage anyone interested to go along and find out how they can get involved, Mayor OFlynn said.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O Sullivan noted that while Kanturk is the second town in County Cork to receive funding under the national Town Centre First initiative, the local authority is actively progressing a range of regeneration measures across towns in the county.

[These measures will cover] areas such as sustainable travel, property activation and public realm enhancements. The development of a Town Centre First plan for Kanturk will inform the future direction of the town and the priority investment interventions that will require funding in the future, Mrs OSullivan said.

Further information on the upcoming information evening for Kanturk can be sought by emailing townregenerationoffice@corkcoco.ie
A key priority for the proposed Mallow Relief Road is to ease the chronic traffic congestion that has blighted the town in recent years.

A senior official with Cork County Council has stated that if additional funding is not allocated for the Mallow Relief Road in the coming months they will not be able to progress to the planning stage.

The comments were made by the Divisional Manager for North Cork Kevin Morey at last Mondays Northern Committee meeting.

It was announced in February that the N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road had been allocated 300,000 by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan recently said in the Dail the project is currently in the design and environmental evaluation phase.

Minister Ryan said the 300,000 will now allow the project to be progressed through the planning and design process.

Cork County Council have previously stated that the 300,000 received will allow for very limited progress and more funding is required to progress the relief road to planning stage.

Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes informed councillors that the Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers told him that additional funding for the relief road will come in July/August. Last week I met with Jack Chambers as regards the balance of funding required to go to planning by the end of this year. Jack Chambers confirmed that under the National Development Plan (NDP) the funding will come forward in July/August. The money is there and will come forward, he said.

Cllr Hayes rejected criticism that he hasnt been lobbying for the relief road from another public representative. I have been lobbying for the relief road for a long number of years along with all my colleagues in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District. We have worked together on this. I have been fighting for this road for a long number of years. It has been put out there by a certain councillor who is saying that I havent, but I have been lobbying for this road for a long time.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn suggested sending a letter to Minister Chambers emphasising the importance of completing the relief road. In the deputation recently with Minister Chambers in Dublin it was the number one item on our list. Mallow town is a bottleneck. You dont build a road overnight. It takes time. We need the relief road. The future economic development of Mallow and all of North Cork depends on that.

I am not quite as optimistic as Cllr Hayes to getting more funding, said Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy. I certainly hope we do and I have lobbied Jack Chambers as much as possible to secure the funding. We also requested extra funding last year and none was granted. Jack Chambers has expressed confidence that if we spend the money that has been allocated then there will be more forthcoming. He has privately expressed confidence in that to Cllr Hayes and I.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The Department sent back 7m unspent last year, only a small fraction of that would have covered the relief road. Unfortunately Jack Chambers is not the senior Minister for Transport. The senior minister has not engaged with us. I want to be realistic, he added.

Cllr Murphy reiterated the importance of a unified approach to securing more funding for the Mallow Relief Road. A unified approach is the most important thing. Up until Cllr Eoghan Kenny was co-opted a number of months ago that is the approach which all five councillors in the Mallow area had been taking. He is certainly breaking that unified approach by politicising this issue for political gain so short out from an election. It is disappointing to see that. I am still willing to work with Cllr Kenny and everyone else to bring this road forward.

Independent councillor Frank Roche said the completion of the relief road would be very beneficial for easing the traffic congestion in the entire hinterland.

Cork County Councils Divisional Manager for North Cork, Kevin Morey then provided the councillors with an update. My understanding from talking to the director of roads is that the funding that has been allocated will get us so far towards trying to prepare for the planning application but not far enough. That funding will be expended during the course of this year. If we had more funding we could have done more during the course of this year.

If there was further funding following then hopefully we would be able to keep momentum there into 2025 to get it to planning. If that funding doesnt come in 2025, as I understand it then we would not be able to progress further. It is a serious concern as to the flow of further funding to get us to the planning stage, he added.

Cllr Hayes had the final say as he reiterated his confidence that more funding will be allocated. For me the glass is always half full and I am very confident the balance of the funding will come in due course.
Railway tunnels across the city are labelled filthy and unsafe

Irish Rail has been urged to carry out regular cleaning of pedestrian railway tunnels in the southeast inner city which are filthy and unsafe, it has been claimed.

Liz Watson, a Fianna Fail local election candidate, told the Irish Independent that the tunnels are in a shocking state and that nobody is doing anything about it.

The area, home to some of the countys busiest train lines, has several railway tunnels allowing cars and pedestrians to pass unhindered.

The tunnels, located on Westland Row, Cumberland Street, Sandwith Street, Erne Street, Brunswick Place, and Macken Street, have been described as tunnels of terror and a health hazard.

Erne Street Tunnel after the deep clean carried out by Dublin City Council

Residents living near the tunnels have reported seeing regular illegal dumping inside or around them.

Ms Watson told the Irish Independent that the tunnels are filthy and unsafe for children and create feelings of fear for women due to their lack of lighting and policing.

Many local women feel afraid to go through the tunnels at night. They are poorly lit, and their neglected state attracts anti-social behaviour, she said.

Some tunnels are hotspots for drug abuse, with syringes and other paraphernalia strewn about, alongside discarded rubbish and food waste.

They are the only way to go from one part of the community to another, yet they are in a terrible state, she added.

The tunnels were once what Ms Watson described as a symbol of modernisation and innovation, particularly the line built between Westland Row and Dun Laoghaire.

They even have ties to some of our most historic literature, with the Cumberland Street tunnel being mentioned in the likes of James Joyces Ulysses.

Ms Watson is a historian for St Andrews Church in Westland Row, which is also mentioned in Ulysses.

Cumberland Street Tunnel, mentioned in James Joyce's Ulysses

The group puts on a programme every Bloomsday and often brings attendees to the tunnels to read from the book.

Dublin City Council recently provided a deep clean of the Erne Street Upper tunnels, while Irish Rail has assigned a Community Liaison Officer to help ensure the tunnels are once again safe and pleasant for everyone.

I want to thank both Dublin City Council and Irish Rail for their efforts, but there is more to do, together, Ms Watson said.

She urged a commitment from Dublin City Council to deep clean the tunnels on Cumberland Street, Sandwith Street, Erne Street, Brunswick Place, and Macken Street every six weeks.

She has also asked that DCC work to upgrade lighting in the tunnels to ensure the safety of their users.
A Dublin-based Lotto player, who won more than 1m in Saturday nights draw, is yet to come forward to claim their prize.

The winning ticket was sold in the Centra store on Cromcastle Road in Kilmore, Dublin 5. All lottery players in Dublin are now being urged to check their numbers.

The lucky winner scooped a total of 1,000,000 in the main Lotto draw on Saturday, May 18. The winning numbers in the draw were: 07, 11, 12, 27, 33, 47 and the bonus was 01.

Store manager Damien Leavy was delighted to get the call that his store had sold the winning 1m ticket.

What a call to get on a Monday morning! This news will keep us going for the week. Were looking forward to the excitement and the flurry of customers checking their tickets in store, he said.

Weve never had a win this size before and were delighted that one of our customers is joining the millionaire club! We wish them the very best of luck with it and hope they spend it wisely.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

The National Lottery confirmed the winner has yet to come forward to claim their prize. Other winners from Kerry and Meath who scooped top prizes in the Daily Millions draws, have already made contact with the National Lottery.

Weve just one winner left to hear from and that is our Dublin millionaire, National Lottery spokesperson Sarah Ruane said.

Were urging all our players who purchased a ticket in Centra on Cromcastle Road, Kilmore, Dublin 5, to check their tickets carefully, and if they are a winner, to contact our claims team as soon as possible.
Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste with Frank d'Arcy, Assistant Chief Executive, Housing and Community Services, at the launch of 71 new social homes in Springvale Grove, Chapelizod. Pic: Sasko Lazarov

Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien with residents Sue Brennan and Veronica ONeill officially launching 72 new social homes in Dominick Hall. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Two separate developments, featuring a total of 143 new social homes, have been officially opened by Dublin City Council.

On Tuesday, 71 new homes were opened in Springvale Grove, Chapelizod, consisting of 21 one-bedroom homes, 30 two-bedroom homes and 20 three-bedroom homes, alongside a scout/community hall.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi de Roiste, was on site for the official ribbon cutting ceremony and said he was delighted to see the new community being created in what is his local area.

Springvale Grove is a testament to the partnership between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Dublin City Council, where with vision and dedication, a community can thrive and neighbourhoods can flourish, he added.

The new neighbourhood has an ideal location overlooking Phoenix Park, with Chapelizod village a stones throw away and the river Liffey to the south.

Springvale Grove is part of a bundle of four large residential schemes delivered recently by Dublin City Council.

Some residents moving in were on the council waiting list for as long as eleven years and say they are delighted to be moved into their own homes.

I wish everyone in these new homes a very happy and healthy future, I have no doubt that they will grow a strong community spirit as they put roots down in this lovely development with its beautifully designed scout/community hall and effective landscaping, Chair of Dublin City Councils Housing SPC, Cllr Alison Gilliland said.

Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste with Frank d'Arcy, Assistant Chief Executive, Housing and Community Services, at the launch of 71 new social homes in Springvale Grove, Chapelizod. Pic: Sasko Lazarov

The new residents will also enjoy so many nearby amenities including great transport connections and Phoenix Park. This is a great example of Dublin City Council delivering high quality social housing in partnership with city professionals, she added.

A second development of 72 homes was opened today in Dominick Hall and Dominick Place in Dublin 1 which will house roughly 120 people.

Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste was also on site for the official opening with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien TD for the mixed-use housing development, including a community centre and ground floor commercial units.

The developers designed the building in a way to separate the private space of residents from the public nature of the city centre, with its own private courtyard at podium level for added privacy.

It consists of 67 apartments and 5 townhouses which have both one, two and three bedrooms.

Minister Darragh OBrien said the delivery of this new scheme shows how what once was a brown field site could be reimagined and transformed to deliver state of the art homes.

A mix of older residents and young families now have a place to call home and will benefit from both the best of local community amenities and city living, he said.
Atalanta players train at the Aviva Stadium ahead of the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. Photo: Reuters

A large-scale policing and traffic management plan is in place ahead of the UEFA Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium later today.

Bayer Leverkusen of Germany take on Italian side Atalanta at 8pm, with stiles open from 5pm.

Ticket holders commuting to the match can enjoy free public transport once you present your mobile match ticket to public transport staff.

From 4pm today, Lansdowne Road Station will close. Those commuting should use Sandymount Station to commute to/from the Southside.

Irish Rail have also said that alcohol is not permitted onboard.

The nearest Luas Stops for commuters include The Point (Red Line) which is a 20-minute walk and Beechwood (Green Line) which is a 35 minute walk.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

Meanwhile, fan marches are expected to take place this evening from two designated fan meeting points: Shelbourne Park and RDS Simmonscourt.

Anyone planning on travelling near these areas of the city is advised that there will be rolling road closures.

According to gardai, Atalanta fans will leave Simmonscourt Road at around 5.30pm and walk to Aviva Stadium via Simmonscourt Road, Merrion Road, Pembroke Road and Lansdowne Road.

Bayer Leverkusen fans will leave Shelbourne Park at around 5.30pm and walk to Aviva Stadium via South Lotts Road, and Bath Avenue.

Road closures are expected on these routes. Around 3,000 gardai are expected to be on duty to police the final.
I cant believe youre gone pal, Im honoured to have known you

Tributes have been paid to the motorcyclist who was tragically killed on Dublins M50 last week ahead of his funeral this weekend.

Derek Martin passed away following the collision on the motorway last Friday, May 17.

On his death notice on RIP.ie it states that Derek, of Santry and the Irish Prison Service, who (died) following a tragic accident, was the beloved husband of Vanessa and adoring father of Caitlin and Reece.

The notice reads: Very sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Ethel and Derek, sisters Michelle, Jennifer and Helen, mother-in-law and father-in-law Marie and Brendan, brothers-in-law Neil, Brendan, Mark, Graham, Nigel and their partners, his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family from Liverpool, his best friend Noel, colleagues from the Irish Prison Service, and his many friends.

Derek will be reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Ballygall Road West on Sunday May 26 with a gathering of family and friends from 2pm to 4pm. All are welcome.

His removal on Monday morning to the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road for 10am Requiem Mass will be followed by a funeral service at Dardistown Crematorium.

The family has asked for donations, in lieu, to Crumlins Children Hospital, which was very close to Dereks heart.

In the condolences section people have left numerous messages of sympathy including on that reads: Ethel, my dearest friend, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful son, Derek. Taken too soon. And condolences to Dereks wife and children. May he rest in peace.

Another adds: I cant believe youre gone pal, Im honoured to have known you. Condolences to your family who you never stopped telling me about. Ill always remember you.

Another offered sincere condolences to all of Dereks family and large circle of friends and colleagues. He was a true character and will be missed by all. Rest in Peace, Derek.

The Prison Officers' Association branch at Mountjoy also offered sincere condolences to Dereks family and work colleagues at this tragic time, may he rest in peace.

Derek died after his motorbike was involved in a collision with a truck shortly after 10.15am on the northbound carriageway between Junction 7 (N4 Liffey Valley) and Junction 6 (N3 Castleknock).

The 42-year-old, from Ballymun, was a prison officer at Wheatfield Prison.

It has been reported that he had joined the Irish Prison Service in 2007 and was involved in raising money for the Irish Cancer Society.

Helen Martin, his sister, later made an appeal online asking those who stopped to help Derek to get in touch.

She said he had "the biggest heart ever" and "loved his work pals".

She said in a post on X: "I've just been told that when my brother passed away on the M50 on Friday that several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasnt alone.

"I really want to find them, if people can please share."

Following the crash, the driver of the lorry, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital for assessment.

The scene was closed for several hours for a forensic examination on Friday.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the tragedy to come forward.
Marion and Herbie Watt of Sligo Methodist Church raised 2,200 for Christian Aid Week with an all-day coffee drop-in at their home near Skreen.

A County Sligo couple has raised 2,200 to tackle extreme poverty in some of the worlds poorest communities.

Herbie and Marion Watt held an open house at their home near Skreen on Tuesday 14 May when about 60 neighbours and friends enjoyed a cuppa and some of Marions home baking in exchange for a donation to support the work of overseas development agency Christian Aid Ireland.

Herbie and Marions all-day coffee drop-in event began when their first visitor arrived at 10.15 am and ended when the last person left around 8.30 pm.

Herbie and Marion are members of Sligo Methodist Church and their daughter Rev Ruth Watt is a Methodist minister in Inishowen, County Donegal. The couple were delighted that their fundraiser was supported by members of all the local churches  Baptist, Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic.

The pair have been holding their coffee event every year since 2000, during which time they have raised more than 30,000 to bring hope and justice to people living in extreme poverty.

The event was held to mark Christian Aid Week (12-18 May). Christian Aid Week began in the 1950s and is thought to be the UK and Irelands longest-running fundraising campaign. Each year, tens of thousands of people across the UK and Ireland get involved in raising funds to support the charitys work to reach people living in poverty and crisis around the world.

Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett thanked Marion and Herbie for their fundraising efforts:

Every year during Christian Aid Week, people across the UK and Ireland raise funds, act and pray for their global neighbours in a celebration of hope for a fairer world. Christian Aid Week brings people together to put our faith into action. Every prayer, every gift, every action makes a difference.
We welcome in the summer, we bid farewell to spring; these are words from a new song about the month of the May which feature in a new book called The May Bush in County Wexford, a tradition which is all about welcoming the summer.

The publication by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert was launched in Gorey Library recently by Ger Fleming, Chairperson of the North Wexford Historical Society. The book is focused on documenting and celebrating the tradition of putting up a May Bush on May Eve or May Day to welcome the summer and bring good luck.

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Ger referred to an earlier publication, The Handbook of Irish Folklore (1942), in which the author Sean O Suilleabhain urged people to find out about and document such traditions as they May Bush, and suggested questions to which answers should be sought. With this publication Michael and Aileen have answered many of these questions. He congratulated the duo on what he said would be a valuable addition to anyones County Wexford book collection.

Elizabeth Howard, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Creative Ireland in Wexford County Council also spoke at the event. She said The book not only highlights Michael and Aileens creativity but also demonstrates the individual and collective creativity that emerges when communities practice festivities like the May Bush.

The book follows on from Michaels bestselling "The Folklore of County Wexford" in 2023 and while the topic is touched upon in that publication this new book goes deep into the tradition. Material includes transcriptions from archival recordings and interviews from Michaels own extensive collection on topics ranging from superstition to May Queens and Witches, as well as a chapter on songs of May and documentation of various initiatives the duo have undertaken over the years such as the May Bush Planting Scheme and Schools competition. Many people throughout the county will recognize themselves and others, in the pages of photos depicting people with their new saplings to plant and decorating their May Bushes.

The book cover features the late Marie Coleman, Curragraigue, with her May Bush on May Eve 2023. The book is dedicated to Marie and others like her who continued the May Bush tradition over the years.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

At the event Michael led the audience through the contents of the book, while Aileen and their three girls performed songs about May traditions. Michael and Aileen thanked everyone who supported their work to promote the May tradition over the years and gave special thanks to Elizabeth Howard and acknowledged that without the support from Creative Ireland with Wexford County Council that the project would not have happened.

Books are available at a price of 15 in Easons Bookshops throughout Wexford, Hub 16 in New Ross, Redbooks in Wexford Town, Steamer O Learys in Bunclody and Jordans' Shop in Ballindaggin. To find out more information and order a copy to send anywhere in the world go to www.folklore.ie.
End of an era as old prefabs being removed

The finishing touches are being put on a 4m plus new extension at Good Counsel College in New Ross, ahead of students availing of its new state-of-the-art services in the autumn. Deputy principal Aidan OBrien said the new building is very bright and airy and will feature two Science labs, a multi media room with a full suite of computers, a common area between the ground and first floor and more.

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Its a big step forward and a tremendous addition to the school. The rooms are state of the art, with seven new classrooms in total.

"The common area has a lovely ambiance to it with coloured baffles (for acoustics) and the logo of the school, said Mr OBrien.

He said the old pre fabs are being removed.

They are there for around twenty years and would have required a lot of maintenance. The school got government funding for the works which went up in cost since the genesis of the project.

We made subsequent applications for funding which we got. In all the construction has taken around two years.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd

The 800-student school will not be taking in extra students arising the works. People ask if we will be taking in more students but no, we are still capping our number of First Years to 150.

Mr OBrien said there have been several initiatives at the school over recent months, including flag day, whereby students from different countries speak about their native countrys flags.

We had students from Zimbabwe, Lithuania, Syria and more talking about their countries.
Following her appearance on Prime Time last month, Councillor Lisa McDonald has urged senior engineers within the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) to continue to seek funding for safety works on the New Line Road. Branded one of Irelands most notorious roads, the New Line was featured on the RTE current affairs programme as part of an investigation into the increase in road fatalities this year.
An Arklow mum and her eight-year-old son are walking a mile a day in May to help raise vital funds for their local RNLI Lifeboat station as they prepare for their busiest season of the year.

Both avid outdoors people, Orla Doran and her son Kieron Hendley have been going the extra mile for the RNLIs Mayday Mile Challenge.

For Kieron, the challenge is the second he has undertaken in the last six months following his Reindeer Run Challenge for the RNLI in December, which saw the St Josephs NS Templerainey student run 24 miles and raise a whopping 365.

Proud to be helping the RNLI, Kieron said he wanted to take on the Mayday Mile for the RNLI for all those who never made it home and to help the RNLI volunteers save more lives at sea.

The idea came from both of us, but Kieron is always up for a challenge, Orla joked.

We walk everywhere, and Kieron has been walking a lot since he was small. He did the Reindeer Run Challenge for the RNLI, which was about taking on a challenge to help the RNLI, so I said Id join him for the Mayday Mile.

We track our walks on an app, and weve certainly gone over the mile a day just by doing the extra mile on top of our walks to school or wherever else were going.

We havent really set a fundraising goal, and were going to raise as much as we can. Kieron raised 365 in December, which was just fantastic, and it would be great to raise something approaching that again.

Initially, all the donations were coming in online, but we realised that friends and family wanted to give cash, so we asked RNLI for a sponsorship form, which Kieron has been handing out to friends, family and even his teachers!

Originally from Derry, Orla and her Arklow-born partner uprooted their lives in London to move to the seaside town, whose community has welcomed them with open arms.

With the busy summer bathing period fast approaching and more people flocking to Arklows beaches and swimming spot, Orla said that, more than ever, RNLI volunteers require all the support they need to help launch rescues and ensure theyre ready to face the hectic summer season.

We moved to Arklow four years ago from London, where we had been for a long time, and I suppose the walk came about as just a way of being part of the community, Orla continued.

My partner is from Arklow, and we had been over a couple of times a year when we were living in London, and we just thought it was so welcoming that we decided to stay.

I think, once you get to know people here, you realise how important the RNLI is to the town. Were so close to the sea, and they need as much support as they can get, especially during the summer.

Were over the halfway mark of the challenge now and really enjoying getting out in the fresh air and watching the changing seasons, from spring to summer.

Praising Kieron and Orla for their show of community spirit, An Arklow RNLI spokesperson said: Lets get behind eight-year-old Kieron Hendley and his mum Orla Doran, who are doing the Mayday Mile Challenge.

A huge thanks and well done to Kieron and Orla for showing their support for our volunteers.

If you would like to support Kieron and Orla in their fundraiser for the RNLI, donations can be made via a link on the Arklow RNLI Fundraising Branch Facebook page.
The Culture Secretary has said that Greece needs to first recognise that the UK owns the contested Elgin Marbles before the sculptures could be loaned to the European country.

Part of friezes that adorned the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, have been displayed at the British Museum in London for more than 200 years following the removal by Lord Elgin, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, in the early 19th Century.

When asked for her opinion on the Elgin Marbles at a meeting of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday, Ms Frazer said: My view is there is only certain circumstances where you can  transfer objects.

The British Museum Trustees are responsible for the objects, they were legally acquired and we have no intention of changing the law in relation to those issues.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport Lucy Frazer (Yui Mok/PA)

When questioned if she would support a loan of the sculptures, she said: I think its very important that the Greek Government recognises that those objects are owned and have been legitimately acquired.

Objects are loaned from time to time but that is fundamental that our ownership is recognised.

For decades, Greece has demanded the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, and claimed they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation  which the UK Government rejects.

A purpose-built museum in Athens houses remaining marbles.

George Osborne (Ian West/PA)

George Osborne, the chairman of the British Museum trustees and former Chancellor, is reportedly in talks to return the items, and has previously stated there is a deal to be done with Greece to share the artefacts.

Ms Frazer told MPs that she rejected reports that the Government had anything to do with Arts Council England (ACE) warning artists about making political statements following the body u-turning on the advice.

We have not politicised the Arts Council, my officials have not required the Arts Council to do anything in particular, she said.

They obviously have a large number of meetings with the Arts Council, where they discuss risk.

The body warned venues and performers about work that touches on politics and activism in its relationship frameworks section on considering reputational risk in updated guidance.

In February, the wording of the document was changed to say ACE champions freedom of artistic expression.
Musical theatre director who died during severe turbulence on flight was on last big holiday with wife

Four Irish people were onboard the flight which was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok

Geoffrey Kitchen suffered a suspected heart attack amid severe turbulence

Alex Ross and Tara Cobham UK Independent Wed 22 May 2024 at 07:58







A much-loved musical theatre director died on a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence while his family said he was on his last big holiday with his wife.
Four of nine Egyptians, who were on trial for migrant smuggling, react as they leave from the court in Kalamata, southwestern Greece yesterday. Photo: AP

A Greek court yesterday threw out charges against nine Egyptian men accused of causing a shipwreck that killed hundreds of migrants off Greece last year, ruling it had no jurisdiction over the case because the disaster was in international waters.
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Nicola Hanney on surviving ex-garda Paul Moodys four-year campaign of abuse: The way he saw it, I was pregnant with his child, so I was his property now
Thousands of Iranians have turned out to mourn the late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi after he was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

A video broadcast by state media showed hordes of mourners gathering in the city of Tabriz in northwest Iran, near the crash site of the politicians helicopter. It was the first of a three-day mourning procession for the former Iranian president.
Donald Trump is also using donations to pay his legal fees. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trumps campaign last month raised more cash than Joe Bidens for the first time this year, after the former US president wooed big-money donors and capitalised on his criminal trial.
India as an Emerging Manufacturing Hub: Factors Driving Growth

Indias manufacturing sector has witnessed major new investments in production facilities by leading multinational corporations like Siemens, GE, Philips, Samsung Electronics, PepsiCo, ABB, Micron, etc. India Briefing discusses the factors responsible for the growth of Indias manufacturing sector and its potential to become a China+1 hub.

India is pursuing multi-pronged strategies to attract foreign investment, such as inviting bids for frontier sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and extraction of critical minerals blocs, and offering industry-specific incentives and financial packages. Indias appeal is attributed to its geopolitical stability, trainable workforce, and lower labor costs compared to China.

In the last five years, India has seen a rise in foreign technical collaborations, particularly in sectors like mobile phones, electronics, and food processing, with the US, Germany, and Japan being major technology transfer partners. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India demonstrated its manufacturing prowess by rapidly producing pharmaceuticals and vaccines, changing perceptions about its manufacturing capabilities.

Country Share of global manufacturing China 31.63% United States 15.87% Japan 6.52% Germany 4.78% India 2.87% South Korea 2.71% Russia 1.83% Italy 1.8% Mexico 1.69% France 1.65%

Data Source: World Population Review

India now presents itself as a favorable destination for foreign companies due to streamlined regulatory processes, joint research and development opportunities, and capacity to manufacture and assemble high-quality products meeting international standards. As a result, major international companies are increasingly setting up in the country or exploring R&D partnerships.

Indias golden era of manufacturing

The current phase has been dubbed the golden era of Indias industrial boom by industry experts. Positive changes in the manufacturing sector, such as increased merger and acquisition activity, supportive government policies, expanded production capacity, and substantial investments from private equity and venture capital, are building a strong foundation for the nations long-term economic success.

Indias GDP growth is predicted to make the country a US$5 trillion economy by 2025.

The central government revised its capital expenditure on infrastructure development to INR 11,110 billion (US$133.3 billion) for FY2024-25, marking a 11.1 percent jump from the previous years capex of INR10,000 billion (US$119.97 billion).

Total FDI inflows in the country in FY 2023-24 were US$17.96 billion, and total FDI equity inflows stood at US$11.54 billion. Mauritius (26 percent), Singapore (23 percent), the USA (9 percent), the Netherlands (7 percent), and Japan (6 percent) emerged as the top five countries for FDI equity inflows into India in FY 2023-24.

India has over 42 trade agreements (including preferential agreements) with various countries and regions.

Corporate tax rates were slashed to 15 percent from 22 percent for new manufacturing units incorporated on or before from March 31, 2024.

The Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Rajesh Kumar Singh, remains optimistic about Indias growth potential in the manufacturing space. He has noted that as many foreign investors and MNCs seek to diversify away from China, India hopes to draw at least US$100 billion in gross FDI annually.

Further, it is anticipated that India could export goods worth US$1 trillion by 2030 as production investments and domestic capacity expand. According to 2022-23 export data, Indias total exports stood at US$776 billion, of which US$450 billion came from manufactured goods.

According to estimates by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), Indias exports are expected to increase from US$770 billion in 2023-24 to US$900 billion in 2024-25 due to increased global demand.

In the aircraft manufacturing industry, Boeing is purportedly trying to establish a production facility and is apparently obtaining more of its supplies from India.

The largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the world, Vestas of Denmark, constructed two new plants in Sriperumbudur, India, in 2021.

In 2023, it was reported that the US$1.9 billion electric car manufacturer Tesla plans to source twice as many auto parts from the country.

Growth drivers

The surge in global demand for consumer goods and the impetus to reduce the over reliance on sourcing from China have boosted trade between India and other countries to unprecedented levels. Although China remains the worlds top production hub, India has made improvements in automation and worker training, which have reduced manufacturing costs, particularly for labor-intensive consumer products.

Country Monthly minimum wage (till 2023) in US dollars Bangladesh $16 Cambodia $194 China $286 India $59 Indonesia $180 Japan $1,267 Malaysia $341 Nepal $120 Pakistan $122 Philippines $148 Sri Lanka $40 Thailand $261 Vietnam $165.3

Data Source: ILO, Statista

India is seeing a boom in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity as well as capital expenditure. The automotive, electronics, and textile industriesall of which have attracted significant investmenthave shown signs of promising expansion. According to a Deloitte report, inbound M&A deals in India saw significant growth in 2023, with their share increasing to 41 percent (totaling US$55 billion) from 27 percent in 2022. This growth was driven by strategic buyers, particularly from the Netherlands, the US, and Germany, who contributed 65 percent of the strategic inbound value. Key sectors attracting these investments included financial services, technology, media, telecommunications (TMT), and manufacturing, fueled by rising interest in FinTech, e-commerce, and auto components, alongside strong local demand and favorable government policies.

Industry leaders and economists expect Indias capital expenditure to remain high in FY25. Morgan Stanley notes that government spending and a rebound in private investment will sustain Indias capital expenditure cycle. The global investment bank estimates Indias investment ratio will increase from 34 percent of GDP in FY 2023-24 to 36 percent of GDP in FY 2026-27.

Indian entrepreneurs and start-ups are forming joint ventures (JV) abroad to enhance the export potential of their products made through foreign technical collaborations in favorable and demanding markets.

Similarly, Indian firms and export businesses are striking joint ventures at home to build or scale up local production, catering to both the rapidly growing Indian consumer market and top export destinations. An example is apparel manufacturer Shahi Exports, which has entered a JV with Taiwan-based Little King Global, a synthetic sportswear fabric manufacturer. Their proposed processing unit will be located in Shimoga, Karnataka.

Most recently, JWS struck a joint venture with MG Motor Indiaa wholly owned subsidiary of Chinas SAIC Motorto enter the electric vehicle ecosystem. Their JV has been approved by the antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India. SAIC Motor and JSW announced the JV in December last year, with the Indian group holding a 35 percent stake. Under the JV, MG Motor will expand its vehicle production capacity in Halol, Gujarat, to up to 300,000 vehicles annually, per the JSW company website.



To boost investments, respective Indian state governments compete through customized and flexible subsidies, preferential industrial policies, reduction in taxes, streamlining bureaucracy through single-window approvals, expanding financing options, among others. Meanwhile, the central government has implemented measures to ease liquidity issues for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and banks, pursued ease of doing business by reducing compliance burdens, liberalized FDI rules, and promoted manufacturing through public procurement orders, the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), and Production Linked Incentives (PLI) schemes.

India holds key strengths in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial machinery, electronics, automobiles, and textiles and is one of the top four destinations for American companies relocating from China.

Indias manufacturing sector positioning itself in the global arena

Earlier in 2024, the HSBC India Manufacturing PMI was revised lower to 58.8 in April 2024 from preliminary estimates and Marchs final 59.1 compared to forecasts of 59.5. Regardless of the short spikes, India-based firms have experienced a sharp upturn in new business intakes, with the pace of expansion being the second strongest since 2021.

Manufacturing PMI: Top Performing Countries in Asia Country Latest* Previous Year reference Mongolia 59* 54.2 June/23 India 58.8 59.1 April/24 Saudi Arabia 57 57 April/24 United Arab Emirates 55.3 56.9 April/24 Indonesia 52.9 54.2 April/24 Philippines 52.2 50.9 April/24 Kazakhstan 51.5 51.6 April/24 China 51.4 51.1 April/24 Israel 51 49.1 March/24 Hong Kong 50.6 50.9 April/24

Source: Trading Economics; Note: * The latest PMI data is for April 2024 except for Mongolia, which is for Q2 2023.

HSBC also notes that domestic companies have scaled up their production, whereas input stocks were lifted to one of the steepest in over 19 years. To meet rising demand from across the globe, manufacturers in India have hired more staff at the beginning of the first fiscal quarter of FY 2024-25 (April). Job creation, though moderate, was the fastest since September 2023.

Indian manufacturers anticipate increased output in 2025, with business confidence rising, fueled by expectations of sustained demand.

Pivot to smart manufacturing

Low labor costs used to be one of the main benefits of Indian manufacturing. However, regular low-skill jobs in Western nations are getting automated, while wages in India are progressively growing. It is anticipated that in certain developed economies, technology-driven reshoring and localization will be the prevailing trends. Further, the Indian manufacturing sector is facing stiff competition from developing economies with lower labor costs, such as Vietnam, as well as wealthy industrial nations like China and South Korea.

Higher cost markets are taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, 3D printing, IoT, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) to lower costs across the production process and increase operational efficiencies in the long-term.

As per the State of Smart Manufacturing Report published by Rockwell Automation, India leads the world in terms of manufacturing businesses investing in technology.

The majority of manufacturers concur that digitalization can be applied to every stage of a companys lifecycle, including idea and design, engineering, sourcing, procurement, supply chain logistics, warehousing, customer experience, strategic functions, and governance. Digitalizing operations can increase efficiency, quality, safety and transparency. It can also reduce costs, timelines, and errors.

In India, several leading companies, such as Larsen & Toubro Ltd., ABB India Ltd., Siemens Ltd., Rockwell Automation India Pvt. Ltd., Honeywell Automation India Ltd., Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd., etc., have incorporated automation technology into their manufacturing units to increase production efficiency and quality.

India cashing on China+1 strategy

With India rising as a preferred option, the China Plus+1 approach entails businesses diversifying their manufacturing operations by building or growing production facilities in markets other than China. This strategy reduces the risks of becoming overly dependent on a single country while simultaneously tapping Indias growing customer base, skilled labor pool, and advantageous commercial incentives.

Comparison with key competitors

Market size: Indias current manufacturing size is that of leading countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia.

Indias current manufacturing size is that of leading countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. Ease of doing business: Vietnam (rank 70th) and Malaysia (rank 12th) generally have a simpler regulatory environment than India and are preferred by many foreign companies to set up business units. India, however, has been consistently working on improving the ease of doing business by streamlining and digitizing procedures.

Vietnam (rank 70th) and Malaysia (rank 12th) generally have a simpler regulatory environment than India and are preferred by many foreign companies to set up business units. India, however, has been consistently working on improving the ease of doing business by streamlining and digitizing procedures. Labor costs: South Asian countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, etc. offer more lucrative and competitive labor costs than India.

South Asian countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, etc. offer more lucrative and competitive labor costs than India. Infrastructure: Countries like Vietnam are concentrating on developing their manufacturing and construction sectors in order to boost their economies. Its edge in excellent infrastructure contributed to the 6.28 percent growth in the manufacturing sector. Although Indias central government did announce an increase in infrastructure spending in February 2024, the countrys manufacturing infrastructure has not yet undergone any structural transformations.

Prominent manufacturing markets in the Asia-Pacific region



Vietnam

Vietnam has effectively increased its manufacturing sectors GDP contribution from less than 17 percent in 2010 to more than 25 percent by 2022. The nation has scheduled numerous infrastructure improvements for air, sea, rail, and road transportation in its master plan for 2030. Vietnams ranking in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business increased from 78 in 2015 to 70 as of 2020. Two important industries for FDI investments in Vietnam are electronics and automobiles.

Thailand

For nearly a decade, the manufacturing sectors share of the nations GDP has remained stable at 26-30 percent. Thailands ranking on the ease of doing business increased from 26 in 2015 to 21 in 2020. The two major industries attracting 20 percent of all manufacturing FDI in 2022 were the electronics and electrical appliance sector and the automotive sector (approximately US$3.6 billion of a total US$18 billion FDI inflow).

Malaysia

In Malaysia, manufacturing contributed 24 percent of the countrys GDP in 2022. From 18 in 2015 to 12 in 2020, Malaysias Ease of Doing Business ranking improved. The industrial sector, specifically electrical and electronics and category 8 transportation equipment, received 61.4 percent of the US$ 10.7 billion in FDI flows into the nation in 2021. The manufacturing FDI for 2022 (January to September) was approximately US$14 billion.

India

The manufacturing sectors contribution to Indias economy is still comparatively low, coming in at 15 percent in 2023 after having stagnated in the range of 13-17 percent for more than 20 years. But as of 2020, Indias Ease of Doing Business ranking has risen significantly to 63. The manufacturing industry brought in around US$21.34 billion in investment in FY22. In the coming years, FDI inflows into manufacturing are expected to rise as a result of the policy drive to improve the industry through the Production-Linked Incentives plan.

Outlook

Manufacturing activity in India is increasing across a number of industries, including electronics, automotive, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, as more international firms and MNCs feel compelled to spread their geographic presence and diversify their upstream and downstream sourcing partners.

India is positioned as a critical node in the developing supply chain networks due to its advantageous geographic position, which includes access to important global markets and proximity to Southeast Asia.

However, in order for India to transform into a manufacturing powerhouse, a number of issues must be resolved, such as regulatory complexity, skill shortages, land acquisition and building norms, and logistics and infrastructure impediments. Here it must be noted that the central government is working with industry stakeholders to accelerate infrastructure modernization, streamline procedures, and make doing business easier.

(US$1 = INR83.30)
Photo courtesy: Screengrab

Mumbai: Vedanta Ltd aluminium business will stop adding coal-fired capacity, indicating a major shift towards renewable energy, media reported

According to a Reuters report, CEO John Slaven has said Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, aims to increase its renewable energy usage from nearly 5% currently to 30% by 2030.

The London-headquartered company presently has 4 .8 gigawatts of coal-based power generation capacity.

Slaven said in an interview with Reuters that the company is securing 1.3 GW of renewable energycomprising both solar and wind powerfrom Serentica Renewables in India.

As the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, India relies on coal for nearly 50% of its 443 GW installed power capacity.

Although India aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in electricity generation, Indias dependence on coal continues due to its growing energy needs as the world's most populous country.

To support this, India has sought to attract private investment to boost coal-fired power generation capacity by 80 GW by 2032.

However, Vedanta Ltd will continue to push for renewable for its energy-intensive aluminium business.

"We don't want to add additional thermal power. We have got to really increase our renewables, so that's the focus," Slaven was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Other aluminium producers in India are adopting similar strategies, according to the report.

Hindalco Industries, the country's second-largest aluminium maker, plans to rely primarily on renewable energy for any new capacity additions at its smelters, according to a company spokesperson. Hindalco Industries is managed by billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla, it added.

John Slaven stated that Vedanta Aluminium plans to increase its production capacity to capitalize on India's strong demand for the metal.

India's rapid economic growth is expected to sustain high aluminium demand, eventually making the domestic market more attractive than Vedanta's current top export destinations, which include Southeast Asia, Japan, North America, and South America, he added.

Slaven highlighted that industries such as construction, electrical transmission, wind and solar power, and automobiles will maintain robust demand for aluminium, reported Reuters.

The company aims to raise its aluminium production capacity to 3 million metric tons by 2026, up from about 2.4 million tons currently, and to increase its smelting capacity to 3 million tons from 2.4 million tons, he added.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A new study revealed microplastics and nanoplastics have found their way into human testicles with scientists believing it might be the leading cause of declining sperm count in men.

University of New Mexico researchers have detected significant concentrations of microplastics in the testicular tissue of both humans and dogs, adding to growing concern about their possible effect on human reproductive health, reported UNM Health Sciences website.

In a new paper published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, a team led by Xiaozhong John Yu, MD, PhD, MPH, a professor in the UNM College of Nursing, reported finding 12 types of microplastics in 47 canine and 23 human testes.

Our study revealed the presence of microplastics in all human and canine testes, Yu told UNM Health Sceinces website.

The team was also able to quantify the amount of microplastics in the tissue samples using a novel analytical method that revealed correlations between certain types of plastic and reduced sperm count in the canine samples.

Yu, who studies the impact of various environmental factors on the human reproductive system, said heavy metals, pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals have all been implicated in a global decline in sperm count and quality in recent years.

A conversation with his colleague Matthew Campen, PhD, a professor in the UNM College of Pharmacy who has documented the presence of microplastics in human placentas, led him to wonder whether something else might be at work.

He said, Have you considered why there is this decline (in reproductive potential) more recently? There must be something new, Yu said. That led Yu to design a study using the same experimental method Campens lab had used in the placenta research.

His team obtained anonymized human tissue from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, which collects tissue during autopsies and stores it for seven years before disposing of it. The canine tissue came from City of Albuquerque animal shelters and private veterinary clinics that perform spay-neutering operations.

The team chemically treated the samples to dissolve the fat and proteins and spun each sample in an ultracentrifuge, le

At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could penetrate the reproductive system, Yu said. When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans.

The researchers found the most prevalent polymer in both human and canine tissue was polyethylene (PE), which is used to make plastic bags and bottles. In dogs that was followed by PVC, which is used in industrial, municipal and household plumbing and in many other applications.

The team was able to count the sperm in the canine samples (but not in the human ones, which had been chemically preserved) and found that higher levels of PVC in the tissue correlated with a lower sperm count, Yu said. There was no correlation with tissue concentration of PE, however.

The plastic makes a difference  what type of plastic might be correlated with potential function, he said. PVC can release a lot of chemicals that interfere with spermatogenesis and it contains chemicals that cause endocrine disruption.

The study compared human and canine tissue for a couple of reasons, one being that dogs live alongside people and share their environment. They also share some biological characteristics.aving a nugget of plastic at the bottom of a tube. Then, heated the plastic pellet in a metal cup to 600 degrees Celsius. They used a mass spectrometer to analyze gas emissions as different types of plastic burned at specific temperatures.

In dogs, the average concentration of microplastics in testicular tissue was 122.63 micrograms per gram of tissue (a microgram is a millionth of a gram). In human tissue the average concentration was 329.44 micrograms per gram  nearly three times higher than in dogs and significantly higher than the average concentration Campen found in placental tissue.

Compared to rats and other animals, dogs are closer to humans, he said. Physically, their spermatogenesis is closer to humans and the concentration has more similarity to humans. Canine sperm counts also seem to be dropping, he added. We believe dogs and humans share common environmental factors that contribute to their decline.

Microplastics result when plastic is exposed to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight and degrades in landfills.

It can be blown about by the wind or carried into nearby waterways, and some bits are so small they are measured in nanometers (a billionth of a meter).

Theyre now ubiquitous in the environment  even as global use of plastics continues to grow. Yu noted that the average age of the men in the OMI autopsy samples was 35, meaning their plastics exposure began decades ago, when there was less plastic in circulation. The impact on the younger generation might be more concerning, now that there is more plastic than ever in the environment, he said.

The findings point the way for additional research to understand how microplastics might affect sperm production in the testes, he said. We have a lot of unknowns. We need to really look at what the potential long-term effect. Are microplastics one of the factors contributing to this decline?

In disseminating his findings, Yu doesnt want anyone to panic. We dont want to scare people, he said. We want to scientifically provide the data and make people aware there are a lot of microplastics. We can make our own choices to better avoid exposures, change our lifestyle and change our behavior.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/IndiGo

A Varanasi bound IndiGo flight was forced to return to Mumbai airport on Tuesday just as it was about to take off after the crew spotted an overbooked passenger standing at the rear of the aircraft.

The aircraft had to return to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai after the crew alerted the pilot about the male passenger while flight 6E 6543 was taxiing.

One of the passengers, Akhilesh Chaubey, who was heading to Varanasi on a work trip, said, The flight returned to the bay and the passenger was offloaded. The airline then checked the cabin baggage of all passengers on board before proceeding with the take-off after a delay of at least an hour.

Speaking about the incident, an IndiGo airline spokesperson stated that the error was noticed before the departure of the aircraft, and the standby passenger was de-boarded.

There was an error during the passenger boarding process of 6E 6543 from Mumbai to Varanasi, wherein a standby passenger was allotted a seat reserved for a confirmed passenger. The error was noticed prior to the departure of the aircraft, and the standby passenger was de-boarded. This led to a slight delay in the departure of the aircraft. IndiGo will take all measures to strengthen its operational processes and regrets the inconvenience caused to customers, the spokesperson added.

To prevent flights from departing with empty seats, airlines often overbook flights to minimise the risk.

According to the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), penalties have been imposed on airlines for denying boarding even on valid tickets, Hindustan Times reported.

As per regulations notified in 2016, an airline is not obligated to provide compensation to passengers if an alternative flight is arranged within an hour of the scheduled departure.
Photo courtesy: X/Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised strong action against the Pune teen who crashed his high-end Porsche into a motorbike, killing two techie on the spot.

Fadnavis condemned the "lenient" punishment given to the boy by the Juvenile Justice Board - a 300-word essay on accidents, working with the traffic police for 15 days and undergoing counselling for his drinking - completely in contrast with the heinous crime.

"How can the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board give such an order?" he asked.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when 17-year-old Vedant Agarwal, who had been drinking with his friends in two pubs in Pune to celebrate his Class 12 CBSE results, knocked down the two IT professionals in the Kalyani Nagar area.

Aneesh Awadhiya (24), who was riding the bike was sent flying and hit a parked car, while Ashwini Koshta (25), who was riding pillion, was flung 20 feet into the air. Both of them died on the spot.

"We have appealed to the district court against the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board order. There is a huge public outrage. I have taken stock of the investigation updates till now," Fdnavis said.

The other two occupants of the Porsche, who are friends of the accused, are being treated as witnesses for now, and the police are trying to build a watertight case, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar told NDTV Tuesday.

"The minor is 17 years and 8 months old and as per the Nirbhaya case, anyone above 16 years old should be considered an adult in cases of heinous crimes," stressed the Deputy Chief Minister.

The teen was granted bail after he wrote a 300-word essay on the topic, titled Effect on road accidents and their solution.

Vedant's father Vishal Agrawal, a prominent builder, was arrested from Aurangabad city of Maharashtra after a case was registered against him on Monday. He was reportedly on the run.
Photo courtesy: Pixabay

Bhopal/IBNS: Four Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers probing the Madhya Pradesh have allegedly become part of it, media reports said.

Over the weekend, four officers, one of them a Deputy Superintendent, have been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes.

The central agency has filed cases against 23 people in the case.

In August last year, the recognition of 19 nursing colleges was cancelled following allegations that 'ghost' nursing colleges were being run in the state.

The following month, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a CBI probe into all 670 nursing colleges registered in the state in 2020-21.

The arrested CBI officers include Deputy Superintendent Ashish Prasad and Inspector Rahul Raj.

According to the FIR, both officers were involved in criminal conspiracy with other members of the inspection team. They had given clearance to various nursing colleges in exchange for bribes, the FIR alleged.

Rahul Raj was in touch with middlemen to share the schedule of CBI inspections, fix and collect bribe amounts, and provide a suitability report.

The bribe money collected by this cartel from each nursing college varied between Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh and was shared later.
ESABELWENI - Prayers and blessings are now open for every interested individual at Esabelweni Temple, at Bethany.

This comes after the official opening of the Nazareth Baptist Church meeting yesterday. The meeting, which is the gathering of the church, was officially opened by His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu, who is the current leader of the church founded by Isaiah Shembe in 1910. Unyazi Lwezulu is considered the African Messiah with meaningful prayer and blessings, by members of the church.

Extended

However, the belief has extended to people from outside the church, as they engage Unyazi Lwezulu for prayer and blessings both locally and in South Africa. The opening of the meeting started with a prayer at the entrance of the church. Elders of the church shared that the prayer was aimed at welcoming ancestors to be with them during the course of the two-week event.

The members of the church then marched to the temple in a song titled mdedele angene, siyinzalo yaMswati na Somhlolo. They continued to sing until they were joined by Unyazi Lwezulu, who ordered them to pray. He then blessed the members of the church, marking the official opening of the meeting.

The elders of the church then announced the official opening of the meeting. They stated that the opening of the meeting meant that the members of the church should devote themselves to God, as He was about to do His work among them and the people of Eswatini. They reminded men and women to be in their respective camps at 7:30pm. Men should leave women and be in their respective camps at 7:30pm. The same applies to women. We do not want any negative report to Unyazi Lwezulu, as he does his work that he was sent to do by the heavens, said the elder. Asiwafuni emacala, dedelani unkulunkulu enze umsebenzi wakhe, added the elder.

On another note, Chairperson of the organising committee Makhehleni Derrick Dlamini said the opening of the meeting meant that people were welcome for prayers and blessings at church. Dlamini reminded those interested in the prayers and blessings to dress appropriately. By dressing appropriately, Dlamini meant women were expected to cover their heads. He said pants were strictly prohibited in the church. He added that those who were pressed for time should organise themselves and make arrangements with the elders for prayers. Worth noting is that many people prefer petroleum jelly (popularly known as Vaseline), Sunlight bar soap and pure water to be prayed for by Unyazi Lwezulu, in order to make breakthrough in their lives. Some are satisfied by the word of mouth God bless you (Inkosi inibusise).
hoto courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: In a fresh attack on her party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has accused a "Delhi woman minister" of maligning her character in reference to the assault charge she brought against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, who has been arrested.

Delhi minister Atishi has been leading the party's charge against Maliwal, whom the former claims to be doing a conspiracy along with the BJP.

In an X post, Maliwal wrote, "Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party.

"Someone has been given the duty of doing PC and someone else has been given the duty of tweeting. Someone's duty is to call volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused have the duty of preparing some fake sting operations."

"You may raise an army of thousands, I will face it alone because the truth is with me. I am not angry with them, the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I don't even expect anything from anyone.

"I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party. I have started a fight for my self-respect, I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight but I will not give up!"

                 ,       ,                          PC         Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 22, 2024

Swati Maliwal case and Bibhav Kumar's arrest

The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary Bibhav Kumar for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal.

Kumar, who was detained by the cops in the afternoon, was arrested later from the Chief Minister's residence.

Maliwal has accused Kumar of assaulting her when she went to meet Kejriwal at the latter's residence.

Maliwal was allegedly assaulted by Bibhav Kumar at the Chief Minister's residence in Delhi's Civil Lines area on Monday.

Delhi Police had confirmed they received two calls from an unknown person within Arvind Kejriwal's residence but from a phone number registered to Maliwal alerting them to the harassment.

Maliwal later appeared at a police station in the area but left without filing a complaint.

Maliwal, a former NCW chairperson, recorded her statement with Delhi Police on Thursday. This was hours after the National Commission for Women issued a summons to Kumar.

In the complaint, Maliwal narrated the sequence of events at the Chief Minister's residence where she was waiting in the drawing room to meet Kejriwal.

Maliwal wrote, "I was informed that he (Kejriwal) was present in the house and I was told to wait in the drawing room. I went into the drawing room and sat on the sofa and was waiting for the CM, when suddenly, the PS of the CM, Bibhav Kumar barged into the room.

"He started screaming at me without any provocation and even started abusing me. I was stunnedand I reacted by telling him to stop talking to me like this and to call the CM."

Maliwal added, "He slapped me seven to eight times at least while I continued screamingIn order to protect me, I pushed him away with my legs. At that time, he pounced on me, brutally dragged me and deliberately pulled my shirt up. My shirt buttons opened and my shirt flew up. I landed on the floor while hitting my head on the centre table

"Bhbhav Kumar did not relent and attacked me by kicking me in my chest, stomach and pelvis areas with his leg I was in extreme pain and kept asking him to stop I repeatedly told him that I am having my periods and that he should please let go of me as I am in extreme pain."
A 17-year-old killed two people after he crashed his speeding Porsche on them. Photo Courtesy: Screengrab of viral video

Pune/IBNS: The registration of the Porsche car that was involved in the accident which killed two people in Pune was due over the non-payment of Rs. 1,758 as fees by the owner, media reports said.

Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told news agency PTI that the car was imported from Bengaluru and transported to Maharashtra through a temporary registration.

"It was found that a certain registration fee was not paid and the owner was asked to pay the amount for completion of the procedure. However, the vehicle was not brought to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for the registration process after that," the minister said as quoted by NDTV.

A man and a woman, riding a motorbike, were killed when the car, driven by 17-year-old Vedant Agarwal, hit their vehicle in Pune's Kalyani Nagar in the wee hours of Sunday.

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.

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 17-year-old, whose speeding Porsche SUV knocked a two-wheeler down causing two deaths, was granted bail after he wrote a 300-word essay.

Vedant, the son of an influential builder named Vishal Agarwal, was asked to write a 300-word essay on the topic, titled Effect on road accidents and their solution.

As per police, the bail was granted as the court couldn't find the crime committed by the juvenile as "serious".

Vedant was also asked to learn traffic rules and submit a report by 15 days, The New India Express reported.

Vedant's father Vishal Agrawal was arrested from Aurangabad city of Maharashtra after a case was registered against him on Monday. He was reportedly on the run.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Hemant Soren

New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren 's plea seeking an interim bail and challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged land scam , media reports said.

Soren then withdrew the plea before the top court.

This was after the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma pulled up advocate Kapil Sibal, who was representing Soren, for "not disclosing" the fact that a trial court had taken cognisance of the case against the Chief Minister on April 4.

"Is it a fact that when you filed this petition, you did not disclose the cognisance order?", Justice Datta asked Sibal as quoted by The Hindu.

The court also mentioned Soren moved a plea seeking an interim bail before it while a bail in the PMLA case is pending in a lower court.

In response, Sibal said it was never an intention to mislead the court.

Soren had filed the plea citing an interim bail which has been granted to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till June 1 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

On January 31, the Enforcement Directorate formally arrested Hemant Soren in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land deal in Jharkhand.

Soren had resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand before he got arrested by the ED.

The Jharkhand High Court on May 3 dismissed Soren's writ petition challenging his arrest in the land scam case and denied him bail.
Photo courtesy: X/@PawanSingh909

Patna/IBNS: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday suspended Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh for contesting as an Independent candidate from Bihar's Karakat Lok Sabha constituency, media reports said.

Singh was contesting against BJP-led NDA candidate Upendra Kushwaha, who leads the Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

"You are contesting the Lok Sabha elections against the official candidate of the NDA. This act of yours is against the party and has tarnished the party's image and violated party discipline," Bihar BJP told Singh in a letter as quoted by NDTV.

Singh was earlier fielded by the BJP from West Bengal's Asansol Lok Sabha constituency against veteran actor and TMC's bet, Shatrughan Sinha.

However, Singh, whose controversial songs drew sharp responses from the TMC, withdrew his candidature citing personal reasons causing embarrassment for the BJP.

Karakat will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections on June 1.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Pakistan 's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram launched an attack on India during the General Assembly meeting this month while terming new India as a 'dangerous entity'.

Munir Akram further suggested India's involvement in the alleged targeted and extra-judicial assassinations in his homeland and elsewhere, reported Hindustan Times.

Quoting a report from a leading US daily, Pakistan's Munir Akram said the new India comes into your home and kills you.

Addressing the general assembly on May 2, Munir Akram told Hindustan Times, "Pakistan's foreign minister informed the Security Council, as well as the secretary general and the president of the General Assembly of India's campaign of targeted assassinations in Pakistan. This extra-territorial state terrorism is not limited to Pakistan. It has been extended to targeted killings of political opponents in Canada and attempted in the United States and probably in other countries."

"The Washington Post reported that Prime Minister Modi last week told his cheering supporters, and I quote, 'Today, even India's enemies know this is Modi. This is the new India. This new India comes into your home and kills you'. This new India is a dangerous entity, it is a net provider of insecurity, not security," Pakistan permanent UN representative said.

He made the remark a few days after The Guardian reported that the Indian government assassinated individuals in Pakistan as part of a wider strategy to eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil.

Interviews with intelligence officials in both countries, as well as documents shared by Pakistani investigators, shed new light on how Indias foreign intelligence agency allegedly began to carry out assassinations abroad as part of an emboldened approach to national security after 2019, the British media reported.

Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on September 18 alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18.

India dismissed the allegation, calling it absurd and motivated.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

In another crucial verdict ahead of the last two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010.

The verdict was given by a division bench comprising of Justice Tapabrata Chakrabirty and Rajasekhar Mantha.

The judgement was delivered on a PIL challenging the process of granting OBC certificates.

The court directed that a fresh list of OBCs be prepared based on the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 by the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes, reported India Today.

The high court even termed the OBC list prepared after 2010 as 'illegal'.

The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012 section 2H, 5, 6 and Section 16 and Schedule I and III were struck down by high court as 'unconstitutional', the news channel reported.

"The PIL filed (in 2011) claimed that all OBC certificates given out after 2010 bypassed the 1993 (West Bengal Backward Class Commission) Act. Those actually from backward class were not offered their due certificates. The Division Bench's decision today annulled all OBC certificates given out after 2010. Those with OBC certificate before 2010 will not bear the brunt of the Calcutta HC hearing", Advocate Sudipta Dasgupta told India Today.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata/IBNS: After the Calcutta High Court cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said she "will not accept" the order, which will "take away the rights granted to the Tapashili community".

This comes after the high court termed the OBC list prepared after 2010 'illegal'.

The court struck down a reservation for several communities as Other Backward Classes under a new law of the state government passed in 2012.

The verdict was given by a division bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha.

"PM Modi had claimed that Muslims after winning will cancel the reservations for Tapashilis. It was a divisive agenda again. And this is what they got the court to do today. I respect the courts. But I do not accept the judgment that says Muslims should be kept out of OBC reservation. OBC reservations will continue. We will go to a higher court if need be," Mamata said.

The OBC reservation quota introduced by the West Bengal government will continue, the Chief Minister said.

"We had drafted the Bill after conducting a house-to-house survey, and it was passed by the cabinet and the assembly... The BJP has conspired to stall it but they lost in court," she added.

Hitting out at specific judges of the High Court without naming, the Chief Minister said, "One judge is saying, 'I am an RSS person', another one joins the BJP How can you be a judge this way and preside over courts?"

Senior party leader and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee also alleged the court's judgment is part of the BJP's efforts to cancel reservations for the Tapashili community.

The judgement was delivered on a PIL challenging the process of granting OBC certificates.

The court directed that a fresh list of OBCs be prepared based on the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 by the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes, reported India Today.

However, the judgement would not affect the people currently holding jobs or seats in educational institutions or making applications with caste certificates, the court said.

The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012 section 2H, 5, 6 and Section 16 and Schedule I and III were struck down by high court as 'unconstitutional', the news channel reported.
Photo courtesy: www.parliament.gov.bd

"MP Anwarul Azim Anar has been killed in Kolkata, and three have been arrested in Bangladesh," Khan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

According to reports, Anwarul Azim had gone missing in Kolkata since May 18. He reached India on May 12.

After no whereabouts, a high-level search operation was launched to find him.

Anwarul Azim was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up.

According to the ANI report, his family friend in Kolkata said that his last physical presence was before May 13 and that there had been no physical or direct contact with him since May 18.

However, messages have been exchanged from Azim's phone with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicating his intended journey to Delhi.

Indian authorities have launched a joint investigation into the killing. Azim's family members are also set to arrive in Kolkata for further formalities, and their visa process is underway, reported ANI.

As our Home Minister has announced, so I definitely believe that this has happened...But we still don't have any authentic information from the Government of India. So, we will have to wait. But we apprehend that he may have been killed or assassinated because our Home Minister has already announced it...There might be several reasons behind it, Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press), High Commission for Bangladesh in New Delhi told ANI.

"But we don't have any clear information...He was a very frequent traveller to Kolkata and had good relations with the people in Kolkata. He has a very close friend - Gopal Vishwas. Maybe, he came here for treatment or business purposes or any other issue. We don't know...His daughter is trying to come to Kolkata today..."
Photo Courtesy: Thornbury Musical Theatre Group Facebook page

A British person, who died after the Singapore Airlines flight was hit by severe turbulence, was named as Geoff Kitchen.

A retired insurance professional turned amateur dramatics performer, Kitchen's Thornbury Musical Theatre Group mourned his death and posted on its website: "It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident."

He reportedly died due to a suspected heart attack after the flight suffered a sudden drop in altitude.

A British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told BBC it was supporting the family of the passenger, and was in contact with local authorities.

He was travelling on the flight from London to Singapore along with 211 passengers and 18 crew members.

Kitchen and his wife, Linda, were to stop over en route to Australia, where they planned to enjoy a six-week holiday, neighbours told the Guardian.

Jill Dimond, a close friend and neighbour, told the newspaper: He was a well-loved man. He was clever, funny, a fantastic performer, deeply caring about theatre. It was his passion.

Singapore Airlines CEO issues public apology

"Our deepest apology to everyone affected by this incident," CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a video statement.

Images have emerged from inside SQ321 after hitting severe turbulence while enroute to Singapore, killing one passenger. https://t.co/sPhFfVr1Tb pic.twitter.com/IngvtijtAD  Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) May 21, 2024

At least one passenger died and 70 others were injured in the incident.

The airlines said the flight SQ321, which was operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure.

" The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024," the Airlines said in a Facebook post.

The airlines later said 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived in Singapore in a relief flight on May 22 from Bangkok where flight SQ321 was diverted for an emergency landing.

" As of 0505hrs on 22 May 2024, another 79 passengers and six crew members from SQ321 remain in Bangkok. This includes those receiving medical care, as well as their family members and loved ones who were on the flight," Singapore Airlines said.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X and YouTube videos

"My son was thrown down on the floor two rows behind me," narrated a passenger recalling his horrific experience on board the Singapore Airlines flight which was hit by midair turbulence on way to Singapore from London leading to the death of a British national.

A British man said as quoted by India Today, "It went from no turbulence... no plane shaking at all, and then I hit the roof. All of a sudden, I was up like that. My son was thrown down on the floor two rows behind me. I heard that there was a guy hitting the roof in the toilet and he was injured quite badly, too."

68-year-old Jerry, who hit his head on the ceiling, was on the way to Australia for his son's wedding.

"I hit my head on the ceiling, my wife did - some poor people who were walking around ended up doing somersaults," he said.

A 28-year-old student told Reuters, "People from across the aisle went completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in really awkward positions."

Images have emerged from inside SQ321 after hitting severe turbulence while enroute to Singapore, killing one passenger. https://t.co/sPhFfVr1Tb pic.twitter.com/IngvtijtAD  Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) May 21, 2024

"Everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it."

Andrew Davies, a British passenger, said it was "severe turbulence". "The thing I remember the most is seeing objects and things flying through the air. I was covered in coffee," Davies said.

A British person, who died after the Singapore Airlines flight was hit by severe turbulence, was named as Geoff Kitchen.

A retired insurance professional turned amateur dramatics performer, Kitchen's Thornbury Musical Theatre Group mourned his death and posted on its website: "It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident."

He reportedly died due to a suspected heart attack after the flight suffered a sudden drop in altitude.

A British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told BBC it was supporting the family of the passenger, and was in contact with local authorities.

He was travelling on the flight from London to Singapore along with 211 passengers and 18 crew members.

Kitchen and his wife, Linda, were to stop over en route to Australia, where they planned to enjoy a six-week holiday, neighbours told the Guardian.

Jill Dimond, a close friend and neighbour, told the newspaper: He was a well-loved man. He was clever, funny, a fantastic performer, deeply caring about theatre. It was his passion.

Singapore Airlines CEO issues public apology

"Our deepest apology to everyone affected by this incident," CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a video statement.

At least one passenger died and 70 others were injured in the incident.
MBABANE  Government disputes allegations that there are sanctioned Russian vessels sailing under the flag of Eswatini.

South African online publication, News 24, reported that there were five sanctioned ships from Russia which were now bearing the countrys flag. The publication claimed that five of the Hennesea tankers were operating with new identities and all of them were now sailing under the flag of Eswatini. According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Seagoing vessels are obliged by maritime law to fly a flag of a country of registration and stateless vessels are not protected by international law. It was reported that this came after the IMO issued a warning in April regarding flags it identified as fraudulent. It was said IMO raised specific concerns over flags purportedly administered on behalf of Guyana and Eswatini, respectively.

Following the allegations that five sanctioned ships were sailing with Eswatini flag, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi, said: This is fake news.

Knowledge

Those who have positive knowledge of such happening anywhere in the world let them share that information with us and we will deal with it decisively. The PS supposed that there were bogus reporters with their own motives. Mkhaliphi said he had checked with Eswatinis partners that were assisting the country to develop the maritime sector and they had denied knowledge of such. The PS reiterated that if there was anyone who had verifiable information on such misbehaviour, irrespective of who was responsible, the Eswatini Government would deal with the issue decisively. Mkhaliphi cast doubt on the allegations as he said despite that there had been various reports of the allegations insinuating that the Eswatini flag was being used by sanctioned vessels, credible pictures of the ships sailing with the Eswatini flag were yet to be seen.

He said in the various articles, published by foreign media, they only showed the flag of the country without the ships. Mkhaliphi said the country was not yet a member of IMO and as such, the organisation could not assist the kingdom for now. Until we are their members, we cannot get much of assistance, he said. Mkhaliphi was responding to the question on whether the country had opted to seek assistance from the IMO in establishing the sanctioned vessels purported to be sailing with Eswatini flag. The South African publication reported that since October, 40 ships involved in Russias oil trade were added to the United States Treasurys list of designated entities, mostly for breaching a price cap that was meant to restrict the Kremlins access to petrodollars.

Imposed

The sanctions and price cap, according to News 24, that were imposed on Russia, have been criticised for being too easy for Moscow to work around, given how large the countrys crude flows have remained. However, the inactivity of the fleet shows that when measures are taken against individual vessels, they can be effective. In the article by News 24, it was purported that the five sanctioned vessels sailing with Eswatini flag, had in recent months, changed their names. It was reported that the Apus vessel had altered its name to HS Arge, while the Avril had altered its name to HS Atlantica. It was also purported that the Bettle vessel had altered its name to Uze, while the Kruger vessel had changed its name to Osperous. The last ship was said to have assumed the name Peria after dumping its original name of Pictor.

Sanctioned

The publication reported that the tanker names were often changed after being sanctioned in order to distance the vessels from listings on sanctions databases. It was reported that they remained traceable by unique numeric identifiers assigned to them that did not change. News 24 reported that dozens of tankers remained stuck months after being sanctioned by the US Treasury Department and claimed it was a signal of the USs scope to disrupt Moscows petroleum supply chain if it chose to. Meanwhile, on April 22, 2024, it was reported that having struggled with Guyana, Indias Aryavart Corporation then created the Eswatini Maritime Affairs and International Ship Registry as a private company in Singapore late last year, registering ships to Eswatini. The IMO, it was reported, has since listed a number of vessels that paid to flag with the country as False Eswatini. The report by Splash 247 stated that the Indian backers of the Eswatini flag had also been in landlocked Laos recently, where they were in discussions to create another shipping registry.
Photo courtesy: X/@AmericanAir

American Airlines has been slammed for blaming a 9-year-old girl in a lawsuit over the minor being filmed inside the bathroom of the plane, media reports said.

In a startling response to the whole case, the attorney, who was representing the airline, blamed the victim- the 9-year-old girl- for the situation.

"Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence," the attorney said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The attorney further said, the incidents "were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device."

Lawyer Paul Llewellyn, who represented the victim, called the response "outrageous".

"I was absolutely shocked...," said Llewellyn as quoted by Hindustan Times and added, "The idea that American Airlines and its lawyers would blame a 9-year-old girl for being filmed, in my opinion, just smacks of desperation and depravity."

A flight attendant was accused of filming young girls aged 7-14 last year.

The alleged incidents occurred in a time period between January and August, 2023.
Salim Khan, well-known for his writing in Hindi cinema, once talked about his son, actor Salman Khan, in a Zoom interview where he discussed Salman's eventful life, including his feud with actor Vivek Oberoi over actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who was Salman's girlfriend at the time. Salim Khan mentioned that emotional problems often don't have easy solutions. He discussed the feud between Salman and Vivek, suggesting that they would eventually realise their argument was trivial.



'Koli Aur Le Gaya': Salim On Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai And Vivek Oberoi's Love Triangle

Salman Khan With His Father Salim Khan/X

Khan said, Koi aur le gaya, koi aur chala, and yeh wahi ke wahi hain."



Translation: Someone else took her away, and these two remained where they were.

Also Read: 'Salman Should Do Good Scripts', Father Salim Khan's Advice Goes Viral After Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan's Release

Everything You Need To Know About The Salman, Aishwarya, And Vivek Feud:

There is Aishwarya Rai who hasn't said a single word about her experience with Salman after TOI IV xoz she doesnt want his family members to get hurt (you all know how Salim Khan comes to apologize on behalf of his son everytime),that is how caring she is while his fans  https://t.co/hCb7gLqPPq pic.twitter.com/ECI4QoEWGh  Mohabbatein (@sidharth0800) October 29, 2023

The love triangle involving Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Vivek Oberoi was one of the most talked-about controversies in Bollywood during the early 2000s. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were in a relationship for a few years. However, their relationship hit a rough patch due to various reasons, including Salman's alleged possessiveness and temper issues. During this time, Aishwarya starred in the movie "Dil Ka Rishta" with actor Vivek Oberoi, and rumours started circulating about their growing closeness on the film's sets.

Also Read: Salman Khan's Ex-GF Somy Ali Comes In His Support, Urges Bishnoi Community For Peace

Things escalated when Vivek Oberoi publicly declared his love for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a 2003 press conference. He claimed that Salman Khan had been harassing and threatening both him and Aishwarya because of their relationship. Vivek's decision to speak out against Salman sparked a massive controversy in Bollywood.

Also Read: Did You Know Salman Khan Once Asked Heeramandi Actor Sharmin Segal To Marry Her? Know What She Said



Salman Khan, known for his volatile nature, didn't take Vivek's public statements lightly. He allegedly made threatening phone calls to Vivek, which Vivek later revealed to the media. This further fueled the controversy and led to widespread media coverage.

The fallout from this controversy had significant repercussions for Vivek Oberoi's career, as he faced backlash and found it challenging to secure roles in Bollywood. On the other hand, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan maintained her silence throughout the ordeal, choosing not to publicly comment on the matter.

Ultimately, the love triangle between Salman, Aishwarya, and Vivek ended with Aishwarya and Salman parting ways. Aishwarya went on to marry actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, while Salman continued his career in Bollywood, albeit with occasional controversies overshadowing his professional achievements.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The Cannes Film Festival witnessed a storm of controversy as the biopic "The Apprentice," depicting the life of former US President Donald Trump, made its debut. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump, the film delves into the mogul's past, revealing shocking allegations and events from his life before he gained global fame. One of the most startling moments in the film involves a portrayal of Trump raping his late ex-wife Ivana, along with questionable dealings with underworld figures to realise his dream of Trump Towers.

Biopic Depicts Donald Trump Raping Ex-Wife Ivana & Dealing With Underworld

Ali Abbasi, the director of The Apprentice, a new Donald Trump biopic, said the former US president would likely be surprised by the film, which covers Trump's early years as a real estate mogul https://t.co/Uq1r3b6WZN pic.twitter.com/mgrAbObeUo  Reuters (@Reuters) May 22, 2024

Set against the backdrop of the 1970s and 1980s, the film has been described as explosive by multiple sources, drawing both praise and criticism.

Trump's Camp Reacts: Swift Denouncement And Legal Action Threatened

Despite the Cannes audience's enthusiastic 8-minute standing ovation, Trump's team swiftly condemned the film as fiction, declaring intentions to sue to block its US release. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung labelled the film's depiction of Trump as "blatantly false" and "pure fiction," alleging it sensationalised debunked falsehoods. Following the world premiere of Ali Abbasi's film, Cheung confirmed to Variety on Monday their plans for legal action.

Also Read: Laapataa Ladies Actress Chhaya Kadam Aka Manju Mai Makes Cannes Debut, Dons Late Mother's Saree And 'Nath'

Director's Call For Fair Judgment: Abbasi Urges Trump's Team To Watch The Film

Director Abbasi, speaking to the press at Cannes, urged Trump's team to reserve judgement until they had seen the film, suggesting that Trump might be surprised by its portrayal. The film's cast includes Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his lawyer and mentor, Roy Cohn, but release dates for the US and worldwide are yet to be announced.

The 1995 Pizza Hut commercial featuring Donald Trump and his ex-wife, Ivana Trump. pic.twitter.com/9chQwcoW8s  Wayback Clips (@waybackclips) April 13, 2024

The Controversial Life Of Donald Trump

Donald Trump's life has been rife with controversies, from his career as a real estate mogul marked by lawsuits and bankruptcies to his foray into reality TV with "The Apprentice." His political career, particularly his presidency, was marked by polarising policies, inflammatory rhetoric, and numerous scandals, including impeachment proceedings. Trump's personal life has also faced scrutiny, with allegations of extramarital affairs and controversial comments about women. Overall, Trump's controversial life has been characterised by a blend of business success, political turmoil, and personal scandal.



For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Accordion Google Doodle 2024: On May 23, Google Doodle celebrates the Accordion across the World. The accordion, a free-reed instrument with bellows, has made a significant impact on various music genres, including pop, jazz, folk, and classical. On this day in 1829, an instrument was patented with the name accordion, derived from the German word akkord (chord).

Google Doodle Celebrating the Accordion

Throughout the late 1800s, manufacturers in Germany increased accordion production due to its popularity among folk musicians across Europe. Early accordions had buttons on one side, each producing the sound of an entire chord. Impressively, the same button could produce two different chords  one when the bellows expanded and another when they contracted.

As Europeans emigrated around the world, the accordion's use in music spread globally. Modern versions can be played with either buttons or a piano-style keyboard, and some even feature both. They also sometimes incorporate electronic elements, allowing them to be plugged into an amplifier or create synthesized sounds.

Today, the instrument can be heard in folk music, the Latino polka, the tango, Cajun music, and more. One event where the accordion is always present is Oktoberfest. This lively festival is full of carnival fun, music, and traditional clothing like Dirndl dresses and lederhosen.

With this melody maker in hand, everything goes Accordion to plan! The traditional sound continues to influence German celebrations and music worldwide, even 200 years later.

What is Accordion?

The accordion is a musical instrument that is played by expanding and compressing bellows while pressing buttons or keys to produce notes. It consists of a keyboard or buttons on one side and a series of bass buttons or keys on the other. When the bellows are moved, air is forced through reeds, creating sound. The accordion is known for its versatility and is used in various music genres worldwide.



Animated Google Doodle Celebrating The Accordion On May 23 | mcneelamusic.com

Genres Featuring the Accordion

The accordion's versatility has allowed it to find a place in numerous music genres globally:

Folk Music: The accordion remains a staple in European folk music, particularly in countries like Germany, France, and Italy.

Latino Polka: This genre, especially popular in Mexico and the southwestern United States, heavily features the accordion.

Tango: The bandoneon, a type of accordion, is essential in Argentine tango music.

Cajun Music: Originating from Louisiana, this genre prominently features the accordion, contributing to its distinctive sound.

Zydeco: Similar to Cajun music, Zydeco from Louisiana also showcases the accordion, often paired with washboard rhythms.

Classical and Contemporary Music: Some composers have integrated the accordion into orchestral and contemporary pieces, highlighting its unique sound.

Cultural Impact

The accordion has significantly impacted various cultures, especially in Europe and the Americas. One notable event where the accordion is always present is Oktoberfest in Germany. This lively festival features carnival fun, music, and traditional clothing like Dirndl dresses and lederhosen, with accordion music providing a festive atmosphere.

The instrument's portability and ability to produce rich, complex sounds have made it a favorite for street performers and folk ensembles. Its distinctive sound continues to influence music worldwide, maintaining its relevance even 200 years after its invention.

Where this Doodle appeared

The animated Doodle Celebrating the Accordion launched on May 23, 2024.



The animated Doodle Celebrating the Accordion launched May 23, 2024.

About Google Doodle

The very first Doodle was published way back in 1998 and was a bit of a joke from Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to remind Googlers they would be out of the office for Burning Man.

The first animated doodle premiered on Halloween 2000. In 2009, Google created the first same-day Doodle when water was discovered on the moon.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival has seen some dazzling appearances by Indian celebrities, actors and content creators. Several famous actors and influencers have done their best with stylish appearances to add a 'desi' flair to the international film festival. This exciting mix of red carpet regulars and rising stars beautifully represented Indian fashion on the global stage.

Instagram

Also Read: Cannes 2024: Aishwarya Rai's Hair Sizzles, Outfit Fizzles On The Red Carpet



Best Dressed Indians At Cannes 2024

1) Aditi Roa Hydari

aditiraohydari/Instagram

Actor Aditi Roa Hydari turned heads at the Cannes red carpet when she appeared for the screening of L'Amour Ouf (Beating Hearts) in a black and white off-shoulder gown designed by Gaurav Gupta. She paired her elegant gown with a neatly-tied bun and, pearl and gold hoop earrings.



2) Kiara Advani

Actor Kiara Advani made her debut at the French Riviera in an angelic ivory satin dress from designer Prabal Gurung. The white gown featured a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit and was accessorised with statement earrings.



2) Nancy Tyagi

nancytyagi___/Pinterest

Influencer Nancy Tyagi made her first appearance at Cannes in a jaw-dropping pink ruffled gown with a long train. The self-made gown took her a month to create and weighed about 20 kg.



4) Shahana Goswami

abujanisandeepkhosla/Instagram

Actor Shahana Goswami made a stunning debut at the prestigious film festival in a bespoke creation by designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The exquisite hand-embroidered blouse was embellished with Swarovski crystals and paired with a champagne peach satin saree draped in a contemporary style.



5) Sobhita Dhulipala

sobhitad/Instagram

Actor Sobhita Dhulipala returned to the French Riviera after 8 years in a shimmery purple cape jumpsuit designed by Namrata Joshipura. The ensemble, adorned with intricate floral hand embellishments, featured a sleeveless top with a plunging neckline and wide-legged bottoms which were cinched together with a unique ring detail in the middle.



6) Prateik Babbar

Actor Prateik Babbar, son of veteran actress Smita Patil, attended the festival to represent her film 'Manthan', in a custom tuxedo by designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. paying homage to his mother Prateik styled the black tuxedo with her patterned silk scarf.

7) Ratna Pathak Shah

Reddit

Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah, who accompanied her husband Naseeruddin Shah for his film Manthan's screening, stole the show in her own saree paired with a custom-crafted blouse. Pairing her lime green saree with a lavender-hued blouse and jacket.

8) Jacqueline Fernandez

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez arrived at the red carpet in a gorgeous Mikael D Couture gown. She paired the body-hugging metallic gold gown with exquisite Hassanzade Jewellery. Soft glam makeup and open hair completed the diva's striking look.

Turning heads with their unique fashion choices, Indian celebs not only highlighted India's growing global fashion influence but also depicted the country's rich cultural diversity by donning phenomenal designs by Indian fashion designers.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Flaunts New Hairdo At Bulgari Event, Fans Call Her 'Goddess'

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
After days of despair and agonizing wait for thousands of Indian students preparing for higher studies in the United States, the authorities have extended the visa season by two weeks. According to the US Consulate in Hyderabad, student visa interviews will continue until the end of August 2024 for the upcoming academic session.

10,000 visa slots gone in 5 minutes

This development came after many students, including those who had been admitted to US universities, could not secure an F-1 visa interview slot. The US Consulate had opened the F-1 visa interview process on May 20, but according to many students, the available 10,000 F-1 slots were booked within five minutes.

Also read: UK Graduate Route Visa Policy: How Indians Are Set To Be Impacted

Unsplash

Couldn't get visa slot in six months

Many students had to wait for long hours in the waiting room of the US consulate in Hyderabad, hoping for an update and fearing potential delays in their educational pursuits. Following this, some launched an online petition seeking additional visa slots for prospective students, including those who had been trying unsuccessfully for six months.

"I have been trying since November 2023, but have not managed to book a slot even once. Whenever I try to book, it shows different messages like 'limits reached,' 'portal error,' 'site crashed,' etc. My course starts in August and I still have not received any clarity from the consulate," Darsh Golecha, who has been accepted by Harvard for a master's in education, learning, design, innovation, and technology, told The Times of India.

Also read: New Change In US Student Visa Rules For Indian Students

Unsplash

What is F-1 student visa

The F-1 Student Visa, also known as the Academic Student Visa, allows individuals to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, elementary schools, or other academic institutions, including language training programs.

Unsplash

In 2023, Indian students were issued a total of 130,839 F-1 student visas, the highest number for any country.

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An IndiGo flight was forced to return to the terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai after the crew spotted an extra passenger standing inside the aircraft, as all the seats were filled. The passenger was spotted standing at the rear of the aircraft when flight 6E 6543, en route to Varanasi, was taxiing.

Extra passenger on flight

Following this, the aircraft returned to the bay, and the extra passenger alighted before the plane took off. According to reports, the extra passenger was an airline staff member who boarded the aircraft after the ground staff assumed that a passenger who was running late wouldn't make it. In such cases, airline staff can take a flight if there is a vacant seat, referred to as a standby passenger.

Also read: IPS Officer Narrates Experience Of IndiGo Flight Landing With 2 Minutes Fuel Left

REUTERS

However, on Tuesday, the passenger who was running late showed up just in time, and his original seat was given to him, leaving the standby passenger without a seat.

What IndiGo said

In a statement, IndiGo said there was an error during the passenger boarding process of flight 6E 6543 from Mumbai to Varanasi, wherein a standby passenger was allotted a seat reserved for a confirmed passenger. "The error was noticed prior to the departure of the aircraft, and the standby passenger was de-boarded. This led to a slight delay in the departure of the aircraft," the airline said.

IndiGo

What is overbooking

Overbooking is a practice followed by airlines worldwide, where they sell more seats than their capacity to ensure maximum occupation of the flight, even if some passengers cancel at the last moment. However, if none of the passengers cancel their bookings, the airline can be left with more passengers than the number of seats available.

Also read: Lufthansa Passenger Denied Boarding Sparks Heated Argument With Staff

PTI

Compensation if denied boarding due to overbooking

According to the DGCA, in such situations, the airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seats to make them available for other passengers. If a passenger with a confirmed ticket is denied boarding due to overbooking, the airline has to offer an alternative flight within the next hour. If this is not possible, a compensation of up to 200 percent of the booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, subject to a maximum of Rs 10,000, should be paid. If the alternative flight is delayed beyond 24 hours, a compensation of up to Rs 20,000 has to be paid.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A court in New York witnessed an unusual 'courtroom drama' when a judge officiated the wedding of a man she had just sentenced to ten years in jail. New York Judge Melina McGuinnigle sentenced Anthony Santiago to 10 years in prison on Friday for breaking into a New York home in 2022. The same judge then performed the wedding of Santiago and his girlfriend Victoria.

Getting married in court

The couple was declared husband and wife by the judge inside the court just moments before the 33-year-old was sent to jail, where he will spend the next ten years of his life.

Also read: How This Man Diverted River In US National Park By Hand

SCREENGRAB

Accused of theft

Santiago, a native of Ohio, was charged with burglary in the first degree for the June 2022 break-in of a North Syracuse residence. According to investigators, Santiago drove a vehicle to a home in North Syracuse to sell a car. While at the home, he noticed a substantial amount of marijuana inside.



Pexels

Serial offender

Santiago then discussed his findings with two friends, 18-year-old Malik Shabazz and 31-year-old Andres Arzola-Torrewho, who also lived in Cleveland. They decided to return about a month later to rob the home. On June 27, 2022, the three suspects conducted the robbery. They reportedly pistol-whipped an adult man and woman inside the home, where four children were also residing. The suspects were accused of threatening the children but did not harm them.



Also read: Wrongfully Convicted UK Man Comes Out After 17 Years Behind Bars

Investigators also revealed that Santiago was a serial offender and had three previous convictions when he was arrested in 2022.

In December 2022, a similar wedding took place in a Virginia prison, where a British woman married an American man who was serving a 20-year prison term.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Lok Sabha Election 2024: Conducting Indias election is an immense undertaking. The Election Commission (EC) faces the challenge of facilitating voting opportunities for citizens across the expansive breadth of our nation. Moreover, it must accommodate a substantial electorate  with approximately 96.8 crore individuals eligible to vote in this election.

However, organising an election on such a massive scale comes with significant expenses. Let's delve into the financial implications of conducting a Lok Sabha election and who bears the brunt of this expenditure.

How much does it cost to conduct the poll?

When India held its first election in 1951-52, spanning 68 phases, it cost the country Rs 10.5 crore to organise the Lok Sabha election. Since then, the cost has increased significantly, except for a drop in 1957. For instance, the cost was Rs 3,870 crore in 2014 and around Rs 50,000 crore or $7 billion in 2019 (more than the $6.5 billion spent during the 2016 US presidential election). In 1951, the Election Commission of India spent 6 paise per voter, which increased to Rs 46 per voter in 2014.

How Much Money Was Spent On India's Historic First-Ever Election Held In 68 Phases? | PIB

How India Held Its First Lok Sabha Election in 68 Phases

Just a few years after gaining independence, India held its first election between October 1951 and February 1952. This ambitious endeavor attracted significant attention both within the country and internationally.

The Election Commission office was established on 25 January 1950, and Sukumar Sen, an Indian Civil Services (ICS) officer, was appointed as its chief in March of the same year. Shortly after his appointment, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced that the country would go to the polls in the spring.

According to official data, 17.32 crore voters were enrolled across the country, excluding Jammu and Kashmir, with 45 per cent being women.

READ ALSO: How To Vote If You Live In A Different City?

Ballot Boxes and Party Symbols

One major task was creating ballot boxes and assigning party symbols. Since most voters were illiterate, the Election Commission decided to use symbols instead of printed names. For example, under Jawaharlal Nehrus leadership, the Congress party's symbol was a pair of oxen carrying a yoke. The All India Forward Bloc, once led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, used the symbol of a hand, now associated with the Congress.

Initially, the EC considered using different coloured ballot boxes for each candidate. Over a dozen manufacturers were contracted to supply 19 lakh steel ballot boxes. However, this plan proved impractical, and it was decided that each candidate would have a separate ballot box with their election symbol on it.

The EC printed nearly 62 crore ballot papers for the election. Each ballot paper was the size of a one-rupee note, pink in colour, and inscribed with "Election Commission India." Voters placed their ballot papers in the box assigned to their chosen candidate, ensuring a secret ballot.

The First Vote is Cast

After extensive preparation and many delays, voting for the first election began in October 1951 and continued in 68 phases. The first votes were cast in the tehsils of Chini and Pangi in Himachal Pradesh before winter snows cut off their valleys.

Once voting was completed, the counting began, and the results were declared on 2 April 1952. The Congress emerged victorious, winning 364 of the 489 Lok Sabha seats.

Indias first election, which cost Rs 10.5 crore, ended successfully. Chief Election Commissioner Sukumar Sen called it the biggest experiment in democracy in human history.

How Much Money Was Spent On India's First-Ever Election Held In 68 Phases? | Credit: finshots/LinkedIn

READ ALSO: What Is The Cost Of One Drop Of Voting Ink And Who Makes It?

FAQs:

Who was the first elected govt of India?

General elections to the first Lok Sabha since independence were held in India between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952. The Indian National Congress (INC) stormed into power, winning 364 of the 489 seats. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the country.

When was the first Lok Sabha held in India?

The First Lok Sabha was formed on 17th April 1952 following India's initial general election. It completed its entire term of five years and was dissolved on 4th April 1957. The First Session of this Lok Sabha began on 13th May 1952. There were a total of 489 Lok Sabha seats, and the number of eligible voters was 17.3 crores.

When was the first time Modi became CM?

In 2001, Modi was appointed Chief Minister of Gujarat and elected to the legislative assembly soon after.

Who is the first lady CM in India?

Sucheta Kripalani was the first Woman Chief Minister of India. She was elected the fourth chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from the Kanpur constituency and served a term of four years from 1963-1967.

READ ALSO: Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 For Delhi And Gurugram

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NR Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, emphasized the importance of creating favorable conditions for employees. He stated that while money is important, what employees really value is respect and recognition for their abilities.

In conversation with Truong Gia Binh, Founder and Executive Chairman of FPT Group, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Murthy noted that many global business leaders allocate as much as 75% of their shares to junior employees

Also Read: Before Narayana Murthys 70-Hour Advice, It Was Elon Musk Who Rallied For 100-hour Work Week

Roles Need To Be Defined At The Workplace, Says Murthy

agencies

Murthy emphasized not only leaders granting benefits to their team members but also the responsibility of employees to safeguard the company's resources. He also stressed the significance of defining roles in the workplace, stating that although colleagues may be friends outside of work, they must strictly adhere to their assigned duties while in the office.



The founder of Infosys recalled that since 1981, the company's primary aim has been to garner respect rather than solely focusing on profitability. He highlighted that earning respect from customers not only leads to profitability but also attracts top talent to the company.

Also Read: Indias Youngest Millionaire Narayana Murthys 5-Month-Old Grandson To Earn Rs 4.2 Crore From Infosys Dividend

Ensure Financial Health - Murthy's Approach To Controlling Costs

Infosys reported a 7.3% year-on-year (YoY) fall in net profit/Image: Shutterstock

He discussed financial concerns, mentioning that numerous corporations achieve profitability but encounter rising expenses that may result in losses. Finance is crucial; we must ensure that costs are reasonable and justified by business activities: expenses must be less than our earnings, he said.
MBABANE - A male nurse based at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFM) has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter, who is aged 11 years.

The nurse (43) is alleged to have sexually violated his daughter on diverse occasions. According to the charge sheet, the offence is accompanied by agrvaiating circumstances in that the complainant had trust in him as he is her biological father and that during the commission of the offence, he did not use protection. The accused made his maiden court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody, pending his committal to the High Court. Yesterday, he moved an urgent bail application at the High Court, where he denied having committed the offence, which he has been charged with.

Charged

In his bail application, the nurse told the court that he was arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) on May 15, 2024 and was subsequently charged for allegedly contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018. In the charge sheet, the prosecution stated that in the event the nurse was convicted, it would apply to have his particulars included in the National Registry for Sex Offenders. The nurse told the court that he would plead not guilty during the trial. I intend pleading not guilty to the offence alleged to have been committed by me, as I did not have sexual intercourse with the complainant, neither did I make any sexual advances, he argued. He further brought it to the courts attention that he was confident that he had huge prospects of success during his trial.

According to the accused, the prosecution had nothing linking him with the commission of the offence. He averred that there were sufficient grounds warranting the High Court to release him on bail upon such terms and conditions as it deemed fit. In motivating his plea to be released on bail, the nurse submitted that he had no citizenship or residence permit in any other country and he was firmly rooted in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Evade

He also undertook that in the event he was admitted to bail, there was no likelihood that he might attempt to evade trial or violate any of his bail conditions. The accused further stated that even though he was not in possession of the summary of evidence wherein the list of witnesses was attached, he would not interfere or influence the Crowns witnesses and there was no likelihood of him interacting with them in any way whatsover. He argued that in the event he was admitted to bail, he would not conceal or destroy evidence or even attempt doing same.

The accused also told the court that there was nothing to suggest that he might undermine or jeopardise the objectives and proper functioning of the bail system, in the event he was released on bail. He told the court that he had been advised and verily believed that his trial would be held at the High Court and was not likely to be concluded within a few months; therefore, his continued incarceration would greatly prejudice him.

Struggles

I submit that I am employed as a nurse at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFM), in Manzini. I have five minor children, whom I maintain and one of them is the complainant.

I submit that I am an asthmatic person who regularly struggles to breathe, submitted the accused. He argued that the matter was urgent for the reason that he was being denied freedom of movement, which was a right guaranteed in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The balance of convenience favours my admission to bail, as the Crowns interest is that I do not evade the criminal trial. The Crown stands to suffer no prejudice in the event I am released on bail, as this is merely an application for bail pending trial and my guilt ofr otherwise is yet to be determined, he argued. The bail application is being opposed by the Crown, which is yet to file its comprehensive papers outlining why it believed it would not be in the interest of justice to release the accused on bail. The accused is represented by Nduduzo Mabuza of Lucas B Dlamini Attorneys.
"When there is a neighbouring country that questions the status of sovereignty, not only the sovereign rights but also the international treaties concerning the designation of a minority, this is obviously termed an existential threat.

The legal and geographical boundaries of our country are threatened," Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said on Wednesday,

addressing parliament during the debate on a bill for the establishment of the Hellenic Innovation Center. He stressed that Greece "must be prepared for this, even while we welcome in the most absolute way, the lowered tones and the better climate that exists with neighbouring Turkiye over the last period".

Dendias unveiled the government's reform programme in the field of defence (Agenda 2030) which, apart from armaments, also includes the issue of compulsory military service, for which a draft law will be tabled in early autumn, he said.

Regarding arms programmes, he said that in the next few days he will raise the issue of the Constellation-class frigates - the next-generation solution for the Hellenic Navy - at the parliamentary committee for armament programmes. In the same session, Dendias said, he will additionally table the F-35 fighter aircraft programme, which is part of the reorganisation of the Hellenic Airforce based on the three types of later-generation (4.5 and 5th) fighters that include 200 modern F-16 Viper aircraft, Rafale fighters and F-35s.

"This is the planning of the 2030 agenda," said Dendias, adding that - as a discussion is underway at the Hellenic National Defence General Staff - "I will also tell you about it in the armaments committee but we are not yet ready to bring it, and the issue of the new generation submarines of the Hellenic Navy".

Summarising, Dendias that the issues included the Constellation-class frigates, the F35s and the matter of the submarines, leaving "the question of the 'middle ground' solution" to be answered. "I have repeatedly said that we are open and we are examining the issue of a fourth frigate, we are examining the issue of corvettes, and we are also examining the issue of LCS ships, if America gives us these frigates for free - I repeat for free - which the Navy considers could serve the needs of the medium-term".

   iefimerida.gr
A Greek court has dismissed charges against nine Egyptian nationals implicated in the 2023 migrant shipwreck tragedy in the Mediterranean, citing lack of jurisdiction.

The group, known as the Pylos 9, aged between 21 and 37, faced serious accusations, including negligent homicide and human trafficking, after surviving the shipwreck that claimed hundreds of lives.

The court in Kalamata,

southern Greece dismissed the case saying it had no authority to try it because it took place in international waters.

The case has been fraught with controversy, with allegations of a cover-up and questions about the Greek coast guard's role and the pursuit of justice.

Despite the courts decision, the incident remains one of the Mediterraneans deadliest maritime disasters, with conflicting reports on the death toll.

While some international investigations suggest over 600 fatalities, Greek authorities have confirmed 82 based on recovered bodies.

Human rights organizations continue to scrutinize the Hellenic Coast Guards actions, following the vessel for seven hours without intervening.

The Pylos 9 have maintained their innocence, asserting they were victims themselves, having paid for passage on the ill-fated Adriana.

The cases dismissal underscores the complexities of jurisdictional issues in international waters and the ongoing challenges in addressing the humanitarian crisis of irregular migration.

   iefimerida.gr
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has officially expressed its interest in participating in the Great Sea Interconnector, a significant energy project linking the electrical grids of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.

The DFC conveyed

its intentions through a Letter Of Intent addressed to Greeces Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), officials has said.

Following an economic and technical evaluation, the DFCs involvement could take the form of either a share capital contribution, financing, or a combination of both. The prospect was discussed in a recent teleconference involving IPTO, DFC, and the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, where terms of participation were discussed.

A critical condition for the DFCs final investment decision is the timely completion of the regulatory framework by the regulatory authorities of Greece and Cyprus.

Manos Manousakis, Chairman and CEO of IPTO, welcomed the DFCs formal interest, stating that it marked a vote of confidence in our efforts to implement the project, which will bring multiple benefits to Cypriot and Greek consumers.

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Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, tops the list with a tuition fee of N12m, including accommodation fees.

Nile University, Abujas most expensive programme, Medicine and Surgery, costs N5.95m, according to the schools website. Fees only cover tuition; accommodation is not included. Tuition for returning students is the same as stipulated in their admission letters.

Lead City University, also known as LCU, is a private university in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Their MBBS Medicine and Surgery programme, according to the schools website, costs N5.5m per session. Other expensive programmes are their Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy programmes which cost N2.5m each per session.

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Afe Babalola University, founded by legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), is another expensive university in the country. First-year students of Medicine are to pay N4,567,500 while final-year students will pay a total of N5,586,000. This excludes accommodation which costs N850,000 for the Super Deluxe one-person room, and other fees [Students Association fees, medical screening, ABUAD souvenir (fresh students)] which cost around N70,000.

Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, charges between N3.9m to N4.4m for its most expensive programme, B.Eng Mechatronics. The fee covers reading materials, and academic facilities, among others. This does not include the non-refundable acceptance fee of N250,000 to be paid on admission.

Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, is Nigerias first private university, known for its commitment to quality education and academic excellence. According to the schools website, final-year medical students can pay as much as N4m as tuition. This excludes other sundry levies.

Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, a private Baptist Christian Nigerian university located at Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria, is also another university with expensive fees. It is affiliated with the Nigerian Baptist Convention. According to its website, the most expensive programme, the Medicine and Surgery (pre-clinical) programme, costs around N3.8m. Other Fees of N84,000 per session are made up of BBSF  N4,000, Entrepreneurship and Soft Skills  N20,000, Internet Access and Portal Management  N40,000, and Health Care  N20,000.

READ MORE: FEC Takes Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges Of Education Off IPPIS

All new and returning students are required to pay N20,000 and N10,000 respectively to Bowen University Parents Association Forum in the first semester and present a receipt of the same for clearance. Also, 70 per cent payment of school fees is expected to be paid at the commencement of the session while the balance of 30 per cent is expected to be paid at the commencement of the second semester.

American University of Nigeria, Adamawa State, founded by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in Yola, the capital of his home state of Adamawa, North-East Nigeria, charges N3.511m as its highest fee for its undergraduate engineering students. This excludes accommodation which costs N432,000 for its triple-room apartment, and feeding which costs N813,960 for 21 meals.

Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, is a private, Christian university. Previously named Christian Faith University, it was renamed in honour of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, Nigeria, and is said to reflect his evangelical beliefs. Its Medicine and Surgery programme costs between N3.3m and N3.5m per session, according to its website. This is closely followed by its Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law programmes which cost N1.8m, N1.5m, and N1.2m respectively per session.

Babcock University, a private Christian co-educational Nigerian university owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria, is located at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, equidistant between Ibadan in Oyo State and Lagos. The most expensive programme, which is the LL.B in Law programme, costs N1,539,990, according to the schools website. This excludes feeding which costs N523,600 (two-meal option) or 785,400 (three-meal option).

Redeemers University is a private university in Ede, Osun State, and prides itself as one of the most cost-effective, top private universities in Nigeria. Their fee structure, according to their website, is flexible and can be paid in three installments. The most expensive programme, which is their undergraduate Law programme, costs N1.447m followed by their Bachelor in Nursing programme which costs N1.1m per session.

Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, is a private university that is also one of the most expensive in the country. The highest fee, paid by law undergraduates, costs N1.4m, according to the fee tracker available on its website. This excludes matriculation fees, ICT and global certification, and parents forum which cost N65,000 in total.

Ajayi Crowther University, founded in 2005, is a private faith-based university located in Oyo State, Nigeria. Its Law programme costs N1.7m while its Nursing programme costs N1.4m.

Joseph Ayo Babalola University is a private Nigerian university located in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria, established in 2004 by the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide. The most expensive programmes are the BSc Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, and Law programmes which cost between N1.3m and N1.5m each per session.

Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, affiliated with the Living Faith Church Worldwide, is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities, and National Universities Commission, and is one of the most expensive universities in the country. Most of the universitys programmes range between N1.1m to N3m, according to the universitys website. This includes feeding but excludes accommodation.

Notable mentions include Achievers University, Novena University, Adeleke University, Rhema University, Lagos State University, Obong University, and Oduduwa University.
An High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, sentenced a 45 years old man, identified as Oluwagbemi Alabi, to 15 years imprisonment.

It was gathered that Oluwagbemi, a teacher, was accused for allegedly raping an eight years old girl.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the convict, who committed the offence in 1999, was arraigned on 25th August 2023 on one count charge of rape.

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The charge read: Alabi Oluwafemi sometime in the year 1999 at Ikere Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did rape an eight-year-old girl, at the time of committing the offence.

The offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 1978.

During her testimony in court, the victim disclosed that Oluwagbemi was her teacher and her neighbor.

She said: He touched my breast each time he came to teach me at home, I did not understand anything about what he was doing until he raped me in our sitting room when my mother travelled to Lagos and left me and my sister at home.

READ MORE: Police Kill One, Arrest Suspected Kidnappers Of Ekiti Pupils

He removed my cloth and used it to clean the blood and sperm and threw it away. I later ran to our neighbours weeping, they thought I was missing my mother, but I did not tell them what happened.

I was afraid anytime I saw him in the class. He came across me on Facebook sometime in the year 2012, he sent me a friend request and I declined.

In the year 2023 again, he started disturbing me, I reported the matter to the law enforcement agents, and I was advised to ignore him.

Thereafter, he started sending disturbing and annoying videos and messages to me, referring to the past ugly incident. When I could no more bear it, I decided to take legal action against him.

In the judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye said: The sexual intercourse with the victim could not have been consensual in that, she, as an eight-year-old girl, was a minor and lacked the capacity to consent to sexual intercourse.

The confessional statement of the defendant also showed without equivocation that the defendant indeed committed the offence.

This issue is resolved in favour of the prosecution and the defendant is found guilty as charged.

One of the aims of sentencing is to serve as a deterrent. The defendant is hereby sentenced to 15 years imprisonment without option of fine.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, celebrated his daughters graduation from Yale University.

The governor resorted to his X account to announce that his daughter Tobi had received a degree from the foreign university.

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He praised her hard work and diligence, which paid off in the end.

The governor continued by wishing her well in her future pursuits.

He uploaded images of him with his daughter and other family members who attended the graduation.

READ MORE: I Was Born In Gabon, Not Nigeria  Zack Orji Reveals (Video)

The governor wrote,

Congratulations, my darling Tobi on your graduation from Yale University yesterday. Your hard work and diligence paid off. Wishing you all the best as you embark on a new chapter of your life and Im also glad that I have one less school fees to pay. 

SEE POST:
Yul Edochie, a Nollywood actor, has finally explained why he didnt mourn his late colleague, Junior Pope.

The actor died in April after drowning in the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie set with four others.

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Many were surprised that Yul Edochie didnt publicly pay tribute to him or attend his funeral, which was held last week in his hometown in Enugu State.

Speaking out on his Instagram page, Yul explained that he waited until after the burial to comment.

He acknowledged the criticism he received for not attending the funeral or making a statement about Junior Popes death.

Yul revealed that he had treated the late actor like a brother and close friend, supporting him through difficult times until Junior Pope repeatedly betrayed him.

He cautioned others to be mindful of what they wish for others, noting thats the nature of life.

He promised to share the full details soon so that others can learn from his experience.

READ MORE: Nigerias Helen Williams Sets Guinness Record For Widest Handmade Wig

He wrote,

I didnt want to say anything till after his burial. I know many asked why I wasnt there. Why I havent said anything about it since. I took him like a brother and good friend. I was there for him when he needed me.

But he stabbed me in the back, repeatedly.

Thats LIFE.

Ill drop the full details soon so others can learn from it.

Be careful what you wish people, it could come to you.

SEE POST:
The Federal Government has proposed to pay N54,000 as minimum wage, as the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage returned to the negotiation table.

Recall that the Organised Labour pulled out of the negotiations last week.

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The Tripartite Committee, on Tuesday, adjourned its meeting to Wednesday, May 22, after failing to reach a consensus on a new minimum wage.

At todays reconvened meeting at the Nicon luxury hotel in Abuja, the Federal Government made a fresh proposal to pay N54,000 as against the initial N48,000 it proposed during the last sitting.

Well, during the meeting, the government increased its offer from N48,000 to N54,000. However, labour rejected that offer, and the meeting has been adjourned to Wednesday, an anonymous source disclosed, according to The Nation.

READ ALSO: AGF, NJC, RMAFC, Others Okay Proposed 300% Pay Rise For Judges

Another source revealed that State Governors were absent, and their representatives lacked the mandate to negotiate on their behalf.

Asked if the government side was showing any sign of seriousness, the source said, no seriousness at all. Even state governors did not show up. Those who represented them like Bauchi and Niger states did not have the mandates to speak on their behalf.

As regards the private sector, we did not get to them before the meeting was adjourned but we hope they also increase their initial offer.

The Tripartite Committee, inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 30, 2024, aims to recommend a new national minimum wage to replace the current N30,000, which expired on April 18.
The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a preliminary objection against the charge filed against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony.

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In the preliminary objection, the IPOB leader is praying the court to decline jurisdiction to hear the charge, which he said is defective.

Kanu argued that the law upon which counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8 of the charges are predicated is unconstitutional and has been repealed.

According to him, some of the counts are not supported by proof of evidence and are otherwise an abuse of process.

Kanu noted that the prosecution failed to state the place of commission of the alleged offences and the specific dates of the broadcasts alleged in counts 1,2,4,5 and 8 of the charge.

The document reads: Regarding counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8, the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 (as amended in 2013) under which the IPOB was proscribed and declared a terrorist group are inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and are thus void to the extent of the inconsistency.

Regarding counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8, there is a subsisting judgment of a High Court to the effect that the executive action leading to the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group and its proscription is unconstitutional.

READ ALSO: Drama As Nnamdi Kanu Calls FGs Lawyer A Terrorist Over Bail Denial

Regarding counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8, there are two international tribunal decisions against the arrest, detention, prosecution and trial of the applicant which are, by virtue of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, binding on the complainant and this honourable court.

Count 3 of the charges against the defendant/applicant is unconstitutional as it seeks to punish the applicant for an act that was not a crime when it occurred and is otherwise an abuse of process.

The Law under which the applicant is being tried in counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8 has been repealed.

Counts 1,2,3,4,5 and 8 are incurably defective as the Applicant is misled by the failure to state the place or where the alleged offences were committed and the specific dates of the alleged broadcasts.

Count 15 is not in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act; it is not within the territorial jurisdiction of this honourable court; and it is not supported by any proof of evidence, and law under which applicant is being tried in these counts has otherwise been repealed.

In 2017, the court granted Kanu bail on the treasonable felony charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

However, the court revoked Kanus bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to present himself as required.
No fewer than seven persons have lost their lives after inhaling fumes from generator inside a music studio.

It was gathered that the horrible incident happened along the Transformer Road in Amarata axis of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Monday night.

According to PUNCH, the victims were said to be working in the recording studio, owned by one of them, identified as Akpos Barakubo.

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INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that most of the deceased are undergraduate students from the Niger Delta University (NDU), who are into the recording business to help themselves in school.

A resident of the area, Damion Asamonye, said that the neighborhood woke up on Tuesday morning to witness the tragic incident, calling on federal government to ensure adequate power supply in the state to avoid similar occurrence.

He said: Both the federal and state governments have failed us. If there was a public power supply, maybe these people wouldnt have lost their lives in this circumstance.

Seven able-bodied young men just died like that because of the failure of government.

READ MORE: Residents Feared Dead In Bayelsa Communal Clash

The most annoying thing is that tomorrow, the PHED officials will come with a ladder to disconnect the light that they are not supplying.

How can people be spending their money on fuelling generators despite the current hardship in Nigeria even after paying bills?
MBABANE  A police officer has been charged for allegedly stealing meat at Lozitha Royal Palace.

Sergeant Jabulani Ndzinisa, who is stationed at the Police Academy in Matsapha, is alleged to have committed the offence together with a soldier. The offence was reportedly committed on February 18, 2024, at the palace. The police sergeants charge states that in committing the offence, he purportedly acted in common purpose with Sibusiso Shongwe, who is a member of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF). They are alleged to have stolen 70 cases of chicken carcasses and one case of chicken breasts. The meat was valued at E6 722.61. According to the charge, the meat was in the lawful possession of Bala Murali. Eight witnesses have been lined up for Ndzinisas hearing. The charge also states that the police sergeant acted in a disorderly manner, which is prejudicial to discipline and brings discredit to the reputation of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).

Contravening

Ndzinisa of Makhwelela in the Shiselweni Region, has been charged for allegedly contravening Section 49(1)(d)(1) as read with Section 59(1)(d)(11) of the Police Service Act, 2018.

He was expected to appear before the Administrative Board. However, Ndzinisa is opposed to appearing before the Administrative Board. His argument is that this Board is inconsistent with Section 33 of the Constitution. This section states, under the right to administrative justice, that a person appearing before any administrative authority has a right to be heard and treated justly and fairly in accordance with the requirements imposed by law, including the requirements of fundamental justice or fairness and has a right to apply to a court of law in respect of any decision taken against that person with which that person is aggrieved. Ndzinisa has rushed to the High Court, where he is challenging his appearance before the Administrative Board.

The sergeant informed the court that he was summoned to appear before the Administrative Board established by the national commissioner of police to answer to the charge. He said he was due to appear before the Board tomorrow, as he was charged with a disciplinary offence. According to Ndzinisa, he was subsequently summoned to the disciplinary hearing set for tomorrow. He said the matter was postponed and was set to appear again before the Administrative Board on May 23, 2024 at Matsapha Police Academy. On May 15, 2024, I was summoned to appear before the Administrative Board under the chairmanship of the third respondent (chairman of the Board) on Thursday May 23, 2024, which Board is going to sit at the Matsapha Police Academy. The Administrative Board before which I am going to appear on May 23, 2024 was established by the second respondent in terms of Section 52(d) of the Police Service Act, 2018, submitted Ndzinisa. The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court. The respondents are yet to file their answering papers. The applicant is represented by Leo Ndvuna Dlamini of L.N. Dlamini and Associates.

He said it comprised of a number of senior police officers, who are subordinates to the national commissioner of police. Ndzinisa informed the court that the Board is composed of senior officers, with one Senior Superintendent A. Zwane being the Chairperson/President. He said the other members were S. Shongwe and L.Mdluli, who are both assistant superintendents.

The prosecutorial team, according to Ndzinisa, consists of Inspector M. Shabangu and L. Hlatshwayo. The sergeant argued that the Board was established in terms of Section 52 of the Act and was established by the national commissioner of police. Ndzinisa noted that the national commissioner of police was the complainant as the charges which he was called to answer to emanated from his office. He averred that the Board was assembled by the second respondent (police commissioner) and so was the prosecutorial team.

He said he was advised and verily believed that Section 33 of the Constitution frowned upon the establishment and composition of the Board. According to the sergeant, the act of the national police commissioner contravened the rules of natural justice, as clearly shown that the members of the Board were all subordinates and government employees in the REPS under the control of the national commissioner and are under his superintendence. The second respondents act of preferring charges against me, the applicant herein, then appoint a tribunal to preside and adjudicate over the same complaint and finally identify, on his own, prosecutors for my case, contravenes the nemo iudex in causa or no one shall be a judge in his own cause rule of natural justice entrenched in Section 33 and 189(5) of the Constitution under the Bill of Rights.

He submitted that in establishing the Administrative Board, before which he was called upon to appear, the national commissioner of police was acting in terms of Section 52 of the Act.

The second respondents act, even though sanctioned by the provisions of Section 52 of the Act, compromises the independence and impartiality of the Service Commission envisaged by Section 173(1) of the Constitution. Impartiality and independence of the sectoral service commissions are the cornerstones for the proper management of the entire civil service. The Administrative Board established by the second respondent cannot meet this constitutional threshold, Ndzinisa argued. Ndzinisa is represented by Leo Ndvuna Dlamini of L.N. Ndvuna Dlamini and Associates.
Celine Ndudim and Afiba Tandoh, a Ghanaian national, were reported missing after travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Abia State on April 27, 2024.

It was said that the two had gone to see a man they met on Facebook and had not returned since.

Harrison Gwamnishu, an activist, confirmed the occurrence in a post on Wednesday, May 22, saying that police apprehended a suspect named Andrew Amaechi in connection with the women disappearance.

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According to him, the suspect was located with the womens possessions.

READ MORE: I Earned N4,000 For Lead Role In 2014  Lateef Adedimeji Recounts

He wrote,

On 27th April, 2024, Celine Ndudim and Afiba Tandoh, a Ghanaian citizen who traveled from Porth Harcourt Rivers State to Aba, Abia State to visit a friend they met on Facebook are missing,.

A suspect named Andrew Amaechi has been arrested by the police for being in possession of their belongings and till date no one has set eyes on Celine and her friend.

Please help us look within your neighborhood and if you have any information, please contact the nearest police station or send a direct message. Thank you

SEE POST:




Some yet to be identified gunmen, spotted in military uniform have reportedly raided Dawaki community in Abuja, and abducted at least 17 people.

A resident of Dawaki, Hosea Christopher, told DAILY TRUST that the gunmen took away residents from three houses and on the street along Fulani Junction.

He, however, said that five of the abductees escaped while being taken towards a mountain in the outskirt of the area.

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Christopher added that, while the gunmen were heading to a forest around the Usuma Dam, they were confronted by DSS operatives.

He said: They immediately opened fire on the security men but there was corresponding response. Despite the fierce offensive by the DSS operatives, the bandits were able to escape.

READ MORE: Unknown Gunmen Storm Palace, Abduct AIbom Monarch

Another source, identified as Abel James, who is said to be a resident, disclosed that he escaped abduction, adding that the attackers Wore uniforms and had face masks.

He said: But I doubted their genuineness when they started shooting sporadically.

As they moved towards the community, I headed into a house under construction and climbed upstairs from where I kept looking at their operation, with gunshots as they were leaving towards the hill.

We later learnt that two of the gunmen were captured by the security men that included DSS and soldiers who joined them later around the Usuma Dam, where the fire exchange took place.

Confirming the incident to newsmen on Monday, the FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Benneth Igweh, said that he led the rescue operation on Sunday around Ushafa- Shishipe through the Mpape hills.

He added that the operation followed a distress call after an attack on some residents of Dawaki by gunmen.

Kenneth said: We advanced towards the assailants, tactically ambushing them at Ushafa Hill via Bwari down to Shishipe, resulting in a fierce gun battle with the hoodlums, which forced them to flee with bullet wounds and we rescued some of the abducted victims.


The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Tuesday, disclosed it will embark on a nationwide industrial action soon to press home their demands.

The association stated that the imminent strike is necessitated by the Federal Governments refusal to harken to its clamours and meet its demands despite incessant appeals.

Coordinator of the Lagos zone of the union, Adelaja Odukoya, who disclosed the development while addressing newsmen during a conference at the University of Lagos, said the unions patience is wearing thin over governments indifference to the plight of its members and that of the public universities.

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Odukoya stated that the only way to avert the proposed industrial action is for the federal government to do the needful fast.

He spoke against the backdrop of the unions National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held at the Obafemi Awoowo University, Ile-Ife, on May 11 and 12, 2024.

READ ALSO: Youve Not Met Any Demand  ASUU Kicks As Tinubu Appoints Tertiary Institutions Governing Board Members

He said the union could no longer tolerate the Federal Government insensitivity to the plights of its members and that of the public universities and the country as a whole.

Our union assessed the outcomes of its engagements with the state and federal governments over the last few months on matters pertaining to the status of developments around the renegotiated 2009 Agreement, payment of owed salaries and earned academic allowances (EAA), unremitted deductions made by the disruptive and discredited IPPIS, proliferation of universities, and a number of other matters.

NEC also had a critical review of government policies and actions that had led to the present deteriorated living and working conditions across the country and in our universities, particularly, he said.

According to him, most of the issues mentioned had been lingering and unaddressed by the government for many years.

Our union, as one of the voices of the oppressed people of this country would continue to fight for good governance, he added.
There appears to be many questions and few answers about MariaDB plcs long-term strategy following an announcement that its shareholders have accepted an offer by California-based investment firm K1 Investment Management.

News that the company that provides database and SaaS services around the open-source database MariaDB had been acquired came on Monday, when it was announced that a trio of companiesK1; Meridian Bidco LLC, a K1 affiliate; and K5 Capital Advisorsnow have irrevocable shareholder support in respect of 68.51% of MariaDB shares.

The company has had a litany of financial issues over the past 12 months, but when it released financial results for the quarter ended March 31 last week there was one bright spot: Its net loss had shrunk to $3.5 million, compared to a net Loss of $11.9 million a year earlier.
C# 13, a planned update to Microsofts popular general purpose language for .NET development, is set to enhance params parameters to give developers more flexibility, and to introduce extension types, a new kind of type that provides extension members for an underlying type.

Microsoft detailed the plans for C# 13 on May 21.
Progressive web apps are an innovation of modern web development, pairing the ubiquity of web browsers with the richness of native applications. Specialized features such as service workers increase the complexity of development as compared to a typical web UI, but they provide an enormous benefit in exchange: cross-device, native-like features delivered inside a web browser.

Features of progressive web apps

If you consider the difference between a typical web browser application and an app installed on a laptop or mobile phone, you get a sense of the gap that progressive web apps bridge. A defining feature of installed apps is that they run on the device when there is no network connection. Progressive web apps support similar offline functionality within the browser.

Unlike browser-based web applications, progressive web apps are highly dependent on application type: the applications features play a big role in determining how the PWA is implemented.
Ashton Lattimore, author of All We Were Promised," in front of the historical marker at Sixth and Race Streets where Pennsylvania Hall once stood. Read more

When Prisms outgoing editor in chief Ashton Lattimore learned of the violent anti-Black mob who burned down Pennsylvania Hall in 1838  after it had been open for just three days  she was intrigued.

It was crazy, Lattimore said as we walked down Sixth Street. We stopped in front of WHYY near the historical marker that denoted where the short-lived abolitionist convention center and monument to free speech once stood.

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Lattimore planned to place the protagonists  a free Black woman, a woman who escaped slavery, and an enslaved woman  in her debut novel, All We Were Promised (Ballantine Books, April 2024), in 1850s Philadelphia, closer to the beginning of the Civil War. But the story of Pennsylvania Hall was too interesting for her to ignore, especially given Philadelphias reputation as a safe haven for the formerly enslaved.

Philadelphia was this in-between place that straddled the politics between North and South, Lattimore said. This grand opening and grand closing was too much of a story not to include. It really tells you something of the time period and what was really going on in Philadelphia.

Lattimores well-researched and lyrical prose is a page-turning story of what life must have been like for Black women who lived in and around Old City and Society Hill from 1837 through 1838. Nell, the upper-middle-class daughter of a publisher, was born a free woman and spends her time in literary circles, lunching and conspiring with the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Charlotte ran away from a plantation in Maryland with her white-passing father and settled at Fourth and Pine, where she worked as her fathers maid to keep the familys ruse. Evie, an old friend of Charlottes, arrives in Philadelphia with her enslaver.

The womens lives converge at outdoor markets amid aromas of spice cake and pepper pot soup where they plan Evies escape. They are inspired by the speeches and actions of real free Black abolitionists: Robert Purvis, Hetty Reckless, and Sarah Mapps Douglass echoing in the background.

There isnt one way to be a Black woman in the 19th century, said the 37-year-old Bryn Mawr mother of two. We see young, enslaved girls all of the time [in books and pop culture]; I wanted to undo the flattening of Black women in the 19th century and antebellum America that has happened across the historical record and fiction.

 READ MORE: How did a white woman come to write the newest definitive text on Philadelphias Black history?

All We Were Promised answers the call of readers who are tired of being spoon-fed slave narratives that paint Black people as illiterate victims without agency. Lattimore is among the growing number of novelists  including Sadeqa Johnson (Yellow Wife) and Phillip B. Williams (Ours)  who cast the enslaved as heroes in their emancipation stories. These authors prose is emotional, factual, and points to the ways enslavers benefitted from centuries of free labor and also highlights that while abolitionists werent proslavery, they werent necessarily pro-Black.

A Harvard-educated attorney and Columbia Journalism School graduate, Lattimore was inspired by the Les Miserables show tune Who Am I? about a fugitive convict agonizing over his decision to assume a new identity in a new city to hide his past.

What if she centered a novel on a white-passing fugitive slave who escaped to Philadelphia and his brown-skinned daughter? She wrote the first draft of Promised in November 2018 during National Novel Writing Month, while she was working at the University of Pennsylvanias law school. But after the first draft, she decided James  a skilled woodworker trying to build a white clientele  was taking her places she didnt want to go. While Nell  who was just Charlottes out-and-about-friend  was starting to speak to me. Logically, it followed that I give Evie a voice, too.

Lattimore wrote the bulk of Promised during the pandemic while guiding stories about social justice at Prism  especially Republicans attempt to roll back voting rights and reproductive rights. The sense of righteousness started bleeding into her own work. At the heart of my book is the power of protest and the power of organization, Lattimore said.

She walked through the streets of Old City and Society Hill as part of her research. Lattimore sat in Washington Square and counted the blocks between Charlottes home, situated between Fourth and Pine, and Nells, in the then-ritzy part of town, at Ninth and Lombard. She learned the difference between Locust Ward  what is now Society Hill  and Cedar Ward, which a few decades later would be the Black enclave known as the Seventh Ward. Lattimore relied heavily on the work of Black scholars including W.E.B. Du Bois The Philadelphia Negro and Erica Armstrong Dunbars Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge.

She visited the Presidents House and immersed herself in the 1780 Gradual Abolition Act, which abolished slavery and said that Black people who lived in Pennsylvania could no longer be enslaved after six months. Enslavers whose business kept them in Pennsylvania longer than six months sent their slaves away, and when they returned, the clock started ticking again. This was the predicament Evie faced.

At its core, All We Were Promised is a historical novel examining the 19th century through dual lenses: Philadelphia was home to abolitionists as well as the site of violent race riots. Black people were poor and enslaved, but many were also upper middle class and free. And while many free African Americans were willing to shelter and protect fugitives, there were others who were just concerned with their own upward mobility.

Mixed motives dont diminish the impact of the work, said Lattimore, who will write full-time after she steps down from Prism and is already at work on her second novel about a Black family in Marthas Vineyard in the 1920s. It just makes for a fuller story.
Camden High School in Camden, NJ where dozens of students will attend summer enrichment classes or make up credits missed during the school year. Read more

Camden School Superintendent Katrina McCombs is hopeful that hundreds of public school students will take advantage of the opportunity to make up what they missed and get back on track for the next school year.

McCombs outlined plans Monday night for free summer school for all public school students in the city. She appealed to parents to sign up their children, from rising kindergartners to high schoolers, for classes and enrichment programs.

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Camden has offered summer school for years to its traditional public school students, as well as those who attend charter and Renaissance schools in the city. Camden is the only district in the state with three types of schools.

 READ MORE: Camdens free summer school is giving students reasons to feel proud

A credit recovery program offers high school students a chance to make up work in four core classes. Younger students attend enrichment and bridge programs.

Typically, about 1,000 students enroll in summer school. District officials say some students are still struggling to recover from learning losses stemming from the pandemic. Camden schools were among the last in the region to reopen for in-person learning after the shutdown.

 READ MORE: Camden administrators and students make a plea to sign up for summer school

We all share the belief that every child serves a second chance, McCombs told the gathering at the monthly School Advisory Board meeting Monday. We know sometimes our students may slide back.

Students fall behind academically for various reasons, including difficult home situations and personal challenges, experts say. Some miss first-period classes because they must first ready younger siblings for school.

They are often highly motivated in summer school, as they face the possibility of being held back if they dont recoup the credits. The summer school environment is more relaxed, and classes are shorter, about an hour. The program also has strict rules: no more than three absences.

McCombs is hopeful that summer school would boost Camdens graduation rates, among the lowest in the state. After a decline during the pandemic, the four-year rate for the 2022-23 school year was 64.7%, according to the latest state School Performance Report. The state average is 91%.

The programs begin July 8 and runs through Aug. 2.

Here are some other takeaways from the school advisory board meeting:

The district is launching a newcomer program.

The district is launching its first-ever Multilingual Newcomer Program for high schoolers, McCombs said. It will run simultaneously with summer school, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., she said.

McCombs said the program will target English as a Second Language learners who have newly arrived in the United States to assist with learning and speaking English and transitioning to a new school. Spanish is the primary language spoken at home for about 30% of Camdens students.

No decisions were made about board president Wasim Muhammad.

The board meeting was the first since a jury returned a $1.6 million civil verdict against the district and board president Wasim Muhammad in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by a former student.

The jury rejected claims that Muhammad sexually assaulted the plaintiff starting when he was her seventh-grade social studies teacher 30 years ago. But the jury did hold Muhammad and the district liable for counts including willful misconduct and negligence.

At the meeting, community activist Vida Neil asked the board to remove Muhammad.

 READ MORE: Wasim Muhammad sex abuse case verdict explained

Hes still embarrassing us in the news media being called the president of the advisory board in the city of Camden, she said. When are you going to cut this man loose and vote him off?

A board member can be removed after three unexcused absences. Muhammad has missed eight meetings.

Board Vice President NNamdee Nelson cited the ongoing litigation in the case. The jury will return on June 17 to decide whether punitive damages should be awarded. Defense lawyers have said appeals are likely.

Eastside High has set its final graduation before its demolished.

The century-old Eastside High School will graduate its final class on its current field on June 25. The school, built in 1929, will be demolished in spring 2025 and rebuilt on the same location on Federal Street in Camden.

While the $103 million construction project funded by the School Development Authority is underway, about 600 Eastside students will be housed at nearby Cramer Elementary, which was shuttered several years ago. Construction is expected to take about five years.

 READ MORE: Camden announces plans to replace century-old Eastside High, the only standalone traditional public high school left in the district

Former longtime board member Jose Delgado and several other speakers expressed concern to the board that the temporary Cramer location was inadequate. A health and physical education teacher said the gym was too small and could not accommodate all students. A mental health counselor said privacy partitions were lacking.

The district has said plans are underway to prepare the site to meet the needs of Eastside students.
Protesters at Drexel Universitys quad with about 50 tents at the encampment Monday. Read more

Drexel University president John Fry called on the schools pro-Palestinian encampment to disband immediately in a letter emailed to students and staff Monday evening, adding that the university on Tuesday will begin a phased return to normal operations.

This encampment cannot be allowed to remain in place, Fry wrote. It is paramount that the encampment is removed so that every member of our community is free to move safely across the campus without threat of intimidation or harassment.

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In the letter, Fry wrote that Drexel safeguards free speech and recognizes the right to peaceful protest. At the same time, Fry wrote, the University has the right both to impose restrictions on any demonstration that disrupts normal operations or creates a threatening, unsafe environment for other members of our community, and to take action against illegal trespassing.

Since the encampment emerged on Drexels Korman Family Quad Saturday night, Fry said it has added strain on our Drexel Public Safety officers, who have been patrolling the quad. Calling the demonstration extensively disruptive to normal operations, Fry wrote that the encampment has also forced the cancellation of campus events, and compelled Drexel to move to remote learning on Monday.

Lectures for students will remain virtual through Tuesday, Fry said. Virtual operations will also continue for all nonessential employees, such as researchers.

 READ MORE: Protesters descend on Drexel Universitys quad to erect a new encampment

Around a dozen tents sprung up at the West Philadelphia university Saturday night following a march commemorating the 74th anniversary of the expulsion of Palestinians during the 1948 Nakba. By Monday, police at the encampment estimated that number had grown to around 50 tents, with an estimated 100 protesters on the quad.

A mix of students and community members are calling on the university to declare Israels siege in Gaza a genocide and provide amnesty for student activists. The encampment is the latest in a wave of protests on college campuses across the United States that are calling on universities to divest their endowments from entities benefiting from the war.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

 READ MORE: What is divestment? And why do students want it?

In his letter Monday, Fry wrote that the encampment has created a hostile, confrontational environment and alleged that members are engaging in antisemitic speech. He also said that the encampments demands have unacceptably targeted individual staff and faculty members, as well as campus Jewish organizations.

A Drexel University spokesperson could not be immediately reached Monday night to elaborate on specifics.

Drexel Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine condemned Frys email in a statement Monday, saying the group supports the students right to protest on campus in the strongest of terms.

The student protesters are not disrupting campus operations, nor are they disrupting any classroom activities, the group wrote. What is highly disruptive to university operations is the closing of campus buildings and facilities, causing many faculty and staff members to rush to create remote teaching plans, and cutting off access to necessary resources for students.

Fry declaring the encampment as not legally protected was a common tactic used by university administrators to target student protesters, the group said, suggesting it also aimed to scare community members. Drexels claim that outside agitators were involved has historically been used to delegitimize organized movements, particularly those driven by minoritized groups.

Drexel Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine disputed the universitys classification of antisemitism, saying its conflation with criticism of Israels actions was concerning to both students and Jewish members of Drexels community.

The faculty and staff group also disagreed with Frys statement that the school had opened communications with protesters, saying no attempt has been made to contact the encampment.

Drexels pro-Palestinian encampment sprouted a little over a week after one at the neighboring University of Pennsylvania came down. There, student and community activists took over College Green with tents for nearly three weeks before negotiations with Penn administrators over disciplinary actions and publicizing their endowment failed.

Thirty-three protesters  including nine students  were detained when Penns encampment was disbanded. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned the demonstration, while several faculty groups and local elected officials expressed disappointment in universitys punitive approach.

More than 3,000 people have been arrested for participating in pro-Palestinian encampments, according to a tracker from The Appeal.

 READ MORE: Philly Police have cleared Penns Pro-Palestinian encampment and detained 33 protesters

One other encampment still remains in the Philadelphia area. A monthlong protest at Swarthmore College has caused the liberal arts school to move its commencement ceremony  scheduled for Sunday  off-campus to the Mann Center for Performing Arts. There, negotiations broke down between students and administrators after students say the college refused to produce a statement denouncing the scholasticide in Gaza, where no universities remain.

At Drexel, Fry said the university recognizes the right to peaceful protest, even when such protest features the expression of views that many members of our community might consider objectionable.

In authorizing all necessary steps to clear the encampment safely, I have not lost sight of the need to bridge the deep division within our community over the war in Gaza, Fry wrote. I look forward to the day after the encampment has been removed when we all can come together to utilize our teaching, research, and civic work toward making a real contribution toward fostering civil discourse and mutual understanding within our community.

Staff photographer Steven M. Falk contributed to this article.
Hannah Holiday and Tonya Bah construct a Corsi-Rosenthal box, a DIY air purifier, for use in Philadelphia public schools, in this 2021 file photo. Holiday and Bah are part of a group of parents and community members who want better air quality in Philadelphia School District schools. Read more

A group of parents, teachers, elected officials, public health experts and community members believes the Philadelphia School District must act urgently to improve the air that students and staff in city schools breathe.

We are deeply concerned that the majority of Philly public schools do not have sufficient ventilation and air filtration, and many schools still lack air-conditioning, said a letter recently sent to the city school board and signed by 39 individuals and organizations.

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The lack of safe air in many schools leads to higher rates of respiratory virus transmission, asthma attacks, and other serious health problems. Philadelphias childhood asthma rate is double the national average, and poor air quality contributes to high rates of school absence and missed instruction.

The group is asking the district to commit to installing HEPA filtration devices in all Philadelphia School District-occupied spaces; it estimates it would cost the school system about $2 million to purchase such devices across the districts 216 schools.

Phillys large-scale facilities issues

Philadelphias school facility issues are enormous; the average district school is more than 70 years old, and officials have estimated $7 billion in unmet capital needs. Some district schools have no mechanical ventilation at all.

At the height of the pandemic, the district spent $4.5 million on air purifiers that some health experts have said are ineffective at best and harmful at worst  holding the potential to create harmful chemicals. Those air purifiers remain in schools, and the board last year authorized $2.5 million to buy replacement parts.

Bryan Cummings, a Philadelphia air-quality scientist, noted the ionizing air purifiers the district uses were problematic and said HEPA filters remove from the air not just pathogens such as viruses, but also other types of pollution, like car exhaust, pollen, and more.

Filtration-based air cleaners are not just a strategy for better health, but they can play an important and cost-effective role in our district achieving its goals relating to learning outcomes, Cummings said in a statement.

Philadelphia teacher Charlie Hudgins teaches math at Lincoln High in the Northeast. Lincoln was constructed in 2009, so it doesnt have the ventilation issues many other schools have.

But Hudgins, who led his robotics team in building Corsi-Rosenthal boxes, DIY air purifiers that Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America  the group behind this Safe Air for Philly Schools campaign  has placed in some district buildings, said there are schools in which he wouldnt teach because of ventilation and air-quality issues.

I want to know if I go somewhere else in the district, I dont have to weigh changing work locations against the possible hazard to my health, said Hudgins. Those are the kind of calculations one does working in this district. If you knew there was modern HVAC in these buildings, it would make it easier to choose a work site.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has emphasized boosting student and teacher attendance as a central tenet of his strategic plan for improving academics in the district.

If you care about that, then you care about air filtration, said Hudgins.

We need a plan

At Houston Elementary in Mount Airy  a school that has no air-conditioning nor operational ventilation system  students in the science club recently made their own Corsi-Rosenthal boxes to help improve air quality. The kids enjoyed the activity, said Emily Pugliese, parent of two students at Houston.

But it shouldnt be on the labor of our kids, the donations of volunteers to make sure that the air quality in our schools is safe. That should be something the district is taking care of, said Pugliese. We understand that this has been left to the current administration, this is decades of underfunding, but we need a plan for putting in ventilation systems, for putting in air-conditioning in the schools that dont have it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control in 2023 issued recommendations for ventilation and air filtration inside buildings, calling for five or more air changes per hour of clean air to help reduce the number of germs in the air. Some of the districts current ionizing air purifiers provide no air changes; others provide less than one per hour.

There is no time to waste, the group wrote. Tens of thousands of students and workers health is at stake. After years of delays, we are asking the school district not to wait for a comprehensive facilities plan to tell every parent and staff member when they can expect safe air in their school.
Drexel University's expanding network of medical school campuses allows students to train all over the country and is part of a larger trend among American medical schools. Read more

Alexis Price-Moyers heart skipped when Drexel University first announced plans in 2018 to open a medical school campus in West Reading.

The Air Force veteran and Reading native had thought about becoming a doctor since her father died of cancer when she was just 9. Now in her mid-20s and living at home to help her mother pay bills, she never expected her dream could be attained without leaving her hometown.

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When I was little, having an MD was something so beyond the limits of my brain capacity, because it wasnt around, she said. West Reading didnt have a medical school.

Price-Moyer became one of the first 40 students enrolled at Drexels Tower Health Regional Campus in West Reading when it opened in 2021. The satellite site offers a full, four-year medical school curriculum, where students take the same classes as their counterparts at Drexels West Philadelphia campus, then spend two years in clinical rotations at Tower Healths Reading Hospital.

Drexels campus in West Reading is part of a growing trend among medical schools across the country. About 60 medical schools that grant MD degrees  more than a third of such schools  now operate some kind of regional campus.

About 22% of those schools are located in the Northeast U.S., said Jonathan Jaffery, the chief health care officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Philadelphias Temple University also operates a four-year regional medical campus with St. Lukes University Health System in Bethlehem. And the trend is not limited to MD-granting schools: the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, which grants DO degrees, has two campuses in Georgia.

Drexels approach is consistent with a trend of building broader connections that help to expose medical students to a wider range of patients and medical practices, said Wei Du, the senior vice president for academic affairs at Tower Health.

Crossing the street in downtown West Reading between clinical rotations, Price-Moyer sees herself as the role model that she never had growing up.

Now, here we are in the flesh: the med students in their white coats walking down Penn Avenue to the medical school. Its something that school-aged kids can achieve because now they see it, Price-Moyer said.

A new model of medical education

The boom in regional medical school campuses started around 2010, in part because a growing number of medical students nationwide needed places to do clinical rotations. These take place in a medical students third and fourth years in school and allow students to gain firsthand experience in a wide swath of medical specialties before theyre placed in residencies after graduating.

Were creating more doctors, but we dont have all the clinical opportunities for them to train, AAMCs Jaffery said.

Drexel is among the schools looking to regional campuses to fill gaps left when teaching hospitals closed, leaving schools without their traditional training partners. Drexel had been planning to open its West Reading campus long before the 2019 closure of Hahnemann University Hospital, the schools longtime teaching hospital in Center City Philadelphia. But Hahnemanns closure highlighted the importance of a distributed model of medical education, school officials say.

With the closure of Hahnemann, we turned around and looked at the opportunity we have here  of educating the medical student with a core, defined curriculum in the classroom, that then cascades out to different sites, said Cecilia Smith, the associate dean at Drexels Tower Health Regional Campus in West Reading.

Drexel also operates clinical rotation programs at five other sites, including one on the opposite side of the country in Californias San Francisco Bay Area in partnership with Kaiser Permanente-Bay Area.

Some of those sites, including Kaiser and another at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, were hosting students even before Drexel created a four-year campus in West Reading.

The schools campuses generally host two-year clinical rotation programs, not a full four-year program like West Reading. Medical students will spend their first two years at the Philadelphia campus, then can opt to leave the city for their rotations and relocate to another regional medical campus.

This fall, Drexel is set to open another two-year clinical rotation program at Bayhealth Medical Center in Delaware. The Philadelphia school will also start sending students to do their clinical rotations at AtlantiCare facilities in South Jersey.

Offering experiences around the country

Drexels array of clinical rotation sites allows students more choices and variety in their training, school officials and students say.

At Drexels California campus, administrators see the model as an opportunity for a well-rounded education.

Your experiences really help out when youre a medical student deciding which field you want to go in  you want to then have more hands-on experiences, said Seema Sidhu, the regional associate dean at Drexels Kaiser Permanente campus. Not every medical school has that ability to give them this wide range of specialized experience.

Students benefit from having a home base during their medical rotations, said James Reilly, the regional associate dean at Drexels Allegheny Health campus. Allegheny Health had long hosted Drexel students on specific clinical rotations, and expanded the program in 2020 to allow students to spend their entire third and fourth years of medical school in Pittsburgh.

In the past, many of our students were really coming here for a few specific rotations, staying in Pittsburgh for two or three months and moving on, he said. When folks are moving from hospital to hospital, they have to learn not just a new clinical specialty, but a new place  the rules of how things work in a given hospital or health system.

Here, they only have to learn those things once, he said. And then they get to know us.

Establishing a home base in Reading

Opening regional campuses, especially a four-year campus, also brings challenges, especially when it comes to life outside the classroom, students say. Continuity can be a struggle, and smaller campuses cannot always easily replicate academic center-based resources like research laboratories.

Josette Graves was among the Drexel medical students who were unsure about moving to Reading. Graves had gotten her masters degree at Drexels Philadelphia campus. She was offered a partial scholarship to attend classes in Reading and decided to visit to check it out.

I was already living in Philly, and I thought it would make more sense if I stayed there, Graves said. I was pleased to find there were definitely things to do [in Reading]  and the small class size fit in with my personality. I have not regretted it once.

Price-Moyer said her classmates in the first class to enter the West Reading campus were pleased with their classroom experiences, but they had to work to establish the same extracurricular and research opportunities that their counterparts had at the much-larger West Philadelphia campus.

Students initially didnt have as many leadership opportunities in affinity groups, and couldnt attend panels and discussions held hours away at the Philadelphia campus. Price-Moyer said school officials have worked with students to close those gaps.

But the students have relished the opportunity to work closely with community health organizations in West Reading.

Graves, for instance, interned at a local substance use disorder clinic: It really showed me the ways in which the community can support individuals with substance use disorder  and helped me deconstruct the stigma of addiction, she said.

Price-Moyer volunteered at a local program to introduce elementary school girls to STEM topics.

Having grown up in the area, Price-Moyer often runs into former high school classmates on her clinical rotations at Reading Hospital. I walk through the hospital and see people I graduated with working as nurses or surgical techs, she said.

And youre treating the population  these are my people, I grew up in this area, and I was born at this hospital, she said. Its really a full circle moment.
Anti-abortion activist Mark Houck, photographed here at a March campaign event, filed suit Monday against the federal government, alleging he was wrongfully targeted for prosecution due to his antiabortion views. Read more

A prominent Bucks County Catholic activist and former candidate for Congress is suing the federal government, saying he was unjustly prosecuted as part of a wider Justice Department campaign targeting those with antiabortion views.

The suit from Mark Houck, who lost a Republican primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick earlier this year, comes 15 months after a federal jury acquitted him on charges alleging he had assaulted a Planned Parenthood volunteer in an effort to intimidate workers and patients outside a clinic in Center City.

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In court papers Monday, Houck described that case as a result of a faulty and malicious investigation  one that cost him financially and left his wife and seven children, also named as plaintiffs, emotionally distraught.

FBI investigative officers acted deliberately to fabricate probable cause in order to indict, arrest, and charge Mr. Houck with a crime they knew he did not commit, his attorneys wrote in the filing. Mr. Houck [was] targeted without probable cause and because of his beliefs.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Philadelphia, which prosecuted Houcks case and will defend the government against his suit, declined to comment on the lawsuit Tuesday.

But Houck, 50, could face long odds in court. Federal agents enjoy broad immunity protections, with some notable exceptions, for actions taken as part of their official roles.

Notably, Houcks suit  which seeks damages for malicious prosecution, false arrest, assault, and excessive force  does not name any of the FBI agents who investigated him as defendants but does bring claims against several local law enforcement officers who participated in the September 2022 predawn raid that ended in his arrest.

The circumstances surrounding that arrest  in which dozens of armed law enforcement officers descended upon Houcks home in Kintnersville on Sept. 22, 2022  have drawn the ire of right-wing media and Republican politicians who argue Houck was treated like a violent criminal despite volunteering to surrender to authorities if he was charged with a crime.

The FBI has challenged Houcks account of his arrest as inaccurate and described agents conduct as professional and in line with standard practices.

But in his suit Monday, his lawyers described the incident as a shocking display of the political animus against the pro-life movement harbored at the highest levels of the Department of Justice.

That hostility, they maintain, continued through Houcks trial last year, in which he was accused of twice violating the FACE Act  a federal law that makes it a crime to injure, intimidate, or interfere with anyone providing abortion services.

The charges stemmed from a series of October 2022 encounters between Houck and a 72-year-old Planned Parenthood volunteer, Bruce Love, outside the organizations Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center in Center City.

Prosecutors contended Houck  a frequent presence outside the clinic  twice shoved Love and knocked him to the ground as he attempted to escort two patients into the clinic.

But at trial, Houcks defense team convinced jurors that the dispute between the men wasnt so clear-cut.

In the months leading up to their altercation, Planned Parenthood executives had repeatedly admonished Love for engaging with antiabortion activists, like Houck, who routinely gathered outside the clinic  a violation of the nonprofits code of conduct for its volunteers.

Whats more, several witnesses described Love harassing Houck and his 12-year-old son, who was with him protesting outside the clinic that day, suggesting that they go home and masturbate instead or focus their attention on pedophile priests.

The jury took less than three hours to find Houck not guilty.

Marks goal wasnt to interfere with a man who was providing reproductive health services, defense lawyer Brian J. McMonagle said at the time. He was trying to protect a 12-year-old boy who only wanted to pray with his dad.

Despite his acquittal, Houck contended in his lawsuit Monday that he and his family continue to suffer.

His wife lost three pregnancies to miscarriage in the last year, he said  events he blames on the stress of his brush with the law. His seven children, he maintained, continue to struggle with anxiety and trouble sleeping.

For his own part, Houck says he has lost out on speaking engagements and other business opportunities in the two years since his arrest. And yet, in that time, his public profile has only appeared to have grown.

Aside from his congressional campaign against Fitzpatrick earlier this year, he has testified before Congress, made countless appearances on right-wing cable news shows, attended President Joe Bidens 2022 State of the Union address as a guest of U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.), and raised more than $400,000 from a crowdfunding campaign launched to help him cover his legal expenses.

His legal costs for his criminal trial were covered by the Thomas More Society, a conservative Roman Catholic law firm. Houck said earlier this year that he had invested the money donated by others into a trust for his children.

It was there to help  provided I would go off to prison or the government would continue to attack me, Houck said of the fund in a testy exchange caught on video during a February candidate forum. I dont know what people expect. Do they expect me to donate to a cause?

As for his civil suit, it could be months before Houck learns whether a jury will award him another payout.

A judge has not yet scheduled an initial hearing in the case.
The statue of former Philadelphia Mayor Rizzo that was removed four years ago. Read more

The divisive 10-foot, 2,000-pound bronze likeness of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank L. Rizzo could soon be reunited with the group that donated the statue to the city, according to the groups lawyer.

Its been nearly four years since the Rizzo statue, which stood for decades outside the citys Municipal Services Building, has seen the light of day, after former Mayor Jim Kenney ordered it be taken down at the height of the racial justice protests in the summer of 2020. The monument has been in city storage ever since.

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But that may soon change, said George Bochetto, the attorney for the Frank L. Rizzo Monument Committee, which donated the statue to the city in 1998.

Bochetto said Tuesday that the city has agreed to return the statue and pay for the damage it sustained when it was removed, as first reported by Axios. The city and committee still have to undergo a bureaucratic process and file a joint motion with the Art Commission to transfer possession of the monument, he said, but Rizzos supporters are already looking ahead.

We are putting together a committee of prominent Philadelphians to pick a new location for the display of the Rizzo statue and hopefully that will be done within the next several months, Bochetto said.

A city spokesperson declined to comment Tuesday, saying the matter remains in litigation.

 READ MORE: How Mayor Jim Kenney abruptly ended years of delays to remove the Frank Rizzo statue

The monument committee, led by activist and former Rizzo secretary Jody Della Barba, sued the city after the statues removal. The group maintained that the city violated the terms under which the statue was donated. If city officials ever wanted to remove the statue, they were first supposed to offer its return to the Rizzo Monument Committee, the group said.

The Kenney administration fought the return of the statue to the committee tooth and nail, said Bochetto, adding that the group has found Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration easier to work with. Still, Parker was supportive of the removal when she was a Council member.

Many Philadelphians see the Rizzo statue as a monument to racism and police brutality toward communities of color during his time as police commissioner. Among the incidents cited was his departments swift response in 1967 as thousands of students protested in front of the former Board of Education building to demand African American history classes be added to the curriculum. Dozens were arrested and 22 people were seriously injured.

Calls for the statues removal from such a central location predated its life in storage by several years and various rounds of vandalism. A Ku Klux Klan hood was even placed on the statues head in an act of protest in 2016. The statue was spray-painted during protests in May 2020, with some protesters attempting to set it on fire.

 READ MORE: The Rizzo statue disappeared and Philadelphia is still unpacking its legacy

Bochetto said he is well aware of why people wanted the statue removed, though he said that as someone who knew him personally, he disagrees with some of the characterizations of Rizzo.

Yes, he was tough on crime, said Bochetto. Yes, he was a brute in some respects. But it wasnt racist. It was law and order, it was crime, and I think he got a bad rap, frankly.

And he was the pride of the citys blue-collar Italian Americans, said Bochetto, with a compelling story of a man who worked his way up to police commissioner and later became mayor.

 READ MORE: From 2017: Who was Frank Rizzo? Nearly 30 years after his death, Philadelphians still dont agree.

Just where the monument could go remains an open question. A top choice would be some location in South Philadelphia, though the committee is casting a wide net, Bochetto said.

Were not looking to create bad feelings or stick it to anybody, he said. Were looking to display perhaps one of the more historic figures in Philadelphia history.
Gov. Josh Shapiro meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Center City on Tuesday, May 20, 2024. Trudeau was in Philadelphia to speak at the SEIU convention. Read more

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a message for Philadelphians: Hes sorry for all that wildfire smoke.

During a record heat spell last summer, smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the border and settled in a hazy smog across the city and large parts of the Eastern Seaboard.

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We already started another wildfire season in Canada, so I apologize in advance, Trudeau joked to a room full of Philadelphia business leaders, Harrisburg officials, and Canadian diplomats in Center City on Tuesday, minutes after a formal meeting with Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The prime minister was in Philadelphia to deliver pro-labor remarks at the Service Employees International Unions convention earlier in the day.

 READ MORE: Courting working-class voters, Kamala Harris campaigns for Biden at SEIU convention in Philly

But before leaving town, Trudeau met with Shapiro to tout the strong economic ties between Pennsylvania and Canada, solidifying the ongoing partnership in which the nations northern neighbor is the commonwealths top export destination.

We are doing business with Canada, and Canada knows just how critical Pennsylvania is, Shapiro, with Trudeau at his side, told a crowded suite on the upper floors of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Rittenhouse. Canada is our No. 1 trading partner.

Trudeaus stop in Pennsylvania is one in a handful of meetings between the prime minister and local U.S. leaders in recent years. After managing an often fraught relationship with former President Donald Trump, the G7 leader instead sought to build relationships with like-minded governors and business leaders.

The potential for a second Trump term loomed large during Trudeaus remarks to SEIU members; Trump has promised to impose a sweeping 10% trade tariff on imports should he win the presidency, a prospect the Canadian prime minister has said wont be easy.

Pennsylvania and Canadas ties are particularly strong.

Besides sharing a border at Lake Erie, Canada is by far Pennsylvanias largest export partner, with the state exporting $14.3 billion in goods to the country in 2023  nearly a third of its exports overall.

The partnership is mutual. Canada sends about $14 billion worth of goods to the state annually and provides more than 25,000 jobs to Pennsylvanians through Canadian companies, according to the prime ministers office.

From plastics and construction machinery to steel and agricultural products, Canadian consumers regularly benefit from Pennsylvania goods, a relationship between governments that Trudeau said had so much alignment on shared economic goals and upholding the values of freedom and civil rights.

Were at a time right now where democracy itself is under significant challenges, Trudeau said. We cant be here, in the birthplace of American democracy, without reflecting a little bit on the fact that democracy didnt happen by accident.

To bolster both the U.S. and Canadian economies, Trudeau stressed the shared importance of investing in clean energy, artificial intelligence, and high-tech manufacturing. Transitioning from a fossil fuel economy was not a liberal plot, he said, and would bring about jobs and economic growth.

Upon Trudeaus arrival, the prime minister and Shapiro briefly posed for photos and traded greetings  the former repeating his message in French, his countrys second most-spoken tongue. Both leaders then closed doors for a private discussion.

The meeting between Shapiro and Trudeau, a key U.S. ally, was evidence of the Pennsylvania Democrats rising national profile.

Between the governors broad support among Pennsylvania voters and fixture status within his national party, some continue to consider Shapiro to be in the running for the 2028 presidential election.

But talks Tuesday remained largely on trade.

When Trudeau mentioned that Pennsylvania exports to Canada more than it does with its next four countries combined, the room  where such local leaders as State Sen. Sharif Street were in attendance  broke into applause.

Why not five or six countries? Trudeau said to a large laugh. Lets do even more.
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Happy Wednesday. In the iconic words of Rob Thomas, Man, its a hot one, with sun and temps in the high 80s.

Where does South Philly start, really? It seems like a straightforward question  until you start asking around. Try out The Inquirers new interactive map to help settle the score.

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In other news, a collaborative of environmental advocacy groups is hoping that the Schuylkill could someday be clean enough to swim in. Find those stories and many more below.

P.S. This weather has us all in the mood for a beach trip  which is well-timed with the return of The Inquirers beloved Down the Shore newsletter. Sign up for free to get the latest news, tips, and hacks for your summer travels, starting this Thursday.

 Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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South Philly is a microcosm of the city at-large. Or, as Inquirer developer Dain Saint puts it: South Philly is a quilt of tight streets, big attitudes, and good food, where grandmas from every nation on Earth tell me I better not be stealing their parking space.

But where does it begin? South Street? Washington Ave? Snyder Ave? Ask three different Philadelphians, and they might all tell you something different.

 The Inquirers design team, including Saint and his colleague Charmaine Runes, is here to help us figure it out. Drag the slider on our interactive map to mark the east-to-west street where you think South Philly begins, then find out if you align with other Philadelphians.

 The maps creation was inspired by common confusion.

 The idea came from us seeing the question asked on the r/philadelphia Reddit every six months, interactive editor Sam Morris told me, and then us having a debate about what South Philly meant, given how some areas that would have been considered South Philly a few decades ago are now very different. So the answer depends on whether youre answering geographically or culturally.

So, what do you think? Help us settle this debate, once and for all.

What you should know today

Think Schuylkill, and you probably dont follow that thought with lets splash around. A crew of environmental nonprofits wants to change that  someday.

First, why isnt the Schuylkill swimmable? In a word, sewage. The citys aging sewer system cant always handle the excess of water from big storms, sending pollution and bacteria into the river.

What do they want to do about it? A municipal program called Green City Clean Rivers has been working for more than a decade to reduce pollution, but advocates want to see more. Some suggest tapping federal dollars for water treatment improvements or to replace the citys vast network of underground pipes, or using nets to trap solids near outflows.

Why does this idea matter? A cleaner Schuylkill River means more opportunities for recreation for Philly residents. Philadelphia is a river city, the head of a conservation org for coastal areas told The Inquirer. Weve done a disservice to the river by turning our backs on it.

Environment reporter Frank Kummer has the full story on their efforts.

 Trivia time

Nittany Lions, this ones for you: How much does Penn State plan to spend to renovate Beaver Stadium?

A) $10 million

B) $100 million

C) $700 million

D) $2 billion

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Mourning: Savannah, the South Jersey dog that was the first to walk around the world.

 Buying: Tix to this falls Philly Music Fest, featuring a TBA mystery headliner.

 Hoping: Pizza Brain stays in the neighborhood.

 Unscramble the anagram

The local sports-bar chain famous for Maryland-reminiscent fries.

ICEPICKS & THESE

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Alexander Ingham, who solved Tuesdays anagram: Atlantic City. Check out The Inquirers new locals guide to the Jersey Shore town, featuring things to do, restaurants, bars, yoga studios, and more.

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Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. See you again tomorrow!

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
After I questioned Israels endgame in Gaza in my Sunday column, a reader asked, Do you know what President Bidens endgame is in Ukraine?

That is a critical question as Russia revs up a new offensive, mercilessly bombing civilian targets in Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv. Meantime, Washington is still withholding the Patriot air defense systems the Ukrainians have been urgently requesting for more than two years.

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We know the endgame of GOP candidate Donald Trump, who has basically said hed cut off aid to Kyiv if it didnt capitulate to Vladimir Putin. He encouraged his MAGA crowd in Congress to withhold U.S. military aid for six months, leaving Ukrainian fighters without shells to fire back at the Russians.

But what about White House plans for the end of the Ukraine war?

Congress six-month aid delay hurt Ukraine badly and gave the Russians an opening to gear up for this offensive. Yet, even as U.S. aid finally starts flowing, the administration appears unwilling to commit to Ukrainian victory.

 READ MORE: The biggest story last week was not Stormy Daniels or campus protests | Trudy Rubin

And yes, given Ukraines technological ingenuity and belief it is fighting an existential battle for survival, I believe a victory is still possible  if the West has the will and the strategic smarts to help Kyiv achieve that goal.

Yet, the White House seems geared only to preventing a Ukrainian collapse, not putting Putin on the back foot. Joe Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has suggested that Ukraine can hold the line in 2024 and start retaking territory by 2025. Yet, that scenario depends on continued U.S. military aid, which, in turn, requires a Biden victory in November. Neither is guaranteed.

Keep in mind that negotiations with Moscow are not an option in the foreseeable future. Emboldened by his alliance with Beijing and weapons from Iran and North Korea, Putin has made clear his goal is to eliminate Ukraines independent statehood, which he claims is illegitimate.

Whats lacking in the U.S. approach to Kyiv is the sense of urgency the White House has displayed over Gaza, sending top officials to Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia over and over, even though the outcome there is likely to be dismal. That same sense of urgency could still make a critical difference in Ukraine.

Nowhere is that truth more self-evident than with what I refer to as Patriot games.

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been begging the West to help close the skies over Ukraine by sending U.S.-made Patriot systems. The countrys aging Soviet air defense systems are no match for the Kremlins arsenal of cruise and even ballistic missiles that wreak deliberate destruction on city centers and energy systems. That and the longtime U.S. reluctance to send U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, or let European allies deliver them, has left Ukraine unable to control its skies.

With its army of techies, a limited number of aging Russian planes, and limited air defense systems from Europe, Ukraine did its best. But it was not until Kyiv finally received three Patriot systems in spring 2023  one from the Pentagon, two from Germany  that the capital, Kyiv, finally became safe. However, beautiful historic Kharkiv, the vital port city of Odesa, and other critical cities remain open to Russian air attack.

In recent weeks, as Russia tries to crush Ukraines civilian infrastructure, Ukraines lack of Patriot air defense systems (and interceptor missiles to fire from them) has become a disaster.

Here is where the Patriot games begin.

According to European officials, Western allies have 100 Patriot systems, the bulk of them held by the United States at home or at overseas bases. Yet, only Germany has committed to sending one more system to Ukraine.

 READ MORE: In Europe, they cheer passage of Ukraine aid but worry about possible Trump future | Trudy Rubin

One of the things I do every single day is talk to at least one ally, if not multiple, about getting more Patriot batteries into Ukraine, Sullivan said at a May 13 news conference. Sullivan seems not to have had much success.

Six NATO allies  Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Spain  currently operate Patriot systems, yet all except Germany have pleaded that they need their systems for their own defense.

Perhaps Sullivan would have better luck if the Pentagon would stop making the same excuses and offer up one more system of its own.

Moreover, the Israeli air force has announced that it is retiring its American-made Patriot systems in favor of newer air defense systems that it used to repel Iranian missile attacks on April 13. Jerusalem has offered Kyiv no military aid for fear of offending Russia, whose tacit permission it needs to bomb Iranian operations in Syria. Given Washingtons support for Israel, despite their differences over Gaza, the White House should be leaning on Israeli leaders to sell the systems back to Washington for transfer to Kyiv.

This is the kind of urgent action required to turn around the situation in Ukraine.

We would like to close the airspace over all our regions and have 20 to 30 [Patriot systems], Zelensky said in an interview with the New York Times on Monday. Lets forget about that. Can we get seven? (Thats the minimum required to protect Ukraines major cities, including two for Kharkiv.)

And an American decision to give us its F-16s, the Ukrainian leader added, his frustration clear.

If the White House really wanted Ukraine to push back the Russians, it would make sending those Patriots a priority. And the F-16s.

And, as Zelensky has pleaded, it would stop forbidding Kyiv from using U.S.-made weapons to hit the sites just across the Russian border from which missiles are being fired at Ukrainian cities. Otherwise, Ukraine is fighting with an arm and leg tied behind its back.

Instead, the Biden team still seems to be deterred by Russias nuclear bluster. Yet, when the White House finally, and quietly, sent ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine last month, crossing a Putin redline, the Russian autocrats threats of nuclear escalation proved hollow. His threats are meant mainly to deter the West from giving Kyiv what it needs to win.

Seven systems, Zelensky repeated in the Times interview. Do you think it is too much for the NATO anniversary summit in Washington? For a country that has been trying to become a NATO member since 2008? For a country that is fighting for freedom and democracy around the world today?

As the 75th anniversary summit of NATO approaches, a clear symbol of Americas commitment to supporting Ukraine until victory  and encouraging its allies to do likewise  would be to stop playing Patriot games and deliver the goods.
HARRISBURG  State Rep. Kevin Boyle returned to the Capitol on Tuesday after a tumultuous month that included his family publicly expressing concerns about his mental health and police rescinding a warrant for his arrest just a day before the primary election.

Although the warrant was rescinded, Boyle, 44, who was seeking an eighth term representing parts of Northeast Philadelphia, lost to challenger Sean Dougherty in the Democratic primary in April.

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The extraordinary circumstances  a sitting state representative allegedly experiencing a mental health crisis and seemingly on the run from the cops for a warrant that never should have been filed, right before an election  dominated the conversation in Harrisburg for weeks.

As he returned to the statehouse for the first time since last months chaos, Boyle said he felt vindicated after so many false accusations in the lead-up to the election.

Unfortunately and inaccurately, just days before a competitive election in April, it was announced I was facing arrest and I subsequently lost my seat which I held since 2011, Boyle said in a statement Tuesday.

While politics is a dirty game, there must never be politicization of law enforcement or false targeting from any source for benefit.

A week before the primary election, Philadelphia police announced a warrant was out for Boyles arrest for allegedly violating a protection-from-abuse order against his ex-wife. That PFA, however, had been expunged in 2022.

District Attorney Larry Krasner announced one day before the primary election that his office was recalling the warrant because it did not have any grounds to arrest him. Krasner said the office would still investigate Boyle and complete an internal investigation about what went wrong.

House Republicans earlier this month called on Attorney General Michelle Henry to investigate Krasners handling of the bungled warrant and whether it violated the states election laws.

The seven-term Democratic lawmakers return to the Capitol was without commotion and was a complete reversal from the prior month, in which he was facing a possible expulsion from the House over concerns for his capacity to serve.

Boyle now has his security privileges reestablished and no longer requires an escort to enter the building. His privileges had been revoked in February after an outburst at a Montgomery County bar.

It was not immediately clear what changed for Boyle to return to the chamber without restrictions.

Just over a month ago, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Philadelphia) had been encouraging his longtime friend to get mental health treatment and sponsored a proposed change to the Houses operating rules to create a closed-doors committee to determine a members capacity to serve as a lawmaker. Now hes celebrating his return.

We are glad that Kevin is doing well and are happy to have him back in the chamber, Bradford said in a statement.

In addition into weighing Boyles expulsion, Democratic House leaders poured $300,000 into Doughertys campaign to unseat Boyle in the primary, in hopes of maintaining control of the House in the November election.

With a one-seat majority, Democrats require every single vote to pass a bill along party lines. During Boyles absence, party leaders continued to vote on Boyles behalf under House rules that allow them to cast votes for absent members.
Reparations Task Force Co-Chair Breanna Moore, (right), and Rashaun Williams, (left), open up the mic for community members who signed up to speak at the meeting at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, May, 21, 2024. Read more

The Philadelphia Reparations Task Force has officially launched.

The 10-member committee, which is tasked with developing a report on how reparations can atone for the impact that slavery, Jim Crow, and institutional racism have had on Black Philadelphians, met for the first time on Tuesday.

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Members of the committee sat around a table in City Hall listening to Philadelphians share their thoughts on the effort. Among those who expressed support for reparations were high school students from the Workshop School, Japanese Americans, activists, and Black elders.

People been talking about reparations for African Americans forever, said Cecilia Thompson, 60. Lets stop talking about it and go to the implementation stage, like how is this hopefully going to happen?

Thompson called the effort a Herculean task and said everyone has an opinion about how reparations should be distributed.

What is the reparations task force?

The purpose of the task force is to provide a report to the city with recommendations on how reparations could look in Philadelphia, from the city, state, and national governments.

The group includes two cochairs and eight members who will each coordinate a volunteer committee in their area of expertise.

City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who helped create the task force, said the effort is about repairing generations of harm. The task force consists of various experts because reparations can come in different forms, including through the housing market, criminal justice system, development policies, or addressing the overdose crisis and the impact of the war on drugs, she said.

We can draw a straight line from the original sin of American slavery, redlining, urban renewal, and all the other racist practices that have happened in that time period to the conditions of our community today, she said Tuesday. Whether were talking about crumbling schools, whether were talking about Black people being robbed of wealth through the housing market, whether were talking about gun violence.

 READ MORE: City Council could explore reparations for Black Philadelphians

How do I get involved in the reparations task force?

Rashaun Williams, one of the cochairs, said that people who are interested in volunteering on the committees should attend an event held by the task force and approach the committee chair.

The task force will hold various public events and initiatives, with its first town hall on June 29.

Those interested in getting involved can also visit the task forces website, rep215.com, according to Gauthier.

How was the task force created?

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (NCOBRA) called on City Council to create the task force before Councils first session of 2023.

 READ MORE: Reparations for Black people: Group urges City Council to create task force and enforce existing law

Gauthier and Councilmember Kendra Brooks introduced a resolution to create the task force in June 2023. It passed unanimously.

Council sought out volunteer applications for the task force coordinators in November, and the group was slated to launch in February, Black History Month, which Gauthier said was maybe too ambitious a goal as the founders wanted to take time to carefully form the team.

Who is on the task force?

Members were required to be descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, the descendants of Black, Negro, or Colored Americans since 1865, and/or the descendants of Freedmen emancipated from slavery, according to Gauthiers office, and they must have lived in Philadelphia for at least 10 years.

Williams and Breanna Moore, the cochairs of the Philadelphia chapter of NCOBRA, the group that successfully advocated for the citys task force, are cochairing the panel.

 READ MORE: Philly City Council is looking for volunteers to join its Reparations Task Force

Ayanna Stephens Walker, the principal of the Workshop School, a West Philadelphia high school that relies on project-based learning, is the education coordinator for the task force.

Kevin Mansa, a community advocate and entrepreneur, will coordinate economic justice.

Cara McClellan, an attorney and the founding director at the Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic at Penn Carey Law School, is the criminal and legal justice system coordinator.

Jourdyn A. Lawrence, an assistant professor in epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexels Dornsife School of Public Health, is the health and wellness coordinator.

Dominique London, an artist and organizer with a masters degree in city and regional planning, is the urban planning and sustainable development coordinator.

Jackie Newsome, a reverend and attorney, will coordinate law and policy.

Richard White, a historian and founding member of NCOBRA Philadelphia, is the Atlantic world history coordinator.

Have other cities given reparations?

The United States paid reparations to enslavers after slavery was abolished in 1862. Slaveholders were paid for each freed African American they had formerly enslaved. In 1988, the country issued cash reparations to Japanese Americans who were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II. Germany has also paid reparations to Holocaust survivors.

There have been scattered city and state efforts to pursue reparations across the country ahead of Philadelphias launch, but few concrete steps have come from them.

Several cities have studied reparations, but Evanston, Ill., stands out for actually executing the idea in 2019 through a fund focused on home ownership. The city committed $10 million to the effort across a decade.

Asheville, N.C., approved dedicating $2.1 million to invest in a reparations effort, and it took almost two years for a commission to recommend its first projects to local leaders.

The city of Palm Springs, Fla., has been in negotiations with a group advocating for reparations for Black and Latino people whose families were forced from their homes on tribal-owned land in the 1950s and 1960s to make way for developers who wanted to build there.

California introduced a package of bills earlier this year after the states reparations task force published more than 100 pages of recommendations. The legislative proposals do not include cash payments but would include a way to take back property that was seized via race-based eminent domain.

Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts have also authorized reparations studies, but California is the first to make a legislative attempt from the work, according to Politico.

Will Philadelphia pay reparations?

The city has not made a commitment to reparations, and any financial commitment would need to be sorted out by City Council and the mayor during the budget process.

The task force does not yet have a timeline for when it will provide its report, or which budget process it aims to be a part of.

Independent groups in Philadelphia have expressed an interest in contributing reparations, like the Green Street Monthly Meeting of Friends, a Quaker congregation that pursued its own reparations initiative by committing $500,000 over a decade to various issues affecting Black wealth and equity.

 READ MORE: Reparations are a moral calling for these Germantown Quakers. First up: Help for Black homeowners.

What is the 2005 slavery disclosure law?

When NCOBRA advocates urged Council to create a task force, they also called on the city to enforce a 2005 law that requires city-contracted businesses to disclose their historical connections to slavery and submit proposals on financial incentives or programs to benefit Black people.

City spokesperson Sarah Peterson said last year that the law was being enforced by the city Procurement Department and that city-contracted companies are in compliance, but advocates said the law was never enforced.

The 2005 ordinance came after a depository lending study found that banks gave fewer home loans to Black Philadelphians, and fewer business loans to people of color in general, despite Black people and people of color making up the majority of the citys population.

Moore, the task force cochair and NCOBRA advocate, said last year that she expected the task force to look into the disclosure law.
New Delhi May 22 (UNI) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday stressed on the critical need to strengthen Indias cyber defence capabilities, so as to enhance collaboration and integration among military and national cyber security organisations.

The CDS also highlighted the critical need for jointness among all stakeholders in the cyber domain and praised the initiative for fostering a collaborative environment to tackle emerging cyber threats.

General Chauhan attended the Exercise Cyber Suraksha  2024, that aims to further develop Cyber Defence Capability of all cyber security organisations and promote synergy amongst all stakeholders.

It also focuses on enhancing collaboration and integration among participants from various military and prominent national organisations.

The CDS commended the participants and staff for their dedication and efforts in organising the exercise.

Exercise Cyber Suraksha  2024 aims to empower participants by enhancing their cyber defence skills, techniques and capabilities; share best practices, and work towards a unified and robust cyber defence posture.

It will promote jointmanship and synergy in planning and preparation of a cyber defence framework.

The event reaffirms the commitment of the Indian Armed Forces to safeguarding national security in the increasingly important cyber domain.

UNI RBE KK CS1948
Contemporary presenters are expected to hold an audience both online and in person, and the competition was changed in 2023 to challenge applicants in both those mediums, she said. The competition provides invaluable training plus exposure to industry peers and luminaries for young professionals who are the future of the industry.
However, there have been 55 total losses in the past five years, and over 200 fire incidents reported during 2023 alone (205), the second-highest total for a decade after 2022. Fires remain a key safety issue on larger vessels due to the potential threat to life, the scale of damage, and associated severe costs, contributing to the long-term increase in the cost of large marine insurance claims.
SMEs are often a cyber target

The IAG release quoted Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) data that says only about 20% of Australian SMEs have stand-alone cyber insurance. According to another report cited in the release, 43% of cyber-attacks target SMEs at an average cost of $39,000 per incident.
Now, there is no evidence that legal system abuse is slowing down in 2023, but there is evidence that the severity is almost uniformly rising. In the five years prior to the pandemic, there was a 178% increase in the number of nuclear verdicts and the median value of those settlements increased by 41%. In the absence of transparency regarding third-party litigation funding, the escalation of attorney ads and the uncertainty of the tort system, this just adds complexity to the modeling and the pricing of the casualty lines of business, she said.
New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) Accusing the Haryana government of halting water supply to Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday claimed that BJP has hatched a new conspiracy against the AAP govt just before the sixth phase of elections on May 25 when Delhi will vote.

Addressing the media, AAP's senior leader and Delhi cabinet minister Atishi said, Water supply from the Yamuna river coming into Delhi has been blocked by Haryana government. Complaints of water scarcity have been coming in from Delhi for the past few days.

Problems have arisen in areas where water scarcity was never an issue before, Atishi added.

It was revealed in an investigation that Haryana is responsible for this. The water level of the Yamuna in Wazirabad is normally 675 feet. Even when it decreases, it remains up to 672 feet. However, from May 11 to May 21, Haryana has been stopping Delhis water, Atishi claimed.

On May 11, the water level was 671 feet, which continued for three days. On May 21, the water level decreased to below 671 feet, she said.

We want to alert the people of Delhi that in the coming days, until May 25, a new conspiracy will unfold. Voters will be misled, Atishi alleged.

However, no matter how many conspiracies the BJP hatches, they cannot fool the people of Delhi. BJP is losing all seven seats in Delhi, and INDIA bloc is winning, she claimed.

We will immediately write a letter to the Haryana government. If needed, we will also file a petition in the court. If no action is taken on our letter to the Haryana government, then if necessary, we will approach the Supreme Court. We have started preparations to deal with this conspiracy, Atishi asserted.

UNI PSP ING
In a January discussion with Barings' head of portfolio solutions and analytics, Colin Gordon, Ho said: We started at $14 billion of AUM, were at $19 billion, we started with five people, were at 54 people. If you look at our business plan and our growth over the next three or four years, well probably double our AUM.
Since our partnership began, we have been impressed by the resilience and scope of Planets data set. Through near-daily data availability, we can track shifting NDVI values with high frequency, helping us be more efficient in our payouts to better serve these vulnerable communities affected by drought, Murera said.
Smartphones have become the fastest-selling gadgets in history. They have penetrated every aspect of daily life. The average person picks their phone up to 100 times a day, so if we want to make their world a digitally safer place, we have to ensure their phone and their usage is better secured.
Established in 1879, Tokio Marine Group reported a market capitalization of $49 billion as of December 31, 2023. Headquartered in Houston, TX, Tokio Marine HCC is a prominent specialty insurance group with significant financial strength ratings: A+ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings, A++ (Superior) from AM Best, and AA- (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings.
Contractor fraud, especially after a natural catastrophe, not only affects individual homeowners but also impacts insurance premiums and costs Americans billions of dollars every year, NICB president David J Glawe said. He added that such fraud undermines community trust and causes significant financial and emotional harm to families nationwide.
The course library provides new hires access to WorkCompCollege.coms courses, covering all aspects of the workers compensation industry. The onboarding program is also designed to integrate into an organizations existing training and development processes and can include the organizations own developed content.
A Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died from eating a large quantity of chile pepper extract and also had a congenital heart defect, according to autopsy results obtained by The Associated Press.

Harris Wolobah, a 10th grader from the city of Worcester, died on Sept. 1, 2023, after eating the Paqui chip as part of the manufacturers One Chip Challenge.

We were and remain deeply saddened by the death of Harris Wolobah and extend our condolences to his family and friends, Paqui, a Texas-based subsidiary of the Hershey Co., said in a statement Thursday. A phone number listed for Harris family was disconnected. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment with friends of the family.

Harris died of cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration, according to the autopsy from the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner. Capsaicin is the component that gives chile peppers their heat.

The autopsy also said that Harris had cardiomegaly, meaning an enlarged heart, and a congenital defect described as myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

A myocardial bridge occurs when a segment of a major artery of the heart runs within the heart muscle instead of on its surface, according to Dr. James Udelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Center.

It is possible that with significant stimulation of the heart, the muscle beyond the bridge suddenly had abnormal blood flow (ischemia) and could have been a cause of a severe arrhythmia, Udelson told the AP in an email. There have been reports of acute toxicity with capsaicin causing ischemia of the heart muscle.

Large doses of capsaicin can increase how the heart squeezes, putting extra pressure on the artery, noted Dr. Syed Haider, a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Risk Factors

But while the autopsy results suggest that a heart defect probably made Harris more vulnerable to the negative effects of the chile pepper extract, people without underlying risk factors can also experience serious heart problems from ingesting large amounts of capsaicin, Haider said.

Udelson and Haider both spoke in general terms; neither was involved in Harris case.

The cause of Harris death was determined on Feb. 27, and a death certificate was released to the Worcester city clerks office on March 5, according to Elaine Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The state only released the cause and manner of death. Officials will not release a full report, which is not considered part of the public record, she said.

The Paqui chip, sold individually for about $10, came wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box containing the warning that it was intended for the vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain. The warning noted that the chip was for adult consumption only, and should be kept out of the reach of children.

Access by Children

Despite the warning, children had no problem buying the chips, and there had been reports from around the country of teens who got sick after taking part in the chip-eating challenge. Among them were three California high school students who were taken to a hospital and seven students in Minnesota who were treated by paramedics after taking part in the challenge in 2022.

In its statement Thursday, Paqui cited the chips clear and prominent labeling highlighting that the product was not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions.

We saw increased reports of teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings, the statement read. As a result, while the product adhered to food safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we worked with retailers to voluntarily remove the product from shelves in September 2023, and the One Chip Challenge has been discontinued.

The challenge called for participants to eat the Paqui chip and then see how long they could go without consuming other food and water. Sales of the chip seemed largely driven by people posting videos on social media of them or their friends taking the challenge. They showed people, including children, unwrapping the packaging, eating the chips and then reacting to the heat. Some videos showed people gagging, coughing and begging for water.

Spicy Food Challenges

Spicy food challenges have been around for years. From local chile pepper eating contests to restaurant walls of fame for those who finished extra hot dishes, people around the world have been daring each other to eat especially fiery foods, with some experts pointing to the internal rush of competition and risk-taking.

A YouTube series called Hot Ones rose to internet fame several years ago with videos of celebrities reactions to eating spicy wings. Meanwhile, restaurants nationwide have offered in-person challenges  from Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Challenge to the Hell Challenge of Wing King in Las Vegas. In both challenges, patrons over 18 can attempt to eat a certain amount of wings doused in extra hot sauce in limited time without drinking or eating other food. Chile pepper eating contests are also regularly hosted around the world.

Extremely spicy products created and marketed solely for the challenges  and possible internet fame  represent a more recent phenomenon exacerbated by social media.

Harris death spurred warnings from Massachusetts authorities and physicians, who cautioned that eating such spicy foods can have unintended consequences. Since the chip fad emerged, poison control centers have warned that the concentrated amount could cause allergic reactions, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats and even heart attacks or strokes.

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Washington and AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
RT Specialty, headquartered in Chicago, made several promotions in its Hamilton, New Jersey office, part of the RT Specialty Environmental and Construction Professional Practice (RT ECP).

Daniel Wilhelm was promoted to account executive. He joined the company in 2018 as an account manager and most recently served as a senior account manager.

Gina Bernardo was promoted to senior account manager. She has worked at RT ECP for over five years.

Aaron Roland was promoted to senior account manager. He joined the company as an account manager in 2022. He previously served as an account manager at ARMR Specialty Holdings, ARMR Brokerage Division.

Maddie Goodwin was promoted to account manager. She joined the company as an account administrator in 2022. She previously served as an environmental analyst intern at ESC Spectrum Corp.

Zach Kalet was promoted to account manager. He joined RT ECP as an account administrator in 2022. He previously worked as a value stream and risk management intern at BMW Manufacturing Co.

Jenna Koch, whose background is sales and customer service, was promoted to account manager.

Topics New Jersey Pollution Construction
The recovery from the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse reached a significant milestone Monday as tugboats escorted the ill-fated container ship Dali back to port, its damaged bow still covered with smashed shipping containers, fallen steel trusses and mangled concrete.

Nearly two months have passed since the Dali lost power and crashed into one of the bridges supporting columns, killing six construction workers and halting most maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore.

Refloated at high tide Monday morning, the vessel slowly moved away from the site of the March 26 disaster, guided by five tugboats. The extensive damage to its bow included a massive, gaping hole above the waterline on its starboard side.

Removing the hulking ship opened a new void in Baltimores altered skyline, which lost an iconic landmark and a symbol of the citys proud maritime history. Crews have already cleared thousands of tons of mangled steel that jutted up from the waters surface after the collapse.

The bodies of the six victims have been recovered from the underwater wreckage  all Latino immigrants who came to the U.S. for job opportunities. They were filling potholes on an overnight shift when the bridge was destroyed.

Officials said the Dali would move at about 1 mph on the roughly 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) trip back to port, a fraction of its speed when it lost power and brought down the bridge. It will spend several weeks getting temporary repairs at the same marine terminal it occupied before beginning its disastrous voyage, then move to a shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia for extensive repairs.

To refloat the Dali, crews released anchors and pumped out more than 1 million gallons of water that had kept the ship grounded and stable. Crews conducted a controlled demolition on May 13 to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed bridge, which was draped across the Dalis bow. Dive teams then confirmed the path was clear.

Criminal Pobe

The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash.

The Dali experienced two electrical blackouts about 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore on its way to Sri Lanka. The crew later made changes to the ships electrical configuration, switching to a transformer and breaker system that had previously been out of use for several months, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards preliminary report.

Two more blackouts left the Dali without propulsion, drifting off course just as it was approaching the Key Bridge. By then, two tugboats that had guided the Dali out of port had peeled off  normal protocol, according to the report  but when the power went out, the tugs were too far away to help avert disaster.

The ships 21 crew members, most of whom are from India, havent been allowed off the vessel since the collapse. The Dali is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., both of Singapore.

Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy, said Monday that the crew has been busy maintaining the ship and assisting investigators. But now that the Dali is docked, he said company officials are working to secure shore leave for them. The process is somewhat more complicated than usual because their visas have expired.

Home to Families

Wilson said two more crew members recently joined the original 21 to spread out the workload and give them a break.

Ultimately, we want to get them home to see their families, he said, though that timeline is unclear.

William Marks, a spokesperson for the crew, said they will remain on board for the foreseeable future.

Port Director Jonathan Daniels said Monday that the channel is now 400 feet (122 meters) wide and 50 feet (15-meter) deep, and will be cleared to its full 700-foot (213-meter) width within two weeks.

Gov. Wes Moore praised the cleanup and recovery for achieving in a matter of weeks what many thought would take months. He said Maryland will continue working to clear the channel, support the people affected and rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Photo: The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lay on top of the container ship Dali, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Baltimore. The FBI confirmed that agents were aboard the Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Passengers injured by severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday are likely eligible for compensation, but the amount each receives could differ dramatically even for identical injuries due to an international treaty.

One passenger died and the airline said 30 passengers were treated for injuries after a flight from London to Singapore made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday. Samitivej Hospital said it was treating 71 passengers.

Under the Montreal Convention, Singapore Airlines is liable for accidents, which can include turbulence, on international flights regardless of whether the airline was negligent, according to U.S. aviation lawyers. If passengers file a lawsuit, the airline cannot contest damages up to around $175,000.

It Felt Like We Had Crashed: Singapore Air Passenger Describes Turbulence Terror

If a passenger seeks larger damages, Singapore Airlines can try to limit liability by proving it took all necessary measures to avoid the turbulence, said Mike Danko, a California attorney who represents passengers. He said airlines rarely prevail on such arguments.

Danko said the airline can also limit their liability by showing the passenger bore some of the fault for the injury, such as by ignoring warnings to wear a seat belt.

The size of damages often comes down to the country where the case is filed and how the legal system assesses the amount of compensation.

First and foremost what is the jurisdiction where you can bring a claim and how do they value injury claims, said Daniel Rose, a New York attorney with Kreindler & Kreindler, which represents passengers.

For example, U.S. juries have awarded passengers more than $1 million for the emotional trauma of severe turbulence, while many courts in other countries award far less if anything for similar emotional distress.

The Montreal Convention sets out various rules for determining where a claim can be brought, which can depend on the destination, where the ticket was purchased and the residence of the passenger.

Tuesdays flight departed from London bound for Singapore and carried passengers from around the world.

Aviation attorneys said British passengers on a round-trip ticket originating in London could file a claim in UK courts. Others might have been planning to catch a connecting flight to return home to Indonesia, where they would have to bring their claim. As a result, claims might differ widely in value for the same injury.

Curtis Miner, a Florida attorney who represents passengers, said the 2013 crash of an Asiana Airlines plane in San Francisco resulted in injured passengers with widely varying compensation because many were flying round-trip originating from various East Asian cities.

The passengers were from all over the place, said Miner. So people who may have had similar injuries, some could bring their case in San Francisco but others who were not able to.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; editing by Stephen Coates)

Topics Talent Aviation
Upstox forays into insurance distribution

Kolkata, May 22 (UNI) Upstox on Wednesday announced its entry into the insurance distribution business.

While Upstox has traditionally been recognized for its offerings in Stocks, F&O, and Mutual Funds, the introduction of Insurance marks a significant stride towards evolving into a comprehensive wealth-building platform. Today, Upstox is a one-stop-shop for a wide array of financial instruments including Stocks, IPOs, F&O, Commodities, Currencies, Fixed Deposits, P2P Lending, Government Bonds, T-Bills, NCDs, Gold, Insurance and much more.



With this launch, the company aims to revolutionise India's insurance landscape by offering its users a simplified, transparent and customised experience of purchasing insurance in line with their needs. Currently, Upstox is offering Term Life Insurance on its platform and is planning to roll out Health, Motor and Travel Insurance soon. HDFC Life is among the first insurers to partner with Upstox and feature their Term Insurance plans on the platform, according to a media statement on Wednesday.

Currently, the insurance penetration in India stands at just 4.2% with a considerable portion of the population still being dependent on traditional and agent-driven models to purchase policies. Along with that, there is a lack of awareness, overload of choices, heavy paperwork and complex jargon involved in the process of buying insurance. Through its research, Upstox recognized that often users succumb to a one-size-fits-all approach; and opt for a term insurance plan without proper assessment.

Upstox has thus set out to solve the gross mis-selling of insurance products and embarked on a monumental task of streamlining Life, Health, Motor, Travel insurance for its customers. By leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, Upstox aims to simplify the insurance process - from identifying the top plans in each category to purchasing insurance and finally making the claim process smooth.

Upstox is also trying to encourage younger Indians to consider and start thinking about insurance earlier as that effectively helps them reduce their premium costs. To make its customers' journey more simple and intuitive, the company has done the heavy lifting for customers by tying up with the top insurance providers in the country and analysing various plans to provide their customers with the most suitable option.



By guiding customers through a set of targeted questions, Upstox then navigates them towards the most suitable plan. Additionally, the feature of the cover amount calculator empowers users to accurately assess their insurance requirements, enabling them to determine the optimal coverage amount.



Kavitha Subramanian, Co-Founder, Upstox, said, "We are thrilled to expand our offerings on Upstox and foray into the insurance distribution segment. We have recognized that navigating the insurance landscape is a daunting task. Customers are inundated with so many questions - which is the right plan, what should be the correct criteria to select a plan, how much insurance cover will be enough. At Upstox, we understand these challenges, and were dedicated to helping our customers get answers to all of these without overwhelming them. Our aim is to help customers cut through the noise and help Indians Invest Right. We are constantly working towards making our platform simple, secure, fast, and intuitive. With the launch of insurance on our platform, we will remain steadfast in our endeavour of helping our users manage their wealth effectively for a secure financial future. And to accomplish this, were delighted to have HDFC Life as our first insurance partners.



Commenting on this collaboration, Suresh Badami, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Life, said, We are pleased to announce our partnership with Upstox. This marks another stride towards realising Indias goal of Insurance for All by 2047. We aim to utilise our distribution and digital capabilities to extend our insurance solutions to their entire customer base and enhance the value of this partnership.

UNI SJC KK
One moment Toby Pearl was ensconced in his economy-class seat in row 43 aboard a flight from London to Singapore. The next all hell broke loose, with personal belongings, food and even people being hurled around the cabin, crashing into overhead lockers and causing oxygen masks to deploy from the ceiling.

The massive Boeing Co. 777 aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd. had hit a pocket of turbulence so violent that it left one person dead and scores of others seriously injured. Pearl said he was among passengers who rushed to provide first aid immediately after the impact, but they were unable to help a 73-year-old Briton, who died of a suspected heart attack.

The seat belt light came on and almost immediately after the turbulence hit, I myself, followed by a large amount of others, were thrown in the air hitting the roof, Pearl said in response to written questions after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Bangkok. It felt like we had crashed, I thought the plane was going down. You could hear the smashing of glass in the back of the cabin.

Compensation for Injured Passengers on Singapore Airlines Could Vary Dramatically

Cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,200 meters) and with a good two hours left before the aircraft was due to touch down in Singapore, the twin-aisle plane was suddenly and forcefully shaken by what Pearl described as a big hit that took everyone off guard, followed by a smaller, more manageable impact.

The aircraft swiftly began an emergency diversion into Bangkok, according to data by flight tracking service Flightradar24. Emergency crews said seven people were critically injured and admitted to hospital. Others, including Pearl, received medical checkups and complimentary helpings of hamburgers before being cleared for their onward journey.

Rare Fatalities

While high-altitude turbulence isnt a rare occurrence, resulting fatalities are. The phenomenon can be caused by rising pockets of hot air, or cumulonimbus clouds that are often accompanied by gusts and storms. At higher altitudes, aircraft might encounter sudden clear-air turbulence caused by differences in the speed of air masses.

About 240 events of severe turbulence were reported to European planemaker Airbus SE between 2014 and 2018. Injuries to passengers and crew occurred on 30% of long-haul flights where such events were reported, and 12% of short-haul flights, according to a briefing document on the phenomenon.

Airlines advise passengers to keep their seat belts fastened at all times, though many people unbuckle once the pilot turns off the signs to make themselves comfortable on long journeys.

More than 75% of these injuries related to turbulence happen at high altitude more than 30,000 feet, at these altitudes you get clear air turbulence that is unpredictable, said Hassan Shahidi, the CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation. The aircraft is designed to withstand these kinds of shocks, but when you have passengers not wearing seat belts they are not protected.

Russia Corridor

Flight SQ321 took off from London Heathrow at 10:38 pm local time on May 20 on what should have been an uneventful 13-hour flight to Singapores Changi airport. The airline flies the route from London four times a day, twice using the Boeing 777, and twice with the Airbus A380 super jumbo. At 56 travelers, the biggest group of passengers was from Australia, followed by 47 from the UK and 41 from Singapore, according to the airline.

The aircraft overflew eastern Europe, and then crossed the Black Sea into Georgia and toward Tajikistan, taking the narrow corridor that airlines now use to avoid Russian and Iranian airspace. The Boeing then bore south and crossed the Indian subcontinent.

Investigators will likely look at the timeline and flight data after the plane crossed the Bay of Bengal into Myanmar and onwards into Thailand to determine what went wrong. Just as the jet was over Myanmar, data on FlightRadar24 shows the plane bumping up and down before settling back at its previous cruising altitude some four minutes later.

The plane declared an emergency shortly thereafter and proceeded to land in Bangkok at about 3:45 pm local time.

Pearl, a 21-year-old British tourist en route to Australia to go on a yearlong backpacking adventure, said once the first wave of chaos had subsided, cabin crew and passengers provided first-aid support to those in need aboard the flight. Anyone with medical experience was asked to make themselves known, with some doctors and a nurse among the 211 passengers, he said.

I was delivering CPR, swapping in and out with another customer, said Pearl, who says he has worked in a hospital as a health care support worker. Pearl said he was diagnosed with a possible broken rib.

First-Aid Help

Passengers with serious injuries were admitted to a hospital near the Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok, while those with minor or no injuries were being cared for at the airport and then awaited their transfer to Singapore.

Pearl was fortunate enough to be able to continue his trip, and sat in a blocked-off zone with fellow passengers who had endured the harrowing experience to complete his journey to Singapore. That flight, Pearl was soon informed, was then delayed by three hours  though few people seemed to really care, he said.

I think people are still in such shock, Pearl said. It definitely makes you anxious about going on a plane.

Top photograph: The Singapore Airlines aircraft at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on May 22, 2024. Photo credit: Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  Missouri lawmakers will have to pay out of their own pockets if they lose defamation cases filed against them for falsely accusing a Kansas man of being one of the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooters and an immigrant in the country illegally.

Missouris Republican Gov. Mike Parson on Monday told his administration not to use taxpayer dollars to pay any potential damages awarded to Denton Loudermill Jr., of Olathe, Kansas, as part of his lawsuits against three state lawmakers.

But Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Baileys office will continue to represent the state senators, despite Parson earlier this month calling that problematic.

We are not going to target innocent people in this state, Parson told reporters earlier this month. This gentleman did nothing wrong whatsoever other than he went to a parade and he drank beer and he was inspected.

The Feb. 14 shooting outside the historic Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, killed a well-known DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children.

Loudermill, who was never cited or arrested in the shooting, is seeking at least $75,000 in damages in each of the suits.

Missourians should not be held liable for legal expenses on judgments due to state senators falsely attacking a private citizen on social media, Parson wrote in a Monday letter to his administration commissioner.

Loudermill last month filed nearly identical federal lawsuits against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin, of Harrisonville; Denny Hoskins, of Warrensburg; and Nick Schroer, of St. Charles County.

The complaints say Loudermill suffered humiliation, embarrassment, insult, and inconvenience over the highly offensive posts.

A spokesperson for the Missouri attorney generals office did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment Monday about Parsons request not to pay for potential damages or the lawsuits filed against the senators.

Loudermill froze for so long after gunfire erupted that police had time to put up crime scene tape, according to the suits. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow.

They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media. Loudermill ultimately was led away from the area and told he was free to go.

But posts soon began appearing on the lawmakers accounts on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that included a picture of Loudermill and accusations that he is an illegal alien and a shooter, the suits said.

Loudermill, who was born and raised in the U.S., received death threats even though he had no involvement in the shooting, according to the complaints.

The litigation described him as a contributing member of his African-American family, a family with deep and long roots in his Kansas community.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Kansas Missouri
Gallaghers Cyber practice remains laser focused on emerging technology and the potential for increased risks as organizations begin to use them. Throughout 2024, were concentrated on evolving compliance requirements for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent AI-specific regulatory proposals in the state, federal and international arenas bear watching. This summary follows our Q1 summary, The Latest Regulation for Artificial Intelligence, with important updates.

State Regulation

As of this writing, 17 states have proposed legislation focusing on AI regulation: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Four states focus on interdisciplinary collaboration: Illinois, New York, Texas and Vermont.

Four states focus on protection from unsafe or ineffective systems: California, Connecticut, Louisiana and Vermont.

Eleven states focus on protection from abusive data practices: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Three states  California, Illinois, Maryland  and New York City focus on transparency.

Three states focus on protection from discrimination: California, Colorado and Illinois.

Twelve states focus on accountability: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

This content was originally posted to Gallaghers News & Insights website page. It is republished here with permission.

Federal and Industry Sector Regulation

On March 27, 2024, the US Department of Treasury released a report, Managing Artificial Intelligence-Specific Cybersecurity Risks in the Financial Services Sector. It contains recommendations to help financial institutions utilize AI technologies safely and effectively while safeguarding against threats to operational resiliency and financial stability. The report outlined key items to address AI-related operational risk, cybersecurity, and fraud challenges, which include:

Addressing capability gaps

Narrowing the fraud data divide

Regulatory coordination

Expanding the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI risk management framework

Best practices for data supply chain mapping and nutrition labels

Explainability for black-box AI solutions

Gaps in human capital

A need for a common AI lexicon

Untangling digital identity solutions

International coordination

On March 28, 2024, the US Office of Management and Budget released a memorandum that requires government agencies to hire chief AI officers (CAIOs). Theyll be responsible for:

Promoting AI innovation

Coordinating agency use of AI

Managing risks from the use of AI

Expanding the reporting of AI use case inventories

Global Regulation

On March 13, 2024, the European Unions Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act was passed. It aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for worldwide use of AI. Its primary objectives are to foster trustworthy AI in Europe and beyond by ensuring that AI systems respect fundamental rights, safety and ethical principles while addressing risks associated with powerful and impactful AI models.

The key points from the AI Act include the following.

Risk Classification

The AI Act classifies AI systems based on risk:

Unacceptable risk : Certain AI systems (e.g., social scoring systems and manipulative AI) are prohibited.

: Certain AI systems (e.g., social scoring systems and manipulative AI) are prohibited. High-risk AI systems : These systems are regulated and subject to extensive obligations. Providers (i.e., developers) of high-risk AI systems must comply with requirements related to transparency, safety and accountability.

: These systems are regulated and subject to extensive obligations. Providers (i.e., developers) of high-risk AI systems must comply with requirements related to transparency, safety and accountability. Limited risk AI systems : These systems  including chatbots and deepfakes  are subject to lighter transparency obligations, as long as users are aware the content is AI generated.

: These systems  including chatbots and deepfakes  are subject to lighter transparency obligations, as long as users are aware the content is AI generated. Minimal risk AI systems: Systems such as AI-enabled video games and spam filters remain unregulated.

Most obligations fall on providers of high-risk AI systems intending to use the systems within the EU or use their output within the EU.

General-Purpose AI

All general-purpose AI (GPAI) model providers are required comply with the terms of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (also called the Copyright Directive). Theyre also required to educate users with instructions to use the platform with written documentation on technical terms.

Any GPAI models that present a systemic risk have a mandate to conduct model evaluations and adversarial testing, document and report incidents considered serious, and take steps to implement cybersecurity controls.

Prohibited AI Systems

The AI Act prohibits certain types of AI systems:

Those deploying subliminal, manipulative, or deceptive techniques to distort behavior and impair informed decision-making, causing significant harm

Those exploiting vulnerabilities related to age, disability, or socio-economic circumstances to distort behavior, causing significant harm

Biometric categorization systems inferring sensitive attributes (e.g., race, political opinions, sexual orientation), except for specific lawful purposes

Deployers of AI systems

Deployers of high-risk AI systems have obligations, though less than providers. This applies to deployers located in the EU and third-country deployers where the AI systems output is used in the EU.

Risk Management Strategies

Any organization that these new AI compliance requirements may impacted should take steps to communicate the requirements to key stakeholders across the enterprise.

Organizations should also be aware of the rapidly evolving Cyber insurance products that may impact the scope of insurance coverage for AI-related losses in 2024. Heightened regulatory risk has spurred some cyber insurers to use various methods to reduce their cascading losses for regulatory risk exposure around the use of technology. Sub-limits and coinsurance are often imposed for certain cyber losses. In addition, some carriers have modified Cyber insurance policy language to restrict or even exclude coverage for certain incidents that give rise to costs incurred for regulatory investigations, lawsuits, settlements and fines.

Many Cyber insurance policies provide some form of cyber risk services, including regulatory compliance guidance. These services can prove useful in navigating the complex and evolving AI rules and regulations.

In summary, todays regulation around AI is cutting across multiple industry sectors and jurisdictions  including financial services, healthcare, technology, education, real estate and municipalities  and will undoubtedly spread to others in short order. Any organization considering embracing generative AI tools should consider embedding a formal risk management plan for AI usage into their overall enterprise risk management program. A cross-divisional effort between several key stakeholders will be required. Risk managers should look to coordinate efforts between legal, compliance, human resources, operations, IT, marketing and others, while closely monitoring emerging risk as AI systems become more widely used.

Topics California Texas New York InsurTech Legislation Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Virginia Illinois Iowa Connecticut Oregon A.J. Gallagher Tennessee Colorado Vermont
Companies working with the US government may be required to start protecting their data and technology from attacks by quantum computers as soon as July.

The National Institute for Standards and Technology, part of the Department of Commerce, will in July stipulate three types of encryption algorithms the agency deems sufficient for protecting data from quantum computers, setting an internationally-recognized standard aimed at helping organizations manage evolving cybersecurity threats.

The rollout of the standards will kick off the transition to the next generation of cryptography, White House deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger told Bloomberg in Cambridge, England on Tuesday. Breaking encryption not only threatens national security secrets but also the the way we secure the internet, online payments and bank transactions, she added.

Neuberger was speaking at an event organized by the University of Cambridge and Vanderbilt University, hosting academics, industry professionals and government officials to discuss the threats posed to cybersecurity by quantum computing, which vastly accelerates processing power by performing calculations in parallel rather than sequentially and will make existing encryption systems obsolete.

While a quantum computer capable of such attacks has not yet been realized, the US and UK are among governments beginning to take the threat seriously.

The US Senate, in a rare unanimous vote, passed a bill in 2022 addressing the threat of quantum computers on cryptography. The memorandum gives government agencies the powers to mandate contracted companies to adhere to the standards laid out by NIST.

Companies holding or seeking federal contracts will eventually be required to meet these standards by 2035, although sensitive projects may require quantum encryption far sooner.

Its in companies own interests to be leading the way there, Neuberger said.

British government officials in attendance included chief spy Anne Keast-Butler and Chief Technical Officer of the National Cyber Security Centre, Ollie Whitehouse. The UK also plans to adopt the standards proposed by NIST, Keast-Butler, Director of intelligence and security organization GCHQ, said in a panel event.

Photo: Anne Neuberger. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Contractors
North Carolina regulators last month announced that the state is now the third-largest domicile for captive insurance companies with more than 311 captive firms in the state, thanks in part to favorable premium tax rates, fees and capital requirements.

But all is not well with one of those captives, Sherbrooke Corporate Ltd., a company that provides liability insurance coverage to affiliated nursing homes and other enterprises around the country. Sherbrooke is now embroiled in a nasty legal dispute in federal court, claiming that its former managers misappropriated funds, violated employment contracts, engaged in self-dealing and stole mission-critical, proprietary software that had been used to gauge risk.

Through their total control over Sherbrooke, Director and Officer Defendants used their positions and rights to conspire to weaken, undermine, and take advantage of Sherbrooke to enrich themselves at plaintiffs expense, reads the complaint in the in lawsuit filed by Samuel Goldner, majority shareholder of Sherbrooke, based in Raleigh.

The former managers, Gabriel Mayer, Beau Walker and Joe Matthew Queen, have denied the allegations and argue that Sherbrooke itself breached an employment agreement and failed to provide health care benefits to the officers. The three have filed counterclaims, arguing that Sherbrooke violated contracts.

Samuel Goldners Goldner Capital Management is a significant player in senior housing and nursing facility ownership in the U.S. Sherbrooke was founded in 2018 as a captive insurance program for many of those facilities. Goldner Capital has been in the news in recent months, after local news outlets and regulators raised questions about its nursing homes in Missouri and Tennessee.

In the latest development in the Sherbrooke lawsuit, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Jones last week denied a motion by the defendants to stop discovery while the court considers a request that the whole lawsuit be dismissed.

At the heart of the dispute are allegations that the three managers quietly formed their own captive management company, known as Helios Risk Solutions, then named it as the management firm for Sherbrooke. It was self-dealing, the lawsuit contends: Helios was paid more than five times the standard market rate for captive manager services in the state.

North Carolina Department of Insurance records show Helios is an approved captive manager, owned by Queen, based in Rome, Georgia. Queen had previously worked with Hiscox USA, a specialty insurer, according to news reports.

Sherbrookes complaint also claims that the three men illegally copied and utilized the software that Sherbrooke had spent more than $1 million to develop.

The proprietary software enabled Sherbrooke to, among other things, incorporate and utilize medical records to project and predict risk values in pricing individual covered incidents more effectively, the complaint notes.

Specifically, the software was used to accurately price insurance contracts for existing and potential customers, in order to provide competitive and profitable insurance policies for Sherbrooke and its customers.

The suit asks for a declaration from the federal court that Mayer and Queen were properly removed as officers of Sherbrooke, and that they owe compensatory and punitive damages to Sherbrooke and Goldner.

Topics North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina board that regulates land surveyors didnt violate a drone photography pilots constitutional rights when it told him to stop advertising and offering aerial map services because he lacked a state license, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.

The panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in upholding a trial courts decision, found the free-speech protections of Michael Jones and his 360 Virtual Drone Services business werent violated by the states requirement for a license to offer surveying services.

The litigation marked an emerging conflict between technology disrupting the hands-on regulated profession of surveying. A state license requires educational and technical experience, which can include examinations and apprenticeships.

Jones sought to expand his drone pilot career by taking composite images that could assist construction companies and others with birds-eye views of their interested tracts of land. The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors began investigating his activities in late 2018.

The board wrote to Jones in June 2019 and ordered him to stop engaging in mapping, surveying and photogrammetry; stating accuracy; providing location and dimension data; and producing orthomosaic maps, quantities and topographic information. Performing surveying work without a license can subject someone to civil and criminal liability.

By then, Jones had placed a disclaimer on his website saying the maps werent meant to replace proper surveys needed for mortgages, title insurance and land-use applications. He stopped trying to develop his mapping business but remained interested in returning to the field in the future, according to Mondays opinion. So he sued board members in 2021 on First Amendment grounds.

U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan sided with the board members last year, determining that the rules withstood scrutiny because they created a generally applicable licensing system that regulated primarily conduct rather than speech.

Circuit Judge Jim Wynn, writing Mondays unanimous opinion by the three-member panel, said determining whether such a business prohibition crosses over to a significant speech restriction can be difficult.

Even where a regulation is in fact aimed at professional conduct, States must still be able to articulate how the regulation is sufficiently drawn to promote a substantial state interest, Wynn said.

In this case, he wrote, its important that people can rely on surveyors to provide accurate maps. And theres no evidence that the maps that Jones wants to create would constitute unpopular or dissenting speech, according to Wynn.

There is a public interest in ensuring there is an incentive for individuals to go through that rigorous process and become trained as surveyors, he wrote, adding the licensing law protects consumers from potentially harmful economic and legal consequences that could flow from mistaken land measurements.

Sam Gedge, an attorney at the Institute for Justice firm representing Jones, said Monday that he and his client want to further appeal the case, whether through the full 4th Circuit, based in Richmond, Virginia, or at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mondays ruling says the state can criminalize sharing certain types of photos without a government-issued license. And it does so on the theory that such a law somehow does not regulate speech,' Gedge wrote in an email. That reasoning is badly flawed. Taking photos and providing information to willing clients is speech, and its fully protected by the First Amendment.

Joining Wynn  a former North Carolina appeals court judge  in Mondays opinion were Circuit Judges Steven Agee and Stephanie Thacker.

Photo: Michael Jones operates his drone in 2021, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics North Carolina
U.S. auto safety investigators said on Monday they have launched an investigation into the April crash of a VinFast 0TL.F, VFS.O VF 8 electric vehicle in Pleasanton, California, in which a family of four died.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the investigation will probe the April 24 crash circumstances and the ensuing fire. A complaint filed with the agency on April 29 said steering may have been an issue in the crash that killed a couple along with their children aged 13 and 9.

Pleasanton Police said the driver in the single-vehicle accident appeared to have lost control and collided with a large oak tree and that speed may have been a factor.

Vietnamese automaker VinFast, which started selling vehicles in the United States in 2023, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Pleasanton Weekly earlier this month quoted a VinFast spokesperson as saying the automaker was aware of the accident, adding: The authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and will share their findings when their work is completed.

The agency typically opens more than 100 special crash investigations annually into emerging technologies and other potential auto safety issues.

The complaint filed with NHTSA on April 29 by a coworker of the driver in the fatal crash said that in a separate incident the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the right but the coworker was able to regain control of the steering wheel and was concerned the steering issue had reoccurred in the fatal crash.

Police told media that the family did not own the car.

TechCrunch reported the investigation earlier on Monday.

(Reporting by Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Michael PerryEditing by Leslie Adler, Matthew Lewis and Michael Perry)

Topics California USA
Roughly 200 firefighters continued to battle a wildfire in Arizona that quickly grew to more than 14,000 acres.

Firefighters have kept the Wildcat Fire size from growing over the past day, but extremely low humidity, warm temperatures and gusty afternoon winds continued to be of concern.

The fire forced the closure of portions of the Tonto National Forest.

The blaze, which is has improved from 0% contained to 36% contained in two days. is burning in grass and brush. The cause of the fire is listed as human.

Related:

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Tipperary financial services firm SYS Group has announced its acquisition of Cork-based Global Life & Finance for an undisclosed amount.

Founded in 2000 in Cork city, the long-standing financial broker was founded by its current chief executive, Seamus Fox. The company has 100m in assets under management with more than 1,000 clients across Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.

The deal will bring overall assets managed by SYS to more than 500m, the Tipperary firm said, with its customer base set to grow to 8,500. It marks the latest acquisition for the Nenagh-based group which has expanded significantly over the past twelve months.

The group's overall assets under management have grown by nearly 200m in the year following the acquisition of Dublin-based Donald P McKenna & Associates and PGM Financial Services, among others.

SYS said Mr Fox would continue to be "heavily involved" in regular client activity as he moves into a senior role in the group, with the firm's employee base rising to 58 following the transaction.

SYS Group was founded in 2015 by its current CEO, Tony Delaney and has since opened offices across Dublin, Cork and Waterford as well as its headquarters in Nenagh, Tipperary.

Speaking on the acquisition, Mr Delaney said: "Not only is this acquisition an excellent fit for SYS Group in terms of culture, strategy, and client portfolio, it will enable us to continue to build upon our position in the Irish market.

"I am also very pleased that Seamus will be joining the SYS Group team, as his expertise is unparalleled, and he is very highly regarded within the industry. We all look forward to working with him.

Mr Fox added that he believed the acquisition would "help to ensure we can uphold our commitment to delivering top-tier services to our clients whilst leveraging SYS Groups scale, expertise, additional services and wider solutions.
Where should I pull over?

According to insurer the AA, the hard shoulder is one of the most dangerous areas on any road and is only for emergency use. In an emergency, you should move your vehicle onto the hard shoulder if you have no other choice. The safest option is to drive to a safer place off the motorway if possible rather than stopping on the hard shoulder.

If you are parking on the hard shoulder of the motorway, park as far to the left as possible and point your wheels left too. Leave your sidelights on and use your hazard lights.

If you are unable to move your vehicle onto the hard shoulder, switch on your hazard warning lights and only leave your vehicle when you can safely get clear of the carriageway.

Should I stay in the vehicle?

Do not remain in the vehicle. You and any passengers should exit the vehicle by the left-hand door. Wear a reflective jacket if you have one and only place a reflective triangle by the vehicle if it is safe to do so.

Ensure that passengers keep away from both the road and the hard shoulder. Move up the bank or behind a barrier if possible for safety.

What about my children or my pet?

Children should leave the vehicle as safely as possible, exiting through the left doors. Move them off the road to stand behind a barrier or up on a verge.

If you are travelling with a pet, it is recommended you leave them in the vehicle as it is easier to keep them under control and they are less likely to get loose and run into traffic. If you need to remove them from the car, keep them off the road and well-secured.

Who should I call?

Transport Infrastructure Ireland says a Motorway Service Helpline to assist road users in difficulty on a motorway is available. All calls are directed through the Motorway Traffic Control Centre, the number is 0818 715 100.

You can also ring your insurer if you have roadside assistance as part of your cover, or ring a nearby garage for help.

If you dont have a phone, walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway  never cross the carriageway. The phone is free and connects directly to the TIIs Motorway Traffic Control Centre.

You should always face oncoming traffic while making the call.

What if I have limited mobility?

If you have a disability or limited mobility, stay in your vehicle and switch on your hazard warning lights. Contact the emergency services.
New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Iran on Wednesday to attend the official ceremony to pay condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials in a helicopter crash.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran on the tragic death of President Raisi and the others.



External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi today to convey Indias condolences on the tragic loss. India is observing a day of national mourning on Tuesday, 21 May 2024.

UNI RN
Its amazing to see New York from Dublin, said John Plummer, visiting from Drogheda, referring to the Dublin-New York livestream portal. Installed just off OConnell Street in Dublin and in the iconic Flatiron district in Manhattan, this round-the-clock visual link has the potential to be more than just a digital curiosity. However, the portal has faced significant issues, including inappropriate behaviour, technical challenges, and public backlash.

Since its inception, the Dublin-New York portal had its share of problems. Instances of inappropriate behaviour, such as flashing, displaying offensive symbols, and showing images of the 9/11 attacks, quickly spread on social media, leading to a global media frenzy. One notable incident involved an OnlyFans model lifting her shirt in New York. These actions prompted swift reactions from city officials, who temporarily shut down the portal.

Efforts to implement solutions, such as blurring the video feed, could have been better. The projects coordinators scrambled to find adequate technical fixes. As a result, the portal was frequently switched off. Despite these setbacks, most interactions through the portal have been positive, and if we just think about its potential, it could be fantastic.

Imagine turning the portal into a live workshop on urban gardening right in the heart of Dublin, with an expert from New York demonstrating how to turn your apartment balcony into a green oasis. Educational sessions on composting, up-cycling, and energy conservation could be regularly streamed, offering practical knowledge that individuals can adopt daily.

Experts in a public place on each side of the globe and obviously supervision for live events. It could be the visual billboard we need to rapidly make our lives and the planet a better place. It could be used to inspire viewers. Viewers who are casually walking past that will never type How do I conserve water? into their Google search bar. Viewers like me! Yes, its a wide cast, but its a start.

Schools and community groups could also benefit from transforming the portal into a live classroom. Topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and recycling could be explored in depth while also taking in the wax works on your school tour fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues among young learners and the broader public. The sky is the limit regarding the talent and expertise the USA could livestream to us.

Knowledge is power, and that knowledge can be provided free to all, but heres the key in a public place. Despite the occasional disruption, the portal could also become a vibrant community and cultural engagement space. Simultaneous community clean-up events in both cities could be a regular feature, with participants sharing their progress live, creating a sense of shared purpose and accomplishment. Sustainable food fairs, showcasing local, organic, and fair-trade products, could also take centre stage.

Cultural exchanges could be another highlight. Artists, musicians, comedians and performers from Dublin and New York could share works that focus on positive themes, fostering a global sense of community through the universal language of art. While the portals live feed has occasionally been hijacked by individuals seeking attention with inappropriate acts, as alluded to previously, most interactions have been positive.

Youll always get a few idiots, but I think our perspective would change once people see that there could be an actual benefit from it. In fairness, it is much more than a public zoom call. If used right, these portals could become commonplace in every major city. Think about those twinned with signs outside every town in Ireland. How about seeing that place every day and what theyre up to?

This spirit of connection and shared responsibility will ultimately define the success of this ambitious project, transforming it from a digital spectacle into a meaningful driver of ideas and collaboration..

In a digital landscape where people can hide behind usernames, the Dublin-New York livestream portal most definitely stands out by making us show our faces (and yes, we have the potential to show other bodily features, too) to those were connecting with.

But as much as the technology seems like a white elephant, the interactions that this current curio could spark, especially as a public portal, could just be exactly what we need. Surely Im not its only fan?
Ireland needs to hold an inquiry into its maternity services which will examine all of the challenges women experience  similar to that held this year in England.

A leading maternity advocate made the call following the publication of a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Birth Trauma in England based on feedback from parents, healthcare workers and academics.

Dr Kyrisa Lynch, chair of AIMS Ireland (Association for Improvements in Maternity Care) said there are similarities between how the British and Irish maternity systems have evolved in the last decade.

They have the same issues that we have here like the lack of staffing, she said as well as what she described as a move towards medicalisation.

One of Dr Lynch's key concerns is the rising level of medical interventions during labour and birth. Its very unusual now to hear of somebody who has no interventions in their birth, its really unusual, she said.

For first-time parents that is 5% to 10% so that means that between 90% and 95% of people are getting some kind of intervention. Its a lot and its become normal to be induced and to have a caesarean section.

These tools were introduced to save the lives of mothers and babies she said, but their widespread use should be analysed using personal feedback and stories.

And then there is a complete disregard here for peoples poor experiences, she said with no data collected on this. Birth trauma is not only about parents who lose their babies, she said, as a range of experiences contribute to this situation.

"If you compare our population to other populations you would expect a figure of around 7,000 a year," she said.

The English report 'Listen to Mums: Ending the Postcode Lottery on Perinatal Care' contains over 1,300 personal stories from parents along with information from over 100 maternity healthcare workers and from seven evidence sessions.

The stories told by parents were harrowing, the report stated with much feedback on catastrophic injuries suffered by babies or mothers.

Women also reported being mocked or shouted at and being denied basic needs such as pain relief. Other women reported direct or indirect racism with particularly poor care experienced by minority groups.

We also heard from maternity professionals who reported a maternity system in which overwork and understaffing was endemic. Some referred to a culture of bullying, the report said.
Ireland will recognise Palestine as a state, the Taoiseach has confirmed as Israel has recalled its ambassador from Ireland.

Simon Harris confirmed that Spain and Norway will also take this "important step" today, with more countries set to join at a later date.

Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway, as well as Ireland, over their recognition of a Palestinian state.

Speaking at Government Buildings, Mr Harris said today is an historic and important one, using the same language used by Ireland in 1919 when it sought international recognition.

He said that Ireland will take the necessary national steps to recognise Palestine.

He said Palestine will be entitled to self-determination and territorial integrity. He referenced the recent UN General Assembly vote which said that Palestine was qualified for the UN membership.

Mr Harris said it was an "unequivocal" show of support for a two-state solution.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that Ireland will take the necessary national steps to recognise Palestine. Picture: Larry Cummins

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that the recognition would come into effect from next Monday.

He said that such a move was a foundation for peace and security in the region. He said that few states have invested as much as Ireland in the recognition of Palestine.

However, Mr Martin said that it was with a "heavy heart" that Ireland had seen those "intent on violence, domination, subordination and exclusion" become some of the loudest voices in the region.

The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland thanked the Government for a "recognition of our rights". Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid said that her reaction to the announcement was positive and emotional.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste both denounced Hamas and the actions of October 7, but each said that the ongoing war on Gaza had brought destruction and death on innocent civilians.

"The Palestinian people are not Hamas," Mr Harris said.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said that Ireland has consistently said that "now is not the right time" for recognition of Palestine, but that this was now the time.

He added that "condemnation on its own cannot deliver peace".

Israeli reaction to Ireland's decision

Israel has said it is "disappointed" with Ireland's decision to recognise Palestine, saying it is "undermining its sovereignty and security".

"This act jeopardises any hope of Hamas releasing any of the 128 women, children and men kidnapped and held captive by them," the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

"Unilateral gestures such as this will do nothing for either Palestinians or Israelis. We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

"Recognition raises many questions, such as what is meant by 'Palestine'. What does it mean for Gaza since Hamas, who control it are bitter rivals of the Palestinian Authority.

"How will this help the people of Gaza under Hamass rule? Most importantly, one must question the timing of this announcement in the midst of a war that Hamas launched."

The statement added that the ambassador was recalled "temporarily for consultations".
The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland thanked the Government for a "recognition of our rights".

Her response follows the news that Ireland will recognise Palestine as a state, which resulted in the recall of Israel's ambassador to Ireland.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid said that her reaction to the announcement was positive and emotional.

I think it's the time it's not just symbolic, it's a recognition of our rights, of 13 million people, of Palestinian people to self-determination, and to live in peace and security in a sovereign state. That acknowledgment of recognition is highly welcomed by the Palestinian leadership. And, of course by all the Palestinians," she told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

What's going on in Gaza at the minute and in the West Bank needs the international community to take action. This action, the recognition of the rights of the Palestinians, people that give hope to the Palestinians, that they are seen, they are heard. They are not alone. And the international community believes in their rights, to live in peace and security in their sovereign state.

Dr Abdalmajid said that Ireland had lead the way and had worked hard with other countries at UN level and within the EU which had resulted in the recognition which was something very good, very strong.

Someone should take the lead and say to the international community that this must stop. And the Palestinian people deserve to have their own state, to live in peace and security in the region. We cannot just live in this war forever.

Palestine deserved to be recognised as a state, she added. We are 13 million, we deserve this right. Our right to self-determination, our aspiration for freedom. This will come, the Palestinian people deserve this.

Thousands of people took part in A National March for Palestine in Dublin earlier this month. The march was commemorating the Palestinian Nakba and call for the Irish government to sanction Israel for genocide.

Neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis deserved to live in war forever, she said. We deserve, to live in peace and security. And the Israeli children, the Palestinian children deserve to live in peace and security for their life. We deserve this. And the international community must help us to achieve this.

Pivotal stride towards justice and peace

Irish charity ActionAid Ireland has welcomed the news, describing it as a pivotal stride towards justice and peace for Palestinians.

ActionAid Ireland CEO, Karol Balfe, said acknowledging Palestine's statehood is not only a principled stance, but also a vital measure in rectifying the enduring injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

Despite the promise of never again, Gaza is experiencing amongst the worst levels of violence in modern history with an unbearable loss of innocent lives. The International Court of Justice has clearly set out the risk of a plausible genocide and a human-made famine is underway.

She also welcomed comments from Taoiseach Simon Harris connecting Irelands history with Palestines aspirations to have self-determination.

Having their own state is, first and foremost, a right of the Palestinian people. A right recognized by the international community and enshrined in several United Nations General Assembly resolutions.

Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trocaire, described the recognition of the State of Palestine as "very welcome", but one that must be followed up with "decisive action" by Ireland and other member states.

This will help Palestinians realise this right to self-determination, she said.

"The right to self-determination is an integral element of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms and yet the State of Israel, through its persecution and dispossession of Palestinians, has systematically denied them this right for decades."

Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Minister Eamon Ryan hold a press conference at government buildings this morning, where they announced that Ireland will officially recognise the state of Paelstine.

Today's announcement formally recognises the State of Palestine at a time "where there is very little left of Palestine to recognise".

"As a result, today the fulfilment of this right for Palestinians has never seemed further away, let alone the possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state," she added.

"Frankly, terrible"

Oliver Sears, founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, has described the timing of the Irish States recognition of Palestine as frankly, terrible.

Mr Sears said he wanted peace for the region and supported a Palestinian state, but timing was everything.

We all want peace in this region. I've been a committed peacenik who has wanted a Palestinian state for as long as I'm aware of this region and this crisis. I think timing is everything. I think the timing is, frankly, terrible. You can't force peace on two warring parties. You have to create an atmosphere where there is at least the beginning of trust between the parties. We know this from the long peace negotiations that happened in the north of this country," Mr Sears said.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Sears said the Irish Governments action was emotional but not practical and did not recognise how the region was going to find peace.

When asked how he thought the Jewish community in Ireland would regard the decision to recognise the Palestinian State, Mr Sears said there will be feelings of disappointment.

They know that this has been coming. My sense is that they will be very disappointed because they see it as a reward to Hamas. And everybody in the community is sickened by what's going on. Most Jews I talked to are absolutely in favour of a two state solution. It's just the timing.
The Palestinian flag is due to be flown in Leinster House next Tuesday, as Ireland formally recognises the State of Palestine.

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail confirmed that the flag would be flown, following a question by Independent TD Thomas Pringle in the Dail this afternoon.

It comes as Dail statements on Irelands recognition of the Palestinian state will also be held next Tuesday.

It comes as Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed Irelands plans to recognise the Palestinian state earlier this morning, describing the day as historic and important.

The official recognition takes effect from next Tuesday, on May 28.

Mr Harris described the process as a message to Palestinians working for peace and democracy, that Ireland fully respect your aspirations to be living freely, in control of your own affairs and under your own leadership.

It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-State solution - the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples.

Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said that the plan was a foundation for both peace and security in the region.

It comes one week on from People Before Profit (PBP) TD Brid Smith unfurling a Palestinian flag on the grounds of Leinster House last Wednesday, despite refusals from Mr O Fearghail last week.

Ms Smith flew the Palestinian flag as part of efforts to commemorate Nakba Day, which remembers the destruction of the Palestinian society and the permanent displacement of Palestinians following the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948.

Mr O Fearghail wrote to PBP, saying that he believed it was inappropriate at the time to fly either the Palestinian or Israeli flag on the Leinster House grounds.
Gardai are investigating a suspected petrol bomb attack on a Dublin property being considered for asylum accommodation.

The incident occurred at a vacant property on High Street, Tallaght, at about 11.10pm on Tuesday.

Local fire services, gardai and emergency services all attended the scene. The fire was brought under control a short time later.

There were no injuries reported.

A technical examination of the scene has since been conducted.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Anyone who was in the vicinity of High Street, Tallaght, between 10.30pm and 11.30pm and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating gardai.

Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) are asked to make this available to gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

"Inquiries are ongoing," a Garda spokesperson said.

The incident marks the latest arson attack in which a building linked to the housing of international protection applicants has been targeted.

Last Thursday, a number of security workers were assaulted and vehicles damaged at a site designated for refugees in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
Update, May 24, 2024: Nuala Molloy, a Dublin woman missing from Cork has been found safe and well.

Gardai have thanked the public for their assistance.

May 22, 2024: The family of a Dublin woman missing from Co Cork are concerned for her welfare as gardai have issued an appeal for information on her whereabouts.

Gardai are seeking the public's assistance in locating 70-year-old Nuala Molloy, who was reported missing from Millstreet on Sunday.

Ms Molloy is from Cabinteely in Dublin but had been visiting family in Cork.

It is believed she travelled to Dublin and was seen in Dun Laoghaire on Tuesday, May 21, at 1.50pm.

Ms Molloy is described as being approximately 5ft 5in, with a medium build, grey hair and blue eyes.

It is unknown what she was wearing when she left Cork. Gardai and her family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information on Ms Molloy's whereabouts is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 205 90, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has U-turned on criticism of the Government over the recognition of a Palestinian State, as the Rural Independents said the withdrawal of a press release was a strategic choice.

The Tipperary TD initially released a statement through the Rural Independent press office at 2.19am on Wednesday, saying that the Government had been prioritising the Middle East over Middle Ireland.

It came as Taoiseach Simon Harris announced on Wednesday Ireland's recognition of the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain.

Mr Harris said the decision was based on a belief in permanent peace and taken due to Irelands understanding of a countrys fight to be recognised internationally.

However, the Tipperary TD had earlier described the move to recognise Palestine as a political stunt and that it was just an attempt to seek attention on the world stage.

The Government seems to be focusing more on international affairs, particularly in the Middle East, rather than addressing the challenges faced by the diligent people of Middle Ireland who are struggling to access State services or keep a roof over their head, Mr McGrath said.

Recognizing a territory controlled by Hamas raises questions. This decision seems less about integrity or belief and more about diverting attention from the real issues facing our people. Its disheartening and self-serving.

Mr McGrath said that Irelands association with Hamas through recognition of Palestine was questionable. He added: While the issues impacting the people of Palestine are indeed deeply concerning, they should not be the sole focus of our government.

However, more than 12 hours later, at 2.40pm, a press officer issued a withdrawal notice for the release.

Upon reflection and considering evolving circumstances, we have decided to withdraw this press release, the statement read.

This decision is not due to inaccuracies in the content, but a strategic choice made after careful consideration.

The press officer also called for media outlets to co-operate in refraining from further dissemination of this press release.

Mr Harris described Irelands recognition of a Palestinian state as historic and important, with it due to take effect from next Tuesday, May 28.

He described the process as a message to Palestinians working for peace and democracy, that Ireland fully respect your aspirations to be living freely, in control of your own affairs and under your own leadership.
Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we are recognising the State of Palestine.

Standing on the steps of Government Buildings, Simon Harris' announcement was the culmination of years of desire on the Irish side and months of planning among a group of "like-minded" countries who see the act as more than merely symbolic. It came after government dinners, meetings and "constant contact" with the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

Asked if this move was merely playing to a populist gallery, the Taoiseach rejected the accusation, saying it was a commitment in the programme for government and something the Government has wanted to do all along, though sources have said the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza, along with settler violence in the West Bank, sharpened minds across the continent.

Of course, Mr Harris is right. The recognition is in the Programme for Government, but it was also a stated aim of the last Government.

In 2016, the minority Fine Gael Government included the commitment, largely due to the representations of independent TD Sean Canney, according to sources.

However, campaigners were left less than enthused at the wording  which came just 18 months after the Dail had unanimously backed a motion calling on the Government to recognise a Palestinian state.

That Dail would pass without any move on recognition, though the Seanad in 2018 passed the Occupied Territories Bill  which would ban trade between Ireland and Israels illegal settlements in the West Bank, but which the Government resisted, largely due to advice from the Attorney General.

During negotiations on the formation of the coalition in 2020, the Green Party  led largely by Patrick Costello and Neasa Hourigan - aimed to put the Territories Bill back on the agenda, but was rebuffed by Fine Gael.

Where the Green negotiators found less resistance, which surprised them, was on Palestinian recognition.

One Green source said that both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael had no issues with commitment, though the final wording did not go as far as some would like.

The coalition did agree a commitment to oppose the annexation of Occupied Palestinian lands, with then foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney in 2021 slamming the EU for not calling out illegal settlements.

In May of that year, Ireland became the first EU country to declare that Israeli settlement in Palestinian territory amounts to illegal de facto annexation, after a Dail motion received cross-party support.

Simon Coveney said the move gives the Irish position a lot of credibility. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

Mr Coveney told the Irish Examiner on Wednesday that recognition is something that Ireland has been working on with like-minded countries for years to try to keep a two-state solution alive.

Crucially, Mr Coveney points to a major change.

It felt like we were close a number of times, but there was always something that made the timing difficult.

I would have done this as a foreign affairs minister if we could have got a group of countries, but I felt that Ireland doing it alone would have been a mistake. It would have put us on the other side of the European debate.

If we had done this alone ... it may have been popular and encouraged Palestinians for 48 hours. But my judgement is that, if Ireland wants to be a serious player on the Middle East peace process, we have to persuade others to come with us.

We have got a major country like Spain and the most serious external country in the Middle East process. It gives the Irish position a lot of credibility.

While the Government is keen to downplay the idea that this move is purely a reaction to events since October 7, there is no question that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza has seen things change as Ireland began to see a route to recognition on a European level.

In January, Tanaiste Micheal Martin hosted a Brussels dinner with ministers from like-minded countries to discuss the possibility of recognition, before a call with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates and bilateral meetings with Norway, Jordan, and Palestine in Munich.

Then taoiseach Leo Varadkars joint letter with Mr Sanchez, which called on the European Commission to review a trade agreement with Israel, is seen as the point from which Irelands recognition of Palestine became just a matter of time.

In a statement jointly signed on March 22, Mr Varadkar and his Spanish, Maltese, and Slovenian counterparts said they had discussed their readiness to recognise Palestine.

In the following days, Mr Martin would speak to representatives from Egypt and Jordan, but the resignation of Mr Varadkar meant that Irelands position in the coalition for recognition was somewhat uncertain.

A European Council meeting in Brussels was on the schedule as Mr Harris prepared to be elected Taoiseach, as was a meeting of prime ministers in Warsaw hosted by Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.

With those meetings happening on the Thursday after Mr Harris Tuesday ascension, a meeting Mr Sanchez had on the books for the Friday had to be re-requested, something Mr Harris was keen to accept.

The pair have, according to sources, been in constant contact on the issue of recognition and have developed a strong relationship  meeting three times in those first days of the Harris era.

While everyone agreed that Ireland and Spain would work in lockstep, there was no date agreed, though media reports that it would happen here on May 21 brought this week into focus.

Another shift came in recent weeks as Norway  long seen as an important European voice on the Middle East  decided it was ready to join. Mr Harris spoke to prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere for an hour last week both discussing their domestic requirements and, on Saturday, the shape of todays choreography became clear.

Norway would move first, but Mr Harris and Mr Sanchez would speak within an hour as all three hope for more countries to move.

There is acceptance across the board that recognition would be better in the wake of a peace agreement, but across Europe the sense now is that this was needed to keep any hope of peace alive.

Or, as Mr Coveney puts it, this is not the perfect time, but it is the right time.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have criticised the British government as Northern Irelands main political parties welcomed news of a General Election.

After Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun for campaigning on Wednesday, party leaders took aim at the Conservatives and focused on the UK governments Legacy Act as well as funding levels supplied to Northern Ireland.

Sinn Feins leader in Northern Ireland said the Westminster elections are an opportunity to send a clear message to the UK government that systemic underfunding of public services must end.

Michelle ONeill said: The Tory government has been a disaster for the people in the north  bad for the economy, bad for public services and bad for workers and families as the cost of living soared, putting them under pressure.

She said voters could send a message that they want decisions about their life and future to be made here in Ireland, and not in London.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the General Election on Wednesday evening (Lucy North/PA)

She added: You can vote for a future where our children have the best opportunities to build their lives here at home.

A shared future, where all our people and communities work together as one.

Historically, elected Sinn Fein MPs have refused to take their seats at Westminster.

Setting out his party stall, the DUP leader said that the UK government is fast running out of steam.

Gavin Robinson said polling day will provide the people of Northern Ireland with a clear choice as to who they think is best placed to represent them and deliver the best outcomes for them.

He said: While political progress and new mechanisms were secured in negotiations with the Conservative government to allow the Assembly and Executive to be re-established, the next government will have much more to do to ensure Northern Ireland benefits as an integral part of the United Kingdom rather than remaining subject to European laws in some areas of our daily lives.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson (Brian Lawless/PA)

He added: We will use the forthcoming campaign to make the case that now more than ever is the time to strengthen the Unionist position  not divide and weaken it.

Over the next number of weeks, we will campaign and seek votes to strengthen the pro-Union position.

At this election, Unionists know that it is the Democratic Unionist Party that has the strength and depth to be able to make the pro-Union case and to unashamedly make the case for Northern Ireland in Parliament.

The statement came hours after it was announced his predecessor Jeffrey Donaldson, who is facing a series of historical sex offence charges, will not contest the election.

His solicitor made the confirmation after a judge fixed a date for a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send Donaldson to trial.

Reacting to the election announcement, the leader of Alliance said her party is the main challenger to DUP.

Naomi Long said: Our positivity, progressiveness, responsibility and record of delivery is what we will be standing on, and I am confident people will back us on that platform.

Leader of the Alliance Party Naomi Long (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Ulster Unionist Party leader said the election would be opportunity to vote for representatives with a long-term vision for Northern Ireland.

Doug Beattie said: Its time we had strategic thinkers in Westminster, pro-union MPs who can look beyond short-term goals and concentrate on a long-term vision for Northern Ireland.

Elsewhere, Colum Eastwood said the SDLPs mission is to remove the Tories from power, adding: Its time to reverse the toxic legacy bill, its time to restore faith in the power of government as a force for good  it is fundamentally time for change.

The party leader said: The best way to support that objective in constituencies across the North is to back SDLP candidates who are ready to turn up and vote the Tories down.

Meanwhile, TUV leader Jim Allister said the election will be a battle between those who believe in the United Kingdom and those who believe Northern Ireland can be treated as part of the EU.

Mr Allister added: With our historic link-up with Reform UK, TUV offers the people of Northern Ireland to vote for a truly national political movement.

People Before Profits Gerry Carroll said the party will provide a socialist alternative in the vote.
Statement by the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, on the Departure of His Excellency the Governor, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE

"Ladies and gentlemen, We are gathered here today ... to bid farewell to a distinguished individual who leaves an indelible mark on our beloved Gibraltar.

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE DL, His Excellency the Governor, as he has been known for the past four years."

"He is, finally(!), departing from our shores, and it is with mixed emotions that we express our gratitude and bid him farewell."

"Dear David,

So, the time has come to say goodbye.

Hard though it may appear to be at first blush, parting is, I am sure, such sweet sorrow in some ways.

You have served our community with dedication and distinction, and your departure leaves a void that will not easily be filled.

But it is also undoubtedly true that, throughout your tenure, we have faced significant challenges challenges that tested your mettle and resilience as much as these challenges have tested our mettle too.

The twin spectres of COVID-19 and Brexit loomed large over your time amongst us.

But you have always navigated your role in helping us deal with them with grace and determination.

We started with OPERATION AIR BRIDGE when we kept BA flying to Gibraltar as the only UK air route to Europe.

Then we worked together on the operation to receive our life-saving COVID vaccines.

Few will know how hard you worked, with Ian Cumming and Samantha Sacramento, to ensure that we got everything right on OPERATION JABS TO GIB.

In the end, it was down to the Angel wings of the RAF bringing us the life-saving injections. Given the vaccine could not then be brought to us by sea because of its short shelf life, it was then that you grudgingly accepted that the RAF does have its uses in the modern age.

Then onto OPERATION FORTH BRIDGE for the Duke of Edinburghs funeral.

And then, far too quickly after that we moved, tragically, to OPERATION LONDON BRIDGE for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeths funeral.

You and I have had to handle more operations than Sponsored Patients! Then we had the fire in the tunnel and water shortages.

As well as the OS35 running aground and breaking up on our shores. Goodness, I am starting to see a pattern develop here.

How much bad luck could you bring us! In fact, you know I am joking.

Because the reality is that it has been our very, very good luck to have you with us at these difficult moments in our history.

Not least during treaty negotiations and the convening of the ongoing public inquiry, where your legal training has been remarkably helpful.

The reality is that lawyers speak their own language and it is always helpful to have another lawyer to talk to in tense political, professional and personal times.

But, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, I have been less grateful for your mind these last four years than I have been for your heart.

Yours is a big heart that you have opened up to us and to our small but proud nation.

We have faced a lot together in your too short time here.

But we have faced it together.

Because every challenge I faced for Gibraltar or in my personal life, I knew you were four square with me with unwavering commitment.

And beyond the official duties, you have become woven into the fabric of Gibraltar.

Because if it were true, as some fool has suggested in the past twenty-four hours, that the Gibraltarians are an infection of any type, then we are an infection of generosity, hospitality and warmth.

And you came with that infection already flowing freely in your blood and for that reason you found it so easy to become one of us.

It is often said that Governors turn native.

You were born native.

You embraced our culture, our generosity, and our hospitability.

And now, I see, you are even being accused of turning socialist!

Goodness, who would have thought that a Governor would ever be accused of being too close to a Chief Minister, when that is one of the things we should always be hoping to see!

Its part of our respective jobs!

But one thing is for sure: wherever you go next, whatever you do, whoever you support, you will now, always, be ONE OF US.

Because, although your determination has been eponymously steely, your heart has been softer than butter in the levante heat for the Gibraltarians.

This Rock now bears your name etched in this small corner of its history forever. Just as you have etched your way into the hearts of our people.

For that reason, I would summarise that there will, henceforth,

- be a part of Gibraltar that will, forever, be David Steel;

- and a part of David Steel that will, forever, be Gibraltar.

And I know that Gibraltar, too, is now the predominant battle honour etched in your heart.

An honour that I know will mean more than official titles and will be a part of your soul forever.

Thats what Gibraltar does.

It creeps up on you and becomes a part of your very being.

Dear David, I have no doubt that His Majesty will be very proud indeed to have been represented by you in this role.

Like our beloved deceased Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, who appointed you, your dear mother and father would be enormously proud of you.

Because you arrived as a Vice Admiral with an important job to do. And you did it better than well.

But you leave now as a member of our family.

A family that will never let you go.

Fair winds and following seas, dear friend.

May your journey onwards be as remarkable as your time with us.

And remember, Gibraltar will always be your home, and you will FOREVER be ONE OF US.

Thank you, Sir David Steel, for your service, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to the Rock of the Gibraltarians.

As Cassius said to Brutus as they faced their final battle:

... whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take For ever, and for ever, farewell,

If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;

If not, why then, this parting was well made.

COME BACK SOON TO YOUR ROCK, YOUR HOME AND YOUR FRIENDS."

And, if you DO come back, you wont need to knock because, on behalf of the People of Gibraltar, I am happy to give you a set of keys to the Fortress.

And dont be late for the jet on Thursday, for goodness sake!
Why is everything around disabilities so hard in this country?

Not only has the re-organisation of State services been disastrous, our children arent even getting access to the school-based therapies theyre supposed to be getting.

My 10-year-old son Jacob has autism. Several years ago I wrote in these pages about our struggles to find him a school place. That wrong was, miraculously, righted thanks to St Killians school in Mayfield, Cork.

He is happy there, he has developed there, he has friends, he can count large groups of items at a glance, as Ive seen him using apps. Ive even joined the board of management (as one of two parent reps, not as a journalist or editor).

But St Killians, as a special school which has been taking in more and more pupils who have autism, is supposed to be getting therapeutic services several days a week  occupational and speech to be precise, both things that Jacob needs.

He is not much for speech. I asked him why he didnt talk to me once and he told me its shit. Hes also told me he finds it hard. But he can when he wants to, albeit occasionally with a French accent.

Autism brings with it a whole series of challenges that are often interconnected. For example, sleep problems are extremely common (as I write this I have been up with Jacob since 4.30am, having been up with him from 2.15am the night before), which in turn magnifies behavioral issues.

David O'Mahony's son Jacob. Some things that might be considered normal family activities dont work out for us, though that doesnt stop us doing things.

Although you dont have to have autism to be cranky and out of sorts after a bad nights sleep, lets be honest. But it makes learning harder, makes resilience during stressful situations more fragile.

Add to that, daily life is filled with little challenges. His patience with change and new things compared to before covid has shortened. We have never been to the cinema together as a family of five.

Other things that might be considered normal family activities dont work out for us, though that doesnt stop us doing things, I hasten to add. Occupational therapy might help with this to some extent  not miraculously so, but if you get 1% better at something on a regular basis it all adds up.

Now though, scale that up to as many as 90 families in just one school; some kids will be able to do more than others, as is the case for neuro-typical children too, but the challenges can be steeper, more numerous, more prevalent.

He has had no State services for years, bar the recent help of a paediatrician through his disability network team (a three-word horror story if ever there was one). That paediatrician is already making a difference in treating some of Jacobs sleep and intestinal issues, both of which are common in people with autism, and it goes to show that when services are provided they can have tangible benefits quite quickly.

Jacob's autism brings with it a whole series of challenges that are often interconnected.

It's just another reason why the countrys disabled children should be getting what they are entitled to in their schools. They should not be seen as second-class citizens.

The teaching staff and SNAs are superb and widely skilled (and the principal Sue is a legend). But for all their vigour and heroics what Jacob, and many of the other children at the school, needs is actual dedicated speech support.

We were expecting an announcement from Anne Rabbitte on May 13. Nothing came.

A lobby group, St Killians Parents Unite, has been engaged in a vigorous letter-writing campaign with Cork politicians of all stripes. On the back of this, the school  and the ongoing lack of therapy funding for same  was raised in the Dail by Sinn Feins Thomas Gould and Donncha O Laoghaire.

It has been brought to Finance Minister Michael McGraths attention so he can pursue it with the relevant ministers. The TDs Colm Burke, Padraig OSullivan, and Mick Barry have been actively helping. Other TDs and councillors have also voiced their concern. Barry raised it directly with Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Dail in recent days. Harris promised to seek an update from Anne Rabbitte. We shall see what comes of it.

Parents Unite and the principal met with Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte last year. They were promised that, if they could source a private contractor, then the funding for therapy would be released. There is a precedent for this in Wicklow.

They sourced the contractor. The fees are agreed and, in the grand scheme of things, are not excessive. Its the kind of thing that should be considered an investment in childrens future, not a burden on a Kafka-esque bureaucratic monolith.

The HSE has not released funding, and instead keeps saying that there are therapists in-situ in schools. I assure you there are not, at least not in the schools Ive heard of.

The Irish Examiner last week reported that two schools on the southside of the city, in Carrigaline and Rochestown, are in a similar predicament, and that the HSE is making similar claims. Thats just three schools in a relatively small geographical area.

Lets scale up again. How many other schools might be affected? If there are more than 90 pupils hit in just one school, then how many hundreds more are also being deprived of necessary services and supports?

Jacob has had no State services for years.

Why do we accept this as a republic?

Why do parents and educators have to fight tooth-and-nail for what theyve been promised?

There is no excuse or justification for this. I know it, you know it, every politician in the country knows it. Its time for all the pressure to be brought to bear on the HSE so it actually does what it is claiming to do.

Read More Mental health crisis among autism community, conference to hear
Given the States shameful history in tackling child sexual abuse, 1.2m doesnt seem like a lot of money.

When you consider the scale of the current need, it seems hard to believe officials have to request this level of funding a second time.

Its part of a painstakingly slow progress, by successive Governments, in implementing recommendations for a basic national service for children trying to live with  and recover from  the most appalling of traumas.

Such was the sobering picture painted at an Oireachtas committee this week.

It jarred with the otherwise largely positive impression of a new service  called the Barnahus model  which brings together all the services a child victim of sexual abuse, and their parents, need under one roof.

When a child under the age of 14 goes to this service in Galway, they will get  or are promised  forensic and medical services, child protection, therapeutic care, and police services.

While described as a new service, Barnahus West was set up in September 2019, although it wasnt until November 2020 that it was in a position to start taking referrals.

The Oireachtas Committee on Children held a detailed, and packed, session on Barnahus on Tuesday

Present were assembled senior officials from the Department of Children and Tusla, as well as the HSE and Childrens Health Ireland, along with senior Garda officers.

The principal officer in the Department of Children, Des Delaney, gave the background and mentioned the landmark reports on child abuse  the Ferns report 2005 and the Ryan report of 2011. Seven years later, Hiqa was tasked with examining the issue  followed by an expert group and the pilot in 2019.

There was no mention by Mr Delaney, or any of the other contributors, that the Garda Inspectorate published a report in 2012, in which it recommended the establishment of two pilot child advocacy centres in Dublin involving the gardai, HSE, and St Louises and St Clares units (specialist HSE therapeutic services).

In 2017, the inspectorate published a follow-up review which found that very little progress had been made in setting up the centres.

Mr Delaney told the committee that Tusla was looking for 1.2m to create 16 additional posts to make Barnahus West fully operational and not just a pilot.

It noted the Government had identified a similar model  based on the Rowan Centre in the North  but pointed out that it was still at discussion stage. It said the official plan was to have three co-located hubs, one covering Dublin, a second covering the southern region, and a third covering the northern and western region, as well as satellite locations providing therapeutic support.

It also urged a significant increase in the number of trained social workers to join specialist Garda interviewers, so that the recommended joint-interviewing of child victims of sexual abuse can become the norm.

Almost eight years on, the childrens committee was hearing just how slow the progress has been  through no fault of the staff across the agencies, as noted by many members

Barnahus West is still looking for stable funding and increased funding to be properly functioning.

The Department of Children, joined by Tusla and HSE/Childrens Health Ireland, is also trying to get funding to establish Barnahus South.

Mr Delaney told the committee that Tusla was looking for 1.2m to create 16 additional posts to make Barnahus West fully operational  and not just a pilot  and set up Barnahus South, pointing out that this funding is critical.

He said there is a significant waiting list for therapy as it stands.

Helen Shortt, of the HSE, said that while the Barnahus South model started earlier this month in Cork, it is working on a virtual basis with a site at St Marys Health Campus earmarked for the construction of the physical building  once funding is approved.

Mr Delaney said a memo for the Tusla funding would go soon to the Government. He pointed out that a similar memo was sent the previous September, prior to Budget 2024, but that it didnt proceed any further.

Fine Gael committee member Simon Coveney said he doesnt think the first concern of the Government should be the budget, pointing out that 1.2m is very small in terms of the overall health and childrens budgets.

Green Party TD Patrick Costello, a former social worker, praised the model, but said there simply arent enough centres.

He said Norway, with a similar population has 11 centres and that Sweden has 34 centres. He said Cyprus, with a population of 1.2m, has three centres.

Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan said the agency received more than 91,000 referrals last year and that 5,467 (6%) related to child sexual abuse.

She said that since Barnahus West began taking referrals in 2020, some 446 children and their families have been cared for.

Independent senator Tom Clonan said this suggests that a very tiny number of victims of child sexual abuse are in the Barnahus system.

Im shocked at the numbers, and thats not a criticism, he said. Children are also treated by St Louises and St Claires, as well as by the charity Cari.

Tuslas chief social worker Gerard Brophy told members that it is taking seven to eight years to get a case before the courts. He said there is a significant problem with data sharing between Tusla and gardai, and disclosure of information at court level.

He added that only around 2% of all child sex abuse cases end in a prosecution.
The Australian military has flown 115 passengers on two flights from the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia and a French government flight was expected to evacuate another 100 stranded passengers on Wednesday, an Australian government minister said.

Six people have been killed, including two police officers, and hundreds have been injured during recent armed clashes, looting and arson in New Caledonia.

The unrest erupted on May 13 as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French Constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists.

Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination.

French Army embarking a plane to New Caledonia at the Istres military base, southern France (Etat Major des Armees via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to land on Thursday in New Caledonia, where Indigenous people have long sought independence. The unrest has raised new questions about Mr Macrons handling of Frances colonial legacy.

Australian Pacific minister Pat Conroy said 84 of the passengers who were flown on two Royal Australian Airforce C-130 Hercules late on Tuesday from the capital Noumea to the Australian east coast city of Brisbane were Australian citizens.

Mr Conroy did not say what nationalities were among the remaining 31 passengers. But he said Australia had reciprocal arrangements with Canada and Japan to help their citizens in crises.

More than 200 other Australians were registered with Australias Department of Foreign Affairs to leave the South Pacific territory, where a 12-day state of emergency has been declared.

Weve prioritised the elderly, the pregnant and the most vulnerable, Mr Conroy told Nine Network television.

Well continue to work with the French government to make sure we get every Australian out of New Caledonia who does want to leave, Mr Conroy added.

Mr Conroy said he had been advised France was planning more flights to Brisbane on Wednesday.

The French have indicated they intend to continue repatriating foreign nationals, particularly tourists, so the primary plan is more French flights, but  we do have contingency plans, and we do have planes on standby should there be an issue with that course of action, Mr Conroy later told the ABC.

A French plane is expected to leave for Brisbane this afternoon or this evening and we expect around 100 Australians to be on it, Mr Conroy added.

A New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules flew 48 passengers with the most pressing needs from Noumea to the New Zealand city of Auckland on Tuesday night, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.
The parties that agreed to form a Dutch coalition dominated by the far-right are struggling to find a prime minister and have warned that the search might leave the Netherlands without a fully functional government for months.

Anti-Islam legislator Geert Wilders, who convincingly won the November election, told legislators it might take until after the summer to cobble together a technocrat government.

He reiterated that he would not become prime minister as part of the outline coalition deal.

No one had predicted this would work. And I assure you that the government team, including the prime minister, will be presented. We will naturally make that work too

The initial candidate for prime minister that Mr Wilders had in mind withdrew early this week following reported allegations of his involvement in medical patent fraud.

It could take one or two months, or even up to a key parliamentary meeting in September, he said.

Mr Wilders has been a divisive figure in Dutch politics for the past two decades and his appointment as prime minister would be seen as a step too far.

No one had predicted this would work, Mr Wilders said about the coalition.

And I assure you that the government team, including the prime minister, will be presented. We will naturally make that work too.

Wilders was instrumental in building a coalition with outgoing Prime Minister Mark Ruttes centre-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, the populist Farmer Citizen Movement and the new centrist New Social Contract party.

With plans to enforce the most restrictive asylum policy in the history of the Netherlands, Mr Wilders has pushed a Dutch coalition far to the right and obscured the traditional view of the country as an open, tolerant society.

The coalition plan has also raised questions about the next governments climate commitments that are enshrined in EU policies.

The Farmer Citizen Movement has made sure the deal includes soothing language and concessions to farmers who have choked roads with tractors during disruptive protests.

Asylum and climate could quickly set up bruising battles with EU headquarters in Brussels, which oversees how policies are implemented in member states, and dent the nations stature as a pillar of the 27-nation bloc, which Mr Rutte had carefully nurtured during his nearly 13 years in power.

Mr Rutte remains in office in a caretaker capacity and is seen as a strong candidate to become the next Nato secretary general this year.

His party, however, risks being expelled from the liberal Renew bloc in the European Parliament because of its alliance with Mr Wilders.

The Renew bloc said it would not accept coalitions with the extreme right.
French president Emmanuel Macron is flying to New Caledonia to seek a political solution to the unrest that has rocked the French archipelago in the south-western Pacific Ocean, with violence still simmering while he is in the air.

The unrest has raised new questions about Mr Macrons handling of Frances colonial legacy.

There have been decades of tensions between Indigenous Kanaks, who seek independence for the territory of 270,000 people, and descendants of colonists and others who settled on the island and who want to remain part of France.

Emmanuel Macron boards a plane to travel to the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

The unrest erupted on May 13 as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French Constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists.

Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination.

Mr Macron, who left France on Tuesday evening, is expected to land on Thursday morning in New Caledonia, where the presidential Elysee Palace said that he will focus on restoring order and facilitating dialogue among local leaders, and to discuss the significant reconstruction needed after violence has caused damage estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Mr Macrons objectives also include expressing solidarity with the territorys inhabitants, thanking security forces, and meeting with local leaders to discuss reconstruction and political issues.

Mr Macron has long been actively engaged in New Caledonias political landscape, particularly in facilitating dialogue between pro-independence and pro-France factions.

His efforts culminated in a 2018 referendum in which New Caledonians voted to remain part of France by a narrow margin.

The New Caledonia High Commission reported that 1,050 reinforcements from the gendarmerie, police, and civil security have been deployed, over 90 roadblocks have been dismantled, more than 280 people have been arrested, 84 police officers and gendarmes have been injured, and no new fatalities have been reported.

A burnt car store is pictured in Noumea, New Caledonia (Cedric Jacquot/AP)

Six people have died in the violence so far, including two members of the police.

A third evacuation flight reached the Australian city of Brisbane on Wednesday, bringing 103 Australians and family members from New Caledonia, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said on social media.

It was not clear whether the flight was a French government plane as had been planned, or one of the Australian military aircraft that has been placed on standby to hasten the evacuation of Australian nationals.

Thank you to officials for operating these flights, Ms Wong said on the platform X.

The Australian military flew 115 passengers on two flights from New Caledonia late Tuesday before France announced it would take responsibility for evacuating stranded foreigners.
Bruce Hood at Aeon:

My own tutee students, whom I met on a regular basis, were reporting poor mental health or asking for extensions because they were unable to meet deadlines that were stressing them out. They were overly obsessed with marks and other performance outcomes, and this impacted not only on them, but also on the teaching and support staff who were increasingly dealing with alleviating student anxiety. Students wanted more support that most felt was lacking and, in an effort to deal with the issue, the university had invested heavily, making more provision for mental health services. The problem with this strategy, however, is that by the time someone seeks out professional services, they are already at a crisis point. I felt compelled to do something.

At the time, Bristol University was described in the British press as a toxic environment, but this was an unfair label as every higher education institution was, and still is, experiencing a similar mental health crisis. Even in the Ivy League universities in the United States, there was a problem, as I discovered when I became aware of a course on positive psychology that had become the most popular at Yale in the spring of 2018. On reading about the course, I was somewhat sceptical that simple interventions could make much difference until I learned that Yales Psychology and the Good Life course was being delivered by a colleague of mine, Laurie Santos, who I knew would not associate herself with anything flaky.

That autumn term of 2018, I decided to try delivering a free lunchtime series of lectures, The Science of Happiness, based on the Yale course.

More here.
05/22/2024



Drazen Zigic/Getty Images

Jacksonville State University (Jax State) is set to launch two innovative degree programs within the College of Health Professions and Wellness Department of Kinesiology in the Fall of 2024: a Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) and a Master of Public Health (MPH).

The announcement comes in response to growing demand for public health professionals in Alabama, highlighted by recent reviews indicating a significant shortage in the state. According to Bureau of Labor and Statistics projections, a 17 percent increase in demand for public health specialists is expected by 2030, with emphasis on epidemiologists.

Both programs will focus on preparing graduates to take an active role in their communities. They will be equipped to identify needs, implement solutions, and organize services to address health disparities and improve overall wellness. The MPH program will offer concentrations in generalist and rural health, providing students with specialized training to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

This is not just about learning, it's about empowering our students to make a real difference in our community, said Dr. Tracey Matthews, Dean of the College of Health Professions and Wellness. These programs represent a significant milestone in our mission to cultivate compassionate and competent healthcare leaders who will make a lasting impact on the health and wellness of individuals and populations.

Louis A. Bass, President and CEO of the Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston, emphasized the importance of such programs, particularly in light of recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. "The BSPH and MPH degrees would prepare graduates as working professionals with public health skills, knowledge, and experience to support the public and private community health care workforce," Dr. Bass stated in a letter of support.

Numerous state health professionals have also expressed their support for the new programs, citing the urgent need for a skilled public health workforce. Jeffrey R. Ryan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Emergency Management, highlighted the programs' potential to address gaps in healthcare provision and support community resilience.

The addition of these degree programs further solidifies Jax State's commitment to promoting health and wellness in communities across Alabama and beyond. Jax State aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of driving positive change in healthcare delivery and outcomes by providing students with the tools and expertise needed to address pressing public health challenges.

For more information about Jax State's Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, please visit https://www.jsu.edu/health/index.html
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserts that Hamas is defending Turkey, opposition voices within the country challenge this narrative.

Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment) -On May 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that Israel will set eyes on Turkish territory after Gaza.

Erdogan made these remarks during his ruling Justice and Development Partys (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, stating: Dont think that Israel will stop in Gaza. Dont think that Ramallah will be safe. If this aggressive state, this terror state, is not stopped, sooner or later they will set their eyes on Anatolia with the delusion of promised lands.

He added, Israel is not only attacking Palestinians in Gaza. They are attacking us. Hamas is defending the front lines of Anatolia in Gaza.

In his address, Erdogan referred to Anatolia, the vast peninsula in Western Asia that largely encompasses modern-day Turkey.

The Times of Israel commented, questioning Erdogans assertions: Israel has never claimed any part of Turkey belongs to it, and it is unclear what Erdogan is basing his claims on.

This isnt the first instance of Erdogan suggesting Israeli intentions to invade Turkey. In November 2023, he remarked, Israel is testing our patience with threats of nuclear weapon use, fueled by delusions of promised lands that include our countrys territories.

Concepts such as promised lands or Greater Israel have been used by various political parties in Turkey, including the AKP. These political notions suggest that Israel has secret plans to expand its territory far beyond its current borders. This theory often claims that Israel, driven by historical, religious, and strategic motivations, aims to annex large parts of the Middle East, including significant portions of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey.

According to a survey by MetroPOLL, 34.5% of Turkish citizens surveyed want Turkey to stay neutral in the Hamas-Israel conflict, 26.4% want Turkey to act as a mediator between the two sides, 18.1% want Turkey to support the Palestinians but to remain distant from Hamas, 11.3% want it to support Hamas, and 3% want it to support Israel.

Prominent journalist Fatih Altayl criticized Erdogans statements on his YouTube channel and pointed out inconsistencies. He questioned why, during Erdogans mentor Necmettin Erbakans tenure, projects involving tank and F-4 fighter jet modernizations were given to Israel if Turkey perceived a threat of Israeli aggression. Altayl also highlighted past military cooperation, such as Israeli Air Force pilots training at Turkeys Konya Air Base, suggesting Turkey wouldnt engage in such partnerships if it perceived a genuine risk from Israel.

Hindustan Times Video: Erdogans Big Prediction On Israels Next Move If It Defeats Hamas; Will Set Sights On

Erdogan compares Hamas to Kuva-yi Milliye

In his speech, Erdogan also criticized those who were uncomfortable with his comparison of Hamas to Kuva-yi Milliye, stating: Those who label Hamas as a terrorist organization today would have called Kuva-yi Milliye the same a hundred years ago.

Kuva-yi Milliye was a Turkish nationalist militia during the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923). Formed in response to the occupation and partitioning of the Ottoman Empire by Allied forces following World War I, Kuva-yi Milliye was composed of various local resistance groups and irregular fighters.

Kuva-yi Milliye was not a formal army but rather a loosely organized collection of local militias. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish National Movement, integrated the Kuvayi Milliye into the newly formed regular army in 1921.

Erdogan repeatedly likened Hamas to the Kuva-yi Milliye. Besides Hamas, Erdogan previously likened the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to the Kuva-yi Milliye in 2018.

This analogy was harshly criticized by the opposition, as the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) rejected such a similarity between the two organizations. CHP spokesperson Deniz Yucel said, Have you ever heard of Kuva-yi Milliye killing civilians? Defending Anatolia is not Hamas concern as long as we are here.

Orsan Oymen, a columnist for the secularist opposition Cumhuriyet, said such comparisons are completely contrary to historical facts and realities, and they constitute an insult to Kuva-yi Milliye and Ataturk because Kuva-yi Milliye adopted secularism as an ideology while Hamas is an Islamist organization.

How is Hamas perceived in Turkey?

The debate surrounding the comparison between the Kuva-yi Milliye and Hamas is mainly based on how Hamas is perceived by different political groups in Turkey. Turkey does not designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, in contrast to many Western countries.

Hamas is generally perceived positively by those with Islamist or conservative leanings. These groups often view Hamas as a resistance movement. President Erdogan labeled Hamas as a group of freedom fighters and mujahideen who are striving to protect their lands and their citizens.

Meanwhile, Turkeys secular opposition tends to criticize Hamas and instead praise leftist Palestinian organizations. Istanbuls opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and CHP leader Ozgur Ozel labeled Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, numerous Turkish leftists, including notable figures like Deniz Gezmis, Yusuf Aslan, and Huseyin Inan, joined armed Palestinian organizations. This is the reason why the main opposition party CHP tends to mention the legacy of Deniz Gezmis while expressing solidarity with Palestine.

Public opinion in Turkey is overwhelmingly supportive of the Palestinian cause. This support is influenced by a combination of political, religious, and humanitarian reasons. However, there are different views within the country, and some segments of the population and political opposition are more critical of Hamas, its armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades, and their methods.
( Tomdispatch.com )  On April 22nd, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case that focuses on whether unhoused  the term that has generally replaced homeless  people with no indoor shelter options can even pull a blanket around themselves outdoors without being subject to criminal punishment.

Before making its way to the Supreme Court on appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court held that municipalities cant punish involuntarily homeless people for merely living in the place where they are. This is exactly what the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, did when it outlawed resting or sleeping anywhere on public property with so much as a blanket to survive in cold weather, even when no beds in shelters were available. The law makes it impossible for unhoused residents to stay in Grants Pass, effectively forcing them to either move to another city or face endless rounds of punishment. In Grants Pass, the punishment starts with a $295 fine that, if unpaid, goes up to $500, and can escalate from there to criminal trespass charges, penalties of up to 30 days in jail, and a $1,250 fine.

The issue before the court is whether such a law violates the Eighth Amendments restrictions against cruel and unusual punishment. The city is asking the court to decide that the Eighth Amendment doesnt impose any substantive limit on what can be criminalized, so long as the punishment itself isnt considered cruel and unusual. If so, municipalities across the nation would be free to make involuntary homelessness unlawful.

In response, more than 40 amicus briefs with over 1,100 signatories were filed against the citys case, representing millions of people concerned about or potentially affected by the far-reaching consequences of such a decision. The Kairos Center for Religions, Rights & Social Justice  to which the two authors of this piece belong  submitted one such brief together with more than a dozen religious denominations, historic houses of worship, and interfaith networks. Along with the 13 official signatories of that brief, many more clergy, faith leaders, and institutions support its core assertion: that the Grants Pass ordinance violates our interfaith traditions directives on the moral treatment of poor and unhoused people. Indeed, the Supreme Courts decision could dramatically criminalize poverty and homelessness nationwide, especially if cities near Grants Pass, in the state of Oregon, and across the country, put in place similar restrictions.

Sadly, such a scenario is anything but far-fetched, given not just this Supreme Court but all too much of this country. Since the early 2000s, our nation has regularly turned to policing and law and order responses to social crises. Often wielded against poor and low-income communities in the form of fines, fees, and risks of jail time, such threats are regularly backed up by police in full body armor, using tactical gear and, in this century so far, hundreds of millions of dollars of military equipment transferred directly from the Pentagon to thousands of police departments nationwide.

All of this has made the possibility of using violence and brute force more likely in relation to many situations, including the world of the unhoused. Most recently, of course, militarized police have swarmed campuses to help quell largely peaceful student protests over the war on Gaza. Consider it anything but ironic that when Northeastern University students were arrested for their Gaza encampment, they were taken to the same facilities where unhoused people were being processed during homeless encampment sweeps, as local contacts in Boston have told us.

Poverty and Housing Insecurity

The homelessness and housing crises unfolding today reflect a broader national crisis of economic insecurity. In 2023, after all, approximately 135 million people or more than 40% of the nation, were considered poor or low-income and just one crisis away from becoming homeless. In a dramatic return to pre-pandemic conditions, this included 60% of Latinos (38.9 million), 59% of Native Americans (2.3 million), 55% of Blacks (22.5million), 36% of Asian people (8 million) and 32% of Whites (61.8 million).

Among those tens of millions of Americans, housing insecurity is alarmingly widespread. Before the pandemic, there were approximately 8 to 11 million people who were homeless or on the verge of becoming so, relying on a crumbling shelter system and a growing constellation of informal encampments on Americas streets, or trapped in a rotating series of sleeping places, including cars and couches, or doubled or tripled up in apartments. Worse yet, even those numbers were likely an underestimate: when the pandemic hit in 2020 and millions of people lost their jobs, 30 to 40 million people suddenly found themselves at risk of becoming homeless.

In a nation once known as the home of the brave and the land of the free, there are untold numbers of brave souls who are without homes or on the verge of homelessness. Today, there is not a single state or county where someone earning the federal minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment.

As reported this May, between 2019 and 2023, rents rose by more than 30% nationally. Despite a number of local and state increases in the minimum wage this year, a living wage adequate to cover housing and other basic needs would often have to be at least twice as high as what those hourly increases add up to. In California, where the minimum wage rose to $16 an hour, single parents would need to earn at least $47 an hour to meet their basic needs, whereas a household with two working adults and two children would need close to $50 an hour. In Alabama, where the minimum wage is just $7.25, a single parent would need an hourly wage more than four times as high to meet basic household needs.

This, of course, means that tens of millions of people of every race, age, and gender identity, in every state and county in the country, are facing multiple forms of deprivation daily and will do so for years to come.

Although the depths of this crisis are hard to fathom, it can be measured in death. In 2023, researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found that poverty is the fourth-leading cause of death nationally, claiming 183,000 of us in 2019. Their research also showed that cumulative or long-term poverty was associated with 295,000 deaths annually, or 800 deaths a day. During the pandemic crisis, poor and low-income counties experienced Covid death rates that were three to five times higher than wealthier counties, while the mortality rate among renters facing eviction was 2.6 times higher than that of the general population. Housing insecurity led to increased death by Covid and had negative health impacts more generally.

Underestimating the Crisis

The extent of the (un)housing crisis is so much greater than the systems and structures that exist to respond to it. In part, this is because, as with poverty, measures of housing insecurity generally underestimate the need at hand. The most commonly used reference point on housing is the point-in-time (PIT) homeless count. The PIT count includes both the number of the unhoused who are in shelters and a street count of unsheltered homeless people. However, it only deals with those it can reach and so literally count. It also leaves out some forms of homelessness, including the millions of people who are living doubled up or tripled up with friends, family members, or even strangers.

In the pre-pandemic years, the PIT count was often around half a million people, but didnt include the 2.5-3.5 million people living in temporary homeless shelters, transitional housing centers, and informal encampments or tent cities, or the estimated seven million people who had lost their own homes and moved in with others. In other words, the PIT count was short by about 9 to 11 million people (and that was before the pandemic caused greater homelessness and housing insecurity).

Although grossly inadequate, the PIT count remains the measure used to allocate federal resources toward homelessness. Unfortunately, when a housing program is designed for tens or even hundreds of thousands rather than millions of people, it will fail. For this reason, housing organizers and advocates have for years been pushing alternatives and urging the consideration of housing solutions that could actually respond to this crisis at scale. The Housing First model is one of those solutions, prioritizing access to permanent and stable housing, alongside wraparound services for employment, recovery, and greater housing stability for those in need. The use of this model has been shown to result in higher rates of housing retention among previously unhoused people, with (not surprisingly) an improved quality of life as well.

In fact, some pandemic policies did temporarily (even if unintentionally) implement and expand on the Housing First model. They moved people into hotels or other available, unused rental units, stopping all evictions and foreclosures; distributed economic stimulus payments; and built up this countrys decrepit social welfare system by expanding unemployment insurance and food security programs, while issuing monthly payments to households with children. All of this did, in fact, prevent massive dislocations of millions of people between 2020 and 2022, while providing more housing and keeping at least 20 million people above the poverty line.

A common thread of these programs was that they prioritized financially vulnerable households over Wall Street, real estate tycoons, and corporate landlords. Years later, a majority of Americans continue to support many of these policies, which were put in place alongside breakthrough organizing among poor, unhoused, and housing-insecure people.

During the early weeks of the pandemic, unhoused people living in encampments also fought to become certified as essential workers so that they could get protective equipment for their community members. Around the same time, low-income housing organizers and tenant associations became acutely aware of the vulnerabilities of low-income tenants who couldnt then afford to pay their rent and feed their families. Despite fears of eviction, rent strikes broke out in March and April 2020, as tenants decided to withhold their limited resources to ensure that they could provide food to their families. This happened weeks before the federal eviction moratorium was enacted. When it expired months later, communities blocked eviction hearings to make sure as many people as possible could stay in their homes.

Despite widespread support for a more robust right to housing, it didnt take long for powerful interests to begin pushing back. The real estate industry spent upwards of $100 million lobbying against pandemic eviction moratoriums at both the federal and state levels. In 2022, the Cicero Institute created a template for state legislation that would criminalize unhoused people. That model legislation would have banned encampments on public land and diverted funds from Housing First programs to short-term shelter programs, while forcing unhoused people into state-run encampments. Versions of this bill have been introduced in half a dozen states and passed in Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas.

Recently, in New York (where we live), Governor Kathy Hochul enacted a budget that prioritized the states wealthy residents over its poor and low-income ones. Not only did she refuse to increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations, losing billions of dollars in new revenue, but her housing policies provided tax incentives to developers rather than focusing on creating stable housing for housing-insecure and homeless New Yorkers.

According to the New York Labor-Religion Coalition and the Housing Justice for All Coalition, at least 3.4 million tenants will be excluded from good-cause eviction protections, among them all upstate municipalities, while those who are eligible may not be able to exercise their rights unless they have adequate legal representation in housing court. That budget also rolls back rent-stabilization measures, making elderly tenants in particular more vulnerable to eviction, while failing to allocate a single dollar to move homeless New Yorkers into stable housing. And in all of this, New York is anything but out of the ordinary.

What You Do to the Least of These, You Do Unto Me

Although Americas political leadership is generally failing to respond to the need at hand, millennia of religious teachings have helped shape societys views on our responsibility to care for, not punish, poor and unhoused people.

Indeed, there are over 2,000 Biblical passages that address poverty  most of them focusing on those made poor by a society that fails to provide for all our needs. As Jesus says to his followers in Matthew 25:

[F]or I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then [the nations] also will answer, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you? Then [Jesus] will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.

This responsibility rests not only on individuals, but those in positions of authority in society. As Isaiah 10:2 puts it: Woe to those who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right. Instead, Isaiah 3:15 instructs those who make the laws and issue decrees not to grind the face[s] of the poor, making their already difficult conditions worse. Such teachings are consistent not just with the Abrahamic tradition but other belief systems like Hinduism, which prioritizes non-violence and non-injury as a core moral responsibility.

A law like the one now before the Supreme Court in Grants Pass v. Johnson that would punish unhoused people for simply living departs from such moral wisdom in a radical fashion. As Justice Elena Kagan pointed out during oral arguments over the case, For a homeless person who has no place to go, sleeping in public is kind of like breathing in public. How true! If only four other justices would see the situation similarly.

Our faith traditions and constitutional values certainly should be clear enough that it is cruel and unusual punishment to treat the homeless the way Grants Pass wants to do. The court and the nation should respond to this moral crisis with care and compassion, with housing, not handcuffs.

May it be so.

Copyright 2024 Liz Theoharis and Shailly Gupta Barnes

Via Tomdispatch.com
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | 

Dr. Richard C. Benson

President,

University of Texas at Dallas

We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our grave concern over your administrations recent actions with respect to the peaceful student encampment at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) in support of Palestinian rights. We are particularly distressed by your decision to call the police to campus on 1 May 2024, resulting in the arrest and brutalization of several students and faculty on your campus, including Professors Ben Wright, Rosemary Admiral and Ali Asgar Alibhai. We note that Professors Alibhai and Admiral are members of the Middle East Studies Association.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has over 2,800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region North America and elsewhere.

On the early morning of 1 May 2024, students at UT Dallas began an encampment at Chess Plaza in support of Palestinian rights, joining other university encampments across the country and around the world. By all accounts, this was an entirely peaceful protest. At an Academic Council meeting at UT Dallas that same day, university leadership affirmed its commitment to freedom of speech on campus; however, a few hours later your administration reversed its stance, threatening students with expulsion and calling in the police.

We are deeply troubled by reports from various sources that police officers from five different departments, including a SWAT team, raided the encampment with excessive force, assaulting students and faculty. Twenty individuals were arrested and face potential six-month jail sentences for criminal trespassing. We note that the police not only handcuffed the arrestees but also shackled their wrists, feet and legs, and detained them in an unventilated vehicle for 30 minutes before taking them to be booked. Moreover, although the arrests occurred in Dallas County where the university is situated, those arrested were taken to jail in neighboring (and more conservative) Collin County, where they were held for 24 hours and subjected to unacceptable conditions and racist language by arresting officers.

We are dismayed that your administration has prohibited at least one of the arrested faculty members from entering campus, requiring them to teach online for the rest of the semester. We further note that one of the students arrested was arbitrarily removed from your universitys graduation event by police and threatened with a second charge of criminal trespassing. In both these cases, these actions were not mandated by the conditions of their release from jail.

Your decision to call in the police to break up a peaceful encampment on its very first day contravenes your universitys Academic Freedom policy (UTDPP1121), which guarantees the freedom to learn, the freedom to teach, and the freedom to develop and share knowledge with the community  all without fear of censorship or retaliation. That policy also states that UT Dallas concurs with the AAUP 1940 Statement that the common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. No UT Dallas policy or procedure shall infringe on academic freedom, due process, or other protected rights.

We remind you of the statement on Academic Freedom in Times of War issued by the AAUP on 24 October 2023, which is directly relevant to your decision to have some of your students and faculty arrested and disciplined:

It is in tumultuous times that colleges and universities stated commitments to protect academic freedom are most put to the test. As the Israel-Hamas war rages and campus protests proliferate, institutional authorities must refrain from sanctioning faculty members for expressing politically controversial views and should instead defend their right, under principles of academic freedom, to do so.

We therefore echo the demands of a letter signed by numerous UT Dallas faculty calling on your administration to drop legal and disciplinary charges and procedures against everyone involved in the 1 May 2024 encampment and subsequent protests, to refrain from initiating additional sanctions, and to allow all students and faculty barred from campus to return to their studies or their work. We also call on you to issue an immediate apology to the students and faculty for creating an unsafe and harmful environment on campus by using excessive force to break up a peaceful demonstration. We further ask you to refrain in the future from adopting any policy, or taking any measure, which is likely to exert a chilling effect on the right or ability of students, faculty and staff to freely express their opinions on matters of public concern and to advocate for whatever cause they wish. Finally, we urge you to publicly and forcefully reaffirm your commitment to respect and defend the free speech rights and the academic freedom of your faculty, students and staff, and to fully protect the safety and well-being of all members of your campus community.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Asl U. Bali

MESA President

Professor, Yale Law School

Laurie Brand

Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Emerita, University of Southern California

president@utdallas.edu . . .
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 /Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR) (OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the first 95 drill holes for the Company's ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") drilling program on the Stockwork deposit on its El Tigre Project in Sonora, Mexico. These new results are highlighting the high-grade mineralization beneath the floor of the 2023 PEA Open Pit in the Keel Zone and expansion of the PEA Starter Pit to the north.

Drill hole ET-24-568 cut 16.0 metres grading 875.6 g/t silver equivalent or 11.67 g/t gold equivalent from 155.0 to 171.0 metres, consisting of 409.9 g/t silver and 6.21 g/t gold and INCLUDING 1.0 metres grading 12,851.5 g/t silver equivalent or 171.35 g/t gold equivalent from 161.0 to 162.0 metres consisting of 6,034.0 g/t silver and 90.90 g/t gold and in the Keel Zone (Figures 1 & 2). The hole passed through the El Tigre vein located some 15m beneath the floor of the PEA Open Pit and is referred to as the Keel Zone.

Figure 1 : Stockwork Zone Cross Section 4325N

Figure 2 : Keel Zone - Isometric View

New intersections through the Stockwork deposit, comprised of the Footwall, Hanging Wall and high-grade Keel Zones, are highlighted below, shown on Figure 3 and listed in Table 1.

Drill hole ET-24-570: 59.3 metres grading 1.92 g/t gold equivalent or 144.1 g/t silver equivalent from 100.3 to 159.6 metres, consisting of 1.63 g/t gold and 21.8 g/t silver AND 9.5 metres grading 1.32 g/t gold equivalent or 99.2 g/t silver equivalent from 173.5 to 183.0 metres consisting of 1.32 g/t gold and 0.5 g/t silver. These intersections are located approximately 150 metres past the northern end of the 2023 PEA Starter Pit as shown in Figure 3.

or 144.1 g/t silver equivalent from 100.3 to 159.6 metres, consisting of 1.63 g/t gold and 21.8 g/t silver AND or 99.2 g/t silver equivalent from 173.5 to 183.0 metres consisting of 1.32 g/t gold and 0.5 g/t silver. These intersections are located approximately 150 metres past the northern end of the 2023 PEA Starter Pit as shown in Figure 3. Drill hole ET-23-563: 45.0 metres grading 1.17 g/t gold equivalent or 87.6 g/t silver equivalent from 4.0 to 49.0 metres, consisting of 0.70 g/t gold and 35.0 g/t silver INCLUDING 15.0 metres grading 2.20 g/t gold equivalent or 164.7 g/t silver equivalent from 11.0 to 26.0 metres consisting of 1.01 g/t gold and 89.0 g/t silver gold in both the Hanging Wall and Footwall Zones.

or 87.6 g/t silver equivalent from 4.0 to 49.0 metres, consisting of 0.70 g/t gold and 35.0 g/t silver INCLUDING or 164.7 g/t silver equivalent from 11.0 to 26.0 metres consisting of 1.01 g/t gold and 89.0 g/t silver gold in both the Hanging Wall and Footwall Zones. Drill hole ET-23-552: 35.5 metres grading 0.92 g/t gold equivalent or 68.7 g/t silver equivalent from 107.0 to 142.5 metres, consisting of 0.83 g/t gold and 6.2 g/t silver INCLUDING 7.0 metres grading 1.68 g/t gold equivalent or 126.3 g/t silver equivalent from 135.5 to 142.5 metres consisting of 1.66 g/t gold and 1.9 g/t silver in the Hanging Wall Zone.

Silver Tiger's CEO, Glenn Jessome, stated, "As we continue receiving promising assay results, it is apparent that the developing "Starter Pit" and "Keel Zone" show excellent grade and continuity." Mr. Jessome further stated, "The results may increase the updated MRE associated with the PFS-level study which we expect to deliver by September 2024, which will also further de-risk the project." Mr. Jessome continued, "We contemplate being able to make a build decision based on our upcoming PFS."

Silver Tiger has completed 24,500 metres of a 25,000 metre drilling program focused on expanding the Mineral Resource, up-grading the classification, completing metallurgical testwork and geotechnical studies as it progresses from an exploration to a development project. The value-added PFS progress is on schedule for publication in H2-2024.

Figure 3 : Stockwork Zone - Plan View

Highlights from the on-going Pre-Feasibility Study Drilling Program include the following:

Expanding known mineralization by 10 to 15%, to the footwall and hanging wall zones, as well as the higher-grade Keel' at PEA pit bottom associated with the El Tigre and SK Veins;

Converting first two to three years of mineralized material in the potential Starter Stockwork Zone' from Indicated Mineral Resource to Measured;

Converting a significant portion of the 2 km strike length ultimate' PEA pit-constrained Inferred Mineral Resource to Indicated;

Completion of enhanced PFS Metallurgical Drilling, with samples underway comminution and leach testing; and

Completion of enhanced PFS Geotechnical Drilling, with samples undergoing testing.

Mineral Resource Drilling

P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E") of Brampton, Ontario completed the initial MRE in 2017. On Oct 27, 2023, P&E released an updated El Tigre Project NI 43-101 and NI 43-01 F1 compliant MRE technical report titled "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of the El Tigre Silver-Gold Project, Sonora, Mexico" authored by William Stone, Ph.D., P.Geo.,Yungang Wu, P.Geo., Fred H. Brown, P.Geo., Jarita Barry, P.Geo., David Burga, P.Geo., D. Grant Feasby, P.Eng., Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET and David Salari, P.Eng. The MRE has a pit-constrained Indicated Mineral Resource totaling 43.0 million tonnes containing 818 thousand ounces AuEq grading 0.59 g/t AuEq; and a pit-constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 11.5 million tonnes containing 267 thousand ounces AuEq grading 0.72 g/t AuEq (see update MRE press release dated September 12th 2023).

PEA-level bench optimization of the pit-constrained Mineral Resource highlighted the higher-grade (~0.80 gpt AuEq), low strip ratio (~0.3) potential Starter Stockwork Zone which contains 5.7 million tonnes of mineralized material (see PEA press release dated November 1st, 2023). Recommendations of the PEA-level study included increasing Mineral Resource confidence in potential Starter Stockwork Zone' and additional exploratory drilling to target the 1) Footwall, 2) Hanging Wall and 3) Keel' areas of the Stockwork Zone. P&E were again retained to lead the current El Tigre PFS-level study with 24,500 metres of the program completed as of May 15, 2024 . Complete and final assay results are listed in Table 1.

Below, highlighted intersections are enumerated with reference to the three (3) zones targeted (Figure 2):

Drill hole ET-23-563: Confirms location and grade of the Hanging Wall Zone, and downhole, the Footwall Zone, and high-grade SK vein;

Drill hole ET-23-552: Confirms location and grade of the Hanging Wall Zone, and downhole, expands the Footwall Zone 25m to the east over 2023 MRE;

Drill hole ET-24-568: Expands depth and strike of Keel Zone over the 2023 MRE; and

Drill hole ET-24-570: Confirms location and grade of the Hanging Wall Zone associated with El Tigre Vein.

Table 1-Mineral Resource Drill Hole Results

AuEq Total (2) AgEq Total (2) Hole ID Comment From To Length(1) Gold Silver m m m g/t g/t g/t g/t ET-23-552 STOCKWORK ZONE3 107.0 142.5 35.5 0.83 6.2 0.92 68.7 Mining VOID 121.7 123.8 2.1 * * * * including 135.5 142.5 7.0 1.66 1.9 1.68 126.3 STOCKWORK ZONE 156.5 176.0 19.5 0.44 0.5 0.45 33.4 ET-23-553 STOCKWORK ZONE 85.5 97.0 11.5 0.32 0.6 0.33 24.4 STOCKWORK ZONE 131.0 155.0 24.0 0.42 1.4 0.44 33.1 including 183.0 201.0 18.0 0.22 172.4 2.52 189.1 ET-23-554 STOCKWORK ZONE4 138.0 183.0 45.0 0.52 3.9 0.57 42.6 including 159.0 171.0 12.0 0.88 5.9 0.96 72.0 Mining VOID 171.0 174.0 3.0 * * * * STOCKWORK ZONE 219.6 235.6 16.0 0.91 4.3 0.97 72.5 ET-23-557 STOCKWORK ZONE 24.0 32.0 8.0 0.48 3.3 0.52 39.3 STOCKWORK ZONE 113.0 125.0 12.0 0.37 1.2 0.39 29.1 STOCKWORK ZONE 148.0 179.0 31.0 0.33 11.8 0.48 36.3 including 173.0 178.0 5.0 0.63 40.4 1.17 87.8 ET-23-558 STOCKWORK ZONE 108.5 141.0 32.5 0.72 1.7 0.75 56.0 including 116.5 134.0 17.5 1.04 1.9 1.07 80.1 El Tigre HW 162.1 163.0 0.9 0.20 224.0 3.19 239.1 Mining VOID 163.0 165.0 2.0 * * * * El Tigre FW 165.0 165.9 0.9 0.22 362.0 5.05 378.5 STOCKWORK ZONE 181.0 207.0 26.0 0.17 13.6 0.35 26.3 ET-23-560 STOCKWORK ZONE 153.0 157.0 4.0 1.40 7.9 1.50 112.7 STOCKWORK ZONE 164.9 168.0 3.1 0.94 1.4 0.96 72.0 STOCKWORK ZONE5 205.5 225.0 19.5 0.36 4.1 0.41 30.9 including 211.5 216.5 5.0 0.63 6.0 0.71 53.0 Mining VOID 221.2 223.2 2.0 * * * * ET-23-563 STOCKWORK ZONE 4.0 49.0 45.0 0.70 35.0 1.17 87.6 including 11.0 26.0 15.0 1.01 89.0 2.20 164.7 including 24.0 26.0 2.0 1.43 634.0 9.89 741.5 STOCKWORK ZONE 64.0 70.0 6.0 0.68 2.0 0.71 53.1 ET-24-564 STOCKWORK ZONE 15.0 40.5 25.5 1.30 24.3 1.63 122.1 including 16.0 24.0 8.0 2.76 71.4 3.71 278.4 STOCKWORK ZONE 73.9 99.0 25.1 0.18 2.3 0.22 16.2 ET-24-565 STOCKWORK ZONE 103.0 150.9 47.9 0.32 1.9 0.35 26.0 STOCKWORK ZONE 182.0 190.0 8.0 0.33 1.3 0.34 25.7 STOCKWORK ZONE 204.0 225.0 21.0 0.84 3.7 0.88 66.4 including 219.0 225.0 6.0 1.94 7.8 2.04 153.4 ET-24-566 STOCKWORK ZONE 12.0 43.5 31.5 0.39 12.5 0.56 41.9 including 18.0 31.5 13.5 0.60 13.8 0.79 59.0 STOCKWORK ZONE 112.0 121.5 9.5 1.02 0.6 1.03 76.9 ET-24-567 STOCKWORK ZONE6 31.5 106.5 75.0 0.35 16.6 0.57 43.0 including6 80.0 92.0 12.0 0.51 70.8 1.46 109.1 ET-24-568 KEEL ZONE 155.0 171.0 16.0 6.21 409.9 11.67 875.6 including 161.0 162.0 1.0 90.90 6034.0 171.35 12851.5 ET-24-569 STOCKWORK ZONE 71.4 111.7 40.3 0.36 24.0 0.68 51.2 including 71.4 83.0 11.6 0.57 78.4 1.61 121.1 ET-24-570 STOCKWORK ZONE 100.3 159.6 59.3 1.63 21.8 1.92 144.1 Mining VOID 168.0 173.5 5.5 * * * * STOCKWORK ZONE 173.5 183.0 9.5 1.32 0.5 1.32 99.2

Notes:

Not true width. SilverEquivalent ("AgEq") ratiosare based on a silverto gold priceratio of 75:1 (Au:Ag). Excludes 2.1m of Mining void Excludes 3.0m of Mining void Excludes 2.0m of Mining void Excludes 1.1m of Mining void

Table 2-Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length ET-23-552 671,057.8 3,384,293.5 1976.5 90 -45 191.0 ET-23-553 671,020.6 3,384,046.9 1937.5 90 -45 220.0 ET-23-554 671,014.1 3,384,293.7 1985.2 90 -45 276.0 ET-23-557 671,047.4 3,384,494.1 2070.0 90 -65 230.8 ET-23-558 671,031.0 3,384,121.0 1920.9 90 -45 222.0 ET-23-560 671,046.9 3,384,493.9 2070.0 90 -80 261.0 ET-23-563 671,201.7 3,383,902.6 1903.7 90 -45 90.0 ET-24-564 671,212.7 3,384,050.0 1944.7 90 -47 117.0 ET-24-565 671,223.4 3,383,425.5 1977.2 90 -45 253.5 ET-24-566 671,211.0 3,384,093.9 1977.8 90 -45 140.0 ET-24-567 671,093.5 3,384,273.4 1965.7 90 -48 150.0 ET-24-568 671,046.7 3,384,314.9 1983.4 90 -60 258.0 ET-24-569 671,307.9 3,383,304.6 1917.9 90 -50 175.5 ET-24-570 671,044.5 3,384,587.4 2099.3 90 -70 200.4

Note: Holes ET-23-551, 555, 556, 559, 561, and 562 are geotechnical holes with assays pending

Figure 4: El Tigre - Conceptual Cross-Section Showing Mineralization Styles

Figure 5: El Tigre-Longitudinal Projection Showing Exploration Potential

About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District

Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years' experience discovering, financing and building large hydrothermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.

The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the Property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre Vein extended 1,450 metres along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 metres. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometre to a depth of approximately 200 metres. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 metres to a depth of approximately 150 metres. Mining abruptly stopped on all three of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than US20 per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton.

The El Tigre silver and gold deposit is related to a series of epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad silver and gold mineralized prophylitic alteration zone developed in the El Tigre Formation that can be up to 150 metres wide. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 0.5 metre wide; however, locally can be up to 5 metres in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for 5.3 kilometres along strike in our brownfield exploration area. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.6-kilometre portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins. The under explored Caleigh, Benjamin, Protectora and the Fundadora exposed veins continue north for more than 3 kilometres. Silver Tiger has delivered its updated NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and PEA and is currently drilling to update its Mineral Resource Estimate and publish a PFS.

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full drill core is sawn with a diamond blade drill core saw with one half of the drill core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the drill core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged drill core sample bags are transported to the Bureau Veritas facility in Hermosillo, Mexico. Bureau Veritas crushes the samples (Code PRP70-250) and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 200 mesh (Code PUL85). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code FA630) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code MA200 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Silver Tiger's QA/QC protocols.

Qualified Person

David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

For further information, please contact:

Glenn Jessome

President and CEO

902 492 0298

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the ability to convert Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend Mineral Resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company" (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce that a new high grade gold mineralization over significant widths has been confirmed at the Tahuehueto Gold Mine in Durango, Mexico. The mineralization occurs in shoots branching off the main Creston vein at Underground Level 23. Creston is one is one of two main structures currently being mined. New geological mapping and channel sampling at this level confirmed the presence of breccia ore shoots up to 20m wide with some internally assayed channel samples returning greater than 20 g/t Au.

Ramon Perez, Interim CEO, commented: "Our geology team at Tahuehueto are doing excellent work. They are progressively adding to our understanding of the mineralisation and confirming the enormous upside potential of the mine. These wide and higher-grade mineralised zones at depth, where two vein splays intersect, were identified in earlier drilling. With the added detail from mapping and channel sampling we see the excellent potential in multiple areas. These wider, high-grade zones will be part of our plan to ramp-up to 1,000 tpd, a milestone we expect to achieve in the next few months. I look forward to providing more updates as our work here unfolds."

Level 23 Geology

The underground mine development at Tahuehueto has been advancing since early 2022 and most recently has included developing access, dewatering and mining the first stopes of Level 23, currently the lowest level in the mine. Two mineralized splays have been exposed on the hangingwall and footwall sides of the Creston fault, and mineralized breccia in between with economic widths up to 20m. In this zone there are two types of mineralization; the first is represented by northeast-trending veins of structurally controlled hydrothermal breccias carrying zinc and lead sulphides, hosted in highly altered andesitic rocks with greater contents of gold and copper as a result of higher temperature and deep-seated mineralization. The second type consists of high-grade gold and silver mineralization, superimposed over the lodes and breccias of base metals sulphides formed in previous stages of mineralization.

The block model developed for the pre-feasibility study (refer to Technical Report Preliminary Feasibility Study, 2022) identified maximum vein widths in this area of 8.4m in the hangingwall and 6.5m in the footwall vein splays on Level 23 respectively. Actual vein widths are very comparable, with up to 4.9m in the footwall and 9.5m in the hangingwall, though detailed vein geometries vary. The footwall splay has been exposed 160 meters along strike and shows excellent continuity. Figure 2 shows channel sampling of the southwestern extent vein-breccia zone, about half of the fully exposed footwall splay.This area extends laterally 200 meters by 230 vertical meters based on diamond drilling, and the area remains open at depth and to the NE and SW. These targets are already included within the exploration program.

Figures 3 and 4 show long-sections of the Lever 23 area and illustrate the block model interpretations of mineralisation on these structures, together with limits to the existing drilling.

About Luca Mining Corp.

Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside.

The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State, a prolific mining region in Mexico. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimisation program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows.

The Tahuehueto gold, silver mine is a new underground operation under development in Durango State, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend.

The Company expects its operations to start generating positive cash flows in 2024. Luca Mining is focused on growth with the aim of maximizing shareholder returns.

For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Ramon Perez"

Ramon Perez

President and Interim CEO

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Chris Richings, Vice-President Technical at Luca Mining as the Qualified Person for the Company as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018).

Positive operating cash flow is defined as excluding capital, debt repayment and Trafigura financing.

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the planned program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Koryx Copper Inc. (Koryx or the "Company") (TSX-V: KRY) is pleased to announce that it has received commitments for CAD$2,000,000 proceeds pursuant to a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) for the sale of up to 16,666,666 common shares of the Company (the Shares) at a price of $0.12 per Share.

The Offering is subject to TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) approval, and all Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month hold from the date of issuance. The Company will not pay any finders fees and no new control person will be created as a result of the Offering. The total amount of the Offering has been committed to and the Company expects that the Offering will be fully subscribed.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to advance the Haib copper project in Namibia the Luanshya West project in Zambia, and for general working capital purposes.

The Company also announces that its board of directors has approved the consolidation of all of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company on the basis of one (1) new common share (a Post-Consolidation Share) for every five (5) existing Shares, subject to TSXV approval (the Consolidation).

It is anticipated that the Consolidation will reduce the number of presently issued and outstanding Shares of the Company from 227,445,142 Shares to approximately 45,489,029 Post-Consolidation Shares, subject to adjustment for rounding. Assuming the Offering is fully subscribed there would be a total of 244,111,808 Shares issued and outstanding immediately before the Consolidation and approximately 48,822,362 Post-Consolidation Shares upon completion of the Consolidation. The Company believes that the Consolidation will enhance its capital in a more market-friendly structure which will put it in a better position to attract additional capital and assist in executing its business plans. The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the TSXV.

The Company does not intend to change its name or its current trading symbol in connection with the Consolidation. The effective date of the Consolidation will be announced in a subsequent news release.

No fractional Post-Consolidation Shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a Post-Consolidation Share will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of Post-Consolidation Shares and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares. The exercise price and number of common shares of the Company, issuable upon exercise of any outstanding convertible securities will be proportionally adjusted upon the implementation of the Consolidation.

The Company will provide a further update once it has received all applicable approvals and has set an effective date for the Consolidation.

As a consequence of the Consolidation, subscribers under the Offering will receive Post-Consolidation Shares at an effective price of $0.60 per Post-Consolidation Share.

This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

About Koryx Copper Inc.

Koryx Copper is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the development of the Haib copper project in Namibia. Haib is a large, PEA-stage copper/molybdenum project located along the Orange river in southern Namibia in close proximity to the border with South Africa. Since its discovery and mainly under the ownership of Rio Tinto and Teck Resources, the project has seen multiple phases of exploration and metallurgical testing with more than 70,000m of drilling, several metallurgical test work programs, geophysical surveys, geological mapping, mine modeling and feasibility studies. The Company also holds an interest in three exploration licenses in the Zambian copper belt.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: Pierre Leveille

Pierre Leveille

President & CEO

More information is available by contacting Pierre Leveille, President & CEO at +1-819-340-0140 or at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect ", "is expected ", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
TORONTO, May 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay" or the "Company") (TSX: HBM) (NYSE: HBM) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets as Joint Bookrunners (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis from the Company, a total of 31,600,000 common shares of Hudbay ("Common Shares") at a price of US$9.50 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of US$300,200,000 (the "Offering").

Hudbay has also granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase, on the same terms and conditions of the Offering, up to an additional 15% of the Common Shares issued in connection with the Offering. The Over-Allotment Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, by the Underwriters at any time until and including 30 days after closing of the Offering. The maximum gross proceeds raised under the Offering will be US$345,230,000 in the event the Over-Allotment Option is fully exercised. The Offering is expected to close on or about May 24th, 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receiving all necessary stock exchange and other regulatory approvals.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund near-term growth initiatives, including acceleration of mine pre-stripping activities and mill optimization initiatives at Copper Mountain, to enhance balance sheet flexibility through debt repayments as part of its "3P" plan for a sanctioning decision on Copper World, to evaluate mill throughput enhancement opportunities at Constancia and New Britannia, and for general corporate purposes, as further described in the Prospectus Supplement (as defined below).

The Common Shares will be offered by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to Hudbay's short form base shelf prospectus dated March 28th, 2024 (the "Prospectus") filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and included in its registration statement on Form F-10 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

The Common Shares will be offered in all of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Quebec, and in the United States and, subject to applicable law, in certain jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States through the Underwriters either directly or through their respective Canadian or U.S. broker-dealer affiliates or agents. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction.

Before investing, prospective purchasers should read the Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein for more complete information about Hudbay and the Offering. A copy of the Prospectus is, and a copy of the Prospectus Supplement will be, available free of charge on SEDAR+ (http://www.sedarplus.ca) and on the SEC website (http://www.sec.gov). Alternatively, copies may be obtained upon request in Canada by contacting RBC Capital Markets, Attn: Distribution Centre, RBC Wellington Square, 8th Floor, 180 Wellington St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M5J 0C2 at Phone: 416-842-5349; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and in the United States from RBC Capital Markets, LLC, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281-8098; Attention: Equity Syndicate; Phone: 877-822-4089; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Additionally, copies of these documents may be obtained upon request in Canada by contacting BMO Capital Markets by mail at Brampton Distribution Centre c/o The Data Group of Companies, 9195 Torbram Road, Brampton, ON, L6S 6H2, by telephone at 905-791-3151 Ext 4312, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and in the United States by contacting BMO Capital Markets Corp. by mail at 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036, Attn: Equity Syndicate Department, by telephone at 1-800-414-3627, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively herein referred to as "forward-looking information"). All forward-looking information in news release is qualified by this cautionary note. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "guidance", "scheduled" "estimates", "forecasts", "strategy", "target", "intends", "objective", "goal", "understands", "anticipates" and "believes" (and variations of these or similar words) and statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" "occur" or "be achieved" or "will be taken" (and variations of these or similar expressions).

Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements related to the terms of the Offering, the potential for the Underwriters to exercise the Over-Allotment Option, the anticipated closing date and receipt of all necessary stock exchange and other regulatory approvals, the use of proceeds from the Offering, and Hudbay's business, objectives, strategies, and intentions. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events.

Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Prospective purchasers should refer to the Prospectus Supplement, Prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference therein for further disclosures in respect of the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information herein. Subject to applicable securities law requirements, Hudbay undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information.

About Hudbay

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.

Hudbay's operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay's growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: "We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities." Hudbay's mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.
Vancouver, Canada  TheNewswire - May 22, 2024  Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum", or the "Company") (TSXV:ELY) | (FRA:R8N) is pleased to announce additional copper-gold anomalies on its Timok East Project ("Timok East"), located five kilometres east of Zijin Minings world-class Bor copper-gold mining complex, on the Western Tethyan Belt, in the Republic of Serbia.

Newly defined anomalies located two kilometres along structure and within the same units as the previously announced Bambino anomaly.

Several kilometres of on-structure strike between anomalies remain unexplored and sampling is ongoing.

Soil samples were collected over a 200 x 200-meter grid, infilling areas of anomalism identified by First Quantum Minerals' gridded soil sampling in 2019. Sampling extended and confirmed historic anomalies, resulting in the definition of two large copper-gold anomalies, located approximately 2.5 kilometres to the northwest and north of the Bambino anomaly (See Figure 1), straddling the same regional fault and following the same group of Palaeozoic schists.

The Northwestern Anomaly measures approximately 1.2 kilometres long by 400 meters wide and shares a similar NW orientation and geochemical signature with Babmino, with peak assay values in the soil of 622 ppm Cu and 39 ppb Au (See Figure 2).

The Northern Anomaly is located approximately three kilometres to the north of Babmino, across a repeat sequence of fault-bound Palaeozoic schists. Copper-gold anomalous zones have been defined within several pods measuring up to 400 x 400 meters each, with peak assay grades of 468 ppm copper and 19 ppb in soils (See Figure 2).

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Electrum Discovery Corp., commented: "The identification of additional large copper-gold anomalies at Timok East is a highly encouraging development at this stage of exploration and underscores the project's potential for new discoveries. These anomalies are in an area overlooked by historic exploration although still in vicinity of world class porphyry copper gold mines. The presence of these anomalies within the same Palaeozoic schist units as Bambino suggests the potential for an extensive copper-gold mineralized system on the property. These results give us an excellent baseline for continuous systematic exploration to further define and develop these targets."

Figure 1: Simplified schematic geology map highlighting copper-gold anomalies on the Timok East Project, in relation to Bambino, the Veliki Krivelj and Bor copper deposits; Electrum Discovery Corp., May 2024.

In addition to expanding the Bambino anomaly with further tightly spaced soil grids, the next phases of exploration will also focus on infilling the 200 x 200-meter soil grid to further define the orientation and extent of the northern anomalies. Additional grids are also planned to test the unexplored two-kilometre strike of fault-bound Palaeozoic schists between the northern and Bambino targets.

Sample Collection, QA/QC, Preparation and Analysis

Soil samples reported in this news release were collected from the B-horizon from a depth of between 15-40 centimetres. Each sample location was recorded using a Garmin handheld GPS with a nominal accuracy of 3 meters, and the location was then photographed with the labelled sample. Samples were prepared and analysed at SGS Bulgaria. Soil samples were dried and pulverized in their entirety, with 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were then analysed using a combination of four-acid digest with an ICP-MS finish (49 elements) and 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish for gold analysis (1-2000ppb). Samples were submitted in batches of 45, made up of 40 samples, two CRMs, two blanks, and one duplicate. QA/QC samples performed well, with all batches passing Company criteria.

Rock chip samples reported in this news release were prepared and analysed at SGS Serbia and Bulgaria. Samples were prepared by drying, (<3.0 kg), crushing to 75% passing 2 mm, 250g was then split and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m. Samples were then analysed using a combination of four-acid digest with an ICP-MS finish (49 elements) and 50g fire assay with AAS finish for gold analysis (0.01-1000ppm). Samples were submitted in batches of 25, made up of 22 samples, one CRM, one blank, and one duplicate. QA/QC samples performed well and all batches passed predefined criteria.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging, Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on copper and gold on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with activities in the Republic of Serbia. The Company is currently pursuing two projects: the Timok East copper-gold project adjacent to the world-class Bor mining complex and the New Tlamino gold project, located in Southern Serbia.

Electrum's management team is focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and advancement of a large portfolio of copper-gold assets, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum Discovery Corp. can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | W: electrumdiscovery.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, FGS. Dr. Wilson is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Dr Wilson is a consultant to the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include disclosure relating to the PEA for Tlamino and the Companys objectives to convert existing inferred resources at Tlamino into measured and indicated resources, along with Companys expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.




BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS IS ACCESSIBLE, AND PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ON SEDAR+ WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS

TORONTO, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IAMGOLD Corporation (IAMGOLD or the Company) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by National Bank Financial Markets, BMO Capital Markets and RBC Capital Markets pursuant to which they have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 72,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of US$4.17 per common share (the Offering Price), for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$300 million (the Offering). The underwriters will also have the option, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 10,800,000 common shares at the Offering Price to cover over-allotments, if any. In the event that the option is exercised in its entirety, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering to the Company will be approximately US$345 million.

Use of Proceeds

IAMGOLD intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering, including the net proceeds from the Over-Allotment Option should it be exercised, towards the repurchase of the 9.7% interest (Transferred Interest) in the Cote Gold Mine from Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. (Sumitomo), in order to return to its full 70% interest in the Cote Gold Mine. The net proceeds of the Offering are to be deposited in an interest-bearing account or used to repay drawn amounts under its credit facility, in accordance with good cash management practices, until the completion of the aforementioned repurchase which is expected to be completed prior to the end of the calendar year.

Based on the current ramp-up schedule of the Cote Gold Mine as well as prevailing market conditions which could impact the amount of required expenditures during the ramp-up of Cote Gold and operating cash flows from the Company's existing operations, the Company believes that the net proceeds of the Offering, combined with cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2024, expected cash flows from operations, the expected proceeds from the sale of the remaining Bambouk assets and the available liquidity provided by the undrawn amounts under the credit facility, will be sufficient to fund the repurchase of the Transferred Interest.

The repurchase will increase the Companys exposure to the Cote Gold Mine and result in additional economic benefits and cashflows and remove associated costs of holding the option to repurchase the 9.7% interest.

Background on Cote Joint Venture & Sumitomo Repurchase Agreement

The Cote Gold Mine is being operated through a joint venture (the "Cote Gold UJV" or "UJV") between IAMGOLD, as the operator, and Sumitomo. The UJV is governed by the Cote Gold Joint Venture Agreement.

IAMGOLDs participation is 60.3% in the UJV and has an option to repurchase a 9.7% interest from Sumitomo as part of the JV Funding and Amending Agreement (the JV Funding Agreement) announced on December 19, 2022. Under the terms of the JV Funding Agreement the Company has the right to repurchase its 9.7% interest (Transferred Interest) in the Cote Gold Mine from Sumitomo on May 31st and November 30th of every year from November 30, 2023 up to and including November 30, 2026.

The JV Funding Agreement also provides that until the earlier of the Company repurchasing the Transferred Interest and November 30, 2026, the Company will pay a repurchase option fee to Sumitomo equal to the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 4% on the contributions made by Sumitomo due to the Transferred Interest.

The purchase price for this repurchase is equal to the initial funding of US$250 million contributed by Sumitomo for the Transferred Interest, plus the incremental contributions made, less incremental gold production received, by Sumitomo due to its increased ownership up to achieving commercial production, plus any accrued and unpaid amounts for the option fee payable thereon.

In its financial statements, the Company recognizes a financial liability for the Cote Gold Repurchase Option equal to the current repurchase price (including the accrued and unpaid amount for the option fee). As at March 31, 2024, this financial liability was US $366.8 million.

Transaction Details

The Offering will be made in all provinces and territories of Canada (other than Quebec and Nunavut) by way of a final prospectus supplement to the Companys existing base shelf prospectus dated September 1, 2022 (the Base Shelf Prospectus) to be filed on or about May 22, 2024 (the Prospectus Supplement) with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories in Canada. The Offering will be made in the United States pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement and a final prospectus supplement (together, the U.S. Prospectus Supplements), filed as part of an effective registration statement on Form F-10 (the Registration Statement), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Canada/U.S. multi-jurisdictional disclosure system.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about May 24, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

The Company has filed the Registration Statement (including the Base Shelf Prospectus) with the SEC for the Offering to which this communication relates. The Company has filed the Base Shelf Prospectus with each of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories in Canada. Before you invest, you should read the Registration Statement, the Base Shelf Prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus Supplements, the Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated by reference therein and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC and with the Canadian securities regulators, as applicable, for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. You may get documents filed with the SEC for free on the SECs Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system at www.sec.gov. Access to the Base Shelf Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement and any amendments to such documents are provided in accordance with securities legislation relating to procedures for providing access to a base shelf prospectus, a shelf prospectus supplement and any amendment to such documents. The Base Shelf Prospectus is, and the Prospectus Supplement will be (within two business days from the date hereof), accessible on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com or www.sedarplus.ca. An electronic or paper copy of the Registration Statement, the Base Shelf Prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus Supplements, the Prospectus Supplement, and any amendment to such documents may be obtained, without charge, in Canada, from National Bank Financial Inc., by phone at (416) 869-8414 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Brampton Distribution Centre C/O The Data Group of Companies by phone at 905-791-3151 Ext 4312 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; and from RBC Dominion Securities Inc., by phone at 416-842-5349 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by providing the contact with an email address or address, as applicable, and in the United States, from National Bank of Canada Financial Inc., 65 E. 55th St., 8th Floor, New York, New York 10022; by phone at (416) 869-8414 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10036, by phone at (800) 414-3627 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; and from RBC Capital Markets, LLC, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281-8098; Attention: Equity Syndicate; by phone at 877-822-4089 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by providing the contact with an email address or address, as applicable.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the common shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements with respect to the timing of the completion and size of the Offering and the use of the proceeds of the Offering) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words may, will, should, would, could, continue, expect, budget, aim, can, focus, forecast, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, plan, schedule, guidance, outlook, potential, seek, targets, cover, strategy, during, ongoing, subject to, future, objectives, opportunities, committed, prospective, or project or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, financial, operational and other risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, including those described below, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and, as such, undue reliance must not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements are also based on numerous material factors and assumptions, including with respect to: the Company's present and future business strategies; operations performance within expected ranges; anticipated future production and cash flows; the Companys ability to repurchase the Transferred Interest on its expected terms or at all; local and global economic conditions and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future; the price of precious metals, other minerals and key commodities; projected mineral grades; international exchanges rates; anticipated capital and operating costs; the availability and timing of required governmental and other approvals for the construction of the Company's projects.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned gold production, unexpected increases in all-in sustaining costs or other costs, unexpected increases in capital expenditures and exploration expenditures, variation in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations, changes in the Companys relationship with Sumitomo, instability in financial markets, currency exchange risk, changes in world gold markets, cybersecurity risks, and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLDs most recent Form 40-F and Annual Information Form and in IAMGOLDs managements discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 on file with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa. The Company has commenced production at the large-scale, long life Cote Gold Mine. In addition, the Company has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts.

IAMGOLD is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance practices. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: IMG).

IAMGOLD Contact Information

Graeme Jennings, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: 416 360 4743 | Mobile: 416 388 6883

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Highlights:

The updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") considers 28,783 meters of diamond drilling to increase the Indicated Resource tonnage by 164%: Indicated Resource: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO  and 6.6% CaF 2 , and Inferred Resource: 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF 2 .

Contains a high percentage of the magnet feed rare earth elements neodymium (Nd) & praseodymium (Pr), exceeding that of several active global producers: (Nd 2 O 3 + Pr 2 O 3 ) / TREO ("NdPr") of 21.2% (indicated) and 21.4% (inferred)

The geological model interprets a single, continuous, mineralized carbonatite body outcropping at surface, with a footprint approximately 700 m along strike, over 300 m across, and 600 m deep as defined by the current resource estimate and remains open at depth.

The MRE incorporates three monazite-mineralized zones (A-Zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)). Other rare earth element-bearing lithologies such as the BD-Zone require additional metallurgical studies and were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project.

A forthcoming niobium drill program is set to investigate additional resource potential.

 TREO = sum of all lanthanide oxides + yttrium oxide

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE) (FSE:D7H0) (OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit (the "Ashram Deposit" or "Ashram"). The Ashram Deposit, wholly owned by the Company, is located in northeastern Quebec, Canada, approximately 130 kilometres south of the community of Kuujjuaq.

The updated MRE for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit firmly establishes it as a globally significant rare earth element ("REE") deposit, and one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite REE deposits in the world: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF 2 (indicated), and 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF 2 (inferred), at a cut-off of $287 Net Metal Return (NMR) per tonne (7).

Ashram also continues to demonstrate very high NdPr distributions (i.e., percent of neodymium plus praseodymium oxide of the TREO) at 21.2% NdPr (indicated) and 21.4% NdPr (inferred), exceeding that of several active global producers. The favourable distribution starts at surface, allowing these high value elements to be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario and thereby, enhancing the project's strategic value and operational efficiency. This enrichment in the magnet feed REEs also extends to dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

The MRE update underscores the Ashram Deposit's potential as a long-term, sustainable source of critical minerals, vital for the evolving technology and energy sectors. The Company remains committed to advancing the project, with ongoing work to further delineate the deposit's full potential, and a planned niobium drill program poised to unlock additional value.

Chris Grove, President and CEO of Commerce Resources, stated: "We are very excited by this updated mineral resource estimate for the Ashram Deposit, as it positions the Company to become the front-runner in providing a long-term source of magnet-feed REE supply to the North American and European markets. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world. This milestone will be the new basis of future economic and development studies that further de-risk and unlock the development potential of this asset. In addition to the Ashram Deposit, the Eldor carbonatite remains highly prospective for a number of high value commodities, including niobium and phosphate minerals."

Patrik Schmidt, Company Vice President of Exploration, comments: "We are thrilled with this updated resource estimate, which continues to demonstrate the consistency of the magnet-feed REE enrichment throughout the Ashram Deposit. This resource has firmly established Ashram as one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite rare earth deposits globally and remains open at depth."

The primary objective of the mineral resource update was to increase the confidence of resources from the inferred category to the indicated category to support economic and development studies. This conversion was highly successful with an 164% increase in the indicated resource category compared to the prior MRE completed in 2012 (see news release dated March 6, 2012).

The 2024 MRE was completed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 with an Effective Date of April 4th, 2024, and is based on 117 diamond drill holes totaling 28,783 metres of NQ, HQ and BTW size drill core.

Table 1: NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Statement for Ashram Deposit

Cut-off NMR ($/t) 287 Category Indicated Inferred Tonnes Mt 73.2 131.1 Total TREO % 1.89 1.91 NdPr 21.2 21.4 TbDy 0.7 0.5 La 2 O 3 ppm 4,829 4,969 Ce 2 O 3 8,753 8,933 Pr 2 O 3 907 927 Nd 2 O 3 3,112 3,162 Sm 2 O 3 412 385 Eu 2 O 3 98 87 Gd 2 O 3 223 195 Tb 2 O 3 24 19 Dy 2 O 3 102 73 Ho 2 O 3 14 10 Er 2 O 3 31 21 Tm 2 O 3 3 2 Yb 2 O 3 18 13 Lu 2 O 3 2 2 Y 2 O 3 419 280 Fluorspar (CaF 2 ) % 6.6 4.0

(a) TREO is sum of lanthanides (as oxides) + yttrium oxide

(b) NdPr distribution calculated as (Nd 2 O 3 + Pr 2 O 3 ) / TREO x 100

(c) CaF2 calculated from fluorine assay using factor of 2.055 (F to CaF2). Assumes all fluorine is contained within the mineral fluorite ("fluorspar").

(d) Cut-off expressed as NMR ($)/t only considers payable elements La-Nd-Pr-Tb-Dy.

(e) TbDy distribution calculated as (Tb 2 O 3 + Dy 2 O 3 ) / TREO x 100.

(f) Prices shown are in CAD

(g) Differences may occur in totals due to rounding.

Notes for Resource Table:

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they have not demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Resources are presented as undiluted and in-situ for an open-pit scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The constraining pit shell was developed using an overall pit slope of 52 degrees, and the resulting strip ratio is 2.7:1. 3D modelling was prepared using Leapfrog Geo v.2023.2.1 with a database of 213 surface drill holes, 6 surface channels and 32,962 samples, of which 117 drill holes and a total of 18,495 assays were used to interpolate the block model mineralized zones. Resources encompass three REE-bearing zones (A-zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)), each defined by wireframes. A value of zero grade was applied in cases of core not assayed. High-grade capping was done on the composited assay data and established on a per-zone basis for each element. Density values were interpolated using Ordinary Kriging for four rock types in the geological model, including the three mineralized rock types (A-Zone, B-Zones and Breccia (Classic)), with density averages of 3.08 g/cm3 for A-Zone, 3.00 g/cm3 for B-Zone, 3.05 g/cm3 for Breccia (Classic) and 2.92 g/cm3 for BD-Zone. Surrounding country rock lithologies were given a fixed density value from their range median values: carbonatites ranging from 2.85 to 2.97 g/cm3, Metavolcanic = 2.84g/cm3 and Lamprophyre = 2.97g/cm3." Grade model resource estimation was interpolated from drill hole data using an Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in a sub-blocked block model using blocks measuring 5 m x 5 m x 5 m in size and sub-blocks down to 1.25 m x 1.25 m x 1.25 m. The MRE cut-off, expressed as a Net Metal Return (NMR) value, was calculated to be CAD154/tonne, which is based on a 3-year annualized average (2021, 2022, and 2023) for the five payable oxidesa; (USD1.25/kg for La 2 O 3 , USD95/kg for Pr 2 O 3, USD95/kg for Nd 2 O 3 , USD1,500/kg for Tb 2 O 3 , and USD375/kg for Dy 2 O 3 ), estimated metal recoveries, and operating costs for mining, processing, transportation and G&A. A cut-off of CAD287/tonne is considered as the base case for the MRE and is guided by reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe. The cut-off grade considers a CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.30

(a) Sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024) Inferred mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 200 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is shown. Indicated mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 70 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is displayed An open-pit mining method was considered for the MRE and a conceptual pit shell to constrain the resources was developed using Hexagon's MinePlan 3D software, Version 16.05. Calculations used metric units (metre, tonne). Metric tonnages have been rounded, and any discrepancies in total amounts are due to rounding errors. CIM definitions and guidelines (2019) for Mineral Resource Estimates have been followed. The QPs are unaware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political or marketing issues or any other relevant issues that could materially affect this MRE.

Table 2 and Figure 1 illustrate the sensitivity of the 2024 Ashram Deposit MRE with respect to various Net Metal Return cut-offs for a potential open-pit scenario with reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The figures provided in these tables should not be interpreted as a mineral resource statement. The selected cut-off NMR for the base case is 287 $/tonne with the revenue factor 1 pit shell constraint.

Table 2: Mineral resource sensitivity analysis based on NMR $/t cut-off

Figure 1: Ashram mineral resource sensitivity analysis - grade-tonnage curve with base case NMR $287/t cut-off

Figure 2: Pit shell and mineralized footprint of Ashram's mineral resource estimate in plan, highlighting the deposit scale and drilling post-2012 MRE used to improve the Mineral Resource Estimate

Figure 3: Geological model cross-section of the Ashram Deposit highlighting carbonatite lithological domains considered in the mineral resource estimate (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). Note the BD-Zone (not shown) is currently not part of the MRE.

Figure 4: Cross-section showing Ashram indicated and inferred classifications within block model.

Figure 5: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross section displaying NMR ($/t) by block.

Figure 6: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross-section displaying TREO (%) distribution by block.

Figure 7: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying NdPr distribution.

Figure 8: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying TbDy distribution.

Figure 2 shows the surface projection of the pit shell and mineralized footprint of the Ashram deposit, with its lithological domains (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). It also includes the BD-Zone, another REE-bearing lithology that requires additional metallurgical studies due to their different REE-bearing mineralogy. These were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the monazite-mineralized lithologies that form the basis of the updated mineral resource estimate. The geological model is supported by drill holes through to the end of the 2022 fall program (hole EC22-207). Multiple cross-sections displaying parameters of the resource block model are presented in Figures 4 - 8. Figure 4 displays the indicated and inferred resource breakout in the block model which is shown in subsequent figures as dashed contour lines. Figure 5 shows the NMR ($/t) distribution within the deposit, with Figure 6 showing the respective TREO (%) distribution within the same block model slice. Figure 7 and Figure 8 are cross-sections of the magnet feed REE-oxide ratios (NdPr and TbDy, respectively) within the block model. Figure 7 shows high NdPr near surface, making it a high-value target which continues to be favourable throughout the deposit. The TbDy distribution shown in Figure 8 is overlapping with the high NdPr near surface but is not as elevated at depth.

Pit Optimization

A pit design was developed which constrains the pit shell to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The pit geometry considered an overall pit slope of 52 degrees based on previous geotechnical studies. The pit design considered 3-year annualized average pricing (2021, 2022, and 2023) for five payable oxides (USD1.25/kg for La 2 O 3 , USD95/kg for Pr 2 O 3, USD95/kg for Nd 2 O 3 , USD1,500/kg for Tb 2 O 3 , and USD375/kg for Dy 2 O 3 ), which were converted to Canadian Dollars using an exchange rate of 1.30 CAD:USD. The pricing was sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024).

The pit optimization considered the following combined metallurgical recoveries for the concentrator and hydromet plant: 60.5% for La 2 O 3 , 58.9% for Pr 2 O 3, 59.0% for Nd 2 O 3 , 42.7% for Tb 2 O 3 , and 38.6% for Dy 2 O 3 . A mining cost of CAD8/tonne (plus an incremental mining cost with depth of CAD0.02/tonne for every 10m of depth), variable operating costs of CAD60/tonne milled for the concentrator, CAD3,000/tonne of mixed REO product for the hydromet plant, and CAD7,700/tonne of product for the separation plant, fixed annual operating costs of CAD25M, CAD10M, CAD11M, CAD10M, for G&A, the concentrator, hydromet plant, and separation plant respectively, and transportation costs of CAD200/tonne of mixed REO product. The operating costs have been established using a combination of comparable projects and industry benchmarks and are therefore conceptual in nature.

The aforementioned economic parameters result in a Net Metal Return (NMR) cut-off of CAD154/tonne. An elevated cut-off of CAD287/tonne was considered as the base case for the MRE to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe.

The resulting pit shell has a conical shape with a diameter of approximately 1,200m, a depth of roughly 600m, and has a 2.7:1 ratio of waste to mineralized material.

Metallurgical Methods

The mineral processing and hydrometallurgy assumptions are based on the optimized flowsheet announced in the March 4th, 2024 press release. This was a significant simplification and optimization of the Ashram Deposit's front-end mineral processing flowsheet whereby 30-35+% TREO monazite mineral concentrates at strong recovery are produced using only flotation. In addition, a streamlined hydrometallurgical flowsheet was developed by L3 Process Development ("L3") and demonstrated at bench scale for the downstream processing of the monazite flotation concentrate. The hydrometallurgical flowsheet uses a standard acid bake - water leach process followed by thorium removal and direct rare earth element ("REE") precipitation.

Qualified Persons

The independent qualified persons for the 2024 MRE, as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines, are Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc. (Mineral Resource Estimate), Jeffrey Cassoff, P.Eng., of BBA Inc. (Pitshell optimization and cut-off grade), Jordan Zampini, P.Eng., from DRA Global (Mineral Processing parameters), and Tommee Larochelle, P.Eng., of L3 Process Development (Hydrometallurgical parameters). The effective date of the 2024 MRE is April 4th, 2024. The qualified persons have approved the technical contents of this press release.

Mr. Richard has worked in the mining industry for over 20 years with various commodities over the years, including REE projects. Mr. Richard has acted as QP or lead QP for a considerable number of technical reports, mineral resource estimates, and due diligence reviews as a consultant with different firms, and for PLR Resources since 2022. Mr. Richard has been involved with the Ashram project since 2021 and has visited the property.

About the Ashram Deposit

The Ashram Deposit is central to the Eldor Carbonatite Complex and bordered by an earlier staged calcio-carbonatite and various altered (fenitized) wallrock units. In contrast to its host rocks, the Ashram Deposit appears as a magnetic low and gravity high. Currently, the deposit geometry and geology can best be described as a moderate to steeply NE dipping ovoid, with simple rare earth mineralogy (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) that has an unusual enrichment in magnet feed elements (i.e. higher Nd+Pr Oxide/TREO). The Deposit is a single mineralized body outcropping at surface and has a drill delineated footprint of over 700 m along strike, 300 m across, and 600 m deep, and remains open at depth.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (more than 30 - 45% TREO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (more than 60 - 75%) in line with active global producers. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

"Chris Grove"

Chris Grove

CEO and President

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: http://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the updated mineral resource estimate positions the Company to become a frontrunner as a long-term source of magnet-feed REE to the European and North American markets; that the high NdPr distributions can be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario; that there is potential upside of the REE-bearing mineralogy of the BD-Zone; the highly conceptual estimates of operating costs and economic parameters with respect to pit optimization to develop a constraining pit shell; that Ashram has the potential to become one of the largest fluorspar sources in the world and a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth element producers globally, with a focus on being a long-term global supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if we are able raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (Imperial or the Company) (TSX:III) reports diamond drill results from three more holes of the Mount Polley 2024 exploration program, including a notable interval of 257.5 metres grading 0.71% copper and 0.39 g/t gold from 35.0 metres in diamond drill hole SD-24-180. This phase of drilling is ongoing and is following up on the significant results obtained in the 2023 drill programs.

Hole SD-24-180 was a vertical hole located 33 metres northwest from previously released hole SD-24-179 which intersected 270 metres grading 0.65% copper and 0.48 g/t gold from 22.5 metres on section 3230N. Holes SD-24-180 and SD-24-179 were planned to target gaps in the southwest edge of the Springer Pit at both shallow and deep levels. The first 135.5 metres of this intercept are within the current ultimate pit design for the Springer Pit. The portion of this hole beneath the ultimate pit tests an area that has been studied for potential underground mining.

Significant intercepts:

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Copper (%) Gold (g/t) SD-24-180 35.0 292.5 257.5 0.71 0.39 including 187.5 292.5 105.0 1.13 0.58 including 202.5 287.5 85.0 1.29 0.65

Hole SD-24-180 had 18 metres of casing and encountered the first recoverable core at 33 metres. The lithology throughout the entire hole closely resembles hole SD-24-179 and alternates between intense crackle breccia to moderately pseudo-brecciated monzonite to monzodiorite, with strong potassium feldspar, biotite, calc-silicate, albite and magnetite alteration. Copper mineralization throughout the hole is dominantly disseminated with veinlet-controlled chalcopyrite and trace bornite. Similar to hole SD-24-179, hole SD-24-180 intersects pervasive calc-silicate and magnetite alteration three times, providing pockets with a higher percentage of chalcopyrite.

Hole SD-24-178 was an angled hole oriented at 225/-60 and was collared on the north rim of the current Springer Pit. The hole was planned to test the extent of mineralization of the Springer Pit near a fault that appears to form the northern boundary of Springer mineralization. The first 143 metres of this hole are within the ultimate pit design. The hole intersected 12.5 metres of 0.28% copper and 0.39 g/t gold starting at 30 metres along with some lower grade intervals in the pit that will be mined in the Phase 5 pushback of the Springer pit. Mineralization within the pit may provide some additional mill feed from upper benches of the Phase 5 pushback.

Hole SD-24-181 was a vertical hole collared on the eastern edge at the bottom of the Springer Pit. The hole was designed to test potential mineralization further to the east at depth. Hole SD-24-181 intersected two notable intervals of gold mineralization. The first interval had a width of 22.5 metres grading 0.18% copper and 0.44 g/t gold from 42.5 metres and is within the current pit design. The second interval had a width of 35 metres grading 0.17% copper and 0.49 g/t gold from 107.5 metres and is beneath the current ultimate pit design.

Jim Miller-Tait, P.Geo., Imperials VP Exploration, has reviewed this news release as the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the Mount Polley exploration program. Samples reported were analysed at Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver. A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was completed for all diamond drilling samples submitted to the labs. Significant assay intervals reported represent apparent widths. Insufficient geological information is available to confirm the geological model and true width of significant assay intervals.

Diamond drill data, cross sections and plan view maps are available on Imperialmetals.com.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia. These properties have defined areas of mineralization and clear exploration potential. Management continues to evaluate various opportunities to advance many of these properties.

Company Contacts

Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959

Jim Miller-Tait | VP Exploration | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Companys managements expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys expectations with respect to current and planned exploration drilling programs at Mount Polley and timing thereof; the potential for mineralization to be converted from resource to reserve; the potential for extension of mine life; and the impact of drilling on future pit designs and mine life schedule. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to the Company as well as the Companys current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Companys interim and annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements.
While all eyes were on her as she made her first Cannes Film Festival appearance, YoonA was scolded by a staff member for this reason.

YoonA Accidentally Makes A Scene At Cannes Red Carpet

As one of the highly-anticipated Korean stars at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, YoonA's attendance on the event's red carpet on May 20 became the center of attention on social media.

Clad in a pink gown, the idol-actress stunned the crowd with her beauty.

However, while she garnered praise for her looks, a clip of YoonA being scolded by the event staff began to occupy various media platforms.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE : Visual Goddesses YoonA & Han So Hee Steal the Spotlight At Cannes Film Festival 2024

In the video, the staff approached the "King the Land" star to move faster up the red carpet stairs and not linger in the theater area. YoonA was seen repeatedly looking back and turning around, trying to pose on the red carpet stairs at Cannes.

Staff Scolded YoonA For Lingering Too Long At Cannes Red Carpet

Minutes later, two staff members approached her, signaling YoonA to continue moving. After the notice, the actress' assistant tried to explain the situation, but the organizers firmly refused to allow the Korean star to remain and take pictures.

Due to this, YoonA reportedly did not have any photos taken at the bottom of the red carpet stairs.

After seeing the clip where YoonA was reminded to move quickly sparked discussions among netizens.

According to the source, the incident showed that no artist at the prestigious event had the privilege to stay too long on the red carpet. They must follow the organizers' direction to prevent everyone from stopping and posing for photos, which could lead to congestion and might be the cause of delay of the event schedules.

An international media site, Metro, described that the Cannes staff have "hawk eyes." They quickly observe guests' actions. If a guest shows signs of moving slowly, being distracted, or making excessive movements like continuously turning around as the female idol did, the staff will immediately take action.

Therefore, artists, celebrities, and guests appearing on the Cannes red carpet need to act professionally and politely in terms of attire and movement.

On the other hand, YoonA's attendance at the Cannes Film Festival was made possible as she appeared as the brand ambassador of the luxury jewelry brand QEELIN.

What can you say about YoonA's appearance at the Cannes Red Carpet? 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.
Byeon Woo Seok talks about his family and mentions how he grew up in a loving environment.

As the rising star garnered the attention of the public through the hit K-drama "Lovely Runner," viewers were curious about the 32-year-old actor's life, especially with his family.

Interestingly, Byeon Woo Seok proudly mentioned his parents during his guest appearance in "You Quiz on the Block."

One of the things that he proudly talked about was having a loving and very supportive family.

According to Byeon Woo Seok, his "family is very close-knit," to the point where they are very expressive and vocal about each other.

"My father says 'I love you' a lot. Even now, he often gives me kisses on the cheek."

"Yoo Quiz on the Block" hosts Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho can't help but get surprised by the closeness of Byeon Woo Seok's family.

Interestingly, the actor also acknowledged it and would get the same reaction whenever he opened up the topic.

"Many people are surprised when I tell them this. Personally, I'd love to receive this kind of affection forever. No matter how they express their love, I'd love to receive it from my parents forever."

However, although his parents are comfortable saying "I love you" to their children and vice versa, the actor shared that it's not the case with his older sister, suggesting that he felt awkward saying "I love you."

Interestingly, this is not the first time that he mentioned his parents in an interview.

To recall, he told The Korea Times that his parents were hesitant about pursuing his modeling career; however, that is not the case with his acting journey, and he revealed that they were very supportive of him since he switched to acting.

Who is Byeon Woo Seok?

One of the hottest rising stars in K-drama this 2024, Byeon Woo Seok, captured the hearts of viewers by portraying the role of music top star Ryu Seon Jae in the rom-com "Lovely Runner."

Viewers are also drawn to his chemistry with co-star Kim Hye Yoon, who took on the character of fan girl Im Sol.

Viewers might recognize Byeon Woo Seok as the villain CEO in the spin-off "Strong Girl Namsoon," along with the trio Lee Yoo Mi, Kim Jung Eun, and veteran actress Kim Hae Sook.

Interestingly, prior to his K-drama appearance, the 6'2 stunner began his career as a mode

With his special features, Byeon Woo Seok was often called "Mr. Long Legs."

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
In a dramatic turn of events, actor Jae-hee, known by his real name Lee Hyun-gyun, has been acquitted of fraud charges, marking the end of a tumultuous journey marred by false allegations and public scrutiny.

On the afternoon of May 22nd, Jae-hee took to social media to share a deeply personal statement, expressing his relief and gratitude following the dismissal of the case.

"I just thought it would be okay because it wasn't true," he wrote, reflecting on the harrowing experience.

Jae-hee's agency, in a statement released earlier that day, confirmed the conclusion of the police investigation, emphasizing that no charges would be pressed against the actor.

The news comes as a beacon of hope for Jae-hee, who endured immense emotional strain throughout the ordeal. "It took a moment for a lie to become reality and destroy a person," Jae-hee confessed, his words dripping with emotion.

Despite maintaining a brave facade, he admitted to internal turmoil, questioning why his family's suffering went unnoticed amidst the chaos. However, he remained steadfast in his belief that the truth would ultimately prevail.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: THIS Popular Actors' Surprise Appearance at Running Competition Leaves Fans Speechless

Expressing profound gratitude to his supporters, Jae-hee acknowledged the unwavering loyalty of those who stood by him during the darkest hours.

"I will never forget my gratitude to all those who believed in me and remained by my side until the end," he proclaimed, his words resonating with sincerity.

In a touching gesture, Jae-hee vowed to repay the kindness shown to him by channeling his energy into his craft, promising to deliver stellar performances as a token of appreciation.

"What I will never forget in the future are the tears of my family and your support," he declared, his resolve unwavering.

Meanwhile, Jae-hee's former manager, identified only as Mr. A, recounted his version of events, alleging financial impropriety on Jae-hee's part. However, Jae-hee's agency swiftly refuted these claims, denouncing them as baseless and malicious.

"We have refrained from responding externally as much as possible, but we are sorry that malicious slander and indiscriminate false information were circulated," the agency stated, highlighting the damaging impact of unfounded accusations on Jae-hee's reputation.

As Jae-hee emerges from the shadows of controversy, his poignant message serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

With his head held high and a heart full of gratitude, Jae-hee embarks on a new chapter, determined to reclaim his narrative and inspire others with his unwavering resolve.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THIS Actor Begs for Romantic Roles Before It's Too Late - 'Please Do Consider Offering Me'

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Joana Cabigas.
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Kelowna city councillor Ron Cannan has sent a note to the city clerk's office saying he is declining to accept a council raise from $43,000 to $58,000. He was one of four councillors who had objected to the increase.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has been accused by a section of Kenyans of being drunk with power after a red carpet was rolled for him to board an excavator during a groundbreaking ceremony.

Photos shared on social media show a red carper rolled on the path leading to the excavator

There was also a military band blowing trumpets as Duale operated the excavator during the ground-breaking ceremony.

The photos have since sparked reactions on social media, with a section of Kenyans accusing the CS of being drunk with power and misusing taxpayers money to massage his ego.

A social media user wrote, That's how the likes of Museveni, Mobutu, Idi Amin, Mugabe, Abacha, Qadaffi, Biya, Bokassa, Jamme, Taylor, Obiang, etc etc end up overstaying in power or ruling with tyranny,

"This is not power, it is backwardness. Carpet means nothing to a struggling state to feed its people, another user commented.

See the photos and reactions from netizens.

























The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - United States President Joe Biden is hosting President William Ruto in a three-day state visit in a move aimed at revitalizing bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two presidents are set to discuss several issues of great concern including a strategy that will help Kenya get out of debt distress.

Sources privy to the talks revealed that the United States will offer Kenya a long-term solution to a debt crisis that has threatened the country's economy in recent years.

America will be urging big creditor countries like China to offer debtor countries like Kenya debt relief through grants and potential debt service suspensions.

The US will also urge international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to offer low-cost financing to Kenya.

In the aftermath of the talks, both presidents will make a joint announcement and sign agreements that will seal America's intent to solve Kenya's debt menace.

According to an official attending the state visit, Ruto's visit to the US sends important signals about America's intention to provide solutions to the African continent.

"When Ruto speaks, he's speaking for Africa. And given that President Biden hasn't had the chance to visit Africa yet, this meeting is not only about Kenya, it's really about sub-Saharan Africa as a whole," noted an official who is attending the meeting.

As of April, this year, Kenyas total debt stood at Ksh10 trillion this was announced by the Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge.

Among foreign countries, the CBK boss noted a majority of the debt was owed to China.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Azimio One Kenya Alliance spokesman, Prof. Makau Mutua, has warned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against picking a fight with President William Ruto.

Makau, who described President Ruto as a master of political strategy, said that the Deputy President would be the biggest loser if a fight ensues.

Mutua said the best decision for Gachagua would be to resist the urge to fight his boss.

"DP Rigathi Gachagua will fight President William Ruto and lose big.

"He should resist the urge to follow in his bosss footsteps because his boss isnt Uhuru Kenyatta.

"As the late President Moi used to say, atajikaanga na mafuta yake!" Mutua said on X.

His remarks come amid talks of a growing rift between the President and his deputy.

The alleged silent rift between Ruto and Gachagua has deepened divisions in the Mount Kenya region.

Allies of the DP now claim there are influential people within the State House sponsoring youthful leaders from the region to undermine Gachaguas authority.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga has revealed the two things that are making it difficult for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to work with his boss, President William Ruto.

In an interview with Inooro FM on Tuesday, Kahiga listed incidents that might have contributed to the alleged disharmony between President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Kahiga said the president publicly contradicting Gachagua on shareholding in the Kenya Kwanza government was a clear sign that all was not well.

"When the president went to Nyanza, he said that shareholding remarks were primitive. I actually responded and told him that he was playing politics.

"I dared him to come and repeat the same remarks in Mt Kenya. It was the DP who started the conversation on shareholding, and he was speaking according to what they agreed with Ruto," Kahiga said.

The truce between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga is also another issue that Gachagua's camp is uncomfortable with.

Kahiga, a close ally of the deputy president, claimed Gachagua was kept in the dark over the deal between the president and Raila Odinga.

"We were later told that Rigathi was the one setting traps in the State House to ensure that Raila would never make it there.

"However, he never even knew the side Raila came from when he went to the State House," Kahiga claimed

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - President William Ruto apologized to one of his daughters for doubting her dream of pursuing a career in film-making.

While addressing a delegation after touring the famous Tyler Perry Studios in the US, Ruto was remorseful for questioning her daughter when she approached him with her dream roughly eight years ago.

"I understand about eight years ago, my daughter, and she is around, she asked me, 'You know, I want to do film.' So, I asked her, 'What did you say?'

"I must apologize to her today, she was right and I was wrong," Ruto stated.

As a result, the Head of State vowed to promote the sector, admitting that the tour at the studios had changed his outlook on the industry, as well as that of his administration.

"This gives it a completely different perspective and what I have seen here will dramatically change the perspective of the government of Kenya," Ruto added.

"This space, on its own organically, is already doing 5 per cent with a little push, we can turn this around... This is going to change our trajectory. We are going to plan more."

Perry launched the iconic studios to herald the production of Movie and TV content in 2019 on an expansive 134-hectare (330-acre) lot in Atlanta.

The studios, with 12 soundstages, are valued at Ksh37 billion ($280 million).

As part of Ruto's goal to grow the local film industry, the Head of State invited Emmy Award-winning TV host Steve Harvey.

Harvey will fly to Kenya in September to interact with the industry and in December as the chief guest during Independence Day.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Iceland Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, flew for a State Visit in Malawi aboard a Kenya Airways Plane, even as Kenyans continue to criticize President Ruto for splashing Ksh 200 Million to hire a private jet to fly him to the United States of America for his much-hyped State Visit.

Popular social media commentator Gabriel Oguda shared a video of the Iceland Prime Minister landing in Malawi aboard a KQ plane and lashed out at President Ruto for wasting taxpayers money.

Oguda further advised Kenyans to vote wisely during the next elections.

The Iceland Prime Minister flew to Malawi on a State Visit via Kenya's national carrier Kenya Airways, on the same day Kenyan President flew to the USA using a private charter that will cost starving Kenyans Sh200 million. Next time, vote wisely, Oguda wrote.

The Iceland Prime Minister flew to Malawi on a State Visit via Kenya's national carrier Kenya Airways, on the same day Kenyan President flew to the USA using a private charter that will cost starving Kenyans Sh200 million. Next time, vote wisely. pic.twitter.com/ee8MyPN8zz  Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) May 22, 2024

Rutos luxury jet trip has continued to spark debate.

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya now wants a parliamentary inquiry into Rutos Sh200 million luxury flight to the US.

Azimio is accusing the President of "wastage", amid clarification by the US embassy in Nairobi that the host did not foot the bill for Ruto's flight, which costs about Sh98 million one-way trip.

The President, who is on a four-day State visit, left on Sunday aboard Boeing Business Jet, a 737-700, hired from Abu Dhabi luxury private airline Royal Jet Group.

For every hour of the 18 he spent on the flight, Kenyans blew nearly Sh2.4 million.

The Opposition lawmakers now wonder why a country struggling with limited finances and barely managing the flood crisis that left many in need of aid would afford such a luxury.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - The son of late former President Mwai Kibaki, Jimmy Kibaki, has announced his retirement from politics to concentrate on farming.

In a statement to newsrooms, Jimmy also said that he had stepped down as The New Democrats (TND) deputy party leader and wants to concentrate on family business and farming.

Over the past 33 years, I have been intimately involved in various political initiatives in this country, including the formation and management of various political parties.

In 1991, several like-minded people came together to form the Democratic Party of Kenya.

Together, we built this organization into a respected political party that performed admirably in the 1992 and 1997 general elections.

Subsequently, I was involved in the National Rainbow Alliance, which went on to capture political power in the 2002 general election.

I have also been involved in the creation and management of the Party of National Unity, he said.

Jimmy said it is now time for him to devote all his time to urgent family and business matters that require his full attention.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed a roadside rally after attending the funeral of the late Julius Kano Ndumbi, who was the former Principal of Kianyaga High School, in Kirinyaga County.

A group of Kikuyu women and men were filmed singing a freedom song to send a message to President Ruto that the mountain is volatile.

The charged crowd sang a freedom song as Gachagua watched on top of his vehicle.

Gachagua fired salvos at his political detractors during the rally, accusing them of being 'spies' sent to betray the Mt Kenya region.

He likened his rivals to leaders who collaborated with the colonial government during the struggle for independence.

Gachagua said his political detractors want to dismantle the Mt Kenya unity he was working to build.

You know these people have been sent to spy and betray us, just like in the war for independence when a small group of people agreed to work with colonial masters to sell out their community, but they did not succeed, because we know them, he said.

Watch a video of Kikuyus singing a freedom song to send a message to Ruto that the mountain is volatile.

Kikuyus sing a freedom song to warn RUTO as GACHAGUA watches. pic.twitter.com/RYnTTsb3hk  DAILY POST  (@TheKenyanPost) May 22, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has revealed why Mt. Kenya unanimously chose former President Uhuru Kenyatta as their leader despite his retirement from politics during the Limuru III meeting last week.

Speaking during an interview, Kioni explained that attendees at the meeting settled on Uhuru because of the respect he commands across the political and cultural leadership of the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.

Kioni acknowledged that both leaders from Kenyan Kwanza and Azimio held Uhuru in high regard despite their political and ideological differences.

On the other hand, he also stated that Uhuru had previously held the highest position in the country and served as the president for two terms.

Therefore, he detailed that Uhuru was the only leader who could listen to all the grievances and unite the community.

"If you look at the traditional leadership, there may be division. However, people respect Uhuru. Politicians have various opinions but people respect him (Uhuru).

"He has already left politics and we want him to sit with us and discuss our issues. He has already become a President and our leader, why wouldn't we give him the position?" he posed.

Nonetheless, he maintained that the former President did not offer himself for the position, clarifying that the attendees of the meeting were behind his selection.

Kioni also added that a meeting would be organized with Uhuru in the coming days so that the organizers can president the memorandum from the meeting.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Nyeri County Governor, Mutahi Kahiga has admitted that all has not been well between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his boss President William Ruto.

In an interview with Inooro TV on Tuesday, Kahiga said Rutos men have been intimidating and harassing Gachagua and his team.

Mutahi gave an example of a day when Gachagua was denied a chopper to use for official functions.

When he asked why he was denied using the chopper he was told orders were from above

The governor further stated that Gachagua is facing many issues in the Kenya Kwanza government but has yet to open up to his allies.

There are even stories of him being denied a helicopter, and I know there are others he is not telling us.

"We can see something is going wrong.

"When I first talked to the president in our first meeting, I told him to repay our region for how it voted for him. Our journey with him was based on trust, but now we can see trust diminishing," he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - City activist, Njeri Wa Migwi, rescued a boy who was dumped by his mother in Kawangware, 30 minutes after birth.

The woman dumped the baby and disappeared after suspecting he was disabled.

Njeri stumbled upon the abandoned baby when she was doing food disbursement in Kawangware and took care of him.

She took to her X account and shared photos to show the boys progress, four years later.

His mum gave birth & disappeared within 30 mins of birth. I was doing a food disbursement in Kawangware in 2020 when he was dumped.

"He was placed in my care because they suspected he was disabled. 4 years later, 5 surgeries this is us today, post-surgery, she tweeted.

See the photos.

















The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Powerful gangs controlling the majority of Haiti's infrastructure have vowed to wage war against the Kenyan-led multinational police force that is set to arrive in the country this week.

According to reports, the police officers will confront gangs that have evolved to thwart any opposition.

In particular, the gangs have changed their tactics in their operations, including the public approach to social media by showing a united front.

The reports also indicated that the gangs have set aside their territorial wars to rally together and resist the Kenyan-led mission, terming them 'invaders.'

The alliance will be based on mutual terms as the gangs seek to overcome challenges involving drug-smuggling operations.

Johnson Andre, better known as Izo is the leader of the 5 Segonn gang or 5 Seconds which is believed to be the largest cocaine trafficker in Haiti and will be seeking to use allies to export the product to neighbouring countries including Colombia.

The gangs will also be relying on Dimitri Herard, the head of the security unit that protected President Jovenel Moise who was assassinated in July 2021.

Herard was roped into the controversial assassination after he was accused of ordering his security to stand down as the mercenaries stormed the president's home.

Since 2021, he has been in prison and was awaiting court sentencing before he was freed during a prison break staged by the gangs last month.

Herard will be providing connections to operations including drug cartels and access to weapons used by the Gulf clan.

He will also utilise his resources from Colombia to bring in new sophisticated weapons.

According to President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, thousands of military weapons had been stolen and sold to armed groups primarily in Haiti.

One of the most successful gangs operating is led by Jimmy Cherizier also known as Barbecue, a former police officer who has since turned rogue and is a key part of the Vivre Ensemble coalition.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Gatundu South constituents have protested the appointment of their MP, GG Kagombe, as director of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) while he is still serving as a Member of Parliament.

Kagombes directorship at the Theta Tea Factory managed by KTDA has sparked serious inquiries about the potential conflict of interest.

Some residents argue that it is morally questionable for an elected official to retain a directorship at an organization like KTDA which manages over 65 tea factories.

Kagombe recently facilitated a business engagement between KTDA and the Iran-based Sharzad Trading Company to explore new market frontiers for Kenyan tea.

Gatundu South MP G.G Kagombe today facilitated business engagement between KTDA and Iran-based Sharzad Trading Company at KTDA Head Office, Nairobi.

The engagement is part of efforts to diversify Kenyas tea markets and follows President William Rutos call to broaden and unlock lucrative tea markets.

Iran is a major consumer of orthodox teas and presents an opportunity for KTDA to expand its fast-growing orthodox and specialized teas category, Kagombe wrote on his Facebook page after the meeting

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Earlier this month, there was an incident at PCEA Kikuyu Hospital where a man caused a scene, accusing the hospital management of detaining a critical patient they were unable to treat.

The family of four had been involved in an accident and one member was admitted at the facility.



Unfortunately, the situation has taken a tragic turn.



The patient has passed away and the family is now accusing the hospital of gross negligence.



According to a source, the government pathologist's report suggests that the hospital's failure to provide timely emergency care contributed to the patients death.



The familys ordeal worsens as the hospital has now detained the body due to a massive outstanding bill.



The family also claims that the hospital logged the patient out of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) before her death which effectively blocked them from using NHIF to cover the costs.

Drama at PCEA Kikiyu Hospital as enraged man accuses management of forcefully holding critical patient whom they lack the capacity to treat. pic.twitter.com/jKn9NybmOO  Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) May 11, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024  President William Ruto has moved to endear himself to the restive Mt. Kenya voting bloc amid rumours of a fallout with his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

This is after he announced that his government would forgive all the multi-billion debt owed by coffee farmers most of whom come from Mt. Kenya.

Ruto unveiled plans to write off Ksh6 billion in debt held by coffee farmers, aiming to rejuvenate the struggling sector and boost the livelihoods of over 600,000 farmers.

"In the next Cabinet meeting, we will approve a write-off of Ksh6 billion to our farmers, so that we can reduce debts on coffee farming," Ruto told Kenyans living in the United States of America.

This announcement is part of the ongoing coffee reforms intended to expand cultivation acreage and enhance farmer revenues.

Coffee, Kenyas third largest agricultural export, has faced significant challenges despite employing a substantial portion of the population, with 75 percent of farmers being smallholders.

The sector has struggled with low production and financial instability, prompting the government to take decisive action.

The debt relief plan, initially proposed in January by Co-operatives and Micro and Small Enterprise Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, gained momentum with Gachaguas discussions with coffee sector stakeholders.

Chelugui indicated that the government might consider waiving additional phases of debts owed by coffee farmers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Tuesday warned controversial blogger, Maverick Aoko over her defamatory social media posts, cautioning her that shell soon land in trouble.

Sonko was forced to outline facts about his daughters lifestyle abroad after the blogger posted allegations about the former Governors daughters and former University of Nairobi student leader, Anne Mvurya who is a close associate of Sonko.

In a long post on his X account (formerly twitter), Sonko clarified the allegations posted by Aoko and he even posted academic papers of her daughter, Sandra Mbuvi who is a student at University of Brighton International College in the UK, to discard allegations by Aoko about his daughter. Aoko had alleged Sandra is engaging in illicit activities in the UK instead of concentrating on her studies.

If my daughter was engaging in the activities that you alleged, she wouldn't be asking for pocket money from me on a weekly basis. As a responsible Dad, I personally top up her debit card with between Sh60,000 to Sh100,000 on a weekly basis. She wouldn't have passed her exams with flying colours to graduate to the next level of her academics, Sonko said.

Wewe Maverick aoko hapa umeenda overboard. Coz wewe ujui uchungu ya kuwa na watoto.



Before you comment on sensitive matters, always get your facts right.



Endelea tu na propaganda ya kuharibia watoto wa watu majina.



First, my daughter angekuwa anauza Sim2, as you allege, she pic.twitter.com/m1LweMeKEF  Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) May 21, 2024

Sonko also dismissed Aokos claims that Anne Mvurya who is a close friend of Sonko, has aborted her pregnancies after alleged affairs with the former Governor.

@MikeSonko call me



Wacha kutusi mimi Obina show b'coz I said you're Unga man



Saum married your fellow drug dealer, he failed after one term



The daughter you took abroad, ana kulwa mkundu na Wazungu



God does not sleep!



Hata UoN leader ame abort how many of your kids? pic.twitter.com/jM8xpvXc8P  Maverick Aoko (@AokoOtieno_) May 21, 2024

To prove you wrong, Ann Mvuria, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy who is two years old now. I enrolled her at Kenya School of Law, where she recently graduated and admitted to the bar as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Today, she is in the panel of the legal team that is representing me in court, added Sonko.

Sonko however failed to clarify whether hes the father to Mvuryas child.

Aoko posted the allegations on her X account after Sonko described Aoko as a dirty woman during a live YouTube interview by TV comedian, Obinna.

The controversial blogger came to the limelight in 2022 over her social media posts allegations of engaging in affairs with top ODM leaders including party Chairman John Mbadi and former CAS David Osiany.

The former Trade CAS has already filed a defamation suit against Aoko over the allegations.

This was after she alleged she was in a relationship with the former CAS.

Osiany has been married to Syombua Osiany for the past eight years and the couple has a daughter together.

In response to Aoko's accusations, Osiany said:

"Your two minutes of fame is up! Time to make you pay for this silliness in the name of clout-chasing. I'm going to ensure this is the last you do. And I'm not buffing."

Aoko who also appeared before the Obinna show before Sonko, accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of misusing the Luo community by agreeing to work with his political opponents after elections.

Last year Aoko apologized to Raila for defaming his family online and she claimed shes having suicidal thoughts due to her financial situation.




Wednesday, May 22, 2024  In what might give President William Ruto some goosebumps, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua delivered a cryptic message after a section of Mt Kenya leaders held the Limuru III conference last week.

This comes amid fallout rumours with Ruto, following Gachaguas extended absence from state functions.

Speaking in Kagio Township, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua said he is aware of what is happening in the Mt Kenya region but has chosen to keep quiet.

However, the Deputy President told Mt Kenya residents that a silent river is more dangerous.

DP Gachagua urged Mt Kenya leaders to come together and unite, saying the region's strength lies in its unity.

Our unity as Mt. Kenya region is our strength. I am asking our leaders, let us come together and unite. I am seeing everything that is happening but I have chosen to remain silent.

"Even though I am silent, remember where the river is silent, it's more dangerous, said Gachagua.

Narc Kenya Leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni led other Mt Kenya leaders in the Limuru III summit.

The leaders unveiled the Haki Coalition which aims to push for the "one man, one vote, one shilling" revenue-sharing formula.

They agreed to unite under the Haki Coalition to protect the interests of Mt Kenya and urged like-minded individuals to join the movement.

Further, the leaders announced that former President Uhuru Kenyatta would remain the Mt Kenya region kingpin.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - The United States government has stated that it did not pay for President William Rutos private jet to America on Sunday.

The high cost of Rutos flight to the U.S. has elicited debates in the country after it emerged that the trip would cost around Sh200 million.

A spokesperson of the US Embassy in Nairobi denied the reports but said the U.S. government would be responsible for all the bills while President Ruto is in the U.S.

This will include transport, accommodation, and food.

The only thing the Kenyan government will cater for are allowances for the Kenyan delegation and transport from the U.S. back to Kenya.

Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Rutos jet to the US, said the spokesman.

The U.S. has also vowed to support Kenya in health, governance, the war on corruption, institutional strengthening, civil society, and free press.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained his absence from the national scene after media reports began speculating about his recent extended absence from the limelight.

Speaking at the funeral of his former teacher, Julius Kano in Kirinyaga, Kirinyaga County, the Deputy President revealed that he had taken seven days off to pray and fast at the Mount Kenya Forest, during which he cut off all lines of communication to everyone.

While making his remarks, Gachagua explained that his absence was well-calculated and intentional.

He explained that he turned off his mobile phone as he took off time to meditate and think about the State of the Nation.

When Mwalimu passed on when I had taken seven days away for prayers and fasting, meditation and reflection at the heart of Mount Kenya Forest, with no phone, no nothing and nobody could disturb me as I wanted to meditate on the State of the Nation and the people of this region, Stated Gachagua.

Gachagua elaborated that he only came out of hibernation after his wife got a message out to him that his former teacher had passed on.

Further during the event, Gachagua emphasized that he was championing the unity of the Mount Kenya region.

I am not that wise but I am also not stupid, there is something I know and that is why as the senior most politician in the region, I made the decision to unite the people of Kenya, stated Gachagua

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024  The Kenya Kwanza government has jealously defended President William Rutos trip to the U.S. amid uproar from Kenyans after he hired a high-end private jet worth Sh200 million for his mission.

Speaking during a meeting in Nakuru, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura called out Kenyans questioning the cost of flying Ruto to the United States for his state visit.

According to Mwaura, the critics ought to focus on the benefits of the visit rather than questioning the use of the plane, which will cost the taxpayers over Ksh200 million.

In his speech, Mwaura stated that Kenya would benefit much more from the trip, adding that the country would recoup all the money used during the trip.

He added that the trip was also unique given that Ruto was the first African President to be hosted on a state visit by President Joe Biden.

"The president has gone to look for things to benefit the country and you are asking how much the fare is. He is even going to come back with more money than has been used for the plane.

"Don't those people (people asking about the costs) hate Kenya? He is the first African President to be called for a State Visit by President Joe Biden," he stated.

However, he did not confirm whether the government was funding the trip.

Earlier, the US Embassy dismissed reports over funding the costs of the plane.

It had been alleged that the U.S. was funding the trip.

Unlike his previous visits to the U.S. and other countries, Ruto opted for a chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet.

According to estimates, Abu Dhabi-based airline Royal Jet charges Ksh2.4 million per hour for the use of the plane.





The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, May 22, 2024  The United States government has moved to set the record straight regarding President William Rutos Sh200 million luxurious jet that he chartered for his US state visit.

This follows reports that the high-end jet may have been chartered by the U.S. government for Ruto's visit to the country.

However, the Joe Biden administration through the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, clarified that the United States did not fund President Ruto's flight.

"Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto's jet to the US," said a spokesperson for the embassy.

The news comes as the government urges cost-cutting across various sectors and the complete removal of budgets for some agencies in the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.

The luxury charter provided by the Abu Dhabi-based airline Royal Jet; charges $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million) per hour besides other costs.

This trip marks the first state visit to the United States by an African president in 15 years.

President Ruto opted for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) over his official Fokker 70ER, citing its range limitations.

Unlike his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who flew commercially with Kenya Airways in 2019, Ruto chose a more opulent option for his journey.

The decision has drawn criticism, especially considering a Kenya Airways flight to New York departed just two hours after Rutos plane.

A business class ticket on this flight would have cost between Ksh123,000 and Ksh234,000 but would have required a connecting flight to Atlanta.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
My grandfather was forced to immigrate from Japan to Canada in 1910. As I learned, he owned many sake factories in Japan, which were nationalized in a government takeover of certain businesses. Governments do that. The family was heavily burdened, and the government pressured them to move across the Pacific.

Over the next century, our family prospered under the Canadian government, with some family members coming to the United States.

One reflection of any government is the health care provided to its citizens. The United States is failing in life expectancy, caring for older adults, perinatal care, cost of medication and treatment, and equity in access.

Despite this country being a leading medical technology developer in the world, its health care ranking is worsening compared to other countries. Why?

Greed.

Instead of enhancing our nations health care, the medical-industrial complex of pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals, and insurance companies is reaching into the pockets of Americans to snatch their dollars.

For example:

Sickle cell anemia has been a scourge for many centuries, yet now a cure is available utilizing new scientific technology. However, only a few can take advantage because a one-time treatment costs $2 million per person.

There are newly developed DNA-altering mutation cancer treatments that can be $30,000 per month.

Your doctor is forced to fill out mounds of paperwork to receive prior authorization dictated by insurance paper pushers for you to receive evidence-based care.

Will insurance companies pay for these? Denied!

Many in California and even across the nation are happy to see the value of their homes increase. Remember, though, that this asset might make you a deep pocket and a future target of the medical-industrial complex, seeking new resources that they will force you to tap into.

We know that compared to other nations, we pay more than double for health care than any other country.

As quality health care around the world surpasses the US, we face the unenviable realization our children and grandchildren will face worsening illness as affordability is beyond their reach.

Author and historian Jon Meacham, in his recent book And There Was Light, chronicles emancipation and the life of Abraham Lincoln, that progress comes when Americans recognize that all, not just some, possess common rights and are due common respect.

Adequate health care should be an American right for all, emancipating us from the shackles the medical-industrial complex has intentionally bound us to. We, the People, can then prosper health-wise like other nations around the world.

Therefore, what can we do? Nationalize health care? But health care is different from sake.

Some will say it is another socialistic or communistic ploy for the government to control our lives.

Well, maybe our capitalistic ways need some tweaking for our nation to survive. Blending in common sense may allow us to preserve a better future so no one has to move overseas.

My profession is predicated on the scientific theory of statistics and following trends in developing evidence-based medicine. It works. However, the medical-industrial complexs greed will interfere with how science can be used to cure our societys ills.

Therefore, lets analyze our U.S. health care system for improvements and question the hidden faults.

For instance:

How much do pharmaceutical companies really invest in research and development?

What are executives salaries, compensation packages, and bonuses in the medical-industrial complex?

What does it really cost to manufacture a pill?

How much do these medical-industrial complex stakeholders pay and influence lawmakers to affect their special interests?

What right do insurance companies have to direct a doctor in your medical care, influencing the drugs, procedures, or end-of-life care you receive? What is their educational background to deny the medical care being rendered by your well-trained doctor?

Realize that these questions have been asked and gone unanswered for the past several decades to keep the sham going.

When I want to cure a patient with many problems, I focus on the most life-threatening ones. Our nations most threatening problem is the need for a fair, equitable, and cost-friendly health care system.

We might not need a government takeover of health care, and we dont need to leave the country. But we must sit down as a nation and cure these problems without the influence of greed.

Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report.
With just 12 days to the Uganda Martyrs celebrations in Namugongo, the first group of pilgrims has made it to the Anglican shrine.

The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Uganda Martyrs Day, Rt Rev Reuben Kisembo has told journalists that these pilgrims, from different places and backgrounds, have travelled a long way with faith and determination to be recognized as the first to arrive.

Although some pilgrims have started arriving, the majority are expected on June 31st, said Rt Rev Kisembo

One of them is 60-year old Catherine Akuru, who says her resolve to make the journey was not dampened by the recent closure of Karuma Bridge. She explains that she boarded a taxi from Lira to Kigumba where she jointed other foot pilgrims.

The other pilgrims including a one Lawrence Okello and Julius Etenu are however not sure of shelter and source of food and other refreshments to take them through the remaining 12 days.

The annual Martyrs Day celebrations are held every June 3rd
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As construction nears on a massive plan to overhaul the Interstate 70 and U.S. 63 connector, some activists are pushing for more emphasis on pedestrian safety.

"By providing pedestrian (and) bicycle connectivity, you're connecting people with doctors, with jobs," said Elke Boyd, chair of the Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission. "By providing opportunities for non-motorized travel, you're actually improving the entire city."

MoDOT plans to spend $123 million for a revamp of the I-70 and U.S. 63 connector in Columbia and the I-70 U.S. 54 connector in Kingdom City. It's been folded into the wider Improve I-70 Project, which will add a third lane along nearly 200 miles of I-70 between Wentzville and Blue Springs.

Final design details for the connector revamp are being completed this summer, according to a Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson. The department expects Improve I-70 construction to begin after July 4.

In February, MoDOT released an aerial rendering of planned changes to the connector:

Elimination of two ramps and one traffic signal on the connector.

New roundabout which directly connects Clark Lane to the interstate.

New roundabout which directly connects East Business Loop 70 to the interstate.

Flyover ramp which connects U.S. 63 to I-70 West.

New roundabout which would replace the light at Conley Road and East Business Loop 70.

Underpass to connect Hanover Boulevard with I-70 Drive Southeast and Woodridge Drive.

Underpass to connect Conley Road with a U.S. 63 connector ramp.

The MoDOT proposals include several upgrades to pedestrian safety. The connector is considered to be Columbia's most dangerous intersection for pedestrians, according to the city's Vision Zero Team. Vision Zero works to achieve zero traffic deaths or serious injuries on Columbia's roadways, according to its website.

There were seven deadly crashes involving pedestrians in the area around the connector between 2017 and 2023, according to Krista Shouse-Jones, Vision Zero coordinator for the city. There were six serious crashes involving pedestrians in that same period. The data comes from MoDOT, Shouse-Jones said.

Boyd said MoDOT has been forthcoming and easy to work with. She applauded parts of MoDOT's plans to upgrade the connector.

New sidewalks are planned for the west side of the connector bridge, the Hanover Boulevard underpass and a new St. Charles Road bridge. MoDOT also plans to leave space for a sidewalk on the Conley Road underpass.

However, Boyd said MoDOT has not included several requests from the commission. Renovation of the connector is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do just that, Boyd said. If changes aren't made now, it could be decades before pedestrian safety is improved again along the connector.

Boyd and the commission's vice-chair met with MoDOT representatives on March 1. After the meeting, Boyd sent a letter to MoDOT with a list of pedestrian projects the commission wants included. The top priority is a crosswalk that would connect the west side of the connector to I-70 Drive Southeast.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.

Right now, pedestrians and cyclists have to cross six lanes of traffic to get across the connector. On the west side of the connector is the Conley Road shopping center, and on the east side are business and health care centers.

Lemont Youngman said he frequently crosses the connector to get to work and go to the grocery store.

"There's really actually like nowhere for a bike to be except in the middle of the street where it's traffic at," Youngman said.

On Monday, the Columbia City Council put its weight behind some of the proposals and voted unanimously to add four projects to the city's Master Sidewalk Plan.

The plan includes filling in sidewalk gaps along Clark Lane and the south side of East Business Loop 70, which were two requests from the commission. It would also add a sidewalk on the east side of the connector bridge.

Boyd said that move gives the projects more clout and helps the city show MoDOT it's serious about getting these projects done.

The city of Columbia has also pushed for pedestrian safety to be a priority of the connector project. The city has met regularly with MoDOT about pedestrian safety for "quite some time," according to city spokesperson Sydney Olsen.

The city said there is a need for "pedestrian facilities"  or sidewalks  on both sides of roadways. Right now, MoDOT plans to build sidewalks only on the west side of the connector and St. Charles Road bridge.

At a minimum, the city wants space for possible future sidewalks on new bridges and underpasses. Boyd said it would be significantly more expensive to retrofit sidewalks later on.

The city also wants lighting and "site control" for underpasses and sidewalks so police can get better patrol the area. There is a significant homeless population around the connector.

"From the city's perspective, MoDOT has a unique opportunity to design and build our transportation network with the safety and connectivity of all users in mind while still meeting their overarching goal of adding lanes to I-70...," Olsen said in an email.

"We believe it is critical to both the everyday lives of the citizens of Columbia and to our visitors from all around the state and country," the statement continued.

"You're actually improving the entire city because now people can keep jobs, and stay healthy, and pay taxes," Boyd said. "And we all win."

Residents can click here to submit comments to MoDOT about the Improve I-70 project. The comment submission is at the bottom of the page. The deadline for public comment is Thursday.
LAPD and federal authorities are investigating source of ketamine that led to Matthew Perrys death, seen here on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
ILLIT's newest university performance has become a hot topic in an online community.

On May 21, netizens gathered in a forum, where they discussed ILLIT's performance at Korea University's "Kutopia Festival." The author uploaded several images and clips of ILLIT performing their songs, including their hit title track "Magnetic."

According to numerous clips online, the feedback regarding their performance was praiseworthy at best since the audience was heard cheering for the quintet. See OP's post below:

The comments section drew in enthusiastic netizens, as the forum was filled with praises towards the ILLIT's stage presence, vibe, and visuals.

"They're so cute."

"So cute, and the reactions are good."

"Ah they really are babies, and they are all pretty."

"The kids were refreshing."

However, some netizens were critical of the performance and claimed that ILLIT had lip-synced and used too much backtrack on the show. International netizens also gathered in a separate forum, where they also relayed their mixed reactions to the performance.

Read their comments below:

"Do people usually lip sync at university festivals?"

"It kind of pi**es me off that they get paid to lip-sync."

"I wish companies would stop sending idols to lip-sync actual live performances. This isn't a weekly music show. There is no excuse."

"Lip-syncing while pretending to use hand mics is always insane to me."

"The backtrack is so eff loud I can't."

"Don't know why they were made to lip sync? I've seen other fourth generation groups perform at uni festivals, even ones under HYBE and they sang live."

"It was good, but should be live!"

Meanwhile, others defended the girls and remarked that it didn't matter since ILLIT gave a wonderful time to the audience at the festival. They also mentioned that ILLIT's massive hate train online doesn't reflect what's happening in real life.

"The way the crowd had fun! It's because people in real life do not gaf about this pathetic witch-hunt against them!"

"The cheers were loud, and the crowd was singing along. These just show that online hate doesn't equate in real life."

"People had fun there and enjoyed themselves. People on here and their antis don't matter."

"Public chanting and singing along are so cute. I'm always afraid to read K-netz on ILLIT posts lol."

"I think they're cute! It's unfortunate about all the scrutiny they've been going through when they just want to sing and dance and have fun on stage."

In other news, ILLIT gained attention across social media on May 20, 2024, when numerous fan accounts were followed by the group itself. Unfortunately, this garnered immediate backlash since some of the accounts had "shaded" NewJeans in their past tweets.

To know more about the story, read more here.

For more K-pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ILLIT Members Face Backlash After Following Then Unfollowing Fan Accounts

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
A recent BBC documentary shedding light on the notorious "Burning Sun" scandal has reignited public interest in the unresolved burglary case involving the late K-Pop star, Goo Hara.

The documentary not only revisited Goo Hara's involvement in exposing the scandal but also highlighted the mysterious theft that occurred at her residence shortly after her passing.

The burglary took place on January 14, 2020, at Goo Hara's home in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, just 50 days after her untimely death in November 2019.

CCTV footage captured an unidentified individual, masked and gloved, entering the property.

The intruder, displaying a familiarity with the layout, attempted to access the house through the front door using a password before resorting to scaling a wall and entering through a second-floor balcony.

Remarkably, the burglar appeared to have precise knowledge of the house's layout, targeting Goo Hara's personal safe in her dressing room while leaving other valuables untouched.

Reports indicate that the safe contained significant items such as jewelry, investment documents, and old mobile phones. This led investigators to suspect the possibility of an inside job.

I agree that it has to be someone she knew cuz he tried to put in the old password but her brother had change it. And he also seem to know the interior of the house & where the safe is. Even her brother don't know what's in the safe but the thief ONLY aim for that & nothing else. October 12, 2020

Despite a comprehensive nine-month investigation by authorities, the perpetrator remains unidentified.

Goo Hara's brother, Goo Ho In, promptly reported the incident to the police, who, despite their efforts, have yet to make any breakthroughs in the case.

READ MORE: BBC Documentary Unveils Horrors of Seungri's Nightclub - 'VIP Parties to VIP Hell'

Friends and acquaintances of Goo Hara speculated that the burglary might have been orchestrated by someone close to her or acting on behalf of an acquaintance, given the timing of the theft, occurring shortly after a memorial service for the late star.

This person is really close to hara pic.twitter.com/81VsgWMlPl  MAVYY | (@starrylllis) October 12, 2020

Goo Hara's pivotal role in aiding the investigation of the "Burning Sun" scandal, which implicated high-profile figures like former BIGBANG member Seungri and Jung Joon Young, was highlighted in the BBC documentary.

Her involvement has once again brought the unresolved burglary case to the forefront of public attention, prompting renewed scrutiny and discussion among netizens.

How fricking greedy does somebody have to be to do such thing! Even worse if true that's someone she knew! pic.twitter.com/9MWwwsJybv October 12, 2020

As the investigation into the burglary continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification of the perpetrator.

Its probably her ex boyfriend who stole it, I also suspected him of pushing Hara to end it.  Sunny  (@ZkdlinJD) October 12, 2020

The unresolved nature of the case underscores the lingering questions surrounding Goo Hara's legacy and the circumstances surrounding her tragic demise.

ALSO READ: 'Burning Sun' Documentary Reveals How 'Molka' Victim & Late Goo Hara Helped to Uncover Case

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
SHREVEPORT, La.  The trial date for a Shreveport apartment complex owner whos facing charges in connection with the disrepair of his propert
SMPL

New Delhi [India], May 22: In a landmark development for the global hospitality industry, India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML) and the esteemed Spanish conglomerate Nippon Group of Companies have announced a strategic alliance to revolutionize the event and exhibition space. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both entities, signaling the beginning of a new era of innovation and excellence in the vibrant world of hospitality.

Also Read | Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 Facelift Launched in India; Know About Price, Specifications and Features of Luxury SUV From Mercedes-Benz.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman of IEML, and Amit Sawhney, Managing Director of Nippon Global SL, Spain, this collaboration promises to propel the 7th edition of the India International Hospitality Expo (IHE) to unprecedented heights. With their combined reach, influence, and expertise, IEML and Nippon Group are poised to make a global impact and drive substantial growth in the food & hospitality sector.

Dr. Kumar lauded Nippon Group's achievements, emphasizing the immense potential of this collaboration to advance the goals of IHE and enhance the overall exhibition experience.

Also Read | Sherlock Holmes Day 2024 Funny Memes and GIFs: These Hilarious Posts on the Fictional Detective Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Will Drive Away Your Mid-Week Blues.

Leveraging Nippon Group's widespread presence and expertise across various sectors, including Food & Beverage (F&B), events, education, and sports, this collaboration promises to amplify the scale and impact of IHE.

One of the key areas of focus for this partnership is the revitalization of the food industry. Building on their past successes with KIZ Foods Private Limited (India) and Holy Sauce, Nippon Group aims to redefine culinary standards globally. With a global network spanning over 55 countries and plans to expand to 100, Nippon Group brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Their partnerships with retail giants like Walmart, Woolsworth, and Waldos worldwide further solidify their position as industry leaders.

Amit Sawhney expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, particularly highlighting Nippon Group's strength in the F&B sector with renowned brands like Spanish Sahiba Olive Oils and Chef Favourite Holy Sauce. He believes that this partnership will attract more F&B players to IHE, elevating the event to unprecedented heights and signaling the emergence of a new era for the expo.

The India International Hospitality Expo is expected to attract over 25,000 visitors from 16 countries and feature 1000+ exhibitors. Dr. Kumar emphasized the event's broad appeal, attracting exhibitors from various sectors including hospitality, HORECA, housekeeping, cloud kitchens, and modern trade.

To further leverage this collaboration, the IHE Food Organizing Committee has been formed, comprising stalwarts from the food fraternity. Mr. Amit Sawhney will lead the event as Chairman of the committee, with Mr. Ashish Kumar Aggarwal elected as President.* Amit Sawhney, Nippon Global SL, Spain

* Ashish Agarwal, Bhikharam Chandmal, India

* Zardar Badami, KIZ Foods Private Limited, India

* Shippy Sharma, Earthling Consumer Products Private Limited, India

* Rashid Aramam, Nesto Group, GCC & India* Dheer Shah, Samaara Tea Group, India* Imran Ahmad, IDEAL Foods Traders GmbH, Germany* Rajeev Sethi, Maa Paa Love Limited, New Zealand* Renowned Chef Kunwardeep Sabharwal, Canada* Pawandeep Singh Anand, SB International* Jaber Sadiq, Samco International General Trading & Co

Together, they aim to create an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to showcase their innovations, network, and drive growth in the sector.

Sudeep Sarcar, CEO, IEML said, "Food has always been a cornerstone of the hospitality sector, and the India International Hospitality Expo (IHE) recognizes its immense importance. Understanding this significance, we are excited to broaden our IHE Food segment in collaboration with the esteemed Nippon Group of Companies, a stalwart in the F&B sector. Our objective is to spotlight the unique Flavours, diverse cuisines, and speciality products that India offers, presenting them to a global audience."

With the expertise and support of the Nippon Group headed by Amit Sawhney, we are committed to expanding this segment, creating unparalleled opportunities for F&B exhibitors. This collaboration aims to highlight the rich culinary heritage of India and provides a robust platform for F&B businesses to showcase their innovations and connect with international buyers. By doing so, we strive to establish IHE as a pivotal platform where F&B exhibitors can gain the global recognition and market reach they deserve, ultimately propelling Indian F&B products and services onto the global stage. He invites the fraternity to make an appearance @IHE 2024 for an exemplary experience in F&B sector.

Nippon Global, as the associate partner for this venture, brings invaluable insights and resources to the table. Together, IEML and Nippon Group are poised to shape the future of the hospitality sector and create a lasting impact on a global scale.

In conclusion, the partnership between IEML and Nippon Group represents a landmark moment for the exhibition industry. With their shared vision, commitment to excellence, and innovative approach, they are set to redefine the standards of hospitality expositions worldwide.

For more information, please visit - https://nipponglobal.es/

https://ihexpo.com/

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, announced in its FY24 results on Wednesday that it plans to reward high-performing talent by promoting them to senior leadership roles.

The company also plans to welcome new senior executives who will drive the next wave of growth for the organisation.

Also Read | Maharashtra Road Accident: Elderly Woman Killed After Being Run Over by Speeding Tractor in Gondia.

The efforts by the company reflects its commitment to fostering internal talent and ensuring that its leadership team is well-equipped to navigate the company's growth trajectory and operational efficiency.

Emphasizing on the growing talent pool at Paytm, its founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said, "I am proud of the talent we have in our company, the culture of resilience and entrepreneurship. We remain more committed than ever towards growth, profitability, and maintaining robust governance and compliance."

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He added that the company is looking at 'significant cost efficiencies', underscoring the role of upcoming technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to bring further automation and speed to Paytm's operations.

In the past, Paytm has spoken about its focus on AI and investment towards building on its capabilities. By incorporating AI-driven solutions, the company has been able to automate various functions, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall productivity.

He further mentioned, "Our ongoing experiments and learnings in AI promise to revolutionise customer and merchant care for the financial industry, while also unlocking new avenues for revenue generation and cost savings. We anticipate tangible results from these initiatives in the coming quarters, further bolstering our competitive advantage in the market."

Sharma also said that the Noida-headquartered company is fully committed towards building its business "according to regulatory compliances and prudent operations risk policies."

In FY2024, Paytm posted a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue from operations, totaling Rs 9,978 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024, driven by Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) growth, robust device additions, and increased momentum in the financial services distribution business. The user engagement on the platform continues to grow with average Monthly Transacting Users (MTU) for Q4FY24 increasing by 7 per cent YoY to 9.6 crore, indicating the platform's expanding reach and popularity among consumers.

For the first time since its IPO, the company achieved full-year profitability, recording EBITDA before ESOP of Rs 559 crore. (ANI)

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PNN

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 22: In an innovative leap forward, Troika Tech Services, Mumbai's leading digital marketing agency, proudly announces the launch of its new communication services: RCS Chat and WhatsApp Business API. These state-of-the-art technologies are set to transform the landscape of customer communications, providing businesses with unprecedented tools to enhance interaction and engagement with their customers. These advanced communication platforms are designed to revolutionize how businesses interact with their customers by offering richer, more interactive communication options.

Also Read | Paytm Q4 Results: Payment and Financial Services Company Reports 3% Decline in Its Revenue at Rs 2,267 for Fourth Quarter of FY24.

Revolutionizing Business Communications with RCS Chat

"RCS Chat represents a paradigm shift in business-to-customer communications. It allows businesses to deliver more engaging and interactive content directly to a user's default messaging app," said Parvati Matkate, Co-Founder of Troika Tech Services.

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In today's digital age, customer expectations are continuously evolving, demanding more interactive and engaging communication solutions. Responding to this demand, Troika Tech has unveiled its RCS (Rich Communication Services) Chat service, a modern take on traditional SMS. RCS Chat allows businesses to send rich, engaging content directly to customers' mobile phones without requiring any additional app downloads.

"RCS Chat is not just a step forward in business communication; it's a leap into the future," says Parvati Matkate, Co-Founder of Troika Tech. "This platform enables businesses to share vibrant images, GIFs, videos, and even interactive messages, providing a multimedia experience that enhances customer interaction and satisfaction."

RCS Chat also incorporates advanced features such as read receipts, typing indicators, and rich card messages, making communications feel more personal and engaging. These features are designed to improve customer service efficiency, streamline transactions, and boost the effectiveness of promotional campaigns.

The Rich Communication Services (RCS) market is experiencing significant growth and is set to revolutionize the way businesses and customers communicate. According to recent data, the global RCS market size is projected to escalate from USD 5.55 billion in 2023 to USD 7.5 billion in 2024, marking an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.3 per cent. This surge is attributed to the transition from traditional SMS to more dynamic and media-rich formats, alongside the increasing penetration of smartphones and mobile internet access.

Empowering Seamless Interactions with WhatsApp Business API

Alongside RCS Chat, Troika Tech is excited to launch its WhatsApp Business API services, which are tailored for seamless integration and automation of customer communications. This robust platform supports large-scale communication needs, allowing businesses to manage thousands of customer interactions simultaneously while maintaining a high level of personalization.

"WhatsApp is a global leader in messaging, and with the WhatsApp Business API, companies can now leverage this platform to deepen customer relationships," states Godwin Pinto, Co-Founder of Troika Tech. The API enables direct communication with customers on a platform they are familiar with and use daily, which increases engagement rates and customer loyalty.

"The integration of WhatsApp Business API allows our clients to harness the widespread popularity and convenience of WhatsApp to deliver personalized customer service and marketing messages efficiently," explained Godwin Pinto, Co-Founder of Troika Tech Services.

The WhatsApp Business API is particularly effective for delivering timely notifications, customer support, and highly targeted promotions. It also supports integration with existing customer relationship management (CRM) tools, ensuring that all customer interactions are tracked and managed efficiently.

The WhatsApp Business API is experiencing rapid growth in India, with forecasts indicating substantial increases in adoption among businesses. According to recent data, the total enterprise spend on WhatsApp Business by medium and large companies is expected to grow from USD 38.7 million in 2019 to USD 3.6 billion by 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 151 per cent. This highlights the significant investment and integration of WhatsApp Business API into corporate communication strategies across various industries.

Dedicated Support and Seamless Integration

Understanding the challenges businesses face when adopting new technologies, Troika Tech offers comprehensive support and seamless integration services for RCS Chat and WhatsApp Business API. "Our goal is to ensure that businesses can leverage these powerful tools without any disruption to their existing operations," explains Mawin Pinto, Co-Founder of Troika Tech.

Troika Tech's team of experts will provide end-to-end support, from initial setup and integration to ongoing management and optimization of the services. This hands-on approach guarantees that businesses can maximize the benefits of their new communication tools from day one.

"These technologies represent our commitment to empowering businesses with the tools they need to succeed in a digital-first world," stated Mawin Pinto, Co-Founder of Troika Tech Services. "They are game-changers for businesses looking to improve conversion rates and build stronger relationships with their customers."

As more companies recognize the benefits of such technologies, the adoption rate is likely to continue its upward trend, bolstering digital communication strategies across the nation.

Troika Tech Services

Founded in 2012, Troika Tech Services has grown to become one of the leading digital marketing agencies in Mumbai, India. Known for its innovative solutions and commitment to customer satisfaction, Troika Tech continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in digital marketing and communication technologies.

Invitation to Embrace the Future of Communication

Troika Tech invites businesses across industries to experience the benefits of enhanced digital communication through RCS Chat and WhatsApp Business API. With these tools, companies can not only meet the current demands of digital customer engagement but also future-proof their communication strategies.

For Media Inquiries, Contact:

[Godwin Pinto - Director]

Troika Tech Services

[+91 7208739118]

info@troikatech.net

https://troikatech.in/

Troika Tech is excited to partner with forward-thinking businesses ready to elevate their customer communications to new heights. Join us in embracing these revolutionary technologies and redefining the possibilities of digital engagement.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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New Delhi, May 22: Expressing confidence of the INDIA bloc winning the Lok Sabha polls, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has said that "the candidate of the biggest party will be the PM" as happened in 2004 and the name would be announced soon after the results. In an interview with ANI, Jairam Ramesh also talked of the party's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the "Modani scam", saying that a INDIA bloc government will form the committee within a month.

He said INDIA Alliance will get "a clear and decisive" mandate in the Lok Sabha polls. Asked if party leader Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial face, Jairam Ramesh, who is party general secretary incharge of communications, said elections in the country are not a beauty contest between people and the decision on the name of the prime ministerial candidate will be decided after the polls. Agniveer Military Recruitment Scheme: Rahul Gandhi Says Army Doesnt Want Agniveer Scheme, INDIA Bloc Government Will Throw It in Dustbin

"It is not a beauty contest between persons. We are a party-based democracy. The question is which party or alliance will get the mandate..individuals are not that important. Parties get the majority. Party choose their leader and that leader becomes the PM. In 2004, Manmohan Singh's name was declared within four days of Congress and its allies getting majority. This time it won't even take 4 days. The PM's name will be announced within two days...," he said.

"MPs will meet and choose. It is a process. We don't believe in shortcuts. It might be Modi's working style, we are not arrogant , The results will come, our tallies will come. There will be a clear mandate, a decisive mandate, MPs will meet, you will see it will not take even two days, the PM's name would be announced within a few hours... The candidate of the biggest party will be the PM. It would happen the way it was done in 2004," he added. Rahul Gandhi is contesting Lok Sabha polls from two constituencies - Wayanad and Raebareli.

Jairam Ramesh said poling has been completed on 428 seats in five phases of Lok Sabha polls and 115 seats are remaining and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "nervous" about BJP's prospects "But it was clear in the first two phases, 'South mein BJP Saaf, Uttar, Pashchim aur Uttar Bharat mein BJP half'... The INDIA Alliance will get a clear majority on June 4... It is clear from the speeches and body language of the PM that he is nervous... Today also, the 'Modani' scam has been exposed. We will form a JPC within a month... The Prime Minister of the INDIA Alliance will be appointed within a day or two (after the results). After that, we will form a JPC. The PM has said himself that Ambani and Adani send money in tempos. From where did the black money come even after you did demonetisation in 2016?... One industrialist who has benefitted in the last 10 years, is Gautam Adani," he said. Lok Sabha Election 2024 Results: INDIA Bloc Will Come To Power on June 4, Says Arvind Kejriwal; Attacks Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath (Watch Video)

Jairam Ramesh said that the results will be a repeat of 2004 Lok Sabha polls when ruling BJP-led NDA's 'India Shinning' campaign flopped. He also attacked the Modi government over the Agniveer scheme. "The mandate of 2004 will be repeated in 2024. The BJP cannot even campaign in the remaining 115 seats. They cannot go to Haryana and Punjab because the farmers are angry. The PM did not fulfil the promises made to farmers' organisations. Seven hundred farmers died during the farmers' agitation and the PM did not even pay any tribute... The farmers have not forgotten this," he said.

"Former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij accepted that tear gas was released with the help of drones. Aginiveer is an issue in Himachal Pradesh... We will get a clear and decisive mandate. The people have understood that our Constitution is in danger. The government's policies are against reservation," Jairam Ramesh added. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting and results will be declared on June 4.

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Bokaro (Jharkhand), May 22 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday accused the ruling JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand of being silent on religious conversions allegedly being done by Christian missionaries in the state.

He also charged the state government with doing nothing to protect Hindu rights.

Also Read | OBC Certificate Cancelled in West Bengal: Calcutta High Court Cancels All Other Backward Class Certificates in State After 2010.

"In Jharkhand, Christian missionaries are active in religious conversions but the current government is silent on this. This government has failed to protect Hindu rights," he said while addressing an election rally in Bokaro.

He alleged that the "corrupt" alliance only indulged in politics of appeasement.

Also Read | Bomb Threat To Home Ministry: Threatening Email Received by North Block Which Houses MHA, Search Underway.

The BJP leader claimed that that infiltration is changing the demography of the country.

First Assam, then West Bengal and Bihar; and now infiltration has started in Jharkhand. They are marrying tribal girls and getting settled. I want to tell the JMM leaders that they might say whatever they like, but if you want to do politics in India, you have to say Jai Shree Ram, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, May 22: The Mumbai Crime Branch has formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident, officials said on Wednesday. Sixteen people died and 75 were left injured after a massive billboard collapsed due to strong winds earlier in the month.

Bhavesh Bhide, the owner of the company that put up the giant billboard, was arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch from Udaipur in Rajasthan last week and brought to Mumbai. Officials added that police are investigating how Bhide was awarded the hoarding contract and how much he earned. Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 16 After Illegal Billboard Falls at Fuel Station Due to Thunderstorm in Mumbai.

"Mumbai Crime Branch forms an SIT to probe into the incident. The SIT will now investigate the matter. The SIT comprises 6 officers. The SIT has checked the residence of prime accused Bhavesh Bhinde and seized important documents from there. He has a total of 7 bank accounts in different banks," an official statement said on Wednesday.

"The police are also investigating how Bhinde got the hoarding contract and how much he earned. SIT has also recorded the statements of a few officials in the company of Bhavesh Bhinde," the statement added. A day after the incident, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya took a jibe at the previous Maharashtra government. "I want to inform you that Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister on November 28, 2019. This property comes under the jurisdiction of the then-Maharashtra Government. The land jurisdiction doesn't come under Central Government or Railway Ministry." Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar Assures Strict Action Against Those Responsible for Hoarding Collapse Incident.

Earlier, Mumbai Police registered a case under IPC sections 304, 338, 337, and 34 against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station. Following the incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner stated that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had ordered all hoardings to be checked. The billboard in the Ghatkopar area on May 13 came crashing down amid strong winds, leaving 16 dead and several more trapped underneath.

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Mumbai, May 22 (PTI) Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday raised several questions about the accident in Pune city involving a teenage car driver, and claimed that police spent more time asking questions about the relationship between the two IT professionals who were killed.

Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old, hailing from Madhya Pradesh and working in Pune, were killed when a Porsche allegedly driven by the son of a real estate developer knocked down their motorbike near Kalyani Nagar junction in the early hours of Sunday.

Also Read | OBC Certificate Cancelled in West Bengal: I Don't Accept Calcutta HC's OBC Certificate Cancellation Order, Says CM Mamata Banerjee.

In a post on X, Ambedkar said, "Officers at Yerawada police station spent more time questioning the relationship between Anish and Ashwini, the two IT professionals who were fatally knocked down by the drunk minor while the accused was allegedly served burger and pizza.

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"How was a minor served alcohol....? How come the speeding vehicle failed to catch the eye of the traffic police? How did the showroom release the car without the registration number?" he asked.

The former MP also asked why the alcohol test was done after eight hours and wondered what was the real purpose behind deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's visit to Pune following the accident.

Meanwhile, Sonali Tanpure, wife of former Maharashtra minister Prajakt Tanpure, claimed that the teenager involved in the accident and his friends who were in the same car were her son's classmates at school; and some of them had bullied her son badly.

"So much so that I had to change my son's school. He suffered a lot of trauma due to the bullying for a long time. When I raised the issue with their parents, no corrective action was taken. Had the parents taken some steps to put a check on their behaviour, this accident would not have happened. The family members of those who lost their lives should get proper justice," she told PTI.

While the teenage boy is out on bail, his father has been arrested in the case.

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Agartala, May 22 (PTI) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to arrive in Tripura on May 23 on a six-day visit to the northeastern state, a RSS leader said on Wednesday.

During the visit, Bhagwat will join a training camp at Seva Dam, RSS state headquarters in West Tripura's Khayerpur.

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"RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday to join a training programme for RSS pracharaks from different northeastern states. He will have a separate session with the pracharaks," RSS's state publicity in-charge, Tapas Roy told PTI.

Altogether 112 pracharaks from different northeastern states are participating in a 20-day training programme, he said.

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Bhagwat is slated to leave the state on May 28.

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Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 22 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to embark on a week-long visit to Tripura, beginning May 23.

Bhagwat will arrive in Agartala on an afternoon flight and is scheduled to return on May 28 by a 9 am flight. During his stay, he will be based at Khairpur Seva Dham, where a series of special events are planned.

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"We all know that in RSS, for every state or combining two or more states, we organize "Varga", meaning training camps. The 8 North-Eastern states are combined to form a 'Shetra' or region. In our country, we have 14 Shetras. In these 14 Shetras, the Varga is also called Karyakarta Bikash Varga. And for the 1st time, this kind of Varga is going to be organised in Tripura. Earlier this used to happen in Assam. For this reason, Mohan Bhagwat will be coming and staying in Tripura," Tapash Roy, RSS Karyakarta told ANI.

"He will be coming on the 23rd and will stay here for 3 days and leave on the 27th of May. He is here to grace all the students of Barga with his ideology and direction. Almost 154 participants will be coming to this training from the whole Northeast states," he added.

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Bhagwat's visit comes in the wake of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, sparking widespread curiosity about the purpose of his extended stay in the state.

The RSS leadership, along with members of the ruling party, including several cabinet ministers and MLAs, are expected to meet and discuss with him during his visit.

Upon arrival at Agartala Airport, Bhagwat will head straight to Khayerpur Seva Dham, where he will spend five days and nights.

The state RSS has already begun extensive preparations for his visit, ensuring that everything is in place for the events at Seva Dham. In addition, the state police have been instructed to remain vigilant and provide security for the RSS chief throughout his stay.

Sources indicate that Bhagwat's visit to Seva Dham is centred around a specific program organized by the RSS. This visit is particularly significant as it takes place during the final phase before the Lok Sabha elections, adding a layer of importance and anticipation to his engagements in the state.

The itinerary for Bhagwat's visit includes interactions with state RSS leaders and key figures from the ruling party. These discussions are expected to cover a range of topics, potentially including the RSS's role and strategy in the region post-election.

As preparations continue, the state awaits the arrival of one of the most prominent figures in the RSS, with many speculating on the potential implications and outcomes of this high-profile visit. (ANI)

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Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 22 (ANI): In remembrance of the late Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Rajiv Gandhi, Tripura joined the rest of the nation in observing his Martyrdom Day with due respect. Ceremonies were held across all district offices in the state to honour his memory.

At the Tripura Pradesh Congress office, senior Congress leaders gathered to pay homage. The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, in accordance with the national mourning declared due to the accidental death of the President of Iran. Following this, leaders placed floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi's portrait.

Also Read | Live News Updates Today.

The Tripura Congress also took to their official X handle, posting, "The death anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi was observed today with due dignity at the Agartala Assembly constituency."

"Humble tribute to former Prime Minister 'Bharat Ratna' Shri Rajiv Gandhiji, father of modern India and pioneer of peace and harmony, on his death anniversary. Your contribution to building modern India through your revolutionary and visionary policies will always be remembered," it stated in a separate post.

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Among those who paid their respects were Pradesh Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha, MLA Sudip Roy Barman, MLA Birjit Sinha, MLA Gopal Chandra Roy, former Pradesh Congress Presidents Dibachandra Rhankhawl and Pijush Kanti Biswas, as well as former MLA Ashok Debbarma.

After the tribute ceremony at the Congress office, leaders proceeded to Gandhighat to offer further respects.

In continuation of the day's events, the Tripura Pradesh Congress organized a blood donation camp at their headquarters. The camp was inaugurated by Pradesh Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha. A total of 65 volunteers participated in the camp, donating blood as a tribute to the humanitarian values Rajiv Gandhi championed.

Rajiv Gandhi took over the charge of the Congress in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 when he assumed office in October 1984.

He served as the Prime Minister of India till December 2, 1989. Born on August 20, in 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. (ANI)

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New Delhi, May 22: The Supreme Court judge, Justice Dipankar Datta, remarked on Wednesday that it is very unfortunate that despite efforts being put in by judges, it is said that judicial officers are working for very few hours. The remark was made by the top court when it was hearing the former Jharkhand Chief Minister Heman Soren's plea seeking interim bail in the money laundering case. SC Stays Goa Bench HC Order on Operation of Outline Development Plans in Goa

A bench of justices, Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma, made the remark when it referred to an article that criticised judges for working for a few hours. Justice Dipankar Datta said that it hardly came across a matter which was filed within time. He further said that all who castigate the judiciary must take note of the fact that judges burn the midnight oil even during vacations. HC on Gratuity: Payment of Gratuity Act Applicable to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, Says Tripura High Court

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it is the only court in the world that works this much. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said that this is one of the most overworked courts in the world. The remark was made when Kapil Sibal while withdrawing his petition from the top court, urged the apex court to see that if they moved to the High Court, it may be decided expeditiously. The top court remarked that it has become very difficult for them to regulate the business of High Courts.

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New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) State-owned Power Grid Corporation on Wednesday reported a nearly four per cent dip in its consolidated net profit to Rs 4,166.33 crore in the March 2024 quarter, mainly due to a marginal decline in income.

The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,322.87 crore in the quarter ended on March 31, 2023, a BSE filing showed.

Also Read | Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary 2024: Quotes by Rajiv Gandhi To Share in Memory of the Former Indian Prime Minister.

Total income declined to Rs 12,305.39 crore in the quarter as compared to Rs 12,557.44 crore in the same period a year ago.

For fiscal 2023-24, the consolidated net profit rose to Rs 15,573.16 crore from Rs 15,419.74 crore a year ago.

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Total income in the fiscal rose to Rs 46,913.12 crore as against Rs 46,605.64 crore in the year-ago period.

The board also recommended a final dividend of Rs 2.75 per share (i.e. 27.5 per cent on the paid-up equity share capital) for the financial year 2023-24 subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting of the company.

The final dividend will be paid within 30 days from the date of its declaration at the AGM.

This final dividend is in addition to the first interim dividend of Rs 4 per share i.e. 40 per cent on the paid-up equity share capital paid on December 6, 2023, and the second interim dividend of Rs 4.50 per share (i.e. 45 per cent on the paid-up equity share capital) paid on March 5, 2024, for the financial year 2023-24.

The board also approved to raise Rs 5,000 crore from a consortium of bankers.

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Cairo [Egypt], May 22 (ANI): Egyptian intelligence quietly altered the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed earlier this month, which could have potentially released Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and set a pathway to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza, CNN reported citing three people familiar with the discussions.

The ceasefire agreement that Hamas ended up announcing on May 6 was not what the Qataris or the Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review, sources said.

Also Read | King Salman Health Update: Saudi Arabia's King Diagnosed With Lung Inflammation, Being Treated in Jeddah.

The changes made by Egyptian intelligence, the details of which have not been previously reported, led to a wave of anger and recrimination among officials from the US, Qatar and Israel, and left ceasefire talks at an impasse, CNN reported.

"We were all duped," one of those sources told CNN.

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US's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns, who has spearheaded the American efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement, was in the region when word reached him that the Egyptians had changed the terms of the deal. Burns was angry and embarrassed, the same person said, believing it made him look like he wasn't in the loop or hadn't informed the Israelis of the changes.

The soft-spoken and mild-mannered Burns "almost blew a gasket", said the source.

A CIA spokesperson declined to comment.

The three sources familiar with the matter told CNN that a senior Egyptian intelligence official named Ahmed Abdel Khalek was responsible for the changes. Abdel Khalek is a senior deputy to the Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, who has been Burns' counterpart in leading Egypt's mediation in the ceasefire talks, according to CNN.

One source familiar with the negotiations said Abdel Khalek told the Israelis one thing and Hamas another. More of Hamas' demands were inserted into the original framework that Israel had tacitly agreed to to secure Hamas' approval, the source said. But the other mediators were not informed; nor, critically, were the Israelis, according to the report.

"Hamas was telling their people, "We will have a deal in place tomorrow", the first source said.

"All sides were under the assumption the Egyptians provided the same document" that Israel had signed off on and the other mediators, the US and Qatar, were aware of, the person said.

Instead, the second source said, the Egyptians sought to blur the lines between the original framework and Hamas's response.

The Egyptian government did not respond to a request for comment.

CNN reported that now, three weeks later, with ceasefire talks stalled, those involved are raising questions about the motives of Egypt, which has served as a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, particularly Hamas members inside Gaza, according to CNN. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ottawa, May 22 (PTI) Four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in Surrey were ordered by a Canadian court to have no contact with several people in the community, as they made their first joint appearance before it in the case that has severely strained ties between India and Canada.

Three of the four suspects  Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh  appeared in person for the first time in B.C. Provincial Court in Surrey. The fourth suspect -- Amandeep Singh, 22, -- appeared by video link.

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Amandeep Singh remains in custody in Ontario where he was facing unrelated weapons offences before being arrested on May 10 for Nijjar's killing.

Judge Mark Jette spoke to the men through an interpreter as he placed them under a no-contact order, before adjourning until the suspects' next appearance on June 25, CBC News reported. Prosecutor Marcel Daigle said the time until the next hearing will allow the Crown to fulfil its evidentiary disclosure obligations to the suspects' lawyers.

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Those appearing in person wore red prison sweatsuits as they entered the courtroom.

Richard Fowler, the lawyer representing Karan Brar, told the Vancouver Sun," it's completely understandable given the context why there is an enormous amount of community interest in this case. That level of community interest makes me...to ensure that those charged with these offences have a fair trial."

Attendees at the latest hearing for the men were searched before entering the courthouse, while the supporters of Nijjar held a protest outside.

Sheriffs at the hearing placed peoples' phones in plastic zipper bags and kept them outside the courtroom in plastic bins, with the judge warning observers that recording audio and taking pictures was prohibited, the report added.

Nijjar, 45, was killed outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.

India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated."

Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist, was wanted in India on various terror charges.

India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.

Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had recently said that by allowing political space to Khalistani separatist elements, the Canadian government is sending a message that its vote bank is "more powerful" than its rule of law.

(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 22 (ANI): A group of about four people, appearing to be transgenders, attacked and injured Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan in Islamabad on Tuesday, drawing strong condemnation from his party, Geo News reported.

"Extremely shameful and deplorable," PTI said in a statement on X, adding, "Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel."

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However, the motive for the attack remained unclear.

In the video shared along with the statement, Hasan could be heard asking people to call the doctor, with injuries and blood seen on his face as he walked into a building, Geo News reported.

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PTI, in another statement, said if the spokesperson of the 'largest party' can be attacked in the federal capital in broad daylight, then "what can we make of the safety of others".

According to the CCTV footage of the incident obtained by Geo News, Hasan is seen being attacked by a group of apparent transgender persons, who used a sharp object as well.

The footage showed Hasan being interrupted by a transgender person, from appearance, while he was walking on the side of a road. Subsequently, the attacker engaged in conversation with the PTI leader for a few seconds, Geo News reported.

After a brief conversation, the PTI chief spokesperson tried to take a few steps back, seemingly sensing danger.

However, the attacker grabbed the PTI leader by the collar and, along with three other apparently transgender people, began thrashing him. The attackers were only dispersed after the intervention of a passerby.

The footage also showed a person filming the entire incident. It is not clear whether the attackers were really transgenders or guised as transgender persons, Geo News reported.

Later, while speaking on Geo News' programme Capital Talk, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attack, calling for a detailed investigation into the incident. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 22 (ANI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the alleged killing of Bangladeshi Member of Parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar, officials said.

The Bangladeshi MP, who entered India on May 12, was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up. He was found dead in West Bengal's Kolkata on Wednesday.

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Akhilesh Chaturvedi, an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Crime Investigation Department (CID), said that after the MP went missing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged the West Bengal government to investigate this case.

"Anwarul Azim Anar visited here and had been missing since May 13. His daughter tried to contact him but she failed. After that, a missing person's complaint was filed at Baranagar Police Station here. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case. We are trying our level best to solve this case. CID is investigating this matter," the IGP (I) CID told ANI.

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Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said in a news conference in Dhaka that the MP was killed in Kolkata.

Speaking to reporters at his residence on Wednesday, the minister said that Bangladesh Police have arrested three persons in connection with the case, reported the Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star. "So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder," he said.

Asked about the whereabouts of the body, he said that they were yet to know about it. "We will soon inform you about the motive," the minister said, adding that Indian police are cooperating with the case.

Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press), High Commission for Bangladesh in New Delhi, India said, "As our Home Minister has announced, so I definitely believe that this has happened...But we still don't have any authentic information from the Government of India. So, we will have to wait. But we apprehend that he may have been killed or assassinated because our Home Minister has already announced it...There might be several reasons behind it. But we don't have any clear information."

"He was a very frequent traveller to Kolkata and had good relations with the people in Kolkata. He has a very close friend - Gopal Vishwas. Maybe, he came here for treatment or business purposes or any other issue. We don't know...His daughter is trying to come to Kolkata today," he said.

Azim's family members are also set to arrive in Kolkata for further formalities, and their visa process is underway.

According to a family friend in Kolkata's Bidhannagar, the MP mentioned he would be traveling to Delhi, but there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13. Only mobile messages have been exchanged with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicating his intended journey to Delhi.

Concerned by the lack of communication and his sudden alleged disappearance, the MP's family friend, Gopal Viswas, who was informed by the MP's daughter of her inability to contact her father, lodged a missing person complaint at the Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar, Kolkata.

"On the morning of May 16, he (Anwarul Azim Anar) called his assistant, but could not connect. Later, when his PA called him back, he did not answer," according to the complaint dated May 18, 2024.

"His daughter called me (Viswas), and said, I can't communicate with my father. Then I (Viswas) contacted all his (Anarul Azim's) acquaintances on the phone, but it was not possible to contact him," it added.

"I was then requested to come to Baranagar police station on May 18 to register the complaint in the missing diary," a copy of the complaint said.

Azim Anar was the Awami League lawmaker from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency.

Further updates on the circumstances surrounding the MP's death in Kolkata are anticipated as the situation unfolds. (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 [Taiwan], May 22 (ANI): The Taiwan Ministry of Defence (MND) on Wednesday, tracked the presence of Chinese military vessels around its vicinity.

According to the ministry statement, seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels operating around the nation up until 6 am.

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Taiwan's Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

"7 PLAN vessels and 4 CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces has monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the Taiwan MND said in a statement.

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https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1793095781492363292

Earlier on Tuesday, the Taiwan ministry detected the presence of eight Chinese naval vessels around the nation up until 6 pm. On the same day in the morning, 6 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ.

In response, Taiwan sent naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) activity, according to the MND.

This development marks a concerning escalation in the tensions between Taiwan and China, which has long claimed sovereignty over the island, as per Taiwan News.

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 median line of the Taiwan Strait served for decades as a tacit border between China and Taiwan, but China's military has more freely sent aircraft, warships and drones across it since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.

Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." (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 [Taiwan], May 22 (ANI): Thousands of predominantly young demonstrators encircled Taiwan's legislature late into Tuesday night, voicing their opposition to a move by opposition parties to subject the island's new leadership and its administration to heightened scrutiny from a parliament dominated by lawmakers favouring closer ties with China, CNN reported.

The protests signal a tumultuous beginning to the presidency of Lai Ching-te, who assumed office on Monday after securing a historic third consecutive term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), known for advocating Taiwan's sovereignty and drawing Beijing's ire.

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The scenes underscore the hurdles faced by Lai's nascent administration in the absence of a parliamentary majority, with control now in the hands of two opposition groups, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), as reported by CNN.

Demonstrators expressed outrage over what they perceive as an expedited attempt by the KMT and TPP to rush a bill through the legislature, granting sweeping powers to the parliament for enhanced oversight over the executive branch.

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Symbolising their dissent, some protesters carried sunflowers, reminiscent of the 2014 student-led protest movement when hundreds occupied the legislature for weeks, opposing the KMT's contentious trade deal with China. These protests played a pivotal role in the subsequent electoral defeat of the KMT, which has since failed to regain the presidency.

The proposed legislation introduces a new criminal offence of "contempt of parliament," allowing fines or imprisonment for government officials, including the president, found making false statements to the legislature. Officials could also face penalties for refusing to answer questions, provide documents, or withhold information during hearings.

Critics argue that these measures could compel officials to disclose sensitive information related to diplomacy and defence or risk criminal repercussions, potentially compromising national security.

The DPP has accused the opposition of attempting to railroad the bill without adequate time for policy deliberations. Conversely, the KMT and TPP assert that the legislation is essential to enhance government accountability and combat corruption, citing similar checks and balances in other democracies worldwide. They accuse the DPP of spreading misinformation and stalling legislative progress.

The deep political polarization manifested in a physical altercation on the parliamentary floor last Friday, with lawmakers engaging in a brawl, resulting in injuries and hospitalizations.

As the parliament reconvened on Tuesday to discuss the bill, protesters congregated outside the Legislative Yuan, enduring heavy rain showers throughout the day. Many joined after completing their school and work obligations, with organizers estimating over 30,000 participants, as reported by CNN.

Some protesters brandished signs denouncing the legislative process as a "black box" and demanding the withdrawal of the bill. Chants of "No discussions, no democracy!" echoed through the crowd.

Ricky Li, a 28-year-old office worker, expressed concerns about the bill's vague language and lack of consultation. He fears potential abuses of power by legislators and worries about the lack of transparency surrounding the bill's drafting.

Given the current cross-strait tensions and the recent change in government, Li emphasizes the gravity of the opposition's assault on Taiwan's democratic institutions and political stability.

Discussions on the bill are slated to resume in the legislature on Friday.

Meanwhile, Lai, a 64-year-old former doctor and vice president, assumed office alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, a former top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are staunchly opposed by Beijing for their advocacy of Taiwan's sovereignty.

China's ruling Communist Party considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to reunify the island, by force if necessary, despite Taiwan's self-governance for decades, CNN reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tirana (Albania), May 22 (AP) British Foreign Secretary David Cameron hailed progress in a UK-Albania joint effort to cut illegal migration, saying small boat arrivals from Albania to the UK fell by over 90% in 2023 as the two countries fought people smuggling gangs, according to a Foreign Office statement.

During his visit to the Albanian capital, Tirana, Cameron discussed the need for greater collaboration across Europe on the challenge of migration, including organized crime, Western Balkan security, and both countries' support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, according to the statement Wednesday.

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The statement said the partnership between the UK and Albania stands out as a leading example of disrupting the business models of callous people smuggling gangs, significantly reducing dangerous small boats crossings, and providing a more prosperous future for young Albanians. Almost 6,000 Albanians were removed from the UK in the last 12 months, the statement added.

Cameron called UK-Albania's incredibly positive partnership in fighting illegal migration, an example for many others to follow.

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We've shown that if you are innovative, if you are creative, if you go to genuine partnership, if you work together as you follow things through, you can achieve extraordinary things which are of benefit to both countries, he said at a news conference with host Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Albanian nationals were among the 45,000 people who arrived in the UK in speedboats in 2022, looking for higher-paying jobs than in neighboring countries such as Greece or Italy, according to British authorities and the Albanian local media. Many end up working in cannabis-growing houses for up to two years to pay back the trafficking money.

Top British officials at the time called Albanians' arrivals an invasion, sparking a diplomatic spat. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called that a crazy narrative and an attempt to cover up for the U.K.'s failed border policies. Albanians cannot seek asylum status in the UK, which considers Albania to be a safe country.

In 2022, London and Tirana signed an agreement to return Albanians arriving on boats in the UK London also has funded projects, especially in northeastern Albania where most of the illegal newcomers were from.

Rama pledged to continue the partnership with Britain on discouraging migratory influxes from Albania. The prime minister was pleased with London's involvement with financial participation and expertise in a new railway link between the Albanian port of Durres and neighboring Kosovo's capital Pristina. Both countries consider the link important.

The joint partnership with Albania has shown good results in growing its economy and tourism sector that will consequently offer many opportunities for people to stay and work in Albania and build your country and build the economy, said Cameron.

Last week, a sophisticated network of cameras and a fleet of drones was installed along Albania's border with Kosovo to track migrants making their way through the mountainous areas and to identify British vehicles used by criminals seeking to avoid detection by the local police.

Albania, currently in negotiations to join the European Union, has been clamping down on people-smuggling gangs, although it is not a primary route for migrants.

In 2019, Albania became the first non-EU member country to have officers of the bloc's border agency, Frontex, manage its borders in the south and east, which migrants usually cross, and fight cross-border crime.

In February, Albania's Parliament approved a deal for the country to hold thousands of asylum seekers for Italy. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sydney, May 22 (The Conversation) Australians don't know and can't control how data brokers are spreading their personal information. This is the core finding of a newly released report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Consumers wanting to rent a property, get an insurance quote or shop online are not given real choices about whether their personal data is shared for other purposes. This exposes Australians to scams, fraud, manipulation and discrimination.

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In fact, many don't even know what kind of data has been collected about them and shared or sold by data firms and other third parties.

Our privacy laws are due for reform. But Australia's privacy commissioner should also enforce an existing rule: with very limited exceptions, businesses must not collect information about you from third parties.

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What are data brokers?

Data brokers generally make their profits by collecting information about individuals from various sources and sharing this personal data with their many business clients. This can include detailed profiles of a person's family, health, finances and movements.

Data brokers often have no connection with the individual  you may not even recognise the name of a firm that holds vast amounts of information on you. Some of these data brokers are large multinational companies with billions of dollars in revenue.

Consumer and privacy advocates provided the ACCC with evidence of highly concerning data broker practices. One woman tried to find out how data brokers had got hold of her information after receiving targeted medical advertising.

Although she never discovered how they obtained her data, she found out it included her name, date of birth and contact details. It also included inferences about her, such as her retiree status, having no children, not having high affluence and being likely to donate to a charity.

ACCC found another data broker was reportedly creating lists of individuals who may be experiencing vulnerability. The categories included:

children, teenage girls and teenage boys

financially unsavvy people

elderly people living alone

new migrants

religious minorities

unemployed people

people in financial distress

new migrants

people experiencing pain or who have visited certain medical facilities.

These are all potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited, for example, by scammers or unscrupulous advertisers.

How do they get this information?

The ACCC notes 74 per cent of Australians are uncomfortable with their personal information being shared or sold.

Nonetheless, data brokers sell and share Australian consumers' personal information every day. Businesses we deal with  for example, when we buy a car or search for natural remedies on an online marketplace  both buy data about us from data brokers and provide them with more.

The ACCC acknowledges consumers haven't been given a choice about this.

Attempting to read every privacy term is near impossible. The ACCC referred to a recent study which found it would take consumers over 46 hours a month to read every privacy policy they encounter.

Even if you could read every term, you still wouldn't get a clear picture.

Businesses use vague wording and data descriptions which confuse consumers and have no fixed meaning. These include pseudonymised information, hashed email addresses, aggregated information and advertising ID.

Privacy terms are also presented on a take it or leave it basis, even for transactions like applying for a rental property or buying insurance.

The ACCC pointed out 41 per cent of Australians feel they have been pressured to use rent tech platforms. These platforms collect an increasing range of information with questionable connection to renting.

A first for Australian consumers

This is the first time an Australian regulator has made an in-depth report on the consumer data practices of data brokers, which are generally hidden from consumers. It comes ten years after the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) conducted a similar inquiry into data brokers in the US.

The ACCC report examined the data practices of nine data brokers and other data firms operating in Australia. (It added the term data firms because some companies sharing data about people argue that they are not data brokers.)

A big difference between the Australian and the US reports is that the FTC is both the consumer watchdog and the privacy regulator. As our competition and consumer watchdog, the ACCC is meant to focus on competition and consumer issues.

We also need our privacy regulator, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), to pay attention to these findings.

There's a law against that

The ACCC report shows many examples of businesses collecting personal information about us from third parties. For example, you may be a customer of a business that only has your name and email address.

But that business can purchase data enrichment services from a data broker to find out your age range, income range and family situation.

The current Privacy Act includes a principle that organisations must collect personal information only from the individual (you) unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so. Impracticable means practically impossible. This is the direct collection rule.

Yet there is no reported case of the privacy commissioner enforcing the direct collection rule against a data broker or its business customers. Nor has the OAIC issued any specific guidance in this respect. It should do both.

Time to update our privacy laws

Our privacy law was drafted in 1988, long before this complex web of digital data practices emerged. Privacy laws in places such as California and the European Union provide much stronger protections.

The government has announced it plans to introduce a privacy law reform bill this August.

The ACCC report reinforces the need for vital amendments, including a direct right of action for individuals and a rule requiring dealings in personal information to be fair and reasonable. (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)
Mysuru, May 22: In a tragic incident, four members of a family were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Yaraganahalli locality of Mysuru district on Wednesday. The police suspect that a gas leak might have led to the tragedy. The deceased have been identified as Kumaraswamy (45), his wife Manjula (39), and their daughters Archana (19) and Swathi (17).

The family hailed from Sakharayapatna town in Chikkamagaluru district but had settled in Mysuru many years ago. Mysuru Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth said the incident came to light after the family did not answer calls from their relatives, who then asked their local friends to check on them. When they reached there, they noticed a foul smell, mixed with the odour of gas, coming out of the house following which they informed the police. Gas Leak in Bihar: Over 20 Students Fall Unconscious in School in Munger District As Gas Leaks From Chemistry Lab, Hospitalised

The police found the windows and doors locked from inside, so they broke open the house and discovered the bodies of the four members of the family. The deceased appeared to have died in their sleep. Sources said the family earned their livelihood by ironing clothes. The police recovered three gas cylinders from the house, leading to the suspicion that they died of a gas leak. The family attended a marriage ceremony on May 16 and 17 and returned to Mysuru afterward. Mumbai Fire: Four Injured in Blaze Due to Gas Pipeline Leakage in Juhu

When the neighbours last saw the victims, they seemed happy and normal, sources said. Further probe is underway.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 22, 2024 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh tied the knot on February 21, 2024, in Goa. The couple, currently in Fiji, is celebrating their third month wedding anniversary. Jackky added a special touch to the celebration by penning a love-filled note for his wife along with a cute selfie of the duo. He wrote, Three months in, and it feels like just yesterday we started this journey together. Time flies when youre with the one you love. Bikini-Clad Rakul Preet Singh Glows in Sunkissed Pics From Fiji Trip; Actress Lauds Hubby Jackky Bhagnani's Photography Skills!

Jackky Bhagnanis Post For Rakul Preet Singh

(Photo Credits: Instagram/@jackkybhagnani)

(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.)
After Rudy Giuliani was finally served at his 80th birthday party, all defendants in the Arizona fake electors case have now been served, and the case is officially underway. It kicked off on Tuesday during a hearing inside a Maricopa County court Tuesday where nine Arizona Republicans and two Trump aides, including Rudy Giuliani, all pleaded "not guilty."

Giuliani had been hiding from the Arizona prosecutors who were seeking to serve his court orders before they finally tracked him down during his birthday party through his Amazon gift registry. The Arizona court system was not very happy with the former New York City mayor's antics.

"Quite frankly, he has been mocking the justice system in Arizona," state prosecutor Nick Klingerman told reporters after the hearing. The former Trump lawyer was taunting prosecutors just a few hours before they served him the court summons.

According to Arizona Central, the other Trump allies who pleaded "not guilty" on Tuesday included fake electors Tyler Bowyer, Nancy Cottle, Anthony Kern, Robert Montgomery, Samuel Moorhead, Loraine Pellegrino, Gregory Safsten, Kelli Ward, and Michael Ward. Former Trump campaign lawyer Christina Bobb also pleaded "not guilty."

Co-defendants Kelli Ward and Michael Ward, through their attorney, Brad Miller, insisted they did nothing wrong as they stated that they were part of a legitimate slate of electors and that they committed no crime, with the lawyer adding that he wants to see the grand jury transcript.

However, Arizona prosecutor Klingerman pushed back against the Wards' claim, stating that "the indictment clearly states the allegations."

There are a total of 18 Arizona fake electors case co-defendants, which means that there are still several who have not been arraigned yet. Former President Donald Trump is not one of those 18 co-defendants but remains an unindicted co-conspirator.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Hush Money Trial: Prosecutors Rest Their Case After Fiery Michael Cohen Cross-Examination

Rudy Giuliani Did Not Have Legal Representation and Was Forced To Represent Himself

Giuliani, who had only been served his summons in Florida just recently, was unable to physically go to Arizona for the proceedings, Instead, he appeared remotely and told the court that he received a summons but did not have a copy of the indictment.

In his remote appearance, the former New York City mayor added that while he did not have a copy of the indictment, he was already familiar with the charges by reading about them. He also told the court that he did not have an attorney but stated that he "felt capable of handling the arraignment himself," according to the Associated Press.

Giuliani also rambled on during the hearing, ranting about why he had to be indicted in Arizona. The judge was forced to cut him off while he ranted and rambled.

Arizona AG Talks About How They Caught Rudy Giuliani

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes talked about how they managed to catch Rudy Giuliani off-guard when they served him his court summons, stating that it was all because of his penchant for podcasting and livestreaming online, even taunting Arizona prosecutors.

"I think Rudy Giuliani knows how this works and obviously, as you know, he does a lot of podcasting. It's pretty easy to locate and to find but he was not accepting service and was dodging our agents," said the AG. "Is that how you had to find him? Basically, you had to look at his livestreams and his podcasts to figure out where he was?"

"We found out essentially through his livestreams," she added. "He's not that hard to find. And so we did that and our agents professionally served him after his birthday party, as the party was winding down and as he himself was leaving the house that he was in, we gave him a copy of the papers, and he went along his way."

READ MORE: Rudy Giuliani Missing? Former New York City Mayor Nowhere To Be Found as Arizona Prosecutors Look For Him

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rudy Giuliani Gets SERVED Indictment Papers At Birthday Bash - The Young Turks
The untimely death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry shocked the world. For the public, it was an accidental drowning, but law enforcement seems to be looking into the drug aspect of the case, particularly the involvement of ketamine. This angle is so big that even federal authorities are involved in the investigation.

Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that there is an ongoing investigation regarding where Perry got the ketamine that had a part in the actor's drowning death. The questions law enforcement is asking right now are who provided the drug and under what circumstances.

Several agencies are involved in the investigation, including local Los Angeles police and the DEA. They have already interviewed some key people in Hollywood, though it remains unknown where in the case they are already.

Authorities, both local and federal, have "approached and spoken to people who are known to have a history of drug use or abuse," says the TMZ source, which clarified that these people "are not necessarily the actual source of ketamine, but they could have information leading to the source."

So far, no arrests have been made as to where the ketamine that might have ended up killing Matthew Perry might have come from. A toxicology report following Perry's death has confirmed that he died from acute effects of ketamine.

He passed away while "undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety more than a week before his death." However, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office found that the ketamine they found in his system at the time of his death was not from the treatment.

Matthew Perry Had Struggles With Drug Addiction Throughout His Life

When he was still alive, Matthew Perry had a well-documented struggle with drug addiction, which dated back to his time on "Friends," which helped propel him to become one of the biggest TV stars on the planet as Chandler Bing, the ever-sarcastic "Friend" known for his wit.

READ NEXT: Matthew Perry's Death: Matt LeBlanc Shares Touching Tribute for Late 'Friends' Co-Star

According to the Associated Press, the LA medical examiner noted that Perry's last treatment before his death happened over a week and a half before his passing, which meant that the levels of ketamine in his blood found after his death were unexplained as the drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.

'Friends' Cast to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Show's Finale Without Matthew Perry in Bittersweet Moment

The 20th anniversary of when the final episode of "Friends" aired is about to happen. However, this is also the first time that the cast will celebrate it without their Chandler, as this is also the show's first anniversary since Matthew Perry's death.

Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, and Schwimmer have come together since his death and a source told Us Weekly that they are still trying to figure out how to appropriately mark the 20th anniversary.

"The prospect of having a reunion or a formal get-together without Matthew is bittersweet. There will be a huge void," the source stated. "[But] they know Matthew would've wanted them to carry on and celebrate the show. So that's very much on their minds as they move forward."

READ MORE: Remembering Matthew Perry: Chandler Bing's Sarcastic Quotes From 'Friends'

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Matthew Perry investigation: Police looking for ketamine source | Vargas Reports - NewsNation
In a significant escalation of tensions, Spain announced the withdrawal of its ambassador from Argentina on Tuesday.

This move comes in response to derogatory remarks made by Argentina President Javier Milei regarding the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The diplomatic rift originated during Milei's recent visit to Madrid, where he delivered a fiery speech at a far-right rally, AP News reports.

During his address, Milei accused the Spanish prime minister's wife, Begona Gomez, of corruption, sparking outrage from Spanish officials.

Milei's remarks were delivered in a provocative manner, adding fuel to an already contentious political climate.

His choice to target Gomez personally, without substantiated evidence, further exacerbated tensions between the two nations.

In response to Milei's incendiary comments, the Spain ambassador to Argentina was swiftly recalled for consultations.

The Spanish government demanded a public apology from Milei, viewing his remarks as an affront to the dignity and sovereignty of Spanish institutions.

However, Milei remained defiant, refusing to offer any apology for his statements.

This refusal to back down only intensified the diplomatic standoff between Spain and Argentina.

READ NEXT: Argentina Strikes Over President Milei's Austerity Measures Disrupt Daily Life

No Reciprocal Action from Argentina

Despite the escalating tensions, Argentina has stated that it will not reciprocate by withdrawing its Spain ambassador.

Argentina officials emphasized the importance of maintaining friendly relations with Spain, dismissing the idea of severing diplomatic ties, according to Reuters.

This decision reflects Argentina's desire to de-escalate the situation and prevent further deterioration of relations with Spain.

However, it remains to be seen how Spain will respond to Argentina's stance in the coming days.

The strained relationship between Spain and Argentina reflects broader political dynamics, with Javier Milei positioning himself as a vocal critic of socialism and leftist leaders like Sanchez.

Milei's comments at the far-right rally underscored his confrontational approach to international diplomacy.

Furthermore, the rift between Spain and Argentina highlights the ideological divisions that exist within the international community.

Javier Milei's alignment with far-right groups in Spain underscores his commitment to challenging the status quo and promoting his libertarian agenda on the global stage.

Economic Implications of the Crisis

The diplomatic fallout between Spain and Argentina could have significant economic consequences, as Spain is one of Argentina's major investment partners.

The disruption in diplomatic relations raises concerns about the stability of bilateral trade and investment ties.

Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the future of diplomatic relations between Spain and Argentina may deter potential investors and undermine confidence in the Argentine economy.

This could exacerbate existing economic challenges and hinder efforts to promote growth and development in the region, Aljazeera noted.

While both countries have expressed a desire to avoid further escalation, the possibility of cutting diplomatic ties remains on the table.

The evolving situation underscores the delicate balance between political rhetoric and diplomatic protocol in international relations.

The resolution of the diplomatic crisis between Spain and Argentina will depend on the willingness of both parties to engage in constructive dialogue and find a mutually acceptable solution.

However, given the entrenched positions of the respective governments, achieving a resolution may prove challenging in the near term.

READ MORE: Dominican Republic: Abinader Re-elected, Takes Tough Stance on Haiti, Graft

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Argentine president Javier Milei in Spain for far-right conference - From FRANCE 24 English
In a revelation that has sparked controversy, court documents have unveiled that the Joe Biden administration sanctioned the use of deadly force during an FBI raid on former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

This raid was part of an investigation into allegations that Trump unlawfully retained classified records after leaving office.

Former President Donald Trump, amid a high-profile criminal trial in New York, responded vehemently to the disclosure, Fox News reports.

He took to social media, condemning the raid as illegal and unconstitutional, alleging it as evidence of an orchestrated political attack against him.

"WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the 'Icebox,' and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden's DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE - 25TH AMENDMENT!"

READ NEXT: Biden, Trump Set for Two Presidential Debates in June and September

Legal Battles and Allegations of Political Motivation

For months, federal prosecutors and Donald Trump's legal team have been embroiled in a secretive legal battle over accusations of misconduct in the handling of the investigation.

This conflict spilled into the public domain as Judge Aileen M. Cannon unsealed motions from Trump's defense team, accusing Special Counsel Jack Smith of timing charges strategically to inflict maximum political damage.

Trump's lawyers launched a frontal assault on the integrity of the case, alleging improper investigative tactics and suggesting a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at undermining Trump's political ambitions.

They highlighted various procedural irregularities and claimed bias within the National Archives, which they accused of colluding with the Joe Biden administration to trigger the investigation prematurely, according to the New York Times.

Responding to Trump's allegations, prosecutors vehemently defended their actions, asserting that the investigation had proceeded strictly on legal grounds and without political interference.

They refuted claims of timing the indictment for political advantage, citing the investigative timeline and legal requirements as the sole drivers behind their actions.

The legal dispute also extended to the admissibility of evidence, with Trump's defense team seeking to exclude over 100 classified documents seized during the Mar-a-Lago raid.

They argued that the search warrant was flawed and contested the use of audio notes obtained under attorney-client privilege, alleging procedural breaches.

Court Documents Detail Allegations and Evidence

Newly unsealed court documents shed light on the depth of the investigation and the evidence against Donald Trump.

Judge Beryl Howell's ruling revealed substantial findings, including the discovery of additional classified documents at Mar-a-Lago months after the initial FBI search in August 2022.

The documents described a folder labeled "Classified Evening Summary" found in Trump's bedroom, alongside other records with classification markings in his post-presidential office.

These findings contradict Trump's assertions of ignorance regarding the presence of classified materials at his private residence.

Trump's defense team is aggressively challenging the validity of the search warrant and the handling of evidence, CNN noted.

They contest Judge Howell's ruling that compelled Trump's former lawyer, Evan Corcoran, to cooperate with prosecutors, arguing that it breached attorney-client privilege.

The defense alleges that Corcoran's role was manipulated to obstruct the government's investigation, casting doubt on the legality of the evidence obtained through his cooperation.

They maintain that the entire case against Trump is tainted by procedural errors and politically motivated actions.

The unfolding legal drama surrounding Trump's handling of classified documents continues to unfold amidst accusations of political bias and misconduct.

As the case progresses, the courts will grapple with complex legal arguments and pivotal decisions that could shape the future of Trump's legal and political fortunes.

READ MORE: Silent Protest Targets Joe Biden at Morehouse Commencement

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WATCH: FBI Authorized Deadly Force in Trump Mar-a-Lago Raid - From WesAustin
The house of retired Nicaraguan Gen. Humberto Ortega, brother of President Daniel Ortega, has been under constant guard from police over the last few days. This was confirmed by the Nicaragua National Police on Tuesday, just two days after local media reported that police surrounded the Ortega brother's home.

In their statement, the Nicaragua National Police stated that the d 77-year-old Humberto Ortega, who suffers from heart problems, was recently visited by the country's Ministry of Health inside his home and evaluated his health. However, they did not reveal exactly why he needed that much police guard since the government only explained this was a health problem.

According to the Associated Press, local media reports indicated that the police had been in Humberto Ortega's home since Sunday, which was the same day that Spanish language news outlet Infobae published its interview with the former Nicaragua Army general.

During that interview, Humberto reportedly talked about his at times tense relationship with his brother, who has held an iron grip around Nicaragua since the 2018 anti-government protests. Ortega has clamped down on any form of dissent and criticism against him, his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, and their government, which many consider a conjugal dictatorship.

Humberto Ortega reportedly characterized his brother's current administration as "authoritarian, dictatorial" during that Infobae interview and he pointed out that it would become very difficult for there to be continuity with the immediate group in power should his brother die. Many believe that this casual criticism of his brother led to police surrounding his home.

Nicaragua Continues Repression of Dissent and the Roman Catholic Church Under Daniel Ortega

Meanwhile, as Nicaraguan police surround the home of Humberto Ortega, his brother has continued his campaign against any form of dissent in the country. His biggest target so far has been the Roman Catholic Church.

READ MORE: Nicaragua: 5 Ways the Daniel Ortega Regime Violated Human Rights

Many of Ortega's political opponents have already been exiled from the country, with some of the most prominent opposition leaders continuing their fight outside of Nicaragua. This includes Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Alvarez who was exiled to the Vatican earlier this year, along with 18 other clergymen.

So far, Ortega's government has seized Church property, including the largest and most prestigious school in Nicaragua, and also expelled foreign missionaries, including Mother Teresa's order of nuns, the Sisters of Charity. The government has also targeted protestants in its campaign against dissent.

US Imposes Sanctions Against Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega Regime

With the ongoing repression all over Nicaragua, the United States government imposed visa restrictions on more than 250 Ortega regime officials. The Biden administration also levied sanctions on three Nicaraguan entities in retaliation for "repressive actions" and its "failure to stem migrant smuggling" across the country.

"Actions by the Nicaraguan government are of grave concern. President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have put in place permissive-by-design migration policies," read a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security.

NBC News noted that Nicaragua has become a transit hub for migrants as they often fly into the country before taking the long trek north to the US-Mexico border. This is considered a safe way as they usually bypass the dangerous Darien Gap.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Faithful Afraid as Daniel Ortega Regime Continues Crackdown Against Roman Catholic Church

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Nicaragua vs the Catholic Church - Ready to Harvest
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is now thinking about whether or not to suspend the ceasefire deal with the FARC splinter rebel group, the Estado Mayor Central or EMC, after a series of terrorist attacks in southwestern Colombia that resulted in the deaths of four people, including two police officers.

The latest were two separate attacks in the towns of Jamundi and Morales on Monday. The Jamundi bombing had no fatalities but left many people wounded. However, the Morales bombing and shooting attack by members of the EMC resulted in those four deaths.

The rebels attacked a police station in Morales with a bomb attack paired with rebel fighters storming in with guns blazing. They soon withdrew as soldiers arrived to reinforce them, but authorities soon found bombs being left behind.

"It has been the subject of consideration, discussion and is still a subject of analysis," said Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez during a press conference on Tuesday. "The president is weighing all the elements that we provide and it is ultimately him who will determine when and where there is or is not a ceasefire."

The EMC used to be part of what used to be Colombia's most infamous rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known as FARC, which used to be the largest guerilla organization in the South American country. However, the group soon disbanded in 2016 following a peace deal with the government, but the EMC faction split away and rejected the deal.

Before becoming president, Gustavo Petro used to be a communist rebel fighter himself. He is using his history as a guerilla fighter to reach out to the other rebel groups still fighting to reach "Total Peace" and end the decades-long conflict. However, the road to peace has been rough as the EMC continued its terrorist activities while peace talks with the ELS recently broke down.

Colombia Partly Suspended Its Ceasefire With EMC Rebels Before Terrorist Attacks Continued

Gustavo Petro had been trying to make peace with the rebels since he took power. However, it was the government that partially lifted its ceasefire with the EMC after the rebel group's "non-compliance with the ceasefire."

READ MORE: Pablo Escobar's Brother Tried Trademarking Late Colombian Drug Lord's Name, European Court Says No

In its announcement of the partial lifting of the ceasefire with the EMC, the Colombian government noted that the military had resumed its "offensive actions" against the rebel groups in the departments of Narino, along with Cauca, and Valle del Cauca, where the two latest attacks happened.

France 24 noted, however, that the ceasefire remains in place in other regions, including the Amazon and along the border with Venezuela.

EMC Divided as Some Agree To Peace Talks With the Colombian Government

As to why there is only a partial ceasefire, Reuters reported that this is mainly because of the EMC having its own internal divisions with some of them choosing to abandon its peace negotiations with Gustavo Petro's government.

"We aren't all present at the same negotiating table," admitted EMC second-in-command Alexander Diaz Mendoza in an interview with Reuters. "It's a lie to say there is not a crisis."

Several elements of the pro-war faction of the EMC have launched repeated attacks on government positions in the three departments, prompting Petro to partially lift the ceasefire agreement.

READ MORE: Colombia: Brother of Powerful Senator Pleads Guilty to Drug Smuggling Charge in US

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rebel resurgence in Colombia: Farc-linked group EMC attacks state forces - Al Jazeera English
A Virginia man has admitted guilt to possessing ammunition in Turks and Caicos (TCI) after authorities discovered stray ammo in his luggage before his departure from the islands last month.

This case highlights the strict enforcement of a new ordinance in TCI, Michael Wenrich, American father of Tyler Wenrich of Virginia, says his son possessing ammunition can lead to a minimum 12-year prison sentence, affecting both residents and tourists.

Since February, five arrested Americans and detained in TCI for possessing ammunition, with three of them claiming they were unaware of the stray ammo in their bags.

Tyler Wenrich, an American father and husband, was apprehended after attending a wedding party in TCI.

Wenrich's case follows a bipartisan congressional delegation's visit to TCI, where they urged the government to release the detained Americans, Fox News reports.

However, TCI officials emphasized the importance of upholding their firearms laws, indicating a reluctance to intervene in ongoing legal proceedings.

READ NEXT: Turks and Caicos Arrests American Tourists for Ammo in Luggage

Florida Secretary of State and Congressional Delegation's Visit

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and members of Congress concluded a visit to Turks and Caicos, where they advocated for the release of the arrested Americans.

Despite efforts to find a resolution, they were unable to secure their immediate return to the United States.

Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed concern over the severe penalties faced by the detainees, emphasizing their unintentional violation of TCI's firearms laws.

The delegation included representatives from the affected states and officials from the State Department and the US Embassy in Nassau.

The arrested Americans have drawn widespread attention, with critics questioning the proportionality of the penalties imposed under TCI's firearms legislation, according to the Miami Herald.

High-profile individuals, including governors from several states, have called for leniency in handling the cases.

The stringent firearms laws in TCI prohibit the possession of firearms, ammunition, and other weapons, with mandatory minimum sentences for violators.

These laws were enacted in response to a surge in gun violence, reflecting the territory's commitment to maintaining public safety.

Despite efforts to raise awareness about TCI's firearms regulations, some travelers inadvertently violate these laws, leading to their arrest and prosecution.

The case of the detained Americans underscores the unintended consequences of strict enforcement, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the legislation.

US Lawmakers' Efforts and Ongoing Concerns

US lawmakers' visit to Turks and Caicos aimed to address the plight of the arrested Americans, but they encountered challenges in negotiating their release.

The charges against the Americans carry significant prison sentences, highlighting the severity of the legal consequences they face, AXIOS noted.

Sen. Mullin expressed frustration over the inability to find a resolution during the delegation's visit, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to safeguard American citizens abroad.

The arrested Americans hail from various states and include both men and women, underscoring the diverse impact of Turks and Caicos's firearms laws.

The detainees' accounts suggest inadvertent violations of TCI's firearms regulations, with some individuals forgetting about ammunition in their luggage.

Despite appeals for leniency, Turks and Caicos authorities remain firm in upholding their firearms laws, signaling ongoing challenges in resolving the detainees' cases.

READ MORE: Arizona Man Faces Life for Burying Wife Alive

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Third American arrested in Turks and Caicos for allegedly having ammunition - From NBC News
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream usually draws customers with gourmet takes on classics like vanilla and pistachio. But occasionally, the artisanal ice cream maker headquartered in New York slips in what it calls a shock flavor, like Hidden Valley Ranch or pizza.

Surprising flavor combinations  think gravy-flavored Jones Soda or Sour Patch Kids Oreos  are showing up more frequently in grocery stores and restaurant chains.

Hershey recently introduced pink lemonade-flavored Kit Kats, while IHOP and Lays brought out Rooty Tooty Fresh n Fruity potato chips, designed to taste like strawberry-topped pancakes with a hint of bacon. In the United Kingdom, Little Moons made fish-and-chips mochi ice cream in 2021, while potato chip brand Walkers is known to celebrate Christmas with a Brussels sprout-flavored edition.

Usually, these are limited-time flavors, although occasionally theyre so popular they wind up on store shelves permanently, as Lays Flamin Hot Dill Pickle chips did in 2019.

While its tempting to pass them off as social media stunts, experts say theres more to the story. Food companies are responding to the changing and expanding tastes of consumers while also trying to keep brands relevant and distinct to win space on crowded store shelves.

Were in a really exciting time of flavor development where consumers are not just one thing. Youre not just a sour lover or a sweet lover. You want a little of this and a little of that, said Kristen Braun, the senior brand manager for Oreo innovation at Chicago-based food and beverage company Mondelez International. Companies are finding the freedom to explore a little bit more and get more creative.

Sour Patch Kids Oreos  vanilla cream-filled cookies speckled with colorful bites of the sour candies  are one of about a dozen limited-edition Oreo flavors that Mondelez plans to release this year. Braun said it takes the company one or two years to develop such products, which stay on shelves for about nine weeks. Shes already thinking ahead to future flavors that blur the lines between sweet, salty and spicy.

Oddball pairings arent entirely new in the food and beverage industry. Hubba Bubba released a bubble gum-flavored soda in the late 1980s, for example. But manufacturers and their suppliers have gotten more sophisticated and efficient, making it easier to experiment and put out limited-editions more frequently, said Mark Lang, a food marketing expert and associate professor of marketing at the University of Tampa.

Kyle Shadix, who as the corporate executive research chef for PepsiCo, has worked on beverages like Pepsi Maple Syrup and a strawberry shortcake Pepsi sold in Japan, said the members of Generation Z are also fueling innovation. Theyre diverse, adventurous and pick up on food trends quickly through social media, he said.

Theyre every chefs dream to design for, said Shadix, who is currently experimenting a lot with Mexican, Korean and Japanese flavors. Gen Z is going to drive us faster. Were going to start to see even more exploration quicker than in the past because theyre just so open to it.

Ben Van Leeuwen scoops Kraft Mac & Cheese flavored ice cream Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Kraft Heinz approached New York-based artisanal ice cream maker Van Leeuwen a few years ago about macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream.AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Toying with flavors can boost brands in several ways. Sometimes they bring new customers to a brand. They might also nudge buyers to pick up the original flavor, Russell Zwanka, director of the food marketing program at Western Michigan University, said.

Sour Patch Oreos sound interesting, but nobody wants to risk buying Oreos that dont taste good, so people buy both, Zwanka said.

When companies combine brands, theyre trying to build an association in consumers minds. Peeps-flavored Pepsi, which came out last year, sends the message that Pepsi is current and fun, Lang said. Mustard-flavored Skittles, which came out last summer, made the 104-year-old Frenchs brand seem playful.

Enter Kraft Heinz, which approached Van Leeuwen Ice Cream a few years ago about macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream. Ben Van Leeuwen, the companys co-founder and CEO, was doubtful at first but found that Krafts powder blended well with the Brooklyn-based companys ice cream.

Van Leeuwens Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ice cream came out to rave reviews in 2021 and was re-released for a short time last fall.

We will only do a shock flavor if we can make it good and distinct. We will not do a shock flavor where its just shock in name but taste like vanilla, Van Leeuwen said.

But novel flavor combinations dont always work. Van Leeuwen couldnt eat more than a few bites of his companys Hidden Valley Ranch ice cream, which contained onion and garlic powders. And shock flavors typically dont end up on the permanent menu because of their lower eat-ability, he said.

I think you would taste our mac and cheese and youd say, Oh, thats good, but do you want to take a pint of that mac and cheese from your freezer when youre watching whatever show on Netflix and eat the entire thing? Probably not, Van Leeuwen said.

Candy brand Brachs ran into that issue with its Turkey Dinner Candy Corn, a 2021 limited-edition version of the fall staple that tasted like turkey, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, apple pie and coffee. Katie Duffy, vice president and general manager of seasonal at Ferrara Candy Co., which owns Brachs, acknowledged there was a gross-out factor.

We have learned from consumers that we dont want to have something where they eat a few pieces of candy and then they toss it because theres some things that they dont want to repeat, Duffy said. We want it to be a delicious flavor journey.

Brachs recently introduced Easter Brunch-flavored jelly beans, and they hit that mark, she said. The candy beans mimicked the flavors of blueberry maple pancakes, chocolate doughnuts, caramel cold brew, cinnamon rolls, berry smoothies and mimosa cocktails.

Shannon Weiner, senior director of insights and analytics at Ferrara, said the company closely tracks social media to see what flavors are trending. People are increasingly looking for dessert and dairy-flavored candies, she said. Theyre also seeking more international flavors like Tajin, a brand of chile-lime spice from Mexico that recently did a collaboration with Pop Tarts.

Lang thinks the more time people spend in restaurants or trying out new foods, the more they seek out unusual flavors.

We are variety-seeking animals. We constantly are seeking something new and different; its in our wiring, he said. We like to experiment.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

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Editors note: This post has been updated with more information from the Northampton County Coroners Office.

A woman died early Wednesday in a Bethlehem house fire, a fire official said.

The Northampton County Coroners Office has identified the deceased as 56-year-old Ladell Christie, who lived at the home. Her cause and manner of death are pending the completion of the fire investigation, said Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek.

Bethlehem Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Craig Baer said flames ignited just after 1 a.m. on the third floor of the home in the 900 block of Broadway. Crews worked to quickly extinguish the flames, he said.

Firefighters attempted to rescue Christie from a third floor window, Baer said. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Northampton County Coroners Office. No other injuries were reported.

Also responding to the blaze was the Bethlehem Police Department. The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation by city fire officials.

Please subscribe now and support the local news you rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
One of Americas Favorite Teachers is from Phillipsburg, but she needs your help to take the number one spot.

Faith Roncoroni, an English teacher at Phillipsburg High School, is competing in the final round to win $25,000 to fund her students annual Phillipsburg High School Comic Book Convention. This school year, the day-long event hosted nearly 900 attendees, and, with the support of local businesses and Roncoronis guidance, the students fed each and every one a lunch.
Tributes have been paid to a 73-year-old British man who died after severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow Airport.

The passenger, named as Geoff Kitchen, suffered a suspected heart attack on the flight, according to a spokesman for Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the plane was diverted to.

The spokesman added that seven other people were seriously injured, with dozens more suffering minor injuries.

In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday evening, Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol said: It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident.

Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.

His commitment to TMTG was unquestionable and he has served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding various offices within the group, including Chairman, Treasurer and most recently Secretary.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said it was supporting the family of the passenger and was in contact with local authorities.

Singapore Airlines said the flight encountered sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmars Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000ft about 10 hours after departure, with the pilot declaring a medical emergency and diverting the plane to Bangkok.

One passenger on board Flight SQ321 to Singapore said the plane suffered a dramatic drop, meaning people not wearing a seatbelt were launched immediately into the ceiling.

Another passenger, Jerry, who was travelling to his sons wedding, told the BBC the day was the worst of my life.

Speaking with a bandage covering part of his head, he said: Things were going very smoothly at first. Id just been to the loo, came back, sat down, bit of turbulence, and suddenly the plane plunged.

I dont know how far, but it was a long way. (It was) so sudden, there was no warning at all, and I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling, my wife did.

Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults. It was absolutely terrible, and then suddenly it stopped and it was calm again, and the staff did their best to tend to the injured people.

There were a lot of them and some of the staff are injured themselves, so they did a sterling job.

Images posted on social media showed damage to the ceiling of the cabin, and food, cutlery and other debris strewn on the floor after the incident.

The 16-year-old Boeing 777 left Heathrow at 10.17pm on Monday and was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time (9.45am BST) on Tuesday.

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew on board  including 47 passengers from the UK and four Irish nationals.

Singapore Airlines said: Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 20, encountered severe turbulence en route.

We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board.

Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong said in a statement: On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger.

We also deeply apologise for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight.

We are providing all possible assistance and support to them, along with their families and loved ones, during this difficult time. The well-being of our passengers and staff is our utmost priority.

Flightradar24 said its tracking data showed the plane encountering turbulence at approximately 8.49am BST while flying over Myanmar.

The flight tracking service said data sent from the aircraft showed a rapid change in vertical rate, consistent with a sudden turbulence event, adding that there were some severe thunderstorms in the area at the time.

Aviation consultant John Strickland told the PA news agency that turbulence happens but even with millions of flights each year, incidents are limited and fatalities are rare.

He said: Exposure is greater in different parts of the world.

The South Atlantic, Africa and the Bay of Bengal are all places that spring to mind where theres a greater incidence.

There are discussions about whether climate change is influencing an increase in occurrences.

Mr Strickland said airlines use a variety of methods to minimise the chances of a flight being affected by turbulence, such as weather forecasts, radar and reports from aircraft ahead.

A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: Our deepest condolences go out to all those who have been affected.

Accidents of this nature are extremely rare and aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel.
A man who installed several cameras in his friends apartment and secretly recorded her has been sentenced to four years in prison.

The 54-year-old man, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the injured party, was ordered to have no contact with her in any way for the next 20 years.

He had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of harassment, two counts of burglary and five counts of recording the woman without her consent over a seven-month period in 2021.

The court heard that the offences took place at a house in Drumcondra, where both the accused and the victim lived in separate apartments in the same house.

They had been friends for many years without issue until the accused, who acted as informal maintenance man for all six flats in the property, obtained a copy of the womans keys and installed hidden cameras in her bedroom and bathroom.

He broke into her apartment more than ten times and changed the position of the cameras, downloading video clips and screenshots which he then edited and stored, the court heard.

Imposing a headline sentence of seven to eight years, Judge Martin Nolan said it was a sordid tale and the accused's long, friendly relationship with the woman beforehand was an aggravating factor in the case.

She was totally entitled to her privacy. For his own reasons, this man became obsessed with the woman, and his misbehaviour was very serious and atypical, said the judge, before sentencing him to four years in prison.

Garda Karen OConnor said the victim went to gardai in December 2021 and made a statement after finding a camera in her apartment. The court heard she had arrived in Ireland from overseas in 2008 and worked as a childminder.

She began renting an apartment in Drumcondra and told the accused, who was a friend of the same nationality, that there was a vacant flat in her building.

The woman said she was confused when she got a text message from the man asking what her favourite colour was, to which she didnt reply.

When the man asked again, she replied, Blue, to which he texted, Oh, I thought it was pink.

The woman was doing her laundry and realised she had washed pairs of pink underwear, the court heard.

The woman had a male friend to stay in November 2021, and the following day, she received an intrusive and lurid message from the accused, to which she did not reply.

She received similar messages the next day and began looking around her flat when she spotted a tiny camera on the door and started screaming. The woman put something over the camera and then got a message from the man saying, Son of a bitch, dont touch my camera.

A neighbour confirmed that she heard someone moving around the victims apartment when the victim was not at home.

Gardai obtained a search warrant and seized a USB drive and SD card from his home containing a large number of photographs and video clips.

In many of the files, she was dressing, undressing, or coming out of the shower or bathroom. The court heard that he edited some of the images, drawing love hearts around her private parts.

The accused was arrested and interviewed by appointment when he made full admissions and said he had obtained a key to the womans apartment without her permission.

He said he had installed cameras in her bedroom, bathroom, and main room and had gone into the apartment over ten times to change batteries and move the cameras around.

The accused has been in Ireland for 21 years and is married with children overseas, to whom he sends 1,000 a month, the court heard. He has no previous convictions.

The court heard that the man has been an Irish citizen since 2013 and works full-time.
Many tributes have been paid to Derek Martin who was tragically killed in a road crash on the M50 on Friday morning.

In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday afternoon, Helen Martin said that she had been told that when her brother passed away, "several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasnt alone"

Helen continued, saying that she "really wants to find them", and asked if people could share the post.

Ive just been told that when my brother passed away on the M50 on Friday that several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasnt alone, i really want to find them if people can please share  Helen (@_helenmartin_) May 20, 2024

Derek Martin was from the Ballymun area of Dublin 11, and worked as a prison officer at Wheatfield Prison in Cherry Orchard, Dublin. Martin joined the prison service in 2007, and had led charity drives with his coworkers including a sale for the Irish Cancer Society.

A notice on RIP.IE reads: "Martin, Derek (late of Santry and the Irish Prison Service)  17th May 2024, following a tragic accident. Beloved husband of Vanessa and adoring father of Caitlin and Reece. Very sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Ethel and Derek, sisters Michelle, Jennifer and Helen, mother-in-law and father-in-law Marie and Brendan, brothers-in-law Neil, Brendan, Mark, Graham, Nigel and their partners, his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family from Liverpool, his best friend Noel, colleagues from the Irish Prison Service, and his many friends.

"Derek will be reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Ballygall Road West on Sunday afternoon (26th May) with a Gathering of family and friends from 2pm to 4pm. All welcome.

"Removal on Monday morning (27th May) to the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, arriving for 10am Requiem Mass, which will be live-streamed via the link here. Funeral thereafter to Dardistown Crematorium".

Donations, if wished, were requested to be made to Crumlin Children's Hospital, which was "very close to Derek's heart".

In condolences on RIP.IE, Noreen Clarke wrote: "Deepest condolences to Dereks family at this very sad time. I had the pleasure of meeting Derek through Operation Transformation where he talked about how immensely proud he was of his family and especially his children".

A Cork Colleague from the Irish Prison Service promised to "remember Derek on Monday".

"Thinking of you and your family at this hard time. Derek was a great character and a pleasure to work with. RIP Derek," wrote Andrew Vigna.

"Rest in Peace Derek. You were a larger than life character and always up for a laugh. You will be Sadly missed by all who worked with you. Sincere Condolences to Your Family at this Sad time," wrote Mark Bedford.
An Garda Siochana has released a video showing officers undergoing stadium tactics training ahead of today's (May 22) Europa League final.

The 35 second video clip was posted on the official Garda Facebook page, with the caption, "Our Public Order Units are trained to the highest standards in numerous tactics to enable them to deploy in different situations and locations around the country."

A large scale Garda policing and traffic management plan will be in place for the duration of today's match between Atalanta v Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium.

Uniformed Gardai will be deployed in Dublin for the event along with specialist units including the Air Support Unit, Mounted Unit, Armed Support Unit and more.

The expected attendance is in excess of 46,000 people, with the final kicking off at 8pm and the stiles opening at 5pm.

Large volumes of traffic can be expected in the city centre and in the general Dublin 4 area throughout the day, culminating in a gradual build-up in the vicinity of the Stadium in the run up to the event and an immediate build-up of traffic post event.

Watch the Gardai undergoing stadium tactics training below:
People in Ireland have genuine concerns about migration but the vast majority oppose any form of intimidation or violence, Micheal Martin has said.

The Tanaiste said there are far-right elements involved in making a lot of noise about migration, but said this is not a reflection of society.

His remarks came as an investigation is continuing after security workers were assaulted and a number of vehicles were damaged by fire at a site in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, earmarked for modular homes for refugees.

There have been a number of other incidents and protests at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation as well as anti-immigration protests outside the homes of political figures in Ireland.

Speaking to the media about the Clonmel incident during a visit to Lebanon, Mr Martin said people should be allowed to go about their work without interference.

He said: They are not making the political decisions, they should not be harmed, they should not be intimidated or attacked.

I think most people resent that type of physical attacks on people and it is a concern that that type of activity is growing.

We have to protect people who are going about their daily work, thats the norm in any civic society.

The Tanaiste added: As a society we need to understand the ground rules and the basic civility about how we conduct our lives.

I detect when I knock on doors around the country people are concerned about the migration issue.

There is no point saying people are not, they are.

But the vast majority of people draw a line between their genuine concerns and intimidation and violence.

Asked if there is a far-right problem in Ireland, Mr Martin said: There are far-right elements but we need to keep it in perspective.

Theres a lot of people making a lot of noise, but the degree to which that is mirrored or reflected in the majority of people I would question.

So we need to be careful that we dont elevate certain voices to a level that they are not quite at yet.

I think most people in Ireland are fair.

I genuinely understand and I get the concerns that people have about migration because we have experienced an unprecedented level of migration.

Mr Martin said the centre ground in Ireland needs to be robust in upholding the basic norms of democracy.

He also said the Government is alert to the problem of foreign actors whipping up anti-immigrant sentiment.

He said: My own sense and gut instinct is that without question there is a foreign influence and many actors out there who are endeavouring to sow division in EU member states, create dissension and undermine our democratic norms.

That is happening everywhere across Europe. We are not going to be excluded from that because we are an island off Europe.

The conversation is similar across all European capitals.

The far right is far more advanced in other European member states, so we cant be complacent we are going to be any different.

Meanwhile, the Government expects to open sheltered accommodation for asylum seekers at the Thornton Hall site in Dublin within weeks.

Integration minister Roderic OGorman said it will initially be tented accommodation but added: We will look then to upgrade that in terms of rapid-build modular units.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said he does not have a sense as to how many refugees could be accommodated there.

We have teams who have been analysing the site late last week and over the weekend in terms of capacity, so I dont have absolute clarity on that today, he said.
FRNT Financial Inc. Closes Private Placement





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



TORONTO, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FRNT Financial Inc. (TSXV:FRNT) (OTCQB:FRFLF) (FSE:XZ3) (the "Company" or "FRNT") today announces the closing of its previously announced brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1.24 million.

Under the terms of the Offering, the Company issued 2,070,000 units ("Units"), at a price of C$0.60 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1.24 million. Fort Capital Securities Ltd. (the "Agent") acted as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the Offering.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.90 until May 21, 2027, subject to accelerated expiry in the event the volume-weighted average closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") is $1.20 or more for ten (10) consecutive trading days, in which case the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is thirty (30) days following the issuance of a news release by the Company announcing such acceleration.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to continue scaling its business and building out its capital base, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Offering and as consideration for their services, the Company paid to the Agent a cash commission of $74,520 and issued to the Agent 124,200 warrants of ?the Company (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Unit at a price of C$0.60 at any time on or before May 21, 2027.

The Units were offered pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") as outlined in Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 -- Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106") in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario as well as certain offshore jurisdictions. An offering document related to the portion of the Offering conducted under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption has been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

The Common Shares and Warrants issuable from the sale of Units under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to a hold period in accordance with Canadian securities laws and are immediately freely tradeable, while the Broker Warrants and underlying securities are subject to a four-month hold period.

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable U.S. state securities laws or compliance with an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

David Washburn, President of the Company, and Alex McAulay, Chief Financial Officer of the Company each participated in the Offering, purchasing 100,000 Units and 41,667 Units, respective, and the Offering accordingly constitutes a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ? Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Offering is exempt from (i) the formal valuation requirement of MI 61-101 pursuant to the Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the common shares are not listed or quoted on any of the stock exchanges or markets listed in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, and (ii) the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 pursuant to Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61- 101, as the fair market value of the Units issued does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. A material change report was not filed by the Company at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering, as the participation of such insiders was not determined until shortly prior to closing and the Company wished to close expeditiously to confirm funds for the Offering. The Offering was approved by all of the independent directors of the Company.

Upon completion of the Offering:

(a) Mr. Washburn owns and controls an aggregate of 593,198 Common Shares and convertible securities entitling him to acquire an additional 1,853,930 Common Shares representing approximately 1.59% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of May 21, 2024 (or approximately 6.26% calculated on a partially diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the 1,853,930 convertible securities only); and (b) Mr. McAulay owns and controls an aggregate of 41,667 Common Shares and convertible securities entitling him to acquire an additional 520,833 Common Shares representing approximately 0.11% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of May 21, 2024 (or approximately 1.49% calculated on a partially diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the 520,833 convertible securities only).

About FRNT

FRNT is an institutional capital markets and advisory platform focused on digital assets. FRNT, through a technology-forward and compliant operation, aims to bridge the worlds of traditional and web-based finance. Partnering with both financial institutions and crypto native firms, FRNT operates 5 synergistic business lines including deliverable trading services, institutional structured derivative products, merchant banking, advisory and consulting, and principal investments & trading. Co-founded in 2018 by CEO Stephane Ouellette, FRNT is a global firm headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

FRNT Financial Inc.

Chief Executive Officer

Stephane Ouellette

[email protected]

833 222-3768

https://frnt.io

Neither the TSXV nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable law which may include, without limitation, statements relating to the use of proceeds of the Offering, the receipt of final TSXV approval in respect of the Offering, acceleration of the expiry date of the Warrants, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its assets and other matters. Generally, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the general risks associated with the speculative nature of the Company's business, current global financial conditions, uncertainty of additional capital, price volatility, no history of earnings, government regulation in the industries in which the Company operates, political and economic risk, absence of public trading market, arbitrary offering price, dilution to the Company's common shares, dependence on key personnel, currency fluctuations, insurance and uninsured risks, competition, legal proceedings, conflicts of interest and lack of dividends. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or forward-looking information that is included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

21 may 2024 at 19:15

News published onand distributed by:
Faraday Copper Announces C$20 Million Bought Deal Financing





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY) (OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Ventum Financial Corp (formerly known as PI Financial) as co-lead underwriter and joint bookrunner, on its own behalf and on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters including Canaccord Genuity Corp. and TD Securities Inc. as co-lead underwriters and joint bookrunners (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 25,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of C$0.80 per Common Share for gross proceeds to the Company of C$20,000,000 (the "Underwritten Offering").

The Company will grant the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 3,750,000 Common Shares (the "Over-Allotment Option Common Shares" and together with the Common Shares, the "Offered Securities") to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes at a price of C$0.80 per Over-Allotment Option Common Share for additional gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 (the "Over-Allotment Option" and together with the Underwritten Offering, the "Offering"), exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the Closing Date (as defined herein).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration and development of its Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona, U.S., and for general working capital purposes.

The Common Shares will be issued by way of a prospectus supplement that will be filed in all provinces and territories of Canada, other than Quebec, under the Company's base shelf prospectus dated October 21, 2022. The Common Shares may also be sold in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and other jurisdictions outside of Canada provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about May 30, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the securities regulatory authorities.

The securities offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Faraday Copper

Faraday Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY".

For additional information please contact:

Stacey Pavlova, CFA

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

Faraday Copper Corp.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.faradaycopper.com

To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the expected quantum and timing of closing the Offering and the intended use of proceeds.

Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This news release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this news release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

22 may 2024 at 07:30

News published onand distributed by:
Premier Anesthesia Creates Alliance with the Ohio Hospital Association





Affiliation designed to further enhance healthcare excellence throughout state's health systems

ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier Anesthesia, a national leader and specialist in anesthesia practice management, today announced its affiliation with the Ohio Hospital Association's (OHA) Corporate Partner Program.

Premier Anesthesia Creates Alliance with the Ohio Hospital Association

This partnership seeks to further enhance anesthesia delivery in Ohio by aligning Premier Anesthesia's expertise and services with OHA's mission. As the united voice of Ohio's hospitals, OHA leverages data and specialized resources to lead in shaping health policy, spearheading quality improvement endeavors and championing economic sustainability to benefit its diverse membership.

With roots dating back to the 1980s, Premier Anesthesia is one of the country's oldest single-specialty anesthesia practice management groups. It is also one of the only remaining independent national anesthesia groups that is privately held, without outside private equity investment or influence. Premier Anesthesia is frequently engaged by hospitals and ambulatory surgery groups to stabilize programs, tap into its substantial recruiting strength to improve staffing and coverage, and provide administrators with robust, transparent data reporting for visibility and control over growing their surgical services while containing the escalating costs of anesthesia.

Premier Anesthesia has more than a decade of service in the state of Ohio, and this collaboration takes on a heightened significance with the company's recent expansion to be the exclusive anesthesia group at Trinity Healthcare's Mount Carmel East hospital in greater Columbus, Ohio. This growth in the Ohio market not only amplifies Premier Anesthesia's commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services in the state, but also underscores the pivotal role its hospitals play in the Ohio healthcare landscape.

Premier Anesthesia's alliance with OHA's Corporate Partner Program reflects a shared commitment to advancing healthcare excellence in Ohio. Together, they aim to strengthen the impact of anesthesia practice and management to improve the availability and delivery of patient care in the state.

"We welcome Premier Anesthesia to our community of corporate partners and to share its expertise and services with OHA members, as anesthesia delivery remains an important component of the health care delivery system," said James Guliano, senior vice president of operations and chief clinical officer, OHA.

"Ohio Hospital Association serves an incredible mission for the state's network of hospitals, and Premier Anesthesia is honored to join forces with it. We believe this collaboration will benefit Premier Anesthesia's current and future hospital partners in Ohio and our collective commitment to innovation, advancing healthcare excellence and enhancing patient care standards across the state. Together, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the healthcare landscape of Ohio," added Preston Smith, FACHE, president of Premier Anesthesia.

Premier Anesthesia has been on a steady growth trajectory nationwide as hospitals are becoming increasingly disenfranchised by those anesthesia groups that align with private equity investors or shareholders rather than the unique needs of the hospitals and patients they serve. While instability in the market has resulted in other national groups filing for bankruptcy protection or defending anti-trust lawsuits against the government, Premier Anesthesia remains committed to its core focus on the fundamentals: patient care, practice management and customer service.

About Ohio Hospital Association

Established in 1915, OHA represents 250 hospitals and 15 health systems throughout Ohio that employ 430,000 Ohioans and contribute $91.7 billion to Ohio's economy along with $7.8 billion in net community benefit. OHA is the nation's first state hospital association and is recognized nationally for patient safety and health care quality initiatives and environmental sustainability programs. OHA website: www.ohiohospitals.org.

About Premier Anesthesia

Premier Anesthesia is one of the nation's largest privately held anesthesia management companies. Solely focused on building and managing the best anesthesia teams in the industry, its leadership brings extensive experience and expertise in hospital-based physician staffing, recruiting and management, helping hospital and healthcare facilities across the country achieve superior clinical, business and patient outcomes. Premier Anesthesia is part of the Jackson Healthcare family of companies. Learn more at www.premieranesthesia.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Hershiser

[email protected]

SOURCE Premier Anesthesia

22 may 2024 at 12:52

News published onand distributed by:
Fusion BPM and ECM Platform Expand to the North American Market in Partnership with S4A IT Solutions





CALGARY, Alberta, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fusion, the award-winning Business Process Management (BPM) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) software, is expanding into the North American market after having achieved remarkable success in South America and other international markets. This expansion is backed by a strategic partnership with S4A IT Solutions, a leading Calgary-based boutique IT solutions and delivery consulting company.



Fusion has garnered global acclaim for its advanced capabilities in streamlining business operations, enhancing productivity, and driving digital transformation for enterprises from a range of industries including manufacturing, energy, services, and public sector.

This North American expansion marks a significant milestone for Fusion, as it brings its cutting-edge Business Process Management System (BPMS) to a new audience of businesses seeking to optimize their operations and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape. With its intuitive interface, powerful automation features, and customizable workflows, Fusion enables organizations to orchestrate complex processes efficiently and adapt to evolving business needs seamlessly.

"After experiencing exponential growth in South America, we are excited to bring Fusion to the North American market," states Farley Niehues, COO of Neomind Solutions. "Our partnership with S4A IT Solutions allows us to leverage their expertise and stellar reputation in delivering tailored IT solutions and unparalleled support to clients across various industries. Fusion has been a true gamechanger for so many of our clients, and we are thrilled for this opportunity to empower North American businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age."

S4A IT Solutions, known for its commitment to innovation, excellence, and superior client satisfaction, is enthusiastic about the collaboration with Neomind and its Fusion platform software product. "We see tremendous potential in Fusion's ability to drive innovation and efficiency for businesses in North America," says Elisandro Porto, CEO of S4A IT Solutions. "Our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth integration process and providing ongoing support to maximize the value of Fusion for our clients."

As Fusion enters the North American market, this BPMS solution will most appeal to organizations who are seeking the following:

Increased efficiency ? Fusion streamlines workflows by automating repetitive tasks, eliminating bottlenecks, and reducing manual errors

? Fusion streamlines workflows by automating repetitive tasks, eliminating bottlenecks, and reducing manual errors Cost reduction ? by helping organizations identify and eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, and optimize resource allocation

? by helping organizations identify and eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, and optimize resource allocation Better compliance and risk management - Fusion helps organizations ensure compliance with regulations and standards by enforcing predefined workflows, documenting activities, and providing audit trails

- Fusion helps organizations ensure compliance with regulations and standards by enforcing predefined workflows, documenting activities, and providing audit trails Enhanced customer experience - by streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency, Fusion contributes to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty

- by streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency, Fusion contributes to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty Data-driven decision-making - Fusion provides actionable insights through data analytics, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement



To learn more about Fusion and its availability in North America, visit s4ait.com/fusion.

About Fusion:

Fusion is an award-winning Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Analytics, Digital and Electronic Signature, and Risk Management software designed to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and drive digital transformation for enterprises from a range of industries including manufacturing, energy, services, and public sector. With its intuitive interface, powerful automation features, and customizable workflows, Fusion enables organizations to orchestrate complex processes, documents, data management, electronic and digital signatures, and integrations efficiently and adapt to evolving business needs seamlessly.

About S4A IT Solutions:

S4A IT Solutions is a Calgary-based boutique IT solutions and delivery consulting company specializing in providing tailored digital solutions and unparalleled support to clients across various industries. With a commitment to innovation, excellence, and superior client satisfaction, S4A IT Solutions helps businesses leverage technology to achieve their goals and stay ahead in today's competitive market.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Erika Holter, Marketing Specialist

S4A IT Solutions

[email protected]

s4ait.com

Images accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71339278-2ac7-4c70-9b2f-d474d5ea19e2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71e7b91a-2390-45cc-bfa4-6184d75ee491

22 may 2024 at 15:20

News published onand distributed by:
The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21, 2024. STRINGER / REUTERS

Twenty people were in intensive care in Bangkok hospitals on Wednesday, May 22, after a terrifying high-altitude plunge on a flight from London during which an elderly passenger died and more than 100 were injured. Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 hit "sudden extreme turbulence" over Myanmar 10 hours into its journey to Singapore on Tuesday, abruptly rising and plunging several times.

One passenger said people were thrown around the cabin so violently they put dents in the ceiling during the drama at 11,300 meters, leaving dozens with head injuries. Photos from inside the plane show the cabin in chaos, strewn with food, drinks bottles and luggage, and with oxygen masks dangling from the ceiling.

The plane, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, made an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where medical staff used gurneys to ferry the injured to ambulances waiting on the tarmac.

"I was flung up to the roof and then as the plane dropped forward so did I," one passenger told Australian media on Wednesday after arriving in Sydney. "I then hit the floor quite hard and all the breakfast items and glass flew forward as well. The poor crew was preparing breakfast for everyone, so they got the worst injuries."

A 73-year-old British man died and 104 people were injured on the flight. A hospital in Bangkok said Wednesday its staff were treating, or had treated 85 of those injured, including 20 people who were currently in intensive care units. The 20 were from Australia, Britain, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines, Samitivej hospital said, without specifying how many were passengers or crew.

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew landed at Singapore's Changi Airport on Wednesday morning. Relieved relatives greeted the arrivals with hugs, but all were too shaken to talk to waiting reporters.

Andrew Davies, a British passenger aboard the Boeing 777-300ER, told BBC radio that the plane "suddenly dropped" and there was "very little warning." "During the few seconds of the plane dropping, there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud," he said, adding that he helped a woman who was "screaming in agony" with a "gash on her head."

Separately, he told a BBC podcast he feared the plane was going to crash. "Remembering the plane now  the huge dents in the roof that people had obviously hit with their head. There was a water bottle stuck in a gap in the ceiling," he said.

Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong said Wednesday the carrier is "very sorry for the traumatic experience" endured by those on board, and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

'Crazy flight'

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sent his "deepest condolences" to the family and loved ones of the dead man  identified as Geoff Kitchen, a musical theater director from near Bristol. The city-state is sending investigators to Bangkok to probe the incident and Wong posted on Facebook that they were "working closely with Thai authorities."

Of the passengers, 56 were Australian, 47 British and 41 Singaporean, according to the airline. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said nine of its nationals were hospitalized, including one in a critical but stable condition.

Allison Barker told the BBC her son Josh, who was aboard the plane, texted her that he was on "a crazy flight" that was making an emergency landing. "It was terrifying," she said. "I didn't know what was going on. We didn't know whether he'd survived, it was so nerve-racking. It was the longest two hours of my life."
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As part of the tour, Dr. Nuetah will also visit Nimba, Bong, and Margibi counties to meet with a wide range of stakeholders in Liberias agricultural sector.
THE LAND Development Agency (LDA) has given firm timelines around its plans to deliver almost 900 homes across Limerick.

The agency was set up almost six years ago, with the aim of delivering fast-track housing on State-owned lands.

But here in Limerick, not a single home has been completed.

This week, executives from the LDA gave updates on its plans to metropolitan district councillors.

Phelim ONeill, the LDAs head of property revealed that a development of 81 apartments and duplexes near Castletroy Town Centre will be ready by October this year.

These will be designated as cost rental which means the rent tenants will pay will be 25% below what others in the Castletroy area pay.

The scheme is aimed at the squeezed middle - those who earn above the income threshold for social housing but struggle to afford traditional private rents.

Elsewhere, he said that its anticipated that 183 affordable housing units will begin to be constructed in Mungret by the end of this year.

Mr ONeill told the meeting that, contrary to what has been stated in the LDAs own presentation, every single one of the 183 new homes in the village will be designated as affordable for sale, as opposed to cost-rental.

This scheme sees first-time buyers able to avail of a reduction on the price of a house.

Meanwhile, around 240 houses are planned for the former gasworks site at OCurry Street in the city.

Ervia, the sites current owners are reaching the final stages of decontaminating that site.

READ MORE: Uisce Eireanns 3m works to aid Mungret development

A design team is being appointed shortly, and its anticipated a planning application for the homes will be made this time next year, Mr ONeill told councillors.

Similarly, at the former Guinness site in Lower Careys Road, a planning application is expected be made in 12 months to develop 255 houses here.

And a design team is to be put in place in the next three months for 140 homes on the premises of St Josephs Hospital in Mulgrave Street.

This forms the first phase of an overall masterplan to bring 600 homes to the area eventually.
IT REALLY feels like we are building something special, and I feel very privileged to be part of the story of Lilly Limerick.

The words of Dave Riordan, the site lead of Lilly in Raheen, as the first anniversary of building on its state-of-the-art facility took place.

In a move which will bring hundreds of jobs to the area, the biopharmaceutical firm is in the process of building its manufacturing hub on the edge of the Raheen Industrial Estate.

The Lilly site in Raheen is on-track to be fully operational by 2026, Mr Riordan confirmed.

To mark the first anniversary, company bosses held a special event in which local political and business leaders were invited.

There are already 150 permanent staff members on site testing new equipment as construction work continues.

Substantial progress has already been made in laying the foundation and constructing the essential infrastructure on site.

In November, the Lilly corporate brand signage was installed on the building and lit-up.

Some 2,500 construction workers are in attendance at the site each day as the building takes shape, while recruitment is under way for the around 350 permanent staff Lilly will employ locally.

Eamonn Warren, one of the most senior executives at the company - which is headquartered in Indiana - was in Limerick for the first time to see the site progress.

Here, he joined local site boss Mr Riordan.

Mr Warren said: It has been a great opportunity for me to meet with both the new Lilly team-members and external stakeholders to learn more about what has been accomplished here in the past 12 months.

READ MORE: Limerick AI company receives 1.3m boost to drive international expansion

I was very pleased to hear from the elected representatives about the positive impact that Lilly has had on Limerick already and I know that we will continue to build on that in the years ahead.

Once operational, the Limerick manufacturing site will be a fully integrated digital area with the latest machine automation, manufacturing execution and data technologies designed to ensure product and data quality, and its integrated design will enable manufacturing excellence for the production and delivery of quality medicine.

Mr Riordan added: The past year has been marked by dedication and teamwork. Already, we have recruited 150 employees, who are the first in what we hope will be a large and welcoming Lilly Limerick family.

We have celebrated some real milestones  the lighting up of the Lilly sign, the infrastructure that has been put into place that will support the making of medicines and beginning our commitment to the local community through engaging with initiatives like jumpAgrade to name but one.

We are on track to be fully operational within the next three years, Mr Riordan concluded.
Financial documents, electronic devices and a luxury Volvo were among assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in during operations in Dublin and Donegal.

Support was provided to CAB officers by Gardai attached to the Milford District, Donegal Division, the Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda Dog Unit and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

The searches were carried out early on Wednesday, May 22 in county Donegal and west Dublin.

Over 70 personnel were involved in 23 searches of dwellings and business premises across Donegal and Dublin West.

Among the items seized or frozen in the course of this Wednesday's operations were a 2023 registered Volvo XC90, electronic devices, financial documents and up to 73,000 in a bank account.

"Todays searches relate to an ongoing investigation into the assets of persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking on an international level," a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said in a statement.

The search operation was conducted as part of an on-going proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including real estate, deriving in whole or in part from the proceeds of criminal activity.

"This particular investigation was supported by a number of Good Citizen Reports (GCRs) and also with the assistance of a Divisional Assets Profiler."

The organised criminal gang (OCG) at the heart of this investigation "operates within this jurisdiction as well as Scotland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)", the garda spokesperson continued.
Forestry as an alternative land use is a valuable source of income for any landowner. At present the percentage of the country planted is circa 11% according to Michael Sweeney, Managing Director of Select Forest Ltd.

Our forestry and timber sector is emerging as an economic success story. Brexit will be one of the challenges facing the industry in the near future. The forestry and timber sector includes growing the forest, harvesting and haulage, and processing the various wood products.

It provides significant employment throughout Rural Ireland. Forests absorb and fix carbon and help abate climate change. Forestry also provides significant environmental benefits. Wood fuel use in recent years has increased considerably.

Thinning and Harvesting:

Depending on the yield class, the time of first thinning can be anywhere between years 15-18. Thinning will increase overall timber revenue by increasing the volume of sawlog produced. It also produces an interim revenue source for the forest owner.

It will also improve the quality of the final crop. For most crops with a yield class of 20 +, they should be well capable of taking 2 or 3 thinnings on a three or four year cycle. Timber quality is hugely important. The percentage pulp has a huge bearing on the price.

It is absolutely essential that proper silvicultural thinning is undertaken. I have seen plantations ravaged at first thinning stage with the result that the rotation is increased and the quality, quantity and revenue considerably reduced at clearfell stage. Professional assistance might prove very cheap in the long term.

The forest owner is the primary producer and must insure he/she gets the best price for their crop in consultation with your Consultant Forester.Decide which is the best option for you, taking into account all factors. The highest bidder may not always be the most appropriate purchaser. To justify thinning an average tree of .O8m3 would be required. Any crop with an average tree of .06m3 or less would not be attractive to any contractor to harvest.

Every forest is different and factors such as timber quality, current timber prices, ground conditions, extraction distances and road access impact on the financial returns from thinning. Haulage distances to the Sawmill also have a huge impact on price. I own and manage my own plantations. I would only recommend to my clients those purchasers to whom I would offer my own timber. With these I am assured of proper silvicultural thinning and prompt payment.

There are many advantages to proper silvicultural thinning including:

Provision of substantial revenues early in the rotation. Shortening the rotation length by concentrating volume production on the better Stems. It allows easier access into the crop for management purposes. Forest owners should consider the various options open to them in selling their thinnings. They include selling thinnings by employing a Consultant Forester, or selling thinnings themselves where the owners feel that they have the necessary expertise (extremely doubtful).

Forest certification will become more of an issue in the very near future, and owners should be aware of this. My Company offer a long and short term harvest contract which has proved to be very popular with forest owners. It is much easier to work with a single forest owner on a one to one personal level. Sale by weight is the norm and the forest owner will only get paid for that timber weighed over the weigh bridge. Timber on roadside for too long a period is of little benefit to the owner, drying out and loosing weight. A secure timber sales dispatch system is vital for forest owners and purchasers.

Revenues received from the sale of thinnings is tax free.

It is absolutely imperative that a timber sales agreement be in place prior to the commencement of harvesting. This should clearly state:

Agreed timber price. Payment schedule Commencement date approx. Completion date by which all timber must be removed from roadside.

(A certain degree of flexibility must be allowed to points 3 and 4).

Clearly outline any forest service or other environmental considerations.

Price is determined by a number of factors.

Amongst these are:

Proximity to the mill

Form of the crop

External and internal access

Ground conditions

Extraction distance

Theft of timber is becoming a huge problem and therefore security is of the utmost

importance.

For further information contact Michael Sweeney on O87-2221661.

Website - www.selectforest.ie

Email - selectforest@gmail.com
SpaceX on Tuesday revealed that its Starlink satellite internet service now has more than three million customers in 99 countries. Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder and Tesla chief, congratulated the SpaceX team on the outstanding achievement.

He took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where he stated, Congratulations to the @SpaceX team on passing 3 million customers in 99 countries! He added, And thanks to you for buying @Starlink! Tesla's official handle stated, Congratulations SpaceX and Starlink! Much thanks for offering the most reliable internet to the people in remote areas.

Also read: Elon Musk's Tesla 'silent'; yet to inform government about plans to enter India: Official Starlink refers to internet network services provided by American aerospace company SpaceX, which covers over 99 countries worldwide. SpaceX first launched the Starlink satellite in 2019.

Also read: Elon Musk goes to China & Indonesia, eyes Lanka trip after cancelling India visit. Why Tesla CEO's itinerary matters With continuous efforts to expand Starlink and lead mobile broadband services globally, the tech billionaire visited Indonesia on May 19 to launch the Starlink satellite internet service in the island nation. This recent visit to Indonesia came days after his surprise visit to China, which could possibly be followed by a trip to India's neighbour, Sri Lanka.

Tesla CEO was spotted discussing opportunities for Starlink services with Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.

Also read: 'X is literally loaded with porn': Users slam Elon Musk after he claims X outperforms Instagram in child safety Ranil Wickremesinghes Media Division, in a post on X, said, 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.
Microsoft-owned LinkedIn India, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and eight others were slapped fines by the Corporate Affairs Ministry on Wednesday for violating the significant beneficial owner norms under the companies law, reported PTI.

The report said the Registrar of Companies (RoC) has slapped penalties totalling 27,10,800 on LinkedIn Technology Information Pvt Ltd or LinkedIn India, Nadella, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and seven other individuals.

A penalty of 7 lakh has been slapped on LinkedIn India, and fines of 2 lakh each have been imposed on Satya Nadella, the chief of Microsoft, and LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky.

Keith Ranger Dolliver, Benjamin Owen Orndorff, Michelle Katty Leung, Lisa Emiko Sato, Ashutosh Gupta, Mark Leonard Nadres Legaspi and Henry Chining Fong are among those who have been fined.

In a 63-page order, the Registrar of Companies ((NCT of Delhi & Haryana) said that LinkedIn India and the individuals violated the Significant Beneficial Owner (SBO) norms under the Companies Act, 2013.

According to the order, the company and its officers are liable for action for the failure to take necessary steps to identify the SBO in relation to the company.

"... Satya Nadella and Ryan Roslansky are the SBOs in relation to the subject company and are liable to a penalty under section 90(10) of the Act, due to their failure to report as per section 90(1). Ryan Roslansky was appointed as the global CEO of LinkedIn Corporation on 1st June 2020 and started reporting to Satya Nadella," the RoC, which comes under the ministry, stated in its order, according to the PTI report.

Section 90 of the Act pertains to SBO. It requires companies to disclose SBO details.

"Also, the company and its officers failed to even send a notice [which was mandatorily required to be sent] as per rule 2A (2) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Rules, 2018 leading to a contravention of section 90(5) for which penalty has been provided under section 450. All the officers, including the non-executive directors are liable for this violation due to the presumption of clear knowledge on part of each of such directors about the holding structure of the company," it said.

Satya Nadella is the chief of Microsoft, which acquired the professional networking platform LinkedIn in December 2016. LinkedIn India has been set up as a subsidiary of Microsoft Group.
An investigation into three electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers  Hero Electric Vehicles, Okinawa Autotech, and Benling India Energy and Technology, has revealed violations of the FAME-II norms, according to a Hindu Businessline report. It added that contrary to speculation, the companies have not been cleared of wrongdoing.

Sources from the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) told the paper that a new committee led by the Additional Secretary has been examining these issues. The committee has determined that the three companies breached government guidelines under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme and must pay the stipulated penalties.

Livemint could not independently verify the report.

The government has set penalties as follows: Hero Electric must pay 133.8 crore, Okinawa Autotech 116.85 crore, and Benling India 48.42 crore.

Investigation Into Irregularities The investigation began after reports suggested that these companies had been exonerated. An officer at the Joint Secretary level was initially tasked with investigating the role of officials in the scheme's irregularities in April 2023, as per the paper, citing a source.

The resulting report, submitted on December 30, 2023, was found to be vague and incomplete in February 2024. It failed to properly consider the scheme guidelines or examine any officials, the source added.

The Competent Authority rejected this report and, on February 20, 2024, assigned the investigation to an independent five-member committee led by an Additional Secretary. This new committee has been diligently reviewing all notifications and guidelines, and concluded that the guidelines were clear and understood by all stakeholders, including testing agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and the MHI, as per HBL.

Background of the Issue The issue began in 2022 when the MHI received complaints about FAME-II scheme violations. The complaints alleged that several registered OEMs were selling vehicles without meeting localisation requirements and importing parts rampantly, as per the report.

The ministry investigated 13 companies, and fined six of them, including Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Ampere Vehicles ( 124.91 crore), Benling India, AMO Mobility ( 83 lakh), and Lohia Auto ( 11 lakh), for violating norms. These companies were fined a total of 469 crore.
Microsoft has come a very long way from depending on personal computers for its livelihood. But the worlds most valuable company needs all the help it can get these days.

The software giant kicked off its annual Build developers conference this week with a focus on hardware. The wares on display were mostly new versions of the companys Surface laptops and tablets designed with generative artificial-intelligence capabilities on the device. The new machines also use Qualcomms Snapdragon processors and an optimized version of Windows that together are designed to perform powerful AI-computing functions with smartphonelike battery life.

Microsofts early lead in AI now has the company feeling bold enough to challenge even Apple on its home turf.

Were going to outperform them," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told The Wall Street Journal of his expectation for the new Surface devices against Apples Mac computers.

It is a tall order. Apple sold nearly $30 billion of Macs in the 12-month period that ended in March. Microsoft generated less than $5 billion in device revenue over the same period.

But Microsofts main mission these days is to get its AI assistant, known as Copilot, in front of as many users as it can. It is already doing so by adopting the technology across its powerful base of enterprise software services. But that can also be a slow processone that depends on big companies signing major deals to deploy the Copilot tool and drive its use. Google, by contrast, told its own developers conference last week that it will be embedding its Gemini AI tool directly into its search engine, which powers more than 90% of the worlds internet searches.

The stock of Googles parent, Alphabet, has risen 5% since that conference, bringing its year-to-date gain to 27%. Meanwhile, Microsofts shares picked up less than 1% on Tuesday following the opening keynote of its Build conference, paring a nearly 2% morning gain ahead of the event. The stock is lagging behind its archrivals year-to-date gain by more than 10 percentage points.

Microsoft is still worth about $3.2 trillion, which is about $1 trillion more than Googles parent. The stock is also trading at a rich valuation of nearly 34 times forward earnings17% above its five-year average and 47% over Alphabets multiple, according to FactSet data. Microsofts shares enjoyed a strong lift this past year following its aggressive move into AI, which included a close partnership with OpenAI.

But investors have become increasingly worried about the rising capital expenditures needed to power AI services and the potentially slow payoff those services can generate for tech giants whose existing businesses rival the gross domestic product of midsize countries. In a report over the weekend, Bernstein software analyst Mark Moerdler predicted that the first wave of generative AI deployment will center around incremental functionalities for existing apps" such as Microsoft Office.

More transformative, custom, and industry-centric apps would be part of a second wave, which could be out at least 1-2 years in the future," he wrote.

Hence, Microsoft will do whatever it can to give Copilot more lift now, and that wont stop with its own devices. The PC makers Dell Technologies, HP, Lenovo Group and others also are embracing on-device AI for their Windows-powered machines, with major launches coming later this year. In a note Tuesday, Vivek Arya of BofA Securities projected that annual sales of AI-enabled PCs will hit 127 million in 2027a big number considering zero were sold last year.

One would hope Microsofts AI assistant knows how to sell itself.

Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com
Indias central bank is expected to pay up to 1 lakh crore ($12 billion) as dividend to the federal government, economists said, a move that would boost New Delhis coffers and help meet its budget deficit target.

The Reserve Bank of Indias central bank of directors is expected to meet this week and is likely to approve a dividend ranging between 800 billion to one trillion rupees, according to economists estimates. That compares with a transfer of 874.2 billion rupees last year and the governments own target of 1.02 trillion rupees, which includes dividends from state-controlled banks.

If the RBI pays out a dividend worth one trillion rupees, it will be the highest in five years.

The higher dividend payout is likely to help the federal government achieve its fiscal deficit target of 5.1% of gross domestic product in the current financial year. It would also likely shore up revenues for any new government that takes office after general elections conclude early next month, allowing it greater spending flexibility.

A big surplus transfer will help the government in meeting any shortfall in disinvestment receipts and create room for funding welfare programs after the elections, said Teresa John, an economist with Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities, by phone. She forecasts the dividend payout to be around one trillion rupees.

The RBI makes an annual payout to the government from the surplus income it earns on investments and valuation changes on its dollar holdings, and the fees it gets from printing currency. It is mandated to maintain a contingency risk buffer of 5.5% to 6.5% of its balance sheet.

Among the key factors that could contribute to a large surplus transfer are higher interest income that the central bank would have earned on securities held abroad and in the domestic market. Those earnings are expected on the back of a tighter monetary policy regime in many advanced economies and back home.

However, earnings on foreign exchange transactions could be lower as the central bank sold less dollars in the last fiscal year than the previous year, Gaura Sen Gupta, an economist with IDFC First Bank wrote in a note earlier this month. In the year to March 2024, RBIs foreign exchange reserves went up by $67 billion.

A large dividend, coupled with high cash surplus may allow the finance ministry to cut its bond sales, aiding lower borrowing costs, people familiar with the matter said, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. India plans to borrow a record 14.13 trillion rupees in the financial year ending March 2025, according to the February interim budget.

Bond Index Inclusion An expected bonanza for New Delhi comes just a month before Indian bonds are added to the JPMorgan Chase and Co.s emerging market index. That inclusion is likely to see inflows of up to $25 billion and could see the central banks balance sheet swell in the fiscal year to March 2025, making it essential for tweaks to be carried out to meet the minimum levels of capital. The RBI is widely expected to intervene and absorb the bulk of the inflows expected due to the bond inclusion.

The ballooning of the balance sheet could lead to revisions in the RBIs economic capital framework at some point later in the year, wrote Barclays Plc.s economists Shreya Sodhani and Amruta Ghare in a note earlier this month. They estimate a dividend payout of over a trillion rupees, which could increase if the framework is revised.
Mumbai: On a Tuesday afternoon in New York last month, a 40-year-old senior executive was waiting for her 28-year-old colleague to join her on a video call to discuss the launch of a website for their employerone of the largest product firms in the world. She had already been waiting for 25 minutesthey were both working from home and she was worried. It would have been unusual for the employee to abscond from office, but home was a different turf. I logged out, and within a few minutes got a message from him apologising for the delay. He had taken his dogs for a walk and lost track of time."

The senior recounted how the shock of skipping the meeting to take dogs for a walk" gave way to anger, which ebbed to exasperation and finally acceptance. Losing the young executive was not an option since he was good at his work. And explaining to him that deadlines are sacrosanct, even if that meant delaying a dog walk, could lead to questions over work-life balance and even a revolt. Besides, all dogs, noble creatures that they are, deserve a good walk, if not a good run. The trick is to simply ensure that it does not clash with work.

The senior executive, a millennial (from the generation born between 1981-1996), is not the only one walking on eggshells around younger executives in their 20s with less than a decade of work experience (the latter belong to Generation Z or iGen, and were born between 1997 and 2012). Managers across the board, across sectors, and across the world have been grappling with the same challenge.

To be sure, generational differences have always existed. For instance, in the West, those who belonged to the Silent Generation (born between 1928-1945) were people who fought in or grew up during the Second World War. They were called traditionalists or conformists and were followed by their polar opposites, the Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). The Boomers were the brash young rebels of the 1960s and 70s who turned the Western world upside down with their counter-cultureflower power, free love, drug use and hippie communes. There probably will never be another generation quite like the Boomers when it comes to being rebellious. But those same rebels, and those who came after them, have been left confounded by the attitudes and expectations of Gen Z.

(Note: The term Baby Boomer was coined after the spike in the global birth rate after the Second World War, until 1964. Generation X refers to people born between 1965 and 1980. Neil Howe and William Strauss are credited with naming Millennials in their book GenerationsThe History of Americas Future, 1584 to 2069. Social analyst and demographer Mark McCrindle came up with the term Generation Alpha, after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, to indicate they were all born in the 21st century, from 2010 to 2024.)

Sense of entitlement

View Full Image Sorry, I overslept. (Tarun Kumar Sahu/Mint)

There has been a shift from collectivism to individualism as society is going through major changes," said Kavil Ramachandran, senior advisor at the Thomas Schmidheiny Centre for Family Enterprise in the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. As an economy develops, business is no longer about survival and children have been insulated from their parents struggles. Wealth is considered to be inherited and one may not have to actively contribute to creating it," said the professor, whose clients include some of the largest Indian business families. At the Mumbai office of Japanese tyremaker Yokohama Off-Highway Tires, the entire team meets every Tuesday at 9.30 am. Since most of the tyre manufacturing happens in India and the companys customers are overseas, this meeting is one of the more important ones of the week for planning, coordination and demand-supply matching.

The senior executive leading the meeting is a Boomer with more than three decades of experience. A few weeks ago, three of his team members did not make it for the meeting. It turned out they had gone on a weekend trip and their phones were switched off. Towards the end of the day, one of the trio picked up and simply said they had overslept. The veterans initial fury was replaced by a worrying thought: was there a lack of trust in the younger executives that kept them from revealing where they were and why they had been delayed?

The Japanese tyre maker realized that the young workforce needed to know that the firm was listening to them. It has since created a policy called HR aapke dwaar.

For the first time we are grappling with a generation whose basic needs are taken care of and there is a perceived sense of entitlement around policies, processes and standards," explained Amit Chincholikar, global chief human resources officer at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires. But, he noted, Gen Z is not afraid to question the efficiency of the fundamental policies of a company.

The Japanese tyre maker learnt a lesson from the incident. It realized that the young workforce needed to know that the firm was listening to them. It has since created a policy called HR aapke dwaar, which asks employees to talk about policies that need to Start, those that can Continue, and those that need to Stop. While changes in administrative issues like canteen, break timings, etc. were put in the first category, a large set of employees asked the management not to micromanage" under the Stop category.

A very different start

View Full Image Many young people joined their jobs during the pandemic and its lockdowns, which mitigated any bonding in offices with peers.

The pandemic has played a key role in widening the gap between the generations. Many young people joined their jobs during the pandemic and its lockdowns, which mitigated any bonding in offices with peers or seniors because of the work-from-home imperative. Consequently, those who are at the beginning of their careers have a different experience and perception of the workplace compared to earlier generations. Corporates that hire youngsters in the hundreds of thousands from campuses, such as the IT sector, have had to resort to making attendance an appraisal parameter to get executives back to the office. In 2020 and 2021, it was again this sector that was forced to deal with its mostly young workers taking to moonlighting to earn some extra bucks.

Young people report physical-health issues as an impediment to effectively performing work at higher rates than the general population, which includes people decades older than them. In fact, on every metric that interferes with effectively performing work, Gen Z reports more struggles than the general population," noted a study released in October 2022 by consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

They (Gen Z) did not have gatekeepers and have entered the workplace with a confidence and belief that chest-thumping is necessary. Sourav Mukherji

The study, called How does Gen Z see its place in the working world? With trepidation, looked into responses from 25,062 Americans, including 1,763 in the Gen Z age range of 18 to 24. It found concerning levels of distress" among young people, including an astounding 55% reporting having either been diagnosed with or having received treatment for mental illness (compared with 31% of people aged 55 to 64 reporting the same).

They (Gen Z) have grown in a different environment, where access to information, both good and bad, is easy. They did not have gatekeepers and have entered the workplace with a confidence and belief that chest-thumping is necessary," said Sourav Mukherji, who teaches Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management at Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore.

A study found concerning levels of distress among young people, including an astounding 55% reporting having either been diagnosed with or having received treatment for mental illness.

In his discussions with IIM-B students, Mukherji says many cite how they can make more money by being social media influencers rather than work in a corporate. Their success stories are different. Hence, N.R. Narayana Murthy (Infosys co-founder) talking about long hours (a 70-hour week) may not inspire them," he told Mint.

There are teams where the bosses insist on clocking in at 9 am and one can leave by 7 pm. Those teams have the highest attrition. No one my age stays in such firms," said Gauri B., a 22-year-old professional working in Delhi.

Beyond moonshots

View Full Image The hike I got isnt sufficient to cover my holiday expenses. (Tarun Kumar Sahu/Mint)

When Mint spoke to senior executives across sectors for this story, those who had heard the anecdote about the janitor at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) said it does not apply today. The story goes that in 1962, when US president John F. Kennedy visited Nasa, he noticed a janitor with a broom. The president introduced himself and asked the janitor what he was doing. The latter replied that he was helping put a man on the moon. A few years later, the US made its first manned moon landing (in 1969).

The story has been cited in B-schools for decades as an example of how a company needs to ensure that its goals remain the same across hierarchies. But the managers Mint spoke to opined that the younger set of employees today do not consider a companys goals to be critical.

Did the signs crop up now? Apparently not. Rajkamal Vempati, president and head of human resources, Axis Bank, says she spotted them years ago. A 33-year-old relationship manager was unhappy with his hike. The reason cited was novel; he said his wife and he were used to taking four holidays in a year and given that she was now on a sabbatical, the hike he got wasnt sufficient to cover their four holiday expenses. I was shocked. I thought he would raise the issue of a home loan or other expenses. But a holiday, earlier a discretionary expense, had become a necessary experience that couldnt be traded off. It got me thinking on how we have to think differently," said Vempati.

Axis Bank, which has 104,000 employees of which 45-50% are under 30, has since revised its leave policy to include more time off for fathers, parents who have just adopted etc., and so on.

The expectations of what a workplace should be are chalked out right at the internship stage by some. For instance, Nazia K. , a second-year law student in Mumbai, discussed the working hours of the law firm she was looking to join with seniors before her internship started. Many in my batch find out the working hours and check if the policies are conducive to a work-life balanceif there is time for us to meet our friends and pursue our hobbies," she told Mint.

When reminded that for many a good part of their initial career is spent in the office, Nazia said that would not be something she or her classmates would be keen on. Money is important and some may make that choice. But most of us already know the kind of legal practice we want to get into and the hours that we will put into the workplace," she declared.

Many in my batch find out the working hours and check if the policies are conducive to a work-life balance. Nazia K.

It is an understanding within my age group that two years is what you give a firm because beyond that there is not much to offer. If you work in larger consumer firms that have role-change opportunities, then one must ask for that or leave," said Gauri. She is willing to commute long hours to work but insists that her employer, a mid-size manufacturing firm, offer her training courses in the latest skillsets. I do not want to be unemployed for lack of updated skills. We also want to work in firms where there is little hierarchy," she said.

Fashion faux pas

View Full Image Stick to the dress code. (Tarun Kumar Sahu/Mint)

While it has made progress, Axis Bank, and many other firms, are continuing to evolve in their understanding of new-age attitude towards work. Attire, for instance, may be a simple matter but it has often become a big bone of contention. In banks, formal attire is mandatory and fresh graduates are trained in grooming since customers expect to see bank executives dressed formally. It may be regarded as old school" today but appearances inspire confidence that their money is parked safely, say senior bankers.

Younger executives, however, prefer to be casual about their attire. It is not unusual for them to tell managers that the organizations sartorial rules are outdated, and this is a trend seen even in smaller towns. The definition of casual and formal has blurred to the extent that managers in our offices have been nudged to give their teams grooming tips. And if that fails, ask some of them to go home, shave, change their clothes and return. This kind of policing was unthinkable in our times," said Vempati.

While the struggle to understand Gen Z continues, India Inc will have to soon deal with Gen Alphathose who were born after 2010. By many indications, these kids are non-conformist digital natives.

Another reason for the clash in approach is the need to know where employers stand on certain principles. For instance, leading law firms are seeing junior employees question how a client is selected.

The younger generation thinks about the views and actions of clients on issues around diversity, climate, and impact on society, more than young lawyers did in the years gone by," said Bishen Jeswant, partner, Labour and Employment for law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. While the firm does consider these issues, there isnt currently a formal process around onboarding or off boarding clients on these parameters. That these matters are even being considered by the younger lawyers in the context of clients is itself new and commendable."

While the struggle to understand Gen Z continues, India Inc. will have to soon deal with Gen Alphathose who were born after 2010. By many indications, these kids are non-conformist digital natives with a keen sense of their ecological footprint. So, fossil fuel-powered companies could well end up missing out on their talents. As for HR managers, they will have to listen more to understand them. Much more.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that the name of INDIA bloc Prime Ministerial candidate would be announced within hours (after result) on June 4.

Ramesh made the remark when he was asked if Rahul Gandhi would be the PM face.

"It is not a beauty contest between persons. We are a party-based democracy. The question is which party or alliance will get the mandate... Parties get the majority. Party chooses their leader and that leader becomes the PM," Ramesh told ANI.

Stating that in 2004, Manmohan Singh's name was declared within four days, Ramesh said that this time it won't even take four days.

"The PM's name will be announced within 2 days... MPs will meet and choose. It is a process. We don't believe in shortcuts. It might be Modi's working style. We are not arrogant... Not even 2 days, the PM's name would be announced within a few hours... The candidate of the biggest party will be the PM. It would happen the way it was done in 2004," the Congress leader added.

Meanwhile, speaking to PTI, the Congress general secretary said, "We are a party-centred democracy. We are not like the American system, it is not a beauty contest between individuals, it is a choice between parties. This is a 2004 moment. In 1962, a film was released based on the Sherlock Holmes mystery -- 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' -- 'Bees saal Baad' starring Waheeda Rehman and Biswajeet...what happened in 2004, 'bees saal baad', you will see that repeating," he said.

Ramesh also said there would be no issue among INDIA bloc members in deciding on a PM nominee after the June 4 verdict in the alliance's favour.
Political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group predicted 305 (+/- 10) seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Eurasia Group Founder Ian Bremmer told ANI, "Prediction for elections for Eurasia group is 30510 seats. Really not much of a change from what we saw five years ago."

In the last Lok Sabha Elections held in 2019, the BJP had won 303 of the 543 seats.

The American political scientist said that "from the perspective of the rest of the world", India is an "economy that has underperformed for a long time but is now doing a lot better".

This is also a country that was very inward-focused for a long time, but this region is now becoming much more of a global leader, he opined.

In an interview with NDTV, Bremmer said the Indian general election, from a global political perspective, is "the only thing that looks stable and consistent...everything else (including the United States election due in November) is problematic".

Bremmer also hailed the "free and fair, and transparent" Indian electoral process. "Modi is almost certainly going to win a third term on the back of pretty strong economic performance and consistent reform (and) that, in the grand scheme, is a very stabilising message," he was quoted by NDTV as saying.

On India's economic future, Bremmer said, "...we see growth picking up. We see India becoming the fourth largest economy in the world, likely next year, and the third largest probably by 2028..."
For years, Olga Khandriga dreamed of working underground at her local coal mine in eastern Ukraine. It wasnt until Russia invaded that she got the opportunity.

As men left their jobs to fight Russia, the Ukrainian government suspended a law that had barred women from employment in harmful or dangerous conditionsincluding undergroundallowing Khandriga to take over as deputy head of a section of the mine.

I feel Im in the right place, doing what I like to do, said Khandriga, who studied to be a mining engineer and had worked above ground at the mine for nearly half her life.

With the war in its third year, some women are moving into traditionally male-dominated sectors of the economy to make up for a growing shortage of men. Businesses have lobbied the government to exempt more of their workers from military service, arguing that a strong economy is essential to sustaining the war effort. But with threadbare Ukrainian troops now losing ground in the east and north of the country, Kyiv has little choice. A new mobilization law came into force last week obliging all men eligible for military service between the ages of 26 and 60 to register with the authorities.

Even before the government expanded the draft, between 10% and 15% of firms payrolls were mobilized, according to Anna Derevyanko, head of the Kyiv-based European Business Association. Companies are looking for females in order to hedge against this loss of labor.

Beyond meeting firms immediate needs, economists say boosting womens participation in the workforce will be key for Ukraines economic recovery after the war. Only 47.8% of Ukrainian women participated in the labor market in 2021, before Russias invasion, compared with 67% of American women the same year.

During World War II, millions of American women went to work outside the home for the first time, taking up jobs in factories and shipyards.

Ukraines case is somewhat different. While men of fighting age are banned from leaving the country, many women fled abroad as Russian forces seized territory, contributing to a significant decline in the size of the labor force. But as the economy stabilized following the initial shock of the invasion, demand for workers soon picked up.

The number of vacancies last month was higher than it was before Russias invasion, according to Ukraines biggest job ads portal Robota. Among more than 600 businesses that Robota surveyed, 75% identified personnel shortages as their biggest problem this year.

This is the worst situation ever for employers, said Robotas Chief Executive Valeriy Reshetnyak.

Mass displacement to western regions away from the front line with Russia has amplified labor shortages in the east where Ukraines heavy industry is concentrated. Blue-collar industries that are heavily dominated by men, such as construction, agriculture and transport, are disproportionately affected by mobilization.

After Russia invaded, the head of human resources at poultry giant MHP began looking for women to fill vacancies left by men. We realized that this was a good way to overcome the shortage of personnel, Anastasiia Hromova said.

The company, the largest exporter and producer of chicken in Ukraine with a 26,000-strong workforce, has since trained 300 women to become locksmiths, electricians and loader driverstraditionally jobs occupied by men.

Some roles remain unsuitable for women, said Hromova, such as loading livestock in an abattoir, which is physically demanding.

And there are still cultural barriers, compounded by the unequal share of child care and other unpaid domestic work done by women.

Ukrainian society is quite traditional in this respect, said Olga Kupets, assistant professor at the Kyiv School of Economics.

To overcome gender stereotypes, Kernel, Ukraines largest producer and exporter of grain, is preparing an advertising campaign to attract women. We are ready to hire women to do these positions, but many dont want them, said head of human resources Natalia Teriakhina.

Attitudes are changing, however. When construction company owner Yulia Skichko first suggested hiring women to drive excavators and other vehicles, her male colleagues responded with derision. But the idea has gained acceptance as the war drags on, said Skichko, who recently applied for a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to train women to drive construction vehicles.

Swedish nonprofit Beredskapslyftet is running a program to train women to drive passenger buses.

When Iryna Meden began working as a trolley-bus driver in the port city of Odesa two decades ago, she was one of very few women in a male-dominated profession. Now, she says, more than half her colleagues are female and she no longer stands out. A lot of men were mobilized, said Meden.

With human resources increasingly scarce, companies are also looking to retain employees returning from the war. Reintegrating veterans is a top priority for Ukraines largest steelmaker Metinvest, its head of human resources Tetiana Petruk said. The company has already retrained some female employees to take on roles previously done by men, but it isnt enough.

If someone thinks women are queuing up outside our plants, this is a mistake, Petruk said.

Ruslana Goryanska was working as a manicurist when she saw an advertisement on Facebook seeking women to work at the local coal mine run by Ukraines largest private energy company, DTEK. She applied without telling her husband, who also works there. He was very surprised when Goryanska told him she had been offered a job.

The 36-year-old leaves her 11-year-old son at home to study online while she goes to work the morning shift, clipping a head lamp to her hard hat. She passes by men emerging from the night shift, their faces grimy with coal dust, before descending over 750 feet below ground.

As an operator along a section of the mine, Goryanska is responsible for ensuring a conveyor belt of coal runs smoothly along an almost 4,000-foot stretch of the mine.

Her manager, Andriy Chornomaz, was surprised when he learned that women would be joining his shift, but he was ready to accept any help. Almost half of the men on his team went to war after Russia invaded, and the remaining 80 had to work double shifts to keep the mine operating.

This position doesnt involve hard physical labor, but its still vitally important, Chornomaz said of Goryanskas role.

For Goryanska, the benefits are clear: She earns twice as much as she did at the beauty salon for half the number of hours. The job also gives her a greater sense of purpose. I feel that I am doing something really important, she said.

Overall, there are 600 women now working at the mineboth above and below groundcompared with 500 before the war. But chief engineer Oleksandr Aksyonov said he wasnt looking to establish new norms. I think women still should work in safer places.

The longer the war goes on, however, the less reversible change may be. Unfortunately, a lot of men wont come back at all and many will return disabled, so we should be prepared to take on more responsibility, Goryanska said.

Several months after starting her new job, Goryanska returned to the salon where she used to work and told the hair stylist there about it. After hearing about her experience, the hair stylist quit and went to work in the mines too.

Oksana Pryozhok, Nikita Nikolaienko and Ievgeniia Sivorka contributed to this article
A Chinese business group warned of possible tariff increases on car imports in retaliation for moves taken by the U.S. and European Union on Chinese electric vehicles, as trade tensions escalate between China and the West.

The Brussels-based China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in a statement Tuesday that it had been informed by insiders that Beijing is considering temporary extra tariffs on imported cars equipped with large-displacement engines.

This potential action carries implications for European and U.S. carmakers, particularly in light of recent developments such as Washingtons announcement of tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles and Brussels preparations for preliminary measures in a high-profile antisubsidy investigation into Chinese EVs," the chamber said.

The statement comes as U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits the EU and tries to convince her European counterparts into a united front against a surge in Chinese exports. It also comes shortly after Liu Bin, a policy adviser in Chinas auto industry, signaled the possible tariff rise in an interview with the Chinese Communist Party-owned tabloid, Global Times.

In the short term, we suggest raising the temporary tariff rate on imported sedans and sport-utility vehicles that have engines larger than 2.5 liters, so as to reduce imports and guide consumption expectations," said Liu, who has participated in drafting Chinas auto policies.

Based on WTO rules, Chinas temporary tariff rate on imported vehicles could be raised to a maximum 25 percent, Liu added. The potential move is in line with Chinas efforts to cut emissions and green its auto industry, Liu said.

China imported 250,000 cars with engines larger than 2.5 liters in 2023, accounting for 32 percent of its total car imports, the Global Times said, citing official data.

A social-media account affiliated with Chinas state broadcaster had warned on Saturday that the country has sufficient countermeasures and will likely hit back if the EU continues to take trade action against Chinese companies.

A day later, Beijing launched an antidumping probe into imports of polyoxymethylene copolymer  a widely used plastic in auto parts and electronics  from the U.S., EU, Japan and Taiwan.

Write to Singapore editors at singaporeeditors@dowjones.com
Railroad operators like to say that trains are greener than trucks when it comes to moving goods, pointing out that one railcar can haul three to four times as much as a truck, and one freight train can remove hundreds of trucks from the highways.

Although the freight-rail industry is responsible for less than 2% of transportation-related greenhouse-gas emissions in the U.S., rail carrierslike the rest of the transportation industryare under pressure to reduce those emissions, much of which are produced by diesel-electric locomotives.

As a result, freight operators are investing in diesel-electric models that are more fuel-efficient, as well as exploring alternative ways to power locomotives, homing in on three main technologies: batteries, biodiesel and hydrogen.

Coming up with cleaner alternatives to diesel-powered locomotives isnt easy. Any alternative would need to be able to haul freight across mountainous and desert regions, in various weather conditions and temperatures. That, combined with the complexities involved in building new refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels and uncertainty over access to constrained supplies, make it unlikely that zero-emission locomotives will be widespread by the mid-2030s as called for in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, the industry says.

At this point, there is no clear winner in the next-generation locomotive fight," says Bascome Majors, an analyst at Susquehanna International Group.

Here is a closer look at some of the new technologies being tested by rail carriers.

Battery power

Battery-electric locomotives are one emissions-reducing option but their battery-storage capacity, and therefore their range, limit how they can be usedat least for now.

Major freight railroads are using or plan to use battery locomotives in some of their port-unloading and rail-yard operations. Some short-line railroads are testing them, too. But with energy capacity of around 2.4 to 2.7 megawatt-hours, these locomotives have far less range than a 5,000-gallon diesel locomotive, which has roughly 76 megawatt-hours of energy.

This year, rail-equipment and technology provider Wabtec plans to deliver locomotives with battery capacity ranging from 7 to 8 megawatt-hours that it says can be added onto freight trains that make long-haul runs. Longer freight trains are often powered by multiple locomotives, so the idea is to add a battery-powered model into the mix to reduce fuel consumption. This is what is known as a hybrid consist."

With battery technology in locomotives, its and rather than or, " says Eric Gebhardt, chief technology officer of Pittsburgh-based Wabtec.

Still, research and testing focused on increasing battery capacity is continuing. One feature being tested is regenerative braking, which captures kinetic energy when a train decelerates or goes downhill and converts it into electrical energy that can be stored in the battery. In 2021, a Wabtec FLXdrive battery locomotive on a test run in California was able to recharge itself three times in a 27-hour window, according to Gebhardt.

Another hurdle facing battery locomotives is how long it takes to charge them. Diesel locomotives can be fueled in 20-30 minutes today, compared to several hours of charging time, which affects operational viability," says a spokeswoman for Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF Railway in Fort Worth, Texas, which is testing battery locomotives in freight transportation and yard operations.

Some smaller rail operators also have reservations about the reliability of battery locomotives, especially in freezing temperatures.

If we were to electrify all of our locomotives and then we have a disruption in the charging or we have a charger that goes down, then we are absolutely out of service," says Justin Thompson, chief executive of Iron Senergy, a Waynesburg, Pa.-based energy company that has three locomotives transporting coal across 17 miles of track. The company instead is testing battery-powered railcars, which can be added to a freight train for supplemental power.

Biodiesel

In recent years, major rail carriers including Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, or CPKC, have tested or started using various blends of biodiesel and renewable diesel. Wabtec, which also modifies locomotives so they can burn both alternative fuels and regular diesel, has said this option has the potential to reduce carriers carbon emissions by as much as 60%.

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are fuels made from fats and oils such as soybean oil, though they are produced by different processes.

Modifying the engines of current locomotives to enable them to burn biodiesel and renewable diesel is currently the fastest way for railroads to lower their emissions, experts say. Biofuels are the low-hanging fruit for railroads in terms of what will be the least disruptive to rail carriers existing operations, says Kari Gonzales, president at rail research firm MxV Rail.

Such modifications also are appealing because the locomotives can still operate using regular diesel if the supply of biodiesel or renewable diesel is constrained, railroad operators and shippers say.

Still, biodiesel presents challenges.

The supply of alternative fuels is unreliable compared with regular diesel because of limited feedstock and a patchwork of state subsidies, say railroad executives. Whats more, demand for sustainable aviation fuel from the airline industry, which has fewer decarbonization options compared with other transportation sectors, has led to shortages of biodiesel for the rail industry, they say.

The Association of American Railroads, an industry trade group, has called for the imbalances in the market to be addressed, telling Energy Department officials this year that federal and state policies should harness market principles to encourage the development and equitable deployment of low-carbon fuels for use in all modes of transport."

Hydrogen fuel cells

At least two freight railroads in North America, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX, are testing hydrogen fuel-cell locomotives. With this technology, hydrogen gas is fed into the fuel cell to generate electricity, which powers the locomotives motors.

Hydrogen fuel-cell locomotives emit only water vapor and they have more energy capacity than battery locomotives, though not as much as diesel locomotives. Refueling via liquefied tankers takes only around 45 minutes, eliminating the hurdle of having to wait hours for a battery to recharge or to build dedicated substations in terminals for charging. This addresses network interoperability, a key issue for freight railroads because trains sometimes travel on other operators tracks, or head to destinations that lack infrastructure and access to alternative fuels.

Since 2020, CPKC has retrofitted three locomotives with hydrogen fuel cells to test within its network. One was able to haul 25,000 tons of freight through a mountainous territory, says Kyle Mulligan, assistant vice president of operations technology at the carrier, indicating that the hydrogen locomotive has the same propulsion power as diesel locomotives in terms of hauling freight in uphill conditions.

CSX, meanwhile, has retrofitted one of its locomotives using a conversion kit developed by CPKC. It feels strong," says Corey Davis, director of innovation-alternative fuels and energy management at CSX who test-drove the locomotive recently. It doesnt make noise, doesnt vibrate, doesnt smell of smoke," he says, adding that hydrogen locomotives in rail yards would be less disruptive to neighboring communities.

Mulligan says he believes that hydrogen locomotives eventually will replace the current diesel-electric locomotive, in much the same way diesel-electric locomotives replaced steam engines by the late 1950s.

But that vision remains far off.

Although hydrogen trains have more energy capacity than battery-powered trains, they dont have the energy capacity of diesel locomotives, and questions remain about the supply of hydrogen, with the build-out of regional hydrogen hubs around the country still in early phases, which is affecting the cost.

The production of hydrogen, distribution, transportation, storage and fueling facilities for industrial uses are issues that need to be addressed at a national level and not by the rail industry alone, the Association of American Railroads says. Another issue is that the supply chain for hydrogen fuel itself can be energy-intensiveunless the hydrogen is produced from low-carbon sources.

Jim Vena, the chief executive of Union Pacific, which is investing in fuel-efficient diesel locomotives as well as those that can run on biodiesel, says the industry needs to look closely at the overall carbon footprint associated with technologies that require new infrastructure to ensure they dont actually result in higher emissions.

Esther Fung is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal in New York. Email her at esther.fung@wsj.com.
Mumbai: Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) which sells tea, coffee, water, salt, pulses, spices, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings, is set to enter the food services market by offering its range of salt, tea, coffee, and gravies to hotels and restaurants, said a top executive at the company.

We are looking at setting up our distribution system for HORECA ie. hotel, restaurants and cafes," Sunil DSouza, TCPLs managing director and chief executive said. "Everyone uses water, spices, pulses, tea, coffee; now, I've got sauces, and dips. It's a separate distribution channel. There are distributors who only address that but now with Capital Foods coming in, we have the luxury of building out a strong channel only addressed to this. We're still working out how it will operate. That is a channel opportunity which exists and we've not addressed it yet.

Earlier this year the company announced the acquisition of Capital Foods, owner of the Chings Secret packaged noodles and condiments brand, and Smith & Jones brands, and Organic India, a company that sells organic teas and health foods.

This, said DSouza, allows the company to expand its distribution channels beyond general and modern trade stores and take its wide range of products to the business-to-business market.

For instance, Ching's Secret gives the company a large play in the gravies and condiments segment. It also owns Tata SmartFoodz Ltd that operates in the ready-to-eat segment selling pasta, noodles, biryani and combo meals.

Distribution arm for hotels DSouza said the company is contemplating setting up a separate distribution arm that caters to hotels and restaurants supplying them with products such as salt, water, sauces and tea among other products in its portfolio of packaged foods.

Currently, the same is done through third-party wholesalers.

Companies (hotels, restaurants) are currently buying (our products) from wholesalers or some unorganized distributor. Some of the big multinationals operating in this country do have food service businesses, we don't. This is an opportunity for us to build. Its going to happen shortly, he said.

TCPL was formed after Tata Chemicals, a chemical company, selling salt and pulses, was merged with Tata Global Beverages in 2019. The company now sells a wide range of packaged food products across pantry staples and snacks.

Read | With premium coffees and pricey hair serums, FMCG firms woo the well-heeled To be sure, companies such as Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever Ltd already operate in the food services market. For instance, Unilever Food Solutions India sells sauces, gravies, seasoning, ketchups, dressings for professional chefs. It sells the products under brands such as Knorr, Kissan, Rex, Brown and Polson, among others. Nestle operates Nestle Professional in India, dedicated to serving the requirements of the out-of-home consumption via vending machines and food services.

Additionally, the company is also working towards selling more products in pharmacies.

Most important in India, we've got some products which appeal to the pharma channel. But we never had the heft or the scale to build a dedicated go-to-market. So like Tata GoFit, Soulfull, Tetley, these do sell in the pharma channel, but now with the Organic India infusions and more importantly, the supplements coming in, we will focus on building a full go-to-market to address the pharma opportunity in India. I would say in the next three months or so we should be able to work out our detailed strategy, because, remember, the pharma channel operates slightly differently from all the other channels we are used to addressing, he said.
Delhivery Ltd's shares are down about 11% since the company returned to net loss in its March quarter (Q4FY24) results, even as it recorded its first Ebitda-level profit for the whole of FY24.

The culprit was the sharp slowdown in Delhiverys key express-parcel segment (62% of FY24 revenue) owing to subdued online consumption and increased insourcing by Meesho. After a strong festive season, express-parcel revenue plunged 16% sequentially in Q4 as shipment volumes fell. This weakness could not be fully offset by the 10% and 35% sequential revenue growth in part-truck-load (PTL) and supply-chain services.

As a result, Delhiverys Ebitda more than halved to 45.9 crore in Q4 from the previous quarter. The company, however, expects growth in express-parcel revenue to rebound. As it renegotiates contracts, management projects 15-20% year-on-year express-parcel revenue growth in FY25, after 12% growth in FY24.

Also read: Delhivery may hit a roadblock before delivering big success

A bright spot is the continued improvement in PTL profitability. Management reiterated that the PTL service Ebitda margin, which stood at 2.2% in Q4, could eventually match the 18-20% margin of the express-parcel service and significantly boost the bottom line.

For FY25, Delhivery guided for a lower capex range of 6.6% to 6.9% of annual revenue from 7.4% in FY24 as it looks to optimise existing resources. While the huge upcoming facility in Bengaluru will require significant capex, the focus remains on expanding the tractor-trailer fleet. Delhivery is also exploring engineering solutions to maximise the potential of current facilities to further enhance capacity.

Meeshos insourcing hits outlook

While Delhivery's first year of Ebitda profitability and growth in non-core segments are positive signs, the immediate future seems uncertain. The significant drop in express-parcel delivery highlights the volatility in its bread-and-butter business, and is a major cause for concern. In the near term, express volumes could be under more pressure owing to the insourcing of logistics by Meesho.

Also read: Delhivery announces drone research plan as revenue grows, loss narrows in Q4

Emkay Global Financial Services reduced its FY26 sales and Ebitda estimates by 5% and 8%, respectively after factoring in the insourcing hit, but said it expected a profit-after-tax turnaround in FY25. Remember that Delhivery continued to post a net loss in FY24.

Looking ahead, the company's ability to navigate the volatile market and restore profitability in its core segment will be crucial to regaining investors confidence and reversing the stock's downward trend. Losses had been narrowing but still persist. Profitability remains the key for the stock price to start an upward trajectory," said Nuvama Institutional Equities. The recent decline in Delhiverys stock has meant that returns so far in 2024 stand at 36%.

Also read: The fall and fall of India's logistics costs
May 22 - A U.S. judge on Wednesday allowed a lawsuit filed by Exxon Mobil against two activist groups seeking to bar their climate resolution to go ahead against one of the two groups.

The oil company's lawsuit raised alarm among activists and proxy advisers who argued it would muzzle debate among shareholders and public companies.

Exxon sued climate activist groups Arjuna Capital and Follow This in January and told the court it would not drop the matter after they agreed to withdraw their petition, citing "the likelihood" the pair could file similar resolutions in the future.

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman on Wednesday ruled that Exxon could continue its case against U.S.-based Arjuna Capital, saying it has authority to hear the case. But he said it could not pursue its claim against Netherlands-based climate activist group Follow This, finding it was outside the court's jurisdiction.

The activist groups argued that Exxon's legal strategy would allow the company to "haul its shareholders into any court in the United States."

The judge also denied Exxon's request for jurisdictional discovery, a pretrial process where a party seeks to obtain evidence to determine whether the court has the authority to hear the case.

Exxon's annual shareholder meeting will be held on May 29. Arjuna Capital and Follow This had asked Exxon to adopt so-called Scope 3 targets to reduce emissions produced by users of its products. Exxon is the only of the five Western oil majors which does not have such targets.

Follow This has made similar proposals at shareholder meetings of various oil majors over the past two years. However, it has been losing shareholder support due to tighter global oil supply, rising energy costs for consumers, and increased energy security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Follow This received approval from 28% of Exxon shareholders who voted in 2022. Last year it received just 10% of the vote.

Exxon shareholders have already rejected Scope 3 targets, the company contends, with shareholders campaigning for changes "calculated to diminish the company's existing business," it said.

Exxon won support from business lobby groups the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, which said the case "exemplifies activist groups' takeover of the shareholder proposal process to score ideological points."
Naveen Kulkarni, Chief Investment Officer, Axis Securities PMS, believes that BJP not winning 400 seats will not be negative for the market at all. A stable and predictable political regime is most important right now. Therefore, irrespective of the outcome, it won't significantly affect the market, he explained.

Kulkarni further noted that if FIIs are not big buyers post election, as they have been net sellers recently, then any significant market movement post election results can be ruled out, and it is more likely to be business as usual. His Nifty target for December 2024 is 25,000.

Edited Excerpts:

What are the key reasons behind the recent correction? Markets have seen some corrections due to volatility spikes but have also moved up post correction as investors saw opportunities at lower market levels. Some corrections in markets are always good, and the normalisation of market volatility keeps valuations in check. Market volatility before May 2024 was quite sluggish, but it has seen a reversion towards the mean before recently spiking above 20 levels. Higher market volatility indicates higher risks, which means that the market is more likely to consolidate around the current levels.

Read here: Indian Hotels, Cello World, Sobha and more: MOSL picks 10 midcap stocks for May Will BJP not winning 400 seats have a negative impact on the Indian market? BJP not winning 400 seats is not negative for the market at all. A stable and predictable political regime is most important right now. Therefore, irrespective of the outcome, it won't significantly affect the market.

Why have the FPIs been on a continuous selling spree? Will it continue post election results? Or a possible Modi win will give confidence to foreign investors to start buying again. FII investors look at markets globally. China's market valuations were cheap, and the government's focus on reviving growth has given investors confidence to allocate more capital to the market. Apart from China, other markets have also seen better returns in recent times, which has led to the movement of funds from India to other countries. Thus, the reallocation of trade was in line with global strategy and not event specific. A stable political regime will likely see money returning to India as that will provide investors with better long-term visibility.

Will the last 2 weeks before the election results see a rally or a correction? As of now, significant correction seems unlikely, but these short-term events are challenging to predict.

Read here: Election and Market: Weak voter turnout making investors nervous, say experts Most experts believe that since a Modi win has been priced in, there will not be much movement on election results day. Do you agree? Do you have a post-election Nifty target? This is a good assessment, as the rally after the state elections in December saw the market scaling new heights. The PSU rally has continued well past that period until very recently. Thus, most of the positives are largely priced in. If FIIs are not big buyers post elections, as they have been net sellers recently, then any significant market movement can be ruled out, and it is more likely to be business-as-usual post elections. Our Nifty target for December 2024 is 25,000. We do not consider short-term events because they are influenced by numerous technical factors and can exhibit random behavior.

Do you see RBI cutting rates in the post-election policy? RBI will continue its course to hold on to the rates even after the elections. We do not see RBI changing its course based on elections. Overall, we do not see a rate cut in 2024.

On the back of the current volatility, which is likely to continue, won't it be a better idea for low-risk investors to move to gold? Or will equity give better returns? Gold as an asset class has its own set of challenges. However, within equities, quality stocks like HDFC Bank and others are now available at much more reasonable prices. Thus, buying high-quality stocks is a good strategy at this juncture.

Read here: Market expecting positive end to the elections Do you have any contra bets with elections in mind? As indicated earlier, quality stocks are available at reasonable prices now. We also believe that consumer stocks could do much better post election as they have underperformed in the last year and are now available at reasonable valuations. Thus, quality consumer companies could be good contra bets at this juncture.

One piece of advice for new investors? Maintaining a high-quality quotient is a must in this market as volatility continues to rise. Another critical factor is liquidity. Thus, both these factors will help manage market volatility over the next couple of months.
Traders in India's stock market are turning to illegal election betting platforms for clues to combat the uncertainty regarding the outcome of the ongoing general elections, reported news agency Reuters.

According to the report, in the weeks leading up to the vote counting on June 4, the market has been keenly observing the trends on shadow-betting platforms, which have become widespread across the country. These platforms, where individuals place informal bets on political outcomes, indicate that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is anticipated to secure a narrower majority than initially predicted, it said.

In the run-up to vote counting on June 4, India's S&P BSE Sensex experienced volatility after hitting record highs before voting commenced. Concerns over lower voter turnout and voter fatigue have raised doubts about the margin of victory for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Read here: Indian Hotels, Cello World, Sobha and more: MOSL picks 10 midcap stocks for May Shadow betting markets, which have gained prominence nationwide, now predict that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP will secure just under 300 of the 543 parliamentary seats, highlighted the report. This is a significant decrease from the near 400 seats the party initially aimed for. The last major opinion poll before the election had forecasted that the BJP and its allies could win about three-quarters of the seats in parliament, Reuters noted.

In response to these developments, stock market traders are adjusting their portfolios. Jaimin Patel, a seasoned retail investor, relies on shadow betting markets to gauge broader investor sentiment. Due to the election uncertainty, Patel has reduced his holdings in India's small- and mid-cap stocks over the past two weeks, Reuters informed.

Foreign investors have also reacted, withdrawing over $3 billion from Indian stocks in May, which is nearly half of the inflows seen in the first four months of 2024, it further noted, adding they are now hedging their portfolios to manage risks. Deepak Jasani, head of retail research at HDFC Securities, told the news agency that both foreign and retail investors pay attention to betting numbers as a measure to validate their expectations and to exercise caution.

Read here: Election and Market: Weak voter turnout making investors nervous, say experts For the latest election odds, Patel turns to a network of bookies. One such bookie in Mumbai revealed that bets totaling up to 20 crore ($2.4 million) on the BJP's seat count had been placed with him, emphasising the massive, albeit illegal, betting market in India. The initial "at-par" quote three weeks ago suggested that the BJP would win 334 to 338 seats. Now, reflecting diminished expectations, the quote has dropped to 294 to 298 seats, observed Reuters.

These betting odds are influenced by unpublished information from journalists, polling station activity, and voter feedback, noted Reuters. Exit polls are scheduled to be released on June 1, coinciding with the end of the final voting phase.

In Phalodi, a significant betting hub in Rajasthan, bets are being placed not only on the total number of seats the BJP will win but also on various other outcomes, including state-by-state results and individual party performances, said the report.

Read here: Market expecting positive end to the elections Amit Sahita, director at Fincode Advisory Services, told Reuters that while the quotes from the illegal market lack analytical rigor, their message cannot be ignored by investors.
Robust order wins, increased budget allocation, the government's emphasis on reducing defence imports and promoting domestic procurement, improvement in defence exports, and improved financials have significantly bolstered investor interest in defence stocks, propelling them to hit record highs.

As a result, defence stocks have emerged as standout performers over the past year, multiplying their investors' wealth in a remarkably short span. Among the top performers in the defence industry, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has excelled, with a stellar return of over 277% in the past year.

The company is one of India's leading defence public-sector undertaking shipyards under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It is principally engaged in building and repairing ships, submarines, various types of vessels, and related engineering products for its customers.

Also Read: Defence modernization, indigenization programme to propel HAL

Since its inception in 1934, the company has delivered 802 vessels and built 28 warships and 7 submarines, as per the Q3FY24 earnings report.

Over the past three years, the company's shares have surged by 1282%. The shares are now trading 1900% above their issue price of 145 per share in October 2020.

It took the stock nearly 34 months to surpass the 1,000 mark after its listing. Subsequently, it took only four months to cross the 2,000 mark in September 2023, continuing its momentum to reach a new all-time high of 2,977 per share in the previous trading session, nearing the 3,000 level.

Strong order book As of the end of the December quarter, the company boasts an impressive order book totaling 38,389 crore, providing strong revenue visibility, according to the company's Q3 investor presentation.

Within the shipbuilding segment, significant orders include the P15B Destroyers and P17A Stealth Frigates, valued at 12,269 crore and 16,482 crore, respectively.

Also Read: Investing in Indian defence? Here are the top 5 PSU defence stocks

In the submarine and heavy engineering domains, contracts for projects like the P75 Kalvari submarines and Medium Refit and Life Certification (MRLC) of a submarine, worth 3,725 crore and 2,346 crore, respectively, are noteworthy additions to the order bookall secured from the Ministry of Defence.

Favorable geographical position India's strategic location along both the East and West international trade routes positions it advantageously for vessel repairs, offering promising opportunities for the company's repair segment.

Key container routes linking America and Europe with the East traverse close to India's coastline, presenting significant repair prospects.

As per the national perspective plan of the Sagarmala project, coastal and inland waterways traffic is expected to shoot up 15 times over the next 20 years. Similarly, capacity augmentation is expected to result in a five-fold rise in traffic capacity, from the existing 350 million metric tons. This is expected to bring in additional ship repair business.

Industry outlook The defence sector is poised for growth, supported by the government's robust commitment to its development. With the defence ministry targeting 70% self-reliance in weaponry by 2027, significant opportunities await industry participants.

Moreover, the government aims to boost India's defence exports to US$5 billion by 202425, underscoring the sector's increasing significance and potential.

In the interim budget for FY 202425, the Ministry of Defence received a total allocation of US$ 74.8 billion ( 6,21,540.85 crore), constituting 13.04% of the overall budget.

This represents a 4.72% increase over the previous fiscal year and an 18.35% surge compared to the allocation for FY 202223.

To attract foreign investment and fortify the defence sector, regulatory revisions in September 2020 enabled FDI to reach up to 74% through the automatic route and up to 100% via the government route in areas promising access to contemporary technologies.

Meanwhile, the company's Q4 and FY24 results are expected to be released on May 29. For the financial year ended March 31, 2024, the company recorded a turnover of approximately Rs. 9,400.00 crore (provisional and unaudited), compared to 7,827.18 crore in the previous year.
Domestic brokerage firm Motilal Oswal in its latest report has initiated coverage on MTAR Technologies with a 'buy' rating and a price target of 2,800 per share, highlighting the company's robust growth prospects. This target price reflects an upside of 32.7% from the stock's latest closing price of 2,110 apiece.

The brokerage noted that MTAR Tech has become a key supplier of precision-engineered systems to major global multinationals, government departments, and large Indian public and private sector enterprises over the years.

It says that the company's primary revenue stream comes from the clean energy fuel cells business, which is heavily reliant on Bloom Energy (BE). Additionally, the company's other business segments, including nuclear, space, defence, and products, present significant growth opportunities.

The brokerage emphasised that the company is well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities due to its strong manufacturing capabilities and established customer relationships.

It projects that MTAR Tech's business segments will experience robust order inflows, with a CAGR of 39% during FY24E26E, driven by rising global demand for fuel cells and increased government initiatives in the nuclear, space, and defence sectors.

Among these segments, the brokerage anticipates that the fuel cells segment will continue to dominate the order book and revenue, with its contribution expected to range between 50% and 57% by FY26, compared to 55%60% in FY24.

Clean energy: A growth catalyst The company specialises in manufacturing power units, particularly hot boxes like Yuma and Santa Cruz, which are essential components of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and electrolyzers used by Bloom Energy USA (BE), a global leader in SOFC production.

According to the brokerage, this segment has witnessed remarkable growth, with a CAGR of 41% from FY18 to FY23. It constitutes a significant portion of MTAR Tech's revenue, accounting for approximately 77% and 62% in FY23 and 9MFY24, respectively.

Notably, the United States and South Korea collectively represent 95% of the installed capacity of large-scale fuel cells for stationary applications, while other regions like Europe and Japan are exploring fuel cell adoption.

Also Read: Defence modernization, indigenization programme to propel HAL

BE secured orders worth $4.5 billion from the SK Group in South Korea for 500 MW of methane-based fuel cells. MTAR Tech has been entrusted with delivering 10,000 hot boxes to South Korea within the next three years to fulfill this order, the brokerage said.

With the South Korean government targeting the installation of 15 GW of fuel cells by CY40, which translates to a demand of 0.3 million hot boxes, the brokerage noted that the company is poised to benefit significantly.

This demand, coupled with the increasing global adoption of fuel cells, presents a lucrative opportunity for the company, given its status as the primary supplier of hot boxes to BE, as highlighted by the brokerage.

Furthermore, the company plans to expand its product offerings by introducing new items such as sheet metal fabrication and enclosures for fuel cells, thereby enhancing its market presence and potential revenue streams.

Also Read: Investing in Indian defence? Here are the top 5 PSU defence stocks

Traction improves in the space and nuclear sectors The company has been a crucial supplier of mission-critical components and assemblies for the space and nuclear sectors since its inception.

The Department of Space's budget is projected to reach 130 billion by FY25, up from 125 billion in FY22, with plans to launch 30-35 satellite missions between FY23 and FY25. Additionally, the Indian satellite manufacturing and launch systems market is expected to grow to 4648 billion by FY25, at a CAGR of 7-8%.

In the nuclear sector, the company has significant opportunities in the refurbishment market, with 2.6 GWe currently undergoing refurbishment and another 3.54.0 GWe expected by CY25.

The brokerage anticipates that the company will secure approximately 5 billion in orders for the Kaiga 5 and 6 reactors in FY25, significantly boosting its nuclear revenue growth.

It forecasts the space and nuclear businesses to achieve a revenue CAGR of 94% and 22%, respectively, over FY2426, driven by an order book CAGR of 19% and 75%, respectively.

Green hydrogen: Brewing opportunity As per industry reports, the green hydrogen market is expected to clock massive growth over CY22-CY27, with market value reaching $7.3 billion by CY27 from $676 million in CY22.

Also Read: Thermax sees green hydrogen, chemicals as key investment areas

Recently, the Union Cabinet of India approved a National Green Hydrogen Mission with total incentives of 197.4 billion (over $2 billion), with a projected production capacity of 5 MMT by CY30.

With strong traction visible in this space, the company has already put into motion its plans to capitalise on this opportunity. The brokerage expects this sector and MTARTECH to grow significantly in the coming years with a wider adoption of green hydrogen globally.

Financial outlook The brokerage firm is optimistic about MTAR Tech's ability to capitalise on growth opportunities, thanks to its robust manufacturing capabilities and strong customer relationship management.

It expects the company to achieve a revenue/EBITDA/adj. PAT CAGR of 38%/53%/67% over FY24-26, with Return on Equity (RoE) and Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) reaching approximately 23% and 21%, respectively, by FY26E (compared to around 12% and 11% in FY24).

Also Read: Adani Group eyes 5 GW electrolyzer capacity with up to $3 bn investment

Moreover, the brokerage foresees the company generating a total free cash flow (FCF) of 673 million between FY24 and FY26, with cash flow from operations (CFO) to EBITDA averaging 26%.
Shares of Hitachi Energy surged 8% to 11,700 apiece in early morning trade today following the release of impressive Q4 and full fiscal year (FY24) results. After market hours on Tuesday, the company reported a 123.7% increase in Q4 consolidated net profit, reaching 113.7 crore compared to 50.8 crore in Q4 FY23.

Sequentially, net profit soared 394.8%, with the previous quarter's profit at 23 crore. Revenue from operations for the reporting quarter rose by 27.2% YoY to 1,699.2 crore, while EBITDA increased by 96.3% YoY to 150.1 crore.

For the full FY24, the company reported a PAT of 163.8 crore and a revenue of 5536.3 crore, which is an improvement of 74.4% and 14.0% YoY, respectively.

A strong revenue performance, helped by a favourable external environment, helped to deliver double-digit margins, said N Venu, MD & CEO of Hitachi Energy India Ltd. Sustained Economic growth and ongoing investments in the energy transition, especially renewables, transmission infrastructure, data centres, and electrification of transport, are encouraging trends from a market perspective, and we are well positioned to leverage these as we continue to grow the business.

Order Book The company has secured several significant orders across various sectors. In renewables, the company has contracts for 220 kV and 400 kV AIS S/S. For Chennai Metro Rail, the company has secured contracts for dry and power Transformers. In the hydropower sector, Hitachi Energy has been awarded contracts for 9 X 400 kV GIS & 400 kV reactors.

Multiple state utility projects have resulted in orders for 4 X 765 kV transformers and 9 X 400 kV GIS. Additionally, Hitachi Energy has secured contracts for 2 X 220 kV GIS substations for data centre projects.

Moreover, the company has expanded its reach globally with export orders for renewables and utilities in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, including contracts for 220kV & 110kV transformers, 330/145kV LTB/IT/DS, and 16 X 66kV GIS, according to the company's Q4 investor presentation.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, orders totaled 1,406.7 crore, marking 13.9% QoQ and 11.5% YoY growth. This growth was driven primarily by industries focusing on the electrification and digitalisation of energy networks, spanning sectors from steel to silicon.

As of March 31, 2024, the company's order backlog stood at 7,229.5 crore, providing revenue visibility for the coming quarters. Service and export orders were up 43% YoY each, maintaining their strong contribution to the overall order book.

Exports of transformers, power quality technologies, and other key products to markets like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and neighbouring countries in South Asia accounted for around 25% of the order book.

"The first two quarters of the year were impacted by supply limitations such as delays in the procurement of semiconductors and other key electronic components. While continually monitoring the situation, the company has also deployed strategic initiatives to mitigate the impact of supply chain turbulence to the extent possible," the company said in its earnings report.

Multibagger Returns A year ago, shares of Hitachi Energy India were priced at 3,939 each. Today, they are trading at 11,412 marking an impressive gain of 189.71%. What's particularly notable is the stock's consistent positive performance, with 10 out of the last 12 months ending with gains, including a substantial 38% increase in April.

Taking a broader view, the stock has soared by 1578% from its March 2020 low of 680. Looking at its annual performance, it yielded returns of 90% in CY20, followed by 96% and 32.48% in the subsequent two years. In CY23, the stock saw a healthy return of 57.27%, and so far, this year, it has surged by 69.47%.

Hitachi Energy India delivers comprehensive energy solutions, ranging from power generation systems to grid stabilisation technologies and energy storage solutions. Hitachi Energy India has emerged as a prominent player in the energy sector through a strategic joint venture between ABB's Power Grids business and Hitachi Ltd. in 2018.

Outlook India's vast size and substantial potential for expansion imply that its energy demand will outpace that of any other nation in the coming decades. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India must develop a grid equivalent to the size of the European Union by 2040 to sustain its energy transition efforts.

Despite occasional macro-economic challenges, the underlying market drivers remain robust, presenting medium- to long-term opportunities for power technologies. This is particularly evident in high-growth segments such as renewables, HVDC, data centres, and transportation.
The Indian stock market benchmarks, the Sensex and the Nifty 50 continued to trade in a range on Wednesday, May 22, indicating caution as the Lok Sabha election 2024 outcome day draws closer.

The domestic market has been experiencing significant volatility in May so far, reacting to reports and speculations about low voter turnout and the potential election outcome. Sensex and Nifty 50 are down by up to half a per cent this month.

The final two phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election 2024 are scheduled for May 25 and June 1. Vote counting will begin on June 4, with the final results expected by the evening of the same day.

No major correction till the election outcome Experts anticipate that the Indian stock market will remain volatile until the final phase of the election on June 1. However, they do not expect the market to see a major correction in the run-up to the election outcome.

"Looking ahead to the Lok Sabha election outcome, it seems the market is set to continue its trajectory without major corrections, given that the markets are already factoring in the results. Despite recent declines due to foreign investor sell-offs, significant corrections are unlikely unless there is a major event," said Trivesh D., COO at Tradejini.

"Though we do not foresee a major correction in markets till the Lok Sabha elections, we do not rule out increased volatility. We sense that markets have priced in a win for the ruling government, with the actual number of seats expected to result in a sentimental reaction in the short term," said Manish Chowdhury, Head of Research, StoxBox.

After the election, the market mood will be influenced by central banks' monetary policy decisions, geopolitical developments and the Union Budget in July.

Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, Assistant Vice President - Research and Advisory at Master Capital Services, anticipates heightened market volatility until the election results are announced. However, he does not expect a significant market correction due to strong fundamentals.

Upadhyay said the Nifty 50 has been oscillating within a broad horizontal band of 21,800 to 22,800. The overall market sentiment remains bullish, favouring a buy the dip strategy.

Any correctional fall below 21,800 should contain around 21,500 and then 21,200, where fresh buying opportunities may emerge, according to Upadhyay.

Deven Mehata, an equity research analyst at Choice Broking, pointed out that the Nifty 50 is currently reflecting a strong recovery from the support range of 21,800-21,700 levels. This bounce back indicates robust buying interest at lower levels, suggesting a positive sentiment in the market.

On the higher side, the index has a resistance near 22,800, which is close to its all-time high. This level will be crucial as it might act as a barrier to further upward movement.

Mehata said if Nifty 50 declines before the Lok Sabha election outcome, it could present a buying opportunity in the 22,200-22,000 levels range, provided a strict stop loss at 21,800 levels on a closing basis is maintained.

On the other hand, should Nifty surpass its all-time high resistance of 22,800, the index has the potential to rally towards the 23,200 level ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, Mehata said.

Sandeep Raina, Executive Vice President-Research at Nuvama Professional Clients Group, does not foresee any wild movement in the market.

"Many investors may remain cautious or wait until after the results are announced to make decisions, as these results will provide a clearer trend. Nonetheless, corporate earnings will be of the utmost importance, with stock movements driven primarily by these results. We prefer to invest in the capex sector, such as power, renewables, defence, water, and capital goods," said Raina.

Stocks to buy According to V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, the market is likely to respond to the election outcome before June 4th.

Vijayakumar said investors can consider buying stocks before the results. Priority can be given to largecaps, which are fairly valued compared to the broader market, where valuations are much higher. A possibility around the election results time is both FIIs and DIIs turning buyers lifting the largecaps and the indexes to higher levels, he said.

Mint consulted several experts for their recommendations on stocks to buy on dips at this juncture. Here's what they said:

Manish Chowdhury, Head of Research, StoxBox The mediumto long-term structure remains bullish. It is driven by a combination of macro and corporate earnings, which still offer good room for growth.

Chowdhury advises investors to reduce their risks ahead of the election results and focus on large caps, where the valuation still looks favourable.

His top picks, which can be considered at current levels and added on dips, include Asian Paints, Dabur, and Avenue Supermarts. Over a 12-month horizon, they may offer a potential upside of 20 per cent from current levels.

Deven Mehata, Equity Research Analyst, Choice Broking Mehata recommends the following five stocks to buy on dips at the current juncture:

1. LIC on dips near 1,000 with a stop loss of 955 for the target of 1,090

2. TVS Motor Company on dips near 2,110 with a stop loss of 2,000 for the target of 2,310

3. Hindalco Industries on dips near 375 with a stop loss of 355 for the target of 420

4. SBI on dips near 810 with a stop loss of 780 for the target of 890

5. AXIS Bank on dips near 1,110 with a stop loss of 1,090 for the target of 1,200

CA Vatsal Vinchhi, Equity Analyst, Choice Equity Broking Vinchhi recommends buying the following stocks from various sectors:

PSU banks: Bank of Baroda and Bank of India

Auto sector: Mahindra and Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki

FMCG: Hindustan Unilever, Marico and Varun Beverages

Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, Assistant Vice President - Research and Advisory at Master Capital Services Upadhyay recommends buying DLF, Canara Bank, Tata Steel, Nippon Life India Asset Management and Tata Motors.

Narendra Solanki, Head Fundamental Research - Investment Services, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers From the largecap space, Solanki recommends buying Hero MotoCorp (target price: 5,650), Balkrishna Industries (target price: 3,500) and SBI (target price: 942).

From the smallcap space, Solanki recommends buying Dalmia Bharat (target price: 2,406) and United Breweries (target price: 2,300).

Read all market-related news here
The pairing of Meera Mukherjee with Jaidev Baghel in the Outside In exhibition at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru is certainly an intriguing one. Mukherjee was 26 years older to Baghel. When she visited his father, Sriman, in Kondagaon in the early 1960s to learn Dhokra metal casting, Jaidev would have been barely adolescent. While there may be some evidence to suggest that they met, it is unlikely they collaborated or influenced each other during their long careers. The connections are therefore apparent only in their shared metal casting approach using the lost wax method, and the presence of commonfolk in both their sculptures.

The most synergistic pairing, in hindsight, is served as soon as one enters the exhibition. He Who Saw, one of Mukherjees early works, is a towering two-metre-high figure. It was inspired by the local deities she saw during her visits to Bastar, and is meant to represent the one who witnessed the creation of the world. Her work is presented alongside Panch Mukhi Vandevi (Five-Headed Forest Goddess), Baghels polemic response to the exploitation of the environment in his region, where a glowering five-headed-goddess of the forest foretells the destruction of the world.

Throughout the exhibition, Mukherjees firebrand approach shimmers through the dark purple setting of the exhibition. Rain (1980), perhaps the most evocative of her works on show, captures masses huddled against a monsoon downpour. The water fails to pierce and drips down the bodies, its force of nature rendered futile by human solidarity against the lopsided odds. Mukherjees virtuoso metal work is epitomised by the way she has made the water glisten on the faces and the bodies, while the formation of green patina has added a surreal layer over time.

Also read: 5 events that make this a buzzing week

Nearby is Coal Miners (1980), another haunting sculpture made in the same year, which shows the pathos of a densely packed group of miners, exploited under inhuman working conditions. The embroidered kantha works I came across subsequently in the exhibition, albeit exemplifiers of her community-based art practice, struggled to spark a dialogue with Baghels works, and would be best experienced in isolation.

Critically engaging with her works remains incomplete without appreciating her journey. She was a young divorcee left to fend for herself in a conservative post-independence Bengali society, who rejected painting and took to sculpture, and looked to indigenous crafts for inspirationshe went against the odds on many fronts and lived life on her own terms.

View Full Image 'Madiya and Madin' (2007), Jaidev Baghel

Many of Baghels works are representations of the men and women from the Madia community, who were the main patrons for Ghadwa sculptors like him. A work that stands out is Madiya and Madin (2007), where he sculpted local gods as a working adivasi couple, bridging folk mythology and the everyday. Lakkad Deo, the woodcutter god, has an axe over his shoulder; Gappa Dei is shown with a basket on her head and a crowbar in her hand, dressed as an adivasi. A closer look at the sculpture also reveals mother earth opening up and reptiles and insects crawling out, drawing attention to our diverse forest ecosystems.

In Tree of Life (2006), another work drawn from folk ecology, Baghel creates the kalpavriksha (a wish-fulfilling divine tree, which is of immense significance in religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism) but embodied by the Mahua tree. It emphasizes the pivotal role this tree plays in the lives of the adivasi communities of central India. By proclaiming the Mahua tree as their Banyan, Baghel asserts that indigenous people have their own beliefs, rituals and customs whose pluralism need to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Also read: Artists respond to notions of time and space in the show Liminal Gaps

Baghels Raodeo (2012-2024) has an interesting story. When the curators visited the late artists home in Chhattisgarh earlier this year, they came across his unused moulds. With the involvement of his son Bhupendra, who now runs the workshop, they commissioned this piece, unsure how it would turn out after all these years. The sculpture of the tribal god, feared for shooting weapons at those who dare pass by his side, materialised fairly robustly, perhaps as a defiant metaphor in support of Baghels legacy.

The exhibition ultimately ends up as a study of contrasts, rather than welding convergences. While Baghels works are rooted in representation of his community; Mukherjees are liberated by their depictions of humanity. Her works are more palpable in their subversion and forceful in their expression. Home-schooled Baghel on the other hand walked a fine line between authenticity and innovation. In an endeavour to be better recognised as an artist, he started signing his works, created his own iconographies and explored non-traditional themes. Their works do not stylistically resemble each otherMeeras exhibited figures are somewhat abstracted, roughly finished and intense, while Baghels are more precise, ornamental and serene.

Mukherjees works in the exhibition come from the personal collection of Radhika and Abhishek Poddar (who also happen to be founder-trustees of MAP), while the works of Baghel are from a single unnamed Indian private collector. Mukherjees works are spread across a wider timeframe; almost all of Baghels works on show are from a brief three-year period from 2004 to 2007. While that makes the curation appear convenient and limited, the exhibition does manage to raise germane issues.

Also read: What to watch this week: Bridgerton, Return to Reason and more

The documentary film accompanying the exhibition highlights the vital need to preserve the artistic traditions of the indigenous communities, without leaving them dependent on the mass market for their survival. Amidst the ongoing centennial celebrations of many male modernist peers, Meera Mukherjees has come and gone quietly last year, which makes this exhibition a timely intervention. Perhaps From the Depth of the Mould, the commemorative book on her to be released shortly, will put her life and work in focus once again.

Outside In: Meera Mukherjee and Jaidev Baghel can be viewed at the Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru till 20 October.

Anindo Sen is an independent art and culture writer.
Consumer adoption of digital payments and digitization has accelerated since the pandemic. It has transitioned from a nice-to-have experience  or one demanded by tech-savvy users  to being a par for course expectation for most people.

According to Counterpoint Research, in 2023, out of the 152 million smartphones shipped in the country, 140 million were powered by Android. Considering India is primarily an Android market and the massive success of Google Pay in the country, it is surprising that it took Google nearly two years after the app was relaunched as a digital wallet platform in the US to finally launch Google Wallet in India. But here we are.

What is a digital wallet?

A digital wallet service, like Google Wallet on Android, lets users store and access their boarding passes, loyalty and gift cards, event tickets, and similar things you need on your person at most times.

In India, for instance, Google Wallet will work with a host of services.

PVR Inox, allowing users to add movie and event tickets seamlessly.

Airlines like Air India, Air India Express, and online travel companies like MakeMyTrip, Ixigo, and Easemytrip to help travelers easily save and access their mobile boarding passes.

Hyderabad Metro, Kochi Metro, VRL Travels, and Abhibus to help purchase and store public transport tickets.

Flipkart, Dominos, Shoppers Stop, and a plethora of brands supported by loyalty program enablers Pinelabs, EasyRewardz, and Twid to store and use digital copies of their loyalty and gift cards.

Of course, more local integrations will come over time. Additionally, for a service or business that isnt supported, you can always create a pass manually from images containing a barcode or QR code.

Google has also partnered with system integrators Wavelynx and Alert Enterprise to bring your corporate badge to Google Wallet (if your organization implements it, that is) to make accessing the workplace more convenient.

Googles roller coaster of apps

If you are of a certain internet vintage, you would remember Googles tryst with messaging apps  too many apps doing the same things and multiple branding shennanigans. From Google Talk to Google Voice to Hangouts to Allo to Duo to now, Google Meet (along with Google Messages on Android, of course).

When it comes to digital wallets, things havent been so bad, but they have had a muddled journey.
MUMBAI : What do UPI transactions worth a nominal 16 or 18 reveal? Anuj Kumar, managing director of CAMS, provides a clue: Chips and (bottled) water sell for 10 or 20." Therefore, frequent 16 or 18 transactions might hint at cigarette purchasescrucial information if youve declared yourself a non-smoker to your underwriter.

CAMS, Indias largest mutual fund transfer agency, is now leveraging such granular data through the Account Aggregator (AA) framework, raising critical considerations for both consumers and financial institutions. The AA framework can also alert you if your bank balance is insufficient right before a systematic investment plan (SIP) debit, preventing rejections.

In this interview, Kumar shares insights on how CAMS is enhancing investor experiences, particularly in the mutual fund ecosystem.

Edited excerpts:

How are you innovating with the Account Aggregator?

We found that 2-3% of SIPs fail due to insufficient balance in bank accounts. With the consent of the mutual fund asset management company (MF AMC) on the Account Aggregator, we can ping you on the morning of the SIP debit date and notify you if your balance is low. This ensures your SIP goes through and also helps you avoid bounce charges that some banks impose.

Were also using AA for personal finance management (PFM) and lending. In PFM, we enable AMCs and wealth managers to provide advisory services even to smaller clients. Heres how we help: if you are the target customer, we would ask you to register with CAMSfinserv. This allows us to fetch details of your bank, depository, mutual fund, insurance, pension fund, among others, on behalf of your wealth manager.

Once done, they can analyse the patterns and help plan your finances more effectively.

For insurance use, if UPI payments of 16 or 18 are frequent, indicating cigarette purchases, we can alert underwriters to verify the policyholders disclosures. Additionally, AA facilitates refreshing bank account details for F&O (futures and options) accounts annually.

View Full Image (Graphics: Mint)

How can we use email for transactions?

Today, we allow our users to send emails for transactions. You can write to us requesting to buy or sell 1,000 units of the XYZ fund. Our system reads the message, calculates the NAV (net asset value) times the quantity, converts it into a link, and sends it back to the investor for verification and execution.

Often, users dont remember login details for multiple apps and have one preferred app. If that platform is down or under maintenance, this feature can be very useful.

However, email transactions can become confusing when people send double-intent messages. For example, a customer might write, I bought this MF which you said will pay an annual dividend and I havent received it, but the NAV has also not gone up by much so please redeem and send me the money as my daughter is getting married." Such instructions can be confusing for automated systems. We now have the capability to read these intents, confirm them through a checker, and then execute the transaction or respond to the customer query more quickly.

Also This | Elections 2024: How to position your portfolio ahead of significant events

We were also the first to introduce a chatbot in the mutual fund space, capable of answering about 30 to 40 different queries. This is now being enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to understand both voice and intent.

Any innovation on the AIF and PMS side?

We were the first ones to bring about digital onboarding. This was the last bastion of the relationship manager where they had to collect 50 signatures from the end investor.

Today, almost all of it is done online with a few clicks. We have already onboarded 130 portfolio management services (PMSes) and alternative investment funds (AIFs). We are currently adding about one new player every week. They are acquiring the digital solution from us. And a lot of them have moved 25% to 35% of their traffic to online. That makes things a lot easier.

If investors were in Mumbai, it was still simpler, but think of those in Nashik or Ludhiana, etc. The flow of information has now become much faster.

Any improvement in account opening speed?

What used to happen was that KYC verification consumed time. Investors submitted a set of documents and we had to locate the same documents through the Aadhaar or from DigiLocker. Thats because we had to compare the details including the investors name, fathers name, date of birth, etc.

Now, through smart ML and AI, we can do this in less than 10 minutes. This has crunched the time it takes to start investing especially for mutual funds as the person can start transacting from day one. This has taken a lot of wrinkles out of the KYC system.

And This | Account aggregators see greater adoption by investment industry

However, on the demat form of holding, the creation of the unique client code (UCC) still takes about a day. So they cannot transact on the same day of registration.

What about non-financial transactions?

We have moved all non-financial transactions to T+1. This used to happen over a period of time typically three or five days. But we realized that the expectation of the customer is the same as the same-day food service delivery. This has taken a lot of automation and investment in it. Currently, we are executing more than 95% of non-financial transactions on a T+1 basis.

We also have immense capabilities for fraud prevention. We send more than 1 billion emails and 1 billion SMSes every year. We can reconcile all of that. Any investor could come up to us and say their units got redeemed but they hadnt applied for it. They might say that they did not receive the SMS or email for this. In this case, I can search my archives and establish what messages were sent from our side to the service provider, from them to the telecom provider, whether the telecom company sent the message to the customer, and if the customer received the message or not.

And if they did not receive, or there was a glitch in the network we can find out if you had gone outside your circle or if your phone was shut. We can figure all these out.

Your opinion on MFCentral?

MFCentral has two objectives: to attract traffic to the site and to enable MF capabilities on partner websites. Today, on MFCentral, you can do financial transactions, you can take common account statement (CAS), you can take capital gains (CG) statements, etc. All these capabilities are now live on partner websites. Today, more than 1 lakh people use CAS capability each day.

MF Central is gathering users at a rate of about 60,000 to 80,000 a month and this is an era where we havent pushed the pedal on marketing. That aside, financial transactions are one area where we expected a lot more growth.

Anything else?

For years, the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) and the e-NACH, which was the SIP mandate, have been the standard way of paying for mutual funds. Now UPI autopay is becoming a viable alternative for that.

In some time, you may see UPI replacing NACH since the time to register and time to trigger are both shorter in case of a UPI mandate. UPI mandate happens on the date of the SIP while for NACH this timeline is T-1.

Also Read: How to view all your MF holdings in one place
The recent advisory issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposing a cash disbursal limit of 20,000 for gold loan customers has stirred discussions across the financial sector. This directive aims to regulate cash transactions in the gold loan segment and address concerns related to transparency and accountability. This article reviews the implications of the RBI's advisory on both customers availing gold loans and businesses operating in the gold financing landscape.

RBI's advisory and clarity The RBI's advisory brings much-needed clarity to the cash disbursement process in the gold loan segment. By setting a specific limit of 20,000, the regulator aims to streamline transactions and mitigate risks associated with cash-based lending practices. This move is expected to foster greater transparency and compliance within the industry.



Also Read: Gold continues to shine brighter: 5 key reasons to add this precious metal to your portfolio

Impact on customers For customers availing gold loans, the shift towards non-cash disbursements may present certain challenges initially. Traditionally, cash disbursements have been a preferred option for many borrowers due to their convenience and immediacy. However, with the RBI's directive, customers will need to adapt to receiving funds through bank accounts, electronic transfers, or cheque payments.

While this transition may require adjustments for some customers, it ultimately promotes a more secure and traceable lending process. Indias strides in recent years on electronic transfers such as UPI make this easy, yet there is some distance to go to eliminate cash transactions of large values, and this directive is a step in the direction.

Impact on businesses Gold financing companies, including prominent incumbents, banks as well as the new NBFCs, are well-equipped to comply with the RBI's advisory. These organisations have robust processes, policies, and technologies in place to facilitate non-cash disbursements efficiently. As a result, the playing field in the gold financing sector is expected to level, ensuring fair competition among lenders.



Also Read: Benefits of Applying for a Gold Loan: Navigating the Advantages and Cautions

Short-term challenges and resilience In the short to medium term, there may be some customer resistance towards non-cash disbursements, particularly among those accustomed to cash transactions. This shift in customer behaviour could potentially impact the market share of organised lenders in the gold financing landscape, which currently stands at approximately 35%. Additionally, customers who previously preferred gold financing NBFCs for their cash disbursement nature may consider shifting to banks for their lending needs.

Adapting to the new normal While the transition to non-cash disbursements may pose challenges in the short term, it is expected to become the new normal for customers in the gold financing segment. Similar transitions have been witnessed in other financial sectors, such as microfinance, where non-cash transactions have become prevalent over time. As customers acclimatise to the change, gold financing NBFCs and banks alike will need to innovate and adapt to meet evolving customer preferences and regulatory requirements.

The RBI's advisory on cash disbursal limits for gold loan customers marks a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the gold financing sector. While the transition to non-cash disbursements may present challenges initially, it ultimately promotes a more secure and efficient lending environment. As customers and businesses adapt to the new normal, the gold financing landscape is poised for continued growth and innovation in line with regulatory expectations.
Enough. By Luke Hildyard. Pluto Press; 160 pages; $19.95 and 14.99

Two new books argue for doing away with the rich. Not in the Pol Pot sense of murdering them all, for the writersa Dutch professor of ethics and the director of a left-wing British think-tankare impeccably nice. Rather, they favour policies that would make it impossible to have too much" money.

How much is too much? Ingrid Robeyns of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, the author of Limitarianism", thinks the state should prevent anyone from accumulating more than $10m (or pounds, or euros; it is a rough figure). In addition to this hard political limit", she thinks there should be a much lower ethical limit". In countries where the state pays for health care and pensions, no one should amass more than $1m in savings, and society should scorn anyone who does.

Luke Hildyard, who runs the High Pay Centre in London and whose book is called Enough", stops short of an absolute cap" but suggests something close to it. No one should earn more than the current threshold for entering the top 1% of taxpayers, he believes. (In Britain that was over 180,000 a year in 2021-22; in America it was about $330,000 in 2021.) Redistributing additional income or wealth beyond this point, or enacting policies so that such riches never accrue in the first place, has no real downsides", he claims.

The authors offer many reasons for loathing the loaded. They are bad for the environment, with their private jets and occasional holidays in space. They aggravate housing shortages by owning multiple homes. Some of them buy political influence. Some acquired their wealth corruptly. A pragmatist might tackle these problems directly, by taxing carbon emissions, allowing more homes to be built, tightening campaign-finance laws or cracking down on corruption. But for Ms Robeyns and Mr Hildyard, everything depends on cutting the rich down to size.

They make the reasonable point that the marginal benefit of an extra $1,000 is greater for the poor than the rich. A hungry family could buy food for months; a banker might blow that amount on a single dinner, not including the wine. The authors go further, though, blaming rising inequality for a host of ills. A radically more equal society would be less stressed, they argue (no rat race!) and more cohesive (less envy!). The money hoarded by the rich could be used to uplift the poor and improve public services.

Mr Hildyard makes these points more conciselyand with flashes of wit. His riff about how many banknotes it would take to cover every floor in Britain1.7trn ($2.1trn) in fiversmade this reviewer smile, as did his musing on the relative prices of pointless luxuries. A one-hour guest appearance at your birthday party by James Corden, a British comedian who likes to sing karaoke in cars with celebrities, is about as costly as a half-kilo of cocaine, apparently.

When it comes to practicalities, however, both books lose their grip. How, exactly, can one abolish the rich? Mr Hildyard favours a maximum wage and a hefty wealth tax, among other measures. Ms Robeyns says it will require a patchwork of policies and is irritated by those who try to oversimplify her idea by describing it as a marginal tax rate of 100%. But if she is serious when she says that $10m should be as hard a limit as possible", that implies something very close to a marginal tax rate of 100%.

Such a policy would provoke tax-avoidance on an epic scale. Brainy advisers would strain every synapse to help rich folk hide their wealth or shift it to friendlier jurisdictions. If, against the odds, a government managed to thwart such tricks, many rich folk would emigrate. And if governments all adopted similar wealth-banning policies and enforcement was tight, as the authors desire, the effects would be even worse.

Imagine a world where any gain above 180,000 a year, or $10m over a lifetime, was forfeit. Highly productive peoplesuch as surgeons and engineers, never mind word wizards like J.K. Rowlingwould have no financial incentive to keep working after that point was passed. Perhaps some would carry on toiling out of altruism or for the love of the job. But many would be tempted to kick back, relax and deprive the world of their exceptional skills, drive and imagination.

Consider, too, the incentives such a system would create for entrepreneurs. You have an idea for a better mousetrap. Under the old system, you might mortgage your house to raise cash to build a mousetrap factory, in the hope of making a fortune. Under the new system, you must shoulder the same risks (such as losing your home), for a small fraction of the rewards.

Potentially big ideas would stay small. Even if your mousetrap is so good that the world might reasonably be expected to beat a path to your door, it would be irrational to borrow money to expand production. The financial risks of trying to build a global business fall on you. The rewards go to someone else. Only a mug would take such a bet.

Or a politician, betting with other peoples money. Indeed, most ventures that required hefty capital upfrontfrom chip factories to offshore wind farmswould probably have to be owned or backed by the state. Since the record of state-run industries over the past century has been one of cronyism, sluggishness and inefficiency, this ought to have given the authors pause.

Like many on the left, they gloss over the huge fall in global poverty over the past few decades and focus on inequality within countries, which they are sure is rising inexorably thanks to the unfairness of capitalism. But is it? In March Maxim Pinkovskiy, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and his co-authors published new estimates suggesting that global inequality fell dramatically between 1980 and 2019 and that inequality within countries had barely budged since the 1990s. (Though an asset-price boom later increased wealth inequality.)

There may still be a reasonable case for more redistribution, at least in some places. But in a study of 27 rich countries in 2017, Jacob Lundberg of Uppsala University in Sweden found that five (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Sweden) were already on the wrong side of the Laffer curve. That is, their top tax rates were so highadding up to around 70% in Sweden, for examplethat their governments would raise more money if they cut them.

The idea that governments might find a lot more cash from tax rates higher than Swedens is delusional. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIVs finance minister, said that the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to procure the largest quantity of feathers with the least possible amount of hissing." He did not add: unless its a big goose, in which case strangle it."

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 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Elvis Presleys granddaughter said fraudsters are trying to sell off Graceland, the home that belonged to the rock n roll legend.

Lawyers for Riley Keough, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, asked a Tennessee court to stop an auction of the storied Memphis property planned for Thursday. In an injunction request filed last week, they said a fake company is trying to defraud the trust that owns Graceland.

The auction was initiated by an entity known as Naussany Investments & Private Lending.

Naussany Investments filed a public notice for a foreclosure sale in Tennessee, alleging Lisa Marie Presley, who died in January 2023, defaulted on a $3.8 million loan it made to her. The group said it now owns Graceland because Presley defaulted on the loan. It said it would be selling the property to the highest bidder.

Last week, Chancery Court in Shelby County, Tenn., granted Keough a temporary restraining order on the sale ahead of a hearing Wednesday.

Lawyers for Keough said the documents showing Presley borrowed $3.8 million are forgeries, and Naussany Investments isnt a real company. Naussany Investments appears to be a false entity created for the purpose of defrauding the trust that owns Graceland, the heirs of Lisa Marie Presley or any purchaser of Graceland, the lawyers said in the complaint.

Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent, the group, which manages Graceland, said in a statement. The counter lawsuit has been filed to stop the fraud.

Naussany Investments couldnt be reached for comment. A phone number associated with the group didnt work. A lawyer for the group couldnt be identified. One of the associated addresses for the group was for a UPS store in Jacksonville, Fla.

According to the complaint, the notary public listed on Presleys purported loan documents said she didnt notarize the papers. The notary public also said she has never met Presley.

Presley, Elviss only child, controlled the trust until her death last year. Keough took over as trustee after her mothers death.

Presleys mother, Priscilla Presley, reached a settlement in 2023 with Keough over who would control the trust. The settlement came after Priscilla Presley challenged a 2016 amendment to the trust filed by Lisa Marie Presley that removed her mother as trustee.

The entire Graceland complex is over 200,000 square feet in size and includes an exhibition center and a 450-room hotel. Hundreds of thousands of fans visit the home every year.
Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim, who went missing last week, was allegedly murdered in Kolkata on Wednesday. In a news conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan called it a "planned murder".

"So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder," the Bangladesh Home Minister was quoted by ANI as saying. The minister informed that Bangladesh police arrested three persons in this connection, as per Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star.

The motive behind the alleged murder is yet to be know. "We will soon inform you about the motive," the minister said, adding that Indian police are cooperating with the case.

All you need to know about the matter so far: Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim had reached India on May 12. According to ANI, he was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up.

The MP had mentioned he would be travelling to Delhi. Still, there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13, a family friend in Kolkata's Bidhannagar had said. Only mobile messages were exchanged with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicating his intended journey to Delhi, ANI reported.

The MP's family friend, Gopal Viswas, was informed by the MP's daughter of her inability to contact her father. Concerned by the lack of communication and his sudden alleged disappearance, he then lodged a missing person complaint at the Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar, Kolkata.

"On the morning of May 16, he (Anwarul Azim) called his assistant, but could not connect. Later, when his PA called him back, he did not answer," according to the complaint dated May 18, 2024.

"His daughter called me (Viswas), and said, I can't communicate with my father. Then I (Viswas) contacted all his (Anarul Azim's) acquaintances on the phone, but it was not possible to contact him," it added.

"I was then requested to come to Baranagar police station on May 18 to register the complaint in the missing diary," a copy of the complaint said.

Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press), High Commission for Bangladesh in New Delhi, India, said, "As our Home Minister has announced, so I definitely believe that this has happened...But we still don't have any authentic information from the Government of India."

"So, we will have to wait. But we apprehend that he may have been killed or assassinated because our home minister has already announced it...There might be several reasons behind it. But we don't have any clear information...," he added.

Azim was the Awami League lawmaker from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency. Further updates on the circumstances surrounding the MP's death in Kolkata are anticipated as the situation unfolds.

Mahmood said Azim was a very frequent traveller to Kolkata and had good relations with the people in Kolkata. "He has a very close friend - Gopal Vishwas. Maybe, he came here for treatment or business purposes or any other issue. We don't know...His daughter is trying to come to Kolkata today...," he added.
A bomb threat was received by the Union Home Ministrys office at Delhis North Block, on Wednesday afternoon.

Two fire tenders have been sent to the spot, reported ANI quoting Delhi Fire Service (DFS).

Reports said that the threat was received on an email at 3:30 pm.

According to PTI, a police officer said that the call to the DFS was made after an officer posted at the North Block received the threat email.

"I was sent here following the (bomb threat) call. Probe is underway," said fire official Prem Lal.

Also Read: Ahmedabad schools receive bomb threat mails

Searches are under way. However, nothing suspicious has been found so far, the officer said.

Over the last few weeks, several schools in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru had received bomb threats via emails, creating a panic situation. However, all threats turned out to be hoaxes.

In an FIR, the Special Cell of Delhi Police said that the intention of the bomb hoax emails received by nearly 200 Delhi schools was to create mass panic and disturb public order.

According to reports, at least 125 bomb threat calls were received from different schools from 5.47 am to 2.13 pm on May 1.

On May 12, two hospitals in Delhi  Burari Government Hospital and Sanjay Gandhi Hospital  had received bomb threats.

On May 14, Delhi's Tihar Jail, too, received a threat call. However, nothing was found on the premises.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High court had sought a report from Delhi Police and the Delhi government, explaining the steps it has taken to ensure that children were evacuated safely from schools in the event of a bomb scare while hearing a plea related to hoax bomb call incident in private schools in the national capital.
Almost an hour after informing about temporary runway unavailability, Indigo airline said on Wednesday, The runway is now fully available again and flight operations to/from #Goa (GOX/MOPA) are back to normal.

Two hours ago, the airlines had issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling from and to Goa, saying that flights to and from Goa were getting impacted due to temporary runway unavailability.

Due to temporary runway unavailability, flights to and from Goa (GOX/ MOPA) are getting impacted, said IndiGo in a post on X.

The airline had also advised passengers to stay updated on their flight status and reach out to the airline's crew or on-ground team for immediate assistance.

The closure of the runway at Goa's newly developed airport necessitated the cancellation or rescheduling of several flights, causing inconvenience to travellers.

The temporary runway unavailability at Manohar International Airport, also known as MOPA, is expected to significantly impact flight schedules, news agency ANI reported.

Indigo Airlines, one of the major carriers operating in and out of Goa, has been actively managing the situation by rerouting flights and providing alternative travel arrangements where possible.

Passengers travelling to or from Goa are advised to check their flight status regularly through the provided link or the airline's official channels.

Earlier in the day, the airline said that flights were impacted due to thundershowers in and around Shillong, and asked passengers too explore alternate options or claim a full refund.

"#6ETravelAdvisory: Flights are impacted due to thundershowers in and around #Shillong. To explore alternate options or claim a full refund, please visit https://bit.ly/31lwD2y. For any immediate help, feel free to reach out to our on-ground team," Indigo posted ox X around 5 pm on Wednesday.

Around 12 pm, the airlines informed, "#6ETravelAdvisory: Thundershowers ahead for #Bengaluru, #Chennai and #Kolkata."

In May, the low-cost carrier, IndiGo, announced direct flights between Jharkhand's Deoghar and Bengaluru three times a week from June 1. A company statement informed that the direct flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

"On these days, flight number 6E 6435 will take off from Bengaluru at 10.05 am and reach Deoghar at 12.25 pm. The return flight, 6E 6437, will leave Deoghar at 12.55 pm and land in Bengaluru at 3.25 pm," it said.
Clean water is a basic necessity for all. But access to it has been a longstanding challenge in India, with rural areas seeing unequal water distribution and inadequate infrastructure.

To address this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on 15 August 2019. The progress of the scheme and the challenges it faces forms the second part of our ongoing Plain Facts series as the ruling party seeks a third straight term.

JJM aimed to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural homes by 2024. Though it is yet to reach its target, it has made huge progress in five years, with 76.6% of the estimated 193 million rural households having tap connections as of 22 May, up from 16.8% when the scheme was announced in 2019.

Also read: The dichotomies that define Indias rural jobs promise

While 11 states and Union territories reported 100% coverage, seven were behind the national average. (Not all well-performing states benefited from the JJM alone, as state-level schemes also helped in some places, such as Bihar.) West Bengal and Rajasthan were particularly stressed, with less than half of rural households having a tap connection.

But after this infrastructure push comes the challenge of making it work. The progress there leaves much to be desired.

Beyond the taps

To assess how functional these taps were, the government commissioned a survey by HTA-Kantar Public in 2022, covering nearly 300,000 households in 13,303 villages. The survey defined functionality on the basis of three criteria: adequate quantity (at least 55 litres per capita per day), prescribed quality (the water should be potable), and regular availability (round the year).

Also read: The depth of Indias water crisis, explained in charts

It found that 86% of the tap connections were working on the day the data was collected. Of these, 85% received adequate quantity, 87% provided potable water, and 80% had a regular supply. But only 62% of these connections met all three criteria .

For three statesRajasthan, Kerala and Manipurthis figure was 40% or less, while it was 80% or more in four others: Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Telangana. (Note that the 62% figure for functional taps translates to just 53% of the overall sample.)

This shows that infrastructure alone is not sufficient to fulfil the needs of households. This is of huge importance because water contamination is an issue in several parts of the country where the disease burden is already high.

A Parliamentary standing committee report said earlier this year that of the 57,539 habitations across India where water quality was found to be poor as of 15 August 2019, 38% still lacked safe drinking water as of February 2023. In these habitations, iron and salinity were found to be the biggest contaminants, while several also had arsenic and fluoride contamination.

Source sustainability

More than 80% of the types of tasks taken up under the JJM rely on groundwater as their source. But groundwater has its own set of drawbacks, and if it becomes too depleted, the tap connection is not sustainable.

Considering two-thirds of Indias terrain is made of hard rock, groundwater is not easy to extract and is vulnerable to exploitation. Moreover, a only a tiny percentage of rainfall actually make its way into the ground because of this. The groundwater level also falls during Indias hot summers, which exacerbates concerns about its reliability.

Also read: Inadequate government funding keeps healthcare, education in crisis mode

Groundwater levels in 25% of India's districts are already classified as over-exploited, critical, or semi-critical, according to data from the Central Ground Water Board. Groundwater is also susceptible to contamination by chemicals such as arsenic and fluoride, which puts severe strain on water availability, especially in rural areas, as a previous Plain Facts article explained.

Nitin Bassi, senior programme lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, said these are natural or geological constraints, and the solution is to increasingly shift to using surface water.

Measurement gaps

Once all households in an administrative unit are receive a water connection, the unit is granted Har Ghar Jal status. According the latest data on the JJM dashboard, only 20% of villages have been given this status as of 22 May.

Under JJM , the quantity of water supply is measured at the village level. This poses a challenge in determining whether the water is reaching the end user. In 2020, a year after the the scheme was launched, internet-of-things-based sensors were installed in nearly 200 villages to measure water supply on various parameters, including quantity.

Barring this, there is no primary data on how much water households in these villages receive. A household-level survey or installing water meters could help measure the distribution of water within villages in a more useful manner.

JJM has provided more than 115 million households with a tap connection since its inception but experts say it is still a work in progress. "While physical infrastructure has been put in place, ensuring regular supply of adequate and quality water to the end user remains a challenge," Bassi said. Though steps have been taken in this direction, more needs to be done to make the water systems reliable."

This is the second part of a four-part data journalism series on the progress of key welfare schemes. Read about the rural jobs scheme here (Part 1), the rural roads scheme here (Part 3), and the rural housing scheme here (Part 4). Also read our pre-election report card in the seven-part Election Pitch series here.
Odisha Cyclone Alert: An intense cyclone is expected to hit the Bay of Bengal on May 23, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an advisory for fishermen against venturing into the sea off the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal.

Director of the IMD's Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, Sunanda, told newswire ANI that fishermen must return by Thursday as there is a possibility of very heavy rainfall with high winds in central parts of the Bay of Bengal.

She said that a low-pressure area is expected to form over the Southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, move further northeastwards and intensify into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by the morning of May 24.

".along the coast over the northern part of Odisha and West Bengal, there is a likelihood of heavy to very heavy rain with high wind. So fishermen are advised not to venture out in the sea from these coasts during May 23 to 24," she told ANI.

Besides Odisha, the cyclone is also expected to impact Maharashtra and Gujarat between May 23 and May 27, according to the Met Department forecast. Hence, the weather office has predicted heavy rainfall for Gujarat and Mumbai around May 28, 2024.

On Wednesday, the weather forecasting agency stated that a low-pressure area had formed over the southwest adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal.

 to move northeastwards and concentrate into Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by 24th Morning. Continue to move northeastwards and intensify further thereafter, IMD wrote on X.

Light rainfall in THESE states till May 23 The weather office has predicted light rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and other states until May 23.

The Met department has also predicted light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Telangana until May 23.

Meanwhile, Kerala has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past few days. The state government has urged residents to exercise vigil, particularly those in hilly and coastal areas.
Porsche Pune accident: The 17-year-old driver of the speeding Porsche involved in the fatal accident in Pune on Saturday night, which claimed the lives of two individuals in their 20s, was granted bail just 15 hours after his arrest.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar told NDTV that the police are endeavouring to establish a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, focusing on the aspect that there is the awareness that the act could result in death.

Addressing the bail order issued by the Juvenile board, Kumar stated that the accused asserted that he was an alcohol addict and was not in control of his faculties at the time of the accident.

The accused has mentioned in his plea that he is addicted to alcohol. Irrespective of the blood report, we are trying to prove that he was fully in his senses to know that this rash act of his is likely to cause death, Kumar told NDTV.

The Pune police Chief expressed the desire for the teen to be sent to a remand home until the court decides on their plea to prosecute him as an adult.

The minor, who was driving the vehicle, is the son of a prominent realtor from the city and is just four months shy of turning 18, the minimum age required to operate a car legally.

The Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the minor under certain conditions: he must work with traffic police in Yerwada for 15 days, write an essay on accidents, undergo treatment for his drinking habit, and attend counselling sessions.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that concerns have been raised regarding pubs and restaurants not strictly checking the age of consumers to prevent underage drinking, PTI reported.

The police have been instructed to enforce rules formulated for liquor-serving establishments, said the home minister.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has called for the removal of Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar following the car crash incident. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut accused the police of providing a misleading report regarding the incident and questioned whom the Pune police chief was attempting to protect.
Amid uproar over the May 19 accident involving a Porsche car driven by a 17-year-old boy in which two people were killed in Pune, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) cancelled the minor's bail on Wednesday and sent him to a rehabilitation home till June 5.

In another development, a sessions court in Pune also remanded the minor's father in police custody till May 24.

The accident sparked outrage on social media, while a war of words ensued between the BJP and Opposition leaders over the minor accused getting immediate bail in the case. However, police approached the JJB again to seek a review of its order, following which the minor's bail was cancelled on May 22.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has said the CCTV footage of one of the hotels clearly shows the juvenile was consuming alcohol.

Here are 10 key developments: What happened On May 19, the Porsche car, allegedly driven by the juvenile, knocked down two motorbike riders in Pune's Kalyani Nagar, leading to their deaths. The police have alleged that the juvenile was drunk at the time of the accident.

Who died in the accident Two IT professionals died in the crash. They were identified as Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both residents of Madhya Pradesh. Awadhiya was a resident of Birsinghpur Pali in Umaria district, whereas Koshta hailed from Jabalpur.

Bail cancelled The Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the minor accused on the same day (May 19) and directed him to visit the Regional Transport Office, study traffic rules, and submit a presentation to the Board within 15 days. "The CCL (Child in Conflict with Law) will write an essay of 300 words on the topic of road accidents and their solutions," PTI quoted, citing the board's order. Later, the police approached the board to seek a review of its order. On Wednesday, May 22, the board cancelled the minor's bail and sent him to a rehabilitation/observation home till June 5, reported ANI.

Father of juvenile arrested After uproar on social media platforms, the teenager's father, Vishal Agarwal, who is a real estate developer, was arrested from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) on May 21.

Father, two others sent to police custody On May 22, the minor's father and employees of Black Club pub -- Nitesh Shevani and Jayesh Gavkar -- where the juvenile had allegedly consumed alcohol at the pub, were produced before additional sessions judge SP Ponkshe. The court sent them to police custody till May 24.

What FIR says According to the FIR, the real estate developer gave his son the car despite knowing that the boy did not have a driving licence, thus endangering his life, and allowed him to party even while knowing that he drinks alcohol, reported PTI.

Charges against father, hotel owner Police registered a case against the teenager's father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, and against the owner and employees of two bars for 'serving alcohol to an underage person'. -

Section 75 deals with willful neglect of a child, or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses.

Section 77 deals with supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Also Read: Pune Porsche accident: Cosie and Blak bar sealed Why police want father's custody The prosecution demanded police custody, stating that the police wanted to investigate why the father allowed his son to drive the car, which did not have a number plate. They also need to investigate why he absconded after a case was registered against the son. According to PTI, the public prosecutor also said that the father had in his possession a simple, no-frills mobile phone when arrested, and "the police need to investigate where his other phones are".

Grandfather linked to Chhota Rajan, says report According to an India Today report, Surendra Kumar Agarwal, the grandfather of the accused, is reportedly facing trial in a shootout case for allegedly making payments to gangster Chhota Rajan. The report further said that SK Agarwal is implicated in a case involving a property dispute with his brother, RK Agarwal, which allegedly led to collaboration with Chhota Rajan's criminal network.

Shiv Sena (UBT) questions Fadnavis' Pune visit Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Wednesday asked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis whether his visit to Pune following a car crash incident was aimed at shielding the investigative agencies in the case.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was reportedly hospitalised in Ahmedabad's KD Hospital after suffering a heat stroke. The actor is allegedly admitted to the hospital due to dehydration.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan was admitted to K D Hospital after suffering from a heat stroke," Ahmedabad (Rural) Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat told news agency PTI.

His wife, Gauri Khan, rushed to Ahmedabad to reach KD Hospital earlier today.

King Khan, the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was in Ahmedabad for the play-off match between KKR and SRH yesterday.

The actor reportedly suffered from heat stroke due to the extreme heat at yesterday's IPL 2024 KKR vs SRH match, leading to his illness and subsequent hospitalisation.

According to an India Today report quoting doctors at KD Hospital, Shah Rukh had suffered from dehydration.

SRK had reached the hotel with the KKR team late on Tuesday, and the following afternoon (May 22), the actor complained of his worsened condition.

Security has been tightened around the hospital, they said.

Actor Juhi Chawla, a close friend of SRK, and her husband Jay Mehta were seen leaving KD Hospital today.

The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for a heat wave in Gujarat. Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. It rose to 45.9 degrees on Wednesday.

Today is Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's daughter Suhana Khan birthday.

Suhana celebrated her birthday eve by witnessing KKR's spellbinding performance against SRH in IPL's qualifier 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Top Events on May 22: India is set to witness various political, legal, technological, and sports events today, May 22, Wednesday. PM Modi will hold a Lok Sabha election rally in Delhi, while the weather office has issued heatwave alert till May 22. Take a look at top events of the day below,

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in West Delhi's Dwarka constituency to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday.

- The Delhi high court has ordered SpiceJet to pay $1.58 million to its engine lessors Team France and Sunbird France by 22 May, saying the aircraft with the leased engines would be grounded if the dues were not paid.

- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave alert for parts of North India and forecasted heavy rainfall in South India till May 22, Wednesday.

- The Mumbai Police custody of accused held in firing incident outside Bollywood star Salman Khan residence will end today, May 22.

- Around lakhs of farmers will gather at Datesinghwala-Khanauri, Dabwali in Haryana as the farmers' movement has completed 100 days today.

- After a seven-year hiatus, Odisha will conduct an elephant census across 43 forest divisions from May 22 to 24.

- The Joint Admission Committee (JAC), Delhi has postponed the 2024 counseling registration, now starting after May 22 in the national capital.

- The National Green Tribunal will be hearing the Wanowrie eco-park case on May 22 in Maharashtra.

- A 40-year-old Sandhiya Pul railway bridge in Rajkot will remain closed for vehicular traffic from May 22 in Gujarat as the demolition process will begin today to build a new ROB in its place.

- The Kollam additional sessions court will hear the acquittal plea filed by Sandeep, the accused in the Dr Vandana Das murder, on May 22.

- The Jammu and Kashmir High Court will hear a petition of Enforcement Directorate seeking cancellation of bail to Congress Lok Sabha poll candidate Lal Singh and his wife today.

- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch its latest mission known as the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-Infrared Experiment (PREFIRE) today. It will investigate the amount of heat radiated from Earth's polar regions into space and how this affects our climate.

- Mercedes-Benz India will launch two new top-end cars on May 22.

- Realme GT 6T, Realme Buds Air 6 India will be launched today in India.
A Chennai-based YouTuber has landed into legal trouble after sharing a "gender reveal" video for his unborn child on his channel. Irfan, a food blogger, travelled to Dubai with his wife to determine the gender of their unborn child.

Irfan's channel has over 4.2 million followers, and the above-mentioned video has garnered about two million views.

A norm in the West, gender reveal of unborn children is illegal in India. After the video went viral, it attracted criticism from several viewers. Some also said that it may only be a publicity stunt to increase the number of subscribers.

Also read: Tamil Nadu police arrest YouTuber Savukku Shankar over defamatory remarks against women cops The Tamil Nadu Health Department then issued Irfan a notice saying that actions like this could "lead to a decline in birth of girl babies" not just in the state but also across the country, as reported by NDTV.

The department also wrote to the cyber wing to remove Irfan's video. After the notice, Irfan said that he had removed the video from his channel.

What does the Indian law say about gender reveal videos? Under the Pre Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 1994, revealing the gender of an unborn child is illegal and punishable in India.

Also read: How many will be jailed?: SC grants bail to YouTuber Sattai accused of derogatory remarks against MK Stalin The act says that it is "intended to prohibit pre-natal diagnostic techniques for determination of sex of the foetus leading to female foeticide".

"Such abuse of techniques is discriminatory against the female sex and affects the dignity and status of women," it further reads. The violation of the act may lead to imprisonment, which may extend to 3 years, and fine, which may extend to Rs. 10,000.
Three European countries, Norway, Ireland and Spain, announced on Wednesday that they are recognising Palestine as a state, in a historic move that has met with condemnation from Israel and celebrations among Palestinians, newswire AP reported. The three countries said they would formally recognise Palestine as a state on May 28.

Meanwhile, Israels Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, recalled Israels ambassadors to Norway, Ireland and Spain in protest at the three governments' recognition of a Palestinian state, reported AP. The twisted step of these countries is an injustice to the memory of the 7/10 victims, he said in a statement.

During the press conference in Oslo on Wednesday, Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, announcing that they formally recognise a Palestinian state, said, There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition, newswire AP reported.

The Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway and that it was a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine. He noted that the recognition was intended to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced this to the nations parliament on Wednesday. We know that this initiative wont bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope, Sanchez said.

The coordinated decision from the two European Union countries and Norway brings the number of countries that recognise a Palestinian state to at least 141. Several other European Union countries have also signalled that they plan to recognise Palestine, deepening Israels isolation. Malta and Slovenia, which also belong to the 27-nation European Union, may follow suit, as reported by AP.

Also read: India votes in favour of UN membership for Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war in Gaza The Norwegian Prime Minister said, The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, while adding, Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.

Also read: India supports Two-State solution for Israel and Palestine at UN | Watch Norway's announcement comes almost 30 years after Israel and Palestine signed the first Oslo agreement in 1993. The Oslo Accords were a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed at initiating a peace process for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by negotiating a mutually agreed-upon two-state solution.

Also read: To arrive at a lasting solution: India condemns humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid Israel-Hamas war This month, hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes following large-scale assaults by Israeli forces on the northern and southern borders of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has continuously restricted the flow of aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region and increasing the risk of famine.

AP reported that there is growing diplomatic pressure on Israel as the battle with Hamas stretches into its eighth month. On May 11, the UN General Assembly voted by a significant margin to grant new rights and privileges to Palestine, indicating growing international support for a vote on full voting membership.
Top news of the day: On 22 May, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. A bomb threat was received by the Union Home Ministrys office at Delhis North Block. China's top internet authority has introduced a language model rooted in President Xi Jinping's political philosophy. Nykaa has reported a significant surge in profits for the quarter ended March.

Delhi news: High Alert in place as Home Ministry office in North Block receives bomb threat mail A bomb threat was received by the Union Home Ministrys office at Delhis North Block, on Wednesday afternoon. Two fire tenders have been sent to the spot, reported ANI quoting Delhi Fire Service (DFS). Read more

Norway, Ireland and Spain move to recognise State of Palestine, Israel furious | A simple guide to conflict In a historic move, three European countries  Norway, Ireland and Spain  announced their plans to recognise a Palestinian state. The development irked Israel, which immediately recalled its envoys to Ireland, Norway and Spain. Read more

Arvind Kejriwal breaks silence on Swati Maliwal assault case: 'Two versions of event' In his first reaction on AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's 'assault' case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said there are two versions of the event and that police should investigate both versions fairly. Read more

China against ChatGPT; introduces its own secure AI system rooted in Xi Jinping's ideology China's top internet authority has introduced a language model rooted in President Xi Jinping's political philosophy, described as a "secure and reliable" closed AI system, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. Read more

Delhi Metro services to start early on May 25  check Lok Sabha elections voting day train timings Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday announced that on May 25, the day of voting in the national capital, metro train services on all routes will start from 4 am. Read more

Nykaas Q4 net profit soars to  9.07 cr amid strategic acquisitions Cosmetics and fashion retailer Nykaa has reported a significant surge in profits for the quarter ended March, buoyed by robust growth in its beauty and personal care segment. The company operated by FSN E-Commerce posted a net profit of 9.07 crore, up around 300% compared to a year ago period. Read more
May 22 marks an important day in history, featuring significant events that left lasting impacts on world history. Take a look:

Joplin tornado in US, 2011 The Joplin tornado was indeed a devastating event. It occurred on May 22, 2011, and ranks as one of the deadliest tornadoes in US history.

The tornado carved a path of destruction through Joplin, Missouri, causing catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

The storm's intensity and size were particularly notable, with winds reaching estimated speeds of over 200 mph (320 km/h) and a width of up to one mile (1.6 km).

Hitler and Mussolini signed Pact of Steel, 1939 The Pact of Steel was a military and political alliance between Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini. It was signed on May 22, 1939, in Berlin, Germany. The pact strengthened the ties between the two dictators and their regimes, committing them to mutual support during the war.

The agreement outlined that the other signatory would come to its aid if either country were attacked by a third party not already involved in the conflict. This pact further solidified the Axis powers, including Japan, as they moved towards World War II.

French poet Victor Hugo died, 1885 Victor Hugo, the renowned French poet, novelist, and dramatist considered one of the most significant figures of the French Romantic movement, passed away at the age of 83.

His literary legacy extends beyond his lifetime, with works like Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame leaving an indelible mark on literature and culture worldwide. Hugo's writings often explored themes of social justice, human suffering, and the pursuit of freedom, making him a towering figure not only in French literature but in global literary history.

Richard Wagner was born, 1972 Richard Wagner, the influential German composer known for impacting Western music through his operas and compositions, was born in Leipzig, 1972.

His works, characterized by their dramatic intensity and innovative musical techniques, remain significant in the classical music canon. Wagner's operas, such as "The Ring Cycle" and Tristan und Isolde, broke with conventional musical forms and thematic material.
Prince Harry declined an invitation from King Charles to stay at a Royal residence during his UK visit while he suggested that his father was too busy to meet him. The revelation comes from The Telegraph, which learned that the Duke of Sussex declined the invitation due to security concerns.

Also Read: Harry-Meghan in panic mode? 'Explosive' new documentary may reveal Markle's past secrets, first marriage Harry spent three nights in London for the Invictus Games' 10th anniversary but did not see the King. Earlier, he was reported to have met with his father during the visit. Eventually, the father and the son got engaged in separate programmes.

The publication reported that Charles allowed his younger son to stay at a Royal residence since he no longer had an official UK home. If accepted, it could have been a chance to spend time together. However, the Duke declined due to lack of security, opting for a hotel instead to maintain privacy, the publication added.

Also Read: Prince Harry chose to be in a hotel despite staying near King Charles, decided not to visit his father Royal residences are heavily protected with armed officers at the gates. However, the Duke was mainly concerned about his security outside these properties. Harry was upset about losing his automatic police protection, which hinders reconciliation with his father, according to The Telegraph.

Harry must give at least 28 days' notice before visiting the UK, including all travel details, for security assessment. Most of his requests have been denied, except for trips related to Royal events like the Coronation.

Harry concerned about security In February, he received a police escort from Heathrow to Clarence House to meet the King after the 75-year-old monarch had been diagnosed with cancer. However, he had no protection when travelling from the residence to his hotel.
Anwarul Azim Anar, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Bangladesh, who had been missing in India from May 18, was found murdered in West Bengal's Kolkata, on Wednesday.

Who was Anwarul Azim Anar Anwarul Azim Anar was a lawmaker from the ruling party Awami League. He was representing Jhenaidah-4 constituency in Bangladesh.

Visit to India Anwarul Azim entered India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. According to reports, he was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up.

Family friend says The MP mentioned he would be travelling to Delhi, but there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13, reported PTI quoting family friend Gopal Viswas in Kolkata's Bidhannagar.

Mobile messages His mobile messages exchanged with his family in Dhaka and his friend in Bidhannagar, indicated his intended journey to Delhi.

Missing compliant According to the complaint dated May 18, 2024, PTI reported that on the morning of May 16, he (Anwarul Azim) called his assistant, but could not connect. Later, when his PA called him back, he did not answer.

Who filed complaint? The complaint was filed at the Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar, by the MP's family friend, Gopal Viswas, after the MP's daughter informed her inability to contact her father.

Found Murdered Bangaldesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday announced that Anwarul Azim Anar, was found murdered in Kolkata.

Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was murdered at a Kolkata flat. So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder, reported PTI quoting Khan.

However, when asked about the whereabouts of the body, he said that they were yet to know about it.

Motive still unknown Asaduzzaman Khan said that he will soon inform about the motive and added that Indian police are cooperating with the case.

CID IG on MP's murder An SIT was formed to start an investigation and in the meantime, West Bengal Govt got a letter from MEA to investigate this case. Today, we got an input that he has been murdered. We are trying our level best to solve this case. CID is investigating this matter, reported ANI quoting Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, CID IG.

We had no prior intimation of the Bangladeshi MPs arrival to this city. We came to know about him after his acquaintance in Kolkata, Gopal Biswas, filed a missing diary on May 18. We were in the middle of that investigation when, on May 20, we received an intimation from the Ministry of External Affairs and today an input that makes us suspect that the victim may have been murdered, PTI quoted Chaturvedi as saying.

Family to arrive in India Azim's family members are also set to arrive in Kolkata for further formalities, and their visa process is underway.
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G7 finance chiefs gather in Stresa, Italy on May 24-25

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US pushing for Ukraine loan backed by Russian assets

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Technical aspects elusive, deal not expected this week

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G7 seeking united front against Chinese trade threat

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Global corporate tax, wealth tax also on G7 table

By Gavin Jones and Giuseppe Fonte

ROME, - G7 finance chiefs meeting in Italy this week will attempt to find common ground on pulling forward earnings on frozen Russian assets to boost funding for Ukraine's war effort and pushing back on China's growing export strength in key sectors, officials said.

Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies - the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada - will gather in the northern Italian lakeside town of Stresa on Friday and Saturday.

G7 negotiators have been discussing for weeks how to best exploit some $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets, such as major currencies and government bonds, which were frozen shortly after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The United States is pushing to find a way to bring forward the future income from those assets, to back a loan that could provide it with as much as $50 billion in the near term.

However, several officials from G7 countries, including the U.S., said many legal and technical aspects need to be hammered out, and a detailed accord is not expected to be reached in Stresa, several officials said.

"We're not looking for term sheets over the weekend," a senior U.S. Treasury official said, referring to legal documents that describe basic investment terms and conditions.

Instead, the official said on condition of anonymity that the G7 ministers are trying to build consensus around a plan for that would give Ukraine enough money up front to meet medium-term war and civilian needs and signal to Russia that it "cannot outlast" Western powers financially. The talks are aimed at presenting a proposal to G7 heads of government who will meet in Puglia, southern Italy, on June 13 to 15.

Who would administer the loan - the World Bank or some other body - how it would be guaranteed, how future profits can be estimated and what would happen in the event of a peace deal with Russia are all aspects still to be clarified.

European officials are particularly cautious, with one EU diplomat saying it would take "weeks if not months" for a final decision to be made.

'LEGAL IMPLICATIONS'

Italy holds the G7 presidency this year and its Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said last week the U.S. proposals on the use of the Russian assets had "quite serious legal implications" which still need clarifying.

Russia has repeatedly warned the West of consequences if its assets are touched and accused Washington of bullying Europe to take more radical steps to thwart it in Ukraine.

The prospects for global trade will be another central topic in Stresa after the United States last week unveiled steep tariff hikes on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicle batteries, computer chips and medical products.

Giorgetti said after the U.S. move that a "trade war" was being fought reflecting geopolitical tensions and warned of the risk of "fragmentation" to global commerce.

The United States is not calling on its partners to take similar measures against China, but an official said it was likely to push for the G7 communique to express common concern for what it calls Beijing's industrial "overcapacity".

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Frankfurt on Tuesday the United States and Europe needed to address the threat from Chinese imports in a "strategic and united way" to keep manufacturers viable on both sides of the Atlantic and foster development of their domestic clean energy industries.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire echoed her sentiments, saying on Wednesday that Europe and the G7 must "stand united" in the face of Chinese industrial overcapacity.

TAX TALKS

Other topics to be discussed in Stresa, according to an official programme issued by the Italian presidency, will include the impact of artificial intelligence on the global economy, and a "stocktaking" on sanctions against Russia.

Taxation will also be on the agenda, with Italy trying to revive a deal on a global minimum tax on multinationals which was signed by around 140 countries in 2021, but has not been fully implemented due to opposition in the U.S. and elsewhere.

A proposal for a global wealth tax on billionaires, which has been promoted by Brazil and France among the broader Group of 20 developed countries, would also be discussed in Stresa but was meeting U.S. resistance, one of the officials said.
In a historic move, three European countries  Norway, Ireland and Spain  announced their plans to recognise a Palestinian state. The development irked Israel, which immediately recalled its envoys to the three countries.

Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday said that their nations would recognise Palestine as a state as of May 28. Irelands Prime Minister Simon Harris also made a similar announcement, though he did not specify the timing.

The move came as a blow to Israel, which has historically opposed the formation of a separate state of Palestine. The matter is of concern even today as Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas fight for control over the Gaza Strip. Several other countries have suggested "two-state solutions" to the problem.

Who are Palestinians and what's a two-state solution? A quick guide Origin of the conflict: Recognition of Palestine state is a long-standing issue between Israel and the Palestinians. The conflict first occurred in British-ruled Palestine between Jews, who had migrated to the area, and Arabs.

What is Palestine? For the unversed, Palestine was historically made up of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank  referred to as the State of Palestine  and the country of Israel. Both of these territories, including East Jerusalem, were captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967.

Now, the Palestinians remain stateless, with most living under Israeli occupation or as refugees in neighbouring states.

The two-state solution: It envisages Israeli and Palestinian states alongside each other. In 1947, the United Nations proposed partitioning Palestine into two independent states, one Palestinian Arab and the other Jewish, with international rule over Jerusalem.

"One of the two envisaged states proclaimed its independence as Israel and in the 1948 war involving neighbouring Arab states expanded to 77 per cent of the territory of mandate Palestine, including the larger part of Jerusalem," the UN explained.

Israel-Hamas war: The war in Gaza is the latest trigger, which has prompted countries to demand diplomatic discussions and a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The war between Israel and Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year after Hamas launched surprise attacks in some parts of Israel.

Why did Norway, Ireland and Spain decide to recognise Palestine? The latest move by the three European countries is seen as an essential step towards a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition. "By recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan," he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took note that this initiative won't bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, "but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope."

He clarified that this recognition is not against the Israeli people. Sanchez argued that the move is needed to support the viability of a two-state solution that he said "is in serious danger" with the war in Gaza.

"It is an act in favour of peace, justice and moral consistency," Sanchez said.

Harris said he thinks other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognising a Palestinian state "in the weeks ahead".

How did Israel react? In response to the announcement of recognition, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel.

"Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays," Katz said. He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israel's hostages being held in Gaza and make a cease-fire less likely by "rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran".

"They decided to award a gold medal to the murderers and rapists of Hamas," Katz was quoted by AFP as saying.

But Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Store said that "recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict".

Spanish leader Sanchez claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "does not have a project of peace for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate".

Israel has often rejected foreign countries' decisions regarding a separate Palestinian state as going against its interests. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement of the recognition of a Palestinian state and called on other countries to follow.

What does the recognition mean? While some consider this as a "symbolic action which has no real meaning", the recognition of the State of Palestine breaks with the long-held position of Western powers that a Palestinian state can only come as part of a negotiated peace with Israel.

The United States and Britain, among others, have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel but say it should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

But for Noway, a non-European Union member, the situation seems different. By recognising Palestinian statehood, the country may have now closed the door on its historic role as a mediator in the Middle East.

What are the implications of recognition? There's hope that many countries may follow suit. European Union members Slovenia and Malta have also indicated in recent weeks that they plan to recognise Palestine. Before the announcement, some 143 out of 193 member states of the United Nations recognised a Palestinian state, according to a Reuters report.

However, little is likely to change on the ground in the short term even though the recognition would mark a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians. Peace talks are stalled, and Israel's hardline government has dug its heels in against Palestinian statehood, the Associated Press reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed concerns over the health condition of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud is undergoing treatment for lung inflammation, reported CNN quoting Saudi news agency SPA.

Following tests, King Salman, 88, was found to have inflammation for which he is currently receiving antibiotic treatment in Jeddah.

Deeply concerned about the reports of the health of His Majesty @KingSalman bin Abdulaziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I join the people of India in wishing him a speedy and full recovery, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has been the King of Saudi Arabia since the death of King Abdullah in 2015.

King Salman underwent surgery in 2020 to remove his gallbladder, reported ANI.

Reports said that Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, has reschedule a planned trip to Japan.

The trip set to start Monday was to have been the crown princes first visit to Japan since 2019.

The crown prince had also planned to visit Japan in late 2022, but the trip was canceled shortly before he was scheduled to arrive.

Saudi Arabia and Japan will go ahead with a business forum on Tuesday in Tokyo, with Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih attending from the kingdoms side, according to Japans trade ministry, reported Bloomberg.

MBS, who handles most day-to-day affairs in the kingdom, is next in line to the throne.
Three Indian nationals were among the 229 passengers on board a Singapore Airlines flight that experienced "sudden extreme turbulence" over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet, the airline confirmed on Tuesday.

As reported by PTI, the traumatic incident during which the aircraft rapidly descended 6,000 feet in approximately three minutes, resulted in the tragic death of a 73-year-old British man and left over two dozen other passengers injured.

The British man, who was not yet identified, likely died from a heart attack, the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport Kittipong Kittikachorn said.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on May 20 encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure, the carrier said.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed on May 21. We can confirm that there were multiple injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the carrier said in a Facebook post.

A total of 18 individuals had been hospitalised. Another 12 were being treated in hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Singapore Airlines said.

The Singapore Airlines flight had a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, according to the latest statement.

Here's a breakdown of the nationalities of the passengers: 56 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Germany, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 4 from Ireland, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 5 from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and 4 from the United States of America.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the names or nationalities of the injured passengers and crew members.

Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time. We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance, it said.

Singapore Airlines used a 16-year-old 777 model for the SQ321 service hit by severe turbulence.

A Singapore Airlines team from Singapore has arrived in Bangkok to support the airline colleagues and the local authorities. We are providing all possible assistance to the passengers and crew on board SQ321, both at the hospital and the airport, the airline said.

SIA is also working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident.

Relatives seeking information may call the Singapore Airlines hotlines at 65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom), the carrier said.

Singapore's new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended his condolences to family members and loved ones of the deceased.

Unfortunately, we are marking Vesak Day this year with news of the incident on the SQ321 flight earlier today. We are all saddened and shocked by what happened, he said in a Facebook post.

He added that Singapore is working closely with the Thai authorities and doing everything we can to support the passengers and crew.

We pray for their safe return and smooth recovery for those who are injured. We are still getting more information from Bangkok and will provide further updates in due course, he said.

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing extended its condolences to the family of the British man who died aboard SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER.

We are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them, Boeing said on X.
The general election currently underway is the only thing hotter than the weather in India these days. With talk of tempos full of cash, and the discovery of more than 30 crore of unexplained currency in a Jharkhand legislators home, it is time to shine a light on a somewhat obscure term: Politically exposed persons (PEPs). This term refers to individuals who hold political office or public positions such as judgeships and bureaucracy posts, or have a close association with those who hold such authority.

Data from Rzolut, a risk and compliance technology and data provider, reveals that there are over 2.3 million PEPs around the world, ranging from country presidents to municipality officials. These positions tend to have stronger links than others with cases of corruption, money-laundering and other financial crimes.

For instance, in December 2023, Senator Bob Menandez in the US was found in possession of several gold bars at his home. He was charged with having accepted bribes from various businesses.

The vast quantities of cash recovered time and again from our own politicians here in India have also often travelled through benami bank accounts and other dubious channels. Note that the currency notes printed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are distributed only through what are described in banking regulations as scheduled banks. There is no other way for them to enter general circulation.

Within the bounds of privacy norms, it would be prudent for banks to keep a watch on the actions of customers who are PEPs, not just to manage their financial risks, but also to satisfy the regulatory requirements of Indias central bank and other regulators around the world.

Although there are no credible figures available to quantify political corruption, the scale of money-laundering that takes place globally is estimated to be monumental. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, an estimated 2%-5% of global GDP is laundered. In todays scenario, this would amount to more than $2 trillion annually.

It is safe to assume that a significant proportion of this money is from corruption involving PEPs, though the estimate also includes the proceeds of other crimes, like illegal money made off drug trafficking and gold smuggling.

PEP-related corruption is especially insidious, as it nibbles away at the fabric of the nation and weakens democratic structures in ways that are still being discovered. From the distortion of elections to the award of contracts for flyovers and highways to contractors that deliver sub-standard quality, the impact covers a vast range of activities.

Connecting the dots between political corruption and Indias low-quality infrastructureroads that barely survive monsoon rains, for exampledoes not require much imagination.

For their own reputation and balance-sheet health, banks should maintain a vigil to prevent their services from being used to facilitate illicit financial activities. Negligence can prove costly. A few years ago, BNP Paribas was fined $9 billion for letting the governments of Sudan, Cuba and Iran conduct transactions through the bank. These governments are under US government sanctions, and when the regulator found out, it resulted in a court case and massive fine.

In extreme cases, PEPs may also have links with individuals or organizations involved in terrorist financing. Due diligence exercises could ensure that bank services are not surreptitiously used for nefarious ends. As recently as in 2020, it was found that banks in Syria were facilitating the transfer of millions of dollars to the terrorist group ISIS; these lenders paid a heavy price, as they were subsequently cut out of the international payments settlement system, as per Washington Institute.

Given the dangers faced by the world, it is no surprise that banks around are being asked by regulators to enhance their due diligence in dealing with PEPs, including obtaining information on their source of funds and nature of business relationships. Growing online transactions are also being kept track of.

Banks should invest in systems to identify, monitor and report to regulators their PEP relationships as part of their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.

From RBI to the US Federal Reserve, bank regulators around the globe not only have well laid-out policies, procedures and rules, but are also raising the bar on these continually. While this adds to the cost of bank operations, it is seen as necessary to ensure that political corruption is stemmed and terrorist financing stops. Compliance need not be too burdensome, though. Digital technologies are playing a welcome role in ensuring effective compliance and helping banks manage complex processes and reporting cycles.

In election years, the challenge is steeper than usual. Countries with over half the worlds population are election-bound in 2024. The list includes robust democracies such as India and the US, but also countries like Russia and North Korea.

It is well understood that the pressures of election-funding needs could combine with the temptations of power to elevate levels of corruption and illicit financial activity. Banks should stay extra vigilant and ensure that their books and business reputations stay spotless.
In one sense, US President Joe Bidens punitive new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are indeed necessary, just as he argues. What makes them so are the enormous sums that the administration is devoting to expanding US capacity to produce its own EVs. An almost-invariable characteristic of industrial policy is to start with one dumb idea, after which many more then followby necessity.

Americas local EV makers are struggling despite generous subsidies. Output and sales are growing, but not as quickly as hoped. Early adopters have adopted and the rest are less enthusiastic. That could change, but the charging infrastructure has been slow to roll out and converting American drivers to EVs isnt easy. Even after the subsidies, EVs made in the US arent cheap. Hence the need for tariffs to make the competition more expensive.

The high cost of producing EVs in the US is partly by design. Bidenomics aims to do two things that are in tension: Suppress carbon emissions by speeding adoption of EVs and create high-wage manufacturing jobs. Well-paid workers making cheap EVs is a tricky combination. Good-paying union jobs" of the kind Biden advocates are difficult for a high-wage economy like the US to sustain because the resulting production is likely to be globally uncompetitive.

A low-wage country can use subsidies to incubate a new industry that might in due course thrive abroad, letting governments withdraw support. In pricey-labour economies, this formula is less successful. As incomes rise, factory employment is apt to decline; work moves to more productive sectors. Just maintaining factory employment requires ongoing government support, which, in turn, retards growth by slowing the flow of resources to better uses.

Bidenomics favours sustaining persistently uncompetitive industries. Sometimes thats defensible, provided the costs arent too high. Chinas ability to produce vast quantities of usable cheap EVs seems to have surprised the administration. The subsidies and incentives that the US has offered to this point arent enough.

The US faces another China shock," as National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard puts it. Tariffs of no less than 100% are needed to protect Americas nascent EV industry. For the sake of good-paying union jobs, Americans must be prohibited from buying cheap imported EVs.

This wont be the last stupid-but-necessary idea in the sequence. The tariffs will prevent EV prices in the US from falling as quickly as they otherwise would, slowing the market uptake of a much-needed technology. If the administration is to keep its promises on climate change, it will need other ways of inducing Americans to use EVs.

One such policy is in the works: New EPA rules to control the proportion of EVs and gas-powered vehicles sold in the US. Unless demand patterns shift, producers will be induced to lose money on EVs and recover the losses by selling their reduced output of fossil-fuel vehicles at far higher prices. If this arithmetic doesnt work out, demands for more subsidy may arise.

Support for persistently uncompetitive industries sometimes makes sense. Access to some kinds of goods really is a national-security imperative. Some of the products covered in Americas new bundle of tariffs, such as high-end semiconductors, might qualify. EVs plainly dont.

Right now, Bidens officials arent really pressing the national-security argument. The China threat lurks in the background, of course, but the main case for high tariffs on EVs and other Chinese exports rests on Beijings market-distorting policies. In this view, US producers cant match their Chinese rivals not because US costs are too high but because Chinas exports are artificially cheap, driven down by Beijings pursuit of industrial excess capacity.

Also read: India poised to benefit from US tariff hikes

A stickler for consistency might pause at this logic. When the US adopts trade-distorting policies, its presented as an overdue recognition of market failures. When China does it, its decried as artificial and a threat to global economic stability.

Be that as it may, trade-distorting policies do distort trade. Americas industrial polices can make its trading partners worse off. The same goes for China. The question is whether disputes and imbalances can be resolved cooperatively. Pro-trade, positive-sum outcomes are at least imaginable. But governments, led by the US, have chosen to go the other way.

Some argue it was a mistake even to hope for cooperation. China, its argued, is a cheat and should never have been allowed into the World Trade Organization, a defunct institution. I disagree, but lets see how the negative-sum alternative of protection, retaliation and counter-retaliation works out.

Its early days for such policies, and the cycle of error piled upon error has plenty of room to run. bloomberg
One of the compelling stories during Indias ongoing general elections has concerned electoral bonds. On 15 February 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) struck down the electoral bond scheme for political donations as unconstitutional.

This has meant serious ramifications for corporate houses that made contributions to political parties based on this scheme and the three statutes which were amended to facilitate it. If transactions done before the ruling are not preserved by the SC, it is going to cause donor companies a lot of hardship.

First, lets look at what these amendments were and why the scheme was held unconstitutional. A related question also arises: Is the strike-down retrospective or prospective? And, if it is retrospective, what impact will it have on past actions under the scheme by corporates and political parties?

The verdict scotched the scheme as it violated Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. Simultaneously, four amendments made in three different laws were also struck down as unconstitutional. These amendments pertained to exemptions given to political parties from publishing details of electoral bond contributions, maintaining records of the same and from disclosing the names and addresses of donors.

Another amendment had removed the upper limit for corporate donations to political parties, earlier fixed at 7.5% of the companys average net profits of the past three years. Perhaps the most telling was an amendment that exempted companies from disclosing the names of political parties favoured by donations in their profit-and-loss statements. Of all the strike-downs, this one has hit businesses the hardest.

A well settled position under Article 13(2) of the Constitution is that the state cannot make any law which takes away or abridges rights given by Part III of the Constitution. If any law is made in contravention of these rights, then to the extent of such a contravention, that law will be void.

Part III deals with fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. It was violations of Articles 14 and 19 on the rights to equality and information, respectively, that led to the scheme and related amendments being struck down. Article 13(2) makes it clear that once a law is struck down as being unconstitutional, it ceases to have effect.

Thus, the settled position is that judgements declaring any law as unconstitutional are retrospective. This issue was decided by the SCs ruling in CBI vs. R.R. Kishore. In this case, an amendment made to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 (DSPE) was held to be unconstitutional from the very date it was inserted in the DSPE.

The SC held that once a law is declared to be unconstitutional, then it is void since its beginning. Such a law would be still-born, unenforceable and have no legal effect.

In the electoral bond context, the critical question is this: What happens to deeds done in the past when the statutes were still considered valid?

Lets look at the impact that the SCs ruling could have on the past actions of companies and political parties if it has retrospective effect. The available data shows that companies have already made donations exceeding the earlier cap of 7.5%; companies with zero profits and even losses have made contributions and the names of favoured political parties were not disclosed in the profit-and-loss statements filed by most of these companies. For political parties, it is known they hadnt published any details of electoral bond contributions and havent maintained records of the donations received.

So, we have a unique set of challenges if we reverse the actions retrospectively. How will contributions beyond the 7.5% limit or those made by loss- makers be returned to contributors? How will firms re-open or amend the duly audited and approved financial statements of past years, unless they approach the National Company Law Tribunal? This is a serious challenge for donors.

It was to avoid backtracking and incompatible reversals that the doctrine of prospective overruling was introduced in Indian jurisprudence. Taken originally from American jurisprudence, this doctrine was first applied in India in the 1967 case of I.C. Golaknath vs State of Punjab. There, the court held that only the SC can choose to apply this doctrine in matters involving the Indian Constitution.

Recently, this was re-affirmed in its ruling on State of Manipur vs Surajkumar Okram. The SC held that it has the power to apply this doctrine to save past transactions under statutes which have been declared unconstitutional, or it can mould the relief provided by exercising its power under Article 142 of the Constitution. Conversely, if the SC chooses not to apply this doctrine, then past transactions executed under the aegis of the struck-down law will be void and null.

Unfortunately, from the language in the electoral bond ruling, it appears that the SC has applied this doctrine only to save electoral bonds that have already been encashed, but not for amendments made to the three statutes. Although unintentional, this has created ambiguity and uncertainty, with divergent views on the subject being taken by different stakeholders.

Given the magnitude of the issue, this needs a quick resolution. So, how can India Inc expect to get legal relief for past actions? For now, the only and best course would be to approach the SC for appropriate directions to be issued so that past transactions are saved. This would set a precedent and reduce ex-post facto complications.

These are the authors personal views.
Earlier this month, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met his Australian, Filipino and Japanese counterparts to institutionalize and launch the Squad as a new four-way security arrangement in the Indo-Pacific. The Squad has become an essential addition to the series of security mini-lateral groupings in the Indo-Pacific, such as the Quad , Aukus, the US-Philippines-Japan trilateral and the US-Japan-South Korea trilateral.

The Philippines, Japan and Australia are not treaty allies; however, each of these countries shares a bilateral treaty alliance with the US. Thus, the idea behind the Squad centres on the desire of all four democracies to deepen their level of integration beyond the hub-and-spokes format at a time when China has been militarizing the South China Sea at the expense of the rules-based order of the Indo-Pacific.

The seeds for the Squads creation were already planted in 2023 through the efforts of the four countries to enhance their strategic collaboration in the South China Sea. Manila has broadened its alliance with the US and is currently negotiating a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with Japan to enhance troop deployments between both countries.

This also complements the existing Visiting Forces of Agreement (VFA) that the Philippines has with the US and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Manila and Canberra. In June 2023, the defence chiefs of all four countries met for the first time on the sidelines of the Shangri La security dialogue in Singapore. Moreover, in April this year, the US, Japan, the Philippines and Australia conducted their first-ever multilateral maritime exercise in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Though the creation of the Squad may have seemed quite natural, due to the loose and informal nature of mini-laterals, their development relies on the convergence of political will and the intersection of shared interests and threat perceptions among its potential members. Consequently, the degree of collective participation among all four democracies only began to heighten in 2023.

In the past decade, the US, Philippines, Japan, and Australia lacked a collective and homogenous strategic vision vis-a-vis the region. While Washington was initially preoccupied with Europe and the Middle East during the latter years of the Obama administration, the Trump presidency sought to reconfigure US commitments towards its alliances based on a greater level of transactionalism.

On the other hand, while Japan and Australia recognized the challenges posed by China in the South China Sea, there were still limitations in their abilities to project a more military and defence-driven approach in the geographic space. Moreover, the absence of a resident Southeast Asian anchor further constrained the ability of the US and its two treaty allies to play a more robust role in securing the South China Sea collectively.

Also read: The Houthis may embolden Beijing

While the Philippines seemed like the most practical Southeast Asian partner then, given its treaty alliance with the US, its close strategic ties with Japan and its defence relations with Australia, the former administration of Rodrigo Duterte significantly reoriented Philippine foreign and security policy.

In the hope of gaining economic concessions from Beijing by appeasement, Manila refrained from taking direct action against China through the US alliance network. This policy shift limited the Philippines participation in security arrangements to secure the South China Sea.

However, this strategic dynamic significantly changed in 2022. While still heavily engaged in Europe and the Middle East, Washington recognized more clearly that China is the only major power with the material capacity and ambition to dismantle the established rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Similarly, with China showing no sign of managing its expansionist and belligerent activities in the Western Pacific, Japan has recognized the need to play a more robust defence role in the Indo-Pacific. This reorientation has its roots in Tokyos National Security Strategy (NSS) released on 16 December 2022, which encompasses several notable objectives, including expediting Japans military modernization and enhancing its military forces based on the acute traditional security challenges in the region.

Importantly, the NSS also highlights the need for Tokyo to enhance the capabilities of friendly regional countries to attain a genuinely free and open Indo-Pacific. Australia has also been showing greater interest in playing a more prominent role as a security and development partner in Southeast Asia.

Since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in June 2022, Manila has taken a more proactive role in safeguarding its EEZ against Chinese expansionism by strengthening its partnerships to improve its maritime security capabilities and ability to exercise its sovereignty.

This shift opened doors for the Philippines to participate more actively in the emerging network of like-minded democracies of the Indo-Pacific. By playing the anchors role in Southeast Asia, the country has positioned itself as the Squads fulcrum.

The proliferation of informal strategic arrangements suggests that Indo-Pacific security will be underpinned by flexible, area-specific and practical elements of cooperation, rather than traditional and rigid alliances. At the heart of these developments lie concerns of a potential challenge posed by China to the stability of the established regional order.

All four members of the Squad must consistently engage with one another and explore new means of collective capacity building. Moreover, the Squad needs to coordinate with other existing mini-laterals (like the Quad) to achieve a more robust network-based cooperative framework of like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific.

It is in the very nature of the Indo-Pacific that mini-laterals will proliferate and the nature of security threats in the region demand that they coordinate their actions closely.
Nearly five years after Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was revoked, high participation in Parliamentary elections just held in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are an encouraging sign for the re-establishment of democratic processes there. Voter turnout across the Union territory was higher than in previous elections, hitting levels unseen for decades in some constituencies.

Polling data is an unreliable guide to the local politics of any place. Yet, its likely that these turnout gains reflect more than just enthusiasm for democracy. It may be a mark of an electorate that felt confident enough to go vote, as calm prevailed across much of the valley and the fear of terror attacks seemed to recede. Women, especially, were seen queuing up at polling stations.

On the whole, the numbers speak well of the security situation in J&K. Peace in this region has been a key aim all along. That said, the restoration of popular representation in J&K is not yet complete. It last saw assembly elections a decade ago, and we need to see movement at the sub-national level too. The Supreme Court has set a September deadline for it, so assembly elections can be expected to follow soon.
Israel has seized at least half of the Gaza Strips 9-mile southern border with Egypt, a strategic corridor that Egyptian officials say Israel intends to dominate by the end of this month as it pushes further into the city of Rafah in pursuit of Hamas.

Egyptian officials say the Israeli military now controls around 70% of the Philadelphi Corridor that divides Gaza from Egypt. Israeli Army Radio said Wednesday that Israeli troops hold half of the border zone, and that troops were present as far as the Brazil neighborhood in eastern Rafah. The military has doubled the number of brigades operating in the Rafah area, according to the radio report on which the Israeli military declined to comment.

Israel says taking control of the corridor is critical to its goal of defeating the militant group that it says is holding out in Rafah, from where it has urged civilians to evacuate. But doing so could jeopardize the countrys 45-year-old peace treaty with Egypt, which limits the number of troops both countries can deploy in the area. The Israeli Defense Ministry declined to comment on whether it aims to take full control of the southern frontier or has a timeline for doing so. The prime ministers office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Witnesses in Rafah said that Israeli tanks had advanced from the Brazil neighborhood toward the Bahlul gas station and the Zul-Nurein mosque. The tanks moved behind the Bank of Palestine and the cattle market, where some troops were present, the witnesses said.

Israels operations in Rafah and growing control of the corridor have hindered efforts to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation across the enclave. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said it suspended food distribution in Rafah on Tuesday because of a lack of supplies and security issues. The agency has struggled for weeks to get aid through two border crossings into Rafah.

In a sign of Israels growing isolation in light of its prosecution of the war in Gaza, on Wednesday three European nations said they would recognize Palestine as an independent state alongside Israel and said they expected others to follow in the coming weeks. Europe as a whole is divided on the issue.

Unilateral recognition of Palestine has gained momentum as the seven-month-long war in Gaza has destroyed much of the territory that, together with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, is integral to a future Palestinian state. It comes after the International Criminal Courts prosecutor this week said he was seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for a number of Hamas leaders.

Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the State of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

The U.S. and Israel reject such moves separate from a peace process, which has been moribund for years. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalled the ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations on what he said was a distorted step" that rewarded Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and took more than 240 hostages.

The U.S. gave political and military support to Israels subsequent war in Gaza, which has killed 35,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian officials whose figures dont say how many were combatants. But Washington has warned it against a major operation in Rafah, because of the risk to civilians.

Israel has said it would proceed in stages to minimize civilian casualties, but its moves along the Egyptian border have stoked tensions with its oldest Arab partner. Israel relinquished control over the corridor in 2005, but says it holds a vast tunnel network that allowed Hamas to smuggle in weapons. Israeli action there requires coordination with Egypt, which has pushed back against Israels recent overtures to establish an Israeli presence on the border.

The Egyptian military this month mobilized reservists and significantly increased its forces in the Sinai Peninsula along the border with Gaza to keep the conflict from spilling over into its own territory, Egyptian officials said. Both sides remain in contact but arent currently operationally coordinating.

The Israeli operations that began in Rafah earlier this month have also reduced the entry of aid through two key southern border crossings to a trickle and displaced some 800,000 people from Rafah, where more than a million had taken shelter from fighting elsewhere in the strip. Since this months evacuation orders, most of them are now living in tents along the roads and a crowded strip of beach lacking basic infrastructure, or in the bombed-out remains of other cities in Gaza.

Unrwa said that the military operation in eastern Rafah had prevented access to its distribution center and a U.N. World Food Program warehouse. The two agencies have delivered nearly 90% of all aid to Gaza, according to Cogat, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating the entry of aid into the besieged territory.

Cogat says it has facilitated the entry of hundreds of trucks of aid in recent weeks through several border crossings between Gaza and Israel, though aid groups say that volume doesnt begin to address the need. U.N. officials say that most of those trucks are from the private sector and so arent tracked once they enter the strip to ensure they reach people in need. The dozens of aid trucks that entered through Kerem Shalom this month have faced challenges traversing active military zones to reach warehouses.

Much of Gazas population was already facing a possible famine, with the hardest-hit areas in the territorys north, which had been cut off from most aid deliveries entering through southern border crossings. A floating pier that the U.S. military set up on the coast of Gaza last week in coordination with the Israeli military has so far delivered only a few dozen trucks of aid into the enclave.

Anat Peled, Fatima AbdulKarim and Carrie Keller-Lynn contributed to this article.

Write to Stephen Kalin at stephen.kalin@wsj.com and Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com
The five phases of the Lok Sabha elections to 428 of the 543 seats are over. Voting for the remaining two phases will be held on May 25 and June 1. The votes for all seven phases will be counted on June 4.

Congress leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor predicted that his party's confidence has increased in the run-up to the last two phases of elections. Tharoor said the Congress and INDIA bloc candidates will do better than the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

I would say with some confidence that I am looking at the overall picture in the country with a great deal of self-belief. The reason for this is both common sense and the trends we have seen in the country in the course of the first few phases, Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said speaking with the media in New Delhi on May 22. All seven seats of Delhi will vote in the sixth phase of polling on May 25.

When I say common sense, it was already very clear when BJP started talking about 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' that this was a complete fantasy. Last time in 2019 (Lok Sabha Elections), thanks to the tragedy in Pulwama and the response in Balakot and the conversion of the election from what should have been a referendum on the economic failures of the first term of Mr Modi, it became, instead, a national security election in 2019 and as a result, they (BJP) maxed out in several states, Tharoor said analysing the BJP's win in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The saffron party won 303 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which the BJP leads, bagged 353 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 elections. The Congress won just 52 seats.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seeking a record third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has set a target of winning 400 seats this election. The ruling alliance is challenged by the opposition parties led by the Congress under the banner of the INDIA bloc.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah claimed on May 21 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already won 310 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats by the end of Phase 5 of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

You know in 6 states, they won every single seat. In 3 states, they won all but one seat, and in two, they won all but two. Congress was certainly given a resounding defeat in 2019. Now, in all those 11 states those results are impossible to replicate. And we are already seeing this very clearly after the first two phases...The strongholds of BJP have shown a minimal turnout and significant drop in voting figures, said Tharoor, who is seeking a fourth term from Thiruvananthapuram in the 2024 elections.

Tharoor, who is campaigning in Delhi and will next head to Gurugram, said that the Congress and INDIA bloc candidates were doing well even in BJP-bastion states like Gujarat.
As the Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies make history with their voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the focus now shifts to the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, a seat steeped in political significance and intrigue.

The Anantnag-Rajouri seat, which votes today in the sixth and penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections, has gained even more significance in shaping the region's political landscape after its electoral boundaries were redrawn in 2022.

High-stakes battle for Mehbooba Mufti The Anantnag-Rajouri seat is a battleground for a three-way contest in the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 and redrawing of its political map.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting against Mian Altaf of the National Conference (NC), and Zafar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party, making the outcome of this election highly unpredictable.

For former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, it is a high-stakes battle. Why? Because the Anantnag seat used to be a PDP bastion before delimitation in 2022. Mufti, 65, won the seat in 2004 and 2014 before the scrapping of Article 370. Her father and former Union Home Minister, the Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, won the seat in 1998.

The NC won the seat in 2019 (Hasnain Masoodi) and 2009 (Mehboob Beg).

Also, the PDP was expecting support from NC, its INDIA bloc partner. But that didnt happen. The Farooq Abdullah-led NC, instead, fielded its candidate against Mufti. The two parties have supported the Congress candidates in two seats in the Jammu region.

The altered demography Until 2022, the constituency in South Kashmir  known earlier as Anantnag  comprised only the districts of the Valley. However, a redrawn Anantnag-Rajouri seat was carved out by combining the Anantnag region in the Valley and Rajouri and Poonch of the Jammu region, changing the seat's demography through delimitation.

The new seat has 18 assembly segments  11 in the Kashmir regions Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts and 7 in Jammu's Poonch and Rajouri districts across the Pir Panjal range.

The area of the seat in Kashmir Valley is dominated by non-Scheduled Tribe (ST) Muslims, who are of Kashmiri ethnicity. The area in the Jammu region is dominated by the Gujjar and Bakerwal Muslim communities  categorised as ST and not of Kashmiri ethnicity. The Jammu region also has a significant population of the Pahari ethnic group, which consists of non-Gujjar Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.

Perhaps because of these demographic compulsions, the NC fielded Mian Altaf from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Altaf, 55, hails from Ganderbal in central Kashmir and comes from a family with political and spiritual influence on the tribal community across Jammu and Kashmir.

Altafs family has won nine assembly elections since 1967 and is closely associated with some influential tribal families in Rajouri, the region included in the seat after delimitation.

The BJP inroads After altering the demography, the formation of the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency didnt go well with the regional partiesthe NC and the PDP. The two parties have represented the seat in the parliament between themselves since 2004. The concern was that the step, particularly including areas from Jammu, was to help the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) make political inroads in the Valley.

According to political analysts, the BJP has recently tried to woo the ST population. In 2021, for example, the BJP-led government at the Centre implemented the Forest Rights Act, a long-standing demand of Gujjars and Bakerwals. In 2024, the Union government also included the Pahari ethnic group in the Scheduled Tribe list. The government also amended the reservation rules and set aside separate quotas for Paharis in jobs and education.

BJP fighting through proxies The steps notwithstanding, the BJP, like in the case of Srinagar and Baramulla seats, has not fielded any candidate in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. Top party leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, have said the BJP was not in a rush for lotus to boom in the Valley.

However, Tarun Chugh, the BJP's J&K in-charge, who recently visited Rajouri-Poonch, emphasized that the BJP backs any party except NC, PDP, and Congress.

NC and PDP have called parties like the Apni party 'proxies' of the BJP. The BJP is using such parties whose people got the money via Hawala for militancy. They can do anything to keep Mehbooba Mufti out (of Parliament), Mufti told news agency ANI on May 22.
As the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi brings forward urgent questions surrounding the countrys leadership, Mojtaba Khamenei, the powerful and secretive son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is poised to play a central role.

To most Iranians, the son is an enigma. He holds no public position, rarely appears in public and doesnt give speeches. With decades long ties to key figures in Irans intelligence and security establishment, the younger Khamenei has grown powerful in the shadows, particularly under Raisi, who was seen as a pliant president without a personal power base.

Raisi was seen as being groomed to potentially succeed the supreme leader, who at the age of 85 has had health problems. As president he served as a vessel for more powerful individuals and networks to wield influence from behind the scenes.

Raisis death in a helicopter crash on Sunday has stirred speculation about who is likely to succeed Khamenei, and whether the next president will be as pliable for the countrys power brokers, including those surrounding Khameneis son and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In recent years, many have speculated that Mojtaba Khamenei could be a front-runner to succeed his father, but Iran watchers and political analysts say that is unlikely. Instead, they say, he would be more powerful out of the spotlight.

Mojtaba and the network around him have been running the show over the past two decades," said Hamidreza Azizi, visiting fellow and Iran expert with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Now, certainly for Khamenei himself, the main challenge is to find someone with the exact characteristics that Raisi had."

Doing that, Azizi said, would set the scene where Mojtaba could preserve and even expand his power while keeping his shadow role, out of public scrutiny."

Either way, Mojtaba Khamenei, 54 years old, will play a central role as Iran reconfigures its political landscape ahead of presidential elections scheduled for late June and his fathers looming succession.

The political maneuvering will help determine the future of Iran as it deepens its engagement in regional conflicts and faces growing dissent at home.

The death of Raisi has, at least in the short term, placed a firm loyalist to Mojtaba Khamenei in the presidency. Mohammad Mokhber, who will be acting president until the elections and may run for the office, was brought by Khamenei to run the billion-dollar Setad fund, which controls holdings in real estate, industry, finance and more and is controlled by the supreme leader.

The son also holds sway in the supreme leaders office and the business empire it controls.

Khamenei was born in 1969 in the religious city of Mashhad, when his father was becoming a leading figure in the revolutionary movement against the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Ali Khamenei was arrested repeatedly by the Shahs secret police, and during one raid, Mojtaba watched him being beaten, according to the supreme leaders website.

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Khamenei family moved to Tehran, where Mojtaba attended a high school for children of the revolutionary vanguards, while his father quickly rose in the ranks of the government to become president in 1981.

Mojtaba Khamenei spent his formative years like many young Iranian men, fighting in the 1980-1988 war against Saddam Husseins Iraq. In his battalion, he formed relationships with men who later became senior figures in Irans security apparatus, including Hossein Taeb, a future intelligence chief in the Revolutionary Guard, and Hossein Nejat, who would become head of the Revolutionary Guards unit tasked with crushing protests in Tehran.

Khameneis profile rose in the 1990s and particularly in the mid-2000s when reformists accused him of engineering the 2005 and 2009 presidential election victories for hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In 2009, he was influential, through his backing of Taeb, then commander of the paramilitary Basij militia, in the violent crackdown on Green Movement protesters who were claiming the election had been stolen, according to an adviser to the Revolutionary Guard.

Khameneis activities attracted attention abroad. The U.S. imposed sanctions on him in 2019, accusing him of working closely, on behalf of his father, with the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij to advance his fathers destabilizing regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives."

In 2022, nationwide protests again swept Iran following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman accused of violating the countrys Islamic dress code. The son of the supreme leader quickly became the target of protesters anger. Mir-Hossein Mousavi, a former presidential candidate who is under house arrest, called on Khamenei to dispel the rumors about his son succeeding him. The ayatollah didnt respond.

The sons rise has fed speculation that he is being positioned to succeed his father. That is an unlikely scenario, said Mehdi Khalaji, a theologian trained in the holy Iranian city of Qom and author of a 2023 book on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The idea that Mojtabas ambition is to be the next supreme leader is a total myth," Khalaji said. Based on historical experience, I dont think Khamenei would indicate anyone, even his son, as successor."

The younger Khamenei lacks several qualities formally required of a supreme leader, including the needed religious credentials or executive experience. Ali Khamenei and his predecessor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic, dismissed the idea of passing on power to ones child as un-Islamic and monarchic.

With decades of experience in the corridors of power, [Mojtaba Khameneis] network in the regime is unparalleled," said Saeid Golkar, an expert on Irans security services who teaches at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. But his appointment could jeopardize Khameneis legacy by bringing back the monarchy."

Experts say that Mojtaba Khameneis power may be threatened once his father passes away, and that he may fare better if he remains in the shadows. Before Khomeinis death in 1989, his son Ahmad, who was his chief of staff and more powerful than Mojtaba Khamenei is today, ran the countrys affairs alongside Ali Khamenei and then-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, but fell out with them after his fathers passing. Ahmad Khomeini died in 1995, at 49, of reported cardiac arrest.

Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com and Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com
Three years ago, when Ebrahim Raisi won the presidency in a rigged election, some Iranians thought it was a stepping stone to a bigger position. Ali Khamenei, the ageing, ailing supreme leader, did not have long to live; when he died, Mr Raisi would surely aim to replace him. But history has a sense of irony. Instead of catapulting him to the top job, winning the presidency cost Mr Raisi his life.

On May 19th he was returning from a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he inaugurated a dam on the border. Authorities lost contact with his helicopter in a mountainous region about 86km (54 miles) north-east of Tabriz (see map). At first they insisted there was no cause for alarm: the presidents helicopter had made a hard landing", although, confusingly, several Iranian news agencies reported that he travelled onwards to Tabriz by car. Within hours, though, those reports had been deleted, and state television began to broadcast prayers for the president. On the morning of May 20th, state media confirmed that Mr Raisi was dead, along with the foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, who was travelling in the same helicopter.

In many ways, Mr Raisi has been a figurehead: the president is subordinate to the supreme leader. But his death will nonetheless shake Iranian politics. It will force the regime to find a new president in short order at a difficult time: it is engaged in a regional war that encompasses direct military action by Iran and by its network of regional proxies. Irans adversaries, including America, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are considering deepening their security links in order to counter Iran. The economy is sinking and could be hit further by tightening American sanctions. And Mr Raisis death could also throw Irans looming struggle into chaos, by removing one of the two leading candidates for Mr Khameneis job.

Much is still unclear, starting with why Mr Raisis helicopter crashed. The official story so far is bad weather. It was rainy and foggy during the flight, with visibility said to be of just a few metres. Conditions were bad enough that rescue workers could not fly in to look for the president, and even drones could not find the crash site; the Red Crescent resorted to sending search teams on foot. Mother Nature could well be the culprit. Nothing is ever as it seems in Iranian politics, though, and many Iranians have begun to speculate about more nefarious explanations. Mr Raisi has a long list of internal enemies, from the relative moderates he has marginalised to the fellow conservatives who think he has been an inept president. It is not unreasonable to wonder if domestic foes conspired to kill him.

Unsurprisingly, some Iranians have also wondered if Israel had a role in the crash. The two longtime foes came to blows last month, after Israel assassinated an Iranian general in Damascus and Iran retaliated with a volley of more than 300 missiles and drones aimed at Israel. The Mossad, Israels spy service, has a long history of assassinating its enemies, including in Iran, where it has killed prominent nuclear scientists. But there are strong reasons to doubt Israels involvement. It has never gone so far as to assassinate a head of state, an unequivocal act of war that would invite a fierce Iranian response. It would be foolish to risk such consequences to kill Mr Raisi, a deeply unpopular politician who does not actually have the final say in many of Irans most important policy decisions.

Few Iranians will mourn him. They will remember him as the hanging judge", a prosecutor in Tehran who helped send thousands of political prisoners to the gallows in 1988. And they will remember his clueless handling of the economythe president who stocked his cabinet with military men and clerics who watched as the rial lost 55% of its value in less than three years.

The constitution sets out a clear process for succession. A new election must be held within 50 days, with the vice-president, Muhammad Mokhber, assuming the presidency until then. He is known as an apparatchik rather than a power player. The Guardian Council, a group of clerics and lawyers, decides who is allowed on the ballot. Before the last presidential election, in 2021, they disqualified hundreds of would-be candidates; of the seven allowed to run, only Mr Raisi had a plausible shot at winning. While the regime is unpopular with many Iranians it is likely that it can suppress any public protests that break out around an election, as it has in the past.

Mr Raisi had been an ideal consensus candidate for a factious regime. No one could question his hard-line credentials, but he lacked a power base of his own. Religious conservatives had hoped to use him to advance their interests; so had the military men of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is not clear who else could fill that role. The IRGC appears to be in the political ascendant: its belligerent influence explains Irans recent and unprecedented attack on Israel. However that does not necessarily mean it will want to be seen to be appointing the president, partly because the holder of that position gets blamed by the public for Irans miserable economic position.

The more important succession, though, lies a bit further in the future. Mr Khamenei turned 85 last month. In recent years Iranians have thought there were just two leading candidates to take his job after his death. One was Mr Khameneis second son, Mojtaba, who has been souping his religious credentials in recent years and is committed to the longevity of the regime. The other was Mr Raisi. Though other clerics are mentioned as dark-horse candidates, it is hard to imagine them winning enough support.

Still, neither of the front-runners had an obvious lead: Mr Raisi was unpopular, and Mojtaba would represent a hereditary transfer of power in a regime that came to power by overthrowing a hereditary monarchy. With Mr Raisis death, Mojtaba would seem to have a clear path to the top job. He would rely on the IRGC to weather any backlashand that, in turn, could strengthen the IRGCs role within the regime. Iran might evolve from being a hybrid military and clerical regime to being more of a military one. That could mean less religious conservatism at home but even more antagonism abroad.

For years, hardliners had tried to ensure a smooth succession: they installed Mr Raisi as president and a crop of conservatives in parliament. Now they will have to find a new president at short notice, and some politicians will wonder if other politicians orchestrated the helicopter crash to advance their interests. There will be nervous days ahead for the regime.
Western officials say they are braced for a period of increased volatility with Iran as the country prepares to choose a successor to President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash over the weekend. But they said they dont expect Tehran to make major foreign-policy shifts.

Iran, where ultimate authority lies with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is likely to stay on its current trajectory, deepening ties with China and Russia, supporting Hamas and other regional proxies and pursuing its nuclear program, officials in Washington and European capitals said.

The coming election campaign, set to end in a vote on June 28, could generate momentum in Iran for a more assertive posture in the region, these officials said. The approach of U.S. elections and a possible White House transition could also be seen by Khamenei as an opportunity to push a tougher stance.

A more immediate worry is that Iran might react to threats, real or imagined, that adversaries could try to take advantage of political upheaval as a new president takes office against the backdrop of widespread popular protests in recent years.

U.S. officials say the Biden administrations fundamental approach to Iran now boils down to keeping open channels of communication to avoid direct conflict or a crisis in the run-up to Novembers elections.

Ayatollah Khamenei and the security bureaucracy will be acutely aware of the risk inherent in any perception of vulnerability," said Suzanne Maloney, the director of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. Id expect a skittish, reactive Iran at a time when the temperature is already running high in the region."

The State Department offered official condolences" for the death of Raisi and other Iranian officials while reaffirming its support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms." On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a congressional hearing that given the horrible acts" Raisi had engaged in as a judge and as president" the Iranian people were probably better off without him and were certainly not mourning the death."

Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to phone Irans new interim President Mohammad Mokhber to express his condolences on Monday.

Iran asked Washington and Moscow for help finding Raisis helicopter. Russia sent planes, a helicopter and personnel. The U.S. agreed but ultimately wasnt able to provide that helpwhich probably would have consisted of satellite reconnaissancefor what a U.S. official said were logistical reasons."

While Irans military and foreign policy strategies are framed by Khamenei and his top advisers, a new president and his team would have some sway over how these are implemented.

Decision makers in Washington and Europe will look first to see what signals Tehran sends about its potential foreign policy priorities by which presidential candidates it permits to run and who wins, said Michael Singh, a former National Security Council official now at the Washington Institute think tank.

In 2021 for example, the regime banned former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, the front-runner who was seen as more moderate than Raisi, from running.

Last week, senior U.S. and Iranian officials, including a diplomat who has since become Irans new acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri-Kani, held indirect talks in Oman for the first time since January. Iran wont meet face-to-face with the U.S. so Omani officials shuffle messages between the teams.

The two sides discussed nuclear and regional issues, according to people briefed on discussions, with U.S. officials nudging Tehran to control its production of highly-enriched uranium and cooperate with the United Nations atomic agency as a pathway to improved relations.

Bagheri-Kani was due to meet European counterparts this week but the deaths of Raisi and Abdollahian scuttled those plans.

Some Western officials say the elevation of Bagheri-Kani is welcome, seeing Irans chief nuclear negotiator, who has personal ties to Khamenei and opposed the 2015 nuclear deal, as now favoring de-escalation of tensions with the West. But it is unclear if he will keep the role under a new team or how much influence he will have in a regime dominated by hard-liners.

The possibility that Iran might edge closer to a nuclear weapon is perhaps the greatest concern among Western officials.

Irans nuclear program has advanced significantly in recent years and Tehran has now stockpiled enough fissile material for around three nuclear weapons, experts say. Iran denies it has ever worked on nuclear weapons and U.S. officials say there is no evidence Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

Talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, which lifted most international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for tight but temporary limits on Irans nuclear work, collapsed in 2022.

In recent months, Iranian officials have suggested they are close to mastering the ability to build a nuclear weapon and that the fatwa Khamenei issued in 2003 against the use of weapons of mass destruction could be revisited. Any such change, however, could only come from the top leadership.

We are moving closer to a situation where there is a big, huge question mark about what they are doing and why they are doing it," International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the Guardian earlier this month.

Less prone to a shift is Irans approach to Gaza. Tehrans entire political establishment enthusiastically backed Hamas fight with Israel.

U.S. intelligence agencies assessed in this years annual report on worldwide threats that Iranian leaders did not orchestrate nor had foreknowledge" of Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. But Khamenei has hailed the attack, which Israel says killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians.

Iranian officials have denounced regional normalization efforts between Israel and Arab states, including the Biden administration efforts to establish formal relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, potentially a major shift in the regional power balance.

Irans missile and drone attack on Israel last month marked Tehrans first-ever direct attack on Israel, and taken in response to an Israeli strike on Iranian paramilitary officials in Damascus.

Yet after that attack and Israels narrow response in central Iran, both sides sought to avoid an escalation of the clash.

Tehran has also sought to avoid direct conflict with the U.S. or to push Hezbollah to open a new front against Israel from Lebanon. After three U.S. soldiers were killed by a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia in late January, Khamenei personally intervened to prevent further attacks on U.S. forces, according to two Western diplomats.

That policy is being set up high," said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project and a senior adviser at conflict resolution organization Crisis Group. Thats why you see a high level of continuity over the years because presidents have come and goneand the policy towards Irans network of nonstate actors in the region has not changed."

Raisi championed Irans turn to the east under his presidency, playing down the importance of relations with the West and giving priority to smoother relations with Irans Gulf Arab neighbors and closer ties with Beijing and Moscow.

Most significantly, with the help of Beijing, his government re-established diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia in 2023, seven years after the two regional rivals severed relations over a series of disputes. Iran became a permanent member of the Russia, China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization and of the Brics Group.

Yet Irans most consequential decisions were made by Irans security establishment, experts say, in particular the move to supply drones and drone technology to Russia for its war in Ukraine. U.S. officials are still expecting Tehran to send ballistic missiles to Russia, a step that Washington has warned would produce a volley of joint Western sanctions on Tehran.

I think that the decision to align strategically with the Kremlin as well as with Beijing is frankly growing firmer by the year," said Singh. I think that the days of Iran hoping for a rapprochement with the Westare over for the foreseeable future."

Write to Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com and Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com
NEW DELHI : In a season of scorching heat waves bracketed by a prolonged winter and predictions of extreme rains, it seems appropriate that the health ministry wants to include climate change in the curriculum for medical students.

If heatstrokes are rampant as temperatures hit 45 degree celsius in some states, including in New Delhi, heavy rains in the some southern regions have triggered alerts for vector-borne diseases such as dengue. Doctors are also blaming extreme weather for diseases such as covid and monkeypox.

To equip medical professionals to treat such conditions more appropriately and timely, the health ministry is considering including climate change education in the curriculum for medical students, according to two officials aware of the matter.

Many doctors in India are still not knowledgeable enough to treat health hazards arising out of climate change or natural calamities, one of them said.

There are a lot of diseases emerging because of climate change. But not all doctors are much aware of them and hence are not able to provide the right treatment," said this official, declining to be identified. A basic course on climate action at the MBBS level will enable them in a much better way" to treat such conditions, the official added.

The Union health and family welfare ministry did not reply to emailed queries on the matter.

Whats a heatstroke?

The National Centre for Disease Control recently issued guidelines on how to treat patients suffering from heat strokes.

NCDC and the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health have also prepared guidelines for hospitals on deaths that can be labelled as heat-related or because of heatstroke, as part of introducing evidence-based medical decision-making.

Identifying a patient succumbing due to heatstroke is not easy; it can only be done by experts," said the official quoted earlier.

Also read | Climate action: Delhi may have ideas worthy of wide emulation

The government is also working on an action plan to combat the effects of climate change on peoples health at the state-level. Most states and union territories, in collaboration with NCDC, have sent drafts of their action plans to the Union health ministry for approval.

These plans include a set of guidelines to handle the impact of climate change on peoples health over the next five years. Each plan has four main chaptersvulnerability, demography, illness, and environmental hazard.

Common diseases linked to extreme weather Lyme disease: typically caused by warmer winters and extended summers, which can increase the activity period of ticks that spread the disease Allergic rhinitis: caused by increased CO2 levels and warmer temperatures that can boost pollen production, exacerbating the condition more commonly known as hay fever Salmonellosis: high temperatures enhance the growth of Salmonella bacteria in food Giardiasis: caused by increased rainfall and flooding that can spread the protozoan Giardia through contaminated water sources, affecting the intestines Campylobacteriosis: triggered by warm weather conditions promoting the spread of campylobacter bacteria in poultry and other food products

The World Health Organization has predicted an additional 250,000 climate-related deaths worldwide every year from 2030 to 2050 through malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress, with women, children and people with disabilities particularly at risk.

UNICEF has estimated that about 25% of the children in India experience high or extremely high water vulnerability, and that by 2040 almost 600 million children globally would be living in areas of extremely high water stress.

A high probability for new viruses

NCDC has also been working on vector-borne diseases and zoonotic diseases, transmitted from animals to humans, that could be exacerbated by climate change.

The impact of climate change is clearly visible on vector-borne diseases, and zoonotic diseases are also a rising concern," said a second official familiar with the matter, also speaking on condition of anonymity. The decrease in forest areas will lead to a rise in zoonotic diseases, and there is a high probability that new viruses will emerge."

Also read | The fight against elephantiasis amid climate change challenges

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert, said it was important for doctors to go beyond common health complications such as diabetes and heart diseases and also focus on diseases caused by climate change.

Climate change is real. Animals are entering human habitats, which was not happening earlier. Zoonotic diseases like covid, ebola, monkeypox are some examples of how climate change has been threatening public health," said Dr. Jayadevan.

Then there are vector-borne diseases like dengue, which is a growing menace," the doctor added. There is no doubt that the production of mosquitoes and their behavioural pattern has changed."

There are also diseases, deprivation and ill health emerging out of drought or flooding. "It is clear that these processes are all interconnected and dont exist in isolated silosDoctors should go beyond studying existing diseases listed in the syllabus and learn how to prevent and manage the emerging diseases," he added.
Photo taken by Susie Holderfield. The morguefile contains photographs freely contributed by many artists to be used in creative projects by visitors to the site.

WOODSIDE, California (AP) - Two former caretakers who refused to bare their breasts to a 300-pound (136-kilogram), sign-language-speaking gorilla named Koko have settled a lawsuit against the Gorilla Foundation.

Nancy Alperin and Kendra Keller claimed they were fired after they refused to expose their bosoms to the primate, and after reporting sanitary problems at Koko's home in Woodside, an upscale town south of San Francisco.

The pair claimed they were threatened that if they "did not indulge Koko's nipple fetish, their employment with the Gorilla Foundation would suffer," the lawsuit alleged.

Alperin and Keller claimed that Francine "Penny" Patterson, the gorilla's longtime caretaker and president of the Gorilla Foundation, pressured them to expose their breasts as a way to bond with the 33-year-old female simian.

"On one such occasion," the lawsuit said, "Patterson said, 'Koko, you see my nipples all the time. You are probably bored with my nipples. You need to see new nipples."

The plaintiffs, both in their mid-40s, never undressed, said their attorney, Stephen Sommers. The foundation has denied the allegations.

Lawyers for both sides refused to disclose terms of the settlement.

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A second similar lawsuit filed by another employee is pending.

The Gorilla Foundation was founded in 1976 to promote the preservation and study of gorillas. It's best known for Koko, who has mastered a vocabulary of more than 1,000 signs.
The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) has legs that stretch out to about the size of a dinner plate.

Huntsman spiders are a group of large spiders in the family Sparassidae, which comprises more than 1,300 species. They are found in warm climates across the globe and owe their name to the way they chase their prey.

Rather than building a web and waiting for a meal to come to them like many other spiders , huntsman spiders actively seek out and run after prey using their long, spindly legs. Once they catch their target, these speedy spiders inject it with an immobilizing venom and then chow down on it.

The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) is the largest known huntsman spider in the world and the largest spider by diameter , according to a 2017 review article . Its body grows to 1.8 inches (4.6 centimeters) in size and it has a leg span of up to 11.8 inches (30 cm), dwarfing the average 1-inch (2.5 cm) body and 5-inch (12.7 cm) leg span of other huntsman spider species. While the giant huntsman spider steals the prize for the biggest leg span of any known spider, the goliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa blondi) is the heaviest on record , weighing up to six ounces (170 grams)  as much as a small puppy.

Related: What is the deadliest spider in the world?

The giant huntsman spider is elusive and thought to mostly dwell in caves. It was discovered in 2001 in Laos by arachnologist Peter Jager , who heads the arachnology team at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, researchers have described other large huntsman spiders  including Cerbalus aravaensis , the largest known huntsman spider in the Middle East  but the giant huntsman spider still reigns supreme.

What do huntsman spiders look like?

Because of their size, huntsman spiders are sometimes incorrectly classified as tarantulas . One way to tell a huntsman from a tarantula is by the position of the creature's legs. While most spiders' legs bend vertically under their body, "huntsman spiders usually have legs that are splayed out to the sides, crablike," said Christy Bills , an entomologist and the invertebrate collections manager at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Because of this, huntsman spiders are also known as giant crab spiders.

An image of a female huntsman spider (Heterpoda venatoria) taken in a home in West Bengal, India. (Image credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Huntsman spiders' legs also have twisted joints that enable the appendages to extend forward, and their alignment enables the spider to move side to side, similar to a crab. Males have longer legs than females, although the latter have larger bodies. "Colors and patterns vary," Bills said, but the spiders' legs are typically gray or brown, and banded.

Many huntsman spiders have flattened bodies to help them squeeze into tight cracks and holes, according to the Australian Museum .

Classification/taxonomy

According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the taxonomy of giant huntsman spiders is:

Kingdom : Animalia

: Animalia Subkingdom : Bilateria

: Bilateria Infrakingdom : Protostomia

: Protostomia Superphylum : Ecdysozoa

: Ecdysozoa Phylum : Arthropoda

: Arthropoda Subphylum : Chelicerata

: Chelicerata Class : Arachnida

: Arachnida Order : Araneae

: Araneae Family : Sparassidae

: Sparassidae Genus & species: Heteropoda maxima

Where are giant huntsman spiders found?

The giant huntsman was found in Laos, and most huntsman species are native to Asia. They are also prevalent in Africa, Australia and South America, according to Science Alert . They live in some warm American states such as Florida, California and Texas, and, according to the University of Florida , it is presumed that they were introduced from Asia. Folklore stories claim the spiders traveled from Asia in boxes of bananas, and because of that, they are sometimes called banana spiders.

Related: Brown recluse spiders: Facts, bites & symptoms

What environment do they live in?

Bills extolled the huntsman's speed: "They can often be quite large and very quick." In fact, the huntsman spider can move up to a yard (almost 1 meter) a second, she said. The spider typically lives under loose bark on trees, under rocks, in crevices and under foliage. Huntsman spiders, especially Australian species, are notorious for entering houses and cars. According to the Australian Museum, they have been "found hiding behind sun visors or running across the dashboard." These spiders can be social, and dozens will sometimes sit together on dead trees or stumps.

Giant huntsman spiders can be found hidding in rock crevices. (Image credit: Nikhil Guhagarkar via Shutterstock)

What do huntsman spiders eat?

The huntsman runs after or ambushes its prey, killing it with venom and strong mouthparts, called the chelicerae. Once captured, the prey will be injected with deadly venom from glands within the spider's body, according to the University of Florida . The huntsman can also be a valuable spider because it eats cockroaches, in addition to other spiders and domestic insect pests.

Are huntsman spiders dangerous?

Huntsman are not deadly to humans. According to the Australian Reptile Park , although huntsman spiders are venomous and their bites can be painful to humans, they do not cause anything more serious than mild nausea or headaches . Usually localized swelling and pain are the only symptoms of a huntsman spider bite.

In most instances, a huntsman spider will attempt to run away from a human, rather than biting them, according to the Australian Museum. However, the females of these spiders are more likely to bite when they perceive a threat to their young.

In the event that someone does get bitten, they should try to remain as calm as possible. This is to prevent their heart rate from increasing and spreading the venom more quickly around the body. Applying an ice pack can reduce the pain caused by the bite, but a pressure immobilisation bandage is not needed, according to Australia Wide First Aid .

Huntsman spiders kill their prey with venom and strong mouthparts. (Image credit: Sandra Caldwell via Shutterstock)

How do huntsman reproduce?

Compared to other spider species that eat their mates, huntsman spiders are downright romantic. According to the Australian Museum, their mating ritual can last for several hours and involves lengthy caresses and other demonstrations of interest. The male drums his pedipalps  antennae-like appendages near the mouth  against tree trunks before inserting them into the female to fertilize her eggs.

A female huntsman clutching onto a silk sac filled with hundreds of spider offspring. (Image credit: Elliekay/Public Domain)

After mating, the female lays up to 200 eggs and encases them in a large, oval, spun-silk sac. "Some huntsmans are dedicated mothers," Billa said. They "look after their egg sacs, guarding them fiercely."

Related: Why do spiders have 8 legs?

According to the University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology Department, some females carry the sac with them under their bodies, which severely restricts their movements. Others place the sac under a rock or piece of bark and stand over it, without eating, for up to three weeks. In both cases, females may become aggressive when guarding their egg sacs.

According to the Australian Reptile Park, at birthing time, the mother may tear the egg sac open to help her spiderlings emerge. She'll then stay with the babies for several weeks. Baby huntsmen are pale in color and darken with each molt. Huntsman spiders can live for more than two years.

Are huntsman spiders social creatures?

Sociality is rare in spiders, and huntsman spiders are no exception. Only five species are known to exhibit social behaviors, such as living in large family groups, according to a 2022 study . The social species include four huntsman spiders found in Australia  Delena cancerides (also known as the communal or social huntsman), D. lapidicola, D. melanochelis and D. spenceri  as well as an unidentified species from Madagascar in the genus Damastes.

Social huntsman spiders live in groups comprising a single mother and multiple clutches of babies. The offspring leave the family retreat after 5 to 12 months, depending on the species. Solitary huntsman spiders, on the other hand, do not form big groups and leave their mothers just a few weeks after they are born.

Additional resources

Learn more about the giant huntsman at the Encyclopedia of Life.

Here is a handy guide to identifying huntsman spiders and other arachnids

Check out the World Spider Trait database for more information and research about spiders from around the world

Editor's note: This article was updated on May 22, 2024, to include new findings about the sociality of giant huntsman spiders.
MOSCOW  Following a fire at the University of Idahos Hartung Theater, the Idaho State Fire Marshals Office is reminding the public how to safely care for lithium-ion batteries.

An improperly discarded lithium-ion battery from a power tool sparked a small blaze at the theater May 10, Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl said in an interview. He added the battery had been thrown away because it was no longer functional.

The fire damaged the loading dock and a box truck parked nearby. It caused exterior damage and smoke damage to the inside of the building, Moscow Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Nickerson said. No one was hurt, he added.

Lithium-ion batteries supply power to a variety of devices, like smart phones, laptops, e-scooters and e-bikes, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys and cars, according to a news release Tuesday by the fire marshals office.

These batteries are known for storing a large amount of energy in a small amount of space. If used incorrectly or damaged, they can catch fire or explode, according to the news release.

To safely care for these batteries, fire marshals recommend storing batteries away from anything flammable, store them at room temperature and not charge them at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 105 degrees.

They shouldnt be charged under a pillow, on the bed or a couch, and when the device is fully charged they should be taken off the power supply, according to the news release.
Joe Gish emerged as the winner in a four-way Republican primary Tuesday for the District 3 seat on the Nez Perce County Commission.

A total of 1,181 voters cast ballots for Gish, 61, who resides in Waha and is a corporate pilot for DeAtley Crushing.

The next-highest vote-getter was Bob Hasenoehrl with 900 votes followed by John Roy with 705 votes. Robin Ackerman received 615 votes.

Gish will proceed to the general election and face Democrat Pete Gertonson, of Waha, in the November general election for a four-year term.

The incumbent, Doug Zenner, didnt run for his present position on the three-seat commission.

Gishs competitors were three entrepreneurs. Hasenoehrl, 65, of Lewiston, owns Lewiston MW & Appliance. Roy, 61, of Lewiston, owns John Roy & Associates, an advertising agency. Ackerman, 54, of Lenore, owns Z-A, an online seller of mostly nonfiction books on platforms like Amazon and eBay.

The candidates brought varying degrees of government experience to the race.

Gish holds appointed positions on the boards of the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Authority and on Lewistons Urban Renewal Agency and has pledged to resign from those posts if he wins the commission seat.

He was a chairperson of Lewiston SMART, a group that led the successful effort for the city of Lewiston to switch to a strong mayor form of government with voter approval.

Hasenoehrl has been on the board of the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District for 12 years.
MOSCOW  The early stages of the new Home Depot construction is underway, as crews have begun grading the site location near the intersection of A Street and Farm Road.

Home Depot has been approved to construct a 137,000-square-foot store and a parking lot with 384 spaces on University of Idaho land.

On Monday, the Moscow City Council approved a development agreement with Home Depot that requires the home-improvement store to complete public infrastructure enhancements such as extending A Street along the edge of the site. City utilities will also be extended as part of the development agreement.

During that Monday meeting, City Supervisor Bill Belknap said the city and UI staff discussed with Home Depot the citys desire to eventually extend A Street to Warbonnet Drive as that land behind the Palouse Mall is developed in the future.
OROFINO  Ken Harvey, former head of the Clearwater County Republican central committee, toppled incumbent Rick Miller for the District 3 Clearwater County commission race Tuesday.

With all 19 precincts casting ballots, Harvey received 555 votes, or 53.3% to Millers 485, or 46.6% of the votes.

In the District 1 commission race, Mitch Reggear gathered 642, or 62.2% of the votes cast while Scott Hill received 389, or 37.7% of the votes.
District 6 will likely be represented by familiar faces in the Legislature next year, following Tuesdays primary election.

Incumbent Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, was leading over her opponents in the Republican primary contest for District 6 House representative Seat A, according to election results as of around 11:20 p.m.

McCann had garnered 2,014 votes, followed by Colton Bennett of Moscow with 1,829 and David Dalby with 579. Latah County had 88% of precincts reported, and Nez Perce and Lewis counties were fully reported.

In the districts Senate race, incumbent Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, narrowly led against Robert Blair. Foreman had 2,215 votes to Blairs 2,134.

Senate

Foreman completed one term in the Senate and previously served in the chamber for one term until 2018, when he lost in the general election to Democrat David Nelson. Foreman is a member of the very conservative Idaho Freedom Caucus.

During a Moscow Chamber of Commerce forum, Foreman said his No. 1 plank in his platform was that life begins at conception, the Daily News previously reported.

He wrote in a [http://%20https//latah.idgop.org/guides/dan-foreman/] Latah County Republicans Q-and-A that one of his top priorities is to remove the exemptions in Idahos abortion ban for rape and incest.

Blair is a local farmer and adviser for an agriculture technology company; he served as a substitute for Sen. Dan Johnson during the 2022 session.

He said one of his top priorities is to support local control at the city, county, and school district level. Blair also said he wanted to support agriculture, forestry, Gritman Medical Center and the University of Idaho.
PULLMAN  The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport is transitioning services to its new terminal early this morning.

Cherri Gentry, airport administration, said the last flight out of the old terminal departed Tuesday afternoon. Transportation Security Administration equipment will be moved into the new terminal before its first flight arrives from Seattle at midnight.

She added the terminal will become fully operational today, but the airport is still working to find a restaurant for it.

A Pullman City Transit bus will be available to take passengers to their cars at the old terminals parking lot, Gentry said. The bus will leave 30 minutes after each flight arrives, she added. Patrons are instructed to park their vehicles at the new terminals parking lot.

Construction of the $92 million terminal at Schweitzer Field began in 2022. The 47,000-square-foot facility is about six times the size of the old terminal, Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin said.
ASOTIN  A fatal vehicle wreck last week in Benewah County is going to impact completion of the new Asotin County Jail.

County Commissioner Chuck Whitman said three steel cells headed to the Clarkston Heights were destroyed in a recent wreck, and the manufacturer has said it will take several weeks to replace them.

This impacts the schedule for the jail, and were now looking at February for completion, Whitman said.
UPDATED AT 9:13 A.M.:

It appears that the levy in support of the Mountain View School District in the Grangeville area has been approved by voters.

Late Tuesday night, the measure appeared to be losing, but final results Wednesday morning show 2,185 votes in favor to 1,999 votes opposed, according to the Idaho Secretary of State website. Read more here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Mountain View School District was narrowly failing to pass its levy Tuesday night, with 53% voting against the funding measure, but only 85% of precincts were reported as of press time.

Votes were at 1,491 against the levy and 1,318 in favor for the $2.9 million, two-year levy. The levy would cost $182.16 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value and funds staffing, academic and extra-curricular activities and supports the Clearwater Valley High School, Elk City School and elementary libraries.

Other school district levies appeared to be passing as of press time including:

Culdesac Joint School District

Amount of levy: $250,000

Cost to taxpayer: $287.90 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value

Results: Yes  114; No  11

Highland School District:

Amount of levy: $499,000

Cost to taxpayer: $232.08 per $100,000 of assessed value

Results: Yes  267; No  135

Nezperce Joint School District

Amount of levy: $445,000

Cost to taxpayer: $258 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value

Results: Yes  156; No  87

Salmon River School Joint District
Skrmetti wanted to recognize the great work the center does on behalf of kids in Hamilton County.
A hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to trial over historical sex offences will take place on July 3, a court has heard.

The date for the committal proceedings  known as a preliminary enquiry (PE)  was fixed when the case against Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

After the hearing, a solicitor for Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed that Lagan Valley MP would not be standing for re-election, but intends to remains as an MP until the general election.

Neither accused was in court on Wednesday morning, having been excused from attending.

The 61-year-old MP was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.



Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates Court after his first court appearance in April

He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.

His wife, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

The next review hearing in the case will take place on June 12.

Barrister Fiona OKane, for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, gave an update on progress of the case on Wednesday.



Eleanor Donaldson arrives at Newry Magistrates Court in April

The case is progressing quite expeditiously, she told District Judge Eamonn King.

The position this morning is that we would hope to be able to have the PE (preliminary enquiry) itself on the third of July.

She said the review hearing on June 12 would provide an opportunity to check that progress towards the committal hearing was still on track.

The barrister said papers on the case were being prepared.

I understand that both defendants solicitors will accept service of the papers to facilitate the progress of the PE, so that makes matters a lot easier, she added.

A lawyer representing Eleanor Donaldson questioned whether the PE could be brought forward to the June 12 hearing date. When Ms OKane indicated that would not be possible, he said he was content not to pursue that request.

Judge King then confirmed the preliminary enquiry would take place on July 3.

Well review on the 12th of June to make sure that we are on track for the PE on the third of July, he added.

A lawyer representing Jeffrey Donaldson then asked the judge to agree to what he described as an uncontentious amendment to his clients bail conditions.

He explained that a condition on the bail granted by police when Donaldson was arrested was that he was to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16.

When the politician appeared in court for the first time last month, that police bail was converted to bail granted by the court.

The lawyer said in the process of converting the bail conditions, the term unsupervised was omitted in the court bail, leaving the condition stating that Donaldson was to have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

The judge agreed for the word unsupervised to be added to the condition in the court bail.

However, after a request from the PPS barrister Ms OKane, he added a stipulation that the person supervising any contact Jeffrey Donaldson had with anyone under the age of 16 could not be his co-accused, Eleanor Donaldson.

No other issues were raised during the brief review hearing, which lasted only three minutes.

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations against him emerged in March.

It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers at the time, he made clear he would be strenuously contesting all charges against him.

Weeks prior to his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

East Belfast MP and deputy leader, Gavin Robinson, has been appointed interim DUP leader.

Outside court on Wednesday, Jeffrey Donaldsons solicitor John McBurney confirmed his client would not be seeking re-election as an MP.

However, Mr McBurney indicated Donaldson would not be standing down until the general election.

I can indicate that it is not Jeffreys intention of course to stand for re-election, he told RTE.

He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges. He is continuing as the MP at the present time. Theres various matters to be dealt (with), constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 22 2024

During a special enforcement period starting May 19 and concluding June 2, Hempstead Village will participate in the Click it or Ticket seatbelt enforcement initiative.

With Memorial Day travel fast approaching, Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis (D  Rockville Centre) is encouraging Nassau motorists and passengers to buckle up for safety ahead of, during and beyond the holiday weekend.

During a special enforcement period starting May 19 and concluding June 2, Hempstead Village will participate in the Click it or Ticket seatbelt enforcement initiative. New York State law requires all drivers and passengers  whether in the front or back seat- to wear seatbelts or appropriate child safety seats when traveling in an automobile.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 22 2024

As a Navy Veteran and lifelong Long Islander, I was humbled to present a true hero, retired U.S. Army Specialist Robert Terrell of Selden, with his Purple Heart, said LaLota.

Yesterday, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy Veteran and member of the Armed Services Committee, hosted a press conference where he presented Army Veteran and Selden resident Robert Terrell with his Purple Heart

As a Navy Veteran and lifelong Long Islander, I was humbled to present a true hero, retired U.S. Army Specialist Robert Terrell of Selden, with his Purple Heart. Vietnam Veterans like Robert have been ignored for too long and this recognition is long overdue, said LaLota. I want every Long Islander to know they can always contact me with any issues you might be having with the federal government. My team and I will do everything we can to make sure you receive the benefits and honors you have earned.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 22 2024

The Traffic and Parking Violation Agency Veterans Traffic court to be held on the third Friday of every month.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Legislator Chad Lennon today were joined by Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau Director Bryan Browns and Suffolk County Veterans Agency Director Marcelle Leis to announce the start of the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agencys Veterans Traffic Court for active and retired veterans is now in operation.

Suffolk County has the largest population of veterans in the state, said Romaine. We want to remind these individuals, who have already given so much to us, that Suffolk County is here to support them.

The new program, held on the third Friday of every month, allows veterans the opportunity to receive guidance and assistance in any traffic matter past or pending. It is a part of Suffolk Countys active commitment to veterans. Veterans Traffic Court will also assist veterans with the DMV and other agencies. Even outside of official Veterans Court hours, someone will be available to the veterans community to assist with services and vehicle matters.

Veterans will also be connected to the Department of Veterans Services, located directly above the traffic court, upon arrival. There veterans can connect with county and third-party resources to assist with any unmet needs, including mental health, financial services and acquiring VA benefits.

Legislator Chad Lennon, an active Marine reservist who earned a Purple Heart on active duty in Afghanistan, requested County Executive Romaine and Browns re-open the court, which was shut down under the prior administration.

I work with both active and inactive military every day and it is clear we need to do more to provide them with the services and guidance they have earned by volunteering for our armed forces, said Lennon. I thank County Executive Romaine for his support in this effort.

The Veterans Traffic Court is staffed by Judicial Hearing Officer Allen S. Mathers, a judge and retired JAG colonel, to oversee these cases. He was placed on active duty on September 11, 2001, and was awarded the New York Army National Guard Conspicuous Service Medal and the US Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Medal.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 22 2024

Maxwell Perez-Lopez, 13, is described as a male Hispanic, 510 tall, 150 lbs, black hair and brown eyes.

The Missing Persons Squad is investigating a Missing Juvenile that occurred on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 2:30 pm in Westbury and was reported to Police on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 5:55 pm.

According to Detectives, Maxwell Perez-Lopez, 13, was last seen in the vicinity of the Westbury Public Library. He is described as a male Hispanic, 510 tall, 150 lbs, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black pants, a black sweatshirt and black sneakers. New York City is a possible destination he is traveling to.
The Taliban is fighting to quash a multi-faceted resistance that is gaining strength, but the movement spearheaded by the National Resistance Front (NRF) is still too nascent to pose a threat to the Talibans rule. While the Taliban faces internal rifts and attacks from other radical Islamic terrorist groups, like the Islamic State, it is essential to remember that the anti-Taliban resistance groups also face a similar kaleidoscope of threats on an ever-evolving battlefield.

We are not only fighting the Taliban, Ali Maisam Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations for the NRF, told FDDs Long War Journal. We are fighting Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and many other groups throughout Afghanistan.

Ahmad Massoud Jr., son of legendary Mujahideen leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, leads the NRF, which has grown to become the largest and most active anti-Taliban resistance group. With a dedicated following in the U.S., the NRF is entering its third fighting season, primed to expand its operational footprint throughout the country. The NRF has claimed most of its recent attacks in Kabul. The NRF will likely focus on more targeted attacks following their unsuccessful defense of Panjshir in late 2021-2022.

In our third year of fighting, our attacks are more targeted and strategic, Mr. Nazar told Long War Journal.

The NRFs natural support base is throughout northern Afghanistan, particularly in Panshjir province, which is also Massouds birthplace. However, the NRF acknowledged that it will need broad support base to achieve its democratic, decentralized and pluralistic vision of Afghanistan.

After the fall of the previous government, remnants of the Afghan National Security Forces joined the NRF, said Mr. Nazar, But we also have Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras, and more inside the NRF.

The NRF is joined on the battlefield by the Afghan Freedom Front (AFF). Former Afghan National Army (ANA) Chief of General Staff and Acting Minister of Defense Yasin Zia leads the AFF. A former governor of Tarakh province, Zias AFF is also striking targets in Kabul after a self-imposed Eid ceasefire recently ended.

Launched in March 2022, the AFF wasted no time attacking the Taliban a month later. While they do not claim attacks at nearly the same rate as the NRF, the AFF shares a similar strategy of conducting precise Taliban attacks on targets that are both strategically and symbolically important.

Over the last few years, our attacks have improved, Yasin Zia told The Long War Journal. Our intelligence network is expanding.

While the AFF and NRF are distinct groups, they are already collaborating, which will be essential for future efforts to topple the Taliban. For the resistance to succeed, however, they will need support from forces familiar with fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. Former ANA 215th Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Sami Sadat, provides the resistance with that experience.

Sadats Afghan United Front (AUF), who has testified before Congress, is an important resistance leader on and off the battlefield. Joined by Brigadier General Khoshal Sadat (unrelated), both men provide a deep level of operational and tactical experience throughout the Afghan battlefield.

AUFs vision is to free Afghanistan and return it to constitutional order, LTG Sadat told The Long War Journal. We are the new generation of Afghan leaders.

While the AUF has not publicly claimed any attacks on the battlefield, it is likely only a matter of time. For now, however, they remain focused on fighting the Taliban politically. Similarly, the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan has called for active military and political resistance against the Taliban.

Anti-Soviet mujahideen commanders dominate this resistance council. Former Afghan Vice President Marshall Abdul Rashid Dostum, former Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq, and Ittehad al-Islami leader Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, among others, are on the groups board of directors. While the groups leaders held significant sway in the previous failed government, it is hard to imagine how they will gain traction inside a country whose population is distrustful of both the Taliban and leaders tied intimately to the previous regime.

Separately, former Vice President Amurallah Salehs Green Trend focuses on intelligence operations. Mr. Saleh, who was the former head of Afghanistans premier intelligence service, the National Directorate of Security, recently exposed the names of Taliban intelligence officers and the problem of ghost soldiers inside the Talibans new Afghan Army.

Other smaller groups also litter the battlefield. As is often the case, it is difficult to substantiate their claims. For example, the Afghan Liberation Movement (ALM) claims to be active, primarily in Kandahar. After a falling out with the previous leader, Abdul Mateen Sulaimankhail, a former Afghan Army special forces commander, Naser Waziri now leads the ALM.

We started in 2022 and focused almost exclusively on collecting intelligence, Mr. Waziri told The Long War Journal. Now we are starting to launch attacks.

The anti-Taliban resistance groups are increasing in size and diversity. While their attacks against the Taliban will increase this year, the only chance for the resistance to overthrow the Taliban is to set aside their differences and form a cohesive organization that can pool resources and fighters. This will hopefully spur outside support and safe havens in northern Afghanistan. Unfortunately, that is not foreseeable in the near term, and few will take them seriously until then.

Will Selber is a retired Middle East Foreign Area Officer who deployed for over four and half years to Iraq and Afghanistan. Will is a contributor to the Bulwark and the co-founder of Grumpy Combat Veteran.
Whether youre running a small business, heading to school, or just need the tools for personal projects, Microsoft Office is the standard. Right now, you can get the 2019 edition for Mac or Windows at a special price.

Running on Monterrey, Ventura, and Sonoma versions of MacOS, the Mac-optimized version of Office includes Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Teams Classic, all available as instant downloads as well. The purchase gets you a lifetime license on one machine, with no subscription needed, and the download is tied to your Microsoft Account.

Compatible with Windows 10 and 11, Office Professional Plus for Windows adds Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and OneNote to your Start menu. Like the Mac version, this secures one lifetime license for one Windows device, with no subscriptions or other fees, and its tied to your Microsoft Account.

Get your lifetime license while its on sale:

Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac  $24.97

See Deal

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows  $24.97

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Members of the Madonna University community will be celebrating Dean Karen Obsniuk's commitment to excellence in education and her servant leadership over the next few weeks.

After a career as a teacher and while serving as principal of an elementary school in the area, Dr. Obsniuk began her relationship with Madonna University as an adjunct faculty member. While teaching an 8 a.m. class to police officers and first responders, Dr. Obsniuk was known to bring coffee to the class. She went on to become a full-time faculty member and coordinator of directed teaching for Madonna's College of Education. Before becoming dean of what is now the College of Education and Human Development, she served as acting dean and chair of teacher education.

In August 2023, Dr. Obsniuk was recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as one of 26 Notable Leaders in Higher Education. Highlights from her nomination for the honor include: Focused on service, Dr. Obsniuk dedicates her energy to educational change, K-12 student behavior, literacy intervention with at-risk students, and quality of work-life issues for teachers. She actively engages in the field of education at the state and local levels, working closely with the Michigan Department of Education and as a board member of the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). She works to remove obstacles from the paths of teachers, staff, or other administrators while still maintaining high standards.

Dr. Obsniuk serves as chair of the academic subcommittee on the board of Public School Academies of Detroit, chair of the strategic planning committee on the board of Living and Learning Enrichment Center, member of the Livonia Chapter of the Lions Club, and member of the West Oak Civitan Club - Literacy Outreach.

About her work, Dr. Obsniuk said, "The students, staff, and faculty are important in my life. We have shared challenges and triumphs. It is immeasurably gratifying to see students become teachers and administrators who will make a positive difference in the lives of others."
A fire burned through a Marlborough home on Wednesday, leaving one person in the home dead, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davines office announced.

On behalf of the Marlborough Fire Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family that lost a loved one this morning, Marlborough Fire Chief Kevin J. Breen said in the statement released by Davines office.

Marlborough firefighters arrived at 66 Nolan Way at around 8:23 a.m. after they received several 911 calls, Davines office said. They arrived within three minutes to a single-family home on fire, with flames seen in the back left corner.

Firefighters entered the home to look for anyone inside while they fought off the flames, Davines office said. One adult was found dead inside, while another resident was rescued. Due to the extent of the homes damage, the person who survived was displaced by the fire.

The names of the two people were not released.

Most of the fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes, then brought under control within half an hour, Davines office said.

An examination of the home and witness statements to investigators suggest the fire started in the first-floor living room, Davines office added.

The exact cause remains under investigation by the Marlborough Fire Department, Marlborough Police Department, Massachusetts State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office and State Police assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorneys office.
American Airlines on Wednesday distanced itself from a court filing in a Texas lawsuit brought against the company by the family of a 9-year-old girl who was illicitly taped inside a bathroom in which it had suggested the girl should have known she was being recorded.

The airline, in a statement, said an outside legal counsel hired through its insurance company had made an error in the filing.

The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning. We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously, the airline said. Our core mission is to care for people  and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team.

The girls family has sued the airline and a former flight attendant, 36-year-old Estes Carter Thompson III, who is accused of secretly recording four young girls in the bathrooms aboard American Airlines flights. Thompson is charged with attempted sexual exploitation of children in Massachusetts. Thompson was immediately withheld from service after his arrest in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Thompson was indicted last month on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

About midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied, according to investigators.

Thompson told her the first-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. She told investigators that before she entered the bathroom, Thompson told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said. Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed the iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also alleged that hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through artificial intelligence were found stored on Thompsons iCloud account, as well as the images of the other four girls captured on earlier flights.

Among those four girls is the 9-year-old whose parents filed the Texas suit.

In the filing this week in the 261st District Court in Travis County, Texas, American Airlines argued that Thompson was not acting within the course and scope of his employment when he set up the system prosecutors say he used to film the girl.

And, the airline said any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by the girl were proximately caused by her own fault and negligence and were proximately caused by [her] use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.

The girls mother told The Boston Herald her family was shocked and angered by the response from the airline.

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed, she told the paper. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.

The parents of the 14-year-old girl Thompson is accused of attempting to film on the Boston-bound flight told WCVB-TV that the airlines callous legal position shocked them.

Our hearts go out to the Texas family, they told the station.

Estes has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.

Thompson is due back in court on July 1.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Editors note: This story was updated at 10:39 a.m. on May 22 with a statement from Magellan Diagnostics.

A Billerica company is set to plead guilty to violations of federal law and pay out $42 million to resolve criminal charges tied to its coverup of a malfunction in a lead testing device it produced that produced inaccurate results for countless patients, including children, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office.

Magellan Diagnostics, a medical device company headquartered in Massachusetts, will plead guilty to violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and will pay a $21.8 million fire, forfeit $10.9 million, and at least $9.3 million to compensate patient victims. The resolution reached Tuesday also includes an agreement to resolve felony conspiracy fraud charges against Magellan, according to federal prosecutors.

The company manufactures three devices, known as LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II and LeadCare Plus, which detect lead levels and lead poisoning in patients blood through either venous or fingerstick tests. LeadCare II, which was primarily used to test fingerstick samples, accounted for more than 50% of all blood lead tests in the U.S. between 2013 and 2017. The other devices, LeadCare Plus and LeadCare Ultra, were mostly used to test venous samples, according to a statement from Levys office.

The company has since admitted that it misled both customers and the FDA about a serious malfunction affecting LeadCare devices used to test venous blood samples. By hiding the malfunction, the company caused an estimated tens of thousands of children and other patients to receive inaccurate results showing lead levels lower than they actually were, prosecutors said.

Magellan first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device may produce incorrect test results during the FDA clearance process in June 2013. Despite knowing of the flaw, the company released the device to market in December of that year without notifying customers or the FDA of the malfunction, Levys office said.

Months after the device was released, customers discovered the malfunction and began complaining about inaccurate results, according to Levys office. In response to the customer complaints, Magellan said it had only recently identified the malfunction and had not seen it during clinical trials prior to release. But, prosecutors say the company had known about the malfunction for more than a year at that point.

The companys testing in 2013 also revealed the same malfunction affected its LeadCare II device  its highest-revenue product. But, the company did not tell customers or the FDA about the malfunction until November 2016, according to the statement.

The Food and Drug Administration reached out to Magellan in 2017 and asked when it first discovered the issue with the devices. Representatives for the company told the FDA they first discovered the problem in later 2014, shortly before they notified federal officials. Magellan then provided the FDA with a timeline, which omitted its internal studies about the malfunctioning devices in 2013.

Federal officials later learned the devices could not accurately test venous blood samples, and recalled all LeadCare Devices using those samples, warning the public not to use the companys devices for venous tests due to the malfunction.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said the underlying issues affecting the devices have been fully and effectively remediated and said the tests it sells now are safe, FDA-cleared and are performing as intended. The company stopped using venous blood samples in 2018, according to the statement.

We are pleased to have reached an amicable resolution concerning issues that happened nearly a decade ago with Magellan, said Tony Serafini-Lamanna, president of Magellan Diagnostics, in the statement. Magellan takes seriously our responsibility to provide reliable, FDA-cleared products to support some of our most vulnerable populations.

Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Levys office noted there is no safe level of lead in the blood.

Lead exposure may cause irreversible lifelong physical and mental health problems, Levys office said.

Prosecutors encouraged anyone who believes they received an inaccurate blood test result to complete a questionnaire on the FBIs website.
A 9-year-old girl who prosecutors said was filmed while using the bathroom on an American Airlines plane by a flight attendant knew or should have known the bathroom contained a visible and illuminated recording device, the airline argued in a court filing this week.

The girls family has sued the airline and 36-year-old Estes Carter Thompson III, who was charged with attempted sexual exploitation of children in Massachusetts in connection with a separate case where he is accused of illicitly filming a young girl on a plane. Thompson worked as a flight attendant for the airline but was immediately withheld from service after his arrest in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Thompson was indicted last month on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

About midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied, according to investigators.

Thompson told her the first-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. She told investigators that before she entered the bathroom, Thompson told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said. Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed the iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also alleged that hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through artificial intelligence were found stored on Thompsons iCloud account, as well as the images of the other four girls captured on earlier flights.

Among those four girls is the 9-year-old whose parents filed the Texas suit.

In the filing this week in the 261st District Court in Travis County, Texas, American Airlines argued that Thompson was not acting within the course and scope of his employment when he set up the system prosecutors say he used to film the girl.

And, the airline said any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by the girl were proximately caused by her own fault and negligence and were proximately caused by [her] use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.

The girls mother told The Boston Herald her family was shocked and angered by the response from the airline.

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed, she told the paper. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.

The parents of the 14-year-old girl Thompson is accused of attempting to film on the Boston-bound flight told WCVB-TV that the airlines callous legal position shocked them.

Our hearts go out to the Texas family, they told the station.

Estes has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.

Thompson is due back in court on July 1.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
A Haitian migrant who is accused of raping a teen girl at a Rockland hotel housing migrants was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday, moving his case to superior court, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced.

Cory B. Alvarez, 26, was indicted on charges of aggravated rape of a child with 10-year age difference and rape of a child by force, according to Cruzs office. A Hingham District Court judge deemed Alvarez a danger to the community at a hearing in March, and he has remained in custody ever since.

Police went to the Comfort Inn in Rockland at 850 Hingham St. around 7 p.m. the night of March 13 after hotel staff reported a girl said she had been raped, Det. Sgt. Greg Pigeon testified in court during Alvarezs dangerousness hearing. The hotel has contracted with the state to provide lodging to migrants. Rockland police took the girl to South Shore Hospital for treatment after arriving at the hotel.

Alvarez entered the country legally and had undergone two background checks, his attorney, Brian Kelley, said in court, citing Gov. Maura Healeys office. It was not clear how long Alvarez had been living at the hotel and Kelley said he spent time in New York City before arriving in Massachusetts.

The girl and Alvarez had no pre-existing relationship prior to the assault allegation, both prosecutors and Kelley confirmed.

Read more: Plymouth DA wants more transparency on migrant programs after shelter rape

While the girl was in an examination room with a nurse and a victim advocate, she told police she told Alvarez to leave her alone but he didnt stop, according to the report. Police then asked the girl to identify the man who assaulted her in a photo array, and as officers went through each photo one by one, the girl stopped them when they reached the sixth of eight photos.

Alvarezs status as a migrant has had no bearing on how prosecutors have approached his case, according to Cruz.

Alvarez will appear in superior court at a later date, according to Cruzs office.
Testimony in the trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, continued Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, David Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death.

The trial is taking place in Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court.

On Friday, Jen McCabe took the witness stand. She was a friend of OKeefe and was at the Waterfall Bar & Grille in Canton with friends, including OKeefe and Read, before going to 34 Fairview Road after midnight on Jan. 29, 2022.

McCabe was also with Read and another witness, Kerry Roberts, when they found OKeefes body on the front lawn of the Canton home later that morning.

Jurors witnessed a contentious cross-examination on Tuesday between McCabe and Reads attorney Alan Jackson.

Under intense questioning by Jackson, McCabe told him, Youre spinning all of this.

Jacksons line of questioning sought to show inconsistencies in her testimony before a Norfolk County grand jury and during trial on Friday. She admitted that she never told a grand jury that Read said I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, but she stated that last week.

On Tuesday, McCabe admitted to driving to the house of a Canton police investigator the day after OKeefes body was found.

Cross-examination of McCabe is expected to continue Wednesday.

This story will be updated throughout Wednesday when testimony continues at 9:00 a.m.

Witness Marietta Sullivan of Plymouth. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

Who the [expletive] was that?  3:45 p.m.

Marietta Sullivan began her testimony Wednesday afternoon by saying she considered John OKeefe a close family friend and a big brother.

She said that on the night of Dec. 30, when she was on a large group trip to Aruba with OKeefe, Read and other friends and family, she went to dinner with a group and got back to their hotel a little after 9 p.m. She said she went upstairs to her room to check on her mother, then came back downstairs in the elevator to the lobby.

As she exited the elevator, Sullivan said she saw OKeefe coming inside and stumbling. She said he stumbled into her and asked if he was okay.

He was glassy-eyed. He was looking above me. We never made eye contact, she said. He seemed like he was looking for someone.

OKeefe walked toward his room and Sullivan continued outside toward the pool, but she heard an angry voice yell OKeefes name and say Who the [expletive] was that?

It made me stop in my tracks, she said.

Sullivan said she came back into the lobby and saw Read, who she knew of but had never met, speaking to OKeefe. She said OKeefe told Read it was Just Lauras little sister, and Sullivan said hello.

Ms. Reads head snapped up and she very loudly told me to go [expletive] myself across the lobby, she said. I said, Yeah, [expletive] you too, and walked away.

Two days later, Sullivan said her sister asked her if she had been making out with OKeefe on the night they had the altercation. She said it was absolutely not true, and that He was family, he was my older brother for all intents and purposes. It just never wouldve happened between us.

As with Laura Sullivan, during cross-examination, defense attorney David Yanetti asked Marietta Sullivan if she had been present on Jan. 28, 2022 before OKeefes death, which she had not, and if she had spoken with State Police Trooper Michael Proctor during the investigation, which she had.

For both Laura and Marietta Sullivans testimony, Judge Beverly Cannone told jurors that they could not take either Reads actions or OKeefes statements during the Aruba trip as evidence that Read had committed the crimes she is charged with or had bad character. Instead, she said, the testimony was meant to give insight into both Read and OKeefes states of mind.

Jurors were dismissed at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. The trial will not be held Thursday but will continue Friday at 9 a.m.

Witness Laura Sullivan of Pembroke. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

Details of Aruba incident revealed  3:25 p.m.

Laura Sullivan of Pembroke was the next witness to take the stand for examination by prosecutor Adam Lally Wednesday afternoon. OKeefe was friends with Sullivan and her sons godfather. She had not previously been mentioned during the trial.

Sullivan organized a large trip to Aruba from the end of December 2021 to the beginning of January 2022 where about 60 friends and family, including children, traveled and stayed together at a hotel. During that trip, on Dec. 30, Sullivan saw both her younger sister Marietta Sullivan and OKeefe upset, but neither her sister or OKeefe said why, she said.

While she was speaking to OKeefe, she said his phone was continuously lighting up with texts and calls from Read. She asked if he needed to get it and said he replied, Yes, shes crazy. I gotta take care of this.

Sullivan said two days later OKeefe told her in a text message that Read believed he had kissed Marietta Sullivan, but the judge ordered this struck from the record.

Later in the trip when Sullivan was alone with OKeefe, she asked him if he was okay, she said.

He didnt seem like he was himself. He seemed distant and I asked him if he was okay, she said. He kind of just shrugged it off and I said, Are you happy? He kind of just rolled his eyes and shrugged it off and I said something along the lines of, Life is too short to not be happy. He said, You know, Laura, it is what it is.

Near the end of the trip, Sullivan said Read spoke to her to apologize.

Karen grabbed me and said, Hey, Im sorry. I thought I saw something that I didnt and I would like to pay for some of your sisters room, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said she told Read it was not necessary and just an apology was fine, but Read insisted and asked for Marietta Sullivans room number. Laura Sullivan said Wednesday she did not remember if she gave Read the room number.

Sullivan said before OKeefe and Read left the trip, she saw him in person for the last time before his death.

He came up, he gave me a big hug and he said, I love you. This was a great trip. Thank you so much, she said. I said, Youre definitely in it for next year, and he said definitely.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson only briefly cross-examined Sullivan, asking if she had spoken with State Trooper Michael Proctor during the investigation, which she confirmed.

Marietta Sullivan will be next to give testimony Wednesday.

Kerry Roberts cries while describing seeing John O'Keefe in the snow. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

Read threatened suicide if anything happened to OKeefe  2:40 p.m.

The trial resumed just after 2 p.m. with Kerry Roberts, a close friend of John OKeefes, returning to the stand to continue examination from prosecutor Adam Lally.

Roberts said she and Read began driving to pick up OKeefes parents to go to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, where OKeefe was being treated. While they were in the car, Read told her, If anything happens to John Im going to kill myself, Roberts said.

While they were driving, Roberts said she received a call from police requesting she come back because Reads mother was concerned she might be suicidal and wanted her to be sectioned. As they drove back to 34 Fairview Road, they spoke to Reads mother on the phone.

She said, Please make sure she doesnt have her purse. She has medication in her purse I dont want her to take, Roberts said.

She said Read was put into an ambulance and called her repeatedly, at least 10 times, on her way to the hospital.

Roberts described bringing OKeefes parents to the hospital and learning that he had died.

Mrs. OKeefe came out and told me John was gone, Roberts said, sobbing. She asked if I wanted to see him so I did, because I figured it would be better than when I last saw him, because maybe he was cleaned up, but it wasnt. It was worse.

Lally asked Roberts about a visit a few days later when she and Jennifer McCabe went to the home of State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was working on the case, to drop off McCabes daughter, who was friends with Proctors daughter. The defense has said this visit implies a conflict of interest in the investigation, but both Roberts and McCabe have said Michael Proctor was not home at the time.

Proctors wife Elizabeth, who was friends with Roberts, came out to the car to speak with them and ask how they were doing, Roberts said. She said they talked for about 45 minutes but did not speak about anything else.

Roberts left the stand and is being followed by Laura Sullivan, who will be questioned by Lally next.

New witness Kerry Roberts , of Canton takes the stand. She is a long time friend of John O'Keefe. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

Kerry Roberts takes the stand - 1:03 p.m.

Following a recess, Judge Beverly Cannone told the jury that testimony Jennifer McCabe gave that morning about a rolling rally outside her home and harassment by supporters of Karen Read could not be considered. She said because there was no evidence Read was involved, the harassment could not be taken as a reflection on her character or as evidence in the case, and only served to illustrate McCabes state of mind.

Kerry Roberts, a close friend of John OKeefes, took the witness stand next for questioning by the prosecutor Adam Lally. Roberts was not at 34 Fairview Road on Jan. 29, 2022 when the people there were drinking, but was with Read and McCabe when they found OKeefe unresponsive on the front lawn.

Roberts said her husband, Curt Roberts, had gone out to meet friends, including OKeefe, at McCarthys Pub in Canton on the night of Jan. 28, 2022 and came home around 10:30 p.m. Around midnight, they saw snow starting to fall and went to bed because they knew [they] werent going anywhere, she said.

At exactly 5 a.m. the next morning, Roberts said she was woken up by a call from Read, a minute or two after she had missed another call from Read.

I answered the phone and she said, Johns dead. Kerry, Kerry, Kerry, and then she hung up, Roberts said. [She was] very loud. She woke my husband, who was sleeping.

Roberts said she tried to call Read back, but got no answer. After about five minutes, Read called again, and told Roberts she believed OKeefe might be dead and may have been hit by a plow. According to Roberts, Read said OKeefe would never leave his niece, who was home, alone, and she believed something was wrong.

She said, Im driving, can I come to your house? Can you drive my car? I dont remember anything from last night. I drank so much, Roberts said, adding that she told Read to go home to be with OKeefes niece and that she shouldnt drive if she had been drinking.

Roberts agreed to help Read look for OKeefe and went outside to wait in her car, where she called the police non-emergency line and Good Samaritan Hospital to see if there had been any car accidents the night before. Read called again to let her know she was going to McCabes home so Roberts drove to meet them. While they were on the phone, Roberts said she heard McCabe tell Read that Read had gone to the Alberts home at 34 Fairview Road the night before, and Read asked about her taillight, which Roberts saw was broken.

There was a bit sticking out and I remember thinking someone was going to catch their sleeve on that or something, she said.

Read wanted to go directly to Fairview Road but Roberts said they should check OKeefes home to see if he passed out somewhere and drop off Reads car, so they did that first. Roberts called OKeefe a neat freak with a strict rule against wearing shoes in the house, and said that she and McCabe removed their shoes before going inside, but Read did not.

Roberts said they looked through the house and spoke to OKeefes niece but did not find OKeefe.

Roberts drove the three women to 34 Fairview Road while they looked for OKeefe along the road, thinking he may have been walking home or been hit by a plow. Roberts said the blizzard made for really bad driving and that visibility was very poor.

When they arrived at the home, Read began shouting.

All of a sudden Karen said, There he is, there he is, let me the F out of this car, and started kicking the door, Roberts said. I looked over and I didnt see anything and I looked at Jen and said, Shes crazy. So I unlocked the door and she got out and ran over to a mound of snow.

Speaking through tears, Roberts described realizing that the mound of snow was a body and running over, clearing the snow off his head and realizing it was OKeefe. She said his entire body was covered in 3 to 4 inches of snow and he was bleeding from his nose and mouth and a cut on the back of his head.

Roberts said she told McCabe to call 911 and began performing CPR until EMTs arrived.

Roberts said OKeefes cell phone was underneath his body so she put it in her pocket, but gave it to a first responder when they asked if she had it.

When OKeefe was put into the ambulance, Roberts said she told Read EMTs were working on him.

Karen grabbed the front of my jacket and screamed in my face and said, Are they working on him? Is he alive? I said they wouldnt be working on him if he was dead, she said. She started to pray. She had blood on her hands and she told us she got her period, so I think she was in a state of shock ... I said, No, thats not your blood, thats Johns.

Roberts called members of OKeefes family to let them know what had happened and told his parents she would pick them up to go to the hospital. Read called Erin OKeefe, John OKeefes sister in law, and Roberts said Read told her that OKeefe was dead, so Roberts grabbed the phone from Read and explained that he was not dead but had been in an accident.

Judge Beverly Cannone called a recess for lunch at 12:58 p.m.

Witness Jen McCabe firmly answers. In a heated exchange defense attorney Alan Jackson accuses witness Jen McCabe of deleting a Google search at 2:27am to hide her families involvement in the murder of John O'Keefe. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

McCabe says Reads story changed multiple times  10:58 a.m.

Prosecutor Adam Lally again began examination of Jennifer McCabe following questioning by defense attorney Alan Jackson.

McCabe told Lally that on the morning after OKeefes body was found, Read provided multiple explanations of what had happened the night before.

She said at one point, Oh my God, I dont even remember going (to the home where OKeefe was found). She was telling other people that he was dead, that a plow hit him. The story changed multiple times that morning, she said.

When McCabe, Kerry Roberts and Read were driving around to search for OKeefe, Lally asked if she had seen OKeefes body and if she would have stopped at 34 Fairview Road if Read had not seen him and jumped out of the car. McCabe said no, she would not have stopped.

McCabe said after getting out of the car, she had stood in shock for a few moments before calling 911. She said she moved away from where Read, Roberts and OKeefe were toward the rear of Roberts car, first to get towels or blankets and then so the operators could hear her clearly over Reads screaming and Roberts shouting for her to calm down.

During an interview with police with Roberts, where both McCabe and Roberts handed over their cell phones as evidence, McCabe said Roberts told police she believed John did not love Read, and In my eyes, Karen was just a babysitter with benefits. She said the statement was horrifying.

Next, Lally asked McCabe about the harassment she has received due to the case. She said she had been sent death threats, people had taken photos and videos of her and her daughters, sent letters to her daughters colleges with articles about the case and received other harassment.

They threaten that there are eyes everywhere and Ill never be able to live a normal life again, McCabe said.

According to Lally and McCabe, in July 2023 when a rally by Read supporters was planned outside McCabes home, Sgt. Michael Proctor warned her ahead of time so she could make sure her daughters would not be home.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson then began additional cross-examination, asking McCabe once more about her statement that Read had said I hit him. Jackson said that while McCabe had never made those statements under oath, after public outrage over the case and the harassment began in April 2023, she did testify under oath that Read had made those statements in June 2023.

Under oath, correct, McCabe said, after again claiming she told State Police Trooper Michael Lank early in the investigation.

Jackson also asked McCabe why she had not seen OKeefe when the whole point of their drive was to search for him. She said Read had specifically directed them to drive to 34 Fairview Road and during most of the drive, Read had been shouting from the backseat, leaning forward to speak to Roberts and McCabe and looking down at her phone to text, not looking out the window.

I wouldnt have seen him. I didnt know he was there. She did, McCabe said.

McCabe was then allowed to step down and Judge Beverly Cannone called for a recess at 10:58 a.m.

In a heated exchange defense attorney Alan Jackson accuses witness Jen McCabe of deleting a Google search at 2:27am to hide her families involvement in the murder of John O'Keefe. The Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Massachusetts on Wednesday May 22, 2024 ( Pool Image by Greg Derr USA Today Network) Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger

That is not reality, McCabe says of Google searches  10:14 a.m.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson began cross-examination Wednesday morning by again asking Jennifer McCabe about her claim that Read said I hit him when OKeefes body was found.

Jackson said that on Jan. 29, 2022, a few hours after OKeefes body was found, McCabe asked Sgt. Michael Lank of the Canton Police Department to return to 34 Fairview Road because she had important information she needed to share with him.

Isnt it true that at that time, you didnt tell Sgt. Lank that my client said, I hit him, what you said was that my client said, I hope I didnt hit him? Jackson asked McCabe.

No, McCabe said.

Jackson gave McCabe a copy of a police report written by Lank about the conversation, in which according to Jackson, Lank wrote that McCabe told him when she was driving around with Read and Kerry Roberts looking for OKeefe, Read said she hoped she had not hit him.

Thats not a full report of what I said, but if thats his full report then thats a full report, McCabe said.

Jackson said the report further said McCabe told Lank Read had repeated those statements after they discovered OKeefes body, and that she believed Read may have made the statements in front of a police officer, but wasnt sure.

My recollection is I told him that she said, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, and I told him he should ask [first] responders if they heard that because there was a great possibility they heard that as well, she said.

Jackson asked McCabe if she had spoken with State Police Trooper Michael Proctor after OKeefes death, running through a list of phone calls she had had with Proctor. He also asked her about a September 2023 visit to Proctors home to see his wife, Elizabeth Proctor.

McCabe said Michael Proctor was not home at the time of her visit and that she had gone in order to speak with his wife about their experience with the case.

We are two mothers that are being viciously terrorized and harassed by social media, she said. The things that were stated in this courtroom and allegations that were made have torn our lives upside down.

Jackson showed McCabe a police report from an interview conducted in September or October of 2023, after the visit, that said McCabe had told police she had not met the Proctors until September of that year.

I did not say that, McCabe said.

Next, Jackson turned to Google searches McCabe made on the morning that OKeefes body was found about how long it takes for a human to die due to extreme cold temperatures. A Cellebrite report showed McCabe two different searches, both with misspellings, at 6:23 and 6:24 a.m. that morning, about 27 seconds apart.

McCabe said she had made the searches at the request of Read, who was grabbing and shaking her, and that her hands were shaking from the cold, causing the misspellings.

Both misspellings of that phrase result in the exact same search results, Jackson said. What came up was something about dying, about hypothermia ... So why do it again? You had the result, why the second search?

McCabe said she could not answer the question and only remembered that Read had been shouting and asking her to search for the information.

Jackson asserted that a more recent report, which included a similar Google search at 2:27 a.m., before OKeefes body was found, implied that McCabe had been trying to cover her tracks when she made the later searches and deleted the earlier search from her history, but McCabe said she had never made the 2:27 a.m. search.

That is not reality, she said.
A man was shot by police responding to a disturbance in Malden Wednesday morning, Malden Police wrote in a statement posted to Facebook.

Police went to 260 Eastern Ave. on Wednesday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance in the area. When officers arrived, an altercation broke out between the men and police, which resulted in an officer shooting the man, police said.

The man was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police did not say how serious the mans injuries were.

There is no threat to public safety, police said.

The shooting remains under investigation by Malden Police, Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex County district attorneys office.
A spate of no confidence votes against school administrators has swept through Massachusetts teachers unions in the last few weeks.

The unions cited various reasons for their censure votes, including poor communication and transparency from school district leaders, failure to address student disciplinary problems and budgetary issues including proposed position cuts.

Experts say no confidence votes usually dont result in any action being taken against their targets, which are typically superintendents, principals and school committee members. Even so, such a vote communicates deep dissatisfaction among school staff regarding how a school or district is being led.

South Hadley

The latest teachers union to hold a no confidence vote is the South Hadley Education Association (SHEA). Ninety-five percent of the unions members who teach at Mosier Elementary School voted that they have no confidence in Principal Cynthia Flynns ability to lead the school, according to a press release from the union.

The teachers biggest concern is Flynns lack of communication with staff and families, according to SHEA. They feel they are not part of the decision-making process at Mosier and are not adequately supported by Flynn. Additionally, the school lacks clear guidelines for correcting student misbehavior, the union stated.

Flynn did not respond to The Republicans requests for comment. She did not immediately respond to MassLive on Tuesday.

The culture and climate at Mosier have worsened under Principal Flynns leadership, South Hadley parent Danielle Barone said in the release. Flynn has decreased the number of open houses held at the school, as well as newsletters sent to families, she added.

What feels different is the lack of communication and the feeling like there is a lack of interest in connecting with the community and the parents, Barone said. There seems to be so little support for the kind of warm and fuzzy experience that the teachers like to provide.

SHEAs members teaching at Mosier have repeatedly tried to work with school administrators to address their concerns over the past two years but have been met with silence and indifference, according to SHEA President Amy Foley.

Not only has our principal failed to hold together the most important systems of an elementary school, but she has also harmed some of the most vulnerable members of our school community. Thats why we see such a pressing need for change, third-grade teacher Myra Lam said in the release.

South Hadley Superintendent Mark McLaughlin said in a statement that he thought SHEAs attacks on Flynn are untrue or mischaracterized. District leadership is now looking into the unions claims and is waiting on SHEA to provide evidence of the problems that it previously asserted it could share with him, he said.

An action of this sort is very serious and must be addressed with utmost care with respect to fairness, accuracy and the interests of all affected parties, McLaughlin said.

Winchendon

Last week, 90% of the Winchendon Teachers Association (WTA) voted that they have no confidence in Interim Superintendent Ruthann Petruno-Goguen, the union said in a press release. Petruno-Goguen, who joined the school district at the beginning of the current school year after former Superintendent Thad King left under unclear circumstances, has failed to address ongoing problems facing the district, the union claims.

The WTA takes issue with the interim superintendents handling of both the districts budget and its workplace culture, it said.

Petruno-Goguens fiscal year 2025 budget prioritizes administrative pay increases and curriculum materials at the expense of staff positions, the union said. Though shes made minor adjustments, they dont adequately address the unions concerns, according to the WTA.

The interim superintendent has also disregarded established hiring practices and lacked transparency in her communications, according to the WTA.

Micromanagement of building-level decisions has fostered a climate of low morale among staff, leading to widespread discontent throughout the district, the union wrote.

The WTA said it has attempted to resolve these issues through various channels but that not enough progress has been made.

The Winchendon Teachers Association emphasizes the urgent need for a Superintendent dedicated to the long-term welfare of the district, it wrote.

Petruno-Goguen did not respond to a request for comment.

Winchendon School Committee Chair Karen Kast did not respond to a request for comment, and other school committee members deferred to her for comment.

Other districts

The Andover Education Association (AEA) held a vote last week, and 91% of its members said they had no confidence in Superintendent Magda Parvey, according to WCVB. The vote comes in the wake of April layoffs and the revelation that the Andover public school district is dealing with a $2.5 million budget deficit.

Notably, the AEA went on strike last November and secured a 35% teacher pay bump over the next four years, the news station reported.

Union leaders are now trying to scapegoat Dr. Parvey for personnel reductions that are necessary in part because of significant salary increases included in the new teachers contract, Andover School Committee Lauren Conoscenti said in a statement to WCVB.

Another teachers union that has held a vote of no confidence in recent weeks is the Haverhill Education Association (HEA). Late last month, its members teaching at Whittier Middle School voted that they had no confidence in Principal Matthew Condon or Assistant Principal Cathy Koch, though it is unclear by what margin.

The union alleged that staff are dealing with a hostile work environment, arent supported by school leaders, are micromanaged and that disciplinary enforcement at the school is inconsistent. The HEA has notified Superintendent Margaret Marotta of the issues, but her response has not been sufficient, the union said.

School leaders perspective on no confidence votes

Glenn Koocher, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, called no confidence votes a bullying tactic often used by unions when they dont get what they want from school leadership. The votes accomplish little and largely serve to embarrass school administrators, he said.

Koocher pointed out that two of the unions who recently held no confidence votes  Andover and Haverhill  obtained significant staff raises through teacher strikes in the last few years.

Oftentimes, he said, teachers unions will force school committees to capitulate to their demands for big raises, and the district is temporarily able to cover them without budget cuts using one-time federal funds. Then, when the funds run out and district leaders propose layoffs to help balance the budget, the union blames district leaders and organizes a no confidence vote to bolster their position.

Ultimately, Koocher said, school leaders who are the subject of a no confidence vote should take staff dissatisfaction seriously and view it as an opportunity for self-reflection.

The MTA would not speak on the record about no confidence votes.
A 32-year-old woman convicted of causing a near-fatal injury to a 2-year-old toddler in her care was sentenced to six to eight years in state prison last week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Alanna Taylor was found guilty of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury and obstruction of justice after a week-long trial in Fall River Superior Court, Quinns office said in a statement.

In September 2019, Taylor became responsible for caring for three small children  a daughter she had with her fiance, a daughter from a previous relationship, and a 2-year-old who was not her biological child. The child was placed in the Taunton home with his father, who was Taylors fiance, Taylor, and her two kids, according to the statement.

Months later, in December 2019, a friend came to the home to drop off a nebulizer for Taylors daughter. The friend noticed the 2-year-old was fine but was seated on the toilet the entire time she was at the home, roughly 20 to 30 minutes. The friend left the home while the toddler was still on the toilet, but then was called back to the home by Taylor. When the friend arrived back at the home, Taylor was holding the 2-year-old who was lifeless, according to prosecutors.

The friend told Taylor they needed to call 911, but Taylor told her not to because she did not want the Department of Children and Families to get involved. The friend called 911 anyway, Quinns office said.

The toddler was taken to Morton Hospital in Taunton and then flown to Hasbro Childrens Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The 2-year-old was in critical condition and had to be intubated because of an acute head injury that caused a massive subdural hemorrhage, according to Quinns office.

The injury would have been immediately symptomatic, prosecutors said.

Doctors performed a craniotomy, where a piece of the skull is removed to access a brain, on the boy, who also had bilateral ear bruising and bruising on his cheek and jaw.

The injuries were consistent with life-threatening inflicted injury and child physical abuse, a doctor testified during the trial.

Police interviewed Taylor on Dec. 11, 2019, the same day the toddler was taken to the hospital, and she told officers she and her friend were in the living room when she went to the bathroom, where the toddler was, to tell him lunch was ready. Taylor told police the boy got excited and fell off the toilet, but that she did not see how he fell. She told police he hit his head on the bathtub, according to the statement.

Taylors friend first told police she was present when the child fell, but later, when she learned the extent of the injuries the child suffered, she told Taylor she would no longer lie to police for her. Investigators found texts on the friends phone where Taylor told her she must lie to protect her because she is the only witness, according to Quinns office.

The evidence at trial proved the defendant caused a near-fatal injury to the childs head, Quinns office said.

Prosecutors had argued for an eight to 12-year prison sentence for Taylor while her attorneys lobbied for a three to five-year sentence. Taylor was ultimately sentenced to six to eight years.

I am very pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for inflicting life-threatening injuries on the two-year-old victim who was not her natural child. She repeatedly lied about her involvement in seriously injuring the child and tried to get her friend to lie and cover up for her, Quinn said in the statement. Sadly the defendant is not fit to care for any children. I commend the defendants friend for testifying against her, which was not an easy thing to do.
AMHERST  Reports continue to arise about the ill treatment of arrestees from a pro-Palestinian protest at UMass, with one student filing a complaint with the state after being bound by zip-ties so tight that they caused serious injuries.

I lost feeling and watched my hands become severely discolored over the hours, but was refused help when I raised concerns for my safety to officers, reads a recent complaint filed with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. Since being released, I have visited a medical doctor and been diagnosed with nerve damage.
SPRINGFIELD  Two of the largest employers in the city will join forces to improve access to health care to thousands of people, especially some of the most underserved residents.

Baystate Health announced on Tuesday its plans to build a new 90,000-square-foot comprehensive community health center in the middle of the city on 10 acres of land donated by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Severe thunderstorms could bring hail and gusty winds to Western Massachusetts Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern Franklin County Tuesday afternoon that lasts into the 5 oclock hour. It predicts wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail during this time. Residents should expect the hail to cause vehicle damage and the wind to damage homes and trees, according to the weather service.

Severe thunderstorms are also predicted in Berkshire County through the late evening hours on Tuesday, the weather service said. All thunderstorms during this time could produce gusty winds and hail. The region could also see severe thunderstorms Wednesday evening and night, Thursday afternoon and Saturday afternoon and evening.
Brand Magic, the premier annual event for branding and marketing professionals, held its highly anticipated 9th edition on 16th May at the illustrious Intercontinental Resort Balaclava. Under the resonating theme of Branding Beyond Boundaries, the event delved into the realms of innovative brand strategies, transcending conventional limits.

Initiated by Mind Initiatives in 2015, Brand Magic has evolved into a pivotal platform for industry leaders to gather insights from renowned international speakers and exchange success stories from both local and global brands.

In his welcome speech, Ravin Lama, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for Brand Magic 2024, emphasised the significance of breaking traditional boundaries in branding. He stated,

 Our theme, Branding Beyond Boundaries, urges us to reevaluate our perceptions of limitations. Its about embracing new possibilities and expanding our horizons in brand promotion. 

Gratitude was extended to the events sponsors, including platinum sponsor Coca-Cola, silver sponsor FCB-Cread, and associate sponsors EDB, Sunny, and Indian Oil, along with esteemed partners such as Aestetika, Analysis Kantar, DB-Vision, Design Works, Diizz Digital, Eruption, FCB-Cread, Insta Studio, Intercontinental Resort, and Perpetual Motion.

The unveiling of the Brand Book 2024 marked a highlight of the event, showcasing a compilation of articles and case studies elucidating the intricate world of branding. Offering practical insights into brand strategy, the Brand Book will serve as an invaluable resource for marketers and brand enthusiasts alike.

20 leading brands of Mauritius recognised in awards

Further, the prestigious Top Brands of Mauritius 2024 awards ceremony was graced by Philippe Espitalier Noel, CEO of Rogers Group. This annual accolade, conducted by Analysis Kantar in partnership with Mind Initiatives, recognises the most prominent brands across various categories in Mauritius.

RANK PREFERRED LOCAL BRAND 1 Apollo 23.45% 2 Phoenix Beer 19.48% 3 Body & Soul 12.50% 4 Sunny 11.90% 5 Chantecler/Chantefrais 10.74% 6 Bois Cherie 5.99% 7 Subana 5.92% 8 La Moricienne 5.52% 9 Domaine de Labourdonnais (DDL) 4.88% 10 Corson 4.81% PREFERRED BRAND Samsung 16.14% MCB 8.88% Winners 8.20% Adidas 7.91% Body & Soul 5.62% Mauritius Telecom/Myt 5.11% Apple 4.61% LG 3.84% Island Haze 3.30% Phoenix Beer 3.24% INNOVATIVE BRAND MCB 12.05% Samsung 11.12% Winners 9.26% Mauritius Telecom/Myt 6.95% Apple 6.89% EMPLOYER BRAND MCB 20.19% IBL 9.63% ENL 7.77% Mauritius Telecom/MyT 6.42% PhoenixBev 6.31% BRAND WITH A PURPOSE MCB 14.53% Winners 10.54% IBL 7.99% Mauritius Telecom/MyT 6.46% Super U 3.94% SUSTAINABLE BRAND MCB 12.51% Winner's 6.40% IBL 6.22% ENL 5.77% CIEL 4.12%

International speakers shared their perspectives on branding in the modern landscape

Marie Louise Maloouf, Chief Creative Officer, Edelman: Marie Louise delved into the concept of brand voice versus brand noise, drawing from her extensive experience in brand management. She highlighted the challenges posed by the inundation of marketing messages in the digital age, emphasizing the need for brands to prioritize clarity and authenticity in their communication. By aligning brand messaging with values that enhance peoples lives, Marie Louise advocated for a more purpose-driven approach to branding, rooted in a clear mission and vision.

Sheila Berman, Co-host of B2B Marketing Asia Podcast, Former Global Lead for MarTech and Marketing Operations, She Loves Data: Sheila shared her personal journey to Brand Magic and underscored the importance of partnerships and collaboration in organizing successful events. Reflecting on the multicultural environment of Mauritius, she emphasized the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and learning. Sheila also expressed her awe at the global interconnectedness showcased at the event, recognizing the opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Emmanuel Upputuru, Founder & Creative Chairman, EFGH Brand Innovations delved into the dynamic intersection of brands and technology, exploring how emerging technological trends are reshaping the branding landscape. He said, Brands need to adapt to the evolving digital environment while remaining empathetic to consumer needs. Its important to bring empathy in branding, this advocates for a holistic approach that integrates data-driven insights with human-centered design principles.

Phillipa Dunjay, TikTok Consultant, Pip Dunjay Ltd during her talk said,

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising creative processes within the branding industry. We need to leverage on AI to generate creative variations and optimise brand assets. With AI and creativity, there is potential for technology to enhance brand innovation and storytelling.

Sameer Muley, Multidisciplinary Creative Technologist and Strategist, H-Labs: Sameer celebrated the diversity of Mauritius and the inclusive environment fostered by Brand Magic. Drawing parallels between cultural diversity and the symbiotic relationship between creativity and technology, he emphasized the importance of embracing different perspectives in driving brand innovation. Sameer underscored the interconnectedness of creativity and technology, highlighting the need for brands to adapt and evolve in an increasingly dynamic market landscape.

Brand Magic 2024 promised to be a dynamic forum for innovation, collaboration, and enlightenment, shaping the future of branding beyond conventional boundaries.
AN INDEPENDENT candidate in the Westport Electoral Area has confirmed that he will be running as a member of the Independent Ireland party in the local elections.

Louisburgh-based candidate Chris Maxwell confirmed that he has joined the Independent Ireland party fronted by Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmauice and will be an official Independent Ireland candidate in Local Elections on June 7. Mr Maxwell is looking to win a seat in the Westport Electoral Area.

Mr Maxwell ran as a Fianna Fail candidate in the 2019 local elections but entered this campaign as an Independent last December after claiming the main political parties had forgotten about rural Ireland.

The Louisburgh-based agricultural contractor told The Mayo News that he knew Deputy Fitzmaurice for many years through business and had been approached by him to join the Independent Ireland party.

I know Michael for years and he was onto me a while back if I would be interested. We discussed this for the last six weeks and I had chewed about it and I decided last weekend that we have to go with this. They are in my line of thinking and for rural Ireland and that is what we are all about.

I felt the main parties have led down rural Ireland and when I say rural Ireland I mean anywhere outside the pale and that includes the towns. Fitzmaurice's outlook is pretty much the same, which is common sense, hard work, spending the money wisely and getting on with the job. That is why he was interested in me and I decided why not, he told The Mayo News on Monday.

Independent Ireland was formed on November 8, 2023 by former Independent TDs, Michael Collins from Cork and Richard O'Donoghue from Limerick and Michael Fitzmaurice became the party's third TD in February 2024.

Three candidates

MR Maxwell will join Donal Geraghty and Mark Devane who are Independent Ireland candidates in Castlebar and Claremorris respectively in a bid to be elected to Mayo County Council. He believes that the recent opinion polls suggest the party will win seats in the local election and will be in a strong position to influence the next government.

I feel they will have very strong representations in the next government as well as the county councils with the feedback they are getting and there will be strength in numbers with them. If they do get into government they will be in tune with rural Ireland, he said.

He added that despite joining a political party, he will remain Independent as the party does not operate a whip system and he will not be bound by the party whip.

Mr Maxwell said the decision to withdraw funding for the upgrade of the N59 Newport to Derrada road shows how out of touch the government is for rural Ireland.

It is a disgrace. I believe government parties have forgotten about us and its time we take a stand and take back control of our country. The politicians have lost touch with the grassroots and that is evident with today's announcement, he said.

As a result of the announcement he said that Michael Fitzmaurice will hold a public meeting in Hotel Newport this Saturday night, May 25 at 8.30pm to meet the people and discuss what is affecting people in the area.
Senator Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fails European Election candidate for the Midlands North West and Spokesperson on EU and Foreign Affairs, has welcomed Irelands announcement to formally recognise the State of Palestine this morning.

This is a hugely significant and historic moment for our country and for the international community, Senator Chambers stated. The Irish Government's decision is a powerful statement of our commitment to peace, justice, and the recognition of the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination.

Senator Chambers expressed her hope that this recognition would serve as a catalyst for positive change, helping to bring about a much-needed ceasefire and an end to the violence in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with ongoing conflict causing immense suffering and loss of life. The international community must act decisively to support efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

Irelands recognition of Palestine is a step in the right direction and a call for other nations to join in acknowledging the need for a two-state solution. Our governments decision reflects the values of compassion and solidarity that are central to our nations foreign policy.

As the Spokesperson on EU and Foreign Affairs, Senator Chambers reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for Irelands role in promoting peace and stability in the region.

We must continue to work with our international partners to ensure that this recognition translates into meaningful progress towards peace.

Let us hope that this momentous decision helps to pave the way for a ceasefire, ending the cycle of violence and paving the way for lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians," Senator Chambers concluded.
A local election candidate in the Castlebar Local Electoral Area has said Mayo needs another 7,000 family homes to address the countys housing shortage.

Harry Barrett was reacting to a report from the Housing Commission, which found that Ireland was short of 256,000 houses.

The report gave a scathing assessment of the governments housing policy, noting that Ireland has by comparison with our European partners, one of the highest levels of public expenditure for housing, yet one of the poorest outcomes.

Mr Barrett estimated that the shortage of 256,000 houses amounted to 7,000 when applied to Mayos population.

I am meeting families who are suffering under the weight of the rent that they have to pay, yet they cannot complain because the shortage of long-term lets in the county means that they have nowhere to go and no option but to pay, stated the former Castlebar town councillor.

Harry Barrett, local election candidate in the Castlebar Local Electoral Area

I am meeting young adults stuck at home unable to leave the family home and parents who are upset when their sons and daughters have immigrated to live in other countries due to the lack of cheap accommodation. This report now puts a number on the shortage of homes in this county and I am very mindful of the damaging effects of this shortage on families and children.

Echoing recommendations in the report, Mr Barrett called for more incentives to be given to deal with dereliction in urban areas in Ballina and Castlebar.

If elected to Mayo County Council on June 7th I will bring this report with me to shape the Local Area Plan and to get the houses we need for families all over the Castlebar Electoral Area as a matter of urgency, he added.

According to recent data from the Department of Housing, there have been commencement notices for 265 houses in Mayo in the first four months of this year, an increase of 44 the same period in 2023 and a record for the period since the data series began in 2015.

Mayo County Council has delivered 360 social houses since 2019, including 291 council-built properties.

The local authority aims to deliver over 1,000 council houses by the end of 2026 under the Housing For All Programme.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, May 21, 2024

Metrics and measurement to determine bidding and budgets have become increasingly complex as consumer privacy becomes a major consideration and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) finds its way into all parts of full-funnel advertising and marketing.

Mike Jacobs, vice president of growth at Etsy, just wants clarity and the ability to fully understand how consumer make decisions when considering and completing a purchase as they travel through an increasingly complex full-funnel journey.

Marketers are getting smarter, but were asking for more data and what that looks like through the journey, he said during a roundtable at Google in New York.

Ads measurement in 2024 is not as simple as it was five years ago. Measurement has become more complex, whether its working with Performance Max (PMax) or YouTube ads. Advertisers having many new media options and media.

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GAI is weaving its way through all of Google's products including measurement. On Tuesday the company introduced products to measure the outcomes and make smarter decisions by bringing GAI into the experience -- one of several announcements today at Google Marketing Live 2024.

Measurement Diagnostics gives advertisers the ability to see whats working and whats not as they give google data from various sources. Advertisers can start to ask questions and get insights back. Its rolling out now.

AI needs a signal and measurement is one of the most important signals that advertisers give us about what matters to their business, he said.

Measurement is not the end point, but the starting point for an advertisers next campaign. A privacy feature in Google ads will now limit how the data can be used. Advertisers control the feature. It will become available later this year.

And given the increase in channels, marketers are using marketing mix models (MMM), but have become frustrated how the old type of MMMs work. Google has embarked on a new project called Meridian, an open source MMM available to marketers later this year.

On Tuesday the company also announced plans to test search and shopping ads in AI Overviews in the U.S.

The ads will match to the information in AI Overview. For example, someone querying how to remove wrinkles from clothes might receive back an AI-generated summary of tips sourced from the web, with a carousel of ads for sprays to help remove wrinkles.

Google shared few details about the ad format, but the company said it will clearly identify the AI Overview ads with a sponsored label when relevant to the query and the information.

AI Overview will draw on ads from advertisers existing campaigns, so they can opt out of the experiment if they choose.

New features in PMax powered by GAI also include ways to improve conversions. Advertisers who have added to PMax to search campaigns using Broad Match and Smart Bidding see an average 27% increase in conversions.

A Profit Optimization feature now makes it a new goal for PMax and standard Shopping campaigns to improve conversions.

For example, consider two pairs of sunglasses, bother retail for $50, but one costs $15 to produce and other $25.

Smart bidding, Google said, can help advertisers maximize the profit with data from cart-level conversions or cost of goods sold. Advertisers who use Profit Optimization and Smart Bidding have seen a 15% uplift compared with revenue only bidding.
by Danielle Oster , May 21, 2024

Back in 1996, Pepsis legal battle over a promotional sweepstakes advertising a Harrier fighter jet as its top prize came to an end with a ruling in favor of the company, finding that "no objective person could reasonably have concluded that the commercial actually offered consumers a Harrier Jet" -- according to a 2005 CBS News recap of the series of events.

Nearly 30 years later, a different beverage brand wants to prove its far enough away from reasonable to actually give away a jet for real. Liquid Deaths summer promotional sweepstakes is promising a Liquid Death-branded L-39 Aero Jet it has dubbed Dehydrator as a grand prize. (According to an ad promoting the contest, the plane was given the name because with a top speed of about 470 mph, itll relive you of your bodily fluids and make you empty your stomach. Gross.)

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The brand claims its dead serious about the giveaway, and is also promising to give the winner six months of hangar space rental time with the jet.

The spark for the campaign, according to Liquid Death vice president of creative Andy Pearson, came from viewing Pepsi, Wheres My Jet?, the 2022 Netflix documentary covering the 90s giveaway incident and resulting legal battle.

And it got us thinking, Pearson told Marketing Daily. This soda company tried to get out of having to give away a jet, but what if we set out with that explicit purpose?

"Of course, even if you dont know the backstory, giving away a jet like this is still a pretty wild promotion. We started on it closer to the release of the documentary, but it initially proved to be extremely difficult. More recently, we dusted the idea off and brought it back as our big summer promo.

The brand has built a reputation for attention-grabbing viral marketing stunts, an approach it seems to be taking to the stratosphere with the new campaign.

Liquid Death was created around the observation that all the coolest, most fun brands in the world are also the ones that are least good for us: beer, energy drinks, and sugary sodas. We want to give people healthier alternatives that are also 50 times more fun, Pearson said. So, whats more fun than giving away an actual jet? Especially if another big soda company actually fought a legal battle to avoid having to give one to a fan.

As you might imagine, there are some challenges to pulling off a promotion like this.

The fact that others had tried and failed to do this before made everyone all the more determined to figure a way to pull it off, Pearson said, noting the effort required a jet worthy of the name Dehydrator, one capable of super high speeds, service ceiling and g's  ruling out a single engine prop plane from consideration.

We settled on Aero's L-39 jet (top speed almost 470 mph, nearly 3,800 lb of thrust) as it is one of the most common fighter pilot training jets without being weapons capableallowing a civilian to own one, he explained.

Unsurprisingly, the stunt also required the brand consulting with a team of legal experts.

We engaged 3 separate legal teamsaviation experts, contest experts, marketing council along with our in-house legal crew, to ensure we're fully compliant, Pearson explained. We also wanted to show what the Dehydrator could do in our launch video, so proper insurance and legal compliance to film inverted high-speed maneuvers was a consideration. Finally, since every can purchased at physical retail is an entryand we expect a ton of cans to be purchased this summerwe're working with a top platform to make receipt scanning via SMS easy.
by Ray Schultz , May 21, 2024

Googles threat to halt funding of its Google News Initiative in California may be extended to the entire U.S., Axios writes.

The search giant made that initial warning in response to the California Journalism Protection Act (CJPA), a bill that would require media giants to pay publishers for linking to their content.

However, another bill sponsored by State Sen. Steve Glazer that would tax Google and Meta for digital ad transactions could threaten Googles news grants nationwide, Axios reports.

In April, Google started blocking links to news sites for some California users.

At that time, Jaffer Zaidi, VP, global news partnerships for Google, said, Until theres clarity on Californias regulatory environment, were also pausing further investments in the California news ecosystem, including new partnerships through Google News Showcase, our product and licensing program for news organizations, and planned expansions of the Google News Initiative.
by Tanya Gazdik , May 21, 2024

The surge in auto insurance rates and the increase in comparison shopping has put pressure on carriers to up their digital game, according to the 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study from J.D. Power.

The results show that as digital channels become critical to the overall shopping and service experience, a strong majority of sites and apps are delivering foundational functional capabilities.

This stands out considering sharp declines in satisfaction seen across other areas of the auto insurance industry. In fact, data shows satisfaction is highest when customers have digital-only interaction with insurers -- and that digital channels bring in more customers than agents and call centers.

More than half (53%) of first-time buyers start their relationships with auto insurance providers through digital channels, compared with 29% who come in through agents and 18% who come in through call centers.

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Similarly, digital is the first choice for 42% of switchers and 46% of retained customers. All of these have grown significantly during the past four years.

In the two specific segments, service and shopping, overall satisfaction dropped. It went from 702 to 698 in the service segment and 521 to 516 in the shopping segment.

Progressive ranks highest in the service segment with a score of 737. American Family (717) ranks second and Nationwide (716) ranks third.

Auto Club Group (AAA) ranks highest in the shopping segment with a score of 546. Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) (536) ranks second and Erie Insurance (533) ranks third.

The 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study is based on 11,086 evaluations and was fielded in January-March 2024.

The study examines the digital consumer experiences of both property and casualty insurance shoppers seeking quotes and existing customers conducting typical policy-servicing activities. It examines the functional aspects of desktop, mobile web and mobile apps based on four factors: navigation, speed, visual appeal and information/content.

It was conducted in collaboration with Corporate Insight, the provider of competitive intelligence and user experience research to the financial services and healthcare industries.
At 72, he still looked like an altar boy  the worlds tallest altar boy  with short, straight blond hair and a mischievous grin. John was more Irish than a pint of stout, and a proud native Chicagoan. The Cubs. The Cubbies. Wrigley Field. Jesus, he was insufferable. Also reliable.

In 1990, five years into our friendship, I returned from a Mexican vacation with a hat, a buff-colored straw hat with a plain black band. The thing is, it was not soft or pliable. On the contrary, it was lacquered to inflexibility. It would have done the trick on a construction site, and when I made the tragic error of wearing it in his presence, he was off and running. You bumptious oaf, he said. What is that you have on your head?

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No worries about the ridicule. That only continued for the next 34 years. Out of nowhere he would say simply the hat, and collapse into hysterics like the devil himself. I will so miss that dude. If something funny happened  ever  he would remember it and cherish it for life. In the early 80s, when he worked as a reporter in Chicago, he was with his pals at a bar (probably the Billy Goat) when another friend walked in. The guy stopped just past the threshold, saw his friends and shouted, Water for my horses! Food for my men! Conchita, a song! The outburst just captured Johns imagination and it stayed with him always. He so delighted in playing it back. I loved how much he loved it.

We had a mutual friend, Dennis, who was really smart and charming but in many respects an absolute rube. He once showed up at a formal event wearing a blue jacket with velvet lapels, a pair of dark blue pants in a different shade, brown platform shoes and a bow tie the size of Belize. John took one look at him and what ensued was laughter orgasm. For him, it was like a sunset or a field of daffodils, one of those simple images that remind you how good it is to be alive. Another time the three of us were dining at an East Side sushi restaurant and Dennis wanted sake. But he didnt order sake. He ordered sangria. I cant say for certain, but I think it was the greatest moment of Johns life. I am speaking of true joy.

Our friendship wasnt always so superficial. We shared more heart-to-hearts than hijinks, and bared our souls. And when we parted, I love you, Bobby. Men dont tend to exchange that endearment too often. It is not the default goodbye. Too tender and intimate, See you later suffices. Or, Take it easy, asswipe. John  as I said, Irish  wore his emotions on his blue-blazer sleeve. He was a 6 2 vessel of 120-proof sentiment. A hard-bitten newshound with innards of marshmallow.

And now, altogether before his time, cursed with a terrible disease and terrible treatments, he is gone. The laughter and the insults, thank God, survive him. They were my field of daffodils. I love you, John.
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Developmental Dopaminergic Signaling Modulates Neural Circuit Formation and Contributes to Autism Spectrum Disorder-Related Phenotypes



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Did You Know? Nearly 40% of individuals with ASD are nonverbal, relying on alternative communication methods. #autismspectrumdisorder #autismintervention 

Novel Dopamine Link Discovered

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Developmental Dopaminergic Signaling Modulates Neural Circuit Formation and Contributes to Autism Spectrum DisorderRelated Phenotypes - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002944024000865?via%3Dihub)

Disrupted dopamine signaling is linked to autism spectrum disorder , suggesting new avenues for targeted interventions, as per findings in The American Journal of Pathology, published by).Lead investigators Lingyan Xing, PhD, and Gang Chen, PhD, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, explains, While dopamine is commonly recognized as a neurotransmitter, its significance in the developmental aspects of autism is largely unexplored. Recent studies have highlighted the crucial roles of dopamine and serotonin in development and their importance in constructing neural circuits.In addition, studies have indicated that the use of dopamine-related drugs during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of autism in children. Armed with these tantalizing clues, we embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between dopamines known functions and its potential impact on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism. Our quest was to uncover a novel therapeutic target that could revolutionize how we approach autism treatment.Investigators studied theand a zebrafish model, recognized for its high degree of conservation with humans.To analyze the developmental deficits in ASD systematically, two large publicly available data sets were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus database and RNA sequencing data from Arkinglab.Transcriptome analysis of human brains revealed significant correlations between changes in dopaminergic signaling pathways and neural developmental signaling in patients with autism This suggests a potential link between disrupted developmental dopamine signaling and autism pathology.To explore this link further researchers used the zebrafish model to study theThey found that perturbations in developmental dopaminergic signaling led to neural circuit abnormalities and behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of autism in zebrafish larvae.The study also uncovered a potential mechanism by which dopamine impacts neuronal specification through the modulation of integrins.Dr. Chen comments, We were surprised by the extent of the impact that dopaminergic signaling has on neuronal specification in zebrafish, potentially laying the groundwork for circuit disruption in autism-related phenotype. Furthermore, the unexpected involvement of integrins as downstream targets of dopaminergic signaling provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.Dr. Xing concludes, "This research sheds light on the role of dopamine in neural circuit formation during early development, specifically in the context of autism. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic interventions targeting dopaminergic signaling pathways to improve outcomes in individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.ASD is a developmental disorder that usually manifests itself in early childhood. Although clinical outcomes vary greatly from case to case, autism is characterized by both a restricted interest in social interaction and repetitive behavior.This coincides with disruptions inconnectivity shown by diffusion tension imaging. Studies have shown that several neurodevelopmental processes may be affected in ASD, including neurogenesis, neural migration, axon pathfinding, and synaptic formation, all of which can lead to neural circuit disruption.Source-Eurekalert
'There's no waiting list, just press play': listeners' experiences of mental-health-related podcasts

Nearly 60% of mental health podcast listeners have sought professional help after gaining insights from episodes. #mentalhealth #podcast #stigma 
The Pentagon said Tuesday that it believes none of the hundreds of tons of aid delivered over several days via a military-built pier in Gaza has made it to Palestinians.

The pier, erected by the U.S. Army to ease the humanitarian crisis amid the Israel-Hamas war, was secured to the Gaza shoreline Thursday, and trucks began dropping off pallets of food ashore on Friday. But the United Nations reported difficulties moving the aid once it reached the shore, including an apparent ambush that reportedly turned deadly.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday that more than 569 metric tons of aid had been delivered to Gaza via the pier, called a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operation, or JLOTS, but that it did not appear that any of it had actually been delivered to the starving residents of Gaza.

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The aid pier has been seen as a key contribution by the U.S. and a top military operation to help embattled residents suffering after months of a brutal Israeli offensive, which has been aimed at eliminating Hamas after its terrorist attack in October but has also drawn increasing international condemnation for its disregard for civilian casualties.

During the first days of aid deliveries, reports indicate that the security situation outside the pier area is highly unstable and dangerous. Ryder confirmed that some of the first loads of aid that were brought in were looted before aid organizations could formally distribute them.

"As it was being taken along the transportation route, it was intercepted by some people who took that aid off those vehicles," Ryder said.

Officials from the U.N. World Food Program -- one of the aid groups working on the ground in Gaza -- told The Associated Press that none of the 11 aid trucks that left the beach area where supplies were being stockpiled made it to a warehouse Saturday.

The group said a crowd of people gathered nearby and "commandeered" the aid, and The Associated Press reported that the scene ended with one Palestinian dead from a gunshot.

While the operation is still struggling to get aid delivered to the Palestinian people, it appears to be meeting the expectations that U.S. military officials have set for themselves and the maritime component of the operation.

On Thursday, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that the U.S. was looking to move an "initial tranche of 500 tons in the coming days, which is pretty substantial, and then more to follow behind."

What is less clear is who is responsible for providing security for food convoys once they leave the area of the pier. Beyond some military advisers in Israel and surveillance drones over Gaza, the U.S. military has stayed out of the war zone.

Two Navy destroyers were tasked to provide security in the waters around the U.S. aid pier.

Sonali Korde, the assistant to the administrator of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, told reporters Thursday that "the U.N. will make security assessments" to distribute the aid.

"We are fully aligned and fully support the U.N.'s ability to deliver this assistance in a neutral, impartial, unfettered manner," Korde added.

However, on Tuesday, Ryder put that responsibility on aid groups.

"The U.S. military is delivering it to the causeway. ... The [nongovernmental organizations] that are supporting this effort pick it up and take it for onward distribution," he said.

In the weeks leading up to the pier coming online, military and administration officials stressed the role that the Israeli Defense Force will play in securing the area around the pier and helping to protect U.S. troops. However, it appears that protection does not extend to convoys once they've left the area around the pier.

Major news outlets have also reported that Israeli settlers have taken to attacking aid shipments at border crossings. The Guardian reported Tuesday that some groups have even accused Israeli security forces of tipping off settlers to aid convoy routes -- in turn, allowing them to attack or block them.

Ryder told reporters that there have now been discussions "between the U.S., Israel and United Nations ... to identify alternative routes for the safe movement of staff and cargo," before adding that movements "from the assembly area had resumed today."

"We do anticipate that assistance will be distributed in the coming days," he said. "We're going to make it happen, and we're going to get this food to the Palestinian people."

Related: 2 Navy Destroyers Will Help Protect Military's Gaza Aid Pier, Official Confirms
Two and a half years ago, Congress passed a law guaranteeing National Guardsmen and reservists would get the same amount of incentive pay for special skills as their active-duty counterparts.

But the Pentagon still has not implemented that law, and one of the key senators who advocated for the change says her patience is running out.

In an interview this week with Military.com, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., suggested that the Pentagon has until the Senate Armed Services Committee debates its annual defense policy bill next month to show her some progress, or else she'll move to force the Defense Department's hand.

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"I am absolutely fed up," said Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. "I know when I'm being slow-rolled, and I'm being slow-rolled on this because active duty doesn't want to provide the same benefits to our Guard and reserve troops."

Duckworth would not elaborate on specific ways she is considering to force the Pentagon to follow the law. But lawmakers have a number of levers they can pull to increase pressure on the department to act. For example, Congress will often insert language in the annual defense bill to withhold a small amount of funding from the Pentagon until it corrects its delinquency.

At issue is a provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, that Congress passed and the president signed into law in December 2021.

The provision required the Pentagon to "pay a member of the reserve component of an armed force incentive pay in the same monthly amount as that paid to a member in the regular component of such armed force performing comparable work requiring comparable skills."

The bonuses can add hundreds of dollars a month to a service member's paycheck and often are given when troops must get specialized training or perform duties that put them at greater risk.

The difference between pay for reserve forces and active-duty forces can be stark. For example, both active-duty and reserve paratroopers are required to keep up their skills with at least one jump every three months, but reservists get only $5 per month compared to $150 for active-duty members.

Duckworth said she's heard from National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson that the disparity is a top concern for Guardsmen deciding whether to stay in uniform.

"Frankly, they are short-changing our reserve forces, and you're going to lose people out of the reserve," she said.

Before increasing the pay, the NDAA required the Pentagon to submit a report to Congress detailing its implementation plan and certifying that increasing the incentive pay for reserve components would not negatively affect force structure.

That report was delivered to Congress, albeit six months late. In the report, the Pentagon raised concerns that some active-duty service members could leave for the reserves if incentive pay were increased and that the law as written would require the DoD to offer new incentive payments to the reserves that are needed only for active-duty service members.

Boosting incentive pay for reserve components could cost $546 million annually and affect about 84,601 Guardsmen and reservists, according to the report. Some active-duty members could also get increased bonuses under the law, the report said, adding another $57.7 million to the cost.

"The department continues to believe that prorating monthly [special and incentive] pays is an appropriate and equitable manner for compensating service members performing full and part-time duty," according to the report, a copy of which was obtained by Military.com. "Paying these additional amounts would provide a benefit to more members but would result in a significant additional cost."

The report interpreted the law more broadly than Congress intended by factoring in some wide-ranging recruiting and retention bonuses. So, in last year's NDAA, Congress tweaked the requirement to more specifically target incentive pay for special skills and training.

For Duckworth, the change in last year's NDAA means there's no more reason for the Pentagon to delay. But the department is now conducting another study on the effects of increasing incentive pay for reserve forces, a department official told senators at a hearing this month.

While the last study focused on whether the structure of the active duty would be hurt by increasing pay for reserve components, the new study is looking at how boosting pay will affect recruiting and retention for the Guard and reserves, said Ashish Vazirani, acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

"I promise you we're not slow-rolling," Vazirani said at the hearing. "We're really trying to be deliberate. It's a complex issue. We want to do it in a deliberate and thorough manner. There are a number of different pays that can be affected, and we want to be sure that we're doing this in a correct way."

That answer infuriated Duckworth.

"If a guy's jumping out of an aircraft three times in one weekend but only gets one-thirtieth of the pay as another person who jumps out of that same aircraft three times the same weekend, there's no study needed," she said in her interview with Military.com. "I understand that in some cases there may be more complex situations that have to do with retention pay and how you calculate it, but when it comes to something like jump pay or flight pay, they can move on that now."

At the very least, Duckworth is demanding the Pentagon provide a concrete timeline for finishing the latest study. Her deadline for getting that answer is the second week of June, when the Senate Armed Services Committee considers this year's NDAA.

"I'm going to be their worst nightmare on this," she vowed. "It's entirely unacceptable, and our service members deserve better, and I'm going to keep pushing until every reservist receives the pay they have earned and deserve."

"I'm giving them an opportunity to respond" with a timeline for the new study, she added. "But certainly for me, everything is on the table. And if I have to throw some sharp elbows come this NDAA, then I will."

Related: 'Lack of Respect': Army National Guard Criticized by Lawmakers for Bungling Enlistment Bonus Payments
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has denied a request from a two-star general accused of sexual assault and other crimes to retire instead of facing a court-martial, according to the general's attorneys.

The secretary's decision means Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, only the second Air Force general in history to be charged with a sexual crime, is set to be tried by court-martial in June after being relieved of command of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, last year.

Stewart is charged with allegedly committing a sex act on a woman without her consent near Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma in April 2023, according to a military charge sheet. He is also charged with conduct unbecoming an officer for allegedly asking someone to "spend the night alone with him in his private hotel room" near Denver, Colorado, while on official travel in March 2023. The charges include extramarital sexual conduct.

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"We are looking forward to our day in court," Stewart's lead attorney, Sherilyn Bunn, told Military.com in a statement. Spokespeople for Kendall and the Department of the Air Force did not provide comment.

Stewart submitted the retirement in lieu of a court-martial request in January. Jeffrey Addicott, a member of Stewart's legal team, a professor of law and director of the Warrior Defense Project at St. Mary's University School of Law, told Military.com that Kendall denied the major general's request. A person familiar with the legal proceedings said it was denied on Feb. 20.

Stewart pleaded not guilty to the charges in March, and his case is scheduled to go to trial June 17.

Military.com asked Kendall on Feb. 13 at an Air and Space Forces Association conference in Colorado whether he planned on approving or denying Stewart's request. He declined to answer, but said Stewart's case -- despite its historic nature -- did not indicate larger problems in the officer corps.

"I don't think it's representative of a larger issue," Kendall said in response to Military.com during a media roundtable. "Gen. Stewart has not been convicted yet, so I don't want to say anything about his guilt or innocence. We take these cases incredibly seriously."

On May 9, 2023, Air Education and Training Command announced that Stewart had been removed from his role as commander of the 19th Air Force, which is responsible for training 30,000 students annually and is part of AETC. The command cited "a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, related to alleged misconduct, which is currently under investigation."

It was later revealed in a redacted charge sheet provided to Military.com that Stewart was facing a dereliction of duty charge, in which it was alleged that he failed to stop "pursuing an unprofessional relationship." It also states he allegedly "failed to refrain from assuming control of an aircraft after consuming alcohol within 12 hours prior to takeoff."

Addicott told Military.com last year that the judge for the military Article 32 hearing, a process similar to a grand jury for civilians, recommended that the sexual assault charges be dropped and the other charges should not go to trial, but the Air Education and Training Command leader still referred Stewart to a court-martial.

Stewart's case marks the second time an Air Force general has been charged with a sexual crime. The first was in 2022, when then-Maj. Gen. William Cooley -- who had headed the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio -- was convicted during a court-martial of abusive sexual contact.

Cooley was ordered to forfeit $10,910 of pay for five months and received a letter of reprimand. He had faced a maximum of seven years of confinement, separation, and loss of pay and benefits.

Related: Air Force General Convicted in Historic Court-Martial Avoids Jail Time
COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Leaders around the Baltic Sea reacted warily Wednesday to reports that Russia could revise the borders of its territorial waters in the region, with Lithuania's foreign minister calling it an "obvious escalation that must be met with an "appropriately firm response.

In a draft proposal reported by some Russian media, Russia's Defense Ministry suggests updating the coordinates used to measure the strip of territorial waters off its mainland coast and that of its islands in the Baltic Sea. The existing coordinates were approved in 1985, the ministry says; adding they were based on small-scale nautical navigation maps and don't correspond to the modern geographical situation.

It wasnt immediately clear from the draft whether the proposed changes would shift the border or merely clarify it.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Russia had signed a United Nations convention that regulates how to make such changes. Both we and Finland assume that Russia  which is a signatory party to that convention  lives up to that responsibility, he said, according to Swedish news agency TT.

If Russians were to challenge borders, then Russia violates a U.N. convention, then Russia has the whole world against it, Finlands Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said, according to Finnish broadcaster YLE.

She said, however, it likely was a routine act by Russia and not a provocation.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote on X that Russia had not been in contact with Finland on the matter. Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts, he wrote.

Also on X, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis asserted that Russia was attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea. There has been great concern in Lithuania about Russian troops latest gains in northeastern Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was on a visit to Lithuania on Wednesday, echoed Landbergis remarks saying that whatever this was or actually is, it appears to be another example of the thoroughly perfidious kind of hybrid warfare that Putin is practicing," German news agency dpa reported.

The Baltic News Service said Lithuania summoned the Russian representative for a detailed explanation.

However, Russias Interfax news agency later Wednesday cited an unnamed military diplomatic source as saying Moscow does not intend to revise the border or the width of its territorial waters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters there was nothing political in the Defense Ministrys proposal.

You see how tensions and the level of confrontation are escalating, especially in the Baltic region. This requires appropriate steps from our relevant bodies to ensure our security, Peskov said.

The proposal was published on an official government website for draft legislation but appeared deleted Wednesday. It wasnt immediately clear why.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO. The Baltic Sea  Russias maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and its Kaliningrad enclave  is now almost surrounded by members of the military alliance.

Kaliningrad is sandwiched between Lithuania to the north and east and Poland to the south. It is home to the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet.

Associated Press writer Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
On December 22, 2021, SpaceXs Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars, marking an important milestone in human exploration of the red planet. The mission was part of NASAs, and it aimed to search for signs of ancient life on the planet.







(what was supposed to be on space x dec 22nd launch)

The first stage of the Perseverance rover consisted of a lander, a rovers, and a suite of instruments that would enable the rover to explore the Martian surface. The lander landed safely on Mars and began its journey towards the rover. The rovers were equipped with various scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and drill bits, which would help them collect data about the Martian environment.

As the mission progressed, the Perseverance rover discovered new evidence of past microbial life on Mars. It collected samples of soil and rock that were previously thought to be barren, and it found signs of organic material, such as organic compounds, that indicate the presence of living organisms.

One of the most significant discoveries made by the Perseverance rover is its ability to capture images of the Martian landscape using its panoramic camera. These images have provided valuable insights into the geology and climate of the planet, and they have helped scientists better understand how the planet formed and evolved over time.

In addition to its scientific discoveries, the Perseverance rover also played an important role in supporting the ongoing development of new technologies on Mars. For example, it used its wheels to perform experiments with electricity, while it tested new propulsion systems and software for sending spacecraft to Mars.







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Overall, the successful landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars marked a major achievement for NASA and the wider scientific community. This mission has shed light on the potential for future missions to Mars, and it has paved the way for even more exciting discoveries and advancements in our understanding of this distant planet.
The question of when the NextSpaceX launch will take place in La has been a topic of speculation and anticipation for several months now. SpaceX, the leading private aerospace company in the world, is set to launch its first crewed mission from the United States Space Launch Complex (SLC) 39B in La on April 27th.







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Scheduled to take off at 10:40am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), the flight will be launched using theSuper(Starship rocket), which has undergone extensive testing and is currently under development. The Super

According to SpaceXs official website, the company plans to use the Starship rocket to send astronauts to Mars within the next decade. This ambitious goal is part of SpaceXs broader vision to make humanity a multi-planetary species.

To achieve this vision, SpaceX has already made significant progress in developing advanced spacecraft technology. The company has already completed multiple successful launches, including its Dragon spacecraft that delivered supplies to the International Space Station and its Perseverance rover that landed on Mars in February 2021.

Despite setbacks and delays, SpaceX continues to make progress towards its goals, and the upcoming launch of NextSpaceX marks an exciting milestone in the companys history.

If everything goes according to plan, the launch of NextSpaceX is scheduled to take place in La around noon on April 27th. It is expected to provide breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline and offer a glimpse into the future of human exploration.







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Overall, the launch of NextSpaceX is an eagerly anticipated event that promises to bring us closer to our ultimate goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species. With its cutting-edge technology and ambitious goals, SpaceX is poised to revolutionize the way we think about space exploration and the possibilities it holds for the future.
SpaceX, one of the leading aerospace companies in the world, has announced that it will be using a Texas Launch Pad for its next rocket launch. This move is significant because it marks the first time that SpaceX will have used a different location for its rocket launches.







(will space x use texas launch pad)

The Texas Launch Pad, located in San Antonio, Texas, is currently home to NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and several other scientific organizations. The pad has been used by SpaceX in the past for testing its rockets and has been a popular destination for the company.

However, recent reports suggest that SpaceX may be looking to expand its operations to other locations as well. In an interview with CNN earlier this year, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said that the company was considering expanding its base camp to New York City or even California.

One reason why SpaceX may be interested in using a different location is that it could potentially help reduce costs associated with launching rockets from the United States. The cost of launching rockets from Texas is currently lower than the cost of launching them from California or other states, which could make it more cost-effective for SpaceX to operate from a different location.

Another reason why SpaceX may be looking to use a different location is that it could potentially improve safety. SpaceX has faced criticism over safety issues related to its rockets, including the fire that occurred during a test flight last year. If SpaceX were to launch from a different location, it would need to ensure that the site is suitable for launching rockets and that there are adequate safety measures in place to prevent accidents.

Its worth noting that SpaceX has not yet announced whether it plans to use the Texas Launch Pad for its next rocket launch. However, if the company does choose to use the pad, it will likely face competition from other companies that are also interested in using it.







(will space x use texas launch pad)

In conclusion, SpaceXs decision to use the Texas LaunchPad for its next rocket launch is significant news for the aerospace industry. While the pad may provide some benefits for SpaceX, such as reduced costs and improved safety, it will also present challenges for the company, including competition from other operators. It remains to be seen how SpaceX will navigate these challenges and whether the pad will ultimately lead to more successful rocket launches in the future.
Josh James signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, according to the leagues transaction log. The right-hander became a free agent when he was released from a minor league deal with the Cardinals last week.

James, 31, spent his limited time in the St. Louis organization at Triple-A Memphis. He walked 15 of the 51 hitters he faced. Putting on free baserunners at that rate isnt tenable, and James was rocked for 18 runs in 7 2/3 innings. Hell need to demonstrate he can find the strike zone with the Ducks to pitch his way back to affiliated ball.

A former 34th-round pick by the Astros, James had a promising first two seasons in Houston. He worked 23 innings of 2.35 ERA ball as a rookie back in 2018. While his 4.70 mark across 61 1/3 frames the following year wasnt as impressive, James punched out almost 38% of his opponents. He looked like a potential high-octane relief arm before his control evaporated. He walked more than one-fifth of hitters during the shortened season and has barely pitched in the majors since then.

Various injuries cost James most of the 2021-23 campaigns. He battled hip, hamstring and lat problems before undergoing flexor surgery at the tail end of the 22 season. Houston non-tendered him that winter. James sat out all of last season before beginning his short-lived stint with the Cardinals this past January.
The Rays are expected to designated right-hander Erasmo Ramirez for assignment, per a report from Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times last night. Ramirezs departure is set to be the corresponding move for the return of righty Ryan Pepiot from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Red Sox tonight.

Ramirez, 32, is a veteran of 13 MLB seasons who first made his big league debut back in 2012 as a member of the Mariners. From 2012-18 Ramirez split his time between the starting rotation and the bullpen in both Seattle and Tampa, pitching to a slightly below average 4.36 ERA with a 4.54 FIP across 192 appearances in that seven year stretch, 92 of which were starts. Ramirez posted a 6.7% walk rate during that time while generating grounders at a solid 44.4% clip, but he struck out just 18.5% of batters faced while allowing a hefty 13.8% of his fly balls to leave the yard for home runs. Ramirezs final season with the Mariners in 2018 was a particularly difficult one, as he was torched to the tune of a 6.50 ERA in ten starts with the club.

Those difficulties led Ramirez to bounce around the league, making brief appearances in Boston, Queens, and Detroit over the next three seasons before finally returning to a regular role with the Nationals in 2022. Ramirez took to the nations capital quite well as he posted a strong 2.92 ERA in 86 2/3 innings of work that came almost exclusively out of the bullpen. While the rightys strikeout rate of 17.6% remained below average, he allowed free passes to just 4% of batters that season while seeing his groundball rate tick up to 45.2%. The showing was enough for the Nationals to sign him to a one-year big league deal worth $1MM for the 2023 campaign, assuring him of a spot in the clubs bullpen entering Spring Training.

Unfortunately, the decision to retain Ramirez didnt work out, as his peripherals regressed slightly in all areas during the 2023 campaign. Those dips in underlying performance combined with an unusually low 62.2% strand rate left Ramirezs results on the field to swing from well above average to well below as he allowed a 6.41 ERA with a 5.05 FIP in 60 1/3 innings of work split between the Nationals and the Rays, the latter of whom signed the righty to a minor league deal midseason after he was released by Washington.

Ramirez continued his second stint in Tampa by re-signing with the club on a minor league deal this past offseason and was selected to the roster in mid-April, but the 34-year-old has looked unimpressive in ten appearances. Hes allowed a 4.20 ERA with a whopping 6.08 in 15 innings of work while striking out just 13.6% of batters faced, walking an elevated 9.1%, and generating groundballs just 38.1% of the time. Once Ramirez is officially DFAd, the Rays will have one week to either trade Ramirez or attempt to pass him through waivers, although the righty has more than enough service time to reject outright waivers and test free agency should he go unclaimed.
The White Sox will install Nick Nastrini back into their rotation, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times (X link). Manager Pedro Grifol confirmed after tonights win over the Blue Jays that the rookie right-hander will take the ball tomorrow in Toronto, pushing Mike Clevinger back to Thursdays series opener against the Orioles.

Chicago needed to settle on a new fifth starter after designating Brad Keller for assignment on Sunday. Nastrini and Jonathan Cannon, each of whom made his MLB debut in April, were the likeliest options. Nastrini took two starts for the Sox last month. He worked five innings of two-run ball against the Royals in his debut before surrendering six runs across three frames in a road matchup with the Phillies.

The Sox optioned Nastrini back to Triple-A Charlotte after his start in Philadelphia. Keller drew into the rotation for a couple turns, while Clevinger returned to the majors after his late free agent signing. The Sox quickly decided to move on from the veteran Keller in favor of a look at a younger pitcher.

Nastrini, 24, is a former fourth-round pick of the Dodgers. The Sox acquired him at last summers deadline in the Lance Lynn/Joe Kelly deal. Nastrini closed last season in Charlotte, where he has spent the majority of the 2024 campaign. His 5.83 ERA in 29 1/3 Triple-A frames isnt particularly impressive, but the UCLA product has fanned nearly 27% of batters faced with a serviceable 8.2% walk rate. The longball has been his biggest issue, as Nastrini has allowed nine homers in six starts.

The Soxs rotation has been one of the leagues worst overall, though its not without a few interesting performers. Garrett Crochet tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win tonight. He lowered his season ERA to 3.75 in the process. Crochet has punched out more than 32% of opponents in his first year as a starter.

Erick Fedde has allowed 3.10 earned runs per nine over 10 starts in his return to the majors. That mid-rotation production and his modest $7.5MM salaries through 2025 make him an intriguing trade candidate. Every other pitcher who has made multiple starts  Nastrini, Cannon, Keller, Clevinger, Chris Flexen and Michael Soroka  has an ERA above 5.00.

Chicago will officially recall Nastrini tomorrow. Theyll need to option or designate a pitcher for assignment to comply with the 13-pitcher maximum. It could be one of multiple moves, as the Sox will know in the coming days if Eloy Jimenez requires a stint on the injured list. The hulking DH left tonights game with a left hamstring strain.
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Michigans famous vacation spot is putting its crown back on, having scooped up accolades as the No. 1 Best Summer Travel Destination for the second year in a row.

The back-to-back honors come courtesy of voters in the 2024 USA Today 10Best Readers Choice travel awards contest.

We are so incredibly proud Mackinac Island has earned the title of the No. 1 best summer travel destination for the second year in a row, said Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. We are immensely grateful for our island community for casting their votes and to the travel experts and readers at USA Today 10Best for recognizing the island once again. We look forward to welcoming guests to come experience all the charm the island has to offer this summer.

There are 13 fudge shops on Mackinac Island, so a sweet treat is never far away. Photo provided by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

The island is known as much for its busy downtown filled with shops, fudge stops and restaurants as it is the beautiful bike and hiking trails that crisscross the forested interior. During the summer, more than 500 horses are pulling cargo and people on this island that bans most motor vehicles. Fudge is its signature candy, with more than a dozen shops dotting Main Street.

This year, there are lots of new things to see and do on the island. You can see the rundown of all of them here.

Other winners in this years 10Best Summer Travel Destination category include Ocean City, New Jersey; Catalina Island in California; Door County, Wisconsin and Floridas Space Coast.

Earning this top honor for the second year in a row demonstrates just how special of a place Mackinac Island is to many people, said Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud. I want to thank our island community for their unwavering commitment in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and extend my gratitude to the all the individuals near and far who voted for Mackinac Island.

More than 250 varieties of lilacs bloom on Mackinac Island. Photo courtesy of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

What the USA Today 10Best editors said about Mackinac Islands repeat win: Between Michigans Upper and Lower Peninsulas, youll find Mackinac Island, where youll ride on horse-drawn carriages along car-free roads, observe fudge being made (and then sample it), and tour the historic Fort Mackinac. This Lake Huron-based continental island is also home to Mackinac Island State Park, where you can hike, bike, kayak, and take photos of the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock.

Todd Callewaert, president of Island House Hotel and Mackinac Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the latest win is a testament to the islands timeless charm. Visitors come for the breathtaking scenery and remember Mackinacs special brand of hospitality.

This recognition celebrates the hard work of our community, the warm spirit of our hospitality, and the memorable experiences we provide to guests from near and far. We look forward to continuing to enchant and delight travelers for generations to come.

USA Today has numerous 10Best lists, which are first nominated by a panel of experts made up of editors from both USA Today and 10Best.com. The Top 10 is then determined by a public vote. Here is everything in Michigan ranked in USA Todays 10Best for 2024 so far:
WASHINGTON -- The Biden administration says it is canceling the student-loan debt of an additional 160,000 borrowers in three specific demographics. The plan was announced Wednesday by the Education Department and will result in an estimated $7.7 billion in forgiveness, according to the Associated Press.

From day one of my administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, said President Joe Biden in a statement. I will never stop working to cancel student debt  no matter how many times Republican-elected officials try to stop us.
DETROIT  The FBI has taken over the investigation into suspected financial wrongdoing by the chief financial officer of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, WDIV Local 4 reports.

The conservancy is a nonprofit responsible for the management of the Detroit RiverWalk and associated greenspaces. The area is widely considered to be the face of the city.

Last week, the conservancy board requested a criminal investigation and turned over evidence to the Michigan State Police, the TV station reports. The request was prompted by an independent audit and review of financial statements.

On Tuesday, MSP turned over the investigation to the FBI due to the nature and complexity of the situation, Matt Cullen, board chair for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, said in a statement.

CFO William Smith has been placed on unpaid leave and an outside firm has been hired to oversee the nonprofits financials, he said.

The riverfront is a beloved and important asset to the community, and we are committed to building a vibrant space for all metro Detroiters to enjoy, Cullen said. As soon as we can, the Conservancy will share with the public and its many stakeholders exactly what happened, how it happened, and our full plans for moving forward.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A self-purported greeter for a Cleveland Family Dollar was arrested after he shot a customer who failed to present a receipt while leaving the store, police say.

Alonzo Perkins, 41, was charged on Saturday with felonious assault following the shooting incident in Clevelands Cudell neighborhood. On Monday, he posted bond.

Perkins, of Cleveland, shot the 20-year-old victim in the ankle, authorities say. The man was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he was stable enough to speak to police.

The victim entered a Family Dollar on the 10800 block of Lorain Avenue on Saturday afternoon with his family, including a young child in a stroller. He paid for two items with a debit card but declined a receipt, he told police.

As the family left the store, Perkins asked the man to present a receipt. The man continued walking, and Perkins grabbed his childs stroller, prompting the man to punch Perkins in the face, the man told police.

The family proceeded to walk down West 110th Street. Perkins got in his car and trailed them. Eventually, he emerged with a gun and pointed it at the victim.

The victims female companion and multiple witnesses said the victim had his hands up during the confrontation.

As the standoff escalated, the victim told Perkins, F--- you, what are you going to do, shoot me? and then turned to run, he told police.

At some point, Perkins shot the man in the ankle, police said.

When officers arrived, Perkins was cooperative and relinquished his gun. Officers noted that his nose was bloodied.

Perkins admitted to police that he shot the man, but he offered a different account. He said he warned the victim, Put your hands up, get on the ground, Im calling the police, and youre going to jail. He said the victim then took another swing at him before Perkins fired.

During a bond hearing in Cleveland Municipal Court on Monday, Perkins attorney said he supports two people through his work. He does not have a felony record.

Appearing from jail via video feed, Perkins told the judge that he didnt know the victim.

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to the Family Dollar for comment.
Michigan lawmakers are attempting to strengthen state law as it relates to necrophilia, or sexual activity with a dead body.

A package of bills recently introduced in the Senate would make it a crime to engage in any sexual contact with a dead human body. Current law stops at prohibiting the unlawful mutilation, defacing or moving of a body.

I was surprised to find out necrophilia was not a specific crime in the Michigan penal code, said State Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe.

Klinefelt sponsored Senate Bill 841, which would make it a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison for engaging in sexual penetration with a dead human body. Any other sexual contact would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison.

Legislators drafted the bill after a 64-year-old woman was killed in Van Buren County. The local prosecutors office said Colby Martin, 31, intentionally hit Melody Rohrer with a vehicle in order to commit sexual acts with her dead body.

Martin was convicted of first-degree murder, concealing the death of an individual and failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

He was not, however, charged with a crime pertaining to the alleged subsequent sexual assault.

The state does not currently have specific prohibition on necrophilia, reads a summary of the bill. According to testimony, the current laws do not go far enough to hold perpetrators accountable. It has been suggested to criminalize necrophilia and to require an offender to register with the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry (SOR).

Klinefelt said other states courts have grappled with the issue. Some have ruled sexual assault on a dead body is rape, while others have ruled its not.

In Melodys case, the individual was not charged with that aspect of his crime and the family was outraged, Klinefelt said. We worked closely with the family as well as Attorney General Dana Nessels office to craft a bill that would make it clear for prosecutors and judges that this heinous act is a crime in Michigan.

Related bills being considered by the Senate would amend sentencing guidelines related to necrophilia, and update the states sex offenders registration system.

Seven Democrats co-sponsored the bills. Klinefelt said shes heard no opposition, adding that most people already assumed there was an existing prohibition.

We hope to get Melodys Law passed as soon as possible, she said.

The bill package was introduced April 24 and referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. It returned to the full Senate this week and is likely to get a vote in the near future.

If passed, the bills would have to be considered by the House before moving to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers desk for the final determination.

Rohrer, the victim of the 2021 incident, was a 1975 Three Rivers High School graduate. She worked as a nurse for Bronson Methodist Hospital, caring for patients in the antepartum and postpartum unit before retiring in 2017, her obituary said.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Five people have died at someone elses hands so far this year in Washtenaw County, two more than this same point last year.

As of Wednesday, May 22, three men and two women have been killed somewhere in the county. Four of those five were fatally shot. Authorities have not released the cause of death in the fifth case.
ANN ARBOR  Community High School students answered questions Monday from Ann Arbor city staff members about topics such as increased housing costs, youth activism and public safety.

Eight student panelists, ranging from 10th to 12th grade, discussed rising home costs pushing out families and what they perceive as Ann Arbors lagging development, among other various city policies and topics May 21 at the Ann Arbor City Council Chambers.

All the students are enrolled in a Community High course called Youth Civic & Community Engagement. The course was created in January in partnership with Ann Arbors community engagement staff. It was designed to educate students about governance.

In order to organize and make change, you have to understand local government, Izzie Jacob, 18, said.

Students interacted with various departments, including the Housing and Transportation committees, throughout the semester. They attended a meeting of their choice.

Amy Boeving, a senior who plans to attend the University of Michigan next fall, said they learned about the minute details that local policy change entails. Jacob said she was surprised about what areas the city government covered.

Before this class I didnt know how to share my voice, Jacob, who is attending Northwestern University next fall, said.

Multiple students encouraged city employees to use social media to reach younger constituents. They also recommended school assemblies and better communication within schools.

Boeving told staffers they hoped to see Ann Arbor incorporate more park benches, a grocery store downtown and stronger public transportation. They also explained their family had to move to Ypsilanti because of rising home prices.

Housing prices in Ann Arbor increased 9% in April, compared to last year, according to Redfin. The median price was $515,000.

Other students echoed Boevings statement that Ann Arbor was not developing quickly enough to support its residents.

Jasmine Isaac, Ann Arbors community engagement specialist, led the course. She previously worked as a teacher in South Korea.

I think [kids] soak up information and theyre always excited [to learn], Isaac said.

Isaac, 29, said reception to the course was positive. More students registered for the class than other similar programs at Community High, Isaac said.

It was a life-changing opportunity in high school, Jacob said.

Students entered with differing levels of knowledge about governing. Isaac hoped that each had a better grasp of the details of local government by the end of the semester.

These guys are the future, Isaac said Monday to attending members.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Construction of Acrisure Amphitheater, the 12,000-capacity riverfront venue that supporters say will transform an industrial stretch of Market Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids into a vibrant visitor destination, is expected to begin within a couple of months.

Speaking during a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday, city, business, and philanthropic leaders cast the venue as part of an unprecedented riverfront development. The venue will breathe new life into the area, and serve as a lynchpin of a larger revitalization along Market Avenue, between Fulton and Wealthy streets, thats expected to include riverfront trails, greenspace, housing, and retailers, they said.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Maite Reyes De La Cruz is proud to be the first in her family to graduate from high school.

Like many of her peers at Southwest Middle High School, Reyes De La Cruz comes from immigrant parents who did not have the opportunity to go to high school and earn a diploma in their native country.

Reyes De La Cruz, who earned the top spot as valedictorian of her graduating class at Southwest this year, attributes her success to the sacrifices made by her mom and dad, Telma De La Cruz and Marvin Reyes, who came to the United State from Guatemala to provide a better life for their children.

My parents only got the opportunity to finish sixth grade, and that was about it, the 18-year-old told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. They couldnt have a high school diploma, so coming here, they gave me the opportunity for me to accomplish a high school diploma and be able to start a career and have a better salary than they do.

On Tuesday, May 21, Southwest celebrated its very first graduating class of 55 students since the school opened four years ago. The predominately Hispanic, test-in bilingual school, located at 327 Rumsey St. SW, was central to the redevelopment of the Roosevelt Park neighborhood when it launched in 2020.

RELATED: Bilingual Grand Rapids high school celebrates first graduating class

For Reyes De La Cruz and many of her classmates at Southwest, a high school diploma isnt just a piece of paper. Its a stepping-stone to a better life, one that their parents sacrificed everything to provide them.

Most of us are the first generation to graduate, Reyes De La Cruz said, of her graduating class. Our parents left everything behind for us to have a better future, and for us to have better salaries.

More than half of students in this years graduating class are the first in their families to complete high school, said Southwest Principal Julian Ramirez-Torres. Many parents have instilled in their children the value of a high school education, and how a degree can offer economic mobility.

Our communities put (great importance) on education, because they do see education as a vehicle to success, he explained.

Reyes De La Cruz, who graduated with a 4.2 GPA (grade point average) this year, said she is proud to represent her class as the 2024 valedictorian.

We are making history as the first class of this institution and paving the way for future generations, she told her peers at Wednesdays commencement ceremony.

RELATED: Take a virtual look inside Grand Rapids Public Schools newest school

The valedictorian said she plans to go to college to become a dental hygienist. She has been accepted to the University of Michigan but might go to Grand Rapids Community College for a year first, she said.

33 1 / 33 Southwest Middle High celebrates its inaugural graduating class

In addition to breaking barriers as a first-generation high school graduate, Reyes De La Cruz also overcame obstacles to graduate from high school as a young mother. The Southwest teen had an unplanned pregnancy at a young age, and now has a daughter, Telmy, who she said motivated her to persevere in school.

Reyes De La Cruz recalled not wanting to go back to school after her daughter was born, due to fear of what other students would say.

I wanted to stay online or not go back to school, because I was scared of, you know, how people talk and rumors and all of that, she said.

But with the encouragement of her mom, Reyes De La Cruz returned to school and worked hard so she that she could provide a good life for her daughter. She said Telmy inspires her each day to be someone her daughter can look up to.

I want to become something in life, so she doesnt have to worry about nothing, she said. It wasnt something that I planned, to be a teen mom. But even though things happen, I was able to graduate and not leave school.

There were times when it was incredibly challenging. Telmy was born premature, and everyday after school, Reyes De La Cruz had to take the bus to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital to be with her.

Despite the challenges, Reyes De La Cruz remained dedicated to her studies and worked hard in high school to earn high grades, taking multiple AP (Advanced Placement) classes including AP Spanish and AP English.

When there was a class or assignment she struggled with, she would regularly stay after school for tutoring to work through anything she didnt understand.

Reyes De La Cruz said she wouldnt have been able to be successful in class if it werent for her mom, who stayed home to take care of Telmy so the teen could finish school.

It couldve been an obstacle, but with my moms help, it wasnt, she said. It was possible for me to graduate high school and give my all to school.

Ramirez-Torres described the valedictorian as a model scholar who is dedicated, focused, hardworking and bright. But on top of that, the principal said Reyes De La Cruz has demonstrated incredible perseverance by overcoming obstacles to finish school as a young mom and first-generation high school graduate.

To know that you have that obligation  no longer are you just taking care of yourself, youre taking care of another child and another human being  and still come as number one of your class, to me, that speaks even more volume to the quality of person and student that Maite is, he said.

Her devotion to education and really to want to have success in life... she wants to be a great role model to her daughter, and have her have somebody to look up to, is an inspiration.
ADA, MI  A new coffee shop in downtown Ada is officially pouring espresso and blending up beverages.

Foxtail Coffee Co. Opened Tuesday, May 21, at 7399 River St. SE, across from Legacy Park. The coffee shop is located in the River Street Commons building, a three-story mixed used project. The shop is on the corner of River Street SE and Headley Street.

The Florida-based coffee chain touts its use of responsibly sourced coffee beans and its artisanal coffee beverages.

The 2,211-square-foot coffee shop provides an inviting atmosphere from morning to evening for people to gather, work, meet and enjoy a cup of craft coffee, the company stated in a news release.

Coffee served at Foxtail Coffee Co. Comes from environmentally conscious farms that pay workers fair wages for their labor. According to the companys website, each farm they source coffee from is monitored to align with responsibility and ethical standards. Coffee beans are also roasted in-house at Foxtail.

Foxtail started in Florida in 2016 and now has 64 stores in Florida, Nevada and Georgia. The Ada store is the brands first Michigan location.

We are thrilled to bring the Foxtail Coffee Co. Experience to the vibrant community of Ada, said Foxtail Coffee Co. Founder Alex Tchekmeian. Our mission has always been providing exceptional coffee while fostering positive relationships in the community. We look forward to becoming a valuable part of the Michigan landscape.

Later this year, Foxtail will open its second Michigan location in downtown Holland, at the former JPs coffee shop at 57 E. Eighth St. Most recently, the Holland coffee shop was run by Ferris Coffee, which closed its doors at the end of February.

The Foxtail Coffee Co. menu includes espresso beverages, cold brew, hot and iced teas and light breakfast food. Nitro cold brew flavors like coconut mocha and vanilla caramel are on the menu, as are matcha and London fog lattes. The food options include breakfast sandwiches, egg bites, paninis, bagels, croissants, muffins, cookies and cake pops.

Foxtail Coffee Co. is open 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. More information about the coffee shops bean varieties and other items for sale is available at www.foxtailcoffee.com.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A sixth grader at Alger Middle School heard screams from outside then looked through her classroom window to see a bloodied classmate on a bench.

She wondered if he was OK.

I was crying, the 11-year-old girl said. Like, this has never happened before.

The injured student suffered a gunshot wound to his face, Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom said. The boy was hospitalized but his injuries were not life-threatening.

RELATED: Student shot outside of Alger Middle School, Grand Rapids superintendent says

The injured boy and his friend, both students at Alger Middle School, were in a city park Tuesday, May 21, near the school when a gun discharged. The boys sought help at the school.

Police recovered the gun and are trying to determine what happened.

What I saw when we arrived was two children, whether they were playing with a gun, whether this was an intentional act, they sought help from this GRPS school, Winstrom said.

The police chief said detectives are working to determine how the gun got in the hands of children. The adult responsible for the gun could face criminal prosecution.

Police found the gun, a shell casing and blood at the scene.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working to determine the guns history and if it was tied to any crimes, the chief said.

The 11-year-old said she was scared after the shooting. There was blood everywhere, she said.

She is a close friend to the victim.

Her sister, 17, was at her grandmothers house. She ran to the middle school to get her sister when she heard what happened.

I rushed to call my sister to see if she was OK, and she was OK, she was just really hurt, the older sister said.

I ran about 30 minutes all the way over here to come get her.

The whole way over, she prayed that everyone was OK.

Winstrom said it was fortunate that no one was seriously injured or killed. The injured student was conscious and alert and able to talk to officers at the scene. School staff provided emergency medical help before rescuers reached the scene.

The school was placed on Code Red lockdown immediately after the incident. Students had to sit quietly in the corner with the classroom lights turned off.

Soon afterward, Superintendent Leadriane Roby sent a letter to parents to explain what happened.
GRAND RAPIDS MI -- The Trinity Health Grand Rapids healthcare system welcomes is expanding its support network for military veterans and their families with its new onsite veteran service officer, Army Capt. Austin Ramey.

Ramey comes from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to the healthcare system to help military veterans and their families navigate Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Through this program, patients who have served in the United States Armed Forces will have easy access to Ramey.
JACKSON, MI  A man will spend at least the next two decades behind bars for strangling a woman to death with a pair of pantyhose during an argument that exploded into a physical fight.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Susan Jordan sentenced Allen Stanford Champion on May 15 to spend 26 years and three months to 50 years in prison for the death of Nancy Thomas, 59, who was found dead Oct. 29, 2021, in her Jackson home.

Its sad to believe she was trying to help you and you murdered her in the most horrific way, said a Jackson County victims rights advocate, reading a letter submitted by the family to be read aloud at Champions sentencing. An animal like you belongs in a cage.

Champion, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder for Thomas death. A count of domestic violence was dismissed as part of his plea deal alongside a stipulation that the judge would sentence him in accordance with his recommended sentencing guidelines complied by the probation department ahead of his sentencing.

He faced a mandatory 25-year sentence because he is a habitual offender and Champions presentence report recommended a minimum sentence of 26 years and three months.

This (case) is extraordinarily tragic, and I know this has a mandatory 25-year sentence, but I dont want to go even a day under the recommended sentencing guidelines, Jordan said while handing down her sentence.

Standing at the podium and given a chance to speak to the court and the family of his victim, Champion, clad in jailhouse orange and without visible emotion, simply said, no.

(Champion) hasnt led a life that others would aspire to, but maybe somehow in the next 25 years he can figure out how to be a better human, his defense attorney Chief Deputy Public Defender Kevin Rogers said.

Police arrested Champion a year after police were called to Thomas home on South Milwaukee Street in 2021, when another occupant of the home arrived and found her dead, according to the Jackson Police Department.

RELATED: Jackson woman found dead in her home in suspected homicide, police say

The initial investigation indicated she had been killed during an assault. As the investigation continued, police identified Champion as a suspect.

There were also indications that Champion may have sexually assaulted Thomas after he killed her, prosecutors said.

This is a tragedy from start to finish, Chief Assistant Prosecuting attorney Kati Rezmierski said. Mr. Champion seems utterly incapable of being a law-abiding citizen, free or locked up, and he cant keep his hands off other people.

Rezmierski noted Champion has a long criminal history with multiple assaults and sexual assaults both in and out of prison. In 2006 he was sentenced to serve 10-15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child, Michigan Department of Corrections records show.

I cant think of a number of years in prison he should get, but it should be enough to keep the rest of us out here safe for as long as possible because he has had his opportunities to change and abide by the law and he is clearly not going to do it, she said.

Champion was credited for 580 days served. He will be eligible for parole in 2049.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  Nineteen priests who worked in the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo are named in a Attorney General report on clergy sexual abuse in Michigan on Wednesday, May 22.

The report details allegations of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct, including grooming and misuse of authority against minors and adults against priests who served in the Kalamazoo Diocese.

None of those named in the report actively serve in the diocese of Kalamazoo, said Bishop Edward Lohse.

The allegations in the report do not reflect a determination by the AGs office that they are credible or indicative of a crime.

The allegations detail the historical situation in the diocese, Lohse said. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether criminal charges could be filed against those who allegedly engaged in criminal conduct or those who failed to report abuse involving minors, according to the report.

In April, the diocese published a list of 17 former priests, employees and volunteers who are not allowed to work with children due to credible allegations of misconduct.

Of the 19 listed in the AGs report, 12 were priests from the Diocese of Kalamazoo and 7 were priests from other dioceses or religious orders who ministered in the diocese. The report details 12 priests accused of abusing minors, five of misconduct with adults and two of misconduct with both minors and adults.

Regarding the sexual abuse of minors, 10 of those named are alleged to have done so within the nine counties of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, the remaining four are alleged to have done so elsewhere.

RELATED: Kalamazoo Catholic diocese publishes list of people banned from working with kids

Today we are confronted with a disturbing truth, Lohse said. The sexual abuse of minors by priests here in the nine counties of the Diocese of Kalamazoo is an historical reality. It is tragic, appalling and inexcusable. No one knows this better than you who are the victim-survivors of that abuse. You were entrusted to our care, and we failed to protect you. There is no other way to put it. For that failure, I am deeply sorry.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo agreed to provide reports of abuse to the AGs department. The willingness of the diocese to provide information was instrumental in the compilation of the report, as victims often reach out to their faith leaders to share stories of abuse, said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Additional information was gleaned from materials seized during an Oct. 3, 2018, search of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and from the tip line operated by the AGs office since 2018.

Of the 19 Kalamazoo priests named in the report, two have already faced criminal charges in court. The department believes it could file criminal charges against one more individual, said Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman Clark, but no victims have expressed interest in taking the case to court.

They want to see accountability, but they really dont want to see that defendant in court, Nessel said. Sometimes, justice comes in the way of of a person being held accountable in a court of law ... and sometimes, something that is really helpful for survivors of sexual abuse is to be able to move on.

MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette has covered allegations against some of the individuals named in the list, as seen below.

RELATED: Former Southwest Michigan priest charged with rape, awaits extradition in India

RELATED: Former priest sentenced to two months in jail for tying up teen boy

Of the 19 priests, 12 are dead or presumed to be dead. None of the living priests are in active ministry, per the report.

The is the third report in a series of seven investigations into alleged clergy abuse in Michigan. The first report on Diocese of Marquette was released in October 2022, another on the Diocese of Gaylord came out in January 2024, according to a press release. Reports on clergy abuse in the diocese of Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw and the Archdiocese in Detroit are to follow.

The statewide investigation has resulted in criminal charges in 11 cases since 2018. The possible criminal prosecution of many allegations is barred by a mature statute of limitations, because the accused priest has died or because the person who alleged the sexual abuse chose not to pursue criminal charges.

Anyone affected by abuse can call the crisis hotline operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo 800-873-8336. Anyone with any information regarding an allegation of child abuse may contact the Attorney General Office through the dedicated hotline, 844-324-3374, or email aginvestigations@michigan.gov.

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BERRIEN COUNTY, MI -- A man riding a moped was killed in a crash with an SUV, the Berrien County Sheriffs Office reports.

At 7:19 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, deputies responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Bainbridge Center Road and Territorial Road in Bainbridge Township.

A preliminary investigation indicates a moped driven by a 44-year-old Eaton County man was southbound on Bainbridge Center Road and failed to stop for a stop sign, the sheriffs office said.

A gray Chevrolet Tahoe traveling east on Territorial Road, driven by a 47-year-old Benton Harbor woman, struck the moped, police said.

The driver of the moped was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and passenger of the SUV were uninjured, police said.

The Berrien County Sheriff Office Crash Investigation Team is investigating.

The driver of the moped was not wearing a helmet at the time of crash, police said, and its unclear if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Police did not release any names of the people involved in the crash.

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MUSKEGON, MI - A new solar project by Consumers Energy is expected to save customers money over time and further the companys goal of generating more clean energy around the state.

Construction has already begun for the 1,900-acre solar farm development at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, the countys wastewater plant in Moorland Township.

It was really a no-brainer for us economically, said Charles Nash, chair of the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, which heard a presentation on the project Tuesday evening. Its really grown into more than we thought it would, but were glad to see what its doing  adding jobs, adding possible better electric flow and distribution to our people.

RELATED: Sprawling solar farm to be developed on Muskegon Countys wastewater treatment property

The new Muskegon Solar Energy Center will generate 250 megawatts of energy at a given time, which can power 40,000 homes, said Tracy Wimmer, spokesperson for Consumers Energy. This is the Michigan companys biggest solar development yet.

We have some larger ones in the books but this will be the largest in the state, so you can know that and be proud of that, Project Manager Shaun Casey told commissioners.

Richard Houtteman, left, Lakeshore Community Affairs Manager for Consumers Energy, speaks to the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, right, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.Kayla Tucker

The company has a long-term goal of having 8,000 megawatts of solar energy in their sources by 2040.

The project is expected to cost approximately $350 million and will employ about 200 construction jobs over the next two years, with the solar facility officially operating in 2026. Once open, officials say the facility will take only six full-time employees to operate.

Its just great to see the way this is sprawling to Muskegon County in many different ways economically but also adding to the quality of life for all of us, Nash said.

Consumers Energy will pay a lease to use the land that is still owned by the county. Nash said Consumers pays the county more to lease the property than it previously cost to farm it.

Answering questions from commissioners, Casey said the solar panels are designed to withstand snow and hail and are able to be repositioned to help with removing the snow.

Winters actually a really good time for solar, Casey said, adding that more sunlight reflects off the snow during winter months. He also added that the lifespan of the panels is about 30 years.

In 2020, about 11% of Consumers Energys intake was renewable energy, which includes solar and wind. By 2040, the goal is to have renewables be the primary energy source at 63%.

Other sources of energy include natural gas, customer efficiency programs and energy storage.

Nuclear energy, oil and coal are expected to be phased out from being used by Consumers by 2025.

Officials said a formal groundbreaking at the solar facility is planned to take place mid-June.

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A Michigan farmworker has been diagnosed with bird flu, becoming only the second human case stemming from dairy cows.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday, May 22 that a farmworker who has regular exposure to livestock was infected with the influenza A (H5) virus. This is the virus thats associated with an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, that has led to the death of 90 million birds over the past two years.

The Michigan worker had mild symptoms and has recovered.

The current health risk to the general public remains low. This virus is being closely monitored, and we have not seen signs of sustained human-to-human transmission at this point. This is exactly how public health is meant to work, in early detection and monitoring of new and emerging illnesses, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the states chief medical executive.

A nasal swab for the Michigan worker tested negative but an eye swab shipped to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control tested positive for the virus. The person only reported experiencing an eye infection, according to the CDC. The health risk remains low but any Michigan farmworkers who develop symptoms should notify public health officials.

Additional details about the farm were not disclosed to protect the workers privacy.

Related: Why 6.5 million chickens were killed in Michigan this month

Since 2022, there have only been two other human cases of bird flu  a Colorado inmate working on a poultry farm and a Texas farmworker who was the first to contract the virus from cattle in March.

This strain of the avian influenza has been circulating among wild birds, poultry and other wild animals since early 2022. It only spread to cows for the first time in March and researchers speculate the Texas farmworker is the first known case of the virus spreading from a mammal to a human.

Michigan largely dodged major outbreaks until this spring when the bird flu struck the states largest egg producer, three other commercial poultry farms and cattle throughout the state. It was detected in four Michigan dairy herds this week alone.

Since the first detection of influenza A (H5N1) in dairy cattle on March 29, Michigan has prioritized both the animal and human health aspects of this disease outbreak. Todays news underscores the continued importance of limiting nonessential farm visits, including farm tours and field trips, as well as the use of personal protective equipment when working with livestock, said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring.

Related: As Michigan cows get sick with bird flu, what does that mean for our milk?

Michigan issued an extraordinary emergency order on May 8 to control the spread of the virus. Three U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency management teams have been on the ground helping the state respond to infected poultry farms. And a federal team was deployed to help trace and test within dairy herds as scientists work to figure out how the flu is spreading.

Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available, Bagdasarian said.

The state health department recommends people working on poultry or dairy farms get a seasonal flu vaccine. It wont prevent an avian flu infection but could reduce the risk of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.

Other recommendations from the CDC include avoiding exposure to sick or dead animals, animal poop, bedding, unpasteurized milk or other materials that have been in contact with infected animals.
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1/6 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: George Miller's post-apocalyptic world is returning to theatres after seven long years. The fifth film in the 'Mad Max' saga is a prequel to 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy). Anya Taylor-Joy plays a young Furiosa, as she is kidnapped from the land of abundance and fights off warlords and the odds to come out on top. The film is releasing in theatres on Thursday, May 23.

2/6 The GoatLife : Prithviraj Sukumaran and director Blessy spotlight a harsh reality of the immigrant life. Sukumaran plays a Malayali immigrant stranded in Saudi Arabia. He serves as a goatherd in an extreme landscape, with little hope of rescue. Adapted from the best-selling novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin, 'The GoatLife' is releasing on Disney+ Hotstar on Sunday (May 26).

3/6 Atlas: Jennifer Lopez has been quite prolific in the last couple of years. After 2023's 'The Mother' and 'This is Me... Now: A Love Story', she will be seen in 'Atlas', 'Unstoppable' (produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) and 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'. In 'Atlas', JLo plays the title hero Atlas Shepherd. When her efforts to tame a robot-gone-bad fail, she has to ally with AI she mistrusts. A Sci-fi film for our times, 'Atlas' is releasing on Netflix on May 24.

4/6 Turbo: Mammootty and director Vysakh's third venture together, 'Turbo' is an action comedy. Mammootty said in a recent interview to a Malayalam publication that the film took a staggering 120 days to complete, with most of the time devoted to getting the action sequences right! The star-studded castMammootty as Turbo (a jeep driver who falls prey to a scam), Raj B Shetty as Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram, Telugu actor Sunil as Auto Billa, Anjana Jayaprakash as Indhulekha, Shabareesh Varma as Aruvipurath Jerry, Dileesh Pothan as Andrew, Bindu Panicker as Rosakutty and Niranjana Anoop as Sitharawas announced in a series of stunning posters on X. The film releases worldwide on May 23, 2024.

5/6 Crew : Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon play airhostesses looking to get-rich-quick in director Rajesh A Krishnan's comedy film, expected to drop on JioCinema on May 24. The three protagonists here are so keen to get rich that they even try a gold-smuggling hack, but things go comically wrong. Worth a watch as Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan's first film project together.
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May 22, 2024 / 19:54 IST

The Indian Embassy in Bishkek expresses concern over recent incidents of violence against foreign students.

The embassy reports that the situation in Bishkek has returned to normalcy due to swift action by Kyrgyz authorities, with no untoward incidents reported in recent days.

Classes are being conducted online as a precautionary measure, despite no restrictions on movement of transport or people.

Two helplines have been established by the embassy to assist Indian students in reaching out for any form of assistance, functioning 24x7.

The embassy urges students and families to disregard any rumours being spread by mischievous elements.

The Indian Ambassador has visited several universities in Bishkek to interact with Indian students and address their concerns directly.

Air connectivity between Bishkek and Delhi remains operational, and flights to India can also be availed via other routes. Local transport to the airport is accessible to Indian students.

Indian students are advised to contact their respective universities regarding exam formalities before traveling back to India for summer vacations, with the embassy offering assistance if needed.

The embassy reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the well-being of the Indian student community in Kyrgyz Republic.
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Ola completes workload shift to in-house Krutrim Cloud after snapping ties with Microsoft Azure
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Senator Marie Alvarado Gil View Photo

Sacramento, CA  Mother Lode Democratic Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil says five bills have passed a crucial committee test this session, while two others will not move forward.

This past week was the deadline for the Senate Appropriations Committee to move ahead legislation this session.

Senator Alvarado-Gil says, I am pleased the majority of my bills have passed, as they address a range of critical issues from public health to community resilience. However, I am disappointed that SB 1028 and SB 1222 did not pass, because they are significant priorities for Senate District 4. Both pieces of legislation are vital for enhancing local control over alcoholic beverage licenses and ensuring equitable educational opportunities in our rural communities. I remain committed to advocating for these priorities in the future.

Senator Alvarado-Gils office has authored a recap of the bills below:

SB 945 (Wildfire Smoke Study) passed and would mandate that state agencies, led by the Department of Public Health, create a comprehensive database that will measure the health impacts of wildfire smoke and correlate these with wildfire fuels mitigation investments. The goal is to provide policymakers, public health officials, and forest health managers with clear data to mitigate the harmful effects of wildfire smoke on Californias environment and residents.

SB 1088 (Water Infrastructure) passed and would establish the Rural and Small Community Fire Resilience Program within the Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This program will coordinate with the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the State Fire Marshal to develop a funding distribution system. This system will assist communities in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) by providing state matching funds to enhance fire resilience.

SB 1197 (Respite Services) passed and would ensure the availability of in-home respite services for caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities, including those in the foster care system. These services are essential for maintaining the well-being of individuals in home settings and providing necessary relief to their caregivers.

SB 1261 (Fairs) passed, which increases the amount of funding dedicated to the Fairs and Exposition Fund. This adjustment aims to better allocate financial resources to our state fairs.

SB 1396 (Home Visiting Program) passed and would extend the enrollment period for the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program from under 24 months to under 36 months of age and allows families to participate in the program for at least 24 months. This extension seeks to maximize developmental benefits for young children, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities.

SB 1028 (ABC Licenses) and SB 1222 (Community Colleges) were held by the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not be moving forward in the legislative process. SB 1028 proposed authorizing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to issue up to 10 additional on-sale general licenses (Type 47) for public eating places per county each year when the county reaches its limit. The bill also included provisions for local control by enabling county boards of supervisors to limit the number of additional licenses. SB 1222 would have ensured all state territories are included in a community college district or provided equivalent postsecondary opportunities. It also required a study by the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) to evaluate educational needs in five rural counties not currently included in a community college district and suggest actions to ensure equitable education.
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Sacramento, CA  The California Senate has passed a bill that would require carmakers to install a device that beeps if someone is driving 10 miles an hour over the posted speed limit.

If approved, it would only apply to vehicles sold in the state, but industry leaders say it would likely be implemented nationwide by automakers, simply due to the size of Californias market share.

The bill now moves to the Assembly for consideration. The federal government already requires new cars to beep if someone isnt wearing a seatbelt, and the California proposal takes it a step further.

The legislation is authored by San Francisco Democratic Senator Scott Wiener, who argues that it would reduce traffic deaths.

The bill passed 22-13 in the Senate with most Democrats in favor and Republicans in opposition. Some Democrats, like, Mother Lode representative Marie Alvarado Gil, joined the opposition.

One of the arguments made by Republicans during the Senate debate is that people sometimes need to drive over the posted limit if there is an emergency.

Auto manufacturers would be required to install the technology and it may not always include all local roads, or areas in which speed limits were recently changed.

The European Union will require similar technology to be installed in new cars starting later this year, however, there will be an option there for the drivers to turn it off.

Governor Gavin Newsom has not yet weighed in on the legislation.

It calls for 50% of new vehicles to comply by 2029 and all vehicles by 2032.
Yves here. This post by Richard Murphy gives an update on how quickly the censorship project is advancing in the UK. The US analogue is trying to finesse the free speech/First Amendment impediment by depicting disfavored speech as terrorist supporting or discriminatory. So far, the dodgy bill equating criticism of Israels genocide as anti-semitism has not yet gotten past the House, but I would not bet against it becoming law. It is hard to see how it would survive a First Amendment challenge.

ICYMI: Congress passed a GOP bill conflating criticisms of Israels government with antisemitism when enforcing anti-discrimination laws. An assault on free speech to punish political protest & pro-Palestinian voices. Criticizing governments committing genocide is good actually. https://t.co/VFxeTzJlOi  Justice Democrats (@justicedems) May 2, 2024

In addition, the point may be the chilling effecteven though the Supreme Court has repeatedly nixed laws and private agreements that have that effect. This extract from FIRE, shows how often the Supreme Court has cleared its throat on this issue:

The chilling effect refers to a phenomenon where individuals or groups refrain from engaging in expression for fear of running afoul of a law or regulation. Chilling effects generally occur when a law is either too broad or too vague. Individuals steer far clear from the reaches of the law for fear of retaliation, prosecution, or punitive governmental action. Chilling Effect in the Courts Justice Felix Frankfurter referred to the chilling effect in his concurring opinion in Wieman v. Updegraff (1952), a case involving a loyalty oath imposed on teachers. In that opinion, Justice Frankfurter declared: [The loyalty oath] has an unmistakable tendency to chill that free play of the spirit which all teachers ought especially to cultivate and practice; it makes for caution and timidity in their associations by potential teachers. Vague laws produce chilling effects because individuals do not know exactly when their expressive conduct or speech crosses the line and violates such rules. The Supreme Court explained this when examining the constitutionality of two provisions of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) that criminalized the online transmission of patently offensive and indecent communications. However, the law failed to define either term, thus creating a chilling effect. Writing for the Court in Reno v. ACLU (1997), Justice John Paul Stevens explained: The vagueness of the CDA is a matter of special concern for two reasons. First, the CDA is a content based regulation of speech. The vagueness of such a regulation raises special First Amendment concerns because of its obvious chilling effect on free speech. Vague laws are not the only ones that can cause chilling effects. Overbroad laws and laws that impose a prior restraint on expression also can chill expression. Justice William Brennan referred to this in his dissenting opinion in Walker v. City of Birmingham (1967) when he wrote of our overriding duty to insulate all individuals from the chilling effect upon exercise of First Amendment freedoms generated by vagueness, overbreadth and unbridled discretion to limit their exercise. Laws that chill free expression do not provide the appropriate level of breathing space for First Amendment freedoms. The Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) created a new rule for allegedly defamatory statements about public officialsthe actual malice rulein order to combat the chilling effects that many state libel laws had on free expression.

Now to the main event.

By Richard Murphy, part-time Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School, director of the Corporate Accountability Network, member of Finance for the Future LLP, and director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Fund the Future.

I posted this YouTube video this morning. In it I argue that the government is cracking down on those they call extremists, who seem to me and, I suspect, most people, to be those holding exceedingly normal opinions. Woe beside nature lovers, democrats and those concerned about poverty, let alone anyone not a neoliberal. So, is Rishi Sunak the extremist in reality, because I certainly dont feel that I am?



The transcript is:

Rishi Sunak is trying to redefine extremism in the UK, and thats extremely dangerous.

Its particularly dangerous in the context of a new report that has been produced by someone called Lord Walney, who used to be the Labour MP John Woodcock, but frankly he was one of those who pioneered the move of Labour towards the right wing, and hes now well and truly on the right of the Conservative Party as far as I can work out.

And what it seems that Rishi Sunak plus Lord Walney are trying to do together is to redefine those who are considered enemies of the state. They are the people who, according to Lord Walney, might lose the right to protest because theyre trying to undermine democracy.

But lets just look at the list that Rishi Sunak used of those who he thinks are extremists.

Theyre leftists. In other words, anyone who doesnt agree with him.

Environmentalists. Thats vast numbers of people in the UK, who are members of things like the National Trust.

Pacifists. Im a Quaker, so unsurprisingly, I fall into that category.

Migrants.

Peaceful protesters. Peaceful protesters, I stress.

Democrats.

People who believe in the rule of law. Thats very threatening.

The supporters of human rights, even though, of course, we, the UK, were one of the founding signatories to the UN Declaration of Human Rights and created the European Court of Human Rights.

And, lets be clear about this  nationalists, whether they be Scottish, Welsh, or Irish,

All are extremists.

So, look, this is pretty significant for some people. I notice that I happen to tick all those boxes to some degree or other. But am I an extremist? Well, of course Im not. Not in any shape or form.

I believe all people are born equal.

Discrimination is abhorrent in all its forms.

We all have equal rights to partake in society and ask as a result that society should have a bias towards the poor, the disadvantaged and the oppressed. I

believe we should all have a say in the societies of which we are a part. That, after all, is what being a democrat means.

And I think that no state has the right to demand the subjugation of another to its will, which is why I support many nationalist causes.

So, am I an extremist for subscribing to all those beliefs, or am I simply someone who holding beliefs that are pretty close to the teaching of, well, the Christian church and pretty much every other faith, as well as all the major western and other wisdom traditions, let alone virtually all moral philosophy?

So, the question is, is Sunak right? Or is he peddling a corrupt form of politics designed to

favour the rich,

deny opportunity to those who are disadvantaged,

encourage inequality,

promote intolerance and discrimination,

undermine democracy, and

oppress Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, let alone any other country in the world that he cares to take offence about.

My answer is hes promoting toxicity to deny people like me our freedom to express our opinions as we wish.

Now, thats an action that, to me, that is quite clearly contrary to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

And in an era of growing political tension, he must know that this could lead to abuse. And I mean, both obvious online and verbal abuse, but even physical abuse as tensions rise.

So, what is he up to? Is this fascism? Because thats what it feels like by denying the right of everyone who opposes him to believe anything and be labelled as anything but an extremist.

\And theres another question that follows on from that, which is why isnt Labour roundly condemning this?

I genuinely dont know the answers to these questions, but what I do know is that they need to be asked, and I do know that human rights have to be stood up for, because theyve been hard won. And they could be easily lost. And the cost to us all as a consequence of that will be enormous.
The caliber of information on what is happening on the ground in Rafah is poor thanks to Israels pogrom on journalists. Israel has had the good luck of Rafah reporting being crowded out by bigger-seeming events: the prospect of ICC arrest warrants being issued against Netanyahu and his defense minister Yoav Gallant; Ireland, Norway and Spain announcing they intend to recognize Palestine; and the death of Irans president Raisi. Nevertheless, well hazard an update.

A new Wall Street Journal story describes how far Israel has gotten in its plan to take control of the crossings into Egypt in Rafah. Egypt says Israel has taken over 70% of what had been a demilitarized zone; Israel says it has only about half (Anadolu Agency says its sources say half). From the Journal:

The [Israeli] military has doubled the number of brigades operating in the Rafah area Israel says taking control of the corridor is critical to its goal of defeating the militant group that it says is holding out in Rafah But doing so could jeopardize the countrys 45-year-old peace treaty with Egypt, which limits the number of troops both countries can deploy in the area. The Israeli Defense Ministry declined to comment on whether it aims to take full control of the southern frontier or has a timeline for doing so. The Israeli operations that began in Rafah earlier this month have also reduced the entry of aid through two key southern border crossings to a trickle and displaced some 800,000 people from Rafah, where more than a million had taken shelter from fighting elsewhere in the strip.

A fresh Associated Press account reports the UN has given up on aid deliveries to Rafah:

The United Nations suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation caused by Israels expanding military operation. The U.N. warned that humanitarian operations across the territory were nearing collapse The U.N.s World Food Program said it was running out of food for central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are now living. Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, said Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson. If food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread, she said.

But the same story notes that Biden Administration is fine with the collateral damage from the Rafah operation:

A senior United States official said Israel has addressed many of the Biden administrations concerns about a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters there The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli invasion plan, but said Israeli officials changes to the planning suggested they were taking the American administrations concerns seriously.

In case you still harbored doubts:

This is Rafah right now. The Biden admin will say its a limited operation because they already expressed opposition to a major operation. The media will repeat this and say Israel is addressing US concerns. This is literally how propaganda works.pic.twitter.com/uGnc6UmzPO  Assal Rad (@AssalRad) May 21, 2024

The rationale for Israel violating its agreements with Egypt to do so was that this move would enable it to rout out what remained of Hamas. Yet Hamas has reasserted itself in northern Gaza, so it seems questionable that Israel could kill all that many Hamas fighters in a Rafah operation. However, Hamas famously has many supply tunnels into Egypt, and Israel intends to destroy them.

But the most immediate effect is cutting off trucked-in aid supplies. From Middle East Eye:

Gazas Rafah crossing with Egypt has been closed for two weeks, after Israel seized the terminal in a ground operation and Cairo refused to open it from the Sinai side. The Rafah crossing is located in an area designated as demilitarised in the 1979 treaty and a 2005 agreement between Egypt and Israel. The peace treaty and the 2005 accord allow troops to be deployed in the crossing area only after mutual agreement between the two sides. For the past two weeks, Israel and Egypt have been trading blame for the closure of the Rafah crossing, and aid trucks carrying food and medical supplies for Palestinians in Gaza have been piling up on the Egyptian side of the border. Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Monday said that the Rafah crossing is closed due to the presence of troops and operations in the vicinity of the terminal, which he said threaten the safety of aid convoys.

Israel is blaming Egypt for failing to cooperate with respect to the Rafah crossings, although its not clear what cooperation is supposed to amount to.

According to Twitter, Israel is having great success in wrecking Hamas tunnels. But we heard that sort of thing when Israel first invaded Gaza. Hamas is believed to have a simply ginormous network, so even if Israel blows up quite a few, it has no idea what proportion of the total that represents. Indeed, a different Middle East Eye account describes how the US is vexed by Israels poor military showing:

The top-ranking general in the US criticised on Monday Israels military strategy in Gaza, warning that the failure of Israeli forces to both secure captured territory and eliminate Hamas from northern Gaza is hampering its ability to achieve its military objectives. Not only do you have to actually go in and clear out whatever adversary you are up against, you have to go in, hold the territory and then youve got to stabilise it, said General Charles Brown, who chairs the joint chiefs of staff, as reported by Politico Brown said after Israel cleared they didnt hold, and so that allows your adversary then to repopulate in areas if youre not there.

Remember, this comes from the same US military that thought that the great Ukraine counteroffensive, with no air support, would be a smashing success because those inferior Slavs would run away as soon as they saw Western weapons in action.

Brown either does not understand or chooses not to understand how the Hamas tunnel system operates. As both Alastair Crooke and Scott Ritter have explained, many of the tunnels were built for one-time use and are even pulled down afterwards. Its also an obvious ploy to booby trap them. Flattening the buildings over them has also served to create terrain that it ideal for Hamas surprise attacks and the rubble dampens the effectiveness of bunker-busters. So it isnt hard to imagine that Hamas has a tunnel network remaining that is too deep for even the heaviest nasty bombs to collapse.

Nevertheless, theres a lot of Israeli triumphalism on display:

The IDF just sent its 5th brigade into Rafah. That is 10 brigades in Gaza as we speak, a record number of IDF soldiers since the war began. Whats that smell? Oh, its the smell of the end of the genocidal Islamic terrorist organization we call Hamas. Their end is near. pic.twitter.com/Lyi5cyiKHy  Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) May 22, 2024

Israeli forces take down 130 Hamas terrorists in East Rafah. Hundreds of tunnel shafts and rocket launchers destroyed. Hamas is having a bad day. pic.twitter.com/OvjLlxJ48H  Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) May 20, 2024

 Egypt a month ago: ISRAEL MUST NOT ENTER RAFAH

 Israel enters Rafah, finds 700 tunnels, 50 of which cross into Egypt

 Egypt: uhh https://t.co/QWnxxzkOIw  The Mossad: Satirical, Yet Awesome (@TheMossadIL) May 22, 2024

The Middle East Eye story cited earlier on food supplies confirms that the pier-for-aid-deliveries gimmick is an abject failure:

According to US officials, the new floating pier, which became operational on Friday and is called Trident, will help with the additional delivery of 90-150 truckloads to Gaza each day. So far, only 10 truckloads have been transferred to a UN World Food Programme warehouse in central Gazas Deir al-Balah on Friday. The UN says 500 trucks of aid are needed daily to address the acute needs of Gaza, where famine is spreading. The pier is more performative than effective and Rafah remains an essential piece of the puzzle to deliver sufficient aid and avoid a further deterioration in the already terrible conditions on the ground, said Fabiani. No aid was received on Sunday or Monday, a UN official told Reuters, while only five trucks reached the warehouse on Saturday and 11 were stopped and emptied by starving Palestinians on the way.

To give some context of how desperate conditions are in Gaza, from the New Arab in Palestinians surviving on 3% of minimum daily water needs in Gaza:

Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are surviving on just three percent of the global minimum standard for daily water usage, two humanitarian groups have said, as Israels war has decimated the enclaves water infrastructure. A lack of clean water and sanitation facilities have led to an increase in diseases and infections among Gazas civilian population, particularly children, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) A deterioration of water, sanitation and hygiene conditions have significantly increased acute watery diarrhoea among children under five, while other water-borne and communicable diseases such as Hepatitis are proliferating among families who cannot access sources of clean water, the report found. Families have been forced to build their own toilets, with hundreds of people using a single one, amounting to 30 times more than the minimum global standard, IRC and MAP said. A BBC satellite analysis from earlier this month found that more than half of Gazas water treatment plants and sewage system have been damaged or destroyed by Israels heavy aerial and ground bombardment. For months, families have been forced to spend hours queuing up with plastic bottles and gallons at water tanks, and then make efforts to ration supplies.

In other words, the Rafah operation appears to have the same primary effect as post IDF initiatives: to intensify the pace of the genocide. And by that measure, it is succeeding admirably.
4 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. BNO :-(

Americans are drinking half the coffee they did in the 40s Guardian. Kevin W: There is literally no resemblance between 1940s coffee and modern coffee. Moi: During my time in Sydney (2002-2004), Starbucks was opening up its first outlets in Australia because of course everyone wants its coffee. In fact, Australians grew up drinking good Italian coffee and correctly regarded Starbucks coffee as bitter coffee-flavored dishwater. The US headquarters were stunned to find Australians rejecting its coffee as inferior. I happened to go by one store as part of my rounds, and often saw a barista offering samples, not of coffee but of the sweet iced drinks with lots of whipped cream.

Singapore Airlines passengers did SOMERSAULTS, left the cabin covered in pools of blood and BLACKED OUT as they were thrown around by extreme turbulence: Survivors describe horrific ordeal and injuries suffered on fatal flight Daily Mail. Pix are DMs speciality and these really are bad. But so many people not buckled in! I can understand those who were so unfortunate as to be up and about getting hurt. But this is a reminder: when seated, seat belt on!

Chess Brat New York Magazine (Anthony L). I dont understand the underlying story. How could one cheat in elite chess absent computer assistance, which given the physical setup seems like a very strained idea?

New Discovery Hints at What General Anesthesia Actually Does to The Brain ScienceAlert (Chuck L)

Scientists Develop New Technique To Thaw Frozen Brain Tissue Without Harm MedicalXpress

#COVID-19

Climate/Environment

China?

Macron heads to riot-hit New Caledonia as Australia, NZ evacuate tourists Sydney Morning Herald (Kevin W)

European Disunion

Gaza

Gaza Protests

Homeland Security Doesnt Want You to Know Who Its New University Intelligence Advisors Are Ken Klipperstein

New Not-So-Cold War

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Assange

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trump

Biden

U.S. Department of Energy to Release 1 Million Barrels of Gasoline from Reserves OilPrice (Kevin W). Putting this here because this is clearly a re-election gimmick. Biden already tapped the reserves to try to lower gas prices, which is not its proper use. The reserves are low and the DoE should be replenishing, not draining them.

2024

Supremes

Fed officials seem like they have no idea what is going on with U.S. inflation, strategist says CNBC

The Bezzle

Show HN: Pls Fix  Hire big tech employees to appeal account suspensions Hacker News. Paul R: OMG. Baksheesh as a service.

Guillotine Watch

Is hydrogen the eco future of superyachting? Financial Times

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
While the 113th Tennessee General Assembly debated how to alter the states franchise tax and whether there would be a universal school voucher plan, dozens of bills passed centering on crime and courts  a slate of legislation Republicans now tout as one of their greatest accomplishments of the session.

I think when you look back at this session, one of the things it will be defined by will be the different types of criminal justice reforms that we have done, said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) during a press conference at the end of session. Theres a lot of things that we did this year to protect our communities, protect our streets and protect our citizens.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) countered, pointing to the passing of a bill that would allow local school boards and law enforcement to decide whether teachers can carry guns in schools.

Capitol Offenses: 2024 in Legislative Action (and Inaction) From the governors failed voucher plan to culture-war legislation and a whole lot more

A year after the Covenant School [shooting], this General Assembly has done nothing to make people safer and has instead thumbed their noses at public safety by putting more guns into teachers hands in public schools, Yarbro said.

Even so, Democrats got behind several pieces of criminal justice legislation. Passed unanimously in the House and Senate, SB2507 was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on May 1. It requires children admitted to juvenile detention to be allowed within 24 hours to have at least one phone call and a 30-minute in-person visit with their parent or guardian. The companion House bill was co-sponsored by Rep. William Slater (R-Gallatin) and Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D-Memphis). Hardaway, a member of the House Criminal Justice Committee, was also a co-sponsor for HB0701, which also passed unanimously in both chambers. The law adds continuous sexual abuse of a child to the list of criminal misconduct receiving sentences of community supervision for life in addition to other imposed punishment.

Ive said for years that public safety is not a partisan issue, says House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland). Republicans or Democrats alike, or anyone in between, should be able to come together  and we do come together in the legislature  to pass bills that improve public safety.

But Republicans and Democrats did disagree over Lamberths own HB1663, which the state could eventually have to fight for in the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill allows consideration of the death penalty as punishment for the rape of a child.

When a jury hands that punishment down, it will immediately be challenged, and well have to go back to the U.S. Supreme Court to see whether or not they are willing to overturn the precedent of citing, as they did years ago, that the death penalty is unconstitutional for anything other than capital murder, Lamberth says. Were going to have to fight that fight out all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but its one I think is worth fighting.

Lawmakers who spoke against the bill said it was not because offenders shouldnt be prevented from harming anyone again. Rather, many voted against the bill because victims advocacy groups have stated that children could be deterred from coming forward if they knew their abuser could face death. Lamberth countered by reading statements from victims who said they believed it would not deter reporting.

Another of Lamberths bills, HB1641, creates a misdemeanor offense for violating a condition of release on bail and authorizes law enforcement to arrest an offender without a warrant. Lamberth tells the Scene he worked with Nashville judges to create the bill and adds that the city has a really good bond supervision program. In early committee meetings, Hardaway indicated he would support the bill. But by the time the bill made it to the House floor and was conformed to match the Senate version, Hardaway joined other Democrats in voting against the legislation  which still passed 75-17. There was no debate on the floor of the House, but Senate Democrats were vocal about their opposition. It passed in the upper chamber with a 27-4 vote.

This will unquestionably clog up the local court system, said Yarbro in April. It will unquestionably lead to increased local incarceration.

Culture-War Bills Sucked Up Much Attention During the Legislative Session From Meet Baby Olivia to an attempt to ban Pride flags, heres (some of) what passed and what failed among the GOPs pet projects

Similarly, Democrats were set to support SB0624, a bill on blended sentencing that passed the Senate last year. But during this years session, the House took up the Senate bill and passed it with their own amendments  championed by Speaker Sexton. The House amendments changed the bill so that teens who commit serious crimes could face five years of probation or incarceration in an adult facility after their juvenile sentence ends.

I not only strongly supported the original version, I really was going to sign on as a co-sponsor, said Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) during discussion of the bill. I hate that we are in this posture where the first version of blended sentencing in the state that will pass is one that is not actually going to help juveniles, as the concept is intended.

The House passed its amendments and adopted the legislation in a 79-15-1 vote. The Senate bill originally passed in 2023s initial vote with 31-0-1, but Senate Democrats later opposed the Houses amendments to the legislation  with Sen. Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) joining Senate Democratic Caucus Chair London Lamar (D-Memphis) as present but not voting for both amendments. For the amendment that substantially changed the bill, Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) was present but not voting, and Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) voted no.

Lawmakers crossed party lines on other criminal-justice-related votes as well. HB2323 increases the penalty for a third or subsequent domestic assault conviction from a misdemeanor to a felony. The House voted 89-7-1 in favor of the bill, with several Democrats  including House Minority Leader Karen Camper and House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons  voting in favor. The Senate voted 27-3-1, with Yarbro as the only Democrat voting in favor. Another bill requires a judge to give first consideration to community safety when deciding the conditions of bond for a criminal defendant; it passed unanimously in the Senate, but House Democrats spoke about concerns for individuals constitutional rights and voted against the bill. It passed 80-13-3, was signed by the governor and goes into effect July 1.

A second bill dealing with bail passed along party lines 74-20-2 in the House and 27-4 in the Senate. It prohibits a judge from considering a defendants ability to pay when determining the amount of bail necessary to assure the defendants appearance in court. It was signed by the governor on May 1 and became effective immediately.

HB1640, which was named after Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig, passed unanimously in the House and Senate, with a few Democrats marking themselves as present but not voting. The bill involuntarily commits some defendants for inpatient treatment and removes their ability to buy or own a gun if they have been found incompetent to stand trial. Ludwig was killed in November. Police arrested 29-year-old Shaquille Taylor for the killing; he had previously been found mentally incompetent and couldn't stand trial following a 2021 shooting.

Bills that passed unanimously (or nearly unanimously):

HB1817 increases the penalty from a class-D felony to a class-B felony for a person who negligently, by act or omission, engages in conduct that places a child 8 or younger in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment. Passed in the House 86-2-4 and in the Senate 30-0-1.

HB2163 specifies that for the purposes of offenses related to the sexual exploitation of children, the term "material" includes computer-generated images created, adapted or modified by artificial intelligence; defines "artificial intelligence." Passed in the House 94-0-2 and in the Senate 27-0-1.

HB1021 changes the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act by providing an exception for victims whose cooperation with an investigation may be impacted by fear of retaliation or other factors that would harm their well-being. Passed in the House 95-0 and in the Senate 28-0-1.

HB0689 requires an officer to provide an alleged victim of certain criminal offenses with notice of the defendants global positioning monitoring system used as a condition of bail. Passed in the House 84-4-2 and in the Senate 30-0.

HB1640 , Jillians Law, requires a person judicially committed to a mental institution remain committed until competency to stand trial is restored. If competency is unable to be restored but the person no longer meets the standard, they shall remain committed until the court with criminal jurisdiction approves a mandatory outpatient treatment plan that accounts for the safety of the community. Passed in the House 92-0-4 and in the Senate 28-1.

, Jillians Law, requires a person judicially committed to a mental institution remain committed until competency to stand trial is restored. If competency is unable to be restored but the person no longer meets the standard, they shall remain committed until the court with criminal jurisdiction approves a mandatory outpatient treatment plan that accounts for the safety of the community. Passed in the House 92-0-4 and in the Senate 28-1. HB1695 states the reports of county medical examiners and autopsy reports of minors whose manner of death is listed as a homicide are generally not public documents; it does allow reports to be released or inspected under certain conditions. Passed in the House 86-1 and in the Senate 28-3.

SB1811 expands the application of certain indecent-exposure offenses by including victims from 13 to 17 years old and increases the penalty for indecent exposure if the victim is between those ages. Passed in the House 97-0 and in the Senate 32-0.

Bills that passed along party lines (or mostly):

+25 Advocates, Community Members Rally Against States Anti-Immigration Policies Recently passed legislation requires law enforcement agencies to report undocumented individuals to federal authorities

SB0624 allows a juvenile court to impose a blended sentence on a child 16 years of age or older for a juvenile offense that would be a class-A, -B or -C felony if committed by an adult; defines blended sentencing as a combination of any disposition otherwise provided for juveniles and a period of adult probation to be served after the child turns 18, and ending on or before the persons 25th birthday. Passed in the House 79-15-1 and in the Senate: 31-1 on initial vote in 2023 (but 22-5-3 and 23-4-2 on two House amendments in 2024).

SB1834 authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child or especially aggravated rape of a child. Passed in the House 77-19-1 and in the Senate 23-5.

SB2563 creates a class-A misdemeanor of violating a condition of release on bail; authorizes a law enforcement officer to arrest such an offender without a warrant. Passed in the House 75-17-1 and in the Senate 27-4.

SB2565 prohibits a magistrate from considering a defendant's ability to pay when determining the amount of bail necessary to reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant while at the same time protecting the safety of the public. Passed in the House 74-20-2 and in the Senate 27-4.

HB2126 allows a juvenile court to transfer a child, 15 or older, to be tried as an adult in criminal court for the offense of organized retail crime, theft of a firearm or an attempt to commit such offense. Passed in the House 72-24 and in the Senate 26-6.

SB2571 , or the Parental Accountability Act, adds that if a child is found to be delinquent for a second or subsequent time, then the court may order restitution against the parent or guardian for the expenses incurred by any law enforcement agency in responding to and investigating the delinquent act. Passed in the House 72-24-2 and in the Senate 34-5-1.

HB1931 prohibits local governments from enacting a resolution, ordinance or policy that prohibits or limits the ability of law enforcement to conduct traffic stops based on observation of or reasonable suspicion that the driver or a passenger has violated a local ordinance, state or federal law. Passed in the House 68-24 and in the Senate 26-6.

HB2124 requires law enforcement to communicate with federal officials about an individuals immigration status, including reporting knowledge that a particular person is not lawfully present in the United States. Passed in the House 74-22 and in the Senate 26-7.

Bills that were a mixed bag:
On Thursday, 23 May 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Ms Baiba Braze, at NATO Headquarters.
Jeff Bezos, Facebook LINKED to DARPAs data gathering and privacy invasion program

Amazon founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos was linked by a report to the United States Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and its pet project Lifelog, a social media platform that was used to gather vast amounts of user information and the government's move to develop "next-generation anti-terrorism tools."

According to the project, cameras and microphones would capture what the user sees or hears and sensors would record what he or she feels. Global positioning satellite sensors would log every movement. Biomedical sensors would monitor vital signs. E-mails, instant messages, web-based transactions, telephone calls and voicemails would be stored. Mail and faxes would be scanned. Links to every radio and television broadcast heard and every newspaper, magazine, book, Web site or database seen would be recorded.

The said project was eventually canceled on February 4, 2004, after receiving massive backlash concerning privacy invasion and overreach of the system. Incidentally, the day it was shut down was the very day that Facebook was launched to the public. The report indicates that LifeLog may have been resurrected via Facebook.

The story becomes more mysterious as it is revealed that Bezos has a family tie to DARPA. His grandfather Lawrence Preston Gise was a founding member of this agency. (Related: Jeff Bezos' ex-wife handing majority of $640M donation war chest to leftist groups pushing illegal migrant invasion, transgenderism.)

In 2018, it was revealed that Facebook has been engaging in a secretive data-sharing agreement with Amazon, contradicting its privacy policies.

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.

According to Business Insider, Facebook had undisclosed deals with about 150 companies, including Amazon, giving them privileged access to user data. The documents revealed that as of 2017, Amazon was able to get people's names and emails via their Facebook friends, a practice that Facebook said it put an end to in 2014.

Meanwhile, Amazon supplied Facebook with contact lists to help the social network suggest more friend recommendations. The e-commerce firm told the New York Times that it used user data appropriately, but declined to comment on exactly how its partnership with Facebook worked.

Moreover, when Bezos' grandfather served as the head of the Atomic Energy Commission, he reportedly lost 300 pounds of uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive element used in the production of nuclear fuel, which is used in nuclear power reactors all over the world. Three years later, Israel tests out its first nuclear weapon.

The important events may have indirectly disclosed the hidden connections between Big Tech and Big Government and how they surveil the American people.

Bezos bought a website eerily similar to Facebook in 1998, then killed it

Launched in 1996, PlanetAll was arguably the first social networking site. By the time Amazon acquired it in 1998, the company had 1.5 million users and was adding thousands more every day.

PlanetAll co-founder Warren Adams was president of his fraternity at Colgate University and a social butterfly who wanted to keep in touch with the friends he'd made as an undergrad. After finishing Harvard Business School in 1995 and starting work as a consultant, he met his future business partner, Brian Robertson. Together, they signed a lease on an office in the back of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Cambridge.

By 1997, PlanetAll had 340,000 users and 7,000 more were joining every day, according to the Boston Globe. Nearly one-third of users were from outside North America. Fiscal year revenues topped $500,000. That summer, the company raised $4.5 million in its first investment round. Users mainly joined to find friends with whom they had lost touch. Other major internet players, such as GeoCities, which PlanetAll would later partner with, connected mostly strangers.

It was a platform that would want "to make the world a smaller place by helping people effortlessly find and stay in touch with friends, colleagues and groups important to them," PlanetAll's goal was world domination. In a statement, Bezos praised the site and said: "PlanetAll is the most innovative use of the Internet I've seen."

But years later, it was basically a memory as Bezos did not develop it. Eight years after that, Facebook became the largest social network in the world.

Visit Surveillance.news for stories related to the government's measures that invade the privacy of American people.

Watch the video below that talks about how Amazon monopolizes market power.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Amazon's Jeff Bezos demonizing farming while investing more than $1.27 billion in fake food production.

Jeff Bezos invests $60 million to lower costs, improve taste and boost nutritional value of FAKE MEAT.

Jeff Bezos to dump most of his $124 billion net worth into fighting "climate change" (which means left-wing causes),

Fewer Amazon shoppers are satisfied with the company's services.

Amazon buys iRobot, meaning Jeff Bezos may now have a map of your entire home.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

USAToday30.USAToday.com

BusinessInsider.com

QZ.com

Brighteon.com
Black former Marine arrested for threatening to MASSACRE White people

An African American former Marine from Trenton, New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting to kill White people

Joshua Cobb, 23, allegedly made these threats on social media in December 2022, before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cobb, who used the username "1dayUsuffer" on a social media platform, joined the Marine Corps in June 2023 and completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina by October. He was later stationed at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California in February, but was discharged on May 10.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey later disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Cobb the same day he was discharged from the Marines due to his alarming history on social media.

"I want to cause mayhem on the White community. The reason I specifically want to target White people is because as a Black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles. Same way I will never understand their struggles, but I don't care to. I want to erase them. All of them really, but in this case as many as I possibly can," wrote Cobb in a post dated Dec. 17, 2022.

"As of today, I have officially began planning my attack. It is going to take place in 2023 in the state of New Jersey, I have not chosen an exact date but I am going to be sure it is close to an important holiday to their race," he continued. "I have a location in mind already which I have frequented for the past year and I am certain nobody there is armed to be able to stop me from spraying them to the ground. I have already acquired 2 of the 4 firearms I plan to use for my attack, and I also know my entry and exit points already after the mayhem."

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.

Cobb continued his threats in a series of posts on social media throughout 2023.

"Imagine the rush you'd feel while shooting some s--- up. Probably could get literally high off the adrenaline alone. I'd probably OD on my own adrenaline after the 10th body goes down," he wrote in one post.

Cobb admits plans to attack wealthy Whites stem from racial injustice

Fortunately, Cobb was arrested before he could follow through on his threats. He has been charged with transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

During an FBI interview in April, Cobb admitted ownership of the social media accounts and acknowledged his continued homicidal ideations. He described fantasies about attacking locations frequented by wealthy White individuals, including a Jersey Strong gym and an Aldi grocery store in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Cobb felt that Whites were disconnected from the hardships faced by people of color like himself. He was frustrated over the societal obstacles of young Black men in America. He wrote in his notes about his struggles with poverty and his desire for violent retribution, specifically targeting affluent White communities.

"It's all a f------ game and you all are going to die. I currently lack the means necessary to kill as many as I intend to but one day I will have the available resources  to purchase the appropriate weaponry for my killing," one note stated. (Related: Study proves there is NO CORRELATION between gun control laws and mass shootings.)

"All my life I have been doubted I've been taken as the joke I've been f----- around with well now it's my turn. I am going to kill one of you motherf------ I f------ hate humanity. All of you f------ duck and I don't give a single f--- about any of you though I may appear I do." "I'm ready to get to the good part of my story where I start taking you mother f------ out and killing you all My rampage will soon happen I plan to now continue accumulating the necessary equipment needed to execute. Once all equipment is in, time will then tell. You will all die."

"I hate all of this s--- and I feel like my only way out of the pain and suffering is by exploding. So I await I await that moment so I can make those moments final. For whomever myself or a victim," he said in another note.

Learn more about gun violence incidents as well as their causes at Violence.news.

Watch this clip from Fox News featuring Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne discussing the actual issues impacting mass shootings.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Maine mass shooting triggers spike in gun purchases.

Mass shooter at July 4 "Philly bloodbath" revealed as yet another angry TRANSGENDER and BLM supporter.

Mass shooter at July 4 Philly bloodbath revealed as yet another angry TRANSGENDER and BLM supporter.

Participating countries in 2026 World Cup warn fans to avoid traveling to the US due to mass shootings and killing sprees.

Louisville bank shooter mocked the world, called for gun control before carrying out mass killings.

Sources include:

ThePostMillenial.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
HHS suspends funding for EcoHealth Alliance virus research group that funded gain of function research in Wuhan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is suspending all funds and grants allocated to the controversial firm EcoHealth Alliance with immediate effect, and its transgressions are so serious the agency has also proposed a formal debarment.

The virus research group used taxpayer funds to carry out banned gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is widely believed to be the source of the COVID-19 virus, before the pandemic broke out. The decision was based on evidence that was included in a staff-level report about EcoHealth Alliance from the House COVID Subcommittee.

HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions Katrina Brisbon wrote in a letter that they had adequate evidence supporting the move, adding that immediate action is necessary to protect the public interest.

The agency reported that EcoHealth Alliance not only failed to adequately monitor the work it supported at the lab but also failed to properly report the results of experiments indicating the viruses it created had magnified capabilities of infecting human cells.

EcoHealth Alliance is known to have received millions of dollars worth of grants from the National Institutes of Health, and these American taxpayer funds ended up in the hands of Chinese entities that were carrying out coronavirus research through EcoHealth Alliance.

More than $600,000 made its way to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for research into the transmission of coronaviruses from bats to humans, which included DNA sequencing, RNA extractions, and biological experiments on pathogen spillover between bats and humans. A further $200,000 was redirected to Wuhan University for disease surveillance research that entailed collecting biological samples from Chinese people who had a high degree of bat exposure.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

These funds were not approved to be used for gain-of-function research, a highly controversial research method that entails modifying viruses to make them more infectious to humans. HHS says that EcoHealth Alliance violated the terms of its multimillion-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Brisbon reported that the NIH gave EcoHealth several opportunities to prove they had not been carrying out this type of research but they failed to do so. Her letter also noted that their research likely violated protocols of the NIH regarding biosafety.

EcoHealth Alliance supported controversial gain-of-function research linked to the pandemic

The chairman of the House COVID Subcommittee, Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), said: "EcoHealth Alliance and [EcoHealth President] Dr. Peter Daszak should never again receive a single penny from the U.S. taxpayer. EcoHealth facilitated gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China, without proper oversight, willingly violated multiple requirements of its multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health Grant and apparently made false statements to the NIH."

Rutgers University Molecular Biologist Dr. Richard Ebright told the New York Post: EcoHealth Alliance provably defrauded the U.S. government, provably breached contractual terms of U.S.-government grants, and, through the reckless gain-of-function research it conducted in Wuhan, probably caused the COVID-19 pandemic, killing 20 million and costing $25 trillion.

He added that the U.S. government officials who helped EcoHealth and covered up their actions should be held accountable.

A spokesperson for EcoHealth Alliance said in a statement that they were disappointed by the decision and would be contesting the debarment.

While many people who suggested early on that the pandemic stemmed from a lab leak were targets of smear campaigns, it has since emerged that this is the most likely origin of the virus. Although China has denied playing a role, U.S. State Department records indicate that the virus emerged from a lab-related accident and that the Chinese Communist Party attempted to cover it up.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillennial.com

FoxNews.com
Delusional Israel will target Turkey next, Erdogan warns

In the event that Israel would victoriously overcome the Palestinian Islamist political and military movement Hamas in Gaza, it would come after Turkey next. This was a firm warning of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently.

"Israel will not stop in Gaza, and if not stopped, this rogue state will eventually target Anatolia with its delusions of a promised land," Erdogan said during a parliamentary group meeting in Ankara. We will continue to stand by Hamas, which fights for the independence of its own land and which defends Anatolia.

He added that on Nakba, the Day of Catastrophe, Turkey once again declares with all its being and resources that "we stand by Palestine and the Palestinian cause  We will also ensure that the perpetrators of genocide face justice."

Erdogan has repeatedly rejected Israel, the United States and the European Union's claim that Hamas is classed as a terrorist group. For him, it is an organization of freedom fighters. Earlier in the week, the Turkish president reported that more than 1,000 members of Hamas were being treated in Turkish hospitals amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

He has also met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul, after which he encouraged Palestinians to unite against Israel. His intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also met with the groups leaders in Doha on Sunday to discuss ceasefire talks and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, a Turkish security source said.

The Turkish leader has been a vocal critic of Israel's war in the enclave following Hamas' attack on Oct.7, comparing Israel to the Nazis and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. On Sunday, Erdogan said that Netanyahu's "genocidal methods" would have made Hitler "jealous." He condemned Israel for carrying out massacres that are marks of shame in human history, both in Gaza and the West Bank. Because of this he vowed to continue to defend the struggle of Palestine and promised to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people. (Related: Turkey's Erdogan condemns Israels Netanyahu for outdoing Hitler in slaughter of 14,000 children in Gaza.)

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.

Erdogan and Netanyahu have a long history of public bickering, which have ebbed and flowed alongside Israel and Turkeys on-again, off-again relations. The attacks had halted as Jerusalem and Ankara ties warmed, but the detente has seemingly fallen apart over the Israel-Hamas war.

Earlier this month, Erdogan announced that Turkey would halt all trade between his country and Israel in a highly impactful move against Jerusalem over the war against Hamas. Days after announcing a trade freeze, the Turkish government partially walked back its decision by issuing temporary approval for the supply of construction materials to Israel. Ankara has also refrained from obstructing the flow of oil from neighboring Azerbaijan to Israel. For its part, Tel Aviv has been quietly returning diplomats to Turkey in recent weeks after withdrawing them months ago over security concerns.

However, observers believe that Turkish officials are sending mixed signals when it comes to its stance on Israels genocidal operations in Gaza. Recently, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country decided to submit its declaration of official intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"Israel systematically killing thousands of innocent Palestinians and rendering a whole residential area uninhabitable is a crime against humanity, attempted genocide, and the manifestation of genocide," Fidan told reporters.

West is not doing enough to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza

Speaking to Muslim scholars in Istanbul over the weekend, Erdogan alleged that the United States and European countries were not doing enough to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza even though Hamas has already accepted a truce proposal.

He said that the militant group already agreed to a ceasefire proposal by Qatar and Egypt in a "step in the path toward a lasting ceasefire" but Netanyahu's government did not want the war to end. "The response of the Netanyahu government was to attack the innocent people in Rafah," he said, referring to the Gazan city that Israel is targeting. "It has become clear who sides with peace and dialogue, and who wants clashes continuing and more bloodshed.

"And did Netanyahu see any serious reaction to his spoiled behavior? No. Neither Europe nor America showed a reaction that would force Israel into a ceasefire," he added.

The Turkish president also slammed the West's unconditional support for Israel. Its planned assault on Rafah, hosting some 1.4 million Palestinians mostly displaced in the war, has helped fuel the deepest tensions in relations between Israel and its main ally Washington in generations.

Meanwhile, Ankara on Friday welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's backing for a Palestinian bid to become a full U.N. member. Erdogan on Sunday called on countries not recognizing a Palestinian sovereign state to do so after the vote but slammed Washington and others who voted against it.

"We saw that countries who lecture us on human rights and freedoms at every opportunity openly support those who massacred 35,000 Gazans," he said, citing figures from Gaza's health ministry. "We saw that those who said the right to protest was sacred until yesterday can't tolerate demonstrations that support Palestine."

WWIII.news contains more news related to the ongoing conflicts around the world.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

TimesOfIsrael.com

Reuters.com
Police department in Pennsylvania using drone tech to crack down on theft and other petty crimes

Bensalem Police Department in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, has resorted to using advanced drone technology to address theft and other petty crimes in the area efficiently.

The department recently released footage of drones tracking down and helping catch suspected robbers to WPVI, a local ABC News affiliate. The township is located just 30 minutes northeast of Philadelphia. Detective Glenn Vandegrift said their "small fleet" of drones is part of a Bensalem Secure Task Force that was formed to deal with the growing number of retail theft issues in the area.

According to Bensalem Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Bob Norkus, the task force aims to bring the business community together in collaboration with law enforcement to reduce theft with practical and sustainable solutions.

In 2023, the county reported at least 900 retail thefts. The figure is up by nearly 50 percent just four years prior in 2019, when the county reported only 484 retail theft incidents. (Related: NY Home Depot deploys guard dog to protect shoppers from aggressive migrants and thieves in the parking lot.)

The police department claims its drones are effective thanks to the speed at which they can be dispatched and locate suspects. And since the drones are "airflown" and not restricted by traffic patterns or traditional road routes, the police said an operator can usually get a device on the scene within two minutes.

Vandegrift shared that the department's clearance rate for retail thefts is 62 percent. The detective hopes that the success of his department can help inspire other departments to invest in efficient drone technology.

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How the drones work

When a call is made about a shoplifting incident, the Bensalem police quickly dispatch a drone. Each drone is equipped with a camera that allows real-time footage and video recording to search for and go after the suspect.

Once the drone operator locates a thief, the department tracks the suspect until law enforcement officers on the ground can apprehend them.

In one instance, a thief who stole a bicycle was caught using one of the drones. The police received a description of the thief, the bike and the location of the incident.

Soon after, a drone was able to successfully locate and follow the suspect. Using the information sent to the department, the responding officer made the arrest less than a mile away from the shop that was burgled.

The suspect of another undisclosed crime was also seen being arrested in drone footage from the department. Vandegrift said that the perpetrator "would have been able to get away if the drone was not involved."

The video showed the fleeing suspected thief looking over his shoulder as he ran through a parking lot before crossing the road. But after he made his way across the road, two police cars then pulled up and officers jumped out to apprehend him.

Others may think that this is an excessive amount of effort for shoplifting, but Vandegrift believes that it is enough to help reduce crime in the area. "It doesn't matter if it's $20 or $200, we're coming at you just as hard," shared Vandegrift.

The department's drone technology could also be used in other criminal investigations and chases in the future.

The Bensalem Secure Task Force is a collaboration between Bensalem police, local officials and the Bucks County District Attorney's office. Their combined efforts go beyond drones and shoplifting in the area.

Visit PoliceState.news for more stories about how the police deal with crimes in the U.S. and other countries.

Watch the video below criticizing President Joe Biden's anti-police policies.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

The-Sun.com

BensalemEDC.org

6ABC.com

Brighteon.com
Putin, Xi pledge stronger partnership as Russia pummels Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to deepen their partnership during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, highlighting their countries' united front against the West. This meeting comes as Putin intensifies his offensive in Ukraine and follows his recent military leadership shake-up.

Putin's visit to China, his first international trip since starting his fifth term, underscores the strong ties between the two nations despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. The leaders signed a joint statement to enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership, although it stopped short of forming a formal alliance. This strategic ambiguity serves as a deterrent to the U.S. and its allies, according to Natasha Kuhrt of King's College London. (Related: FORGED IN FIRE: Russia-China ties reach "unprecedented" level amid tensions with the West.)

Russia and China, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations, have faced significant tests due to the Ukraine conflict and Putins increasing isolation from the West. China, portraying itself as neutral, has nonetheless supported Russia diplomatically and economically, becoming a key market for Russian oil and gas amid Western sanctions.

China's 12-point peace plan, perceived as favoring Russia's territorial claims, has been dismissed by the West. Despite this, Xi expressed hopes for peace in Europe and pledged to continue playing a constructive role.

The U.S. has ramped up military aid to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Chinese companies aiding Russia. During a recent visit to Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia's war effort would falter without China's support and threatened further sanctions.

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Xi, balancing relations with the West and Russia, faces pressures from European leaders to leverage his influence over Putin to end the conflict. This diplomatic tightrope is evident as Chinese exports to Russia saw a decline in March for the first time since 2022.

Putin's visit to China included full military honors and talks with Xi, followed by a planned visit to Harbin for a China-Russia trade fair. Putin highlighted the "unprecedented level of strategic partnership" with China as the reason for his visit.

Accompanying Putin was Andrey Belousov, the new Russian defense minister, following a surprise military leadership change. Russia's renewed offensive in northern Ukraine has raised concerns among Kyiv and its allies about potential decisive gains by Putin's forces.

His visit coincides with ongoing, casualty-heavy advances by Russian forces, facilitated by a six-month delay in new U.S. aid for Ukraine.

Russia, China to enhance "no limits" partnership

The two leaders and their teams have talked about enhancing their "no limits" partnership. They issued a joint statement promising a deepened strategic partnership and heralding a "new era."

But despite their talk of growing cooperation and increased trade, Chinese exports to Russia have recently declined. This trend reflects U.S. warnings against providing military aid to Moscow and violating sanctions on Russia.

While China's oil and gas purchases have helped Russia withstand Western sanctions, Beijing appears cautious about overly antagonizing the West, evident by the absence of Gazprom's head from the Russian delegation.

Notably, Putin praised China's peace proposals for Ukraine, likely an attempt to dissuade China from attending the mid-June Swiss conference on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan. Moscow was displeased when China participated in the last conference in Saudi Arabia.

In essence, this summit reflects more of the same dynamics. The two nations are united by their opposition to the United States. In the face of a challenging war, Putin seeks greater economic and military assistance from China. While China would prefer a Russian victory, it remains cautious about provoking the U.S. and the West with increased support.

Watch Putin talk about Russia's long history of cooperation with China.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Intelligence report: China likely providing military aid to Russia.

Russia, China discussing plans to "double counteract" U.S.-led alliance of Western nations.

U.S. Space Force: China and Russia are CONCEALING THREATS posed by their satellites.

Sources include:

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Non-stop resistance across Gaza as Israel massacres dozens

Dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza overnight on 19 May as Israel continues to pound the strip indiscriminately in response to the stiff resistance it faces from local fighters.

(Article republished from TheCradle.co)

Al-Aqsa TV reported on 19 May that the bodies of 31 Palestinians were recovered from under the rubble of several homes after Israeli bombardment of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza hours earlier.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza announced that 20 dead bodies and several injured people arrived at the hospital on Sunday.

The deadly Israeli attacks on Nuseirat took place around 3:00 AM on 19 May. Tel Aviv claimed it was investigating the matter.

Israeli attacks persisted across the entirety of the Gaza Strip late on Saturday and early Sunday.

An Israeli drone strike on the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City killed one Palestinian and injured another Sunday afternoon.

A series of intense Israeli airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling struck the Nuseirat, Bureij, and Jabalia refugee camps, as well as the towns and cities of Beit Lahia, Rafah, and Gaza City late last night, resulting in multiple casualties among civilians, including a journalist, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on 19 May.

Eyewitnesses told the outlet that Israeli helicopters fired at eastern Rafah as airstrikes pummeled the citys center. Israeli warships also struck the coastal areas of Rafah.

Around 800,000 civilians from Rafah have been forcibly displaced since Israel defied months of international warnings against launching an operation in the city, UNRWA said on 18 May. Israel did not devise a plan for safely evacuating the city before starting its operation and seizing the Rafah crossing on 7 May  as Washington had requested.

The UN has repeatedly confirmed that nowhere is safe for Palestinians fleeing Rafah.

Hamas Qassam Brigades said on Sunday that its fighters targeted enemy forces stationed inside the Rafah land crossing, south of the Gaza Strip, with mortar shells.

The Qassam Brigades announced several attacks on Israeli forces the night before, including the sniping of a soldier in the Netzarim corridor, which splits the strip in half. They also bombarded an Israeli command headquarters east of Jabalia in northern Gaza in a joint operation with the Palestinian Islamic Jihads (PIJ) Quds Brigades.

Qassam fighters killed 15 Israeli soldiers in Rafah that day.

The group said in a statement on 18 May that its forces were able to finish off 15 Zionist soldiers east of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida on 17 May said the Palestinian resistance in Gaza is prepared for a long war of attrition against the Israeli army and revealed that 100 Zionist military vehicles have been taken out over the past 10 days across Gaza.

Gaza will remain a graveyard for invaders, Abu Obeida added.

Read more at: TheCradle.co
Spain denies docking request by Israel-bound ship carrying weapons

A vessel bound for Israel has been denied admission to dock at one of Spain's ports on Thursday, May 16. Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares said in a statement that the ship, coming in from Chennai, India, was carrying arms.

"This is the first time we have done this because it is the first time we have detected a ship carrying a shipment of arms to Israel that wants to call at a Spanish port," Albares told reporters in Brussels. "This will be a consistent policy with any ship carrying arms to Israel that wants to call at Spanish ports. The foreign ministry will systematically reject such stopovers for one obvious reason: The Middle East does not need more weapons, it needs more peace."

As per marine tracking portals and the Spanish media, the cargo ship Marianne Danica sailed on April 8 and was en route to the Port of Haifa in Israel. The Danish-flagged vessel carrying 27 tons of explosive materials had requested permission to call at the southeastern Port of Cartagena on May 21.

Spain has banned its defense industries from selling weaponry to Tel Aviv in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Albares confirmed back in February that since Oct. 7, the Spanish government has not granted permits for arms exports to Israel because the nation realized its significance as a "fair and lasting solution" to the Palestinian dilemma.

"We welcome the decision of the Spanish government to deny the transit authorization of the vessel Marianne Danica, per Tratado [treaty] on Arms Trade and Spanish law," the international non-governmental organization focused on human rights Amnesty International's Spain chapter posted on X, formerly Twitter.

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Spain's refusal to grant a port call for the Israel-bound ship came at the same time as the dispute between Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his coalition partners over another ship, the Borkum, which was due to dock in Cartagena last Friday. Accusations surfaced that it was also carrying weapons intended for Israel. The armaments being transported, the Spanish authorities claimed, were intended for the Czech Republic. When the ship finally canceled its stopover in Spain, it headed for Slovenia instead. (Related: Spain to officially recognize Palestinian state, calls on Western powers to do the same.)

Spain one of few European nations openly critical of Israel's offensive in Gaza

Spain has been one of Europe's most critical voices when it comes to Israel's Gaza offensive and is working to rally other European capitals behind the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state.

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli military's killing of seven international aid workers in Gaza from the World Central Kitchen was "a tragic incident," Sanchez was one of the most outspoken critics of this fake apology.

The Spanish prime minister described Netanyahu's "supposed explanations" as "totally unacceptable and insufficient."

Sanchez has used his position to speak up amid concerns that the European Union is failing to live up to its moral, political and humanitarian duties amid the glaring civilian death toll in Gaza.

Under Sanchez's premiership, Spain has declared its intention to recognize and open diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine by July and has been sharply critical of the "truly unbearable" number of dead Palestinians in Gaza. Sanchez has also said that he has "genuine doubts" about whether Israel is complying with international humanitarian law in its offensive in Gaza.

Spain has emphasized that Israel's response to the Hamas attack of Oct. 7  which the government has called a "shocking" act of terrorism  under no circumstances can include "the deaths of innocent civilians, including thousands of children."

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for the latest news on the conflict in Gaza.

Watch this clip from November of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defending his decision to condemn both Hamas and Israel for the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians.

This video is from the Vampire Slayer channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden faces impeachment over Israel weapons suspension.

WHITE HOUSE REPORT: Israel may have used U.S.-supplied weapons to kill civilians, which violates international humanitarian law.

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Genocide profiteers: Israeli state-owned weapons companies required to purchase cloud services from Google and Amazon.

Sources include:

GreatGameIndia.com

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TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Germany wants NATO to take down Russian missiles and drones hovering in Ukrainian airspace

German lawmakers push for NATO to use anti-craft systems to take down Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and military installations from the territory of neighboring Poland and Romania. This measure, they say, should create a no-fly zone over western Ukraine amid its burgeoning conflict with Russia.

Senior researcher at the Munich Security Conference Nico Lange, who also was former chief of staff at the German Ministry of Defense from 2019-2022, floated the idea. He said that this would lead to the creation of a 70-kilometer-wide safe zone on the border between the European Union and Ukraine. At the same time, this will allow Kyiv to re-deploy its air defense systems, which are in short supply, from the west of the country to the front line.

As Ukraine is currently struggling on the battlefield due to manpower shortages and hardware losses, Lange urged back in April to use the numerous "patriot" systems on the eastern borders to shoot down all Russian missiles and drones that they have within range over Ukraine. He was referencing the alliance's air defense systems in eastern Poland. "This would be fully covered under international law," Lange assured.

He further argued that there is a need for an "unconventional solution," urging a "change in strategy" in Western support for Ukraine. He also believes that simultaneously and in the long term, there should be an increase in the production of air defense systems in Europe.

Lawmakers from both the ruling coalition and the opposition support the idea, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) has reported. "Defending the airspace over Ukraine from Poland and Romania should not be ruled out in the long term," Anton Hofreiter, a member of parliament for the Green Party, which is part of the German coalition, told FAZ. However, such a move is "not up for debate" at the moment as the current priority for the West is to supply Ukraine with significantly more arms and ammunition, he pointed out.

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.

Marcus Faber from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), also in the ruling coalition, agreed that the "airspace over the Ukrainian border regions" could be protected by air defenses on NATO territory. According to Faber, this would only be possible if the West could secure enough ammunition for the air defense systems.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a lawmaker for the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), also said Kyiv's Western backers could shoot down Russian drones over western Ukraine. "This would relieve the Ukrainian air defense and enable it to protect the front," he explained. He recalled how the U.S., U.K. and France assisted Israel with countering a large-scale bombardment by Iran in April, saying it showed that countries can provide such help to their allies without actually becoming "a party to the conflict."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration has already said it is set to conduct tactical nuclear weapons drills, a warning to the West to avoid escalating the conflict. Meanwhile, Poland expressed willingness to host U.S. nuclear weapons while French President Emmanuel Macron said he could send French and other NATO soldiers to Ukraine to augment their military capacity.

Russia downs 47 drones, missiles in Ukraines air raid

According to Russia's defense ministry earlier in the week, Moscow's air defense troops were able to shoot down 31 drones and 16 missiles launched by Ukraine in overnight attacks focused in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. The ministry reported that seven drones and four guided missiles were taken down over the Russia-occupied Crimea, eight drones were destroyed over Kursk and four drones were intercepted over the Lipetsk region. The troops also destroyed 12 drones and 12 guided missiles over Belgorod.

The attack in Belgorod came a day after a Ukrainian missile attack killed at least 15 people and injured more than 30 others, the regional governor said Monday.

Meanwhile, drones operated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's military intelligence agency (HUR) hit production facilities of the Russian weapons manufacturing company Basalt in Tula on May 16, a military intelligence source reported. (Related: Ukraine claims to be developing unstoppable AI-controlled drones that can attack targets on the battlefield.)

According to the news outlet Kyiv Independent, Russian air defenses shot down two drones over Tula Oblast, one over Bryansk Oblast, one over Kaluga Oblast, one over Belgorod Oblast, and six over occupied Crimea at night, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed. The source did not specify the scale of the consequences of the attack.

Apart from the attack on an oil depot in Belgorod Oblast and an electrical substation in Lipetsk Oblast on May 13, Ukraine's military intelligence claimed it was also behind the attack on the oil refinery in Volgograd two days earlier. The Kaluganefteprodukt oil depot and the Novolipetsk metallurgical plant were also reportedly struck by Kyiv's drones.

Head over to RussiaReport.news to read updates on the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

English.Almayadeen.net

VoaNews.com

KyivIndependent.com
Analysis reveals trucking industry is BALKING at high cost of operating electric rigs

In line with the administration of President Joe Biden's push for getting rid of greenhouse gases-emitting vehicles and going for electric cars, the trucking industry has also been endorsing battery-electric big rigs

However, an analysis conducted by truck leasing company Ryder System, which manages 250,000 trucks and vans for tens of thousands of retailers and manufacturers, concluded that operating expenses for low-emissions rigs are far higher than those for diesel trucks. Now that the heavy-duty electric trucks are available, few customers would want to pay for them.

"The economics just don't work for most companies," the company's chief executive Robert Sanchez said. "As trucks get heavier the difference in operating costs between battery-electric vehicles and diesel trucks grows more pronounced."

Rakesh Aneja, head of eMobility at Daimler Truck North America, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ): "Quite frankly, demand has not been as strong as what we would like."

Ryder has reportedly faced challenges with both state and federal governments as they try to push truckers out of diesel rigs and into zero-emissions vehicles, as per the report. It also indicated that significant improvements in battery weight, range and charging times are necessary for battery-electric trucks to effectively compete with diesel rigs in the cost-sensitive freight industry.

For instance, converting a fleet in California to electric would raise annual operating costs by 56 percent, amounting to an additional $3.4 million.

"Converting a typical mixed fleet of 25 commercial vehicles, including about 10 heavy-duty trucks, from diesel to battery power in California would raise a fleets annual operating costs 56 percent or $3.4 million a year. The same transition in Georgia would raise annual operating costs 67 percent or $3.7 million," the analysis further stated.

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.

Converting truck fleets to electric raises operational costs exorbitantly

Proponents of electric trucks have repeatedly cited the supposed long-term savings from lower fuel and maintenance costs. However, the WSJ report questioned these claims, noting the lack of sufficient operational history to validate the durability and cost-efficiency of electric trucks over time.

Additional operational hurdles exacerbate these concerns: "Battery-electric trucks cost about three times as much to purchase as a diesel rig Truckers say battery-electric truck operations are too difficult to set up and too expensive and inefficient to run."

Truckers find the electric trucks difficult and costly to run, with the installation of on-site charging facilities taking years. These trucks travel less than half the distance of diesel rigs per charge and require several hours to recharge.

The transportation and logistics firm launched a service a year ago to assist companies in setting up and maintaining battery-powered fleets. So far, it has sold only 60 vehicles, mostly light-duty trucks. Three companies use five battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, but only within yards for shuttling trailers.

The cost of changing a fleet over is also expensive. Using data from 13,000 vehicles, Ryder analyzed the annual operating expenses of battery-electric commercial trucks and found they are significantly higher than those of diesel rigs. The analysis, assuming existing fast-charging infrastructure, considered costs like vehicle purchase, maintenance, labor and fuel.

Visit RoboCars.news to read more stories about how the government is pushing for a shift to electric vehicles.

Watch the video below where journalist Joe Concha talks about the roadblocks encountered by Biden's push for electric trucks.

This video is from the Newsclips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

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UK disinformation unit spied on citizens and flagged online speech for removal during pandemic

New documents reveal that authorities in the UK considered placing government employees inside of social media companies to form a type of digital KGB that would control online speech during the pandemic.

This is according to recently released minutes from the governing board of the Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU). They show that, as many people suspected, British authorities were actively involved in monitoring people's speech online and flagging certain viewpoints for removal.

At one point, they discussed a strategy to embed civil servants in various companies that were running social media platforms, and there is nothing in the document to indicate that they did not follow through on this.

The CDU, which has since been rebranded the National Security Online Information Team in response to heavy scrutiny, insists that it is countering disinformation and hostile state narratives but the agency, along with government-hired private contractors, was put in charge of surveilling British citizens and silencing those who were deemed to be COVID measures dissenters.

Instead of going after foreign adversaries who were spreading misinformation, they were targeting British citizens  from journalists and medical professionals to politicians  who were criticizing the government.

77th Brigade whistleblower explains how military spied on British citizens

The government also enlisted the help of several military units, one of which was the 77th Brigade, which was originally set up as a psychological operation, or information warfare unit. According to the Financial Times, the 77th Brigade was set up to embody a new generation of Facebook warriors who will wage complex and covert information and subversion campaigns.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

The British government has said that the 77th Brigade does not, and have never, conducted any kind of action against British citizens, but that is exactly what happened here.

In fact, not only was the 77th Brigade tasked with countering misinformation, but it was actually the leader of the effort, working alongside Royal Air Force soldiers to monitor social media platforms in 2020.

A whistleblower from within the brigade anonymously told Big Brother Watch that the military skirted the ban on spying on British citizens by essentially pretending that the people they were surveilling might somehow be foreign.

The whistleblower explained: To skirt the clear legal issues with a military unit monitoring domestic dissent, the leading view was that unless a profile explicitly stated their real name and nationality, which is, of course, vanishingly rare, they could be a foreign agent and were fair game to flag up.

Flagging up refers to the practice of officials with the UK government sending content to social media platforms that they want to be censored.

A report by Big Brother Watch showed how the CDU monitored political dissent on social media platforms, purportedly to tackle misinformation, keeping tabs on a number of prominent journalists and senior politicians.

The whistleblower said that he felt the brigade had been sent down a route which I believe had us monitoring the social media posts of ordinary, scared people communicating government-inspired fear to their friends.

Big Brother Watch Director Silkie Carlo said: This is an alarming case of mission creep, where public money and even military power have been misused to monitor academics, journalists, campaigners and members of parliament who criticised the government, particularly during the pandemic.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Substack.com

PRWeek.com
Ex-NIH director admits pandemic-era social distancing rule was NOT BASED on scientific evidence after all

Newly released testimony from former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins reveals that the six-foot social distancing rule during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic wasn't based on scientific evidence , but was instead an improvised measure.

On May 16, House COVID-19 Select Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) released a transcript of Collins' closed-door interview with lawmakers held in January. The transcript covered a variety of topics about COVID-19, including the lab leak theory and the six-foot distancing guideline much promoted by former White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx.

When asked about the origins of the six-foot rule, Collins confirmed that there was no scientific evidence supporting it. He noted that Fauci had said the six-foot distance "kind of just appeared." Collins admitted he did not recall any evidence for the distance, stating he had not seen any then or since.

The testimony adds to concerns that some decisions during the pandemic were made without strong scientific backing. Fauci and other health officials have stated they made decisions in good faith based on the data available at the time and adjusted guidelines as new information emerged.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised maintaining at least six feet of distance to prevent virus spread. This guideline was intended to minimize close contact and reduce transmission in public spaces and gatherings. (Related: COVID-19 masks provided NO PROTECTION during pandemic, British government now admits.)

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.

But the CDC's current guidance updated in April 2024 reflects a more nuanced approach on the matter. It acknowledged that there is no single safe distance and that virus spread depends on various factors, including ventilation, crowd density, and duration of exposure. The Epoch Times has sought comment from the CDC on Collins' remarks and the scientific basis for the six-foot guideline, but has received no reply as of press time.

Social distancing has negative impact on mental health

In March, the CDC updated its guidance, suggesting that COVID-19 should be treated similarly to other respiratory viruses. The updated guidance highlights the impracticality of virus-specific measures given the commonality of respiratory symptoms and emphasizes a unified, practical approach to infection control.

Prolonged isolation and strict measures like the six-foot rule, school closures and business shutdowns have been criticized for their negative impact on mental and physical health. The American Psychological Association highlighted the "collective trauma" experienced by Americans due to the pandemic response, citing studies showing increased rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Researchers have indicated that the long-term harms of lockdowns could outweigh their benefits. A comprehensive study on the effects of lockdowns concluded that while these measures can control the spread of COVID-19, they come with significant collateral damage, including health consequences unrelated to the virus.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner under President Trump, criticized the six-foot social distancing rule for its arbitrariness and the negative impact it had on public confidence in the pandemic response.

In an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation," Gottlieb explained that the six-foot guideline was a compromise. The CDC had initially recommended a distance of 10 feet, but this was deemed "inoperable" by an unnamed political appointee in the Trump administration, leading to the adoption of the six-foot rule.

Gottlieb emphasized that both the 10-foot and six-foot recommendations lacked scientific basis, highlighting "the lack of rigor" in the CDC's public health recommendations. He noted that many people believe the six-foot rule is based on older studies of the flu, which suggested that droplets do not travel further than six feet. However, more recent research has demonstrated that COVID-19 can be transmitted through aerosols, which can travel much farther than droplets.

Visit Pandemic.news for more stories related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch this video of former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins urging Americans to mask up and get injected with the COVID-19 vaccine, which caused more harm than good.

This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Totalitarian Francis Collins, head of NIH, says he wants to hunt down anyone who disagrees with him about covid and deliver "justice" to them  the criminalization of dissent.

Former NIH Director Francis Collins says it's "really unfortunate" that government authorities ignored devastating societal impacts of COVID tyranny.

Fauci admits social distancing has no basis; Wuhan lab-leak hypothesis is not conspiracy theory.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BusinessInsider.com

Brighteon.com
ICC seeks arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders

On Monday, the International Criminal Court announced it was seeking arrest warrants for senior Israeli and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel and the relentless Israeli bombing campaign and starvation blockade on Gaza that has followed.

(Article by Dave DeCamp republished from News.Antiwar.com)

Karim Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor, said his office was seeking warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In a statement, Khan alleged the Israeli leaders were responsible for the following crimes:

Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, as a war crime

Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary, or cruel treatment as a war crime

Wilful killing, or Murder as a war crime

Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime

Extermination and/or murder, including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity

Persecution as a crime against humanity

Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity

We submit that the crimes against humanity charged were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population pursuant to State policy. These crimes, in our assessment, continue to this day, Khan said.

The action by The Hague-based court came despite pressure from the US not to pursue Israeli officials, including a letter from 12 Republican senators that threatened sanctions or other action in response. The Biden administration also made its opposition known to the ICCs plans despite supporting the court against Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a statement responding to the ICC, President Biden called its action against Israel outrageous.

Let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security, Biden said.

The US could take extreme action against the ICC if it successfully arrests an Israeli official, although the court does not have its own police force. In 2002, then-President George W. Bush signed a bill into law nicknamed The Hague Invasion Act that allows the US to use all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any US or allied personnel being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of the ICC.

The ICCs charges against Netanyahu and Gallant implicate President Biden and other US officials since they have provided so much military support and diplomatic cover for the Israeli campaign in Gaza. The US has also opposed South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and rejected the ICJs ruling that its plausible Israel is committing genocide in Israel.

In his response to the ICC, Netanyahu accused Khan of being antisemitic, saying the prosecutor takes his place among the great antisemites in modern times. Netanyahu said that he rejected with disgust the prosecutors comparison between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas. This is a complete distortion of reality. This is exactly what the new antisemitism looks like.

According to the latest numbers from Gazas Health Ministry, at least 35,562 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since October 7, a total that doesnt include thousands who are missing and presumed dead under the rubble. The Palestinian Red Crescent estimates that over 15,000 children have been killed.

Khan is also seeking warrants for three Hamas leaders: Hamass leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamass military wing, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (also known as Deif), and the leader of Hamass political bureau based in Doha, Ismail Haniyeh. In his statement, Khan alleged the Hamas leaders were responsible for the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians and the following crimes:

Extermination as a crime against humanity,

Murder as a crime against humanity, and as a war crime

Taking hostages as a war crime

Rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity, and also as war crimes in the context of captivity

Torture as a crime against humanity, and also as a war crime in the context of captivity

Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, in the context of captivity

Cruel treatment as a war crime in the context of captivity

Outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime in the context of captivity

A total of 1,139 people were killed during Hamass attack on southern Israel, including 695 Israeli civilians, including 36 children, as well as 373 security forces and 71 foreigners. Some of the Israeli civilians were killed by the Israeli military in its response to the Hamas attack, but its unclear how many.

Read more at: News.Antiwar.com
Iran is blaming U.S. sanctions for lack of aviation maintenance parts that led to deadly helicopter crash

Iranian state media is now saying a technical failure caused the helicopter crash that killed its president, Ebrahim Raisi, and other high-ranking politicians, and it says that U.S. sanctions targeted at its aviation sector are to blame.

The Bell 212 helicopter that was transporting the officials was at least 40 years old. However, it is important to keep in mind that there was extremely heavy fog in the area where the helicopter went down as well as bad weather; human error could also be to blame.

Its hard to imagine why, if there were truly concerns about the safety of the aircraft, Iran took a chance by allowing both its president and foreign minister to fly in the same helicopter despite others also being used that day to carry their delegation.

Right now, Iran is busy planning state funerals for the officials who passed away, and several heads of state that are allied with Iran are widely expected to attend, although it is not clear whether Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Tehran to attend the funerals.

Al Jazeera noted that after President Trump pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action nuclear deal in 2018, aviation repair in Iran became more challenging. While the JCPOA was in effect, Iran agreed to stop producing materials that could be used for nuclear weapons in exchange for a relaxation of the sanctions that had been imposed on its aviation sector. This meant they were free to purchase aircraft from foreign manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus and could arrange repairs.

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.

However, once the U.S. pulled out, Iranian aircraft could no longer be sent abroad to be repaired as the sanctions were reinstated. Instead, Iranian aircraft had to be repaired locally by mechanics who lacked the proper knowledge to carry out such repairs. It also had the effect of raising the prices of plane tickets in Iran given the expenses involved in maintaining and repairing aircraft.

The former foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said that the U.S. was responsible for the helicopter crash by virtue of the sanctions it imposed on Irans aviation industry.

He told Iranian state TV: One of the causes of this heart-breaking incident is the United States, which by sanctioning the sale of the aviation industry to Iran caused the martyrdom of the president and his companions. The U.S.s crime will be recorded in the minds of the Iranian people and history.

Middle East expert Sanam Vakil agrees, saying: Iran has seen a lot of airline incidents, not just helicopter but airplane crashes, and I think this is definitely tied to sanctions.

However, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin insisted that the U.S. had nothing to do with the accident.

There were nine people in total on board the presidential helicopter, including clerics and bodyguards. The aging aircraft reportedly disintegrated after hitting a mountain in the midst of poor visibility and high fog, something that is in direct conflict with the hard landing that state officials and media originally said took place.

Israel denies assassinating Iranian president

Some people have speculated that Israel may have tried to assassinate the Iranian president because they had plenty of reasons to want to see the "Butcher of Tehran" dead. The 63-year-old president played a key role in sentencing thousands of Iranian prisoners to their deaths, and the country has long been known to fund terrorists like the Hamas terrorists who carried out a deadly attack in southern Israel on October 7. Iran had also been continuing its work to enrich uranium to levels approaching weapons grade, launched missile and drone attacks on Israel last month, and gave Russia weapons to use in its war in Ukraine.

However, an Israeli official denied any involvement in the accident, saying: It wasn't us.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

CNN.com
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi confirmed DEAD following mysterious helicopter crash

It is confirmed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died as a result of a mysterious helicopter crash this week that occurred in a mountainous area over East Azerbaijan.

Early reports indicated that Raisi was only feared dead, or that his life was "at risk," after the accident was reported, but we have since learned that Raisi's body was recovered by emergency crews.

Iranian rescuers were first to arrive at the site, followed by an allied Russian team that the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed sent a 50-man specialist mountain rescue unit to help look for any survivors.

The weather was bad at the time of the crash, including heavy fog and rain. The helicopter wreckage was eventually found in a wooded area near the border with Turkey.

The Iranian government released a statement indicating that the following other Iranian leaders were also killed in the crash: Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati and East Azerbaijan Imam Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem.

(Related: Israel continues to pat itself on the back about how much it is supposedly doing to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza.)

Moscow "deeply saddened" by Raisi's death

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenai announced following the incident that he appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as acting president where he will remain for 50 days until an election is held.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "deepest condolences" to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei concerning the deaths, describing Raisi as "an outstanding politician whose entire life was devoted to serving the Motherland."

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.

Putin further described the late Iranian leader as "a true friend of Russia" who contributed greatly to boosting ties between Moscow and Tehran through a "strategic partnership."

Hearing about Raisi's "tragic death" left Moscow "deeply saddened," though Russian leaders want the world to know that both Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian will be remembered as "true patriots of Iran who firmly defended the interests of their country and gave their lives in the selfless service to the Motherland."

Both of these men were "true, reliable friends" of Russia who played an "invaluable" role in strengthening ties between Moscow and Iran.

"We express our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to all the friendly people of Iran," the foreign minister said. "In this hour of sorrow, our thoughts and hearts are with you."

Hamas also expressed its sympathies, stating that it shares the "pain and sorrow" of Iranian people who supported these leaders who have a history of "honorable stances" in support of the Palestinian people.

"We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will overcome the implications of this great loss," a Hamas statement reads.

The Russian embassy in Tehran also expressed "great sadness" following the news.

"We offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, the entire Iranian people and the government," reads a statement from the entity. "We wish you patience and mental fortitude in overcoming this most difficult tragedy."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he felt "shocked" after hearing the news, describing Raisi as "an exemplary person (and) an extraordinary world leader," as well as "an excellent human being, defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country."

"A heartfelt hug from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Maduro added. "You, Iran, are an example of dignity, morality and resistance."

The Iranian government has reassured the people of Iran that it will keep operating as usual "without the slightest disruption."

"We assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi."

What will happen next in the Middle East? Find out more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
Julian Assange of WikiLeaks wins bid to appeal extradition to U.S.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is free to appeal his extradition ruling, meaning he can still beg the courts to allow him freedom instead of judgment day in the United States.

Assange's wife Stella had previously said that she thought things could go either way. Either her husband would be extradited "or he could be freed," she revealed. Looks like the latter could be in the cards for Assange.

(Related: Check out our earlier report about Assange's extradition to the U.S., which is 10 years in the making.)

According to reports, Assange successfully argued to London's High Court that if extradited, he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a U.S. trial.

Two separate judges at the High Court agreed with Assange and offered him the right to a full appeal so he can present his discrimination argument.

In short, Assange, an Australian-born foreign national, feels as though the U.S. court system will be biased against him to such a degree that he would not stand a chance at fair trial.

Injustice system

Outside the court this week at Assange's hearing were hundreds of protesters, many of whom have been walking alongside him for the better part of 13 years.

Stella said the recent ruling "marks a turning point" in her husband's case.

"We are relieved as a family that the court took the right decision," she explained. "Everyone can see what should be done here. Julian must be freed."

Following the ruling, the crowd of Assange supporters cheered as their hero was almost thrown on an airplane to traverse the Atlantic Ocean towards America to be tried for crimes he and his fans say did not happen.

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.

Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald argued in his client's defense that U.S. prosecutors cannot be relied upon to afford Assange his First Amendment rights, even though they swore an oath to do this for defendants.

"We say this is a blatantly inadequate assurance," Fitzgerald told the court about how his client simply could not take such a risk.

Fitzgerald did accept an assurance that Assange would not face the death penalty, stating that U.S. authorities provided an "unambiguous promise not to charge any capital offense."

This surprise turn of events represents "a rare piece of positive news for Julian Assange and all defenders of press freedom," commented human rights monitor Amnesty International.

"The USA's ongoing attempt to prosecute Assange puts media freedom at risk worldwide. It ridicules the USA's obligations under international law, and their stated commitment to freedom of expression."

"It is vital that journalists and whistleblowers are able to participate in critical reporting in the public interest without fear of persecution."

James Lewis, a representative of the U.S. establishment, remarked that Assange need not worry about being discriminated against in any U.S. trial or hearing based on his nationality.

President Donald Trump filed to have Assange's case dropped, which current President Joe Biden has not yet done. Biden did, however, indicate that the U.S. is considering an Australian case to drop all charges against Assange.

In the comments, numerous people emphasized that Assange has a right to free speech even if he crosses certain powerful people who become upset by the things he has to say.

"Meanwhile, the war criminals go completely unpunished," one added to the conversation.

"It's shameful and it reveals certain doubt around the democracy and freedoms of our very culture. I get the alliance factor, but it's very questionable to incarcerate a person in the media for allowing the public to know the truth."

Another wrote that she feels as though Assange is a hero, not a criminal.

More related news can be found at Conspiracy.news.

Sources for this article include:

AlJazeera.com

NaturalNews.com
Number of Chinese nationals crossing U.S.-Mexico border SOARS as Biden announces ineffective crackdown plan

More Chinese nationals illegally crossed the United States' southern border with Mexico on the same week President Joe Biden announced his plan to shut down the border once crossings reach 4,000 per day.

On May 15, Biden announced his plan to issue an executive order to close the U.S.-Mexico border if the number of illegal crossings hits 4,000 per day, which would equate to the federal government allowing nearly 1.5 million illegal entries annually.

The day after the announcement, The Federalist reported that there had been an alarming influx of Chinese nationals entering the United States.

According to The Federalist, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has apprehended over 10,000 Chinese nationals on the border since October 2022, compared to 500 in the same period in 2021. In fact, reports show that more Chinese nationals entered the U.S. in the first two days of May than in the entire year of 2021. (Related: MOBS of Chinese illegal immigrants SWARM California border.)

The data reflects another report released in February that the CBP has encountered 29,799 Chinese illegal immigrants at the U.S. southern border since October 2023. Almost 20,000 of these immigrants were encountered at the southwest border, with the majority in the San Diego sector. In fiscal year 2023, there were 52,700 encounters with Chinese migrants, more than double the 27,756 encounters in 2022. In 2021, only 450 Chinese individuals were encountered at the southwest border.

If this trend continues, CBP could encounter around 88,000 Chinese immigrants by Sept. 30, making Chinese nationals the fourth largest group to make their way to the U.S. through the southern border.

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.

Biden administration still blamed for surge in Chinese migrants despite plans to close U.S.-Mexico border

Despite plans to close the U.S.-Mexico border, the public still blames the Biden administration for the sudden influx of Chinese migrants into the United States.

Under Biden, the number of screening questions for Chinese nationals has been drastically simplified from approximately 40 to just five. This shift toward "processing efficiency" has sparked fears that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could exploit these vulnerabilities to infiltrate the U.S. with espionage agents.

Similarly, the increase in illegal Chinese entries coincides with heightened tensions between China and the United States. Recently, Biden imposed economic sanctions on Chinese goods, including critical components like aluminum and lithium-ion batteries.

In turn, China employs tactics such as economic pressure, cyberattacks and ideological infiltration  all elements of what some describe as China's "unrestricted warfare" doctrine. And the alarming increase in Chinese migrants could be one of those.

The existence of clandestine Chinese "police stations" in major U.S. cities, such as New York and Los Angeles are also believed to operate under the guise of providing services to Chinese nationals but are suspected of engaging in surveillance and repression activities on behalf of the CCP.

Furthermore, the Biden administration's lax handling of the border crisis has made all other issues worse. In short, the proposed executive order to close the border to address this influx is already too late.

"Joe Biden and the Democrats are terrified  terrible because they know theyre going to be held accountable for the results in this country and the damage done by illegal immigrants who are here. And the Democrats know theyre going to have to pay the price come November elections," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY).

Read more about the migrant crisis at OpenBorders.news.

Watch this Fox News broadcast detailing how Chinese migrants are flooding through California's stretch of the southern border.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Border agents report encounters with nearly 30,000 Chinese illegal immigrants since October.

ED DAWN ALERT: Chinese agents are being sent across Mexican border to prepare attacks on U.S. soil.

Tens of thousands of illegal Chinese migrants detained at U.S. border in major national security threat.

Illegal Alien Invasion: All the big U.S. land grabs by China and globalists may be for housing illegal immigrants.

They're taking over: IMMIGRANTS now make up 15% of total U.S. population.

Sources include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

TheNewAmerican.com

MSN.com

Brighteon.com
NATO allies inching closer to deploying soldiers to Ukraine

A New York Times article claims that several close allies of the United States within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are "inching closer" to deploying more troops to Ukraine  ostensibly just to train Kyiv's armed forces

These deployments would be joining the small number of declared Western units on the ground, including American military contractors tasked with repairing U.S.-supplied weapons systems used by Ukrainian forces.

Faced with troop shortages, the government in Kyiv has requested that NATO and the U.S. send military advisors within Ukraine to "help train 150,000 recruits," aiming to use the expertise of Western military advisors to expedite their deployment to the front lines.

This potential move represents another blurring of a previous red line and could involve the U.S. and European Union "more directly in the war."

Although the White House has publicly opposed sending instructors, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. indicated that additional noncombatant deployments to Ukraine might be inevitable.

"We'll get there eventually, over time," said Brown, adding that, for now, any effort to place additional Western forces in Ukraine would put "a bunch of NATO trainers at risk."

The White House remains "adamant" about not putting American troops, including instructors, on the ground in Ukraine and has urged NATO allies to follow suit.

American instructors were previously part of a NATO training program in Yavoriv, western Ukraine, but were withdrawn in early 2022. Russia has since targeted the facility with multiple missile strikes. (Related: Ukrainian generals warn that Kyiv's reserve forces are DEPLETED as Russian forces advance in Kharkiv.)

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.

Deploying NATO instructors to Ukraine presents many challenges

Deploying NATO instructors to Ukraine presents challenges, including the need to redirect already limited air defenses away from the battlefield to protect deployed military advisors from Russian air and missile strikes. The U.S. would also be obligated to defend NATO instructors from attacks, potentially dragging America further into the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron initially raised the idea of sending NATO troops to Ukraine in February. Since then, Estonia and Lithuania have expressed support for dispatching instructors or other kinds of noncombatant support troops.

In the meantime, Britain, France, and Germany are developing a plan to send contractors to maintain the weapons systems they have deployed in Ukraine. Although the U.S. has banned defense contractors from entering Ukraine, a small number have been allowed under State Department authority to work on specific systems like Patriot air defenses.

NATO has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops in Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. However, Western tactics have proven inadequate during the summer 2023 offensive. The Times described the Ukrainian battlefield as "far different and more intense than what American forces have fought on in recent years."

According to anonymous U.S. military officials, training inside Ukraine would enable American instructors "to more quickly gather information about the innovations occurring on the Ukrainian front lines, potentially allowing them to adapt their training."

Learn more about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this report warning how further NATO participation in the Russian special military operation would only worsen and further escalate the conflict in Ukraine.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NATO to step on red line as it mulls sending troops to train Ukrainian armed forces.

Blinken stresses importance of Ukrainians embracing mobilization as a necessary step to NATO membership.

Ukraine poised to sacrifice entire adult population as government warns of full mobilization.

U.S. military official ADMITS British commandos are operating covertly in Ukraine.

Any U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine would immediately face devastation, warns former Army officer.

Sources include:

RT.com

FoxNews.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
JUST IN: Trump would consider Ken Paxton for US AG if he wins in November

President Donald Trump has revealed that he would consider Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for national AG if Trump wins in November.

(Article by Thomas Stevenson republished from ThePostMillenial.com)

When asked by a KDFW-TV reporter if he would consider Paxton for the position, Trump responded, I would, actually, in the interview on Saturday at the annual NRA convention in Texas.

Trump says he would consider Ken Paxton for US attorney general if elected in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Y7gnzTv09l  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 20, 2024

Hes very, very talented. I mean, we have a lot of people that want that one and will be very good at it. But hes a very talented guy. Paxton has been a longtime ally of Trump. I fought for him when he had the difficulty, and we won, Trump added. He had some people really after him, and I thought it was very unfair. Hes been a good attorney general.

During the interview, Trump also addressed crime going on in the country, saying that police departments need to be given back their dignity and "do their job" effectively. "We need to police to be able to correctly and properly do their job. There's too much crime in the country. We've never seen crime like this before."

Both Paxton and Trump have supported each other in legal cases when they have gotten tied up in them. Earlier in April, Paxton posted online about the NYC case brought by Alvin Bragg, "With President Trump in NYC to sit through this sham of a trial. This trial is a travesty of justice. I stand with Trump."

With President Trump in NYC to sit through this sham of a trial. This trial is a travesty of justice. I stand with Trump.  Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) April 30, 2024

Paxton and Trump have both advocated for tough border policies for the US, another topic the assumed GOP nominee touched on during the interview.

Read more at: ThePostMillenial.com
Pentagon scrambles to boost SPACE WAR capacity as China, Russia deploy advanced systems that could affect U.S. space assets

The Department of Defense (DoD) is reportedly scrambling to acquire up-to-date tools to defend its satellite network from possible attacks and disrupt or disable enemy spacecraft in orbit. The DoD is convinced that rapid advances by China and Russia in space-based operations are a growing threat to American military assets on the ground and in space.

According to Pentagon officials, the United States will no longer rely on military satellites to communicate, navigate, track and target terrestrial threats as they look to obtain advanced ground- and space-based equipment. They would aim for their strategy to differ from previous military programs in space as it would expand the range of offensive capabilities.

"We must protect our space capabilities while also being able to deny an adversary the hostile use of its space capabilities. Because if we do not have space, we lose," Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said back in March.

The director of national intelligence's recent unclassified assessment reportedly confirms that both Russia and China have already tested or deployed systems such as ground-based high-energy lasers, antisatellite missiles or maneuverable satellites, which could be used to disrupt American space assets, should conflicts with these countries continue to escalate. Pentagon officials further cited Russia's use of electronic jamming tools while at war with Ukraine, which disrupted advanced American weapons systems most of the time.

"It is now not theoretical," Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, who oversees Space Command, which is responsible for using space assets to defend the U.S., said in a meeting with reporters last month during a space industry conference in Colorado. "It's real. It's deployed, out in the environment."

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.

China has also deployed expanding space military tools. According to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, the nation has fielded several space capabilities designed to target U.S. forces. "And we are not going to be able to operate in the Western Pacific successfully unless we can defeat those," Kendall said.

Whiting said China had tripled its network of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites since 2018, which he described as a "kill web over the Pacific Ocean to find, fix, track and, yes, target United States and allied military capabilities." (Related: China constructing massive satellite network that can target anything anywhere on Earth.)

Chinese and Russian governments denied the allegations, arguing that it is the U.S. that is driving the militarization of space.

"The United States has long been repeatedly hyping up China as a 'threat in outer space' to smear and attack China," said a Chinese government statement issued earlier this year, calling this effort "only an excuse for the U.S. to expand its forces in outer space and maintain military hegemony."

Russia accuses U.S. of extending the "arena of military confrontation" to space

The United Nations Security Council rejected earlier this week a Russian draft resolution to counter military activity in space, as countries questioned Moscow's sincerity after it vetoed an American text in April against nuclear proliferation in the final frontier.

The Russian text called on all states to "take urgent measures to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force in outer space." It received seven votes for  including from China  and seven against, including from the U.S., United Kingdom and France. Switzerland abstained.

U.S. Special Political Affairs Representative to the UN Robert A. Wood called the resolution "the culmination of Russia's campaign of diplomatic gaslighting.

"Russia does not want the Security Council to focus on its dangerous actions in space," he said, citing U.S. accusations that Moscow was attempting to put a nuclear weapon into orbit.

On May 21, Russia accused the U.S. of seeking to place weapons in space, making it a place to expand military confrontation between conflicting nations. "They have once again demonstrated that their true priorities in the area of outer space are aimed not at keeping space free from weapons of any kind, but at placing weapons in space and turning it into an arena for military confrontation," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not provide further details when asked if Moscow had specific information, saying only that the country's intelligence agencies were monitoring the situation. "Our special services are performing their work," he told reporters in a briefing.

In February, Washington said it was concerned by an "anti-satellite capability that Russia has developed" after U.S. media outlets reported that intelligence agencies had warned their allies that Russia could launch a nuclear weapon into orbit. Moscow denied those accusations as "malicious" and "unfounded," saying it does not possess such systems.

Visit MilitaryTech.news for similar stories about advancements in military technology in space and in other theaters of war.

Watch the video below where Moscow warns the U.S. that its space satellites could be military targets.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S. Space Force: China and Russia are CONCEALING THREATS posed by their satellites.

House Republicans warn of national security threat posed by potential Russian ANTI-SATELLITE WEAPON.

Russian space nukes program is "serious national security threat," House Intelligence Committee chair warns.

Sources include:

DNYUZ.com

DIA.mil [PDF]

SpaceWar.com

Brighteon.com
World Council for Health delivers CEASE AND DESIST orders to World Health Organization over criminal COVID-19 actions

The World Council for Health (WCH) has delivered cease-and-desist orders to the globalist World Health Organization (WHO) over its criminal actions during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The WCH issued four such orders to the global health body's officials  Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, COVID-19 Technical Lead Dr. Maria Van Kerkhoven, Clinical Care Head Dr. Janet Diaz and Chief Scientist Jeremy Farrar. The orders demanded that the WHO cease spreading misinformation; publicly apologize for the damages caused by its recommendation of mRNA injections and suppression of effective COVID-19 treatments; and offer reparations for the latter.

According to the WCH, the four have orchestrated gross violations of human rights around the world and helped orchestrate the largest premeditated mass murder and assault in history.

"We demand that, with immediate effect, you cease and desist from taking further actions that would involve false and fraudulent communication to governments thereby causing or resulting in further instances of the kind of catastrophic outcomes outlined above," wrote the WCH. (Related: World Health Organization threatens another Disease X like COVID unless all nations obey its authoritarian Pandemic Treaty.)

As early as 2021, international experts were cautioning against the novel COVID-19 strategies recommended by the WHO COVID-19 team  especially the experimental modified RNA medical technologies developed at "warp speed" to function purportedly as vaccines.

WCH's cease and desist orders

Swiss lawyer Philipp Kruse delivered the cease-and-desist orders in person to the WHO's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on May 6. LifeSiteNews managed to obtain a copy of the cease-and-desist order issued to Tedros, which the pro-life outlet subsequently published. The order outlined five consequences of the WHO's actions during the pandemic.

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1. Immeasurable suffering and death: The order alleged that in the past four years, billions who trusted and complied with the WHO's advice to governments "have experienced ongoing physical and mental suffering, illness, disability, loss of income, poverty, child abuse, other violence and even death as a result."

2. Human rights violations: The WHO's recommendations that country governments subsequently implemented caused widespread violations of fundamental human rights. "Boys, girls and babies were masked and injected," the WCH alleged.

3. Failure to recommend inexpensive, safe and effective treatments and remedies for COVID-19: According to the WCH, COVID-19 can be can be effectively treated with safe and established multi-purpose generic medicines, including ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, in combination with zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and other immune-boosting, health-promoting and anti-coagulant treatments. But instead of recommending these treatments, the WHO instead suppressed these and opted for expensive drugs and emergency-authorized patented pharmaceutical drugs without safety records.

4. Dangerous gene therapies deployed in the guise of vaccines: The WCH also said Tedros is "personally liable for death, loss and suffering concerning the SARS-CoV-2 'vaccines.'" This is because he refused to disclose that the injections are in fact genetically modified organisms, with the long-term material risks of these therapies unknown.

5. Violation of informed consent: According to the WCH, Tedros' attestation to the injection as "safe and effective" were trusted by many around the world. However, the group argued that the presence of COVID-19 vaccine contracts disproves this claim. "As such, the right to free and informed consent was violated for every human being who was injected with the experimental COVID-19 GMO gene therapy called 'vaccines.'"

Head over to Globalism.news for more stories about the WHO.

Watch Dr. Jane Ruby discussing the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was targeted for his refusal to abide by the WHO's Pandemic Treaty.

This video is from the HighHopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Woman who suffered an assortment of VACCINE INJURIES during clinical trial sues AstraZeneca for BREACH OF CONTRACT

A trial participant who suffered an assortment of vaccine injuries due to AstraZeneca's Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) injection has sued the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical firm for breach of contract

On May 13, Utah resident and preschool instructor Brianne Dressen took AstraZeneca to court. She alleged that the vaccine maker had breached a contract with her by refusing to pay for the necessary medical care to address her vaccine injury. According to Dressen's court filings, she has shelled out thousands of dollars for medications to address her neurological issues and other health problems.

Dressen decided to take part in a clinical study run by AstraZeneca and Velocity, the company commissioned to run the trial, in 2020. The portion of the consent form she completed stated that AstraZeneca promised to "pay the costs of medical treatment" and "cover the costs of research injuries." She affixed her signature to the consent form, spurred on by these assurances. (Related: Australian actress sues AstraZeneca for life-threatening vaccine injury, but continues to ADVOCATE for other covid-19 "vaccines.")

Dressen soon began to have symptoms  such as nausea, tinnitus, and impaired vision  after being injected. Later on, she had heart rate spikes and developed an extraordinary sensitivity to light. She visited several physicians to obtain a diagnosis and receive therapy. As per documents seen by the Epoch Times, the Utah resident was diagnosed with post-vaccine neuropathy by U.S. specialists at the National Institutes of Health in 2021.

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The bills for the prescription medications and doctor appointments soon started to mount. Just the immunoglobulin antibodies that government physicians suggested cost $9,909.82 each month. Given this, Dressen and her spouse kept both AstraZeneca and Velocity informed of the mounting expenses.

Family of vaccine-injured trial participant forced to remortgage house to pay for treatments

The Dressen family messaged Velocity on Jan. 15, 2021 with the first set of treatment payment records, but a company official only promised to "reach out again." They were forced to remortgage their house to pay for treatments.

Two messages in March from Dressen were met with generic replies from Velocity representatives. Months passed throughout the back and forth, with the Utah resident still receiving no payment in return.

It was only in July 2021 that the Dressens received an initial payment of $590.20, which followed a local television station reporting on the case. A Velocity official called the family to inform them of the payment, adding that it was in communication with AstraZeneca about the authorization of supplementary payouts.

The official later provided Dressen a statement to sign in December 2021. In exchange for renouncing any further claims for payment, she would accept $1,243  double the amount she was initially paid. She and her husband rejected the offer, finding it "offensive."

AstraZeneca staff began reaching out with the Dressens directly in March 2022, asking for their billing and medical records. A representative later wrote in August 2022 that the drug company was awaiting provider medical records to evaluate the claims. They wrote the following month that all of the medical records had been received  but as per the lawsuit, neither AstraZeneca nor Velocity got in touch with Dressen or her husband again after the September 2022 exchange.

"I did everything they asked of me. I honored my obligations to them. They have not honored any," Dressen said in a statement. "When they needed me, I was there, I cooperated. When I needed them, they were nowhere to be found."

The corporations are accused of violating both contract and duty in the lawsuit. It requests damages for prejudgment interest, attorney fees, medical costs, mental distress and lost income. Dressen is requesting a trial by jury.

In the U.S., AstraZenecas vaccine was never approved for usage outside of clinical trials. Due to low demand, the company stated earlier this month that it is discontinuing its COVID-19 vaccine. The disclosure was made several months after it was discovered that the injection may result in thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a condition marked by low platelet counts and blood clots.

Visit BigPharmaNews.com for more similar stories.

Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree discussing the fallout at AstraZeneca amid the withdrawal of its COVID-19 injection below.

This video is from The Highwire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

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Social media BLACKOUT: Facebook and YouTube CENSOR victims of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine injury, from all vaccines, is far more widespread than people realize.

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Zelensky blames the world for Russian offensive in Kharkiv, but Ukrainian troops beg to differ

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is blaming the world for Russia's offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region  but his troops on the front line beg to differ.

The Ukrainian leader issued this rebuke on May 16, airing out his frustration to ABC News as the U.S. news outlet joined him on a tour of a hospital in Kharkiv city. Zelensky visited several of the hospital's wards, meeting injured soldiers and awarding them medals of valor. The president and his team moved quickly throughout the medical facility lest they get caught in the crossfire between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

"The situation is very serious; we cannot afford to lose Kharkiv," Zelensky told James Longman of ABC News. "It's the world's fault  they gave the opportunity for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to occupy. But now the world can help."

The Ukrainian president, whose term expired on May 20, took umbrage at the delays in the passage of the $61 billion aid package in the U.S. Congress  which was only authorized last month. "Brigades are not totally equipped because of the package, which we waited through for eight months."

Not even an additional $2 billion in aid money promised by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assuaged the frustrated Zelensky. "Dialogue is good, but we need help now," he remarked. (Related: U.S. to send another $2 billion to Ukraine amid Russian onslaught in Kharkiv.)

"All we need are two Patriot [air defense] systems. Russia will not be able to occupy Kharkiv if we have those. That money is not given to Ukraine; it's money spent in American factories, creating American jobs. And we are not just fighting for our freedom. If not Ukraine, it would be another country."

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Zelensky "was very clear that the delay in U.S. aid has had a direct impact on the war and the situation along the northeastern border," ABC News stated. "Hundreds had lost their lives or been wounded in the last few days, he said. Many were soldiers from this region, so it was important for him to be there, supporting them."

Ukrainian soldiers: What happened in Kharkiv was a BETRAYAL

While the Ukrainian leader blamed Moscow's success on weapons shortages, soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) begged to differ. According to AFU service members, there were no proper fortifications to deter the Russians from entering Kharkiv. This, despite Kyiv receiving intelligence that showed Russia amassing troops on the border of Kharkiv.

Denys Yaroslavsky, a commander of a Ukrainian Special Reconnaissance Unit under the AFU, was among those voicing out their outrage. He told the BBC's defense correspondent Jonathan Beale that Kharkiv had no fortifications, allowing the Russians to simply walk in. According to the British public broadcaster, Yaroslavsky "fought in Ukraines surprise offensive in Kharkiv in the autumn of 2022, which pushed back an initial Russian invasion all the way back to the border."

"There was no first line of defense. We saw it. The Russians just walked in. They just walked in, without any mined field," the commander said. "Either it was an act of negligence, or corruption. It wasn't a failure. It was a betrayal."

Because of this, Yaroslavsky wants to know what happened to Ukraine's defenses. Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Martina Boguslavets said the money meant for fortifications may have been embezzled. In a piece for the online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, she alleged that much of the money earmarked for building fortifications in Kharkiv was likely stolen through shell companies.

Given this possibility, Yaroslavsky's indignation is justified.

"Of course I'm angry," Yaroslavsky told Beale. "When we were fighting back for this territory in 2022, we lost thousands of people. We risked our lives. And now because someone didnt build fortifications, we're losing people again."

Head over to UkraineWitness.com for more stories about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Watch Tim Kirby discussing the possibility of the Kharkiv region being turned into a demilitarized zone in the clip below.

This video is from the Tim Kirby Russia channel on Brighteon.com.

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Russia intensifies ground assault in Kharkiv region.

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A severe weather potential can hit the south-central U.S., according to a weather report. Homeowners should stay alert for deadly tornadoes and flooding concerns, particularly in Kansas City and Des Moines.

The severe weather threat, due to damaging winds and tornado concerns, can result in slower commutes and power outages. As Memorial Day Weekend begins, many Americans will travel. However, the challenging weather outlook can bring potential weather risks.

On Tuesday, an NWS Weather Prediction Center warns of significant Midwest and Great Lakes. Commuters can likely encounter risks of very large hail, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.

The advisory raised concerns about tornadoes and severe wind gusts reaching around 75 mph. Due to the weather, commuters can likely experience dangerous commutes.

Kansas and Des Moines Weather Outlook

According to a weather report on May 21, there is a chance of challenging tornadoes this week as severe weather threatens. Tornadoes can occur without notice and leave devastating damage to properties and communities.

Homeowners likely face severe thunderstorms in the early week. This poor weather is packed with hail, flash floods, and isolated tornadoes. The weather report warns of a significant risk for severe thunderstorms in southern Missouri and Wisconsin areas.

On Tuesday, severe thunderstorms can affect Minneapolis, Des Moines, Chicago, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis, Peoria, and St. Louis. In addition to tornadoes, downpours are likely to cause flooding concerns.

In Kansas City, a forecast published on May 20 shows an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms. Residents can experience damaging hail and winds. The agency also noted two E-F1 tornadoes in Shawnee and Prairie Village.

Meanwhile, NWS Des Moines reports a flooding risk through Tuesday due to rounds of heavy rains and storms. Homeowners should monitor a flood watch advisory and flooding threats. For total rainfall, it could reach three to five inches in localized areas.

Additionally, residents in western Iowa should anticipate hail conditions this week accompanied by heavy precipitation and gusty winds.

Also Read: New York, Boston Weather Forecast: Temperatures Likely to Soar Midweek as Unofficial Summer Begins

Late week's weather outlook: Will severe thunderstorms continue?

The latest weather forecast reveals the troublesome weather outlook is expected to continue until this late week. On Wednesday, a severe weather concern can unload in the following areas:

Detroit

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

St. Louis

Indianapolis

Louisville

Little Rock

Dallas

Austin

In Little Rock, the forecast monitors the development of an unsettled weather pattern until the weekend, warning of the likelihood of rising rivers due to heavy rainfall. From a dry weather outlook on Tuesday, it will transition to strong to severe thunderstorms.

On Thursday, the risks of challenging weather conditions can occur in Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Dallas, and Fort Smith.

Traveling when commutes are not essential is not advisable due to the increasing threats of severe weather in the U.S.

Related Article: Central US Weather Forecast: Increasing Severe Weather to Bring Excessive Rainfall Midweek

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Landfills, often overlooked in the climate change conversation, are emerging as a significant source of methane emissions.

A recent study reveals that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) methods for detecting methane leaks at landfills are fundamentally flawed.

As a result, emissions of this potent heat-trapping gas are likely much higher than reported.

This investigative report delves into the alarming reality of methane leakage from landfills, its impact on global warming, and the urgent need for better detection methods.

The Methane Paradox: Small but Mighty



Methane, odorless and colorless, is released into the atmosphere when organic matter decomposes in oxygen-deprived environments like landfills.

While it constitutes only a tiny fraction of our atmosphere, its warming potential is staggering. In the first 20 years after release, methane is approximately 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (CO).

This makes it a critical target for emission reduction efforts. Yet, landfills remain a hidden crisis, overshadowed by other sources of greenhouse gases.

The EPA's Blind Spot: A Flawed Approach

The EPA's current approach to detecting methane leaks relies on perimeter measurements taken by landfill operators.

However, a disturbing pattern emerges: operators often document few to no leaks, while federal inspectors later discover significant methane emissions.

The study found inconsistencies across 29 landfills, where major leaks went unnoticed. Illinois, ranking eighth in the country for methane emissions from landfills, exemplifies the problem.

The discrepancy between reported emissions and actual leaks is alarming, jeopardizing efforts to combat climate change.

Also Read: Sea Level Rise May Increase Methane Emissions From Wetlands, Study Warns

Illinois: A Methane Hotspot

Illinois, known for its sprawling urban centers and fertile farmlands, harbors a hidden menace beneath its soil. The state's landfills, once thought to be mere repositories for discarded waste, are now ticking time bombs.

The study conducted by environmental scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that methane emissions from Illinois landfills are significantly higher than previously estimated.

The EPA's flawed detection methods have allowed this crisis to fester, endangering both the environment and public health.

The Landfill Landscape: A Complex Web

Illinois boasts a diverse landscape, from the bustling streets of Chicago to the serene beauty of Shawnee National Forest.

Yet, beneath this picturesque exterior lies a complex web of landfills-over 50 active sites and countless inactive ones.

These landfills, often situated near residential areas, schools, and water bodies, silently release methane into the air. The consequences ripple far beyond state lines, affecting neighboring states and contributing to global warming.

The Human Toll: Health Impacts

Methane isn't just an abstract statistic; it affects real people. Residents living near landfills experience elevated risks of respiratory illnesses, including asthma and bronchitis.

Children, in particular, face health hazards due to exposure to methane and other toxic gases.

The EPA's flawed monitoring system perpetuates this cycle of harm, leaving vulnerable communities in the dark about their true environmental risks.

As the world grapples with the urgency of climate action, landfills must no longer be ignored. The flawed detection methods perpetuate a cycle of underreporting, hindering progress.

It's time to reinvent landfill management, develop better tools, and prioritize methane capture. The fate of our planet hangs in the balance, and addressing this hidden crisis is essential to curbing short-term global warming.

Related article: Cable Bacteria Set to Mitigate Oil Spills and Methane Emissions: New Report
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For Tokyo's celebrity bartender Atsushi Suzuki, it is food that inspires his cocktails

W

e first ran into Atsushi Suzuki in the elevator of a five-star hotel and mistook him for a student visiting India in his gap year, but moments later, we met again and realised that he's the celebrated bartender from Tokyo on his first visit to India.

The presiding deity of The Bellwood, a bar rated among Asia's Top 50 in Tokyo's vibrant and trendy Shibuya district, Suzuki speaks about bar trends that seem to be straight out of some film set in the future.

From cocktails on tap to drinks inspired by food (from your favourite pizza to mango sticky rice, as is being offered at New York's celebrated new bar, Double Chicken Please), the future meets the present in Suzuki's wondrous world.

Suzuki, who has worked in such trend-setting bars as Angel's Share in New York, was in New Delhi for a Beam Suntory event, One Night in Toki-O, at Khi Khi, which is a favoured watering hole of the city's young and happening crowd. And it may not be a coincidence that he works closely with another celebrity bartender, Shingo Gokan, whom IANS had met when he was also in New Delhi not very long ago.

Suzuki's bar, which has become quite a pilgrimage for cocktail lovers in Tokyo, is influenced by the culture of jazz cafes known as 'kissa' (a term familiar to us, but the meaning is quite different!) dating back to the era of Japanese history (1912-26) coinciding with the reign of Emperor Taisho.

These upscale cafes were all about good food, creative cocktails and hip-swinging jazz. The Bellwood recreates this tradition with a seasonal menu of 18 cocktails, each one inspired by an element of the 'kaiseki' spread, the multi-course expression of Japanese haute cuisine, and Suzuki's own inspirations.

His newest is his take on the classic Negroni (gin, sweet vermouth and Campari). Suzuki's 'New-groni' consists of, apart from gin and Campari, a cherry blossom vermouth, lacto-fermented strawberries and distilled Tabasco vinegar -- the sweetness of the Campari balanced by the tartness of the strawberries and Tabasco vinegar.

Suzuki serves the New-groni with rice crackers and a dollop of jam. The drink reflects his love for gin-based classic cocktails, but, as in his bar, where the classical and the contemporary co-exist happily, he keeps experimenting -- his latest love being a Japanese BBQ-inspired martini.

Even the high-end nigiri sushi served in one exclusive corner of The Bellwood has elements of the cultures Suzuki got to know in the course of a working life that took him to New York, Shanghai, Toronto and London. The nodoguro (Blackthroat seaperch) nigiri, for instance, comes with a topping of flakes of the famed New York cheesecake!

On his first visit to India, Suzuki couldn't stop talking about the "super warm hospitality" of the people. It reminded him of the small town near Tokyo where he comes from -- Katsushika, where, contrary to what people believe the Japanese to be (formal and reserved), "every grownup was my mum and dad ... it was like one large and happy family, where all of us knew each other and about our affairs!"

During his brief stay in Delhi, Suzuki visited four well-regarded bars -- Sidecar, Hoot, PCO and Rick's -- and met one of the city's most celebrated chefs, Yutaka Saito, a Japanese married to a Delhiite, at Home, an exclusive restaurant at the PVR Ambience Mall.

Suzuki's most memorable meal in Delhi was at the Gulati restaurant, which has become an institution at Pandara Road, where he had biryani, butter chicken and fish tikka. Maybe Suzuki will be inspired by the meal to concoct a butter chicken-inspired gin cocktail!

As our conversation progressed, I couldn't help but ask Suzuki about the Japanese Highball cocktail -- whisky, soda and ice (just like how Indians imbibe their whisky) -- a favourite at Japanese izakayas, or informal bars where drinks are served along with snacks.

Has Highball been inspired by Indians? Suzuki smiled and said that is the only way you can imbibe whisky and not get drunk because the soda dilutes the alcohol content! At izakayas, Suzuki added on a more serious note, people have their whiskies along with food and the only way not to let your whisky overpower your food is to dilute it with soda.

So the next time you have your whisky, splash it with soda topped up with ice, and forget the classicists, who insist that whisky tastes best when drunk only with a little water served at room temperature.

 For Tokyo's celebrity bartender Atsushi Suzuki, it is food that inspires his cocktails

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British man, 73, likely had heart attack in flight turbulence

T

he person who died in turbulence on board a plane that encountered severe turbulence over South-East Asia was a 73-year-old man from Britain who probably had a heart attack, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

The Singapore Airlines flight heading from London Heathrow to Singapore was diverted to the Thai capital following the turbulence.

Citing statements made during a press conference at Bangkok's international airport, the BBC reported seven people are in a critical condition. A total of 53 passengers were injured, including the wife of the victim and a crew member, the BBC reported, citing airport officials.

The aircraft "suddenly dropped" and people who were not wearing seatbelts were thrown against the ceiling. Images shared in social media showed chaos inside the Boeing 777-300ER, with crockery and food strewn along the aisle of the cabin.

--IANS/DPA

 British man, 73, likely had heart attack in flight turbulence

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ChatGPT maker responds after Scarlett Johansson says Her voice copied

H

ollywood actor Scarlett Johananson has said she was "shocked", "angered," and "in disbelief" after Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI launched an Artificial Intelligence personal assistant voice that was "eerily similar" to her own voice.

Johansson's statement was released hours after Sam Altman-founded tech company said it was taking down the voice it had dubbed as 'Sky.'

OpenAI had last week unveiled a new version of its flagship ChatGPT chatbot, which can read text aloud to users and can receive and respond to voice commands, images and videos.

Several people compared the similarities between the chatbot's tone with that of Johansson's in the 2013 film 'Her'. Directed by Spike Jonze, the movie is about a man who develops a close relationship with an advanced piece of software. The Operating System takes the persona of a female and calls herself Samantha. In the film, the Academy award nominated Scarlett Johansson is the voice of Samantha.

Artificial intelligence company, OpenAI, in a blog post on Monday wrote the process in which it had chosen the voices used by the ChatGPT, stating that worked with award-winning casting and directing professionals to narrow down over 400 submissions before selecting five voices. Apart from Sky the other voices debuted by OpenAI are dubbed - Breeze, Cove, Ember and Juniper.

According to US media outlet NPR, Johansson's legal team has sent OpenAI two letters asking the company how it had developed the "Sky" voice.

Johansson said that nine months ago Altman had approached her proposing that she allow her voice to be licensed for the new ChatGPT voice assistant as he thought it would "comforting to people" who are uneasy with AI technology.

"After much consideration and for personal reasons, I declined the offer," Johansson said in her statement shared with NPR.

The actor said that just two days before the new ChatGPT was unveiled, Altman again reached out to Johansson's team, urging her to reconsider but before she and Altman could connect, the company publicly announced its new product, with a voice that she says appears to have copied her likeness.

"I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference," Johansson said.

Following this, OpenAI in a statement on the company's blog said, "We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice".

"Sky's voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice," the tech company said.

The tech company founder Altman further said that it has "paused" using Sky's voice.

In a statement to US media outlet NPR, Altman wrote, "We cast the voice actor behind Sky's voice before any outreach to Ms. Johansson. Out of respect for Ms. Johansson, we have paused using Sky's voice in our products. We are sorry to Ms. Johansson that we didn't communicate better,"

Meanwhile, OpenAI, according to a report in the Washington Post, is facing a wave of lawsuits by authors including Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin, and news organizations including the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, which allege the company violated copyright law by using their content to train its AI models.

 ChatGPT maker responds after Scarlett Johansson says Her voice copied

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Once a winter escape, Rajasthan, a year-round tourist destination now

T

he desert state of Rajasthan, famous for its palaces and forts, which used to witness tourist rush, especially in winter, is a year-round destination as now, travellers visit the state during monsoon season too to soak themselves in the beauty of Banswara, Bundi, Mount Abu, Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh.

Tourism Department Deputy Director Dalip Singh Rathore said, "Rajasthan has now become a year-round tourist state. Those exploring the state during monsoon will change their perception of Rajasthan being a desert state."

"One of the top monsoon destinations in the state is Banswara, which is known as 'Cherrapunji' of Rajasthan and the city of Hundred Islands," he said.

Banswara houses a 'Kalpavriksha' (tree of heaven), which is considered to be one of the 14 gems that surfaced when the ocean was churned by Gods and demons.

"There is a religious belief that this tree fulfills the wishes of the people. It is considered a popular pilgrimage site of Banswara and remains a centre of attraction for devotees," the Tourism Department officials added.

Must-visit places in Banswara are Anand Sagar Lake, Abdullah Peer Dargah, Mahi Dam, Tripura Sundari Temple and Andeshwar Parshvanathji, a famous Jain temple situated on a small hill in Kushalgarh tehsil with rare inscriptions from the 10th century, they said.

Highlighting other monsoon destinations of the state, the tourism officials said Bundi is famous for its architecture, paintings and ancient monuments.

Bundi is a fine blend of a distinctive style of painting with elements of Mughal, Deccan and Mewar styles of art. Bundi Palace, Chaurasi Khambho Ki Chhatri, Rani-ji-ki-Baori and Moti Mahal attract tourists here, Chitrashala, also known as Umaid Mahal, is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Bundi, they said.

The officials said Mount Abu is yet another monsoon destination that is known for its steep cliffs, tranquil lakes, picturesque environment and excellent weather.

Dilwara Jain Temple, Nakki Lake, Sun Set Point take you to a pristine world here which turns all the more beautiful during monsoons, they said.

Udaipur City, situated 265 km from Ahmedabad and 180 km from Mount Abu, also called the city of lakes, turns immensely beautiful during the monsoon. After Jaipur, Udaipur records the highest number of foreign tourists.

City Palace, an excellent example of architecture, was built by Maharana Udai Singh on the banks of Pichola Lake. This palace has also been the residence of the royal family for 23 generations.

Kumbhalgarh is yet another monsoon destination which has the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2013.

"In 2023, the state recorded 328.52 per cent increase in the number of foreign tourists' footfall, compared to 2022. The number of domestic tourists to the state increased by 65.29 per cent," Rathore said.

 Once a winter escape, Rajasthan, a year-round tourist destination now

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to sunshine for the afternoon. Warm. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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When it comes to skin cancer, most people think of warnings about sunburn and tanning beds. Thoughts of "cancer genes" or inherited risks are reserved for diseases like breast cancer or colon cancer. A new study challenges this status quo by showing that genetics play a larger role in melanoma risk than recognized.

Physicians rarely order genetic screens to assess risk factors for patients with a family history of melanoma because, according to the previous, limited studies, only 2-2.5% of all cases are genetic. For the same reason, insurance companies rarely cover these tests outside of the most extreme situations. In the medical field, genetic testing is generally not offered for cancers that don't meet a threshold of 5%.

A study from researchers and clinicians led by Cleveland Clinic's Joshua Arbesman, MD, and Stanford Medicine's Pauline Funchain, MD (formerly Cleveland Clinic), suggests that melanoma more than meets that threshold. Their results, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, report that up to 15% (1 in 7) of patients who received melanoma diagnoses from Cleveland Clinic physicians between 2017 and 2020 carried mutations in cancer susceptibility genes. The research team, which includes Cleveland Clinic Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology's Ying Ni, PhD, and Claudia Marcela Diaz, PhD, analyzed international patient databases and found similar results.

Hereditary cancers can wreak havoc through families and leave devastation in their wake. Genetic testing lets us proactively identify, screen and even treat these families to equip them with the tools they need to get the best healthcare possible. I would recommend physicians and insurance companies expand their criteria when it comes to offering genetic testing to individuals with family histories of melanoma, because inherited predisposition to it isn't nearly as rare as we think it is." Dr. Joshua Arbesman, MD, Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Arbesman, who runs a lab in Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute's Cancer Biology, also says his findings support an increasingly popular opinion amongst cancer biologists: there are risk factors beyond sun exposure that can influence an individual's chances of developing melanoma.

"Not all of my patients had inherited mutations that made them more susceptible to the sun," he says. "There's clearly something more going on here and more research is needed."

Dr. Arbesman and his team are studying many of the genes that came up in his patients' genetic tests to learn more about how melanoma develops and how it can be treated. For example, he is working to determine if some of his patients and their families who show inherited mutations may benefit more from immunotherapy compared to those who don't carry inherited mutations. His lab is also working to determine how other patients' genes contributed to the development and the severity of their melanoma.
Technology use is at an all-time high and understanding how this impacts daily life is crucial. When it comes to parent-child interactions, scientists have coined the term 'technoference,' meaning technology interference. It occurs when parent-child interaction and communication are disrupted by the use of digital devices.

But is distraction caused by digital devices more detrimental to parent-child interaction than when parental distraction comes from different sources? Researchers in Switzerland have investigated.

"In this study, we show that when parents are distracted, the quality and quantity of parent-child interaction is impaired compared to when parents are not being distracted," said Prof Nevena Dimitrova, a researcher at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland and principal investigator of the study published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "This was regardless of if that distraction came from a digital or a non-digital activity."

Screening distraction

Although the negative impact of parents being distracted by their phones while around their children has been established, less is known about whether these negative effects come from the fact that the parent uses a screen or from the fact that the parent is distracted in general.

To fill this gap, the team around Dimitrova tasked 50 parent-child pairs, in which children were 22 months old on average, to play together for 10 minutes. Participant pairs were divided in three groups. In the first group, there was no disruption. In the second group, after five minutes of play, the parent was given a questionnaire to fill out on paper, whereas in the third group, also after five minutes, the parent was instructed to fill out the same questionnaire using a tablet. Parents that filled out the questionnaire were instructed to continue interacting with their children.

The researchers found that parents who filled out the questionnaire were less sensitive to children's communication signals, and that children showed lower levels of social involvement towards their parents.

Technoference, however, did not affect parent-child interactions more negatively than non-digital distractions. Instead, all distraction, regardless of whether it was caused by screens or pen and paper, had negative effects on parents, children, and pairs. "We interpret this finding-;that was equally surprising for us-;as the possibility that screens are so ubiquitous nowadays that young children might be becoming used to the reality of seeing their parents use screens," said Dimitrova.

Regardless of their findings, the researchers stressed that parent-child interaction is at its best when parents are not distracted at all. This might be especially important for parents who find it difficult to bond with their children.

Curbing a 'moral panic'

In the media, mostly alarmistic messages about the risks of screen use are discussed, said the researchers. However, research does not support the thesis that screen use by or in the presence of children is exclusively bad. For example, positive effects of screens on child psychological development have been shown in previous research.

This study shows how important it is to rely on scientific evidence rather that public opinion about screen use. We see that it's not screens per se that are detrimental to the quality of parent-child interaction. Instead, it seems to be the fact that the parent is not fully engaged in the interaction that negatively impacts parent-child communication." Prof. Nevena Dimitrova, researcher at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland

The researchers, however, also pointed out that it is difficult to make definitive statements about parental screen use based on one study alone. This is partly because everyday parent-child interaction differs from the experimental set-up. For example, the ways in which parents use screen while around their children cannot always be replicated fully. Studies in naturalistic context are needed and might lead to different results, the scientists noted.
A novel therapy that reprograms immune cells to promote antitumor activity helped shrink hard-to-treat prostate and bladder cancers in mice, according to research from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery.

The study was published online May 3 in the journal Cancer Immunology Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Immunotherapies that help the immune system recognize and fight tumors have revolutionized care for many types of cancer. However, these therapies, which ramp up the production and activation of tumor cell-killing immune cells called T-cells, have not been effective in aggressive forms of prostate and bladder cancers. The field of oncology has been trying to find out why and how to make immunotherapies work better in these cancers, explains the study's senior author, Jelani Zarif, Ph.D., Robert E. Meyerhoff Endowed Professor and associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins. Zarif and his colleagues suspected that immune cells called macrophages were to blame. Under some conditions, macrophages help tumors grow and suppress T-cell activity, hampering the immune response to cancers.

The focus of our work is to reprogram the immune-suppressive tumor-associated macrophages into anticancer immune cells to enhance therapeutic responses to immunotherapies and other standard-of-care cancer therapies." Jelani Zarif, Ph.D., Robert E. Meyerhoff Endowed Professor and associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine

The immune-suppressing macrophages rely on the amino acid glutamine. Zarif and his colleagues previously demonstrated that macrophage precursor cells called monocytes will develop into immune-activating macrophages if they are grown in a laboratory setting without glutamine. By contrast, when monocytes are grown with glutamine, they become immune-suppressing macrophages.

Zarif and his team hypothesized that drugs blocking the immune cells from accessing glutamine would shift the balance of macrophages toward the immune-stimulating type and help shrink tumors. Studies have shown that a drug called 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) that starves tumors of glutamine shrinks tumors that depend on glutamine to grow. But development of the drug as a therapy for cancer was abandoned decades ago because it was also toxic to the gastrointestinal system and caused harmful side effects.

Instead, Zarif tapped an experimental glutamine-blocking drug developed by study co-authors Barbara Slusher, Ph.D., director of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, and Jonathan Powell, M.D., Ph.D., former associate director of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. The drug, JHU083, is a type of molecule called a prodrug that cells inside the body convert into an active drug. Specifically, JHU083 can only be turned into its active, glutamine-blocking form inside the tumor, preventing it from causing harmful side effects elsewhere in the body. Studies show the drug shrinks tumors, reduces cancer spread and increases survival in animals with cancers of the skin, colon, blood and brain, as well as certain treatment-resistant breast cancers.

"Barbara Slusher and her team changed the drug's chemistry so it can circulate inactive throughout the body, and it only becomes active when it gets inside cancer cells," Zarif explains. "Because the active form is only released to cancer cells, you can give a lower dose, further reducing the risk of side effects."

Zarif and his colleagues showed that JHU083 blocks the use of glutamine in prostate and bladder tumors in mice, reducing tumor growth and triggering tumor cell death. It also reprogrammed immune-suppressing macrophages into immune-boosting macrophages. The macrophages themselves started destroying tumor cells. They also helped recruit tumor-killing T-cells and natural killer cells to the tumors. Adding an immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor, which boosts the activation of T-cells in tumors, did not increase the effects of JHU083. Zarif explained this is likely because there was already so much antitumor immune activity in the JHU083-treated tumors.

"JHU083 could be a promising anti-cancer therapy for tumors with immune-suppressing macrophages and too few T-cells," he says. "It might also be a promising agent for tumors that do not respond to checkpoint inhibitors."

Zarif plans to collaborate with colleagues at Johns Hopkins to launch a clinical trial of JHU083 in patients with treatment-resistant prostate or bladder cancer to see if it shrinks tumors and prevents metastasis. They also want to continue studying whether combining JHU083 with other treatments improves its effectiveness against tumors.

The study's other co-authors were Monali Praharaj, Fan Shen, Alex J. Lee, Liang Zhao, Thomas R. Nirschl, Debebe Theodros, Alok K. Singh, Xiaoxu Wang, Kenneth M. Adusei, Kara A. Lombardo, Raekwon A. Williams, Laura A. Sena, Elizabeth A. Thompson, Ada Tam, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, Edward J. Pearce, Robert D. Leone, Jesse Alt, Rana Rais and Drew M. Pardoll of Johns Hopkins.

This work was supported in part by the BloombergKimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award, the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (grant K22 CA237623), the National institutes of Health (grants #R01CA283649 and #R01CA229451) and a Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund grant (#FHB33CRF).

The Johns Hopkins University has filed patent applications related to technologies described in the paper on which Slusher, Powell, Leone, Rais and Alt are listed as inventors. Slusher, Powell and Rais are also co-founders of and consultants for Dracen Pharmaceuticals. These relationships are being managed by Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies.
Cigarette smoke has been studied for years, revealing a multitude of contaminants, including toxic metals. But exactly which of those metals can be traced to secondhand or thirdhand smoke? Solving this problem has been a challenge for the research community because many of the metals found in tobacco smoke could also come from industrial or naturally occurring pollutants contaminating indoor and outdoor air.

Now, a recent study by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has identified 28 trace metals in tobacco smoke. The findings reported in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters point to new evidence behind the long-term health effects of secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke is the smoke released by a burning cigarette. Thirdhand smoke is the noxious tobacco residue that settles on indoor surfaces long after a cigarette has been put out.

It is important to quantify the trace metals from secondhand and thirdhand smoke because some trace metals are present in other indoor and outdoor pollution sources. For well over a decade, our group has studied toxic organic contaminants emitted during smoking. We are now also interested in completing the picture of smoke's persistent legacy by assessing how trace metals may contribute to tobacco's health burden." Hugo Destaillats, principal investigator of the study, and senior scientist in the Indoor Environment Group of Berkeley Lab'sEnergy Technologies Area

During experiments in a room-size environmental chamber at Berkeley Lab, a team from the Indoor Environment Group collected samples of aerosol particles over a period of 43 hours after smoldering six cigarettes. To characterize secondhand smoke, they used Teflon-coated filters to capture freshly emitted aerosol samples immediately after smoldering. Then, they took additional samples over longer time periods to characterize thirdhand smoke.

Co-author Wenming Dong, a research scientist in Berkeley Lab's Earth and Environmental Sciences Area (EESA), used an advanced triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (QQQ ICP-MS) system in the EESA Aqueous Geochemistry lab to detect significant levels of 28 trace metals in secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Among these were several toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, beryllium, and manganese.

To have a better understanding of how trace metals can contribute to the chemical composition of secondhand and thirdhand smoke, the researchers then used the experimental results from the environmental chamber study to predict the concentration of trace metal contaminants in a smoker's home, and in nonresidential scenarios such as smoking bars, under different air exchange rates. In almost all of the modeled scenarios, they found that the predicted indoor air concentration for cadmium, arsenic, and chromium exceeded the state of California's cancer risk guidelines. They also found that some of these metals exceeded the state's non-cancer reference levels for chronic exposure.

The Berkeley Lab researchers say that this study is a first step in understanding how tobacco smoke may contribute to our overall exposure to trace metals in the indoor environment, and that more work is needed to advance the remediation of secondhand and thirdhand smoke pollution.

"In smoking environments, these trace metals are found in indoor air and also on surfaces and in dust particles, and people can be exposed to them through pathways such as dermal uptake and ingestion," said Xiaochen Tang, a researcher in the Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division of Berkeley Lab's Energy Technologies Area, and first author of the study. "We focused our analysis on the inhalation of airborne metal contaminants, so our results represent only part of the total exposure burden. Given the persistence of trace metals in the environment, it would be important to better understand the efficacy of ventilation, cleaning, and vacuuming as removal mechanisms for these contaminants."

This work was supported by the University of California's Tobacco Related Disease Research Program.
In new research, investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) show that the 100-year-old Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, originally developed to prevent tuberculosis, protects individuals with type 1 diabetes from severe COVID-19 disease and other infectious diseases.

Two back-to-back randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trials found that the BCG vaccine provided continuous protection for nearly the entire COVID-19 pandemic in the US, regardless of the viral variant.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes are highly susceptible to infectious diseases and had worse outcomes when they were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Published data from other investigators show mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not very effective in this group of vulnerable patients. But we've shown that BCG can protect type 1 diabetics from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases." Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, senior author, director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at MGH and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

The 18-month Phase III trial, published in iScience, was conducted late in the US pandemic when the highly transmissible Omicron variant was circulating. A 15-month Phase II trial was conducted early in the pandemic; results of that trial were published in Cell Reports Medicine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several international trials tested if BCG as a single shot, or booster, given to previously BCG-vaccinated adults protected them from infection and COVID-19. This research expanded the large global clinical trial database showing that BCG administered to newborns works as a platform for all infectious disease, maybe for decades. But results from these COVID-19 booster trials in people previously vaccinated with BCG were mixed, with five randomized trials showing efficacy and seven trials showing no benefit.

The MGH Phase II and Phase III clinical trials testing BCG differed from other BCG trials in important ways. Instead of receiving one dose of BCG, participants received five or six doses of a particularly potent strain of BCG vaccine. The US participants were followed for a total of 36 months instead of weeks or months. "We know that in people who are naive to BCG vaccine, the off-target effects can take at least two years to achieve full protection," said Faustman. "Giving multiple doses of the vaccine may speed up that process."

And importantly, the US population had never received BCG vaccines, so these clinical trials were not booster trials. "The Phase II and Phase III trials conducted at MGH were unique in that they were the only COVID trials in the world in which the study population had never received a BCG vaccine and was never exposed to TB," said Faustman. "Trials conducted in countries where participants had previously received BCG vaccine as newborns or who had previous exposure to tuberculosis may have obscured any benefit from a BCG booster."

The MGH trials enrolled 141 participants with type 1 diabetes; 93 people in the treatment group received five or six doses of BCG vaccine and the 48 individuals in the placebo group received sham vaccine and were followed for 36 months to capture diverse COVID-19 genetic variants and many infectious disease exposures.

During the earlier Phase II trial (January 2020 to April 2021) when the virus was more lethal but less transmissible, the BCG vaccine's efficacy was 92%, comparable to the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in healthy adults.

Over the full 34 months of the US COVID-19 pandemic, the BCG vaccine had a significant efficacy of 54.3%. The investigators also found that the BCG-treated participants had lower rates of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections as well as COVID-19 disease itself.

The BCG vaccine confers an immunity that likely lasts decades, a clear advantage to the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines against other infectious diseases, such as influenza, where the duration of effectiveness is only two or three months. "The BCG vaccine offers the prospect of near-lifelong protection against every variant of COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other infectious diseases," said Faustman.

Some of the BCG-treated participants also received the commercially available COVID-19 vaccines during the Phase III trial. The investigators observed that the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines did not protect people with type 1 diabetes against COVID-19. "Our study showed that the BCG vaccine neither increased the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor was it harmful to those who received the COVID-19 vaccine," said Faustman. "As the pandemic continues to evolve it will interesting to see if we can work with the FDA to allow access to BCG vaccine for type 1 diabetics, who appear to be particularly at risk for all infectious diseases."

This research was supported by The Iacocca Foundation, Boston, MA.

Other contributing authors include Willem M. Kuhtreiber, Emma R. Hostetter, Grace E. Wolfe, Maya S. Vayshnaw, Rachel Goldstein, Emily R. Bulczynski, Neeshi S. Hullavarad, Joan E. Braley, and Hui Zheng.
Measles is on the rise in the United States. So far this year, the number of cases is about 17 times what it was, on average, during the same period in each of the four years before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of the people infected  mainly children  have been hospitalized.

It's going to get worse, largely because a growing number of parents are deciding not to get their children vaccinated against measles as well as diseases like polio and pertussis. Unvaccinated people, or those whose immunization status is unknown, account for 80% of the measles cases this year. Many parents have been influenced by a flood of misinformation spouted by politicians, podcast hosts, and influential figures on television and social media. These personalities repeat decades-old notions that erode confidence in the established science backing routine childhood vaccines. KFF Health News examined the rhetoric and explains why it's misguided:

The no-big-deal trope

A common distortion is that vaccines aren't necessary because the diseases they prevent are not very dangerous, or too rare to be of concern. Cynics accuse public health officials and the media of fear-mongering about measles even as 19 states report cases.

For example, an article posted on the website of the National Vaccine Information Center  a regular source of vaccine misinformation  argued that a resurgence in concern about the disease "is 'sky is falling' hype." It went on to call measles, mumps, chicken pox, and influenza "politically incorrect to get."

Measles kills roughly 2 of every 1,000 children infected, according to the CDC. If that seems like a bearable risk, it's worth pointing out that a far larger portion of children with measles will require hospitalization for pneumonia and other serious complications. For every 10 measles cases, one child with the disease develops an ear infection that can lead to permanent hearing loss. Another strange effect is that the measles virus can destroy a person's existing immunity, meaning they'll have a harder time recovering from influenza and other common ailments.

Measles vaccines have averted the deaths of about 94 million people, mainly children, over the past 50 years, according to an April analysis led by the World Health Organization. Together with immunizations against polio and other diseases, vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives globally.

Some skeptics argue that vaccine-preventable diseases are no longer a threat because they've become relatively rare in the U.S. (True  due to vaccination.) This reasoning led Florida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, to tell parents that they could send their unvaccinated children to school amid a measles outbreak in February. "You look at the headlines and you'd think the sky was falling," Ladapo said on a News Nation newscast. "There's a lot of immunity."

As this lax attitude persuades parents to decline vaccination, the protective group immunity will drop, and outbreaks will grow larger and faster. A rapid measles outbreak hit an undervaccinated population in Samoa in 2019, killing 83 people within four months. A chronic lack of measles vaccination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo led to more than 5,600 people dying from the disease in massive outbreaks last year.

The 'you never know' trope

Since the earliest days of vaccines, a contingent of the public has considered them bad because they're unnatural, as compared with nature's bounty of infections and plagues. "Bad" has been redefined over the decades. In the 1800s, vaccine skeptics claimed that smallpox vaccines caused people to sprout horns and behave like beasts. More recently, they blame vaccines for ailments ranging from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to autism to immune system disruption. Studies don't back the assertions. However, skeptics argue that their claims remain valid because vaccines haven't been adequately tested.

In fact, vaccines are among the most studied medical interventions. Over the past century, massive studies and clinical trials have tested vaccines during their development and after their widespread use. More than 12,000 people took part in clinical trials of the most recent vaccine approved to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Such large numbers allow researchers to detect rare risks, which are a major concern because vaccines are given to millions of healthy people.

To assess long-term risks, researchers sift through reams of data for signals of harm. For example, a Danish group analyzed a database of more than 657,000 children and found that those who had been vaccinated against measles as babies were no more likely to later be diagnosed with autism than those who were not vaccinated. In another study, researchers analyzed records from 805,000 children born from 1990 through 2001 and found no evidence to back a concern that multiple vaccinations might impair children's immune systems.

Nonetheless, people who push vaccine misinformation, like candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dismiss massive, scientifically vetted studies. For example, Kennedy argues that clinical trials of new vaccines are unreliable because vaccinated kids aren't compared with a placebo group that gets saline solution or another substance with no effect. Instead, many modern trials compare updated vaccines with older ones. That's because it's unethical to endanger children by giving them a sham vaccine when the protective effect of immunization is known. In a 1950s clinical trial of polio vaccines, 16 children in the placebo group died of polio and 34 were paralyzed, said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and author of a book on the first polio vaccine.

The too-much-too-soon trope

Several bestselling vaccine books on Amazon promote the risky idea that parents should skip or delay their children's vaccines. "All vaccines on the CDC's schedule may not be right for all children at all times," writes Paul Thomas in his bestselling book "The Vaccine-Friendly Plan." He backs up this conviction by saying that children who have followed "my protocol are among the healthiest in the world."

Since the book was published, Thomas' medical license was temporarily suspended in Oregon and Washington. The Oregon Medical Board documented how Thomas persuaded parents to skip vaccines recommended by the CDC, and reported that he "reduced to tears" a mother who disagreed. Several children in his care came down with pertussis and rotavirus, diseases easily prevented by vaccines, wrote the board. Thomas recommended fish oil supplements and homeopathy to an unvaccinated child with a deep scalp laceration, rather than an emergency tetanus vaccine. The boy developed severe tetanus, landing in the hospital for nearly two months, where he required intubation, a tracheotomy, and a feeding tube to survive.

The vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC has been tailored to protect children at their most vulnerable points in life and minimize side effects. The combination measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine isn't given for the first year of a baby's life because antibodies temporarily passed on from their mother can interfere with the immune response. And because some babies don't generate a strong response to that first dose, the CDC recommends a second one around the time a child enters kindergarten because measles and other viruses spread rapidly in group settings.

Delaying MMR doses much longer may be unwise because data suggests that children vaccinated at 10 or older have a higher chance of adverse reactions, such as a seizure or fatigue.

Around a dozen other vaccines have discrete timelines, with overlapping windows for the best response. Studies have shown that MMR vaccines may be given safely and effectively in combination with other vaccines.

'They don't want you to know' trope

Kennedy compares the Florida surgeon general to Galileo in the introduction to Ladapo's new book on transcending fear in public health. Just as the Roman Catholic inquisition punished the renowned astronomer for promoting theories about the universe, Kennedy suggests that scientific institutions oppress dissenting voices on vaccines for nefarious reasons.

"The persecution of scientists and doctors who dare to challenge contemporary orthodoxies is not a new phenomenon," Kennedy writes. His running mate, lawyer Nicole Shanahan, has campaigned on the idea that conversations about vaccine harms are censored and the CDC and other federal agencies hide data due to corporate influence.

Claims like "they don't want you to know" aren't new among the anti-vaccine set, even though the movement has long had an outsize voice. The most listened-to podcast in the U.S., "The Joe Rogan Experience," regularly features guests who cast doubt on scientific consensus. Last year on the show, Kennedy repeated the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism.

Far from ignoring that concern, epidemiologists have taken it seriously. They have conducted more than a dozen studies searching for a link between vaccines and autism, and repeatedly found none. "We have conclusively disproven the theory that vaccines are connected to autism," said Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an epidemiologist at the University of Wollongong in Australia. "So, the public health establishment tends to shut those conversations down quickly."

Federal agencies are transparent about seizures, arm pain, and other reactions that vaccines can cause. And the government has a program to compensate individuals whose injuries are scientifically determined to result from them. Around 1 to 3.5 out of every million doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction; a person's lifetime risk of death by lightning is estimated to be as much as four times as high.

"The most convincing thing I can say is that my daughter has all her vaccines and that every pediatrician and public health person I know has vaccinated their kids," Meyerowitz-Katz said. "No one would do that if they thought there were serious risks."
Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, has signed an agreement with Timser Group, a pharmaceutical company focused on womens health, with a deal value of up to 465,000.

Under the terms of the agreement, Aptamer Group will develop Optimer binders to Timsers patented cervical cancer biomarker panel. This three-protein signature can be used to detect cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. The Optimers will power the worlds first blood test for cervical cancer, preventing invasive smear tests and delivering earlier, more sensitive diagnostics.

Pairs of Optimer binders will be developed to each of the three biomarker proteins that form the unique cervical cancer signature. Timser will receive a license for the use of the Optimers in its specific test combination, which is patented in 21 countries, including the USA.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer type in women worldwide. Present screening methods rely on invasive and relatively low-sensitivity Papanicolaou (PAP) smear tests. The Optimer enabled Timsers diagnostic will allow earlier detection at the precancerous lesion stage, which is associated with increased survival. The use of a blood-based test over traditional PAP smears will offer the potential for increased detection rates by improving uptake due to the less invasive testing method.

As Timser expands its diagnostic tests into diverse markets, including low-income countries, the Optimer binders offer advantages to support continued supply and quality.

With superior shelf-life and enhanced temperature stability compared to antibodies, Optimer binders facilitate global test distribution without compromising quality or performance. Previous attempts by Timser to develop antibodies to support the test have failed due to issues with antibody batch variability and supply chains. Unlike antibodies, Optimer binders are chemically manufactured, giving consistent quality, with the potential to use multiple manufacturers both locally and globally to prevent supply chain issues.

We are delighted to partner with Timser Group to facilitate their ground-breaking cancer diagnostic with Optimer binders. This deal demonstrates the increasing recognition of the Optimer platform to deliver high-quality affinity ligands. We believe that implementing Optimer technology will allow our partners to overcome previous issues experienced with antibody variability and supply chains, and we look forward to delivering much-needed improvements to cervical cancer tests. Dr. Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group
In a recent report based on the National Poll on Childrens Health conducted by the C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital, researchers at the University of Michigan Health explored parental perceptions, attitudes, and awareness regarding their childrens caffeine consumption.

Study: Parents Asleep on Teen Caffeine Consumption? Image Credit: nednapa/Shutterstock.com

About the study

Caffeine is widely present in various foods and beverages and can cause several health issues, particularly in teenagers.

The C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital National Poll on Childrens Health investigated parents' awareness and perceptions of their childs caffeine consumption. This poll was conducted using a nationally representative sample.

The survey was conducted in February 2024, targeting parents with children aged 0-18 years. Specifically, the report focused on responses from 1,095 parents with teens aged 13-18.

The sample was carefully weighted to reflect the U.S. population, and the survey achieved a 61% completion rate. The margin of error ranged from 2 to 7 percentage points.

Findings

Approximately 25% of parents reported that their teenage child consumed caffeine either daily or nearly daily.

Common sources from which teenagers obtained caffeine included soda (which was reported by 73% of parents), tea (which was reported by 32%), coffee (reported by 31%), and energy drinks (reported by 22%).

Teenagers primarily consumed caffeine at home, as reported by 81% of parents, but also while eating out (43%), with their friends (35%), and at school (25%). Teens aged 16-18 were more likely to consume caffeine daily than those aged 13-15.

Answering questions related to reasons for caffeine consumption, parents reported that caffeine was consumed because it is present in favorite products (43%), peer influence (23%), to stay alert or awake (18%), manage early school times (16%), or aid studying (13%).

Regarding parental awareness and attitudes, two-thirds of parents believed they could gauge if their teen consumed excessive amounts of caffeine. At the same time, 60% showed awareness regarding the risks posed by highly caffeine products.

While 64% believed that daily caffeine limits according to health recommendations for teens are under 100mg, 57% said that they rarely checked caffeine contents while purchasing drinks for their teens.

Regarding parental behavior around caffeine, 67% reported that they consumed caffeine, 34% said that they were trying to reduce the amount of caffeine they consumed, and 16% reported that their child was trying to reduce their caffeine intake.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that while many parents are aware of caffeine's risks, there is still a gap in understanding the appropriate limits and monitoring intake.

With caffeine commonly consumed at home, parents can play a crucial role in reducing their teens' intake by choosing non-caffeinated products and educating them about the risks.

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and the brain, boosting alertness and energy, but can cause dependence and negative side effects, particularly in teens.

Excessive caffeine can impact teens' sleep, school performance, and mood, with adverse effects such as headaches and heart palpitations.

The Food and Drug Administration has no specific guidelines for teens, but experts have suggested that their intake is limited to 100 mg daily. The Mott Poll found that many parents are unaware of these limits and the caffeine content in various products, including soda, energy drinks, and snack foods.

As teens gain independence, they often consume caffeine without parental oversight. Parents should discuss the risks of excessive caffeine with their teens, check product labels, and encourage non-caffeinated alternatives.

Reducing caffeine intake can be challenging and may cause withdrawal symptoms. Parents can use their own experiences to help teens cut back gradually and may seek support from healthcare providers.

Addressing caffeine consumption early can prevent dependency and related health issues, promoting better overall health and well-being for teenagers.
Brain fog after COVID-19 is biologically similar to cognitive impairment caused by cancer chemotherapy, something doctors often refer to as "chemo brain." In both cases, excessive inflammation damages the same brain cells and processes, according to research led by Stanford University School of Medicine.

The discovery, described in a paper that published online June 12 in Cell, relied on studies of mice with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and postmortem human brain tissue collected early in the pandemic. The findings may help guide treatments for cognitive effects of COVID-19, the scientists said.

We found that even mild COVID can cause prominent inflammation in the brain that dysregulates brain cells and would be expected to contribute to cognitive impairment." Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences

Monje shares senior authorship of the study with Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, professor of immunology and of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale University. The study's lead authors are Anthony Fernandez-Castaneda, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford; Anna Geraghty, PhD, an instructor of neurology at Stanford; and Peiwen Lu, PhD, and graduate student Eric Song, both of Yale.

The overlap between what happens in COVID-19's cognitive aftermath and chemo brain, as it's colloquially known, could be good news for patients because it may speed research on treatments, Monje said. "The exciting message is that because the pathophysiology is so similar, the last couple of decades in cancer therapy-related research can guide us to treatments that may help COVID brain fog."

Nerves' insulation damaged

Monje's team has spent two decades studying cognitive impairment after cancer. They uncovered key details in how chemotherapy impairs the function of the brain's white matter, regions of the brain normally rich in well-insulated nerve fibers that quickly transmit signals from one place to another. Myelin, the fatty coating insulating the long arms of the neurons, helps speed the transmission of nerve signals. In chemo brain, damage to myelin slows their transmission.

"When the pandemic started, I started worrying that we would see similar neurological consequences of this profoundly immunogenic virus," Monje said. Because the virus caused such a strong immune response, including widespread inflammation, she suspected it might also cause cognitive problems.

Many COVID-19 survivors experience cognitive impairment. Stanford research published in March 2021, covering the first year of the pandemic, found that about one in four COVID-19 patients had cognitive symptoms that lingered at least two months, even after mild infections. Patients' symptoms included impairments to attention, concentration, memory and executive function, as well as slower information processing  all of which are also common among people who experience chemo brain after cancer treatment.

Monje and her colleagues examined brain changes in mice in which the researchers had induced SARS-CoV-2 infections confined to the respiratory system. Mice lack the cellular receptors that the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses to invade human cells, but animals in the study were genetically engineered to express the necessary receptors in the respiratory tract. After exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the mice had mild infections: They did not lose weight or behave as though they were ill, and the virus was not found in their brains.

Nevertheless, scientists saw more of several inflammatory cytokines in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of the mice, increases that could be detected one and seven weeks after infection. In their white matter, the microglia  brain cells that support neurons and eat cellular debris in the brain  were much more active than normal, an abnormality that persisted seven weeks after infection.

After mild COVID-19, analysis of gene activity in single cells uncovered more microglia with high levels of pro-inflammatory molecules called chemokines and more activity in genes involved in inflammation. The genes expressed in microglia after COVID-19 overlapped closely with those expressed by microglia in other disease contexts, including cognitive decline in aging and in neurological conditions such as Alzheimers disease. This finding lines up with prior work linking microglial reactivity to poor cognitive function.

Microglial reactivity was particularly high in the hippocampus, a brain center involved in learning and memory. The researchers found that one of the elevated chemokines called CCL11 can directly cause microglial reactivity specifically in the hippocampus. The formation of new neurons in the hippocampus of the mice was impaired, likely due to the cytokine changes and the increased reactivity of microglia.

After infection, the mice also showed changes among cells in the white matter that help coat the neurons in insulating myelin. The cells that create myelin, called oligodendrocytes, were harmed by mild COVID-19, with the number of mature oligodendrocytes and cells destined to be oligodendrocytes declining in the brains of mice following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers also found a loss of myelin, evident as a decrease in the density of myelinated axons in the white matter, which could be detected by one week and persisted seven weeks after infection.

Because other viral infections can cause brain inflammation, the researchers studied brain changes in mice after mild respiratory infection with H1N1 influenza, the viral strain that caused the 2009 swine flu and 1918 Spanish flu pandemics. The goal was to compare cognition-linked molecular changes after H1N1 to those seen after COVID-19. One week after infection, the H1N1 flu and SARS-CoV-2 infections caused similar patterns of cytokine elevation in the central nervous system, microglial reactivity and loss of oligodendrocytes in white matter. But seven weeks after infection, although the cytokine profiles had some overlap, including increased inflammatory chemokine CCL11, they differed. Effects on the hippocampus were similar in the two types of infections, but microglial reactivity and oligodendrocyte loss in white matter were not present after seven weeks following H1N1 infection.

The shorter-lasting and less-severe brain changes seen in mice after H1N1 infection are consistent with less prevalent reports of cognitive symptoms after this type of infection, highlighting that respiratory infections can change the brain even if the virus does not infect the brain, the researchers said.

Human data similar to animal findings

To further confirm their findings, the researchers examined data from brain tissue collected from a small group of people who had died suddenly in New York City in the spring of 2020. The human brain tissue came from five people who died with incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection (meaning they died for reasons that may have been unrelated to COVID-19, such as accidents); four people who died with known COVID-19 symptoms, including two who had been hospitalized in intensive care; and nine people in the control group who died without SARS-CoV-2 infection. People with SARS-CoV-2 infection were examined for lung injury and were not found to have had the most severe form of pneumonia. These people had no evidence of brain infection. However, those with COVID-19 had greater microglial reactivity than those in the control group, in a pattern that matched what was found in the mice.

In another group of 48 people who developed long COVID-19 with cognitive symptoms, the inflammatory cytokine CCL11 blood levels were elevated compared with those of 15 long- COVID patients who did not have cognitive symptoms.

Monjes team is already conducting research on medications that could alleviate brain fog after chemotherapy, and they plan to investigate whether these drugs are helpful after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

While there are many similarities to cognitive impairment after cancer, there are probably differences, too, she said. We need to test any potential therapies explicitly for COVID.

Monje is a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanfords Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, the Stanford Cancer Institute, and the Stanford Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.

Scientists from Yale University, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, the National Cancer Institute, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, University of Iowa, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (New York City), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (at Yale and at Stanford) also contributed to the research.

The research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (grants R01NS092597, NS003130 and NS003157), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant R01AI157488), an NIH Directors Pioneer Award (DP1NS111132), the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Waxman Family Research Fund, Fast Grant for Emergent Ventures at the Mercatus Center, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Here in the rugged foothills of California's Sierra Nevada, the streets aren't littered with needles and dealers aren't hustling drugs on the corner.

But meth is almost as easy to come by as a hazy IPA or locally grown weed.

Quinn Coburn knows the lifestyle well. He has used meth most of his adult life, and has done five stints in jail for dealing marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin. Now 56, Coburn wants to get sober for good, and he says an experimental program through Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, which covers low-income people, is helping.

As part of an innovative approach called "contingency management," Coburn pees in a cup and gets paid for it  as long as the sample is clean of stimulants.

In the coming fiscal year, the state is expected to allocate $61 million to the experiment, which targets addiction to stimulants such as meth and cocaine. It is part of a broader Medi-Cal initiative called CalAIM, which provides social and behavioral health services, including addiction treatment, to some of the state's sickest and most vulnerable patients.

Since April 2023, 19 counties have enrolled a total of about 2,700 patients, including Coburn, according to the state Department of Health Care Services.

"It's that little something that's holding me accountable," said Coburn, a former construction worker who has tried repeatedly to kick his habit. He is also motivated to stay clean to fight criminal charges for possession of drugs and firearms, which he vociferously denies.

Coburn received $10 for each clean urine test he provided the first week of the program. Participants get a little more money in successive weeks: $11.50 per test in week two, $13 in week three, up to $26.50 per test.

They can earn as much as $599 a year. As of mid-May, Coburn had completed 20 weeks and made $521.50.

Participants receive at least six months of additional behavioral health treatment after the urine testing ends.

The state has poured significant money and effort into curbing opioid addiction and fentanyl trafficking, but the use of stimulants is also exploding in California. According to the state Department of Health Care Services, the rate of Californians dying from them doubled from 2019 to 2023.

Although the cutting-edge treatment can work for opioids and other drugs, California has prioritized stimulants. To qualify, patients must have moderate to severe stimulant use disorder, which includes symptoms such as strong cravings for the drug and prioritizing it over personal health and well-being.

Substance use experts say incentive programs that reward participants, even in a small way, can have a powerful effect with meth users in particular, and a growing body of evidence indicates they can lead to long-term abstinence.

"The way stimulants work on the brain is different than how opiates or alcohol works on the brain," said John Duff, lead program director at Common Goals, an outpatient drug and alcohol counseling center in Grass Valley, where Coburn receives treatment.

"The reward system in the brain is more activated with amphetamine users, so getting $10 or $20 at a time is more enticing than sitting in group therapy," Duff said.

Duff acknowledged he was skeptical of the multimillion-dollar price tag for an experimental program. "You're talking about a lot of money," he said. "It was a hard sell."

What convinced him? "People are showing up, consistently. To get off stimulants, it's proving to be very effective."

California was the first state to cover this approach as a benefit in its Medicaid program, according to the Department of Health Care Services, though other states have since followed, including Montana.

Participants in Nevada County must show up twice a week to provide a urine sample, tapering to once a week for the second half of treatment. Every time the sample is free of stimulants, they get paid via a retail gift card  even if the sample is positive for other kinds of drugs, including opioids.

Though participants can collect the money after each clean test, many opt for a lump sum after completing the 24-week program, Duff said. They can choose gift cards from companies such as Walmart, Bath & Body Works, Petco, Subway, and Hotels.com.

Charlie Abernathybettis  Coburn's substance use disorder counselor, who helps run the program for Nevada County  said not everyone consistently produces a clean urine test, and he has devised a system to stop people from rigging their results.

For example, he uses blue toilet cleaner to prevent patients from watering down their urine, and has dismantled a spigot on the bathroom faucet to keep them from using warm water for the same purpose.

If participants fail, there are no consequences. They simply don't get paid that day, and can show up and try again.

"We aren't going to change behavior by penalizing people for their addiction," Abernathybettis said, noting the ultimate goal is to transition participants into long-term treatment. "Hopefully you feel comfortable here and I can convince you to sign up for outpatient treatment."

Abernathybettis has employed a tough love approach to addiction therapy that has helped keep Coburn sober and accountable since he started in January. "It's different this time," Coburn said as he lit a cigarette on a sunny afternoon in April. "I have support now. I know my life is on the line."

Growing up in the Bay Area, Coburn never quite felt like he fit in. He was adopted at an early age and dropped out of high school. His erratic home life set him on a course of hard drug use and crime, including manufacturing and selling drugs, he said.

"When I first did crank, it made me feel like I was human for the first time. All my phobias about being antisocial left me," Coburn said, using a street name for meth.

Coburn escaped to the solitude of the mountains, trees, and rivers that define the rural landscape in Grass Valley, but the area was also rife with drugs.

Construction accidents in 2012 left him in excruciating pain  and unable to work.

Coburn fell deeper into the drug scene, as both a user and a manufacturer. "You wouldn't believe the market up here for it  more than you can even imagine," he said. "It's not an excuse, but I had no way to make a living."

Financially strapped, he rented a cheap, converted garage from another local drug dealer, he said. Law enforcement officers raided the house in October, and authorities found a gun and large amounts of fentanyl and heroin. Coburn, who faces up to 30 years in prison, vigorously defends himself, saying the drugs and weapons were not his. "All the other ones I did. Not this one," he said.

Coburn is also in an outpatient addiction program and is active in Alcoholics Anonymous, sometimes attending multiple meetings a day.

Every week, the small payments from the Medi-Cal experiment feel like small wins, he said.

He is planning to take his $599 as a lump sum and give it to his foster parents, with whom he is living as he fights his criminal charges.

"It's the least I can do for them letting me stay with them and get better," Coburn said, choking back tears. "I'm not giving up."

This article is part of "Faces of Medi-Cal," a California Healthline series exploring the impact of the state's safety-net health program on enrollees.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
A new research paper was published in Genes & Cancer on May 16, 2024, entitled, "Inhibitory effect of miR-377 on the proliferative and invasive behaviors of prostate cancer cells through the modulation of MYC mRNA via its interaction with BCL-2/Bax, PTEN, and CDK4."

The MYC gene is a regulatory and proto-oncogenic gene that is overexpressed in the majority of prostate cancers (PCa). Numerous studies have indicated that aberrant expression of microRNAs is involved in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. In this new study, researchers Yasamin Azimi, Sara Hajibabaei, Ghazal Azimi, Fatemeh Rahimi-Jamnani, and Masoumeh Azizi from the Pasteur Institute of Iran and Islamic Azad University assessed the impact of miR-377 on MYC through luciferase assay.

"[...] it is of utmost importance to conduct research on the molecular pathways underlying the progression of PCa, as this may potentially lead to the development of a novel approach for targeted treatment of the disease."

Real-time PCR was employed to determine whether miR-377 could reduce the levels of MYC mRNA in transfected PCa cell lines (PC-3 and DU145) and change in the mRNA levels of BCL-2/Bax, PTEN, and CDK4 as a consequence of MYC downregulation. Moreover, the researchers analyzed the effects of miR-377 on apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, and wound healing.

Their findings demonstrate that miR-377 effectively targets MYC mRNA, as confirmed by luciferase assay and Real-time PCR. They observed a significant reduction in BCL-2 and CDK4 expression, along with an increase in Bax and PTEN, in prostate cancer cell lines upon MYC suppression. Additionally, elevated levels of miR-377 in PCa cell lines induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation and migration, and arrested the cell cycle.

"Taken together, these results unveil the inhibitory role of miR-377 in MYC function within PCa, thereby suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of this malignancy."
UC San Francisco researchers have received $12.45 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to lead the first long-term study of cancer among Asian Americans, a highly diverse yet understudied group.

Despite a growing incidence of cancers that in some cases exceed those of other groups, there has never been a national longitudinal study of cancer in the Asian American community, and there are many open questions.

For example, the researchers are seeking to understand why Asian-American women who never smoked are susceptible to lung cancer, and why Asian Americans have become the first racial/ethnic group for whom cancer is the leading cause of death.

Researchers also plan to study the increasing rates of breast cancer, especially among young Asian-American women; and the relatively high rates of nasopharyngeal cancer, a type of head-and-neck cancer, in Chinese Americans; as well as liver cancer in Southeast Asian Americans; gastric cancer in Korean and Japanese Americans; and thyroid cancer in Filipino Americans.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial and ethnic group in the United States and comprise 7% of the population. Yet, as of 2020, less than 1% of funding from the National Institutes of Health was devoted to research on Asian Americans. A 2016 review of NCI grants found almost no studies on the causes of cancer among Asian Americans.

The fact there's been so little funded research in the cancer etiology of Asian Americans continues to perpetuate the sense that the cancer burden in these populations is very low. That the NCI recognized this as a major gap and will be providing funding for this historic cohort is a significant step forward." Scarlett Lin Gomez, PhD, MPH, co-leader of the Cancer Control Program at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, and one of three co-principal investigators of the study

Study seeks participants from every Asian-American group

The grant supports the creation of a national cohort called ASPIRE, or ASian American ProspectIve REseach. Gomez, along with co-principal investigators Iona Cheng, PhD, MPH, and Salma Shariff-Marco, PhD, MPH, will lead the effort in collaboration with UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai, the University of Hawaii, Temple University, and Jefferson University.

"As the first national cohort to study cancer risks in our diverse Asian American communities, this is a historic milestone," said former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, Howard Koh, MD, MPH, of the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School, who serves on ASPIRE's scientific advisory board. "Our communities have been waiting for this moment for a lifetime, and we hope they will join the call to action to be a part of ASPIRE."

The initial cohort will be supported by a national network of partners across about 20 academic institutions, 40 community organizations, and two policy groups committed to Asian-American health. In the coming years, they plan to recruit 20,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 75 years old from all Asian-American ethnic groups with diverse socioeconomic levels and lifestyles. They aim to expand the study to at least 50,000 participants.

Recruitment will be centered in selected regions that comprise more than a third of the Asian-American population: California (the Bay Area, L.A, Orange County, and Sacramento) as well as the New York metropolitan region, including North Jersey, and the Philadelphia metropolitan area, which includes South Jersey. Researchers also will recruit nationally.

Alarming trends that need continued study

Cancer patterns for Asian Americans differ from those found in Asian countries, and new research shows anti-Asian discrimination has increased such cancer health risks as tobacco use and obesity. It also affects the extent to which Asian Americans get screened for cancer and utilize other types of health care.

"There are unique cancer burdens in these groups, and the patterns and trends get lost when Asian American data are aggregated into one single statistic," said Cheng, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics. "We don't have cohort studies that can tell us what the risk factors are for cancer in diverse Asian-American populations."
Highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPI) are increasingly in demand, particularly in areas of precision medicine and anti-cancer therapeutics.

Image Credit: Powder Systems

These small molecules and biologics serve as the foundation for a range of innovative drug products, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and emerging drug substances aimed at treating autoimmune diseases. Notably, highly potent compounds now represent over 30% of the pharmaceutical industrys drug pipeline.1

Despite the multifold opportunities offered by HPAPI development and manufacturing, extreme care must be taken during the process development phase. Potent APIs consist of highly toxic payloads, which can be extremely hazardous at low concentrations. The Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for ADCs, for example, is below 0.1 g/m3.2

Knowing this, contract manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies must create appropriate engineering controls to guarantee safe handling and completely remove cross-contamination of HPAPIs.

Agitated nutsche filter dryer (ANFD) systems with appropriate isolator designs provide the correct level of containment required for safe and effective HPAPI development.

Rigid Double Chamber Discharge Isolator for low nanogram containment performance. Image Credit: Powder Systems

Flexible Discharge Glovebag for OEB4 Applications. Image Credit: Powder Systems

Understanding ANFD containment

ANFD systems are present throughout the HPAPI pipeline, including intermediate and final product manufacturing. In either scenario, products with high-toxicity payloads are discharged from a plug and must be effectively contained, either prior to being looped back to an earlier phase of development or being filled into packaging containers.

Conventional ANFD systems contain a vessel with an opening piston valve to discharge products. However, this kind of design commonly requires manual intervention because of the residual product heel.

Naturally, this does not meet current regulatory standards for HPAPI manufacturing, and manufacturers would not want to discard this residual product as it could represent significant market value, potentially worth hundreds or thousands. The plug must be isolated to prevent exposure for operatives, but not all containment systems are designed equally.

Isolating the process utilizing a flexible container is one approach; however, this is not suitable for compounds classified above Occupational Exposure Band (OEB) 4. Increased containment needs a rigid isolator as well as air management capabilities.

For HPAPI containment, a single chamber glove box with a negative pressure environment and additional safety features can be suitable. However, there are further considerations to make in addition to physical isolation and air management.

In a single chamber configuration, various packaging arrangements like continuous liners, rapid transfer ports, or split valve technology can be employed.

Alternatively, a double chamber setup involves discharging the product into a primary chamber for packaging before transitioning into a secondary chamber. This represents a high-end yet highly effective solution for achieving optimal containment performance. Lastly, the most advanced approach to HPAPI manufacturing involves total process isolation.

Selecting the right HPAPI development solution

Selecting the appropriate containment method is crucial, but it involves a complex decision-making process.

It is imperative to minimize initial sources of contamination, emphasizing containment and air management around the discharge plug as a priority. However, equipment manufacturers must also anticipate critical process parameters to ensure the containment system operates effectively.

For instance, when discharging products as powder, it is essential to do so gently to control entry into the glovebox, reducing the risk of airborne powder and excessive coating of internal surfaces.

Additionally, certain stages of ANFD operation occur under vacuum conditions, which means utility lines (i.e., dust filters) need protection to avoid recirculating contamination downstream to ancillary systems.

Cleanability is another significant consideration. ANFD systems may offer limited flexibility if trace product retention is an issue; thus, operators must be able to clean the vessel safely without risking exposure to themselves.

Powder Systems Limited has designed ANFD solutions with enclosures suitable for the most potent drugs in development. PSL can anticipate crucial features that improve the filter drying process from both a performance and regulatory perspective.

One approach to achieving this is through meticulous vessel design aimed at eradicating retention areas. The objective is to enhance cleanability and flexibility, resulting in a safer and more adaptable instrument. The dust filter is similarly crafted with HPAPI production considerations, incorporating a safe change design to prevent particles from migrating downstream.

Finally, PSL offers a preventative maintenance program to maintain the performance of ANFD systems and guarantee process optimization and user safety. Proper housekeeping is the first rule of containment, meaning that maintenance of optical conditions is essential to operator safety.

PSLs objective is to assist its customers in addressing the rising demand for high-potency compounds and maximizing their benefits in this dynamic marketplace, all while ensuring that operators are not exposed to any risks associated with potent chemicals.

References and further reading:

About Powder Systems

Powder Systems Limited (PSL) provides a full range of solid liquid separation solutions for filtration, drying, and processing from research and development activities up to larger commercial production scale.

Quality and innovation are central to everything they do. They are proud of their award-winning track record and have been working with industry partners for over 35 years.

PSL supports clients by developing solutions to overcome challenging manufacturing processes and provide first-class aftercare services.

Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments.
The Reserve Bank on Wednesday approved a Rs 2.11 lakh crore dividend payout to the central government for 2023-24, more than double the amount it paid for the previous 2022-23 financial year. The decision was taken at the 608th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India held under the chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das.

The Boardapproved the transfer of Rs 2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2023-24, RBI said in a statement. The dividend payout was Rs 87,416 crore for 2022-23.

With the revival in economic growth in FY 2022-23, the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) was increased to 6.00 per cent. As the economy remains robust and resilient, the Board has decided to increase the CRB to 6.50 per cent for FY 2023-24, the RBI said.
SpiceJet will seek a refund of Rs 450 crore out of the Rs 730 crore it has previously paid to former promoter Kalanithi Maran and his firm, KAL Airways, following the Delhi High Courts order on May 17.

The Division Bench of the Delhi High Court ruled on May 17 in favour of SpiceJet and its promoter, Ajay Singh, in the long-standing share transfer case against former promoter Kalanithi Maran and his firm, KAL Airways. This ruling overturns a previous decision by a single-judge bench, positioning SpiceJet to claim a substantial refund based on legal advice.

SpiceJet has paid a total of Rs 730 crore, comprising Rs 580 crore in principal along with an additional Rs 150 crore towards interest to Maran and KAL Airways. With the setting aside of the impugned order, SpiceJet is set to receive a refund of Rs 450 crore, Spicejet said in a statement.

The appeal brought forth by SpiceJet and Ajay Singh challenged several critical issues related to the award of refund and the justification of interest in the case. The Division Bench found substantial merit in these challenges, noting that they were not adequately addressed in the previous order dated July 31, 2023.

In its ruling, the Division Bench held that the Single Judge had erred in dismissing the Section 34 petitions of Ajay Singh and SpiceJet without due consideration of the claims of patent illegality and the order of refund passed against SpiceJet despite admitted breaches on the part of KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran, the airline stated.

The Court has also noted that interest amounting to penal interest had been charged despite SpiceJet not being in any breach of the Share Purchase Agreement. These facts not being considered by the single judge, the appeals of Ajay Singh and SpiceJet have been allowed, and the impugned judgment dated July 31, 2023, has been set aside.
Stocks To Watch On May 22: Equity markets declined in a volatile trade on Tuesday amid weak trends from Asian and European markets. In todays trade, shares of Apollo Tyres, Protean e-Gov Tech, Sun Pharma, Nykaa, Paytm among others will be in focus due to various news developments and quarterly earnings.

Sun Pharma, Grasim, Nykaa, Paytm, Jubilant Food, Gland Pharma

Shares of Sun Pharma, Grasim, Nykaa, Paytm, Jubilant Food and Gland Pharma will be in focus as the companies will announce quarterly results.

RIL: Oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) on Tuesday said Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a fully owned subsidiary of Nel ASA, has entered into a technology licensing agreement with it for electrolyser manufacturing in India.

Sun Pharma: Pharmaceutical giant will release its Q4FY24 today, May 22. It is set to see a strong financial earnings on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis for Q4FY24, showing a 8-14 per cent Y-o-Y jump in its topline, registering revenues in the range of Rs 11,858 crore and Rs 12,472 crore, according to brokerage estimates. The company recorded a revenue of Rs 10,930 crore in the Q4FY23.

HDFC Bank: Private sector lender HDFC Bank on Tuesday sold its entire 3.20 per cent stake in Protean eGov Technologies Rs 150 crore via open market transaction.

BHEL: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) net profit plummeted 25.6 per cent to Rs 489.6 crore as opposed to Rs 658 crore in the previous year. Meanwhile, revenue saw a slight uptick of 0.4 per cent to Rs 8,260.3 crore compared to Rs 8,227 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

TVS Motor: The two-wheeler manufacturer unveiled the TVS iQube electric scooter in Sri Lanka.

United Spirits: Company has received a notice to pay water charge arrears of Rs 345.45 crore from the Water Resources Department, Maharashtra.

JK Tyre: The tyre maker profit rose 56.2 per cent to Rs 169.3 crore from Rs 108.4 crore in the previous year, alongside a 1.8 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 3,698.5 crore from Rs 3,632.5 crore year-on-year.

Lupin: Companys subsidiary has reached a settlement agreement with Health Care Service regarding a case involving the diabetes drug Glumetza, agreeing to pay $9 million to Health Care Service as part of the settlement agreement.

Metropolis Healthcare: Metropolis Healthcares net profit rose 9.3 per cent to Rs 36.4 crore compared to Rs 33.3 crore in the previous year. Revenue surged 17.2 per cent to Rs 331 crore from Rs 282.5 crore year-on-year.

Apollo Tyres: Warburg Pincus arm White Iris Investment will likely offload 3.5% stake in Apollo Tyres through block deals, according to reports.
The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education (BIEAP) is expected to release the admit cards for the AP Intermediate Supplementary Examination 2024 soon on its official website at bieap.apcfss.in. To download their hall tickets, candidates are required to input their application number and date of birth.

As per media reports, BIEAP Inter Supply hall tickets 2024 are expected to be released by today, May 22, afternoon. The exam will commence on May 24. Candidates are advised to continuously check the official website for the direct link. Those who are scheduled to appear for the AP Inter Supply Exam 2024 will need to carry the hall ticket to the exam centre.

The supplementary exams will be conducted in two shifts. The 1st-year exam is scheduled for the morning shift from 9 AM to 12 PM, while the 2nd-year exams will take place in the afternoon shift from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

How to download the AP Inter Supply Exam 2024 Admit Card?

Step 1: Visit the official website of BIEAP, that is, bie.ap.gov.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, find and click on the link: IPASE 2024 Hall Ticket Download.

Step 3: Log in using your credentials and then click on the submit button.

Step 4: Select the option to download the hall ticket.

Step 5: Download and dont forget to print a hard copy of the admit card for future use.

AP Inter Supply Admit Cards 2024: Exam Schedule

May 24: Part 2: 2nd Language Paper-I (1st Year), Part II: 2nd Language Paper-II (2nd Year)

May 25: Part-1 English Paper- I (1st year), Part-I English Paper-II (2nd year)

May 27: Part 3  Mathematics Paper-I A, Botany Paper 1, and Civics Paper 1. (For both 1st and 2nd year)

May 28: Part 4 and 5: Mathematics Paper-1B, Zoology Paper 1, and History Paper 1 (For 1st year) and Mathematics Paper-2B, Zoology Paper 2, and History Paper 2 (for 2nd year)

May 29: Physics Paper 1 and Economics Paper 1 (For 1st Year) and Physics Paper 2 and Economics Paper 2 (for 2nd year)

May 30: Part 6, 7, 8: Chemistry Paper 1, Commerce Paper 1, Sociology Paper 1, and Fine Arts/Music Paper 1 (For both 1st and 2nd year)

According to data released by the AP Board earlier this month, girls have exhibited a notable lead over boys in academic performance. Among the total number of girls who took the exams, an impressive 70 per cent passed successfully, while only 47 per cent of boys achieved the same feat.

Students must attain a minimum of 35 per cent in each subject to pass the exam. For those who receive low marks or fail in one or more subjects, the option of sending their answer sheets for rechecking or re-evaluation is available. The marks obtained after re-evaluation will be deemed final.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
MSBSHSE SSC Result 2024: Last Year's Statistics Last year, 15,77,256 students registered to appear for the SSC exam. Out of the total number of those who appeared in the examination, 8,44,116 were boys and 7,33,067 were girls. Last year, 93.83 per cent of students passed the examination. Out of the total, the girls pass percentage was 95.87%. Girls performed better than boys.

Maharashtra SSC 10th Result 2024: How to Check Through DigiLocker? Step 1: Go to the DigiLocker website  digilocker.gov.in or download the app Step 2: Click on Register for DigiLocker Step 3: Enter a valid mobile number. Enter the OTP sent to the registered mobile number Step 4: Set your username and password Step 5: Enter your Aadhar number Step 6: Sign in using your registered user name and password to check results.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: How to Check via SMS? Step 1: Type MHSSC [space] Seat Number Step 2: Send the SMS to 57766 Step 3: Students will receive their results on their mobile phones.

Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2024: Will MSBSHSE Release Toppers List? For the last few years, MSBSHSE has not released any toppers list or merit list. The same is likey to be followed this year as well.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Grading System 75% and above  Distinction 60% and above  First Division 45% to 59%  Second Division 35% to 44%  Pass Grade Below 33%  Failed

MHT CET 2024 Answer Key For PCM, PCB Released at cetcell.mahacet.org; How to Check? The MHT CET answer key 2024 has been released by The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Candidates can download the answer key from the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org. If candidates want to raise objections against the answer keys, they can do so from today, May 22 by submitting the objections through the official website by paying Rs 1000 per objectionread more

Maharashtra SSC 10th Results 2024: Girls Outperformed Boys Last Year Girls performed better than boys in the last year Maharashtra SSC results. The pass percentage among girls stood at 95.87%.

Maharashtra SSC 10th Results 2024: Login Credentials The Maharashtra SSC board results will be declared soon. Once announced, students will need their roll or registration numbers and their mothers name to check the scores.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Re-verification of Marks Students who are not happy with their marks can apply for recounting or verification of marks. Students will have to submit self-attested copies of their mark sheets online on the MSBSHSE portal after the SSC results are out.The process of verifying answer sheets will begin on May 28, and the registration period for answer sheet verification and photocopying will end on June 11.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: State Divided into 9 Divisions The state of Maharashtra has been divided into nine divisions in total  Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur, Konkan. The SSC results will be released on May 27 for all of these divisions.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Date and Time Announced The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is set to release the class 10th results 2024 on May 27 at 1 pm. Students who appeared for the exam will be able to check their results on MSBSHSEs official website, mahresult.nic.in.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Supply Exams For students who are not satisfied with their marks, they can appear in supply exams. In order to appear for the supplementary exams, students need to complete the application process by submitting a prescribed form before the specified last date. The tentative schedule for the supplementary exams is expected to take place in July. MSBSHSE will announce the exact schedule soon after the results are declared.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: What Was The Paper Leak Case in 2023? A private college in Maharashtra was probed for allegedly leaking the HSC Maths paper in 2023 and also compromising the chemistry and physics question papers to help its students score higher marks, a Mumbai crime branch official had said. The alleged malpractice came to light after Mumbai police scrutinised the WhatsApp messages of a few students of Ahmednagar-based Matoshri Bhagubai Bambare Agriculture and Science College and questioned its principal and a few teachers were arrested in the Maths paper case, an official had said.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: What Happened in 2022? A total of 16,38,964 students had registered for the Maharashtra SSC exam 2022 which included 8,89,505 male and 7,49,458 female students.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: What is Passing Criteria? According to MSBSHSE, the minimum passing percentage is set at 35 percent. This criterion applies to both the theory and practical papers of the examination, encompassing the overall performance of the students.

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: What About Original Mark Sheets? The marksheets will be distributed to schools. Students will then be able to collect their marksheets from their respective schools.

Maharashtra SSC 10th Result 2024: HSC District Wise Pass Percentage Konkan: 97.5% Nashik: 94.71% Pune: 94.44% Kolhapur: 94.24% Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: 94.08% Amravati: 93% Latur: 92.36% Nagpur: 92.12% Mumbai: 91.95%

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Past 5 Years' Pass Percentage Year Percentage 2023 93.83% 2022 96.94% 2021 99.95% 2020 95.30% 2019 77.10%

Maharashtra SSC Result 2024: Over 16 Lakh Students Awaiting Scores The Maharashtra Board 10th results 2024 are likely to be released soon. Over 16 lakh students are awaiting the SSC results.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress are busy campaigning for each others candidates with just two days left before campaigning ends for Delhi elections.

While Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal campaigned for Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar late on Tuesday night after returning from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot campaigned for AAPs South Delhi candidate and MLA Sahiram Pehelwan.

In Bhajanpura, with Kanhaiya Kumar following him in a separate vehicle, Kejriwal was back in his characteristic form. While in jail, one day, I was watching TV each cell has a TV and I saw that the Supreme Court had granted me bail. It was a miracle. The blessings of Bajrangbali are on me, I am a devotee of Bajrangbali and he orchestrated this miracle for me. Modi-ji had tried his best to keep me inside. However, he had to surrender to Bajrangbalis wishes, said the chief minister.

Chanting slogans of Jai Bajrangbali, Jai Shriram, Kejriwal continued with his familiar refrain that he was sent to jail so that work could be halted in Delhi, how he was denied insulin in jail, and how he would soon initiate the disbursal of Rs 1,000 for women. Agar aap ne Kamal ka button daba diya, toh mujhe jail jana padega. Aur agar aap yahan se haath ka, panje ka button dabaoge, toh mujhe jail nahi jana padega [If you vote for BJP, I will have to go to jail. But if you vote for Congress, I will not have to return to prison], said Kejriwal.

Kumar joined Kejriwal as the latter extended a hand to pull him up to the rooftop of the car and appealed to the people to vote for him: You will not find the jhadoo [broom] button. You will find the hand symbol at number 2. Press the number 2 button and make him( Kumar) win by a huge majority and defeat Rinkiya ke Pappa (MP Manoj Tewari).

Kumar was the first Congress candidate to meet Kejriwals wife Sunita when the Delhi chief minister was still in jail. He had followed it up with another visit after Kejriwal was released on bail.

Kumar is up against Manoj Tiwari, the two-time sitting MP. Tiwari, fighting to defend his seat, said these elections were about deciding the prime minister and people do not have anyone else in their minds except for PM Modi.

Incidentally, other AAP leaders, ministers and MLAs have also been lending support to the Congress candidates in North East, North West and Chandni Chowk. Similarly, Congress office-bearers and former legislators also campaigned for the AAP candidates. Kejriwal has already campaigned for Congress candidates Udit Raj in the North West constituency and JP Agarwal in the Chandni Chowk constituency.

On Monday, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, addressing his first rally in Delhi, had said: It is a strange situation. Kejriwal-ji will vote for the Congress while I will vote for the AAP. In a way, our karyakartas have come together in these elections because our aim is to save the Constitution.

However, while the AAP boss campaigned personally for Congress candidates, top leaders of Congress  Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge  have not yet campaigned for AAP candidates.

AAPs Raghav Chadha, who is back in Delhi after a long stint in London, also hit the campaign trail for the first time in South Delhi. Pehelwan is up against BJPs Ramvir Bidhuri, both of whom are MLAs. Speaking to reporters, Pilot said: The INDIA bloc is very strong and we are well-placed in Delhi in all seven seats. All our candidates are fighting a strong election. We should be able to win all seven seats in Delhi.

Unlike in 2014 and 2019, Delhi will see a bi-polar fight between the AAP-Congress on one side and the BJP on the other. In fact, the robust presence of people in the Nukkad Sabhas that are being addressed by the AAP boss are reminiscent of the 2013 Delhi assembly elections when AAP contested for the first time and won 28 seats.

Kejriwals release on interim bail by the Supreme Court has most certainly galvanised not just the AAP campaign but also that of the Congress in Delhi and the INDIA camp, infusing it with aggression and confidence.

Thirdly, even though the AAP has obtained the status of a national party, it is still not perceived as a stakeholder in the Lok Sabha elections where the Congress remains the principal opposition party. An alliance with Congress helps AAP in overcoming that hurdle. For the Congress, it could signal a revival in Delhi. After all, in the past 10 years, it has not been able to send a single MP from Delhi to Parliament and has zero MLAs in the assembly.

The 2024 Delhi elections, which almost seemed like a walkover for the BJP because of the over 50 per cent vote share in 2019 Lok Sabha, dont look like that anymore.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
The Ambala (SC) Lok Sabha constituency is one of 10 parliamentary constituencies in Haryana. The seat is reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and comprises entire Ambala and Panchkula districts as well as part of Yamunanagar district. Nine Assembly segments fall under the Ambala (SC) Lok Sabha seat, of which five are currently held by the BJP (Panchkula, Ambala Cantt, Ambala City, Jagadhri and Yamunanagar), while four are held by the Congress (Kalka, Naraingarh, Mulana-SC and Sadhaura-SC).

Polling Date  May 25, 2024; Phase 6

Sitting MP  Rattan Lal Kataria (BJP)

Candidates  Banto Kataria (BJP), Varun Choudhary (Congress)

Political Dynamics

Ambala has traditionally witnessed a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP (or its earlier version Jana Sangh) since 1967.

This time, too, the contest is mainly between the BJP and the Congress, which is fighting the election as part of the INDIA bloc.

Given the farmers anger against the BJP over the farm bills protest and now over the MSP demand, the Congress is at present ahead in the race in Ambala. But the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi may help BJP catch up

BJP: The saffron party is eyeing to retain all 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana after effecting a major shake-up in the state leadership in March this year.

The saffron party is eyeing to retain all 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana after effecting a major shake-up in the state leadership in March this year. In Ambala, the BJP has fielded Banto Kataria, the wife of former Union Minister and three-time MP Rattan Lal Kataria, who passed away last year.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rattan Lal Kataria had defeated then Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Kumari Selja by securing 57% votes with a huge margin of about 3.42 lakh votes.

Contesting her first Lok Sabha election, Banto Kataria is confident that the work done by the partys double engine government and her husbands legacy would ensure her victory.

Besides, she has also been emphasising on the Modi governments pro-women initiatives like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for reserving one-third seats in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies for women, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme.

She has been campaigning in different parts of Ambala parliamentary constituency, including Panchkula and Yamunanagar, and claims to be getting support from the people. She, however, acknowledged that the support she is getting is in part due to the legacy left behind by her husband.

Rattan Lal Kataria, who was the BJPs Dalit face in Haryana, represented Ambala in the Lok Sabha three times. The Ambala (reserved) seat had been lying vacant since he passed away last year.

Bold Move with Saini: Just days before the elections were announced, the ruling BJP in Haryana sprung a surprise and replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with state unit president Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister.

Just days before the elections were announced, the ruling BJP in Haryana sprung a surprise and replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with state unit president Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister. The CM switch comes a few months ahead of the Assembly polls, but the move is also seen as an attempt to consolidate Haryanas non-Jat vote for the parliamentary polls.

Saini is from the Other Backward Class community and will help in the consolidation of the non-Jat vote in the state.

Simultaneously, the BJP also ditched the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which came to its rescue when it failed to win a majority in the Vidhan Sabha after the 2019 Assembly polls.

Pre-Poll Crisis: The saffron party has been going through turbulent times in the Haryana Assembly that threatens to muddy the waters when it comes to optics.

The saffron party has been going through turbulent times in the Haryana Assembly that threatens to muddy the waters when it comes to optics. The new Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government had won the confidence vote in March but three Independent MLAs who supported it switched loyalties to the Congress earlier this month, reducing the Saini government to a minority in the 90-member House which has a current effective strength of 88.

Top ministers and party leaders maintain the state government can prove its majority in the Assembly if the Governor issues a direction to hold a floor test.

BJP leaders claim that some members of the Jannayak Janata Party will extend support to the government even though the BJP-JJP alliance has ended.

But the JJP leadership has categorically stated it wants the Saini government to go.

In the present Assembly, the BJP has 40 members and also enjoys the support of two Independents and the lone MLA of the Haryana Lokhit Party.

The Congress, JJP and the INLD have approached Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, seeking the dismissal of the minority government.

There are minimal chances of the floor test taking place before Lok Sabha voting in Haryana, but the perception that all is not well for the BJP doesnt bode wellduring general elections.

Farmers Ire: The BJPs souring ties with the farming community in North India since the 2020 protests is a major election factor in Haryana and neighbouring Punjab.

The BJPs souring ties with the farming community in North India since the 2020 protests is a major election factor in Haryana and neighbouring Punjab. Farmers have been holding protests against BJP candidates during their Lok Sabha polls campaigns to seek answers about their demands not being met.

On April 27, a group of farmers protested against BJPs Ambala candidate Banto Kataria during her campaign in Naggal village.

The protesters asked Kataria why the farmers marching towards Delhi to seek a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops were not allowed to proceed to the national capital and press for their demands.

Gurmeet Singh Majri, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), and other protesters also asked why barricades were erected at the Shambhu border point and why force was used against the farmers marching to Delhi.

Aseem Goyal, the Ambala City MLA and the minister of state for transport, tried to placate the farmers but they continued to protest.

Congress: The Congress is contesting on nine seats in the state this time, including Ambala, and has left the Kurukshetra seat for the Aam Aadmi Party as per the INDIA bloc seat-sharing in Haryana.

The Congress is contesting on nine seats in the state this time, including Ambala, and has left the Kurukshetra seat for the Aam Aadmi Party as per the INDIA bloc seat-sharing in Haryana. In Ambala, it has fielded its sitting Mullana MLA Varun Chaudhary, the son of former Haryana Congress chief Phool Chand Mullana.

In his speeches during campaigning in Ambala, 44-year-old Chaudhary has been highlighting the Congress Lok Sabha manifesto, focusing on five pillars of justice and 25 guarantees under them.

Chaudhary, who had got the best legislator award for 2020-21, has alleged that under BJP rule public transport system in Ambala has deteriorated and drug menace has entered villages.

He also claims introduction of digital portals, such as the Parivar Pehchan Patra (family id) by the BJP government, has added to the woes of the common people.

On May 3, two-time Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda promised to set up an Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in Ambala to promote industry and employment if the Congress is voted to power.

Jobs for more than 2 lakh youth in Haryana, minimum MSP guarantee and debt-waivers for farmers, 300 units of free electricity, gas cylinders for Rs 500, 50% reservation in jobs for women and Rs 1 lakh annually are some of the other promises being pitched by the grand old party in Ambala.

Caste Factors: Ambala is known to have a sizeable population from the Saini caste. The decision to make Nayab Singh Saini the Chief Minister will help the party net the Saini caste votes in the constituency. Other Haryana seats where the move may benefit the BJP in general elections are Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Hisar and Rewari districts.

Ambala is known to have a sizeable population from the Saini caste. The decision to make Nayab Singh Saini the Chief Minister will help the party net the Saini caste votes in the constituency. Other Haryana seats where the move may benefit the BJP in general elections are Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Hisar and Rewari districts. The saffron party may, however, end up ceding slim piece of its vote share to the JJP.

Dalits make up around 25% of the electorate in Ambala, with Sikhs, Rajputs, Jats and Brahmins among other communities. Many sub-groups within the Dalits are likely to side with the Congress though the BSP, which has also put up a candidate in Ambala, may make a mild dent.

In a first, Haryanas regional party, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), has given the Ambala ticket to Sikh candidate Gurpreet Singh, a practising lawyer at Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh. The 28-year-old is a resident of Panchkula.

The INLD putting up a candidate is not too good a news for the Congress which had been looking forward to sweeping Sikh votes in Ambala. The grand old party may still get majority of the Sikh votes here.

Key Constituency Issues

Farmers Demands: In February this year, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha spearheaded a Delhi Chalo march by farmers to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops.

In February this year, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha spearheaded a Delhi Chalo march by farmers to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops. The protesting farmers had been camping at the Shambhu and the Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 when their march was stopped by security forces.

Besides a legal guarantee for MSP, the farmers are demanding: Implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations; Pension for farmers and farm labourers; Farm debt waiver; No hike in electricity tariff; Withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence; Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act-2013; Compensation to the families of the farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21.

Poor Roads: Residents of several interior areas in Ambala have been demanding for few years of the poor condition of approach and local roads.

Residents of several interior areas in Ambala have been demanding for few years of the poor condition of approach and local roads. Filled with potholes, the roads are prone to accidents, particularly during monsoons.

While the administration has been in a rush to repair the roads, locals have been demanding permanent fixes instead of stop-gap measures.

Unemployment: The slow pace of industrial growth is also among local concerns. As a result, youth from Ambala are forced to move out of their hometowns in search for jobs.

The slow pace of industrial growth is also among local concerns. As a result, youth from Ambala are forced to move out of their hometowns in search for jobs. Locals say their next parliamentary representative should do more on getting investments to the districts for job and wealth creation.

Voter Demographics

SC  24.15%

Sikh  9.39%

Muslim  5.61%

Male Voters  10,51,443

Female Voters  9,35,635

Transgender Voters  76

Literacy rate  71.13%

Major Infra Projects in Ambala

Airport at Ambala Cantonment: In October last year, then Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar laid the foundation stone of a domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment.

In October last year, then Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar laid the foundation stone of a domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment. The civil enclave  a military airbase area allotted for civil aviation use  was sanctioned under the UDAN scheme.

The airport  touted as the dream project of then Haryana home minister Anil Vij, a six-time MLA from Ambala Cantonment  will be established on 20 acres, alongside the Air Force Station.

Khattar had said the airport will further increase Haryanas connectivity with other states and also spur economic activity. It can also act as a support facility for the Chandigarh airport, he had said.

The airport, once completed, will also use the already-existing runway of the Ambala Cantonment Airport Station for landing of commercial aircraft.

The Union Ministry of Defence has agreed to allow the use of the Air Force airstrip for civil aviation. The ministry also allotted about 20 acres of its land to build the civil enclave, with the Haryana government paying Rs 133 crore.

The Public Works department of the Haryana government has issued a tender worth Rs 16 crore for the construction of a terminal building.

It has separately approved Rs 25 crore for other works at the airport.

Ambala-Chandigarh Greenfield Corridor: This is a 32-km-long road that will connect the airport crossing to the Kurali bypass.It is part of the Mohali Master Plan and is intended to help decongest the Airport Road and other roads.

This is a 32-km-long road that will connect the airport crossing to the Kurali bypass.It is part of the Mohali Master Plan and is intended to help decongest the Airport Road and other roads. As of December 2023, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has acquired 80% of the land needed for the project.

Railway Projects: In February this year, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of seven rail overbridge/underbridge projects worth Rs 150.48 crore under the Ambala Division.

In February this year, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of seven rail overbridge/underbridge projects worth Rs 150.48 crore under the Ambala Division. The projects were meant for Yamunanagar, Ahmedgarh, Barara, Qila Raipur, Jamalpur Shaikhan, Uklana and Himmatana areas.

Vande Bharat Services: As of December 2023, as many as five Vande Bharat trains halt in Ambala.

As of December 2023, as many as five Vande Bharat trains halt in Ambala. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express on the New Delhi-Katra route and another on the Amb Andaura-New Delhi route stop at the Ambala Cantonment Railway Station.

The Vande Bharat train between Dehradun and Delhi halts at the Saharanpur Railway Station.

The latest Vande Bharat trains to halt in Ambala are the Katra to New Delhi Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Vande Bharat and the Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat. Both of these stops at the Ambala Cantonment railway station.

Ring Road Project: In June last year, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of the construction work of Ambala Green Fields six-lane ring road project at village Jandli in Ambala district.

In June last year, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of the construction work of Ambala Green Fields six-lane ring road project at village Jandli in Ambala district. The total length of this project is 23 km with an estimated cost of around Rs 1,100 crore.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
The Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, one of the 80 parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, falls under the General category and includes part of Azamgarh district. Presently, it comprises five Legislative Assembly segments: Gopalpur, Sagri, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, and Mehnagar (SC). Voting for the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat will take place in the sixth phase of General Elections 2024 on May 25. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

2019 Result and 2024 Candidates

The current MP of Azamgarh is Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2019 Lok Sabha Election, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had won from the seat. However, in 2022, Akhilesh Yadav stepped down as he had been elected as an MLA from the Karhal constituency in Mainpuri district, leading to by-elections in the same year. Dinesh Lal emerged victorious with a razor thin margin of 8,679 votes.

The top candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls are Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua (BJP), Dharmendra Yadav (SP) and Sabeeha Ansari (BSP).

Political Dynamics

A Very Close Contest

Azamgarh is poised for a very close contest between the BJP and the SP, with each side vying enviously for this seat. For the SP, its a matter of prestige as the Mulayam Singh Yadav family has traditionally enjoyed tremendous sway here. The BJP, meanwhile, has made significant inroads installing itself as a major player where it earlier did not exist. It will not come as a surprise if either of the two poles scrape through very narrowly in this close contest.

Since 1996, the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat has consistently been won by candidates from the Muslim and Yadav communities. In the previous two Lok Sabha elections, the SPs candidates, Akhilesh Yadav in 2019 and Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2014 secured massive victories over their BJP opponents, Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua and Ramakant Yadav, respectively, despite the Modi Wave.

However, in 2022, Akhilesh Yadav stepped down as he had been elected as an MLA from the Karhal constituency in Mainpuri district, leading to by-elections in the same year. The BJP fielded Dinesh Lal Yadav to contest against Dharmendra Yadav of the SP, resulting in a closely contested battle where Dinesh Lal emerged victorious with a razor thin margin of 8,679 votes and assumed the role of MP. In 2024, Azamgarh is all set to face a repeat of the same contest, with the two Yadavs in the fray again fighting it out for this coveted seat of Uttar Pradesh.

The Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, traditionally influenced by the Yadav community, holds significant importance in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. Algu Rai Shastri of the Congress marked the constituencys debut as its first Member of Parliament (MP) in 1952. However, since 1984, the Congress has faced challenges in reclaiming its position, as the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have taken turns in dominating the seat.

BJPs Growing Popularity

Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, a prominent actor from the Bhojpuri film industry, currently serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Azamgarh constituency in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, contesting for the BJP, competed against Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the Azamgarh constituency. Akhilesh Yadav emerged victorious with 621,578 votes, while Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua received 361,704 votes, resulting in his defeat. However, his fortunes changed in 2022.

A considerable amount of work has been done by the BJP, which is serious about retaining this constituency despite challenging caste equations. The internal road network has been significantly improved and is a notable highlight of their MPs short tenure there.

The BJP is embarking on an aggressive campaign attempting to woo Yadav voters away from the SP-fold. The party also enjoys the support from a considerable share of Dalit votes. Meanwhile, voters from forward castes and those OBCs have emerged as core voters for the party in recent elections.

The Modi-Yogi double engine government also has a following here, with voters swayed by the pace of development, improvement in law and order and implementation of welfare schemes which have made a strong impact here. Schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and Garib Kalyan Yojana have made their way effectively, turning villages in favour of the Modi factor. Moreover, the Ram Mandir effect is evident among forward caste voters especially.

SPs Family Connection

In the current scenario, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Dharmendra Yadav is encountering challenging conditions, with Nirahua s popularity, vigorous campaigning from the BJP and the charisma of PM Modi adding to the mix. Furthermore, marking a significant shift since its establishment in 1992, the SP is poised to enter a Lok Sabha election without its founder, Mulayam Singh Yadav, for the first time. With the loss of the Lok Sabha seat to the BJP in the 2022 parliamentary by-poll, the Samajwadi Party has intensified its groundwork in Azamgarh as it endeavours to reclaim the constituency.

Dharmendra Yadav, a three-time MP in the Lok Sabha, is a cousin of Akhilesh Yadav and has been associated with the Samajwadi Party (SP). He represented the Mainpuri constituency from 2004 to 2009 and the Badaun constituency from 2009 to 2019. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Dharmendra Yadav contested and won from the Badaun constituency in Uttar Pradesh under the Samajwadi Party (SP) banner. He repeated this success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, in the by-elections of 2022, when Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the SP, resigned from the Azamgarh constituency, Dharmendra Yadav contested for the Azamgarh seat. But despite his efforts, the seat was lost to the BJP.

Yadav is engaged in door-to-door campaigns and holding public meetings. He also has the support of several local political groups. This time around, Yadav is better placed and has an edge against his opponent. With the Yadav family seen as the traditional netas of Azamgarh by many voters, and the entry of Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali into the party, Yadav is set to reap a consolidation of Muslim-Yadav votes in his favour. Guddu Jamali was formerly in the BSP and had contested from the party in the 2022 by-poll scoring a vote share of over 29% against Dharmendra Yadavs 33.4% and Nirahua s 34.4%, thus playing a role in giving BJP the edge in that election. With Guddu Jamali now in the SP fold, placed as an MLC in the UP legislative council, the SP is confident that the MY equation will finally fall in its favour. This vote bloc forms roughly 40% of the total votes and can significantly boost the SPs winning chances.

Previously a Samajwadi Party stronghold, Azamgarh has five assembly segments all of which are under the control of the SP. In fact, in 2022, the party scored a vote share of 40.3% against the BJPs 30.5% in the assembly elections in the constituency. With the BSP scoring about 20% of the vote share, SP continues to face a significant threat from the BSP in a triangular contest.

The challenge from the BSP still remains, however, as the party replaced Bhim Rajbar with Sabeeha Ansari, a Muslim candidate, paving the way for a possible split in the Muslim vote bank, while also vying for Dalit votes. This will largely affect the SPs performances more than it will the BJP and therefore, in a close contest such as this, it is all set to play a crucial role in deciding the winner.

Key Issues

Terror tag

The Terror tag of the constituency has been raised often. After the Ahmedabad blast ruling, the youth from the constituency have struggled to move outside. A topic that has been touched upon by Yogi Adityanath and Amit Shah, who in 2023 had said, Azamgarh known for terrorism in past has a changed identity today, During SP, BSP, and Congress rule Azamgarh was known for terrorism whereas under Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is witnessing development.

Land Acquisition and Compensation

Land acquisition for the Mundri airport has become a major issue and headache for the government in the region. Farmers protested against the forcible land acquisition without adequate compensation for the majority of the last year. However, the incumbent MP has tried to simmer down the farmers agitation and have assured them that their lands will not be taken from them. Despite this, there remains a bit of disquiet among the citizens and anxieties of land grabbing by the government remain. Villagers who have come out in protest of the project claim that at least 25,000 people will be displaced. There is also anguish at the forcible nature of the process that has been carried out by the government. According to reports, in October last year, surveyors accompanied with provincial armed constabulary locked up villagers inside their houses and beat up women who resisted the survey.

Caste Issues

When it comes to voting, the polarisation of votes on caste basis is such that issues related to development are left behind. If we look at the history of Azamgarh seat in the Lok Sabha elections, Yadav MPs have been elected 14 times from this Yadav dominated seat. Due to the caste-based voting in the constituency, development has remained aloof and even the political parties have focused more on caste dynamics and social engineering to guarantee victory for themselves rather than focusing on the issues of the people.

Unemployment and Emigration

Despite a horde of infrastructure projects launched and completed in Azamgarh by both the state and central governments, there is a lack of major industries in the region. Azamgarh is a primarily agrarian district, with sugarcane and rice being major crops. According to on ground reports, unemployment has been a big issue as well as lack of industries, something that has been raised time and again by the people. Due to lack of employment opportunities, youth travel to Mumbai, Surat in Gujarat and other urban centres, however, they face massive discrimination. People from the region have reported that they have been denied employment opportunities and even housing because of where they come from. People have also faced harassment and have also been reported being publicly shamed for belonging to Azamgarh.

Welfare Schemes

Centres many welfare schemes have seen a massive on-ground acceptance and propagation in Azamgarh. The work of making Ayushman and Golden Card is being carried out at a very fast pace. In addition, the people are also happy with the distribution of houses under the PM Awas Yojana. According to a report in 2022, in just 4 years of being launched, 18,738 houses have been approved in the district. The only welfare scheme that has not taken off as expected has been the Jal Jeevan mission, which has caused disappointment amongst the people, especially those who have not had a piped water connection to their homes.

Drainage

Sewage infrastructure in the rural areas of Azamgarh is more than 20 years old and in a state of disrepair. According to villagers, neither maintenance work has taken place nor has there been an attempt to make repairs. People have demanded action and have also accused the local administration of corruption. This stems from the fact that the government at the state and centre are releasing funds but their effects have failed to reach the ground. In April this year, villagers of Nandana village of Atraulia in Azamgarh protested over the problem of drainage. The villagers have alleged that the Gram Sabha funds are being misused by the village head.

Infrastructure Development

Mundari Airport expansion

Modi inaugurated the expanded Mundri Airport in Azamgarh on March 10th. As part of the expansion plan a new terminal building was built and passenger facilities were upgraded. The cost of expansion was Rs.350 Crore.

Maharaja Suheldev University

A state university named after Maharaja Suheldev, the legendary 17th-Century ruler who is an icon among the Rajbhar OBC. Maharaja Suhel Dev State University was inaugurated on 10th March. It was completed at a cost of Rs. 108 crores.

Purvanchal Expressway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of Purvanchal Expressway in July 2018 from Azamgarh. It was inaugurated on November 16, 2021. It has cut down traveling time from Azamgarh to Delhi by 7 hours.

Railway Infrastructure

Azamgarh station received new platform shelters, benches, dustbins, two additional ticket windows, CCTV coverage, and LED lighting in the station and circulating areas. A high-level platform and Wi-Fi were also installed, and Platforms 2 & 3 were raised and extended. Khorasan Road station saw similar upgrades, including new benches and shelters, a ticket window, and CCTV. A third track was also added along the Khorasan Road line. Smaller stations like Khanza, Muhammadadabad, Pharha, Paligarh, and Saraimir received basic passenger shelters and ticket windows. Across the constituency, LED lighting was installed at all stations, and Saraimir and Khaira each received a third running line. Finally, 29 stations received tap water facilities and toilets on their platforms.

Amrit Bharat

Azamgarh station is set for a makeover as it is selected in the centres Amrit Bharat scheme which aims to develop railway stations on par with airports, improve passenger amenities and develop them into high volume cargo centres.

Voter Demographics (2011 Census)

Total Voters (2019): 1785624

Urban Areas: 13.3%

Rural Areas: 86.7%

Literacy Rate: 54.59%

Social Composition:

SC: 25.2%

ST: 0.3%

Religious Composition:

Hindu: 84%

Muslim: 15.58%

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
A delegation of the Delhi BJP on Wednesday met the Chief Electoral officer (CEO) here demanding proper verification of women voters wearing burqa or face masks with the help of female officials during May 25 polling.

It said that the step would prevent anti-social and anti-democratic elements from rigging the election on seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital.

The demand comes amid a recent controversy over BJP candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat Madhavi Latha being booked by election authorities for allegedly making burqa clad voters show their faces for verification.

The Delhi BJP delegation handed over a memorandum to Delhi CEO, for verification of burqa clad women voters on the day of polling on May 25.

Those who come to vote wearing burqa or face masks should be allowed to vote only after thorough verification through female officials, demanded the delegation that included BJP MLAs Ajay Mahawar and Mohan Singh Bisht, state secretary Kishan Sharma and lawyer Neeraj Gupta.

Mahawar said that steps should be taken to ensure there is no fake voting of any kind.

The memorandum submitted to the Delhi poll body said, In accordance with the ECIs rules, we request that you deploy adequate female polling officers and female security personnel at every polling booth to verify and cross-check the identities of burqa-clad voters. This step is also requested in view of the larger public interest, especially in such Parliamentary constituencies where the number of burqa-clad women voters is high, it said.

A large number of burqa-clad women visit polling booths for voting. Hence their identity needs to be verified through appropriate government-mandated identity cards allowed for casting votes to prevent bogus voting, it said.

The ECs handbook for presiding officers of the polls also details the steps to be followed by them to verify an electors identity, it added.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, said that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will win more than 300 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, while his party will cross 273.

Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said the INDIA PM face issue will be resolved on June 5, a day after the Lok Sabha poll results, with the alliance partners.

Edited excerpts:

You have been holding rallies across the country. From Day One, the BJP has been saying Ab ki baar, 400 paar. What are you sensing on the ground?

Whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying is false. He achieved the numbers he wanted in the 2014 and 2019 elections, but this time, it is tough for him to come to power. He is losing in the south and even in the north. I can tell you this because he has no existence in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, maybe he will win one or two seats here and there. He has no existence in Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana, we are having the upper hand. Earlier, we had only two seats, but this time, we are going to increase our tally by 10. In Karnataka, we had one seat, but this time we will increase it by 10. Wherever we lost, we are gaining. Wherever the BJP had one or zero seats, they are not increasing the tally. In Maharashtra, we are gaining seats. Even if you go to Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Harayana, we are sweeping these states. In UP, we will get 10 seats and our alliance will get 14 seats. All this 400 paar is a false narrative.

What is your prediction for INDIA bloc?

Ours will be more than what is required. How much does one need to win the Lok Sabha elections? 273 seats, right? The Congress will get more than that and our alliance will get more than 300. We have come together as an alliance to protect the Constitution and democracy and we will win.

The PM recently highlighted a 2011 video of Rahul Gandhi wherein he is talking about reservation for Muslims. What is your partys stand on this reservation and how do you respond to the remark by PM?

Being a PM, do you think Modi should talk like this? When it comes to reservation, such decisions, in all countries, are taken after more discussion. We, too, will sit with our alliance partners and take a decision, if and when needed. The discourse by Modi is of divisive politics, which is out in public. If they come to power, they will change the Constitution and we will protect the Constitution.

There is a difference of opinion within the Congress on certain issues. For example, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys statement in regard to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Later, we saw your posters being defaced. There was a statement by KC Venugopal condemning the incident. Did Chowdhury approach you after that? Where do things stand now?

Our party leaders are dealing with this in West Bengal. The party leadership is looking into it. I dont want to say much about it except that this is our internal party matter and will be dealt with following the due process. Our party observers and leadership will look into how such an incident can happen right outside the party office.

Recently, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who walked out of INDIA, said that she will offer outside support to the alliance. Do you accept her offer?

I am not the only person who can decide on it. Whether we want her support or not will not be decided by me alone, but all our alliance leaders. We will sit together after the election and decide if we want her support or not.

The Delhi elections are just around the corner and your alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is mired in controversy. Be it the Swati Maliwal issue or recent foreign donation case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Do you think your alliance with the AAP has put you in an embarrassing position?

We are fighting it alone in Punjab. Wherever we have local alliance, our leaders take necessary decisions on how to go about with ithow to mutually give and take in such alliances. Our state leaders are doing it. Different parties are part of the INDIA alliance. They have their internal issues. The point is we are coming together on one agenda  to protect the country from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP. Wherever needed, we will make sacrifices. It goes both ways.

The PM, while speaking at a rally, said if the alliance of the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) comes to power, they will bulldoze the Ram Mandir. How do you respond to that?

Why is he making it political? The trust is making the temple, why is he behaving like the pujari of Ram Mandir? He is going around and taking credit for it. It is the trust fund with which the temple was built. The Supreme Court gave an order and it happened. If the Congress and SP come together, no one will bulldoze Ram Mandir. In fact, we will build whatever is left of the mandir. We will work together with the trust and finish the construction of Ram Mandir.

Rahul Gandhi chose Raebareli and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is not contesting. Do you think the siblings are running away from electoral fights?

This is their individual decision. It is Priyankas choice if she wants. The party decided that Rahul should contest from Raebareli and our star campaigner will be Priyanka. Everyday, we are holding rallies across the country. We are doing our best to save the Constitution. This is her and the partys choice.

INDIA has been criticised by the BJP for not having a PM face? Who will be the PM if your alliance comes to power?

Why should we answer this question? Does Modi want to know this? People are fighting against Modi now. This question has been coming for the longest time. Who is after Nehru? Who is after Narasimha Rao? This will be resolved with our alliance partners on June 5.
Purvi Champaran is one of the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar. Currently, Purvi Champaran Lok Sabha constituency comprises the following six Vidhan Sabha segments  Harsidhi (BJP), Govindganj (BJP), Kesariya (JDU), Kalyanpur (RJD), Pipra (BJP) and Motihari (BJP). In the 2019 general elections, the BJP led on all these assembly segments. The constituency will vote in phase six on May 25.

Sitting MP: Radha Mohan Singh (BJP)

Key candidates: Radha Mohan Singh (BJP), Rajesh Kushwaha (VIP/I.N.D.I.A.)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

BJP Confident of Fourth Consecutive Win: The BJP has reposed its faith in three-time MP Radha Mohan Singh and has fielded him once again from Purvi Champaran. In 2019, Radha Mohan Singh registered a staggering victory, defeating RLSPs Aakash Prasad Singh by a margin of 2.94 lakh votes. The BJP, in 2019, had garnered a vote share of close to 58% here in East Champaran. The sheer margin of victory in 2019 gives it significant legroom to absorb any potential dent which the INDI Alliance may cause this time around.

The fight in Purvi Champaran is turning into one between forward and backward castes. While the backward castes, smaller caste and communities are rallying behind the BJP, the fight for the forward caste vote remains tight. However, due to Muslims consolidating in favour of the INDI Alliance, a counter-polarisation among Hindus is now picking steam.

To add to this, the Ram Mandirs construction has emerged as a big issue, and the BJP is gaining significantly from the perception that it was the Modi government which fulfilled the promise of building a grand temple at Ayodhya. As such, with voters now getting polarised on religious lines, instead of caste, the BJP is emerging as the net gainer.

Ground inputs suggest a close fight, with the determining factor for the BJP being Prime Minister Narendra Modis campaign. The picture will become clearer after PM Modis visit to Champaran.

Radha Mohan Singh faces considerable anti-incumbency. However, he has done substantial work as an MP, which appears to be offsetting some of the public anger against him. Besides, voters are conscious of the fact that they are not voting for the candidate, but for strengthening Modi at the Centre. Radha Mohan Singh is himself canvassing votes in the name of PM Modi, a strategy which prima facie appears to be working in the BJPs favour. In fact, a Modi wave of sorts is visible across Champaran.

The BJP appears to have the upper hand. Its candidate, Radha Mohan Singh is no pushover. Having won Purvi Champaran for three terms straight, he is a powerful leader which the saffron party believes can deliver East Champaran once again.

The Modi governments scheme to provide free ration to the poor is emerging as a superhit among the electorate, with it being one of the most commonly cited reasons why voters will choose the BJP again.

This being a national election, the BJP also stands the chance of gaining votes from communities that have previously been averse to supporting it. For example, in Champaran, there is a strong possibility of Yadav women voting for the BJP  owing to the Modi governments welfare schemes, especially its distribution of free ration among the poor. The women voters, as a whole, are expected to go towards the BJP.

Radha Mohan Singh has about 10% of the Muslims here as his personal vote bank, which will vote for him come what may. Ground inputs suggest the fight between NDA and the INDI bloc is currently placed in a 60:40 ratio, with the BJP expected to gain further after Modis campaign.

The BJP, however, is facing some discontent among the Vaishya (Baniya) community. It will be interesting to see how they vote, as Vaishyas are considered the BJPs core voter base. Initially, there was also some resentment in the BJP camp as MLA Pawan Jaiswal was said to be unhappy with the party over ticket distribution. However, the BJP has since got its house in order, and Jaiswal is back to actively campaigning for his party and Radha Mohan Singh.

INDI Alliances Gamble May Prove Insufficient: At first glance, the INDI Alliance appears to be at a slight disadvantage in Champaran East. This stems largely from the alliances decision to field a candidate from the Viskassheel Insaan Party (VIP). The VIP has given the ticket to Rajesh Kushwaha.

Ground inputs suggest that the Nishad, Kushwaha, Yadav (males) and Muslim voters are going to largely vote for Kushwaha. They may, however, not be enough to defeat the BJP.

There is significant disillusionment within the RJDs voter base and cadre over the East Champaran ticket being given to Kushwaha. The RJD cadre and support base, which is crucial to INDI Alliances prospects here, is not very enthusiastic about either campaigning or voting for the VIP candidate.

The BJP is making it a priority to further pulverise the INDI Alliance over this issue. The BJP has claimed that RJD gave the ticket to VIPs Kushwaha as it does not have any wrestler in its own ranks to take on the BJP here.

In East Champaran, the INDI Alliance is not able to get its narrative right. While it is talking about unemployment, price rise, farmers distress and other issues of local importance, among a significant chunk of the voters, these are not issues which will determine who they vote for. By implication, this means the BJP is not taking a hit by the attempted localisation of a national election.

Besides, for the INDI Alliance to truly stand a chance to defeat the BJP, there must be widespread resentment among voters to an extent that they openly express their anger and make clear their intentions of punishing the incumbent. This is simply not the case in Champaran, where the BJP won by close to 3 lakh votes in 2019. The sheer margin of the victory gives the BJP ample space to lose some votes and yet not shed a sweat.

Demographics

Total Voters: 17,13,727

SC: 241,636 (14.1%)

ST: 1714 (0.1%)

Geographical Composition

Urban Voters: 1,559,492 (91%)

Rural Voters: 154,235 (9%)

Religious Composition

Hindu: 85.4%

Muslim: 14.3%

KEY ISSUES

Farmer Issues: East Champaran faces floods/drought every year, as well as observes cyclonic storms at a wind speed of 100 mtr/sec. Agriculture and horticulture crops, livestock and fisheries continuously face huge losses due to pest attacks, floods, heat and cold waves. Repeated losses also lead to a burgeoning economic debt crisis. Most of the farmers in the area are small and poor and the increasing cost of electricity, pesticides and fertilisers have cut into their profits. Most farmers have also complained of delayed compensation in both East and West Champaran and have also alleged corruption at the local level.

Hooch: The issue of deaths after consumption of hooch has become a focal point in Champaran. According to a report last year in April, 22 people had died due to consumption of poisonous alcohol. Hooch deaths have plagued the region for decades. The administration had created a Liquor Task Force, however, it has not been impactful in ceasing deaths or consumption. The victims of the hooch tragedy include residents of Turkolia, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur area of the East Champaran district. The recent tragedy in Bihar is not an isolated incident. In the past, similar tragedies have claimed hundreds of lives and left many blind. In December 2022, at least 42 people died after consuming spurious liquor in Saran district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of the incident and later reported that at least 77 people died as a result of the hooch tragedy.

Suicides: Suicide cases have been on the rise in the Champaran region. According to a report last year, 55 cases of suicides reported in 77 days with a majority of them being women. Locals say that debt, addiction, familial issues have been the major reasons. People also said that most households in the region are reeling under poverty and the stress of being unable to meet the needs of the family forces people to take the extreme step.

Civic Infrastructure: The civic infrastructure in Champaran region is in a dilapidated condition. The condition of roads is poor, many rural areas in the region still do not have access to piped water or electricity. The hospital infrastructure in the region is lacking, it came to light in 2022, during a surprise visit by then deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav to the government-run sub-divisional hospital in Bagaha in West Champaran district. Attendants at the hospital along with patients complained at the lack of basic facilities at the hospital  exposing the abysmal state of healthcare services in the state. People have also complained about the lack of doctors in hospitals, and even those who have been assigned dont visit irregularly. The same has been the case with the educational institutions in the region, especially government-run primary schools. People have complained at the lack of appointed teachers and the state of infrastructure in the schools. Many schools in the region do not have seats or benches as students are forced to sit on the floor.

Unemployment and migration: Unemployment is a major issue in the Champaran region. With no major industries and the old sugar mill still shut, agriculture and a few cottage industries are the only sources of income for the people. However, due to climatic changes and issues of compensation among others, there has been a major shift in the attitude of the youth who believe migrating towards Patna, Varanasi and Lucknow, Kanpur and New Delhi will yield better employment opportunities.

Floods: Floods are persistent in the region. The areas generally affected by floods in West Champaran are Ramnagar, Narkatiaganj, Mainatand and Chanpatia etc. and in East Champaran Sugauli, Motihari and Lalbegiaghat etc. Motihari town is frequently affected due to the spill of the Sikrahana river. Many locals say despite flooding due to diversion of the Gandak river by Nepal becoming a recurring phenomenon, no help has been provided by the government to those affected by it. Livelihoods, damages to property, crop loss and even loss of lives have become common. Last year, heavy rainfall led to a sudden rise in the river levels, resulting in a flood-like situation in pockets in Supaul, Saharsa, East Champaran, West Champaran, Purnea, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar, affecting at least 2.8 lakh people.

Midday Meal: A total of 184 students of a government-run middle school at Bansgaon Parsauni in West Champaran district of Bihar fell ill after consuming midday meal on February 5, 2024. Students complained of kerosene smell in the meal. They also complained of stomachaches and started to vomit after which they were taken to hospitals. Another report emerged in December last year when 51 students took ill after consuming midday meals. People are agitated at the lax attitude of the school authorities and government officials.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
After five phases of Lok Sabha elections, and with the sixth approaching, West Bengal appears to have defied its history of violent elections. Official data of the past five phases show steep decline in political clashes, critical injuries and killings as the Election Commission of India (ECI) decided to post over 1,000 companies of central paramilitary forces at ground zero.

Senior police officers cited heavy deployment of central forces as one of the several factors that may have worked in bringing down violence. They also spoke about the shifting political winds and changing security dynamics.

The state is going to see a deployment of around 1,020 companies of central forces for the upcoming sixth phase, which, according to the official records of the ECI, is the highest and heaviest deployment the country has seen across states and elections over the past few decades. Each company of central forces usually consists of 70-80 security personnel, which means the state has around 80,000 central security personnel on ground.

HIGHEST DEPLOYMENT ACROSS STATES

The commission had initially deployed around 930 to 950 companies of central paramilitary forces in the state, which was need-based posting of forces. However, according to the official documents, the ECI has deployed 1,020 companies of central forces for the sixth phase of elections in the state. Eight constituencies of Bankura, Purulia, East and West Midnapore districts will vote in this phase.

A senior police officer said the ECI has also ordered retention of forces in politically sensitive areas post the elections. In addition, the forces are being sent to the constituency a day ahead of the polls for area-domination work. For instance, around three dozen companies of central forces were moved to Barrackpore, Arambagh and Basirhat before the fifth phase of election as the commission was tipped off by senior politicians of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about possible violence, added the officer.

SHIFTING POLITICAL CURRENT

West Bengal has remained politically charged every election, including civic polls, rural elections (Panchayat polls), assembly and parliamentary elections. Parliamentary elections usually see fewer incidents of violence compared to other elections as the political stakes at the local level are not involved that way.

However, the general elections in 2019 were an exception as the state recorded over 650 incidents of violence and at least a dozen deaths. In a report to the ECI, the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) said that around 693 incidents of violence were recorded in the state in 2019.

Five years later and after seeing massive post poll violence in the 2021 assembly elections, the ECI decided on heavy deployment to cover all booths with central paramilitary forces. After the fifth phase, there has been no report of political killing and there has been no order of re-poll in the state, which is a welcome change, said another senior police officer.
The Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal. It is a general category seat that spans parts of Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur districts. The constituency includes the following seven Legislative Assembly segments  Panskura Paschim in Purba Medinipur, and Sabang, Pingla, Debra, Daspur, Ghatal (SC), and Keshpur (SC) in Paschim Medinipur. The current MP is Deepak Adhikari (Dev) since 2014. He was preceded by Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI, 2009). The candidates in the fray for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections are Adhikari (TMC), Hiranmay Chattopadhyay (BJP), and Dr Papiya Chakraborty (Congress). The constituency will vote in phase 6 on May 25.

Political Dynamics

Close Contest: Ghatal has drawn significant attention due to high-profile contenders from the Bengali film industry. Dev, also known as Deepak Adhikari, the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP, is seeking re-election from this constituency. The BJP has fielded Hiran, also known as Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay, and currently the MLA of Kharagpur, to challenge him directly. Its a close contest between the TMC and the BJP this time in this TMC stronghold as the party combats a strong sense of anti-incumbency reverberating in this seemingly neglected flood-prone region. In the assembly elections of 2021, the TMC bagged six seats while the BJP secured just one seat with a vote share of 43.3 per cent against the TMCs 48.6 per cent.

Ghatal has drawn significant attention due to high-profile contenders from the Bengali film industry. Dev, also known as Deepak Adhikari, the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP, is seeking re-election from this constituency. The BJP has fielded Hiran, also known as Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay, and currently the MLA of Kharagpur, to challenge him directly. Its a close contest between the TMC and the BJP this time in this TMC stronghold as the party combats a strong sense of anti-incumbency reverberating in this seemingly neglected flood-prone region. In the assembly elections of 2021, the TMC bagged six seats while the BJP secured just one seat with a vote share of 43.3 per cent against the TMCs 48.6 per cent. TMC Facing Anti-incumbency: The TMC has fielded renowned actor from the Bengali film industry Deepak Adhikari or Dev to contest from Ghatal for the third term. In 2019, Dev had won the seat by a margin of 1.07 lakh votes, down from 2.6 lakh votes in 2014. As Dev seeks a hattrick, he is faced with heightened anti-incumbency and public anger over his failure to put the much-talked-about Master Plan into action, which basically refers to a massive development project to curb flooding in this region. Dev had initially hinted that he did not want to contest for a third term as he put up a cryptic social media post captioned, My last day in Parliament. At the time, Dev stated, This is my last speech in Parliament. I have consistently advocated for the Ghatal Master Plan since day one. It is not just a TMC or BJP concern; it is about the welfare of the people. However, his purported decision to quit politics was reversed after a meeting with Abhishek Banerjee, who convinced him to stay in the race. Reportedly, the TMC party leadership assured him that the Ghatal Master Plan would be implemented, which reportedly convinced Dev who has been facing severe anti-incumbency. His poor attendance in the Lok Sabha and failure to raise the issue effectively in parliament have contributed to public dissatisfaction towards him and the TMC leadership. Another issue is that the MP, though born in Keshpur in Ghatal constituency, is based in Kolkata, with voters resigned to the fact he does not understand their woes when it comes to living in cities and villages submerged most of the year.

The TMC has fielded renowned actor from the Bengali film industry Deepak Adhikari or Dev to contest from Ghatal for the third term. In 2019, Dev had won the seat by a margin of 1.07 lakh votes, down from 2.6 lakh votes in 2014. As Dev seeks a hattrick, he is faced with heightened anti-incumbency and public anger over his failure to put the much-talked-about Master Plan into action, which basically refers to a massive development project to curb flooding in this region. Dev had initially hinted that he did not want to contest for a third term as he put up a cryptic social media post captioned, My last day in Parliament. At the time, Dev stated, This is my last speech in Parliament. I have consistently advocated for the Ghatal Master Plan since day one. It is not just a TMC or BJP concern; it is about the welfare of the people. However, his purported decision to quit politics was reversed after a meeting with Abhishek Banerjee, who convinced him to stay in the race. Reportedly, the TMC party leadership assured him that the Ghatal Master Plan would be implemented, which reportedly convinced Dev who has been facing severe anti-incumbency. His poor attendance in the Lok Sabha and failure to raise the issue effectively in parliament have contributed to public dissatisfaction towards him and the TMC leadership. Another issue is that the MP, though born in Keshpur in Ghatal constituency, is based in Kolkata, with voters resigned to the fact he does not understand their woes when it comes to living in cities and villages submerged most of the year. Master Plan Masterstroke? The TMC government has been campaigning aggressively with the promise of the Master Plan, which is a decades-long demand of the people. In early April this year, large political posters featuring Mamata Banerjee and Dev appeared throughout Ghatal town with the caption Dev: Master Plan Champion, drawing criticism from voters. Many accused the TMC of misleading the public by suggesting that the Ghatal Master Plan had been completed or was nearing completion. The TMC now says that this time the state government will fund the project, worth Rs 1,500 crore, entirely without assistance from the Centre. However, even as the TMC faces trouble in this flood-affected region, it has an organisational strength that remains unmatched by the BJP. The party has six MLAs in this constituency all of whom have deployed their heft in this Lok Sabha campaign. Devs superstar status is far greater in the eyes of the general public than that of his actor opponent, Hiranmay Chattopadhyay, from the saffron party. Moreover, Dev benefits from the Mamata Banerjee factor, as the chief minister remains popular among a large segment of voters, including women. Earlier this year, her government bolstered its position by doubling the amount transferred to women under the Lakhir Bandhar scheme, which now provides Rs 1,000 per month to general category women and Rs 1,200 to those from SC and ST communities. Additionally, the TMC has an advantage with the sizable Muslim vote bank, comprising about 13.4 per cent of the electorate, which is expected to favour the party. Ultimately, the party remains in pole position even as its winning margin may narrow down significantly. This makes for a very close contest in Ghatal.

The TMC government has been campaigning aggressively with the promise of the Master Plan, which is a decades-long demand of the people. In early April this year, large political posters featuring Mamata Banerjee and Dev appeared throughout Ghatal town with the caption Dev: Master Plan Champion, drawing criticism from voters. Many accused the TMC of misleading the public by suggesting that the Ghatal Master Plan had been completed or was nearing completion. The TMC now says that this time the state government will fund the project, worth Rs 1,500 crore, entirely without assistance from the Centre. However, even as the TMC faces trouble in this flood-affected region, it has an organisational strength that remains unmatched by the BJP. The party has six MLAs in this constituency all of whom have deployed their heft in this Lok Sabha campaign. Devs superstar status is far greater in the eyes of the general public than that of his actor opponent, Hiranmay Chattopadhyay, from the saffron party. Moreover, Dev benefits from the Mamata Banerjee factor, as the chief minister remains popular among a large segment of voters, including women. Earlier this year, her government bolstered its position by doubling the amount transferred to women under the Lakhir Bandhar scheme, which now provides Rs 1,000 per month to general category women and Rs 1,200 to those from SC and ST communities. Additionally, the TMC has an advantage with the sizable Muslim vote bank, comprising about 13.4 per cent of the electorate, which is expected to favour the party. Ultimately, the party remains in pole position even as its winning margin may narrow down significantly. This makes for a very close contest in Ghatal. Solid Challenge From BJP: The BJPs Hiranmay Chattopadhyay or Hiran was formerly an actor in the Bengali film industry and is a well-known face in the constituency. The 38-year-old is currently an MLA from Kharagpur Sadar. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election, he secured victory over Pradip Sarkar of the All India Trinamool Congress by a margin of 3,771 votes. Additionally, he served as a councillor for Ward 33 of Kharagpur Municipality in the West Bengal Municipal Elections of 2022. Attacking his opponent, Hiran has accused Dev of corruption after an audio clip went viral where a TMC leader claimed that Dev took a 30 per cent cut from him. He has also claimed that Dev received money from Enamul Haque, a defendant in cattle smuggling case investigated by the CBI and utilised it for his film production. The BJP is banking on anti-incumbency faced by the TMC candidate and the Modi factor to sail through with a victory in Ghatal. However, it is not going to be an easy task to take down the super stardom commanded by Dev, or to overcome the popularity of Mamata Banerjee. Moreover, in terms of organisational strength, the BJP, despite having made tremendous strides, has not been able to match up to the TMC. The saffron party has promised to push forward the Master Plan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pegging him as the only leader who can deliver when it comes to this project. Portraying itself as the only alternative, the larger narrative pushed by the BJP is that the TMC failed to deliver despite having had ten years to work on this development project, and that it will not be able to do so even in the future.

The BJPs Hiranmay Chattopadhyay or Hiran was formerly an actor in the Bengali film industry and is a well-known face in the constituency. The 38-year-old is currently an MLA from Kharagpur Sadar. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election, he secured victory over Pradip Sarkar of the All India Trinamool Congress by a margin of 3,771 votes. Additionally, he served as a councillor for Ward 33 of Kharagpur Municipality in the West Bengal Municipal Elections of 2022. Attacking his opponent, Hiran has accused Dev of corruption after an audio clip went viral where a TMC leader claimed that Dev took a 30 per cent cut from him. He has also claimed that Dev received money from Enamul Haque, a defendant in cattle smuggling case investigated by the CBI and utilised it for his film production. The BJP is banking on anti-incumbency faced by the TMC candidate and the Modi factor to sail through with a victory in Ghatal. However, it is not going to be an easy task to take down the super stardom commanded by Dev, or to overcome the popularity of Mamata Banerjee. Moreover, in terms of organisational strength, the BJP, despite having made tremendous strides, has not been able to match up to the TMC. The saffron party has promised to push forward the Master Plan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pegging him as the only leader who can deliver when it comes to this project. Portraying itself as the only alternative, the larger narrative pushed by the BJP is that the TMC failed to deliver despite having had ten years to work on this development project, and that it will not be able to do so even in the future. Mixed Bag for BJP: A drawback faced by Hiran is that he is also seen as an outsider, being based in Kharagpur. To his credit though, he has been campaigning and carrying out minor works in the constituency for months in advance as there were hints of his possible candidature from Ghatal. The BJP is also attempting to bank on its welfare schemes such as the Awas Yojana, the Garib Kalyan Yojana and so on. However, in this part of West Bengal, the delivery of central schemes has not been efficient, with the Centre blaming the state and vice-versa for lack of cooperation and corruption. While the Modi factor does hold sway in this constituency, it remains to be seen whether it can actually trigger a consequential shift in the political landscape of Ghatal which still remains a TMC stronghold. To its credit, it has been the main factor behind the rise of the BJPs vote share which went up from 7 per cent in 2014 to almost 41 per cent in 2019, closing the gap with the TMC to about 7.2 per cent.

Key Issues

Floods: Floods are a major issue in Ghatal. The region remains submerged in water every year even months after the monsoons. All residents in the region have boats to move about during these months. It has been a perennial issue which has been promised to be solved by every politician seeking to win from the constituency. However, it hasnt happened yet. Bad planning exacerbates the regions woes. There is a complete lack of flood-restricting infrastructure and people feel neglected.

Floods are a major issue in Ghatal. The region remains submerged in water every year even months after the monsoons. All residents in the region have boats to move about during these months. It has been a perennial issue which has been promised to be solved by every politician seeking to win from the constituency. However, it hasnt happened yet. Bad planning exacerbates the regions woes. There is a complete lack of flood-restricting infrastructure and people feel neglected. Ghatal Master Plan: The Ghatal Master Plan, an initiative aimed at mitigating the regions annual floods through riverbed dredging and embankment reinforcement, was announced by the West Bengal government in 1977. Despite public demand for its implementation, little progress has been made in the ensuing five decades. After assuming power in 2011, the Trinamool Congress government submitted a detailed project report to the Centre, initially estimated at Rs 1,200 crore. While the Centre agreed to a 75-25 funding ratio, this was later changed to 50-50 following the BJP-led NDAs rise to power in 2014. However, no funds were released for the project until 2023, leaving the plan, now estimated at Rs 1,500 crore, largely unrealised.

The Ghatal Master Plan, an initiative aimed at mitigating the regions annual floods through riverbed dredging and embankment reinforcement, was announced by the West Bengal government in 1977. Despite public demand for its implementation, little progress has been made in the ensuing five decades. After assuming power in 2011, the Trinamool Congress government submitted a detailed project report to the Centre, initially estimated at Rs 1,200 crore. While the Centre agreed to a 75-25 funding ratio, this was later changed to 50-50 following the BJP-led NDAs rise to power in 2014. However, no funds were released for the project until 2023, leaving the plan, now estimated at Rs 1,500 crore, largely unrealised. Corruption: Corruption has become a major issue in Ghatal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, probably for the first time. BJP MLA of Kharagpur Hiren Chatterjee has accused Dev of corruption after an audio clip went viral where a TMC leader from Ghatal claimed that Dev took a 30 per cent cut from him. Another issue that has been brought to the fore was corruption in the PM Awas Yojana. Last year, Suvendu Adhikari took out a protest march in Arambagh against the state government. He claimed people have been deprived of the benefits of the central government schemes while the funds sent by the central government for the MGNREGA work, Awas Yojana and other beneficiary schemes have been looted and misused and the natural resources of the state are being smuggled, including coal, sand and livestock. People in the region are incensed as they believe corrupt officials and politicians are the reason why Ghatal has not been able to progress.

Corruption has become a major issue in Ghatal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, probably for the first time. BJP MLA of Kharagpur Hiren Chatterjee has accused Dev of corruption after an audio clip went viral where a TMC leader from Ghatal claimed that Dev took a 30 per cent cut from him. Another issue that has been brought to the fore was corruption in the PM Awas Yojana. Last year, Suvendu Adhikari took out a protest march in Arambagh against the state government. He claimed people have been deprived of the benefits of the central government schemes while the funds sent by the central government for the MGNREGA work, Awas Yojana and other beneficiary schemes have been looted and misused and the natural resources of the state are being smuggled, including coal, sand and livestock. People in the region are incensed as they believe corrupt officials and politicians are the reason why Ghatal has not been able to progress. Railway Connectivity: There is no railway connectivity in Ghatal. The nearest railway station is 33 kilometres away in Panskura. People are dependent on buses to travel to the Panskura junction and in the months of flooding, even that is not possible. People have been demanding a railway line in the region for decades but to no avail. According to reports, there was a plan for a railway line from Panskura Junction to Arambagh via Ghatal. However, the project did not progress.

There is no railway connectivity in Ghatal. The nearest railway station is 33 kilometres away in Panskura. People are dependent on buses to travel to the Panskura junction and in the months of flooding, even that is not possible. People have been demanding a railway line in the region for decades but to no avail. According to reports, there was a plan for a railway line from Panskura Junction to Arambagh via Ghatal. However, the project did not progress. Roads: Road connectivity in Ghatal is a major issue. Every year during monsoon, roads in the region are washed away. There is a lack of all-weather roads in the region. Ghatal has no railway connectivity and buses are the only mode of transport. Despite that, there has been no improvement in road connectivity and infrastructure for over a decade.

Road connectivity in Ghatal is a major issue. Every year during monsoon, roads in the region are washed away. There is a lack of all-weather roads in the region. Ghatal has no railway connectivity and buses are the only mode of transport. Despite that, there has been no improvement in road connectivity and infrastructure for over a decade. Lack of Civic Infrastructure: There is also lack of civic infrastructure in the Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency as a whole. There is lack of drinking water as piped water has not reached the homes of the people. Electricity and sewage infrastructure in the region are crumbling. There is lack of proper healthcare and educational facilities. Due to months of waterlogging and flooding, mosquitoes breed in the region, giving rise to dengue and other water-borne diseases. A lack of healthcare facilities forces the residents to travel to Hooghly and Howrah.

There is also lack of civic infrastructure in the Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency as a whole. There is lack of drinking water as piped water has not reached the homes of the people. Electricity and sewage infrastructure in the region are crumbling. There is lack of proper healthcare and educational facilities. Due to months of waterlogging and flooding, mosquitoes breed in the region, giving rise to dengue and other water-borne diseases. A lack of healthcare facilities forces the residents to travel to Hooghly and Howrah. Farmer Issues: The biggest issue is crop failure due to floods every year. Lack of piped water facilities, increasing cost of electricity and low supply of fertilisers and pesticides at subsidised rates have increased the burden on farmers. Compensation is often delayed and less than adequate to alleviate the debt burden. Farmers in the region have also alleged that a portion of the compensation is often pocketed by the local administration and is delayed. Farmers in the region also often die by suicide. According to reports, there were 122 farmer and farm-related suicides in the region in 2021. In 2023, three farmers died by suicide in the region due to crop failure. The 2021 numbers were revealed as a response to an RTI, which was then quickly rescinded by the state government.

The biggest issue is crop failure due to floods every year. Lack of piped water facilities, increasing cost of electricity and low supply of fertilisers and pesticides at subsidised rates have increased the burden on farmers. Compensation is often delayed and less than adequate to alleviate the debt burden. Farmers in the region have also alleged that a portion of the compensation is often pocketed by the local administration and is delayed. Farmers in the region also often die by suicide. According to reports, there were 122 farmer and farm-related suicides in the region in 2021. In 2023, three farmers died by suicide in the region due to crop failure. The 2021 numbers were revealed as a response to an RTI, which was then quickly rescinded by the state government. Unemployment and Emigration: Unemployment remains a major issue in Ghatal. Due to the adverse climatic conditions, there is an absence of big industries and factories. People depend on agriculture for their sustenance. But the number of issues farmers face has forced the people out of the region to urban centres of Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata in search of better opportunities where they face constant hardships.

Infrastructure Development

Railway Infrastructure: In the past five years, the Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency saw the completion of a third railway line between Panskura and Kharagpur, spanning 44.7 kilometres. Passenger amenities were enhanced with the introduction of a new EMU train connecting Panskura and Digha, along with additional seating at various stations. Drinking water booths were added at Haur station, improved lighting was installed at Panskura and Narayan Pakuria Muail stations, and new timetable display boards were placed at multiple stations. Toilets were constructed at Khirai and Narayan Pakuria Mural, while new platform shelters were built at Haur and Khirai stations. Full-length platform shelters were also completed at Narayan Pakuria Mural and Panskura. Additionally, a stabling line and a pit line were constructed at Panskura.

In the past five years, the Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency saw the completion of a third railway line between Panskura and Kharagpur, spanning 44.7 kilometres. Passenger amenities were enhanced with the introduction of a new EMU train connecting Panskura and Digha, along with additional seating at various stations. Drinking water booths were added at Haur station, improved lighting was installed at Panskura and Narayan Pakuria Muail stations, and new timetable display boards were placed at multiple stations. Toilets were constructed at Khirai and Narayan Pakuria Mural, while new platform shelters were built at Haur and Khirai stations. Full-length platform shelters were also completed at Narayan Pakuria Mural and Panskura. Additionally, a stabling line and a pit line were constructed at Panskura. Ghatal Bridge: Construction of RCC bridge over channel of the River Silabati at 43rd Km. (4th Causeway) on Chandrakona-Ghatal Road (SH-4) in the District of Paschim Medinipur was completed.

Construction of RCC bridge over channel of the River Silabati at 43rd Km. (4th Causeway) on Chandrakona-Ghatal Road (SH-4) in the District of Paschim Medinipur was completed. Panskura-Ghatal Road: Upgradation of the SH4 on the Panskura-Ghatal road was carried out by the state government at a cost of $19.9 million. It included the construction of two paved shoulders to the two-lane highway.

Upgradation of the SH4 on the Panskura-Ghatal road was carried out by the state government at a cost of $19.9 million. It included the construction of two paved shoulders to the two-lane highway. Amrit Bharat: The Panskura Jn is selected as part of the Union governments Amrit Bharat station scheme. It will help bring a much-needed infrastructure transformation to the station and improve passenger amenities.

Voter Demographics

Total Voters (2019): 17,97,685

Urban Voters: 6%

Rural Voters: 94%

Literacy Rate: 70.12%

Social Composition:

SC: 17.1%

ST: 7.9%

Religious Composition:

Hindu: 86%

Muslim: 13.4%

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Hisar has a unique face-off between two bahus of the Chautala family  Naina and Sunaina  and a father-in-law. In male-dominated Hisar, a woman candidate has filed her nomination for the first time in the past 60 years. And when it happened, it was from the same family, making it a talking point in Delhi.

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate Sunaina is the wife of Ravi Chautala, the son of INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautalas younger brother, the late Pratap Singh Chautala. Naina is the wife of Jannayak Janta Party chief (JJP) Ajay Singh Chautala, the son of Om Prakash Chautala. Taking them on is the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Ranjit Singh Chautala, the brother of Om Prakash Chautala. The Congress has fielded three-time MP Jai Prakash.

However, people are mostly split between the BJP and the Congress, as the Chautala bahus campaign has not caught their imagination. All four candidates are Jats in this Jat-land and except for the Congress, all three are from Devi Lals family lineage. The seat will go to polls on May 25.

THE JAT VOTES

The Jat-dominated Hisar Lok Sabha constituency has a total of 17.85 lakh voters, of which the Jats constitute 33%, making them a key factor. The sense News18 got was a majority of the Jats would vote for the Congress, with a small section that would vote for the BJP, JJP and INLD. The Jats, mostly settled in villages, want their votes to not be split. They have a trust issue with JJPs Dushyant Chautala, who formed a government with the BJP in the 2019 Assembly elections and considers the INLD obsolete. This gives Congresss Jai Prakash a huge advantage.

Sanjay Singh Balyan runs a real estate company in Hisar. Dressed in a spotless white kurta, sitting inside his air-conditioned office, he explains why many like him are likely to vote for the Congress. The BJP hasnt fulfilled its promises. Take the MSP law, for instance. The Jats arent happy with the Agniveer scheme either. At least 90% Jats are with the Congress, said Balyan. He says the Congresss clear stand during farmers agitation makes them choose it over others.

News18 caught up with Ved Prakash, a Jat, who came for BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shahs rally at a government college ground in Hisar. Unable to find a place in the packed ground, he stood near a sweet shop, listening to Shah who raised how Jagdeep Dhankar, a Jat, was disrespected by Rahul Gandhi. Ved claims many Jats like him would support the BJP. Vishwas ke saath bol raha hun, he says.

THE NON-JAT VOTES

Ever since the 2014 Assembly elections, the BJP changed the political equation of Haryana by creating a counter polarisation of non-Jat votes that saw a non-Jat, Manohar Lal Khattar, being elevated to the post of Chief Minister. Even a few months ago, he was replaced by Nayab Singh Saini  another non-Jat  for Haryanas top job. No wonder, the BJP has a similar strategy for Jat-dominated seats like Hisar.

There are over 70,000 Prajapatis/Kumhars, over 1,80,000 Brahmins, 65,000 Punjabis, over 36,000 Bishnois, and the rest 400,000 voters are of various Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in Hisar. The BJP has been working to forge a counter-polarisation of these segments and it seems to be working. Caste is so deeply entrenched in peoples psyche that many voters this reporter spoke to asked him about his caste before opening up.

Lucky belongs to the Valmiki community, while Neeraj comes from the Gujjar community. Together, they were enjoying hookah at a market corner. Both their communities are believed to be supporters of the BJP in Haryana. Neeraj says it is a direct clash between the Congress and the BJP, where the latter is better poised to win. On being asked which communities would vote for the BJP, pat comes the reply, Almost all communities (apart from Jats). But he adds that the Congress is ahead in the rural belt due to the Jat population there.

Mahaul Modi ka hai, says Lucky. There are some Jats who are in business in the city. The trader community will vote for BJP en bloc. The trader Jats wont vote differently, he said.

Surendra Jakhar, who hails from the Jakhar community, too, says that the BJP is winning. Ask him about the Jat anger and he replies, The BJP is not a casteist party. Those who are above the caste lines will vote for the BJP. He was referring to all non-Jats as above caste consideration.

PAST ELECTIONS

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the INLD was not split, Dushyant Chautala won as an INLD candidate from Hisar, defeating Kuldeep Bishnoi. Since 1991, regional outfits have been winning Hisar. In 2019, things changed when the BJP won the seat, defeating Dushyant Chautala, who, by then, formed his own party, JJP. It is another matter that soon after the election, he sided with the BJP in Haryana and became Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana  something that got him the traitor tag in the Jat belt of Hisar, Sonipat and Rohtak, which continues to harm the JJP till date.

In 2019, ex-IAS officer Brijendra Singh won the Hisar seat on a BJP ticket and quit the party this March to join the Congress in the presence of Mallikarjun Kharge. However, ever since, he has been denied a Congress ticket.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won with a vote share of 51.13%, much at the cost of INLD, which lost nearly 42% vote share in comparison to its 2014 performance.
A group performs an act before Taranjit Singh Sandhu speaks at a rally in a small village near Ajnala in Amritsar. The artists rue about drug abuse in Punjab, unemployment and sheer hopelessness.

People realise they have been taken for a long ride for the last 10 years they want an educated MP like me. Amritsar will get a BJP MP finally, Sandhu, a career diplomat and BJPs Amritsar candidate, tells News18. He is up against two-time Congress Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla who had nabbed intruders that jumped into the new Parliaments Well last year.

Sandhu is also up against BJPs jinx from Amritsar  the party has failed to win the seat since 2009. Arun Jaitley and Hardeep Singh Puri have had to bite the dust here. Navjot Singh Sidhu won from Amritsar three times for the BJP till the year 2009. Congresss Aujla says he will now achieve a hat-trick. People wont buy the dreams Sandhu is selling, Aujla told News18.

AAP, which won seven of the nine assembly seats in Amritsar in 2022, is facing public anger, given that key promises like Rs 1,000 a month to women are still unfulfilled. But the challenge for BJP is also compounded by the fact that it no longer has an alliance with the Akali Dal, which has a good hold over rural Amritsar. A four-cornered contest is hence on.

Why it is Taranjit Singh Samundri

On BJPs posters in Amritsar and at public rallies, Sandhu is addressed by his family prefix Samundri. This seems an attempt to reinforce his old connections with Amritsar as his grandfather Teja Singh Samundri was the co-founder of SGPC who fought against the British and died in Lahore jail in 1926. Sandhu retired as Indias Ambassador to the US a few months ago and is now straight into the heat and dust of Amritsar elections.

You can see the atmosphere herefor 36 years, I was in public service. This is also public service but in a different way. I must say that in Amritsar, including in rural areas, the focus is on development. People are realising they have been taken for a long ride. You can go around and ask people where development is in Amritsar, he told News18.

The BJP leader also cites problems of law and order, drug abuse and decreasing incomes and employment in Amritsar. Connectivity of Amritsar needs to be improved. There is no cargo flight till here. There is a lot of scope for our industry and agriculture, possibility to export to UAE and Saudi Arabia. Lulu group wants to come here, Walmart wants to come here. There is one million Punjabi diaspora in USA. If they could buy Hero Cycles, they would love to buy phulkari, papad, and Punjabi jutti, he told News18.

Aujla looking at hat-trick

Meanwhile, Gurjeet Singh Aujla says Amritsar is a secular seat and his politics rests on taking everyone along. We fought for farmers and BJP had to withdraw laws. People defeated Hardeep Puri, not me. Taranjit Singh Sandhu speaks of his grandfather who led the agitation against the British but why is he sitting in the lap of the RSS now? His grandfather fought that legacy. The farmers are asking BJP candidates why they had to sit on dharna, Aujla told News18.

Aujla cites development in Amritsar like the new Ring Road, IIM, Vande Bharat, and increased air connectivity. People can see that as an MP, I helped get these projects to Amritsar. BJP MPs in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur could bring no development but I raised my voice in Parliament and got jobs done for my constituency, he told News18.

Sandhu, however, accused Aujla of trying to take ownership of central schemes. Perhaps he may be in the wrong partyhe should be in BJP if he has taken ownership, he told News18. Sandhu said after 10 years, Aujla was realising the value of development and talking about it. That is my success. Earlier, he was just slinging mud, he added.

Sandhu said the only factor that matters in these elections is the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Development has been brought to India by PM Modi. Last 10 years I was associated with foreign policy and the relationship with US and Bharat has changed to a partnership. So much investment has come from abroad. We want to bring that to Amritsar. Modi ki guarantee is the biggest factor in these elections. We are taking it to people, he said.

AAP under Attack

Both Aujla and Sandhu agree on one thing though  AAP has failed on its promises. Aujla is particularly scathing against AAP despite the two parties being allies in Delhi.

AAP was voted in with lot of hope, but they work on lies and advertisements. Ration has been cut, drug abuse is at an all-time high, sand is being sold at higher rates, and law and order is bad. The government could not hold corporation elections in Amritsar. The Rs 1,000 promised to women per month has not been given even two years after elections, Aujla told News18.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
The Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal, categorised as a general seat. It includes part of the Purba Medinipur district and seven Legislative Assembly segments: Chandipur, Patashpur, Kanthi Uttar, Bhagabanpur, Khejuri (SC), Kanthi Dakshin, and Ramnagar. The constituency will go to polls in the sixth phase on May 25.

In the 2019 election, the Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency reported 16,57,068 voters, of which 5.9% were urban and the remaining 94.1% were from the rural background. The literacy rate in the constituency is 76.99%. Of the total electorate, Scheduled Castes are 15.9% and Scheduled Tribes are 0.3%; Hindus comprise 90% and Muslims constitute 9.5%.

Political Dynamics

BJP Eyes Historic Win: Kanthi, once a Left bastion, is a stronghold of the Adhikari family, owing to the three-term reign of Sisir Adhikari, a prominent leader in Trinamool Congress (TMC), since 2009. In 2021, the former Union minister, a loyal member of TMC for 23 years, quit the party and joined the BJP. The shift occurred after he was removed from his roles as chairman of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Council and president of TMCs district unit.

This time around, the senior BJP leader and father of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, decided not to contest citing old age. In his stead, the party has nominated Suvendus brother Soumendu to contest from the highly coveted seat.

Soumendu Adhikari, a two-time TMC MP from the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency, distanced himself from the TMC after Suvendu joined the BJP shortly before the 2021 assembly elections. Soumendu has formerly served as the chairman of the Kanthi Municipal Corporation.

The Adhikari familys hold over the region has set in stone the rise of the saffron party whose numbers have been improving with each election, emerging as the primary opposition to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC leadership in the state.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Kanthi, the BJPs vote share grew to 42.4%, up from just 8.7% in 2014, when late Debasis Simanta contested against Sisir Adhikari who was contesting on a TMC ticket and scored a vote share over 50%. This vote share saw further rise in the 2021 assembly elections when the BJP secured 48.7% of the vote share, slightly higher than the TMCs 46.8%. In this election, the BJP bagged four assembly seats, while the TMC scored three, indicating a decline in fortunes. Meanwhile, the Left parties and the Congress have been pushed towards near zero in terms of vote share.

If this trend continues, the BJP may be slated for a historic victory in Kanthi, securing this parliamentary seat for the first time ever. It is also worth noting that in 2019, the BJPs campaign was not as strong, and the Adhikaris were standing firmly with the TMC. Despite this, the party gained a formidable vote share. This is often attributed to the growing Modi wave, which is still prevalent in the constituency.

While there was some chatter about dissatisfaction among local BJP leaders ever since the Adhikaris crossover, much of that has reportedly diffused ahead of the election. A large number of party leaders and workers in the area switched to the BJP, with Suvendu Adhikaris own father and brothers walking in his footsteps. The Adhikari family remains deeply respected in this constituency and their combined heft is ensuring that Soumendu remains in a favourable position.

This time, the Adhikaris are on an aggressive campaign trail, the partys organisational structure has grown formidably, and the Modi factor continues, which indicates a strong position for the BJP. The Modi governments welfare schemes have also made an impact in this constituency. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, who had been dependent on the Adhikaris in the Medinipur region, is faced with declining popularity even as the TMC campaigns aggressively to win this seat. Moreover, the BJP has a significant edge in Kanthi Uttar, Bhagabanpur, Khejuri (SC) and Kanthi Dakshin all of which it secured in the assembly elections with comfortable margins.

TMC Up For a Tough Fight: Abandoned by the Adhikaris, the TMC has nominated Uttam Barik, who is an MLA from Patashpur. Barik has a strong support base in this constituency, and he is credited with defeating the BJP in Patashpur despite a raging pro-BJP wave in the region in 2021. Under his leadership, the party won the district council seat after which he was made the President of the East Medinipur District Council.

Barik is campaigning aggressively in the final days ahead of polling day. He is said to have stepped up the pressure on the BJP. Being a trusted lieutenant of the TMC, he is undeterred by the threat posed by the Adhikari family. Be it the Adhikari family, any family, whose brother or any opposition candidate, the Trinamool Congress will not give any extra importance, he said in a media interaction.

Apart from Barik and his sway in Patashpur, TMC has two more MLAs from Chandipur and Ramnagar to rely on for the bulk of the vote. It has the Mamata Banerjee factor to bolster its position as she remains popular among a large section of voters including women. Earlier this year, her government doubled the amount transferred to women in the Lakhir Bandhar scheme, which now ensures a monthly financial support of Rs 1,000 to general category women and Rs 1,200 for those from the SC and ST communities. Further, the TMC has an added advantage as the sizeable Muslim vote bank, about 9.5%, is expected to fall in its kitty.

However, even as the TMC dismisses the threat from its opponent, certain statistical realities accompanying the saffron wave are staring it right in the face. The BJPs vote share has consistently grown in the constituency. In the 2021 assembly elections, where the Modi factor was relatively less in play, the party managed to take a lead of over 29,000 votes or 1.9% of the vote share against the TMC in Kanthi. Moreover, the Left and the Congress have been almost completely phased out with no more votes left to cede. Therefore, it may be fitting to say the TMCs vote share has reached a saturation point even as the BJP continues to grow.

A very tough and close fight is on the cards in Kanthi which has become a prestige battle for both Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee. Ultimately, a lot of hinges on polling day and each partys booth management efficiency.

Current MP : Sisir Adhikari of TMC

: Sisir Adhikari of TMC Candidates: Uttam Barik (TMC), Soumendu Adhikari (BJP), Urbashi Bhattacharya (Congress)

Key Issues

Corruption: The BJP has accused the TMC government of theft of funds allotted for centrally funded schemes, and scams, including the School Service commission (SSC) recruitment scam. The TMC has long been facing allegations of coal and cattle smuggling, a ration scam, and siphoning funds from government projects through cut money. In the teachers recruitment scam, a large number of recruits were picked outside of the merit list raising concerns about the fairness of the selection process. The Calcutta High Court cancelled the appointment of about 24,000 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run schools.

Last year, Suvendu Adhikari led a protest march in Arambagh against the TMC-led state government in which he alleged that people have been deprived of the benefits of central schemes and that funds sent for MGNREGA and Awas Yojana were looted and misused. Additionally, he claimed that the states natural resources, including coal, sand, and livestock, are being smuggled.

Political Violence: Several incidents of political violence have emerged in Kanthi and the larger East Midnapore district. In one case in Kanthi, a BJP worker was attacked with his right ear chopped off by TMC goons. The TMCs alleged high-handedness is often raised by the local opposition, and Kanthi is no stranger to this issue.

Unemployment and Migration: Unemployment remains a significant issue in Kanthi and the larger East Midnapore region, which remains starved of industries. The adverse climatic conditions and a power shortage have led to a lack of large industries or factories, leaving people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. However, numerous challenges faced by farmers have driven many to migrate to urban centres such as Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata in search of better opportunities, where they often encounter constant hardships. Poor connectivity adds to their woes.

Water Crisis: Large parts of the Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency are affected by an acute shortage of water owing to groundwater depletion during summer. While this has amplified the misery of farmers, a major drinking water crisis has affected people in villages as well as in urban areas. High fluoride content in water from groundwater sources is often consumed directly, especially in rural areas, causing health issues.

Floods: Kanthi is affected by floods almost every year. Lakhs of people are temporarily displaced, and numerous villages lose contact with authorities for months owing to high water levels and lack of infrastructure to contain the swelling rivers.

Lack of development: From connectivity to industries, the staggering lack of development has kept this constituency in poor shape. Rural roads have improved in some areas, but the development has not been sufficient enough for villagers. While Contai Railway station is an option, for access to enhanced rail and air connectivity, most residents have to travel to Howrah or Kolkata which are several hours away.

Infrastructure

Last year, a highway project worth Rs 812 crore was announced by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways for East Midnapore, which will also benefit the residents of Kanthi. The project involves the widening of National Highway 116B, which starts from Nandakumar in East Midnapore district and ends in Chandaneshwar in Balasore district in Odisha.

The Contai Railway Station has been identified under the Amrit Bharat scheme for enhancements including development of infrastructure and improvement of facilities in the station. As stated by the government, the Amrit Bharat Station scheme involves improving station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lifts/escalators as needed, maintaining cleanliness, providing free Wi-Fi, and setting up kiosks for local products through schemes like One Station One Product. The scheme also aims to improve station buildings, integrate the station with both sides of the city, ensure multimodal integration, provide amenities for Divyangjans, implement sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
The Jaunpur Lok Sabha constituency is one of 80 parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. It is a general category seat and comprises part of Jaunpur district. Five Assembly segments fall under the Jaunpur Lok Sabha seat, of which the BJP currently holds two (Badlapur and Jaunpur), the Samajwadi Party holds two (Malhani and Mungra Badshahpur) and one is with the NISHAD party (Shahganj).

Polling Date  May 25, 2024; Phase 6

Sitting MP  Shyam Singh Yadav (BSP)

Candidates  Kripashankar Singh (BJP), Babu Singh Kushwaha (Samajwadi Party), Shyam Singh Yadav (BSP)

Political Dynamics

Its been 44 years since Jaunpur gave consecutive mandate to any party and 53 years since it repeated an MP. The last time a party got back-to-back wins in Jaunpur was the Janata Party in 1977 and 1980 elections. The last Jaunpur MP who got two wins on the trot was Rajdeo Singh of the Congress who won in 1963, 1967 and 1971.

The 2024 contest in Jaunpur is a three-cornered one between the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP, which changed its candidate at the last-minute.

BJPs Surprise Pick: The saffron partys candidate for Jaunpur is Kripashankar Singh, a surprise pick given that the Uttar Pradesh native is more popular and active in Maharashtra politics.

The saffron partys candidate for Jaunpur is Kripashankar Singh, a surprise pick given that the Uttar Pradesh native is more popular and active in Maharashtra politics. Singh was with the Congress earlier and had served as Minister of State for Home under then-CM Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The veteran politician, who is originally from Jaunpur, had stepped down from the ministerial position after facing corruption allegations and joined the BJP in 2021. He was soon made the Maharashtra unit vice-president of the BJP.

In the BJP, as it was in the Congress, Singhs main task has been to consolidate the sizeable North Indian migrant voters.

It is being speculated that since Singh is contesting from Jaunpur, his daughter Sunita Singh may get a BJP ticket for the Maharashtra Assembly elections later this year.

According to Singh, the fact that he has been away from Jaunpur for decades isnt a factor in these elections. He maintains he never lost touch with the people of Jaunpur.

He is mostly banking on the fact that Uttar Pradesh is known to overwhelmingly vote for PM Narendra Modi and the BJP.

Mayawatis 11th Hour Logic: In a move that may end up benefitting the BJP in Jaunpur, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati replaced the partys candidate here at the 11th hour. Instead of Shrikala Reddy, the wife of convicted former MP Dhananjay Singh, sitting MP Shyam Singh Yadav will contest from the seat.

In a move that may end up benefitting the BJP in Jaunpur, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati replaced the partys candidate here at the 11th hour. Instead of Shrikala Reddy, the wife of convicted former MP Dhananjay Singh, sitting MP Shyam Singh Yadav will contest from the seat. If he wins, Yadav will be the first sitting MP since 1971 to be repeated consecutively.

Shyam Singh Yadav had won the 2019 elections from Jaunpur on a BSP ticket by a margin of 60,351 votes and with 50.08% vote share. The BSP and SP had fought the election together back then. BJPs Krishna Pratap Singh was the first runner-up, followed by Congresss Deo Vrat Mishra.

BSP Helping BJP? Mayawatis move to change the Jaunpur candidate at the last-minute has puzzled observers, many of whom say the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the BSP is tacitly helping the BJP in the seat.

Mayawatis move to change the Jaunpur candidate at the last-minute has puzzled observers, many of whom say the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the BSP is tacitly helping the BJP in the seat. The conviction of Dhananjay Singh in a 2020 case of kidnapping and extortion of a Namami Gange project manager was in itself a massive shot in the arm for the BJP since it made Singh ineligible to contest Jaunpur elections. He has been sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment. The Allahabad High Court on April 27 granted bail to Singh but refused his plea to suspend or stay the sentence.

Had the BSP been able to field Singh, his clout in Jaunpur would have more or less guaranteed the seat for Mayawatis party.

With Singh unable to fight, it was near certain that the ticket would go to his wife Shrikala Reddy, who would be able to win on her husbands name.

But now with the BSP deciding to not field anyone with an association to Dhananjay Singh, the playing field is not only levelled but tilting towards the BJP.

Dhananjay Singh has not been happy with the developments, saying his wife has been hurt. He also denied rumours that his wife returned the ticket.

SP Challenger: Babu Singh Kushwaha, a former BSP leader and an accused in the Uttar Pradesh NRHM scam of 2012, is contesting from the seat on a Samajwadi Party ticket.

Babu Singh Kushwaha, a former BSP leader and an accused in the Uttar Pradesh NRHM scam of 2012, is contesting from the seat on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Kushwaha is from the OBC community and was previously with the BSP. He was a minister in the Mayawati cabinet.

Sacked by Mayawati over the corruption charges, he joined the BJP but eventually shifted to the Samajwadi Party.

There was much opposition to Kushwahas candidature and slogans were also raised against him by party workers in April, leading to a scuffle.

Caste Factors: Jaunpur is a Yadav-dominated seat, and the community is the traditional vote bank of the Samajwadi Party. In 2019, Yadavs had consolidated behind the SP-BSP candidate Shyam Singh Yadav, ensuring his victory.

Jaunpur is a Yadav-dominated seat, and the community is the traditional vote bank of the Samajwadi Party. In 2019, Yadavs had consolidated behind the SP-BSP candidate Shyam Singh Yadav, ensuring his victory. But this time, both parties are fighting the elections separately. The SP is part of the opposition INDIA bloc now.

With the BSP fielding sitting MP Shyam Singh Yadav, the Yadav votes (approximately 3.5 lakh) could be split between the two parties, thus benefitting the BJP.

The Thakur, meanwhile, account for 2 lakh voters. With Dhananjay Singhs wife dropped as a candidate, the community is said to be upset with the BSP and may vote for the BJP which has also fielded a Thakur candidate.

Around 2.5 lakh Brahmin voters are likely to side with the BJP too.

Modi and Yogi Double-Engine: PM Modi remains the BJPs biggest trump card in Uttar Pradesh, with his candidature from Varanasi having a major impact on other constituencies as well.

PM Modi remains the BJPs biggest trump card in Uttar Pradesh, with his candidature from Varanasi having a major impact on other constituencies as well. The construction and inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is the partys flagship pitch to voters in the state, with PM Modi as the driving force behind it.

The party is also banking on the perception that the Yogi Adityanath government has zero tolerance towards crime.

The Poorvanchal region which includes Jaunpur is especially notorious for the rule of mafia dons and gangsters.

The conviction of Dhananjay Singh during BJP rule in the state is also a major feather in the partys cap.

Key Constituency Issues

Purvanchal Statehood: The demand for a separate state of Purvanchal in the Bhojpuri region of eastern Uttar Pradesh has been a long-pending one. Pro-statehood activist groups want Varanasi to be the capital of the proposed state and Bhojpuri as the official language.

The demand for a separate state of Purvanchal in the Bhojpuri region of eastern Uttar Pradesh has been a long-pending one. Pro-statehood activist groups want Varanasi to be the capital of the proposed state and Bhojpuri as the official language. The demand for splitting Uttar Pradesh into Harit Pradesh (western UP), Poorvanchal (eastern UP), Bundelkhand and Awadh is raked up from time to time, and come elections, it gains momentum.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), headed by Mayawati, was once a strong supporter of the demand when the Samajwadi Party was in power, on development and law and order issues, maintaining that smaller states could be governed better.

As the chief minister, Mayawati had first raised the issue in 2007 and her government had even adopted a resolution in the Assembly seeking division of the state into four parts.

Both the BJP and the Congress had supported the resolution brought by Mayawati in the 403-member House.

But, as Mayawati lost power in 2012 after winning just 80 seats against 206 seats in 2007, her demand lost steam.

The issue may not be a burning one in the 2024 elections in Jaunpur, but there are pockets where its an emotive topic.

Need for Over-bridges: Entry into Jaunpur is near impossible without going through railway crossings, leading to build up of traffic that chokes arterial points leading to the region.

Entry into Jaunpur is near impossible without going through railway crossings, leading to build up of traffic that chokes arterial points leading to the region. Locals have been demanding over-bridges to bypass the railway crossings for years now, but progress has been slow on that count.

The lack of such bypass options is particularly felt on roads leading to Jaunpur from Lucknow, Varanasi, Azamgarh and Prayagraj.

Jobs: Lack of adequate employment opportunities for youth in Jaunpur is one of thy key election issues this time.

Lack of adequate employment opportunities for youth in Jaunpur is one of thy key election issues this time. Locals complain that despite the overall employment rate showing recovery in Uttar Pradesh, youth from Jaunpur are still forced to migrate for work.

Supervision of Central Schemes: While welfare schemes launched by the central government like Swachh Bharat, Awas Yojana and Jal Shakti Mission, are making rapid strides in addressing problems like cleanliness, housing and water shortage, there are gaps in supervising the pace of implementation on ground.

While welfare schemes launched by the central government like Swachh Bharat, Awas Yojana and Jal Shakti Mission, are making rapid strides in addressing problems like cleanliness, housing and water shortage, there are gaps in supervising the pace of implementation on ground. As per local sources, lack of last-mile coordination is leading to delays in implementation, particularly in the PM rural housing scheme.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
Chennai, Bangalore, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Hyderabad are some of the major cities in India and even as they are situated in the different parts of the country, they all joined the lower voter turnout group in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. All these seats have registered less than 60 per cent turnout, some even slipping below 50 per cent levels. The common factor in voting across these cities was that the people had the option of clubbing voting holidays with usual weekend offs.

Delhi is among the next big cities that will go to polls on Saturday, May 25. On May 23, Buddha Purnima will be celebrated, a gazetted holiday for the working class. For those who dont get an off on Saturdays, this will be an option for a long weekend with Saturday being a voting day off for many.

A similar situation was witnessed when Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar, home to Noida and Greater Noida, went to polls on April 26  a Friday. The turnout in the two cities was lowest in decades. In Ghaziabad, the turnout was around 50 per cent  that means for every 100 voters, just 50 showed up for voting.

Speaking to News18, a poll body official said that they are confident that Delhi will change the narrative. We did an extensive voter awareness drive and are confident that the city will set a high turnout example for the last phase, the official said, demanding anonymity.

It is also important to note that Delhi in 2019 also witnessed a lower turnout at 60.6 per cent. All the seven Lok Sabha seats in the city reported lower turnouts than the national average. North-East Delhi saw the best turnout of 63.86 per cent and the New Delhi seat saw lowest  56.91 per cent.

This time, in the 2024 Lok Sabha, at least 126 Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in the first five phases have seen turnout below 60 per cent, including 12 seats where the turnout was below 50 per cent.

Among the list of 12 seats were  Kalyan (47.08%), Mumbai South (47.7%), Hyderabad (48.48%), Secunderabad (49.04%), Mathura (49.41%), Thane (49.81%) and Ghaziabad (49.88%). Most of these cities have a majority of the working class population.

At least 19 Lok Sabha seats falling in major cities reported turnout between 51 and 55 per cent. This included Mumbai North central (51.42%), Porbandar (51.83%), Mumbai South central (51.88%), Lucknow (52.03%), Kanpur (53.05%), and Bangalore South (53.17%). Pune, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Mumbai North, North West and North East, Chennai Central and South, Bangalore Central and North, Agra, Nagpur, and Ahmedabad East and West were also part of this group.

While weekends may not be the sole factor keeping away the masses from voting, it is certainly a critical factor when it comes to the working class population. Voting day is a paid holiday for every working voter.

Heatwave Adding to The Woes

Adding to the woes, is the heatwave alert in the national capital. On Monday, as the country witnessed the fifth phase of polling across 49 seats, temperatures in several parts of Delhi crossed 47 degrees Celsius-mark. The weather office issued a red alert in the city for the next five days due to severe heatwave conditions in the national capital. All the schools have been closed for summer vacations.

Haryana, Too, Going For Vote on May 25

Along with Delhi, Haryana, home to Gurgaon and Faridabad, will also go for voting in the sixth phase. Just like Noida and Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh, these two cities of Haryana are also a part of the national capital region.

In 2019, Gurgaon, officially called Gurugram, witnessed a turnout of 67.33 per cent and Faridabad saw 64.1 per cent voter turnout  much better than the national capital and other nearby towns.

The counting of votes will be done on June 4 after polling for the last phase voting on June 1.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency is one of seven Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. At present, North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency comprises the following assembly segments: Burari (AAP), Timarpur (AAP), Seemapuri (AAP), Rohtas Nagar (BJP), Seelampur (AAP), Ghonda (BJP), Babarpur (AAP), Gokulpur (AAP), Mustafabad (AAP) and Karawal Nagar (BJP).

Current MP: Manoj Tiwari (BJP)

Top Contenders: Manoj Tiwari (BJP), Kanhaiya Kumar (Congress)

Date of Polling: May 25, 2024 (Phase VI)

Political Dynamics

Manoj with A Mission: Arguably the most interesting and keenly-watched electoral battle in Delhi in this general election is taking place in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha Constituency, where two Biharis are vying for the famed Purvanchali vote. North East Delhi is widely recognised as the migrant and labour hub of Delhi, housing residents mostly from Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh who work in the national capital to earn a livelihood.

Arguably the most interesting and keenly-watched electoral battle in Delhi in this general election is taking place in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha Constituency, where two Biharis are vying for the famed Purvanchali vote. North East Delhi is widely recognised as the migrant and labour hub of Delhi, housing residents mostly from Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh who work in the national capital to earn a livelihood. The BJP has reposed its faith in sitting MP Manoj Tiwari, who has represented the constituency for 10 years now. In 2014, Tiwari won by a margin of 1.6 lakh votes. This saw an astronomical jump in 2019, when his victory margin shot up to 3.66 lakh votes. In any ways, Manoj Tiwari emerged as one of the BJPs shark-slayers in 2019, since he defeated former Delhi chief minister and then Congress candidate, Sheila Dikshit.

Over the years, Manoj Tiwari has cultivated a solid support base across the parliamentary constituency, and migrant workers from Bihar and UP, residing mostly in unauthorised colonies and congested villages, remain his biggest vote bank. Luckily for the BJP, it is this segment of the electorate that now decides who wins elections from the constituency, and for the past two general elections, it has wholeheartedly supported the BJP.

Manoj Tiwari is the only sitting MP that the BJP has retained in Delhi this election season. Known to be in the good books of the partys top brass, Tiwari is believed to have retained the party ticket since the BJP believes he can deliver a win from North East Delhi for the third straight time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin his campaign in the national capital with a public event in Manoj Tiwaris constituency  and that is a big statement of endorsement coming from the BJPs tallest leader.

Ground inputs suggest that Manoj Tiwari has a considerable lead in the fight. The BJP is emerging as a big beneficiary of the polarisation that is visible on the ground. The Hindus, in significant numbers, are rallying behind the BJP. Manoj Tiwari is also said to be retaining his core voter base of traders, businessmen and migrants in North East Delhi. This, despite the Congress fielding Kanhaiya Kumar with the hopes of denting Tiwaris Purvanchali support base.

Chatter on the ground also indicates that the voters of North East Delhi, by and large, continue to be fascinated by the Modi Factor. Therefore, despite there being some level of anti-incumbency against Manoj Tiwari, Prime Minister Modis own charisma is ensuring that the BJP does not lose any significant number of its voters.

Congress Big Gamble with Kanhaiya: There can be no taking away from the fact that the Congress has played a smart game in so far as its choice of candidate for North East Delhi is concerned. Having fielded Kanhaiya Kumar against Manoj Tiwari, the Congress has made its intentions of trying to penetrate the BJPs migrant voter base here amply clear. However, Kanhaiya Kumars candidature is a gamble at best, and a blunder at worst.

There can be no taking away from the fact that the Congress has played a smart game in so far as its choice of candidate for North East Delhi is concerned. Having fielded Kanhaiya Kumar against Manoj Tiwari, the Congress has made its intentions of trying to penetrate the BJPs migrant voter base here amply clear. However, Kanhaiya Kumars candidature is a gamble at best, and a blunder at worst. For starters, it is believed that Rahul Gandhi is the man who backed Kanhaiya Kumars candidature from North East Delhi. Having been endorsed by Rahul directly, there was nothing much which the committee selecting MP candidates could say. However, the decision unleashed chaos in the partys already wobbly state unit.

The Congress state unit, aghast by the high commands decision to forge an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party, neared a breaking point with the announcement of Kanhaiya Kumars name from North East Delhi. Loud and regular protests within the Congress local organisation ensued, giving Kanhaiyas campaign a rough and unpleasant start. Such was the displeasure in the partys ranks that Arvinder Singh Lovely, the Delhi unit president of the Congress called it quits and has subsequently joined the saffron camp.

Even now, the Congress organisation does not appear to have accepted Kanhaiya Kumars candidature, despite him claiming that all is well. This will inevitably hurt Kumars chances of winning against Manoj Tiwari, who has the might of the BJPs entire organisation behind him.

Besides, Kanhaiya Kumar also carries the baggage of being identified as part of the Tukde Tukde Gang, which unleashed a wave of allegedly seditious demonstrations at JNU in 2016.

In recent years, North East Delhi has also hit the headlines for communal tensions, which peaked in 2020-2021 during the Shaheen Bagh protests against CAA and NRC. Widespread rioting back then has left the electorate polarised on religious lines. Muslims form a significant chunk of the population here, and areas such as Mustafabad, Seelampur, Karawal Nagar and Ghonda have a considerable Islamic demography. In such areas, the anti-BJP sentiment is palpable, and the saffron party is not particularly hopeful of getting much votes from this segment.

The Congress, on the other hand, is now armed with an alliance with AAP. However, in 2019, both these parties polled a total of 6.12 lakh. The BJP alone, got 1.75 lakh more votes than Congress and AAP combined. Numerically too, the Congress and AAP collectively face a very steep challenge in defeating the BJP. Moreover, Kanhaiya Kumars image as a non-nationalist is hurting the Congress prospects, and the BJP is having continuous field days highlighting Kumars controversial past. That Kanhaiya Kumars anti-Congress speeches in his years as a student have begun doing the rounds on social media is not a coincidence.

Voter Demographics

Total Voters (2019): ~16 lakh

Urban Areas: 100%

Literacy Rate: 77.09%

Social Composition

SC: 15.43%

ST: 0%

Religious Composition

Hindu: ~77%

Muslim: 18.9%

Sikh: 2.92%

Key Issues

Water Supply: In the Delhi North East Lok Sabha constituency, water supply in areas of Nathupura and Ibrahimpur and Bhalswa remain far out of reach. Many households still remain without piped water connections.

In the Delhi North East Lok Sabha constituency, water supply in areas of Nathupura and Ibrahimpur and Bhalswa remain far out of reach. Many households still remain without piped water connections. Moreover, according to ground reports, residents with piped connections have complained about the quality of water supplied by the Delhi Jal board and the irregularity of water supply.

There have also been many complaints of water leakages and water pipes bursting due to high pressure and poor infrastructure.

Road and Metro Connectivity: Road and metro connectivity remains a major issue in parts of Delhi North East constituency. The Burari metro station remains incomplete and is a major issue for the voters.

Road and metro connectivity remains a major issue in parts of Delhi North East constituency. The Burari metro station remains incomplete and is a major issue for the voters. Moreover, there is a lack of connectivity to places north of Burari such as Nathupura and Ibrahimpur. The Burari main road connects these regions and as a result sustains heavy flow of traffic. This results in congestion and major traffic jams for hours.

Due to issues in regards to maintenance and repair of pipelines roads along the region are constantly dug up leading to added congestion and inconvenience to the residents.

Safety and Security: Safety and security is one of the major issues in this constituency. There are many reports of theft, chain snatching, and even murders in the areas of Burari, Timarpur, and Ibrahimpur in the north east.

Safety and security is one of the major issues in this constituency. There are many reports of theft, chain snatching, and even murders in the areas of Burari, Timarpur, and Ibrahimpur in the north east. Reasons attributed are income inequality in the region, lower availability of civic amenities such as proper street lighting, among others.

Sewage: Proper sewage infrastructure is a major issue here. People are often stuck in their homes during the monsoon seasons as water logging paralyses movements.

Proper sewage infrastructure is a major issue here. People are often stuck in their homes during the monsoon seasons as water logging paralyses movements. It also causes major road mishaps as dug up roads due to constant issues with pipelines and sewage. These accidents have led to major injuries and even deaths.

Water and Air Pollution: Pollution is a major concern for the residents of North East Delhi. The pollution of the Yamuna and governments failure to clean it has been a major disappointment for the people.

Pollution is a major concern for the residents of North East Delhi. The pollution of the Yamuna and governments failure to clean it has been a major disappointment for the people. The constituency has a considerable Purvanchali population, who celebrate the puja of Chhatt, making the issue of river pollution an issue of faith and religion.

Air pollution on the other hand is a pan Delhi issue. It is exacerbated when the officials burn down the garbage dumped at the Ghazipur land fill. The region also sees heavy smog and smoke during the winter months and especially after Diwali.

Green Cover: Unlike the rest of Delhi, North East Delhi lacks in important green cover, and in the event of higher pollution suffer considerably. Especially areas like Timarpur and parts of Kamla Nagar, Model town and Mukherjee Nagar. There are also no major parks in the region.

Unlike the rest of Delhi, North East Delhi lacks in important green cover, and in the event of higher pollution suffer considerably. Especially areas like Timarpur and parts of Kamla Nagar, Model town and Mukherjee Nagar. There are also no major parks in the region. To address these issues, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari had requested the LG Delhi to grant him 175.5 acres of land for afforestation. The request was granted last year.

The L-G directed that land measuring 175.5 acres in various khasras, that is banjar (barren) land, be allotted to the Environment and Forest department for carrying out compensatory afforestation in lieu of a Northern Railway project.

Civic Amenities: There is a considerable lack of civic amenities which has upset the people. Areas such as Burari and Ibrahimpur in the North East Delhi seat suffer due to a lack of primary educational infrastructure, healthcare and parking woes. Last year, Tiwari, had requested to the LG to allot land for the construction of a school and a stadium in the constituencies. The request was granted and work is underway.

Infrastructure Development

Upgradation of Ghats: Ghats have been given a makeover in the region. The Vasudeva ghat was recently inaugurated by the Delhi LG. The region has a major Purvanchali population and the upgradation of ghats is seen as a major play to consolidate the votes.

Ghats have been given a makeover in the region. The Vasudeva ghat was recently inaugurated by the Delhi LG. The region has a major Purvanchali population and the upgradation of ghats is seen as a major play to consolidate the votes. EWS housing component: It is a transit-oriented development (ToD) project comprising 498 flats on 23 floors. It was completed in February this year at a cost of Rs. 1,168 crore.

It is a transit-oriented development (ToD) project comprising 498 flats on 23 floors. It was completed in February this year at a cost of Rs. 1,168 crore. Delhi Meerut RRTS: It is an under-construction semi-high-speed rail corridor that stretches across a distance of 82.15 km. The total estimated cost for the project is Rs 30,274 crore and will include 24 stations between Delhi and Meerut.

It is an under-construction semi-high-speed rail corridor that stretches across a distance of 82.15 km. The total estimated cost for the project is Rs 30,274 crore and will include 24 stations between Delhi and Meerut. School and Water Infra: North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari in Marh this year approached the Delhi LG with a request to grant land to construct a school and stadium in his constituency. LG VK Saxena has now approved the allotment of gram sabha land in Badarpur Khadar village for the construction of a school, installation of a water treatment plant and compensatory afforestation.

North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari in Marh this year approached the Delhi LG with a request to grant land to construct a school and stadium in his constituency. LG VK Saxena has now approved the allotment of gram sabha land in Badarpur Khadar village for the construction of a school, installation of a water treatment plant and compensatory afforestation. Provisions have also been made for compensatory afforestation, and 65 acres of land has been allotted for the same. 12.39 acres will be allotted to the education department for the construction of a govt school for the village and another 32 acres of land will be retained for future development needs of the village.

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Puri Lok Sabha Constituency is one of the 21 parliamentary constituencies in Odisha. It is spread over parts of Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts. The Lok Sabha constituency has the following assembly segments under it: Puri (BJP), Brahmagiri (BJP), Satyabadi (BJD), Pipili (BJD), Chilika (BJD), Ranpur (BJD) and Nayagarh (BJD).

Current MP: Pinaki Mishra (BJD)

Top Contenders: Sambit Patra (BJP), Arup Patnaik (BJD)

Date of Polling: May 25, 2024 (Phase VI)

Political Dynamics

BJP Dominates Puri, Sambit Patra Emerges as Favourite: The BJP was confident it could win the prestigious Puri Lok Sabha constituency in 2019. As one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus which is one among the four Dhams, Puri houses Sri Jagannath  who is the life and soul of Odisha. The BJP gave its best shot and tried to defeat the BJD in the previous general election as well. However, it fell short and its candidate, the well-known spokesperson Sambit Patra, was defeated by a margin of about 11,000 votes by BJDs Pinaki Mishra.

The BJP was confident it could win the prestigious Puri Lok Sabha constituency in 2019. As one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus which is one among the four Dhams, Puri houses Sri Jagannath  who is the life and soul of Odisha. The BJP gave its best shot and tried to defeat the BJD in the previous general election as well. However, it fell short and its candidate, the well-known spokesperson Sambit Patra, was defeated by a margin of about 11,000 votes by BJDs Pinaki Mishra. However, Sambit Patra did not take the defeat to heart. Considering it a part of Sri Jagannaths plan for him, Sambit Patra stayed back in Puri after the electoral loss started nurturing the constituency. Over the past five years, Sambit Patra doubled down on efforts in the constituency despite losing the election. It is no surprise, therefore, that the BJP has once again entrusted him with the task of winning Puri.

Over the past five years, Sambit Patras graph of both popularity and likability has shot up in a rather dramatic fashion across Puri LS. He is now a household name, and it is quite difficult to come across a person who does not know Sambit Patra. The BJP candidate ensured that he used the whole of five years since 2019 to forge personal relationships with the voters of Puri. As a result, he is now a frontrunner in the fight here, and the BJP is expected to register a spectacular victory from the constituency this time. In 2019, the BJP had increased its vote share in Puri by a whopping 25%.

Voters on the ground say Sambit Patra has always been available for them since 2019, despite the fact that he had lost the election. There is broad appreciation of the fact that Patra was the de-facto MP of Puri despite losing the election, and that he was more approachable and rooted to the ground than the man who won the election  Pinaki Mishra.

Sambit Patra is now in a position to win Puri on his own accord. However, adding further armour to his campaign is the Modi Factor  which is quite visible not just in Puri, but across Odisha. This, for the BJD, is proving to be a lethal combination to challenge.

Sambit Patra has also become the first political leader to release his report card ahead of the election in Puri. This report card highlights all the work he has done in the constituency over the past five years, despite not being its MP. According to the report card, Puri has witnessed significant infrastructure growth in national highway expansion and railway services. Expansion of postal services, lighting facility at the mouth of Chilika lake, extension of financial assistance under different schemes to farmers, weavers, fishermen and women self-help groups are the other noticeable initiatives Sambit Patra claims to have delivered on.

Interestingly, it seems Sambit Patra was informed that he would be fielded from Puri LS months before the election dates were announced. He has been on the ground, actively engaging in door-to-door campaigning for months now. That in itself has given him a very significant lead over the BJD.

BJDs Time Up? The BJD barely managed to retain Puri Lok Sabha constituency in 2019. One would assume that given its slender margin of victory, the party, and particularly the MP of Puri, Pinaki Mishra would double down in their efforts to reach out to voters and consolidate their position. However, Pinaki Mishra is seen largely as an absent MP, which is among the prime reasons why the voters of Puri are expected to vote for Sambit Patra en masse this time around.

The BJD barely managed to retain Puri Lok Sabha constituency in 2019. One would assume that given its slender margin of victory, the party, and particularly the MP of Puri, Pinaki Mishra would double down in their efforts to reach out to voters and consolidate their position. However, Pinaki Mishra is seen largely as an absent MP, which is among the prime reasons why the voters of Puri are expected to vote for Sambit Patra en masse this time around. The BJDs campaign is neither as aggressive and visible, nor as luring as the BJPs this election. Given the voters displeasure against sitting MP Pinaki Mishra, the BJD has dropped him and fielded former IPS officer Arup Patnaik from the constituency instead. Arup, who has served as Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, joined the BJD in April 2018 and currently heads the partys social welfare wing, Odisha-Mo Parivar.

Arup Patnaik is relying largely on the BJDs governments developmental work in Puri, apart from Naveen Patnaiks charisma  or whatever remains of it. Among the most prominently highlighted initiative in the BJDs campaign is the redevelopment of the area surrounding the Jagannath Puri Mandir. BJD has remodelled the parikrama route and corridor of Jagannath Mandir, which was inaugurated in January.

While people are appreciative of the redevelopment, it may not be enough for the BJD to win the Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP, in the voters minds, has delivered and can deliver a lot more in terms of development. To add to BJDs woes, while Sambit Patra is an excellent orator who does not shy away from flaunting his Hindutva credentials, the BJD and its candidate have no such assets to rely on. Even Naveen Patnaik, it appears, is beginning to lose his shine due to age progression. The BJD, simply put, is not being able to captivate voters like it used to.

There is also a significant chunk of the electorate in Puri which is angry with the BJD government, since its temple redevelopment and beautification plans have displaced several families. Houses and buildings in a radius of 200 metres from the Mandir were demolished during the redevelopment, and this has angered quite a few voters in Puri.

Some political observers and analysts on the ground have also suggested that the BJD should be wary of internal sabotage, which would further hurt its prospects not just in the Puri Lok Sabha seat, but the assembly segment as well. In 2019, while the BJD won the parliamentary seat, it lost the Puri assembly segment to the BJP. Now, Naveen Patnaik is determined to win the seat back, but it has an uphill battle at hand.

Key Issues

Drinking Water: Residents of Krushnaprasad, Brahmagiri, and Astaranga areas in Puri district face a persistent shortage of drinking water. This issue has become a focal point for the upcoming elections.

Residents of Krushnaprasad, Brahmagiri, and Astaranga areas in Puri district face a persistent shortage of drinking water. This issue has become a focal point for the upcoming elections. In Krushnaprasad, despite a drinking water project being announced under the Basudha scheme in 2018 and a foundation stone laid by the Chief Minister, the project remains incomplete, leaving residents with ongoing water scarcity.

Similarly, a drinking water project intended to serve 59 villages in Brahmagiri, launched in 2011, has also stalled, leaving machinery unused and construction deteriorating. In Astaranga, the lack of progress in addressing the drinking water problem has fuelled resentment among residents.

Corruption: Corruption is a prevalent issue in Puri, with allegations of widespread irregularities in various government programs.

Corruption is a prevalent issue in Puri, with allegations of widespread irregularities in various government programs. In the Motari Panchayat of Delang, PDS articles like rice and wheat are still being withdrawn in the names of over 30 deceased individuals. Similar concerns have been raised about corruption in old-age pensions, Biju Pucca Ghar, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana schemes, fuelling public anger.

In Gandapada village, PDS articles are also being withdrawn in the names of over 30 deceased individuals at the Fair Price Shop.

Pest control: There has been a significant increase in rodent activity within the Jagannath temple. The number of rodents, which grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic when devotee visits were restricted, has resulted in damage to the attires of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

There has been a significant increase in rodent activity within the Jagannath temple. The number of rodents, which grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic when devotee visits were restricted, has resulted in damage to the attires of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Servitors and priests have expressed concern that the rodents could potentially damage the wooden idols. The rodents also disrupt rituals by consuming flower offerings and nibbling on the deities attire.

While the rodents are a nuisance within the sanctum sanctorum, servitors are prohibited from killing or poisoning them inside the temple.

Puri Heritage Corridor Project: The Odisha governments Rs 3,200-crore Puri Heritage Corridor Project aims to redevelop Puri into an international heritage site, including the 800-year-old Jagannath temple.

The Odisha governments Rs 3,200-crore Puri Heritage Corridor Project aims to redevelop Puri into an international heritage site, including the 800-year-old Jagannath temple. In February 2022, excavation work for public amenities began within 75 metres of the temple, sparking concerns about potential damage to the 12th-century structure. Questions regarding the necessary permissions for construction around the temple were raised by the people and the opposition.

The temple is a centrally protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act (AMSAR). While the Act prohibits construction within 100 metres of a protected area, it exempts public conveniences and utilities.

However, an impact assessment was required for developments surrounding monuments with a built-up area exceeding 5,000 square metres, a threshold the Jagannath temple surpasses. In March 2022, a resident filed a petition with the Orissa High Court, expressing concerns about the temples structural safety due to the excavation. The issue was also raised in Parliament, with allegations of illegal construction and demands for its stoppage.

Tourism Development: The city attracts a significant number of tourists daily, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000. However, despite its tourism potential, development of civic and tourist amenities has been insufficient. This has resulted in a lack of progress in transforming the city into a hub for spiritual tourism.

The city attracts a significant number of tourists daily, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000. However, despite its tourism potential, development of civic and tourist amenities has been insufficient. This has resulted in a lack of progress in transforming the city into a hub for spiritual tourism. While state leaders have repeatedly promised to leverage the citys tourism potential, concrete actions to achieve this have been limited. This lack of development has led to disappointment among residents, who believe that the citys tourism strength is not being fully realised, hindering the regions economic growth.

Unemployment and Emigration: Unemployment is a significant challenge in Puri. The lack of major industrial hubs, manufacturing clusters, or IT centres in the region limits employment opportunities for the growing youth population.

Unemployment is a significant challenge in Puri. The lack of major industrial hubs, manufacturing clusters, or IT centres in the region limits employment opportunities for the growing youth population. As a result, many young people are migrating to urban centres in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in search of work. Reports indicate that a considerable number of households are affected by this outmigration.

Waste Management: The city of Puri is experiencing a growing waste management problem. Urbanisation has led to an increase in solid waste generation, exceeding the capacity of the existing infrastructure. This has resulted in a decline in the citys environmental quality, contributing to the spread of diseases like dengue and malaria.

The city of Puri is experiencing a growing waste management problem. Urbanisation has led to an increase in solid waste generation, exceeding the capacity of the existing infrastructure. This has resulted in a decline in the citys environmental quality, contributing to the spread of diseases like dengue and malaria. Despite residents expressing their concerns to local authorities, garbage continues to accumulate on the streets, creating an unpleasant odour for both residents and tourists.

Floods: Floods have been a recurrent issue for the residents of Puri and across the state. The story is same every monsoon season. In 2022, around 1.5 lakh people from 201 villages under 55 Gram Panchayats in Puri district were heavily impacted as water entered their homes.

Floods have been a recurrent issue for the residents of Puri and across the state. The story is same every monsoon season. In 2022, around 1.5 lakh people from 201 villages under 55 Gram Panchayats in Puri district were heavily impacted as water entered their homes. The same issue repeated itself in August 2023, when floods in Mahanadi River system left at least 1.20 lakh people stranded in 762 villages of 15 districts and 66 wards of 17 urban local bodies in Odisha.

This causes massive strain on the people who have to reconvene their life every year after losses caused due to floods. The government does award compensation to the victims, however, it sometimes isnt enough.

Voter Demographics

Total Voters: 15,62,331

SC: 16.8%

ST: 2.7%

Hindu: 96.9%

Muslim: 2.6%

Infrastructure Development

Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project: Inaugurated by Naveen Patnaik in January this year, it was completed at a cost of Rs. 943 crore. It includes a 75-metre corridor around the temple boundary, a green buffer zone, pedestrian-only circumambulation, a reception centre for 6,000 devotees, a cultural centre, library, Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, and multi-level car parking.

Inaugurated by Naveen Patnaik in January this year, it was completed at a cost of Rs. 943 crore. It includes a 75-metre corridor around the temple boundary, a green buffer zone, pedestrian-only circumambulation, a reception centre for 6,000 devotees, a cultural centre, library, Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, and multi-level car parking. Shree Setu: It is a 2.8-kilometre bypass stretch in the city which will lead people coming in from Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri directly to a multi-level parking spot. This will help reduce visitors travel time by up to an hour as they will be able to avoid the city traffic. It was built at a cost of Rs 200 crore. It is Indias first trumpet bridge and has been constructed on an area of 37 acres.

It is a 2.8-kilometre bypass stretch in the city which will lead people coming in from Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri directly to a multi-level parking spot. This will help reduce visitors travel time by up to an hour as they will be able to avoid the city traffic. It was built at a cost of Rs 200 crore. It is Indias first trumpet bridge and has been constructed on an area of 37 acres. Shrimandir Parikrama: It is a 1.5 km walking path around the temple to deal with the rising footfall of worshippers and provide a 360 coverage of the temple for the devotees.

It is a 1.5 km walking path around the temple to deal with the rising footfall of worshippers and provide a 360 coverage of the temple for the devotees. Widening of Bada Danda Road: The grand road (bada danda) leading to the Jagannath temple has been widened to 75 metres. This expansion, intended to accommodate the large crowds during the Rath Yatra procession, includes the installation of street lights and street furniture along the sides of the road.

The grand road (bada danda) leading to the Jagannath temple has been widened to 75 metres. This expansion, intended to accommodate the large crowds during the Rath Yatra procession, includes the installation of street lights and street furniture along the sides of the road. International Airport: The Sri Jagannath International Airport will be constructed near Sipasarubali in Puri district. It is being built at a cost of Rs 2,203 crore and will have a passenger capacity of 4.6 million per year.

The Sri Jagannath International Airport will be constructed near Sipasarubali in Puri district. It is being built at a cost of Rs 2,203 crore and will have a passenger capacity of 4.6 million per year. Railway Infrastructure: Platforms were provided at Birapurusottapur, Kalupapadaghat, Malatipatpur, Sakhigopal stations. The station building at Sakhigopal was rebuilt, and one bay platform shelter each at Balugaon and Chilika stations were added. Signboards were provided at Puri station to guide passengers, and waiting hall amenities were provided at Kalupapadaghat and Puri stations. Wi-Fi was provided at Puri, Malatipatpur, Delang, Birapurusottapur and Sakhigopal stations.

Platforms were provided at Birapurusottapur, Kalupapadaghat, Malatipatpur, Sakhigopal stations. The station building at Sakhigopal was rebuilt, and one bay platform shelter each at Balugaon and Chilika stations were added. Signboards were provided at Puri station to guide passengers, and waiting hall amenities were provided at Kalupapadaghat and Puri stations. Wi-Fi was provided at Puri, Malatipatpur, Delang, Birapurusottapur and Sakhigopal stations. Additional six bays of platform shelters were added at Puri station. Train no 18117 Rourkela Bhubaneswar Rajyarani Express was extended to Gunupur and stoppage provided at Balugaon. Train no 22809 Paradeep Visakhapatnam having stoppage at Balugaon. Train no 22974 Puri Gandhidham Express having stoppages at Sakhigopal and Balugaon stations.

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The Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 10 parliamentary constituencies in Haryana, designated as a General category seat. It includes part of Jind district and the entire Sonipat district. The constituency is divided into nine Legislative Assembly segments  Ganaur, Rai, Kharkhauda (SC), Sonipat, Gohana, and Baroda in Sonipat district, and Julana, Safidon, and Jind in Jind district. The constituency will vote in phase six on May 25.

Sitting MP: Ramesh Chander Kaushik of the BJP since 2014, preceded by Jitender Singh of Congress (2009)

Candidates: Satpal Brahmachari (Congress), Mohan Lal Badoli of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

The Sonipat constituency is one of the most prestigious seats in Haryana, harbouring a rapidly growing industrial and educational base adjoining the national capital. This is a Jat-heavy constituency, comprising about 35% Jat voters, who tend to dominate the polls. Of the 12 MPs, nine have been from the Jat community. Brahmins form the second-largest caste community with over 13% of the voter population.

This Lok Sabha election, both the BJP and Congress have fielded Brahmin candidates. Two other parties, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), have fielded Jat candidates, and will be minor players in the election.

Trouble For BJP Palpable: For the BJP, which is aiming for a hat-trick and yet facing opposition from Jat voters, Sonipat is expected to be a tough seat to retain in what is going to be a close contest.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Ramesh Kaushik won the seat for a second time, with a dominant 52.1% vote share, defeating former Congress chief minister and Jat heavyweight Bhupinder Hooda by a comfortable margin of 1.62 lakh votes. The two-time MP was, however, embroiled in major controversy, surrounding an alleged video leak, which caught Kaushik in a compromising position with a woman. In his defence, Kaushik rejected the allegations, calling them a smear campaign. It is said that owing to the controversy, the BJP high command ultimately decided not to grant him a ticket for a third term and fielded Mohan Lal Badoli in his place.

Badoli is the MLA from Rai constituency, and is also the General Secretary of Haryana BJP. However, as per sources on the ground, he faces anti-incumbency in his own constituency, with accusations that he has not accessible to the people. Moreover, there has been some chatter about infighting as the sitting MP Ramesh Kaushik was not given a party ticket.

Attempts have been made to ensure a united front. Former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the residence of Kaushik before attending the public meeting of Badoli. During their conversation, Kaushik assured Khattar full support, emphasising that he is a dedicated BJP member. After the meeting, Kaushiks younger brother, Devendra, joined Khattar at BJPs Vijay Sankalp rally. Devendra dismissed rumours that he opposed Mohanlal Badoli, reaffirming his commitment to the BJP and its victory.

In this region, which is deeply influenced by the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the BJP has been drawing analogies, painting itself as the Pandavas and the Congress as the Kauravas. At the rally, Khattar highlighted the achievements of the Narendra Modi government, stating the Modi administration completed projects left pending by the Congress government and made significant decisions that strengthened Indias global position. He cited the abrogation of Article 370 as a move that boosted national confidence, including in Kashmir. Khattar contrasted the current governments stance on national security, claiming that during the Congress rule, soldiers were frequently martyred, whereas now, any threats are met with firm responses. He also noted the liberation of Muslim women from triple talaq, the diminishing influence of the tukde tukde gang, and the surrender of Naxalites. He concluded with criticism of the Congress for being a family-centric party, while praising Modi for facilitating the rise of grassroots leaders.

Ultimately, the BJP is banking on the Modi factor, which remains prevalent and may serve be the saving grace for the party. Welfare schemes such as Garib Kalyan Yojana, Awas Yojana and so on have ensured a considerable degree of support from poorer sections of society. The construction of the Ram Mandir was also celebrated widely in this constituency, and there is strong approval for the BJPs Hindutva politics.

However, the Modi factor has been dampened by caste divides, which have visibly re-emerged since 2019. At the heart of the problem for the BJP is the emergence of Jat issues and the dominant Jat communitys discontentment with the Centres handling of the farmers and wrestlers protests. Sources on the ground indicate that Sarpanch leaders of many panchayats in Jat-dominated villages have declared support for the Congress. With Jats comprising 35% of the voting population, the BJP has been left jittery about its prospects in this constituency.

Congresss Gamble: The Congress appears to have an upper hand this election, with Jat anger against the BJP being key to its re-emergence. It also has five MLAs here as opposed to the BJPs three.

The Congress has nominated Haryana-born Satpal Brahmachari who was involved in active politics in Uttarakhand prior to this stint. He was elected as the Haridwar mayor in 2003, served as the Haridwar Congress President and is closely associated with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, having been picked personally by the leader.

Brahmachari, who is also from the Brahmin community like his BJP rival, contested from Haridwar on a Congress ticket and lost to Kaushik on two occasions in 2012 and 2022.

Notably, Brahmachari is seen as a socio-religious leader and is popular across the Haryanvi Hindu community, as he runs two Ashrams in Haridwar, namely Radhakrishna and Thanaram and one Ashram in Pandu Pindara village of Jind district. Several pilgrims from Haryana visit these Ashrams and interact where Brahmachari often interacts with them. Hooda, who lost the election in 2019 to Brahmin candidate Kaushik, aims to leverage the spiritual image of Satpal Brahmachari and the connections he established with the Haryanvi community.

Moreover, Brahmachari originally comes from Congress-dominated Safidon in Jind, which falls under the Sonipat constituency. His nomination has swayed voters in Safidon and two other assembly segments, Julana and Jind, who are pleased that a leader from the Jind district has been given a ticket for a change.

Backed by former chief minister and Jat stalwart Hooda, Brahmachari enjoys the support of the 35% Jat community, which can prove to be a winning factor for the Congress. He is also well-known and respected among Brahmin and Rajput voters. Additionally, ex-union minister Birender Singh recently quit the BJP and returned to the Congress after a decade, indicating the shifting political sands in this region.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether a complete consolidation of Jat votes is possible despite the Modi factor. It remains to be seen whether the INLD and the JJP, which have nominated Jat leaders from Sonipat, trigger a consequential split in the Jat vote or whether the Congress weathers this minor obstacle.

VOTER DEMOGRAPHICS (2011 CENSUS)

Total voters (2019): 16,16,363

Urban: 30.7%

Rural: 69.3%

Literacy Rate: 66.71%

Social Composition

SC: 19.2%

ST: 0%

Religious Composition

Hindu: 96%

Muslim: 2.65%

Sikh: 1%

KEY ISSUES

Wrestlers Protest: This issue has been raised by many opposition party leaders. This has become an emotive issue to a certain degree for the Jat community. Satyapal Malik, a Jat leader from the BJP, voiced his support for the wrestlers. In January 2023, wrestlers protested allegations of sexual harassment against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh during his tenure as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India. The protests, held in New Delhis Jantar Mantar, led to assurances from the Central Government that a committee would be formed for investigation. However, the protests resumed in April 2023 due to perceived inaction and bias. Bhushan faced criticism for alleged protection by the government and pressure on protesters to withdraw their cases.

Farmers Issues: Farmers in this largely rural constituency face a host of issues, including water shortage, absence of irrigation, shrinking yields and falling incomes. The region struggles with low rain and a wide temperature arc from -1 degree Celsius in the winter to 51 degree Celsius in the summer, causing more stress to the farming community. Farmers also complain that the MSPs provided by the government are not enough, and the crop insurance scheme offered by the government does not sufficiently cover the costs. Led by the Jat community, the farmers protests have found significant ground here.

Agniveer Scheme: The Agniveer scheme is another issue on the ballot as local youth view the scheme as a limitation on their aspirations to join the Army, which is one of the few popular avenues for employment from the region.

Industrial Pollution: Villages in rural Sonipat suffer because of the pollution caused by the industrial waste dumped by nearby plants and industries. The issue is more defined in areas of Saboli, Nathupur, Kundli, Akbarpur Barota Safiabad and Sersa. They are not only breathing deadly air but also dealing with polluted water due to industrial waste. Discharge from plastic, rubber and polyester factories has led to severe environment degradation. A study shows industrial pollution contains dioxin, nitrogen dioxin, furan and benzene, which are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer. People have raised their voice against the blatant degradation of the environment and the toxins being released by these industries unabatedly.

Water Issues: Availability of water is a major issue, especially in rural areas. Piped water connections have failed to reach many villages in the constituency. Yamuna floods wash away the pipelines and roads in rural areas seasonally which lead to water scarcity. Moreover, the water table in the urban areas has declined rapidly due to a rise in population and people digging boring wells. However, even ground water in the region is not fit for direct consumption. The water in Sonipat is not fit for drinking due to its high salinity and fluoride content.

Traffic Issues: Sonipat is expanding, however, the administration has failed to upgrade the road infrastructure to keep up with the demands. There are major traffic snarls throughout the city area. Narrow lanes, encroachment by hawkers and people dwelling on the streets have made transportation even more uncomfortable and inconvenient for people. There are premier private and government institutes in the region which attract students from across India, adding pressure on the existing infrastructure leading to congestion.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
South Delhi is one of the seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Delhi that comprises the assembly segments of Bijwasan, Palwam, Mehrauli, Chhatarpur, Deoli, Ambedkar Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Kalkaji, Tughlakabad and Badarpur. Barring Badarpur, which is held by the BJP, the other nine assembly segments are represented by Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi legislative assembly. The current MP is Ramesh Bidhuri of the BJP while the top contenders for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections are Ramvir Singh Bidhuri (BJP) and AAPs Sahiram Pehalwan  the joint candidate of the INDIA bloc. South Delhi will vote on May 25 in the sixth phase of polls and results will be declared on June 4.

Political Dynamics

BJP Confident, But Fight is Tough: South Delhi has been a BJP stronghold for years now. The saffron party has represented this constituency from 2014, with Ramesh Bidhuri being the candidate here. This time, though, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has made the cut and has been fielded by the party to take on AAP-Congress candidate Sahiram Pehalwan. Ramesh Bidhuri appears to have been dropped following his distasteful remarks in the Lok Sabha against Samajwadi leader Danish Ali last year. Ramvir Bidhuri is not a lightweight. Having been in politics for decades now, he has a background in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Jan Sangh. He has been in and out of the Delhi legislative assembly since 1993 as MLA.

South Delhi has been a BJP stronghold for years now. The saffron party has represented this constituency from 2014, with Ramesh Bidhuri being the candidate here. This time, though, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has made the cut and has been fielded by the party to take on AAP-Congress candidate Sahiram Pehalwan. Ramesh Bidhuri appears to have been dropped following his distasteful remarks in the Lok Sabha against Samajwadi leader Danish Ali last year. Ramvir Bidhuri is not a lightweight. Having been in politics for decades now, he has a background in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Jan Sangh. He has been in and out of the Delhi legislative assembly since 1993 as MLA. Caste Matrix: Caste plays a pivotal role in this constituency which is a mixed bag of financial conditions. If Mehrauli and Chhatarpur host major fashion brands, cafes, clubs, restaurants, farmhouses, and bungalows, areas like Deoli, Sangam Vihar and Badarpur are home to migrants and labourers. After the delimitation of 2008, affluent colonies such as Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, and RK Puram were redefined, leaving behind a constituency marked by urban villages and slums. The biggest voter bloc in South Delhi is that of Gurjars, followed by Jats. Getting the vote of these communities is a sure-shot way of emerging victorious here. This is why the BJP, like the AAP, has fielded a Gurjar candidate. In 2019, while Ramesh Bidhuri had won the seat by a margin of 3.67 lakh votes, it remains to be seen whether BJP can hold on to this support base this time around. The fact that AAP has fielded a Gurjar threatens to split the biggest demographic voter base here, which could impact BJPs fortunes negatively.

Caste plays a pivotal role in this constituency which is a mixed bag of financial conditions. If Mehrauli and Chhatarpur host major fashion brands, cafes, clubs, restaurants, farmhouses, and bungalows, areas like Deoli, Sangam Vihar and Badarpur are home to migrants and labourers. After the delimitation of 2008, affluent colonies such as Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, and RK Puram were redefined, leaving behind a constituency marked by urban villages and slums. The biggest voter bloc in South Delhi is that of Gurjars, followed by Jats. Getting the vote of these communities is a sure-shot way of emerging victorious here. This is why the BJP, like the AAP, has fielded a Gurjar candidate. In 2019, while Ramesh Bidhuri had won the seat by a margin of 3.67 lakh votes, it remains to be seen whether BJP can hold on to this support base this time around. The fact that AAP has fielded a Gurjar threatens to split the biggest demographic voter base here, which could impact BJPs fortunes negatively. Advantage BJP? The good news for the BJP is that it has a wide lead over the AAP and Congress if one were to take the 2019 victory margin as a benchmark. At best, the contest in South Delhi appears ratioed as a 60:40 fight in favour of the BJP. Narendra Modi remains the biggest vote-getter for the saffron party here as well. Bidhuris campaign revolves around Modis guarantees, the Ram Mandir inauguration and the alleged excise policy scam in which the AAP is said to be deeply involved. Bidhuri has also been highlighting the work done by the Modi government for Delhi. This includes work pertaining to peripheral roads, Eco Park, six-lane National Highway, India Gate Tunnel, National War Memorial, Kartavya Marg, new Parliament building, and the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate. Ramesh Bidhuri has also been taking morning jogs and interacting with voters early in the morning at parks. In fact, this appears to be a strategy the BJP is using in several urban constituencies. Besides, the party has also roped in Manoj Tiwari to tap into the migrant and Purvanchali vote of the constituency. He has been convincing voters with Bhojpuri spinoffs of famous songs. While Amit Shah has already campaigned here, PM Modis rally/roadshow could prove to be a big shot in the arm for the BJP to comprehensively solidify its support base.

The good news for the BJP is that it has a wide lead over the AAP and Congress if one were to take the 2019 victory margin as a benchmark. At best, the contest in South Delhi appears ratioed as a 60:40 fight in favour of the BJP. Narendra Modi remains the biggest vote-getter for the saffron party here as well. Bidhuris campaign revolves around Modis guarantees, the Ram Mandir inauguration and the alleged excise policy scam in which the AAP is said to be deeply involved. Bidhuri has also been highlighting the work done by the Modi government for Delhi. This includes work pertaining to peripheral roads, Eco Park, six-lane National Highway, India Gate Tunnel, National War Memorial, Kartavya Marg, new Parliament building, and the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate. Ramesh Bidhuri has also been taking morning jogs and interacting with voters early in the morning at parks. In fact, this appears to be a strategy the BJP is using in several urban constituencies. Besides, the party has also roped in Manoj Tiwari to tap into the migrant and Purvanchali vote of the constituency. He has been convincing voters with Bhojpuri spinoffs of famous songs. While Amit Shah has already campaigned here, PM Modis rally/roadshow could prove to be a big shot in the arm for the BJP to comprehensively solidify its support base. AAP Bets on Wrestler to Take on BJP: The Aam Aadmi Party appears to have understood that it would have to wrestle the BJP if it hopes to defeat it in South Delhi. To do so, it has fielded Sahiram Pehalwan, a wrestler and a Gurjar, and this is what has made the fight in the constituency interesting. Although the AAP and Congress vote shares from 2019 total to about 40 per cent together, the BJP had a comfortable 16 per cent lead over both the parties combined. In 2019, BJP polled 56.58 per cent of the votes here. As such, the AAP and Congress face a very steep battle, and hope that their caste play can deliver this one constituency in the national capital. One of the senior-most AAP leaders, Pehalwan had earlier been with the BSP and was a two-time councillor. He has also been the Deputy Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. Currently serving his second term as MLA of Tughlakabad, Pehalwan is known for his grassroots activism and connect. The hope in the INDIA bloc is that Pehalwan can significantly dent the BJPs support among Gurjars, providing AAP with a window to exploit. Besides Gurjars, AAP is also relying on the support of Muslims and lower-income groups. The hope from the Congress is that it can help consolidate AAPs support among such groups. Again, it must be remembered that AAP and Congress 2019 vote share put together was not close to what the BJP secured. The challenge for INDIA bloc, therefore, is quite steep. There is a long road in terms of vote share to be travelled by it, and there is no guarantee of the alliance actually working on the ground.

The Aam Aadmi Party appears to have understood that it would have to wrestle the BJP if it hopes to defeat it in South Delhi. To do so, it has fielded Sahiram Pehalwan, a wrestler and a Gurjar, and this is what has made the fight in the constituency interesting. Although the AAP and Congress vote shares from 2019 total to about 40 per cent together, the BJP had a comfortable 16 per cent lead over both the parties combined. In 2019, BJP polled 56.58 per cent of the votes here. As such, the AAP and Congress face a very steep battle, and hope that their caste play can deliver this one constituency in the national capital. One of the senior-most AAP leaders, Pehalwan had earlier been with the BSP and was a two-time councillor. He has also been the Deputy Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. Currently serving his second term as MLA of Tughlakabad, Pehalwan is known for his grassroots activism and connect. The hope in the INDIA bloc is that Pehalwan can significantly dent the BJPs support among Gurjars, providing AAP with a window to exploit. Besides Gurjars, AAP is also relying on the support of Muslims and lower-income groups. The hope from the Congress is that it can help consolidate AAPs support among such groups. Again, it must be remembered that AAP and Congress 2019 vote share put together was not close to what the BJP secured. The challenge for INDIA bloc, therefore, is quite steep. There is a long road in terms of vote share to be travelled by it, and there is no guarantee of the alliance actually working on the ground. Alliance Concerns? On ground, the kind of momentum which should ideally be visible in terms of support for AAP and Congress is not quite evident. While there are those who support AAP at the state level, there are an equal number of voters who feel Kejriwal has betrayed them. There is also a sizable demographics which supports AAP locally but chooses Modi at the Centre. For many, AAPs alliance with Congress is a big concern.

Key Issues

Water Issues: While in posh areas of Vasant Kunj, Saket, Greater Kailash and others, drinking water is not a major issue, there are some pockets and rural areas such as the periphery of the IGNOU campus and the slums near Vasant Kunj and Munirka where piped water has still not reached households. People have to wait in line for water tankers, sometimes for hours. These people have been agitated and have demanded regular water supply in their areas but these demands have remained unheard. As a result, the residents have threatened to vote to protest against the next state elections in the state and boycott it completely.

While in posh areas of Vasant Kunj, Saket, Greater Kailash and others, drinking water is not a major issue, there are some pockets and rural areas such as the periphery of the IGNOU campus and the slums near Vasant Kunj and Munirka where piped water has still not reached households. People have to wait in line for water tankers, sometimes for hours. These people have been agitated and have demanded regular water supply in their areas but these demands have remained unheard. As a result, the residents have threatened to vote to protest against the next state elections in the state and boycott it completely. Power Cuts: Power cuts in South Delhi localities remain a major issue, even in the posh colonies. People have reported power cuts due to load shedding for nearly 8-10 hours a day, especially during the summers. The increasing temperatures and no electricity cause immense problems for those who stay at home or work from home. People have also complained about the inaction by power companies.

Power cuts in South Delhi localities remain a major issue, even in the posh colonies. People have reported power cuts due to load shedding for nearly 8-10 hours a day, especially during the summers. The increasing temperatures and no electricity cause immense problems for those who stay at home or work from home. People have also complained about the inaction by power companies. Women Safety: Women safety is a major concern in the constituency. Cat-calling and eve-teasing are common occurrences and have failed to be addressed adequately by the local police authorities. The region houses premier institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University and many colleges of Delhi University which attract many young girls from across the country. It is a major issue in the upcoming election as the seat has over 23,000 first time voters in the age bracket of 18-19 years.

Women safety is a major concern in the constituency. Cat-calling and eve-teasing are common occurrences and have failed to be addressed adequately by the local police authorities. The region houses premier institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University and many colleges of Delhi University which attract many young girls from across the country. It is a major issue in the upcoming election as the seat has over 23,000 first time voters in the age bracket of 18-19 years. Traffic congestion: Traffic congestion is a major issue in the region. Construction of new metro lines in Neb Sarai and IGNOU road has led to roads closures, which has increased pressure on internal roads in the region. People have reported sitting in traffic jams for over an hour to cover a mere distance of one kilometre. Lala Lajpat Rai Marg towards Saket, Mahatma Gandhi Road connecting South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, and AIIMS to Noida DND see serpentine queues of traffic.

Traffic congestion is a major issue in the region. Construction of new metro lines in Neb Sarai and IGNOU road has led to roads closures, which has increased pressure on internal roads in the region. People have reported sitting in traffic jams for over an hour to cover a mere distance of one kilometre. Lala Lajpat Rai Marg towards Saket, Mahatma Gandhi Road connecting South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, and AIIMS to Noida DND see serpentine queues of traffic. Illegal residences: The issue of illegal residences and encroachments has been a major thorn in the flesh for many residents in South Delhi. The slums near Vasant Kunj have been built on illegal land. As a result, whenever people have complained about the lack of basic amenities and healthcare infrastructure, water supply, sewage and drains, the local administrations have threatened to remove them by reminding that their residences have been built on government land and as a result are illegal. However, the residents of these slums claim that theyve had every single document made to their name on this address, and even the government has provided them with welfare schemes based on this address, thus claiming that these residences cannot be illegal and the local administration is just trying to deflect from their own incompetence.

The issue of illegal residences and encroachments has been a major thorn in the flesh for many residents in South Delhi. The slums near Vasant Kunj have been built on illegal land. As a result, whenever people have complained about the lack of basic amenities and healthcare infrastructure, water supply, sewage and drains, the local administrations have threatened to remove them by reminding that their residences have been built on government land and as a result are illegal. However, the residents of these slums claim that theyve had every single document made to their name on this address, and even the government has provided them with welfare schemes based on this address, thus claiming that these residences cannot be illegal and the local administration is just trying to deflect from their own incompetence. Corruption: Corruption is a major issue in South Delhi, with people dwelling in slum areas reportedly giving huge bribes of up to Rs 25,000 for a job that pays Rs 10,000 a month. People have also had to pay bribes to get water connections, electricity connections and even benefits of welfare schemes that they have been promised by the government.

Corruption is a major issue in South Delhi, with people dwelling in slum areas reportedly giving huge bribes of up to Rs 25,000 for a job that pays Rs 10,000 a month. People have also had to pay bribes to get water connections, electricity connections and even benefits of welfare schemes that they have been promised by the government. Caste Issues: Despite many local issues in the region, people pick caste as the biggest reason to vote for a candidate, particularly in Gujjar-dominated areas like Tughlakabad, Badarpur, Chhatarpur and Bijwasan. People in Bidhuri and Gujjar area will vote based on their caste to make sure they are represented by a Bidhuri. People also focus on the caste of the local politician they are voting for, instead of just for the PM candidate or the issues that they are promising to solve.

Infrastructure Development

Ashram Flyover Extension: This flyover is expected to help those travelling between Noida and Delhi by saving nearly 25 minutes and help ease traffic congestion near the Ashram area.

This flyover is expected to help those travelling between Noida and Delhi by saving nearly 25 minutes and help ease traffic congestion near the Ashram area. Bijwasan Railway Station: The Delhi Suburban Railway operates and maintains the station, which currently has two platforms. The station lacks adequate shelter, but ongoing development aims to improve the platforms and overall station appearance and functionality. This construction project will enhance railway efficiency for travel to and from South Delhi.

The Delhi Suburban Railway operates and maintains the station, which currently has two platforms. The station lacks adequate shelter, but ongoing development aims to improve the platforms and overall station appearance and functionality. This construction project will enhance railway efficiency for travel to and from South Delhi. Sarojini Redevelopment: The Delhi government has announced plans to redevelop five major markets in the city  Sarojini Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Khari Baoli, Lajpat Nagar, and Kirti Nagar. The goal of the redevelopment projects is to improve the functionality of the markets, making navigation easier for customers. These projects are part of the Delhi state governments Rozgar Budget 2022-2023, which aims to create employment opportunities.

The Delhi government has announced plans to redevelop five major markets in the city  Sarojini Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Khari Baoli, Lajpat Nagar, and Kirti Nagar. The goal of the redevelopment projects is to improve the functionality of the markets, making navigation easier for customers. These projects are part of the Delhi state governments Rozgar Budget 2022-2023, which aims to create employment opportunities. New Metro lines: New metro lines are being set up and stations are being built in many areas in South Delhi, such as Neb Sarai, IGNOU Road etc to provide last-mile metro connectivity to people.

Demographics

Total Voters: 16,17,500

SC: 15.39%

Religious Composition

Hindu: 88.2%

Muslim: 9.1%

Sikh: 2.4%

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
With the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh and across the country nearing their final stages, the battle between parties and contestants is growing fiercer. At a time like this, the seemingly changed political stances of two strongmen of UP politics assume importance, especially when it comes to Pratapgarh and Jaunpur, two Lok Sabha seats that will have voting in the sixth phase of the polls on May 25. However, some analysts call it Thakur politics more than anything else.

Ahead of the fifth phase of the polls held on May 20, the announcement by Kunda MLA and Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) chief Raghuraj Pratap Singh, popularly known as Raja Bhaiya, of maintaining a neutral stance stirred up the states political landscape. Advising his supporters to vote as they saw fit, Singh refrained from endorsing any specific candidate or party, a surprising move given his recent meeting with union home minister Amit Shah in Bengaluru, which had led to speculation about his potential support for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Singhs absence from Shahs stage during the Kunda rally and his non-commitment to the BJP were unexpected, say observers.

The Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) has not fielded any candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, yet Raghuraj Pratap Singhs influence, particularly in Pratapgarh where polling will take place on May 25, remains significant. The prominent Thakur leader of Poorvanchal has been continuously elected as MLA from the Kunda seat since 1993, underscoring his deep-rooted sway and the necessity for any political party to consider his position and following in the region.

Singh in fact launched a scathing attack on union minister Anupriya Patel over her last weeks Raja-Rani remark, stating that its Jan Sevaks (public servants) and not Rajas (kings) who are born from electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Kings and queens have ceased to be born. Na raja rahe, na rajwade rahe; desh ko azad huye 70 saal se upar ho gaye. EVMs produce public servants who represent people for five-year terms, after which the public decides whether the representative has to be given another chance or not by pressing the EVM button, said Raghuraj Pratap Singh.

His statement came after Apna Dal (Soneylal) national president Anupriya Patel on Saturday, without taking any name, targeted Singh for his decision to stay neutral in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

During a public rally in Pratapgarhs Kunda, which falls under the Kaushambi parliamentary constituency, Patel said that this was a golden opportunity to break the illusion of self-proclaimed kings who think that Kunda is their fiefdom. In a free country, only the voter is all-powerful. The task of making kings and paupers is in the hands of voters, she had said while campaigning for the BJPs Kaushambi candidate Vinod Sonkar at Manikpur Military Bagh area.

On the other hand, former MP and strongman politician Dhananjay Singhs wife Shrikala Reddy Singh recently met union minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, which fueled speculation about her joining the BJP. Dhananjay Singh, influential in Jaunpur, has already publicly declared his support for the BJP. Initially, Shrikala Reddy Singh was fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party as its candidate for the Jaunpur Lok Sabha constituency against the BJPs Kripashankar Singh. However, the BSP replaced her with incumbent MP Shyam Prasad Yadav on the last day of filing nominations, creating ripples in the electoral dynamics.

Shrikala Reddy Singhs potential arrival was poised to make the Jaunpur seat a triangular battle. This move initially concerned the BJP due to the potential dispersion of Thakur votes. The unfolding eventsDhananjay Singh securing bail and Shrikala being ousted from the electoral raceseemingly simplified the contest for BJPs Kripashankar Singh, alleviating concerns about vote splitting. Analysts speculated that Dhananjay Singhs strategic move to field his wife as a BSP candidate was aimed at complicating the race for the BJP and benefiting the Samajwadi Partys candidate, Babu Singh Kushwaha. However, the BSPs last-minute candidate swap altered this situation, making it more favorable for Kripashankar Singh.

Shashikant Pandey, head of the political science department at Bhimrao Ambedkar University, said that the Thakur communitys involvement has significantly influenced the electoral scenario in the state. Besides Dhananjay Singh and Raja Bhaiya, other notable Thakur leaders such as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Brijesh Singh, and Abhay Singh play crucial roles. These leaders, whose influence extends beyond their constituencies, hold substantial sway in eastern UP, where Thakur voters are numerous and their support pivotal.

The Thakur communitys alignment has historically impacted election outcomes. Although they once held considerable clout within the Samajwadi Party during Amar Singhs tenure, they have more recently gravitated towards the BJP. However, maintaining this support is critical for the BJP, and any discontent within the community could be detrimental as the elections progress through the final phases in eastern UP.

The intricate dance of allegiances and endorsements among these Thakur leaders is emblematic of the regions complex political fabric. As each phase of the election unfolds, the influence of Thakur politics becomes increasingly evident. The BJPs current success hinges on securing and maintaining the backing of influential Thakur figures like Dhananjay Singh, amid the shifting allegiances and tactical moves by other political players in Uttar Pradesh.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
The Paschim Champaran Lok Sabha constituency is one of Bihars 40 parliamentary constituencies. This General category seat spans parts of Paschim Champaran and Purvi Champaran districts. It includes six Legislative Assembly segments  Nautan, Chanpatia, and Bettiah from Paschim Champaran, and Raxaul, Sugauli, and Narkatia from Purvi Champaran. The constituency will vote in phase six on May 25.

Sitting MP: Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2009

Key Candidates: Dr Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP), Madan Mohan Tiwari (Congress)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

BJP in Pole Position: The BJP has nominated three-time MP Sanjay Jaiswal to contest for a fourth term in the constituency of West Champaran, which is a stronghold of the party. While Jaiswal has been holding the seat since 2009 following its formation after the 2008 delimitation exercise, his father, Madan Prasad Jaiswal, was a three-time MP from the erstwhile Bettiah constituency between 1996 and 2004.

Jaiswals position has solidified with each term in the constituency. In 2009, he won with a vote share of 38.6%, which was raised to 44.2% and a lead of 1.1 lakh votes in 2014. Then in 2019, there was an even greater jump in the victory margin, with a lead of 2.94 lakh votes and a vote share of 59.6%.

Jaiswal can be best described as an organisation man, who dedicated several years to improving the BJPs electoral prospects in Bihar. In fact, his focus on the partys interest has led to a sense of anti-incumbency among a section of voters, who allege that he has not been accessible enough for solving local issues. However, this discontentment has not deterred the BJP from giving him a ticket, sensing that it remains in a favourable position for the most part.

Jaiswal is credited with a slew of development works in the constituency. Moreover, he has finally managed to attain an in-principle approval from the Ministry of Road and Transport for the construction of a 11.24-km four-lane bridge, which will be built on the Gandak river, drastically cutting the distance between North Bihar and UP. If and when it materialises, it will be the longest river bridge in the country, seamlessly connecting Bettiah with Gorakhpur, Kushinagar and so on.

Further, the BJP here is bolstered tremendously from the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which ensures 5 kg of ration for poor households every month. This scheme is being described as a game-changer in Champaran, giving a significant boost to the BJP.

Like in many parts of Bihar, unlike other regions in the country where the Modi wave appears to have simmered down, a solid Modi wave is evident in Champaran. The highly publicised Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony was accompanied with widespread celebrations, which is a plus point for the BJP.

Moreover, the caste equations remain largely in favour of the BJP, with most Dalit and other backward class votes sticking with the BJP candidate. Moreover, Jaiswal commands a tremendous sway among voters from the Vaishya community, who account for about 2.5 lakh votes. Meanwhile, with the Congress fielding Madan Mohan Tiwari, a Brahmin, targeting a traditional vote base of the BJP, it remains to be seen whether a considerable split indeed takes place or whether the majority of the approximately 2 lakh Brahmin voters stick to the BJP.

Another major factor at play here is that most of the BJPs traditional opponents in this constituency such as the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and the Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RSLP) are now in an alliance with it under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) umbrella.

Moreover, the party is bolstered by four MLAs in the constituency, from Nautan, Chapati, Bettiah and Raxaul. The BJP had a lead of 94,367 votes in the 2020 assembly elections. Meanwhile, the JDU had 57,771 votes, the LJP had 34,682, and the RLSP had 14,823 votes, forming a combined NDA vote share of 42.1%. This indicates the dominance of the NDA in the polls. With similar trends at play in 2024, Jaiswal is predicted by observers to be a clear winner in the constituency.

Congresss Fight for INDIA Bloc: The Congress, backed by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) under the INDIA bloc, has nominated Madan Mohan Tiwari from West Champaran. Tiwari is a former MLA from the Bettiah constituency, who, in 2015, had defeated former deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi of the BJP. In 2020, however, he lost the seat to her by a margin of over 18,000 votes.

Tiwari is a well-known face in the constituency, having been active in Panchayat elections for over two decades. Fielding a Brahmin candidate, the party hopes to snatch away from the BJP Brahmin voters, who form a sizeable chunk of the electorate in West Champaran. His campaigning efforts are on, though not as grand as the BJPs efforts.

Tiwaris electoral gambit will be bolstered by the RJD. However, in isolation, the Congress has not traditionally been a major player in Champaran. Its fortunes were slightly on the rise only in 2020, when the party contested four seats against BJP candidates, registering a total vote share of 22.6% in alliance with the RJD, but did not win a single seat. In the same election, the RJD, which was contesting in the remaining two seats, bagged both, defeating the JDU candidate in Narkatia and LJP in Sugauli. The RJDs vote share came out to be 14.6%.

The INDIA bloc hopes to reap a consolidation of Muslim and Yadav votes. Muslims form about 22.7% of the electorate, while Yadavs form another 6-7%. This MY equation is expected to give a significant boost to the Congress, which is further banking on anti-incumbency to rake in Brahmin and Malla voters.

Ultimately, while the BJP has a solid edge, the Congress remains formidable in the race, making for an interesting contest in West Champaran.

VOTER DEMOGRAPHICS

Total Voters (2019): 16,90,860

Urban Voters: 10.9%

Rural Voters: 89.1%

Literacy Rate: 44.68%

Social Composition

SC: 11.4%

ST: 0.7%

Religious Composition

Hindu: 77%

Muslim: 22.7%

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
The furore over a Pune court letting the teen accused off the hook in the Porsche car crash that killed two software engineers has put the Juvenile Justice Board to test on whether the 17-year-old should be tried as an adult in the case.

The teen was driving drunk, beyond the permissible limit as per the law, at over 160 kmph, as per the police reports, and had confessed that his father, Vishal Agarwal, a prominent builder, knew about it.

Agarwal was arrested on Tuesday, since the accused is a minor, under sections 75 and 77 that deal will willful neglect of a child and supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs.

The Pune Police FIR says Agarwal allowed his son to drive the car despite knowing that the Porsche was unregistered since Agarwal did not pay the road tax and his son did not have a driving licence.

How Does A Child Get Tried As An Adult?

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021, which sought to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, was passed in Rajya Sabha on July 28, 2021.

The JJB under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 assesses if a juvenile can be tried as an adult. There are three categories of crime under which a child can be tried  petty offences, serious offences and heinous offences.

According to the 2015 Act, juveniles charged with heinous crimes and who are between the ages of 16 to 18 years can be tried as adults. For a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) to be tried as an adult, age on the date of the offence decides whether the accused was an adult or a child.

As per Section 15, if a child allegedly commits a heinous crime, the Juvenile Justice Act provides the Board to conduct a preliminary assessment regarding his mental and physical capacity to commit such offence, ability to understand consequences of the offence and the circumstances in which he allegedly committed the crime.

The Section 18(3) further suggests that if after the preliminary assessment, the Board passes an order that there is a need for trial of a child as an adult, then his case will be transferred to the Childrens Court having jurisdiction to try such offences.

What Are Different Crimes And Their Punishment?

Heinous offences, including sexual offences and violent sexual crimes, attract a maximum punishment of seven years or more.

According to the amendments, for a juvenile to be tried for a heinous crime as an adult, the punishment of the crime should not only have a maximum sentence of seven years or more but also a minimum sentence of seven years. The provision has been made to protect children and keep them out of the adult justice system.

Juveniles can also be tried under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and Food Safety and Standards Act.

Serious offences include possession and sale of illegal substances like drugs and alcohol. The punishment under this category is maximum of seven years, and minimum punishment is not prescribed or is less than seven years.

What Should Juvenile Justice Board Ensure?

The JJB is responsible for the preliminary assessment and provide the child, his family and their counsel a copy of an order. As per the Board, if it does not have one member who is a practising professional who has a degree in child psychology or child psychiatry, the Board will seek the assistance of experts or psychologists who have experience working with children.

The child should also be provided with a legal aid counsel through the District Legal Services Authority who shall be present during the preliminary assessment. One of the important aspects of the guidelines is that it mandates experts, who have the required qualification to assist the JJB, to undergo training concerning Section 15 of the JJ Act, 2015.

During the preliminary assessment, the Board and experts shall also analyse and take into consideration the Social Investigation Report (SIR), to be prepared by the Probation officer or Child Welfare Officer or any social worker, or a Social Background Report (SBR) to be prepared after interaction with the child or childs family.

Why Were Changes Brought In The Act?

The gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in Delhi in December 2012 led to countrywide protests over letting off one of the six accused as minor.

Following the crime, the Ministry of Women and Child Development proposed changes to the law to punish juvenile offenders, citing an increase in cases of offenders in that group.

There were demands to reduce the age of juvenile from 18 to 16, which faced opposition from child rights activists. The JS Verma Committee, formed to recommend amendments to the law, also stated that it was not inclined to reduce the age of a juvenile to 16. The amendment was made in 2015.

All the six accused were convicted for the rape and killing of the physiotherapy student. While four were executed in Tihar jail in March 2020, one died in jail. The juvenile convict was released in 2015 after serving three years in a reform facility.

Are There Any Such Cases In India?

In September 2023, in a rare order, a Delhi court had directed the prosecution of two 17-year-olds as adults in a murder case. The court noted that the two were well aware of the JJB proceedings and executed their conspiracy to murder the victim in a perfectly planned manner. a detailed account of the manner in which the offence was committed leaves no doubt in mind to conclude that they deserve to be tried as adults. Accordingly, the present appeal is allowed, the court added.

In June 2022, six accused were arrested for the gangrape of a teenage girl in Hyderabad. The police commissioner had said the five accused will be tried as adults in the case. Two of the accused are the son and the nephew of an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA and the third is son of a Telangana politician.

In 2019, a 17-year-old was awarded two life sentences by a local court in Hyderabad after he was tried as an adult in a sodomy and murder case of a 10-year-old boy.

In the sensational 2017 murder case of a seven-year-old boy in Gurgaons Ryan International School, the Juvenile Justice Board recommended that the Class 9 student responsible for the killing should be tried as an adult. An appeal is pending before the Supreme Court.

In 2016, a 17-year-old from Mumbai was booked for the murder of a three-year-old child. The Mumbai city Juvenile Justice Board and the childrens court ordered that he be tried as an adult under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. However, in July 2022, the Bombay High Court set aside the ruling and directed that the accused be tried as a minor, saying, For an adult offender, prison is the default opinion; for a juvenile it is the last resort.
All of us may have experienced air turbulence, especially in a long-haul flight, where even 5-10 minutes of bumpiness make us anxious where we think of the worst-possible scenarios. Imagine, how the passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 endured the journey on May 21, one of whom died due to severe turbulence.

Experts say it is rare that most flight will result in injury or damage, but turbulence fatalities have increased over time, as seen in the Singapore Airlines case.

The carrier said the Boeing 777-300ER descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 metres) in about three minutes after hitting severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean.

Preliminary casualty figures from the airport and a hospital in Bangkok, where the plane headed from London to Singapore landed in stormy weather, indicated that in addition to the one death, six or seven passengers were severely injured. Dozens of other travellers and crew members were reported to have suffered moderate or less serious injuries.

What is turbulence and what causes it?

Turbulence on flights is caused by storms, mountains and strong wind currents called jet streams. There are four levels of turbulence  light, moderate, severe and extreme.

In cases of light to moderate turbulence, the passenger may feel weight around the seat belt, and the items in the overhead bin will start moving.

In most severe cases, a passenger is being thrown around, causing severe injuries or death. In this case, it is called clear-air turbulence, and it is difficult to avoid as it does not show up on the weather radar.

Pilots are informed about clear-air turbulence by aviation authorities, airline meteorology teams or other pilots flying ahead of them in advance. Air turbulence can occur without a warning.

Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters may happen due to climate change.

When a passenger gets strong wind shear near the jet stream, it can cause the air to overflow. And that creates these chaotic motions in the air, Thomas Guinn, chair of applied aviation sciences department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, explained, as quoted by news agency Associated Press.

Is It Dangerous?

As per Federation Aviation Administration, turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to flight attendants and passengers in non-fatal accidents on commercial flights.

In December 1997, a United Airlines flight from Tokyo to Honolulu experienced turbulence that left one person dead.

How is Climate Change Responsible?

Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in England, said there was strong evidence that turbulence is increasing because of climate change. His research team discovered that severe clear-air turbulence in the North Atlantic has increased by 55% since 1979. Severe turbulence in the jet streams could double or triple in the coming decades if global conditions continue as expected, he explained.

The research further found moderate turbulence increased by 37%, and light turbulence increased by 17% during 1979 to 2020. Other flight routes over the US, Europe, the Middle East, and the South Atlantic also significantly increased.

According to a research by Jana Price, Ph.D., National Resource Specialist at the NTSB, the warmer air caused by carbon dioxide emissions increases wind shear in the jet streams, strengthening clear-air turbulence globally.

Air Turbulence in Indian Flights

A total of 46 air accidents have been reported since 2018 till December 2022 with 8 in 2018, 10 in 2019, 7 in 2020, 9 in 2021 and 12 in 2022, according to Union Minister of State for Aviation VK Singh.

As many as 23 flights did emergency landings between 2020 and 2022 with seven in 2020, nine in 2021 and seven in 2022.

The main causes of emergency landings in the last two years were due to technical glitch, air turbulence, media emergency or after being hit by a bird.

Most recently, a passenger, Akbar Ansari, injured due to turbulence in a SpiceJet flight in May 2022, died later. The family members alleged that Ansari did not receive proper treatment.

In 1980, an Indian Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence in West Bengals Rampurhat, killing two out of 132 people.

Can Air Turbulence Be Prevented?

You do an emergency or a precautionary landing as a precaution so that further damage is not done. Similarly, this latest incident of Singapore airline is also a precautionary landing to prevent the further harm, said industry veteran Captain Shakti Lumba  who retired as IndiGo VP and had before that headed Alliance Air said as quoted by ETV Bharat.

He further said that When an aircraft is found to be in an imminent danger, the pilot makes mayday distress call, then also it is categorised as an emergency landing.

How to Minimise the Risk on Flight?

A 2021 report by the NTSB indicated that the majority of passengers who were injured in turbulence-related accidents were not wearing their seatbelt at the time.

Since its sometimes impossible to anticipate when an aircraft will encounter air turbulence, the only way to be safe is to keep the seat belt on for the entire ride.

Aviation to Prof. Adam Taylor, Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre, Lancaster University, says one should avoid having alcohol on the flight as its effect may hit you when you encounter air turbulence.
Cyber slaves, stock market experts, and a bunch of online gangs operating out of Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR, have siphoned off over Rs 7,061 crore of Indian public money in the first four months of this year, and more than six lakh complaints connected to this have been received by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).

I4C, which is an initiative of the ministry of home affairs (MHA), has observed a significant rise in the number of cybercrime incidents targeting India originating from the Southeast Asian region.

This region is a hub of major investment and stock market scams, digital arrests, fake gaming apps, and romance scams.

The gravity of the frauds is so high and growing that I4C and state law enforcement agencies had to freeze debits from 3.25 lakh mule accounts in the last four months, while more than 3,000 URLs and 595 apps were blocked under Section 69A of the IT Act. Indian agencies have also suspended 5.3 lakh SIM cards and 80,848 IMEI numbers since July 2023, as per the data given by I4C.

According to the CEO of I4C, Rajesh Kumar, a 2002-batch IPS officer, Indian money is being transferred through various means, including cryptocurrency, cash withdrawals, physical gold, etc.

Cybercrime operations based in these countries employ a comprehensive array of deceptive strategies, including recruitment efforts by exploiting social media to lure Indian youths with fake employment opportunities. These individuals are then compelled to engage in various cyber scams (such as investment scams, pig butchering scams, trading app scams, dating scams, etc), often communicating via messaging platforms using Indian SIM cards to target Indian nationals. The illicit gains from these activities are laundered through sophisticated financial channels, including Indian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and cash withdrawals across various countries, among others, Kumar said.

The money exits India in various ways, he added. It includes international fund transfers, physical gold, cryptocurrency, cash withdrawals from India and other countries, and hawala. They use the complex layering of bank accounts. In one case where the victim lost 70 lakh rupees, fraudsters used nine bank accounts and finally transferred money into cryptocurrency, said Kumar. Compounds in Cambodia were used where Indians went to in the country. They use multiple telegram channels to trap Indians. The maximum number of victims are trapped in investment scams.

I4C is continuously monitoring and blocking cybercrime infrastructure such as Skype accounts, Google advertisements, Meta advertisements, SMS headers, SIM cards, bank accounts, etc, the MHA said.

The ministry also said that thousands of Indians willingly or unwillingly working in these call centres are involved in fraud.

In light of the aforementioned concerns, a high-level inter-ministerial committee under the chairpersonship of the special secretary (internal security), ministry of home affairs, has been constituted to coordinate with relevant ministries and departments for implementing comprehensive measures aimed at mitigating cybercrime originating from Southeast Asia targeting India and creating a resilient ecosystem to prevent such crimes from originating from other geographies.

The ministry of home affairs said that on May 20, 2024, a protest occurred in a suspected scam compound in Sihanouk City, Cambodia, involving Indian nationals employed there. The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh has taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian citizens involved in this incident, it added.

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Amid the national outrage over a teen running over two techies with his Porsche in Pune, a similar case has been reported from Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur where a 15-year-old boy hit four people with his car on Tuesday. The teen, whose rash driving allegedly killed two deaths last October, was taken into custody and sent to a juvenile home on Wednesday, a day after the accident in Kanpurs Barra.

ALSO READ: Pune Porsche Accident: Juvenile Justice Boards Order To Be Out Shortly; Teens Father Sent To 2-day Police Custody

According to a Hindustan Times report, the teen accused is the son of a prominent doctor in Kanpur. He was sent to a juvenile home and proceedings resumed against him in the six-month-old case. His father has been booked for both accidents.

Police said the teen was driving a car on Tuesday and hit four people, who sustained injuries. While the injured were administered first-aid treatment, the 15-year-old was slapped with IPC sections 279 and 338 (reckless driving).

Kanpur city commissioner Akhil Kumar criticised the teenagers family for letting him drive again despite being involved in a fatal accident last year.

In October 2023, the teenager killed two people, Sagar Nishad and Ashish Ram Charan, after crashing his speeding car into them on the Ganga Barrage.

Additional commissioner of police (law & order) Harish Chandra said the teenager was previously charged under Section 304A (causing death of a person by an act of negligence not amounting to culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code. But this provision has been replaced with Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), he added.

On Sunday, a 17-year-old boy crashed his speeding Porsche into a motorbike causing the death of two 24-year-old techies on the spot. According to police, the teen was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The father of the accused was arrested in the case along with the owner and managers of the bar that served alcohol to the underage teen driver.

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The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has allegedly been displaying negligence in drain cleaning work before the monsoon. It is being said that the corporations claims that 75 per cent of the drain cleaning work is done are false. Hence, Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar has asked the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation to personally inspect the drains. He has also demanded that the Commissioner should issue a white paper on the drain cleaning work done by BMC this year.

Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar inspected the drain cleaning work at various locations in the western suburbs, including Gazdar Band Junction, South Avenue, North Avenue, and SNDT Nala. He brought to the administrations attention that the work was not at all satisfactory. Ashish Shelar stated that Mumbai has around 2,000 kilometre of large and small narrow drains. Based on last years experience, over Rs 250 crores are spent on drain cleaning, but what do Mumbaikars see? Even with more than Rs 250 crores spent, the cleaning of 2000 kilometres of drains is not satisfactory.

Today, I have personally inspected the situation. Given the current state of the work, it seems impossible that the complete drain cleaning will be done before the monsoon. The Municipal Commissioner should visit any spot and observe the situation. There is still time in our hands to make improvements. Given the exaggerated figures being thrown around, it is claimed that 75% of the cleaning is done but it doesnt seem that more than 40-45% of the drains have been cleaned, said Shelar.

Just as Ratan Khatri had exaggerated figures in the past, the Municipal Corporation has such figures now. Where were the 2.73 lakh metric tons of silt disposed off, Shelar asked. He also demanded to show the video and site where the silt has been disposed of. Did BMC take the signatures of witnesses from the surrounding areas where the silt was removed? The figures provided by the contractors were presented by the corporation officials, Shelar said criticising the BMC.

Shelar also targeted Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose party (before the split) ruled the BMC for the last 25 years. If Uddhav Thackeray had done the work properly in the last 25 years, this situation would not have arisen. The method of measuring the silt in the drains during Uddhavjis time was bizarre. There was a rule during Uddhav Thackerays time not to clean the drain 100%. The process of measuring the silt in the drains, and its quantity, was different during Uddhavjis time. Even after the rain, the percentage of commission was fixed to remove the silt from the drain. Therefore, a new standard to measure the drain silt and set the cleaning criteria will have to be established as early as possible and we demand that BMC administration should look into this issue as early as possible, said Shelar.

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The death toll in the hoarding collapse incident that occurred in Mumbais Ghatkopar area on May 13 has gone up to 17 with the death of a man at a civic-run hospital here, officials said on Wednesday.

Raju Sonawane (52), who had suffered injuries after the hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump in Chheda Nagar locality during gusty winds and unseasonal rains, died during treatment at the KEM Hospital on May 19, a civic official said.

Earlier, the authorities had declared 16 persons, including a retired Air Traffic Control (ATC) general manager and his wife, as dead.

The collapse of the giant 120120 feet hoarding had also left 75 persons injured.

A day after the incident, the injured who needed to undergo neurosurgery were shifted to the KEM hospital, the official said.

Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of the advertising firm that had installed the hoarding was later arrested from Udaipur in Rajasthan. A court here has remanded him police custody till May 26.

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As temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius, Delhi is facing a severe water crisis. Plummeting Yamuna levels and power failures at treatment plants have slashed the citys water supply, triggering political accusations amid the Lok Sabha elections.

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials have reported that the water level in the Yamuna has been plummeting over the past few days. Coupled with power failures at treatment facilities, the water utility supplied only 977.79 million gallons per day (mgd) on Tuesday, falling short of the 1000 mgd target.

The Wazirabad barrage in north Delhi, the primary holding area for raw water for the Wazirabad and Chandrawal treatment plants, has seen dwindling water levels, impacting several areas including Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, and more.

According to the DJBs summer action plan, the Wazirabad plant aims to produce 134 mgd, but recent figures fell short with 125.52 mgd on Monday and 122.40 mgd on Tuesday, Hindustan Times reported.

Less treatment is due to low level of river Yamuna at Wazirabad pond resulting into less treatment at Wazirabad WTP, the DJB bulletin stated.

Despite the normal water storage level of 674.50 feet, officials did not disclose the current level. An official told the publication, We are diverting water from CLC to balance out the impact of raw water availability in the Yamuna, due to which water supply may go down from twice a day to once a day.

Power Outages Disrupt Operations at Treatment Plants

Power outages have further disrupted operations at treatment plants. The Haiderpur plants production dropped from 241.66 mgd on Monday to 228.33 mgd on Tuesday due to a power failure. Similarly, minor drops in production were noted at the Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi WTPs.

On Monday, DJB received 750 complaints related to water supply, with 492 concerning zero water supply. Ashok Bhasin, president of the North Delhi Residents Welfare Association, highlighted water pressure issues in areas like Malkaganj, Timarpur, and Model Town. If the situation is not fixed, we may be staring at a larger crisis in the coming days, he warned.

Officials caution that shortages may soon affect more parts of the city. A senior official stated, The water levels in the river are continuously going down and if a similar situation persists, the water crisis in the city may worsen. We are in touch with the counterparts in Haryana to release more raw water.

AAP-BJP War Of Words Over Water Crisis Escalates

Amid the crisis, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi has alleged a political conspiracy by the BJP, accusing the Haryana government of halting the water supply to the capital. She claimed this is part of a series of actions aimed at discrediting the AAP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Atishi warned of potential manipulation by the BJP to create a water crisis and sway voters. They want to create a water crisis in the capital. I want to warn the people of Delhi that in the coming days till May 25, more such things will happen. They will do this to manipulate voters. I want to tell BJP that you cannot fool the people of Delhi, she asserted.

Hitting back at the Water Minister Atishi, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said Fearing its defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the AAP has come out with a new lie. When we raised the issue of the water supply crisis on Monday the minister did not utter a word and now she is blaming the BJP.

Sachdeva further alleged that Delhi CM Kejriwal had written a letter to her from Tihar a month ago to address the issues of water supply. She should tell what was done in the past month. The corruption and inaction of the AAP government is responsible for the shortage of water in Delhi.

(With inputs from PTI)

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A red alert has been issued till May 25 in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Kerala predicting continued extreme heatwaves in the coming days after the temperature in NCR on Tuesday touched almost 48 degrees Celsius.

The highest maximum temperature recorded on Tuesday was in Haryanas Sirsa at 47.8 degrees Celsius, followed by 47.4 degrees Celsius in Najafgarh, Delhi.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperature is expected to exceed 47 degrees Celsius in many parts of Northern India.

Amid the forecast of heatwaves, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) urged extreme care for vulnerable people due to the heatwave in its seven-day forecast and suggested drinking sufficient water and using ORS or homemade drinks such as lassi, Torani (rice water), lemon water, and buttermilk to stay hydrated.

Delhi Weather Today

In Delhi, the sky will be mainly clear on Wednesday, however, heatwave conditions are expected in a few places, as per IMD. Strong surface winds, with speeds of 20-30 km/h and occasional gusts, will occur during the day, it said.

Najafgarh recorded a high of 47.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, a day after the southwest Delhi area had recorded 47.8 degrees Celsius  the highest in the country so far this season.

Higesht temperature in India on Tuesday:

Sirsa (Haryana): 47.8C

Najafgarh (Delhi): 47.4C

Pilani (Rajasthan): 47.2C

Bhatinda Airport) (Punjab): 46.6C

Agra Taj (Uttar Pradesh): 46.6C

Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh): 45.6C

Surendranagar (Gujarat): 45.4C

Akola (Maharashtra): 44.0C

Durg (Chhattisgarh): 43.6C

Una (Himachal Pradesh): 42.4C

Haryana Stopped Water to City: Delhi Ministers Big Claim

Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi on Wednesday claimed that the Haryana government stopped its water supply to the national capital causing a water shortage in the city ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

https://x.com/ANI/status/1793142257710965243

Ahead of the voting on 25th May (in Delhi), BJP has hatched a new conspiracy to target AAP and disturb the people of Delhi. Under this conspiracy, through its Haryana government, the BJP has stopped the water flow to Delhi, Atishi said.

This has been done to disturb the people of Delhi and cause a water crisis here. Yamuna water supply to Delhi is being stopped. An investigation revealed that the Haryana Government is stopping the Yamuna water flow to Delhi, she added.

Power Demand In Delhi All-Time High

Dehis peak power demand reached its highest for May due to the intense heat, prompting the Delhi government to order the closure of schools immediately.

Delhis peak power demand reached an all-time high of 7717 MW on May 21 afternoon, amid the prevailing intense summer heat, Discom officials said.

According to the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) Delhi real-time data, the peak demand of the city broke all previous records. The power demand on Monday was recorded at 7,572 MW. It was also higher than the peak power demand recorded last year  7,438 MW  on August 22.

Red Alert In Parts of Kerala, Monsoon Arriving Soon

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a red alert for Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts in Kerala, predicting extremely heavy rainfall on May 22. These districts already have orange alerts in place and are expected to see very heavy rainfall in isolated areas, it said.

Earlier in the day, the IMD had withdrawn red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts but issued new warnings due to the severe weather being predicted.

The weather body later predicted that Southwest monsoon might arrive in Kerala by May 31.

Heatwave Warning In Gujarat, Max Temperature To Exceed 46C

Amid heatwave conditions prevailing in several parts of Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on Tuesday recorded a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) said the maximum temperature in the city was likely to hover around 45 degrees Celsius for the next five days.

Amid a surge in day temperatures, government hospitals witnessed a sudden rise in the number of patients coming with symptoms of heat-related illnesses caused by exposure to the sun.

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The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA and former minister Prajakt P. Tanpures family remembers the days when their son was studying in school as a classmate of the same drunken 17-year-old boy who killed two persons while speeding his fathers Porsche on May 20.

The legislators wife Sonali P Tanpure took to social media on Wednesday, saying she recalled those days again when the accused  the son of a prominent Pune realty developer  was studying in the same class as her son.

At that time, my son suffered a lot at the hands of some of his (the builders son) friends. I had even complained about it to their parents, but did not get a proper response, rued Sonali.

Finally, left with no options, the Tanpure family decided to change the school of their son to avoid his torture at the hands of the other brats.

The scars of those traumatic incidents are still there on his (sons) mind. If the parents had noticed the bad tendencies of their child in time, then such a terrible crime would not have happened, said Sonali, on the Porsche crash that left Maharashtra shaken.

Her husband and Rahuri MLA Tanpure said the incident by a rich mans wayward kid has cut short the lives of the two young victims who hailed from a small town with big dreams to make success in life.

In all this, Tanpure pointed out how, not only the boy and his rich family, but the entire system, including the liberal home department, government and police are equally responsible for the tragedy.

The authorities are committing the sin of destabilising the social order by supporting the influential big people. Its only because of the alert people present there and the pressure built by the citizens and the media that is leading to some effective action now, said Prajakt Tanpure.

Sonali sought justice for the families of the two well-educated victims, aged 24  Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh Awadhiya  who were killed instantly in the Porsche speeding at a dizzying 200 kmph speed which was barely captured as a fleeting shadow in the CCTVs installed at Kalyani Nagar junction.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said ones surname does not matter in todays India, while praising Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal for his inspiring journey. He stressed that only hard work matters in the long run.

Goyal, who was speaking at an event organised by union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, recounted his entrepreneurial journey and how his father had questioned his idea to launch a startup, coming from a humble background. The video was shared by union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who highlighted what the business tycoon said about the central governments initiatives playing a major part in his success.

When I started Zomato in 2008, my father used to say tu jaanta hai tera baap kaun hai as my dad thought I could never do a startup given our humble background. This government and their initiatives enabled a small town boy like me to build something like Zomato, which employs lakhs of people today! Goyal said at the event, as posted by Puri on X.

In todays India, ones surname doesnt matter. What matters is hardwork. Your journey is truly inspiring, @deepigoyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish. https://t.co/E9ccqYyVzv Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2024

Responding to the ministers post and tagging Goyal, the prime minister said: In todays India, ones surname doesnt matter. What matters is hardwork. Your journey is truly inspiring, @deepigoyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish.

Goyals personal anecdote about initial scepticism on his fathers part quickly gained traction on social media. In the clip, he is heard recounting his fathers reaction to his decision to launch Zomato 16 years ago in 2008. He said being a small-town boy from Punjab, he faced a lot of questions from his family about how he could turn his idea into a lucrative business.

But it was this government and their initiatives that enabled a small town boy like me to build something like Zomato, which employs lakhs of people today! he said in his speech.

Zomato, which stands as Indias biggest food delivery service, started as a restaurant listing and review platform. From there, it has expanded to more than 1,000 cities. Goyal is a graduate of the premier IIT-Delhi.

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Pune Porsche Accident News Updates: The Juvenile Justice Board has cancelled the bail order of the 17-year-old teen who crashed his speeding Porsche into a motorbike killing two people on the spot. He has been sent to observation home until June 5.

Police argued in favour of the remand of the 17-year-old accused in front of the Juvenile Justice Board on the grounds that he is not safe outside as people will possibly attack him and people are safe if he is inside.

The defence counsel, however, said the teen suffered from depression thats why he got into the habit of drinking. The accused before the board mentioned that he wants to stay with his mother and would feel safe at home. He said he could further slip into depression if he is kept inside the remand home.

Ahead of the hearing before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Pune police added some more sections against the 17-year-old accused. Apart from section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act (driving by a drunken person), sections 184 (action against those who violate traffic rules through rash or dangerous driving), 119 (age limit in connection with the driving of motor vehicles) and 177 (general provision for punishment of offences) have been added.

The juvenile justice board heard the application of Pune police to try the 17-year-old accused as an adult.

A Porsche car allegedly driven by the teenager, who the police claim was drunk at the time, fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers in Kalyani Nagar in Pune city in the early hours of Sunday.

The father of the 17-year-old, Vishal Agarwal, a real estate developer, was sent to two days of police custody by a session court on Wednesday. According to the remand copy, Vishal Agarwal was not cooperating with police in the investigation therefore, Pune police sought his custody for further questioning.

When police sent him the notice to join the investigation before his arrest, he misled them by stating that he was in Shirdi but he was in Aurangabad. When Vishal was arrested he was carrying a simple Nokia phone and a Kia company-manufactured car. Both have been confiscated by the police.

The police had registered a case against the teenagers father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 75 deals with willful neglect of a child, or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses, while section 77 deals with supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs.

According to the FIR lodged in connection with the incident, the man, despite knowing his son did not have a valid driving license, gave him the car, thus endangering the latters life. He also allowed his son to party despite knowing he consumes liquor.

The deceased were identified as Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals hailing from Madhya Pradesh and working in Pune.

Latest Updates on Pune Accident:

Prashant Patil, lawyer of the accused, said a decision on whether to appeal the order will be taken after talking to the teens parents. We will speak to the parents of the accused and decide whether we need to appeal or not by tomorrow evening, Patil said.

Parents can meet the accused twice a week for an hour.

No arguments were made today in front of the JJ board on the teen being tried as an adult. Police will have to file a chargesheet within 30 days and it will be decided within three months if the 17-year-old will be tried as an adult, the accuseds lawyer further said, adding that police will have to seek approval from the JJB if they want to question the teen.

The defence counsel said the teen suffered from depression thats why he got into the habit of drinking.

RTO Officer Sanjiv Bhor said, The car was delivered from a dealer in Bengaluru. A temporary registration was issued from Bengaluru Central RTO which was valid from 18 March 2024 to 17 September 2024 The owner brought the car for registration at the RTO Pune on 18 April 2024 where it was inspected and approved on the same day. The prescribed fee was not paid and a registration number for the car was not issued. Since this is an EV, there is an exemption in the registration fee and tax The accused is not liable for a driving licence up to the age of 25 The flying squads have been instructed to immediately detain any vehicles without number plates

 The hearing has begun at JJB. The media is not allowed inside. Sources said that Vishal Agarwal will be produced around 2 pm.

 Amid the outrage, NCP leader Prajakta Tanpure;s wife has come out and accused the teenager of bullying children in school. She claimed that her son and the accused were in the same school, and he bully people in their school.

 Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar alleged that officers at Yerawada police station spent more time questioning the relationship between deceased Anish and Ashwini, while the accused was allegedly served burger and pizza.

Officers at Yerawada police station spent more time questioning the relationship between Anish and Ashwini  the two IT professionals who were fatally knocked down by the drunk minor  while the accused was allegedly served burger and pizza.This is how the system benefits the  Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) May 22, 2024

 Pune pub owners are set to meet police commissioner, asking to stop action against them. They are of the opinion that the youngsters enter in with fake ID, and they have no way to cross check that. The move comes hours after Pune municipal corporation took action against illegal pubs.

 A Pune court on Tuesday remanded three accused  an owner and two managers of different restaurants  where the boy consumed liquor along with his friends before getting behind the wheel of the car  to police custody till May 24 in the case. The accused  Naman Pralhad Bhutda, the son of Cosie restaurant owner, its manager Sachin Katkar, and the manager of Blak Club hotel Sandip Sangle  were produced before the court.

 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said after the crash, the police immediately invoked IPC section 304 along with relevant provisions and in its remand plea before the JJB, mentioned that since the teenager was 17 years and eight months old, he should be treated as adult.

 After the (2012) Nirbhaya case (of Delhi), there was an amendment in the law stipulating that in heinous crimes, juveniles (accused) who are above 16 should be tried as adults. Taking this point, the Pune police sought permission to allow them to treat the juvenile (in Pune crash case) as an adult. However, the board took a different stand, Fadnavis maintained. He said the JJB took a lenient view on remand report filed by the police and granted bail to the boy on grounds he will do community work for 15 days and write an essay of 300 words on road safety.

 The order (granting bail) passed by the JJB was shocking and surprising and it aggravated the public outrage, the deputy CM opined. The police moved an application in a higher court challenging the JJB order.

 After an FIR was registered against Pune builder Vishal Agarwal for letting his 17-year-old son drive the luxury car, he tried to escape. Agarwal tried to mislead the police by leaving home in his car and asking the driver to take the road to Mumbai.

 The prominent Pune realtor reportedly told another driver to leave for Goa in his other car. On the way to Mumbai, he got off the car and used a friends car to proceed towards Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

 NDTV stated that multiple cars were involved to confuse the cops on where he was headed. The realtor also started using a new SIM card so that police cannot track his number, police have said.

(With inputs from Yesha Kotak in Mumbai)

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When it comes to the arrest of the father in Punes drink-driving case, the most crucial bit is the evidence against him, said the lawyer of the teenager accused of killing two software engineers as he crashed his speeding luxury car into their motorcycle.

According to a report published by NDTV, advocate Prashant Patil, who is representing the 17-year-old, is sceptical about the fathers arrest and said the police need to have proof that he had knowledge of his sons activities. He added that the sections under which the police have charged him are inapplicable.

The teens father, identified as Vishal Agarwal who is a real estate developer, was arrested on Tuesday (May 21) following the horrific incident. The boy was in an inebriated state when the crash took place.

The police said the juvenile accused was driving at a speed of 250 kmph when his Porsche hit the bike carrying the two victims, who died on the spot. Three restaurant executives have also been arrested for serving liquor to the minor, who is a few months short of turning 18 and was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) hours later.

He was asked to work with the traffic police in Yerawada for 15 days, write an essay on the accident, undergo psychiatric counselling and seek treatment for his alcohol addiction. While the police have said they are trying to put the minor on trial as an adult, Patil said claiming that the father was morally responsible for his underage sons drinking and driving is not enough.

For any action under criminal law one needs knowledge. There has to be evidence that the father had complete knowledge whether the child was taking out the car or not taking out the car  whatever the case may be, he told NDTV.

He said in civil or criminal law, the issue of accountability as a parent has been defined by the Juvenile Justice Act and the charges against the father have little to do with the case. The police have charged the father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant sections of the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act.

Section 75 deals with wilful neglect of a child, or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses, while Section 77 deals with supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs. Then, at the cost of some burden, if we go through the sections even as a layman  we will see they talk about a physical assault or abuse or wilful neglect, he was quoted as saying.

Police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the teens father will be produced before a court on Wednesday. According to the FIR, the father, despite knowing his son did not have a valid driving licence, gave him the car, thus endangering his life. He also allowed him to party despite knowing about his addiction to liquor.

As the easy bail conditions have set off massive public outrage with the victims parents and relatives calling it murder, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis  who holds the home portfolio  expressed shock and surprise over the JJB taking a lenient view and pushed for trying the teenager as an adult.

The order (granting bail) passed by the JJB was shocking and surprising and it aggravated the public outrage, the deputy CM opined. The police moved an application in a higher court challenging the JJB order.

The court, however, asked the police to again approach the Board and file a petition for revision of the order. The court also said if the JJ Board does not review its order, then police can approach the higher court, he said.

Fadnavis said the police have approached the JJB for a revision of its order and a decision is expected by Wednesday. He said the police will do whatever it takes to ensure justice in the case.

The police have taken the case seriously and they will not tolerate someone getting bail despite fatally knocking down two persons, he said.

Concerns have been raised regarding pubs and restaurants where age checking is lax, he said. The police have been asked to enforce rules meant for liquor serving establishments. Instructions have also been given to curb drunken driving, he added.

The Madhya Pradesh-based parents of the victims have sought stringent punishment for the boy as well as his parents, accusing them of being responsible for the death of their children. The two deceased  Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, aged 24, were killed in the car crash.

While Ashwini hailed from Jabalpur, Anish belonged to Birsinghpur Pali in Umaria district of the state. We were supposed to send her off in a palanquin (to the grooms house) after her marriage (in future), but now we were forced to carry her body on a bier, said Ashwinis inconsolable mother Mamata Koshta.

(With PTI inputs)

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The Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday cancelled the bail order of the 17-year-old Pune teen who fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne techies in Kalyani Nagar on Sunday. He has been sent to observation home till June 5.

The parents of the accused can meet him twice a week for an hour.

Police argued in favour of the remand of the 17-year-old driver in front of the Juvenile Justice Board on the grounds that he is not safe outside as people will possibly attack him. The police also added that people will be safe if he is inside (the remand home).

Prashant Patil, the lawyer of the accused, on the other hand, told the JJB that the teen suffered from depression which is why he got into the habit of drinking.

Patil further said that a decision on whether to appeal the order will be taken after talking to the teens parents. We will speak to the parents of the accused and decide whether we need to appeal or not by tomorrow evening, he said.

The teens lawyer also noted that no arguments were made today in front of the JJB on the teen being tried as an adult.

Police will have to file a chargesheet within 30 days and it will be decided within three months if the 17-year-old will be tried as an adult, Patil said, adding that police will have to seek approval from the JJB if they want to question the teen.

Meanwhile, the father of the 17-year-old, Vishal Agarwal, a real estate developer, was sent to two days of police custody by a session court earlier in the day.

According to the remand copy, Vishal Agarwal was not cooperating with police in the investigation therefore, Pune police sought his custody for further questioning.

Ahead of the hearing, (JJB), Pune police added more sections against the 17-year-old accused. Apart from section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act (driving by a drunken person), sections 184 (action against those who violate traffic rules through rash or dangerous driving), 119 (age limit in connection with the driving of motor vehicles) and 177 (general provision for punishment of offences) have been added.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday lamented that despite the effort put in by judges, who burn the midnight oil even during vacations, they have to stomach comments about working very little.

A vacation bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma made the remark while hearing a plea of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest in a money laundering case and seeking interim bail to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Soren, complained about a Jharkhand High Court bench having taken two months to pronounce the verdict on the JMM leaders plea against his arrest.

Unfortunate part, Mr Sibal, is that despite the efforts we put in as judges, we have to hear that judges work for very few hours, Justice Datta said, adding judges also have to do their homework.

Judges are not before us. They cant explain what prevented them from pronouncing the verdict. So, benefit (of doubt) has to be given to them, the apex court said.

Sibal said the delays in passing judgements have an impact on the citizens. That you allow cognisance (of EDs prosecution complaint) be taken and my petition gets infructuous. Its a matter of personal liberty. Thats very sad and these are all high court judges, he said.

The bench said it can only hope and trust that courts dispose of cases expeditiously.

This is happening day in and day out in the high courts. Nobody hears our matter and nobody decides our matter. People go begging in matters of personal liberty. You may say anything but it is a fact, Sibal said.

Referring to a newspaper article, Justice Datta said, During vacation also we are burning the midnight oil. Those who say all these things are part of governance. He said not a single appeal of the Centre or a state lands in the top court within the prescribed time limit of 60 or 90 days and they all file applications for condonation of the delay.

Let those who castigate the judiciary think of these things. A simple appeal for which 90 days or 60 days period is given, the authorities dont come on time. And they say we work less, Justice Datta said. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, said he was in favour of court vacations.

In a recent matter, I was justifying the vacation. I said that the court is entitled for vacation because they are virtually working in two shifts, Raju said.

Sibal acknowledged the workload of the judges in India. This is the country where judges are most overworked. In no other country judges have so much work load. We all know that, he said.

The bench said matters involving personal liberty must be decided expeditiously and there is no quarrel about that.

This court has itself laid down the guidelines that if a case is not decided in three months, a party can go to the chief justice of the high court and seek assignment of the matter before another judge, it said.

Justice Sharma said he has been in four high courts and such matters are decided on top priority.

I dont want to say anything more, Sibal said, adding the proof of the pudding is in eating and we eat it every day.

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The Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu has many attractions and one of them is the Manimuthar Falls, located in the Western Ghats. The rainwater that falls in areas including Manjolai, comes through the Western Ghats and pours into the Manimuthar Falls. The Manimuthar River begins from the Eastern slopes of the Western Ghats located in Tirunelveli district. The river is the chief tributary of the Thamirabarani River. It is a beautiful scenic spot as you witness the majestic meeting point of the water, mountains and the sky. Tourists who come to the falls can bathe in the water. It is generally perfectly safe.

In the past few days, the Courtallam Hills had received a strong downpour of heavy rainfall. It caused flooding in the nearby Courtallam Falls. Water gushed out of the falls. The authorities had to seal off the area. Following this, as a precautionary measure, a bathing ban was imposed at Manimuthar Falls. Also, the ban on bathing at Manimuthar Falls has been extended as the Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rains in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts.

It was a major blow to the tourist destination as most schools and colleges are on summer vacation, right now. Tourists were disappointed as they could not visit the waterfall as bathing was prohibited.

Now, the latest update is that the heavy rain warning for Tirunelveli district has been lifted. Additionally, there is light rain occurring in the Western Ghats. As a result, the forest department has authorized tourists to bathe in the Manimuthar waterfall.

Another attraction, just a little away from the Manimuthar Falls, is the Manimuthar Dam. The dam is located 20 kilometres from Papanasam town. The nearest towns to the dam area are Ambasamudram and Kallidaikurichi. The dam is situated along the route from Ambasamudram to Pechiparai. Manimuthar Waterfall is a few kilometres away from the dam.

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Aditi Rao Hydari continues to captivate with her timeless fashion choices and her latest appearance is no exception. While promoting Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi, Aditi showcased impeccable style in a series of stunning outfits. Recently, she shared pictures from one of these promotional events, effortlessly stealing the spotlight. Dressed in a delightful pastel green ensemble, she radiates summer elegance, making her attire a must-have for any fashion enthusiast this season.

Styled by Sanam Ratansi, Aditis pastel green ensemble is sourced from the clothing brand label Anushree. The shirt-style blouse is crafted from soft silk fabric and features sheer full sleeves, a collared neckline, a front button closure and white floral work all over. To elevate her outfit, she tucked the blouse into the skirt to give a polished appearance. The skirt boasts a tiered silhouette, a high-rise waist, a floor-length hem and a voluminous flare with a matching floral pattern.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari)

To accessorise her look, she chose delicate earrings from the jewellery brand Aquamarine Jewellery. In terms of makeup, makeup artist Charlotte Wang gave her a natural look by applying a soft base and nude brown lipstick. Aditi kept her luscious locks open with a center parting.

This year, Aditi Rao Hydari has been inspiring fashion lovers with her choice of summer ensembles, focusing on shades and fabrics. Her social media is currently filled with such attires that will assist you in styling your next summer look. In this photo, she looks gorgeous in a white crop top and skirt from the Fall Winter 2024 collection of designers Gauri & Nainika. Crafted from cotton fabric, the cropped top features crystal embellishments and drapes gracefully over the body and sleeves. Meanwhile, the skirt boasts a high-rise waist and a voluminous flare with a floor-length hem.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari)

To accessorize her look, Aditi chose multiple silver earcuffs and a sleek silver choker necklace from the jewellery brand Joolry. She also added diamond rings from Ayana Silver Jewellery. She completed her ensemble with a pair of transparent heels embellished with silver accents from Christian Louboutin.

In another stunning appearance, Aditi donned a pink sharara set from the label Qbik. The kurta features multi-coloured Kashmiri thread embroidery with gold round drops finishing the V-shaped neckline. The sleeves boast intricate embroidery with copper and gold microbeads, multicoloured resham, crystal stones, gold cut dana, dabka work, zari, and metal sequins. Meanwhile, the sharara is finished with beige gota piping.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanam Ratansi (@sanamratansi)

She completed her look with an oxidized earring from the brand Aquamarine Jewellery.
Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is an annual celebration commemorating the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. It is a significant festival for Buddhists all around the globe, celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. Devotees make a commitment to honour the festivals customs, clean their homes, bathe early in the morning to rid themselves of any impurities and adhere to Gautam Buddhas teachings.

ALSO READ: Happy Buddha Purnima 2024: Vesak Day Wishes, Images, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share

Furthermore, Buddha Purnima is culturally and spiritually significant for the global Buddhist community and is primarily observed in East Asia and South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Tibet, Mongolia, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Date

Buddha Purnima is observed on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakha. According to Drik Panchang, the occasion falls on May 23 this year. While the exact dates of Buddhas birth and demise are unclear, historians generally estimate his lifespan to be between 563 and 483 BC. This year marks Gautam Buddhas 2586th birth anniversary.

The Purnima Tithi on Buddha Jayanti will commence at 6:47 PM on May 22 and conclude at 7:22 PM on May 23.

Buddha Purnima 2024: History and Significance

The auspicious festival of Buddha Purnima, celebrated mostly in East and South Asia, commemorates the birth anniversary of Prince Siddhartha Gautam, also known as Gautam Buddha. He was born in Lumbini, Nepal and attained Nirvana at the age of 35.

A full moon day is seen to be auspicious for Buddhists since it coincides with three significant events in the life of Gautam Buddha.

The full moon in May is particularly significant since Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini Grove.

Second, after six years of struggle, Prince Siddhartha Gautam acquired enlightenment under the shade of Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, becoming Gautam Buddha.

Third, at the age of eighty, after 45 years of teaching the Truth, he died at Kusinara to Nibbana (Nirvana)  liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

Buddha Purnima 2024 Celebrations

On Buddha Purnima, devotees start their day by cleaning their homes, bathing and spraying Gangajal throughout the house. They also light candles and decorate their homes with flowers, make a swastika out of Haldi, roli, or kumkum in front of the entrance door, and light a candle and pour milk near the Bodhi Tree. They also donate food and clothing to those in need.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Teachings
The Hollywood star, Demi Moore returned to the Cannes red carpet after many years, and she made a big impression. Demi is at the Cannes Film Festival, promoting her new film, The Substance, and every time she steps on the red carpet, the actress is making sure to turn heads. Be it her shimmering embellished gown or the latest timeless black attire, the diva knows how to slay.

Demi Moore looked stunning in one of her recent appearances at the film festival, wearing an all-black strapless dress. The actress chose her outfit from the collection of the luxury brand Del Core. It features a partially low back, a floral accent on the left side of her waist, a sleeveless design, and a cut out neckline. The dress had a soft flare and also featured side pockets. The actress wore a pair of hoop diamond earrings and left her neck bare. She wore black pumps and a pair of black sunglasses. The highlight of her pictures was that Demi posed with her adorable pet dog.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore)

For her makeup, she went with a soft look and a nude pink lip shade. Lastly, she styled her hair in a straight centre parted look.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore)

Demi Moore attended the e screening of Kind of Kindness at the Cannes Film Festival earlier. For the evening, she wore an outfit crafted by Giorgio Armanis expertise. It was an embellished gown with a strapless, figure-hugging shape. The red dress included sequin details throughout, as well as beaded flower embroidery. It also featured a corseted bodice with a V-shaped cutout around the neck that flowed down to make a straight floor-length hem. Demis glittering outfit was topped off with diamond statement earrings. The actress left her glossy tresses unbound, which went well with the overall look.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brad Goreski (@bradgoreski)

The actresss Cannes 2024 looks are all about shimmers and elegance. Demi Moore chose another glittery gown for her second look. She donned a strapless, beautiful gown adorned with sequins from the shelves of Balenciaga. The blue outfit has a corseted bodice, a straight neckline, and a flowy hem. The actress paired it with a sparkling diamond necklace set. She went glam with matte pink lips and generously flushed cheekbones. She unfastened her silky tresses once more.
Observed worldwide, Buddha Purnima, or Vesak, is a major Buddhist festival honouring the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. This sacred day falls on the full moon in Vaishakh, a Hindu calendar month between April and May. This year, we celebrate Buddhas birth anniversary with joy today on May 23. Here are some beautiful wishes, quotes, greetings, photos, and messages to share with your loved ones on Buddha Purnima 2024.

Happy Buddha Purnima 2024 Greetings

May the light of Buddhas wisdom illuminate your path to inner peace and happiness. Happy Buddha Purnima!

Wishing you a Buddha Purnima filled with the blessings of compassion, understanding, and freedom from suffering.

On this Buddha Purnima, let us remember the teachings of Gautama Buddha and strive to cultivate kindness in our hearts.

May the joy and serenity of Buddha Purnima fill your life and radiate outwards to all those around you.

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful Buddha Purnima. May the Noble Eightfold Path guide you towards a fulfilling life.

Happy Buddha Purnima Wishes

Heartwarming greetings to you and your family on this pious occasion. Happy Buddha Jayanti!

Do not keep contemplating the past, do not be anxious about the future. Instead, concentrate only on the task at hand. Happy Buddha Purnima!

To enjoy robust health, bring true happiness to ones family and peace to all. One must first discipline and control their mind.

On Buddha Purnima, may the blessings of Lord Buddha always be with you. Happy Buddha Jayanti 2024!

May the year be full of love, peace and communal harmony. Happy Buddha Purnima 2024!

May the full moon of Buddha Purnima bring you blessings of inner peace, enlightenment and spiritual awakening.

Happy Buddha Purnima Messages

May Lord Buddha bless you with enlightenment on the path of love, peace and truth. Happy Buddha Purnima 2024!

If you truly admire yourself, you could never hurt the feelings of another. May Lord Buddha bless us all with good health!

Let us celebrate the birth of the enlightened one, Gautam Buddha, on this Buddha Purnima. Wishing everyone the happiest Buddha Jayanti!

On this day of Buddha Purnima, may you be blessed with the gifts of mental peace, spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Wishing you all a happy Buddha Purnima! May the wisdom of Buddha fill your life with joy, peace and harmony.

Let us celebrate the teachings of Gautam Buddha on Buddha Purnima and strive to follow his path of enlightenment.

Happy Buddha Purnima Quotes

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. This quote emphasizes finding peace through inner reflection and cultivating a calm mind. The mind is everything. What you think you become. This reminds us of the power of our thoughts and intentions in shaping our reality. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. This quote encourages mindfulness and living in the present, where true happiness can be found. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal law. This speaks to the importance of compassion and forgiveness in overcoming negativity. 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. This quote highlights the power of sharing kindness and how it benefits both the giver and receiver.

Happy Buddha Purnima 2024: WhatsApp And Facebook Status

Wishing you peace, happiness, and enlightenment on Buddha Purnima!

May the light of Buddhas teachings guide you on your path.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.  Buddha.

The quieter you become, the more you can hear.  Buddha. May we find inner peace this Buddha Purnima.

Celebrating Buddha Purnima with acts of kindness and compassion. May we all embody Buddhas teachings.

Sending warm wishes for a joyful and meaningful Buddha Purnima filled with light and love.

Wishing you a Buddha Purnima filled with the blessings of good health, happiness, and spiritual growth.

   !         

Buddha Purnima FAQs

When is Buddha Purnima celebrated?

Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Vaishakha month in the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2024, it falls on May 23rd.

What is the significance of Buddha Purnima?

Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha and founded Buddhism. It is believed that on this day, he also attained enlightenment and parinirvana (final liberation).

Who celebrates Buddha Purnima?

Buddha Purnima is a major festival for Buddhists around the world. It is also observed by some Hindus as it is believed to be the birthday of Lord Vishnu.

How is Buddha Purnima celebrated?

Temple visitsDevotees visit Buddhist temples to offer prayers and participate in special pujas (worship ceremonies). MeditationMeditation sessions are held to reflect on Buddhas teachings of peace, compassion, and mindfulness. Acts of kindnessBuddhists may perform acts of charity and kindness to honor Buddhas message of non-violence. Vegetarian mealsMany Buddhists choose to eat vegetarian meals on this day. Lantern lightingIn some countries, like China and Korea, people light lanterns to symbolize the dispelling of darkness and the spread of Buddhas teachings.

Is Buddha Purnima a public holiday?

Yes, Buddha Purnima is a public holiday in many countries with significant Buddhist populations, including India. Banks will also be closed in many states on May 23 to mark Buddha Purnima.

What is Buddha Purnima also called?

Buddha Purnima is also known as Vesak and Buddha Jayanti.

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been admitted to a hospital following a heat stroke on Wednesday. The actor was admitted to Ahmedabads KD Hospital, according to authorities. SRK is doing well right now and theres no need to panic, a source close to the actor told News18 Showsha. The actor was in Ahmedabad for his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Qualifier 1 versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Gauri Khan, the interior designer and wife of actor Shah Rukh Khan, was photographed entering KD hospital not long after the actors admission was made public. The co-owner of KKR and close friend of Shah Rukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla, visited the actor with her husband Jay Mehta.

Heres a closer look at some steps we may take to avoid dehydration and heat stroke during this severe heatwave, as it goes without saying that the news of SRKs hospitalisation has alarmed his fans.

Stay Hydrated:Even if you dont feel thirsty, make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses a day or more to stay hydrated. Avoid direct sunlight.Try to avoid being in the sun as much as possible, especially between 10 AM and 4 p.m. When you can, find shade. Wear lightweight clothes.To keep your body cool, choose airy, loose-fitting, and colourful textiles like cotton. Use Sunscreen:To shield your skin from damaging UV rays and avoid overheating, slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Take frequent rests.To avoid overexerting yourself when working or exercising outside, take regular rests in a cool, shaded environment. Take Electrolytes:Sports drinks or coconut water might help you replenish lost salts and minerals, especially if youve been perspiring a lot. Consume light foods.Choose easier-to-digest, smaller, lighter meals wherever possible. Cucumber and watermelon are two great examples of fresh produce with a high water content. Cool showers:Cool baths or showers will help you bring down your body temperature. As an alternative, apply cold packs or moist towels to your forehead, wrists, and neck. Keep an eye on your medication.Certain drugs may make heat-related illnesses more likely. Discuss any possible adverse effects with your doctor, and if required, take further safety measures. Remain Up-to-Date:Pay attention to heat advisories and weather forecasts. Make appropriate plans for your activities to avoid the warmest times of the day.

Impacts of Extreme Heatstroke on Body:

Heart Distress:Heat dissipation is aided by high temperatures, which make the heart work harder to sustain blood flow to the skin. Dehydration:Sweating excessively causes electrolyte imbalances, acute dehydration, and even renal strain. Cognitive Ability:Heat can influence memory and judgement, among other cognitive functions. Severe cases may result in severe inflammation of the brain. Mental Health:Depression, anxiety, and even suicide rates have been related to higher temperatures. Enhanced Circulation:The more blood that reaches the skin, the harder the heart works. A persons heart rate increases by 10 beats per minute for every 0.5C increase in core temperature, which can cause dizziness and a racing heartbeat. Fatigue:Fatigue results from the brain telling the muscles to slow down. Nerve Misfires:When nerve cells malfunction, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or vomiting arise.

You can safeguard others and yourself during periods of excessive heat by following these precautions and remaining knowledgeable about the telltale signs and symptoms of heat-related ailments. During hot weather, its easy to stay safe and comfortable by drinking enough of water, finding shade, and dressing appropriately.
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are all set to their new bungalow with their daughter Raha as the ongoing construction is near completion. Hindustan Times has exclusively reported that the couple is most probably to celebrate this years Diwali in their new home. For a long time, they have been waiting for it to be completed and were constantly keeping check on the construction activity.

Hindustan Times has quoted an insider who mentioned that Alia, Ranbir along with Raha will be moving into their new bungalow in two-three months. The ongoing work on their bungalow is almost done, with the finishing going on, which should take one month or so. After the work is done and they get a green signal, the couple will move into the place. It is the moment they have been looking forward to, says a source. The insider adds, In fact, they will most probably be celebrating Diwali with Raha in the new house this year.

The bungalow holds an emotional significance to the family, which is why everyone is so involved in the construction. Ranbir and Alia have made sure they take out time from their busy schedule and check the work status, says the insider.

It is worth mentioning here that the bungalow originally belonged to Ranbirs grandparents, Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj. Late Rishi Kapoor and Neetu inherited the property in 1980.

On the work front, Alia Bhatt has completed the shoot of her next film Jigra. In January, Sanjay Leela Bhansali left all fans in surprise when he announced his next film Love And War with Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal. The film reunites Bhansali and Kapoor after 17 years and marks the filmmakers first film with Kaushal. Bhansali reunites with Bhatt after the success of Gangubai Kathiawadi. The new film was announced on Wednesday, January 24. The film is slated to release on Christmas 2025. Sharing the post, Vicky wrote, An eternal cinema dream has come true. #SanjayLeelaBhansali #RanbirKapoor @aliaabhatt @prerna_singh6 @bhansaliproductions #LOVEandWAR.
Farah Khan, known for her outspoken nature, had some fun revealing Bollywoods biggest penny-pincher on The Great Indian Kapil Show recently. She teased Chunky Panday as the top contender and proved it by calling him on the show and asking for 500 rupees. Chunkys response? Just go to the ATM!

When host Kapil asked her, Who is zyada kanjoos between Anil and Farah, she said that both of them are quite generous. However, Farah also claimed she knows who the biggest penny-pincher in the industry is. She proved it by calling them live on the show and asking for Rs 500. The choreographer-turned-director said, I can tell you who is the most miser in the industry. There is only one person. Chunky Panday. I swear. Bring me my phone. I will call him and ask for 500 rupees. She called up Chunky and put him on the loudspeaker.

Speaking to him over the call, Farah said, Chunky, listen I need 500 rupees. Chunky replied, Then go to the ATM, no? Farah requested, Chunky, at least give me 50 rupees. Chunky feigned a network issue and said, Hello? Kaun chahiye? Farah then said, Chunky at least give me Rs 50. Chunky replied, Hello? Kaun chahiye?

While promoting Housefull 4, Akshay Kumar, Chunky Panday, Riteish Deshmukh, and Jackie Shroff had graced the celebrity The Kapil Sharma Show. During a fun interaction, Akshay had shared a funny anecdote, related to his co-star Chunky Panday. Calling Chunky a smart businessman, he recalled, Once Salman Khan was doing a show with Chunky Panday in South Africa. After the show wrapped up smoothly, Chunky told Salman that he was quite happy. Chunky, who was also the organiser of the show, made an offer to Salman that he would take him shopping. Ill buy your shirts, pants, and jeans, Chunky told Salman and the latter agreed to go along with him. Akshay also shared that Chunky took Salman to a clothing store and asked him to buy him some clothes. Later, the shop owner asked for a photo with Salman, and he happily obliged. It was only a few days later that it was revealed Chunky had taken $20,000 from the shop owner, promising to bring Salman Khan to the store.

Chunky Panday has delivered some impressive performances in his career spanning decades. From tickling funny bones in hilarious roles to turning into a dreaded antagonist, the 60-year-old proved his versatility in films like Aankhen, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Qayamat: City Under Threat, and Begum Jaan.
Speculations are rife that Marvel Studios is gearing up to introduce yet another comic superhero to the world through a potential Disney+ series. If reports are to be believed, the upcoming production will be based on the character of the Blonde Phantom, the masked crime fighter from Marvel Comics. She has been a part of the Marvel world since the Golden Age of Comics. With ongoing discussions about the show, several names are being considered for the titular role, and Taylor Swift is the latest to emerge.

Hot off the heels of her latest album, The Tortuted Poets Department and Eras Tour, Taylor Swift could be moving into acting with a potential MCU role.

According to a ScreenTime report, makers are developing the Blonde Phantom series, with Taylor Swift being considered to play the lead role. The Fortnight hitmaker reportedly also met Marvel President Kevin Feige to discuss her role as a crime fighter and detective. While confirmed news is yet to arrive, this development has left her fans pretty excited.

Marvel Studios are reportedly developing a BLONDE PHANTOM Disney+ series  Taylor Swift is being considered to lead  Set in 1950s Las Vegas  Crime fighting spy series (via: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/zXmIVDEkU9  ScreenTime (@screentime) May 21, 2024

Notably, the news came just a week after MCU veteran Scarlett Johanssons name was also being tossed around for the role. After bidding farewell to the superhero world as Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Johansson might also be on the list of actors being considered for the role. In 2023, the actress also confirmed that she is still on board for a non-Black Widow Marvel Studios project. While details about the project have been kept under wraps, reports suggest that the mysterious project could be a Disney+ series and is going to be based on the Blonde Phantom.

More about Marvel Comics Blonde Phantom

Created by Stan Lee and Syd Shores, Blonde Phantom made her debut in All Select Comics #11 in 1946. It revolves around Louise Grant, who works as a secretary to a detective in the daytime and as a crime-fighting superhero in the night. She transforms into the Blonde Phantom to help her boss solve cases and save him.

The character was also featured in her own solo series. In the Modern Age comics, she was reintroduced as Louise Mason after marrying Mark Mason. After her husbands death, she joins Blake Tower and Jennifer Walker aka She-Hulk.
Kriti Sanon is gearing up for her next release Do Patti with Kajol. Well, recently the teaser was also released and it left everyone impressed. Well, recently in an interview the Crew actress revealed her fan girl moment of meeting Hollywood actor Gerard Butler. Kriti mentioned that the actor was humble and was traveling with no staff.

The incident took place when she was shooting for her Telugu film with Mahesh Babu in London. Talking to Grazia India, Kriti quipped, I saw Gerard Butler who was all by himself, taking a flight. He saw that we all were shooting and he came to us and he was like what film is this, what are you guys shooting and I was like oh my god. Like he was traveling with nobody, no staff no one. And he was just so chilled and so humble. And he just like spoke to all of us.

Talking about Do Patti, the teaser opens with an aerial view of Manali and Kajol is seen as a cop riding a bike. Her voice can be heard in the background throughout the video. She is talking about wrong and right situations in life. Kriti Sanons character is also shown as a glamorous one. She is seen in a grey shade. Looks like it is a murder mystery but still nothing is clear. The film will surely keep you on the edge of your seat.

Recently it was also reported that Sidharth Malhotra and Kriti Sanon are set to share the screen for the first time in an upcoming romantic film. Bollywood Hungama has shared the news. The film is yet to be titled and nothing has been much shared. But it will be really interesting to see this new pair on screen. The latest report by Bollywood Hungama mentions that Sidharth and Kriti are teaming up for a love story produced by Maddock Films. It is also reported that Sidharth has also signed a desi mass action entertainer produced by Murad Khetani.
Manisha Koirala is basking in immense love from the audience for her role in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Her portrayal of Mallikajaan in the series has taken the internet by storm. Amid this, the actress jetted off to the United Kingdom. She met the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at his residence, 10 Downing Street. Koirala represented her country Nepal celebrating 100 years of its friendship treaty with the UK. She was pleasantly surprised to know that most of the attendees at the event had watched her latest web series, Heeramandi.

On Tuesday, Manisha gave her fans a peek into her meeting with the UK PM Sunak. The first few pictures captured the Heeramandi star indulging in some fun moments with the attendees. The UK diaries of the actress also included her solo picture, proudly flaunting the Indian heritage in a saree. For the special day, she draped herself in a black Banarasi saree adorned with golden intricate floral patterns. The Khamoshi actor teamed the saree with a solid black blouse having sophisticated full sleeves. Encapsulating the essence of elegance, the picture was captured outside 10 Downing Street.

Manisha was proud and excited to represent her country at the event. She expressed it all in her caption attached to the pictures and wrote, It was an honour to be invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate United Kingdom  Nepal relations and 100 years of our friendship treaty. It was such a pleasure to hear the Prime Minister @rishisunakmp speak fondly of our country #nepal (sic).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manisha Koirala (@m_koirala)

The Dil Se actor, in her caption, also shared that she invited Rishi Sunak and his family for a trek at the Everest Base Camp. She further mentioned, Can you believe that most of the attendees had seen #heeramandionnetflix and loved it? I was thrilled!! (sic).

Manishas last project was Heeramandi, directed by ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The Netflix original series premiered on May 1 and received mixed responses from the audiences. However, the actresss role as Mallikajaan etched a special mark on everyones heart, prompting them to go gaga over her timeless beauty and remarkable talent.
Ratna Pathak Shah and Rupali Ganguly reprised their roles as Maya Sarabhai and Monisha Sarabhai for a Flipkart ad campaign, evoking nostalgia for fans of the 2004 sitcom Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. In the ad, Maya, the snobbish matriarch, makes fun of the discounted groceries offered by her daughter-in-law Monisha, while Monisha tries to explain the benefits of the discounts. The ad captures the essence of the cult show, which remains a favourite among viewers.

In the ad, Maya says, Yeh kya hai discounted items, dry fruits at 45% off. Monisha beta yeh sab tumhare maayke see aaya hai na. Monisha tells her about the discounts while offering her moongfali ki chutney. Ratna, as Maya, then replies, Peanut butter Monisha, moongfali ki chutney is just so down market.

Internet couldnt keep it together after the ad was dropped. After such a long time saw monisha and Maya together, wrote one user. Mummy jee and Monisha, read another. love their chemistry, read a third comment.

Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai originally premiered in 2004 on STAR One and wrapped up its first season in 2006. In 2017, it was renewed for a new season, titled Take 2, which aired on Disney+ Hotstar. The show, created and directed by Aatish Kapadia and also directed by Deven Bhojani, was produced by Jamnadas Majethias Hats Off Productions. The ensemble cast included Satish Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, and Rajesh Kumar portraying the characters of Indravardhan, Sahil, and Rosesh Sarabhai, respectively. Ratna Pathak Shah played as an upper-class socialite, Maya, while her daughter-in-law Monisha, played by Rupali Ganguly, was portrayed as a middle-class homemaker.

Meanwhile, Rupali Ganguly currently plays the role of Anupamaa in Rajan Shahis popular show of the same name. The show has been ruling TRP charts for years now and is widely loved by the audience. Recently, Rupali Ganguly joined politics too. The actress visited the BJP headquarters in New Delhi when she joined the political party and said, I am so honoured to be here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has influenced me a lot. I am a big fan of PM Modi. BJP has been doing great work and therefore i wanted to join the BJP. I am very thankful to the party.

The actress also spoke to the news agency ANI when she shared that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modis working style and personality which made her join the Modi sena. The one personality that attracts everyone towards BJP is PM Modi. His working style, personality and the way he has taken our country towards development, every Indian wants to join Modi Sena and contribute to the country and I also felt the same and hence I joined BJP, she said.
In a major development from Hollywood, Paramount Pictures is gearing up for the prequel to its celebrated Star Trek franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production company is presently in talks with X-Men producer Simon Kinberg to bankroll the Star Trek feature film. Touted to be a prequel, it will be set decades before J.J. Abrams 2009 film, likely around the modern times when Starfleet was created and humankinds first contact with alien life.

While Abrams still continues to remain involved as the producer for the new project, confirmation is yet to be received from Kinbergs end. Besides, the studio has also hinted at a 2025 release date.

Developments so far in Star Treks new franchise

Paramount Pictures is looking forward to providing the opportunity for Simon Kinberg to take on active creative roles on the rest of the franchises film side. In addition to that, Alex Kurtzman and Akiva Goldsman have joined as the main creative producers. Toby Haynes, who directed the episodes of the Star Wars series Andor, is also on board to direct the new feature. Seth Grahame-Smith will write the script.

Talking about Kinberg, he is famously known for his work on Foxs X-Men franchise, over which he took the creative control and also made his directorial debut with Dark Phoenix. If things go well, the upcoming project will mark his second collaboration with Grahame-Smith after Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

More about the Star Trek franchise

The Star Trek film Beyond was released in 2016, following which Trek has been primarily living on the small screen. A series of streaming shows have made their way to Paramount+, including Star Trek Discovery, Picard and Strange New Worlds.

While Abrams, known for overseeing all the Star Trek films, will return to produce the prequel, he is also bankrolling a separate film from the franchise. It is said to be the final mission of the Kelvin timeline cast, including Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana.

On the other hand, Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau are bringing an original series to Paramount+ with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. It will be the fifth live-action series in the universe, featuring Holy Hunter as the captain and chancellor of Starfleet Academy. The storyline will be based on the students of the academy.
Global icon Priyanka Chopra just sent the internet into a frenzy with her jaw-dropping appearance at the Bvlgari Aeterna event in Rome, Italy. Stepping in with effortless elegance, she unveiled a fabulous short hairdo that caught everyones attention. Now, she is treating her followers with a behind-the-scenes peek on her Instagram story, showing a drastic hair transformation, going from long tresses to a choppy bob.

In the video, her hair stylist Thibaud Salducci is seen busy snipping away at her chic shoulder-length locks, ensuring they are picture-perfect. And with a cheeky caption like, When the jewels deserve a haircut for a better view, Priyanka not only stole the show with her new style but also showcased her incredible sense of humour.

Priyanka didnt just wow everyone with her fresh haircut, she kept her style game strong too. Rocking a stunning black-and-white gown by Del Core, she once again proved why she is a style icon. Her gown featured a sculptural flair, adorned with petal-shaped sleeves that cascaded off her shoulders, The dress bottom half featured a sheer, floor-length skirt with a subtle train that added an extra dose of drama.

Heading towards the accessories section, Priyanka kept the bling factor in check with a mesmerising Serpenti Aeterna necklace. According to the jewellery house, this high jewellery creation stands as one of their most valuable pieces, meticulously crafted in their workshops. What sets the necklace apart is its remarkable backstory as it took a staggering 2800 hours to complete. The necklace features a rough diamond of over 20 carats, expertly cut into seven pear-shaped drops, collectively weighing 140 carats. One pear-drop represents each year of Bulgaris history. Now, it all makes sense why she decided to chop off her hair, because clearly, those jewels needed their own spotlight.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patty Cardona (@jerryxmimi)

The Quantico actress was in Rome to celebrate Bvlgaris 140th anniversary, with fellow ambassadors  Hollywood actor Anne Hathaway, Hong Kong-Taiwanese actor and model Shu Qi and Chinese-American actor Liu Yifei.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Priyanka recently announced that she has wrapped up shooting for the much-awaited film, Heads Of State. Sharing a heartwarming video montage featuring her daughter Malti along with her crew, she expressed her deep affection for the film. Alongside Priyanka, the action-comedy also features stars like Idris Elba and John Cena.
Rakhi Sawants lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt has confirmed that the actress has been getting death threats. In her recent interaction, Falguni revealed that Rakhi has received threatening calls and will file a police complaint soon. She shared that since the Bigg Boss fame is currently hospitalised, she will complain to the police, the moment she gets discharged.

I have been informed by my client Rakhi Sawant that she is posing threats to her life and since the past few days she has been receiving threatening calls and is being threatened with dire consequences, Rakhis lawyer told E-Times TV.

She has been advised to lodge a police complaint, but due to her ill health and being hospitalized she is unable to do the same, but once she is discharged she will lodge a complaint, she added.

On Tuesday, Rakhi Sawants former husband Ritesh Raj Singh also claimed that some people are troubling her and are giving her death threats. He claimed that he knew who these troublemakers were but refused to share their names saying he wont do it unless he gets all the evidence.

I will reveal everything, let me get all the evidence first. I am not afraid of anyone. I will name people but let me get the evidence first. I just want to tell you that some people who pretended to be our wellwishers are also involved in this controversy. I will tell you who this person it. We are informing the police about it. We do not want media trial. This is related to Rakhis security. People are troubling her. She is also getting death threats, Ritesh said.

Meanwhile, Rakhi Sawants death threats come at a time when she is hospitalised. The actress recently underwent surgery after doctors discovered a tumour in her uterus. Previously, Ritesh also shared that Rakhis surgery was successful.

Some people were laughing a lot. I think such people are inhuman who make a mockery of somebodys pain. (shows a photo of a tumour) See how big this rumour is. Rakhi, you dont worry, well take care of you. Some people are still making baseless statements and trying to defame you. Let me tell them, your time is over, he said.
Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani had a dreamy wedding in Goa on February 21, this year. The couple is currently enjoying this new phase. Recently, they completed three months of their wedding. The duo shared their happiness on social media and wished each other on the special occasion. Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnanis wedding was a star-studded affair, with several Bollywood celebrities attending the festivities in Goa.

Actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani shared an adorable selfie with his wife Rakul Preet Singh on Instagram Stories and wrote, Three months in, and it feels like just yesterday we started this journey together. Time flies when youre with the one you love.

Later, Rakul reposted his story and mentioned, Dayumm you beat me to it again. Happy 3 months my love. Here is to forever.

Check it out:

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnanis wedding ceremony took place in the afternoon at the ITC Grand South Goa. The couple initially married in an Anand Karaj ceremony, honouring Rakuls Sikh heritage, followed by the Pheras in the evening to celebrate Jackkys Sindhi roots.

Previously, in an interview with HT City, Rakul Preet Singh opened up about her married life and stated, When we were first dating- three years back- we had a conversation about this then only. I am happy, you are happy, neither of us are trying to fill any void. We are complete as individuals, together we are just happier. If you really follow this I dont have to call him 15 times a day I am getting bored, how are you I have to figure what I have to do in my life, same for him.

She added that when they are together, they leave work behind. Their greatest strength is their friendship, and there is nothing they cant share with one another.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rakul Singh (@rakulpreet)

Meanwhile, Rakul and Jackky travelled to Fiji for a vacation. In her most recent Instagram post, Rakul Preet Singh posed on a dock against Fijis bright sky and azure ocean. She shared that Jackky was the one who clicked her pictures.
Actor Salman Khan on Wednesday urged the Bombay High Court to remove him as party in the petition filed by the mother of the accused, Anuj Thapan, seeking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the death of her son in police custody.

Senior counsel Aabad Ponda, appearing for Salman Khan, sought deletion of the actors name as party respondent in the plea and claimed that the petitioner has not made any pleadings against the actor.

The actor is in fact the victim here. Someone tried to attack him (Khan) and his house. He does not know who is behind the attacks and who have been arrested, Ponda said.

He added that naming him as a respondent in the present plea was sending a wrong signal and causing damage to his reputation.

The accuseds mother, Devis advocate submitted to the court that at present the petitioner was not seeking any relief or action against Khan.

The court took note of the same.

The court on Wednesday fumed over the incomplete autopsy report of Thapan, the accused who died in police custody after being arrested in connection with firing outside actor Salman Khans house

The bench of Justices, N R Borkar and Somasekhar Sundaresan, perused the post-mortem report and noted that it does not include vital details, like diagram of the ligature mark found on the neck of the deceaseds body and if there were any other injuries on the body.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Rita Devi, the mother of accused Anuj Thapan, who died on May 1 inside the toilet of the lock-up of the Mumbai polices crime branch.

The police claimed that Thapan killed himself, while his mother Rita Devi said in her petition that the high court alleged foul play and claimed that he was killed.

Devi in the plea sought the HC to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the death of her son.

The petition said that Thapan was physically assaulted and tortured by the police in custody.

On Wednesday, additional public prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik submitted a preliminary report on the inquiry being carried out by the state CID into Thapans death.

Yagnik also submitted Thapans post-mortem report.

The court perused it and said that as per the report, the cause of the death is asphyxiation, but certain other details were missing.

Where is the diagram of the ligature mark? Is the ligature mark oblique in shape or round? Death by asphyxiation can also be because of strangling. It need not be because of hanging only, the court said.

It added that the report also does not have the column giving details of whether there were any other injuries on the deceaseds body.

This is not a complete post-mortem report. It is incomplete, the high court said.

Yagnik said the investigating team would make necessary enquiries with the doctors concerned.

The bench directed a copy of the report to be handed over to the petitioner and posted the matter for further hearing in June.

On April 14, two bike-borne persons opened fire outside actor Salman Khans residence in Bandra area.

The duo  Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal  was later arrested from Gujarat. Thapan was arrested on April 26 from Punjab along with one other person in the case.

A total of six persons were arrested in the case, of whom Thapan died. While four are in judicial custody, the fifth accused arrested earlier this week is in police custody.

(with PTI inputs)

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
Salman Khan will reportedly not be hosting the third season of Bigg Boss OTT. If a recent post by the popular X handle The Khabri is to be believed, not Salman but Anil Kapoor has been roped in to host Bigg Boss OTT 3. #AnilKapoor to host new season of #BiggBossOTT3, the post read.

While there is no confirmation regarding Anil Kapoor replacing Salman Khan as the Bigg Boss OTT host, the news has left fans of the reality show upset. No Bigg Boss without Salman, one of the users wrote. This will reduce your TRP, added another. One of the fans also suggested that Karan Johar, who also hosted Bigg Boss OTT 1, could have been a better option.

Interestingly, in April this year, Bigg Boss production house Endemol Shine India took to its official Instagram handle to announce Bigg Boss OTT 3. They shared a poster in which Salman was seen pointing towards the audience as he also asked, Who do you want to see in Bigg Boss OTT. However, the post was deleted later.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that all this comes at a time when Salman Khan has also been making headlines for firing outside his Mumbai apartments. On April 14, gunshots were fired outside Khans Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area. Later, it was reported that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was alleged to be behind the attack. The gangsters brother, Anmol Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the shooting incident via a Facebook post.

A team of Mumbai police is investigating the firing case and has arrested five accused as of now. Earlier this month, one of the arrested accused, Anuj Thapan, allegedly died by suicide in Mumbai Police custody. While the police claimed that Thapan killed himself in prison, his family alleged foul play and claimed that he was killed.

Recently, the President of the All India Bishnoi Society, Devendra Budiya, also issued a statement and argued that the Bollywood superstars apology would be considered if he seeks forgiveness. If Salman himself apologizes, the Bishnoi society will consider the apology. The mistake was not made by Somy Ali, but it was committed by Salman, the Bishnoi gang leader told IANS, as quoted by Pinkvilla.

Therefore, he should propose to the Bishnoi society that he wants to apologize. He should come to the temple and seek forgiveness. He should further take an oath that he will never make such a mistake in the future and will always work to protect wildlife and conserve the environment. If he does this, a decision of the society to forgive him will be considered, he added.

However, Salman Khan has not issued any official statement regarding the firing incident.
Shah Rukh Khan, still new to films back then, got a breakthrough role in Abbas-Mustans Baazigar after other actors turned it down. Fans remember his Zorro-like appearance in the films song, but in a recent interview, Abbas-Mustan revealed it was SRKs body double who did the horse-riding scenes. They explained that since SRKs face was mostly covered, they used a double for safety reasons.

During a fan Q&A on Radio Nasha, Abbas-Mustan addressed concerns about SRK falling off the horse in the song shoot due to his fear of horses. They explained that since Shah Rukhs face wasnt clearly visible in the scene, they used a body double for the horse-riding parts. Mustan added, He was wearing a robe, a hat and a mask on his face and his eyes were covered. The horse riding was done by the horse owner, a body double.

He went on to say, When the song ends, when he turns and goes away from the camera, he is going down a slope, there is no horse there but Shah Rukh just acted as if he is riding a horse. No one can believe that he is not riding the horse. Thats how well he has performed.

In the same interaction, another fan reminded Abbas-Mustan that Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan have both gotten their monikers, Khiladi and Baadshah, because of Abbas-Mustan films. The fan further suggested that perhaps the director duo should probably plan a Baazigar sequel which could have both Khiladi and Baadshah coming together. Sequel ka zamana hai (Its the time for sequels), they said. Upon hearing their suggestion, Mustan immediately said, Aapke paas kahani hai toh dijiye. Zaroor banayenge (If you have a story, please give. Well make).

During the same chat, another fan pointed out that Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan got their nicknames, Khiladi and Baadshah, from Abbas-Mustan films. The fan suggested making a sequel to Baazigar with both actors. Mustan said, Aapke paas kahani hai toh dijiye. Zaroor banayenge (If you have a story, please give. Well make). Earlier, the director-duo had hinted at a sequel when they said, Sequel ka zamana hai (Its the time for sequels).
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been hospitalised. The actor was admitted to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after suffering from a heat stroke, police said. SRK, who was in Ahmedabad for his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), is doing fine now and theres nothing to worry, a source close to the actor informed News18 Showsha.

For more info: Shah Rukh Khan Admitted to Ahmedabads KD Hospital After Dehydration, Heat Stroke

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif is rumoured to be pregnant. The speculations began when she was spotted on a stroll with Vicky Kaushal in London. In a video surfaced online, Katrina appeared to be sporting a baby bump as she and Vicky walked hand-in-hand. The news of her pregnancy was later confirmed by a source to Zoom TV. The insider not only revealed that Katrina and Vicky are expecting their first baby but also added that she will welcome the child in London. Amid these rumours, eagle-eyed fans believe Katrina had accidentally revealed her baby bump in an Instagram video.

For more info: Did Katrina Kaif Accidentally Reveal Baby Bump in THIS Instagram Video & We Missed The Signs? Watch

Salman Khan will reportedly not be hosting the third season of Bigg Boss OTT. If a recent post by the popular X handle The Khabri is to be believed, not Salman but Anil Kapoor has been roped in to host Bigg Boss OTT 3. #AnilKapoor to host new season of #BiggBossOTT3, the post read.

For more info: Salman Khan QUITS Bigg Boss OTT, Anil Kapoor To Host Season 3 of Controversial Reality Show

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are all set to their new bungalow with their daughter Raha as the ongoing construction is near to completion. Hindustan Times has exclusively reported that the couple is most probably to celebrate this year Diwali in their new home. For a long time they have been waiting for it to complete and was constantly keeping check on the construction activity.

For more info: Alia Bhatt And Ranbir Kapoors New Bungalow Almost Done, Couple To Move Into House With Raha Soon

Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas never fails to impress all with her top-notch looks. Each time the actress makes a public appearance, she leaves everyone stunned. On Wednesday too, PeeCee attended a Bvlgari Aeterna event when she made heads turned with her hottest ever avatar.

For more info: Sexy Photos! Priyanka Chopra Makes Fans Go Wow In a Hot Black Shimmery Outfit
The third instalment in the Welcome franchise, Welcome To The Jungle, is one of the most highly anticipated projects of the year. It will not only mark Akshay Kumars return to comedy after many years but also witness an ensemble comprising more than 30 actors, a phenomenon that has become a rarity in new-age Bollywood.

For the unversed, Akshay is joined by Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh, among many others, in the comic caper. As per reports, a few weeks back, an elaborate dance sequence was shot with all the actors along with 500 background dancers in a grand set in Mumbai.

Now, News18 Showsha has exclusively learned that the makers of the big-budget spectacle recently hired almost 200 horses along with horsemen for a power-packed action sequence. It will make for a never-seen-before action sequence. The safety of all these horses was thoroughly ensured while filming and the scenes were shot at a stretch for seven days, says our source.

Emphasising how producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah is making no compromise on going big with Welcome To The Jungle, the source tells us, These horses came from stables across Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, and a few other places. The makers of the movie also put together a mammoth set spread across ten acres of land for the filming of the movie in Mumbais Film City.

We have further learned that the cast and the crew of Welcome To The Jungle wrapped up this schedule that stretched over 40 days a couple of weeks back. In a few weeks, they shall return to shoot more portions of the film in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the actors are busy completing their other professional commitments.

Akshay and Arshad were busy shooting for the first schedule of Jolly LLB 3 in Rajasthan. Suniel, on the other hand, is caught up with Dance Deewane 4. They will soon begin the next schedule of Welcome To The Jungle along with other cast members, added another source.

On a related note, a Pinkvilla report recently stated that Sanjay Dutt, who was a part of the film earlier, has exited it citing health issues. The actor shot for it for only a day in Madh Island and due to his character requiring to do a lot of action in the film, he walked out, the report claimed. Welcome To The Jungle was announced in 2023 with a video where the cast was seen performing a cappella. It is presented by Base Industries Group and directed by Ahmed Khan. It is slated for a theatrical release in the Christmas week on December 20, 2024.
Katrina Kaif has been a subject of pregnancy rumours for several months now. Katrina and her actor-husband Vicky Kaushal are apparently expecting their first baby together after two-and-a-half years of marriage, according to multiple unconfirmed reports. Amid all the speculations surrounding her pregnancy, a throwback interview of Katrina Kaif talking about parenthood has surfaced on the internet.

Katrina was raised single-handedly by her mother, Suzanne Turquotte, as her parents separated when she was a young girl. The actress opened up about being raised by a single parent and how she would never want her kids to go through such feelings. Not having a father figure does create a certain vacuum and makes any girl feel vulnerable. When I have kids, I want them to have the experience of being with both parents, Katrina had said in an interview with Filmfare in 2019.

She added, Each time Ive gone through something emotionally hard, I was compelled to reflect that it must be nice for those who have a strong fatherly support from a male figure, who loves you unconditionally.

The Tiger 3 star also praised her mother for raising her and her siblings single-handedly. Katrina has three elder sisters named Stephanie, Christine and Natasha; three younger sisters named Melissa, Sonia, and Isabel; and an elder brother named Michael.

She had said, I asked her what were you thinking when you had so many children and how did you do it on your own. But in the last few years, what my mom had to say about life, has been much more helpful to me. It bears more weight. Now that you can see things from a distance, you realise it must have been tough for her.

A recent report in Times Now.com/Zoom claimed that Katrina is going to deliver her baby in London. Yes, she is pregnant. They will welcome their first child in London. Vicky is already there with her, a source told the media portal.

However, Katrinas representative agency, Raindrop, has called the reports surrounding her pregnancy unconfirmed. Request all media houses to immediately stop this unconfirmed reporting and speculation, Katrinas agency said in a statement.
Around 73 years ago, on 23 May, the Seventeen-Point Agreement was signed between the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Tibetan government headed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Claimed by China as the Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, this agreement officially established Chinese legitimacy over Tibet. However, the 1951 Seventeen-Point Agreement and the developments in its aftermath soon attracted controversy, exposing the Chinese governments imperialist intent and the start of what is currently known as the decades-old Tibetan issue, reflected in Tibetans prolonged fight of protecting their identity and territorial autonomy.

The Tibetan issue is essentially a conflict over history, for the Chinese and Tibetans have had contention regarding Tibets sovereignty prior to the 1951 agreement. While the Chinese believe that Tibet did not possess any sovereignty when the Qing dynasty fell in 1912, the Tibetans are of the opinion that Tibet has always been a sovereign nation, with occasional suzerainty over it exercised by the Mongolian, Nepalese, Chinese and the British at different periods of time.

Notwithstanding the contention, the fact remains that the Seventeen-Point Agreement is the only agreement that the Chinese government has signed with any non-Han ethnic group. Which brings to the question, why did China enter into an agreement in 1951, if Tibet was already a sovereign part of China? Traditionally, Tibet comprised three provinces  central Tibet (called Chamdo), Kham (in the south) and Amdo (in the northeast). The first attack on Tibetan sovereignty by the CCP took place in 1950, what came to be known as the Battle of Chamdo.

However, fearing Tibetan resistance, the Chinese quickly opted for negotiations to subjugate the entire Tibet under the garb of peaceful agreement. This resulted in the CCP-drafted Seventeen-Point Agreement in 1951, with Ngabo Ngawang Jigme, former Chamdos governor-general, representing the Tibetan delegation.

These were salient points of the agreement: The agreement recognised Tibet as part of China (Point 1), with China being responsible for Tibets external affairs (Point 14). Moreover, with the Tibetan governments assistance, the Chinese military was to enter Tibet and consolidate its national defences (Point 2). At the same time, Tibets right to exercise autonomy was also recognised (Point 3). The CCP also guaranteed that the existing political system, functions, and powers of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama would remain unaltered (Point 4), while the religious beliefs and customs of the Tibetan people would be respected and protected (Point 7). Internal reforms were to be implemented only after consultation with the Tibetan leaders (Point 11).

Thus, the Seventeen-Point Agreement states the liberation of Tibet from internal and external enemies, under the impression of a one country, two systems. Negotiations and the final signing of the agreement took place in Beijing under the strict watch of the CCP, whereby the Tibetan delegation was not allowed to have any contact or discussion outside Beijing. The Chinese thus were able to push through their agendas by arm-twisting the Tibetan delegation. However, the facade of the Seventeen-Point agreement was short-lived and soon actions of the Chinese in Tibet brought forward a reality far from the one promised in the agreement.

CCP soon violated the terms of the agreement in an attempt to establish quick and complete control over the Tibetan region. The land reforms were introduced by the CCP in Tibet without consulting the Tibetan government, marginalising Tibetans in their own country. It included attacks on Tibetan culture and language, gave Chinese control over economic and natural resources and favoured Han Chinese immigration.

In 1956, the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region (PCTAR) was established by the CCP to make way for political authority to be transferred from the Tibetan government to a Chinese-created and controlled administration, thus violating the Seventeen-Point Agreement. These measures paved the way for growing discontent among Tibetans, leading to the rise of Tibetan armed rebels.

It is recorded that between 1952-58, the Chinese Army crushed 966 such rebellions and killed about 10,000 Tibetans in Kanlhos northeastern region. By 1956, the rebellion against the Chinese began to gain full momentum in Kham and Amdo and further spread to U-Tsang and Lhasa. Despite the rebellion, the CCP went on to implement democratic reforms in eastern Tibet, gaining legal rights over Tibetan property. Another reform under the Commune System gave the Chinese direct access over Tibetan agricultural resources.

All these measures were a gross violation of the Seventeen-Point Agreement which ultimately led to the Tibetan Uprising of 1959 against Chinese occupation. To cull down the uprising, the Chinese undertook major military intervention, which forced the Dalai Lama to flee Tibet anticipating arrest by Chinese forces, and sought refuge in India. In India, the Dalai Lama repudiated the Seventeen-Point Agreement, claiming it to be signed by the Tibetan delegation under duress, without the knowledge of the Tibetan government.

Meanwhile, the Chinese annexation of Tibet was completed after the violent suppression of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising by the Chinese military. In Chinas White Paper on Tibet, it is claimed that it is in 1959, that 90 per cent of Tibetans were freed from serfdom. In 1965, the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) was established by Beijing, replacing the former Tibetan administration, marking the death of the Seventeen-Point Agreement. Thus began Chinas assimilationist policy in Tibet, endangering Tibetan autonomy guaranteed (by China) in the Seventeen-Point Agreement (Points 3,4,7 and 11).

Championed by Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) unleashed further brutality of the Chinese government, proving to be a disaster for Tibetan culture. During this time, Tibet became Beijings test ground to implement Maos calling to crush the four olds (thoughts, customs, habits and culture). Tibetan religious texts, flags and even photographs of the Dalai Lama were burned and Tibetan schools were shut down, essentially targeting Tibetan identity and traditions. Jokhang Temples (Tibetan Buddhists most sacred site) teaching courtyard was converted as a venue for Struggle Sessions, a practice during the Cultural Revolution whereby people accused of being political rivals were subjected to public humiliation, abuse and torture.

Most people subjected to struggle sessions in Jokhang Temple were Tibetan monks, businessmen, landowners and those associated with the former Tibetan government. It is believed that at least 92,000 Tibetans subjected to Chinas struggle sessions died or were driven to commit suicide, while 173,000 Tibetans died in various labour camp prisons. Moreover, the Tibetan monasteries were plundered and desecrated by the Red Guards. It is estimated that by the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, more than 6,000 monasteries in Tibet were destroyed. This remained as one of the early attempts by the Chinese government to eradicate Tibetan identity and culture, in its efforts to assimilate Tibetan identity into majoritarian Han culture.

Chinas annexation of Tibet has continued to trigger protests from Tibetans since the 1959 uprising. The Tibetans are relentlessly raising their voice for their independence that was unjustly snatched by the Chinese communist rule. This was reflected in the 1987 protests, the 2008 protest and the self-immolation protests witnessed from 2009-2012. At the same time, China continued with its draconian measures to suppress the Tibetan voice, reflected in its bilingual education policy aimed at erasing Tibetan identity, imposition of martial laws in 1989, strike hard campaign in 2009, or Sinicisation of Tibet policy in 2021.

However, the Tibetan issue still remains alive with the support of the international Tibetan community. Their struggle against Chinese imperialism shows that Chinas goal of forceful assimilation of Tibet has yet not materialised fully.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In the kaleidoscope of Indian politics, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a battleground where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is steadily carving a niche for itself. As the Lok Sabha elections progress, the BJPs ascendancy in this traditionally non-Hindi heartland state warrants closer examination. It is important to unravel the layers behind the BJPs emerging dominance in Andhra Pradesh and what it means for the states political future.

The BJPs edge in Andhra Pradesh is not a sudden phenomenon but the culmination of meticulous strategy and political foresight. The partys alliances with regional forces like the TDP and Jana Sena have been masterstrokes, creating a formidable front that challenges the entrenched regional parties. Moreover, a high voter turnout of 67 per cent suggests a populace eager for change, potentially tilting the scales in the BJPs favour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis overarching narrative of development and governance has found resonance among the electorate, who are increasingly aligning with the BJPs vision for a New India. The partys promise to bring about transformative change has struck a chord with the aspirational voters of Andhra Pradesh. The Opposition, fragmented and embroiled in internal conflicts, presents a scattered picture, inadvertently playing into the hands of the BJP. The partys strategic positioning as a harbinger of stability and progress presents a stark contrast to the Oppositions narrative of discord and disarray.

Local issues, too, have played a pivotal role. Dissatisfaction with the current state governments performance on various fronts has opened doors for the BJP to present itself as the alternative the state desperately seeks. The BJPs narrative is not just about change, its about hope and the promise of a prosperous future for Andhra Pradesh.

As we delve deeper into the political dynamics of Andhra Pradesh, this piece will explore the reasons behind the BJPs advantageous position and how it could potentially reshape the states political landscape. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are not just another electoral exercise; they are a referendum on the BJPs policies and its ability to fulfill the aspirations of Andhra Pradeshs citizens. The outcome will be a telling commentary on the states political trajectory and the BJPs role in shaping it.

Alliance Strategy

The BJP has strategically positioned itself for the Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh by allying with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP), rather than the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). This alliance is expected to bring significant electoral benefits.

The collaboration between the BJP, TDP, and JSP combines the strengths of each party, creating a coalition that is ready to challenge the YSRCPs current governance. The TDPs organisational prowess and the JSPs youthful appeal enhance the BJPs national narrative and resources. This partnership aims to offer a holistic vision to the electorate, potentially attracting voters seeking progress on both local and national fronts.

By not aligning with the YSRCP, the BJP avoids potential conflicts with the YSRCPs minority support base, which could be crucial for maintaining the partys broader electoral strategy. The combined vote share and influence of the TDP and JSP could counter the YSRCPs dominance, reflecting the BJPs electoral pragmatism and its commitment to ensuring a fair election process.

Furthermore, the BJPs decision to partner with the TDP and JSP aligns with its long-term goal of expanding its influence in the southern states. Establishing a substantial presence in Andhra Pradesh is seen as a key step in the BJPs southern expansion plans.

In summary, the BJPs alliance dynamics in Andhra Pradesh exemplify its strategic electoral planning. The success of this alliance will hinge on its ability to effectively communicate its vision and translate the coalitions combined strengths into electoral victories.

Double Polls, Double Benefit

The simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh in 2024 present a strategic advantage for the BJP. This electoral synchrony is not just a matter of administrative convenience or cost-effectiveness; it has significant political implications, particularly for the BJP, which is looking to expand its footprint in the southern state.

Firstly, simultaneous elections mean that the national narrative often overshadows regional issues. The BJP, with its strong central leadership and governance record at the Centre, can capitalise on this to sway voters who might be considering state-level parties for the Assembly elections. The partys national policies, development agenda, and leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be highlighted more effectively when the Lok Sabha elections are in the spotlight.

Secondly, the BJPs alliance with regional parties like the JSP can be leveraged more efficiently during simultaneous polls. The combined campaigning efforts and resource sharing can lead to a more cohesive strategy against the incumbent YSRCP. This is particularly beneficial for the BJP, which is still strengthening its organisational base in Andhra Pradesh.

Moreover, simultaneous polls could lead to a two-ballot effect, where voters, influenced by their choice for the Lok Sabha, might vote for the same party in the Assembly elections. This phenomenon could work in the BJPs favour, given its strong national presence and the appeal of its development narrative.

Furthermore, the saffron party can focus its resources and campaign machinery more intensively when elections are held together. This concentrated effort can lead to better voter outreach and a more impactful campaign, potentially translating into more seats for the party both in the Lok Sabha and the state Assembly.

Lastly, the BJPs stance on national security, economic reforms, and its promise of a corruption-free government resonate with a broad spectrum of voters. These issues gain prominence during Lok Sabha elections and can influence the Assembly elections, giving the BJP an edge over regional parties that may focus more on local issues.

In conclusion, the concurrent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh provide a unique opportunity for the BJP to amplify its message, consolidate its alliances, and potentially convert the national momentum into state-level success. The partys ability to link national pride and development with regional aspirations could be the key to unlocking its potential in Andhra Pradesh.

The Modi Factor

The Modi factor could be a game-changer in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, has been making significant inroads into the Deccan region, and Andhra Pradesh presents a ripe opportunity for further expansion.

The state, traditionally dominated by regional parties like the YSRCP and the TDP, has witnessed a surge in BJPs popularity. Modis appeal transcends traditional party lines, drawing support from a cross-section of society, including the youth, urban middle class, and rural voters. His development-oriented governance model, coupled with a strong national security narrative, resonates with the electorate seeking change.

The Modi factor also capitalises on the anti-incumbency sentiment against the current state governments policies. The Central governments welfare schemes have found favour among the masses, potentially translating into votes for the BJP.

The 2024 elections could mark a turning point in Andhra Pradeshs political history. If the Modi factor sways the electorate, it could not only secure a foothold for the BJP in the state but also reshape the broader contours of Deccan politics, establishing the party as a formidable force in the region. This shift would signify the BJPs growing influence and the waning dominance of regional parties, heralding a new era in Andhra Pradeshs political narrative.

High Voter Turnout

The 2024 elections in Andhra Pradesh have been marked by an exceptionally high voter turnout, recorded at 80.66 per cent. This figure is not only significant in its own right but also indicative of a potential shift in the political dynamics of the state. Historically, high voter turnouts have often been associated with a desire for change, and in the context of Andhra Pradesh, this could very well translate into an advantage for the BJP.

One of the notable data points from these elections is that the highest voter turnout was recorded in Ongole at 87.06 per cent, followed closely by other constituencies with similarly high participation rates. This surge in voter engagement surpasses the turnout in previous elections, suggesting a heightened political consciousness and a possible inclination towards an alternative governance model.

The BJP, which has been systematically working to establish a foothold in Andhra Pradesh, stands to benefit from this increased voter turnout. The high participation rate could indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the current YSRCP government, thereby creating an opportunity for the BJP to present itself as a viable alternative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal and the BJPs development-oriented narrative resonate with the electorate, particularly in regions like Ongole, where voter turnout was remarkably high. This suggests that the BJPs messages are effectively reaching the voters, who are responding with increased electoral participation.

Moreover, simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections amplify the impact of national issues on state elections. Voters influenced by national leadership and policies might extend their support to the BJP at the state level, leveraging the partys strong central leadership and governance track record.

In conclusion, the unprecedented voter turnout in Andhra Pradeshs 2024 elections signals a potential shift in political power, favouring the BJP. The partys strategic alliances, effective campaigning, and the electorates desire for change create a favourable environment for the BJPs growth in the state. As these dynamics play out, the BJPs ability to capitalise on this momentum will be crucial in determining Andhra Pradeshs political future.

The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xaviers College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
How have women fared in Modis New India? What has Prime Minister Modi done to transform the lives of Indian women?

Well, among the many progressive measures by Prime Minister Modi, one that stands out for its sheer scale, size, reach and of course, the manner in which it has revolutionised the lives of millions of Indian women, is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). Since inception, over 43 crore people have benefitted from total loans sanctioned, in excess of Rs 24 lakh crore. Of this, 30 crore beneficiaries are women, especially those belonging to the marginalised sections of society. Over 81 per cent of the beneficiaries under Modis Standup India scheme are women.

Similarly, cooking food using a gas connection may not be a big deal for many but for the 8th crore beneficiary of Modis Ujjwala scheme from Maharashtra, Ayesha Shaikh, getting a gas cylinder was nothing short of a major milestone. For this daily wager from Ajanta village, who is a mother of five, the days of fetching dry wood from nearby areas for cooking on a humble chulha, billowing toxic smoke are over. Ayeshas inspiring story is not an isolated case. More than 10 crore women have benefitted from PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), with Meera Manjhi, a poor Dalit woman from Ayodhya being the 10th crore beneficiary.

Contrary to popular perception, the BJP is a highly progressive and modern organisation, where meritocracy rules the roost. That women are discriminated against or treated as a lesser species within the BJP is something you will find only in the utterly biased and trashy op-ed columns of The Washington Post or The New York Times, written by some leftist, Modi-hating editor, masquerading as a neutral journalist who is far removed from the ground realities of Modis New India. The BJP is the worlds largest political organisation today, with over 200 million karyakartas (dedicated BJP members and workers). If the party has turned into an election-winning behemoth, it owes that to PM Modi, who leads by example, working 24/7 relentlessly and feverishly, with no room for lapses.

India under PM Modi has fully endorsed the United Nations in its Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate For Change motto, with regard to womens empowerment. Now women have an opportunity to have permanent employment in the Indian Army and Indian Navy, something that was unthinkable earlier. But if there is one thing that stirred the imagination of 1.4 billion people more than anything else, it was PM Modis unabashed acknowledgement from the ramparts of the Red Fort a few years back, of how well over 10000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras had provided around 5 crore sanitary pads at Re 1, to poor women in rural India. For Modi  an international leader of towering repute  to openly embrace and mainstream the issue of womens hygiene (menstruation) is not mere symbolism. By doing what he did, PM Modi sent a strong message that for him, good governance is all about walking the talk, with no ifs and buts whatsoever.

From defining the nations first menstrual hygiene protocol, amending the Medical Termination Pregnancy Act of 1971, giving women reproductive rights over their bodies and increasing the fetal gestation period from 20 to 24 weeks, welcoming more women recruits in the NCC (which is being extended to border and coastal areas), to criminalising the inhuman and unconstitutional practice of instant triple talaq and the bold decision to increase marriageable age from 18 to 21 years for women, the Modi government has truly exhibited a fearless, women-friendly approach which is both mature and modern and something which no other government in post-independent India can dare boast of.

Banning commercial surrogacy which had led to mushrooming of illegal IVF and surrogacy clinics, was yet another bold move by the Modi government. According to the new laws, only married Indian couples who have been together for a minimum of five years, and have been deemed medically unfit by a doctor or practitioner to conceive children naturally, will be allowed to depend on a surrogate.

Womens empowerment is not just about gender equality and gender justice. It also means more jobs and equal opportunities for growth and entrepreneurship. Whether it is providing free cooking gas via the famous PM Ujjwala Yojana or financial inclusion via PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), or enabling women to leverage technology, a slew of schemes have been launched in recent years to empower women on the path of self-reliance. For instance, over 55 per cent of beneficiaries under the PMJDY scheme whereby over 52 crore bank accounts have been opened, are women.

Also, self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas are being encouraged. In the last eight years, over 85 million (8.5 crore) women working in SHGs have been provided with funds of over Rs 5.5 lakh crore. SHGs have created opportunities across a plethora of sectors. PM Modis concept of Lakhpati Didis is redefining the very idea of wealth creation and womens empowerment.

Mahila-E-Haat, a portal featuring 2000 products, is a bilingual online marketing platform that leverages technology to help aspiring women entrepreneurs, SHGs and NGOs showcase their products and services. Among the many services provided by Mahila-E-Haat are facilitating direct contact between the vendors and buyers and it is open to all Indian women above the age of 18. The Modi government also launched Mahila Shakti Kendras, with presence in over 115 districts, to empower rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, digital literacy, health and nutrition. The Modi government, a few years back, also launched affordable Working Women Hostels, on a war footing, to ensure the availability of safe and convenient accommodation for working women and single mothers, along with day-care facilities for their children, wherever possible in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

Again, the Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) scheme is intended to benefit women across the country, who are in the age group of 16 years and above. The skills imparted include, but are not limited to, agriculture, horticulture, food processing, handlooms, tailoring, stitching, embroidery, zari, handicrafts, computers & IT-enabled services. Also, the Modi governments Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative is so much more than just a mission statement, best exemplified by the surge in the sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Haryana, from 871 in 2015 to over 914 now, with districts like Panipat and Yamunanagar reporting SRB of 945 and 943 for every 1000 males. The increase in the overall sex ratio is a combination of increased life expectancy of women and improvement in the sex ratio at birth or the number of female births for every 1000 male births. The overall sex ratio today stands at over 1020 females for every 1000 males, with the number of females exceeding the number of males for the first time ever.

On every conceivable parameter, girls in India are far safer today than they were, say eight years back. Modi is a truly progressive statesman with a liberated mindset, who has uplifted scores of women, by strengthening policy-making tools to deliver where it matters most.

Sweeping amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act of 2015, lowers the trial age for heinous crimes like rape and murder from 18 years to 16 years. A 16-year-old will now be treated and punished like any other adult as per due process of law, under Sections 376 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code, which bodes well for young girls who are victims of sexual assault. Leftist cheerleaders who have been mocking the Beti Bachao campaign would do well to know that the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana  to facilitate the education of the girl child  has already reached out to more than 4 crore aspirational young women. Unarguably, however, the landmark achievement of the BJP government to further the cause of Beti Bachao has been the 12 crore toilets built in rural India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan scheme.

Again, India has over 112,000 startups, with at least 45 per cent of them having women entrepreneurs. More than 15 per cent of Indias 113 unicorns have women as the founders and that number is rapidly growing. Credit access to women (ratio of women borrowers to the total adult population) has doubled in the last five years. The loan penetration among women borrowers has shot up to over 14 per cent in 2023 from 7 per cent in 2017. According to a report by TransUnion (TU) Cibil, women borrowers in India have increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 per cent over the last five years compared to 11 per cent for male borrowers. The share of women borrowers has increased to 28 per cent in 2023 from 25 per cent in 2017.

The number of women seeking business loans has more than tripled in the last 6 years (2017 to 2023), which reflects the growth of women-led startups in India. During this period, the share of women in the overall business loan portfolio has also increased by 12 percentage points (32 per cent in 2022 versus 20 per cent in 2017). An increase in the share of women borrowers is also observed in the home loan segment, growing by 6 percentage points in the last five years.

Out of 78 ministers post the cabinet expansion in July 2021, 11 in Modis cabinet today are women. This is the highest number of women in the Union Council of Ministers in the last 17 years. That shows how women-centric polity has taken firm roots, thanks to PM Modis massive outreach on this front. 28 per cent of women officers in the Indian Armed Forces today have been given permanent commission status. There are over 3938 women officers in the Army, Air Force and Navy, of which over 1107 received permanent commission by the end of March 2022. The Indian Air Force, for example, has 1500 plus women officers, including 15 fighter pilots and 53 helicopter pilots. The Indian Navy has over 593 women officers. These numbers have only risen in the last one year and are slated to go even higher.

Women empowerment is crucial to Indias growth. Days of seeing women as just homemakers have gone, we have to see women as nation builders, is something Narendra Modi tweeted in January 2014, even before he became the prime minister and that post sums up the progressive mindset of the Modi government, in more ways than one. Nirmala Sitharaman, under PM Modis leadership, previously served as Indias defence minister, thereby becoming Indias second female defence minister and is now the second female finance minister after Indira Gandhi. Sitharaman is also the first full-time female minister to hold each of those portfolios.

Similarly, the late Sushma Swaraj served as the Minister of External Affairs from May 2014 to May 2019. Swaraj was only the second woman to hold this position after Indira Gandhi. Again, take the example of Pratima Bhoumik, who is the first woman BJP Member of Parliament in Tripura and only the second from the Northeast. Bhoumik is also the first permanent resident to become a Union minister after being appointed to the Union Cabinet as MoS, Social Justice and Empowerment. Most importantly, Indias 15th President, Droupadi Murmu, is the embodiment of how nari shakti in Modis India is essentially about the ability to dream, the willingness to work hard and the determination to succeed, unwaveringly and undeterred. Suffice to conclude by saying that in Modis India, a Santhali woman from a remote village in the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha, is today the proud occupant of Raisina Hill. The inspiring journey of Droupadi Murmu is also an ode to the farsightedness and astute vision of PM Modi, who remains one of the most popular and powerful leaders globally and for a good reason.

Kiran Kumari from Bokaro, Jharkhand, who was a hawker, is now a proud toy and gift shop owner after receiving a loan of Rs 2 lakh, thanks to PM Modis flagship scheme, Mudra Yojana. Munirabanu Shabbir Hussain Malek from Surat received a Mudra loan of Rs 1.77 lakh, took LMV driving training and is now earning Rs 25,000 per month, by driving an auto rickshaw. Veena Devi from Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir who worked as a weaver, received a Mudra loan of Rs 1 lakh and is now one of the leading manufacturers of Pashmina shawls in her area. Conventional thinking has been that employment is generated either in the public sector or in the private sector. The Mudra scheme has, however, helped in the development of the personal sector as a means of livelihood and self-employment.

Modis powerful women-led development model is a first of its kind and has redefined the very idea of women empowerment. It would be apt to conclude by quoting PM Modi, who summed up the governments ethos towards women when he said that daughter is not a burden, our daughters are our pride.

Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP and Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Sometimes, what we have intended to say in writing gets conveyed by an apparently simple image or an event but revealing a profound meaning or structure upon closer examination. On April 11, 2024, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the joint session of the US Congress on the threat of nuclear weapons from Iran, China and Russia that generated a lot of reaction to the tone and tenor of the speech.

He said, As we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be. He added, The international order that the US worked for generations to build is facing new challenges, challenges from those with values and principles very different from ours. And in an embarrassingly flattering tone, Kishida said he understood the exhaustion of being the country that has upheld the international order almost single-handedly and concluded: The leadership of the United States is indispensable.

The irony of the speech and the setting was not hidden to anybody; Japan being the only country in history to be atom bombed, the US being the sole country in history to have used nuclear bombs and the victim praising the perpetrator for being alone in the world to uphold the international order against the nuclear threat. Both the US and Japan are developed countries and economic powerhouses but the relationship they share is very peculiar, or rather asymmetric, ever since the Second World War.

So, when do we realise or acknowledge that an individual, a group of people or a nation has finally arrived and whose voice could be counted on the world stage? What are the parameters to judge or to take note that signifies the coming of age, the arrival on the scene or reclaiming the rightful place lost once upon a time? Of course, the general parameters are upward economic mobility in the case of individuals and for larger entities like nations, it is economic standing along with military might and a skilled demography to sustain that economic-military machine.

For some, it is cultural domain or the likeability and imitation of ones cultural practices and products by other people and nations that highlights its importance and prominence in the world. This type of cultural influence goes by the name of soft power, where one set of people impose their practices and preferences over other people through non-confrontational and indirect methods. The economic, military, and cultural aspects form a triad in defining the trajectory of nations but it is not necessary that one follows the other two inevitably in the course of time. Sometimes the military might or economic prosperity are just reflective dominance when one chooses to be the vassal state of a superpower and therefore are very fragile and temporary in nature.

Out of all the factors that signify the growing importance of a country in world affairs, the domain of culture can be considered to be significant, not only because it forms the part of soft power but rather acts as a foundation on which the edifice of greatness can be erected. It is culture that can act as a guiding light even in the bad of times when there are economic-political-military storms hitting the shores of the nations, because it makes you remember who you are, wherein lies your strengths and weaknesses and how to see the world and make sense of it. This is all the more important for countries that have come out after a long period of colonisation and are still in the process of getting out of the shadow completely through a movement that has been called as decolonisation.

Any long spell of external domination alters the cultural landscape of the people, through education, co-option of the elites of the region and interpreting the practices of the people which were self-evident in the eyes of the practitioners. Sometimes, that restructuring of values and practices happens without direct domination but through influences and acts of humbling. Japan being the prime example where the bombing humbled them in such a way that even after having economic dominance in the world and backed by the American military, they cant exert the same cultural dominance because the specific Japanese way of understanding things was eroded significantly with the process of modernisation initiated a century ago. In the name of culture, they either have the packaged form of Zen Buddhism as a showpiece and the much appreciated work-culture where you work your way to extinction.

The challenge before India as it tries to enter the world-stage as a distinct voice in the 21st century is to learn from the mistakes of these Asian economic giants like Korea and Japan, that economic and military if they are not backed by the solid cultural foundation and understanding of the world remains at best fragile. In order to outdo the dominance of the western block, we should not make the fatal mistake of identifying the fault within our cultural framework, our practices and behaviours. This can initiate a chain reaction where self-purging and self-loathing become our primary concern, just like some of our anglicised ancestors in the past were accustomed to and advocated. Culture should be seen as an arsenal, a pool from where you draw your energies, strategies and weapons to wield your dominance over your opponent and to read into their motivations and chinks in their armoury.

With a view to announce our sovereignty and to keep up the tasks of nation-building, it is imperative for the powers to focus on these crucial aspects of cultural identity, and understanding and translating the world cultures from ones own perspective to get a better foothold in the highly competitive and complex field of geopolitics. The need of the hour is to think something along the lines of the Indian Institute of World Cultures, where the focus would be to do a comparative study of world cultures from a Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Indian) perspective.

When Europe was emerging as a dominant pole in the world that coincided with what is known as the Renaissance and Enlightenment, the first thing it did was to rediscover its Greco-Roman past and heritage that was lost in history. With that self-knowledge, they set out to know the world on their own terms, even if that understanding was distorted or biased in their favour. The Indian experience of British colonialism is a testament to the fact that British administrators and scholars spent a lot of energy in understanding Indian society through its texts written in different languages but mostly in Sanskrit. The whole field of Indology that emerged was basically a European understanding of Indian society or more specifically, a mapping of their concerns and desires on Indian society.

Similarly, the arrival of US dominance on the world stage was accompanied by their concern for area studies, and opening of dedicated centres in universities; American Institute of Indian studies, founded in the 1960s is one such example that promotes research on India in American universities. With India trying to carve a place for itself, it would be prudent to think about the world in its own way, i.e. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and to have its resources deployed in that direction in the form of Indian Institute of American Studies or European Studies or Chinese Studies.

The mark of a confident individual or nation lies in the ability to see the world on their own terms and with their cultural frame of reference. In the face of confrontation or conflict, it may or may not decide the outcome that depends on other variable factors, but it can definitely prevent or act as a buffer against the complete humbling in front of the might of the opponent. It is our guess that the humbling of the Japanese nation after the bomb experience would not have happened if it had not blindly pursued the task of modernisation or westernisation of its people and its worldview. The technological supremacy could not give them courage to move out of the long shadow of the terror inflicted on them and serves as an important lesson for emerging powers like China and India.

Dr Alok Kumar Kanungo has spent decades in various museums across Europe and the US, besides India, for his research and analysis interests; Dr Prashant Kumar Singh is a post-doctoral research fellow with an interest in anthropological theory. Both of them have rich, long-term experience working with indigenous communities and cultural representations of India and, at present, working in the interdisciplinary HSS department of IIT Gandhinagar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
A bona fide country and a terrorist group cannot be equated and the legal minds at the International Criminal Court (ICC) must be aware of that distinction. And yet the ICCs chief prosecutors office has decided to do precisely that by seeking arrest warrants for Israels Prime Minister and Defence Minister and the top leaders of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif, for crimes against humanity in their war. That points to pressure to appear even-handed.

The reactions have been along predictable linesHamas and Israel have cocked a snook (metaphorically speaking, of course) at the fightin words of ICCs chief prosecutor, Karim AA Khan, a British lawyer of Pakistani Ahmadiyya descent. Both rejected the idea of turning over their respective leaders to stand trial. The US has also stoutly defended its ally Israel, though France has supported the move. But a few aspects need to be clarified when assessing Khans move.

First, the ICC was set up under the Rome Statute, and not every country accepts its writ, unlike the much wider ambit of the other court based in The Hague, the International Court of Justice. The State of Palestine has signed the statute; India and Pakistan have not, for instance. Nor has China. The US, Russia and Israel were signatories but pulled out. That several non-party nations are in ICCs cross-hairs currently, reflects the priorities of the majority of its signatories.

Notably, in March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova (Russias Commissioner for Child Rights) for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children. In March 2024 ICC also issued arrest warrants against armed forces officers Lt Gen Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

Khans office had cited reasonable grounds to believe they were responsible for missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from 10 October 2022 until 9 March 2023 which caused civilian harm and damage that were excessive to any military advantage. Would any nation let its military brass be prosecuted now in a civilian courtthat too in an international venuefor decisions during a war?

In issuing such warrants the ICC and its prosecutor had obviously set themselves up to be ignored by Russia. The only perceivable outcome of these warrants would be to hinder Putins foreign travel for a whilemore an annoyance than a deterrent or a move for justice. The same seems to be the case with the demand for warrants against Israels Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant at a time when negotiations are on for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Israel had deemed Khan to be pragmatic when he was elected chief prosecutor in 2021 given his past record of going after Islamists like ISIL. Will that view be cemented by his double whammy? No one seriously imagines that Israel will accept this ICC fatwa, and the US has already spoken up for Israel. A deadlock on this issue is a foregone conclusion, and that will also give Netanyahu cause to claim an international witch-hunt to counter rising domestic opposition.

Khan figuratively cuffing both Hamas and Israeli leaders will not please many people. Because, even if the arrest warrants are indeed issued, Israel is not obliged to offer up its cited leaders as it is not party to the Rome Statute or ICC anymore. But the State of Palestine IS a party, and hence it must produce the three Hamas leaders to face trial. Qatarwhere some are basedis also not a member of the ICC. Will the official Palestine government dare to hand over Hamas leaders?

Amid the uproarjoyful in some camps, indignant in othersthere has not been enough focus on the fact that the prosecutor has not only taken aim at the top leadership of Hamas for killing civilians inside Israel, but he has also stopped short of accusing the two Israeli leaders of genocide, the first of four categories of crimes under the ICCs mandate. The other threecrimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggressionare less harsh accusations.

Khan wants arrest warrants to prosecute Netanyahu and Gallant for perpetrating a manmade disaster by causing catastrophic hunger in Gazaborrowing terms used by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres two months ago. By that count, though, he should have investigated Sir Winston Churchill (posthumously, sadly) for wilfully causing the Bengal Famine of 1943 but unfortunately, ICC can only take up cases arising from events that happened after July 1, 2002.

The charges against the Hamas leaders are unequivocal. The official statement from his office says, there are reasonable grounds to believe the three are criminally responsible for the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians in attacks perpetrated by Hamas (in particular its military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades) and other armed groups on 7 October 2023 and the taking of at least 245 hostages. It adds that they planned and instigated the crimes.

Crucially, the prosecutors office interviewed victims and survivors, including former hostages and eyewitnesses from Kfar Aza, Holit, the Supernova Music Festival, Beeri, Nir Oz and Nahal Oz besides getting CCTV footage, authenticated audio, photos and videos, and statements by Hamas members including the alleged perpetrators. The office avers that the three visited the hostages after their kidnapping and acknowledged their responsibility.

Most damningly, Khans office stated there are reasonable grounds to believe hostages were kept in inhumane conditions, and some were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, while held captive as also during the October 7 attack. It will be hard for those protesting about Israels crimes against humanity to ignore this as there are interviews of survivors. But will anyone (or ICC) hold the State of Palestine responsible for allowing kidnapping and alleged rape?

Interestingly, Palestinians have voiced reservations about Khan before and may regard his putting Israel and Hamas in the dock together as more proof of the bias they perceived when he visited the area in December 2023. They accused him of not listening to Palestinian victims enough and alleged he was focused on Hamas while ignoring Israels grave crimes. They also resented his visiting the places Hamas attacked but not illegal Israeli settlements on the West Bank.

Any move to implement the warrantsif Khans request for them is acceptedwill also only exacerbate the tensions between Hamas and the other representative of Palestinian causes, the Fatah, whose writ does not run in Gaza. There is no way Hamas cadres in Gaza and elsewhere will volunteer to send their top leaders to The Hague to stand trial, or allow Fatah to do so. So where does that leave the ICC regarding any action against Netanyahu and Gallant? Nowhere.

So why has a seasoned lawyer like Khan precipitated this impasse? By his own admission, as an Ahmadiyya, he has had a ringside view of persecution. So maybe despite his long innings in international legal procedures, he is a diehard optimist and actually hopes political leaders and terror bosses will present themselves at The Hague to be judged for their crimes. Or maybe he is a clever pessimist who wants to show up the innate toothlessness of such international fora.

The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Union Home Minster Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees remark on Ramakrishna Mission and said that the TMC supremo wants to appease Muslim voters by defaming organisations like Bharat Sewashram Sangh, ISKCON and Ramakrishna Mission.

While addressing the media, Shah said, I condemn this comment made by Mamata Banerjee. Bharat Sevashram Sangh is an organisation because of which West Bengal is a part of India Mamata Banerjee wants to appease Muslim voters by defaming organisations like Bharat Sewashram Sangh, ISKCON, and Ramakrishna Mission.

#WATCH | Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal: On vandalisation of Ramakrishna Mission properties, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, I condemn this comment made by Mamata Banerjee. Bharat Sevashram Sangh is an organisation because of which West Bengal is a part of India Mamata pic.twitter.com/yGwHM6TdEn ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2024

The Home Minister further said that in the remote areas of North-East India, Ramakrishna Mission works to provide healthcare, education, and water supply among other services.

BJP will protest against the West Bengal government for police action on properties of the ashram, he said, in a conversation with news agency ANI.

What CM Mamata Banerjee Said?

Addressing a poll 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.

BJP Reacts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at a rally in Purulia on Sunday, 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.

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.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
The BJP is supporting a party which has been involved in Hawala money pumped in from Pakistan to fund militancy in Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday, in a veiled attack on Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari.

Bukhari, a former PDP leader, was expelled from the party in January 2019. His Apni Party has fielded Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas from the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency against Mehbooba and National Conference leader Mian Altaf.

The seat goes to polls on May 25 in the sixth round of the seven-phase general elections and, besides them, there are 17 others in the fray. The first-of-its-kind attack on tourists in Pahalgam (on Saturday night that left a tourist couple from Rajasthan injured) should be investigated with a focus on the role of a party which brought Hawala money in large quantities from Pakistan for funding militancy (in Kashmir), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president told reporters in Poonch district.

I do not want to name anyone but if you try to find out, you will come to know who is behind handing over money to militants and (separatist) leaders. The connections are still intact and they can use those connections to do anything to ensure low polling percentage in Kashmir, she said. Mehbooba was apparently referring to Bukhari, who was a former minister in the 2015-18 PDP-BJP alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir. He had won the 2014 assembly elections on a PDP ticket and later formed the Apni Party with 31 former MLAs, mostly from the PDP, in March 2020.

I am surprised that the BJP, which is claiming to be nationalist, is supporting the party that is involved in Hawala funding and has a direct role in bloodshed. The money pushed from Pakistan for militancy was also used to set up business, Mehbooba alleged. She also alleged that voters, particularly religious leaders and government employees, are being harassed. The central government should not fail the youth who are enthusiastically turning up to vote instead of using stones or guns, Mehbooba said.

Employees are being threatened that their promotions will be stopped and they will be transferred if they do not vote for a particular candidate which I believe is interference in the elections. The Waqf board (headed by BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi) is used to intimidate religious leaders, she claimed. Mehbooba said she hopes that the prime minister (Narendra Modi) will intervene to ensure that no trickery is allowed to vitiate the atmosphere on the polling day (May 25).

Seeking support from the people, the PDP chief said she will raise all the issues being confronted by the people of the region, including construction of a tunnel along the Mughal road and a government medical college in Poonch, besides bringing various areas on the tourism map of the country.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Calcutta High Courts decision to scrap OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010, calling it a slap on the INDIA alliance. He accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of issuing OBC certificates to Muslims for vote bank politics.

This was done because the West Bengal government inexplicably gave OBC certificates to Muslims, only for the Muslim vote bank. This vote bank politics, this politics of appeasement, is crossing every limit, the prime minister stated.

He further added: They say that Muslims have the first right on the countrys resources. These people are continuously giving government lands to the Waqf Board and asking for votes in return. These people want to reserve 15% of the countrys budget for minorities. They also want to give loans from banks and government tender based on religion. These people are opposing CAA to please their vote bank.

#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Today, Calcutta HC has given a verdict that all the OBC certificates issued after 2010 have been cancelled. This was done because the West Bengal government inexplicably gave OBC certificates to Muslims, only for the Muslim vote pic.twitter.com/lwchPn5hZk ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2024

Bengal Govt Will Not Allow Reduction Of OBC Reservations: Mamata

Reacting to the Calcutta High Courts order, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state government will not allow the reduction of OBC reservations for minorities.

Even today I heard a judge passing an order, who has been very famous. The Prime Minister is saying that minorities will take away the Tapasheeli reservation, can this ever happen? Minorities can never touch the Tapasheeli or tribal reservation, but these mischievous people (BJP) get their work done through agencies, they have got the order through someone but I will not accept this opinionThose who have given the order should keep it to themselves, we will not accept the opinion of BJP, OBC reservation continues and will always continue the TMC supremo said.

TMC Granted OBC Reservations To 118 Muslim Castes With Survey: Amit Shah

Shedding light on the discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of granting OBC reservations to 118 Muslim castes without any survey.

Someone went to the court, the court took cognizance of this and all the certificates issued between 2010 and 2024 have been cancelled by the HC. Mamata Banerjee wants to rob the reservation of backward classes for her vote bank and give that reservation to Muslim castes, the home minister remarked.

Further reacting to Banerjees remarks, Shah asked, I want to ask the people of Bengal, can there be such a Chief Minister, who will say that we do not obey the courts order? I strongly condemn this and welcome the decision of the High Court and we will definitely ensure that the decision of the High Court is implemented.

Calcutta High Court Order

On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court scrapped several classifications under the 2012 Act of West Bengal for reservation of vacancies in services and posts in the state, deeming them illegal.

The court struck down several classifications for reservation as Other Backward Classes (OBC) given under The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.

According to the new order, OBC certificates issued by the State Government can no longer be used to obtain jobs or benefits. Almost 500,000 OBC certificates have been canceled following this order.

The bench directed that the orders classifying 42 classes made by the state from March 5, 2010, to May 11, 2012, were also quashed, with prospective effect, due to the illegality of the reports recommending such classification.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
A five-year-old girl from the Malappuram district in Kerala died of a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also called brain-eating amoeba. She had been undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical Colleges Institute of Maternal and Child Health since May 13 and was on ventilator support for a week. The girl was likely infected with the deadly amoeba when she took a bath along with her relatives at the Kadalundi River near her house on May 1. Four other children who took a bath in the same river were admitted to the hospital but were discharged later.

The girls parents took her to the doctor on May 10 after she complained of headache and vomiting. After her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

This is not the first case in Kerala when a child has died of a brain-eating amoeba infection. Last year in July, a 15-year-old died after contracting the infection while swimming in a stream near his house in Alappuzha. The teen died within a week after getting a high fever and deteriorating vitals.

What is a brain-eating amoeba?

The Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba (type of one-celled organism) that is found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, unchlorinated pools, hot springs, and in rare cases heated tap water as well. It is called brain-eating amoeba as it causes fatal brain infection by developing into primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

How does it spread?

This infection occurs when the amoeba gets inside the nose and then travels to the brain. One cant be infected by swallowing the contaminated water.

In most known cases, the amoeba entered the nose when people were reported to play/swim in warm water bodies. In rare instances, infections have also been linked when people use neti pots with contaminated tap water.

Naegleria fowleri infections cant be transmitted from person to person.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a Naegleria fowleri infection develop within one to seven days after exposure. The early symptoms are severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, and vomiting. These common symptoms may make diagnosis difficult but later, they develop into seizures, hallucinations, coma, and eventually fatal organ failure. According to the CDC, most people with PAM die within one to 18 days after symptoms manifest.

Prevention

In the case of brain-eating amoeba, prevention is the cure. As per a report in the Associated Press, the fatality rate in PAM is more than 85 per cent even after treatment.

One should avoid swimming in warm freshwater bodies, especially when water levels are low and temperatures are high. Avoid playing in pools, splash pads, or waterparks with unchlorinated water. Do not use tap water in summer or during warm weather to clear your nasal passage. Hold your nose shut or use nose clips when in warm freshwater.
Shopkeepers often have a hard time preventing shoplifting. Sometimes they employ security guards and CCTV cameras, but many street-side vendors do not have such resources. This forces them to take matters into their own hands. Now, a video that shows a fruit seller protecting his grapes from snatchers in a scary way is going viral. The undated video shows a stall set up very close to the railway track. It is so close that one can perhaps easily reach out to the fruits that are hanging from the fruit shop near the tracks.

Just as the train passes by the fruit stand, the shopkeeper stands guard with a long knife, seemingly threatening the shoplifters with violence, if they attempt to snatch the hanging grapes. Another man next to this knife-holding shop vendor can be seen holding a stick, perhaps also standing guard to prevent theft from his shop.

This video, reportedly taken in Bangladesh, was posted on Reddit on May 18. Commenting on it, many people lauded the shopkeeper for working hard to protect his goods. A Reddit user wrote, Its peak comedy and psychology! Idk how many noticed it but he is holding the knife backwards or as some say its on the blunt side. Pretty smart move without any risk!

Another person observed, The fact that it even got to the point he needed to do this is ridiculous. Someone else joked, Its like hes threatening the train. Lol. A user also remarked, Peak comedy would have been someone stealing his knife, then as he is yelling at them, someone else stealing the grapes.

An individual explained, To people who are asking why he cant just move the grapes back: 1) The grapes would smack against his head every time he stands up on his stall. 2) The grapes will be out of the customers reach who would actually wanna check them up close to see if they are fresh. 3) Some of the shoplifters from the train will still try to grab the grapes with a makeshift hook stick or something like that. You have no idea what extent people go to in this country just to get some free stuff, even if they can comfortably afford them.

The above-mentioned video shows how informal workers often have to go out of their way to protect their goods, as they are forced to work in a hostile environment.
Remember Bunny and Naina from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani by Ayan Mukerji? When the movie was released in 2013, many of you must have rocked the dance with Badtameez Dil while falling in love with Ranbir Kapoor. Several cake artists have taken cake decoration to levels that are beyond our imagination. Recently, a pastry chef has been winning hearts on Instagram through her detailed Bollywood-themed cakes. She posted an Instagram reel of a cake with a Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD) theme. This viral cake has clocked a million views on Instagram.

In the viral video, the artist can be seen decorating a rectangular cake covered in white frosting with buttercream in various colours. She starts by making mountains and snow on it to refer to the Manali trek in the first half of the film. Next, she crafts a beautiful structure from Udaipur, where Aditis destination wedding takes place in the second half of the movie. She also sketches a train on one side in the background and makes it look like it is reaching the mountains. Next, she creates holi colours, referring to the popular song sequence Balam Pichkari from the movie. Another popular reference from the film on the cake is a bowl of dal and a plate of rice, reminding fans of Bunnys dialogue, Shaadi is dal chawal for 50 saal (years) till you die.

The artist draws the four main characters (Bunny, Naina, Aditi, Avi) in the same way they pose for a picture in the snow-decked hills of Manali. To make the illustrations more interesting, the chef adds alcohol bottles and poker chips on Avis side and books, and a cute bunny on Nainas side. This video was posted on an Instagram account named @essange. Sharing the post, the user wrote, YJHD on a cake.

Also Read: Shoe Shopping With Office Laptop? Peak Bengaluru Moment Shows Woman Multitasking Like a Boss

Watch the full video:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Essange (@_essange_)

Also Read: Chappal Tutgaya: Indian Cobbler Speaks Fluent English, Helps Russian Influencer in Viral Video

The video was posted a few weeks ago and since then it has accumulated a million views. Each element is a visual treat and features the bakers deep understanding of the films symbolism and emotional resonance. Many users appreciated the bakers creativity and expressed their thoughts in the comments section of the post. Oh My God, commented a user. Lovely detailing, Shreya, it looks like a painting, added a second. The bunny is so cute, I am crying, expressed a third. It will be difficult to cut such a lovely masterpiece that too of the most beautiful movie, wrote a fourth.
The natural world is full of magic-like occurrences that may make one believe in the supernatural or the extra-terrestrial. Earlier this month, stunning photos that showed nine suspended lines or pillars of light in the Japanese night sky went viral. The photos were taken over the sky of the coastal town of Daisen in Japans Tottori prefecture. As the post went viral with over 12 million views, another person shared a photo that showed similar pillars of light, this time over the Nariishi Beach in Kotoura Town, located just 12.7km east of Daisen.

Maashii, the person who clicked the first photo, told Japanese website Hint-Pot that he has only seen these types of mythical-looking lights three or four times since he moved to Daisen nine years ago. When he spotted them at 10 pm on May 11, he quickly took out his phone and captured some pictures.

As these photos raked in thousands of likes and began circulating across social media platforms, many people speculated that the lights were signs from aliens, an appearance of angels, or a signal that extra-terrestrial forces might invade Earth. Many people also joked that it appeared that some sci-fi manga series were coming to life.

Looks like a character from Fate Stay Night is about to unleash his swords https://t.co/GihWPTFaF1 Weird thoughts (@jonahibor23) May 21, 2024

However, the reality behind these lights is not less awe-inspiring than the conspiracy theories. According to a 2015 article in Japan Today, many coastal towns in Japan see the emergence of similar pillars of light. They occur when overnight temperatures come down and the water vapour in the air forms into lines of ice crystals.

On very rare occasions, the weather conditions are such that the crystals are formed but there is no precipitation. As a result, the crystals stand suspended in the air. The light from the shipping boats hits these crystals, which in turn reflect the light and shine brightly as if they are light rods. This phenomenon is called isaribi kochu which translates to fish-attracting light pillars.

However, it is rare to spot isaribi kochu. According to Japan Today, even the lighthouse staff gets to witness them just once a year.

This phenomenon is not unique to Japan. In November last year, beams of light emerged over many parts of Alberta in Canada. Michael Kavulich, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told Fox Weather that light pillars are formed when, during very calm conditions, the ice crystals in the clouds act like mirrors and reflect lights shining from the ground.

The cause of mysterious light pillars may not be supernatural, it is still a result of unique and rare natural occurrences.
The rise of Work From Home policies, especially since the onset of the pandemic, has its share of positives and negatives. While its a comfort to work in pajamas from home, this practice has started affecting the work-life balance for many. Work seems to seep into every part of the day, whether its during a bathroom break, lunchtime, or even shopping. A recent incident in Bengaluru captured this perfectly when a woman was seen attending a meeting while browsing for shoes in a store.

Describing it as the ultimate Peak Bengaluru moment, Karthik Bhaskara shared a picture of the lady selecting shoes with her laptop in hand. Today in @peakbengaluru, I saw a person shoe shopping while attending a team meeting on her laptop, read the caption.

Today in @peakbengaluru, I saw a person shoe shopping while attending a team meeting on her laptop. pic.twitter.com/qHQ2omYDIl Karthik Bhaskara (@Kaey_bee) May 22, 2024

Predictably, reactions poured in. Some found humour in the situation, while others highlighted the negative impact of such blurred boundaries. One commenter lamented, These are the kind of people who made companies rescind Work From Home policies. Such a sad state. it creates an impression that people in India have no work ethics.

Also Read: Peak Bengaluru Moment: Woman Peels Vegetables While Stuck In Traffic

Another joked, Deciding which shoe to throw at organizer of such useless meetings, while a third remarked, This shows exactly how toxic the workplace and the managers and founders must be.

Many echoed sentiments that this was nothing to celebrate. Lately, Bangalore is shining for all the wrong reasons, remarked one.

Also Read: Peak Bengaluru Moment on Full Display As Man Strolls Indiranagar Wearing Apple Vision Pro

Another criticised the justification of such behavior, stating, Not sure if this is something to be proud of. And to justify this, some industry leaders will say that there is no such thing as work-life balance!! That one should work for more hours..etc. This needs to stop. It is about humans, not machines. A third concluded, Most of #peakbengaluru is dystopian, actually.
A 73-year-old British citizen died on board after a London-Singapore flight, the Boeing 777-300ER, faced severe turbulence on Tuesday. He has been identified as Geoffrey Kitchen aka Geoff Kitchen. Reports suggest that Kitchen died of a suspected heart attack when the plane encountered a sudden drop in altitude mid-air which led to an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand.

As per the tracking data, the flight descended around 6,000 ft in just 5 minutes over the Indian Ocean before it was diverted to Bangkok. It was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members. Around 71 passengers were injured in the horrifying incident.

Who Was Geoff Kitchen?

As per The Guardian, Kitchen was originally from Bristol and had lived in Thornbury, Gloucestershire. He is survived by his wife Linda  who was also traveling with him, a son  who runs a window cleaning business and a daughter  who lives in Whales. Reportedly, Kitchen and his wife were going on a six-week holiday together. His wife was rushed to the hospital after the emergency landing.

Kitchen was a retired insurance professional-turned-amateur dramatics performer. He had also set up Thornbury Musical Theatres Group (TMTG), according to the news portal. The TMTG, in their heartfelt tribute, described Geoffrey Kitchen as always a gentleman with the most honesty and integrity. The statement added, It is with a very heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend in the recent Singapore Air incident.

Geoffrey Kitchens cousin Stephen told The Independent that both Geoffrey and his wife Linda are travellers and quite adventurous. It was sort of going to be their last big holiday, Stephen added.

The Boeing 777 flight left Heathrow at 10:17 PM on Monday and landed in Bangkok, Thailand at 3:45 PM local time (0845 GMT).

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong has issued a public apology to the passengers who underwent such a traumatic experience. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through, he said in a video statement. He also stated that the airlines will be providing all the required assistance and will fully cooperate in any investigation into the incident.
Gopi Thotakura, a pilot and entrepreneur, became the first Indian to travel to space as a tourist on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Blue Origins NS-25 mission. He was chosen as one of six crew members for the NS-25 mission and flaunted the Indian flag in space as he made the historic achievement. The video has now gone viral and showcases the adventures of the crew defying gravity.

A video of Gopi Thotakura displaying a miniature of the tricolour in the spacecraft was shared by Blue Origin. It also showed the crew members enjoying the thrilling feeling of floating in the spacecraft due to gravity loss. The team was initially surprised when they gradually started getting lifted from their seats and were rotating inside the aircraft. Soon, they started enjoying themselves. Gopi Thotakura appears in front of the camera with a placard that reads, I am an Eco hero of my sustainable planet. The caption along with the video stated, Forever changed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blue Origin (@blueorigin)

Sharing details about the crew members for NS-25 mission, Blue Origins stated, Gopi Thotakura is a lifelong pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive. He flies jets commercially, in addition to piloting bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes. Hes also the co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health.

Gopi Thotakura is a lifelong pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive. He flies jets commercially, in addition to piloting bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes. Hes also the co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied pic.twitter.com/of2nzsPvEd Blue Origin (@blueorigin) May 19, 2024

While many were thrilled to see the adventure, some thought it was a waste of time and resources. One user stated, Wow !!!! You rock Guys!!! Some day, I will be there, while another enquired, How can I book a flight?

An individual stated, I wouldnt spend a second wasting time floating, waving to a camera. I would be glued to the window looking at the wonder our planet is. and another thought that the entire process was useless. Im genuinely curious what is the goal of this, what is being achieved by all these agencies and countries that are getting involved in this, said the user.

Gopi Thotakura is the co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a medical facility near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Kenneth L Hess, Sylvain Chiron, Mason Angel, Ed Dwight and Carol Schallera were also aboard the spacecraft. Blue Origins seventh human flight, NS-25, was launched from Launch Site One in West Texas on Sunday as part of the New Shepard project. The company created the New Shepard, a fully reusable suborbital launch vehicle designed for space tourism.
The Chandigarh police recently arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a first-class judicial magistrate after he was stopped for breaking traffic rules at a roundabout. According to reports, the man, Prakash Singh Marwah, is a lawyer and a resident of Chandigarhs Sector 51 area.

On May 19, a video of the accused, Prakash Singh Marwah, purporting to be a judicial magistrate went viral on social media. The roughly six-minute clip captures the moment when traffic officers told the SUV driver to halt. However, the man drove the vehicle forward and came to a halt awkwardly. The video captures the moment traffic police signal the man to stop his Mahindra Scorpio.

The traffic police then questioned Prakash Singh Marwah after he got out of the car regarding a piece of cloth that was covering the registration number on the number plate. He became angry with the on-duty traffic cops and forced them to talk to a superior via his mobile phone. When asked for his drivers licence, the man refused and arrogantly told the cop, Nahi dikhaaunga (I wont show).

Shared on X (formally Twitter), the video has collected over 1.4 million views.

Check the video here:

A video of Chandigarh recorded by a Traffic Police constable is going viral on social media! What do you thinkwho is wrong and who is right ??#chandigarh pic.twitter.com/Jutel3bbei Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) May 20, 2024

When the police continuously asked for his drivers licence, Prakash Singh Marwah quickly fled the scene, shouting challan bhej dena (send me the challan). According to reports, the man has been charged with violating sections 170 (personating a public servant), 186 (obstructing public servants in the exercise of public duties), and 419 (cheating by personation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Prakash Singh Marwah was also issued a challan for running a red light and tampering with the number plate. A complaint against the offender was given to the police station in Sector 49, following which an FIR was registered against him, Senior Superintendent of Chandigarh Traffic Police Sumer Pratap Singh said as quoted by The Indian Express. Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), (Traffic) Harjit Kaur informed that the mans vehicle would be seized.

Furthermore, on May 21, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana issued a show cause notice to the lawyer arrested for allegedly acting as a court officer and disputing with traffic cops.

The Bar Council has asked Prakash Singh Marwah why his advocates licence should not be revoked. Reports state that Marwah joined the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in 2023 and has since practiced law at the Chandigarh District Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
White House officials made nine corrections to the formal transcript of a gaffe-riddled speech that US President Joe Biden delivered at an event in Detroit. Biden on Sunday at an event hosted by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)  a civil rights organisation advocating for racial equality and justice.

Instead of calling January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill rioters insurrectionists he called them irrectionists and claimed he was vice-president of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a major slip-up, whose video also went viral, Biden also fumbled to spell out the words Affordable Care Act and mumbled a series of unintelligible sounds, leading his detractors to post that video on social media and poke fun at the octogenarian US President who along with his party have faced backlash for backing a candidate who has made mistakes in the past during speeches and major events.

As the leaders of one of the worlds most powerful countries and the worlds largest economy, Bidens gaffes and mistakes have forced many to question if the aged leader is still capable of thinking on his feet.

The official transcript, released Monday, clearly highlighted Bidens errors, showing strikethroughs of his mistakes and the corrected comments in brackets but chose not to go into much detail regarding the errors.

President Biden, 81, addressed the 69th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner as part of an outreach effort to Black Americans, as recent polls showed that he is not getting the adequate support of the demographic that was crucial to his 2020 US Presidential Election victory.

When the US Congress was controlled by Democrats, US President Biden was able to expand the subsidies in the Affordable Care Act which allowed families to save up to $800 annually but during the event Biden mistakenly claimed it was $800,000.

Biden just now: "After I signed the Pack-Anderl-An-Pack-At-Lack-Ack into law I handed a pen that I sided with which is nutritiona"Can anyone translate this for me? pic.twitter.com/mWgaLh9i3w  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 21, 2024

I protected and expanded the Affordable Care Act, saving millions of families $800,000 in prem-  $8,000 [$800] in  a year in premiums, the President said.

Speaking of rising rents in American cities, instead of saying his administration is fighting landlords who keep hiking rents, he mistakenly said his administration is fighting landlords who keep lowering rents.

Were cracking down on corporate landlords who [to] keep rents down, Biden said.

He also misquoted his rival Donald Trump in a bid to target him for saying that there would be a bloodbath in case the Republican lost  a comment he made during campaigning earlier this year.

But thats not Donald Trump. Donald Trump has said, if he loses again in November, there will be, quote, bloodshed [bloodbath]. What in Gods name are we talking about here? Biden said, according to the transcript.

From the beginning of the year to late last month, the White House made at least 148 corrections to transcripts of President Bidens remarks, according to a Daily Caller analysis.

Beneath one of his speech gaffe videos that has gone viral, a commentator accused the Democrats of being inhuman by forcing Biden to continue serving, as he would turn 86, if he were to win a second term.

Its inhumane for them to let Joe Biden continue to serve given his increasingly worse mental state. Shame on those who continue to prop him up. This is an insult to the elderly and a threat to our national security, Paul A. Szypula said.

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QUITO: Ecuadors attorney generals office is investigating eight extrajudicial killings reported to have taken place during the countrys most recent state of emergency, after rights groups warned authorities were not taking steps to prevent abuses.

The killings are the most serious rights abuses reported by detained people, local advocacy groups and victims families that allegedly took place during the January to April state of emergency.

President Daniel Noboa declared the emergency amid spiraling violence in the Andean country, which officials blame on drug trafficking gangs.

Under the measure Noboa deployed thousands of troops on streets and in prisons, with security forces making more than 18,000 arrests.

The attorney generals office said it is also looking into dozens of accusations of torture and other alleged abuses.

Neither the government nor the armed forces responded to requests for comment on alleged abuses.

The crackdown in Ecuador mirrors strategies deployed elsewhere, particularly in El Salvador, where heavy-handed tactics under President Nayib Bukele have led to an alarming regression in human rights, according to Amnesty International. Bukele has denied abuses.

In a letter to Noboas government on Wednesday, the director of advocacy group Human Rights Watch Americas, Juanita Goebertus, said Ecuadorean authorities appear to have taken little or no measure to prevent human rights violations or to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Noboa has defended security forces behavior and previously shied away from comparisons to Bukele.

I wont have any non-patriot tell us were violating anyones rights, when were protecting those of the vast majority, Noboa said in February.

CHECKPOINT SHOOTING

Carlos Javier Vega, 19, was killed in February after being shot at a check point in Guayaquil as he traveled with his cousin, Eduardo Alfredo Velasco, Velasco told Reuters.

Stopped at the checkpoint, Velasco said he accidentally grazed the boot of a soldier while reversing his car.

I wanted to get out and see the damage, thats when I heard the shot, Velasco said, adding that he saw his injured cousin change color as other shots rang out.

Velasco said he drove through the checkpoint after the shots were fired to take his cousin to hospital but soon realized he was also wounded.

Unable to drive further, he got out of the car and was met by the troops who had shot at them, he said.

They threw me to the ground, hit me, stepped on my head. They pulled my cousin out from the car, they stepped on his head and they hit him, Velasco said.

Ecuadors military did not respond to questions including about why soldiers shot at the car.

Three soldiers told a court that Velasco tried to move through the checkpoint and ran over one troopers left foot, according to documents seen by Reuters.

Velasco was charged with resisting arrest and attacking the troops, though the charges were later dropped.

An Instagram post by Ecuadors military from Feb. 2, featuring a blurred image of what Velasco and Vegas mother, Laura Ipanaque, said is Vegas body, described an operation against terrorists.

Vegas killing is being investigated by the attorney generals office.

Authorities view abuses as collateral damage in the fight against drug gangs, said Billy Navarrete, director of Guayaquil advocacy group the Permanent Committee of Defending Human Rights.

The official discourse displays these damages as inevitable in the face of a greater evil, Navarrete said.

The attorney generals office said it is also investigating 48 allegations of torture and 67 cases of overstepping of duties. It did not respond to requests for clarification.

I wouldnt want another mother, another family to go through what were going through, Ipanaque said.

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A former employee armed with a handgun opened fire early Wednesday at a linen company in a Philadelphia suburb, killing two people and wounding three others, police said.

The shooting at Delaware County Linen in Chester occurred around 8:30 a.m., and the shooter fled the scene in a vehicle, Delaware County. District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. The man was captured a short time later after a traffic stop in nearby Trainer. His name has not been released.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation. The names of the victims have not been disclosed, but Stollsteimer said at least one victim was hospitalized in critical condition.

Delaware County Linen is a linen-rental and laundry services company that has been in business since 1988, according to its website. It mainly serves restaurants, country clubs, hotels and other business in Pennsylvania and some neighboring states.

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Bangladesh home minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said that veteran Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar who went missing in India was found murdered in West Bengal and three people have been arrested in connection with the case.

So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder. We will soon inform you about the motive. Jhenaidah is a bordering area known for its high crime rate. Azim was the local lawmaker there. The incident took place after he went to India for treatment. According to what we currently know, he was killed there, Asaduzzaman Khan was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

According to news reports, Anwarul Azim Anar went missing on May 13, just a day after traveling to India for medical treatment.

Body Found in Kolkatas New Town

Anars body was discovered in an abandoned house in Kolkatas New Town in the early hours of Wednesday, as confirmed by a deputy police commissioner in the city. His relatives had filed a report on his disappearance at the Baranagar police station in North Kolkata on May 18.

On May 12, Anar had visited the residence of an individual named Gopal Biswas in Kolkata. The following day, he left Biswass residence to see a doctor, informing his family that he would return to Bangladesh in the evening. However, he remained unreachable since then, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Addressing the media, West Bengal CID IG Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi stated, Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar was on his personal visit here about which we had no intimation. On May 18, we got information that his associate Gopal Biswa had reported him missing since May 13. SIT was setup to trace him. As investigation was going on, we got intimation from MEA to look into the inquiry of West Bengal government on May 20. On May 22, we received input of his murder. Local police tracked his location and the case was transferred to CID.

VIDEO | Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar was on his personal visit here about which we had no intimation. On May 18, we got information that his associate Gopal Biswa had reported him missing since May 13. SIT was setup to trace him. As investigation was going on, we got pic.twitter.com/xnhqFxOwNR Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 22, 2024

A report by Anandabazar Patrika said that the MP was living at a friends house in Kolkatas Baranagar but left their residence after two days.

Killers Involved Are Bangladeshis

We have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder, Asaduzzaman Khan said. The Bangladesh minister said that the body has not yet been found.

The Anandabazar Patrika report said that Kolkata Police have installed barricades outside a flat in Kolkatas Newtown area. Citing people familiar with the developments, it said that the slain MP may have been living in that flat and bloodstains were found in the flat premises.

A forensics team also surveyed the flat, the report said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed shock and sorrow at the death of the Awami League MP from Jhenidah.

Anwarul Azim Anar was a three-time MP and president of Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the arrest warrant application currently under review in the International Criminal Court (ICC) is based on a pack of lies while speaking to US broadcaster CNN.

Speaking to the broadcasters anchor Jake Tapper, he called the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan a rogue prosecutor while denying allegations that he is starving Palestinians in Gaza as a method of war.

Prosecutor Karim Khan has laid out the charges  seven against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, eight against Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza; Ismail Haniyeh, the groups political leader; and Hamas military strategist Mohammed Deif.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said Monday that the Palestinian militant chiefs could be culpable of extermination, rape and other acts of sexual violence and taking hostages as a war crime, he accused the Israelis of starvation, wilful killing, and extermination and/or murder.

Netanyahu called it a moral outrage of historic proportions, fellow accused Defence Minister Yoav Gallant lashed it as despicable. For US President Joe Biden, it was outrageous.

Netanyahu told CNN that Khan is creating false symmetries that are both dangerous and false. Earlier this week, France also aired a similar view when its foreign minister Stephane Sejourne urged people not to draw an equivalence between the International Criminal Court prosecutors arrest warrant requests for Israeli and Hamas leaders.

These simultaneous requests for arrest warrants should not create an equivalence between Hamas and Israel, Sejourne told lawmakers in parliament.

Netanyahu has said that Israel has been allowing food and medical aid to enter Gaza. However, aid groups have said that Gaza is at the risk of famine. Netanyahu responded to that by saying that Israel has allowed 20,000 trucks of aid into Gaza, which would be a fraction of what would have entered the blockaded coastal enclave in the same period under normal circumstances.

The embattled Israeli Prime Minister, who is facing some opposition from inside Israel regarding the future of Gaza, said that he was not planning to reset Gaza when asked if Israel was planning to occupy the Palestinian enclave.

You mean resettling Gaza? Yeah. It was never in the cards, and I said so openly [and] some of my constituents are not happy about it, but thats my position, Netanyahu was quoted as saying.

He said squeezing Hamas was necessary because without that they would not free the hostages. Military action that we take against Hamas is in fact the way to get these hostages because without military pressure, basically, without, you know, squeezing them, Hamas is not going to give up anything, he further added, while speaking to the US broadcaster.

Israels military reported ground combat and air strikes on 70 targets in Gaza in 24 hours, while its forces were also engaged in deadly clashes in the other major Palestinian territory, the occupied West Bank.

At least seven Palestinians were killed in the northern city of Jenin, the Ramallah-based health ministry said, as the army said it was fighting armed men in a counterterrorism operation.

The Gaza war started after Hamass October 7 attack which sparked an Israeli retaliation that has brought a spiralling civilian death toll and levelled vast swathes of Gaza.

Hamass October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Hamas also took 252 hostages, 124 of whom remain in Gaza including 37 the army says are dead.

Israels retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 35,647 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.

Fighting has been raging around the far southern city of Rafah, the last area to face a ground invasion  but fierce combat has also been reported again in the northern Jabalia area where Hamas forces have regrouped.

(with inputs from AFP)

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DUBAI:Qatars emir and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait travelled on Wednesday to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, under whose tenure a historic deal that thawed relations between Tehran and its Gulf neighbours was brokered.

While Qatar has typically enjoyed warm relations with Iran, acting as a mediator between the Shiite Muslim country and the United States, other Gulf states had volatile relations with their neighbour. They had accused Iran of interfering in internal state affairs and backing regional foes, up until Riyadh and Tehran signed a landmark deal to normalise ties in 2023.

In the same year, the UAE also upgraded diplomatic ties with Iran. Both states share business and trade ties stretching back more than a century, with the UAEs Dubai long being one of Irans main links to the outside world.

Kuwait reappointed an ambassador to Tehran in 2022 after recalling its top envoy in solidarity with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia when it severed ties with the Islamic Republic in 2016. Tensions still simmered over the offshore Durra gas field, where Saudi Arabia and Kuwait claim exclusive joint rights while Iran also claims a stake.

Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew were killed in a helicopter crash in Iran on Sunday.

Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, led a high-level delegation that included Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also the foreign minister, to offer condolences for Raisi and Amirabdollahian, the emirs royal court said.

The Saudi state news agency said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the funeral.

Iranian state media showed UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan attending the funeral and paying his respects to the deceased. Later on Wednesday, UAE state news agency WAM confirmed the foreign minister had been at the funeral.

Kuwaits Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya also travelled to Tehran on Wednesday to participate in Raisis funeral on behalf of the Kuwaiti emir, the foreign ministry reported.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

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Passengers aboard the Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 which met severe turbulence while flying from Londons Heathrow airport to Singapore on Monday described the horror inside the plane.

Passengers said they saw both fellow passengers and cabin crew members getting seriously hurt due to the turbulence. A passenger told a media outlet that every single member of the cabin crew was injured and some even had gashes.

Grim footage from the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 flight from London to SG. Passengers were flung to the ceiling when it experienced a 7,000 ft drop. pic.twitter.com/iqsefWFELG Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 21, 2024

Another passenger said that his son was flung back two rows and he himself hit the roof of the plane where usually oxygen masks and light and fan vents are installed, suffering moderate to serious wounds in the process.

One passenger was killed and dozens injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London hit severe turbulence en route, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said https://t.co/XVsOr6CEgc pic.twitter.com/3YR1UUB6iq Reuters (@Reuters) May 21, 2024

A 73-year-old British man died and more than 70 people were injured Tuesday in what passengers described as a terrifying scene aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence, triggering an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Singapore Airlines said the nationalities of the passengers were 56 Australians, two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one Icelander, four Irish, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 New Zealanders, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States.

It went from no turbulence no plane shaking at all, and then I hit the roof. All of a sudden, I was up like that. My son was thrown down on the floor two rows behind me. I heard that there was a guy hitting the roof in the toilet and he was injured quite badly, too, the man said.

British passenger Andrew Davies told Sky News that the seatbelt sign was illuminated but crew members didnt have time to take their seats.

Every single cabin crew person I saw was injured in some way or another, maybe with a gash on their head, Davies said. One had a bad back, who was in obvious pain.

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on the flight, told ABC News: Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it. They hit the places where lights and masks are (kept) and broke straight through it.

Azmir also said that passengers from across the aisle going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in really awkward positions.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed oxygen masks and panels hanging from the ceiling, dents in the overhead cabin panels and luggage and food items strewn around.

Suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, Azmir further added.

The Boeing 777 descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 metres) in about three minutes, Singapore Airlines said in a statement Tuesday.

FlightRadar24 citing tracking data showed that the flight was initially cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 metres), but at one point the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descended to 31,000 feet (9,400 metres) over about three minutes. The aircraft then remained at 31,000 feet (9,400 metres) for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later.

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through, the airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong, said in a video on social media. He said the airline was providing all necessary support and pledged it would fully cooperate in investigations.

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WASHINGTON:U.S. President Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations, not unilateral recognition, the White House said on Wednesday after Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognize a Palestinian state this month.

Washingtons reaction appeared to signal U.S. dismay that the three European nations announced an intent to proceed with unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, which does not exist in practice.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told a regular news briefing each country could make its own decision on recognition of a Palestinian state, but that Biden thinks direct negotiations by the parties is the best approach.

President Biden believes that a two-state solution that guarantees Israels security and also a future of dignity and security for the Palestinian people is the best way to bring about long-term security and stability for everyone in the region, Sullivan said.

President Biden  has been equally emphatic on the record that that two-state solution should be brought about through direct negotiations through the parties, not for unilateral recognition.

Sullivan had been asked if the United States was concerned that other nations might follow suit in recognizing a Palestinian state. He said the U.S. would communicate its consistent position to partners see what unfolds.

WAR IN GAZA

Decades of U.S. efforts have failed to achieve a two-state solution with Israel living alongside a Palestinian state encompassing the West Bank, ruled by the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Gaza, ruled by the Hamas Islamist movement since it seized the coastal strip from the PA in a brief 2007 civil war.

Israel began an offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, health officials in the Hamas-run enclave say.

Israel is now attacking Rafah in southern Gaza, saying it wants to root out Hamas militants. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled Rafah since the start of the assault, and the main access routes for aid into Gaza have been blocked.

Sullivan said he was briefed on Israeli plans to minimize civilian harm in Rafah during a weekend visit to the region, and Washington will track whether the assault causes widespread death and destruction or is more precise and proportional.

We now have to see what unfolds from here, he said.

He said aid was flowing in from a pier in Gaza, and that it was wrong for Israel to withhold funds from the West Bank.

The Biden administration also hopes to broker an arrangement leading Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalize relations. As part of that process, Saudi Arabia has demanded the Gaza conflict end and a path to a Palestinian state, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be likely to find hard to accept.

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Beijing village rallies to protect Great Wall, leveraging it for cultural tourism

People's Daily Online) 15:08, May 21, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts to let more people know about the Great Wall and engage more people in its protection to pass on the ancestors' precious heritage to future generations in a reply letter to residents of Shixia village in Badaling township, Yanqing district, Beijing on May 14.

Xi said he was pleased to learn that the villagers had taken the initiative over the years to protect the Great Wall, inherit its culture, and rely on its resources on their way to prosperity.

"We will continue our efforts to let more people know about the Great Wall and engage more people in its protection to pass on our ancestors' precious heritage to future generations," said Li Handong, Party branch secretary of Shixia village.

A coffee shop in Shixia village, Badaling township, Yanqing district, Beijing. (Photo/Pan Zhiwang)

Liu Hongyan, a Shixia native, has been one of the first six full-time protectors of the village's Shixia Great Wall section since May 2019, inspired by her uncle Mei Jingtian, who began protecting it in 1980 by clearing rubbish and reminding tourists to be mindful.

Over the years, Liu has patrolled the section at least five times per week, taking 20,000 to 30,000 steps daily.

Now, 80-year-old Mei still patrols with Liu every few days. Under his guidance, Shixia established a Great Wall protection volunteer team.

"Aside from the elderly and children, almost all villagers have participated in protecting the Great Wall," said Gu Shumei, a village official and team leader.

"Safeguarding the Great Wall has become as habitual as protecting our own homes," Liu said.

To her delight, inconsiderate conduct like climbing wild sections, graffiti and littering have decreased, with some visitors voluntarily picking up litter.

"Built along the Great Wall, our village has thrived on it. We need to promote and carry forward its culture," Li said.

Liu Hongyan (L) explains Great Wall protection knowledge to a visitor. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

In recent years, Li has collected oral stories and compiled information about scenic spots along the Shixia Great Wall section. He also participated in a village book on the Great Wall. Additionally, the village collaborated with Yanqing's cultural center to invite experts for lectures.

Since the village museum's establishment in 2018, it has become a regular training venue for residents and is gradually attracting tourists.

"We've also launched interactive experience programs incorporating Great Wall elements like cloth art, paper cutting and feather painting," said Wei Xiaoyun, who oversees the museum.

According to Liu, Great Wall protection and cultural inheritance are mutually reinforcing. While patrolling, she also volunteers as a guide, sharing historical stories and legends about the Shixia section.

Liu has never missed Great Wall protector training classes. "Only by truly mastering the skills can we tell the stories well," she said.

An intangible cultural heritage experience activity in Shixia village, Badaling township, Yanqing district, Beijing. (Photo/Pan Zhiwang)

"We need to promote inheriting Great Wall culture among children," said Mei, who still wants to contribute. In recent years, he has held seminars and exchanges with teachers and students from several schools, sharing stories, promoting knowledge and raising protection awareness.

Shixia village is taking advantage of its natural environment and all the cultural richness surrounding the Great Wall. The village is working on developing agriculture, forestry, and tourism, with a particular focus on bed-and-breakfast hotels.

"Our village was included in the second list of national key villages for rural tourism, with a rich culture revolving around the Great Wall, cuisine and intangible cultural heritage," Li said.

A view of the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Badaling township, Yanqing district, Beijing. (Photo/Si Da)

B&B hotels flank the main street. In 2014, He Yuling rented 18 village courtyards and turned them into B&Bs by incorporating traditional Chinese architectural elements.

"The cultural tourism industry's development has boosted villagers' confidence and enthusiasm to start businesses," Li said, adding that 11 households have built B&B hotels, and 30 villagers have found jobs in the village.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
"You can't compete in today's global market without a significant presence in China," Bonn Macy, Co-Founder of Phyteau, told Xinhua. "And why would you want to miss out the biggest new market in the world?" by Julia Pierrepont III LOS ANGELES, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 China-California Business Forum was held Monday at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, and the buzz on the packed floor was that California businesses are bullish on doing business with China. More than 500 business owners and government officials from China and the United States attended the forum, with the goal of expanding business ties and subnational cooperation. China is California's largest trading partner and California has the largest presence of Chinese-invested companies among all states in the United States. Established companies with billions in sales, like nutritional supplement giant, Herbal Life, to innovative pharmaceutical start-ups, like Phyteau, which is launching new therapeutics to give people control over their metabolism, blood sugar and weight, have one thingin common -- they all want a piece of China's booming market. "You can't compete in today's global market without a significant presence in China," Bonn Macy, Co-Founder of Phyteau, told Xinhua. "And why would you want to miss out the biggest new market in the world?" Troy Hicks, Chief Operating Officer of Herbalife, noted that "China's been a partner for us for a long time, and we continue to see China's market as a significant opportunity for Herbalife. It's probably one of our biggest and growth markets in the future." "They have an aging population and a large middle class that are very interested in health and wellness," he told Xinhua, spurred on by the government's "Healthy China" initiative to promote health and nutrition at an earlier age. Business and government consultant Jeff Leader also sees robust opportunity for mutual benefit between the United States and China. He points out that California-made medical devices can help save lives in China or anywhere while California environmental remediation technologies can help clean up contaminated rivers, soil, and air. "Longterm exposure to contaminated environments causes major health problems. So if California companies and technologies can help them solve those problems, it's a win-win on so many levels," he added. Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to the California Governor and director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, told Xinhua that sub-nationals like California would play an instrumental role in future relations with China and that California was committed to maintaining mutually beneficial relations with China as a valued trading partner. Secretary of California Government operations, Amy Tong, stressed, "We need to focus on culture, economics and mutual respect. This is the foundation to our shared relationship with China, which has endured since California's early statehood." When asked about the issue of decoupling, Vlady Cornateanu, president of Sino-America Business Development Company in Beverly Hills, California, told Xinhua that, "Realistically, decoupling should not happen, cannot happen, and is a fantasy that will not happen! So it's a waste of time to even discuss it!" Bobby Kotick, the chief executive officer of Activision Blizzard and previously Activision from 1991 to 2023, gave his China workforce rave reviews, "For almost two decades, we've had some of our most talented, productive, capable engineers and programmers working in a studio in Shanghai...every bit as capable as the very best talent that we have in the United States." "It's an extraordinary, productive workforce that's incredibly motivated and excited to come to work every single day," he added, asserting that "there's just nothing but opportunity for growth and continued collaboration in China." He made a moving request that "In this increasingly complex and uncertain world, our trade relationships with China should serve as a pillar of stability that should create opportunities for businesses, for workers and for consumers on both sides of the Pacific." He encouraged everyone to avoid getting caught up in "the rhetoric of division and distrust" and instead find common ground and embrace the power of collaboration. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the relationship between LA and Chinese cities and provinces as "consequential." China is the sixth largest source of foreign owned businesses in Los Angeles. Nearly 250 businesses from China have expanded to Los Angeles, creating jobs and economic opportunity. Over the last ten years, L.A. companies have exported more than 60 billion U.S. dollars in goods to China. China's ports are the most significant trading partners of the port of Los Angeles, according to Bass. U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu pointed out that 1.5 million Californians are of Chinese descent, far more than any other state, which makes for many person-to-person relationships as well as economic or political ones. She also stressed that over the years California has enjoyed substantial investments from China in various sectors including technological innovation that have created jobs, growth and opportunities on both sides of the Pacific. Bob Hertzberg, the Former speaker of the California Legislature and the former majority leader of the California State Senate told Xinhua that "It is critical that we take the long view." "When people stand and scream at each other, no matter if they are Democrats or Republicans, Chinese or Americans, it just doesn't work. You got to get in a room, figure out what your differences are, and find common ground."
Someone just paid nearly $30,000 for ... a feather. Granted, it's a rare and pretty feather, but still one worth more than 40 times its weight in gold. The most expensive feather ever sold, it comes from the long-extinct huia, "the largest of New Zealand's wattlebird species, known for its beautiful song, its predominantly black glossy feathers and long tail feathers tipped with white," per the Guardian . The tail feather was expected to sell Monday in New Zealand for no more than $1,800. Instead, it sold at Auckland-based Webb's auction house for $28,365, smashing the $8,400 record for a huia feather sold in 2010.

Huia were sacred to the Indigenous Maori people. Among the group, only a rangatira (chief) or individuals with mana (prestige) could wear their feathers. Europeans ignored that rule upon arrival in New Zealand, however, leading to a craze for huia feathers that ultimately caused the species' extinction, the Guardian reports. People went wild for huia feathers after the Duke and Duchess of York were photographed wearing them in their hats in 1901, CNN notes. Six years later came the last recorded huia sighting. The birds had been considered rare even before the arrival of Europeans, per the BBC.

The feather auctioned Monday is well preserved with archival paper and UV glass and in excellent condition, the auction house said. "It's retained a lot of its colors ... its rich brown and iridescent color, and there is no sign of damage from insects," said Leah Morris, Webb's head of decorative arts. As a registered taonga tuturu (authentic treasure), the feather could only be purchased by a registered collector. It also can't leave New Zealand without permission from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (More New Zealand stories.)
Rudy Giuliani and ten other people indicted in the Arizona election case pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges Tuesdaybut Giuliani was the only one ordered to post a bond. Giuliani, who taunted prosecutors before he was served with the indictment notice at his 80th birthday party on Friday, appeared remotely at the Phoenix hearing. He was ordered to post $10,000 bond and come to Arizona to be booked within 30 days, the Arizona Republic reports. "Quite frankly, he has been mocking the justice system in Arizona," said prosecutor Nicholas Klingerman.

The ten other defendants arraigned Tuesday include another Donald Trump aide, Christina Bobbs, and nine fake electors, the New York Times reports. Attorney John Eastman, who allegedly helped craft the plot to bring in slates of fake electors in swing states, was arraigned last week. Others indicted by a grand jury in the case will be arraigned next month, including Mark Meadows, Trump's former White House chief of staff. The indictment lists Trump as "Unindicted Co-conspirator 1."

According to the indictment, Kelli Ward, a former chair of the Arizona GOP who was one of the fake electors arraigned Monday, organized the fake slate of electors after the 2020 election and urged then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept it, AP reports. Giuliani is accused of spreading misinformation and pressuring officials to change the outcome of the election, per the Republic. He told the court Tuesday that he does not have an attorney but plans to get one. Asked if he needed counsel appointed, he said, "No, no, I think I am capable of handling it myself." The trial is scheduled to begin in October. (More Arizona stories.)
Fred Roos, the Oscar-winning producer of The Godfather Part II who helped launch the careers of numerous superstars from Jack Nicholson to Tom Cruise, has died. He was 89. He died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday, a representative said Tuesday, just days after his and Francis Ford Coppola's latest film Megalopolis premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. "Fred Roos possessed a casting instinct that was near infallible," Coppola wrote on Instagram. "He was a great lifelong friend and collaborator with above all a true love for movies." More, from the AP:

Roos and Coppola worked together for over 50 years, starting with The Godfather, where he advised on the casting of Al Pacino and James Caan against the wishes of the studio, and introduced Coppola to John Cazale. He also produced Coppola's best picture nominees The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, and Parts II and III of The Godfather.
Shirley Rodriguez had just been attacked outside the Manhattan apartment building where she lived with her dad. In her final moments, she pressed the building's intercom button to call for her dad, and when he came down, she managed to say, "Ty did this." The 29-year-old was rushed to a hospital but did not survive, PIX 11 reports. As for the man she named, her ex-boyfriend Tyquane Jemmott, 33, was arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing her. Rodriguez and Jemmott dated for two years but broke up last week. Police say they'd had two prior domestic disputes.

Police say Jemmott hid between two cars outside the building in Washington Heights and ambushed Rodriguez as she left for work around 5:40am Monday, stabbing her, punching her, and dragging her. "She was fighting back the whole time," the NYPD chief of detectives says. Per police, bystanders who heard Rodriguez's cries for help chased Jemmott, but he escaped over a fence. He was arrested that night at his uncle's house. Outside Rodriguez's building, a tribute has grown, with pictures and flowers, ABC 7 reports. "It's gut-wrenching, because it could be anyone that you know," a local says. "I didn't know her personally, but she was a neighbor." (More New York City stories.)
UPDATE

May 23, 2024 12:30 AM CDT

Four people in Greenfield, Iowa, were killed when a tornado tore through the town Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed Wednesday. At least 35 were injured, but the Joint Unified Command says the true number is likely higher, as that number includes just those who were treated at "designated alternate care sites," KMA Land reports. In addition, at least one other person was killed in a nearby county, CNN reports.

May 22, 2024 1:00 AM CDT

Multiple people were killed when a tornado tore through Greenfield, Iowa, and left a wide swath of obliterated homes, crumpled cars, and splintered trees, while outside the small town, massive wind turbines were buckled and twisted to the ground by the howling winds. After devastating the town of 2,000 residents, the storms moved eastward to pummel parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to more than 130,000 customers in the two states, the AP reports. Greenfield's hospital was among the buildings that were damaged in the town, which meant that at least a dozen people who were hurt had to be taken to facilities elsewhere, according to Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla.
Another three countries say they will officially recognize a Palestinian state amid outrage over Israel's war in Gaza. Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced Wednesday that they would formally recognize the Palestinian state on May 28. Israel immediately recalled its ambassadors to Oslo and Dublin in response to what it called a "distorted step," and said it would also recall its ambassador to Madrid, per NBC News . The outlet notes the step may be echoed by other European countries "as outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza bolsters the Palestinian cause on the global stage."

"There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, per Al Jazeera. He said the recognition helps "keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike""two states, living side by side, in peace and security." Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Israel "loses nothing" from the designation, which he hoped would "offer hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine at one of their darkest hours." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the move was "an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency" and "not against the Israeli people."

Yet Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the message was that "terrorism pays." He said the recognition could hurt efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza by "rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran." Hamas, meanwhile, applauded the move, saying it was "an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land," and encouraged other countries to follow suit. According to the Palestinian Authority, 142 of 193 United Nations member nations now recognize the state of Palestine, per RTE News. Among those not included: the US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. (More Palestinian statehood stories.)
There's no sign that Russia's two-year-plus invasion into Ukraine will end anytime soon, partly because Ukraine is now in a "critical time," with "its army in retreat and a new package of American arms yet to arrive in sufficient quantities," reports the New York Times. In a lengthy interview with the paper, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose five-year presidential term has been expanded under martial law due to the war, expresses his frustration with what he feels is the West's sluggish reaction to the war effort. "Shoot down what's in the sky over Ukraine," he says of possible involvement from NATO nations. "And give us the weapons to use against Russian forces on the borders." More from the interview:

On acquiring more Patriot air defense systems: "Can we get seven?" Zelensky asks of the Western alliance, suggesting that could be an outcome of a NATO get-together in DC in July. "Do you think it is too much for the NATO anniversary summit in Washington? For a country that is fighting for freedom and democracy around the world today?"
What right does a child, even a fetus, have to grow up in a healthy environment? It's a question at the heart of "the first lawsuit to challenge national climate policies in East Asia," per Nature . Resulting from the merger of four separate lawsuits filed between 2020 and 2023, the landmark challenge before South Korea's Constitutional Court sees lawyers representing dozens of adults, more than 60 children, even a one-time fetus, arguing the government isn't doing enough to address climate change. In one of the four cases, parents sued on behalf of their children, including a then-20-week-old fetus nicknamed Woodpecker who is now a 1-year-old boy.

Sejong Youn, legal counsel for the plaintiffs, hopes a ruling will be issued before South Korea's government brings revised climate plans before the United Nations later this year. The revised plans will lay out the country's climate strategy through 2035. Under its current plans, South Korea aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 40% of 2018 levels by 2030, per Nature. Experts say South Korea is unlikely to meet that goal, per AFP. But even if all countries did, temperatures would still climb three degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100a devastating outcome and a violation of constitutional rights to life, property, the pursuit of happiness, and a healthy environment, according to the plaintiffs.

"When the Earth's temperature rises two degrees Celsius more, none of the adults who are talking about this right now will still be around," 12-year-old plaintiff Han Jeah tells AFP. "It is absolutely not fair to ask us [as children] to solve the problem." "Considering the future of humanity, it's obvious the government should make more active efforts to ensure our survival amid the climate crisis," adds Woodpecker's mother, Lee Dong-hyun. "I would be so sorry if my children never experienced a beautiful spring day."

story continues below

The Constitutional Court, one of South Korea's highest courts, held its second and final hearing on the case Tuesday. If judges rule in favor of the plaintiffs, the hope is "we will be able to enhance the government's climate ambitions" and inspire similar actions around the world, Youn tells Nature. If the plaintiffs lose the case, the court may be less likely to hear similar cases in the future, says Dr. Mingzhe Zhu of the University of Glasgow, who studies climate change litigation. But "you can lose beautifully in the sense that you provoked social awareness," Zhu adds, per Nature. (More climate change stories.)
When the US was in Afghanistan, an Afghan general by the name of Abdul Raziq was seen as one of America's most valuable allies in the fight against the Taliban. On the upside, Raziq was young, brave, smart, and charismatic, and he kept order in crucial Kandahar, the New York Times explains. However, the newspaper's investigation into Raziq finds that the upside wasn't worth it. "His battlefield prowess was built on years of torture, extrajudicial killings and the largest-known campaign of forced disappearances during America's 20-year war in Afghanistan," write Azam Ahmed and Matthieu Aikins. Raziq's brutality was such that Afghans called him "America's monster." What's more, the Taliban was able to use Raziq's abuses as a recruiting tool, luring young men who previously had no allegiance to the group.

"Sometimes we asked Raziq about incidents of alleged human rights abuses, and when we got answers we would be like, 'Whoa, I hope we didn't implicate ourselves in a war crime just by hearing about it,'" Henry Ensher, a State Department official who worked with Raziq tells the newspaper. "We knew what we were doing, but we didn't think we had a choice." The investigation documents 368 forced disappearances under Raziq, though the story notes that is likely a "gross undercount." Much of the populace equated Raziq's "culture of lawlessness and impunity" with the US, part of the reason why the eventual collapse of the US-backed government in Afghanistan was so widely celebrated. The Taliban assassinated Raziq in 2018, but the backlash against him while he was alive "helps explain why the United States lost the war." (Read the full investigation.)
In what Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer called a tragedy "that plays out too often across the United States of America," two people were killed and three others injured in a workplace shooting Wednesday morning. The DA said a "disgruntled employee" armed with a handgun opened fire on workers at Delaware County Linen, a linen rental and laundry business in Chester, Pennsylvania, NBC News reports. Police in the Philadelphia suburb said the gunman drove away but was pulled over by police a few miles from the business.
Donald Trump included a false claim in a fundraising email this week that President Biden had authorized the FBI to shoot him when agents searched his Florida estate for classified documents in 2022though the agency had intentionally chosen a day for the raid when the former president wouldn't be home. Despite that fact and the FBI's statement about the allegation, at least one Trump ally and his campaign staff amplified the false claim, the Washington Post reports. Trump appeared to be misrepresenting a standard Justice Department policy released Tuesday in a court filing.

The FBI said Tuesday its search followed the usual protocol, per Axios, which it said "includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force." Every order contains a reminder of the policy, a former FBI official posted on X. The policy says agents may only use lethal force if there's an "imminent danger of death or serious physical injury" to someone. "They were authorized to shoot me!" Trump wrote in the email, also saying "Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out." He put something similar on Truth Social. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene escalated the accusation to a government plan to assassinate Trump. A Trump campaign spokesman stuck to the accusation, per the New York Times.

The FBI had contacted Mar-a-Lago's Secret Service agents ahead of time to ensure there'd be no confrontations, and the agents discussed the search first with the Justice Department, per the AP. The FBI's Steve D'Antuono testified before the House Judiciary Committee last year that agents did not go into Trump's club, which was closed that day, like gangbusters. "We're not banging down any doors," he said. "We weren't bringing any like FBI vehicles, everything that was reported about helicopters and a hundred people descending on, like a Die Hard movie, was completely untrue, right. That is not how we played it." (More Donald Trump 2024 stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

MP Dr. Maryam Al-Dhaen emphasised the significance of the Bahrain Declaration reached yesterday at the 33rd Arab Summit, highlighting its focus on fostering joint Arab cooperation across various sectors and initiatives aimed at nurturing a secure and stable environment in the Middle East.

The lawmaker conveyed her heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the successful hosting of the Summit.

The summit underscored the vital importance of collective Arab action in upholding regional security and stability, aligned with principles of coexistence and dialogue.

The declarations call to halt aggression against Gaza reaffirmed the Kingdoms steadfast stance on the Palestinian issue, advocating for a comprehensive solution to alleviate human suffering and prevent further escalation of conflicts in the region.

Addressing diverse regional challenges, the declaration encompassed issues concerning Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, and Somalia, stressing respect for sovereignty and independence while advancing sustainable development goals tailored to meet the aspirations of each nations populace.

MP Al-Dhaen also applauded the declarations recognition of the UAEs sovereignty over its three islands.

Commitment

In combating extremism and terrorism, Dr. Al-Dhaen reiterated Bahrains commitment to promoting tolerance and coexistence, emphasising the importance of dialogue and cooperation in fostering mutual understanding and confronting
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mohammed Darwish

The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, has announced a significant shift in its approach to textbook distribution for the 20242025 academic year.

Rather than the traditional method of distributing books at the start of the school year, the ministry has opted for early delivery.

Driven by a profound appreciation for the insights of students and parents, the Ministry has devised an elaborate scheme to ensure that all pupils are provided with their textbooks in the final week of June, before the summer break.

This judicious strategy allows families to make effective use of the holiday, familiarising themselves with the academic syllabus and planning their educational journeys.

Dr Juma stressed that by issuing textbooks in advance, the aim is to enable students and parents to optimise their summer respite, affirming the commitment to streamlining the educational process and fostering a conducive learning environment.

To manage the seamless distribution of over two million textbooks to government schools nationwide, the Ministry has established specialised teams across educational operations, curricula, and support services.

Efficient process These dedicated teams will work to ensure a well-organised and efficient process, as schools communicate specific schedules and guidelines for textbook collection to their communities.

This innovative approach highlights the Ministrys dedication to re-engineering educational operations, prioritising student success, and maximising the potential of the summer holiday.

By providing early access to learning materials, the ministry enables students to take ownership of their education and commence a successful academic year, equipped with the necessary resources and ample time to prepare.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed that the historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America are progressing towards more development, prosperity, and growth. He highlighted the importance of enhancing the existing bilateral cooperation and coordination in various fields, strengthened

by mutual visits and agreements.

This statement was made during the participation of His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, as the keynote speaker at the 7th annual U.S. alumni reception held at the Gulf Hotel. The event, organized under the theme "Lifelong Learning" by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, was attended by His Excellency Mr. Steven Bondy, the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, Mr. Qays H. Zu'bi, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain,

and several officials and stakeholders.

His Excellency emphasized that cooperation among alumni in the labor market significantly impacts national development. He noted that combining experiences and expertise enables us

to create a unique blend of skills and perspectives that foster innovation, drive economic growth, and enhance our competitiveness in the global market. His Excellency also pointed out that this

cooperation not only propels our industries forward but also enriches our workforce, ensuring we are well-prepared to face future challenges.

He stressed the necessity of attracting and nurturing talents in Bahrain who possess leadership skills, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a constant pursuit of excellence to become future leaders.His Excellency praised the U.S. university alumni who, through the advanced American educational system, have integrated technology, research, and innovation into their daily lives, thereby acquiring skills that qualify them to lead our Kingdom toward the future. With strong leaders, we can steadily move towards economic growth and

prosperity and gain a competitive edge in the global market. In his turn, His Excellency Mr. Steven Bondy, the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, highlighted the value of educational and cultural exchanges: We are proud to honor the incredible, creative, and energetic alumni of education and exchange programs between our two countries.

Studying abroad and cultural exchanges are life-changing opportunities that expand minds and bring individuals of different backgrounds together  and Bahrain has a long tradition of building bridges between people and cultures. Our two countries have always been pioneers in education  both in making it accessible, and in putting it to work in the service of the greater good. We are grateful to AmCham Bahrain for their partnership in supporting this tremendously important event, and His Excellency Minister Fakhro for participating.

Mr. Qays H. Zu'bi, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain, also highlighted the significant impact of American education in his address: The American educational system, renowned for its diverse and innovative approaches, plays a crucial role in shaping the global leaders of tomorrow.

It offers a unique blend of rigorous academic challenges and expansive extracurricular opportunities, fostering not only intellectual growth but also personal development. These experiences are transformative, equipping students with critical thinking skills, a broad perspective, and an enduring commitment to excellence.

This annual reception underscores AmCham Bahrains commitment to fostering strong ties between Bahrain and the United States, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting the professional development of U.S. alumni in Bahrain. AmCham Bahrain extends its gratitude to the sponsors of the 7th Annual U.S. Alumni Reception: the American University of Bahrain, WestPoint Home Bahrain, NHSC, and the Gulf Hotel. Their support was instrumental in making the event a resounding success.
IKEA Canada customers can now pay for in-store purchases over time with rates as low as 0% APR with PayPlan by RBC financing

BURLINGTON, ON, May 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Financial Services are now available in IKEA Canada stores nationally, as the renowned retailer aims to make home furnishings more accessible and convenient for Canadians. In keeping with the company's desire to create a better everyday life for the many, IKEA Canada is collaborating with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to launch PayPlan by RBCTM purchase-financing to its customers. This pay-over-time solution gives IKEA Canada's in-store customers access to simple and straightforward financing with no hidden feesall from a trusted source. This convenient and transparent financial service is now available at IKEA Canada locations across the country, with additional plans for online customers to be able to access PayPlan by RBC purchase-financing starting in June.

IKEA Canada assembles financial services to help make home improvement more accessible to the many Canadians (CNW Group/IKEA Canada Limited Partnership)

"As Canadians try to make more of their homes to meet diverse needs, with tighter cashflow, we're pleased to make a meaningful service available to our customers," notes Lori Kirkpatrick, Financial Services Leader at IKEA Canada. "We're encouraged to deliver a much-requested service that enables our customers to create a home as unique as them while spreading their costs into more manageable amounts over time."

"RBC understands that Canadians are looking for more flexible and manageable ways to make large purchases," said Vinita Savani, Senior Vice President, Personal Lending & Auto Finance. "PayPlan by RBC is a financial solution to help consumers make those important purchases on flexible terms, while helping them balance their monthly budget."

With IKEA Financial Services, Canadians can enjoy well-designed, sustainable home furnishing solutions that make their homes work for them, on financial terms that suit their budget. PayPlan by RBC is a pay-over-time solution that offers IKEA Canada customers flexible payment options, with loan term lengths ranging from 12 to 48 months and annual percentage rates (APRs) as low as 0% or 9.99%1, available on eligible purchases2 between $1,000 to $10,000. Canadian residents over the age of majority in their province of residence are eligible to apply for a PayPlan by RBC installment loan and will receive an immediate decision following a soft credit bureau inquiry that doesn't affect their credit score.3

How it works:

Complete a quick and easy application in any IKEA store. Get results immediately! Choose a monthly plan that works for your budget, then review and agree to the terms. Load your funds to your mobile wallet and tap to pay with your loan funds at checkout. Pay for your purchase in installments over your selected loan term length.

IKEA Canada is committed to supporting the financial wellbeing of its co-workers and customers. In support of the development and launch of IKEA Financial Services, IKEA Canada has integrated financial literacy tools and training available through the McGill Personal Finance Essentials course for co-workers across the organization.

To discover more about IKEA Financial services, visit IKEA.ca/FinancialServices.

PayPlan by RBC financing is offered by RBC Ampli Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. To discover more about PayPlan by RBCTM, visit rbc.com/payplanloan.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 482 IKEA stores in 31 countries, including 16 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 28 million visitors to its stores and 166 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 94,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com .

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact .

1Loans are subject to application and approval. Rates vary depending on the amount borrowed and term selected and range from 0% to 9.99% APR. Approved applicants may select among 0% APR for a 12-month term regardless of the amount borrowed, or if qualified, may be eligible for 9.99% APR for 24-, 36- or 48-month terms depending on the amount borrowed. Example: On a $ 5,000 loan, a qualified applicant could pay $416.67 per month with a 12-month term at 0% APR OR $161.32 per month with a 36-month term at 9.99% APR. Additional terms and plan options may be available during promotional periods. Offers and plan options are subject to change/cancellation without notice.

2PayPlan by RBC financing and installment loans are not available for IKEA Food products purchased at the IKEA Swedish Food Market, IKEA Restaurant, IKEA Bistro; IKEA gift cards; purchases with IKS kitchen installation services; third-party services not billed by IKEA.

3If your PayPlan by RBC installment loan application is accepted, once your loan's term begins, RBC Ampli Inc. may report your loan and/or its monthly/final repayment status to credit reporting agencies, which may show up on your credit report and impact your score.

SOURCE IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

For media inquiries: Lisa Huie, PR Leader, IKEA Canada, [email protected]; Jeff Junke, Senior Manager, P&CB Communications, RBC, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, May 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Ingenium  Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation is proud to include its three national museums in Ottawa as part of Canoo's incredible roster of cultural and destination experiences available through its Newcomer Equity Partner Program. This partnership, through the Canoo app, now gives newcomers to Canada greater access to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

A smiling family of five depart the Canada Science and Technology Museum. On the lower left, a circular image shows a mother with a young child on her lap, pointing at something out of the frame at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. On the upper right, another circular image shows two children dressed in orange space suits walking in front of an exhibition at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, with their father behind them. (CNW Group/Ingenium) The Canoo logo. (CNW Group/Ingenium)

As a Newcomer Equity Partner, Canoo members will now be able to enjoy free and discounted access to the Ingenium museums for 5+ years to immerse themselves in Canada's history of science and innovation. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can experience the best of Canada by downloading the free Canoo app.

Built and managed by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Canoo has welcomed over 600,000 newcomer members. Giving greater access to Ingenium's national museums offers newcomers to Canada the opportunity to discover the stories of the people and communities who have shaped our incredible history of innovation  and inspire a nation of collaborators, communicators, and critical thinkers. Covering soil to space  and everything in between - Ingenium museums incites amazement through sensory experiences that immerse visitors of all ages in the countless ways science and technology connects with our everyday lives.

Quote

"Ingenium is thrilled to partner with Canoo to make our three national museums more accessible to newcomers to Canada through Canoo. Our museums are spaces of discovery that inspire, and foster a sense of belonging and community engagement. Our collections and programs are constantly evolving to reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives that we hope inspires all visitors."

- Christina Tessier, President and CEO, Ingenium  Canada's museums of science and innovation

"The Canoo Partner Network is dedicated to fostering a Canada where newcomers feel a true sense of belonging. Ingenium, across its three sites, is taking this commitment to the next level by proudly becoming a Canoo Newcomer Equity Partner, extending even greater benefits to newcomers. The prosperity of Canada relies not solely on newcomers arriving but also on their ability to stay and flourish. What Ingenium offers newcomers through Canoo extends beyond support; it's about investing in the promise of diversity, empowerment, and a shared future built on inclusion."

- Daniel Bernhard, CEO, Institute for Canadian Citizenship

About Ingenium  Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation

Ingenium oversees three national museums of science and innovation in Ottawa  the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Its lngenium Centre houses an exceptional collection of artifacts, a research institute, and a digital innovation lab. Our museums, digital content, outreach programs, travelling exhibitions, and collaborative spaces help to educate, entertain, and engage audiences across Canada and around the world. Our mandate is to bring science literacy and inspiration to people in Canada of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds.

About the The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

The ICC is a national charity that helps newcomers integrate into Canadian life, so they stay and become citizens  not just in their passports but in their hearts. We advance this mission by conducting unique and compelling public policy research, by hosting enhanced citizenship ceremonies across Canada, and via our Canoo Access pass, an award-winning mobile app that gives new permanent residents and new Canadian citizens with free and discounted access to over 2000 of Canada's best culture and nature experiences, plus exceptional travel offers and exclusive deals from leading brands.

SOURCE Ingenium

Media Contact, Philippe Tremblay, Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation, [email protected], 343-543-5337
Torrance, United States / California, May 22nd, 2024, CyberNewsWire

AI SPERA, a leader in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solutions, announced today that its proprietary search engine, Criminal IP, is now available on the AWS Marketplace. This integration ensures efficient software procurement and deployment, aligning seamlessly with customers existing cloud architectures.

After meeting specific technical and security standards set by AWS, the SaaS-based Criminal IP search engine ensures reliability and seamless integration with AWS services. The AWS Marketplace, a significant platform primarily used in the US, provides Criminal IP with access to a vast global customer base, enhancing its visibility and credibility. This listing demonstrates the critical role of AWS Marketplace in the softwares adoption and success.

<Criminal IP, a comprehensive threat intelligence tool, is now available on the AWS Marketplace>

Criminal IP excels in threat detection, empowering cybersecurity with unparalleled intelligence.

Criminal IP is the industrys leading IP address intelligence tool, leveraging AI and machine learning to provide unparalleled visibility into the risks associated with internet-connected devices. It offers comprehensive solutions for fraud detection, attack surface management, and threat hunting.

Additionally, Criminal IP offers seamless API integration, allowing effortless incorporation of threat intelligence data into existing services and security systems such as SOAR and SIEM. With a rich repository of cyber threat intelligence data, including risk classification, geographical insights, vulnerable asset graphs, and more, Criminal IP empowers organizations to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

Seamless Integration and Payment Flexibility Between AWS Marketplace and Criminal IP

Criminal IPs presence on the AWS Marketplace brings several conveniences for users. The interconnected tokens of AWS and Criminal IP seamlessly exchange information, allowing users to leverage both platforms strengths without encountering data silos or compatibility issues.

Additionally, customers enjoy consistent plans and subscription options on Criminal IP, regardless of whether transactions are initiated through Criminal IP or the AWS Marketplace. This uniformity extends to credit usage monitoring for specific features and APIs, accessible directly from the dashboard, promoting transparency and ease of management.

<Payments on AWS Marketplace seamlessly reflect on Criminal IP>

The most important aspect of entering the AWS Marketplace was to ensure easier compatibility between AWS Cloud and Criminal IP threat intelligence. We paid a lot of attention to interoperability with AWS products and credit management systems, stated Byungtak Kang, CEO of AI SPERA. We will continue to pursue Marketplace registration to secure global customers and increase interoperability with various clouds in the future.

Explore the detailed features of the newly listed Criminal IP on the AWS Marketplace, as well as Criminal IP ASM, an Automated Attack Surface Management SaaS solution that monitors all internet-connected assets and vulnerabilities.

About AI Spera

AI SPERA, a leader in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solutions, significantly expanded its reach with the launch of its flagship solution, Criminal IP, in 2023. Since then, the company has established technical and business collaborations with over 40 renowned global security firms, including VirusTotal, Cisco, Tenable, Sumo Logic, and Quad9.

Available in five languages (English, French, Arabic, Korean, and Japanese), the search engine ensures a powerful service for users worldwide.

In addition to the CTI search engine, the company also offers Criminal IP ASM, a SaaS-based Attack Surface Management Solution available on Azure Marketplace, and Criminal IP FDS, an AI-based Anomaly Detection Solution used for credential stuffing prevention and fraud detection.

Contact

Michael Sena

AI SPERA

[email protected]


Anna Stubblefield maintains it was love.

The then-Rutgers University professor said she had a breakthrough nearly 15 years ago with a nonverbal disabled adult student and they connected through facilitated communication using a keyboard.

They eventually developed romantic feelings and had sex, Stubblefield said.

The mans family, however, said it was rape because he could not consent. Prosecutors agreed and spent years trying to put the professor behind bars.

Now, six years after Stubblefield last appeared in a criminal court, the story is being told in a documentary called Tell Them You Love Me, on Sky Documentaries. The film features Stubblefield, the victims mother and brother, and experts, a synopsis says.

Through exclusive footage and interviews with those on both sides of the case, this feature documentary weaves a riveting and endlessly nuanced story about communication, race, and sex, the synopsis says.

The film uses the mans name. But, NJ Advance Media and other news organizations referred to him during the trial as D.J. because he was a sexual assault victim.

Stubblefield met D.J. in 2008, when she was teaching at Rutgers-Newark and he was a student. She was chair of the philosophy department.

They began meeting in 2009, first with his parents, then alone in her office. He was in his late 20s, she was in her late 30s. Stubblefield thought he was misdiagnosed, and she could help him communicate  through facilitated communication, using a computer.

In May 2011, Stubblefield told D.J.s family they had sex and were in love, and kissed him in front of his parents. They told her to leave him alone and reported her to Rutgers officials, who reported her to law enforcement.

The Essex County Prosecutors Office eventually charged Stubblefield, then of West Orange, and she went on trial in 2015. A jury convicted Stubblefield of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and a judge sentenced her to 12 years in prison.

I dont think Anna understood the depth of pain she caused my family, D.J.s brother said at her first sentencing in 2016, alleging the professor raped his brother.

The case was later overturned on appeal, and in 2018 Stubblefield and the prosecutors office reached a deal. She would plead guilty to third-degree charge of aggravated criminal sexual contact and the judge would sentence her to the time shed already served behind bars.

The deal called for Stubblefield to admit she knew at the time of her sexual contact with D.J. that hed been found mentally incompetent and could not legally consent. She also agreed to parole supervision for life and had to register as a sex offender under Megans Law.

In the documentary films teaser, Stubblefield says: Im not guilty of the crime.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that $7.7 billion in student loan debt relief has been disbursed to more than 160,000 Americans this month.

Bidens administration has been trying to highlight what it sees as monthly progress with its student debt relief programs despite a Supreme Court ruling that blocked the White Houses initial student loan forgiveness plan in 2023.

This latest wave of cancellations brings the total number of Americans who have seen their student debt canceled to 4.75 million, with a total of $167 billion in student debt canceled, according to the White House.

The most recent wave of relief will go to borrowers approved through the Biden administrations SAVE Plan, Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for qualifying public service workers or income-driven repayment programs.

Of the borrowers who qualified under the most recent announcement, 66,900 borrowers qualified through the PSLF program and had a total of $5.2 billion forgiven.

More than 54,000 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan who took out smaller loans for graduate school got a total of $613 million in relief. And an additional 39,200 borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment programs had a total of $1.9 billion forgiven.

The Biden administration has been working over the past few months to deliver relief to certain groups of borrowers under a different legal authority. In one example, borrowers with loan balances larger than what they initially borrowed would not have to pay interest on those loans.

The proposals are still being finalized but could take effect as soon as this fall.

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A former child-protection caseworker for New Jersey pleaded guilty Tuesday to child pornography charges more than two years after images were found on his phone at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Trent Collier, 57, of Kearny, pleaded guilty in federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Collier was arrested at the airport on Sept. 28, 2021, after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic. Law enforcement officers searched Colliers cellphone and found at least two images of child sexual abuse, Sellinger said.

At the time, Collier worked for the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Sellinger said Collier admitted sending child pornography to at least one other person via his phone and said the person sent child pornography to Colliers phone.

A further search of Colliers cellular phone uncovered multiple additional images of child sexual abuse, including images depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers, Sellinger said.

Collier faces up to 20 years in prison on each count, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10.

Colliers attorney, Carol Dominguez, an assistant federal public defender, did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A 319-page financial audit for the 2023-23 school year revealed the worst fears of Jersey City school district officials  the accounting and bookkeeping for one of the largest districts in the state was an unmitigated disaster.

Auditors found the district overpaid vendors, failed to report contracts to the state and county, failed to track vacation and sick time liability, kept invalid purchase orders on the books  and arguably worst of all, mismanaged numerous accounts related to employee payroll deductions and withholding transactions that amounted to a net loss of $2,428,896.

District officials laid the blame for the fiscal mess  the audit had 17 red flags  on former Business Administrator Regina Robinson. In a letter to the Department of Education requesting state oversight of the district earlier this year, Fernandez said Robinson cost the district millions of dollars in fines and unnecessary expenses.

Robinson, who has filed a whistleblower and discrimination lawsuit, and her attorney could not be reached for comment. Technically, she is still a district employee, who is serving an indefinite suspension. An attempt to terminate her on tenure charges earlier this year failed, but a source in the district said the school board agreed at the last meeting to file 42 tenure charges with the state against her.

We were in worst shape under the last administration and our last business administrator, so I find the 17 findings to be an improvement from where we were, Board of Education President DeJon Morris said.

Fernandez declined to comment on the audit until after it is presented to the school board at Wednesdays meeting, 6 p.m. at School 11 on Bergen Avenue.

An example of the shoddy accounting, according to the audit: Nearly $12 million in open purchase orders were determined to be invalid as the balances did not represent valid obligations of the district.

Morris said Dennis Frohnaphel, who took over as business administrator when Robinson was suspended in 2022, has been working on getting the books in order.

Everything Dr. Frohnaphel is doing now is a cleanup. Some of the issues we dealt with were so detrimental, they could not happen overnight. It is a long-term recovery, Morris said. Am I upset that we have findings? Yes. Am I surprised that we have findings? No.

The initial bid to file tenure charges against Robinson failed when some board members requested documentation on the then-24 charges, the source said, noting We are talking about extreme findings. The administration found additional errors (reviewing the tenure charges).

The boards financial problems arent as pressing as the citys finances had been since it accumulated $92 million in debt due to the revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2021 and 2022 city audit report showed overspending and unreliable reporting of finances saddled the city with more than $27 million in debt it eventually deferred to 2023.

The school district adopted a $1 billion-plus budget in April among squabbles both small and large  reminiscent of the previous term in which board members were harshly criticized for their bickering.

The board leadership changed earlier this year when Morris and Younass Barkouch assumed the president and vice president roles, respectively. At the next meeting Barkouch was replaced by board member George Blount as VP.

More recently, the board filed ethics charges against Barkouch over shouting the controversial and considered antisemitic pro-Palestinian slogan, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. He is the third board member in a year to face an ethics charge, following former President Natalia Ioffe and Morris.

Other findings in the districts audit report include salaries charged to grant programs without board approval and a failure to track the depreciation value of its owned assets equal to more than $480 million. The report said the estimated depreciation is over $245 million.

More than half of the buildings owned by the school district are over 80 years old. Morris said the district and the board will pay more attention to the districts financial reporting.

Obviously, this is an area we need to have more focus on, Morris said. Every institution has infractions and issues that they need improvement on.
A Washington state man who was accused of picking up over 20,000 pills laced with fentanyl in Secaucus, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Wednesday.

Jose Luis Pineda Torres, 48, of Monroe, Washington pleaded guilty to one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark, officials from the district attorneys office said.

Prosecutors accused Pineda Torres of traveling to a warehouse in Secaucus on Feb. 15, 2023 to pick up boxes that contained powder and more than 20,000 pills laced with fentanyl, authorities said.

An attorney for Pineda Torres did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
Ocean Grove has reopened part its damaged pier  which is built in the shape of a Christian cross  as it prepares for an influx of summer visitors amid an ongoing battle with state officials over Sunday morning access to the beach.

Workers installed a fence across the middle of the pier Tuesday, blocking access to the portion of the walkway that extends over the water. The pier had been closed for months due to an ongoing structural investigation.

The public is now able to walk on 243 feet of the 500-foot-long structure off the Ocean Grove boardwalk, said Gina LaPlaca, business administrator for Neptune Township.

Visitors could be seen Wednesday on Ocean Groves live webcam walking onto the newly-opened pier up to the new fence.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which owns the boardwalk and the pier, did not immediately respond to a request to comment Wednesday.

The new cross-shaped pier as seen on Saturday July 1, 2023, in Ocean Grove, N.J.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

Ocean Grove is a section of Neptune Township. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which was founded by Methodists during Ocean Groves days as a summer religious retreat, controls many of the public spaces in the community and leases land to homeowners and businesses.

The group spent $2 million rebuilding and redesigning the pier after it was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

The new pier closed in December, just eight months after opening, after three of the 88 newly-installed pilings were broken by waves, officials said.

Ocean Grove announced April 20 it would be reopening a portion of the pier.

The pier remains controversial because some residents objected to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association choosing to build the pier in the shape of a Christian cross, reflecting the areas history as a Methodist retreat.

The reopening comes amid a separate dispute between Ocean Grove and the state Department of Environmental Protection over beach access from the boardwalk. The association, founded in 1870, has traditionally barred access to the beach before noon on Sundays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend in another reflection of the towns Christian roots.

State officials said the restriction runs afoul of state law. In September, Ocean Grove was ordered to stop using chains and padlocked barriers blocking beach access on Sundays or risk fines of up to $25,000 per day.

Ocean Grove recently said it would lift the Sunday beach restriction when the summer season resumes this weekend, though officials from the camp meeting association are continuing their legal challenge to the ruling.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
The U.S. Department of State is telling Americans to steer clear of this popular South American destination as the summer travel season kicks off.

The State Department reissued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, the highest classification of travel warnings, due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws in Venezuela.

Reconsider travel due to wrongful detentions, terrorism and poor health infrastructure, the advisory continues.

Violent crimes such as kidnappings, armed robbery, carjacking and homicide are common in Venezuela. There is also a high risk that Americans could be wrongfully detained.

Political rallies, often against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, are common in the region and occur without notice. Maduro is seeking a third term in office in the countrys July elections.

Under Maduros tenure as president, millions of people have fallen into poverty and more than 7.7 million others have tried to flee the country, according to The Associated Press.

Here are a few of the precautions the State Department urges Americans to follow, if they decide to travel to Venezuela:

Avoid all land border crossings into Venezuela on the Colombian border.

Ensure you have a valid Venezuelan visa because visas are not available upon arrival.

Be prepared for the high risk of indefinite detention without consular access.

Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.

Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization and a proof of life protocol with your loved ones in case you are taken hostage.

Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.

Consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

You can find more guidance from the State Department while traveling in Venezuela and other high-risk areas here.

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Jasmine tea is tea scented with the aroma of jasmine blossoms and typically has green tea as its base.

When the fresh jasmine flowers are harvested, they are blended with layers of tea leaves. Workers stir the tea leaves and flowers overnight, allowing the leaves to absorb the aromatic scent of the jasmine blossoms.

The hot and humid climate and the sandy soil in Hengzhou City of south China's Guangxi provide favorable conditions for jasmine and tea plants to thrive, becoming the high-quality ingredients that are needed for jasmine tea.

Hengzhou's jasmine planting area reached 131,000 mu, about 8,733 hectares, with a fresh flower yield of 103,000 tons in 2023.

The average price of fresh flowers reached 34 yuan per kilogram, benefiting 340,000 jasmine farmers.

The city has over 130 jasmine tea enterprises, with a total output value of jasmine tea of 16.29 billion yuan, about 2.25 billion U.S. dollars.
Voters in North Devon will soon be able to decide who they want to run the country after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak officially announced today (May 22) that the next general election will take place on Thursday, July 4.

The announcement came following a specially scheduled Cabinet meeting that began at 4.15pm today and followed a day of feverish speculation in the media.

Cabinet ministers, including Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, arrived in Downing Street this afternoon amid heightened anticipation.

Mr Shapps delayed an overseas trip to attend the crucial meeting, highlighting the significance of today's proceedings.

The Home Office reportedly cleared ministers' diaries ahead of the meeting, signalling the importance of the announcement.

During the Cabinet session, Prime Minister Sunak informed his ministers of his decision to call the general election, marking the start of a critical period in British politics.

With the election date set for early July, voters across the country, including those in North Devon, will soon have the opportunity to decide who should run the country.

Selaine Saxby, the Conservative MP for North Devon, who was first elected in the 2019 general election with a majority of 14,813 votes (26.6 percent), will be seeking re-election.

Ms Saxby made history as the first female MP for the constituency.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, also looks to retain his seat. Cox, who entered the House of Commons on May 5, 2005, was re-elected in 2019 with a historic 60.1 percent of the vote and a majority of 24,992 votes (41.8 percent).

The BBC reported that parliament is scheduled to be dissolved next week, initiating the official election campaign period.
LAPORTE  A 36-year-old man faces two counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting at two people walking near his Michigan City home, according to a charging document.

"I need an attorney," Chad Topa told officers when asked what he had done, according to police.

Officers responded to a 911 call around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday from the 700 block of Plymouth Court and saw Topa emerging from the area of nearby railroad tracks carrying a shotgun, police said.

Topa complied with an order to put down the gun and officers spotted another man and a woman coming out of hiding, police said.

Topa told officers the man and woman were lingering near his home on the other side of the nearby railroad tracks, but they never came on to his property, police said.

"He noted that they were having 'an active domestic dispute,'" police said.

Serious violent felon nabbed with gun, drugs, police say MICHIGAN CITY  Information provided to police resulted in the arrest this week of a "serious violent felon" on charges of illegally possessin

When asked what he did in response, Topa chuckled, according to the charging document. He then made the comment about needing an attorney.

"He asked if we wanted to listen to crackheads fight for over an hour," police said.

The woman told officers Topa approached her and the man as they walked along a trail and claimed they were on his property and needed to "get the (expletive) off," police said

He gave them just seconds to leave before shooting the gun twice into the ground, the woman claimed, according to police.

Driver blocking highway was 3 times legal limit for drinking, could not remember crash, cops say The accused then said he wasn't positive he struck the truck and could not remember what he hit, saying it could have been another vehicle or possibly a concrete wall, according to police.

The man and woman said Topa then "scoped them" and told them he had a clear shot to kill them both, according to the charges.

The woman, who is pregnant, fled, leaving her things behind, police said.

Topa is accused of shooting again and possibly striking a tree, police said.

Topa fired the gun a total of four times, according to police.

Topa was charged with attempted murder, attempted aggravated battery and aggravated battery.

He is being held at the LaPorte County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond, according to officials.
JASPER COUNTY  The family of a man who died in a single-vehicle crash last month has been located, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department reports.

The county coroner's office asked April 29 for the public's help in locating the family of Ivan Navarrette-Lovera, a 40-year-old resident of Mexico and Chicago, who died in a local crash.

Serious violent felon nabbed with gun, drugs, police say MICHIGAN CITY  Information provided to police resulted in the arrest this week of a "serious violent felon" on charges of illegally possessin

County police announced Wednesday morning that following weeks of investigation with the help of the FBI, his body was positively identified and his family was contacted in conjunction with the Mexican consulates in Indianapolis and Chicago.

"A niece from Chicago has come to Jasper County and claimed his remains, on May 15, 2024," police said.
CROWN POINT  Is it a crime for an election candidate to give away ice cream at no charge to anyone who wants some?

The Lake County prosecutor's office must answer that question after the bipartisan Lake County Election Board voted 3-1 Tuesday to refer the alleged actions of an unsuccessful Republican committeeman candidate in St. John's 14th precinct for possible prosecution.

The election board majority concluded Rudy Bambic, of St. John, committed a substantial violation of Indiana election law by distributing free ice cream outside Clark Middle School from an ice cream truck that had a handwritten sign reading "Vote Rudy Bambic SJ #14" attached to its side.

According to the board, Bambic and his allies allegedly provided free ice cream at various locations in the precinct on May 3 and May 4, were ordered by an election board attorney May 4 to stop giving away ice cream, and again distributed ice cream outside the middle school, which was a polling place, in the final hours of primary election voting May 7.

Under Indiana law, it is a level 6 felony for a person to give, offer or promise to any person any money or any other property for the purpose of inducing or procuring another person to vote for or against a candidate at an election.

"The giving of gifts while supporting a candidate is becoming more and more active, and I think it really needs to be nipped in the bud. So I wouldn't mind the prosecutor taking a look at it," said Michael Mellon, a Republican election board member.

Mellon's suggestion to refer Bambic to the prosecutor was supported by Republican John Reed and Democratic Lake County Clerk Mike Brown. It was opposed by J. Justin Murphy, a Democratic proxy election board member, who said the operator of the ice cream truck  whom Bambic reluctantly identified as St. John Town Manager Billy Manousopoulos  should be the subject of the complaint.

Kevin Smith, the Democratic election board president, abstained from voting on the complaint filed by Republican Charles Kallas, of Griffith, because Smith, who is an attorney, said he previously represented Bambic in an unrelated legal matter.

For his part, Bambic seemed unaware of the Indiana statute until the board members read it to him. But Bambic insisted he still did nothing wrong because the ice cream was not being provided directly in exchange for votes.

"Was I in the ice cream truck? Yes. I mean, we were giving ice cream away to kids. It's not like I was intentionally or doing anything where I was trying to buy votes for a position I'm not even getting paid for," Bambic said.

In fact, Bambic didn't even get the position. Records show his 80 votes for Republican committeeman in St. John's 14th precinct were 28 short of the winner, former Town Councilman Mike Aurelio. Another 12 votes went to Michael Morecraft.

The election board dismissed a separate compliant filed against Republican St. John Councilman Mike Bouvat by Gerald Bromley after the board concluded Bouvat likely did not violate election law by allegedly assisting Bambic in distributing free ice cream.

There is no timeline for a decision by the prosecutor on whether to file charges against Bambic.

Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region First Physician Great Sauk (Sac) Trail St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston Dutch in the Calumet Region St. John Township School, District #2 The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section Froebel School - side 1 Froebel School Stewart Settlement House Stewart Settlement House Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Bailly Homestead Iron Brigade Willow Creek Confrontation Ogden ski jump.jpg Teale 1.jpg Teale 2.jpg Steel 1.jpg Steel 2.jpg Civil War camps.jpg Old lighthouse.jpg Railroad.jpg Camp Anderson.jpg Boundary line 1.jpg Boundary line 2.jpg LaPorte courthouse 1.jpg LaPorte courthouse 2.jpg Carnegie 1.jpg Carnegie 2.jpg Rumely Co 1.jpg Rumely Co 2.jpg Lincoln train 1.jpg Lincoln train 2.jpg LaPorte university 1.jpg Laporte university 2.jpg Gary Roosevelt 1 Gary Roosevelt 2 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 1.jpg Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 2.jpg
Just over $500,000 in grant funds from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management will be used by the City of Gary to install fencing and security cameras at two of the city's worst illegal dumping sites.

Both 1000 N. Clark Road and 890 Chase St. have seen extensive illegal dumping for years and now contain large piles of garbage and debris.

"We need to secure those sites in order to prevent any further dumping and to make sure where we've cleaned them, we don't have to go back and expend additional resources," Chief of Staff Ellis Dumas told the Gary Common Council during its meeting Tuesday.

The council voted unanimously in favor of a spending plan for the money, which was awarded through IDEM's Pollution Prevention Grant Program.

Cracking down on illegal dumping was one of Gary Mayor Eddie Melton's core campaign promises during the 2023 mayoral election, and the mayor reiterated his pledge during during his State of the City address last month.

During the meeting's public comment period, Gary resident Jim Nowacki claimed that debris from city-funded demolition jobs makes up a significant portion of the dumping at 890 Chase St. The property is owned by the Gary Redevelopment Commission.

Nowacki accused the city of not collecting detailed manifests from city contractors showing that demolition debris had been properly disposed of. His remarks echoed claims made by Andy Young, another Gary landowner, in a May 18 open letter to city officials.

Council President Tai Adkins, D-4th, told Nowacki that "we were just made aware of this issue," adding that "the mayor is aware of what's happening in this regard and is taking this as seriously as possible."

"They are making sure that they get down to the bottom of what should have happened in the past and trying to rectify and mitigate this issue," she said.

In his own remarks, Melton, who took office Jan. 1, stressed that 890 Chase St. and other illegal dumping grounds are a problem that long predates his administration. He pushed back against Nowacki's insinuation that the city has not taken the issue seriously.

"When we talked with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the City of Gary was actually going to be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars  close to $800,000  because we as a city had not cleaned the site up," Melton said.

Instead, he said, his administration was able to secure funding from the agency to help stop future dumping at the site.

"With these issues, don't make it seem like we're not doing our job," Melton told Nowacki.

PHOTOS: First Gary Common Council meeting of 2024 Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting
A former model filed a lawsuit on Tuesday accusing the hip-hop mogul Sean Combs of forcing her to perform oral sex on him at his New York City recording studio in 2003.

In the complaint, Crystal McKinney says that when she was 22, an unnamed fashion designer invited her to attend a Mens Fashion Week event at a restaurant in Manhattan, where she met Mr. Combs, who was a well-known record label impresario and host of the MTV reality show Making the Band.

Later that night, according to the lawsuit, Mr. Combs invited her to his recording studio, where Ms. McKinney says she was given alcohol and marijuana that she later came to believe was laced. She says Mr. Combs led her to the bathroom, shoved her head down to his crotch and, after she refused, forced her to perform oral sex on him. Soon after, the lawsuit says, she lost consciousness, later awakening in a cab and realizing that she had been sexually assaulted.

Representatives for Mr. Combs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

Mr. Combs, 54, has been facing deepening legal troubles since his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit against him last year in which she accused him of sexually and physically abusing her for years. The lawsuit was settled in one day, but three more suits followed from women who accused him of rape. In March, two of Mr. Combss homes were raided as part of an investigation that officials said is at least in part a human trafficking inquiry.
In a wide-ranging interview with three of my colleagues, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the U.S. and its European allies should be doing more to support his country in its fight against Russia. He specifically proposed that NATO planes begin shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine.

Whats the problem? Zelensky asked. Why cant we shoot them down? Is it defense? Yes. Is it an attack on Russia? No. Are you shooting down Russian planes and killing Russian pilots? No. So whats the issue with involving NATO countries in the war? There is no such issue.

Over nearly an hour, Zelensky spoke with frustration and bewilderment at the Wests reluctance to take bolder steps to ensure that Ukraine prevails. He offered a forceful rebuttal to U.S. hesitation, and urged the Americans to send advanced defense systems and permit his military to fire U.S.-provided weapons into Russia.

His pleas come at a critical time. Russian forces today closed in on a town in Ukraines northeast, seeking to push back Ukrainian troops from the border before more American weapons arrive. Zelensky insisted that the only way to defend against such assaults would be to use Western weapons to strike at military targets inside Russia.
This may come as a surprise, but James Barron, despite being a font of quirky, classic New York tales, is not, in fact, a lifelong New Yorker. Some city purists may scoff, but Mr. Barron has made up for his first 22 years by spending the last 40-some finding the stories that even born-and-raised New Yorkers may never have heard.

There was the time, for instance, that he went to see Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera and was so captivated by the cars and trucks that crisscrossed the stage that he just had to know how they worked. Or the morning he saw an ancient Crown Victoria taxi on the street and set out to track down what was then the oldest cab still carrying passengers. Or hearing about  then, visiting  the citys oldest private dwelling.

Im thinking about, What are the things New Yorkers care about? said Mr. Barron, who has written the New York Today newsletter, a weekday roundup of news stories and only-in-New-York tales, since 2021.

Mr. Barron has worked for The New York Times for more than four decades. He joined the paper as a copy boy the week after he graduated from Princeton University in 1977; it was the job that prompted his move to New York. Aside from a few years reporting from Albany, Long Island and Detroit, hes always covered  and resided in  New York City.
Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, called former President Donald J. Trump a known antisemite in a video released on Tuesday, a notable escalation of attacks by President Bidens campaign against Mr. Trump over his language about Jews.

Mr. Emhoffs remarks came in an afternoon social media post by the Biden campaign with the anodyne title Second Gentleman @DouglasEmhoff responds to Trump attacking Jewish Americans.

The last person Im going to take advice from as a Jewish person is a known antisemite whos had dinner with antisemites, who said there was good people on both sides after Charlottesville, Mr. Emhoff says in the video, after he apparently watches a weeks-old video of Mr. Trump proclaiming that Jews who vote for Mr. Biden have to have their head examined.

Mr. Emhoff adds for emphasis, Hes the last person Im going to take advice from.

The Biden campaign has been seeking to extend a news cycle that began this week when Mr. Trump posted, then later took down, a video on social media that included old-time newspaper headlines saying a victory by him in November would bring about a unified Reich. Mr. Biden, in a video released by his campaign, accused Mr. Trump of using Hitlers language.
In one of the most closely watched congressional races in the country, Democrats in Oregon have chosen State Representative Janelle Bynum to challenge the Republican incumbent, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to The Associated Press.

Ms. Chavez-DeRemer, who did not face a challenger in the primary, won the states Fifth Congressional District seat two years ago  becoming one of 17 Republicans in districts around the country where President Biden prevailed in the 2020 presidential race.

Democratic voters had a choice between two candidates who had previously competed against Ms. Chavez-DeRemer. Ms. Bynum, a state lawmaker who beat Ms. Chavez-Deremer in two races for the State House, was running with the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as the party looks to win control of the U.S. House.

With votes still left to be counted in the primarily mail-voting state, Ms. Bynum carried 70 percent of the vote as of Tuesday night. Oregons Fifth Congressional District stretches from the suburbs of Portland across the Cascade mountains to the city of Bend.
Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on voting by noncitizens, which happens rarely and is already illegal in federal elections, in a move that reinforces former President Donald J. Trumps efforts to delegitimize the 2024 results if he loses.

On Thursday, House Republicans plan to vote on a bill that would roll back a District of Columbia law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, which they contend is needed to prevent Democrats from expanding the practice to other jurisdictions. And they are advancing another measure that would require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering a person to vote.

The legislation has virtually no chance of becoming law, but it serves to amplify one of Mr. Trumps favorite pre-emptive claims of election fraud. It also underscores Republicans embrace of a groundless narrative  one that echoes the racist great replacement conspiracy theory  that Democrats are intentionally allowing migrants to stream into the United States illegally in order to dilute the voting power of American citizens and lock in electoral victories for themselves.

Speaker Mike Johnson recently appeared alongside Mr. Trump at Mar-a-Lago, the former presidents Florida resort and residence, to announce a pledge to get tough on migrants flowing across the border, suggesting with no evidence that they were coming in unchecked as part of a plot to vote for President Biden.
None of the food and supplies that have entered the Gaza Strip through a U.S.-built temporary pier in its first five days of operation have been distributed to Palestinians by aid organizations, Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, said at a news briefing on Tuesday.

General Ryder said that 569 metric tons of aid had made it onto Gazas shore, but that those supplies had yet to be parceled out by humanitarian organizations.

On Saturday, hungry crowds looted several World Food Program trucks transporting aid that had been delivered through the pier, prompting the agency to suspend deliveries of aid arriving at the pier on Sunday and Monday.

General Ryder also said that after discussions with Israel and the United Nations, alternative routes for the safe movement of staff and cargo had been established. The aid is now being taken to warehouses for further distribution, he said.

We do anticipate that assistance will be distributed in the coming days, of course, conditions permitting, he said.

The temporary pier is one of few remaining entry points for aid shipments after Israels incursion into Rafah, in southern Gaza, earlier this month. Israel not only seized the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt but also closed the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel. Those were the two main entry points for truck convoys carrying aid overland.

Though Israel has since reopened Kerem Shalom, only 69 trucks have entered Gaza through it in the past two weeks, according to U.N. data. That is far fewer than the number of aid trucks that were entering through the two southern border crossings before Israeli troops went into Rafah. That number peaked at 340 trucks a day.

The 569 metric tons that have arrived at the pier so far are a fraction of the amount of aid that was entering Gaza through land routes before Israel seized the Rafah crossing. The United Nations estimates that trucks carrying food to Gaza have been loaded with roughly 15 to 30 metric tons each.

The pier system, which cost an estimated $300 million, became operational on Thursday, after it was connected to the Mediterranean shore in central Gaza. On Friday, the first trucks of aid began moving ashore. So far, however, the operation has fallen short of its goal of bringing in 90 trucks a day and eventually ramping up to 150 trucks.

General Ryder said that more aid was on the way but that the U.S. military was taking a crawl, walk, run approach, working out the logistical hurdles and taking into account security conditions. So I think youre going to see as we work together the amount of aid increase, and the ability to get it distributed increase, he said.
Pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly interrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday as he began testifying to a Senate committee, calling him a war criminal.

The blood of 40,000 Palestinians is on his hands, one woman shouted as she rushed the witness table where Mr. Blinken sat before officers carried her out of the room.

The heckling started as soon as Mr. Blinken entered the hearing room on Tuesday morning. Demonstrators  some with their hands painted red  quietly stood up and called him a war criminal and the secretary of genocide.

Moments later, when Mr. Blinken began his opening remarks, the group intensified its tactics.

Blinken, you will be remembered as the butcher of Gaza, Mohamad Habehh, the development director of American Muslims for Palestine, shouted at the secretary while holding up a Palestinian flag, bringing the hearing to a halt temporarily.

It took a number of Capitol Police officers to forcibly remove Mr. Habehh from the room as he shouted about Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl, saying that the United States and Mr. Blinken were culpable for her death and those of thousands of other civilians killed in Gaza.

Since the war began, Mr. Blinken, who has managed U.S.-Israel relations as the war in Gaza grinds on, has regularly drawn pro-Palestinian protesters at his public appearances, and an encampment even sprang up outside his Northern Virginia home featuring Palestinian flags and handmade signs expressing fury at the man who has become the face of President Bidens policy toward the conflict.

On Capitol Hill on Tuesday, he did not respond to the protesters and members of the committee largely ignored them, instead continuing to ask questions about the departments budget and the national security and foreign relations priorities Mr. Blinken laid out.

A similar scene unfolded in October when Mr. Blinken was on Capitol Hill appearing in front of senators to request billions in American foreign aid for Israel. At that time, protesters disrupted the hearing with chants accusing the United States of supporting genocide and carried signs calling for a cease-fire.

There was no call for a cease-fire from protesters on Tuesday, and the tenor of attacks was more personal. A number of demonstrators, some of whom were from the antiwar group CODEPINK, carried signs and wore T-shirts that read bloody Blinken.

Mr. Blinkens appearance in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came as Democrats continue to be divided over the administrations Israel policy.

Mr. Biden earlier this month intervened to stop a shipment of weapons to Israel and said that he would withhold similar transfers if Israel conducted a major offensive military campaign in Rafah, where millions of Palestinians have relocated to flee the violence in other parts of Gaza.
Zelensky urged NATO to do more in a Times interview

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the U.S. and Europe to do more to defend Ukraine, in a wide-ranging interview with The Times. He proposed that NATO planes shoot down Russian missiles in Ukrainian airspace.

Whats the problem? Zelensky said during the interview on Monday in Kyiv. Why cant we shoot them down? Is it defense? Yes. Is it an attack on Russia? No. Are you shooting down Russian planes and killing Russian pilots? No. So whats the issue with involving NATO countries in the war? There is no such issue.

That kind of direct NATO involvement, which analysts say could provoke Russia to retaliate, has been resisted in Western capitals. Zelensky drew a comparison to how the U.S. and Britain helped Israel shoot down a barrage of drones and missiles from Iran last month.

Zelensky said he had also appealed to senior U.S. officials to allow Ukraine to fire U.S. missiles and other weaponry at military targets inside Russia, a tactic the U.S. continues to oppose. The inability to do so, he said, gave Russia a huge advantage in cross-border warfare that it is exploiting with assaults in Ukraines northeast.
Gilberto Pozo, a biologist, was monitoring a small forest in the town of Cunduacan, in southern Mexico, in early May when two mantled howler monkeys fell from a tree in front of him with a thud.

They were dehydrated and received treatment, he said. But they didnt survive.

At first, Dr. Pozo and his team at Cobius, a nonprofit conservation group, thought the monkeys had been overcome by smoke from fires set by farmers clearing land nearby.

But, as temperatures soared over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks, dozens of reports of dead monkeys started popping up. Residents were finding groups of 10 or more dead at a time, many also showing signs of dehydration. As of Wednesday, 147 monkeys have died in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas in southern Mexico.

The deaths of dozens of mantled howler monkeys in Mexico may be the latest sign of the danger extreme temperatures pose to wildlife around the world. As global temperatures have shattered records, scientists have recently documented a die-off of Amazon dolphins and a mass bleaching event in the worlds coral reefs.
When I arrived at Raziqs compound, I saw him sitting cross-legged on a carpeted platform, receiving a long line of guests. He was not what I expected. Trim and cheerful, clean-shaven and barely 30, he wasnt much older than I, yet he was leading several thousand men under arms. I reached the front of the line, and Raziq shook my hand to welcome me before turning to the next guest. We would never get the chance to meet again, but that was the beginning of my long quest to understand the paradox he represented.

As inexperienced as I was, I knew enough to be puzzled by Raziqs success. Why was the U.S. military, which was supposed to be supporting democracy and human rights in Afghanistan, working closely with a drug trafficker and murderer? One of his commanders, his uncle Janan, even wore a U.S. Army uniform given to him by his advisers, complete with a First Infantry Division patch and the Stars and Stripes.
Salvatore Carlino knows what it takes to make the perfect New York slice: He grew up in his parents pizza shop, Papa Leone, in Brooklyns Sheepshead Bay, and now owns his own pizzeria, Lucia, with locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

So when a New York Times reporter called to inform him that a member of Congress planned to declare New Haven, Conn., and not New York City, the pizza capital of the United States on the House floor, Mr. Carlinos response was swift.

This has to be a prank call, he said, insisting. Twice.

Oh, no, Frank Tuttolomondo, who owns Mamas Too in Manhattan, said when he learned of the effort. No way; theyre outta their minds.

But in fact, Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut on Wednesday read a statement into the Congressional Record that declared New Haven to have the best pizza in the country, she said in a news release earlier this week. Its not even close.
The men and women came to Capitol Hill last week bearing surgical scars, long medical histories and fading photographs of loved ones long dead. They came from across the country to walk the halls of Congress and show lawmakers the human cost of the U.S. nuclear weapons program.

They call themselves downwinders  a global community of people who lived near nuclear testing sites. In America, more than 100 nuclear devices were exploded in aboveground tests in New Mexico and Nevada from 1945 to 1962. For decades, members of the communities near those sites, as well as others involved in weapons production, have endured rare cancers, autoimmune disorders and other illnesses. But only some have been compensated by the federal government for what theyve gone through.

The downwinders who visited Washington last week are not currently eligible for federal assistance because they dont live in the designated areas in Utah, Nevada and Arizona covered under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, known as RECA. The 1990 legislation has provided billions of dollars to people exposed to harmful radiation during U.S. nuclear tests or while mining uranium. But many affected communities, including those in southern New Mexico where J. Robert Oppenheimers team conducted the first atomic blast in 1945, were left off the list.

They have been fighting to be included under the law. Now RECA is to expire on June 7, bringing an end to the program. A bill stalled in Congress would extend the law and expand compensation to nearly all Americans whose documented health struggles are linked to the nuclear weapons program. The White House supports it. The Senate passed it in a rare bipartisan vote, 69 to 30, in March.
The fight to eradicate polio has been long and difficult. Its been nearly 50 years since vaccines eliminated the disease in the United States. But polio continues to this day disabling or killing children in some harder to reach parts of the world. The good news is that we are now on the cusp of eradicating this terrible disease everywhere and forever.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a consortium of major players in the fight  the Gates Foundation, Rotary International, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The group has the ambitious aim to end transmission of the virus that causes the disease, wild poliovirus, by the end of the year in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two countries where it is still actively infecting humans. If the initiative succeeds, it will be the culmination of a campaign that has reduced the incidence of paralytic wild poliovirus from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988 to just 12 known cases last year.

It will also be a result of what may seem like a counterintuitive strategy: Knowledge about the disease flows not just from medical experts in great research centers to people in developing nations, but the other way as well, with workers on the front lines providing crucial information to stop the disease in their own areas and beyond. The lesson here: The medical tools needed to detect and contain any disease work best in the hands of the people most directly affected by it. Having used this strategy to stop polio, people in developing nations are already looking to apply those same tools against other diseases, both familiar and emerging.

Along the remote, mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the people on the front lines of the polio eradication effort are mostly women, and mostly members of the communities they serve. Each team is responsible for up to 75 houses, going door to door (or sometimes mosque to mosque), providing a dose of oral polio vaccine to every child in every five-day campaign. Because the communities are poor, and because families can lose patience with repeated visits focused only on polio, the workers also bring nutritional supplements, health information and other resources. Their job is to build trust in villages where people are prone to distrust, and to keep parents engaged in the fight. (In 2011, the fake vaccination campaign reportedly staged by the Central Intelligence Agency in its hunt for Osama bin Laden served only to deepen that distrust.)
The Unstoppables is a series about people whose ambition is undimmed by time. Below, Ali MacGraw explains, in her own words, what continues to motivate her.

You know, Im a strange old bird at this point. I live north of Santa Fe, kind of in nature, and Im very involved with the community. Im blessed to be in good health. and I know so many people who dont have that choice. I have a life that makes me happy.

Looking back, it seems so strange that  overnight, at 30  I became a movie star. Im relieved I got out of that often exciting, often terrifying decade alive. Id been working since I was 14, but I hadnt gone to school for acting. I was chosen to be in Goodbye, Columbus, and then everything exploded with the stupefying surprise of Love Story  this cost-nothing project nobody expected to be a success.
Last fall, a Barnard College sophomore named Sophie Fisher reached out to her freshman year roommate to catch up over coffee. Her old friends response was tepid, and Ms. Fisher wondered why. The two had been close enough that the roommate had come to the bar mitzvah of Ms. Fishers brother.

Several months later, the reason became clear.

Over Instagram, Ms. Fishers roommate wrote to her that they couldnt be friends anymore because she had been posting in support of Israel since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7. In other words, she was a Zionist. Ms. Fisher thought she had been careful to avoid inflammatory posts, but the roommate, Ms. Fisher said, accused her of racism.

Then she blocked Ms. Fisher.

Around the same time, Ms. Fisher noticed something else strange. Her big  a mentor in her sorority  had stopped talking to her. When they were in the same room, Ms. Fisher said, the big wouldnt make eye contact with her. Ms. Fisher said that her big often posted about Students for Justice in Palestine, the campus group that Columbia had suspended in November for violating campus policies. Ms. Fisher remains in the sorority, but the two havent spoken in months.

She was supposed to be my big sister, she said.

This spring, college campuses became the main stage for the American protest movement against Israels seven-month-old war in Gaza. In April and May, dozens of pro-Palestinian encampments sprang up at universities around the country, as students called for institutional divestment from (and, at times, for the total dismantling of) Israel.
When Michelle Terry, the artistic director at Shakespeares Globe theater in London, decided to put on a production of Richard III with a feminist twist, she probably didnt expect accusations of discrimination. But thats what she got. The run-up to the shows premiere on Tuesday was overshadowed by a controversy over the fact that Terry had cast herself as the villainous title character despite not having a physical disability.

The play depicts a set of murderous machinations whereby Richard, Duke of Gloucester, achieves his ascent to the English throne in 1483, and the events leading to his demise at the hands of Henry, Earl of Richmond, who would become Henry VII, the first Tudor king. Richard, described as deformed in the plays opening lines, has traditionally been portrayed as a hunchback  almost always by able-bodied actors, with only a few notable exceptions in recent years. (In 2022 Arthur Hughes, who has radial dysplasia, became the first disabled actor to play Richard for the Royal Shakespeare Company.)

When Shakespeares Globe announced its casting earlier this year, the Disabled Artists Alliance, a British organization, published an open letter condemning it as offensive and distasteful, since Richards disabled identity is imbued and integral to all corners of the script.
In popular imagination, Frances Fontainebleau is inextricably linked to its grand Chateau. But when I visit, I typically skip it entirely. Yes, the 1,500-room Chateau de Fontainebleau that was inhabited by French kings and emperors for eight centuries may seem the most arresting attraction in this region 37 miles south of Paris. Instead, its the surrounding forest that entices me to return again and again.

The 50,000-acre Forest of Fontainebleau was once prized by the royals for its exceptional hunting grounds. Now it is Frances second largest national forest and part of the Fontainebleau & Gatinais UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, drawing 15 million visitors annually for bouldering, trail running, forest bathing and other activities, thanks to a topography that combines forested, wet and dry environments, and three massifs  Fontainebleau, Les Trois Pignons and la Commanderie.
To glimpse the tumultuous transitions in American college leadership these days, look no further than the witnesses set to testify at a congressional hearing on Thursday, the fourth in a fiery series on campus antisemitism that has helped topple two university presidents.

Jonathan Holloway, the Rutgers University president and possible contender to succeed the Yale leader who is stepping down next month, will speak. So will Chancellor Gene D. Block of the University of California, Los Angeles, who will leave his post in July and hand off his job of 17 years to someone so far unnamed.

In most any other era, the next leaders of U.C.L.A. and Yale would have already been announced. But the uncertainties from California to Connecticut show just how complex top campus jobs have become in an environment that has grown increasingly polarized.

Since December, Cornell, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania have abruptly announced presidential departures, with Harvard and Penns departures coming after widely derided appearances before Congress.
When Dorothy Jean Tillman II successfully defended her dissertation in November 2023 to earn her doctoral degree from Arizona State University, she couldnt wait to share the news with her best friend.

It was a surreal moment, Dr. Tillman said, because it was crazy I was doing it in the first place.

Dr. Tillman, at only 17, became the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona States College of Health Solutions, all before she was eligible to vote. Earlier this month, Dr. Tillman, now 18, took part in Arizona States commencement ceremony and delivered remarks as the outstanding 2024 graduate at the College of Health Solutions convocation.

Lesley Manson, program director for the doctorate of behavioral health at Arizona State and Dr. Tillmans doctoral chair, said Dr. Tillman displayed extraordinary perseverance, hard work and dedication for her young age, tackling every challenge head-on.
The tornado had just hit Greenfield, Iowa, and residents were already using skid loaders to clear streets. With the hospital damaged, they took the wounded to a medical triage center at the local lumberyard. And across western Iowa, paramedics and police officers were speeding toward the small town to help.

Everybody became little makeshift ambulances, said Ray Sorensen, a member of the Iowa House of Representatives who lives in Greenfield, and who said he helped with the rescues after racing back to town shortly after the storm hit on Tuesday afternoon. We pulled a guy from the rubble and put him on a little makeshift stretcher that we made, threw him in the back of a truck.

On Wednesday, the roughly 2,000 residents of Greenfield, 60 miles southwest of Des Moines, began to get a clearer look at the destruction all around. Gov. Kim Reynolds said some areas had been flattened into debris, and the National Weather Service reported at least EF-3 damage in the town, using the 0-to-5 rating system for tornado severity.
A suspicious package with two vials of blood prompted a lockdown at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, the authorities said.

The vials were addressed to former President Donald J. Trump, according to a law enforcement official who insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The package also contained ice packs and a Korean-language Bible, according to Brianna Burch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol Police, who said that the incident remained under investigation.

The R.N.C. and Mr. Trumps campaign did not immediately comment on the situation, which drew a heavy law enforcement response and played out just a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol.
Since the first American shipments of sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, President Biden has never wavered on one prohibition: President Volodymyr Zelensky had to agree to never fire them into Russian territory, insisting that would violate Mr. Bidens mandate to avoid World War III.

But the consensus around that policy is fraying. Propelled by the State Department, there is now a vigorous debate inside the administration over relaxing the ban to allow the Ukrainians to hit missile and artillery launch sites just over the border in Russia  targets that Mr. Zelensky says have enabled Moscows recent territorial gains.

The proposal, pressed by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken after a sobering visit to Kyiv last week, is still in the formative stages, and it is not clear how many of his colleagues among Mr. Bidens inner circle have signed on. It has not yet been formally presented to the president, who has traditionally been the most cautious, officials said.

The State Department spokesman, Matthew A. Miller, declined to comment on the internal deliberations over Ukraine policy, including Mr. Blinkens report after his return from Kyiv.
The campus police chief for the University of California, Los Angeles, has been removed from his post in the aftermath of a violent, hourslong attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment at the school, during which security officers did not intervene.

The chief, John Thomas, has been reassigned temporarily while the university examines its security processes, according to U.C.L.A. officials.

Mr. Thomas had been under intense criticism over the universitys delayed response to the melee on the night of April 30 in which people were beaten with poles or kicked, objects were thrown and chemicals were sprayed into the air. The attack was instigated by dozens of counterprotesters, many of whom did not appear to be students, based on videos of the incident.

Even after officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived on the scene, no arrests were made that night.
The city of Uvalde, Texas, has reached a settlement with most of the families of children who were shot by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in 2022, lawyers for the families said on Wednesday. To avert a lawsuit, the city promised to overhaul the citys police force, create a permanent memorial to the victims and pay $2 million, the lawyers said.

The settlement, announced at a news conference in Uvalde, involved the largest group of potential plaintiffs: 17 families of children who were killed during the May 24 massacre, and two families of children who were wounded.

In addition, the lawyers said they had filed a new lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety over the failure of its officers to rapidly engage the gunman, who killed a total of 19 children and two teachers inside a pair of connected classrooms. That lawsuit also names as defendants Pete Arredondo, who was chief of the Uvalde public school police department when the shooting occurred, and Mandy Gutierrez, who was principal of the school at the time.

State police officers, along with scores of officers from local agencies and federal agents, were outside the classrooms for 77 minutes before a team, led by federal Border Patrol agents, breached a door and killed the gunman.
Southwestern Iowa was reeling Wednesday after a destructive wave of storms, including a tornado, swept across the state the day before, leaving five people dead and at least 35 injured, the authorities said.

The tornado devastated the city of Greenfield, where survey teams estimated it had wind gusts of up to 165 miles an hour, powerful enough to cause major damage to buildings.

It is just gut-wrenching, Gov. Kim Reynolds said at a news conference on Wednesday morning in Greenfield, where large swaths of the town were destroyed by the tornado. It is just horrific; it is hard to describe.
The Latest

A small study published Monday suggested that higher levels of fluoride consumed during the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with a greater risk of behavioral problems in the mothers children at 3 years old. The authors of the study, which was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency and published in the journal JAMA Network Open, believe it is the first to examine links between prenatal fluoride exposure and child development among families living in the United States, where fluoride is often added to community water supplies to prevent dental cavities.

The studys authors and some outside researchers said that the findings should prompt policymakers to evaluate the safety of fluoride consumption during pregnancy.

I think its a warning sign, said Dr. Beate Ritz, an environmental epidemiologist at the U.C.L.A. Fielding School of Public Health.

But other experts cautioned that the study had several important limitations that made it difficult to assess the potential effects of fluoride consumption during pregnancy.

There is nothing about this study that alarms me or would make me recommend that pregnant women stop drinking tap water, said Dr. Patricia Braun, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Background

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, and research suggests that drinking water with added fluoride can reduce cavities by up to 25 percent. Many communities in the United States have added fluoride to their water for this reason since the 1940s, a practice widely celebrated as a major public health achievement. In 2020, 63 percent of people in the United States lived in areas with at least 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride in the water  considered optimal for cavity prevention  though some areas have levels that are higher, in part because of naturally high fluoride in the groundwater.

In the last few years, several studies from Mexico and Canada have suggested that fluoride exposure during pregnancy is linked to slightly lower scores on intelligence tests and other measures of cognitive function in children.

But recent studies from Spain and Denmark have found no such link.

There is a contentious debate about water fluoridation, acknowledged Ashley Malin, an assistant professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida and the lead author of the new study. The issue is currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Food and Water Watch and other groups against the Environmental Protection Agency. The nonprofit claims that water fluoridation poses a risk to childrens health.

The Research

The study looked at a group of 229 predominantly low-income Hispanic pregnant women in Los Angeles who were already being followed in other research. Most of the women lived in areas with fluoridated water. The researchers measured the fluoride levels in their urine in a single test during the third trimester. Then, when their children were 3 years old, the mothers filled out the Preschool Child Behavior Checklist, a measure used to detect emotional, behavioral and social problems.

Overall, 14 percent of the children had a total score in the borderline clinical or clinical range, meaning that a doctor may want to watch or evaluate them, or provide additional support, Dr. Malin said. And on average, higher fluoride levels in the mothers urine were correlated with a greater risk of behavioral problems in the children. The researchers found that women with urine fluoride levels at the 75th percentile were 83 percent more likely to have children with borderline or clinically significant behavioral problems than women with levels at the 25th percentile.

The main problems reported by the mothers were emotional reactivity, which is the tendency to overreact; somatic complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches; anxiety; and symptoms linked to autism (though those symptoms alone would not be enough for an autism diagnosis).

The researchers did not find an association with other behavioral symptoms like aggression or issues with concentration.

The findings are important and add to evidence suggesting prenatal fluoride consumption may affect the developing brain, said Joseph Braun, a professor of epidemiology and the director of the Center for Childrens Environmental Health at Brown University, who was not involved in the research. That said, the increases in behavioral scores were relatively small  about two points on a scale from 28 to 100 for overall behavioral problems. Its hard to say whether such a difference might be noticeable in an individual child, he said.

But given how widespread water fluoridation is, he added, even minor behavioral changes in individual children could have a meaningful impact on the overall population.
As other African nations move away from the United States, disillusioned with democracy or lured by rival powers, President William Ruto of Kenya arrives in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit intended to showcase a stalwart American ally on the continent.

A spate of military coups, shaky elections and raging wars have upended Africas political landscape in the past year, giving an edge to American rivals like Russia and China, but also shredding Washingtons key selling point: that democracy delivers.

In Niger, a recently installed military junta has asked American troops to leave. Relations with once-firm American allies like South Africa and Ethiopia are decidedly cool. A recent election in Senegal, long considered a beacon of stability, nearly went off the rails.

Mr. Ruto, the Biden administration hopes, is the antidote to those troubles.

Since he came to power two years ago, Mr. Ruto, 57, has pulled Kenya, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, ever closer to the United States. His visit is just the sixth state visit hosted by the Biden administration, and the first for an African president since 2008.
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic won his re-election bid in a landslide, bolstered by sweeping restrictions on Haitian migrants and a strong economy.

Mr. Abinader, 56, who rose to power four years ago by vowing to fight corruption, took 57 percent of the vote on Sunday, easily enough to avoid a runoff with his closest rival, Leonel Fernandez, a three-time former president. Mr. Fernandez took 29 percent, with 100 percent of polling stations counted, according the Dominican Republics national electoral authority.

The official results were made available on Tuesday night, though Mr. Abinaders top rivals had already conceded on Sunday night. Mr. Abinader, a former executive in the tourism industry, held a commanding lead going into the vote as opponents foundered in trying to unseat one of Latin Americas most popular incumbents.

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 convoy rumbled into the Taliban heartland, a white desert littered with stones. Over the loudspeakers at the local mosque, the Afghan police officers ordered everyone to gather: The commander was here.

Dozens assembled in the mud square to listen as Abdul Raziq, one of Americas most important partners in the war against the Taliban, stood before the crowd, gesturing at two prisoners he had brought along to make his point.

The prisoners knelt with their hands bound as Raziq spoke to his men. A pair of his officers raised their rifles and opened fire, sending the prisoners into spasms on the reddening earth. In the silence that followed, Raziq addressed the crowd, three witnesses said.

You will learn to respect me and reject the Taliban, Raziq said after the killings, which took place in the winter of 2010, according to the witnesses and relatives of both men. Because I will come back and do this again and again, and no one is going to stop me.

For years, American military leaders lionized Raziq as a model partner in Afghanistan, their if only ally in the battle against the Taliban: If only everyone fought like Raziq, we might actually win this war, American commanders often said.
President Emmanuel Macron of France is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific that has been gripped by deadly unrest for more than a week, to hold talks with pro-independence leaders.

Six people have died and hundreds have been injured since demonstrations by the Indigenous Kanak people turned violent early last week. The French authorities have sent hundreds of police officers into New Caledonia, enforced a curfew and banned TikTok, but they have struggled to restore calm in the territory.

Some local leaders expressed doubts that Mr. Macron, who is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, could defuse the tensions. Here comes the fireman after he set the fire! Jimmy Naouna, a spokesman for FLNKS, an alliance of pro-independence parties, wrote on social media.

Many in the Kanak community have accused Mr. Macron and France of reneging on an agreement that had put New Caledonia on a possible path to independence. The source of contention is an amendment to the French Constitution that would unfreeze voter rolls in New Caledonia  a move that would likely tip a referendum on self-determination in Frances favor. Mr. Macron has refused calls to withdraw the amendment.
For a relatively small country of 11.5 million in northern Europe, Belgium punches above its weight in political relevance and drama, all of which is set to play out on June 9 when Belgians head to the polls.

Brussels, the capital, is the home of the European Union institutions and NATO. The countrys complex identity has long made it a subject of fascination and puzzlement. It is a federation split to a great degree between two communities, the Dutch-speaking Flemish population and the Francophone Walloons, as well as a very small German-speaking minority.

In its historical efforts to accommodate divisions between those communities while keeping the country together, Belgium has created a convoluted governance structure affectionately called administrative lasagna  and its an accurate depiction of layers upon layers of bureaucracy at work.

On June 9, Belgians will head to the polls to elect not only their representatives in the European Parliament, like hundreds of millions of other people across the European Union, but also their officials for the federal and regional layers of that government lasagna.
The decision of Karim Khan, the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor, to publicly seek arrest warrants for the leaders of Hamas and Israel this week will be one of the most significant and contentious of his career.

Khan accused three Hamas leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and hostage taking. He also accused Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and its defense minister, Yoav Gallant, of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israels military operation in Gaza, including the starvation of civilians. Now a three-judge panel will consider whether to issue the warrants.

Some countries welcomed the news as a sign that all individuals, regardless of their state or status, are equal before the law, while others  including the United States, Israels most important ally  denounced the charges and accused Khan of false equivalence in pursuing warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders at the same time.

Khan didnt have to announce the warrant applications publicly. He could have waited until they were granted, as with the warrant for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last year  a process that can take weeks or months.
In One Image Evacuation Point By Emile Ducke

Suddenly, their old life was gone.

As they sat in the evacuation bus in northeastern Ukraine, they could hear Russian bombs thud into their villages. But one woman stood. She wanted a look in the trunk, fearful her papers were out of reach.

They had stuffed belongings into whatever bags they could lay their hands on. There was no time.

Halyna Tarasenko, 72, was thinking of her husband, still at home in their village. He didnt want to leave, she said.

The team of rescuers who had helped gather them waited outside. There would be many more buses like this one.
At a high point for Ukraine in its war against Russia, when its army was sweeping Russian forces from the countrys northeast, a small-town police chief proudly hung a Ukrainian flag on his newly liberated city hall.

A year and a half later, the policeman, Oleksiy Kharkivskyi, was dashing into the burning ruins of the same town, Vovchansk, last week to evacuate its few remaining residents as Russian forces closed in.

Everywhere they come is just razed to the ground, Mr. Kharkivskyi said of the advance of the Russian troops, who have returned to the region with a scorched-earth ferocity, setting in motion one of the largest displacements of people since the first months of the war.

Russian troops punched across the border between Russia and Ukraine this month and pushed toward Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which has a population of about a million people. Military analysts say Russia lacks the troops to capture the city but could advance to within artillery range, touching off a larger flow of refugees.
In Europe, long a vital source of support for Israel, the political center of gravity is moving away from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

Spain, Ireland and Norway on Wednesday recognized Palestinian statehood, despite vehement Israeli and American opposition. And most European governments offered unequivocal support to the International Criminal Court this week, after it requested arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and defense minister, along with leaders of Hamas.

Israel still has staunch allies within the European Union, especially Hungary and the Czech Republic, and key players like Germany, despite growing discomfort with Israels conduct, have not shown any inclination to alter their stance. The growing fissures within Europe mean that the consensus-driven European Union will not change its positions any time soon.

But European countries face rising international and domestic pressure to take a firmer stand against Israels handling of the Palestinian territories, and particularly the devastating war in Gaza.
Crowds packed the streets of Tehran and Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, performed funeral prayers on Wednesday for the countrys president, with senior officials from the Iranian-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah joining the commemorations.

The presence of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah  two key Iranian proxies in the Middle East  alongside an array of non-Western officials offered a stark illustration of Tehrans international standing at a turbulent moment for the country.

The president, Ebrahim Raisi, 63, was killed in a helicopter crash along with Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, 60, and five others traveling with them on Sunday. Ayatollah Khamenei declared five days of mourning, and funeral observances began on Tuesday with a procession in Tabriz, the closest big city to the crash site in northwestern Iran. The bodies of Mr. Raisi and of the others killed were then taken to the holy city of Qom and to Tehran, the capital, ahead of Wednesdays events.
While uncertainty surrounds political succession in Iran after its president and foreign minister died in a helicopter crash, analysts say it is unlikely their deaths will alter the countrys projection of power through heavily armed allied groups in the Middle East.

Those groups  Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, multiple militias in Iraq and Hamas in the Palestinian territories  are central to Irans ability to wield influence far beyond its borders despite being under strict economic sanctions for decades.

Iran works with these groups through the Quds Force, a division of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The I.R.G.C. answers directly to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not to the government run by the president. So even in a time of internal maneuvering and uncertainty after the deaths on Sunday of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, analysts expect little change in the groups rhythm of attacks or overall approach.
When the Irish government on Wednesday announced formal recognition of an independent Palestinian state, it drew on its own struggle for statehood and the violence that surrounded it.

From our own history we know what it means: recognition is an act of powerful political and symbolic value, Simon Harris, the taoiseach, or prime minister of Ireland, said at a news briefing.

Mr. Harris was nodding to the Republic of Irelands quest for self-rule in the early part of the 20th century after hundreds of years of British rule. He detailed how, on Jan. 21, 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognize its right to independence.

Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasizing our distinct national identity, our historical struggle and our right to self-determination and justice, he said. Today we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.
Scores of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, but Norways announcement on Wednesday that it would do so carried added significance because it hosted the clandestine meetings in 1993 that led to the Oslo Accords, the framework for peace that came close to resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. It ultimately failed.

Norway calls itself a friend of Israel, and the two countries have a longstanding relationship. But since Oct. 7, when Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas-led attacks, Norway has also sharply condemned Israels conduct of the war.

Norways foreign minister said in March that Israels use of military force is having a disproportionately severe impact on the civilian population and is not in line with international humanitarian law, and called for a cease-fire.

Norway also continued to fund UNRWA, the main U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees, after several other countries stopped doing so following Israels allegations that about a dozen of the agencys employees had been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks.
The decision by three European countries  Ireland, Norway and Spain  to recognize a Palestinian state fits into a long-term goal of Palestinian leaders to secure diplomatic acceptance, but it appears that the immediate practical impact will be limited.

Broadly speaking, recognizing a state means declaring that it meets the conditions of statehood under international law. It typically opens a path to setting up diplomatic relations and an embassy there. But the European countries appeared to be mostly concerned with expressing support for Palestinians and sending a message to Israel at a time of deepening international concern about its conduct of the war.

The foreign minister of Norway, Espen Barth Eide, told a news conference that the countrys representative office to the Palestinian Authority, which was opened in the West Bank in 1999, would become an embassy. He gave no date for this change but said it would enable Norway to enter into bilateral agreements.

Recognition would also have some domestic legal effects in Norway in areas where issues related to the state of Palestine arise, he said.
Photos and videos of unmanned vending machines selling live animals like cats, small dogs, and rodents installed in various Chinese cities have been going viral and sparking outrage among the general public.

The significant technological developments of the last decade have created a fast-growing unmanned economy that continues to spread into almost every sector of the global economy. However, there are still some industries that are incompatible with unmanned, self-service devices. The pet-selling sector has so far been considered incompatible, but things are apparently very different in China, as more and more unmanned vending machines selling live pets are being spotted all around the country. One such video showing a pet vending machine in a busy part of Beijing recently went viral on Chinese social media, sparking a heated debate around the ethics of this controversial business model.

The viral video showed cats sleeping in small compartments barely large enough for them to turn around in, with only a transparent door to distract them from their claustrophobic cages. The vending machine was reportedly advertised as the first in China to sell live pets, but several netizens pointed out that they had seen similar displays in various other Chinese cities. This was later confirmed by news reports that showed other pet vending machines, as well as online ads by companies producing them.

Although the animals shown in the viral video didnt seem distressed or sick, several comments on Weibo mentioned sick animals and even some that had died in their small cages due to lack of proper care.

The education I received since childhood is to be a kind person, if you cant do it, you must not have a basic conscience. Can these specimens with the same body as me really be called human beings? one person asked on Weibo.



This land does not have basic respect for life! someone else wrote.

This isnt the first display of animal cruelty that begs the question Who approved that? After all, this is the same country that brought us living keychains with small fish and turtles encased in plastic containers, artificially dyed frogs, and dyed chicks.
An Algerian man who had disappeared from his home one morning in 1998 was recently found alive in his neighbors cellar, just 200 meters from the house he had grown up in.

Omar bin Omran was only 17 years old when he disappeared from his home in Djelfa, Algeria, in 1998. It was during the Algerian Civil War, a time of great unrest in the African country, and many of his family and friends feared that he had ended up among the estimated 200,000 people killed, or the 20,000 kidnapped, during the conflict. Authorities stopped looking for him after a while, and his mother remained the only one who never gave up hope. Unfortunately, she died in 2013, and Omar bin Omran became yet another case that would likely never be solved. Only earlier this week, the brother of one of Omars neighbors took to social media to suggest that his sibling was involved in the teens kidnapping.

As it turns out, the two brothers were involved in a dispute over inheritance, so one of them spilled the beans on the other, hoping to have him arrested. The plan worked, as once Omars relatives saw the brothers post, they contacted the police and Algerias public prosecutors office eventually authorized a search of the suspected neighbors property.

On May 12, Omar bin Omran, now in his early 40s was found right where the suspects brother claimed he was, in a sheepfold under haystacks. The suspect, a 61-year-old man referred to only by his initials, BA, tried to run during the police raid but was apprehended and is currently in custody. As for Omar, he appeared confused when he saw police descend upon his small cell, and doctors confirmed that he was suffering from both physical and mental problems.

Other neighbors told Algerian news outlet El Khabar that BA kept to himself, never allowing anyone onto his property. Some said that they always found it strange that he seemed to order food for at least two people, even though he lived by himself.

The kidnapper has also been accused of killing Omar bin Omrans dog, as some of the neighbors remember the canine sat outside the neighbors house and whined in the days after his kidnapping, before finally disappearing as well.

NEW: Man who disappeared 27 years ago at the age of 17, found alive 200 meters from his familys home in a neighbors cellar. Insane. Omar Bin Omran of Algeria disappeared 27 years ago. He went missing in 1998 on his way to a vocational school. A 61-year-old is in police pic.twitter.com/idkvSCykmh  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 15, 2024

The investigation in this case is still ongoing, but Omar did tell police that he often saw his family members passing by from his underground prison, but he was unable to call out to them for help. Algerian media claims he was petrified like his captor had cast a spell on him.
TWELVE videos which highlight Daingean's rich heritage and provide a platform for its renewal were launched on Thursday evening.

The videos were produced a couple of years ago but they will now be more accessible by the location of explanatory plaques with QR codes around the town, Malachy Mangan, chair of Daingean Development Association said.

Speaking in Daingean's historic town hall, which is itself the subject of an exciting refurbishment plan, Mr Mangan hailed it an important night for the area.

He recalled that Daingean was formerly the capital of the county for about 400 years when it was known as Philipstown from 1556 until reverting to its Irish language name upon national independence in 1922.

He spoke of an historical reference to it being a town full of idlers and beggars before the Grand Canal arrived in the 1800s, ushering a period of prosperity.

Daingean had a boom time when the canal came and that lasted for about 10 years because then the canal did reach Tullamore, he noted.

Philipstown was further usurped in the 1830s when the powerful Lord Charleville in Tullamore helped ensure that his town acquired the county assizes (court sittings) which had been sitting in Daingean's courthouse, the imposing building which is now the town hall.

The rest is history, remarked Mr Mangan.

Speaking of Daingean's current standing, he explained: Yes, it has village status, but it is a proud village status and its significance to us is what we do with the town and what we make of it. I think it's a very, very fabulous place to live. There is so much action in this town.

He stressed how the town hall itself is a nerve centre for local activity each evening, with everything from community groups to Pilates sessions and the kayaking club's meetings taking place there.

Here tonight we're honouring our past and the stories that will be told but we're also celebrating what we do ourselves at present and the control we take of our future.

The dozen videos, entitled Daingean: A Grand Canal Town, each focus on a different part of Daingean's history and were first made available to view on YouTube.

Uptake was low but the use of the QR codes (which can be scanned on a mobile phone giving instant access to the video) will ensure much greater visibility for the videos and heritage trail.

Three of the video shorts were shown on Thursday evening on a big screen in the town hall, with the first explaining that the word 'daingean' means fortress, stronghold or citadel.

The original Daingean was an important settlement for the powerful O'Connor clan, frequent raiders of the Pale to the east, resulting in the English Tudors deciding to quell the resistance once and for all by establishing a fort there in the 1500s.

The name Philipstown is from the Spanish King Philip II who was married to Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII.

A second video focused on one of Daingean's many curiosities, the cemetery and belfry in the town centre beside the town hall.

The tower and belfry are all that remain of a church built in 1835 but to its rear is the graveyard on 'Bully's Acre', a burial ground which contains the resting place of Captain Charles Dodgson, grandfather of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a man better known by his penname, Lewis Carroll, creator of Alice in Wonderland.

The third video shown was entitled Erasmus Smith and it tells the story of the Protestant boarding school established in Philipstown by the man who established the educational trust bearing his name.

Those attending on Thursday evening were also told about Daingean's original jail and the plan to build a new one in 1826.

Though the jail was never constructed (that honour fell to Tullamore) its foundation stone was recovered and remains a priceless part of Daingean's story.

The videos also provide information about Philipstown's Methodist meeting house; the remains of its first English fort; the area around Brady's shop (a 19th century post office); Bell Well, so named because of a bell that would ring when a barge was approaching on the canal; the reformatory for boys; the importance of local bogland and much more.

The videos are narrated by local woman Martina McGlynn, Offaly historian James Scully, local man Johnny Brady, and the late John Kearney from Offaly Historical Society.

Six of the plaques with the QR codes have already been installed around the town and the remainder will be rolled out to complete the project.

Brendan Darcy outlined the plan for the refurbishment of the town hall building, saying that when complete it will house a theatre and several multi-function rooms.

A more detailed plan will be presented on May 30 next but Mr Darcy's message to the local community was: It's your hall. You guys decide what way you want this hall. It has to make financial sense as well. We're going to have hub spaces and meeting rooms that can be hired out.

Cllr Liam Quinn explained that the project will be funded partly from the proceeds of the LPT (local property tax), which will enable the release of much larger amounts of grant-aid from the Government.

The event also heard from Margaret Edgill of Mount Briscoe farm who hopes an annual walking festival can be established in Daingean, capitalising on the local heritage and potential for regenerative and slow tourism where the emphasis is on reconnecting with nature.

We can put Daingean on the map and it can be a social experience, said Ms Edgill.

Prize winners in the annual local tidy community competition were then announced by Martina McGlynn.

The Achievement in Window Dressing prize went to Bernie McGrath and Joe Hanlon and the Achievement in Biodiversity was won by Philips Vale for the No Mow May project.

Meadow Court was named as Best Estate and Coologue was the runner-up in that category.

The Best on Main Street prize went to Kathleen Connolly, a resident known for her beautiful floral displays.
Camera systems to assist Gardai police the streets of towns and villages across Tipperary have been awaiting approval for a number of years - last week it was announced several areas have received the green light, but Roscrea was not included.

Cameras to assist Gardai received official approval from the Department of Justice and Garda Commissioner's office and will be installed in Borrisokane and Littleton soon, with paperwork at an advanced stage for Nenagh, Clonmel and Fethard.

However the camera system for Roscrea was not included in a recent update delivered at the final meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee (JPC) last week, which prompted Chairman, Noel Coonan, to describe the omission as a "kick in the teeth" for the many individuals and businesses who fundraised for the camera system.

Roscrea's Garda CCTV system has been a long-running saga which predates the creation of the JPC, however, an incident in 2017 where an elderly couple were attacked in their home by burglars, hugely invigorated the campaign to bring police cameras to the heritage town's streets and approach roads.

Several surveys investigating the town's suitability and how and where the technology would be installed and operated from took place against the backdrop of a well supported fundraising campaign and creation of a local committee to oversee the project.

It was widely believed the Borrisokane and Roscrea systems were advancing in tandem, and the news that Roscrea had been "left behind" irked the Chairman, who has been heavily involved in the delivery of the camera system since the campaign's inception.

Addressing the last meeting of the JPC, Councillor Coonan, who is stepping away from politics and not competing in the upcoming local elections, expressed the frustration of the people in Roscrea and reflected on how much work has gone into preparing the town for its delivery.

"Roscrea is being left behind, and this isn't the only thing it's being left behind on" Cllr. Coonan told the meeting, demanding answers on why the Roscrea system wasn't included and what happens next.

"Starting out with Inspector Myles and there were two, if not three, Superintendents who were the driving force of this in Roscrea. Three reports were done on it and Roscrea moved to the iCloud system because it is a heritage town with a lot of listed buildings and the terrain.

"There was agreement on it and it was brought before this Committee in Eddie Meehan's time when he was Secretary and it was approved and now we hear it isn't even with the Gardai and wasn't sent to the Garda Commissioner's office", the Chairman said.

"The frustration in Rosacea is palpable and in other areas where this ongoing saga continues, but it's an awful kick in the teeth for the general public that Roscrea is not even being considered", Cllr. Coonan said.

Director of Services for Tipperary County Council, Brian Beck, said it is important to acknowledge the progress made: "Getting big ones like Nenagh and Clonmel, that have been in for a while, across the line would be welcomed by everyone in those communities".

Mr. Beck explained that funding raised before submission for authorisation by the Garda Commissioner's office is critical.

"The significant difference between somewhere like Roscrea and like Clonmel is the money that has been set aside. There is money that has been allocated in Clonmel for this, in Roscrea there has been no money allocated.

"There has been great work on the ground by the community to fundraise themselves and there is a 40k grant with 5k for operations, but equally the system that has been proposed is going to cost a lot more than that and if we are going to progress this we need to know it can be installed, can be operated and can be maintained", Mr. Beck said.

Mr. Beck said the policy on Garda CCTV was intended to ensure a "sustainable and a clear line of sight for funding" adding, the positive news is "we'll hopefully have six or seven of these across the line - funded, operational and funding sorted".

He said now that the policy is in place the focus can shift to towns like Roscrea with the benefit of the policy being adopted and a mechanism in place to allocate money to Roscrea and get the project across the line.

Roscrea wasn't included "because we didn't have that assurance and there wasn't enough information to allow it to progress", he added.

Mr. Beck said Roscrea will benefit from a "more robust" application to the Garda Commissioner's office and that previously experienced delays will be eliminated and the application will be driven by the Municipal Council for the area.

"Roscrea is not the only town in this situation - Carrick-on-Suir is in the exact same situation, but they are done and have the costings done. We were not able to progress them because the money wasn't there", Mr. Beck said.

Meanwhile, Cathaorileach of Tipperary County Council, Ger Darcy, told the meeting the community in Borrisokane "will be delighted".

"I understand your frustrations in relation to Roscrea" he told the Chairman, "but we are absolutely delighted in Borrisokane to finally have the green light for the scheme".

Cllr. Darcy thanked everyone in the JPC who assisted with the years-long campaign and paid particular attention to the committee in Borrisokane "who did all the work".
IT was with much delight that Chairman, Finbarr Spain welcomed Birr native John Feehan to Birr Historical Society, to talk about his new book The River Brosna, An Environmental History.

He stated that he has great admiration for Johns work as an environmental scientist and that John has a special insight into how he sees our bogs, rivers and the human heritage of our local landscape. His book, The Landscape of Slieve Bloom first published in 1979 is now a collectors piece. This recent publication is a beautifully illustrated book which explores all aspects of the natural, cultural and industrial heritage of the river Brosna and its catchment area.

John began his talk by drawing the audiences attention to the story of the origin of the Brosna river, which is not like a textbook river, because it started off as a lake at the end of the ice age about 11,000 years ago.

The course of the river Brosna, rises in Bunbrosna in the centre of County Westmeath, flowing into Lough Owel, north of Mullingar and then to Lough Ennell. From there, the river flows south-westerly in the direction of Ballinagore, Kilbeggan, Clara, Ballycumber, Ferbane and Belmont before flowing into the Shannon at Shannonharbour. Some examples of detailed maps of the Brosna catchment area which John explained to the audience included, geology, ecology, bogs, settlements, townland boundaries.

The Story from Archaeology is a very interesting chapter in Johns new book and includes a wide range of subjects, such as Mesolithic artefacts, the Bronze Age (2000 to 600 BC) ringforts, crannogs, early Christian monastic sites along the margins of the Brosna floodplain.

The main focus of Johns talk to Birr Historical Society, covered the history of Lough Coura and the Dowris hoard. The audience were fascinated to hear the story about two men who were digging trenches for potatoes on the shores of Lough Coura in 1825, near Whigsborough, 8km south-west of Lough Boora, in the Parish of Eglish who found the Dowris hoard (they kept it hidden to themselves for 10 years). This 800 BC discovery is Irelands largest find of Bronze Age material.

Johns photographs of the known composition of the Dowris Hoard of just under 200 pieces show the skill of metal working at that time. For example, the cauldrons, axes, spearheads, swords. Part of the hoard includes crotals and it remains a mystery what they were used for. One suggestion is that they might have represented the bulls scrotum the virility of the beast in some ritual. The trumpets have holes in them, but it is not known what the intended musical sound they should make when played.

A number of papers have been published about the Dowris Hoard and John referenced an article published by Alison Rosse, Birr Castle in the Journal of the Roscrea Heritage, a paper by Thomas Lalor Cooke in 1853 and Rev. Dr Robinson, in The Dublin Penny Journal, 1833. Some of these amazing archaeological pieces are now on display in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.

John pointed out that Lough Coura lake is a story in itself. If you compare the landscape in the map of Lough Coura dated 1838, First Edition Ordinance Survey and the 1909 Second Edition Map, within 40/50 years the difference is very evident. The lake was drained and the open water has disappeared. In 1838, there was almost no forest and the Eskers were very significant. Over 2,800 years ago, during the Bronze Age, Lough Coura was an extensive lake.

John posed the question, what was so special about Lough Coura? It was chosen with care, but why choose there to hide bronze objects? These were a very sophisticated people. John pointed out that the Esker runs parallel to Pinnacle Hill. Eiscir na binne means, Esker of the pinnacles and this has a much broader meaning in the landscape as a whole.

By the end of the evening, John had brought the audience on a wonderful archaeological journey back in time to the secret hiding place of the Dowris Hoard, and illustrated the importance of the heritage of the River Brosna and its catchment area. He was optimistic that the new LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging), shot pulses of lasers down on the earths surface would reveal more about our past.

Chairman, Finbarr Spain, thanked John for his excellent talk, on behalf of Birr Historical Society, his committee and everyone in attendance.
Speaking this week Ms Masterson, who is the party's local elections candidate in the Tullamore area, said: The housing crisis means many more students and workers are now living in Tullamore and travelling to Dublin for work or college. However, the current rail service between Tullamore, Clara and Heuston is not sufficient to meet their needs.

At the moment, if someone is working in Dublin the last train they can get back to Tullamore and Clara station leaves Heuston at 7.35pm. The reality is this is simply too early for many workers and students.

Talking to people on the doors, it is clear that a lot of people share this frustration.

They are tired of having to get a later train to Portarlington or Mullingar where they are often then forced to rely on friends or family to collect them.

"People are annoyed that now there is a local election we have candidates from Government parties promising to address this  but where have they been for the last four years?

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens are in Government and should have addressed this years ago. Why is it only now, as an election approaches, that they are talking about this?

The fact is, this Government, and their representatives, continue to put the cart before the horse and punish people in Offaly for using our cars without providing viable alternatives.



Sinn Fein are committed to providing more accessible, affordable, reliable, and safe public transport for our communities across Offaly. That begins with prioritising the availability of later trains to both Tullamore and Clara train station.

There is nothing holding back this move, except perhaps the political will from the current Government and their representatives.
BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, congratulating him on his election as president of the Republic of Chad.

Xi pointed out that in recent years, China-Chad relations have maintained a good momentum of development, with their political mutual trust continuously deepened, cooperation steadily advanced in various fields, and international collaboration becoming closer.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Chad relations and is willing to work with the president-elect to strengthen mutual support and promote friendly cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples.
Filipino Woman Arrested at BIA for Smuggling Rs. 200 Million Worth of Cocaine

Posted by Editor on May 22, 2024 - 10:54 am

A 47-year-old Filipino woman was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle over 2 kg of cocaine worth Rs. 200 million into Sri Lanka.

Airport Customs officers from the Narcotics Control Unit arrested the suspect, who had brought the cocaine from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Customs officials reported that she attempted to smuggle the cocaine by concealing it in her luggage along with three parcels containing chili powder, turmeric powder, and wheat flour.

The woman had reportedly been offered USD 1,000, air tickets, and hotel accommodation for a five-day stay in Sri Lanka to smuggle the cocaine.


(Image by jenikirbyhistory) Details DMCA



Russia may well be planning to set its sights far beyond Ukraine and attack European countries as well. The question is, is Europe prepared?

A recent Financial Times article warns of this looming potential dangerous scenario.

"European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across the continent as it commits to a course of permanent conflict with the west. Russia has already begun to more actively prepare covert bombings, arson attacks and damage to infrastructure on European soil, directly and via proxies, with little apparent concern about causing civilian fatalities, intelligence officials believe."

While for many years the European Union's focus was on pacifism and the desire to distance itself from military offense or defense requirements, this has now changed. It is now focused on procuring more ammunition, ramping up weapons production, and investing in and coordinating more defense capabilities.

Today, with Russia making significant military advances in the East, Europe realizes it is on the warpath westward. To that effect, European states are increasing their spending in defense and the EU is now focusing on defense, as it aims to protect itself from Russia's threats.

UK-based think tank Chatham House noted recently that Russia's threat is real, with a "much broader, and more serious Russian campaign of sabotage" spanning across Europe. Russia's behavior demonstrates it is preparing for an open conflict with NATO.

And there are few countries in Europe that are not targets.

Moscow is using criminal networks to target Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, and Poland, among others.

Russia's threats must be taken seriously.

According to a recent CNN report, President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian forces to rehearse deploying tactical nuclear weapons, as part of military drills to respond to what he called "threats" by the West.

Since invading Ukraine, Putin has repeatedly threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons against the West, but this marks the first time Russia has publicly announced it will carry out such drills.

"During the exercises, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons," Russia's defense ministry said.

Putin's reelection as president now gives him until at least 2030 to act unhindered and do as he please. And if the last decade is any indication, he certainly will.

Putin has already threatened the UK.

Next Page 1 | 2

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A child welfare caseworker with the Oregon Department of Human Services has been accused of sex abuse against a foster child.

Wilbur Morris, 47, pleaded not guilty in Columbia County Circuit Court on Tuesday to the charges of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, luring a minor and official misconduct in the first degree.
Portland police Monday arrested a dog owner they say ordered his pit bull to attack two people  injuring a total of three people  in what has been charged as a hate crime.

Zachary Tyler Hay, 29, pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him during his arraignment in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tuesday, a day after one of the victims spotted him in downtown Portland and police responded to arrest him.

The attack unfolded May 12 in the 1300 block of Southwest Alder Street, about five blocks northeast of Providence Park, according to police. The Black victim heard a commotion and ran toward it to find Hay commanding his dog to attack a white teenager, who was repeatedly bitten, police said. As the Black victim tried to intervene, Hay recognized him as a security guard at a downtown grocery store. Hay then uttered a racist slur and sicced his dog on him, police said.

The Black man suffered severe bites to his chest and his right hand, which partially de-gloved his right thumb, according to papers filed by the prosecution.

A third victim, another white man, also tried to stop the dog from attacking the Black man, police said. He was bitten in the groin.

Police said Hay fled. And once arrested, Hay told police his dog became unleashed during the encounter with the men and that the dog attacked because the men were acting aggressively.

Portland police are circulating this Multnomah County jail booking photo of Zachary Hay, in hopes that an unidentified victim or any other unknown victims will come forward.Multnomah County Sheriff's Office booking photo

Police dont know the identity of the first man who was allegedly mauled by the dog and are asking him to contact them. They also are asking anyone else with information about the incident to contact Detective Matthew Brown at matthew.brown@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 24-116932.

Hay appeared in court Tuesday to hear the charges against him:, including two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, which prosecutors defined as the dog. Hay also is charged with first-degree bias crime and three counts of maintaining a dangerous dog. Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai ordered him held in jail until another judge can assess whether he should be released pending trial.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the county said Multnomah County Animal Services can confirm the dog is in protective custody. Spokesperson Alicia Mendez said the agency will communicate with prosecutors to keep the dog in protective custody for the necessary timeframe specific to this legal case, and that ultimately the county will follow its ordinances and procedures for classifying Potentially Dangerous Dogs.

 Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee.

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An unannounced inspection of the federal prison in Sheridan identified serious safety and security lapses, including inadequate healthcare, significant staff vacancies, no central tracking of sexual misconduct allegations among prisoners and persistent contraband.

Investigators identified a lack of proper medical treatment for prisoners, noting an alarming backlog of 725 laboratory orders for blood draws or urine collection and a backlog of 274 X-ray orders, according to the report by the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Inspector General.

One doctor at the prison said the substantial backlog for lab tests has compromised his ability to treat patients and prevented him from monitoring the effects of medication on his patients kidney and liver functions, particularly for prisoners with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hepatitis C.

The backlog has caused medical conditions to go undiagnosed and left providers unable to appropriately treat patients, said U.S. Inspector General Michael Horowitz in a statement.

Delayed medical treatment can lead to more serious medical conditions for an inmate, as well as substantially increased costs for the institution, the report said.

In one case, investigators found that a prisoner feigned a suicide attempt to get medical care for an untreated ingrown hair that had become infected, the report said. When finally treated, the prisoner was hospitalized for five days to treat the infection.

The inspection also found substantial shortages in healthcare workers and correctional officers to escort prisoners to outside medical appointments, leading to the cancellation of 101 appointments between January and November 2023.

Another 350 prisoners were on a waitlist for routine dental care in October and about 40% of them had been on the list for two years or more, largely due to a critical shortage of dental equipment and supplies, the report said. Dental care at the prison was limited to intake and clinical exams as a result.

The inspection ran from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. The Federal Correctional Institution-Sheridan in Yamhill County is made up of a medium-security prison, a minimum-security prison camp and a detention center. At the time, the medium-security prison housed 988 prisoners and was full, the detention center held 271 prisoners and was at 97% capacity and the camp housed 366 prisoners at 95% full.

The investigators also discovered a variety of potentially dangerous medication distribution practices, the report said.

For example, patients werent consistently identified by examining two forms of identification before they got medication. Staff also removed medication from packaging hours before the next so-called pill line was set to begin, a violation of policy that increases the risk of errors, according to the report.

A review of quarterly reports in the health department revealed multiple medication errors between January and September 2023, including two prisoners who received an extra and unnecessary injection of a prescribed medication and one person who was injected with the incorrect medication to address an opioid abuse disorder, according to the report.

At a time when many defendants in federal court are struggling with significant fentanyl addictions, the investigation found that the prison has been unable to offer its residential drug abuse program, known as RDAP, because of shortages in staff to run the program. Only five of 16 of the employee positions were filled at the time of the inspection.

A Halloween decoration at the Sheridan prison camp, bemoaning the end of the residential drug abuse program, a nine-month program designed to help prisoners address their substance abuse disorders. More than 70 inmates were unable to participate in the program due to staff shortages, although many inmates had been transferred to Sheridan expressly to participate in it.Bureau of Prisons

More than 70 prisoners were unable to participate in the drug treatment program, although many of them had transferred to Sheridan for the express purpose of addressing their substance abuse disorder in the program, the inspection found.

The report also noted long waitlists for other programs: About 600 prisoners waiting to participate in a cognitive behavioral therapy program designed to address trauma-related mental health needs, another 500 waiting to get into an anger management program and 300 waiting to enter a work skills class.

We found that FCI Sheridan has offered inmates limited opportunities to prepare for successful reentry into our communities, the report said. Three days after our inspection concluded, BOP (Bureau of Prisons) Director Colette Peters suspended the RDAP at the FCI Sheridans minimum-security prison camp.

Of 145 authorized correctional officer positions at Sheridan, 117 were filled last winter, leaving 28 vacancies, the report found. To fill openings, the prison has been using mandated and voluntary overtime and temporarily assigning non-correctional officers to fill some positions.

Some officers reported feeling exhausted due to excessive mandated overtime, according to the report.

Investigators also found that staff shortages meant leaving camp prisoners unsupervised at times and led to incomplete prisoner-monitoring rounds in the prison.

In Sheridans health services department, just 18 out of 27 staff positions were filled, with most vacancies among nurses. Only three of seven nurse positions were filled, the report found.

The visit marked the third unannounced inspection of a federal prison under a new on-site inspection program by the inspector generals office. In May and November of last year, separate reports detailed inspections of a prison in Tallahassee, Florida, and a womens prison in southern Minnesota called Federal Corrections Institution-Waseca. The office chose Sheridan to understand conditions for male prisoners at a larger prison, according to the inspector generals office.

An unannounced inspection of the federal prison at Sheridan identified "alarming" staffing shortages among correctional officers and healthcare workers.Bureau of Prisons

Inspectors said they couldnt determine the number of allegations of prisoner-on-prisoner sexual misconduct at Sheridan because the prison didnt accurately track the complaints, which is required under the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003.

Many of the issues identified during the inspection mirror problems found at other federal prisons, according to the report.

Without sufficient staff, prisoners are routinely confined to cells during daytime hours, another barrier for participation in recreational activities or special programs, according to the inspectors.

The inspection called contraband a persistent and significant challenge, particularly in the prison camp where people can move around more freely during the day. Prisoners abuse illicit drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 or spice, and some drugs enter through the mail.

Just before the inspection, a bag containing 62 grams of methamphetamine was seized from a prisoners mail, according to the report.

The inspection didnt identify as many problems with security cameras or food service, but noted water pipe failures have caused occasional flooding in prisoner areas. Inspectors also found exposed electrical wires throughout the institution and broken toilets and sinks at the prison camp.

Bureau of Prisons

Investigators made their findings through observations, interviews with staff and prisoners and by reviewing security camera footage and records related to prisoner programming and education, institution staffing levels, conditions of confinement, prisoner medical and mental healthcare and employee and prisoner misconduct, including sexual misconduct.

Peters, who became director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2022 after running Oregons Department of Corrections, wrote in a response to the inspection report that Sheridan took immediate action to reduce backlogs in healthcare tests but continues to face challenges in hiring new employees.

The Bureau of Prisons is working to better market the jobs and increase recruitment and retention incentives, according to Peters.

She maintained that the prison is currently tracking all sexual misconduct allegations, and is working to increase its programs to help prisoners reenter the community toward the end of their terms.

After the inspector generals office provided Sheridan officials with a draft of its report, the prison took action to decrease its lab testing backlog, according to the report. As of this month, the backlog of lab orders stood at 44 and pending X-ray orders stood at 84, according to the report.

While the inspector generals office said it is encouraged by the changes Sheridan has made in response to the report, it noted that the progress occurred only after the inspection identified significant concerns. The inspector generals office said it will continue to monitor Sheridans responses.

Fidel Cassino-DuCloux, Oregons federal public defender, said the report is not surprising as his office has complained about the poor housing conditions and medical treatment at Sheridan for years. Clients also have protested with a prior hunger strike, he said.

We firmly believe that everyone should have access to medical and psychological services and that clients should feel safe from sexual abuse and not be confined to lock down because of BOP staffing shortages, he said by email. The Bureau of Prisons is simply not meeting their constitutional obligation to meet basic rights. Sheridan is in BOP Director Colette Peters backyard, so I hope these problems will be addressed swiftly.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.

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After a national search, the Portland Public Schools board has narrowed its hunt for the next superintendent to three finalists, each of whom will come to Portland next week for a gauntlet of interviews, including a public meet-and-greet at Grant High on May 28.

The three finalists are Kimberlee Armstrong, the districts former chief academic officer who is now a deputy superintendent in the Evergreen school district in Vancouver; Iton Udosenata, deputy superintendent for secondary schools at the Salem-Keizer School District; and Paul Cruz, former superintendent of the 74,000-student Austin Independent School District, now working as a professor of practice and program director at the University of Texas, Austin.

The public-facing process for finalists is a departure for the district, which kept its top-tier superintendent candidates closely guarded during the last several searches. But board chair Gary Hollands in particular had pushed for transparency, even at the risk of losing candidates who didnt want their names made public, citing the need to rebuild community trust after a bruising few years, including last falls teacher strike and pandemic building closures.

Among Portland education insiders, Armstrongs and Udosenatas names had been widely bandied about, and both are well-known in Pacific Northwest schools circles. In addition, both are Black and some members of the school board had signaled their strong preference to hire a Black superintendent, given dismay over years of stagnant student achievement scores for Black and Indigenous students in particular. Cruz, who is Latino, would be a newcomer to the region and is the only finalist who has already been a superintendent.

Board members have yet to settle on the salary for the new superintendent, saying only that it will likely be between $225,000 and $360,000. Former Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero was making $341,000 plus potential bonuses when he resigned last winter. Armstrong makes $253,363 at Evergreen Public Schools. Udosenata is paid $191,084 in Salem-Keizer, while Cruz was making a base salary of $310,000 when he left his superintendents role in Austin in 2020.

Kimberlee Armstrong

Armstrong, a California native, has spent most of her career in education working in Washington and Northern California, but she had a nearly two-year stint in Portland before she accepted the Evergreen School District deputy superintendency last October.

She graduated from California State University-East Bay in 1997, did graduate work at the University of Washington and began her education career as a teacher in the Puyallup School District. She spent four years there, the longest she has remained in a position in a career that has since taken her to a high school principalship in Southern California and high-ranking central office jobs in Edmonds, Wash. and Northern California.

In interviews and writing online, Armstrong stresses her commitment to racial equity and justice in education, a priority of Hollands and others on the school board who have made no secret of their distress over the persistent gap in achievement between Black and Indigenous students and their white and Asian peers on key markers including graduation rates and reading and math scores.

For example, when she was an assistant superintendent in the Tamalpais Union School District in Marin County, one of Californias wealthiest communities, Armstrong helped convene a 100-member task force in the wake of George Floyds murder to do a top-to-bottom review of the districts anti-racism policies, including on diversity in hiring, the development of an ethnic studies curriculum and professional development for educators.

In Portland, she took a leading role in the districts efforts to switch to an equitable grading model, which emphasizes a students ability to show that theyve mastered academic skills over more traditional markers of success, like turning in homework,meeting deadlines and passing quizzes the first time they are given.

And she helped the district work to put instructional coaches into every elementary, middle and K-8 school to help educators implement new curricula and deepen their teaching. District leaders have credited the instructional coach initiative with helping Portland students make academic gains post-COVID that stand in contrast to most Oregon districts trajectories. But some Portland teachers have questioned whether paying coaches has been the best use of scarce resources.

Armstrong arrived at Evergreen after the district settled divisive contract negotiations with its teachers union that resulted in a seven-day strike, so she has direct experience with the kind of fractured atmosphere that prevails in Portland. As in Portland, Evergreen has also been dealing with a restricted budget and the attendant public fallout.

Additionally, she is familiar with Evergreens special education inclusion model  which aims to reduce the amount of time that special education students spend outside of mainstream classrooms  is the prototype for a similar system that Portland Public Schools is piloting.

Evergreen is also in the midst of a superintendent search, after its current leader announced he would retire at the end of the school year. Rob Perkins, chair of the Evergreen school board, said Armstrong would be a welcome applicant for our search, calling her an empathetic leader whom he said was deeply interested in outcomes for all students.

Even during a relatively brief stint in Portland, Armstrong made an impact in the districts work to accelerate teaching and learning, said Jonathan Garcia, who was chief of staff under Guerrero and continues to be the volunteer chair at the Fund for PPS, the districts independent fundraising nonprofit. Armstrong already knows key players and plans in place in the district, he added, meaning she wouldnt face a steep learning curve if she were to get the job.

Iton Udosenata

Udosenata is a native Oregonian who grew up in Eugene, went to the University of Oregon and worked as a teacher in South Central Los Angeles and then as a social studies teacher at Eugenes Thurston High. He eventually became the principal of his alma mater, North Eugene High School, where overall graduation rates improved 15 percentage points during his tenure, with particular growth for Latino students.

He has been in Salem for four years and has worked under two superintendents during that time. In 2022, he was a finalist for the superintendents job in Eugene but withdrew from that search, citing family obligations.

Like Armstrong, Udosenata has said his passion lies with racial equity work. As the principal at Cottage Grove High in the South Lane School District, for example, he expanded the schools Advanced Placement courses, adding AP Spanish to help support the schools large Hispanic population. As principal at North Eugene, he eliminated pay to play fees for student athletes; in Salem, he defended the districts use of a restorative justice approach to discipline, a philosophy that involves talking students through the consequences of their actions, instead of a reflexive reliance on suspensions and expulsion, which disproportionately land on students of color.

Unlike either Armstrong or Cruz, Udosenata has spent the bulk of his career in Oregon, and as he has risen through the ranks hes built connections with the states educational decision-makers in Salem. His stint as president of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators  where his former superintendent in the South Lane district, Krista Parent is now the executive director  coincided with the start of a corporate income tax to fund educational priorities, particularly for students of color, those navigating poverty, students with disabilities and those learning to speak English.

He also spoke out against the Oregon Education Associations attempts to make class size a mandated topic of teacher contract negotiations and, along with other education letters, was among the signatories of a letter calling for anti-racism practices in classrooms around the state.

In Salem-Keizer, a district that has only a few thousand fewer students than Portland, Udosenata played a role in this years drawn-out negotiating process with its teacher union, managing to narrowly avert a potential strike. He also helped guide implementation of a $619 million school construction bond voters passed in 2018.

Udosenatas time in Salem has also been marked with setbacks, including reading and math scores that have yet to show any sign of post-pandemic rebound. Salem-Keizer closed schools on Friday so that the 111 teachers and other educational staffers who were being laid off because of the shrinking budget would have time to process that news, along with more than 700 who were told they would be moved to a different school or department.

Craig Hawkins, executive director of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, said Udosenatas three years in leadership roles at that organization were eventful, particularly during the tug-of-war over school building closures during the pandemic. He called Idosenata a great human and an amazing leader who was a steady source of support for school leaders around the state as they coped with ever-changing regulations from the Oregon Health Authority and the governors office.

Our sessions became group therapy, where [administrators] could talk about how to implement legal requirements and do so in a way that supports students, families and employees, Hawkins said. Iton helped everyone remain calm and focused on kids. His leadership was critical. I have a deep sense of gratitude towards him.

Paul Cruz

The sole candidate currently working outside of the Pacific Northwest, Cruz spent 14 years rising through the ranks in the Austin school system, the sixth largest school district in Texas. He served six years as the districts top leader before resigning in February, 2020. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he has also served as a superintendent in the smaller Laredo Independent School District, as a deputy commissioner in the Texas Education Agency and as a teacher in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Portland and Austin have similar politics and DNA  both cities lay claim to the Keep it Weird! slogan seen on so many bumper stickers  but Austin is significantly more diverse. Only 30% of its students are white, while 54% are Latino. In Portland, those figures are 55% and 18%, respectively.

During his tenure in Austin, Cruz oversaw graduation rates that hit 90%, helped persuade voters to pass a $1 billion bond for capital projects, launched full-day prekindergarten and dual language immersion programs and expanded partnerships with community colleges so that high school students could get dual credit.

Ken Zarifis, the president of Education Austin, the labor union that represents all school employees in the district, gave Cruz high marks for his leadership. That could be a key factor for Portland school board members, whove made it clear that the districts next leader will need to quickly repair frosty labor relationships.

He always listened and worked with us, Zarifis said. Hes relational. When we had problems on campus, he brought people together to work through them.

While Cruz was the superintendent, union leaders negotiated what was then the largest single-year pay raise in the districts history, with a 6% raise across the board and 7% for teachers with more than five years of experience.

Zarifis said Cruz also stood out for his belief in a community schools model, in which schools emerge as neighborhood hubs to which residents can turn for essential services, like health clinics and food pantries.

Cruz also saw the district through an emotional and contentious decision to close four neighborhood elementary schools that critics  including the districts own equity director  pointedly noted served mainly low-income Black and Latino students. The goal, Cruz said at the time, was to redirect the money from maintaining aging buildings into academics, support services and the arts, to better serve students whose schools were closing.

The decision still smarts for some, Zarifis said, but communities have begun to heal. It was a hard decision that I believe he felt with all of his heart had to be made. You cant always play to everything everyone wants. You have to make hard decisions, Paul is capable of doing that, and we have moved past it.

School closures are a looming issue at Portland Public Schools, where 20 of its 45 elementary schools will enroll 300 or fewer students next year. The closure process under Cruz rankled school board members enough, the Austin American-Statesman reported, that they chose not to extend his contract, which was due to expire in 2021.

Members of the public are invited to meet the three candidates on May 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Grant High in Northeast Portland. Community members can submit questions for the candidates in advance; questions will be chosen by lottery and grouped around themes, according to the search firm that has been hired by Portland Public Schools.

School board members have said they plan to name a new superintendent next month.

 Julia Silverman covers schools and educational policy for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached via email at jsilverman@oregonlive.com. Follow her on x.com at @jrlsilverman.
After three weeks of awe-inspiring brain power, strategic wagering, and buzzer battles, its all come down to this. The 2024 Jeopardy Masters finals are here, and after the episode that airs Wednesday, May 22, fans will know who came out on top.

 No cable or satellite? You can watch Jeopardy Masters tonight with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial)

The semifinal games that aired Monday saw Amy Schneider, a writer from Oakland, California, make a gracious exit, as she failed to earn enough match points to continue.

That left Victoria Groce, a writer and television personality from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; James Holzhauer, the Las Vegas-based, self-described Final Boss of Jeopardy!; and Yogesh Raut, a cognitive and behavioral scientist from Vancouver, Washington.

All three have been strong players, and keen competitors. Going into tonights finals, the Jeopardy Masters leaderboard has Holzhauer in the lead, then Raut, then Groce.

The three will face off for the last time in this 2024 tournament tonight, in two games. Holzhauer was the victor in the first Jeopardy Masters season. But as viewers this year have seen, any one of the top trio could win it all.

At the end of Mondays episode, host Ken Jennings summed it up, by saying that Holzhauer, Raut and Groce would be back for the pulse-pounding, brain-busting finals of Jeopardy Masters, on Wednesday.

Which master will win the $500,000 grand prize, and Trebek Trophy? Fans will soon find out.

The 2024 Jeopardy Masters finals event airs Wednesday, May 22, at 8 p.m., on ABC.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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CHICAGO (AP)  A consultant the Chicago Blackhawks hired to improve relationships with American Indian tribes has filed a lawsuit accusing the team, its charity foundation and its CEO of fraud, breach of contract and sexual harassment.

Nina Sanders filed the civil action May 14 in Cook County Circuit Court. She alleges in the lawsuit that the Blackhawks were facing intense public pressure to change their name and logo in 2020. The teams CEO, Dan Wirtz, hired her that year to serve as a tribal liaison.
One of the most anticipated home games of the Seattle Storms season takes place Wednesday night when Caitlin Clark makes her first trip to Seattle as a member of the Indiana Fever in a regular season WNBA showdown. The Storm host the Fever tomorrow night on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT, and tickets to this game are more affordable than you might think.

 Get seats to see Caitlin Clarks first game in Seattle from Vivid Seats | Stub Hub | Ticketmaster | Seat Geek. Through a special arrangement, if you are purchasing tickets for the first time through Vivid Seats, use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save $20 on orders of $200 or more for the event you plan on attending.

Currently, the cheapest available seats for this WNBA game between the Fever and the Storm are selling for only $32 before any service fees are added on, which is cheaper than they were just 24 hours ago as the price is falling leading up to game time.

If money is no object, or you want the best seats available, the most expensive tickets currently available are on the floor are courtside, or the row behind it, which are selling for anywhere from around $320 to $860 depending on which side of the court you choose. If comfort is as important to you as a good view of the court, you can also get seats in the Club Level selling for around $225-265 a seat.

How many celebrities and local athletes will attend thhis game tomorrow night? Youll have to get tickets in order to find out and be there live when it happens.
Editors note: This op-ed is the third in a series of commentary pieces The Oregonian/OregonLive will publish this year offering different perspectives on education funding in Oregon. Readers can find previous op-eds at https://www.oregonlive.com/topic/oregon-education-funding/

Andrea Castaneda, Tyler Scialo-Lakeberg and Edie Buchanan

Castaneda is superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Scialo-Lakeberg is president of Salem Keizer Education Association. Buchanan is president of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals.

Over the last year, Oregonians watched tension between school districts and unions spill out into communities over contract bargaining. The intensity ofnegotiations may suggest that districts and unions are fundamentally and irreconcilably at odds with one another. We  leaders of Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Salem Keizer Education Association and the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals  offer this op-ed as proof to the contrary.

We come together as a group to share three important points with all Oregonians.

First, working in schools is dramatically more complex and difficult than ever before. Our communities are suffering we only need to walk our city streets, talk to our neighbors and watch the news to see the evidence. It is unavoidably true that when our community is suffering, our students are suffering. And when students are suffering, public schools often are expected to provide the solution. We do far more than educate Oregons students. We provide two meals per day, basic health care, crisis management, mental health services and so much more. The ever-increasing demands placed on schools and educators are taking a toll, but our educators keep showing up every day, regardless of the conditions.

Second, our staff are committed professionals who are passionate about the work they do. Students are in school seven hours per day, but our staff routinely work 10 or more hours per day to keep up with ever-expanding needs. Working in schools needs to be fulfilling and sustainable, but our public schools are increasingly dependent on employees performing acts of heroism on a routine basis. This heroism currently takes many forms: teachers who shuttle students laundered clothes to school, instructional assistants who drive families to the emergency room, and principals who quietly help staff get through personal and financial emergencies. Heroism inspires love and loyalty, but it cannot be a job requirement.

Third, Salem-Keizer Public Schools is serving as an alarm bell for Oregons public schools and the 550,000 students we collectively serve in districts across the state. Our district is making $70 million in budget adjustments and reductions for the 2024-2025 school year. These reductions include the elimination of almost 400 positions at every level of the system. In other words, at the very time that we need improved conditions for teaching and learning, Salem-Keizer will face fewer adults, larger class sizes and less support for teaching and learning.

Oregon schools are sliding into a financial crisis caused by inadequate state funding. In the last few months, almost a dozen school districts have announced reductions and many more are predicting deeper cuts next year. We offer one glaring example: in 2023, the state estimated that personnel costs in school district would increase by 5.45% during the two years of the biennium. Our actual increases are over 14%. This grave expense forecasting error left Salem-Keizer and school districts throughout Oregon underfunded and with no choice but to make reductions or begin tapping reserve funding to simply make it through this year and the next.

We must have meaningful change in the state funding for public education in the 2025-2027 biennium. Without it, districts across Oregon will follow in Salem-Keizers painful footprints of reduction and loss.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Salem-Keizer Education Association and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals stand together as educators in our commitment to faithfully serve our students and stand together in joint advocacy for our district, our state and every one of our students. We may have areas of disagreement, but today, our shared values and beliefs are more powerful than our differences. We partner to advocate for change and to prioritize the needs of students, staff and our community.

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Races for three of four seats up for grabs on the Multnomah County Commission remained competitive or all but certain to stretch into the fall Wednesday, making the prospect of a potential political realignment on the countys top policymaking body uncertain for months to come.

Only incumbent Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who won a special election to represent most of Southeast Portland in District 3 last year, delivered a decisive win Tuesday. She prevailed over challenger TJ Noddings 74% to 25% in partial returns tallied as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

In east Multnomah Countys District 4, Gresham City Councilor Vince Jones-Dixon held a growing lead over IT consultant Brian Knotts 49.8% to 42%, with a third candidate trailing far behind, results showed. Unless one of the two top vote-getters ultimately secures 50%, however, theyll face each other again in November.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Two other contests that pitted progressives against more business-friendly centrists and drew large outside spending from rival political groups appeared certain to head to runoffs.

Homeless advocate Shannon Singleton, former Portland Mayor Sam Adams and boutique hotel owner Jessie Burke captured 45%, 24% and 23%, respectively in a five-way race to represent North and Northeast Portlands District 2, partial results showed. That means Singletons likely challenger remains up in the air.

And on the citys west side District 1, Meghan Moyer, a nonprofit policy director, and Vadim Mozyrsky, an administrative law judge, bested three other challengers to garner 46% and 40%, respectively.

The final result remains uncertain due to the tens of thousands of ballots turned in on Election Day that remain uncounted. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday., results of only 127,000 Multnomah County ballots had been tallied, meaning roughly 50,000, remain to be counted, elections workers reported.

Those close races will decide who succeeds Commissioner Sharon Meieran, who is required to step down from the countys west side district after two terms, and the elected successor to former North and Northeast Portland Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, who resigned to run for Congress but lost that race Tuesday.

Regardless of how the electoral dust ultimately settles, the countys five-member elected body is poised to undergo a sweeping political transformation, said Dan Lavey, a longtime public affairs consultant in Portland.

No matter the final outcomes in November, the county commission will dramatically change, Lavey said. It will be more open, more willing to challenge the county chair and more willing to disrupt the status quo on homelessness and support public safety.

The potential electoral shakeup comes amid seething frustration with local government performance and as Multnomah Countys normally low-key elected body  long dominated by left-leaning members  faces increased scrutiny and scorn.

Rampant homelessness, public drug use, rising overdose deaths and untreated mental health crises have all thrust the countys actions and inaction on these issues into the spotlight.

The countys underspending of Metro homelessness services taxes along with its sluggish rollout of a new drop-off sobering center and dismal ambulance response times have amplified critiques of its urgency and effectiveness.

Additionally, County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson took the helm last year, with the extraordinary political power that comes with the office, only to be beset by repeated policy and implementation errors and, critics say, a lack of clear vision.

An April poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive found that Multnomah County voters disapprove of their local governments handling of homelessness and drug use by an 11 to 1 margin or higher.

Despite the stakes, all four of the commission races largely flew under the radar, fueled in part by strict voter-approved limits on campaign contributions.

That in turn gave two political groups willing to independently spend for or against a candidate outsized influence in the competitive District 1 and District 2 contests.

Progressive Voice for Oregon, funded largely by powerful public employee unions such as SEIU and AFSCME and several racial and social justice nonprofits, reported spending at least $95,000 to support Moyer and Singleton. The two candidates had raised only $37,000 and $39,000 on their own.

Meanwhile, United for Portland, a business and industry backed coalition, endorsed Mozyrsky, Adams and Burke, all of whom raised just over $100,000 apiece for their own campaigns. The group and an affiliated political committee reported spending at least $81,000 on behalf of Mozyrsky and $225,000 for ads or mailers attacking Singleton.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting.

Reach him at 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh

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Voters in the Banks School District on Tuesday approved a $49 million bond to build a new high school, repair leaky roofs, install upgraded heating and cooling systems and make seismic upgrades.

Partial returns as of 10 p.m. showed the bond passing with 61% of the vote.

The measure will tax property owners $2.99 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from the current rate of $1.80. Under the current rate, a homeowner with a house valued at $200,000 pays about $432 a year. The passage of the bond means that the price tag for homeowners will jump to almost $600 annually.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

There was no formal opposition to the measure.

Campaign finance records show proponents had raised nearly $14,000 and spent about $8,000 to promote the measure, as of Tuesday. Its biggest contributors were Bighorn Logging Corporation, which gave $5,000 and real estate developer Holt Group Holdings, which gave $2,500.

 Julia Silverman covers education policy and schools for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on X.com at @jrlsilverman.
Christine Drazan, Oregons most recent Republican nominee for governor, handily defeated incumbent state Rep. James Hieb Tuesday in her bid to return to the Oregon House.

Partial results as of 8 p.m. showed Drazan with 70% of the votes tallied and Hieb with 30% in the race for House District 51, which encompasses a large swath of Clackamas County.

Tuesdays win marked a political comeback for Drazan, who spent three years in the House before leaving in 2022 to run unsuccessfully for governor.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Drazan rose to lead the House Republican caucus just eight months after taking office in 2019 and became a powerful voice for the minority party. She worked as a lobbyist and legislative staffer before entering office.

Hieb, a U.S. Marine veteran and preschool owner, was appointed to Drazans seat in 2022 and subsequently won election to a full term.

The two ran on similar platforms of addressing homelessness and drug addiction, though Hieb tried to portray himself as more willing to push back against the Republican establishment than Drazan, who he characterized as a career politician.

During her time as House minority leader, Drazan led House Republicans in a 2020 walkout over a proposed cap-and-trade bill, a mostly symbolic effort because the plan to reduce climate-warming pollution was stuck in the Senate, where Republicans also staged a walkout. She also unified her caucus in 2021 to vote with House Democrats to expel Republican Rep. Mike Nearman of Independence after he helped violent demonstrators breach the state Capitol.

After losing by 3 percentage points to Tina Kotek in the 2022 governors race, Drazan founded A New Direction to advocate for what she characterized as centrist policy priorities.

Drazan told The Oregonian/OregonLive in April she isnt yet thinking about returning to caucus leadership or a future run for higher office.

Hieb cast himself as a true conservative willing to deviate from his party to stand up for his constituents and said he believed he had more to accomplish in office. He gained most attention, however, when he was arrested and jailed in 2022 on accusations of disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer while allegedly drunk at the Clackamas County fair. Hieb apologized for his conduct. The Clackamas County district attorney ultimately did not press charges against him.

Drazan raised nine times as much as Hieb, amassing nearly $169,000 to Hiebs $19,000, according to campaign finance records.

Drazan received endorsements from the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs, the Oregon State Chamber of Commerces political action committee and the mayors of several cities in the district, including Sandy, Canby and Estacada.

Hieb received endorsements from the Republican Unity Caucus, the political arm of the Oregon Firearms Federation and Free Oregon, Inc., a group that advocates for individual rights and sued the state of Oregon over COVID-19 vaccine mandates for certain workers.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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Former Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts holds a substantial lead in the race for Clackamas County chair Tuesday, threatening to oust incumbent Tootie Smith.

He had captured 51% of the vote to her 38%, in partial returns tallied as of midnight Tuesday. But should his share of the vote ultimately dip below 50%, they would face each other in a November runoff.

If Roberts is declared the victor, it would continue a trend, uninterrupted since 2008, of Clackamas chairs lasting a single term in office, only to be ousted by a candidate from the other major party. Roberts is a Democrat, while Smith is a Republican.

After retiring as sheriff more than three years ago, Roberts reentered politics this spring to oppose Smith, casting himself as a politically moderate but fiscally conservative alternative.

A third candidate, April Lambert, captured 10% of the vote in preliminary returns.

Smith  a small business owner, farmer and former member of the Oregon House  was elected chair in 2020, taking the reins from Democrat Jim Bernard. Smith, 67, was first elected to the board in 2012, but lost a bid for reelection in 2016. She came back four years later as chair. Smith has seen her share of controversy, including when she made national headlines for ignoring COVID-19 guidelines.

This race comes as the county grapples with a host of issues that have afflicted much of the rest of the state as well, including homelessness, drug addiction and a lack of mental health care. Clackamas decision to dissolve its equity office, the future of the courthouse funded by a private partnership and Smiths last minute decision to reject state-funded transitional housing through Project Turnkey all weighed on the county as well.

Smith significantly outraised Roberts, with $202,000 compared with his $120,000. Her four biggest donors, each of whom gave $10,000, were the union representing county sheriffs department employees; a company owned by the powerhouse beer and wine distributor Maletis family; a wealthy West Linn property owner fighting land use restrictions; and a company controlled by Damascus real estate investors David and Deborah Guild.

Smith was supported by a range of elected officials, including Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff, who called her a collaborative leader.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page

Roberts served as sheriff for 16 years after 22 years as a reserve deputy and then a detective. He ran to restore trust and transparency at the county, he said. His tenure as sheriff was also marked by controversy, with the sheriffs office settling two high-profile lawsuits involving the mishandling of child abuse cases and a wrongful death suit stemming from a deadly shooting by a sheriffs office sergeant.

Roberts fundraising included $10,000 from Wilsonville-based Avamere Living nursing homes, $9,000 from Oregon union AFSCME Local 75, $4,050 worth of free signs from a Clackamas-based printing company and $4,000 from Democratic Clackamas County lawmaker Sen. Mark Meek of Gladstone.

Former U.S. Rep Kurt Schrader, a moderate Democrat who represented Clackamas County in the Legislature and in Congress for decades, and former Gov. Barbara Roberts, a progressive, both endorsed Roberts in the race.

 Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

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The frontrunners in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Oregon attorney general cruised to victory in early returns Tuesday, setting up a well-funded and competitive battle heading into November.

Former House Speaker Dan Rayfield lead 77% to 23% against civil rights activist Shaina Maxey Pomerantz in the Democratic primary, while Republican former prosecutor Will Lathrop was up 65% to 35% against businessman Michael Cross in partial returns as of 8 p.m.

Democrats have held the attorney generals office since 1993. Novembers election will be the first open race for the states top lawyer since 2012, when retiring Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum was first elected.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Rayfield, a 45-year-old personal injury attorney from Corvallis, has vowed to expand consumer protection work in the Department of Justices civil enforcement division and increase public safety through partnerships with both law enforcement and criminal justice advocates, if elected.

Rayfield had raised about $876,000 as of Tuesday, campaign finance records show. His largest donor is D.C.-based Guarantee Political Action Committee, which is associated with the Democratic Party and contributed $100,000.

He faced nominal opposition from Maxey Pomerantz, a former civil rights investigator at the Oregon Labor Bureau and head of racial justice nonprofit, RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism. She raised $15,000.

Lathrop, a 46-year-old former Marion and Yamhill county prosecutor, entered the race after an eight-year stint working for a human rights organization in Uganda and Ghana where he worked to fight child slavery. If elected, he vowed to restore trust in the justice system by reducing crime and public corruption.

Lathrop, of Newberg, has raised more than $733,000, campaign finance records show, including $50,000 each from Salem businessmen Lawrence Tokarski and Richard Withnell.

Cross, who has unsuccessfully run for governor and attorney general, didnt raise money.

Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.

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Estacada School District voters on Tuesday rejected a $149 million bond, the bulk of which was intended to replace the districts current high school.

Partial returns as of 10 p.m. showed the bond failing with 61% of voters opposed.

Funding was slated to go toward repurposing the existing high school building to serve as a junior high school for seventh and eighth grades and updating career-technical education classrooms, according to the district. And an existing middle school would have been reconfigured as a third elementary school to handle expected growth.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

The ask represented a significant increase from the school districts current bond, which expires in 2025 and is set at $1.16 per $1,000 of assessed home value. The proposed bond was set at $3.16 per $1,000 of assessed home value, or $632 per year for a homeowner with a house assessed at $200,000. That amounts to about a $400 yearly increase from what homeowners pay to fund the current bond.

There was no formal opposition to the measure. Campaign finance records show proponents had raised nearly $26,000 and spent about $16,000 to promote the measure as of Tuesday.

The bulk of that funding, about $14,000, was transferred from the political committee that supported the districts previous bond. Other large contributors included the Oregon Education Association and the Oregon School Employees Association, which gave $2,500 and $4,000, respectively.

 Julia Silverman covers education policy and schools for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on X.com at @jrlsilverman.
Healthcare clinic CEO Shannon Jones Isadore won the Democratic primary to represent House District 33 on Tuesday.

Preliminary results tallied as of just before midnight Tuesday showed Isadore at 49%, attorney Pete Grabiel with 29% and physician Brian Duty with 22%.

Isadore will be expected to coast to victory in November, as registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans more than seven-to-one in the district, which includes downtown and much of Northwest Portland. The seat is currently held by Rep. Maxine Dexter, who is running for Congress.

Assuming she wins the seat, Isadore will become the only Black woman serving in the Legislature with the departure of Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Happy Valley, who is running for Congress.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Grabiel lost despite a huge financial boost as former Democratic lawmaker Brian Clem pumped nearly $180,000 into his campaign through Oregonians are Ready, a political action committee that helps elect moderate Democrats to the Legislature.

That infusion of cash helped Grabiel, a lawyer who has advocated for international efforts to curb the effects of climate change, raise more than $300,000, more than either of his competitors.

He characterized himself as the most moderate Democrat in the race and said his priorities would be enacting environmental legislation and addressing Oregons public defender shortage. Grabiel received endorsements from former Gov. Barbara Roberts, the Portland Metro Chamber and international climate expert Durwood Zaelke.

Duty, a urology professor and surgeon at Oregon Health & Sciences University, said he wanted to boost the capacity of hospitals, expand behavioral health services and increase health care workforce retention.

He received endorsements from former Gov. John Kitzhaber, Metro President Lynn Peterson, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and several unions, including the Oregon chapters of the Service Employees International Union. He had raised $167,000 as of Tuesday, campaign finance records.

Isadore, a U.S. Marine veteran and founder of the Oregon Change Clinic, a culturally specific behavioral health clinic, said her focus would be creating affordable housing, supporting behavioral health initiatives and addressing Portlands downtown office vacancies.

Isadore, who raised $127,000, received endorsements from former Gov. Kate Brown, five Democratic lawmakers from the Portland area and several unions, including the statewide teachers union and the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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State Rep. Maxine Dexter won the competitive Democratic primary to represent Oregons 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday.

Partial results as of 10 p.m. showed Dexter with 51% of the tallied votes compared to 29% for former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and 14% for Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales. Four other Democratic candidates remained far behind.

Dexter is expected to coast to victory in the general election this fall. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans more than 3-to-1 in the district, which stretches from the Willamette River to Hood River.

She will face the winner of a three-way Republican primary. Attorney Joanna Harbour appeared poised to win that race with 53% of the vote in partial results at 10 p.m.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

In Congress, I will listen, I will work with others and we will find a path forward that gets results, Dexter told supporters at an election night party at North Portlands Polaris Hall. Our first priority must be preserving a democracy where everyone has a voice. We cannot let the politics of hate and fear divide us.

Retiring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who has represented the 3rd District for nearly three decades, didnt endorse any candidates in the primary, but congratulated Dexter shortly after it became apparent she had won the race Tuesday night.

Maxine has proven herself to be a serious and effective legislator, Blumenauer said in a statement. I am confident shell take this success with her to Washington D.C.

What started as a collegial primary contest grew increasingly heated in the final month as outside groups pumped more than $5 million into the race to promote Dexter and attack Jayapal.

The 314 Action Fund, which aims to elect progressives with backgrounds in science to Congress, spent $2.2 million to support Dexter, while Voters for Responsive Government, a political action group established in April, spent $3.2 million against Jayapal.

Its unclear who bankrolled Voters for Responsive Government, which has yet to disclose its donors. The 314 Action Fund received two-thirds of its April donations from three donors, two of whom are strong supporters of Israel.

Jayapal and Morales decried the outside spending, claiming the money was funneled from Republican donors trying to stop progressive candidates of color.

In a Tuesday night statement, Jayapal said that the race demonstrated the need for campaign finance reform. She also said she was proud to run a campaign based on values of integrity, commitment and justice.

There is so much work to be done and I will continue that work to create shared prosperity, a sustainable planet and a truly strong democracy. One in which people - not profit, not money - have power, Jayapal said. We are not there, but we will continue to fight. While we may be disappointed in the results, the fight was worth it and always is.

By the end of April, Dexter had outraised both Jayapal and Morales, in a dramatic shift from January when she had the least financial support of the three. In May, Dexter reported about $418,000 in last-minute campaign contributions compared to a combined $150,000 reported by her two top competitors. A large chunk of Dexters last-minute funding poured in from out-of-state donors who had also given to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or related groups. Some of those donors also gave to Republican candidates.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee congratulated Dexter for her win on social media Tuesday night, saying their members were proud to support her against Jayapal, who they called an anti-Israel opponent.

Jayapal said she expected pro-Israel groups to potentially weigh in against her, as they have in other races across the country. Jewish Insider magazine wrote last year that Jayapal had drawn scrutiny from pro-Israel leaders after she declined to sign a county commission statement condemning Hamas for its Oct. 7 attack because it did not acknowledge Palestinians killed in Israels brutal response. She later explicitly condemned Hamas and called for a ceasefire.

Dexter denounced the attack ads against Jayapal by Voters for Responsive Government, but defended her longtime support from the 314 Action Fund. Campaign Manager Nathan Clark said that Dexters nuanced position on Israel has earned support from a wide swath of our community. She favors a ceasefire, immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza and a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, Clark said.

I did not for one second compromise my integrity or my values. I said what I mean and I mean what I said. When people chose to support me, Im grateful for that, Dexter told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an interview after her win. Theres nothing that I did to pander. I stuck to a positive race and talking about my own qualifications and what Ill do for this district. I think thats what people want to hear.

Dexter, a critical care physician and pulmonologist in Kaiser Permanente hospitals, is in her second full term in the Oregon House. As the chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness, Dexter helped pass major investments in affordable housing and rental assistance championed by Gov. Tina Kotek. She also sponsored legislation that ramped up the distribution of a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication and banned restaurants use of Styrofoam takeout containers.

She received endorsements from leading Democratic state lawmakers, as well as medical organizations and gun control advocacy groups.

I am deeply grateful for this community, Dexter said Tuesday night. You made this campaign possible.

Jayapal, a lawyer who was born in India and moved to the U.S. at 16 for college, served on the Multnomah County Commission from 2019 to 2023, where she said she helped increase rent assistance for low-income families and replace wood stoves with climate-friendly heat pumps. She pitched herself during the campaign as a coalition-builder and the strongest progressive in the race. She received the endorsement of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and drew more than $150,000 in outside support from a group that backs progressive Indian American candidates.

Morales spent more than a decade organizing voters and said he helped generate key support for the Affordable Care Act and youth immigrant dreamers. He grew up in Oregon, raised by a mother who immigrated from Mexico. He received support from a bevy of labor unions, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams.

Oregonian intern Riya Sharma and freelancer Grant Stringer contributed to this report.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
Voters in Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties approved a $380 million bond to fund upgrades at the Oregon Zoo on Tuesday.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Measure 26-244 was passing with 55% in favor of the bond.

The Metro Council asked voters in the tri-county area to approve the new bond to support capital improvements at the Oregon Zoo for the next 15 years, including new and renovated spaces for penguins, otters and giraffes.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Money from the bond will also go to making the zoo more resilient to climate change and increasing access to the zoo for people with mobility challenges.

The animals are fine, Heidi Rahn, the director of the Oregon Zoo, told The Oregonian/OregonLive earlier this year. But in the future, we know theyre not going to meet the standards that we have to meet and its already been called out by our accreditation body.

The bond will cost homeowners 8.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or roughly $23 a year for a home assessed at $275,000.

Homeowners wont see an increase in property taxes, however, because the debt for the 2008 zoo bond would be paid off before the new measure is set to go into effect.

Proponents of the measure raised more than $706,000 and spent $682,000 to promote the bond. Much of the funding came from The Oregon Zoo Foundation, which derives about half its income from Zoo memberships.

Not everyone agreed that voters should approve a new tax.

Metro has so much money, it doesnt know what to do with it all, said Jason Williams, executive director and founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon, which opposed the measure. Its supportive housing services taxes are expected to bring in $1 billion more than anticipated. Now, Metro wants to shift some of that money to other things. If the zoo is that important, then that money should come from elsewhere in Metros budget.

 Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com or @lizzzyacker

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UPDATE: Multnomah County voters elect Nathan Vasquez as DA, ousting one-term incumbent Mike Schmidt

Multnomah County voters are on track to fire one-term incumbent District Attorney Mike Schmidt, replacing him with Nathan Vasquez, a longtime prosecutor who ran a fierce and expensive challenge to unseat his boss.

Partial returns as of 10 p.m. showed Vasquez leading 56% to 44%.

After the first results came in, Schmidt issued a statement calling the race hard fought and saying it was too early to call the winner.

Regardless of the outcome, I want to thank this community for the incredible support they have shown this campaign, Schmidt said as he gathered with supporters at the Jupiter Hotel on East Burnside.

Schmidt entered the room with his wife, Clare, to applause at 8:49 p.m. He worked the room, greeting supporters. Shortly after 9 p.m., Rep. Rob Nosse, a Portland Democrat, introduced Schmidt.

Schmidt acknowledged the unsettled race and thanked his supporters.

I look around this room tonight and these are exactly the people that I want to be in the room with, he said.

His wife spoke as well, telling those gathered that her husband gave his all to the people of Portland, to all of the people from east county to west county and win or lose I am happy for him to keep doing the work or I am happy to have him back.

Vasquez watched the results come in with his supporters at the Hoxton Hotel on Northwest Fourth Avenue. He has not released a statement yet.

Nathan Vasquez talks with supporters at his election party at the Hoxton Hotel in Portland on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.Dave Killen | The Oregonian

The final result remains uncertain due to the tens of thousands of ballots turned in on the last day that have not been counted. As of 10 p.m., results of only 125,000 Multnomah County ballots had been tallied, meaning about 45,000 were left. And last-day ballots tend to differ, usually in a more progressive direction, from ballots cast earlier.

Vasquezs campaign leaned heavily on his experience as a prosecutor and advocate for crime victims.

He started in the office straight out of law school about 24 years ago and stayed, rising through the ranks to become a supervisor and handling some of the most serious cases on the offices caseload, including homicides and violent political extremism.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Vasquez, 47, zeroed in on what he characterized as Schmidts failure to lead, whether it was on crime, the state of downtown Portland or within the office. He accused Schmidt of sitting on the sidelines as the public use of fentanyl proliferated and called attention to Schmidts shifting views of Measure 110, Oregons first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law.

Schmidt, meanwhile, encountered a dramatically altered political landscape than when he ran in 2020, as his message failed to resonate with voters who four years ago enthusiastically swept him into office after a campaign that highlighted racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system.

Nationally, Schmidt is the latest progressive DA to face the prospect of defeat. Two years ago, San Francisco voters recalled reformer Chesa Boudin and the top prosecutor in Chicago, Kim Foxx, who also championed changes to the justice system, faced intense backlash and announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection.

Schmidt, 43, campaigned on what he described as his accomplishments: a reduction in car and catalytic converter thefts and the start of a specialty court focused on rehabilitation over incarceration for some violent offenders. He also touted his efforts to advocate for big-picture policies like making minor drug possession a crime again.

Schmidt had previously worked for about six years as a Multnomah County prosecutor and eventually went on to lead the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, a state agency charged with crunching criminal justice data for policymakers.

From the start, Schmidt faced intense criticism from within his own ranks. The union that represents prosecutors endorsed Vasquez.

District Attorney Mike Schmidt and his wife Clare Schmidt embrace at Schmidt's election night party at the Jupiter Hotel Portland on Tuesday, May 21, 2004.Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Last year, the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries found substantial evidence in favor of former prosecutor Amber Kinney, who alleged when she quit in 2022 that Schmidt had set back womens advancement in the office by decades.

More recently, a senior prosecutor in the office accused Schmidt of bypassing policies in reviewing clemency petitions and making a promotion decision based on political loyalties.

The bruising race made history, raking in record amounts of cash. Downtown business interests backed Vasquez and reform-minded donors, including a group with ties to Democratic megadonor George Soros, infused Schmidts coffers with last-minute donations.

Though Schmidt trailed in fundraising for much of the race, he caught up to Vasquez in the closing weeks, campaign finance filings show. They each raised about $1.1 million, unheard of in the race for Multnomah County DA.

In nonpartisan primaries like this one, if a candidate earns more than 50% of vote, they win the office outright, giving them more than seven months to prepare to take office in January.

The salary for the four-year position increases to $272,725 in July.

-- Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on the justice system. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.

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Multnomah County voters soundly backed a property tax increase to fund improvements to an aging flood protection system that stretches for miles along the Columbia River.

Measure 26-243 had garnered nearly 65% of the vote in partial returns tallied as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, with tens of thousands of ballots yet to be counted.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

The $150 million bond measure will help bankroll a sweeping overhaul of floodplain levees proposed by the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District.

Its passage will also unlock an additional $100 million in federal funding for the project, according to proponents.

The measure will tax local property owners about 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed property annually. That amounts to about $29 a year on a home with an assessed value of $265,000, the average in Multnomah County.

Some 27 miles of levees, pump stations, pipes, drains and wetlands protect the Portland region from potential floods, stretching from the citys northernmost point all the way to the Sandy River Delta.

The protected floodplain encompasses about 13,000 acres that includes residential neighborhoods, natural areas and one of Oregons largest hubs for industrial and manufacturing jobs, according to the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District.

However, much of the safety system has remained untouched since the 1948 flood that destroyed what was then the city of Vanport and does not meet current federal standards.

A 2021 Army Corps of Engineers study of the system found the annual likelihood of a damaging flood in the area to be greater than a home experiencing fire damage or an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 or greater.

Current estimates peg the projects total price tag at nearly $300 million. District officials have said they are relying on Oregon lawmakers to provide the remaining balance, an effort that Gov. Tina Kotek supports.

Kotek, at the behest of business leaders, had previously asked local governments in the Portland area to refrain from imposing new taxes over the next three years.

Yet the governor, as well as the influential Portland Metro Chamber, later made an exception for the flood protection bond measure, which is needed for the water quality district to qualify for the nine-figure chunk of federal funding.

The flood safety district plans to use most of the bond money to repair and raise the height of nine miles of levees and flood walls as well as make upgrades to seven pump stations.

Approximately $27 million of the funds will also be dedicated to natural floodplain restoration and resilience projects that would slow and store floodwaters and enhance overall safety.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting.

Reach him at 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh
North Plain residents voted Tuesday to reject the citys plan to double in size, but it may take months or years before its clear whether their vote will actually stop the expansion. The answer will have implications for cities across Oregon.

In partial returns, as of 8 p.m., residents were voting 72% to 28% against adding 855 acres to North Plains urban growth boundary. Its land the City Council had said was necessary to increase the citys tax base and add more public services.

Opponents, led by farmers and land preservationists, argued the citys growth plans were too expansive and would encroach on the agricultural land around North Plains. They gathered signatures to put the issue on the ballot so voters could decide.

State lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek responded by hurrying a bill through this years brief legislative session to block the vote in North Plains. They, and cities across Oregon, feared that allowing voters to weigh in on urban expansion could upend the states land-use process and slow the pace of new housing development.

But a Washington County judge issued a temporary order setting aside the new law. Judge Andrew Erwin ruled the vote should go forward in North Plains, concluding opponents would probably prevail before the law because the Oregon Constitution and legal precedent favor giving voters a say in public policy.

The judges temporary ruling isnt the final word because he still plans to hold a full hearing on the issue of whether urban expansions are subject to public vote. And his ruling on that will be subject to appeal by the city.

That legal process could drag on indefinitely, leaving North Plains expansion plans in limbo. Other cities seeking to expand will also be left wondering whether their plans are subject to voter referendums.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

North Plains is a bedroom community about 18 miles west of downtown Portland. Intels main campuses are less than a dozen miles away, putting the small city of 3,400 residents on the doorstep of Oregons largest employment hubs.

North Plains is among the metro areas fastest-growing cities and it has some of the lowest property tax rates in the region. Taxes are below what the city said it needs to staff police and to build parks and other public amenities. The City Council hopes that by adding land, new industrial development will cover the cost of more public services.

The city may continue fighting in court to invalidate Tuesdays vote. Now that voters have made it clear they dont like the current plan, though, its possible local officials will go back to the drawing board.

Mayor Teri Lenahan said Tuesday that night Oregon land-use law should not be simplified to a yes/no vote. But she declined to say how the city will proceed now that voters have emphatically rejected the expansion plan.

In the coming weeks, I will join my colleagues on the North Plains City Council to meet with our North Plains residents and make a plan for how we will meet our obligations under state law and do what is right for the future of North Plains, Lenahan said in a written statement.

This article has been updated with comment from Mayor Lenahan.

-- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com.

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Voters within the Portland Public Schools district boundaries agreed Tuesday to renew a five-year levy to pay for approximately 660 educators, including career-technical educators, reading specialists and science teachers, among others.

Partial returns as of 10 p.m. showed the levy passing with the support of 70% of voters.

The levy will tax homeowners $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed home value, the same rate that has been in place since 2011. It will raise $101.5 million in its first year and bring in $112.5 million by its fifth and final year.

A Portland homeowner with a home assessed at the average value of $276,000 will continue to pay about $550 a year.

Portland taxpayers have historically been very supportive of public schools. The last time a levy renewal was on the ballot in 2019, it passed with the support of 77% of voters. But since then, the district has weathered COVID-era disruptions, a pronounced drop in enrollment, a bruising teacher strike and the resignation of superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero.

The levy had the support of a broad base of voters, including local parent-teacher associations and an array of politicians, including U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici. Proponents of the measure had raised $102,000, including $30,000 from Portlands teachers union, and spent $74,000 as of Tuesday, campaign finance records show.

The measure drew opposition from the Taxpayers of Oregon, who said the district needed to manage its budget better without seeking more funding from voters.

School board members had initially considered raising the levy rate to preserve more teaching jobs, but polling suggested that voters were in no mood for a tax hike. On Tuesday, school board Chair Gary Hollands pronounced himself overjoyed at the levys passage and suggested that the slightly lower rate of support could be chalked up to low turnout, and that the numbers could rise as more ballots are counted.

I just want to show so much gratitude to our community for stepping up to the plate and passing this levy, Hollands said. Saving almost 660 teaching positions is huge for the quality of education we will be able to provide.

Though school administrators and board members were often at odds with the Portland Association of Teachers during the 11-day strike in November, the two sides were united in support of the levy. Union president Angela Bonilla said Tuesday that she too was thrilled about the results.

I am so glad it passed, Bonilla wrote in a text message to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Weve seen time and time again that our Portland community shows up for our kids and our educators.

Parent Mike Westling, who has a first and third grader at Faubion PK-8 in Northeast Portland said that while he was happy that Portlanders had supported the levy, he was sensitive to the fact that hundreds of districts in the state arent passing levies tonight. Portland is one of only about two dozen of Oregons nearly 200 school districts where voters have supported a supplementary levy for operating costs.

Districts large and small are making massive cuts to teachers and other critical supports, said Westling, who is part of a new group called Families for Equity in Schools thats pushing for prioritization of education funding statewide. He said the levys passage should be a sign to state lawmakers that there is political support for funding our schools. I hope leaders take away the message that funding our schools is a winning issue, because it doesnt seem like that is clear to them right now.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

 Julia Silverman covers education policy and schools for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on X.com at @jrlsilverman.
Public defender Willy Chotzen defeated longtime public health administrator Mary Lou Hennrich Tuesday in the Democratic primary for House District 46.

Chotzen was leading Hennrich 70% to 30% as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. The seat, which encompasses a portion of outer Southeast Portland, is currently held by Democratic Rep. Khanh Pham, who is running for state Senate.

No Republicans are running in the district, essentially guaranteeing Chotzen the seat come January. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans more than six-to-one in the district, which is centered around Southeast 82nd Avenue.

I am feeling grateful and really energized, Chotzen told The Oregonian/OregonLive Tuesday night. I am honored by the outpouring of support. Well work incredibly hard to represent this district well, to work tirelessly, to solicit feedback and to be a champion for the community.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Neither candidate had held prior office. Chotzen touted his background as a public defender, saying it gave him an informed perspective to tackle Oregons pressing issues of addiction, mental health and the public defender shortage. Hennrich, who is retired, worked for years in several public health administration roles and said she wanted to focus on expanding access to equitable and affordable health care.

Hennrich started her career as a nurse for the Multnomah County Health Department in 1969 and eventually moved up to deputy director of the department. She later became the first CEO of nonprofit health insurance organization Care Oregon and the first director of the Oregon Public Health Institute, a nonprofit that advocates for public health care access and research.

She has advocated for health care initiatives in Salem, including a successful multi-year effort for Oregon to boost funding and establish statewide requirements for physical education in schools.

Chotzen said his legal background and experience as a former middle school teacher would qualify him to address some of Oregons biggest issues, including the states housing and homelessness crises.

Im excited to bring my background and experience in tackling these issues, Chotzen said. Im equally excited to work on making our criminal legal system more fair and improving our school system.

Since 2020, Chotzen has worked as the manager and chief attorney in the misdemeanor unit of Metropolitan Public Defender, the largest provider of public defender services in Oregon. Chotzen supervises a team of 10 to 15 attorneys in the department, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Chotzen was born in Ashland and spent three years as a middle school math teacher in California before leaving in 2016 to attend Harvard Law School, according to his LinkedIn profile. He moved to Portland five years ago after graduating from law school.

Both candidates received endorsements from powerful Democratic lawmakers and groups. Hennrich was endorsed by Gov. Tina Kotek, the Oregon Sierra Club and the Oregon Nurses Association. Chotzen received support from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.

Chotzen had raised $177,000 as of Tuesday, nearly double the $90,000 that Hennrich raised, campaign finance records show.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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Small business owner Melissa Fireside forced incumbent Clackamas County Commissioner Mark Shull into a runoff Tuesday. Partial returns as of 11:30 p.m. show Shull and Fireside each with 37% of the vote in the four-way race for Shulls seat on the County Board of Commissioners, setting them up for a rematch in November.

Shull, condemned by his fellow commissioners for racist remarks in 2021, faced off against Fireside, Tina Irvine and Rae Gordon in the race for his seat on the board. Irvine took 19% of the vote, with Gordon at 8%, preliminary results showed.

Shull declined to raise money for his campaign, leaning on name recognition to keep his seat, which he won in 2020 by securing just over 50% of the vote to oust Ken Humberston. Shortly after taking office, he faced backlash after county residents discovered Shull had posted derogatory comments about Islam and Muslims, among other offensive remarks.

Less than two weeks after he took office, the board of commissioners voted to censure Shull and called for him to resign. He voted yes on the resolution, but remained in his role.

Outrage resurfaced six months later, when Shull compared COVID-19 vaccine passports to Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation. Chair Tootie Smith and the other three commissioners at the time voted to strip Shull of all liaison duties and committee assignments. He later shared a meme on Facebook that appeared to compare COVID-19 health restrictions to the Holocaust.

Firesides campaign focused on economic development, community health and increasing housing availability. She is the owner of a construction management consulting company and sat on the Clackamas County advisory Mental Health & Addictions Council. She raised $69,000 and landed endorsements from Democratic state Rep. Jules Walters of West Linn, the Democratic Party of Clackamas County and the Democratic Party of Oregons gun owners caucus.

Joining Shull on the Republican side of the table in this nonpartisan race was Irvine, a newcomer to politics. She is a former managing partner of Express Employment Professionals Oregon City branch and has worked as part of Clackamas-based nonprofits like the Childrens Center and Clackamas Workforce Partnership.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page

Irvine, the daughter of a police officer, pledged to improve public safety, lower the cost of living and expand affordable housing. She raised $68,000 and was endorsed by Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, the Portland Metro Chamber and the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association.

Gordon, a longtime county employee in charge of tourism and cultural affairs until 2015, focused her campaign on developing wrap-around mental health and substance use treatment services. She helped the county manage its COVID-19 response in 2021, owned a small marketing company in Oregon City and serves as the president of two nonprofits. Her endorsements include city councilors in Oregon City and Molalla, along with local community leaders. Gordon raised $15,000 for her campaign.

 Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

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State Rep. Janelle Bynum won the Democratic nomination in Oregons 5th Congressional District Tuesday, capturing 68% of the vote tallied as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Her opponent, civil servant Jamie McLeod-Skinner, won just 31% of the near-final tally.

Bynum will face Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer this fall in a race of national importance. Chavez-DeRemers victory over McLeod-Skinner in 2022 helped establish Republican control of the U.S. House, and national Democrats are eager to try to reclaim the seat.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

The nonpartisan Center for Politics at the University of Virginia ranks the race as a toss up come November.

McLeod-Skinner was hoping for a rematch with Chavez-DeRemer, to whom she lost to by 2 percentage points in 2022.

Bynum, who has spent the last seven years in the Oregon House, is running for Congress for the first time. Bynum would make history as Oregons first Black member of Congress if she wins in November.

Bynum! Bynum! chanted a crowd gathered at her election night party at Portland Cider Company in unincorporated Clackamas County as the candidate arrived shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Just moments before, they had erupted in applause when The Oregonian/OregonLive called the race for Bynum.

Speaking briefly before delivering her official remarks, Bynum harkened back to a common theme of her campaign: her children and their future.

I do this work as a love letter to my children and Oregons children, Bynum said. And I truly believe when you bridge the gap between opportunity and talent, then America is a much better place.

Bynum, who lives in Happy Valley, drew key endorsements and more financial support than McLeod-Skinner. She had raised more than $1.1 million by the end of April to McLeod-Skinners $707,000, federal filings show. By mid-May, Bynum had added another $145,000 to that tally and McLeod-Skinner had raised an additional $25,300.

McLeod-Skinner conceded the race in a statement congratulating Bynum on Tuesday night.

Its now time for Democrats to unite behind our shared goal of defeating the MAGA extremist agenda and winning this seat in November, so we can take back the House of Representatives, McLeod-Skinner wrote, adding that she was proud that her campaign was driven by, and for, everyday Oregonians.

Bynum, who runs several McDonalds locations with her husband, touted her lawmaking experience. She emerged as a leading figure for police reform in Oregons 2021 legislative session and last year sponsored the Oregon CHIPS Act, which put $200 million into the states semiconductor industry and is expected to help generate thousands of jobs. If elected to Congress, she said a top priority would be securing federal dollars to build up the states infrastructure, which would in turn help grow businesses and housing.

She was endorsed by a wide swath of Oregons top Democratic leaders, including Gov. Tina Kotek and all of Oregons former female governors, as well as dozens of state lawmakers. The national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which backed McLeod-Skinner in 2022 against Chavez-DeRemer, threw its support behind Bynum in the primary.

I am beyond honored and grateful to be the Democratic nominee, Bynum said in a statement Tuesday. Im running because working families in Oregon who are struggling with rising costs need a fighter who will deliver for them, not special interests, and I have a proven track record of delivering solutions to the biggest challenges facing our community.

McLeod-Skinner, who lives in rural Deschutes County outside of Redmond, argued that as a rural Democrat she was best positioned to reflect the needs of voters in the 5,000-square-mile district that stretches from Lake Oswego across rural Marion and Clackamas counties and on to Bend. Her varied career includes international work rebuilding hospitals in post-war countries, environmental planning and emergency response. She serves on a state board that aims to conserve Oregons watersheds and works part-time for the states Office of Resilience and Emergency Management to establish community resilience networks in case of disaster.

She drew some funding and endorsements from political action committees that support LGBTQ+ candidates for Congress and touted her grassroots support. About 95% of McLeod-Skinners donations before May came from individuals, not political action committees, compared to about 83% of Bynums money.

Several outside groups spent advertising dollars on the race in an attempt to sway voters toward their preferred candidate.

The 314 Action Fund, which aims to elect progressives with backgrounds in science to Congress, spent more than $473,000 to support Bynum.

In the week prior to the race, McLeod-Skinner drew some $350,000 in support from a new group, Health Equity Now. Bynums campaign called the contribution shady GOP election meddling and said the group appeared to be backed by Republicans. McLeod-Skinner told the Associated Press she had never heard of the group before it spent on her behalf.

McLeod-Skinner was also the target of hundreds of thousands of dollars in opposition spending. The Congressional Leadership Fund, which supports Republicans, spent $10,000 against her. And the Mainstream Democrats PAC, which claims that it aims to defeat extreme candidates spent an equal amount of $379,500 to support Bynum and oppose McLeod-Skinner in the race. Top donors to that PAC include Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and Deborah Simon, a large Democratic party donor.

While controversy over support from pro-Israel donors drew big attention in Oregons 3rd Congressional District, where doctor Maxine Dexter received a wave of funds from donors who also gave to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or affiliated groups, that dynamic did not play out in the 5th District primary to the same extent.

Bynum was endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, which favors pro-Israel Democrats, and received $3,000 from that group. McLeod-Skinner was endorsed by the JStreet PAC, which says it promotes American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and candidates who favor a diplomacy-first approach. She received about $1,550 in contributions earmarked for her through that political committee.

The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC issued a statement celebrating Bynums pro-Israel win Tuesday night.

Even during this challenging time in the Middle East, state Rep. Bynums victory shows that being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, but its also winning politics, chairman Mark Mellman wrote in a statement.

Oregonian reporter Andrew Miller contributed to this report.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
Republican primary voters ousted incumbent state Rep. Charlie Conrad of Dexter on Tuesday night in a striking repudiation of the first-term Republican, who drew intense criticism from conservatives after he voted in favor of a bill that guaranteed access to abortion and gender-affirming care.

Partial results as of 9 a.m. Wednesday showed business owner and former McKenzie School Board Member Darin Harbick with a whopping 82% of the vote to Conrads 18%.

Conrad joined Democrats in supporting House Bill 2002 in 2023 after he said he gained a new perspective on gender-affirming care by speaking with health care providers and transgender youth. He was the only Republican who voted in support of the bill.

Shortly after his vote, anti-abortion group Oregon Right to Life, the Oregon Firearms Federation and other conservative organizations announced they were banding together to convince voters in the rural eastern Lane County district to kick Conrad out of office.

Oregon Right to Life endorsed Harbick, who outraised Conrad $146,000 to $80,000, according to campaign finance records.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Elsewhere, a Republican state senator facing an unusual primary challenge from three competitors retained his seat Tuesday night.

Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, survived the primary challenge Tuesday, with preliminary results as of 9 a.m. Wednesday showing him leading his top competitor, logger Todd Vaughn, 57% to 29%.

The campaign was defined by misinformation. In April, an attorney for Brock Smith sent a cease-and-desist letter after the conservative Republican Unity Caucus suggested he was associated with the Chinese Communist Party without any proof to back their claims.

On Election Day on Tuesday, Vaughn then sued Brock Smith, alleging that Brock Smith made false statements in mailers by calling Vaughn too extreme, dishonest and has no experience, alleging he had been kicked off the Douglas County Republican Central Committee and saying he was connected to the Republican Unity Caucus, which the mailers called a misinformation group.

Vaughn contended in the lawsuit that he is honest and has experience, that the Republican Unity Party was spreading accurate information about Brock Smith and that he was recalled as a delegate of the Douglas County Republicans, not the Douglas County Republican Central Committee.

In the race for a Eugene-area seat being vacated by former House Democratic Leader Paul Holvey, educator Lisa Fragala dominated legislative staffer Doyle Canning in the House District 8 Democratic primary, receiving 75% of the vote, according to partial returns as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Oregonians are Ready, a political action committee founded by former lawmaker Brian Clem to elect moderate Democrats to the Legislature, contributed $121,000 to oppose Canning in the race through another political action committee, Eugene is Ready.

In Senate District 28, Diane Linthicum of Beatty won her race to succeed her husband, Dennis Linthicum, with partial results as of 9 a.m. Wednesday showing her up 59% to 41% against Klamath County Commissioner Dave Henslee.

Linthicum ran for the seat because her husband was barred from reelection for participating in an extended Republican walkout of the Senate in 2023. Dennis Linthicum won the Republican primary Tuesday for secretary of state. He will face Democratic nominee Tobias Read, the state treasurer, in the general election.

In the four-way Republican primary for Senate District 29, Wallowa County Commissioner and ranch owner Todd Nash of Enterprise beat out his competitors with 53% of the vote as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. The reliably Republican seat had long been held by Sen. Bill Hansell, who is retiring.

 Jamie Goldberg oversees The Oregonian/OregonLives politics, education and homelessness coverage. She can be reached at jgoldberg@oregonian.com or 503-221-8228. You can find her on X at @jamiebgoldberg

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UPDATE: Sam Adams edges into Multnomah County Commission runoff against Shannon Singleton; Jessie Burke finishes 3rd

Shannon Singleton, a trained social worker and longtime housing and racial justice advocate, appeared headed for a runoff Tuesday in a closely watched race for the Multnomah County Commission as two other leading candidates battled for second place.

Singleton, 47, had garnered about 43% of the vote, according to partial returns tallied as of 10 p.m., while former Portland Mayor Sam Adams, 60 and Jessie Burke, 43, a boutique hotel owner and downtown booster, were neck and neck with about 25% and 24%, respectively.

With thousands of ballots still uncounted, including some postmarked by Tuesday that will arrive on Wednesday or later, its not set in stone which candidates will make the runoff.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

The contest for Commission District 2, which spans North and Northeast Portland, pitted a pair of moderate, business friendly candidates against an unwavering progressive as the countys normally low-key elected body  long dominated by left-leaning members  faces increased scrutiny and scorn.

The districts previous elected officeholder, Susheela Jayapal, stepped down last fall in a bid to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer in Congress.

Rampant homelessness, public drug use, rising overdose deaths and untreated mental health crises have all thrust Multnomah Countys actions and inaction on these issues into the spotlight.

The countys underspending of Metro homelessness services taxes along with its sluggish rollout of a new drop-off sobering center and dismal ambulance response times have amplified critiques of its urgency and effectiveness.

Thats led to second-guessing among many voters with four of five seats on the Multnomah County Commission up for grabs this year, primarily due to term limits. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, the countys powerful but unpopular leader, is not up for reelection until 2026.

The ultimate outcomes of the four contested races are likely to reshape the political makeup and policy priorities of the county commission.

Despite having profoundly different professional backgrounds, Adams, Burke and Singleton each claimed that their experience could help upend the countys lackluster status quo and ensure greater accountability for spending and results.

The trio were also aligned in their support for taking all necessary steps to reduce the countys dangerously slow ambulance response times and stand up a new sobering center as quickly as possible.

Yet when it came to homelessness and public safety  voters top concerns  stark contrasts emerged between Singleton, who briefly served as the head of the Joint Office of Homeless Services under former Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury, and her leading opponents.

Burke, who opened the Society Hotel in Old Town almost a decade ago, and Adams both favor aggressive sweeps of homeless campers and strict enforcement of Portlands new camping restrictions, a position that could spur legal challenges but has broad public support.

They also want to see more county dollars used to beef up jails, prosecutors and parole officers.

Singleton, a trained social worker with years working in the nonprofit sector, remained steadfast in her conviction that none of those approaches will lead to lasting changes on the streets or in neighborhoods or improve the lives of those who need help.

Adams and Burke each outraised Singleton more than 2-to-1, records show, though strict county campaign contribution limits meant all of the candidates had relatively little funding to get their names and policy stances before the districts 148,000 voters.

The two netted about $109,000 apiece in political donations, with both pulling in the $568 maximum contribution from an array of business and property owners, real estate developers and wealthy individuals, according to state campaign finance filings.

While Singleton raised just $40,000, including more than $8,000 left over from a previous campaign, she has some powerful allies. She earned the backing of a coalition of public employee unions, including SEIU and AFSCME, and social and racial justice advocacy groups that spent at least $42,000 on her behalf.

She also become the target of a political action committee bankrolled by Portland business and industry leaders. United for Portland, which endorsed both Adams and Burke, spent at least $225,000 to fill district mailboxes with multiple acidic fliers linking Singleton to the countys failures on homelessness.

The races two other candidates  Nick Hara and Calros Richard  received 4% and 3% of the vote, partial results showed.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting.

Reach him at 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh
Noah Robinson, son of state Sen. Art Robinson, has won the contentious Republican primary to replace his father in representing the 2nd District in the Oregon Senate.

Partial results as of 10 a.m. Wednesday morning showed Robinson of Cave Junction with 60% of the vote across the district that spans Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties.

His opponent, state Rep. Christine Goodwin of Canyonville, trailed with 40% of the vote.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Robinson will face Democrat Tracy Thompson, who ran unopposed Tuesday, in the fall general election. He is expected to coast to victory in the Southern Oregon district where there are twice as many registered Republicans as Democrats.

Im looking forward to working for conservative causes and to see if we can get Oregon turned around and headed in a better direction, Robinson said in a phone call Wednesday.

Robinson told the Capital Chronicle that if elected his policies would mirror those of his father, who was barred from running for reelection after missing too many days of the 2023 session during a Republican walkout. Robinson is pro-life, defends gun rights, and says he ran for office to be a strong voice in support of timber, mining and ranching businesses.

Robinson earned a PhD in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, according to the Voters Pamphlet, and his website touts that he is the co-author on an article that found that human use of hydrocarbon fuels is not changing the earths climate. He is a proponent of local control in education and told the Capital Chronicle that he favors dismantling state and federal departments of education.

He said in an interview that he wants to see Republican control in Salem because Democrats have been leading us in the wrong direction. Democrats are expected to easily retain control of both chambers following the general election.

Im delighted that the voters have confidence in us and wed just like to continue what my father has been doing up there: principled approach to politics, Robinson said. I dont like the compromising.

Goodwin told the Capital Chronicle that she ran to offer a new vision for Southern Oregon voters. She campaigned on her track record representing House District 4, which she says included strengthening stalking laws, elevating crimes for using drugs on public transit and helping to repeal parts of Measure 110, Oregons landmark drug decriminalization law.

This spring a handful of Grants Pass area voters filed a lawsuit contending that Goodwin was not eligible to represent Senate District 2 because she lived outside of its boundaries, a claim Goodwin refutes. Those voters dropped the lawsuit, which would not have been successful in keeping Goodwin off the ballot, but had planned to refile it if Goodwin won the primary. Goodwin called the lawsuit a political stunt.

I am of course bummed we did not prevail, Goodwin wrote in a statement Wednesday. It is clear voters in Senate District 2 want a brand of Republican that is not me. I am proud of my campaign and trying to bring a new sense of representation to Southern Oregon.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
State Treasurer Tobias Read won the Democratic primary for Oregon secretary of state in Tuesdays election.

Partial results reported just before midnight showed Read with 70% of the votes tallied and Sen. James Manning with 21%.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

Read will be heavily favored in the November general election. Oregon voters have only elected a Republican to serve as secretary of state once since 1985. Democrats currently hold every statewide elected office.

Im incredibly honored by the support of my fellow Oregonians, Read said in a statement Tuesday night. In a time when we are constantly reminded of our divisions, as Ive crisscrossed the state, Ive been struck at how much more we have in common. ... We care about protecting our democracy, our natural heritage, and ensuring that our state government is making a difference for the people who rely on the critical services our tax dollars provide.

On the Republican side, state Sen. Dennis Linthicum secured his partys nomination, with 66% of the vote as of midnight. Linthicum opted to run for secretary of state after he was barred from reelection to the Legislature due to his participation in a Republican-led walkout of the Senate in 2023.

Read and Manning campaigned on similar platforms. Both said their top priority if elected would be restoring trust in an office that has faced controversy in recent years. Former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned last year after reporting from Willamette Week revealed she took a lucrative side job with an Oregon marijuana company while her office was auditing the cannabis industry.

It has been more than a decade since an Oregon secretary of state served a full four-year term. Fagans elected predecessor, Repuplican Dennis Richardson, died of brain cancer in Feburary 2019, a little more than halfway through his first term.

Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, whom Gov. Tina Kotek appointed to replace Fagan, did not run for election.

The secretary of state oversees elections, serves as the states chief auditor and heads the Oregon Corporation Division. The secretary of state also sits on the Oregon State Land Board, chairs the Oregon Sustainability Board and is first in line to become governor if the governor leaves office or dies.

Read said his methodical leadership style would bring stability to the office. As state treasurer, he manages the states public employee retirement system and oversees the states investments. If elected, Read said he would explore programs to improve voter access and select which programs and agencies to audit based on data, not politics.

Read represented Beaverton in the Oregon House from 2007 until becoming treasurer in 2017, rising to the powerful positions of speaker pro tempore and co-chair of the budget committee before announcing his candidacy for statewide office. Read unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022, losing to Kotek in the Democratic primary.

Manning touted his U.S. Army experience and commitment to integrity during his campaign. He said his experience overseeing audits as an assistant inspector general in the Army and as the state Senates president pro tempore since 2021 made him the best candidate for the office. Manning, who has represented Eugene in the Senate since 2016, has sponsored several bills to expand voter access, which he said would have been a top priority if elected.

Manning said another top focus would have been conducting thorough audits of agencies to address equity-related issues, such as the disproportionate hiring of men and a lack of racial diversity.

I congratulate Mr. Read for securing the Democratic nomination for secretary of state, Manning said in a statement Tuesday night. Thank you to every single grassroots donor, volunteer and voter who participated in this election. Regardless of who you voted for, I thank you for exercising your fundamental right to vote.

Read said he would focus on providing sufficient support to staff to ensure that audits are carefully selected and done with the right intentions. He said audits should not be driven by a particular agenda, but by efficiency and effectiveness.

One major task for the next secretary of state will be implementing historic limits on political contributions that lawmakers approved earlier this year. The new law calls for the Secretary of States Office to create a comprehensive dashboard to track campaign contributions and overhaul Orestar, Oregons online campaign finance reporting and disclosure system.

Both Manning and Read said they support the desire of voters to limit political contributions and would ensure the bill is successfully carried out. Manning told The Oregonian/OregonLive last month he would seek long-term funding to support the overhaul of Orestar and look to the some 36 states that have implemented [campaign finance reform] and propose best practices in regards to administration and guardrails to ensure bad actors are reined in.

Read said his experience rolling out complicated laws at the state treasury prepared him to take on such a major task. Read has overseen the implementation of programs such as retirement-oriented OregonSaves, a system he advocated for while in the Legislature, and Oregons unclaimed property program. I will immediately roll up my sleeves, assess the capacity of the office and develop plans for implementation. My team and I know how to do this, Read told The Oregonian/OregonLive last month.

Manning received endorsements from 20 Democratic state lawmakers, the Oregon Sierra Club and the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Read received endorsements from 10 Democratic state lawmakers, former Govs. Barbara Roberts, Ted Kulongoski and John Kitzhaber, U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas, the Oregon Education Association and former Secretaries of State Jeanne Atkins and Phil Keisling.

Read had brought in $962,000 as of Tuesday, more than quadruple what Manning raised, campaign finance records show. Twelve individuals and groups contributed $20,000 or more.

Manning brought in roughly $224,000. His largest contributor was advocacy organization Imagine Black, which gave him $13,600.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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A higher percentage of Oregon voters on Tuesday cast protest votes than in recent presidential primaries, according to partial returns, a sign of diminished enthusiasm for the two major party candidates.

About 12% of Oregon Democrats and 8% of Oregon Republicans who cast ballots in Tuesdays primary voted for candidates other than their partys presumptive presidential nominee, according to ballots tallied as of 10 p.m.

By comparison, in 2020, 6% of Oregon Republican voters cast votes against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. In 2012, about 5% of Oregon Democratic voters did not vote for presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Page

The so-called protest vote is watched by political analysts as a measure of support for the major parties nominees and an indicator of how likely voters are to cast votes in whats expected to be a close general election in November.

Of the more than 335,000 Democratic votes counted as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Biden had 88% of his partys vote, while longshot candidate Marianne Williamson, the only other Democratic candidate for president on Oregons primary ballot had 7%. Another 5% wrote in votes for other candidates.

Trump, again the presumptive Republican nominee, has stronger support among registered Republicans in Oregon. Of the 256,000 Republican votes counted as of 7 a.m., he had 92% of his partys vote, while 8% wrote in votes for other candidates. Trump was the lone Republican on the Oregon ballot.

Its unclear how many voters returned ballots without selecting a presidential nominee or writing one in.

Both Trump and Biden locked up their parties nominations two months ago, winning enough delegates to prevail at their respective conventions this summer.

So far nationwide, there have been more protest votes against Trump.

Nationally, Biden has faced dissent within the Democratic Party over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Trump, meanwhile, alienated some Republicans, particularly in suburban areas, with his role in the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol.

The group Uncommitted Oregon last week held a press conference in downtown Portlands Lownsdale Square and asked Democratic voters to write in uncommitted. It wants a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to military aid to Israel and more humanitarian for Gazans.

The group said it expected upwards of 40,000 Oregonians to vote uncommitted based on its analysis of voting patterns in states that already held primary elections.

If protesting the Biden administration is your intent, there is no clearer expression of that intent than writing in uncommitted on your ballot, said Uncommitted Oregon Campaign Manager Kai McMurtry.

The Democratic candidate for president has prevailed in the past nine general elections in Oregon. Ronald Reagan was the last Republican presidential candidate to carry the state, with 56% of the vote in 1984.

 Matthew Kish covers business, including the sportswear and banking industries. Reach him at 503-221-4386, mkish@oregonian.com or @matthewkish.

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Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Three soldiers were killed and around 30 terrorists neutralized by the Malian army during fighting against the terrorist group "Katibat Macina", the Armed Forces General Staff announced in a statement
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Committee for the Payment of Libyan State Contributions to Organizations held its third ordinary meeting to discuss the payment of outstanding contributions by Libyan institutions to international and regional organizations for previous years, as well as aspects of joint cooperation with them
On Tuesday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed a law prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender youths, making South Carolina the 25th state to execute such constraints.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster Enacts Ban on Gender-Affirming Care

"I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law to protect our state's children from irreversible gender transition procedures and prohibit the use of public funds for these treatments," McMaster stated on the social platform X.

He also specified a ceremonial bill signing with legislators and supporters in the Upstate next week. House Bill 4264 imposes that healthcare professionals, including physicians and mental health providers, must not knowingly give gender transition procedures to minors.

Wrongdoers will face disciplinary action for unprofessional administration by the relevant licensing board.

The new law bans healthcare professionals from performing gender-transition surgeries, prescribing puberty blockers, and executing hormone treatments to patients under 18.

Furthermore, school principals or vice principals are needed to notify parents if a student wishes to use a name or pronouns unlike their legal ones or those assigned at birth.

The Senate amended the bill to permit mental health counselors to discuss banned treatments and suggest locations where they are legal. It also allows doctors to prescribe puberty blockers for specific medical conditions, such as precocious puberty.

The Campaign for Southern Equality and other groups highlighted that the law takes effect immediately and is working to help families find support outside South Carolina, where similar bans exist across much of the Southeast.

Raymond Velazquez, Executive Director of Uplift Outreach Center, expressed sorrow over the law, stating, "Healthcare is a human right...No one should be forced to leave their home state to access the care that they need and deserve."

Governor McMaster has defended the law, asserting that it protects young people from making irreversible decisions, emphasizing that these choices should be made in adulthood.

Read Also : Florida Files Lawsuit Against the Biden Administration to Block Regulation Regarding Gender Transition Treatments

Gender-Affirming Care Treatments Crucial for Transgender Minors' Well-being

During the legislative process, doctors and parents testified that minors in South Carolina do not undergo gender-transition surgeries and that hormone treatments are provided only after thorough consultation with healthcare professionals.

They argued these treatments are vital for the well-being of transgender youth, who are at higher risk for stress, depression, and suicidal behavior when denied gender-affirming care.

Supporters of the bill have cited unpublished evidence suggesting that puberty blockers can increase self-harm and have irreversible effects.

Transgender advocacy groups have vowed to continue their efforts despite the new law. Cristina Picozzi, Executive Director of the Harriet Hancock Center, assured young people and their parents that they remain deserving of dignity, equality, joy, and respect, regardless of the legal changes.

Chase Glenn, a leader in the LGBTQ advocacy group SC United for Justice & Equality, expressed sorrow over the bill's passage, noting that it significantly restricts access to essential healthcare for transgender youth and adults.

"This loss does not crumble a movement," Glenn stated, emphasizing the continued strength and determination of their advocacy efforts.

Jace Woodrum, executive director of the ACLU of South Carolina, expressed solidarity with LGBTQ South Carolinians, criticizing the governor for compromising personal freedom and inserting political influence into healthcare decisions.

Woodrum argued that this action undermines the rights of transgender individuals and their parents.
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***

I am responding to the book, Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1880), by Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890), an Anglo-Irish clergyman and prolific author. He received LL.B. and LL.D. degrees from Trinity College Dublin, in 1862, and a D.C.L. from Oxford. He was renowned as a father confessor, and next to Edward Pusey is said to have heard more confessions than any other priest of the church of England. His Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome, a volume of which thirty-six thousand copies were issued in 1880 and following years, evoked replies from the Rev. W. Horsfall, the Rev. A. Mills, Oxoniensis, and H. I. D. Ryder. Ill be addressing various irrational arguments against intercession of saints, found in this book on pages 28-60. His words will be in blue.

***

the whole practice of the Invocation of Saints is founded on pure guesswork. Not one syllable can be discovered in the Old or New Testament which gives the least ground or suggestion of it; God has never been pleased to reveal it, . . . (p. 31)

The best disproof of this claim is in the story of the rich man and Lazarus:

Luke 16:24 (RSV) And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

This is the Abraham of the Bible: long dead by that time, being asked to do something by a rich man (16:19, 22). His answer was, in effect, no (16:25-26). Thus failing in that request, he prays to him again for something else:

Luke 16:27-28 And he said, Then I beg you, father [KJV: I pray thee therefore, father], to send him to my fathers house, [28] for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

His request is again declined (16:29). So, like any good self-respecting Jew (Moses even negotiated with God), he argues with Abraham (16:30). But Abraham states again that his request is futile (16:31). Abraham is asked to send a dead man to appear to the rich mans brothers, in order for them to avoid damnation (yet another [potential] instance of dead men  like the prophet Samuel to Saul  communicating to those on the earth). Abraham doesnt deny that he is able to potentially send Lazarus to do such a thing; he only denies that it would work, or that it is necessary (by the logic of if they dont respond to greater factor x, nor will they to lesser factor y).

And this is all told, remember, by our Lord Jesus. It is disputed whether it is a parable or not (several textual factors suggest that it is not; e.g., parables do not use proper names), but even if it is, it nevertheless cannot contain things that are untrue, lest Jesus be guilty of leading people into heresy by means of false illustrations or analogies within His common teaching tool: the parable. Another common retort is that this is a person after death talking to another dead man. But the usual Protestant view is that no one can possibly ever ask any dead person to intercede. That would include other dead men. Theyre still doing what we are told is an utterly impermissible act. Jesus would thus be teaching false theology, according to this viewpoint.

Are there any other biblical indications of contact with a dead person? Yes:

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, Tabitha, rise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

This shows two things (both absolutely anathema to almost all Protestants):

1) St. Peter prayed for the dead (9:40). 2) St. Peter communicated to a dead person (9:40: Tabitha, rise.): expressly against what Protestants claim Scripture never allows.

And of course, in this, Peter was only following the lead and example and command of His Lord Jesus, Who said that His disciples would raise the dead, just as He did. And when Jesus raised Lazarus, He, too, talked to a dead man: Lazarus, come out (Jn 11:43). And He did so again in the case of the son of the widow of Nain, whom He raised from the dead (Lk 7:11-15): And he said, Young man, I say to you, arise. Therefore, Jesus is again exposed as a false teacher  having given three bad examples of false theology and practice  , therefore, not God, etc., etc. Thats the logical reduction or reductio ad absuurdum, if we are to believe Protestants in this respect. Its always best to go with Jesus and the Bible.

It is at best a mere conjecture that the Saints do know what passes on earth, and can hear and join in the prayers of the faithful. It may be so, but God has not chosen to make it known to us, . . . (pp. 31-32)

*

Nonsense.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

The word for witnesses is the Greek word martus, from which is derived the English word martyr. 1) Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Joseph H. Thayer, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 4th ed., 1977; orig. 1901, 392) defines it  as used in this verse  as follows: One who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest, Heb 12:1. [Strongs word #3144; similar usages cited by Thayer: Lk 24:48; Acts 1:8; 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39; 13:31; 26:16; 1 Pet 5:1  the sense is indisputable in these other verses] 2) Word Studies in the New Testament (Marvin R. Vincent, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1980; orig. 1887; vol. 4, 536), another standard Protestant language source, comments on this verse as follows: Witnesses does not mean spectators, but those who have borne witness to the truth, as those enumerated in chapter 11. Yet the idea of spectators is implied, and is really the principal idea. The writers picture is that of an arena in which the Christians whom he addresses are contending in a race, while the vast host of the heroes of faith who, after having borne witness to the truth, have entered into their heavenly rest, watches the contest from the encircling tiers of the arena, compassing and overhanging it like a cloud, filled with lively interest and sympathy, and lending heavenly aid. 3) Word Pictures in the New Testament (A. T. Robertson [Baptist], Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press, 1932, vol. 5, 432), comments:

Cloud of witnesses (nephos marturon . . . The metaphor refers to the great amphitheatre with the arena for the runners and the tiers upon tiers of seats rising up like a cloud. The martures here are not mere spectators (theatai), but testifiers (witnesses) who testify from their own experience (11:2,4-5, 33, 39) to Gods fulfilling promises as shown in chapter 11. [Note that the notion of spectators is the primary metaphor  the arena  so that both meanings: that of spectators and witnesses in the sense of example are present. Neither can be ruled out] 4) Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, (ed. Gerhard Kittel & Gerhard Friedrich; tr. and abridged by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1985; 567), an impeccable and widely-used linguistic (non-Catholic) source, states: In Heb. 12:1 the witnesses watching the race seem to be confessing witnesses (cf. 11:2), but this does not exclude the element of factual witness. So our four non-Catholic language references all confirm that the element of spectatorship, which lends itself to the Catholic notion of communion of saints, where saints in heaven are aware of, and observe events on earth; strongly indicated by Hebrews 12:1, and not able to be ruled out by any means, on the basis of a doctrinal bias. Moreover, if dead saints and angels cannot ever hear our prayers, what are both of them doing with their prayers in heaven?: Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; Revelation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; [4] and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. God certainly did make these things known to us. But the problem is that some folks just dont want to hear what God says (if they are already inclined to disagree with it). Thats why Jesus said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Mt 11:15). Protestants read passages like these, just as we do, but they dont register because they dont like the Catholic implications of them. Theyre Catholic verses. And Protestants who reject these passages are being insufficiently biblical or respectful of Gods inspired revelation. Its pick-and-choose theology. we find the first germs of the practice at the close of the fourth century (p. 34) Not so, since Jesus and Peter taught and practiced it in the Bible some 350 years earlier, as I have already proven. there is a very suspicious fact which meets us at the outset of the inquiry as to the actual Roman practice, as distinguished from any fine spun theories in books, namely, that many Roman Catechisms omit the Second Commandment, while no Roman catechism teaches that there is either danger or sin in any making or using of images for religious honour, short of actual paganism (p. 37) See: Ten Commandments: Changed by Catholics to Uphold Idolatry? [9-4-04]. Now, when a special picture or image is no longer regarded as a mere historical memorial, on an exact level of value for that purpose with every other one representing the same person or event, but as endued with supernatural powers, and to be reverenced accordingly, that is idolatry in the strictest sense (p. 39) I guess that takes out the bronze serpent: expressly sanctioned and commanded to be made and used by God Himself: Numbers 21:7-9 And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people. [8] And the LORD said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. [9] So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Sounds like supernatural powers to me: if you are bitten by a poisonous snake, you look at the bronze serpent and get healed . . . the Decalogue, which not merely says of images, Thou shalt not bow down to them, but adds, nor serve them, (p. 42) The ancient Hebrews did both to two different images of God Himself: Exodus 33:10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the door of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, every man at his tent door. 2 Chronicles 7:1-4 When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. [2] And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORDs house. [3] When all the children of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the earth on the pavement, and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. [4] Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD. Moses had already worshiped God in the burning bush on Mt. Sinai (Ex 3:2-6). It was not only fire, but also called an angel of the Lord (Ex 3:2), yet also God (3:4, 6, 11, 13-16, 18; 4:5, 7-8) and the LORD (3:7, 16, 18; 4:2, 4-6, 10-11, 14) interchangeably. The wandering Hebrews worshiped Him in the pillars of fire and cloud: all images of God, by Gods own design. Therefore, not all images of God are idolatrous. the falsely-styled Seventh General Council was held at Nicaea in 787, which gave the first formal authorization to the worship of images, (p. 47) Dr. Littledale is about 2050 years off, since worship of God through images occurred in Moses time, and he lived, by my best estimate, from c. 1340 or 1330 to c. 1220 or 1210 B.C. It was continuing in Solomons time, about 250 years later. Image-worship, then, stands condemned by Holy Scripture (p. 48) If Dr. Littledale said that to Moses and Joshua and Solomon if and when he got to heaven, I would love to hear that exchange . . . But notwithstanding this, it is impossible to find any serious warning against this danger and sin [making images idols], much less any frank prohibition and condemnation of it, in any popular Roman catechism or manual of doctrine. Excuses and quasi-arguments sometimes do occur, indeed, against Protestant charges, but they seem half-hearted and insincere in their deprecation. (pp. 48-49)

Dr. Littledale is writing in 1880. In 1885, the famous Baltimore Catechism #3 was published. It contained the following warnings:
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***

I am responding to the book, Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1880), by Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890), an Anglo-Irish clergyman and prolific author. He received LL.B. and LL.D. degrees from Trinity College Dublin, in 1862, and a D.C.L. from Oxford. He was renowned as a father confessor, and next to Edward Pusey is said to have heard more confessions than any other priest of the church of England. His Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome, a volume of which thirty-six thousand copies were issued in 1880 and following years, evoked replies from the Rev. W. Horsfall, the Rev. A. Mills, Oxoniensis, and H. I. D. Ryder. I will be addressing certain of his claims regarding Peter and the Church fathers early in this book. His words will be in blue.

***

It is little more than a guess though no doubt one with much in its favour  that St. Peter was ever at Rome at all; it is only a guess that he was ever Bishop of Rome, and for this there is very little evidence of any kind; it is only a guess that he had the power to appoint any heir to his special privilege, whatever that was; it is only a guess that he did so appoint the Bishops of Rome  and for these two guesses not the smallest scrap or tittle of evidence ever has been produced, or can be so much as reasonably supposed ever to have existed . . . the Ultramontane interpretation put on the three great texts in the Gospels which are relied on to support the  Privilege of Peter, namely, St. Matt. xvi. 18, that St. Peter is the rock and foundation of the Church; St. Luke xxii. 31, 32, that St. Peter was infallible, and charged with guiding the faith of the other Apostles; and St. John xxi. 15- 17, that he was given jurisdiction over the Apostles and the whole Church  is contrary to the unanimous consent of the Fathers, who agree by a great majority that either Christ Himself, or St. Peters confession of Christ, is the rock and foundation of the Church . . . (pp. 25-26; my bolding)

St. Irenaeus (130-202) wrote:

2. Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its preeminent authority [potiorem principalitatem]. (Against Heresies, Bk. III, ch. 3, 2)

Tertullian (c. 160-c. 225) stated:

For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their registers: as the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John; as also the church of Rome, which makes Clement to have been ordained in like manner by Peter. In exactly the same way the other churches likewise exhibit (their several worthies), whom, as having been appointed to their episcopal places by apostles, they regard as transmitters of the apostolic seed. (Prescription against Heretics, 32; c. 200)

The Ecclesiastical History, by Eusebius (c. 260/265-339) was the first and by far most important comprehensive history of the Church, and was completed in its first edition before 300 AD (later editions: c. 313-323):

Epiphanius (c. 315-403) wrote:

6 Paul even reached Spain, and Peter often visited Pontus and Bithynia. But after Clement had been appointed and declined, if this is what happenedI suspect this but cannot say it for certainhe could have been compelled to hold the episcopate in his turn, after the deaths of Linus and Cletus who were bishops for twelve years each after the death of Saints Peter and Paul in the twelfth year of Nero.) 7 In any case, the succession of the bishops at Rome runs in this order: Peter and Paul, Linus and Cletus, Clement, Evaristus, Alexander, Xystus, Telesphorus, Hyginus, Pius, and Anicetus, whom I mentioned above, on the list. And no one need be surprised at my listing each of the items so exactly; precise information is always given in this way. (Panarion 27.6.6-7)

Likewise, St. Jerome (c. 343-420) wrote:

Clement, of whom the apostle Paul writing to the Philippians says With Clement and others of my fellow-workers whose names are written in the book of life, the fourth bishop of Rome after Peter, if indeed the second was Linus [d. c. 76] and the third Anacletus [d. c. 92], although most of the Latins think that Clement was second after the apostle. He wrote, on the part of the church of Rome, an especially valuable Letter to the church of the Corinthians, . . . (De Viris Illustribus, section 15) Hegesippus [c. 110-c. 180] who lived at a period not far from the Apostolic age, . . . says that he went to Rome in the time of Anicetus [d. 168], the tenth bishop after Peter, and continued there till the time of Eleutherius [d. 185 or 193], bishop of the same city, who had been formerly deacon under Anicetus. (De Viris Illustribus, section 22) Simon Peter . . . himself chief of the apostles, after having been bishop of the church of Antioch . . . pushed on to Rome . . . and held the sacerdotal chair there for twenty-five years until the last, that is the fourteenth, year of Nero. (De Viris Illustribus [On Illustrious Men], section 1)

Regarding the confusion or mixed reports about the chronology of the earliest popes, see, Pope St. Clement I (Catholic Encyclopedia, John Chapman, 1908). He states, for example: At the present time no critic doubts that Cletus, Anacletus, Anencletus, are the same person. Anacletus is a Latin error; Cletus is a shortened (and more Christian) form of Anencletus.

Was Peter In Rome?

Tertullian, in The Demurrer Against the Heretics (A.D. 200), noted of Rome, How happy is that church . . . where Peter endured a passion like that of the Lord, where Paul was crowned in a death like Johns [referring to John the Baptist, both he and Paul being beheaded]. Protestants admit Paul died in Rome, so the implication from Tertullian is that Peter also must have been there. In the same book, Tertullian wrote that this is the way in which the apostolic churches transmit their lists: like the church of the Smyrnaeans, which records that Polycarp was placed there by John; like the church of the Romans, where Clement was ordained by Peter. This Clement, known as Clement of Rome, later would be the fourth pope. Clement wrote his Letter to the Corinthians perhaps before the year 70, just a few years after Peter and Paul were killed; in it he made reference to Peter ending his life where Paul ended his. In his Letter to the Romans (A.D. 110), Ignatius of Antioch remarked that he could not command the Roman Christians the way Peter and Paul once did, such a comment making sense only if Peter had been a leader, if not the leader, of the church in Rome. Irenaeus, in Against Heresies (A.D. 190), said that Matthew wrote his Gospel while Peter and Paul were evangelizing in Rome and laying the foundation of the Church. A few lines later he notes that Linus was named as Peters successor, that is, the second pope, and that next in line were Anacletus (also known as Cletus), and then Clement of Rome. Clement of Alexandria wrote at the turn of the third century. A fragment of his work Sketches is preserved in Eusebius of Caesareas Ecclesiastical History, the first history of the Church. Clement wrote, When Peter preached the word publicly at Rome, and declared the gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had been for a long time his follower and who remembered his sayings, should write down what had been proclaimed. Lactantius, in a treatise called The Death of the Persecutors, written around 318, noted that When Nero was already reigning [Nero reigned from 5468], Peter came to Rome, where, in virtue of the performance of certain miracles which he worked by that power of God which had been given to him, he converted many to righteousness and established a firm and steadfast temple to God. These citations could be multiplied. (Refer to Jurgens books or to the Catholic Answers tract Peters Roman Residency.) No ancient writer claimed Peter ended his life anywhere other than in Rome. (Was Peter in Rome?, Catholic Answers, 2004)

Eighteen Church Fathers Who Thought Peter was the Rock, the Foundation of the Church and its Leader, Based on Matthew 16

Tertullian, writing around 200-220, stated that Peter . . . is called the Rock whereon the Church was to be built (Prescription against Heretics, 22).

St. Hippolytus wrote around 225: By this Spirit Peter spoke that blessed word, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. By this Spirit the rock of the Church was established (The Discourse on the Holy Theophany, 9).

Origen writing around 230-250, called Peter that great foundation of the Church, and most solid rock, upon which Christ founded the Church (In Exod. Hom. v. n. 4, tom. ii) and Upon him (Peter) . . . the Church was founded (In Epist. ad Rom. lib. v. c. 10, tom. iv) and Peter upon whom is built Christs Church (T. iv. In Joan. Tom. v.).

St. Cyprian, c. 246, wrote about Peter, upon whom by the same Lord the Church had been built (Epistle 54 to Cornelius, 7).

Firmilian, c. 254, wrote about one Church, which was once first established by Christ on a Rock (Inter Ep. S. Cyp. Ep. lxxv).

Aphraates (c. 336) stated that the Lord . . . set him up as the foundation, called him the rock and structure of the Church (Homily 7:15, De Paenitentibus).

St. Ephraem (c. 350-370) called Peter the foundation of the holy Church (Homilies 4:1).

St. Hilary of Poitiers in 360 held that Peter was the foundation-stone of the Church (On the Trinity, Bk. VI, 20).

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 363), commenting on Matthew 16, calls peter the foremost of the apostles and chief herald of the Church (Catechetical Lecture 11, 3).

St. Optatus (c. 370), commenting on the same passage, wrote that Peter was to be preferred before all the Apostles and was The Head of the Apostles (De Schism. Don. l. vii. n. 3).

St. Gregory of Nazianzen (370) stated that Peter is entrusted with the Foundations of the Church (T. i. or. xxxii. n. 18).

St. Gregory of Nyssa (371) wrote that Peter was the Head of the Apostles . . . (upon him) is the Church of God firmly established. . . . that unbroken and most firm Rock upon which the Lord built His Church (Alt. Or. De S. Steph.).

St. Basil the Great (371) stated that Peter received on himself the building of the Church (Adversus Eunomius 2:4).

St. Epiphanius (c. 385): upon which (Rock) the Church is in every way built . . . Foundation of the house of God (Adv. Haeres.).

St. Ambrose (c. 385-389): whom when He styles a Rock, He pointed out the Foundation of the Church (T. ii. l. iv. De Fide, c. v. n. 56).

St. John Chrysostom (c. 387): Head or Crown of the Apostles, the First in the Church . . . that unbroken Rock, that firm Foundation, the Great Apostle, the First of the disciples (T. ii. Hom. iii. de Paenit. n. 4).

St. Jerome (385): Peter, upon whom the Lord has founded the Church (Letters 41, 2).

St. Cyril of Alexandria (424): the church . . . over this he sets Peter as shepherd (Comm. on Matt., ad. loc.).

Nine Church Fathers Who Thought That John 21 was Papal: Indicative of Peter Being the Leader of the Early Church

Origen (c. 216): the Chief Authority as regards the feeding of the sheep was delivered to Peter (T. iv. l. 5, in Ep. ad Rom. n. 1).

St. Cyprian (c. 246): to the same [Peter] He says, after His resurrection, Feed my sheep. And although to all the apostles, after His resurrection, He gives an equal power, . . . yet, that He might set forth unity, He arranged by His authority the origin of that unity, as beginning from one. (Treatise 1: On the Unity of the Church, 4).

St. Ephraem (c. 350-370): The Lord . . . delivered his flock to Simon . . . Three pledges he took from him as shepherd, that with love he should shepherd his lambs, and should visit his sheep with mercy, and should guard his ewes with fear. (HVirg. 36, 6; CSCO 223, Syr. 94).

Ambrosiaster (c. 380-384): After the Saviour all were included in Peter; for He constituted him to be their head, that he might be the shepherd of the Lords flock (Quaest. 75, ex N. Test. in App. St. August. tom. iii. 2894).

St. Ambrose (385): Therefore did Christ also commit to Peter to feed His flock (Ib. in. Ps. cxviii. [Mem] n. 3).

St. Epiphanius (c. 385): He heard from the same God, Peter, feed My lambs; to him was intrusted the flock; he leads the way admirably in the power of his own Master. (Tom. ii. In Anchorat. n. 9).

St. John Chrysostom (c. 387): He puts into his hands the presidency over the brethren . . . [and] says, If Thou lovest Me, preside over the brethren . . . He sets the presidency over his own sheep . . . He appointed this man (Peter) teacher . . . of the world. (In Joan. Hom. lxxxviii. n. 1, tom. viii.).

What advantage, pray, could be greater than to be seen doing those things which Christ with his own lips declared to be proofs of love to Himself? For addressing the leader of the apostles He said, Peter, do you love me? and when he confessed that he did, the Lord added, if you love me tend my sheep. The Master asked the disciple if He was loved by him, not in order to get information (how should He who penetrates the hearts of all men?), but in order to teach us how great an interest He takes in the superintendence of these sheep. This being plain, it will likewise be manifest that a great and unspeakable reward will be reserved for him whose labors are concerned with these sheep, upon which Christ places such a high value. . . . For what purpose did He shed His blood? It was that He might win these sheep which He entrusted to Peter and his successors. . . . Will you, then, still contend that you were not rightly deceived, when you are about to superintend the things which belong to God, and are doing that which when Peter did the Lord said he should be able to surpass the rest of the apostles, for His words were, Peter, do you love me more than these? . . . one is required to preside over the Church, and to be entrusted with the care of so many souls . . . (On the Priesthood, Book II, 1-2)

St. Augustine (c. 400): . . . the Lord commended his sheep to Peter himself to feed . . . when Christ speaks to one, unity is commended  and to Peter for the first time, because Peter is first among the apostles. (Sermo. 295).

[T]here are many other things which most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the Apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep, down to the present episcopate. And so, lastly, does the name itself of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house. (Against the Fundamental Epistle of Manichaeus, ch. 4, 5).

The Lord, indeed, had told His disciples to carry a sword; but He did not tell them to use it. But that after this sin Peter should become a pastor of the Church was no more improper than that Moses, after smiting the Egyptian, should become the leader of the congregation. (Contra Faustum, Book XXII, 70).

And again the Lord asked this question, and a third time He asked it. And when he asserted in reply his love, He commended to him the flock. For each several time the Lord Jesus said to Peter, as he said, I love you; Feed My lambs, feed My little sheep. In this one Peter was figured the unity of all pastors . . . (Sermon 97 on the New Testament, 2).

Peter generally stands for a figure of the Church. (Sermon 25 on the New Testament, 10; cf. Sermon 96; Sermon 88, 4).

For He says to Peter, in whom singly He forms the Church; Peter, do you love Me? He answered, Lord, I do love You. Feed My sheep.  (Sermon 87 on the New Testament, 3).

St. Peter Chrysologus (432): He commends His sheep to be fed by Peter, in His stead (Serm. vi. In Ps. xcix).

For more on both passages, see: Papal Authority In The NT And The Fathers (Vs. Mike Winger) [3-9-24].

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The voice cast for The King of Kings, the animated adaptation of Charles Dickens The Life of Our Lord, keeps growing.

The Hollywood Reporter says Oscar Isaac and Forest Whitaker are providing the voices of Jesus and Peter, respectively, in the film, which is currently being produced by the South Korean studio Mofac Animation.

Isaac and Whitaker are the first actors to be announced for biblical roles in the film. The studio previously revealed that Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, and Roman Griffin Davis are playing Dickens, his wife, and their son, in a story that dramatizes not just the life of Jesus but the way Dickens told the story to his children.

Interestingly, Isaac and Whitaker both already have a bit of Bible-movie experience; more specifically, they both have Nativity-movie experience.

Isaac played Joseph in 2006s The Nativity Story (you can read my interview with him about that film here), and Whitaker played Reverend Cobbs in 2013s Black Nativity, a loose adaptation of Langston Hughes musical version of the Christmas story.

Both actors have also been in Star Wars movies (Isaac in the sequel trilogy, Whitaker in Rogue One), so they also both appear in my round-up of Star Wars actors who have been in Bible movies. Looks like I might need to update that post soon!

The casting of these two actors ties into a few other patterns in Bible films:

Granted, the age and ethnicity of the actors is less relevant in animation, where the characters look however the animators want them to look. But still.

Incidentally, I recently learned that this film has a website with lots of pictures, etc. This is how the longer version of the films synopsis begins, there:

Charles Dickens was a master storyteller whose words have touched the world for many years. Prolific talent such as his comes at a price however, and while Dickens was a loving father, his work often kept him distant from his family. In particular he struggled to connect with his youngest son Walter, a five-year-old dreamer. Inseparable from his best friend Willa the cat, Walter lives in his own imagination and sees the world in a unique way. One day, Dickens reading performance at a London theatre is ruined by Walters mischievous behavior. Dickens pleads to his son to try and enjoy the reading but Walter is not interested. Walter being completely obsessed with King Arthur, Catherine urges Dickens to tell his son the story of the true king. He will create a story not for the world but just for his family, especially Walter. He will tell the story that means everything to him, the story of Jesus Christ, the greatest story ever told. . . .

Finally, here is a bit of footage from the film that was posted to the studios YouTube channel back in April:
There is always a need for simple pleasures in life: things that cost little or nothing but that make us happy, even if only for a short time. The stop buying coffee! puritans who would have us do nothing but work and save non-stop take the joy out of life as much as the Calvinist puritans who settled New England 400 years ago and fined people for celebrating Christmas.

At a time when the world is stressful for most of us and Im struggling to deal with both physical complications and life issues I need all the simple pleasures I can get.

One of my favorite simple pleasures is watching old horror movies. I dont want to be scared  I want to be fascinated. The horror movies of the pre-gore era do a great job of that. I have a special fondness for the movies of the 1960s and 1970s  the ones I watched as a kid on late night TV (usually heavily censored) and the ones I couldnt see because they simply werent available in the days of three TV stations and two duplex movie theaters.

I picked some the best for last Octobers post Streaming Revenge: The Top 10 Horror Movies I Wasnt Allowed To Watch As A Kid.

Im still watching old horror movies. Ive already seen most of the good ones and Im working my way through a list of well, maybe this one will be OK films. Im watching more giallo  the Italian murder mysteries of the 60s and 70s that are more about visual imaginativeness than clear storytelling. Im mixing in some newer stuff  I watched Abigail last weekend and I loved it.

Im keeping notes for another October movie feature, but I recently watched three classic vampire movies that I want to talk about now. One you probably know, but its worth revisiting. The other two were new to me, and they may be new to you too.

Vampyr (1932)

A traveler stops at an inn, only to find that the daughter of the family that runs it is being slowly drained by a vampire. Can they find the vampire and kill it before she becomes a vampire herself?

This was Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyers (1889  1968) first talkie, and it shows. While there is some dialogue (in German  the version I watched had English subtitles), Vampyr goes for long stretches where no one says anything  all the storytelling is visual. The effects look simplistic by todays standards, but that just makes them that much more impressive, considering that everything had to be done physically and that Dreyer did not have the financial backing of a major movie studio. Many of the actors were locals with no acting experience.

But if you think all that means Vampyr looks like something from Ed Wood, youd be very wrong. This is a visually brilliant movie that I enjoyed very much.

Vampyr credits J. Sheridan Le Fanu as a writer  its supposedly an adaptation of Carmilla (1872). I would say its more inspired by than adapted from but some of the basic story elements are there.

Vampyr runs 1:15. I saw it on Max  as I write this its also available on Amazon and several other streaming services.

Blood and Roses (1960)

I have been on a 30-year quest to see Blood and Roses. I heard about it sometime during my vampire obsession in my late 20s and early 30s. All I knew was that it was an adaptation of Carmilla and that it was made by French director Roger Vadim (1928  2000), best known (to me, anyway) for Barbarella (1968) and for being married five times, including to Brigitte Bardot and Jane Fonda.

But Blood and Roses was simply not available. It was never on TV, never on cable, and never on video. When DVDs came out I could never find it in an edition I was sure would play on a North American player. When I started keeping a spreadsheet of movies I want to watch (yes, Im a geek, but you already knew that) Blood and Roses was one of the first entries, but with a blank in the source column.

And then last week I found it on Plex.

Plex is my least favorite streaming service. Its low-res, they run a million ads, and I cant get it on my TV (yes, I know there are several ways to send a computer signal to a TV, but given the first two problems Id rather watch it on the computer anyway). But its free, and as of a short time ago, they have Blood and Roses available.

Annette Stroyberg (Vadims second wife, in between Bardot and Fonda) plays Carmilla. Shes quite good, but this was 1960, and while European films did not face the level of censorship that American films did, there were still things that simply could not be done. Blood and Roses is very different from Hammer Films The Vampire Lovers, made just ten years later. Stroybergs Carmilla is in a love triangle, jealous that her male cousin is marrying another woman and not her.

Blood and Roses couldnt possibly live up to 30 years of anticipation. But taken for the movie it is, its excellent. The story is good, even if it has little to do with Le Fanus novella. The acting is very good, and the final product is an intriguing movie that Im very glad I finally got to see.

Blood and Roses is in French with English subtitles. It runs 1:19. Plex is the only streaming service I can find that has it. There is a Korean DVD available from Amazon that supposedly will play on US players, but comments say its not a good transfer. Hopefully someone will give it a full Blu-Ray restoration sometime soon.

The Hunger (1983)

The Hunger is a vampire movie with an unusual twist, based off the 1981 novel by Whitley Strieber (which I have not read). It was directed by Tony Scott (1944  2012) who went on to make Top Gun and several other big budget action films. It made my 31 Movies For Halloween list in 2016 and I try not to duplicate movies on my blog recommendations. But I watched it again last week and that has me wanting to write about it again.

I cant remember the last time I saw The Hunger. I know I saw it on video some time in the late 80s or early 90s. I want to say Ive seen it on cable a time or two after that, but I cant be sure. Its one of those movies that made such an impression on me it always felt like I watched it just a short time ago, but it may have been 20 years or more.

The Hunger stars Catherine Deneuve (who had a child with Roger Vadim, a strange way of tying all of these movies together) as Miriam, a vampire who has no fangs but who carries a razor-sharp knife in an ankh pendant  which points toward her origin. David Bowie is John, her 200-year-old lover who is starting to age  as her previous lovers have aged. They consult Sarah, a gerontology researcher played by Susan Sarandon.

Without giving too much away  on the chance that some of you havent seen it  things go badly for John. Miriam chooses Sarah as her next lover, but things dont work out quite like she planned.

Two things struck me as I watched The Hunger last week. First, while its good, its not as great as I remembered. The middle is slow and the end is abrupt and not entirely clear.

But the opening sequence remains one of the best in any movie, vampire or otherwise. The goth club, Peter Murphy, and Bela Lugosis Dead. The drive home and the seductions. The shrieking monkeys. The ankhs and the blood. Trio in E Flat by Schubert.

It wont be 20 years before I watch it again.

The Hunger runs 1:37. I rented it on Amazon Prime  its also available on a couple other streaming services.
What follows is a Dharma talk by Dr Chris Hoff delivered at our 18th of May, 2024, Empty Moon Zen Saturday morning gathering. He is one of our Zen dharma teachers at Empty Moon Zen. Dr Hoff leads our Zen recovery sangha. He is also Executive Director of the nonprofit California Family Institute, which provides access to counseling services to underserved communities. He also has a podcast, the Radical Therapist, which is well worth a visit.

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Last Saturday, during our monthly book study group that takes place on the 2nd Saturday of the

Month. I was reminded of one of the great shames of my life. Our group is studying

The Book of Householder Koans, by Eve Marko & Wendy Nakao. Last week were studying the chapter Titled Enju: The Black Abyss which explores ideas of loss, illness, old age, and death. In the conversations that ensued I was reminded of the time my favorite cat, Kitty, was to be put to sleep.

I had journeyed with Kitty for almost 20 years at the time. Kitty was my best friend

through thick and thin, Kitty was there for me when I was deep in my alcohol and drug

use, comforting me when I was experiencing a loneliness few know, and there for me when I

entered recovery and experienced a different sort of loneliness as my life was rearranging into something new. The great shame was that when it came time to put Kitty to sleep. I couldnt do it. I couldnt be in the room. My great shame was that I didnt have the courage to meet death with my best friend. I didnt show up for my friend. I asked my wife to stand in for me. I have never forgotten this shame.

Later that same day I read an article in the Guardian written by a therapist titled We All Want to Cut Out the Bad Parts of Ourselves. It Wont Work and It Wont Make Us Happier. In the article the author describes how as a therapist there is an expectation that she will help her clients to somehow cut out all the bad parts they wish to ignore and banish them forever. Her argument, and mine too, is that her clients have shown her time and time again that a better life is not one where we ignore or hide from all the things, we find objectionable about ourselves, but its found in forming a deeper relationship with ALL of ourselves and leaning in with genuine care for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This article also had me thinking of spiritual bypassing. Spiritual bypassing, a term first coined by psychologist John Welwood in 1984, refers to the use of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished business. From a Buddhist perspective, spiritual bypassing can manifest when individuals use Buddhisms teachings and meditation practices to avoid facing personal issues, emotional pain, and unresolved problems. You see this play out in spiritual communities where folks have been harmed by teachers who, while quite skilled and wise in many ways, have avoided personal and emotional issues that always seem to find their way out and into their relationships. Im always struck dumbfounded when this happens. But after I have had time to digest the judgement and critique that comes up for me, in my better moments, I understand that I am them too. Prone to all the mistakes this human life offers up. Making my equal share of harmful mistakes as well. Just not in the spotlight.

I suppose its hard to blame us for wanting to ignore or hide from all the things about ourselves we cant stomach. We live in a culture that is increasingly encouraging us to not look clearly at ourselves. The last couple of decades has been ripe with leaders that promote a special brand of shamelessness. We are increasingly encouraged to point out the speck in our neighbors eye, while ignoring the plank in our own eye. Also, in this effort to not look at our shortcomings, in many cases we would rather take on some psychiatric diagnosis as our identity, than face the fact that we might just be an asshole. And in my work as a relational therapist, its getting darn near impossible to get anyone to take accountability, or make amends. Being right is the epidemic of our time.

So why is this important for practitioners for Zen. Why is this turning away from the shadows of ourselves an important matter for those on a spiritual path? Well, if we cant get clear about our own suffering, how are we going to help others with their suffering?

I am a student of the Koan way. It wasnt really by intentional choice. Its because Ive had the good fortune of establishing a teacher student relationship with James Ford. If you are going to practice with James, you are going to be doing Koans. Im not the best Koan student. I know that. But I show up. While I often fumble with Koans there is one Koan that I have kept close since I first encountered it. This Koan is important to me for several reasons. Its considered a minor Koan. It is included in a collection called Miscellaneous Koans and it goes Save a ghost.

My teacher James said that in the Miscellaneous Koans we are learning how to deepen and widen our encounter with the most intimate things of our lives. And when I was first confronted with this question, I had an experience. An experience that can best be described as transformative. This seemingly miscellaneous Koan opened me up to a deep encounter with myself. I now carry it closely. It is a koan for my life, for the work I do as a therapist, and for our contemporary times. Why this Koan? I suppose because of where it points. My teacher has written that when we use the word Ghost in English we mean something specific. We mean something left over after a person has died. We are speaking of something lingering. Something that haunts.

Did you hear a Meow?

Dogen taught:

To study the Buddha Way is to study the self; to study the self is to forget the self; to forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the body and mind of others drop away. No trace of realization remains and this no trace continues endlessly.

If youve been around Zen a while, Im sure you are familiar with this teaching, to study the self is to forget the self. When I first started practicing, I sort of always wondered how do we study the self? I thought we were supposed to forget the self. The self is an illusion, a dream, full of traps and snares. That moment with that minor Koan Save A Ghost provided a realization for my question.

In 12 step recovery there is a process by which folks are asked to study the self. It is the 4th step. The 4th step asks people in recovery to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of themselves. This step involves a thorough and honest self-examination. The purpose is to identify and acknowledge personal challenges, resentments, fears, and harmful behaviors in relationships. Its a process of self-reflection and self-awareness that requires courage and honesty. It is an act of growing up on a spiritual path.

When I first embarked on this task in my own recovery, before I ever was introduced to Dogen, I heard an older gentlemen say that the 4th step, this deep process of self-searching, wasnt about finding out what bad people we are, but rather, finding out who we are not, removing it, and letting who we really are show up.

Or as Dogen taught, to study the Buddha Way is to study the self; to study the self is to forget the self; to forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things.

Bodhisattvas everywhere.

Back to shame. Or my shame.

The Buddha called shame the bright guardian of the world and a noble treasure, something of such value, that it could keep you from a life of regret and harm.

According to Buddhist monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu There are two kinds of shame  the unhealthy shame thats the opposite of what gets described as self-esteem, and a healthy shame thats the opposite of shamelessness. It is this second kind of shame that the Buddha calls a bright guardian and a treasure. Thanissaro Bhikkhu also argues that when all shame gets pathologized and is not approached mindfully, it goes underground in the mind, where people cant think clearly about it, and then sends out tentacles that spread harm all around us.

The buddha believed with proper training healthy shame could be a useful antidote, helping to bring the topic into the open and to show that shame can be a great force for good and personal accountability. A very different conclusion than the many folks working to abolish shame. Many of them in my field.

In my time with him, my teacher has been very clear that this project, Zen, isnt a psychological project but rather one of awakening. Because of my profession, I suppose I will always need to be careful of the risk of psychologizing Buddhism. To present something other than a path of awakening. However, my teacher also has been clear about another aspect of the path of awakening that I think psychology, or therapy, does have a role. That is in the project of growing up. I believe awakening is real. Awakening is possible. But in my case, the journey toward awakening had to start with growing up. Still does.

I lost both my parents over the last year. It has been difficult times. In these losses I have had quite a different experience from the turning away during the death of my favorite cat/friend Kitty. I didnt turn away with my parents. I showed up. I dont think that would have happened if I hadnt examined the shames of my life. The hard parts. The regrets.

Save a Ghost

The 4th step

A bodhisattva cat who continues to teach.

All taught me not to turn away.

Look, look, look closely. Even at the scary stuff. Especially the scary stuff.
In the new high-flying Amazon MGM Studios documentary The Blue Angels, the incredible arial team from the Navy and Marine Corps is given center stage, thanks to director Paul Crowder and executive producer and aviator Greg Wooldridge. J.J. Abrams (Alias, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) also serve as producers, along with Sean Stuart, Glen Zipper, Mark Monroe, and Hannah Minghella.

For more than 75 years, the Blue Angels have been wowing crowds all around the globe for millions of spectators. The new documentary, filmed for IMAX with the 2022 season including three new pilots, puts viewers in the cockpit for some of their most jaw-dropping moments.

A documentary following an entire year with the Blue Angelsand doing it in IMAX with tools that are traditionally used in narrative storytellingfelt like an amazing opportunity, said Abrams. Most of the preparation and planning went into filming the aerial maneuvers, but it doesnt compare to what they go through in preparing for their season. Its a remarkable thing to see.

Recently, Crowder (New York Cosmos, Dogtown and Z-Boys) and Wooldridge, who led the Blue Angels team three times, spoke with Reel Faith about The Blue Angels documentary.

What an awesome documentary. I just marvel at it. The reason Blue Angels are on my radar was that I was a kid growing up in Marietta, Georgia in a trailer park across from Dobbins Air Force Base and we would go up there near the train tracks and watch them. How did this movie come about?

Greg Wooldridge: I flew there. Five years ago, I had this idea to make another documentary. And we were powering with full speed ahead until the pandemic, we got shut down there. We had to find Kevin LaRosa, aerial coordinator, had an interaction with him about Devotion. He asked what I was doing, and I said, I want to make a Blue Angels movie. We went we went ahead until the pandemic, and then we got shut down and I found Kevin and Glen Powell from Top Gun. And they said, Lets do it. And we found the right people, and here we are. We finished it. Five years in the making.

Paul Crowder: I was involved for like two and a half years. Since I got came on board, once they found Glenn Powell, then got together with J.J. I was working with J.J. on another project. And they proposed the idea to me, I was like, You betcha. Im doing this. You better try and stop me.

What was your introduction to Blue Angels when you first heard about them?

Paul Crowder: I knew about the Blue Angels. Of course, Id seen the Red Arrows, which are the English version. When I was younger, back in England, my father was in the RAF doing his national service. The idea of being able to do an aerial film was a little bit daunting for me, because Id never done something in the air. Id worked with Formula One race cars, and worked with big wave surfers, and big musicians. But Ive never done or dealt with pilots or military at all. Im a rebel at heart. So, dealing with the military, I was a little daunted by all that, but it was an incredible position to be put in. And the first time we went to see the Blue Angels in Huntington Beach, it was just jaw-dropping. But I remember seeing that show and realizing the problems we were going to have with him having to film them. Sometimes theyre 10 miles apart, the Jets, before they come to their final minute, How are we going to do this? How do we capture it when we have to do it with a Venice camera, which is a big, heavy camera to to use it for IMAX. So those were the difficulties. But once we had (Ariel Director) Kevin LaRosa (Top Gun) on board, and we talked through what we could do with him, once we have the trust of the pilots and the Navy and everybody to be able to put their helicopters there to attach the cameras inside the cockpit and get approval for all that, I knew visually we were going to be able to capture this now we have to capture the rest of it  how did these people take? How do they brief debrief, how do they interact, all the other personnel that are involved that make this thing happen, the 150 Plus personnel that are on the team, and the fact that they have to integrate a third of that team is brand new in when they get to El Centro in January, thats a third of the team is a brand new include including three pilots.

Theyve theyve got to all get their trust all that stuff together and you wanted to be able to show all of it, the picking the new boss, picking the new people for next year, how are they going to interact? So, we got to be a part of all of that and it couldnt have gone any better. It could have been a more incredible experience, especially having someone like boss Greg here by your side to be able to guide you and tell you the dos and donts, where you can, what to do and how this is going to happen. Make sure you capture this, gives you a heads up on things that might be coming up. Boss was like emailing every morning. This is going to happen today, make sure you do we want to get this. This is going to have delayed you want to capture this. He was just on the money with everything. So that really, really helped us be able to capture all the most important things and get a film hopefully that will inspire. Because it inspired me like crazy.

Thank you, guys. Greg, thank you for your years with the Blue Angels. Theyve inspired me as a kid. So, its really cool for full circle moment to get to talk to you.

Greg Wooldridge: Thanks, DeWayne, thank you very much. Thank you. Good to be here.

The Blue Angels is currently exclusively playing in IMAX theaters and will premiere on Prime Video May 23.
There are a lot of misconceptions about John the Baptist. You only need to look for images of him on Google to see it. My new book Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist shatters many of these while in the process managing to flesh out the story of Johns life and tell it as never before. Sure, there have been fictional lives of John and academic books about John, but never a genuine biography of John the Baptist of the sort that one can find for Jesus, Paul, Herod the Great, Pontius Pilate, and others.

Pictures Worth (or at Least a Useful Supplement to) a Thousand Words

Readers of this blog will recall that I made videos to accompany my book A to Z of the New Testament. That book includes references to Friends and to a commercial featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and it seemed appropriate to make videos that also clarified the connections made in the text. My telling of the life of John the Baptist includes stories about visiting places connected with him, and so it seems appropriate this time around to share some photos of my visits to the places from when I was working on the book.

Johns Wilderness was NOT the Desert

One of the major ideas that I challenge in the book is that John was a hermit who lived in the desert. The very word hermit in English comes from the Greek word that is used to describe the type of place with which John was associated. It was not necessarily the desert. The word does not have connotations of dryness. There with one fell swoop goes the basis for many people assuming that John spent time at Qumran, the Essene settlement that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. If you visit that site youll be shown a video before entering that assumes John spent time there but then left. Thats not impossible but has no actual basis in anything in our ancient sources. The locations that John is associated with in the New Testament are in the wilderness around the Jordan River, areas that were not urban hubs but which were along major travel routes and near crossroads. Take for instance Aenon near Salim. We know where Salim was thanks to ancient sources including the Madaba Map.

I decided to stay as close to that location and to the Jordan River as I could, and that meant staying at a remote kibbutz. It was clear that they rarely get foreign visitors. There is no permanent reception and they assumed that we would know when we arrived that we should simply go to our room and find it open with the key inside. Once we settled in and overcame some of these differences in cultural assumptions, it was a beautiful place to spend time. Walking around the kibbutz I saw a peacock and parakeets, trees with fruit, and lush vegetation. It is easy to imagine what this would be like as wilderness, but it is a very different sort of wilderness than the one with which John is usually associated.

Walking around the kibbutz I was also treated to a display of some inscriptions found on the site, including a Roman mile marker from the century after John. This remote location today was along a major thoroughfare in ancient times, one that the Romans would deem worth paving. It followed the Jordan River allowing safe travel between Galilee and Jerusalem, between Samaria and the Decapolis, with water and food sources available. This was Johns wilderness.

Salim: Cities Come and Go

Salim itself doesnt look like much today. There is a tel, an occupation mound, indicating a history of settlement. Although the Salem of Melchizedek would later be identified as Jerusalem, this location is a more likely candidate.

In excavations nearby they found an astonishingly complete bust of the Roman Emperor Hadrian on the site of a Roman garrison. You can see it (and if youve visited Israel you probably have seen it) at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

This was Johns wilderness. Not an urban center in his time but along a major thoroughfare, near a major crossroads, and walking distance from, in this instance, the capital of the Decapolis, Beth Shean (Scythopolis), an enormous city with theater, mosaics, colonnades, and more.

There Was Much Water There

The Gospel of John (3:23) tells us that John baptized at Aenon near Salim, meaning the springs near Salim, because there was much water there. I had no idea what that meant until I visited the kibbutz and saw the fish ponds that are fed from those springs. The fish ponds werent there in Johns time, of course, but their extent (around a mile of them) indicates the amount of flowing water available.

John in Galilee?

I will add that an earlier stop on my trip was Yardenit, where the Jordan River exits Lake Tiberias (mislabeled the Sea of Galilee thanks to the Gospel of Mark) and flows southwards. This location has no historic association with John. Yet when the conflict between Israel and Jordan made the traditional site of Jesus baptism inaccessible, the innovative folks at the kibbutz at Yardenit had the idea of setting up an alternate pilgrimage site here, safely in Israel.

It was fascinating what happened when, on my first full day on this John the Baptist themed trip around the Holy, I shared a photo from Yardenit on social media. Yardenit has rails and steps at the Jordan River customized to make it easy for multiple groups to perform large scale baptisms here at the same time. Seeing my photo on social media, a Mandaean friend in Australia wrote to ask whether it would be possible to perform a Mandaean baptism there. I loved the question. Would a Jewish kibbutz marketing a site as that of the baptism of Jesus to Christians allow the followers of John the Baptist to perform a baptism there? What a delightful and remarkable convergence. What is most striking is that this happened in connection with a site that has no historical association with John. Merely the invocation of Johns name in relatively recent times makes it attractive and meaningful to people in very different religious traditions.

Despite there being no historical association between the site and John the Baptist, there might be reason to envisage John being active there. He had a striking number of Galileans among his followers, according to the Gospels and the Gospel of John in particular. Should we not envisage him connecting with them somewhere in or at least very near Galilee? This location, of which I share a couple of photos below, may or may not be precisely one in which John was active. No traditional site could ever hope to have that level of precision, and even if it did the location would inevitably be different today, not only because of the damming of the river to use the lake as a reservoir. This and other sites that I visited nonetheless help to challenge stereotypes and reveal neglected aspects and possibilities related to the life of John.

What else would you want to know about the locations of Johns activities? Did the photos and my descriptions of them surprise you? I hope they did, and I hope these photos help to supplement the narrated exploration of Johns life that I provide in my book Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist. Order your copy today!

Of related interest, Ive had an article published in Ancient Jew Review exploring why I wrote not just one but two books about John the Baptist and what the difference is between them. I also gave a talk about John the Baptist at this months Bible and Beyond Discussion. At the link you can find the video as well as a transcript. It was great witnessing the responses of people to what I presented. It reinforces to me that what Im offering in Christmaker is not just a tweak on our traditional understanding, but a radically new and innovative one that makes better sense of John, Jesus, and the relationship between them.

I had a delightful conversation with Rick Lee James on his Voices In My Head Podcast.

Here are couple of other YouTube appearances in which I talk about the book. First my conversation with Jacob Berman on the History Valley YouTube channel.

Coming soon:

Eerdmans makes wonderful graphics that highlight things people will learn from their new books. This one connects with the theme of this post.

Those of you who know me know that I make parody songs, including in conjunction with new books of mine. This one is no different. Heres Christmaker. Can you guess what song it is a parody of before listening to it?

There is also a recent podcast about the Mandaeans that came to my attention.
AI is being shoved into everything now, from laptops to kitchen appliances to celebrity gossip news. (No, none of that is an exaggeration.) The term is so ubiquitous that its fast becoming meaningless, just like performative or green.

So, Id like to thank Cooler Master for taking the plunge and officially putting a bullet in AI as a marketing adjective with its new thermal paste.

Yup, Cooler Master is advertising a thermal pastethe goo compound you squirt between your CPU and a cooleras somehow infused with artificial intelligence. Or, at least, thats the implication.

Its called Cryofuze 5, which the company is advertising on its Chinese site as AI competitive thermal paste (according to the Google translation). The English manual, which for some reason downloads as a PowerPoint presentation, makes no such claim.

As Toms Hardware points out, the more immediately relevant factor for PC builders might be that the new formula comes in six different colors (red, yellow, green, blue, black, and white). Why would you need to color-coordinate something thats never supposed to see the light of day once installed? I couldnt say, but then again Im the boring guy who turns off all the RGB LEDs on his motherboard.

Cooler Masters promo materials also say that the paste has exceptional thermal conductivity with operating temperatures between -50 and 240 degrees Celsius. (Thats 464 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point the solder in your motherboard would be melting.)

Its also anhygroscopic, a term that Wiktionary helpfully informs me means tending to remain dry or anhydrous. Practically, it means that it doesnt have much water and its easy to apply and clean up.

For me, Im willing to call this the point in time when AI ceases to mean anything when applied to marketing. Implying that generative AI was approaching the realm of science fiction a la Commander Data or GladOS was already a pretty huge reach. And highlighting NPU features such as background blurring as a hallmark of an entirely new kind of computer is mildly insulting to the intelligence of consumers. But with the Cryofuze 5, Cooler Master has officially taken AI past the ridiculousness event horizon.

So, thanks, Cooler Master. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to achieve this inevitable milestone. I look forward to buying AI-infused McNuggets with artificially intelligent fries on the side. And no, thats not an exaggeration either.
Microsoft said Wednesday that it is transforming Copilot into an app on Windows, and migrating the icon back to literally front and center on your PC.

Microsoft made reference to the change in its keynote addresses at Build, its developer conference in Seattle. But a blog post on Wednesday outlined Microsofts motivations for doing so, and what it plans to do with the Copilot Windows app.

get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today:

Currently, Copilot lives as an icon down in the lower-right-hand corner of the screen, with a small Pre banner attached to it as a preview. Microsoft appears to be ditching the preview designation and, in Microsofts words, evolving Copilot into a full-fledged shipping product.

By changing Copilot in Windows, were addressing one of the top pieces of feedback we have received from commercial organizations, which is to provide a more flexible, app-like experience, Harjit Dhaliwal, a senior product marketing manager for Windows Commercial at Microsoft, said in a blog post.

Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft

To integrate more seamlessly into everyday workflows and deliver AI-powered assistance in a more convenient manner, we are evolving Copilot in Windows into a standalone application, Dhaliwal wrote. With this change, users of Copilot will get the benefits of a traditional app experience such as resizing, snapping, and moving the window. This change unlocks new potential for Copilot. It opens up the ability for more immersive experiences and enables users to more seamlessly engage with generative AI in Windows.

The blog post shows Copilot existing as a resizable, windowed application. It also shows the Copilot centered in the users taskbar, just to the right of the icon Microsoft uses for its virtual desktops. Youll still be able to launch it using the Copilot key.

There is some question whether Microsoft will retain this look and feel for all Copilot experiences, or just commercial customers. Copilot will maintain support for the web and work tabs for Copilot for Microsoft 365 customers, offering commercial data protection within compatible web browsers like Microsoft Edge, the blog post says.

On the other hand, this looks like the official coming-out party for Copilot as a finished product, and app, in Windows.
The Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has urged the government to prioritise efforts aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by the Ghanaian populace.



Expressing deep concern about the struggles of the Ghanaian people, Archbishop Duncan-Williams highlighted the pervasive nature of the hardship, which has led to widespread discomfort and pain among the citizenry.



Pointing to the alarming trend of healthcare professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad, the Archbishop underscored the urgency for effective measures to address the root causes of these hardships.



In a meeting with John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and members of the Christian Ecumenical Council in Accra on Monday, May 20, Archbishop Duncan-Williams also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace to prevent violence during the upcoming elections.



In addition to advocating for peace, Archbishop Duncan-Williams stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure socioeconomic stability and well-being, thereby mitigating the risk of Ghanaians being compelled to seek refuge in foreign countries due to internal strife.



There is too much pain and suffering in this country. All our doctors and nurses are leaving this country. And we just pray that things will be well handled and managed with transparency and fairness so that we will not end up being refugees in any other country."



Because without proper fairness, honesty, and transparency, things may fall out of hand. And may I say this, that nobody should think that the Ghanaian is very gentle, I dont like trouble human being, It is not true.

Source: myjoyonline.com









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Richard Jakpa, a businessman and the third accused in the trial involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Minister of Finance, testified that the letters of credit in question bore the seal of then Finance Minister Seth Terkper.



Mr Jakpa emphasised that without the Minister's authentication seal, the letters of credit would have been ineffective.



He further explained that this authentication seal was crucial and its presence legitimised the letters of credit.



Mr Jakpa noted that the Bank of Ghana only opened the letters of credit after receiving authorisation from the then Deputy Controller and Accountant General.



During his testimony, Mr Jakpa highlighted the procedural importance of the authentication seal, asserting that it was an essential step in the process.



This seal, he reiterated, validated the letters of credit and ensured their effectiveness.



Mr Jakpa's statements aimed to clarify the chain of authorisation and the role of the Finance Minister's seal in the issuance and opening of the letters of credit by the Bank of Ghana.



"It is after the documents marked as page 2 and 3 of Exhibit AK that the Former Minister for Finance [ Hon. Seth Terkper] wrote to Big Sea assuring and informed it that he was in the process of finalizing the establishment of the Letter of Credit. Thereafter, the Bank of Ghana [BOG] was requested to open the LC with the authentication seal of the Minister for Finance."



"This is confirmed by exhibit A. Later the Deputy Controller and Accountant's General finally authorised the BOG to establish the LC by exhibit B," an excerpt of his witness statement said.



The businessman also asserted that none of the accused individuals played a role in causing financial loss to the state.



He explained that the state had accepted possession of the ambulances without any intention of terminating the contract.



Furthermore, Mr Jakpa noted that the government had fulfilled its commitment by making the necessary payment for the ambulances.



He emphasised that all required accessories were delivered in accordance with the contract specifications.



He thus refuted any allegations of deliberate or malicious intent to cause financial loss to the state by the accused persons.



"It is clear from the particulars of the offence charged against me that the government has itself admitted that the ambulances were supplied to Ghana. The point here I make is that since it is admitted that the ambulances were indeed supplied to the government of Ghana, it cannot be honestly said that the government sustained financial loss when government: has accepted or taken possession of the ambulances and not indicated no intention whatsoever of terminating the contract."



"The government actually committed itself to performing the contract by paying for the ambulances as confirmed in the negotiated addendum to the contract," his statement added.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Richard Jakpa, the businessman and third accused in the trial involving former Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson over the purchase of ambulances, has asserted that the deal was approved by the then Minister for Health, Sherry Ayitey.



Mr Jakpa stated that Minister Ayitey okayed the deal in a letter dated July 19, 2013. This letter, he mentioned, has already been tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibit 14.



In his witness statement, Mr Jakpa disclosed that his company, Jakpa Business Limited, was copied in the letter because it served as Big Seas agent at the time.



He emphasised that the minister's approval was a crucial part of the process, highlighting the legitimacy of the transaction.



"By a letter dated 19th July 2013, Big Sea wrote to the then Minister for Health who at the time was the Honourable Sherry Ayitey [May Her Soul Rest In Peace] and notified the government that the first twenty [20] ambulances were ready for shipment. Because JBL was Big Seas agent, JBL was copied in this letter."



"Big Sea, therefore, requested that as provided for by the contract, the government visit Dubai to inspect the ambulances before shipment. This letter as already stated was tendered in evidence and marked exhibit 14," an excerpt of his witness statement said.



He also testified that the letters of credit in question bore the seal of the then Finance Minister, Seth Terkper.



Mr. Jakpa emphasised that without the minister's authentication seal, the letters of credit would have been ineffective.



He further explained that this authentication seal was crucial, and its presence legitimised the letters of credit. Jakpa noted that the Bank of Ghana only opened the letters of credit after receiving authorisation from the then Deputy Controller and Accountant General.



Mr. Jakpa highlighted the procedural importance of the authentication seal, asserting that it was an essential step in the process. This seal, he reiterated, validated the letters of credit and ensured their effectiveness.



"It is after the documents marked as page 2 and 3 of Exhibit AK that the Former Minister for Finance [Hon. Seth Terkper] wrote to Big Sea assuring and informed it that he was in the process of finalising the establishment of the Letter of Credit. Thereafter, the Bank of Ghana [BOG] was requested to open the LC with the authentication seal of the Minister for Finance."



"This is confirmed by exhibit A. Later the Deputy Controller and Accountant's General finally authorised the BOG to establish the LC by exhibit B," he added.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Chief Executive of Cocobod Joseph Boahen Aidoo has convincingly argued that cocoa can play a pivotal role in agroforestry, fostering enhanced carbon sequestration.



According to him, cocoa production also contributes significantly in helping to mitigate the impact of climate change and its effects on the environment.



This stands in sharp contrast to the widely held assertions that the cultivation of cocoa leads to deforestation and contributes to adverse effects on climate change.



Contrary to the long-held notion that cocoa is a major driver of deforestation, the experience in Ghana projects cocoa as a great measure in climate mitigation and environmental adaption He noted



Delivering a presentation on the topic: African Approach to addressing Global Warming and Climate Change at the 2024 International Federation of Geoscientists (FIG) Working Week, which is currently underway at the La Palm Beach Hotel in Accra, Hon. Aidoo also affirmed that the introduction of numerous Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs) and Vertical Productivity in the cocoa sector has not only led to sustainable cocoa production but has also helped in addressing issues of deforestation.



According to him, huge investments made in policies such as rehabilitation, pruning, hand pollination, climate-smart and regenerative farming in the last seven years have ultimately helped in promoting cocoa sustainable farming practices with priority on environmental conservation and provision of social safety nets to support the wellbeing of farmers and local communities.



Hon. Boahen Aidoo said the main objective of COCOBOD was to economize the use of land through vertical, rather than lateral production of cocoa and this according to him, has contributed to the preservation of forest lands.



Aside the impact of the PEPs initiatives, the COCOBOD Chief Executive further espoused the natural and scientific benefits of cocoa trees to the ecosystem, explaining that cocoa is the unsung mollifier in climate change because cocoa as a woody plant performs a major function in carbon sequestration by absorbing carbon dioxide directly from the air, thereby reducing the emission of gas into the environment.



Hon. Boahen Aidoo however emphasized that despite the successes achieved in sustainable cocoa production, activities such as illegal mining, climate change, price volatility and unjust market order, as well as cocoa swollen shoots virus disease continue to pose major challenges to the countrys cocoa industry.



Touching on long term solution, the COCOBOD Chief Executive emphasized the need for a global action demands cutting down on anthropogenic activities, i.e., the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, and adaptation of more efficient, effective, responsible and resilient production systems.



The annual FIG Conference draws participants from around the world. It brings experts from all the different areas of surveying  interpreted in the broadest sense including land surveyors, geospatial experts, valuers, quantity surveyors, hydrography surveyors etc, together to enhance the cooperation and understanding of each others fields.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Two Togolese nationals have been arrested by the police in the Buem Constituency, which is situated in the Jasikan District of the Oti Region, on Sunday, May 19, 2024.



The suspects were allegedly brought into the country by executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to partake in the ongoing voters registration exercise.



They were among a larger group of people brought into the country by the Buem Constituency Executives of the NDC.



Their compatriots escaped as security officers arrived at the Jasikan Municipal Registration Centre, according to reports.



The two suspects are currently in police custody at the Jasikan Divisional Police Command assisting with investigations.



The police are currently monitoring the situation closely, as it has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the voter registration process.



The current guarantor system has come under scrutiny, with accusations that NDC executives are exploiting the same to register foreign nationals fraudulently.



In the immediate aftermath, the NDC Constituency Chairman and Organiser are trying to secure bail for the detained individuals.



This incident has raised questions over the effectiveness of the guarantor system and the reasons behind the NDCs staunch support for its continued use.



The NDC leadership has consistently resisted the Electoral Commissions efforts to eliminate the guarantor system in favour of exclusively using the Ghana Card as the primary identification for voter registration in Ghana.











Source: Daily Guide









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Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen has admitted to stealing $30,000 from the Trump Organization after overstating how much he needed to be repaid for paying funds to a poll-rigging tech company called Red Finch.



Cohen was once a Trump loyalist who has become one of his biggest foes. Trump's defence team says he turned on the former US president after he was denied a White House job.



On Monday, May 20, Cohen testified that he handed the CEO of the company $20,000 in cash in a brown paper bag in exchange for services that included rigging 2016 election polls in Donald Trump's favour.





But when Trump's chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg asked him during a mid-2017 meeting whether he needed to be reimbursed $50,000 for this, Cohen agreed and pocketed the difference, he said.



"You did steal from the Trump Organization based on the expected reimbursement from Red Finch, correct?" Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, his voice rising to a high pitch, asked Cohen.



"Yes, sir," Cohen calmly replied.



Trump broke away from his eyes-closed position during this exchange and popped a mint before appearing to pay close attention to Cohen's testimony.



"Have you paid back the Trump Organization for the money you stole from them?" Blanche asked later.

"No, sir," Cohen responded.





In one of the final questions he was asked during cross-examination, Michael Cohen answered "no" when asked whether a conviction would benefit him financially.



The opposite is actually true, Cohen claimed, saying that an acquittal would give him more material to discuss on his podcast and other media appearances.



"Its better if hes not [convicted] because it gives me more to talk about in the future, he testified.



Former President Donald Trump is sitting through the fifth week of a trial where he is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.



To secure a conviction, prosecutors will need to show that Trump not only falsified business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, but that he did so to illegally conceal information from voters that could have hurt his 2016 presidential chances  a crime that escalates these charges from a misdemeanour to a felony.









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Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged the church, as the moral voice of society, to speak out on issues surrounding the 2024 electoral process.



He expressed concern over several matters related to the Ejusu by-election and the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, calling on the church to address these issues.



During an interaction with the Christian Ecumenical Council on Monday, former President Mahama emphasised the need for the church to advocate for neutrality and ensure a free and fair election.



He underscored the critical role the church plays in upholding democratic principles and promoting justice within the electoral framework.



This is a president who is appointing politically exposed people into positions of trust where they are supposed to be neutral and non-partisan and so people who have been communicators for the party, people who have been IT backstops for the party, today are Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. How do you expect them to be neutral and fair in what is happening?



People who were patrons of TESCON on campus are today Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. But we want to wake up the conscience of the nation that the right thing must be done so that the outcome can actually be the will of the people.



So going up to the election, We will continue to play our part. We will raise the red flags anytime we think things are not going very well. And we believe that the church community should also keep an eye and be vigilant in terms of making sure that the right thing is done.

Source: citinewsroom.com









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The Electoral Commission has issued a statement in relation to an incident in which an electoral officer was said to have registered about 17 persons with invalid Ghana cards at the Pusiga district office.



The statement signed by the Acting Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Michael Boadu, during the Voters Registration Exercise on 13th May, 2024, a Data Entry Clerk noticed a suspicious Ghana Card numbers on 17 Registration Forms. Upon seeing the anomalies, the clerk immediately drew the attention of the District Electoral Officer.



The Electoral officer, according to the statement, realised that the Ghana cards were fake after thorough investigations was conducted.



Upon investigations, it was revealed that the Ghana Card numbers were fake. It was further discovered that the Registration Officer was complicit because he did not physically inspect the Ghana Card of individual applicants but rather accepted the fake numbers from Party Agents who had accompanied the 17 applicants, excerpts of the press release explained.



In order to ensure transparency and electoral integrity, the Commission have taken actions following the unfortunate incidents. This include the outright dismissal of the Registration Officer.



The Commission noted that the said Registration Officer has been arrested by the officials of the Ghana Police Service to help with investigation, following a formal complaints by the Electoral Commission



The 17 Applicants, in order not to violate their constitutional rights, were registered using the Guarantor system.



While the Police continue with their investigations, the Commission would like to warn all its Temporary Officials that it will not countenance the breach of its electoral laws. Any person found violating the laws of the Commission will be handed over to the Police and permanently blacklisted by the Commission, the EC cautioned.



The Electoral Commission thereby, assured all its stakeholders and the general public that the Voters Registration Exercise is being conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner, thus, encouraging Ghanaians to have the confidence that the Commission will deliver on its mandate as far as free, fair, credible and transparent election is concerned.



Despite the challenges encountered in the first two days, the Commission is on schedule to register the projected 623,000 voters by the end of the exercise. We count on the cooperation and vigilance of all citizens to ensure that the remaining period of the registration is peaceful and successful.





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The President of the republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has expressed joy over the approval of the new ministers in spite of the boycott staged by the minority in parliament.



According to the President, the minoritys walk-away just when the ministers were to be considered and approved by the Parliament was an action he dearly pitied.



During the swearing in of the newly approved ministers, on Monday, May 20, at the flagstaff house in Accra, the President said, it was a pity that at the last moment, the Minority which has participated in all the prior processes found it necessary to walk out of parliament at the formal approval stage. We thank God that the walkout was not fatal to the vote of approval.



The minority in Ghanas parliament, boycotted the approval of the newly approved ministers. The reason for the boycott was uncertain but the minority leaders question on the floor of parliament about the description urgent matter for the approval of ministers, sets the tone that the minority were unhappy.



It is recalled that, the ministerial vetting was challenged at the Supreme Court by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor.



The non-existence of substantive ministers for some key ministries such as the Health Ministry posed a lot of challenge for the ministry. This, amongst many reasons led to the reconvening of Parliament upon the request of the majority leader and the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo- Markin.



However, the minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in his submission on the floor of Parliament on Friday, May 17, questioned how the approval of the ministerial nominees was classified as an urgent matter.



He said, May I ask, how is the approval of the Presidents nominees for ministerial positions an urgent matter, when this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government already has a large number of ministers and deputy ministers?



While walking out of the chamber, some of the opposition lawmakers were heard saying Ghanaians are suffering.



Dr Cassiel Ato Forson told the Majority side that If you dont care, we care.



The newly approved ministers include, Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye; Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford; Information Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar, Gender; Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman; Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah; Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan; Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, MP, Greater Accra Region, Titus Glover, Oti Region, Mr. Daniel Machator.



The deputy ministers are for Information, Sylvester Tetteh, MP; Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah; Communications and Digitilisation, Charles Acheampong; Health, Adelaide Ntim, MP Alexander Akwasi Acquah; Works and Housing Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah; Lands and Natural Resources, Akwasi Konadu; Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba; Energy, John Kobina Sanie, Collins Adomako-Mensah; Education, Kingsley Nyarko; Employment and Labour Relations, Festus Awuah Kwofie; Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The United Kingdom government is pursuing several countries including Ghana and the United States for unpaid London congestion charges outstanding for the past 20 years.



The Ghana High Commission in the UK owes a little over 5 million pounds, whereas the United States Embassy in London owes the highest amount of 14.6 million pounds.



The Congestion Charging Embassy Outstanding debt according to Transport for London (TfL), had accumulated from 2003 to December 31, 2023.



All the diplomatic missions put together owe more than 143 million to Transport for London (TfL) for unpaid congestion charges.



The US Embassy owes the largest amount at 14.6 million. The Embassy of Japan follows with over 10.1 million, while Togo owes just 40.



The figures from TfL relate to unpaid fees and fines accrued by diplomats between the launch of the congestion charge in 2003 and the end of last year.



The scheme involves a 15 daily fee for driving within an area of central London between 07:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, and between noon and 18:00 on weekends and bank holidays.



There are discounts and exemptions for various groups of people and vehicles, such as residents, taxis and fully electric cars.



TfL said in a statement: "We and the UK government are clear that the congestion charge is a charge for a service and not a tax.





"This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it.



"The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels.



"We will continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charge fees and related penalty charge notices, and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice."



The Foreign Office said it expects diplomats to pay the charge, adding that they believed there were no legal grounds for diplomatic exemptions.



According to the BBC, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in London said: "In accordance with international law as reflected in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, our position is that the congestion charge is a tax from which diplomatic missions are exempt.



"Our long-standing position is shared by many other diplomatic missions in London.



In February 2020, then-foreign secretary Dominic Raab issued a written ministerial statement revealing that his officials had written to "a number of diplomatic missions and international organisations" to "press for payment" of money owed relating to the congestion charge, parking fines and business rates.

Source: myjoyonline.com









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Attempts by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to implicate the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the controversy surrounding the missing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) have been exposed.



According to Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), NPP's National Organizer information from credible sources indicates that the opposition party intended to plant some of the missing devices (Laptops), which are currently in their possession, at the offices of the NPP in various parts of the country. He added that the NDC planned to accompany selected media houses to these locations to capture footage showing the missing devices purportedly found in NPP offices.



Nana B further indicated that some members of the NDC had foreknowledge of the theft of the BVR kits and had plans to steal components from 25 other BVRs, which, when assembled, could be used for voter registration.



It will be recalled that the Electoral Commission (EC) handed over some individuals suspected to be involved in the alleged theft of five laptops, which were part of the BVR kits, to the police in April this year. This came to light after the EC admitted to losing some BVR kits, following allegations by the NDC. The NDC minority in parliament was the first to announce the missing BVR kits on March 19, 2024, and called for urgent action from the police. The party alleged the disappearance of seven biometric devices, expressing concern about potential ramifications for the upcoming December election.



However, at a press conference on March 20, 2024, the EC denied that Biometric Verification Devices were missing from its stores and clarified that it was actually five laptops, which were part of the BVR kits, that were stolen.



Subsequently, the NDC called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to probe the ECs unaccounted Biometric Verification Devices and parts of the BVR kits to ensure that the December polls are free and fair.



Later, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, claimed that the stolen BVR kits could be used to illegally register people and add them to the voters' register, enabling them to vote in the December 7 general elections.



Although the EC has debunked such claims, assuring Ghanaians that the missing laptops alone cannot be used for voter registration or verification, the NDC has remained insistent on its demands, including directing its registration agents across the country to acquire and transmit the serial numbers of the BVR kits used in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise to the NDC national office.



Nana B has observed that the NDCs insistence that the stolen BVR kits could be used to tamper with the elections is part of the partys grand scheme to hide the kits in NPP offices and accuse the EC of colluding with the governing party to rig the 2024 general elections.



This strategy is reminiscent of the 2008 plot where members of the NDC in the Akwatia Constituency snatched ballot boxes from polling stations and left one of the boxes at the house of an NPP constituency executive. The party later called for the arrest of the NPP executive even after the police had apprehended eight members of the NDC for their involvement in the nefarious act.



Based on this alarming and dangerous situation unraveled by the National Organiser, Nana B is imploring all Constituency Executives, Regional Executives and all concerned Party stakeholders to remain very vigilant around the partys nationwide offices to thwart the potential intrusion by the NDC.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the newly sworn-in ministers to bring their A-game onboard as they officially begin their duties as substantive ministers and deputy ministers.



On Monday, May 20, 2024, the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, after a Parliamentary consideration and approval, led the newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers to take the oath of office at the Jubilee House in Accra.



The President mentioned to the ministers to do their best to make a difference in the line of duties. The President acknowledge the limited time available but added that, irrespective of the time allocation, he believes strongly that the persons designated for the various ministries will do exceedingly well.



I am confident that there is enough time for you to make a difference and significant contribution. Indeed, anyone who has something to prove can make a point within a short period and I am sure that your various competencies, experiences and talents make this distinctly possible, he added.



President Akufo-Addo drew their attention to the fact that, their success in office as ministers will enable Ghanaians to have more confidence in the government, thus, a victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Dr. Bawumia will be inevitable



He continued to add that, they need to stay focused and get committed to Ghanaians and serve diligently.



The President advised the newly sworn-in appointees not to forget that the political atmosphere was characterised by some unhealthy comments and that even their most innocent actions would be stigmatised and given the most sinister of motives.



Ignore the fabricators and their fabrications and the naysayers. Remain resolute and focus on our collective objective to serve the Ghanaian people to the best of our abilities and leave the rest to God, to history and to the judgment of the good people of Ghana.



The President also advised the ministers to declare their assets on time in order not to have their names and integrity dragged in the mud, especially, in a densed political season like the one Ghanaians are experiencing currently.

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Hopeson Adorye has reportedly been arrested by the Police over his claim that he detonated dynamites in the Volta Region during the 2016 General Elections.



Mr Adorye claimed during a radio interview in Accra which has since gone viral.



He is currently in custody.



A reliable source told Peacefmonline that Mr. Adorye will appear before the court but now under serious investigation.



Background



Hopeson Adorye who is now a leading member of Alan Kyerematen's Movement for Change shared details of an operation he spearheaded to prevent supposed Togolese nationals from voting in the 2016 general elections.



Speaking in an interview on Onua TV, on May 16, 2024, Hopeson Adorye indicated that the operation he led, which involved the use of explosives, all happened within the borders of Togo, not Ghana.



He said that he constituted a team and took them to Togo to engage the traditional authorities of communities bordering Ghana, to urge them to speak to their people so they would not cross the border to vote in the 2016 elections.



There is this issue in the Volta Region during elections that Togolese came and registered to vote. In 2016, they came to register alright, but I took it upon myself to disable the system so that they would not come and vote.



I chose a team and made them swear an oath that they were not going to inform the regional executives of what we were going to do, he narrated.



He added, We had a relation who grew up there (Togo) and he had a good relationship with the traditional authorities there. So, he moved us from one authority to the other so we could engage them. When we met them, we gave them a lot of money (CFA) for them to use for advocacy, radio announcements and the like.



He insisted that everything, including the explosion, happened in Togo and not the Volta Region as some people are asserting.



I told them that things were going to happen so they should not come Because of what we told them, we put things in order. Everything that happened took place in Togo. Those saying it happened in the Volta Region, if you throw this (dynamite) at a polling station, won't people die? Who in the Volta Region can say that there was an explosion in his or her area?



And I gated the people. After it (the explosion), I made them take off on the motorbikes. There was a commotion, and the people started saying that what we told them had started happening. It was a strategy. Everything happened in Togo, he reiterated.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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At least two people have been killed and three others injured in a shooting at a family-owned Delaware County business.

The incident occurred at Delaware County Linen, located in the 2600 block of West Fourth Street in Chester at about 8:30 a.m. today, as the business was getting ready to open, according to reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC10.

Chester Mayor Stefan Roots described the incident to the Inquirer as a workplace shooting but an exact motive is not yet known.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said during a press briefing that at least five people were shot and two of them had died. The other victims were sent to a hospital. One of them is listed in critical condition.

Stollsteimer added that the suspect, a former employee at the store, was in police custody. He was arrested in nearby Trainer after leaving the scene.

This is a story that plays out too often across the United States of America, he said during the briefing, according to NBC10. A disgruntled employee has walked into a linen shop -- the Delaware County Linen shop behind us -- and shot five people, five coworkers.

This is a sad situation, Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky said to NBC10.

Im telling you it was insanity, a worker at the industrial laundromat said in Spanish to the Inquirer. Im telling you if I hadnt run he was coming after everyone like crazy, I didnt know where to go but he went straight after two guys.

Other employees told the Inquirer that there were about 40-50 people working there this morning.

Delaware County Linen provides tablecloths, bed linens and other products to restaurants, country clubs, hotels and other business in Pennsylvania and several surrounding states.
A man in Lancaster on Monday morning was chased down and stabbed in the head and back by a man he punched in the face moments before, according to a press release.

Daniel Barreto stopped a Lancaster City police officer on the 100 block of North Queen Street around 6:30 a.m. and said he had just been stabbed twice, the report said.

Barreto was conscious and spoke with the officer before being taken to the hospital for treatment, police said.

A description of the man suspected of stabbing Barreto was given to police by the Lancaster Safety Coalition, which captured the interaction on their cameras.

Not long after Barreto notified police of the stabbing, another officer on the first block of South Prince Street  about three blocks away  saw a man, later identified as Alvin Serrano, with face injuries that matched the given description.

Serrano was taken into custody and brought to the hospital for treatment, the police report said.

During interviews with Barreto, he admitted to starting the altercation by punching Serrano in the face after he was feeling disrespected, according to the press release.

Footage from Lancaster Safety Coalition cameras showed Barreto walking up to Serrano and punching him in the face before an unknown male handed a knife to Serrano, the report said.

Serrano then started to chase Barreto and stabbed him in the head and back with his first swing before stabbing him in the back a second time and leaving the area, police said.

Barreto, who will be charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, received non-life-threatening injuries in the stabbing, police said. Criminal charges have not been filed against Barreto as of Tuesday afternoon.

Serrano was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct on Monday, court documents show. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 24.
Two women were found stabbed to death in the basement of a Philadelphia home on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a home in the 6000 block of Bingham Street at about 1:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call, according to reports from 6ABC and NBC10.

Police found a 75-year-old woman and her 58-year-old daughter in the basement of the home with multiple stab wounds. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The motive for the killings is not yet known and no arrests have been made. There were no signs of a break-in and no one else was inside the home.

You would think that this is a very safe environment so for two women to be dead, that breaks my heart honestly speaking, neighbor Marylee Rodriguez said to NBC10.

They were excellent neighbors, and its hard to believe, Jack Burkhardt, another neighbor, said to 6ABC, adding that they were very active in their church.
Two men were wielding guns and exchanging gunfire before a Tuesday double homicide in Harrisburg that also left three others wounded, neighbors said.

Harrisburg police said shots were fired around 8:30 p.m. on the first block of South 15th Street in the citys Allison Hill neighborhood.

Two men and a woman were found with gunshot wounds at the scene. The men died at a hospital, police said. The womans condition is unknown.

Another man and a woman were later hospitalized with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The block remained blocked off with crime scene tape Wednesday morning, more than 12 hours later. Several neighbors stood on their porches watching as police started to clear the area. A group of young women sat on the curb by the shooting scene, quietly crying.

Neighbors who spoke with PennLive Wednesday morning said they heard a loud exchange of more than 10 gunshots.

A man who has lived on the block for about 20 years told PennLive that warm weather had brought many families outside Tuesday.

Thats why, at first, he didnt think anything of the loud popping he heard around 8:20 p.m., believing they were fireworks. But the loud booms he heard seemed off.

This seems unusual for fireworks, he said of his mindset when he looked out his second-story window. He declined to provide his name out of safety concerns.

When he looked down at the street, he said he saw a man holding a gun in each hand shooting at another armed man.

A woman who lived across the street said a man had been replacing a tire on a red car parked on the first block of South 15th Street right before they heard gunshots. Police towed the red car from the scene Wednesday. A lone tire and jack lay abandoned on the sidewalk Wednesday morning.

The woman said she also thought the shots were fireworks until she saw police cars and ambulances arrive in the area minutes later.

She said she saw a man hop in a silver vehicle and speed away after the shooting. There are multiple surveillance cameras and Ring doorbells surrounding the section of street where the shootout occurred.

Police have not announced any arrests as of Wednesday. The identities of the men who were killed have not yet been released.

The Dauphin County Coroners Office said autopsies are scheduled for Friday morning.

The Tuesday night shooting resulted in Harrisburgs ninth and tenth homicides this year, compared to four at the same time last year.
The provost and vice president of student affairs at Southern Utah University has been named as the next president of Pennsylvania Western University, which has campuses in California, Clarion and Edinboro.

Jon Anderson, who also serves as a professor at the 15,000-student university in Cedar City, Utah, will take over the leadership of the State System of Higher Education university on July 1, succeeding R. Lorraine Bernotsky who will become president of West Chester University that same day. The 50-year-old Andersons salary has yet to be finalized, said State System spokesman Kevin Hensil.
Rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie is headed out on his Better Off Alone tour that includes a stop in Pa.

He will perform on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

His fifth studio album, Better Off Alone, was released on May 17.

Fans can buy tickets to the June 18 concert here (prices are as of the time of this post):

The tour stops also include:

May 26 - Morrison, Colorado

June 14 - Clarkston, Michigan

June 20 - Boston, Massachusetts

June 22 - Hartford, Connecticut

June 24 - New York, New York

June 29 - Rochester, New York

Sept. 10 - Toronto, Canada

Sept. 11 - London, Canada

Sept. 12 - Montreal, Canada

Sept. 15 - Winnipeg, Canada

Sept. 17 - Calgary, Canada

Sept. 18 - Edmonton, Canada

Sept. 20 - Vancouver, Canada

Sept. 23 - Seattle, Washington

Sept. 25 - Portland, Oregon

Sept. 28 - San Francisco, California

Sept. 30 - Inglewood, California

Oct. 3 - Phoenix, Arizona

Oct. 4 - San Diego, California

Oct. 7 - Houston, Texas

Oct. 8 - Irving, Texas

Oct. 10 - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Oct. 11 - Waukee, Iowa

Oct. 13 - Chicago, Illinois

Oct. 16 - Baltimore, Maryland

Oct. 19 - Atlanta, Georgia

Oct. 20 - Charlotte, North Carolina

Oct. 22 - Jacksonville, Florida

Oct. 23 - Tampa, Florida

Oct. 24 - Miami, Florida
Zac Browns estranged wife, Kelly Yadzi, is not taking the temporary restraining order the country music star had granted against her lying down.

Brown, according to Fox News, filed a lawsuit Friday in Georgia that requested an emergency temporary restraining order, injunctive relief, and damages arising out of several past and threatened violations.

Fox said the violations pertain to a confidentiality agreement that Brown claims Yazdi signed. Brown reportedly requested that Yazdi take down an Instagram post that went against the agreement. Fox said there were a handful of Instagram posts in which she accused Brown of narcissistic abuse.

With the news of Browns restraining order being granted, Yadzi is speaking out.

No one  not even Zac Brown with all of his money, power, celebrity, and lawyers  may silence my right to freely express myself through art or, although I have to date declined to do so publicly, to speak about the circumstances of our pending divorce, she wrote on TikTok according to Fox. I intend to respond swiftly and robustly to his meritless complaint that publications of two poems on my personal social media account divulged any confidential information about his business, much less authorizes a court to enjoin me from speaking about matters in my personal life that have nothing to do with my brief former work for the Zac Brown Collective, Inc.

Fox reported that Brown also asked the court to prevent Yazdi from making any defamatory, false, untrue, or otherwise damaging statements.

He reportedly told NBC that his only hope is for us to keep private matters private and to move forward with mutual respect.

Brown and Yazdi reportedly separated in December after being married for four months.
Actress Scarlett Johannson is calling things how she sees it and how she hears it as well.

The Avengers actress said she received an offer from ChatGPT to use her voice for its new system last year. After thinking about the offer, Johansson turned it down.

The only problem is she says OpenAI went behind her back and used a voice that was eerily similar to her voice anyway.

In her statement Monday shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, the aftermath of the whole ordeal left the actress shocked, angered and in disbelief that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman went ahead and used a voice that was modeled after her own for ChatGPT 4.0.

She said it sounded so much like her voice that her closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference.

But OpenAI claimed it was the voice of an unnamed actress.

Johansson explained that this all began last September when she met with OpenAI about the opportunity.

Last September, I received an offer from Sam Altman, who wanted to hire me to voice the current ChatGPT 4.0 system, Johansson wrote in a statement, which a representative shared on X. He told me that he felt that by my voicing the system, I could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives and help consumers to feel comfortable with the seismic shift concerning humans and AI. He said he felt that my voice would be comforting to people.

She turned the opportunity down.

Then OpenAI held a live demonstration last week of the ChatGPT voice, named Sky, while showing off its ability to hold conversations in voice chats, among other features. But the eerie issue was that many believed the voice was identical to Johanssons voice from the film Her.

The movie is about a man falling in love with his computer operating system.

Nine months later, my friends, family and the general public all noted how much the newest system named Sky sounded like me, Johansson added in the statement.

Within the statement, Johansson went on to say that Altman insinuated that the similarity [of the voice] was intentional when Altman tweeted one word - her.

This could be perceived as a reference to Johanssons film, Her and the new ChatGPT 4.0 model.

Two days before the ChatGPT 4.0 demo was released, Mr. Altman contacted my agent, asking me to reconsider. Before we could connect, the system was out there, Johansson revealed.

This left Johansson to take up legal action, in which the actress sent a letter to OpenAI, requesting the company detail the exact process in the making of Sky. According to Johansson, it was then that OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the voice.

In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our own likeness, our own work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity, Johansson said. I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected.

In a blog post on May 19, OpenAI announced it would no longer be using the voice but didnt indicate why. It also explained how the voices were chosen and didnt reveal the name of the voice to protect that individuals identity.
It has been a week of blessings for the Duck Dynasty crew.

Just days after Jace and Missy Robertson shared that their son, Cole, narrowly avoided disaster when a tornado hit their Tennessee farm  sure, a tornado hitting their place wasnt good but that could have been so much worse  theres another reason to celebrate.

Rebecca Robertson, the daughter of Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson, announced that she and her husband, John Reed Loflin, are expecting their third child.

Per Taste of Country, they already have a 5-year-old son, Zane, and a 2-year-old daughter, Holland.

Rebecca shared the news on Instagram writing, Looks like we may need a bigger couch.

Korie Robertson also posted two photos of Zane and Holland holding sonogram photos and wrote, THE BEST NEWS!! Grand baby #8 is on the way!!! We cant wait to meet you little one.
Actor Matthew Perry  most widely known for his role as Chandler on the hit 90s sitcom Friends  passed away in the fall of last year.

Now, authorities have officially opened an investigation into his death.

PennLive has previously reported how Perry, 54, was found by his assistant facedown in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles, Calif., on October 28, 2023.

His death, continued the report, was later labeled accidental, with the drug ketamine  as well as drowning  found to be contributing factors.

However, while Perry was, indeed, undergoing ketamine infusion therapy  which is typically used as a means to combat depression,.anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, and drug and alcohol issues  the medical examiner who published his autopsy report noted that Perrys last treatment was one-and-a-half weeks prior to his death. This, according to the examiner, couldnt account for the levels of ketamine found in the actors system, as the drug is typically metabolized within a matter of hours.

The BBC is now reporting how the Los Angeles Police Department together with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are looking into how Perry obtained the ketamine.

At least two doctors had been treating Perry at the time of his death  a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist who served as his primary cary physician. Officials confirmed that there were no illicit drugs or related paraphernalia found at his house.

The Hollywood Reporter stated how coronary artery diseases as well as buprenorphine  which is used to treat opioid addiction  were also listed by the autopsy report as contributing factors to Perrys death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
By Samy Magdy, Lee Keath and Tia Goldenberg, The Associated Press

CAIRO  The United Nations suspended food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation caused by Israels expanding military operation. The U.N. warned that humanitarian operations across the territory were nearing collapse.

A senior United States official said Israel has addressed many of the Biden administrations concerns about a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters there. U.S. President Joe Biden had previously opposed a total military assault on a city filled with displaced civilians if plans did not prioritize the safety of innocent Palestinians. The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli invasion plan, but said Israeli officials changes to the planning suggested they were taking the American administrations concerns seriously.

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Rafah in a chaotic exodus, seeking shelter in new tent camps or crowding into areas already devastated by previous Israeli offensives. Some 400,000 people are believed to still be in Rafah after around 900,000 rushed to escape, according to COGAT, the Israeli military office in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs.

Getting aid to displaced civilians has been hampered by closed and chaotic land crossings, as well as problems plaguing the U.S. militarys new floating pier meant to provide an alternative sea route for aid into Gaza. Over the weekend, hungry Palestinians took aid from a U.N. vehicle convoy coming from the pier, and the U.N. said since then it had been unable to receive trucks there.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington that for the past few days, forward movement of aid from the pier was paused but it resumed Tuesday. There was no confirmation from the U.N.

The U.N.s World Food Program said it was running out of food for central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are now living.

Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, said Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson. If food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread, she said.

The warning came as Israel seeks to contain the international fallout from a request at the worlds top war crimes court for arrest warrants targeting both Israeli and Hamas leaders. The move garnered support from three European countries, including Israels key ally France.

Use of starvation as a method of warfare was among the accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court  charges they and other Israeli officials angrily deny. The prosecutor accused three Hamas leaders of war crimes over killings of civilians in the groups Oct. 7 attack.

The U.N. says some 1.1 million people in Gaza  nearly half the population  face catastrophic levels of hunger and that the territory is on the brink of famine. Throughout the war, Rafah has been filled with scenes of hungry children holding out pots and plastic containers at makeshift soup kitchens, with many families reduced to eating only one meal a day

The humanitarian crisis deepened after Israeli forces pushed into Rafah on May 6. Tanks and troops seized the vital Rafah crossing into Egypt, and its been closed ever since. After May 10, only about three dozen trucks made it into Gaza via the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel because fighting made it dangerous for aid workers to reach it, the U.N. says.

Israel insists it puts no restriction on the number of trucks entering Gaza. COGAT said 450 trucks entered Tuesday from its side to Kerem Shalom and a small crossing in northern Gaza. It said more than 650 trucks are waiting on the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom to be retrieved, blaming lack of logistical capabilities and manpower gaps among aid groups.

For months, the U.N. has warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah could wreck the effort to get food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians across Gaza.

Asked about the ramifications of suspending aid, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said simply: People dont eat.

Etefa said the WFP was still passing out hot meals and limited distributions of reduced food packages in central Gaza, but food parcel stocks will run out within days, she said.

Israeli military vehicles are seen during a raid in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Israeli forces raided a militant stronghold Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, killing at least seven and wounding several, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The raid into the Jenin refugee camp is part of months of surging violence in the Palestinian territory. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)AP

The U.S. touted the $320 million pier project as a route for accelerated deliveries. The first 10 trucks rolled off a ship onto the pier on Friday and were taken to a WFP warehouse. However, a second convoy on Saturday was met by Palestinian crowds who removed all the food from 11 trucks, and only five truckloads made it to the warehouse, Etefa said.

No further deliveries came from the pier Sunday or Monday, Etefa said.

The responsibility of ensuring aid reaches those in need does not end at the crossings and other points of entry into Gaza  it extends throughout Gaza itself, she said.

At the same time, battles have escalated in northern Gaza as Israeli troops conduct operations against Hamas fighters, who the military says regrouped in areas already captured in offensives months ago.

One of the main hospitals still operating in the north, Kamal Adwan, was forced to evacuate after it was targeted by Israeli troops, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Around 150 staff and dozens of patients fled the facility, including intensive care patients and infants in incubators under fire from shelling, it said. The Israeli military did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The nearby Awda hospital has been surrounded by troops the past three days, and an artillery shell hit its fifth floor, the hospital administration said Tuesday. A day earlier, the international medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said Awda had run out of drinking water.

The war between began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostages. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan accused Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh of crimes against humanity, including extermination, murder and sexual violence.

Israel responded to the Oct. 7 with an offensive that has laid waste to Gaza and killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between noncombatants and fighters in its count.

Mondays call by Khan for arrest warrants deepens Israels global isolation at a time when it is facing growing criticism from even its closest allies over the war. France, Belgium, and Slovenia each said they backed Khan decision.

Smoke rises to the sky after explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)AP

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz headed to France on Tuesday in response, urging it to declare loud and clear that the request for warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant is unacceptable to you and to the French government.

His meetings there could set the tone for how countries navigate the warrants  if they are eventually issued  and whether they could pose a threat to Israeli leaders. A panel of three ICC judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed. The judges typically take two months to make such decisions.

Israel still has the support of its top ally, the United States, as well as other Western countries that spoke out against the decision. But if the warrants are issued, they could complicate international travel for Netanyahu and his defense minister, even if they do not face any immediate risk of prosecution because Israel itself is not a member of the court.

Goldenberg reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press journalists Majdi Mohammed in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank, Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani in Washington, John Leicester in Paris, and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
An Allegheny County teen has filed a lawsuit against the Panera restaurant chain, claiming that its caffeinated Charged Lemonade sent him into a cardiac arrest.

In the suit, filed in in federal court in Philadelphia on Monday, Luke Adams, 18, said he ordered a large Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade and a chicken sandwich at a Panera restaurant on March 9, according to TribLive.

Adams then went to see a movie with his friends around 7 p.m. While sitting in the theater, a friend noticed he was making strange sounds and realized he was going into cardiac arrest.

Luckily, two nurses and a cardiologist were in the audience and began performing CPR. After a defibrillator was used to shock him, his heart began pumping again, although it was irregular, TribLive said.

He was taken to a hospital, where he went into seizures and had to be intubated with a ventilator.

He was about as close as you can come to being dead, Dr. Andrew Pogozelski, chief of cardiology at Allegheny Health Network Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, who treated Adams, told NBC News. This was about as unlucky as you can get for this to happen to an 18-year-old, otherwise healthy person  but as lucky as you can get for people in the movie theater to know what they were doing.

The lawsuit says that doctors suggested the heavy caffeine intake from the lemonade might have been a trigger for the incident. Doctors reportedly found no abnormalities and his family does not have a history of sudden cardiac death, NBC News said.

As a result of drinking Panera Charged Lemonade, Lukes life has been impacted physically, emotionally, socially and financially, the lawsuit said.

Adams currently has a cardioverter defibrillator implanted in his chest to ensure he doesnt go into cardiac arrest again. The lawsuit also says he suffers from PTSD and anxiety.

Every night when I go to bed, the whole thing replays in my mind, Adams mother, Lisa Feyes said to NBC. Its really hard for me to watch Luke walk out the door.

Among other things, the lawsuit claims that the large caffinated drink exceeds the combined caffeine content of 12 ounces of Red Bull and 16 ounces of a Monster Energy Drink, TribLive reported.

Panera restaurants phased out its Charged Sips line of drinks earlier this month after it has faced multiple lawsuits claiming the caffeinated drinks led to the deaths of people with heart conditions.

We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire  ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options, the spokesperson said at the time.

There are currently two other lawsuits relating to the drinks. One was filed last fall by the family of 21-year old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition, who died after consuming the drink. A second lawsuit followed in December when the family of a Florida man with chromosomal deficiency disorder and a developmental delay died after drinking the lemonade.
By Gillian McGoldrick, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

HARRISBURG, Pa.  State Rep. Kevin Boyle returned to the Capitol on Tuesday after a tumultuous month that included his family publicly expressing concerns about his mental health and police rescinding a warrant for his arrest just a day before the primary election.

Although the warrant was rescinded, Boyle, 45, still lost reelection to challenger Sean Dougherty for an eighth term to represent parts of Northeast Philadelphia.

The extraordinary circumstances  a sitting state representative allegedly experiencing a mental health crisis and seemingly on the run from the cops for a warrant that never should have been filed, right before an election  dominated the conversation in Harrisburg for weeks.

As he returned to the statehouse for the first time since last months chaos, Boyle said he felt vindicated after so many false accusations in the lead-up to the election.

Unfortunately and inaccurately, just days before a competitive election in April, it was announced I was facing arrest and I subsequently lost my seat which I held since 2011, Boyle said in a statement Tuesday.

While politics is a dirty game, there must never be politicization of law enforcement or false targeting from any source for benefit.

A week before the primary election, Philadelphia Police announced a warrant was out for Boyles arrest for allegedly violating a protection from abuse order against his ex-wife. That PFA, however, had previously been expunged in 2022.

District Attorney Larry Krasner announced one day before the primary election that his office was recalling the warrant because it did not have any grounds to arrest him. Krasner said the office would still investigate Boyle and complete an internal investigation about what went wrong.

House Republicans earlier this month called on Attorney General Michelle Henry to investigate Krasners handling of the bungled warrant about whether it violated the states election laws.

The seven-term Democratic lawmakers return to the Capitol was without commotion and was a complete reversal from the prior month, in which he was facing a possible expulsion from the House over concerns for his capacity to serve.

Boyle now has his security privileges reestablished and no longer requires an escort to enter the building, which he had revoked in February after an outburst at a Montgomery County bar.

It was not immediately clear what changed for Boyle to return to the chamber without restrictions.

Just over a month ago, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Philadelphia) had been encouraging his longtime friend to get mental health treatment and sponsored a proposed change to the Houses operating rules to create a closed-doors committee to determine a members capacity to serve as a lawmaker. Now hes celebrating his return.

We are glad that Kevin is doing well and are happy to have him back in the chamber, Bradford said in a statement.

In addition into weighing Boyles expulsion, Democratic House leaders poured $300,000 into Dougherty s campaign to unseat Boyle in the primary, in hopes of maintaining control of the House in the November election.

With a one-seat majority, Democrats require every single vote to pass a bill along party lines. During Boyles absence, party leaders continued to vote on Boyles behalf due to House rules that allow them to cast votes for absent members.

2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The ancient bronze kneeling woman sculpture is displayed during a repatriation ceremony at National Museum in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Thailand's National Museum hosted a welcome-home ceremony for two ancient statues that were illegally trafficked from Thailand by a British collector of antiquities and were returned from the collection of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art. The objects, a tall bronze figure called the Standing Shiva or the Golden Boy and a smaller sculpture called Kneeling Female," are thought to be around 1,000 years old. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
SHANGHAI - Tourism is increasingly emerging as a strategic pillar industry in China, serving as a focal point of the country's high-quality development.

Since the initiation of reform and opening up in 1978, especially since 2012, the country's tourism sector has entered a fast lane of development. China has become the biggest domestic tourism market in the world, the largest source of international tourists, and a main destination for international travelers.

Over the past decades, Chinese people have witnessed unprecedented improvements in living standards, with absolute poverty eradicated and the realization of a moderately prosperous society. Tourism has become a burgeoning demand among Chinese people seeking a better quality of life.

Between 2012 and 2021, the average annual growth rate of domestic tourism revenue stood at 10.6 percent, while from 2012 to 2019, the number of domestic tourist trips doubled. In 2023, China recorded 4.89 billion domestic travel trips, marking a staggering 93.3-percent surge from the previous year. Moreover, domestic travelers spent over 4.91 trillion yuan ($691 billion) throughout the year, reflecting a notable increase of 140.3 percent from 2022.

The enduring popularity of traditional attire Hanfu, intangible cultural heritage items, museums, and well-preserved ancient towns and streets illustrates the vigor of cultural and tourism consumption nationwide. The mushrooming cultural and tourism hotspots underscore the immense potential and dynamism of China's economic development.

The flourishing tourism market has been buttressed by enhanced infrastructure, increases in residents' incomes and the introduction of innovative tourism products, among other factors. The emergence of smart tourism represents a novel facet of consumption, with technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence seamlessly integrated into consumption scenarios, thereby fostering new immersive and interactive experiences.

The range of tourist attractions has extended beyond traditional natural landscapes and cultural monuments to encompass rural areas, ice-and-snow attractions, revolutionary sites and theme parks.

As China endeavors to improve modern tourism systems and advance high-quality tourism development, tourism consumption is expected to assume an increasingly pivotal role in bolstering domestic demand. It is estimated that every 1 yuan of tourism industry income stimulates 4.3 yuan of revenue in related industries.

Meanwhile, thanks to its commitment to openness, China's burgeoning tourism sector also represents a significant opportunity to enhance mutual learning and exchanges between civilizations. In 2023, China welcomed 82.03 million inbound tourists, while domestic residents made 100.96 million outbound trips.
Millionaire WPT Prime Champion Rutger Hennen Jailed for Six Months

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

Rutger Hennen's life took a dramatic turn earlier this month. The Dutchman was recently ranked 30th in Quote magazine's Top 100 Young Self-Made Millionaires and had become a World Poker Tour champion after taking down the WPT Prime Amsterdam Main Event for 209,775, and had started traveling far and wide playing poker. Any dreams of world poker domination are currently paused because Hennen finds himself behind bars in a Netherlands jail after a 2019 crash that killed a teenage cyclist.

In 2017, Hennen rented a van and sold stand-up chairs and custom recliners to the elderly. The business flourished and enjoyed average profits of 6.4 million over three years. Vendis Capital, a European private equity fund, added Hennen's company, Meubelzorg, to its vast portfolio in June 2023, sending Hennen's net worth skyward to 50 million.

Hennen had a handful of live poker tournament cashes on his Hendon Mob profile between 2011 and 2019, but began hitting the table more regularly following his windfall. He won the 1,100 WPT Amsterdam Main Event in March 2024 for 209,775, traveled to Ireland for the Irish Poker Open, and more recently finished 31st in the 5,300 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte-Carlo Main Event. That trip to Monaco will be Hennen's last for at least six months.

A Fateful Night in June 2019

June 19, 2019, almost five years before Hennen became a WPT champion, he drove his Porsche Cayenne at high speed through an intersection, hitting a 15-year-old girl who was crossing that section of road with her bicycle. The teenager died instantly.

A court found Hennen guilty of the girl's death and imposed a five-month prison sentence and an 18-month driving ban. However, the Public Prosecution Service appealed against the original sentence, claiming Hennen was using his mobile phone prior to the collision. Hennen also appealed, asking for community service in lieu of jail time, but the court increased his sentence to six months, plus a two-year driving ban.

Hennen appealed his case to the Supreme Court, but the judges were unrelenting. They ordered him to serve a six-month jail sentence and surrender his driving license for two years.

According to sources close to Quote magazine, Hennen reported to prison earlier this month.

Rutger Hennen

Other Poker Players Guilty of Flouting the Law

Unfortunately, Hennen is not the first poker player to find themselves swapping the poker tables for a spell behind bars.

Darren Woods, a former 888poker-sponsored pro, who won a $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed event at the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP), was jailed for 15 months in January 2015 after a court found him guilty of several frauds against online poker rooms and online payment processors. British authorities confiscated 911,217 from Woods and gave him a six-month deadline to pay an additional 283,673 to an unnamed Gibraltar-based company. Prosecutors believed Woods' activities earned him much larger profits.

In 2015, Christian Lusardi was ordered to spend five years behind bars after he counterfeited tournament chips used during the Borgata Winter Poker Open. Lusardi was caught flushing 494 fake T5,000 and nine fake T25,000 chips down the toilet of his hotel room. Lusardi was released on parole after almost eight months in prison.

More recently, in July 2021, news broke of a high-stakes poker player being arrested in Ibiza after the private jet they were traveling on was found to contain more than 1.5 kilos of narcotics and more than $10,000 in various currencies. The perpetrator was widely reported as being Salman Behbehani, who fit the newspaper report's description of the arrested man.

Although there has been no news about the case or whether Behbehani was involved, the poker pro has not cashed in a live event since August 2018 despite averaging seven scores per year over the past ten years.

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The Irish Poker Tour Heads on a Portugal Adventure in June

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

Ireland's number one poker experience, the Irish Poker Tour, is heading on a Portuguese adventure in June, with the tour calling the Casino Troia, Setabul, Portugal, home between June 18-24. The Irish Poker Tour Portugal Adventure boasts 400,000 in guaranteed prize pools, including a 250,000 guaranteed Main Event costing 700 to enter.

The Irish Poker Tour has exploded since launching two years ago. While most of its stops have been around Ireland, as you would expect, the tour has twice stopped off in London and is now setting sail for sunny Portugal for its latest ambitious festival.

The Irish Poker Tour, along with Paddy Power Poker, have plowed countless hours into the planning of the Portugal Adventure, and it should be a roaring success. Tournaments range from 150 No-Limit Hold'em freezeouts to 400 Mystery Bounty, 1,650 High Rollers, Pot-Limit Omaha events, and the huge Portugal Adventure Main Event.

250,000 Guaranteed Portugal Adventure Main Event

Costing 700, the Portugal Adventure Main Event is one of the highest buy-in Main Events the Irish Poker Tour has run. Main Event players take their seats behind a 50,000 starting stack and play to 25-minute levels where the blinds and antes start at 100/100/100. One re-entry before the end of the ninth level is permitted on each of the six flights, with Day 1F featuring slightly faster levels of 15 minutes.

Each Day 1 concludes at the end of the 15th level, with surviving players progressing to the final day on June 23, where levels extend to 40 minutes.

The Irish Poker Tour Monster Smashes Its Ambitious Guarantee Full recap here

Win Your Way Into the Portugal Adventure Main Event

The Casino Troia is hosting several 100 buy-in satellites for the 250,000 guaranteed Portugal Adventure Main Event, some with as many as seven 700 seats guaranteed.

Thanks to the Irish Poker Tour's relationship with Paddy Power Poker, you can win an 1,800 Portugal Adventure package for free! That's right, there are freerolls into The Portugal Adventure Mega Satellite each week where three 1,800 packages are guaranteed!

Portugal Adventure package consists of:

700 Main Event entry

Five nights' luxury accommodation for two

300 spending money

The current Paddy Power Poker satellite schedule starts with freeroll Step 1s, which guarantee five 1 Irish Poker Tour (IPT) tickets. Step 2 is a 1 buy-in that awards two 10 IPT tickets. Step 3s cost 10 to enter and guarantee a 100 IPT ticket.

Those 100 IPT tickets can be used to enter the Sunday Mega Sat at 8:00 p.m. BST where three 1,800 Portugal Adventure packages are guaranteed. You can buy into these satellites at whichever step you prefer.

Paddy Power Poker has two other routes into the Portugal Adventure. First, get involved in their 50 Twitch tournament on Tuesday's at 8:30 p.m. BST because an 1,800 Portugal Adventure package is added to the prize pool. Second, there is a 50 entry satellite every Thursday at 8:30 p.m., where an 1,800 package is guaranteed.

Brush up on your poker strategy for free!

Full Irish Poker Tour Portugal Adventure Schedule

Expand the table below and feast your eyes on the action-packed Irish Poker Tour Portugal Adventure schedule.

Date Time Event Guarantee Tue 18 Jun 5:00 p.m. 100 Portugal Adventure Super Satellite 7 seats 7:00 p.m. 150 NLHE Portugal Adventure Opener Wed 19 Jun 4:00 p.m. 100 Portugal Adventure Super Satellite 7 seats 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE Portugal Adventure 5,000 7:00 p.m. 250 Pot-Limit Omaha 4-Card 7-Max 9:00 p.m. 100 Portugal Adventure Super Satellite 3 seats Thu 20 Jun 4:00 p.m. 400 NLHE Irish Poker Tour Mystery Bounty Day 1 40,000 4:30 p.m. 100 Portugal Adventure Super Satellite 7:00 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1A 250,000 8:00 p.m. 200 High Roller Omaha 7-Max Satellite 2 seats 9:00 p.m. 150 NLHE Thursday Freezeout Fri 21 Jun 4:00 p.m. Mystery Bounty Final Day 40,000 4:00 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1B 250,000 5:00 p.m. 100 Portugal Adventure Main Event Satellite 5 seats 6:00 p.m. 1,650 PLO 7-Max High Roller Day 1 30,000 7:00 p.m. 300 NLHE Troia Poker Cup Day 1A 20,000 7:30 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1C 250,000 9:00 p.m. 150 NLHE Friday Freezeout Sat 22 Jun 4:00 p.m. 300 NLHE Troia Poker Cup Day 1B 20,000 4:00 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1D 250,000 4:00 p.m. PLO 7-Max High Roller Final Day 30,000 4:30 p.m. Irish Poker Tour Twitch Freeroll 5,000 5:00 p.m. 500 Pot-Limit Omaha 4-Card 7-Max 7:00 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1E 250,000 7:30 p.m. 250 NLHE Irish Poker Tour Cup 10,000 9:00 p.m. 200 High Roller Turbo Satellite 2 seats 10:00 p.m. Troia Poker Cup Final Day 20,000 10:00 p.m. 700 NLHE Portugal Adventure Main Event Day 1F Fast 250,000 Sun 23 Jun 4:00 p.m. 200 High Roller Mega Satellite 3 seats 4:00 p.m. Portugal Adventure Main Event Final Day 250,000 5:00 p.m. 200 NLHE Monster Stack 15,00 6:00 p.m. 1,650 NLHE High Roller One Dayer 30,000 7:00 p.m. 200 Pot-Limit Omaha 7-Max 100 Last Longer 5,000 9:00 p.m. 150 NLHE Portugal Adventure Closer Mon 24 Jun 5:00 p.m. 100 NLHE Portugal After Party 8:00 p.m. 150 Tchau-Tchau Omaha

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Ivey Out in Fourth as Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Wins Triton Montenegro $125K Main Event for $4.7M

Calum Grant Editor & Live Reporter Copy link

The Triton Poker Montenegro $125K Main Event may not have the highest buy-in of the Super High Roller Series, but it undeniably carries a unique prestige, and the latest edition of this pinnacle poker tournament has reached a thrilling conclusion at the Maestral Resort & Casino.

After three days of intense competition, Mikalai Vaskaboinikau emerged victorious over a formidable 171-entry field, claiming the lion's share of the colossal $21,375,000 prize pool.

In a swift heads-up finale, Vaskaboinikau secured a windfall of $4,737,000 after defeating hometown representative Dejan Kaladjurdjevic in heads-up to capture their best career score and a true star-making moment.

The triumph came in Vaskaboinikau's sixth-ever Triton event and his fourth final table. However, Vaskaboinikau's dealings mostly come away from the felt as he's a businessman first and foremost.

Vaskaboinikau didn't share what his business was but he did say that the payout he received was "not life-changing money."

Despite that, the pride of winning a Triton event was on full display.

Its a really amazing feeling, Vaskaboinikau said. I had a good feeling about this a few months ago. I put this thought in my mind in a dream...Im really happy about this.

Final Table Payouts

Place Player Country Prize 1 Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Belarus $4,737,000 2 Dejan Kaladjurdjevic Montenegro $3,196,000 3 Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia $2,200,000 4 Phil Ivey United States $1,795,000 5 Igor Yaroshevskyy Ukraine $1,430,000 6 Samuel Ju Germany $1,098,000 7 Wai Kin Yong Malaysia $800,000 8 Bryn Kenney United States $580,000 9 Elizabeth Chen China $478,000

Want to see a full list of payouts? Click here to see where the likes of Patrik Antonius, HCL star Santhosh Suvarna and Chris Brewer all finished.

Final Table Action

Following the glitz and glamour of the player walk-on, fireworks didn't take long to ignite. In a three-bet pot, Igor Yaroshevskyy and Wai Kin Yong both flopped top pair, with the latter holding an ace-kicker. Yaroshevskyy made two pair on the river, which checked through to showdown for the Ukrainian to take the 5.5 million pot and the chip lead early on.

Triton debutant Elizabeth Chen was zero for three in Montenegro, but her fourth tournament yielded a $478,000 payout. Her ninth-place finish came at the hands of Phil Ivey, whose king-queen paired up against pocket eights to seal the day's first casualty. Bryn Kenney was the next player all-in at risk, but his pocket jacks flopped a set for a much-needed double. The spin-up was short-lived as the All-Time Money List leader was next to depart after running pocket nines into Yaroshevskyy's pocket tens.

Wai Kin Yong

The start of day chip leader Yong had a rough time in the opening levels of the day but looked to rebound in an all-in preflop showdown with pocket queens. The eventual champion called with a pair of tens in the hole and found his two-outer on the river to derail Yong's pursuit of a fifth Triton title. Immediately after, Vaskaboinikau picked up kings and turned a full house to oust Samuel Ju and his pocket queens in sixth place for the first seven-figure payout of the day.

Heading into the first break, Ponakovs had hopped to the top of the counts, slightly in front of Vaskaboinikau. Ivey remained third in chips ahead of Yaroshevskyy and Dejan Kaladjurdjevic. With pay jumps of more than $300,000 on the line, the pace of play slowed down after Kaladjurdjevic immediately doubled after the restart.

Phil Ivey

Ivey began his climb up the counts, being on the right side of the deck to overtake Ponakovs at the summit, but the latter closed the gap after doing some domination rotation to see off Yaroshevskyy in fifth. It's been a heck of a series for Yaroshevskyy, who took down Event #6: $50,000 Bounty Quattro and banked two other cashes prior to the Main Event. His $1,430,000 payout took his series earnings to $2,569,919, not bad for ten days of work.

Ivey appeared to be in cruise control, but Vaskaboinikau backdoored the nut-flush and got a full double, and then Ponakovs caught the icon speeding for Ivey to become the short stack. Soon after, Vaskaboinikau took the rest of Ivey's stack with Big Slick to set up three-handed play.

Kaladjurdjevic survived another all-in and call situation to draw stacks even, making it anyone's game. From there on out, what transpired was a real war of attrition, with neither player looking to budge. Ponakovs chip count went on the descent but a double through Vaskaboinikau in a blind versus blind confrontation kept things as a stalemate between the final three.

Kaladjurdjevic Drills a Royal Flush

Then came the hand of the day. Kaladjurdjevic limped in from the small blind with aces and amazingly, Ponakovs woke up with kings and just checked his option in the big blind.

A QJ10 flop appeared, with Kaladjurdjevic having the A. Ponakovs called bets on the flop and turn, which brought in the K river, giving Kaladjurdjevic a Royal Flush while improving Ponakovs to a set. Somehow, action checked through to showdown, and Ponakovs breathed a sigh of relief as he lost the minimum to remain as the chip leader.

Dejan Kaladjurdjevic

Ponakovs continued to be active, stealing blind after blind with jams until Vaskaboinikau picked up a suited ace to double. The Belarusian had just over half the chips in play and became the runaway leader after he put the final nail in Ponakovs' coffin a few hands later.

Vaskaboinikau began heads-up with 44 big blinds to Kaladjurdjevic's nine. On the second hand of heads-up, the smaller stack moved in with jack-deuce, and Vaskaboinikau called with sixes. A clean runout followed for the pocket pair, and Vaskaboinikau booked his breakout moment with jubilant celebrations.

Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro Remaining Schedule

Date Time Event Wed 22 May 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

*Photos courtesy Joe Giron/Triton Poker

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WPT Prime Returns to Sanremo From May 31; Win Your Seat at WPT Global

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

The WPT Prime tour returns to Sanremo, Italy, following a hugely successful debut in 2023, and everything points to the 2024 edition being even bigger. The 2024 WPT Prime Sanremo festival runs from May 31 through June 10 at the Casino Sanremo. As always, you can win your way into the 1,100 WPT Prime Main Event online at WPT Global.

One player who is all but guaranteed to enter the 1,100 WPT Prime Sanremo Main Event is the reigning champion, Simone Andrian. The Italian pro burst onto the live poker circuit in 2021, winning the 1,650 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max event for 158,616.

A couple of months later, Andrian reached the final table of the 1,700 WSOP Circuit Rozvadov Main Event before winning a 2,150 side event at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague festival.

The Italian's blistering run continued with a victory in the 2023 WPT Prime Sanremo Main Event, worth 147,020 in June 2023, and an outright win in the 1,100 Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) Castellon Main Event for 153,610.

More recently, in January 2024, Andrian took down the $2,200 Merit Poker Western Series Warm-Up event in Cyprus for $165,000.

2023 WPT Prime Sanremo Results

Event Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize 1,100 WPT Prime Main Event 838 804,480 Simone Andrian 147,020 1,650 WPT Prime High Roller 179 268,500 Gianfranco Iaculli 52,000 550 WPT Superstack 161 78,890 Luigi Minolfi 15,857 400 WPT Deepstacks 183 65,880 Ivan Vasilev 13,800 200 WPT Opener 329 53,692 Gianni Mocchi 10,600 300 WPT Classic 45 11,700 Mario Bobone 4,068 300 WPT Omaha 57 14,820 Paulo Erriques 4,031 200 WPT Closer 94 15,980 Yavuz Kaya 3,900 300 WPT Progressive KO 143 35,692 Antonio Intravaia 3,560* 300 WPT Progressive KO 88 22,800 Anonymous 2,880* 200 WPT Freezeout 53 8,649 Massimiliano Corberi 2,779 300 WPT Progressive KO 82 21,320 Axat Mawji 2,700* 200 WPT Freezeout 36 5,875 Bjorn Geissert 2,303 200 WPT Freezeout 33 5,385 Daniel Stammnitz 1,963 200 WPT Freezeout 26 4,243 Fabrizio Billi 1,865

*does not include bounty payments

Qualify for WPT Prime Sanremo Online at WPT Global

WPT Global is the best place to qualify for WPT Prime events, including the upcoming stop in beautiful Sanremo. Every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET, a $110 Passport Qualifer shuffles up and deal, guaranteeing at least one $1,500 WPT Prime Passport that you can use to buy into any WPT Prime Main Event.

Feeders from only a couple of dollars feed into this weekly final, giving every WPT Global player the opportunity to become a World Poker Tour champion.

WPT Prime Sanremo Schedule

Check out the bustling schedule for the 2024 WPT Prime Sanremo festival, held at the Casino di San Remo in Italy from May 31 through June 10. Don't forget to tune into PokerNews through the WPT Prime Sanremo Main Event because our team is reporting live from Italy from the moment the first hand is dealt until the worthy champion is crowned.

Date Time Event Fri 31 May 1:00 p.m. 200 NLHE WPT Opener Day 1A 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Superstack 150 9:00 p.m. 170 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Sat 1 Jun 1:00 p.m. 200 NLHE WPT Opener Day 1B 8:00 p.m. 200 NLHE WPT Opener Day 1C 9:00 p.m. 170 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Sun 2 Jun 1:00 p.m. WPT Opener Final Day 2:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Superstack 150 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Bounty ITM 150 9:00 p.m. 170 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Mon 3 Jun 1:00 p.m. 300 NLHE WPT Mystery Bounty Day 1A 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Bounty ITM 150 9:00 p.m. 170 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Tue 4 Jun 1:00 p.m. 300 NLHE WPT Mystery Bounty Day 1B 8:00 p.m. 300 NLHE WPT Mystery Bounty Day 1C 9:00 p.m. 170 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Wed 5 Jun 1:00 p.m. WPT Mystery Bounty Final Day 2:00 p.m. 400 NLHE WPT Superstack Day 1 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Bounty ITM 150 9:00 p.m. 200 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Thu 6 Jun 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE WPT Prime Main Event Day 1A 1:00 p.m. WPT Superstack Final Day 6:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Bounty ITM 150 9:00 p.m. 200 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Fri 7 Jun 12:00 p.m. 250 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE WPT Prime Main Event Day 1B 6:00 p.m. 300 NLHE WPT Bounty ITM 300 9:00 p.m. 200 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event Sat 8 Jun 12:00 p.m. 250 Sat or Cash Satellite to WPT Prime Main Event 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE WPT Prime Main Event Day 1C 8:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE WPT Prime Main Event Day 1D 9:00 p.m. 200 Sat or Cash Satellite to High Roller Sun 9 Jun 12:00 p.m. 200 Sat or Cash Satellite to High Roller 1:00 p.m. WPT Prime Main Event Day 2 3:00 p.m. 1,500 NLHE WPT Prime High Roller Day 1 8:00 p.m. 500 NLHE WPT Classic Day 1 Mon 10 Jun 1:00 p.m. WPT Prime Main Event Final Day 1:00 p.m. WPT Prime High Roller Final Day 1:00 p.m. WPT Classic Final Day 2:00 p.m. 300 Pot-Limit Omaha WPT Omaha 3:00 p.m. 150 NLHE WPT Closer

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Fulton County DA Fani Willis was interviewed by Rachel Maddow the night before the Democratic primary and she cited her appearance on the show in her victory speech.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported:

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis routed Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary as she readied for a November contest against Republican Courtney Kramer. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, meanwhile, easily won a full term.

Willis victory over Wise Smith was never in doubt. But she hoped to run up the score against Wise Smith to put her in strong position in November, when Trumps allies are likely to rally around Kramer. Even so, Willis is heavily favored to keep her seat in the Democratic bastion.

Her allies hope a sweeping victory would put a stamp of approval on the way she runs the office  and her strategy for pursuing the closely watched Trump trial, which could be delayed until 2025 as an appeals court considers a challenge.

Willis mentioned the Maddow appearance in her victory speech:

In a 14-minute victory speech, DA Willis thanks supporters, family and colleagues in attendance. She mentions her appearance on Maddow last night in which the MSNBC host said the race was a bellwether for democracy. Calls GOP opponent Courtney Kramer unqualified pic.twitter.com/S0L2Bd5G04  Tamar Hallerman (@TamarHallerman) May 22, 2024

There is no doubt that Willis, who doesnt do many national media appearances, was helped by sitting down with Rachel Maddow to talk about her accomplishments as DA and the fact that the Georgia state legislatures Republicans never thought that oversight of local DAs was needed until 14 African-American DAs were elected.

DA Willis is expected to easily retain her position in deep blue Fulton County in November. Williss supporters wanted to send a message with a big victory on primary day, and they accomplished that task, as her interview served as a reminder of the power of Rachel Maddow to reach Democratic voters.

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Trump came up with the conspiracy theory that it is fascists who are controlling the Oval Office who are behind his prosecution.

Trump said, Such a disgrace. So sad to see whats happened to our country. Our country is going to hell under Biden, but look at the person, why dont you look at the person that argued their case to almost the entire case? Look at the, he comes from unbelievable. He came from Biden and I dont know if its Biden because I dont think Biden has any idea what the hell is happening. But its from the fascist circle in the Oval Office. They circle the Resolute Desk. The beautiful resolute desk thats being stinked up.

Video:

Trump melts down and claims he is being prosecuted by a fascist circle in the Oval Office, "Tt's from the fascist circle in the Oval Office. They circle the Resolute Desk." pic.twitter.com/jVBBz2t4MX  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 21, 2024

The problem with Trumps theory that he is being prosecuted by fascists inside the White House is that investigation started before Biden was a presidential candidate. This case has been building since Trump was president, but since the previous Manhattan DA did was reluctant to bring charges against a sitting president, the case sat.

The Manhattan prosecution is not some Biden run plot, but Trumps wild conspiracy theories suggest that he is planning to be convicted, and he is going to try to politicize his conviction and blame President Biden.

Trump is acting like a defendant who is assuming that he will be convicted.
Christina Bobb, the RNCs election integrity lawyer, was arraigned on criminal charges related to the fake elector scheme in Arizona.

MSNBC.com reported:

The defendants appeared in court, in person and virtually, on Tuesday in Phoenix. Giuliani, who appeared without a lawyer, called in, telling the judge that he didnt have a copy of the indictment but has a general familiarity with the charges from reading it in the newspapers. He pleaded not guilty.

Others arraigned Tuesday include former Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward and Christina Bobb, who served as a 2020 Trump campaign adviser and is now an election integrity lawyer for the Republican National Committee. They all pleaded not guilty.

Rudy Giuliani is the big headliner in this group, but it is unfathomable that the election integrity lawyer for the Republican National Committee is facing criminal charges for election-related crimes, and it doesnt generate even a ripple in mainstream media coverage.

People who tried to steal the last election for Donald Trump have been elevated within the Republican National Committee and the media doesnt even blink.

The same corporate media that treats democracy like the American people dont care if they lose their freedoms. The same people who tried to steal the last election and have been criminally charged are lining up to do the same thing again, and the media is meeting this reality with a collective shrug.

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BEAUFORT  Building an oyster reef is messy business. There are no two ways about it. The very nature of the effort requires sloshing around in the wet, muddy places where oysters thrive.

So when a reef-building event gets canceled because of rain, an event in which participants are guaranteed to get soaking wet no matter the weather, one would be right to conclude that the weather had to be a special kind of miserable.

Such was the case on May 18, when three dozen hardy volunteers organized by The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina and the Marine Corps slogged through the mud along the marshy edge of the Beaufort River, trying desperately to get the days planned activity underway, all to no avail. Persistent rain, thunder and lightning washed the day out.

The effort was supposed to be the fourth and final day of a plan to build 2,000 feet of artificial oyster reefs at the edge of Laurel Bay, a military community that houses Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and their families. The project, intended to stabilize the shoreline and reduce erosion, was made possible by a $6.8 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded to The Nature Conservancy in the spring of 2023.

The grant will eventually support several living shoreline initiatives, which are natural solutions to challenges that threaten the coastline.

This is a living shoreline project. Its one piece of a three-piece project, explained Joy Brown, marine program manager with The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina.

The grant will, Brown said, also fund a two-year study to identify other locations along the South Carolina coast that could benefit from large transformational projects like the one underway in Laurel Bay. The third piece is intended to accelerate living shoreline projects in underserved communities in Colleton, Georgetown, Horry and Jasper counties in partnership with the South Carolina Office of Resilience.
The second Lowcountry Trader Joe's location has been confirmed.

The California-based, German-owned chain filed a notice May 15 for a state permit to sell beer and wine at 1909 U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant.

In January, the company acknowledged a new location was coming to the fast-growing East Cooper suburb, but a spokesperson declined to comment on a specific address or timeline.

The second Charleston-area store comes 13 years after Trader Joe's opened its original location a few miles south at 401 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., an often-overcrowded and parking-limited spot.

"We are grateful to be a part of this community and think this new location will be a great fit," spokesperson Nakia Rohde said in an email "We genuinely look forward to providing our customers with the best food and beverage values and a great customer experience in this new store."

Before landing on the Mount Pleasant site, Trader Joe's had been scouting multiple locations across the Lowcountry for several months to relieve pressure before landing part of the former Bi-Lo supermarket in Sweetgrass Corner Shopping Center. The site is near the Isle of Palms connector and Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, about 4 miles from the existing store.

An opening date has not been publicly released, but Rohde the date will be shared on the Mount Pleasant store's dedicated website, which is already live, once it's been finalized.

"At Trader Joe's in Mt. Pleasant, we see ourselves as your neighborhood grocery store," the site reads. "Step inside and you'll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe's label like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like milk, eggs and fresh produce."
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 14:00:25

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GALA TO BE HELD ON JUNE 4thNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) continues to use the lessons of the Holocaust to fight antisemitism and all forms of hatred through impactful international educational programs, and providing assistance to victims of mass atrocities and genocide.To support its vital mission as a global institution, AJCF holds an annual Gala honoring exemplary individuals who have joined in this crucial humanitarian work.AJCF's US Director Aviva Miller praised this year's honorees, "From Joe Scarborough of MSNBC, to Alex Spiro, Esq. Partner of Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, to the Honorable John P. "Sean" Coffey of the US Navy, Leonard Fournette of the NFL, and the IL-USDocAid courageous doctors who volunteered to treat victims of mass atrocity, all represent allies and advocates dedicated to building a better future." This year's honorees will be invited to participate in AJCF's mission in January 2025 to commemorate the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps. Previous honorees included the Mayor of New York City, The Honorable Eric L. Adams, and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who visited Auschwitz and AJCF's campus, where he met with Holocaust survivors and made headlines around the world by renouncing hate.In addition to the honorees, the Gala also includes many Holocaust survivors as special guests. AJCF's American Service Academies Program (ASAP) is highlighted at the event. This distinguished program selects a group of top cadets and midshipmen from the U.S. Army, Naval, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force academies for an intensive course in Ethical Responsibility in the Military. ASAP begins in NYC with a Holocaust survivor mentorship program, and continues at AJCF's Center in Poland, where the cohort is immersed in Holocaust history as they visit the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and former Jewish ghettos.2024 Gala Honorees and AwardsThe AJCF Excellence in Media Award:Joe Scarborough,TV Co-Host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Author, Former CongressmanThe AJCF Advocacy Award:Alex Spiro, Esq.,Partner , Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLPThe AJCF Fighting Hatred Award:The Honorable John P. "Sean" Coffey,General Counsel, Department of the NavyThe AJCF Medal of Valor Recipients:Leonard Fournette,Super Bowl Champion, Activist, PhilanthropistIL-USDocAid Initiative , Milu-EM, Magen David Adom Initiative, US Physicians Volunteering to Assist the Victims of Mass Atrocity and the Israel Economic Mission to the USA (East Coast)MEDIA CONTACT:Geralyn Lucas: 917.499.1409 / GeralynLucas@ gmail.com SOURCE: Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ("BMW" or "the Company") (OTC PINK:BMWYY). Investors who purchased BMW securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BMWYY Investigation Details:On May 20, 2024, One America News published an article titled "Report: Investigation Finds BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen Linked To Forced Labor In China." The article stated that a Senate Finance Committee investigation found that multiple major automakers, including BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volkswagen, relied on forced labor in China by purchasing parts that were flagged by the U.S. government for links to forced labor camps in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang. The two-year investigation also found that BMW and Jaguar Land Rover continued importing the flagged parts as recently as last month, even after they were informed of the forced labor. Following this news, BMW stock dropped that same day.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased BMW securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BMWYY . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / BeMetals Corp. (TSXV:BMET),(OTCQB:BMTLF),(Frankfurt:1 OI.F) (the "Company" or "BeMetals") is pleased to announce that three of four new core holes have intersected significant copper sulphide mineralization at the Pangeni Copper Project in Zambia (the "Project" or the "Property"). Today's new analytical results support and enlarge the Company's discovery of extensive zones of copper mineralization covering more than 1.7 kilometres of strike length under sand cover. Importantly, the copper mineralization bears many of the hallmarks in terms of style, width, grade, and geology to deposits that are mined in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt.DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS FROM CURRENT 2024 PROGRAM AT THE D-PROSPECT:Hole D24-C1 intersected 16.16 metres grading 0.74% copper ("Cu") with 533 parts per million "ppm" cobalt ("Co"), including 5.50 metres grading 0.93% Cu with 701ppm Co. Hole D11-C3 intersected 23.20 metres grading 0.54% Cu with 263ppm Co, including 7.90 metres 0.92% Cu with 453ppm Co. Hole D22-C2 intersected 14.78 metres grading 0.42% Cu, including 4.88 metres grading 0.65% Cu. The intercepts in Holes D24-C1, D11-C3 and D22-C2 have copper grades and mineralized widths that approximate or exceed those of certain large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt(1) (2) (3) . The D-Prospect copper mineralization demonstrates many of the same geological features of the large-scale Lumwana Copper Mine deposits in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt. The total footprint of copper mineralization now extends for more than 1.7 kilometres along strike, with the mineralized intervals present from immediately beneath the sand cover, at approximately 25 metres depth, to some 275 metres vertically. Mineralization remains open along strike in both the SW and NE directions as well as down dip to the SE.Note: Table 1 below provides details of these 2024 drilling program results.John Wilton, President and CEO of BeMetals, stated "We are very excited with these latest drilling results from our Pangeni Copper Project and given continued positive results, our team is increasingly confident that, at this stage of the exploration, we are on the verge of making the first new copper discovery in the Zambian Copperbelt in decades. So far this year three of four drill holes from which results have been received have intersected significant zones of copper mineralization, which in several intervals have associated cobalt values. We are pleased to see that our drilling success has improved with increasing understanding of the geological controls of the copper mineralization. The Project continues to deliver compelling results, indicating significant scale to the mineralization, and with ongoing drilling success, the potential for discovery of a tier one copper deposit beneath the Kalahari sand cover.These technical results are enhanced by the pedigree of the Zambian Copperbelt, the increasing copper mining and exploration investments into Zambia, and the strong fundamentals for copper demand. The Company acknowledges the hard work of our Project field team, Remote Exploration Services ("RES") and BluRock Mining (Drilling), and our project partners Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC"), Copper Cross Zambia Limited and Pangeni Mineral Resources Limited. The Company also recognizes the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development for its continued support of the exploration Project, as well as strategic investor B2Gold Corp. (a 19% shareholder of the Company)."PANGENI COPPER PROJECT: D-PROSPECTAt the beginning of March 2024, during the Zambian rainy season, BeMetals commenced the first phase of core drilling as part of the 2024 exploration program planned to comprise six holes for approximately 2,000 metres at the D-Prospect area of the Pangeni Property. This phase of drilling was successfully completed on the 20th of May with a total of 2,038 metres. Currently, analytical results have been received for four of the six drill holes, with geological logging and sampling still in progress for the last two holes.The current exploration program is focused on identifying zones of higher grades and extending zones of known copper mineralization. In January 2024, the Company reported an intersection of 18.10 metres grading 0.70% Cu in Hole D22-C1 (see BeMetals news release January 9, 2024). This zone is characterized by consistent copper sulphide mineralization, comprising disseminated and veinlet chalcopyrite and subordinate bornite. It is generally hosted within a scapolite and kyanite bearing schist unit. It has been named the Nkala Zone. The Nkala Zone is interpreted to extend for at least 1.1 kilometres along strike within the overall 1.7 kilometres of known copper mineralization. In the southwest of the currently drilled prospect, it has increased widths and copper grades in a lens or shoot currently termed the Ingwe Shoot (see Figure 1).To-date, Hole D24-C1 is the southwestern most hole to have encountered copper mineralization in the Nkala Zone, with an intersection of 16.16 metres grading 0.74% Cu and 533 ppm Co, including 5.50 metres grading 0.93% Cu and 701 ppm Co (see Figures 1 and 2 for location and cross section). Hole D22-C2 intersected 14.78 metres grading 0.42% Cu some 110 metres to the northeast of D24-C1, and Hole D11-C3 intersected 23.20 metres grading 0.54% Cu with 263 ppm Co, including 7.90 metres at 0.92% Cu, a further 500 metres east-northeast of Hole D24-C1 (see Figure 1 for drill hole locations).There are now four drill holes D24-C1, D22-C2, D11-C3, and previously reported D22-C1 that all intersected the interpreted Ingwe Shoot of the Nkala Zone (see Figure 1, yellow symbols), with copper grades that approximate or exceed those of several large-scale copper mines in the Domes Region of the Zambian Copperbelt(1) (2) (3)(see mines and locations in Figure 3). The Ingwe Shoot, with higher-grade copper and associated cobalt mineralization, is interpreted to be structurally controlled, similar in style to the Equinox, Chimiwungo Main and East Shoots at the Lumwana Mine(2) .As reported in April 2024, Dr. Richard Sillitoe, technical advisor to BeMetals, concluded from review of the drill core at the D-Prospect that the copper mineralization is closely similar in geological setting, style and age to that of the large-scale Lumwana Copper Mine operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. The Lumwana Mine is producing at grades of 0.51% Cu and has a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.36 billion tonnes grading 0.52% Cu, containing 7.1 million tonnes (15.5 billion pounds) of copper 2 .Hole D14-C1, previously reported, intersected multiple zones of copper
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 12:09:17

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / American Lithium Minerals (OTC PINK:AMLM) is pleased to announce that it has received encouraging assay results from initial sampling at its Buckley Flat Graphite property.Rising Demand for GraphiteAccording to a recent report, Graphite is deemed a critical material by the US, and about a century ago it was mined abundantly in the country, mostly in Alabama. However, there has been no Graphite mining in the United States since 1990, when United Minerals suspended operations at its graphite mine in Montana. As a result, the US now imports all of its graphite, mostly from China, with additional imports from Mexico, Canada and India.Graphite is used in batteries, brake linings, lubricants, powdered metals, refractory applications and steelmaking.Demand for graphite is rising because it is used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries typically contain 10 to 30 times more graphite than lithium. Graphite is also necessary for sodium-ion batteries.Reportedly, Tesla's Reno gigafactory and mission to source materials from North America have played a significant role in growing calls for US-produced graphite. The company is planning to add additional gigafactories in the coming years, and other manufacturers are following suit.AMLM's Buckley Flat Graphite PropertyAMLM's Buckley Flat Graphite project is located near Hawthorne, in Mineral County, Nevada. The property is comprised of four unpatented lode mining claims (80 acres) on land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management. The property is about midway between Reno and Tonopah, Nevada, and is accessed by Nevada State Route 839 from US Hwy 50 or US Hwy 95. It is about 110 miles (2-hour drive) from the Tesla Gigafactory.Buckley Flat is one of a small handful of documented Nevada Graphite occurrences. AMLM acquired the property by staking in 2022. There are a number of historical mine shafts and prospect pits. A composite grab sample of several pieces of mineralized rock was taken from the dumps of the Main Shaft by AMLM personnel.The sample was submitted to the ALS Reno office, where the sample was crushed, split, pulverized and analyzed for Carbon by IR Spectroscopy. Quality Control procedures were followed using both a blank sample and a duplicate sample.The sample assayed 1.52% Carbon. AMLM views this result as very encouraging. It is highly anomalous as the average crustal abundance of Carbon is only 0.02%. The 1.52% Buckley Flat assay result is also in the same order of magnitude as the reported 5.1% average grade for an advanced Graphite exploration project of another company in Alaska. AMLM believes that Buckley Flat deserves rigorous geochemical work, to be carried out over the 12 months.About American Lithium Minerals, Inc.: AMLM is a Nevada-based lithium exploration company with five (5) lithium projects in Central Nevada (Sarcobatus, Stonewall Flat, West End, Silverpeak and Claystone Hills). AMLM also has four (4) projects in Nevada, Arizona and Illinois for other battery metals, named Blue Bull Cobalt, Nickel and Manganese; Buckley Flat Graphite; Kingman Rare Earth and Hicks Dome Rare Earth.Contact: Barbara Bauman, President 702-533-8369American Lithium Minerals, Inc.SOURCE: American Lithium Minerals, Inc.
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NORTH TONAWANDA, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / The City of North Tonawanda recently confirmed Solar Simplified as its Community Solar administrator to bring substantial savings and sustainable energy solutions to its residents. This initiative underscores the City's commitment to environmental stewardship and economic savings for its citizens.Effective immediately, residents of North Tonawanda can enroll in Community Solar at www.SolarSimplified.com/NT and enjoy guaranteed 10% savings on all solar credits generated on their behalf. These savings are applied directly to their electric bills, providing immediate financial relief and a seamless transition to greener energy without the necessity for individual solar panel installations.The decision to collaborate with Solar Simplified was driven by its success in managing municipal campaigns in the region. Notably, its partnerships with various municipalities, including Lancaster, New York, have demonstrated consistent, substantial savings and a robust promotion of renewable energy solutions. Solar Simplified's Community Solar expertise and customer-focused approach drive its success.Mayor Austin Tylec expressed his support for the initiative, stating, "The City of North Tonawanda is dedicated to finding ways to save community members money while taking on new green initiatives. Collaborating with Solar Simplified allows us to do both, providing our residents with financial relief and contributing to a more sustainable future." Community Solar offers a multitude of benefits to participants. The primary advantage is the financial savings, as Community Solar guarantees a 10% discount on all applied solar credits, directly reducing participants' electric bills. This reduction provides meaningful savings, allowing residents to allocate their resources to other essential needs or discretionary spending.Community Solar allows residents to benefit from solar energy without needing to install personal solar panels. This is particularly advantageous for renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners with unsuitable roof conditions. It democratizes access to renewable energy, making it available to a broader segment of the population.Environmental impact is also a key benefit of the Community Solar program. By participating, residents contribute to the expansion of clean, renewable energy sources in New York State.Aviv Shalgi, CEO of Solar Simplified, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to work with the City of North Tonawanda and deliver significant savings to their population. We are especially proud to collaborate with this community because it is included in NYSERDA's Disadvantaged Communities Map. Our mission is to make renewable energy accessible and beneficial for everyone, and this is a perfect example of that commitment." About Solar Simplified: Solar Simplified is a leading national Community Solar aggregator, revolutionizing the industry by removing customer-associated barriers and risks, allowing Solar Developers and IPPs to scale quickly and effectively. With a commitment to sustainability and equity, we aim to make clean energy accessible to all through community-focused engagement and consumer education. The ability to seamlessly match residents and businesses with local solar farms, and handle acquisition, management, billing and collection makes Solar Simplified the best choice for Community Solar aggregation.Contact InformationSasha LukovenkoVP of Sales and Marketingsasha@ solarsimplified.com 312-216-0978SOURCE: Solar SimplifiedView the original press release on newswire.com
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TORRANCE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / AI SPERA, a leader in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solutions, announced today that its proprietary search engine, Criminal IP, is now available on the AWS Marketplace. This integration ensures efficient software procurement and deployment, aligning seamlessly with customers' existing cloud architectures.After meeting specific technical and security standards set by AWS, the SaaS-based Criminal IP search engine ensures reliability and seamless integration with AWS services. The AWS Marketplace, a significant platform primarily used in the US, provides Criminal IP with access to a vast global customer base, enhancing its visibility and credibility. This listing demonstrates the critical role of AWS Marketplace in the software's adoption and success.Criminal IP excels in threat detection, empowering cybersecurity with unparalleled intelligence.Criminal IP is the industry's leading IP address intelligence tool, leveraging AI and machine learning to provide unparalleled visibility into the risks associated with internet-connected devices. It offers comprehensive solutions for fraud detection, attack surface management, and threat hunting.Additionally, Criminal IP offers seamless API integration, allowing effortless incorporation of threat intelligence data into existing services and security systems such as SOAR and SIEM. With a rich repository of cyber threat intelligence data, including risk classification, geographical insights, vulnerable asset graphs, and more, Criminal IP empowers organizations to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.Seamless Integration and Payment Flexibility Between AWS Marketplace and Criminal IPCriminal IP's presence on the AWS Marketplace brings several conveniences for users. The interconnected tokens of AWS and Criminal IP seamlessly exchange information, allowing users to leverage both platforms' strengths without encountering data silos or compatibility issues.Additionally, customers enjoy consistent plans and subscription options on Criminal IP, regardless of whether transactions are initiated through Criminal IP or the AWS Marketplace. This uniformity extends to credit usage monitoring for specific features and APIs, accessible directly from the dashboard, promoting transparency and ease of management."The most important aspect of entering the AWS Marketplace was to ensure easier compatibility between AWS Cloud and 'Criminal IP' threat intelligence. We paid a lot of attention to interoperability with AWS products and credit management systems," stated Byungtak Kang, CEO of AI SPERA. "We will continue to pursue Marketplace registration to secure global customers and increase interoperability with various clouds in the future." Explore the detailed features of the newly listed Criminal IP on the AWS Marketplace, as well as Criminal IP ASM, an Automated Attack Surface Management SaaS solution that monitors all internet-connected assets and vulnerabilities.About AI SperaAI SPERA, a leader in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solutions, significantly expanded its reach with the launch of its flagship solution, Criminal IP, in 2023. Since then, the company has established technical and business collaborations with over 40 renowned global security firms, including VirusTotal, Cisco, Tenable, Sumo Logic, and Quad9.Available in five languages (English, French, Arabic, Korean, and Japanese), the search engine ensures a powerful service for users worldwide.In addition to the CTI search engine, the company also offers Criminal IP ASM, a SaaS-based Attack Surface Management Solution available on Azure Marketplace, and Criminal IP FDS, an AI-based Anomaly Detection Solution used for credential stuffing prevention and fraud detection.Contact:Michael SenaAI SPERA support@ aispera.com SOURCE: AI SPERA
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 08:00:25

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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL)(TSX-V:BHLI), the North America-focused lithium development group, is pleased to provide an update on work at its Basin Project in Arizona. The lithium-in-clay, resource-expansion drilling programme has concluded with the completion of eight drill holes on the Basin North target portion of the Basin project. A resource expansion from 1.08 million tons (MT) to a minimum of 2.5 MT of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) would generate a US$3 million royalty payment to Bradda Head from Lithium Royalty Company (LRC).To date, partial results have been received, with the remainder still pending and the Company will make further announcements as these are received in full.The Company has also been working on the next phase of exploration at San Domingo hard rock Pegmatite Project and is excited to present a brief description of the next work program where several high-profile pegmatite targets have received little if any exploration and present excellent opportunities for growth. In addition, follow-up on last year's drilling and this year's channel sampling are planned.Highlights:Basin ProjectAverage hole depth of 285 meters (934 feet) with a range of 231 to 387 meters (757 to 1,269 feet) in a total of 2,353 meters (7,720 feet) drilled This was less than the 2,682 meters (8,800 feet) initially envisaged as a result of finding shallower clay targets than anticipated Further resource increase anticipated following the definition of a window 900 meters wide (east-west) by 1,780 meters in length (north-south), consistent continuous lithium-bearing Upper and Lower Clay units, it has the potential to continue expanding, being wide open in all directions Thickest Upper Clay unit at 103 meters in the center of the drill pattern discovered at hole BND24-19 Two holes were drilled on State Lands and designed to capture lower clay; substantially increasing the lower clay reach from Basin East to the northern end of Basin North, a linear distance of 3.3km Program was successfully completed under budget and without any environmental or safety incidents Completion of this program has produced promising visual results, Bradda Head's geology team are now able to recognise that the clays contained strong characteristics of high lithium values, and are greatly encouraged by the clays seen in the past eight drill holes The Qualified Person (QP) has made a site visit and was provided with all the geological and technical information, and the geologic block model has been revised to reflect the new intervals from drill hole lithologies and peripheral surficial geologyFigure 1. Basin drill hole distribution, land, geology, 2023 resource boundaries (inferred and indicated).Basin Project Permitting UpdateA Basin West drilling permit kick-off meeting was also held with the BLM in April and organised to initiate the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process for development of the EA (Environmental Assessment) Report that, once approved, will allow the Company to commence drilling. This process follows the BLM's letter of EPO (Exploration Plan of Operations) completeness which the Company received earlier this year, and marks an important step on expanding our ability to extend exploration over the very promising Basin West target.San Domingo Pegmatite ProjectA well thought out, and detailed exploration programme is planned for the second half of this year on the Company's San Domingo Project, building on the success of the two previous drilling campaigns. At this moment the plans include a design to offset 2023 drill hole high-grade intercepts at Morning Star, White Ridge, and Midnight Owl, surface sampling (channel, rock, soil) on new targets accompanied by detailed geologic and structural mapping, then access review for drill hole permitting A summer program of planned geologic/structural mapping, channel, rock chip, and soil sampling on unexplored soil anomaly/pegmatite targets Follow-up drilling to strategically offset last year's high grade drill hole intercepts where feasible Exploration of the following greenfield targets: Yellowstone, Thunder, Dragon, Lone Giant, Road Runner, in addition to recently staked lands to the northwest and south where pegmatites and greenstone are present: all targets have excellent upside potential Yellowstone is a 900x900 meter undrilled target with multiple lithium-caesium-rubidium anomalies, and where spodumene was identified in the field during cursory reconnaissance Dragon is an undrilled pegmatite target with surface grab samples up to 7.99% Li2O and 10 out of 48 surface samples >0.50% Li2OSan Domingo Pegmatite Project UpdateThe Company is diligently working on the next phase of exploration at the 100% owned San Domingo pegmatite project. The team believe that there is excellent potential to find new lithium bearing pegmatites given the extensive size of the nearly 33 square kilometer property and limited amount of ground coverage to date. In addition, to developing new targets, there will be follow-up on last year's drill hole intercepts, as well as this year's excellent channel sampling at Morning Star, White Ridge, and Midnight Owl. The future plan will be to strategically place drill holes to test channel sample mineralization and offset down-hole mineralization in order to grow resource potential at all three targets.The summer program is expected to include geologic/structural mapping, channel and rock chip sampling, and additional soil sampling to refine targets for potential drilling, specific details of which will follow later. The Yellowstone target, for example, has multiple lithium-caesium-rubidium geochemical anomalies across a 900 by 900 meter target area where spodumene was identified in the field during cursory reconnaissance and this, as well as other targets, require detailed work to elevate them to drill target status. The Company remains very encouraged by the strong soil geochemistry and presence of spodumene. Additionally, the Company has undrilled targets such as Dragon, where surface rock chip samples detected up to 7.99% Li2O from a mine dump sample with 10 out of 48 rock chip samples containing over 0.50 % Li2O. The Dragon area will be the focus of channel sampling, taking advantage of excellent road access to several historic and shallow lithium prospects.Ian Stalker, Executive Chair, commented:"Now that drilling has concluded and the visual aspects of the clays appear promising, we await the geochemical results that we believe will support the MRE expansion from 1.08 MT to over 2.5 MT of LCE. We are confident that this is an exciting and promising clay project in west central Arizona and are proud to be contributing to lithium
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 19:46:22

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Entelech, a leading digital marketing agency, reveals its launch into the UK and Thai markets, marking a significant milestone in its global journey.Entelech has recently launched its services in both the UK and Thailand marking a step towards establishing a presence. The company, known for its expertise in marketing has experienced growth surpassing $3 million in revenue last year and expanding its team to over 50 employees. With a focus on providing valuable partnerships to businesses Entelech has built a reputation with no negative feedback and a growing base of satisfied customers.Reflecting on the company's evolution from its beginnings, Jamie Lang, the Founder and Managing Director of Entelech expresses their commitment to revolutionizing marketing through genuine interactions. Despite facing challenges their perseverance has led them to success as they venture into new markets while maintaining their dedication to supporting businesses.Flynn Pheby, the Co founder and Growth Director of Entelech emphasizes that entering the UK and Thai markets showcases their dedication to their core mission."We strongly believe in building connections and providing value and we are thrilled to introduce our unique approach to businesses in these regions." About the company - EntelechEntelech , co-founded by Jamie Lang and Flynn Pheby is known for its commitment to transparency and integrity within the marketing sector. The company is dedicated to realizing the potential of both clients and employees gaining trust from medium business owners across various industries. Their emphasis on authenticity and strong partnerships has led to a reputation in their absence of negative reviews and a growing roster of satisfied clients. From its beginnings to expansion plans Entelech's journey highlights its dedication to transforming businesses on a global scale. With this expansion Entelech continues to redefine the marketing industry through client success stories.For information about Entelech and its offerings, please visitwww.entelech.com Media ContactWebsite: www.entelech.comCompany: EntelechContact Person: Emily JamesEmail:pr@ entelech.comLocation: AustraliaSOURCE: Entelech
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 09:05:51

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Europacific Metals Inc. (TSXV:EUP)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "EuroPacific") announces its initial assay results from the first drill hole, and the completion of the fifth drill hole of the 2024 exploration program at the Miguel Vacas mine area located approximately 180 km east by road from Lisbon and approximately 70 km east from Evora, the Alentejo region capital.Chief Executive Officer, Karim Rayani stated: "We are very pleased with these initial results from the Miguel Vacas Copper Project. The first intercept not only confirms and validates the high-grade nature of the deposit but the continuity of the zone. We have also opened the potential for a new extension to the North, which is very exciting. We look forward to receiving the next sampling results from the other holes which have already confirmed the presence of mineralized breccia to the south of the Miguel Vacas pit." HIGHLIGHTSAssays for the first hole (EBMV001), confirmed previous core observations and returned better than expected results including a continuous intercept of 22.8m grading 2.76 % Cu, including 9.0 meters grading 7.49 % Cu. The hole was collared near the southern limit of the old open pit and was planned to confirm results obtained approximately at the same section with hole BOMV-15-001 drilled by Colt in 2015.The hole intercepted a broad mineralized interval with copper secondary minerals associated with a wide (>30m thick) polyphase breccia/shear zone and has shown significatively better results lying approximately at the same position.Mineralization consists essentially of Malachite [(CuCo3Cu(OH)], Pseudomalachite [Cu5(PO4)2(OH]4, Libethenite (Cu2OHPO4), Tenorite (CuO), Chalcocite (Cu2S), Crisocola (CuSiO3,2H2O), Atacamite (Cu2OHCl) and Covelite (CuS).Primary sulphides (Pyrite and Chalcopyrite) are dominating below 80 meters. Mineralization is hosted on a polymict breccia with a quartz-carbonate matrix and quartz, grey shales and graphitic phyllite clasts which extends on at least 2 km along strike on a NNE-SSW direction.A total of 5 holes have been completed to date and all intercepted the main cupriferous breccia/shear. The sixth hole is now in progress, and it is the southernmost drilled to date by EuroPacific. All drill intercepts show a wide breccia zone with the same paragenesis to that of hole EBMV001 which varies from 8m to up to 35m. All holes have successfully intercepted the mineralized breccia zone.As indicated in the previous news release, mineralization which was previously considered to be limited to the north by a fault is now confirmed to be opened. The southern extensions are now being checked with the present drilling.Initial core recovery problems have been encountered in sections of the hole due to the porous nature of the ore zones. This problem has been minimized using the Triplex Core Barrel System which was introduced after the first hole and improved significantly core recoveries from an average 65% to approximately 87%.Detailed core sampling is in progress and all samples taken have been sent to ALS Laboratories for assaying. Core samples are cut in half onsite and dispatched to the ALS Laboratories for analysis (Gold by Fire Assay and multielement ME-MS for 48 elements). Certified blanks/standards (CDN-BL10 and CDN-CM41) are inserted approximately every 20 samples for quality control.The 2024 drill program is now in the middle of the 1,500 meters campaign with the objective of further defining a shallow open pit resource of oxide Copper mineralization recoverable by hydrometallurgical methods. Step out drilling will be undertaken on a later stage focused on the assessment of the sulphide rich (> 80m) part of the deposit below the oxidized blanket. Below this depth sulphides include mainly chalcopyrite and pyrite as the most abundant ore minerals.Drill Program DetailsFor further details, please refer to EuroPacific's news releases dated March 28, 2024, April 10, 2024 and May 8, 2024.About Europacific Metals Inc.EuroPacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on the TSXV and in the US on the OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe jurisdictions. EuroPacific Metals ("EUP") owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license.Qualified PersonTechnical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "Qualified Person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsEuropacific Metals Inc.Mr. Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer11th Floor - 1111 Melville StreetVancouver, BC V6E 3V6E: k@ r7.capitalwww.europacific.ca This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 14:00:53

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT);(Frankfurt:TX0);(OTCQX:YGTFF) (" Gold Terra " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce that drill hole GTCM24-056, targeting the Campbell Shear ( past production of 5.1 Moz @ 16 g/t, refer to the Oct. 21, 2022 Technical Report ) on the Con Mine Option Property (CMO), is progressing well at a current depth of 2,265 metres. The drilling is estimated to intersect the Campbell Shear (CS) target at an approximate downhole depth of 2,600 metres, or approximately 600 metres below the historic Con Mine underground workings. The CMO Property is under option from a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation and is 100% acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO Property Option agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021 .Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "We are very pleased with the excellent progress of Hole GTCM24-056. The CS target has a strike length of at least 1-kilometre, and the hole target of 600 metres below the Con Mine Robertson shaft (1900 metres depth) will open a large under-explored area to add high grade ounces. Once the hole is completed, we will follow up with a strategy of selective wedge holes off this master hole GTCM24-056 as this is a cost-effective way to test the extension of the CS zone mineralization." Drilling HighlightsThe current drill hole, GTCM24-056, has identified new gold mineralization ranging up to 13.90 g/t Au over 0.60 metres in the hanging granite wall of the Con Shear. The Con Shear was intersected further down the hole at a depth of 1,366-1,405 metres from surface with anomalous gold assays up to 0.6 g/t Au over 0.6 metres.Drill hole GTCM24-056 was collared in mafic volcanics and subsequently intersected a granite from 264 meters to 1,365 metres. The intrusive contains numerous quartz veins with pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite, sphalerite and one occurrence of visible gold.At the granite's lower contact, the Con Shear ( past production 1 million ounces of gold at a grade of 20g/t , refer to the Oct. 21, 2022 Technical Report ) was encountered, representing the deepest intersection of the Con Shear, with a multi-metre wide white quartz vein and numerous narrow smoky grey quartz veins. The Con shear was intersected where anticipated, suggesting good predictable of shear-hosted mineralization at depth on the Con Mine property. The new intersection adds potential for the Con Shear to be expanded to supplement the CS.The drill hole has since been in mafic volcanics with minor shear fabrics forming as the CS intersection is approached. The first deep hole, GTCM23-055, intersected 12.63 g/t Au over 1.7m in the CS structure approximately 150 metres below the Con Mine workings, demonstrating the potential of the CS at depth.Deep Drilling ObjectivesDeep drill hole GTCM24-056 aims to confirm that the gold-rich CS continues further than what was mined at the former Con Mine (6.1 million ounces of gold with an average gold grade of 16-20g/t between 1938-2003, refer to the Oct. 21, 2022 Technical Report ) as shown in Figure 1 .The deep hole will serve as a master hole for several more wedge holes that can test adjacent parts of the Campbell Shear without incurring the extremely high drilling costs (see long section, Figure 2) .Figure 1 is a cross section showing the drilling progress of hole GTCM24-056, the hanging granite wall zone, the Con Shear, and the gold potential window of the CS:Figure 2 - Long Section looking west showing the target area tested by potential wedge holes drilled from hole GTCM24-056:The 2024 deep drilling program aims to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (see September 7, 2022, press release) of 109,000 Indicated ounces of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces of contained gold between surface and 400 metres below surface along a 2-kilometre corridor of the Campbell Shear ( October 21, 2022 MRE titled " Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada " by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at Home | Gold Terra Resource Corp. ( goldterracorp.com) and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Technical AppendixThis news release reports the assay results from one (1) drill hole with assays results ranging from non-detectable gold to a highest assay of 13.9 g/t Au. The Company inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory Quality Control (QC). Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at Gold Terra's core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by Gold Terra personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS preparation laboratory ("ALS") in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS's Vancouver facility for gold analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 g split by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Samples with visible gold are additionally assayed using a screen metallic method. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported.Drill holes were drilled at right angles to the structure hosting the mineralization and dip angles of holes were designed to intersect the zones as close to normal as possible. Zones reported here are interpreted to be approximately 90 percent true thickness.The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.About Gold TerraThe Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report ) and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 /Green Bridge Metals Corporation (CNSX:GRBM)(OTCQB:GBMCF)(FWB:J48)(WKN:A3EW4S) ("Green Bridge" or the "Company") is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Henrickson as Technical Advisor to the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Henrichsen, with his expertise in structural geology and a distinguished career at Newmont Corporation, brings strategic insights that will significantly enhance the leadership capacity of Green Bridge. Throughout his career, Mr. Henrichsen has distinguished himself in various leadership roles.Newmont Corp 2008 - 2011: Mr. Henrichsen managed the technical program in Ghana, West Africa, where he oversaw projects involving a team of geoscientists. His oversight was critical in achieving multiple discoveries within the Ahafo district, contributing significantly to both the discovery of new gold deposits and the expansion of existing resources.Newmont Corp 2011 - 2013: In his role as Global Structural Geologist, Mr. Henrichsen oversaw critical initiatives to locate high-grade ore near existing mining operations, notably at Yanacocha, Peru (South America's largest gold mine1), and Long Canyon, Nevada. His effective collaboration with local teams played a pivotal role in identifying new ore bodies in both districts, significantly enhancing the mining prospects.Auryn Resources 2015 - 2020: Mr. Henrichsen held the position of Technical Lead at Auryn Resources, where he was instrumental in developing a comprehensive project portfolio across Canada and Peru. His strategic initiatives led to a major $35 million investment from Goldcorp, which significantly propelled the development of the portfolio. A notable achievement during his tenure was his pivotal recommendation for the acquisition of the Homestake Ridge Project in the Golden Triangle, purchased for $12 million in cash and shares in July 2016. This project was later sold to Dolly Varden Silver for approximately $55 million in December 2021, realizing a substantial return on investment.Torq Resources 2020 - Present: Mr. Henrichsen, as Chief Geological Officer at Torq Resources, played a crucial role in forming a strategic partnership with a leading Chilean geological team to develop a premier exploration portfolio in northern Chile. This collaboration and the resulting portfolio led to a $15 million investment in Torq from Goldfields. The investment primarily supported the flagship Santa Cecilia project, strategically positioned near the Norte Abierto JV, which is a collaboration between Barrick Gold and Newmont Corp. Additionally, at the Margarita iron oxide-copper-gold project, a significant new Greenfields discovery was achieved under his guidance."We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Henrichsen joining as Technical Advisor to our Board. His vast geological knowledge and demonstrated success in resource and reserve development are invaluable assets that will greatly influence our strategic decisions. His expertise will undoubtedly accelerate our growth and help shape the future direction of our Company," stated David Suda, CEO of Green Bridge Metals.About Green Bridge MetalsGreen Bridge Metals Corporation (formerly Mich Resources Ltd.) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on acquiring battery metal' rich mineral assets and the development of the South Contact Zone (the "Property") along the basal contact of the Duluth Intrusion, north of Duluth, Minnesota. The South Contact Zone contains bulk-tonnage copper-nickel and titanium-vanadium in ilmenite hosted in ultramafic to oxide ultramafic intrusions. The Property has exploration targets for bulk-tonnage Ni mineralization, high grade Ni-Cu-PGE magmatic sulfide mineralization and titanium.ON BEHALF OF GREEN BRIDGE METALS,"David Suda"President and Chief Executive OfficerFor more information, please contact:David SudaPresident and Chief Executive OfficerTel: 604.928-3101 investors@ greenbridgemetals.com Forward Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.SOURCE: Green Bridge Metals Corporation
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Walt Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them".JACKSON CENTER, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Halberd Corporation (OTC PINK:HALB) in cooperation with Athena GTX, Inc is standing at the threshold of some major advancements to treat the issues facing not only our military but people around the world. In essence, the traumas of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation can ruin our dreams, and this is the focus of our work. Is it easy? Absolutely not! But with patience and perseverance we are steadily progressing toward safe, easy to administer, efficacious solutions to these critically important issues.Magnitude of the Suicide Problem: The National Institute of Mental Health has stated that suicides in the Americas total 93,000 per year, or approximately 255 per day and over 10.6 per hour!!! Clearly, suicide is a huge problem in the general population as well as in the military, and is the basis for the military-focused House Bill sponsored by Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa that passed the House by a unanimous vote. It has now gone to the Senate, where it is expected to pass overwhelmingly as well.A recent article released by the Department of Defense concerns ongoing work in Alcohol and Substance Disorder Research. Here we focus on an exhaustive exploration of the issue. Although this may not typify a normal Press Release, I thought it would be appropriate to relay some sobering statistics contained therein. The purpose of this is to allow our readers to truly grasp the magnitude of the problems that the Halberd and Athena technologies are addressing and the urgency of finding a viable solution to the crisis, not only in our own military, but globally. The sheer size of this 11-page DoD summary report and 39 noted references alone speaks to the magnitude of this crisis. However, this Press Release is intended to focus on the gaps in current treatment capability and how the Halberd/Athena methodology meets the needs of the PTSD & TBI problems.We have known for quite a long time, for example, that 37% of those with a drinking problem also have mental health conditions (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 2009). We also know that heavy alcohol use has historically been part of the culture of the military (Ames and Cunradi, 2004; Ames et. al. 2009; Bryant, 1979; and Ingraham, et.al . 2016). We know also that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic debilitating anxiety disorder that may develop in both acute and chronic exposure to traumatic events; yet we are seeing almost twice the incident rates from post Iraqi War veterans now. In one study (Hoge, et. al. 2008) of Army infantry soldiers produced rates of PTSD up to nearly 44%, a ten-fold rate higher than the community incidence rates. Through our project maturation activities with our partners at Athena GTX, Inc. it is clear we are on the right track. Halberd's patented technologies and IP are aligned to these gaps.Let's explore these three main gaps in current treatment identified by the Department of Defense in cooperation with the Veterans Administration and the National Institute of Health. First, we will paraphrase the identified gap and then describe Halberd's work in addressing those gaps.Effective medications for substance abuse and co-morbidities- specifically, effective medications for the various core substances linked to abuse with and without the co-morbidities of TBI and PTSD. LDN+: This novel combination of low dose Naltrexone and Cyclobenzaprine, patented by Halberd, has a half-century of medical usage behind it. While there are thousands of articles attesting to the analgesic effects, such as https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10067-014-2517-2 , all relate to the endorphin release as a contributing factor. The most prevalent hypothesis, advanced by Dr. Ian Zagon and colleagues, states that inducing a small and transient opioid blockade will prompt the body to compensate by upregulating both endogenous opioids and opioid receptors https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987708005070?via%3Dihub and anti-inflammatory capabilities at the neural level. While the use for chronic pain has been well described, we believe that acute pain can be modulated especially in combination with low dose Cyclobenzaprine. Cyclobenzaprine, in micro-dose has been ill-studied as well, but the effect is not dissimilar to low-dose Naltrexone, yet in combination, we have seen what we feel to be marked improvement over Naltrexone alone. In micro-dose, the side effects of Cyclobenzaprine are virtually non-existent. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279656/ Note: While this product has been patented and used effectively and safely in patients, to be available on a commercial basis would involve a simple safety study for final submission to the FDA for approval, though currently can be compounded in physicians' offices for use for their patients. The key to our work now is to complete the studies as no commercial form of Low dose Naltrexone or low dose Cyclobenzaprine is available. Effective psychotherapies for substance abuse and co-morbidities, specifically examining integrated and sequential approaches for addressing SUD and PTSD in military veteran populations .There is no clearer call for solutions than this and our current pilot study directly aligns to this need. Our pharmacological interventions, when added to 24/7 physiological and psychological monitoring and help access, tied to providing state-of-the-art therapies including yoga and meditation is a game changer. The program is called Watchdawg and includes state-of-the-art assessment and therapies available to those suffering the most. We also know that the current thrusts are for troubled veterans to seek out-of-country "magic mushroom" therapies. We should and must do better with lower risk, lower cost alternatives. Watchdawg will do just that. Effective complementary and integrated approaches to treating pain and co-morbidities in military/veteran populations (e.g., mindfulness, hypnosis/meditation, etc.), specifically testing a variety of non-pharmacological approaches to treating pain and co-morbidities in these populations.We understand the issues and the individualism in patients and the general acceptance and resistance to COTs (Chronic Opioid Therapies) pharmaceuticals and adjunct therapies such as yoga, CBD, etc. Fact of the matter, we see the physiology and psychology of the individuals differ and yet often are related. Our Watchdawg program sits at the crossroads of therapies that work and the patient dynamics. Interestingly, LDN+ could also be therapeutic in the following conditions not
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 01:04:12

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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / HNR Acquisition Corp (NYSE American:HNRA) (the "Company" or "HNRA") is an independent upstream energy company with oil and gas properties in the Permian Basin. The Company has scheduled first quarter earnings conference call for May 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.HNRA will hold a conference call on May 23, 2024 to share and discuss its first quarter March 31, 2024 results. During the call management will report on its earnings results as well as update investors on optimizing effective drilling conditions and sustaining production growth. The call will be held at 11:00 a.m. EDT. In addition to the company's first quarter results, management will discuss recent events and host a Q&A session.The call will be chaired by Dante V. Caravaggio, President & CEO; Jesse J. Allen, Vice President of Operations, and Mitchell B. Trotter, Chief Financial Officer. All three will be available to answer questions. To participate in the live teleconference:An audio webcast of the conference call will be available within two hours of the call on the HNRA website. To listen to a live broadcast, visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start to register, download and install any necessary audio software.To participate in the live teleconference:Domestic Toll Free: 888-506-0062International: 973-528-0011Participant Access Code: 714419To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through June 6, 2024, please visit the investor relations section of the HNRA website or call one of the numbers below:Domestic Toll Free Replay: 877-481-4010International Replay: 919-882-2331Replay Passcode: 50675For the Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2999/50675 About the Oil Field PropertyIn November 2023, the Company acquired LH Operating, LLC ("LHO") including its holdings in New Mexico of oil and gas waterflood production comprising 13,700 contiguous leasehold acres, 342 producing wells and 207 injection wells situated on 20 federal and 3 state leases in the Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field. The Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field is located on the Northwest Shelf of the prolific Permian Basin in Eddy County, New Mexico.Leasehold rights of LHO, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, include the Seven Rivers, Queen, Grayburg and San Andres intervals that range from as shallow as 1,500 feet to 4,000 feet in depth. The December 2023 reserve report from our third-party engineer, William H. Cobb and Associates, Inc. ("Cobb"), reflects LHO to have proven reserves of approximately 15.4 million barrels of oil and 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The mapped original-oil-in-place ("OOIP") in the LHO leasehold is approximately 876 million barrels of oil in the Grayburg and San Andres intervals and 80 million barrels in the Seven Rivers interval for a total OOIP of approximately 956,000,000 barrels of oil.Our primary production is currently from the Seven Rivers zone. In addition to proven reserves, the Company believes we may access an additional 34 million barrels of oil by adding perforations in the Grayburg and San Andres formations. With proven oil reserves of over 15 million barrels, combined with the potential 34 million additional barrels from the Grayburg and San Andres zones, LHO should produce oil and a revenue stream for more than two decades with a slow decline rate.About HNR Acquisition CorpHNRA is an independent upstream energy company focused on maximizing total returns to its shareholders through the development of onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. HNRA's long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder value from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisition and through selective development, production enhancement, and other exploitation efforts on its oil and natural gas properties.HNRA's Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE American (NYSE American:HNRA) and our public warrants trade on the NYSE American (NYSE American:HNRAW). For more information on HNRA, please visit the Company's website: https://www.hnra-nyse.com/ Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expected. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "should" and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future results, based on currently available information and reflect the Company's management's current beliefs. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts and the risks relating to our business - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on EDGAR (see www.edgar-online.com) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (see www.sec.gov) . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.Investor Relations:Michael J. Porter, PresidentPORTER, LEVAY & ROSE, INC. mike@ plrinvest.com SOURCE: HNR Acquisition Corp
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 08:51:02

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JAKARTA, May 21, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Indonesia invites heads of state attending the 10th World Water Forum in Bali to take action to actualize inclusive and sustainable water management."This (forum) is meant to reaffirm our commitment and formulate concrete actions related to inclusive and sustainable water management," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remarked at his opening on the forum's High-Level Meeting on Monday.At least four initiatives were proposed by Indonesia that are expected to be put forward in the forum's first-ever ministerial declaration on May 21. These initiatives are World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience, integrated water resources management on small islands, and fundraising for water projects.Water plays a critical role in human life and might be referred to as "the next oil" in the future, noting that water shortages could slow down economic growth by up to six percent by 2050.Indonesia has been striving to strengthen its water infrastructure by constructing 42 dams and developing 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks in the last decade. The country rehabilitated irrigation networks covering an area of 4.3 million hectares and developed 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection structures.The government also utilizes the water surface in Cirata dam for the floating power plant in West Java Province."However, all these efforts are not enough. We can expect even more complicated issues related to water and sanitation in the future. We need to make similar efforts at the global level by involving countries, private actors, and civil society," Widodo stated.Indonesia's effort is in line with the statement of the President of the World Water Council (WWC), Loic Fauchon, who invited the world community as the water warriors to achieve water security and solve world water problems."Be water warriors together. I want to call for the obligation to take care of nature and provide water for each other," Fauchon said in his speech at the opening ceremony of World Water Forum's 10th High-Level Meeting.There are at least six efforts that WWC promotes to tackle water issues such as promoting water supply security policies at all levels, committing to changing behavior in achieving water sobriety, prioritizing the design and implementation of nature-based solutions for basins, admitting the right to water to national constitutions, Laws and local regulations.Participating in the "Money for Water" Coalition, and ensuring more active, decentralized governance based on multilateral cooperation on water issues is also needed to tackle water issues."We need you, we want new ideas to write the future of water," Fauchon remarked.Indonesia hosts the 10th World Water Forum themed Water for Shared Prosperity held on 18-25 May 2024.The High-Level Meeting was attended by world leaders, including Tajikistan Prime Minister (PM) Qohir Rasulzoda, President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof, and Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea John Rosso.The other attendees comprised President of the World Water Council (WWC) Loic Fauchon; United Nations (UN) General Assembly President Dennis Francis; former Hungarian president Janos Ader; French special envoy Barbara Pompili; and Dutch special envoy Meike van Ginneken.Visit:Official website: https://worldwaterforum.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwaterforum10/ Twitter|X: https://twitter.com/WWaterForum10 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@10thWorldWaterForum/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwf10/ Please contact:Director General, Public Information and Communications, Ministry of Communications & Informatics (KOMINFO), Usman Kansong, t: +62 81 678 5320, e: humas@ mail.kominfo.go.id For daily WWF news and information, please visit https://infopublik.id Copyright ANTARA: https://en.antaranews.com Distributed by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo).
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-23 00:02:54

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or "the Company") (NYSE:ABR) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Arbor is the subject of a report issued by Viceroy Research November 17, 2023, titled, ""Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." According to the report, "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Viceroy Research then issued a follow up report on December 5, 2023, titled "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." In the second report, Viceroy Research claims that the Company's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated." Based on this news, shares of Arbor fell by more than 5% over the next two trading sessions.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq.310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.comwww.schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 18:00:36

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AroundWire unveils a revolutionary social marketplace for service providers, offering free listings, seamless payments, and direct customer interactions.LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Aroundwire.com LLC announced the launch of AroundWire, its new social marketplace for all types of common service providers. The platform allows users to create service listings, attract customers, and process payments.AroundWire Aroundwire.com is a social marketplace that enables service providers to create listings and personal profiles, add partners, and comment on feeds of products and services while offering direct communication with customers, built-in payments, and the convenience of viewing local offerings on a map.The platform now accepts registrations from U.S. service providers, including car wash technicians, HVAC specialists, landscapers, electricians, etc."Our fee structure is designed with fairness and transparency in mind. Signing up and creating new listings is completely free. Upon a successful sale, if a customer chooses to pay through AroundWire's integrated payment system, the service provider is charged a 10% fee. This fee is reduced with Juice, our proprietary loyalty and reputation score. The more Juice a provider has, the lower the seller fees and the higher their listings appear in marketplace search results. There is no fee if a service provider prefers to deal with a customer directly and not use AroundWire's payment system,"said Danis Fickewirth, founder and president of Aroundwire.com LLC."When we created AroundWire, we modeled it after doing business in real life. For example, when customers want to buy air conditioning services, they cannot just add three units of air conditioning repair to the cart and check out. An information exchange must occur, the customer must receive an offer from the seller, and a payment or partial down payment must be processed. We wrapped all of these procedures into one convenient online platform,"continues Danis Fickewirth.The company is currently actively onboarding service providers from Nevada, California, and Arizona, but the service is not limited to those states. Following sufficient user registration, AroundWire will initiate a marketing campaign to attract buyers."After nearly a decade of development, we're proud to offer a platform that is both fair and inclusive. Signing up, using our platform, and creating listings are all free. Suppose a seller finds a customer and a payment is processed through our system. In that case, we reward the seller with a loyalty score, help them with better placements in the marketplace, and even lower the seller fees with continued business. We understand that some transactions may be too large for our payment system or that some people prefer accepting cash on the spot for services like haircuts. Our goal is to provide a platform that makes it easy and simple for everyone to participate,"added Oscar Quinteros, one of AroundWire's software development team members.AroundWire's platform is now available to users across the United States. Visitors can sign up at no cost by visiting www.aroundwire.com Contact InformationDanis FickewirthCEOpr@ aroundwire.com +1 (888) 382-3793SOURCE: Aroundwire.com LLCView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 13:30:31

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / Nextech3D.AI (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), a frontrunner in generative AI-powered 3D modeling technology for major e-commerce entities such as Amazon, Miele, P&G, Kohls, and Wesfarmers Group's "Bunnings," today announces its strategic pivot towards becoming a specialized AI 3D firm. The company has divested its Map Dynamics business, a non-core floor plan mapping software unit, to ARway (OTCQB:ARWYF)(CSE:ARWY), in exchange for or 4 million shares valued at over $1mill based on Fridays closing price of $0.26/share. This transaction brings Nextech3D.ai's ownership stake in ARway to almost 50% allowing it to share in a substantial amount of ARway's and Map D's upside without having to manage the business itself day to day. This move streamlines Nextech3D.ai's operations, allowing the company to focus exclusively on its high margin-profitable generative AI-powered 3D modeling technology. The closing is expected to happen in the first half of June.The divestiture not only advances Nextech3D.ai's position in 3D modeling and AI technology but also enhances ARway's financial standing, contributing approximately $1.2 million in revenue and about $250,000 in free cash flow, bolstering its growing spatial mapping operations creating a win-win combination for shareholders of both companies.This strategic move allows the company to focus on further developing its core competencies in 3D and generative AI and underline Nextech3D.ai's commitment to leading the evolution of digital commerce through advanced 3D and AI modeling technologies.Sign up for Investor News and Info -Click HereFor further information, please contact:Investor Relations ContactJulia Viola investor.relations@nextechar.com Evan GappelbergCEO and Director866-ARITIZE (274-8493)About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: 1SS), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for E-COMMERCE. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for Amazon and various other online retailers with patented 2D-3D technology. Nextech3D.ai has adopted a unique approach to creating shareholder value beyond its operating business of creating 3D models.The Company also develops or acquires disruptive AI-technologies, which are subsequently spun out to shareholders as standalone public companies. This spin-out strategy allows Nextech3D.ai to issue stock dividends to its shareholders while maintaining significant ownership in the public spin-out, without dilution to the parent company Nextech3D.ai Notably, Nextech3D.ai successfully spun out "ARway," (OTCQB: ARWYF | CSE: ARWY | FSE:E65 ) its spatial computing platform, as a standalone public company on October 26, 2022. The Company retains a 49% stake with 13 million shares in ARway Corp. while distributing 4 million shares to Nextech shareholders.Similarly, Nextech3D.ai accomplished its second spin-out launching Toggle3D.ai , (OTCQB: TGGLF | CSE: TGGL | FSE: Q0C ) an AI-powered 3D design studio aimed at competing with Adobe. The Company retains a 44% stake with 13 million shares in Toggle3D.ai Corp.Forward-looking StatementsThe CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 21:15:23

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / PlantX Life Inc. (CSE:VEGA)(FRA:WNT1) (the "Company") announces that it is amending the terms of its proposed share consolidation, previously announced on May 17, 2024, in order to complete a consolidation of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a reduced consolidation ratio, on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated Common Share for each thirty-four (34) pre-consolidated Common Shares (the "Consolidation").Prior to the Consolidation, the Company has 34,423,688pre-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding. Following the Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 1,012,461 post-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding. No fractional Common Shares will be issued as part of the Consolidation. In the event a holder of Common Shares would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional Common Share in connection with the Consolidation, the number of Common Shares to be received by such shareholder will be rounded down to the next whole number.The Consolidation was approved by the Company's shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of the Company's shareholders held on May 3, 2024. The Company's outstanding convertible securities will also be adjusted by the consolidation ratio and the respective exercise prices of the convertible securities will be adjusted accordingly.The new record date of the Consolidation is May 27, 2024, and effective at the opening of markets on May 24, 2024, the Common Shares will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange on a post-Consolidation basis under the existing ticker "VEGA". The new CUSIP number will be 72750P600 and the new ISIN number will be CA72750P6003.The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE").For further information, please contact:Lorne RapkinChief Executive Officer (416) 419-1415Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: (i) expectations regarding obtaining the approval of the CSE for the Consolidation and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the approval of the CSE for the Consolidation. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions.Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.SOURCE: PlantX Life Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 10:00:15

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OXFORD, UK and BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 /Preservica,the leader in Active Digital Preservation archiving, has expanded the availability ofPreserve365 , its embedded archiving and Digital Preservation solution for Microsoft 365, to the UK, hosted on Microsoft Azure.Building on the availability and adoption of Preserve365 in the US, UK customers can now enjoy the benefits of Preserve365 with the added reassurance of full UK data sovereignty.Fiona Bolt, Information Manager at Amnesty International, and one of the early customers of Preserve365 says "Our global team is creating and collecting digital evidence for human rights cases on Microsoft SharePoint every day. These cases can last several decades, so we must have a simple and automated way to archive and digitally preserve these records to ensure they can always be read and trusted over decades and quickly found when needed using SharePoint search." Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Preserve365 simplifies compliance by making the archiving, Digital Preservation and retrieval of high-value, long-term and permanent records part of the Microsoft 365 and Microsoft SharePoint experience. Information Management and IT teams can standardize and automate compliance processes using existing Microsoft retention labels. Users with the correct Microsoft permissions can quickly surface archived records using SharePoint search.Stuart Reed, Chief Product Officer at Preservica added "Preserve365 addresses the pressing need at many organizations to simplify and automate compliance for long-term Microsoft 365 records as well as minimize compliance risk by ensuring records can always be read and actioned over decades independent of the original format. Based on strong demand we are delighted to expand the availability of Preserve365 to the UK, with more regions planned over the coming months." The solution also embeds Preservica's unique Active Digital Preservation archiving technology to minimize the risk of data obsolescence by automatically maintaining long-term records in trusted readable file formats - ensuring they can always be quickly found and actioned over decades for FOI, compliance, legal, brand value and knowledge reuse needs.Preserve365 is available on theAzure Marketplace .Information and Compliance Managers - learn morehere .About PreservicaPreservica is changing the way thousands of organizations around the world protect and re-use long-term digital information. Preservica's unique patent pending Active Digital Preservation archiving software automatically keeps every file alive in future-friendly formats over decades to ensure that critical, high-value information can always be quickly found and actioned for FOI, compliance, legal, brand, knowledge reuse and cultural needs. The UK National Archives, Texas State Library and Archives, MoMA, Yale and HSBC are some of the leading corporations, archives, libraries, museums and government organizations around the world that trust their data protection and future-proofing to Preservica. For more information, visit https://preservica.com/ Twitter: @Preservica LinkedIn: @PreservicaMedia Contact:Aleeza Goodman York IEaleeza@ york.ie SOURCE: Preservica
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 22:15:10

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The Contract Manufacturing Bakery Will Share Topped Thaw and Sell Cookie Capabilities, Pre-Topped Muffin Batters, and Seasonal Frozen Cookie Dough FlavorsINDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / This June 9-11, the bakery experts from CraftMark Bakery will return to IDDBA in Houston to showcase all-new capabilities for private label bakery manufacturing. IDDBA is the largest industry-only show for the dairy, deli, bakery and foodservice industries.With deep roots in frozen cookie dough, the innovative Indianapolis-based contract manufacturing bakery has grown steadily in recent years, now offering a diverse portfolio including Ready to Eat Thaw and Sell Cookies, Pre-Topped Muffin Batters, Flatbreads, and Proof and Bake frozen bread dough."With all-new capabilities for topping our fully baked Ready to Eat cookies and frozen pre-deposited muffin batters, as well as new exciting seasonal flavors in frozen cookie dough, we're excited to return to IDDBA to share some delicious innovation," said Liz Rayo, SVP of Marketing & Innovation for CraftMark Bakery. "Consumers continue to be obsessed with cookies as they look for affordable indulgences that give them pleasure. The CraftMark innovation experts can craft a cookie program to your specifications ensuring they deliver delight with every bite." This June in Houston, if you're ready to consider a new wholesale commercial bakery partner, visit CraftMark Bakery at IDDBA Booth #3049. "We'll be showing a variety of pre-topped muffin flavors, including our best-selling Blueberry topped with streusel and blueberries, Chocolate Chip topped with extra chips, seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry Orange and Peach, as well as specialty offerings like Morning Glory," continued Rayo. "Whether you're looking for solutions in Foodservice like QSR and Fast Casual, or In-Store Bakery and Convenience Stores, come taste our gourmet cookie dough options ready for key seasonal moments like Pumpkin Chip and Red Velvet, and discover what we can do with our new sugar topping capability for Ready to Eat cookies like Snickerdoodles with cinnamon sugar topping." For more information, click here.About CraftMark Bakery:CraftMark Bakery manufactures delicious sweet and savory snacks for the Foodservice and In-Store Bakery markets in its 345,000 square foot State of the Art facility. Product capabilities include thaw and sell cookies in various sizes and packaging configurations, pre-deposited muffin batter, frozen pre-portioned cookie dough, ready to eat flatbreads, as well as proof and bake bread dough. We are the private label commercial bakery experts in frozen dough and batters, and our passion is unmatched. www.craftmarkbakery.com Contact:Liz RayoSVP Marketing & InnovationCraftMark BakeryPhone: 1-800-605-0036Email: lrayo@ craftmarkbakery.com SOURCE: CraftMarkBakery LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 01:34:40

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REGINA, SK / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / ROK Resources Inc. ("ROK" or the "Company") (TSXV:ROK)(OTCQB:ROKRF) has filed its interim Financial Results and Management Discussion & Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2024.The Company remained on strategy and budget for Q1 2024. Funds Flow of $6.3 million was used to further reduce Adjusted Net Debt. Despite the inactive quarter, the Company had modest production growth quarter over quarter and is well positioned to commence its drilling program in late Q2 2024, with the flexibility to allocate development capital across some of the most economic plays in North America.Q1 2024 HIGHLIGHTSProduction in line with Forecast: Production averaged 4,278 boepd (62% liquids);Operating Cost Reduction: realized operating costs of $27.55 per boe which represents an 18% reduction when compared to 2H 2023;Adjusted Net Debt Reduced: Adjusted Net Debt reduced from $18.7 million at the end of Q4 2023 to $14.4 million at the end Q1 2024; andSuccessful Reactivation and Optimization Program: Achieved capital efficiencies of $4,815 per boe on 12 reactivation/optimization projects in Southeast Saskatchewan. OUTLOOKKey initiatives for 2024 include reducing corporate finding and development costs and expanding core operating areas in Southeast Saskatchewan. The Company anticipates commencing its drilling program in late Q2 2024. The six well program, which will target Frobisher light oil prospects, the Company has allocated a budget of ~$10 million in 1H 2024. The commencement of the drilling program is contingent on various factors, including favorable weather and road conditions following spring break-up. The Company will provide detailed second-half 2024 guidance after its annual bank review process, expected to be completed in June 2024.FinancialQ1 2024 Q1 2023 Net income (loss)(5,612,254 ) 805,262Basic ($/share)(0.03 ) 0.00Diluted ($/share)(0.03 ) 0.00Funds flow6,342,218 9,683,876Basic ($/share)0.03 0.05Diluted ($/share)0.03 0.04Expenditures on property, plant and equipment1,818,760 5,445,650 OperatingOil and Natural Gas Sales20,931,235 24,137,513Royalties(3,955,043 ) (4,771,385 )Operating Expenses(10,724,039 ) (9,471,536 )Operating Income6,252,153 9,894,592Realized gain on commodity contracts926,017 2,666,447Processing and other income862,078 734,731Funds from Operations8,040,248 13,295,770Average daily production Crude oil (bbl/d)2,206 2,466NGLs (boe/d)458 401Natural gas (mcf/d)9,681 7,635Total (boe/d)4,278 4,140Operating Netback per boe Oil and Natural Gas Sales53.77 64.79Royalties(10.16 ) (12.81 )Operating Expenses(27.55 ) (25.42 )Operating Netbacks ($/boe)16.06 26.56Funds from Operations ($/boe)20.66 35.69Operating Income Profit Margin29.9 % 41.0 %Funds from Operations Profit Margin38.4 % 55.1 %Share informationCommon shares outstanding, end of period218,418,315 212,613,817Weighted average basic shares outstanding218,418,348 211,916,317Weighted average diluted shares outstanding218,418,348 265,105,802Q1 2024 FINANCIAL SUMMARYIn Q1 2024, the Company realized average daily production volume of 4,278 boepd (62% liquids), resulting in oil and natural gas sales of $20.9 million and realized hedge gain of $0.9 million. The Company realized Funds from Operations of $8.0 million, after royalties, operating expenses, and processing and other income.Operating costs, which include expenses incurred to operate wells, gather, treat, and transport production volumes, as well as costs to perform well and facility repairs and maintenance, were consistent with Company expectations for the quarter, averaging $27.55 per boe, with lower maintenance and workover costs for the period when compared to 2023.Capital expenditures in the quarter totaled $1.8 million. The Company incurred $1.2 million in capital expenditures towards well reactivations and finalization costs of new wells drilled in Q4 2023 including surface infrastructure, $0.4 million towards land and seismic acquisitions, and $0.2 million towards facilities and equipment. The first-half 2024 capital budget of $10.0 - 10.5 million will include a Q2 2024 six-well drilling program which will target Frobisher light oil prospects, and ongoing well reactivations and recompletions in core operating areas in Southeast Saskatchewan.NET DEBTNet Debt as at March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, as outlined below:March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Accounts receivable12,420,173 13,021,111Prepaids and deposits580,854 364,090Risk management contracts(1,134,038 ) 4,521,075Accounts payable(14,692,423 ) (17,560,130 ) Adjusted working capital (2) (2,825,434 ) 346,146Credit Facility (8.4%) (1) 12,745,469 14,501,748Lease obligations (1) 509,740 545,851Less: adjusted working capital (2) 2,825,434 (346,146 ) Net debt16,080,643 14,701,453 Represents undiscounted face value of debt balances and lease obligations outstanding as of each respective date presented. Calculation of adjusted working capital excludes current portion of debt as presented on the statement of financial position. The mark-to-market fair value of the current portion of risk management contracts is included within adjusted working capital.ROK uses "Net Debt" as a measure of the Company's financial position and liquidity, however it is not intended to be viewed as an alternative to other measures calculated in accordance with IFRS.Complete reports and statements are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company website www.rokresources.ca About ROKROK is primarily engaged in exploring for petroleum and natural gas development activities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It has offices located in both Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ROK's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "ROK".For further information, please contact:Cameron Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerBryden Wright, President and Chief Operating OfficerJared Lukomski, Senior Vice President, Land & Business DevelopmentLynn Chapman, Chief Financial OfficerPhone: (306) 522-0011Email: investor@ rokresources.ca Website: www.rokresources.ca Non-IFRS MeasuresThe non-IFRS measures referred to above do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Management uses this non-IFRS measurement to provide its shareholders and investors with a measurement of the Company's financial performance and are not intended to represent operating pr
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 01:03:12

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / In the afternoon of October 4, 2024, Li's client, a 68-year-old real estate agent/property manager/loan originator and a breast cancer survivor was on her way out of a Safeway parking lot in San Mateo, when she was hit on her driver side by an elderly driver who was making a left turn. After the impact, the elderly driver was rude and refused to give Li's client her driver license information or her car insurance policy number.In the next two days after the collision, Li's client's condition rapidly worsened, and on day three, she was rushed to the hospital for severe sepsis. She stayed in the hospital for seven days. It turns out because Li's client was a cancer survivor and because she had diabetes and was on blood thinner medications, Li's client was more susceptible to seatbelt injury than a normal healthy person. Li's client sustained two hematomas (blood clots) from the seatbelt injury: one in her left breast and one in her right pelvis. The hematoma caused infection to her bladder which threw her into sepsis. In the next three years, Li's client was in and out of hospital for a total of eight breast surgeries, trying to remove the hematoma. Eventually, the doctor decided to perform a complete mastectomy of her entire left breast.The elderly driver's insurance is Farmers Insurance. After unable to receive any offer pre lawsuit from Farmers insurance, Li filed the lawsuit in San Mateo Superior Court on June 8, 2022, Chang v. Webb , case No. 22CIV02340. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Farmers Insurance's last offer was $100,000. Farmers Insurance disputes the severity of the injury, brushing it off as a low impact collision--it claims the difference in impact speed is only 3 miles per hour and car repair only costs a couple of thousand dollars.After reviewing thousands of pages of medical records, consulting with the best medical experts in the area, and deposing treating doctors, Li was able to make Farmers Insurance pay its policy limit of $1,5000,000 to Li's client on the eve of trial. The settlement was reached on May 8, 2024."I am happy for my client. What I can get for my client pales in comparison with the amount of pain and humiliation she has to suffer through. No woman would want to lose her own breast. I am glad that this is over," said Teresa Li.About Teresa Li, Law Offices of Teresa Li, PCTeresa Li has recovered over $35 million on behalf of injured clients. She specializes in traumatic brain injury/concussion in addition to other practice areas including brain injury, Uber/Lyft, car, truck, bike and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death and more. Li has been selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as Super Lawyers in 2024, and repeatedly selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and has been included in the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California list since 2014. For more information, please call (888) 635-3259, or visit http://www.lawofficesofteresali.com . The law office is located at 315 Montgomery Street, 9th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. To read more about Teresa Li in the news, please visitLaw Offices of Teresa Li, PC .SOURCE: Law Offices of Teresa Li, PC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-23 00:48:40

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Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 /Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:SWLF)(OTCQB:SWLFF) ("Silver Wolf" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 6,666,667 units of the Company ("Units") at a purchase price of C$0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000, subject to a minimum of 4,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of not less than C$600,000. Subject to the acceptance of the Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"), the Company will carry out the Offering utilizing the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and the shares to be issued as part of the Units will be free-trading except in certain cases. The Company reserves the right to increase the size of the Offering, subject to the approval of the TSX-V.Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 at any time up to 36 months following the date of issuance. Finder's fees may be paid by the Company in connection with the Units sold under the Offering as permitted under the policies of the TSX-V and applicable securities laws.The Units may be offered in all provinces of Canada except Quebec. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions where permitted by law, and in the United States to Qualified Institutional Buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), as well as "accredited investors" as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the 1933 Act, by way of private placement pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Ana Maria property in Mexico, and for the Company's general working capital requirements.There is an offering document related to this Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at the Company's website at www.silverwolfexploration.com . Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.To the extent that any directors and/or officers of Silver Wolf (collectively, the "Insiders") participate in the Offering, such participation will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects any participation by the Insiders in the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the Insiders, nor the consideration for the Units to be paid by the Insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Common Shares issued to Insiders under the Offering may also be subject to a 4-month resale restriction under TSX-V policies.Debt SettlementThe Company is also announcing today that it has entered into debt settlement agreements to settle an aggregate of C$673,000 in indebtedness with two of its principal creditors; Oniva International Services Corp. ("Oniva"), a private company which provides administrative services to the Company and is controlled by David Wolfin, the Company's CEO, and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ("Avino") for administrative expenses and exploration and evaluation services, which shares common management and directors. No management fees or salaries are included as part of this settlement, and no fees or salaries are being charged by management.The Company has agreed to issue 1,073,000 common shares to Oniva and 2,292,000 common shares to Avino, each at a deemed price of $0.20 per share for an aggregate total of 3,365,000 common shares. The proposed debt settlements are subject to the acceptance of the TSX-V. The shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance.Oniva and Avino are each considered to be "related parties" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 by virtue of the aforementioned relationships; however, the Company can rely upon exemptions from the requirements for a formal valuation and majority of the minority approval afforded by sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(b) of that Instrument, respectively. Oniva was a "control person" of the Company prior to the transaction.Previously Announced Shares for Debt SettlementAs announced on December 29, 2023, the Company has received TSX-V approval to settle an aggregate of $30,000 in indebtedness for the provision of accrued consulting fees for the period from January 2023 to December 2023, in exchange for the issuance of a total of 150,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.20 per share. The creditor is at arm's length to the Company and its Affiliates or Associates. The issued shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance."We are excited to reduce our outstanding debt and kickstart our financing to get drilling on our Ana Maria property," said Silver Wolf's President, Peter Latta. "With these transactions, we will have the resources to take this project to the next level where we look forward to making a discovery." About Silver WolfSilver Wolf is an exploration company focused on exploring high potential projects in prime silver and gold regions of Mexico including the Ana Maria and El Laberinto properties. The Ana Maria claims are located 21 kilometres (km) northwest of the City of Gomez Palacio and the adjacent City of Torreon. The property consists of 9 mining concessions encompassing 2,549 hectares (ha). The claims are located in a well-known area that is prolific for carbonate replacement deposits (CRDs) in the vicinity of many active or historic mining operations. The Company has operational synergies with Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. and shares many years of combined experience in exploration, development and production. In addition, Silver Wolf has an experienced geological field team who have worked on similar projects with a demonstrated understanding of the jurisdiction and local communities.For further information please contact Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd. at ph. (604) 682-3701 or visit our website at www.silverwolfexploration.com The management team at Silver Wolf welcomes the opportunity
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 13:25:29

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:SGQ)(HK:1878) ("SouthGobi" or the "Company") This announcement is made by the Company and together with its subsidiaries (the "Group") pursuant to Rule 13.09(2)(a) of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Inside Information Provisions under Part XIVA of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong). Reference is made to the announcements of the Company dated July 31, 2023, August 18, 2023 and February 26, 2024 (the "Announcements") in relation to the Mongolia tax audit. Unless otherwise specified, capitalised terms used herein shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Announcements.On May 15, 2024, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary in Mongolia, Southgobi Sands LLC ("SGS") received a notice (the "Revised Notice") from the Mongolian Tax Authority ("MTA") regarding the re-assessment result on the periodic tax audit as disclosed in the Announcements (the "Tax Audit"). The re-assessed amount of the tax penalty is approximately US$80.0 million (the "Re-assessment Result"). In accordance with applicable Mongolian laws, SGS is entitled to file an appeal to the Tax Dispute Resolution Council regarding the Re-assessment Result within a 30-day period from the date of receiving the Revised Notice (the "Appeal Period").The Company's management is currently reviewing the Revised Notice with its independent tax consultant in Mongolia and intends to file an appeal against the Re-assessment Result within the Appeal Period. Therefore, the actual time to resolve the Tax Audit may be extended.Despite the above, the Company wishes to inform its shareholders and potential investors that the above Re-assessment Result does not impact the Group's financial statements unless and until the appeal result is final and conclusive.The Company will make further announcement(s) to keep its shareholders and potential investors informed of any progress as and when appropriate.Shareholders and potential investors of the Company are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the Company.About SouthGobiSouthGobi, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, owns and operates its flagship Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine in Mongolia. It also holds the mining licences of its other metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in South Gobi region of Mongolia. SouthGobi produces and sells coal to customers in China.Contact: Investor RelationsEmail: info@ southgobi.com Mr. Ruibin Xu Chief Executive OfficerOffice: +1 604 762 6783 (Canada) +852 2156 1438 (Hong Kong) Website: www.southgobi.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: SouthGobi Resources Ltd.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 16:01:04

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DOWNERS GROVE, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Stenograph, LLC is pleased to announce Thaly Palanisamy as president. In his role, Mr. Palanisamy will guide Stenograph in executing its strategic vision: Empowering the capture, preservation, and accessibility of verbatim records."Thaly's leadership skills, combined with the Stenograph strategy deployed by our talented team, will ensure success as we charter our course for the next 85 years," said Barbara Philibert, President and CEO, ITG, The Heico Companies."I'm honored to join Stenograph and lead the next chapter in its rich history of innovation and excellence," said Thaly Palanisamy, President of Stenograph. "Alongside the fantastic team here at Stenograph, I look forward to building on our decades of excellence and creating innovative products that truly help our customers become more efficient and successful in their work." Before joining Stenograph, Thaly served as President of National Standard, Niles, for The Heico Companies. He also led Southwest Steel Processing, LLC, a division of Park-Ohio Holdings, managing a closed-die forging business in Newport, AR, and held various leadership roles at Ellwood Texas Forge Navasota.Thaly holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor's in Production Engineering from PSG College of Technology in India.About Stenograph, LLCStenograph is a market leader in providing technology solutions for the legal transcription industry. For over 85 years, we have built our reputation by leading the industry in technical innovation, quality, and exceptional service. Stenograph is owned by The Heico Companies, LLC, and is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). For questions about Stenograph, contact Mark Kuczora, Vice President of Marketing, at mkuczora@ stenograph.com or call (800) 323-4247.Contact Information:Mark KuczoraVP of Marketingmkuczora@ stenograph.com 630-222-1368SOURCE: Stenograph, LLCView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 14:01:58

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WARREN, ID / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Sidney Resources Corporation (OTC Pink:SDRC) is pleased to announce that we have completed the filings required to establish the Order of Guardians 501(c)(3) organization in Idaho. In the realm of environmental stewardship and public health, the collaboration between GreeneLife Philanthropic and Order of Guardians represents a beacon of hope and action. As 501(c)(3) organizations, they share a common vision: to foster environmental resilience and promote overall well-being. Their partnership is a testament to the power of unity in addressing the pressing challenges of our time. In the midst of climate change and the growing need for action. This collaboration is a statement to the world, that they are rising to the calling of technical action that is highly needed. Helping reset standards and improving methodologies, is a stance that we are taking for environmental justice. We do not accept the bare minimum, and are actively choosing to create and work toward solutions to positively impact the health of people and the planet alike. Helping heal the Earth is choosing to heal ourselves.GreeneLife Philanthropic and the Order of Guardians share a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being. GreeneLife Philanthropic brings to the table a wealth of experience in conservation efforts and sustainable practices. The leadership of the organization has been at the forefront of initiatives that not only protect the environment but also educaute communities on the importance of ecological balance, or what they refer to as traditional ecological knowledge. Promoting eco-justice and sustainable solutions, GreeneLife has been impacting lives while bolstering the utilization of alternative energy. This is where GreeneLife Philanthropic and the Order of Guardians intertwine.The Order of Guardians, equally passionate about their cause, focuses on empowering physical health and recognizing the intrinsic link between a healthy environment and individual well-being. The organizations will focus on designing and implementing programs to promote active lifestyles and increase awareness of the health benefits of a clean and thriving ecosystem. Together, these organizations create a synergistic effect. By combining their resources and expertise, they plan to launch comprehensive programs that address both environmental and health concerns. Their joint efforts are expected to include the following:Educational campaigns that inform the public about the importance of environmental conservation and its impact on health. Community-based projects that encourage participation in environmental preservation and promote physical activities in nature. Advocacy for policies that support public safety, sustainable living and protect natural resources.Collaboration is also a strategic decision to increase their influence. Working together, GreeneLife Philanthropic and the Order of Guardians can leverage their networks, share best practices, and organize a greater segment of the community to effect positive change. GreeneLife Philanthropic, with its unique status as a tribal non-profit, has gained access to a variety of funding methods. This organization has resources that most non-profits do not. This enables more resources to help achieve the very ambitious initiatives.Together, both groups will be able to provide chances for education in the areas of public safety and overall well-being. This is critical, given that both organizations already advocate for issues such as domestic violence, the plight of missing indigenous women and people, and educational events aimed at informing the broader community about areas of ambiguity in jurisdiction, opportunities for program improvement, and ways we can help.This collaboration is an excellent example of how non-profit groups can work together to achieve common goals. It emphasizes the need for working together to address global environmental and health issues. GreeneLife Philanthropic and the Order of Guardians are not only leading the road for a healthy earth, but also motivating others to support their great cause. Humans have caused destruction, devastation, and great harm to Mother Nature. A natural disaster occurs in an effort to protect Mother Nature. This is also known as climate change. We hope that the approaches we are developing will help to address inequities and injustices while also reaffirming respect for people, the environment, and protections.This initiative aligns with Sidney Resources Corporation's goal to partner with the Order of Guardians and collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal and state agencies to address critical water issues and promote synergy. By combining their efforts, these organizations leverage their strengths to create impactful and sustainable solutions. A significant portion of federal and private foundation grants are available exclusively to nonprofit organizations. Nearly all grants from private foundations require recipients to be recognized as tax-exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), ensuring that donations are tax-deductible, which incentivizes charitable giving. Additionally, government grants at the federal, state, and local levels are widely accessible to nonprofits, with specific programs and budgets allocated annually to support these entities. This access enables GreeneLife Philanthropic and the Order of Guardians to secure essential funding, expand their efforts, deploy more personnel, and maximize their positive impact on environmental and community health. Together, GreeneLife Philanthropic, established under Xexus Greene Energy, LLC, and the Order of Guardians, established under Sidney Resource Corp., present a united vision for a sustainable future.Please visit their websites to learn more about their collaborative efforts and how you can help. Together, we can make a difference for our world and future generations.The first sponsored event will take place on May 23, 2024. Our COO, Dan Hally, will lead a full day of training for an Idaho regional task force composed of law enforcement, victim advocates, prosecutors, medical care providers, EMS responders, and other groups involved in violent crime response. With over 20 years of experience in investigating violent crimes and developing training materials for responders, Dan brings unparalleled expertise and dedication.Tragically, after losing two family members to a violent homicide in 1987, Dan committed himself to improving the understanding of trauma and its impact on survivors and responders. His passion for enhancing how service providers respond to and investigate violent crimes is evident in his work.Anyone interested in attending future sponsored events or becoming involved with this nonprofit endeavor can
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 22:20:14

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / TRON DAO , a leading innovator in blockchain technology, showcased its prowess as a Silver Sponsor at the prestigiousDC Blockchain Summitheld in Washington DC on May 15, 2024. This pivotal event gathered the most influential figures in blockchain and digital assets to engage with top policymakers and regulators, shaping the discourse on the future of blockchain technology.Engagement and Advocacy in the CapitalThe DC Blockchain Summit is renowned for its focus on connecting leaders within the blockchain space with key policymakers to advocate for the technology's potential and address regulatory challenges. As a Silver Sponsor, TRON DAO played a crucial role in these discussions, emphasizing the need for a regulatory framework that supports innovation and growth within the blockchain sector.Panel Discussion on Blockchain for Social GoodHighlighting the conference was a panel discussion featuring Dave Uhryniak, Ecosystem Development Leader at TRON DAO, who spoke on the topic "Blockchain for Social Good" on May 15th from 3:20-3:40 PM. Moderated by Jackie Price, Marketing and Communications Advisor at The Digital Chamber, the discussion provided a platform to explore how blockchain technology can drive social impact globally.Dave Uhryniak began by defining "social good" to set the stage for the discussion. He then shared several use cases and stories of companies leveraging blockchain technology to enhance social welfare:Uhryniak emphasized the global impact of blockchain technology, steering the conversation away from US-centric political issues and focusing on how blockchain fulfills its original purpose of improving lives worldwide.Networking and Strategic CollaborationsA significant aspect of the event was the successful networking opportunities with various projects and leaders in the blockchain community. These interactions fostered discussions about potential collaborations, reinforcing TRON DAO's strategic position within the global blockchain landscape.Future Commitments and OutlookLooking ahead, TRON DAO remains dedicated to playing a significant role in shaping the blockchain landscape through ongoing dialogue with policymakers and continued participation in key industry events. The insights gained and relationships forged at the DC Blockchain Summit will aid TRON DAO in its efforts to advance blockchain technology and advocate for policies that benefit the wider digital asset community.For more updates on TRON DAO's initiatives and future engagements, please follow our social media platforms and stay connected with the evolving blockchain ecosystem.About TRON DAOTRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of May 2024, it has over 230.22 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 7.64 billion total transactions, and over $22.12 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN.In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country.TRONNetwork|TRONDAO|Twitter|YouTube|Telegram|Discord|Reddit|GitHub|Medium|ForumMedia ContactHayward Wong press@ tron.network Contact DetailsHayward Wongpress@ tron.network Company WebsiteSOURCE: TRON DAO
PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-22 19:00:45

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The agreement aligns with WIS International's blueprint to streamline operations and sharpen focus on core capabilities within retail, healthcare, manufacturing, warehouse, and specialty sectors.DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / WIS International announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its CROSSMARK and Product Connections business units to Acosta Group. Acosta Group is a collective of retail, marketing and foodservice agencies that deliver end-to-end retail solutions for their customers. The sale will include a talented team of employees from CROSSMARK's Sales Agency and Retail Solutions businesses and Product Connections, a Marketing Solutions business. WIS International will retain its Inventory Verification services business as well as its Store Setup, Remodels, and Space Mapping services in the retail space. The transaction has been approved by both companies and remains subject to closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory approvals.Citing transformations in the consumer marketplace over the last four years, WIS International established a blueprint for growth designed to help navigate a changing landscape. This new plan called for significant investments in technology and global expansion, including the recent introduction of FlexCount, the industry's newest inventory counting platform. In addition to streamlining operations, the agreement will help drive additional investments in technology and employee training to position the company for continued growth. At the same time, it will also provide CROSSMARK and Product Connections continued success as part of Acosta Group and their collective of trusted agencies. Acosta Group intends to maintain the CROSSMARK and Product Connections brands within its agency portfolio."Based on Acosta Group's successful transformation under Brian Wynne and his leadership team, we are confident that they will be a strong steward of CROSSMARK, Product Connections, and our customers and people for the long term," said Jim Rose, CEO of WIS International. "We are excited about the opportunities that being a part of Acosta Group will create for our CROSSMARK and Product Connections associates, clients, and customers." "The acquisition of CROSSMARK and Product Connections, organizations with outstanding people and complementary sales, retail, and marketing services and solutions, represents another milestone in our transformation journey," said Brian Wynne, CEO of Acosta Group. "Today's announcement reflects our commitment to continued investment in our people, technology, client and customer relationships, and business overall, creating enhanced value for our stakeholders." The agreement with Acosta Group comes as WIS International begins its first phase of global expansion. With an existing presence in Mexico through a partnership with AccuratS Professional Services, the company recently expanded into Western Europe. Fairson, a complete retail inventory solutions provider headquartered in France, has formed a strategic partnership with WIS International to provide inventory services and technology to their market."The strength of our business has always been our people. We don't believe there is another company in our industry that can match their level of knowledge or commitment to customer service. As we begin our next phase, we'll leverage their strength and provide them with the tools to continue to provide our customers with unparalleled value," said Rose.WIS International is committed to delivering incredible value to their customers through unmatched inventory control solutions, continued technology advancements, and superior staffing capabilities. The agreement with Acosta Group will allow them to continue to grow their business domestically and abroad while providing the highest level of service to their customers.###Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, WIS International stands as a well-recognized leader in inventory data collection and retail services. Its leadership position has been earned through the support of over 20,000 dedicated and experienced associates. Working together, they assist the retail, healthcare, manufacturing, warehouse, and specialty sectors in reducing costs and increasing profits. With accuracy and efficiency as paramount benchmarks, WIS delivers retail services, proprietary inventory counting technology, real-time reporting, and powerful insights that aid customers in becoming more efficient and effective. For more information, please visit WISINTL.com Contact InformationConnie NguyenVice President Marketingcnguyen@ wisintl.com 312-465-9288SOURCE: WIS InternationalView the original press release on newswire.com
2024-05-20 17:15:02

Warszawa => Java Engineer <=

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W przesanych materiaach prosimy o dopisanie klauzuli

nastepujacej tresci:





Wyrazam zgode na przetwarzanie moich danych dla potrzeb tej i

kolejnych rekrutacji (zgodnie z ustawa o ochronie danych

osobowych z dnia 29 sierpnia 1997 roku t.j. Dz.U.2016 poz. 922).

Jednoczesnie wyrazam zgode na udostepnienie moich danych

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Sp. z o.o. z siedziba w Warszawie 00-814 Warszawa ul. Miedziana

3A lok. 21 oraz ze moje dane moga zostac przekazane

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swoich danych, prawo ich poprawiania, prawo sprzeciwu wobec ich

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ID=c6e3f0e6db4cd055ece66cb1f990d7aa




After a season in which the Blight epidemic ravaged their crops, help is on the way for ginger farmers in the seven local government areas where ginger is a principal cash crop in the southern part of Kaduna State.

The disease wreaked havoc on ginger across the area, with many farmers losing their entire crops and unable to prepare for the new planting season.

However, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) have stepped in to provide support for the farmers under a Ginger Recovery, Advancement, and Transformation for Economy Empowerment (GRATE) initiative.

NADF is a federal agency established to support farmers in building regenerative farms and improving production towards stimulating economic development and food security in Nigeria.

As part of the GRATE initiative, NADF and KADA have started the screening of farmers and engaging with other stakeholders across the seven local government areas in the state in preparation for the 2024 ginger planting season.

According to the federal agency, the farmers will be provided fertilisers, seeds and crop protection products to enhance crop rotation on their farms.

NADF and KADA said their collaboration under the GRATE initiative aims to fortify the ginger value chain and uplift the livelihoods of local producers.

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Samuel Aende, a representative of NADF, disclosed this at a stakeholders engagement meeting in Kachia on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Mr Aende said the GRATE team would visit Kachia, Jaba, Kagarko, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jemaa and Sanga local government areas for the screening of farmers and engagement with the other actors.

After that exercise, Mr Aende said each farmer would be given four 50kg bags of NPK 20.10.10 fertiliser, two 50kg bags of Urea fertiliser, one 25kg bag of maize and sorghum hybrid seeds, and per hectare dosage of herbicides and crop protection products, including fungicide and insecticide for crop rotation.

The aim is rejuvenating ginger farming after the devastating effect of the Blight epidemic in 2023, which affected farmers in Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa and the FCT. He said the farmers will get substantial funding for improved and better ginger yield.

In his remarks, David Jonathan from KADA said the support programme will bolster the ginger value chains and improve farmers livelihoods.

KADA is proud to be a part of this effort, as it aligns perfectly with our core mission of empowering rural agricultural communities, Mr Jonathan said.

He said Governor Uba Sani had flagged off the initiative in Kaduna.

In his remarks, the president of the National Ginger Farmers Association, Nuhu Dauda, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention to help ginger farmers who lost their crops to the epidemic.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Customs seizes illicit drugs allegedly bound for bandits in Kaduna

The chairperson of Kachia LGA, Victoria Saidu, also the councils director of forestry, said the local government was working round the clock with the state government and NADF for a good yield and harvest of ginger this year.

She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the information and inputs disbursed to them so that they can make profits.

Meanwhile, some beneficiaries who spoke at the engagement commended NADF and the Kaduna State government for their quick intervention, describing it as a good start for ginger farmers in the zone.

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The Nigerian government is going to hold a low-key official ceremony to mark the one year in office of President Bola Tinubu, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Mr Idris stated this on Wednesday at the ministerial press briefing series held at the Radio House in Abuja.

It is not clear if the government intends to hold the ceremony on 12 June, the day officially recognised as Democracy Day.

Nigerias Democracy Day celebration was being held on May 29 before President Buhari changed it to 12 June in commemoration of the 12 June 1993, presidential election annulled by the military government.

Election data showed Moshood Abiola won the polls but he was never formally declared winner and was not sworn into office by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.

Mr Tinubu, a major supporter of Mr Abiola, is believed to have played a major role in the change of the Democracy Day to 12 June.

Speaking on the plan for the one year in office, Mr Idris said the celebration is going to focus on sectorial debates instead of the usual celebrations.

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The anniversary is going to be low key, there would be no major ceremony but sectorial briefing by the ministers.

The essence is to ensure that government funds are kept for the people, the minister said.

He said the debate would be focused on eight key sectors of the government, and that ministers would be delegated to speak on different sectors.

He added that the ministerial briefing series will be taking place daily with different ministers briefing on the activities in their sector.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, had also indicated that the celebration would be low-key.

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The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, has admitted a former Commander of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria police, Abba Kyari, to bail after over two years in detention.

Mr Kyari and his co-defendants face eight charges of conspiracy, illegal dealing in cocaine, importation of cocaine and obstruction.

The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, had on two occasions denied Mr Kyari and his co-defendants bail on the grounds that they failed to provide cogent reasons to warrant bail.

But on Tuesday, reprieve came Mr Kyaris way when the judge granted him bail to enable him to attend his mothers funeral rites in Borno State.

In granting Mr Kyaris temporary release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja where he is being held, the judge said his bail must not exceed two weeks.

Background

Mr Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police, is standing trial on cocaine-related charges alongside four members of his former police unit, the Intelligence Response Unit (IRT).

The four co-defendants are Sunday Ubua, an assistant commissioner of police; Bawa James, an assistant superintendent of police; Simon Agirgba, an inspector, and John Nuhu, also an inspector.

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Two civilians, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested over the charges at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, were also charged as the 6th and 7th defendants. The court jailed the two men for two years each in June 2022 after pleading guilty earlier in March of the same year.

They are standing trial for alleged hard drug trafficking offences preferred against them by the NDLEA.

All seven defendants were arraigned on 7 March 2022 on eight charges of conspiracy, illegal dealing in cocaine, importation of cocaine and obstruction.

Mr Kyari and the four other police officers pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for the commencement of their trial.

Charges

NDLEA prosecutors accused Mr Kyari and the four IRT members of dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine between 19 and 25 January 2022, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.

In one of the charges, the anti-narcotic agency alleged that Mr Kyari and the four IRT operatives tampered with 21.35kg of cocaine by removing 17.55 kg of it and substituting same with some other substance.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.

The prosecutors also accused Mr Kyari, in a count which features only him as the sole defendant, of attempting to obstruct the NDLEA and its authorised officers by offering $61,400 to a senior anti-narcotics operative as an inducement to prevent the testing of the 17.55kg of cocaine.

In three of the counts, Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne were accused of importing 21.35kg of cocaine into Nigeria via the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Enugu State, on 19 January 2022.

Apart from the narcotic charges, Mr Kyari has pending fraud charges in the United States and an extradition suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman Janty Emmanuel in Gombe State, North-east Nigeria for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency.

The commission said in a statement on Wednesday that the woman was arrested in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, on Monday, 20 May, following intelligence that spotted her spraying Naira notes at a social event.

EFCC has secured the conviction of two celebrities since it escalated its campaign against abuse of the naira last year.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on 12 April sentenced Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months in jail without the option of a fine, following his arrest and prosecution by the EFCC on naira abuse charges.

The judge, Abimbola Awogboro, of the Federal High Court in Lagos said the cross-dressers sentence would serve as a lesson for others from abusing the Naira.

Earlier on 2 February 2023, the Federal High Court in Lagos similarly convicted an actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, for spraying and stepping on new naira notes at a wedding in Lagos.

Ms Omoseyin was apprehended on 1 February 2023, after she was seen in a viral video clip spraying new naira notes at a wedding in Lekki, Lagos State, on 28 January 2023.

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On 2 February 2023, the trial judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, sentenced Ms Omoseyin to six months imprisonment, but with the option of a N300,000 fine.

Read EFCCs full statement on the arrest of Janty Emmanuel in Gombe.

EFCC PRESS RELEASE

Naira Abuse: EFCC arrests woman in Gombe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman

Janty Emmanuel in Gombe State for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency.

The commission said in a statement on Wednesday that the woman was arrested in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, on Monday, 20 May, following intelligence that spotted her spraying Naira notes at a social event .

The commission has secured the conviction of two celebrities since it escalated its campaign against abuse of the naira last year.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on 12 April sentenced Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months in jail without the option of a fine, following his arrest and prosecution by the EFCC on Naira abuse charges.

case of actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, who was convicted for spraying and stepping on new Naira notes at a wedding in Lagos.

Ms Omoseyin was apprehended on 1 February 2023, following the viral circulation of a video clip showing her spraying new Naira notes at a wedding in Lekki, Lagos State, on 28 January 2023.

On 2 February, the trial judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, sentenced Ms Omoseyin to six months imprisonment, with the option of a N300,000 fine.

Investigators of the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Janty Emmanuel for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency in Gombe.

She was arrested on Monday, May 20, 2024 following intelligence that spotted her spraying Naira notes at a social event .

Upon arrest, the suspect was shown the video where she was dancing at G-Connect , Tumfure, Gombe State and spraying Naira notes of N1000 denomination.

She admitted committing the crime.

She will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

May 21, 2024

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Veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji has debunked social media rumours claiming that he is from Gabon.

The renowned actor, who took to his Instagram page  @realzackorji  to express his frustration, said the falsehood was not the first about him.

I am a full-blooded Nigerian, hail from Enugu the coal city State, and proud of my Nigerian heritage.

God should deal with those people that originated the lies.

Not long ago, they said I was dead; by Gods grace and mercy, it turned out to be a lie from the pit of hell.

Now, another lie from the pit of hell has emerged, this time they said that I am from Gabon. That I am not a Nigerian.

I hereby issue a disclaimer dissociating myself from that lie. I am a full-blooded Nigerian.

Both my parents are Nigerians; I am from Enugu State, the coal city State. I am proudly Nigerian and equally proud of my Nigerian heritage.

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God Almighty will deal with whoever originated that lie. He will deal with the liar as He deems fit, he wrote.

(NAN)

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The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has announced the successful completion of all intending pilgrims from Nasarawa State to Saudi Arabia.

According to the commissions spokesperson, Fatima Usara, in a statement on Wednesday, Kaduna State, which has the highest number of intending pilgrims, will begin airlift on Wednesday along with Kano, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

Kaduna has the most significant number of registered intending pilgrims with approximately 4,600, Sokoto is next with 3,500 and then Kano with 3,100 registered intending pilgrims.

 Delightedly, Nasarawa State is the first to conclude airlift of its pilgrims, totalling 1,794 for the 2024 Hajj season. Oyo and armed forces are expected to conclude the conveyance of their pilgrims on Tuesday night with one trip each remaining.

Pilgrims transported to Hajj so far

 By the end of 20th May 2024, Day 6 of the 2024 airlift, FlyNas has transported 4,665 pilgrims, followed by Max Air with 4,479. Air Peace has so far conveyed 1,531 pilgrims within the six days of operations, making a combined total of 10,675 pilgrims that have been flown to the Kingdom as of the 20th of May.

 No flight cancellation has been recorded except for a flight delay that resulted in a time shift that affected the Kwara inaugural flight, moving it from yesterday, 20th May 2024, to the early hours of today, Tuesday, 21st May, Mrs Usara said.

Kaduna, Kano, Borno others begin Wednesday

The NAHCON spokesperson said as the airlift exercise enters its second week of inbound flights into Saudi Arabia, states that are about to commence airlifting of their pilgrims include Kaduna, Yobe, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, and Sokoto States. Plateau State pilgrims are slated to depart today as well.

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The policy of first in, first out

The commission also advised pilgrims to be calm and to take note that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has a policy of First-in-First-Out (FIFO). This means that returning from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria will follow the same sequence of departure.

 Therefore, all pilgrims are expected to spend the same estimated number of days in the Kingdom according to their time of conveyance, Mrs Usara.

BTA issues resolved

Mrs Usara said the initial challenge in the issuance of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to pilgrims has been resolved.

She said each pilgrim is now entitled to $500 cash as BTA as approved by NAHCON in place of a credit card.

So far, 12,760 intending pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 30 flights.

About 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims will perform the 2024 Hajj from Nigeria.

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Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says his visit to the partys secretariat in Abuja was reconciliatory, not to endorse any group interest in the party.

This is contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra State.

Mr Tanko said that Mr Obi had repeatedly maintained that his interest was to carry everybody along into one strong family, and not to endorse anyones interest.

He said the visit was part of consultations in search of peace in the party.

In line with this, he also met with the political arm of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress, and (TUC) on Wednesday in continuation of his search for peace in the party.

During his meeting with the workers union, the leadership of the NLC/TUC political commission led by Mr Titus Amba and Mr Chris Uyot were also disposed to peace in the party.

At the meeting, he made the point that the party needed to reconcile all positions in a peaceful atmosphere to have a united house that should be all-inclusive, he said.

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He thanked the leadership of the political commission for their understanding and expressed the hope for a good working relationship very shortly.

The NLC has been rooting for the exit of Julius Abure as the national chairman of the LP.

Mr Abure was, however, re-elected in March at the partys national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, despite the opposition of the congress.

(NAN)

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The House of Representatives is set to probe the abandonment of a coastline protection project in Opokuma and Kolokuma in Bayelsa State.

The House resolved to investigate the alleged abandonment of the project by the contractor after Mobilisation.

The resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by Oforji Oboku (PDP, Bayelsa) during the plenary session on Wednesday.

Sea surge in Nigeria

Nigeria has continued to experience a fair share of the ugly trend with thousands of homes and businesses already washed away by the furious ocean.

PREMIUM TIMES in a special report explored the impact of the sea surge on the people of Aiyetoro Community of Ondo State.

However, some years ago, the Lagos State government successfully halted a major sea surge around Victoria Island.

The South Energyx Nigeria Limited, the city planners and designers of Eko Atlantic City, partnered with Royal Haskoning to design what is now called the Great Wall as a solution.

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

A vital facet of this project was the recovery of land lost to 100 years of coastal erosion and buildings to protect the business district from the Atlantic Oceans surges. Over 6.5 million square metres of land have been recovered so far.

The motion

Moving the motion, Mr Oboku said Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded the contract to Jide Agboola of Dredging Atlantic Ltd in 2004 but the company has abandoned the project.

He alleged that the same company was given the contract for the Aiyetoro Community in the Ilaje Council Area of Ondo State project but the protection wall is now abandoned.

The NDDC, in May 2004, awarded the contract of shoreline protection in Opokuma Kingdom, due to erosion to Jide Agboola of Dredging Atlantic Ltd. This Company has a reputation for abandoning projects, Mr Oboku stated.

He added that The Company abandoned a similar project awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Aiyetoro Community in Ilaje Council Area of Ondo State, after collecting the Mobilisation fee of N2.5 Billion Naira out of the N6.5 Billion contract sum.

The lawmaker said the lack of completion of the project has led to the displacement of 10 communities in the area.

Almost twenty years after, this project stands abandoned, this has resulted in a perennial erosion, affecting a clan comprising ten communities.

In fact, a community (Ayakoroama Community) has been washed away, Similarly, a substantial part of Orubiri Community has suffered the same fate. Saddened that this has led to the loss of lives and property, this could have been averted if the contractor and NDDC had lived up to the expectation of the aim and objectives of the said contract, he said.

Mr Obotu prayed that the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) investigates the project and report back to the House in four weeks.

The motion was adopted unanimously without debate when it was put to vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu.

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The police have arrested some men alleged to have targeted hotels in the Barnawa, Sabon Tasha and Karji areas of the Kaduna metropolitan for robbery.

The police spokesperson in the state, Mansir Hassan, said the suspects were arrested at about 3 a.m. on 8 May with guns, knives, and machetes found in their possession.

According to Mr Hassan, a police patrol team from the Unguwan Rimi Division had first intercepted three of the suspects: Khalid Lawal, Abdulhamid Zubairu, and Musa Yusuf, along the Yakowa Expressway.

He said the three, upon interrogation, confessed that they were returning from a robbery operation.

Mr Hassan said the suspects were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) where investigations revealed that they operated with other criminals, who were later traced and arrested.

He named the suspects as Aminu Aliyu (aka Bosho), Idris Ibrahim, Musa Muhammad, Abubakar Lawal (aka Dan Master) and Alhassan Musa.

They targeted several hotels within the metropolis, including ABELLO, GEOMERRY, HARMONY, and APPLE GATE HOTEL. They attacked the lodgers and staff, robbing them of valuable items such as two motor vehicles (Peugeot 206 and 307), mobile phones, and computers.

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In one particularly violent incident, the gang severed the right hand of a victim, he said.

The spokesperson said mobile phones and computers were recovered from the suspects, but the two cars had not been found.

He said the suspects purchasing stolen phones from them were also arrested.

They are Abubakar Yahaya, Abdullahi Abubakar, Muhammad Yusuf, and Muhammad Abdulkadir Dada. He said Mr Dada specialised in unlocking phones and altering their IMEI numbers to render them untraceable.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi, commended the officers involved in the arrests and investigations and said the suspects will be prosecuted.

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The Nigerian Army shut down a popular shopping complex in Abuja without consulting civil authorities, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

This newspaper reported how the army on Tuesday announced the shutdown of Banex Plaza in the Wuse area of Abuja. The army said it shut down the plaza after discussions with the plazas management following the assault on two soldiers on the premises on Saturday.

Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said the shutdown was to allow for an investigation of the assault.

Concerns have been raised about the legality of the armys actions and the announcement in a democratic society with a human rights lawyer describing it as a violation of the rule of law.

PREMIUM TIMES can now confirm that the army shut down the shopping plaza without consulting the police and Abuja administration.

I am unaware (of the shutdown of Banex), so I cant comment on it, Anthony Ogunleye, the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Administration told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday night.

Also, Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, said the police were not involved in the shutdown of the plaza patronised by thousands of people weekly for the purchase of items like mobile phones and other electronics.

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With all due respect, you know very well that Police are not involved why all this. Channel all your complaints to the military pls, Ms Adeh responded in a WhatsApp message to a PREMIUM TIMES enquiry.

Military action undemocratic

A human rights lawyer, Mojirayo Ogunlana, said the militarys action in a democratic setting is a total breach of the rule of law and constitution and an encroachment on police duties.

Nigeria is not under military rule. You cannot in an attempt to address one issue shut others out of their legitimate businesses, Ms Ogunlana told this newspaper.

The idea that the innocent must suffer with the guilty is clearly autocratic. If you must shut any shop it should be the one from which the infraction took place. Not the entire plaza now. Come on! This doesnt make any sense. The measure taken to address the legitimate aim is clearly and profoundly disproportionate.

So the question in my mind is this, is there a military junta in place? No. So why is the military encroaching on the power of the police, you have just started here that the police are not aware of any of such.

Because the military cannot, on its own, by itself, decide to shut down a market. Because some of your personnel were involved in an infraction does not give you that power. It has not even put it upon them.

The lawyer explained that the military should have taken their complaints to the police who can approach the court to secure an order to seal the plaza.

There is due process in place. Even if there is a problem, go straight to the court to do the required thing, to ask for the required warrants or order to seal off maybe a portion of the market for the purpose of investigation. This is the police (duty) and not the military, so this is arbitrary.

This is uncalled for, this is against the rule of law, and that is unfortunate because the rule of law has been terribly abused since the democratic dispensation. The military has to know that it is not their place to take action by themselves. You have to submit to the authority on ground. And the authority on ground says that it is a democratic society.

Meaning that if you have any complaints you go straight to the police, you complain to the police and then you give the police the opportunity to do what they are empowered to do. And in this case, they are the ones to go to the court and file the necessary document, ask for the necessary order before the honourable court and then if the court believes that there is a genuine, cogent reason for such an application to seal off an economy, we should not forget, to seal off an entire economy

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army controversially announces closure of Abujas popular Banex Plaza

She described the shutdown of the plaza which houses dozens of shops and businesses as a shutdown of an economy.

That place is an economy. Nigerians are going through unbearable times at this time in history. The military feels that somebody has offended some of them and then you went to shut down the market. It is wrong morally, it is wrong legally, it is unlawful, it is unconstitutional and should not be allowed in a democratic setting.

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The Lagos State Government has set up a nine-member committee to domesticate the National Womens Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE) as part of its strategic intervention to improve access to women and girls in the state.

The Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecelia Dada, disclosed this when a delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and the development Research and Projects Centre paid a follow-up visit on the implementation of the guidelines set up to domesticate the WEE policy in the state.

The National Womens Economic Empowerment Policy was launched in 2023 as a policy guide designed to provide financial inclusion, gender mainstreaming, access to opportunities and markets, skills acquisition, and closing all gaps hindering womens development and growth in Nigeria.

The commissioner commended NIPSS and dRPC for selecting Lagos State as one of the cohorts at the subnational level to work with in domesticating the policy, which she said is in line with Governor Sanwo Olus vision for gender inclusion and economic empowerment of all Lagosians.

She noted that several WEE engagements have been implemented in the state, but it was expedient to domesticate this National WEE policy to guide its implementation. She committed to domesticating the policy, and as a show of commitment, she noted that the committee selection that would drive the process would commence today, following this engagement.

The Permanent Secretary, Yemi Kalesanwo, reiterated the ministrys unwavering commitment. She emphasised that Lagos State is fully dedicated to domesticating the policy, with the ultimate goal of significantly improving the lives and livelihoods of women in the state. This commitment instils confidence in the audience about the future implementation of the policy.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Ayo Omotayo, disclosed that the visit was a follow-up advocacy engagement to discuss the implementation of actionable steps towards the adoption, domestication, and implementation of the National WEE Policy at the state level.

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He revealed that NIPSS and the dRPC are working closely with seven states from the six geopolitical zones to support the domestication of the WEE policy in Nigeria in the next two years, adding that additional cohorts of subnational will then be supported to domesticate the policy. He said this is due to the two organisations commitment to promoting inclusive governance and empowering Nigerian women.

In his remarks at the occasion, the dRPC Director of Projects, Stanley Ukpai, commended the Lagos State government for its innovative governance and inclusive approach to development.

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The House of Representatives has resolved to forward all resolutions on insecurity to the Office of the National Adviser (ONSA) for implementation.

The lawmakers also mandated the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, to compile all House resolutions on security and forward them to the office of the National Security Adviser and the Committee on Legislative Compliance for action.

The resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, and 28 others during Wednesdays plenary session.

Deliberations on the nations security challenges often dominate plenary sessions in the House of Representatives as members from different constituencies present motions calling for interventions in them.

Oftentimes, the resolutions from the motions are referred to committees like Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Navy, Airforce and others.

However, many of them have become symbolic gestures without corresponding actions.

Two weeks ago, the House also held a one-minute silence ten times to honour victims of attacks across the country.

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The motion..

Moving the motion on behalf of the co-sponsors, Mr Chinda expressed concerns over the worsening insecurity situation in the country. He listed the various forms of insecurity as armed robbery, banditry, food theft, kidnapping and killings.

He said some of the security-related motions are still in the House and have yet to be implemented.

Some of these resolutions are awaiting execution by the House, he said.

Mr Chinda added that unless the House of Representatives matches its resolutions with actions, the faith that the citizens have in the House will wane, and more Nigerians will continue to suffer the negative effects of insecurity in all sectors of the economy.

The motion was adopted without debate, and when it was put to vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, members voted overwhelmingly in support.

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said President Bola Tinubus administration is in support of autonomy for local government areas in the country.

Mr Akume said this during the Ministerial Press Briefing on Wednesday in Abuja to mark Mr Tinubus one-year anniversary in office.

The SGF said the president was committed to the rules of law and constitution of the country and had also shown good faith towards true fiscal federalism since he assumed office.

Mr Akume gave the assurance that the administration would continue from where the previous government stopped on the autonomy of the local governments.

On the need for a national dialogue for local government autonomy, I think that the National Assembly has done quite a lot on that issue.

I remember the last administration also came up with some executive orders to enhance the independence of the local governments and the National Assembly is very supportive of that.

The present government is also supportive of that, we believe and strongly too, that we will continue to improve on the questions of autonomy for the local government areas in Nigeria.

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According to the SGF, the present administration has recognised the fact that local government areas are the closest tier of government to the people at the grassroots in particular.

In a typical federal set-up, you have tiers of governments and these tiers of governments are also independent.

One of them has access to the federation account which goes to each state and it is under the control of the governors of those states and the legislators of that state.

The money going to the state was supposed to be applied prudently, efficiently for the benefit of the people. It is true that the bulk of people live in the state and local government levels, he said.

According to him, the purpose of sharing the nations wealth is to ensure that the welfare of the people is enhanced.

The SGF, however, commended some state governors for their efforts at ensuring that people at the grassroots feel the impacts of government through People Oriented Projects.

I want to state here that many of the states are also doing their best for the people and therefore, we will continue to give governors the chance to do their best for their people.

I am aware that people feel they are not doing their best, the legislators are also there to ensure that people feel impacts of governance at the local government levels, he said.

(NAN)

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the prospect of a successful coup in the DRC is inconceivable, as it would exacerbate the countrys insecurity and further destabilise the region. African peace, security, and democratic stakeholders must remain vigilant with regard to any breaking news of attempted or successful military coups on the continent.

In the early hours of 19 May, heavily armed men attacked the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the city centre, Kinshasa. Another incident occurred at the nearby residence of Vital Kamerhe, a parliament member who is a leading candidate for the position of speaker. Based on a report by the spokesperson for the Central African countrys army, General Sylvain Ekenge, the coup leader was killed, and 50 people, including British and Americans, were arrested. Christian Malanga, a US-based Congolese politician (who has acquired American citizenship), previously accused of attempting to overthrow the government in 2017, has been allegedly identified as the leader of this attempted coup.

While no definite reasons have been attributed for the attempted coup, there are insinuations that it could be related to the internal political crisis, particularly the decision of President Tshisekedi to postpone a parliamentary leadership election scheduled for Saturday, 18 May. As anticipated, the international community condemned the reports, including the African Union Commission (AUC), the leadership of the United Nations stabilisation mission in the DRC, and the United States, represented by its ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn.

Incidentally, the news of the attempted coup filtered into the public space three days after an edited volume titled, The Resurgence of Military Coups and Democratic Relapse in Africa, was published. The 10-chapter book, edited by Adeoye O. Akinola, links military coups and bad governance and locates unconstitutional changes in government in historical and contemporary contexts. Since August 2020, African countries have experienced eight successful military coups. The military struck in Mali on two occasions  18 August 2020 and 24 May 2021; in Guinea on 5 September 2021; and in Sudan on 25 October 2021. There were two putsches on 24 January and 30 September 2022 in Burkina Faso; on 26 July 2023 in Niger; and on 30 August 2023 in Gabon. The blatant disregard for democratic institutions on the continent is appalling and shocking. As seen in the Sahel region of Africa, the audacity to assault the stewards of political authority and desecrate prevailing democratic structures underscores the profound failure of the promises of democracy in Africa.

Despite numerous regional and continental protocols designed to prevent military incursions into politics and unconstitutional changes of government, the military have often managed to circumvent these measures and maintain power in affected countries. It is evident that regional and continental actors lack effective strategies to compel the military to return to the barracks.

While it is important to label a coup as such accurately, the situation in the DRC demands careful consideration. As the world awaits further information regarding the attempted coup, the term military coup should be used cautiously. According to statements from the military spokesman, this was an orchestrated attack by foreign fighters, commonly referred to as mercenaries, with no involvement from Congolese military personnel. If the information concerning the attempted coup by the DRC military spokesperson proves accurate, three critical questions arise: Will Africa begin to reflect more seriously on the externalisation of its security and the growing influence of mercenaries on the continent? Can this truly be considered a military coup? Should we start to broaden the definition and understanding of military coups? Ruth First, a renowned scholar on military coups, asserts that such actions typically involve elements of the political system and they have the support of some members of the security forces. Most literature on military coups emphasises the illegal removal of a government through excessive or moderate force or the threat thereof. However, anything is possible in Africa.

Thus, the prospect of a successful coup in the DRC is inconceivable, as it would exacerbate the countrys insecurity and further destabilise the region. African peace, security, and democratic stakeholders must remain vigilant with regard to any breaking news of attempted or successful military coups on the continent. Despite numerous regional and continental protocols designed to prevent military incursions into politics and unconstitutional changes of government, the military have often managed to circumvent these measures and maintain power in affected countries. It is evident that regional and continental actors lack effective strategies to compel the military to return to the barracks. Immediately after the coup in Niger, the dismissal of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threats to order the military regime to immediately restore the civilian President Mohamed Bazoum to power was a monumental diplomatic calamity.

The branding of the assailants as foreigners and accusing of external powers as orchestrating the attempted coup aligns with the prevailing narrative of external influences shaping Africas political and security landscapes; however, it is implausible that such attacks could transpire without internal collusion.

Furthermore, civil society groups in some of these countries find themselves in unfamiliar territory, as segments of the population celebrate the overthrow of democratic governments  a few of which had actually become illegitimate. The military regimes in the Sahel region have further solidified their illegal grip on power by adeptly incorporating anti-Western and Pan-African rhetoric into their narratives.

The branding of the assailants as foreigners and accusing of external powers as orchestrating the attempted coup aligns with the prevailing narrative of external influences shaping Africas political and security landscapes; however, it is implausible that such attacks could transpire without internal collusion. Consequently, the Congolese government must scrutinise its own security apparatus to prevent a recurrence. It is also hoped that in doing so, the government will not exploit this opportunity to persecute its enemies within the political and security terrain.

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Adeoye O. Akinola is Head of Research and Teaching at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) and Institute for Global African Affairs (IGAA), University of Johannesburg.

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Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, on Tuesday, presided over the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jigawa State and the Nigeria-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce (NAGCC), which aims to promote trade and industrialization in the state.

The MoU was signed during a colourful ceremony at the Government House, Dutse attended by members of the State Executive Council and a delegation from the NAGCC led by Kassim Gidado, the Waziri of Jamaare.

In his remarks, Mr Gidado expressed NAGCCs commitment to fostering economic development and trade between Jigawa State and the Gulf region, stressing that the significance of this partnership has been in the making since 26 October, 2023, when they first approached the state for the partnership.

The journey to establishing this relationship began way back on October 26, 2023, when we first came here, and based on that, we worked on the development of an MoU between the two parties, Mr Waziri said.

He highlighted the enormous potential Jigawa State holds, particularly in products like sesame seeds, hibiscus, and solid minerals.

Mr Waziri stated further, The signing of the MoU is towards the promotion of products that Jigawa State has a comparative advantage over and the attraction of investment for export-ready industries in Jigawa. The NAGCC is committed to achieving these objectives through the utilization of our trade house and the regional house located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Given the enormous potential that Jigawa State presents in terms of products such as sesame seeds, hibiscus, and solid minerals, we believe the state will grab a good share of the market within the GCC if proper value addition and quality standards are adhered to, he said.

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Governor Namadi underlined the states readiness and strategic efforts to enhance this partnership. He highlighted Jigawas leading role in producing sesame, hibiscus, wheat, and gum Arabic in Nigeria, as well as its significant contributions to the countrys non-oil exports.

It may interest you to know that Jigawa State is the number one producer of sesame in Nigeria; we are also the number one producer of hibiscus in Nigeria; we are number one in wheat and gum Arabic. We are ranked number two in rice production in Nigeria.

Also, what we are doing today may confirm to you that we are prepared to enhance this relationship. We have secured the approval of the National Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) and the Honourable Minister of Aviation that Jigawa State Airport will be converted into a cargo airport. This is in preparation to enhance this relationship, and I am sure putting a cargo facility in Jigawa Airport will definitely enhance this relationship.

According to Mr Namadi Jigawa, the state has been the major producer of the countrys non-oil export commodities.

Like I said, sesame and hibiscus contributed 75% of Nigerias exports last year. And I want to assure you that ninety percent of that sesame and hibiscus came from Jigawa. So, invariably, we contribute 75% of Nigerian non-oil exports.

The MoU signing signifies a mutual commitment to developing market-ready products, establishing a steering committee to oversee implementation, and leveraging the Maigatari Free Trade Zone to attract investors. The partnership also envisions the establishment of processing facilities in Jigawa to add value to products before export, thereby strengthening economic ties and creating more opportunities for local communities in the state.

Jigawa State, being a major producer of key agricultural commodities in Nigeria, stands to benefit immensely from this collaboration with the NAGCC.

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Governor Dauda Lawal has announced that his government would begin to pay minimum wage starting next month. The governor announced this on Wednesday during a meeting with the leadership of the Zamfara State chapter of the labour union.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Zamfara governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said that implementing the minimum wage reflects the state governments commitment to improving workers welfare.

The statement added that the Zamfara State Government would start paying a minimum wage of 30 thousand naira instead of seven thousand naira effective June this year.

While addressing the leaders of the Zamfara State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Governor Lawal reiterated that implementing the 30 thousand Naira minimum wage was aimed at motivating Zamfara workers.

Today, I want to announce to the Zamfara State Labour Union leaders that my government will commence payment of 30 thousand Naira minimum wage next month in June.

Since assuming office as the governor of Zamfara State, my administration has implemented numerous civil service reforms to ensure workers welfare.

We have achieved the payment of withheld three months salaries of workers, payment of leave grant, and other bonuses.

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My government has paid a total of N4,337,087,490 billion in four batches to state and local government retirees, which have not been paid since 2011.

We have further plans to improve the efficiency of the civil service in Zamfara. No employee should be concerned about retirement, as we will ensure timely payment of retirement benefits without any delays. We are committed to our rescue mission.

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The Nigerian Army has formally announced the closure of Banex Plaza in Abuja, a move expected to raise concerns about the armys role in a democracy.

Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said the plaza, popular for the sale of phones and other electronics, was shut down after an agreement with the management of the plaza to identify individuals who recently assaulted two soldiers.

In response to this unfortunate incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza Mr Nwachukwu, a major general, said in a Tuesday statement.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how a mob, believed to be workers at the plaza, on Saturday, assaulted two soldiers allegedly over the sale of a mobile phone.

A viral video on social media showed the assault as the soldiers in uniform tried to flee from their attackers.

In an apparent retaliation, a group of soldiers invaded the plaza where they also assaulted some civilians.

The army spokesperson had told PREMIUM TIMES that the assault on the soldiers would be investigated.

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This newspaper also reported on Sunday that soldiers blocked the entrance to the plaza, essentially preventing any business from going on in the shops in the plaza.

Such incidents as happened at Banex Plaza are supposed to be investigated by the police who would then prosecute those found culpable. The shutdown could also have been announced by civil authorities such as the Abuja administration or the Abuja Municipal Council Area where the plaza is located.

Both the police and Abuja administration told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday night that they were not aware of the shutdown of the plaza.

With all due respect, you know very well that Police are not involved why all this. Channel all your complaints to the military pls, Abuja police spokesperson Josephine Adeh told this newspaper via WhatsApp in response to our enquiry.

The military feels that somebody has offended some of them and then you went to shut down the market. It is wrong morally, it is wrong legally, it is unlawful, it is unconstitutional and should not be allowed in a democratic setting, human rights lawyer Mojirayo Ogunlana told PREMIUM TIMES.

In his statement, Mr Nwachukwu suggested that the army was leading the investigation, saying the army wanted to prevent a fatal assault on soldiers as happened in Okuama, Delta State, recently.

This investigation ultimately aims at ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and to prevent such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama, Mr Nwachukwu wrote.

Read the full statement by the army below.

Following the recent unrest at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024, by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on some Nigerian Army personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on internal security duties salvaged the situation and rescued the attacked personnel from being lynched by the hoodlums.

It is important to note that the soldiers attacked were unarmed, did not engage in any form of aggression, and posed no threat to anyone. Therefore, the cruel treatment meted out to them was entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable.

In response to this unfortunate incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza to ensure that the hoodlums who have been using the Banex neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended.

This, is in furtherance of the need for extensive investigation to be conducted at the scene to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of this mayhem. This investigation ultimately aims at ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and to prevent such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama.

The Nigerian Army will equally ensure that it diligently investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued.

Nonetheless, such acts of violence against personnel are not only condemnable, but could degenerate to a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.

Accordingly, the NA enjoins members of the public to exercise caution and restraint in dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels are utilized to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU

Major General

Director Army Public Relations

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit drugs allegedly being taken to bandits operating in Saminaka forest in Kaduna State.

The comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, of the agency, Ahmadu Shuaibu, said officers seized 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin during an operation conducted in the Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis on 2 May.

Mr Shuaibu said the drugs, valued at N167.5 million, were concealed in motor spare parts and were found by vigilant customs officers.

These drugs we believed are on their way to be delivered to bandits in Saminaka forest, but our men intercepted them, he said.

One suspect has been arrested in connection with the intercepted items and is currently under investigation, he said.

In addition to the drug seizure, Customs Zone B also confiscated donkey bones and meat, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of approximately N3 billion.

This operation led to the arrest of four suspects who were transporting the contraband, he said.

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Mr Shuaibu highlighted the governments concerns regarding the preservation of endangered species, citing Nigerias commitment to international conventions aimed at preventing their extinction.

The seized items also included contraband goods, such as vehicles, foreign rice, petroleum products, clothing, and household items.

The total DPV of the confiscated items, according to the comptroller is N3,175,084,217.75.

Mr Shuaibu said his officers are ever ready to ensure that the country is protected from the illegal activities of smugglers.

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The Cross River House of Assembly, on Wednesday, removed the Speaker, Elvert Anyambem, over issues of gross misconduct and high-handedness.

The speakers removal was carried out during a sitting of the house in which he was presiding.

The removal followed a motion moved by the member representing Calabar South 1, Effiong Ekarika, which was seconded by Charles Omang, representing Bekwara constituency.

The motion was thereafter unanimously supported by other members of the house present at the sitting.

Moving his motion, Mr Ekarika stated that Mr Anyambem had grossly indulged in administrative misconduct, high-handedness and financial misappropriation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 17 out of 25 members of the assembly signed the notice for the speakers impeachment.

In the notice, Mr Anyambem was said to have indulged in arbitrary expenditure, contrary to Section 9(1) of the state Legislative Funds Management Law, 2021

The notice stated that he misappropriated N48 million meant for the payment of the assemblys electricity bills.

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He was also accused of misappropriating N404.6 million representing two per cent of the monthly revenue collected by the state Internal Revenue Service and meant for oversight functions of the assembly.

The speaker misappropriated the sum of N19.4 million being deductions from the local government councils which he willfully failed to disclose to members, the notice read in parts.

NAN reports that after the removal, the mace was taken away by the members.

Attempts to speak to the sacked speaker proved abortive as he did not take calls or respond to text messages.

(NAN)

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The shift towards mobile trading is undeniable. With the increasing penetration of smartphones and improved internet connectivity, more Nigerian traders are opting for mobile trading solutions. Forex trading apps are continually improving, offering a seamless trading experience with powerful features that rival desktop platforms.

The world of forex trading is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and strategies reshaping the landscape. In Nigeria, the adoption of advanced tools and platforms is empowering traders to make more informed decisions and achieve better results. The use of a forex trading app has surged in Nigeria, providing traders with easy access to the markets. These apps offer a range of features, including real-time data, advanced charting tools, and automated trading options. The convenience of trading from a smartphone or tablet has attracted a new generation of traders who value flexibility and accessibility.

A good forex trading app should have an intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners and experienced traders to navigate. Look for apps that offer customisable dashboards and simple navigation. To stay ahead in forex trading, you need access to advanced analytical tools. These tools help traders analyse market trends, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions. Features like technical indicators, historical data, and real-time news updates are essential. Security is paramount in forex trading. Ensure that the app you choose is regulated by reputable financial authorities and uses advanced encryption to protect your data and funds. The best forex trading apps offer educational resources to help traders improve their skills. Look for apps that provide tutorials, webinars, and articles on trading strategies and market analysis.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are revolutionising forex trading. These technologies enable apps to analyse vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, providing traders with valuable insights. AI-powered trading bots can execute trades based on predefined criteria, helping to eliminate emotional decision-making and improve trading outcomes. Social trading is another trend gaining traction in Nigeria. This feature allows traders to follow and copy the trades of experienced investors. By leveraging the expertise of successful traders, beginners can learn effective strategies and potentially increase their profits. Many forex trading apps now include social trading features, making it easier for users to connect with and learn from the community.

Consider the story of Ade, a young Nigerian entrepreneur who ventured into forex trading. Initially, Ade struggled with the complexities of the market and faced significant losses. However, everything changed when he started using a reliable forex trading app. With its user-friendly interface and advanced analytical tools, Ade was able to better understand market trends and make informed trading decisions. The apps educational resources helped him improve his trading strategies, and through social trading, he followed the trades of experienced investors, learning valuable techniques. Over time, Ades trading skills improved, and he began to see consistent profits. His success story highlights the importance of using the right tools and resources in forex trading.

The shift towards mobile trading is undeniable. With the increasing penetration of smartphones and improved internet connectivity, more Nigerian traders are opting for mobile trading solutions. Forex trading apps are continually improving, offering a seamless trading experience with powerful features that rival desktop platforms. The forex trading landscape in Nigeria is evolving, with innovative technologies and trends shaping the future of trading. A reliable forex trading app is essential for modern traders, providing the tools and resources needed to succeed in the competitive forex market. By staying informed about the latest trends and leveraging advanced trading technologies, Nigerian traders can enhance their trading strategies and achieve better results. Choosing the right forex trading app can significantly impact your trading success. Ensure you select an app that offers a user-friendly interface, advanced analytical tools, strong security measures, and educational resources. Embrace the future of forex trading and take advantage of the opportunities presented by new technologies and trends.

Fidelis Nwagwu writes from Abuja.

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XI'AN, China, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, joined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, hosted the 14th U.S.China Tourism Leadership Summit in Xi'an, China, from May 21-23, 2024. The event brought together government and travel industry leaders from the United States and China to foster the return of Chinese visitors to the United States.

Brand USA President and CEO Chris Thompson highlighted the significance of the return of Chinese travelers for the U.S. tourism economy, "The return of Chinese visitors is critical for the U.S. tourism industry and essential for the full recovery of our economy. The 14th U.S.China Tourism Leadership Summit plays a crucial role in revitalizing this vital market segment."

"Travel and tourism supports 9.5 million American jobs," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant T. Harris. "The U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit provided an important opportunity to further the Department of Commerce's mission to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. Through our participation, we hope to see more Chinese visitors experience the United States, which will support jobs and economic growth in communities across the country."

The summit laid the groundwork for enhanced relations between the United States and China within the travel industry, encouraging collaboration among key stakeholders and charting a path forward for the future of tourism between the world's two largest economies. This three-day event, occurring for the first time since 2019, facilitated deeper insights into conducting business within the Chinese tourism market while providing opportunities for forging new connections with influential decision-makers.

The U.S. delegation was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant Harris along with Brand USA's President and CEO Chris Thompson. The 75-person contingent also included high-level leaders from across the U.S. government as well as prominent tourism organizations from across the USA. The delegation included representation from the following organizations: Destination DC, Destination Niagara USA, Discover Puerto Rico, Guam Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hilton Worldwide, International Inbound Travel Association, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Marriott International, Mastercard, New York City Tourism + Conventions, San Francisco Travel Association, Travel Oregon, Travel South USA, U.S. Travel Association, Visa, Visit California, Visit San Diego, and Visit Seattle.

"The 14th U.S.China Tourism Leadership Summit marked a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the tourism bridge between our two nations. The insights and collaborations developed during this event were essential for fostering mutual understanding and economic growth. It is great to have restarted the summit and be back in this market after six years as we reunite with our colleagues from the Chinese government and travel industry," said Todd Davidson, President and CEO of Travel Oregon and chair of the Brand USA board of directors.

The Chinese delegation was led by State Councilor Yiquin Shen, Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli, and Shaanxi Party Secretary, Zhao Yide.

On May 21, Brand USA organized a market immersion day to orient U.S. travel industry leaders on China's business environment and macroeconomic outlook, consumer insights, trends in travel and media, and federal policy updates. This education session also brought the delegation together with the founders and leaders of many of the primary Chinese travel and social media channels.

The joint Plenary Day on May 22 began with an opening ceremony featuring speeches from Sun Yeli, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Grant Harris, Assistant Secretary for Industry & Analysis, who also read congratulatory letters from PRC President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joseph R. Biden. Keynote speeches from industry leaders Chris Nassetta, President & CEO of Hilton Worldwide, and Chris Clark, Chairman for Asia Pacific at Visa Inc., set the stage for bilateral panel discussions on the future of tourism between China and the United States. More than 25 memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation and increase travel flows were signed between U.S. and Chinese corporate and destination marketing entities.

The Chinese tourism market is significant for the global travel industry. Prior to the pandemic, China was a top-five market for visitors to the United States and the top source of international traveler spending. In 2019, nearly 80 million visitors to the U.S. spent about $235 billion, with 3 million Chinese visitors contributing $35 billion. These export revenues create quality U.S. jobs, support public services, and contribute to a positive balance of trade.

There are promising signs of recovery for Chinese visitation to the United States. Weekly flights from China are forecast to increase to 140 by the end of the year, compared to 65 in January 2024. To capitalize on this lucrative market and build the long-term future of the international visitor economy, this month Brand USA launched a high-profile consumer marketing campaign called "Experience It All", showcasing the diverse attractions and experiences the USA offers Chinese travelers. The campaign will run during peak travel planning months for Chinese travelers and will be on a variety of trip planning, social media, and online travel agency platforms including Xiaohongshu [RED], Ctrip, Fliggy, Douyin, and a mini-program on WeChat.

About the 14th U.S.China Tourism Leadership Summit

The 14th U.S.China Tourism Leadership Summit reunites government and travel industry leaders from the United States and China. The summit provides a platform for participants to develop and strengthen relationships, discuss key issues and best practices, and ultimately drive more travel between the United States and China. The summit will set the stage for the future of relations between the United States and China in the travel industry. Jointly produced by Brand USA and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, summit locations alternate each year between China and the United States.

About Brand USA

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation's first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past ten years Brand USA's marketing initiatives have helped welcome 8 million incremental visitors to the United States, benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $58 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, more than 37,000 incremental jobs a year.

For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter. To discover more about the USA and the boundless diversity of American travel experiences and authentic, rich culture, please visit Brand USA's consumer website VisitTheUSA.com; follow Visit The USA on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram; and watch travel shows on GoUSATV.

SOURCE Brand USA
Barry Melancon, American Institute of CPAs President & CEO

and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Chief Executive,

to step down after 30 years of service to the profession

NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, announced that he plans to retire on December 31, 2024, from his role as President and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association). The Association is the world's largest accounting membership body of public and management accountants. Melancon served the profession in this role for 30 years. The details of his successor are expected to be announced before the end of the year and Melancon will be assisting with the transition and handover to the new CEO.

Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA

Commenting on the announcement, Melancon said: "It has been my greatest honor to serve this dynamic, service-driven profession. I am proud to have transformed AICPA and CIMA into the leading accounting association, one that recognizes and promotes the profession as being truly global and expansive. Over the decades of my service, I have been committed to help the profession grow, serve the public interest, seize new opportunities, innovate, and expand the value it offers society. Today we have a profession evolving at speed to meet the needs of markets and fulfill the role of trusted strategic advisor. This bodes well for the future, placing our profession in position to address some of the biggest challenges facing individuals, businesses, and economies".

Melancon joined as CEO of AICPA in 1995 at age 37, making him the youngest CEO of the organization in its history, and served as the longest serving CEO since its formation in 1887. He became CEO of the Association in 2017, after successfully bringing together the largest accounting bodies, AICPA and CIMA, to serve the public and management accounting profession worldwide. His professional career started as a practicing CPA in Louisiana, becoming a CPA firm partner at 25 years old, before leading the Society of Louisiana CPAs and being appointed CEO of AICPA.

As CEO, Melancon's role has spanned national and global leadership roles and interactions with government, regulators, and business leaders from around the world. Notable achievements include spearheading the CPA Vision Project which set the platform for a series of cutting-edge initiatives which has fuelled the growth of AICPA and the profession. Under his leadership the organization launched CPA.com, the computerization of the CPA exam, the creation of the National Commission for Diversity and Inclusion, the Centers for Audit Quality, and the Dynamic Audit Solution (DAS). In 2012, he led the effort to create a joint venture with CIMA and launched the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. Building on these successes, AICPA and CIMA membership conducted historic membership votes that created the Association, the world's largest professional accounting organization, and set the stage for the groundbreaking Future of Finance initiative and CGMA Finance Leadership Program.

Melancon's track-record of establishing trust, visionary leadership and passion for the profession has seen him play an instrumental role as chair of the Board of the International Integrated Reporting Council, leading its subsequent path into the IFRS Foundation and formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board. He is board chairman of the Global Accounting Alliance, chair of XBRL-US, current board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, board member of the Center for Audit Quality and member of the delegation to the International Federation of Accountants. He is the recipient of numerous accolades including "National Association Executive of the Year" and independent publication Accounting Today placing him as the "Most Influential Person in Accounting" 17 times straight. In 2008 he received the first and only Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from his alma mater, Nicholls State University. He was awarded the International Accounting Forum and Awards 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received numerous awards from other prestigious organizations.

Melancon added in praise of staff and committed volunteers: "We have accomplished a lot and that is a tribute to the incredible staff and volunteers I've worked with during the 30 years and now exemplified with the fantastic people currently in place. Their leadership and passion, combined with the impact of tens of thousands of member volunteers past and present, will continue to drive the profession and organization forward."

Okorie Ramsey, CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC, outgoing AICPA Chair and Chair of the Association, said: "Throughout his career, Barry has been a passionate advocate for the profession, promoting how it serves the public interest to policymakers and regulators; a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion; and a believer in innovation and technology. Barry has always understood the need for new approaches and solutions, be that with the formation of CPA.com and launch of Dynamic Audit Solution; enhancing business and sustainability reporting or taking a stance for the profession to actively address its DEI issues. We have much to appreciate Barry for and wish him well in his upcoming retirement. On behalf of the Board, we send our heartfelt thanks and wish him well in the next phase of his life."

Complementing this, Sarah Ghosh, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA President and Co-Chair of the Association, added: "Barry has always been able to keep the profession one step ahead in dealing with future challenges and realizing opportunities. He has led global efforts to upskill the profession to embrace innovation, sustainability, inclusion and instill a life-long learning mindset. Under his leadership, we have achieved so much to increase accessibility to the profession through different learning pathways  the CGMA Finance Leadership Program is a prime example of that. He has advocated on behalf of the profession with regulators and government officials to build trust in capital markets. And, he has realized and delivered the vision of creating the most global influential and largest membership accounting body in the world  the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. He should be very proud of his contribution, and we are indebted to his life-long commitment and service to the accounting profession."

The Board of the Association is working with Korn Ferry, the largest global executive search firm, to identify his successor. The appointment is expected to be made before the end of the year. Details of this global search and appointment criteria can be found on the AICPA & CIMA and Korn Ferry websites https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/download/job-description-ceo.

Anoop N. Mehta CPA, CGMA, former chair of the Association and the AICPA, who is leading the selection committee said: "Through Barry's leadership, we have established the Association and optimized the relationship between AICPA and CIMA to lead our global profession into the 2020s and beyond. Barry's successor will take forward the world's largest membership base of CPAs and CGMAs, a global platform of advocacy, learning, tools, and technology. Barry leaves the Association in a great position and with a strong leadership team to accelerate and lead the profession to grasp the opportunities which lay ahead."

About AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 597,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates and registrants in 188 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members, candidates and registrants with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

Media contact:

Bill Ferguson

Senior Manager  External Relations

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +1.919.402.4610

SOURCE AICPA & CIMA
Fully Human Antibody Development PlatformNeoMab Bio Officially Opens in Suzhou

SUZHOU, China, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 22, 2024, NeoMab Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. celebrated its grand opening in Suzhou Industrial Park (BioBAY). This marks a significant milestone that will further enhance the high-quality development of Suzhou's biopharmaceutical innovation cluster. The ceremony was attended by government representatives, investors, and various industry experts and enterprise representatives from the biopharmaceutical field, all witnessing this important event together.

Relying on its strong scientific research and talent capabilities and the vigorous support from the Suzhou Industrial Park government, GemPharmatech Co., Ltd. established a wholly-owned subsidiary, NeoMab Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., focusing on the development of fully human antibodies based on the NeoMab transgenic mouse platform. The company has also set up the NeoMab fully human antibody discovery platform. NeoMab Bio aims to provide more flexible and cost-effective solutions for research institutions, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical enterprises dedicated to antibody development.

According to Dr. Xiang Gao, President of GemPharmatech: "The application of antibody fully humanized mice in antibody development and screening is a significant catalyst for the development of antibody drugs, providing a solid foundation for nurturing the future biopharmaceutical industry. In order to achieve a competitive position in the domestic antibody drug development field that can be comparable to leading countries in the world, we will spare no effort."

According to Michael Yin, Chairman of BioBAY: "I sincerely hope that NeoMab Bio can take this as a new starting point, further deepening its roots in the Suzhou Industrial Park, accelerating the development of the biopharmaceutical industry in the park, and contributing to the advancement of antibody drug research in our country."

According to Dr. Jing Zhao, CEO of GemPharmatech: "We are grateful for the strong support and care provided by the Suzhou Municipal People's Government, Suzhou Industrial Park Government, and government officials at all levels for NeoMab Bio. Throughout our development, we have consistently felt the selfless support and assistance provided by the government. We thank all our partners and customers for their trust and support. The success of the antibody discovery platform is a result of your collective efforts and sincere cooperation. In the future, we will continue to uphold the concept of win-win cooperation, work hand in hand with everyone, and jointly promote the development and application of antibody technology, contributing more to the cause of human health."

As an important member of GemPharmatech, NeoMab Bio believes that with the favorable environment created by the Suzhou Industrial Park Government, it will continue to uphold the spirit and philosophy of "Models to defy the impossible" continuously enhance its scientific research capabilities, provide higher-quality services to biopharmaceutical enterprises, and become a strong force in the development of the industry.

About GemPharmatech

GemPharmatech Co., Ltd, founded in 2017, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, production, sales, and related technical services of experimental animal mouse models. It is a member of the Asian Mouse Mutant and Resource Alliance and a co-construction unit of the National Engineering Mouse Resource Library certified by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Based on the strategy of creating experimental animals and genetic engineering modification technology, the company provides customers with commercially available mouse models with independent intellectual property rights, as well as one-stop services such as customized model breeding and functional efficacy analysis, meeting the needs of customers in the fields of basic research and new drug development, such as gene function cognition, disease mechanism analysis, drug target discovery, and drug efficacy screening and verification.

About NeoMab Bio

NeoMab Bio is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., located in the Suzhou BioBay. NeoMab Bio is committed to becoming a trusted partner in the field of antibody drug discovery by providing efficient and convenient antibody drug discovery service. NeoMab Bio has an experienced team of scientists and technical personnel dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. The company has advanced laboratories and equipment, providing a full range of antibody drug discovery services, including target validation, antibody generation and screening, and preclinical study. In addition, NeoMab Bio offers flexible business cooperation models, including NeoMab mouse usage authorization, fully human antibody development services, and potential molecular license-out.

SOURCE GemPharmatech Co., Ltd.
Leading Brewer and Manufacturer's Latest investment Underscores Ongoing Commitment to Employees, Community, and Quality

FORT COLLINS, Colo., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch is announcing a $15.5 million investment in its Fort Collins brewery, which will go toward upgrading its bottling lines from packed to bulk glass. Shifting away from packed glass allows Fort Collins to streamline production in-house, strengthening its supply chain, reducing emissions, and driving efficiencies across the business. The Fort Collins brewery's enhanced bottling lines will be fully operational by Summer 2024.

Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery

"Investing in the communities where our people live and work is part of who we are," said Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "This investment in our Fort Collins brewery not only drives efficiencies for our business and improves the capabilities of our facility, but it also puts Anheuser-Busch in a unique position to build on our industry-leading support for our employees with on-the-job education and growth opportunities for our frontline workers."

"Transforming our bottling line from a packed glass to bulk glass system enables us to be more efficient with our brewery's beer production," said Tim Seitz, General Manager, Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery. "Enhancing our brewery's infrastructure also builds on our capabilities as a brewer and gives our employees the opportunity to develop new technical skillsets and personally contribute to the innovation and growth of the company."

Over the past 5 years, Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion in its facilities across the country to help drive economic prosperity in the communities where it operates and its employees call home. The brewer's ongoing investments ensure the long-term growth and viability of their facilities, with expenditures adding unique capabilities, improving efficiencies and outputs, and funding additional infrastructure projects. Across the United States, Anheuser-Busch operates more than 120 facilities, including flagship and regional craft breweries and agricultural facilities across 24 states.

"Anheuser-Busch is a long-standing community partner, and I'm pleased that they're making this investment in their Fort Collins brewery," said Jeni Ardnt, Mayor of Fort Collins. "In a state that values innovation and sustainability, we're excited to see Anheuser-Busch improving its capabilities in a way that reinforces their commitment to leaving a positive impact on the community and operating sustainably."

In the state of Colorado, Anheuser-Busch employs more than 1,000 people, and an additional 600 work as part of the brewer's independent distributor network. Anheuser-Busch's work in Colorado creates more than $1.4B in capital investments, significantly contributing to the state's economic growth.

The Fort Collins brewery is one of the two facilities that cans clean, safe drinking water for Anheuser-Busch's Emergency Drinking Water program. Since the inception of its emergency drinking water program in 1988, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners have worked alongside organizations including the American Red Cross (ARC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to provide over 93 million cans of emergency drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.

For more on Anheuser-Busch's economic impact visit www.anheuser-busch.com/community/economic-impact or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are committed to earning our place in the moments that matter to our consumers and making a meaningful impact in our communities across the country. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations.

Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants, and have a dedicated network of more than 65,000 hardworking Americans across the United States who bring our beer to life. We are home to several of America's most iconic beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Bud Light as well as regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From our industry-leading efforts to support American farmers and our nation's military, veterans, and first responders to emergency drinking water donations and responsible drinking programs, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home  that's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei, co-founders of two digital news outlets that have revolutionized how audiences consume their news, will receive the National Press Club's Fourth Estate Award during a gala in their honor on Nov. 21 in Washington. The award recognizes journalists who have made significant contributions to the field and is the Club's most esteemed prize.

Allen and VandeHei co-founded Axios, which they launched with co-founder Roy Schwartz in 2017. Axios is among the most celebrated digital media success stories of the past decade and was acquired by Cox Enterprises in 2022. They launched Axios Local in 2021 to provide original reporting, scoops, and local coverage worthy of readers' time. Axios Local is now in 30 markets around the country and has nearly 2 million subscribers.

The Fourth Estate is the top honor bestowed on a journalist by the National Press Club Board of Governors. Previous winners include: Christiane Amanpour, Dean Baquet, Marty Baron, Wolf Blitzer, Tom Brokaw, Walter Cronkite, Lester Holt, Gwen Ifill, Andrea Mitchell, Clarissa Ward, Kristen Welker, and Susan Zirinsky.

"Jim and I are honored by this recognition and deeply grateful for the National Press Club and journalists everywhere who fight every day for smart, consequential, deeply reported journalism," Allen said. "Our nation is weaker when our media is not strong, fearless, and durable. The mission of protecting journalism at Axios and everywhere is a group effort. We are humbled to be a part of it."

Allen and VandeHei also co-authored Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less and were executive producers of the Emmy Award-winning docu-news series, "Axios on HBO." Prior to Axios, Allen and VandeHei co-founded Politico in 2007, created Politico Playbook, and helped build the company for its first decade.

"Mike and Jim have long exemplified an audience-first, entrepreneurial spirit while building some of the biggest digital news success stories in our industry. Their commitment to high journalism standards and resolve to find profitable, impactful local news products at a time when news deserts are growing are among the many ways they embody the values we celebrate with this award," said Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club. "We are thrilled to honor them with the Fourth Estate Award."

VandeHei and Allen have had a lasting impact on many, Wilkins said: their many employees, the industry, and, of course, the audiences across the U.S. who depend on Axios.

"There could be no better recipients than Jim and Mike for the NPC's Fourth Estate Award. They have dedicated their careers to journalism and have reinvented best practices for the business," said Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor. "Their contributions at Axios to the Fourth Estate and all the important journalism that comes with it are needed now more than ever."

This year's Fourth Estate Gala will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. ET followed by dinner and the awards program starting at 7 p.m. at the National Press Club. Tickets for the gala are $200 for National Press Club members, and $350 for members of the public. Tickets can be purchased here.

The gala is a fundraiser for the Club's nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute . The Institute provides training that equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public, provides career support for journalists, and provides scholarships to aspiring journalists.

For information on sponsorship opportunities please email Beth Francesco, executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, at [email protected] .

The evening also will honor the recipients of the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Awards and Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism. Honorees for the Aubuchon and Sheehan awards will be announced at a later date.

About Jim VandeHei

VandeHei is the co-founder and CEO of Axios, a media company focused on breaking news and invaluable insights across business, politics, technology and the world. As CEO, VandeHei has steered Axios into becoming one of the most celebrated digital media success stories of the past decade.

VandeHei is the author of best-selling Just the Good Stuff , where he shares lessons he's learned from founding two successful media companies and his tricks for thriving at work and in leadership. He also serves as the chairman of Axios HQ, a software company that helps organizations create essential communications. He was an executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning docu-news series, "Axios on HBO" and co-author of Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less.

Before Axios, VandeHei co-founded and was CEO of Politico, the media company that upended and revolutionized political and policy journalism in Washington, New York, and Europe. Overseeing both the editorial and business teams, VandeHei was the leading strategist behind its highly scalable and successful business model. Prior to this, VandeHei spent more than a decade as a reporter, covering the presidency and Congress for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. He was named National Editor of the Year in 2016. VandeHei is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

About Mike Allen

Allen is the co-founder of Axios. Allen writes the Axios Daily Essentials newsletters, Axios AM, Axios PM, and Axios Finish Line. He was also an executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning docu-news series, "Axios on HBO," and co-author of Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less.

Allen was a co-founder of Politico, where he created Politico Playbook and helped build the company for its first decade. He has been named several times to Vanity Fair's "New Establishment" list.

He is also an alumnus of TIME, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He is from Orange County, California, and graduated from Washington and Lee University.

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.

Contact: Beth Francesco, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club
Combining d2o's PMI GoGreen environmental management tool and BeCause's sustainability data management platform offers hotels the only CSRD compliance solution rooted in efficiency and profitability.

NICE, France, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BeCause , the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel, and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, has partnered with d2o , a leading forecasting and resourcement management technology provider for the hospitality industry, to create a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) solution for hotels. The collaboration unites the BeCause Sustainability Hub with d2o's PMI GoGreen suite of prediction, targeting, tracking, and allocation tools to create an auditable CSRD reporting solution that goes beyond compliance to boost efficiency and profits. The partnership was announced yesterday at the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Spring Summit in Nice, France.

By joining forces, BeCause and d2o have taken a giant leap toward building a viable, valuable ecosystem between the hotel industry and technology providers that leverages the power and potential of daily sustainability data management. CSRD compliance is just the starting point; BeCause and d2o are demonstrating that with the right technology, sustainability initiatives can drive operational efficiency and profitability for hotels around the world.

"As an inventor and entrepreneur, it is a dream come true to have a product that fully meets the needs of our customers' stakeholders, including owners, guests, staff, authorities, and local communities," says d2o CEO Young Nguyen. "The partnership between d2o and BeCause will enhance the hotel industry's ability to transform a costly compliance challenge into a business opportunity. We call this partnership PMI GoGreen BeCause because the hotel industry and the planet require a comprehensive solution to address a complex issue."

Going Beyond CSRD Reporting and Compliance

As a result of this partnership, the PMI GoGreen tools will be seamlessly integrated into the BeCause platform. This integration, facilitated by an API, allows for the sharing and mapping of data, making it reusable for CSRD reporting. This not only simplifies the compliance process for hotels but also ensures accuracy and auditability at the activity level, meeting financial-grade CSRD reporting standards.

However, the joint solution goes beyond compliance and reporting. By centralizing data within the BeCause platform and applying the integrated PMI GoGreen tools, hotel chains gain visibility into which individual properties are meeting their targets for reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption, water usage chemicals, waste, towels & linens, and food waste. The combined solution also utilizes machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to identify those targets and help properties optimize resource usage to meet them amidst daily fluctuating demand. System integration service ensures seamless interoperability between the BeCause Sustainability Hub, PMI GoGreen tools, and various internal hotel systems, including property management, point-of-sale, table reservations, sales and catering, timekeeping, and more.

These combined capabilities allow hotels to increase efficiencyhotels are projected to reap 12-15% in resource savingscultivate ownership among frontline managers, showcase their sustainability efforts to travelers, and, of course, meet their CSRD compliance obligations.

"We believe in the power of ecosystems, and by partnering with d2o, we've built a particularly effective one," says BeCause CEO and Co-founder Frederik Steensgaard. "Not just in terms of helping hotels reach CSRD compliance, but by using the combined capabilities of our solutions to address everyday issues that impact their margins and organizational effectiveness. Why should compliance and reporting be a cost-heavy headache for hotels when it could be driving profitability and operational efficiency?"

An Efficient Solution Specifically Designed for Hospitality

BeCause is a purpose-built, AI-powered hub that centralizes a hotel's sustainability data and automates the transmission of that data amongst different stakeholders, such as travel and accommodation booking marketplaces and industry certifications. Additionally, once a hotel enters its data into the BeCause platform, it can be upcycled and automatically mapped to multiple frameworks, making qualifying for voluntary green certifications faster and more efficient while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The PMI GoGreen suite of tools developed by d2o enables hospitality groups to achieve their long-term environmental goals by breaking them down into monthly targets tailored to each property's attributes and seasonal variations. Each hotel's future targets are dynamically adjusted based on progress, ensuring the consistency of the group's end goal. Individual hotels and hotel chains can track their progress with forward looking data-based indicators and utilize predictive analytics to optimize resource allocation, minimize waste, and cut operating costs.

The combined PMI GoGreen BeCause solution leverages these capabilities to deliver at least 100% ROI for hotels that implement it. The solution will undergo a phased roll-out through the summer of 2024 before formally launching in September.

For more information about BeCause, d2o or the partnership, or to request an interview, please contact: Vanessa Horwell at [email protected] for BeCause CEO and Co-founder, Frederik Steensgaard or Young Nguyen [email protected] for d2o, Founder and CEO.

About BeCause

BeCause is an enterprise software company that streamlines the flow of sustainability data and creates synergies between different stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, empowering them to make decisions that result in positive, responsible change for people, the planet, and their profits. BeCause works with over 25,000 hotels, including brands like Radisson, certification entities like GreenKey, industry partners like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the SHA, and marketplaces like Booking.com. For more information, visit because.eco .

About d2o and PMI GoGreen

Founded in Norway and built on Scandinavia's legacy of employee well-being and sustainability, d2o has over 20 years of experience helping clients optimize resources for maximum profit while navigating high-cost environments. The company's PMI GoGreen Environmental Management System (EMS) empowers hotel managers to surpass compliance and achieve true sustainability. Leveraging auditable data, predictive analytics, and hotel demand, PMI GoGreen reduces CO2 emissions and the usage of critical resources like energy, water, and food and transforms hotel sustainability obligations into a profitable, cross-functional endeavor. For more information, please visit www.d2o.com/sustainability-gogreen-with-pmi-by-d2o/ .

SOURCE BeCause
PHILADELPHIA, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague is pleased to announce that F. Paul Bland, Jr. is joining the firm as a shareholder effective on July 15, 2024. For the last ten years, Paul served as the Executive Director at Public Justice, a national legal advocacy nonprofit organization, overseeing the organization's litigation and other advocacy, as well as operations and finances. For the seventeen years before that, Paul was a Senior Attorney at Public Justice, handling appellate and other litigation at the organization.

Paul Bland

Paul will work at Berger Montague's Washington, D.C. office, and will also join shareholder Josh Davis in co-chairing and growing the firm's in-demand plaintiffs' appellate and complex briefing practice area, as well as apply his expertise and experience to cases across multiple practice areas. Berger Montague's appeals and complex briefing department is now open for business to plaintiffs' lawyers and clients who wish to add to their counsel teams the highest caliber of service in high value cases, to handle drafting and oral advocacy in trial and appellate courts across the country, particularly when faced with make-or-break issues, motions, or appeals. The firm offers a variety of flexible pricing options to lawyers who wish to bring Paul and Josh onto their litigation teams.

Paul has argued and won more than 40 cases that have led to reported decisions for consumers, workers, or other aggrieved claimants. Paul has also successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in Home Depot, U.S.A. v. Jackson, 139 S. Ct. 1743 (2019), an important case about the jurisdiction of federal courts over certain class actions and other cases. For his work before the Supreme Court, he was honored as a co-winner of the National Civil Justice Institute's Appellate Advocacy Award. Paul has handled numerous successful challenges to forced arbitration clauses, and he has also represented clients seeking to defeat federal preemption of state laws. He has argued and won cases in six of the U.S. Courts of Appeal and at least one decision in the high courts of nine different states.

During his tenure as Executive Director at Public Justice, the organization doubled in size, greatly expanding its litigation docket and other advocacy. Under his leadership, the group revamped its strategic direction to increase its impact and success on important issues, including civil rights, access to the courts, environmental justice, unfair discrimination and treatment, and much more. Paul also oversaw the organization's financial management, putting it on a sound footing for future growth.

"I am extremely excited to be joining Berger Montague," Paul said. "Not only are they doing some of the most significant and important work of any plaintiffs' firm in the country across multiple practice areas, but I have gotten to know a number of the firm's principals over the years, and they are both brilliant lawyers and wonderful people whose values align with mine."

Eric L. Cramer, the Firm's Chair, added: "We are thrilled to have one of the most well-known and respected plaintiff-side lawyers and advocates in the country joining our firm. Paul's unique experience and talents will expand our firm's ability to assist clients and classes across our diverse docket of cases and across multiple practice areas."

Other recognition of Paul's work includes being the recipient of the National Consumer Law Center's Vern Countryman Award, which "honors the accomplishments of an exceptional consumer attorney who through the practice of consumer law has contributed significantly to the well-being of vulnerable consumers." Paul also won this award in 2016 for his successful argument in Chen v. Allstate (9th Circuit), involving offers of judgment. In addition, he was the recipient of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition's "Legal Champion Award;" is a two-time winner of the Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year; and co-winner of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year. Paul has testified in both houses of Congress several times, several state legislatures and administrative agencies, and has been quoted in more than 100 periodicals throughout the country. He has also presented at more than 100 continuing legal education or professional conferences in more than 25 states.

Before joining Public Justice in 1997, Paul worked for six and a half years with the Law Office of Kieron Quinn and Quinn Ward & Kershaw in Baltimore, handling consumer and toxic tort class actions and defending libel suits. Before that, he was Nominations Counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Berger Montague PC is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. The firm is active in the fields of antitrust, commercial litigation, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 54 years, Berger Montague has played lead roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $60 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington.

For inquiries please contact:

Howard Gensler, Communications Director

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (215) 602-4032

F. Paul Bland

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (301) 807-3417

SOURCE Berger Montague
New SaaS offering from FinTech Valuation as a Service (VaaS) Leader BizEquity seeks to help CEOs understand their business's worth and what advisors to work with as they grow.

PHILADELPHIA, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BizEquity, the global leader in democratizing business valuation knowledge, proudly introduces its latest innovation, the CEO Advisor. This groundbreaking tool promises to revolutionize how business owners and operators access valuation insights and expert guidance, empowering them to make informed decisions, drive sustainable growth, and connect with the financial professionals they need.

For business leaders everywhere, BizEquity's CEO Advisor provides a streamlined, easy-to-follow valuation process that generates an accurate, real-time business valuation report and includes a comprehensive financial summary and key performance metrics.

"Since our founding, our mission has been to democratize business valuation knowledge for every business globally. We started by leveraging the world's leading financial advisors in wealth management, banking, accounting, and insurance. Today we look to extend and bridge that through our new CEO Advisor service where CEOs can subscribe to BizEquity, gain knowledge in real-time, and be connected to advisors in their area that can help them grow," Says Michael M. Carter, Founder & CEO of BizEquity.

As part of the launch of the new experience, BizEquity looks to strengthen its mind share and go-to-market strategy through being part of American City Business Journals (ACBJ). ACBJ is the strongest voice across the United States in 45+ markets where private businesses live and thrive.

Commenting on the new announcement from BizEquity, CEO of ACBJ Whitney Shaw concluded with: "BizEquity provides a unique and powerful opportunity for CEOs and business owners of privately held and SMB companies everywhere. Now within minutes every business can discover their value and be connected to resources and even advisors that can help them plan for tomorrow. We look forward to ACBJ supporting private business leaders everywhere with the launch of the new CEO Advisor product from BizEquity."

By leveraging the CEO Advisor, business leaders can gain a deeper understanding of their business's worth, monitor key performance indicators, and make data-driven decisions to fuel growth and efficiency.

Key features of the CEO Advisor include:

Streamlined, easy-to-follow valuation process

Real-time business valuation reports with comprehensive financial summaries and KPIs

Access to a network of expert advisors, including financial advisors, accountants, consultants, and more for personalized guidance and support

More information on the CEO Advisor can be found at https://www.bizequity.com/business-owners/

About BizEquity:

BizEquity's mission is to democratize business valuation knowledge for every business owner in the world and for the advisors who serve them. Through our patented Valuation-as-a-Service (VaaS ) software platform, BizEquity makes business valuation knowledge accessible to millions of businesses worldwide. With the largest online business valuation cloud-based software product and service, and an extensive database, BizEquity's patented platform is used by over 2000+ financial services firms and 4,000 advisors, including TD Bank, UBS, Morgan Stanley, and PNC.

SOURCE BizEquity
PANNINGEN, Netherlands, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruynzeel Storage Systems announces a significant milestone in its journey towards a sustainable future. Bruynzeel today unveils its updated CSR policy, which outlines the accelerated journey towards Net Zero 2035, highlighting key priorities and initiatives. From environmental stewardship to social responsibility and corporate governance, it summarizes the holistic approach towards creating a healthy planet, aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The road to Net Zero 2035

Bruynzeel is proud to announce its accelerated Net Zero Journey. The new ambition is to reach 'Net Zero' emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3, GHG protocol1) by latest 2035, 15 years ahead of the Paris climate agreement and 10 years earlier than its previous commitment (Net Zero by 2045) in 2021. This bold move signifies the dedication to continue to lead the change towards a sustainable future.

Bruynzeel systems already have the lowest CO2 footprint in the industry, as the company has been climate-neutral in its own operations (Scope 1 and 2) since 2021, audited and assured by Deloitte. Bruynzeel has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi2) and attained a silver rating with Ecovadis3 since 2022, ranking amongst the top 20% of sustainable companies.

Material transition is critical

A critical element to achieve our 'Net Zero' ambition is to further drive the material transition. As steel and steel related products account for nearly 90% of its scope 3 impact, the focus on increasing the adoption speed of Bruynzeel GreenSteel is key. This steel reduces its environmental impact by over 91%. To offer this, Bruynzeel is currently collaborating, amongst others, with Arcelor Mittal and their accredited XCarb certificates.

In the coming years we have the ambition to also introduce the next big milestone with Bruynzeel GreenSteel 2.0, steel production using new technology - e.g. hydrogen based - moving towards carbon neutral steel. Bruynzeel's ambition is to significantly increase its production mix with GreenSteel towards 100% by 2030.

Bruynzeel is currently the only player in our industry to use a special production process with a high proportion of non-galvanised and unoiled materials (> 95% and >80% respectively). This results in large-scale savings in the use of energy, CO2, water, and chemicals in the production process.

Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO of Bruynzeel Storage Systems, said: "In a world where we see continuously growing populations and where space is a valuable and scarce asset, the need for space saving solutions and how to use space in the most sustainable and efficient way, is vital. We recognize that our company has an important part to play in helping organizations worldwide to reduce their physical and environmental footprint. Optimizing space saves cost, time and CO2 emissions for our clients. I am pleased to introduce our updated CSR Policy, showcasing our achievements and outlining our commitments, priorities, and initiatives towards our journey to Net Zero 2035. I believe that this framework represents a crucial step towards an ESG centric business model aligned with the UN SDGs."

Alternative to new construction

According to the UN4 buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of annual CO2 emissions worldwide. When more space is needed organizations frequently overlook the possibility of utilising their existing floor space smarter. By using mobile storage solutions, optimisations of more than 50% can be reached. Making better use of existing space can bring huge savings. This also avoids adding unnecessary additional utility costs for heating, cooling, lighting and cleaning additional areas. Besides savings on investments, lead times for planning and building permits, building materials and labour capacity challenges, the CO2 impact that can be reduced in this way over 20 years is significant: up to 90%! By applying Bruynzeel GreenSteel this could further increase to 99%.

About Bruynzeel Storage Systems

Bruynzeel Storage Systems was founded in 1953 as part of the Bruynzeel Group and became independent in the 1980s. The company operates in the museum, archive, library and office markets, with customers including the Louvre in Paris and Abu Dhabi, the Boijmans van Beuningen Depot, the UK government's National Archives and the University of St Andrews. The Netherlands-based company is also growing rapidly in mobile storage solutions for healthcare, retail, industry, offices, data centres and vertical farming.

Bruynzeel Storage Systems is the European market leader for innovative and space-saving mobile storage systems. Bruynzeel supplies mobile storage systems worldwide with the most innovative functionality and safety for users and objects. Bruynzeel helps these organisations use their space as efficiently and effectively as possible. Less space required means lower costs and has a huge positive impact on the carbon footprint. Bruynzeel itself is climate neutral in its own operations (Scope 1 and Scope 21) since 2021. Its solutions have the lowest carbon footprint in the industry. As 'The Footprint Reduction Company', Bruynzeel's mission is to support organisations in reducing their carbon footprint.

In early 2023, Delta Design Ltd became part of the Bruynzeel Storage Group. Delta Designs is a leader in North America for the storage of museum, university and research institution collections and is known for its high-quality custom-made museum cabinets. Delta has worked with leading institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, MIT Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, the Smithsonian, the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale, Harvard and many other notable Ivy League Universities.

In addition to its own 11 offices in Europe and the United States, Bruynzeel operates through an extensive network of long-term partners & distributors in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, North America, Australia and Asia. All systems are produced at its factories in the Netherlands and the United States. With its best-in-class manufacturing processes, Bruynzeel is able to deliver mobile storage systems of high quality and design with very short production and delivery times.

Annexe: illustrations LINK

Footnote1 : https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf

Footnote2: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action#anchor-link-test

Footnote3: https://ecovadis.com/

Footnote4: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/building-sector-emissions-hit-record-high-low-carbon-pandemic

Website: www.bruynzeel-storage.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2096617/Bruynzeel_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Bruynzeel
BOSTON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BV Investment Partners (BV), a middle-market private equity firm focused on the tech-enabled business services, software and IT services sectors, announced today that it has made a majority investment in CyberSheath, a leading managed compliance, security, and IT provider for companies serving the Defense Industrial Base.

CyberSheath helps sub-contractors comply with complex Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity regulations, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) paradigm to ensure its contractors align with DoD's information security requirements and measures are taken to protect sensitive data from cybersecurity attacks. The Company's solution set includes end-to-end compliance from assessment, implementation, and ongoing system management, as well as tailored 24/7/365 security services. Founded in 2012, CyberSheath is based in Reston, VA.

CyberSheath co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Eric Noonan said, "Our cybersecurity services support a diverse range of DoD contractors, helping them build a fully compliant information security program and maintain it over time. This enables them to comply with strict mandatory controls and protect sensitive data so they can better compete and win DoD contracts. We are excited to begin our partnership with BV whose resources and deep sector insights will help us drive growth and capitalize on the tremendous opportunities in the CMMC ecosystem."

Justin Harrison, Managing Partner of BV Investment Partners, said, "We were attracted to CyberSheath because of the Company's wing-to-wing compliance solution that is backed by depth, breadth and experience that is second to none. BV has significant experience investing in similar cybersecurity and compliance businesses and we are confident that this exciting partnership with Eric and his team will help strengthen CyberSheath's position in the market."

John Batter, Principal of BV Investment Partners, added, "We continue to identify high quality founder-led businesses, and we have great respect for what Eric and the Company have accomplished to date. We are excited to help them continue to build CyberSheath's suite of services and to further differentiate their market-leading position."

About CyberSheath

Established in 2012, CyberSheath is one of the most experienced and trusted IT security services partners for the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. From CMMC compliance to strategic security planning to managed security services, CyberSheath offers a comprehensive suite of offerings tailored to clients' information security and regulatory compliance needs. Learn more at www.cybersheath.com.

About BV Investment Partners

BV Investment Partners is one of the oldest and most experienced sector-focused private equity firms in North America. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has invested approximately $5.5 billion, actively targeting investments in the tech-enabled business services, software, and IT services industries. The firm is investing out of its 11th private equity fund, which closed in September 2023 with $1.75 billion in capital commitments. BV was ranked in Inc. magazine's 2023 list of Founder-Friendly Investors. For more information, visit www.bvlp.com.

Contacts:

For CyberSheath

Kristen Morales at [email protected]

For BV

Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE BV Investment Partners
The first intergovernmental dialogue between China and the US is a positive sign for collaboration between the two leading countries in artificial intelligence, experts say, which has established a new platform to draw on each other's governance experiences and contribute to global AI regulation. Both sides labeled the meeting "constructive" after talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 14. Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-American Studies in Washington, said there was a genuine sense of "constructiveness" at the AI meeting, "given that it opened a channel for communication on an issue that will require a degree of cooperation and coordination from both sides for a long time and given its importance". "AI is not going away anywhere," Gupta said, adding it is "ground enough" to label the meeting as "constructive" as the two sides were able to take a preliminary step in establishing a framework for dialogue. Zhu Rongsheng, an expert from Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, said that in an era of rising geopolitical competition, it is a significant step for the two leading AI powers to sit down and discuss global AI governance. "This new dialogue mechanism not only meets the international community's urgent call for AI governance but also showcases the responsible roles both nations can play," Zhu said. "AI-related technologies like deepfakes and misinformation have shown their global impact. By collaborating, the US and China can enhance their regulatory frameworks to protect their citizens and offer guidance to other countries." Responsible role It is hoped the United States can work with China in this field to play a responsible role as major powers, jointly establishing rules to protect the interests of the global majority, said Zhu, who is also a senior researcher at Meta-Strategy Institute, a think tank in Beijing. Gupta said: "There's value in all the big players in the system coming and proposing common rules by which AI is regulated at the international level. And so that's also a useful area of dialogue within the framework of this conversation." In the context of current China-US relations featuring a mix of competition and cooperation, this intergovernmental dialogue mechanism opens new communication channels that help both sides clearly express their AI-related security concerns and development goals, reducing misunderstandings and strategic misjudgments, Zhu said. However, the US' suppression and containment of China regarding AI have increased the difficulties in bilateral dialogue in this field, he said. On May 8, a bipartisan group of members from the US House of Representatives unveiled the Enhancing National Frameworks for Overseas Restriction of Critical Exports Act, which seeks to restrict the export of US AI systems to prevent "foreign rivalries" from using US AI technology. Restricting exports It also aims to restrict the export of the systems to foreign competitors and authorizes the US Department of Commerce to prohibit US people from working with foreigners to develop AI systems that allegedly pose a risk to US national security. The act defines an AI system as "any software or hardware implementation of artificial intelligence, including artificial intelligence model weights and any numerical parameters associated with the AI implementation". The previous gradual tightening of US restrictions on advanced chips and the consideration of licensing US cloud computing companies to provide advanced AI computing power to foreign customers  especially those in China  are measures to escalate export controls in AI. Such actions are intended to "raise the fences", Gupta said. Zhu said: "The US approach is like 'cutting off your nose to spite your face'. "It might also be impractical because AI system encompasses multiple facets such as hardware, software and data. Banning software, in particular, is especially challenging. "If the US continues to contain China in this manner, it risks losing potential users and partners for American AI products and services in China. This would not only hinder short-term profits but also pose potential long-term losses for the US." Contact the writers at yifanxu@chinadailyusa.com.
Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) Initiative aims to protect progress on racial justice

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Black Freedom Fund today announced the Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) for Racial Justice initiative, providing racial justice organizations in California with resources and support to navigate an onslaught of unfounded legal threats by right-wing extremists. The first-of-its-kind initiative will provide legal education and accessible tools to help hundreds of nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions navigate the legal landscape, prepare for this pivotal moment, and chart a path forward.

"The racial justice movement is under attack by opponents who want to stop our progress," said Marc Philpart, Executive Director of the California Black Freedom Fund. "While racial justice efforts remain legal and necessary, opponents to affirmative action are sowing confusion and fear. LEAD aims to provide the tailored guidance and information organizations need at this moment."

LEAD is spearheaded by the California Black Freedom Fund, which raises and distributes resources, builds capacity, and strengthens relationships to support and sustain Black power-building and movement-based organizations. LEAD will ensure nonprofits and foundations serving Black communities and communities of color have ongoing legal analysis, in-depth training, and a bank of legal support hours and pro bono representation. Legal partners for LEAD are Adler & Colvin, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Public Counsel, and Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR SF).

"Throughout California, organizations led by those most impacted have worked tirelessly to push California toward systemic transformation, and they need our support more than ever," said Kendra Fox-Davis, Chief Program Officer of Rosenberg Foundation. "LEAD will help organizations and their funders better understand the legal landscape and our continued capacity to engage in racial justice programming and grantmaking. It will ensure that grantees and funder partners can combat misinformation and double down on our commitment to racial justice. By equipping these groups with the resources needed to navigate these challenges, we believe real transformation is possibleand inevitable."

Support for LEAD is provided by ABFE, Akonadi Foundation, Asian Pacific Community Foundation, Asian Pacific Fund, California Community Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, Hellman Foundation, Latino Community Foundation, Rosenberg Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, Schott Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation, Tipping Point Community, and Weingart Foundation.

"Over the past decade, we have seen increased commitment by philanthropy to the cause of undoing the harm of structural racism and achieving racial justice," said Charles Fields, Executive Vice President of Programs at The James Irvine Foundation. "We can't stall or stop now. Instead of retreating we need to redouble our commitment to bolster movements that build a California where everyone belongs and thrives."

"Now more than ever, it is vital for philanthropy to stand with grassroots leaders committed to building a multi-racial democracy," said Julian Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation. "The Latino Community Foundation is proud to support the California Black Freedom Fund as it seeks to protect our partners and progress during this critical moment in our nation's history."

"Organizations dedicated to serving marginalized communities of color have long played a safety net role, countering systemic inequities through culturally competent support and capacity building. The Asian Pacific Fund is a proud supporter of the LEAD for Racial Justice Initiative," said Carolyn Wang Kong, President and Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Fund. "The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities will not be used as a wedge against other communities of color. We are not immune from attacks and stand in solidarity with other racial justice organizations to navigate the path forward together."

Emboldened by the United States Supreme Court's June 2023 opinion in the Students for Fair Admissions cases ("SFFA"), lawsuits against race-based funding and education efforts are undermining decades of collective efforts to address structural racism and discrimination for Black communities and communities of color.

About the California Black Freedom Fund: Launched in 2021, the Black Freedom Fund (BFF) works to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations in California have the sustained investments and support they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism. Learn more CABlackFreedomFund.org

SOURCE California Black Freedom Fund
Max Porterfield, President and CEO, stated, "We are very excited to follow-up on our recent Descendent discovery where our conviction has grown based on results from the recent MT survey. The Descendent and three target areas outlined today have the potential to significantly expand the high-grade copper resource base that has been discovered and defined so far at the Pine Bay Project." Mr. Porterfield continued, "This year's focus is to vector towards higher-grade mineralization at Descendent and continue step-out drilling to delineate the deposit as well as discover a new high-grade copper deposit closer to the surface."

JJ O'Donnell, Exploration Manager, commented, "I believe results from the recent MT survey has added to Callinex's geological understanding (especially below lakes) and has certainly aided in defining new target areas, which will require follow up drilling. Testing these targets in 2024 will be very exciting based on our multidisciplinary approach which includes geology, geophysics, and geochemistry."

Stepping out at Descendent

The most significant section returned from discovery drill hole DSC-111 is 7.14m grading 1.70% copper equivalent ("CuEq") with additional intersections including a 10.57m grading 1.36% CuEq.( see news release dated September 12, 2023 ) Step-out drill hole DSC-112-W1 intersected the Descendent 110m vertically below and 50m to the south of discovery hole DSC-111 and returned 7.00m of 1.71% CuEq including 3.59m of 2.30% CuEq among other intervals ( see news release dated January 22, 2024 ). The Descendent remains open to the north, and vertically below DSC-112-W1 ( Figure 3: Descendent Discovery Long Section ).

The grades intersected to date at the Descendent are comparable to grades intersected at the top of the nearby Rainbow deposit. At Rainbow, the average drill hole composite grades are 1.55% CuEq (0.56% Cu, 0.46 g/t Au, 1.63% Zn and 9.27 g/t Ag) within the first 200m (-100m to -300m elevation) of the deposit. The abundance of zinc, gold and silver indicates that the holes intersected into the Descendent to date may have intersected the edge of the VMS system similar to what occurs at the Rainbow deposit. Additionally, the significant width of the massive sulphide intervals suggests that the system is long-lived and robust.

The base and precious metal bearing massive sulphide intersections into Descendent are associated with a major alteration zone that's previously been identified at surface and spans 1,100m by 700m as supported by lithogeochemical data. Since the huge alteration zone seen at surface is believed to be structurally overturned, the exploration thesis is that the massive sulphides associated with this fluid mineralizing event would be preserved at depth. Typically, there is a correlation between the size of an alteration zone and the size of the VMS deposit it is associated with. The alteration package around Descendent is approximately ten times larger than the alteration package enveloping the nearby Rainbow deposit.

The recent 2024 MT geophysical survey over Descendent outlined a resistivity low anomaly that strongly correlates with the halo of stringer mineralization (alteration package) enveloping the Descendent ( Figure 4: MT Survey Descendent Line Cross Section ). It is also important to note that the resistivity low anomaly associated with the Descendent VMS system remains open at depth, as supported by other geological, geophysical and geochemical data. Additionally, MT survey results at depth further support the Company's exploration thesis that the Descendent could potentially sit at the nose of the fold where the horizon that hosts the Descendent deposit meets the horizon that hosts the Pine Bay deposit, located further to the south. Deposits that sit at the nose of a fold can host significantly wider lenses of mineralization and with it the potential to add significant volume more quickly.

Callinex has planned a step-out drill hole to test the Descendent down the plunge line targeting 350m vertically below and 25m north of DSC-111 (see Figures 3 and 4).

Target Area Poseidon

Target area Poseidon is located 1,300 meters along strike to the north of the Rainbow deposit (see Figure 2). This area was covered by the recent MT survey on the Descendent line. The MT survey data outlined a very large resistivity low anomaly interpreted to be mapping the alteration package between the known Rainbow and Pine Bay horizons (see Figure 4).

Poseidon has the potential to host a discovery that comes close to the surface like the Rainbow deposit along strike to the south. A surface pulse electromagnetic survey ("SPEM") and airborne electromagnetic survey ("VTEM") previously completed each have confirmed a highly conductive body near the surface that sits along the interpreted Rainbow horizon and on the edge of the MT resistivity anomaly. Callinex has only tested this area with a single drill hole and there have only been a few very shallow historic holes in the immediate vicinity.

Geology in the very limited drilling nearby has intersected exceptionally favorable package of very strong black chlorite-rich footwall alteration with several key VMS signature elements, such as very strong Europium values, sitting within the same 'Rainbow' volcanic package that is dominated by felsic flows / hyaloclastites that are immediately overlain by cherty felsic tuffs.

BHPEM results from the single near surface hole drilled by the Company in 2016, PBM-013, revealed a strong in-hole/off-hole anomaly associated with 8 meters of mineralization intersected in the hole. Additionally, PBM-024-DPN intersected the Rainbow horizon at depth and is accompanied by a very strong BPEM off-hole anomaly that corresponds with the horizon as well as the BPEM anomaly identified closer to surface in PBM-013.

A drill hole has been proposed from the surface to test Poseidon where it is supported by the VTEM, SPEM and MT resistivity low anomalies (see Figure 2 and 4).

Target Area Ra

Target area Ra is located 1,700 meters along strike to the south of the Pine Bay deposit and was covered by the recent 2024 MT survey on the Odin line (see Figure 2). The MT data has outlined a very large resistivity low anomaly interpreted to be mapping the alteration package between the known Rainbow and Pine Bay horizons, which host each respective deposit ( Figure 5: Pine Bay Project MT Survey Odin Line Cross Section ).

This area has previously been highlighted for drilling based on a large 250m by 650m, moderately strong chargeability isoshell identified in a 2021 Induced Polarization geophysical survey that may be associated with a pyritic footwall alteration envelope as at the nearby Pine Bay deposit. The northern edge of the IP chargeability high is also semi-coincident with a SPEM anomaly that was targeted for testing by drill hole PBM-120.

Drill hole PBM-120 intersected highly prospective, strongly sericitized felsic volcanics starting at 1,149m and which are immediately along strike to the south from similarly altered volcanics hosting Pine Bay deposit. A subsequent BPEM survey was unsuccessful in surveying the bottom of the hole due to blockage.

The Company has planned a new parent hole to test Ra (see Figure 2 and 5).

Target Area Odin

Target area Odin is located between the Alchemist and Rainbow deposits where the growth fault corridor intersects the Centennial Mine Horizon, which hosts the Sourdough deposit and past producing Centennial mine further to the south (see Figure 2).

The Company completed drill hole PBM-191 to follow-up on a anomaly modeled from BPEM survey data on drill hole PBM-182, which previously intersected a favorable rock package made of up dominantly altered felsic tuff/flows, with alteration (chlorite/sericite) normally seen with the Rainbow deposit ( see news release dated September 19, 2022 ).

Drill hole PBM-191 intersected one of the highest precious metals intervals to date at the Project with 0.52m of 5.32g/t Au, 56.67g/t Ag with trace copper and zinc and interpreted to be on the Odin horizon ( see news release dated January 30, 2023 ). The mineralization is hosted in a chlorite schist with 12% Pyrite, trace chalcopyrite, and silica flooding. Elevated precious metals, silver in particular, are a strong vectoring tool towards massive sulphides within VMS systems.

MT has given confidence to the true location of the Odin which corresponds to the mineralization intersected in PBM-191, which is located 370m to the north of the Odin MT line. Drilling within 150m of the MT survey line is sparse with only a couple of holes that tested within the first 300m of surface and intersected excellent geology. The MT data suggests that the target area on the interpreted Odin horizon starts below 300m of surface (see Figure 5).

The Company plans to deepen drill hole ALC-112 to intersect the projected Odin horizon and test the MT resistivity low and supporting BPEM anomalies identified in surveying drill holes survey in the vicinity.

Newly Acquired Growth Fault Corridor

The Company recently announced the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Alberts Lake Project which encompasses 5,064 hectares of contiguous ground to the north of the existing Pine Bay Project boundary ( See news release dated May 20, 2024 ). The land package contains several prospects hosting both copper-zinc-gold-silver bearing VMS mineralization as well vein-hosted gold-silver.

VMS discoveries of note within the Flin Flon - Snow Lake Greenstone Belt have often been made by drilling down-plunge from small, precious and base metal-rich VMS lenses directly associated with interpreted growth fault corridors that ultimately controlled the discharge of VMS systems at regular intervals (often two kilometres or less) down those plunge lines, ultimately leading to much larger viable deposits. For example, two near-surface, rather small but high-grade VMS lenses, the "Dan" and "Owens" lenses, were the small precursors for the much larger 25+ million tonne 777 deposits discovered much deeper down-plunge. It is also worth noting that the Company's most recent discovery, the Descendent VMS, is similarly located significantly down-plunge from the near-surface high-grade Cabin VMS deposit.

The Company will begin a complete data compilation of all historic drilling, geochemical and geophysical data and merge it into the existing Pine Bay project. Once completed, initial target generation will begin with a focus on historic near-surface mineralization. Follow-up work to refine and generate new targets over key areas of the larger land package will be announced in the future.

J.J. O'Donnell, P.Geo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The focus of the portfolio is highlighted by the rapidly expanding Rainbow deposit at its rich VMS Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. Callinex prepared an indicated mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 3.44 Mt grading 3.59% CuEq for 272.4 Mlb CuEq (238.3 Mlb Cu, 56.9 Mlb Zn, 37.6 koz Au, 692.8 koz Ag, 2.3 Mlb Pb), an inferred mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 1.28 Mt grading 2.95% CuEq containing 83.4 Mlb CuEq (72.1 Mlb Cu, 19.5 Mlb Zn, 11.1 koz Au, 222.2 Koz Ag, 0.8 Mlb Pb) and an inferred mineral resource at the Pine Bay deposit of 1.0 Mt grading 2.62% Cu containing 58.1 Mlb Cu (see news release dated July 10, 2023). The second asset in the portfolio is the Nash Creek Project located in the VMS rich Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax) at $1.25 Zinc (see news release dated May 14, 2018). The third asset, 100% owned Point Leamington Deposit in Newfoundland, is located in one of the richest VMS and Gold Districts in Canada. Callinex prepared a pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 2.0 Moz silver, 1.5 Mlb lead), a pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 6.2 Moz silver, 7.0 Mlb lead) and an out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 1.4 Moz Ag, 2.6 Mlb lead) (see news release dated October 25, 2021).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE Callinex Mines Inc.

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CannaPlan Enables Employers to Offer Cannabis Benefits to their Employees for Physician Appointments and Purchases at Dispensaries that Accept CanPay

LITTLETON, Colo., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CanPay, the largest legitimate payment network for cannabis retailers and consumers, has announced a partnership with CannaPlan, an employee benefits platform for employers to provide funding for their employees' cannabis purchases. With the partnership, CanPay will enable the use of CannaPlan funds to offset the costs of their purchases at cannabis dispensaries.

CanPay provides an easy-to-use app that allows consumers to pay for purchases at cannabis retailers with a simple debit from their checking account using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Now, consumers with CannaPlan membership through their employer will be able to use the CanPay app to apply their monthly CannaPlan benefits to cannabis purchases at dispensaries.

The first-of-its-kind partnership is possible due to CanPay's unique payments network, which is the largest in the cannabis industry with more than 300,000 users and over 1,100 dispensaries across 34 states that accept the mobile payment app.

"Most insurance companies are either unable or unwilling to offer medicinal cannabis benefits to employers. CannaPlan is working to solve an issue for employees and employers  much like CanPay solved the issue of legitimate, stable payments for cannabis  by bridging the gap between employer-funded healthcare prescriptions and medicinal cannabis. We're thrilled to be able to support CannaPlan by providing the no-cost digital payments platform for its users to apply their benefits when purchasing medicinal cannabis," said Dustin Eide, CEO of CanPay.

CanPay alerts CannaPlan members when their funds are available. Members can then convert their CannaPlan funds into CanPay Points, which can then easily be used to help pay for their purchases using the app at dispensaries. The service comes at no cost for CannaPlan members. Merchants can expect to see increased spending at their dispensaries, with no additional cost to them.

"CanPay is the only payments network large enough, and sophisticated enough, to facilitate CannaPlan's employee benefit program at medicinal cannabis dispensaries. By helping employers offset the cost of medicinal cannabis for their employees, we aim to reduce prescription drug costs for companies, saving money on future premium increases. Alongside these potential cost savings, top-notch employee benefits work to attract and retain top talent, especially in high turnover industries," said Stew Baskin, CEO at CannaPlan.

CannaPlan offers employers the opportunity to support their employees by covering medical cannabis physician consultations and medications. This new approach to employee wellness can help employers reduce future pharmaceutical plan costs and stand out to prospects.

"There's really no other payments network in the cannabis industry that can do this. It's not often that you can announce a win-win-win-win-win scenario, but that's what we have here, given the wonderful benefits for employees, employers, merchants, CannaPlan and CanPay," added Eide.

Merchants with a compliant bank account at a CanPay-approved financial institution may join the CanPay network quickly and easily, allowing consumers to use their CannaPlan benefits at their dispensaries. CanPay Points are also part of the CanPay Rewards Program, which allows consumers to spin a wheel to win points for discounts on future purchases using the app.

About CanPay

CanPay offers a payment solution for the state regulated cannabis industry and other emerging markets. CanPay started with one goal  to bring traditional and legitimate electronic payment solutions to highly-regulated industries. We've spent years learning about the unique challenges that face consumers and retailers in these industries and used that experience to design CanPay as the stable payment solution they can rely on. With over 30 years of industry experience, the CanPay team of payments professionals is building a proprietary network of consumers, retailers, financial institutions, and specialized technology providers that make payments at regulated businesses just like payments everywhere else. For more information, visit https://www.canpaydebit.com.

SOURCE CanPay
- Carol Ann Satler, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FAAP joins the Board of Directors, adding key clinical experience to guide ongoing nonclinical development in cardiac and pulmonary diseases -

- Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD joins the Scientific Advisory Board to provide additional research and translational strategy acumen, complementing the Company's gene therapy expertise -

- Recent additions highlight Carbon Bioscience's evolution beyond a novel vector platform company into pipeline-focused organization with meaningful translational efforts and line of sight to clinical proof of concept milestones -

WALTHAM, Mass., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbon Biosciences, a preclinical stage biotechnology company developing genetic medicines for the treatment of pulmonary and cardiac diseases, announced the appointment of Carol Ann Satler MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FAAP to the Carbon Biosciences Board of Directors, and Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD to the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Satler joins as Carbon's second independent Board member. Dr. Klickstein joins Carbon's esteemed scientific counsel comprised of experts in the field of gene therapy drug development.

"We are pleased to welcome both Dr. Satler and Dr. Klickstein to the Carbon Team at this formative time in the company's evolution. Their respective appointments strengthen our thought leadership and expertise as we advance our pipeline of cardiac and pulmonary programs towards the clinic," said Dr. Joel Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Biosciences. "Dr. Satler is a world-class clinician with demonstrated ability to align ground-breaking science and clinical strategies to advance blockbuster therapies. Dr. Klickstein is a renowned translational biology expert with significant leadership and advisory experience from early research through global Phase 3 development across a range of biopharmaceutical organizations."

"Carbon's proprietary knowledge of novel viral vectorization shows immense potential to surpass the limitations currently impeding gene therapy programs," expressed Dr. Satler. "I am eager to support the team in their ambitious goals." Dr. Satler is a physician executive with demonstrated success in clinical development and medical affairs in high growth, innovative companies. Her work has included strategic clinical development planning, launching and commercialization of products for chronic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and heart failure. Dr. Satler currently serves as lead medical director for the clinical development idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis program at Puretech Health and as an Independent Board Member for ViCardia Therapeutics. She was previously President, Chief Medical Officer and Board Member of Respira Therapeutics.

Dr. Satler is a graduate of the MD-PhD program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. She trained and practiced in both pediatric medicine and cardiology at Boston Children's Hospital and served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. She has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Carbon's technology shows exciting potential and I look forward to helping translate the Company's impressive vectorology efforts and nonclinical research into successful development programs," said Dr. Klickstein upon joining Carbon's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Klickstein is a veteran life sciences leader with nearly 20 years of experience, most recently as founding Chief Executive Officer and subsequently President & Chief Scientific Officer at Versanis Bio (Acquired by Eli Lilly and Company in 2023). Dr. Klickstein previously had served for 13 years as a Head of Translational Medicine at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR). Prior to Novartis, he directed an NIH-funded basic science laboratory at the Brigham & Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA where he also maintained an active clinical practice. Dr. Klickstein graduated with MD and PhD degrees from Harvard University, completed post-graduate clinical training at BWH, was Board-certified and re-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology & Immunology and is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology.

Collectively, Dr. Satler's and Dr. Klickstein's backgrounds enable them to advise Carbon's translational and early phase clinical activities. They are well positioned to ensure the Company's rigorous scientific packages inform efficient clinical development plans that include a biomarker strategy for early signal detection. The appointments of Dr. Satler and Dr. Klickstein serve as further recognition of the potential of Carbon's technology and the near-term inflections towards which the company is advancing rapidly.

About Carbon Biosciences:

Carbon Biosciences is a team of passionate drug developers extending the reach of genetic medicines for the treatment of devastating diseases. We combine the genetic diversity and potency of viruses that have evolved over millions of years with the recent clinical and manufacturing advances in the gene therapy field. Our proprietary platform, PAVE, has the potential advantages of exquisite tissue specificity, larger payloads and durable treatment strategies across multiple modalities. Our goal: realize the power of natural viral evolution and deliver on the promise of genetic medicines.

Carbon Biosciences, Inc.

Investor and Media Contact

Beckett Hart

[email protected]

SOURCE Carbon Biosciences
Tamera Mowry-Housley Hosted the Evening Celebrating Women in Media

Winners & Presenters Included Jane Fonda, Kristen Wiig, Maria Shriver,

Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach, Phylicia Rashad, Natalie Morales,

Sheryl Underwood, Yvette Nicole Brown, Mayan Lopez, and Many More!

Rachel Platten's Performance Captivated Audiences

LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 49th Annual Gracie Awards , hosted by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF ), illuminated the evening with a captivating celebration of women in media at the esteemed Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The event, hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, commemorated the remarkable achievements of women across various media platforms, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to storytelling and cultural transformation.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21: Carol Burnett attends the 49th Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 21, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation)

This year's theme was centered on "Feminine Strength, both Large and Small," highlighting impactful actions resonating on various scales. Among the distinguished honorees was Carol Burnett, a trailblazing figure known for her groundbreaking roles and whose impact spans decades and resonates with audiences of all ages. Burnett was bestowed with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by castmate of Palm Royale, Kristen Wiig.

The Gracie Awards Gala embodies AWMF's commitment to supporting women in media through charitable endeavors, educational programs, and scholarship initiatives. By investing in these initiatives, AWMF continues to empower women and cultivate leadership opportunities across the industry. The winners of this year's Gracie Awards embody the spirit and courage exemplified by Gracie Allen, and they serve as a reminder of the invaluable contributions women make in shaping our media landscape.

Winners and presenters included influential figures such as Jane Fonda, Natalie Morales, Sheryl Underwood, Yvette Nicole Brown, Mayan Lopez, Melissa Peterman, Emma Kenney, Danielle Pinnock, Amanda Kloots, Lauren E. Banks, Sharon Carpenter, Allison Holker, Christina Elmore, Kim Fields, Betsy Brandt, Sutton Stracke, Crystal Kung Minkoff, and Amy Chozick. Attendees include Maria Shriver, Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach, Phylicia Rashad, Garcelle Beauvais, Mary McDonnell, Mariana van Zeller, and more. The audience was captivated by a special musical performance of "Girls" by Rachel Platten. Raegan Revord lent her support as the Gracie Awards' Digital Impact Ambassador, while Vicangelo Bulluck executed the evening as executive producer.

NOTABLE MOMENTS

Tamera Mowry-Housley started the show by saying, "We are living in historic times and our voices are needed to stand up for our rights. Infusing our collective feminine strength into media, we can change attitudes, empower audiences, and create productions that speak to us, for us."

started the show by saying, "We are living in historic times and our voices are needed to stand up for our rights. Infusing our collective feminine strength into media, we can change attitudes, empower audiences, and create productions that speak to us, for us." While presenting to Carol Burnett , Kristen Wiig humorously expressed her admiration, stating, "Personally, it is surreal for me to be here, to even know you because you have been such an inspiration." Reflecting on her childhood watching the Carol Burnett Show, Wiig credited Burnett with planting the creative seeds that grew her love for sketch comedy. She affectionately joked, "So Carol, in many ways it's like you're my oldest friend, but also you ARE my oldest friend." Wiig continued, "It's been an absolute honor and joy to work alongside you, Carol, in Palm Royale . And I mean this, no one plays coma patient like you."

, humorously expressed her admiration, stating, "Personally, it is surreal for me to be here, to even know you because you have been such an inspiration." Reflecting on her childhood watching the Carol Burnett Show, Wiig credited Burnett with planting the creative seeds that grew her love for sketch comedy. She affectionately joked, "So Carol, in many ways it's like you're my oldest friend, but also you ARE my oldest friend." Wiig continued, "It's been an absolute honor and joy to work alongside you, Carol, in . And I mean this, no one plays coma patient like you." During her acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Carol Burnett playfully remarked, "I was unfortunately (believe it or not!) too young to have met the legendary Gracie Allen , who is the inspiration for these awards, but I think we might have had a lot in common and her iconic work as an artist paved the way for all the women who came after her, including me.".

playfully remarked, "I was unfortunately (believe it or not!) too young to have met the legendary , who is the inspiration for these awards, but I think we might have had a lot in common and her iconic work as an artist paved the way for all the women who came after her, including me.". Jane Fonda , before introducing Maria Shriver (Conversations Above the Noise with Maria, Best Online Video Host), articulated, "I made my first movie in 1949, and there were no women on the set. We, women, experience things differentlywar, peace, famine. If you don't have our voices in the arts, you're not getting the whole story. It doesn't just hurt us; it hurts men because they only get half the side."

, before introducing articulated, "I made my first movie in 1949, and there were no women on the set. We, women, experience things differentlywar, peace, famine. If you don't have our voices in the arts, you're not getting the whole story. It doesn't just hurt us; it hurts men because they only get half the side." Maria Shriver reflected on her journey in media, from intern to media entrepreneur, emphasizing the significance of women's voices in today's media landscape. She underscored the responsibility each individual holds in using their platform wisely, stating, "Today everyone seems to have a platform but not everyone is responsible with it." Shriver expressed gratitude for the Gracie Award, highlighting the importance of producing meaningful content that makes a difference in shaping public discourse and acknowledging the women who paved the way for her.

reflected on her journey in media, from intern to media entrepreneur, emphasizing the significance of women's voices in today's media landscape. She underscored the responsibility each individual holds in using their platform wisely, stating, "Today everyone seems to have a platform but not everyone is responsible with it." Shriver expressed gratitude for the Gracie Award, highlighting the importance of producing meaningful content that makes a difference in shaping public discourse and acknowledging the women who paved the way for her. Abby Wambach joined Glennon Doyle on stage where Doyle's acceptance speech (Best Lifestyle Podcast Co-host/Ensemble, "We Can Do Hard Things") highlighted the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. Sharing her sister's story of early cancer detection through persistent advocacy, "Because of our conditioning it's hard to advocate on behalf of ourselves but I assure you that my sister's self-advocacy is the greatest act of love and service she's ever done for the world. When she saved herself she saved the life of her children's mother, her husband's wife, our parent's daughter - our sister. She saved so many of us when she saved herself."

joined on stage where Doyle's acceptance speech highlighted the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. Sharing her sister's story of early cancer detection through persistent advocacy, "Because of our conditioning it's hard to advocate on behalf of ourselves but I assure you that my sister's self-advocacy is the greatest act of love and service she's ever done for the world. When she saved herself she saved the life of her children's mother, her husband's wife, our parent's daughter - our sister. She saved so many of us when she saved herself." Garcelle Beauvais expressed deep gratitude for the recognition of her film, "Black Girls Missing" (Made for Television Movie). Beauvais emphasized the film's mission to shed light on the critical issue of missing black and brown individuals, striving to ensure their visibility and voices are heard, "Shedding light when black and brown people go missing has been our mission with this movie. We want to be seen and heard!"

expressed deep gratitude for the recognition of her film, "Black Girls Missing" (Made for Television Movie). Beauvais emphasized the film's mission to shed light on the critical issue of missing black and brown individuals, striving to ensure their visibility and voices are heard, "Shedding light when black and brown people go missing has been our mission with this movie. We want to be seen and heard!" Lauren Book , Florida Senate Minority Leader and survivor of child sexual abuse, shared her mission to prevent abuse through the Lauren's Kids Foundation, stating, "Today, standing on this stage, knowing we are educating millions of kids every single year... Teaching personal safety from a place of fun and not fear." Expressing gratitude to the Gracie Awards for recognizing their work, Book emphasized the importance of collective action in creating a safer future for children, urging support for their cause at LaurensKids.org.

Below, please find links to access house footage, which includes b-roll of arrivals; interviews with honorees and presenters; clips from the ceremony; and more.

Video Credit  Getty Images Video: https://gettyvideo.digitalpigeon.com/msg/lVqsUBfiEe-CgQKVS2kCPQ/1XXwSc1JDlrJVhJ_NK5Nrg

Photo Credit  Getty on behalf of The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/49th-annual-gracie-awards

Gracies Gift Bags feature a personalized selection including a custom Gracies Bag by Henry Dry Goods, and curated items from Nodpod, St. Martin's Publishing Group Providing "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, Hallmark Media, AquaVault, Cozy Earth, Dr. Brandt, Fount Society Balancing, FreshCut Paper, No7, Peepers, Shinery, Sunday Citizen, VoChill, and much more, provided by esteemed partners.

For an opportunity to continue giving to the AWM Foundation, bid on the Gracies Gift & Gala Giveaway and donate.

For a complete list of award recipients and honorable mentions, please visit allwomeninmedia.org. Local and student award recipients will be honored at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 18 at Cipriani's in NYC.

About The Gracie Awards

The Gracie Awards is the largest fundraiser of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation which advances women in media through educational programs and scholarships. The Gracie Awards honors exemplary programming and individual talent created by, for, and about women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint initiatives with the Emma Bowen Foundation, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), NCTA - The Internet & Television Association and other organizations philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. For more information about The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and the Gracie Awards please visit allwomeninmedia.org and follow us on X (@AllWomeninMedia), (#TheGracies), Instagram (@allwomeninmedia), Facebook, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Alliance for Women in Media Foundation
Central Hudson-Area Residents and Businesses Can Save Money on their Utility Bills while Supporting Local Solar Growth

NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Power Holdings LLC ("Catalyst Power"), an integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions, has opened more than 2,000 MWh of community solar capacity for Upstate New York residents and small commercial businesses serviced by Central Hudson Gas & Electric. Community solar provides local residents and businesses with affordable, clean energy while supporting local jobs and economic development. Residents and businesses in Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties have the potential to realize immediate savings of up to 10% with no upfront investment, construction, or long-term contracts.

"We are pleased to be able to offer savings to Upstate residents and businesses with community solar capacity. Community solar provides a simple and carefree way to save money while supporting local clean energy growth," said Gabe Phillips, CEO and Founder of Catalyst Power. "Now, anyone in the community can tap into solar savings and environmental benefits, regardless of their home or business's suitability for panels."

Community solar refers to a local solar power farm shared by multiple households and businesses within a community. Instead of installing solar panels on individual rooftops, participants subscribe to or purchase a share of a larger solar farm located offsite. The electricity generated by this community solar project is credited to the subscribers' utility bills, allowing subscribers to save 10% on their bills. Community solar enables people and businesses to benefit from solar energy and save on electricity costs.

Businesses interested in community solar or other clean energy solutions with Catalyst Power can visit:

Web: https://info.catalystpower.com/community-solar-overview

Phone: 1-888-789-7250

Email: [email protected]

About Catalyst Power Holdings LLC:

Catalyst Power Holdings LLC is an independent, integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector through commercial energy, cogeneration, customized Connected Microgrid solutions, EV charging, demand response, and community solar to underserved middle-market commercial and industrial end-use customers, improving the overall efficiency and environmental impact of their supply. Catalyst Power is a portfolio company of BP Energy Partners, LLC. More info: www.catalystpower.com

About BP Energy Partners, LLC:

BP Energy Partners, LLC (BPEP), is a Dallas, Texas based growth-oriented private equity firm. Since its inception, BPEP has focused on a lower carbon future by establishing and growing sustainable and responsible companies in the natural gas value chain, including infrastructure, power, logistics, transportation, environmental services, renewable natural gas, midstream, and distribution. BPEP will also invest in low-carbon energy solutions and renewables. BPEP collaborates with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, project developers, and experienced management teams to provide patient capital, financial and operating expertise, and deep industry relationships. BPEP currently manages over $560 million in committed capital and is actively investing in new opportunities. More information can be found at www.bpenergypartners.com.

SOURCE Catalyst Power
Interactive Brokers joins Cboe Europe Derivatives ("CEDX") and will provide its clients with access to the exchange's suite of pan-European equity derivatives in the current quarter

The global electronic broker has become a direct trading participant of CEDX and clearing participant of Cboe Clear Europe N.V.

CEDX recently expanded its range of equity options and now offers contracts on over 300 European companies

AMSTERDAM and LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Europe Derivatives (CEDX), Cboe's pan-European equity derivatives marketplace, today announces that Interactive Brokers has successfully joined the exchange as a participant and will provide its clients with access to CEDX's range of equity index derivatives and equity options in the current quarter. Interactive Brokers has become a direct trading participant on CEDX and a direct clearing participant for equity derivatives on Cboe Clear Europe N.V., Cboe's leading pan-European clearing house and CEDX's clearing provider.

Iouri Saroukhanov, Head of European Derivatives, Cboe Europe, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Interactive Brokers to CEDX, which represents a significant milestone in the exchange's journey to improve the ability of retail investors to gain access to and benefit from European derivatives, particularly options. Their participation demonstrates the need for more efficient European derivatives markets, which CEDX is helping to create by offering a simpler, lower cost and pan-European approach to trading and clearing to lower barriers to entry for institutional and retail investors. Interactive Brokers has been a strong collaborator to our successful US options markets for many years, and we look forward to strengthening this collaboration with them in Europe to help improve and grow derivatives markets in the region."

Milan Galik, Chief Executive Officer at Interactive Brokers, said: "We are pleased to introduce access to CEDX, and give our clients an additional way to trade European derivatives alongside our existing global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and more from a single unified platform. With the addition of CEDX's extensive European equity options and index derivatives, our clients now enjoy enhanced choice and flexibility, enabling them to manage their European investments more effectively."

CEDX launched in September 2021, initially offering trading in futures and options based on key Cboe Europe single country and pan-European indices, with clearing provided by Cboe Clear Europe. N.V. The exchange has been designed to promote on-screen liquidity and offers a single access point to pan-European equity derivatives products, creating significant operational and capital efficiencies to participants.

CEDX expanded into equity options in November 2023, and broadened its universe of these products during Q1 2024. It now offers more than 300 options on companies from 14 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK). These products amount to more than 90% of current ADV and open interest for the top 600 European equity options, as of April 2024. The complete list of underlying stocks is available here. To align with client readiness to trade these products, CEDX initiated its first Liquidity Provider (LP) Programme for equity options on April 1, which also applies to its index options contracts.

CEDX's equity options are cleared by Cboe Clear Europe N.V., which permits the use of underlying stocks as collateral to provide offsets against matched equity option positions, delivering a potential initial margin reduction for a covered call position of around 70%, according to estimates by Cboe Clear Europe N.V. Furthermore, stock settlement (on options exercise and assignment) takes place in domestic Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), removing unnecessary costs and allowing for settlement netting with relevant cash equities transactions.

Further information about CEDX's equity options products is available here.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, FX and digital assets, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

Media Contacts

Analyst Contact







Tim Cave Angela Tu

Kenneth Hill, CFA +44 (0) 7593 506 719 +1-646-856-8734

+1-312-786-7559 [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected]

CBOE-EE

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Volatility Index, VIX and Cboe Global Markets are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets
MUMBAI, India and WARREN, N.J., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cipla Limited (BSE: 500087; NSE: CIPLA EQ; and hereafter referred to as "Cipla") and its wholly owned subsidiary Cipla USA Inc., (hereafter referred to as "Cipla"), today announced that it has received the final approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Lanreotide Injection 120 mg/0.5 mL, 90 mg/0.3 mL, 60 mg/0.2 mL from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Cipla's Lanreotide Injection is AP-rated therapeutic equivalent generic version of Somatuline Depot (Lanreotide) Injection. Lanreotide Injection is supplied as 120 mg/0.5 mL, 90 mg/0.3 mL, 60 mg/0.2 mL single-dose, pre-filled, ready-to-inject syringe. Cipla's Lanreotide injection is indicated for the treatment of patients with Acromegaly and Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs).

According to IQVIA (IMS Health), Somatuline Depot (Lanreotide) had US sales of approximately $898M for the 12-month period ending March 2024.

About Cipla:

Established in 1935, Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company focused on agile and sustainable growth, complex generics, and deepening portfolio in our home markets of India, South Africa, North America, and key regulated and emerging markets. Our strengths in the respiratory, anti-retroviral, urology, cardiology, anti-infective, and CNS segments are well-known. Our 47 manufacturing sites around the world produce 50+ dosage forms and 1,500+ products using cutting-edge technology platforms to cater to our 80+ markets. Cipla is ranked 3rd largest in pharma in India (IQVIA MAT Feb'24), 1st in the pharma prescription market in South Africa (IQVIA MAT Feb'24), and 4th largest by prescription in the US Gx inhalation products (IQVIA MAT Feb'23). For over eight decades, making a difference to patients has inspired every aspect of Cipla's work. Our paradigm-changing offer of a triple anti-retroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS at less than a dollar a day in Africa in 2001 is widely acknowledged as having contributed to bringing inclusiveness, accessibility, and affordability to the centre of the HIV movement. A responsible corporate citizen, Cipla's humanitarian approach to healthcare in pursuit of its purpose of 'Caring for Life' and deep-rooted community links wherever it is present make it a partner of choice to global health bodies, peers, and all stakeholders.

For more, please visit https://www.cipla.com, or click on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn.

SOURCE Cipla
RENO, Nev., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LegalMatch.com , the leading online legal matching service, released data that reveals a continuing surge in demand for legal representation across several practice areas that boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings demonstrate that legal needs associated with the pandemic's social and economic fallout have not subsided as society transitions to a post-pandemic world.

LegalMatch's data highlights a sustained increase in cases submitted in multiple practice areas including:

Drafting Wills and Trusts

Estate Planning

Child Custody and Visitation

Child Support

Divorce

Consumer Bankruptcy

Business Bankruptcy

Employment Contracts

Employment Discrimination

Domestic Violence

The report underscores a critical trend: the pandemic's impact on various aspects of life has created lasting legal needs. Individuals and businesses continue to grapple with financial strain, navigate complex family matters, and address employment-related issues.

"The pandemic significantly impacted how people live, work, and interact with each other. Our data suggests these changes have resulted in long-term legal needs. LegalMatch remains committed to connecting individuals and businesses with the appropriate legal resources to address these challenges," says Ken LaMance, LegalMatch's General Counsel.

LegalMatch's mission to connect individuals with qualified legal representation is more crucial than ever. The platform provides a valuable resource for those seeking guidance on navigating complex legal issues in a post-pandemic landscape.

About Us

LegalMatch is the nation's oldest and largest online legal lead-generation service. Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, LegalMatch helps people find the right lawyer and helps attorneys find new clients. LegalMatch's service is free to individuals and small businesses looking for legal help. For more information about LegalMatch, please visit our website or contact us directly.

LegalMatch California is a California State Bar certified Lawyer Referral Service #0140 dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of legal services in all California counties. LegalMatch California is an innovative forum for lawyers and legal clients to meet. California attorneys interested in joining LegalMatch California must meet membership qualifications and carry malpractice insurance. LegalMatch California, like its parent organization LegalMatch.com, remains free to consumers.

Media Contact

Ken LaMance

[email protected]

(415) 946-0856

SOURCE LegalMatch
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cloud storage services market size is estimated to grow by USD 123.84 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.56% during the forecast period.

To understand more about this market - Download a FREE Sample

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cloud Storage Services Market 2024-2028

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Component (Solutions and Services), End-user (Large enterprises and SMEs), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Key Companies Covered Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Cloud Software Group Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., InterVision Systems LLC, Microsoft Corp., NetApp Inc., Nutanix Inc., Oracle Corp., Pure Storage Inc., Rackspace Technology Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Toshiba Corp. Regions Covered North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa

Region Outlook

North America Europe APAC South America Middle East and Africa

1. North America - North America is set to drive 38% of global market growth, with key factors including high data generation rates, robust investment in data centers, and a plethora of vendors like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and AWS. Additionally, the rollout of 5G and increased deployment of IoT devices are bolstering demand. Investments in telecommunication infrastructure are further fueled by surging data traffic and the emergence of big data analytics. These dynamics are set to fuel market expansion in North America throughout the forecast period.

For more insights on North America's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample

Segmentation Overview

Component

1.1 Solutions

1.2 Services

End-user

2.1 Large enterprises

2.2 SMEs

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 APAC

3.3 Europe

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Fastest growing segment: The solutions segment is poised for significant growth, driven by its ability to meet diverse customer needs and deliver value. Services like data security, file syncing, disaster recovery, and backup are driving this growth. Valued at USD 25.94 billion in 2018, the segment offers various solutions including file sharing and primary storage. SMEs favor these solutions for their scalability and flexible accessibility. The pay-as-you-go model is popular among individuals and businesses, further boosting market expansion in the forecast period.

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Research Analysis

The Cloud Storage Services Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of agile business models and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation in various industries. The ability to handle big data, ensure data integrity, and prioritize data security are key considerations for businesses seeking cloud storage solutions. These offerings come in various forms, including Block storage, Cloud archival storage, Cloud object storage, and Cloud-based storage.

Flexible options such as edge computing and database sharing cater to the diverse needs of connected devices and IoT applications. Cloud applications, EC2 Console, and file storage are essential components of these services, providing businesses with the flexibility and scalability they require for their data management needs. Cloud technologies continue to evolve, offering innovative solutions for business continuity and data volume concerns.

Market Overview

The Cloud Storage Services market is a significant segment of the technology industry, offering businesses and individuals secure and scalable solutions for data management. These services enable users to store, manage, and access data from anywhere, at any time, using the internet. Cloud storage solutions are essential for businesses undergoing digital transformation, as they offer cost savings, flexibility, and enhanced security features.

The market is witnessing rapid growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud technologies, the need for data backup and disaster recovery, and the proliferation of IoT devices generating massive data volumes. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are driving the demand for more sophisticated cloud storage solutions.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
CARTHAGE, Mo., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The artist and founder of worldwide collectibles company Precious Moments, Samuel "Sam" Butcher, peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones in the early morning hours of May 20, 2024, at his Carthage, MO home; he was 85. After a private funeral, a public memorial is planned for June 2024 at the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri. The memorial will also be live streamed. More details about the event, including its date, will be released in the future.

Sam Butcher at the Precious Moments Chapel.

Born January 1, 1939, in Jackson, Michigan to parents Leon and Evelyn Butcher, Sam grew up poor with his four siblings and parents. As a young boy, he explored his artistry by spending hours underneath the dining room table writing and illustrating stories using rolls of paper he found at a factory dump and using automotive paint  his only source for color early on.

In 1949, Sam's family moved to a remote mountain town in Northern California where he blossomed in his art due to supportive teachers. He graduated high school with a scholarship to the College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley, California. While at college, Sam continued a friendship from high school with a girl he'd later marry, Katie Cushman. In 1962, Sam and Katie welcomed their first child, another son the next year, and a few years later five more children. To provide for his growing family, Sam left school to find work.

His faith soon led to Sam moving his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan to work in the shipping department at the international office of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) where he was soon promoted to the art department, meeting his friend and future business partner.

In 1970, Sam became a storyteller for CEEG's national television program, The Treehouse Club. Known as "Quick Draw Sam," he'd tell a Bible story, then draw it. This illustrative work inspired him to form the company Jonathan & David, Inc. in 1974, the forerunner of Precious Moments the company, and the birthplace of Sam's tear-drop eyed Precious Moments children drawings.

Among the first to discover Sam's precious children artwork was the founder of giftware company Enesco Imports, who discussed with Sam and his partner the potential of taking their art from paper to porcelain figurines. Their first Precious Moments figurine prototype, titled "Love One Another," debuted at the meeting in which they agreed to partner with Enesco. Next, the original 21 Precious Moments figurines were created and released in 1978. In less than two years after the figurines hit the shelves of gift stores across the nation, there were tens of thousands of members of the Precious Moments Collectors' Club; at its height it had more than 400,000 members. By the 1990's, Precious Moments figurines became a worldwide collectible phenomenon that would go on to break every record and win every award in the gift and collectibles industry. Precious Moments figurines and other products continue to be sold to fans and collectors worldwide.

In 1984, Sam Butcher purchased property in Carthage, Missouri to build a chapel to glorify God's name and be a humble gift back to Him. The Precious Moments Chapel is lovingly referred to as "America's Sistine Chapel," with its 84 wall murals and 1,400 sq. foot ceiling mural all hand-painted by Sam Butcher. Sam felt the creation of the Chapel was one of the most significant creations of his life. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors each year.

The Precious Moments brand is continued today by Sam's children  Don, Jon, and Deb alongside Master Sculptor Hiko Maeda.

Samuel Butcher was proceeded in death by his wife, Katie, and his sons Phillip and Timothy, leaving on this earth his other children Jon, Tammy, Debbie, Don, and Heather, and 53 grand and great-grandchildren. Sam Butcher created a legacy that's touched the hearts of millions and will continue to do so through its figurines and Chapel. A Precious Moments figurine "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" commemorating Mr. Butcher is planned - a release date has not yet been set.

For memorials and donations please visit https://preciousmomentschapel.org/donate/

For more information about the life and legacy of Samuel Butcher, visit https://PreciousMoments.com.

SOURCE Precious Moments
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global combine harvester market size is estimated to grow by USD 19.13 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.18% during the forecast period.

To understand more about this market - Download a FREE Sample

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Combine Harvester Market 2024-2028

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Product (Self-propelled, Tractor-pulled, and Power take off (PTO)-powered combine harvesters), Type (Wheel type and Crawler type), and Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Key Companies Covered Action Construction Equipment Ltd., AGCO Corp., Arnold Jager Holding GmbH, Ashok Leyland Ltd., Balkar Combines, China National Machinery Industry Corp. Ltd., CLAAS KGaA mBH, CNH Industrial NV, DASMESH Mechanical Works Pvt. Ltd., Deere and Co., Hubei Fotma Machinery Co. Ltd., KARTAR Agro Industries P Ltd., Kubota Corp., Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., MANKU Agro Tech Pvt. Ltd., PREET GROUP, RANAGROUP, SHRACHI Group, Sonalika International Tractors Ltd., and Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd. Regions Covered Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa

Region Outlook

Europe North America APAC South America Middle East and Africa

1. Europe - Europe is set to contribute 32% to market growth by 2028. Technavio analysts offer detailed insights into regional trends and market drivers. Major markets include the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. The region's growth is fueled by farm labor shortages and government support for agricultural mechanization. Other European countries see growth due to increased government initiatives. EU agricultural expenditure is funded by two budgetary funds, fostering market expansion. These factors are expected to drive market growth in Europe throughout the forecast period.

For more insights on Europe's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample

Segmentation Overview

Product

1.1 Self-propelled

1.2 Tractor-pulled

1.3 Power take off (PTO)-powered combine harvesters

Type

2.1 Wheel type

2.2 Crawler type

Geography

3.1 Europe

3.2 North America

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Fastest growing segment: The market for self-propelled combine harvesters is poised for substantial growth, driven by factors such as increased focus on food safety and yield enhancement. With features like extra-capacity diesel tanks and enhanced maneuverability, these harvesters are ideal for crops like wheat, paddy, soybean, mustard, and sunflower.

Advancements like integrated cameras for consistent trailer filling further enhance their performance. New product launches, such as the Swaraj Gen2 8100 EX by Mahindra Tractors Subsidies Swaraj, cater to evolving demands. Supported by rising rural and urban incomes, this segment, valued at USD 19.34 billion in 2018, is expected to witness significant expansion.

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Research Analysis

The Combine Harvester Market encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of machinery utilized in the agriculture sector for the process of harvesting cereals and grains, including rice, wheat, maize, and other crops. This advanced farming technology integrates reaping, threshing, and winnowing into a single operation, thereby reducing labor requirements and increasing efficiency.

The automation of farming processes through combine harvesters is a significant response to the growing global population and the demand for food products derived from vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Agriculture technology continues to evolve, with combine harvesters becoming more sophisticated and adaptable to various crop types and environmental conditions. Agricultural harvester advancements drive productivity and sustainability in modern farming practices.

Market Overview

The Combine Harvester Market encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of machinery utilized in the agriculture sector for the process of harvesting cereals and grains, including rice, wheat, maize, and other crops. This advanced farming technology integrates reaping, threshing, and winnowing into a single operation, thereby reducing labor requirements and increasing efficiency.

The automation of farming processes through combine harvesters is a significant response to the growing global population and the demand for food products derived from vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Agriculture technology continues to evolve, with combine harvesters becoming more sophisticated and adaptable to various crop types and environmental conditions.

Additionally, innovations in agricultural machinery extend to specialized equipment such as the Cotton Harvester, tailored specifically for the efficient harvesting of cotton crops.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Venodr Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TAIPEI, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During the COMPUTEX 2024 exhibition from June 4th to 7th, Mnemonic Electronic Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Mnemonic), Longsys's Taiwan subsidiary, will showcase a series of high-capacity SSD products under the theme "Embracing the Era of High-capacity SSDs," providing solutions for global users of high-capacity SSD products.

Invitation Letter

The lineup of high-capacity products presented by Mnemonic includes the ORCA 4836 series enterprise NVMe SSDs and the UNCIA 3836 series enterprise SATA SSDs. These products are equipped with the latest enterprise-grade 128-layer TLC NAND flash memory, offering high performance, low latency, adjustable power consumption, and high reliability storage solutions for enterprise-grade users such as servers, cloud computing, and edge computing, with a maximum capacity of up to 7.68TB.

In addition to SSDs, high-stability enterprise-grade memory products such as 96GB DDR5 RDIMM and 192GB CXL 2.0 memory expansion modules will also be featured. These products support memory pooling and sharing to meet the growing data processing demands.

Addressing industry applications, Mnemonic is also introducing high-performance industry-grade memory products suitable for AI PCs and HPC, including 4TB/8TB PCIe Gen 4*4 M.2 2280 SSDs, 4TB XP2300 PCIe Gen4 SSDs, 2TB XP2200 PCIe Gen4 BGA SSDs, providing high-performance PC and laptop customers with a wider range of memory options.

Furthermore, the products showcased at this exhibition also include the Mnemonic MS90 8TB SATA SSD, FORESEE 512GB QLC eMMC, LPCAMM2, CXL 2.0 AIC memory expansion modules, among others.

The Mnemonic MS90 8TB SATA SSD supports speeds of up to 6Gb/s (Gen3) via the SATA interface, with backward compatibility to Gen1 and Gen2. It also supports various low-power consumption modes, making it suitable for applications such as near-line HDD replacement, monitoring, and high-speed rail systems.

The 512GB QLC eMMC adopts advanced processes with higher density and is equipped with Longsys's in-house WM6000 controller chip. Packaged in Longforce Suzhou, it can be applied in mainstream consumer smart devices like smartphones.

The new form of memory, LPCAMM2, integrates the latest LPDDR5/5x chips, potentially bridging the gap between mobile DRAM and PC applications. It unlocks new design possibilities for applications demanding high frequency, low power consumption, and compact packaging, catering to AI terminals, commercial equipment, and ultra-thin notebooks.

The CXL 2.0 AIC memory expansion module is packaged in a full-height and full-length PCIe Add-in Card (AIC) with 8 DDR4 RDIMM slots. Memory capacity can be expanded up to 512GB, supporting direct-plug memory pooling for multiple compute node server clusters and storage pool cable direct connections.

Mnemonic foresees the increasing demand for massive computational power in the AI era, prompting a significant focus on memory capacity. Hence, the low-power, high-capacity, and efficient cooling storage products are meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate into various application scenarios, notably in servers and AI terminals.

Longsys is a publicly listed company (301308.SZ) based in Shenzhen, China, primarily engaged in the research and development, design, packaging testing, manufacturing, and sales of semiconductor storage application products. The company has developed core capabilities in memory chip design, controller chip design, firmware algorithm development, packaging testing, and production manufacturing, providing solutions for consumer-grade, enterprise-grade, automotive-grade, industrial-grade storage, and industry storage software and hardware applications. As of the date of this press release, Longsys's market capitalization is approximately USD 5.225 billion. The sales scale in 2023 was approximately USD 1.427 billion, and in the first quarter of 2024, Longsys's sales were approximately USD 616 million, with a year-on-year growth of 200.54%, showing rapid growth momentum (data source: 2023 annual report).

Mnemonic distributes all of the Longsys B2B memory and storage product lines in Asia and Europe, providing local sales and after-sales service support for these products. At present, products are divided into four major product lines: embedded storage, solid-state drives (SSDs), mobile memory and memory modules, with applications in both consumer and industrial fields. The company's storage solutions are widely used in smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, computers, communication devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT), security monitoring, industrial controls, automotive electronics and other industries, as well as personal mobile storage.

To create a high-quality communication environment and enhance visitor experience, Mnemonic will host a meet-and-greet session at the booth. The booth is located at Room 535, 5th Floor, Building 1, Nangang Exhibition Center, No. 32, Section 1, Nangang Road, Taipei City. We invite industry peers to explore Mnemonic's cutting-edge product lineup and witness real-world application scenarios. We look forward to exploring the future of storage with you at the exhibition and embracing the era of high-capacity SSDs.

[Event Address] Room 535, 5th Floor, Building 1, Nangang Exhibition Center, No. 32, Section 1, Nangang Road, Taipei City

[Event Time] June 4th to June 7th, 9:00-18:00

We welcome you to visit our website at www.twmnemonic.com or contact us by email at [email protected] to learn more about our products and services.

SOURCE Mnemonic
Founder & CEO Gregg Majewski Honored as One of Top 25 Executives Leading Fast Casual Industry

CHICAGO, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Craveworthy Brands ("Craveworthy")  the innovative fast casual restaurant platform company has ranked as no. 22 in Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers of 2024.

Craveworthy Brands is home to leading concepts such as BD's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ ("Sigri",) Soom Soom Mediterranean, The Budlong Southern Chicken, Wing It On! and most recently, Untamed Brands, the multi-brand operator and parent company of taim Mediterranean Kitchen ("taim") and Hot Chicken Takeover.

Gregg Majewski, the Founder and CEO, has also been honored as one of the top 25 executives of 2024. Post this

The Fast Casual's Movers & Shakers Award

Awarded annually since 2006, the Top 100 Award acknowledges the top 75 brands and 25 executives who are leading the fast casual restaurant industry. It celebrates their accomplishments in growth and sales, as well as their influence on menu innovation and trends. The award also applauds brands that are using technology to improve the customer experience. Alongside the recognition of Craveworthy, Gregg Majewski, the Founder and CEO, has also been honored as one of the top 25 executives of 2024.

"As a young leader in the fast casual space, Craveworthy Brands is incredibly honored to be recognized as a Top 100 '" Mover & Shaker,'" and I am extremely grateful to be acknowledged as a top executive as well," said Majewski. "This truly reflects the dedication of our team, who have worked tirelessly to position us at the forefront of the sector. It also underscores Craveworthy's commitment to innovation and the transformation of legacy and emerging brands into high-growth, high-performance restaurants in communities across the nation."

Looking Ahead into Craveworthy's Bright Future

The initial two quarters of 2024 marked significant, game-changing milestones for Craveworthy, highlighted by the recent announcements of acquiring artful Indian BBQ concept Sigri and Untamed Brands along with its brands, cult-favorite Hot Chicken Takeover and East Coast gem taim. Adding to this momentum, Perry Miele, the former President and CEO of Nestle Professional, has joined Craveworthy Brands' Board of Directors as an advisory member and stakeholder, contributing over 30 years of invaluable experience in the hospitality industry.

Craveworthy shows no signs of slowing its momentum towards national expansion, aiming for $1 billion in systemwide sales within approximately five years. The platform company intends to acquire additional brands and launch nearly 17 corporate locations and over 60 virtual restaurants throughout 2024. Seeking growth-oriented individuals, Craveworthy aims to work with franchise partners who are eager to collaborate with revitalized restaurant concepts.

"Being acknowledged by an industry leader like Fast Casual, not only highlights our goal to cultivate a portfolio of truly diverse, unique and turnkey brands but how we are quickly becoming a fan-favorite for guests and an unbeatable proposition for prospective franchise partners," said Majewski.

For more information about Craveworthy Brands and its concepts, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com . For more about the franchise opportunities, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com/franchising .

About Craveworthy Brands

Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of Bd's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill, Hot Chicken Takeover, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ, Soom Soom Mediterranean, taim Mediterranean Kitchen, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On! is dedicated to invigorating and supercharging legacy brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. The company brings together diverse, yet complementary brands and an accomplished, veteran leadership team in the growing culinary space. In addition to building and operating leading restaurant brands, Craveworthy Brands is active in the communities it serves and creates exciting career opportunities for its team members. Bridging the distinctive individuality of its concepts with a shared culture and spirit of collaboration, the Company's goal is to create truly unique and craveworthy experiences every day, every shift and at every turn. Learn more about Craveworthy and its brands at CraveworthyBrands.com.

SOURCE Craveworthy Brands
Investment accelerates the development of necessary infrastructure to deliver low-carbon fuel to the transportation industry

DALLAS, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cresta Fund Management LLC (Cresta), a private equity firm that invests in low-carbon molecule infrastructure and solutions, today announced it has made a controlling investment in Ocean Pacific (OP), a developer of compressed natural gas (CNG) and alternative energy fueling stations. OP has historically provided engineering, design and construction services to third-party CNG station operators and, with Cresta's investment, will expand its capabilities and begin to commercialize and operate their own fueling stations to accelerate the decarbonization of the transportation industry.

"Our investment in Ocean Pacific aligns perfectly with our strategy to seek opportunities to build low-carbon molecule infrastructure that provides a solution for the energy transition," said Chris Rozzell, Managing Partner at Cresta. "OP's leadership in the CNG market, combined with our capital and both operational and development expertise, will significantly enhance the availability of clean fuel alternatives."

Based in California, the OP management team has a 15-plus-year history of designing over 400 CNG stations with blue-chip partners and maintains a vast network within the trucking and transportation industry. Building on these relationships, OP will develop solutions around companies' decarbonization goals and the fuel needs of trucking fleets. CNG is an economic and readily available clean alternative, lower-emission fuel for the trucking industry. To further decarbonize, renewable natural gas (RNG) can be used as the fuel for CNG-fueled motors, providing significant lifecycle emission reductions for transportation fleets.

"We are thrilled to partner with Cresta," commented Timothy Nelligan, CEO of Ocean Pacific. "This investment will not only provide the financial resources needed to accelerate our growth but also bring valuable strategic insights from a team that deeply understands the renewable fuel landscape. Together, we will make significant strides in expanding our RNG and hydrogen infrastructure, providing cleaner, affordable fuel options to our customers."

The investment supports the growing demand for alternative, clean fuel options and reiterates the increasing recognition of the importance of alternative fuels in the energy transition.

About Cresta Fund Management

Cresta Fund Management (Cresta) is a Dallas-based private equity firm providing growth equity for sustainable and conventional energy infrastructure solutions for the industrial, logistics and agricultural sectors. With approximately $1.6 billion of assets under management, Cresta is led by a strong, operations-focused team with decades of experience in the energy and infrastructure industries. For more information, please visit crestafunds.com.

Contact

Jessica Groshek

Cresta Fund Management

[email protected]

(945) 468-6564

SOURCE Cresta Fund Management LLC
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today the addition of Gerald "Gerry" Brown as a partner in its financial services practice group, bolstering the firm's service offerings in fund formation. Mr. Brown will be based in Dechert's New York office.

Gerry Brown

"As we continue to expand our specialized, best-in-class financial services offerings to better serve our clients' needs, Gerry's fund formation expertise is a great addition to the firm. His experience reinforces Dechert's ability to offer a seamless legal services experience for our clients as they navigate the multifaceted challenges in the market," said Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert.

"Gerry's proficiency in private funds, especially in the realms of private credit and private equity, helps to broaden our fund formation group and pairs exceptionally well with our leading registered fund and international private funds practices," said Chris Harvey, co-chair of Dechert's financial services practice group. "His arrival expands our capabilities and demonstrates our commitment to excellence in serving the varied, complex needs of our clients in an ever-evolving financial landscape."

Mr. Brown joins Dechert from a New York-based law firm. His expertise encompasses a range of fund types, including credit funds, real estate and infrastructure funds, funds of funds, and various bespoke investment vehicles. Mr. Brown's diverse client base includes large institutional sponsors, middle-market sponsors, placement agents and investors.

"Dechert is known to be a full-service financial services powerhouse, which is what drew me to the firm. I am eager to collaborate with the talented team here and contribute to the expansion of our fund formation practice," said Mr. Brown.

The recent arrival of Mr. Brown follows the earlier appointments this year of partners Brian C. Miner and Eliot L. Relles in New York and partners Neel Maitra and Cynthia R. Beyea in Washington, D.C.

With more than 200 lawyers, Dechert has one of the largest financial services and investment management teams of any firm. It was the first law firm with a funds practice in all key European fund domiciles, including the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany, and France, as well as the U.S., the Middle East, and Asia. The firm is consistently recognized by independent experts as a leading law firm for investment funds.

About Dechert

Dechert is a global law firm that advises asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital  from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters. We answer questions that seem unsolvable, develop deal structures that are new to the market and protect clients' rights in extreme situations. Our nearly 1,000 lawyers across 20 offices globally focus on the financial services, private equity, private credit, real estate, life sciences and technology sectors.

SOURCE Dechert LLP
BOGOTA, Colombia, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) informs that, as reported yesterday, May 20, 2024, the quorum required to hold the ordinary meeting of holders of Ecopetrol's bonds issued in 2010 and 2013 were not met. Such meetings had previously been called by Alianza Valores Fiduciaria S.A. and Itau Fiduciaria Colombia S.A., as representatives of holders of the 2010 and 2013 bonds, respectively (the "Representatives").

For the above reason, the Representatives have made a second call to the aforementioned bondholder assemblies, to submit for their consideration the statutory reform approved by the Ordinary General Assembly of Ecopetrol Shareholders, on March 22, subject to the provisions of article 6.4.1.1.22 of Decree 2555 of 2010, in the following terms:

For the 2013 issue, Itau Fiduciaria Colombia S.A. called bondholders to a meeting on May 29, 2024 at 08:00 a.m., to be attended either in person at Bogota D.C., Carrera 13 No. 36-24 floor 2, in accordance with the provisions of article 19 of Law 222 of 1995 and Decree 398 of 2020, or virtually, through videoconference via the virtual tool of the Centralized Deposit of Securities of Colombia  Deceval S.A with the following access link: https://asambleabonosecopetrol2013.azurewebsites.net/.

Issuance Date of placement Expiration Date Term (Years) Cupon Amount Outstanding

(COP millions) COC04CBVP007 27/08/2013 27/08/2028 15 anos IPC + 4.90% $347,500 COC04CBVP007 27/08/2013 27/08/2043 30 anos IPC + 5.15% $262,950

The 2013 bond issue denominated in pesos with variable IPC rate, has the following characteristics:

The agenda for the meeting is expected to be as follows:

Verification of quorum. Reading and approval of the agenda. Appointment of the President and Secretary of the Ecopetrol Bondholders' Assembly. Election of the committee for the approval and signing of the minutes of the Ecopetrol Bondholders' Assembly. Presentation of the report prepared by Ecopetrol S.A. as the Issuer, regarding the modification of its corporate purpose. Reading of the opinion by the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings Colombia S.A. Presentation of the report prepared by Itau Fiduciaria as the legal representative of the Ecopetrol Bondholders. Consideration and decision by the Bondholders of the first issuance under Ecopetrol S.A.'s issuance and placement program (PEC) regarding the amendment of its corporate purpose.

For the bonds issued in 2010, Alianza Valores Fiduciaria S.A. called bondholders to a meeting on May 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., to be attended either in person at Bogota D.C., Carrera 13 No. 36-24 floor 2, in accordance with the provisions of article 19 of Law 222 of 1995 and Decree 398 of 2020, or virtually, through the virtual platform with the following access link: https://asambleabonosecopetrol2010.azurewebsites.net/. The 2010 issue, Series A of bonds denominated in pesos with variable IPC rate, has the following characteristics:

Issuance Date of placement Expiration Date Term (Years) Cupon Amount Outstanding

(COP millions) COC04CBVP023 01/dec/2010 01/dec/2040 30 years IPC + 4.90% $284,300

The Agenda for the meeting is expected to be as follows:

Verification of the quorum. Reading and approval of the agenda. Delegation of legal representation from bondholders to the individuals who will act as chairman and secretary of the meeting in accordance with numeral 4.3.3. of Chapter I of Title I of Part III of the Basic Legal Circular. Presentation of the report prepared by Ecopetrol on the Statutory Reform, approved by its General Assembly of Shareholders on March 22, 2024 . Presentation of the report prepared by Alianza Fiduciaria S.A., in its capacity as Legal Representative of Holders of Internal Public Debt issued in 2010. Reading of the opinion issued by the risk rating agency Fitch Ratings. Voting and decision of the bondholders on the Statutory Reform. Appointment of the committee to approve the minutes of the meeting.

For more information on the general conditions to attend the bondholders' meetings, please visit the following link:

https://www.ecopetrol.com.co/wps/portal/Home/es/Inversionistas/asamblea-de-tenedoresde-bonos

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, and the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases, or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Carolina Tovar Aragon

Email: [email protected]

Head of Corporate Communications

Marcela Ulloa

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.
RALEIGH, N.C., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Element451, a leader in AI-first student engagement and CRM software, today announced the launch of Bolt Discovery, a revolutionary AI search tool that transforms how students get answers to their questions about colleges.

Bolt Discovery combines the technology of advanced large language models with an institution's website to create a conversational experience where students simply ask questions rather than hunt for information.

Element451's groundbreaking AI search tool, Bolt Discovery, combines the power of large language models with institution-specific content to provide students with a highly personalized, engaging search experience.

"With Bolt Discovery, we are reimagining how students interact with university content," said Ardis Kadiu, CEO and founder of Element451. "This innovative tool provides instant, accurate answers and anticipates student needs, offering a seamless and intuitive search experience."

The new approach could replace the often mammoth scope of university websites that make it challenging for prospective and current students to swiftly  and reliably  learn about everything from dining plan options and registration deadlines to scientific breakthroughs and alumni successes.

Traditional university sites don't provide the user-centered experience students expect online. Instead, they require students to sift through a maze of pages. User research shows they become frustrated by outdated, contradictory information buried deep in unfamiliar menu structures.

Bolt Discovery turns that experience on its head by making it as easy as typing a question on a school's site to get a helpful answer.

Bolt Discovery also provides links to source pages, along with personalized recommendations for related content.

The technology goes beyond keyword matching. Bolt Discovery delivers correct, context-aware responses to natural language queries (no specialized prompt writing required) and guides students to useful information.

Early adopters of such technology are seeing students find information faster and expressing greater satisfaction with their site experiences.

Schools with Bolt Discovery on their sites benefit from:

Conversational Interface: Chat naturally and get precise answers, not just a list of links.

Chat naturally and get precise answers, not just a list of links. Video and Media Results: Serve up videos and other media that answer students' questions.

Serve up videos and other media that answer students' questions. Knowledge Base: Centralize content from subsites, documents, catalogs and other sources into one Knowledge Base where Bolt Discovery draws its answers.

Centralize content from subsites, documents, catalogs and other sources into one Knowledge Base where Bolt Discovery draws its answers. Personalized Insights: Give students immediate, tailored answers with contextual suggestions for follow-up questions.

Give students immediate, tailored answers with contextual suggestions for follow-up questions. Seamless Sharing: Students can effortlessly share conversation threads with friends and family.

Students can effortlessly share conversation threads with friends and family. Easily Embeddable: Place Bolt Discovery on any institution website, LMS, or landing page.

Place Bolt Discovery on any institution website, LMS, or landing page. Scalable and Customizable: Adaptable to meet the needs of institutions of all types and sizes.

"We believe Bolt Discovery will disrupt traditional search and set a new standard for how students access and engage with information," added Ardis Kadiu. "It's not just about finding answers; it's about transforming the entire search experience to be more intuitive, efficient and enjoyable."

For more information about Bolt Discovery and to see it in action, visit www.element451.com/product/bolt-search .

About Element451

Element451 is a leading provider of AI-driven enrollment marketing and engagement solutions for higher education. By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, Element451 empowers institutions to attract, engage, and retain students like never before.

To engage in person with Element451 and explore more product innovation like Bolt Discovery, register for the Engage Summit , June 25-26 in Raleigh, NC.

Media Contact: Brandon Hurter, [email protected]

SOURCE Element451
ZURICH, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss life science innovation will again be on display at the BIO 2024 convention in San Diego. Switzerland Global Enterprise will present 41 leading Swiss biotech stars at the SWISS BIOTECH pavilion demonstrating Switzerland's key role in the healthcare sector.

The companies presenting at this year's conference show a wide range of innovative solutions from drug discovery, leveraging AI for data analytics to clinical trial management and pharmaceutical consulting services.

The Swiss Biotech industry once more generated record revenues, driven by collaboration and licensing deals. Swiss biotech companies often successfully partner with large pharma companies and thanks to record numbers of approvals from Swissmedic, EMA, FDA, and other global regulatory authorities, product sales got a big boost. Meanwhile, public funding remains dire, private funding kept up the pace from 2023.

"With its R&D and manufacturing capacity far exceeding its own needs, Switzerland has established itself as a trusted partner in bilateral and multilateral alliances," Michael Altorfer CEO, Swiss Biotech Association.

Along with their partners, the Swiss Biotech Association, InnoSuisse and, Switzerland Global Enterprise and their representatives in the US, the Swiss Business Hub USA bring the leading-edge innovation that Switzerland is consistently recognized for to BIO 2024.

Switzerland Global Enterprise with its partner Swissnex in Boston and New York will be hosting a Swiss reception on Tuesday June 4th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Swiss Pavilion, booth #2111.

The SWISS BIOTECH companies will be available for media and partner interviews the entire week.

www.s-ge.com

About Switzerland Global Enterprise

Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) is the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion with around 200 employees at locations throughout Switzerland and overseas. S-GE supports Swiss SMEs in their international business and helps innovative foreign companies to settle in Switzerland. In doing so, we rely on a unique network of national and international partners. This allows us to create added value for our customers and prosperity for Switzerland. As a non-profit organization, we provide a public service for our clients on behalf of the Swiss Confederation (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO) and the cantons. We operate our 27 offices, the so-called Swiss Business Hubs, and Trade Points, in 31 countries jointly with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Thanks to our global network of partners, we also support our customers in many other countries.

SOURCE Swiss Business Hub USA
LARGO, Md., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Employ Prince George's is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Career Takeover: Bridging the Gap! Youth & Young Adult Career Symposium scheduled for May 30 at the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, Maryland. This event is designed to inspire and empower individuals aged 16-24 as they explore creative career field and EPG's workforce development programs, Knowledge Equals Youth Success (KEYS) & Youth Career Connections (YCC), geared to youth and young adults.

The Career Takeover symposium offers a day filled with career panels, portfolio reviews, postgraduate discussions, and a dynamic career fair, providing invaluable opportunities for young talent to discover diverse career pathways and plan for their futures. With over 500 youth and young adults in attendance last year, this year's event aims to double attendance numbers with the support of esteemed national and regional companies.

By partnering with Employ Prince George's, employers will have a significant impact on the youth of Prince George's County. Through sponsorship and participation in this impactful event, employers not only align their brands with industry experts but also help empower and inspire today's youth. This is an opportunity for employers to support more than 500 youth and young adults from Prince George's County, offering them the chance to explore various career fields, interact with industry professionals, and engage in career panels and job fairs.

Employers and Partners will also have an opportunity to plug into Employ Prince George's 14 workforce development programs, including industry and demographic specific programming. For more information visit employPG.org to kickstart positive change in your community.

Additionally, by investing in EPG's youth initiatives, employers can play a crucial role in shaping the aspirations and futures of the next generation of the workforce. By helping young talents uncover diverse career paths, plan for their professional journeys, and kick-start their careers, employers can positively contribute to the community and create a lasting impact on tomorrow's leaders.

The Career Takeover provides various sponsorship levels for companies to participate in shaping the aspirations of today's youth:

Platinum Sponsor - Legacy Creator: $10,000

Diamond Sponsor - Career Visionary: $5,000

Gold Sponsor - Summer Experience Champion: $3,500

Silver Sponsor - Tech Innovator: $2,000

Bronze Sponsor - Professional Supporter: $1,000

For companies looking to elevate their brand, connect with potential candidates, and make a tangible impact on the community, Career Takeover 2024 is the perfect platform. Join us in empowering the youth of Prince George's County and building a brighter, more prosperous future together.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please visit careertakeover.com or contact Jennifer Ricks at [email protected]. To participate in this event and register as an Employer/Resource Partner, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2024EPGCT.

Employ Prince George's (EPG) provides workforce intelligence and solutions for the job seeker and business. EPG's mission is to contribute to the economic vitality of Prince George's County by providing a demand-driven system that delivers qualified workers to business and provides job seekers with opportunities for careers in high-demand/high-growth industries.

For more information, please visit employPG.org.

SOURCE Employ Prince George's
ENA's annual achievement awards recognize exemplary emergency nursing professionals



SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 50 years after taking her first job as an emergency nurse, Susan Douglass, MSN, RN, CEN, carries an enthusiastic and humble tone when she says she couldn't ask for anything more from her "great career."

On Wednesday, something more was added to her prolific story when ENA announced Douglass as the recipient of the 2024 Judith C. Kelleher Award, the association's most prestigious honor bearing the name of its co-founder.

Douglass, of San Antonio, Texas, served in a number of emergency department roles  from bedside to management  over four decades in the hospital setting, but her contributions extended far beyond it. She has been a pediatric and geriatric injury prevention champion in the community and has long-supported emergency nursing education as an instructor of ENA's cornerstone Trauma Nursing Core Course.

"I learned in the ED there's only one way to do it, you give 110 percent to every patient," said Douglass as she expressed disbelief about receiving the award. "I have loved almost every single day of my nursing career. All-in-all, if you focus on your patients, and what your patients need, you're golden."

Douglass' wide-ranging contributions to emergency nursing and in her home state of Texas earned the praise of ENA President Chris Dellinger, MBA, BSN, RN, FAEN.

"From teaching and mentoring emergency nurses throughout her career to giving back to her community as an injury prevention expert and committed advocate, Susan has undoubtedly touched more lives than she could ever know," Dellinger said. "She represents the best of emergency nursing as a shining example of what it means to be a mentor, a caregiver and a dedicated servant to others."

On Wednesday, ENA also announced 12 other individual award recipients, as well as the annual State Council Achievement Awards and this year's Team Awards.

"ENA members show up and stand out in so many ways every single day. This year's awards reflect that by honoring educators, researchers, ED leaders, experienced nurses, new nurses and amazing teams who represent the best of who we are as a nursing specialty and as the premier organization for emergency nurses," Dellinger said.

The 2024 ENA award recipients and other honorees will be recognized during Emergency Nursing 2024 in Las Vegas Sept. 4-7:

Barbara A. Foley Quality, Safety and Injury Prevention Award: Steve Weinman, MS, BSN, RN, EMT-B, NHDP-BC, TCRN, CEN, of New Jersey

Behind the Scenes Award: Raul Escamilla, AAS, EMT-P, of Texas

Clinical Nurse Specialist Award: Tina Nielsen, MS, RN, APNP, ACNS-BC, CEN, of Wisconsin

Crisis Response Team Award: Uvalde Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, of Texas

Frank L. Cole Nurse Practitioner Award: Nancy Denke, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CEN, FAEN, of Arizona

Gail P. Lenehan Advocacy Award: Tammy Aiken, DNP, MSN, RN, SANE, of New York

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gordon Gillespie, DNP, PhD, RN, PHCNS-BC, CEN, CPEN, FAAN, FAEN, of Ohio

Nurse Manager Award: Audrey Rosin, MBA, MSN, RN, CEN, of Wisconsin

Nurse Researcher Award: Kate Curtis, PhD, MN, RN, of Australia

Nursing Education Award: Julie Considine, PhD, BN, RN, of Australia

Nursing Practice and Professionalism Award: Jana Petersen, BSN, RN, CEN, of Wisconsin

Pediatric Readiness Improvement Award: Robin Goodman, MSN, CPEN, RN, of California

Rising Star Award: Tyler Bowe, RN, of Wisconsin

State Council/Chapter Government Affairs Award: North Carolina ENA State Council

Team Awards:

Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas

Center for Abuse, Rape and Emergency Services (CARES) program team  TriHealth, Ohio

for Abuse, Rape and Emergency Services (CARES) program team  TriHealth, The University of Kansas Health Systems new graduate groups  Cohorts Peach and Lavender, Kansas

In addition to the individual honors, 10 states  Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington  received 2024 State Council Achievement Awards for their outstanding local efforts last year.

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

ENA Media Contact:

Dan Campana

Director of Communications

847.460.4017

[email protected]

SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association
RICHMOND, Va., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Koalafi, a financial technology company committed to delivering inclusive financial products, announced the appointment of Eric Kobe as President, effective May 13, 2024. In this role, Kobe will report directly to Boomer Muth, the Chief Executive Officer of Koalafi. As President, Kobe will manage day-to-day operations to steer Koalafi into its next phase of growth.

Eric Kobe joins Koalafi as President.

Kobe brings over two decades of experience in executive leadership and strategy roles to Koalafi. Most recently, during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Groundspeed, the business generated 400% growth in annual recurring revenue (ARR) before being acquired. Kobe held various management positions at Affirm from 2016 through 2020, where he led the launch of Affirm's entry into new verticals and helped expand their consumer lending product suite.

"At Affirm, I witnessed the challenges that nearly 50% of prospective customers faced when denied credit," said Kobe. "This represents a critical gap in financial access for an underserved population needing to make important purchases. This realization drove me to Koalafi, whose commitment to financial inclusivity deeply resonated with me. Koalafi's dedication to transparency and consumer-centricity aligns perfectly with my vision for a more equitable financial landscape."

Commenting on Kobe's appointment, Boomer Muth shared, "We are thrilled to welcome Eric to Koalafi. His alignment with our core values and extensive strategic leadership experience make him the ideal leader to help us dramatically scale our business in a way that's authentic to our culture."

With Kobe onboard, Koalafi is poised to leverage his expertise to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver financial products that help merchants and consumers grow.

About Koalafi

Koalafi (koalafi.com) offers convenient and transparent financing options that enable non-prime consumers to make life-changing purchases. With Koalafi, in-store and eCommerce merchants can help more customers get the things they need, while increasing sales and strengthening customer loyalty. Koalafi believes that financing should be more than a payment plan, so they offer customers clear terms, top-rated support, and credit bureau reporting.

SOURCE Koalafi
ErthCycle, a standard plastics alternative, acknowledges the requirements Scope 3 puts on businesses around the world.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the recent mandates on Scope 3 emissions disclosure, companies are under increasing pressure to report and reduce their environmental impact. As transparency becomes paramount under new regulations from the SEC and state laws (such as California's SB 253), businesses are seeking effective solutions to lower their carbon footprint.

ErthCycle, a pioneering provider of sustainable packaging alternatives, offers a vital answer for companies aiming to decrease their packaging emissions.

Understanding the New Scope 3 Requirements

The recent publication on Scope 3 emissions demands that companies disclose not only their direct and indirect emissions but also those across their entire value chain. With investors and stakeholders demanding greater transparency and accountability, companies must adopt innovative solutions to meet these rigorous standards.

ErthCycle: The Plastic Pollution Solution

ErthCycle stands at the forefront of this sustainability revolution. Their product is a standard plastics alternative designed to significantly reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Unlike traditional plastics, which contribute extensively to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, ErthCycle products are made from materials that organically biodegrade, generating a minimal environmental footprint. Their packaging consumes, on average, 25% fewer fossil fuels compared to traditional plastics and demonstrates an organic biodegradation rate of 76.7% in simulated landfill conditions over 695 days.

What Sets ErthCycle Apart

ErthCycle's innovative approach to packaging offers several key benefits that distinguish it from other market options:

Eco-Friendly Materials: Made with Post-Consumer Resin (PCR), AKA recycled materials, and a patented blend of calcium carbonate and Eco-One technology, our packaging takes emissions into account at the start and end of life of each product we create.

Reduced Emissions: By using ErthCycle products, companies can substantially lower their Scope 3 emissions related to packaging, contributing to overall sustainability goals.

Compliance with Regulations: ErthCycle products help businesses comply with new disclosure requirements by providing transparent and verifiable emission reductions. Our products are PCR certified and received a Greener Plastics Certification from ATOA.

"Transparency is key in regards to these new laws, and ErthCycle has the answers many business owners will be, and are, seeking," said Cooper Bayliss, CEO of ErthCycle. "Our products not only help companies meet their regulatory obligations but also support their broader environmental commitments. This is a solution available right now, at a typically cost-neutral price compared to other, most expensive sustainable alternatives."

As companies navigate the complexities of Scope 3 emissions reporting, ErthCycle provides a straightforward, effective solution for reducing the environmental impact of packaging; A plastic pollution solution available right now.

By integrating ErthCycle products into their supply chains, businesses can achieve greater transparency, improve their sustainability performance, and meet the growing demands of investors and consumers for greener practices.

About ErthCycle

ErthCycle is dedicated to revolutionizing the packaging industry with sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Our mission is to provide a cost-friendly, eco-friendly packaging solution that can create a positive impact and help businesses achieve their sustainability goals quickly. For more information, visit www.ErthCycle.com

Contact:

Paige Blye, ErthCycle Marketing Director

Email: [email protected]

For further details on the new Scope 3 emission regulations and how they impact businesses, please refer to the SEC and California legislation publications ( SEC.gov ) ( Harv. Law Corp. Gov. Forum ).

SOURCE ErthCycle
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global faucet market size is estimated to grow by USD 15.58 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 9.03% during the forecast period.

For more insights on the forecast market size and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Request a sample report!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Faucet Market 2024-2028

Faucet Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.03% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 15.58 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.51 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key countries US, China, Japan, Russia, and UK Key companies profiled ALTON, CERA Sanitaryware Ltd., Eczacibasi Holding AS, FiveStar Brass India Ltd., Fortune Brands Innovations Inc., Globe Union Industrial Corp., Hindware Home Innovation Ltd., Jaquar Group, Kingston Brass Inc, Kohler Co., LIXIL Corp., Lowes Co. Inc., Masco Corp., Oras Ltd., Queo Bathrooms, Roca Sanitario SA, Toto Ltd., Ultra Faucets, VIGO INDUSTRIES LLC, and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp.

Market Driver

Luxury homes reflect an individual's social status and lifestyle. Increasing disposable income is leading homeowners to invest more in home interiors. For example, luxury home sales in India increased by 20% in February 2021 due to a demand for larger spaces. Homeowners are focusing on advanced amenities, with details like bathroom fixtures and kitchen fittings matched to home decor.

Popular faucet materials include brass, copper, and stainless steel, with finishes like brushed nickel and matte metal. Companies like Kohler Co. are expanding their product lines to meet these diverse needs. Additionally, smart faucets are becoming popular for their convenience and efficiency.

Market Challenges

The average lifespan of a metal faucet is around 8 to 10 years, limiting the replacement market. Increased competition has led vendors to source high-quality raw materials, allowing them to offer lifetime warranties. Companies like Kohler Co., Lowes Co. Inc., and Masco Corp. already provide lifetime support for their faucets.

In the APAC region, the price-sensitive population prefers repairs over replacements, as plumbing repairs are more cost-effective due to low service costs. This trend is expected to slow market growth for faucet replacements during the forecast period.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Request a sample report!

Segment Overview

Technology

1.1 Cartridge

1.2 Compression

1.3 Ceramic disc

1.4 Ball

End-user

2.1 Residential

2.2 Non-residential

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 APAC

3.3 Europe

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Cartridge- The cartridge faucet market is set to grow significantly in the coming years. These faucets offer better performance than compression and ball faucets, featuring a distinctive design and washer-less structure for easy water flow and low maintenance. They are easy to repair and come in single-handle or double-handle options. Valued at USD 8.58 billion in 2018, cartridge faucets are widely used in residential, office, hospital, and hospitality settings. Increased infrastructural spending in these sectors will drive the adoption of these cost-effective and easy-to-install faucets, boosting market growth during the forecast period.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Faucet Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing trend of urbanization and the demand for aesthetic appeal in both residential and commercial spaces. Smart bathroom accessories, such as reflex faucet collections, touch-free and digital faucets, and hybrid smart faucets, are becoming increasingly popular. Real estate developers and construction sector professionals are recognizing the importance of bathroom hardware that adheres to hygiene standards and offers smart functionalities.

Customized faucet designs, sensor-based controls, and touchless technology are key features that are in high demand. Eco-friendly faucets with water-saving mechanisms are also gaining popularity as the world moves towards sustainability. Designers and architects are incorporating Residential Digital Faucets and other smart faucets into their projects to enhance the overall design and functionality of kitchens and bathrooms.

Market Research Overview

The Faucet Market encompasses a wide range of products and services, primarily focused on the distribution and installation of faucets in various sectors. These sectors include residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Faucets are essential fixtures in buildings, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. They come in various types, such as compression, ceramic disc, ball, and cartridge faucets.

Features like water savings, ease of use, and design aesthetics are key considerations in the Faucet Market. Additionally, advancements in technology have led to the development of smart faucets, offering features like touchless operation and water temperature control.

The Faucet Market is driven by factors like increasing construction activities, growing demand for water conservation, and consumer preferences for modern and functional fixtures. As a crucial component of Bathroom Accessories, faucets play a significant role in enhancing the overall user experience and bathroom functionality.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Technology

Cartridge



Compression



Ceramic Disc



Ball

End-user

Residential



Non-residential

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Retail pioneer, mentor, and bestselling author Bob Fisch presents two $25K awards to graduate students from Fashion Design and Global Fashion Management programs

NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 22, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a college of the State University of New York (SUNY), announced that two $25,000 Bob Fisch Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence were presented to outstanding students in the Fashion Design MFA and Global Fashion Management MPS programs in its School of Graduate Studies. Robert (Bob) Fisch, founder and former chairman and CEO of rue21, award-winning author of the bestseller Get a Life: A Roadmap to Rule the World, and an FIT Foundation board member, established the awards to help advance the careers of the students.

Fisch, widely recognized for his bold innovations in value-priced, fast fashion retailing, said: "FIT's students from the MFA Fashion Design and Global Fashion Management programs have transformed traditional thesis presentations, infusing them with creativity and inspirationthe ingenuity and passion on display from these high achievers was remarkable. I am proud to be a part of their academic and professional journeys and look forward to the unconventional impact they will have on the future. I teach them business, they teach me life!"

"Through these generous awards, Bob Fisch is supporting our master's level students in accelerating their career trajectories and realizing their full potential," said FIT President Joyce F. Brown. "The guidance and mentoring provided by Bob is deeply appreciated, as is the care with which he shares his knowledge and expertise."

"These entrepreneurial awards make a tremendous impact on the students, who will be able to kick-start their businesses," said Dr. Brooke Carlson, interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies. "The combination of funding and mentorship is invaluable to their futures."

The 2024 recipients of the Bob Fisch Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence are:

Gina Ciarrocchi , Global Fashion Management, '24, of Pittsburgh, Penn. , creator of Silversleeve. Ciarrocchi identified the problem of insulin pumps emitting very small amounts of radiation. The solution, she found, lies in silver-based products, which are highly effective in blocking radiation. She created a protective silver cover for insulin pumps that serves as a radiation-blocking barrier between a user's body and the device. Ciarrocchi said:



"I was diagnosed [with diabetes] at a very young age, and growing up, I was very, very discreet about it. When I was 18, I got my first insulin pump and always wore it hidden and really close to my body. Eventually, my biggest fear went from 'Can anybody see my pump?' to 'Is wearing this pump going to give me breast cancer because I wear it tucked inside my bra?'"



"In response to receiving this award, I told Bob, 'I'm not just seeking funding, I'm looking for a mentor whose support will be invaluable.' I feel so honored and am grateful for his confidence in me."

Talia Abbe , Fashion Design MFA, '24, of New York, N.Y. , creator of Tabbe Designs. Abbe developed a ready-to-wear brand based on the negative and positive stimuli in the world and how it affects people, both internally and externally. Created during COVID with the goal of trying to end the stigma associated with mental health, Abbe's collection is focused on people's emotions and experiences. With her garments, she aims to produce a more inclusive, freeing, and joyful environment for the wearer. Abbe said:



"Since COVID, I've been focused on mental health. I didn't do well being locked inside all the time. The only way I felt I could really express myself was through fashion. I started making all my clothes about mental health in 2020, meaning that my work began to reflect how I was feeling, what I was going through, and what my friends and family were going through. I felt like I wanted to be able to give myself an outletand to give people around me a voice and make them feel like they were not alone, like I understood."



Abbe plans to use her award to produce and trademark samples and jumpstart her marketing efforts.

Past recipients of the Bob Fisch Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence include: Lindsey Mortensen, of Dallas, Mubarak Abliz, of Xinjiang, China, and Victoria Shchepakina, of Saratov, Russia, all Global Fashion Management, for POSSE, the Innerwear as Outerwear luxury lingerie brand created for sizes D cup and up; Valeria Watson, Fashion Design MFA, of Guadalajara, Mexico, creator of Valeria Watson, a clothing line that explores the blend of cultures between the United States and Mexico; Amanda Brown, of New York, N.Y., and Eva Carelus, of Freeport, N.Y., both Global Fashion Management, for Maid to Alter, a circular bridesmaid dress brand with rentable dresses that have self-adjustable features that allow one garment to serve many customers, saving bridesmaids time and money on dress alterations; and Stephanie Kim, Fashion Design MFA, of South Korea, for The Yearbook Committee, a film and design production company in New York.

Launched in 2021, the Entrepreneurial Awards are an extension of the comprehensive Bob Fisch graduate student program, which celebrates entrepreneurial excellence and intergenerational mentoring through gifts from Fisch of over $400,000 to date. The program includes thesis project completion grants, scholarships for FIT's Fashion Design MFA and Global Fashion Management MPS programs, year-round educational "fireside chats" led by Fisch, and extraordinary one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.

FIT's Fashion Design MFA program, established in 2017, focuses on practice-based research. Unconventional in approach, the program welcomes students with non-fashion backgrounds as well as those with rich traditional undergraduate training in fashion design. The curriculum emphasizes research methodologies and pushes critical thinking that motivates innovation and invention in design, fit, cut, construction, silhouette, and materiality. The Global Fashion Management program emphasizes leadership, applied creativity, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, along with effective writing and presentation skills. The curriculum includes courses in production management and supply chain, global marketing and fashion brand management, culture and international business, corporate finance, politics and world trade, business policy, global retail management, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

To find out more, please visit FIT .

About FIT

A part of the State University of New York, FIT has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology throughout its history. Providing over 8,000 students with an uncommon blend of hands-on, practical experience, theory, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, the college offers a wide range of affordable programs that foster innovation and collaboration. Its distinctive curriculum is geared to today's rapidly growing creative economy, including fields such as computer animation, toy design, production management, film and media, and cosmetics and fragrance marketing. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers nearly 50 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the new creative economy. Among notable alumni in fashion are Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Reem Acra, Brian Atwood, Dennis Basso, Francisco Costa, Norma Kamali, Nanette Lepore, Bibhu Mohapatra, Daniel Roseberry, Ralph Rucci, John Bartlett, Peter Do, and Michelle Smith. Other prominent graduates include Leslie Blodgett, creator of bareMinerals; international restaurant designer Tony Chi; and Nina Garcia, editor in chief, Elle.

About the FIT Foundation

As the primary fundraising arm for FIT, the FIT Foundation supports and celebrates fearless innovation, inclusivity, and unabashed creativity. Since 1944, the FIT Foundation has advanced the mission of the college and its strategic goals by preparing students to fuel the future of fashion, business, design, technology, and the arts. Serving as a bridge between donors and FIT's schools, departments, and programs, the foundation strives to inspire and empower the vibrant community of FIT friends, students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders. Through scholarship development, industry engagement, and programs and events with social impact, the foundation is dedicated to the following core mandates: igniting thought leadership, fostering ingenuity and exploration, and helping FIT lead the next generation of unconventional minds into the new creative economy.

About Bob Fisch

Robert Fisch is recognized as a pioneering merchant for his bold and successful innovations in value-priced, fast fashion retailing, notably at rue21. Fisch is the founder and former chairman and CEO of rue21 and took the company from bankruptcy to a fast-track winning streak that included a hot-stock IPO, building a national network of 1,200 stores and a billion-dollar-plus value. Fisch's proven management practices and motivational skills have resulted in a unique mutual-mentoring relationship with millennials in the workplace. He formed a millennial advisory board, which also served as a consulting body for his 2019 book release, Fisch Tales: The Making of a Millennial Baby Boomer, and his current book, Get a Life: A Roadmap to Rule the World, which led him to becoming a Forbes best-selling author. Fisch is currently president of RNF Group, a consulting company focused on the assessment and evaluation of retail and other business enterprises, as well as providing mentoring services to existing management of these companies.

CONTACT:

212-217-4700

[email protected]

SOURCE Fashion Institute of Technology
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global food safety testing market size is estimated to grow by USD 10.51 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.28% during the forecast period.

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Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Food Safety Testing Market 2024-2028

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Type (Meat and poultry, Fruits and vegetables, Processed foods, Dairy, and Others), Technology (Rapid and Traditional), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Key Companies Covered ADPEN Laboratories Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., ALS Ltd., AsureQuality Ltd., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., bioMerieux SA, Bureau Veritas SA, Cotecna Inspection SA, Element Materials Technology Group Ltd., EMSL Analytical Inc., Eurofins Scientific SE, FoodChain ID Group Inc., Intertek Group Plc, Merieux NutriSciences Corp., Microbac Laboratories Inc., Neogen Corp., RJ Hill Laboratories Ltd., Romer Labs Division Holding GmbH, Campden BRI, and PerkinElmer Inc Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)

Region Outlook

North America Europe Asia Rest of World

1. North America - North America's market growth, estimated at 41%, is driven by government funding in the food and beverage sector. The US FDA's Final Rule Laboratory Accreditation, mandated by the FSMA since 2011, aims to enhance food safety by preventing contamination. This shift towards preventive measures is expected to boost safety testing solutions adoption in the region, aligning with the FSMA's goal of ensuring only safe products enter the market.

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Segmentation Overview

Type

1.1 Meat and poultry

1.2 Fruits and vegetables

1.3 Processed foods

1.4 Dairy

1.5 Others

Technology

2.1 Rapid

2.2 Traditional

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 Asia

3.4 Rest of World (ROW)

1.1 Fastest growing segment: The meat and poultry market share will grow significantly, driven by safety concerns. Recalls and scandals impact major brands. Testing solutions like ELISA for meat identification and quality index for freshness control are crucial. Programs like the US National Residue Program monitor chemical contaminants. Valued at USD 4.69 billion in 2018, the meat and poultry segment will benefit from such measures, fostering market growth.

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Research Analysis

The Food Safety Testing Market encompasses the use of advanced microbiological and chemical techniques to detect and mitigate contaminants in food products. This market plays a crucial role in ensuring public health and productivity by preventing food-borne diseases caused by contaminated food. The high cost of specialized equipment and expertise required for accurate and efficient testing poses a challenge.

However, the implementation of traceability systems and smart tools helps minimize cross-contamination and enhances sustainability. The market caters to various seafood species, including shrimp, crustaceans, crabs, tuna, lobsters, swordfish, and marlin, ensuring the safety and quality of these valuable food sources.

Toxicology Testing is integral to this process, ensuring that harmful substances are detected and mitigated effectively, safeguarding both consumer health and the integrity of the food supply chain.

Market Overview

The Food Safety Testing Market encompasses a variety of analytical techniques and services aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of food products. This market is driven by increasing consumer awareness and regulatory requirements for food safety. The testing processes involve the detection and identification of various contaminants such as pathogens, heavy metals, pesticides, and allergens.

Technologies utilized include microbiological, chemical, molecular methods, and Food Ultrasound techniques. The market is segmented based on food type, testing type, and region. The market is expected to grow significantly due to the rising demand for safe and hygienic food, increasing regulatory compliance, and advancements in testing technologies.

The market also faces challenges such as high testing costs and the need for rapid and accurate results. Overall, the Food Safety Testing Market plays a crucial role in maintaining public health and ensuring food safety worldwide.

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Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Venodr Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
This trial will assess the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating mental healthcare professionals suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, in group and individual dosing sessions, commencing Q3 2024.

CALGARY, AB, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - ATMA Journey Centers Inc. ("ATMA"), a pioneering Canadian company with a primary focus on advancing innovative psychedelic-assisted therapy solutions, has received approvals for its Phase II Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Clinical Trial from the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta (HREBA) and Health Canada (No Objection Letter). The primary objective of this trial will be to evaluate the potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating frontline mental healthcare professionals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), administered in either a group or individual setting.

While a considerable portion of the Canadian population continues to struggle with mental distress stemming from the repercussions of COVID-19, healthcare professionals themselves have faced significant mental hurdles. Indeed, despite the immense physical and psychological burdens imposed by the pandemic  both direct and indirect  many mental healthcare professionals have prioritized the well-being of their patients over their own, resulting in an unaddressed need for mental support; healthcare professionals, like the general population, experience psychological trauma leading to mental health challenges. However, evidence suggests that these challenges are more prevalent among frontline workers due to the nature of their work. From compassion fatigue to vicarious traumatization, these workers often do not use effective coping mechanisms to navigate their depression while continuing their professional duties. Consequently, many have inadvertently normalized chronic depression.

As such, the primary objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating frontline mental healthcare workers diagnosed with MDD. This will be accomplished by comparing the scores on standardized self-assessment questionnaires administered to participants before and after their psilocybin session. The secondary exploratory objective of this study is to investigate the effect psilocybin has on personal and professional characteristics that enhance competency as a mental healthcare worker, as well as participants' self-assessment of their competency and confidence in administering psilocybin-assisted therapy.

Additionally, in collaboration with experts in psychedelic group therapy such as Dr. Mark Atkinson of Human Potential Academy and Dr. Simon Ruffell of Onaya Science, ATMA is exploring a novel protocol for this Phase II trial. This sub-group analysis aims to investigate the potential efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy through both group and individual administration frameworks. Based on research exploring the potential benefits of group therapy for addressing depression, ATMA's protocol offers options for either individual sessions or a group setting. The group therapy hypothesis suggests that the group approach may foster social connectedness and well-being by inducing states of communitas and facilitating psychological safety, potentially promoting empathy, cooperation, and aiding in psychological integration and self-regulation. Plans are in motion to prepare for future Phase III trials with a focus on refining the group therapy design. Furthermore, although the primary goal of these trials is not necessarily to improve accessibility to psilocybin, there is a possibility that these trials could enhance affordability and accessibility, possibly alleviating the financial burden on both the healthcare system and participants.

Considering the size and nationwide scope of this trial, ATMA has partnered with KGK Science to ensure successful execution. KGK is an experienced clinical research company specializing in product development. With preparations underway for Canada's largest Phase II clinical trial on psilocybin-assisted therapy, this initiative will encompass three sites nationwide, including the ATMA CENA Psychedelic Therapy Clinics in Calgary, AB and London, ON, along with Qi Integrated Health in Vancouver, BC.

The trial will be open to frontline mental healthcare professionals who have completed an approved psychedelic-assisted therapy training program; this includes the 750+ ATMA alumni and others who have equivalent training and meet the other eligibility requirements. ATMA believes that training in psychedelic therapy as well as a thorough understanding of psychedelic medicines are crucial for participants in this trial. Such training equips participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the psychedelic experience safely and effectively. It enables them to understand the potential effects of psilocybin on their mental health and well-being, and how to integrate these experiences into their therapeutic journey, which will provide the field with valuable data in terms of the secondary exploratory objective.

Graduates of ATMA's Advanced Psychedelic Therapy Training Program  predominantly qualified therapists with psychedelic-assisted therapy training and facilitating experience  will be offered the opportunity to contribute to ATMA's Phase II and III clinical trial therapist staffing needs, amounting to up to 6,000 hours. ATMA's training program has equipped hundreds of therapists and healthcare practitioners for this role, offering a valuable chance for those interested in the psychedelic-assisted therapy field to gain more experience in this field as clinical trial staff facilitators and therapists.

CEO Vu Tran emphasizes the potential of the group protocol as a pivotal advancement for the psychedelic therapy industry, not only by enhancing accessibility, but also by validating the effectiveness of group healing practices rooted in non-Western and ancient cultures. He highlights the epidemic of loneliness as a contributing factor to the current mental health crisis and advocates for embracing group healing formats as a means of addressing this challenge.

ABOUT ATMA JOURNEY CENTERS INC.

We care about improving the lives and practices of mental healthcare professionals.

ATMA is pioneering a healthcare practitioner-centered business model for the psychedelic industry. By providing education, training, clinical trials leading to IP protocols, support services, and developing a network of clinics, we are building and supporting a vast community of psychedelic practitioners in adopting psychedelic-assisted therapy and thereby improving access for many.

SOURCE ATMA Journey Centers Inc
LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of the bill's markup Thursday, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to the Chairs of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee addressing the flaws of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) and how it would weaken data privacy rights for Californians.

Because of preemption language in the proposed bill, APRA would wipe away years of progress made in California and in nearly 20 states that have passed similar laws across the country, stated the advocacy group. Nearly 10 million Californians voted for strong data privacy rights when they passed CPRA. CPRA is unique because it gives Californians a baseline of rights that can be improved upon over time, but cannot be eroded by legislators, said Consumer Watchdog.

"APRA would put a lid on California's progress in the data privacy space, likely never to be opened again," said Justin Kloczko, tech and privacy advocate at Consumer Watchdog.

Read the letter here.

Under the bill, the authority of California's top privacy enforcer, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA), would be greatly reduced, said Consumer Watchdog. It will be replaced with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is in the middle of many important antitrust battles and does not gain additional funding under APRA, stated Consumer Watchdog. Per the bill, the FTC will have two years from when the law is enacted to draft regulations.

"That's a lot of time for people's data to change hands and for rogue algorithms to do damage," said Kloczko. "Technological innovation moves fast. But Californians have protections right now."

The bill is similar to the American Data and Privacy Protection Act (ADPPA) of 2022, which stalled after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised concerns about it. Last month, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) unveiled APRA, which would give Americans rights surrounding how companies use, share or sell their data.

But it takes away strong rights in California, many of which are in effect right now, including:

Opt out rights in effect right now. The ability to limit the use of sensitive personal information, to opt out of the sharing and selling of your personal information for targeted advertising, to know how personal information is used by businesses, and the ability to correct or delete it are all protections Californians would lose for years were this bill approved.





Protections for sensitive information, such as sexual orientation, union membership, and immigration status. APRA does not include those categories in the definition of sensitive covered data.





Protections against profiling.





Protections against targeted advertising. Under APRA, service providers will still be able to combine data to execute targeted advertising.





Protections against companies that collect or share data with a local or federal agency. Service providers are exempt under APRA.





Progress made surrounding artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technology. The CA privacy agency is currently drafting landmark rules surrounding a right to opt-out of the use of personal information with respect to training automated decisions.





A stronger private right of action for data breaches. APRA would move all cases to federal court, where it is harder for consumers to seek remedies.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
WHEATON, Ill., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALS United Greater Chicago is delighted to welcome you to the much-anticipated 2024 Walk ALS Chicago, taking place at the beautiful Cantigny Park in Wheaton on June 1. This year, we invite you to embark on your UNITED Era journey with us as we gather in solidarity to stand by those impacted by ALS.

Walk ALS Chicago is a powerful community event that brings hope and raises funds to combat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. 2024 marks the 20th year of service for ALS United Greater Chicago supporting those battling ALS in our community. Funds raised through Walk ALS Chicago directly support vital services provided in the Greater Chicago Area, including funding of the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics, caregiver education, an equipment lending program, support groups, and more.

This family-friendly event welcomes individuals of all ages, providing a wonderful opportunity to unite with friends, family, and colleagues in support of the ALS community. Participation in the Walk is free, and there is no fundraising minimum. However, participants who fundraise $90 or more will receive a special event t-shirt. Registration and check-in for the event will open at 8:00 AM and the walk will start at 10:00 AM, leading participants through gorgeous Cantigny Park.

To sign up, donate, or volunteer for Walk ALS Chicago, visit walkalschicago.org or contact us at 312-932-0000. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by ALS.

About ALS and ALS United Greater Chicago:

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a devastating, fatal neuromuscular disease. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS, and every 90 minutes someone loses their fight with ALS. For twenty years, ALS United Greater Chicago has served individuals battling ALS and their families throughout Chicagoland, Northern IL, and Central IL. It is ALS United Greater Chicago's mission to unite the ALS community in our collaborative approach to foster bold research initiatives, advance national and state advocacy efforts, and provide comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS.

SOURCE ALS United Greater Chicago
Line to Feature 396 Design Options

MELBOURNE, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NEVEN, an innovative and high-quality yet affordable eyewear brand inspired by the palindrome "Never Odd Or Even," is pleased to announce that in response to demand, it is launching a new line of prescription glasses. Working in partnership with respected longtime Atlanta, Georgia-based laboratory Robertson Optical Laboratories, Inc., the largest independently owned and operated Optical Wholesaler in the United States, NEVEN will offer 396 design options within the collection.

NEVEN Prescription Glasses NEVEN Prescription Glasses

A revolutionary eyewear company, NEVEN is disrupting the industry with its unique blend of fashionable products, customer satisfaction and affordability. It offers modern, minimalist designs to timeless classics.

Kicking off the new line are 66 different frame styles, and six different lens colors: clear, black, brown, coastal blue, rose-pink and silver. Robertson Optical Laboratories meticulously crafts the high-powered lenses to suit individual needs.

The cutting-edge manufacturing process leverages the latest advancements in material science and technology to produce lightweight, durable frames crafted with upgraded TR90 material. All NEVEN sunglasses come with polarized lenses, anti-sea water coating and oleophobic coating, to assist with optimal performance and longevity.

Upgrades are available for all prescription frames and lens colors at an additional cost. These include:

Polycarbonate lens for impact resistance (coastal blue, rose-pink and silver lens colors come pre-upgraded with polycarbonate lens for free).

High index lens to make lenses thinner and lighter.

Anti-reflective coating to combat glare from computers and TV screens, as well as night lights while driving.

Polarized lens providing superior protection against the sun's natural glare for outdoor adventures.

Clear lens blue light protection.

Prescription limits NEVEN accepts are:

+6.00 to -5.00

+6.00 to -8.00

+5.00 to -5.00

Pricing for single-vision eyewear starts at $99. NEVEN also accepts HSA (Health Savings Account) funds as a payment method as prescription glasses are a qualified medical expense.

Eyewear is available for purchase at https://neveneyewear.com/.

Following the launch, NEVEN will unveil three additional lens colors for prescription glasses, bringing the design options to a total of 594.

"We're very excited to launch our new line of affordable prescription eyewear," said Jonathan Strauss, CEO of NEVEN Eyewear. "Through our partnership with Robertson Optical Laboratories, we are looking forward to combining our strengths and offering our customers prescription glasses with a wide variety of design options ensuring there is something for everyone."

NEVEN offers affiliate programs through ShareASale, Skimlinks and Refersion.

Processing takes two to three days. NEVEN does not accept insurance. Customers must have a valid prescription from an eye care professional to order glasses online. Individuals should ensure their prescription is up to date. Contact lens prescriptions are different from eyeglass prescriptions. NEVEN can fill most single vision and progressive prescriptions for eyeglasses and sunglasses. However, there may be certain prescriptions or lens options that require additional verification or customization. Customers can only submit one prescription per order.

NEVEN recommends having the prescription checked by an eye care professional every one to two years, or as recommended by an eye doctor. Regular eye exams help ensure that the prescription is up to date and that any changes in vision are promptly addressed. If individuals need adjustments or repairs for their glasses, they can visit a local optician or eyewear professional for assistance.

About NEVEN Eyewear:

NEVEN Eyewear is an innovative and high-quality yet affordable eyewear brand providing stylish and functional sunglasses, prescription eyewear, blue light glasses and accessories. Inspired by the palindrome "Never Odd Or Even," it is based on a mission to encourage customers to explore new horizons, no matter how they get there." NEVEN Eyewear is based in Melbourne, Florida. For more information, visit https://neveneyewear.com/ or check out NEVEN at https://www.instagram.com/neveneyewearofficial, https://www.tiktok.com/@neveneyewear, https://www.facebook.com/neveneyewear/ and https://twitter.com/neveneyewear.

About Robertson Optical Laboratories, Inc.:

Founded in 1958 by Jack Robertson, Robertson Optical Laboratories is the largest independently owned and family operated optical wholesaler in the U.S. Its full-service lens manufacturing facilities employ the most innovatively advanced processing software and equipment. For more than 66 years, Robertson Optical has been a beacon of excellence and independent integrity within the optical industry. For more information, visit http://www.robertsonoptical.com/.

Media Contact:

Duree & Company, Inc.

954.723.9350 / [email protected]

SOURCE NEVEN Eyewear
PITTSBURGH, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a pocket-size safety device that would help GTAW and TIG welders to sharpen their tungsten in all welding jobsite or shop environments," said an inventor, from Mesa, Ariz., "so I invented the TUNGSTEN SHARPENER. My design would confine the sharpening process within the device, unlike conventional sharpening activity associated with powered grinding tools that can send metal particulates airborne."

The invention provides a pocket-size safety tool for effective sharpening of non-consumable tungsten electrode rods used in GTAW and TIG welding procedures. In doing so, it eliminates unsafe manual grinding practices. As a result, it increases safety. The invention features an ergonomic and featherweight design that is easy to use so it is ideal for professional welders, building construction contractors, metal products fabricators and manufacturers, industrial workers, and welding enthusiasts.

The original design was submitted to the Phoenix sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 22-PHO-4031, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21st, JETOUR Auto made its global RHD products debut at the Malaysia Auto Show, which marked JETOUR officially entering global RHD market with its 'Travel+' strategy. Guests, media, and partners in Malaysia gathered at the auto show to witness JETOUR's new era in the RHD market.

JETOUR Malaysia RHD Launch Event

"The launch of RHD models shows that JETOUR's product line becomes more diverse, capable of meeting users' needs in different countries and regions. With a profound understanding of market trends and demands, JETOUR accelerates its global strategic layout." said Kevin Xu, Vice President of JETOUR International.

DASHING and X70 PLUS RHD models launched in Malaysia not only retain the popular features of the product series but also integrate local elements, further enhancing safety and comfort to meet the needs of young Malaysians and family users.

As one of the important economies and the second-largest automotive market in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a strategic RHD market for JETOUR. Over the next five years, JETOUR plans to develop 80 sales networks in Malaysia and achieve a 150,000-unit sales target, becoming a mainstream auto brand in Malaysia.

According to Kevin Xu, JETOUR will build the whole industry chain in Malaysia, including marketing, services, finance, local manufacturing, and parts localization, and will export to other markets in Southeast Asia.

"Malaysia witnessed significant growth in automotive industry, with nearly 800,000 units sold in 2023. As a new auto brand, JETOUR has made remarkable achievements of over 1.1 million units sold within only 68 months. We are confident in JETOUR's performance in Malaysia. In 2025 and 2026, we plan to introduce more models, including traditional ICE vehicles, PHEVs, and BEVs, satisfying users' demands for economical and environment-friendly travel in Malaysia." said Nor Kamalah Binti Hashim, Director of JETOUR Auto Malaysia.

In the second half of this year, JETOUR will enter markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, and South Africa. Continuing with the family travel series represented by DASHING and X70 PLUS, JETOUR plans to launch RHD models of off-road travel T series in the first quarter of 2025.

JETOUR Auto has covered over 50 countries and regions, including the Middle East, Central and South America, Africa and Asia-Pacific, with more than 600 sales and service networks. Focusing on globalization, JETOUR has also proposed the "International Million Strategy": by 2030, it is expected to establish over 1,600 distribution networks and 10 KD assembly plants for more than 80 markets worldwide and achieve over 1 million unit sales and 100 billion yuan in revenue.

With JETOUR's deployment in the RHD market, the "Travel+" strategy will be further developed and innovated on both product and marketing, strengthening JETOUR's position as the premier brand in the global "Travel+" auto market.

SOURCE JETOUR AUTO
Maroney is a senior healthcare executive with 20 years of finance and actuarial leadership experience

OAKLAND, Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kassie Maroney, an accomplished executive and manager with two decades of finance and actuarial leadership experience at major health plans, has been named senior vice president and chief actuary for Blue Shield of California.

Maroney will oversee health plan financial performance at Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit health plan with $24 billion in annual revenue. She will also lead the actuarial, pricing, underwriting, and financial risk and analytics teams.

Kassie Maroney Named Blue Shield of California Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary

"Kassie Maroney brings deep experience to this position," said Mike Stuart, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Blue Shield of California. "Her strong business acumen, along with well-aligned leadership abilities in finance and underwriting are integral to this role. Her expertise will help us deliver high-quality affordable health care to the members we serve, and her background closely aligns with our north star of creating a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable."

Maroney comes to Blue Shield of California from Health Care Service Corporation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. She previously held leadership and actuarial roles with Florida Blue and Aetna.

Maroney earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Actuarial Science from Drake University and is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with more than 4.8 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $24 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $97 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT: Mark Seelig

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has named Katherine Evans as its Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. In this role, she will provide legal, regulatory and compliance oversight and guidance for the company and serve as legal advisor to the board of directors, the CEO and other senior executives. She will report to the company's president and CEO, Mike Zukerman.

CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has named Katherine Evans as its Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer.

"Katie brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in her previous role as interim chief legal officer. We are thrilled to have her continue in this role and her expertise will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of our industry. We are confident that Katie's vision and insight will be instrumental in driving our company forward," Zukerman said.

"I'm honored to lead such a talented and dedicated team to manage our legal landscape and support the company's mission. Together, we will continue to help drive our strategic initiatives and create innovative solutions, ensuring we provide exceptional service to our customers and stakeholders," Evans said.

Before being named interim chief legal officer in 2023, Evans served as the company's vice president of regulatory and government affairs for five years and played a key role in the company's efforts to innovate and operationalize new business ideas. She currently serves on the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds board and has also served on CSAA's pro bono committee supporting free legal programs offered to local communities.

Prior to joining CSAA Insurance Group, Evans was an insurance regulatory partner with Dentons, one of the largest law firms in the world. She co-authored "Dentons'' Guide to Insurance Market Regulation," and was recognized in 2013 as a "Rising Star" by Law360, one of five insurance attorneys nationwide to be recognized.

Evans graduated with honors from University of California, Santa Cruz and received her law degree, cum laude, from University of California, Hastings, where she was managing editor of the Hastings Law Review.

About CSAA Insurance Group

CSAA Insurance Group offers automobile, home and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, the company has been rated "A" or better by AM Best for more than 90 years and, with over $6 billion in revenue, is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light. More information is available at http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com and on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok, Threads and YouTube).

CSAA Insurance Group, Public Relations | 3055 Oak Road, Walnut Creek CA 94597 |

www.csaa-insurance.aaa.com/

Press Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE CSAA Insurance Group
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is hosting the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, attended by over 5,000 aviation experts and leaders from more than 100 countries.

H.E Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah delivering his speech at the Future Aviation Forum, Riyadh

On the second day of the forum, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) called on the international community to establish a 'Global Aid Aviation Council.' Bringing together the aviation community, humanitarian agencies and governments, the new body would facilitate and protect humanitarian aid delivered across air routes. As part of the proposal, H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah stated that all programs must be protected under international humanitarian law.

The Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in three ways: by ensuring uninhibited access to airports, flightpaths, and refuelling facilities for aircraft delivering aid; by removing all duties and tariffs on aircraft transporting aid; and by streamlining the coordination of aid delivery. The removal of duties would reduce costs, helping to bridge the humanitarian funding gap.

H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah emphasized the vital role of civil aviation in delivering humanitarian aid during both man-made conflicts and natural disasters:

"Civil aviation is crucial for the swift transportation of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency supplies such as food, water, medical supplies, and shelter materials. An international community-backed Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of such aid, saving lives and helping those in need."

KSrelief has leveraged aviation to deliver critical health supplies and aid in crisis zones. Its airbridge programs have supported Gaza with 50 flights from Riyadh to Al Arish in Egypt, to Sudan with over 20 flights, and provided vital assistance to the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Additionally, an ambitious airbridge program for Ukraine has sent over 21 airplanes carrying essential aid to border cities in Poland.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2419325/KSRELIEF.jpg

SOURCE King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is hosting the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, attended by over 5,000 aviation experts and leaders from more than 100 countries.

H.E Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah delivering his speech at the Future Aviation Forum, Riyadh

On the second day of the forum, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) called on the international community to establish a 'Global Aid Aviation Council.' Bringing together the aviation community, humanitarian agencies and governments, the new body would facilitate and protect humanitarian aid delivered across air routes. As part of the proposal, H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah stated that all programs must be protected under international humanitarian law.

The Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in three ways: by ensuring uninhibited access to airports, flightpaths, and refuelling facilities for aircraft delivering aid; by removing all duties and tariffs on aircraft transporting aid; and by streamlining the coordination of aid delivery. The removal of duties would reduce costs, helping to bridge the humanitarian funding gap.

H.E. Dr Al Rabeeah emphasized the vital role of civil aviation in delivering humanitarian aid during both man-made conflicts and natural disasters:

"Civil aviation is crucial for the swift transportation of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency supplies such as food, water, medical supplies, and shelter materials. An international community-backed Global Aid Aviation Council would facilitate the delivery of such aid, saving lives and helping those in need."

KSrelief has leveraged aviation to deliver critical health supplies and aid in crisis zones. Its airbridge programs have supported Gaza with 50 flights from Riyadh to Al Arish in Egypt, to Sudan with over 20 flights, and provided vital assistance to the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Additionally, an ambitious airbridge program for Ukraine has sent over 21 airplanes carrying essential aid to border cities in Poland.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2419325/KSRELIEF.jpg
TUCSON, Ariz., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Learn Look Locate (LLL), an educational breast cancer platform, proudly announces the launch of its second collaborative webpage with Walgreens, dedicated to breast cancer awareness. This milestone marks the second year of a collaboration between the two organizations, reaffirming their mutual commitment to providing enhanced care and support for individuals affected by breast cancer. The new webpage at https://learnlooklocate.com/walgreens-specialty-pharmacy-and-learn-look-locate/ embodies their collective dedication to empowering patients with comprehensive resources and information.

According to the American Cancer Society's estimates for breast cancer in the United States in 2024, about 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women alone. These staggering statistics underscore the critical importance of early detection and education in the fight against breast cancer.

This innovative collaboration seamlessly integrates LLL's expertise in breast cancer education with Walgreens' extensive pharmacy services, offering a holistic approach to cancer care. Through this collaboration, individuals gain access to a wide array of resources, including advanced treatment options, educational tools, patient testimonials, and direct interactions with top medical professionals.

Laly Havern, PharmD, MS, BCACP, director of Clinical Pharmacy Strategy at Walgreens, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration: "Walgreens is proud to continue its support of Learn Look Locate's mission. Our shared goal is to empower individuals to manage their health confidently, providing resources for screenings, clinical trials, and wellness support."

Rahul Singh, MD, a medical oncologist, and medical advisor of LLL, echoes this sentiment, stating, "LLL and Walgreens have demonstrated the profound impact of bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. This collaboration will undoubtedly empower individuals on their cancer journey with essential knowledge and support."

Cynthia Jordan, founder of LLL and a breast cancer survivor, expresses her enthusiasm for the initiative: "We are thrilled to enhance our relationship with Walgreens for the second year in a row. The LLL platform is more than just a resourceit's a community where survivors and patients can access crucial information and support."

Learn Look Locate remains committed to offering top-notch information covering prevention, diagnosis, genetic testing, treatment options, and advances in recurrence monitoring. The platform also celebrates survivor stories from around the globe, recognizing and honoring the resilience and triumphs of individuals on their breast cancer journey.

"Everything we do is patient-focused, breaking down the barriers of this complex disease," says Jordan. "We are excited to introduce this new webpage with Alex Cosimano, PharmD, Walgreens oncology specialty pharmacist and medical advisor for Learn Look Locate. Alex will help people understand the wealth of resources Walgreens specialty pharmacies have to offer, such as integrating beauty and health, around-the-clock support, fertility preservation support, and personalized patient consultations."

About Learn Look Locate

Founded in 2018 by Cynthia Jordan, Learn Look Locate is a distinguished leader in early diagnosis and support for breast cancer. The platform provides the latest research, advanced treatments, and interviews with world-class specialists, making information accessible and understandable for patients and families worldwide. Join our supportive community today and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and X at @learnlooklocate.

Media Contacts:

Cynthia Jordan

Tel: 1-407-592-4474

Email: [email protected]

Adrienne Foley, APR

Walgreens corporate communications

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Learn Look Locate LLC
LAKE ORION, Mich., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightware continues delivering the most innovative solutions in USB and USB-C signal management, and will showcase its latest developments for the corporate, education and live event sectors during this year's Infocomm, taking place in Las Vegas in June 12-14.

Lightware at Infocomm 2024

Throughout the event visitors to the Lightware booth (C8056) can see the AV manufacturer's newest technologies in action, including the latest editions of the market-leading Taurus product family. After inventing USB host switching in 2020 with the Taurus UCX and introducing USB extension three years later with the Taurus TPX, Lightware is upping the ante again with the Taurus TPN, expanding USB capabilities into network environments. Beyond the Taurus TPN, Lightware will also showcase its new Taurus UCX Dual Screen feature along with other innovative connectivity solutions.

Taurus TPN - Introducing UC-over-IP

Lightware's Taurus TPN is a groundbreaking UC-over-IP solution tailored for medium to large conference rooms, enabling meeting participants to easily connect their USB-C laptops as hosts and take control of their room's USB assets. The Taurus UCX-TPN and HDMI-TPN devices, both leveraging SDVoE technology, form the core of the solution, allowing for the creation of adaptable UC-over-IP matrices. The Taurus TPN's unique seamless management of HDMI 2.0 signals supports up to 4K60 4:4:4 video resolution and its provision of full bandwidth USB 2.0 allows high-quality data transmission across 10G Ethernet networks.

The World's First Multiscreen Extended Desktop with Taurus UCX-4x3-HCM40

Lightware delivers the first ever ProAV solution that enables multiscreen extended desktop via a single USB-C cable. The Taurus UCX-4x3-HCM40 - Dual Screen UCX is an innovative dual display screen solution that redefines meeting room connectivity, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge features to enhance collaboration and deliver a first-class user experience. The UCX-4x3-HCM40's dual-screen USB-C input is a game-changer for the workspace, supporting 100W charging, a 1GbE USB3 network card compatible with diverse operating systems, and the ability to share external USB3/USB2 devices. Overcoming limitations posed by Apple's M1/M2/M3 chips, it effortlessly supports two independent 4K60 displays, showcasing its adaptability to various setups.

If you are having trouble integrating USB and USB-C connectivity into your AV projects, come and see us at Infocomm. We have a Taurus for that.

AV over IP  The Next Level

Infocomm 2024 will also witness the US premiere of the new 1G AV over IP solution, Gemini GVN, capable of transmitting 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 image quality with USB device routing and fast-scaling, seamless host switching. Additionally, Lightware will showcase the latest edition of its widely acclaimed rental and staging solution, UBEX, which enables uncompressed 4K UHD@60Hz 4:4:4 signal extension with latency-free multistreaming over dual 10G Ethernet network, enhanced with USB capabilities.

Corporate Solutions

Complementing its Corporate Solutions demonstrations, Infocomm attendees can also explore Lightware's wider solutions portfolio, including extended desktop and conference room configurations, Taurus TPX/Cisco interfacing, Dante USB Audio Bridge and voice tracking solutions as well as Lightware's BYOM technologies for medium-sized rooms and auditoriums. In addition, Lightware will showcase its solutions in Microsoft Teams Rooms environments as well, to provide truly seamless hybrid meeting experiences.

Join to the upcoming Infocomm Sneak Peek webinar

Lightware will host a webinar session on the 5th of June at 1pm EST to share some insights about the latest technologies and developments that will be showcased at Infocomm. Be among the first who learn about our upcoming Infocomm demos and reserve your spot here: https://lightware.webex.com/weblink/register/r74dda431897970bd35c74174ad0352f9

With Lightware, Everyone Wins in Las Vegas

Beyond seeing these insightful demos first-hand, Lightware also invites their old and new friends to join them to an informal get-together and share a drink or two at the Lightware booth (C8056) at 3:30pm PST on Wednesday, 12th June.

Plus, the first 50 visitors who pre-register for a booth visit will get a 'Full-Featured' Lightware USB-C cable as a free gift.

Sign up for a booth visit and learn more about our upcoming Infocomm demos here:

https://infocomm.lightware.com?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=infocomm_future

Click here for more details about our booth at: https://infocomm24.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=1397

SOURCE Lightware Visual Engineering
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lupus advocates from across the nation converged on Capitol Hill for the National Lupus Advocacy Summit May 19-21. Hosted by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), this event is the largest lupus advocacy gathering in the country, drawing hundreds of lupus advocates to meet with their members of Congress on Capitol Hill to urge them to increase funding for lupus research and education programs and ensure people with lupus have access to quality, affordable care. Thousands more joined the cause online, reinforcing the urgent need for Congress to act now in support of the lupus community nationwide. Attendees also were able to learn from experts about the latest advancements in lupus research, advocacy, and care.

During their Congressional meetings, advocates shared their personal stories living with lupus in addition to advocating for key legislative priorities, which included:

The Safe Step Act (S. 652): The legislation limits the use of step therapy or "fail first'' policies that can prevent people with lupus from accessing the medications they need and which have been prescribed by their doctors.

The HELP Copays Act (HR 830): This legislation helps increase the affordability of care and would eliminate "co-pay accumulators" to ensure that financial assistance for medications counts towards patients' deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

Timely and affordable access to medications is vital for lupus patients. Utilization management policies like step therapy and co-pay accumulators increase costs and limit access to necessary treatments. The Safe Step Act and HELP Copays Act would help eliminate these barriers, safeguarding lupus patients' access to prescribed medications.

Advocates also highlighted the importance of continued funding for essential lupus-specific research and education programs, including:

$15 million for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense (DOD)

for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense (DOD) $12 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Lupus Patient Registry

for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Lupus Patient Registry $3 million for the National Lupus Training, Outreach & Clinical Trial Program at the Office of Minority Health (OMH)

for the National Lupus Training, Outreach & Clinical Trial Program at the Office of Minority Health (OMH) $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the single largest source of lupus research funding.

"We are incredibly honored to host hundreds of lupus advocates from across the nation on Capitol Hill for the National Lupus Advocacy Summit," said Mary T. Crimmings, Interim CEO and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Lupus Foundation of America. "The Summit is a vital platform for people affected by lupus to share their unique experiences and connect with others battling this disease. The experiences shared by advocates underscores the urgent need for our nation's leaders to increase funding for lupus research, improve access to care and treatments, and implement policies that enhance the lives of all people with lupus. During the Summit, advocates were empowered with invaluable insights from leading lupus experts, engaged with members of Congress, and actively worked to drive meaningful change. Their passion and dedication are instrumental in shaping a future where everyone with lupus can live a better, healthier life."

During the LFA's Lupus Heroes Reception, lupus advocates were honored for their commitment and contributions to the fight against lupus. The 2024 Barlin Family of the Year award was given to the Festa Family. They first became involved in their local community, actively participating in local Walk to End Lupus Now events in Richmond and Washington, DC. In addition to community event engagement and sharing their commitment to the cause and how lupus has impacted their family, the Festa Family, through the Festa Family Foundation, has been supporting breakthrough scientific studies on behalf of the lupus community, including studies to determine if novel stem cell therapy is effective in treating active lupus and research focusing on making pregnancy safer for people with lupus.

The 2024 Sandra C. Raymond Advocate of the Year Award was presented to Olga Lucia Torres for her decade-long service to the lupus community. Olga has served as the Northeast regional Advocacy Chair, working to connect advocates in New York, New Jersey, and New England with advocacy initiatives like the National Lupus Advocacy Summit and advocating with their members of Congress throughout the year to advance policy priorities that make a difference in the lives of people with lupus. Olga also serves as one of the founding members of the Lupus Research Action Network, a peer-to-peer clinical trial education program that seeks to increase participation in lupus research, particularly among minority populations. As part of her lupus advocacy, Olga applied and was accepted as a member of the U.S Food and Drug Administration's Patient Engagement Collaborative (PEC), a joint project of the FDA and Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) in which PEC members engage with FDA and CTTI to discuss many topics for improving communication, education, and patient engagement related to clinical trials. The Lupus Foundation of America strongly recommended Ogla for this critical role which will continue to elevate the lupus patient voice in clinical trials and drug development.

We thank our donors and Board members for their support in making the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit possible. We also appreciate the support from the following organizations: AstraZeneca, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cabaletta Bio, Genentech, and PhRMA.

About the Lupus Foundation of America:

The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world's cruelest, most unpredictable, and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, we lead the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus.

About Lupus:

Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, hits out of nowhere, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive, and can be fatal, yet research on lupus remains underfunded relative to its scope and devastation.

Media Contact:

Mike Donnelly

[email protected]

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Brantford plant closure expected in early 2025; Company to support affected Team Members

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods (TSX: MFI) today announced its decision to close its Brantford, Ontario plant and consolidate most of its Further Processed Poultry (FPP) production into its existing plant network through early 2025.

Earlier this year, the Company determined that this 100-year-old facility would likely require significant ongoing investment to continue long-term operations.

"The decision to close any plant is one that we take very seriously," said Curtis Frank, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maple Leaf Foods. "We are very proud of our team at Brantford and appreciate the great work they do each and every day."

The closure of the plant will be completed in a phased manner to maintain business continuity and meet customer demand. The Company will work with the affected Team Members to provide support and assistance through this transition, including supporting other opportunities at other Maple Leaf Foods facilities.

"Consolidating production into our current network allows us to reallocate our resources and increase our efficiencies by further optimizing the existing, more modern facilities in our network," said Frank. "This supports our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on Earth and our commitment to produce world-class products safely and efficiently as we support the growth of our protein business."

Consolidating production enables the Company to harvest the benefits of its network and focus on improving operational efficiency, cutting down on waste, and growing asset utilization.

Maple Leaf Foods will work with the community of Brantford to seek alternate uses for the property.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer

This release contains statements, made by representatives of the Company in connection with this release, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which the Company operates, as well as beliefs and assumptions made by Management of the Company. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing, implications, benefits, efficiencies, risks and returns associated with the plant closure and consolidation of FPP operations within the Company's existing network and the implications and ability to secure co-manufacturing services, as well as the Company's overall plans, actions and strategies. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

These statements are based on and were developed using a number of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to: timelines to complete close out activities and any unanticipated decommissioning or issues; ability to transition SKUs; customer and consumer behaviour; labour considerations; the ability to manage pricing; dynamics in the competitive environment; product quality; and the potential occurrence of unexpected or unforeseen events occurring that would materially alter the Company's current plans. All of these assumptions have been derived from information currently available to the Company including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources. Although these assumptions were considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation they may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. In addition, actual results may differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's expectations only as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Additional factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by the forward-looking statements are discussed more fully in the Company's filings made with the Canadian securities regulators including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended March 31, 2024. All of such filings are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, update any forward-looking statements (including any financial outlooks), whether written or oral, or whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Maple Leaf Foods

About Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Maple Leaf Foods is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Maple Leaf Natural Selections, Schneiders, Schneiders Country Naturals, Mina, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., Lightlife and Field Roast. The Company employs approximately 13,500 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
$11.7 million in scholarships awarded to 2,882 children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) today announced the largest number of scholarships and highest dollar amount ever awarded in one year in its more than 60-year history. For the 2024-2025 academic year, MCSF will award $11.7 million in scholarships to 2,882 children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen nationwide  124 more students than the previous academic year. MCSF's mission is to honor Marines by providing scholarships for their children attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs in all 50 states.

MCSF's scholarship recipients are top-tier scholars, with a 91% graduation rate: well above the national average of just 54%. These scholars also hold an average GPA of 3.43, compared to 3.15 nationally. Further, 48% of recipients are first-generation college students, and 7% pursue STEM degrees. 67% of MCSF scholarship recipients graduate with little to no debt, compared to the national average of 33%. 100% of applicants that meet MCSF's eligibility requirements receive a scholarship to further support their education.

Record $11.7 million in scholarships awarded to 2,882 children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen nationwide Post this

"We're proud to announce another record-breaking number of scholars for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation this year. Guided by the principles of honor, courage and commitment, we're certain these remarkable young individuals, as children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, hold immense promise. It's both a privilege and a duty to invest in their future," said Ted Probert, Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Ret.) and current President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. "Our work isn't complete until every eligible child of a Marine has the opportunity they deserve. With nearly 20,000 potential candidates nationwide, we're resolute in our mission to extend support to even more families in the years ahead."

Founded in 1962, MCSF is the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, it has awarded nearly 60,000 renewable scholarships valued at over $200 million.

About The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation:

Established in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, the Scholarship Foundation has provided approximately 60,000 renewable scholarships valued at over $200 million to the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen. For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, please visit www.mcsf.org .

SOURCE Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Pioneers of MSP Model for Military Healthcare Staffing Continue to Ensure Medically Ready Force

DENVER, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matrix Providers, a prominent medical staffing provider for the United States government, is positioned to recruit thousands of healthcare workers for the Military Health System as part of its recent selection as one of 11 awardees for MQS2-NG, the largest government healthcare staffing contract to date. As part of the $43 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Matrix Providers will recruit professional and administrative healthcare workers for positions at 591 Defense Health Agency (DHA) hospitals and clinics nationwide over the next 15 years.

Earlier this month, the DHA selected 11 vendors in an unrestricted pool as part of the MQS2-NG medical staffing contract, marking a new effort by the U.S. government to consolidate regional contracts. This progressive and proactive strategy will help streamline the DHA and provide better access to healthcare services at its medical facilities, including physician, nursing, ancillary, dental and administrative services.

"The government has placed a great deal of trust in Matrix based on our proven track record of providing high quality healthcare professionals," said Dr. Bill Rivard, founder and CEO of Matrix Providers. "We take that responsibility seriously and are working diligently to support our nation's military, veterans, retirees and their families."

One of 36 small businesses to be selected for the predecessor MQS1 contract in 2017, Matrix Providers has since been awarded more in contract value than any other firm. Matrix Providers was the first to bring the Managed Service Provider (MSP) model to the government sector. The staffing industry practice empowers health systems to quickly meet labor demands and prepare for anticipated healthcare worker shortages.

According to a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States is expected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Additionally, multiple industry and academic forecasts place the growing shortage of nurses in the hundreds of thousands over the next five years.

"Helping to ensure a medically ready force has been our mission and we are proud to play a pivotal role in accelerating military healthcare staffing by bridging the divide between the government and civilian healthcare sectors," added Dr. Rivard.

Scaling efforts are underway at Matrix Providers to meet the challenge and ensure the company is positioned to not only place medical professionals faster and more efficiently, but to also provide reliable, stable employment for healthcare workers. A growing list of open healthcare positions to be filled by Matrix Providers can be found at https://matrixproviders.com/job-openings.

About Matrix Providers

Matrix Providers offers healthcare workers rewarding federal career opportunities and stability through low provider-to-patient ratios and fair, reliable schedules at government facilities. Headquartered in Denver, the company employs hundreds of medical professionals across the country to care for America's military, families and veterans. For more information or to see Matrix Providers' current list of positions, visit https://matrixproviders.com/.

SOURCE Matrix Providers
CHICAGO, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.67 per share of common stock payable on June 17, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 3, 2024.

Upcoming Communications

For important news and information regarding McDonald's, including the timing of future investor conferences and earnings calls, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Internet home page at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. McDonald's uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-Q filing for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
Firm to provide services for managing and administering public funding sources for ARConnect broadband program

PITTSBURGH, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced that the firm was recently selected by the Arkansas State Broadband Office (ASBO) to provide broadband grant administration systems and services. The firm will partner with ASBO to supply services for managing and administering public funding sources  including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD), U.S. Treasury Community Project Funding (CPF) and Digital Equity Act  for the ARConnect broadband program. This funding will be utilized for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to provide internet access to unserved and underserved locations as well as for other digital equity services.

"Michael Baker has been serving state agencies and other clients across the State of Arkansas for more than 20 years. We have completed projects in nearly every county in Arkansas and possess a robust understanding of local communities and their landscapes across the state," said Karen White, National Broadband Practice Executive at Michael Baker International. "In recent years, access to adequate broadband services has become vital for education, health care and public safety, as well as business and government services. Michael Baker's services, combined with our partner Ready.net's Grantor Platform, provides ASBO with a total solution. We are proud to partner with the State of Arkansas in this capacity as we support the expansion of broadband access through grant management and administration efforts."

Michael Baker's services for the State of Arkansas include:

Supporting the BEAD State Challenge Process providing services to review submissions and rebuttals providing recommendations to ASBO

Monitoring and compliance of CPF subgrants through project closeout

Assisting ASBO in the pre-qualification of internet service providers (ISPs) for BEAD subawards

Identifying stakeholders and coordinating support activities, including technical assistance, to streamline requests for public funding

Developing subgrant agreements and supporting execution of those agreements

Providing economic modeling to highlight BEAD program benefits for direct/indirect job creation and impacts to state or local tax

Serving as grant administrator to ensure program compliance and timely drawdown of awarded funds

Assisting with compliance reporting to Federal and State Agencies

Michael Baker is currently conducting broadband consulting and related services for numerous state broadband offices across the nation, supporting clients in their broadband expansion; utilization; grant program, including BEAD and CPF; BEAD Challenges; and digital equity efforts, including supporting state and local planning, local and regional implementation models, broadband deployment and digital equity skills/training.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).

The firm's 4,000 employees across more than 85 office locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years.

To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE Michael Baker International
TULSA, Okla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GPA Midstream Association and GPSA announce that Sarah Miller will replace Joel Moxley as the top executive for these organizations when Moxley retires in September 2024.

Midstream companies build and operate infrastructure vital to economies around the globenow and into the future. Post this Sarah Miller will become GPA Midstream's and GPSA's top executive when Joel Moxley retires in September 2024. Founded in 1928, GPSA supports the midstream's producer-supplier partnership with world recognized resources such as the GPSA Engineering Data Book, as well as technical research, and knowledge sharing that brings technological advances and expertise to bear on the industry's challenges.

"The GPA Midstream Executive Committee is excited to have someone with Sarah's mix of skills, intellect, and experience to lead the organization into its next chapter," said GPA Midstream Chair Micheal Dunn, who is Chief Operating Officer of The Williams Companies, Inc. "Her strategic vision for the organization and familiarity with the midstream business will serve member companies and help us all navigate the future of energy."

Miller's career includes 17 years with The Williams Companies, Inc., including serving as the company's Senior Vice President and General Counsel. As a shareholder and director practicing in the Energy & Natural Resources group at the law firm of Hall Estill based in Tulsa, Okla., Miller has served as GPA Midstream's General Counsel since October 2019.

Her legal practice focuses on commercial contracting for midstream service companies and producers, construction and procurement contracting, acquisition and divestitures, and corporate governance. A corporate and non-profit leader, Miller brings to GPA Midstream expertise in team management and strategic planning.

"GPA Midstream and GPSA are the only organizations solely dedicated to representing the interests of midstream operators and their suppliers," Miller said. "The midstream industry builds and operates infrastructure vital to energy and economic activity around the globe  now and into the foreseeable future. I'm looking forward to working with our members to build on the organizations' legacy of technical prowess and advocacy, and to strengthen their voices on behalf of the industry."

Moxley, who was named President & CEO in 2019, will retire in September after the GPA Midstream Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. During his tenure, Moxley prioritized the organizations' research program, expanded government advocacy efforts, and spearheaded launch of the Let's Clear the Air consumer education campaign.

He guided the organizations through the massive upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic and led the re-establishment of the association's annual Convention and Technical Conference as cornerstone events of the midstream industry when large gatherings could safely resume.

"GPA Midstream and GPSA have been an important part of my professional life for three decades," Moxley said. "I'm entering retirement this fall secure in the knowledge that the associations are in good hands. The future is bright for the midstream industry, and I'm confident that Sarah will draw upon her experience representing midstream clients and her knowledge of the associations to make sure GPA Midstream and GPSA remain staunch advocates for our member companies."

"We thank Joel for his unwavering commitment and dedicated service to GPA Midstream and GPSA," Dunn said. "His quiet wisdom and meticulous work have been invaluable resources, and he has been tireless in positioning the midstream as an essential component of the future of energy."

Miller will join the associations full-time this summer and work with Moxley, staff, and members to enable a smooth transition in leadership. She will be President & CEO of GPA Midstream, and CEO of GPSA.

GPA MIDSTREAM

Shaping the U.S. midstream energy sector since 1921, GPA Midstream sets standards for natural gas liquids, develops simple and reproducible test methods to define the industry's raw materials and products, manages a worldwide cooperative research program, provides a voice for the industry on Capitol Hill, and is the go-to resource for oil and gas technical reports and publications. Learn more at GPAMidstream.org .

GPSA

Founded in 1928, GPSA supports the midstream's producer-supplier partnership with world recognized resources such as the GPSA Engineering Data Book, as well as technical research, and knowledge sharing that brings technological advances and expertise to bear on the industry's challenges. Learn more at GPSAMidstreamSuppliers.org .

SOURCE GPA Midstream Association
Made from hometown grains, local spring water, and with a meticulous attention to detail, it's no surprise that Meloni strongly endorses MHD's gin saying, "It is the best gin in the state; the best gin in any state, and it's what you should be drinking, if you can get it." In another playful video, Meloni humorously tells viewers that bourbon is the first thing they should think of when thinking of Connecticut, and he gives props to the "Constitution State" without whose Revolutionary War efforts Americans might still be speaking with a British accent. The new campaign is produced by The Strand Creative Group led by Creative Director, Chris Strand.

Purchased in 2023 by American author, craft spirits enthusiast and historian, Zachary Karabell, alongside a consortium of investors, Mine Hill Distillery is located in an 1860 cigar factory in the town of Roxbury, which was once at the center of the Industrial Revolution. The distillery was established in 2018 and now produces Amaro, Gin, Bourbon, Rye and Vodka, with all locally sourced ingredients from the over three hundred & fifty year old Thrall family farm.

The brand is poised for national growth with Karabell noting, "Our spirits are a unique blend of old Connecticut and new, and while the state may not yet be known as a hub of craft distilleries, we hope this campaign and, of course, the spirits themselves energize people to try what we have to offer."

Cheers to the "Nutmeg State''  where the gin is smooth, the bourbon is bold, and the laughs are endless. You can now order Mine Hill Distillery gin ($45.99) & bourbon ($55.99) nationwide on www.minehilldistillery.com , Chris Meloni not included.

About Mine Hill Distillery

Mine Hill Distillery is a 19th century landmark destination dedicated to craftsmanship, authenticity and Yankee ingenuity which is reflected in every bottle. All the grain used in the distilled spirits portfolio is grown locally and delivered weekly from the Thrall family farm. Mine Hill Distillery takes immense pride in supporting its hometown of Roxbury, local Connecticut farmers, and all vendor & supplier partners that are helping Mine Hill sustainably grow.

Mine Hill Distillery crafts premium spirits with care so that each sip reminds you of where it was made, creating spirits with a sense of place, featuring MHD GPS coordinates on every bottle. Located on the 41st Parallel North, MHD proofs most spirits to 41% ABV. The spirits are distilled using their own spring water and all grains, malt, wine come from local farms and vineyards. The whiskeys are aged next to a MHD owned waterfall with its own microclimate.

MHD donates its spent grain to feed heritage livestock in the area, creating a virtuous circle, partnering with two farms that have been owned and operated by the same families since before the American Revolution! That's real history in every glass. MHD is proud to have won the 2017 Historic Preservation Award for Connecticut, creating a landmark destination for all to enjoy. Drink Local & Taste the Difference

CONTACT: Akbar Hamid, [email protected]

SOURCE Mine Hill Distillery
Smith College in Northampton plans to cut one of two full-time registered nurse positions at Pelham Medical Services, jeopardizing the ability of medical staff to meet the diverse healthcare needs of students

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of community members have signed a petition urging Smith College to preserve full RN services at Pelham Medical Services at the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness. The college recently announced budget cuts, including eliminating one of two full-time nursing positions, prompting medical team members to write letters to Smith administrators out of concern that the cut will mean a deterioration of care for students who often require diverse and complex treatment.

"This decision raises significant apprehension about our ability to meet the diverse healthcare needs of our students," the community petition on Change.org says. "The reduction in staffing will severely impede our capacity to maintain the level of service excellence that our students rightfully expect. Our nurses play a pivotal role in providing clinical support across medical, counseling, and psychiatry services. Without this position, we anticipate the need to consider scaling back our hours and narrowing our scope of services."

In the petition, medical staff point to an increased need for student healthcare at Pelham, and highlight the complicated nature of providing care to a diverse student population:

Nurses at Pelham see in-person care visits linked to 50 different nurse protocols and standing orders created by the medical director. Having nurses see more straightforward visit types allows our doctor and nurse practitioners to see medically and psychiatrically complex patients every day.

see in-person care visits linked to 50 different nurse protocols and standing orders created by the medical director. So far for the 2023-2024 academic year, there have been 1478 nursing visits, up from 687 nurse visits pre-pandemic in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Care at Pelham Medical Services has only expanded and become more complex in recent years, such that top diagnoses seen by the doctor and nurse practitioners in the medical service now include anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. We rely upon nursing to provide triage, care coordination, after hours support, lab testing and medical procedures, immunizations, emergency care, crisis response care, and direct office visit care.



Explanation of the Impact of the RN Elimination:

The current clinical staffing at the Schacht Center currently consists of one medical assistant, three RN's (2 FTE and 1 PTE), and six providers between medical services and psychiatric providers in the counseling services. The RN's and medical assistant provide support for both medical and psychiatric providers. Schedules are already staggered to provide adequate daily coverage.

Eliminating this 35-hour RN position will only allow for one FTE and one PTE for daily RN staffing, resulting in only 1 RN two days per week. The nurses currently manage anywhere from 10-30 triage calls, 10-20 nursing appointments, all walk-in urgent care appointments, and prescription calls and refill needs for both the medical and psychiatry providers on a daily basis.

Steps taken so far in the advocacy effort include:

10 medical team members sent a letter on May 10 to the Smith College President, Dean of the College, VP of Finance, Dean of Students and Kris Evans , LICSW, Director, Schacht Center for Health & Wellness.

to the President, Dean of the College, VP of Finance, Dean of Students and , LICSW, Director, Schacht Center for Health & Wellness. Created and shared an online petition on May 16 , which was shared with students, faculty/staff, and alums, who have then shared it in private online social media groups for students, parents, and alums.

"Nurses truly form the bedrock of our care," the medical team members wrote to college administrators on May 10. "Elimination of this RN position will inevitably increase risk to Smith College by reducing safeguards that help keep our most vulnerable students safe and able to stay on campus.

"Please help us by funding this position so that we can carry out our commitment to our mission to provide high quality, compassionate health care to support and serve our students, so that they can stay safe and flourish here at Smith."

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
Hacienda North Farms has been a valued grower partner of Mucci Farms for nearly a decade, specializing in the cultivation of quality bell peppers. With this acquisition, Mucci Farms expands its cutting-edge greenhouse footprint, facilitating the company to elevate its offerings and better serve its retail partners.

"Working directly with Hacienda Farms for several years has given us insight into the facilities and the quality product that's grown there," said Bert Mucci, CEO of Mucci Farms. "Bringing them into our fold presents an exciting opportunity to further enhance our ability to meet the needs of our retail partners."

The partnership between Mucci Farms and Cox Farms continues to yield fruitful results as the company expands its presence across North America.

"This is a pivotal moment in the Cox Farms and Mucci Farms journey," said Steven Bradley, president of Cox Farms. "This strategic investment underscores our dedication to leading the industry to ensure we meet the evolving needs of consumers. Together, we are committed to scaling operations and enhancing access to sustainably grown produce."

In addition to the prominent greenhouse facility, the acquisition includes a significant land bank spanning 120 acres, providing ample room for future expansion and innovation. Mucci Farms remains committed to growing bell peppers in the new farms while remaining agile to adapt to market demands and explore opportunities for diversification. With this acquisition, Mucci Farms remains poised for continued growth, innovation, and success.

About Mucci Farms

Mucci Farms is a second-generation fruit and vegetable grower headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada, with over 60 years of growing experience. Vertically integrated from seed to retail, the company owns and operates greenhouse and warehouse facilities spanning the continent with a mission to deliver the highest quality of fresh produce in the market through innovation at all levels. Committed to executional excellence through a highly collaborative team, the award-winning company is heavily invested in automation and technology, along with world class research and development to offer consumers the most flavorful varieties in the world. To learn more about Mucci Farms, visit muccifarms.com or find us on all major social media platforms.

About Cox Farms

Cox Farms is redefining farming and setting the global standard in growing a safe, secure, and responsible food supply capable of feeding a growing population, regardless of calendar or climate. Through our multinational network of indoor farms and consumer brands, including BrightFarms and Mucci Farms, the business is one of the largest greenhouse operators in North America with anticipated revenues approaching $1 billion and a workforce comprising nearly 2,500 dedicated employees. Cox Farms is future-proofing the world of produce with clean, flavorful products serving the biggest names in retail and foodservice. Owned by Cox Enterprises, a multigenerational family-owned business with a long history in agriculture, Cox Farms represents Cox's commitment to improving the planet and elevating human health. Learn More at CoxFarmsGrowers.com

SOURCE Mucci Farms
CALGARY, AB, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - NCC Development Limited (NCCD) is pleased to announce that concrete steps are being taken to address the housing crisis in Nunavut. But in this case, the steps are made out of steel. Affordable steel homes, in fact.

NCCD has placed an order with Calgary-based SEED-Homes Inc. (SEED) to supply NCCD with 6 modular homes for delivery this summer. This is just the first order of many for NCCD and SEED as the Nunavut housing crisis requires at least 3000 homes to address immediate housing needs.

SEED specializes in the design, manufacture, and assembly of highly-innovative steel homes. A SEED Home is designed around a central utility corridor. The corridor is made out of a solid steel skid; a similar structure that has been successfully used in the oil and gas industry for decades. All of the heavy appliances, utility equipment, kitchen, and bathrooms are aligned along and within this single corridor. SEED's approach to design keeps the weight of the home centralized and arranged along a length-wise configuration of the home. This allows the rest of the SEED Home's structure and walls to unfold and attach to the central corridor, thereby maximizing usable interior space, and minimizing physical size. This results in an overall physically-efficient home footprint, thereby reducing the shipping size of the home through the fold up design, and reducing the cost of shipping to the territory.

A SEED Home revolutionizes the way Nunavut communities will live. Ranging from a modest 400 to a majestic 1200 square feet, a SEED Home is beautifully modern, and constructed using incredibly resilient materials. They are designed to be manufactured off-site, and delivered to Nunavut communities via intermodal logistics and transport. What's more, solar panels can be fitted on the roof, and various internal features will be included to address the unique needs of Nunavut communities.

The first NCCD SEED order is for 6 homes that are 1152 square feet each.

NCCD chose SEED Homes because the fundamental design of the homes are well-suited for Nunavut communities and climactic conditions. Because the homes are made out of steel, they are highly resistant to harsh climates, are very low maintenance, and are highly robust. In addition, the homes can be installed above ground on screw-in piles, and have sloped roofs, ideal for the Nunavut geography and weather conditions.

"We are very excited to announce this partnership with SEED-Homes," says NCCD's President and CEO, Clarence Synard. "SEED's unique design, extensive use of resilient and recyclable materials, and the fact that the homes can literally be folded so that they can be shipped directly to the Nunavut region, will help us to quickly address the housing crisis."

"We look forward to working with NCCD to help solve the housing crisis in Nunavut. The SEED Home design is fundamentally different from all other offerings. Because even our largest home can be shipped intermodally, SEED Homes offers a unique solution to address the critical need pan-territorially. From the very beginning, SEED Homes are designed to be low-maintenance, affordable, and have beautifully functional interiors. Walls that fold into the central utility corridor, and using steel throughout, make all the difference. The future of living, unfolds," says SEED Homes CEO Steve Morgan.

To learn more about NCCD, please visit:

https://www.nccig.ca/

To learn more about SEED-Homes Inc., please visit:

https://seed-homes.com/

SOURCE SEED-Homes Inc.
College students who report feeling lonely are over 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress.

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Active Minds , in close collaboration with higher ed virtual health provider TimelyCare , released new data that sheds light on the close relationship between loneliness and mental health, underscoring the profound impact of loneliness on psychological distress among students.

A survey of approximately 1,100 U.S. college and university students found that nearly two-thirds (64.7%) of college students report they feel lonely, and the majority (51.7%) of college students are concerned about their friends' mental health, and three in 10 (28.8%) college students report severe psychological distress. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called loneliness a public health "epidemic" in 2023, and the new data suggest this is particularly true for LGBQ+ college students, 70.3% of whom identified as lonely, compared to 60.6% of their non-LGBQ+ peers.

College students who report feeling lonely are over 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress. Post this

While two-thirds (62.7%) of college students believe mental health is an important campus issue, only half (50%) believe that students actively identify mental health challenges, brainstorm shared solutions, and collaborate with other students and organizations to work together to improve mental health on their college campuses.

Active Minds and TimelyCare conducted this survey in February to understand how college students value and prioritize mental health on an individual, interpersonal, community, and national level. Student perception of mental health, for themselves and others, shapes their college experience. Caring for their mental health is necessary for student engagement, belonging, retention, and degree completion. This study yields insights into college students' sense of belonging, social connection, and shared concerns about mental health. This, in turn, strengthens Active Minds' contributions to the mental health field by bringing light to the power already within a movement of mental health advocates. By equipping these advocates, Active Minds aims to achieve a lasting shift in how society views and prioritizes mental health.

"Loneliness is a clear factor in the well-being of college students," said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. "Our data reveals not just statistics but narratives of isolation and distress. By fostering connection, empathy, and shared concern, we can rewrite the mental health story on campus. Together, as champions of well-being, we can transform isolation into community, and loneliness into belonging."

Additional key takeaways from the data include:

College students who report feeling lonely are over 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress.

28.4% of students report feeling isolated from others, 23.1% report feelings of being left out, and 21% report lacking companionship.

Black and Latino/a/e college students value having good mental health and taking care of their mental health the most compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

LGBQ+ students were more likely to prioritize their friends' mental health than non-LGBQ+ students.

Over half (53.7%) of all surveyed college students shared that taking care of their mental health informs their decisions guiding their behavior and actions.

As compared to students attending two-year colleges, a greater percentage of students at four-year colleges and universities agree that students on their campus are concerned about mental health, talk openly about mental health, believe that mental health impacts their campus community, and work together to improve student mental health.

"Colleges and universities are heavily invested in student mental health, and these findings underscore the crucial role of nurturing their sense of belonging and ensuring they have a range of support resources at all times," emphasized Bob Booth, M.D., Chief Care Officer, TimelyCare. "Peer communities can be very effective as they allow students to provide support and encouragement to those who are struggling and let them know they are not alone. TimelyCare is proud to partner with Active Minds to change the culture around mental health and help students be well and thrive in all aspects of their lives."

You may download the full report, here .

About Active Minds

Active Minds is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing resources for mental health support, with an emphasis on mobilizing youth and young adults. With a mission to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations, Active Minds is a pivotal force in fostering a supportive mental health community. To learn more, visit www.activeminds.org .

About TimelyCare

TimelyCare is higher education's most trusted virtual health and well-being provider, with a mission to foster student success and improve the health and well-being of campus communities. Founded in 2017, TimelyCare now serves 2.3+ million students, educators and staff at more than 350 campuses nationwide. Its comprehensive suite of services  including mental health counseling, on-demand emotional support, medical care, psychiatric care, health coaching, student success coaching, basic needs assistance, faculty and staff guidance, peer support and self-guided wellness tools  expands the breadth of school resources and empowers students, educators, and staff to be well and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

SOURCE TimelyCare
VANCOUVER, BC, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - NexGen Energy Ltd. ("NexGen" or the "Company") (TSX: NXE) (NYSE: NXE) (ASX: NXG) is pleased to announce the release of its 2023 Sustainability Report ("the Report") that covers the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. The Report marks the fourth year that NexGen has reported on the Company's robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) profile, and is again in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.

The Report is available online on the Company's website: 2023 Sustainability Report

Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "2023 was a pivotal and momentous year for NexGen, driven by our unwavering focus on responsible resource development and advancement of the clean energy transition, while delivering exceptional economic, environmental, and social outcomes for all of our stakeholders including our community partners in Northern Saskatchewan. Our vision and values are firmly embedded in all our business practices and decision-making processes, and our disciplined and genuine approach has always demonstrated that responsible development can and should coexist with environmental and social well-being. We continue to build on past practices to set a new standard for the industry, as we progress the Rook I Project, which is poised to deliver the most material, secure, and sustainable source of uranium globally for a low-carbon future.

Highlights in the Report Include:

Historic Benefit Agreement and Nation Partner Support



NexGen signed a historic Impact Benefit Agreement with the Metis Nation  Saskatchewan Northern Region 2 ("MN-S NR2") and the Metis Nation  Saskatchewan ("MN-S"), marking the fourth and final Benefit Agreement with Local Priority Area Nations, and confirming full support from Indigenous communities local to the Rook I Project.

Provincial Environmental Assessment Approval

NexGen made material regulatory advancements for the Rook I Project, becoming the first Company in over 20 years to receive Provincial Environmental Assessment approval for a greenfield uranium mine and mill project in Canada, and paving the way for the Federal regulators who are in the final stages of approval of the Federal Envrionmental Assessment.

Expanded Training and Education Programs

NexGen initiated and funded a first-ever innovative collaboration with local industry, educational institutions, and local communities for trades training and certification. These inaugural programs build on the Company's longstanding focus on creating a strong and thriving workforce, with a total 302 students participating across the Company's expanded education and training initiatives throughout 2023.

Diverse Top-Tier Talent

NexGen's unique and strong culture is one that promotes a diverse and safe work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. NexGen has demonstrated a unique approach to driving diversity through community development and training that encourages strong female participation. This, combined with NexGen's culture, has resulted in 80% of site employees residing in the local communities including 33% being female in 2023. Further, with the nomination of Susannah Pierce to the Company's Board of Directors, NexGen will have 30% female representation on its Board.

Unprecedented Community and Mentorship Initiatives

NexGen created unique mentorship opportunities for local northern Saskatchewan youth, including the Youth Mentorship Program with the Vancouver Canucks. A total of 32 youth chosen by their community in recognition of their commitment to health, wellness, and community stewardship, were hosted for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including mentorship by each business segment within the organization, learning from players and staff about the power of resilience and accountability  two of NexGen's core values, as well as paying tribute to Indigenous culture.

Economic Capacity Building

NexGen facilitated the establishment of a 100% Indigenous owned and operated gravel supply company in northwestern Saskatchewan, focusing on economic development, employment and capacity building opportunities, with the business employing up to 16 local people. This gravel crushing business is already a success with significant economic value being generated for the local community.

Environmental Stewardship

NexGen undertook impactful environmental initiatives, gaining important learnings through continued environmental monitoring and collaborative projects, including GHG inventory, water use and monitoring, waste management, rock storage, biodiversity initiatives, and progressive reclamation. This is on top of the truly exceptional environmental impact NexGen will have on global GHG emissions reduction efforts by powering over 46 million homes annually whist removing 70 million car-equivalents of CO 2 off the road each year.

The Report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and has been reviewed and approved by NexGen's Executive Team, the Sustainability Committee as well as the full Board of Directors. NexGen will continue to optimize its sustainability reporting in line with the Company's focus on accountability and transparency.

About NexGen

NexGen Energy is a Canadian company focused on delivering clean energy fuel for the future. The Company's flagship Rook I Project is being optimally developed into the largest low cost producing uranium mine globally, incorporating the most elite standards in environmental and social governance. The Rook I Project is supported by a NI 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study which outlines the elite environmental performance and industry leading economics. NexGen is led by a team of experienced uranium and mining industry professionals with expertise across the entire mining life cycle, including exploration, financing, project engineering and construction, operations, and closure. NexGen is leveraging its proven experience to deliver a Project that leads the entire mining industry socially, technically, and environmentally. The Project and prospective portfolio in northern Saskatchewan will provide generational long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits for Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world.

NexGen is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXE", and on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXG" providing access to global investors to participate in NexGen's mission of solving three major global challenges in decarbonization, energy security, and access to power. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with its primary operations office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws and regulations and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the 2021 Arrow Deposit, Rook I Project and estimates of uranium production, grade and long-term average uranium prices, anticipated effects of completed drill results on the Rook I Project, planned work programs, completion of further site investigations and engineering work to support basic engineering of the project and expected outcomes. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment that, based on certain estimates and assumptions, the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the mineral reserve and resources estimates and the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based are as set out in this news release and the technical report for the property , the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price and market supply of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward looking information or making forward looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, the existence of negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, conclusions of economic valuations, the risk that actual results of exploration activities will be different than anticipated, the cost of labour, equipment or materials will increase more than expected, that the future price of uranium will decline or otherwise not rise to an economic level, the appeal of alternate sources of energy to uranium-produced energy, that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources and reserves are not as estimated, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation activities are greater than expected, that changes in project parameters and plans continue to be refined and may result in increased costs, of unexpected variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates or other risks generally associated with mining, unanticipated delays in obtaining governmental, regulatory or First Nations approvals, risks related to First Nations title and consultation, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licences, risks related to changes in laws, regulations, policy and public perception, as well as those factors or other risks as more fully described in NexGen's Annual Information Form dated February 24, 2023 filed with the securities commissions of all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec and in NexGen's 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and Edgar at www.sec.gov .

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or statements or implied by forward-looking information or statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE NexGen Energy Ltd.
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ELLKAY, a leader in healthcare interoperability and data management, announced Nicholas Szymanski as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Szymanski has served in healthcare technology for over 10 years and previously served as the Chief Information Officer at Signature Healthcare and Richmond University Medical Center. As the newly appointed COO at ELLKAY, Szymanski will drive forward ELLKAY's commitment to revolutionizing healthcare technology by strategically aligning operational initiatives with the company's overarching mission.

Nick Szymanski, ELLKAY COO

Szymanski shared, "After an incredible four years with Signature Healthcare, where I had the privilege of serving as the VP & CIO, I'm beyond excited for what the future holds at ELLKAY. ELLKAY's commitment to innovation and excellence is truly inspiring, and I'm honored to be a part of this remarkable team. Together, we'll continue to drive positive change and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry."

Szymanski joins ELLKAY at an exciting time of success and growth. Recently appointed as CommonWell Health Alliance's Technical Service Provider, ELLKAY will support data exchange to 229M+ patients across its nationwide network of over 34K+ provider organizations. In 2024, ELLKAY powered CommonWell to achieve Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) designation. ELLKAY was also selected by MEDITECH to provide interface engine services for MEDITECH-as-a-Service (MaaS) implementations of the MEDITECH Expanse Platform. These achievements underscore ELLKAY's vital role in advancing healthcare interoperability and data management.

ELLKAY's President and Chief Strategy Officer, Ajay Kapare, said, "Nick is an incredible leader in healthcare IT and we are proud to have him join the ELLKAY team. His extensive experience both in the industry and as a customer brings a unique perspective to this role. ELLKAY's commitment to innovation combined with Nick's laser-focused methodology will not only ensure our customer-first approach remains top priority, but also empower our partners with experienced resources to drive growth and scalability for their future success."

In 2023, Szymanski was awarded the Boston CIO ORBIE Award, recognizing Chief Information Officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. That same year, he was also given the prestigious College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) Collaboration Award for his remarkable leadership during a critical moment when a 10-alarm fire broke out on their campus. As he transitions into his new role at ELLKAY, Szymanski's proven leadership and resilience will undoubtedly contribute to ELLKAY's success.

Kamal Patel, ELLKAY's CEO, added, "Nick has been guided by numerous industry thought leaders, resulting in the perfect blend of expertise that he will bring to ELLKAY. His proven track record in driving technological advancements and operational excellence make him an invaluable addition to ELLKAY. We believe he will continue to help ELLKAY excel and grow, driving forward our mission to innovate and provide top-tier solutions for our partners, ultimately enhancing patient care and advancing healthcare interoperability."

Interested in learning more about ELLKAY? Meet with the strategic data management experts during the 2024 MUSE Inspire Conference at booth #427 and schedule a meeting today!

About ELLKAY

ELLKAY is a recognized healthcare connectivity leader, providing interoperability solutions and services nationwide since 2002. ELLKAY empowers hospitals and health systems, diagnostic laboratories, healthcare IT vendors, payers, and other healthcare organizations with cutting-edge technologies and solutions. With over 58,000 practices connected, ELLKAY's system capability arsenal has grown to over 750+ EHR/PM systems across 1,100+ versions. Visit ELLKAY.com and follow us on YouTube , LinkedIn , X/Twitter, or email us at [email protected]

SOURCE ELLKAY
RALEIGH, N.C., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges approved several new programs and certifications at the April 19 board meeting, demonstrating the importance of preparing students for emerging industries.

Among the new programs are Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Technician Certification, Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator Flight Training, and UAS Operations Management.

"By prioritizing active listening to employers, maintaining agility, and responding swiftly to market demands, we're ensuring that educational offerings remain relevant and impactful," said State Board Chair Tom Looney. "Investing in high-cost, high-growth programs is a strategic move that addresses the current needs of our employers and positions students for lucrative, cutting-edge career opportunities."

Details of each program are illustrated below:

Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Technician Certification  Wake Technical Community College will offer students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of electric vehicle charging at different levels of charging infrastructure, manufacturers and products, regulations governing chargers, and charging installations.

Wake Technical Community College will offer students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of electric vehicle charging at different levels of charging infrastructure, manufacturers and products, regulations governing chargers, and charging installations. Artificial Intelligence (AI)  Central Piedmont Community College will offer an associate-degree program in artificial technology starting in Fall 2024. Central Piedmont is only the second North Carolina community college to offer an AI degree program. Wayne Community College first offered it in 2021. The curriculum will cover machine learning, chatbots and generative AI, chatbot programming, artificial intelligence programming, system analysis and design, and AI applications in various industries.

will offer an associate-degree program in artificial technology starting in Fall 2024. is only the second community college to offer an AI degree program. first offered it in 2021. The curriculum will cover machine learning, chatbots and generative AI, chatbot programming, artificial intelligence programming, system analysis and design, and AI applications in various industries. Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing  Guilford Technical Community College will offer students an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of Lithium-ion battery principles, battery manufacturing processes, and testing.

 will offer students an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of Lithium-ion battery principles, battery manufacturing processes, and testing. Unmanned Aircraft Systems  Beaufort County Community College will offer two new programs in UAS/Drone Operations: UAS Operator Flight Training : Prepares students for UAS/Drone commercial certification. UAS Operations Management : Designed as a follow-up to obtaining the FAA Part 107 Certificate and will help prepare students to conduct safe and legal UAS operations in a wide range of commercial settings.

will offer two new programs in UAS/Drone Operations:

The approval of these programs underscores the State Board's dedication to fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving economic growth. Through collaboration with industry partners, the Colleges remain committed to empowering students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

These courses are now available for all 58 institutions to offer across the state. Learn more about programs offered at North Carolina community colleges using the Program Finder tool.

SOURCE North Carolina Community College System
Touring Exhibition Opens Mid-June and Remains on Display through December 2024

SEATTLE, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) will host the touring Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See exhibit from June 13 through December 2024. The exhibit tells the story of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and challenges visitors to take action to advance social justice in their own communities.

"NAAM is honored to showcase the important and continued legacy of Emmett Till, Mamie Till-Mobley, and the civil rights revolutionaries past and present through Let the World See," said Brandon Bird, NAAM interim executive director. "As a cultural organization that looks to cultivate healing and hope, the touring exhibit will have a profound impact on the Northwest region as we continue to amplify Till's family story."

Emmett Till was just 14 years old when he was brutally murdered while visiting family in the Jim Crow South in 1955. His passing, and the social revolution that followed, are captured throughout the exhibit in photos, interviews, and interactive displays. The title of the exhibit, Let the World See, originates from a quote from Mamie Till-Mobley, who demanded the funeral director deny local officials' attempt at a closed casket funeral, saying, "Let the world see what they did to my boy."

"NAAM is honored to be the first institution on the West Coast to host Let the World See," said Debbie Bird, NAAM Board of Directors Chair. "We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region to experience the story of the Till family during our Juneteenth celebrations and throughout the year."

NAAM is the ninth U.S. cultural institution and first on the West Coast to host Let the World See, which was developed in collaboration with the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the Till family, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The exhibit arrives in the Pacific Northwest just ahead of NAAM's Juneteenth programming. Each year, NAAM invites the community to come together for a celebration of Black freedom and liberation. Events include:

Saturday, June 15 : Annual Juneteenth Skate Party

: Annual Juneteenth Skate Party Sunday, June 16 : Father's Day Celebration with free admission, music, films, and gifts for fathers

: Father's Day Celebration with free admission, music, films, and gifts for fathers Wednesday, June 19 : Juneteenth Celebration with free admission, activities and more

In collaboration with the exhibit, NAAM is working with Seattle-area schools to develop curriculum support for students and will host a lecture series for museum visitors. For more information about NAAM and the Let the World See exhibit and Juneteenth programing please visit https://www.naamnw.org/.

The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is a regionally prestigious institution housed in the historic Colman School within Seattle's Central District. Since opening in 2008, hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to the museum to view exhibitions, participate in dynamic public programs, and take part in private events. As a premier African American museum in the region, NAAM fills a void in the regional cultural scene by offering a space where community members come to reflect, to gain perspective, to learn, listen, and heal. NAAM uses Black history, art, and culture as a starting point that inspires, empowers, and informs all visitors about ourselves and our shared past. NAAM's mission is to spread knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all.

Contact: Imani Gaddy | [email protected]

SOURCE Northwest African American Museum
Olympus has committed to a 10-year sponsorship of the Endoscopic Explorer Exhibit

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corporation of the Americas is excited to join the community in celebrating the opening of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, which will serve as an education and career learning hub for the greater Lehigh Valley.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas is celebrating the opening of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion in Allentown, Pa. Olympus Endoscopic Explorer Exhibit is part of the larger Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body Exhibit Gallery.

The 67,000-square-foot science center in downtown Allentown opened May 22, and Olympus is part of the larger Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body Exhibit Gallery. Olympus' Endoscopic Explorer Exhibit includes a learning model that allows visitors to see how a colonoscope is used by doctors to screen patients for colorectal cancer.

The exhibit will also include an immersive video and supporting graphics to educate visitors about the process of a colonoscopy, the importance of the procedure in screening for colorectal cancer, the signs and symptoms related to the disease and the importance of knowing and sharing family health history. Olympus has committed to a 10-year exhibit sponsorship.

In addition to the exhibit, Olympus donated 60 laptops that will be used by students from area school districts who visit the Da Vinci Science Center for its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) educational programming. Olympus is also partnering with Da Vinci on its STEAM Career Pathways Program that offers hands-on activities, mentorship opportunities and interactions with a diverse range of professionals in science, math and technology fields.

Olympus' partnership with the Da Vinci Science Center illustrates the company's larger commitment to health equity and awareness and commitment to STEAM education.

"We are extremely grateful for our long-term partnership with Olympus. Partnerships like this one help us to create relatable, relevant exhibits and programs that enable visitors to better understand actions they can take to stay healthy," said Lin Erickson, CEO and Executive Director, Da Vinci Science Center. "That knowledge also extends beyond the exhibit gallery. The STEAM Career Pathways pilot program at Olympus provides an immersive environment for students to better understand how technology is used to develop sophisticated diagnostic tools and how those tools are used by professionals in a real-world setting."

While focusing on the view inside the colon provided through colonoscopy, the Endoscopic Explorer Exhibit explores topics affecting individual health and that of entire communities. Colorectal cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps on the lining of the colon and rectum. Gastroenterologists consider colonoscopy the gold standard in colorectal cancer screening because of the ability to find and remove polyps before they have a chance to develop into cancer.1

Olympus is committed to health equity and making sure that disproportionately affected groups of people are provided with the information they need to stay healthy regardless of economic status. Along with educating the public on the importance of preventive screenings, Olympus is looking to help close the health equity gap by providing access to critical healthcare information.

"We are thrilled to support health education in the community, and we look forward to celebrating the growth and continued success of the Da Vinci Science Center. As a pioneer in medical technologies for endoscopy, Olympus is committed to furthering understanding about preventable and treatable diseases such as colorectal cancer," said Julien Sauvagnargues, President and CEO of Olympus Corp. of the Americas. "Leadership at Da Vinci had an exciting vision for a science center open to the entire community. We applaud everyone involved for bringing that vision into focus and allowing Olympus the opportunity to help educate the public and empower local students with the resources to help them to succeed and consider future career opportunities."

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states.

For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com.

About Da Vinci Science Center

Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for over 30 years. Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science. The Access for All program is one way the Science Center reduces financial barriers for visitors  offering $3 individual admission and $35 family memberships to qualified households. To learn more about these and other programs, visit davincisciencecenter.org and follow them on Facebook/Instagram.

1 ASGE, "Value of Colonoscopy."

SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas
Streamline compliance and approach US data privacy requirements with confidence

AUSTIN, Texas, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As privacy regulations continue to evolve and proliferate across the United States (US), organizations face mounting challenges in ensuring compliance with various state and federal mandates. In response to this pressing need, OneTrust, the market-defining leader for trust intelligence , is announcing its comprehensive suite of solutions designed to assist organizations in navigating the complex landscape of US privacy laws and enabling responsible data use across the entire data lifecycle.

These solutions come at a critical time, with 18 comprehensive US state privacy laws enacted across the United States today, alongside a proposed federal law. Moreover, by the end of 2024, nine of these laws will be in effect. As organizations already grapple with more than 4,500 regulatory updates per year, a number that is expected to grow as US privacy laws proliferate, the need for effective solutions becomes increasingly urgent.

OneTrust is a one-stop shop for data privacy compliance Post this

"The proliferation of US privacy laws is creating an increasingly fragmented regulatory environment and presents significant challenges for organizations across industries," stated Emily McEvilly, Chief Customer Officer at OneTrust. "Since the onset of the GDPR, we've been partnering with customers to arm them with the tools and resources that help them navigate the complex regulatory landscape with agility and efficiency. They've told us that our platform provides the automation, visibility, and intelligence to take a proactive approach to data privacy compliance. That's why I'm excited about OneTrust moving beyond compliance to empower organizations to integrate privacy into their businesses, unlock the value of their data, foster trust, and scale innovation to new heights."

OneTrust, a worldwide Leader in data privacy compliance software1, has developed a robust suite of solutions that unify every stage of data privacy compliance. With the OneTrust platform, organizations can automate privacy-critical workflows, simplify compliance with regulatory intelligence, and demonstrate privacy program effectiveness. "OneTrust is a one-stop shop for data privacy compliance," according to the IDC Marketscape1.

How OneTrust helps organizations operationalize US privacy compliance:

Comprehensive Compliance Assessments: OneTrust provides organizations with the ability to conduct thorough privacy assessments to identify potential compliance gaps and prioritize remediation efforts.

OneTrust provides organizations with the ability to conduct thorough privacy assessments to identify potential compliance gaps and prioritize remediation efforts. Data Mapping and Inventory: Through advanced data mapping and inventory capabilities, OneTrust enables organizations to gain visibility into their data landscape, facilitating compliance with data subject access requests and other regulatory requirements.

Through advanced data mapping and inventory capabilities, OneTrust enables organizations to gain visibility into their data landscape, facilitating compliance with data subject access requests and other regulatory requirements. Automated Consent Management: OneTrust's Consent Management solution empowers organizations to obtain and manage consent effectively, ensuring compliance with consent-based privacy laws such as the CPRA and GDPR.

OneTrust's Consent Management solution empowers organizations to obtain and manage consent effectively, ensuring compliance with consent-based privacy laws such as the CPRA and GDPR. Incident Response and Breach Notification: In the event of a data breach, OneTrust offers streamlined incident response workflows and automated breach notification processes to help organizations mitigate risk and maintain compliance with applicable regulations.

In the event of a data breach, OneTrust offers streamlined incident response workflows and automated breach notification processes to help organizations mitigate risk and maintain compliance with applicable regulations. Policy and Document Management: OneTrust facilitates the creation, dissemination, and maintenance of privacy policies and documentation, helping organizations demonstrate accountability and transparency to regulators and consumers alike.

OneTrust DataGuidance is the world's most extensive regulatory library delivering real-time insights across hundreds of regulations and frameworks. As organizations navigate complying with US state privacy laws, OneTrust's centralized regulatory research platform with real-time intelligence powers effective and efficient compliance programs. Now, DataGuidance makes it easier than ever to get the regulatory answers you need with a new built-in AI-Powered Copilot and tailored regulatory content.

OneTrust's US data privacy expert kiosk at TrustWeek

Four additional US state consumer privacy laws are slated to take effect in 2024. Is your organization prepared to meet requirements? At the US data privacy expert kiosk at TrustWeek, OneTrust is providing hands-on support and actionable guidance to help optimize your OneTrust deployment to comply with new US state privacy laws. Work side-by-side with a OneTrust expert to understand areas of focus and learn how to ready your business for expanded data subject requests and new consent requirements.

Next steps:

About OneTrust

OneTrust unlocks the full potential of data and AI, securely and responsibly. Our platform enforces the secure handling of company data, empowering organizations to drive innovation responsibly while mitigating risks. With a comprehensive suite of solutions spanning data and AI security, privacy, governance, risk, ethics, and compliance, OneTrust enables seamless collaboration between data teams and risk teams to enable rapid and trusted innovation. Recognized as the market leader in trust, OneTrust boasts over 300 patents and serves more than 14,000 customers globally, ranging from industry giants to small businesses. For more information, visit www.onetrust.com.

 2024 OneTrust LLC. All rights reserved. OneTrust and the OneTrust logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of OneTrust LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

1 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Privacy Compliance Software 2023 Vendor Assessment (doc #US49841923, September 2023)

Media Contact

Ainslee Shea, OneTrust

[email protected]

+1 (404) 855-0803

SOURCE OneTrust
MONTREAL, PARIS and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanetHoster, a specialist in data and application hosting, is proud to announce the launch of HybridCloud N0C, pronounced N zero C. This cutting-edge offering combines the power of bare metal with the flexibility and high availability of cloud solutions. Designed to be totally turnkey, this solution incorporates the latest innovations in centralized management and marks a major turning point in PlanetHoster's approach to facilities management. Available in Canada, France and Switzerland, HybridCloud N0C gives companies and professional customers access to a new range of high-performance, managed solutions that aim to serve them better, while benefiting from the latest privacy and security standards.

PlanetHoster Logo

"HybridCloud N0C is distinguished by a series of outstanding features: cutting-edge WAF protection, a minimized energy footprint and state-of-the-art system architecture. Leaving my position as CEO to devote myself fully to technological innovation was a key decision. Today, we are excited to present what represents the top of our achievements to date." confides A. Saber SHENOUDA, CTO at PlanetHoster.

About N0C

N0C is a cutting-edge PaaS and IaaS solution. It features an intuitive management panel and enables rapid, global deployment of instances with comprehensive facilities management. N0C offers advanced security measures and superior performance, surpassing current market standards. It fully complies with the latest security and regulatory requirements.

About PlanetHoster

PlanetHoster specializes in high-performance hosting solutions for web, data and applications, as well as domain name registration. With its own redundant IP network, PlanetHoster serves over 60,000 customers through a private cloud infrastructure distributed across Canada, France, and Switzerland. The team of experienced web hosting professionals is dedicated to providing a 5-star customer experience, ensuring optimal performance on robust infrastructures and maintaining proven security and data confidentiality.

Media Contact: PlanetHoster, Violetta POTAPOVA, Marketing and partnership manager, [email protected], www.planethoster.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2418729/PlanetHoster_PlanetHoster_unveils_HybridCloud_N0C___a_new_next_g.jpg
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global premenstrual syndrome market size is estimated to grow by USD 276.72 million from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.69% during the forecast period.

To understand more about this market - Download a FREE Sample

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Premenstrual Syndrome Market 2024-2028

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Drug Class (Analgesics, Oral contraceptives & ovarian suppression agents, Antidepressants, and Others), Distribution Channel (Retail pharmacies, Hospital pharmacies, and Online pharmacies), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Key Companies Covered AbbVie Inc., Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd, Bayer AG, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Eli Lilly and Co., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Herbalife International of America Inc., Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc, Johnson and Johnson, Lupin Ltd., Merck KGaA, Novartis AG, Octavius Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Recordati S.p.A, Sanofi SA, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Viatris Inc. Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)

Region Outlook

North America Europe Asia Rest of World

1. North America - North America is set to contribute 39% to the growth of the global premenstrual syndrome (PMS) market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by factors such as an ageing population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and high healthcare spending.

The US, with its strong healthcare system and large patient population, leads this market. Increased awareness about PMS is prompting more individuals to seek treatment. The region offers a variety of treatment options, including prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, hormonal therapies, herbal supplements, and lifestyle management, ensuring continued demand and market growth.

For more insights on North America's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample

Segmentation Overview

Drug Class

1.1 Analgesics

1.2 Oral contraceptives & ovarian suppression agents

1.3 Antidepressants

1.4 Others

Distribution Channel

2.1 Retail pharmacies

2.2 Hospital pharmacies

2.3 Online pharmacies

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 Asia

3.4 Rest of World (ROW)

1.1 Fastest growing segment:

The analgesics segment, encompassing NSAIDs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, is poised for significant market share growth. Valued at USD 680.61 million in 2018, analgesics effectively relieve pain and inflammation, particularly aiding in alleviating menstrual cramps and related discomforts. With rising awareness about their efficacy for PMS symptoms like headaches and back pain, the analgesics market is set to drive substantial growth, paralleling the expansion of the global PMS market in the forecast period.

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Research Analysis

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) market encompasses various treatments and solutions aimed at alleviating the physical and emotional symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. Antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives are commonly used to manage mood swings, irritability, and other emotional symptoms. However, supply shocks in the pharmacy and healthcare industries can impact the accessibility of these medications for women. Mobile apps, telemedicine, and e-commerce platforms have emerged as alternative solutions to address the demand for PMS drugs.

These digital platforms offer convenience, privacy, and increased accessibility to vitamin supplements, diuretics, and other complementary treatments. Public knowledge and awareness about PMS have expanded the target market, leading to a growing demand for effective and safe treatments. However, it is essential to consider the potential adverse events associated with certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants.

Vitamin supplements and other natural remedies may offer a safer alternative for managing PMS symptoms. Overall, the premenstrual syndrome market continues to evolve, focusing on improving accessibility, affordability, and safety for women.

Market Overview

The Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) market refers to the global industry dedicated to the development, production, and distribution of products and services aimed at alleviating the symptoms of PMS. These symptoms include bloating, mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, and fatigue, among others. The market caters to various demographics, including women of reproductive age, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies.

The market is driven by the increasing awareness of PMS and its impact on women's quality of life. Additionally, the development of new treatments and therapies, such as hormonal therapies, nutraceuticals, and lifestyle modifications, is fueling market growth. The market is also influenced by factors such as demographic trends, regulatory policies, and technological advancements. Overall, the PMS market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, providing opportunities for innovation and expansion.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Venodr Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

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VANCOUVER, BC, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) is pleased to announce many new discoveries on the Holy Grail property. High-grade samples were obtained just west of our Knauss Creek property in the vicinity of the Copper Ridge zone and Leon's Legacy showings. Other high-grade results on the western limb of the property are located on Mount Garland and the Wesach mountain. The fully owned Holy Grail property, starts approximately 10 km north of Terrace, British Columbia.

Figure 1: Location map with new showings. (CNW Group/Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.) Figure 2: Best new values obtained on the Holy Grail during the summer 2023 field program. (CNW Group/Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.)

The last few days of the 2023 prospecting program gave us a surprise when the field team decided to step out of Copper Ridge and go on the Holy Grail property side. This led to the discovery of two new showings named Golden Bowl and Temple located approximately 1.5 km to the west and 2.5 km to the northwest respectively. On the western limb of the property, the summer of 2023 results are outlining two clusters of samples returned high-grade results, one on Mount Garland and one on the Wesach mountain (Figure 1).

Highlights from outcrop samples:

Golden Bowl

9.99 g/t Au, 183 g/t Ag, 1.81% Cu, 7.4% Pb and 0.17% Zn (W500082)

8.35 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag, 0.44% Cu, 3.5% Pb and 0.35% Zn (W386369)

Temple

8.16 g/t Au, 137 g/t Ag and 14.8% Cu (W500697)

0.18 g/t Au, 94 g/t Ag and 4.6% Cu (W500698)

0.08 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag and 5.9% Cu (W500696)

Mount Garland

7.9% Cu, 634 g/t Ag and 0.7% Zn (W387642, erratic block)

5.1% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag and (W489403)

2.2% Cu and 98 g/t Ag (W489406)

2.1% Cu, 61 g/t Ag and 0.23% Zn (W489408)

Wesach mountain

5.43 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag, 0.22% Pb and 0.47% Zn (W501823)

1.13 g/t Au, 102 g/t Ag, 3.27% Pb and 2.57% Zn (W502285)

Prospect Ridge CEO Michael Iverson commented, "I'm thrilled with these new discoveries. Our exploration efforts have unveiled remarkable finds throughout the 2023 summer underscoring the richness of our land package and the skills of our field team. These new showings on the Holy Grail are confirming the extraordinary geological potential in the Terrace area south of the Golden Triangle."

Prospect Ridge President Yan Ducharme added, "The Golden Bowl and Temple new discoveries are adding pieces to the puzzle connecting previously discovered Copper Ridge and Leon's Legacy. These polymetallic veins stand as a testament to the barely tapped potential of this underexplored land package, hinting numerous future discoveries to be unearthed. All the mountains of the western reaches of the Holy grail have delivered high-grade showings often within a cluster of lower grade rocks. Summer 2024 will see us initiate the first drill holes on the Copper Ridge zone and we will pick up prospection where we left off."

Eastern part of Holy Grail

Prospection approximately 1.5 km west of the Copper Ridge zone, in a topographic bowl, led to the discovery of a quartz vein containing 9.99 g/t Au, 183 g/t Ag, 1.81% Cu, 7.44% Pb and 0.17% Zn (W500082). Forty meters from it, another vein with 8.35 g/t Au, 63 g/t Ag, 0.44% Cu, 3.5% Pb and 0.35% Zn (W386369) was sampled. More mineralized veins were sampled at the bottom of the bowl, while two erratic blocks and a vein were sampled on the flank of it. The veins of this Golden Bowl showing are hosted in an intrusion.

Approximately 2.5 km northwest of the Copper Ridge zone and 1 km south of the Leon's Legacy, 8.16 g/t Au, 137 g/t Ag and 14.8% Cu (W500697) was obtained on a quartz vein. Within 50 meters, two other samples gave 0.08 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag and 5.92% Cu (W500696) and 0.18 g/t Au, 94 g/t Ag and 4.55% Cu (W500698). More mineralized samples were taken in the vicinity and are part of the Temple showing.

Western part of Holy Grail

The northern flank of Mount Garland is easily accessible by logging roads. The prospecting works led to the sampling of many quartz veins with chalcopyrite and malachite which contains mainly copper and silver, but also occasional gold and zinc occurrences. The best results were obtained from an erratic block, taken on a talus, which yield 7.91% Cu and 634 g/t Ag (W387642). Other in situ veins were sampled and gave 5.07% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag (W489403), 2.20% Cu, 98 g/t Ag (W489406) and 2.09% Cu, 61 g/t Ag (W489408). These samples are part of a cluster covering an area of 3.5 km by 1.5 km of mineralized veins and blocks. The alpine part of Mount Garland has not been prospected yet.

Prospecting on the southern side of the Wesach mountain, uphill of the Wesach Creek, led to the discovery of many quartz veins bearing gold, silver, lead and zinc. Sample W501823 contains 5.43 g/t Au, 8.5 g/t Ag, 0.22% Pb and 0.47% Zn and sample W502285 contains 1.13 g/t Au, 102 g/t Ag, 3.27% Pb and 2.57% Zn. A cluster of mineralized samples covers an area of 400 m by 400 m. Some sampled erratic blocks returned copper, gold and silver values. The source has yet to be found.

Sample Easting1 Northing1 Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) AuEq g/t2 Golden Bowl W386366 537645 6070688 0.526 23.8 0.686 0.008 0.002 1.784 W386368 537655 6070699 0.089 5.1 0.336 0.001 0.003 0.626 W386369 537643 6070822 8.350 63.2 0.438 3.500 0.345 11.100 W4894713 537202 6070540 0.704 2.3 0.004 0.146 0.029 0.800 W4894723 537273 6070565 0.018 5.1 0.385 0.001 0.007 0.625 W489473 537274 6070607 1.130 0.8 0.016 0.147 0.005 1.216 W497153 537570 6070674 1.940 1.6 0.002 0.001 0.005 1.964 W500081 537650 6070693 0.022 7.5 0.421 0.000 0.005 0.708 W500082 537628 6070782 9.990 183 1.810 7.440 0.173 17.442 Temple W489476 536364 6072676 0.026 2.2 0.107 0.000 0.006 0.206 W4894773 536329 6072483 0.346 3.4 0.413 0.000 0.001 0.970 W500695 536538 6072489 0.247 13.7 0.753 0.001 0.011 1.479 W500696 536549 6072472 0.080 22 5.920 0.001 0.008 8.693 W500697 536549 6072470 8.160 137 14.800 0.010 0.008 30.682 W500698 536586 6072438 0.180 94.1 4.550 0.002 0.008 7.734 Golden Bowl and Temple area W386365 536699 6071100 0.336 5.3 0.013 0.002 0.000 0.419 W489470 536759 6071107 0.696 7.4 0.001 0.004 0.000 0.788 W496077 535736 6073154 0.002 0.3 0.070 0.000 0.008 0.107 W496079 536149 6073403 0.037 1.7 0.158 0.000 0.007 0.283 W500651 536677 6071905 0.002 1.9 0.031 0.120 0.008 0.114 W500652 536663 6071893 0.258 45.1 0.005 1.520 0.002 1.347 W500657 536574 6071821 0.016 6.8 0.057 0.026 0.000 0.188 W500658 536661 6071839 0.089 17.1 0.021 0.008 0.003 0.329 Mount Garland W3876423 520095 6066782 0.037 634 7.910 0.083 0.703 19.153 W387643 520155 6066561 0.008 4.3 0.079 0.002 0.008 0.175 W3876443 520004 6066702 0.027 3.4 0.140 0.000 0.007 0.268 W387645 520050 6066573 0.002 1.6 0.079 0.000 0.007 0.135 W489394 521080 6067474 0.002 3.4 0.091 0.000 0.001 0.172 W4893953 521268 6066970 0.002 4.7 0.182 0.001 0.015 0.322 W4893963 521266 6066972 0.017 0.8 0.067 0.000 0.002 0.122 W489397 520566 6067623 0.087 13 1.140 0.000 0.007 1.854 W489398 520557 6067625 0.073 5.8 0.294 0.000 0.002 0.558 W489399 521361 6066538 0.013 4.2 0.117 0.001 0.007 0.232 W489400 521390 6066436 0.009 14.6 0.673 0.000 0.002 1.135 W4894023 521647 6066024 0.025 3.7 0.196 0.000 0.007 0.349 W489403 521717 6065912 0.112 13.9 5.070 0.000 0.011 7.430 W489405 522375 6067175 0.002 4.3 0.055 0.011 0.015 0.141 W489406 522612 6066938 0.011 98.4 2.200 0.035 0.053 4.334 W489407 522667 6066898 0.005 40 0.305 0.013 0.303 1.042 W489408 522725 6066802 0.035 60.6 2.090 0.051 0.232 3.822 W496060 520312 6067914 0.006 2.3 0.134 0.000 0.003 0.224 W496061 520318 6067908 0.002 8.6 0.191 0.000 0.002 0.376 W496064 519201 6067566 0.108 2.7 0.124 0.000 0.002 0.316 W5000533 522163 6067074 0.008 55.1 0.011 0.032 0.010 0.705 W500055 520461 6067513 0.026 5.3 0.004 0.021 0.012 0.108 W500635 520166 6067722 0.002 31.1 0.358 0.019 0.052 0.910 W5022773 521175 6066358 0.002 7.8 0.001 0.009 0.000 0.101 W502278 521097 6066216 0.002 1.8 0.105 0.001 0.009 0.176 W5022793 521088 6066208 0.002 2.3 0.135 0.001 0.010 0.224 W5022813 521040 6066269 0.005 4.5 0.320 0.000 0.006 0.513 W502283 521121 6066020 0.006 4.3 0.334 0.005 0.005 0.532 W502284 521110 6065993 0.006 2.0 0.076 0.003 0.002 0.139 Wesach mountain W3847943 519537 6076197 0.009 4.8 0.254 0.002 0.002 0.427 W387610 519186 6076179 0.008 9.6 0.002 0.602 0.208 0.420 W387611 519185 6076186 0.043 14.1 0.002 0.573 0.145 0.475 W387613 519182 6076193 0.031 20 0.003 1.155 0.375 0.831 W387614 519253 6076226 0.360 36.5 0.033 1.760 0.478 1.655 W387615 519260 6076230 0.169 69.7 0.007 4.380 0.998 2.955 W387617 518206 6075523 0.622 2.9 0.011 0.115 0.147 0.771 W489359 519204 6076204 0.011 4.2 0.005 0.202 1.210 0.614 W489360 519186 6076204 0.073 19.6 0.003 1.150 0.568 0.942 W4894093 518304 6075043 0.107 10.8 0.291 0.001 0.020 0.656 W4894113 519368 6075852 0.481 48.6 0.289 1.970 0.061 2.194 W5006073 519194 6076234 0.079 1.8 0.261 0.002 0.005 0.471 W501809 519180 6075923 0.040 7.4 0.001 0.426 0.080 0.312 W501823 518209 6075519 5.430 8.5 0.014 0.223 0.465 5.813 W502285 519190 6075944 1.130 102 0.009 3.270 2.570 4.534 W502287 519249 6075965 0.088 0.5 0.017 0.003 0.010 0.123 W502288 519238 6075961 0.028 1.2 0.020 0.027 0.064 0.105 W502289 519300 6075960 0.019 5.0 0.003 0.351 0.006 0.210 W502292 519217 6075941 1.860 1.0 0.071 0.000 0.005 1.974 W5022933 519270 6075964 0.052 4.5 0.004 0.247 0.262 0.302 W502294 519283 6075967 0.019 6.8 0.025 0.413 0.259 0.383

Table 1: Best Results from the Holy Grail surface sampling of summer 2023.

1: Coordinates in meters UTM Nad83 Zone 9N 2: Gold equivalents were calculated with a gold price of $1,750/oz, silver at $21/oz, copper at $3.60/lbs, lead at $0.90/lbs and zinc at $1.00/lbs. 3: Erratic block.

Cautionary statements

Outcrop samples are selective by nature and grades may not be representative of mineralized zones. True thickness or mineralization style and geological models cannot be determined with the information currently available.

Quality control

Rock samples were assayed for gold by standard 50 g fire-assaying with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA24) or gravimetric finish (Au-GRA22) or 1000g metallic screening (Au-SCR24) at ALS Canada in Terrace, British Columbia. The samples were also assayed for 35 metals from an aqua regia digestion with ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP41). For samples with overlimit results in silver, copper, lead and zinc, aqua regia with ICP finish was used (OG46 ore grade). A quality assurance/quality control program has been implemented and consists of inserting standards on a regular basis in the samples stream.

Qualified Person

All scientific or technical information included in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Yan Ducharme, P.Geo., President of the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. This news release was written by Yan Ducharme.

About the Holy Grail property

The fully owned Holy Grail starts approximately 10 kilometres north of the town of Terrace in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It is easily accessible by the Transcanadian highway, the Nisga'a highway and a network of logging roads. It covers about 700 square kilometres and is contiguous to our fully owned Knauss Creek property.

Several gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc occurrences were discovered in the past. Almost all the creeks draining the property were exploited at some point and alluvial gold was recovered.

During the 2023 field season, the Company continued exploring this huge land package which contains many showings of interest.

The southern tip of the Golden Triangle is located immediately northwest of the PRR properties. The Bowser Lake and the Hazelton Groups hosting most of the deposits and mines of this area are also underlying the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail properties.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia based exploration and development company focused on gold, silver and copper exploration. Prospect Ridge's management and technical team cumulate over 100 years of mineral exploration experience and believes the Knauss Creek and the Holy Grail properties, near the town of Terrace BC, to have the potential to extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects and the Company's use of proceeds from the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will not be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.
Added funds in this securitization style warehouse facility allows further opportunities for Redaptive to install metering, energy-saving and energy-generating projects for customers

DENVER, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Redaptive, Inc., the Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) leader, announced the expansion of its warehouse facility with Deutsche Bank's US Private Credit & Infrastructure group to help accelerate their HVAC, LED, solar and other projects. Deutsche Bank, acting as Sole Lead Arranger, is now joined by Rabobank, a premier global food and agribusiness bank and a leading financier of the energy transition, and Mitsubishi HC Capital America, the largest non-captive, non-bank commercial finance company in North America, which have extended funding to this round to $250 million. The expanded facility enables Redaptive to provide customers with the most competitive pricing for EaaS and data offerings.

For details of the initial Deutsche Bank facility announced in August 2023, read more here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redaptive-secures-125m-financing-from-deutsche-bank-to-deploy-energy-as-a-service-solutions-for-sustainability-programs-301908726.html

With additional funds, Redaptive expands its warehouse facility to accelerate its HVAC, LED, solar and other projects. Post this

"The additional funding from Deutsche Bank, Rabobank and Mitsubishi HC Capital America expands our capacity to fund sustainability solutions in the market," said Redaptive CFO Matt Gembrin. "We're excited to continue to build on our existing relationships with all three financing partners to help our customers lower their GHG emissions and become more sustainable."

Contributors from Deutsche Bank added:

"Deutsche Bank is proud to continue to support Redaptive's innovation and growth in the energy as a service industry," said Blake Yaralian, Director, Deutsche Bank Infrastructure and Energy.

In turn, representatives from Rabobank and Mitsubishi HC Capital America added:

"We're excited to see the strides Redaptive has made toward scaling its business in the increasingly important energy efficiency field," said Claus Hertel, managing director of project finance at Rabobank North America. "The expansion of this warehouse facility will allow Redaptive to compete more aggressively and, ultimately, help more companies reduce their carbon footprint. Our collaboration with Redaptive since 2021 is emblematic of Rabobank's commitment to clients as a leading financier of the energy transition."

"Intently prioritizing sustainability and the environment is a focused priority for our company," said Chris Pagano, Mitsubishi HC Capital America Senior Vice President, Structured Finance and Leasing. "Back in 2015, we saw the value in Redaptive's unique offering and have proudly been a long-standing partner. We are happy to collaborate with them again on this latest round of funding as they further their efforts in helping companies reduce their own carbon footprints."

This round also follows Redaptive's $225 million warehouse facility last month and their $250 million series E, which closed late last year. Read more about these below:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redaptive-secures-225m-warehouse-financing-from-atlas-sp-partners-launching-equipment-financing-solution-302120899.html?tc=eml_cleartime

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230503005162/en/Redaptive-Closes-Next-Phase-of-Series-E-Funding-Round-with-Further-Investment-from-Linse-Capital

About Redaptive

Redaptive is a leading Energy-as-a-Service provider that funds and installs energy-saving and energy-generating equipment. Redaptive's programs help many of the world's most sophisticated organizations reduce energy waste, optimize cost, lower carbon emissions, and meet their sustainability goals across their entire real estate portfolios. With Redaptive, customers can overcome capital and resource barriers to achieve energy-saving benefits quickly, all with continuous data powered by Redaptive's proprietary metering technology. Redaptive was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit: Redaptive.com .

About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank provides retail and private banking, corporate and transaction banking, lending, asset and wealth management products and services as well as focused investment banking to private individuals, small and medium-sized companies, corporations, governments and institutional investors. Deutsche Bank is the leading bank in Germany with strong European roots and a global network.

About Rabobank

Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing and real estate services in more than 38 countries worldwide. Founded more than a century ago, Rabobank today is one of the world's largest banks with over $660 billion in assets. In the Americas, Rabobank Wholesale Banking North America is a premier corporate and investment bank to the food, agribusiness, commodities and energy industries. To learn more, visit www.RabobankWholesaleBankingNA.com .

About Mitsubishi HC Capital America

Mitsubishi HC Capital America is a commercial finance company that has extensive capabilities throughout North America with its affiliate, Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada, combining a consultative approach and expansive digital platform to help organizations of all sizes accelerate growth. With $7.5 billion in assets and more than 800 employees, the company is the largest non-captive, non-bank commercial finance company in North America. Mitsubishi HC Capital America partners with equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors, as well as end customers, in providing customized financial solutions, including transportation and commercial finance. Dedicated to improving the communities where it operates, the company is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Visit https://www.mhccna.com/en-us

SOURCE Redaptive
SANTIAGO, Chile, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Tender Offer

Chile announced today the commencement of an offer to purchase for cash (the " Tender Offer ") debt securities of the series listed in the table below (the " Old Bonds " and each Old Bonds, a "series" of Old Bonds). The aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below) to be paid for the Old Bonds tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be determined by Chile in its sole discretion (the " Maximum Purchase Amount "). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are set forth in an offer to purchase, dated the date hereof (the " Offer to Purchase "). The Tender Offer is being made concurrently with an offer to exchange Old Bonds for New Bonds (as defined below) and an offer to purchase Old Bonds for cash to the public in Chile (together, the " Local Offers ").

Old Bonds

ISIN

Outstanding Principal Amount as of Wednesday, May 22, 2024 (1) Chilean-peso denominated 2.500% Bonds due March 1, 2025



CL0002599166 Ps. 5,498,380,000,000 Chilean-peso denominated 4.500% Bonds due March 1, 2026



CL0002172501 Ps. 3,320,825,000,000 Chilean-peso denominated 2.300% Bonds due October 1, 2028 CL0002642784 Ps. 1,040,000,000,000 Chilean-peso denominated 2.800% Bonds due October 1, 2033



CL0002642776 Ps. 442,150,000,000

(1) Includes Old Bonds held in Chile, which are the subject of the Local Offers.

The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum participation of any series of Old Bonds, but is conditioned on the pricing and closing of a global offering that consists of an offering to the public in Chile, and an offer and sale of bonds to investors outside of Chile to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A in the United States and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance upon Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of certain Chilean peso-denominated bonds (the " New Bonds ") in an amount, with pricing and on terms and conditions acceptable to Chile in its sole discretion, with pricing terms expected to be announced on or about Thursday, May 30, 2024 (such offering of New Bonds to investors outside of Chile the " New Bonds Offering ").

The Tender Offer commenced on the date hereof and, unless extended or earlier terminated by Chile in its sole discretion, will expire at 10:00 a.m., New York time, on Thursday, May 30, 2024 (the " Tender Period "). Subject to pricing and closing of the New Bonds Offering and the other terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, and subject to change by Chile, the settlement of the Tender Offer is expected to occur on or about Monday, June 3, 2024 subject to change without notice (the " Tender Offer Settlement Date ").

At or around noon, New York Time, on Friday, May 24, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, Chile will announce the purchase price per Ps. 1,000,000 principal amount of each series of Old Bonds (the " Purchase Price "). Payment for any tendered Old Bonds accepted by Chile, together with an amount in cash corresponding to accrued and unpaid interest, accrued at the rates contemplated in each series of Old Bonds to but excluding the Tender Offer Settlement Date (" Accrued Interest "), will be made after and conditioned upon the pricing and closing of the New Bonds Offering. Payment of the Purchase Price for Old Bonds accepted for purchase in the Tender Offer, together with Accrued Interest, will be made in U.S. dollars, based on an exchange rate for the conversion of Chilean pesos into U.S. dollars that will be determined using the average of the buy and sell spot exchange rates available on Bloomberg by typing "USDCLP BGN Curncy <GO>" at or around noon, New York Time, or as soon as possible thereafter, on the day that the New Bonds are priced, which is currently expected to be Thursday, May 30, 2024 (the " Applicable Exchange Rate "). The Applicable Exchange Rate is the same rate at which the purchase price payable for the New Bonds sold in the New Bonds Offering will be calculated in U.S. dollars.

You may only submit tenders through Euroclear System (" Euroclear "). You will NOT be able to submit tenders through the Depository Trust Company (" DTC "), Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, Luxembourg, or Deposito Central de Valores S.A., Deposito de Valores (" DCV ").

You must comply with the applicable procedures of Euroclear including arranging for a direct participant in Euroclear to deliver a valid electronic acceptance instruction (" Electronic Acceptance Instruction "), which includes the proper blocking and debit irrevocable instructions, to Euroclear.

If you are a beneficial owner whose Old Bonds are held by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee (each, a " Nominee ") and you desire to tender the Old Bonds in the Tender Offer, you must contact your Nominee and instruct such Nominee, as holder of the Old Bonds, to tender the Old Bonds on your behalf. The deadlines set by Euroclear or any such intermediary for the submission of tenders of Old Bonds may be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified in the Offer to Purchase.

For further information on the procedures to tender Old Bonds, please refer to the Offer to Purchase and/or call the Tender and Information Agent at its telephone numbers set forth below or consult your Nominee for assistance.

Valid tenders made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer (" Tender Orders ") may be withdrawn on or prior to 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024 (the " Withdrawal Deadline "), unless the Withdrawal Deadline is extended or earlier terminated. A valid withdrawal of Old Bonds on or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline will result in the holder not being eligible to receive the Purchase Price or any accrued interest pursuant to the Tender Offer.

At or around 8:00 a.m., New York time, on Friday, May 31, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, Chile will announce (i) the Maximum Purchase Amount and the Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below), (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Tenders of each series of Old Bonds that has been accepted, (iii) any proration of Tenders, and (iv) the Applicable Exchange Rate.

If the total purchase price for the principal amount of Old Bonds (the " Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price ") would exceed the Maximum Purchase Amount, then the Republic will, in its sole discretion, select one or more series of Old Bonds to be prorated based on the same or different proration factors, so that the Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price accepted by the Republic equals or does not exceed the Maximum Purchase Amount. These proration procedures are subject to the Republic's right in its sole discretion not to accept any or certain Tenders for any reason. Old Bonds accepted for purchase will be determined by multiplying each holder's Tender by the applicable proration factor, and rounding the product down to the nearest multiple of Ps.5,000,000 principal amount. All Old Bonds validly tendered but not accepted as a result of proration or otherwise will be rejected and returned to holders through Euroclear. However, if the principal amount of Old Bonds that are not accepted and are returned to a holder as a result of proration would result in less than the Minimum Denomination being returned to such holder, the Republic will either accept or reject all of such holder's validly tendered Old Bonds.

A priority allocation code (the "Priority Allocation Code") is not required for a holder to tender its Old Bonds, but if a tendering holder wishes to subscribe for New Bonds, such holder should obtain and quote a Priority Allocation Code when subscribing for New Bonds. Holders tendering Old Bonds may obtain a Priority Allocation Code by contacting any of the Dealer Managers, and should include their Priority Allocation Code in their Tender. Chile will review Tenders received on or prior to the Tender Period Expiration Time and may give priority to those investors tendering with a Priority Allocation Code in connection with the allocation of New Bonds. However, no assurances can be given that any holder that tenders Old Bonds will be given an allocation of New Bonds at the levels it may subscribe for, or at all.

The Tender Offer is subject to Chile's right, in its sole discretion, to extend, terminate, withdraw or amend its terms at any time. Chile reserves the right, in its sole discretion not to accept any Tender Orders, or to accept Tender Orders as to one or more series of Old Bonds but no other series, for any reason.

The Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Tender and Information Agent's website at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/chile/ or obtained from the Tender and Information Agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation in New York, at 65 Broadway  Suite 404, New York, NY 10006 (Banks and Brokers call collect: (212) 430-3774; all others call Toll-Free: (855) 654-2015) Attention: Corporate Actions (email: [email protected]), or from any of the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:

Citigroup Global Markets

Inc. Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. Santander US Capital Markets LLC 388 Greenwich Street, 4th

Floor New York, New York 10013 United States Attn.: Liability Management

Group 540 Madison Avenue, 24th

Floor New York, New York 10022 United States Attention: Debt Capital Markets 437 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10022 United States Attention: Liability Management Team Collect: +1 (212) 723-6106 Toll-free: +1 (800) 558-3745 Collect: +1 (212) 710-6749 Toll-free: +1 (888) 770-4828 Collect: +1 (212) 350-0660 Toll-free: +1 (855) 404-3636

Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact.

Contact information: Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway  Suite 404

New York, NY 10006

Banks and Brokers Call: (212) 430-3774

All Others Call Toll free: (855) 654-2015

NONE OF CHILE, THE DEALER MANAGERS OR THE TENDER AND INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT ANY HOLDER TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH HOLDER'S OLD BONDS OR THAT ANY HOLDER SUBMIT OR CHOOSE NOT TO SUBMIT AN INDICATION OF INTEREST IN THE NEW BONDS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH A TENDER, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY OF THEM TO MAKE SUCH A RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS WHETHER TO TENDER OLD BONDS, AND, IF SO, THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD BONDS TO TENDER AND WHETHER TO SUBMIT AN INDICATION OF INTEREST IN THE NEW BONDS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH A TENDER.

Important Notice

The New Bonds Offering will be made solely by means of an offering memorandum relating to that offering, and this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an order to buy any New Bonds. You may not participate in the New Bonds Offering unless you have received and reviewed the offering memorandum related to that offering, and not in reliance on, or on the basis of, this announce or the Offer to Purchase. The New Bonds will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and will be offered in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Old Bonds. The Tender Offer will be made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

The distribution of materials relating to the New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer, and the transactions contemplated by the New Bonds Offering and Tender Offer, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Tender Offer is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The Tender Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

This announcement and the offer to purchase contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Chile's beliefs and expectations. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Chile undertakes no obligation to update any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Chile cautions you that several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

SOURCE Republic of Chile
RICHMOND, Va., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This August 9th, 10th and 11th, the 2024 Richmond Jazz and Music Festival invites you to immerse yourself in "Sounds & Colors" at historic Maymont. Celebrating music, art, and community, this festival transforms every moment into a kaleidoscopic experience of art, creating an electrifying atmosphere where music isn't just heardit's seen and felt. Join this rich tapestry of people and music and take part in this vibrant celebration that brings together diverse voices and sounds.

This year's festival boasts an impressive lineup of dozens of artists, including celebrated acts that highlight the nation's rich musical talent.

Festivalgoers will delight in the legendary rhythms of Lee Ritenour and Bob James and get into the groove with the energy of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Trap Jazz, Snarky Puppy, Moonchild and many others. Fans of jazz vocalists will be enraptured by the voices of Andra Day, Terisa Griffin, and returning jazz festival artist, Gregory Porter.

This year, we are thrilled that the legendary Wyclef Jean is our Artist in Residence, bringing his signature guitar and vocals to both stages:

"For me, this takes me back to my Jazz roots. My calling in high school was Jazz. This is where I became the captain of the jazz band. I produce most of my music from the space of jazz fusion and I'm inspired by Quincy jones and Miles Davis. This is an honor. I look forward to collaborating with the incredible artists, participating, this year."

With this eclectic mix of jazz, blues, R&B, and hip hop, there is sure to be something that speaks to every music enthusiast.

For our full list of artists, visit richmondjazzfestival.com. You can follow the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival @RJMFest on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to stay updated on artist announcements and enhance your festival experience by being part of the conversation.

As always, the experience extends beyond music. Explore culinary delights in our bistro tent, where gourmet bites meet casual eats, or sample a variety of food trucks offering everything from local flavors to international cuisine. In our chill zone, relax and enjoy unique sweet treats and frozen delightsperfect for cooling off between performances.

Wander through our bustling marketplace, where local artisans showcase their crafts including local art, handcrafted jewelry, stylish clothing, unique pottery, aromatic candles, and more. Each vendor shares not only their art but also their story, contributing to the enduring fabric of our community and culture.

The 2024 festival is proudly presented by Altria, with stage sponsors Dominion Energy and Virginia is for Lovers. We also have the generous support of Richmond Region Tourism, 12 On Your Side, Radio One, JMI, and Bluestone Education Foundation. Thanks to their contributions, we can bring this vibrant celebration to life each year, creating an unforgettable experience for all.

Join us for a celebration of music, creativity, unity, and more. The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival is more than an eventit's a celebration of the vibrant community spirit of Richmond.

2024 Lineup of Artists and Performers

Fantasia  Ludacris  Wyclef Jean (Artist in Residence)  St. Paul and the Broken Bones  Monica  Snarky Puppy  Gregory Porter  Bob James  Andra Day  Moonchild  Najee  Lee Ritenour  Alex Bugnon  Angie Stone  The LOX  Terisa Griffin  Trap Jazz  Chieli Minucci, Elliott Yamin, Lao Tizer, Tony Austin and Cheikh N'Doye  And many more!

Tickets are now available for purchase at www.richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com. Patrons are encouraged to act quickly to secure their tickets for one of the summer's most anticipated musical showcases.

About the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival is the premier music event on the east coast, held at Maymont in Richmond, VA, since 2010. Known for its scenic venue and exciting lineups, the festival attracts thousands of music lovers each year, celebrating the best in jazz, blues, and contemporary music.

Contact:

Frances Burruss

Director of Account Management, JMI

Phone: (804) 625-3457

[email protected]

SOURCE Richmond Jazz and Music Festival
INDIANAPOLIS, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SAAM Inc., announces the company has executed a lease for office space, currently under construction, in Carmel, Indiana. The office establishes headquarters for SAAM with the administration, marketing, and sales teams operating here, and engineering and product development remaining in the Boston area.

The NEW HavenGO HavenGO

"SAAM is excited to call Carmel home. We're focused on delivering technology that ensures the hazards around us aren't hazardous to us and we're bringing together the best talent to do that," said Rob Qualls, Chairman, and CEO at SAAM Inc. "The Villages of West Clay is a thriving community just north of Indianapolis and we're looking forward to building upon our presence in Indiana."

SAAM will launch its flagship product, HavenGO, in January of 2025 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV. The portable device will join the market as the most comprehensive with patented sensor technology detecting both the chemicals indicative of fire and the health-affecting gasses and particulates around us. The company's technology is able to identify hazardous environments at the earliest possible moment, offering warnings of potentially dangerous events and giving the precious time needed to keep people and spaces safe. HavenGO and its companion app also provide real-time readings of traditional air quality metrics that may impact health.

About SAAM

SAAM Inc. is the leader in indoor air quality and chemical detection technology, focused on creating healthier, safe spaces. The company is responsible for the award-winning HavenGO, a portable device whose patented sensor technology is the most comprehensive on the market, detecting both the chemicals indicative of fire and the health-affecting gasses and particulates around us at the earliest possible moment, along with real-time readings of traditional air quality metrics.

SAAM sets a higher standard for consumer health and safety devices, delivering patented laboratory-grade technology to homeowners, renters, RV'ers - anyone curious about the space around them and interested in making it the safest it can be. The company was founded in 2017 and holds key patents that ensure it will be the leader for years to come. For more on SAAM and how they can keep your space healthy and safe, and to pre-order your HavenGO, visit www.saam.us.com .

Contact:

Libby Spicer

[email protected]

+1 415 640 0610

SOURCE SAAM Inc.
ISS National Lab Plays Key Role in Advancing Startup's Sensor Technology

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Using satellite-based hyperspectral sensors that can capture images of Earth beyond the visible light we can see with our eyes, startup Orbital Sidekick provides valuable global monitoring services to customers around the world. So far, the company has launched five commercial satellites, two of which went up in March, and has plans to launch a sixth later this year. Co-founder and CEO Dan Katz attributes much of the company's success to leveraging the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory to test its new sensor technology.

Hyperspectral imaging can reveal the presence of specific chemicals and materials in an area, providing important insights into things like pipeline leaks, crop health, wildfire risk, and materials for mining. To test its new hyperspectral sensor technology, Orbital Sidekick launched its sensor to the ISS, where it was installed on the Nanoracks External Platform (NREP) mounted to the exterior of the orbiting laboratory.

An article in the latest issue of Upward , official magazine of the ISS National Lab, tells the story of Orbital Sidekick and what's possible through research and technology development on the space station. Katz commented on the value of the company's ISS research in Upward, saying, "It allowed us to focus our resources on what's really driving value for our company, which is our intelligence platform, analytics engine, and product development for our end userthat's what's important for our commercialization effort. The mission was wildly successful and really set the table for everything we're doing today with our commercial satellites."

Following its ISS National Lab-sponsored investigation, Orbital Sidekick raised nearly $50 million in investment dollars and signed more than a dozen large energy companies for pipeline monitoring services. The company plans to expand its satellite constellation to include 14 satellites, allowing Orbital Sidekick to monitor millions of miles of pipeline around the globe on a weekly basis.

See how Orbital Sidekick's space station research was a springboard for the company's success in the Upward feature, "Sensors, Satellites, and Sidekicks."

To download a high-resolution photo for this release, click here .

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website .

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page .







International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS)

6905 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 500, Melbourne, FL 32940  321.253.5101  www.ISSNationalLab.org









SOURCE International Space Station National Lab
The global professional hair expert announces new Global Brand Ambassador Dove Cameron to inspire consumers to tell their hair story through new blonde color innovations and social media campaign

DUSSELDORF, Germany , May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Schwarzkopf, the unrivaled authority in hair for over 125 years, follows up on the launch of their "What Story Will You Tell?" campaign with the announcement of a new brand ambassador  Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Platinum Recording Artist & Advocate Dove Cameron. Schwarzkopf has defined 2024 as the year of the blonde, and they know that behind every person's hair color is a story of courage, empowerment, and trust. In an effort to inspire consumers to tell their story, Schwarzkopf premiered their highly visual TV commercial and campaign on March 5th, featuring Global Brand Ambassador Sofia Vergara and Global Color Ambassador Chris Appleton. Now, they hope to target a broader audience by tapping into Dove's film, television, and music career and encouraging those consumers to own and tell their hair story.

Henkel Logo (PRNewsfoto/Henkel) Dove Cameron

A brand of firsts, Schwarzkopf's rich history is defined by innovations. The first dry shampoo, the first liquid shampoo, the first hairspray, the first cold perm, the first home color product. Schwarzkopf seamlessly combines its 125-year heritage with cutting-edge technology, pioneering innovation that empowers individuals to understand and embrace their unique hair stories. Schwarzkopf is one of the only brands backed by a global community of hairdressers that they collaborate with to then bring that professional expertise to its consumers. Leading where others follow and encouraging people to showcase the best version of themselves, Schwarzkopf proudly provides the tools needed for everyone to celebrate their individuality.

Schwarzkopf's "What Story Will You Tell?" campaign is more than just a tagline; it aims to inspire consumers to show up as their true selves and own the story they want to tell the world. They believe that beauty is the radiance that's exuded when your appearance reflects how you feel inside, and when your hair is a mirror and canvas to craft your story. Schwarzkopf elevates its consumers through hair so they can step into every moment with confidence and own their story, on their terms.

For over a decade, Emmy-winning actress, platinum recording artist, and advocate Dove Cameron has brought her vocal talents, beauty, comedic timing, and strong performances to projects that continue to cement her as one of Hollywood's leading talents. This past December, Dove released the first volume of her highly anticipated two-part debut album, Alchemical: Volume 1. Embracing the essence of alchemy, the album represents Dove's powerful and transformative journey of taking tragedy and turning it into art all while reinforcing music's ability to inspire, empower and heal. She is expected to release Alchemical: Volume 2 in 2024. Much as her life and music career has transformed, so has her hair, an essential part of anyone's identity. Over the years Dove's hair color has changed from blonde to red to black and more. Sometimes her look is edgy, sometimes it's playful. No matter the look, she is always a proponent of looking however you feel and not worrying about how others perceive you, which is why Schwarzkopf's campaign resonated with her so much. When speaking about the partnership, Dove said:

"I am so excited to be Schwarzkopf's new Brand Ambassador. This partnership means a lot to me because it's a brand that I actually use and have loved for such a long time. My hair journey started when I was only 8 years old when I became obsessed with the power of dyeing my hair and experimenting with identity and character and the control that that gives me as an artist. I had a very specific hair color during a very formative time in my life when I started in film and television that became the color that I was known for. My identity has changed a lot as I've gotten older and found myself, and hair color has been a big part of being able to claim my identity over and over whenever I feel the need to. Changing my hair color makes me feel renewed, reset, and fresh and Schwarzkopf is the only brand  and blonde - I trust."

Dove is the perfect partner for Schwarzkopf because she resonates with both the salon client and at-home color consumer. She has long been a genuine fan of Schwarzkopf products and in this new role she will represent the outcome that clients can expect when they go to a salon and receive a service using Schwarzkopf products. Additionally, Dove can also speak to how Schwarzkopf's at-home innovation, Keratin Blonde, helps her to maintain her color, especially while she's on tour.

Chris McClement, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Henkel North America remarks:

"It has been so exciting to see the response from our alignment with current brand partners, Sofia Vergara and Chris Appleton. And now, we are reaching out to a larger, more diverse audience by joining forces with Dove Cameron. She has gone through an evolution personally, with her career and with her style and we're thrilled she chose Schwarzkopf to be at the forefront of her hair evolution. Henkel has always been committed to providing high-quality innovations & formulas and we are excited to see what stories Dove helps us to tell in our continued work together."

Evolution has been constant as the Schwarzkopf brand has grown over the last century and they will continue to keep innovating and elevating its hair care products and formulas. For more information, visit HairBySchwarzkopf.com and follow @hairbyschwarzkopf.usa for new updates on the brand campaign and partnership with Dove Cameron.

About Henkel in North America:

Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Schwarzkopf hair care, Dial soaps, Persil, Purex, and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2022, North America accounts for 27 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs over 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com , and on Twitter @Henkel_NA .

SOURCE Schwarzkopf
JACKSON, Mich., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today celebrated the accomplishments of seven Jackson County Intermediate School District students with developmental disabilities who completed a unique experience that moves them from the classroom to the workplace.

The students graduated from Project SEARCH, a model program that provides students with firsthand training and knowledge for the last year. The students, all in their late teens, rotated through different jobs with the company and came away with experience that better prepares them for the workplace.

"Before I came into Project SEARCH, I had severe anxiety and some mood disability and lacked work environment experience. Once I entered Project SEARCH, a whole new world opened. I have learned not to carry my load of anxiety wherever I go," said Noah Cantrell, one of the Project SEARCH interns. "All the teams I have worked with this year have given me new skills that I can use in the future. Project SEARCH helped me overcome so many fears and problems. I am stronger and more capable than day one here."

"We are so proud of these students and are confident their experience at Consumers Energy can help open doors for their bright futures," said Angela Thompkins, Consumers Energy's vice president of community affairs and chief diversity officer. "We hope our partnership with the Jackson County ISD can inspire other employers to provide similar opportunities to others who, like these students, only need a chance."

This is the sixth year Consumers Energy and the ISD partnered for Project SEARCH, a national program that aims to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Students worked in the company's headquarters in Jackson and its nearby Parnall facility, where they learned and performed entry-level work across departments.

"Project SEARCH teaches much more than the critical skills needed in the workplace, it's a valuable program aimed at creating confidence, instilling pride and making connections with others," said Megan Hall, a Project SEARCH Instructor with Jackson County ISD. "The students who participate in this program always amaze me with the amount of growth they gain from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Their smiles and positive attitudes are contagious, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of such a wonderful program."

Consumers Energy plans to continue Project SEARCH next year and beyond, with a goal of providing full-time jobs for some participants.

"We are blessed with so many talented people in the communities we serve, and are proud we can take part in Project SEARCH to create pathways that don't always exist," Thompkins said.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

SOURCE Consumers Energy
NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against UnitedHealth Group Inc. ("UnitedHealth" or the "Company") (NYSE: UNH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether UnitedHealth and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until July 15, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired UnitedHealth securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On February 27, 2024, The Wall Street Journal ("WSJ") reported that the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") has launched an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth. Specifically, the WSJ reported that DOJ investigators have been interviewing healthcare industry representatives in sectors where UnitedHealth competes to determine the possible impacts of acquisitions made through its health services arm, Optum.

On this news, UnitedHealth's stock price fell $27.04 per share, or 5.15%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $498.28 per share on February 28, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
As increasingly diverse couples lead the U.S. engagement recovery, Signet and De Beers are re-introducing natural diamonds to Zillennials, the newest generation of diamond engagement ring consumers in the U.S.

AKRON, Ohio, and LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Signet Jewelers, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, whose iconic retail brands include KAY Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, and De Beers Group, the world's leading diamond company, today announced a collaboration to share the unique attributes of natural diamonds with a new generation of U.S. couples, ahead of an expected 25% increase in engagements over the next three years1.

Utilizing Signet's trusted brands, digital capabilities and extensive store network and De Beers Group's expertise in creating iconic campaigns, the collaboration will showcase the inherent rarity and timelessness of natural diamonds. A new campaign will fully roll out in the third quarter and feature online content, in-store experiences and targeted marketing messages.

Signet's proprietary research indicates that there will be an upswing in proposals and engagements amongst U.S. Zillennials over the next 36 months, following a recent lull due to a lack of couples forming during the pandemic. The engagement uptick is expected to be driven by couples from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.

To support consumer marketing activities, training will be provided to Signet's 20,000 sales associates to help educate their customers on natural diamonds' unique attributes, including their enduring emotional and financial value and the enormous socioeconomic benefits natural diamonds help deliver for the people and places where they are discovered. Natural diamond visual merchandising will also be revamped and refreshed within Signet's banners to appeal to pre-engagement consumers.

"Natural diamonds are the perfect symbols to celebrate life's most meaningful moments  they are as unique, timeless, rare and precious as the emotions they represent," said De Beers Group CEO Al Cook. "We now have the opportunity to connect a diverse new generation to the extraordinary attributes of natural diamonds. I am so proud of the good that diamonds do for the people and places they come from. To maximise the reach and impact of our activities, we know that new approaches and strategic collaborations will be vital. This is why we are so pleased to be working with a leading retailer like Signet to share the story of natural diamonds with consumers. Signet is a true authority for pre-engagement couples as they decide which diamond to choose, and I am particularly pleased that we will be working together to equip Signet's sales associates to share the unique attributes of natural diamonds."

"When choosing a piece of jewelry, it's vital to have complete confidence and trust in who you buy it from and how it was sourced," said Signet Jewelers CEO Virginia C. Drosos. "Our industry-leading position in responsible sourcing is an asset we want to communicate to the next generation of diamond buyers. We are proud to stand by the "Signet Promise"  our commitment to upholding the integrity of the global diamond supply chain through responsible sourcing."

"Our selection of diamonds is unrivaled, and our jewelry experts know the ins and outs of the diamond purchasing journey and value proposition," said Drosos. "Our team members overwhelmingly choose natural for their own purchases  more than 4 out of 5 times, in fact  which speaks volumes. We are looking forward to investing in new trainings and initiatives to equip our field team to share the natural diamond story with our customers."

As a leading natural diamond supplier, all De Beers diamonds are sourced in accordance with the company's Best Practice Principles and its Building Forever sustainability framework, ensuring that every diamond discovered by De Beers is responsibly sourced and has helped create a positive impact for the people and place it came from.

Contact

Signet Jewelers

Katie Spencer

[email protected]

De Beers Group

Press office

Tel +44 (0) 20 7430 3434

[email protected]

About Signet Jewelers

Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a Purpose-driven and sustainability-focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet operates eCommerce sites and approximately 2,700 stores under the name brands KAY Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H.Samuel, and Ernest Jones. Our sales derive from the retailing of jewelry, watches, and associated services.

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world's leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world's largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group's strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to 'Building Forever,' a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future  where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

1 Based on Signet's proprietary data

SOURCE Signet Jewelers Ltd.
The CFPB misrepresented SoLo Funds, one of the nation's most affordable subprime loan options according to a 2023 report on cash-poor Americans.

LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, May 17th, the CFPB announced its first action after its Supreme Court ruling, targeting the nation's largest consumer-facing black-led and owned fintech, SoLo Funds . SoLo Funds has been wrongly accused of misconduct regarding its voluntary tipping fee structure and peer-to-peer community finance model, despite tips going 100% to community members, being self-selected, and being significantly more affordable in terms of cost to Americans. This suit is the CFPB's first order against a company using an optional tipping fee structure despite its widespread use amongst more well-funded Silicon Valley-based companies.

As a new model, SoLo has diligently followed the rules, engaging with leading legal counsel and approaching regulators requesting collaboration since its inception. SoLo Funds has been voluntarily working with the CFPB for the last 18 months, attempting to work toward a regulatory framework that maintains its affordability for Americans. We had primarily agreed on a path forward last Thursday night, and unbeknownst to us, we were blindsided the next morning with a suit.

"This lawsuit feels selective. Our political leaders challenged minority innovators to create new models to address our communities' financial inequalities. That is precisely what we've created, but regulators have worked hard to stifle innovation and prevent underserved communities from accessing better financial products. It's important to note that this call for innovation has stemmed from a long history of predatory practices and products that have disproportionately impacted low- to middle-class communities. Ironically enough, regulators have provided clear licensing frameworks for the products that harm consumers most today, such as subprime credit cards and payday loans. The stifling of innovation has the opposite effect; it increases costs and limits access to capital. Regulating by enforcement only perpetuates this inequity. Today, we're experiencing the largest wealth gap in the history of modern America, and it's a direct reflection of traditional financial companies and the parties that protect their interests. Our regulators seem driven by press releases when they should be motivated by true consumer protection and empowering equitable solutions," said Travis Holoway, CEO of SoLo Funds.

As a small startup with under 100 employees, SoLo's impact on Americans has been profound. It has enabled over 1M loans, all 100% funded by similar community members. This has ultimately saved consumers an estimated $40M in fees compared to subprime credit cards. Founded by two best friends from Cleveland and Baltimore, SoLo is a community finance company powered by people. SoLo enables its members to borrow and lend to and from each other, fostering community and financial empowerment. Its lending members make returns via tips while its borrowing members gain transparent access to emergency loans with dignity at significantly less cost than the dominant market providers, subprime credit cards, and payday lenders.

SoLo was founded in 2018 by Travis Holoway and Rodney Williams. They had first-hand experience with the difficulties their families and loved ones had accessing short-term loans and yield-generating opportunities. The solution they designed now provides access to short-term capital and member tips at an unprecedented scale. They have achieved this milestone with limited venture funding. Despite the challenges, the company has been admired by its users for solving their real-world problems and giving them a level of autonomy that other financial institutions have failed to provide.

Moving forward, we ask for open-mindedness from political and regulatory leaders. We want to be managed with fairness and respect. We owe it to our fellow Americans to work together to address the inequities of our financial system in a way that protects and empowers them. America deserves viable alternatives to the traditional subprime credit solutions perpetuating our most significant wealth gap in history.

About SoLo Funds



SoLo is the leading finance platform focused on underserved communities. Members borrow on their own terms, and lend to make industry leading returns or a social impact. As the only Black-owned fintech Certified B Corp in the U.S. and Canada, SoLo has emerged as the new financial services leader on pace to deliver $1B back into underserved communities by Q1 '24. The financial system has failed our communities, excluding them from returns and access to short term cash. SoLo created something different, something more human. They went back to the basics, creating a community where people could support each other financially. SoLo calls this community finance.

Media contact

Brennan Nevada Johnson

[email protected]

SOURCE SoLo Funds
DICKINSON, N.D., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Steffes of Dickinson, North Dakota, is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation, Origin by Steffes, an all-electric, large-volume, central heat pump domestic water heating system. This cutting-edge product is specifically tailored for multi-family building projects with decarbonization goals, marking a significant step towards sustainable living.

Origin by Steffes is an all-electric, large volume, central heat pump, domestic water heating system specifically designed for multi-family building projects with decarbonization design goals. Designed as a packaged system, Origin takes the complexity and cost out of projects domestic hot water system design and installation. Steffes brings 30+ years of experience in energy storage, HVAC, and system manufacturing to provide this advanced heat pump water heating technology in an integrated solution.

Steffes brings more than 30 years of experience in energy storage, HVAC, and system manufacturing to provide this integrated solution to support commercial heat pump installations. Designed as a packaged system, Origin takes the complexity and cost out of projects' domestic hot water system design and installation.

To support the distribution of this new product, Steffes has strategically forged partnerships with several manufacturer's representatives to serve customers in several West Coast markets. These alliances are a testament to our commitment to expanding our reach and serving our customers more effectively.

Delta Q, Inc.  Los Angeles, CA

Since 1975, Delta-Q, Inc. has represented some of the plumbing industry's most highly respected brands in the Southern California and Las Vegas wholesale markets, with connections in the wholesale, commercial, and home builder channels.

Osborne Company, Inc.  San Fransisco, CA

Osborne Company, Inc. has been one of the premier manufacturer's representatives in the plumbing, HVAC, industrial, aftermarket, and OEM markets since 1973. The agency's team is strategically located throughout Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Hawaii to service wholesale distributors, contractors, engineers, builders, architects, code officials, and principals.

Hurley Engineering  Seattle, WA

In 1936, Hurley Engineering began as a boiler service company for the South Puget Sound community, allowing the company to hone its experience in hospitals, schools, mills, and universities. Today, it represents well-known HVAC and mechanical manufacturers in the Washington and Oregon markets.

"These strategic alliances with Delta-Q, Osborne, and Hurley not only grant them the rights to distribute and resell residential Origin by Steffes in several crucial markets but also provide Steffes with a unique opportunity to expand its reach along the West Coast," said Todd Mayer, Steffes Co-President. "Leveraging their extensive network of commercial developers, architects, and engineers, Steffes aims to strengthen its presence and deliver its innovative solutions to a wider audience."

With the launch of Origin by Steffes, owners, and developers of multi-family housing projects will be able to install a cleaner form of water heating while benefiting from the cost savings and convenience of a packaged, plug-and-play system.

For additional information, please contact Steffes Marketing Manager Kaylee Lapp at 701.690.3503 or [email protected]. For more information about Origin by Steffes, visit www.originbysteffes.com.

About Steffes:

Founded in 1972, Steffes manufactures energy storage and off-peak heating products for energy management and demand response programs. Steffes' innovative product development and manufacturing of electric thermal storage and load management control technologies align with North America's adoption of sustainable electricity distribution and storage to meet decarbonization goals.

SOURCE Steffes Corporation
The Muma Children's Hospital at TGH now offers robot-guided virtual aquarium tours to pediatric patients.

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/948343262/064327d2cc

TAMPA, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) launched the first phase of a new, innovative program in partnership with The Florida Aquarium to provide pediatric patients with the opportunity to participate in immersive virtual tours of the aquarium from their hospital beds, with the help of a custom-built robot. As of its launch, the program is one of only a handful of such programs in the nation.

Through a partnership with The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, pediatric patients at Tampa General Hospital can see sharks, sea turtles, sting rays and more from their hospital beds with the help of a custom-built robot that provides immersive virtual tours of the aquarium.

"We are tremendously proud to partner with The Florida Aquarium to revolutionize the care experience for our pediatric patients and their loved ones who are along for the duration of their care journey with them," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General and president of the Board of The Florida Aquarium. "When we think about innovation at Tampa General, we're really thinking about new and unexpected ways to create value for our community and our team members. This program is an exceptional example of how an unconventional partnership can elevate the standard of care patients can expect to receive from an academic health system."

As the region's leading academic and research health system, Tampa General treats patients with some of the most critical and complex conditions, meaning some patients admitted to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH may spend several weeks or months in the hospital from the time they are admitted through their rehabilitation and recovery process. Recognizing that long-term pediatric patients may be unable to leave the hospital for extended periods of time, Tampa General and The Florida Aquarium collaborated to enable a meaningful connection to the world outside of the hospital's walls.

"Both The Florida Aquarium and Tampa General share an unwavering commitment to healing and teaching, and a partnership to deliver on that with an exciting, first-of-its-kind educational experience for our community's pediatric patients has been a rewarding opportunity," said Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium. "This has also been an incredible opportunity for our team to expand the impact of our work by engaging children who are excited to explore and learn, especially with their families or classmates, but may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit us."

To support these patients at every step throughout their hospitalizations, Tampa General's dedicated team of Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) promote effective coping through education about procedures and diagnoses, preparation and play to reduce stress and anxiety. The Muma Children's Hospital at TGH's CCLS team, through consultations with patients and their families, identify patients who are interested in taking 30-minute virtual tours of one of the aquarium's four distinct habitats and work closely with their counterparts at The Florida Aquarium to schedule the tours, which are then conducted virtually using a remotely controlled robot driven by the patient using a laptop. Guided by a team member on the ground at the aquarium and a CCLS in the room with them, participating patients can freely explore the aquarium's exhibits, moving the robot's cameras up and down, and zooming in or out, to simulate the experience of an in-person tour.

This program was created with a patient-centered approach, tapping into Tampa General's Patient and Family Advisory Council, a committee of former patients and their loved ones who regularly review and provide feedback that is incorporated into new policies, protocols or initiatives that impact patient experience. Additionally, prior to the program's launch, Tampa General's CCLS team engaged patients at the Muma Children's Hospital by asking them to complete coloring sheets of the robot with a name nomination, which were then hung on the hospital's walls for a voting period and determined the robot's official name, Aquabot 3000. Once the Aquabot 3000 arrived at The Florida Aquarium, their staff teamed up with Tampa General to have real pediatric acute care and rehabilitation patients preview the program to ensure a fun and seamless user experience for future participants.

"We are thrilled to be able to partner with The Florida Aquarium in such a meaningful way to set a new standard for what a stellar patient experience can and should look like for some of our youngest patients," said Melissa Golombek, vice president of the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH and the TGH Women's Institute. "Not only does this program offer our pediatric patients something fun to look forward to during what is often a challenging time in their lives, but it gives them a sense of autonomy and an opportunity to create joyful childhood memories despite their illness or injury."

Tampa General and The Florida Aquarium will continue to scale this partnership during a second phase, when they will acquire a second robot and create more opportunities for patients to engage with this cutting-edge technology.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR

Assistant Manager

Publications & Physician Communications

(727) 510-6363 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm proudly announces that partner and criminal defense attorney Stefanie Murphy was chosen as the lead editor of "A Practical Guide to Trying DUI Cases in Rhode Island," a comprehensive legal resource released to benefit those that practice criminal defense across the state.

The book, published earlier this year by MCLE New England, provides in-depth analysis and practical guidance to legal professionals, equipping them with essential tools for handling DUI litigation in Rhode Island. Stefanie Murphy's selection as lead editor reflects her deep experience, respected standing in the legal community, and dedication to her craft of criminal defense.

"Stefanie Murphy's exceptional leadership as lead editor has given the legal community a comprehensive resource that will benefit those that practice criminal defense throughout Rhode Island by assisting defense counsel navigating DUI cases and DUI trials in Rhode Island," said Matthew Marin partner at the Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm. "Her dedication to this project demonstrates her commitment to excellence and her passion for serving the legal community."

Murphy collaborated with Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Associate Attorney Angelica Bovis and 10 other contributing authors to create the guide, which includes insights on:

Statutory authority for DUI stops, arrests, and testing.

Potential collateral consequences for misinformed clients.

Self-incrimination and due process issues linked to second offense refusals.

Prosecutorial access to a suspect's blood and blood content records.

Physiological aspects of alcohol consumption in the human body.

Proper operation, maintenance, and calibration of test devices.

Common issues arising during investigations and trial preparation.

A range of pretrial motions in Rhode Island DUI cases.

The book also features sample jury instructions, a checklist of motions, current case law, and sample pleadings, providing attorneys with a robust toolkit to support their cases.

Stefanie Murphy's role as lead editor and contributing author showcases the Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm's dedication to advancing legal practice and supporting the state's legal professionals. The book is available for purchase online and through various retailers.

About the Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm

The Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm has been providing exceptional legal services for more than a decade, focusing on criminal defense and related legal areas with multiple office locations serving the State of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The Firm's dedicated legal professionals ensure that every client receives personalized and effective legal representation. For more information about the Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm, please visit www.matthewtmarin.com or contact 401-228-8271.

Contact Information:

Danielle Marin

Marin, Barrett & Murphy

401-228-8271

[email protected]

www.matthewtmarin.com

SOURCE Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm
WASHINGTON and DALLAS, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Torres Trade Law, PLLC is delighted to announce that on May 14, 2024, it received the President's "E" Award ("E-for-Export") in a ceremony held at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington DC. The President's "E" Award was created by Executive Order of President John F. Kennedy in 1961, and it is the highest honor given to providers of services to exporters for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

"TORRES TRADE LAW has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansionThe company's compliance and due diligence services which facilitated its clients' export growth were also notable," stated U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Ms. Raimondo further commented that "Torres Trade Law's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs."

"We are so honored to be the only law firm to have received this prestigious award in the "E" Award for Export Service category this year," said Olga Torres, Founder and Managing Member of Torres Trade Law. "We will continue the good work and support exporters seeking international markets for their products, services, and technologies."

About Torres Trade Law

Torres Trade Law, PLLC is an international trade and national security law firm that assists clients with the import and export of goods, technology, services, and foreign investment matters. The law firm has extensive experience with the various regimes and agencies governing trade. Specific areas of expertise include:

Foreign Investment Regulatory Compliance (CFIUS/FOCI)

Customs, Exports & Economic Sanctions Law

Anti-Corruption Compliance

Audits: Customs, Exports, Anti-corruption

Enforcement Actions/Voluntary Disclosures of Violations to Government Agencies

Corporate Investigations

The firm was established with the goal of creating long-term client relationships by focusing on transparency, accountability, and cost-effectiveness.

For the accompanying press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce click here.

Contact:

Veronica Ochoa

***@torrestradelaw.com

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/13021367

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Torres Trade Law
FlightsFinder launches 'Beat your best price' matching travelers with expert flight hunters to save them money on airfare.

LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if it was possible to take to the skies without draining an already stretched bank account? FlightsFinder.com, the trailblazing cheap flights platform, has launched an innovative solution: 'Hire a Flight Expert.' This revolutionary feature promises to be a gamechanger for flight bookings by slashing costs and unlocking unbeatable deals.

FlightsFinder Experts

For just $30, FlightsFinder's team of bargain-hunting wizards will go above and beyond to 'beat your best price' for any desired route. If the expert can't beat the traveler's best flight, there's no charge for the service.

FlightsFinder's early success stories already speak volumes. An English teacher mapping out a complex journey from Atlanta to New Zealand, then Canada, and back, was resigned to the staggering $5,960 price tag. With FlightsFinder's expertise, the same journey came in at $4,948, pocketing a jaw-dropping $1,012 in savings. The experts locked in this saving by checking prices on a different website the client had not considered.

Another traveler incorporated a one-day stopover in Rome on his way from Sydney to Lanzarote on the advice of an expert, fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the Colosseum while also saving $300.

Another family planning a holiday from London to Phuket saw their $1,003 best return flight price slashed by nearly $376 just by swapping their flight to an alternate airport they hadn't considered before the expert suggested it.

FlightsFinder's CEO and founder, Shahab Siddiqui, explains, "Travelers may be leaving a lot of savings on the table because they don't have the know-how to secure a cheaper deal. We aim to combat this by making expert flight hunters available to them to do the complex searching on their behalf."

FlightsFinder's travel experts employ a diverse range of strategies to unearth the best deals, including searching multiple websites, exploring alternate dates and airports, and optimizing layovers to reduce costs. By leveraging budget airlines and maximizing miles and points, these experts consistently deliver unparalleled savings to clients.

For more information about FlightsFinder and its revolutionary 'Hire an Expert' service, visit FlightsFinder.com or read the blog post: https://www.flightsfinder.com/blog/details/hire-a-flight-expert

About FlightsFinder

Established in 2008 by CEO Shahab Siddiqui, FlightsFinder has been a beacon of savings in the travel industry. From its pioneering Meta-Meta Flight Search platform to its latest innovation, the 'Hire an Expert' service, FlightsFinder continues to redefine how travelers explore the world affordably.

Media Contact:

Shahab Siddiqui

+442045383616

[email protected]

SOURCE FlightsFinder.com
Developers extend affordability for 100 senior households while introducing amenities and services that support independence and enhance quality of life

NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tredway, an affordable and mixed-income real estate developer that builds and preserves high-quality, high-opportunity housing, and LIHC Investment Group, one of the nation's largest owners of affordable housing, today announced the acquisition of Forest Hill House, a 100-unit senior-occupied apartment complex in Newark, NJ. The joint venture will immediately begin redeveloping the property to encourage aging in place and enhance energy-efficiency by investing upwards of $20 million in improvements and upgrades.

As a result of the acquisition, the affordability agreement governing the property will be extended for another 30 years, at an income limit of 60 percent of area median income (AMI).

"We are excited to embark on this ambitious redevelopment which will protect and improve homes at Forest Hill House for lower income seniors, while keeping affordability intact," said Will Blodgett, CEO & Founder of Tredway. "Not only does this project allow for the preservation of an important source of affordable housing for the City of Newark, it also provides an opportunity for seniors to live their lives and age independently in a home they can be proud of."

"A project of this magnitude requires public-private collaboration and we are grateful for the support of HUD, NJHMFA, NJEDA, the City of Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka and Council Member Anibal Ramos Jr. and commend their commitment to uplifting longtime, elderly residents of Newark," he added.

"There is a vital need for affordable, high-quality homes for seniors across New Jersey and we are proud to provide state-of-the art housing solutions that take into account the specific needs of older adults," said Andrew Gendron, Principal, LIHC Investment Group. "The rehabilitation of the property, along with new amenities and comprehensive services for residents, underscores our commitment to helping vulnerable seniors access the types of homes and support they need to live comfortably and with dignity."

The rehabilitation of the property includes new windows, air conditioning units and Energy Star appliances for all apartments. Kitchens and bathrooms will be fully renovated and upgraded for ADA accessibility. To maximize energy efficiency, the building's roof and boilers will be replaced, an emergency generator installed and lighting will be converted to LED.

Residents will benefit from new amenities including an on-site doctor's office, a beauty salon and barbershop, an age-appropriate fitness and mobility room, free Wi-Fi and an upgraded security system. Additional services will be implemented based on resident feedback in cooperation with Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation.

The project is being financed with an FHA-insured Section 221d (4) permanent loan from Rockport Mortgage Corporation through NJHMFA conduit bond issuance, 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity provided by Regions Affordable Housing and Bank of New York Mellon, Aspire tax credits and owner equity. Affordable Housing Institute, Inc. is the not-for-profit partner.

About Tredway

Founded in 2021, Tredway is a real estate development firm that acquires, revitalizes and preserves affordable, workforce and mixed-income housing. Our work is driven by the belief that safe, high-quality and accessible housing is an important catalyst for upward socioeconomic mobility and is an essential part of fostering equity in America today. Tredway combines strong relationships, industry know-how and fluency in public-private partnerships to ensure successful outcomes for all stakeholders. To learn about the advantages of partnering with Tredway, visit: tredway.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Magee

[email protected]

SOURCE Tredway Management, LLC
ABU DHABI, UAE, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today bestowed the First Class Order of Zayed II on several global dignitaries in recognition of their contributions to the success of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) hosted by the UAE late last year.

A photo of First Class Order of Zayed II medal and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (5th R), stands for a photograph with dignitaries during a COP28 international partners recognition ceremony A photo of First Class Order of Zayed II medal and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (5th R), stands for a photograph with dignitaries during a COP28 international partners recognition ceremony

During the ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, His Highness expressed his gratitude to all recipients for their sincere efforts that contributed to the success of COP28 and resulted in the historic UAE Consensus that has become a key framework for global climate action and sustainability.

His Highness emphasised that the legacy of sustainability established by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a cornerstone of the UAE's efforts to support sustainability, promote effective climate action, and ensure equitable economic and social development for a better future for humanity.

He praised the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the world during COP28 and the unity of nations in addressing one of the most pressing global challenges. His Highness reiterated the UAE's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and its constructive role in advancing climate action to find practical solutions to climate challenges by leveraging the achievements of COP28.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO), and a number of officials.

The event also honoured the late Prof. Saleemul Huq, a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the award to Prof. Huq's wife, son, and daughter in recognition of his distinguished efforts and contributions to operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund. Prof.

The honourees of the First Class Order of Zayed II were:

Dan Jrgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Denmark , was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.

, was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties. Yasmine Fouad , Minister of Environment, Egypt , was a vocal advocate of the UAE and COP28 Presidency, as well as part of the finance ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.

UAE Dr. Muawieh Radaideh , Minister of Environment, Jordan, was a respected COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who advocated for COP28 among parties.

Alioune Ndoye , Former Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecology Transition, Senegal , and Chair of the Least Developed Countries Negotiating Group, supported in garnering inputs and support among the most climate-vulnerable countries on the UAE Consensus outcomes.

UAE Ruslan Edelgeriev , Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Russia , provided key support in driving consensus on the Global Stocktake and negotiated outcomes.

Stocktake Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta , former Chairman of G77 and China , Cuba , was a strong supporter of COP28 and played a critical role in unifying the G77 and China around COP28 draft negotiated outcomes, especially the Global Stocktake .

Stocktake Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa'olelei Luteru , Permanent Representative to UN, Samoa , and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, helped to ensure small island developing states' input and support in the final decisions, particularly on mitigation and Loss and Damage.

Pa'olelei Luteru Mark Carney , UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, was a supportive partner to the UAE , particularly concerning the delivery of key Presidential Action Agenda outcomes across climate finance and energy.

, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, was a supportive partner to the UAE Jennifer Jordan-Saifi , CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, was a firm advocate of COP28 and facilitated the engagement of senior government leaders.

Kate Hampton , CEO, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, was a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided valuable advice in the lead-up to and during COP28 .

, CEO, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, was a Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided valuable advice in the lead-up to and during . Badr Jafar , CEO, Crescent Enterprises, was a dedicated COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member and Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy who mobilised multistakeholder engagement at the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum to advance net zero and nature-positive goals.

mobilised multistakeholder Ajay Banga , President of the World Bank Group, was a firm advocate for the UAE in the lead-up to the climate conference, especially on advancing climate finance outcomes and reform of the international financial system.

UAE Larry Fink , Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock , was a valued COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided counsel to COP28 in the run-up to the conference and beyond.

, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Dr. Vera Songwe , Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, as a leading figure in macroeconomics and debt issues was instrumental in helping COP28 deliver the Global Climate Finance Framework and climate finance outcomes.

Hindou Ibrahim , President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad , was a committed member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee.

Prof. Carlos Lopes , Chair of the African Climate Foundation Board, was a valued member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who lent his esteemed support and guidance to COP28 .

, Chair of the African Climate Foundation Board, was a valued member of the Presidency Advisory Committee who lent his esteemed support and guidance to . Dr. Agnes Kalibata , President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa , provided her valuable expertise on food systems transformation and supported the delivery of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.

UAE Fatih Birol , Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, was a supportive partner to COP28 and mobilised global cooperation and co-convened four high-level energy dialogues in the lead-up to COP28 .

, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, was a supportive partner to and mobilised global cooperation and co-convened four high-level energy dialogues in the lead-up to . Prof. Saleemul Huq , a passionate advocate for addressing climate challenges affecting the world's most vulnerable, was posthumously honoured. He passed away at 71 in October 2023 , with his wife, Kashana , and son and daughter accepting the award from His Highness the President.

Kashana Olafur Ragnar Grimsson , former President of Iceland , provided political guidance and counsel as a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee Member.

John Kerry , former US Presidential Climate Envoy, was an active and loyal partner to the UAE in the lead-up to and during COP28 by enhancing global cooperation and advocating for COP28 .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2419631/COP28_ceremony.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2419632/COP28_Award.jpg

SOURCE COP28
As the inaugural London conference continues into day two, attendees heard from industry experts on Reducing Risk & Improving Trust with Blockchain.

LONDON, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The London Blockchain Conference continued to captivate attendees with yet another day filled with informative and thought-provoking speakers. The discussions revolved around crucial topics such as regulatory frameworks for Digital Currencies, enabling the growth of blockchain and Blockchain Venture Capital.

Today we heard from Steven Bartlett, Entrepreneur, Investor and Author of "The Diary of a CEO", who kickstarted Day 2 with a fireside chat with Mark Lobel from the BBC. He delved into how B2B enterprises can adapt, thrive, and stay ahead in an ever-changing marketplace. The session highlighted the dynamic landscape of B2B interactions in the digital era, exploring innovative strategies, emerging trends, and invaluable insights to empower businesses for success.

Other sessions included:

Universal Plastic and Next-Gen Verification: Blockchain, AI, and Social Engagement  Alvaro Bravo , CEO of Universal Plastics, discussed how technologies like Blockchain and AI revolutionise verification processes, making them user-friendly and accessible to all and how the Universal Plastic initiative is a prime example of how these technologies can draw corporate interest and promote environmental responsibility.

 , CEO of Universal Plastics, discussed how technologies like Blockchain and AI revolutionise verification processes, making them user-friendly and accessible to all and how the Universal Plastic initiative is a prime example of how these technologies can draw corporate interest and promote environmental responsibility. The Role of Governments in Fostering Innovation  A distinguished panel including Dean Armstrong KC from Maitland Chambers, Alun Cairns MP of UK Parliament, Tom Spiller , Legal Director (Rosenblatt), Stefan Kromolicki from APCO, Mayor Hillary Schieve from City of Reno, and Elizaveta Palaznik, Independent Consultant, discussed whether effective policymaking and government intervention can catalyse growth and societal progress or if the market should determine its destiny.

 A distinguished panel including Dean Armstrong KC from Maitland Chambers, Alun Cairns MP of UK Parliament, , Legal Director (Rosenblatt), from APCO, Mayor from City of Reno, and Elizaveta Palaznik, Independent Consultant, discussed whether effective policymaking and government intervention can catalyse growth and societal progress or if the market should determine its destiny. Currency of Tomorrow: Navigating the Future of Money  This session featured insights from Amarachi Amaechi , Co-founder at Bitpowr Technologies Inc, Kaj Burchardi , Head of Emerging Technology at Boston Consulting Group, Vincent Mele , Founder at Otranto, Blake O'Donnell , Partner at Punter Southall Law , and Simit Naik, Director, Commercial & Strategy at nChain. They dissected emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory dynamics shaping the next era of monetary systems.

 This session featured insights from , Co-founder at Bitpowr Technologies Inc, , Head of Emerging Technology at Boston Consulting Group, , Founder at Otranto, , Partner at Punter , and Simit Naik, Director, Commercial & Strategy at nChain. They dissected emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory dynamics shaping the next era of monetary systems. Navigating the Academic Landscape of Blockchain Research: Opportunities, Challenges, and Collaborative Initiatives  Alessio Pagani , Research Director at nChain, dived into the latest blockchain research within academia, examining the opportunities, challenges, and real-world impacts stemming from blockchain innovation in higher education.

 , Research Director at nChain, dived into the latest blockchain research within academia, examining the opportunities, challenges, and real-world impacts stemming from blockchain innovation in higher education. Monetizing Strategies for Content in Web3  This session featured Utkarsh Amitabh , CMO, at 5ire, Anuradha Chowdhary , Founder of ZeroTo3 Collective, Tony Mugavero , CEO of Rad, and Sunny Jiang , Founder of MaasDAO, who presented innovative strategies for content creators to thrive in the decentralized , blockchain-powered ecosystem of Web3. They discussed how Web3 technologies can revolutionize content creation economics, enabling them to establish new revenue streams and engage with their audiences in novel ways.

 This session featured , CMO, at 5ire, , Founder of ZeroTo3 Collective, , CEO of Rad, and , Founder of MaasDAO, who presented innovative strategies for content creators to thrive in the , blockchain-powered ecosystem of Web3. They discussed how Web3 technologies can revolutionize content creation economics, enabling them to establish new revenue streams and engage with their audiences in novel ways. Breaking Barriers: Paving the Way for the UK to Emerge as a Global Digital Asset and Emerging Tech Hub  Professor Naseem Naqvi MBE, President of British Blockchain Association, Sean Kiernan , Founder of Greengage, and Marcus Foster , Head of Policy Campaigns at Startup Coalition, dissected the puzzle pieces required for the UK to lead the global tech race.

 Professor Naseem Naqvi MBE, President of British Blockchain Association, , Founder of Greengage, and , Head of Policy Campaigns at Startup Coalition, dissected the puzzle pieces required for the UK to lead the global tech race. Mining and Transaction Processing: How Mining Will Evolve Post-Halving  Jim Niemeijer Partner at Pantheon, Kurt Wuckert Jr , Chief Bitcoin Historian and Co-Founder of GorillaPool, and Jacopo Gil Casas , VP Business Development & Strategy, CS Global Energy explored the upcoming Bitcoin halvening event's impact on miner profitability. They discussed Bitcoin mining economics, the difference between mining subsidies and transaction fees, and why mining operations need to turn into transaction processors to compete in the future.

 at Pantheon, , Chief Historian and Co-Founder of GorillaPool, and , VP Business Development & Strategy, CS Global Energy explored the upcoming halvening event's impact on miner profitability. They discussed mining economics, the difference between mining subsidies and transaction fees, and why mining operations need to turn into transaction processors to compete in the future. Block Dojo Global Venture Builder  the audience heard from two lively speakers who demonstrated Blockchain use cases driving value today. The first was Michael Olagunju , CEO of ExamSolutions  the multi-modal AI learning platform. Michael discussed ExamSolution's unique B2C and enterprise offering for STEM-based learning, via an AI model which captures a student's responses as they're written, and offers feedback in real-time. Today, the company is amongst the world's largest online exam preparation providers, with over 4,000 video tutorials and live streaming support. Next up was Robin Russel , co-founder of Satva Trust - the ClimateDataTech company leveraging blockchain technologies to drive decarbonisation. Satva provides independent data on ship emissions and fuel consumptions, enabling global benchmarking across the world's fleet in real-time.

 the audience heard from two lively speakers who demonstrated Blockchain use cases driving value today. The first was , CEO of ExamSolutions  the multi-modal AI learning platform. Michael discussed ExamSolution's unique B2C and enterprise offering for STEM-based learning, via an AI model which captures a student's responses as they're written, and offers feedback in real-time. Today, the company is amongst the world's largest online exam preparation providers, with over 4,000 video tutorials and live streaming support. Next up was , co-founder of Satva Trust - the ClimateDataTech company leveraging blockchain technologies to drive decarbonisation. Satva provides independent data on ship emissions and fuel consumptions, enabling global benchmarking across the world's fleet in real-time. Best Practices For Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: Tibor Merey  MD and Partner at Boston Consulting Group - discussed why he remains bullish on Web and Blockchain. Tibor shared lessons from 150+ blockchain and web3 projects BCG has done in the enterprise space. He outlined the four burning questions any blockchain or web3 project needs to answer: i) Does it matter? ii) Will it work? iii) Can we win? iv) Will it grow?

Please register here if you would like to attend or listen to any of the sessions today.

About the London Blockchain Conference

NETWORK. LEARN. ENGAGE.

At the London Blockchain Conference, we show how Blockchain will change the world and help people see another way to manage data, build scalable on-chain solutions and achieve great things. We do this by creating valuable, insightful, and engaging events that educate and inform, allowing you to connect and network to build strong business relationships. Our conference is the best avenue to see blockchain innovations, ecosystem announcements, product launches, technology updates, keynote speeches, panels, and fireside chats from blockchain leaders. Join us and experience it for yourself.

SOURCE London Blockchain Conference
Artificial intelligence technologies will help accelerate environmentally responsible exploration activities at the Sheep Creek, Montana Rare Earth Properties

SALT LAKE CITY, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Critical Materials Corp. has announced that it has executed a binding term sheet leading to the preparation of definitive agreements with VerAI Discoveries Inc. (VerAI), an artificial intelligence (AI) powered mineral discovery generator, to deploy its AI Targeting Platform technology. This technology enables a higher probability of success to detect minerals under covered terrain and to minimize surface disturbances at US Critical Materials' Sheep Creek rare earth properties in Montana.

Both companies recognize the commitment and responsibility to protect all aspects of the environment in the Bitterroot Valley.

"The critical minerals discovered at Sheep Creek could provide the U.S. an alternative to its dependence on China."  Jim Hedrick. Post this

This AI exploration alliance between US Critical Materials and VerAI utilizes new cutting-edge exploration techniques to serve as the cornerstone for the next generation of mineral exploration. The Sheep Creek Area of Interest (AOI) boasts a rich geological landscape, validated by confirmation from Idaho National Laboratory and independent geophysical surveys. With VerAI's AI-powered targeting technology, US Critical Materials intends to set new industry standards for environmentally conscious mineral exploration activities, providing the unique opportunity to bring rare earth elements to the market in their purest form, which is vital for the green energy transition.

Jim Hedrick, President of US Critical Materials, and former rare earth analyst for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), stated "Our focus on environmentally responsible exploration is greatly enhanced by the utilization of advanced artificial intelligence technology by more precisely focusing on potential target areas and thereby minimizing surface disturbance. The addition of this cutting-edge AI will augment US Critical Materials' current exploration methodologies. We are pleased to utilize VerAI's next generation AI technology and unique capabilities to enhance the geophysical and other data in our exploration program going forward."

US Critical Materials latest samples show TREE readings up to 20.1%, with combined neodymium praseodymium up to 3.3 %. US Critical Materials also has gallium readings that are as high as 348 ppm (parts per million). Gallium is profitable to produce at 50 ppm. The company believes there is substantial tonnage and expects to find more high-grade critical mineral locations using VerAI's innovative, artificial intelligence technology.

"We are thrilled to partner with US Critical Materials, experts in REE exploration, to discover the much-needed rare earth elements in the U.S.," stated Yair Frastai, CEO of VerAI Discoveries. "At Sheep Creek, we have the opportunity and potential to make an important impact on the supply of critical minerals discovered in the United States. This strategy uses VerAI's AI-driven exploration technology to generate and prioritize drill targets in this covered terrain to not only reduce the environmental impact of exploration but also greatly improve the chances of finding a significant deposit."

Both companies believe that the ability to accelerate the discovery of vital rare earth and other critical minerals is important for securing self-sufficiency for our nation's security, considering China's stranglehold on these materials.

About US Critical Materials Corp.

US Critical Materials Corp. is a private rare earths exploration, development and process technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with holdings in Montana and Idaho. The mineral deposits held by US Critical Materials in Montana and Idaho are unique due to their high grades of rare earths, low levels of thorium, and large numbers of surface carbonatites. The Sheep Creek deposits contain some of the highest grades of rare earth minerals in the United States including at least thirteen of the currently listed "critical" minerals. The company has also funded a collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory to create an environmentally responsible mineral extraction, separation, and process method.

As US Critical Materials progresses in its mission to bolster national security and technological independence the company remains dedicated to fostering partnerships, advancing sustainable practices, and contributing to the economic vitality of local communities.

About VerAI Discoveries, Inc.

VerAI Discoveries (VerAI) is an AI-powered mineral discovery generator focused on uncovering essential critical minerals for the green energy transition and a sustainable future. Their mission involves working with partners to target new mineral discoveries in covered terrain within advanced jurisdictions that remain largely unexplored. By deploying their novel proprietary AI/ML Discovery Platform, VerAI significantly increases the probability of discovering significant mineral deposits of different commodities and in various geological jurisdictions, shortens targeting time, and reduces exploration costs. For more information, visit https://ver-ai.com/.

Contact:

Rubenstein Public Relations

Brigit Hennaman, Vice President

(212) 805-3005

[email protected]

US Critical Materials Corp

Rachel Winn, Director of Operations

(801) 322-3401

[email protected]

website: www.uscriticalmaterials.com

VerAI Discoveries

Amie Cavarra, Communications Manager

(303) 358-5452

[email protected]

LinkedIn: @verai

SOURCE US Critical Materials Corp
New initiative is launching in partnership with iFoodDS and Trustwell to incorporate Wiliot's ambient Internet of Things (IoT) data into their software solutions that will enable both companies to add real-time, fully automated, item-level traceability data to their platforms.

SAN DIEGO, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to set a new benchmark for food safety, Wiliot, the ambient Internet of Things (IoT) pioneer, today announced a major new food safety initiative that works to create completely transparent and traceable supply chains  soon required for FSMA 204 compliance  through the adoption of ambient IoT technology.

Ambient IoT is a battery-free wireless technology that is being incorporated in multiple wireless standards, such as Bluetooth, 5G Advanced, 6G, and Wi-Fi  allowing food products to be connected to the internet and the power of AI at a fraction of the cost of legacy technologies.

The ambient IoT enables a new real-time inventory paradigm that not only benefits food safety and FSMA compliance, but is the key to more efficient store operations, surviving and thriving in the face of omni-channel competition, and competing on quality as well as value.

As part of this new initiative, Wiliot is partnering with food industry leaders iFoodDS and Trustwell to incorporate its ambient IoT data and technology into both companies' safety and compliance platforms.

"Empowered by the unprecedented capabilities of the ambient IoT, the entire food industry can move beyond QR codes, advance shipping notices, and electronic documentation to a new traceability paradigm that is infinitely faster, entirely real-time, and drastically reduces the cost of manual labor and technology infrastructure," said Wiliot CMO Steve Statler. "We look forward to working with iFoodDS and Trustwell to help some of the country's largest food companies both meet FSMA 204 requirements, while simultaneously adding more value in terms of sustainability, freshness, and operational efficiency that advances the entire food industry."

Trustwell's software and consulting solutions are focused on their mission to increase transparency across the supply chain, giving food companies the tools they need to remain always ahead of industry regulations. As innovators and leaders, Trustwell brings together two products, FoodLogiQ and Genesis to go beyond compliance and set a new standard for safety, transparency, and quality in the food industry.

"The incorporation of Wiliot's ambient IoT data into our Trustwell Connect Platform will empower brands to have visibility across the supply chain with a trusted single source of truth, fully traceable, compliant and data-driven," said Julie McGill, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights at Trustwell. "More than 2,500 brands around the world rely on Trustwell to manage their regulatory requirements with more than 200 million Critical Tracking Events recorded using our FoodLogiQ Traceability software. The incorporation of Wiliot's ambient IoT data into our tech solution is going to enable us to take food safety to a new level of traceability with precise execution."

iFoodDS helps food companies deliver traceable, wholesome, high-quality products to consumers. iFoodDS' connected traceability, quality, and food safety solutions give companies visibility and insight into their supply chains, reduce food waste, and optimize inventory quality.

"FDA's Final Traceability Rule, FSMA 204, provides an important framework for the food industry," Andrew Kennedy, Principal Traceability Advisor, iFoodDS, said today. "The food industry can leverage this framework in conjunction with Wiliot's Ambient IoT technology and iFoodDS software to significantly enhance food safety, food freshness, and operational efficiency. This game changing technology will help usher in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety."

Modernizing food safety is critical to the health and wellbeing of people everywhere. The CDC estimates that each year, roughly one in six Americans get sick from foodborne illness. Of those people, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 lose their lives to foodborne disease.

The FDA took decisive action in November 2022, when it finalized its FSMA Rule 204 rule that established a foundation for end-to-end food traceability by focusing on tracking certain foods at each step across the supply chain and expanding beyond 'one-up, one-back' traceability. The goal of Rule 204 is to create visibility within the supply chain to enable a better response to foodborne illnesses, contamination, and other public health and safety issues. The food industry has until January 2026 to comply with Rule 204.

"This goal of better protecting consumers cannot be achieved without creating greater transparency and traceability throughout the entire chain of food production distribution system," said Frank Yiannas, former Deputy Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and one of the authors of FSMA Rule 204, who also serves as a Strategic Advisor to Wiliot. "Wiliot, iFoodDS, and Trustwell are uniquely equipped to make this transparency a reality faster and more efficiently thanks to their collective embrace of a new technology paradigm unlike anything we've seen before."

Wiliot's battery-free ambient IoT Pixels can attach to any food product or packaging to connect it to the internet and embed it with intelligence. Once attached, products push out item or case-level information about their location, temperature, carbon footprint, and more  equipping food retailers and companies with the high-definition real-time data that is now required as part of FSMA Rule 204.

Wiliot is already working with iFoodDS and Trustwell on a series of FSMA 204 compliance pilot projects with some of the country's largest food companies. The depth and breadth of these collaborations will continue to scale throughout 2024, ahead of the January 2026 FSMA compliance deadline.

For more information on Wiliot, click here . For hi-res imagery and videos, click here.

About Wiliot:

Wiliot is an ambient IoT data carrier platform. Our Visibility Platform connects the digital and physical worlds using IoT Pixels, battery free smart tags that push data to the cloud in real-time without human intervention. Our platform exists within a fast-growing ambient IoT ecosystem. We have partners in that ecosystem that provide tags and edge devices.

Ambient IoT is an evolution of legacy IoT and RFID technologies with lower costs, end-to-end privacy and security, and the addition of new intelligence and sensing capabilities. It's on a path to scaling to trillions thanks to telecommunications standards - Bluetooth, 5G Advanced, and 802.11 AMP.

Our mission is to make every single thing an agent of change, enabling ambient IoT by adding intelligence and automation to food, apparel, packaging, pharmaceuticals, and other products.

Connecting new categories of things through AI and the internet is transforming manufacturing, distribution, and product use to deliver on our vision: a minimum waste, full trust, perfectly timed world where people, profits, and the planet are aligned.

Visit www.wiliot.com to learn more.

Media Contact

Griffin360

Dan Griffin

212-481-3456 x11

[email protected]

SOURCE Wiliot
Will Honor U.S. Senator John Fetterman as an American Patriot and Hero of Israel

NEW YORK, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yeshiva University is proud to celebrate its 2024 graduates, more than 1,700 future leaders of society, at its 93rd annual commencement ceremony. At the commencement on May 29th, Yeshiva University will award its highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion, to U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. During these challenging times, the leadership, service, and moral clarity of this American patriot and hero of Israel has been a beacon of hope and strength for the country and the world.

Office of Senator Fetterman

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University stands as the nation's leader in values-driven higher education and in its support of the U.S.Israel alliance. Like Senator Fetterman, the Yeshiva University community has been deeply engaged in the post-October 7th battle against antisemitism, and in the pursuit of justice for the victims and the hostages still in captivity. This year in particular, given Senator Fetterman's career of activism on behalf of the United States and Israel, Yeshiva University highlights his stellar example of strength and leadership.

"Senator Fetterman is one of the true heroes of our time for his unwavering and courageous commitment to moral clarity, which has fortified our community and been a clarion call for our country. At this critical moment in Jewish and American history, our commencement exercises mark not just an enormous accomplishment for our students, but also for the global community," said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. "During this dark period of rampant antisemitism and polarization across college campuses, Yeshiva University students stand out for their academic excellence, character and commitment to service."

"It is truly humbling to be invited to share in this milestone with the graduates of Yeshiva University," said Senator Fetterman. "As we gather to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class, we must also acknowledge the profound significance of their journey within the context of the recent surge in antisemitism across the country. I thank Yeshiva University for the opportunity to join these students on this momentous day."

The main commencement exercises will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, with more than 5,000 students, faculty, families, friends, and alumni in attendance.

About Yeshiva University

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life and the heritage of Western civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU's three undergraduate schools  Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business  offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation's leading academic institutions.

For media inquiries please contact:

Doron Stern at [email protected]

SOURCE Yeshiva University
The strategic collaboration will provide enhanced software integrations designed to increase efficiencies and capabilities for associations

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- YourMembership by Community Brands is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Data Sangria by AMS Geek, which marks a significant industry milestone by combining the forces of two innovative organizations committed to enhancing data portability and integration solutions for purpose-driven organizations.

By partnering with Data Sangria by AMS Geek's cutting-edge iPaaS platform, YourMembership by Community Brands is poised to offer its customers an enriched data ecosystem that can more seamlessly connect across their technology stack, thereby facilitating a more efficient and effective management of association activities.

YourMembership AMS, part of the Community Brands family of connected solutions, is an affordable all-in-one membership management software designed to help small to mid-sized organizations deliver great member experiences and ease their workload. Data Sangria, the premier iPaaS solution developed by AMS Geek, aims to redefine data portability and lower the entry barrier for organizations to have a more integrated ecosystem of association technologies.

The partnership between YourMembership and Data Sangria also reinforces the importance of superior integration solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the thousands of associations that YourMembership supports around the world. By partnering with Data Sangria's cutting-edge iPaaS platform, YourMembership is poised to offer its customers an enriched data ecosystem that can more seamlessly connect across their technology stack, thereby facilitating a more efficient and effective management of association activities.

Learn how new API integration options help organizations accomplish more, even with a small staff, at a webinar on May 29, 2024, 1pm ET.

"This partnership is a pivotal moment because it accelerates our vision, and we are excited to see how our combined efforts will benefit the broader community through this partnership," said Benjamin Muscolino, Founder & CEO of AMS Geek, the creator of Data Sangria. "We've worked closely with Community Brands for many years and served hundreds of customers together. They're an impressive organization with truly good people there, so it means a lot to have them trust in us and formally recommend us to power more YourMembership customer integrations."

YourMembership AMS

All-in-one AMS serving small- to mid-size associations for over 25 years

Trusted by 25 million members and 1 in 4 association professionals

Cloud-based solution accessible anytime on any device

Includes modern, built-in online community

Increased staff efficiency with automated daily tasks

Data Sangria

Integrates with over 25 CRM, email, fundraising, events, and LMS platforms

Consolidates data from multiple applications and solutions into one system

Cloud-based, secure solution

Eliminates the cost of custom endpoint to endpoint integrations

User-friendly, simple interface with open architecture

Better metrics validating your data is flowing

"Community Brands has one of the most impressive partner ecosystems across our family of brands, so we're selective about formalizing partnerships. After seeing the positive impact Data Sangria and the AMS Geek team have had on our customers over the years, it made sense to formally endorse them as an integration partner," said Quinn Hoffman, General Manager of YourMembership. "This partnership is a testament to our joint commitment to providing customers with the best possible solutions and partner options to exceed their goals. With Data Sangria's innovative iPaaS platform, we are setting a new standard for what our customers can achieve with their data."

To learn more, attend the webinar on May 29, 2024, 1pm ET, featuring YourMembership's General Manager, Quinn Hoffman, and Data Sangria founder, Benjamin Muscolino. [Register today: https://www.yourmembership.com/resources/webinars/decoding-apis-with-data-sangria/]

About YourMembership AMS by Community Brands

Community Brands amplifies the impact of over 50,000 purpose-driven organizations in over 30 countries by providing connected technology solutions designed to enhance engagement, streamline operations, and boost revenue. With over 25 years of experience, YourMembership by Community Brands helps small to mid-sized organizations deliver exceptional member experiences and simplify workloads with its industry-leading SaaS-based association management software. Built with reliability at the core and strategically focused on events, education, careers, fundraising, financials, and operations, our family of brands is bound by a common purpose to serve the organizations that make our communities a better place to live. Learn more at communitybrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Data Sangria by AMS Geek

Data Sangria, an innovative Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) brought to you by AMS Geek, is revolutionizing data portability for mission-based organizations. With a focus on seamless integration of tech stacks, Data Sangria empowers businesses to optimize their operational strategies effortlessly. AMS Geek, a leader in association management consulting solutions, is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of mission-driven organizations through innovative products and services. Learn more about Data Sangria at www.datasangria.com and discover how AMS Geek is shaping the future of association management at www.amsgeek.com. Data Sangria and AMS Geek are a subsidiary of AssociationWire LLC, a holding company based out of Virginia and wholly owned by its founder, Benjamin Muscolino. Learn more at datasangria.com.

Media contacts: [email protected] and [email protected]

SOURCE Community Brands
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
Amman, May 22 : Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has condemned Israel's raid into the West Bank city of Jenin, which killed seven Palestinians and injured nine others.

During a joint press conference in Amman held with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom on Tuesday, Safadi said, "We condemn this aggression and demand its immediate cessation."

"We call on the international community to take a clear stance to stop all these operations that only lead to the killing of innocent Palestinians and further escalation," he added, according to a statement by the Ministry as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Safadi also called for a stop to Israel's "aggression" on Gaza, saying the "war crimes" against the Palestinian people must end.

The Swedish Minister voiced appreciation for Jordan's role and its humanitarian and political efforts to mitigate the crisis in Gaza.

"Jordan is significantly affected by this crisis on a humanitarian level, and Sweden and the European Union are committed to working to bring about peace, ceasefire, and reaching negotiations for a two-state solution, in addition to supporting the Palestinian Authority," he said.

The two sides also called for full and immediate entry of humanitarian aid into all of Gaza.

In response to a question about the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's request to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli officials and Hamas officials, Safadi said that international law is established to be applied and must be implemented without selectivity.
Kiev, May 22 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defence with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the Presidential press service reported.

At their meeting in Kiev on Tuesday, Zelensky and Baerbock discussed Germany's initiative to find additional air defence systems, including Patriot missile systems, and send them to Ukraine.

They also talked about the possibility of delivering anti-aircraft missile systems from Germany to Ukraine soon, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zelensky informed Baerbock in detail about the situation on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war and thanked Germany for its military support and financial assistance.

Baerbock arrived in Ukraine earlier on Tuesday for her seventh visit since the start of the full-scale war.

The "global initiative" for enhanced air defence in Ukraine, which was launched by Germany, has raised some 1 billion euros (about $1.09 billion) for Ukraine's air defence forces, according to Baerbock.
HEFEI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Wang Aiju, a 57-year-old villager from east China's Anhui Province, has adopted a new hobby of frequenting a village cafe where she enjoys a cup of coffee and takes photos for her granddaughter. Nestled beside a golden rape flower field, the cafe in Doumu Township in the city of Anqing is adorned with dolls on its chairs and twinkling LED lights, providing a picturesque spot for visitors to relax and snap photos. It caters not only to city dwellers seeking leisure but also to local villagers. This flourishing spot emerged from the spontaneous idea of Hu Rui, a post-95s returnee. "I returned to my hometown and opened this cafe because I realized that people need a tranquil escape from their daily lives. The combination of coffee and natural beauty brings more choices to rural life," said Hu, adding that since the cafe opened in March, the highest daily sales exceeded 10,000 yuan (about 1,408 U.S. dollars). In Anhui, an increasing number of young people like Hu are returning to rural areas for employment opportunities, encouraged by the implementation of diverse initiatives by local authorities to attract talent, sparking transformative changes and injecting fresh vitality into these areas. According to the provincial department of human resources and social security, Anhui has been leveraging its ecological benefits and improving the employment environment, among other factors, to make the province a magnetic hub for young talent. In Panpu Village of Qianshan City, Zhu Siyi, a post-90s native, serves as a resort manager. She is currently brainstorming with her colleagues about organizing a campfire party on the lawn. To enrich the travel experience for tourists, Zhu and her team have developed a scenic spot integrating agricultural, cultural and tourism elements, including an indoor amusement park and a camping site. "During the five-day May Day holiday this year, over 10,000 tourists came here every day," said Zhu, noting that the extended consumption chain has helped boost the income of over 40 rural households, attracting two young baristas to start their own business here. Apart from applying novel ideas while utilizing natural beauty, many young returnees have embraced short videos and live-streaming as tools to support rural residents. Capturing everything from conversations with elderly villagers to the rhythmic hum of machines processing dried sweet potatoes, Wu Pinjiao and her post-95s colleagues have documented rural life and local specialties through videos and live-streaming. "We are not just selling goods, but popularizing the lifestyle of our hometown," she said, adding that the sales of over 20 kinds of local products from three mountainous villages have set new records this year. "I initially thought I was coming back to guard a mountain. But when I returned, I realized that there is a new world of unexplored possibilities here," Wu said.
Ankara, May 22 : Turkey has launched a passport-free policy for Romanian citizens, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Turkey will allow Romanian citizens to enter its borders with their IDs, said Erdogan on Tuesday at a joint press conference with visiting Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

"We believe that our human relations will improve this way," the Turkish President added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

On Tuesday, Erdogan and Ciolacu attended the Turkey-Romania High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Ankara.

Erdogan said that the Turkey-Romania bilateral trade volume exceeded $10 billion for two consecutive years, adding that the goal is $15 billion.

Ciolacu, for his part, thanked Erdogan for the decision to grant visa exemption to Romanian citizens for their tourist trips and transit to Turkey.

In a post released on the social platform of X, the Romanian Prime Minister said his government will consolidate its role as a key partner of Turkey in major fields and further facilitate the dialogue on Turkey's accession to the European Union.

During his strip, Romania and Turkey signed six important agreements covering cooperation in various fields, including cooperation in tourism, urbanism, and training of police forces.
Tel Aviv, May 22 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.

"Resettling Gaza... was never in the cards," Netanyahu said in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN on Tuesday.

"Some of my constituents are not happy about it, but that's my position."

Several of the right-wing nationalist Ministers in Netanyahu's coalition had repeatedly spoken out in favour of resettling the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir even declared on Tuesday that he would like to live there himself.

As soon as Palestinian militant organisation Hamas is defeated, sustainable demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip must be achieved, Netanyahu told CNN, adding that "the only force that can prevent the resurgence of terrorism for the foreseeable future is Israel".

"At the same time we want -- I want -- a civilian administration that is run by Gazans who are neither Hamas nor committed to our destruction."

On Saturday, Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war Cabinet, said that he and other members of his centre-right National Union Party would leave Netanyahu's government if the Prime Minister did not present a plan for the post-war order in the Gaza Strip by June 8.

The 64-year-old retired Army General and former Defence Minister joined the war Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio.

The parties involved sought to demonstrate national unity in the wake of the attacks led by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. The unprecedented attack triggered the Gaza war as Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive.

The National Union is an opposition party. In opinion polls, it is currently far ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party.

Netanyahu has previously said he wanted the territory to remain under Israeli military control for the foreseeable future. So far, he has refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.

--IANS/DPA

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Kanpur, May 22 : A clerical blunder delayed a 78-year-old woman's release from a correction home in Kanpur for two years, even after Uttar Pradesh government ordered her release following the remission of her life sentence in a dowry death case.

Kanpur District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh said, "Suspension of the clerk has been recommended and personal bond (of Rs 50,000) has been sent to Nari Niketan, Lucknow, for acceptance and woman's release."

Governor Anandiben Patel accepted Naubasta resident Sumitra's remission petition and issued a release order in 2022.

Unaware of the process to file a bond, district probation counter assistant Ashish Kumar kept the file with himself for 10 months instead of forwarding it to the District Magistrate for approval.

Sumitra and her family members were sentenced to life term in a dowry death case. Her husband died in prison, while son Santosh remains in jail.
Agra, May 22 : The body of Yogi Chaitanya Nath, the head priest of Lal Nath Samadhi Math, was exhumed on Tuesday from his 'samadhi' (burial) by police for post-mortem, the police said.

The body was exhumed nearly 11 days after his death when his family members alleged foul play in his death and submitted an application to the Additional Police Commissioner Keshav Chaudhary.

Nath, who had been serving the math for five years, died on May 10.

His body lay in a room for two days and it was found when a foul smell started emanating.

He was buried at the temple premises on Agra Cantt Station Road under Sadar police limits.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hemant Kumar said, "A postmortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death. The matter is being investigated in detail, given claims of missing belongings and unauthorised use of the yogi's mobile and ATM card after his demise."

Nath's brother Munna Mishra alleged, "After my brother's suspicious death, other seers buried him in a 'samadhi'. Later, I came to know that his body was found in a pool of blood. His mobile phone, ATM card, and other belongings were missing. It was found by the bank that money was withdrawn using the ATM card even after his death. I tracked the mobile location to Delhi and Pratapgarh."

Mishra approached Agra police for justice and on the latter's orders, a team from Sadar police station was constituted to investigate the case.

Nath's body was exhumed in the presence of ACPs, Hemant Kumar and Sayyad Areeb Ahmed.

The seer was a disciple of 'Nath Sampradaya'.
Seoul, May 22 : A group of South Korean and global tech companies adopted a joint pledge on Wednesday, vowing to responsibly develop and use artificial intelligence (AI) and to address social challenges with the technology.

The 'Seoul AI Business Pledge' was announced by 14 companies, including Korea's Samsung Electronics, Naver, Kakao and KT Corp, as well as global big tech companies, such as Google, OpenAI and IBM, during the opening ceremony of the AI Global Forum in Seoul.

The AI Global Forum is part of the two-day AI Seoul Summit co-hosted by South Korea and Britain as a follow-up to last year's inaugural global AI safety summit, where the first global guidelines on AI safety were adopted, reports Yonhap news agency.

"We commit to upholding the three strategic priorities, through our efforts including advancing AI safety research, identifying best practices, collaborating across sectors, and helping AI meet society's greatest challenges," the pledge read.

The three priorities are: ensuring responsible development and use of AI, pursuing sustainable development and innovation in AI, and ensuring the equitable benefits of AI for all.

In the pledge, the companies acknowledge the rapid acceleration of technological advancements in AI and their growing impact on the global community. They vowed to work to ensure responsible AI development in line with the Seoul Declaration adopted by the AI Seoul Summit the previous day.

The Seoul Declaration called for promoting safe, innovative and inclusive AI to address challenges and opportunities associated with the fast-evolving technology.

The first day of the AI Global Forum saw representatives from 19 countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, attending the ministers' session to discuss actions to strengthen AI safety.

Industry officials, including Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer of OpenAI, and Tom Lue, vice president of Google DeepMind, joined roundtable discussions.
Hanoi, May 22 : Vietnam's National Assembly, on Wednesday morning, approved To Lam, the Minister of Public Security, as the country's next President following a vote at its headquarters in Hanoi.

The appointment comes nearly two months after Vietnam's former President Vo Van Thuong resigned amid a corruption crackdown. Lam has become the third President of Vietnam in less than 18 months, in a country that has a reputation for its stable politics.

Lam, the third most powerful man in Vietnam besides the Party Chief and Prime Minister, is viewed as a hardliner when it comes to dealings with Vietnamese activists. Numerous dissidents and bloggers were jailed during his tenure as the Minister of Public Security.

Lam was handed the public security portfolio in 2016.

In November 2021, To Lam was widely mocked after a video emerged online showing him being hand-fed gold leaf steak worth thousands of dollars by celebrity chef Salt Bae during a trip to the UK, in which he also visited the grave of communist icon Karl Marx.

On Sunday, a spokesperson from the National Assembly announced to the media that Lam would also continue in his position as the Minister of Public Security.

The announcement sparked controversy in Vietnam as some people argued the Constitution does not allow one person to keep the post of President and be a Minister at the same time. He was ultimately dismissed from the position before being elected the President on Wednesday.

--IANS/DPA

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Washington, May 22 : US President Joe Biden has accused his predecessor and likely election opponent Donald Trump of using Nazi rhetoric following the publication of a video referencing a "unified Reich."

Trump is using "Hitler's language. That's not America's," Biden said in a campaign video released on Tuesday.

In the short clip, the Democrat holds a phone in his hand and says, referencing the video: "Is this on his official account? Wow."

On Monday, Trump shared a video, which was later deleted, on his social media site Truth Social, showing mocks of newspaper articles that would be written if Trump won the presidential election in November.

Among the bits of text featured was a subheading referring to "the creation of a unified Reich." The term "empire" in German is often associated with the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-1945.

The word Reich in the video presumably refers to the founding of the German Reich in 1871, with the text being taken from a Wikipedia entry on World War I, according to US media.

According to the reports, the video was created using a ready-made newspaper article mask. It has also been used in other clips circulating online.

Other newspaper headlines in the video published on Trump's platform also make reference to World War I.

Trump's team later confirmed that the clip had been removed from his account. A spokeswoman for his campaign team said that it "was not a campaign video, it was created by a random account online and reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word."

Biden also attacked the Republican, who is hoping to return to the White House, at a campaign event in Boston on Tuesday.

The 81-year-old said that "the threat that Trump poses is greater in the second term than it was in the first," according to reporters travelling with him. He called Trump "a little unhinged" and accused him of seeking revenge after losing the 2020 presidential election.

Biden and Trump are guaranteed to face off on November 5 in a rematch of the 2020 vote after both achieved the required number of delegates to be nominated as candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively.

Trump has been using radical rhetoric in his election campaign, including hateful and dehumanizing language, as well as making racist statements and inciting hatred against minorities. The 77-year-old also compared Biden's government to the Gestapo, the official secret police of Nazi Germany.

--IANS/DPA

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Pune : , May 22 (IANS) The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA and former minister Prajakt P. Tanpure's family remembers the days when their son was studying in school as a classmate of the same drunken 17-year-old boy who killed two persons while speeding his father's Porsche May 20.

The legislator's wife Sonali P. Tanpure took to social media on Wednesday, saying she recalled "those days again" when the accused - the son of a prominent Pune realty developer - was studying in the same class as her son.

"At that time, my son suffered a lot at the hands of some of his (the builder's son) friends. I had even complained about it to their parents, but did not get a proper response," rued Sonali.

Finally, left with no options, the Tanpure family decided to change the school of their son to avoid his torture at the hands of the other brats.

"The scars of those traumatic incidents are still there on his (son's) mind. If the parents had noticed the bad tendencies of their child in time, then such a terrible crime would not have happened," said Sonali, on the Porsche crash that left Maharashtra shaken.

Her husband and Rahuri MLA Tanpure said the incident by a rich man's wayward kid has cut short the lives of the two young victims who hailed from a small town with big dreams to make success in life.

In all this, Tanpure pointed out how, not only the boy and his rich family, but the entire system, including the liberal home department, government and police are equally responsible for the tragedy.

"The authorities are committing the sin of destabilising the social order by supporting the influential big people. It's only because of the alert people present there and the pressure built by the citizens and the media that is leading to some effective action now," said Prajakt Tanpure.

Sonali sought justice for the families of the two well-educated victims, aged 24 -- Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh Awadhiya -- who were killed instantly in the Porsche speeding at a dizzying 200 kmph speed which was barely captured as a fleeting shadow in the CCTVs installed at Kalyani Nagar junction.
Shamli : , May 22 (IANS) A 25-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut has created a piquant situation for the police by insisting that she wants to stay in the house of her 16-year-old lover and will marry him.

She had befriended the boy on social media.

The minor's family in Shamli claimed the woman had been staying in their house for the past few days and when she was asked to leave, she threatened to kill herself.

The boy's father and other relatives first approached the local police and when they "failed to resolve the matter", the family went to the Shamli district magistrate.

His father said, "My son is not educated. He does not do any work. He became friends with the woman on social media and now she is staying here and threatening to commit suicide if we throw her out."

Police said that they sent the woman home by handing her to relatives, but she came back because her family refused to keep her there as "she has brought a bad name to them".

Station House Officer (Kairana) Virendra Kumar said on Wednesday, "This is a strange situation for us, too. The woman insists on staying with the minor. She was handed over to the women's welfare wing by police, but she returned from there as well. Her parents have been summoned to the thana. If they do not take her back, she will be sent to a women's shelter home."
Amaravati, May 22 : A man was killed and 10 others were injured when a private bus hit a container truck in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to police, the private bus rammed into a divider, overturned and hit a container truck on the other side of the road on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway.

The bus driver was killed and 10 passengers were injured. The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital, where the condition of one of them was stated to be critical.

There were 35 passengers on the bus, which was heading to Chennai from Vijayawada. Police said the bus driver lost control of the vehicle which resulted in the accident.

The accident led to about a 5 km-long traffic jam on the national highway.

In another accident near Medarametla in the Bapatla district, the driver of an oil tanker was charred to death when it caught fire after ramming into a stationary container truck.

The oil tanker hit a container truck from behind which had stopped by the roadside.

Due to the impact of the collision, the oil tanker caught fire. The driver was trapped in the fire.

The deceased was identified as Srinivasulu of Nellore district.
Washington, May 22 : The US has claimed that Russia launched what is likely a space weapon capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit, US Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder announced.

Ryder added that the launch took place on May 16, and the Russian satellite is now in the same orbit as a US government satellite.

When asked whether the Russian satellite threatened the US satellite, Ryder said: "Well, it's a space defence weapon in the same orbit as a US government satellite."

American UN representative Robert Wood had previously expressed views similar to Ryder's.

The Pentagon stated that it is not the first time Russia has launched such space weapons, referring to 2019 and 2022.

On Monday, a UN resolution tabled by Russia against an arms race in space failed in the UN Security Council.

The draft resolution received seven votes in favour, while seven countries, including the US, voted against it.

US representative Robert Wood accused Moscow of using manipulative tactics after Russia vetoed a US resolution against nuclear weapons in space last month.

In February, reports in the US warned about Russia's nuclear ambitions in space, stating that the nuclear potential of weapons directed against satellites could pose a threat to national and international security.

The US government responded to the reports, accusing Russia of developing military capabilities for use against satellites, with President Joe Biden assuring that there is no nuclear danger facing Americans or people anywhere in the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the reports and said that Russia is against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.

--IANS/DPA

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Guwahati, May 22 : Police have arrested at least nine persons in connection with child marriage in Assam's Karimganj district, officials said on Wednesday.

According to police, Bilal Uddin, a resident of Kabariband village in the Patharkandi area of Karimganj district, was in a relationship with a minor girl of the same neighbourhood.

Despite the girl not attaining the minimum age for marriage, two families agreed to the solemnisation of the boy and girl on Monday night following religious methods.

However, the police got the information and reached the marriage venue. They took Bilal Uddin, his father Johrul Islam and seven others including the minor girl into custody.

The arrested persons were produced in a local court on Tuesday. The minor girl was handed over to a child welfare association and the rest of the arrested persons were sent to judicial custody.

Earlier in February 2023, Assam Police had launched a massive crackdown against child marriage in the state. More than 3,500 people were arrested from different parts of Assam during the operation.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also asserted during the previous budget session of the assembly that the menace of child marriage will be eradicated from the state in the next two years.

He had said, "I will not let child marriage happen in the state. Till Himanta Biswa Sarma is alive here, child marriages cannot happen in Assam."

The Chief Minister also said that the state government has prepared an action plan to eliminate child marriage by 2026.
Bengaluru, May 22 : A week after a college student was found dead in suspicious circumstances here, the Karnataka Police lodged a case of murder, said officials on Wednesday.

Twenty-year-old Prabhudhya, the daughter of a social activist, was found dead at her residence in the Subramanyapura police station limits on May 15 evening with her throat slit and cut marks on her hands. Initially, the police registered the case as an unnatural death.

However, Prabhudhya's mother, Sowmya suspected it to be a case of murder. She told the police that her daughter was strong and did not have the mentality to end her life, and there was no apparent reason for such a drastic step.

Sowmya alleged that her daughter was brutally murdered. Prabhudhya's neck and hands were cut, and she was attacked on the face and head. Police sources stated that since the knife was found beside the body and there was no theft, the case was initially considered an unnatural death.

As the mother suspects it to be a murder, the police have started investigating in that direction. They are probing and listing suspected persons and are also awaiting the post-mortem report.

Sowmya had earlier claimed that her daughter's mobile phone was missing and the backdoor of the house was open.

"I have rescued many children, raised my voice against prominent politicians, and questioned the system. I am unable to understand who could have done this. I raised my daughter with self-respect, morality, and courage. Now, my 20-year-old daughter lies dead before me," Sowmya had said.
Kolkata, May 22 : The eight Lok Sabha constituencies scattered over five districts of West Bengal which will be going to polls in the sixth phase of the election on May 25, will be turned into virtual fortresses as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to increase the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) by 56 per cent over what it was in the fifth phase.

Insiders in the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), said that a total of 1,020 companies of CAPF will be there, which is 56 per cent higher than the 650 companies deployed for seven constituencies that went to polls on May 20.

Out of 1,020 companies 919 companies will be deployed at the polling booths. Of the remaining 101 companies, the majority will be deployed as part of the Quick Response Teams and a small portion will be kept on reserve.

These CAPF companies will be assisted by 29,468 personnel from the state police forces.

While the exact constituency-wise distribution of CAPF deployment will be finalised soon, the maximum deployment will be made for the two Lok Sabha constituencies in East Midnapore District namely Tamluk and Kanthi considering the sensitive nature of the booths there.
Tel Aviv, May 22 : Robert O'Brien, former national security adviser and top aide of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has said that the US should slap sanctions on officials of International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who sought an arrest warrant for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Robert O'Brien is in Israel along with John Rakolta, former US ambassador to the UAE, and Ed Mc Mullen, former ambassador of the US to Switzerland to seek a ground report.

He said that they had met Israeli President Issac Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.

Robert O'Brien, in the statement, said that the US could sanction the bank accounts and travel and can put visa restrictions on the "corrupt" prosecutors and judges of the ICC.

During 2017 and 2021, when Donald Trump was the US President, the capital of Israel was shifted from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem -- a long-pending demand of the Israelis.

With Trump being the Republican candidate for the US presidential post, he is trying to pitch himself as a much more reliable ally to Israel than Biden.

Sources in Israel's Prime Minister's office said that the three policy advisers of Trump have communicated to the Israeli leadership the wholehearted support of the Republican presidential candidate for the Israeli cause.
New Delhi, May 22 : An 18-year-old boy was killed and four others sustained injuries during a quarrel between two brothers over a property dispute in Delhi's Shahdara area, police said on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Suhan while the injured were Faizan (19), Nisha (42), Imran (45), and Shamshad (28). All are residents of Rashid Market, near Shahi Masjid.

Sharing the details, police said that on Tuesday a police control room (PCR) call was received in Jagatpuri police station that there was a quarrel between the two brothers at a house in the area following which a police team rushed to the spot.

It was found that the five injured individuals had already been transported to Dr Hedgewar Hospital, where Suhan was declared dead on arrival by the doctors.

The initial investigation revealed that there is a shop in Rashid Market owned by Saied Ahmed. "Saied Ahmed has six sons, three of whom are alive: Istekaar, Julfikaar, and Imran. They all live in the same house in the area. Julfikaar runs a welding shop on the property. Imran wanted to sell the shop with the approval of his brothers, but Julfikaar objected," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary.

Due to this property dispute, there has been long-standing enmity between Julfikaar and Imran and among their family members.

"On Tuesday, a quarrel broke out between them over the same issue. The matter escalated, resulting in Mursheed and Julfikaar stabbing Imran, Suhan, Faizan, Nisha, and Shamshad," said the DCP.

During the investigation, Mursheed (33), Julfikar Ahmed and his wife Shabana have been arrested.
Bengaluru, May 22 : The Karnataka Police, which is probing the case related to a Rave party in Bengaluru where narcotics were seized, is also investigating the possibility of a sex racket being operated alongside the supply of drugs.

Five individuals were arrested in the case and the police department has transferred the investigation from the Electronics City Police Station to the Narcotics Wing of the City Central Crime Branch (CCB).

The investigation revealed that the Rave party began on Saturday evening (May 20) at the GM Farm House in Singena Agrahara on the outskirts of Bengaluru and over 200 people attended it.

Many attendees left the farmhouse in the wee hours of Sunday (May 21), while others joined the party on Sunday.

Sources said that each individual was charged Rs 2 lakh for entry and was asked to claim that they were attending a birthday party.

Police sources confirmed that they are strongly suspecting that the organisers were also running a sex racket.

Everything was planned meticulously and all demands of participants were fulfilled.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara stated that the government aims to make Karnataka a drug-free state and will not tolerate Rave parties.

He warned that students who come to Karnataka for studies and engage in taking drugs and selling them, are being monitored and will be sent back to their states.

The police earlier said that the Rave party, titled aSunset to Sunrise Victory,a was attended by more than 100 people, including techies, Telugu actors, and others.

MDMA, cocaine, hydro ganja, and other substances were allegedly used by those who attended the party.
New Delhi, May 22 : Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh on Wednesday said that the company will create lakhs of employment opportunities in the next 10 years with the support of Narendra Modi's government.

"Thank you @narendramodi ji Aapke aashirvaad aur Modi sarkaar ke support ke sath lakhon jobs create karenge agle 10 saal mein (With your blessing and the support of the Modi government, we will create lakhs of jobs in the next 10 years)," she wrote in a post on X.

Appreciating a speech by Varun Alagh (Ghazal Alagh's husband and Mamaearth co-founder) given at the 'Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan', PM Modi wished the company success, and said that "Ours is a government which actively encourages startups and wealth creation".

Ghazal Alagh, in her post, also said "This truly fuels our passion and makes us even more determined to succeed. We will take Indian beauty to the world and place the Bharat flag everywhere. Thank you for believing in us".

In his speech, Varun Alagh said that when Startup India started in 2016, they quit their jobs and started Mamaearth.

"In these 7 years, we have been able to take the company public and employ 10,000 people now," he said.

Varun Alagh also mentioned that the country now needs to focus on job creation, quality and research in the coming years.
New Delhi, May 22 : After ascending to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping of China embarked on a journey to strengthen his grip on the country's already authoritarian regime. Having grown up in a political environment, Xi is well-versed in the workings of the Communist Party, his father being a high-ranking official of the Communist Party of China.

Purges have long been a tool used by leaders in Communist states to eliminate any form of dissent. Mao Zedong and his 'Gang of Four' famously purged top Communist officials in China, including Deng Xiaoping, the architect of 'Market' China.

However, it was Joseph Stalin, the leader of Soviet Russia, who established the early standards for purges, setting a benchmark against which other totalitarian leaders are measured.

Xi Jinping is one such leader whose paranoia and relentless efforts to maintain supremacy in the communist hierarchy have led to a series of purges targeting both low-level officials ('flies') and high-ranking ones ('tigers'). Xi's infamous anti-corruption campaign is central to these purges.

Critics argue that this campaign is a systematic strategy by Xi to completely seize control of China's Communist Party and state machinery.

Xi's consolidation of power

Xi Jinping belongs to the second generation of the Communist political elite. In China, descendants of the Communist political elites who participated in the Revolutionary War are known as Princelings or 'Red Heirs,' and Xi is one of them.

His father, Xi Zhongxun, was one of the founding fathers of the Communist Party of China and served as a former vice-premier of the nation. As noted earlier, the elder Xi experienced multiple purges during Mao's rule due to suspicions about his activities. Xi Zhongxun was arrested in 1962 and again in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution.

Despite initial privileges and support from his father, Xi Jinping had to start from the bottom and was admitted into the Communist Party of China in 1974.

Xi came to the attention of officials during the 1989 pro-democracy Tiananmen Square protests. At the time, he was the party chief of Ningde in the southern Fujian province. Even though he was far from the capital, Beijing, localised protests erupted, which Xi effectively suppressed.

Due to these significant human rights abuses, China failed to secure the bid to host the 2000 Olympics. Ironically, this situation benefited Xi, as he was later put in charge of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

His effective management eventually paid off, and he joined the Communist Party's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee. In 2012, he rose to power as China's President.

Xi and Stalin: A tale of stunning similarities

Joseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Union not because he exhibited classic leadership qualities but because members of the Politburo thought he could be easily manipulated. However, he had different plans.

Once he secured the position of General Secretary, he centralised all power within himself, effectively disregarding any notion of internal communist party democracy. He utilised state mechanisms to purge and execute his political rivals.

Notably, he orchestrated the assassination of Leon Trotsky, who was living in Mexico, a Central American country, at the time. Stalin exiled many of his political adversaries to Gulags, situated in the most severe environments of Russia.

To cultivate a cult of personality around himself, he authored a book titled "A Short Course on the History of the Bolsheviks," which was published in 1938 and quickly became one of the most widely distributed books, selling over 42 million copies.

However, the book contained little historical substance and could more accurately be described as a manual for dictatorship. Scholars and experts specialising in Chinese political elites and Xi Jinping have noted his great admiration for Stalin's book.

In a similar vein to Stalin, Xi Jinping also produced "The Political Thought of Xi Jinping." This book represents a significant departure from Deng Xiaoping's vision of China, who aimed to transform the nation from a rural, backward economy into a modern, state-led economy.

The recent purges within the PLA military by Xi Jinping echo the extensive purges carried out by Stalin, where, in the late 1930s, numerous prominent Old Bolsheviks were accused of treason and either executed or imprisoned. All the evidence presented in court stemmed from the defendants' initial admissions and interrogations.

Later, it was revealed that the accused were innocent; the NKVD (Soviet Secret Police) had fabricated the cases, and the confessions had been extracted under severe coercion and torture.

Who Xi purged and what is to be deduced from it?

In the initial series of purges beginning in 2012-13, the foundation of Xi's power consolidation began to take shape. He first targeted Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee and national security chief, who was charged with corruption.

Subsequently, Xi targeted the prominent 'Four Big Tigers', who were closely associated with the People's Liberation Army. In the mysterious disappearances last year, China's Defence and Foreign Ministers vanished from public view. One of the most notable incidents in this sequence was the suspicious death of Li Keqiang. He had recently retired as China's Prime Minister and allegedly died of a heart attack in a swimming pool.

It is crucial to acknowledge that in the initial stage of purges, Xi targeted individuals who could potentially challenge his authority within the party in the future. Many of the 'tigers' purged by Xi were from the second generation of communist elites who came from privileged backgrounds.

This strategy cleared the path for Xi to promote his loyalists. However, Xi's regime is not without its troubles. This is evident as he has started purging individuals previously considered close to him.

An example is Qin Gang, who ascended to prominence under Xi's leadership and became the foreign minister. Remarkably, after meetings with the foreign ministers of Sri Lanka and Vietnam in June last year, he mysteriously disappeared. Alongside Qin, Xi also purged top officials from China's 'Rocket Force', which manages the country's nuclear arsenal.

Xi's actions and the purges closely resemble Stalin's tactics of consolidating power. An authoritarian framework was firmly in place, both in Stalin's Soviet Russia and Xi's China. The distinct impact of figures like Stalin and Xi is their monopolisation of power, leading to cycles of poor decisions attributed to subordinates.

China is currently struggling with sluggish economic growth, an ageing population, and sanctions from the United States, which exacerbate its challenges. Many of Xi's policies have contributed to China's current predicament, potentially inciting unrest among the populace and threatening his hold on power. He is determined to maintain control, using purges as one of several strategies.

Unlike Stalin's era, when information flow was limited, Xi faces the modern challenge of widespread and rapid information dissemination, which increases scrutiny and fuels his paranoia.
Guwahati, May 22 : Assam AIUDF MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya has alleged that even as the state sends the highest numbers of pilgrims to Haj every year, it does not provide government facilities for their stay.

Barbhuiya said, "An average of 4,000 pilgrims from Assam go for Haj every year. But they have to face great difficulties in Guwahati due to the lack of a place to stay. There is a private staying place for the pilgrims in the city which cannot accommodate such large numbers."

Haj pilgrims across the state gather in Guwahati and embark on their journey to the Saudi Arabia.

"I have made arrangements for the stay of a few people but it was not sufficient. The state government must immediately intervene to take steps so that Haj pilgrims do not face inconvenience in the state," he added.

The AIUDF legislator said, "There are luxurious staying places for Haj pilgrims in Kolkata, people can go to Makkah-Madinah to perform Haj from there without any hassles."

Meanwhile, Ajmal has claimed that Haj pilgrims have to pay an additional fee of Rs 51,000 for the embarkation points in Guwahati.

He asked, "Why pilgrims should be charged more in Assam compared to other states?"

Ajmal has also sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs and appealed to reimburse the additional charges paid by Haj pilgrims in Assam.
Chandigarh, May 22 : Are patriarch-dominated regional parties losing their grip on the Punjab and Haryana electoral battleground in these parliamentary polls? Ground reports suggest that it seems to be the case.

In Punjab, the century-old regional outfit Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which has been raising a 'panthic' (Sikh) and pro-Punjab pitch, is struggling to retain its vote bank, largely in rural areas.

In Haryana, the legacy of former Deputy Prime Minister and the state's tallest Jat leader, Chaudhary Devi Lal who, with his family ruled the state's dusty and defection-ridden politics for decades, is shrinking owing to the family feud.

After the feud within the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), five-time Chief Minister OP Chautala's grandson Dushyant split the party vertically in 2018 and formed the JJP.

In 2019, the JJP extended support to the BJP to form the government in the state and just ahead of the parliamentary polls, it withdrew its support.

In Punjab, which will be electing its 13 Members of Parliament in the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on June 1, there is more or less a triangular contest between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which made a clean sweep after winning 92 of the 117 Assembly seats in 2022, the main Opposition Congress and the BJP.

The BJP is in the parliamentary fray alone for the first time since the Akali Dal snapped its nearly three-decade-long ties and pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September 2020 over the contentious, now-repealed farm laws.

For 10 seats in BJP-ruled Haryana, the main contest is between the saffron party and the AAP-backed Congress.

In the 2019 General Elections, the Congress-led UPA won the maximum -- eight seats -- in Punjab, while the BJP-led NDA managed to secure victory on four seats -- two each for the BJP and the SAD. The AAP was restricted to just one seat.

In neighbouring Haryana, which will go to the polls on May 25, the BJP had won all 10 constituencies in 2019, improving its tally from 2014 when it managed to win seven out of the eight constituencies it had contested.

In Punjab, Sukhbir Badal-led SAD is in the fray on all 13 seats. On the ground, he aggressively toured all 13 parliamentary constituencies under the banner 'Punjab Bachao Yatra (Save Punjab March)' to reclaim lost traditional ground with focus on "regional identity".

Throughout the march, which covered nearly 3,200 km across 80 Assembly constituencies, Badal targeted the Congress and AAP by calling them outsiders and said Delhi-based parties have never let Punjab's interests prevail.

Political observers told IANS still the fractured Akali Dal, which marked its centennial in 2021, is facing its worst crisis "structurally, organisationally, and even in terms of ideological leadership".

Firmly believing the farmers' issue relates to the overall national interest, Akali Dal's rival parties have been slamming it for not only supporting the controversial agricultural laws initially in 2020, but also misguiding the Centre by allegedly giving wrong feedback about the Bills.

More importantly, the Akali Dal will be contesting the polls under the leadership of Sukhbir Badal for the first time since his father and the tallest leader of state politics Parkash Singh Badal, who had impeccable secular credentials, passed away at the age of 95 on April 25, 2023.

In Haryana, both regional outfits -- the INLD and its fledging JJP -- bank heavily on their traditional Jat votes, comprising 28 per cent of the state's population.

This time, their "sinking ships" face a tough contest from the Congress, led by prominent Jat leader and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. However, the BJP is banking on non-Jat votes.

Amid the exodus of its office-bearers, including Haryana unit President Nishan Singh, JJP National President Ajay Chautala has expressed "willingness" to reunite with the parent party.

However, his younger brother and INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala, has expressed strong opposition to their 'homecoming".

In a video on X, Abhay Chautala, the party's lone MLA who is in the fray for the Lok Sabha polls from Kurukshetra, said there was no place for those who had broken the party and brought a bad name to late Chaudhary Devi Lal.

"The JJP, a junior ruling partner in the BJP-led Haryana government, had plundered the state with both hands and now stands exposed," he added.

The Chautala clan in the poll arena is Abhay and Sunaina as INLD candidates and Naina, the mother of former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant.

The BJP has fielded Devi Lal's youngest son Ranjit Singh against his two 'bahus' -- Naina and Sunaina  from Hisar.

The INLD, which ruled the state the last time from 2000 to 2004, was divided owing to differences between Ajay and Abhay Chautala. Their father remained with the younger son.

The INLD has an alliance with its oldest ally the SAD. Saying that the JJP is the real representative of the legacy of Devi Lal, Dushyant, who has been campaigning mainly for his mother Naina, in his public addresses, is focussing on the youth with a promise of more job opportunities.

Like the BJP the JJP, too, has been facing the anger of farmers and the party is defending itself by saying that the protests are being staged by their opponents.

Dushyant's image took a hit this time as he failed to implement one of his top poll promises related to old-age pension made ahead of the 2019 Assembly elections.

In these elections, the INLD is banking more on its patriarch OP Chautala, who was released from Tihar Jail on July 2, 2021, after serving nine-and-a-half-years of a 10-year prison sentence.

For Sukhbir Badal, who's trying hard to make up for the absence of the senior Badal in Bathinda, the only hope is to retain the party's traditional bastion Bathinda, but by a whisker.

He's devoting "extra time" to ensure the victory of his wife and sitting MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who's known as Biba (good and pretty girl).

Harsimrat Kaur Badal is fighting an anti-incumbency sentiment that has gathered strength over the last 15 years at a time when her party has been out of power in the state since the 2017 Assembly elections.

After thwarting foes within, seasoned Haryana Congress politician Bhupinder Hooda is donning his battle gear once again to lead the party to victory.

Looking to woo 65 per cent of the population that lives in rural areas, on an average everyday Hooda is aggressively trying to reach out to the masses up to panchayats.

Not missing an opportunity, Hooda is building up a campaign by saying that more and more youths are falling in the trap of drugs and crime due to the faulty policies of the BJP-JJP government.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
Basti : , May 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, mounted a scathing attack on the Congress when he recounted the Sitaram Kesri episode to target the party on the reservation issue.

"Today the Congress is talking about the Constitution and reservation but what did they do when they were in power? They imposed the Emergency and tried to stifle the Constitution. The Congress party which today claims to protect reservation, had insulted Sitaram Kesri, an OBC leader, when he was Congress president. Do you know that Sonia's men entered the Congress office and locked up Kesri in the bathroom and then threw him out to make Sonia the party president," he said at a rally in Basti district.

He asked people to teach a lesson to the Congress and also the Samajwadi Party which gave a bad reputation to Uttar Pradesh.

The Prime Minister further asked people not to waste their votes on the INDIA bloc.

"You will be wasting your vote if you vote for the INDIA bloc. A vote for the BJP is a guarantee to form a strong government. I am going to do more work so that you all get the 'punya' of it. You should vote for Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat," he said.

The Prime Minister further said that the statements of the INDIA bloc leaders clearly displayed their depression and despair.

"Today you can see all NDA leaders on stage with me but have you ever seen all INDIA leaders together? They come together only for photo opportunities," he said.

He further asserted that those standing in the blazing sun to hear him will not be disappointed because he will work harder to ensure development.

Referring to opposition allegations, the Prime Minister said that "Pakistan is 'pasht' (low spirits) but its sympathisers in Congress and SP are trying to create fear in people. Today, when India talks, the world listens, and we are going up in all spheres."

Basti goes to the polls on May 25.
Jerusalem, May 22 : Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday ordered the "immediate return" of Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway following the decision announced by the two countries to recognise a Palestinian state.

"I am sending a clear message today - Israel will not be complacent against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security," said Katz.

"Ireland and Norway intend to send a message to the Palestinians and the whole world today: Terrorism pays. After the terrorist organisation Hamas carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after it committed the most horrific sex crimes the world has seen, these countries chose to give a reward to Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state," he added.

He stated that the "distorted step" taken by both countries is an "injustice" to the memory of the October 7 victims and a "blow" to efforts being made to ensure a safe return of the 128 hostages.

"Israel will not remain silent - there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it," Kantz warned.
Kolkata, May 22 : A double-engine government at the Centre and West Bengal can only end the reign of violence and corruption in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.

"Once there are BJP governments both at the Centre and West Bengal, the task of returning crore of looted money to the common people will start immediately, the Union Home Minister said while addressing an election meeting at Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency in West Midnapore district in support of the party candidate, actor-turned-politician Hiran Chatterjee, who is currently the sitting BJP legislator from Kharagpur (Sadar) Assembly constituency in the same district.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah also drew a comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "On one hand, Mamata Banerjee is pampering the illegal infiltrators to strengthen her dedicated vote bank. On the other hand, the Prime Minister has ended terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir by ending Article 370 from there," the Union Home Minister said.

He said that a BJP government will ensure an infiltration-free, violence-free and corruption-free ambience in West Bengal.

"The entire country is wondering how women have been harassed and tortured in a state with a woman as a chief minister. The state administration did not take any action against the accused since they were parts of Trinamool Congress' dedicated vote bank. Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed," he said.

'Who is the Prime Ministerial face of the opposition INDIA alliance. The face of the NDA is Narendra Modi. But the INDIA alliance neither has any face nor any agenda," Amit Shah said.

Amit Shah also complimented the Election Commission of India (ECI) for ensuring overall peaceful polls. "In the sixth and seventh phases, the security arrangements will be tighter. Hence I am requesting the people of West Bengal to vote without fear," the Union Home Minister said.
New Delhi, May 22 : Zomato Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing ample opportunities to small-town entrepreneurs like him, as the online food delivery platform, coupled with quick commerce delivery platform Blinkit, scaled new highs in the last couple of years.

In a post on X, Goyal thanked PM Modi for his kind words.

"This does certainly motivate us to work harder and do better," the Zomato CEO posted.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister said that Goyal's journey is truly inspiring which motivates "countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams".

Goyal attended 'Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan' event in the national capital in presence of Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Rajeev Chandrashekhar, along with fellow startup founders.

A small-town boy from Punjab, Goyal also faced questions about his ability to succeed in the startup ecosystem.

"When I told my father about starting Zomato, he said, 'Janta hai tera baap kaun hai?' which basically meant 'You can't do a startup'," Goyal had recalled.

Today, Zomato has a market capitalisation of about $20 billion, with Blinkit contributing $13 billion to Zomato's value.

In the January-March quarter of FY24, Zomato registered a profit of Rs 175 crore -- from a loss of Rs 188 crore in the same period last year.

Zomato aims to reach 1,000 Blinkit stores by the end of FY25.
New Delhi, May 22 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday tore into the AAP over its multiple stances of double-standards in politics and said that a 'leadership with tainted credibility' is bound to fail as society will reject it, sooner or later.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Defence Minister Singh also hit out at the AAP's brass over 'punching and thrashing' of former DCW chief Swati Maliwal inside Arvind Kejriwal's official residence and also its cover-up attempt involving the CM's PA, Bibhav Kumar.

"The AAP has created a crisis of credibility. No other party in Indian politics has created such a trust deficit," he said in reply to questions of repeated denial of bail to former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and also the Supreme Court's stern observations in the liquor excise case.

Slamming the AAP Convenor over his doublespeak, the Defence Minister cited the example of the 2011 anti-corruption movement and said that even social activist Anna Hazare got trapped in their 'web of lies'.

"Anna Hazare didn't want the historic public demonstration to turn into a political formation and also vented his anger once over such attempts. At one instance, they concurred with his thoughts and then went on to float a political party," he said.

Defence Minister Singh further said that the AAP founders kept dabbling with dubious experiments and kept breaking the promises made to Delhiites.

"First, the AAP chief said that he won't avail any special treatment like other Chief Ministers and rather promised to live like a common man. He said he won't live in the CM's residence but went on to build a 'sheeshmahal' for himself," he said and added that they went on to enjoy all the privileges and perks of power, within a few years of entering politics.

Referring to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's assault inside the CM's office, he said that it was highly reprehensible and calls for exemplary action.

Taking strong exception to the AAP chief's alleged attempt to cover up his PA Bibhav Kumar's actions, he expressed shock on how the latter accompanied CM Kejriwal to Lucknow, just days after assaulting the woman MP.

He further said that just like a family can't run without basic tenets and family values, Loktantra can't run without "lok and laaj."

"A politician, whose credibility and probity has been questioned repeatedly can't have a long innings in politics. People will reject this person, this is my prediction," said Rajnath Singh in a terse message, aimed at the AAP supremo.
New Delhi, May 22 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday took potshots at the former Pakistan minister's admiration for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and said that the neighbouring country will soon find it difficult to suppress the anger and outrage in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), thereby making latter's way for assimilation into India.

Rajnath Singh, in an exclusive interaction with IANS, said that he found it funny and startling that Fawad Chaudhry, a known Pak politician, was saying that Rahul Gandhi was on fire.

"It was the same Fawad Chowdhary who said on record that Pakistan carried out terror strikes in Pulwama and Uri," said the Defence Minister.

"No one should worry out Rahul factor as people's mandate will settle the matter for once and all," he added.

Notably, Fawad Chaudhry, a minister in the Imran Khan regime, praised Rahul Gandhi in the midst of the 2024 elections over his wealth redistribution pitch (if the Congress party voted to power) and 'socialist approach' like his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru for bringing 'parity' in society. This drew angry and strong reactions from the BJP.

Speaking on the spate of protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Defence Minister said, "The PoK was part of India, is part of India and will remain its part forever," giving an outright message to Pakistan.

"People of this region will force the rulers of the country for its assimilation into India," he added.

He said that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new paradigm of growth under the NDA government and with businesses and growth projects flourishing in the region, it is attracting the attention of not just Pakistan but the whole world.

"Recently, Pakistan flags were taken down in some areas of PoK, this shows the simmering anger in the region. People of PoK are ours, one day they will themselves say that they should be merged with India," the Defence Minister pointed out.

He also issued a warning to the enemies of India conspiring to hurt the country's interests and also called upon the international community to crack down on the terror factories, operating from Pakistani soil.
Mumbai, May 22 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mumbai zonal office has arrested one more person in the Rs 263 crore Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) scam case, an official said on Wednesday, adding that the total number of arrested is now five.

The accused identified as Purshottam Chavan was arrested on Monday and was subsequently produced before the Special PMLA Court here.

Chavan has been sent to ED custody till May 27.

Earlier, four persons were arrested in this case -- Tanaji Mandal Adhikari, Rajesh Brijlal Batreja, Bhushan Patil and Rajesh Shetty.

The financial probe agency had initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI under various sections of IPC, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1986 against Tanaji Mandal Adhikari and others for fraudulently generating and issuance of TDS refunds from Income Tax Department to the tune of Rs 263.95 crore.

As per the probe agency, in this case, immovable/movable properties to the tune of Rs 168 crore have been identified and seized/attached so far.

A Prosecution Complaint has also been filed on September 11 against Adhikari and 10 others, cognizance of which has also been taken by the Special PMLA Court.
Bengaluru, May 22 : Karnataka Home Minister, Dr. G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that the central government was not being responsive to the state government's request to cancel the passport of fugitive JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is the prime accused in the sex video case.

Speaking to the media at his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, Home Minister Parameshwara stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written a letter seeking the cancellation of the passport of Prajwal Revanna.

He said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had also written a letter in this regard, however, there has been no reply from the Centre.

"The Centre should assist within the legal framework. There is no use if they indulge in criticism. It has been communicated to the Centre that a warrant is being issued against Prajwal Revanna. It becomes the duty of the central government to cancel the passport once the warrant is issued," he said.

When asked about an audio clip and the demand by former CM HD Kumaraswamy to sack Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Parameshwara said, "The SIT is taking action as per the provisions of the law. It seems Kumaraswamy is issuing directions to the SIT to investigate the matter."

Addressing questions being raised on the law and order system in the state, HM Parameshwara stated, "The statistics presented by me and the CM prove that law and order in the state is better now. There is data to show under which government the number of murders was high. Let the BJP answer these questions first."

Answering a question about the possibility of changing the state Congress President, Parameshwara clarified that there was no discussion in the party regarding the matter.

"This is a matter to be decided by the high command. If they want to change the state President, they will; otherwise, there will be no changes," he said.

HM Parameshwara added, "We vouched for reservation in the private sector. Lakhs of posts were filled without any issues. In this context, reservation is provided in outsourcing jobs as well. There should be no compromise on merit.

"Graduates from the Dalit community are emerging. If merit is maintained, the quality won't be affected."

The state government had recently announced reservations for outsourced government jobs.
New Delhi, May 22 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will succeed in its '400 paar' mission and said that the 'emerging trends' after five phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are an affirmation of this target.

Rajnath Singh, speaking exclusively to IANS, said that "400 paar hamara sankalp hai, poora karenge" (400 paar is our resolve, we will attain it).

"The trends after five phases of elections show that we are heading towards the majority mark. Whatever target we have kept, we will achieve that," he added.

Rajnath's fresh assertions on poll outcome, come on the back of recent statements by some election experts, doubting the BJP's ability to secure a historic mandate.

Recently, Home Minister Amit Shah also asserted that the BJP has crossed the halfway mark of 272 after the fifth phase and the next phases will only consolidate the margin of the party's majority.

Rajnath, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Lucknow, also refuted speculations of any community disappointed or angry with the leadership.

On questions of a wave of anger among Thakurs in Western UP, he said that political parties send feelers like this during election time to create confusion in voters' minds.

"Some say Brahmins are angry, some speak about disappointment among Kshtriyas, some talk about Thakurs and others. There is no such thing," he said.

Highlighting that justice and humanity form the core essence of BJP's ideology, he said that the BJP doesn't do politics of caste and religion, taking a swipe at Congress-led INDI Alliance's caste census and community-specific reservation pitch.
Amaravati, May 22 : With mock drills and flag marches, Andhra Pradesh Police are gearing up to maintain peace and law and order during and after the counting of votes.

With parts of the state witnessing several incidents of poll-related violence, authorities are not taking any chances for the counting of votes scheduled on June 4.

Police in Ongole town carried out mock drills to simulate potential scenarios. The exercise was aimed at preparing police personnel to handle any law-and-order situation.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M. K. Meena said on Wednesday that security arrangements have been strengthened for the counting of votes.

"Police pickets have been deployed. Drills and flag marches are being conducted. We are getting fully prepared," he said.

He mentioned that the Election Commission of India has already asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to retain the 25 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies in the state.

On a request by the state government, the poll panel has asked the Ministry to retain the companies for 15 days after counting to control any possible violence after declaration of results.

Simultaneous elections for the 175-member state Assembly and all 25 Lok Sabha seats were held on May 13.

Parts of the state witnessed violence on the polling day and also on subsequent two days.

Taking a serious note of the violence, the Election Commission summoned Chief Secretary K. S. Jawahar Reddy and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta on May 16 to personally explain reasons for the failure of the administration to contain post-poll violence.

Palnadu and Anantapur superintendents of police were suspended and Palnadu district Collector and the Tirupati SP were transferred. Twelve subordinate police officers in the three districts were also suspended.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also constituted to probe the incidents of violence in the three districts.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vineet Brij Lal, who headed the 13-member SIT, submitted a report to the DGP on Monday.

The SIT identified 33 incidents of violence took place in the three districts. A total of 1,370 people were cited as accused in the FIRs.

The police have so far arrested 124 accused and issued notices to 94 accused under section 41A of Criminal Procedure Code. The SIT exhorted the investigating officers to complete pending arrests at the earliest.
Amaravati, May 22 : Andhra Pradesh Police were on the lookout for YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy after the Election Commission of India ordered his immediate arrest for destroying an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during polling on May 13.

Police in Palnadu district booked a case against the Macherla MLA and launched a hunt for him after the Election Commission of India took serious note of the video surfaced on Tuesday and ordered strong and immediate action.

Ramakrishna Reddy, seeking re-election from Macherla as YSRCP candidate, walked into a polling booth and flung the EVM.

The Election Commission on Wednesday asked the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to submit a compliance report by 5 p.m.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M. K. Meena said the police raided the MLA's house but he was not found there. "Several teams are moving around to arrest the person," he said.

The incident happened at the Palvai Gate polling booth in Rentachintala mandal of Palnadu district on May 13 during the simultaneous polling for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

As the ECI took serious note of the incident and directed the Director General of Police to take strong action against those involved, the police booked a case against the MLA under 10 sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Representation of the People Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The police have invoked sections 143, 147, 448, 427, 353, 452 and 120B of IPC.

According to CEO Meena, these are strong sections under which the punishment may go up to seven years. He said a case was initially registered against unknown persons but after going through video footage the MLA has been named the main accused. A memo in the court concerned has also been filed.

Palnadu police have sent special teams to Hyderabad to arrest Ramakrishna Reddy. The District Superintendent of Police is heading the investigation into the case.

A police team reportedly found a few convoy vehicles of the MLA near Rudraram in the Sangareddy district of Telangana. His arrest was detained for questioning.

According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M. K. Meena, in the Macherla Assembly constituency EVMs were damaged in seven polling stations, including police station number 202 where this incident of damage of EVM by the sitting MLA Ramakrishna Reddy was recorded in the web camera.

The video footage of all such polling stations was provided to the police by the election authorities of Palnadu district to assist them in the investigation.

The ECI took a very serious view and directed the CEO to inform the DGP to take strict criminal action against all the persons involved in these incidents so that nobody in future dares to take any such action to interfere with the peaceful conduct of the poll.

The incident of MLA damaging the EVM was recorded on the web camera at the polling booth. It came to light after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) gathered footage from various polling stations as part of the investigation into poll-related violence.

The SIT, which probed incidents of violence in Palnadu, Tirupati and Anantapur districts, submitted its report to DGP Harish Kumar Gupta on Monday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vineet Brij Lal, who headed the 13-member SIT, identified 33 incidents of violence that took place in the three districts. A total of 22 cases in three Assembly segments of Palnadu district, seven cases in Tadipatri of Anantapur district and four cases in two Assembly segments of Tirupati district were registered.

As many as 1,370 people were cited as accused in the FIRs registered in connection with 33 incidents of violence. The police have so far arrested 124 accused and issued notices to 94 accused under section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The SIT exhorted the investigating officers to complete pending arrests at the earliest.

Chief Secretary (CS) K.S. Jawahar Reddy and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta appeared before the Election Commission on May 16 to personally explain the reasons for the failure of the administration to contain post-poll violence.

The Election Commission had approved the transfer of the Palnadu district Collector and the Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP), and suspension of Palnadu and Anantapur SPs, and 12 subordinate police officers in the three districts. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against these officers.

The poll panel directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to take stern action against those involved in the violence.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 : The Kerala government is getting ready to tweak its liquor policy as its coffers have run dry, like never before.

Kerala defines its liquor policy every year but this new fiscal, due to the Lok Sabha polls' model code of conduct, the policy for 2024-25 was not announced.

A meeting held over the past few days of top bureaucrats chaired by the chief secretary V. Venu, has come out with ways and means to increase the stateas revenues .

With taxes on liquor sales playing a major role in revenue generation, Venu and his team of officials have come up with new ideas to further boost the stateas revenues through liquor.

In the last fiscal the liquor taxes and levies generated a staggering Rs 16,609.63 crores, up from Rs 16,189.55 crores in 2022-23.

Among the suggestions is to lift the dry days in the state.

At present the first day of every calendar month is a dry day, when liquor is not sold at retail shops nor at bar hotels in Kerala.

The dry day concept was introduced by the then A K Antony government in 2003 as a way to reduce liquor consumption.

However, Venu and his team found out that due to this Kerala, which was a hot destination for MICE (meetings, industries, conferences and exhibitions) has lost badly.

The meeting has estimated that if the dry day is lifted, the state could generate an additional Rs 15,000 crores as there would be an all round increase in revenue from tourism and MICE activities.

Another recommendation that might be included in the new policy is to increase production of low priced liquor, production of wine from fruits, besides increasing overall production of liquor in the state as 80 per cent of the liquor sold in Kerala arrives from other states.

The sale of liquor and beer in Kerala during the 2023-24 financial year has touched Rs 19,088.68 crores, up from Rs 18,510.98 crores in 2022-23.

Liquor is sold through 277 retail outlets owned by the Corporation, while the state backed cooperative organization Consumerfed also has 39 retail outlets.

The profile of liquor consumers in Kerala reveals that around 32.9 lakh people out of the 3.34 crore population in the state consume liquor, which includes 29.8 lakh men and 3.1 lakh women.

Around five lakh people consume liquor on a daily basis. Of this, around 83,851 people including 1043 women are addicted to alcohol.

Venu is expected to now present the outcome of his meetings to Excise Minister M.P. Rajesh who will present the report before the weekly cabinet meeting , which is the final authority for clearing the new liquor policy.
Kolkata, May 22 : The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by Glocal Healthcare Systems and its shareholders, including former SEBI Chairman M. Damodaran, seeking to submit affidavits of assets in 'sealed cover' in a case filed against them by UpHealth Holdings Inc of the US.

The order passed recently by the single-judge bench of Justice Ravi Krishan Kapur dismissed Glocal Healthcare Systems' pleas seeking confidentiality, ruling that the required information must not be submitted in a sealed envelope. Instead, the court granted UpHealth's counsel immediate access to review the affidavits in the court.

Justice Kapur also directed Glocal Healthcare and its shareholders to file the affidavits related to their detailed list of assets, liabilities, and litigations filed against them before the court within the next two weeks.

To recall, UpHealth Holdings Inc received a Rs 291 crore interim arbitral award in Chicago recently. After that, the US-based entity approached the Calcutta High Court under Section 9 of India's Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996. Under this Section, interim protection to the applicant is granted after the declaration of the arbitral award that can be enforced under Section 36 of the same act.

"At the outset, the procedure of filing information in sealed covers is contrary to the basic process of justice. It is elementary that in an adversarial proceeding, the opposite party must be allowed to see anything that the court can see. The concept of sealed covers also makes serious inroads into the principle of natural justice and fairness," the order by Justice Kapur read.

According to the order, if the respondent was in the dark about the financial affairs of the petitioner prior to the filing of the application under Section 9 of the Act, it is now sought to be kept in anxiety and suspense if the filing of sealed covers is permitted.

"There is no element of public interest nor national security involved in these proceedings. The parties are commercial men. The disputes raised between the parties are purely contractual. The underlying interests of both parties are pure and simple money. In such commercial matters, there is no place for confidentiality or privacy, nor sealed covers. Such matters count for little in these cold commercial courts," the order read.
New Delhi, May 22 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea challenging a trial court's decision to transfer proceedings in the Bhushan Steel money laundering case.

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on the Enforcement Directorateas (ED) plea challenging a trial court's decision to transfer proceedings in the Bhushan Steel money laundering case.

The transfer order came after allegations from an accused, Ajay S. Mittal, claiming the judge made prejudicial comments about granting bail in ED cases.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, presiding over the case, noted the difficulty of the decision, expressing concern about the implications of such transfer orders for the judiciary.

She noted the potential impact on judges when cases are reassigned based on unverified allegations. Mittal's plea for transfer stemmed from an incident where his wife allegedly overheard the judge remark, "ED matters mein kaun si bail hoti hai?" ("In ED matters, who gets bail?"), during a court session.

This comment was reportedly made after the court staff asked a question, and Mittal argued that this indicated bias against granting bail in ED cases.

Special counsel Zoheb Hossain, representing the ED, contended that the trial court's decision to transfer the case was based solely on the unverified claim of the accusedas wife.

Hossain argued that neither the defence counsel heard the comment nor was an affidavit submitted to substantiate the claim. He said that this scenario represented forum shopping, where parties manipulate judicial proceedings to achieve favourable outcomes.

Hossain emphasised that such allegations, if accepted without thorough verification, could undermine the criminal justice system. He pointed out that the accusedas wife had been granted bail by the same court handling ED cases, which should negate claims of bias.

Justice Sharma noted the broader implications of the case, sharing her concerns about the effect of social media and public perceptions on judicial independence. She remarked on the personal challenges judges face when their decisions are scrutinised and criticised, often based on unverified information.

Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing the accused, maintained that the transfer order was merely administrative. However, Hossain countered that the order's implications extended beyond administrative logistics, impacting judicial fairness and integrity.

The trial court had initially granted the transfer based on the accused's claim that he could not expect an impartial hearing, taking into account the judgeas alleged comments. The court deemed it necessary to consider the accusedas perception of bias to ensure a fair trial.

As the high court reserved its judgment, Justice Sharma stressed the complexity and sensitivity of the case, indicating that the forthcoming decision would be challenging and significant for her.
Mumbai, May 22 : Actress Shreya Jain, who essays the role of Meher in the romance drama 'Udaariyaan' has opened up on shooting for the show in Chandigarh, sharing how the "khet" makes it an enjoyable place to shoot.

Divulging the details of her role, Shreya said: "I'm playing the role of Meher. She is a beautiful, confident, and fashionable business woman. She is a boss lady, independent, and straightforward."

"We are shooting in Chandigarh and it's an amazing city with wide, clean roads and a refreshing environment. Itas culturally rich with the vibrancy of Punjab, and the most beautiful thing here is the fields (khet), making it an enjoyable place to shoot," she shared.

Shreya said that the show has a lot in store post the leap. 'Udaariyaan' has taken a 15-year leap with a fresh flock of characters. The promo offers a glimpse into the lives of Sarab, Haniya, and Meher, portrayed by Avinesh Rekhi, Aditi Bhagat, and Shreya respectively.

"I have taken this show because itas exciting to explore new storylines and challenges, showcasing my versatility as an actor and bringing depth to the role. A leap in a storyline can be risky, but it can also make the story more exciting and keep the audience engaged and interested. It gives a chance for new twists and character growth," she said.

Shreya further said that she is not nervous about joining the show mid-way.

She added: "Joining an existing show is challenging, but I see it as a great opportunity. It pushes me to bring my best performance. The support from the cast and crew also makes the transition smoother and more enjoyable."

'Udaariyaan' airs on Colors.
Shrawasti : , May 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the INDIA bloc is afflicted with diseases like communalism, casteism and nepotism that are "worse than cancer" and can destroy the nation.

"The INDI Alliance has diseases worse than cancer. They can destroy the whole of India if they spread. These three diseases -- of being extremely communal, extremely racist and extremely nepotistic -- can be more destructive for the country than cancer," said PM Modi while addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti.

Seeing the massive gathering, the Prime Minister said that the love and enthusiasm of people "clearly shows" that the INDI Alliance of SP-Congress has "completely collapsed" and the entire country is chanting 'phir ek baar, Modi sarkar'.

"The BJP does not want the old Uttar Pradesh to be back and this is my guarantee that I will not allow it," he said.

Continuing further, he said that the Congress party wanted to give reservation rights to Muslims by taking away the benefits from SC/ST and OBCs but he would never allow it.

"My guarantee is that I will remain a 'chowkidar' for the weaker sections and their rights. I will not allow any tampering with the reservation issue," he added.

The Prime Minister said that a top Congress leader who 'worked like a commando for the Shehzada' used to call him an 'incumbent Prime Minister' but after the fifth phase, he too has stopped ridiculing him.

"I just saw some videos in which people can be seen climbing onto the dais. When I asked, I was told that these people had been brought for the INDIA rally on payment but the money had not been given to them. How can you trust such people and can they do any good for you?" he asked.

The Prime Minister further said that the 2024 elections would decide the future of the country.

"Those who did nothing for the country in past decades, have now joined hands to stop me. 'Do ladkon ki jodi' is back with the same old dialogues and have nothing new to say. How can they take the country forward when they do not have a vision for development. All they say is that they will reverse the work done by me -- so they will take back your pucca houses, your power and water connections. Will you allow Congress-SP to do this?" he asked.

He said that INDIA members wanted to withdraw CAA, reimpose Article 370 but their agenda was unacceptable.

"Their leaders have wads of currency so will they save such corrupt people In the SP regime? There was a rate card for posting, giving jobs and laying roads on paper. They attack me because I expose them. The Yogi government has spelt disaster for criminals who now carry placards, begging to be jailed," PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister appealed to people to vote for BJP candidate Saket Mishra on May 25 and strengthen the party's position.
Kolkata, May 22 : The only thing that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee knows is to change the names of different Central projects and take credit for them, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.

Addressing an election meeting in Purulia in support of BJP Lok Sabha candidate and sitting MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, Amit Shah said, "Be it Central projects, or housing, water supply or any other developmental schemes, their names are changed by the West Bengal government so that the Chief Minister can take credit of them."

Launching a scathing attack against the opposition INDIA bloc, the Home Minister said, "The INDIA Alliance neither has any leadership face, nor any specific agenda. Can they give fitting replies to Pakistan? Can they keep infiltration and terrorism under control? Only one person can do that. And that person is none other than our Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Referring to the police raids on Tuesday night at the rented accommodation of the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, in Kolaghat, Amit Shah said crores of rupees were recovered from the residence of a Trinamool leader during raids by central agency officials, while not even 25 paise were recovered from Adhikari's residence.

He also said that the more the state government and the Chief Minister harass Adhikari, the more he will bloom as a BJP leader.
Mumbai, May 22 : Actor Sharad Kelkar said that he dubs well but that doesn't mean he will do a certain type of role that requires a good voice. He feels fortunate and added that in the last two years, a lot of people have shown trust in him.

Sharad, who has lent his voice for 'Baahubali: Crown Of Blood', said: "I dub well but that doesn't mean that I'll do a certain type of role that requires a good voice. I am an actor first, I can perform and when it comes to my voice I can take it to any dimension."

"But, fortunately, in the last two years, a lot of people have shown trust in me. I try to do different kinds of roles so that I am not stuck being typecast. I am waiting for the good times, the best to come."

Talking about Baahubali, he credited S. S. Rajamouli, who made him the voice of 'Baahubali'.

"He chose me for that and gave me the liberty to dub as I perceived the character. During the first part, he used to come in the evening and check all the dubs. While dubbing for the second part he didn't come, he trusted us with it completely, he'd say, 'guys, do your job'."
Kochi, May 22 : A day after the huge destruction of fish wealth in the Periyar River near here was spotted, hundreds of people and those engaged in aquaculture farming staged a protest at the Pollution Control Board office at Eloor on Wednesday.

The death of the fish is estimated to be in crores.

"For long we have been demanding action from the Pollution Control Board to prevent the discharge of effluents by factories located in the area. All our pleas have fallen on deaf ears and those engaged in fish farming have suffered losses running into lakhs. We demand our losses be compensated," said the protesters.

The protests turned violent with the police guarding the Board office being roughed up by the protesters.

To vent their anger, the protesters came with quantities of dead fish and threw them into the compound of the Pollution Board office.

In this area, fish farmers are engaged in cage farming and they are the ones who have suffered huge losses after toxins entered the cages resulting in the death of the fish which included pearl spot, tilapia and Asian sea bass among others.

Industries Minister P. Rajeev on Wednesday said the state government has asked for a detailed report from the authorities.

Meanwhile, the blame game among the various departments of the state government has started with each blaming the other.
Tehran, May 22 : Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon to attend the official ceremony to pay condolences on the demise of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials who passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19.

The Vice President was received by the Iranian authorities on his arrival in Tehran today as several heads of state, ministers and special envoys continued to arrive in Tehran for the funeral ceremony.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have also conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran.

On Tuesday, as India observed a day of national mourning, Jaishankar visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to convey condolences on the tragic loss.

"They will always be remembered as friends of India who contributed immensely to the growth of the India-Iran relationship. The Government of India stands in solidarity with the people of Iran at this very difficult time," he said in a post on X after visiting the embassy.
Beijing, May 22 : Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who had been serving a four-year sentence for reporting on the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in locked-down Wuhan, has been released from prison, according to supporters.

The former lawyer had been sentenced to four years in prison for critical reports on the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. She had posted videos, livestreams and essays about what she saw there.

On Tuesday night, supporters published a video of the journalist and former lawyer on the social media platform X, in which she said the police took her to her brother's flat in Shanghai.

The organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also posted the video, in which Zhang says she was released on May 13 and sent to her brother's home.

"Although Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan was able to share a video today confirming her release from prison after four years, we're worried about her situation under strict surveillance," RSF said in the post.

"Our call for her full and unconditional release remains urgent."

According to press reports, after her arrest in May 2020, Zhang went on a hunger strike, causing her to be force-fed at times. Her weight reportedly dropped to 40 kilograms.

RSF and human rights activists from Amnesty International repeatedly called for her release and international pressure on the Chinese government.

After the then-unknown virus spread across Wuhan at the end of 2019, a lockdown was imposed on the metropolis of 11 million people at the end of January 2020.

Officially, China has reported only about 1,20,000 deaths caused by the virus to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, various international estimates estimate the death toll in China at around 1 million.

--IANS/DPA

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New Delhi, May 22 : The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), a think tank representing homegrown digital startups, on Wednesday welcomed the government's move to introduce an ex-ante regulatory framework through the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024 to curb the Big Tech monopoly.

This legislation, said the ADIF, marks a paradigm shift in the countryas approach to tackling the "unbridled dominance of Big Tech gatekeepers" while fostering an equitable digital economy where startups and innovation can thrive.

"Big Tech gatekeepers have repeatedly demonstrated an uncanny ability to undermine conventional antitrust enforcement through a barrage of litigations and tweaking policies to circumvent the spirit of the law," said Prateek Jain, Associate Director, ADIF.

This has severely undermined competition in digital markets globally, adversely impacting consumer interests and stifling innovation. Existing competition laws have proved woefully inadequate to deal with the winner-take-all dynamics where network effects and data asymmetries enable these gatekeepers to cement monopolistic practices.

ADIF has proposed a roadmap with recommendations like learning from the European Union's experience with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

"To ensure effective regulation keeping pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape, ADIF recommends constituting a dedicated unit with multi-disciplinary technical expertise within the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to oversee implementation and compliance of the new framework," the ADIF, which represents over 500 homegrown digital startups united by the vision of establishing India as the world's preeminent startup hub, said.

Meanwhile, the ADIF and IIT Guwahati Technology Incubation Centre on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote entrepreneurship and provide support to technology startups.
New Delhi, May 22 : In a move to enhance communication and efficiency in the organ transplantation process, the Delhi High Court has ordered that donors and recipients must be informed of any deficiencies in their documentation via WhatsApp or email.

This decision aims to streamline the notification process and ensure timely communication.

Justice Prathiba M Singh stressed the importance of having proof of communication in such sensitive matters.

"Whenever communication needs to be given to either the donor or the recipient regarding deficiencies in documentation or any procedural formalities, a communication shall be sent by email or to the mobile number via WhatsApp to the said donor or the recipient or any of their close relatives," stated Justice Singh.

The court's directive came while hearing a plea from a kidney patient in 2020, who had faced delays and indecision from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital regarding his kidney transplant.

Unfortunately, the patient passed away in March-April 2021, highlighting the critical need for timely action in such cases.

Earlier this year, the court reviewed the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, and underscored the necessity for fixed timelines to handle transplantation applications efficiently.

The court noted that these specific timelines are now established for the Authorisation Committee's procedures.

"With this modification, let the timelines as contained in communication dated May 3, 2024 be implemented by all the Authorisation Committees, which function under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994," the court ordered.

The court also mandated that these timelines and the latest order be widely publicised to ensure compliance from hospitals and government authorities.

In its judgment dated January 4, the court had observed that maintaining a time-bound approach is essential for the integrity and effectiveness of organ transplantation protocols.

This approach aligns with the right to health under Article 21 of the Constitution, reinforcing the need for prompt and systematic handling of transplantation cases.
New Delhi, May 22 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday shed light on the Modi government's emphasis and focus on attaining 'atmanirbharta' in the defence sector and revealed how a marked shift in focus, as compared to previous regimes, resulted in big achievements.

Rajnath Singh in an exclusive interview with IANS said, "In 2014, the country's defence exports stood at around Rs 600-800 crore, today it has gone beyond Rs 31,000 crore. And, in the next five years, we hope to take it beyond Rs 50,000 crore."

He further said that the Defence sector forms an important constituent of the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission and making India, one of the biggest defence suppliers in the world ranks is high on the government's priority.

He also blamed the previous dispensations for 'laggardness' in the defence sector and said that prior to 2014, the country remained dependent only on foreign countries for its pool of arsenals and never made an effort to develop indigenous weapons.

"It was on the back of firm resolve of Modi government that India is fast achieving self-reliance in the defence sector and also emerging as a global superpower," he pointed out.

The Defence Minister, further laying out the Modi government's vision, said that India should position itself as a leading defence exporter in next few years and should also look forward to occupy the 'numero uno' spot.

He also underscored the need for India's emergence as 'Vishwashakti' in a world marred by military face-offs and armed conflicts.

"India should be a Vishwashakti, not just for global hegemony, not for annexing any country's territory but for protecting the interest of all," Rajnath Singh told IANS.

The Defence Minister further asserted that India's enemies will be punished, not just within its borders but also on the other side of the frontiers.

"If Pakistan can't dismantle terror factories on its soil, it should take our help. Our forces will raze it for once and all," he said, sending out a strong message.
Mumbai, May 22 : The Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday approved the transfer of Rs 2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central government for the accounting year 2023-24.

This is the highest-ever dividend that the RBI has transferred to the Government and will strengthen its fiscal position. The government can reduce its borrowing which will leave more funds in the banking sector for loans to corporates and consumers to spur economic growth.

The amount is higher than the government expected as the interim budget documents for the ongoing financial year show a dividend of Rs 1.02 lakh crore from the RBI, public sector banks and other financial institutions.

Interestingly, the RBI has made the higher amount available to the government after increasing the risk provisioning under the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) to 6.5 per cent for FY 2023-24.

"With the revival in economic growth in FY 2022-23, the CRB was increased to 6.00 per cent. As the economy remains robust and resilient, the Board has decided to increase the CRB to 6.50 per cent for FY 2023-24," the RBI said in a statement after the meeting of the Board of Directors headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das.

During accounting years 2018-19 to 2021-22, owing to the prevailing macroeconomic conditions and the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board had decided to maintain the CRB at 5.50 per cent of the Reserve Bank's balance sheet size to support growth and overall economic activity at the time of the crisis.

According to the RBI statement, the transferable surplus for the year (2023-24) has been arrived at on the basis of the Economic Capital Framework (ECF) adopted by the Reserve Bank on August 26, 2019, as per recommendations of the Expert Committee to Review the extant Economic Capital Framework of the Reserve Bank of India (Chairman: Dr. Bimal Jalan).

The Committee had recommended that the risk provisioning under the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) be maintained within a range of 6.5 to 5.5 per cent of the RBI's balance sheet.

The Board also reviewed the global and domestic economic scenario, including risks to the outlook. It also discussed the working of the central bank during the year April 2023March 2024 and approved its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year 2023-24.
Mumbai, May 22 : Driven by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the 5G subscriptions base in India has crossed 130 million and is expected to reach 860 million by 2029, a report showed on Wednesday.

The subscriber base of 1.084 billion makes the Indian telecom industry the second largest in the world.

"The PLI scheme is the key catalyst in the rapid growth of Indiaas telecom equipment manufacturing sector," according to the report by Prabhudas Lilladher.

A PLI scheme worth Rs 12,195 crore has been initiated for the manufacturing of telecom and networking products. In addition, incentives worth more than Rs 4,000 crore have been earmarked for the design-led manufacturing scheme of the existing PLI Scheme.

Telecom equipment manufacturing exports are likely to exceed Rs 10,500 crore in the financial year 2025.

"PLI schemes have played a crucial role in creating over 19,500 direct jobs," said the report.

The report also found that the average revenue per user (ARPU) of Rs 208 is set to go up to Rs 286 by the end of FY27 thanks to sustained growth in data consumption, tariffs, and premiumisation of existing data users to high-value packs.

India now has an overall teledensity of 85.64 per cent of which, the teledensity of the rural market, which is largely untapped, stands at 58.92 per cent (44 per cent in 2014) while the teledensity of the urban market is 134.13 per cent, it added.
New Delhi, May 22 : In a video shared by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on X on Wednesday, B2B commerce firm OfBusiness Co-founder and CBO Nitin Jain said that with a conducive ecosystem and effective policies of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "we could create two Unicorns in just nine years".

Speaking at the aVishesh Sampark Abhiyana, Jain said, "We returned to India from the UK in 2014 because PM Modi was coming to power and it was a compelling chance to build something in India."

He added that what this government has set up is a large space to play and perform.

"Every SME, every contractor, and every small business is benefiting from the Digital India programme," he said.

Responding to Jain, PM Modi said in a post on X: "Your decision to return to India has truly paid off, Nitin."

The Prime Minister also mentioned that due to the reforms of the last decade, a lot of people have been encouraged to innovate here.

"I have always invited the world to invest in India," PM Modi said.

Meanwhile, Chandrasekhar said that after a robust decade of innovation and digital growth, the next 10 years will see India on the global map for emerging technologies, be it artificial intelligence (AI) or high-performance computing.

The areas of focus for PM Modi's government for the next decade are electronics and microelectronics manufacturing, AI, telecom, high-performance computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity, automotive, and EVs.
Chandigarh, May 22 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said "If the Opposition's INDIA bloc comes to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, it will dispose of the Agniveer scheme into the dustbin".

Chandigarh, May 22 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said "If the Opposition's INDIA bloc comes to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, it will dispose of the Agniveer scheme into the dustbin".

Addressing a public meeting in Haryana's Mahendragarh, Rahul Gandhi said, "PM Narendra Modi has made the jawans of India like labourers...The Army doesn't want the Agniveer scheme. It's a scheme made by PMO. Once Congress comes to power, we will discard the scheme entirely."

In his first election meeting in the state, he said, "They (the BJP) say there will be two types of martyrs -- one normal jawan and officer, who will get a pension, martyr status, all facilities and on the other hand, a person from a poor family who has been named Agniveer. Agniveers will neither get martyr status, no pension, no canteen facility."

Wooing the youth, he said, "The youth of Haryana feels proud to be selected for the Army."

Taking the cause of protesting farmers, he said, "The farmers of Haryana work in the fields of the country; the Modi government snatched away your rights and abolished the Land Tribunal Bill to help the billionaires; then three (farm) laws came, but the government had to step back."

The Congress leader accused PM Modi of waiving off the loan of Rs 16 lakh crore of a few capitalists. "If Narendra Modi can waive off the loan of Rs 16 lakh crore of a few capitalists of the country, then the Congress will waive off the farmers' loans. The amount of money that Narendra Modi gave to the billionaires, we will give that much money to the farmers, labourers and the poor of the country."

Without mincing words, he said, "Modi-ji has said that waiving off farmers' loans will ruin the habits of farmers. Does loan waiver only ruin the habits of farmers? Not those of billionaires? If waiving off farmers' loans and improving their lives is 'breaking a habit', then we will do this not just once but repeatedly."

"On June 4, when we come to power, we will waive farmers' debt," Gandhi added.

Saying PM Modi has lost his reputation, he said, "The image and reputation that PM Modi had is no longer there."

Responding to the PM calling him a "shehzaada" (prince), Rahul Gandhi said, "I am not a king, PM Modi is. I never want to be one. I am your son, brother but not the king."

Ten Lok Sabha seats in the state are going to polls on May 25.
New Delhi, May 22 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted permission to former BharatPe Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover to travel to the US - but not together.

Justice Subramonium Prasad allowed Ashneer Grover to travel from May 26 to June 12, while Madhuri Jain Grover is permitted to travel from June 15, after he returns.

This staggered travel arrangement ensures that one spouse remains in the country while the other is abroad.

The court has directed the Delhi Police's counsel to propose conditions to be imposed on the Grovers to ensure their return to India.

The Grovers had moved the plea challenging the lookout circulars (LOC) issued against them. These LOCs were part of an investigation by the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing, related to allegations of financial misconduct.

In June last year, a bench of the Delhi High Court had issued notice on the Grovers' plea to quash the FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing. However, the court had declined to stay the investigation, allowing the probe to continue.
New Delhi, May 22 : Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal on Wednesday said the ride-hailing platform's entire workload has now been shifted from Microsoft Azure cloud service to his own Cloud 'Krutrim'.

This comes after Aggarwal had a frustrating experience with the Microsoft-owned professional network LinkedIn.

"Done. As committed, Azure spend is now 0. All workloads on @Krutrim cloud. Within a week," Aggarwal wrote on X.

Earlier this month, LinkedIn deleted his posts without notifying him. Then, in a blogpost, the founder said, "Since LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft and Ola is a big customer of Azure, we've decided to move our entire workload out of Azure to our own Krutrim cloud within the next week".

He had criticised LinkedIn, saying their AI tool was imposing a political ideology on Indian users which is "unsafe and sinister".

Aggarwal, in his post, also mentioned that he will help other developers exit and move to "our own Indian stack".

"More than 2,500 devs have signed up!! Will be working with everyone to get onto our cloud services over the coming weeks," he wrote.

The saga began when Ola founder took to X to share his thoughts on gender pronouns, with a post on "pronoun illness". In the response, the LinkedIn bot used "they" and "their" to address Aggarwal.

He said in his post that regarding gender inclusivity, "We don't need lectures from western companies on how to be inclusive".
Mumbai, May 22 : Sister of actor actor Tiger Shroff, Krishna Shroff, who is a contestant in the 14th season of 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' (KKK) revealed five essential items that she has taken with her to Romania for the shoot of the stunt-based reality show.

Daughter of Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, Krishna, who is a fitness freak and owns an MMA Matrix fitness centre, said: "The five essential items I brought with me to Romania-- the first is my phone to stay connected. Secondly, I think the most important thing is comfortable shoes so that I can perform stunts with ease."

"Number three is my skincare because I heard all contestants only have 20 minutes on the makeup chair and that's definitely not enough for me, so Iall make sure that my skin is on point. Fourth is my melatonin gummy bears so that I get a good night's rest and I'm ready to go for a long day of shoots every single day. And number five is my headphones so that I can listen to some good music," she said.

Talking about the stunts, Krishna shared: "I'm definitely dreading the shock stunts because no matter how tough you are or how much you prepare, that's going to frighten everybody. I'm most excited about jumping from one truck to another specifically and also, I think anything to do with hanging off of a helicopter above the ocean and then jumping into the water."

On what kind of stunt does she thinks host-filmmaker Rohit Shetty would curate specifically for her, Krishna added: "I feel like he's probably going to give me something more badass like the things that I'm into doing which is helicopter stuff or stunts related to trucks or something that is more action-based."

The new season is themed on 'Darr ki nayi kahaaniyaan' in Romania.

The participants are Shilpa Shinde, Abhishek Kumar, Samarth Jurel, Gashmeer Mahajani, Asim Riaz, Shalin Bhanot, Karan Veer Mehra, Aashish Mehrotra, Aditi Sharma, Sumona Chakravarti, Niyati Fatnani, and Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia as the participants.

'Khatron Ke Khiladi 14' will air soon on Colors.
New Delhi, May 22 : With five phases of Lok Sabha elections 2024 over, the fate of umpteen candidates has been sealed in more than 400 constituencies, so far. However, there is no let-up in canvassing as parties are fighting it out with aggressive and forceful campaigns.

Amid the high-decibel campaign by parties, a group of women in Prayagraj are grabbing the eyeballs with their bhajan-kirtan sabha, in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The bhajan-kirtan by womenfolk in Prayagraj coincided with PM Modi's election rally on Tuesday, attended by lakhs of people.

The women supporters paid obeisance at the local Shambhu Nath temple and prayed for the 'thumping' victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for a record third term.

Most of the women participants lauded women's welfare schemes under PM Modi-led government and also the latter's endeavour towards women empowerment.

"None of the governments took concrete steps towards women welfare. Modi government has not only unshackled us but has facilitated our growth," said one of the devotees while explaining why people should make 'Abki baar 400 paar' a reality.

Prayagraj, one of the key constituencies of Uttar Pradesh is headed to polls in the sixth phase on May 25. Such prayers for Modi government 3.0 in Prayagraj are not a one-off incident.

Women supporters in Varanasi, PM Modi's LS constituency recently organised a 'ganga aarti' to pray and wish for his third term.

A group of people sporting 'Har Dil Mein Modi' slogans can also be seen moving across the city, exhorting others to cast their vote.
Jaipur, May 22 : The desert state of Rajasthan, famous for its palaces and forts, which used to witness tourist rush, especially in winter, is a year-round destination as now, travellers visit the state during monsoon season too to soak themselves in the beauty of Banswara, Bundi, Mount Abu, Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh.

Tourism Department Deputy Director Dalip Singh Rathore said, "Rajasthan has now become a year-round tourist state. Those exploring the state during monsoon will change their perception of Rajasthan being a desert state."

"One of the top monsoon destinations in the state is Banswara, which is known as 'Cherrapunji' of Rajasthan and the city of Hundred Islands," he said.

Banswara houses a 'Kalpavriksha' (tree of heaven), which is considered to be one of the 14 gems that surfaced when the ocean was churned by Gods and demons.

"There is a religious belief that this tree fulfills the wishes of the people. It is considered a popular pilgrimage site of Banswara and remains a centre of attraction for devotees," the Tourism Department officials added.

Must-visit places in Banswara are Anand Sagar Lake, Abdullah Peer Dargah, Mahi Dam, Tripura Sundari Temple and Andeshwar Parshvanathji, a famous Jain temple situated on a small hill in Kushalgarh tehsil with rare inscriptions from the 10th century, they said.

Highlighting other monsoon destinations of the state, the tourism officials said Bundi is famous for its architecture, paintings and ancient monuments.

Bundi is a fine blend of a distinctive style of painting with elements of Mughal, Deccan and Mewar styles of art. Bundi Palace, Chaurasi Khambho Ki Chhatri, Rani-ji-ki-Baori and Moti Mahal attract tourists here, Chitrashala, also known as Umaid Mahal, is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Bundi, they said.

The officials said Mount Abu is yet another monsoon destination that is known for its steep cliffs, tranquil lakes, picturesque environment and excellent weather.

Dilwara Jain Temple, Nakki Lake, Sun Set Point take you to a pristine world here which turns all the more beautiful during monsoons, they said.

Udaipur City, situated 265 km from Ahmedabad and 180 km from Mount Abu, also called the city of lakes, turns immensely beautiful during the monsoon. After Jaipur, Udaipur records the highest number of foreign tourists.

City Palace, an excellent example of architecture, was built by Maharana Udai Singh on the banks of Pichola Lake. This palace has also been the residence of the royal family for 23 generations.

Kumbhalgarh is yet another monsoon destination which has the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2013.

"In 2023, the state recorded 328.52 per cent increase in the number of foreign tourists' footfall, compared to 2022. The number of domestic tourists to the state increased by 65.29 per cent," Rathore said.
Jaipur, May 22 : The ongoing dispute in the erstwhile royal family of Bharatpur took a political turn on Wednesday when former minister Vishvendra Singh's wife and son accused former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of instigating the discord.

Vishvendra Singh's wife Divya Singh and son Anirudh Singh called a press conference on Wednesday in Bharatpur in which the duo accused ex-CM Gehlot of adding fuel to the fire for the last two-and-a-half years.

She added, "We received threatening calls on our phones. Our staff was also being threatened."

The couple's son and former MP Anirudh Singh, alleged that their phone calls were being recorded and the guards who were deputed to ensure security of their heritage property Moti Mahal were removed.

"An attempt was made to harass our people. If our people posted anything on social media, forces were sent to our people. Gehlot Sahib is responsible for all these things," he said.

On the question of intervention by a panchayat on Tuesday, Anirudh Singh said, "The case is going on in the SDM's court. We have faith in the bureaucracy, the SDM's court and the judicial system."

Speaking on the issue, Divya Singh said, "We do not need to connect to any panchayat."

On Tuesday, a Panchayat meeting was held in the district regarding the dispute of the former royal family, in which people belonging to different sections of society participated.

It needs to be mentioned here that Vishvendra Singh has sought maintenance from his wife and son and alleged that they beat him, starve him and do not allow him to meet people.

There is an ongoing property dispute over Moti Mahal in the family as his wife does not want him to sell the heritage property.

Vishvendra was earlier a Sachin Pilot loyalist who changed his stand and joined the Gehlot camp.

He was with Pilot during the rebellion against the party and went to Manesar.

However, his wife and son continue to be Pilot's supporters and differences started appearing in the family after Vishvendra joined the Gehlot camp.
With secret visit to Israel, is Pakistan set to betray the Muslim Ummah?. Image Source: IANS News

Islamabad, May 22 : The Pakistan government has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate and ascertain why its students were attacked and assaulted in the mob attack in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek on the night of May 17.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who travelled to Bishkek on Tuesday to address concerns of the Pakistani students there, said that till date, over 4000 students have been brought back from Kyrgyzstan.

Addressing the media after his return, Dar said that there are about 10,000 Pakistani students enrolled in different universities in Kyrgyzstan, about 6000 of them in the capital Bishkek alone where the incident of mob attack occurred.

"Additional secretary administration of the foreign ministry, Muhammad Saleem, will head a fact-finding committee to look into the incident, including the reason for such developments and subsequent reaction of the Pakistani mission and the government," said Dar.

"The committee will coordinate with the Kyrgyz authorities and review all the findings and developments in Bishkek and submit its report within two weeks," he added.

Of the 4,036 students who have already returned to Pakistan, 3,233 students took commercial flights while 513 availed the special flight facility arranged by the federal government. The special flight arranged by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government also brought back 290 students.

The mass repatriation of Pakistani students began after the security situation went out of control in Bishkek last Friday following a viral video of a recent brawl that took place between the locals and Egyptian students.

The attack caused serious injuries to many international students mostly from Pakistan. This prompted thousands of Pakistani students to confine themselves in their hostel rooms for several hours.

Pakistan has also called on the Kyrgyz government to ensure that the culprits behind the attacks are arrested and brought to justice.

"My counterpart (Deputy PM, Kyrgyzstan) told me that the Kyrgyz President has publicly announced that action would be taken against those involved in the mob violence," said Dar.
Assams Hindi feature film 'Kooki' to be screened at Cannes ahead of official release. Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, May 22 : Before its official nationwide release on June 28, 'Kooki', a Hindi feature film made in Assam, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.

The screening the film directed by Pranab J. Deka took place at the Palais H auditorium at 11.30 pm local time on Tuesday. Film enthusiasts and distributors from various countries were present at the screening, who showered praise on the movie.

Producer Junmoni Devi Khaund and actress Ritisha Khaund attended the screening and engaged in discussions with the audience.

Junmoni Khaund said that France, Morocco, and several other countries have expressed interest in releasing 'Kooki' in their respective nations.

Actress Ritisha Khaund said, "I am thankful to the almighty that 'Kooki' is receiving so much love, not only in my state and the country, but also by the global audience. I must thank my director Pranab J Deka, all the actors, and the entire team who guided me in the process and made things easier for me."

The film narrates the journey of a rape victim and the multiple stages and mental trauma she goes through.

'Kooki' is set to release on June 28 across 100 cinema halls in India.
Kochi, May 22 : A leopard, trapped in a wire mesh near a farm in Kerala's Palakkad district on Wednesday, died soon after wildlife officials freed it and put it in a cage, officials said.

The incident occurred at a farm at Vazhapuzha near Kollengode in Palakkad.

The farm owner spotted the trapped leopard in the morning and informed the local forest officials.

By then, a good number of local people had arrived to see the leopard which was struggling to free itself.

By noon, the authorities decided to tranquilise the leopard. A veterinarian fired a dart and after a few minutes, the leopard became immobile. Soon the forest and police officials managed to put it in a cage but soon after that, it died.

A post-mortem examination of the wild cat will be conducted on Thursday, and authorities said that the immediate cause of death was probably due to internal bleeding. Of late, the number of cases of man-animal conflict has increased hugely across the state.
Kolkata, May 22 : Launching a scathing attack against the Calcutta High Court's order nixing OBC certificates issued in the state after 2010, West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday said that her government would not accept it and would challenge it in a higher court.

"I do not accept this order of the Calcutta High Court. Recently the Calcutta High Court also cancelled around 26,000 jobs in state-run schools. I did not accept that order as well.

"I will not take any names. Whoever passed it, but I must say that this order favours the BJP. Hence we will not accept it. The reservation for OBCs will continue," CM Mamata Banerjee said while addressing an election meeting at Hardaha in North 24 Parganas District on Wednesday afternoon.

The Division Bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha had passed the order on OBC certificate cancellation earlier in the day.

The Chief Minister linked the Calcutta High Court's order with the recent statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Congress and other allies of the Opposition INDIA bloc, if voted to power, have plans to reduce the quota for OBCs and give the same to Muslims.

"The Prime Minister is claiming for the last few days that the minorities might snatch the quota of the OBCs. Is that possible constitutionally? The minorities can never do that," CM Banerjee said.

She said that the OBC quota lists were prepared after conducting a survey under the chairmanship of Upendra Nath Biswas, a retired IPS officer and former minister in her Cabinet.

"Even then there was a case in court. But they got defeated. This time the same thing will happen," she said.
New Delhi, May 22 : A child in Victoria has tested positive for avian influenza A (H5N1) -- the first human case of bird flu in Australia, according to health authorities on Wednesday.

Health officials in Victoria reported that the case was detected in a child who acquired the infection in India and returned to Australia in March 2024. The officials also ruled out the possibility of further spread in the community.

"The child experienced a severe infection but is no longer unwell and has made a full recovery," said Dr Clare Looker, Chief Health Officer, Victoria in a statement.

"There is no evidence of transmission in Victoria and the chance of additional human cases is very low as avian influenza does not easily spread between people," Dr Looker added.

The report comes amidst a global outbreak of H5N1, including India, that has killed millions of wild birds and thousands of mammals. In 2023, the H5N1 virus killed a record number of birds and also spread to otters, sea lions, foxes, dolphins, and seals, among others. More recently, it affected numerous cattle farms across the US, and fragments of the virus were found in pasteurised milk sold in stores.

A Texas man, in contact with dairy cows, has reportedly acquired the virus.

While the H5N1 virus has so far not caused any human-to-human transmission, the spread of the virus to dairy cattle has raised "enormous concern", the World Health Organisation said recently.

Data from the global health body shows that globally there have been 873 human cases of infection with influenza A (H5N1) and 458 deaths reported from 21 countries between 2003 and 2023.

H5N1 infection typically causes fever, cough, headache, aching muscles, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal problems. The infection may progress quickly to severe respiratory illness and neurological changes.
New Delhi, May 22 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of crossing the 400 mark in ongoing Lok Sabha polls and after five phases, the party has already taken a lead over rivals.

The former BJP President, in an exclusive interview with IANS, talked about the crisis of credibility that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has brought into Indian politics and slammed the INDIA bloc over its negative and cynical approach on matters of national issues.

Below is the full interview.

IANS: What was the reason that before 2014, defence exports did not see much gains, however, since then, there has been a significant increase?

Rajnath Singh: Before 2014, the government was heavily reliant on foreign countries for defence equipment. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, he emphasised the need for India to be self-reliant in every sector, including defence.

Since then, the defence sector has taken significant strides towards self-reliance. Around 2014, defence exports were around Rs 600-800 crore, but today, they have increased to over Rs 31,000 crore. We are aiming to cross the Rs 50,000 crore mark in the next five years.

IANS: What is your take on the reservations? Should it be based on financial conditions?

Rajnath Singh: The current structure for reservations is well thought out and appropriate. And you must have seen that we are the ones who fought for constitutional rights to people seeking reservations. And I believe they should continue in the future. One thing where our stand is firm and resolute that we do not support reservations based on religion. Indian constitution does not allow any provision for such reservation.

IANS: A couple of review petitions regarding Article 370 verdict have been rejected by the Supreme Court. What message do you have for those who think it should be reviewed?

Rajnath Singh: There are always people who create such a nuisance. They will keep doing something, whether positive or negative. However, it is up to the people of the country to keep a tab on them.

IANS: Supreme Court has given a strict stance on Manish Sisodia's bail plea, stating that he misused his power to betray the public trust. What do you have to say?

Rajnath Singh: I cannot comment on SC's directive. However, the 'credibility crisis' created by the AAP is unparalleled, no other party did this, ever. They once participated in the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, who advised against forming a political party.

For once, they said that they would not form a party, but later, they did form it. Hazare also expressed his resentment when it happened.

He (Kejriwal) promised not to stay in the government residence but later created a lavish 'Sheeshmahal,' worth crores of rupees. They assaulted a woman in CM's residence. And on top of that, the accused PS was seen touring Lucknow.

IANS: PM Modi is saying he will become the Prime Minister again, but the opposition is asserting that it is difficult for the BJP to even secure 272 seats. What do you have to say?

Rajanath Singh: Let them talk. They often make irrelevant statements. They said Modi wouldn't become the Prime Minister in 2024 and that he was campaigning for someone else. I say that he will be the Prime Minister in 2024, as well as in 2029. Who are they to decide?

IANS: It is alleged that the BJP works according to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)as plans. Your take?

Rajnath Singh: First of all, I would like to make it clear that I am a proud member of RSS. I am not only inspired by their ideology but also adopted it, and I am working as a politician for the BJP. I don't hesitate to say this. RSS does not interfere in the BJP's planning or programmes. They offer suggestions if asked and feel it is in the country's interest, but they never meddle in party matters.

IANS: The court's stance on Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is strict, yet he denies all charges. What is your take?

Rajnath Singh: I won't comment as the matter is still in court.

IANS: When we talk about Uttar Pradesh, do you think Mayawati will become a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in future?

Rajnath Singh: That decision is hers to make. I cannot predict anything regarding this.

IANS: It is being said that in Uttar Pradesh East, Thakurs seem to be unhappy. The same things are being said about Haryana. Your take?

Rajnath Singh: These are just irrelevant claims. There hasn't been an election when it is not said that Brahmans, Jaats or Kshatriyas are unhappy. These are just feelers meant to mislead people. No one is unhappy, everyone is supporting us. And let me make it clear that BJPas only focus is justice and humanity and not caste, creed, or religion.

IANS: What is the political atmosphere of Uttar Pradesh as well as the country, if we talk about the seats?

Rajnath Singh: We will achieve the resolve of 'Abki baar, 400 paar'. Based on our analysis of the five completed phases, we are on track to achieve this goal.

IANS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gets a lot of support from Pakistan, even Fawad Chaudhry praised him. Why do you think that is?

Rajnath Singh: I was shocked when Fawad said 'Rahul on fire'. He admitted the Uri and Pulwama attacks were carried out by the Pakistani government, and now he is praising Rahul Gandhi. The country will decide that in these elections. And no one in Indian politics needs to worry about Rahul. The BJP does not see him as a problem. Many people work in politics, and he is just one of them.

IANS: Will we see any stringent action by the government in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK)?

Rajnath Singh: See, PoK was, is and will remain ours. There will not be a need for strict actions. The people of PoK will eventually want to join India, seeing the development in Jammu and Kashmir and Indiaas rising global stature.

Our economic growth is evident, in which India is now standing in the top 5 globally, earlier we were in the 11th position. In addition to this, many global firms and prominent economists are saying that by 2027, India's economy will reach the top 3.

Our brothers in Pakistan are aware of their country's struggles. The people of PoK will recognise this and want to join India. You must have seen, a few days back, flags of Pakistan were taken down in there.

IANS: The foreign press alleges India is taking action against terrorists on Pakistani soil. Is this a new India that protects its rights?

Rajnath Singh: Every country should protect its rights, and India is doing so. If a terrorist crosses the LoC and our soldiers fight back, we have every right to defend ourselves. And I feel that terrorism is something that needs to be seriously addressed on an international level.

Everyone should stress why Pakistan is giving shelter to terrorists. If their government can't control it then they should seek our help to eliminate terrorism.

IANS: Can India become one of the world's leading defence exporters?

Rajnath Singh: India has set its vision on becoming Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047, and defence will take a pivotal lead in this. I don't want to say that we will reach the number 1 position in defence exports soon, however, we will try our best to achieve that.

Not only in defence but also in other sectors, we want India to grow exponentially. I want India to become a world superpower, not to attack or take control of any country but for the well-being of the world.
Srinagar, May 22 : The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against the son of a senior National Conference (NC) leader in connection with alleged irregularities in granting permission for the construction of an IT park in Jammu.

Officials said that the ACB has registered an FIR against Hilal Rather, son of former minister and senior NC leader, Abdul Rahim Rather, as well as some officials.

The ACBas case, filed under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the RPC, names the officers and officials of the enforcement wing, the former Chief Town Planner, the former Vice Chairman of the JDA, and beneficiary, Hilal Ahmad Rather.

"The case was the result of an investigation into allegations that the JDA had unlawfully approved an IT Parkas construction for Rather using a backdated site plan for a three-storeyed building, despite knowing there was no legal provision for such a construction," an official said.

aVerification revealed that backdated permission was granted by the Building Operations Controlling Authority (BOCA) of JDA, stipulating that the building be used exclusively for IT purposes. Rather violated these conditions, constructing a fifth floor and a porch, and encroaching on the rear setback by building additional structures," the official added.

The ACB said that these former JDA officials colluded with Rather by neglecting their duties and allowing the unauthorised construction, causing a wrongful loss to the government exchequer.

"These actions constitute offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal conspiracy statutes. further investigations are on," an official said.

On March 14, 2020, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet against Rather in the Rs 177 crore bank fraud case within 10 days of taking over the probe. The charge sheet, presented before a Special Court in Jammu, also named former branch heads of J&K Bank's New University Campus branch Iqbal Singh and Arun Kapoor as accused.

The CBI had alleged that Rather conspired with bank officials to secure loans totalling Rs 177.68 crore in violation of established rules and guidelines.

The case, initially investigated by the ACB, is now being probed by a special investigation team following the CBIas registration of the FIR on March 4, 2020, at the UT governmentas request.
Ahmedabad, May 22 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was admitted to the KD Hospital in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after reportedly suffering a heat stroke.

The actor reached Ahmedabad on Tuesday to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH), which KKR won at the Narendra Modi Stadium here to reach the final.

"The actor was suffering from dehydration amid a high temperature of 45-degree Celcius in Ahmedabad. He is under medical observation although his health is stable. Security has been tightened around the hospital." sources said.

Actor Juhi Chawla visited the actor at the hospital.

An official statement from the hospital is expected later on Wednesday.

After KKR's victory on Wednesday, Shah Rukh Khan marked the occasion by taking a victory lap in the stadium along with his daughter Suhana and youngest son AbRam.

During the lap, he delighted thousands of fans with his iconic arms outstretched pose. He also shared warm moments with the KKR players. Known for his supportive nature, the actor also spoke to the SRH players to lift their morale after the match.

On the work front, Shah Rukh is said to be busy with the upcoming film 'King' which also stars his daughter Suhana.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 : The Kerala Police's Crime Branch Police on Wednesday filed a charge sheet in a court in the state capital district against two-time Congress legislator Eldhose Kunnappilly and two of his associates for rape and attempted murder based on a complaint from his former woman friend.

The charge sheet has been filed at a court in the Neyyatinkara suburb.

Kunnappilly, a second-time legislator from Perumbavoor constituency in Ernakulam district, is accused of committing various offences, including repeatedly raping the same woman, attempt to murder, and assaulting a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty, based on the complaint filed by the alleged survivor with the police in September 2022.

The legislator is presently on bail.
Kolkata, May 22 : The Indian Army's Eastern Command has conducted a massive exercise that witnessed Aviation Brigade-level third-dimension maneuver capability and its integration with the ground regime in the northeastern sector.

Ex Airavat Prahar involved complex operations conducted in an intense air defence and electronic warfare environment.

Lt Gen R.C. Tiwari, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C), Eastern Command, witnessed the Exercise from an indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) that participated in the operations.

The Exercise involved indigenous aviation assets such as the Prachand (LCH), Rudra (ALH-WSI) and Dhruv Mark-III ALHs.

According to an official, the exercise involved the airlifting of troops and equipment from several locations by scores of helicopters and their coordinated flight towards a specific location. At the same time, the attack helicopters also took off from their bases and rendezvoused with the troop carriers.

"At one point of time, there was a swarm of helicopters of various kinds in the sky as they approached the 'Kill Box'. As the troops landed or slithered down, the attack helicopters provided support by neutralising threats.

"These complex operations conducted in an intense Air Defence and Electronic Warfare environment, showcased the synergy and seamless execution of integrated operations by multiple types of platforms, launched from multiple locations, culminating into precision target engagement in a designated Kill Box by indigenous aviation assets," the Eastern Command posted on X.
New Delhi, May 22 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons to global celebrity news agency Backgrid USA and Meta Platforms in response to a lawsuit filed by TV Today Network.

The suit concerns the suspension of the Instagram page for TV Todayas magazine, Harper's Bazaar India (bazaarindia), over copyright issues.

Justice Anish Dayal has sought responses from Backgrid USA and Meta Platforms regarding TV Today Network's application for the restoration of its Instagram handle.

The conflict originated from posts on Bazaar India's Instagram account featuring photos of international celebrities in different fashion outfits.

Backgrid USA filed three copyright strikes against these posts, prompting Meta to deactivate the Instagram account on March 15.

TV Today Network has claimed that the use of the photographs falls under the "fair use" provisions outlined in Section 52 of the Copyright Act. Meta Platforms advised TV Today Network to negotiate directly with Backgrid USA.

Despite efforts to communicate and negotiate with the US-based company, TV Todayas attempts were rebuffed by Backgrid USA, according to advocate Hrishikesh Baruah, representing TV Today.

The court has now asked Backgrid USA and Meta Platforms to provide their responses to the allegations and on the request for reinstating the Instagram account.

TV Today Network had moved the court earlier this month challenging the constitutional validity of Rule 3(1)(c) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The rule in question mandates intermediaries to periodically inform the users about their rights and the consequences of non-compliance with the rules and regulations.

TV Today Network had argued that this rule infringes upon the constitutional provisions as it sought its alignment with the existing laws and constitutional articles.

It also asserted its grievance over the suspension of the Instagram account of Harper's Bazaar India due to copyright complaints by a third party.
Bhopal, May 22 : Giving a push to its ambitious proposal to establish new medical colleges under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, the Madhya Pradesh government has floated tenders for it.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Wednesday informed that a complete roadmap has been prepared for inviting tenders and a meeting will be called soon after the results of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are announced on June 4.

It would be the first time that medical colleges will be established on the PPP model in Madhya Pradesh. A proposal for this has already been approved by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav led Madhya Pradesh cabinet in March this year.

"In the first phase, five medical colleges will be opened under the PPP model. Tenders for some of these projects have been floated. We will proceed further on the basis of the private parties," Shukla, who is also MP's health minister, said.

This model will reduce the investment cost and the investor will only need to build the medical college and not a hospital along with it.

For the establishment of medical colleges under the PPP model, the government will provide land at the collector's guideline rates to investors, he said.

He added that six new government-run medical colleges will become operational from the next academic year. "With these six, the number of government-run medical colleges in MP will increase to 20. Five medical colleges (PPP model) will be added in the next two years, and then we will have 25 medical colleges," he said.

The minister informed that the state government is preparing to establish one medical college in every district. There are 53 districts in Madhya Pradesh, including two - Mauganj (separated from Rewa district) and Pandhurna (separated from Chhindwara district), which were made districts during the assembly elections in November last year.
Mumbai, May 22 : The streaming show 'Bigg Boss OTT' is set to return with its third season, the makers of the show announced recently in a video released on social media.

The video shows clips from the previous seasons of 'Bigg Boss' with a voice-over that says the viewers will forget the biggest of the fights, the romance, and the viral moments from the show as the new season nears its premiere.

The voice-over also says, "'Bigg Boss OTT' ka ye season hoga aur bhi khaas, ekdum jhakaas" hinting at the possibility of the show being hosted by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor.

The makers wrote in the caption, "Bigg Boss OTT ka naya season dekh kar sab bhool jaaoge. #BiggBossOTT3 coming this June on JioCinema Premium."

The previous season of 'Bigg Boss OTT' was hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, which saw Elvish Yadav being crowned as the winner and Abhishek Malhan emerging as the runner-up.
Tehran, May 22 : The helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi disappeared within seconds after its pilot asked the two other accompanying aircraft to rise above the thick clouds they encountered while returning from the Azerbaijan border area on Sunday, the late leader's chief of staff revealed, as per local media reports.

Gholam-Hossein Esmaili, who was travelling in one of the other helicopters, also said that President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and most of the others died instantly after their craft made a "hard landing" but the Supreme Leader's East Azerbaijan representative, Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, had survived for a few hours.

It was Ale-Hashem whom they had got in touch with and had reported the accident, though being in a disoriented state, and this led to hope that the others had survived too, Esmaili said in an interaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) late on Tuesday.

He said that when the helicopters took off, weather conditions early on were normal, but around 45 minutes, the pilot of Raisias aircraft said he would increase altitude to avoid the dense clouds and directed the two accompanying helicopters to do the same. However, once the two helicopters started to climb, they lost sight of the President's helicopter,

As per Esmaili, after 30 seconds of flying over the clouds, the pilot noticed that the helicopter in the middle, with Raisi onboard, had disappeared and went back and circled the area several times to locate it. However, it was forced to abandon the search attempts due to poor visibility.

According to Esmaili, he made several attempts to contact Raisias aircraft through radio and was able to reach Ale-Hashem, who said that it had crashed into a valley.

"When we found the location of the accident, the conditions of the bodies indicated that Ayatollah Raisi and other companions had died instantly but Ale-Hashema after several hours," he said.

Raisi had been returning from a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev after the two inaugurated a major dam project on their border. After his helicopter disappeared, an intense search was launched amid bad weather and darkness, and it was only over ten hours later that rescuers reached the scene and found him, Amir-Abdollahian and the others were dead.
Moscow, May 22 : The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that its troops have recaptured the village of Klishchiivka in eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces initially occupied the village near the key city of Bakhmut in early 2023, but it was liberated by Ukraine later that year during Kiev's counteroffensive.

Moscow said its troops gained control of Klishchiivka "as a result of offensive operations."

Ukrainian authorities had said earlier on Wednesday that the situation in the village was "under control."

Klischchiivka is the latest village to change hands for a third time during the conflict which began in February 2022.

--IANS/DPA

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Madrid/Tel Aviv, May 22 : Norway, Spain, and Ireland will recognise an independent Palestinian state, their leaders said in near-simultaneous announcements on Wednesday, defying staunch opposition from Israel.

"This is a historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine," said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in a speech to the nation.

It was "never the wrong time to do the right thing," he said, comparing the Palestinian struggle for independence to Ireland's pursuit of independence some 100 years ago.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in Oslo he hoped other countries would join in the initiative, believing it will advance the prospects for peace after more than seven months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

"In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Store said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the parliament in Madrid that it was clear to him Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "isn't pursuing a project of peace for Palestine."

Netanyahu was punishing Palestinian civilians "with hunger and terror," he said.

"Fighting against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate after what happened, but it is causing so much pain, so much destruction and resentment in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, that the two-state solution is in danger, in serious danger of being viable."

"As the states defending the human rights and the rule-based international order we are obliged to act, in Ukraine and Palestine, without double standards," he continued.

Spain has long been one of the harshest critics in Europe of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. The left-wing government suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. It also recently decided to deny all cargo ships loaded with weapons for Israel entry to Spanish harbours in future.

Israel for its part recalled its ambassadors from the three countries.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X. "There will be further severe consequences."

A top official with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which unilaterally declared a Palestinian state in 1988, called it an "historic" moment for the "free world."

"We thank the countries of the world that have recognized and will recognize the independent State of Palestine. We affirm that this is the path to stability, security and peace in the region," Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the PLO's executive committee, posted on X.

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the actions of Ireland, Norway and Spain and urged other countries "to assume their responsibility and recognize the right of the Palestinians."

The majority of the member states of the United Nations recognize Palestine as a state. But there are major exceptions, including the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

France's foreign minister reiterated the country's position on Wednesday.

Germany is in favour of the long-sought two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. But it has said the establishment of a Palestinian state can only be the result of direct negotiations between the two sides.

Ireland and Spain are members of the European Union, but Norway is not. Among EU countries, Sweden recognized Palestine as a state a decade ago.

The decision by the three countries to recognize Palestine will take effect on May 28.

Momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood has grown in several European countries as the war that began on October 7 with the Hamas attack on Israel, which left some 1,200 people dead and another 250 others taken hostage, drags on.

Critics and allies of Israel have shown increasing frustration as the war continues to claim lives in Gaza amid mass displacement in the territory and worsening humanitarian conditions.

The Hamas-run health authority says more than 35,500 people have been killed so far.

Hamas said an "important step" had been taken on Wednesday toward an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. However, Hamas categorically rejects a two-state solution and, according to its doctrine, is committed to destroying Israel.

--IANS/DPA

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Cairo, May 22 : Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived on Wednesday in Iran's capital Tehran to participate in the funeral of the late Iranian president and foreign minister, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a post on social media platform X.

This is the first visit by the Egyptian foreign minister to Iran, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Representing the Egyptian government, Shourkry headed to Tehran to take part in the official mourning ceremonies, the ministry said in an earlier statement, stressing Egypt's solidarity with Iran in this critical situation, reports Xinhua News Agency.

Iran's official news agency IRNA confirmed on Monday the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, senior Shia cleric Mohammad-Ali Ale-Hasehem, and others after their helicopter crashed in Varzaqan County in Iran's East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.

Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have expressed a willingness to mend bilateral ties by settling differences on certain issues.

In May, Shoukry and his Iranian counterpart exchanged views on the latest joint efforts to improve bilateral ties in a meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Banjul, capital of The Gambia.
Rome, May 22 : Italian police on Wednesday detained 19 people in connection with a Turkish criminal network.

The police said 19 people of Turkish origin living in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Turkey were arrested in the operation, which also included officers from the international policing organisation Interpol.

The detainees are accused of membership in an armed gang with terrorist aims, police said. Further charges included the possession of weapons and explosives, international drug trafficking, murder and people smuggling.

Investigators were able to track down the suspects after complex telephone and video surveillance with the co-operation of Swiss and Turkish authorities.

The investigations focused on the head of the criminal network, who is wanted in Turkey for several murders. He was first arrested in Italy in 2022 and placed under house arrest but was not extradited to Turkey.

Authorities discovered that he had continued to coordinate the group's activities from his home, organizing trafficking and being involved in the murder of a Turkish citizen in Berlin and an attack on a factory in Turkey.

--IANS/DPA

int/as
Bhubaneswar, May 22 : The BJP's Lok Sabha nominee from Odisha's Kendrapara, Baijayant Panda, with declared assets of Rs 148 crore is the richest candidate among those in the fray for the last phase of polling for six Lok Sabha seats in Odisha scheduled on June 1.

As per a report published by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch, 20 (30 percent) out of the total 66 candidates who have filed nominations for the six Lok Sabha constituencies going to the polls on June 1 are millionaires.

In the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India, Baijayant Panda declared movable assets of Rs 1,21,60,13,384 and immovable properties worth Rs 26, 48, 65,324.

Sriram Pandey who is contesting from the Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate, is the second richest candidate. Pandey owns assets to the tune of Rs 18 crore.

The report also claimed that the average assets per candidate of all the recognised political parties and Independent candidates are around Rs 3.83 crore. The average assets per candidate of the six BJP candidates in the fray for the fourth phase of polling in Odisha stood at Rs 27 crore.

The average assets per candidate of the six BJD nominees are Rs 6 crore while the average assets per candidate of the five Indian National Congress candidates stood at Rs 2 crore.

Bhanumati Das , who is contesting elections from the Jagatsinghpur parliamentary constituency as a candidate of Utkal Samaj, has revealed possessing only Rs 1500.

Meanwhile, 15 (23%) out of the 66 candidates in the fray have declared criminal cases against them with 10 of them facing serious criminal charges. One of the candidates has declared cases related to crime against women pending against him.

Polling for the six Lok sabha constituencies of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will be held on June 1. Voting for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections is being held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases from May 13 to June 1.
New Delhi, May 22 : Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi on Wednesday demanded stringent action against the culprits who abused and attacked Swati Maliwal, former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief inside CM Kejriwal's residence.

In an interaction with IANS, Asha Devi spoke about Maliwal's fight against atrocities on women and lamented that the upright woman, who stood up for rights for other women was subjected to such abominable treatment by 'those in power'.

"If Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal is not safe, then what could one expect about the common women," Asha Devi said.

She further said that she knew Swati Maliwal personally as the latter stood with her in Nirbhaya case and also helped many women in distress.

Asha Devi also made an appeal to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to act quickly and take strict action against the one, who attacked Maliwal.

When questioned on Kejriwal government's 'dilly-dally' approach to punishing the attacker, she said: "AAP came to power in Delhi while tapping on the anger and outrage of people in Nirbhaya case. Arvind Kejriwal claimed himself to be the son of Delhi, brother of Delhi. It is time for him to walk the talk and take exemplary action."

She also shared the travails of prisoners, especially the women in getting justice and explained how the criminals enjoy benefit of doubt because of discrepancies in jail manuals.

"Tihar jail manual has no rights for women prisoners. They are made to suffer because of jail administration's poorly drafted rules," she said.

She said that the Chief Minister should focus on correcting the rules of jail manual as cases remain stuck in courts for many years and it's the criminals who benefit majorly from it.

She also said that nothing much has changed despite a decade of Nirbhaya episode and common people have to still run from pillar to post for getting justice.

Notably, Asha Devi's 23-year-old daughter, known to the world as 'Nirbhaya' was raped and brutally assaulted inside a moving bus in south Delhi by six persons, including a minor before being thrown out of the bus in 2012.

She later succumbed to injuries at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Mumbai, May 22 : The Congress on Wednesday urged the ruling MahaYuti government in Maharashtra to pay attention to the problems of severe water shortages, agricultural woes, and farmers' plight now that the Lok Sabha elections are over in the state.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said that large parts of the state are grappling with severe water shortage for drinking, livestock, and agriculture purposes.

"Most dams and reservoirs are virtually running empty with little or no water, people in thousands of villages and hamlets have no drinking water. There is no water for farm animals and agriculture," Patole claimed.

Under the grim scenario and with monsoon at least another fortnight away, he called upon the state government to make drinking water arrangements in every water scarcity region, fodder for the animals and farming purposes.

Elaborating further, Patole said that people in the state, especially the rural women, are facing great hardships to get bare minimum drinking water, their animals have no fodder and water, which in turn is hitting milk production.

"Many cities and towns are getting water once in 10-12 days, at least 23 districts are experiencing severe water crises and the situation is serious in Marathwada. We had warned in January that the state would be facing water problems, but the MahaYuti allies were busy with infighting and preparing for the elections," claimed Patole.

Now that the elections are over, the government must pay attention to the people's woes and take immediate steps to resolve the water-fodder crisis, start fodder camps, and deploy tankers to rush water to the critical regions, he urged.

Patole also said that if needed, the government should relax the model of conduct and take a decision on these issues on top priority.
Seoul, May 22 : Key South Korean and US Forces Korea special operations officials discussed Wednesday ways to enhance special warfare capabilities amid North Korea's evolving threats, Seoul's defence ministry said.

The rare meeting, hosted by Defence Minister Shin Won-sik, brought together top military officials, commanders of special forces units under the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Marine Corps as well as the U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, according to the ministry, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Shin called for enhanced special warfare capabilities and close cooperation between relevant units in South Korea and the United States to deter the North's threats.

"Special warfare units play a core role in deterring and responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," Shin was quoted as saying by the ministry. "The concept of offensive special operations should be more meticulously developed and a close cooperation system between South Korea and U.S. special warfare units should be established."

Wednesday's meeting came as North Korea has been ramping up weapons tests and provocations. In April, the North conducted a tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack involving super-large multiple rocket launchers that are classified as short-range missiles that could put the entire South Korean territory within range.
Israel Minister calls on war cabinet not to allow Palestinian workers to return. Image Source: IANS News

Jerusalem, May 22 : Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the holy site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV news.

This is Ben-Gvir's first visit to the flashpoint site, known to Jews as Temple Mount, since the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.

"The Temple Mount is the holiest place for the people of Israel and belongs only to Israel," Ben-Gvir, also the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, declared at the compound.

He also blamed Norway, Ireland, and Spain for recognising a Palestinian state, saying they are "rewarding the murderers and abusers of Hamas."

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds sacred significance for both Muslims and Jews and has long been a flashpoint for deadly violence between the two sides.

Under the status quo, non-Muslim worshippers may visit the site in the heart of the Old City but are not allowed to pray there. Ben-Gvir's past visits to the compound drew sharp reactions from the Palestinians, the Israeli opposition, and other countries.
Congress fully prepared for assembly polls, will get 75 seats in Chhattisgarh: Kumari Selja. Image Source: IANS News

Sirsa : , May 22 (IANS) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a roadshow in Haryana's Sirsa in support of the party's Lok Sabha candidate Kumari Selja on Thursday.

Selja said the roadshow will start at 8.30 a.m. from Shri Shyam Bagichi in Anaj Mandi and culminate at Sangwan Chowk.

She also said the present elections are against the anti-people policies of the BJP, which has not undertaken any developmental work.

"They are misleading the people by using the name of Lord Ram for votes. Everyone is a devotee of Lord Ram. There is no need for a certificate from the BJP or the RSS to take Lord Ram's name," she said.

The Congress leader also said that in the 10 years of BJP rule, the people of the country and Haryana have been "harassed by the anti-people policies of the Centre".

Selja, the former Haryana Congress chief, represented Sirsa and Ambala (Reserved) constituencies twice each in the Lok Sabha. She has also been a Rajya Sabha MP from 2014 to 2020.

Sunita Duggal, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, was the BJP's lone woman 'warrior' in Haryana's 10 parliamentary seats in 2019 and emerged the winner from Sirsa (Reserved) by defeating her nearest rival and Congress leader Ashok Tanwar by a margin of more than 300,000 votes.

Her victory gave the BJP its first win in Sirsa, which used to be a bastion of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Congress.

Sunita Duggal was keen to contest this time as well but the BJP fielded Congress and AAP rebel, Ashok Tanwar, from the seat.

Interestingly, both Selja, who returns to the electoral battle in Sirsa after 26 years, and Tanwar, are former state Congress presidents and there is a straight contest between them this time.

Polling in all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held on May 25.
Pune : , May 22 (IANS) In a significant development, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted to a minor -- charged with killing two persons with his speeding Porsche early on May 19 -- and has detained him in a juvenile rehabilitation home for 14 days.

The JJB's order came three days after it had granted bail to the minor boy -- son of a prominent Pune realtor -- barely 15 hours after the accident, and asked him to write an essay, serve with traffic police and take medical help to de-addict himself, sparking a huge public and political row.

The state police went in appeal against the JJB order before a Sessions Court, which directed it to go back to the JJB and seek a review of the previous order, which was granted on Wednesday.

Adv. Prashant Patil, representing the 17-year-old boy, said he will now be lodged at a juvenile correctional home for a fortnight and the decision is expected to ensure his safety and security as there have been widespread protests in Pune since the past three days against him and his family.

Proving its point that the minor boy was a drinker, the police presented hotel liquor bills of Rs 48,000 paid in one of the eateries he and his friends had gone partying. The police also said that though the boy is a minor, he has committed a very heinous crime and the police must be granted permission to prosecute him in the case.

The Pune Police also informed the JJB that the investigators have enhanced the charges by adding a new IPC Section 185 to the chargesheet, besides Section 304 pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

In a related development, the boy's father, Vishal S. Agarwal was remanded to two days police custody, along with three others arrested, including the owner and managers of two eateries where the youngsters' brigade had partied on Saturday-Sunday night.

The fatal accident, followed by the alleged privileged treatment meted out to the minor boy, and the JJB's bail within 15 hours, enraged Punekars with massive protests erupting, and an 'ink attack' made on his father Vishal Agarwal on Wednesday afternoon.
New Delhi, May 22 : External Affairs S. Jaishankar said on Wednesday that in the country's journey to Viksit Bharat @2047, no citizen of India will be left behind.

"While understanding that everybody cannot move at the same pace, we all have to firm up to move forward. It is also important to create a social welfare system," the Minister said while speaking at an interactive session on Viksit Bharat @2047 organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce here.

Appreciating PM Narendra Modi for his policy choices, Jaishankar said his strong leadership and good judgment have steered India through many crises besides transforming the economy in the last 10 years.

He also pointed out that the government's response in handling the Covid pandemic, the China crisis, and India's stance on Russia and Ukraine were in the best interest of India and its citizens.

"As a nation, we must grow for today and leapfrog for tomorrow to realise our goals and aspirations," he said.

"It is a combination of making it easier to do business, reducing the cost of living, creating world-class infrastructure, improving our human resources, giving support to small businesses, and building upon the evolving startup ecosystem," Jaishankar added.

He also pointed out that so far, 25 crore people have come out of poverty; 35 crore people have been provided healthcare; Mudra loans have been given to 50 crore people; while 10 crore people have benefited under the Ujjwala scheme. But there is a need to completely eradicate poverty, he added.

The Minister said that preparing for the global workforce is also important given the advantage of the demographic dividend that India enjoys today.

Speaking at the event, PHDCCI President Sanjeev Agrawal said the government's proactive initiatives and policies have been instrumental in driving India's growth, which has catalysed significant progress across different sectors, paving the way for economic resilience and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The comprehensive support of the government has also empowered industries, enhanced infrastructure, and improved the quality of life, paving the way for a brighter future, he added.

More than 400 industry stakeholders participated in the event.
New Delhi, May 22 : The Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued notices to BJP and Congress over the recent statements made by their star campaigners violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

In letters to BJP President J.P. Nadda and Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the Commission said that the utterances of the concerned star campaigners follow patterns and create narratives that can be damaging beyond the MCC period.

"Technical loopholes or extreme interpretations of other political party's utterances cannot discharge them from this core responsibility of their own content, which ought to be corrective to the ongoing discourse and not further plummeting the quality of campaign discourse," the poll panel said.

"Elections are a process when political parties not only contest to win, but also avail the opportunity to present themselves in their ideal best for the voting community to experience, emulate and build hopes on.

"The second part constitutes the more precious heritage of Indian elections and our electoral democracy which should not be allowed to be weakened by anyone, including your party," it added.

The ECI directed the Congress to fully align its campaign methods to the practical aspects of the composite and sensitive fabric of India.

"The EC directs all your star campaigners to refrain from making any statement which is prohibited under Clause (1) of General Conduct of MCC which provides that "No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic'," the EC letter to Kharge read.

The poll panel also directed Kharge to convey to all the Congress star campaigners not to make statements that give false impressions such as that the Constitution of India may be abolished or sold.

The Commission also directed Nadda to convey to all the BJP star campaigners not to make speeches and statements that may divide the society.

"The EC directs BJP and its star campaigners to refrain from any campaigning methods/utterances along religious/communal lines," read the letter to Nadda.

The Commission also directed the BJP chief to remain dutiful towards the special responsibility of the star campaigners of the party and issue formal notes to them to maintain decorum in their utterances.
New Delhi, May 22 : The Viksit Bharat Ambassador (VBA) meet-up programmes, held across multiple cities in the past few months, has sought to encourage and rope in young students and professionals as 'ambassadors of change' in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's Viksit Bharat 2047 mission.

While the city gears up for polling on May 25, many students of Delhi University came out to show their support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also enlighten city residents about the ground-breaking initiatives in the past ten years, Viskit Bharat 2047 mission in particular.

The students, numbering in hundreds, assembled at Delhi's Khan Market area on Wednesday and distributed copies of book titled 'Man with the Mission 2047'.

The book unravels PM Modi's relentless efforts to reshape India and provide insights into his visionary future roadmap.

"Our motive is to educate and inform the public about the trailblazing initiatives under PM Modi-led government, from 2014 to 2024 and how PM Modi's vision for 2047 for Bharat has enthused and excited the youngsters," said one of the students.

Another student said that the book details the roadmap for developed India by 2047 and added that firm leadership backed by citizens' support will lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous nation.

The book has been authored by Rahul Mehta, an acclaimed writer.

He is an ardent admirer of PM Modi's work.

He has also been associated with BJP's election campaign for the last 25 years.

The students, while presenting the book to residents, also informed the citizens about India's journey from sanitation to space accomplishments, from cooking gas to semi-conductor and drones and more.

In a similar incident, many students and working professionals wore Viksit Bharat Ambassadors T-shirts and showed their support for PM Modi in Dwarka poll rally.

They expressed confidence in '2047 vision for Bharat' and said their participation in India's growth story will help realise the dream in shorter tenure than anticipated.

"We are here to support PM Modi's dream of a developed India by 2047. We also want India to become a developed nation as soon as possible," says one of the student and Viksit Bharat Ambassador at PM Modi's rally.
Chennai, May 22 : A head constable, posted at the Katpadi police station in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district, was suspended from service on Wednesday due to unruly behaviour with a woman Sub Inspector and other colleagues while in an inebriated state, a police statement said.

Vellore's Superintendent of Police, N. Manivannan issued the suspension orders for the head constable, identified as C. Gopinath, under the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1955.

Vellore police, in the statement, said that a training session was organised by the district police to sensitise police personnel on new criminal laws at each sub-circle in the district. There were around 40 police personnel, including women constables and officers of the Katpadi police sub-circle, at the training programme at the VIT campus.

It was here that Gopinath allegedly misbehaved while in an inebriated stage with a woman Sub Inspector as well as with Katpadi SHO, S. Bharathi.

He was immediately taken to the Katpadi police station for inquiry and then to the Government Medical College, Hospital in Vellore to test whether he was drunk. The medical report confirmed the presence of alcohol. An inquiry was conducted and based on the report, the Superintendent of Police suspended him with immediate effect.

Police officials said that there are already four pending complaints against the suspended head constable, including complaints filed against him by women police constables. Further investigation on Gopinath and his antecedents is being conducted, they added.
Bengaluru, May 22 : Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra warned on Wednesday that if BJP MLA Harish Poonja is arrested, the Congress government and the state police will face the consequences.

Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters here, Vijayendra said, "It is condemnable that the police are making attempts to arrest our MLA Harish Poonja. The police are hushing up the real matter."

Poonja, the BJP MLA from Dakshina Kannada district, had agitated at a police station over an alleged false FIR lodged against a BJP worker who was subsequently arrested.

"The police are lodging cases against BJP workers out of spite. In response, Poonja went to the police station to support our party workers," Vijayendra claimed.

The BJP leader also claimed that Poonja lost his cool due to the highhandedness meted out to the BJP workers, and the FIRs registered against the party's Yuva Morcha workers.

"The BJP cannot tolerate atrocities against its workers. The police highhandedness was evident when they tried to arrest Poonja. The state government will be responsible for the consequences. The police will also be held responsible if Poonja is arrested," Vijayendra said.

"I am warning the police officers in the Dakshina Kannada region. When the law and order system is functioning well, we will not tolerate police atrocities. I want to convey to the police that they are provoking a situation where law and order will collapse. The attempt to arrest the BJP MLA is not in good taste. We also demand the release of our party workers," he said.

Vijayendra also drew the attention of state Home Minister G. Parameshwara to the targeting of BJP workers by the police across the state.

"BJP workers were killed in Kalaburagi. During the elections, a BJP worker was mowed down by a car in Kodagu district. Such incidents will not send a good message to the state's people," he claimed.

The state BJP chief also accused the Congress government of hesitating to arrest the accused who raised 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at the Vidhana Soudha earlier this year.

"But BJP workers are targeted and jailed without any evidence," he said.

Vijayendra further clarified that there is no objection to police action against illegal quarrying.

"Shashiraj, a BJP mandal president, was arrested without evidence after an FIR was lodged against him despite MLA Poonja talking to the police officers. The cops had assured him that his name wouldn't figure in the FIR, yet he was arrested. After the arrest, Poonja went to the police station and quarreled with the police," he said.

To recall, Poonja had gone to the Belthangady police station and taken the cops to task for arresting Shashiraj and others.

During the protest, he had issued objectionable statements, saying he would not hesitate to hold the collar of the police if BJP workers were touched.

Poonja also said that he would get the police station burned down like how the K.G. Halli police station was gutted in the infamous DJ Halli-KG Halli violence in Bengaluru.

Later, he withdrew his statements.
Jammu, May 18 : A joint security review meeting was held in J&K's Poonch district on Wednesday with top army and police officials present, a defence official said.

The high-level meeting was co-chaired by 16 Corps commander, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva and the Director General of Police R.R. Swain

"The meeting was attended by the Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, the ADGP, Law and Order, and various formation commanders. During the meeting, comprehensive discussions were held to synergise ongoing operations and review preparations in anticipation of forthcoming events," defence spokesman, Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, said.

"The focus was on enhancing coordination and ensuring robust security measures across the region. The GOC, 16 Corps, and the DGP emphasised the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and preparedness to effectively address any potential security challenges. The ADGPs and Formation Commanders provided valuable insights and updates on the current security situation and outlined strategic measures to bolster security protocols," he said.

The meeting underscored the commitment of the security forces to maintaining peace and stability in the region, ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. The leaders reiterated their resolve to work in unison and adapt to evolving security dynamics.

"The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to safeguard the region and a pledge to continue collaborative efforts for enhanced security," the spokesman said.
Chandigarh, May 22 : Punjab unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) for an extension of voting timing by one hour for the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, scheduled for June 1, citing heatwave.

In a letter to ECI, Jakhar mentioned: "Punjab will be experiencing an intense heat wave on June 1, making it extremely challenging for voters to cast their vote during the peak sunny hours. The intense heat will pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

"To ensure a higher voter turnout and to safeguard public health, the voting hours should be extended from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of 6 p.m.," Jakhar added.
Ahmedabad, May 22 : Rajasthan Royals went up and down in their chase of 173 but finally managed to end their five-match winless streak with a four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

With this result, RR have ended RCB's dream comeback run and six-game winning streak after being at the bottom of the points table to now set up a clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 at Chennai. The winner of Qualifier 2 clash at Chennai will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on Sunday.

After Avesh Khan (3-44) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2-19) starred in a disciplined bowling effort to restrict RCB to 172/8, Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 45, followed by Riyan Parag (36), Shimron Hetmyer (26) and Rovman Powell (16 not out) propelled RR to complete the chase in 19 overs.

Chasing 173, Jaiswal survived on five when Cameron Green dropped a difficult chance at first slip. After that, the Mumbai opener hit three fours off the next four balls against Yash Dayal, before he and Tom Kohler-Cadmore took three boundaries collectively off Mohammed Siraj.

Kohler-Cadmore earned a reprieve when Glenn Maxwell shelled a simple catch in the deep and went on to take two fours off Dayal. But the batter fell to Lockie Ferguson in last over of Power-play when his off-stump was rattled by a slower yorker.

Jaiswal and Sanju Samson collectively took three boundaries off Swapnil Singh, but the former fell when his attempt to scoop took a glove edge behind against Green. In the next over, Samson stepped out against Karn Sharma and missed a wide ball to be stumped easily. There was more cheer for RCB as Virat Kohli executed a superb throw from the deep after running to his left from deep square leg and had a casual Dhruv Jurel run-out.

Hetmyer began to calm RRas nerves with a six over wide long-on off Green before Parag hit a lovely inside-out six over cover and backed away to ramp a short ball over third-man boundary for four more, as 17 runs came off the 16th over. Hetmyer drove and slashed Dayal for two fours, as the equation for RR became 19 off 18 balls.

But Parag fell for 36 off 26 balls after he missed a big heave off Siraj and saw his middle stump being uprooted. Three balls later, Hetmyer went for a flick, but leading edge was caught by cover running back and clinging on for a superb catch, as RCB brought a twist in the tale.

With 13 runs needed off 12 balls, Powell toe-ended a square drive and edged in the third-man region to collect consecutive fours off Ferguson. Powell finished off the chase with a gentle loft down the ground to ensure RR have a shot at entering the final.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 172/8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 34, Virat Kohli 33; Avesh Khan 3-44, Ravichandran Ashwin 2-19) lost to Rajasthan Royals 174/6 in 19 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 45, Riyan Parag 36; Mohammed Siraj 2-33, Karn Sharma 1-19) by four wickets
Guwahati, May 22 : AIUDF MLA in Assam, Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, claimed on Wednesday that the leaders of the Congress and the INDIA bloc gave a walkover to the BJP in a handful of parliamentary segments in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls in the state.

He told reporters on Wednesday, "The Congress and the INDIA bloc parties fought elections in only three seats in the state -- Nagaon, Karimganj and Dhubri. They gave a walkover to the BJP in the remaining 11 seats."

According to Barbhuiya, the Congress leaders criticised Badruddin Ajmal more as compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

"The speeches of the Congress leaders confused us as to whether the Prime Minister was Narendra Modi or Badruddin Ajmal. It was like price rise, unemployment, etc. in the country were created by the AIUDF chief, and not PM Modi," he said.

The AIUDF general secretary also took a jibe at the opposition leaders for their recent meeting on the post-poll situation in Assam.

"Let the INDIA bloc leaders drink as much tea or coffee as they want; however, they will contest hardly 22 seats in the next Assembly polls in the state. Out of these 22 seats, at least 15 are with the AIUDF now," he claimed.

Barbhuiya also predicted that the Congress will fail to pose a challenge to the BJP in the rest of the seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly.

"The Congress does not want to fight the BJP. Their main rival is the AIUDF," he claimed.

--IANS

tdr/
Hyderabad, May 22 : The government of Telangana on Wednesday appointed Joginder Tanikella and Sita Pallachola as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TWorks and WE-HUB, respectively.

The government has also appointed Sai Krishna as IT portfolio advisor to the minister for information technology, electronics and communications.

While Joginder Tanikella and Sita Pallachola have been appointed for three years each, Sai Krishna has been made advisor for two years.

Joginder succeeds Anand Rajgopalan, who was appointed in-charge CEO in December last year after the Congress government assumed office.

TWorks, opened last year, is billed as India's largest prototyping centre.

An initiative of the government of Telangana, it aims to create and celebrate a culture of hobbyists, makers, and innovators in India.

WE Hub is India's first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs.

It may be recalled that before Anand Rajgopalan was appointed in-charge CEO of TWorks, Sujai Karampuri was holding the position.

He was also director (promotion) electronics and head of T-Fibre.

He was removed from all three posts in December after he refused to resign on the ground that he was not a political appointee.

Sujai was considered close to K.T. Rama Rao who was IT minister under the BRS government.

--IANS

ms/pgh
Srinagar, May 22 : Continuing its crackdown on the terror ecosystem, Jammu and Kashmir Police attached property, including land and residence, of a self-styled terrorist commander in Shopian district, officials said on Wednesday.

The self-styled terrorist commander has been identified as Abid Ramzan Sheikh alias Saifullah alias Khalid, a resident of Chotipora Shopian.

The property includes one kanal and 10 marlas of land under survey No 1165 situated at Chotipora Shopian and the house.

"The said active terrorist is involved in a number of terror-related cases in Shopian as well as neighbouring districts," a police statement said, adding that Sheikh is also "highly involved in instigating/ motivating gullible and budding youth to join the ranks of terrorists".

"This action became inevitable in view of his continuous involvement in terrorism and spoiling the career of poor, innocent and gullible youth of the area, it said.
Agartala, May 23 : The Communist Part of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday claimed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would not only affect the demography of the northeastern region but also the economy, culture, employment, society, land and other resources.

Tripura CPI-M state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said that the Central government earlier said that the CAA would not be executed in the tribal autonomous district council (ADC) areas, but such declaration has no significance.

"When the CAA is implemented in a state, its negative effect is bound to create problems in demography, economy, culture, employment, society, land and all other resources both in ADC areas and non-ADC areas," said Chaudhury, also the opposition leader of Tripura.

He said that the CPI-M, since the beginning, has been opposing the CAA and once again urged the Central government to not bring in the new law in the northeastern region.

There are ten ADCs in the four northeastern states, with Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya having three each and Tripura has one such tribal autonomous body. Chaudhury, also a former minister and CPI-M central committee member, said that after remaining quiet for several years, the Central government hurriedly framed the rules in March to obtain the electoral mileage in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The anti-CAA protests had first started in Assam, parts of West Bengal and other northeastern states in 2019 and continued till 2020 before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least five persons were killed in the protests against the CAA in Assam and one in Tripura.

On March 11, the Centre notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024, thus paving the way for enforcing the CAA, which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
Patna, May 23 : After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh from the party, the actor has now come up with a 10-point manifesto for the Karakat Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday evening.

Singh is contesting against the NDA candidate Upendra Kushwaha in the Karakat seat and therefore, the party expelled him on Wednesday.

A letter in this regard was issued from the office of BJP state headquarters in-charge Arvind Sharma and mentioned that he was involved in anti-party activities and tarnished the party's image.

The actor-turned-politician was expelled on the instructions of Bihar BJP President Samrat Choudhary.

In retaliation, Singh wrote two social media posts and projected himself as 'Abhimanyu' (a mythological character in Mahabharat).

According to Singh's manifesto, several points include expanding new employment resources, promoting organic and modern agriculture for which a training centre was established, making proper arrangements for water collection, drinking water, and irrigation, building film industries, and artists to get appropriate respect, etc.

The presence of Pawan Singh has made the poll contest triangular in Karakat with NDA giving the ticket to Rashtriya Lok Morcha and its National President Upendra Kushwaha is contesting from Karakat Lok Sabha seat while among the Opposition Grand Alliance, the seat was given to CPI-ML candidate Rajaram Singh Kushwaha.

Singh belongs to an upper-caste family and is a native of Bhojpur district.

His presence may hurt the NDA candidate as the Bhojpuri superstar is expected to cut the upper caste vote bank of the BJP.

The polling in Karakat will be held in the seventh phase on June 1.
Bengaluru, May 23 : Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday said that the Congress-led Karnataka government has failed to present arguments efficiently over the share of Cauvery river water and has done "a great injustice to the people of the state".

Speaking to the media, Ashoka said: "Instead, the state leaders are busy looting money and sending it to Delhi. The Karnataka government is committing repeated mistakes in connection with getting the rightful share of Cauvery river water.

"The Cauvery Tribunal asked the state to release 2.5 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. The entire focus of the Congress government is on looting money, and they are least bothered about fighting for the rightful share of water of the state."

The BJP leader further said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not make any arrangements to present the state's case effectively before the tribunal.

"There is negligence towards the Cauvery river water and the farmers," he stated.
Washington, May 23 : The US government is sceptical about the announced recognition of Palestine as an independent state by several European countries.

"We believe the only way that you are going to achieve a two-state solution that delivers for both Israelis and Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the parties," US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in Washington on Wednesday.

The Biden administration has been working on this for a long time, he added.

In response to a question, Sullivan said that he could not see how the unilateral recognition of Palestine would contribute to any real progress toward a peace process or ceasefire.

Every country has the right to make its own decisions, but the US position on this matter is clear: a two-state solution must be brought about through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.

US President Biden has repeatedly said this on the record.

Norway and the two EU countries Ireland and Spain had earlier on Wednesday announced that they would recognise Palestine as a separate state.

The step is to be made formal on May 28, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday.

The three countries hope that this will provide an impetus for the so-called two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians are to live peacefully side by side in the future.

--IANS/DPA

khz
Tel Aviv, May 23 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned against the intended recognition of an independent Palestinian state as announced by Norway, Ireland, and Spain.

"The intention of several European countries to recognise a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism," Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Eighty per cent of the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) support the terrible massacre of October 7," he asserted.

"This evil cannot be given a state."

"This would be a terrorist state. It will try to repeat the massacre of October 7 again and again; we will not consent to this," the Israeli Prime Minister asserted.

"Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas," Netanyahu added.

A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisages an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel.

Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution, as does the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement.

The Israeli Prime Minister would have little support from his ultra-right coalition partners for a more conciliatory approach to relations with the Palestinians.

Critics have repeatedly accused Netanyahu of having tolerated or even encouraged the rise of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

As a rival to the more moderate Fatah of President Mahmoud Abbas, it has served to divide the Palestinian people to prevent a Palestinian state.

Many right-wing Israelis consider a Palestinian state to be an intolerable security risk for Israel.

--IANS/DPA

khz
Baghdad, May 23 : An Iraqi soldier was killed and five others wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Salahudin province north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a provincial police source said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a roadside bomb went off near an army vehicle in a village near the town of Tuz Khurmatu in the eastern part of Salahudin, Mohammed al-Bazi from the media office of the provincial police command told Xinhua news agency.

The blast destroyed the vehicle, killing a soldier and wounding five others onboard, al-Bazi said, adding that an investigation was launched into the incident as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

The attack came following another one in the province last week, which was conducted by militants of the Islamic State (IS) group and killed an army officer and four soldiers.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017.

However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
Ramallah, May 23 : The Israeli army continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua news agency that the Israeli army had sent reinforcements to several neighbourhoods in Jenin and its camp, adding reconnaissance drones were hovering intensively over the area.

The sources noted that the army forces carried out raids and searches that targeted dozens of homes in the camp's neighbourhoods, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the death toll in Israeli raids has risen to eight and the injuries to 24, with four of them in serious condition.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that military bulldozers destroyed the infrastructure, resulting in power outages and disruption to communications and internet services in large areas of the city and the camp.

On Tuesday, Israeli special forces stormed the camp, leading to the outbreak of armed clashes with Palestinian militants.

Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee called the raids a "counter-terror" operation on social media platform X.

Cities, camps, and villages in the West Bank have witnessed an escalation after the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 514 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and Jerusalem during the escalation.
Amman, May 23 : A new humanitarian aid convoy, comprising 92 trucks, has crossed into the Gaza Strip, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) said in a statement.

The convoy, sent by the charity organisation in cooperation with Jordan Armed Forces, is loaded with essential food parcels, tents, and medical supplies, according to the statement released on Wednesday.

The operation was conducted in partnership with the World Food Programme, the Qatar Red Crescent, and other organisations to distribute aid to the people in Gaza, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza cannot tolerate any delays in sending and delivering diverse humanitarian aid, which is crucial for the continuity of life for the war-affected people in the area," JHCO Secretary General Hussein Shibli was quoted in the statement as saying.

He said that JHCO "aims to deliver more essential and necessary aid, which is considered a lifeline for the people in Gaza, in cooperation with various supporting entities from around the world".

Since the onset of the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza last October, the total number of aid trucks dispatched from Jordan and successfully entering the Palestinian enclave has reached 1,456, according to the organisation.
Moscow, May 23 : The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP) was attacked by a Ukrainian kamikaze drone, according to the plant's press service.

The NPP said on Wednesday that Ukraine's armed forces attacked the plant with a kamikaze drone, which was detected on the plant's territory, Xinhua news agency reported.

There were no casualties or damage following the attack, according to the press service.

It added that drone attacks on residential and social facilities were carried out over the past two days against the city of Energodar, where the nuclear plant is located.
Tehran, May 23 : Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has stressed that his country would continue its policy of expanding relations with Armenia.

During a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Iranian capital Tehran, Khamenei stressed the historical and geographical commonalities and common interests between the two countries, according to a statement published on the Supreme Leader's website on Wednesday.

He said some parties were against the improvement of the strategic ties between the two countries, emphasising the need for careful handling of issues concerning the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also highlighted the late President Ebrahim Raisi's concern about border issues with Armenia, stressing the importance of maintaining attentiveness in addressing these issues.

Pashinyan, who is in Iran to attend Raisi's funeral on Wednesday, extended condolences for the deaths of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials in a helicopter accident on Sunday in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azerbaijan.
Management at Seminary Co-op and 57th Street Books, both located in Chicagos Hyde Park neighborhood, have voluntarily recognized the booksellers' union that formed about a week ago at the stores. Seminary Co-op Booksellers Union (SCBU) IU 660 is a branch of the Industrial Workers of the World international labor union, which was founded in Chicago in 1905, and joins Moes Books Union in Berkeley, Calif., as an affiliate of the union, which is famously nicknamed the Wobblies.

In a release, the Seminary Co-Op Bookstores managers noted that the board of directors supports their decision to voluntarily recognize the union, and that we share this news in the spirit of joint commitment to these bookstores and the communities they serve.

In their own release, organizers described the booksellers' motivations for unionizing as "straightforward. At the moment, and for all of the Co-ops illustrious history, booksellers take home grossly less than they deserve. The highest-paid SCBU members earn $18.50 per hour, far below even our countys modest living wage floor. The majority of members earn between $16.00 and $17.50 an hour, scarcely more than Chicagos insufficient minimum wage." The union pledged to advocate for policies that "ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming workspace for current and future staff," and intends to demand "a louder voice in shaping the operational and financial strategy of our stores, at a time of both upheaval and opportunity in the world of book publishing and distribution."

In an email to PW this morning, SCBU IU 660 member Adam Doster emphasized: "the union's top priority is establishing, at minimum, a living wage for all non-salaried booksellers on staff, and that we look forward to our discussions and collaboration with management to make that a reality."

The announcement of the formation of the union comes five days after Jeff Deutsch, the executive director of the Seminary Co-op Bookstores for the past 10 years, unexpectedly stepped down from his position for personal reasons. While the board searches for an interim executive director, Noor Shawaf, who joined Seminary Co-op two years ago as director of events and finance, and managing director Clancey DIsa, who launched her bookselling career in 2018 as manager of 57th Street Books, are serving as acting codirectors. The board intends to launch a search for a permanent executive director after soliciting input from Seminary Co-op Bookstores members.

The Seminary Co-op was founded as a member-owned cooperative in 1961 by five students attending the Chicago Theological Seminary. The Seminary Co-op is regarded as the more erudite of the two bookstores, specializing in scholarly tomes (the store is located in the same neighborhood as the University of Chicago) and small and independent press titles. Its sister store, 57th Street Books, which opened in 1983, carries a more general selection of books for adults and children.

This story has been updated.
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Property details:

This coastal residential lot in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi is a great opportunity for those looking to build their own home. The lot is located in the Bayside Park Waveland area and is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful views of the bay. The seller lives in Arizona and the lot is zoned for residential use. This means that you can build a home on the lot and enjoy the benefits of living in a residential area. The city of Bay St. Louis is known for its beautiful homes and this lot...

Price: $ 899 Seller State of Residence: Arizona Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential City: BAY SAINT LOUIS State/Province: Mississippi Location: 922**, Desert Hot Springs, California

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This auction is for OIL & GAS and MINERAL RIGHTS on 20 ACRES OF LAND in COLLIER COUNTY, in FLORIDA. the nearest city is Ochopee, FL, its near highway 41 & 29. LOCATED about 4.3 miles north of Tamiami Trl ENO RESERVE AUCTION, Starting Bid of only $100or BUY it NOW for ONLY $17,500Famous Collier Family is the largest holder of the mineral rights in the area, they kept mineral rights, after they sold land to the Bush family.Collier County in Florida, is home to florida's first oil well. First oil w...

Price: $ 103 State/Province: florida Seller State of Residence: Florida Location: 889**, The Lakes, Nevada

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/21/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Ryan Sutter has revealed Trista Rehn is "inaccessible" but "fine" after he posted a cryptic message on Instagram suggesting they had possibly split.Ryan just cleared up one of his recent Instagram posts, which had suggested there is something wrong with Trista and she's out of reach, with a lengthy explanation to fans who were left worrying about the former star."I write what is on my mind at the moment. I write my feelings without regard for how they will be interpreted and with absolutely no intent to deceive or mislead anyone -- that is the farthest thing from my mind," Ryan wrote this past weekend in response to backlash and criticism."I choose to share my thoughts on occasion because it helps me process them and, I hope, may help others navigate their own lives. Trista is fine. We are fine. We're great."Ryan continued, "Trista is at a place in life where she is searching a bit. An opportunity presented itself that may help her on that quest. With her family's support, she has taken it. Part of that process means that she is temporarily inaccessible to us."Ryan concluded his latest message by confirming, "I miss her. We miss her."Earlier that day, Ryan had uploaded a post that began with, "I really wish I could talk to you. Ask you how you're doing? How was your day."Ryan went on to write, "I'd really like to hear your voice -- just for a minute. So many times I've called without much to say, not realizing how lucky I was or how much I'd miss the opportunity if it were gone."Ryan explained how he really wanted to know what Trista was doing."I want to support and encourage and cheer you on. I want to be there for you. But I can't. And that's ok cause I know you need this time -- time to discover yourself again," Ryan shared."So I'll be here for you instead. I'll be here when you get back. I'll be here to listen to you, to smile with you, maybe cry with you -- I'll be here to love you... I'll be here... forever. #love."Comments poured in from fans, who were clearly upset about Trista's well-being. Many fans also interpreted Ryan's first post as a split announcement."What's going on[?] Are they separated having problems?" one person asked."Did Trista die? Omg," another person wrote."This sounds like a treatment situation," an Instagram user commented. "They take your phones for a week or so."And another person scolded Ryan for his initial post, writing, "Ryan I say this with love but a post like this is irresponsible. Everyone immediately panicked. Please just be aware of the message your sending."Last month, Trista gushed about her husband's strength and ability to overcome adversity on "The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison ."Ryan, who won Trista Rehn 's final rose on 's first season, was diagnosed with Lyme disease in May 2021 after he'd been suffering from various symptoms for months prior.Ryan had been desperate for answers after undergoing tests for nearly a year to find out why he had been feeling so ill and fatigued.Ryan previously explained on Trista's "Better, Etc." podcast how doctors said his body had been weakened from exposure to mold toxins and so he was unable to fight Lyme disease.Ryan had also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic in 2020 as well as Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis.Ryan graduated from firefighter training in June 2021, just weeks after revealing his Lyme disease diagnosis in Spring 2021.Ryan had to take time off from his firefighting job in Denver, CO, to take care of himself, but he returned to work in January 2022 after undergoing two major surgeries.Trista and Ryan have two teenage children together: son Maxwell Alston and daughter Blakesley Grace.Trista -- who found fame when she competed on Alex Michel's season of The Bachelor in 2002 -- chose Ryan at the final Rose Ceremony of her season over runner-up Charlie Maher.Ryan proposed marriage to Trista on 's first-season finale, which aired on ABC in February 2003 and drew over 30 million viewers Trista, a former Dancing with the Stars and Fear Factor contestant, changed her last name from Rehn to Sutter when she married Ryan in December 2003 Trista & Ryan's Wedding's two-hour finale -- which featured the couple's wedding ceremony and reception at the Lodge in Rancho Mirage resort in Palm Springs, CA -- drew over 17 million viewers when it aired on ABC on December 10, 2003.Trista and Ryan welcomed Maxwell in July 2007 followed by Blakesley in April 2009.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
The AK-47 is inarguably Mikhail Kalashnikovs magnum opus, but its not the 1940s anymore, and despite countless memes, rifle is not fine. Dont get me wrong, I love every iteration of the AK and own the majority of them. But Im not so enamored with the avtomat that I cant see its flaws.

Indeed, when I first got into firearms back around 2000, I was obsessed with the AKM  it was the go-to rifle of the so-called bad guys. From those evil Soviets I saw on the news as a kid, to Vietcong fighters in Southeast Asia, to various terror groups waving beat-to-hell guns above their heads defiantly, the AK was the forbidden gun.

I remember reading in countless magazines how the gun was unstoppable, reliable, and rugged but terribly inaccurate. But when I got my first AK back in 2003, I discovered that so-called experts on the gun were often anything but. The gun isnt flawlessly reliable (though it is pretty damn good), and despite being labeled as inaccurate, it was easily capable of hitting man-sized targets out to 300 yards.

Or at least, mine would have been if the sights on it werent so canted.

It wasnt until I got my first real job out of college that I bought an AK that lived up to the hype  an Arsenal SGL-21, aka a factory-converted Russian Saiga carbine in 7.6239.

That gun reignited a passion for the Kalashnikov that I thought was long dead. And it really opened my eyes to the potential of the platform. But whenever I returned to my more ergonomic NATO guns like my SIG 556 or BCM M16A4 clone, I began to wish my AK had all these creature comforts.

Evidently, I wasnt alone, as even the Russians felt the same way. This is part of what spurred them to develop the gun that would eventually become the AK-12. But its more complicated than that, so buckle up. Lets take a dive into the history of the development of the latest Kalash.

IZHMASH AK-12 ORIGIN

The Russian Federation began toying with the idea of an improved AKM at the end of the 1960s, using lessons learned from Americas M16 and its use of a high-velocity, small-caliber round. The result was the AK-74  an AKM rechambered in 5.45x39mm. The only real differences between that and the standard AKM are the inclusion of an aggressive two-port muzzle brake, a 90-degree gas block, and the use of new magazines.

The AK-12 gas block departs from typical AK design with its removable gas plug. The muzzle brake features wire cutter grooves.

Later, the Russians added a folding stock and polymer furniture to the design under the moniker AK-74M. The gun was an immediate success  so much so that Russia incorporated these design features into all of their Kalashnikov rifles. The end result was the 100-series of AK rifles and carbines. Although aesthetically different, these guns were mechanically the same as the original AK-47.

Which is to say, exceptionally reliable, extremely rugged, and accurate enough for combat use. But contrary to the unofficial motto of the Soviet Union (and one that allegedly hung on the wall of Admiral Gorshkovs office), Perfect is the enemy of good. The Russians werent satisfied yet.

Enter the Ratnik program.

RATNIK PROGRAM

The Ratnik, or Russian for Warrior Program, is a next-generation infantry program designed to modernize the loadout and equipment of Russian Federation soldiers for the 21st century.

The program draws several parallels with the U.S. Armys failed Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) and Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) programs, though is far broader in scope.

Aspects of the program can be traced back to the final years of the Soviet Union when Russia attempted to develop and field the space-age AN-94 assault rifle.

This gun used a totally different method of operation to facilitate a special two-round hyper burst mode that fired the first two shots so quickly that, conceptually, the rifle couldnt recoil off target before the second round left the barrel.

The concept worked for the most part, but the combination of high cost and the collapse of the Soviet Union meant that very few of these were ever built, and even fewer fielded.

However, the benefits of a more modernized combat rifle became more apparent as the U.S. rolled out optics for its infantry forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s. So Russia again set out to modernize the AK. Still, this time, they werent going for a radical departure, but incremental gains to make the gun lighter, more ergonomic, and optics-friendly.

The rearsight is moved to the topcover for longer sight radius and is adjustable to 800m.

Part of the Ratnik program was doing just that. Several entries were submitted from various Russian arms makers to either bring the AK-74 on par or surpass the American M4 carbine  not just in terms of modularity and ergonomics but also accuracy.

THE AK-107

The Kalashnikov Concern submission to the program was the AK-107 carbine. While ostensibly it looks like a standard 100-series AK with an extended gas tube, its actually a very different beast. It utilizes a counter-balance system that shifts a large mass forward toward the muzzle to counter-balance the rearward recoil impulse.

The result is a 5.45mm AK with virtually zero muzzle rise.

The problems with adopting this gun were similar to that of the AN-94  cost and complexity. But it had a more massive issue that totally stopped the gun from being adopted: GP25 compatibility. The GP25 is the military designation for the muzzle-loaded, under-barrel 40mm grenade launcher used by Russian forces.

Apparently, the stout recoil impulse of the launcher caused the AK-107s complex counterbalance recoil system to grind to a halt. Allegedly, a single round was enough to render the entire system useless.

This left the designers with very little time to come up with a new design from scratch to meet the Ratnik Programs requirements. So, the engineers at Kalashnikov Concern decided to build a new design from scratch that took the best aspects of the original AK and totally redesigned the lackluster ones. After only a few months of development, the engineers delivered the first prototype of the AK-12.

The handguard has a 12 oclock Pic rail in the same plane as the topcover in order to mount clip-on night vision or thermal devices.

THE KALASHNIKOV CONCERN AK-12

Under the hood, the AK-12 was all AKM. It still utilized the same long-stroke piston-driven gas system that made the guns so famously reliable. However, despite being a heavily modified AK-74M, the initial AK-12 prototypes had issues.

During the Ratnik testing phase, the first guns failed drop tests in two different ways. One gun had its charging handle snap off, while another actually bent its receiver. But given the short amount of development time, this wasnt surprising. So, a year later, after incorporating the recommended changes from the first round of testing, Kalashnikov Concern delivered a second prototype, and a third later.

And its that third and final prototype that were checking out today.

Full disclosure: there are currently no civilian-legal, factory-built AK-12 carbines or rifles on the market today. A good friend of mine bought an AK-12 parts kit  minus all the components that run afoul of the National Firearms Act  and then paid entirely too much money to have a custom receiver, barrel, and fire control unit fabricated and the entire thing assembled by a very talented gunsmith. He also chose the gray Cerakote finish on the gun to set it apart from the all-black standard versions. With that out of the way, lets take a closer look at the guns features.

AK-12 (AK-400) FINAL VERSION

Starting at the muzzle, we see the first big departure from standard AKMs: the muzzle device. The AK-12 features a unique quick-detach, two-port muzzle brake atop its 16.3-inch barrel. The muzzle itself isnt actually threaded but instead features a simple cam lock with a modified AK-100 series anti-rotation pin. To remove the brake, a shooter depresses the pin and rotates the brake 180 degrees before pulling it forward and free of the barrel.

Just below this is a combination bayonet lug/cleaning rod retainer thats designed to use 100-series bayonets.

Further back, the AK-12 features a 90-degree gas block with the front sight assembly built into it  much like the mid-length AK-100 series guns like the AK-104.

Further back, the AK-12 uses a new proprietary rigid polymer handguard with built-in Picatinny rails at the 12 and 6 oclock positions for mounting accessories. The handguard also incorporates four different QD sling mounting points, and most impressive of all, it actually free-floats the barrel.

Behind this, the modernized Kalashnikov uses a mostly standard AK-100 series receiver, but the dust cover is hinged to the barrel trunion and features a monolithic rail.

AK-12 TRIGGER TIME

All this is good and fine, but how did the test gun actually perform?

Exactly like youd expect: like an AK-74M race gun. Between the easy-to-use controls, hyper-effective muzzle brake, and already mild-recoil round, the AK-12 shoots flatter than Milla Jovovich.

Hammered pairs were an absolute joke. Even when using a magnified optic like the Trijicon ACOG LED I mounted, your sight picture barely moves between shots. Optics aint your thing? The aperture iron sights made hitting man-sized targets at 400 yards a point-and-click affair. Which, truth be told, surprised the hell out of me since most dust covers cant hold zero worth a damn. Not even the vaunted Valmet-AK-hybrid Galil ARM can do this.

In more objective terms, when the AK-12 was mounted on a Lyman Bag Jack rest atop an old picnic table, the gun produced 1.5 to 1.7 MOA groups with military surplus 7N6 ammo. When I loaded up a magazine with some Hornady SST rounds, this group shrank to nearly one MOA.

In terms of reliability, the AK-12 build ran fantastically.

I fired 500 rounds (RIP my bank account) of 7N6 FMJ and 100 rounds of Hornady SST rounds through it and never encountered a single malfunction. This was done with a combination of surplus Soviet magazines including modern 100-series mags (even an RPK-74M mag), old polymer mags, and even older Bakelite 30-rounders. I also tested new production magazines from Palmetto State Armory, AK-12 lookalike mags from AC Unity, and Magpul AK PMAGs.

Speaking of which, none of the military surplus magazines had any issue locking into the magazine well, but the AC Unity mags were a little bit tight. You could shave a small amount of the rear locking tab to fix this, but I found a cheaper solution, which was to insert, remove, and reinsert the mags a few dozen times. This didnt totally alleviate the problem but substantially reduced it.

As far as ergonomics go, the AK-12 didnt disappoint. The center of balance on the gun is just barely behind the magazine well, making the gun fast-pointing and not exhausting to shoulder for long durations. In my opinion, the collapsible stock really helped with this. Im a towering 5 feet 9 inches, and an A2 stock is too long for me to shoot comfortably.

The AK-12s stock allowed me to adjust the length of pull from shorter than standard Warsaw Pact length AK stock to even longer than an M16A2s fixed stock. So whether youre Peter Dinklage or Dolph Lundgren, the AK-12 can be adjusted to fit you.

Another thing that really surprised me about the AK was how well the handguard stayed cool. Even after I mag-dumped 90 rounds at steel targets, the handguard never got uncomfortable to hold. That said, just behind the handguard, the area under the barrel trunnion was hot as hell, but this is true of all Kalashnikov rifles.

AK-12 VERDICT

If youre an AK fanatic or collector, an AK-12 build can easily be the gem of your collection. Whats better is that the gun is 100-percent functional too. As someone who could never leave his toys in the box as a kid, I appreciate that its not just a wall hanger.

This is a military rifle made for the harsh conditions that Russian soldiers face in the field. If you can swing the astronomic prices these guns currently command (around $6,000), you should definitely take a serious look at an AK-12 build.

If youre just an avid shooter or lover of AKs, you would be better served with a military rifle like a Polish 5.45 AKM or if you have the money, an Arsenal-converted Saiga.

Make no mistake, an AK-12 is not a gun for shooters on a budget. Between the high initial cost and the crazy prices on 5.45mm ammo right now, this gun isnt a great financial decision. But as someone who owns an SVD, I can appreciate that some things are just awesome to own even if they dont make financial sense.
Tata Motors reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 17,483 crore (adjusted for exceptional gains and losses) for Q4FY24, surpassing TCS consolidated net earnings of Rs 12,434 crore.

For the automotive major, this marked a 213.7 per cent year-on-year increase in the bottom line, from Rs 5,573.8 crore a year ago.

In contrast, Indias biggest IT firm saw a more modest Y-o-Y growth of 9.1 per cent in net profit, from Rs 11,392 crore.

Tata Steel  another major company in the Tata group  is yet to declare its results for Q4FY24.

In comparison, the combined net profit of 16 Tata companies that have declared their results was up 64 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 33,217 crore in Q4FY24.

Its the first time in a decade that Tata Motors has topped the profit league table in the Tata group.

The last time it held this position was in the June 2014 quarter, when it reported an adjusted net profit of Rs 5,330.6 crore, against TCS' Rs 5,186.6 crore and Tata Steels Rs 400.6 crore.

Despite this, TCS remains the most profitable firm in the Tata group in terms of annual profit, with a consolidated adjusted net profit of Rs 46,625 crore in 2023-24.

This is significantly higher than Tata Motors adjusted net profit of Rs 32,078 crore last financial year.

This financial turnaround for Tata Motors financial fortunes is a significant boost for Tata Sons, the group holding company, which has repeatedly provided capital support to the automaker in the past.

Tata Motors is currently the single largest equity investment by Tata Sons in any of the groups listed and unlisted firms.

The holding company has cumulatively invested Rs 22,658 crore worth of equity in the automotive player, accounting for 36.5 per cent of all its equity investment in listed group companies and 18.2 per cent of all its equity investments.

A financially strong Tata Motors will allow Tata Sons to make additional investments in the groups new ventures, such as electronics manufacturing, e-commerce and aviation.

Previously, Tata Steel had become the most profitable company in the group during the global boom in steel prices in late 2021.

The steelmaker reported higher net profit than TCS in three of four quarters in FY22 and it posted a record annual net profit of Rs 40,238 crore in FY22 against TCS' Rs 38,327 crore.

However, TCS has been the most profitable company in the Tata group for the past 15 years, barring a few sporadic instances.

The company was demerged from Tata Sons in 2003 and was listed on stock exchanges in July 2004 after its initial public offer (IPO).

The numbers suggest that it could be challenging for Tata Motors to maintain its lead in the profit league table given the large volatility in its earnings over the past decade.

This is also true for Tata Steel, which moved from a record-high net profit in the September 2021 quarter to a quarterly net loss 15 months later in the December 2022 quarter.

In contrast, TCS net profit and revenue have grown at a steady pace since its debut on the bourses around 20 years ago.

According to analysts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the best may be behind Tata Motors, and it could be challenging for the company to maintain its current earnings momentum.

While there is no doubt that Tata Motors delivered an extremely robust performance across its key segments in FY24, there are clear headwinds ahead that are likely to hurt its performance, write analysts at Motilal Oswal Securities in a post-results note on the automaker.

The brokerage has lowered its earnings per share estimates for Tata Motors by 3 per cent and 5 per cent for FY25 and FY26, respectively, given anticipated rising cost pressure and normalising product mix and a weak outlook for its India business.
Hours after the Bangladesh government declared on Wednesday that Awami League MP, Mohammed Anwarul Azim Anwar, who went missing from Kolkata on May 13, was brutally murdered in the city, the West Bengal police said that investigations into the case of the politician's killing has been taken up by the state Crime Investigation Department.

IMAGE: Awami League MP, Mohammed Anwarul Azim Anwar, who has been found murdered in Kolkata on May 22, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Facebook

Stating that the police had reliable inputs that Anwar may have been murdered, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, IG, CID, said that the police were yet to recover the victim's body.

We had no prior intimation of the Bangladeshi MP's arrival to this city. We came to know about him after his acquaintance in Kolkata, Gopal Biswas, filed a missing diary on May 18. A Special Investigation Team was formed by the Barrackpore police commissionerate to trace the missing politician.

We were in the middle of that investigation when, on May 20, we received an intimation from the ministry of external affairs and today (Wednesday) an input that makes us suspect that the victim may have been murdered, Chaturvedi said.

Unofficial sources said the police were exploring the possible angle of the body of the victim being dismembered and disposed of.

Anwar was murdered in a planned manner at a residence in Kolkata. Police teams of both India and Bangladesh are working simultaneously to unearth the motive behind the murder and who the culprits are. We are following all international protocols to get to the bottom of this, Asaduzzaman Khan, Bangladesh Home Minister, told reporters in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.

Asked whether the police found blood stains in the apartment of the luxury condominium in New Town in Kolkata's outskirts where the MP's whereabouts were last traced on May 13, Chaturvedi said, Our forensic team is examining the suspected crime scene. It's too early to speak about that.

The IG confirmed that the apartment was owned by Sanjib Ghosh, an employee of the state excise department, who, in turn, had rented it out to one Akhtaruzzaman, a US national, but refused to divulge further details of the ongoing investigation.

We are doing our best to solve this case, Chaturvedi said.

Anwar, the police sources said, was accompanied by two men and a woman when he checked into the apartment.

While CCTV footage showed that the unidentified men and woman left the residential complex in phases between May 15 and May 17, the MP could not be traced.

At least two of the three people accompanying the victim later returned to Bangladesh, the police said.

A team of officials from the Bidhannagar police commissionerate arrived on Wednesday morning at the designated apartment in New Town and were conducting investigations inside till reports were last received.

The Bangladeshi establishment, meanwhile, confirmed that they have arrested three individuals from the Wari area of Dhaka in connection with the case.

The search for the missing MP, who reportedly arrived in Kolkata on May 12 to undergo medical treatment, began six days later after Gopal Biswas, a resident of Baranagar in north Kolkata and acquaintance of the Bangladeshi politician at whose house the latter had put up on arrival, filed a missing person complaint with the local police on May 18.

In his complaint, Biswas stated that Anwar left the Baranagar residence to keep a doctor's appointment in the afternoon of May 13 while stating that he would be back home for dinner.

Later that day, Biswas alleged, he received a WhatsApp communication from the MP's phone stating he would be moving to Delhi for some urgent work and that his host need not call him up.

On the morning of May 15, the complainant stated he received another communication from the victim confirming he reached Delhi and was flanked by VIPs.

Biswas alleged that the Bangladeshi MP went incommunicado from May 17 which prompted him to file a missing person police complaint a day later.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi on Wednesday alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party has hatched a 'new conspiracy' to target Aam Aadmi Party and through its Haryana government has stopped water supply to the national capital.

IMAGE: Delhi Minister Atishi addresses a public meeting for the Lok Sabha elections, at Kalkaji in New Delhi. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP or the Haryana government.

Addressing a press conference, Atishi, who is also the Water minister, said the BJP has been hatching conspiracies to target the AAP ever since the Lok Sabha polls were announced.

"Within five days of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested so that the AAP could not campaign in the polls. After he came out on interim bail, they used the party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to frame him but even that plan did not work," Atishi said.

"Then they raked up the old issue of foreign funding to the party and now through their Haryana government, the BJP has stopped the supply of Yamuna water to Delhi," she alleged.

Atishi said the matter came to light after they started receiving complaints of water shortage even from those areas where such issues had never risen before. She said they would write to the Haryana government on Wednesday itself. If there is no action on their part, they will move an urgent application to the Supreme Court.

"The Yamuna level mostly remains at 674 feet at Wazirabad and even when it is at the lowest it remains at 672 feet. But on May 11, it was at 671.6 feet and remained at that level for three days. On May 14 and 15, it was at 671.9 feet and then on May 16 it came down to 671.3 feet and then it further declined to 671 feet in the subsequent three days," Atishi said.

"On May 21, maybe for the first time in history, Yamuna's water level came down to 670.9 feet," she added.

Atishi accused the BJP of doing this to 'tarnish the image of the AAP government" and "to trouble the people of Delhi'.

"They want to create a water crisis in the capital. I want to warn the people of Delhi that in the coming days till May 25, more such things will happen. They will do this to manipulate voters. I want to tell BJP that you cannot fool the people of Delhi," she said.
As many as 290 cases of KP.2 and 34 cases of KP.1, both sub-lineages of COVID-19 that are responsible for surge in cases in Singapore, have been found in India, according to official data.

Image only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

However, a source in the Union health ministry told PTI that they are all sub variants of JN1 and there is no associated increase in hospitalisation and severe cases.

"So there is no reason for concern or panic. The mutations will keep happening at a rapid pace and this is the natural behaviour of viruses like SARS-CoV2," the source said.

The source further said that the INSACOG surveillance is sensitive and is able to pick up the emergence of any new variant and samples are also picked from hospitals in a structured manner to detect any change in the severity of disease due to virus.

Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that 34 cases of KP.1 have been found across seven states and UTs with 23 cases registered from West Bengal.

The other states are Goa (1), Gujarat (2), Haryana (1), Maharashtra (4) Rajasthan (2) and Uttarakhand (1).

As many as 290 cases of KP.2 have been registered with Maharashtra reporting the highest number at 148, according to the data.

The other states and Union territories are Delhi (1), Goa (12), Gujarat (23), Haryana (3), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Odisha (17), Rajasthan (21), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (16) and West Bengal (36).

Singapore is seeing a new COVID-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 with KP.1 and KP.2 accounting for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore.

Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2.

KP.1 and KP.2 belong to a group of COVID-19 variants scientists have nicknamed 'FLiRT', after the technical names of their mutations.

The strains in FLiRT are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organisation as a Variant Under Monitoring.
Singapore Airlines on Wednesday said it is fully cooperating with relevant authorities in the investigation into the London to Singapore flight which encountered severe turbulence, leading to the death of one passenger and injuring 30 others.

IMAGE: People look at the Singapore Airlines aircraft for flight SQ321 parked on the tarmac after an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 22, 2024. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Geoffrey Kitchen, a 73-year-old British passenger, died likely due to a heart attack on the Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on Tuesday, said Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, to where the flight was diverted under emergency.

As many as 30 passengers were injured after the flight on May 21 encountered 'sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure'.

The carrier said the remaining passengers aboard the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft carrying 229 people were examined and treated at the airport.

SIA is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities in probing this incident, SIA Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong said.

As many as 131 passengers and 12 crew members, who earlier arrived in Singapore via a relief flight on May 22, were received at Changi Airport by Goh.

Transportation to their homes or hotel accommodation has been arranged for passengers travelling to Singapore.

The SIA in its latest update confirmed an additional five passengers on board the SQ321 flight will return to Singapore on Wednesday.

Another 74 passengers and six crew members, including those receiving medical care, as well as, their family members and loved ones who were on the flight, were still in Bangkok.

The airline confirmed that one crew member is scheduled to return to Singapore on May 23.

For passengers with onward connections, we have rebooked them on alternative flights. We have also arranged hotel accommodation or lounge access for them to rest until their next flight, Singapore's flag carrier said.

On behalf of the Singapore Airlines Board, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our passenger who passed away on May 21, 2024, in the SQ321 incident. I assure all passengers and crew members who were on board the aircraft that we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time," said Peter Seah, Chairman of Singapore Airlines.

"I also wish to express my gratitude to everyone in Singapore, Thailand, and around the world who are assisting those affected by this incident," Seah said.

The carrier also said it was actively reaching out to family members and loved ones, where possible, of the injured persons to provide updates and offer any needed support.

The nationalities of the passengers are as follows: 56 from Australia, three Indians, two from Canada, one from Germany, two Indonesians, one from Iceland, four from Ireland, one from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, two from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, five from the Philippines, 41 Singaporeans, one South Korean, two from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and four from the US.

A dedicated SIA team from Singapore is in Bangkok to assist our colleagues and the local authorities. We are providing all possible support to the passengers and crew from SQ321 who remain in Bangkok, said the airline.

"On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We also deeply apologise for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight," Goh said.

We are providing all possible assistance and support to them, along with their families and loved ones, during this difficult time. The well-being of our passengers and staff is our utmost priority, he added.

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing extended its condolences to the family of the British national who died aboard SQ321.
Four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in Surrey were ordered by a Canadian court to have no contact with several people in the community, as they made their first joint appearance before it in the case that has severely strained ties between India and Canada.

IMAGE: Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh, the three individuals charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the murder in Canada of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. Photograph: Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT)/Handout via Reuters

Three of the four suspects -- Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh -- appeared in person for the first time in B.C. Provincial Court in Surrey.

The fourth suspect -- Amandeep Singh, 22, -- appeared by video link.

Amandeep Singh remains in custody in Ontario where he was facing unrelated weapons offences before being arrested on May 10 for Nijjar's killing.

Judge Mark Jette spoke to the men through an interpreter as he placed them under a no-contact order, before adjourning until the suspects' next appearance on June 25, CBC News reported.

Prosecutor Marcel Daigle said the time until the next hearing will allow the Crown to fulfil its evidentiary disclosure obligations to the suspects' lawyers.

Those appearing in person wore red prison sweatsuits as they entered the courtroom.

Richard Fowler, the lawyer representing Karan Brar, told the Vancouver Sun, "It's completely understandable given the context why there is an enormous amount of community interest in this case. That level of community interest makes me...to ensure that those charged with these offences have a fair trial."

Attendees at the latest hearing for the men were searched before entering the courthouse, while the supporters of Nijjar held a protest outside.

Sheriffs at the hearing placed peoples' phones in plastic zipper bags and kept them outside the courtroom in plastic bins, with the judge warning observers that recording audio and taking pictures was prohibited, the report added.

Nijjar, 45, was killed outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.

India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist, was wanted in India on various terror charges.

India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.

Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The visa services were resumed several weeks later.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had recently said that by allowing political space to Khalistani separatist elements, the Canadian government is sending a message that its vote bank is 'more powerful' than its rule of law.
India already faces a poor nurse-population ratio and the situation is set to worsen with nurses emigrating to other countries in large numbers, doctors and medical experts have observed, noting this creates a big gap in addressing the country's healthcare needs.

IMAGE: Nurses hold a candlelight vigil to renew their pledge in front of the picture of Florence Nightingale, at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, May 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The experts issued a joint statement in New Delhi, expressing concerns over the shortage of nurses in the country.

Citing figures from the regulatory body Indian Nursing Council, Association of Healthcare Providers (India) director general Dr Girdhar Gyani said there are more than 33 lakh nursing personnel registered in the country but this figure is dismal given India's 1.3 billion population.

With 1.96 nurses per 1,000 population, India falls short of the World Health Organization recommended rate of three nurses per 1,000 population, he said.

Director of the Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, Dr Shuchin Bajaj said, "While the shortage of nurses and their massive emigration to foreign countries is a cause for worry, there is a need to train them at home, especially amid the advent of health tech and other technologies."

"The challenges are more persistent in Tier-2 and 3 cities, where there is a lack of a trained healthcare force despite the establishment of state-of-the-art hospitals or health facilities. Apart from that, the nursing community also looks forward to greater support from the government," he added.

While it is the need of the hour to focus on increasing the skilled workforce, it is equally important to invest in upskilling the existing workforce, Dr Gyani added.

"By arming our nurses with advanced training and specialised knowledge, we don't just fill staffing gaps, we unlock a cascade of benefits: better patient care, reduced healthcare costs and happier and motivated nurses," he added.

Speaking on the role of nurses in educating communities about eye health and disease prevention, Dr Rishi Raj Borah, country director at Orbis (India), said nurses work closely with patients and connect with them based on their knowledge of things beyond medical records.

By organising educational workshops, school screenings and community awareness campaigns, nurses can effectively disseminate essential information on eye health, he added.

"There is still a lack of awareness on how some easy-to-follow practices can go a long way toward healthy vision. Nurses can guide communities in incorporating these practices into their daily routines," he said.
'When our daughters, wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vignesh Phogat, were protesting at Jantar Mantar, the police kicked them with their shoes.'

IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi during a public meeting in Sonipat, Haryana, May 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

As Haryana gears up for elections on May 25, issues concerning women, the treatment of wrestlers, and farmer protests weigh heavily on the minds of the voters.

"Women from villages used to defecate in the open earlier. They also used the chulha (open brick stove used for cooking), which caused them to have lung problems. Only my 'big brother' thought about these women and the Muslim women whose husbands abandoned them after uttering talaq thrice," says Poonam Aggarwal, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's women wing.

Aggarwal is one of the thousands of women who attended Narendra D Modi's maiden rally at the Police Line grounds in Ambala city on Saturday.

In Kaithal, Pitaso, in her 50s, is visibly upset with the treatment of the farmers by the ruling BJP. She is not going to be swayed by the promises made by any political party. "They all are birds of the same feather," says Pitaso.

"I will first ask for my rights and for a guarantee to fulfil our demands," says Pitaso, who is actively involved in the farmer agitation, including the one in Delhi.

Neelam, another farmer from Pai village in Kaithal, is upset at the "injustice" meted out to the farmers. "Only papers are being pushed around; there are no jobs and no MSP (minimum support price) for farmers," she says.

Modi, who invoked Bharat Mata, Goddess Ambika, and Goddess Manasa Devi at the beginning of his speech in Ambala on Saturday, endorsed the candidature of Banto Kataria from Ambala. Kataria is the widow of Rattan Lal Kataria, former minister of state and two-time member of Parliament from the Ambala constituency. Saturday was also Rattan Lal Kataria's death anniversary.

"She has been given the ticket after years of political struggle and hard work; do you think this is a small thing for women? We, sisters of Banto Kataria, would like to assure her that we will all ensure her victory," Aggarwal says as others around her nod in agreement.

Anil Malik, a farmer from Hisar, recalls watching a recent video of Naina Chautala, the JJP candidate from Hisar. Naina Singh Chautala is the wife of Ajay Singh Chautala, a Rajya Sabha member and the mother of Dushyant Chautala, the former deputy CM of Haryana.

"She spoke about respect for women in that video. When our daughters, wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vignesh Phogat, were protesting at the Jantar Mantar, the police kicked them with their shoes. No one thought of the pride of women then?"

Last year, Indian wrestlers, a lot of them from Haryana, protested to initiate an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of female athletes by BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. His son is contesting from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on a BJP ticket.

Fifty-five-year-old Neelam from Ambala says the BJP has delivered exactly what it has promised in the past 10 years. Baby, 48, agrees: "It opened the Ram Mandir and we Hindus can now visit that place... As a Hindu, he (Modi) is fulfilling our wishes."

Neelam's three sons work in the unorganised sector. When asked how the family manages its finances given the unreliable source of income, she says: "Ho jaata hai (we manage somehow)." All she wants now is a pucca house under the PM Awas Yojana.

Aruna Sudan, 38, feels the BJP government has used public money for all the right policies. "The women's reservation Bill will benefit women from Haryana because it's a rural state and women don't get to exercise their rights here.
'Go around and ask what Amritpal has done for the village and nearby areas.'

IMAGE: Amritpal Singh, who was arrested by the Punjab police, being taken to Dibrugarh jail in Assam, April 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Nearly an hour's drive from Amritsar, Jhallur Khera is a one-of-its-kind village. While the houses in the village are beaming with state-of-the-art infrastructure, with some even having solar panels, the stone-and-sand roads are difficult to navigate.

An octogenarian villager says the road is in this condition as it's yet to be completed and a roller needs to work on it.

With most of the people echoing the old man's sentiment, a young man says: "It's like this so that other parties can't enter the village."

Just at the entrance of Jhallur Khera village, there's a large poster on a gurudwara that is visible from afar. The poster says: 'This village wholeheartedly supports Amritpal in the elections. Other parties should refrain from seeking votes here.'

Punjab is seeing one of the tightest electoral battles ever.

For the first time in decades, four major parties -- the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal -- have thrown their hat into the ring, and that too without any alliance. The Bahujan Samaj Party is also in contention.

With psephologists yet to determine how fruitful this move by parties may be, one of the 13 seats in the state has an interesting contest. Called the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency till 2009, the Khadoor Sahib seat's fifth candidate is Amritpal Singh.

Jallupur Khera, the native village of Singh, seems to be on a war footing. No flags or posters of parties are visible. A sense of organised chaos prevailed in the village as the head of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal Singh, was finally given a poll symbol (mic) ahead of the elections on June 1.

The youth in the village ran around with newly made posters of Singh, while the elderly congregated in the home of Amritpal's uncle Sukhchain Singh. The home also serves as Amritpal's election office, with his uncle taking charge of his campaign as his parents are out campaigning in another district.

The office, with a tent set up for more accommodation, can host up to 10 people at a time. A number of supporters from far-off districts gathered at the office after the allotment of the symbol to discuss the poll strategy for the next 11 days.

Even though the village is buzzing with activity around polls, most of the villagers choose to maintain silence over the incidents in 2023, after Singh stormed into a police station with weapons to demand the release of his jailed aide.

"Yes, the officers were here. You know what happened. The whole country knows. It was a difficult time for everyone involved, especially this village. We had police patrol the village even after a month of his arrest," a villager said.

"A number of these people help us during elections. They do it out of love and the cause Amritpal propagates. The whole talk of Khalistan is false. The idea that he (Amritpal) propagates is mostly of a drug-free Punjab, employment, Bandi Sikhs and fair treatment to the state. Even the poll campaign is far from mentioning anything about Khalistan," says Sukhchain Singh.

Another worker in the office says: "A number of parties approached him. But Amritpal isn't greedy for power or a seat. He only wants the best for the people of the state."

"His comparison with (Jarnail Singh) Bhindranwale is over the top," he adds. "Appearances cannot be the only tool for comparison. Go around and ask what Amritpal has done for the village and nearby areas."

IMAGE: Police personnel deployed outside Amritpal Singh's residence at Jallupur Khera village, Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo

A number of villagers said Amritpal had done a commendable job by setting up a de-addiction centre in the village. Some, though, are apprehensive about it because admission in a rehab gets them the tag of hafimi (addict).

"Despite this, this is the first time someone has done something about it," a 23-year-old villager, putting up Amritpal's posters, says.

The rampant use of drugs in Punjab is well recorded. The aforementioned youth explains why most people, despite knowing about the menace, decide to get into the business of selling and using drugs.

"The system has a hierarchy. The top bosses of a gang always guarantee the foot soldiers that they would provide for their families when and if anything happens. And they do keep their promises. More than that, a daily-wage job might just get you Rs 400 a day. If you make a name for yourself, an average day could get you up to Rs 1,000. If the government doesn't provide jobs and social security, the youth would turn towards drugs."

Another aspect of Amritpal's poll campaign has been to speak about Bandi Sikhs, Sikh political prisoners who remain in jail despite their sentences being over.

"People misinterpret this as a Khalistani cause. I agree that some people had committed mistakes but they were punished as well. Keeping them in jail beyond their sentences is also heavy-handedness. Amritpal might have said certain things about Khalistan and we don't agree with that. Nobody is above the law. But we do back him up on this," a shopkeeper near the Khadoor Sahib gurdwara says.

Many parties, especially the Akali Dal, believe that Amritpal contesting would cut their votes. But shop owners near the gurdwara in Tarn Taran, once a hotbed of separatist activity, remain unperturbed.

"The Akalis had a lot of time to help us with the drug menace. Instead, it increased during their tenure. There was a crisis of leadership in the state and that's why AAP came to power in 2022," says a shop owner outside Tarn Taran Sahib.

"But we have realised that only Amritpal can change the situation. He has helped us without being in power. Imagine what he'll do if he is in power?"
Some persons allegedly tried to throw ink at the police vehicle in which the father of a 17-year-old boy, whose speeding luxury car killed two software engineers in Pune, was being brought to a local court, an official said.

IMAGE: People throw ink at the police van in which the father of the minor accused was brought to court in Pune. Photograph: ANI on X

The incident occurred around 2.30 pm when the teenager's father, who was placed under arrest on Tuesday evening after being detained from central Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar town, was being brought to the court complex in Shivajinagar area in Pune for his production before the additional sessions court judge, he said.

The car, a Porsche, allegedly driven by the boy, who the police claim was drunk at the time of the accident, fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune city in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

"As per the preliminary information, four to five people belonging to some outfit tried to throw ink at the police vehicle escorting the father of the juvenile accused," a Pune police official said.

The car accident has claimed the lives of Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals hailing from Madhya Pradesh and working in Pune.

After the car crash, the police had registered a case against the teenager's father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Section 75 deals with 'wilful neglect of a child or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses' while section 77 deals with supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs.
As several countries recognised Palestinian statehood on Wednesday, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz sent a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway stressing, "Israel will not remain silent."

IMAGE: A man walks past Israeli flags at the green market, in Tel Aviv, on May 22, 2024. Photograph: Marko Djurica/Reuters

Israel's foreign minister instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of this development.

Spain, Norway and Ireland on Wednesday, said, that they would recognise an independent Palestinian state, a rebuke to Israel over its war in Gaza and its decades of occupation of Palestinian territories, The New York Times reported.

'I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state. I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security,' he said in a post shared on X.

Foreign Minister Katz emphasised that the decision sends a message to them that 'Terrorism pays'.

"Today's decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays," he said.

The Israeli foreign minister highlighted that these countries are choosing to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.

'After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state,' he said in his post on X.

Calling it a 'distorted step', Katz said that this would be an injustice to the memory of the victims of the October 7 attack, adding that it undermines the chance for peace.

"This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel's right to self-defence," he said.

"Israel will not remain silent -- there will be further severe consequences," Katz stressed, adding that if Spain follows through on its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

"The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these," he said.

Over 140 countries and the Holy See have recognised a Palestinian state, but most Western European countries and the US have not, reported The New York Times.

According to them, the recognition should be achieved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and while they support a two-state solution, unilateral measures by third parties will not advance that goal.

Meanwhile, Israel has strongly condemned international attempts to recognise a Palestinian state and emphasised that Israel needs to negotiate directly with Palestinian leaders on a permanent solution.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that establishing a Palestinian state would be an 'existential danger' to Israel, The New York Times reported.
Veteran Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was found murdered in Kolkata and three people have been arrested, Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced in Dhaka on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Anwarul Azim Anar.

Photograph: ANI/X

Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was murdered at a Kolkata flat, Khan told reporters. So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder, he said.

The minister said that the Bangladesh police have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of the 56-year-old lawmaker, The Daily Star, Dhaka, reported.

Asked about the whereabouts of the body, he said that they were yet to know about it. We will soon inform you about the motive," the minister said, adding that Indian police are cooperating with the case.

The three-time MP and president of Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League went to India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. A general diary report about his disappearance was filed at Baranagar police station in North Kolkata on May 18, the report said.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Azim, the portal said quoting the United News of Bangladesh news agency.

Azim was the AL lawmaker from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency.

Jhenaidah is a bordering area known for its high crime rate. Azim was the local lawmaker there. The incident took place after went to India for treatment. According to what we currently know, he was killed there, the home minister said.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has asserted there were no lapses on the part of the government in handling cases relating to the alleged sexual abuse of women by Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and that the Special Investigation Team was probing them from all angles.

IMAGE: National Students' Union of India (NSUI) supporters along with the students of the Maharani College stage a protest against Janata Dal-Secular MP Prajwal Revanna over his alleged involvement in the sex scandal, in Bengaluru. Photograph: ANI Photo

He also rubbished the opposition parties' allegations about the collapse of law and order in Karnataka and defended the state police, saying they have 'done well'.

"The SIT is seriously looking into this case (Prajwal Revanna) from all angles and they are quite competent. As soon as we got to know about this case, we first handed it to the CID and then formed the SIT looking at the gravity of the situation. There were no lapses on the part of the government. If the intelligence has failed here in Karnataka, the Central intelligence has also failed because they let him fly out of the country," Parameshwara said.

Speaking with PTI Videos, he said a court has issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal Revanna following which the state government has written to the Centre urging it to cancel his diplomatic passport.

"It's a very sensitive case, and you cannot force people to come and lodge a complaint against Prajwal. We are getting plenty of reports, people fleeing their homes in Hassan, a lot of women going through hardships and toil in their homes. Many of these women who have supposedly appeared in these videos, occupy some position in society. They are all under the scanner from their own families. It is a horrible development," he added.

The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of Janata Dal-Secular patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda and is the National Democratic Alliance's candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women.

The cases came to light after a number of explicit videos allegedly involving him became public.

Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls, and is still at large. Interpol has also issued a Blue Corner Notice seeking information on his whereabouts.

Stating that some video footage has been sent to the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) to ascertain the voice and the image, and the police more or less confirmed the identity of the individual who is seen in the videos, Parameshwara said, "The investigations are still on, so it is inappropriate for me to divulge further details as far as this case is concerned."

Responding to a question, he said, it would be wrong to say the Congress party is making the Prajwal Revanna scandal a political issue.

"The fact of the matter is that this has come to the public domain, and you cannot deny the fact that such a scandal has happened. How is the Congress party involved in this...? Different people are using different languages and I hope and request everyone to refrain from making statements on this issue as it is very sensitive," he said.

Regarding the murder of two young women in Hubballi, following which the opposition has been targeting the government for failure in maintaining law and order, the Home Minister said, "I feel sorry for the families and the victims. These kind of murders shouldn't have happened...the matter is handed over to competent authorities. The culprits have been nabbed. Law will take its own course."

Noting that the Lok Sabha elections in the state were peaceful and many festivals too have happened peacefully, he said, the Karnataka police has done well to maintain law and order.

"The opposition is making big allegations, but they lack data and proof to back them. Lot of murders used to happen during BJP's rule, especially hate crimes, and also communal violence. Murders happened in coastal areas, citing religious sentiments, all that has come to a halt now. I have been monitoring the situation across the state sitting in Bengaluru. One thing is for sure we will not allow things to go out of control, the way it has been in certain states in the country," he added.

On the ongoing probe into the Bitcoin scam, Parameshwara said he was told by officers that it is the 'biggest financial scam' in recent times.

"Some officers have deposed before the investigators. There are certain people, who are in public life, are also involved. It is too technical and crores and crores of rupees are involved so this is going to take a lot of time before a watertight case is made out of it. One person has been arrested and a lot of details are emerging," he said.

Asserting that there is no truth in BJP's claims about the collapse of the Congress government in the state post the Parliamentary elections, Parameshwara said, 'they are just trying to create confusion...we have a very stable government here'.

The senior leader, who has also served as the state Congress chief in the past, said his party has done exceedingly well in Karnataka, and should be getting more than 20 out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats.

"We have a good reputation. We have delivered the promises made in the manifesto, as far as guarantee schemes are concerned," he said.

Stating that he doesn't see a Modi wave, Parameshwara further said, "I have not visited north India, but then I do get these reports from my colleagues and media that the BJP is not in the same position as it was last time around, and the chances of the INDIA bloc forming the government are really high."
The Sri Lanka police on Wednesday said a senior deputy inspector general will head a team appointed to investigate four of its citizens arrested in Gujarat when on an alleged mission to carry out terror activities in India at the behest of the banned Islamic State.

Acting on a tip-off, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Sunday apprehended four Sri Lankan nationals at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad after they travelled from Colombo via Chennai.

The men travelled to India to carry out terror activities at the behest of the banned terror outfit Islamic State (IS) and are members of IS radicalised by a leader from Sri Lanka who is living in Pakistan, according to the Indian police.

A senior deputy inspector general-headed police team has been appointed by the inspector general police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, police spokesman and senior superintendent Nihal Thalduwa told PTI.

He said the police chief's action followed official intimation of the Lankan citizens' arrests by the Indian authorities.

The appointed DIG has the crime investigation division and the terrorism investigation division of the police under his command, Thalduwa said, adding that they would coordinate with the intelligence agencies in the probe.

On Tuesday, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and IGP Tennakoon said they were taking these reports seriously and closely monitoring the developments.

Alles and Tennakoon said they would initiate discussions with Indian authorities to gather detailed information about the suspects and their activities, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

Citing sources, it said that Sri Lankan authorities will "immediately investigate" to take further action once the information is obtained.

The accused, Mohammad Nusrat (35), Mohammad Faarukh (35), Mohammad Nafran (27) and Mohammad Rasdeen (43), informed investigators that they were earlier associated with the banned Sri Lankan radical militant outfit, National Thowheeth Jamath (NJT), and joined IS after getting in touch with Pakistani handler Abu Bakr Al Bagdadi, said Gujarat Director General of Police Vikas Sahay.

The ATS team recovered three Pakistan-made pistols and 20 cartridges lying abandoned at a location in the city's Nana Chiloda area based on geo-coordinates and photographs found on the mobile phone seized from the accused, Sahay said, adding that the men were allegedly directed by their Pakistani handler to collect these.

"They got in touch with Abu (the IS leader in Pakistan) in February this year and remained in contact with him through social media and were completely radicalised by the ideology," he said.

Their leader ordered them to carry out terrorist activities in India, to which they agreed, and even showed readiness to carry out suicide bombings, Sahay said.

The men were paid Rs 4 lakh in Sri Lankan currency to carry out the activities, he said.

The mobile phones recovered from the accused had photographs and documents showing their association with IS, and an IS flag was also recovered from their bag, and two such flags were recovered from the abandoned parcel containing weapons, the official said.

The men were instructed to leave these flags at the site of their terror activities, he said.

Interrogations revealed that Abu had informed the accused about the weapons hidden at the given location in Ahmedabad for their use, he said.

The pistols carried star marks, and cartridges were prima facie found to be made in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan, he said.

One of the four arrested terrorists, Mohammad Nusrat, also holds a valid visa for Pakistan.

The men were booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code, and Arms Act, and further investigation was underway, Sahay said.
The situation in Bishkek has returned to normal, the Indian embassy in the Kyrgyzstan capital said on Wednesday, days after mobs targeted foreigners in the city triggering concerns over Indian students there.

IMAGE: An Indian embassy official meets a group of students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 21, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Indian embassy on X

Last week, India asked its students in Bishkek to stay indoors following the incidents of violence.

At present, about 17,000 Indian students are in the Kyrgyz Republic and most of them are in Bishkek.

The embassy has been concerned at the recent incidents of violence against foreign students in Bishkek. However, due to swift action by the Kyrgyz authorities the situation in Bishkek has returned to normal," the Indian mission said in a statement.

"No untoward incident has been reported in Bishkek during the past few days. There are no restrictions on the movement of transport or people. However, as a measure of precaution, the classes are being conducted in an online mode," it said.

The embassy urged the students and their families not to pay attention to rumours.

"The embassy has been working actively with the universities and senior government functionaries to address the concerns of the Indian students. Two helplines 0555710041 and 0555005538 have been functional 24x7 where students can continue to reach out to the Embassy for all kinds of assistance," it said.

"Students and their families are urged not to pay attention to rumours being spread by some mischievous elements," it added.

The Indian ambassador visited the Jalal Abad State University on May 18 and the international higher school of medicine in Bishkek on Wednesday and interacted with the Indian students there, it said.

"Embassy officials visited the International Medical University and the Eurasian Medical University on May 21 and to the Royal Metropolitan University and to the Avicenna University today to continue this interaction with the students and to address their concerns," the embassy said.

It further said that air connectivity between Bishkek and Delhi remains operational and flights to India can also be availed through Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah and Tashkent.

The local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek remains accessible to Indian students, it said.

"As the academic year is coming to a close, prior to travelling back to India, including for summer vacations, all Indian students must contact their respective universities about the formalities required for the completion of their exams," the embassy said.

"In case any assistance is needed, the students are requested to contact the embassy of India in Bishkek," it said.
BRATTLEBORO  This Memorial Day weekend, the Vermont Crafts Council will present its 32nd annual Spring Open Studio Weekend, which spotlights the multitude of professional artists and craftspeople who live and create throughout the state.

In Brattleboro and neighboring Marlboro and Dummerston alone, tour attendees will have the chance to visit 11 artists in nine studios and one gallery, during the event on May 25 and 26. Of those artists, six are members of Brattleboro-West Arts, a group of more than two dozen artisans and craftspeople who have worked together since 2008 to support one another and increase the visibility of local art in the community. Two artists new to the tour this spring are watercolor painter Gregg Wapner and textile artist Karen Kurak of Spare Thread Studio.

Bellows Falls will be hosting seven artists, all within walking distance from each other. Artists participating: Chris Sherwin, Phyllis Rosser, Robert McBride, Mindy Fisher, Dellamano Glassware, as well as the River Artisans Cooperative. We will be highlighting artists, events, shops, and restaurants that contribute year-round to the vital and cultural richness and economic stability of the community, said Robert McBride, founder, and director of The Rockingham Arts & Museum Project (RAMP).

In Readsboro, Mary Angus and Bill LeQuier of Readsboro Glassworks have been creating handblown glass and glass sculpture in their studio since 1983. Their glass is exhibited in many galleries and juried shows nationwide and is included in numerous museum and private collections. On display and for sale during the Open Studio Weekend will be carved glass sculpture by LeQuier and Angus' handblown glass perfume bottles and bud vases, as well as the glass candy cane, icicle and snowflake ornaments the couple create together. The public is invited to stop in to see their handblown glass and glass sculpture and watch one of the glassblowing demonstrations ongoing throughout the weekend.

Readsboro Glassworks, #54 on the tour map, is at 6954 Main St., Route 100, (lower level) in Readsboro. For more information, call 802-423-7706, or visit maryangusglass.com and kwilliamlequier.com.

Participating sites will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with many studios offering demonstrations as well as the opportunity to purchase art and talk to the artists who made it.

During the tour hours, follow the yellow signs from Exit 2 of Interstate 91 and elsewhere around town to find participating studios and galleries. Guidebooks and other information to help you navigate the tour will be available at each location.

Here is the complete lineup of tour stops in the Brattleboro area, listed according to their site numbers on the statewide tour. Artists showing at the studios marked with * are members of Brattleboro-West Arts.

56. Vermont Artisan Designs & Gallery 2 (tour information center), pottery, art, glass, jewelry and wood: 106 Main St., Brattleboro. (buyvermontart.com)

*57. Orchard Street Pottery, wood-fired, salt-glazed pottery featuring branch handles by Walter Slowinski: 658 Orchard St., Brattleboro. (walterslowinskipottery.weebly.com)

*58. Applewoods Woodworking Studio and Gallery, live-edge hardwood furniture and burl vessels by David and Michelle Holzapfel: 2802 Rt. 9 Marlboro. (holzapfelwoodworking.com) Guest Jess Weitz (jessweitz.com) will show her paintings and ceramics with handmade pigments at Applewoods.

59. Gregg Wapner, watercolor paintings: 345 Sunset Lake Road, Brattleboro. (gswapner@hotmail.com)

*60. Chris Lann Designs, contemporary handcrafted fine jewelry: 1420 Sunset Lake Road, Brattleboro. (chrislanndesigns.com)

*61. Matthew Tell Pottery, wood-fired pottery with earth tones and overlays: 163 Potters Hill Road, Marlboro. (matthewtellpottery.com)

62. Carol Violanda Art, abstract and representational paintings: 1868 Stickney Brook Road, Dummerston. (carolviolanda.com)

63. Lost Mile Designs, rustic furniture and fiber art by Pam Bullock and Tim Hayes: 51 Lost Mile Road, Brattleboro. (lostmiledesigns.com)

64. Spare Thread Studio, hand dyed and hand woven wearables, as well as collage, cards and other soft stuff by Karen Kurak: 744 Stickney Brook Road, Dummerston. (sparethreadstudio@gmail.com)

For profiles of participating artists, as well as links to interactive maps and other resources to help you enjoy the weekend around Brattleboro, visit brattleboro-west-arts.com/osw.

For a complete list and maps of tour stops statewide, visit vermontcrafts.com.

For details about Brattleboro-West Arts, including profiles of all of its member artists and information about this and other group events, visit brattleboro-west-arts.com.
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BRATTLEBORO  If you're coming by the Royal Diner on a Friday evening for ice cream or a smash burger and fries, you might find yourself walki
The one-party state could still face political infighting and economic drift under its new-look Politburo.

The Communist Party of Vietnam has unveiled a slate of top appointments at its recent plenum that it hopes will turn the corner on months of bloodletting and bring a return to normalcy.

But things may not go so smoothly, as resentments smolder over new state president To Lams leading role in forcing six members to resign from the Politburo since December 2022 in an anti-corruption campaign that happened to eliminate his rivals. The new team also lacks economic experience at a time of uncertainty for Vietnam.

Lam, 66, the outgoing minister of public security, was elected by Vietnams National Assembly on Wednesday as the state president  a largely ceremonial post, but one of the "four pillars" of top political positions in Vietnam. The others are the general secretary, the prime minister and the head of the assembly.

The post could also set up Lam to succeed party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, who is thought to be in poor health, when his third five-year term ends in 2026.

There are four key implications to the latest maneuvers in Hanoi.

Wang Huning, right, a Chinese Communist Party official, meets with Vietnams Do Van Chien in Beijing, July 20, 2023. (Yue Yuewei/Xinhua via Getty Images)

First, the forced resignation of Truong Thi Mai  the highest ranking woman, the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Secretariat  leaves only two candidates to succeed Nguyen Phu Trong as the CPVs general secretary at the 14th Party Congress under existing party rules: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lam.

Mai was the 6th Politburo forced to resign in under two years, falling to the Blazing Furnace anti-graft drive that removed one third of the Politburo elected in January 2022.

Second, the newly elected members of the Politburo speak both to the CPVs insecurities and priorities  and the focus seems to be security over the economy.

Politburos are normally formed with a balance of interests, regions, and party or state backgrounds. Yet in this expansion, three of the four figures hail from the senior-most echelons of the party organization itself.

Bui Thi Minh Hoai, 59, now the only woman on the 16-member Politburo, heads the Central Committees Mass Mobilization Commission. From 2011-2021, she served as the vice chairman of the Central Inspection Commission, the body tasked with investigating corruption within the senior leadership.

Mass mobilization, propaganda and control

Do Van Chien, 62, the only ethnic minority on the Politburo, serves as the head of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, which oversees all unions, associations, officially-sanctioned religions, civil society organizations and elections. His job is to maintain party control.

Nguyen Trong Nghia was made the head of the Central Committees Propaganda Commission.

None of the three have significant or recent government or economic experience. All represent various aspects of party efforts at mass mobilization, propaganda and control.

Only one of the four new members has significant economic experience: Le Minh Hung 54, the son of former Minister of Public Security Le Minh Huong, who spent his early career in banking.

From 2011 to 2014, Hung served as the deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, at a time when they were trying to clean up the countrys first major banking scandal. From there he was moved to be the deputy head of the Central Committees Central Office.

From 2016-2020, Hung was the governor of the State Bank, the youngest individual to hold that position. At the 13th Congress in 2021, he was moved back to head the Central Committees Central Office.

Dutch Queen Maxima, the UN Secretary-General's Special advocate for inclusive finance for development, meets Vietnam's Le Minh Hung in Hanoi, May 31, 2017. (Kham/Reuters)

Hung will take over the Central Committees Organization Commission, which handles all mid- to senior-level party personnel appointments, an essential role ahead of the 14th Congress, slated for January 2026.

Hung is clearly a man to watch in the future, and is in a strong position to become the next prime minister.

Once again, no deputy prime minister was elevated to the Politburo, which has a dearth of economic experience.

The third implication involves the prominent role of the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN), with the promotion of Gen. Luong Cuong. The 67-year-old army officer took over the CPV Secretariat, which runs the partys day-to-day operations, from Mai.

Cuong, as the head of the PAVNs General Political Department, is the militarys top political commissar, which gives him the same rank and status as the chief of the general staff, the top operational commander.

Party army

Like in China, Vietnams military is a party army. Its the armed wing of the CPV and legally bound to defend the CPV and the socialist system, ahead of the state. All officers over a certain rank are party members, and the military is the single largest source of party members.

Cuong both served in the CPV Secretariat and closely coordinated the General Political Departments operations with it.

While replacing a civilian with a uniformed military official might seem like a violation of civil-military relations, in the Vietnamese system, its not seen as going against that norm, as the party controls the gun.

At the 9th Plenum, Cuong, who was seated on the dais to the left of party chief Trong, was in civilian attire. It has not been announced if he will retire from the military. The two deputy chairmen of the PAVNs General Political Department are also members of the Central Committee.

The last military officer to run the secretariat was General Le Kha Phieu in April 1996, and he quickly went on to become CPV general secretary from 1997-2001.

Gen. Luong Cuong, right, now in charge of the CPV Secretariat, which runs the partys day-to-day operations, attends the closing ceremony of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam at National Convention Center in Hanoi, Feb. 1, 2021. (Minh Hoang/AP)

One of the new faces to the Politburo is another military man, retired Col. Gen. Nguyen Trong Nghia.

Like Cuong, Nghia, 62, spent his entire military career in the general political department. At the previous party congress in 2021, Nghia, retired as the deputy chairman of the general political department and took over the Central Committees Propaganda Commission.

The bigger question is the degree to which the storied Peoples Army will serve as an institutional check on Lam and the Ministry of Public Security. The army now holds three of 16 Politburo seats, or 19 percent.

The armys recent arrest of a police official in the far northern city of Lang Son for suspected espionage for China served up a hint of bureaucratic infighting.

Likewise, there are now reports that the militarys investigative services are looking into the corporate activities of To Dung, Lams younger brother. Such an investigation into Xuan Cau Holdings could not go forward without the approval of party chief Trong, who heads the Central Military Commission.

Lam made enemies

This leads to the fourth implication: The recently concluded CPV 9th Plenum nominated Tran Thanh Man to replace Vuong Dinh Hue as the chairman of the National Assembly.

Man had been the vice chairman and is a rare southerner in the top Vietnamese political echelon, so his nomination makes sense.

But the nomination of Lam as president is raising eyebrows.

To some, it is evidence that Lam is being politically sidelined in the race for the top job of CPV general secretary. The National Assembly rejected him holding the security minister portfolio and the presidency, evidence of some pushback.

The Central Committee has pushed back against Lams preferred successor, Col. Gen. Luong Tam Quang, who did not get elected to the Politburo this month.

Deputy Public Security Minister Tran Quoc To, will become the acting minister of public security. To is the younger brother of Tran Dai Quang, the former minister and president who passed away in 2018. To is not an ally of Lam, and many in the Central Committee see him as a counter to the new presidents influence over the ministry.

Whoever becomes the minister of public security would have to be elevated to the Politburo, which would require an expansion to 17 members.

Vietnamese President To Lam, center right, hugs Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man looks on after Lam was sworn in as the president at the National Assembly in Hanoi, May 22, 2024. (Nghia Duc/National Assembly via AP)

Nonetheless, holding the presidency doesnt preclude Lams candidacy to be general secretary. Indeed, it could be an asset, burnishing the political resume of a man whose entire career has been within the ministry of public security. If anyone is angling to hold the top party and state positions simultaneously, as is the norm in China, it is Lam.

But there are increasing signs that within the Central Committee all are not pleased with his methodical takedown of his rivals under the Blazing Furnace campaign. In addition to the six Politburo members, some 20 Central Committee members have fallen this term, which didnt make Lam a lot of friends.

While the election of four new Politburo members is an attempt to signal a return to political stability, the landscape ahead of the 14th Congress in January 2026 continues to look rocky.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
A claim emerged in Chinese-language posts that Taiwans freedom of speech is in decline because the islands ruling party is arresting citizens for creating a satirical political meme.

But the claim is misleading. The Taiwanese police were investigating those who posted the meme over copyright violations after receiving a complaint. Police later dropped the case.

The claim was shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on May 2, 2024.

The DPP is seriously undermining freedom of speech in Taiwan. Taiwans Criminal Affairs Bureau is on the hunt for people who photoshopped Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-teh, the post reads in part.

The DPP refers to Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Tsai and Lai are the islands former and current presidents, respectively.

Widely followed influencers claimed that Taiwan was attempting to restrict political speech after netizens posted several altered stills from a popular Taiwanese film which depict Tsai, Lai and Hsiao seated on stage. (Screenshots/X and Weibo)





The claim was shared alongside an image that shows what appears to be a film still. The faces of characters appearing in the still picture have been digitally altered and replaced with those of Tsai, Lai and Taiwans Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.

The claim also accompanied what appears to be a screenshot of a news article.

But the claim is misleading.

Political meme

A reverse image search on Google found a film still of the Taiwanese movie The Pig, The Snake and The Pigeon was used in the political meme shared in social media posts.

The movie tells the story of Chen Kui-lin, a Taiwanese hitman diagnosed with terminal cancer. Facing his own mortality, he decides to take out two criminals at the top of the most wanted list, successfully killing both by the films end.

The altered still is from a scene where the character Chen Bullhead Lu-ho, Taiwans most wanted criminal who has gone into hiding and reinvented himself as a cult leader, sits surrounded by his followers. Later, Chen shoots Lu in the head in front of his followers.

Public incitement

A keyword search found a report published by the Taiwanese outlet Liberty Times on April 28 that said Taiwans Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) received a complaint, from someone who said the person who uploaded the altered film still may have committed public incitement.

A police source was cited explaining that the creators of the meme possibly committed incitement due to the violent connotations of associating political figures with a mass murderer who is later killed during the film.

Similar reports were soon issued by the China Times and mnews.

Copyright violation

The police also stated that the altered image potentially violated Article 65 of the islands copyright law and that authorities were investigating whether it exceeded the scope of fair use.

The Liberty Times cited a lawyer as saying that the images could possibly inculcate violent thoughts in viewers. The lawyer also said that such memes could both be interpreted as a normal expression of political demands.

The lawyer also pointed out that because the accused were not trying to make a profit from the image and that the portrait rights of public figures are considerably more lax than those for private individuals, a charge of copyright violation was not certain to be ruled a violation of the law.

The Liberty Times separately reported on May 1 that the CIB investigation had closed the case due to a lack of criminal evidence and no pressing of charges by the copyright holder.

Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Shen Ke and Taejun Kang.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Matthew Tricketts death sparks calls for a review of the status of the citys London trade office.

A former British Marine charged with spying for the Hong Kong government has been found dead in an English park, with police treating his death as "unexplained, prompting calls for a review of economic and trade links with the city.

"At around 5.15pm on Sunday (19/5) officers attended Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, following a report from a member of the public," the Thames Valley Police said in a statement on May 21.

"Officers attended the scene and found a man. Emergency treatment was commenced but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene," it said.

The dead man was identified as Matthew Trickett, 37, who had been charged along with Bill Yuen, an office manager at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and British Border Force officer Peter Wai with spying for the Hong Kong government.

They had been due to appear at the Old Bailey  the central criminal court for Britain  on Friday, according to police.

The trio were charged with "assisting a foreign intelligence service" and "foreign interference" under the National Security Act 2023, and stand accused of forcing and entering a property in the U.K. and of targeting exiled Hong Kong activists on British soil, according to the Metropolitan Police and the prosecution.

Ran from court

Tricketts death came after he covered his face and ran from journalists following a court appearance on May 13.

The case has sparked controversy around the role of Hong Kongs Economic and Trade Office in London, amid calls from British MPs for a review of its status, with a view to possible closure if the espionage charges are upheld.

We call on the Government to review the status and privileges granted to the London Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, a group of cross-party lawmakers said in a statement on Wednesday that was co-signed by Hong Kong advocacy groups and posted to the Hong Kong Democracy Council website.

Grenfell Park, in Maidenhead, England, Wednesday May 22, 2024, close to where the body of Matthew Trickett was found on Sunday. (RFA)





If employees of the HKETO were operating as accomplices of transnational repression, beyond their legitimate remit of economics and trade, the option of closing the London HKETO should be considered, the statement said.

A senior Hong Kong adviser said last week that the role of the Economic and Trade Offices had changed, and that they should keep an eye on the activities of Hong Kongers living on foreign soil.

But a Hong Kong commerce and economic development official on Wednesday dismissed the adviser's comments as a "misunderstanding.

Finance Secretary Paul Chan declined to comment on Trickett's death.

Investigations are ongoing and a post-mortem will be carried out, the police statement said, calling on anyone who was in Grenfell Park before 5.15 p.m. to come forward with information.

At the time of his death, Trickett was out on court bail, which required him to register at a police station regularly.

Shockwaves

Trickett's death has sparked fear and concern in the community of Hong Kongers who have settled in the United Kingdom in the wake of an ongoing crackdown on dissent imposed on their city by Beijing to quash the 2019 protest movement that called for fully democratic elections.

"The UK must investigate Trickett's death THOROUGHLY to find out the reason leading to his death and whether any pressure from any parties was involved," U.S.-based activist Frances Hui, who has an arrest warrant and a bounty on her head issued by Hong Kong's national security police, said via X.

Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui, now in Australia, said Trickett's death could mean critical evidence is lost in the forthcoming trial.

"I think it will have a very serious impact," Hui said. "It can be seen from the charge sheet that the [defendant] who passed away provided very important evidence during the investigation."

"They have now lost the opportunity to cross-examine him in court and to get more information from him ... which will be a big gap when it comes to the court and the public finding out the truth," he said.

Grenfell Park, in Maidenhead, England, Wednesday May 22, 2024, close to where the body of Matthew Trickett was found on Sunday. (RFA)





Carman Lau, U.K.-based International Advocacy and Program Associate at the Hong Kong Democracy Council, said the news had sent shockwaves through the exile community, many of whom are speculating about foul play.

"There is now one less suspect in the case, and therefore less evidence to investigate," Lau told RFA Cantonese in an interview on Tuesday. "One defendant has died before the trial even started."

She said reports and speculation are swirling around the expat community, creating panic.

"Hong Kongers in the U.K. have one wish: that we will get to the bottom of the matter through the court proceedings, so they dont have to be afraid," Lau said. She urged the British government to review the status of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and to consider shutting it down entirely.

Absurd accusations

The Hong Kong economic offices' job is to promote trade and economic ties with partner countries, Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan told reporters on Wednesday.

In the future, HKETO staff will continue our work, fearlessly and impartially, following regulations and laws, to promote Hong Kongs unique advantages and to tell a good Hong Kong story, Chan said in comments reported by the Hong Kong Free Press.

He refused to comment on what he termed "absurd accusations" of spying activity.

The ETOs' task is to liaise with the local government, think tanks, different sectors and all walks of life to try to improve or facilitate or foster the cooperation on trade and investment, and also in the area of art and culture, he said in comments reported by government broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong.

Yuen and Wai have been barred from leaving the U.K. while out on bail, and must abide by curfew regulations, as well as reporting regularly to the police.

The spying charges come amid simmering tensions between Britain and China, which has said the case had been "fabricated" to "smear and attack" the Hong Kong government.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain is facing an increasingly dangerous future because of threats from an axis of authoritarian states, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

More than 190,000 Hong Kongers have applied for the British National Overseas, or BNO, visa route to long-term residency and eventual citizenship since it was launched in 2021, according to government figures released in November.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
A top adviser in the Hong Kong cabinet appears to confirm that the offices are engaged in political espionage.

Pro-democracy demonstrators, seen wearing masks depicting former British consulate worker Simon Cheng, gather outside the British Consulate-General building in Hong Kong on Nov. 29, 2019.

The role of Hong Kong's overseas Economic and Trade Offices has changed, and should include "keeping an eye" on 'anti-China' activities, a top government adviser has said, appearing to confirm claims that the offices have been targeting pro-democracy activists on foreign soil.

Regina Ip, a former secretary for security who is currently convenor of the city's Executive Council, or cabinet, made the comments after British police charged three men with spying for the Hong Kong authorities, accusing them of running surveillance and other operations targeting exiled democracy activists on U.K. soil.

Hong Kong and Chinese officials typically refer to pro-democracy activists at home and overseas as anti-China forces, accusing them of trying to undermine the government with the help of foreign powers.

Ip appeared to refer to those activists in an interview with Hong Kongs Now News on May 18.

"A group of anti-China members in [the U.K. Parliament] and some Hong Kong exiles are causing trouble there, often introducing bills against the city and even calling for sanctions," she said.

Defendant Chung Biu Yuen leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 13, 2024. (Toby Melville/Reuters)





The [trade office] must pay attention, probably by gathering intelligence," she said in comments reported by the English-language South China Morning Post newspaper. "Such so-called gathering of intelligence means merely paying attention to these developments."

Ip's comments came as Bill Yuen, an office manager at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London who holds dual Chinese and British nationality, prepares to appear at the Old Bailey on May 24 charged with "assisting a foreign intelligence service" and "foreign interference" under the National Security Act 2023.

Yuen's co-defendants, Peter Wai, 38 and Matthew Trickett, 37, face similar charges, and the trio stand accused of forcing and entering a property in the U.K. and of targeting exiled Hong Kong activists on British soil, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The accusations come amid growing concerns over Chinese Communist Party infiltration of all aspects of British life, and warnings from Hong Kongers in exile over growing acts of violence by Beijing supporters and officials alike.

More than economic activities

Political commentator Benson Wong said Ip's comments will likely damage the reputation of the trade offices.

"Regina Ip's comments ... seem to confirm that some staff working in the London office aren't engaged in economic and cultural activities," Wong said.

Peter Wai (front row, left) is shown in police uniform in an undated photo. (Peter Wai via Facebook)





"It's still unclear whether the Economic and Trade Office will be required to abide by certain commitments, or even have some of its privileges canceled," he said.

U.S.-based exiled activist Anna Kwok, who heads the U.S.-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, said the Hong Kong offices have long spied on overseas activists wherever they are located.

"We've always had good reason to believe that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices are carrying out a lot of activities including monitoring Hong Kongers, not just in the U.K., but in the United States as well," she said.

"We've heard in the past few years of Economic and Trade Offices monitoring Hong Kongers in the United States," said Kwok, who has an arrest warrant and a bounty on her head issued by Hong Kong's national security police.

Screenshot from Matthew Tricketts LinkedIn page. (RFA)





"The simplest example is that when we go to a demonstration, people we suspect are employees of the Economic and Trade Offices take photos of everyone there to identify them."

"One person told us that he was asked about the Hong Kong Democracy Council at a very ordinary dinner by a member of staff at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, including personal information about the Council's members," Kwok said.

Kwok said the Hong Kong Democracy Council will step up its campaign for a bill banning the offices to be introduced to Congress.

Gathering intelligence

Meanwhile, Regina Ip said foreign consulates in Hong Kong likely also engage in such activities.

"I believe that each of the consulates based in Hong Kong is gathering intelligence. Some of the intelligence is publicly available, [such as] TV programmes, media and online information," she said.

If our personnel are making similar collection efforts at the [trade offices], why would it be against the law? I really do not understand," Ip said.

Defendant Chi Leung Wai, also known as Peter Wai leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 13, 2024. (Toby Melville/Reuters)





U.K.-based Hong Kong activist Simon Cheng, who has reported being followed on April 9 in central London by unidentified people speaking Mandarin, said Ip should know the difference between a consulate and Hong Kong's trade offices, which aren't regulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"Some countries allow the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices a quasi-diplomatic status, but that's up to the host country to allow them that courtesy," Cheng said. "Some countries may do this according to agreements signed with the Hong Kong government, but such agreements aren't regulated by the Vienna Convention either."

"Such diplomatic courtesies can easily be revoked unilaterally," he said.

Cheng, a former trade representative for Scotland based at the British consulate in Hong Kong who was detained and tortured by Chinese state security police during the 2019 protest movement, said consulates have teams of staff dedicated to gathering news and information about their host country or city, but such newsgathering is part of legitimate attempts to understand the places they are posted to, and to get a feel for public opinion there.

Pro-democracy campaigner and political science assistant professor at Hong Kong Baptist University Benson Wong packs up his office in Hong Kong, after receiving a letter in February from the university stating that his contract will not be renewed this year, July 19, 2018. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP)





China's ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang expressed "serious concerns" to the British government about the spying accusations on May 15, saying the case had been "fabricated" to "smear and attack" the Hong Kong government.

"All those accusations are groundless and slanderous," Zheng said in comments posted to the embassy website, accusing the British police of "wantonly harassing, arresting and detaining" Chinese citizens in the U.K.

Eleven people including Yuen, Wai and Trickett were arrested in a nationwide operation but eight were later released without charge, the Metropolitan Police said on May 13.

"This constitutes a grave provocation against China and severely contravenes basic norms of international relations. It is totally unacceptable," Zheng said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Zhang Zhan, who has been incommunicado following her release from jail, is still very unfree, campaigners say.

Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan in a screenshot from a May 21, 2024, video saying she was taken to her brothers house following her release from Shanghai Womens Prison on May 12, 2024.

Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan has been reunited with her family following a four-year jail term for reporting from the front lines of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, but remains under ongoing restrictions, activists said.

Hi everyone, its Zhang Zhan, Zhang said in a video clip posted to social media on May 21.

The police brought me back to my brothers home in Shanghai at 5 a.m. on May 13, she said, speaking hesitantly and appearing to read from a script.

Thanks to everyone for their help and care, she said. I hope youre all OK. I really dont know what else to say.

However, Jane Wang of the Free Zhang Zhan campaign said via X that Zhang still only has limited freedom, and that the group had been unable to confirm where Zhang was when the video was recorded.

It is a relief to hear from Zhang Zhan again, but we remain concerned about her safety and well-being, Wang said. Like other former political prisoners, she is subject to intrusive government surveillance and harassment. She is at high risk of being disappeared or arrested again.

A pro-democracy activist holds placards with a picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan outside the Chinese central governments liaison office in Hong Kong on Dec. 28, 2020. (Kin Cheung/AP)





Wang told RFA Mandarin in a later interview that Zhang had described her situation as very unfree in a WeChat message to a friend.

According to Wang, that likely means that Zhang is under constant guard and surveillance.

[It likely means that she is] followed whenever she goes out anywhere, and is under constant guard and surveillance, and that her family has been threatened, and could get a visit [from police] or a summons at any time, Wang said.

We dont know if she is able to leave Shanghai, for example, she said.

An overseas-based friend of Zhangs who declined to be named for fear of reprisals said he hasnt been in touch with her because communications back home cant be confidential.

Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders called again for Zhangs full and unconditional release.

Although Chinese journalist #ZhangZhan was able to share a video today confirming her release from prison after four years, were worried about her situation under strict surveillance, the group said via X. Our call for her full & unconditional release remains urgent.

Zhangs video statement came after the U.S. State Department said it was deeply concerned at reports that she was incommunicado following her release from Shanghai Womens Prison on May 13.

The United States has repeatedly expressed our serious concerns about the arbitrary nature of her detention and authorities mistreatment of her, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

We reiterate our call for [China] to respect the human rights of Ms. Zhang, including by immediately ending the restrictive measures that she and all journalists in [China] face, which include surveillance, censorship, harassment, and intimidation, Miller said.

Zhang, 39, was sentenced to four years imprisonment by Shanghais Pudong District Peoples Court on Dec. 28, 2020, and was hospitalized last year for digestive diseases linked to malnutrition following several months of hunger strikes.

Zhang had pleaded not guilty. A guilty plea is typically a prerequisite for more lenient treatment in Chinas judicial system.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
The move implies he is to be revered on the same level as Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) visits a classroom at the completed school of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Cadres Training School in Pyongyang, May 21, 2024.

For the first time, a large portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was placed alongside portraits of his father and grandfather in a public place in what experts say is a move to boost the cult of personality surrounding him.

State media released images of the three portraits adorning the facade of the Central Cadres Training School of the Workers Party of Korea in Pyongyang during the schools opening ceremony this week.

The three portraits were also shown above the chalkboard in one of the classrooms.

Photos of the first two dynastic leaders, national founder Kim Il Sung, and his son and successor Kim Jong Il, are displayed in every public building and private home. They are treated with such respect that citizens have been praised in state media for dashing into their burning homes to rescue the portraits.

A general view of the completion ceremony to mark the opening of the newly completed school of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Cadres Training School in Pyongyang, May 21, 2024. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS/AFP)

Until now, Kim Jong Uns photo had not been displayed next to his predecessors in an official setting. Its not yet known if this will become the norm nationwide.

Should the display of all three leaders be mandated by law, it would suggest that Kim Jong Un demands more respect than his father did. Displays of Kim Jong Ils portrait only became mandatory upon his death in 2011, though people voluntarily hung it up while he was still living as a display of patriotism.

Kim Il Sung portraits, meanwhile, have been mandatory since the 1970s.

Murals and music video

The move comes amid other propaganda efforts to elevate Kim Jong Uns status.

Just a few weeks ago, the country debuted a new music video that casts him as the friendly father of the nation. New murals depicting Kim have been erected nationwide over the past few years.

These are all examples of the systematic idolization of Kim Jong Un carried out in stages according to Kim In-tae, a senior researcher at the South Korea-based Institute for National Security Strategy.

The portrait display follows the trend of placing Kim Jong Un at the pinnacle of North Korea's collectivism and totalitarianism, he told RFA Korean.

By placing his photo alongside his father and grandfather, Kim is trying to inherit the legacy and revolutionary tradition of his predecessors, Hong Min, from the North Korean Research Division at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification, told RFA.

It shows that he has gone from prioritizing his predecessors and setting himself at a level lower than them to now standing as a leader of the exact same level, said Hong, adding his prediction that the country will now start heavily promoting Kim Jong Uns own ideological principles.

The cadre schools opening ceremony also served to cast Kim as a champion of socialism, as portraits of prominent communist ideologues Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin also were also on display, Hyun In-ae, from Seouls Ewha Womans University noted.

It seems they declared to the whole world, We are orthodox socialism, she said. At the same time, this also signifies a declaration to the world that Kim Jong Un is the firm leader of North Korea.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
They are safe in Thailand and awaiting transfer to Laos after being held for nearly two years by scam operators.

The remaining 14 young Laotians held by scam operators at a Chinese-run casino in Myanmars Kayin state have been set free and are on their way home, according to their parents.

The young Laotians were trafficked to work as scammers at a place called Casino Kosai in an isolated development near the town of Myawaddy, close to the Thai border. The gang that held them represent just a drop in the bucket of the vast networks of human trafficking that claim over 150,000 victims a year in Southeast Asia.

A mother of one of the trafficking victims said her son informed her that he and the 13 others were released by their captors on the morning of May 15 and made their way across the border from Myawaddy, where ethnic Karen rebels have been engaged in intense fighting with junta troops in recent months.

We are  so happy to learn that our children are released now  some of us are in tears, said the mother who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA Lao on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. All of them are on their way back home, but now they are staying in Mae Sot district, in Thailands Tak province.

The 14 Laotians were made to pay nearly US$200 each for a ferry ticket to cross the Moei River from Myanmar, as well as document-processing fees to police in Thailand, she added  no small sum for the youths, many of whom had been lured from impoverished Laos to the casino in hopes of finding a work.

RFA spoke with a member of the Thai immigration police who confirmed that the workers were under their protection.

All of them are with us now at the Tak province immigration office and we are taking care of them, the officer said. Their parents and relatives can now stop worrying as everything is under control and we are just waiting to send them back home.

The officer was unable to provide any details on how the 14 were rescued or when they would be able to return to Laos.

Years of captivity

Many of the young Laotians originally sought jobs in one of the casinos in the Golden Triangle, the border region Laos shares with Thailand and Myanmar.

But instead they ended up trafficked and held captive at the Casino Kosai, which is about 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of the Golden Triangle and 640 kilometers (400 miles) from their homes in Luang Namtha province in northern Laos.

For more than a year, their parents had sent pleading messages to government officials in Laos and Myanmar, before their children were rescued.

Another parent, who also declined to be named, said that RFAs reporting on the youths and others held at the casino had been a comfort to her during the two years she waited to learn what would become of her son.

I wept as soon as I learned that they, including my son, were all safe and sound in Thailand, she said.

The Chinese-owned Casino Kosai (shown) in Myawaddy, Myanmar near the Thai border. (Citizen journalist)

The mother of another victim told RFA she was speechless knowing that her son was returning home after years of captivity.

I cant find any words to express how happy I am  I could only weep with joy when I learned he had been released and will be coming home soon, she said. If RFA reporters hadnt been following up on this story, I would have had no knowledge of my sons whereabouts or if he would ever be released.

The parents called on Lao and Thai authorities to bring their children home as soon as possible.

We dont want them to have to stay in Thailand very long as theyve been in hell for nearly two years in Myanmar, one told RFA.

Some still held

Despite the news of the homecoming, not all of the victims parents were able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The mother of an 18-year-old woman from Luang Namtha province who was initially held along with the group of 14 in Myanmar told RFA that she had gone missing nearly a month ago, and said she believes her daughter was sold to another gang of scammers.

I have no idea what to do now in the middle of this joyful news that the young Lao workers had been released from the casino, she said. If my daughter was still there with two or three other people, I would be less worried  All my husband and I want is to be reunited with our daughter.

Attempts by RFA to reach the Lao embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, as well as anti-trafficking officials under the Lao ministry of public security, for comment on the release of the 14 and the situation facing other Lao nationals held in Myanmar went unanswered by the time of publishing.

Last month, two teenage girls were allowed to leave the casino after a 40,000 yuan (US$5,500) fee was paid to gain their freedom. They arrived home to Luang Namtha province on April 8.

Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcom Foster.
Ethnic minority Kachin insurgents have captured a junta military camp near the state capital of Myitkyina, in northern Myanmar, which has also given them control of a main trade route to the border with China, a spokesman for the rebel group told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.

The Kachin Independence Army is one of Myanmars most powerful insurgent forces and has made gains in recent weeks with the capture of eight towns in Kachin State and northern Shan State, as well as about 100 junta military camps, it says.

On Tuesday evening, Kachin fighters took control of a junta infantry battalion base in Waingmaw township, about 20 km (12 miles) to the south of the Myitkyina, said Col. Naw Bu, the Kachin Independence Armys information officer.

That camp was providing security for the villages such as Aung Myay 1 and 2, as well as Waingmaw town. So it can be said to be strategically important, he said.

The territorial gain has also given the Kachin force control of a main road going south, including to the border with China, which is about 40 km (25 miles) to the east.

There are no military camps on the other side of the Waingmaw-Laizar-Momauk-Lwegel road. We are stationed here, but we are not allowing cars or others to travel yet due to security reasons, Naw Bu said. Lwegel is a main crossing for trade on the border with China.

The junta has also not issued any statements on the fighting. RFA tried to telephone Kachin States junta spokesperson, Moe Min Thein, to ask about the situation but he did not answer.

The Kachin force is one several that have made significant gains recently against forces of the junta that overthrew an elected government in early 2021 triggering bloody opposition to military rule.

Pro-democracy fighters have taken up arms and linked up with ethnic minority armies, like the Kachin, which have been battling for self-determination for decades in hilly border regions.

While the opponents of military rule have captured numerous junta bases, towns and villages, in fighting that escalated sharply late last year, none has seized a state capital.

Naw Bu declined to comment on casualties on either side in the latest fighting, or on if any weapons and ammunition had been captured. Ethnic minority Lisu fighters loyal to the junta control two camps in Waingmaw town while a junta infantry battalion holds another position there, he said.

Civilian Deaths

Responding to the Kachin offensive, junta forces bombed Hkat Shu village in southern Waingmaw township on Monday and Tuesday, killing six residents, including children, and wounding 19, according to residents.

A severely wounded woman was taken to hospital in Myitkyina while the rest of the injured were getting treatment at Waingmaws hospital, one resident, who declined to be identified, told RFA.

The junta-backed Myanma Alin newspaper said on Wednesday that the military regime was not responsible for the attacks on Hkat Shu village.

About half of Hkat Shus population of 10,000 have fled because of the fighting, residents said.

According to data compiled by RFA, mostly from accounts from residents and the insurgents, nearly 80 civilians were killed in Kachin State due to the junta airstrikes and heavy weapons between Jan. 1 and May 21.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Taejun Kang.
Billionaire Elon Musk and other high-profile CEOs have visited since late April and met with the president.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) meets with Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, in this handout picture taken and released on April 17, 2024, by Indonesias presidential palace.

Indonesia is throwing open its doors to Silicon Valley, offering a digital gold rush for titans of the U.S. big-tech industry eager to tap into a burgeoning market of more than 270 million consumers.

The sprawling archipelago nation is fast becoming a strategic battleground in Southeast Asia for dominance in big technology.

During the past month Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsofts Satya Nadella, and SpaceX and Tesla boss Elon Musk have all jetted into Indonesia and met separately with President Joko Jokowi Widodo to discuss multibillion-dollar investments in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and even Starlink, Musks satellite-based internet service.

The Indonesian government has made digitalization a top priority, launching initiatives to improve internet connectivity, promote e-commerce, and foster a thriving startup ecosystem.

Indonesia is currently undergoing an accelerated national digital transformation and opening up many investment potentials, Jokowi said during his meeting with Musk on the sidelines of the World Water Forum in Bali on Monday.

Hence, we value and actively promote the investment endeavors of companies like SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and Boring in Indonesia, the president said, referring to Musks various business ventures.

The flurry of activity comes as Indonesia, the largest Southeast Asian economy, seeks to position itself as a major player in the global tech landscape.

China has already made inroads through big-ticket investments in Indonesian heavy infrastructure, and Chinese tech giant Huawei also has a footprint here.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk (second from left) speaks next to Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin (left) during a ceremony held to inaugurate satellite unit Starlink, at a community health center in Denpasar, Indonesia, May 19, 2024. [Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP]





For U.S. tech companies, Indonesia represents a tantalizing opportunity to expand beyond saturated markets and tap into a region with immense growth potential.

The countrys digital economy is projected to reach U.S. $124 billion by 2025, fueled by rising internet penetration, a growing middle class, and a booming e-commerce sector, according to a study by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.

In its ambitious bid to become a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, Indonesia has actively sought investment from Tesla. The country, rich in nickel ore reserves, aims to leverage this resource for EV battery production and, eventually, full-scale manufacturing of electric cars.

The countrys strategic location and abundant natural resources make it an attractive destination for investors eyeing the growing EV market, according to analysts.

Indonesias vision aligns with its ban on raw nickel exports, encouraging investors to refine nickel within Indonesian smelters, in which the Chinese have invested heavily, analysts say. By doing so, the nation hopes to boost manufacturing of batteries for electric cars and attract foreign investment in related sectors.

The plane transporting tech billionaire Elon Musk is seen during his arrival at Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Indonesia, May 19, 2024. [Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP]

Jokowis administration has been actively courting Musk and Tesla for years, though with little success. That included a May 2022 visit that Jokowi paid to Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Texas.

Hours after Musk arrived in Bali over the weekend, he launched the Starlink service, aiming to improve internet connectivity in remote areas of the archipelago.

In Bali, Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesias coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, said Musk would consider an offer to establish an EV battery plant in Indonesia.

Late last month, Microsofts Nadella announced an investment of $1.7 billion over the next four years to bolster Indonesias digital landscape, along with AI skills training opportunities for 840,000 people and support for the nations growing developer community.

That represents the single largest investment in Microsofts 29-year history of doing business in the country.

Together, these initiatives will help achieve the Indonesian governments Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, which aims to transform the nation into a global economic powerhouse, Microsoft said in a blog post.

Satya Nadella, executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft, leaves after attending a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, April 30, 2024. [Willy Kurniawan/Reuters]





Earlier in April, Cook said Apple would look at manufacturing in Indonesia after he met Jokowi at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

By courting Western investment, Jakarta is diversifying its economic partnerships and reducing its reliance on China, which has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects, mining operations, and manufacturing, analysts say.

Friends with everyone

In recent years, Chinese firms have built roads, railways, and power plants across the archipelago, boosting connectivity and economic development thanks to Beijings Belt and Road Initiative.

However, the Indonesian government has also emphasized the importance of diversifying Indonesias economic partners and attracting investment from other countries.

Both China and the U.S. are welcome to invest, but they must commit to realizing their investments, not just using Indonesia as a market, said Heru Sutadi, executive director of the Information and Communication Technology Institute in Jakarta.

Indonesia is friends with everyone. Its not interested in geopolitical games, including geoeconomic ones, he told BenarNews.

Amid a trade war between China and the United States, Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have emerged as beneficiaries of the China Plus One strategy, in which companies diversify production outside China.

This is an opportunity for Indonesia to question these companies about their investment plans, Heru said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (center) walks with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesias coordinating minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, upon arriving for the 43rd ASEAN Summit at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta, Sept. 5, 2023. [Antara Foto/Raisan Al Farisi/ via Reuters]





But the influx of investment from American technology firms also raises concerns about Indonesias readiness.

While the country boasts a young and tech-savvy population, its infrastructure remains underdeveloped and its regulatory framework for the digital economy is still evolving, analysts said.

Experts emphasize the need for Indonesia to invest heavily in education and skills training to ensure its workforce can compete in the global tech market. They are calling for greater regulatory clarity and consistency to attract and retain foreign investment.

We havent attracted much investment due to the lack of a robust tech ecosystem, including infrastructure, regulations, and skilled labor, said Tauhid Ahmad, a senior economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance in Jakarta.

Tauhid pointed to Teslas decision to put off investment in Indonesia, citing the lack of a local supply chain for electric vehicle batteries as an example.

He also said that U.S. companies tended to be more cautious than Chinese firms, focusing on the broader Southeast Asian market rather than solely on Indonesia.

Despite these challenges, Tauhid said, he was optimistic about Indonesias potential.

We have a stable GDP, a large population, and high consumption levels, he said.

To realize this potential, we need to invest in infrastructure and develop a skilled workforce.

He suggested the government create a technology academy modeled after Apples to nurture local talent.

We need to do more than just train a few people at the Apple Academy, he said. We need a large pool of skilled workers ready to meet the demands of the tech industry.

Suzie Sudarman, an international relations lecturer at the University of Indonesia, however questioned the motivations behind the visits by the top U.S. executives.

These individuals are not long-term investors, Suzie told BenarNews.

She pointed to Apples minimal presence in the country, having only invested $98.5 million to establish its Apple Develop Academy in three Indonesian cities.

If they were to invest, clarity is essential, assurances that their investments will yield returns.

Unfortunately, corruption permeates our governance, she said. Hence, our country has become a refuge for fly-by-night entrepreneurs.
The new president vows to continue strengthening the Communist Partys rule and legitimacy.

To Lam takes his oath as Vietnam's President during the National Assembly's summer session in Hanoi on May 22, 2024.

Police general To Lam was sworn in on Wednesday by Vietnams parliament as the new state president.

At the same session, lawmakers voted to relieve Lam, 66, of the post of minister of public security, which he had held since 2016. Lam has replaced Vo Van Thuong, who was forced to step down after just one year in office.

As minister of public security, Lam played a leading role in a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, seen by critics as a political tool for factions in the Communist Party to eliminate competitors. His promotion as president means he is no longer in charge of the powerful ministry, and so may have lost some influence over it.

In his acceptance speech, Lam vowed to prioritize Vietnams independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as national interests, in his work.

The new president emphasized that, together with other leaders, he would continue to strengthen the partys capabilities, its ruling power and combat prowess.

Lam, in his televised, seven-minute speech, also mentioned Vietnams bamboo diplomacy, which he said he was committed to following.

This approach in foreign policy has allowed Vietnam to establish comprehensive strategic partnerships with some of the worlds major powers including the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

On Monday, Tran Thanh Man took office as the new National Assembly chairman amid an unprecedented reshuffle of the ruling partys leadership.

The appointments of Lam and Man have restored the Communist Partys top quartet, known in Vietnam as the four pillars, namely the general secretary of the Communist Party, the prime minister, the president and the National Assembly chairman.

This quartet had earlier been halved after the resignations of President Vo Van Thuong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in March and May, respectively.

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Lam on becoming president, Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, the first foreign leader to do so.

Candidates for the top job

The position of general secretary is the highest in the party hierarchy. The incumbent party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong, 80, is expected to step down at the 14th national party congress in January 2026, or even earlier.

Lam and the prime minister, Pham Minh Chinh, are the only two eligible candidates to succeed him after a number of possible contenders lost their jobs during an anti-corruption campaign dubbed the blazing furnace.

Lam joined the public security service in 1974 and rose through the ranks to become a general in 2019. He was deputy minister for six years before becoming minister in April 2016.

During his career, Lams main focus was security in connection with internal politics and counter-intelligence.

The general was accused of involvement in the kidnapping of Trinh Xuan Thanh, a fugitive oil executive and former provincial official, in Berlin in 2017 and Thanhs return to Hanoi through Slovakia. The Hanoi government denied kidnapping but the case led to a temporary rift in diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.

In 2021, Lam was involved in another controversy after he was caught on video eating a piece of gold-plated steak at a luxury restaurant in London. A video clip of the general being fed by celebrity chef Salt Bae went viral, causing a public outcry at home.

Edited by Taejun Kang.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Masud Pezeshkian, to cement their growing bilateral ties that have raised concern in the West as war rages in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The two leaders met in Ashgabat on the sidelines of a conference in the capital of the tightly controlled Central Asian country of Turkmenistan on October 11. It was the first of two meetings between the men, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24.

It was the first of two meetings between the two, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the meeting that while the talks will focus on bilateral relations, "the situation in the Middle East definitely will not be ignored and will also be on the agenda."



The meeting was the first between the two since Pezeshkian assumed office on July 30 after winning an election to succeed his hard-line predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

Relations between Moscow and Tehran have strengthened since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"Pezeshkian is trying to gauge to what extent Iran can rely on Russia for help," Touraj Atabaki, professor emeritus of Middle East and Central Asia social history at Leiden University in the Netherlands, told Radio Farda.

"Russia wants to stand with Iran due to Iran's support in its war on Ukraine but Moscow doesn't want to darken its relationship with Israel further and cut all ties," he added.

Since the early months of the Ukraine war, Russia has been accused of using Iranian-made Shahed and Mohajer-6 drones, many of which have been found after being shot down over Ukrainian cities and battlefields.



Iran initially denied arming Russia before relenting and admitting that it had supplied a "limited number of drones" to Moscow before the war.



Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Tehran continues to deny that its drones are being used by Russia against Ukraine. That has not stopped the United States and the European Union from imposing sanctions on Iran for helping Moscow.



Last month, the EU said it had "credible" information provided by allies suggesting that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to help Moscow wage war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have been heightened since Tehran launched some 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, saying the attack was in response to the killing of Tehran-backed militant leaders and a general from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.



Israel has vowed to launch a "deadly, precise, and surprising" attack on Iran in retaliation, while it continues to pound targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip that it says are aimed at Iran-backed proxies.

At least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded on October 11 by Israeli strikes in Jabalia in northern Gaza, according to the territory's civil-defense agency.



The recent spiral of violence was sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas that killed around 1,200 people and saw some 250 taken hostage. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.



The fighting in Gaza prompted another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, to fire missiles into Israel in support of Hamas. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU blacklists its armed wing but not its political party.



The Israeli military has launched massive air strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon in response, as well as a ground incursion into southern Lebanon intended to destroy the Iran-allied militant group, whose political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.

Israel faced condemnation on October 11 after its forces fired at what it said was a threat near a UN peacekeeping position in Lebanon. Israeli soldiers had responded to "an immediate threat" around 50 meters from the UNIFIL post, the military said.

"An initial examination indicates that during the incident, a hit was identified on a UNIFIL post...resulting in the injury of two UNIFIL personnel," the statement added. The army pledged to carry out a "thorough review."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the firing as "intolerable" and "a violation of international humanitarian law," while the British government said it was "appalled" by reports of the injuries.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "absolutely" asking Israel to stop firing at UN peacekeepers, while the French, Spanish, and Italian leaders issued a joint statement expressing "outrage."

French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call for an end to exports of weapons used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, while saying the UN peacekeepers had been "deliberately targeted."

In Iran, more than three dozen hard-line lawmakers on October 10 demanded the government revise its nuclear doctrine to pursue atomic weapons.



In a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, they said Western powers could not control Israel, thus making nuclear weapons "Iran's option to create deterrence."



Iran has been hit with waves of crippling economic sanctions for its nuclear program, which has seen a sharp increase in its uranium enrichment capacity after the United States under former President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 landmark deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that restricted Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.



Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes, but government officials caused alarm recently by saying it could change its "nuclear doctrine" if it is attacked or its existence is threatened by Israel.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Can The China-Russia Partnership Outlast Xi And Putin?

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently wrapped up a two-day state visit to China.

Heres what you need to know.

Finding Perspective: Putins May 16-17 visit got plenty of attention but was light on deliverables.

There was pomp and pageantry in Beijing when Putin met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as both leaders sought to showcase that their partnership is growing stronger against sustained Western  mostly American  pressure.

The optics of that shared bond were on display as both Xi and Putin took aim at the United States as a threat to the global order and praised what their shared autocratic world view has to offer.

In their joint statement, they said that Washington is pursuing a policy of dual containment aimed at Russia and China and of hegemonic behavior. In contrast, Putin said that the China-Russia relationship is one of the main stabilizing factors in the international arena.

Beyond the favorable optics and strategic rhetoric, the pair also said they discussed the war in Ukraine during their official meeting and later during a state dinner and unofficial talks together.

Behind The Scenes: As I reported ahead of Putins trip, deepening defense ties and finding new ways to circumvent U.S. sanctions and trade restrictions in order to keep fueling Russias war machine were the unofficial focus of this visit.

Putin touched down in Beijing with a heavyweight team of advisers, ministers, and business leaders  including newly appointed Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Many analysts saw this as part of an effort to build more rapport between high-ranking Chinese and Russian officials, but also a sign that Putin is shifting Russia into a war economy.

Various analyses of Chinese customs data show that in 2023 some 90 percent of high priority dual-use goods used in Russian weapons production was imported from China. But data for February, March, and April shows that those same exports to Russia are declining, reportedly due to concerns by Chinese banks of being hit by secondary sanctions by the United States.

Why It Matters: We dont know what those conversations looked like, but its clear that despite all the talk about eternal friendship, there are still some limits to this no limits partnership.

Beijing has so far drawn a red line at supplying Russia with lethal aid for its war, and negotiations over the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline to China are believed to be increasingly tense, with not much progress reported.

Even each countrys official state-run news agencies acknowledged the other as a complicated partner in their coverage and that Beijing and Moscow do not see eye-to-eye on every issue.

But still, it seems clear that Xi and Putin want to lay the foundations for a partnership that can outlast them. Putin used his second day to go to Harbin, a city in northeastern China once known as Little Moscow that has deep cultural and historic ties to Russia and where Putin played up the two countries lasting ties.

Xi, too, hit a similar note while speaking beside Putin in Beijing, where he said that China was prepared to consolidate the friendship between the two peoples for generations to come.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. Preparing For The SCO Summit

Ahead of a leaders summit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this July in Kazakhstan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited the capital, Astana, where he said Beijing was ready to support the Central Asian countrys independence and sovereignty.

What It Means: Speaking after a meeting with Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev in Astana on May 20, Wang echoed several similar statements made by China's Xi in recent years, including when he visited Kazakhstan in 2022.

"China will support a series of strategies for development and important measures initiated by President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev [and] oppose with resolve against any external forces that are trying to interfere in the internal affairs of that country," Wang said.

Kazakhstan remains a close partner with Russia but has walked a tightrope with Moscow since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kazakhstan has faced threats from pro-Kremlin politicians and political commentators in Russia for taking a middle ground on the war.

Toqaev, speaking alongside Wang, praised Chinese-Kazakh ties and emphasized that his country's giant neighbor will remain Kazakhstan's reliable partner.

Wang also held talks with the foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan while in Astana.

Leaders from SCO member states  China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan  will gather in Astana on July 3-4 for a summit.

2. A New President In Taiwan And An Eye On Ukraine

Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwans new president on May 20. While focus was centered on Taipeis relationship with Beijing and tensions across the Taiwan Strait, his incoming national-security adviser had some words about Russia and Ukraine.

The Details: Joseph Wu is Taiwans outgoing foreign minister and has been tapped by Lai as secretary-general of the countrys National Security Council.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the 69-year old Wu said that Beijing and Moscow are supporting each others expansionism around the world, referencing spots like Ukraine and the South China Sea.

Wu called on democracies to align in countering Russia and Chinas assertiveness and to do more to support Ukraine.

If Ukraine is defeated at the end, I think China is going to get inspired, and they might take even more ambitious steps in expanding their power in the Indo-Pacific, and it will be disastrous for the international community, he said.

The interview follows similar arguments outlined by Wu in an article for Foreign Affairs magazine.

3. Surveillance Cameras And Security Concerns

Central and Eastern European countries have purchased millions of Chinese-made surveillance cameras over the last five years, despite the devices security vulnerabilities and the manufacturers lax data practices and ties to the Chinese state, an RFE/RL survey of nine countries shows.

What You Need To Know: While public national databases for surveillance cameras do not exist for most countries, available data and reporting by a team of my colleagues and myself shows Dahua and Hikvision -- two partially state-owned Chinese companies that are among the world's leading providers of closed-circuit television and surveillance systems -- dominating markets in Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Bulgaria, and Georgia.

RFE/RL reporting shows that despite escalating scrutiny in Western capitals about an overreliance on Chinese technology in critical infrastructure, Dahua and Hikvision cameras are also in use at sensitive sites, including military bases in Romania and special police headquarters in Hungary, which experts say exposes them to hackers and foreign adversaries.

My colleague Manas Qaiyrtaiuly from RFE/RLs Kazakh Service also took a look at the expansion of cameras and tech from both companies in Kazakhstan.

Across The Supercontinent

China In Kosovo: What is Chinas office in Pristina focused on? My colleagues Valona Tel and Arton Konushevci from RFE/RLs Balkan Service looked into this in a recent article in light of Xis high-profile visit to Belgrade.

CPEC Concerns: After praising ties with Pakistan during a May 15 visit to Islamabad, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang urged his Pakistani counterparts to do more to address security concerns over militant groups targeting Chinese workers in the country.

Bratislava To Beijing: Matej Simalcik, the executive director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, a Bratislava-based think tank, looks at how some far-right media figures in Slovakia known for spreading disinformation are courting cooperation with Chinese media companies.

Nationalism Vs. Nationalism: Aleksander Dugin, a Russian nationalist ideologue known for his staunch support of Putin, was attacked and mocked online for his expansionist views that once included dismembering parts of China after he signed up on Chinese social media.

One Thing To Watch

While Xi and Putins recent state visit in Beijing was about showcasing the durability of the China-Russia partnership, theres one area that could lead to mounting friction: Moscows warming ties with North Korea.

North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells for the Ukraine war and transferred ballistic missiles and other weapons in exchange for food and raw materials to manufacture weapons. South Korea and the United States have since accused North Korea and Russia of trading arms in violation of UN sanctions and expressed concern that Moscow could supply Pyongyang with more advanced military technology.

Those concerns are also shared by Beijing, who is North Koreas closest partner but is also cautious about Pyongyangs erratic and destabilizing moves.

Putin could visit the reclusive country this year. He was invited in January by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and the Kremlin has said that talks are under way.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every other Wednesday.
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.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. lawmakers are set to unveil a bill this week that seeks to persuade Georgia's government to kill a controversial "foreign agent" law widely viewed as rolling back democratic achievements.

The Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act offers a combination of carrots and sticks to stop the final passage of the Georgian bill that would force nongovernmental organizations and media that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents." The acronym for the bill, MEGOBARI, is also the Georgian word for "friend."

The proposed legislation -- expected to be introduced to Congress by South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson -- would require the U.S. administration to impose sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for the controversial law as well as individuals involved in human rights violations such as members of the security forces and those who have engaged in large-scale corruption.

Tens of thousands of Georgians, mainly young adults, have taken to the streets over the past few weeks to protest the "foreign agent" law, which experts say is aimed at undermining the opposition ahead of parliamentary elections in October and could be used to clamp down on civil society and media.

The Georgian legislation is similar to a law passed by the Russian government in 2012 that served to tighten the noose around the opposition and has sparked concerns in the United States and European Union. Some Georgian NGOs have said they will not comply with the bill, potentially opening themselves up to police raids and closure.

A bipartisan group of 29 lawmakers in the House of Representatives, the lower house in the U.S. Congress, earlier this month addressed a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze condemning the "foreign agent" bill and warning its passage would force Washington to review its ties with Tbilisi.

"The situation in Georgia is clear. The government can choose to listen to the voices of the Georgian people or continue down a dark road to Russian-style authoritarianism. We state, in no uncertain terms, that choosing this latter path would cause the United States to fundamentally reassess the nature of our relationship," the lawmakers said in their May 10 letter.

Russian Intelligence Assets

With the Georgian parliament passing the bill in a third and final reading on May 14, the U.S. lawmakers are now making good on their word.

Work on the MEGOBARI Act has been in progress for months as experts on Capitol Hill expected Georgian Dream to pursue its passage a second time after pulling it in 2023 amid protests, a person close to the legislation told RFE/RL. The person asked their name not be used so they could speak freely on the issue.

The bill also requires the U.S. administration to report to Congress on any Russian intelligence assets in the country as well as Chinese influence, including in the security sphere.

The person familiar with the bill said work on those matters, including the sanctions list and details of Russian and Chinese malign influence, are already under way and could be announced quickly were the MEGOBARI Act to pass.

Exposing Russian agents among the Georgian elite, as well as cases of Chinese influence peddling, would serve to undermine Georgian Dream's narrative that it is protecting the sovereignty of the nation with the "foreign agent" bill.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has accused foreign-funded NGOs of instigating protests following elections in 2020 and after the introduction of the "foreign agent" bill in 2023.

The person familiar with the proposed legislation indicated that the United States possesses information that could torpedo the reputation of members of the Georgian elite.

In a statement posted on Facebook on May 21, Georgian Dream accused U.S. lawmakers sponsoring the MEGOBARI Act of seeking to "blackmail" them.

U.S. sanctions bar individuals, as well as the companies they control, from doing business with U.S. persons. More importantly, it bars them and their companies from conducting any financial transactions in U.S. dollars, the world's most widely used currency. The sanctions could sting as Georgia's economy is highly dollarized with a large chunk of outstanding bank loans and deposits denominated in the U.S. currency.

The bill does offer carrots as well, providing the ruling party drops the "foreign agent" law, including fewer barriers to trade, better access to U.S. visas, and economic aid. The United States Agency for International Development already allocates about $70 million annually for Georgia to support education, small businesses, and NGOs among other spheres.

The person familiar said the incentives are also a signal to Tbilisi that the United States wants to rejuvenate the bilateral relationship, which they described as having been on cruise control in recent years, noting the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission hasn't met for some time.

"This is a constructive & well-timed way to lay out for the Georgian people the friendly alternative that awaits if they manage to take back their government," Josh Rudolph, a senior fellow and the head of the German Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Democracy Working Group, said in a tweet.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the "foreign agent" bill last week but the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament is expected to override her veto when they vote next week.

"The Georgia-U.S. strategic partnership is currently a prisoner of Georgian Dream's party politics," Irakli Sirbiladze, an international relations researcher, told RFE/RL's Georgian Service.

The Georgian ruling party "is ready to give up the country's national interest -- the strengthening of political, defense, economic, and people-to-people ties with the U.S. -- in order to achieve the party's goal," Sirbiladze said.

William Courtney, the former U.S. ambassador to Georgia from 1995-97, agreed that the MEGOBARI Act is unlikely to persuade Georgian Dream from killing the bill.*

"There is no sign that this government is going to be deterred from taking Georgia in a more authoritarian and anti-Western direction," said Courtney, who is now an analyst at the Washington-based Rand Corp think tank.

"It may be too late for diplomacy to make much difference," he said, referring to the act.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Georgian Service

*CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had the wrong dates for Ambassador Courtney's tenure.
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.
Residents of Ukraine's largely Russian-occupied Luhansk region report an intense effort by Russian officers to recruit male students at universities and institutes for contract service in the Russian armed forces.

"They say that if I sign a contract and don't get mobilized, I'll have better chances of surviving" Russia's war against Ukraine, said a 20-year-old Luhansk student who gave his name as Anton.



With no end in sight to a war in which more than 315,000 Russian men have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion of February 2022, by U.S. estimates, Russian President Vladimir Putin's government seems intent on maintaining or boosting troops numbers.

Eager to avoid a repeat of a 2022 mobilization that prompted hundreds of thousands of people to leave Russia, it's looking to contract soldiers to fill the ranks and help increase the size of the armed forces to 1.32 million in 2024. In December 2023, then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu set a "top priority" target of 745,000 contract personnel by the end of 2024, state news agency TASS reported.

Russian recruitment and conscription efforts are not limited to Russian territory. While it is illegal under international law, the military is also targeting men in the five Ukrainian regions Moscow baselessly claims as its own: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, and Crimea.

Numerous young men interviewed by RFE/RL's Donbas.Realities in the Luhansk region, almost all of which is under Russian control, said universities and institutes have become prime recruiting sites for Russian forces.



Serhiy, a 20-year-old student at an institute in the city of Luhansk, said recruitment posters for contract service in Russia's armed forces are now "the norm" and appear on walls alongside class schedules.



"We used to joke that it looked like a way of motivating us, like, 'If you don't study, you'll join the army," said Serhiy, who, like all interviewees, asked that only his first name be used for fear of repercussions.

'Soviet Standards'



Recruitment flyers target job-hungry students with promises of free housing, medical care, and at least a month of paid vacation each year. Pay varies according to rank and activities, with a sign-on bonus of 195,000 rubles ($2,150).



To make the pitch for contracts, Russian military officers "specially" positioned near one Luhansk institute approach students after breaks or classes and ask for a cigarette or a light, said Anton, who studies there.



The officers "tell you what a great future you'll have if you go fight" and assert that the Russian Army's contract troops are "treated with respect, valued, and protected," Anton said.



In a social media post on April 10, Britain's Defense Ministry said the Russian military "seeks to recruit 400,000 contract soldiers in 2024." The Russian Defense Ministry claimed in early April that more than 100,000 men already had signed contracts so far this year.



Official figures are not available for how many men in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine have responded to this recruitment campaign.



In January, the Russian government made it easier for men to join up by reducing the obligatory two-part medical exam to a single examination at the recruit's local military headquarters.



Ihor, a Luhansk region conscript who is currently at a regional training camp, said Russian Army officials follow "Soviet standards" and fixate on meeting their quotas without bothering about health exams.

"You come and say: 'I want a contract,'" Ihor said, citing relatives' experiences. "They don't even check you. They just ask: 'So, should I write down that you're healthy?'"

One mother in Luhansk, Anastasia, claimed the "hunt" for young men who will sign a contract with the military starts with high school students aged 16-17. Holders of Russian "internal passports" are eligible for contracts once they turn 18 and graduate from high school. Registering for military service is obligatory from the age of 17.



In recent months, Anastasia said, her son's school has reminded students constantly about that deadline. To encourage them, she added, the school often holds meetings with so-called war heroes who tell students "how important and prestigious it is to defend the homeland from Nazis" -- a reference to Putin's false claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government.



Anastasia described the meetings as a pressure-free, "normal conversation," but her son, she noted, said the discussion also includes "alarming" questions about whether "you shoot well."

Empty Promises



But if the pitches and posters don't work, Russian officials use other tactics as well to increase the number of male students who sign contracts to fight, interviewed students said.



Under Russian law, illegally imposed on occupied areas of Ukraine, attending an institution of higher learning allows men between the ages of 18 to 30 to postpone their mandatory year of military service. But this is no guarantee of safety.

Students "can simply be 'failed' at the end of a semester because security officials came to the university and explained that they need new volunteers," said Anton.

Serhiy told RFE/RL that the Russian Army conscripted several of his classmates who did not pass their winter semester classes and sent them for training in Russia's Belgorod region, which borders the Luhansk region.



"They are digging trenches there" but "no one is teaching the boys how to fight and survive," he said. "You stand and dig."



His former classmates fear they'll be sent to the front, Serhiy added. Though the Russian Defense Ministry claims conscripts are not fighting in Ukraine, Luhansk residents indicate otherwise.



Anton said his older brother, conscripted in 2023, was promised a year of training but was sent to the administrative border of Ukraine's Luhansk and Kharkiv regions "within a few months."

"Daily shelling and constant fighting are what taught him to fight -- not conscription," Anton commented.



Kyiv has urged Ukrainians from Russian-occupied territories who are fighting for Russia to surrender "at the first opportunity."



Ihor said five to seven students in his training cohort also do not want to fight against Ukraine but believe that, after their military service, they will not immediately be called to fight in the war.



He doubts that: Russian officers have told him he could be summoned "at any moment" once his conscription is complete, he said. "After your military service, you're still a hostage."



Contracts don't necessarily provide better protection for inexperienced soldiers.



Anastasia said the son of poor neighbors of her relatives signed a contract when he turned 18 because he wanted to be "self-sufficient and independent."



"His parents did not refuse," she said. "They buried him within a few months."

Written by Elizabeth Owen based on reporting by Olha Modina and RFE/RL's Donbas.Realities
Stephen Maguire

The Criminal Assets Bureau confirmed raids carried out in Donegal and Dublin on Wednesday morning were part of an operation into the assets of people suspected of being involved in drug trafficking on an international scale.

There were three raids in Donegal and further raids in Dublin at approximately 6am on Wednesday morning.

The raids included a business premises in Letterkenny and two private houses in the West Donegal region.

A spokesperson for CAB said the organised criminal gang operates across Ireland and has extensive links to Co Donegal and north Dublin, as well as Scotland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Wednesday's operation was conducted by CAB officers with the support of gardai from Milford, Donegal Division, the Regional Armed Support Unit, the Customs Dog Unit and members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

In total, over 70 personnel were involved in 23 searches across Donegal and Dublin, which included dwellings, business premises and professional searches.

A 2023 registered Volvo XC90, about 73,000 in a bank account, electronic devices and financial documents were seized and frozen.

A CAB spokesperson added" "Todays search operation was conducted as part of an on-going proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including real estate, deriving in whole or in part from the proceeds of criminal activity.

"This particular investigation was supported by a number of Good Citizens Reports (GCRs) and also the assistance of a Divisional Assets Profiler."
Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a property in Tallaght, County Dublin.

Gardai and emergency services were alerted to a fire at a vacant property on High Street at approximately 11:10pm and attended the scene.

Local fire services attended the scene and the fire was brought under control a short time later.

There were no injuries reported to anyone at the scene.

A technical examination of the scene has since been conducted.

Last month, the Department of Integration confirmed that IPAS was considering an offer of the use of St Johns House in Tallaght as asylum seeker accommodation.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Any person who was in the vicinity of High Street, Tallaght between 10:30pm and 11:30pm and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai.

Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) are asked to make this available to Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
There were two local winners at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024 which took place in the Clayton Hotel in Dublin on Monday.

Rogue & Co Cafe in Roscommon Town took home the top honours for the 'Best Cafe' in Connacht category.

In the Connacht category for Best Restaurant Manager, Gabriel Cambure from Buffalo Boy in Carrick-on-Shannon won the award.

Buffalo Boy is a steakhouse and gastro bar.
The ongoing flooding situation at Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon is "a travesty", the Tanaiste said today following his visit to the area.

Speaking with the media at Curraghboy after touring Ballagh and Gortfree-Lisphelim, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that there needed to be an understanding of the human impact of planning objections.

I think it is absolutely disproportionate what has happened in terms of a legal objection to a pipe line that would have alleviated such hardship. It is difficult to comprehend how there is such a lack of balance in terms of progressing issues like this, he said.

Those organisations might blame county councils and OPW, thats not good enough. We are all responsible for our actions, and in order to have a cohesive society, we need to weigh things up and I think what has happened here is a travesty, the Fianna Fail leader said.

What has happened here is wrong in terms of its impact on people. I have seen the stress and trauma.

He said that it did not appear to him that the consequences of the legal action were properly weighed up. He said that there clearly was a need to review planning laws and the capacity that the state should have to intervene to protect human life".

When asked whether Minister Eamon Ryan should also visit the lake, Minister Martin said that the OPW Minister Kieran ODonnell had been to visit the area.

I dont think Minister Ryan has a responsibility for this, lets be clear. We shouldnt mix up the jerseys in this respect, he said.
A 3.8 million project in Castlerea, which will be officially opened by Minister Heather Humphreys tomorrow, Thursday, is a dream come true for the committee behind the project and the people of the town.

The seven units at the An Chistin Food Hub, five 1,000 square foot units and two 2,000 square foot units, have been developed in the hopes of bringing more employment to the area, expanding on food tourism while also offering business opportunities to those in the food industry.

Funding for the project was secured through Minister Humphreys Department of Rural and Community Development, Roscommon County Council and Enterprise Castlerea.

One company has already secured one of the units, Solas Desserts.

According to Enterprise Castlerea Chairperson Benny OConnell this is a great opportunity for food business start-ups or those looking to expand their operations as the Food Hub offers a space without having to go through planning or building premises from the ground up.

Benny explained that the original idea emerged a few years ago when a section of the very popular Enterprise Hub at The Demesne became vacant.

Some space in The Hub became available and we decided to forego short-term rental income in the interests of developing something for the town, Benny says.

Due to his own background in the food industry, Benny had identified that there was a shortage of trained catering staff, including chefs, throughout the country.

Chefs were being required everywhere, in filling stations, in healthcare facilities, and so onthere was a shortage, so we saw an opportunity. It was then that Enterprise Castlerea began to explore the idea of basing a food hub in their existing hub.

The first part of the project, An Chistin, a fully functional training facility, now offers a number of courses for training people in preparation for their entry into the catering business, with many students already passing through its doors to go onto successful careers.

Beeny also explained that the committee took inspiration from Food Hub in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim which now houses, among others, the well-known Shed Distillery and acknowledged the assistance they have received from the people over this project.

Following the opening by Minister Humphreys at 12 noon on May 23rd, the people of the town will get a chance to see the facilities for themselves with the units being opened for public viewing from 6 p.m..

Later that evening Chef Kevin Dundon will be on hand to give a free cookery demonstration, doors open at 7 p.m. with the demonstration taking place at 8 p.m..

It is expected that many people will be in attendance for the celebrity chef, television personality and author, who is well known for featuring on television series such as Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat. He is the author of the book, Full on Irish: Contemporary Creative Cooking and his recipes have been featured in publications such as the Sunday Tribune and Weekend magazine in the Irish Independent. He has also cooked for The Queen and both an Irish and a US president.

Interestingly Kevin Dundon was in attendance when The Hub was originally opened in 2009.

During her visit to County Roscommon, Minister Humphreys will also officially open Monksland Innovation Hub and turn the sod at Monksland Central Park in South Roscommon.

Similar to the Castlerea Food Hub, these two projects received funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
The biggest airdrop exercise since World War II

An overview of recent military exercises hosted by Romania

The biggest airdrop exercise since World War II

Vlad Palcu, 22.05.2024, 14:00

The multinational Swift Response 24 exercise is taking place on Romanias territory until May 24, involving over 5,000 servicemen and 320 equipment from seven allied and partner states. Swift Response tests airdrop missions, which also involve reclaiming occupied military bases by achieving air superiority, airdropping allied forces in the area and carrying out live ammo fire practice in shooting ranges.

The Swift Response, Saber Strike and Immediate Response exercise trio is part of the Defender 24 training program coordinated by the US Forces Command Europe, involving 40,000 troops from 20 allied and partner nations. The United States Army V Corps takes lead for this joint air operations exercise designed to increase readiness and interoperability among allied forces, also marking a key contribution to NATOs deterrence posture.

As part of training carried out in Romania, some 2,000 paratroopers from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the USA and the Netherlands took part in the Joint Forcible Entry multinational airdrop operation, which also included paratrooper airdrop missions and military equipment landing drills. The main activity was originally planned for May 12, but since the weather is a contributing factor in the conduct of military operations, and the atmospheric conditions did not favor airdrop drills, the operation was shifted to Monday, May 13, in the area of the 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii (central Romania). During the interval, similar operations were carried out in five other allied and partner states  Estonia North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Poland and Sweden, thus making Swift Response 24 the largest airdrop operation in Europe since World War II. Romania contributes 2,300 troops.

Swift Response 24 is also connected to the Wind Spring 24/Dacia 24 military exercise in Romania, involving forces of the General Grigore Balan 81st Mechanized Brigade, deployed in the Getica Training Center in Cincu, Brasov County (center), and in the Bogata polygon in Cluj County (northwest). The Carpathian Hawks from the 812th Infantry Battalion from Bistrita (northwest), together with soldiers from the Republic of Moldova, are currently conducting joint training sessions as part of the Wind Spring 24 exercise. Additionally, engineers from the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group took part in this exercise, focusing on procedures for breaching buildings using explosive devices, neutralizing IEDs discovered on site, as well as resolving incidents with conventional ammo.

Another multinational exercise carried out during this period in Romania is Mountain Saber 24, whereby servicemen from the Dragos Voda 17th Ranger Battalion cooperated with French, North Macedonian, Polish and Portuguese peers.

The NATO South-East Multinational Corps in Sibiu (center) organized the Carpathian Blood 24 multinational medical exercise this week, attended by representatives of the Land Forces Command, various NATO structures and national medical authorities. The exercises highlighted possible medical issues that may be encountered in the field, as well as solutions to provide effective and coordinated medical support. (VP)
May 22, 2024

A roundup of the main local and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 22.05.2024, 14:20

BSDA Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, on Wednesday said there are prospects for the Romanian defence industry to conclude impressive contracts of billions of Euros. Attending the international exhibition Black Sea Defense and Aerospace in Bucharest, the Prime Minister said this is the biggest event devoted to the defence industry in the Black Sea region. The presence of 400 companies from 31 countries here proves the importance of this event, Ciolacu went on to say. All the five operational fields are being represented, the land, air, naval, cyber and space and the events main attraction is the multi-role F-35 jet fighter, the US Navy has for the first time brought to an exhibition in Europe. The event is proposing to identify opportunities and find cooperation solutions both in terms of production and the business field contributing to the international promotion of Romanias Defence industry.

WAGES The government in Bucharest intends to raise the salaries of some categories of state employees by 10 percent this year in two equal installments. A draft ordinance on the issue has been put up for debates by the Labour Ministry. Some of the state employees who are to benefit the measure have recently staged protest rallies, but Prime Minister Ciolacu yesterday explained the budget did not allow for more pay raises. Those to benefit the aforementioned measure are employees from various cultural institutions, of the trade registry, the diplomatic field, the defence industry, of mayor offices and other institutions funded from the governments and Parliaments own sources.

FESTIVAL The International Theatre Festival Shakespeare continues in Craiova, south-western Romania with a new series of theatre shows, multi-media installations, outdoor film screenings, book launches and round table talks. Macbeth, brought by the Theatre without Name based in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, and the Twelfth Night directed by Andrei Serban at the state theatre in Constanta are the festivals main events today. Shakespeare village, a British village from 16 hundred build from scratch on the local hippodrome is the venue for scores of concerts and shows, while the Craiova Promenade is hosting the Shakespeare Dimension cube, providing a virtual immersion into the Shakespearian world. At its thirtieth edition this year, the aforementioned international event consists of 300 shows and events bringing together some of the worlds most famous directors and actors such as Robert Wilson, Declan Donnellan, Peter Brook or Robert Lepage.

VISIT Romanians will be able to travel to Turkey without passports only with their ID cards, Turkish president Tayyip Recep Erdogan decided during the formal visit Romanias Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu paid to Ankara. The Romanian Prime Minister participated together with president Erdogan in the first joint session of the two governments, when they decided that Romanian farmers may resume the export and transit of meat through Turkey. Also high on the talks agenda were the extended cooperation in the fields of defence and energy.

(bill)
Extended cooperation Romania  Turkey

The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, participated in the first joint meeting of the governments of Romania and Turkey in Ankara.

Marcel Ciolacu - Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo gov ro)

Sorin Iordan, 22.05.2024, 14:00

Romanians will be able to go to Turkey, for a maximum of 90 days, without a passport, only with their identity card. The decision was made by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the context of the official visit that the Romanian prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, paid to Ankara. The Prime Minister of Romania participated, together with the Turkish head of state, in the first joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Turkey. In this context, the expansion of cooperation in the fields of the defense industry and energy was discussed, and a decision was made that Romanian farmers would resume the export and transit of meat to Turkey. PM Ciolacu said that this decision would help Romanian farmers to have access to a very large market again and to be able to open new trade routes in the region.

Marcel Ciolacu: It is a huge opportunity for Romanian producers to have access to a huge market, but, at the same time, we will be able to establish solid trade routes also with other areas of interest in the region and the Middle East. We need such measures in order to achieve the ambitious targets that we have set in the economic domain. Last year we exceeded 10 billion dollars in terms of economic exchanges, but together we set an ambitious target of 15 billion dollars that we are going to reach in the coming years.

The Romanian PM said that Romania will continue to ensure a good collaboration between Turkey and the European Union, in the context in which its accession to the EU has been blocked for several years due to numerous divergences in the field of democracy, the rule of law and the fundamental rights. At the same time, he proposed to the Turkish side a partnership formula that would allow the transfer of technology and know-how, so that Romanian companies should be able to produce in Romania components for Bayraktar military drones and Otokar armored tactical vehicles. Last but not least, PM Ciolacu declared that the administrations from Bucharest and Ankara are holding talks related to Romania recuperating the sword of the Moldavian ruler Stephen the Great. The weapon, received from Pope Sixtus IV, in recognition of Moldavias decisive role in the defense of Christianity, came into the possession of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.

In turn, Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that economic ties are the driving force of bilateral relations and thanked Romania for granting full rights to the Turkish minority, which numbers almost 28,000 people. He recalled that Romania and Turkey contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region, as well as within NATO. The Turkish President has also stated that the two states, together with Bulgaria, have formed a joint group that will remove mines from the Black Sea in order to increase the safety of navigation. (LS)
Security Pact between the Republic of Moldova and the EU

The Republic of Moldova, an ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian-speaking population, signed a security and defense pact with the European Union.

Flags EU- Moldova

Bogdan Matei, 22.05.2024, 13:50

All military experts and political analysts say about the Republic of Moldova that it is Ukraines neighbor most seriously affected by the Russian invasion. In solidarity with the authorities in Kyiv, which are trying to resist the invaders, and host to many Ukrainian refugees, Chisinau has become, in turn, a target for the Russians. All the elements of a hybrid war, such as false bomb alerts, cyber-attacks, illegally financed protests, energy blackmail, are the challenges that the Internal Affairs system must face, the former minister of internal affairs in the pro-Western government, Ana Revenco told Radio Chisinau. Pro-war propaganda, she added, incitement to hatred, disinformation, parts of the same hybrid war, are meant to weaken the resilience of citizens. There are already certainties that Russia is now using more and much more intensively the levers by which it tries to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova, not without the support of the fugitive oligarchs the former minister Revenco said.

Against this distressing background, the Republic of Moldova signed, on Tuesday, a security and defense pact with the European Union. Thanks to it, the signatories say, the collaboration between Chisinau and Brussels will be much closer and will offer the republic more tools to strengthen its security on multiple levels, including in the military field. The correspondent of Radio Romania in Brussels reports that, from now on, the Republic of Moldova can participate in the missions subordinated to the European policy for security and defense and will receive help to strengthen its military capabilities. Also, its soldiers will be integrated into the European rapid military deployment corps and will participate in joint exercises and training.

Another way of collaboration between the EU and Moldova is the so-called European Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, through which the member states can acquire and deliver military equipment. The cooperation between the two sides is also extended to the fields of hybrid attacks, disinformation and securing critical infrastructure and borders. Practically, commentators say, everything related to the security of the Republic of Moldova is now the object of the collaboration provided for in the pact. With the status of neutrality stipulated, three decades ago, in a constitution that many consider outdated, Chisinau has one of the least numerous and poorly equipped armies in Europe. But the Defense Minister, Anatolie Nosatii, a career military, with training courses in the United States, promises to strengthen the army, in the context of the hybrid war waged by Russia. In an interview to the media from Bucharest, Nosatii also spoke about cooperation in the military field with the European Union, NATO and neighboring Romania and insisted that the North Atlantic Alliance is not the scarecrow that the Russian propaganda is talking about.(LS)
Vipshop Holdings Limited (VIPS) reported that first quarter net income attributable to shareholders increased by 24.6% year over year to RMB 2.3 billion. Net income per ADS increased to RMB 4.18 from RMB 3.16. Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders increased by 24.8% year over year to RMB 2.6 billion. Non-GAAP net income per ADS increased to RMB 4.66 from RMB 3.52.

Total net revenues increased by 0.4% year over year to RMB 27.6 billion from RMB 27.5 billion in the prior year period.

For the second quarter, the company expects total net revenues to be between RMB 26.5 billion and RMB 27.9 billion, a year-over-year decrease of approximately 5% to 0%.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
On Wednesday, UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) announced the acquisition of BatterieIngenieure GmbH, a battery testing company headquartered in Aachen, Germany.

The financial details of the transaction have not been revealed.

The acquisition adds to ULS's worldwide battery testing capabilities by establishing a laboratory in Europe, enhancing its proficiency in battery performance testing, and broadening its global EV battery testing reach.

Dominik Schulte, managing director of the company said, "BatterieIngenieure will contribute unique technical expertise, customer and industry relationships, and expanded capacity to UL Solutions. We are excited to join the organization's more than 15,000 employees working for a safer world."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
After enhancing AI-powered search capabilities, Google during the Google Marketing Live Event stated that it will soon pilot search and shopping ads within its automatically generated AI Overviews, recently introduced to US users, displacing traditional top-ranking links from content providers

As illustrated in a Google blog post, search results for queries like "how do I get wrinkles out of clothes" now feature a "sponsored" section showcasing ads for Downy and other laundry brands within the AI Overview. Sponsored ads will be displayed when deemed relevant to both the query and the information within the AI Overview.

Tech industry expert Shelly Palmer expressed concerns about Google's ad experiments, noting that while ads within AI Overviews benefit Google, they do not compensate or support the original creators and publishers of the content leveraged for the AI Overview.

According to insider perspectives, Google's primary objective with Search is not just to organize information but also to enhance reach, engagement, and return on investment for advertisers.

Meanwhile, Google faces legal action from the Justice Department and various states, accused of maintaining an unlawful monopoly through its advertising platform.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The fully assembled TART spiral antenna array is located on the roof of an Engineering Laboratory building on the Bel Air Campus of Universite des Mascareignes. [CREDIT: Dr Tim Molteno]

By The Division of Communication and Advancement

April 2024 marked a significant milestone for African radio astronomy with the successful deployment of the first TART (Transient Array Radio Telescope) in Mauritius. The installation took place at the Universite des Mascareignes (UdM), Bel Air campus, under the auspices of Rhodes Universitys Professor Oleg Smirnov, UdMs Dr Keshav Sewraj, Dr Max Scheel of the Electronics Research Foundation (New Zealand), and South African Radio Astronomy Observatorys (SARAO) Dr Nadeem Oozeer.

This achievement highlights the collaborative efforts of multiple institutions and funding bodies committed to expanding scientific research and training opportunities across the continent.

TART is a low-cost, innovative telescope design developed by Dr Tim Moltenos group at the University of Otago in New Zealand. This technology was introduced at Rhodes University in 2022 in a collaborative effort involving the University of Otago, Rhodes University, and Stellenbosch University. The current deployment in Mauritius is part of a broader initiative funded by SARAO and supported by the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) programme, aiming to establish TART telescopes in various African partner countries.

The installation workshop at Universite des Mascareignes took place from 14-19 April 2024 and was led by Dr Sewraj from the local organising committee. This event marked the first implementation of the new spiral antenna concept and the first TART telescope installation in an African partner nation.

Despite logistical challenges, including flooding in both Dubai (which threatened to derail Dr Scheels journey) and Mauritius, the team successfully made the telescope operational, achieving calibrated imaging by the end of the workshop. The team did an amazing job working around flooding and the telescope was fully operational and making calibrated images on the last day of the workshop - they did an epic job, said Professor Smirnov.

The workshop also incorporated public talks aimed at fostering interest and understanding of radio astronomy. These talks covered various aspects of the TART project and were delivered by prominent members of the team, including Dr Molteno, Dr Scheel, Dr Oozeer and Prof Smirnov. Topics included the TART project overview, technical aspects of the TART telescope, radio astronomy imaging, and working with TART data. The audience comprised university students, advanced high-school students, and members of the Mauritian research and education community.

The new array layout, featuring antennas positioned on spiral arms, was designed for on-site fabrication, as well as to optimise imaging performance. The success of this installation is a testament to the meticulous planning and collaboration among international and local experts.

As the TART initiative continues to grow, it promises to bring new research and training opportunities to African nations, further establishing the continent as a significant player in the field of radio astronomy. The programmes ongoing success will undoubtedly inspire future generations of scientists and researchers across Africa.

For more background reading on the programme, you can visit Low-cost radio telescope brings new research and training opportunities for Africa.

This deployment in Mauritius represents a critical step forward in enhancing Africas capabilities in radio astronomy, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the TART team and their collaborators.

UdM: https://udm.ac.mu/

DARA: https://www.dara-project.org

SARAO: https://sarao.ac.za

TART page at University of Otago: https://tart.elec.ac.nz/

Electronics Research Foundation: https://www.elec.ac.nz/
We compiled a list of all the probable Royal Enfield launches in the near future, backed by test mules sighted in multiple instances

Royal Enfield has a lot of motorcycles in the making. Suppose you look at snippets from the companys internal presentations. In that case, we are awaiting Himalayan Raid 450 or Rally 450, Scram 450, Continental GT-R 450, Himalayan 650, Continental GT-R 650 along with a bunch of speculated EVs and other shenanigans.

Going with more concrete probabilities, there are up to 5 upcoming Royal Enfield bikes that have been spotted testing and are likely to launch by the end of 2024 or early 2025. Here is a list of upcoming RE motorcycles spotted testing across 350cc, 450cc and 650cc platforms.

1. Guerrilla 450

Based on test mule sighting frequencies, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 launch looks like it is right around the corner. Based on new Himalayan 450 platform, Guerrilla 450 boasts a Roadster-style body that pits it against the likes of other classic Roadsters like Triumph Speed 400, Harley-Davidson X440, Hero Mavrick 440, Yezdi Roadster and the neo-retro Honda CB300R.

Where cycle parts are concerned, Guerrilla packs 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless road-biased tyres, RSU telescopic front forks and it lacks all the added mounting frames, windscreen and the heft of Himalayan 450. Owing to less-premium components, Guerrilla 450 will be priced below Himalayan 450. The 40 bhp, 40 Nm Sherpa 450 engine will be retained as is.

2. Classic 350 Bobber

Based on Royal Enfields best-selling Classic 350, a new Bobber-style bike is incoming. Initial speculations suggest the name Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber. However, the company has trademarked Goan Classic 350 name in India and is likely to go on this bike. We say Bobber-style and not Bobber version because there doesnt seem to be any increase in wheelbase.

Just an ape-hanger style handlebar, a stubby rear subframe with an optional pillion seat, white-walled tyres, the same tail lights and rear indicators as new Shotgun 650, and not a lot more. It would be nice if RE gave it an extended wheelbase like a proper Bobber. The 20 bhp, 27 Nm J-Series engine will continue as is.

3. Classic 650 Twin

Royal Enfield recently trademarked the Classic 650 Twin name. Test mules of the same have been making rounds for some time now. It will be positioned above Interceptor 650 and below Super Meteor 650. In that regard, it misses out on USD telescopic front forks and a few other fancy components.

Overall design looks like a proportionately larger Classic 350 and is not a bad thing at all. Classic 650 Twin gets the same chassis as Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650. Powertrain will be shared with other RE 650s in the form of a 648cc parallel twin oil-cooled engine with 47 bhp and 52 Nm.

4. Bullet 650

Just like the new Bullet 350, Royal Enfield Bullet 650 will be a variation of Classic 650 Twin. Both motorcycles are essentially cut from the same cloth and get minor design distinctions. Just like their 350cc counterparts, Bullet 350 will be positioned below Classic 650 Twin. Same 47 bhp and 52 Nm engine from Classic 650 Twin will be seen on Bullet 650 as well.

5. Scram 650

The test mule sightings of Scram 650 have lowered in the recent past. But it is by far the most premium RE 650 bike based on Interceptor 650 platform. Scram 650 (name not confirmed) gets many unique attributes that are not seen on any 650cc Royal Enfield till date. New Tripper Dash and single exhaust setup are among the primary unique attributes.

For starters, it is based on Interceptor 650 platform and gets USD telescopic front forks and dual-purpose tyres. As it is based on the compact and lighter Interceptor 650 platform and packs a single exhaust, Scram 650 could be the lightest 650cc Royal Enfield ever.
When launched, Tata Curvv will primarily rival Citroen Basalt along with Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Kushaq, Taigun, Elevate and C3 Aircross

Among the most awaited cars in India, Tata Curvv testing is going in full swing. Despite the brand showcasing a near-production version of Curvv recently, the test mules still don camouflage on the inside and out. Recent spy shots show cars interior and as it had less camouflage than before, we can see a few details of Curvvs interior.

Tata Curvv Interiors Spied

For the first time in the recent past, Tata Motors is venturing into compact SUV space. Considering how cutthroat and jam-packed this segment is, Tata needs to arrive guns ablaze with a unique proposition to carve a space for itself. Looking at the Curvv, we would reckon that the agenda is fulfilled.

Tata Curvv is a coupe-style SUV that looks like it would win a beauty contest. It has clean soothing lines and lends a sense of aggression, prominence and sophistication at the same time. It features a Harrier-inspired front fascia, matched with a sophisticated coupe-style sloping roofline and a neatly carved-out rear. Flush door handles, large swanky wheels and full LED lighting are notable exterior highlights.

Interiors have been spied up close and show a great amount of details. Overall interior layout is starkly similar to what we have seen with Tata Nexon, which falls in a tier below Curvv. Were talking about a similar free-standing touchscreen infotainment screen and fully digital instrument cluster along with similar dashboard finishes and stitching.

However, to establish a premium quotient over Nexon, Tata Motors is offering Harriers chunky 4-spoke steering wheel with illuminated logo on the Curvv. While instrument screen will be the same 10.25-inch as Nexon and Punch EV, Curvvs infotainment screen might be 12.3-inch unit, similar to Nexon EV along with Harrier and Safari.

Curvvs centre console is similar to that of Nexon with a sophisticated gear selector and a drive mode dial. Tata Curvv is highly likely to get features like ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera, electronic parking brake, dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. We hope there are a lot more soft-touch plastics on the inside of Curvv.

Specs and Powertrains

Tata might offer a Level-2 ADAS suite on Curvv similar to what we saw with Harrier and Safari. So, auto braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, traffic sign recognition and other features might be part of the package.

Powertrains-wise, we are likely to get the same 1.2L 3-cylinder Turbo Petrol engine as Nexon, but tuned to produce 125 PS of peak power and 225 Nm of peak torque. 1.5L Diesel option will continue as is with 115 PS and 260 Nm. There is a good chance of Curvv EV and diesel launching before the petrol. Tata Curvv EV is speculated to cover 500 km on a single charge.

Source
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Ireland is to formally recognize the state of Palestine, the countrys prime minister Simon Harris has announced.

According to RTE, Taoiseach Harris said the country is joining Norway and Spain in making the historic move.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine," said Harris.

"Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."

Irelands prime minister said he was confident other countries would now follow the move taken by Ireland, Spain and Norway in the coming weeks.

According to the report, Israel has warned Ireland that recognition would "fuel extremism and instability".

TheState of Palestineis recognized as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193member states of the United Nations.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates today welcomedNorway's, Spain's and Ireland's recognition of the state of Palestine, WAFA reports.

The Ministry said in a statement that with this important step, these countries once again showedtheir firm commitment to the two-state solution and achieving long-awaited justice for the Palestinian people.

It stressed that these recognitions come in line with international law and all relevant United Nations resolutions, which in turn will contribute positively to all international efforts aimed at ending the illegal Israeli occupation and achieving peace and stability in the region.

The Ministry once again called on all countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to move forward with recognition, WAFA adds.

As reported earlier, Irelands prime minister Simon Harris has announced that the country is joining Norway and Spainin formally recognizing the State of Palestine.

TheState of Palestineis recognized as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193member states of the United Nations.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, delivered a speech during the Global Security Forum held in Doha on May 22, in which he paid attention to The Crossroads of Peace and the Perspective of Regional Interdependence project and regional interdependence.

Armen Grigoryan presented the details and advantages of the Crossroads of Peace project developed by the Armenian government. He spoke about the principles of unblocking communication channels - equality and reciprocity, and emphasized that the unblocked infrastructures must act in accordance with the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the country in which they are located, reported the press service of Armenian Security Council.

Armen Grigoryan presented the positive impact of the project on the creation of a safer and more stable region.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. On May 22, the delegation led by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg, Claude Wiseler, accompanied by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial.

Members of the delegation laid a wreath and flowers at the Eternal Flame, perpetuating the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and honored the memory of the Holy Martyrs with a minute of silence, reported Armenian National Assembly.

At the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, they got acquainted with documents testifying to the horrors of the genocide. Claude Wiseler made a note in the Guest Book.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. In his meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi had been very sensitive to the border issues related to Armenia.

Our late president was very sensitive to the border issues related to Armenia, and these sensitivities and cares should still be taken into account. We should be able to secure our interests, IRNA quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying.

The Supreme Leader highlighted the historical-geographic similarities and common interests of Iran and Armenia and added thatIran's policy of expanding relations with Armenia will continue under the guidance of Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhbar.

For his part, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said: "We were shocked to hear the news of the death of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran and his entourage in an air crash.

"We are sure that under your leadership, there will be no disturbance in Iran's affairs," reports IRNA.
Ofcom announced on Wednesday that it has fined BT Group 2.8m, for failing to provide more than one million customers with clear and essential contract information before signing up for services with its subsidiaries EE and Plusnet.

The communications regulator said the breach of consumer protection rules affected at least 1.1 million customers who were not given contract details required by regulations implemented on 17 June 2022.

It said the regulations mandated that telecom providers must provide consumers and small businesses with comprehensive contract information, including the price, length of the contract, service speed, and early exit fees, prior to signing up.

Ofcom said its investigation found that from 17 June 2022, EE and Plusnet made over 1.3 million sales without supplying the necessary contract summaries and information documents.

Despite BT's assurance in February 2022 that it would meet the compliance deadline, evidence indicated that BT was aware from January 2022 that some sales channels would not comply.

In some instances, BT chose not to comply with the rules on time, potentially saving costs compared to other providers who allocated resources to meet the deadline.

Between 26 June and 30 September 2023, BT contacted 1.1 million affected customers, informing them of the oversight and offering the necessary information and the option to cancel their contracts without penalty.

However, some customers who left BT before their contract ended were charged early exit fees, contrary to Ofcom's rules that such fees should not be applicable if the required contract information was not provided.

Additionally, some BT sales channels remain non-compliant, and the required information is still not being provided at the right time to some customers, Ofcom said.

In response to the failures, Ofcom said the 2.8m fine underscored the seriousness of the breach.

BT would also be required to take several remedial actions.

The company must identify and refund any customers who were improperly charged early exit fees within five months.

BT would also be required to contact any remaining affected customers within three months to offer the contract information and the right to cancel without charge.

Additionally, BT must amend any non-compliant sales processes within three months to ensure all customers receive the correct information timely.

For people to take advantage of the competitive telecoms market here in the UK, they must be able to shop around with confidence, said Ofcom enforcement director Ian Strawhorne.

When we strengthened our rules to make it easier for consumers to compare deals, we gave providers a strict timeline by which to implement them.

Its unacceptable that BT couldnt get its act together in time, and the company must now pay a penalty for its failings.

At 0907 BST, shares in BT Group were up 0.89% at 129.14p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Reagan Arthur Lisa Lucas

Reagan Arthur, executive v-p and publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, and Lisa Lucas, senior v-p and publisher, Pantheon Schocken, are both leaving the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group at Penguin Random House.

With their departures, Jordan Pavlin has been promoted to executive v-p, publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, in addition to her role as editor-in-chief, and will now manage the entire Knopf editorial department as well as Schocken editorial. Pantheon editorial now reports to Denise Oswald, v-p, editorial director, who will newly report to Bill Thomas, executive v-p, publisher & editor-in-chief, Doubleday.

In an announcement to staff, Group president and publisher Maya Mavjee said the realignment is "necessary for our future growth. Our new structure--consisting of a nimble, concentrated leadership team--will enable us to meet the trials of an ever-shifting marketplace, hone the shape and focus of our imprints, and continue to allow us to do what we do best: publish great books."

Mavjee called Pavlin "the ideal person" to lead Knopf. "The list of bestselling Knopf authors she has edited is a who's who of American letters: Kaveh Akbar, Nathan Englander, Yaa Gyasi, Ayana Mathis, Maggie O'Farrell, Tommy Orange, Karen Russell, Maggie Shipstead, Michelle Zauner, and many more over the course of her 30-year career."

In February 2020, Arthur became senior v-p and publisher of Knopf, Pantheon, and Schocken, succeeding Sonny Mehta, who died in December 2019 and had identified her as his first choice for the role. Earlier, Arthur had worked at Little, Brown for 19 years, founding the Reagan Arthur Books imprint in 2010 and becoming senior v-p and publisher in 2013.

Jordan Pavlin

Mavjee noted that in the last four years, Arthur had spearheaded publication of such books as Cormac McCarthy's last two novels, The Passenger and Stella Maris; Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; and Jayne Anne Phillips's Night Watch. She also personally edited Bono's memoir, Surrender; Ian McEwan's Lessons, and Nathan Hill's Wellness.

Lisa Lucas joined the company at the end of 2020 after serving as executive director of the National Book Foundation for five years.

Mavjee said that "among Lisa's many accomplishments at Pantheon" include publishing "a wide array of bestselling and critically acclaimed books that have shaped the cultural conversation," including Chain-Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah; Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell; Charlie Hustle by Keith O'Brien; Helen Garner's The Children's Bach, Monkey Grip, and This House of Grief; and the titles in the Pantheon graphic novels program.
YEREVAN, 22 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 22 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.13 drams to 388.37 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.02 drams to 420.88 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.31 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.55 drams to 494.24 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 97.52 drams to 30308.20 drams. Silver price down by 1.86 drams to 395.01 drams.
>> Update: He said that no one could take him down: Multi-million dollar bail set for Staten Island biz owner accused in drug ring, as daughter also charged

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In the early hours Wednesday, while most of New York still slept, the citys finest were buzzing about on Staten Islands North Shore, executing a massive drug takedown aimed at keeping the borough safe.

Before the sun had even cracked a smile in the sky, 125 law enforcement officers from across the boroughs--including people from special detective units, several narcotics divisions and even two NYPD deputy commissioners--converged on Staten Island to execute arrest warrants against nearly 20 individuals and search warrants at three locations along a strip of Bay Street in Stapleton.

Federal agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were also part of the impressive show of force.

The subjects of the warrants are accused of ties to a drug-dealing network that District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said in a statement was uncovered during a two-year investigation into recent violence and persistent illicit drug activity occurring in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island and its commercial corridor.

The key target of the raids, according to McMahon, was Staten Island millionaire entrepreneur and restaurateur Ettore Mazzei, who now faces a slew of grand larceny, identity theft, possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of a controlled substance charges, according to a spokesperson with the office of the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Police officers and detectives from all five boroughs gather for instructions before executing arrest warrants on Bay Street on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance)Owen Reiter

PREPARING FOR THE RAID

After meeting up near Mazzeis Chez Vous Catering business in the historic Edgewater Hall, Stapleton, police reviewed the action plan before dawn broke.

In a pep talk to the officers, NYPD Chief Jerry P. OSullivan thanked each officer for showing up and said, I want to thank you for everything you do.

OSullivan also acknowledged how big of a day Wednesday was for the narcotics team.

Were all out here to assist our colleagues out here in Staten Island Narcotics, OSullivan said. This is a tremendous day, a long time coming, extremely interesting when you think about the hard work narcotics does each and every day, this is a true case, this is something that honestly they make movies out of.

Police officers and detectives from all five boroughs gather for instructions before executing arrest warrants on Bay Street on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance)Owen Reiter

Clad in bulletproof vests, helmets and protective shields, what felt like the full force of the NYPD descended on two Bay Street apartment buildings owned by Mazzei, pulling up in unmarked cars.

Using a battering ram to break open the doors, the individuals sought by officers got the surprise wake up call of a lifetime as law enforcement stormed the buildings.

SURPRISED, AND ARRESTED

One by one, officers brought out nearly two dozen men and women, some barely clothed or only in sweat pants, while others had full fledged sleepwear on.

Reactions ranged from confused to angry as officers loaded each into what cops nicknamed the P-Van.

Get those [expletive] cameras out of my [expletive] face, screamed a woman who futilely attempted to attack a press videographer from a prominent local TV news station.

She was led off into her own ride by officers and deemed too unruly to sit with others being taken into custody.

A suspect is taken into custody on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in connection with an alleged drug bust after detectives executed arrest warrants on Bay Street. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance)Owen Reiter

Most of those taken into custody shielded their faces, but one man shouted, I gotta call my father-in-law for my kids! I aint going no where, as he was pulled into the van.

Cops said that children under the age of 18 were indeed present in the apartment building police stormed. It was not immediately clear who took custody of the children after the raid.

After about 45 minutes, the group taken into custody were led into the 120th Precincts station house, three at a time.

Some flashed toothy smiles as they skirted questions from journalists, while others cursed and insulted reporters, calling one a drug user.

One man simply admitted to selling drugs while on the way in, while another said theyve got the wrong guy.

Another man chose to use his time in front of cameras by highlighting the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip by shouting, Free Palestine! several times.

Ettore Mazzei is led from the 120th Precinct in handcuffs. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance)Owen Reiter

However, when the main target for law enforcement, Mazzei, emerged from the 120ths precincts doors, he said nothing when asked, Did you sell narcotics on Staten Island? and What do you have to say to the people of Staten Island? Your family? For yourself?

Mazzei was then led to his arraignment in Staten Island Supreme Court on a multitude of charges.

A MULTI-AGENCY EFFORT

McMahon said the raid and arrests were the result of a long-term narcotics investigation spearheaded by the Richmond County District Attorneys Office and Narcotics Borough Staten Island, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Todays vast operation and the dismantling of a prominent Staten Island business owner...is a testament to our law enforcement investigative resources and determination, said New York Division Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker.

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, I commend our skilled NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners at the district attorneys office for their continued dedication to our shared public safety mission.

And for the Richmond County District Attorney, whose own community was allegedly taken advantage of, it was more personal.

My office is proud to have diverted thousands of Staten Islanders in the throes of addiction into meaningful and often, lifesaving treatment and rehabilitative programming. However, there wil be no quarter nor leniency for those who prey upon our loved ones and knowingly sel this poison, said McMahon.

While we look forward ot aggressively prosecuting this case ni the weeks and months ahead, this investigation and todays announcement sends the message that drug-dealing syndicates from Tompkinsville to Tottenville will never be tolerated on our shores and the men and women of my office will never relent in our essential mission to pursue justice and save lives.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In pairs, eighth grade Staten Island students walked down the aisle of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and placed a flower in a vase at the base of the altar  each symbolizing a Staten Island Catholic school.

The procession kicked off an annual Mass for graduating eighth-graders among all 14 of Staten Islands Catholic elementary schools on Wednesday morning. More than 500 students, faculty, principals and other school leaders filled the Huguenot church to receive blessings and pray for the future of students as they prepare to go to high school in the fall.

Were joined together to celebrate the end of their Catholic school elementary school experience, said Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York. It just for me shows the culmination of what we do in all of our Catholic schools. The students were so well-behaved, so prayerful, so hopeful for their futures. So it was great to be here today.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Byrne, along with Msgr. William Belford, pastor of St. Teresa Church, and the Rev. Joy Mampilly, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, in addition to invited pastors from across the borough. Jann Amato, regional superintendent of Staten Island schools, and Borough President Vito Fossella were also in attendance to celebrate faith and friendship.

Students at the Mass served as lectors, gift bearers and altar servers. At the end of the service, the students received communion, marking the end of the ceremony.

I cant help but feel gratitude. Gratitude for our loving God who has given us the gift of each of you. Gratitude for our faith and grace to grow as people of compassionate service. Gratitude to your parents and families who love and support you, to your pastors, school administrators and teachers who have given you the gift of a Catholic education, said Amato.

She pointed to the work of the eighth-grade teachers who have played an especially important role in preparing students for high school.

They sat with you and listened to your hopes and your fears about high school. Theyve been a part of the amazing events and trips and experiences during your eighth grade year. They have certainly prepared you to be academically prepared and successful. But I think most importantly, they have shown grace and they have compassion, said Amato.

All eighth-grade teachers were invited by Amato to receive flowers from a student for their support throughout their elementary career, followed by a blessing from Byrne.

At the conclusion of the Mass, two students received the 2024 Diane Hesterhagen Memorial Award, formerly known as the Catholic Identity Award, in honor of Hesterhagen, who was a longtime educator, principal and director who died last month. The students were tasked to answer the question What will your faith look like as a freshman in high school? in both essay and art form. The winner of the essay content was Kayla Bilella, an eighth-grader at the Academy of St. Dorothy. The winner of the art contest was Izabella Guh, an eighth-grader at Sacred Heart School.

Fossella thanked the educators, principals and other school staff for devoting their lifes work to teaching children, showing love, and helping to prepare them for high school and beyond.

The one thing that will never ever change is the love that Jesus Christ has for you, and in the good times youve had, know that Jesus is there for you, said Fossella. Its my honor to be here. I wish you the very best at graduation.

The tradition first started in 2007 in celebration of the Archdiocese of New Yorks 200th anniversary. The Mass has been held each year since.
Over 7,000 artificial intelligence-equipped security cameras will be installed in Newark public schools before the start of the next school year, district officials said.

The new system will enhance safety in the districts 66 schools  which are currently being monitored on outdated technology  and will include vape smoke detection and other features, school officials said.

Earlier this month, the Newarks board of education approved a $12.1 million, two-year contract with Turn-Key Technologies of Sayreville to install the new system.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  To honor the memory of community advocate Charles LaGanga, the corner of Todt Hill Road and Flagg Place has been renamed as a way to pay tribute to the dedicated, lifelong Staten Islander.

Charlie LaGanga during a friends 90th birthday and block party on Fremont Avenue in Grant City in 2007. (Staten Island Advance) file photo

LaGanga was a champion for the less fortunate and someone who wanted to make a difference in the lives of the developmentally challenged, the elderly and infirm and in children.

A street renaming for Charles LaGanga was held on May 19. From the left, Robinson Inglesias, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, Ann Marinello, Dr. Orlando Gonzalez, Michael McMahon, Anthony Aliffi, and Dr. Shaheen Khalid. Sitting are, from the left, Rosemarie Gonzalez and Susan Anderson. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White

His generosity of spirit and unwavering service to community was contagious and his diligence and perseverance inspired those around him to be more giving. Throughout his life he contributed to dozens of organizations in his hometown.

Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon unveils the street sign that bears the name of community leader, Charles LaGanga. (Courtesy/Office of the District Attorney)Staten Island Advance

A street renaming for Charles LaGanga was held on May 19 together with family members and friends. (Steve White)Steve White

As a way to ensure that LaGangas memory be preserved, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, president of the Iron Hills Civic Association, board members, LaGangas family and friends, gathered in Dongan Hills on Sunday to remember the dapper community advocate who could always be spotted sporting a pinstriped suit.

From the left, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, Ann Marinello and District Attorney Michael McMahon, elected officials, representatives, and family members and friends. (Steve White)Steve White

Bagpips at a street renaming for Charles LaGanga. (Steve White)Steve White

COMMENTS FROM THE CROWD

Dr. Khalid, who was responsible for securing the new street sign, welcomed community leaders and friends to the formal ceremony that opened with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by David LaGanga, LaGangas cousin.

Dr. Mohammad Khalid and David LaGanga. (Steve White)Steve White

Charlie was a special friend to the Iron Hills Civic Association, Dr. Khalid said.

He recalled that years back at the street renaming for retired NYPD Assistant Chief and Borough Commander Eugene S. Devlin, LaGanga approached Dr. Khalid with a thought. Looking into the future, he asked if there was a possibility of a street being co-named for the two men.

He asked that if he passed away first, was it a possibility that Dr. Khalid couild step to the plate and inquire about having a street named in his honor, noting that if Dr. Khalid passed away first, he would initiate a street being renamed in his honor.

Today, I fulfilled that promise, Dr. Khalid said. And thanks to all for allowing this to happen and to all who are in attendance today. The weather cooperated and I know Charlie is up there looking down on all of us.

District Attorney Michael McMahon called LaGanga a best friend to Staten Island. This is a wonderful honor thats been bestowed upon Charlie, McMahon said. He would love friends coming together. If he saw something in the Advance, he would clip it and send it to me. The Staten Island ferry isnt the same without Charlie. He was a success. He saw all the different places that needed him the most. He was behind the fundraisers. He loved the people of Staten Island. Ann (Charlies longtime partner) and relatives thank you for sharing in Charlies love.

From the left, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, Ann Marinello and District Attorney Michael McMahon. (Steve White)Steve White

Assemblyman Michael Tannousis: I first met Charlie when I was 22 and working for Jimmy Oddo in the City Council. He was a sharp dresser no matter what event we were at. Staten Island is a great place to live. But it is better because of Charlie.

Dr. Mohammad Khalid and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis. (Steve White)Steve White

Thomas Fahmy, a representative from Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis office: Though I didnt know Mr. LaGanga, I knew him through his work that will live on through generations. We thank the family for sharing this with us.

E.J. LaGanga, Mr. LaGangas cousin: Thanks to Dr. Khalid for organizing all of this. It is so greatly appreciated from all of us. Charlie was a philanthropic icon and a tireless force. Though his physical presence from raising funds for students scholarships, to his work with cerebral palsy to his work with hospice patients, he loved life and loved people who he brought together in time of need. He was a man of faith and he was on a God given mission to touch as many lives as he could on this earth. Charlie was successful and led a life worth living. Charlie made this world and Staten Island a better place. May Charlies life shine forever.

Dr. Mohammad Khalid and E.J. LaGanga. (Steve White)Steve White

Ann Marinello, Mr. LaGangas longtime partner: Thanks to Dr. Khalid for all of your work putting this event together. Charlie deserved this honor. He helped people on Staten Island and his community here and on Wall Street. He was a God fearing man. He loved God and St. Teresa. Today is a great honor for him. Im sure he is looking down with a big smile. Thanks to my family here who gathered today for this honor for Charlie.

Ann Marinello speaks about Charlie. (Steve White)Steve White

A LITTLE ABOUT LAGANGA

LaGanga was born Sebastian Charles LaGanga on July 9, 1937, in the original Staten Island Hospital on Castleton Avenue, the only child of William LaGanga, who emigrated from Sicily, and the former Rose Iandorio of New Brighton.

He passed away just a few days after his 86th birthday.

He grew up on Cromwell Avenue in Dongan Hills and attended nearby PS 11, where he was elected president of his eighth-grade class. He served as an altar boy and a longtime usher at his neighborhood parish, St. Anns.

After graduating from St. Peters Boys High School in 1955, he studied business at Fordham University and Wagner College.

He joined the work force at age 19, first as a page on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange  a position that would lead to a six-decade career in finance.

He rose to the position of assistant vice president with Drexel Burnham Lambert and later worked at Janney Montgomery Scott. At the time of his death, he was serving as director of business development for R.F. Lafferty & Co.

In his obituary, Claire Regan noted his steady role with the Iron Hills Civic Association, where he worked with Dr. Khalid on issues impacting Todt Hill and surrounding areas, to his work with the Staten Island Friends of Hospice Care and Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School in West Brighton.

He also partnered with Dr. Khalid to establish a Child Advocacy Center in the former convent of St. Peters R.C. Church, New Brighton. He supported the Staten Island Childrens Campaign and was chairman of the board for the Hard of Hearing/Visually Impaired Children on Staten Island.

LaGanga shared his life Ann Marinello, his partner of 46 years whom he met during morning commutes on the ferry to Manhattan, who was his biggest supporter and enjoyed hearing about his community work and offered to get involved. Their first date was, appropriately, a fundraising dinner-dance at the former Pavilion on the Terrace in New Brighton.

Mr. LaGanga embraced Marinellos two daughters and their growing families as his own.

LaGanga earned a Lifetime Achievement Liberty Medal, a community service award from the Patrolmens Benevolent Association and a 2004 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which he proudly wore on his lapel.

LaGanga once noted, Im a person who cares for other people.

Although I realize you cant live in a Utopia, I want the best for everyone. I want to make a difference in peoples lives. If I cant, I will have at least tried.
Fleet Week New York returns to celebrate its 36th year. Under the theme of Celebrating Those Who Serve, service members engage with the community throughout the New York tri-state area. On this sunny spring morning, Staten Islanders line up to see the Parade of Ships entering under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and approaching the Manhattan skyline.

Here are the ships expected to participate this year:

- Amphibious assault ship: USS Bataan (LHD 5) from Norfolk, Virginia

- Baden-Wurttemberg-class frigate: FGS Baden-Wurttemberg (F-222) from Germany

- Berlin-class replenishment ship: FGS Frankfurt am Main (A-1412) from Germany

- Four U.S. Naval Academy YPs, Annapolis, Maryland

- Bay-class cutter: USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB-109) from Bayonne, New Jersey

- Freedom-class littoral combat ship: USS Marinette (LCS 25) from Mayport, Florida

- Legend-class cutter: USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) from Charleston, South Carolina

- Keeper-class coastal buoy tender: USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM-552) from Bayonne, New Jersey

For details on when and where to tour the vessels, interactive displays, military band performances, and more, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com.

Staten Island will host public ship tours from May 23 to May 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R  Staten Island/South Brooklyn) honored a U.S. Army veteran who served Staten Island and the nation for decades as a tireless advocate.

Lee Covino passed away earlier this week at the age of 72.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If youre a first-time homebuyer looking to settle in an affordable city, where the homes are moderately priced and theres plenty of room to grow, NYC might be a hard sell.

But according to a new study by SmartAsset -- a financial technology company -- there is at least one metro in New York state where first-time buyers will thrive.

[We] examined the current state of the housing market in 185 metro areas to determine the best places for first-time homebuyers to snag an affordable home, SmartAssets report noted. Places were ranked according to several metrics, including affordability, competition and social characteristics of each housing market.

And while the nations most affordable housing markets are located in states like Oklahoma, Florida and Texas, Rochester, New York, made a strong showing, placing 13th overall. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, approximately 65 miles east of Buffalo, the upstate locale scored high marks for median sale price ($199,975) and anticipated home price growth forecast in one year (5%). Competition for a home there is fierce, however, with only about eight days until a listing goes to contract.

Heres a look at some other key findings from the study:
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Before making a decision on the border delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, dozens of discussions were held in the government of the Republic of Armenia in the Security Council and other formats.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the question-and-answer session with the government at the National Assembly of Armenia.

"Before making a decision on the process of delimitation, dozens of discussions were held in the government of the Republic of Armenia in the Security Council and other formats.

In fact, these decisions and approaches have undergone legal review, to determine whether our decisions are de jure justified. And I have no doubt that these decisions are legally justified, since their legality is recorded by our relevant state institutions, and there simply cannot be any doubt, Pashinyan said.
YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. On 22 May, political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Spain were held in Madrid headed by Paruyr Hovhannisyan, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and Mr. Diego Martinez Belio, the State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia said.

According to the readout issued by the ministry, both sides covered a wide range of topics on bilateral agenda and cooperation between the two countries emphasizing the potential in the areas of economy, high technologies, culture, education, tourism and others. The interaction of the two countries on multilateral platforms was touched upon. The interlocutors discussed further deepening of the Armenia-EU partnership.

According to the source, Deputy Minister Hovhannisyan briefed his Spanish colleagues on Armenia's vision of achieving lasting peace in the South Caucasus and positions of the Republic of Armenia on key issues in the normalization process of relations with Azerbaijan. The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and ensuring maximum clarity in the process of border delimitation on the basis of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.

Deputy Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan touched upon the Issues of regional transport and economic projects and, in that context, presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project, developed by the Government of Armenia.

It is noted that views were exchanged on the approaches of the two countries to issues on the international agenda as well. Both sides emphasized the importance of regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
The Star Entertainment Group should not be deemed suitable to hold a NSW casino licence under any circumstances, the lead lawyer assisting the state inquiry into the company has said.

Counsel assisting Caspar Conde told inquiry head Adam Bell, SC, on Wednesday that there is no indication that the casino giant is fit to be given a casino licence, even if it was forced to stay under the watchful eye of a special manager or comply with some other caveat.

Condes strident closing submission means it is all but certain the company will not be given a licence, and may not even be given a timeline of when it may be deemed fit.

Star Sydney is unlikely to regain its casino licence in NSW. Credit: Brent Lewin

In terms of present suitability, our submission remains that you would conclude that The Star and Star Entertainment are not presently suitable regardless of any proposal in relation to licence conditions or the manager [continuing to supervise the company], Conde said.
Donald Trumps Aussie catcher-and-killer Dylan Howard, fresh from many dishonourable mentions in the former US presidents hush-money trial in New York, is facing another spot of bother.

Howards End: Qs digital comeback lasted just months. Credit: SMH

For those living under a rock, the case has laid bare evidence about the Geelong-born Howards role as editor of US supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer in locating and burying negative stories about Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.

And while Howard, whos recently been spotted in the Victorian coastal hamlet of Lorne, hasnt been charged with anything, it wasnt a great look for the man who calls himself Americas most feared journalist and claims to have taken down the careers of Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen and Hulk Hogan.

He hasnt done much either for the prospects of the six journalists on either side of the Atlantic who were clearing out their desks last week after the attempt by Howards company, Empire Media, to revive music magazine Q ended just five months in.
Nova Weetmans partner of 25 years, the celebrated playwright and actor Aidan Fennessy, died of cancer in Melbourne during one of the many lockdowns brought about by the pandemic. His memorial service was delayed by 15 months and when it finally happens it is like being at a party where the guest has forgotten to arrive. It also feels like organising the opening night of one of your plays. This is especially poignant because the opening night of Fennessys final work, The Heartbreak Choir, took place on a rainy night in April 2022, soon after he had died. An empty chair was left in a place of honour. Weetman was to watch the play 17 times.

At the same time, Nova Weetman invites us to share a story that belongs only to her. Grief is one of the most common human experiences. It is often packaged or padded in familiar expressions, all of which are well-intentioned but few of which get beyond the carapace of coping. Yet stories of grief, with all their tastes and smells and coincidences and unruly emotions and loneliness and connection and unexpected peace, are all unique. Weetmans is a treasure chest of honesty and raw humanity.

There is a great deal to think about in this tender book. It allows the reader to spend time with their own experiences of grief and to ponder all the mysteries, both great and small, that grief brings with it.

There is much in this book about emptiness and absence, about gaps that are not easy to describe, let alone fill. I was reminded at times of a description by Gillian Mears who wrote that the death of a significant person is like a giant tree falling in a forest. Only in its absence can the meaning of its presence be understood, as an entire ecosystem comes down with it. Light gets into places that have been protected from such an intrusion. Weetman navigates this experience beautifully.

When Fennessy finally gets to see a specialist, the urologist says: Well, obviously the horse has bolted. It is an excruciating moment. He sounded like a mechanic telling them that a car was beyond repair. There wasnt much the marvel of medicine was going to offer. Neither Fennessy nor Weetman allow themselves to be de-natured by the medicalisation of death, one of the anodynes of our time, and Fennessy dies at home. He doesnt make any grand or profound statements as he slips from life. Indeed, there are very few of those in Love, Death & Other Scenes.

Weetman describes her mothers death, her young adulthood, her experience of sexual assault, her connection with Fennessy (whom she first encountered in an op shop), the financial insecurity of living as writers and performers, the birth of their two children, a period of three years after the death of her partner and much else besides. All these things are spoken of with vulnerability. None of it asks why. It only asks who. The who becomes the why. This is exquisite.

Weetman mentions working simultaneously on a book for teenage readers called The Jammer (UQP, 2022). That book, written in a season of intense loss, is also beautiful in the way it handles the pain of its main character, Fred, as she deals with the sudden death of her mother shortly after the family moves to Brisbane: Im not sure how dad and I can fill that house without her. She was the decoration, the flowers, the lamps. Without her, were only bumping around the edges.
Collection

10 new neighbourhood wine bars to spend a cosy Sunday afternoon in

The charming little wine bar has entered its golden era in Melbourne. Here are 10 new ones to while away the chilly winter afternoons and evenings in.
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Eating outRestaurant news A hot French bistro and a late-night Italian are closing, but not for reasons you might expect Development is impacting several Sydney dining favourites including Bistrot 916 and Big Poppas. Scott Bolles May 22, 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

One of Sydneys hottest restaurants of recent years, Bistrot 916, has announced it will close at the end of 2024. It wasnt the current restaurant climate that claimed the hatted restaurant, rather the wrecking ball, with its Potts Point building slated for development. Bistrot 916 opened in February 2021, the first restaurant from Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson and Michael Clift, who have gone on to also open Clam Bar in the CBD, and Pellegrino 2000, where Taylor Swift chowed on her recent tour. Chef Dan Pepperell, left, in Bistrot 916 with his partners Andy Tyson and Michael Clift. Steven Siewert With construction due to start on its Challis Avenue home early next year, the trio is on the hunt for a new site to relocate the restaurant. We close this chapter with a mix of pride and nostalgia, says Clift.

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Its a shame. We are so happy with the restaurant  the vibe is amazing, our team is great, and its busier than ever, Tyson adds. Bistrot 916 at Potts Point. Duck frites. Edwina Pickles Bistrot 916 has swagger, the latest edition of the SMH Good Food Guide says of the home of escargot and duck frites at the Paris end of Potts Point. The restaurants building, on the corner of Macleay Street, has long been tipped for change. Merivale sold the sprawling site in 2019 for $13 million, its new owners keen to refashion it with hotel accommodation, a bar and restaurant. Bistrot 916 isnt the only restaurant this week to succumb to demolition or development.

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For the past 21 months, Big Poppas restaurant and bar has remained open while a giant wall of hoarding and awning stretched either side of it along an entire block of Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. But operating as an island in the middle of a massive development has caught up with the late-night Italian spot, which has closed its doors, at least temporarily. It had a dramatic impact, we are a very successful and established business thats been around since 2016, but we were blocked, people couldnt see us, and foot traffic fell away, says Big Poppas co-owner Jared Merlino. Hoardings cover much of the strip along the section of Oxford Street where Big Poppas is located. Scott Bolles Merlino says Big Poppas will return when the Oxford & Foley development is complete, but he hasnt been given a timeline, a concern shared by neighbouring businesses worried about how long construction at the site will drag on. Earlier this month, construction delays at the massive Darlinghurst development prompted Melbournes Lune Croissanterie to open its Sydney flagship in Rosebery instead.

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All those hoardings are having a big impact, says Leigh Cholakos, co-owner of Bei Bar & Bistro, which operates on the eastern side of the development. To help bring people back to the area, she has approached the City of Sydney about starting a flea market, adding to the pull of the recently opened 45-seat Qtopia substation theatre. Restaurateur Ibby Moubadder understands local businesses being frustrated by building delays, but has decided to take a punt at Oxford & Foley, where hell open a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant. Moubadder, who operates a stable of restaurants including Ito and the upmarket Nour in Surry Hills, argues Oxford & Foley will change the area in the long term. Itll activate the lane behind Oxford Street. Our bar will be opposite Shady Pines (and the proposed Soho House development). Were hoping itll bring life to that precinct. The big question is, when does Moubadder think his yet-to-be-named restaurant will open at the complex? Mid next year, he says. 38,000 pastries a week: Lune croissanterie to open world-class Sydney flagship in Rosebery

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Meanwhile, Restless Dance Theatres Shifting Perspectives in Walsh Bay is both an installation and a performance guaranteed to bring up questions of how we watch and participate. This Adelaide company is renowned for its site-specific productions using dancers of all abilities. Here, working with artist-designer Matthew Adey, they present an event where visitors will find their actions mirrored  and not just by the reflective glass plinths they will have to navigate.

When it comes to watching, there is one enticing piece that taps into the voyeur that lurks within us all. Making excellent use of Sydneys prized Frank Gehry structure, the Chau Chak Wing Building, Window Dressing is a free event in which a series of scenes will be acted out in eight of the buildings windows, actively inviting us all to peer inside and interpret what were seeing, accompanied by a soundtrack you can access via your mobile phone. (Vivid Sydney hack: Pick up some warming, barbecued fare at the nearby Vivid Fire Kitchen on the Goods Line to graze on while you gaze.)

Its just you and one other person at A THOUSAND WAYS.

Looking for something a little more challenging? Dare yourself to take part in A THOUSAND WAYS: An Encounter, which pairs participants with a complete stranger, divides them by a sheet of perspex and gives them a deck of cards with instructions to follow, spotlighting the human capacity for connection between strangers. It won over critics in New York (Darryn King in Forbes noted it conveys a genuine awe at the way two people in this senseless universe might chance to meet and, if only briefly, mingle souls) and is a tantalising proposition.

However, if youd prefer to just sit back and take in a film, a series at Sydneys gem of a cinema, Golden Age, will explore the nuances of the human condition captured on celluloid, each one chosen and introduced by a famous Aussie at the Golden Age of Humanity.

The features on offer include Kylie Kwongs pick The Quiet Girl, the excellent Irish film about a young child sent to live with relatives one summer, while Craig Foster programs the Oscar-nominated animated documentary Flee about an Afghan refugee who must reveal his past to his soon-to-be husband. Activist Carly Findlay has selected the crowd-pleaser Clueless, the ultimate 90s high-school comedy that spurned a thousand quotes (As IF!).

Also, for something more intimate amid all the lights and music, seek out an illuminated Poem Booth at Darling Harbour, a gadget which finds the elegance in humanity by using AI to turn whoever it senses standing before it into a piece of poetry. Can we get an aww in here?

Vivid Sydney 2024 is on from May 24-June 15. For the full program, click here.
Youve got a much higher chance of being struck by lightning than winning the looming $150 million Powerball draw.

Still, the improbability of striking it rich on Thursday night hasnt stopped millions of people dreaming about what they would do with all that dosh.

Psychologist Carly Dober at McFadzean Super Lotto outlet in Reservoir, in Melbournes north. Credit: Justin McManus

Ahead of the third-biggest jackpot in Australian history, psychologist Carly Dober isnt immune.

Id buy my mum and my siblings houses, Id take my family, husband and close friends on holiday, she said.
Residents have described violent shaking and a sound like a train crashing as an earthquake rocked Goulburn early on Thursday morning.

Geoscience Australias detectors registered a 3.9-magnitude earthquake near Taralga, 45 kilometres north of Goulburn.

Residents in Goulburn and the surrounding towns reported feeling huge shakes and hearing strange noises as the earthquake shook the region about 6.45am.

A Crookwell resident who gave his name as Ian told Ben Fordham on 2GB he was in the shower when he felt his house begin to shake.
It seems that the world exists mainly to provide content for Column 8, surmises Peter Riley of Penrith. An entertainer in Russia has been arrested and charged with petty hooliganism for wearing nothing but a strategically placed sock on stage. I wonder if the level of hooliganism depends on the size of the sock?

Goodness me, declares Thelma Frost of Mudgee. A Sydney suburb called Northern Neutral Bay Heights (C8), what a mouthful! Could it be shortened for convenience to Social Climbing?

Still on elevating districts, Tom Meakin of Port Macquarie says: Before it became trendy, we had friends who lived in Erskineville. They called it Erko Heights.

Some of those taking part in the generation discourse (C8) need to brush up on their Brit rock. Following the suggestion by John Kouvelis (the Northern Neutral Bay Heights guy) that post Gen Z could be named MyGen, both Mark Berg of Caringbah South and Robert Bradley of Bowral suggested that there was a ready-made anthem in the form of the classic confrontational banger My Generation, written by a cranky Pete Townshend for his band in 1965. Only problem is, Mark and Robert identified the Rolling Stones as the vehicle for said anthem. Who are you people?

Shout-out to Anne Cook of Ermington, who correctly identified The Who and adds It might even cause a generational war to rival the mud slinging at Boomers. 
Every May, Canadians are invited to reflect and learn about the important and ongoing contributions of Canadians of Asian descent in all sectors of society. Former senator Vivienne Poy, the first Chinese-Canadian senator, tabled a motion in the Senate in 2001 to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

As celebrations roll out across Canada for Asian Heritage Month, nine senators share their personal stories and reflections on what this month means to them.

Senator Salma Ataullahjan

As the first Canadian senator of Pakistani origin, I always look forward to Asian Heritage Month. It is a moment to fully embrace and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry that is our country. This is thanks to contributions by Canadians of Asian descent, as much in regard to language, traditions and a rich cultural heritage. I strongly believe that we can only gain from blending our cultures, as it can lead to new traditions, delicious dishes and diverse communities.

Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer

May marks the beginning of Asian Heritage Month, an occasion for all Canadians to reflect on Canadas diversity and to honour the invaluable contributions of those of Asian descent.

Reflecting on my own journey, I am reminded of the sacrifices made by those of Asian descent who have laid the very foundation upon which we all now stand. For me, my father and mother were my strong pillars. Sherali Bandali Jaffer, my father, was a passionate activist and Member of Parliament in Uganda who instilled in me a sense of duty and commitment to social justice and advocacy. His journey inspired my path as a senator dedicated to championing the rights and voices of marginalized communities.

Gulbanu Sherali Bandali Jaffer, my mother, was the first woman to attend university in her home country of Kenya. Her unwavering belief in the power of education pushed me forward. Among all the difficulties, she taught me the importance of knowledge as pathways to empowerment. They both taught me to advocate for the rights of all, regardless of their walks of life.

It is my honour as the first senator of South Asian descent to leave these words to aspiring Asian youth: never take no as an answer. If you have a dream, chase it with unwavering resolve and determination. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity for growth, and never allow your self-doubt to limit your dreams.

I am extremely proud of my South Asian heritage and culture, and I am grateful for the opportunities that Canada has given me. I look forward to celebrating the diversity of Asian cultures this month.

Senator Victor Oh

In honour of my last Asian Heritage Month in the Senate, I would like to leave a few key lessons I have acquired in my many years to the young people who make up our vibrant community. My hope is that these fragments of wisdom may help you while venturing on your complex journeys.

Be proud and celebrate your heritage. We are fortunate to live in a multicultural country where our differences greatly contribute to our rich and distinctive society. Embrace these differences and remember that your uniqueness is your greatest asset.

Build strong relationships. Surround yourself with supportive friends, mentors, and allies who encourage to you to grow and strive towards greater accomplishments. Cultivate meaningful connections and then pay it forward by offering support to others.

Get involved in your community and give back. Being of service to others feels good and brings a sense of belonging  something that is critical yet often overlooked today.

Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. Knowledge opens doors and expands possibilities. If you can cultivate a lifelong hunger for knowledge, it will yield exponential benefits.

And lastly, embrace failure as a stepping-stone. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is a part of the journey and will often be your greatest teacher.

From my many years of experience, I have seen time and time again those who embrace similar principles navigate the complexities of life with resilience and a balance of fulfillment and joy. I wish this kind of success and contentment for all of Canadas aspiring Asian youth. May you flourish and find gratification in contributing to something greater than yourself.

Senator F. Gigi Osler

"Get a good education so you can stand on your own two feet. Nobody can take that away from you."

While it may be a stereotype that Asian parents emphasize the importance of education, this phrase was often repeated to me (especially as the only daughter) growing up.

As a child of immigrant parents  my father was born in India and my mother was born in the Philippines  my parents recognized the opportunities that opened up with a good education, especially here in Canada.

My mother came to Winnipeg as a young nurse in the mid-1960s as one of the first waves of nurses recruited from the Philippines. It was her grandmother who advised her to continue her schooling (at the time many of her friends were completing the minimum education requirements and then getting married) so she could make something of herself. My mother finished high school and then enrolled herself in nursing school with the goal of moving to North America.

So, with May being both Asian Heritage Month and the month to celebrate Mothers Day, I want to honour my fierce (often headstrong) mother who shaped, guided (pushed) and inspired me to become the person I am today.

Senator Andrew Cardozo

As Asian Heritage Month unfolds across Canada this May, it brings with it this special time for celebration and reflection. It is an opportunity to reflect upon the rich contributions of Asian communities in shaping what Canada means to all of us and how in the telling of our stories we craft belonging.

At the heart of Asian Heritage Month lies a tribute to diversity, which also promotes belonging. By embracing diversity as a source of strength, we can forge stronger bonds of solidarity and unity.

I think of journalist and anchor for CBC News Ian Hanomansing; Shyam Selvadurai known for his acclaimed novel Funny Boy; Kim Thuy, author of the award-winning novel Ru adapted into a film released in 2023; and Academy Award-winning director Domee Shi whose debut feature Turning Red was the first Pixar film to be set in Canada. These profound influences are woven into the fabric of the nation.

In this spirit of reflection and celebration, let us honor the legacy of Asian Canadians and reaffirm our commitment to building a more just, inclusive and equitable society for all.

Senator Yonah Martin

Asian Heritage Month is a time for all Canadians to celebrate the achievements of Asian Canadians throughout our nations history and reflect on the positive impact they have had on the betterment of Canadian society. I am acutely aware that I stand on the foundation that they built for me and countless others; and that we are benefiting from their efforts to create a more inclusive society.

I am a daughter of the Republic of Korea, the country of my birth that tens of thousands of Canadians defended from communist tyranny during the Korean War; and a daughter of Canada, the country that embraced me and my family in which I belong as a proud and loyal citizen. My parents chose Canada and on my 7th birthday, Canada was my gift and the home I have come to cherish.

During Asian Heritage Month and throughout the year, I am grateful to be able to serve my province and my country in my capacity as a senator. Let us all be filled with gratitude for the Asian Canadian pioneers and role models who paved the way for us to live with the very freedoms and equal opportunities we have today.

Senator Ratna Omidvar

I was born in India, educated in Germany and married in Iran. As a result, I have enjoyed the privilege of being exposed to many cultures and languages. By birth I was an Indian citizen, by marriage I became Iranian and through displacement I became a Canadian. I had to work hard for and fight for my Canadian citizenship and I wear it both with great pride and great responsibility.

I spent the first 20 years of my life in India. The greatest influence in my youth were the stories of displacement that were told in my family leading up to the partition of India into two countries by the British in 1947. This resulted in the greatest migration of people of the times. The stories captured fear, death and murder, but also humanity and compassion. I learnt early on that hope and despair can coexist at the same time.

Many years later, I too was a victim of political circumstances and in my moments of despair, I reached for hope, as told to me by my grandmother in that dusty town in the Punjab. I continue to reach for hope in my work as a senator, especially as I witness the growing displacement from trouble spots in the world.

My South Asian language, culture and identity are still a core part of my being and I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate it as a Canadian.

I would give the following words of advice to Asian youth: Know where you come from to know where you are going; the core values from our Asian culture can enhance the core values of being Canadian. Find someone you can look up to and learn from their successes and their failures. Be curious about the world  there is great value in asking the questions, why, when, who, how.

Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia

Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to delve into the myriad accomplishments and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent, who have intricately shaped the tapestry of our society over time. While we rejoice in the remarkable diversity that enriches our nation, it is equally crucial to firmly oppose all manifestations of anti-Asian racism and discrimination. This commitment to equity extends beyond my beloved home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Increased education, awareness and representation stand as pivotal pillars in our collective efforts to foster a more inclusive Canada.

Senator Yuen Pau Woo

On the occasion of Asian Heritage Month 2024 (AHM), I would like to recognize the contributions of Asian Canadians that span the range of personalities, professions and passions that make up our country. Even so, we remain underrepresented in leadership positions across business, education, civil society and politics. It is bad enough that visible minorities may not be considered for senior most jobs because of their backgrounds; what is worse is the tendency to box Asian Canadians according to stereotypes about what they are good at or to stigmatize them because of their affiliations and views. There is much to celebrate in the rich and diverse heritage of Asian Canadians, but 23 years after AHM launched, Asian Canadians should be seen as having more to offer the country than their fables, festivals and foods. I invite Asian Canadians to join together in claiming their place in all domains of society  this month, and every month of every year.
Rizina Yadav had her sights set on an Ivy League or top US university since she was in early high school.

The former Merewether High School student spent years working through the arduous application process that included sitting US standardised tests, writing personalised essays and building her extracurricular portfolio  all while earning top marks in her HSC.

Rizina Yadav attended Stanford University, one of more than 4000 Australians to study in the US annually. Credit: James Brickwood

In 2018, she was accepted into the elite Stanford University, in California, where she spent four years living on campus and completing her degree.

I had seen a lot of vlogs on YouTube about students who had been accepted into places like Harvard, Stanford and Yale, she said. They all talked about the idea of liberal arts education: that you didnt necessarily have to go in with an idea of exactly what you wanted to do, rather you could explore. I found that vision really exciting.
In a further development to the heated events of parliament yesterday, Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates has now been referred to the powerful ethics committee for disrespecting the authority of the Speaker.

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The Speaker, Labors Curtis Pitt, took the step after Bates made a statement in parliament this morning accusing Health Minister Shannon Fentiman of the incitement of a wave of cyberbullying  vile messages and threats through her misleading and deceitful video.

Fentiman then rose and took personal offence with the comments, an act which under parliamentary procedure requires the person who made them to withdraw  which Bates repeatedly refused to.

The quote from the Health Ministers video asked her followers to retweet and share the message, deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie objected, before Pitt urged the issue be dealt with in writing to him as usual rather than on the floor.

After reflecting on the matter, Pitt said that while he understood the issue was an emotional one for Bates, her refusal to follow a direction by him as Speaker was an extremely serious matter and required referral to the committee.

The committee is made up of Labor and LNP MPs, with the power to find members in contempt of parliament and ability to recommend penalties including fines and precinct bans.
Plans for a new toll tunnel to avoid traffic around Chermside have bipartisan support, across two levels of government, but the details remain secret.

The Miles government has yet to release the results of a community consultation process that Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish claimed was overwhelmingly positive.

The busy intersection of Gympie Road and Hamilton Road at Chermside in Brisbane. Credit: Nearmap

And on Wednesday night, Labor used its majority in state parliament to block a Liberal National Party bid to force the government to release the results of a taxpayer-funded planning study. The RACQ motoring lobby had also called for the study to be released.

Details of the project remain under wraps despite the LNP  in parliament and City Hall  not only supporting the tunnel, but expecting it to be funded in the state budget.
South-east Queensland mayors want the Queensland government to return to a 2013 system where infrastructure funding is linked to population growth, saying they can no longer provide suburbs and new developments with adequate buses, trains and roads without financial help.

Frustrated mayors say bus and rail services in the fastest-growing councils around Brisbane are inadequate and, in some cases, non-existent.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ), led by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, took their funding fight to state parliament. Credit: Tony Moore

With more people having to drive to and from the state capital, the mayors claim the government is allowing congestion to build while it focuses on rail upgrades to the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

In August 2023, the Queensland government released the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which shows 900,000 new homes for an extra 2.2 million people are needed by 2041.
The first human case of bird flu in Australia has been detected in a critically ill Victorian child, as an unrelated outbreak of the disease at an egg farm will force authorities to euthanise hundreds of thousands of chickens.

The sick child returned to Australia from India in March and experienced a severe infection, according to the Victorian Health Department, but has since made a full recovery after weeks in hospital.

An egg is examined at Britains Pirbright Institute, where scientists are harnessing technology in an effort to combat the threat of avian flu. Credit: Bloomberg

Human cases of bird flu are extremely rare but the disease can be severe. The mortality rate in humans is more than 50 per cent. Testing at the weekend confirmed the child had been sick with H5N1, the highly pathogenic version of the virus.

Fortunately, this virus, the avian influenza H5N1, is actually much, much less transmissible than seasonal flu, Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said on ABC radio. There are very few cases internationally of this being passed from human to human.
Opposition MP Ros Bates has caused outrage after yelling cross your legs across state parliament while Health Minister Shannon Fentiman was responding to a question about cancelled maternity services.

Question time became increasingly heated on Wednesday as the LNP repeatedly quizzed Fentiman about maternity services being scaled back or put on bypass at various Queensland hospitals, forcing women to give birth elsewhere.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman (left) and Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates.

Fentiman was responding to a question from MP Jon Krause about Beaudesert hospitals maternity unit being put on bypass numerous times when Bates interjected.

The health minister and Premier Steven Miles seized on Bates comment in social media posts, accusing her of yelling close your legs.
The Allan government has walked back one of its most controversial tax policies on the same day a survey showed Labor would struggle to form a majority government if an election were held this month.

Treasurer Tim Pallas confirmed on Wednesday that health clinics would be granted a 12-month payroll tax amnesty for contractor GPs, even though he had insisted for more than a year that there had been no changes to Victorias tax system and a reprieve was not necessary.

Treasurer Tim Pallas has changed his tune on payroll tax and GPs amid a drop in support for the government. Credit: Joe Armao

From the middle of next year, the government will also exempt payroll tax for all GPs for bulk-billed consultations.

The announcement came after senior Labor figures were briefed to question the validity of an exclusive survey for The Age that found the partys primary vote had plummeted to below 30 per cent since Jacinta Allan became premier.
Consumers can expect to pay more for their monthly phone plans following Telstras decision this week to revamp its pricing model, but analysts have warned that many customers would not be prepared to stomach higher prices amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures and stretched household budgets.

Telstra on Tuesday announced it would sack up to 9 per cent of its workforce this calendar year, with about 2800 workers to leave the company in what the communications union dubbed a national disgrace. The company said it would save up to $300 million as a result of the cull, citing rising inflation and energy costs as well as tough market conditions for the decision.

As part of that same announcement, the telco also announced it would ditch its annual July price changes for postpaid plans, which were linked to inflation.

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady said data usage had grown significantly on its network, necessitating investments in infrastructure and technology.

This approach reflects there are a range of factors that go into any pricing decision, and will provide greater flexibility to adjust prices at different times and across different plans based on their value propositions and customer needs, Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady said of the change.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A representative of the Department of Communication (DCOMM), documentalist Lee Williams, attended the Dutch Caribbean Heritage Week in Aruba, from April 8-12. The symposium had the theme: Moving Towards a Caribbean Shared Heritage Platform.

The purpose of the conference was to gather and share information, network, and learn about the latest developments in the field of archiving and heritage, Williams said. By engaging with each other, we can maximize the potential in these important areas of archiving in the Dutch Caribbean, BES and SSS, and at DCOMM.

The aim of the symposium, according to the brochure, is to convene stakeholder from the cultural heritage sector of the Dutch Caribbean and the Netherlands to discuss collaborative initiatives.

In addition, organizers pointed out that the further objectives were to foster cooperation and coordination among heritage sectors within and across the Dutch Caribbean by enhancing the preservation and accessibility of collections, thereby encompassing both the pre- and post-slavery periods. The goal is to unite efforts towards comprehensive heritage preservation and access, recognizing our shared history and cultural heritage.

At the symposiums, there were many sessions during the week aimed at and embracing the goals set out, including viewing a mini-documentary, having network sessions, discussing and sharing visions, activities, practices, discussing the national archives, and digital collections.

The organizers strategy is too digitally connect 150 heritage organizations, starting with and building upon and include the Dutch Caribbean with these groups, institutions, organizations and departments, Williams said. By working together, we are preserving, managing, and making the archives accessible to all.

There were sessions meant to identifying opportunities for collaboration and contribution to the network, presentations on digital heritage, internet archives, digital transformation and culture, in addition to visits to Arubas national archives, national library, and digital collections.

We learned at this conference, DCOMM representative said, what other departments are doing, and how, and what the latest technological methods were. In addition being informed about the amount of information related to all islands within the Dutch Caribbean.

Williams looks forward to continuing learning and using what knowledge and information there is and sharing this with her department, other government departments, the general public, visitors, guests, researchers, and others of St Maarten.

Williams wanted to thank the Prins Bernhard Cultural Funds (Dutch Caribbean) for assisting in said trip.
James Finies, esteemed leader of the Progressive People's Union (PPU), has successfully concluded a series of impactful presentations, meetings, and media engagements across Europe. His tireless advocacy for human rights, under the banner of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization, has garnered international attention and acclaim.

Embodying the mission of "Bonaire Life Matters," the Bonaire Human Rights Organization is poised to embark on its next transformative journey. Departing from Europe via Madrid, Spain, the organization has received a distinguished invitation from the Secretaria de Cooperacion y Asuntos Migratorios of the Dominican Republic. This invitation marks a historic moment as the organization is invited to serve as COPPPAL International Observers in the General and Presidential elections held on May 19, 2024.

This significant opportunity underscores the unwavering commitment of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization to promote human rights and democratic principles on a global scale. James Finies, along with Davika Bissessar Shaw president of BHRO represented the organization in this crucial role, solidifying their dedication to advancing human rights and democratic processes in the Caribbean and Latin America.

In a statement, James Finies expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "We are extremely grateful to be part of the COPPPAL International Observers team. It's the first time in history that Bonaire people has participated in such an exercise."

The collaboration between the Progressive People's Union and the Bonaire Human Rights Organization signifies a pivotal moment in history, as both organizations stand united in their mission to contribute to the vibrant democratic process unfolding in the region.

On behalf of the resilient and diverse people of Bonaire, James Finies extends heartfelt congratulations to President Luis Abinaber, embracing this pivotal moment with optimism and solidarity. He also extends congratulations to the president and leader of the COPPPAL delegation Mr Alejandro Moreno Cardenas and entire COPPPAL International Observers team on a job well done.

Bonaire Human Rights Organization

Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar 26

Kralendijk, Bonaire
A new study reveals that climate change significantly intensified the extreme heatwaves that scorched Asia this year.

Since April, record-breaking temperatures swept across the continent, from India to the Philippines, triggering school closures and health warnings. This marks the third consecutive year of brutal heatwaves in Asia, shattering records and causing dozens of fatalities.

The World Weather Attribution (WWA) study found that human-induced climate change, driven by burning fossil fuels, made this year's heatwave "virtually impossible" in the Philippines and considerably harsher in South and West Asia. April was the hottest globally on record, with temperatures exceeding 40C in many Asian countries.

The scorching heat caused school closures in the Philippines and Bangladesh, while droughts intensified. In the Philippines, a 300-year-old town emerged from a dried-up dam, and Vietnam witnessed mass fish deaths due to dwindling water levels. India saw temperatures reach a scorching 46C, with five heatwave-related deaths reported.

Meanwhile, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines all set new records for their hottest April day. Tragically, Thailand and Bangladesh suffered over 30 heatwave-related deaths each. Scientists believe these numbers are just a fraction of the true toll, as heat-related deaths are often underreported.

The study analyzed weather data and climate models to quantify the impact of human-induced warming on extreme temperatures. They compared current conditions, with roughly 1.2C of global warming, to pre-industrial times.

The analysis focused on West Asia (including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan) and the Philippines, where the heat was most severe.

The findings in West Asia revealed that heatwaves exceeding 40C have become more frequent due to human activity. Currently, similar heatwaves are expected every ten years, but climate change makes them five times more likely and 1.7C hotter. Scientists warn that future heatwaves in West Asia could become even more frequent and intense, with similar events potentially occurring every five years with an additional 1C increase if global warming reaches 2C. El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon, had no influence on the high temperatures in West Asia.

The situation in the Philippines is even more alarming. Here, similar heatwaves are expected every ten years during El Nino and every twenty years during normal conditions. However, the study suggests that without human-induced climate change, such an extreme event would have been virtually impossible, even under El Nino.

Climate change added 1C to this year's heatwave, with El Nino contributing an additional 0.2C. With global warming reaching 2C, similar heatwaves in the Philippines could occur every two to three years, with an additional 0.7C increase in temperature.

South Asia faces a similar threat. The study indicates that 30-day heatwaves, once expected every thirty years, are now about 45 times more likely and 0.85C hotter due to climate change. El Nino events double the likelihood of such heatwaves.

The report underscores how the climate crisis disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations in Asia, particularly those living in poverty or war-torn regions. In Gaza, for instance, 1.7 million displaced people residing in makeshift tents with limited access to healthcare, clean water, and cooling options face immense challenges during heat waves.

Dr. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, emphasizes, "Heatwaves have always happened. But the additional heat, driven by emissions from oil, gas and coal, is resulting in death for many people."

Across South and Southeast Asia, hundreds of millions of people are particularly vulnerable, including those living in informal housing and working outdoors, such as farmers, construction workers, and street vendors. UNICEF has already raised concerns about 243 million children exposed to these harsher and longer heatwaves, putting them at risk of heat-related illnesses and even death.

Scientists urge for immediate action, including implementing heat action plans and drastically reducing carbon pollution to prevent further temperature escalation.

In Bangladesh, heat-related fatalities and cases of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, fatigue, vomiting, fever, fainting, diarrhea, pneumonia, and sunstroke are on the rise.

Meteorologists forecast that the extreme heat will continue into May, necessitating ongoing vigilance and support for impacted communities. The current and prolonged heatwave is the longest since records began in 1948.

Kazi Shofiqul Azam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, said: We are observing first-hand the critical conditions faced by outdoor workers like rickshaw pullers and construction workers who are significantly impacted.

This heatwave undoubtedly represents a new and exceptionally dramatic event, the likes of which we have not witnessed in the past 76 years. Alerts are now in place in 57 out of 64 districts, affecting approximately 120 to 125 million people.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, along with the IFRC, is fully engaged and on the ground in urban areas, distributing water, saline packets, and essential supplies, and providing first aid to ensure that no one is left behind during this critical time.

Action on extreme heat is an increasing part of the work facing the IFRC and its network. In March, the IFRC and USAID jointly held a summit meeting on the threat of extreme heat worldwide. That led to an online hub for people to share ideas to tackle the issue. - Agencies
Comments from the Adidas CEO have sparked rumours the brand could discontinue its reliance on culled kangaroos.

Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden has responded to protesters who oppose his company's use of kangaroo skins. Source: Animal Rebellion

Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden has come under fire over his companys use of a controversial leather product made from wild Australian animals.

Five protesters stormed the shoe manufactur's annual general meeting, leading with a sign reading Kangaru leder grausam or Kangaroo leather is cruel.

Australias slaughter of five macropod species, including kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies, constitutes the largest land-based wildlife kill in the world. While our government promotes the export of kangaroo skins and meat as sustainable and environmentally friendly options, overseas critics argue its barbaric and liken it to Japans bloody dolphin hunting program, or Canada's clubbing of baby seals.

Opponents of Australias kangaroo harvest argue Adidass use of the skins violates its humane treatment of animals policies.

They note kangaroo harvesters are not monitored as they shoot kangaroos in regional and remote Australia, leading to concerns about animal welfare. Another contentious policy is that Australian guidelines require shooters to decapitate or bludgeon orphaned joeys to death after their mothers are killed.

Did Adidas CEO signal a phase out of kangaroo leather?

Details of heavily edited video showing protesters at the AGM have been widely reported. The footage shows the moment protesters from Animal Rebellion enter the stage and engage with the CEO. During the clip, pictures of kangaroo bodies are displayed on the screen while Gulden admits; I also find the images of the hunts and what happens there terrible.

He then appears to suggest the company could soon follow the lead of its competitors and phase out kangaroo leather. We will certainly, maybe, switch faster than you think, he says.

Adidas responds to statement from CEO about kangaroo leather

Last year Nike, Puma and New Balance separately announced they would replace whats commercially known as K-leather with synthetic alternatives, which they argue is superior to the wild-shot animal skins which are known for their flexibility and durability. This followed a four-year international campaign which saw protesters storm the retailer's shopping outlets.

On Tuesday, Yahoo asked Adidas to clarify its CEO's comments in the video. Adidas simply argued kangaroos are not killed for the creation of its shoes, and the leather it uses is a by-product of population control.

We source the leather exclusively from suppliers that are monitored and certified by the Australian government, ensuring both animal welfare and the conservation of species, it said.

Asked for clarification about how animal welfare was monitored during the hunts, the company did not respond.

Opponents of kangaroo harvesting have compared it to dolphin hunting in Japan. Source: Dolphin Project

How did Adidas shareholders react to the protest?

Jennifer Skiff, the director of Kangaroos Are Not Shoes Campaign at the Center for a Humane Economy spoke to Yahoo News from the United States, saying she was impressed with the protesters from Animal Rebellion at the company's general meeting on May 16th in Furth, Germany.

Since starting the international campaign most major retailers have stopped using K-leather, and shes hopeful Adidas will soon do the same.

While Animal Rebellion's protest may appear divisive, accounts suggest the interaction was quite civil and all protesters left of their own accord following the interaction.

"The atmosphere inside, by Mr Gulden and the audience was friendly and the audience applauded as they left," Skiff said.

In a statement Animal Rebellions Karola Mang explained why she stormed the stage last week.

At first, I didn't realise how terrible the hunt is. I was very moved by the suffering of the joeys that lose their mothers and suffer and die in agony, she claimed.

When I found out Adidas was the last major company to support this and was using flimsy excuses to justify their participation, I realised I had to do something against it.

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Amazon says to invest 15.7 bn euros in Spain



Madrid, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Amazon's cloud computing division AWS will invest 15.7 billion euros ($17 billion) in data centres in Spain's northeastern Aragon region through to 2033, the US tech giant said Wednesday.

The investment will create around 17,500 indirect jobs in local companies and contribute 21.6 billion euros to Spain's gross domestic product during th period, Amazon said in a statement.

"This new commitment by AWS spotlights our country's attractiveness as a strategic tech hub in southern Europe,"Spanish Digital Transformation Minister Jose Luis Escriva was quoted by Amazon in the statement.

The head of the regional government of Aragon, Jorge Azcon, said in a message posted on social network X that this "is the biggest economic investment in the history of our region".

A pioneer of e-commerce, Amazon's AWS also dominates cloud computing with 31 percent of the market at the end of 2023, according to Stocklytics.

But rivals Microsoft and Google are gaining ground, with 24 percent and 11 percent market share of the cloud business, respectively.

The race has become particularly heated since the deployment of ChatGPT-style artificial intelligence that the cloud companies are offering to clients.
One dead in Ukrainian attacks on Russian border region



Moscow, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Ukraine struck a number of villages in Russia's Belgorod border region on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring two others, the local governor said.

Belgorod sits directly across the border from Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, an area that has seen intense fighting since Russia launched a major ground assault there on May 10.

"Several air targets were shot down as they approached the village of Belenkoye. To our great sorrow, one civilian was killed," Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

One civilian in the village of Belenkoye was injured, while a Ukrainian aerial attack near the border town of Shebekino wounded another, he said.

Belenkoye is about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Ukraine, while Shebekino lies directly across the border from Vovchansk -- a town at the epicentre of Moscow's new ground assault.

Belgorod and other regions along the Russian border have been frequently hit by what the Kremlin calls indiscriminate Ukrainian shelling and drone strikes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his army launched the new offensive in the Kharkiv region to create a buffer zone that would protect Russian border villages from Ukrainian attacks.

Moscow has claimed, as a result of the new assault, to have captured a dozen Ukrainian villages and made its most significant territorial gains in 18 months.
Two dead as Ukraine strikes Russia and occupied east



Moscow, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Ukraine attacked a number of villages in Russia's Belgorod border region and the occupied eastern city of Lysychansk on Wednesday, killing two people, authorities and Russian media said.

Belgorod sits directly across the border from Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, an area that has seen intense fighting since Russia launched a major ground assault on May 10.

"Several air targets were shot down as they approached the village of Belenkoye. To our great sorrow, one civilian was killed," Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

One civilian in the Russian village of Belenkoye was injured, while a Ukrainian aerial attack near the town of Shebekino, close to the border, wounded another, he said.

The Kremlin says its new Kharkiv offensive is aimed at creating a "security zone" to prevent future Ukrainian attacks on its border region.

Moscow has claimed to have captured a dozen Ukrainian villages and made its most significant territorial gains in 18 months.

Separately, Ukraine shelled Lysychansk in the eastern Lugansk region, leaving "one dead and two wounded", Russia's TASS news agency reported, citing Russian-installed authorities.

Lysychansk was captured by Russian forces in mid-2022 and lies close to the eastern front.
Foiled coup risks inflaming DR Congo tensions, experts warn



Kinshasa, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



The thwarted coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo risks aggravating tensions in the mineral-rich central African nation that has long been rocked by insecurity, analysts told AFP.

The plot unravelled in the early hours of Sunday morning when armed men attacked the home of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe before moving on to the nearby Palais de la Nation that houses President Felix Tshisekedi's offices in the capital Kinshasa.

DRC army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge announced in a message broadcast on national TV that defence and security forces had stopped "an attempted coup d'etat".

About 40 attackers, including several US nationals were arrested and four others killed, according to Ekenge.

Among the dead was their leader Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and a former soldier.

- Suspicion within ruling parties -



Many questions remain unanswered but one consequence of the coup bid could be to create suspicion between members of the ruling parliamentary coalition known as the Union sacree de la Nation, said Christian Moleka, coordinator of DRC non-profit Dypol, a French acronym for Dynamics of political scientists.

The Union sacree on April 23 elected Kamerhe as candidate to lead the National Assembly, after months of tensions between the coalition parties who back President Felix Tshisekedi but could not agree on a candidate.

"Vital's (Kamerhe's) people are convinced that someone tried to eliminate him, that he was the target," Fred Bauma, researcher and executive director of the Congolese institute Ebuteli, told AFP.

"There could be an element of suspicion from the side of Vital Kamerhe, who decried it as an assassination attempt rather than a coup d'etat," Moleka said.

Tshisekedi, in power since 2019, won re-election last December 20, garnering more than 73 percent of the vote and his supporters 90 percent of seats in the assembly.

There are also those that think that the coup attempt was a "sham", with many in Kinshasa saying they believe the attack came as a way to distract residents from problems facing the country.

The DRC is among the five poorest nations in the world, according to the World Bank, with three-quarters of the population living on less than $2.15 a day in 2023.

The failed coup in the capital could also "legitimise authoritarian decisions in the name of security" and see "a shrinking of the democratic space" from which the opposition would primarily suffer, said Moleka.

- International consequences -



The coup bid also portrays DRC in a negative light and contributes "to the perception of a fragile state (and) of failing security services", said Moleka.

Eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict between armed groups for three decades but it has intensified since the M23 (March 23 Movement) rebel group backed by Rwanda resurfaced two years ago and seized territory from the Congolese army in North Kivu province.

The fact that the May 19 coup could be perceived as instigated from outside could heighten distrust towards foreign countries suspected of wanting to destabilise the Congo, said the two experts.
Fortress Europe? The Nazi 'wall' that failed to prevent D-Day



Paris, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



For the 80th D-Day landings anniversary, AFP travelled the coastlines from northern Norway to southern France to find out what became of the German-built Atlantic Wall defences aimed at keeping the Allies at bay.

Fearing an Allied invasion of occupied Europe, Adolf Hitler in 1942 ordered the building of a 5,000-kilometre (3,100-mile coastal defence system studded with bunkers, gun emplacements, tank traps and other obstacles.

AFP photojournalist Olivier Morin spent three weeks documenting the remnants of the supposedly impregnable fortifications, which were breached by the Allies on D-Day.

Here is a brief recap of the Wall:



- 300,000 labourers -



More than 20 million cubic metres of concrete and 1.2 million tonnes of steel went into building thousands of fortifications linked by barbed wire along the Atlantic and North Sea shores, from France, through Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark to Norway.

Over 300,000 workers of all nationalities worked on the French part alone, some of them prisoners press-ganged into labour but also hard-up people desperate for work or German factory workers.

Entire communities were forced off their land to make way for Hitler's biggest defence project, which took over two years to build.

In the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, thousands of homes, seven schools, three churches and two hospitals were demolished in the name of defending "Fortress Europe".



- 'Hedgehogs' and 'asparagus' -



In 1944, with an Allied invasion appearing imminent, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was entrusted with boosting the defences.

The Allies had managed to dupe the Nazis into thinking that they were planning a landing on France's north coast, near Calais, which meant they had left long stretches of the coast wide open for invasion, including what would become the Normandy landing beaches.

Rommel rushed to station more than 2,000 tanks, assault cannons and tank destroyers along the Normandy coastline, including "Czech hedgehogs" -- spiky steel anti-tank obstacles -- and wooden poles nicknamed "Rommel's Asparagus" used to try prevent gliders and paratroops from landing.

Over five million mines were planted along the beaches. But it was too little too late.

- Breached within hours -



The Wall proved woefully inadequate in the face of the planning that went into the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.

That evening, 156,000 Allied soldiers punched a hole in the defences of 80,000 German soldiers.

The US suffered heavy losses, especially on Omaha beach, where its soldiers found themselves trapped on the narrow beach beneath high cliffs of sand and stone.

Despite the challenges, the British, French, Americans and Canadians took just days to establish a beachhead in Normandy, which they had used to land 800,000 troops and over 100,000 vehicles by the end of June.

Within 11 months, Germany had surrendered.



- Airbnb rentals -



Remnants of the Atlantic wall remain scattered along the coast of Europe but many have been swallowed by the sand or sunk into the sea.

Some have been converted into museums, as at Batz-sur-Mer in France, at Ostend, Belgium and Noordwijk in the Netherlands.



In the northern French city of Cherbourg, graffiti artists have transformed one bunker into a spaceship, while in the Brittany village of Saint-Pabu another has been renovated and turned into a Airbnb rental.

The Dutch government in 2014 launched an annual "Bunker Day" when the walls of the fortifications are thrown open to the public.
Lithuania summons Russian diplomat over sea border expansion



Vilnius, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Lithuania said Wednesday it has summoned a Russian diplomatic envoy over plans to unilaterally extend Russia's maritime border into Lithuanian and Finnish territory, warning the move could be a hybrid warfare tactic.

Lithuania's foreign ministry said it was "summoning a representative of the Russian Federation for a full explanation". Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said her government was "following the situation".

"We don't have any official information of what Russia is planning," she told reporters.

Lithuania expelled Russia's ambassador and downgraded diplomatic relations with Moscow in April 2022 in response to atrocities discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

According to a draft Russian defence ministry resolution published on Tuesday, Moscow plans to change its Baltic Sea maritime border with Finland and Lithuania from January 20225. The new geographical coordinates would see Moscow declaring Finnish and Lithuanian sea areas as Russian.

Russia's borders in the Kaliningrad region and the Gulf of Finland would be altered, according to the document.

"The Russian Federation is also a member and party to the UN Convention on maritime borders. We only expect Russia to respect that convention," Valtonen said.

"It should be remembered that causing confusion is also hybrid influence. Finland will not be confused," she wrote on X, the former Twitter.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said: "Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea.

"This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response," he said on X.

Speaking on a visit to Lithuania, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius also said the Russian plan "seems to be another example of the very perfidious kind of hybrid warfare that Putin is conducting".

"Uncertainty, provocation, retraction, relativisation, driving a wedge, threats -- in other words, the whole repertoire," he said.



- 'Nothing political' -



Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the country's ambassador to NATO has expressed concerns to allies over the Russian plans.

Nauseda told reporters that the move may be "part of Russia's broader actions against NATO".

"It is a flagrant, blatant violation of international law not only to denounce the treaty, but even to speak or disseminate information of this nature," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters there was "nothing political" about the move, "although the political situation has changed a lot since 1985" - the year the Russian territorial waters were demarcated.

"You can see what the level of confrontation is at the moment, especially in the Baltic region. This requires the appropriate bodies to take the appropriate measures to ensure our security," Peskov said.

A Lithuanian foreign ministry statement urged Russia "to respect and abide by the universally recognised principles and norms of international law, in particular UN Convention on the Law on Sea".

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who oversees foreign policy, wrote on X that "Russia had not been in contact with Finland on the matter".

The Russian defence ministry said the move was necessary because the current coordinates "do not fully correspond to the current geographical situation".

burs-fec/hmn/tw
A woman has shared her anger after finding a McDonald's coffee cup 'perfectly placed' on a branch in a nature reserve near Newcastle.

A NSW woman has shared her frustrations after stumbling across a McDonald's coffee cup 'perfectly placed' on a branch near Redhead Beach, south of Newcastle. Source: Facebook

An Aussie bushwalker has been praised for publicly shaming a McDonalds customer after spotting a grubby detail found hanging in a tree on a nature reserve walking track. The woman shared her frustrations online in a tongue-in-cheek post on Monday after stumbling across the takeaway coffee cup from McCafe perfectly placed on a branch near Redhead Beach, south of Newcastle, NSW.

Hey, Jenny. You forgot something on Redhead goat track, she posted alongside an emoji of the middle finger. Apparently it was too heavy to carry back with you after a spot of whale watching.

Photos show the recently purchased coffee cup with the order name Jennifer splashed across the label sitting in a tree alongside the path. The date at the bottom reveals it was ordered on Monday morning.

Such a pretty walk and then BAM!  along comes ol Jennifer, the woman joked. Plot twist: the trees name is Jennifer and I just stole her cuppa.

Numerous women named bearing the same moniker announced 'it wasnt me!' online. Source: Facebook

The images posted on a local Facebook page have sparked a strong reaction from the community, with most members applauding the walker for naming and shaming the suspected litterer. My pet hate, one person said, while another simply stated; Nicely played my friend.

Great post! We need less of her type on this planet! Dont be like lazy Jennifer, someone else urged.

Numerous women named Jennifer also jumped in the comments to announce it wasnt me, while others poked fun at Jennys coffee order  a half strength large flat white with skim milk.

A cup of why bother for Jenny the t****r! a woman wrote.

Littering having grim impact on native animals

Littering a small item is a $160 on-the-spot fine in NSW, with a maximum penalty of $5,000.

Research shows discarded food and drink containers are having a detrimental impact on wildlife overall, with a report published in February revealing a shocking 468,482 items of litter were picked up across Australia in the previous 12 months.

Of all the waste collected by volunteers, 81 per cent was plastic  a rise of 4.2 per cent from the year before, Clean Up Australia said. Last week, Yahoo News reported on the alarming trend leading to a snake getting trapped in a can in Western Australias northern Pilbara region.

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, Brandon Gifford from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.

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Ukraine orders release of first prisoners for military service



Kyiv, Ukraine, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Ukraine has started releasing the first prisoners to serve in its armed forces under a new scheme offering parole to convicts prepared to fight, a regional court said Wednesday.

Kyiv said more than 3,000 inmates had applied to join the military since a law paving the way for their recruitment was passed earlier this month.

The move comes with Kyiv struggling for troops on the front lines, and echoes a similar approach in Russia, where tens of thousands of prisoners have been sent to Ukraine on the promise of amnesty since Moscow invaded in February 2022.

A court in the western city of Khmelnytsky said it had ruled on Tuesday that two men, one born in 2000 and the other in 1981, both convicted of theft, could be released on parole to join the country's National Guard.

"The court granted their petitions and ordered the Khmelnytsky Detention Centre to release the men from their sentences on parole for contracted military service immediately," it said in a statement published Wednesday.

"Each of the men is fit for military service on health grounds, has passed a professional and psychological selection, and has a sufficient level of physical fitness," the court added.

They will be placed under supervision and banned from staying away from their military unit or travelling for personal businesses without their commander's permission.

Only prisoners with fewer than three years left on their sentence can apply for the scheme, designed to boost troop numbers with Ukraine's stretched forces struggling on the front lines.

Ukraine's mobilised prisoners are granted parole rather than a pardon, as has been the case in Russia.

The Russian system has been mired in scandal, with multiple reports of freed prisoners going on to commit violent crimes, including murder, once pardoned after surviving their military service.

Ukraine has banned criminals found guilty of sexual violence, killing two or more people, serious corruption and former high-ranking officials from serving.
France tests updated air-launched nuclear missile



Paris, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



France on Wednesday carried out its first test firing of an updated nuclear-capable missile designed to be launched by a Rafale fighter jet, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said.

The ASMPA-R missile was fired without a warhead by a plane in an exercise "above national territory... at the end of a flight representing a nuclear air raid," Lecornu said in a statement.

In a separate post on X, he congratulated "all the forces, (defence) ministry teams and industrial partners involved" in a "long-planned" operation.

The French nuclear missile test came a day after Russia began nuclear drills in its Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine and includes parts of the country Moscow claims to have annexed.

Lecornu's statement said the French drill aimed to uphold "the credibility of the airborne nuclear element of deterrence" alongside France's submarine-launched weapons.

France plans to spend around 13 percent of its military budget over the coming years on its independent nuclear capability, including upgrading to next-generation air-launched missiles by 2035.
DR Congo launches offensive against rebels in the east



Goma, DR Congo, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Troops went on the offensive on Wednesday against M23 rebel positions in DR Congo's east, the army announced, as residents reported fighting on several fronts in North Kivu province.

Backed by "wazalendo" or patriotic militia, the army "launched the offensives early this morning May 22," said FARDC spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Ndjike on X, formerly Twitter.

He said several localities had already been recaptured from the rebels, who are supported by Rwandan soldiers according to Western powers and the Democratic Republic of Congo's government.

Local people telephoned by AFP from the provincial capital Goma said fighting was underway on Masisi and Rutshuru territory, northwest of the provincial capital.

"There's been fighting since this morning," said a civil society representative in Bweremana, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Goma.

"There's been bombing from Minova in the direction of (the hills of) Ndumba and Kabase, where fighting is raging," said a resident, asking not to be named, from the town of Minova, in the north of the neighbouring province of South Kivu, which has only recently been affected by the widening conflict.

The mainly Tutsi-led M23 resumed its armed campaign in DR Congo in 2021 and has seized swathes of territory, virtually encircling Goma.

At the end of April, the rebels captured the mining town of Rubaya, in North Kivu's Masisi territory.

The town's mines contain strategic minerals used in electronics, including coltan.

The UN estimated at the end of 2023 that nearly seven million people had been displaced in DR Congo, including 2.5 million in North Kivu alone.

bur-at/emp/bp/bc
Once more commanding top price at the North Yorkshire venue as he has done many times in the past at both live and online sales was leading Welsh handler and trialist Dewi Jenkins with a 7,900gns (8,295) sale of his only entry, a 20-month-old black and white bitch, Aran Mia, by his 2016-born Clwyd Bob, related to multiple champions on both sides and himself a son of main stud dog Jock, the 2022 International Supreme Champion.

Dewi, from Tynygraig, Talybont, near Aberystwyth, Ceredigon, and undoubtedly the man of the moment on price in the working sheep dog sales world, has only had Mia for a short time  she is a daughter of Gwenno and was acquired part-broken among a litter of three from Alun Jones and his father, Bala, North Wales.

Now fully broken, the top price performer joined a past buyer from Norway, Jon Arne Sand, of Lier in Viken County, a 74-year-old sheep farmer who bought his first Border Collie in 1970 and has been using dogs in work and for trials ever since then. His first Skipton purchase was at an online sale in 2021 when he paid 12,800 for a dog from another top Welsh breeder and trialist, Kevin Evans.

Jon is himself an accomplished trialist, winning eight Nationals and one Continental, also competing for Norway in the 2005 ISDS World Sheepdog Trials in Tullamore, Ireland. Still trialing, but now on a minor scale, he commented: My plans and hopes for Aran Mia are that she will work for me on the farm and on the mountain where I keep my sheep. I also hope to test her in trials and hopefully have a litter with the current ISDS World Champion, Petter Landfalds Max. Petter, also from Norway, was crowned last September when the World Trials were also staged in Ireland in Co. Down.

Second top call of 6,200gns fell to Craig Kempson, Waterfoot, Rossendale, with his March, 2022, black and white bitch, Meg, by Kevin Evans dual European Nursery and Royal Welsh Champion, Tanhill Glen, who has had such a major impact on selling prices at Skipton in recent years.

Out of fellow Rossendale breeder Janine Ashworths Dairada Penny, Craig, himself a talented trialist who competed in last years English National, sold Meg as a work dog to a Northumberland sheep and cattle farmer.

Janine herself followed Craig on to the trials field with her black and white bitch, Gyp, a December, 2022, daughter of Hendre Sam, again from the Evans camp and a Welsh Nursery Champion and multiple Open trials winner who is line bred to Tanhill Glen. The dam is Maggie, from Claire Settle in nearby Stacksteads, with Gyp joining Thomas Longton, Quernmore, Lancaster, another legend in the world of trialing, at 3,500gns.

Former Skipton top price performer, Tony Birkett, Carnforth, returned to claim 6,000gns with his March, 2021, black and white dog, Spot, by Kevin Evans red Spot, a German import who has also had a big impact on Skipton selling prices

He is out of Tonys own Ruby, herself a daughter of Ricky Hutchinsons 2015 Reserve Supreme Champion, Sweep. Two bitches with the same breeding both sold for 4,000gns at Skipton last year, the latest heading north of the border to regular buyer Jock Sutherland, Sangormore, Durness, north-west Highlands.
Queensland Police are appealing to the public for help in finding the woman who has not been seen or heard from in seven months.

Police in Queensland are appealing for help in finding the woman. Source: QLD Police/Getty

Police are asking for the public's assistance after a Chinese national seemingly disappeared while travelling in Australia. Despite telling others she was due to return to China, she has not been seen or heard from in seven months.

Missing woman Jianming Xia, 58, has disappeared without a trace, according to Queensland Police, despite "extensive" efforts to locate her.

The woman was part of a tour group visiting the Gold Coast and was last seen in Surfers Paradise on October 18, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to authorities, she told an associate that she was leaving the tour group and intended to return to her home country in November. However there is no sign Jianming has actually returned to China.

Police said she left her suitcase at a hotel where she was staying on View Street, and it's believed she took a bright yellow handbag with her. The middle-aged woman is described as being of Asian appearance with a medium build and brown hair.

Police are appealing to Jianming, or anyone with information about her whereabouts, to come forward.

The strange disappearance comes around the same time that four Vietnamese teenagers went missing over the course of a month while on exchange in South Australia.

They each disappeared at different times with the latest, 17-year-old Sonnie Nguyen, having her phone disconnected and her social media accounts wiped.

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Now, his red carpet return at Cannes seems to be proof of a conveniently short memory in Hollywood when it comes to domestic abusers and controversial men. The road was already well-paved for LaBeouf. Just last year, Johnny Depp returned to cinema for the first time in three years with the Cannes opening night film, Jeanne du Barry. This came after Depps numerous libel trials in 2020 and 2022, in which he refuted claims that he was abusive to Amber Heard. In the UK, this allegation was proven to be substantially true and Depp lost his defamation case. In the US, Heard was proven to have defamed Depp and ordered to pay $10 million in compensatory damages. Depp was also found to have defamed Heard.
Theres one running theme to divadom and thats the demand that your toilet situation should always be exactly as you like it. Much like Beyonce, Madonna has been hit with the private toilet seat rumour, though hers appears to be true. During her tour in 2012, a source told the Boston Herald that a new toilet seat appears everywhere she goes. Even earlier news reports from 2006 assert that the seat must still be wrapped in plastic when she uses it and that it must be removed straight after she leaves to stop anyone trying to sell it on eBay.
With temperatures plummeting, residents are being warned to watch out.

The red-bellied black snake was pictured stuck in the water pump electrical box on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Facebook

Authorities has issued a deadly warning to Aussies after a highly venomous snake was discovered trapped inside an electrical box. It comes after a snake catcher shared a photo of a red-bellied black snake stuck in the precarious spot, where it may have been trapped for up to 12 hours.

The snake catcher said he had found the deadly snake tangled up in the water pump box on a property in Ninderry on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

With cooler temperatures approaching, snakes and other reptiles are looking for somewhere warm to reside, a spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Office told Yahoo News Australia.

One place they may find is within the electrical switchboard of your home.

If this is the case, people are warned not to touch anything for fear of injuring themselves.

The snake may have damaged some of the electrical components in the switchboard that could place you at risk of electric shock, explained the spokesperson.

Eyes bigger than its stomach

Reptile rescuer Daniel Busstra, otherwise known as Snake Catcher Dan, told Yahoo News Australia that he believed the snake "probably went into the water pump box looking for food".

"Which would make sense as to why it was thinner when it went in and why it was thicker and couldnt get back out again, he explained. There were probably frogs or rats or something living in there.

Local snake catcher Daniel Busstra said it's not uncommon for snakes to become trapped in small spaces. Source: Facebook

So the snake has gone in, eaten what was in there and then it was too chunky to get back out again. You can see in the photo theres a lot of damage to its scales. Thats where the snake panicked and got stuck and then freaked out because it couldn't get back out because of its fat belly and because the scales are pointed backwards.

Fortunately for the snake and Busstra, it was an old box so it wasnt in use and the snake catcher was able to pry the door off and cut out a hole in the metal to pull the very scared and defensive snake back through.

With a lot of damaged scales, Busstra rushed the snake to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital which later confirmed that the red-bellied black snake is on the mend.

Snakes often trap themselves

Busstra said it's not uncommon for snakes and other reptiles to get stuck in these types of boxes or bird netting, and that he gets called out to a rescue about once a month.

They try weasel their head into something and they dont realise that their body is too wide to get in it and because their scales are pointed a certain way, they can't pull their head back out again, he explained, urging residents to always call for help.

Definitely dont leave an animal to struggle. It doesn't matter what the creature is, it deserves to either be put out of its misery or taken to someone who can mend it back to good health and give it the right treatment it needs.

For snakes, call a snake catcher, and don't get too close to it because a snake thats trapped is going to be very scared and very defensive.

The red-bellied black snake is highly venomous. Source: Australian Museum

What to do if it happens to you

If you do find a snake in your electrical switchboard, its important not to panic and follow these simple steps.

Secure the area and keep children, pets and other family members away, the spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Office said. Contact your preferred licensed electrical contractor and advise them of the presence of the snake and ask them to come and isolate the power.

Residents should then call a licensed snake catcher and keep their eyes on the reptile  from a safe distance  until the handler arrives, as the snake could easily move to hard-to-find places.

Once the snake has been removed, ask your preferred licensed electrical contractor to check the switchboard for any damage and safely turn the power back on, the spokesperson added.

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As such, it is now critical for the international community and especially the EU, which has extensive diplomatic and economic links to both Palestine and Israel, to recognise a Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders, if we are to have a chance at peace and the two-state solution.
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With his voice breaking and pausing to compose himself, he said: I know my wife would do anything for me. But if I get to my end if I get to my end, I do not want her to do the things that I dont want her to do for me.
He said: While political progress and new mechanisms were secured in negotiations with the Conservative government to allow the Assembly and Executive to be re-established, the next government will have much more to do to ensure Northern Ireland benefits as an integral part of the United Kingdom rather than remaining subject to European laws in some areas of our daily lives.
Ms Vennells added: "Well yes, I hoped they would do....I believed this was absolutely the case, I had an obligation going before the select committee to be able to share the information that I knew and be able to answer their questions correctly and this is what I was trying to ask for from the team. I was not in any way, if you're suggesting this, trying to tell them what the answer should be."
Flights out of the popular holiday hotspot, where six people have died, have been cancelled, as the nation turns into a 'war zone'.

Sarah Melrose (right) travelled to New Caledonia with her friends (pictured) but is now stuck there due to riots grounding all flights. Source: Supplied

More than 200 Aussies remain stranded in New Caledonia, desperate to come home, as deadly riots and unrest continue to grip the French nation, grounding flights out of the country. Among them is Sydney woman Sarah Melrose who says she feels "unsafe" holed up in her remote island accommodation with "limited food" and little communication from authorities.

The 35-year-old travelled to Noumea, the nation's capital, on May 8, before making her way to a smaller island, Isle de Pins, or Isle of Pines, with two friends where they remain.

"Its now been 13 days here and all domestic travel is cancelled, so we cant get a boat or plane back to Noumea," she told Yahoo News Australia from her accommodation.

Fears Aussies will 'be forgotten'

While two repatriation flights were arranged by the Australian government to help get over 100 Aussies back home, touching down in Brisbane on Tuesday night, Melrose fears those stuck on smaller islands will "be forgotten," declaring she and many others have "no way back" to the mainland.

"I have asked DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) what the plan is to get us off [this island] as we have no way of getting to Noumea, but so far they have no update or plans to help us it seems," she said. "We're waiting to be called but theyve told us the flights are only for people who are already in Noumea."

"We keep trying them every day but Im not confident they understand we cant get to Noumea  and Im scared theyll forget about those left on the islands," she continued. "I think there are 10 Australians on this island, but there are many more islands too."

Melrose and her friends are stuck on a smaller island, Isle of Pines, unable to travel back to Noumea and onward to Australia with all flights, including those from Qantas, cancelled. (Pictured, left: Island of Pines village, Vao) Source: Supplied

While the smaller island "doesn't have as much rioting as Noumea" she said they still "feel unsafe". Plus, not knowing when, or how, they'll make it home is "very concerning". Her friend had her phone and bag stolen, and because English is limited in the French-speaking nation, "its hard to get much information," she added.

State of emergency declared in Noumea

Violence across the island nation erupted last week after a bill was passed allowing more French residents to cast ballots in provincial elections. Indigenous people have long sought independence from France. At least six people have died and hundreds more have been injured.

Some 270 rioters have been arrested, and a 6pm to 6am curfew is in force for the archipelago of about 270,000 people. The unrest has forced domestic and international airports to shut and cruise ships including P&O wiping Noumea and Lifou from their itinerary.

At first, Melrose said they weren't aware of what was happening on the mainland but later saw it on the news. "We also have a friend in Noumea who told us," she said.

'Limited food' available on island

Nine days after their planned departure date, the trio remain at the Relais le Kuberka  one of just a few hotels on the island  with "limited food" available.

"The food is limited as boats transporting food have stopped," she explained. "There are no cooking facilities at our hotel so weve been having instant noodles every night.

"There is no more fresh food or milk and bread. Only tins of food and dried food, like instant noodles. There is only one shop on the island and about five or so hotels."

Australia has urged people to reconsider their need to travel to the South Pacific Territory. Photo by Delphine Mayeur/AFP.

Australia to arrange more flights to New Caledonia

The government will continue to work with other countries on securing more flights out of Noumea, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, with all commercial airlines, including Qantas, cancelling flights. New Zealand also announced it was sending a plane to evacuate 50 of its nationals from Noumea, the Pacific island's capital.

It's not known when more flights might become available, however, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told remaining Australians they could come at short notice, and they should be ready to leave. "The Australian Government also stands ready to assist with further flights should French authorities grant approval," the department told the travellers.

Qantas working to help impacted customers

It's understood Qantas has been attempting to reschedule flights but is limited due to airport closures. The national airline has also offered domestic flights to returning passengers arriving in Brisbane on DFAT flights, to get them to their home cities.

"While the airport in Noumea remains closed due to continuing civil unrest in New Caledonia, Qantas is unable to operate scheduled services," a spokesperson told Yahoo on Wednesday.

"Were in close contact with DFAT and Noumea Airport authorities and preparing to respond quickly to help get people to their destinations when it reopens," they added. "We will continue to contact impacted customers directly with a range of options, including refunds."

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It's the third major break to occur on the troubled ice shelf since 2021.

Imagine the shock of Australias national leaders if they were sipping a latte on a chilly Canberra morning and half the city broke off and floated away. Thats kind of whats happening in Antarctica right now, where a 380-square-kilometre piece of the 150-metre-thick Brunt Ice Shelf, almost half the size of Australia's capital, was found to have broken free.

A sudden crack in the ice was picked up using GPS equipment a few weeks ago, and the full break occurred during the early hours of Monday morning. It stretches 14km and formed at ninety degrees to the existing Halloween Crack.

The change has been confirmed using satellite imagery, and reported by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Calvings in the previously stable Shelf were first reported in 2012  a 1,270 km piece then broke off in 2021 and a larger 1,550 km separated last year. But its not the only ice shelf that's rapidly changing, in 2022 Yahoo News also reported on the collapse of the Conger Ice Shelf.

More changes occurring in Antarctica

Research base relocated after cracks form in Antarctica

Its not just emperor penguins that have called the Shelf home. Its also home to Britains Halley Research Station which discovered the hole in the ozone layer back in 1985. Because of the threat of cracks, the station was moved 23 kilometres in 2016 and its no longer staffed during the winter.

Researchers have linked climate change to melting around Antarctica, but the crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf is not thought to be linked. Source: Getty (File)

Unlike other problems plaguing Antarctica, the crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf is not believed to be significantly linked to climate change.

Some degree of ice calving is natural, but Swansea Universitys Antarctic ice shelf expert Professor Adrian Luckman said it was concerning that three ice shelves have broken off in three years in such a cold part of Antarctica. He said researchers are now closely studying the Shelf.

The Brunt Ice Shelf is providing plenty of data to help us understand the calving process and predict the future evolution of these important ice bodies, he said.

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AGERPRES special correspondent from Luxembourg Gina Stefan reports: Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, pleaded on Tuesday in a speech at the Pierre Werner Institute in Luxembourg to support the Republic of Moldova in its European integration process and spoke about the "critical and precarious" situation in this country, which is facing Russia's destabilisation techniques.

In her speech entitled "The security of the eastern borders of the EU and NATO. A Romanian perspective," delivered in the presence of His Royal Highness Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Her Majesty Margareta drew attention to the east of the continent and invited reflection on the potential dangers of Russian aggression against Ukraine escalating.

"I have never agreed with those who have argued that the war in Ukraine is a limited, one-country issue. As we all know, the totally unjustified and unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine is the product of an imperialist ideology, an ideology according to which Russia - which is already the biggest country on the planet - must become even bigger, entitled to a sphere of influence in Europe. Our nations now support Ukraine's self-defence efforts, not only because this is morally right and legally justified, but also because we know that a Ukrainian victory is essential for the security of our entire continent," said the Custodian of the Crown.

Her Majesty mentioned that the Republic of Moldova was one of the first territories of the former Soviet Union to experience Moscow's destabilisation techniques and, even if it survived, it remained relatively poor and very vulnerable, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed the Republic of Moldova into an extremely dangerous situation.

Her Majesty stressed that "the current leaders in Chisinau are fully committed to European integration," but that President Maia Sandu and her government are fighting a relentless battle against destabilisation and poverty.

"We can be sure that, even if the war in Ukraine ends soon - which is unlikely - attempts to destabilise Moldova will paradoxically only intensify. Ensuring that the Republic of Moldova remains firmly committed to its policy of European integration is inseparable from ensuring that Ukraine can continue to defend itself; these are, in fact, two sides of the same coin," the Crown Custodian pointed out.

Her Majesty finds it "a blessing" that the way has been opened for negotiations on Moldova's accession to the EU and mentioned the urgency and importance of support for the country.

Her Majesty also pointed out that, as the tragic example of Ukraine fully illustrates, the alternative of not seizing the opportunity of European integration would mean a much more costly and desperate integration effort at a later stage, after the end of the war in Ukraine.

In her speech, the Custodian of the Crown also mentioned that the current "exceptionally serious security crisis in Europe" has brought countries within the European Union and NATO even closer together, mentioning Luxembourg's military aid to Ukraine and the participation of Luxembourg soldiers in the reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank as part of the multinational battalion deployed to Romania.

The event held on Tuesday at the Abbey of Neumunster in Luxembourg was also attended by Romania's Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Alexandrina-Livia Rusu, who pointed out that Romania, as a member of NATO and the European Union, is working to strengthen its position as a state on their eastern borders and to raise awareness on the importance of Moldova's accession to the European family.

Also attending the conference were President of the Pierre Werner Institute (IPW) Henri Grethen, Institute Director Olivier Frank, Head of the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg Anne Calteux, as well as representatives of several embassies, namely Germany, Hungary, Armenia, Japan, Greece, France and Portugal.
The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) has lodged a complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO), at the Committee on Freedom of Association, against the leadership of Posta Romana (the Romanian National Postal Company), which, through various decisions, has brutally violated workers' rights and freedoms, its request being taken into consideration by the expert committee, said BNS president Dumitru Costin at a meeting with journalists.

He explained the BNS approach by the fact that, since 1990 and until now, no criminal complaint ever made against a director or "a person from a state-owned company or a private company that has kept employees in Romania under their thumb" has been resolved, but all the cases have been closed by judges.

"A state-owned company, which, through various decisions of the management and the Board of Directors, brutally violated the rights and freedoms of workers. This afternoon [Tuesday - editor's note] we have received the answer that our request has been accepted by the expert committee, that will communicate with us continuously, will communicate with the Romanian Government, because it will ask the Romanian Government for an opinion on everything we have reported, it will ask the Government, through the competent institutions, to verify everything we have written, to present a point of view," Dumitru Costin said.

According to him, such steps are becoming sensitive because every year the ILO draws up reports on the respect of workers' rights and freedoms in each member state, and the fact that the Executive does not sanction practices against employees and trade unions may even lead to infringement.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, chairman the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Tuesday that the decision to merge local and European Parliament elections was the right one, given that the turnout is estimated to be 50%.

The head of government was asked if he feared a low turnout amid lack of information and indecision.

"I will refrain from any jokes, because I have made jokes before and they have been misinterpreted. I don't know all the details. From the statistics it looks like there will be a turnout of around 50%. I'm asking you something else instead: if we only had had European Parliament elections, can you imagine what the turnout would have been? This confirms to me that the decision to have a joint election was the right one," premier Marcel Ciolacu told a press conference.

The Permanent Electoral Authority announced on May 10 that more than 18.96 million citizens with the right to vote were registered to vote at the end of April. They are expected to go to the polls on June 9 for the election of local and county councillors, presidents of county councils, mayors and for the election of Romanian members of the European Parliament.
Romania cannot be intimidated from a security point of view, being part of the largest military defence alliance in the world, "of a very solid deterrence system," Senate President Nicolae Ciuca said on Wednesday at the opening of the International Black Sea Defence and Aerospace Exhibition - BSDA 2024.

"We have the security umbrella of NATO, but we must do our best as partners of the Alliance in the years to come. Being on NATO's Eastern flank forces us to be more vigilant in the medium and long term. We will - probably - have to live for years with an aggressive Russia in our vicinity," said Nicolae Ciuca.

He added that political radicalism remains a problem for Romania.

"Political radicalism remains a problem for Romania because it undermines social cohesion. The voices in Romania that attack the European Union, that attack our Western allies are doing a service to Russia. Romania's security is an extremely important issue, which starts from the responsibility of the political forces and of all Romanians," said Ciuca.

The head of the Senate pointed out that there is an extensive debate across Europe about rethinking the security paradigm on the old continent and the need to invest in defence to protect the citizens, and Romania has understood this since 2015.

"Since 2015, Romania has understood that it must be not only a beneficiary, but also a provider of security, first for itself and then in the region. By consensus of all political actors, the defence budget was increased to 2% of GDP. This percentage has increased again to 2.5%. It is important that some of these funds are used to restart the defence industry. We have at least some good news in this respect. First of all, we have good specialists, highly valued in the technical area and military expertise, trained also within NATO and within the bilateral relations of the strategic partnerships that our country has. Secondly, Romania has a tradition in the defence industry, which it is beginning to take up again and which it can quickly capitalise on," Nicolae Ciuca said.

Also in the investment chapter, Ciuca referred to the maintenance, repair and overhaul centre for the S-70 Black Hawk helicopters, as well as to the announcement of the Korean company Hanwha Aerospace to set up an industrial hub for Europe in Romania, but also to investments in research, innovation and acquisition of military technology.

"A part of the defence budget should be dedicated to research and innovation - at least 2%, as well as 20% should be dedicated to the acquisition of military technology," Ciuca said.
An American citizen, aged 24, is under criminal investigation after trying to enter Romania, in Giurgiu, with a false international driving license, the Border Police Territorial Inspectorate (ITPF) informs on Wednesday.

"A US citizen, aged 24, tried to enter the country at the Giurgiu Border Crossing Point behind the wheel of a car registered in Hungary. During the border control, the Giurgiu border police found that the international driving license was false and the driving license issued by the US authorities does not give him the right to drive a vehicle on Romanian territory," reads the press release sent by ITPF Giurgiu.

In this case, the border police officers have drawn up a criminal file against the US citizen for committing the offences of forgery, material forgery in official documents and driving a vehicle on public roads by a person who does not have a driving license, and legal solutions will be proposed by the prosecutor's office upon completion of the investigation.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo has confirmed it hasn't taken in a pair of hedgehogs allegedly discovered in Mosman. So where are they, and did they ever exist?

A Facebook post claimed two hedgehogs were found on Bay Street in Mosman. Source: Getty/Facebook

On Sunday, a mysterious post appeared on the community page for the residents of one of Australias most affluent suburbs. It asked a very unlikely question.

Has anyone lost a pair of hedgehogs? a member of the Mosman group, on the Sydney Harbourside, wrote.

While native echidnas are often referred to as hedgehogs, it was clear from the picture the animals in the picture were not native. The man continued, saying he was very confused as he was pretty sure theyre not found in Australia.

Are they illegally imported? What should we do?, he asked his fellow locals.

The post about the invasive and prohibited species caused immediate alarm, attracting over 150 comments from people offering to help. Yahoo was contacted by several wildlife rescuers worried if the pair were to breed the tiny predators could threaten native birds and reptiles, or even spread disease. Other than humans, feral animals have directly caused more extinctions in Australia that any other factor.

Dozens of offers were made to retrieve them. Some suggested sending the pair to nearby Taronga Zoo.

Thats where the mystery runs cold. Taronga Zoo confirmed with Yahoo it never received them. The man who posted the image has not responded to requests for comment.

And the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is yet to provide a written statement. It remains unclear if the animals are still in the wild.

Related: Rapid spread of wallabies in New Zealand highlights major threat

Since the hedgehogs were reported on a Mosman social media group there have been no further reports of the animals. Source: Getty

What threat do hedgehogs pose to Aussies?

Its possible the hedgehog post was simply a hoax. But if it was, the joke isn't all that funny. Hedgehogs can carry diseases that can infect humans including Salmonella, Q fever and toxoplasmosis. The animals also pose a risk to Australias livestock industries as they can harbour foot and mouth disease  something the nation is currently free of.

Agriculture Victoria provides detailed information about the species risk on its website, with several pictures illustrating different varieties of captive-bred animals.

African pygmy hedgehogs have the potential to fall victim to the illegal pet trade in Victoria where they are selectively bred and traded on the black market. The illegal keeping of African pygmy hedgehogs poses one of the greatest risks of the species establishing in Victoria, it says.

Hedgehogs have the potential to spread foot and mouth disease and cost Australia's livestock industry millions. Source: Getty (File Image)

How hedgehogs have impacted our Kiwi cousins

Hedgehogs have become established in Aotearoa New Zealand where they occupy grasslands, riverbeds and forest habitat of up to 2,000 metres above sea level.

The countrys Department of Conservation told Yahoo News the species has a major impact on endangered wildlife and they are accelerating the decline of native wading birds, lizards and invertebrates.

Hedgehogs are mainly insectivorous however they will eat almost any animal substance and some plant material. They find much of their prey by smell, a spokesperson said.

Analysis of hedgehog gut contents and a growing catalogue of camera footage provides evidence hedgehogs hoover up countless endemic birds eggs and chicks, lizards, and invertebrates.

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ST. LOUIS  The Riverfront Times, St. Louis' alternative weekly newspaper, has been sold and its entire staff laid off, several employees said Wednesday on social media posts and to the Post-Dispatch.

Riverfront Times Executive Editor Sarah Fenske said she was told Wednesday morning by the publications owner, Chris Keating of Big Lou Holdings, that a sale had closed Tuesday evening and she and the staff no longer had jobs. The buyer is undisclosed and did not attempt to speak to any of the staff before laying them off, she said.

I have no idea who this buyer is, Fenske said in an interview from the mostly empty RFT offices Wednesday.

Fenske said she knew Keating had been looking for a buyer for the RFT and she had been concerned for a little while about its financial health.

Big Lous other publications  St. Louis food publication Sauce Magazine, Detroit Metro Times, Cincinnati CityBeat and LEO Weekly of Louisville, Kentucky  will continue uninterrupted, as will the quarterly LGBTQ publication Out In STL.

The Riverfront Times had six full-time newsroom employees, plus one part time staffer, as of Wednesday morning, Fenske said. Two weeks ago, it laid off two other reporters.

It is just heartbreaking to me, she said. I loved this paper and I think we did really good work.

Keating, who lists a Richmond Heights address, did not return requests for comment.

The Riverfront Times was founded in 1977 and published a print edition once a week.

And for decades, the paper was respected and beloved for a mix of hard-hitting long-form journalism, edgy features, robust bar and restaurant coverage and page after page of classifieds  sometimes quite racy ones.

Founder Ray Hartmann said the publication aimed to question the assumptions of mainstream media outlets and release information about the live music scene. It fought teardowns of historic buildings, and put a spotlight on issues like the flow of corporate dollars into the Veiled Prophet Fair.

Hartmann, currently a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, now held by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Town and Country, was shocked to hear the news Wednesday. He founded the publication after graduating from the University of Missouri journalism program and running the Maneater, the student newspaper there, for four semesters. He no longer has any role at the Riverfront Times.

"I think most people would agree, we were an important part of the St. Louis community for 46 years," he said. "I like to think we helped a lot of people... and did a lot to, not only to inform people, but challenge the status quo."

But the newspaper industry's move online, and the impact that had on alt-weeklies specifically, began to quickly erode the financial base of the publications, and a string of consolidations started.

In 1998, Hartmann and co-owner Mark Vittert sold the paper to national alternative weekly publisher New Times Media, which later became Village Voice Media.

In 2012, executives from Village Voice Media formed their own company, Voice Media Group, and bought New Times' papers.

In 2015, Euclid Media Group bought the RFT from Voice.

Then, last summer, Euclid dissolved and the paper was sold to Keating, then the chief operating officer of Euclid, and his new company, Big Lou Holdings.

In October, Keating also bought Sauce Magazine, a publication dedicated to local St. Louis food and drink. It had gone fully digital the April prior.

Sauce's six full-time employees were retained, the company said then.

Recently, the RFT had a circulation of 55,000, its website said.
CLAYTON  A judge has ruled that the 15-year-old girl charged with beating another girl near Hazelwood East High School this year will not face adult charges.

The case will instead remain in juvenile court, John OSullivan, spokesperson for St. Louis County Courts, said on Wednesday.

At a hearing this month juvenile court officials recommended the girl, Maurnice DeClue, remain in juvenile court, noting that she is relatively young and had no prior criminal record. Judge Jason Dodson had the final say, and he agreed with the recommendation.

Maurnice is accused of beating 16-year-old Kaylee Gain during a March 8 brawl and leaving Kaylee with a skull fracture and brain bleeding. A viral video of the fight showed Kaylees head being repeatedly smashed into the concrete.

The incident garnered national media attention and sparked calls for Maurnice to be charged as an adult.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also launched an investigation into how diversity and inclusion practices in the school district contributed to the beating. Maurnice is Black and Kaylee is white, but officials said they had no evidence that race played a role in the fight.

Bailey also noted that no school resource officers were present at the time of the fight, but it happened after school hours and about a quarter-mile from Hazelwood Easts school grounds.

The district has filed an ethics complaint against Bailey over the investigation.

At the May 10 hearing, Maurnices lawyer, Greg Smith, noted that the police report indicated Kaylee threw the first punch, and Maurnices mother argued that her daughter had no intention of severely injuring Kaylee.

Kaylees family had called for Maurnice to be charged as an adult in recent months, but they stopped short of that at the hearing.

They said in a statement then that they trust the judicial process, and Kaylees stepmother said during the hearing that a terrible choice made by two girls to solve their problems with violence caused one to go too far.

Court officials recommend teen charged in Hazelwood East fight stay in juvenile court "This is a child  let's not forget that," the girl's lawyer said after the hearing. "That's why we have juvenile court."
ST. LOUIS  Michael Davis Jr. was sitting in jail thousands of miles from St. Louis when he started thinking about Christopher Dunn, a man from his old neighborhood.

Davis was just 12 years old in 1990 when he gave the testimony that helped condemn Dunn to life in prison. Davis and a friend told police theyd seen him shoot 15-year-old Ricco Rogers on a darkened porch in the citys Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood. A jury later convicted Dunn.

But in a recorded interview played Tuesday in a St. Louis courtroom, Davis said he wanted to set the record straight.

I lied, he said in a 2015 recorded interview. I took a mans life away, and I didnt even see him do it.

Davis and his friend, DeMorris Stepp, now say they pinned the murder on Dunn because they didnt like him. Davis believed Dunn was affiliated with a rival gang, he said, and had been making trouble in the neighborhood.

But as an adult, Davis watched scores of men sent away to prison on murder convictions during his time in a California jail. Each time, he said, he thought about Dunn.

Now Davis and Stepp are key parts of an effort this week by a cadre of lawyers, including Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, to free Dunn from prison. Dunn, 52, has spent almost 35 years in prison, but Gores office argues police and previous prosecutors got it wrong, and Dunn is innocent.

Gores team, which includes retired appeals court Judge Booker Shaw and several lawyers from the Midwest Innocence Project, are making their pitch to a judge using experts and eyewitnesses who say Dunn could not have committed the murder.

Lawyers for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office are opposing the effort, arguing that officials did not make a mistake in convicting Dunn. They say the witnesses who recanted were coerced to do so, and the witnesses who testify on Dunns behalf have an incentive to free him. Dunn has crafted a tall tale from prison, they say, and is trying to avoid responsibility.

Christopher Dunn has crafted a story, but not a convincing one, said Assistant Attorney General Tristin Estep.

The first witness on Tuesday was Eugene Wilson, who spoke about what happened on the night of May 18, 1990, when Ricco Rogers was killed.

Dunn, Wilson and a few other teen boys  including Davis and Stepp, then 14  were hanging out at a home on the citys north side.

Wilson and Dunn spent time catching up because Dunn had recently been released from prison. Wilson told his longtime friend that the neighborhood had changed  the Bloods gang was taking over the area.

Davis and Stepp were affiliated with the gang, and they noted the color of Dunns shirt: It was striped in white and blue, a signature of the rival Crips gang, Wilson testified Tuesday.

Wilson said he did not believe Dunn was actually affiliated with a gang, but Davis said repeatedly in his 2015 interview that Dunn was a Crip.

Later that night, after Dunn had left, Wilson said he and some friends moved to a porch in the 5600 block of Labadie Avenue, where they scrounged up change to buy food at a nearby Chinese restaurant.

Wilson said he was approaching the home with orders of egg foo young when he heard shots ring out.

Everyone hit the ground. Wilson saw muzzle flashes from a gun and the silhouette of a man cloaked in shadow.

Ricco was shot in the head and died on the steps.

Wilson did not talk to the police that night, and he did not talk to investigators after that. Hed had bad experiences with police, he said Tuesday, so he tried to avoid them at all costs.

He said he didnt even know Dunn had been convicted until 2017 when an investigator arrived at his house to ask about the shooting.

I was shocked, he said.

Lawyers with the attorney generals office worked to poke holes in Wilsons testimony, noting discrepancies between his words and a previous affidavit he signed with the investigator who had shown up at his house.

They also pointed out that he had several opportunities to speak with the police over the years but didnt reach out. Instead, he was making himself part of an effort to free his friend, which gave him a potential incentive to lie, they said.

But Wilson said he felt he needed to speak out during this weeks hearing because his friend was not a killer.

Hes not that type of individual, he said.

Lawyers working to free Dunn also read a deposition of an inmate housed at the St. Louis jail with Stepp in the 1990s. The inmate, Curtis Stewart, said he heard Stepp tell someone on the phone he didnt see Dunn shoot Ricco.

Im getting a deal out of it, Stewart recalled Stepp saying.

Stepp, who was convicted of first-degree murder in a separate case in 1997, is expected to testify Wednesday. Lawyers are also expected to call people to testify that Dunn was at home during the shooting and experts to speak about the reliability of eyewitness identifications.

When the testimony is complete, Judge Jason Sengheiser will consider Dunns claim and issue findings at a later date.
The footage is the latest in a list of vandals being caught by motion detector cameras on the EVs.

The Tesla was vandalised by a man on the street where the owner parked her car during work. Source: NCA NewsWire and Facebook

A man has been caught brazenly "vandalising" a Tesla after its in-built cameras started recording his actions while it was parked outside his home last week.

The owner of the car explained she had parked on a residential street in Lindfield, in Sydney's west, so she only had a short talk to the train station before hitching a ride to work. However, upon her return, she found both her back number plate and left wing mirror had been damaged. Turning to the EV's built-in cameras for help and reviewing the footage, she discovered what happened.

"This is the reason that I keep Sentry Mode on at all times!" she said online, referring to the EVs ability to detect and record motion near it. "Just a normal day street parking close to the train station. One of the house owners did this."

The car was vandalised several times that day with the man targeting the back number plate and left wing mirror. Source: Facebook

In the footage a man holding a leaf blower can be seen checking his surroundings before approaching the car and damaging the number plate and wing mirror, before targeting the two areas of the car again later in the evening, bending the number place significantly.

The car owner claims she has reported it to police. Yahoo News reached out to NSW Police who declined comment.

Aussies outraged by 'sick' act

After posting the videos online many responded with disgust, calling it "outright" vandalism and questioning why someone would choose to do such a thing, urging the Tesla owner to "call the police" and push for updates.

"What is wrong with people? This is just awful behaviour," one said, while others called it "sick" and the vandal a "grub".

Tesla cameras continue to catch vandalism

This isn't the first time Tesla motion detector cameras have come in handy for owners who have found their cars damaged, with incidences of vandalism occurring in several states.

Last November a married couple were caught keying several cars at Brisbane's Brookside Shopping Centre and were later charged, while an elderly man was caught in March keying a car in Melbourne.

In 2020 another Tesla owner returned to his car which was parked in Penrith Shopping Centre in Sydney's west to find scratch marks on it. After looking at the footage recorded from the car's in-built cameras he found a woman had keyed his car while he had been shopping.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
May 22, 2024: For nearly half a century North Korea has been selling weapons to anyone who could pay, and that often included the cost of stealthy delivery. Payment was preferably up front and no credit terms were allowed. Delivery was usually done by ships of the North Korean Ghost Fleet. North Korea also had a collection of Cold War era transports to deliver the goods. Occasionally these deliveries were detected and seized. Fingers were wagged at North Korea for naughty behavior. Not much could be done because North Korea had been living under numerous economic and military sanctions for decades. The incorrigible North Koreas ignored the obstacles and continued with their arms export to anyone who could pay, no questions asked.

North Koreas best customers were North African and Middle Eastern countries. These customers included the usual suspects like Libya and Syria who had suffered from civil war and foreign interference for over a decade. More affluent Iran manufactures many of its own weapons but has been under sanctions since the 1980s and needs help in getting some items. The North Koreans offered to help and they did. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, they have also turned to North Korea for weapons. Even the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas was found to be using weapons obtained from North Korea.

North Korea also provided essential components to nations building their own guided missiles. Key components are not available to outlaw states that are heavily sanctioned. North Korea found that supplying these countries was lucrative because North Korea could obtain these items vis its own smuggling network and provide them to customers at a very profitable markup. Many nations with assets and little desire to spend money on the welfare of their own people could afford to buy weapons from North Korea that they were prevented, by sanctions, from obtaining openly.

The most popular North Korean exports are the ballistic missiles it manufactures, mainly for export. These missiles are sold but rarely used. Recently that changed when Russia, after invading Ukraine, ran out of the missiles it manufactured. North Korea was able to provide Russia with all the ballistic missiles Russia could pay for. Russia was short on cash but North Korea was willing to accept oil, food, and technical help to improve the primitive North Korean nuclear weapons.

Russia quickly used North Koreas Hwasong 11 ballistic missiles against targets in Ukraine. With a 700 kilometer range, these missiles could be fired from inside Russia or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory at targets throughout Ukraine. Not many of these missiles hit their intended targets in Ukraine because of construction defects. Some Hwasong 11 exploded before they reached their target and others reached the vicinity of the target where the guidance system proved incapable of getting the missile to land close enough to the target to do any damage. Many of the Hwasong 11s were intercepted by Ukrainian BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) missiles. Ukraine was intercepting a lot of the Russian ballistic missiles but the Russians know that the Ukrainians could not intercept all the missiles if many were launched at a target at the same time. This is what made the otherwise second-rate Hwasong 11 useful as part of a mass attack.

One positive result of all these Hwasong 11 failures was that malfunctioning missiles often hit the ground largely intact and made it possible to collect many electronic components that would be blown into tiny pieces if the missile detonated. Larger electronic component fragments were easier to identify by type and manufacturer. Investigators were surprised to find so many electronic components from western countries. These components were often sold to a legitimate customer but then deliberately lost or waylaid by smugglers who marked up the price and sold the components to whoever could pay the asking price up front and arrange for the items to be delivered to them. This turned out to be where a lot more components were going than the manufacturers formerly believed possible. Since these components have serial numbers making it easy to track components to who originally purchased them and in many cases that led to identifying who was diverting shipments to smugglers. The disreputable purchasers, at least the successful ones, often shut down and reappear under a new name before the anti-smuggling efforts catch them. The component manufacturers are in a competitive industry and are always seeking new customers. As long as a new customer appears sufficiently authentic, the sales are made.
Troops in the Air Force and Space Force with dependent family members now receive a daily stipend while attending military training when they spend less than a year at the location and then return to their prior duty station. (Robert Barnett/U.S. Air Force)

AUSTIN, Texas  Troops in the Air Force and Space Force with dependent family members now receive a daily stipend while attending military training when they spend less than a year at the location and then return to their prior duty station, the services announced.

We understand that these short moves, while necessary, can be disruptive to the lives and finances of airmen and guardians with families  particularly in situations where they are slated to return to their original duty station, said Alex Wagner, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs. This new allowance gives our service members and their families additional resources to weather these times away without the added stress of financial uncertainties.

The change went into effect May 7, and troops will receive retroactive payments if they meet the eligibility criteria for training that they attended on or after Dec. 23, 2022, according to the Department of the Air Force, which includes Space Force.

The fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, annual legislation that dictates the militarys budget and priorities, includes the policy, which was issued Nov. 1 as part of the Joint Travel Regulation.

The Navy, which includes the Marine Corps, updated its per diem policy in March. Army officials said the service is in the process of officially updating its policy. However, the updated Joint Travel Regulation is available to eligible soldiers without an Army policy.

The updated policy allows service members with dependents to maintain two households, continuing to receive a housing allowance at the rate authorized for families for their prior duty location where their family still lives. The service member also receives per diem in the amount of the housing allowance authorized at the without dependent rate for the school or training location.

To receive this benefit, the service member must have orders to return to their prior duty station after they complete school or training and cannot live in no-cost government quarters.

This effort does not replace the Temporary Duty Waiver for Formal Training policy, which allows airmen and guardians to attend courses between 141 and 180 days in a temporary duty status instead of a permanent reassignment status.
The bodies of James Harrison and his son, 2, were found by police at a NSW apartment. The 38-year-old had a history of domestic violence.

James Harrison (right) had a planned visit with his son when the toddler's mother Dr Sophie Roome (left) raised the alarm. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The father who killed himself and his toddler son, in what police are treating as a murder-suicide, was subject to an apprehended violence order (AVO), taken out by his ex-partner who is also the child's mother, it's been revealed.

An AVO is a court order issued to protect an individual who has a reasonable fear of violence or harassment from a specified person.

The bodies of James Harrison, 38, and his two-year-old son Rowan were found by police at an apartment in Lismore, NSW, on Sunday after his ex, Dr Sophie Roome, raised the alarm. It's understood the two shared custody with Roome dropping her son off for an access visit with his father the morning of the unthinkable tragedy.

When her child wasn't dropped home that afternoon as planned, the mother reportedly contacted the police who conducted a welfare check. A few hours later, at around 9.45pm, authorities made the horrible discovery.

The 38-year-old man was known to police for previous domestic violence matters, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell told media on Monday. He described the situation as "very sad".

Father's concerning behaviour prompts AVO

Roome, an intensive care specialist, first sought an apprehended violence order in August 2023, shortly after parting ways with Harrison, The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday. They'd moved to Lismore as a family a few months earlier. Friends revealed his concerning behaviour escalated quickly after separating.

In March this year, the AVO was reportedly extended by the court, banning Harrison from assaulting, stalking or intimidating Roome. On Sunday morning, Harrison was having a planned visit with his son while Roome worked a shift at the hospital.

Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell told reporters on Monday the man and boy found dead is being investigated as a murder-suicide. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

"My understanding is that the male had an access visit on the day  the mother raised concerns with the fact that they were due to hand over the child at 4.30pm, and by 5.30pm she had contacted the police and we went around to the residence and made the discovery," Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.

Police initially attended the address but after not getting a response, they left to make further enquiries before later returning that night to force their way in and uncover the grisly scene.

Commissioner Thurtell said there was no weapon involved, and police are looking at supporting the "poor mother" who lost a child. "The father has created a system where both he and the child have passed away as a result of the system he set up," he said.

According to his LinkedIn page, Harrison had worked in various roles with the state government and had recently taken up a role as a business analyst with the Northern NSW Local Health District listed as his employer, part of NSW Health.

A relative of Roome described the tragic turn of events as "devastating". Her family has reportedly rushed from Tasmania, where she grew up, to be with her in Lismore.

A crime scene has been established and inquiries into the deaths are now underway under Strike Force McGuren.

If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, find help by calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

with NCA newswire

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The Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals overruled a military judge who in a pretrial hearing tossed out evidence in a child pornography case against Staff Sgt. Remington Carlisle, who had anime images and videos on his phone that formed the basis of the charges. (Wikimedia Commons)

A military judge erred in deciding that anime with childlike characters didnt qualify as child pornography and was inadmissible as evidence in a noncommissioned officers pending court-martial, an Air Force appellate court unanimously ruled.

The questions of whether those images are of persons or minors, and whether the depictions are obscene, are questions of fact that should be determined at trial, Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals judges stated in a 3-0 decision on Tuesday.

The ruling stems from the case of Staff Sgt. Remington Carlisle, who was charged with one specification each of possessing, viewing and distributing child pornography.

Court documents described 33 images and videos found on his smartphone as anime style depictions of overtly sexualized characters and sexually explicit images and plots.

The judge, Col. Brian Thompson, found that most of the characters appear to have the developmental age of a child in the 6 to 10-years-old range, according to court papers.

But the case stalled in January, when government prosecutors responding to a defense demand provided a bill of particulars, a written statement that detailed all 33 visual depictions.

The defense moved to exclude the material, arguing that it did not depict minors and was not sexually explicit.

In an Article 39 pretrial hearing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, earlier this year, Thompson determined that the videos and images were inadmissible and irrelevant, saying the subjects did not appear to be minors or human beings but fictional cartoon characters, according to court documents.

In overruling Thompson, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals said he had no legal basis to review the prosecutions anticipated evidence before trial, deem it insufficient for a conviction and prevent the case from going ahead.

The appellate judges also made it clear that according to court precedent, anime-style images may be prohibited under the Uniform Code of Military Justice if they depict what appear to be children engaged in sexually explicit conduct that is obscene.

The Air Force appeals court will also have to review a separate case, for the second time, involving another airman at Mountain Home.

In March 2021, Airman Zachary Rocha was given a bad-conduct discharge and sentenced to 90 days in jail for engaging in sexual acts with a 4-foot-tall sex doll with female prepubescent features.

The services appellate court reversed the conviction in December 2022 on the basis that Rocha did not have fair notice that his conduct was criminal.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the militarys highest court, earlier this month reversed the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and sent the case back to the lower appellate court for review.

The armed forces court of appeals found that elements and definitions in military law provide fair notice to servicemembers of ordinary intelligence that engaging in sexual acts with a lifelike sex doll falls squarely within the definition of indecent conduct.
A welcome sign at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. (Abner Guzman/U.S. Air Force)

A sergeant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for child rape and assault, the Army said Wednesday.

Sgt. Dakota J. Brodsky, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 7th Infantry Division, was convicted of one count of child rape and one count of assault following a five-day trial that ended Friday, said Maj. George Wasickanin, an Army spokesman at Lewis-McChord, which is south of Tacoma, Wash.

Brodskys sentence included a demotion to specialist. At the end of his time served, Brodsky will be reduced in rank to private and receive a dishonorable discharge from the Army, Wasickanin said. Lt. Col. Robert E. Murdough was the presiding judge in the trial, which took place at Lewis-McChord.

Wasickanin said privacy rules prohibit base officials from providing Brodskys age or his photo.

At the time of Brodskys arraignment in December 2023, the soldier was charged with nine counts of child rape, two counts of assault, a count of domestic violence and a count of destroying military property, according to the Army court docket.

Wasickanin said Brodsky pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Each count of child rape carried a possible maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment. The jury consisted of officers and enlisted personnel.

All charges and specifications other than those of which Sgt. Brodsky was found guilty were dismissed, Wasickanin said.

He said no further information was available about the case.
Soldiers assigned to U.S. Forces Japan wait to receive new patches during a ceremony in the Officers' Club at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2024. (U.S. Forces Japan)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Soldiers who serve with U.S. Forces Japan are sporting a new, colorful patch on their sleeves to indicate their unique association with the command.

USFJ revealed the patch during a Monday ceremony at this airlift hub in western Tokyo, where USFJ is headquartered.

The new design is a blue-bordered white disc featuring seven rays reminiscent of Japans rising-sun flag. It includes six stars and the silhouette of a torii, a traditional gate whose design is a familiar sight in Japan.

The red, white and blue represents the United States; the red and white also represents Japan, a USFJ spokesman, Air Force Maj. Thomas Barger, told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday. The blue border represents the Pacific Ocean, the torii symbolizes unity and diplomacy, and the six stars signify each of the armed forces that are part of USFJ.

The new patch signifying the Army Element of USFJ represents their mission in support of the U.S. Japan Alliance, with the Army members being part of the joint command composed of six U.S. uniformed services, USFJ said in a Facebook post Tuesday.

USFJ is subordinate to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and helps plan and coordinate military exercises and resolve issues in common with their Japanese counterparts, among other responsibilities.

The commander of U.S. Army Japan, Maj. Gen. David Womack, presents soldiers with their new organization patches during a ceremony in the Officers' Club at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May, 20, 2024. (U.S. Forces Japan) The commander of U.S. Army Japan, Maj. Gen. David Womack, presents soldiers with their new organization patches during a ceremony in the Officers' Club at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May, 20, 2024. (U.S. Forces Japan)

The commander of U.S. Army Japan, Maj. Gen. David Womack, led Mondays ceremony at the Yokota Officers Club and applied the new patch to the sleeve of each soldier in attendance.

Soldiers assigned to USFJ previously wore the Joint Activities patch, which was shield-shaped and featured the U.S. coat of arms.

A former USFJ chief of staff, Army Col. Jeff Gottlieb, encouraged the command to apply for an exception to policy so it could issue a shoulder-sleeve insignia and distinctive unit insignia, ,which is worn on berets and dress uniforms, rather than continuing to wear the Joint Activities patch, Barger said.

The Army approved the request in April 2023.

USFJ then assigned a team led by Lt. Col. Matt Wright to work with the Armys Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir, Va., to design the new patch. They worked for about five months before finalizing the design.

After approving the design in fall 2023, USFJ ordered the patches and spent the following months waiting for them to be manufactured and shipped before setting a date for the patching ceremony, Barger said.
Spc. Edgar Galvan, a Texas Army National Guardsman assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, operates a Dronebuster in Boleslawiec, Poland, on May 15, 2024. (Jasmine McCarthy/U.S. Army)

A U.S. Army unit based in Poland recently got its introduction to a drone-jamming gun, as two days of training brought the device to the territory of a NATO ally on the doorstep of the war in Ukraine.

Soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division were shown last week how to operate the Dronebuster, a lightweight, handheld gadget resembling a police radar gun that detects and downs small, commercial and recreational drones, according to an Army statement.

The drone threat has completely changed, Brien Conner, a retired Army first sergeant-turned-trainer, said in the statement. We dont want (troops) to be caught off guard.

That threat is now prevalent on the battlefield, Conner added.

And the soldiers are well-placed to learn that ongoing lesson. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, both sides have relied heavily on unmanned aerial vehicles to do surveillance and identify targets.

The training occurred May 14-15 in Boleslawiec, where the U.S. has a forward operating base called Camp Boles, about 25 miles east of the Germany border. A division spokesman did not immediately reply to a request Wednesday for more information.

A drone approaches Spc. Edgar Galvan as he operates a Dronebuster in Boleslawiec, Poland, on May 15, 2024. (Jasmine McCarthy/U.S. Army)

As part of the training, the rotational soldiers, who are from the Texas National Guard, spent mornings in the classroom followed by hands-on instruction outside, the statement said.

It definitely feels like this training is very relevant to us right now because the enemy knows we are close by, Spc. Edgar Galvan, a geospatial intelligence imagery analyst, said in the statement. While it may not pertain to my job specifically, it is important to know how to use the Dronebuster because you never know when you find yourself in that situation.

The device works by jamming radio frequencies between an unmanned aircraft and its controller.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Benjamin Richards joined Conner in leading the training. An air and missile defense systems integrator, Richards developed a comprehensive program to teach soldiers how to operate the Dronebuster, according to the statement.

I thought it was a good idea to reach out early on while we are still getting embedded within this region, he said. The Army is good at providing lessons and classes, but its really important for soldiers to get a piece of equipment in hand and be able to apply it as well as see how it works.

Airmen at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia received similar training in June of last year.

Middle East drones are among the most advanced and deadliest in the world, analysts say, and countering them has been a priority for the U.S. military.

In the Russia-Ukraine war, the Kremlin has relied heavily on drone technology provided by Iran, according to experts.

The Dronebuster was rolled out in 2016, manufacturer Flex Force Enterprises says on its website.

The U.S. military has been beefing up its presence in Poland in recent years to counter Russia and fortify NATOs eastern flank.

The Army established its first permanent garrison in the west-central city of Poznan in March 2023. Known as Camp Kosciuszko, the installation is responsible for 11 satellite sites and approximately 4,000 rotational personnel.
The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf returns to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, after its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy)

NORFOLK, Va. (Tribune News Service)  The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf returned Friday to Naval Station Norfolk for the last time as the Navy prepares to decommission the warship later this year.

The cruiser departed Jan. 28 from its Norfolk homeport to support drug interdiction security operations in the Caribbean for 3 months. The 39-year-old ship, four years past its expected 35-year service life, is scheduled to be decommissioned in September, according to a spokesperson for Naval Surface Forces Atlantic.

This is a profound final chapter for one of the Navys finest ships, and their crew should be proud of all they accomplished, said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of Norfolk-based U.S. 2nd Fleet.

A formation of sailors stand by to assist the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf as it returns to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, after its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy)

During its final deployment, the Leyte Gulf partnered with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404 to disrupt the trafficking of 4,100 kilograms of cocaine, according to a 2nd Fleet news release. The team detected and seized three sea-going vessels and a self-propelled semi-submersible with another 2,370 kilograms of illicit drugs on board. The operation resulted in the arrest of 15 narcotics traffickers.

Our Leyte Gulf team was ready when called upon to execute all three interdictions, said Capt. Nathan Diaz, commanding officer of the Leyte Gulf. The successful seizure of more than $42 million in illicit drugs is a testament to the interoperability of our partner nations, the Coast Guard and the Leyte Gulf team.

Throughout its nearly four-decade lifespan, the Leyte Gulf has deployed to the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, Somalia and the Indian Ocean, the Navy said. Notably, it responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, setting sail for the coast of New York alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in support of defense and humanitarian efforts.

Lt. j.g. Alescia Austin greats her family after the USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, following its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Edgardo Manzaniloa greets his family after the USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, following its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Thomas Midgette greets his family after the USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, following its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Arellano walks down the pier with his wife after the USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 17, 2024, following its final deployment. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy)

The ship was constructed in 1985 and commissioned in 1987. It was named after one of World War IIs largest naval battles, the Battle of Leyte Gulf fought in 1944 in the Philippine Sea. The warship has been homeported at Naval Station Norfolk since 1997, according to Naval Surface Forces Atlantic.

This ship is full of history. Each period brings its own far-off journeys, along with generations of sailors who have manned the helm, Diaz said. Our last deployment was full of sailors who made their own mark on the story of this great warship. Though our namesake comes from a battle long ago, the U.S. is still performing with a level of combat expertise and professionalism that weve always had as we protect the homeland.

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Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins Jr., skipper of the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins, and Lt. Michael Sparrow, navigator, parade through Shimoda, Japan, during the Black Ship Festival on May 18, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

SHIMODA, Japan  Parades, fireworks and music livened the normally quiet streets of this coastal city over the weekend as throngs of people celebrated 171 years of history between the Japan and the United States.

More than 200,000 people visited Shimoda, about 80 miles southwest of Tokyo, for the 85th annual Black Ship Festival between Friday and Sunday. The event commemorates Commodore Matthew Perrys arrival in July 1853 and the subsequent signing  under the threat of force  of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity.

Events included a reenactment of the March 1854 treaty signing, cultural exhibitions, an official ceremony dedicated to international peace and a graveside memorial for members of Perrys crew who died in Japan.

Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins, which anchored off Shimodas coast, were scheduled to spend time at local elementary schools, but the visits were canceled due to high waves and strong winds.

Perrys arrival in four heavily armed warships  Japan had no navy at the time  is considered an example of gunboat diplomacy.

The agreement Perry eventually reached with the Japanese, also known as the Kanagawa Treaty, effectively ended more than two centuries of Japans isolationist policy and opened Shimoda and another port, Hakodate, to U.S. ships for provisions and refueling.

The coast of Shimoda, Japan, was calm on the second day of the 85th annual Black Ship Festival, May 18, 2024. Commodore Matthew Perry landed here 171 years ago. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Navy JROTC members parade through Shimoda, Japan, during the 85th annual Black Ship Festival, May 18, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins anchors off Shimoda, Japan, May 17, 2024, for the 85th annual Black Ship Festival. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, lays a wreath at Gyokusenji, a Buddhist temple in Shimoda, Japan, May 17, 2024. The service was part of the city's 85th annual Black Ship Festival. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) A U.S. Marine parades through Shimoda, Japan, during the 85th annual Black Ship Festival, May 18, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

The USS Warrior, a mine countermeasures ship homeported in Sasebo, Japan, visited Hakodate last week to commemorate Perrys visit there on May 17, 1854.

The treaty was a pivotal moment for U.S.-Japan relations, said Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, commander of Naval Forces Japan.

The arrival of Commodore Perrys expedition not only heralded the beginning of a vibrant exchange between our two nations but also laid the foundation for the enduring partnership that defines our relationship today, he said at the festivals opening ceremony.
Sailors from Navy Munitions Command, other units and guests on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, visited the site of the rusting hulk of LST-480 on Waipio Peninsula for a ceremony honoring the 80th Anniversary of the West Loch Disaster May 21, 2024. On May 21, 1944, while Army Ordnance troops loaded mortar ammunition on the fantail of LST-353, an explosion spread to other landing craft preparing for the invasion of Saipan. (Roann Gatdula/U.S. Navy)

HONOLULU (Tribune News Service)  Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of a deadly  and often forgotten  disaster in Hawaii that prompted major reforms in the U.S. military.

On May 21, 1944, sailors, Marines and soldiers were working on several vessels docked at West Loch loading weapons and supplies to support Operation Forager, the invasion of the Japanese-occupied Mariana Islands.

That day there were 34 Landing Ship Tank troop carriers in the waterway. The vessels were 327 feet long and about 50 feet wide. Jim Neuman, official historian for Navy Region Hawaii, said each of these transports were combat loaded, they were floating ammunition dumps, floating gasoline storage tanks, floating vehicle garages, floating repair yards, and (also) overcrowded hotels.

Troops loaded supplies onto the boats throughout the day, but at 3:08 p.m. something caused an explosion aboard LST-353 near its bow. The blast killed service members on board and rained burning debris on nearby vessels. The debris ignited fuel and munitions stored on their decks, setting off an explosive chain reaction.

By the time the smoke cleared, explosions and debris had destroyed six LSTs, killing at least 163 people and injuring 396  though some historians suspect shoddy record-keeping by Army officials in a rush to keep Operation Forager on track could have as many as 100 more uncounted.

The military ordered a press blackout. Four days after the incident, officials released a notice acknowledging an explosion had occurred causing some loss of life, a number of injuries and resulted in the destruction of several small vessels.

Those who lived were ordered not to mention the incident in letters home or to even speak of it, and the event remained classified for years after. But eight decades later, sailors at Pearl Harbor and local veterans took a boat to West Loch to lay a wreath and drop lei to pay their respects to those who died.

Like a lot of people, I had no knowledge of the disaster that occurred at West Loch 80 years ago today, said Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Dugan, commanding officer of Navy Munitions Command Pacifics East Asia Division Unit. It wasnt until I receive orders here that I knew that anything happened here.

About a third of the casualties that day were Black soldiers with the Armys segregated 29th Chemical Decontamination Company.

During the war Black troops were often assigned menial tasks. But menial tasks could be dangerous. Though theres no definitive explanation for what caused the explosion on LST-353, its generally believed that the explosion was caused by a mortar round as troops moved heavy explosive munitions onto the boats.

We were expendable back in those days, and so thats why a lot of times wed get tasked with things where they wouldnt risk white lives, said Michael Myers, a Black Navy veteran and member of the American Veterans West Loch Post.

Men watch as USS LST-39 is afire in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after the May 21, 1944, explosion that destroyed several LSTs in the West Loch. Men are visible on her bow ramp. Other vessels are alongside and nearby engaged in firefighting. (Army Signal Corps Collection/National Archives) Aftermath of the catastrophic explosion at West Loch in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1944. () LST-480 burns again on May 23, 1944 at Pearl Harbor. The sunken LST-353 where the disaster originated lies off her starboard bow. (U.S. Navy/National Archives)

During the disaster some of the vessels managed to navigate their way to safety. Others were abandoned and allowed to drift in the channel, leaking oil. The oil spread across the water and caught fire as flaming debris rained down, igniting piers and the shoreline. There were three main explosions, and as Neuman described, the third explosion sent showers (of) burning metal and debris over more than 1,000 yards, (creating) a massive mushroom cloud and dangers not only to the ships, but the ammunition depot itself.

Miraculously, none of the munitions on land ignited, but the falling debris still killed service members on land. Neuman said that even as theyre running on the shore, there are accounts of this shrapnel hitting them on the shore. Youve actually got casualties from those who got off of their LST tried to get to safety, but they were actually killed by the shrapnel thats hitting ashore.

The fires raged for more than 24 hours before tugboats and salvage ships from Pearl Harbor managed to contain the spreading fires.

Two months after the West Loch disaster, another munitions explosion at Port Chicago in California killed 320 sailors and wounded 390, most of them Black. Survivors at Port Chicago mutinied a month later as they protested continued unsafe conditions.

The West Loch and Port Chicago disasters led the Navy to change the way it handled munitions, as well as played a key role in spurring desegregation of the military. But the West Loch disaster would remain secret until the military finally declassified all files on the incident in 1962.

The dead in West Loch who were too badly burned or mutilated to be identified and lacked dog tags were buried at 36 grave sites at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. The headstones were originally marked simply Unknown but have since been updated with the inscription Unknown, West Loch Disaster, May 21, 1944.

Sailors from Navy Munitions Command, other units and guests on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii visited the site of the rusting hulk of LST-480 on Waipio Peninsula for a ceremony honoring the 80th Anniversary of the West Loch Disaster May 21, 2024. (Roann Gatdula/U.S. Navy) Sailors from Navy Munitions Command, other units and guests on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii visited the site of the rusting hulk of LST-480 on Waipio Peninsula for a ceremony honoring the 80th Anniversary of the West Loch Disaster May 21, 2024. (Roann Gatdula/U.S. Navy)

Sailors at Pearl Harbor have marked the anniversary over the years by going to the site, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary suspension of the commemorations.

But eight decades after the incident, local veterans have insisted on ensuring the tragedy is remembered.

Theo Alexander, a Navy veteran and commander of the AMVETs West Loch Post, said that the fact the military covered it up for so long meant that many in Hawaii simply forgot. Local veterans groups and the Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum have been working to bring the disaster back into the public consciousness.

Alexander noted that one of the challenges to commemorating the disaster is that were still on base, so the public didnt have access. So next year we will try to do a little bit better.

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A U.S. service member, left, stands guard on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, as supplies are offloaded from a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The plane was carrying supplies for the camp being built for Kenyan police officers who will lead a Multinational Security Support mission into Haiti. (Jose A. Iglesias, Miami Herald/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  A long-planned multinational security mission for Haiti led by Kenya is unlikely to deploy this week, dashing hopes in Washington, Nairobi and Port-au-Prince that the mission will begin during Kenyan President William Rutos official state visit to the White House on Thursday.

It is still possible the deployment could start by Thursday, an unofficial deadline set for the mission to launch, coinciding with Rutos formal engagements with President Joe Biden. But a delay in the procurement of armored vehicles and helicopters equipped for medical evacuations could push the deployment into early June, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details of the mission.

The official told McClatchy and the Miami Herald that Kenya, which is leading the 2,500-member security force, has agreed with the Haitian government on rules of engagement for the security personnel, who could face fierce opposition from the well-armed Haitian gangs that have taken over the countrys capital and overwhelmed local police.

But the agreement has not yet been committed to writing or submitted to the United Nations Security Council, a prerequisite for the multinational security mission, or MSS, to begin.

Aides on Capitol Hill briefed on the matter also told McClatchy and the Herald they expect the deployment to be delayed.

The latest weve heard is thats not possible by the end of the week, said a congressional aide, who asked for anonymity to speak openly about the matter. They are running into some stark realities in terms of equipment logistics.

A six-member delegation from Kenya that arrived in Port-au-Prince on Monday, the same day Ruto arrived in Atlanta, found that Haiti lacks equipment to accommodate a deployment of the police officers. Questions arose whether even the delegation itself was provided with sufficient security to assess the situation on the ground.

The Kenyan team found that the country not only lacks armored vehicles to move the foreign troops around, it also faces a deficit of radios and communications equipment. The mission still needs to procure helicopters to evacuate potential casualties from the country, where dozens of hospitals have been destroyed or looted since Feb. 29, when gangs united to topple the government.

Were talking about vehicles, weapons and other things theyre going to need off the bat, the congressional aide said. And that has not all been procured. Most of the stuff has been pulled together from a smattering of different sources.

The U.S. official said that radio and communications equipment is on track to be delivered by the end of the month. A deployment of forces could theoretically take place beforehand, but the Biden administration would oppose it proceeding without medical evacuation procedures and equipment in place, the official said.

The goverment of El Salvador has made overtures about providing helicopters, but two sources say there remains disagreement about the offer.

The U.S. Defense Department, which has pledged $200 million to help the mission, has been leading the preparations, but critics say those efforts only began in earnest two weeks ago.

Though the mission has been branded as a Kenya-led deployment, congressional aides say it is in practice a U.S.-led mission with multiple actors. The United States, which has pledged $300 million in support and has been taking the lead in getting the troops to Port-au-Prince, is providing the overwhelming preponderance of money, one aide said.

That reality came into play this week when both Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, who have been blocking $40 million in funding, blasted the Biden administration for using presidential emergency powers to pay for the mission.

In April, Biden authorized a $60 million military aid package using what is called presidential drawdown authority to get rifles and ammunition into the hands of the Haiti National Police, and to allow the Kenya-led force to quickly deploy.

In a May 17 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, obtained by the Herald and McClatchy, McCaul and Risch called the unprecedented use of the drawdown for Haiti questionable and asked that any transfer of equipment from U.S. stockpiles be halted.

The administration, they wrote, leveraged  a counternarcotics provision in the law to justify shifting the funds to the mission.

Plainly stated, the administration is rushing to fund an undefined and indefinite engagement in Haiti without congressional approval, the letter said.

A frustrated Biden administration has been seeking $40 million out of $100 million pledged by the State Department, but McCaul and Risch have refused to release their blocks, citing concerns over the State Departments approach. They acknowledge in the letter their block on the money.

On Tuesday, Risch continued to express his concerns about the mission, telling Blinken during a Senate committee hearing he remains concerned about the logistics, feasibility and costs.

Prior international interventions over a long, long period of time in Haiti had been dismal failures, leaving the Haitian people worse off than before, Risch said. We cant use U.S. taxpayers dollars to support an open-ended, poorly conceived mission in a country plagued by extreme gang violence and political instability without some kind of assurances that things are going to be different this time.

In Haiti, anticipation is high that the arrival of foreign forces will help loosen the tight grip by armed gangs that have forced shortages in medications and food. Without the funds, either from the U.S. or other countries, supporters fear the country will be facing not just a full gang take over, but a humanitarian catastrophe.

Earlier this month, members of Haitis newly installed transitional presidential council, tasked with putting together a new government, wrote to Ruto asking him to deploy Kenyan police. The cops will serve as the backbone of a force that will include officers from at least six different countries from Africa, the Caribbean and southern Asia.

Both the Biden and Ruto administrations have been tight-lipped about how many of the 1,000 Kenyans police officers would be deployed in the initial phase. The number has varied from 80 to 120, along with support staff.

Rules of engagement

Kenya has also yet to provide the U.N. Security Council with the necessary paperwork before the mission is allowed to begin.

The Kenyan government  which is responsible for submitting documentation on the structure and goals of the MSS to the council  still has time to do so before the deployment begins. But officials familiar with the plan have thus far been unable to outline some of the key parameters of the mission as required by the Security Council, such as the rules of engagement for the forces involved, the ultimate goals of the deployment and its planned end.

We know specifically that they do not have rules of engagement established, a congressional aide, who asked for anonymity to discuss the issue, said, disputing the U.S. officials account.

Three officials confirmed that Nairobi had yet to file the paperwork. Kenyan officials have told the Security Council that the documentation is ready, despite failing to submit it yet, one source familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Herald.

Ruto is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, where he will meet with members of Congress before the official visit withg Biden.

Ahead of the visit, the head of Doral-based U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, said preparations were on track for the Kenyans arrival. Well be ready to go on the 23rd of May, she said.

Richardson made the declaration during a discussion at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. Southcom has been providing the logistics for the mission and coordinated over three dozen military flights into Port-au-Prince with construction materials and equipment for the Kenyans to be able to operate.

A visit to the bases location last week by a Herald journalist found that construction was in very early stages, and questions arose about where a contingent of Kenyans would be housed upon arrival. Both Haitians and the U.S. officials have declined to answer questions on the matter, citing security concerns.

The Security Council passed Resolution 2699 in October of last year endorsing the mission to assist the Haitian government in its battle against criminal armed groups.

The council said that the mission could not deploy until its leaders provide them with key details. Council members want the mission to adhere to international law and that rules are in place to address issues such as human rights violations and past problems that have arisen with previous foreign interventions into Haiti.

The delay in delivering a documented plan reflects broad skepticism that the mission is ready to go. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly called for the deployment and for the international community to support a trust fund to support the mission that currently has only $21 million.

Since Feb. 29, a united front of armed gangs have been targeting critical government infrastructure. The gangs has attacked police stations, looted hospitals and emptied out two of the countrys largest prisons. Over the weekend, armed gunmen with the 400 Mawozo gang destroyed most of the Croix-des-Bouquets prison not far from the U.S. embassy using a bulldozer. The prison was built in 2012 by Canada, and another one north of the capital haves become targets of gangs trying to eliminate the only two modern facilities in Port-au-Prince where the multinational mission can detain people they arrest.

Human rights observers in the capital report a panic among some gang members, who are trying to keep a low profile in some areas ahead of the anticipated Kenyan arrivals. In other areas of the capital, however, they continue to press their attacks.

On Tuesday, as the Kenyan assessment team conducted meetings in Port-au-Prince, the U.N. continued to raise the alarm over the impact of the violence, which has forced the displacement of tens of thousands of Haitians and the closure of nearly 900 schools in the capital and nearby Artibonite Valley. The U.N. also noted that armed groups continue to take control of neighborhoods in the capital.

Thirty attacks on schools have been recorded since the start of this year, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres.

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U.S. and Indonesian marines arm wrestle during the Rim of Pacific exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 15, 2018. (Stars and Stripes)

Forty ships from nearly 30 nations are slated to participate in this summers Rim of the Pacific exercise in and around the Hawaiian islands, the Navy said in a news release Tuesday.

The biennial RIMPAC, which the U.S. Navy touts as the largest international maritime exercise in the world, has been held 29 times since it began in 1971.

The training starts June 26 and runs through Aug. 2 and will include three submarines, 14 land-based forces, more than 150 aircraft and about 25,000 personnel, according to the Navy.

This years exercise includes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The head of U.S. 3rd Fleet will serve as the Combined Task Force commander for the exercise.

Vice Adm. Michael Boyle is currently commander of the San Diego-based 3rd Fleet.

Vice Adm. John Wade, who previously oversaw the task force in charge of defueling the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, has been nominated to replace Boyle.

Commodore Alberto Guerrero, of the Chilean navy, will serve as deputy commander of the Combined Task Force.

Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander.

The expected participation in this years exercise is an increase over the 26 nations and 38 ships that joined the drills in 2022.

The coronavirus pandemic dramatically curtailed the exercise in 2020, with only Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and the U.S. joining. The exercise lasted only two weeks and all events were held at sea.

China participated for the first time in 2014 and joined again in 2016.

It was disinvited in 2018 over Beijings construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea by dredging sand onto small coral atolls, which it then set about militarizing with aircraft hangars and runways.

Vietnam joined RIMPAC in 2018 for the first time but has not returned since.

Chinese officers attending the Rim of the Pacific exercise line up to pose in front of the guided-missile destroyer Xian at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 8, 2016. They are joined by two U.S. Navy officers who served as translators for visiting reporters. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes)

The Navy did not provide specifics about what drills will take place this summer.

The training will strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, the news release states.

The exercise will enhance the capability of the joint force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict, according to the release.

Previous RIMPAC events have included sinking ships at sea with missiles, amphibious landings and Marine Corps Osprey aircraft landing on an Australian ship for the first time.
Maj. Asia Pastor, logistics plans officer for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, takes a question about a new U.S. military site from a Peleliu resident in Koror, Republic of Palau, May 15, 2024. (Shaina ONeal/U.S. Navy)

The Pentagon is proposing a new U.S. military site on a Micronesian island where a bloody battle raged during World War II.

Department of Defense representatives met Republic of Palau leaders and residents May 13-15 to discuss the proposed facility on the island of Peleliu, according to a May 17 statement from Joint Region Marianas.

Engineers from the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps shared details of the proposal with the Palauans, including plans to repair and expand the Peleliu Airstrip and South Dock, the statement said.

Efforts by Beijing to gain influence in the region, including a pact with the Solomon Islands thats seen as a precursor to forward basing by the Chinese navy, has the attention of U.S. officials.

President Joe Biden signed legislation March 9 that provides $7.1 billion over two decades and renews compacts with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

The compacts grant the U.S. military exclusive access to the nations land, airspace and waters, while their citizens are allowed to work and attend school in America, enlist in the U.S. armed services and access veterans health care.

A Peleliu resident asks a question about a new U.S. military site during a public meeting at the state office in Peleliu, Republic of Palau, May 13, 2024. (Shaina ONeal/U.S. Navy)

Palau was the scene of fierce battles during World War II. About 1,800 Marines and soldiers were killed in the three-month Battle of Peleliu in fall 1944. Another 8,000 were wounded.

The U.S. Army began training again in Palau in 2019, after a 37-year hiatus. The following year, a Patriot missile battery deployed there and shot down a target drone during an exercise.

In October 2020, then-Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. offered to host new military facilities, including ports and air bases.

Palaus request to the U.S. military remains simple  build joint-use facilities, then come and use them regularly, Remengesau wrote to then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, according to a Wall Street Journal report the following month.

The Pentagon in December 2022 awarded a $118 million contract to Gilbane Building Co., a Rhode Island firm, to build reinforced concrete pads and foundations for mobile, over-the-horizon radar in Palau by June 2026.

In December, the hospital ship USNS Mercy visited there on a humanitarian assistance mission. Palau also received aid parachuted to remote islands that month during Operation Christmas Drop, which involved airlift missions from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

We have a strong partnership with the Palauan government and people, Harry Elliott, counsel for the Indo-Pacific Command senior military official to Palau, said in the Joint Region Marianas statement. When the Government of Palau sought to improve the infrastructure in Peleliu, we looked together to the designation of this new defense site to strengthen the U.S.s ability to secure and defend Palau and meet this request.

The site is meant to promote the quality of life for the people in Palau and to enhance the militarys capabilities throughout the region to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief efforts, and power projection, he said.

The project is about partnership, Peleliu State Gov. Emais Roberts said in the statement.

The Republic of Palau and State of Peleliu asked the U.S. government, asked the Department of Defense to help fix the airfield for our benefit, and also for the benefit of the military if they had the use for it, he said.
Poland defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz speaks at Parliament in Warsaw, May 22, 2024. (Slawomir Kaminski, Agencja Wyborcza.pl via Reuters)

WARSAW  Poland signed an agreement with the United States for the delivery of a $960 million airspace reconnaissance system to monitor its northeastern borders, defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Wednesday.

Poland will be the second country in the world to use this system, he said. The agreement defines our security, it is another act of cooperation between Poland and the USA.

Poland has boosted defense spending this year to about 4% of gross domestic product as it seeks to strengthen its armed forces following Russias invasion of Ukraine. It aims to invest $2.6 billion in protecting the eastern border.

Under the contract, Poland will receive four aerostats, or moored balloons, which will be stationed at posts along the eastern and northeastern borders, assisting Polands air defense and coastal observation systems.

The contract also provides for related logistics and program support. The system will be delivered and fully operative by 2027, Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

According to the head of Polands Armament Agency, General Artur Kuptel, describing the system in Polish media earlier this month, radars suspended from the tethered balloons will monitor the sky as far as Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad from Polish air space.

They have the ability to detect a wide range of objects, such as missiles, aircraft, drones and surface vessels in a range of over 185 miles

In February the U.S. Department of State approved the possible sale of airspace and surface radar reconnaissance aerostat systems and related elements of logistics and program support.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin on operational issues, including the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict and the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS)

MOSCOW (Reuters)  Russias top arms control diplomat dismissed as fake news on Wednesday an assertion by the United States that Russia had launched a weapon into low-Earth orbit that was capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites.

The Kremlin has flatly denied assertions by U.S. officials that Moscow is developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

U.S. Space Command on Tuesday pointed to the launch earlier this month of a Soyuz rocket from Russias Plesetsk launch site, saying it likely involved a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.

Russias defence ministry said the May 17 launch had a spacecraft on board but gave no details what it was for.

I dont think we should respond to any fake news from Washington, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

The Americans can say whatever they want but our policy does not change from this, said Ryabkov, adding that Moscow had always consistently opposed the deployment of strike weapons in low-Earth orbit.

President Vladimir Putin and then-defence minister Sergei Shoigu denied U.S. assertions in February that Russia was developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon designed to disrupt everything from military communications to phone-based ride services.

U.S. Space Command said the May launch, which it dates as May 16, included COSMOS 2576, a type of Russian military inspector spacecraft that U.S. officials have long said exhibits reckless space behaviour.

International law

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined specific comment on the U.S. assertion but said Russia acted in full accordance with international law.

We are not violating anything. We have repeatedly advocated a ban on the deployment of any weapons into space. Unfortunately, our initiatives were rejected, including by the United States, Peskov told reporters.

U.S. intelligence agencies had been expecting the launch of COSMOS 2576 and informed allies of their assessment of the satellite before its deployment in space, according to a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence. The launch also included civilian satellites deployed to different orbits.

COSMOS 2576, as of Tuesday, has not gone near a U.S. satellite, but space analysts observed it to be in the same orbital ring as USA 314, a bus-sized NRO satellite launched in April 2021.

Ryabkov said Russias space programme was developing as planned, including tasks aimed at strengthening defence capability but added that this is also not news.

He said the United States was wrong to have dismissed Russian proposals on strengthening the security of space activities, including a proposal on developing a treaty on preventing an arms race in space.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media in front of a truck with humanitarian aid bound for Gaza at the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization in Amman, Jordan, April 30, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool Photo via Reuters)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Egypt to do everything it can to make sure humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza as food and medicine bound for the strip piles up on the Egyptian side.

Blinken told a hearing in the House of Representatives that the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza remained closed after Israels military seized it on May 7.

Fighting near the crossing has made providing assistance challenging, but aid could still be getting through, Blinken said, an apparent reference to the Kerem Shalom crossing near Rafah that has been open.

So we need to find a way to make sure that the assistance that would go through Rafah can get through safely, but we do strongly urge our Egyptian partners to do everything that they can on their end of things to make sure that assistance is flowing, Blinken said.

Israel is retaliating against Hamas in Gaza  an enclave of 2.3 million people  over a brutal Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militants. Aid access into southern Gaza has been disrupted since Israel stepped up military operations in Rafah, a move that the U.N. says has forced 900,000 people to flee and has raised tensions with Egypt.

Egyptian security sources say Egypt opposes Israels presence at the Rafah crossing and wants it to withdraw.

Egypts foreign minister said on Monday that the Israeli military presence and operations put truck drivers in danger, which has led to the cessation of aid crossing the border.

Israels strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, told MSNBCs Morning Joe the holdup was Egypts fault.

Right now, Egypt is withholding 2,000 trucks of humanitarian assistance from going into Gaza because they have a political issue about the Rafah crossing, Dermer said.
Houthi soldiers stand guard on a missile carrier during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Mohammed Huwais, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The Houthi militants in Yemen have weapons that can reach as far as the Mediterranean Sea, according to a senior defense official, lending some credence to the groups threats that it can expand its attacks on shipping beyond its immediate borders.

The U.S. government is concerned that the Iran-backed group has the capability to extend strikes on shipping beyond the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Mediterranean, said the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss private talks.

The official said Houthis have access to advanced weaponry and that their deployment of anti-ship ballistic missiles is virtually unprecedented. The group has also used drones in its attacks.

The assessment comes as defense officials from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council meet Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The U.S. will seek to use the gathering to pursue further integration of air and missile defenses, including sharing radar data and developing early-warning capabilities.

The official added that the success by Israel, the U.S. , U.K. and regional partners to repel a barrage on Israel of more than 300 missiles and drones from Iran and its proxies on April 13 is proof of the effectiveness of Washingtons integrated defense alliances.

The U.S. Army ship General Frank S. Besson Jr. Logistic Support Vessel (LSV-1) in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip, on May 16, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

The Houthis earlier this month said they would expand their range to vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. The organization began the attacks as a show of solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza war.

The official added that no strikes in the Mediterranean have been detected, and didnt specify if the group had the capability to hit moving targets on the water over such a distance. Almost all of its successful strikes on ships have been relatively close to Yemen.

The Houthis have threatened vessels associated with Israel, the U.S. and the U.K. since October, effectively closing the southern Red Sea to most Western ships. Shipping and freight executives increasingly think it will remain too dangerous for many more months, forcing them to skip the Suez Canal and go around southern Africa.

The Houthis receive military training and intelligence and radar support from Iran, which is crucial when targeting moving objects such as ships.

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National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a news briefing at the White House on March 18, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/TNS)

WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  The United States has softened its earlier resistance to a broader Israeli military operation in Rafah following efforts by Israel to reduce the civilian toll of the assault, a U.S. official said.

The shift followed weeks of warnings by President Joe Biden that a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip border city where hundreds of thousands have taken shelter would prompt the U.S. to suspend the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel.

But when national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other top White House aides met with senior Israeli officials in recent days, they found that Israel had incorporated U.S. humanitarian concerns into their plans, the U.S. official said, requesting anonymity to discuss matters that arent public. The departure of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Rafah in recent weeks also helped allay concerns about the civilian toll of an assault, the official said.

Any sustained incursion is still likely to pose a political challenge for Biden, who has come under fire from progressives in his own party for his steadfast support of Israel despite mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. Earlier this month, Biden said in an interview with CNN that he would cut off the shipment of offensive weapons including artillery shells if Israel proceeded with an operation in the city, where Palestinian refugees have gathered following sustained bombing in other areas of Gaza.

The official did not detail the extent of Israeli operations that would be acceptable to the White House, and Biden has already said he was not concerned by limited efforts on the outskirts of the city. Ultimately, the U.S. would evaluate any operation on the way it was carried out, and Washington does not greenlight Israeli military actions, the official said.

Earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted the pretty large exodus of people from Rafah but said the U.S. remained very concerned about any major military operation and the impact it would have on the remaining population, given the dense urban environment in Rafah.

Sullivan met Monday with Israeli officials, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Defense Herzi Halevi, following a series of discussions with Arab leaders over the weekend. The White House said at the time that Gallant and Halevi briefed the U.S. delegation on new alternative approaches to defeating Hamas in Rafah to address the concerns that have been expressed by the U.S. side.

The Israeli and U.S. sides also discussed Sullivans meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the weekend, where the two sides talked about a sweeping Middle East deal that would see Saudi Arabia formally recognize Israel and provide economic assistance to Palestinians, in exchange for U.S. security guarantees and Israel recognizing a credible pathway toward a Palestinian state.

U.S. and Saudi negotiators have nearly finalized the bilateral portion of the package, which also includes a civil nuclear cooperation and economic element, the official said. But an overall deal would need to wait for the current crisis in Gaza to recede and for Israeli leaders to come to an acceptable agreement on a pathway for the Palestinians, the official acknowledged.

Discussions between the U.S. and Israel also included a technical discussion of efforts to speed humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as plans to provide essential services and basic security after the end of Israels campaign against Hamas.

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Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani leaves the federal courthouse in Washington, on Dec. 15, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Rudy Giuliani has agreed to no longer accuse two Georgia poll workers of tampering with the 2020 election, according to a draft agreement filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court.

The agreement bars Giuliani  who has amplified election falsehoods for years as a staunch ally of former president Donald Trump  from publishing or helping to publish false statements that the two workers engaged in wrongdoing related to the 2020 election.

A draft of the agreement filed Tuesday said Giuliani was permanently prohibited from publishing, causing others to publish, and/or assisting in others publication of  any statements that suggest that Plaintiffs, whether mentioned directly, indirectly, or by implication, engaged in wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election.

Joe Biden defeated Trump in Georgia, a linchpin for his victory that year. The false accusations against election workers were part of an aggressive pressure campaign by Trump and his allies to cast doubt on the validity of results in the state.

The two Fulton County, Ga., election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea ArShaye Shaye Moss, sued Giuliani for defamation, saying they faced abuse and emotional distress after he promoted election falsehoods in Georgia.

In the weeks following the 2020 election, Giuliani repeatedly claimed that Freeman and Moss had brought in suitcases full of fake votes for Biden  accusations that were debunked after an investigation by Georgias secretary of state. Giuliani also baselessly claimed that the two deliberately threw people out and counted the ballots in private and counted ballots multiple times.

During the trial, Moss testified how her life was turned upside down the day after Giuliani first made the accusations. She began to suffer panic attacks and was eventually diagnosed with acute stress and major depressive disorder. In April 2022, she ultimately quit her $39,000-a-year position with the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections.

A federal jury in December ordered Giuliani, a former attorney to Trump, to pay $148 million to Freeman and Moss for falsely accusing them of election fraud.

The next day, Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York, listing up to $500 million in debts. He continued, however, to rant against the trial and the ruling, describing the judge as hopelessly biased.

The amount, $148 million, is so irrational it tells you the trial was irrational because the result is the result of a completely unfair trial, he added.

Freeman and Moss sued him again in December after he continued to spread falsehoods about them. At the time, their attorney Michael Gottlieb asked Giulianis trial judge to let Freeman and Moss immediately pursue the $148 million judgment, citing the risk that Giuliani would empty out his savings before any money could be recovered.

On Tuesday, Gottlieb said the plaintiffs were pleased with the agreement. Today ends [Giulianis] efforts to profit off lies about these two heroes of American democracy, Gottlieb said in a statement.

Gottlieb told The Washington Post, If the court grants the permanent injunction as we have requested, then the second lawsuit would be over, because that is all we asked for in that lawsuit.

Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman said the former New York mayor has agreed not to comment on the election service of Freeman and Moss, based on advice from his lawyers.

He will continue to comment on everything else surrounding the 2020 election, Goodman said in a statement Tuesday.

Giuliani was fired from a New York talk radio station this month for continuing to spread falsehoods about the 2020 election.

He also appeared in court on Tuesday in Arizona, where he pleaded not guilty to felony charges that he and other Republicans are facing related to their alleged efforts to subvert Bidens 2020 victory in the state.`
The Defense Department is working with Elon Musks SpaceX to find and disable Starlink satellite internet terminals that have fallen into Russian hands, but the problem is not going away, a top Pentagon official said Tuesday. (Dreamstime/TNS)

WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  The Defense Department is working with Elon Musks SpaceX to find and disable Starlink satellite internet terminals that have fallen into Russian hands, but the problem is not going away, a top Pentagon official said Tuesday.

SpaceXs Starlink terminals enabled Ukrainian forces to communicate with each other and with their families after Russias 2022 invasion had shut down Ukraines internet and telephone services. But The Wall Street Journal reported in April that thousands of Starlink terminals have migrated to the black market, where Russia has obtained them and is using them to aid its operations in Ukraine.

Russias use of the system has reportedly slowed and disrupted the service for Ukrainians. Other U.S. foes and war criminals in the Mideast, Africa and Southeast Asia have also obtained the terminals, according to the report.

Reports indicate that Russia has been able to buy Starlink terminals on the black market and that SpaceX has not cut off their access, and that provides a major advantage to Russia on the battlefield, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said at a Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Warren wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III seeking answers about the diversion of hardware from SpaceX, a U.S. defense contractor.

Congress has a constitutional responsibility to make sure that taxpayer money does not go to companies that undermine U.S. national security goals, Warren said at Tuesdays hearing. So I think its critical that we get to the bottom of this.

John Hill, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for space and missile defense, said in response to questions from Warren that the department is scouring classified and public data to find and shut down the terminals and suggested it has had some success. He said the push is partly led by a commercial integration cell composed of contractor and government personnel and located at the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

But Hill could not provide any guarantees about the extent to which the cat-and-mouse initiative would succeed in addressing the problem. When Warren asked Hill if he has confidence the Pentagon can identify illicit Russian use of Starlink services and completely shut them off, Hill responded, I think this will be a continuous problem.

To that, Warren replied, I take that as a no.

Hill assured Warren that SpaceX has been cooperative and forward leaning in assisting the search for illicit Starlink terminals.

SpaceX complies with our contracts, and they comply with the licenses they have from regulatory entities who can enforce those licenses, Hill added.

___

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Walt Nauta with former president Donald Trump at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Jan. 9 in Washington. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

FORT PIERCE, Fla.  Donald Trumps classified-documents trial was supposed to begin with jury selection here this week. It is the case that Trumps attorneys have been the most worried about, according to people familiar with internal conversations, with prosecutors offering evidence that a former president who is running to hold the office again took sensitive government documents from the White House and obstructed officials attempts to retrieve them.

But earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon indefinitely postponed the trial. And instead of Trump siting at the defense table for the first week of trial Wednesday morning, Cannon is holding a hearing on long-shot requests to dismiss the case from one of Trumps two co-defendants.

Lawyers for Trump aide Waltine Walt Nauta  who is still employed by the former president  will argue that the prosecution against him has been discriminatory and vindictive, because others helped move boxes and were not charged. In a second hearing Wednesday afternoon, the lawyers will argue that the case should be dismissed because prosecutors failed to clearly lay out in the indictment the laws that the defendants are accused of breaking.

Nauta is accused of taking dozens of boxes from a Mar-a-Lago storage room to Trumps residential quarters as investigators sought to retrieve all classified documents from the former presidents Florida home and private club, and then plotting to delete security footage to obstruct the investigation. He has pleaded not guilty to the eight charges against him.

When delaying the trial, Cannon said she needed more time to deal with pretrial motions and complicated issues involving presenting highly classified evidence. But legal experts say the judge has let decisions on dismissal requests and other motions pile up for months  including those from Nauta  potentially delaying the trial beyond the 2024 presidential election.

Trump faces 40 federal charges in the case, including willful retention of national defense information, obstruction and false statements. He has been charged separately in three other criminal cases and faces closing arguments and jury deliberations next week in one of them: the New York hush money and business record falsification case, in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to an adult-film actress ahead of the 2016 election.

Trumps other two cases  a state election interference case in Georgia and a federal election interference case in D.C.  are stalled, and it is uncertain whether they or the Florida case will go to trial before voters head to the polls in November.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 88 charges in all four criminal cases.

The federal election interference case in the District is on pause while the Supreme Court weighs Trumps claim that presidential immunity from criminal prosecutions extends to his alleged efforts to reverse the results of his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. That decision will come by late June or early July; depending on how the justices rule, that case may be the most likely to go to trial before the election, legal experts say.

We are all in a wait-and-see game, said Anthony Coley, former top spokesman at the Justice Department under Attorney General Merrick Garland. Its still quite possible the D.C. case starts. Were all waiting on the Supreme Court to decide.

Coley and other legal analysts have accused Cannon of unnecessarily slowing down the Florida case.

On individual rulings, she has so far generally sided with the government. She rejected two of Trumps motions to dismiss the case and ruled for prosecutors on key decisions related to how classified information is handled at trial, issues that could have changed the contours and direction of the legal proceedings. She has also rejected two dismissal motions from Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, the Mar-a-Lago property manager who is accused along with Nauta of plotting to delete the security footage.

But when it comes to timing, Cannons decisions have hobbled prosecutors efforts to move forward quickly. Special counsel Jack Smith has said in court filings that he wants the Florida trial to happen before the election, citing urgent public interest, but prosecutors have not explicitly argued that the November election is an event they are considering.

Defense attorneys typically file as many dismissal motions as they can, deploying every possible strategy to get a case delayed or dismissed. Trumps team has especially relied on that approach. Legal experts say that Cannons decision to hold hearings on so many dismissal motions is unusual  she has scheduled several more for June and July  and note that judges typically rule on many of these motions, including those that are the focus of todays hearings, without holding such sessions.

While Cannon may have sound legal reasons for her timing, the pace nevertheless is unusual for South Florida federal criminal court, where things normally move faster, said veteran Miami defense attorney Philip Reizenstein. He said the defense strategy is obvious: delaying the trial in hopes that Trump is again elected president and can appoint an attorney general who would order his Justice Department to dismiss the case.

The court appears to be giving the defendant every opportunity to avoid a trial, Reizenstein said. In 37 years of practice in South Florida, I have never seen a judge give so much consideration to scheduling a case in a way that benefits the defendant.
An American service member in the Saudi Arabian desert in 1991 tends a burning trash pit. (Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  The delivery of benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins from military service reached a milestone Tuesday, with the Department of Veterans Affairs announcing 1 million claims totaling $5.7 billion have been awarded to former service members.

More than 880,000 veterans and their survivors have received military service-connected services and benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, known as the PACT Act, which was signed into law two years ago.

The VA released a state-by-state list Tuesday showing the number of claims that the VA has paid to veterans since 2022. Texas led with more than 110,000, followed by Florida at 88,000 and California at 74,000.

Veterans seeking benefits related to an illness or injury from military service are assigned a disability rating of 0-100% prior to an award decision. The average service-connected disability rating under the PACT Act is 70%, which results in $20,000 in yearly benefits, according to the VA.

The toxic exposures fund for compensating disabled veterans is projected to provide more than $24.5 billion in benefits in fiscal 2025, up $4 billion from this year.

The VA disability claim for Bradford Blodgett, a Vietnam War-era veteran exposed to Agent Orange, is among the one million approved.

Blodgett, who was a sergeant in the Air Force from 1966-1970, worked on underground communication lines at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand during the war. He would watch U.S. military planes pass overhead spraying herbicide to clear the dense jungle, family members said.

He suffered from multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, when he died in January in a nursing home in Connecticut at the age of 82, according to his daughter Grace Blodgett.

Bradford Blodgett received compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs related to his diagnosis of advanced-stage multiple myeloma related to military service during the Vietnam War. Blodgett began receiving benefits under the PACT Act after filing for benefits in 2022. He is shown here in 1967 with his wife, Anne Blodgett. (Grace Blodgett)

But his widow Anne Blodgett credits the PACT Act for enabling his disability claim to be processed quickly, according to her daughter. Blodgetts claim was approved in December 2022, four months after he applied.

My fathers cancer went from a dormant category to an extremely aggressive cancer, really overnight, Grace Blodgett said. He loved the service and his country. But the use of Agent Orange and other defoliants made the last years of his life hell.

Anne Blodgett is now receiving survivors benefits through the PACT Act.

Prior to the laws passage more than 70% of disability claims for toxic exposures had been denied, according to the VA.

Since the PACT Act was approved, qualifying veterans may be approved after providing information on their diagnosis, years of service and where they served.

Veterans who had contact with a range of hazardous substances  including radioactive materials, asbestos, Agent Orange and burn pits  could qualify for benefits for specific medical conditions without having to prove the connection.

The burden of proof required to receive disability benefits has been lowered under the PACT Act, the VA said in a statement announcing that a million claims were awarded.

The approval rate in 2024 is more than 75%, according to the VA.

Named after a combat medic who died from a rare form of lung cancer, the PACT Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs presume that certain illnesses  including cancers, skin conditions and respiratory diseases  are connected to exposure. Veterans must have served at specific military installations and other identified locations in the U.S. and around the globe to qualify.

Under the PACT Act, veterans also qualify for free health care at VA hospitals and clinics.

President joe Biden also was expected to laud the milestone achievement of one million benefit claims awarded to veterans during a speech scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Nashua, N.H.

Biden has stated he believes carcinogens from burn-pit smoke resulted in the brain cancer diagnosis of his son, Beau Biden, a military veteran who died in 2015. Beau Biden was a major in the Delaware Army National Guard who served at military installations in Iraq where large burn pits were used.

Vets and their survivors submitted over 2.4 million claims in 2023  an all-time record. And were processing those claims at the fastest rate in history, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Monday.

McDonough described the legislation as the most significant expansion of benefits for toxic-exposed veterans in decades.

The VA now is following up with veterans whove filed forms expressing their intent to file for benefits to make them aware of assistance at veterans organizations for following through with their submissions.

Service eras for eligible veterans span the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and any other combat zone post 9/11.

But some Republican lawmakers have criticized spending from the toxic exposures fund as shifting resources away from basic VA functions.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, raised questions last month about whether the large allocations under the PACT Act are affecting the delivery of health care at the VA, which plans to cut full-time staff by 10,000 in fiscal 2025.

We need to have a serious conversation on how the VA is managing taxpayer dollars. New hiring is cut back or frozen, the health care workforce is shrinking, and construction has flatlined to only two major projects, he said.
World War II veteran Eugene Russo, who turns 100 this month, at his home in Lawrenceville, Ga. (Arvin Temkar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  During World War II, as Eugene Russo lay in foxholes, he would pray for God to let him live just one more day. At 100 years old, that is still his prayer.

I think Ill get to be 101, maybe even 102, said Russo, pointing to the sky. Whenever this guy is ready for me. A doctor in New York once told me Id live to see the high 90s because Ive been so healthy. I tried to call him not long ago to tell him my age but couldnt get him. I think he died.

Russo was born in the Bronx into a family of four siblings. His mother died when he was 2, and the family, including his father, two brothers and two sisters, moved to Irving, New York. When he was 19, he and his brothers were drafted into the Army.

I dont remember being scared. Hard to be scared of anything at 19.

The trio of brothers trained at Camp Upton in Long Island, then splintered into different directions for special training. Russo spent 1943 at Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas, then took the U.S.S. Vernon from Massachusetts to England, arriving in July, mere weeks after D-Day and the Normandy invasion.

I seen a lot of action then, said Russo. They put us on landing craft tanks to cross the Channel and as soon as we landed on Omaha Beach, the Germans were firing at us from their pillboxes [bunkers], so we knocked them out and kept going forward.

Russo traveled to France and marched beneath the Eiffel Towel on his way to the front lines in Germany.

I remember a lot, you know. I seen some terrible things, said Russo. In the middle of the night, a friend and his crew got wiped out by a battery. Seven guys, just like that. I lucked out. We kept seeing airplanes after that. I looked up and saw two English planes, spitfires, in a dogfight against a German plane, right there above me. I seen airplane bombers spot us and turn around to attack, shooting guns with shrapnel that shot out right in front of my eyes. I remember crossing the Rhine River and seeing a church standing there in the middle of nothing, completely untouched.

Russo describes an attack when his crew was surrounded by German tanks. His sergeant yelled for everyone to get down, every man for himself. As he jumped into a foxhole, Russo heard a loud noise behind him. American fighter planes had swooped down and wiped out the German tanks.

We got out fast, marching orders, and saw German soldiers and body parts lying all around, said Russo. Pure shock.

A photograph of World War II veteran Eugene Russo from 1943. (Arvin Temkar, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

World War II ended on May 7, 1945, and on May 9, Russo was accidentally shot in the kneecap by an American soldier.

I didnt feel no pain, said Russo. They shipped me to a hospital in Frankfurt with two military police officers who never left my side. A German doctor operated on my knee. I was coming out of anesthesia when he put the bullet in my hand as a souvenir.

After a monthlong stay in the hospital, Russo returned home, reunited with both of his brothers.

He tried to work for General Motors and passed the physical, but when an examiner saw the scar on Russos knee, he said he couldnt hire him. He feared Russo would get injured on the job and require compensation.

So he went to work as a brick layer and stone mason. He had friends who were plumbers and electricians, so he learned those trades from them and began building houses, too, a career he continued for 60 years.

He never married or had children, but always lived with family, first one brother and then the other until they died. Since 2013, he has lived with his nephew Nat Galassi and his wife Olga, both 85, in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Nat grew up idolizing his Uncle U. He lived with him as a teenager and followed in his footsteps professionally.

Uncle U was in my wedding party and over the years he used to ask Olga if shed take care of him one day when hes old and gray, said Nat. She always said yes and now it finally happened. I think he chose Olga because shes such a good cook.

The three share a ranch-style home with four bedrooms and an oversized kitchen.

Russo attributes his longevity to healthy living. It helps that he likes to cook  eggplant, fish, lasagna and Italian braciole are some of his specialties.

I take one pill for blood pressure and thats it, not even a multivitamin. If you eat good food, you dont need that stuff. I eat fruits, vegetables and no sugar or salt. I cut those out when I was 70 or 80.

Russo smiles wide and points to a mouthful of teeth, then lifts his World War II veteran hat to reveal a headful of white hair. All original, he said. He began bodybuilding in his teens and continued until his late 70s.

A healthy outlook on life has been a contributing factor, too.

He has huge confidence, always wants to be the best, always wants to win, said Olga, who plays multiple games of Scrabble with Uncle U each day. Hes always optimistic and gets up even if hes feeling sick, never complaining or talking negatively. He also likes his vodka every day. Vodka tonics, martinis, bellinis, whichever, and wine for dinner. A drink a day keeps him going.

Russo nods in agreement, then deadpans.

You know my secret? Dont die.

Russo drives himself to the Collins Hill Branch library most days. He reads multiple newspapers for a couple hours to stay informed on current events, then drives to the grocery store or home.

On Sunday nights they host big Italian meals for the entire family. The Galassis have four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

They all love their Uncle U, said Olga. Hes always there with a card or a gift, always loving them. Its like our kids and grandkids are his, too. He got his own family at the end of his life when he moved in with us. And hell be buried with us, too, one day. Our names are already on the wall.

When asked what wisdom hed impart to younger generations, Russo is quick to answer.

Go to school, learn, said Russo. And not just the technology stuff  pen and paper. I dont like technology, and I dont like AI. I cant keep up with it all, theyre going too fast. Everyone used to talk to one another, but now theres a computer in everyones hands wherever you go. Its awful. Too fast of living is no good. Why not slow it down a little?

Russo is grateful for the life hes led and especially proud to be a veteran. When he wears his veteran hat, he is often the recipient of kind gestures from strangers. His groceries have been paid for anonymously at Kroger, breakfasts at Waffle House are often treated, and the familys dinner was covered at a restaurant one day by a good Samaritan who came over and hugged him.

And I had filet mignon! said Russo. People are too good to me.

Russo is a lifelong Catholic. He leads the prayer before every meal, including when the kids and grandkids come over, all hands clasped to create a big circle. Nat often finds Uncle U in his bedroom, both morning and night, praying on his knees.

Gods my buddy, said Russo. I talk to him all the time. Hes given me this life and Im thankful. Ive had a good time. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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The government has decided to constitute an inquiry committee on the Kyrgyzstan issue.

This will be the fact-finding committee and a notification in this connection will be issued today, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference.

The deputy prime minister said that the body would also tell how much role the mission played in solving the problems. He added that the committee will find out the facts and give a report within two weeks. Additional Secretary Administration Muhammad Salim will head the committee, Dar said.

The deputy prime minister said that the Kyrgyz authorities had been asked to give legal status to 1,100 Pakistanis staying there. These Pakistanis had gone there through agents and are working illegally.

So far, 3,233 students from Kyrgyzstan have returned home, Dar said and added that the Kyrgyz authorities assured that such an incident will not happen in the future. They have assured that the people involved in the incident will be brought to justice.
Darren Davison (59) was arrested after the flight from France landed at the airport last night.

The man was arrested at Dublin Airport

AN air passenger became extremely threatening and abusive on a flight into Dublin, punching seats and windows for 90 minutes, it is alleged.

Darren Davison (59) was arrested after the flight from France landed at the airport last night.

Today, a judge granted him bail but remanded him in custody until he is able to make a 200 cash lodgement.

Mr Davison is charged with intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour on a plane, under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

At Dublin District Court, Garda Sergeant Derek Spain submitted evidence of the accuseds arrest, charge and caution by certificate.

When the case was first called, Sgt Spain told Judge Michael Ramsay gardai had not been successful in obtaining any information from him other than his name" at that stage.

Judge Ramsay asked the accused if he had a solicitor and Mr Davison replied: no, Im representing myself.

The judge then asked solicitor Daniel Hanahoe to step in.

Sgt Spain said gardai were objecting to bail as they believed the accused was a flight risk.

I believe hes a UK national, Sgt Spain said, but there was no address for him.

The court heard the allegation was that the accused had been on an Aer Lingus flight coming from Lyon in France yesterday.

Some 15 minutes into the one hour fifty minute flight, it was alleged, the accused began acting in an extremely threatening and abusive manner, Sgt Spain said.

It was alleged Mr Davison punched seats and windows throughout the rest of the flight, for over an hour and a half.

Mr Hanahoe said the main prosecution concern was an address and having spoken to the accused, he had one, in Northern Ireland.

This was at Ivy Bank, Donaghmore, Dungannon, Co Tyrone and if required, he could sign on at Monaghan Garda Station, 40 miles from his address.

Sgt Spain said gardai wanted a cash lodgment if the accused was granted bail.

Mr Hanahoe said the accused had 40 on him.

The sergeant said a 200 lodgement was sought.

Judge Ramsay initially said he would refuse bail on the grounds Mr Davison was a flight risk. However, he remanded Mr Davison in custody, with consent to 200 cash bail, to appear in Cloverhill District Court tomorrow.
Gary Brazil (44) is charged with assaulting the woman who was allegedly set upon by a group of men at a flats complex

PROSECUTORS have been given more time to prepare their case against a man charged over an attack on a woman who was stabbed in the groin and seriously injured.

Gary Brazil (44) is charged with assaulting the woman who was allegedly set upon by a group of men at a flats complex and suffered four stab wounds to her vaginal area.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of a co-accused, Bobby Griffin (20) who failed to appear in court on the same charge.

Mr Brazil, of Upper Gardiner Street in the north inner city and Mr Griffin from Captains Avenue, Crumlin, are both charged with assault causing harm to the woman at Thomas Court Bawn, Dublin 8 last March 6.

Both accused were charged that month and bailed to appear in court again today, for DPP directions.

Today, a garda told Judge Michael Ramsay he was seeking a lengthy adjournment in Mr Brazils case because it was a complex case involving a lengthy investigation file.

There were four suspects who had been detained and interviewed and forensic samples were taken, he said.

The judge remanded Mr Brazil on continuing bail to appear in court again on July 3.

The garda said Mr Griffin was not present in court and Judge Ramsay issued a warrant for his arrest.

At an earlier contested bail hearing, the court was told gardai saw and heard a commotion on the third floor balcony of the flats complex at 8.05pm. They stopped four men who were fleeing down the stairs.

Gardai also met the alleged victim who had severe bleeding to her leg and vaginal area and she told them she had been attacked by a number of males, one of whom had stabbed her with a white-handled knife.

A bloodstained knife was recovered from the top of the stairs down which the accused was fleeing.

Mr Brazil later denied all involvement.

The court heard phones were seized from both accused.

It was alleged Mr Griffins phone contained a Snapchat voice message sent from an account in his name. This stated: Im on my way back up with the blade. Hes getting butchered. (Named men) and whoever else comes out of the house.

"Theyre all getting it. (The woman) is getting butchered on them stairs as well. Little rats.

It was the states case that it was Mr Griffin who sent the voice message on his phone.

Gardai said the evidence suggested the woman had been an intended target of a premeditated attack.

Despite garda objections, the accused had both been granted conditional bail. Under the terms, both men must stay away from the location and have no contact directly or indirectly with the alleged victim and her family. They are also not to contact each other, two other named suspects and named "potential targets.

They must sign on daily at their local garda stations, notify gardai of any change of address and be contactable by phone at all times.
Derek Landers (42) was allegedly caught red handed when gardai made the seizure in an incident last year.

A father-of-three has been sent for trial accused of having more than 1m worth of cannabis stored in a car in Dublin.

Derek Landers (42) was allegedly caught red handed when gardai made the seizure in an incident last year.

Mr Landers had a book of evidence served on him when he appeared in Dublin District Court. Judge Gerard Jones sent him forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Landers, with an address at Park Terrace, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, is charged with possession of more than 13,000 worth of cannabis with intent to sell or supply at Promenade Road, Dublin 1 on May 18 last year.

Judge Jones gave the accused the formal notice that he had 14 days to provide any alibi details to the prosecution.

He remanded Mr Landers on bail to appear before the next sittings of the circuit court, on June 14.

The judge also granted free legal aid, to cover both junior and senior counsel. This followed an application by defence solicitor Tony Collier, who said it was a very serious case.

Mr Landers has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

Previously, Garda Eoghan McGowan gave evidence of charging the accused at Store Street Garda Station.

Objecting to bail, he said the case involved some 54kg of cannabis herb with an estimated street value of 1,080,000.

It was alleged the accused was caught red handed driving the vehicle that the drugs were stored in.

Mr Landers lived in Lanzarote in Spain with his partner and three children, having moved there 20 years ago.

He had told gardai he had come to Dublin for a short time and intended to return to Lanzarote, Gda McGowan said during the earlier bail hearing.

The accused had told gardai that he resided with friends while in Dublin.

He had travelled to Ireland using a passport card and his passport was in Lanzarote, the garda said.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Tony Collier said the accuseds parents lived in two different counties and he was welcome to stay with his mother in Cork.

Mr Landers had been working and paying taxes in Lanzarote where he lived with his partner and children.

However, he intended setting up residence in Ireland again, Mr Collier said. Mr Landers was granted bail subject to conditions.
Kind-hearted Ion, who owns the Whitehall Terrace Restaurant in Dublin 9, told the Sunday World this week he doesnt harbour a grudge and hadnt wanted his attacker to go to jail.

Ion Sirbu who was assaulted and had part of his left ear bitten off at the entrance to his restaurant, Whitehall Terrace Restaurant

Ion tells our reporter about the bite attack

Pedru Budai attacked Ion Sirbu when he was told the restaurant was closed

Pedru Budai attacked Ion Sirbu when he was told the restaurant was closed

This shocking picture reveals the full extent of the injuries suffered by Dublin restaurant owner Ion Sirbu after his ear was partially bitten off by a drunken would-be diner.

Intoxicated Petru Budai received 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three-year jail term this week after a court heard hed chomped down on hard-working Ions ear on being told the restaurant wasnt open.

Chillingly, the court heard Budai warned Ion I eat you, I eat you before ripping off the outer part of his ear with his teeth.

The images reveal how the full length of Ions ear had to be stitched up by medics after the shocking attack.

But kind-hearted Ion, who owns the Whitehall Terrace Restaurant in Dublin 9, told the Sunday World this week he doesnt harbour a grudge and hadnt wanted his attacker to go to jail.

Jail is not always the best thing for people, he said.

Sometimes it can make a person worse and not better.

I just hope that he is really sorry for what he did to me, that he learns from it and that he doesnt do anything like this ever again.

Whitehall Terrace Restaurant owner Ion Sirbus horrific injury

Its not good for him as a person to have done this to me.

And, its not good for his family and children either  so if he learns from it, that is enough.

Ion said the horrific attack had occurred between 2pm and 3pm in the afternoon on October 28 of 2021.

The restaurant was closed and the shutter was pulled down, he said.

And then the banging started on the shutter.

There was three of them.

Injury

They were banging and making a lot of noise, so I went out to try and explain to them that we were closed.

But they were very intoxicated and they started saying No, no!  All that kind of thing.

The three of them were acting the same  loud and intoxicated  but only Petru did the damage.

He bit me on the ear.

It was crazy.

He was very intoxicated and when he bit my ear. I think he meant to do it.

Ion said he was fortunate because the gardai arrived very quickly after the attack.

Attacker Pedru Budai poses at the gym

Petru Budai

I was very lucky, because the manager of the pub over at the corner saw what was happening, he said.

He called the gardai and they got here in a few minutes and then they called the ambulance.

They found the piece of my ear but they couldnt put it back on  they said there was no point.

In the first year, my ear was not good  especially in the cold.

But now it is healing and I had an operation and they did good aesthetically so it looks ok.

Petru Budai

Asked whether the incident had made him nervous in dealing with the public or put him off running a restaurant, Ion said it hadnt.

At the beginning, I was nervous that he might come back some time at night because I didnt know who he was, he said.

But no, not anymore.

This is a family restaurant and it is closed at 10.30pm.

People come here with their children.

What happened with him was just something that would happen once, I think.

Ion said he hasnt yet received the letter of apology that Budai handed in during his sentencing hearing.

I would like to read it, he said.

I have received the compensation but I havent received the letter.

Sometimes words are just words but I do hope he is sorry.

I hope he realises what he did but people do make mistakes and I think probably the alcohol made him do it.

Appearing before Dublin Circuit Court on Monday last, Budai pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Ion at Whitehall Terrace, Swords, on October 28, 2021.

The court heard that on the day in question, Ion was preparing to open the restaurant and his daughter and nephew were carrying out a deep clean when Budai came to the restaurant door, along with two other men.

Budai, who had no previous convictions, told the restaurateur that he wanted something to eat and drink.

Ion Sirbu who was assaulted and had part of his left ear bitten off at the entrance to his restaurant, Whitehall Terrace Restaurant

He was clearly intoxicated, the court heard.

When he was told the restaurant was not yet open, Budai wrapped his hands around Ion and bit his ear, saying something that sounded like: I eat you, I eat you.

Others came to Ions assistance and he was taken to hospital.

The part of his ear that had been bitten off was recovered, but could not be re-attached.

Ion tells our reporter about the bite attack

Sentencing Budai, Judge Martina Baxter said it was a devastating attack, which must have been traumatising for Ion.

She noted it was an attack carried out on a business owner who was sober and trying to tell a member of the public that his business was not open.

She said there were young people present at the time of the attack.

Judge Baxter said Budai was clearly out of control on the day in question as a result of his alcohol intoxication.

She took into account a number of mitigating factors in the case, including that Budai is now receiving alcohol addiction treatment, has no previous convictions and has expressed genuine remorse for his actions.

A letter of apology was written to the victim and Budai had a sum of 5,000 in court as a token of his remorse.

Judge Baxter ordered Budai to serve 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three-year jail sentence.
Scott Hallion, 32, had 71 criminal convictions

A MAN, who had a "significant" criminal record and a chronic drug addiction when he splattered paint over Garda cars and a station yard in Dublin, has received a six-month suspended sentence.

Dubliner Scott Hallion, 32, who currently resides in Ashford, Co. Wicklow, pleaded guilty to the offence on May 20, 2022. In October, Judge Treasa Kelly put off sentencing Hallion until today.

He had 71 criminal convictions, and she wanted to monitor his progress. Testimonials were handed into court, which heard he was now working as a baker and had not come to further garda attention.

She imposed the six-month sentence but suspended it on condition he did not reoffend or use alcohol or drugs over the next 12 months.

Earlier, Dublin District Court heard Hallion "had cans of paint and travelled to Rathmines Garda Station". Once there, he threw them over the rear wall into a yard, causing paint damage to three cars.

The yard also had to be cleaned up, and the overall cost of the damage was 1956.

However, the incident was captured on CCTV, and he was arrested.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be sent to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers if he contested the charge.

But Hallion's solicitor informed the court his client was pleading guilty. His prior offences included assaults, criminal damage, burglaries, robberies, violent disorder and false imprisonment, and he had previously served prison sentences imposed in the District Court and Circuit Court.

His most recent jail terms were three years for an assault and, before that, eight months for burglary.

Hallion, addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, checked into a residential treatment centre 11 days after the paint damage incident but is now substance-free.

Defence solicitor Brian Tunney pleaded for leniency, saying Hallion had "significant previous, but the man who appears before you today is not the same person".

He said his client wanted to take responsibility for his actions, and numerous testimonials outlining his progress were handed into court.

Mr Tunney said Hallion volunteers with the Irish Red Cross and a project for former prisoners. The court heard the house manager from his treatment centre furnished a letter with "a prognosis for a bright future".

A care worker from the treatment centre and his father supported him in court.

The judge also heard that Hallion has continued to engage in education and training and has helped Ukrainian refugees since the incident.

Judge Kelly said the charge was serious and the court had to consider a custodial sentence, but noting the mitigation pleas and information furnished, she said, "You have clearly made up your mind that his life is not for you."
A Special Criminal Court sits with three judges and no jury and deals specifically with cases involving terrorism and organised crime

Five men who are facing charges relating to Irelands biggest ever drugs haul have been sent for trial at a Special Criminal Court.

A Special Criminal Court sits with three judges and no jury and deals specifically with cases involving terrorism and organised crime.

The five men, Iranian Saeid Hassani, 38, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, Filipino Harold Estoesta 30, Ukrainian Mykhalo Gavryk, 31 and Ukrainian Vitaliy Vlasoi, 31 appeared at Mallow District Court.

The book of evidence was served on each of the accused who were all assisted by interpreters.

Court presenter Inspector Tony OSullivan said that signed certificates had been received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to allow the five to be tried in a Special Criminal Court.

Legal representatives for all of the accused reserved their positions on the certificates that were submitted to the court.

The five men face three charges in relation to the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine valued at more than 157 million that was discovered on board the MV Matthew cargo ship off the Cork coast in September 2023.

Cumali Ozgen

They are charged with the possession of cocaine for sale or supply with a value in excess of 13,000 in Irish waters and for possession of cocaine for sale or supply with a value in excess of 13,000 outside of Irish territorial waters as well as conspiracy to have in their possession, on September 24, cocaine for sale or supply in excess of 13,000 in contravention of Sections 5 and 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.

They all also face an additional charge of participating in or contributing to activities facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation on September 4, 2023 contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Insp. OSullivan said that the State was making an application in each case to have the accused sent forward For a sitting of a Special Criminal Court.

Judge Colm Roberts granted the applications in the case of all five accused. He also granted legal aid for the provision of one senior counsel, one junior counsel and one document counsel for each of the accused.

Legal aid was also granted for the translation of the book of evidence, the provision of translators and the provision of a marine engineer for the inspection of the vessel the MV Matthew.

Judge Roberts issued an alibi warning to each of the accused that if they wished to rely on alibi evidence as part of their defence they had 14 days to make it known.

Harold Estoesta asked the judge if 14 days was long enough for him to be able to clarify alibi evidence as there was more than 1,000 pages in the book of evidence. Judge Roberts said that this was a matter he would need to address with his solicitor.
Judge Deirdre Gearty adjourned their cases to next month

FOUR men have been charged with public order offences following a protest at a centre for refugees in south Dublin.

The four appeared in court this evening after they were arrested at a demonstration at a facility for International Protection applications in Ballyogan.

Roger Long (53) of Clay Farm Drive, Kilgobbin; Jordan ODonoghue (21) from Ballyogan Avenue, Carrickmines; Conor Killian (25) of Carrickmines Little, Brighton Road, Foxrock and Ian Cahill (44) from Ballyogan Vale were all granted bail at Dublin District Court.

Judge Deirdre Gearty adjourned their cases to next month, for the accused to decide how they intend to plead.

The four are all charged with failing to comply with garda directions and wilful obstruction of the free passage of people or vehicles in a public place.

The offences are alleged to have happened at Ballyogan Road earlier today.

Gardai Ryan Lonergan, Jamie-Lee Nolan, Brian Gallagher and Kevyn Burke gave evidence of the accuseds arrest, charge and caution.

The court heard Mr Long was taken to Dun Laoghaire garda station and the other three co-accused to Blackrock station after their arrests this afternoon.

None of the accused made any reply to the charges after caution and each was given copies of the charge sheets.

Gardai had no objections to bail subject to conditions. Judge Gearty set bail at 100 for each accused with no cash lodgements required.

Under bail conditions, the accused are all to stay away from any protests in Ballyogan. Mr Killian and Mr Cahill are also to sign on at their local garda stations weekly.

Free legal aid was granted to Mr Long, Mr O'Donoghue and Mr Killian.

The court heard Mr Long, a father-of-four was on social welfare while his wife worked part-time. Judge Gearty told his barrister Andrew King that a statement of Mr Longs financial means should be filed with the court.

Solicitor Mervyn Harnett, for Mr Killian, said his client was not working, was in receipt of social welfare and would also provide a statement of means.

Mr ODonoghue was initially not legally represented and said he had never been in court before. The judge assigned solicitor Kate McGhee to deal with his case.

Mr Cahill was asked by the judge if he wanted a solicitor and said no, Im OK.

All four were remanded on bail to appear in Dun Laoghaire District Court on June 19.

None of the accused has indicated how they intend to plead to the charges, which are under Sections 8 and 9 of the Public Order Act.
Sean Allen (33) also allegedly said in the messages that he was going to kick you around so bad and Im going to do life over you.

The case was adjourned at Blanchardstown District Court for Sean Allen to decide how he intends to plead

A Dublin man has been accused of texting death threats to his partner, telling her she was going to get murdered and have acid poured over her face.

Sean Allen (33) also allegedly said in the messages that he was going to kick you around so bad and Im going to do life over you.

The case was adjourned at Blanchardstown District Court for Mr Allen to decide how he intends to plead.

The accused, with an address at Green Acres, Red Row, Courtown, Co Wexford, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the woman and damage her property.

The offences are alleged to have happened in west Dublin.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge Mark OConnell the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to the case remaining in the district court subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.

Outlining the allegations, she said the accuseds ex partner received a number of voice and text messages from him between 2.30am and 6.20am on November 28, 2021.

The alleged victim recognised the phone number as Mr Allens, the court heard.

Sgt Callaghan read out a sample of the messages. In one, the accused allegedly said you are going to get murdered.

Another stated: Im going to kick you around so bad and youre getting acid poured over your face.

Be a shame if someone burned your mobile, another message allegedly said. Be terrible, so many enemies.

The alleged victim believed the threats to be real.

Im going to do life over you, another message read, with the sender saying he would he would happily get 25 years on murder with the biggest smile.

The judge accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court, and adjourned it to July.

The judge granted free legal aid following an application by defence barrister Ciaran MacLoughlin, who said Mr Allen was unemployed.
Dylan Shears (20) and Ainsley Stevenson (26) pleaded guilty to smuggling over 30kg of the drug into Terminal 2

Two British men have been jailed after they were stopped at Dublin Airport carrying 690,000 worth of cannabis destined for the UK market.

Dylan Shears (20) and Ainsley Stevenson (26) pleaded guilty to smuggling over 30kg of the drug into Terminal 2 last October 17.

Stevenson, of Waverly Road in Halifax, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison while Shears, of Kent Road in Bradford, was handed a three-year sentence, at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said that had Stevenson been an Irish national, he would have received a sentence of six and a half years, while Shears received a lesser sentence of three years on account of his younger age.

Judge Nolan said it is always more difficult for people to serve their sentences in a foreign jurisdiction, but that Stevenson had been a mature enough man who had made a serious misjudgement to involve himself in transporting drugs for profit.

Garda David Walsh told Shane OCallagan BL, prosecuting, that the two men were met by customs officers when they arrived into Dublin Airport from Las Vegas and were questioned about suspect suitcases.

Stevenson said the suitcases belonged to him and that he had packed them himself.

Shears handed over the keys of the case and gardai discovered 64 black, vacuum-packed packages which tested positive for cannabis.

The men were arrested and both cooperated with gardai and made admissions.

The court heard they had travelled from Manchester, to Dublin, to Chicago, to Las Vegas, to New York and then back to Dublin.

The purpose of their journey was to collect the cannabis in Las Vegas and transport it via Dublin to Manchester, on behalf of an unnamed individual.

Neither accused has any previous convictions.

Shears told gardai that his job was to supervise Stevenson, who was to transport the drugs, and that Stevenson was to be paid 15,000.

Shears claimed he only got paid for his flights, accommodation and 600 spending money.

Garda Walsh agreed with Giollaiosa O'Lidheadha SC, defending, that Stevenson was more likely to have received a quite limited monetary gain.

Mr O Lidheadha described Stevenson as a vulnerable person who had been used by others for relatively small gain.

His role was the lowest rung of the ladder, said Mr O'Lidheadha, handing in multiple letters from Stevenson's parents and employer.

The court heard Stevenson had always had a job since he left school and was very likeable and a huge support to his family. He is truly remorseful, counsel said.

A long-term employer described Stevenson as hard-working, punctual, respectful, polite and helpful.

The court heard Stevenson is an enhanced prisoner and is using his time in custody constructively, actively engaged in education and spending the time in the gym.

Counsel for Shears also handed in a number of testimonials on his behalf, including from a neighbour who expressed surprise that he would find himself in this situation.

Shears left school at 16 and trained as a barber before working in Germany for a time, the court heard.

Shears had been a cannabis user but was making good use of his time in custody and engaging well with educational teams and working in the prison kitchen.

He was also engaging with supports at Merchant's Quay, the court heard.

Judge Nolan accepted that both accused had pleaded early and cooperated with gardai.

He added that the intended market for the cannabis had been the United Kingdom.
Health and fitness guru Brian Ingram (35) says he already out of pocket to the tune of 20k-plus to the loyalist gangsters

A Belfast businessman has said he is quitting Northern Ireland rather than lose more hard-earned cash to a UDA extortion gang, the Sunday World can reveal.

Health and fitness guru Brian Ingram (35)  who is the brains behind the unique Irish Seamoss health product  says he already out of pocket to the tune of 20k-plus to the loyalist gangsters.

But he has no intention of losing another penny to the mobsters he says forced him to give up a retail outlet in the Woodvale area of west Belfast.

Id rather burn my money or give it away to a charity than give it to these gangsters. Mr Ingram told the Sunday World this week.

But more people need to stand up to these mobsters, because thats all they are  gangsters, he added.

Brian Ingram on the lower Shankill Road this week

And in an interview with the Sunday World yesterday, the dad of three points the finger directly at UDA bosses Matt Kincaid and Mo Courtney for his decision to quit the city where he was born an brought up.

Mr Ingram says they were behind the mass intimidation of his friends and family, which resulted in him giving up the shop lease he took out in February.

Im leaving Belfast soon to move abroad and start again. But I want the people of this city to know Im not afraid or intimidated by the West Belfast UDA in any way.

They are thugs and gangsters, operating like the Mafia in New York in the thirties or cowboys in the Wild West. If I had continued trading in Belfast city centre, then this wouldnt have happened.

UDA graffiti claiming Brian is a dealer

In the Shore Road area where I was brought up they even got their cohorts to spray-paint graffiti on the walls, branding me a heroin dealer. But decent local people in the area came out and removed it.

The UDA in west Belfast are just a gang of extortionists and its about time people called them out and stood up to them. They are criminals and nothing else.

I arrived at my shop one day to discover they had changed the sign above the door.

Then [name removed] arrived in to inform me the UDA was coming on board as my partner.

That was the beginning of a 12-week nightmare. But all the time I knew it was just money they were after.

I had a large amount of stock in a storeroom which I immediately sold on. But the UDA found out where it was then they broke into the place, stole it and brought it back to the shop.

They told me that in order to operate in west Belfast, I would have to bring them in as partners. And they wanted me to give them 30,000.

I told them I didnt have it. And they said, well youll just have to quit the shop then. The truth was I did have the money, but I wasnt telling them that.

A UDA thug (face pixelated) in Brians shop asking for money

Then they changed the labels on the Seamoss jars because I had asked the designers to draw the Seamoss plant like a map of Ireland, but of course the UDA couldnt have that  they are so loyal, he said sarcastically.

I havent a clue whats in the Seamoss they are selling now, but I can tell you one thing, it isnt my Seamoss.

Brian added: Its a fake watered down version of a quality product.

A former UK champion body-builder, 6ft 3in Brian moved into the health and fitness retail market after sustaining a serious injury which left him paralysed.

Unable to walk, his baby step recovery routine required the help of four professional healthcare assistants as he relearned how to walk.

But doctors believe his miracle recovery was down to the grit and determination he showed when he was a champion body-building competition winner.

Later, he successfully built up two large retail outlets in Belfast city centre, selling a full range of health and fitness products, including his own creation, Irish Seamoss.

A combination of bladderwrack, sugar kelp and kombu kelp  all natural foods found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in the bays around west Cork  Brian has also added cinnamon, agave and Irish spring water to make a truly unique health care product.

And it was Brians Seamoss  a big-time money spinner  the UDA wanted its grubby hands on.

Brian's Irish Seamoss

As the intimidation of Mr Ingram increased, UDA mobsters even intimidated his family in a bid to bring him into line.

But worse was still to come: They even offered me a position in their Provost Marshal team  expecting me to beat up people they wanted sorted out, he told the Sunday World. I told them to get lost.

Mr Ingram eventually spoke to the PSNI about what happened. And he says that while officers sympathised with the difficulties he was facing, they told him they were unable to protect him.

This is the new Belfast for you. City centre okay  but two miles away, its UDA law which runs.

I just want the UDA people who tried to intimidate me to know I have no respect for them or their gang of bullies. Ill walk my own path and Im unbothered by their attempts to intimidate me.

These people are all about power and control. But I wont let anyone dictate how I live my life.

Matt Kincaid and Mo Courtney are well-known UDA figures on the Shankill Road. The UDA have a long history of involvement in the extortion of businessmen dating back nearly half a century.

Courtney was sentenced to seven years in prison in May 1991 for his role in a UDA armed robbery of the Swiss Chalet restaurant in Glengormley.

Mo Courtney

In 2007, Courtney was jailed for eight years for his part in the killing of UDA member Alan McCullough.

Mr McCulloughs body was found in a shallow grave in the outskirts of Belfast four years earlier. Courtney admitted to his manslaughter.

In 1991, Matt Kincaid was jailed for four years for six charges of possession of documents likely to be of use of the UDA.

He was arrested as part of the Stevens Inquiry probe into allegations the security forces were colluding with loyalist paramilitaries to kill nationalists and republicans.

The offences were committed between December 1979 and January 1990.

He was alleged in court to be a UFF commander and his fingerprints were found on photographs and documents among a haul of 1,400 seized by the Stevens team.

Matt Kincaid denies any involvement in criminal enterprises

Last night, a spokesman for Kincaid and Courtney told the Sunday World: Neither Mr Kincaid nor Mr Courtney have any knowledge of this individual, business or incident as described. They deny any involvement in criminality whatsoever.

A police spokesman said: We do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this. However, if we receive information that a persons life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk.
Mr Slatterys body was found buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area in the Delmege House estate near Moyross in Co Limerick on May 31, 2010

Lee Slattery's body was discovered in the Delmege House estate near Moyross in 2010. Photo: Press 22

Two more men have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the 2010 murder of Lee Slattery (24).

Mr Slattery was shot dead and his body was found buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area in the Delmege House estate near Moyross in Co Limerick on May 31, 2010.

The father-of-one from Ballynanty on the northside of the city had not been seen for the previous four days after he visited a friend's house in the city on the night of May 27, 2010.

Gardai at Mayorstone in Limerick arrested two men yesterday evening in relation to the murder investigation after three earlier arrests on Sunday.

They have both been detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, and Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Garda stations in the Limerick Division.

The woman in her 30s who was arrested May 19 continues to remain in garda custody, a garda spokesperson said this morning.

The two males arrested on May 20 were released without charge last night and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardai continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact them at the incident room in Mayorstone Garda Station at 061 456 980, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
The Irish national has been extradited from New South Wales to Victoria after three masked men forced their way into the home where a teenage girl was alone at the time

A teenage girl was home alone when the men broke in

The suspect has been extradited to Victoria from New South Wales

A 20-year-old Irish man who is suspected of being part of an international criminal syndicate of fly in fly out burglars has been arrested in Australia following a terrifying home invasion.

The Irish national has been extradited from New South Wales (NSW) to Victoria after three masked men forced their way into the Melbourne home where a teenage girl was alone at the time.

According to one witness interviewed by 9News, she was was completely terrified and started crying.

She was hiding under the bedsheets and they just ripped the bedsheets off, took her phone and pretty much told her to shut up and stand in the corner, he said.

The suspect has been extradited to Victoria from New South Wales

The men then fled with a large amount of cash and while the teen was reportedly uninjured the suspects, who have been on the run since March, made their getaway.

It is believed that they are part of an international criminal syndicate of fly in fly out burglars.

They're known to change their names when they return to the UK and seek travel documents in those names which are approved and they can then fly to various different jurisdictions under those names which are provided lawfully, police said.

While police have one suspect in custody in Victoria they are stepping up their manhunt for 21-year-old Hughie Buckley.

A teenage girl was home alone when the men broke in

According to police: He's known to stay at short stay accommodation and other motels and the like using bookings for a few days in his and other persons names.

It has been reported that NSW police attempted to arrest the Irish national last week but he allegedly rammed a police car near Newcastle before fleeing.

He has been described as 6 foot three with a thick Irish accent and detectives believe he could be in NSW or Queensland.

Last week New South Wales and Victorian police issued a public appeal for assistance in locating the wanted man last seen in the Cardiff town area, which is just north of Sydney.

Buckley is wanted by NSW police for an outstanding warrant over pursuit-related offences, the Newcastle Herald reports.

Police reissued an appeal for information on Hughie Buckley

Mr Buckley is also wanted by Victoria Police in relation to an aggravated home invasion.

Mr Buckley is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm to 185cm tall with a slim build, brown hair and a distinctive Irish accent.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District have been conducting inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

"Information is treated in strict confidence.

The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages, Australian police added.
Saleha Saed also had links to human trafficking which were uncovered by a police investigation after her arrest in June 2022

This is the smirking young queenpin who was jailed for five years after flooding a seaside town with crack cocaine and heroin through a Fat Boy drugs network.

Saleha Saed was just 18 when she wrestled control of the network from her ex-boyfriend and brought 3kg of heroin and crack from London to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

The ruthless teenager who recruited other youngsters to the gang had sent a text message to her former kingpin lover who she had deposed as leader which declared: You're deluding yourself that the line is yours when it is truly mine.

Her 21-year-old latest boyfriend Nathan Si (21) who blindly took orders from her acted as babysitter of the drugs while Tremayne Ndikumana (20) held the phone line under her control. Both were jailed in a separate hearing last year.

She also had links to human trafficking which were uncovered by a police investigation after her arrest in June 2022 which found messages including an order about bringing in one of the young ones.

Nathan Si and Tremayne Ndikumana

Other messages revealed the missives she sent about how junior members of the operation were selling drugs and criticism of prices being charged by a street dealer known as 'Tiny', who was doing mad numbers.

Investigations revealed how Saed booked hotel rooms which were used for preparing the bulk purchases of drugs for sale to users and recruited youngsters to do her bidding for her.

Prosecutor Matthew Edwards told the sentencing hearing last week that Saleha Saed, originally from east London, had taken over the running of the line from a much older former boyfriend.

However, Gordon Carse, defending, claimed she had had not been in charge of the gang.

It is not accepted that she was at the top of the enterprise, albeit she was at an elevated level, he said, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Pointing out that she was only months older than the people she trafficked, Carse said she had also been exploited into joining the operation.

Common sense tells you she did not set up this line, Carse said. She stepped into it and was groomed to do so.

Judge Anthony Bate accepted she had not been instrumental in setting up the line but said her role was significant.

She had managed others but she had been a trusted lieutenant, rather than establishing the line, the judge found, added that she had been involved in a large scale drug conspiracy.

Saed was described as the owner of the line when the other gang members were sentenced in December, including Ndikumana, from Essex, who was given four years in a young offenders institution after admitting two counts of supplying Class A drugs.

Tom Copeland, defending, said he had been drawn into the illicit lifestyle through peer pressure and had a chaotic lifestyle as a care leaver.

Si, of London, pleaded guilty to the same offences and was jailed for three years and four months. His lawyer, Tom Ford, blamed his client's involvement on his naivety.

Saed, now 21, has been jailed for five years after admitting two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between July 2021 and June 2022 and arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

But she will serve the time in a young offenders' institution because she was so young when she committed the offences, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Sergeant Samuel Scott said: We will always target drugs lines and the exploitation of children in our county.

We have worked with officers in the Met Exploitation Team to ensure we bring those involved to justice.
This makes up 6pc of the 91,924 referrals received by the child and family agency last year

There were 5,467 child sex-abuse referrals to Tusla in 2023, it was revealed today.

This makes up 6pc of the 91,924 referrals received by the child and family agency last year, the chief executive of the organisation told an Oireachtas committee on Tuesday.

Kate Duggan revealed the figures during the Childrens Committee review of the Barnahus model for child sexual abuse victims.

The Icelandic Barnahus system is a child-friendly response model for the co-ordination of criminal and child protection investigations of abuse cases and provision of support services for victims and their families under one roof.

A Barnahus house in Iceland (Children 1st/PA)

However, the committee heard there are challenges around full implementation of the model in Ireland, including some multi-disciplinary meetings operating virtually rather than in the same building.

Under this model, a child who has experienced or disclosed sexual abuse can go to a friendly location where gardai, social workers, doctors, psychologists and other professionals can provide the services that may be needed.

The aim is to reduce re-traumatisation by minimising the number of times a child needs to describe their experience.

It is also intended to increase prosecution rates.

The model is replicated in Finland, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden, and is in the process of being adopted in more than a dozen other European countries.

Two centres are operating in the west and south of Ireland while a third is expected to open in the east this year.

The committee met at Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

However, Barnahus South, which launched in the last few weeks, is operating as a virtual service until a purpose-built building is approved and completed on the St Marys Hospital campus in Cork.

HSEs Barnahus lead Helen Shortt said she used the phrase virtual because while all the services are operating, they do not share the same premises.

The committee was told that the site selected for Barnahus East is not large enough to also accommodate a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) for children over 14.

Ms Shortt said the Rotunda SATU is expected to hold virtual meetings with the Barnahus East site pending the availability of a building that can accommodate all the services.

Ms Duggan said there are remaining challenges around operating the model, including staffing, geography and inconsistent implementation.

Des Delaney, the Department of Childrens chief social worker, said Ireland is not doing too bad on implementation as it is in the middle ranking of Council of Europe countries.

The Childrens Committee was also attended by Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA)

Green TD Patrick Costello praised the Barnahus model but raised concern about the number of centres relative to the countrys population, adding: Were not doing this big enough.

Mr Delaney said a number of factors were taken into account behind the initial three centres, and fully agreed there was a more extensive network in other EU states.

He said there is an openness to further recommendations of sites but added that the current focus is on getting the three sites operational.

Mr Delaney added: Never say never. Im not disagreeing with you, deputy.

A senior garda told the committee that the best scenario would be that all interviews of children in these circumstances would be conducted jointly with Tusla

Justin Kelly, assistant commissioner for the Organised & Serious Crime Division, said 56 interviews were carried out at Barnahus West last year.

Of these, 43 were solely garda interviews while 13 were joint interviews.

The Childrens Committee was also attended by former enterprise minister Simon Coveney after his appointment as a member.
The grim discovery was made at Brookfield Lawn in The Lough

Gardai do not believe the discovery of the badly decomposed body of a woman at a Cork property involved any suspicious circumstances.

The grim discovery was made at Brookfield Lawn in The Lough after Gardai were called to the property on Tuesday afternoon.

It is feared that the woman, who is aged in her late 50s, may have lain dead at the house for up to three years before she was discovered.

Her remains were found when local residents had raised concerns about a pest control problem and a local firm investigated.

Both Gardai and Cork Fire Brigade attended the scene when it emerged that human remains were in the property.

Paramedics also attended the scene.

The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and the remains will be examined at the scene before they are removed to the morgue at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

A full post mortem examination - potentially with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist - is expected to be carried out on Wednesday.

Gardai believe the woman involved is the house occupant though formal identification is likely to require an examination of dental records and potentially even DNA.

It is understood the woman lived alone at the property.

Locals indicated that the woman had not been seen in the area for some time, possibly up to three years ago.

The woman was very private and some residents believed she had moved away from the area temporarily following a family bereavement.

The scene was sealed off by Gardai to allow for a full technical and forensic examination.

However, there was no sign of forced entry to the property and no sign of any disturbance inside the house.

Detectives will now examine foodstuffs in the property as well as bank, phone and postal records to try to determine the last known movements and activities of the deceased.

Gardai are conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area to try to determine the last known public sighting of the woman.

It is the second such death in Cork over recent times.

Last year, a Cork coroner returned an open verdict in the case of a man who lay dead and undiscovered in his home for 22 years - less than 100 metres from the main Cork-Limerick road.

The family of Timothy O'Sullivan (61), who had lived in the UK, called for an urgent review of derelict house regulations as they warned no other family should have to endure what they experienced.

The skeletal and partially mummified remains were found by council workers inspecting a derelict property at Beecher Street in Mallow on January 13, 2023.

Mr O'Sullivan, a native of Caherciveen in Kerry but who grew up and worked in the UK, died some time between January 9 and January 23, 2001, but wasn't discovered for 22 years.

The time period for his death was determined by a dated Tesco shopping receipt, personal diary entries and the timing of his social welfare payment collections.

Cork County Council officials had attended the property almost a decade earlier to board up broken windows and to investigate a complaint from neighbours about a rodent infestation but had not entered the Beecher Street house.

Mr O'Sullivan's Australia-based sister, Noreen Foster, had called to the Beecher Street property in July 2003 but was informed by neighbours and Gardai that it was believed Mr O'Sullivan had moved back to the UK some time previously.

In a statement read out to his inquest by solicitor Fiona O'Sullivan on behalf of Aidan Shine, a nephew of Mr O'Sullivan, and the entire O'Sullivan family, they called for an urgent review of derelict housing regulations in Ireland.

This is to increase the powers of local councils to gain access to derelict houses, to simplify the process of determining property ownership and to expedite the timeframe in which such properties are checked.

Mr O'Sullivan was born in Cahersiveen in Kerry in 1939 but was raised in the UK where he worked and married.

However, he regularly returned to Kerry over the years.

Around 1989 he moved back to Ireland and bought the property at Beecher Street.

His mother died in January 1990 and Mr O'Sullivan's wife, Barbara, later returned to the UK where she was from.

His sisters, Noreen and Maureen, were in regular contact with him via letters and Christmas cards but neither heard from him at Christmas 2001.
The New York State Thruway Authority kicked off a $2.5 million project to rehabilitate two 70-year-old bridges in Seneca County.

The project will improve the Interstate 90 westbound bridge over the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, which is located in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and the interchange bridge that carries traffic entering or exiting the westbound Thruway at exit 41 (Waterloo-Clyde-Route 414).

Improvements to the bridge over the canal include a new deck, joints, pavement repairs and resurfacing of the approaches. The bridge, which was built in 1953, is used by 16,700 vehicles daily.

The interchange bridge improvements include the rehabilitation or replacement of joints, new concrete decking and a new guiderail. The bridge, which is used by 2,150 vehicles a day, was also built in 1953.

Slate Hill Constructors, a Warners-based firm, has been awarded the contract to complete the bridge rehabilitation work. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The project will extend the life spans of the bridges by 15 to 20 years, according to the Thruway Authority.

"The Thruway is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and dozens of its bridges are original to the system and require rehabilitation or replacement," Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare said. "Our focus is on modernization and reinvesting in infrastructure by putting toll dollars to work to improve the safety and reliability of both of these bridges and the entire Thruway system."

The Thruway Authority has already invested a significant sum  more than $182.5 million  on capital projects in its Syracuse division, which stretches from Ontario to Herkimer counties.

There will be more infrastructure improvements in the near future. The Thruway Authority's five-year capital program includes $395.5 million for central New York.
Meanwhile, in a online video targeted at Ireland, Israels foreign ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

Ireland is expected to officially recognise the state of Palestine,Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed this morning.

They join Norway and Spain in doing so today.

Israel have recalled their ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich in response in a strong message to Ireland.

The move sees Ireland join a number of European and Middle Eastern countries officially recognise Palestines sovereignty to govern over its own territories.

The expected move triggered Israel to recall Ms Erlich for urgent consultations.

"Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence. I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

"I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state.

Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defense.

Israel will not remain silent - there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these, Mr Katz said.

Norway will also recognise a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Wednesday, confirming earlier reports. Spain is also expected to follow suit later this morning with PM Pedro Sanchez likely to announce Spains recognition in the Spanish parliament in the coming hours.

The Irish Government has flagged its intention to recognise Palestine as a state this month amid unprecedented attacks in the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defence Forces.

Recognising a Palestinian state will only strengthen Hamas - Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The move comes after the International Criminal Court sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as top Hamas leaders, on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Meanwhile, in a online video targeted at Ireland, Israels foreign ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

The narrator says: Ireland, the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.

Such a move will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian authority.

The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as wake-up call.

Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Dont be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to recognition.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public reporting that there were two people in difficulty in the water

A 19-year-old Irish girl has been rescued from the sea off the coast of central Portugal after she got caught in a rip current.

The teen was pulled from the water on Monday afternoon, after being dragged by a rip current on Costa Nova Beach, in the municipality of Ilhavo.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the alarm was raised at 5.39pm by a member of the public who was at the location, reporting that there were two people in difficulty in the water.

Members of the Aveiro Maritime Police Local Command and crew from the Aveiro Lifeguard Station rushed to the scene, as well as members of the Ilhavo Volunteer Firefighters.

On arrival they found that one of the young people managed to get out of the water by his own means.

However, the girl was in difficulty in the water and she was rescued by members of the Maritime Police and taken to the pier of the Port Authority of Aveiro.

The victim showed signs of exhaustion and hypothermia, Portugal News reports, having been assisted by members of the Ilhavo Volunteer Fire Department before being transported to a hospital unit.

Last month an Irish man died while swimming in Portugal.

The man got into difficulties while in the sea at Inatel beach, Albufeira.

Officials said the alarm was raised on the afternoon of Saturday, April, 20, after three people got into difficulty swimming in the sea

The Irish Times reported that two Portuguese men went into the sea in an attempt to rescue the man after his partner raised the alarm.

The three men were rescued by lifeguards, but the 52-year-old Irish man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Portugals Maritime Authority confirmed that the two rescued men had attempted to come to the aid of the deceased man.

In a statement the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case.
WRC tribunal found differences in pay between Bernadette Ryan and male workers were not justified on any grounds other than gender

The Workplace Relations Commission found the woman two male comparators were doing 'like work'. Stock image

Vehicle rental group Enterprise has been ordered to pay 10,000 in compensation to a worker who said she was humiliated and forced to return to an old role after discovering her salary upon promotion was to be thousands of euro less than the pay for men in the same role elsewhere in the organisation.

Bernadette Ryan told the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) she had been told the salary would be 39,000 to 40,000 before she went for the job as an assistant depot manager with ERAC Ireland Ltd, trading as Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.

She was previously working at the depot in Dublin, earning 31,000 for part-time hours, the tribunal was told.

Ms Ryan told the WRC that she only learned a month after taking up the new duties and increasing her working hours from 28 to 40 that her employer only intended to give her a 10pc raise to just over 34,000.

The tribunal heard that Ms Ryan joined the Enterprise group when it bought out an Irish transport and haulage firm, Walkers, in an April 2020 takeover, just over two years before the assistant depot manager job came up in July 2022.

Ms Ryans position was that she was always told it would be 39,000 and that if she had known the promotional pay rise would only amount to 10pc she wouldnt have gone for the job.

The tribunal heard that two other assistant depot managers were earning 38,500.

Since being eventually told six weeks into my new role that I would only get a 10pc increase, which I could not realistically accept, I felt very embarrassed and humiliated to have to return to my old role, Ms Ryan wrote in an email to her employer on October 16, 2022.

I felt I was left with no option and nowhere to turn for help.

The companys area manager, Anthony Ives, said in his evidence that he did say 39,000 to Ms Ryan and that it had been an error on his part to do so. He told the tribunal the figure of 39,000 was based on target earnings and that he had not explained to Ms Ryan how that was to be calculated.

The companys position was that the correct pay for Ms Ryan in the promotional job was 34,414.38, based on a 10pc increase on her previous 15-an-hour wages and a 40-hour working week. It also came with a private healthcare plan and a company car, it was submitted.

Denying the complaint, Orla Murphy BL, appearing for the company instructed by Lewis Silkin Ireland, submitted that the comparator male assistant depot managers referenced by the complainant either had more responsibility or were in charge of much larger depots.

One of these depot managers got to the 38,500 figure after getting the same 10pc pay rise on promotion as Ms Ryan, the company argued. The other was already earning the figure when he joined the company in a transfer of undertakings, it was submitted.

A letter from the companys solicitors to the complainant in December 2022, opened to the tribunal, said: While Ms Ryans role as ADM (assistant depot manager) is similar in title, the other ADMs to which she refers manage much larger fleet sizes. One is 50pc larger and the other is three times the size.

The solicitors maintained that this amounted to a clear objective reason for the difference in pay and that there had been no difference in treatment.

Adjudicator Caroline Reidy wrote in her decision: It is the case that Ms Ryan was told this initial salary rate and this led her to realise that her comparators were on this salary and that she was to receive less if she took the promotion which, ultimately, she then refused.

She found that Ms Ryan and her two male comparators were doing like work and that the differences in pay between her and the men were not justified on any grounds other than gender.

Upholding the complaint, Ms Reidy ordered the company to pay Ms Ryan 10,000 in compensation as a just redress for the treatment she has experienced through discrimination.
"This is a global phenomenon. It is affecting other countries, not just the United States.

The recent Head of the Pentagons Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Task Force stated on Tuesday that non human intelligence is interacting with humanity.

Colonel Karl Nell was speaking at the Salt Conference in New York about non-human intelligence (NHI) and UFOs.

On April 12, 2021, the Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of pictures and videos gathered by the UAP Task Force, showing "pyramid-shaped objects" hovering above the USS Russell in 2019.

"So non-human intelligence exists, non-human intelligence has been interacting with humanity.

"This is not new and has been going. Unelected people in Government are aware, Colonel Nell said.

The high level military officer was asked how confident he was about this.

"There is zero doubt, Mr Nell replied.

Alleged UAP

He gave a quick rundown of his career for the many financial professionals in attendance at the event.

"I worked on Space Command, I commanded a satellite ground station war traced to the joint Chiefs. I spent time at Wright Patterson, the Army sent me for Masters in Strategic Studies, I ended up at Bell Labs.

"Ended at Lockheed Missiles and Space, I went to Northrop Grumman, I ran Strategic Tech in Defence, three letter agencies, Deputy CTO and Vice President of a number of firms.

"Stayed in military and commanded at every grade level through brigade. Ended up at Army Futures Command and the UAP task Force.

Colonel Nell gave reasons why the presence of non-human intelligence is not admitted openly by Government. He also questioned why people would be surprised.

"Very high level folks with access to the information have come out now and said the same thing. People in a position to know are telling you the same thing.

"What is so unusual? There is billions of stars in the galaxy.

Col. Karl Nell

"There are six basic reasons. National security. Lack of a plan. Potential societal disruption. The possibility of non-public agreement. Misdeeds and covering that up. Basic organizational intransigence.

"National security supersedes all the others. A responsible leader would be irresponsible to come forward without a plan.

The Colonel gave reasons why the public deserve to know exactly what is going on.

Three reasons trump the other six. Moral right. The nature of reality is not Government information.

"Government exists for and by the people. People have a right to know the world we live. The pursuit of happiness requires this knowledge.

"Misdeeds need to be remedied.

"Societal advance. More brain trust needs to be brought into this topic to improve society.

"Anyone paying attention realizes UAP are real, they are not ours and not our adversaries. The Pentagon already said that. That shoe already dropped.

"If the President says its NHI, that will precipitate questions the Goverment is not ready to answer, with potential negative effects on society.

"All these civilisations in the past have failed and never to return. Highly civilised and advanced.

"Yet they failed due to stresses they could not address.

"Our society today is similarly fractured. Fragile. It mirrors this scenario, for a responsible decision maker that is a factor.

Mr Nell spoke about the possibility of humans being confronted with the reality of religious beliefs, and the possibility of a threat facing humans.

"Pose the question, if you are confronted with the reality of the metaphysical; an angel, a messenger from God.

"That will be a sea state change in your dealing with reality. its one thing to believe, another to know.

"It has the potential have an analogous affect on society.

"The universe is governed by conservation laws. Conservation rules. This reality forces a Darwinian competition in order to survive.

"Its naive to expect altruism (from NHI) unless you get to a state of post scarcity. Where there is no physical needs we are encumbered with in this universe.

"Its the economics of the future which will determine whether there is co-operation, competition or symbiosis.

"To assume malintent or complete altruism is somewhat naive.

"This is a global phenomenon. It is affecting other countries, not just the United States. Organized religion has a say. This is an all planet problem.
Canterbury researchers are exploring how planting native shelterbelts and hedgerows on farms could deliver biodiversity benefits and make good business sense.

While stands of weather-worn macrocarpa and pine are still a common sight in rural Canterbury a growing number of farmers are planting native trees on their land.

Conservation biologist Dr Sara Kross, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), is leading a series of projects aimed at better understanding this trend.

Her team is investigating how the conservation and rewilding potential of increased native planting can coexist alongside the commercial imperatives of farming.

Non-crop planting features such as shelterbelts, hedgerows, and bush blocks are of particular interest to the researchers.

These features provide shelter for crops and livestock, as well as preventing erosion and runoff, Dr Kross says.

But theyre also important for biodiversity and because those habitats exist at the field margin theres a lot more interaction with the farmland and the way its managed.

She sees huge potential for farmers to assist the establishment of green corridors of native plantings across Canterbury.

These pathways of habitats can provide food, water, nesting, breeding, and migration sites for native species including birds, lizards, and invertebrates.

While this could significantly improve biodiversity on the plains, Dr Kross acknowledges this goal can be at odds with the commercial side of farming.

Most farmers are really passionate stewards of their land and want to leave it in better condition.

At the same time, their farms are businesses and that creates a hierarchy of needs.

She hopes the new research will show that improving biodiversity and meeting economic goals neednt be mutually exclusive.

Encouragingly, similar research from around the world has shown an overall positive impact for farmers who develop native habitats on farm margins.

There arent just ethical or aesthetic reasons to plant natives, says Dr Kross.

It has the potential to deliver real production and financial benefits in the long run.

While its not currently known how much Canterbury land is planted in non-crop features, an early part of the research will see UC PhD student Mary Buford Turnage use remote sensing technology to map existing plantings.

Were hoping to use methods that will allow us to differentiate between the native hedgerows and the exotic shelterbelts, says Dr Kross.

That will also help us to see where the gaps are and to map connectivity.

A number of plant nurseries now specialise in advising farmers in the choice of natives to suit their requirements.

Dairy farmers might select low-growing natives like flaxes, coprosmas or pohuehue (muehlenbeckia) for hedgerows in the centre of pasture so that pivot irrigators are able to move across them.

Fast growing natives can be used for shelterbelts at the edges of fields, to provide weather protection for stock and enable slower growing natives to become established.

Though their research is still at the early stages, Dr Krosss team has already discovered some farmers who want to bring native birdsong back to the plains.

We went door knocking in the Methven area in January and found two great locations that one farmer was managing, says Dr Kross.

Hed put in native hedgerows around 10 years ago, and that level of maturity makes it an excellent field site for us.

Dr Kross will talk about her urban ecology work at Turangas Foundation Cafe in Christchurch today Wednesday, May 22 at 6pm as part of an International Day for Biological Diversity event, Cafe Scientifique, alongside several other guest speakers.

- A free Biodiversity Walk and Talk will be held at the University of Canterbury today, on International Day for Biological Diversity, 12pm-1pm. Meet outside the Ernest Rutherford building on the northside lawns. The walk is open to the public as well as staff and students and will be presented by freshwater ecologist and PhD candidate Ciara Espiner.
Police are praising the actions of two lines company workers who saved a motorist stuck in rising floodwaters south of Rotorua on Tuesday.

With a number of roads across the country affected by heavy rainfall, Police are urging all drivers to take care, saying this particular incident shows how quickly things can go wrong.

At 1pm on Tuesday, May 21, the driver called emergency services, saying she was stuck inside her car on a flooded patch on Waikaukau Road at Ngakuru.

The vehicle floated into deeper water and then started sinking.

The driver was unable to open the doors or windows and told the Police emergency communicator that the water was up to her chest and still rising.

The call taker stayed on the line with the woman as units, a helicopter and swift water rescue team were deployed.

Thankfully, a lines crew saw the incident unfold and came to the drivers aid; the two workers jumped into the water and smashed the window to pull the driver to safety.

Minutes later, the driver was safe, but her vehicle was submerged to its roof, a short distance from where the road dipped into the water.

We cannot thank those rescuers enough, says Acting Sergeant Kyra Steiner.

They likely saved a life today and a familys loved one gets to come home tonight."

Acting Sergeant Steiner says had they not been there, it quickly could have gone the other way.

Myself and other officers who attended, as well as the woman they rescued, would like to say a massive thank you to those workers for their efforts today.

"They were very humble and downplayed their efforts when retelling the story."

She says they put themselves at risk to save a stranger who will be forever grateful.

Our message to drivers is take it easy in bad weather, and dont take unnecessary risks  if the road is submerged, dont drive through the water unless youre absolutely certain that you can make it through.

"If the water is fast-flowing, youre best to find another route or wait for it to recede.
Since the beginning of last year, Bay of Plenty Police have investigated about 21,000 reports of family harm - of which nearly 10,000 involved people with prior offences.

Experts in the sector say there is a need for new approaches to target repeated patterns of abusive behaviours used to coerce or control people in relationships.

Victim advocates argue New Zealand should follow the lead of Australian states introducing laws specifically targeting coercive control - and NZs Government isnt ruling it out.

If you dont come back, Im going to kill the dog.

If you dont come back, Im going to make sure you never see the kids again.

Those are two examples of coercive control that family violence survivor advocate Debbs Murray hopes will one day be criminalised under a standalone law in New Zealand.

The self-described victim survivor says she founded her organisation Eclipse after leaving a long-term relationship that wore her down until she could not recognise herself in the mirror.

She was based in Hamilton but worked nationwide specialising in coercive control training for service providers, helping to provide an understanding of concepts and language related to the abusive behaviours.

From July, coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships will become a criminal offence in New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.

The criminal offence will capture repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone, according to the New South Wales government.

New Zealands Family Violence Act includes coercive and controlling behaviour in its definition of family violence, but Debbs believed a standalone law similar those in Australia was needed.

Criminalisation of coercive control will support the recognition of the brutality of non-physical acts of violence, and the serious emotional, psychological and sometimes lethal consequences for our primary victims, Debbs says.

She says this would need to be accompanied by rehabilitation opportunities for aggressors, and any response to the issue should be informed by sectoral and social education and understanding of the complexities of coercive control.

Hiding in plain sight

Recently appointed chief executive of Tauranga Living Without Violence Moana Tane, who has a doctorate in indigenous health, says she also believed a targeted coercive control law was needed.

She says this was because, based on her experience working in Australian and New Zealand family health services, we have a misunderstanding about what a healthy relationship should look like.

What is really so troubling about coercive control is that its taking away womens human rights. So women arent able to fully function as they should be to make decisions for themselves to live their own dreams and aspirations.

Theyre being controlled by men who for reasons of their own, and probably trauma of their own, are not able to live in an equal relationship.

Tauranga Living Without Violence chief executive Moana Tane. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Coercive control is kidnapping, stalking, harassing, exploiting, isolating and just using everything you can to dominate your victim and your partner, Moana says.

She says the approach to the issue should not just rely on a woman showing up with a black eye, and should encompass emotional and financial harm.

Women often beat themselves up, asking how come Im back again? The truth of the matter is these men work hard at fooling women, to begin with, and the coercive control is hardly visible when theyre being courted.

Perpetrators are hiding in plain sight, Moana says.

Auckland University research in 2021 based on family violence survey data found that between 2003 and 2019 reported controlling behaviour increased from 8.2 per cent to 13.4 per cent, and economic abuse doubled from 4.5 per cent to 8.9 per cent.

Moana says she believes the increase in coercive controlling behaviours was linked to men consuming violent pornography, misogynistic pornography, and thinking thats okay.

In her opinion, many family harm and fatal events could also be avoided if fewer perpetrators were bailed.

Moana says family violence occured at every level of society.

They are our brothers, cousins, neighbours, our bus driver You would never be able to go out into the community and go or theres a perpetrator  you would not know.

Complex contributors to family harm

Bay of Plenty Police youth, community and family harm manager, Inspector Brent Crowe, says family harm could involve controlling behaviour and police saw first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out to get help.

Brent says police recognised family harm was complex and a mix of social problems can be contributing factors including, drugs, alcohol, financial issues, mental health and the stresses of day-to-day living.

Police receive a high volume of family harm-related calls, which can take time to work through and arrange the support that is needed, which could include counselling, mediation, financial support and working through the restorative justice process.

Government could look at coercive control law

The Minister of Justice, Nationals Paul Goldsmith, says the Government was not considering a standalone coercive control offence, but could do so at a later date.

He says supporting victims of family violence was a priority and there was a lot of other work under way to address family violence, sexual violence and the experience of victims in the justice system.

Visiting Tauranga earlier this month, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour of Act says improving waiting times for family services was an important goal.

Tauranga Living Without Violence chairman Nigel Waters, Minister for Children and for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour, Tauranga Living Without Violence CEO Moana Tane and Tauranga Living Without Violence board member Wol Hansen. Photo / Alex Cairns.

She was visiting organisations and family services in preparation for the Budget.

Karen highlighted Cedar Hub in Tauranga, a free non-violence programme for self-referring people.

Karen says she was especially interested in self-referrals because it takes a lot of courage to admit that youve got a problem.

How perpetrators can get help

Glynette Gainfort is a founding member and current board member of Cedar Hub.

If you think you need help or if your family members are saying that theyre scared of you or theyre worried about whats happening, you could easily give us a call and start your process, Glynette says.

She says working with people who used violence was about supporting them and ensuring their victims, survivors, children and ultimately communities were safer.

She says a lot of the men were struggling around trauma or historic trauma around homelessness or employment or being able to access the benefit.

We are happy to advocate for them, go to court with them and support them to write what they present to the judge, Glynette says.

FAMILY VIOLENCE

How to get help:

If youre in danger now:

 Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.

 Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.

 Take the children with you. Dont stop to get anything else.

 If you are being abused, remember its not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information:

 Womens Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)

 Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)

 Its Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450

 Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.

 Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)

 Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence

 Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services

 White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate mens violence towards women.

Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty.

-Aleyna Martinez, Bay of Plenty Times
Gisela De Castro is a Brazilian writer and publisher pursuing a PhD at the University of Waikato and is presenting two free events at the university during Techweek for anyone to attend.

The VR exhibition in Techweek24 at the University of Waikato is part of my investigation of technologies; and to better understand how the audience can interact with this kind of content, says Gisela.

VR is amazing  reading needs introspective concentration.

Gisela says her exhibition  named A Flight Over Aotearoa NZ  explores the creative processes to build an artistic work, approaching the intersection between geography and literature by remediating hand-written childrens letters about their regions to create an interactive video book on a digital platform.

This innovative project can contribute to the emerging electronic literature field in Aotearoa.

Gisela says the project aims to:

- Stimulate an epistolary production engaging students in reading and writing letters.

- Artistically propose an affective map of the country.

- Provide children with the possibility of imagining maps, places and spaces.

- Children could put themselves on the map and say We are here.

I have been a multi-artist, producer, partner, and artistic director of Zucca Books Publishing House and Zucca Producoes since 2003.

I graduated in Biological Sciences and got my masters degree in creative media.

To view an example of Giselas masters project, please access the link: https://www.olivrodascapitais.com.br.

Following similar processes, she would like to build an interactive video book with the collaboration of students in Aotearoa about their NZ living regions.

I would like to ask students: If your region were a person, what would you say to her/him in the future?

Gisela encourages the students to explore their creativity and imagination by writing a short letter to their living region, envisioning the future of their place.

The letters will be scanned and stored to build a digital platform with two parts: a time capsule (digital archive for memory purposes) and an interactive video book (digital book in the electronic literature field).

In this case, the letters will be transformed from handwriting to digital media through a remediation process.

It is important to highlight the originality and unedited characteristics of the project because as of the present moment, no published book containing letters written by NZ children has been found.

I expect to receive letters from all regions in Aotearoa NZ to guarantee the representativeness of the diverse community in the country.

The outcomes will be available on the projects website for free.

The inspiration for this PhD project came from the 1980s, in Australia, when students were invited to write letters to Queen Elizabeth II to form the book Letters to the Queen: from 100 Australian Children, compiled by Rachael Collinson in 1980.

This book was created with the theme centred on the question What young Australia feels about Queen Elizabeth II?, now I would like to know what 'young Aotearoa' feels about their country."

Contact Gisela by emailing afoa.nz.phd@gmail.com.
The clean-up in Waikorire/Pilot Bay continues today following new sightings of an oil slick on Tuesday.

We are working hard to contain and capture as much of the spill as possible using skimmers and absorbent booms, says a Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesperson.

Staff from the councils Maritime and Compliance teams are on-site again Wednesday morning, undertaking a full assessment of the area and cleaning up the shoreline.

Staff were seen raking sand along the southern end of the beach around 8.30am.

An oil slick at Salisbury Wharf, Mount Maunganui on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: John Borren.

The clean-up involves monitoring absorbent booms that were deployed soon after the event on Monday, and raking, shovelling and removing contaminated sand and material from along the shoreline.

Two lines of absorbent booms are in place, running parallel to the wharf.

Part of the Salisbury Wharf carpark is cordoned off while the environmental compliance officer and team conduct their clean-up operation and investigation.

The Salisbury Wharf carpark at Mount Maunganui is cordoned off on Wednesday morning, due to the ongoing oil spill response and clean-up in Waikorire/Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

We kindly ask everyone to stay clear of the affected area, out of the water, off the beach, and to give our operations space.

This helps prevent contamination, spreading, and keeps everyone safe from diesel fumes, loud noises, and trip hazards.

The Moko patrol vessel is also berthed at Salisbury Wharf on the Mauao side of the oil absorbent booms and wharf.

The Moko patrol vessel Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Wednesday morning's investigation is showing a reduction in the amount of contamination.

"There were no new signs of oil and/or diesel in the water, however a light sheen from remnant oil and/or diesel could be seen near the tugboats and this is being directed towards the booms," says Regional On Scene Commander John Morris.

"Some remnant oil and /or diesel was also sighted at the northern end of the bay around the rocks. This will likely be dispersed by wind, current and wave action."

Staff from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Maritime and Compliance team racking up affected sand on Wednesday morning. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

On Tuesday, the Maritime and Compliance teams were back on the water checking for signs of oil and diesel along Waikorire/Pilot Bay.

Unfortunately, the second mid-morning check has revealed new signs of a spill at the southern end of the bay.

Visitors to Mount Maunganui on Tuesday reported to SunLive that the smell was quite strong.

It reeks, says a SunLive reader.

Oil absorbent booms in place on the water next to Salisbury Wharf. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The spill was first noticed early Monday, with maritime teams swiftly responding after council staff received several calls about oil on the water in Tauranga Harbour, north of Sulphur Point and around Waikorire Pilot Bay.

Initial estimates were that there was less than 100L of diesel and the public were asked to stay away from the area, particularly around Pilot Bay where the beach had been coned off by council staff.

The result of Mondays clean-up effort. Photo: BOPRC.

At this stage the source of the oil spill is still unknown with further investigation continuing.

Our investigation team is still assessing possible sources.

Until more is known please stay away from the area for your own safety. Thank you so much for your understanding.

The Salisbury Wharf carpark at Mount Maunganui is cordoned off on Wednesday morning, due to the ongoing oil spill response and clean-up in Waikorire/Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.
The coalition Government is investing in social housing for New Zealanders who are most in need of a warm dry home, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

Budget 2024 will allocate $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers, not Kainga Ora, thanks to savings found by ending the First Home Grant.

Funding for new social housing places under the previous Government ends in June 2025. This is yet another unexpected situation that the coalition Government has had to confront, says Bishop.

The Governments new investment in 1,500 social housing places will start to become available from July 2025 onwards, giving the community housing sector much-needed certainty about the social housing pipeline, allowing them to plan for the future, and scale-up their build programmes.

These new social housing places will only be allocated to CHPs, not Kainga Ora."

Bishop says the Kainga Ora independent review which reported back earlier this week shows that Kainga Ora is not financially sustainable in its current form.

"Until the Government has received and approved the turnaround plan demanded of the refreshed board, no further funding will be budgeted for the organisation to deliver additional social housing places.

Our community housing sector does an outstanding job of housing people in need. CHPs currently provide over 13,000 social houses around New Zealand and they have the capability, expertise and desire to grow further."

Bishop says funding for the new social housing places can be delivered by ending the governments First Home Grant, currently delivered by Kainga Ora.

The Government has made a deliberate choice to reprioritise low value expenditure to more important policy priorities," says Bishop.

"At a time when the waitlist for social housing is over 25,000 applicants, we have made the tough but necessary call to focus support on New Zealanders who need it most.

The First Home Grant, which provides eligible first home buyers with a median of $5,000 towards a house deposit, is an expensive and inefficient way to support first home buyers."

Bishop says in 2010, when the grant was introduced, the lower quartile house price was $255,000, compared to $580,000 in April 2024.

"For first home buyers, this means the grant has gone from being nearly 10 per cent of a standard deposit in 2010, to just over 4 per cent of a standard deposit in 2024.

Evidence shows the grant brings forward the purchase of a first home  but in most cases it does not make a difference to whether someone can buy a home or not.

The answer to New Zealands housing crisis is not demand-side measures like the First Home Grant, but supply-side solutions contained in the Governments Going for Housing Growth agenda."

Bishop says the Government will retain the First Home Loan, "which is more effective at supporting buyers over the deposit barrier".

The First Home Loan allows first home buyers to purchase a home with a deposit as low as five per cent. The Government is also retaining the ability for KiwiSaver members to withdraw funds for a first home house deposit.

Discontinuing the First Home Grant is expected to generate savings of $245 million over a four-year (2024-28) forecast period with a minimal effect on home ownership rates," says Bishop.

Kainga Ora is no longer accepting new applications for First Home Grants. They will still process applications that have already been received.

Applicants with existing approvals can still access the First Home Grant, and pre-approvals will still be valid for six-months from the application approval date.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On May 20, Chinese automaker JAC Group celebrated its 60th anniversary with a technology open day event in Hefei, officially launching road tests for its intelligent connected vehicles.

Photo credit: JAC Group

The unveiling of JAC Group's road test license for intelligent connected vehicles signifies that the expressway navigation pilot autonomous driving work of JACs RF8 model has entered the public road-testing phase.

JAC Group is actively advancing R&D in four major fields, including intelligent architecture, intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit, and intelligent services. The company has established Anhui province's first key laboratory for intelligent connected technology and the Anhui Autonomous Driving Industry Innovation Center, two provincial-level innovation platforms.

Photo credit: JAC Group

In 2023, JAC Group invested 2.234 billion yuan in R&D, representing a year-on-year increase of 24.48%. The company was granted 191 patents throughout the year, including 155 invention patents. In the first quarter of 2024, R&D investment reached 788 million yuan, which surged 83.11% from a year ago. The company plans to spend over 7 billion yuan on R&D and investments for the entire year, with R&D expenditure accounting for about 9% of sales revenue.

Over the next five years, the company plans to accelerate the introduction of a new product lineup, covering more than 30 models encompassing SUVs, MPVs, pickups, and rugged off-road vehicle types.
National Police officers in Velez-Malaga detained the woman for a second time after learning of 15 new victims with the alleged frauds totalling 20,000 euros

Parents of students from the IES Maria Zambrano in Torre del Mar, last week, in front of the travel agency, which remains closed.

Eugenio Cabezas Velez-Malaga Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 13:56 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Police on the eastern strip of the Costa del Sol have arrested the owner of the Ymanme travel agency in Torre del Mar for a second time after new alleged scam victims emerged.

The 51-year-old woman was released with charges after the first arrest, but National Police in Velez-Malaga apprehended her again on Monday 20 May after detecting at least 15 new victims of alleged frauds, amounting to 20,000 euros.

This is in addition to 70 previous clients of whom she allegedly swindled out of 127,000 euros. Police officers received the new complaints in the past few days, after several new cases were reported in the media.

One case in Antequera, in mid-April, left a group of students stranded and unable to travel to England, and resulted in them losing 26,975 euros.

It was the parents and teachers of the IES Maria Zambrano school who raised the alarm when reporting the swindling of another 3,632 euros for a study trip to Germany. The group of 18 people affected had booked a study and exchange trip to Germany for their children in 2nd, 3rd and 4th ESO, valued at a total of 3,632 euros, at a rate of 227 euros per person.

From then on, complaints followed one after another, such as that of a group of residents of Velez-Malaga who lost more than 64,000 euros for a scam trip to the Greek islands, including a plane and a cruise. As SUR has learned, there are others who have been scammed with cancelled trips to Bordeaux in France, Marrakech in Morocco and New York, among other international destinations.

The woman was initially arrested on 8 May. She went before a judge, who released her on bail while investigations continued.
Pilar Martinez Malaga Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 19:29 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Finland, a country that had just gained independence from Russia, entered the world of aviation in 1923 with the Aero OY company, the origin of today's Finnair, the country's flag carrier. A few months later, it began flying its first aircraft: an all-metal aircraft, an innovation in 1924, when almost all aircraft still had wooden or even fabric fuselages.

Now, the Finnish airline is celebrating 100 years of operation. It does so while connecting Malaga Airport with Helsinki, confirming its commitment to the Costa del Sol by scheduling the largest operation of the entire network in Spain at this destination, said Javier Roig, Finnair's director for southern Europe.

Zoom Roig presents the airline's plans for Malaga. Nito Salas

During the centenary celebrations, Roig listed the key milestones of the company, for which he considers the Finnish community of Los Pacos in Fuengirola to be key. He also recalled the first flight, a German single-engine Junkers F-13, which landed from the port of Helsinki on 20 March 1924.It transported 162 kilos of mail between the Finnish capital and the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Neither city had an airport yet, so the Junkers used the waters of their harbours to serve a handful of passengers and, above all, to transport postal items. Mail was the business that gave meaning to air transport in its origins, he pointed out, noting that in that first year of activity, with planes with a capacity for four passengers, they moved 300, compared to the 12 million in 2023 with.

"Malaga has a name in Finland"

With the resounding affirmation that "Malaga has a name in Finland", Roig justified the 17% increase in air capacity on the Costa del Sol this year, as opposed to the decision to maintain air capacity in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as in Alicante and Palma de Mallorca during the high season.

In the story of these 100 years of history there is an important moment: the entry into the Spanish market. It happened on 4 April 1964 and that first flight landed in Barcelona as an intermediate stop on a journey between Helsinki and Malaga carrying sun-seeking Finns.

By that date, what is now the sixth oldest active airline in the world, had already merged with the Finnish airline Karkumaki Airways (Kar Air) and had acquired the first SudSE.210 Caravelle 10B3 type aircraft, advanced for its time, which the airline called the SuperCaravelle. An aircraft that opened up new horizons to reach new European conquests such as Milan, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen.

Love affair with the Costa del Sol

By then, the Costa del Sol had already begun a strong love affair with Finland since 1959, when the Finnish company Kar Air left Helsinki, with a stopover in Sweden, arriving in Malaga at midday with 48 passengers ready to enjoy their holidays. These ties have been consolidated and have meant that in Fuengirola there is a colony of 8,000 Finns, who even have a school with the educational curriculum of the Scandinavian country.

Now, Roig has highlighted the importance of Malaga in the network of Spanish airports and has not hesitated to point out that it occupies the first position with an operation of 11 flights a week for this high season, which will be reduced to ten in winter.

In addition to pointing to a 17% growth in capacity compared to 2019, he said the commitment is to increase daytime flights with the aim of growing in demand from Malaga. "70% of the tickets are sold in Finland, 20% in Malaga and the rest are stopover travellers to cities in Asia or India where we have a great schedule. We want to increase the share of Malaga residents who can enjoy the Finnish summer, which is an oasis of cool temperatures in which to take refuge from the heat," he said, pointing out the second most purchased destination since the beginning of the year is Japan, a country to which they fly to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, at the end of this month. In Helsinki they have a hub that connects this country with some of the main Asian capitals, such as Delhi, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul, as well as New York and Los Angeles, among other destinations in the United States.

Roig pointed out the potential of the Costa del Sol and the great attraction it has become for the Finns, assuring "they adore everything the destination has to offer and its way of life, the only thing they don't share is the late lunchtime for them".
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 21:29 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The Costa del Sol is already on the starting block for the new air mobility race. Enaire, the state body in Spain that manages airspace, together with control tower professionals, have made Malaga Airport one of the pioneering airports in the development of the new vertical take-off and landing aircraft (Vtol). Although European regulations will initially require these aircraft to be manned, in the longer term it is expected that routes will be operated by autonomous drones.

The timetable is as follows: validation flights of the specific procedures for air taxis will be carried out around October or November next year. These will be done initially with conventional helicopters, and not yet in the drone aircraft that are currently being built. The route will be between Malaga and Granada, and the date chosen is due to the fall in the amount of air traffic that usually occurs at that time, which will allow the tests to be carried out with less risk.

Marc Olmo, one of the engineers in charge of the drone business development department at Enaire, said: "The aim is to establish flight procedures for commercial aircraft". To do this, we are going to establish vertiports (the space for vertical landing and take-off) that will initially be "virtual", that is, marked areas within the runways where the Vtol (which is the technical name given to these new vehicles) carry out their operations. Currently, there is already an area established on runway 13/31 at Malaga Airport.

In this first phase of the operation, the aim is to define the flight procedures connecting the Malaga and Granada airports. In this period, Lilium, which is the drone manufacturer with which Enaire is collaborating, will be focused on certification flights. However, if all goes well, by March 2026, flights with the Lilium aircraft will be on the cards

Ready for take-off

Once the procedures are certified, if all goes well, by the end of 2026 the first aerotaxis could arrive in Malaga. That's two and a half years, which is a really tight timeframe.

For the time being, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) does not allow the certification of unmanned passenger aircraft. And this will be the case for at least the next five years. Within this framework, Malaga Airport is participating in the two leading European projects that will make this type of operation possible: Ensure and OperA.

The European Aviation Safety Agency does not yet allow unmanned aircraft, but will do so in the medium term.

The idea is to define the vertiports and flight procedures to make aerotaxis a reality. The Granada-Jaen aerodrome is also participating in this initiative. "The moment it is possible to fly without a pilot it will be extrapolated, it will not start from scratch," added Marc Olmo.

Malaga is therefore in a pioneering position. "It is one of the first airports we are working with, and we find it very interesting because it is one of the sites with the most traffic. Added to this is the high technical level of experience and the involvement of the professionals in its control tower."

This team is led by Raul Delgado, head of this infrastructure. "Malaga is at the sharp end. Tests are being carried out in other places, but this is where Enaire has opted to carry out the most important tests".

"Malaga stands out for being the testing ground of Enaire, which is the manager of Spanish airspace," said the aeronautical engineer who is an expert in this industry. "It is a pioneer because here the projects are led by the airspace manager, connected to the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), which provides the peace of mind that they know what they are doing and that they are taking safe steps at a regulatory level."

But it turns out that the region also plays an important role, as a base for test flights and certification, both in Villacarrillo (Jaen) and at the Sebastian Almagro aerodrome in Palma del Rio (Cordoba). "Andalucia holds an important position in the world of passenger drones."
Jesus Hinojosa Malaga Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 20:37 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The plan to revamp the Malaga Nostrum shopping centre with the construction of a Costco store, on the site currently occupied by the cinemas, has taken a big step towards materialising in the coming years. As SUR last reported on 29 April, head of Costco for Spain and France Diane Tucci spoke with mayor Francisco de la Torre to reaffirm her commitment to the arrival in Malaga of this chain of hypermarkets, which operate as a membership club in which you have to register and pay a fee to be able to shop there.

Following their conversation, the city coouncil's 'gerencia municipal de urbanismo' granted planning permission for the first stage of the project. It means the go-ahead has been given for the refurbishment of the commercial area that used to house a Conforama furniture chain shop to move the existing cinema screens to this building, which will be reduced from 18 to 14 and will occupy the first floor, with a total of 4,462 square metres of floor space.

The ground floor, some 4,500 square metres, is reserved for commercial premises, according to the project drawn up by architect Salvador Moreno Peralta, which will involve an investment of more than two million euros.

The works to fit out the new cinemas will last for a year, and the aim is the screenings will not be interrupted at any time at the Malaga Nostrum. Once the current cinema building has been freed up, it will be demolished, which will cost more than half a million euros and be completed within six months.

If there are no issues, the new cinemas could open next year and the current cinemas will be demolished, and Costco will start building its shopping centre on the plot, designed by architect Antxon Taberna, from the firm Tecnicos Consultores.

Timeline

The owners of this commercial area, the Seville-based Bogaris group, have indicated that, once the cinemas have been demolished, Costco's intention is to start work on its commercial area immediately, with a completion period of nine or ten months. In this case, it would not have to wait for planning permission as it has already been granted. In this way, Costco is expected to open in Malaga in 2026. Although the overall investment of the entire refurbishment of the Malaga Nostrum centre will exceed 60 million euros, the work to be carried out by Costco is valued at 18.3 million.

This new hypermarket, which will have a car park with 640 parking spaces distributed between the basement and ground floor, where there will also be a tyre sales and changing facility, will have a restaurant area, toilets, optical and audiometric areas, as well as offices.

The Bogaris group is confident that before this summer the town planning approval will be granted for another project that goes hand in hand with Costo's arrival. This is the construction of a petrol station also managed by the American chain. It will be built on the site resulting from the demolition of one of the commercial warehouses on the block where Conforama was located. Bogaris' intention is to hand over to Costco next year the plots available for the hypermarket and the petrol station, following the corresponding demolitions.
Upstate NY native reveals agoraphobia battle amid fame

Upstate New York native Chad Michael Murray is opening up about struggles with mental health as he became famous for his role on the TV show One Tree Hill.
Gouverneur, N.Y.  A man from Georgia drowned in St. Lawrence County this week after jumping off a cliff in into a pond, troopers said.

Shawndre O. Sheffield, 32, of Albany, Georgia, was found dead Tuesday around 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, said Brandi M. Ashley, a spokesperson for the State Police.

Troopers and members of the underwater recovery found his body after responding to the drowning on Quarry Road in the town of Gouverneur, she said.
Xi extends congratulations to Chad's president-elect

Xinhua) 07:59, May 22, 2024

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, congratulating him on his election as president of the Republic of Chad.

Xi pointed out that in recent years, China-Chad relations have maintained a good momentum of development, with their political mutual trust continuously deepened, cooperation steadily advanced in various fields, and international collaboration becoming closer.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Chad relations and is willing to work with the president-elect to strengthen mutual support and promote friendly cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On May 21, China FAW Group and smart speech solution provider iFLYTEK signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement.

Signing ceremony; photo credit: FAW Group

iFLYTEK's in-house developed Spark large model will provide FAW Group with cutting-edge, secure AI services, supporting the automaker's market position advancement and leading the development of intelligent connected vehicles in China. This partnership aims to elevate FAW's products globally, showcasing China's advanced manufacturing capabilities to the world.

Under the agreement, FAW Group and iFLYTEK will leverage their respective technological strengths and industry experience. Their collaboration will focus on key areas such as infrastructure represented by intelligent computing centers, algorithms and tools, intelligent platforms (including large models, big data, and knowledge bases), and intelligent solutions for enterprise and automotive applications.

Photo credit: FAW Group

During the recently concluded Auto China 2024 in Beijing, FAWs Hongqi brand showcased 22 models across its three sub-brands. As part of its All in New Energy strategy, Hongqi introduced several new energy vehicles (NEVs) based on the Hongqi Tiangong pure electric platform and the Hongqi Jiuzhang intelligent platform. These included the Hongqi EHS7, EH7, E009, E007, and E702, demonstrating significant advancements in driving control and intelligent technology.

Among the highlights was the debut of the Hongqi EHS7, a mid-to-large SUV with innovative features. The EHS7 is the first to integrate iFLYTEKs Spark large model, which boasts 130 billion cloud parameters and a response time of under 900 milliseconds, effectively serving as an on-the-go encyclopedia for users.
The Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from agencies around Central New York was updated today.

The arrests added this week occurred May 4 through 20. Those charged were 18 to 67 years old.
New Berlin, N.Y. -- Four people have been charged after more than 100 animals were found on a farm in Chenango County in April, some dead and many neglected, troopers said.

On April 26, a search warrant was executed on Clark Lane and Pig Farm Lane in the town of New Berlin, according to a news release from State Police Tuesday.

State police, state Environmental Conservation, state Forest Rangers, New Berlin Police, Chenango County and Susquehanna SPCA served the search warrant.

At the farm, over two dozen animals were found dead and 107 animals were removed for being neglected, troopers said. The animals were horses, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats and a llama, they said.

Those charged were:

Dominick E. Brown, 44: 9 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 95 counts of overdriving, a misdemeanor, and torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance.

Jane M. Richards, 74: 9 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 87 counts of overdriving, a misdemeanor, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance.

Helen F. Goude, 56: 2 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 3 counts overdriving, a misdemeanor, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance.

Katheriena M. Goude, 60: 2 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 3 counts overdriving, a misdemeanor, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance.

All four were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in the New Berlin Town Court on May 22.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
Cazenovia Central School District voters soundly rejected the districts proposed budget Tuesday. The budget failed 1,164 to 832.

The $38.8 million spending called for an estimated 5.84% tax levy increase  more than the states tax cap of 4.02% for the district.
Have mercy: John Stamos is coming to Central New York next week.

The Full House star will join The Beach Boys at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands May 31 concert at the Stanley Theatre in Utica. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster starting at $36.80; additional tickets are available through VividSeats and StubHub.
SUNY Oswego alumnus Al Roker proudly celebrated the graduation of one of his former students on the Today show this week.

Jolie Santiago, a 2024 graduate who took Rokers broadcasting class at the State University of New York at Oswego, appeared on the NBC morning show Tuesday. The Today show is celebrating the class of 2024 all week by highlighting students from the hosts alma maters, and Roker was proud to cheer on Santiago.
Join NY Cannabis Insider for its next industry meetup in Lafayette on June 13, 2024. Tickets available now.

The New York Inspector Generals Office is investigating Office of Cannabis Management Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon, who remains on administrative leave amid allegations of retaliation and selective enforcement brought to light by a NY Cannabis Insider investigation

An OCM spokesperson told NY Cannabis Insider on Tuesday that the former equity officer is still employed with the agency as they wait for the IGs office to refer the case back to the OCM. Fagon was paid $148,000 in his role in 2023, according to The Empire Center.

It remains unclear how long the investigation will take, and what actions the OCM may take in the wake of its results, an OCM spokesperson said.

The OCM suspended Fagon in March after NY Cannabis Insider reported about Jenny Argie, a Hudson Valley processor who was the subject of the first and only public recall in the state.



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The OCM issued the states first recall in December after one of Argies products fell 1 milligram below its advertised THC level. Regulators later pulled her products from shelves and issued a stop-work order at her Hudson Valley facility after finding she used an unauthorized method to make her products.

In a lawsuit Argie filed against the agency, she alleges the OCM acted in retaliatory, arbitrary and capricious ways, and said her company will go out of business. Fagon went after Argies company, she alleges, because of comments she made about regulators lax approach to rulebreakers in this publication and at a state Senate subcommittee hearing in October.

Additionally, Argie said Fagon retaliated against her company because she leaked audio of the chief equity officer admitting the OCM had knowledge of large out-of-state brands openly skirting regulations or illegally importing cannabis from other states.

Since Fagons suspension, scrutiny of the OCMs actions regarding Argie have only increased. Last week NY Cannabis Insider reported that the OCM quietly updated its guidance regarding the banned chemical that led to the stop-work order.

The agency changed its rules on on March 15  the same day Argie was in court seeking relief from the shutdown  but didnt notify business owners and laboratories about the regulatory shift until mid-May.

Fagon has apparently continued exerting influence within New Yorks legal cannabis industry while hes been under suspension, which has also raised questions among legal cannabis operators.

When NY Cannabis Insider wrote about a controversial position the Cannabis Association of New York took last month, multiple sources questioned why CANY President Damien Cornwell had mentioned being in contact with Fagon, who had already been placed on administrative leave.

The IG investigation into Fagon is being conducted amid an overhaul of the OCM. Gov. Hochul announced the shake-up  which includes OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander stepping down in September  following an inquiry by the Office of General Services into the agency.

OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy released a report earlier this month which detailed inefficiencies, inexperience and mismanagement at the OCM, and Gov. Kathy Hochul said her most pressing goals are to speed up the pace of licensing  especially for retailers  and crack down on illicit weed shops that have proliferated statewide.
Voters across Central New York went to the polls Tuesday to cast votes for school boards and budgets. Some schools also had capital projects and library proposals on the ballot.

Related article: School votes 2024: Budget, school board results for Onondaga County

Heres the rundown of which budgets passed in Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties.

CAYUGA COUNTY

Auburn Enlarged City School District (total budget - $104,404,172)

Yes: 977

No: 852

Cato-Meridian Central School District (total budget - $23,805,174)

Yes: 241

No: 137

Moravia Central School District (total budget - $27,766,482)

Yes: 251

No: 78

Port Byron Central School District (total budget - $24,867,816)

Yes: 195

No: 92

Southern Cayuga School District (total budget - $19,914,840)

Yes: 382

No: 140

Union Springs Central School District (total budget - $21,090,750)

Yes: 303

No: 55

Weedsport Central School District (total budget - $23,500,034)

Yes: 232

No: 91

MADISON COUNTY

Brookfield Central School (total budget - $8,297,772)

Yes: 68

No: 70

Canastota Central School District (total budget - $38,132,742)

Yes: 329

No: 200

Cazenovia Central School District (total budget - $38,826,826)

Yes: 1164

No: 832

Editors Note: The vote required a 60 percent threshold to pass. The threshold was 58 percent, so the budget did not pass.

Chittenango Central School District (total budget - $47,934,140)

Yes: 341

No: 77

DeRuyter Central School District (total budget - $12,360,748)

Yes: 157

No: 27

Hamilton Central Schools (total budget - $15,672,071)

Yes: 442

No: 103

Madison Central School District (total budget - $12,947,322)

Yes: 88

No: 30

Morrisville-Eaton Central School District (total budget - $19,538,734)

Yes: 376

No: 176

Oneida City School District (total budget - $54,303,630)

Yes: 383

No: 138

Stockbridge Valley Central School District (total budget - $13,417,800)

Yes: 142

No: 31

OSWEGO COUNTY

Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District (total budget - $39,679,371)

Yes: 109

No: 55

Central Square Central School District (total budget - $98,563,083)

Yes: 435

No: 265

Fulton City School District (total budget - $88,487,583)

Yes: 412

No: 349

Hannibal Central School District (total budget - $40,725,000)

Yes: 167

No: 86

Mexico Academy & Central School District (total budget - $65,717,200)

Yes: 421

No: 169

Oswego City School District (total budget - $112,153,905)

Yes: 653

No: 472

Phoenix Central School District (total budget - $51,905,809)

Yes: 240

No: 51

Pulaski Academy & Central Schools (total budget - $31,258,000)

Yes: 145

No: 35

Sandy Creek Central School District (total budget - $27,088,722)

Yes: 89

No: 16

More on school budgets

Voters deal Cazenovia schools a rare budget loss. What happens now?

Contact Sharon Dellinger by phone, 315-470-2265 or email.
Graham Piro, of Washington, D.C., is a fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending freedom of speech and academic freedom.

Popular ideas rarely need protecting, and principles only reveal themselves when theyre tested. Its only when people utter thoughts that others hate that our collective commitment to free speech is put through the wringer.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges recently provided an example of this when they doubled down on punishing Professor of Politics Jodi Dean for an April 9 blog post she wrote about the Israel-Hamas war. In it, Dean described images of paragliders during the Oct. 7 attacks as exhilarating, and said she felt energized at seeing oppressed people bulldozing the fences enclosing them, taking to the skies in escape, and flying freely through the air.

On April 13, HWS President Mark Gearan denounced Deans blog as reprehensible and said HWS had temporarily removed her from teaching while the colleges investigated the situation. Provost Sarah Kirk announced two days later that HWS was relieving Dean of her teaching duties for the rest of the semester while they determined whether she had created a hostile environment in her classroom.

In recent months, colleges and universities have consistently violated either the First Amendment or their own policies in order to punish speech that, while offensive to some, remains protected by free speech principles. At private colleges, where the First Amendment does not apply, its even more important that leadership uphold written policies protecting free speech and academic freedom. Otherwise, these institutions send the message that they wont support their faculty and students who express controversial views.

Deans blog post is many things  passionate, provocative, and offensive to some who read it  but it is not speech that violates the policies in HWSs faculty handbook. Incorporating the American Association of University Professors seminal 1940 statement concerning the protections of academic freedom for faculty members, the handbook stipulates that when faculty speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline.

In public statements about Deans blog, HWS claims academic freedom is one of their core values. But HWSs actions clearly contradict this promise. Courts have repeatedly held that academic freedom requires protecting rhetorical hyperbole and even the mere abstract teaching  of the moral propriety or even moral necessity for a resort to force and violence. Again, HWS isnt bound by the First Amendment  but its reasonable for those faculty and students to look to the First Amendment for guidance when HWS promises to protect speech.

If a pro-Israel advocate were to write an article defending Israels military response in Gaza, opponents of Israels reaction who have called that response genocidal would find it deeply offensive. But responding with discipline and investigations would be just as wrong. When colleges and universities investigate or punish faculty members for their expressed viewpoints, political discourse devolves into calls for censorship all the way down. The only ones who get to speak are those whose perspectives are favored by the people in power.

Thats not principle. Thats partisanship. Its not free speech. Its silencing dissent.

Free speech gives us the tools to engage each other without coming to blows or immediately shutting down one side of the debate. As the Israel-Hamas war continues and we approach what is likely to be a very contentious 2024 presidential election, its more important than ever that institutions abide by their own stated policies. HWS must end the investigation of Dean and restore her to her previous teaching duties immediately.
Self-avowed trout fishing addict Hunter Kremmin was having a great day fishing recently at one of his favorite spots on the Genesee River near his hometown in Wellsville. Hed landed a few wild browns, including a beautiful golden-hued 23-incher.

Then things really got wild.

Hunter Kremmin, a self-avowed trout fishing 'addict,' caught a rare tiger trout on the Genesee River near his home in Wellsville, along with these superb wild brown trout.Hunter Kremmins

Kremmin always goes out with three rods: one rigged for bottom bouncing; one knotted for lures; and a centerpin for drifting. After catching (and releasing) the brown beauty on his centerpin, he recast into the same drift, using half an emerald shiner under a float for bait.

The drift ran anywhere from two to nine feet deep. Right around six feet the float went down and Kremmin set the hook. As the fish surfaced he caught a glimpse of what looked like stripes, but he didnt think much of it. Hed seen some crazy-looking browns in the river that could fool anyone.

Hunter Kremmin, a self-avowed trout fishing 'addict,' caught a rare tiger trout on the Genesee River near his home in Wellsville using a centerpin reel. Tiger trout are sterile offspring of brook and brown trout.Hunter Kremmins

It wasnt until he brought the fish to the bank that he realized hed hooked a tiger trout, a rare hybrid offspring of a brook trout and a brown trout. He took a moment to ponder the mystery of its being. Where did it come from? Was it stocked, or did it hatch naturally in a feeder creek with brook trout?

Judging by the fishs clean, rounded fins, Kremmin decided it was wild.

I catch tons of those ten-inch stocked browns and rainbows, but Ive never caught a tiger here in New York. Only in Pennsylvania, he said. It wasnt even a thought in the back of my mind. I honestly just felt blessed to catch that little fish.

Kremmin released the tiger and plans on having a replica made of it. He estimates that it was around 12-inches long.

To catch so many normal fish that are dumped in by the thousands, and then to just get lucky that one time and catch such a beautiful fish on my home waters is awesome, said Kremmin. I was truly stoked.

Send us your fishing pics!

We want to see your catch: rare tiger trout, wonderful walleye, common crappie, big bass you name it. Just make sure to provide (1) names of anyone in photo (2) their hometowns (3) fish type (4) where caught (5) length and weight if possible (6) bait used. Throw in some colorful details, we all like a good fish story. Tight lines, yall.



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READ MORE

Fish Girl singlehandedly lands big, beautiful Lake Ontario brown trout on Mothers Day - newyorkupstate.com

Upstate NY anglers are enjoying a terrific trout fishing season (photos) - newyorkupstate.com

CNY angler catches monster minnow: It hit like a hammer - newyorkupstate.com

Syracuse angler scores super Sandy Creek steelhead - newyorkupstate.com

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
The administration of President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday a new round of student loan forgiveness worth $7.7 billion.

The new round of student loan cancellation will benefit over 160,000 borrowers, according to the federal Education Department.

Three categories of borrowers are benefiting.

They include people enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan, which allows public workers like teachers, nurses and law enforcement officials to get loans canceled.

People enrolled in the administrations Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan are also benefiting. The program, a repayment plan based on borrowers incomes, allows some people to get forgiveness after 10 years of making payments instead of 20 or 25.

Borrowers enrolled in other income-based repayment plans are also getting relief as a result of fixes made by the administration, according to the Education Department.

Wednesdays announce brings total student loan forgiveness under the Biden administration to $167 billion. A total of 4.75 million people have benefited, according to the department.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country, and this announcement proves it, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release. One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted.

Borrowers benefiting from the new loan cancellations have already begun receiving emails, the department said. The relief will be processed in the coming weeks.

The Biden administration has announced numerous rounds of student loan forgiveness since taking office.

An effort by Biden at broader relief that would have benefited borrowers across the country was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court last year.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BYD unveils BD11 all-electric double-decker bus in London

On May 21, BYD launched the BD11, a pure electric double-decker bus equipped with the latest-generation Blade Battery-enabled bus chassis, in London, UK. This marks a significant step forward in BYD's commercial vehicle expansion overseas.

Photo credit: BYD

AION enters Malaysian Market

On May 21, GAC AION's AION brand made its debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, officially launching its popular model, the AION Y Plus, in Malaysia. Following its presence in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore, AION's international expansion continues to make strides.

NIO and Szechenyi Istvan University Foundation sign strategic cooperation agreement

On May 21, NIO signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Szechenyi Istvan University Foundation, Szechenyi Istvan University, and the Hungarian Motorsport and Green Mobility Development Agency. This joint research collaboration focuses on NIO's innovative battery swapping technology, covering key areas such as solar-storage-charging integration, grid interaction, long-life batteries, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. The partnership aims to promote exchanges between young scholars and NIO, apply jointly for European research projects, and collaborate on product innovation, testing, and application, thereby advancing Sino-Hungarian and Sino-European green cooperation.

NIO, FAW Group form strategic partnership in battery swap, EV charging fields

On May 21, Chinese new energy vehicle maker NIO and legacy automaker China FAW Group signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to advance collaboration in the battery swap and EV charging sector.

FAW Group, iFLYTEK ink agreement on intelligent solution development

On May 21, China FAW Group and smart speech solution provider iFLYTEK signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement.

XPENG's gross margin reaches 12.9% in Q1 2024

On May 21, Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG released its financial results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, reporting total revenue of 6.55 billion yuan, which zoomed up 62.3% year on year.

JAC Group's RF8 starts L3 intelligent connected vehicle road test in Hefei, Anhui province

On May 20, Chinese automaker JAC Group celebrated its 60th anniversary with a technology open day event in Hefei, officially launching road tests for its intelligent connected vehicles.

Chery Auto puts Fulwin T9 PHEV onto market, starting at 129,900 yuan

On May 21, Chery Auto officially launched the Fulwin T9, a plug-in hybrid electric mid-size SUV, with prices ranging from 129,900 yuan to 169,900 yuan for four different variants.
Voters in the Baldwinsville school district Tuesday overwhelmingly turned down a proposal to buy an electric school bus.

Voters rejected the measure 1,423 to 716.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York can continue to require companies with health insurance plans to cover medically necessary abortions, the states highest court ruled Tuesday.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and other church groups challenged the rule, arguing that the policys exemption for religious employers was too narrow and would force some businesses to violate their religious freedoms.
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector

BMW to Unveil Open-Top Concept and Art Car at Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste

BMW is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste with the unveiling of several new models, including a highly anticipated open-top concept car. This prestigious event, held on the picturesque shores of Lake Como, Italy, will showcase BMWs latest innovations and celebrate the brands storied history.

The new concept car, teased through a series of cryptic images, has sparked considerable excitement. Initial hints from BMW's head of design, Domagoj Dukec, suggested a convertible design with his comment, "the sky is the limit." Further clues from BMW Group Design chief Adrian van Hooydonks recent teaser photo indicate the cars rear, featuring a central ridge and a distinctive panel gap likely outlining the trunk lid. The design hints at a possible targa configuration, with a removable roof panel, potentially positioning it as a larger successor to the Z4.

The anticipation surrounding this reveal is heightened by BMWs history of introducing striking concept cars at Villa dEste. Last year, the marque presented the Concept Touring Coupe, a coupe iteration of the Z4, which garnered significant attention. Whether the new concept will follow a similar path to production remains to be seen, but it is already generating buzz as a potential standout in BMWs lineup.

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In addition to the concept car, BMW will also debut the 20th BMW Art Car at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This latest entry in the renowned Art Car series is based on BMWs M Hybrid V8 Le Mans challenger and continues the tradition of blending automotive engineering with contemporary art. The reveal will coincide with the Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste, underscoring BMWs commitment to innovation and artistic expression.

The event promises more than just cars. BMW Motorrad will unveil a new motorcycle, described intriguingly as combining elements of rock n roll on two wheels. This aligns with BMW's strategy of diversifying its offerings and appealing to a broader audience of enthusiasts.

Story continues

The Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste, starting on May 24, is expected to be a major highlight in the automotive calendar, with BMW playing a central role. Alongside the new concept car and Art Car, the company will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic Z8, adding a nostalgic element to the festivities.

As the automotive world eagerly awaits these unveilings, BMWs participation at Villa dEste is set to be a showcase of its past achievements and future directions. The combination of groundbreaking design, powerful performance, and artistic collaboration ensures that BMW will be at the forefront of this prestigious event, capturing the imagination of car enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

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Danny Doyle is the Teagasc/ FBD Student of the Year for 2023

Danny Doyle from Rathangan, County Kildare is the overall winner of the Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year 2023 award. The Awards were presented by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD in County Laois on Tuesday, 21 May.

Danny Doyle from Rathangan, County Kildare is the overall winner of the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year 2023 award. Danny was presented with the trophy by (left to right) Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD; and Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust.

"Young, enthusiastic, educated farmers are fundamental to the future prosperity of the agricultural sector. The value and return from an agricultural education to the operation of modern farm enterprises cannot be overstated."

The awards, sponsored by FBD, were presented to the top graduates of Teagasc Level 6 agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry training programmes in 2023.

Danny Doyle completed a Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and then a Level 6 Advanced Crops and Machinery Certificate at the Teagasc Kildalton Agriculture College in Piltown county Kilkenny. He currently farms with his parents on a large scale tillage operation near Rathangan in County Kildare. In addition to winning the Overall Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year 2023 award he was successful in the Full-Time Agriculture Category award.

Two other category awards were presented.

Cormac Rowe comes from a mixed dairy and drystock farm near Navan in County Meath and won the Part-Time and Distance Education Category. Cormac is a primary school teacher who farms part-time with his family. Cormac showed outstanding commitment in his Distance Education course, where he completed the practicals at Teagasc Grange.

Alana King from near Ennis in County Clare, was successful in the Full-Time Other Land-based Enterprises Category. She graduated from the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship  Equitation - from Kildalton College. She graduated with distinction on both her level 5 and level 6.

Speaking at the awards, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, said: The presentation of the Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year Awards is an important date in the annual agriculture calendar. Young, enthusiastic, educated farmers are fundamental to the future prosperity of the agricultural sector. The value and return from an agricultural education to the operation of modern farm enterprises cannot be overstated. This is not only for the financial, technical, and environmental skills it provides, but also through the opportunity to see best practice in operation on host farms.

I whole-heartedly congratulate all 15 finalists on their achievement. It is rightly a very proud day for them and their families to be recognised for their education achievements. I extend my congratulations in particular to the category and overall winners whose dynamism and enthusiasm for the agri-sector shone through to the judges.

On behalf of the overall sponsor of the Awards, John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, with FBD Insurance said; At FBD Insurance we are committed to supporting every generation of Irish farmers and their families. We are always proud to sponsor the Teagasc FBD Student of the Year awards which highlight the outstanding achievements of the students in Teagasc Agricultural Colleges across the country. These finalists are wonderful representatives for Irish agriculture, and we can be sure that the future of Irish farming is in safe hands. On behalf of the team at FBD, I would like to congratulate Danny Doyle and all of the 2023 finalists on their achievements and wish them all the very best in the future.

Dr Anne Marie Butler, Head of Education in Teagasc said; This coveted award is a wonderful celebration of Teagasc education, our learners, teachers and facilities right across the country. Congratulations to all finalists and award winners. We look forward to their future career and personal achievements.

The other 12 finalists in the awards were:

Conor McAweeney, Ballinamore, County Leitrim

Cian Hourihane, Skibberreen, County Cork

Enda Shanahan, Nenagh, County Tipperary

Amy McGee, Drumkeeran, County Leitrim

Aidan Lynch, Gort, County Galway

David Stephenson, Hacketstown, County Wicklow

Rachel Lacey, Strand, County Limerick

Isabell Bourke, Westport, County Mayo

Tadhg Hanley, Askeaton, County Limerick

Ben Maguire, Mountnugent, County Cavan

Leanne O'Donnell, Miltown Malbay, County Clare

Charlotte Duff White, Ballinamult, County Tipperary

Find out more about Danny Doyle by watching the short clip below

More information on the awards can be found here
bikerbaba Newbie

Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 20 Thanked: 65 Times

Tubeless Conversion for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450



The lovely tubeless rims for the Himalayan 450 are unlikely to be available soon. Our local Chandigarh dealer said I should not expect them before Diwali/EOY.



I was planning an off-road course with a few friends and wanted to get some tubeless setup before I embarked on it.



Yes, I know that tubeless Rims are not recommended for off-road adventures, but this is not real off-roading, and the Himalayan 450 is not a real off-roader. I tour a lot and have already clocked nearly 7k km on the bike since I got it on February 20th.



Some friends I have in the local Harley group recommended a "Jugaar" setup by Ranjeet Randhawa.

Ranjeet Randhawa is a local auto enthusiast who lives in Kharar, a town near Chandigarh. Using the same method, he has successfully converted dozens of Harley Davidsons, some old Triumph Tigers, and his own BMW motorcycle to tubeless setups.



He did the Tubeless conversion for my Himalayan 450, and I am glad to announce that it has been a resounding success.



























The conversion process used the standard commercial self-healing solutions available with many brands, including Way2Speed and his special, "self-curing technique". He did not feel comfortable sharing what he was using, and with the number of positive reviews running into dozens, I did not really bother.



Price: 5000 for the Himalayan 450, both Rims

Time taken to complete the conversion: 24 hours



Process followed:

1. Rims are taken off the bike, tyres are taken off

2. Rims are washed with water to remove debris/residue

3. The inside of the rims are scrubbed with scotch brite to make the surface a bit coarse

4. Rims are dried completely

5. The spoke ends are covered with an adhesive-like paste and left to cure for 2-3 hours

6. The Rim is "bandaged and glued" with adhesive strips

7. The edges of the strip are glued

8. The edges are smoothened after waiting an hour or so

9. The rims are left to cure for a minimum of 12 hours, ideally 24h

10. tyres are inflated to 40PSI instead of 32 and are checked for any leaks



Post-conversion update

It has been 20 days since I completed the conversion, and I have covered over 800km with this setup, including a 40km off-road rocky course that allowed me to test the setup for its intended purpose.



I got a puncture on the rear wheel during my off-road run, and my first thought was - "did it leak??" but it hadn't. The setup did not leak air from anywhere.



The 2" long nail I picked up somewhere caused the puncture, and I was able to fix it with my car puncture kit.

Here's an image of the "tubeless puncture" I mended on the way. It took me 5 minutes to extract the nail and use a standard 300 tubeless puncture kit to fix it and fill the air in the tyre again.



Although this is not a perfect setup, the sheer number of people who had gotten this done and used it for over 4 years made me take the plunge instead of waiting for the tubeless rims. Note for the mods: If you think this should be in a different thread, please let me know ormove it where it belongs.The lovely tubeless rims for the Himalayan 450 are unlikely to be available soon. Our local Chandigarh dealer said I should not expect them before Diwali/EOY.I was planning an off-road course with a few friends and wanted to get some tubeless setup before I embarked on it.Yes, I know that tubeless Rims are not recommended for off-road adventures, but this is not real off-roading, and the Himalayan 450 is not a real off-roader. I tour a lot and have already clocked nearly 7k km on the bike since I got it on February 20th.Some friends I have in the local Harley group recommended a "Jugaar" setup by Ranjeet Randhawa.Ranjeet Randhawa is a local auto enthusiast who lives in Kharar, a town near Chandigarh. Using the same method, he has successfully converted dozens of Harley Davidsons, some old Triumph Tigers, and his own BMW motorcycle to tubeless setups.He did the Tubeless conversion for my Himalayan 450, and I am glad to announce that it has been a resounding success.The conversion process used the standard commercial self-healing solutions available with many brands, including Way2Speed and his special, "self-curing technique". He did not feel comfortable sharing what he was using, and with the number of positive reviews running into dozens, I did not really bother.Price: 5000 for the Himalayan 450, both RimsTime taken to complete the conversion: 24 hours1. Rims are taken off the bike, tyres are taken off2. Rims are washed with water to remove debris/residue3. The inside of the rims are scrubbed with scotch brite to make the surface a bit coarse4. Rims are dried completely5. The spoke ends are covered with an adhesive-like paste and left to cure for 2-3 hours6. The Rim is "bandaged and glued" with adhesive strips7. The edges of the strip are glued8. The edges are smoothened after waiting an hour or so9. The rims are left to cure for a minimum of 12 hours, ideally 24h10. tyres are inflated to 40PSI instead of 32 and are checked for any leaksIt has been 20 days since I completed the conversion, and I have covered over 800km with this setup, including a 40km off-road rocky course that allowed me to test the setup for its intended purpose.I got a puncture on the rear wheel during my off-road run, and my first thought was - "did it leak??" but it hadn't. The setup did not leak air from anywhere.The 2" long nail I picked up somewhere caused the puncture, and I was able to fix it with my car puncture kit.Here's an image of the "tubeless puncture" I mended on the way. It took me 5 minutes to extract the nail and use a standard 300 tubeless puncture kit to fix it and fill the air in the tyre again.Although this is not a perfect setup, the sheer number of people who had gotten this done and used it for over 4 years made me take the plunge instead of waiting for the tubeless rims. Last edited by Aditya : 21st May 2024 at 12:55 . Reason: Attachments fixed
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Five Alfa Spiders, a very wet Eiffel and a very nice car museum



I have posted about these trips before. Usually, we go to our Spideristi friends Cees en Annelies who run a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in France. (



Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, they had to cancel our visit this year only a few weeks in advance. We quickly decided to still go ahead with our trip, but needed a different destination and hotel/B&B. This was also the Pentecost weekend. Which is a popular holiday including a bank holiday for most. We were very lucky to have our friend Alex find a very nice hotel in Daun, Germany. Daun is in the Eiffel area. Very pretty, lots to see and do and fantastic driving roads. We all know it well, we have all been there before multiple times. Alex, his wife Bianca and I have organised at least two events for the Alfa Romeo Spider Register in the past.



Over the years we have built up a certain routine. We all live in different places in the Netherlands. Some of us will drive south and check into a lovely little B&B in Sint Geertruid. A small village southeast of Maastricht, near the German/Belgium border.



We have stayed here before. Excellent accommodation with a fantastic Italian restaurant right opposite. Alex had booked us rooms and dinner at the Italian. Just like last year.



We were the first to arrive in our Spider S3. Soon Alex and Bianca rocked up in their gorgeous creme Spider Coda Tronca and a few minutes later Peter in his green Cod Tronca.



The B&B owner moved his cars out of his carport so we could move our Spiders in. Unfortunately only two of us.







Simple but well-equipped rooms, excellent wife, bar and a very good breakfast.











The next morning Bianca's Spider had gotten very wet. All of our Spider hoods leak, but hers is probably the worst. Unfortunately, this would become our daily morning routine. Emptying and drying out the Spiders!











Bart and Marian arrived in their British Green Spider S4 and soon Niek joined us as well with his metallic blue Spider S3. With a nice route along only rural little roads, we set off.



We usually stop every hour, hour and a half for coffee, a leg stretcher, or to admire a particularly nice view.



Our lunch stop was in Monschau. A very touristy, but still pleasant little town. Gorgeous buildings.







One reason we always stop in Monschau is to get some of the local mustard.



We arrived at our hotel in Daun around 1600 hours.



Alex had booked us the Burg Daun Schlosshotel Kurfurstliches Amtshaus



Look at this:







This was a proper old-school hotel! An absolute gem. Very pleasant staff, they would accommodate all our wishes.



Look at this room of ours! None of that modern rubbish furniture.











One thing when we book hotels we always want to make sure we can park our Spiders somewhere safe. So Alex had arranged with the Hotel we could park our Spiders every evening, in the hotel front courtyard. Away from the regular car park!!











Nice view:











We had a nice dinner and turned in early. The weather for our long weekend in the Eiffel did not look too great. As you will see, it turned out to be a very very wet weekend with lots of flooding around the river Moesel.



The next morning we all met up for breakfast. A pretty substantial layout. Set me up for the rest of the day I can tell you!















During breakfast, we discuss what we will be doing the rest of the day, and what places to visit. And most importantly, the route we will be driving. We sync up our TomTom's and head for the Spiders. It had rained a lot and all of us needed to dry out our respective Spiders to some extent.



We always drive top down. Unless it pours down very heavy you stay perfectly dry. That is until you hit a red traffic light!



We had decided to visit the Eltz Castle. There are endless castles in Germany. But Eltz castle is arguably the prettiest and most intact castle of them all.



https://burg-eltz.de/en/homepage



From their home page:







Some more amateur shots from me:







We did the tour, ze Germans provided an English-speaking guide. The castle has been owned by the same family for more than 900 years! In all of its 900 years, it was never involved in any major conflict. There was a five-year siege at one time, but no real fighting.



The next day we decided to visit Cochem. A nice little town along the river Moesel. But boy, were we in for a bit of a surprise. The buildings near the waterfront were being evacuated. The river was rising fast and by the evening, parts of the town would be flooded!



Look at this:















all the shops near the waterfront were being emptied. They also put up these sorts of scaffolding footbridges so people could still reach their homes when the water would flood the streets.







We had a coffee and went back to our Spiders for some more touring.



Whenever we tour our Spiders it is almost inevitable something will break. These cars are on average 40 years old. Although each of us maintains his/her spider very well, it is still an old Italian car.



We only had one little mishap this year. Pretty mundane too. Bart and Marian's Spider had a flat tyre. Left rear. So we pulled over and quickly put the spare on.



Yours truly finally able to do some spannering.







Although Bart has asked his mechanic to check the tyre pressure of his spare as well, we found it was pretty low on air. Luckily, Alex had brought one of these portable compressors/powerbanks.







Breaking down in this company is always a bit of a thing. Because you will be on the receiving end of many jokes. Also, tradition demands you pick up the bar tap that evening!







Can't quite remember where I took this image. It was somewhere along our route when we stopped for a very simple lunch in a small roadside cafe. It gives you some idea of how heavy the rain was!



We get together with our old friends from the Dutch Alfa Romeo Spider Register every year. We have known each other for decades. We used to be very active in the Register in various functions. None of us are anymore. But for the last 8-9 years or so, we plan a trip together in our Spiders once a year.I have posted about these trips before. Usually, we go to our Spideristi friends Cees en Annelies who run a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in France. ( https://leparadis.nl/2023/ Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, they had to cancel our visit this year only a few weeks in advance. We quickly decided to still go ahead with our trip, but needed a different destination and hotel/B&B. This was also the Pentecost weekend. Which is a popular holiday including a bank holiday for most. We were very lucky to have our friend Alex find a very nice hotel in Daun, Germany. Daun is in the Eiffel area. Very pretty, lots to see and do and fantastic driving roads. We all know it well, we have all been there before multiple times. Alex, his wife Bianca and I have organised at least two events for the Alfa Romeo Spider Register in the past.Over the years we have built up a certain routine. We all live in different places in the Netherlands. Some of us will drive south and check into a lovely little B&B in Sint Geertruid. A small village southeast of Maastricht, near the German/Belgium border.We have stayed here before. Excellent accommodation with a fantastic Italian restaurant right opposite. Alex had booked us rooms and dinner at the Italian. Just like last year.We were the first to arrive in our Spider S3. Soon Alex and Bianca rocked up in their gorgeous creme Spider Coda Tronca and a few minutes later Peter in his green Cod Tronca.The B&B owner moved his cars out of his carport so we could move our Spiders in. Unfortunately only two of us.Simple but well-equipped rooms, excellent wife, bar and a very good breakfast.The next morning Bianca's Spider had gotten very wet. All of our Spider hoods leak, but hers is probably the worst. Unfortunately, this would become our daily morning routine. Emptying and drying out the Spiders!Bart and Marian arrived in their British Green Spider S4 and soon Niek joined us as well with his metallic blue Spider S3. With a nice route along only rural little roads, we set off.We usually stop every hour, hour and a half for coffee, a leg stretcher, or to admire a particularly nice view.Our lunch stop was in Monschau. A very touristy, but still pleasant little town. Gorgeous buildings.One reason we always stop in Monschau is to get some of the local mustard. https://www.senfmuehle.de/start/Mustard-Mill/index.html We arrived at our hotel in Daun around 1600 hours.Alex had booked us the Burg Daun Schlosshotel Kurfurstliches Amtshaus https://www.daunerburg.de/index.php/de/ Look at this:This was a proper old-school hotel! An absolute gem. Very pleasant staff, they would accommodate all our wishes.Look at this room of ours! None of that modern rubbish furniture.One thing when we book hotels we always want to make sure we can park our Spiders somewhere safe. So Alex had arranged with the Hotel we could park our Spiders every evening, in the hotel front courtyard. Away from the regular car park!!Nice view:We had a nice dinner and turned in early. The weather for our long weekend in the Eiffel did not look too great. As you will see, it turned out to be a very very wet weekend with lots of flooding around the river Moesel.The next morning we all met up for breakfast. A pretty substantial layout. Set me up for the rest of the day I can tell you!During breakfast, we discuss what we will be doing the rest of the day, and what places to visit. And most importantly, the route we will be driving. We sync up our TomTom's and head for the Spiders. It had rained a lot and all of us needed to dry out our respective Spiders to some extent.We always drive top down. Unless it pours down very heavy you stay perfectly dry. That is until you hit a red traffic light!We had decided to visit the Eltz Castle. There are endless castles in Germany. But Eltz castle is arguably the prettiest and most intact castle of them all.From their home page:Some more amateur shots from me:We did the tour, ze Germans provided an English-speaking guide. The castle has been owned by the same family for more than 900 years! In all of its 900 years, it was never involved in any major conflict. There was a five-year siege at one time, but no real fighting.The next day we decided to visit Cochem. A nice little town along the river Moesel. But boy, were we in for a bit of a surprise. The buildings near the waterfront were being evacuated. The river was rising fast and by the evening, parts of the town would be flooded!Look at this:all the shops near the waterfront were being emptied. They also put up these sorts of scaffolding footbridges so people could still reach their homes when the water would flood the streets.We had a coffee and went back to our Spiders for some more touring.Whenever we tour our Spiders it is almost inevitable something will break. These cars are on average 40 years old. Although each of us maintains his/her spider very well, it is still an old Italian car.We only had one little mishap this year. Pretty mundane too. Bart and Marian's Spider had a flat tyre. Left rear. So we pulled over and quickly put the spare on.Yours truly finally able to do some spannering.Although Bart has asked his mechanic to check the tyre pressure of his spare as well, we found it was pretty low on air. Luckily, Alex had brought one of these portable compressors/powerbanks.Breaking down in this company is always a bit of a thing. Because you will be on the receiving end of many jokes. Also, tradition demands you pick up the bar tap that evening!Can't quite remember where I took this image. It was somewhere along our route when we stopped for a very simple lunch in a small roadside cafe. It gives you some idea of how heavy the rain was! Last edited by Jeroen : 21st May 2024 at 12:12 .
WTF?! In news that certainly sounds concerning, China's navy has reportedly tested an electromagnetic rail gun by firing a smart bomb nine miles into the stratosphere at a speed exceeding Mach 5 (3,836 mph). However, the test was declared a failure as the bomb did not reach its intended altitude and failed to follow the expected trajectory.

Militaries have spent years testing rail guns, which use electromagnets instead of chemical propellants to launch projectiles at incredibly high speeds.

The US Navy decided to abandon research into the technology in 2021 due to budgetary constraints, difficulty integrating the weapons on warships, and the durability of the gun's barrel, which needed replacing after just 12 to 24 shots. The need for a substantial power supply was also an issue.

China, however, continued its research and development of rail gun technology. As reported by the South China Morning Post, sensor data showed that the projectile accelerated at around 35 times the force of gravity for around 5 seconds after launch, confirming researchers' claims it exceeded Mach 5, or 3,836 mph.

That sounds impressive, but "the projectile did not follow the expected trajectory and the maximum range and altitude did not meet the design values," said the Naval Engineering University team. Analysis of data showed that the projectile was spinning too fast during its ascent, resulting in a tilt; "Rotational speed latching" was one of the issues the US Navy faced with its rail gun project.

China's test took place a while ago  before August 2023  though it's only being reported now. Previous research papers suggest the aim is for the hypersonic gliding guided bomb to reach Mach 7 (5,370 mph).

SCMP notes that the engineering team used artificial intelligence to identify and rectify some of the technical hurdles of rail guns. Any use of AI in military applications is controversial; the US recently pledged never to put the technology in control of its nuclear weapons systems and called on China and Russia to make the same commitment.
Recap: It's been an action-packed week for Microsoft, marked by the announcement of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops and some new AI-powered productivity features for Windows. At its Build event, which kicked off on Tuesday, Microsoft said it's supercharging the humble File Explorer with a feature that should come in handy for coders with its new version control and compression capabilities.

For the coders in the house, File Explorer is adding support for version control. The upcoming update will natively integrate systems like Git right into the file manager's interface. That means you can track changes, view commit comments, and monitor your repo status without ever leaving Explorer's confines. This could come in handy as it should reduce juggling between your IDE, command prompt, and separate Git tools.

However, there could be potential benefits for non-coders as well. In theory, the ability to sync the latest project files directly to your local drive might aid those collaborating on projects like design mockups.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is also expanding File Explorer's compression capabilities. The current "Compress to ZIP" option in the context menu is getting some company. With the update, you'll be able to natively compress files into the more modern 7z and TAR formats as well.

7z offers much higher compression rates than the ZIP standard while also supporting robust AES-256 encryption for extra security. Meanwhile, TAR (often paired with Gzip or Bzip2 for compression) is a popular choice on Unix systems and shines when working with large data sets. The support for these formats should help reduce reliance on those third-party compression utilities.

This update seems to build on version KB5031455 rolled out late last year that significantly expanded the archive formats natively supported in Windows 11's File Explorer. While the OS has had built-in ZIP support since the Windows 98 era, the release embraced a wide range of formats like RAR, 7Z, TAR, and even more obscure ones like TZST and TXZ. But that update only let users open and view those archives. The latest one also allows compression right from the context menu.

On the note of productivity, the new AI-powered Recall feature announced Monday is also worth mentioning here. Recall could allow developers to locate previous work sessions, track progress, and retrieve resources by capturing and organizing snapshots of your work.
What just happened? In its recent crackdown on illegal dark web activities, the US Department of Justice announced the arrest of Rui-Siang Lin. Lin, who went by the dark web handles "Pharoah" and "faro," ran a narcotics distribution website called "Incognito Market." The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) arrested Lin over the weekend at New York's JFK International Airport.

Authorities suspect Lin of operating one of the largest drug rings on the internet. The 23-year-old began his illegal enterprise in October 2020, when he was just a teenager. Since then, Incognito Market sold more than $100 million in misbranded medications and illicit narcotics, including alprazolam, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, methamphetamines, and oxycodone. The site also dealt in the deadly drug fentanyl, both with and without the buyer's knowledge. In one case, an investigator purchased what was supposed to be oxycodone, but lab tests showed they were fentanyl tablets.

The website offered a crypto-banking service called "Live Bank," with secure wallets so sellers and customers could efficiently process anonymous transactions. Live Bank allegedly conducted over $80 million in Bitcoin and Monero transactions. Sellers paid an upfront fee to establish a storefront and crypto wallet, and Incognito Market collected a 5-percent fee on every transaction. All together, Lin allegedly made enough to net millions of dollars in profit after expenses, like paying employees, server procurement, and general upkeep.

"Drug traffickers who think they can operate outside the law on the dark web are wrong," US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said of the bust. "As alleged, Rui-Siang Lin was the architect of Incognito, a $100 million dark web scheme to traffic deadly drugs to the United States and around the world. The long arm of the law extends to the dark web, and we will bring to justice those who try to hide their crimes there."

Officials claim that as they closed in on an arrest, Lin began an "exit scam" that extorted users by locking up their crypto in the Live Bank platform. The DEA shut down the entire website in March, but the DoJ didn't say whether it would return funds locked in Live Bank to customers. That prospect seems unlikely since the service was solely for trading in illegal drugs.

The bust came after a years-long multi-agency investigation in the US and overseas. Lin was arraigned on Monday. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison for "engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise." He also could receive maximum penalties of life for narcotics conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering, and five years for conspiracy to sell "audulterated and misbranded" medications.
After Russia launched a satellite last week, the US asserted on Monday that space may be weaponized, a trend the UN Security Council has yet to address.



The council debated a Russian resolution to counter the US-Japan one that failed last month. The US and Japan's drafts focused on weapons of mass destruction, whereas Russia's included all weapons.



The 15-member council considered terminology that the United States and its allies believed was meant to deflect from Russia's underlying goal of weaponizing space, according to a report from AP News.



US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told the UN Council that Russia's efforts are "diplomatic gaslighting." Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN ambassador, supported by China and others, disputed the claims and termed the vote a test for Western nations.



Nebenzia remarked that failure to support Russia's proposal indicates the Western nations' intention to maintain the possibility of weaponizing space.



On Monday, council members reaffirmed that all states want weapons out of space. When Switzerland abstained the vote was 7-7.



Paul Meyer, Canada's former ambassador for disarmament and Outer Space Institute fellow, remarked that leading space powers have a "negative, squabbling attitude" focusing more on "scoring points" against their rivals instead of engaging in "constructive dialogue."

Russia Accused of Developing a Nuclear Weapon in Space

According to reports from the United States Congress, Russia may be planning to launch a nuclear-powered military satellite or nuclear bomb.



The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence informed all members of Congress of a severe national security danger on February 14, according to House Intelligence Committee head Mike Turner (R-Ohio). Turner did not provide any specifics on the danger, but he encouraged President Joe Biden to declassify it to facilitate response talks.



Turner reportedly worries about Russia's purported attempts to launch a nuclear weapon that might target satellites vital to US civilian communications, navigation, military operations, and intelligence collection.



According to an article from The Diplomat, recent sources say Russia is developing a nuclear-explosion-based EMP weapon that can destroy satellites with a tremendous electromagnetic pulse to impair global communication and navigation. A weapon like this would violate Russia's 1967 Outer Space Treaty obligations.

Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, briefed House leadership and committee chairmen on the danger and its analysis, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the gravity of the issue and hinted at updates.



Russia denied the allegations, accusing the US of disseminating disinformation and fabricating the dossier.

Read Also : NASA Enlists BAE Systems to Create Ocean Color Instrument for NOAA

CSIS Reports on Space Weaponization

Last month, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published its annual Space Threat Assessment study, utilizing open-source data to assess space weapon advances and their effects on US national security space systems.



The report underscores China and Russia's growing anti-satellite capabilities, emphasizing the worldwide dependency on space-based systems for crucial services, per Space News. It also underlines the rising vulnerability of civilian and commercial space systems to weapons, cyberattacks, and espionage.



Over the last year, China, North Korea, Iran, India, and Japan have achieved record launches, satellite deployments, and lunar missions. While not directly related to counter space weapons, these advancements significantly benefit civil and military systems.



The research also analyzes commercial space services in global wars, mentioning Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. It also shows the normalcy of counter space actions like cyberattacks, jamming, and spoofing, which seldom draws a reaction.



Furthermore, CSIS experts noted cyber threats to space systems, which enable important national capabilities like telecommunications. China and Russia use satellites to study US government satellites, with Russia possibly running two espionage satellites. They also underscore China's testing of grappler satellite technology in geostationary orbit, posing a persistent threat.
The Philippine government has once again urged Facebook to remove sites that are reportedly selling newborns online as adoptions.



The country's social welfare department secretary Rex Gatchalian slammed the social media giant on Tuesday for its passivity on the problem, according to GMA News. During a press conference, he stressed Facebook's "lack of responsibility" over unregulated content, including human trafficking violations despite reports from the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) since 2023.

No Response from Facebook

The official emphasized that Facebook had not responded to the NACC's letter from last year. Gatchalian noted that the platform's lack of regulation implies that Facebook is allowing mothers are allowed to "sell" their children on the platform.



The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary said baby selling and adoption via social media is a form of child exploitation and human trafficking. He asked the public to report human trafficking as the agency regulates the site.



Meanwhile, Janella Estrada, Executive Director of the NACC, stated that they are actively monitoring 20 to 40 newborn and child trafficking Facebook pages, per the Inquirer. These private pages have thousands of followers, where newborns are being sold.



Estrada said, since February, her agency has been working with the police to stop such criminal activity. Selling of newborns is unlawful in the Philippines, punished with life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P1 to P5 million.



The parent of Facebook and Instagram defines human trafficking as utilizing deceit, force, or coercion to exploit individuals for commercial sex, work, or other activities.

Facebook's Flawed Conetent Moderation System Slammed

Previously, Meta was criticized in Canada for its unreliable automated moderation systems.



Facebook's parent company, said it would improve its content-monitoring system after initially declining to delete illicit drug ads because they did not violate advertising regulations.



While researching a study on Canada's unlawful cannabis sector, Deloitte Canada senior manager Christopher McGrath saw Facebook ads for illegal substances, possibly prompted by algorithms, as reported by National Post.



Following a cannabis research, the writer saw several Facebook ads for tax-free cigarettes, illegal cannabis, LSD, and hallucinogenic mushrooms.



Facebook's automatic moderation mechanism denied that these advertisements violated advertising rules. After the publication approached Facebook for comments, the advertisements were deleted.



The issue was social media sites' use of machine learning and automated algorithms for content policing, according to University of Toronto media economics expert Brett Caraway. Due to the volume, some companies now use algorithms instead of human censors.



Users submit objectionable information, automatically assessed to see if it needs human review, but that examination seldom occurs per reports.



According to the report, one Canadian mail-order cannabis company promoted psilocybin-infused edibles. Another ad for an adhesives firm promised mushrooms and LSD, while another featured a lady clutching a tagged vial of LSD and offering two- to three-day Canadian shipment.



Meta told the publication that its regulations forbid Facebook ads promoting the "buying and selling of pharmaceutical and non-medical drugs." It is noted in the statement that it takes down such content once it detects content violating rules.



The tech giant also noted that it keeps enhancing its system "to keep our platforms safe."
A fire broke out at Tesla's Fremont Factory Monday night. Steve Granitz/FilmMagic // Stephen Lam /Reuters

Tesla's Fremont, California, plant suffered a 2-alarm commercial fire Monday evening.

The Fremont Fire Department reported no injuries and is investigating the cause.

The Tesla Fremont factory has seen several fires over the years.

On Monday evening, a 2-alarm commercial fire occurred at Tesla's Fremont factory, which has experienced several fires over the past decade.

Per a press release from the Fremont Fire Department, the fire "started inside an oven" and was extinguished "within less than an hour of crews arriving at the scene."

The fire department said no injuries were reported by public safety personnel or Tesla employees.

ADVERTISEMENT

When reached by Business Insider, the Fremont Fire Department said it could not share any additional information about how the fire started or what kind of oven it originated from. The fire department is investigating the cause.

Multiple fires have started at the Fremont factory over the years. In 2021, a fire caused by "molten aluminum and hydraulic fluid" occurred in a vehicle manufacturing stamping machine. The FFD, along with Tesla's fire response team, helped bring the fire under control, Business Insider previously reported.

In 2019, the FFD quickly put out a fire in an area containing hazardous waste. No injuries were reported.

CNBC reported in 2018 that the Tesla factory's paint shop had experienced four fires in four years.

The Fremont factory has been mired in other burning controversies.

Black workers at the factory said they experienced rampant racial abuse and discrimination at the plant  and that CEO Elon Musk failed to step in. Reuters reported that the company now faces a class action lawsuit from 6,000 Black employees, some of whom worked at the Fremont facility.

And in May, California regulators accused the factory of releasing tons of illegal air pollutants, CBS reported. The factory previously forked over $750,000 to settle dozens of air quality violations at its factory.

Story continues

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is seeking an abatement order to force Tesla to mitigate air pollution. Tesla is also facing a lawsuit from the Environmental Democracy Project for its air quality violations, CNBC reported.

Representatives for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The safety of developing artificial intelligence continues to be at the forefront of the world, with the 16 biggest companies reportedly making safety pledges during the second global AI summit in Seoul.

Google, Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI were among the businesses that pledged voluntary safety at the AI Seoul Summit. These pledges included shutting down their state-of-the-art systems if they could not control the most severe hazards.





xAI, Mistral AI in France, Zhipu.ai in China, G42 in the United Arab Emirates, Amazon, Samsung, IBM, and other AI businesses signed up for the safety promises. They promised responsible governance and openness to the public to guarantee the security of their most sophisticated AI models.

The two-day conference follows the AI Safety Summit held in Bletchley Park, United Kingdom, in November. Concerns about the possible harm that technology poses to humanity and daily life have prompted governments and international organizations to work quickly to create safeguards for it.

Read Also : UK and South Korea Team Up for Round 2 of AI Safety Summit

Countries on AI Safety

They received support at a virtual summit led by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the Group of Seven major economies, the EU, Singapore, Australia, and South Korea.

According to the South Korean presidential office, governments have also decided to prioritize AI safety, innovation, and inclusivity.

The British government, which co-hosted the event, said in a statement that leaders from ten nations as well as the European Union will create a shared understanding of AI safety and coordinate their efforts on AI research.

It added that the safety institution network will comprise those established by the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Singapore since the Bletchley meeting.

Insufficient AI Regulations

Yoshua Bengio, the "godfather of AI" and computer scientist, praised the agreements but pointed out that the voluntary pledges would need regulation-support.

This comes after Bengio and other AI experts just released a study that warned present AI regulations are insufficient in the face of significant breakthroughs.

The warning comes from 25 scientists, including Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, who was honored with the ACM Turing Award, the Nobel Prize equivalent in computer science.

The document states that "we" are not ready to successfully handle these risks. It's been said that although humans are investing a lot of money in enhancing AI systems' capabilities, they're spending much less on making sure these systems are secure and minimizing any potential damage.

The best-selling author of Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari, the late Nobel laureate in economics Daniel Kahneman, Sheila McIlraith, an AI professor at the University of Toronto, and Dawn Song, an academic at the University of California, Berkeley, are among the other co-authors of the concepts.

Related Article : UK Expands AI Safety Initiatives With Addition of San Francisco Office Amid Global Concerns

(Photo: Tech Times)
A Chinese scientist team has improved aluminum alloys' heat resistance, addressing a critical obstacle in aircraft and transport.

Aluminum alloys are desirable because of their low density, high specific strength, and corrosion resistance. However, they operate at 350 degrees Celsius (662 Fahrenheit) because of their weak heat tolerance.

Their mechanical properties degrade over 400 degrees Celsius, which limits aircraft design.

The study by Tianjin University's School of Materials Science and Engineering, initially published by Nature Materials in April, solved this problem by introducing nanoparticles to aluminum alloys.

According to the university, this new alloy stays strong at high temperatures and is "more than six times" stronger than traditional aluminum alloys.

Aerospace Industry to Benefit from New Aluminum Alloy

The team is developing heat-resistant aluminum alloys for aerospace engines and key components. The material's industrial use is expected soon.

The aerospace industry's changing demands have raised the thermal resistance of lightweight metals. He Chunnian says this revolutionary approach is useful for industrial usage due to its simplicity, cheap material prices, and scalability.

Although people value aluminum alloys for their low density, high strength, and corrosion resistance, their low heat resistance poses a challenge, particularly in aerospace applications where temperatures range from 350 to 500 degrees Celsius per CGTN.

Tianjin University researchers created aluminum alloys with highly distributed nanoparticles. In-situ graphene-like coverings lower the surface energy of these nanoparticles.

China to Launch Space Tourism Flights

In a separate development, Chinese commercial space company CAS Space announced that it will launch a "space tourism vehicle" in 2027 and go into space in 2028, as reported by Reuters.

This declaration follows Blue Origin's announcement that its Jeff Bezos-backed New Shepard Rocket will restart crewed missions to space after a two-year hiatus.

CAS Space announced that their tourist cabin will have four panoramic windows and accommodate seven people per journey. At a new aeronautical theme park, the business will launch ten spacecraft to take passengers to space every 100 hours.

State media reports that these trips will cost 2-3 million yuan ($415,127) per person.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China's largest governmental research institute, is CAS Space's second-largest stakeholder.

Early this month, China launched its first uncrewed lunar mission to recover samples from the moon's far side, advancing its ambitious space program.

The Chang'e-6 probe, China's most complex robotic lunar mission, launched aboard a Long March-5 rocket from Hainan's Wenchang Space Launch Center, according to CNN. Fans watched the historic event at the launch site as the National Space Administration confirmed its achievement.

China hopes to become a prominent space power with this expedition. By 2030, China plans to send people to the moon and construct a research facility at the southern pole.

China's 53-day mission has great potential as nations, including the US, grasp lunar exploration's geopolitical and scientific benefits. China will land the Chang'e-6 lander in a large crater on the moon's unobservable far side like it did in 2019.

Samples taken from the moon's far side may reveal its development and the solar system. According to Ge Ping, deputy director of the China National Space Administration's Center of Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering, they could also advance China's lunar ambitions by improving lunar orbit design, intelligent sampling, and autonomous sample return.
Microsoft's new AI-powered feature, "Recall," is garnering some attention and worries from the United Kingdom's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as it can automatically take screenshots from someone's computer, raising privacy concerns.

Microsoft claims that Recall is an "optional experience" and that security and privacy are top priorities.

Users can restrict the snapshots Recall takes, and the tech giant asserts that the data collected by Recall is saved locally and is not accessible by Microsoft or any third parties without device access.

Additionally, it stated that to view saved screenshots, a hacker would need to physically reach the user's device, unlock it, and log in.

However, an ICO spokesperson states that companies must carefully evaluate and reduce dangers to people's rights and freedoms before releasing any new products onto the market.





Recall allows you to search through all of a user's previous activity, including files, pictures, emails, and browsing history. Many gadgets are reportedly already capable of doing this, but Recall also snaps screenshots periodically and searches them.

According to Dr. Kris Shrishak, an advisor on AI and privacy, this can be a nightmare for privacy because individuals might get less comfortable with the device just by knowing that screenshots will be captured while using it.

In the meantime, Mozilla privacy team leader Jen Caltrider hinted that the changes meant your history might potentially be more easily accessed by someone who knew your password.

Microsoft's Recall

The privacy concerns come shortly after Microsoft unveiled its CoPilot+ PCs, which the new Recall feature will be exclusive to.

Microsoft Product Manager Caroline Hernandez reportedly demonstrated Windows 11's Recall feature at a recent event. She gave an example of how Recall makes it easier to search for products, such as a blue outfit, on Pinterest.

Users can instantly retrieve recent questions in the Recall timeline using voice commands without browsing their browser history. Hernandez ordered a "blue pantsuit with sequined lace for Abuelita," and Recall returned the appropriate results.

Recall can also locate documents, chat threads, and emails on PCs. Microsoft says the technique matches words like "peacock" to blue using semantic connections in a clothing search.

Recall can also locate a slide show or a team discussion marketing line. It provides details even with only contextual cues.

Microsoft also states that Recall will not filter or erase data from screenshots that include bank account or password information.

Microsoft's CoPilot+ Features

Microsoft's upcoming PCs will also reportedly come equipped with powerful Live Captions, which can translate audio and video from over 40 languages into English, among many other functions.

Thanks to this technology, which operates locally on the device without the need for the cloud, translations are faster and more accurate.

Windows Studio Effects will provide real-time artistic styles and virtual lighting enhancements for webcam video streams to further improve video chats and recordings.

Related Article : Microsoft Asks Around 800 Staff to Leave China as Sino-US Relations Worsen

(Photo: Tech Times)
Last month, the UK government committed 1.73 million to innovative green technologies aimed at advancing the nation's clean energy transition.

UK innovators at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies will now receive government support to leverage their advancements in reducing carbon emissions across critical sectors.

These efforts are being mirrored across the pond, with President Biden's recent 2025 budget announcement, which included the prioritisation of $52 million for BOEM's (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) Renewable Energy Program, which supports his administration's goals of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.

While it's encouraging to see these states intensify their renewable energy efforts, it's currently coming with a significant trade-offtheir security.

Despite the variation in renewable power sources, they all have in common a number of distinguishing factors. They are often widely distributed, geographically remote and operating on a relatively small scale.

Critically, they are often managed and operated using under-secured digital technologies that plug directly into the legacy infrastructure of national power grids, exposing big security gaps.

New research from the cybersecurity group, Cyber Energia, has warned that UK renewables companies are faced with up to 1,000 attempted cyber attacks per day.

What's even more shocking is that just 1% of UK wind energy firms have adequate cyber protection in place.

Clearly, neither do those in Europe2022 saw three European wind energy companies targeted by a cyber-attack that disabled their remote-control systems for approximately 7,800 wind turbines for about a day.

But this could have been even worse. The consequences of shutdowns caused by cyberattacks can range from significant inconvenience to devastating operational impact, including leakage of sensitive information and even health and safety risks.

Michael Ebinar, information security chief at German utility EnBW, commented on how geopolitical instability has ramped up the threat of hacker attacks on their operations, stating, "We established last year, after the start of the Ukraine war, that the risk of cyber sabotage has increased."

Similarly, cybersecurity expert and CTO of the global cyber security company Inpedio, Rotem Farkash, has detailed, "through my meetings with renewable start-ups over the past few years it has become increasingly obvious that these companies need to be agile in their cybersecurity defences. Protecting global renewable energy supplies from malicious actors is now more crucial than ever."

Recent data is estimating that by mid-century, 70% of global power systems will be dependent on renewable energyderived mainly from solar, wind, tidal and geothermal sources. While this is both a refreshing and encouraging figure to see, it comes with a tinge of dread as our renewable sources remain vulnerable.

If we are to reach this figure in reality, governments and business leaders in the renewables sector need to prioritise the implementation of strong, robust cybersecurity systems.

If achieving this milestone takes a bit longer, then so be it. It's better to arrive eventually than not at all.
Suno, an artificial intelligence model for music, has reportedly announced a successful funding round that saw the music firm securing $125 million.

With Suno, users may reportedly compose entire songs using straightforward text instructions. For lyric and title generation, the company uses OpenAI's ChatGPT, even though the majority of its technology is proprietary.

Those who sign up for the free plan are limited to 10 songs each month; those who sign up for the Pro or Premier plans, which cost $8 and $24, respectively, are allowed to make up to 500 and 2,000 songs per month, respectively, and are granted general commercial terms.





According to Suno's statement, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Matrix, Founder Collective, Nat Friedman, and Daniel Gross are among the investors in the investment round.

According to the company, Suno has several consultants, including musicians Flosstradamus and 3lau. The business will reportedly use the money to expand its staff of technologists, musicians, and music makers and expedite product development.

The investment is being made at a time when AI in the music industry is seeing unprecedented development, which has stakeholders concerned.

Record labels and industry supporters have demanded more legislation to guarantee that AI models don't inappropriately use recordings and likenesses of artists without permission.

In a recent Rolling Stone story on the business, Suno refused to provide details on the content the company is utilizing to train its model.

Sony's Warning on AI

AI music generators continue to be a problematic topic for musicians and recording companies. Just recently, Sony Music Group forewarned around 700 digital firms and streaming services not to use their music to train AI systems.

Sony Music voiced worries that receivers might have participated in these activities without the second-biggest record label's consent.

Sony Music acknowledged AI's "significant potential." However, the company and its artists are deprived of control and just compensation when their content is used without permission for AI development, training, or marketing.

In their letter, Sony Music stressed the value of protecting its lyrics, cover art, metadata, and audio and video assets. The identities of the companies that were contacted are not disclosed in the letter.

Sony Music stated that it backs musicians and songwriters who are pioneers in using new technologies in their work.

The business agreed that technology may transform the creative industries, and AI will continue this trend. Nevertheless, the record company made it clear that any innovation had to respect songwriters' and musicians' copyrights.

The letter also asks recipients to provide details regarding how Sony Music songs are used in AI training, how many copies are made, and if any are still in use.

AI Music Legislations

Copyright concerns are emerging with the rise of generative AI, which is why California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff filed legislation in April mandating AI companies to disclose their copyrighted music.

Tennessee became the pioneer state to protect artists from AI in March with the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act.
Minnesota's recent agreement with Uber and Lyft for ride-hailing services comes with implications. The pact ensures higher pay for drivers of both companies, marking a significant development in the state's regulatory landscape.

A Turning Point for Minnesota Ride-Hailing

Drivers for Uber and Lyft operating in Minnesota are poised to receive increased earnings following a recent agreement between the state and the two leading ride-hailing companies.

This development stems from new legislation that not only provides certain safeguards for drivers but also imposes constraints on state governance.

Pending Governor Tim Walz's anticipated endorsement, TechCrunch reported that the bill mandates that effective January 1, 2025, drivers must receive a minimum of $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute.

These rates align to some extent with the recommendations outlined in a state-commissioned study on driver remuneration, which proposed rates ranging between $0.89 and $1.207 per mile and $0.487 per minute.

Concluding a protracted saga spanning several months, the newly enacted bill marks the resolution of tensions between Uber, Lyft, and the state of Minnesota, which saw repeated threats of withdrawal from the ride-hailing companies.

However, it is unlikely that this legislation will quell the ongoing debates about determining wages for gig economy workers.

Moreover, it does not unequivocally favor any single stakeholder, presenting a web of compromises that offer concessions to various parties involved, albeit potentially leaving riders overlooked in the process.

In a statement, Josh Gold, Uber's senior director of public policy, expressed the company's satisfaction with the prospect of maintaining operations in Minnesota.

However, Gold noted that despite the pricing flexibility granted, Uber remains of the opinion that the rates prescribed by the deal are excessively elevated.

Gold pointed out that both riders and drivers would feel the effects of the rate increase, coupled with a subsequent drop in demand. Uber and Lyft have frequently used this dilemma to argue against pay raises or additional protections.

Examining the Balance Between Pay Raises, Rider Expenses

While their position has its validity, it fails to acknowledge the benefits of higher pay and the significance of other safeguards detailed in the legislation, including vehicle insurance and compensation for work-related injuries.

Funding for such protections inevitably needs to come from somewhere. In New York City, Uber and Lyft are mandated to contribute to the Black Car Fund, ensuring drivers have access to worker's compensation. However, the 2.75% surcharge on each fare is borne by the rider.

Concerns over potential increases in rider expenses were a key factor in Governor Walz's veto of an earlier iteration of the bill. At that time, Walz argued that it would have positioned Minnesota as one of the costliest states for ride-hailing services.
NASA has unveiled its "Wildfire Digital Twin" project, a sophisticated tool designed to assist firefighters and wildfire managers in monitoring fires and predicting harmful air pollution events.

NASA's Wildfire Digital Twin Project

Current global models for describing wildfire spread and smoke movement typically have a spatial resolution of about 10 kilometers per pixel, according to NASA.



However, the Wildfire Digital Twin aims to produce regional ensemble models with a substantially enhanced spatial resolution of 10 to 30 meters per pixel. These two orders of magnitude improvement allow for more accurate and detailed predictions.



Moreover, as per NASA, these high-resolution models can be generated within minutes, a significant advancement compared to the hours required by current models.



Milton Halem, a Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, spearheaded the Wildfire Digital Twin project, along with over 20 researchers from six universities.



Halem stressed the importance of providing firefighters with timely and useful information, especially considering the limitations of internet access and computing resources in the field. With the API version of the model, the digital twin can be run on portable devices like laptops or tablets, according to Halem.



NASA's FireSense project aims to use the agency's capabilities to enhance wildfire management across the United States. Supported by the Earth Science Technology Office, this initiative focuses on developing innovative observation capabilities for predicting and managing wildfires, including systems like Earth System Digital Twins.



NASA notes that the Earth System Digital Twins are dynamic software tools designed for real-time modeling and predicting climate events, utilizing data from various sources to produce ensemble predictions.





Enhancing Boreal Forest Wildfire Research

Halem anticipates that Wildfire Digital Twins will enhance boreal forest wildfire research, critical for carbon sequestration, despite their contribution to CO2 emissions, as shown in a 2023 study.



In October, Halem's team joined the first FireSense field campaign, collaborating with the National Forest Service's FASMEE to observe smoke traveling over 10 miles during a controlled burn in Utah using a ceilometer. Data from this burn, according to NASA, enhances software accuracy in tracking smoke plumes.



The team focuses on tracking PM 2.5 particles, which are significant for health issues and long-distance travel from fire sources. They also seek to quantify the relationship between wildfire aerosols and precipitation, which is crucial for understanding wildfire impacts across scales.



"We want to be able to provide firefighters with useful, timely information," Halem said in an official statement.



"There is generally no internet, and no access to big supercomputers, but with our API version of the model, they could run the digital twin not just on a laptop, but even a tablet."




Apple has lodged an appeal against the European Union's (EU) hefty 1.8 billion-euro ($1.9 billion) fine for allegedly obstructing access to information regarding cheaper music streaming services, according to a report by AFP on Tuesday.

Apple Appeals EU's $1.9 Billion Fine

The appeal, filed with the EU's General Court in Luxembourg on May 16, comes after the European Commission imposed the fine on Apple in March following a prolonged investigation initiated in 2020, prompted by a complaint from streaming giant and Apple Music's rival Spotify.



This penalty marked the EU's first antitrust fine against Apple and was levied on the grounds that the tech giant prevented app developers from notifying users of its iOS operating system about more affordable music subscription options available beyond the App Store.



Apple, contesting the fine, expressed its intention to challenge the penalty when it was initially imposed. The tech giant asserted that EU regulators found no evidence of consumer harm from its practices.



Meanwhile, the European Commission refrained from offering specific comments on Apple's appeal but reiterated its readiness to defend its decisions in court.



The clash between Apple and the European Commission doesn't stop here. Apart from this fine, the two entities are embroiled in another legal battle over a separate 13-billion-euro demand for back taxes owed by Apple to Ireland, currently under review by the EU's highest court.



Furthermore, the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) has fueled the fire, with Apple among the tech giants targeted by the legislation. While the EU asserts that the DMA will promote fair competition, Apple has criticized it, citing potential risks to user privacy and security.



The DMA aims to rein in the power of major tech firms like Apple, Meta, and Microsoft by imposing a set of regulatory obligations on them. Apple's run-ins with the European Commission extend to a recent investigation launched under the DMA.





Apple's Alleged Anti-Steering Provisions

In March, the Commission unveiled its findings, stating that Apple's alleged anti-steering provisions violated EU antitrust rules by inhibiting app developers from fully informing iOS users about alternative, less expensive music subscription services.



These measures, which the Commission determined to be unfair trading practices, led to reported higher subscription costs for users and a degraded user experience.



Consequently, the Commission imposed the substantial fine on Apple, in which they considered factors such as the duration and gravity of the infringement, as well as the company's revenue and market capitalization.



The Commission also ordered Apple to remove the anti-steering provisions and refrain from repeating similar infringements in the future.



"The Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app ('anti-steering provisions'). This is illegal under EU antitrust rules," the EU said in an official statement.
TikTok is taking significant steps to counter the looming threat of a potential ban in the United States. In addition to launching legal battles against the U.S. government, the popular social media platform is also working hard to enhance its public image.

TikTok Introduces its Change Makers Program

TikTok recently introduced the TikTok Change Makers Program, which features 50 global creators who aim to positively impact both on and off the platform.



This initiative supports the chosen creators and includes a $25,000 donation from TikTok to a nonprofit organization selected by each creator.

In a blog post, TikTok highlighted ten creators involved in the program, including environmental advocates and motivational speakers.



Among these creators is Joel Bervell, who focuses on addressing racial disparities in healthcare and serves on a committee sponsored by the White House that includes social media leaders in the medical field.



Although TikTok has not explicitly linked this program to its efforts to remain operational in the U.S., the substantial charitable donations undoubtedly cast the platform in a favorable light.



This development follows President Joe Biden's signing of a bill that threatens to ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the app.

ByteDance, based in China, has shown no indication of complying with these demands, leaving TikTok's future uncertain, especially with the upcoming presidential election potentially influencing the outcome.

How TikTok Change Makers Program Works

TikTok's announcement emphasized the everyday positive impact of its creators, ranging from inspiring advice to stories of overcoming challenges and promoting sustainability.



The company introduced the TikTok Change Makers Program as its inaugural global initiative to elevate creators and nonprofits that effect meaningful change within their communities through TikTok.



Throughout the six-month program, TikTok plans to assist these creators in building engaged communities, reaching new audiences, providing resources, and many more.



The unveiling of TikTok's first global list of Change Makers includes 50 purpose-driven creators from around the world. These individuals utilize the platform to spread positivity, advocate for important causes, and share good deeds.



TikTok aims to unite creators, nonprofit organizations, and businesses with a shared vision to drive support, raise awareness, and fundraise for various causes.



The platform has seen substantial engagement with over 50,000 posts under the #TikTokforGood hashtag.

It has also introduced the TikTok Change Makers Grant, allocating over $1 million to more than 30 global and local nonprofit organizations supporting various causes.

Each Change Maker will have a $25,000 donation made in their honor to support their advocacy work and amplify their impact.



Kim Farrell, Head of Creators at TikTok, expressed pride in launching the program to help social impact creators and nonprofits reach broader audiences and bring about lasting change.



The World Health Organization (WHO) and Oceana also supported the program. Dr. Alain Labrique, Director of the Department of Digital Health and Innovation at WHO, noted the collaboration's potential to broaden reach and impact health and other significant issues.
Microsoft has introduced Team Copilot, an extension of its AI tool designed to assist not just individuals but entire teams, departments, and organizations.



This new variant aims to enhance productivity and streamline collaboration by automating time-consuming tasks. According to the company's recent announcement, Team Copilot is poised to manage meeting agendas, take minutes, and facilitate a variety of group tasks.

Microsoft Unveils Team Copilot

Team Copilot is built to handle numerous responsibilities that typically require human effort. It can moderate meetings by summarizing key information for those who join late or for future reference.



Additionally, it can answer questions, create and assign tasks in Microsoft Planner, track deadlines, and notify team members about their specific contributions. These features are expected to be available in preview later this year for users with a Microsoft 365 license.



The new tool promises to enhance productivity by taking on roles that traditionally require significant manual effort.



Project management is another key area where Team Copilot is set to make a substantial impact. The tool ensures that projects run smoothly by automating the creation and assignment of tasks, monitoring deadlines, and notifying team members when their input is required.

Microsoft's AI-Driven Solutions

The introduction of Team Copilot is part of Microsoft's broader vision to transform the workplace with AI-driven solutions. In addition to enhancing collaboration, the tool is designed to automate business processes through custom agents.

These agents can operate independently under user direction, streamlining long-running processes, and many more.



These custom copilot capabilities are currently available through Microsoft Copilot Studio's Early Access Program. Microsoft anticipates that these tools will drive efficiency and cost savings across various business functions.

The company plans to refine these capabilities based on early customer feedback before making them more widely available later in the year.



Additionally, Microsoft is making it easier to create custom copilots that leverage data from SharePoint and OneDrive, where much of an organization's knowledge is stored.



The company said that users can create custom copilots capable of quickly accessing information from files. These copilots can be further refined and improved using Copilot Studio. Currently available through the Early Access Program, this feature is expected to enter preview later this year.

Read Also : Microsoft Reveals New Copilot Plus PCs: Integrated AI for Enhanced Laptop Performance

Microsoft Releases New Extensions and Connectors

Microsoft is also upgrading the Copilot experience with new extensions and connectors. These enhancements enable users to customize Copilot's actions to suit specific data and business systems, thereby increasing its versatility.



Developers can craft these extensions using Copilot Studio or the Teams Toolkit for Visual Studio, facilitating easier and quicker integration of Copilot into various business processes.
LOS ANGELESSeduction, gossip and lies collide in Rumor Guy, a new release from Seduction, gossip and lies collide in Rumor Guy, a new release from Mile High Media s gay studio Noir Male . The movie is now available in all formats.

Dillon Diaz and Adrian Hart lead a cast that also includes Tony Genius, Benvi, Pablo Strokess, Shadow, Jordan Jameson and Asher Day in four twisted tales of deception, attraction and hardcore sex.

Box art and release information is available here

Cover models Shadow and Jordan Jameson bring the heat in this compelling new release, said Jon Blitt, vice president of Mile High Media. The captivating duo is pure fire as they kickstart the action that features an amazing group of fan favorites.

The drama and rumors fly as the movie opens to The Royal Impostor, with Jameson and Shadow, followed by Stepbrothers Pool, with Strokess and Benvi. Next is Professors Choice, with Diaz, Genius and Day, then Study Crush, with Genius and Adrian Hart.

For the latest information, exclusive content and Behind-the-Scenes previews, follow Noir Male on X at @NoirMaleXXX and Instagram at @OfficialNoirMale
TikTok on Tuesday introduced a new array of AI technologies to streamline brand ad development.

The social media giant unveiled the "TikTok Symphony" package, which offers scriptwriting, video creation, and video optimization, set to revolutionize online ads.

"Symphony Creative Studio," an AI video generator, helps advertisers generate TikTok-ready content with minimum input. The studio may also create pre-made films from TikTok Ads Manager assets or product information.

Another tool, "Symphony Assistant," helps create marketing campaigns using AI. It can create and improve scripts, offer engaging content, and advise on trend-based best practices. The assistant may help brands generate industry or product-specific ideas, according to TechCrunch.

The "Symphony Ads Manager Integration" automatically optimizes videos for platform performance. This allows brands to optimize prior materials.

TikTok is also releasing "TikTok One," a marketing portal, alongside the AI suite. "TikTok One" provides access to approximately two million artists, agency relationships, and creative tools.

The statement also emphasized TikTok advertising's rising relevance. According to the tech firm, 61% of TikTok users have purchased something directly or through an ad. TikTok assists 59% of users in finding new games, while 52% research about cars.

TikTok's US Future Still Unsure

However, TikTok's US future remains questionable as President Biden signed a measure mandating ByteDance, its Chinese parent firm, to sell the app or risk a ban. This possible obstacle clouds TikTok's advertising growth.

To quench national security concerns, TikTok must sell to a US company, but China forbids selling its algorithm system, critical to the platform's survival in the US and Europe.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and millionaire Frank McCourt are potential US bidders, but the algorithmic obstacle dampens their high interest, as reported by TechTimes. TikTok creates a customized video feed for each user using the now-off-limits algorithm, making it addictive.

After the 2020 US-China TikTok conflict, China restricted the export of "personal interactive data algorithms." Selling TikTok without its primary feature makes it a shell. Such a complex system would take time to rebuild. Notably, tech giants YouTube and Meta have struggled to copy TikTok's algorithm, showing its intricacy and years of research.

Read Also : Philippine Government Slams Facebook Inaction on Online Baby Selling

Mnuchin plans to "rebuild the technology," but recreating TikTok's unique sauce is difficult. McCourt's revised design raises fundamental issues about the deal's financial feasibility.

Investors face a risky bet. Buying TikTok without the algorithm means buying a brand name and a simple app, not the viral juggernaut that has captured millions. Hence, TikTok's value drops without the tailored feed that keeps users hooked.

TikTok's Change Makers Campaign to Boost Tainted Image

A forced sale may satisfy security worries, but it leaves TikTok's future unknown. Potential purchasers must decide whether to pay a lot for a weak app or leave, creating a gap that competitors may want to fill.

Amid these concerns, TikTok launched its "Change Makers" initiative, including 50 worldwide creators who promote good change.

/1 Building on our ongoing commitment to foster a global community who is passionate about using #TikTokforGood, we're honored to introduce the TikTok Change Makers Program, our first-ever global social impact creator elevation program   pic.twitter.com/v3Db7su4tU  TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) May 21, 2024

Each participant chooses a non-profit organization from which TikTok donates $25,000 to support the selected creators. The corporation featured ten innovators in a blog post, including environmental campaigners and motivational speakers.

Among them is Joel Bervell, a member of the White House Committee on Medical Social Media Leaders, addressing racial inequities in healthcare.

While TikTok has not directly tied the program to its US operations, the initiative's large charity donations boost its reputation.
British low-cost airline company EasyJet (easyJet) has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline its operations, and so far, it is producing positive results.

EasyJet uses this technology at its new control center near London Luton Airport, where it has helped staff better manage flights among other essential tasks (via the BBC).

AI Tool Drives Efficiency at EasyJet's New Control Center

EasyJet is one of Europe's busiest aircraft operators, with post-pandemic numbers suggesting it oversees around 2000 flights every day. With this hectic schedule, AI makes the work lighter for the people on the ground running the airline.

It is also important to note that the company currently employs more than 250 personnel, and managing thousands of flights is surely challenging.

EasyJet staff uses AI through a special generative AI tool called Jetstream. Personnel and pilots use this tool to address issues that arise during their tasks.

According to the airline, this tool can specifically help personnel decide which crew and how many are needed for specific operations and ensure that the right aircraft is on the correct route.

Moreover, AI also suggests pilot and cabin crew allocation, what kinds of food should be served on specific flight routes, helps in planning aircraft maintenance, and even improves customer experience.

The AI technology and easyJet's new facility in Bedfordshire come in time for the summer, which is the peak season for air travel. The company expects to manage around 13,000 flights every week.

Gill Baudot, director of network control for easyJet, believes that these AI solutions help speed up the decision-making of staff to solve operational issues.

"We can see many ways to further build on the progress we have already made and enhance this in the near future," Baudot said.

In a statement, easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren lauded the 'modern and bespoke facility' for its ability to improve customer experience and the airline's operational efficiency.

"We continue to invest in and deepen our knowledge and use of AI, with a rapid deployment team working on 250 live use cases across our operations...," the CEO said.

In related news, some airports around the world are now using AI to speed up the search for lost pieces of baggage.

For example, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is just one of many airports that are embracing AI technology to recover travelers' misplaced belongings.

In Other News

Amazon has announced plans to upgrade Alexa by incorporating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into its decade-old voice assistant. This upgrade may require a monthly subscription fee.

According to reports, two anonymous sources said the Seattle-based tech giant will release a more conversational Alexa later this year to compete with Google and OpenAI's AI-powered chatbots.
NEW YORKIn a somewhat anti-climatic day of testimony and discussion, the defense representing former President Donald Trump in his hush money trial surrounding a payment made to adult star Stormy Daniels rested their case a day after prosecutors for the Manhattan District Attorney's office rested theirs.

This marks the end of principal testimony and the introduction of evidence by both the defense and prosecution teams. The trial is in its final days. Trump was not called to the witness stand after many observers in the news media speculated whether he would tell his side of the story. After the defense rested its case, much of the day was spent discussing jury instructions.

Criminal defendants typically do not testify, it bears noting. Doing so exposes defendants to probing questions from prosecutors and could count against those people during the deliberations of the jury. Trump kept trolling that he was going to set the record straight and defend himself, but his defense team might have avoided a disaster. During the trial, Trump has been fined 10 times for violating a standing gag order preventing him from criticizing and intimidating individuals such as Stormy Daniels, the jury and other witnesses for the prosecution.

Judge Juan Merchan and counsel for the prosecution and defense debated how the jury would be instructed when deliberating a potential verdict. These details are quite technical, but necessary. The judge instructs the jury to rule on specific elements of the case, including how to potentially deal with bias and influences from outside sources. Details will be final for the instructions to the jury by Thursday of this week, Merchan said. This means that prosecutors and the defense can use the long Memorial Day weekend to generate summations and closing arguments scheduled for next Tuesday. Once the jury is sequestered, deliberations could take several days. If the jury cannot agree on a verdict, then a mistrial will be declared, and Merchan could allow prosecutors to once again bring the case with adjustments in their evidence, the crimes Trump is accused of, and other elements. There is no way to predict whether the jury will find Trump guilty or not guilty. If he is found guilty, Trump will most likely appeal the verdict through the New York judicial system, which could take months.

Nothing in the U.S. Constitution says that a convicted felon cannot run for president. Even if found guilty, he may be allowed some type of supervised release while he appeals. For all of his indictments at the state and federal level, Trump hasn't been convicted of a crime in his life. This would be a first offense if he's found guilty. Trump will not be able to pardon himself either. Barring the fact that a president issuing a self-pardon has never been tested in a federal court, the conviction of a state criminal felony cannot be dismissed by him. Only the governor of New York, current Democrat Kathy Hochul, can pardon Trump if he is found guilty in the trial at hand.

Defense counsel representing Trump, led by attorney Todd Blanche, argued that their client broke no law and that paying hush money to someone isn't a crime. Blanche and his fellow defense attorneys argued that the charges and the case are politically motivated, the direct result of a disgruntled former employee, and the lies of an adult star who has simply profited off the telling of an affair.

Prosecutors brought the case because they found evidence pointing to an organized conspiracy that involved tabloid publishers, former and current Trump Organization employees, former and current Trump campaigns, and White House staff. This colorful cast of witnesses is led not by Stormy Daniels or Karen McDougal (the former Playboy model who also was paid a large sum to remain silent about her own affair with Trump), but Trump's former personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen. Cohen testified as the prosecution's chief witness due to his conviction for tax evasion, financial crimes and campaign finance violationsall felonies. As a result of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian and other unlawful interference in the outcome of the 2016 election, Cohen pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes that directly and indirectly benefited Trump and his win over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. One such crime was paying $130,000 to an "adult film actress," per Department of Justice filings.

Throughout much of the trial, the payment of $130,000 to the "adult film actress," identified as AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels, was part of a catch-and-kill scheme instigated by Trump and his campaign in 2016. David Pecker, the former publisher of the tabloid National Enquirer, testified earlier in the trial that Trump, his long-time friend, asked him to identify and silence any stories that could harm the then-Republican candidate's reputation ahead of the 2016 election. Pecker agreed and coordinated these efforts with Cohen, who served as a personal attorney for Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization. Pecker, with input from Cohen and Trump's team, negotiated an agreement with Keith Davidson, a Los Angeles-based attorney, who was representing McDougal. McDougal claims that she had an affair with Trump from 2006 to 2007. Most notably, McDougal reiterated these claims in a report on the affair by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker in 2018. Pecker negotiated with Davidson on behalf of McDougal and agreed to settle with a non-disclosure agreement and $150,000.

A non-prosecution agreement was reached between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and American Media Inc., the defunct parent company of the National Enquirer, along with Pecker, indicating that the company paid $150,000 to a woman who had "damaging allegations" against a candidate for president during the 2016 election.

Implemented in September 2018, the agreement was used as evidence against Trump in this trial. Keith Davidson testified during the trial to these details. It is worth noting that virtually everything used against Trump by the prosecution stems from other cases, including the criminal case against Cohen, the non-prosecution agreement against Pecker and American Media Inc., a civil fraud case against the Trump Organization, and the New York criminal case against former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.

Davidson also testified during the trial that he eventually represented Stormy Daniels in negotiations with Cohen. Daniels and Trump both signed a settlement using pseudonyms and agreed to a sum of $130,000 for her silence. Cohen testified that he borrowed the money against his home's equity line of credit to hide the sum from his wife. Davidson accepted the payment on Daniels' behalf via a shell corporation created by Cohen to circumvent any potential regulatory or legal scrutiny over the payments. Pecker even testified that he thought the payments to Daniels and McDougal violated federal campaign finance laws. Others who have testified include Trump campaign and White House staffer Hope Hicks, a banker who worked with Cohen to arrange the payments, Daniels herself, and others. The defense cross-examined a total of 20 witnesses for the prosecution. The defense only called a total of two.

No further proceedings are expected until the trial resumes with closing arguments next Tuesday, May 28.
Bratislava, May 22 (TASR) - The police are currently investigating 48 cases of public approval of the attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) life along with hateful speech and threats against political representatives, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) reported after a session of the State Security Council on Wednesday.



"It's highly likely that the number of investigated cases might even end up doubled," warned Sutaj Estok.



Bodyguards have been assigned to several constitutional officials, mostly coalition politicians but also to one representative of the opposition.



"I ask all Slovak citizens to realise the gravity of the situation and to kindly be aware that a resolute and tough approach will be applied in all these cases by the police," added the minister.
Bratislava, May 22 (TASR) - Last week's attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) life is being investigated at the moment as an aggravated attempt at premeditated murder, although it can't be ruled out that this legal classification might change at a later stage, Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka declared after a session of the State Security Council on Wednesday.



Zilinka underlined that investigators work with various versions. "As for some questions emerging in society as to why this isn't being prosecuted as a crime of terrorism, I'm answering that it's possible that the deed might get reclassified, but only based on results of the investigation," he said.



The Prosecutor-General reiterated his call on the media to refrain from publishing comments on the ongoing investigation. He reassured the public that more information will be released once it becomes possible. "Right now, however, we're in the early stage of the investigation and it's necessary to dispel all speculations and doubts."



Fico was heavily injured by the perpetrator on May 15 after an away-from-home session of the Government in the town of Handlova, when the Premier came out to greet local inhabitants and Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], 71, fired multiple gunshots at him. On Saturday (May 18), the Specialised Criminal Court took Juraj C. into police custody.



In the meantime, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok announced that also being investigated is a possibility that the perpetrator wasn't a lone wolf. This stems from the fact that the attacker's Facebook page and chat history were deleted two hours after the attack. One of the versions is that the perpetrator was involved with a group of people who were encouraging him to shoot Fico.
What is flight turbulence and why does it happen?



Washington, May 21 (AFP) May 21, 2024



Airplane turbulence, which led to the death of a passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday, is a complex phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common due to climate change, according to experts.

Storms, cold and warm fronts, and the movement of air around mountains can all cause turbulence in the air that planes fly through.

Turbulence can also occur in jet streams -- highways of strong wind that circulate around the globe at certain latitudes.

"While meteorologists have excellent tools to forecast turbulence, they are not perfect," said Thomas Guinn, professor in the aviation department at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

He added that airplane passengers should make sure they are wearing seat belts, which makes injuries far less likely.

Initial reports suggest the Singapore Airlines flight, in which more than 70 passengers were injured, may have hit clear-air turbulence, "which is the most dangerous type of turbulence," according to the Association of Flight Attendants.

Clear-air turbulence is defined by the Federal Aviation Administration as "sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent buffeting of aircraft."

It is "especially troublesome because it is often encountered unexpectedly and frequently without visual clues to warn pilots of the hazard," the FAA says in a document on its website.

The agency says clear-air turbulence is typically found close to jet streams and associated with wind shear -- sudden changes in the speed or direction of the wind.

Turbulence continues to be a major cause of accidents and injuries despite a steady improvement in aviation accident rates, according to a 2021 report by the US National Transportation Safety Board.

But deaths linked to turbulence on commercial flights are "very rare," said Dr Paul Williams, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading.

"As far as I am aware there has not been a turbulence fatality on a commercial flight since 2009," Williams said in a statement shared with AFP.

Williams said that climate change is increasing the frequency of airplane turbulence.

"For clear-air turbulence, climate change is increasing the temperature difference across the jet stream between the cold poles and the warm tropics," he said.

"The tropics are warming faster than the poles at flight cruising altitudes. This effect is increasing wind shear in the jet stream, which is generating more turbulence," Williams said.
Deforestation exacerbated deadly Brazil floods: experts



Porto Alegre, Brazil, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



The floods devastating southern Brazil have been exacerbated by deforestation, much of it driven by soybean farming, according to experts, who urge the country to restore its forests and their vast water-retaining root systems.

The key agricultural state of Rio Grande do Sul has been hit by an unprecedented climate disaster for the past three weeks, with cities and rural areas alike inundated by torrential rains that have left more than 150 people dead and some 100 missing.

It is the region's fourth extreme weather event in less than a year, a phenomenon scientists say is driven by climate change -- and also deforestation.

"There's a global component to climate change, and also a regional one, which is the loss of native vegetation. That increased the intensity of the floods," says biologist Eduardo Velez of MapBiomas, an organization that uses satellite images to track deforestation.

According to the group, Rio Grande do Sul lost 22 percent of its native vegetation, or 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres), from 1985 to 2022.

Those wildlands have largely been replaced by fields of rice, eucalyptus and especially soybeans, of which Brazil is the world's biggest producer and exporter.



- Vicious cycle -



Native forests help ensure water permeates the soil, preventing it from accumulating on the surface, says Jaqueline Sordi, a biologist and journalist based in the region who specializes in climate issues.

Vegetation also holds soil in place, helping to prevent erosion and landslides.

The deep brown color of the water that has flooded the state capital, Porto Alegre, along with 90 percent of Rio Grande do Sul's towns, "shows just how many tons and tons of soil were washed away" in the rains, Velez told AFP.

In a vicious cycle, that mud has now accumulated in the beds of rivers, making them shallower -- and therefore more likely to flood next time.

"Beyond relocating people (from high-risk areas) and rebuilding infrastructure, it's extremely important to have policies on restoring native vegetation," said Velez.

Rio Grande do Sul "urgently" needs to restore more than a million hectares of forests in order for them to adequately perform their proper environmental role, according to a 2023 study by the sustainable development group Instituto Escolhas.

But Velez says there is still no "heavyweight" plan to do that in Rio Grande do Sul, despite a deal it signed last year with other states in southern and southeastern Brazil to reforest 90,000 hectares by 2026.



- 'Open people's eyes' -



At the national level, deforestation surged under the government of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-change skeptic and ally of the powerful agribusiness sector who was in office from 2019 to 2022.

"It became easier to get permits (to clear vegetation), and Rio Grande do Sul played a big role" in benefitting from those permits, said Sordi.

A local municipal council member from Bolsonaro's Liberal Party, Sandro Fantinel, caused controversy last week by saying the region should clear more trees around roads, arguing their weight and water-swollen roots had caused landslides during the floods.

Sordi says disasters like the current one have the potential to "open people's eyes" to the scientific evidence of climate change and its "warning signs."

"Sometimes we only pay attention when the problem arrives."
For sale: unique piece of land in strategic Arctic archipelago



Oslo, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



The last piece of privately owned land in the strategic Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic is up for grabs, a property likely to entice China but which Norway does not intend to let go without a fight.

The archipelago is located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, in an Arctic region that has become a geopolitical and economic hotspot as the ice melts and relations grow ever frostier between Russia and the West.

For 300 million euros ($326 million), interested parties can acquire the remote Sore Fagerfjord property in southwestern Svalbard.

Measuring 60 square kilometres (23 square miles) -- about the size of Manhattan -- the property is home to mountains, plains, a glacier and about five kilometres of coastline, but no infrastructure.

"It's the last private land in Svalbard, and, to our knowledge, the last private land in the world's High Arctic," said lawyer Per Kyllingstad, who represents the sellers.

"The Chinese are naturally potential buyers since they've been showing a real interest in the Arctic and Svalbard for a long time," he told AFP, adding that he had received "concrete signs of interest" from the country.



- Special treaty -



Since China's 2018 white paper on the Arctic -- a sign of its interest in the region -- the country has defined itself a "near-Arctic state" and plans to play a growing role in the region.

Svalbard is governed by a 1920 international treaty that leaves ample room for foreign interests.

It recognises Norway's sovereignty over Svalbard, but citizens of all signatories -- including China -- are equally entitled to exploit the region's natural resources.

Russia, for example, has maintained a coal mining community on Svalbard, via the state-run company Trust Arktikugol, for decades.

But times have changed.

Keen to protect its sovereignty, Norway would not look kindly on the Sore Fagerfjord property falling into foreign hands.

Especially hands in China, which Norway's intelligence services say poses the biggest security risk to the Scandinavian country after Russia.

Norway's Attorney General has therefore ordered the owners -- a company controlled by a Russian-born Norwegian, according to local media -- to call off the planned sale.

"The land can't be sold without the Norwegian authorities' approval," Trade and Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth told AFP.

"Nor is it possible to hold negotiations about the property," she added.

That argument is based on clauses of an old loan granted by the state in 1919. Kyllingstad insists the clauses' statute of limitations has expired.



- 'Red flag' -



The Norwegian state owns 99.5 percent of Svalbard and has declared most of the land, including the Sore Fagerfjord property, protected areas where construction and motorised transport, among other things, are prohibited.

But the sellers don't see things that way, and cite the 1920 treaty.

"All parties (who signed the treaty) have the same rights," stressed Kyllingstad, noting that Norway had built housing, an airport and a harbour in Longyearbyen, the archipelago's main town.

"Imagine if Norway now adopted rules limiting the activities of Russian holdings," he said. "It would be World War Three."

According to Andreas Osthagen of the Fridtjof Nansen research institute, the Sore Fagerfjord land has "minimal" economic value and its possible sale does not represent "a huge threat" to Norway.

But, he noted, "owning land on Svalbard could have a strategic value in 50 or 100 years."

In the meantime, any mention of possible Chinese interest in Svalbard property raises "a red flag to force the Norwegian authorities to do something."

In 2016, the government paid 33.5 million euros to acquire the second-last piece of private land on Svalbard, near Longyearbyen, which was also reportedly being eyed by Chinese investors.

Critics subsequently accused the government of being misled over unsubstantiated arguments.

In 2018-2019, the state had already engaged in negotiations to buy Sore Fagerfjord but the talks collapsed over the price.

Trade and Industry Minister Myrseth said the option was still open if the terms were "realistic".
Volunteers race to save Mexico's howler monkeys in heat wave



Comalcalco, Mexico, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Volunteers are rushing to hoist food and water up into trees in sweltering southern Mexico, but help came too late for the howler monkeys whose lifeless bodies lay still on the ground.

Dozens of the primates are reported to have dropped dead from trees in recent weeks, alarming conservationists trying to keep the monkeys hydrated during a heat wave.

Victor Morato and his team at a veterinary hospital in the town of Comalcalco in Tabasco state have treated eight howler monkeys brought in by residents.

"When they arrived here in agony, they extended their hand to us as if to say 'help me'. I had a lump in my throat," he told AFP.

Several monkeys arrived at the clinic with body temperatures of around 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit), Morato said.

When they faint from the heat they sometimes fall 20 meters (65 feet), he added.

It is all the more worrying since the Mexican howler (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and the Yucatan black howler (Alouatta pigra) are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), which also lives in southern Mexico as well as Central and South America, is classified as vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species.



- Authorities investigate -



Leonardo Sanchez was among those putting out water and fruit to help the animals on a cocoa plantation in the southern state of Tabasco.

The thermometer has reached almost 50 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in recent weeks, the 22-year-old biology student said.

"We've had a large number of deaths (of monkeys) due to the increased temperatures," he said.

Some volunteers carried lime to sprinkle on the bodies of dead primates.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who hails from Tabasco, said Monday the heat was the worst he had known.

"Since I've been visiting these states I've never felt it as much as I do now," he said at his regular news conference.

Mexico's environment ministry has said that it is investigating whether extreme heat was killing the monkeys, with studies under way to rule out a virus or disease.

Causes under consideration included heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition or fumigation of crops with pesticides, it said.

In Tabasco, a vulture lingered and flies swarmed near a grave that volunteer Bersabeth Ricardez said contained the bodies of around 30 monkeys.

"Today it's the monkeys. Tomorrow it will be us," she said.
AI to dominate annual Paris startup event VivaTech



Paris, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



Thousands of tech enthusiasts are expected to start filing into Europe's self-declared biggest startup event VivaTech in Paris on Wednesday, which this year will focus on artificial intelligence.

The four-day event, now in its eighth year, will host more than 150,000 guests, 11,000 startups and 450 speakers, according to the organisers.

While former US climate envoy and secretary of state John Kerry is expected to make a push for a green tech revolution, billionaire Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk will appear via video link to answer audience questions.

Francois Bitouzet, director general of VivaTech, told AFP this year's event would be focusing on the "hard stuff".

"We want to stop the theoretical discussions on AI and get into concrete innovations," he said.

A slew of startups will be showing how AI can be used in every field from medical prosthetics to the fight against disinformation.

They will be joined established players like ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which will be outlining its latest tools for developers.



- 'AI tsunami' -



In the face of this "AI tsunami", said Ben Wood of CCS Insight, companies should be careful not to overwhelm their potential customers.

"There's a lot of exciting things about AI, but you need to very clearly articulate what the benefits are consumers," he told AFP.

"Because we are rapidly approaching AI fatigue, when people just tune out."

The event regularly attracts major political figures, with EU heavyweights Thierry Breton and Charles Michel expected to attend.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron, a regular attendee, is unlikely to take part this year.

Macron is instead set to visit the French territory of New Caledonia, more than 15,000 kilometres from Paris.

The Pacific territory has suffered days of unrest after indigenous Kanaks rejected changes to voting rules that would have boosted the influence of people who had arrived recently.
PATTAYA, ThailandBob Kelland of CloneTwin is this weeks guest on "Adult Site Broker Talk." Kelland is a seasoned entrepreneur renowned for pioneering AI-based software. His expertise led to the successful sale of his AI analytics firm to the Fortune 10 giant General Electric.

He uses his extensive knowledge of big data, business analytics and artificial intelligence to make waves in the adult sector. His goal is to transform the adult industry by leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, such as image recognition, captioning, search, tagging, language models and the production of artificial multimedia content.



With his extensive experience, Kelland is leading technological disruptions and establishing new standards for how artificial intelligence might change conventional corporate environments. CloneTwin.ai is the first AI companion with intelligent content sharing.



Through natural, spontaneous engagement, CloneTwin provides images and videos on demand, giving fans exactly the content they want in interactive conversations. Creators can alter their voice and persona and instruct the AI to suggest content to their followers based on their preferences or what it believes to be their interests.



The AI and creators' fans can communicate normally through texting, sharing content and talking using advanced two-way picture recognition and conversation context. Regardless of the demands, the API enables rapid white-labeling of sophisticated AI chat and workflow across all platforms. Follow Kelland on X @bkelland.

Bruce, the adult site broker, host of the show and CEO of Adult Site Broker, said: This was a fascinating talk with someone who has their finger on the pulse of AI. Youll learn a lot about this exciting technology and where its going in adult.

Adult Site Broker helps people buy and sell websites in the adult space. Contact the firm on its website at adultsitebroker.com. Hear Bob Kelland on "Adult Site Broker Talk" starting today at adultsitebrokertalk.com.
'Fatalities' after tornado hits Iowa town: police



Washington, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



A "devastating tornado" struck a town in the US state of Iowa Tuesday resulting in fatalities and injuries, police said.

The tornado "devastated a good portion of" Greenfield, a town of about 2,000 residents 45 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of the state capital Des Moines, Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Alex Dinkla told a news conference.

"Earlier today, the town of Greenfield was struck by a devastating tornado. Local, county, and state emergency responders quickly initiated search and rescue operations once the tornado passed through the area," Dinkla said.

"Sadly, we can confirm that there have been fatalities with this tornado, also injuries have been sustained by residents here in the Greenfield area," he said.

Dinkla did not give a number of deaths but said about a dozen people had been transported to hospital.

After searches of the area "we do believe we have everybody accounted for," he said.

Images on the Des Moines Register website showed scenes of widespread devastation in Greenfield, with numerous homes flattened and reduced to splintered piles of lumber and rubble, with trees also uprooted and cars overturned.

The town would be under mandatory curfew from 10:00 pm until 7:00 am Wednesday, Dinkla said, adding that the curfew was expected "to last for some time."

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a disaster emergency proclamation for 15 counties in response to the severe weather, including Adair County which covers Greenfield, her office said.

"(Our)... prayers are with all the communities and families impacted by today's severe weather, and especially those who tragically lost their lives in the Greenfield area," she said in a statement.

"It was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it's hard to believe that it's happened again."

Reynolds said she planned to visit Greenfield on Wednesday to assess the damage and was committed to providing all the necessary resources.
WFP chief says El Nino impact 'alarming' in dry Zambia



Johannesburg, May 22 (AFP) May 22, 2024



The UN food agency's chief warned Wednesday that a "heartbreaking" severe dought in Zambia caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon had pushed millions to the brink of starvation.

"This year they harvested nothing," said the World Food Programme's executive director Cindy McCain, after meeting farming families.

The drought has obliterated crops in Zambia, the epicentre of the crisis, where 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture to survive.

Combined with the other countries in the region, "we have a humanitarian catastrophe", McCain said, pleading for global support.

Last month Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema appealed for almost $900 million to help counter the worst dry spell in the country's history.

According to the WFP, $409 million is needed for the first six months to assist some 48 million people in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The three countries, which have declared a state of national disaster, saw 40 to 80 percent of their maize harvest destroyed.

Grain shortages exacerbate food insecurity in the region where maize accounts for almost 20 percent of calories consumed.

The El Nino phenomenon is caused by the large-scale warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

It occurs on average every two to seven years, leading to hotter weather globally.

The current El Nino emerged in mid-2023 with episodes typically lasting nine to 12 months.

The food agency said extreme climate conditions were a reminder of the urgent need for investment in activities that build resilience in southern Africa.

"Although this El Nino cycle is coming to an end, the impact of extreme drought will have tragic consequences for months to come," the WFP said.
The board of Lendlease has delivered its chairman, Michael Ullmer, as a sacrifice to disgruntled investors as the construction and property giant seeks to head off impending slaughter at a shareholder briefing next Monday.

Being one of Australias most storied and well-known companies provides no immunity from poor performance  and shareholders are in revolt.

Lendlease chairman Michael Ullmer will retire from his post in November. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

Many of those investors at the front of the activist queue bought into Lendlease over recent years for its potential as a large-scale corporation renovation job, but feel that the board has instead just engaged in a bit of tinkering  a lick of paint and some landscaping.

Sure, Lendlease sold its residential communities late last year. More recently it also disposed of half of its stake in its life sciences division in Asia, so the company would argue its listening.
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Heartlands Eating outBrisbane Is this Brisbanes most iconic banh mi shop? On a busy day it churns through more than 300 rolls, easily. Heres why locals cant get enough of Minh Tan Bakery. Matt Shea May 22, 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

In Brisbane Times Heartlands series, food and culture editor Matt Shea seeks out the migrant restaurants, cafes and stores that give the Brisbane food scene its rich texture. This month, a classic Inala banh mi spot. Huong Trinh remembers when her family shop would sell a banh mi for $1.20. If that seems like it must have been decades ago, its because it was. Minh Tan Bakery is by now an Inala classic, its 110-square-metre kitchen pumping out up hundreds of its fat, crusty, pate-slathered pork rolls a day. If its not Brisbanes most celebrated banh mi shop, its at least the one everybody can agree on. But the Minh Tan story began a suburb away, in Darra, in 1986. Huong Trinh photographed at Minh Tan in Inala Plaza. Markus Ravik My parents [Minh Tang and Minh Trinh] owned a small shop on the corner of Cardiff and Ashridge roads in Darra, Huong says. It was a really small shop, just 29 square metres. Thats how we started out.

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That original shop, named Banh Mi Minh, might have been tiny, but it gave the Trinh family their start. Four years later, they bought Scotts Road Takeaway (which is now under different ownership, but remains another banh mi go-to in the south-west), and then in 1994 opened another shop in West End, Minhs Bakery, where they operated for five years. Kingsfood, an iconic Chinese restaurant in Brisbanes south Thats when we moved here, to Inala, Huong says. When we moved here, my husband [Van Nguyen] said, Were old enough to venture out ourselves. So we started here 24 years ago, in 2000. These days, Minh Tan sells its banh mi for $8  still a steal when you consider their heft, which includes generous fillings of pickled carrot, cucumber, coriander and chilli (if youre so inclined, of course). I remember we first increased the price after Expo 88, to $1.50, Huong says. Then, when we moved here, we started selling rolls for $2.20.

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On a busy day, Minh Tan will sell more than 300 banh mi. Markus Ravik People are still buying them [at $8]. But after COVID, everything has gone up  meat, vegetables and rolls. A few years ago, as we were coming out of COVID, my husband told me just flour had gone up by 40 per cent. To look at, Minh Tan seems like just another old-school bakery. Located in a relatively quiet corner of the buzzy Inala Plaza, its little more than a busy counter stocked full of cakes, sandwiches and steamed buns, with a pork roll menu board hanging above and a large kitchen out the back. The day at Minh Tan starts at 1am, when Nguyen arrives to begin preparing and baking the bread. Peak time is Saturday mornings, Huong says, when punters might wait half an hour for a banh mi. On days like that, the shop will go through 300 rolls, easily. I remember we first increased the price after Expo 88, to $1.50. Then, when we moved here, we started selling rolls for $2.20. Huong Trinh

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We feel really bad [on Saturday morning] but they want to wait, Huong says. And they come back. So why are they happy to wait? Huong and Nguyen are careful about protecting the shops secrets but Anh Trinh, Huongs sister, who also works at Minh Tan, says it comes down to three things: the Vietnamese butter, the pate and the quality of the pork. The first thing is the pork belly, Anh says. We use pork belly where a lot of shops actually use pork shoulder because its half the price. Some people will say, You dont have as much meat in the roll, but when you eat it, you tend to know. The banh mi at Minh Tan come stuffed full of pork, pickled carrot, cucumber and coriander. Markus Ravik Ive always been known to be very particular with my meat, Huong adds. With pork, we only buy sow pork because if they give us male pork its not as good. Ive never haggled over the price with my supplier, so if at the point where they increase a few times, I just have to look at increasing my own prices.

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As for the Vietnamese butter and pate, Huong says the silken quality of the former is determined by its freshness and the use of a high-grade oil, while she wont be drawn on the pate except to say a lot of customers have tried to buy it on its own. My mum wouldnt sell it to them, but she would give it to them, Huong says. And then later on, they come, and they said to us, Were going to open a shop to compete with you. I learned from that to never sell anything separate; everything is in the roll. I might put the vegetables separate if someone says they want to take away to eat in the next few days. Youll find Minh Tan in a relatively quiet corner of Inalas buzzy Inala Plaza. Markus Ravik But we have a minimum of five rolls, we wouldnt do it for two, Anh says. Minh Tan is busier than ever in 2024, as more people move to Inala and more Brisbane locals drop into Inala Plaza to check out its grocery stores, butchers, seafood outlets and restaurants. Its a reminder of how far the Trinh family has come since arriving in Australia as refugees in 1980.

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We came here on February 15, 1980, Huong says. I remember I cried because we came here that day, and it was raining  its February, its raining. We were in the Wacol [Migrant Centre] and I said, Tomorrow is Chinese New Year. Why did we have to leave our country and move to somewhere where were not known? We knew no one. But [I dont miss Vietnam] because I didnt grow up there. I grew up in Australia. Open Mon-Sat, 7am-4pm Shop 43, Inala Plaza, 156 Inala Avenue, Inala, (07) 3372 1000

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FoodMasterChef Recap Disgusting desserts made in microwaves make this MasterChef ep almost relatable As week six of the cooking show crawls to its conclusion we ask ourselves  who the hell is Sue? Ben Pobjie May 22, 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 .

Previously on MasterChef: the judges, breaking with years of tradition, prized flavour over presentation in an overly elaborate dessert, and Snezana was sadly sent home, leaving us all with a Snez-shaped hole in our lives. But time, tide, and umami wait for no man, and so everyone is forced to dry their eyes and move onto the next terrifying stage of their food journey. Poh makes microwave cooking look cool on MasterChef. Ten The nightmare begins when the amateurs arrive at the kitchen to find the judges standing in front of microwaves, raising the exciting possibility that todays challenge will be to reheat yesterdays pizza to restaurant quality. This week weve been looking at whats trending, says Sofia, and this appliance has been making waves since the Fifties. Right. So not whats trending, then. The judges demonstrate some brilliant microwave hacks to cut down on cooking time, proving that anyone who cooks with anything but a microwave is an idiot. This is enormous fun, but obviously today isnt about fun: its about inducing migraines. Therefore, the amateurs will be required to choose one of the four judges hacks (Andys crispy chicken skin, Jean-Christophes sweet potato crisp, Pohs marshmallow meringue, Sofias white chocolate crumb) and incorporate it into something that could loosely be termed a dish.

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Alex plays to her strengths by immediately making some bad puns. Shes done her hair in a way that, if you squinted and turned the light down as low as possible, could be mistaken for a Princess Leia do, which leads to her calling Darrsh Darrsh Vader. Alex continues to evade arrest. The judges gather to argue about whose microwave hack is the best. Its not a competition, says Andy. It IS a competition! Jean-Christophe rages, his Gallic blood rising. Andy and Jean-Christophe will duel with pistols later, but for now lets get back to the kitchen. American Josh is making a Jamaican shrimp curry, and reveals that his father is Jamaican. This leads into a tinkly-piano-accompanied montage of old childhood photos, which means that today American Josh is either going to cook the best dish, or go home. He becomes emotional as he thinks about his father and his children and his shrimps, which puts enormous pressure on the judges: do they have the guts to send home a man who literally cried today? Are they really that vicious? A tinkly-piano-accompanied montage of old childhood photos means that today American Josh is either going to cook the best dish, or go home.

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Darrsh admits that desserts are his safe space, but he knows if he wants to win immunity, he has to find a way to stand out from the crowd by making dessert revolting, which is why he is combining ice-cream with chicken and mushroom. Andy congratulates him on his willingness to take a terrible idea and run with it. And now to Sue, who is as surprised as anyone to find that shes still on this show. Her chicken roulade sounds interesting, but as Sue signed a contract specifying she could never be on screen for longer than ten seconds at a time, we quickly cut away to Mimi. Mimi is hoping to make something that makes the judges say, I feel understood by this cookie, so we quickly cut away from her as well, as she is clearly having some kind of episode. Meanwhile, Poh asks David how he plans to incorporate her meringue hack. David is making a pumpkin banoffee tart: he saw Darrshs plans for a nauseating dessert and said, Hold my beer. We check back on Darrsh. Im rendering the fat from the chicken to go into the caramel, he says. We miss the next few minutes of the show as we search for a bucket. Darrshs creme anglaise has split, and who can blame it?

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Meanwhile Sue breaks with tradition by appearing more than once in an episode of MasterChef. She explains that she wants to make an onion soubise because it has her name in it  Sue-bise, get it? Understandably, the audience immediately turns against Sue for this shameless attempt to horn in on Alexs terrible pun territory. Speaking of Alex, her ice-cream is in the churner. Its all up to the ice-cream gods now, she says. She has misplaced her faith  Darrshs chicken and mushroom ice-cream proves that there is no ice-cream god, and we live in a cold and uncaring ice-cream universe. Elsewhere, David is squatting in front of his microwave, but his meringue is not rising, probably out of shyness. Ten seconds later, the meringue has risen and the shows ability to sustain suspense

is in serious doubt. Meanwhile Mimi believes her cookies look cute, and questions remain as to whether she actually knows shes in a kitchen. Time is up, and the cook finishes in the funniest possible way, as Sue discovers that she has gotten her piping bag mixed up with Mimis and instead of applying delicious onion soubise has garnished her chicken with chocolate banana mousse. Its actually surprising this doesnt happen more often on MasterChef: if I were a producer Id be secretly swapping contestants ingredients around on purpose all the time, just to make things more interesting. Half of them

seem to do this kind of thing on purpose anyway. Tasting begins, with American Josh first, serving his Jamaican shrimp curry. He subtly reminds the judges that this is his fathers dish and he hasnt seen his dad for six years and if they dont give him immunity they are all bastards. Despite the fact that the shrimp curry does not contain an ice-cream element, the judges think its great.

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Next is Sav, who hasnt been seen before now and so has no chance. Then Nat, whose sweet ginger ninja is tasty despite its incredibly annoying name. Then Sumeet  see above re: Sav. Now its Alex, who serves fig leaf ice-cream and macadamia crumb on what appears to be a haemorrhoid cushion. The judges think its absolutely delicious and interestingly do not complain that the ice-cream didnt have enough crispy chicken skin in it. David steps up with his unhinged pumpkin banoffee tart. He explains that scientifically, combining pumpkin and banana makes sense. The judges all call him a nerd, but still say they love the tart, making it impossible to trust anything they say from now on. Sue brings forward her chicken, banana and white chocolate disaster. The judges berate her for accidentally doing what David and Darrsh did deliberately. Then on to Mimi and her take on fortune cookies which is fine in a dull way. Then its Australian Josh, whose sorbet has far too many ingredients. Jean-Christophe compliments him on his willingness to try things that he is clearly bad at. Next is Steve, whos made something or other which is not good.

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Finally the moment of truth for Darrsh and his chicken and mushroom dessert. Its a completely mad idea that no one in their right mind would ever even consider eating, so naturally the judges think its brilliant. The suspicion grows ever stronger that the judges are not technically human. Davids magnificent microwave skills earn him immunity. Ten The three cooks who have best demonstrated the ability to make everyone forget that at one point this episode had some vague connection to microwaves are David, Alex and Darrsh, the judges deciding that they dont even care about American Joshs dad. In the end David is given immunity for hitting that sweet spot between delicious food and deadly poison. Tune in Sunday, when the contestant least able to make a chocolate fudge sundae using lard and tripe will be going home. Collection MasterChef 2024: The Ben Pobjie episode recaps
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One Australian restaurant has been recognised in the long-list of The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants. Josh and Julie Nilands Sydney fish restaurant Saint Peter came in at number 98. Julie and Josh Niland will open an even more ambitious Saint Peter in their Grand National hotel development. Supplied The announcement of the worlds top 51-100 restaurants, as decided by voters drawn from restaurant critics, chefs and well-travelled eaters, is the first stage of the annual global ranking. In July, the Good Food Guide chef of the year Josh Niland announced he and wife Julie Niland will open the next world-class evolution of Saint Peter within The Grand National Hotel in Paddington this July.

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Niland, already recognised as a world leader in fish cookery, plans to really push the boat out when Saint Peter reopens with double the seating and kitchen capacity. He will take diners on a three-part dining journey moving from eating oysters (planned to be grown especially for the restaurant) at a bar, to having rotisserie-cooked seafood in the kitchen, to the dining table where the last of nine innovative courses will be served. Josh Nilands selection of Fish Butchery charcuterie at the new Saint Peter. Christopher Pearce Following the award announcement, Josh Niland posted a tribute to his team via Instagram: @julieniland and I cant begin to express our deepest most heartfelt congratulations to our whole team across @saintpeterpaddo, @fishbutchery & @petermendining. We are incredibly grateful to them and to @theworlds50best for recognising their efforts over the past years. Last year, Australia was not represented on either the long-list or the 1-50 list, prompting criticism from several Australian food reviewers that the voting system and Australias distance from the northern hemisphere have created a skewed snapshot of what good dining looked like in 2023.

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The awards are determined by a voting academy of more than 1000 international restaurant experts: equal parts food writers, chefs and restaurateurs, and well-travelled gourmets. In 2023, the rules were that each academy member must vote for between six and 10 restaurants, and no more than six restaurants could be located in the voters home region. Many believe our restaurants are not better represented on the lists because of long and expensive flights to Australia. The previous best showing by an Australian venue in recent years was in 2022 when Melbourne hotspot Gimlet at Cavendish House scooped up spot No. 84. Prior to that, Attica and Brae were often featured in either the 1-50 or 51-100 lists. Restaurants 1-50 will be announced in Las Vegas on June 5.



See the full list of restaurants 51-100 at theworlds50best.com NSWs top restaurants and culinary talent celebrated at Good Food awards (and a big fish hooks the top gong)

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Exclusive Eating outMelbourne icon A Carlton North favourite is shutting its doors after more than two decades Chef Adrian Richardsons restaurant La Luna has been praised for its consistency, as well as its commitment to dry-aging steaks and making smallgoods in-house. So why turn off the lights? Tomas Telegramma May 23, 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

After celebrating 25 years last September, Carlton North stalwart La Luna Bistro is closing. Its surprising timing, following such a milestone, but thats exactly the reason celebrity chef Adrian Richardson says he decided not to renew the lease of its Rathdowne Street corner site. Dark walls and light fixtures made from fencing wire create a masculine aesthetic at La Luna. Jason South The decision not to continue on [involved] a lot of pacing up and down  theres a lot of nostalgia there, he says. But I had to ask myself, Could I give that venue 100 per cent attention in the next four to eight years? And the answer was no. For a quarter of a century, its been great  weve been doing quite well [recently], he continues. I want to end on a high. I dont want to drag it out and watch it flounder.

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Richardson insists the closure is a matter of quitting while hes ahead, and not as a direct result of the increasing financial pressures plaguing the hospitality industry. Chef Adrian Richardson at La Luna Bistro. Sometimes you dont appreciate how far youve come until you hit a milestone, he says. [La Luna] has been a vehicle for me to go on and do amazing things  To last 25 years is a testament to all the people who came through, and the staff. Since opening in 1998, La Luna has served generations of Melburnians, building a community in Rathdowne Village with warm service, a neighbourhood vibe, and an impressive meat program, the team making smallgoods and dry-aging steaks in-house. 14 / 20 Review Icon review: Melburnians are obsessed with new restaurants, but 25-year-old La Luna shows we should value consistency, too

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In a review in its 25th year, The Ages chief restaurant critic Besha Rodell praised La Lunas consistency and endurance. But the restaurant has not been without its controversies, including several staff not paid their correct entitlements, such as weekend penalty rates, in 2017. The restaurant had to reimburse some of the money owed. In the lead-up to its closure in August, therell be a series of farewell events, including a no-shiraz beef dinner and a banquet of crowd-favourite dishes. Porterhouse steak is one of many dry-aged cuts La Luna offers. Jason South But while its the end of the road for La Luna in its current home, Richardson says it may pop up again sometime, here or there.

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Whenever you take antibiotics, no matter the dose or duration, there is a risk of developing resistance, says Dr Sarah Kabbani, a public health physician at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria in your body. But some bacteria will survive, which can make future infections more difficult to treat. This result, called antimicrobial resistance, is a serious threat to human and animal health, according to the Australian governments Department of Health and Aged Care.

There are many reasons why antibiotics are prescribed. Credit: iStock

While antibiotics are necessary for serious, life-threatening infections, theyre sometimes prescribed for less urgent situations. Heres how to tell if an antibiotic is right for you.

What to consider
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 manoeuvrability and formidable firepower, he added, in the hands of a skilled pilot like Anderson  its an extremely deadly weapon. Anderson as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base. Anderson named his P-51 Old Crow. Raised by teetotal 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. 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 January 13, 1922, in Oakland, California, and grew up in Newcastle, north-east 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. Loading 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 each other, 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, North Carolina, survivors include a son, Jim, 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. Bud Anderson arrives at the 16th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in 2019. Credit: Getty 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 grew. 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 colour that provided better camouflage in the snow.
Donald Trumps Aussie catcher-and-killer Dylan Howard, fresh from many dishonourable mentions in the former US presidents hush-money trial in New York, is facing another spot of bother.

For those living under a rock, evidence of the Geelong-born Howards role, as editor of US supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer, in locating and burying negative stories about Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, has been laid bare in the case.

Dylan Howard with then-president Donald Trump in the Oval Office in 2017.

And while Howard hasnt been charged with anything, it wasnt a great look for the man who calls himself Americas most feared journalist and claims to have taken down the careers of Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen and Hulk Hogan.

He hasnt done much either for the prospects of the six journalists on either side of the Atlantic who were clearing out their desks last week after the attempt by Howards company Empire Media to revive music magazine Q ended after just five months.
Women and children fleeing family violence should be moved out of motels and placed in supported crisis accommodation to help reduce suicide risk, Victorias 24/7 family violence response agency says.

Safe Steps also says supported accommodation is cheaper than the current system of using motels as a standard option to protect womens and childrens lives, according to independent data it has provided to Premier Jacinta Allan.

Safe Steps chief executive Chelsea Tobin has asked the government to commit to ending the use of motels to house women and children fleeing family violence. Credit: Eddie Jim

Taking women out of motels during a family violence crisis is key to suicide prevention, Safe Steps chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin said.

Everyone in a motel for family violence is at the highest risk category by definition of how they get access, Tobin said. They are vulnerable, 40 per cent have active suicidal ideation, and they need to be in supported set-ups.
Its been a busy day. Did you manage to keep up? If not, heres a quick breakdown of todays top stories.

We started the day with news that a Perth man had been hospitalised with broken bones after an alleged road rage incident in Dianella overnight.

We took you inside the Australian Financial Review Mining Summit, where Premier Roger Cook warned BHP not to forget where it made most of its money when considering the future of its WA nickel operation.

In federal politics, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton doubled down on his opposition to the $14 billion worth of tax breaks for hydrogen and critical minerals projects, which has been denounced as anti-WA.

And we brought you some figures from WA budget estimates that piqued our interest, specifically that the state government was struggling to fill one-in-10 roles in its child protection workforce.

Pro-Palestinian student protesters took over the campus engineering building in an escalation of an ongoing dispute with the university over its alleged ties with weapons and technology companies that arm Israel.

We gave you a sneak peek at the concept designs for Westbridges $78 million apartment complex plan, which will see Subiacos treasured Regal Theatre given a refresh.

The Waalitj Marawar (West Coast Eagles) football club revealed their forward Tyler Brockman would be participating in a wellbeing and education program after being charged over alleged careless driving at the weekend.

Two men were charged with murder after a major probe into the death of a woman in an Ascot Hotel room back in February.

And, this afternoon, we broke the news that the Cook government will announce a new law tomorrow giving WA Police sweeping powers to search people for knives in public.

Thank you for joining us. See you tomorrow!
The federal opposition is set to announce the locations of up to seven proposed nuclear power sites in a matter of weeks, with two of the sites to be in Liberal-held seats and either four or five sites in Nationals-held seats.

Possible nuclear power plant sites that have been discussed within the Coalition include the Latrobe Valley and Anglesea in Victoria, the Hunter Valley in NSW, Collie in Western Australia, Port Augusta in South Australia, and even potentially a plant in Nationals leader David Littleprouds electorate of Maranoa in south-west Queensland.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has dismissed the costs of nuclear cited in the latest report from CSIRO. Credit: Getty Images, Louis Douvos

All of these sites currently host either coal or gas-fired power stations.

This masthead has been told by a coalition MP, who asked not to be named to brief on confidential deliberations, that the much-anticipated announcement of the six or seven sites  a closely guarded secret for months  has been finalised, and a policy launch has been pencilled in to take place by early June.
Powerful racing boss Peter Vlandys has insisted there is no conspiracy over his connection to the proposed sale of the historic Rosehill Gardens racecourse, while revealing Racing NSW would have the final say over whether a deal to turn the track into a mini-city of 25,000 new homes goes ahead.

The Australian Turf Clubs proposed deal with the Minns government to redevelop Rosehill for housing has sparked significant resistance from some prominent members of the racing industry.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter Vlandys says proceeds from any sale of Rosehill should be used for the best interests of the racing industry. Credit: Rhett Wyman. Images digitally altered.

Those opponents have seized on internal government documents they say show Vlandys lobbied the government to divert funds from the proposed sell-off away from the ATC.

While the Racing NSW chief executive has publicly withheld judgment on the plan, minutes from a meeting he and then-Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding held with NSW Cabinet Office officials in November recorded the two racing bosses as being very supportive of the sale.
This article is part of Travellers guide to The Ends of the Earth.

The convoluted Kimberley coastline, pounded by astounding 10-metre tides, is one of the worlds great expedition destinations. Cruise ships are the only practical way to get there to experience north-west Australias river gorges and waterfalls, Indigenous art sites and astonishing natural wonders.

Small-ship cruises have ticked along here for decades, but a surge in interest has seen them rev into higher gear. Plan ahead because the cruise season is short and cabins sell out well in advance.

The vibrant orange cliffs of King George Gorge.

Travelmarvel is the latest to enter the fray, offering Kimberley cruises for the first time this July and August. Its 10-day Kimberley Coast Adventure sails between Broome and Darwin aboard Heritage Adventurer, which carries 164 guests and an expedition team.

Meanwhile, Ponant has established a relationship with Australian pearl producer Paspaley Group to jointly operate a 30-guest expedition motor yacht, Paspaley Pearl by Ponant.
ChargePoint and Airbnb Partner to Enable Seamless EV Charging

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ChargePoint , a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and Airbnb Inc. today announced a partnership to meet a growing demand in EV charging from Airbnb guests. The partnership aims to make it easier for Airbnb hosts in the United States to install EV chargers at their listings and expand access to EV chargers across the U.S.

With Airbnb, we are enabling more EV charging for drivers where they need it and helping Airbnb hosts appeal to more travelers by delivering a frictionless charging experience for their guests, said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint. Through this partnership, we have created an innovative model to deliver integrated charging solutions and services.

Effective immediately, ChargePoint will enable Airbnb hosts in the U.S. to purchase and install EV charging in a hassle-free, affordable manner. The package, exclusively offered to Airbnb hosts, includes a dedicated website offering ChargePoint hardware, charger management software, installation, and support services. For Airbnb guests, the arrangement will allow them to seamlessly charge their vehicle using the ChargePoint app, while staying at an Airbnb listing with a ChargePoint charger or at any of the more than 917,000 places to charge accessible through the ChargePoint network and roaming partners.

As EV adoption continues to scale, charging has evolved from a perk to a coveted amenity for the Airbnb community. According to Airbnb data, listings that offer an EV charger are booked for more nights and generate more income on average, when compared to listings without an EV charger.1 Airbnb searches for listings with EV chargers grew more than 80 percent from 2022 to 2023. Similarly, ChargePoint data shows that its North American drivers spent more than 79 million hours charging in residential settings in 2023.

We are thrilled to join forces with ChargePoint to help Hosts meet growing demand for electric vehicle chargers from guests. By making it more affordable for Hosts to install EV chargers, we are empowering them to take more sustainable actions and appeal to guests who are interested in this amenity, said Ameet Konkar, Airbnbs Director of Sustainability.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.

ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds-of-thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom, the ChargePoint Investor Relations site, or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

1According to internal Airbnb data from 2022 - 2023 indicating that EV charger adoption adds an average of two incremental nights booked.

CHPT-IR
A worker performs Diancha, a traditional tea-making technique listed as an intangible cultural heritage, in Zhenjiang, southeast China's Jiangsu Province.(Photo/CFP)

May 21 marks the fifth International Tea Day, the first global festival for the agriculture sector spearheaded by major tea-producing nations such as China. The event celebrates tea's economic, social and cultural significance while advocating for sustainable development across the global agriculture industry.

In China, tea culture and tea products have been a huge part of daily life for thousands of years, providing a delicious taste and injecting continuous impetus into the development of the tea industry.

(Intern Xing Yawen contributed to this story.)

A teahouse in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo/CFP)



A worker shows apprentices Niancha, a traditional technique to rub tea leaves, in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo/CFP)



A girl makes tea in a teahouse in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. (Photo/CFP)



Tourists dressed in Yao costumes pick tea leaves in Yongzhou, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo/CFP)






Glen Moray experiments with Rioja casks for new releases

Speyside distiller Glen Moray has announced two additions to its Warehouse 1 collection. The collection is home to the distillerys most experimental and adventurous whiskies.

The two limited-edition releases joining the portfolio are Glen Moray Rioja Matured and Glen Moray Peated Rioja Finish. The distillery team experimented with Rioja red wine casks sourced from Spain in different ways to produce the duo.

Commenting on the release, Glen Moray brand ambassador Iain Allan shared: The whiskies of our Warehouse 1 Collection are among some of our most intriguing and experimental single malts. And these two limited editions aged in Rioja red wine casks are sure to appeal to inquisitive whisky enthusiasts.

The first release is the Rioja Matured, an eight-year-old whisky entirely aged in Rioja casks. The distillery says the result is a full-bodied take on a Speyside whisky with notes of cherries, plums, leather, and oak.

The second take on a Rioja-cask whisky is the Peated Rioja Finish. For this 11-year-old expression, Glen Moray gave the lightly peated bourbon-cask-matured spirit a finishing period in Rioja casks. With its gentle smoke and plummy tastes, Glen Moray Peated Rioja Finish is a fascinatingly different take on Glen Moray, Allen commented. The releases follow previous cask experiments by Glen Moray, including its Explorer range, which received a packaging redesign to reflect the distillerys cask expertise Glen Moray 2012 Peated Rioja Finish (58.8% ABV) and Glen Moray 2015 Rioja Matured (59.8% ABV) will be available in limited quantities in the UK, US, and select markets worldwide, as well as at the Glen Moray Distillery

22 May 2024 - Lucy Schofield
1 killed, 3 hurt in post-poll violence in Bihars Saran





SARAN (Bihar),

ONE person was killed and three others injured in post-poll violence in Bihars Saran district on Tuesday morning, police said. The incident happened in the Bada Telma area near Bhikhari Thakur Chowk, they said. An altercation broke out between two groups, said to be supporters of the BJP and RJD, over allegations of irregularities during polling that happened on Monday in the area, amid which shots were fired. One person was killed on the spot, and three others were injured, a police officer said.

The deceased was identified as Chandan Yadav (25), he added. The injured persons were admitted to the nearest hospital. Later, two of them were sent to Patna for better treatment, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Mangla said.

A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Three persons have been arrested in connection with todays incident, he said. Internet was also suspended in the district to prevent a flare-up, he added. RJD President Lalu Prasads daughter Rohini Acharya was the Mahagathbandhan candidate in Saran against BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy. After meeting the family of the injured persons in Patna, Acharya said, Todays incident proves that BJP leaders are scared. Its a simple murder of democracy.

I want justice for my workers. My three party workers were shot. Even during polling on Monday, there was a murderous attack on me. I just managed to escape. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also condemned the incident. There is no place for violence in elections. I am in touch with the officers of the district administration. The administration has assured me that the remaining two accused will also be arrested by evening. Those indulging in such acts prove that they have lost the polls, he said.
NEW DELHI,

THE proposed theatre commands will lay the foundation for catapulting the Armed Forces into the next orbit of military preparedness and war fighting, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said on Wednesday. His comments came as India looks at implementing the ambitious and long-awaited theaterisation plan. In an address at an event, the Chief of Defence Staff Chief also called upon the three services to create a joint culture as they move towards forming joint operational structures. He said the theatre commands will not be an end state but the beginning of the next set of reforms. The integrated theatre commands will lead to many reforms like single to multi domain operations, fusing space and cyber space into traditional domains, digitisation of battlefield information and visualisation, net centric to data centric among others, he said. Developing joint culture in the Armed Forces would be jointness 2.0 which is the way forward, the Chief of Defence Staff said delivering the Major General Samir Sinha Memorial Lecture. He said jointness 1.0 was about better bonhomie and consensus among the services, and as there were no major differences, there is an impetus to move towards the next level which is jointness 2.0.

Acknowledging the distinct culture of all the three services, General Chauhan underscored that there was a need to create a fourth culture in the services. We must be able to distill the best of each service, and incorporate the highest common factor, rather than settle for the least common denominator, said the Chief of Defence Staff. He mentioned various initiatives of symbology that were being processed towards fostering the joint culture, including tri-services participation in national events. Under the theaterisation model, the Government seeks to integrate the capabilities of the Army, Air Force and Navy and optimally utilise their resources for wars and operations. According to the theaterisation plan, each of the theatre commands will have units of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and all of them will work as a single entity looking after security challenges in a specified geographical territory. At present, the Army, Navy and the Air Force have separate commands. The theatre commands are being planned to integrate the capabilities of the three services and to ensure optimal utilisation of their resources.

In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff termed jointness and integration as pre-requisites to the creation of functional integrated theatre commands, and explained the significance of such commands. The creation of such commands will separate the operational functions from the Raise-Train-Sustain (RTS) and other administrative functions, and will allow greater focus of the operational commander to matters of security, he said. Stressing that the reforms in the Indian defence ecosystem are a necessity, General Chauhan said, nation States across the globe are facing a new set of challenges, and current flux in world order is forcing them to review their security strategies. The rapid and unbridled march of technology is transforming the way future wars will be fought, he added.
CONGRESS leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi stands at a critical point in his political career -- having completed the voting process also at Rae Bareli, his second constituency through which he has sought to re-enter Parliament. At Keralas Waynad Lok Sabha constituency, he apprehended a tough outcome, and therefore chose to contest also from rae Bareli, mother Mrs. Sonia Gandhis constituency. Now, after having completed the voting process at both places, he waits for the outcome on June 4, 2024. Though all this may sound a normal activity for others. For Mr. Rahul Gandhi, however, this may not be so. For, at both places, his electoral position appears rather in doubt. If he wins at both places, then his image will be redeemed completely. Even if he wins from any one of the two places, he will be back in Parliament, all right. But if he happens to lose at both places, his career will take a nose-dive from which it may be very difficult to recover. Even though the whole country sees Mr. Rahul Gandhi as a leading light of national politics, he has been enjoying only a mixed sort of image in popular mind.

While some do take him as a leader of great merit, most others dont feel like that, and consider him as a mediocre politician with suspect leadership qualities and doubtful political acumen. No matter the two across-the-country yatras he undertook, Mr. Gandhi has not been able to refurbish his own or his partys image to a reasonable extent. When Waynad went to polls, doubts sprang up in political circles whether Mr. Rahul Gandhi was in a safe and strong position or not. Those doubts haunted Mr. Rahul Gandhi as well. Hence his travel back to Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh where his family elders, including mother Mrs. Sonia Gandhi (and father Firoze Gandhi), won many electoral battles. However, Rae Bareli was not at all the safe haven that it was thought to be. The fight was tough, so much so that on the polling day, Mr. Rahul Gandhi spent much time personally moving from booth to booth -- as if to motivate voters. However, that also showed his sense of unease -- no matter the fact that Rae Bareli is considered a family political bastion for the Gandhis. As the current elections have come through five rounds, political analysts have begun writing their individual assessments of the possible outcome -- based on interpretation of multiple factors.

Most such analyses have shown negative picture for the Congress party and Mr. Rahul Gandhi. If those assessments happen to turn true, then Mr. Rahul Gandhis political career may run into a road-block. And for this debacle, the only person to get the maximum blame would be Mr. Rahul Gandhi -- and certainly not formally-anointed party President Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge. The recent line-up of many Congress leaders making a beeline out of the party is also being blamed mostly on Mr. Rahul Gandhi. For, most of those leaders name him as the main reason why they chose to leave the organisation. In other words, Mr. Rahul Gandhi is up against a whole range of antagonism for multiple -- some obvious and some hidden -- reasons. When a leader finds himself in such a bind, he has to start a serious rethink on what he should actually do to make sense out of his life and career. Mr. Rahul Gandhi has arrived at this critical point. It is not known whether he has the ability to analyse these developments from intellectual and spiritual points of view. Nevertheless, he has always portrayed himself as a national leader of substance. This own image of himself, actually, has created problems for the young leader who is well past his fifty years of life. All in all, thus, he has a lot many issues to tackle at this moment.
Ex-MLA, nine others booked for land fraud





Our Correspondent

KORBA,

POLICE have registered a case against 10 people including Mohitram Kerketta, former MLA of Pali Tanakhar, and his son. It is alleged that Kerketta bought and sold the land registered in the name of Christian cemetery in Bilaspur by falsifying and conspiring in the revenue records. Following the court order, the Civil Line Police registered the case. Mohitram Kerketta, who became MLA after winning the elections in 2018, was made the Vice-Chairman of the Chief Minister Infrastructure Upgradation and Development Authority and given the status of Minister of State. It is alleged that Mohitram, by misusing his position, had purchased about one acre of land registered in the name of the cemetery of Church of Christ Mission in India at Kududand in Bilaspur in the name of his son Shankar Kerketta. The alleged officials of the organisation made a deal of one acre of land with the then MLA Mohitram Kerketta and his son for Rs 99 lakh 22 thousand 500.

The organisations vehicle driver Arun Toppo was made a witness in this. The land sold is recorded as a Christian cemetery in the records of the institution. Apart from this, in the earlier judicial case also the land has been described as a cemetery. The complainant said that the cost of the land is around Rs 5 crore and deal has also been made at the same price. In a mutual deal, the remaining money was embezzled by declaring the price of the land as Rs 99 lakh, whereas the members of the organization do not have the right to sell the cemetery land, nor does the buyer have the right to buy the cemetery land. Alok Wilson, resident of Vidyanagar, had complained to the police about land fraud through forgery and conspiracy. He had told that he is a member of Church of Christ Mission in India, Kududand and demanded action against forgery and wrongful sale of cemetery land records, but the police did not take any action. After this, Alok filed a complaint in the court. After the hearing, the court ordered the police to register a case.

On the orders of the court, Civil Lines Police has registered an FIR against Baron alias Biran Sai Kujur, Birim Sai Toppo, Deepak Philemon, Mahavir Kujur, and Hamilton Thomas. Along with this, a case has been registered under sections 403, 406, 420, 467, 468, 120B against JW Das, resident of Raipur, Pushpa Minj resident of Uslapur, Arun Toppo, Mohitram Kerketta and his son Shankar Kerketta resident of Uranvpara, Polmi. It needs a mention that Congress lost the last assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. The then MLA Mohitram Kerketta was not given party ticket from Pali-Tanakhar. Peeved by this denial of party ticket, he resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party.
CM orders probe Father of minor boy involved in Pune car crash arrested





PUNE :

THE father of a 17-year-old boy, whose speeding luxury car killed two software engineers in Pune, was placed under arrest on Tuesday evening, hours after he was detained from central Maharashtras Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar town, police said. The car, a Porsche, allegedly driven by the boy, who the police claim was drunk at the time of the accident, fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune city in the early hours of Sunday, according to police. The teenagers father, a well-known real estate developer, was detained in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, around 250km from Pune, by sleuths of the crime branch, which is probing the accident case, and brought to the city in the evening, they said.

We have arrested him in the case and he will be produced before a court on Wednesday, said Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. Kumar said Jayesh Bonkar, one of the staffers at Hotel Blak Club, where the boy was served liquor, was also arrested. Earlier, the police arrested three other accused - an owner and two managers of different restaurants - in connection with the case. The trio - Naman Pralhad Bhutda, the owner of Cosie restaurant, its manager Sachin Katkar, and the manager of Blak Club hotel Sandip Sangle - were produced before a court which remanded them in police custody till May 24. While seeking their custody for seven days, the prosecution told the court that the establishments owned or managed by the accused served liquor to the boy and his friends without confirming his age. The deceased were identified as Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals hailing from Madhya Pradesh and working in Pune.

After the accident, the police had registered a case against the teenagers father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant provisions of the IPC. Section 75 deals with willful neglect of a child, or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses, while section 77 deals with supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs. According to the FIR lodged in connection with the crash, the man, despite knowing his son did not have a valid driving licence, gave him the car, thus endangering the latters life. He also allowed his son to party despite knowing that he consumes liquor. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis have instructed for stringent action in the case of a car accident allegedly involving a 17-year-old boy that killed two persons, Pune police chief said on Tuesday. On his part, Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar dared the Opposition and others to prove their charges that the police acted under pressure or went soft on the accused minor whose father is a reputed realty developer in the city. Commissioner Kumar also challenged the Opposition and critics to prove that the Pune Police did not invoke the most stringent charges permissible under the laws against the minor accused. He said that two applications filed in the court were rejected -- one to treat the juvenile driver as an adult, and another for his remand, but the police will appeal in a higher court. Identity of minor should not be revealed: NCPCR Chairperson on Pune car accident case
Houses flooded at Mother Teresa Nagar, residents flee





Staff Reporter

On Tuesday morning around 6 am, residents of Mother Teresa Nagar Colony experienced scenes reminiscent of heavy rainfall as several houses were flooded. The situation was so dire that on waking, residents had to first evacuate their young children because water had risen to knee level inside their homes. It took hours of effort for the residents to manually remove the water from their houses. The incident occurred in Mother Teresa Nagar Colony due to a burst pipeline during sewer line work. Within a short period, sewer water inundated several homes in the colony. Local residents reported the flooding by calling the emergency number 181 and demanded immediate repair work.

To address the situation the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation shut off the water supply, which finally stopped the flow of water. Residents informed that the sewer line installation was going on in Mother Teresa Nagar when the pipeline burst on Tuesday morning, causing sewer water to flood their homes. They said that water drained out of houses located on higher ground within two to three hours, but homes on lower ground remained flooded and required hours of effort from the residents to clear the water.

Local residents said since January, multiple pits have been dug and then filled in throughout their colony for sewer line work. The ongoing process over the past four to five months has significantly disrupted the daily life of the residents.
Man gets double death forrape, murder of daughter





Special Correspondent

SPECIAL Judge for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, A C Raut on Tuesday awarded double death penalty to Guddu Chhotelal Rajak (40) for sexually assaulting and killing his own teenage daughter. According to the prosecution, Guddu, a labourer, was living with his two daughters -- Mahi (16) and her 12-year-old sister -- and 10-year-old son at Plot No 78, Devi Nagar, Aajri Majri, Wanjra. After his wife Aarti committed suicide in 2016, he tied the knot with Kausalya Dashrath Piparde (38), a resident of Plot No 628, Kushi Nagar, Nara Ghat Road, Jaripatka. Kausalya also left him and was staying with her father, brother and sister-in-law. A few days before the murder that took place on November 6, 2022, Guddu mixed poison in Mahis meals and she was admitted to a hospital. When her step-aunt Ashwini Durgaprasad Deshbhratar (29) went to meet Mahi in the hospital, the latter told her that her step-mother Kausalya, her brother Santosh, Kalpana Santosh Piparde (38) and Dashrath Piparde (60) were pressurising her to marry. Aartis brother Santosh Piparde (35) was sexually harassing her.

After Mahi was discharged from the hospital, she was found hanging from a ceiling raft in the prayer room of her house on November 6, 2022. Following Ashwini Deshbhratars complaint and five suicide notes found by cops, Kalamna Police had registered a case under Section 305, 306, 376,34 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 4, 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against Kausalya, Santosh, Dashrath and Kalpana and arrested them. Investigators, however, grew suspicious and seized the cellphones of Guddu and deceased Mahi. They found photographs of Mahi alive with a noose around her neck. Further investigation revealed that Guddu repeatedly raped Mahi and killed her after compelling her to create a scene of suicide by hanging for false implication of Kausalya, Santosh, Dashrath and Kalpana and then kicked the stool on which she was standing. He then forcefully released her hand from the metal rod which she was holding for support to save herself.
Mortal remains of 17 labourers consigned to flames at Semrah





The Hitavada State Bureau

RAIPUR/KAWARDHA,

The last rites for 17 of the 19 labourers who tragically lost their lives in a road accident on Monday were conducted in a mass funeral at Semrah village. The accident occurred in Bahpani village, under the jurisdiction of the Kukdur Police Station. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma attended the funeral. The last rites were conducted in a mass funeral pyre. Several hundreds of villagers attended the funeral. The Deputy Chief Minister, speaking to the media, described the scene as gloomy and sorrowful. In his post on social media platform X, Sharma shared his condolences, stating, The last rites of the brothers and sisters from Semrah village, who passed away in the accident, were conducted in a very sombre atmosphere. Many joined their final journey and prayed to God for the peace of the departed souls. May the Almighty grant them a place at His feet and provide strength to the bereaved family.

The tragedy has drawn condolences from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai who expressed their sorrow over the deaths and extended their sympathies to the families of the deceased. Deputy Chief Minister Sharma conveyed their messages. The entire community and community leaders turned up at the last rituals, Sharma said. Earlier on Monday night, Sharma visited the residences of the deceased and injured family members to offer his condolences personally. He assured them of the governments full support.

Vijay Sharma also emphasized that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the accident. He assured that penal action would be taken against the driver or anyone found responsible for the tragic event. Mukesh Kumar Dhurve, president of the tribal society in the Kukdur center area and others have called on the government to provide each victims family with a government job and a compensation of Rs 1 crore, as a support to prevent the families from facing hardships. After the accident, government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand for the injured, along with directives for the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
OFAjs first ever export: Sends out first international consignment of 155mm shells to a European country





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAj), Nagpur, a production unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL) has achieved a milestone by supplying a consignment of 155mm M-107 shells to a European country first time in its history. OFAj has released this first international consignment of 1 lakh numbers of 155mm M-107 ammunition to the European country recently. This achievement marks a promising start for the new financial year of OFAj towards a foothold in the global defence market. Earlier we were producing these shells only for the Indian Army but with this consignment we are entered in the global market in the category of 155mm shells, senior officer of OFAj told The Hitavada on a condition of anonymity.

We have received more orders of 155mm shells from the same country. The production is going on full-fledgedly in the factory and more consignments will be released soon, said the officer. The successful execution of this order paves the way for future export endeavours, solidifying YILs position as a key player in the global market, claimed the senior officer. This Ammunition is used for Ground Target Attack with Mass destruction. It is fired from 155 mm artillery gun like Dhanush and Bofors Gun. The range of the shell is 18 km and it has a shelf life of 15 years.

YIL has strategically scaled up its production of 155mm shells to cater the rising demand of world market. Earlier, YIL was producing only 50,000 to 60,000 shells for the India Army which is now boosted by 1 lakh numbers for the international buyer. In February, Munitions India Limited (MIL), another defence PSU of India, secured an export order of $225 million for 155mm artillery shells from Soudi Arabia. Last year, OFAj supplied a consignment of Pinaka Mk-1 Enhanced Rockets to Armenia. Whereas, Armenia showed interest to purchase more ammunitions from Indian PSUs.
PoK BECKONS





PAK Occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been in the news for the last one month. It has also become part of the political narrative during the elections. The media has covered the issue extensively but how did a major portion of territory in Kashmir became Pak occupied is something we need to know. Undivided Jammu & Kashmir was a huge princely State measuring about 2,18, 779 sq kms. It had a Hindu ruler in Maharaja Hari Singh at the time of Independence. The State comprised of five regions. The province of Jammu had Hindu majority. The Valley of Kashmir which lay to the north of Jammu had clear Muslim majority. To the east of Kashmir Valley was Ladakh, inhabited by the Buddhists. Further west of Ladakh were two thinly populated States of Gilgit and Baltistan, from Shia and Ismaili branches of Islam. The northern portion of the State was all high mountains and largely inaccessible. There were hardly any roads and these areas remained cut off from the main Valley of Kashmir. The history of accession of Jammu & Kashmir into the Indian dominion is well known. More than 500 princely States had merged with India at the time of Independence but Maharaja Hari Singh wanted independent nation status for his State of Jammu & Kashmir.

Post independence on 15 August 1947, the situation in Jammu & Kashmir deteriorated, leading to economic crisis and law and order problems. Pakistan could not accept the fact that a Muslim majority State had not ceded to them. There were Intelligence inputs of Pakistan preparing to send infiltrators in large numbers into Kashmir. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Indian Prime Minister, who himself was an ethnic Kashmiri wanted the accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union with the support of Sheikh Abdullah, the tallest leader in the State. There was confusion in the environment and taking advantage of the uncertain situation in the State, tribals aided and abetted by Pakistan invaded the Kashmir from the north on 22 October 1947 and quickly moved southwards towards Srinagar, the capital city. The tribals, basically Pathans from the North West Frontier Provinces numbered anything between 10,000 to 13,000 men were armed with weapons and ammunition provided by Pakistan Army. After carrying out loot, rape and plunder enroute, the tribals reached Baramulla which is just 60 kms from the State capital on 24 October 1947. They indulged in mass loot and rape of the locals and lost sight of reaching Srinagar at the earliest. Under this grave security situation, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India on 24 October 1947 and finally signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947.

In the wee hours of 27 October 1947, Indian troops flew from Delhi and landed in Srinagar and quickly secured the city, particularly the airport. Indian troops fought some stellar battles with invaders and saved the city in nick of time. After ensuring the security of Srinagar, the Indian troops began to clear other parts of Valley captured by the tribals. By 11 November 1947, the towns of Baramulla and Uri were recaptured and liberated. The Indian troops had the advantage of momentum with them but with the onset of winters, the military operations were temporarily suspended. The military leadership was keen to continue to push ahead but the Prime Minister Nehru wanted to improve the internal affairs of Kashmir under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah. No one paid much attention to the inaccessible portion of Kashmir, i.e. Gilgit and Baltistan. With the signing of Instrument of Accession, the finality of merger of complete Jammu & Kashmir with the Indian Union was legally achieved, as was the case with other princely States. In the last week of November 1947, Prime Minister Nehru suggested a plebiscite for the whole State to decide which dominion it would join or prefer to remain an independent State. This moral high ground was uncalled for in hindsight as this issue continues to haunt India even today. Pakistan smartly took control of the Gilgit and Baltistan during this period of impasse. So, when India went to the United Nations in January 1948 to stake claim for the Pak occupied northern parts, it was too late. With the ceasefire after 1948 operations, India lost considerable chunk of territory in the west as well.

Pakistan prefers to call the entire PoK under their administrative control as the Azad Kashmir. China captured 38,000 sq kms of Aksai Chin in the north east of Ladakh region from India in the 1962 war. Pakistan also handed over 5180 Sq kms of northern portion of PoK to China in 1963 called Trans- Karakoram Tract. Thus, substantial territory of PoK is already under the illegal occupation of China. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through the POK and India has registered strong protest against it. In essence, the issue of PoK is now also linked to China besides Pakistan. Militarily, the capture of the entire PoK is going to be a long haul. Indian Armed Forces are capable of capturing it when called upon by the political leadership but it would come at a steep cost. With the PoK in complete economic turmoil and dwindling Pak economy, the people in PoK are protesting for basic rights and decent living. They see the vibrant economy of India as also Jammu & Kashmir prospering under the current regime. Time is ripe for India to work towards integration of PoK with the country. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has suggested a pragmatic solution by stating that the people of PoK themselves should fight for integration with India. A collective national will backed by some astute diplomacy and military might from India beckons PoK. n
Revolutionising agricultural business





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

In the heart of Raipur, visionary agripreneur Prabhat Tripathi is revolutionising agricultural business with his successful strawberry farming venture. At 42, Prabhat is the first in Raipur to achieve large-scale commercial production of strawberries, marking a significant milestone in the regions agribusiness sector. Prabhat, a B.Sc. Agriculture graduate with over 15 years of experience in the seed and agro industries, has a deep passion for farming innovation. He began his journey by importing mother plants from Florida and California, USA, nurturing them in his nurseries, and then cultivating them on a large scale in Raipur. His firm, Health Adda, has flourished, with a turnover of Rs 18 to 20 lakhs per acre per season. Explaining his inspiration for strawberry farming in Raipur, Prabhat said, With my experience in this sector, I started a retail outlet named Health Adda to sell exotic fruits and vegetables. Most exotic fruits had to be sourced from other cities, which often led to delays and damage. Strawberries, for instance, had to be brought from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), and they often arrived stale. So, I decided to cultivate strawberries locally to provide fresh produce.

Prabhats enterprise spans 4 acres in Mana Basti (Nimora) and Naya Raipur, producing about 10 metric tonnes per acre each season. He grows various strawberry varieties, including Winter Dawn and Brilliance, using both polyhouses and open land, and manages year-round production, with the main season from October to March. Additionally, he grows exotic vegetables on his other farms. Marketing his produce has been strategic. I sell retail at my outlet, supply to traders for nearby states like Orissa, and have introduced a Come pluck and eat experience on my farm. I also participate in expos to promote my produce, he said. This innovative approach has boosted his sales and offered consumers an interactive experience. Prabhat emphasizes nutrition and disease management on his farms. By using biologically and organically developed insecticides like Neem oil, he ensures his strawberries are virtually chemical-free and highly nutritious. This commitment to organic farming has set a local benchmark for quality. Moreover, Prabhats venture has created employment for around 35 laborers, predominantly female workers from nearby villages, thus contributing to the local economy.

He employs systematic drip irrigation to optimize water usage, underscoring his dedication to sustainable farming practices. Despite his success, Prabhat faces challenges in strawberry farming. Marketing, unexpected expenditures, and the lack of systematic food processing units are major challenges, he noted. However, his resilience and innovative spirit keep him moving forward. Remarkably, Prabhat has achieved all this without loans or government subsidies. He farms on leased land, demonstrating entrepreneurial acumen and self-reliance. Looking ahead, Prabhat plans to start a food processing industry and a strawberry winery, further expanding his business horizons. Prabhats message to the youth is clear: Agriculture is a lucrative field if done systematically. He is also willing to share his expertise with women self-help groups (SHGs) in Chhattisgarh, empowering them to start strawberry farming and benefit from his knowledge.
Staff Reporter

Though Nagpur division bettered its own results of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination, it has to be satisfied with 8th position in Maharashtra State this year among nine divisional boards. Last year, Nagpur divisions HSSC result was 90.35%. This year it registered 92.12%. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education declared results of HSSC on-line on Tuesday. This time, Konkan division stood at first position as usual by scoring 97.51 per cent and this year, Nagpur division has remained at the eighth position like last year among all the divisions. A total of 1,55,374 students appeared in Nagpur division in the HSSC examination. Out of them, 1,43,131 students passed, with 71,046 being boys and 72,085 girls. The number of students failed is 12,243. Around 83,067 students were enrolled in Science stream in Nagpur division. 82,844 students appeared for the examination, out of which 80,425 students have passed and their pass percentage is 96.69 per cent. Of the 17,474 students enrolled in Commerce stream, 17,390 students appeared, of which 15,178 students passed. The pass percentage of Commerce is 87.28. In Arts stream, 50,219 students were enrolled while 49,665 students appeared and 42,769 students passed. Their pass percentage is 86.11. Similarly 4,981 students were enrolled in Vocational course. Out of them, 4,902 students appeared in the examination of those 4,295 students cleared. Their pass percentage is 87.61.

While talking to The Hitavada, Madhuri Savarkar, Chairperson of Nagpur Divisional Board said, The result of Nagpur Board has improved. This year, 16,000 more students appeared for the examination than last year. Government has taken initiative of Copy-free Board examination. This is reaping the fruits as the number of students involved in the act of copying has reduced. Last year, 22 copycats were caught while this year the number reduced to 19. There were total 154 subjects of which in Nagpur division students had 130 subjects. In 43 subjects, the pass percentage is 100. Students will get their hardcopy of the marksheets after 7 days, pointed out Chintaman Wanjari, Divisional Secretary of Nagpur Division Board Ravindra Katolkar, Joint Secretary; Kalpana Lande, Assistant Secretary; Rohini Kumbhar, Education Officer (Primary); Dr Ulhas Narad, V K Lokhande were present. After the declaration of results, if students want to apply for retotalling or revaluation, those who want photocopies of answersheets, or those who want migration certificates can get it from http://verification.mh-hsc.ac.in. Students can submit their applications on this website on their own or through their institutions. The conditions and rules for applying are given on the website. Students should apply between May 22 and June 5, 2024 for retotaling, they should submit application to get photocopies of answersheets online. Students dont have to go physically anywhere.

They can pay fees for the facilities online through debit card/credit card/UPI/Net Banking. Students if want to get revaluation done, they have to first procure photocopies of answersheet of that subject. They will apply for revaluation after five days of receipt of photocopies of answersheet. They will have to submit application to their divisional board online. Apart from the results of students, other statistical information about the results will be available on the websites www.mahresult.nic.in and https://msbshse.co.in. Consolidated results will also be available for higher secondary schools/junior colleges on the website www.mahahsscboard.in. Under the Class Improvement Scheme, students clearing HSC examination held on Februray-March 2024 will get two chances. Students who want to appear in examination in July-August 2024 for class improvement and for supplementary will have to start filling form online from May 27, 2024. The Board will declare its schedule soon.
Plans for how to use the generational investment into Montanas behavioral health system are starting to crystallize, almost one year after the bill that made it possible was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte.

The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission presented a draft of its final report on Monday. The document proposes a roadmap for how to spend the roughly $300 million budget devoted to overhauling the hobbled system.

Today is a momentous day for our commission, said Charlie Brereton, director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and a member of the commission. It started very conceptual, and here we are today with a work product.

Proposed by Gianforte and established by the Legislature in House Bill 872 last year, the nine-member commission is responsible for crafting the comprehensive plan. DPHHS will implement the initiatives that come out of this process.

The draft report features 21 total recommendations. Most aim to improve the behavioral health infrastructure in a state where 34% of adults report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, higher than the national average. Others look to streamline the Developmental Disabilities Program. There's currently a waitlist of roughly 2,100 people, many of whom will remain there for many years.

Commissioners repeatedly brought Mondays discussion back to the central purpose of their convening.

My personal hope is that we can rebuild community access in a modern and well-funded way, said Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, who chairs the group.

Addressing workforce shortages, lackluster case management and reduced system capacity

Roughly 85,000 Montanans access behavioral health services or developmental disabilities programs every year. Increasingly, they seek community-based options. The reports focus is on better meeting the needs of these populations with a focus on three themes: workforce development, case management and continuum capacity, or the amount of people the states infrastructure can provide care for.

Each of the 21 recommendations ties back to at least one of these cornerstones.

For example, three of the five recommendations relating to development disabilities programs are intended to enhance continuum capacity. Under the draft plan, the health department would create and adopt a standardized assessment tool to better determine the kind of care individuals with disabilities need and how providers would be reimbursed; expand access to more services at a lower cost through waivers; and launch a pilot program to deliver a three-pronged support model for people with the most complex developmental disabilities.

On the behavioral health side of things, the report suggests expanding mobile crisis response teams. Right now, there are only six statewide, with none located in the eastern part of the state, it says. With that, the report recommends introducing new crisis stabilization centers for children and teenagers. Other recommendations include expanding the peer support model, increasing funding for people experiencing homelessness who also suffer from mental illness and expanding school-based mental health initiatives.

More people receiving care through state programs necessitates a more functional case management system. Already, Montana's health care programs run with long waitlists and cumbersome delays. Ultimately, this leads to costlier services and poorer patient outcomes.

The report is rife with ideas for how to make sure people get the support they need to experience improved health without getting stuck in the system: modernize technology so providers know more about who is sitting on the waitlist; create a new training program for targeted case managers with a focus on best practices for specific populations; and create a care transitions program that helps people as they move from hospitals and long-term care facilities back into communities.

Of course, all these strategies would require people to work in the jobs they'd create.

Montanas severe health workforce shortage has long strained the existing system. Providers cant provide enough services. Current workers in the field struggle with burnout. A workforce survey conducted by the University of Montana found a turnover rate of 25% among behavioral health workers, with most who left citing emotional exhaustion as the main driver.

The commissions report seeks to tackle this challenge by creating a tuition reimbursement program to attract behavioral health workers to Montana; bring training content directly to behavioral health workers so they can more easily progress; and piloting a community health worker program.

Josh Kendrick, the CEO of Opportunity Resources, a Missoula-based disability services organization, said during public comment at Monday's meeting that he was heartened by the conversation. He felt it captured a new shade of collaboration he hadnt heard in years and years of similar meetings.

I just think were entering a new era, Kendrick said.

How much will it cost?

Step one to overhauling these health care systems is one-time spending. DPHHS estimates it will cost $47 million to launch the recommendations. The report projects another $40 million to operate the programs early on as they get off the ground.

All told, that means $87 million of the commissions $300 million will be devoted to these 21 recommendations, designed to play out over years, not months. HB 872 also allocates $75 million for capital projects. The draft plan proposes setting aside the remaining $94 million in case costs run over.

More immediate impact will be left to near-term initiatives at a cost of about $44 million. These plans, forwarded by the commission and approved by the governor, can be effectuated by DPHHS on a much quicker turnaround.

While the BHSFG Commissions funding is meant to develop and implement the recommendations, a longer-term funding source to make them sustainable will be needed. While the report notes that a state budget should be able to account for these investments, Brereton did acknowledge that the Legislatures appetite for recurring funding over time is the biggest unknown looking forward.

Whats next?

HB 872 requires a lot of steps between now and the point when these recommendations will be felt by people within communities.

The commission must submit a final version of the report to the governors budget office by July 1 and present its recommendations to a joint meeting of four legislative interim committees. HB 872 also requires a public comment period. DPHHS will have to determine whether it needs additional and specialized staffing, identify statute or administrative rule that might need amending, address infrastructure gaps and more. All the while, the commission will roll out near-term initiatives," such as efforts to provide naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to community-based sites and efforts to boost the number of available residential beds, and monitor their impact.

Only in the months and years that follow will it be possible to discern what this project achieves. Keenan reminded fellow commissioners they were playing the long game for future generations.

This isnt going to be fixed in two years, he said.

The commissions full draft report can be found here.
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Why commemorate Naga Plesbicite Day, 16th May, 1951 ?

|

Dr Phungchamnao Ranreiphi Kharei

Contd from previous issue

Following the failure of the Shillong meeting of the sub-committee, the very next year the sub-committee visited Kohima in May 1947 to persuade the Nagas to join the Indian Union. At this juncture, the NNC became more assertive and stated that Nagas are willing to co-operate with India only under the ten years interim period with the freedom to terminate any agreement entered with the Government of India after ten years. NNC was bold enough to make known the legitimate stand of the Nagas that they have their own Constitution and they would never bow down to subscribe or surrender to the Constitution of any country under any circumstances, come what may.

It was under the heat of this moment that the Government of India sent Sir Akbar Hydari, the Governor of Assam, to Kohima on 27th June, 1947, to meet the NNC leaders to resolve the deadlock. There was three days of hectic consultations, and finally, agreement was reached known as Nine Point Agreement (Hydari Agreement). It was signed by moderate NNC leaders T Aliba, as NNC President and T Sakhrie as NNC General Secretary and the Government of India.

However, NNC leaders like AZ Phizo were never optimistic of the Nine Point Agreement and never believed that India will be sincere enough to implement it.

NNC was given the official recognition as the sole National political authority of Nagas. What has really built up the confidence of the Nagas was that after ten years the Nagas has the liberty to terminate the agreement.

However, within few months after the agreement was signed, the Nagas were given a rude shock when the Government of India denied that there was a provision in the agreement for the Nagas to terminate the agreement after ten years and establish for themselves a sovereign independent State and threatened the NNC leaders that India would use force against the Nagas if they refuse to join the Union of India. This ugly turn of development shattered the faith of the Nagas on Government of India.

However, the NNC hardliners led by AZ Phizo rushed to Delhi and made things very clear before the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi that Nagas will declare independence on 14th August, 1947, no matter what the opposition is from the Government.

True to his statesmanship, Mahatma Gandhi lent his ears very patiently to the narrative of the NNC leaders. He was true enough to tell the Naga delegates that Nagas have every right to be independent if they did not want to join the Indian Union. Mahatma Gandhi took strong exception and responded, "Sir Akbar Hydari is wrong ! He cannot do that... I will come to the Naga Hills; I will ask them to shoot me first before one Naga is shot." He further stated that, "Why wait untill 14th August ? Why not even declare your independence tommorow ?!" Unfortunately, the ruling elites in the Government of India were determined to use force to bring the Nagas into submission.

Tragedy struck as Mahatma Gandhi was asssinated but in his death, Nagas finds inspiration in his 'path of non-violence & truth. "

The NNC leaders returned to Kohima, emboldened by the sucessful meeting with Gandhi. They wasted no time and declared Naga Independence on 14th August, 1947. The declaration was sent to the King of England, the Government of India and to the Secretary General of the United Nations in which it was explicitly mentioned that "Nagas will be independent and Nagas do not accept Indian suzerainty, and the right of the people must prevail regardless of size."

The policy of aggression against the Nagas began to unfold when the Indian Army started to arrest and imprison Naga political leaders. Even AZ Phizo, the President of NNC and others were thrown into prison in July 1948 while returning from Delhi after meeting the Prime Minister of India Jawahalal Nehru. NNC pursued a policy of non-violence, approached the Governor-General of India C Rajagopalachari on November 28, 1948 to reason out the Naga political issue.

C Rajagopalachari assured them and said, "India wants to be friendly with you. India does not want to deprive Nagas of their land. Nagas are at liberty to do as they like, either to become part of India or be separated if it would be best for their interest to be isolated."

The act of betrayal against the Nagas came when the Government of India committed a breach of agreement. In 1949, Gopinath Bordoloi, Chief Minister of Assam admitted that the Government of India no longer hold the Nine-Point Agreement valid and invited the Nagas to join the Union of India. To the Nagas, this was like rubbing salt in the wound. Nagas rejected the offer outrightly and resorted to taking legitimate steps as the only way to find solution to a fundamental political problem. On January 24, 1950, the NNC informed the Indian Government, the United Nations and those countries that had their embassies in Delhi that the Nagas do not accept the Indian suzerainty.

Finally, NNC took a critical decision to organise a Naga Voluntary Plebiscite and accordingly informed the Government of India on January 1, 1951 in no uncertain terms that there is no going back on Plebiscite as scheduled.

The NNC President AZ Phizo informed the President of India to send their observers to bear witness to the whole process of the Plebiscite from the beginning to the end. The Plesbicite was held on May 16th, 1951 that saw multitudes of people never witnessed in the history of the Nagas. It turned out to be a landslide victory for the Nagas as the tabulated results showed 99.9% Nagas who favoured Sovereign independent Naga Nation. Taking a bold stand, NNC delegates met the Prime Minister of India, Jawahalal Nehru on March 11, 1952 to convey the sovereign will of the Naga people as expressed through the Plebiscite.

The Government of India was however determined to throttle the bonafide standing of the Naga political rights by imposing Indian state elections on the Nagas. When the Nagas boycotted both the 1952 and 1957 General Elections, India used violence that attacked the human dignity of the Nagas.

During the Indo-Naga political dialogue, NSCN leaders led by Chief negotiator Th Muivah spotlighted the declaration of Naga Independence and plebiscite based on solid historical foundations. The Government of India accepted the historical truths that the Nagas were in existence with sovereign identity as a Nation. Accordingly, two agreements were signed: (i) Amsterdam Joint Communique of July 11, 2002, that recognises the unique history of the Nagas and the political situation. (iI) Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 that recognises the bonafide status of the Nagas with sovereign rights.

In God's name, Naga Plesbicite Day in consonance with the recognised unique history of the Nagas and Framework Agreement, Naga Plebiscite was commemorated on 16th May, 2024 after 73 years. Thus the sovereign rights of the Nagas as flaunted on 16th May, 1951, will continue to remain imprinted indelibly in the psyche of the Nagas."In God who has the power and authority over the universe, we put our trust," concluded Tongmeth Wangnao, Vice Chairman, NSCN.
The International Tea Day, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, commemorates women around the globe with the theme Honouring women from crop to cup.

In Indias tea plantations, women make up half of the 1.2 million employees and are often unrecognized for their contributions. The history of tea making reveals its crucial significance  a story deeply entwined with their unyielding commitment and unmatched contributions. Women have been the driving force behind the tea trade for many years, from carefully selecting tea leaves to the intricate procedures of production and packaging.

To mark the International Tea Day, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) shares a similar dedication to sustainability as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its main focus is on promoting ethical, environmental, and safety practices through increased stakeholder involvement. Collaborating with various national and international non-governmental organisations, the ITA strives to improve the overall well-being of the tea industry. This includes initiatives such as improving maternal health and childcare, access to education, sanitation, and promoting gender equality. Through grassroots efforts, the ITA aims to protect and nurture a harmonious environment where all can thrive in wellness, equality, and prosperity.

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The ITA secretary general Arijit Raha said: Since 2021-22, the partnership between ITA and UNICEF West Bengal has been working on strengthening the Institutional Mechanism in 33 tea estates in West Bengal to combat issues such as child marriage, child trafficking, and unsafe migration. This programme is reaching over 50,000 children and a population of 2 lakh in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Darjeeling. In addition to children, the project also involves their parents, particularly mothers.

The main goal of the programme is to change parental behaviour in order to prevent early marriage and protect children from unsafe childhood experiences. It also promotes compulsory education, skill development, and access to legal aid for children in distress. Through this programme, parents are encouraged to report cases to childline and play an active role in guiding their children towards a safe childhood, Mr Raha added.

As we contemplate the efforts of the ITA in promoting social, economic, and welfare programs, we can see the positive impact on women in tea plantations. Their steadfast dedication to creating a thriving and motivated workforce is recognized by international NGOs. As we toast to this success, let us not only enjoy the taste of our tea but also acknowledge the untold tales of strength and triumph that accompany its journey from crop to cup, he said.

According to him, the community mobilisers at the tea estate have provided guidance to over 4,000 families by conducting home visits and encouraging children to attend school and complete their education. As part of their efforts, they also organized various events such as the Child Rights week, street plays, and displaying informative posters about child rights in the tea estates.

Through a partnership with UNICEF Delhi, the ITA has implemented a programme in Assam and West Bengal to promote family-friendly policies in tea estates. The estate management has been fully supportive of this initiative, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and emphasizes responsible business practices focused on children and parents.

The ITA, along with global organisations such as UNICEF, GAIN, and ETP, has persistently worked to tackle social, economic, and welfare concerns faced by plantation communities for many years. Their efforts have reverberated extensively, reducing the effects of inequality and bringing forth a promising future.
Shyamal Pramanik, a resident of Faridpur in Durgapur was killed after a South Bengal State transport Corporation (SBSTC) bus ran over him while he was driving a scooty at Coke Oven police station area in Durgapur this morning.

The bus, which was going to its office in Gamon, dragged the two-wheeler despite the locals raising alarm.

The agitated locals ransacked the office of SBSTC in Gamon. The bus was running at a high speed and after the collision, dragged the scooty rider who was stuck under its wheels.

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Police rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem at Durgapur Sub-Divisional Hospital.

Locals wanted compensation for the victim and blocked the road pressing for their demands. Police have detained the SBSTC bus.
The president of Williston State College on Tuesday defended tenure at North Dakotas two-year colleges, saying it would be impossible to recruit without tenure track positions.

Bernell Hirning said that in the three years he has been at the college, when interviewing faculty candidates, those candidates all have asked about tenure track positions.

If that goes away at Williston, were going to struggle to get even one applicant for a position, and its already difficult, Hirning said.

With Williston being in a remote area and the oil industry driving up the cost of living there, northwest North Dakota is a difficult place to recruit faculty, he said.

Hirning made his comments to the State Board of Higher Education Academic and Student Affairs Committee, the North Dakota Monitor reported. That committee and the board have been debating tenure in recent weeks, especially at two-year colleges, which includes Bismarck State College.

Board member Kevin Black has noted that North Dakota University System policy states that the intention of tenure is to protect academic freedom for faculty. He questioned whether faculty at two-year colleges dealing with technical courses really warrant having the protection that tenure provides.

Black on Tuesday said that he has gotten numerous emails about his tenure questions. He said only one email really addressed his academic freedom concerns.

As we move forward through this discussion, as we move through the fall into the legislative session, I would just encourage everybody to think through that argument, Black said. If, at the end of the day, its purely or majority of it is the employment benefit, then I think, lets just be honest and have that conversation.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Lisa Johnson pointed to written responses from the North Dakota University Systems two-year schools.

She noted that those schools do offer liberal arts classes that deal with controversial topics. Technical subject areas, such as agriculture, deal with touchy subjects such as climate change.

There were numerous examples that were coming out of the community colleges that had some disciplines that probably needed to be protected, Johnson said. So maybe its up to the board to decide which ones need that protection. Is it some fields and not all?

There was discussion of compromise on tenure. In North Dakota, college faculty are typically eligible to apply for tenure after six years as a full-time instructor.

Chancellor Mark Hagerott suggested offering three-year contracts to faculty as a way of providing some job security, instead of annual contracts. He has made the same suggestion for university presidents.

There could be a compromise between lifetime employment and multiyear contracts, Hagerott said.

A letter signed by academic vice presidents of four of North Dakotas five two-year schools said tenure is not a lifetime appointment without expectations or obligations.

There is nothing in policy or procedure .. that allows tenured faculty to coast, retire in place or otherwise not fulfill the responsibilities of their position, the vice presidents wrote.

Hagerott said in a May 1 presentation to a legislative committee that the University System should look at having fewer tenured faculty at the community colleges, so that the presidents have more transformability in their faculty.

The committee took no action Tuesday. The committee referred to a draft report coming from an ad hoc tenure committee that will be presented to the full board as another opportunity to continue the discussion.

Hirning said Williston State was proud that it has a high percentage of tenured faculty. He said that doesnt mean its easy to obtain. Of three faculty that applied for tenure this year, only one was approved by the campus administration.

Well continue to be very rigorous, very strict and very careful as to how we grant tenure moving forward, he said.
The crisis-ridden Paytm on Wednesday hinted at potential job cuts and plans to trim non-core assets following its first-ever decline in sales.

In a letter to shareholders, CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said Paytm will focus on its core businesses and improve cost efficiencies to create a leaner organization.

The CEO said the employee costs of the firm have risen significantly over the years because of their investments in tech and financial services. While investments will continue, the firm will also take steps to cut employee costs, Sharma said, adding that these measures could save up to Rs 400-500 crore annually.

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In addition, the company is undertaking various steps to solidify its governance framework with the appointment of experts as advisors and independent directors, he said.

I am ensuring that we have greater regulatory engagement and have higher focus on compliance, in letter and in spirit.

Moreover, Sharma said the company expects near-term financial impact to revenue and profitability following the disruptions in the last quarter, which includes impact due to pausing of PPBL wallet.

The move comes after a regulatory probe by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) into the startups financial arm Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) impacting the companys operations.

For the quarter ending March, the FInTech giant reported a net loss of Rs 550 crore while its revenue from operations dipped 2.6% to Rs 2,267.10 crore. This was the companys first drop since its 2021 stock-market debut.

However, in terms of overall performance of the company in FY24, Paytm highlighted that it continued to build on its strong growth momentum across core payments and financial services distribution business with revenue from operations increasing 25% YoY to Rs 9,978 Cr in FY24.

Also, in this fiscal, the company said it marked its first full year of profitability since the IPO, with an EBITDA before ESOP at Rs 559 crore, up Rs 734 crore from last fiscal.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday appealed to all property taxpayers to pay their due tax before 30th June.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi appeals to all the property owners/occupiers of the vacant lands and buildings to pay tax for the current year 2024-25 and get a 10 per cent rebate on lump sum payment of tax before 30th June. For tax payment, the property owners/occupiers can log onto www.mcdonline.nic.in. All property owners/occupiers of the vacant lands and buildings are also advised to geo-tag their properties, the civic body said.

As per the provisions of Section 114 of the DMC Act, 2003 (Amended), all buildings and vacant land falling under the jurisdiction of the MCD are liable to pay property tax, it said.

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The MCD further said that under Rule 22 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Property Taxes) Bye-laws 2004, the property tax becomes due on the 1st day of April in each financial year. Therefore, for the current Financial Year 2024-25, it became due on 1st April, 2024.

The offices of the Assessment and Collection Department are now open on all Saturdays until 30th June to assist taxpayers in paying their property taxes. Furthermore, in collaboration with RWAs/Market Associations, the departments zonal offices are organising camps in various areas/wards to facilitate taxpayers in paying their dues, it said.

In the current Financial Year, over 300 camps have been organised in various wards, with more than 9,000 taxpayers paying their taxes in such camps, it added.
Preity Zinta, amidst the hustle of late-night shoots for her upcoming film Lahore 1947, has shared a delightful secret to keep herself energized and smiling. In a recent Instagram story, she unveiled her go-to snack for surviving those long hours  none other than the beloved Indian treat, Jalebi. Alongside a tempting picture of the sweet delicacy, Preity captioned it with a witty remark, The sweetest way to survive late-night shoots.

This isnt the first time Preity has offered fans a peek into the making of Lahore 1947. Back in April, she treated her followers with a series of behind-the-scenes snapshots, radiating her excitement for the project. From candid moments with director Rajkumar Santoshi to glimpses of the film set adorned with the clapperboard, Preitys posts painted a vivid picture of the camaraderie and dedication driving the production forward.

Lahore 1947 isnt just another film in the pipeline; its a culmination of remarkable talent and collaboration. Produced under the esteemed banner of Aamir Khans Productions, it has garnered attention since its official announcement last October. The anticipation only grew stronger with the revelation of its star-studded cast, including the likes of Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, and Ali Fazal in pivotal roles.

One noteworthy aspect of the film is the father-son duo of Sunny Deol and his elder son Karan Deol sharing the screen space, adding an extra layer of sentiment and excitement for fans. With such a powerhouse of talent coming together, Lahore 1947 promises not just a cinematic experience but also a journey through history, emotions, and unforgettable moments.

As Preity Zinta continues to charm us both on and off-screen, her sweet indulgence in the form of Jalebi serves as a reminder that amidst the demanding schedules and rigorous shoots, theres always room for a little sweetness to keep the spirits high and the smiles intact. With each update, Lahore 1947 inches closer to becoming not just a film but a cherished memory in the hearts of its audience.
The first question that arose in me as I watched The Shameless by Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival was, Why him? The movie, set in India (which appears to be Mumbai) and Nepal, features two lead characters who are Indian. Despite my initial skepticism, I found that his effort was not all that bad.

A bold vision of Indian womanhood narrated through uneven storytelling, the movie focuses on how some women are destined to be sex workers. Iced with politics, the drama showcases two very different performances. Anusuya Senguptas Renuka is fleeing from the police after murdering a man, and when she encounters Devika, whose grandmother (Mita Vasisht) is worshipped as a holy woman, there is an instant attraction.

However, the life of prostitution that both Renuka and Devika are thrust into poses a major obstacle for their love to blossom. Beyond familial compulsion, there are also political hindrances. A nationalist politician, played by Rohit Kokate, wants to control Renuka, and Devikas family wants to sell her virginity for a whopping price.

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Bojanov does not delve into detailed exploration, instead opting for dramatic narration that detracts from a certain sense of conviction. The plot itself is jaded; one of the earliest films to tackle this theme was Fire, in which Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das portrayed lesbian characters who fall deeply in love with each other. Since then, there have been innumerable movies on the subject, which is no longer a taboo in Indian cinema.

The Shameless merely skims the surface of homosexuality but highlights religious and caste barriers that form a powerful backdrop for the two womens relationship. Sengupta springs to life with her raspy voice and her ability to channel her queer tendencies towards attracting Shetty, whose approach is often theatrical and exhibits pronounced self-destructive tendencies. She is a bundle of anguish, contrasting with Senguptas self-assuredness.

The Shameless is watchable, but its inconsistent visual language hinders clear storytelling. Nevertheless, the movies frank approach to lesbianism and its brutal depictions of violence and control over womens bodies by men create a texture that is shockingly vivid. The sense of reality it portrays makes the movie a worthy watch.
When it comes to recalling a movement for the dignity of the Bangla language, one often settles to remember a civil war in Pakistan that took place on 21 February 1952. Thanks to an extraordinarily planted narrative, Indians often forget that many more lives were sacrificed and much bigger sufferings were conceived by Bengalis of Assam in 196061 when they fought against Assams BP Chalias Congress Government to establish the right of Bangla as the second official language of Assam in Barak Valley, especially in Silchar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.

The linguistic demography of undivided Assam has been very complex since the British era. Though in its Brahmaputra valley, Assamese was the language of most of the people of Assam. It has a huge population living in Barak Valley, which is a Bangla-speaking zone. Sylhet, one of the richest districts of Assam, was fully Bangla-speaking.

The tension between Bangla-speaking and Assamese-speaking people in Assam was age-old. One of its reasons was the dominance of Bangla-speaking people in the fields of education, industry, politics, art and every single intellectual space in Assam. This was fueled in 1898 when Rabindranath Tagore, in an article published in Bharati magazine, mentioned that Assamese and Oriya were just different versions of Bangla and that they were not independent and distinguishable languages. Tagore even wrote that in Orissa and Assam, the language that must be promoted is Bangla. No doubt this created huge disgust and anger among the common Assamese mob, and soon Congress politicians used it as a political tool for their vested interests.

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In 1946, Congress leader Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi of Assam expressed his desire to include Sylhet in Pakistan due to its Muslim majority but almost equal number of Hindus. A referendum was applied before the partition of India in 1947, but 1,25,155 votes were cancelled, indicating local Congress leaders mobilised voters to prevent Sylhet from coming to India. In 1950, tyranny on the Hindu community in Sylhet by the Pakistan government led to a massive influx of Bangla-speaking people migrating to Assams Barak Valley. In 1960, the Assam Congress proposed introducing Assamese as the only official language and medium of instruction in schools. However, protests from MLA Ranendra Mohan Das argued that Assamese was not the language spoken by most people in Assam. Despite protests, the Bangla-speaking Muslims of Assam supported the new law, though carrying out the slogans in Bangla, leading to a communal riot in Hailakandi on 19 June 1960.

On 5 February 1961, Kachar Gana Sangram Parishod (KGSP), a body dedicated to re-establishing the right to the mother tongue, was formed. To protest against the Congress government of Assam, it organised a massive walk of people, which started on 24 April and ended on 2 May. Before that, on 14 April, the people of Karimganj, Hailakandi, and Silchar observed Sankalpa Diwas, which was largely attended by the Manipuris, who were equally shattered by the decision of the Assam government.

An ultimatum was given to the Assam government to announce Bangla as the second official language of the state by 13 May. A large-scale agitation in various parts of the Barak Valley was also announced on 19 May. Eventually, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was observing the development of Assam, was scheduled to arrive in the state on 19th May itself for a three-day state visit.

The Assam government took massive steps to suppress the agitation. On 18 May, leaders of the movement, Nalinikanta Das, Rathindranath Sen and Bidhubhushan Chowdhury, were arrested. Silchar city was converted into a fortress, and an army flag march was done by the Assam Rifles, Madras Regiment, and CRPF.

A spontaneous yet peaceful strike and picketing were observed in all parts of Barak Valley on the 19th. In Silchar, a large mob blocked the railway track. The picketing at Silchar railway station was scheduled to end by 6 p.m.

By afternoon, a huge company of Assam Rifles arrived at the station and was involved in small fracas with the mob. They detained some people, and that created tension in the gathering. By 2:30 pm, anti-government slogans and din filled the air, and the army started to abuse people, and then suddenly, from nowhere, a rain of bullets were fired on the crowd with no alert. The army fired 17 rounds of bullets, and in a moment, nine people were killed. More than 100 were injured. Some were very serious. Ruthless physical abuse was done to many of the demonstrators. Young women, children, and even elders were not spared.

Those who fell to the bullets of the military of their own country only to protect the dignity of the Bangla language were Hitesh Biswas, Sukomal Purakayastha, Taruni Chandra Deb Nag, Kanailal Neogi, Sunil Sarkar, Kumud Ranjan Das, Chandi Charan Sutradhar, Sachindranath Pal and Kamal Bhattacharya. Kanailal Neyogi, who also died on the spot, was a railway parcel clerk.

One person named Birendra Sutradhar died later in the hospital, and the body of Satyendra Deb was found in a pond near the station. This took the total death toll to eleven, the highest ever in any language movement in the world. 16-year-old Kamala Bhattacharya, who was shot in the eye and died on the spot, became the first woman in the history of mankind to sacrifice her life for the sake of her language. Her younger sister, Mangala, was seriously injured and became physically disabled for the rest of her life.

The postmortem report of all these people revealed that except Sukomal Purakayastha, all were shot above their waist line, which is extremely unusual for this kind of firing.

Many who were injured later died. Names like Manik Laskar, Pradip Kumar Dutta, Krishnakanta Biswas, Anjalirani Deb, etc. were some of them.

When the Congress Government of Assam was playing with blood at Silchar, Jawaharlal Nehru was physically present in Assam. Nehru arrived in Guwahati on 19th May for a three-day state visit and asked the language movement to stop because it would not add any benefit to the Bangla language, but he remarked that Bangla was already a great language. However, even knowing the firing at Silchar in the same afternoon, he did not mention the deaths of nine people in his speech.

The Bengali press of Calcutta covered the event in vivid details and attacked the Assam government ruthlessly. It held Nehru responsible for this tragedy, pointing out his extreme inability to understand the emotions of common people related to their mother tongue. Nehru, who had been in Assam for three days, did not bother to visit Silchar then. In Bengal, the grievances of the common people against the Congress government continued. Neelam Sanjivan Reddy, then Congress President and later President of India, was attacked by one Dulal Pal with a knife at Durgapur station on 27th May. Morarji Desai, then union finance minister and later Prime Minister of India, also faced agitation at Durgapur when he arrived to participate in a Tagore centenary event.

The movement for the Bangla language in Assam got huge support from many communities other than Bengali. However, a section of Bangla-speaking Muslims in Assam and the Assam unit of the Communist Party of India did not support this movement. Fani Bora, the leader of the Assam CPI, issued a statement from Jorhat on 20th May, clearly saying that the CPI had no relation to the Bangla language movement in Assam. However, the CPI of Barak Valley and its central leadership supported the movement.

With its profound impact on national politics and the pressure mounting from the Congress party itself, the Assam government finally agreed to accept Bangla as the second official language of the Barak valley. It still enjoys this status.

The supreme sacrifice of Kamala and all those who gave their lives for the Bangla language in Assam was never celebrated with its apt importance. In Calcutta till now, there is no monument dedicated to the movement or a street or park named after the martyrs who bit the bullet for their language. Today, one event is scheduled in Calcuttas Ram Mohan Hall by a group of people who will recall the supreme sacrifice of Silchar language warriors who gave their lives for Bengal on 19 May 1961. Perhaps, this is the only homage that they deserve from Bengal.



The writer is a freelance contributor
Around 25% of candidates in the fray for the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh have criminal cases against them while 38% of the candidates are crorepatis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting from Varanasi seat for the third time in this seventh and last phase.

The Uttar Pradesh Election Watch (UPEW) and the Association for Democratic Reforms( ADR) came up with a detailed report on the candidates for the Lok Sabha elections after analysing the affidavits of all 144 candidates contesting from 13 constituencies in UP, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandonli, Contesting elections from Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Robertsganj.

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According to the report released to media here on Wednesday, 36 of the 144 (25%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves while 21% have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

As per the party-wise details of the candidates who have declared criminal cases in the elections, 5 out of 13 (39%) of Bahujan Samaj Party, 3 out of 10 (30%) of Bharatiya Janata Party, 3 out of 10 (30%) of Samajwadi Party, 7 out of 9 (78%), Sardar Patel Siddhant Party 2 out of 6 (33%), and Congress 2 out of 4 (50%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Among the serious criminal cases declared by the candidates, 39% of Bahujan Samaj Party, 10% of Bharatiya Janata Party, 67% of Samajwadi Party, 33% of Sardar Patel Siddhant Party, 50% of Congress candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

In criminal cases, Lallan Singh Yadav, who is contesting from Ballia on the Bahujan Samaj Party symbol, has a maximum number of 22 criminal cases registered against him, the second candidate with criminal cases is UP Congress president Ajay Rai, who is the Congress Party candidate from Varanasi and he has 18 criminal cases against him. On number three is Swami Prasad Maurya who is the candidate from Kushi Nagar on Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party and has 9 criminal cases registered against him.

Meanwhile, 55 or 38% candidates are crorepati with 10 out of 10 (100%) of Bharatiya Janata Party, 9 out of 9 of Samajwadi Party (100%), 4 out of 4 of Congress (100%), 7 out of 13 of Bahujan Samaj Party (54%), 2 out of 2 (100%) candidates of Apna Dal (Sonelal), 2 out of 2 (100%) candidates of Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) are crorepatis.

The report claims that the average assets of the candidates of the seventh phase in UP is Rs 3.35 crore. Among the main parties, the average asset of 13 candidates of Bahujan Samaj Party is around Rs. 3 crore. The average asset of the 10 candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party is around Rs. 18 crore. Samajwadi Partys average wealth of 9 candidates is aroubd Rs18 crore, and the average wealth of the 4 Congress candidates is around Rs 14 crore.

UP Election Watch ADR State Convener Santosh Srivastava said that among the candidates of the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections are Rajiv Rai contesting on a Samajwadi Party ticket from Ghosi, whose assets are around Rs 49 crores, Ravi Kishan (Ravindra Shukla) of Bharatiya Janata from Gorakhpur has assets worth Rs 43 crore. Pankaj Choudhary, contesting from Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharajganj Lok Sabha seat, whose assets are around Rs 41 crores.

The top three candidates, who have declared the least assets, Shriram Prasad, contesting from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat from Al Hind Party, has a total asset of Rs 25,000. In second place is Santosh Kumar, who is contesting as an independent from Chandauli. His assets have been declared as Rs 38,000. In third position is Rampreet, an Independent candidate from Maharajganj seat, who has declared his total assets as Rs 50,000.

A total of 54 out of 144 (38%) candidates have declared their educational qualification between 5th standard and 12th pass. While 82 (57%) have declared their educational qualification as graduation and above, three candidates have declared their qualification as diploma holders, four have declared literate and one has not declared any educational qualification.

Talking about the age of the candidates, 47 out of 144 (33%) have declared their age between 25 to 40 years, and 69 (48%) between 41 to 60 years. Besides 28 (19%) candidates have declared their age between 61 to 80 years.

In this phase, just 10 or 7% of women candidates are contesting.

Chief Convenor UP Election Watch ADR Sanjay Singh said in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections being held in UP, there are the least number of women candidates so far. When the seventh phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is concluding, in such a situation, by giving 7% tickets to women, all political parties have reduced their representation whereas in India, a law has been passed for the participation of women in 33 percent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. In such a situation, such a small number of women were allowed to contest elections.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday claimed that ruling BJP has suffered erosion in its strongholds in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, and added that the people were looking for change.

Addressing a press conference at the office of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) ahead of the general elections, Tharoor said, The BJPs has suffered erosion of support in its strongholds as is evident from the limited turnout.

He asserted after having travelled across the country for election campaigning and having interacted with the people, common sense and the trends seen in the country in the first few phases of the elections, reveal that people are looking for change.

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Tharoor further said, Going into the last two weeks of this election, it has become apparent that people are disillusioned with the Modi government for the undelivered promises in the past 10 years. In every constituency, national and local issues are being highlighted by the Congress party. We are looking forward to very good results, Tharoor said.

We are doing significantly better than last time in Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and even in Uttar Pradesh. On top of that, in Bihar, (West) Bengal and even a couple of places in Gujarat, it is not going to be easy for the BJP, and our self confidence has gone up, he said.

Voting for the seven parliamentary seats in Delhi is scheduled to take place in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls on 25th May.
After hospitals, airport, schools, and a prison in the nation capital, North Block, located near the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the high-security Lutyens Delhi area, received a bomb threat email on Wednesday, which later turned out to be a hoax, according to sources.

The North Block houses offices of important ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The Fire Department had sent its team after a PCR call was received about the bomb threat at around 3.37 pm.

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The police, along with its specialised teams, conducted searches on the premises of the North Block for suspicious objects. However, nothing was reportedly found.

Recently, the city was shaken after over 100 schools received threatening emails, which too turned out to be hoax.

Earlier this year, the Delhi Police had arrested a Bangladesh national from Kolkata for allegedly sending a hoax email to the Delhi Airport mentioning a threat to a Delhi-Kolkata flight on February 27 from a person carrying explosives.

The man identified as Mohammad Nazrul Islam was found to have sent the email to get the flight cancelled in an attempt to prevent his brother-in-law from Punjab from reaching Kolkata to meet him.

According to a police official, On February 27, a complaint from DIAL Airport Security Officer was received at IGI Airport police station, alleging that a threat e-mail was received about someone carrying explosives and a request made to check every bag and luggage.
The drive against child marriage has intensified in Assam, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals, including a Kazi (marriage registrar), for officiating a child marriage in the Karimganj district bordering Bangladesh.

According to police, an underage girl was married in the Patharkandi subdivision of the Karimganj district.

The marriage was solemnised with the consent of both the brides and grooms families. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the wedding venue and rescued the teenage girl.

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The arrested individuals have been identified as Bilal Uddin, Zahraul Islam (the girls father), Shabbir Uddin (the Kazi), and several other family members.

A case has been registered against all eight persons under various sections of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) at the Patharkandi police station. All accused have been sent to judicial custody, the police said.

Since the BJP-led government came to power in Assam under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam cabinet has repealed the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935.

Sarma has pledged to eradicate child marriage in Assam by 2026. A significant crackdown followed the repeal of the act, with over 3,500 arrests made in 2023 alone.
With an aim to strengthen the opposition, four anti-BJP regional parties in Assam are all set to contest the 2026 assembly elections in alliance with the Congress.

Discussions are underway, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi informed reporters here on Wednesday.

Akhil Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Ajit Kumar Bhuyan of Asom Jatiya Dal, along with representatives from the Congress met on Tuesday for the discussions.

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With an aim to strengthen the opposition, two major decisions were taken in the meeting, he said.

Gogoi elaborated that they have decided to continue their alliance with the Congress and contest the 2026 assembly elections together. Secondly, he said, an umbrella organisation of anti-BJP regional parties will be formed to safeguard the regional interests of Assam and its indigenous people, even if Congress forms the government at both the Centre and in Assam.

The AJP leader also stressed that smaller regional parties representing various ethnic communities would be encouraged to join this umbrella organization. He pointed out the importance of unity to protect the interests of Assams indigenous communities.

Gogoi also claimed that the Congress-led INDIA bloc in Assam would win at least six seats, defeating former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Taking a dig at the Opposition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the INDIA bloc is leaderless and that none of its leaders have the calibre to become the prime minister.

Addressing an election rally in Ghatal, West Bengal, Shah said, INDI Alliance is leaderless. None of its leaders have the calibre to become Prime Minister. Nor do they have any agenda for India.

Slamming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the home minister accused her of promoting the culture of cut money and Syndicate Raj in the state.

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Mamata didi promoted the culture of cut money, syndicate raj, infiltrators and bomb threats in Bengal. Give BJP a chance, and all these evils will be put to an end. Bengal will become Sonar Bangla again. Use ballot to fight bomb threats, and democracy to fight misrule, he said.

Attacking the Bengal CM over her opposition to the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA), Shah asserted Mamata Banerjee is doing so because of the infiltrators.

Narendra Modi ji brought CAA to give citizenship to refugees coming from Bangladesh. But Mamata Banerjee is opposing CAA because of the infiltrators, he said, adding Mamata Didi, do whatever you want to do, but BJP will give citizenship to the refugees.

Shah urged people of West Bengal to vote for the BJP and vowed that TMC goons will be punished for their atrocities against the people.

For this election, you have 2 options to choose from  On one side, you have the BJP under the remarkable leadership of Narendra Modi ji, who has been selflessly serving, while on the other, you have the INDI Alliance, the leaders of which have a long list of scams to their credit, he added.
India and the United Kingdom have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat the menace in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN charter and international law.

The 16th meeting of the India-UK Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Mr K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Mr. Chris Felton, Head of Counter Terrorism Network for Asia and Oceania, Government of UK, led the respective delegations to discuss the ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides shared their assessment of the terrorist and extremist threats in their respective territories and regions including threats posed by globally sanctioned terrorist entities and individuals.

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They also exchanged views on the proscription of individual terrorists and entities as a tool to combat terrorism, as well as ways of working together in multilateral forums.

Both countries exchanged perspectives across a range of CT challenges: countering radicalisation and violent extremism; combating financing of terrorism; preventing exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorism; law enforcement and judicial cooperation; information sharing; aviation and maritime security. It was agreed to further strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation to meet these shared challenges.
Reacting to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal breaking his silence on the alleged misconduct with her, RS MP Swati Maliwal refused to accept his assurance after so much happened following the incident.

Maliwal, in a X post, wrote, After unleashing the entire army of leaders and volunteers at me, calling me a BJP agent, assassinating my character, leaking edited videos, victim shaming me, roaming around with the accused, letting him re-enter the crime scene and tamper evidence and protesting in favour of the accused, the Chief Minister, in whose drawing-room I was beaten up, has finally said that he wants free and fair investigation in the matter.

She further wrote, Irony died a thousand deaths. I dont buy this one bit.

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Earlier in the day, the Delhi chief minister reportedly said in an interview with a news agency that he expects a fair investigation into the matter and justice should be served.

Before the statement of Kejriwal, Maliwal alleged pressure on everyone in the AAP to speak against her and do things to break her. She said those who support her would be shown the way out of the party.

In a tweet on X, Maliwal claimed that on Tuesday, she received a call from a senior party leader who told her about the situation in the party where everyone is under pressure and has been allegedly asked to say things against her and do things to so that she breaks down.

Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me there is a lot of pressure on everyone, bad things have to be said against Swati, and have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of conducting Press Conferences and someone has been assigned for posting tweets, she claimed.

On May 13, Maliwal visited CMs residence and alleged that Kejriwals close aide Bibhav Kumar allegedly misbehaved with her. Kumar, who was later arrested, is currently under police custody.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, said that with the conclusion of five phases of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, people across the nation are confirmed about the results on June 4  Fir Ek Bar, Modi Sarkar and Abki Baar 400 Par.

The Chief Minister, who was addressing a public meeting at Polytechnic College Ground, Basti in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: PM Modi has ended the 500-year wait of people by inaugurating the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. People will now vote for him.

The CM also appealed for support in favour of Lok Sabha candidates Harish Dwivedi from Basti, Praveen Nishad from Sant Kabir Nagar and Jagdambika Pal from Dumariyaganj.

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CM Yogi said that a wonderful confluence of Indias heritage and development is visible today.

Earlier, in the name of healthcare facilities, there was only BHU in Purvanchal and a medical college in Gorakhpur, but today the work has been done to establish medical college in every district including Maharajganj, Basti, Siddharthnagar, and AIIMS in Gorakhpur.

He further mentioned that children were dying from encephalitis for 40 years. To save the childhood here, PM Modi has provided health facilities like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Har Ghar Nal Yojana, and medical colleges.

Under PM Modis leadership, we need to create a self-reliant and developed India. This region once longed for a single sugar mill to operate. Today, new sugar mills are running, and payments for sugarcane are being made to the farmers, he said.

The Gorakhpur fertilizer factory, which was closed during the Congress era, is now operating at over 110 percent capacity. New standards of progress are being set for a new India, Yogi added.

The Chief Minister appealed to people to work with all their might to bring back the Modi government. He urged people to dedicate each of the 80 seats, including the three seats of the region, to PM Modi in UP, contributing to the goal of surpassing 400 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the liquor scam and the Congress over the National Herald scandal, saying that the corrupt will be made accountable for their deeds.

Addressing a public meeting in Dwarka, West Delhi, Prime Minister Modi said, Be it the earnings of liquor scam or National Heralds scam every penny will be recovered from the corrupt. The one who has looted will have to return it.

PM Modi also announced that he will do an X-ray of corrupt peoples wealth after voted to power after the polls adding that those looting people will go to jail.

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The Prime Minister hit out at the Opposition INDIA bloc over the issue of OBC certificates issued in West Bengal.

Today, the Kolkata High Court has given a tight slap to the INDI Alliance. The court has cancelled all the OBC certificates issued after 2010 in Bengal. It has been done because West Bengal issued an OBC certificate to the Muslims. Their politics and obsession of vote bank and appeasement have crossed all limits, Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that for 60 years, the Jamia Millia Islamia University was running like a regular education institution and the Dalits, STs and OBCs used to get reservations.

Hitting out at the Congress, PM Modi said, To win the elections of 2014, the Congress government, in 2011 declared the Jamia Millia Islamia University a minority institution. Due to this, 50 per cent reservation was implemented for the Muslims.

Only two words can help you make a decision as to whom you should vote for! We believe in Nation First. Congress believes in Family First, the Prime Minister said.

Further slamming the Opposition INDIA bloc, Modi said INDI alliance, today, is a symbol of every evil that exists in the country. All the constituents of the INDI Alliance have three things in common: They are hardcore sectarians, they are extremely casteist and they are hardcore dynasts.

PM Modi accused the Opposition INDIA bloc of being indulging in corruption.

INDI bloc is harcore corrupt. They are being caught red-handed with stacks of notes. Their corruption has been exposed in Jharkhand and West Bengal. These people have grabbed every opportunity to loot the people of Delhi. The courts are shocked by the loot of the hardcore corrupt. The people who entered politics to change politics have betrayed the people of Delhi, the Prime Minister said.

Modi also hit out at the Congress over the issue of development.

The Congress government could only build 12 km of highways every day. However, the Modi government is building 30 km of highways every day. In 60 years, the Congress government could only manage to build 70 airports. However, the Modi government built 70 new airports in a decade. In 60 years, Congress could only build 380 medical colleges. However, the Modi government built more than 325 medical colleges. During the Congress, the country had only 7 AIIMS. However, today the country has more than 22 AIIMS, the Prime Minister said.
Rajya Sabha MP and Swati Maliwal, who accused Arvind Kejriwals close aide Bibhav Kumar of misbehaving with her alleged that there was pressure on everyone in the AAP to speak against her and do things to break her and those who support her would be shown the door.

Taking to social media platform X on Monday, the former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) claimed that she received a call from a senior party leader on Tuesday. He told her that the situation in the party is such that everyone is under pressure to say things against her so much so that she breaks down.

Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me there is a lot of pressure on everyone; bad things have to be said against Swati, and have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of conducting Press Conferences and someone has been assigned for posting tweets, she claimed through her X post.

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She, however, asserted that she was ready to face the challenge as the truth was with her. She was not angry with the party workers as the accused was so powerful that even senior leaders were afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I dont even expect anything from anyone. I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party, she said.

She vowed to continue to fight until she gets justice and added that she wont give up the fight despite being all alone.

Maliwal had, on Monday, dismissed the claims of AAP leaders that she was doing all this on the instructions of the BJP as there was a corruption case pending against her. She said the FIR was lodged eight years ago, in 2016, after which both the chief minister and then lieutenant governor (LG) appointed her as the chairperson of the womens commission twice.

She said since the case was completely fake the Delhi High Court put a stay on it for one-and-a-half years.

Maliwal warned her detractors that she would take them to court for every lie they spread about her.

Bibhav Kumar, who was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with Maliwal at the CMs residence, is currently under polices custodial remand given by a Delhi court.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted by the Madras High Court to eight men booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly being members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and conspiring to commit terrorist acts across the country.

A bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal said the allegations of collecting funds to commit terrorist acts appeared to be prima facie true. Prima facie a case has been made out in terms of the material placed before us by the agency (NIA), said the bench, stating that given the gravity of the offence and the fact that only 1.5 years had been spent in incarceration, the top court could interfere and cancel their bail term.

Setting aside the Madras High Court order granting bail to the eight accused, the top court said, Having regard to the gravity of the offence and the only 1.5 years spent in incarceration given the maximum punishment, we are inclined to interfere with the High Court order granting bail. The Court can interfere with orders granting personal liberty if the same is perverse.

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Directing the eight accused, whose bail was cancelled today to surrender, the top court directed the trial court to expedite the trial.

The top court order came on an appeal d by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the October 19, 2023, High Court order.

The high court had refused to link the accused to any terrorist activities such as the offence of collecting funds for committing terrorist acts.

The NIA said several documents, including some pictures with markings of RSS leaders and other Hindu organisations, had been found in possession of the accused, suggesting that these leaders were on a hit list.
Ahead of the polling for Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on 25 May, a high-level joint security review meeting of top brass of the Army and Police was held at Poonch on Wednesday.

The meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Armys 16 Corps and the Director General of Police (DGP) J&K.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu, ADGP (Law and Order), and various Formation Commanders.

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During the meeting, comprehensive discussions were held to synergise ongoing operations and review preparations in anticipation of forthcoming events.

The focus was on enhancing coordination and ensuring robust security measures across the region, said a defence spokesman.

The GOC 16 Corps and the DGP emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and preparedness to effectively address any potential security challenges.

The ADGPs and Formation Commanders provided insights and updates on the current security situation and outlined strategic measures to bolster security protocols.

The Joint Security Review Meeting underscored the commitment of the security forces to maintaining peace and stability in the region, ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. The leaders reiterated their resolve to work in unison and adapt to evolving security dynamics.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to safeguard the region and a pledge to continue collaborative efforts for enhanced security, the spokesman added.

It is worth mentioning that the constituency recently witnessed terror strikes in Anantnag and Shopian. A BJP activist was shot dead by terrorists and a tourist couple from Jaipur injured near Pahalgam. Moreover, the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch also witnessed terrorist strikes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJPs star campaigner Yogi Adityanath will be on an election tour of Odisha and Bihar on Thursday.

He will address a total of four public meetings, covering two seats in each in as many states, BJP sources here on Wednesday said.

CM Adityanaths first public meeting will be for the Puri Lok Sabha seat, where he will urge support for BJP candidate Sambit Patra. His second public meeting will be for the Kendrapara seat, where the BJP has nominated Baijayant Jay Panda. Panda serves as the National Vice-President of the BJP and is also the election in-charge for Uttar Pradesh.

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Subsequently, Adityanath will also cover Bihar where he will hold a public meeting in support of senior BJP leader and East Champaran candidate Radha Mohan Singh. CMs fourth public meeting will be for West Champaran candidate Dr Sanjay Jaiswal.

Elections in the four seats will be held on May 25.

Sixth phase elections will be held in seven states/UTs including Odisha and Bihar.
A manhunt has been launched for YSRCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy who was caught on camera damaging an EVM in Macherla constituency of Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh after the Election Commission of India took serious view of his offence on Wednesday.

He gave the Andhra Pradesh police a slip while they were chasing his car in Sangareddy district of Telangana. The manhunt for Reddy was ordered by the Election Commission of India after a webcam in the polling booth at Palvai Gate caught him walking and nonchalantly throwing it on the floor to damage it while polling was going on. A total of seven EVMs were damaged in Macherla constituency on polling day.

The sitting MLA was found absconding from his residence today morning and his phone and convoy were abandoned at Sangareddy. While his convoy was chased by police he stopped his car and switched to another vehicle before escaping.

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Earlier in the day the chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh Mukesh Kumar Meena confirmed Ramakrishna Reddy has been made accused number one. The video was released yesterday afternoon. At night EC gave orders to arrest him immediately. In the morning EC asked in writing whether he was involved or not and if involved FIR has been filed or not.

After the video went viral police raided the residence of the MLA today morning but he was not found. Several police teams were deployed to arrest the sitting MLA.

Meena said Election Commission has said such incidents are very shameful in the sense that our intention is to do free, fair and peaceful election and when the candidate himself starts doing such activity it is a very serious matter. So stringent actions should be considered as per the memo filed in the court against the accused. Ten sections have been put against him and these are very serious sections where punishment goes up to seven years.

A TDP activist Namburi Sesha Rao was caught on camera protesting against the sitting MLA when he threw the EVM on the floor. He was later manhandled by the YSRCP supporters. He later went into hiding after being threatened.

The Palnadu area saw large scale poll violence on polling day on 13 May. The ECI had asked the state government to investigate within two days by forming a special investigation team (SIT). The EVM damage was revealed only after SITs inquiry.
Planet earth is confronted with multiple threats. Global warming and climate change, the fast moving crisis, are accompanied by the shadows of conflicts and chaos. As many as 18 million out of a population of 45 million are in grave risk of catastrophic famine in Sudan today. Sudan is not the only country currently suffering from severe food crisis. There are other food emergencies in Ethopia, Gaza, Yemen, and Somalia. But what is currently unfolding in Sudan appears to be the biggest food crisis the world has seen in decades. The Clingendael Report 2024 has vividly analyzed the famine situation in Sudan.

Tragedy trajectory:-

In mid-April 2023, a rivalry between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamad Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo broke into open conflict. Since then, the fighting and significant destruction, paired with much lower agricultural production, have sent food prices soaring and made it extremely hard to find enough to eat.

The conflict has forced more than 8 million people to flee their homes. The horrifying tale of conflict is described by Arafa, a refugee from Sudan thus: I spent the night in fear, unable to go out of my house as people were being killed everywhere. The next day, I woke up terrified to a phone call from my husbands friend telling me that my husband had been shot and was dead. Both warring sides pose obstacles, trying to prevent food from getting to areas controlled by their rival.

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Food crisis is compounded by the nearly two-month mobile network shutdown. This has cut people off from remittances sent by relatives overseas, a critical lifeline for many that they have been using to receive via mobile banking apps. Without cash, people have resorted to extreme mechanisms to put food on the table. Parents, skip meals for their children. They sell their last possessions, begging for money from medicine to food, as reported by activists on the ground.

Dallia Abdelmoniem, a political commentator working in policy and advocacy for Sudanese think tank Fikra, received reports of women forced to exchange sex for food and become mistresses of armed forces to ensure safety and access to food. Another activist working with female victims of gender based violence in Sudan is reported to have said survival sex has emerged as a common trend.

Collapse of health care system adds insult to the injury of hunger crisis, as it were. UK Charity Save the Children reported that 2,30,000 children, pregnant women and new mothers would die in the coming months due to hunger.

Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy in the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has said, Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory, precipitating the worlds largest international displacement crisis and on course to become the worlds worst hunger crisis.

Echoing that warning, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations WFP, said that across the region, nearly 28 million people face acute food insecurity with 18 million in Sudan, 7 million in South Sudan and nearly 3 million in Chad. The WFP has been working tirelessly to meet the massive humanitarian needs, with its team risking their own safety. However, the emergency relief operation is severely hampered by a lack of access and resources; 90% of the people in phase 4 of the IPC- the Integrated Phase Classification for measuring food security-are trapped in areas that are largely inaccessible to humanitarian agencies.

How to mitigate ?

1. The performance of 2023 cereal production season was vary poor and that the high production costs of cereals are likely to further inflate exceptionally high market prices. The food production 2024 appears to be bleak. In such a situation, a peaceful political solution and immediate cessasion of hostilities is the essential first step to eliminate the risk of famine. Thereby, farmers can access to land and inputs.

2. Funds for life -saving agricultural assistance must come now from international donors and agencies.

3. It is an irony that Sudan-a breadbasket known for its abundant resources and agricultural traditions-is facing the worst famine in decades. Ensuring unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to reach affected areas across borders and front lines is the need of the hour.

4. International cooperation aimed at rebuilding Sudan is urgently called for.

5. Injection of mobile cash directly to local producers as well as to consumers and local aid providers by setting up of more Emergency Response Rooms is of critical importance. This would help enhance peoples coping mechanism.

6. Scale up food aid and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Support. Erosion of empathy and indifference of the international community seem to be deeper as more insidious malaise aggravate the situation in Sudan. The implications of collective apathy are grave and profound. The humanitarian aid should not be used as a political tool to pressurise Sudan to dance to the tune of donors. This might prolong the turmoil.

7. The US, the E.U., the UK and Norway, as well as the UN and INGO partners must urgently and massively scale up meaningful assistance to Sudan in such a crisis.

8. No outside country should support, finance and supply weapons to Rapid Support Forces.

9. Sudan needs help to combat epidemics and strengthen its infrastructure for irrigation and to better use seeds and grain provided by FAO.

10. Fund curtailment to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency by the U.S. and other donor countries should be stopped immediately.

11. Some of the hunger fighting initiatives adopted by India such as National Nutrition Mission, National Food Security Mission, Zero Hunger Programme, Eat Right India Movement and efforts towards food fortification may be tried out in Sudan.

Conclusion:-

Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. It is reported that in some areas people eat soil and leaves to survive. By all accounts -the scale of escalating needs, the number of people displaced and facing potential famine- Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory leading to 13 percent of the global internally displaced persons world wide. The Sudan Famine Prevention Plan 2024 issued by humanitarian partners to mitigate food security crisis leaves much to be desired.

(Columnist is a freelance researcher on International diplomacy.)
Donald Trump began his presidential campaign by announcing the acceptance of donations through cryptocurrency with an aim to create a crypto army ahead of election day.

With this, Trump becomes the first major party candidate to accept crypto donations.

Notably, the move comes weeks after the former president declared himself cryptos candidate at a Mar-a-Lago gala that thrust crypto into the 2024 campaign.

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His campaign said in a statement that it will build a crypto army to combat the infamous anti-crypto army that Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has campaigned on.

With this move, the supporters of former President Donald Trump can donate using any cryptocurrency accepted through the Coinbase Commerce product, his campaign said in a press release.

MAGA supporters, now with a new cryptocurrency option, will build a crypto army moving the campaign to victory on November 5th! the campaign had said.

However, it is still not yet clear if the Trump campaign will retain the cryptocurrency or sell it immediately. Also, what fees it might incur during liquidation.

Donald Trump has yet to propose any concrete crypto policies. But the supporters are accepting the positive noises as enough.

Contribution limits and disclosure requirements for crypto donations will follow Federal Election Commission regulations, the Trump campaign said.

This is due to the fact that Joe Bidens administration has taken a sharply anti-crypto stance in the past.

Notably, the Trumps campaign is accepting a range of popular cryptocurrencies that include Bitcoin, Ether and US Dollar Coin, and also include the low-value coins that tend to be popular with Internet personalities like Shiba Inu Coin, and Dogecoin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.

Resettling Gaza was never in the cards, Netanyahu said in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN on Tuesday.

Some of my constituents are not happy about it, but thats my position.

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Several of the right-wing nationalist Ministers in Netanyahus coalition had repeatedly spoken out in favour of resettling the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir even declared on Tuesday that he would like to live there himself.

As soon as Palestinian militant organisation Hamas is defeated, sustainable demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip must be achieved, Netanyahu told CNN, adding that the only force that can prevent the resurgence of terrorism for the foreseeable future is Israel.

At the same time we want  I want  a civilian administration that is run by Gazans who are neither Hamas nor committed to our destruction.

On Saturday, Benny Gantz, a member of Israels war Cabinet, said that he and other members of his centre-right National Union Party would leave Netanyahus government if the Prime Minister did not present a plan for the post-war order in the Gaza Strip by June 8.

The 64-year-old retired Army General and former Defence Minister joined the war Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio.

The parties involved sought to demonstrate national unity in the wake of the attacks led by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. The unprecedented attack triggered the Gaza war as Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive.

The National Union is an opposition party. In opinion polls, it is currently far ahead of Netanyahus Likud party.

Netanyahu has previously said he wanted the territory to remain under Israeli military control for the foreseeable future. So far, he has refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed strengthening Ukraines air defence with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the Presidential press service reported.

At their meeting in Kiev on Tuesday, Zelensky and Baerbock discussed Germanys initiative to find additional air defence systems, including Patriot missile systems, and send them to Ukraine.

They also talked about the possibility of delivering anti-aircraft missile systems from Germany to Ukraine soon, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Zelensky informed Baerbock in detail about the situation on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war and thanked Germany for its military support and financial assistance.

Baerbock arrived in Ukraine earlier on Tuesday for her seventh visit since the start of the full-scale war.

The global initiative for enhanced air defence in Ukraine, which was launched by Germany, has raised some 1 billion euros (about $1.09 billion) for Ukraines air defence forces, according to Baerbock.


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Chennai, May 21, 2024  In a medical feat akin to landing on the moon's unexplored terrain, a team of neurosurgeons at Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs), Chennai, India, were able to achieve what was once thought impossible - aaccessing and removing deeply seated insular brain tumor through a transformative and a novel eyebrow keyhole approach. This unprecedented technique, being the worlds first, marks an important advancement in the field of Neuro Oncology. It provides not only another alternative to remove these deep seated brain tumors but it also demonstrates clinical excellence, efficiency and safety.

New Frontier: This unprecedented approach for accessing and removing deeply seated insular brain tumors, unravels a new frontier in Neuro Oncology.

Speedy Recovery: This innovative outlook by neurosurgeons, called for a minuscule incision in the eyebrow region, enabling speedy recovery and return to normalcy

Complexity of procedure: The insula, a crucial part of the brain, is difficult to access for surgery due to its deep integration and proximity to speech and motor centers.

Traditional Approach: Results in 30-50% chance of risks like paralysis, stroke, and language deficits, but remains the primary treatment option with a typical recovery time of 5-7 days.

Transformative Keyhole Approach: The minimally invasive eyebrow keyhole approach, emanating from advanced computer simulations, prior experience with keyhole surgeries for other areas and cadaveric studies, significantly reduced recovery time, allowing patients to resume normal activities within 3 days post-surgery.

The journey began with the diagnosis of a 44-year-old woman found to have an incidental tumor nestled within the delicate folds of her dominant-side insular lobe of her brain. A scan conducted following a minor trauma revealed this lesion in the intricate area known as the insula.

The insula, which is deeply embedded within the cerebral cortex, poses significant challenges for surgical intervention. It is surrounded by vital areas controlling functions such as speech and movement and is layered by a dense network of blood vessels. Traditional surgical approaches require navigating through critical brain tissue and blood vessels, risking paralysis, stroke, and language impairment. Often, patients must remain awake during surgery, adding to their distress and increasing the risk of complications such as seizures and brain bulges. Despite these risks, surgery remains the primary option.

Recognizing the daunting task ahead, especially in patients with minimal symptoms, the neurosurgical team at Apollo Cancer Centres pioneered a ground-breaking approach, stepping away from the conventional treatment plan. Leveraging their prior experience with keyhole surgeries for skull base lesions, the team developed a similar strategy to reach previously uncharted areas of the brain. This new keyhole approach via a minuscule incision in the eyebrow to the insula was born out of meticulous planning, cadaveric feasibility studies, and advanced computer simulations that promises a safer and more direct route, minimizing the potential risks involved in conventional approach.

Dr Hrishikesh Sarkar, Senior Consultant  Neurosurgery, Apollo Cancer Centres , The impact of this achievement cannot be overstated. Like the historic landing of Chandrayaan on the moon's south pole, this groundbreaking surgical approach of Apollo Cancer Centres, opens up a new frontier in neurosurgery. The eyebrow keyhole approach offers a transformative alternative to reach these deep seated tumours inside the brain, minimizing invasiveness, reducing collateral damage, and significantly enhancing patient safety and overall quality of life.

Dr. Agnetia Vinoth, Consultant  Neurosurgery, Apollo Cancer Centres, said, Faced with a profoundly intricate case, our neuro team were compelled to challenge the conventional boundaries of neurosurgery. Opting for an unconventional route, we utilized the eyebrow keyhole approach, an out of the box technique that minimized risks and maximized safety for our patient.

Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, passionately asserted, " At Apollo Cancer Centres, our unwavering dedication to innovation has once again propelled Indian medical science onto the global stage. The recent milestone of performing the world's first transformative keyhole approach for Insular Brain Tumour is not merely a victory for our doctors, patients, or hospital alone; it is a triumph for our entire nation. This remarkable achievement vividly showcases India's ability to pioneer ground-breaking medical advancements with the potential to reshape healthcare worldwide. It stands as a testament to the exceptional medical talent within our borders, inspiring us to continually innovate, explore, and evolve in the field of healthcare."

The Cancer Winner said, I am deeply thankful to Apollo Cancer Centres for making my surgery less challenging and ensuring swift recovery. The care and advanced treatment I received not only healed me but gave me hope, comfort, and a shorter return to normalcy. I thank the team of neurosurgeons for treating me with utmost care and offering me with a new lease of life.

This first-of-its-kind clinical milestone by Apollo Cancer Centres demonstrates the power of innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare, cementing its status as a beacon of medical innovation and advancement on the global stage.

#WinningOverCancer

About Apollo Cancer Centre  https://apollocancercentres.com/

THE CANCER CARE LEGACY: BREATHING HOPE INTO LIVES FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Cancer care today means 360-degree comprehensive care, which requires commitment, expertise, and an indomitable spirit from cancer specialists.

Apollo Cancer Centre has a network across India with over 325 oncologists to oversee the delivery of high-end precision Oncology Therapy. Our oncologists deliver world-class cancer care following an organ-based practice under competent Cancer Management Teams. This helps us in delivering exemplary treatment to the patient in an environment that has consistently delivered an international standard of clinical outcomes.

Today, people from 147 countries come to India for cancer treatment at Apollo Cancer Centre. With the first and only Pencil Beam Proton Therapy Centre in South Asia & Middle East, Apollo Cancer Centre.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: MSL

Jagan R | jagan.rajagopalan@mslgroup.com | 9840966867

Samayeshwari Vithaspa | Samayeshwari.Vithaspa@mslgroup.com | 9940032587
Nitish Kumar needs BJP to repeat the 2019 Lok Sabha tally, which led to his again switching sides in January this year. Bihar chief minister is banking on his development work in last two decades to get votes and secure his future till the next assembly elections. Considered close to the chief minister, Shrawan Kumar, minister for rural development and senior JD(U) leader, is campaigning extensively to help JD(U) and Nitish Kumar retain the last tally. Shrawan Kumar has won all the assembly elections since 1995 from Nalanda seat.

THE WEEK caught up with him during his campaign and discussed a range of issues from Nitish Kumars appeal to Tejashwi Yadavs challenge. Edited excerpts.



We have already witnessed three phases of polling, what has been the response so far?

The response is positive. I have been to Banka, Katihar, Purunea, Nawada, Gaya and Munger. People of Bihar is in favour of the NDA. We will do better than last time. We lost the Kishanganj seat but we will win this time. I have got the feedback that we are winning.

JD(U) alliance has changed many times in the recent years. Wont it confuse the voters ?

The NDA has six parties as allies. All the important leaders and workers of these parties have conducted coordination meetings at five levels starting from state, assembly, district, division, panchayat and booth level. This has led to thrashing out any differences and smoothening of ties. Whatever little confusion that existed in the public, we have rectified it. I have been to eight places today, the response from the rural population is there. Some people are trying to spread misinformation and panic that some caste or community is not voting. In every seat, one candidate may have some opponents, it doesnt matter. That could be for many reasons. But when it comes to development, not even a single person says that there has not been development.

People are expressing faith in Modi-Nitish pair?

Of course, they are.

What issues are you raising in the elections.

We are talking about development. Country needs to be put on fast track. Bihar will have double engine government. Our Prime Minister can talk from a position of power to any country across the world. He doesnt get cowed down. Our economy has improved and is on its way to improve further. At the state level, we have worked in the state. We have worked even for those who want to vote against us. People are impressed by the joint issues raised by us (BJP and JD(U)).

Jobs and employment are a big issue in this polls. Tejashwi Yadav claims that they have given the jobs during their tenure ?

People are not so unaware or blind that they cannot see the truth. When Nitish Kumar became chief minister, over seven lakh have been given jobs. Over 1.30 crore women have been made self-reliant through Jeevika scheme. Even illiterate women were empowered so that they do not have to rely on private money lenders. Households were able to afford education, health and get on with basic necessities. The CM has given 30,000 jobs to women in police. It is not that work was done when he (Tejashwi) was here. They claim that jobs were given to teachers, but the minister did not even visit the department for six months. Tejashwi was a minister, did he give any jobs?

Caste survey was conducted when both JD(U) and RJD were in power. How will it impact in polls?

There is an impact among the people. There are 94 lakh households who do not have jobs or employment. This fact is hitting people. We will connect these people with employment in the next five years. These 94 lakhs do not have houses of their own or are homeless. To help them buy land, the government will provide Rs 1 lakh. We will give Rs 1.2 lakh to construct house and Rs 12,000 to construct toilet. This will improve their livelihood. The survey has brought out the condition, now these will get help to improve their being.

Will the Lok Sabha polls impact the assembly elections next year?

Assembly polls have different issues. Even local elections have different strategy. Whatever work we have done in Bihar, we will get benefit in the Vidhan Sabha polls. We will complete 75 per cent of the task this year and remaining 25 per cent next fiscal. This includes providing power to households and farms. When we finish this task, we will benefit in the polls.

The BJP slogan of 400 plus seats has led to some concerns among the marginalised communities, even when the PM has assured that the Constitution will not be changed

The opposition keeps on raising issues, but it will have no resonance among the people. We believe that the Constitution cannot be changed. We also tell people this will not happen. But the lines are already drawn among the voters. When people who want peace and development come to one side, then balance is titled in our favour.

Chirag Paswan attacked JD(U) during the assembly polls. How is the coordination going on this time?

On the surface, there is no issue but it is difficult to assess at the deeper level. Till now there has been no problem as we are holding joint rallies and conferences.

Opposition says after the Lok Sabha polls, BJP may try to hoist its own leader as chief minister?

There may be some murmurs but BJP leaders does not have the courage to take such a step. If they do so, they will suffer more than us.

There has been no alternative to Nitish Kumar in Bihar till now. What could be the reason?

Nitish Kumars vision and thinking is for such people for whom Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi worked - the last man in the queue. The same set of people for whom Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Karpuri Thakur, Jaiprakash Narayan, Sardar Patel, worked. Nitish has fulfilled their dreams which has made him popular leader in the country. Gandhi had talked about the poor, Nitish followed it up with seven resolutions. Piped water has reached over 96 percent household as did electricity. He has delivered on many promises which has improved the living conditions of women, girls and youth. This is replicated by leaders from other states.

How do you view Tejashwi Yadavs campaign and political future?

In his campaign, people from his community (Yadav) are the most active participants. In our campaign and rallies, people from all communities participate. They follow two communities (Yadavs and Muslims). I am not saying others dont participate, but if one travels by helicopters, hundreds gather just to watch it. They should reveal how many gather to listen to him or watch his helicopter. They do not offer anything new. They only talk about Lalu Prasad Yadav to mobilise their cadre. They are spending money, it will show in some manner.
After Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Tuesday, asked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to retire as he is 77 years old, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram took a dig at the BJP leader, asking if he is suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should retire as well.

While addressing election rallies in Odisha, Amit Shah had suggested that Patnaik should retire due to his "advanced age and health issues" and promised that the saffron party would make a young Odia-speaking 'bhumiputra' the chief minister of the state if elected to power in the assembly polls.

Taking to X, the Congress leader took a dig at the Union minister, saying: "When Mr Amit Shah said that Mr Naveen Patnaik should retire because of "advanced age" (77 years) was he throwing a hint to Mr Narendra Modi (73 years, 7 months) -- in case the BJP formed the government?"

Chidambaram claimed that it seems that Amit Shah will be the happiest person if the saffron party did not form the government after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and he and not Modi will be the leader of the opposition.

Shah had also claimed that the NDA has already won 310 seats after five phases of polling and added that in the next two phases, the NDA will achieve the target of 400-plus seats.

He also targetted bureaucrat-turned-politician V K Pandian, calling him "Tamil babu". "Naveen babu has made a Tamil officer ruler of the state. Oust the BJD government... we will give a young Odia-speaking chief minister... babus (officers) have looted the state of its minerals. I promise you these babus would be jailed after the BJP forms the government in Odisha," Shah had said.
It was in recent days that Sabith Nasar, a Malayali involved in an international organ trading network, was nabbed from Kochi. Now, C.A. Babu, former panchayat president of Mullassery, a coastal hamlet in Thrissur, has come up with the revelations that several illegal organ donations happened in his village, but the government machinery has not taken adequate actions on the matter.



"I live in Ward 14 of Mullassery Panchayat. I came to know that in the panchayat, an organ trade mafia is functioning. They target mostly women from poor backgrounds. Many of these women have taken loans from microfinancing firms and are trapped in debt, Babu told THE WEEK.

The mafia exploits the vulnerable situation of these women. To handle their debts, they borrow money from other moneylenders. My understanding is that the mafia operates through these moneylenders, offering money for kidneys and other organs.

Babu collected the details of seven persons and submitted a complaint on November 1 last year to the chief minister with a copy to the state health minister. In the complaint, Babu had noted seven cases that happened from the three words of Mullassery. For organ donation, around 20 documents are required. But the agents of the organ trade mafia have successfully presented fake relatives for donors in order to arrange these documents, he stated.

After my complaint, policemen from Pavaratty station came to take my statement. I also provided a list containing the names and addresses of seven people who had donated organsfive women and two men, said Babu. The police inquired with a couple of these individuals. They mentioned an agent named Vishwanathan from Annakara. In the past, he has been remanded in a similar case. The police questioned him, but he denied any involvement.

According to Babu, Vishwanathan later called him to say that he is not involved in the organ trade now. "He also told me that it is not seven but around 30 organ trade cases that have happened in Mullassery alone via some other agents. I know only about seven cases. I do not know about the rest of them," he said.

THE WEEK spoke to multiple organ donors whose names were on the list prepared by Babu. Interestingly, all these donors had the same narrative: they claimed to have donated their kidney to a close friend or relative and that they had not received any money for it. Multiple donors also mentioned that the recipients of their organs had died. They insisted that they did not receive any money and did this act only out of humanity. All the donors THE WEEK had contacted confirmed that their surgeries were done in some of the top hospitals in Kochi.

"There seems to be some kind of pressure on these people," Babu told THE WEEK. "All of them come from very poor backgrounds. One of the women was a daily wage worker in a Maveli store [run by the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation]. She donated her kidney for Rs 5 lakh with her husband's support. However, after the procedure, her husband took the Rs 5 lakh and left with another woman. Consequently, she attempted to commit suicide. I informed the authorities about this particular case, but I do not think any investigation has taken place in that direction. After being discharged from the hospital, I visited this lady. That is when she told me how her husband had abandoned her. She has now gone to Kuwait to earn money to send her daughter to nursing school. She left for Kuwait around one and a half months ago."

When organ donation cases arise, station house officers in Kerala are required to verify the details of both the donor and recipient. It is unclear whether a proper verification process was followed in the cases listed by Babu. The social worker told THE WEEK that he doubts that the extent of the organ trade could be larger than what is apparent.

On November 20, the assistant commissioner of police in Guruvayoor submitted a report on Babu's complaint to the chief ministers complaint redressal cell. This report was based on an investigation conducted by officers at Pavaratty station. In that report, the ACP stated that the police had questioned Vishwanathan but had not received any useful information. The Pavaratty inspector, in his investigation report, noted that all the hospitals accused in the complaint are super speciality hospitals in Kozhikode and Ernakulam districts, and recommended forming a special investigation team at the state level to investigate the workings of the organ donation mafia, stated the ACPs report.

The police recently had formed a ten-member SIT to probe the case related to Sabith, who had allegedly facilitated human trafficking to Iran for organ trade. However, the state is yet to form a state-level SIT as per the recommendation by ACPs report.

In the past, the state crime branch had made an investigation into organ trade in Kerala. In the report submitted by the CB in October 2020, there had been observations that a number of illegal organ transplantations happened in the state and a number of people have been deceptively induced into donating their organs, mainly kidneys, on payment of money and the same had been received by various people at the behest of agents in violation of the Act. The report had suggested that a detailed probe was important to expose a larger conspiracy and to nab kingpins behind organised organ trade. CB also observed that the coastal belt of Thrissur district is the hotbed of such activities.
In an unprecedented warning issued to both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, the Election Commission has asserted that India's socio-cultural milieu cannot be made a casualty to elections.

The poll body rejected the defence of BJP president J.P. Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and asked them to instruct their parties star campaigners to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language, and religious lines.

The commission had last month issued notices to Nadda on opposition charge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan's Banswara. A similar notice had been issued to Kharge, too, based on the complaints filed by the BJP against him and the main opposition party's senior leader Rahul Gandhi regarding their remarks.

"Elections are periodic exercises, they come and go, but political parties like yours endure; even more enduring preserve is India's socio-cultural milieu; political parties are in the task of nurturing leaders for the country for present and future, the Commission said.

It further observed that the parties cannot afford to be lax in any manner in enforcing discipline and conduct among the cadre in the high stake electoral space; especially with reference to senior members.

The EC asked the presidents of the two national parties to issue formal notes to their star campaigners to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum.
The Maharashtra Excise Department on Tuesday sealed the two restaurants which are said to have served liquor to the 17-year-old boy who rammed his Porche car onto two motorbike-borne software engineers in Kalyani Nagar in Pune city on Sunday.

Following an uproar over how the juvenile was let go on bail by the Juvenile Justice Board within hours, the Pune Police launched an investigation into the incident, which ended with the father of the minor and two bar owners being arrested. The police claim the accused was drunk at the time as he, along with his friends, had visited two establishments between Saturday night leading to early hours of Sunday to consume liquor.

Following this, the district collectorate issued orders to seal the two outlets, Cosie Restaurant and Hotel Blak Club. While Cosie is located in Koregaon Park, an area adjacent to Kalyani Nagar, the Blak Club is in Mundhwa.

"The Cosie restaurant and Blak Club in Marriot Suite have been sealed with immediate effect by the state Excise Department following orders from district collector Suhas Diwase," said a statement from the district administration.

"A special inspection drive has been started by the Excise department to ensure pubs and license-holding restaurants do not serve liquor to underage patrons and operate beyond the 1.30 am deadline," said the statement. "If any violations are found, cases would be registered against such establishments and their licences will be cancelled," it warned.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied police negligence in the incident. Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, made a surprise visit to the Pune Police commissionerate to review the case on Tuesday.

He said there was no pressure on the police regarding the case. "There was no pressure on the police in this case and no negligence has been found. An ACP-rank officer has been asked to check the CCTV footage of the police station during the entire period (post the juvenile's detention) to check whether someone was helping (the boy) or putting pressure (on police). If something of this kind is found, action will be taken," Fadnavis assured.

He said police have taken the case seriously and police will not tolerate someone getting bail despite fatally knocking down two persons.

Fadnavis agreed that the Juvenile Justice Board was lenient to the accused and that the 15-day social service for the teen was shocking. He said changes were made to the Juvenile Justice case after the Nirbhaya incident that if the accused is above 16 and the crime is heinous, he can be treated as an adult. "A revision application has been filed by the police and we will explore every way until justice is provided," Fadnavis said, adding that the age of the boy in police record was 17 years and 8 months.

On the Porsche car being allowed to ply without registration, he said the high-end vehicle was purchased in Bengaluru and brought to Pune. "As per preliminary information, the Pune RTO carried out an inspection of the car but the road tax which was required to be paid was not paid. If there is any violation regarding that, a separate FIR will be registered," he said.
Following torrential rains that hit Kerala on Wednesday evening, a red alert was declared in five districts including Ernakulam. Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha and Kottayam are the other districts in the category, reports confirmed. An earlier release from the weather department had included only the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts under the red alert category.



Several roads and alleys in Kochi were submerged in water after the city received heavy rainfall in the evening. Here are five weather updates that Keralites need to know amidst the heavy rains.

1. An orange alert is in place in the districts of Kozhikode, Thrissur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kollam and the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, Manorama Online said in a report.

2. Yellow alert: Kasaragod and Kannur districts.

3. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the rains expected to hit Kerala have the potential to flash floods and deluge-like conditions.

4. If the heavy downpour continues, residents of landslide-prone areas need to take precautions. Urban areas and low-lying localities are prone to waterlogging as a consequence of the showers.

5. Fishermen have been aksed not to venture into the sea as the weather remains unfavourable. High tides are expected and residents of coastal areas need to remain vigilant, the news report said.

Emergency Toll-Free numbers: 1077, 1070
As the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders amas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Deif,, the focus has shifted to renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney who played a significant role in weighing the evidence that led to the ICC decision.

Clooney, who has represented hundreds of victims of violence and mass atrocities, said in a statement on Wednesday that she was approached by the ICC prosecutor more than four months ago. Her participation was sought in a panel of legal and academic experts who would study evidence of suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel and Gaza.

This comes as ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he would seek arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for their efforts to starve the Palestinian civilian population of Gaza. He also proposed charges against the Hamas leadership for atrocities on 7 October as well as the mistreatment of the hostages since then.

Khans warrant applications will now be considered by a panel of ICC judges.

Interestingly, Clooney's statement comes as she was subjected to heavy online trolling for her "silence" about the Palestinian cause. The Lebanese-born barrister's foundation has been very vocal about press freedom and legal issues in Venezuela, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

She has represented many, including Armenia in a genocide case, as well as individuals such as Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.

"As a human rights lawyer, I will never accept that one childs life has less value than anothers. I do not accept that any conflict should be beyond the reach of the law, nor that any perpetrator should be above the law," Clooney said in a statement.

She added: "Despite our diverse personal backgrounds, our legal findings are unanimous. We have unanimously determined that the Court has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestine and by Palestinian nationals."

She said she joined the panel because she believes in protecting civilian lives. "The law that protects civilians in war was developed more than 100 years ago, and it applies in every country in the world regardless of the reasons for a conflict," she said.

Clooney, who is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London and an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, is married to the actor George Clooney. The duo co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which gives free legal support to victims of abuses of power.
A day after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence causing the death of a 71-year-old man, passengers of the airplane opened up about the harrowing experience which saw the aircraft drop over 6,000 ft in 5 minutes.

The flight Boeing 777-300ER was cruising at 37,000 feet over Myanmars Irrawaddy Basin when it hit turbulence. The meal service was underway in the flight when it rapidly plunged before climbing several hundred feet, then repeated the dip and ascent, for about 90 seconds.

According to passengers, it was a very normal flight until "all hell broke loose". Andrew Davies, a passenger, told CNN that it had been a perfectly normal flight when the seatbelt sign came on. "The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing to the ceiling. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee, which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling," Davies said.

Another passenger described how the plane started tilting up and shaking and those who were not wearing their seatbelts were launched to the ceiling. "Suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are, and broke straight through it," 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir told Reuters.

He added that people from across the aisle hit the ceiling and landed back down in "really awkward positions". "People, like, getting massive gashes in the head, concussions," he added.

Azmir added that the whole thing was really quick, which was why nobody could respond to it. "People didnt have time to react and there were passengers in the plane bathrooms and aircrew still standing when the turbulence hit," he added.

Many elderly passengers were severely hurt, with one woman ending up with a gash on her head covered in blood. One woman was screaming in agony as another man, who was badly injured, had to lie on the floor for the remainder of the flight.

Images from the plane show the mangled ceiling panel and piping while floors were littered with cups and utensils.



There were 211 passengers including many Australians, British and Singaporeans, and 18 crew onboard the flight. The injured 31 people were taken to a hospital in Bangkok, where the flight made an emergency landing, for treatment. Singapore Airlines said it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers.

The deceased is 73-year-old Geoff Kitchen, from Britain. He was described as always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity by the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG), an establishment where he worked for over 35 years.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong posted a video message. "On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We also deeply apologize for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight, he said.

Singapores Ministry of Transport said in a statement that it was investigating the situation involving flight SQ321 and the US National Transportation Safety Board is sending personnel to Singapore to help support the investigation.

Meanwhile, more than 140 passengers and crew from the flight finally reached Singapore on a relief flight Wednesday morning.
Bhubaneswar, May 22 (PTI) Manipal Hospitals on Wednesday announced the successful brand integration of 400 bedded AMRI hospital in Bhubaneswar, which was acquired in September 2023.

Starting from May 22, the service excellence at these facilities will be aligned with Manipal Hospitals standards, marking a significant milestone in healthcare transformation in East India, the chief people officer of Manipal Hospitals, Partha Das, said.

This integration signifies a new era of healthcare excellence in the region, as Manipal Hospitals commits to upgrading the facility on par with facilities in the metro, he said.Saktimaya Mohapatra, director of Bhubaneswar Hospital, said that with this integration, Manipal Hospitals has put its footprint in Odisha.

"With Manipal's renowned service excellence now at the forefront, we are poised to set new benchmarks in patient care and satisfaction, furthering our mission of delivering compassionate and advanced healthcare solutions to the communities we serve," Mohapatra said.

The new management has planned to elevate the Bhubaneswar unit from a tertiary to a quaternary care hospital, provide comprehensive cancer care services and a fully operational liver transplant clinic, the director informed.

Besides, a state-of-the-art second catheterization laboratory will also be set up within the hospital, he added.

Manipal Hospitals has acquired an 84 per cent stake in AMRI Hospitals Ltd, bringing three hospitals in Kolkata and one in Bhubaneswar under its administrative control.
The five-star rating award recognizes UST's impact and commitment to creating an open and inclusive workplace with opportunities for all



ALISO VIEJO, Calif. and BENGALURU, India, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group, receiving five out of five stars on the ranking scale. Of the 54 large-size technology services companies recognized by Newsweek, UST was one of just 16 companies to receive a perfect five-star rating.



The list by Newsweek was compiled using an evaluation program that included a thorough examination of publicly available data, interviews with HR professionals, a survey of over 220,000 U.S.-based workers, and more than 1.5 million company reviews. The ranking considered key factors such as work-life balance, compensation and benefits, training and career progression, sustainability and awareness, corporate culture, and proactive management of a diverse workforce.



This award shines a light on UST's people-focused approach and inclusive workplace culture, which allow all employees to succeed, advance, and grow. UST has consistently worked to extend opportunities to women worldwide, and its portion of female employees in the United States (44%) is higher than the industry average. To build an open workplace for women, UST has executed several successful DEI initiatives, such as Win IT, a global mentoring and sponsorship program for female employees. Over 4000 women have taken part in the program and 40% of the participants have been promoted to higher roles within UST. Other gender equality programs include participation in the Tech We Can Champions program, which provides STEM ambassador training to female employees so that they can introduce technology to schoolchildren. UST also hosts Women Unlimited, a platform for female employees to connect with role models, receive career advice, and improve their skills.



UST Step IT Up has provided free training and job opportunities to over 1000 minorities, women, and veterans in the US alone. Furthermore, UST launched the Impact India program to provide career paths for talented individuals from the differently abled community. In addition, UST Circle is a DEI-oriented speaker series that provides valuable insights for UST employees. UST also runs inclusivity initiatives through employee resource groups such as NowU for women associates and Curved Colors for LGBTQIA+ associates and allies.



"We are extremely proud of this prestigious recognition from Newsweek and Plant-A Insights. We remain committed to investing in our people and fostering an open workplace culture that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and diversity while empowering all team members to achieve their potential. UST has always been guided by our values, and we seek to transform lives by building collaborative relationships based on trust and mutual respect," said Anu Koshy, Head of Inclusion and Diversity, UST.



"Diversity is a widely discussed topic  and it remains a crucial factor as people look for an employer or a business partner. Newsweek and market-data research firm Plant-A Insights are proud to introduce 'America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024', highlighting companies that are committed to offering diverse and inclusive work environment," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek.



This latest recognition further establishes the California, US-headquartered company as a trusted global organization with a strong culture that successfully attracts and retains top talent. UST's efforts to prioritize diversity have also earned recognition across ten competitive human resources categories and Gold for its DEI efforts from the Brandon Hall Group awards. In addition to its commitment to diversity, UST has been awarded Great Place to Work certifications in the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, Mexico, India, and Malaysia.



For the full list, please visit: America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024.



About UST



For more than 24 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizationsdelivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com.



Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857



Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212



Neha Misri

+91-9284726602



Roshni Das K

+91 7736795557

media.relations@ust.com



Media Contacts, India:

Adfactors PR

ust@adfactorspr.com



Media Contacts, U.S.:

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

media@scprgroup.com



Makovsky

ust@makovsky.com



Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

UST@fticonsulting.com



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/UST_Logo.jpg



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Surat (Gujarat) [India], May 22: Surat hosted the fourth edition of the two-day Yarn & Jari Textile Expo-2024, organized by the Secure Embroidery Thread & Jari Association (SETJA) on May 19 and 20. The event saw participation from over 100 exhibitors from various states across India, including Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. These exhibitors showcased a diverse range of imitation jari and yarn products, highlighting the innovation and craftsmanship in the industry.



Textile and Railway Minister Darshanaben Jardosh inaugurated the expo, emphasizing the need to position jari in the international market. She stressed the importance of exploring new uses for jari as a raw material and assured the industry's stakeholders of the government's support in resolving any developmental issues. Jardosh's vision is to expand the market and make Indian jari a globally recognized product.



On the second day, Dr. Gyanvatsal Swami, a renowned saint and corporate guide, graced the event with his presence. He emphasized the power of unity in business, stating, "Unity is Prosperity." He encouraged industry players to work together to achieve success on a global scale, highlighting that integrity and unity are critical tools for business success.



Several other dignitaries attended the event, including Mukesh Dalal, Member of Parliament from Surat; Daxshesh Mavani, Mayor of Surat; C.K. Maniya, President of the Rapier Jacquard Weavers Association; Dr. Haresh Balar, Vice President of the Rapier Jacquard Weavers Association; Ashok Jirawala of FOGWA; Kailash Hakim, President of FOSTTA; and office bearers from the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries.



The expo attracted around 37,000 buyers, reflecting significant interest in the jari and yarn products displayed. Among the special attractions at the exhibition were innovative products like the Babboo yarn jari, developed by Mahendra Zadafiya, founder of ADLON Industry. This product, made from bamboo after extensive research, stands out as a notable innovation from India. Another highlight was the launch of Multi Jari by K-TEX Jari, adding a unique category to the multi jari field.



SETJA President Dipakbhai Kukadiya highlighted the association's commitment to business development and the global reach of their products. He expressed the vision of making Surat a central hub for global buyers seeking high-quality jari and yarn products. Kukadiya also emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on China, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative. He reiterated the goal of re-establishing Surat's jari industry on the global stage.



The success of the exhibition was also attributed to its sponsors, including title sponsor Pareshbhai Lathiya, founder of Aaradhana Jari; gold sponsor Vikas Sharaf, owner of VPLUS; and Kapil Goyani, director of Shiv Hari Processors Pvt Ltd. Their support played a crucial role in the event's smooth execution and success.



The imitation jari industry in Surat is a significant sector, with an annual market size of approximately Rs. 1,500 crore. The Yarn & Jari Textile Expo-2024 not only showcased the industry's current capabilities but also highlighted the potential for future growth and innovation, setting the stage for Surat to regain its historical prominence in the global jari market.



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MUMBAI, India, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited (NAM India), the asset manager of Nippon India Mutual Fund (NIMF), proudly announces the unveiling of its groundbreaking sonic identity  a powerful soundscape symbolizing financial freedom.



NIMF is the first asset management company (AMC) in India to launch its own brand sound. This innovative initiative underscores the company's commitment to innovation and fostering deeper connections with investors.



Inspired by the trust of NIMF's investors, the brand sound embodies the essence of reliability and establishes a distinct brand identity in the competitive financial landscape. It serves as a testament to the company's gratitude towards its investors.



Crafted by BrandMusiq, India's leading specialist in sonic identities, NIMF's new musical logo (MOGOSCAPE) encapsulates the core values, emotions, and persona of the organization.



Sundeep Sikka, ED & CEO, Nippon India Mutual Fund, while unveiling the sonic identity, said, "Our commitment to investor care goes beyond financial goals. This new sonic identity reflects our deep-rooted customer centricity and echoes the values of peace of mind, trust, and approachability. It reflects our unwavering dedication to creating a sense of serenity and reminding investors that we're here to guide them on their financial journey. This sonic identity adds a new dimension to the brand experience, fostering a sense of trust and approachability, and building stronger emotional connections with our valued investors."



About Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited (NAM India)



Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited is one of the largest asset managers in India, managing (directly & indirectly) assets across mutual funds, including Exchange Traded Funds, managed accounts, including portfolio management services, alternative investments funds, and offshore funds and advisory mandates. NAM India is the asset manager of Nippon India Mutual Fund's schemes.



It also acts as an advisor for India focused Equity & Fixed Income funds in Japan (launched by Nissay Asset Management), and in Thailand (launched by BBL Asset Management). It also manages offshore funds through its subsidiary in Singapore and, also has representative office in Dubai thereby catering to investors across Asia, Middle East, UK, US, & Europe.



For information, visit: https://mf.nipponindiaim.com/



Facebook: /NipponIndiaMF | Twitter:@NipponIndiaMF



For any other queries, please contact: Customer Care Number: +91-1860 266 0111



Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi (India), May 22: It is with profound sadness that the Messe Stuttgart India family announces the sudden passing of its esteemed Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Sachin Patil on May 21, 2024.



Mr. Patil's unexpected demise leaves a deep void within the organisation. His leadership and unwavering dedication to Messe Stuttgart India were instrumental in shaping the company's trajectory in India and propelling it towards continued success.



As true visionary leader, Mr. Patil possessed an unparalleled understanding of the Indian trade fair industry. His passion and enthusiasm were contagious, inspiring not only his colleagues but also the wider business community. Under his guidance, Messe Stuttgart India established itself as a leading force within the industry, consistently exceeding expectations and forging strong relationships with exhibitors, visitors, and partners alike.



Mr. Patil's commitment extended far beyond the walls of Messe Stuttgart India. He was a champion for collaboration and innovation, actively contributing to the advancement of the trade fair industry. His absence will be deeply felt not just by our company but by the entire industry he so passionately served.



In this time of immense grief, our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with Mr. Patil's family and loved ones. We offer them our deepest condolences and unwavering support. May his soul find eternal peace.



Mr. Roland Bleinroth, CEO and President of Messe Stuttgart, Germany expressed his condolence, The passing of Sachin Patil is a significant loss to the industry and all who had the privilege of working with him. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.



Mr. Sachin Patilwas visionary leader with 18+ years in trade fair industry in India. He led Messe Stuttgart India as Managing Director and CEO. His experience spanned founding Messe India and holding leadership roles at India Art Fair, Messe Dusseldorf India, Bloomberg TV, and Reliance Broadcast Network. He contributed to shaping the future of the Indian exhibition industry by creating impactful platforms that fostered collaboration, growth, and meaningful partnerships across industries.



Messe Stuttgart India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of German trade fair giant, Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH, is dominant force in the Indian trade fair and exhibition industry. Messe Stuttgart India is dedicated to curating and organising world-class trade events that convene industry leaders, innovators, speakers, and stakeholders across diverse sectors, fostering invaluable business connections and driving growth.



Messe Stuttgart Indias portfolio of events- MOLDEX India, FASTNEX, LogiMAT India and DIDAC India stands as a testament to its mission - to create substantial opportunities for businesses to exhibit their products and services, establish connections with prospective partners, and remain at the vanguard of their respective industries. At the heart of Messe Stuttgart Indias endeavours lies a focus on excellence, a dedication to delivering extraordinary experiences, and a vision to serve as a steadfast ally in orchestrating successful trade fairs and exhibitions throughout India.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Mumbai, May 22 (PTI) The Reserve Bank on Wednesday approved a Rs 2.11 lakh crore dividend payout to the central government for 2023-24, more than double the amount it paid for the previous 2022-23 financial year.

The decision was taken at the 608th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India held under the chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das.

"The Board...approved the transfer of Rs 2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2023-24," RBI said in a statement.

The dividend payout was Rs 87,416 crore for 2022-23.

"With the revival in economic growth in FY 2022-23, the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) was increased to 6.00 per cent. As the economy remains robust and resilient, the Board has decided to increase the CRB to 6.50 per cent for FY 2023-24," the RBI said.
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) The corporate affairs ministry on Wednesday slapped fines on Microsoft-owned LinkedIn India, Satya Nadella and eight other individuals for violation of the significant beneficial owner norms under the companies law.

Nadella is the chief of Microsoft, which acquired the professional networking platform LinkedIn in December 2016.

In a 63-page order, the Registrar of Companies ((NCT of Delhi & Haryana) said that LinkedIn India and the individuals violated the Significant Beneficial Owner (SBO) norms under the Companies Act, 2013.

"... Satya Nadella and Ryan Roslansky are the SBOs in relation to the subject company and are liable to a penalty under section 90(10) of the Act, due to their failure to report as per section 90(1). Ryan Roslansky was appointed as the global CEO of LinkedIn Corporation on 1st June 2020 and started reporting to Satya Nadella," the RoC, which comes under the ministry, said in the order.

Section 90 of the Act pertains to SBO. It requires companies have to disclose SBO details.

According to the order, the company and its officers are liable for action for the failure to take necessary steps to identify the SBO in relation to the company.

The RoC has slapped penalties totalling Rs 27,10,800 on LinkedIn Technology Information Pvt Ltd or LinkedIn India, Nadella, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and seven other individuals.

For SBO norms violations, a penalty of Rs 7 lakh has been slapped on LinkedIn India. Fines of Rs 2 lakh each have been imposed on Nadella and Roslansky, respectively.

Other individuals who have been fined are Keith Ranger Dolliver, Benjamin Owen Orndorff, Michelle Katty Leung, Lisa Emiko Sato, Ashutosh Gupta, Mark Leonard Nadres Legaspi and Henry Chining Fong.

"Also, the company and its officers failed to even send a notice [which was mandatorily required to be sent] as per rule 2A (2) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Rules, 2018 leading to a contravention of section 90(5) for which penalty has been provided under section 450. All the officers, including the non-executive directors are liable for this violation due to the presumption of clear knowledge on part of each of such directors about the holding structure of the company," it said.

LinkedIn India has been set up as a subsidiary of Microsoft Group.

An appeal can be filed against the order with the Regional Director (NR) within 60 days from the date of receipt of this order.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 (PTI) Nissan Digital has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DC School of Management and Technology (DCSMAT) in Kerala to offer management training to its technical department employees.

The Executive MBA programme will be conducted at DCSMAT's Thiruvananthapuram campus, marking the first time Nissan Digital has launched such a programme in India, DCSMAT said in a release.





Ramesh Miraje, Head of Nissan India Digital, highlighted the programme's objective to bridge the gap in management skills among employees proficient in applied data science and other technical disciplines.



He emphasised that technical expertise alone is insufficient in the modern workplace.





"Management skills are equally critical. Employees with a technical education background often hesitate to pursue further studies in management. This initiative aims to overcome such barriers by offering an opportunity for continuous learning through evening batches," Miraje was quoted in a release issued by the DCSMAT.





The aim of the programme is also to bring back those who shifted to remote work post-Covid, he added.





The programme also seeks to attract talent from across the country to Thiruvananthapuram, fostering a more dynamic and skilled workforce at Nissan Digital, the release said.





The MoU exchange coincided with the celebration of DCSMAT receiving the Best B-School award from the Trivandrum Management Association.
Mumbai, May 22 (PTI) Sharib Hashmi-starrer "Malhar" is set to release in theatres on June 7, the makers announced Wednesday.

The upcoming drama film is directed by Vishal Kumbhar and produced by Praful Pasad under the banner of V Motion Pictures.

Set in rural Kutch, "Malhar" is touted as a heartwarming exploration into three intertwined tales of love, struggle, and resilience.

Hashmi, best known for his work in "The Family Man" series, "Filmistaan", and "Tarla", said it was a fulfilling experience to be working on "Malhar".

"Stepping into this powerful narrative is incredibly fulfilling as an actor. Working with Vishal on this film has been a privilege. The project itself is a rich tapestry, giving a platform to diverse voices. 'Malhar' is a wonderful confluence of three stories taking place in Kutch," the actor said in a statement.

Kumbhar said "Malhar" is a love letter to the vibrant culture and resilience of Kutch.

"Through these three interwoven stories, we celebrate the human spirit's ability to find joy and connection even amidst life's challenges. The film is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and a touch of the unexpected, leaving audiences with a smile and a sense of hope," the director said.

"Malhar" also features Anjali Patil of "Newton" fame, Rishi Saxena, Shrinivas Pokale, Vinayak Potdar, Mohammad Samad and Akshata Acharya, among others.

The film, which was initially set to arrive in cinema halls on May 31, will simultaneously release in Hindi and Marathi.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Tel Aviv, May 22 (AP) Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognising a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew condemnation from Israel and jubilation from the Palestinians. Israel immediately ordered back its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.

The formal recognition will be made on May 28. The development is a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came against the backdrop of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive there.

In Jerusalem, meanwhile, a far-right government minister paid a provocative visit to a flashpoint holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which Jews refer to as the Temple Mount, was likely to escalate tensions across the region.

Norway was the first to announce its decision to recognise a Palestinian state, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre saying there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

By recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan, he said and added that the Scandinavian country will regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails.

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

The decision may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel's isolation.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, the Norwegian government leader said. Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.

Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel on October 7, Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

Wednesday's announcements come more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993. Since then, the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution, the Norwegian government said.

It added that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades, it said.

In making his announcement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway  and that it was a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.

He said it was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

Harris said he thinks other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state in the weeks ahead.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain's Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation's Parliament on Wednesday. He had spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition, as well as for a possible cease-fire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.

We know that this initiative won't bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope, Sanchez said.

This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people, Sanchez added, while acknowledging that it will most likely cause diplomatic tensions with Israel. It is an act in favour of peace, justice and moral consistency.

Sanchez argued that the move is needed to support the viability of a two-state solution that he said is in serious danger with the war in Gaza.

I have spent weeks and months speaking with leaders inside and outside of the region and if one thing is clear is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a project of peace for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate, the Spanish leader said.

Earlier this month, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government's intention to recognise a Palestinian state.

Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said recognition is a tangible step towards a viable political track leading to Palestinian self-determination.

But in order for it to have an impact, he said, it must come with tangible steps to counter Israel's annexation and settlement of Palestinian territory  such as banning settlement products and financial services.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered Israel's ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel. He spoke before Spain's announcement.

Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays, Katz said.

He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israel's hostages being held in Gaza and makes a cease-fire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran. He also threatened to recall Israel's ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

Regarding the Israeli decision to recall its ambassador in Oslo, Gahr Stre said we will take note of that. This is a government with which we have many disagreements. What we agree on is to condemn Hamas's cruel attack on October 7.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking after Norway's announcement, welcomed the move and called on other countries to follow.

In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Abbas said Norway's decision will enshrine the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.

Some 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state  more than two-thirds of United Nations members  but none of the major Western powers has done so. This move could put more pressure continental heavyweights France and Germany to reconsider their position.

The United States and Britain, among others, have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East's most intractable conflict. They insist, however, that Palestinian independence should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

The head of the Arab League called the step taken by the trio of European nations as a courageous step.

I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit wrote on the social media platform X.

Turkiye also applauded the decision, calling it an important step toward the restoration of the usurped rights of the Palestinians.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said the move would help Palestine gain the status it deserves in the international community. (AP) PY

PY
Dubai, May 22 (AP) Iran's supreme leader presided over a funeral Wednesday for the country's late president, foreign minister and others killed in a helicopter crash, as tens of thousands later followed a procession of their caskets through the capital, Tehran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held the service at Tehran University, the caskets of the dead draped in Iranian flags with their pictures on them. On the late President Ebrahim Raisi's coffin sat a black turban  signifying him as a direct descendent of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Oh Allah, we didn't see anything but good from him, Khamenei said in the standard prayer for the dead in Arabic, the language of Islam's holy book, the Quran. He soon left and the crowd inside rushed to the front, reaching out to touch the coffins. Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly wept during the service.

People then carried the coffins out on their shoulders, with chants outside of "Death to America!" They loaded them onto a semitruck trailer for a procession through downtown Tehran to Azadi, or Freedom, Square, where Raisi gave speeches in the past. People threw scarves and other items up for attendants on the truck to touch to the coffins for a blessing.

In attendance were top leaders of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, one of the country's major power centres. Also on hand was Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, the militant group that Iran has armed and supported during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip. Before the funeral, Haniyeh spoke and an emcee led the crowd in the chant: Death to Israel!

I come in the name of the Palestinian people, in the name of the resistance factions of Gaza ... to express our condolences, Haniyeh told those gathered.

He also recounted meeting Raisi in Tehran during Ramadan, the holy Muslim fasting month, and heard the president say the Palestinian issue remains the key one of the Muslim world.

The Muslim world must fulfil their obligations to the Palestinians to liberate their land," Haniyeh said, recounting Raisi's words. He also described Raisi calling the October 7 attack that sparked the war, which saw 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage, an earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity. The war since has seen 35,000 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of others in the West Bank in Israeli operations.

Also expected to attend services in Tehran were Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Taliban of Afghanistan, including their Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also flew in for the ceremony, along with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Even Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry travelled to Tehran, despite diplomatic relations between the countries being severed after the 1979 revolution. Egypt and Iran have recently discussed reestablishing ties.

But notably, none of Iran's living past presidents  other than Khamenei  could be seen in state television footage of the prayers. They include reformist Mohammad Khatami, hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and relative moderate Hassan Rouhani  all individuals who maintain some political cachet within Iran's tightly controlled political system.

Authorities offered no explanation for their absence from the event, which comes weeks ahead of a planned June 28 presidential election. As of now, there's no clear favourite for the position among Iran's political elite  particularly no one who is a Shiite cleric, like Raisi.

Iran's theocracy declared five days of mourning over Sunday's crash, encouraging people to attend the public mourning sessions. Typically, government employees and schoolchildren attend such events en masse, while others take part out of patriotism, curiosity or to witness historic events.

For Iran's Shiite theocracy, mass demonstrations have been crucial to demonstrating the legitimacy of their leadership since millions thronged the streets of Tehran to welcome Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution, and also attended his funeral 10 years later.

An estimated 1 million turned out in 2020 for processions for the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was slain in a US drone strike in Baghdad. In that ceremony, Khamenei openly wept over Soleimani's casket alongside Raisi. On Wednesday, Khamenei appeared composed, though he later hugged family members of the dead on his way out.

Whether Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others draw the same crowd remains in question, particularly as Raisi died in a helicopter crash, won his office in the lowest-turnout presidential election in the country's history and presided over sweeping crackdowns on all dissent.

Prosecutors already have warned people over showing any public signs of celebrating his death and a heavy security force presence has been seen on the streets of Tehran since the crash.

Raisi, 63, had been discussed as a possible successor for Iran's supreme leader, the 85-year-old Khamenei. The only other person suggested was Khamenei's 55-year-old son, Mojtaba. However, concerns have been raised over the position going to a family member, particularly after the revolution overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy of the shah.

Meanwhile, an Iranian official offered a new account of Sunday's crash, further fuelling the theory bad weather led to it. Gholamhossein Esmaili, who travelled in one of the two other helicopters in Raisi's entourage, told state TV that weather had been fine when the aircraft took off. But Raisi's helicopter disappeared into heavy clouds and the others couldn't reach the aircraft by radio, forcing them to land at a nearby copper mine.

Neither Amirabdollahian or a bodyguard on board responded to calls, but Tabriz Friday prayer leader Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem somehow answered two mobile phone calls, Esmaili said. It wasn't clear why Iran then couldn't track the phone's signal.

When we found the location of the accident, the conditions of the bodies indicated that Ayatollah Raisi and other companions had died instantly but Ale-Hashem ... (died) after several hours, he said. (AP) GSP
Barcelona, May 22 (AP) Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive.

The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and Norway, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel's isolation. Malta and Slovenia, which also belong to the 27-nation European Union, may follow suit.

Some 140 of 190 represented in the UN countries have already recognized a Palestinian state.



Here's a look at how and why the new European announcements could be important:



WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The 1948 UN decision that created Israel envisaged a neighboring Palestinian state, but some 70 years later control of the Palestinian territories remains divided and bids for UN membership have been denied.

The United States, Britain and other Western countries have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East's most intractable conflict, but they insist Palestinian statehood should come as part of a negotiated settlement. There have been no substantive negotiations since 2009.

Though the EU countries and Norway won't be recognizing an existing state, just the possibility of one, the symbolism helps enhance the Palestinians' international standing and heaps more pressure on Israel to open negotiations on ending the war.

Also, the move lends additional prominence to the Middle East issue ahead of June 6-9 elections to the European Parliament, when some 370 million people are eligible to vote and a steep rise of the extreme right is on the cards.



WHY NOW?

Diplomatic pressure on Israel has grown as the battle with Hamas stretches into its eighth month. The UN General Assembly voted by a significant margin on May 11 to grant new rights and privileges to Palestine in a sign of growing international support for a vote on full voting membership. The Palestine Authority currently has observer status.

The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia said in March they were considering recognizing a Palestinian state as a positive contribution toward ending the war.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday, This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people, he said. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.



WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECOGNITION?

While dozens of countries have recognized Palestine, none of the major Western powers has done so, and it is unclear how much of a difference the move by the three countries might make.

Even so, their recognition would mark a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians, who believe it confers international legitimacy on their struggle.

Little would likely change on the ground in the short term. Peace talks are stalled, and Israel's hardline government has dug its heels in against Palestinian statehood.



WHAT IS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE?

Israel reacted rapidly Wednesday by recalling its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain.

The Israeli government slams talk of Palestinian independence as a reward for the Hamas October 7 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of over 250 others. It rejects any move to legitimize the Palestinians internationally.

Steps like the ones by the three European countries Wednesday will harden the Palestinian position and undermine the negotiating process, Israel says, insisting that all issues should be solved through negotiations.

Israel often responds to foreign countries' decisions deemed as going against its interests by summoning those countries' ambassadors and also punishing the Palestinians through measures such as freezing tax transfers to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority.



WHO RECOGNIZES PALESTINE AS A STATE?

Some 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, more than two-thirds of the United Nations' membership.

Some major powers have indicated their stance may be evolving amid the outcry over the consequences of Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between noncombatants and fighters in its count.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said no recognition of Palestine could come while Hamas remains in Gaza, but that it could happen while Israeli negotiations with Palestinian leaders were in progress.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in February it's not taboo for France to recognize a Palestinian state. (AP) NPK

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Cairo, May 22 (AP) Israel has addressed many of President Joe Biden's concerns over its long-simmering plan to carry out a widescale military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas, a senior Biden administration official said Tuesday.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity, said that in talks over the weekend with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Israeli officials incorporated many changes into their planning that seem to meet concerns about deepening an operation in an area that has been flooded with Palestinian refugees during the seven-month war.

Biden had previously said he opposed a widescale operation in Rafah that did not prioritize the safety of innocent Palestinian civilians.

The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli plan but said Israeli officials' altered planning suggested they were taking the American administration's concerns seriously.

About 900,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah in recent weeks after the population swelled to about 1.5 million. (AP) NB

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Bangkok, May 22 (AP) Aviation investigators arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday to learn how and why severe turbulence sent a Singapore Airlines plane into a sudden dive that tossed passengers and crew around the cabin, leaving a British man dead and dozens others injured.

Twenty people remained in intensive care in hospital after Flight SQ321, which was flying from London's Heathrow airport to Singapore, hit the turbulence Tuesday over the Andaman Sea.

The Boeing 777, which carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members, descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 metres) in about three minutes, the carrier said.

The captain diverted the plane to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where medical teams evaluated those aboard and sent over 80 to hospital.

Singapore Airlines sent a special flight to Bangkok on Tuesday night to pick up those well enough to travel. The airline said that 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived shortly after 5 a.m. at Singapore's Changi Airport.

An additional 79 passengers and six crew members stayed in Bangkok, where the majority remained in hospital, said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where most of the injured were taken, said 20 people were being treated in intensive care while 27 others have been discharged.

The ICU patients include six Britons, six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines, it said.

The hospital said nine people underwent surgery Tuesday and five more operations were expected to be completed Wednesday. It said it had provided 104 people with medical care, including 19 at its clinic at the airport.

Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok late Tuesday, Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said Wednesday.

He added that the US National Transportation Safety Board is also sending an accredited representative and four technical advisors to support the investigation because the incident involved a Boeing plane.

One of 56 Australians listed as passengers on board the flight told Sky News that the seatbelt sign had come on just ahead of the turbulence, but she could not act in time because she had been asleep.

Thirty-year-old Teandra Tukhunen, speaking from a hospital with her left arm in a sling, said she had been thrown to the roof and then to the floor.

It was just so quick, over in a couple of seconds and then you're just shocked. Everyone's pretty freaked out," she said.

Recounting the accident, British passenger Andrew Davies also told Sky News that the seatbelt sign was illuminated but crew members didn't have time to take their seats.

Every single cabin crew person I saw was injured in some way or another, maybe with a gash on their head, Davies said. One had a bad back, who was in obvious pain.

Thai officials had withheld the name of the dead man, but British media identified him as Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, who was going on a six-week holiday with his wife. She was among the passengers taken to hospital in Bangkok.

Kitchen was described as formerly working in the insurance industry, and in retirement was continuing his decades-long involvement with amateur theatre.

A Thai airport official said Kitchen might have had a heart attack, though that hadn't been confirmed.

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press showed Tuesday's flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 metres).

At one point, the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descended to 31,000 feet (9,400 metres) over about three minutes, according to the data. The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later.

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

According to a 2021 report by the US National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6 per cent of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration, another US government agency, has said there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

For flight attendants and passengers alike, the dangerous, shaky feeling in midair called turbulence comes from air currents shifting, said a statement from the US-based Association of Flight Attendants.

While details of Singapore Flight 321 are still developing, initial reports seem to indicate clear air turbulence, which is the most dangerous type of turbulence. It cannot be seen and is virtually undetectable with current technology. One second, you're cruising smoothly; the next, passengers, crew and unsecured carts or other items are being thrown around the cabin.

Always follow crew instructions and wear your seatbelt whenever seated, it advised. It is a matter of life and death.

Officials from the British and Malaysian embassies on Wednesday visited the Bangkok hospital where most of the injured were admitted to check on their condition.

Singapore Airlines said the passengers, in addition to the 56 Australians, included two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one Icelander, four Irish, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 New Zealanders, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States. (AP) GRS

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Tehran, May 22 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar arrived here on Wednesday to attend an official ceremony to pay condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.

Dhankhar, who is leading the Indian delegation, was received by the Iranian authorities on his arrival in Tehran.

"VP Dhankhar will attend the official ceremony to pay condolences on the demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian, of Iran, the vice president's office said in a post on X along with pictures of his arrival at the Tehran airport.

A one-day state mourning was observed across India on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Raisi.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have conveyed their condolences on the demise of Raisi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Tuesday to convey Indias condolences on the loss.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei presided over a funeral on Wednesday for the country's late president, foreign minister, and others killed in the crash. Thousands of people attended the funeral procession of the late president and his companions.

Several world leaders are in Tehran to attend the official funeral ceremony.

The Iranian president, the country's foreign minister, and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region in the northwestern part of the country, Iran state media reported.

Raisi, 63, and his entourage were heading to Tabriz city after returning from a visit to a locality on the Azerbaijan-Iran border on Sunday.
Dubai, May 22 (AP) Iran's supreme leader prayed Wednesday over the coffins of the country's late president, foreign minister and other officials who were killed in a helicopter crash earlier this week. Later, hundreds of thousands of people followed a procession honouring the dead down Tehran's main boulevard.

Iran's Shiite theocracy views mass demonstrations as crucial evidence of its legitimacy and the people's support.

Still, Wednesday's funeral service for President Ebrahim Raisi and others saw a turnout that onlookers described as noticeably lower than the 2020 procession honouring Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad.

Many of the participants said they came to Tehran for the ceremony from other cities and towns across the Islamic Republic, an indication of how those in Iran's capital viewed Raisi, who won the presidency in a record low turnout and later oversaw repeated crackdowns on all dissent  including in the wake of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini that sparked street protests over Iran's mandatory hijab, or headscarf.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who openly wept for Soleimani, also remained composed while reciting the standard prayer for the dead.

Oh Allah, we didn't see anything but good from him, Khamenei said in Arabic, the language of Islam's holy book, the Quran. He soon left and the crowd inside rushed to the front, reaching out to touch the coffins. Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly cried.

The death of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in the crash on Sunday comes at a politically sensitive moment for Iran, both at home and abroad.

Raisi, who was 63, had been discussed as a possible successor to Iran's supreme leader, the 85-year-old Khamenei. None of Iran's living past presidents  other than Khamenei, who was president from 1981 until 1989  could be seen in state television footage of Wednesday's prayers. The authorities gave no explanation for their apparent absence.

Following the deadly helicopter crash, Iran set June 28 as the next presidential election. For now, there's no clear favourite for the position among Iran's political elite  particularly no one who is a Shiite cleric, like Raisi.

During Raisi's term in office, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel last month as its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on. Iran has supported Hamas throughout the war and provided weaponry to the militants.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attended the prayers Wednesday morning, just two days after the International Criminal Court's prosecutor said he'd seek an arrest warrant for him and others over the October 7 attack that sparked the latest Israel-Hamas war. In the unprecedented assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and seized 250 hostage.

The ICC prosecutor is also seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for their conduct in the war, which has seen more than 35,000 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip and also hundreds in the West Bank.

Haniyeh recounted meeting Raisi earlier this year in Tehran during Ramadan, the holy Muslim fasting month, and heard the president say the Palestinian issue remains the key one for the Muslim world. He also described Raisi calling the October 7 attack an earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity.

Haniyeh's presence at the funeral likely signalled Khamenei intends to continue his policy of arming militant groups in the wider Mideast  including Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels  as a way to pressure its adversaries like Israel and the United States.

Mourners at the ceremony chanted: Death to Israel!

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Taliban of Afghanistan, including their Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi are expected to attend services in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also flew in for the ceremony, along with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Even Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry travelled to Tehran, despite diplomatic relations between the countries being severed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Egypt and Iran have recently discussed reestablishing ties.

A single black turban was placed on top of Raisi's casket during the morning service, which signifies he was considered a direct descendent of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. People then carried the coffins out on their shoulders as chants of Death to America! erupted outside. The coffins were loaded onto a semitruck trailer for a procession through downtown Tehran to Azadi, or Freedom, Square.

People openly wept and beat their chests, a common sign of grief in the Shiite culture. They tossed scarves and other possessions up to the semitruck driving the caskets through Tehran, with coffin attendants brushing the items against the caskets in a gesture of blessing.

One man said he and his friends took a nearly seven-hour bus trip to attend the procession. Many expressed their sympathies for the dead, including Raisi.

He was our president, the others were pilots and a minister, how can I be indifferent about their loss? asked Sima Rahmani, a 27-year-old Tehran woman wearing a loose headscarf despite the risk of detention by police.

Prosecutors have warned people against showing any public signs of celebrating Raisi's death and a heavy security force presence has been seen on the streets of Tehran since the crash. Many shops and stores noticeably remained open in Tehran during the ceremony, while some took off early for a long weekend.

I did not vote for Raisi in 2021 election, but he was the president of all people, said Morteza Nemati, a 28-year-old physics student at Tehran Azad University. My presence is a way of paying tribute to him.

Meanwhile, an Iranian official offered a new accounting of Sunday's crash, further fuelling the theory that bad weather had led to it. Gholamhossein Esmaili, who travelled in one of the two other helicopters in Raisi's entourage, told state TV that weather had been fine when the aircraft took off. But Raisi's helicopter disappeared into heavy clouds and the others couldn't reach the aircraft by radio.

Neither Amirabdollahian nor a bodyguard on board responded to calls. But Friday prayer leader from the city of Tabriz, Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, who was also on board, somehow answered two mobile phone calls, saying he was hurt, Esmaili said.

It wasn't clear why Iran could not at that point track the phone signal.

The conditions of the bodies found showed that they (died) immediately after the incident," Esmaili said. "But Ayatollah Ale-Hashem (died) a few hours after the incident. He was alive for a short period. (AP) GSP
Islamabad, May 22 (PTI) Pakistans Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday said an inquiry committee has been formed to investigate an attack on a senior leader of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party a day earlier.

Terming the attack as regrettable and sad, the law minister while speaking in a Senate session today said such attacks should not happen. "The government is seriously investigating the attack on Raoof Hasan," Tarar said, according to Geo News.

An FIR on charges of murder and attempted murder concerning the attack on Imran Khans partys Information Secretary Raoof Hasan has been registered at Islamabads Abpara police station, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Hasan was allegedly attacked by a group of around four apparently transgender persons in the capital. It drew strong condemnation from his party, however, it remains unclear why the politician was attacked.

Hasan has reportedly informed the police that a group of people who appeared to be transgender attacked him in the parking lot of a private news channel's office. Hasan claimed a similar attempt was made on him two days ago in the capital's Blue Area.

The perpetrators managed to flee the scene with ease following the attack, the report said.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment and he was later discharged, it added.

A video shared by PTI shows Hasan requesting people to call the doctor as he is seen with injuries and blood on his face while walking into a building.

A spokesperson for Islamabad Police said they were collecting evidence from the scene and vowed to take action against the perpetrators.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan condemned the attack and demanded an immediate investigation and action, the Express Tribune reported.

A message posted on jailed PTI founder Imran Khan's account on X, managed by his social media team, said, The entire nation knows who is orchestrating these attacks on our leadership. Its the same powers that lurk in the shadows and use proxies to harass & threaten judges and make a mockery of elections by brazenly tampering with results.

Let us make it very clear that the PTI will not be deterred by such dirty tactics & violence which only serve to expose the perpetrators before the nation.
Ann Arbor (US), May 22 (AP) Police broke up a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Michigan before dawn Tuesday, citing a threat to public safety and coming less than a week after demonstrators stepped up pressure by placing fake body bags on the lawn of a school official.

Officers wearing helmets with face shields cleared approximately 50 people from the Diag, known for decades as a site for campus protests. Video posted online showed police using what appeared to be an irritant to spray people, who were forced to retreat.

UM is not a campground, Sarah Hubbard, chair of the university's governing board, said on the social platform X.

At least four people were arrested, which caused protesters to shift to the Washtenaw County jail where they marched outside in support of their allies.

We will not stop, we will not rest, a coalition of pro-Palestinian student groups said on social media.

The campus encampment was set up on April 22, near the end of the school year and just before families began arriving for spring commencement. Posters taunting President Santa Ono and other officials were also displayed.

After the camp was cleared, nearby buildings including the undergraduate and graduate libraries were closed and police turned away students who showed up to study.

Ono said in a statement that the encampment had become a threat to safety, with overloaded power sources and open flames. Organizers, he added, had refused to comply with requests to make changes following an inspection by a fire marshal.

The disregard for safety directives was only the latest in a series of troubling events centered on an encampment that has always violated the rules that govern the Diag  especially the rules that ensure the space is available to everyone, Ono said.

Protesters have demanded that the school's endowment stop investing in companies with ties to Israel. But the university insists it has no direct investments and less than $15 million placed with funds that might include companies in Israel. That's less than 0.1% of the total endowment.

There's nothing to talk about. That issue is settled, Hubbard said last week.

A group of 30 protesters showed up at her house on May 15 and placed stuffed, red-stained sheets on her lawn to resemble body bags. They banged a drum and chanted slogans over a bullhorn.

People wearing face coverings also posted demands at the doors of other board members.

This conduct is where our failure to address antisemitism leads literally  literally  to the front door of my home, board member Mark Bernstein, a Detroit-area lawyer, said at a Regents meeting last Thursday. Who's next? When and where will this end? As a Jew, I know the answer to these questions because our experience is full of tragedies that we are at grave risk of repeating. Enough is enough.

Students and others have set up tent encampments on campuses around the country to press 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. Arrests at campuses have surpassed the 3,000 mark nationwide.

An encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at Philadelphia's Drexel University persisted Tuesday despite an earlier threat by the school's president to have it cleared.

University administrators tried to open a line of communication to the protesters but were rebuffed, Drexel President John Fry said in a statement Tuesday. He said city and campus police planned to monitor a rally at the encampment scheduled for Tuesday night.

Lecture classes will remain virtual for a third day Wednesday because of the encampment, and some events will have to be rescheduled, Fry said.

Many of you have expressed your frustration over our decision to scale back in-person classes and activities. I understand and share your frustration. But please rest assured that we are doing everything we can to return our campus safely to normal operations, he said. (AP) NB

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Nagpur, May 22 (PTI) A three-year-old boy died after being attacked by a stray dog in Mouda town of Nagpur district, police said on Wednesday.

Vansh Ankush Shahane, the victim, was playing outside his house when a dog attacked him on Tuesday afternoon, said an official.

His family members rushed him to the government hospital but the child succumbed to his injuries.



Mouda police has registered a case of accidental death.
Nagaon (Assam), May 22 (PTI) The Assam government on Wednesday informed Gauhati High Court that it has compensated the persons whose houses were demolished by the administration after they had allegedly torched a police station in Assam's Nagaon district in protest against the 'custodial' death of a fish trader, the victims' advocate said.

Zunaid Khalid, the victims' advocate, said the state government informed the HC, in relation to the suo motu public interest litigation (Case No.: PIL(Suo Moto)/3/2022), that a total of Rs 30 lakh in compensation has been paid to five persons, while payment to one is still pending.

The government paid Rs 10 lakh each for two pucca houses and Rs 2.5 lakh each for the five kutcha dwelling units that were bulldozed by the administration at Batadrava in Nagaon district.

The recipients of the compensation are Inamul Haque, Hifjur Rahman, Mojibur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam, Akkas Ali and the legal heir of deceased Safiqul Islam.

Safiqul's wife is yet to obtain the legal heir certificate, so the payment to her is withheld until issuance of the document.

Batadrava police station was set on fire on May 21, 2022 by a mob following the alleged custodial death of a local fish trader, Safikul Islam (39), who was picked up by police the night before.

A day later, district authorities bulldozed seven houses, including that of Safiqul's and his relatives, purportedly in search of weapons and drugs hidden beneath the structures.

In November 2022, the then Chief Justice R M Chhaya had pulled up the Assam government over its action and wondered if "Tomorrow you need something, you will dig up my courtroom".

"How can you do it? You can be anybody. Nobody is safe...under the guise of investigation if you pull down anybody's house," he had added.

The court had then stressed that "bulldozing of a house is not sanctioned under any criminal law" even if an agency is investigating a "very serious matter".

The Chief Justice had further said incidents of such bulldozing of houses is done in movies, and even in those, the search warrant is shown before the act.

Justice Chhaya had even equated bulldozing of houses to an act in a "gang war" and asked the home department to find better ways of carrying out their investigation.

In January 2023, the Assam government had informed the HC that appropriate actions would be taken against erring officials for demolishing houses of the accused.

Accordingly, the HC had directed the state government to compensate the persons affected by the demolition.
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) A board responsible for providing technical and logistical support for functioning of community nutrition programmes has been "officially dissolved" as part of a plan for rationalisation of government bodies.

The Food and Nutrition Board has been shut down by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry. It was a technical wing of the ministry headquartered at the Centre in Delhi.

The board had a wide network of offices, including four regional offices and as many quality control laboratories in Faridabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

In a gazette notification issued on Monday, the ministry said it has "officially dissolved" the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB).

The decision came in the wake of a Cabinet meeting on April 6 last year, following recommendations in the Principal Economic Adviser's report in November 2020 on the rationalisation of government bodies.

In the meeting, the Cabinet had approved proposals of the ministry for rationalisation and closure of the FNB, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh and the Central Social Welfare Board.

The FNB was originally established under the agriculture ministry but later transferred to the WCD ministry in 1993.

Besides regional offices and quality control laboratories, the FNB maintained 43 community food and nutrition extension units (CFNEUs) across the country, providing technical and logistical support for community nutrition programmes.

The decision to dissolve the FNB involves key actions affecting its employees and assets.

Out of the 147 FNB employees, 33 opted for voluntary retirement under the special voluntary retirement scheme, the notification said.

Seven Group 'A' technical officers have been reassigned to the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development. Sixty-one Group 'B' and Group 'C' technical staff have been placed on deemed deputation to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Forty-six non-technical staff have been transferred to the surplus cell within the WCD ministry.

In addition to the reallocation of personnel, three CFNEUs in Mumbai, Jaipur and Bhubaneswar have been transferred to the Directorate of Estates under the housing and urban affairs ministry, the notification said.

Four immovable properties in Faridabad, Chennai, Navi Mumbai and Kolkata are in the process of being transferred, it said.

The Central Food Testing Laboratory in Faridabad and the Regional Food Testing Laboratory in Chennai, both owned by the FNB, are being handed over to the FCI or Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPB), the notification said.

The regional food testing laboratories in Navi Mumbai and West Bengal, which are leased properties, will be leased to the FCI and DFPB upon obtaining necessary clearances from the states of Maharashtra and West Bengal, it said.

The notification said that all laboratories have been handed over to the FCI on an "as is where is" basis.

The activities of the FNB were officially closed as per a gazette notification dated June 16, 2021. The formal dissolution was approved on November 30 last year. Consequently, the FNB ceased operations effective December 1 last year.
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said a lot has changed on the ground in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in development to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

J-K has seen tremendous development after the removal of the special status granted to it under the Article 370, he said.

Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said the biggest testament of the return of normalcy and peace is the unusual tourist flow in Kashmir Valley. Nearly 2.5 crore tourists visited last year and even this season the Valley is packed with tourists from within and outside the country, and even film shooting has resumed there, he said.

"A lot has changed on the ground in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Prime Minister Modi has brought in tremendous development in the Union territory," he told PTI here.

The minister said there has been substantial voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls held in four out of the total of five seats in J-K.

"It is Prime Minister Modi who created conducive conditions for the opposition parties to hold election rallies in the Kashmir valley, which was something unimaginable till a few years ago," said Singh, a sitting Lok Sabha member seeking re-election from Udhampur constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that for the last several decades even the National Conference and PDP leaders were coming out for each of the election campaigns surrounded by a huge security cover around them.

"They were afraid of the terror atmosphere around them and had hardly ever dared to hold an open public rally or road show during the election campaign. The result of this was that they would get elected as MLAs and MPs after a heavily guarded limited campaign and a dismal voter turnout.

"This scene is no more visible now in J-K as people have gained faith in Modi's policies aimed at welfare of all, irrespective of any caste and creed," Singh added.
Ahmedabad, May 22 (PTI) Congress' Gujarat in-charge Mukul Wasnik on Wednesday claimed there was a wave of change across the country and expressed confidence that his party will win more than 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state.



There was resentment among people against the government, Wasnik further claimed, adding the people of Gujarat will support the Congress by helping it win more than 10 seats.

The senior Congress leader was speaking to reporters after arriving in Ahmedabad for a meeting of his party leaders.



Elections were held in 25 out of the total 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat on May 7. In the Surat seat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared winner unopposed before the polls.

The Congress contested 23 seats and the Aam Aadmi Party fielded its candidates in two seats as part of the opposition INDIA bloc's seat-sharing agreement. Votes will be counted on June 4.

"One can see a wave of change everywhere. We have been saying that we are confident of winning more than 10 seats (in Gujarat) with the public support. It won't be surprising if we get such a result. There is a wave of change in the entire country," Wasnik claimed.

"When votes are counted, I believe there will be a change and we will defeat the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP)," he asserted.

The Rajya Sabha member claimed there is great disappointment and anger among the public across the country.

"The manner in which people were misled in the last 10 years has created a kind of resentment against the government," he claimed, adding that this will reflect in the results.

The Congress leader said they have been maintaining that they expect to win more than 10 seats in Gujarat.



"We should wait for June 4 when the votes are counted and the results come out," he added.
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, claiming that sensing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, she got BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's house raided by the state police without a search warrant.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also claimed this has made it clear that West Bengal is set to witness a "big change" in its political scenario and the BJP is going to win more than 30 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the elections.

"Mamata Banerjee got senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's house located in Kolaghat raided on Tuesday. The TMC (Trinamool Congress) chief is harassing BJP leaders in West Bengal out of frustration as she is fully convinced that her party is going to face a miserable defeat (in the Lok Sabha polls)," he said.

Chandrasekhar claimed that Adhikari's house was raided by the state police without any search warrant and in his absence.

"With this, it becomes clear that Bengal is set to witness a big change in its political scenario and the BJP is going to emerge victorious in more than 30 Lok Sabha seats in the elections," he said.

Chandrasekhar said that though it was not clear why police raided Adhikari's house, they did not get anything from there against the BJP leader. "Adhikari has lodged a complaint in this connection," he added.

The Union minister alleged that Banerjee is hatching "various kinds of conspiracy" against Adhikari as she is "rattled" sensing her party's defeat in the election. "Adhikari's brother and elderly parents are also being harrassed," Chandrasekhar claimed.
Chandigarh, May 22 (PTI) Congress leader Rajeev Shukla on Wednesday accused the ruling BJP of misusing religion for political purposes.

Shukla, who is Congress general secretary in-charge of Chandigarh, also said that if the INDIA bloc comes to power at the Centre, it will complete the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

According to a statement issued by the Congress here, Shukla said party leaders and workers have deep faith in Lord Ram and they don't need any certificate from anyone.

The Congress leader alleged that the BJP hurried through the inauguration of the Lord Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with an eye on the general elections. The Ram temple was still not complete, he added.

Predicting a comfortable victory for the INDIA bloc, Shukla said that the BJP's support was eroding. Leave aside 400 seats, they will not reach even half that number, he claimed.

Shukla said that in Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, INDIA bloc candidate and Congress leader Manish Tewari is set to win with a record margin.

Tewari is pitted against BJP's Sanjay Tandon from Chandigarh, which will vote in the last phase on June 1.
New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) In his first poll meeting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after returning from the UK following an eye surgery, AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be voting for Congress and Rahul Gandhi will be voting for AAP when the national capital goes to polls.

Addressing a poll meeting in South Delhi in support of party's Lok Sabha pick Sahi Ram Pahalwan, Chadha said, "I am here to support my brother not only because he is a good person but also because this election is about saving the country and the Constitution."

The future of your children depends on your vote, the Rajya MP told the gathering.

Amid questions over his long absence at a time when party was grappling with the arrest of Kejriwal, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj had said Chadha had developed a serious eye ailment which could have led to blindness.

Chadha was present at the party's protest on Sunday near the BJP headquarters.

"Since the AAP came into power, people of Delhi have saved around Rs 18,000 per month on electricity, medicines, water, school fees, and women also save on bus travel costs," he said.

In return, they are only asking for votes, the AAP leader said.

"Press on the 'jhadoo' (AAP's poll symbol) on the 25th and support Kejriwal. When Rahul Gandhi goes to cast his vote on May 25, he will vote for the AAP candidate and press the broom symbol. Likewise, when CM Arvind Kejriwal casts his vote, he will vote for the Congress party."

Chadha had contested from the South Delhi constituency in 2019 and had lost to Ramesh Bidhuri of BJP.

Expressing confidence in a strong victory of the Congress-AAP alliance, Chadha said, "This time, I believe that we will win with the highest number of votes in South Delhi."

All seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls on May 25.
Mandi/Shimla, May 22 (PTI) Trading barbs over black flags shown to the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut in Lahaul and Spiti's Kaza two days back, the Congress' Vikramaditya Singh targeted the actor Wednesday over her remark against the Dalai Lama from April last year.

"People of the tribal area worship Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as their God and if someone passes any remarks against their God, they will surely not like it and protest," Singh, who contesting the election against Ranaut, said in Mandi in response to a question.

Hitting back at Singh, Ranaut alleged that the Congress was behind the protest against her. The Congress has stooped to hooliganism and the Kaza incident would prove to be the last nail in its coffin and contribute to her winning margin, the BJP candidate added.

"I feel sad to see such hooliganism which reflects the Congress' character... people have seen the true face of the Congress, which is indulging in violence and hooliganism," she told media persons in Lahaul and Spiti's Udaipur.

Singh, however, said his party had nothing to do with the incident and accused the BJP of blaming the Congress as it was losing the elections.

They were referring to black flags being shown to Ranaut by local people and Congress workers in Kaza on Monday. The Congress workers raised anti-Kangana slogans -- "Kangana, go back, Kangana Vangana nahi chalegi", apparently enraged over her remarks on the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Ranaut had in April last year tweeted a meme featuring the Dalai Lama that said, "The Dalai Lama receives a warm welcome at the White House". The photoshopped picture in the tweet showed the Dalai Lama sticking his tongue out with US President Joe Biden with a comment - Both of them have the same illness, definitely, they could be friends.

Following this, a group of Buddhists staged a dharna outside her office in Mumbai. Ranaut later apologised, saying she did not mean to hurt anyone and that it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with the Dalai Lama.

After Ranaut faced the protest in Kaza on Monday, the Himachal Pradesh BJP filed a complaint with the state chief electoral officer. The party alleged that stones were pelted at Ranaut's carcade and a party worker was injured.

It also demanded the transfer of election officials and an investigation into the incident as both the BJP and the Congress were given permission to hold rallies adjacent to each other.

However, Lahaul and Spiti SP Mayank Chowdhary told PTI that workers of both the BJP and the ruling Congress came face to face but there was no clash and no person was injured. However, one worker sprained his leg, he added.

Bhishan Shashni, the Congress' election coordinator for Lahaul and Spiti, claimed that his party workers were peacefully protesting but a large number of local people joined the protest as they were hurt by Ranaut's remark.

Listing his priorities for the Mandi parliamentary constituency, Vikramaditya Singh, the son of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh, said his focus would be on bringing the municipal corporation of Mandi under the Smart City project and the construction of the Bhubhu Jot and Jalori Jot tunnels and the Kullu Medical College.

Ranaut said Himachal Pradesh is beautiful but connectivity is an issue and tourism promotion, generating self-employment avenues and increasing the remuneration for locals would be her priority.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 (PTI) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has returned the ordinances approved by the state Cabinet, which aimed to delimit the boundaries of wards in local bodies and increase their numbers, citing the enforcement of the election model code of conduct.

Official sources said on Wednesday the Governor, who received the ordinances on Tuesday, has sent them back to the state Chief Secretary.

The Governor sent the ordinances back to the government, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls. He clarified that the ordinances cannot be approved without the Election Commission's consent, a source said.

The ordinances, cleared by the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, sought to amend the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 ahead of the local body elections scheduled in 2025.



These amendments were intended to adjust ward boundaries and numbers in proportion to the population based on the 2011 census.
Amaravati, May 22 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena on Wednesday said police teams have been formed to look for 'absconding' YSRCP MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy who vandalised an electronic voting machine (EVM) at a polling centre in Macharla constituency of Palnadu district.





The CEO said police raided Reddys residence this morning, but he was not found there.



His (Reddy) house was raided in the morning. He was not found, so several teams are now moving around to arrest him, Meena told media.



On May 13, Reddy, who is Macherla Assembly constituency candidate of the ruling YSRCP allegedly barged into a polling station and smashed the EVM.



The entire act was caught on a web camera installed by the Election Commission, leading to his identification with footage and documentary evidence.



On Tuesday, the Election Commission directed Andhra Pradesh police chief Harish Kumar Gupta to take stringent criminal against the MLA.



According to the Election Commission, EVMs were damaged at seven polling stations in Macherla constituency alone on the polling day.



Meanwhile, Meena noted that Reddy has been named as accused number one (A1) in the case registered after verifying the footage under 10 stringent sections.



Taking serious note of the incident, the poll panel has questioned local election authorities as to why YSRCP Macherla assembly candidate was not arrested yet, including issuing immediate arrest orders.



EC has said that such incidents are very shameful... the intention is to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections, but when the candidate (Reddy) himself indulges in such an act (then) it is a very serious matter, added Meena.





According to visuals aired on some TV channels, a convoy of vehicles belonging to the MLA was found abandoned near Kandi on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
An Air Force instructor pilot was killed when the ejection seat activated while the turboprop aircraft was still on the ground at a Texas military base, the Air Force said Tuesday.

The instructor pilot was in a T-6A Texan II at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, when the seat activated during ground operations on Monday. The pilot was taken to a hospital and died Tuesday, the Air Force said. The pilots name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine two-seater aircraft that serves as a primary trainer for Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps pilots. In a training flight an instructor can sit in the front or back seat; both have lightweight Martin-Baker ejection seats that are activated by a handle on the seat.

In 2022, the T-6 fleet and hundreds of other Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft were grounded after inspections revealed a potential defect with one component of the ejection seats cartridge actuated devices, or CADs. The fleet was inspected and in some instances the CADs were replaced.

When activated the cartridge explodes and starts the ejection sequence.

Ejection seats have been credited with saving pilots lives, but they also have failed at critical moments in aircraft accidents. Investigators identified ejection seat failure as a partial cause of an F-16 crash that killed 1st Lt. David Schmitz, 32, in June 2020.

In 2018, four members of a B-1 bomber crew earned the Distinguished Flying Cross when, with their aircraft on fire, they discovered one of the four ejection seats was indicating failure. Instead of bailing out, all of the crew decided to remain in the burning aircraft and land it so they all would have the best chance of surviving. All of the crew survived.

(AP)
Mourners in black began gathering Tuesday for days of funerals and processions for Irans late president, foreign minister and others killed in a helicopter crash, a government-led series of ceremonies aimed at both honoring the dead and projecting strength in an unsettled Middle East.

For Irans Shiite theocracy, mass demonstrations have been crucial since millions thronged the streets of Tehran to welcome Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution, and also attended his funeral 10 years later. An estimated 1 million turned out in 2020 for processions for the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was slain in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

Whether President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others draw the same crowd remains in question, particularly as Raisi died in a helicopter crash, won his office in the lowest-turnout presidential election in the countrys history and presided over sweeping crackdowns on all dissent. Prosecutors already have warned people over showing any public signs of celebrating his death and a heavy security force presence has been seen on the streets of Tehran since the crash.

But Raisi, 63, had been discussed as a possible successor for Irans supreme leader, the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death now throws that selection into question, particularly as there is no heir-apparent cleric for the presidency ahead of planned June 28 elections.

Raisis death comes at a moment when the Islamist regime is consolidated, wrote Alex Vatanka, an Iran expert at the Middle East Institute. In short, there will be no power vacuum in Tehran; nonetheless, post-Khamenei Iran suddenly looks far less predictable than it did just a few days ago.

A procession Tuesday morning led by a semitruck carrying the caskets of the dead slowly moved through the narrow streets of downtown Tabriz, the closest major city near the site of the crash Sunday. Thousands in black slowly walked beside the coffins, some throwing flowers up to them as an emcee wept through a loudspeaker for men he described as martyrs. On Wednesday, a funeral presided over by Khamenei will turn into a procession as well.

The caskets later arrived in Tehran to an honor guard at the airport and then went onward to the holy Shiite seminary city of Qom. There, a semitruck surrounded by soldiers in fatigues at one point was swarmed by a crowd of mourners. Some beat their chests and wailed. The truck later picked up speed while others stood alongside the road, watching.

The bodies will return to Tehran on Tuesday night for services Wednesday.

It remains unclear what international presence that funeral will draw, as Raisi faced U.S. sanctions for his part in mass executions in 1988 and for abuses targeting protesters and dissidents while leading the countrys judiciary. Iran under Raisi also shipped bomb-carrying drones to Russia to be used in its war on Ukraine.

I dont feel comfortable sending condolences while Iran is sending drones that are used against civilians in Ukraine, wrote Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on the social platform X.

United Kingdom Security Minister Tom Tugendhat echoed that in his own message on X: President Raisis regime has murdered thousands at home, and targeted people here in Britain and across Europe. I will not mourn him.

On Thursday, Raisis hometown of Birjand will see a procession, followed by a funeral and burial at the Imam Reza shrine in the holy city of Mashhad, the only imam of the Shiites faith buried in Iran.

That shrine has long been a center for pilgrims and sees millions visit each year. Over the centuries, its grounds have served as the final burial site for heroes in Persian history. Its an incredibly high, rare honor in the faith. Iranian President Mohammad-Ali Rajai, the only other president to die in office when he was killed in a 1981 bombing, was buried in Tehran.

Irans theocracy declared five days of mourning, encouraging people to attend the public mourning sessions. Typically, government employees and schoolchildren attend such events en masse, while others take part out of patriotism, curiosity or to witness historic events.

Across Iran, its rural population often more closely embraces the Shiite faith and the government. However, Tehran has long held a far different view of Raisi and his governments policies as mass protests have roiled the capital for years.

The most recent involved the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a woman detained over her allegedly loose headscarf, or hijab. 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. Meanwhile, Irans rial currency has cratered after the collapse of Irans nuclear deal with world powers, destroying peoples savings and pensions.

On Sunday night, as news of the helicopter crash circulated, some offered anti-government chants in the night. Fireworks could be seen in some parts of the capital, though Sunday also marked a remembrance for Imam Reza, which can see them set off as well. Critical messages and dark jokes over the crash also circulated online.

Irans top prosecutor has already issued an order demanding cases be filed against those publishing false content, lies and insults against Raisi and others killed in the crash, according to the semiofficial ISNA news agency.

No cause has yet been offered by Irans government for the crash, which took place in a foggy mountain range in a decades-old helicopter. Iranian presidents including hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Abolhasan Banisadr both survived their own helicopter crashes while in office.

Irans military, not its civil aviation authority, will investigate and later offer a report, authorities say. Irans civil air crash investigators faced widespread international criticism over their reports on the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by an air defense battery in 2020 after Soleimanis killing.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Irans new Assembly of Experts opened its first session after an election that decided the new assembly, a panel of which both Raisi and the late Tabriz Friday leader Mohammad Ali Ale-Heshem were members. A flower-ringed portrait sat on the seat Raisi would have occupied at the meeting of the 88-member panel, which is tasked with selecting the countrys next supreme leader. Also attending was Irans acting President Mohammad Mokhber.

(AP)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nine felony charges stemming from his role in an effort to overturn Donald Trumps 2020 election loss in Arizona to Joe Biden.

Ten others, including former Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward, also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, forgery and fraud charges related to the case. Giuliani appeared remotely for the arraignment that was held in a Phoenix courtroom. His and Wards trials are scheduled for Oct. 17, about 3 weeks before the U.S. election.

During his remote appearance, Giuliani said he did not have an attorney at this time but will. When asked by the court whether he needed counsel appointed for the arraignment, Giuliani said: No, no, I think I am capable of handling it myself.

Giuliani said he received a summons but did not have a copy of the indictment. He said he is familiar with the charges, though, by reading about them.

Arizona authorities tried unsuccessfully over several weeks to serve Giuliani notice of the indictment against him. Giuliani was finally served Friday night as he was walking to a car after his 80th birthday celebration in Florida.

On Tuesday, in response to the prosecutors request for a $10,000 cash bond after outlining the difficulty in serving Giuliani in the case, Giuliani said: I have a fair number of threats including death threats, and I dont have security anymore so I have very strict rules about who gets up and who doesnt.

The judge required Giuliani to post a secured appearance bond of $10,000 as well as appear in Arizona within the next 30 days for booking procedures. He has shown no intent to comply with the legal process in Arizona, prosecutor Nicholas Klingerman said in asking for the bond for Giuliani.

Arizona authorities unveiled the felony charges last month against Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Trump, a Republican, had won Arizona. The defendants include five lawyers connected to the former president and two former Trump aides. Biden, a Democrat, won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes.

The indictment alleges Ward, a former state senator who led the GOP in Arizona from 2019 until early 2023, organized the fake electors and urged then-Vice President Mike Pence to declare them to be the states true electors. It says Ward failed to withdraw her vote as a fake elector even though no legal challenges changed the outcome of the presidential race in Arizona.

Last week, attorney John Eastman, who devised a strategy to try to persuade Congress not to certify the election, was the first defendant in the case to be arraigned, pleading not guilty to the charges.

Trump himself was not charged in the Arizona case but was referred to as an unindicted co-conspirator.

Arizona is 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.

The 11 people who claimed to be Arizonas Republican electors met in Phoenix on Dec. 14, 2020, to sign a certificate saying they were duly elected and qualified electors and asserting that Trump carried the state. A one-minute video of the signing ceremony was posted on social media by the Arizona Republican Party at the time. The document was later sent to Congress and the National Archives, where it was ignored.

Of eight lawsuits that unsuccessfully challenged Bidens victory in the state, one was filed by the 11 fake Arizona electors, who had asked a federal judge to decertify the results and block the state from sending its results to the Electoral College. In dismissing the case, the judge concluded the Republicans had failed to provide the court with factual support for their extraordinary claims. Days after that lawsuit was dismissed, the 11 participated in the certificate signing.

The 11 people who were arraigned Tuesday are Giuliani; Ward; Tyler Bowyer, an executive of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA; state Sen. Anthony Kern; Greg Safsten, a former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party; Robert Montgomery, a former chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee; Samuel Moorhead, a Republican precinct committee member in Gila County; Nancy Cottle, who in 2020 was the first vice president of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women; Loraine Pellegrino, past president of the Ahwatukee Republican Women; Michael Ward, an osteopathic physician who is married to Ward; and attorney Christina Bobb.

Two other defendants  attorney Jenna Ellis and and Michael Roman, who was Trumps 2020 director of Election Day operations  were scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, but ultimately didnt appear at the hearing. Their lawyers had requested postponements. Its unclear from the court record whether the judge had ruled on that request.

Arraignments are scheduled for June 6 for state Sen. Jake Hoffman; on June 7 for former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows; and on June 18 for Trump attorney Boris Epshteyn and for James Lamon, another Republican who claimed Trump carried the state.

(AP)
A man charged with assisting Hong Kong authorities with gathering intelligence in the United Kingdom has died in unexplained circumstances, British police said Tuesday.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was one of three men charged earlier this month with agreeing to engage in information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist the Hong Kong intelligence service from late 2023 to May 2. Prosecutors also alleged that the men forced entry into a U.K. residential address on May 1.

The men had all been bailed and were next due to appear at Londons Central Criminal Court for a hearing on Friday. They havent yet entered pleas.

Thames Valley Police said Trickett was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, west of London, on Sunday afternoon after a report from a member of the public.

Police said that an investigation is ongoing into the death, which is being treated as unexplained.

British media reports said Trickett was formerly a Royal Marine who recently worked as a Home Office immigration enforcement officer. He was also reportedly the director of a security consultancy.

He was charged along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63. The men appeared at a brief court hearing to confirm their identities on May 13.

Hong Kong authorities have confirmed that Yuen was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

Tricketts lawyer, Julian Hayes, said he was shocked at Tuesdays news and was supporting Tricketts family. He declined to comment, because investigations were ongoing.

A police cordon remained in place in Grenfell Park in Maidenhead late Tuesday, with several officers stationed next to a black forensics tent located close to a childrens playground.

Chinese authorities in both the U.K. and Hong Kong have decried the charges, saying they were the latest in a series of groundless and slanderous accusations that the U.K. government has leveled against China.

Hong Kongs government demanded that the U.K. provide full details on the allegations and protect the rights of the office manager of the trade office.

The spying charges came amid simmering tensions between Britain and China. U.K. officials have been increasingly vocal in warning about security threats from Beijing, and recently accused China of being behind a string of cyberespionage operations targeting politicians and Britains election watchdog.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain is facing an increasingly dangerous future because of threats from an axis of authoritarian states, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

In a separate and ongoing court case, two men, including a parliamentary researcher, were recently charged with spying for China. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged with violating the Official Secrets Act by providing information or documents that could be useful to an enemy  China  and prejudicial to the safety or interests of the U.K. between late 2021 and February 2023.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese control as a semiautonomous territory in 1997.

More than 100,000 Hong Kongers have moved to the U.K. since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law triggered by the huge anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Britains government has established a fast-track immigration route for the migrants, many of whom want to settle in the U.K. because of dwindling civil liberties in their home city.

Rights groups have warned that Hong Kongers who have moved to Britain continue to face transnational repression by supporters of the Chinese government.

(AP)
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

They are the unknown and the unsung heroes that retrieve the bodies of those who died trying to save life. They are the Yasar units. If not for them  the bodies of the dead soldiers would be commandeered by Hamas and used as hostages again.

The Yasar units are military search units responsible for locating and retrieving the remains of fallen Israeli soldiers in enemy territory. They operate under the Southern Command and are reinforced by units from Yasar Golan and the 98th Division.

Their Mission:

To locate and retrieve the remains of fallen Israeli soldiers.

To prevent the enemy from using these bodies as leverage.

To document operations and findings for future identification and to assist in locating missing persons.

Their Composition:

Veterans of combat units

High demand to serve in these units

Many soldiers served in ultra-orthodox Nahal or Hesder yeshiva programs

Some veterans of patrol units and secular soldiers

Their Methods:

Conduct a field analysis to understand what is required.

Coordinate with local security and operational forces.

Build a dedicated force for each mission.

Follow an organized series of commands.

Use starlight, night vision devices, and other techniques in darkness.

Document every meter of activity using maps and military cameras.

Work closely with the IDF Unit for Locating Missing Persons.

Their Challenges:

Operate under fire and in dangerous conditions.

Face difficult and traumatic scenes.

Deal with the emotional toll of the work.

Their Motivations:

Sense of duty and responsibility.

Belief in Hashem, Yahadus, and the importance of their mission.

Support from their commanders and fellow soldiers.

Knowledge that they are providing a vital service to the country and the families of the fallen.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Culture Minister Miki Zohar expressed strong opposition to Israel maintaining military control of the Gaza Strip at the Likud party meeting on Monday evening.

Whoever is pushing for military rule should know that afterward hell be going to the homes of bereaved mothers, of probably hundreds if not more soldiers, and explaining why their children fell.

In a recording of the meeting, Zohar is heard shouting that military control means to manage these murderers, manage people who supported terrorism, who encouraged terrorism, who took Hamas as their leader which led to mass murder  I should go be their babysitter?

He asked his fellow party members to think again about encouraging military control of Gaza. Think about it before you make statements about it.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said at the meeting that hes against military control of Gaza because that will increase military service to four years, we dont have enough soldiers for it.

Gallant came under heavy criticism at the meeting for his public statements slamming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He responded by saying, among other things, that hes against a Palestinian state and neither Hamas nor Israel should be there.

He added: I think the least bad alternative is a local [Palestinian] source. There are no international volunteers.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
HaRav Shaul Alter shlita, the revered and deeply admired Rosh Yeshivas Pnei Menachem who has gained a following of tens of thousands across the globe, is preparing to visit the United States this coming week to give chizzuk to his many followers and fundraise for his mosdos in Eretz Yisroel.

The rosh yeshiva is scheduled to depart from Eretz Yisroel next Tuesday night, and land in the U.S. early Wednesday morning. He will be staying primarily in Boro Park, where there will be a public shiur at 8:30 PM Thursday night in the Eminence Ballroom, 4315 16th Avenue in Brooklyn.

Initial preparations are also underway for Shabbos, during which many thousands are expected to join HaRav Shaul at The Palace, 780 McDonald Avenue, also in Brooklyn. The Shabbos schedule details are expected to be forthcoming over the next few days.

On Sunday morning, the rosh yeshiva could potentially briefly visit Lakewood before flying to Chicago, where he will spend three days being mechazek the community. Included in the Chicago itinerary is a shiur from the Rosh Yeshiva on Sunday evening at Kollel Zichron Eliyahu, and an address at Agudas Yisroel of WRP on Monday evening.

Rav Alter was last in the U.S. this past November, a visit during which he inspired and was mechazek countless American yidden in Lakewood, Boro Park, and Florida, in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 Hamas massacre.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
House Speaker Mike Johnson has given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer an ultimatum: join his letter inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress or the House will move ahead with an invitation on its own.

Johnson notified Schumers staff that if the Senate leader does not sign the draft invitation by Tuesday, he will proceed with inviting Netanyahu to address just the House, but will extend individual invitations to senators to attend the speech.

Schumer has reiterated that he is open to hosting Netanyahu at the Capitol, stating, Yes, I support the idea of having Netanyahu address a joint meeting of Congress. However, he has also criticized Netanyahu in the past, calling him an obstacle to peace in a March speech.

Netanyahu previously addressed Congress in March 2015.

Its sad and ironic that a non-Jew from Louisiana has to put Chuck Shomer Yisroel Schumers feet to the fire simply to invite the Israeli prime minister to deliver a speech.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The countries of Norway, Ireland and Spain announced their recognition of a Palestinian state on Wednesday morning, prompting Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz to immediately recall Israels ambassadors from the three countries back to Israel.

Slovenia is expected to make the same announcement later on Wednesday.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre was the first to make the announcement, claiming that the move is a response to the Gaza war. Shortly later, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris made the same announcement, connecting the recognition of a Palestinian state to the Irish struggle for independence. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced to the Spanish Parliament that Spain will also recognize a Palestinian state on May 28.

Following the announcements, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said that it was the brave resistance of the Palestinian people that led to the recognition of a state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz responded swiftly to the announcement by recalling Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway to return to Israel immediately for consultations.

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries decisions to recognize a Palestinian state, he stated.

Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defense.

Israel will not remain silent  there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these.

The Ireland Israel Alliance stated: Very disappointed with the Irish government, as are so many others here in Ireland. We stand with Israel.

The formal recognition by Norway, Spain and Ireland  which all have a record of friendly ties with both the Israelis and the Palestinians, while long advocating for a Palestinian state  is planned for May 28.

The announcements came in swift succession. Norway, which helped broker the Oslo accords that kicked off the peace process in the 1990s, was the first to announce its decision, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre saying there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

The country plans to upgrade its representative office in the West Bank to an embassy.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called it an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine, saying the announcements had been coordinated and that other countries might join.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who announced his countrys decision before parliament, has spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for recognition and a cease-fire in Gaza.

This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people, Sanchez said. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.

President Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, welcomed the decisions and called on other nations to recognize our legitimate rights and support the struggle of our people for liberation and independence.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem & AP)
A Hamburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Erie County Court to first-degree manslaughter for a fatal stabbing in Lake View in July 2022.

Jared M. Adamski, 27, will receive a sentence of 25 years in prison and five years of parole as part of a plea agreement.

Adamski was one of six people initially charged in the slaying of Brenden A. Benoit, 25, of the Town of Boston.

About a dozen family members and friends of Benoit were in court for Adamskis guilty plea.

Benoit, who was stabbed multiple times in the upper leg area, was lured to a wooded area off Heltz Road and found dead at about 1:45 a.m. July 10, 2022, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors alleged the six initially charged were part of a conspiracy to just rough up and beat up the victim, former District Attorney John Flynn said after initial charges were filed. It was safe to say the other participants in the crime did not expect the victim would be stabbed, Flynn said at the time.

Adamski, who had been charged with second-degree murder and evidence tampering, and two others had been scheduled to begin a jury trial on Monday. Adamski remains remanded to custody.

Adamskis two co-defendants, Harrison J. Drozen and Kayleigh A. Skybyk-Schuh, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree manslaughter and a felony count of tampering with evidence.

Skybyk-Schuh, 20, will be sentenced to between 5 and 10 years in prison, one of her defense attorneys said.

Adamski, Drozen and Skybyk-Schuh are scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 22.

County Judge Kenneth Case will sentence Adamski as a second violent felony offender. Adamski was released on parole in August 2020 after serving prison time on convictions for attempted second-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

As part of the plea, Adamski waived his right to appeal and his right to making any claim for a lesser sentence under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.

Another case against Adamski, involving an alleged assault at the Erie County Holding Center in October, will be dropped as part of the plea.
An Irish man suspected of being part of an international criminal syndicate of fly in fly out burglars was arrested by Australian police on Tuesday after allegedly ransacking a home with a group of masked men in Melbourne.

Will McDonagh, a 20 year-old Irish man, has been extradited from New South Wales (NSW) to Victoria after a group alleged thieves forced their way into a Melbourne home where a teenage girl was alone at the time.

It is believed that McDonagh, as well as the other suspect currently being sought by police, are part of a wider international syndicate of fly-in, fly-out burglars who are linked to more than 100 home invasions across Melbourne.

Australia's 9News reported that the 17-year-old girl was alone upstairs at a home in Braybrook when alleged thieves stormed the property. Her brother Oliver Sheng said she was "completely terrified" and quickly rang police.

"She was underneath the bedsheets then they just ripped the bedsheets off, took her phone, told her to shut up and stay in the corner," he told 9News.

The alleged thieves went through the place before they took off with her phone and $20,000 (12,300) in cash kept in lunar new year envelopes.

"Our mum was saving for us since we were younger," Sheng told 9News. "We kind of keep them as like a good luck charm."

The alleged thieves used bleach to cover their tracks, and reportedly crime scene investigators found no evidence at the scene.

They then allegedly travelled north to New South Wales before detectives caught the 20-year-old man.

Will McDonagh was extradited back to Victoria last night while the other suspect, Hughie Buckley, is wanted for questioning by police after allegedly ramming a police car near Newcastle.

"Hughie has connections in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. He's known to stay at short stay hotels," acting detective senior sergeant Brendan Pollard said.

It's also alleged some of the accused have entered Australia using fake passports and opted to check in face-to-face with customs officers as opposed to going through the automated gates.
SYS Group has announced that it has acquired Global Life & Finance.

The Nenagh-based financial services group will be acquiring the Cork-based group, which has 100 million in assets currently.

The deal will bring overall assets under management by SYS Group to over 500 million.

This acquisition is the latest in a series of four recent acquisitions by SYS Group.

Global Life & Finance was founded in 2000 by its current CEO, Seamus Fox.

The firm provides financial planning, investment management and pension planning services from its headquarters in Cork City. It has a strong portfolio of over 1,000 clients across Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, and Galway.

This will bring the total number of customers SYS Group has to 8,500.

"I believe the acquisition will help to ensure that we can uphold our commitment to delivering top-tier financial services to our clients whilst leveraging SYS Groups scale, expertise, additional services and wider solutions, Fox said.

Fox will continue to be heavily involved in regular client activity as he moves into a senior role with SYS Group, while the overall number of people employed by SYS Group will grow to 58.

"Not only is this acquisition an excellent fit for SYS Group in terms of culture, strategy, and client portfolio, it will enable us to continue to build upon our position as one of the leading advisory firms in the Irish market," CEO of SYS Group Tony Delaney said.

"I am also very pleased that Seamus will be joining the SYS Group team, as his expertise is unparalleled, and he is very highly regarded within the industry. We all look forward to working with him.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo affirmed the government's dedication to enhancing nuclear security by endorsing the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in bolstering global nuclear security.Addressing the ongoing ministerial Session of the International Conference on Nuclear Security in Austria under the theme "Shaping the Future," Moyo emphasized Zimbabwe's commitment to bolstering global nuclear security and supporting the IAEA's pivotal role in coordinating international efforts in this domain.Moyo highlighted Zimbabwe's full backing of the IAEA's nuclear security plan and its implementation of the Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan as strategies to fortify the national nuclear security framework.Reiterating the call for nuclear disarmament to foster global peace, Moyo underscored Zimbabwe's recent ratification and accession to various international instruments, including the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material as amended and the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.Expressing Zimbabwe's unwavering commitment to international treaties and conventions on nuclear security, Moyo emphasized the need for enhanced regional collaboration to combat the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, leveraging Zimbabwe's strategic position in the Sadc region.Moyo emphasized Zimbabwe's progress in establishing sustainable national programs for preventing, detecting, and responding to nuclear security threats, underscoring the nation's dedication to maintaining the highest levels of security for nuclear and radioactive materials.Furthermore, Moyo outlined plans to strengthen the implementation of these commitments through the Radiation Protection Amendment Bill, slated for presentation to Parliament.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is actively pursuing an International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) code for the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), signaling its intention to establish ZiG as an independent currency, revealed central bank deputy governor Innocent Matshe during a breakfast meeting hosted by the Zimbabwe Economics Society in Harare.ISO currency codes, essential for international transactions, provide unique alphanumeric identifiers for each currency, streamlining global payments and fostering economic stability. Matshe affirmed ZiG's autonomy as a currency, affirming the RBZ's commitment to consistent policy frameworks and transparent communication, pivotal for building trust and ensuring ZiG's viability.Despite challenges since ZiG's inception, Matshe highlighted Zimbabwe's economic resilience and emphasized the need for a unified base currency, signaling a departure from a dual currency system towards economic stability. Digitalizing the economy, he noted, was imperative to overcome cash shortages and leverage the full potential of traditional financial systems.Matshe underscored ZiG's role in stabilizing the economy, citing its widespread acceptance and gradual injection into circulation to mitigate currency fluctuations. Addressing cash shortages, particularly through sufficient small denomination supply to financial institutions, remains a priority for resolving systemic challenges and fostering economic growth.Looking ahead, Matshe emphasized the importance of exchange rate stability and enhanced domestic demand, facilitated by ZiG's true value and purchasing power. He expressed confidence in stabilizing the economy through increased exports and reiterated the RBZ's commitment to fostering economic growth and stability.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to launch the Youth Service in Zimbabwe at the Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District in Mashonaland East Province on Friday, 24 May.Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said the Cabinet received the report on the launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme, which was presented by Vice President, Kembo Mohadi.Mohadi is the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments. Said Muswere:The launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme will take place at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District of Mashonaland East Province on 24 May 2024.Running under the theme: "Empower Youth: Secure the Future", the event will be graced by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa who will deliver the keynote address, as well as launch the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme.Muswere urged Zimbabweans to embrace and support the programme saying it seeks to inculcate values of Ubuntu/Unhu, patriotism and leadership to the country's youthful population.Formerly the National Youth Service, the Youth Service Zimbabwe programme is a six-month training course.Muswere said more than 30,000 youths drawn from Mashonaland East Province, as well as delegates from all the country's provinces, are expected to attend the launch. He said:"Youths from across the country will have the opportunity to interface with the President during the launch and interact with Government ministries, departments and agencies and private sector players who will be exhibiting.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwean professor based in South Africa found himself embroiled in a harrowing ordeal when he was allegedly abducted by a group of eight men seeking to steal his cryptocurrency holdings valued at US$13 billion, a court has been told.Moses Chademana, aged 60, was granted bail of US$1,000 and remanded out of custody until June 13 by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. He faces charges of kidnapping and impersonation in connection with the abduction of Sheperd Sikhosana and his wife, Sekayi Adelpha.According to the prosecution led by Lancelot Mutsokoti, Chademana and his accomplices in South Africa formulated a plan on May 13, 2024, to abduct Sikhosana and his wife. The group, purporting to be from Interpol, comprised five individuals of African descent and two Caucasians.The court heard that the accused visited Sikhosana, questioning his involvement with Falcon Gold Digital Forensic and Crypto Recovery Services, a company Sikhosana engaged to recover his wife's hacked cryptocurrency.Misleading the couple by claiming that Russians had been hired to assassinate them, the kidnappers coerced Sikhosana and his wife into their vehicle, ostensibly for further interrogation at Interpol Zimbabwe.Subsequently, the kidnappers drove the couple from Johannesburg, crossing the Beitbridge border without undergoing immigration procedures. Upon reaching Beitbridge, they handed Sikhosana and his wife over to Chademana at an Engen service station.Identifying themselves as Interpol Harare detectives, Chademana and an accomplice allegedly relieved Sikhosana of his cellphones before transporting them to Harare and accommodating them at a lodge. The victims were warned against alerting anyone about their situation.When Chademana learned that a kidnapping report had been filed, he compelled Sikhosana to fabricate a story for his relatives, falsely claiming he had visited Zimbabwe voluntarily.Exploiting a moment of absence by their captors, Sikhosana and his wife alerted a relative about their abduction, providing their location, which led to Chademana's arrest.
TORONTO, May 22, 2024 /CNW/ - CULT Food Science Corp. ("CULT" or the "Company") (CSE: CULT) (OTC: CULTF) (FRA: LN0), a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry, is pleased to announce Russell Starr has joined the team as a strategic advisor.

Cult Food Science Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Cult Food Science Corp)

Mr. Starr is an executive, leader and entrepreneur with deep capital markets expertise and a track record of orchestrating transformative deals in disruptive industries. He has held numerous executive positions, including Head of Capital Markets at DeFi Technologies (CBOE: DEFI). Mr. Starr is also a seed investor in Echelon Wealth Partners and has built a robust network in the capital markets that will be a major asset for CULT as the company advances and scales its strategy of pioneering the commercialization of cultivated foods.

Key Takeaways

Mr. Starr's extensive history as an executive, highlighted by his time with DeFi Technologies where under his guidance the company's subsidiary reached more than $900 million 1 in assets under management, brings invaluable experience to the CULT team.





Through his robust capital markets network, Mr. Starr has landed institutional research coverage for several companies he has been involved in which has resulted in a significant increase to their respective shareholder bases and increased access to growth capital and financing options.





As a strategic advisor to CULT Food Science, Mr. Starr will be focused on introducing the Company's unique asset stack to institutions, funds, and capital allocators globally.

Russell Starr commented on his new role, stating, "Joining CULT Food Science at this pivotal moment is incredibly exciting. The company is at the forefront of a revolutionary shift in the global food industry, leveraging innovative lab-grown meat and cellular agriculture technologies to create sustainable, ethical, and scalable food solutions. Institutional capital is showing a keen interest in this growth sector, and I am thrilled to contribute my experience to enhance CULT's visibility and help the company reach its full potential."

Story continues

The Company has engaged Mr. Starr for a twelve month term (the "Term") and has granted 1,000,000 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") and 500,000 stock options (each, an "Option") in accordance with the Company's restricted share unit and stock option plans. Each RSU is exercisable for a period of two years at no additional cost and the RSUs will vest in three equal tranches four months, eight months, and twelve months after the date of the grant. Each Option is exercisable for a period of two years to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Share") at a price of $0.155 per Share, being the closing price of the Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange on May 21, 2024. All Options vested completely on issuance and are subject to a four month hold period.

Management Commentary

Mitchell Scott, CEO of CULT Food Science, stated, "We are incredibly excited to welcome Russell Starr as a strategic advisor. His extensive expertise in capital markets and his proven track record of driving transformative companies in disruptive industries will be invaluable to CULT as we continue to pioneer the commercialization of lab-grown meat and cellular agriculture. With the increasing interest from institutional and venture capital in our sector, Russell's insights and network will be crucial in accelerating our growth and solidifying our position at the forefront of this revolutionary shift in the global food industry."

About CULT Food Science

CULT Food Science is a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry. CULT's robust portfolio of investments in cutting-edge, venture-backed cellular agriculture and lab-grown meat companies provides widespread investor access to the future of food. Backed by a team of experts with extensive experience in food technology and launching consumer food products, CULT is committed to being at the forefront of the food revolution.

Additional information can be found by viewing the Company's website at cultfoodscience.com or its regulatory filings on sedar.com .

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

CULT FOOD SCIENCE CORP.

"Mitchell Scott"

Mitchell Scott, Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information:

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the following risks: those associated with marketing and sale of securities; the need for additional financing; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects; and the volatility of common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. For further information on risk, investors are advised to see the Company's MD&A and other disclosure filings with the regulators which are found at sedar.com .

SOURCE Cult Food Science Corp

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2024/22/c4898.html
Today's terse note from the Courthouse offers a tough pledge that should succeed but won't be carried out for a couple of decades if at all . . . Here's the word in this tragic eviction case wherein an Independence, MO police officer was gunned down along with a Jackson County Process Server:





Prosecutor's Office announces intention to seek death in Acree case



The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office today filed a notice with the 16th Circuit Court that it will seek the death penalty in the prosecution of Larry Acree.



Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued this brief statement:



Today's notice states the supporting criminal aggravating circumstances that the state will prove in seeking the death penalty in this case. Despite the high public interest in this matter, we will not make further public comment while this case is pending.



The next hearing is set for July 10 at 1:30 p.m.

###############



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
There's a lot to consider in this post as local law enforcement confronts a younger class of suspects amid Spring/Summer and politicos work to find more places to put convicts.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Juvenile in custody in connection to 11-year-old Kansas City girl's shooting death The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department says a juvenile is in custody in connection to last month's deadly shooting of 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman.

Man wanted in random Kansas City, Missouri, murder found dead in Iowa A man allegedly involved in a slew of crimes across Kansas City, including the May 14 murder of an innocent victim sitting in his car, was found dead Monday in Iowa.

Man suffers serious injuries in KCMO shooting A man suffered serious injuries in a shooting in Kansas City, Mo., Monday evening.

Families of Lenexa double murder-suicide victims sue Spytech GPS tracking device company The lawsuit against Spytech GPS comes after 22-year-old Sara Beck and 20-year-old Mikey Williamson were victims in a 2022 double murder-suicide.

Residents of Kansas City neighborhood angry after fatal crash following high-speed chase Residents in a Kansas City, Missouri neighborhood are outraged after a high-speed chase Saturday afternoon starting in Independence ended in a fatal crash.

Clay County deputies recover stolen car after man's keys taken from gym locker Officials are reminding gym patrons to keep their wallets and keys locked up after a man's car was stolen from a gym parking lot.

Man arrested for 2023 DWI crash that killed Kansas City grandmother Sheila Carson, 60 was killed last summer when Matthew Jones crashed into the zTrip she was riding in.

Trial scheduled for former Olathe East High School shooting suspect Olathe East High School Shooting: Johnson County judge schedules Jaylon Elmore's trial to begin in January 2025.

Father and son charged in Volker fatal shooting ran over victim, court documents show Charles Harrison Sr. and Charles Harrison Jr. face felony assault charges for their role in a shooting in Volker on Saturday, which they claim started with efforts recover a stolen car.

Independence council approves sales tax, raising police wages The union says with the moves made Monday, it makes the Independence Police Department the third highest paid in the metro, starting July 1.

$85 million Platte County Jail project on August ballot Platte County voters will decide in August if they'll pay for an $85 million jail renovation and expansion after Platte County Commissioners unanimously decided to put the issue on the ballot...

Developing . . .
Right now we share a bit of AI tribute to model, actress and celeb hottie Brooks as we check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Lead Lady Baller Bounces



Camille Ashton resigns as Kansas City Current General Manager On Wednesday, The Kansas City Current announced that General Manager Camille Ashton has resigned from her role.

Skyfall Season Arrives

A big start to wildfire season could mean another smoky summer in the Midwest and Great Plains Drought and some holdover wildfires from last year in Canada are already sending smoke into the Midwest and Great Plains.

Or Not At All . . .

South Loop park project likely to be built in phases due to funding As Kansas City works to secure federal, state and private dollars for the estimated $217 million South Loop project, it will likely be built in phases.

Show-Me Old School Relief

Unanimous House vote fixes property tax credit rules for Missouri seniors (The Center Square) - A unanimous vote in the Missouri House is rare, especially on a tax bill. But names of all members appeared in green on the House voting board on Friday, the last day of the...

Rock Chalk Struggle Es Verdad

Immigrants help rural Kansas flourish, but they often face challenges once they're here Western Kansas is projected to see large population declines in the coming years, but immigration may be the key to stemming the losses. The communities that have embraced their diversity have seen their population stabilize and the local culture shift, redefining what rural Kansas looks like.

Newspaper CLEARLY Working Hard To Drive Traffic

Kansas' & Missouri's drivers are some of nation's worst, new study says. Here's why New Forbes Advisor study finds high rates of fatal accidents due to unsafe driving, including in KC area, involving texting, DUIs & speeding.

Home Team Earns Another Win

Cunning Cole confounds clueless cats, competitors conquered 8-3 Ragans was stellar and the offense was relentless.

Celeb Shares Breakup Debut



Brooks Nader shows ex Billy Haire what he's missing in sexy bikini Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader appeared to be proving the theory that blondes have more fun while vacationing in Miami Beach, Florida following her split from Billy Haire.

Russia, Russia, Russia, Redux

Fake news: Tucker Carlson not starting Russian State TV show; media falls for hoax Briahna Joy Gray and Robby Soave discuss that Russian Television aired Tucker Carlson's show. #tuckercarlson #rt

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Lukewarm?!?

Nikki Haley says she 'will be voting for Trump' Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she will vote for former President Donald Trump in November during her remarks in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Terror Clip Shocks Holy Land

Sickening new video shows Hamas line up female Israeli soldiers on Oct. 7: 'Here are the girls who can get pregnant' Bodycam footage from the Hamas gunmen shows the moment the young women, operating at the Nahal Oz base outside the Gaza Strip, were handcuffed and pressed against a wall.

Supreme Message

ANOTHER Jan. 6-Linked Flag Spotted at Alito's Beach Home in Virginia This time it was the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, also known as the "Pine Tree flag," a Revolutionary War-era relic flown by the pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6, 2021.

MAGA Signals Distress

Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for people to change their American flags Greene's remarks come after Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was criticized for an old photo of an inverted flag outside his home.

Circling Back To Flack

Ex-White House press secretary Jen Psaki threatened with subpoena in Afghanistan pullout probe after Biden watch-check lie House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul is dangling a subpoena threat if former White House press secretary Jen Psaki doesn't submit to an interview with the panel.

Economy Booming Said Nobody

Majority of Americans wrongly believe US is in recession - and most blame Biden Exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian shows 55% believe economy is shrinking, in troubling sign for president's re-election bid

Vlad Denies Space Nukes



Pentagon says Russia launched space weapon in path of US satellite Earlier Tuesday, Moscow accused the United States of seeking to place weapons in space after Washington vetoed a Russian non-proliferation motion at the United Nations

Don't Worry: Wealthy Celebs Can't Make Marriage Work Either

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck living separately as 'whirlwind of love' is over and 'real life' sets in: source A source confirms to Fox News Digital that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are living separately, nearly two years after tying the knot.

Diva Freedom In Doubt

Britney Spears suddenly deletes several posts as family share 'fears' BRITNEY Spears has worried her family and fans by suddenly deleting multiple Instagram posts. Her dad, Jamie, 71, wants to intervene and put her back in another conservatorship. In a deleted post, ...

Group Hug Still Trending

Thinking about polyamory? You're not the only one Polyamory is on the rise, yet at the same time, younger people are turning away from romance and dating. Does Gen Z want multiple partners or none at all?

Home Team Baller Constructs Legacy

Savor Nice Side Of Bridge Offering

Thai Orchid opening in Northland: How this family business is getting out of its comfort zone with street food focus A second location for a longtime Johnson County restaurant is expected to honor the origin story of the family business - building on its menu with a new emphasis on casual Thai street food items and small plates.

This Week's Forecast . . .

Partly sunny, mid-70s Wednesday: A few days to dry out before storms return More active weather is in store for the holiday weekend with First Warns in place Friday - Sunday.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
We'll dive into this trap and hope for blog community rescue by way of clever retort . . .



CHECK KANSAS CITY MAYOR Q'S LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO SHOOT AND SHARE YOUR BEST CAPTION!!!

Context . . .

Kansas City is getting ready to open pools after Memorial Day . . . But that's not important.

We look forward to the most clever replies . . . Remember, we value wit over meanness and some of the responses actually earn a GENUINE LOL from readers.

At the end of the day or whenever . . . Come back and we'll tag the winning comment at the top. If it's good enough we'll post again.



Here's the Mayor's X/tweet and link via www.TonysKansasCity.com screnshot . . .

Developing . . .


As a first-time traveler, you might feel a mix of excitement and nerves about stepping onto an airplane. It is like starting a new chapter, and you want to make sure it begins smoothly. Flying does not have to be intimidating, and knowing a few insider tips for first time flyers can turn you into a travel pro in no time.

In this travel guide, we will explore some essential tips for first-time flyers that will help you navigate the skies with ease. From managing your luggage to breezing through airport security, we have you covered.

Check the Baggage Basics

Understanding your airline's luggage policy is a key starter tip for first time flyers. Most airlines allow you to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item like a backpack or purse for free. If you decide to check a bag, you might have to pay a fee, typically around $30 to $50 for the first bag.

To avoid surprise costs at the airport, check the size and weight limits on your airline's website before you pack. Remember, packing light saves money on fees and makes navigating through the airport easier.

Navigate Airport Security Like a Boss

Going through security can be one of the most daunting parts of flying. Make sure your liquids are in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and placed in a clear, quart-sized bag. Remove your shoes, belt, and jacket when you are told to do so and place them in the bin.

Electronics larger than a cell phone need to go in the bin too. Following these steps will help you move through security faster, getting you closer to your gate with less hassle.

Arrive Early, Fly Stress-Free

One of the best tips for first-time flyers is to get to the airport early. For domestic flights, arriving at least two hours before your departure is recommended. If you are flying internationally, make it three hours.

This extra time will ease any worries about missing your flight and give you a cushion to check in, go through security, and find your gate without rushing. An early arrival also means better chances of securing overhead bin space for your carry-on.

Stay Ready with Your ID

Keeping your identification handy is crucial when you are at the airport. You will need it to check your bags and when you go through security. If you have it ready, you will speed up these processes and keep the line moving.

This is especially important during busy travel times when the lines can get incredibly long. If you use a passport, a driver's license, or another form of government-issued ID, make sure it is accessible as soon as you enter the airport.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Flights can be delayed or even canceled. If you are caught in such a situation, knowing your rights and options can make a big difference. Most airlines will rebook you on the next available flight for free if it was their fault.

If you miss your flight due to personal reasons, you may be put on standby for another flight, often without extra charges, if you notify the airline promptly. Having travel insurance or a credit card that offers travel coverage can provide additional protection and peace of mind.
Host agency welcomes largest group of new agents to Boot Camp 1.0 with both in-person and online attendees



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - May 22nd, 2024 -

KHM Travel Group provided 83 new travel advisors with a wealth of knowledge and motivation at the spring Boot Camp 1.0 event. As the largest gathering of new agents for an educational event, attendees walked away with a greater confidence in their sales skills and a network of fellow travel advisors to keep in touch with.

KHM Travel Group understands the essential role that education plays as a travel agent builds their business. Along with comprehensive online courses, the host agency hosts four Boot Camp 1.0 events in Northeast Ohio throughout the year. New in 2024, the event was available to watch via livestream technology for those not able to attend in person.

Boot Camp 1.0 sessions included: Marketing Your "FAMcation," Qualifying Your Client to Cruise, The All-Inclusive Market, Introduction to Groups, A Journey Through Europe, and more. Because some lessons work better with hands-on practice, the event included activities where agents worked in pairs and small groups to research cruise and land scenarios.

Instructors from the KHM Travel Group Education Team walked agents through using the essential features of the company's robust CRM (client relationship manager), myTravelCRM. Each new agent receives access to this tool when they enroll. myTravelCRM is where agents enter their bookings for payment, track commissions, and manage all their client data. In addition to the basics, Boot Camp 1.0 sessions demonstrated how agents can send digital authorizations and email campaigns to clients through myTravelCRM.

"Nothing makes my team and I happier than seeing agents engaged in their learning. At Boot Camp 1.0, we witnessed agents become more confident in their understanding of the industry, their clients, and the way KHM Travel Group works with them to help them achieve success, no matter how they define it," said Education Manager Carolyn Orf.

KHM Travel Group's supplier and industry partners also contributed their expertise with presentations geared specifically for someone new to the industry or their brand. CLIA's Vice President of Industry and Trade Relations Charles Sylvia, ECC joined Carolyn Orf for a sit-down interview where he explained the powerful value of travel advisors in the cruise community. Charles attends every Boot Camp 1.0.

"When we talk about the cruise industry, we're talking about travel advisors. 72% of all cruises are booked through travel advisors worldwide so you are absolutely our most important, most critical, and most valuable distribution channel," said Charles Sylvia, ECC.

View photos from Boot Camp 1.0 on KHM Travel Group's Flickr: https://khm.io/may-bc1-photos.

The next Boot Camp 1.0 event is in August in Northeast Ohio. In addition to Boot Camp 1.0 for newer agents, KHM Travel Group also hosts Boot Camp 2.0, Destination Success, The Luxury Symposium, On the Concourse, and the Crystal Conference.

For more information about becoming a travel agent and KHM Travel Group's events, visit https://khmtravel.com.

ABOUT KHM TRAVEL GROUP  KHM Travel Group is an award-winning host travel agency, currently supporting over 5,000 independent travel advisors across the United States. With an innovative education and support program, the KHM Travel Group team works to empower, educate, support, and promote independent travel agents in their journeys to build successful businesses. KHM Travel Group is driven by a passion for sharing knowledge and helping others experience the world.

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The chorus songs and the organs tunes echoed through the nave of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman on Monday morning as a new bishop was installed at the Diocese of La Crosse.

After the retirement announcement of Bishop William P. Callahan earlier this year, Pope Francis appointed Detroit-native Bishop Gerard William Battersby to replace Callahan as the bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse.

It is with joy that I received the news that the Holy Father had named me the 11th bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, said Battersby. When I was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated a bishop, I received a call within a call, an invitation to follow. The Risen One has bid me to follow him to western Wisconsin, to the banks of the mighty Mississippi. I leave with hope and anticipatory joy.

In March, the pope accepted Callahans request for retirement after serving the church as a priest for about 47 years and as bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse since 2010.

At Mondays celebratory Mass, the rows of seats were packed from aisle to aisle with members of the church, many of whom felt honored to have the opportunity to attend and witness the installation.

Its an honor to be here today, said Eileen Dibenedetto. Ive seen five or six bishops come through our area, and my husband is in the Knights of Columbus, so I feel its an honor to be here.  Ive known Bishop Callahan forever, so it is going to be very moving.

Like Dibenedetto, many members of the Catholic community in La Crosse are sad to see the face of the Diocese of La Crosse retire after 14 years.

But, they recognize that his lifelong commitment has made his retirement well-deserved.

We will miss Bishop Callahan for sure, said Father Sam McCarty, a pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in La Crosse. He was the bishop who accepted me into seminary, he was the one who ordained me, so there is a lot of connection for me to him. We will certainly miss him being our shepherd.  but we are happy that he has been able to move into retirement. I think it will be a well-deserved rest.

While Callahan settles into retirement, the congregation and clergy alike are excited about the future of the Diocese of La Crosse under new leadership.

Bishop Battersby seems like a great guy, and were really excited to have him here for his leadership. Its a big day to have a new bishop, said McCarty. Bishop Battersby will certainly bring his own flavor and his own initiatives. We are excited for that new stuff to come.

Before he was appointed to this new position by the pope, Battersby served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit since 2017. Now, he is bringing over 2 1/2 decades of experience within the church to La Crosse.

The Holy Spirit is doing some good things in our diocese in our city, said McCarty. We have got good stuff happening. Theres some newness and freshness, so its an exciting time and people want to be part of it.

Editor's note: A person in a photo attached to this story was incorrectly named. Information with the photo was corrected May 23 to identify Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee.
By Alex Greenwood, May 22, 2024

Position Offers Exceptional Opportunity for Higher Education Leader

WARRENSBURG, MO  The University of Central Missouri (UCM) announced the commencement of a national search for its next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

UCM President Roger Best appointed a dedicated committee, chaired by Dr. Shari Bax, vice president for student engagement and experience, to conduct a comprehensive candidate search.

"At UCM, we are looking for energetic, creative candidates who are ready to build on their impressive achievements to redefine whats possible in higher education, Dr. Bax said. This position presents an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished higher education leader to further enhance their career at our highly respected, dynamic institution."

Based in historic Warrensburg, Missouri, UCM is renowned for providing a high-quality, affordable education that extends beyond the classroom. Founded in 1871, it is one of Missouri's oldest universities and currently serves 13,734 students (as of spring 2024) from 48 states and 49 countries. The university prides itself on offering transformative service-learning projects, study abroad experiences and other real-world learning opportunities that prepare students for success.

The university offers more than 150 graduate and undergraduate programs across two campuses, online and on-site at nearby Whiteman Air Force Base. With 388 distinguished faculty members, UCM continues to make significant impacts in modern classrooms, labs and performance centers. All programs at UCM are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. UCM is also a state leader in program-specific accreditations by national accrediting organizations.

The provost and vice president for academic affairs at UCM plays a critical role in creating a compelling, shared vision for the university and developing initiatives that bring this vision to life. The provost assists deans in promoting faculty and program development, leads strategic enrollment planning and fosters collaborative alliances within the campus and community. The provosts leadership ensures a high-quality learning environment that encompasses the entire academic experience.

The provost will also manage the budget for academic affairs, serve on the Presidents Council and Strategic Leadership Team and actively engage with the Warrensburg community.

The ideal candidate will possess strong collaborative and leadership skills, experience with shared governance and faculty development, expertise in strategic enrollment planning and financial aid policy, and a successful track record in resource alignment. Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with familiarity with accreditation processes and performance metrics.

The candidate should have experience navigating state higher education systems, an appreciation for UCMs mission and the ability to promote innovative technologies and data-driven decision-making.

Required qualifications include a minimum of four years in a dean or equivalent position, a record of scholarship and teaching qualifying for tenure and an earned doctorate or terminal degree.

Candidates must submit applications online at https://jobs.ucmo.edu, position number 997909. Applications should include a cover letter addressing the qualifications, a curriculum vitae and a list of at least five references with full contact information. References will not be contacted without the candidate's explicit permission.

The position will remain open until filled; however, applications received by June 17, 2024, will be given priority consideration. The anticipated start date for this position is January 1, 2025.

For detailed information about the position, please contact ProvostSearch@ucmo.edu or visit the search webpage at https://www.ucmo.edu/academics/office-of-the-provost-chief-learning-officer/provost-position/index.php.
By Alex Greenwood, May 22, 2024

Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade Diane Farrell presented the Presidents E award for export service to Phil Hull, Ph.D., director of international student services, and Emily de Melo, assistant director & PDSO of international student services at UCM. The ceremony was held at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. on May 14.

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) received the Presidents E award for export service in recognition of internationalization of higher education at the 63rd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce on May 14, where a total of 64 U.S. companies and organizations from 32 states were recognized.

The University of Central Missouri has made tremendous strides towards the increase in internationalization of higher education in the state of Missouri. UCMs efforts advance the National Export Strategy for international education, and we are pleased that they have received this highest honor in recognition of their success, said Pinki Thakker, acting Global Education Team leader, U.S. Commercial Service in Kansas City.

Phil Hull, Ph.D., director of international student services, and Emily de Melo, assistant director & PDSO of international student services, represented UCM's Office International Student Services (ISS) at the ceremony.

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II E symbol of excellence to honor and recognize Americas exporters. The award is the highest recognition a person or U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

Trade impacts the lives of every American worker, business and community, said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. I am proud to recognize this years Presidents E and E Star award recipients for their efforts and contributions to increase economic prosperity across our country and further position the U.S. private sector as the partner of choice in markets around the globe.

"This award is certainly a highlight for the Office of International Student Services staff, but more than that, it acknowledges UCM's longevity as an excellent, globally-recognized university, said Dr. Hull. The E Award shows that UCM faculty, staff and students are a community that cares because students from around the world want a UCM degree--an education that has currency when they return home to make a difference."

The ISS office at UCM supports international students with recruitment, application processes, admissions, enrollment and ongoing support throughout their studies and after program completion.

Dr. Hull added that the ISS office hosts various events and activities to benefit international students at UCM, including the Fall International Food Festival and Spring Culture Night. The program collaborates closely with the International Student Organization, African Student Association, Nigerian Student Association and Sanskriti Indian Student Association.

Hull emphasized the positive economic impact of UCM international students, noting that $97.4 million supports 459 jobs in Missouri's fourth congressional district. He also highlighted that the award reflects sustained growth over the years, a key criterion for the award. This award is about longitudinal success, indicating a solid foundation of excellence, recognition and value for students and their families.

Another vital aspect of the international students path to success at UCM is the English Language Institute (ELI), offering an academic Intensive English Program, professional language training and short-term cultural programming to equip English language learners with the skills necessary for success at the university, in their careers, or in specialized language programs.

Recipients are entitled to multiple privileges, including the right to fly a designated banner, display a signed certificate from the Secretary of Commerce, wear and distribute special lapel pins and mention the award in advertising. Nominations are facilitated through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

For more information about UCMs ISS, visit the website.
By Alex Greenwood, May 22, 2024

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is the first institution in the state of Missouri to offer a professional certificate specifically for mental health at the undergraduate level. The certificate is available starting this fall as a stand-alone credential or part of a related degree program at UCM.

Approved by the Board of Governors in December 2023, the Mental Health certificate is an interdisciplinary offering from four academic programs at UCM: Criminal Justice and Criminology, Human Development and Family Science, Psychological Science, and Social Work.

Built based on feedback from those currently working in corrections, mental health, youth services and juvenile justice, the certificate is designed to enhance skills that are crucial to the daily operations performed by law enforcement professionals, probation and parole officers, social workers, psychologists, counselors and/or health care providers. Additionally, individuals pursuing education or nursing will benefit from gaining skills that help them differentiate problems caused by mental health issues from other behaviors or illnesses.

Agencies have been requesting training and information on mental health matters for many years, says Lynn Urban, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. We are excited to bring them this opportunity and help our current students prepare for these career paths.

The certificates 12 credit hours of study include three required 3-hour courses in Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems, Abnormal Psychology, and Addiction and the Family. The remaining three credits can be selected from courses pertaining to multicultural approaches, youth services, health, social work and more.

Those who would benefit from this certification include working professionals, individuals looking for a career change and current undergraduates majoring or minoring in related areas. The program is offered 100% online, and students who are on campus can choose a hybrid option.

For those who choose the hybrid option, part of the certification experience will include visits to self-help groups and treatment/recovery programs. One elective option includes clinical experience at an agency such as a school or hospital. Classes also offer field trips to places like the Glore Psychiatric Museum or a youth corrections facility.

Those earning the certificate fully online can get involved in related student groups such as the Association of Social Work Students, Council for Human Development and Family Science, Juvenile Justice Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Pre-Family and Marriage Therapy Club, Psychology Club and more.

Upon completion of this certificate, students and professionals will be able to explain how individuals with mental illnesses have been treated over time (including processing through the criminal justice system), identify causes and diagnoses of mental illnesses, understand the role and impact of substance use, and assess possible prevention and treatment paths.

For more information or to register, visit https://www.ucmo.edu/mentalhealthcert.
On the night of May 21 to 22, the enemy attacked Ukraine with 24 Shahed-131/136 strike drones launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk in Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk announced this on the Telegram messaging app, Ukrinform reports.

"As a result of anti-aircraft combat, the Ukrainian Defense Forces managed to shoot down all 24 Shaheds," the post reads.

Read also: Zelensky says NATO summit might decide on additional Patriot systems for Ukraine

Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, electronic warfare units, anti-aircraft missile units and fighter aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force were involved in repelling the overnight aerial attack.

Strike drones were destroyed in the Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy and Odesa regions.
The Russian army continues to attack along almost the entire frontline, with most combat clashes occurring in the Kupiansk sector.

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a situation update as of 19:00 on Wednesday, May 22.

"The enemy continues to attack along almost the entire frontline - the total number of offensive and assault operations has already increased to 105 today. The largest number of combat engagements took place in the Kupiansk sector, the report says.

According to the General Staff, the Defense Forces are repelling enemy attacks and are taking all necessary measures to deplete the Russian armys offensive potential.

In the Kharkiv sector, all 10 combat engagements took place in the area of Lyptsi village. One of them is still ongoing. The enemy concentrated all air strikes in the areas of Vovchansk and Vilcha village, where they dropped guided aerial bombs. The situation is under control.

In the Kupiansk sector, fighting is ongoing in the areas of Synkivka, Berestove, Druzheliubivka and Hrekivka.

In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled six enemy attacks near Torske and Nevske. The Russian invaders dropped four guided aerial bombs - one bomb each in the areas of Serebrianka forestry, Terny, Yampolivka, and Ivanivka.

In the Kramatorsk sector, the total number of enemy attempts to improve the tactical position increased to eight. The situation is under control. Russian troops fired missiles near Novomykolaivka and dropped a guided aerial bomb near Shumy.

In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops are currently repelling three attacks near the villages of Bilohorivka and Vyimka. The enemy dropped three guided aerial bombs near Siversk and Hryhorivka. Three air strikes involving the use of unguided aerial bombs and aerial bombs were recorded in the sector today.

In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled five enemy. Three more combat engagements are ongoing in the areas of Ivanivske and Andriivka. The situation is under control. The enemy hit the areas near Druzhba, Pivnichne and Dylyivka with unguided missiles.

In the Pokrovsk sector, 11 combat clashes are ongoing. Ukrainian defenders have already repelled 10 more attacks by the Russian army. Russian troops launched air strikes on the areas of Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha, and Yasnobrodivka.

In the Kurakhove sector, there were 18 combat engagements today. Fighting is ongoing near Heorhiivka.

In the Dnipro River sector, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to force Ukrainian troops from the left bank of the Dnipro River seven times. The Russian armys losses are being clarified.

According to the General Staff, there have been no major changes in other sectors.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russian soldiers fired at a police car in Vovchansk during the evacuation of civilians. One police officer was killed and another wounded.

Photo: AFU General Staff
At a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas stated the countries' joint desire to shape the future of Europe, while support to Ukraine is identified as a priority.

The press service of the Prime Minister of Estonia reported this on Saturday, according to Ukrinform.

"Together we can help Ukraine win the war and force Russia to retreat to its borders. We have the resources, the economic power and the knowledge. The power of the free world is greater than that of Russia, and we should not be afraid of our power," Kallas said.

The meeting also discussed Russia's hybrid war against the free world. "Russia's hybrid activity in relation to Europe is becoming more and more powerful. We need to seriously discuss these issues with our allies and partners and send a clear message to Russia that such behavior is unacceptable," the Estonian Prime Minister said.

It was also recorded a common vision that the most important strategic priority of Europe at the moment should be to increase the defense capability. "All allies should invest more in their defense. Estonia has been doing this for a long time. Our defense spending is now more than 3% of GDP. But France's defense spending will exceed 2% for the first time this year. We must continue this course," Kallas said.

In order to solve the existing tasks, it is necessary to make the European defense industry work. Kallas spoke about the creation of a EUR 50 million defense industry fund in Estonia and thanked President Macron for supporting the idea of Estonian defense bonds. "We also need solutions at the European level. The EU should allocate most of its 7-year budget to the defense sector. The current 0.86% is too little," the head of the Estonian Cabinet emphasized.

In Paris, Callas also had a meeting with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, thanking France for defense cooperation, including for the fact that the French military deployed in in Estonia while French aircraft patrol the sky over the Baltic States.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in March, Estonia, France, and Poland issued a joint statement calling for an "urgent" increase in Europe's defense capabilities. The document also outlines the priorities of the three countries for the new European defense and industrial strategy, including strengthening cooperation with Ukraine.
Passover is over, and Beth Tikvah and the Carlisle Area Religious Council (CARC) just held the annual Holocaust Remembrance service on May 8.

And we continue to count the Omer, counting the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot, which will be June 11-13. Shavuot is the holiday when we celebrate the giving of the Torah to the Israelites, our ancestors, at Mt. Sinai. That was thousands of years ago, but we Jews continue to interpret Torah to find guidance for the times in which we live. The Torah is our Tree of Life.

And as you know, the current times are frightening. I am frightened, as a Jew. While I strongly believe that Israel and Palestine must exist side by side, the two-state solution, I fear that the current protests go over the line advocating for the destruction of Israel. Both Israelis and Palestinians are indigenous to the Land. It is time that we learned to share the Land, which will bring prosperity. Israel needs to remain a Jewish state, and Palestinians need their own state. All people need to be free and secure in their homes and countries. The violence must stop.

I was recently on a trip to Japan to learn about Japanese Fiber Arts (weaving, spinning, dying, embroidery, etc.). I had been to Japan previously for when I was still working, and I loved the country; I always wanted to go back. So finally I was able to go back with a group of fiber arts people and to see a lot more of the country than I had seen in my two work trips.

Japan is a beautiful mountainous country, with a long history and beautiful craft traditions. We did several weaving, spinning and dying workshops with master crafts-people who are continuing the tradition fiber crafts. We also visited museums and Shinto and Buddhist temples. We even visited silk manufacturing factories. The Japanese people were extremely welcoming and happy to share their culture and show us their beautiful country.

And we also visited the city of Hiroshima. Some might find remembering what happened in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 not really important, in the face of the current conflicts in the world  in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in Africa. But we must not forget what happened in Hiroshima and in Nagasaki. We visited the Peace Park and the museum dedicated to documenting and remembering that horror. It was a beautiful park, a fitting memorial for those 140,000 lost in Hiroshima alone in 1945, due to the bomb blast.

The museum was sobering, displaying pictures of the city before Aug. 6, and then same city view the day of the atomic bombing. The museum displays everyday objects, like clothing and household goods, which were left after the blast. It shows photos of those who initially survived the blast, but quickly succumbed to the radiation poisoning. And most horrifying were the journals of school children who died in the blast. These objects are there to remind the world that we must never again allow an atomic bomb to be used.

As I walked around the Peace Park and in the museum, I naturally passed many Japanese people. I did not feel any animosity from them, as an American. What I felt was their profound grief and determination to not let it happen again.

I wish that those people who today start and use violence and war would go to Hiroshima and see the museum. Perhaps then they would understand better. And those same people need to go to Auschwitz, and see first-hand the place where so much deliberate murder occurred. We must find a way to end these conflicts.

We are all one family of Homo Sapiens. We need to find a way to listen to each other and to see each others humanity. We must learn from the horrors of the 1940s and find a way to ensure that these do not continue today. We have a long way to go. But the people of Hiroshima have chosen to look forward and to move beyond their pain and loss. They instead want us all to understand what happened, so that we can all find a way to stop it from happening again. How can we, nearly 80 years later, choose to look forward to a better future, despite our fear and pain, where we can live along side each other, in peace?
Got blueberries?

The nonprofit kicked off its annual blueberry fundraiser to support projects that benefit children in the community.

Blueberries come in 10-pound boxes for $35 each, sourced from Whalen Farms in Shamong, New Jersey. Each box contains 14 pints of berries.

Orders can be played online at carlislekiwanis.org or by calling 717-243-6800 through June 30. Phone orders must be paid via cash, check or credit card on pickup day.

Buyers can pick up their berries at Project SHARE at 5 N. Orange St. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 8. Pickup hours for July 9 have not yet been announced.

People can also purchase boxes to be donated to local nonprofits.

According to a news release, the blueberry sale is the club's primary fundraiser, supporting its mission of serving youths in the community.

The Carlisle Kiwanis Club sponsors the Learn 2 Read, Read 2 Learn program, which provides new books to elementary students in the Carlisle Area School District and supports Warm the Children, which donated winter clothing to more than 300 kids this year.

It also provides community grants to fund local youth programming and raised more than $650,000 to rebuild Fort LeTort at LeTort Park last year.

Photos: Annual Carlisle Kiwanis Blueberry Sale
In recent months, college campuses across the United States have become battlegrounds over protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. As student activists voice their support for either side, universities face mounting challenges in maintaining order while respecting free speech rights.

These tensions have escalated into a wave of protests, including building takeovers and student encampments, leading to confrontations with campus authorities. The result has been a flurry of legal actions, with both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students alleging that their rights were violated.

Legal Battles Over Free Speech and Discrimination

Pro-Palestinian protesters at several institutions, including Arizona State University and Indiana University, have filed lawsuits claiming that their First Amendment rights were infringed upon when they faced suspensions, expulsions, and arrests during peaceful demonstrations. These students argue that their universities' actions amounted to unlawful retaliation based on the political nature of their protests. For example, a lawsuit against Arizona State alleges that the university discriminated against pro-Palestinian protesters while ignoring other students who were not involved in the protests.

Conversely, Jewish students at universities such as UCLA, Northwestern, and Rutgers have taken legal action, arguing that their institutions failed to protect them from antisemitic harassment during the protests. These students claim that their universities did not adequately address incidents of intimidation and hate speech, thus breaching their contractual obligations to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment. The legal disputes highlight the complex balance universities must strike between upholding free speech and ensuring student safety.

READ MORE : UPenn Professors File Lawsuit Against University To Block Release Of Antisemitism Inquiry Documents

Broader Implications for Higher Education Policies

The surge in litigation is not surprising to higher education and legal experts who have long anticipated these challenges. Peter Lake, a law professor at Stetson University College of Law, noted, "The thing a university does to protect a class of students is exactly the thing that's going to trigger a lawsuit that claims free speech rights have been violated." As universities navigate these legal battles, they also face scrutiny from lawmakers and donors, further complicating their response strategies.

The outcomes of these cases could have significant implications for university policies nationwide. Decisions in these lawsuits may provide clearer guidelines on how universities can balance free speech protections with their responsibility to prevent discrimination and harassment. In the meantime, institutions are under immense pressure to review and potentially revise their policies on protests and free speech.

Keith Whittington, a free speech expert at Princeton University, explained, "With many of these claims flying around, I think we're going to see exactly where higher ed landed in terms of its new relationship with speech and the protection of protected classes on campus." This evolving legal landscape will likely influence how universities handle future protests and demonstrations, especially those involving highly contentious issues.

Unionized Campus Workers Join the Fray

Adding another layer to the legal complexities, unionized campus workers have filed unfair labor practice charges against institutions like Harvard and Brown Universities. These complaints argue that crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protesters violated workers' rights to organize and participate in demonstrations. This intersection of labor rights and free speech issues is relatively new in the context of campus protests, signaling a broader trend of collective bargaining being used to address speech-related grievances.

In California, unionized academic workers within the University of California system have initiated rolling strikes in response to alleged unfair labor practices against members who supported pro-Palestinian protests. Neal Hutchens, a professor of educational policy at the University of Kentucky, observed that this situation might be one of the initial instances where issues beyond wages and benefits, specifically related to speech rights, are addressed within a collective bargaining agreement on campus.

As these legal battles unfold, the broader debate about free speech on campus and the rights of various student groups will continue to shape the policies and practices of higher education institutions. The fallout from these protests and subsequent litigation underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in fostering an environment that supports both free expression and student safety.
Bard College administrators and members of the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) have successfully negotiated an agreement that ended a weekend-long occupation of the college's main administration building. The occupation, which began on Friday, was the culmination of weeks of demonstrations on campus over the Israel-Gaza war and related university investment policies.

The Occupation and Its Demands

The occupation of Ludlow Hall, Bard College's main administration building, began as an escalation of protests that had been ongoing for several weeks. Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) initiated the occupation to expedite negotiations regarding the university's investment processes and its stance on political and social issues, specifically related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The students demanded greater transparency in the college's investments and a commitment to challenge policies perceived as suppressing free speech and supporting unjust practices.

According to The Times Union, the students' primary demands included the college's commitment to challenge Executive Order 157, which bans investments in institutions or companies that boycott Israel. They also sought broader reforms, including full disclosure of the nature and structure of Bard's endowment for the 2024-2025 academic year, and the establishment of ethical investment guidelines.

READ MORE : Bard College Prioritizes Academic Freedom Despite Pressure From Israeli Diplomat

Negotiations and Agreement

After 19 hours of intense negotiations, which began on Friday and extended late into Sunday night, an agreement was reached. Both students and administrators were reported to have acted in good faith throughout the negotiations. A representative from Bard SJP, who was part of the negotiation team, confirmed that Bard officials agreed to meet their demands, prompting the students to vacate Ludlow Hall peacefully.

The finalized agreement, as reported by The Times Union, includes Bard College's commitment to support challenges-political, social, and legal-to Executive Order 157. Furthermore, the college agreed to challenge other legislation and executive orders that limit free speech. This commitment extends to dedicating intellectual, moral, and, where appropriate, financial resources to these efforts.

In addition to addressing the political aspects of the students' demands, Bard College has agreed to provide full disclosure related to the nature and structure of its endowment. This transparency will include information on current investments as well as the timeline for and structure of future investments.

Moving Forward with Ethical Investment Guidelines

A significant outcome of the agreement is the establishment of an elected cross-campus committee. This committee will comprise students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and its primary responsibility will be to develop written ethical investment guidelines for Bard College's responsible fiduciaries. This move is intended to ensure that the college's investment practices align with the ethical standards and values of the Bard community.

Bard spokesman Mark Primoff expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating, "We are glad this ended peacefully and amicably." The formation of the cross-campus committee represents a step towards greater inclusivity and accountability in the college's decision-making processes, particularly concerning financial investments and ethical considerations.

The peaceful resolution of the occupation and the commitments made by Bard College highlight the potential for constructive dialogue and collaboration between students and administration. It underscores the importance of addressing student concerns through formal negotiations and the willingness of educational institutions to adapt and respond to the evolving demands of their communities.

The agreement between Bard College administrators and Students for Justice in Palestine marks a significant step forward in addressing the complex issues surrounding investment policies and free speech on campus. The peaceful end to the occupation and the establishment of new guidelines and transparency measures reflect a collaborative approach to resolving conflicts and ensuring that the college's values are upheld in its financial and administrative practices. This resolution serves as an example of how student activism and institutional response can lead to meaningful change and progress within the academic community.
In a significant legal victory, a former auditor at Western Washington University (WWU) has been awarded $3 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university.

Antonia Allen, who served as the director of WWU's Office of the Internal Auditor, filed the lawsuit in December 2020 after being fired for uncovering systemic falsification of attendance records within the Woodring College of Education. The case sheds light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers and the importance of protecting those who speak out against misconduct.

Championing Integrity: The Whistleblower's Plight

Antonia Allen's journey from an auditor to a whistleblower began when she discovered a disturbing pattern of falsified attendance records within the Woodring College of Education. These records were being altered to show that students were attending classes, thus allowing them to continue receiving federal financial aid, even though they were not actually attending. This practice, known as creating "ghost courses," was brought to light in a 2020 investigation by The Seattle Times.

Allen's decision to report this misconduct was met with swift retaliation from WWU, culminating in her wrongful termination. Her predecessor, Matthew Babick, had also faced similar challenges when he was fired after investigating a former president's travel expenses. Babick settled out of court for $216,000, highlighting a troubling pattern of retaliation against those who raise concerns about wrongdoing within the university.

A Legal Battle for Justice

Allen's lawsuit against WWU was based on the Washington State Whistleblower Protection Act, which prohibits retaliation against employees who report improper governmental actions. The case went to trial, and a county jury found in Allen's favor, ruling that WWU had indeed retaliated against her. The $3 million award included compensation for back and front pay, as well as damages for emotional harm.

The significance of Allen's victory extends beyond the monetary award. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting whistleblowers and ensuring that they are not silenced or punished for speaking out against corruption and misconduct. Richard Chambers, former president of the Institute of Internal Auditors, described Allen's settlement as one of the largest he had seen for this type of case, underscoring the impact of her courage in coming forward.

Implications and Lessons Learned

The outcome of Antonia Allen's case has broader implications for the culture of accountability within academic institutions and beyond. Whistleblowers play a crucial role in uncovering wrongdoing and promoting transparency, yet they often face significant risks in doing so. Allen's case highlights the need for robust whistleblower protection laws and mechanisms to ensure that those who report misconduct are not unfairly targeted or penalized.

In response to the lawsuit, WWU issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to compliance and integrity. The university stated that it had made changes to its policies and procedures to address the issues raised in the case. While these steps are positive, they also underscore the need for institutions to proactively foster a culture of accountability and ethical conduct, where employees feel empowered to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Antonia Allen's journey from auditor to whistleblower to victorious plaintiff is a testament to the importance of upholding integrity and accountability in all aspects of governance. Her courage in challenging wrongdoing within WWU has not only resulted in a significant legal victory but has also sparked a conversation about the role of whistleblowers in promoting transparency and ethical behavior. As institutions and individuals, we must learn from Allen's experience and strive to create environments where speaking out against misconduct is not only encouraged but protected.
On April 19, the U.S. Department of Education took a significant step by unveiling its final Title IX rules, set to be implemented on August 1, 2024. This development carries profound implications for educational institutions nationwide, including the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder).

With a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment, CU Boulder is gearing up to navigate these changes and ensure compliance with the revised federal law. Let's delve into the university's response strategy across three critical fronts: policy adaptation, safeguard reinforcement, and systemwide alignment.

Adapting Policies: Strengthening Protections

CU Boulder's existing framework for addressing sex discrimination is under the microscope as the university prepares for the implementation of the new Title IX rules. One of the primary focuses lies in expanding protections against all forms of sex-based discrimination. The federal rules mandate robust measures to combat discrimination and harassment, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, CU Boulder is reevaluating its policies to fortify its stance against such injustices.

The university's commitment to inclusivity extends to safeguarding the rights of pregnant and parenting students. With the revised Title IX rules emphasizing the need for enhanced protections in this domain, CU Boulder is poised to bolster its support mechanisms. By revisiting existing policies, the university aims to ensure that students navigating pregnancy and childbirth encounter an environment free from discrimination. This proactive approach underscores CU Boulder's dedication to promoting equity and inclusivity across its campuses.

Reinforcing Safeguards: Reviewing Complaint Processes

Beyond policy adaptation, CU Boulder is conducting a comprehensive review of its complaint processes to align with the updated federal law. The university recognizes the paramount importance of fostering a fair, transparent, and reliable resolution process for all parties involved. With this in mind, CU Boulder is scrutinizing its existing procedures to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with the new Title IX rules.

Central to this endeavor is the university's commitment to upholding the rights of all community members, including students, faculty, and staff. By refining its complaint processes, CU Boulder aims to streamline the resolution of alleged incidents while upholding the principles of due process and fairness. This meticulous approach underscores the university's unwavering dedication to fostering a campus culture rooted in accountability and respect.

Systemwide Alignment: Promoting Consistency and Engagement

As CU Boulder prepares to navigate the terrain of Title IX compliance, a concerted effort is underway to promote systemwide alignment and engagement. Led by Valerie Simons, vice president of compliance and equity and system Title IX coordinator, a working group comprising campus stakeholders is spearheading this initiative. The collaboration encompasses all campus equity offices, including the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), and university legal counsel.

At the heart of this endeavor lies the pursuit of consistency and clarity in policies governing nondiscrimination and Title IX compliance across all CU campuses. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, CU Boulder aims to ensure that each campus adheres to the same standards of equity and accountability. This commitment to systemwide alignment reflects CU Boulder's unwavering dedication to promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect across its diverse community.

As CU Boulder prepares to navigate the evolving landscape of Title IX compliance, the university remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of its community. By adapting policies, reinforcing safeguards, and promoting systemwide alignment, CU Boulder is poised to meet the challenges posed by the revised federal law head-on. Through collaboration, diligence, and unwavering dedication, CU Boulder stands ready to uphold the principles of equity, accountability, and respect, ensuring that every member of its community can thrive and succeed.
Arizona State University (ASU) has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, sparking a wave of innovation and debate within the academic community. The collaboration, which began in January, represents a significant step forward in ASU's longstanding tradition of forging relationships with tech giants like Google and underscores its commitment to cutting-edge research and education.

A Legacy of Innovation: ASU's Tech Partnerships

ASU's relationship with Silicon Valley dates back to the early 2000s, with collaborations that have yielded groundbreaking results. When the opportunity to partner with OpenAI arose, it seemed like a natural fit for the university, according to Lev Gonick, ASU's chief information officer. The partnership represents a continuation of ASU's efforts to stay at the forefront of technological innovation in education.

A Two-Pronged Approach: Projects and Proposals

ASU's partnership with OpenAI is being approached with a two-pronged strategy. The university is soliciting project proposals from faculty to explore the best ways to utilize AI technology in various aspects of education. These proposals cover a wide range of areas, including teaching and learning outcomes, research and the public interest, and improving the overall university experience.

The response to this call for proposals has been overwhelming, with hundreds of ideas pouring in from faculty eager to explore the potential of AI in education. ASU has approved over 200 projects for implementation, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of the university's academic community.

Addressing Concerns: Faculty and Student Reactions

Despite the excitement surrounding the partnership, not everyone is on board with the idea of integrating AI into education. Some ASU faculty and students have expressed concerns about the potential implications of such a collaboration. Laurie Stoff, a professor at ASU and member of the United Campus Workers of Arizona, has raised issues about the university's seemingly all-in approach to partnering with tech companies like OpenAI.

Stoff's concerns echo those of many in the academic community who worry about the long-term impact of AI on education. There are fears that AI could replace human instructors, leading to job losses and a decline in the quality of education. Others worry about the ethical implications of using AI in education, particularly in terms of privacy and data security.

Future Plans and Opportunities

Despite these concerns, ASU remains committed to exploring the potential of AI in education. The university sees AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, traditional teaching methods. Gonick emphasized that the goal is not to replace professors, but to supplement their work and improve student outcomes.

ASU's partnership with OpenAI is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey in education. The university is actively exploring new ways to leverage AI technology to improve teaching and learning. With its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, ASU is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of education through AI.
2017 HIGHLIGHTS: New Psychoactive Substances are in the Focus of the UNODC Drug Law Enforcement Agenda in Central Asia

Expansion of markets for synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide has become a stable trend. Production of such drugs does not depend on ingredients from traditional drug plants and therefore emergence of their production and trafficking may not always match geographic patterns typical of traditional drug markets. On the other hand, by definition, synthetic drugs and NPS, pose new challenges in terms of law enforcement as they may require new skill set and knowledge backed by effective legislative frameworks to effectively counter their expansion.

According to the data from UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS, the number of NPS reported in Central Asian countries has significantly increased over the years.The numbers of NPS reported in Central Asia has risen to 31 in 2015 and to 48 in 2016 with almost all countries of the region reporting seizures of NPS, whereas only one NPS was reported in the Central Asian region both in 2013 and 2014.

A new component of activities aimed at countering synthetic drugs and NPS in Central Asia was developed in 2016 in the framework of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) with the goal to strengthen law enforcement efforts in the regionagainst the emerging threat of synthetic drugs and NPS. This initiative is supported and funded by the Government of Japan, which provided US$ 630,000 for the implementation of the activities in 2016 and 2017.

The activities implemented under the component included supporting member countries in the region through the provision of technical assistance,with the delivery of training courses, procurement of specialized equipment and promoting regional cooperation through joint activities including meetings, regional workshops and regional operations. Over the implementation period, a total of five specialized training courses were delivered and equipment was procured with total value of US$230,000. Moreover, eight national level expert meetings on NPS were conducted.

Expert Meetings

During the implementation period of the activity component, two rounds of national expert meetings on synthetic drugs and NPS were facilitated by UNODC in Astana, Kazakhstan, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In the first round, four expert meetingswere held in November and December 2016. The meetings were used tofurther assess the specific needs of the region.In the meetings, UNODC provided presentations on the initial phase of the initiative,discussingthe main goals, planned outcomes, parameters, initial list of equipment to be procured, and training courses with the participants .Taking into consideration the comments of the beneficiary countries and the findings of the assessment, the procurement needs and training courses were refined in accordance with international best practices. During the follow-up actions to these meetings, aworkplan of the activities including the list of training courses and the lists of equipment to be procured for each country was finalized and approved.

The second round of expert meetings was conducted in November 2017. During the expert meetings beneficiariesreported on the results of the component, including the training workshops conducted and procurement of specialized equipment. The meetings were also used to gather proposals on developing the concept and workplanfor continuation of theinitiative.During these meetings, the beneficiary agencies were also handed over the equipment procured.

Regional training workshops

Regional training workshops constituted an important element of the implemented activities.A series of five training courses were delivered on different aspects of countering synthetic drugs and NPS ranging from introductory and theoretical topics to hands-on training anda study-visit.

The first training in the series on "International Cooperation, Monitoring, and Reporting on NPS"was delivered on the 3 rdand 4 thof May 2017 for 19 law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as for experts of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC). The training course was delivered by Mr. Martin Raithelhuber, Illicit Synthetic Drug Expert and Manager of the UNODC Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme.

This training had an introductory/theoretical approach. The training course contained classroom/table-top exercise along with presentations, video materials, Q&A sessions, group work exercises and the exchange of information between the participants. The topics covered included introduction to synthetic drugs and NPS; global and regional NPS trends; challenges of NPS for law enforcement, health service providers and international and national legislative control and responses to the challenges.

The second training workshop on "Risk Assessment and International Cooperation in Countering NPS" was delivered in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 22 nd to 24 thAugust, 2017 for 16 law enforcement officers from the Central Asian states and CARICC experts. The training workshop was facilitated by Mr. Fumio Ito, Project Manager of Project ION (International Operations on NPS) at the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

During the training, presentations were made on the global situation of NPS and INCB's response to the problems through facilitating law enforcement cooperation by promoting a special NPS Incident Communication System. The discussions also covered a variety of approaches in national control, legal and regulatory tools including catch-all provisions and voluntary information sharing of NPS trade through the Internet, and linkages and coordination with forensic laboratories. The participants also learnt about typical risk factors in detecting illicit NPS shipments, including patterns of misdeclaration and how substances are concealed.

The distinctive feature of this training was that participants were encouraged to share their country specific experience on NPS, national NPS control and on trends in NPS trafficking and risk factors in detecting shipments of NPS and other controlled substances in their respective countries.

The third training workshop was organized on clinical aspects on NPS and was delivered on 23-25 October in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in collaboration with UNODC Global Project"Treating drug dependence and its health consequences: Treatnet II".

The Regional Training brought together 26 specialists from four Central Asian states. The training was conducted by international trainers from the United Kingdom specializing in NPS.

Participants of the training got acquainted with the different types of NPS currently available on the market, signs, symptoms associated with acute and long-term use/misuse, learnt how to identify, diagnose, treat NPS intoxication or dependence as well as have gained knowledge and understanding about NPS categories, trend of NPS use, its health and social consequences.

The fourth training activity was organized in the form of study visit to Italy from 7 th to 10 thNovember 2017 for eight law enforcement officers from Central Asia to learn from the experience of Italian law enforcement agencies in countering drugs, including NPS, as well as their field operative methods. The study visit was organized in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Uzbekistan and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services (DSCA).

The programme covered visits to the DSCA Headquarters,International Operations' Room of the International Police Cooperation Service, Special Operations' Group of the General Command of Carabinieri, ItalianRailway Police units at "Rome Termini" train station, Operational Aeronautical Command of Pratica di Mare military base, Finance Police units in territory of the Leonardo da Vinci international airport, Scientific Police Service of the State Police and Precursors Chemical Laboratory.

During the visits, the delegates received firsthand knowledge pertaining to legislative, institutional and administrative aspects of the organizations visited; learned about daily workflow, international and national operations, practical cases, investigation techniques, special technical means and other work aspects of the agencies.

The participants also learned about various mechanisms of international law enforcement cooperation in the framework of INTERPOL, EUROPOL and other platforms effectively used by their colleagues in Italy.

The fifith training was delivered on "Usage of field test kits and hand-held identification devices in identification of drugs " from 14th to 16th November in Astana, Kazakhstan for 19 law enfocement officers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.The training was organized in cooperation with the Kazakhstan General Prosecutor's Office Law Enforcement Academy. The training course was delivered by a group of police officers from the UNODC supportedPrecursor Control Unit of the Counter Narcotic Police of Afghanistan (CNPA).

The training course applied a practical format and included sessions on operation principles of the "TruNarc"portable drugs/precursor analyzer and field drug test kits. During the training special sessions were allocated for hands-on exercises using thedevice to identify provided real drug samples. After demonstrations by the instructors, the participants were given the opportunity to perform scans of various drugs and precursors on their own.

At the end of the training, the participants learned about general principals of operation, guidelines for safe operation, advantages as well as the limitations of field drug aidentificationd devices in practice. Instructors from Afghanistan also presented information on operations conducted by CNPA in Afghanistan where they widely apply TruNarc devices and field test kits.

Procurement of equipment

The activities under the component also included procurement of IT and specizlied equipment for the beneficiary agencies. Individual lists of equipment for each country has been developed based on the results of needs assessment and follow-up feedback from the beneficiaries.

Equipment hand-over ceremonies were held along with the second round of expert meeting in November 2017 in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The equipment purchased for the beneificaries included field rapid drugs tests, contraband search and inspection kits, photo and video recording equipment, laptops and printers (with total value of about US$ 230,000).

The results of the activity component so far demonstrated that the Central Asian states understandthe challenges posed by synthetic drugs and NPS.

Beneficiaries appreciateUNODC assistance in increasingtheir capacity in countering synthetic drugs and NPS as well as efforts to facilitate regional and international cooperation. They also stressed the importance of continuing and expanding the workby UNODC in this area.

To this end,UNODC plans to develop continuation of the activity component based on the proposals received from the Central Asian countries and conclusions from the first phase. The UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia will develop a systematic and sustainable approach which will enhance institutional capacities of member countries in the region to effectively fight against the threats of synthetic drugs NPS.

Finally, UNODC extends its special thanks to the Government of Japan for generously funding the activities, their support for the mission of UNODC and the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Azeri, Georgian and Turkmen Customs officials work together to identify high-risk consignments

At the end of 2016, the members of the Port Control Units (PCU) in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan conducted a joint operation on a controlled cargo under the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme. Georgian PCU officers initiated the operation on high-risk consignment of the acetic substance transported from Turkey to Turkmenistan via Georgia and Azerbaijan. PCU members exchanged information on cargo's itinerary and movement through ContainerComm system - a secure communication application developed by the World Customs Organization.

Based on the information received from Georgian and Azeri counterparts, the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan's officials conducted a detailed examination and inspected the consignment with X-ray equipment at the International Customs Terminal in Ashgabat with nothing suspicious found. Later the Ministry of the Textile Industry of Turkmenistan has sent an official letter confirming that the cargo has "acetic acid 80%," which destined for legal use in manufacturing. The consignment was released and went to its final destination in the country.

The Azeri, Georgian, and Turkmen Customs officials referred to this exercise as a good example of collaborative efforts at national and regional levels and expressed their readiness to further strengthen cooperation among customs agencies in the region.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program as well as the Government of Japan.
Establishing Effective Container Control Systems to Better Address Illicit Goods Trafficking

A two week training for frontline officers of the Customs Service and Drug Control Agency of the Republic of Tajikistan was conducted by the "UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme". The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan hosted the event at the "Terminal" customs post in Dushanbe. Experts from UNODC and the World Customs Organization facilitated the training, which served as a continuation of the previous activities conducted by the Container Control Programme (CCP) in Tajikistan, including the country's technical needs assessment, as well as the participation in CCP regional activities including the theoretical training in March 2015. The trainees became proficient in applying profiling and search techniques of high-risk consignments as well as exchange data via the secure "ContainerComm" communication system. In particular, the trainees identified and inspected the high-risk consignments selection of the containers in the pre-arrival (imports) and/or pre-departure (exports) phase, while also undertaking physical examinations.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program.

Practical Exercise at Customs Post "Dushanbe-2", Tajikistan
From 11 to 13 March, UNODC organized a regional training on verification of the authenticity of travel documents in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, for 27 mid- and senior-level officers from Central Asian border and migration services officers.

The training aimed to equip the officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively tackle challenges encountered during document inspections at checkpoints, thereby strengthening their ability to counter cross-border crime.

During his opening speech, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Turkmenistan, highlighted Japans invaluable partnership with UNODC globally, including in Central Asia and the crucial need for collaboration in combatting global issues like drug trafficking and organized crime, underscoring the importance of united efforts.

I believe that this workshop will enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for effective border control and that the exchange and collaboration among participants will continue after the training. Japan remains committed to supporting the endeavors of Central Asian countries in advancing social and human security, showcasing our dedication to shared responsibilities within the global community, he emphasized.

Major Yakub Akmuradov from the Central Office of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan expressed his gratitude to UNODC for the enduring partnership. He highlighted the successful implementation of various targeted projects within this partnership, including high-level training courses and workshops that significantly bolstered the capabilities of border officers.

One of the key initiatives of our project is to establish an institutional platform for regularly conducting interdepartmental and interagency training courses at national and regional levels. In 2023, we organized six specialized trainings, benefiting a total of 160 law enforcement officers from the region. I am optimistic that this training will play a crucial role in strengthening UNODCs regional initiatives to enhance law enforcement capacity for effective border control, remarked Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator.

The training, led by international expert from the Federal Republic of Germany and national experts, covered a variety of topics, such as identifying features of counterfeit documents, various printing techniques, forgery methods, advanced security features, including optically variable ink, optically variable magnetic ink and LASINK, and technologies for detecting forged documents.

Practical sessions allowed officers to hone their document examination skills using tools, such as magnifiers and ultraviolet light. Discussions on real-life case studies at airports and land borders further enriched their learning experience.

This training was part of the UNODC Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022  2025.

This strategic endeavor, designed to strengthen the capacity of border crossing points and foster cross-border cooperation by promoting the concept of Border Liaison Offices and developing information and communication networks for border agencies, is made possible through funding provided by the Government of Japan.

Learn more about the project

For further information, please contact:

Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communications and External Relations Specialist

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
CHESTER  A disgruntled employee opened fire at a linen company near Philadelphia on Wednesday, killing two coworkers and injuring three others, authorities said.

The shooting took place at the Delaware County Linen about 8:30 a.m. in the city of Chester, about 18 miles south of Philadelphia. The shooter fled in a vehicle but was soon captured in a traffic stop, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. The shooter's name has not been released, and the specific motive remains unknown. Earlier statements said he was a former employee.

It speaks to guns in America, said Chester Mayor Stefan Roots, who said his small city has enjoyed a period of relative calm in recent years, with violent crime on the decline. Violence is always unpredictable. We dont know what conditions people are under, in a city thats impoverished like ours."

Roots called on state lawmakers in Pennsylvania to address the gun crisis, especially as it relates to people with mental health problems.

"We can't have guns in the hands of the wrong people, Roots said. There had to be some type of mental health issue that would have an employee walk into his workplace on a day of work and take out his anger in such a violent way  to not just the boss, but his coworkers, who he probably worked side-by-side with for years.

Three people remained hospitalized, at least one in critical condition, police said.

The business had been in the community for more than 30 years, and some workers lived near enough to walk to work each day, residents said. Some of the workers on hand when the gunman opened fire gathered on the steps of a church across the street, behind barriers erected by police. One had a bandage visible on his hand.

It's always quiet around here. We dont have too many issues, so this is surprising, said Doneshia Johnson, who lives next door to the linen company and was standing outside with her 1-year-old grandson. She said she was out at the time of the shooting.

You never know. It's why you got to wake up, say your prayers, and just hope that you make it home safely each day," she said.
Safety Governance Approach is required for Safe, Inclusive, and Resilient Chilanzar district, UNODC-supported Urban Safety Assessment says

While urbanization brings economic growth and prosperity, it also presents a range of challenges. However, with growth and progress comes insecurity, violence and corruption. Compared to rural areas, urban areas are more likely to experience both violent and non-violent crimes, including robberies, drug and human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, gang-related violence and organized crime. As such, it is important to devote sufficient attention to effective and innovative crime prevention in urban settings.

Under the Safe City initiative, UNODC and the Academy of the General Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan piloted an assessment in the Chilanzar district of Tashkent city and presented the results in early December to government authorities, international community, civil society organization and bloggers to enhance their knowledge on crime prevention and urban safety.

Mr. Evgeny Kolenko, Head of the Academy of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said: The urbanization that is taking place in the world has also affected Uzbekistan and our task now is to provide a safe urban environment in cities. We have chosen the Chilanzar district of Tashkent city as a pilot site for out new initiatives. Together with UNODC and a group of experts, we conducted a study of the urban environment, including research on factors such as crime, criminological environment, corruption, unemployment, internal migration, road safety and many others".

As a specific feature of this survey, the research team developed and put into practice a national safety model in Uzbekistan's state governance system, taking into account the guidance developed by UNODC for conducting Urban Safety Governance Assessments, said Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia at her opening remarks.

Ms. Mittal thanked the Academy and other local authorities for your support and for the important work that you do in the creation of conditions to have Tashkent city safe, peaceful, inclusive, comfortable for citizens, especially for the young generation and to grow them up well-educated and healthy, free of drugs and crime. This Urban Safety Assessment tool is unified and could be applied to other cities and regions of Uzbekistan as well.

A group of experts which consists of lawyers, psychologists, sociologists and practitioners presented a final report, including the main results of the study, conclusions, proposals and recommendations.

In particular, it was emphasized that the studies carried out represent an alternative view of the concept of "Security", which is understood in the context of meeting key human needs through the presence of appropriate types of infrastructure in the urban environment. The experts noted the need to develop a unified methodology for assessing the current state of security by analyzing crime and predicting its dynamics, which takes into account all urban (socio-economic) factors.

The participants agreed that the experience gained during the implementation of the project will serve as a reliable basis for conducting comprehensive research on in-depth study of issues of ensuring public safety throughout the republic.

The event was attended by N. Grellier (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Urban Security Project Coordinator of UNODC Headquarters in Vienna), Ms. Ashita Mittal (UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia), Mr. Koen Marquering (International Manager of the UNODC Criminal Justice Program in Central Asia), international and national experts, civil society organization and bloggers.

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC in Central Asia

+996775987817 WhatsApp

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org
SFP 10-14 in Uzbekistan: Parents and Teachers Ask for Additional Sessions

Children discover the world, learn their rights and social norms every day of their lives. They are also exposed to the negative influence both at school, at home and outside. Drugs, crime and deviant behavior can significantly hurt the lives of children and their families.

The 2018 World Drug report has found that drug use and the associated harm are the highest among young people compared to older people. Most research suggests that early (12-14 years) to late (15-17 years) adolescence is a critical risk period for the initiation of substance use and may peak among young people (aged 18-25 years).

Strong attachments between parents and children, supportive parenting and supervision, monitoring and effective discipline have all been found to be linked to less engagement in problematic and risky behaviours during adolescent years. In particular, parents have been found to be a powerful protective factor for children and adolescents with regard to substance abuse.

One of the UNODC programmes aimed at preventing drugs and crime among children is the "Strengthening Families Programme for youth aged 10-14" (SFP 10-14). In Uzbekistan, the programme was successfully adopted and piloted in the selected schools of capital city.

In September, as a follow up to the parents and teachers' request, UNODC jointly with the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, conducted a training for 20 psychologists, teachers and youth leaders of Tashkent city, selected from among the facilitators trained in April of this year.

"Parents learnt about that there are additional Booster sessions to the seven core sessions of SFP 10-14 that they actively participated in. They kept sending requests to conduct additional four sessions. So, we realized we have to approach the Ministry of Public Education and UNODC and ask to consider this opportunity." - explained Ms. Gulkhayo Samandarova, a teacher of the school #132 of Tashkent city, the training participant.

The event aimed to develop trainer's skills in the application of teaching techniques based on new methodological approaches and conducting trainings in accordance with the international standards, based on the evidence-based research. In the frame of the training, participants were also trained to conduct Booster sessions, which are the part of the SFP 10-14.

According to the joint plan of the Ministry of Public Education and UNODC ROCA, prepared trainers will conduct Booster sessions in selected schools of Tashkent city from September 24 to October 17. Children and their parents will participate in 4 sessions, which are aimed at sharing life skills to overcome stress in school and preventing its negative impact. Booster sessions are practicing the skills acquired by families in the previous 7 sessions, as well as teaching new skills and techniques to apply special parenting methods to solve problems, identify stress factors and find ways to eliminate them.

"During the training, we improved our skills in conducting 7 sessions. We went through the challenges and solutions once again. What is more, we learnt four additional sessions. Now we are ready to go back to schools and hold the family skills trainings." - said Ms. Gulkhayo Samandarova.

In 2016-2018, the SFP 10-14 was successfully implemented in 19 schools of Tashkent city. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme showed statistically significant improvements in the most important family characteristics of helping children in the healthy development of children and youth, such as: knowledge of the abuse of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, positive involvement of parents in the educational process; family harmony; the involvement of youth in family life; mutual relations in the family; family communications; peer pressure resistance.

"It is for the first time I speak gently and heartwarming to my child" said one of the parents tearfully, hugging her child at the sessions we conducted" - shared her memories of sessions in April Ms. Gulkhayo Samandarova.

The conducted training marks a five-year anniversary of successful and productive cooperation between the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UNODC ROCA on implementation of evidence-based and effective family skills training programs.

Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, thanked the Ministry of Public Education for productive cooperation during the years and noted that the participants are becoming the part of the global initiative, which promotes international best-practices of preventing drug use through family skills training programmes.

As a result of fruitful cooperation between the Ministry of Public Education and UNODC ROCA on further expansion of the programme implementation, a regional training for the representatives of the all 14 regions with experience of working with youth and families is envisaged in beginning of November. Trained specialists will be responsible for further scaling up of the SFP 10-14 throughout the country.

For more information:

UNODC ROCA on Twitter

UNODC in Central Asia on Facebook
UNODC and the Government of Turkmenistan discussed cooperation for peace and security in Central Asia

On the 10th of November, Ms. Ghada Fathy Waly, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a meeting via video conference.

Mr. Rashid Meredov expressed Turkmenistans continuing commitment to enhance cooperation with UNODC on countering and preventing transnational organized crime, terrorism and illicit drug trafficking. Being a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and International Drug Control Conventions, Turkmenistan stands ready to strengthen the cooperation at the regional and international levels; Turkmenistan will actively collaborate on the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. During the meeting, the parties noted the high level of cooperation established between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNODC and discussed the results of joint work highlighting the opportunities for further strengthening collaboration.

The parties have underlined the effectiveness of the regional and international platforms for cooperation. The practical steps for the implementation of the Road Map on further development of cooperation of Turkmenistan with the UNODC in 2019-2021 and plans for 2021 were outlined. Mr. Meredov reaffirmed the interest of the Government of Turkmenistan in the extension of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia.

Mr. Rashid Meredov reiterated Turkmenistans firm position on the advancement of regional and global counter-narcotics efforts, including within the framework of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC).

Ms. Ghada Fathy Waly expressed the willingness of UNODC to further strengthen cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan within the UNODC Programme for Central Asia, the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries and UNODCs global initiatives, including joint UNODC/WCO Container Control Programme. Ms. Waly emphasized the importance of strengthening security measures on emerging trade and transit corridors in the region to address challenges related to drugs, crime and terrorism, especially in the context of Turkmenistans positive development efforts in the transport sector. This is an area of mutual interest to both parties and contributes to advancing peace, security and development.

UNODC and the Government of Turkmenistan expressed the hope for the continuation of fruitful cooperation for peace, security and development in the region and beyond.

Additional information:

   .

With any queries please contact

Shakhnoza Zafari

Communication and External Relations Officer

Mobile: +998935547895

E-mail: shakhnoza.zafari[at]un.org
UNODC Continues Supporting Counter-Narcotics Interagency Mobile Teams in Uzbekistan: Training on Improving Search, Inspection and Profiling Skills

UNODC continues supporting operationalization and effective functioning of counter-narcotics Interagency Mobile Teams (IMTs) in Uzbekistan. Training on improving search, inspection and profiling skills was conducted for 43 law enforcement officers of the IMT groups. The officers participated in the training breaking in two groups from 30th July to 3rd August and from 6th to 10th August.

This training course continues the series of training courses for the officers of six IMT groups established by the Government of Uzbekistan all over the territory of the country with technical assistance from the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

The IMT units are integrated into the national counter narcotics strategy and work to counter trafficking of narcotics into and through Uzbekistan especially along the vulnerable areas in close cooperation with the competent law enforcement agencies. IMTs and their coordinating structure - the Operations Coordination Team (OCT), are comprised of the officers of the State Security Service, the Ministry of Interior, the State Customs Committee and the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The IMT units were launched and handed over vehicles and specialized equipment during the official ceremony on 25th June 2018 with participation of high-level officials from the Government of Uzbekistan.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Olim Narzullaev, the Director of the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control noted that "the implementation of the activities will contribute to a more effective resolution of the challenges facedbring tangible benefits to the Central Asian states and positively affect the well-being of the population of the region, their health and safety."

Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, joined Mr. Narzullaev in expecting noticeable benefits from establishment of the Interagency Mobile Teams and added that "UNODC highly commends the commitment of all national stakeholders - the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service, the State Customs Committee and the National Centre on Drug Control as the national coordinator, which showed their active interest in the component from the very start and provided their strong support at the highest level." Mr. Kurbonov also expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for supporting the implementation of the activities.

The training sessions were held by psychologists and expert-profilers from Kazakhstan Ms. Lola Shakimova and Ms. Akmaral Abdukeeva, customs expert from Latvia Mr. Lauris Krivans and specialist of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) Mr. Bakytbek Aytaly Uulu.

The first part of the training covered psychological aspects of profiling, psychological characteristics of the criminals, establishing psychological contact, methods of information extraction and conduct in complicated communicative situations.

These topics were supported by the sessions on development of risk profiles, preparation of analytical information with a risk profile of potential targets.

The training also covered operation principles of mobile teams, their equipment, and vehicle search/inspection methods.

The in-class sessions were complemented with practical and role-game exercises. The final day of the training was held in "Djartepa" border-crossing point on the Uzbek-Tajik border, where practical study drills were organized for the participants of the training on profiling and identification of potential traffickers and criminals both on pedestrian checkpoints and vehicle search lines.

According to the post-training evaluation, the overwhelming majority of the participants assessed the training as "excellent" in overall quality and organization. The participants showed high level of engagement and actively participated in the interactive sessions and hands-on exercises.

UNODC plans to conduct more training courses for the IMT officers on other aspects of their work.

Component on "Countering trafficking of Afghan narcotics in Uzbekistan through establishment if Interagency Mobile Teams" under the Sub-Programme 1 of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) is funded by the Government of Japan.

***

For more information

Please, contact Mr. Muzaffar Tilavov

National Project Officer, UNODC ROCA

E-mail: Muzaffar.tilavov[at]un.org

Tel.: 998 (71) 120-80-50
(@Abdulla99267510)

The former federal minister has given the suggestion for the larger interest of the countrys youth and economy.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 22nd, 2024) Former Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has stressed the urgent need of increasing taxes on tobacco products to save Pakistani youth and economy.

In a collaborative effort to tackle the urgent issue of tobacco consumption in Pakistan, the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized an event to celebrate World No Tobacco day 2024.

The event, aimed to highlight the voices of youth against big tobacco.

While addressing the participants of the event, former Caretaker Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan Mr. Murtaza Solangi shared that, Pakistan has the largest generation of young people ever recorded in national history. However due to relaxed tobacco control policy in Pakistan, this group is severely exploited by tobacco industry, putting their health and future at extreme risk.

He said that tobacco and Nicotine addiction serves as a gateway to many other forms of substance abuse and may cause serious health and mental health issues among youth. If the attempts of tobacco industry to attract young customers are not kept in check through proper mechanisms, they will grow more powerful and keep being the cause of deaths and diseases in the country.

The former caretaker minister further stated that, Pakistan faces a significant challenge with widespread tobacco consumption, with over 31.9 million adults aged 15 years and above identified as current tobacco users, constituting nearly 19.7% of the adult population. Smoking-related illnesses claim over 160,000 lives annually, both the World Health Organization and the World Bank have consistently recommended Pakistan to improve its tobacco taxation.

Malik Imran Ahmad, Country Head Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids (CTFK) said, that a 26.6% FED increase for the fiscal year 2024-25, appears to be a significant step forward. Not only could it help recoup a substantial portion of healthcare costs, but it also has the potential to discourage hundreds of thousands of individuals from smoking. Additionally, the projected revenue increase could be valuable for funding various public health initiatives and strengthening the national economy.
(@FahadShabbir)

Turkiye and the Czech Republic aim to raise their bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in three to four years, Turkish trade minister told Anadolu

PRAGUE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Turkiye and the Czech Republic aim to raise their bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in three to four years, Turkish trade minister told Anadolu.

On the sidelines of the Turkiye-Czech Republic Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) meeting in Prague, Omer Bolat said: The Czech minister and I signed the Turkiye-Czech Republic JETCO agreement, and now, the relations between the two countries are more constructive and friendly.



Czech Trade Minister Jozef Sikela attended the meeting along with ambassadors from both Turkiye and the Czech Republic.

The two NATO members, Turkiye and the Czech Republic, support each other in political, military, and defense fields, he added.
As many as 849 students were conferred upon degrees along with 47 students were awarded gold medals in the 23rd Convocation of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) held at the Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad on Wednesday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) As many as 849 students were conferred upon degrees along with 47 students were awarded gold medals in the 23rd Convocation of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) held at the Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad on Wednesday.

Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

Rector NUML, Major General Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI (M) (Retd), Pro Rectors, Deans, Registrar, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of students along with their parents also attended the Convocation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar congratulated the students, parents, and teachers on the successful completion of degrees in various disciplines.

He emphasized upon the importance of ethical outlook of the students besides mental and physical learning and said that it is your moral and intellectual duty to utilise your abilities and talents for the progress of your motherland and the prosperity of your fellow countrymen.

Chief guest said that NUML upholds first-rate standards of quality and performance as an educational institution, adding NUML has everything to offer you which you can make use of in order to seize the future opportunities.

He said that Pakistan is enriched with all kinds of natural resources and has very diverse culture and there is huge protentional to explore.

He was of the view that no country can progress without education and technology.

Earlier, Rector NUML Major General (Retd) Shahid Mahmood Kayani highlighted the achievements and contributions made by NUML in various fields of education.

While addressing the graduates Rector NUML said that you are the guardians of the future, entrusted with the noble task of employing your talents and insights for the advancement of humanity and the preservation of our world at large.

He further said that the journey ahead is filled with infinite possibilities, challenges to overcome, and dreams to realize.

The paths you choose to tread from here will not only define your own destinies but also have the power to shape the future of our nation and the world.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Acting President and Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the Father of the Nation on arrival here Wednesday.

The Acting President laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha.

He also recorded his impressions in the Visitors' Book placed at the mausoleum.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was also present during the visit of Acting President at the Mazar e Quaid.

Speaking to the media, the Acting President said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a true and genuine leader of the Sub Continent and our youth should be aware of the fact that he (Quaid) was the true leader and he had created Pakistan therefore we should not be running after a 'black cat in a dark room'.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that his father was an associate of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and when Quaid visited Lahore in 1940 and he was asked why he did not come to Multan, he had said that Gilani was there to represent me therefore no need of my visit to Multan.

Gilani said Quaid did not visited Multan but Mohtrama Fatima Jinnah had visited our Dargah there.

He said that for the first time he visited the basement of the Mazar of Quaid Azam and offered Fateha at at the Mazars of Quaid e Azam, Nawab Liaquat Ali Khan, Mohtrama Fatima Jinnah, Noorul Amin and all our forefathers buried here.

Our country has confronted with so many problems but we are lucky enough that 65% youth consisting the total population of Pakistan, he said and believed that youth will play important role and they would be the future leaders. He also mentioned the name of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is also young chairman of Pakistan People's party.

Acting President said though his party is not part of the government but we were extending our full support to the government for resolution of problems bring faced by the country.

Replying to question regarding dialogue with opposition party, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that dialogue was the only way to solve problems but previous government was against dialogue which was their gross mistake.

He alleged that despite the "judicial murder" of Shaheed Zulifikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto never left the path of negotiation and faced the situation by taking path of the rule of law.

He also said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto also signed Charter of Democracy with Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for strengthening of the democracy in the country.

In response to a question regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said 'he is our old friend' and he also voted him several times. Gilani also hoped that ultimately Maulana would soon realize that dialogue was the only option.
(@FahadShabbir)

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur inviting his attention to the critical issue of appointing vice chancellors at 25 universities of the province

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur inviting his attention to the critical issue of appointing vice chancellors at 25 universities of the province.

In his letter, the governor while giving the reference of Section 12(3) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012 (Amended up to 2016) the process of selection of a new vice chancellor shall be initiated six months before the expiration of the existing term of the incumbent.

However, the letter said despite recommendations from the Academic Search Committee, the approval process for the recommended candidates has not been initiated, exacerbating the situation.

The letter further said that recently, the Peshawar High Court, in a writ petition No-2523/2024 highlighted that It appears that the University of Science and Technology, Bannu is without Registrar, Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor for a considerable long time.

Despite that, no efforts have been made to fill these posts.

The governor in his letter to the CM said In light of these facts, I urge us to work together to address the administrative, financial and academic crisis faced by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwas public sector universities. Failure to act promptly may jeopardize the future of higher education in the province and may also lead to the displeasure of the Honorable Peshawar High Court due to the established violation of law".

The chief minister was asked that sincere cooperation on his part for resolving this issue was essential for securing the future of our provinces youth.
(@Abdulla99267510)

The prayers have been led by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

TEHRAN : (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 22nd, 2024) The hundreds and thousands of people gathered in Tehran to offer funeral prayers for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and their entourage on Wednesday(today).

The prayers were led by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has been adorned with banners referring to Raisi as the martyr of service and the servant of the disadvantaged. Citizens were encouraged to participate in the funeral through messages distributed throughout the city.

The funeral procession, which included international dignitaries, began at the university and moved towards Enghelab Square in central Tehran. Prior ceremonies took place on Tuesday in Tabriz and Qom, attracting tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black.

After the ceremonies in Tehran, the bodies will be transported to South Khorasan province and then to Raisis hometown of Mashhad, where final rites will be held at the Imam Reza shrine on Thursday evening.

In response to the tragedy, Ayatollah Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president. Mokhber will serve until the presidential election on June 28, when Raisis successor will be chosen.

The tragic incident occurred when Raisis helicopter crashed on a foggy mountainside in northern Iran on Sunday.

The crash happened as the helicopter was en route to Tabriz after Raisi had attended the inauguration of a dam project near the Azerbaijan border.

A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, with support from Turkey, Russia, and the European Union. State television confirmed Raisis death early Monday morning.
New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) A handful of courtroom hopefuls have braved all kinds of weather as they queue to catch a glimpse of Donald Trump's seismic New York criminal trial, sometimes paying lavishly for "sitters" to hold their places in line.

Teacher Richard Partington, 43, described the trial as "one of the most fascinating and exciting experiences of my life," arriving outside the imposing courthouse two days before proceedings to boost his chances of getting inside.

After running the gauntlet of strict security checkpoints, ancient elevators and a long fluorescent-lit corridor, Partington and six or seven others have each day been able to watch the first ever criminal case play out against a former US president.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to hide a reimbursement to his former lawyer Michael Cohen for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels, with whom it is claimed the property tycoon had a sexual encounter.

On hard wooden benches, the public spectators have joined around 50 journalists and Trump's entourage of Republican grandees, supporters and family to see the twists and turns of the historic court case.

"I learned a lot from the news, but I think there's some truth that you really pick up when you're in the courtroom -- you see Donald Trump walking by eight times a day, you see the judge (and) the jury," said Partington.

"The result of this trial will likely sway this election in one way," he added, affirming his fear of a second Trump presidency.

Along with some protesters -- both anti- and pro-Trump -- eager courtroom spectators have come from across the four corners of the United States.

Retired lawyer Peter Osetek traveled almost 3,000 miles from San Diego on the other side of the country to visit his son in New York and to see "history being made."

Trial followers often have more luck in an overflow room, where a live feed is streamed to around 30 members of the public and journalists unable to be in the main trial space.

Justin Ford, an IT worker from Connecticut, said he was drawn to line up for a chance to see "a former president of the United States (who) is on trial, and it's not televised. I want to witness it with my own eyes."

Ford, 42, missed the chance to get inside the trial -- despite arriving in the middle of the night.

He has forensic knowledge of the trial's ins and outs, avidly reading the verbatim transcripts that are posted on the court's website daily.

The line to get in operates on a strictly "first come, first served" basis, fueling a booming market for line sitters.

For around $50 an hour, professional queue holders will stand in for court hopefuls, with the best spots in the line re-sold for as much as $2,000 when Trump's arch-nemesis Cohen testified.

Ford called the "pay to play" phenomenon "pretty sad."

Funke Sangodeyi, who described herself as a "total political junkie," said she paid $700 for a spot in the overflow room.

"It was amazing to witness the American justice system holding a president accountable. It's a historical moment," said Sangodeyi, 48, a consultant from Brooklyn.

Like most of those who spoke to AFP, Sangodeyi sees the justice system as capable of preventing Trump's return to the White House, saying she hopes a conviction will put off crucial swing voters.

More than anything, the trial highlights that "no one is above the law," said pediatrician Cindy Mobley who traveled two and a half hours by train from Baltimore.

"It feels like it is the last frontier, the last thing that can hold us together," said the 64-year-old, who spent part of the night in a sleeping bag at the foot of the courthouse.
(@FahadShabbir)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for late president Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday as huge crowds thronged the capital Tehran for his funeral procession

Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for late president Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday as huge crowds thronged the capital Tehran for his funeral procession.

Flanked by top officials, Khamenei said prayers over the coffins of the eight dead from Sunday's helicopter crash, who also included foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

A sea of mourners filled the open space around Tehran university, where the prayers were held before the funeral procession moved on to Enghelab and Azadi squares.

State television said Raisi, who had been widely seen as Khamenei's most likely successor as supreme leader, had received a "millionfold farewell" from the people of Tehran.

"We have lost a prominent personality. He was a very good brother. He was an efficient, competent, sincere, and serious official," Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani.

- Foreign guests -

Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, later received heads and representatives of countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe.

Tunisian President Kais Saied and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended an afternoon ceremony in which around 60 countries took part, said state news agency IRNA.

Egypt's top diplomat, Sameh Shoukry, was also at the ceremony.

He is the first Egyptian foreign minister to visit Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Member countries of the European Union were among the absentees of the ceremony while some non-member countries, including Belarus and Serbia had their representatives.

In the capital, huge banners have gone up hailing the late president as "the martyr of service", while others bade "farewell to the servant of the disadvantaged".

Tehran residents received phone messages urging them to join the funeral procession.

"I was sad, I came to calm my heart and calm the heart of the supreme leader," said one mourner who gave her name only as Maryam and said she had travelled from Varamin, south of Tehran, to pay her last respects.

Raisi's helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as his entourage headed back to the city of Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan.

A huge search and rescue operation was launched, involving help from the European Union, Russia and Turkey. State television announced Raisi's death early on Monday.

The Iranian military said Wednesday that domestically produced drones had played the key role in locating the crash site.
Palestinian health officials said eight Palestinians were killed Tuesday in an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin

Jenin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Palestinian health officials said eight Palestinians were killed Tuesday in an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin.

The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah said Israeli troops had killed eight people -- raising an earlier toll of seven -- and wounded nearly 20 others during the raid, which began in the morning in Jenin city.

An AFP journalist saw four bodies at Jenin's Khalil Suleiman government hospital morgue.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that surgeon Usaeed Jabareen, from the government hospital, was among those killed.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on the social media platform X that Jabareen "was shot on his way to work".

A schoolteacher and a student were also among the dead, Wafa reported, quoting hospital director Wissam Bakr.

Amer Manasra, a 25-year-old freelance journalist, told AFP he had been wounded by Israeli forces during the raid.

"I was hit in the back of my leg by a stray bullet fired by Israeli forces," he said from a hospital bed, adding the incident had taken place near the entrance to the camp.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and expressed condolences on the tragic death of Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions

TEHRAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and expressed condolences on the tragic death of Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions.

The prime minister underlined that President Raisi was a visionary leader who manifested steadfast dedication to serving his country and people.

Recalling late President Raisis recent visit to Pakistan in April 2024, the prime minister highlighted his commendable role in further strengthening of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed solidarity with the Iranian brethren and sisters at the critical juncture in history and reiterated Pakistans commitment to further strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood with the Government and the people of brotherly Iran.

He expressed the resolve to continue the vision of late president for strengthening of the bilateral relationship and trade between the two countries.

He said that President Raisis contributions for the unity of Muslim Ummah as well as for the besieged people of Gaza would be etched in history.

The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that they appreciated the sentiments of the Government and the people of Pakistan in the critical time and expressed gratitude to them.

He reiterated that Iran accorded importance to its ties with Pakistan and would continue the vision of late president in that regard.

The prime minister invited the Supreme Leader to visit Pakistan.
Noumea, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Arsonists torched schools and hundreds of cars overnight in New Caledonia, officials said Wednesday, as President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a surprise visit aiming to end nine days of deadly riots on the French Pacific archipelago.

Macron left Paris on Tuesday on a flight to the troubled territory, a popular holiday destination where roads are now littered with charred vehicles, and scores of shops, schools and other buildings are in cinders.

Clashes have left six people dead and hundreds injured since unrest erupted May 13 on the Pacific islands, home to 270,000 people.

French authorities said the violence had eased since 1,050 troops, tactical police and national security reinforcements from Paris were deployed, including to "highly sensitive" areas.

Nevertheless, two Primary schools and 300 cars in a dealership were torched in the territory's capital Noumea during the night, the mayor's office told AFP.

The deadliest unrest in four decades has been blamed on French plans to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous residents, which Indigenous Kanaks say will dilute their votes.

Police have arrested more than 280 "rioters" since the troubles began, the French authorities said.

Tourists trapped in the territory have begun to flee.

Australia and New Zealand sent an initial batch of military planes to Noumea's small domestic Magenta airport on Tuesday, repatriating "about 100 people", according to French authorities on the island.

"When we landed, it was just like 'Oh, thank God we're here!'" said Mary Hatten, who had spent a week holed up in a Noumea hotel, after touching down in Brisbane.

Further flights will be organised until the main La Tontouta International Airport reopens to commercial flights, French officials said.

The airport operator says commercial flights should resume on Saturday morning.

Macron aims to "listen to, talk and hold discussions with New Caledonian elected officials" in an attempt to restore order, an official close to the president told AFP in Paris.

He wants to "give answers to the many legitimate questions Caledonians are asking, both on the reconstruction side and the political side", the official said.

One Kanak manning an unofficial roadblock north of the capital Noumea said Macron needed to understand Indigenous opposition to the vote reform.

"I don't know why our fate is being discussed by people who don't even live here," said the 52-year-old, who gave only his first name Mike.

"We are the people of the country, not you or the others. No, it's us," he told AFP.

The voice of local Kanaks "is not being listened to, not being heard", he said.
(@FahadShabbir)

Comalcalco, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2024) Volunteers are rushing to hoist food and water up into trees in sweltering southern Mexico, but help came too late for the howler monkeys whose lifeless bodies lay still on the ground.

Dozens of the primates are reported to have dropped dead from trees in recent weeks, alarming conservationists trying to keep the monkeys hydrated during a heat wave.

Victor Morato and his team at a veterinary hospital in the town of Comalcalco in Tabasco state have treated eight howler monkeys brought in by residents.

"When they arrived here in agony, they extended their hand to us as if to say 'help me'. I had a lump in my throat," he told AFP.

Several monkeys arrived at the clinic with body temperatures of around 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit), Morato said.

When they faint from the heat they sometimes fall 20 meters (65 feet), he added.

It is all the more worrying since the Mexican howler (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and the Yucatan black howler (Alouatta pigra) are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), which also lives in southern Mexico as well as Central and South America, is classified as vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species.

- Authorities investigate -

Leonardo Sanchez was among those putting out water and fruit to help the animals on a cocoa plantation in the southern state of Tabasco.

The thermometer has reached almost 50 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in recent weeks, the 22-year-old biology student said.

"We've had a large number of deaths (of monkeys) due to the increased temperatures," he said.

Some volunteers carried lime to sprinkle on the bodies of dead primates.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who hails from Tabasco, said Monday the heat was the worst he had known.

"Since I've been visiting these states I've never felt it as much as I do now," he said at his regular news conference.

Mexico's environment ministry has said that it is investigating whether extreme heat was killing the monkeys, with studies under way to rule out a virus or disease.

Causes under consideration included heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition or fumigation of crops with pesticides, it said.

In Tabasco, a vulture lingered and flies swarmed near a grave that volunteer Bersabeth Ricardez said contained the bodies of around 30 monkeys.

"Today it's the monkeys. Tomorrow it will be us," she said.
Mississippi Polymer Institute Sees More Companies Participating in Pitch Event

Wed, 05/22/2024 - 09:06am | By: Van Arnold

A wide array of startup companies from across the state promoted ideas and competed for special prizes during the 3rdannual Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) Business Pitch Event held May 17 at The Accelerator, located in The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) Innovation and Commercialization Park.

The pitch event is a part of Innovate Mississippis CoBuilders program, where eight partners around the state host pitch events as prerequisites for the chance to qualify for the CoBuilders 12-week business accelerator program. The program includes coursework, mentorship, funding, and a final pitch to angel investors for successful finalists.

Caitlyne Shirley, MPI Business Development Manager, noted that the event saw 28 submissions this year with 18 of those competing in the pitch event  doubling last years numbers.

There were companies in the industrial sector, retail, biomedical, business services, and even a non-profit, said Shirley. Every year we see an increase in the diversity of company types, although we tend to have more technology-based companies such as this years biomedical companies looking to revolutionize healthcare.

The top finishers included:

1st Place: Home Tours Pro LLC

2nd Place: Qubee Medical

3rd Place: Improvise Ability

Judges Honorable Mention: ZEDShed

Peoples Choice: Cookease

Congratulations to every company that was able to pitch this year. It takes a lot of courage, especially for first timers, and what a great field we had this year, said MPI Executive Director Dr. Monica Tisack. The MPI Pitch Event keeps growing, and we want to encourage local and regional people to keep creating and growing businesses right here. Dont wait for a pitch event  start working now.

Shirley emphasizes the importance of MPI hosting an event that brings a wealth of creative ideas under one roof.

While we routinely provide technical services to existing manufacturers, we also assist inventors and startups with product development and scale-up, said Shirley. Not only that, but our building, The Accelerator leases lab spaces and offices to technology-based companies and startups.

Shirley points out that one of MPIs key goals is to assist in the creation and growth of high-quality businesses within the state. The annual pitch event serves as an ideal vehicle to showcase local startup talent to the community, while providing a larger statewide CoBuilders opportunity to advance the companies maturity and attract investors.

Not only that, but MPIs services can often help decrease the time it takes to get their products/technologies to market and into the hands of customers, she said. Furthermore, events like these are critical to expanding the startup environment and support system within Mississippi.

Those contemplating a startup business are encouraged to join MPIs MeetUp app group: CONNECT Hattiesburg. The next gathering will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at Kaffeehaus Fabelhaft, 336 N. 25th Avenue in Hattiesburg, Miss.

About the Mississippi Polymer Institute

MPI is a non-profit industrial outreach arm of The University of Southern Mississippi that serves to foster technically-oriented business and job growth by providing technical services. MPI serves companies, start-ups, inventors, economic development agencies, schools, and communities through product development, product testing, manufacturing troubleshooting, third party evaluations, training, and outreach.
Gov. Mark Gordon delivers keynote remarks at the Wyoming Innovation Partnership Immersive Reality Training Conference as UWs Kyle Summerfield, event organizer, looks on. (UW Photo)

The University of Wyoming hosted an immersive reality training conference last week as part of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP).

The three-day event brought together educators from Wyoming community colleges and secondary education institutions, as well as workforce service professionals from across the state to learn about integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) resources.

Created at the request of Gov. Mark Gordon, WIP is a collaboration to align education and workforce development and support innovation, entrepreneurship and research to help drive Wyomings economy.

WIP has grown and flourished beyond what anybodys wildest imagination thought it could be, largely because people saw the potential, Gordon says. It is amazing what can be accomplished when people are asking What can we do? instead of What shouldnt we be doing? This program represents the very first of its kind, and the fact that we can provide people with tools to further their educations and reskill themselves will allow Wyoming citizens to continue participating in new opportunities for growth.

Led by Kyle Summerfield, program manager for the 3D Visualization Center in UWs School of Energy Resources (SER), the VR subcomponent of the WIP consortial infrastructure program works to expand the capacity of Wyomings higher education institutions to integrate VR technology into courses and programs; develop and create VR applications; and coordinate the deployment of these resources to maximize return on investment.

During Phase 1, Summerfield spearheaded multiple initiatives to broaden applications of VR use in education across a spectrum of disciplines and fields of study. Seventeen programs under four different tracks in development, nursing, information technology and immersive video production received funding for integrating VR and AR technologies in their educational and training programs to engage students in learning.

Phase 1 was largely focused on getting devices and software into the hands of our most engaged partners at institutions around the state, Summerfield says. While the total funding distribution was relatively small compared to the second phase, the first request for proposals was invaluable in establishing the groundwork for future projects and programs.

Phase 2 of the VR subcomponent is now focused on the implementation of that investment, making sure that the programs have what they need in terms of training and helping them make decisions about the technology to best implement VR in their programs.

While last weeks event was open to all educators, it was directed at those programs funded under Phase 1 for some initial training on the technology. Activities included discussion panels; immersive workshops; live demonstrations with technology vendors; field trips to interactive learning facilities on the UW campus; and keynote remarks by the governor and UW President Ed Seidel.

The event was incredibly successful, and we had a huge turnout from all over the state, Summerfield says. We are especially grateful to our partners at the community colleges; Ricky and Jeremy, of Chocolate Milk & Donuts; and Emily Sorenson, of Em-Powered Solutions, for helping us organize and execute this event. We hope to see everyone back again next year and will be working diligently in the meantime to ensure the success of this technology both in the classroom and the workforce.

VR will continue to play a major role in the subsequent phases of the WIP program. Phase 3 is poised to begin in July and will focus on providing the long-term sustainability to the developed programming and further coordinating efforts for long-term culture change.

For more information about WIP, visit https://wip.wyo.gov/home.
Pakistans military said Wednesday that its operations against a recent surge in terrorist attacks from Afghanistan, and cross-border militant infiltration attempts, have resulted in the killings of nearly 30 terrorists" in the last month.

The announcement came a day after a U.S. research group said in a report that "Afghanistan has become a breeding ground for terrorist activities since the Taliban regained power in 2021.

While sharing details of its ongoing counterterrorism actions, the Pakistani military said it was focused on parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan border provinces. It noted that one of the operations a week ago also led to the death of an army major.

Of late, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents orchestrated from Afghan soil, wherein terrorists from Afghanistan attempt to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and target security forces as well as innocent civilians, the statement said.

Islamabad renewed its call for Kabul to ensure effective border management on the Afghan side, saying the Taliban government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.

There was no immediate reaction from de facto Afghan authorities to Pakistans assertions. The Taliban have rejected previous such allegations, saying they are not allowing anyone to use Afghan territory to threaten neighboring countries or beyond.

Pakistan maintains that fugitive commanders and combatants of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, a designated global terrorist group, are using havens in Afghanistan to launch deadly cross-border attacks against Pakistanis, including security forces.

The Washington-based Center for a New American Security released its report Tuesday, saying the TTP and other regional militant groups are active and face few constraints on their activities from the Talibanwith whom they share core ideological beliefs.

The study warned that terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan are intensifying and an Afghan-based Islamic State affiliate, the Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, constitutes the main international concern.

It also cited a recent United Nations report that highlighted the Talibans close ties to al-Qaida operatives in Afghanistan, noting that al-Qaida leaders are now part of the Talibans administrative structure and are constructing their own training camps in the country.

On May 10, the United States hosted a bilateral counterterrorism dialogue with Pakistan, where the two sides agreed to intensify collaboration in the fight against the TTP and IS-K.

A post-meeting joint statement said the two countries recognize that a partnership to counter the TTP and IS-K and other regional terrorist groups will advance security in the region and help address transnational terrorism threats.
From deep fake videos created by artificial intelligence to social media influencers who hold sway with young people, political parties in India are using all the tools of the digital age to expand their outreach to voters as the country holds its mammoth general election.

AI-generated images, audio and videos have helped politicians connect directly with tens of thousands of voters. Stalwart political leaders who have died have been resurrected to cash in on their popularity. Deepfake videos of Bollywood stars criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi have gone viral before being taken down.

Its the first time that AI has been disseminated on such a large scale, said Divyendra Singh Jadoun, who calls himself the Indian Deepfaker and has had a packed schedule in recent months, creating synthetic content for political parties.

In a country where more than 800 million people are on the internet, how will it impact democracy?

Are these uses significant enough to actually change someones vote? That is still an unanswered question, says Prateek Waghre, executive director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights group based in New Delhi. In the Indian context, you already have political parties relying heavily on pushing certain narratives, misleading messages, etc. Over and above that, how much difference is synthetic content making is a question mark.

In a country where each parliamentary constituency has about two million voters, Jadoun and his team have created AI avatars that address voters by name to deliver personalized messages to seek their support. Then there are AI-powered chatbots that call constituents in the voices of political leaders.

Plummeting costs have made it possible to do it on a mass scale. Four years ago, it used to take us several days to create a one-minute AI video. Now anybody, even if they dont have knowledge of coding, can take one single image of a person and an audio track to create one, said Jadoun.

During the election campaign in the southern state of Tamil Nadu where voting has now concluded, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, a tall leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regional party who died in 2018, was seen in videos wearing his trademark dark glasses praising the leadership of his son, M.K. Stalin, the states current chief minister. The idea was to enthuse the party cadres.

Disinformation remains the biggest challenge. Days after Indias phased election got underway last month, two videos that went viral showed Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan criticizing the government and seeking votes for the opposition Congress Party. Both were deepfakes.

Another video alleging that opposition Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi had resigned from the party took social media by storm last month  his AI-generated cloned voice was used to support the claim.

Jadoun said that among the enquiries he receives but turns down are requests to create deep fake videos of political opponents to tarnish their reputations. A common way is to swap the face of the opponent leader and paste it on to a controversial comment he never made. The second is to clone his voice and make him say something he has never said to discredit him, he said.

Indias Election Commission has warned political parties against using AI to spread misinformation, but there is little regulation in place.

You can only create awareness among people, said Jadoun. If a video is escalating their emotions, they should pause before sharing it.

He says he labels his videos A.I. generated, and chatbots announce that they are A.I.-generated voices.

AI is also being put to softer uses. In Tamil Nadu, where Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to establish its footprint in a state far away from the Hindi heartland that the Hindu nationalists dominate, AI generated versions of Modi singing popular Tamil songs helped expand his reach, according to Muralikrishnan Chinnadurai, a fact-checker based in the state.

These were widely shared. It made people see him as a more approachable, softer leader. While it may not influence older, more politically savvy people, such content has the power to impact young voters, he said.

AI is not the only new factor in Indias election. In the country with the worlds largest number of people on both YouTube and Instagram, political parties have also mobilized influencers in a campaign to woo voters.

The BJP, a party that was always savvy in its use of social media, is seen as being ahead of others. In March, just about five weeks before the election got underway, Modi handed out awards to 24 prominent social media influencers at the countrys first-ever National Creators Award ceremony to promote "storytellers of a confident, assertive New India."

Critics saw it as an effort to coopt them in the election campaign and create an incentive for them to endorse the government.

State units of the BJP have been holding influencer meetings to persuade them to spread the message about the work the government has done. In the past year, prominent politicians and ministers have sat down with influencers for interviews.

Its a fuzzy and pretty concerning development. The challenge is that these interactions are very different from what you would expect with a journalist, said Waghre. It is going to be a very soft conversation where the politician is unlikely to be challenged on claims they make and then that message is being carried to the influencers audience exactly as the politician wants it to go.

He says this tactic is going to be hard to regulate and over time one could result in less reliance on traditional media.
In recent weeks Ukraine has intensified its appeals to the Biden administration to lift the ban on using U.S.-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of the Ukrainian parliament who recently visited Washington, said Russia is taking advantage of these restrictions.

Realizing that we do not have the right to use, for instance, HIMARS on the territory of Russia, the Russians display all their equipment along the border and use it to destroy the Kharkiv region, Ustinova told Voice of America. And we simply cannot get to them, because theres a ban on the usage of American weapons on the territory of Russia.

Last week, Ustinova and some fellow parliament members met with congressional lawmakers to advocate for the cause.

On Monday, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asking that Ukraine be allowed to use American weapons on strategic targets in Russian territory.

It is essential the Biden Administration allows Ukraines military leaders an ability to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russias unprovoked attack on their sovereign land, the letter said.

Following the 22nd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Monday, Austin indicated that theres no change in policy and that the U.S. is expecting Ukrainians to use the provided weapons within Ukrainian territory.

In my view, their focus ought to be on the close fight and making sure that they're servicing those targets that will enable success in the close fight, Austin said.

At the same time, he said the aerial dynamic is a little bit different, responding to a question about whether Ukraine can use American air defenses to hit bombers that drop glide bombs on the Kharkiv region from Russian territory.

Voice of America tried to clarify this with Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder.

We are focused on providing Ukraine with capabilities that it needs to defend itself within Ukrainian sovereign territory, he said. I'm not going to get into picking apart a bunch of different scenarios. Again, the strategic intent here is enabling Ukraine to defend itself and defend its sovereign territory.

Earlier, the former acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said the White House needed to change the policy.

If the attacks are coming directly from over the line in Russia, those bases ought to be fair game. I think it's time to give the Ukrainians more help hitting these bases inside Russia, she said in an interview with ABC News.

At least two former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine agree.

Former ambassador John Herbst, now a senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, said the restrictions make it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to defend Kharkiv, which is currently threatened by a renewed Russian offensive.

If Ukraine could strike at the Russian troops just across the border in Russia that are about to move into Ukraine, Russia would have much greater logistical problems launching this current offensive, Herbst told VOA. And if we allow Ukraine to shoot at the Russian jets that are in Russian airspace and are launching the glide bombs, fewer people in Kharkiv would be dying.

Former ambassador Steven Pifer also shares this view.

For over two years, Russia has struck military and civilian targets throughout Ukraine. Ukraine should be able to use US/Western weapons to hit Russian military forces inside Russia that support Russian forces operating in Ukraine, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told VOA the Department of Defense will continue to have conversations about Western weapons with Ukrainians, as well as international allies and partners.

He said for now, the policy remains unchanged.

If and when we have anything else to provide on that, we certainly will, he said

Tetiana Vorozhko, Kateryna Lisunova, and Maria Ulianovska of the VOA Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas militants in return for the release of hostages remains possible, but the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israeli leaders hindered ongoing efforts.

"There's been an extensive effort made in recent months to get that agreement. I think we came very, very close on a couple of occasions. Qatar, Egypt, others participating in the efforts to do this  we remain at it every single day. I think that there's still a possibility," Blinken told lawmakers during a hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

But Blinken said the "extremely wrongheaded decision" by the ICC prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister, defense minister and three Hamas leaders in Gaza for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Israel-Hamas war complicated the prospects of reaching such a deal.

On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the ICC prosecutor's decision to equate Hamas terror attacks and civilian abductions in southern Israel with Israel's military practices in Gaza, calling the ICC prosecutor's application for arrest warrants "outrageous."

Blinken said he will be happy to work with the Congress "on an appropriate response."

Some lawmakers are considering legislation to sanction ICC officials for prosecuting U.S. citizens or allies, including Israel.

The top U.S. diplomat began two days of congressional testimonies, which were immediately interrupted by protesters holding signs that read "war criminal." They were escorted out of the hearing room by Capitol Police.

Military operation in Rafah

In the nearly three-hour hearing, Blinken also said the Biden administration remains "very concerned" about a major military operation by Israel in Rafah.

The U.S. has opposed a full-scale military assault by Israel in Rafah, situated in the southern part of Gaza. Such an operation would endanger the lives of 1.3 million civilians who evacuated from the northern and central areas of the territory to seek safety from Israel's military response to Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel's military campaign has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 80,000, most of them civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The offensive was launched following a Hamas terror attack into Israel that killed 1,200 people.

US-Saudi defense pact

U.S. officials said the United States and Saudi Arabia are nearing a final agreement on a bilateral defense pact.

Once complete, it will be part of a broader deal presented to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who must decide whether to make concessions to his opposition regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state to secure normalization with Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, Blinken admitted that Israel might be reluctant to accept a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia if it requires them to agree to a Palestinian state.

In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Blinken told Democratic Senator Chris Murphy "the overall package could not go forward, absent other things that have to happen for normalization to proceed."

"And in particular," he said, "the Saudis have been very clear that would require calm in Gaza. And it would require a credible pathway to a Palestinian state. And it may well be, as you said, that in this moment, Israel is not able or willing to proceed down that pathway."

Blinken added that Israel must "decide whether it wants to proceed and take advantage of the opportunity" to achieve something that it has sought since its founding: normal relations with the countries in the region.

Netanyahu has rejected the two-state solution and the return of the Palestinian Authority controlling Gaza, demands that are widely supported by the international community.

The Saudis have demanded, as a prerequisite to normalizing ties with Israel, to see an Israeli commitment to the two-state solution.
In a newly released report, Human Rights Watch says China has been accelerating the forced relocation of Tibetan villagers and herders in the name of poverty alleviation and environmental protection since 2016.

While Chinese authorities describe the relocations as voluntary, the New York-based international rights organizations report cites more than 1,000 Chinese state media reports and government publications that it says contradict that assertion.

The news articles indicate that participation in whole-village relocation programs in Tibet is in effect compulsory, the report said, adding that many Tibetans asked to relocate express high levels of reluctance.

Chinas official data suggests that more than 930,000 Tibetans in rural areas have been relocated since 2000, and around 76% of these relocations happened since 2016, the report said.

Of that total, at least 140,000 rural Tibetans were moved as part of what authorities called whole-village relocation. In some cases, rural Tibetans are relocated to places hundreds of kilometers from their homes.

And while some Tibetan villagers are reluctant to take part in the governments relocation program initially, state media reports show how local authorities have used coercive measures, including repeated home visits, threats of punishment or the banning of criticism, to push these Tibetans to comply, the report said.

In some cases, officials of increasing seniority visit families to gain their consent [while] some official reports show [local authorities] telling residents that essential services would be cut to their current homes if they didnt move, the report wrote.

Human Rights Watch also found that higher-level authorities would routinely pressure local officials to use coercive measures to achieve the goal of relocating rural Tibetans. The higher-level authorities would routinely characterize the relocation program as a non-negotiable policy coming straight from the national capital, Beijing, or from Lhasa, the regional capital, the report said.

Maya Wang, the interim director at Human Rights Watch, told VOA that the forced relocations are part of the Chinese governments efforts to assimilate Tibetans into the majority Han Chinese society.

The whole project has an impact of transforming Tibetans way of life, Wang said, adding that the relocations undermine the Tibetan language, culture and religion.

During a press conference in 2020, Chinas State Council Information Office said 266,000 rural Tibetans had been relocated to 965 areas established by the Chinese government as part of its efforts to alleviate poverty in Tibet.

Misleading promises

In addition to the whole-village relocation, the report said around 567,000 rural Tibetans may have been relocated as part of the governments individual household relocation program since 2016.

While individual household relocation involves less coercive measures, Human Rights Watch found that officials would try to gain Tibetan families consent by providing misleading information about the economic benefits of moving to a new place.

Surveys carried out by official scholars at relocation sites in Tibet concluded that many of those relocated cannot find suitable jobs to support their families and satisfaction with relocation is low, the report said.

These Tibetans have to leave their animals and move to an area near a town where they cant farm, Robert Barnett, an expert on Tibet at King's College London, told VOA by phone.

He said in other cases, rural Tibetans are relocated to areas they are not familiar with culturally, and one of the requirements for them to find jobs in urban centers is to acquire Chinese language skills. There are lots of question marks about whether the Chinese government thought through this strategy, Barnett said.

To help Tibetans find jobs, Barnett said the Chinese government has tried to set up industries and projects for them to work on. Im not sure its a very satisfying form of income for the Tibetans, as theyve spent their entire lives being their own bosses, he told VOA.

In response to the report, the Chinese embassy in the United States said the assertion that Tibetans have been forcefully relocated is entirely groundless.

No one has been forced to become transferred laborers in Xizang [Chinas official name for Tibet] and workers of all ethnic groups in Xizang choose their professions according to their own will, Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the U.S., told VOA in a written response.

Violation of international law

Despite the Chinese governments defense of its relocation program in Tibet, Human Rights Watch said the two relocation programs and other government programs that require rural Tibetans to rebuild houses or adopt a sedentary way of life if they are nomads have affected most of the 4.55 million Tibetan population in rural areas.

While such mass relocations of residents have been occurring elsewhere in poor rural areas in China, these drives risk causing a devastating impact on Tibetan communities, the report wrote.

Maya Wang told VOA that the involuntary nature of these relocations constitutes forced eviction, which is prohibited by international law. This is a classic Chinese development behavior towards minorities that in many ways violates international human rights law, she said.

Some Tibetan activists worry that the mass relocation or displacement of Tibetan communities may eventually eradicate the Tibetan identity.

It takes many years for [a community] to flourish in one land, and you cant easily build that in a place where you are not willing to go, Tenzin Choekyi, a senior researcher at Tibet Watch, told VOA by phone.

In her view, the implementation of the relocation policies hasnt taken the Tibetan communitys opinions and thoughts into consideration. The Tibetan identity is in the hands of the Chinese party-state and is being eradicated under different policy directives, she said.
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For over four decades, Costa Rica's farmers markets have been promoting local agriculture, creating vital economic lifelines and fostering a sense of community. Donaldo Hernandez explores their enduring appeal in this story narrated by Veronica Villafane.
A Florida judge was holding a hearing Wednesday on a bid by former U.S. President Donald Trump to dismiss the charges he faces for allegedly mishandling classified documents.

The hearing is being held in Fort Pierce, Florida, before District Judge Aileen Cannon, who has already indefinitely postponed Trump's criminal trial in that case.

Trump, who is seeking to recapture the White House in November, and a co-defendant, his valet Walt Nauta, have filed separate motions with Cannon seeking to have the case thrown out.

Trump pleaded not guilty in Florida in June to the federal charges of unlawfully retaining national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.

He kept the classified files  which included records from the Pentagon, CIA and National Security Agency  unsecured at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and thwarted official efforts to retrieve them, according to the indictment.

Trump  who is currently on trial in New York, accused in a separate case of falsifying business records to pay hush money to a porn star  is not expected to attend Wednesday's proceedings.

The dismissal motion is the latest of several that Trump's lawyers have unsuccessfully filed with Cannon in a bid to have the charges tossed out.

The hearing is the first in the case since Cannon, on May 7, indefinitely postponed Trump's trial, which had been scheduled to begin this month.

Cannon, a Trump appointee, said the planned May 20 start date was not possible because of the number of pretrial motions before the court.

The postponement was a major setback for special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump, and makes it unlikely the case will be heard before the presidential election  now less than six months away.

Trump's attorneys have sought to delay his various criminal cases until after the election, when Trump could potentially have the federal charges against him dropped if he wins.

In addition to the New York and Florida cases, Trump has also been charged in Washington and Georgia with trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden, his likely November opponent.
President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to the violence-wracked Pacific territory of New Caledonia.

He is expected to arrive early Thursday.

Macrons trip to the French-controlled archipelago comes a week after deadly riots broke out over a bill introduced in the French parliament that would allow French-born residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections. Leaders of the islands pro-independence movement say the measure would dilute the voting power of the indigenous Kanak people, who have suffered under decades of discrimination.

At least six people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in the violence. Scores of homes and businesses have been looted and burned in the capital, Noumea, prompting authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew and a ban on public gatherings. The violence has also prompted the closure of schools and businesses, as well as the islands airport, which left thousands of tourists unable to leave.

Groups of Kanak protesters have set up roadblocks leading in and out of Noumea, which has prevented deliveries of food and medicine to citizens and tourists trapped in their homes and resorts.

Australia and New Zealand began sending planes to Noumea to evacuate their stranded citizens from the troubled island.

The first of two Australian military transport planes arrived at the airport to begin evacuating 300 Australian tourists.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on the social media platform X late Monday that Canberra has been cleared by France for two government assisted flights to evacuate Australians and other tourists from the archipelago. Wong added that passengers are being prioritized according to need, and that the government will continue to work on further flights.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the government there is sending a plane to Noumea to evacuate 50 of its nationals. Peters acknowledged that New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days and that bringing them home has been an urgent priority for Wellington.

France has deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to help end the unrest, with hundreds more due to arrive Tuesday.

At least 270 people have been arrested.

France agreed in 1998 to grant New Caledonia more political power and autonomy and to hold three referendums over the islands status. Voters have rejected independence in all three referendums.

Frances National Assembly approved the controversial measure last week by a vote of 351-153. The bill still must be approved in a special session of both houses of parliament next month.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
The White House gave three reasons for inviting Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday to break the 16-year drought during which no African leader has been honored with a pomp-filled state visit.

Those include the two governments' shared democratic convictions and their like-minded approach in leveraging the private sector to meet government aims.

But the primary reason, the administration's new top Africa policymaker told VOA, is Kenya's recent decision to assert itself globally by offering 1,000 peacekeepers for Haiti. The first tranche of boots on the ground are expected to hit Haitian soil this week.

"We chose Kenya for a few reasons," Frances Brown, senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, told VOA during her first media interview since taking the post. "No. 1 is the Kenya-U.S. partnership has really grown from a regionally focused one to a globally focused one. We've been really pleased by the way that Kenyans have stepped up to play leadership [roles] beyond their region."

Analysts say a state visit is a big deal.

"It is the highest diplomatic honor that our president can bestow," said Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow in the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"It's typically an indicator of a very close and important bilateral relationship. And so, elevating Kenya to the level of, let's say, a Japan, which was the most recent country to have a state visit, I think it is symbolic. And it's important for all the reasons that I just described as far as Kenya being on a level that we would give it the same privileges as one of our oldest and longest security partners, Hudson said.

Brown said the administration aims to use the visit to reach agreements in areas like technology, climate management, debt relief and health.

And on the Haiti mission, Washington has signaled its approval: with $300 million in support.

"We've been working really closely with them," Brown said. "As you may know, there's been planning underway for a number of months. It has included policing experts from around the world working to develop a concept of operations. Kenya is not going it alone."

Other priorities

Meanwhile, the Kenyan leader says his focus is on debt restructuring, and activists in the East African nation are sounding the alarm over human rights concerns.

Ruto, in Atlanta for his first stop of his four-day U.S. visit, said he'd use his time in Washington to "make a case for many countries in Africa, including Kenya, seeking to adjust international financial architecture."

"Many countries are in economic and debt distress occasioned by climate change and compounded by an unjust international financial architecture and also an imperfect multilateralism," he said.

"We now run the escalating risk of democracy and free markets being associated with poverty, and lending credit to the widespread lamentation that democracy is or has been on the retreat in many parts of the world, including Africa, Ruto added.

But human rights advocates in Nairobi told VOA they hope American leadership will also raise what they see as serious concerns, like reports of abuses by Kenyan police, who are taking the lead in the Haiti mission.

"We see this as a really excellent opportunity to focus on governance, human rights and rule of law, for many reasons," Irungu Houghton, executive director for Amnesty International Kenya, told VOA. "Both the United States and Kenya are nations that projected themselves as essentially, nations that believe in these values, and the state dinner is an opportunity really to focus on that."

Others highlight a tightening of public expression, especially over the hot-button issue of the Gaza war. Many African nations have criticized Israel's behavior in the conflict, but Kenya's government has kept largely quiet.

"Especially within the Muslim community in Kenya, we've had persons trying to protest them and to picket on this issue, but they had a very, very hard time having access to the streets, because every time they go out, the police arrest them," said Demas Kiprono, who leads the Kenyan section of the International Commission of Jurists.

Others say they hope American leadership will voice concerns over a pending Kenyan law that they say targets sexual minorities.

"It's criminalizing things even like pronouns. It's criminalizing things like using [gender] neutral toilets. It's a horrible, horrible law that is being financed by Family Watch International  that's the same organization that financed the Uganda bill and all the (LGBTQ)-related bills basically in Africa and even in the U.S.," said activist and organizer Yvonne Muthoni.

Family Watch International is a conservative Christian American lobbying group. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremist groups, says it works within the United Nations and with countries around the world to further anti-LGBT and anti-choice stances.

"We are looking at violence that is coming from this. Whether it's online or physical violence, we are seeing a rise in the number of cases that are being reported, in the number of complaints, in the rallies that are being called for. So, it is quite a scary time for Kenya right now," Muthoni said.

The view from here and there

At the White House this week, a large Kenyan flag was displayed alongside an American flag, each covering the height of an entire story of the hulking gray Eisenhower Executive Building. Workers erected massive white sails around the White House's North Portico, where the Bidens plan to formally welcome the Rutos.

Meanwhile, the day after Ruto departed Nairobi  likely traversing the new Chinese-built superhighway that cuts the city in half and ends at the airport  one had to scroll far down on news to find mention of his American jaunt.

Instead, the nation's prominent newspapers focused on issues that Kenyans wrestle with daily. The Standard's front page wrote of 850,000 new jobs last year  close to the 900,000 the World Bank says is needed to sustain economic growth in the lower middle-income country.

That coverage mirrors Kenyans' priorities, Houghton said.

"Most Kenyans are economically distressed," he said. "They are very concerned about the cost of living. Thousands of them went onto the streets last year and almost rendered the country ungovernable in certain counties because they felt that the crippling number of taxes that had been introduced were essentially not making it possible for them to survive. We've seen a deterioration in terms of the services, education, health and otherwise. ... So, there is a very clear disproportionate, I guess, energy around this visit."

Farhad Pouladi contributed to this report from the White House.
The White House will roll out the red carpet for the first African leader to be hosted for a state visit since 2008. Kenyan President William Ruto will be honored with a state dinner, the White House says. Also on the table are Nairobis aims to leverage Washingtons largesse and influence after Kenya offered to send a peacekeeping force to Haiti. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House. Larry Lazo contributed to the report.
Irans Islamist rulers have begun cracking down on expressions of happiness by their opponents over President Ebrahim Raisis death Sunday in a helicopter crash.

Raisi and other senior officials died when their helicopter crashed in bad weather in East Azerbaijan province while flying back to Iran from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning in response.

Raisi was reviled by opponents of Iran's authoritarian Islamist government for his role as a prosecutor who ordered mass killings of political prisoners in 1988 and for using his presidential powers to violently suppress a womens rights protest movement that erupted nationwide in late 2022 and continued into 2023.

Dadban, an Iran-based group of lawyers defending political prisoners and rights activists, said in a Tuesday post on the X platform that it received messages from several citizens who reported being ordered by security agencies to remove online content expressing joy at Raisis demise.

The head of Irans cyber police had warned a day earlier that authorities were carefully monitoring cyberspace" and advised citizens to refrain from publishing provocative content.

The Islamic Republics Iranian critics inside and outside Iran have flooded social media with mockery of Raisi since his death, with some posting the Persian hashtag helicotlet, a combination of the words helicopter and cutlet. Many of those critics celebrated the 2020 killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. missile strike in Baghdad by referring to him as a cutlet.

Persian social media users also posted videos appearing to show people in different parts of Iran sharing sweets and chocolates on Monday to celebrate Raisis death.

In one video sent to VOA Persian TV host Masih Alinejad and published by her on social media, a woman whose face is not shown carries a tray of sweet pastries in a public park in an unidentified part of Iran and offers them to another woman whom she approaches nearby.

In the ensuing brief conversation, one woman jokes about wanting to know the occasion for the pastries, while the other says they both know the occasion, in an apparent cryptic reference to Raisis death.

In another video posted on Telegram by a progressive student organization in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, a woman whose face also is not shown walks along a street at night, bringing a tray of sweet pastries to several bystanders who accept her celebratory offer.

VOA cannot independently verify the circumstances of the celebratory videos, as it is barred from reporting inside Iran.

The mother of a teenage boy fatally wounded by Tehran security forces in September 2022 as he joined nationwide protests expressed her defiance of the late Raisi more openly.

In a video message posted to Instagram on Monday, Abolfazl Amir Ataeis mother, Maryam, said Raisis death is a result of the groans of myself and other mothers whose children you killed.

Dadban said Iranian security officers also took punitive action against political prisoners who rejoiced over Raisis death in ward 15 of the city of Karajs central penitentiary, transferring them to an unknown location.

Iran-based journalist Manizheh Moazen said authorities also targeted her in the crackdown. Writing Tuesday on X, she said the government prosecutors office for culture and media has opened a new case against her because of how she reacted to Raisis death.

Iranian American human rights lawyer and Atlantic Council analyst Gissou Nia told VOAs Afghan Service that the celebratory acts seen in Iran since Raisis death stem from his extraordinary unpopularity.

He was a perpetrator of crimes against humanity and atrocity crimes in every decade of the Islamic Republic. His policies led to extreme violence on women and a nationwide outcry, Nia said.

Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic in the diaspora engaged in more public celebratory activities in major Western cities.

On Monday, Iranians waving pre-Islamic Republic Iranian flags danced to music outside Iranian diplomatic missions in London, Copenhagen, The Hague and Hamburg.

There were similar scenes in midtown Toronto on Monday, and in Stockholm and Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Mehrzad Zarei, a Toronto-based father who lost his son in Irans 2020 shootdown of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 over Tehran, told a VOA Persian reporter that Raisis death in the helicopter crash was sweet but not what he had most wanted to see.

Deep in my heart, I was wishing to see Iranian officials who have committed crimes  like Raisi who was known as the 'executioner of Evin [prison]' and killed many of our loved ones  being prosecuted and tried in a fair court, Zarei said.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA Persian Service journalists Niusha Boghrati, Behrooz Samadbeygi and Behrang Rahbari, who reported from Toronto. Zheela Noori of VOAs Afghan Service also contributed.
Iran's supreme leader and representatives of militia groups he backs in the Middle East prayed Wednesday over the coffins of the country's late president, foreign minister and other officials killed in a helicopter crash earlier this week. Hundreds of thousands of people later followed a procession honoring the dead down Tehran's main boulevard.

Iran's Shiite theocracy views mass demonstrations as crucial evidence of its legitimacy and the people's support.

Still, Wednesday's funeral service for President Ebrahim Raisi and others saw a turnout that onlookers described as noticeably lower than the 2020 procession honoring Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

Many of the participants said they came to Tehran for the ceremony from other cities and towns across the Islamic Republic, an indication of how those in Iran's capital viewed Raisi, who won the presidency in a record low turnout and later oversaw repeated crackdowns on dissent  including in the wake of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which sparked street protests over Iran's mandatory hijab, or headscarf.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had openly wept for Soleimani, also remained composed while reciting the standard prayer for the dead.

"Oh Allah, we didn't see anything but good from him," Khamenei said in Arabic, the language of Islam's holy book, the Quran. Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly cried.

The death of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in the crash on Sunday comes at a politically sensitive moment for Iran, both at home and abroad.

Raisi, who was 63, had been discussed as a possible successor to Iran's supreme leader, the 85-year-old Khamenei. None of Iran's living past presidents  other than Khamenei, who was president from 1981 until 1989  could be seen in state television footage of Wednesday's prayers. The authorities gave no explanation for their apparent absence.

Following the deadly helicopter crash, Iran set June 28 as the next presidential election. For now, there's no clear favorite for the position among Iran's political elite  particularly no one who is a Shiite cleric, as Raisi was.

During Raisi's term in office, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel last month as its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip continued. Iran has supported Hamas throughout the war and provided weaponry to the militants.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attended the prayers Wednesday morning, just two days after the International Criminal Court's prosecutor said he would seek an arrest warrant for him and others over the October 7 attack that sparked the latest Israel-Hamas war. In the unprecedented assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and seized 250 hostages.

The ICC prosecutor is also seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their conduct in the war, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and hundreds in the West Bank.

Haniyeh recounted Raisi telling him this year that the October 7 attack was an "earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity." In a later meeting with Khamenei, the supreme leader told Haniyeh that the "destruction of the Zionist regime is feasible and, God willing, the day in which Palestine will be created from the sea to river will arrive."

Haniyeh's presence likely signaled Khamenei intends to continue his policy of arming militant groups in the wider Mideast  including Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels  to pressure adversaries such as Israel and the United States. Mourners at the ceremony chanted: "Death to Israel!"

Hezbollah and Houthi representatives were also in attendance.

Statesmen from the Mideast and beyond, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Tunisian President Kais Saied, attended a later memorial service.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was there. Cairo and Tehran have been discussing reestablishing ties severed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A single black turban was placed over Raisi's casket during the morning service, which signifies he was considered a direct descendent of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. People then carried the coffins out on their shoulders as chants of "Death to America!" erupted outside.

People openly wept during the procession and beat their chests, a common sign of grief in the Shiite culture. They tossed scarves and other possessions up to the semitruck driving the caskets through Tehran, with coffin attendants brushing the items against the caskets in a gesture of blessing.

One man said he and his friends took a nearly seven-hour bus trip to attend the procession. Many expressed their sympathies for the dead, including Raisi.

"He was our president, the others were pilots and a minister, how can I be indifferent about their loss?" asked Sima Rahmani, a 27-year-old Tehran woman wearing a loose headscarf despite the risk of detention by police.

Prosecutors have warned people against showing any public signs of celebrating Raisi's death, and a heavy security force presence has been seen in Tehran since the crash. Many shops and stores noticeably remained open while some took off early for a long weekend despite bulk text messages and state TV broadcasting times for the procession.

"I did not vote for Raisi in 2021 election, but he was the president of all people," said Morteza Nemati, a 28-year-old physics student at Tehran Azad University. "My presence is a way of paying tribute to him."

Meanwhile, an Iranian official offered a new accounting of Sunday's crash, further fueling the theory that bad weather had led to it. Gholamhossein Esmaili, who traveled in one of the two other helicopters in Raisi's entourage, told state TV that weather had been fine when the aircraft took off. But Raisi's helicopter disappeared into heavy clouds, and the others couldn't reach the aircraft by radio.

The Friday prayer leader from the city of Tabriz, Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, who was also on board, somehow answered two mobile phone calls after the crash, saying he was hurt, Esmaili said.

It wasn't clear why Iran could not at that point track the phone signal. A Turkish drone helped find the crash site. Tehran had even asked the United States, its longtime foe, for help.

"The conditions of the bodies found showed that they [died] immediately after the incident," Esmaili said. "But Ayatollah Ale-Hashem [died] a few hours after the incident."
Ireland, Norway and Spain each announced their intention Wednesday to recognize Palestinian statehood, citing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and a need to achieve a two-state solution for lasting peace in the region.

The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said. The war is the lowest point in the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation in the Middle East has not been this grave for many years.

Israel quickly denounced the diplomatic declarations by the three countries, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that Hamas had won a prize for terrorism.

He said a Palestinian nation would be a terrorist state. It would try to carry out the October 7 massacre again and again - and that, we shall not agree to.

Norway said there is broad international consensus about the need for a two-state solution, including an overwhelming vote at the U.N. General Assembly this month to recognize the Palestinians as qualified to join the world body.

Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the decision was based on peace, justice and coherence.

Time has come to move from words into action, Sanchez said.

The three countries said their recognition of Palestinian statehood will take effect May 28.

Watch report by Henry Ridgwell:

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, called it a wonderful moment. This European wave, hopefully, will be followed by other waves.

In Washington, the White House National Security Council said President Joe Biden is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career.

However, it said Biden believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz immediately announced the recall of Israels ambassadors from all three countries that recognized a Palestinian state.

"History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to Hamas murderers and rapists," Katz said.

Katz said recognizing a Palestinian state is a reward to Hamas and Iran, and an injustice to the memory of those killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages.

Israels subsequent seven-month counter-offensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 civilians and combatants, although the Gaza Health Ministry says most of the dead are women and children.

Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security, Katz said.

Ireland's prime minister, Simon Harris, said Ireland unequivocally recognizes Israel and its right to exist "securely and in peace with its neighbors." Harris called for all the hostages currently being held by Hamas in Gaza to be released.

Harris pointed to Ireland's own history and the importance of getting recognition from other nations.

The vision for a Palestinian state put forward by Norway is not one led by the Hamas militants who have ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, but one derived from the Palestinian Authority in charge of parts of the West Bank.

Norways Stre said the situation in the Middle East has not been this grave for many years, and that recognizing a Palestinian state is a way of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict.

In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security, Stre said.

Aid suspension

The United Nations has suspended food distribution in Rafah on Gazas southern border due to depleted supplies and insecurity.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday the distribution centers of the World Food Program and UNRWA, the agency for Palestinian refugees, are inaccessible because of the ongoing Israeli military operation in Rafah.

About 1.1 million people face high levels of hunger, the U.N. said. The Rafah crossing into Egypt, once the main entrance for aid, has been closed since May 6, and no aid trucks have crossed the U.S.-built floating pier in two days, the U.N. said.

A WFP spokesperson said the humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse. Abeer Etefa warned that if food and other supplies dont resume entering Gaza in massive quantities, famine-like conditions will spread.

In addition, UNRWA said its health centers have not received any medical supplies in 10 days, but its health care staff still conducts medical consultations at its centers that remain open.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Since Hamas launched a terror attack Oct. 7 on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, Israel has embarked on an offensive to eliminate Hamas from Gaza.

Earlier this month, Israel's government offered its first estimate of the operation's death toll, saying its troops have killed 14,000 terrorists and 16,000 civilians.

In Gaza, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health says 35,000 people have died, and that it has fully identified nearly 25,000 of the dead.

The death toll supplied by Hamas does not distinguish between combatants and civilian deaths. Hamas maintains that most of those casualties so far are women and children.

Israel has sharply criticized outside media outlets for uncritically reporting the Hamas tolls and said its own numbers are more reliable.

"Israel has repeatedly stated that the numbers coming out of Gaza, which are being echoed by U.N. agencies, have been manipulated by the Hamas terrorist organization," Oren Marmorstein, Israel Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said last week.

The numbers "are not accurate, and they do not reflect the reality on the ground," he added.

When asked about the accuracy of the Palestinian casualty estimates, World Health Organization spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva last week that there is "nothing wrong with the data."

"The fact we now have 25,000 identified people is a step forward," he said.
With one end of a rope tied to a tree and the other in her hand, Zareena Bibi steps into the canal that cuts through Lahore, Pakistans major eastern metropolis. Bibi does not know how to swim, but with the mercury rising, a dip in the muddy water of the tree-lined canal is the only way for her to cool off with her kids.

It is such a relief. How do I describe? It feels very good, Bidi told VOA. We were so hot, children were crying so we came to bathe in the canal, she said, complaining of a lack of electricity and running water at home.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department, or PMD, has predicted heat wave conditions until May 27 in most of the country, with parts of Punjab and Sindh  the two most populous provinces  slated to experience extreme heat.

May is usually a hot month. But this time we are expecting temperatures to hit 50 to 51 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in some parts, Mahr Sahibzad Khan, director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told VOA. The sudden rise in temperatures has forced us to alert everyone.

The PMD expects daytime temperatures to soar by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above Mays average. Khan, however, told VOA he did not expect the severe heat to be deadly.

Still, authorities in Punjab closed schools for the week. Earlier, they reduced school timing and delayed board exams.

Provincial disaster management authorities in Punjab and Sindh have ordered hospitals to set up heat wave units to treat people for heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heatstroke.

In 2022 and 2018, unusually high temperatures between March and May killed dozens, mostly in Sindh. In 2015, more than a thousand people in the southern province perished due to heat-related illnesses.

The high temperatures not only affect lives, but livelihoods as well.

Rana Asif, a farmer with land in Okara, a city in Punjab, is watering his rice and corn crops more frequently this week to keep them from drying.

We are forced to water our crops daily with cool, fresh water from the ground, Rana, who usually waters his fields every other day, told VOA. This is driving my cost up.

Extreme heat in South Asia during the pre-monsoon season is becoming more frequent, according to the World Weather Attribution group of scientists. According to its research, climate change is making heat waves in Asia more frequent and extreme.

The latest spell of high heat, the second this month according to PMD, comes on the heels of the wettest April that Pakistan recorded in six decades. The above-average rainfall killed dozens and destroyed vast areas of farmland.

Khan, too, held climate change responsible for the extreme spikes in temperature.

High pressure and clear skies intensify the impact of the suns rays.  because of climate change, this phenomenon feels more intense, Khan said.

While Pakistan contributes extremely little to climate change, it is among countries most vulnerable to the impact of changing weather patterns. However, Khan also blamed Pakistans urban sprawl for the miserable weather.

The bigger problem is that cities are expanding horizontally. This is leading to the erosion of green areas. Even grass has a role, Khan said. You are losing that [green cover] and cities are expanding. Of course, that is causing problems.

Despite high heat accelerating glacial melt, Khan said his department is not expecting floods anytime soon.

We dont expect flooding as our reservoirs have plenty of room at the moment. Even if more water comes down we have space to store it, Khan said, cautioning that if the monsoon component is added to it and temperatures also run high then we can have flooding.

In 2022, Pakistan suffered catastrophic flooding as unusually heavy rains, blamed largely on climate change, submerged nearly a third of the country and caused $30 billion in damage.

Authorities are urging people to stay indoors and hydrated during the hottest hours of the day this week. But Khursheeda Bibi, who commutes for nearly 1.5 hours every day to her job as a cleaning lady at a private hospital, said she must step out to earn a living for her children.

Its so difficult to travel, Bibi, a widow, told VOA. But when I think that I have to do it for my children, then the heat doesnt feel so bad.

The PMD expects the heat wave to subside by May 28. However, another spell of extreme heat is slated to hit early June.
A relief plane landed in Singapore early Wednesday morning carrying most of the passengers and crew who flew on a Singapore Airlines jetliner that was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok Tuesday after encountering violent turbulence.

A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack during the incident, with at least 71 others injured.

Singapore Airlines says Flight SQ321 was cruising over Myanmars Irrawaddy Basin about 10 hours into the flight from London to the city-state when it was hit by sudden severe turbulence. The Boeing 777 jetliner dropped from an altitude of about 11,300 meters to about 9,400 meters in three to five minutes before it landed in Bangkok.

Witnesses described a violent scene inside the plane during the turbulence, with passengers thrown about the cabin and slamming their heads into the overhead luggage compartments, some of them so hard it shattered the panels and caused the emergency oxygen masks to fall.

More than 140 of the 211 passengers and crew of Flight SQ321 were greeted by Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong and their family members when they arrived at the city-states Changi Airport. About 79 passengers and six crew members remained in Bangkok, including 71 people who had been hospitalized.

The British national who died has been identified by the BBC and other news outlets as Geoff Kitchen, who was involved in local amateur theater. He was traveling to Singapore for a long vacation with his wife.

Goh apologized to the passengers for the traumatic experience they endured in a video message posted on social media and expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.

The passenger list included several nationals from Australia, Britain, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

A 2021 study conducted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of all accidents on commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018.

Turbulence, defined as chaotic changes in air pressure, can be caused by many factors, including unstable weather patterns that trigger storms. The most dangerous is clear air turbulence, which is difficult to detect.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.


Russia's top arms control diplomat dismissed as "fake news" on Wednesday an assertion by the United States that Russia had launched a weapon into low-Earth orbit that was capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites.

The Kremlin has flatly denied assertions by U.S. officials that Moscow is developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

U.S. Space Command on Tuesday pointed to the launch earlier this month of a Soyuz rocket from Russia's Plesetsk launch site, saying it likely involved "a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit."

Russia's defense ministry said the May 17 launch had a spacecraft on board but gave no details what it was for.

"I don't think we should respond to any fake news from Washington," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

"The Americans can say whatever they want but our policy does not change from this," said Ryabkov, adding that Moscow had "always consistently opposed the deployment of strike weapons in low-Earth orbit".

President Vladimir Putin and then-defense minister Sergei Shoigu denied U.S. assertions in February that Russia was developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon designed to disrupt everything from military communications to phone-based ride services.

U.S. Space Command said the May launch, which it dates as May 16, included COSMOS 2576, a type of Russian military "inspector" spacecraft that U.S. officials have long said exhibits reckless space behavior.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined specific comment on the U.S. assertion but said Russia acted in full accordance with international law.

"We are not violating anything. We have repeatedly advocated a ban on the deployment of any weapons into space. Unfortunately, our initiatives were rejected, including by the United States," Peskov told reporters.

U.S. intelligence agencies had been expecting the launch of COSMOS 2576 and informed allies of their assessment of the satellite before its deployment in space, according to a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence. The launch also included civilian satellites deployed to different orbits.

COSMOS 2576, as of Tuesday, has not gone near a U.S. satellite, but space analysts observed it to be in the same orbital ring as USA 314, a bus-sized NRO satellite launched in April 2021.

Ryabkov said Russia's space program was developing as planned, including tasks aimed at strengthening defense capability but added that "this is also not news."

He said the United States was wrong to have dismissed Russian proposals on strengthening the security of space activities, including a proposal on developing a treaty on preventing an arms race in space.
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the 200th federal judge of President Joe Biden's tenure, about a month earlier than when Donald Trump hit that mark in his term, though Trump still holds the edge when it comes to the most impactful confirmations  those to the Supreme Court and the country's 13 appellate courts.

The march to 200 culminated with the confirmation of Angela Martinez as a district court judge in Arizona. The milestone reflects the importance that Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, placed on judicial confirmations after Trump put his enormous stamp on the federal judiciary with the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices.

"Reaching 200 judges is a major milestone," Schumer said just before the 66-28 vote. "Simply put, our 200 judges comprise the most diverse slate of judicial nominations under any president in American history."

The current pace of judicial confirmations for this White House came despite Biden, a Democrat, coming into office in 2021 with far fewer vacancies, particularly in the influential appellate courts, than Trump, a Republican, did in 2017.

"There is more work to do," Biden said in a statement after the vote. "Going forward, I will continue my solemn responsibility of nominating individuals who have excelled in their professional careers, who reflect the communities they serve and who apply the law impartially and without favoritism."

It's unclear whether Biden can eclipse his predecessor's 234 judges before the year ends, though.

Democrats have solidly backed the president's judicial nominees, but there have been some cracks in that resolve in recent weeks. Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said he would not support nominees who do not have some bipartisan support, and the two Democratic senators from Nevada are opposing a nominee who would become the nation's first Muslim appellate court judge. They did so after some law enforcement groups came out against the nomination.

The White House is aware of the obstacles as they rush to surpass Trump's accomplishment. It's a high water mark that remains a point of pride for the former president and senior Republicans who made it happen, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Filling dozens of judicial vacancies requires time on the Senate floor calendar, which becomes more scarce as senators in the narrowly divided chamber shift into election-year campaign mode.

Of the more than 40 current judicial vacancies nationwide, half are in states with two Republican senators. That matters because for district court judges, home-state senators still can exercise virtual veto power over a White House's nominations due to a long-standing Senate tradition.

White House officials say they have no illusions about the challenges they face but feel reaching 235 is possible. That doesn't please Republicans.

"Unfortunately, they learned from our example about prioritizing lifetime appointments," said Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican. Meanwhile, liberal advocacy groups are thrilled with the results so far.

"I just cannot rave enough about these judges," said Jake Faleschini, who leads nominations work at the Alliance for Justice. "It's been nothing short of transformative of the federal judiciary in terms of both excellence, but also demographic and professional diversity."

At this stage in his term, Trump had two Supreme Court justices and 51 appellate court judges confirmed to lifetime appointments. Biden has tapped one Supreme Court justice and 42 appellate court judges. Biden has more confirmations of the district judges who handle civil and criminal cases. Those nominations tend to be less hard fought.

Biden has emphasized adding more female and minority judges to the federal bench. On that front, 127 of the 200 judges confirmed to the bench are women. Fifty-eight are Black and 36 are Hispanic, according to Schumer's office. Thirty-five judges are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, more than any other administration, according to the White House.

In the appellate courts, 30 of the 42 circuit judges confirmed during Biden's term are women, according to the White House. Thirteen Black women have been chosen as circuit judges, more than all previous administrations combined.

Under Biden, more Hispanic judges have been confirmed to the appellate courts than any other administration.

As abortion access remains a vital priority for the Biden administration and a key argument for the president's reelection bid, the White House also points to several judges with backgrounds on the issue. They include Judge Julie Rikelman of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, who before her nomination argued on behalf of the abortion clinic in Dobbs v. Jackson, the 2022 ruling that dismantled Roe v. Wade; and Nicole Berner, a former attorney at Planned Parenthood who now serves on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Conservatives say it is fine to have diversity, but that should not be the focus.

"I think the right standard isn't trying to check boxes with nominees, but to try to find the men and women who are going to be faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law," said Carrie Severino, president of JCN, a conservative group that worked to boost support for Trump's nominees.

About a one-quarter of the judges Trump nominated were women and about 1 in 6 were minorities, according to the Pew Research Center.

Asked about the diversity of Biden's nominees, GOP senators said there was too much focus on "identity politics."

"I'm interested in competent lawyers who will administer justice fairly. Now, there are women that can do that. There are men that can do that. There are people of color that can do that," said Senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. "But their primary characteristic that they're proudest of is racial identify or gender identify, and activist. And I just don't think that's what the American people want to see in their justice system."

Proponents of diversifying the federal judiciary counter that people who come before the court have more trust in the legal process when they see people who look like them. They said it's important to diversify the professional backgrounds of judges, too, so that more public defenders and those with a civil rights or non-profit background are considered.

"The American people deserve federal judges who not only look like America, but understand the American experience from every angle," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat.
Former President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen left office May 20, passing the baton to her Democratic Progress Partys (DPP) successor, Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai.

Analysts say her time as leader of self-ruled Taiwan saw it gain international support for a peaceful Taiwan Strait despite an increasingly assertive China  a legacy they hope President Lai can maintain.

Tsai was Taiwans first female leader and one of the few top female leaders in Asia and she ushered in some of the regions most liberal laws on LGBTQ rights. Yet analysts say her foremost legacy will be the international attention and support she brought to Taiwan.

Hung-Jen Wang, a professor of politics at Taiwans National Cheng Kung University, tells VOA that Tsai's biggest achievement was her effectiveness in getting major nations to consider and confront the possibility of China using force against Taiwan and the global impact that would be caused by conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

"President Tsai has made it clearer to everyone that the stability of the Taiwan Strait issue is not Taiwan's issue, nor is it an issue of internal affairs between Taiwan and China, but (relevant to) everyone's national interests," Wang said.

Since the 2021 Summit of the Group of Seven (G7) publicly used the phrase "the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" for the first time, the phrase has become an indispensable part of the joint communiques of the G7 group of economically advanced democracies. The group is Britain, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

Beijing claims Taiwan is a breakaway province that must one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which President Vladimir Putin has similarly claimed as part of Russia, and Moscows close ties with Beijing, have further underscored concerns that China could follow Russias lead in seizing territory by force.

China has in the past couple years increased its cross-straits threats, including military exercises, sending scores of suspected spy balloons over Taiwan, and interfering in its election with threats. Tsai increased military spending and submarine development to better defend Taiwan if China attacks.

Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center and the Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, tells VOA history will be kind to Tsai, who took Beijings saber-rattling in stride.

I think that she has been stable, steady, pragmatic, (and) principled. She has helped create conditions that have allowed Taiwan to attract more support from the rest of the international community than at any previous time. And really sort of pushed back against the notion that Taiwan can be isolated and intimidated by Beijing, Hass said, adding that he hopes that Tsais successor will carry forward the legacy of what she has left off.

Tsai and Lai both support Taiwans status quo. Though Lai has in the past been an outspoken supporter of Taiwan independence, he has in the last few years softened his tone.

But Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office on Monday still denounced Lai as a worker for Taiwan independence."

Michael Cunningham, a research fellow in The Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, said China didnt see Tsai as moderate, either.

China has refused to engage officially in talks, but she has been very pragmatic, Cunningham told VOA. In fact, all parties essentially have the same general approach to China now, which is to preserve stability, preserve de facto sovereignty. Don't rock the boat, which is very important."

China has, however, engaged in talks with leaders of Taiwans opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, who blame Tsai and Lai for stoking cross-straits tensions with Beijing.

During Tsais eight years in office, China convinced almost half of the nations that were recognizing Taiwan as a country to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing. Only 11, mainly small island nations and the Vatican, recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation.

Despite the lost recognition, analysts say Tsai successfully pushed trade and unofficial relationships that garnered more support for Taiwans status quo as a self-governing democracy.

Cunningham told VOA Tsai managed to make Taiwan well-known on the international stage. ...And in that way, she's done a great job for Taiwan diplomatically, he said. However, I hope President-elect Lai and his administration will be able to do a better job of holding on to the official diplomatic partners."

Lai inherits a politically divided Taiwan with the KMT wanting to engage with China and weaken his presidency.

Despite the tensions, Yao-Yuan Yeh, a professor at the University of St. Thomas, told VOA in a phone interview that Taiwan has already chosen its future.

"Tsai Ing-wen's biggest effort in the past eight years has been to help Taiwan choose the side of the United States in the environment of confrontation between the United States and China, Yeh said. That is, Taiwan will stand on the same front as democratic countries in the future."

Lai inherits an unprecedented third term in a row for the DPP, coming off of high ratings for his predecessor.

The latest survey released by Taiwan's TVBS Polling Center last week showed that Tsai's policy satisfaction before leaving office was 42%, 19 percentage points higher than former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou's 23% and 29 percentage points higher than previous DPP President Chen Shui-bian's 13%.

As for Tsais role after the presidency, Taiwanese media reports say she plans to organize an international think tank to continue advocating for Taiwan.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that the United States needs to allow Ukraine to prosecute the war in the way they see fit, when it comes to how Ukraine uses U.S.-provided weapons in its war against Russia.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its appeals to the Biden administration to lift the ban on using U.S.-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

When asked about the issue by VOA Wednesday, Johnson replied, They [Ukraine] need[s] to be able to fight back. And I think us trying to micromanage the effort there is not a good policy for us.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of the Ukrainian parliament who recently visited Washington, said Russia is taking advantage of U.S. restrictions on how Ukraine uses U.S.-provided weapons.

Realizing that we do not have the right to use, for instance, HIMARS [rocket launchers] on the territory of Russia, the Russians display all their equipment along the border and use it to destroy the Kharkiv region, Ustinova told VOA. And we simply cannot get to them, because theres a ban on the usage of American weapons on the territory of Russia.

Last week, Ustinova and some fellow members of parliament met with congressional lawmakers to advocate for a change in policy.

On Monday, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking that Ukraine be allowed to use American weapons on strategic targets in Russian territory.

It is essential the Biden Administration allows Ukraines military leaders an ability to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russias unprovoked attack on their sovereign land, the letter said.

Following the 22nd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Monday, Austin indicated that theres no change in policy and that the United States is expecting Ukrainians to use the provided weapons within Ukrainian territory.

In my view, their focus ought to be on the close fight and making sure that they're servicing those targets that will enable success in the close fight, Austin said.

At the same time, he said, The aerial dynamic is a little bit different, responding to a question about whether Ukraine can use American air defenses to hit bombers that drop glide bombs on the Kharkiv region from Russian territory.

VOA tried to clarify this with Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder.

We are focused on providing Ukraine with capabilities that it needs to defend itself within Ukrainian sovereign territory, he said. I'm not going to get into picking apart a bunch of different scenarios. Again, the strategic intent here is enabling Ukraine to defend itself and defend its sovereign territory.

Former Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, now a senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, said the restrictions make it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to defend Kharkiv, which is currently under threat by a renewed Russian offensive.

If Ukraine could strike at the Russian troops just across the border in Russia that are about to move into Ukraine, Russia would have much greater logistical problems launching this current offensive, Herbst told VOA. And if we allow Ukraine to shoot at the Russian jets that are in Russian airspace and are launching the glide bombs, fewer people in Kharkiv would be dying.

Former Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer also shares this view.

For 2+ years, Russia has struck military and civilian targets throughout Ukraine. Ukraine should be able to use US/Western weapons to hit Russian military forces inside Russia that support Russian forces operating in Ukraine, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Pentagon's Ryder said the Department of Defense will continue to have conversations about Western weapons with Ukrainians, as well as international allies and partners.

Ryder said that for now, the policy remains unchanged.

If and when we have anything else to provide on that, we certainly will, he said.

Tetiana Vorozhko, Kateryna Lisunova, and Maria Ulianovska of the VOA Ukrainian Service contributed to this report.
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma on Tuesday, seeking to block a law that aims to impose criminal penalties on those living in the state illegally.

The lawsuit in federal court in Oklahoma City challenges a law that makes it a state crime  punishable by up to two years in prison  to live in Oklahoma without legal immigration status. Similar laws passed in Texas and Iowa already are facing challenges from the Justice Department.

Oklahoma is among several Republican-led states jockeying to push deeper into immigration enforcement as Republicans and Democrats seize on the issue. Other bills targeting migrants have been passed this year in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

The Justice Department says the Oklahoma statute violates the U.S. Constitution and is asking the court to declare it invalid and bar the state from enforcing it.

"Oklahoma cannot disregard the U.S. Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent," U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division, said in a statement. "We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration."

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt called the bill necessary, saying the Biden administration is failing to secure the nation's borders.

"Not only that, but they stand in the way of states trying to protect their citizens," Stitt said in a statement.

The federal action was expected, as the Department of Justice warned Oklahoma officials last week the agency would sue unless the state agreed not to enforce the new law.

In response, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond called the DOJ's preemption argument "dubious at best" and said that while the federal government has broad authority over immigration, it does not have "exclusive power" on the subject.

"Oklahoma is exercising its concurrent and complementary power as a sovereign state to address an ongoing public crisis within its borders through appropriate legislation," Drummond wrote in a letter to the DOJ. "Put more bluntly, Oklahoma is cleaning up the Biden Administration's mess through entirely legal means in its own backyard  and will resolutely continue to do so by supplementing federal prohibitions with robust state penalties."

Texas was allowed to enforce a law similar to Oklahoma's for only a few confusing hours in March before it was put on hold by a federal appeals court's three-judge panel. The panel heard arguments from supporters and opponents in April and will next issue a decision on the law's constitutionality.

The Justice Department filed another lawsuit earlier this month seeking to block an Iowa law that would allow criminal charges to be brought against people who have outstanding deportation orders or who previously have been removed from or denied admission to the United States.

The law in Oklahoma has prompted several large protests at the state Capitol that included immigrants and their families voicing concern that their loved ones will be racially profiled by police.

"We feel attacked," said Sam Wargin Grimaldo, an immigration attorney who attended a rally last month wearing a shirt that read, "Young, Latino and Proud."

"People are afraid to step out of their houses if legislation like this is proposed and then passed," he said.

The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and the Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders issued a joint statement earlier this month saying they weren't involved in drafting the bill and raised concerns that it would put crime victims at risk because they might fear reporting to law enforcement.

"This law has the potential to destroy the connections and relationships we have built within our local immigrant communities and set us back for many years to come," they said.
U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump continued on their paths toward party nominations Tuesday, while a handful of other notable preliminary elections took center stage.

The Democratic incumbent and his Republican challenger easily won their respective party elections in the southeastern state of Kentucky and the northwestern state of Oregon just weeks ahead of their first of two planned debates. The race between Biden and Trump is a rematch of the 2020 election, which Trump has falsely claimed was manipulated to prevent him from defeating Biden.

In the western state of California, Republican state Assemblyman Vince Fong won the special election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who resigned in December after 16 years in the seat. McCarthy stepped down when hardline Republican conservatives mounted a successful campaign to remove him as speaker after just nine months in office.

Fong, who once served on McCarthys staff, defeated Mike Boudreaux, a local sheriff, in Tuesdays special election to serve out the rest of McCarthys term. The two men advanced to a second round of voting after becoming the top two finishers in a March 19 special election. Fong and Boudreaux will face each other again in the November general election for a full two-year term.

In the southeastern state of Georgia, Fani Willis won the Democratic primary election for re-election as district attorney, or chief prosecutor, of Fulton County, which includes the state capital Atlanta.

Willis is prosecuting Trump and 18 others on charges of election interference in the 2020 election, including engaging in a so-called fake electors scheme and Trumps personal phone call to state election officials in January 2021 asking them to find him 11,780 votes, one more than Bidens margin of victory, so Trump could declare victory in the state.

Willis was embroiled in a brief controversy earlier this year after it was revealed she had a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she hired. An attempt by a group of defendants to have Willis disqualified from the case ended with the judge allowing her to remain, but only if Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor, resigned. But the states appeals court has agreed to review an appeal of the judges order from Trump and several of his co-defendants.

Williss Republican challenger will be attorney Courtney Kramer, who served in the Trump White House and on Trumps 2020 re-election campaign. Willis is considered the favorite to win re-election in the deeply Democratic-controlled county.

Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the former presidents case, won the nonpartisan election to remain in his seat on the Fulton County Superior Court.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.


Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi says targeted sanctions imposed by the West on ruling Zanu PF officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, are forcing desperate Zimbabweans to commit crime in the neighboring country.

Masisi made these remarks at an event to handover cattle to compensate victims of cross-border livestock rustling in Mabolwe, a village near the Zimbabwean border.

He said those who cross into Botswana to commit crime, mostly do so due to the adverse effects of the sanctions.

There is rampant cattle rustling between the two countries common border, with Masisis government compensating villagers with more than 2,800 animals worth P35 million (US$3 million).

Its critical that I thank President Mnangagwa, my counterpart. He did his best to assist. We are friends with Zimbabwe, but some, including in our own parliament, dont understand why we are friends with Zimbabwe. Previously our administration would openly chastise Zimbabwe. But I will not do that. Zimbabweans are our relatives and you dont criticize your neighbor in that way, Masisi said.

The president said if he didnt handle the issue of livestock rustling in a diplomatic manner, it is likely the challenge would still persist.

However, Masisi said he will never allow Batswana to be harassed in their own country. Cattle rustlers crossing from Zimbabwe reportedly unleashed a reign of terror in often violent clashes with locals as they move in groups armed with machetes, among others.

Meanwhile, Masisi criticized the West for imposing targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe.

There are some countries that have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, believing there are certain governance issues that are not being done well. Even here (in Botswana), we have some who believe that and say there is no rule of law, there is dictatorship in Zimbabwe and that as Botswana we should openly voice our concern. But I will not do that. I will have a civil engagement with Zimbabwe, he said.

Masisi said, If you have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, who are our neighbours (and) if your neighbor does not have salt, they ask for salt from you. If your neighbours children are hungry and you are not around, the naughty ones get in and steal. Zimbabweans come here and steal in order to survive. They dont do it to get rich, but to put something in their stomach.

Masisi urged countries that have imposed targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe to engage in dialogue in order to find common ground.

We dont agree with the sanctions. If you have differences with someone, talk to him. I am happy that countries like America listened to my plea to remove sanctions. We plead with the western countries to lift sanctions.
Mqondisi Dube

GABORONE, BOTSWANA  Southern African leaders have launched a $5.5 billion humanitarian aid appeal as the region faces acute grain shortages due to El Nino-induced droughts.

Leaders from the regions bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met Monday to deliberate on the crisis following widespread drought and flooding that has left millions without enough to eat.

In a communique released after the virtual meeting, leaders from 15 SADC member states agreed to launch an appeal to help affected populations.

The leaders said the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal will augment domestic resources in response to the impact of El Nino weather patterns.

El Nino resulted in warmer and drier conditions, leading to record-breaking droughts across the region in 2023 and the beginning of 2024.

SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi said the humanitarian appeal will be revised in August as more member states finalize their assessments on the impact of El Nino and look toward an expected change to the La Nina weather pattern later this year.

"Summit called member states to be proactive and strengthen anticipatory action programs to mitigate climate risks such as the La Nina phenomenon, which is projected for the 2024-2025 season, Magosi said.

Magosi said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization have pledged a combined $43 million toward the humanitarian appeal.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who chaired the Monday meeting, appealed to the international community to respond.

This is a very important step taken by the organization (SADC) by launching this humanitarian appeal and we hope that there will be good feedback on the part of the international community of support to help us overcome this difficult moment that the region is facing," Lourenco said.

El Nino has resulted in widespread crop failure within Southern Africa and has resulted in national emergency declarations in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
GABORONE, BOTSWANA  As Botswana prepares for general elections in October, the number of women running for office remains low.

Political parties have finalized their list of candidates for the 2024 vote, and the majority of contestants are male. In the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), out of nearly 200 candidates for the National Assembly, only 20 are women.

In the last general election, only 5% of women were elected to the National Assembly.

Gender activist Pamela Dube said the situation is concerning, especially given how few women were elected in 2019.

"The pertaining state of affairs in womens political participation in Botswana is saddening. While statistically, women make [up] more than 50% of voters, womens representation in elected positions remains very low, Dube said. I have serious doubt that we will see an improvement in the upcoming October elections.

Botswana falls short of the framework established by the regional bloc the Southern Africa Development Community for achieving gender parity. The groups policy advocates equal representation in political and decision-making positions.

Dube said the governing BDP should create gender quotas in order to push for legislated seat allocation.

Botswana has no such laws, or even constitutional provisions. It is even sadder that the constitution review bill that is before parliament is silent in this regard, Dube said.

Spokesperson for opposition coalition the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Moeti Mohwasa, said the countrys electoral laws do not favor women.

Botswana uses the first-past-the-post system, where voters choose a single candidate, as opposed to a list.

You cannot expect the very same set-up or situation that is patriarchal, conservative to allow women to rise and occupy positions of authority, Mohwasa said. Our position is that you need to have the mixed system, which will have the current first-past-the-post and also the list system. If you look at countries that have the list systems, you realize that women are much more empowered.

Maputo-based Women in Political Participation (WPP) programs officer Sifisosami Dube said Botswana should have amended its electoral laws under a recent constitutional review process.

There is a need to handhold women in political leadership from the time they are campaigning, or when they are thinking about campaigning, to the time they will be in elections and to the time they are in political leadership positions. Because once they are in political offices, it is quite cold out there; they need to be continuously motivated, WPPs Dube said.

While Botswana struggles to get more women into politics, countries like Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have more than 30% women representation in upper and lower houses of parliament.
Theres nothing I love to see more than someone so self-assured, someone who, for the most part, gets whatever they want, when they want it, just absolutely felled by a giant crush on a nerd. This is whats happening to Molly in regard to Arthur, and it brings me so much joy to see this woman, who is not used to wanting things, just completely embarrass herself in front of this guy. I mean that in a good way. Its so adorable! Molly loves Arthur. So much! She loves him so much that within 30 seconds of her introducing him as King Arthur and My Lord to Grace during her office tour, Grace knows exactly whats up. If it wasnt Molly using completely unhinged nicknames, it couldve been that thing where Molly simply and loudly blurts out, ARTHUR HAS A GIRLFRIEND. SHEs 32 AND FROM PERTH. Once Arthur finally escapes this make-you-want-to-die-inside awkward moment, Grace whispers to her pal, Um, Molly, anything you want to tell me about you and Mr. Khaki Pants over there? So much, Grace! We want to tell you so much!

Grace is now a part of the team  more Ana Gasteyer (never a bad thing)  which means she, too, gets to sit in on some Group Talk Sessions. In her first, she and Molly announce that theyve bagged a few more billionaires to donate money. The secret weapon to getting them to say yes? They all HATE John Novak and are happy to help his ex. Whatever works, you know?

Even better, Grace is there for Howards big announcement: His wrestling leagues premiere is later that night, and the main event will introduce everyone to fan favorite Truck Harrison and evil villain the Straight Arrow. Yes, Nicholass heel persona is a straight man. Heres a taste of his act: I love empty Gatorade bottles, and I hate kissing other men. As Grace notes, Wow, that was really straight. Its going to be great.

The mood is high as the day gets underway, until one thing comes along to ruin it: John.

John holds a press conference announcing the first launch of his rocket. He also not-so-subtly hints that he and Molly are back together. He named his rocket the Molly 1 after all. He also says something very annoying about always telling Molly hed love her to the moon and back, and now hes proving it. None of it is true, of course, but it doesnt matter  the damage is done. Once the billionaires believe that Molly is back with John, they start pulling their hate donations out of Space for Everyone. Screw helping the unhoused population of this country!!

To make matters worse, the press is all over this love story. The paparazzi are hounding Molly, even showing up inside the office. Arthur tries to scare them off by calling them the C-word (chowderheads), but surprisingly it doesnt do much to deter them. Molly needs to get out of the office. Once again, its Arthur to the rescue. He helps her leave down the freight elevator, and in a truly middle-aged getaway sequence, Molly sprains her ankle and Arthur busts his knee before they (safely) peel out of the parking garage in Arthurs Nissan Sentra.

Arthur takes Molly to his house until things die down, and we enter a Molly-Arthur shippers paradise. He wraps her ankle with an ice pack. Also he is a man who owns an ice pack. Molly notices that he has the painting of the bird she bought him last season hanging on his wall, and it makes her smile. When Molly puts on the record player, its Christmas music, and Arthur explains how Christmas music cheers him, and Molly tells him thats cute. When he helps her up from the couch, they linger near each other and almost-very-nearly-we-are-so-close kiss. Alas, the spell is broken with a message from Mollys eye doctor. Honestly, who needs phones?! Or eyes!

Quickly after, theyre called back to the office and never speak of the almost-kiss again. They arrive just in time for live coverage of Johns rocket launch. In true comedic form, Molly gives a scathing speech about how John does so much harm to the world and suffers no consequences for it. With her back turned to the TV, the rest of the staff watches in horror as the rocket explodes. A perfect scene, no notes!

But surprise  or maybe not, knowing that John is just the biggest dick  Molly gets a call from a very much alive John asking her to meet him. We dont get a ton of Maya RudolphAdam Scott scenes on Loot, so dont take for granted getting to see them do their thing here. John admits that he built, launched, and blew up that rocket all as a plot to get Molly to realize she still loved him. Molly is livid. He spent $2 billion on this misguided gesture! He tells her he would blow up ten rockets for her. Hed blow up a stadium for her, Empty, of course.

In no uncertain terms, Molly informs her ex that they are never getting back together. When he asks why, she hesitates a little before admitting the truth: Im in love with someone else. So she admits it! The day is ours, Molly-Arthur shippers! When John finds out the guy is a normal, he is furious. No one does indignant pouting quite like Adam Scott. By the time he gets to the point where hes yelling about how he flew in a fighter jet with Tom Cruise, he is really cooking. Molly shuts him down with an Oh well, thats great  youre both dickheads, and honestly, what more can you say to that?

Molly may be fuming about John and unsure about where she and Arthur stand, but at least the night ends on a good note with her and Arthur still flirting  or, at least, just as friendly as they were before the almost-kiss-which-we-shall-not-mention  side-by-side at Howards big wrestling event. We have one more episode to go  do you think we will be bestowed with the gift of Molly and Arthur finally admitting their feelings to one another, or will this whole thing be one big tease?

Speaking of the wrestling event, Howard and Nicholas have become such a winning character combo on this show. It really does seem like they could  be  best friends? Shh! Dont tell Nicholas, it will scare him off.

The evidence is there: When everything possible goes wrong ahead of the wrestling event, its Nicholas who has Howards back both practically  who else knows how to get ahold of David Chang to make 300 hot dogs or has an in with Chi Chi at Savage Bottom to make an emergency Speedo order?!  and emotionally. Its Nicholas who repeatedly tells Howard that he cant give up on this  its his dream, hes worked hard at it, even when Truck Harrison backs out at the last minute. You got me to come out to Torrance on a Friday night to announce that Im attracted to women  do you know how difficult that is? Nicholas tells him to prove to Howard that he can do anything. No, seriously.

The reveal during the event that Howard has taken over the Trucks spot and become Commissioner Mayhem is so fun and also definitely more to add to the Howard and Nicholas are best friends evidence pile. Again, do not tell that man. Even while theyre still wrestling, Nicholas tells Howard hes proud of him. He also demands he either choke him out or throw him. Its a complicated friendship!

Notes From a Group Talk Session

 Molly tells Grace why going to work can be so fun: You get to wear cute little outfits and carry a binder to the kitchen while youre looking for a snack! Those are the best parts of working in an office, hands down.

 Sofia and Isaac reach an impasse when Isaac announces he wants to take a sabbatical from work and rejoin his jazz band, Mood Vibrations, starting with a gig at a New Orleans Jazzfest. He wants Sofia to come  she says her job is too important and this thing with Isaac is just a midlife crisis. Its very harsh! They break up, but this cant be the end. Did you see that man play sax? He can even make the saxophone hot! Dont give up on him, Sofia!

 Nicholas spitballs some taglines for the Straight Arrow, including: Who are the Falcons playing this weekend? and I dont need therapy.

 Is that blonde girl even real? Grace, none of us know!
Photo: Robyn Beck - Pool/Getty Images

Scrubs writer-producer Eric Weinberg has been ordered to stand trial on more than two dozen counts of sexual crimes. Per Variety, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled on Tuesday that there is enough evidence to bring 28 charges  including rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by force, and sexual battery  to trial. That covers allegations from eight people from 2014 to 2019. Weinberg, who also worked on shows such as Californication and Bill Mahers Politically Incorrect, reportedly faces multiple life sentences if convicted. Olmedo denied a bail request, finding that he could pose a risk to the public.

Weinberg has been in jail since October 2022. Per Deadline, the LAPD and L.A. County District Attorneys office said that since Weinbergs arrest in July 2022, they have received more than 70 tips from women who allege that he raped them after they came to his house under false pretenses. Weinberg allegedly often used the guise of doing a photo shoot that seemed like a legitimate modeling opportunity. (At a preliminary hearing in April and May that included nine testimonies, one woman recalled receiving calls from six or seven models who vouched for Weinberg. Another claimed that after Weinberg sexually assaulted her, she felt like she had to record a voicemail giving him a positive review in order to leave his house.)

This case has been years in the making. A Hollywood Reporter piece detailed how multiple women connected over claims against Weinberg in a private Facebook group in 2020. Hilary Bidwell, Weinbergs ex-wife who was going through a divorce from him at the time, saw the post and later hired a private investigator to find others with allegations. Weinberg is now scheduled for arraignment on June 4. A trial date has yet to be announced.
Can you imagine how tiring, how soul-crushingly, hair-curlingly, taint-spasmingly exhausting it must be to be married to Jax Freakin Taylor? This is a man so inanely and quotidianly awful that even Maya Angelou would put that cackling canary back in its cage and tell it never to sing again. That is true of almost all of these men, though, with the exception of my favorite jungle gym, Jason, the only man in the group who actually knows what a Napoleon complex is. This was really an hour that made me ask if men are okay. I say this as a man who knows hes not okay. (I mean, nothing that a nap and a Malibu Mango smoothie from Erehwon wont fix, but not okay nonetheless.)

Before we can get to Jax being an absolute asshole to his wife, we have to tie up the loose end from last week, which was Michelle admitting that she texts all sorts of other men, including celebrities. She says Jesse knows all about it, that its only for work purposes, and that Kristen saying she is texting them sexy pictures of herself is as crazy as ordering tiramisu at a Mexican restaurant. Michelle says shell talk to Jesse about it and goes upstairs to broach the subject. As soon as she says Jax told her something, Jesse bellows for him to come upstairs even though Michelle is patiently trying to talk to him. What if she just wants a personal chat with her husband? I guess thats too much to ask. Anyway, Jesse says he knows about it and doesnt care, and the bombshell from the last episode feels both less bomby and less shelly.

The guys convene outside by the fire pit, and it is just a bunch of dumb bitches telling each other exactly. Danny is still upset that Jesse wanted to engage in some light horseplay with him, and that devolves into him saying how unappreciated he is because hes not sleeping because all he does is put babies on boobs. Yes, Im sure thats exhausting, but what about the person who owns the boobs that the babies are sucking on, biting to raw nubs, and then vomiting all over? How do you think that person feels? But no, all the bros grunt Exactly, exactly, exactly at each other like theyre Tim the Tool Man Taylor. Then Jesse says he thinks its over between him and Michelle, and they all cry and sob, and Jason is like, Um, I invited you here to tell me how awesome being a dad is going to be, and now it feels like a divorce support group at a sad furnished condo in Marina Del Rey.

When Janet comes out to use the grill, Jesse shouts at her, No, back inside. Can you imagine talking to anyone like that? Especially a woman? Especially a woman who is not your wife? Especially a woman who is not your wife who is pregnant? Especially a woman who is not your wife who is pregnant who is trying to cook you dinner? Especially a woman who is not your wife, who is pregnant, who is trying to cook you dinner while you sit around and complain about how hard your lives are? It could not be me.

Janet is prone to freakouts, but this one is absolutely justified, and Jesse was being a giant asshole. Now, if were talking about the one she has when Zack posts on his Instagram story just a black screen with the location tag saying Big Bear, then that one is completely irrational. She says she couldnt sleep all night because she was worried that Zack and Kristen were going to pop out from a tree, ruin her holiday, and cause her cervix to dilate 1 million centimeters and cause the premature birth of her baby or something. What was she so worried was going to happen? So what if they crash? Is that the end of the world? Also, Janet is as absolutely petty as they come. She cant spot a base-level troll like this? Its easier to spot than the 19-pound turquoise watch that Zack is brandishing on his wrist all episode.

All evening, Jax is intoning that the reason Brittanys feeling sick, staying in bed, and intermittently throwing up is because shes drunker than all the bachelorettes in Nashville. He says, Everyone else is normal. Why cant you be? So is he upset that shes drunk, upset that she cant handle her liquor, or upset that shes not normal? Whatever it is, how about holding onto being upset until your wife is feeling slightly better?

After dinner, he starts this up again, and the women say shes not drunk. Shes car sick. Jax says, Im going to ask one time. Answer the damn question. How much was she drinking on the boat? The women in unison shout, Zero! and this is enough to wake Brittney from her restless slumber.

Youre trying to make me look like a bad person, Brittany says. You think I wanna be in here not feeling good? Fuck you. She couldnt throw in a rawt in hell for old times sake? Now this thing is a full-blown fight, and Jax tries to spin everything hes been saying. He tells Brittany he was asking the girls how much she was drinking because he didnt know what was wrong with her, but when they said she wasnt drinking, he thought she must be sick. This is such a retcon to what he was actually doing, accusing her of being wasted before he even asked what is going on with Brittany.

There are a lot of things that are true here all at once. I do believe that Jax is frustrated with Brittany and her drinking and that this is something hes been dealing with for years. I do believe that, like he says, hes tried to talk to her calmly, hes tried to talk to her mother and their friends about it, but Brittany isnt ready to give up drinking or have a conversation about it. He also says that if drinking makes her feel this awful, then maybe she shouldnt drink, which seems logical. Its also true that Jax is overreacting, making his wife look like a bad person, and being needlessly cruel to someone who is quite obviously going through it. Its all conflicting, but its all true.

The problem is that Jax thinks shes getting hammered because she misses fun Brittany and doesnt want to be mom Brittany. He sees her as some unruly alcoholic when everything weve seen about Brittany over the years indicates shes nothing of the sort. The only time shes gotten really hammered all season was at the girls night in Malibu and that was the point of that whole evening and Jax gave her a temporary dispensation to get as wasted as she wanted. Jax also seems to be alluding to the idea that Brittanys drinking makes her a bad or inattentive mother somehow. He even said part of the reason they cant have a second child is because of her drinking.

Jax says, Youre one of ten girls drinking, and youre the only one who gets this sick. He sees this as a cause for anger, and I see this as a cause for concern. There seems to be something wrong with the way Brittanys body metabolizes liquor. Remember at the Benihana night, she had one sip of sake and had to go home because she was so ill? Also, she claims to have only had two drinks all day, and shes laid up for the rest of the night puking. Yes, Brittany has a problem with alcohol but I dont think its in the way that Jax thinks it is.

Later, he says, Theres something wrong that she needs to drink this much that she needs to throw up. No, the problem is that she drinks so little and throws up. Jax is right that Brittany should stop drinking, but its not that shes some lush with wine in her Stanley mug driving Cruz to play dates. There seems to be something medically wrong with her stomach or digestive tract, and instead of yelling at her about being a bad mother, maybe Jax should try to see it as a health issue. He shouldnt be mad. He should be worried. If he could take the moralizing out of it, he might be able to save her.

In the morning they wake up and talk about it calmly and Jax apologizes and says hell never do it again, but he says it in a way that we know he doesnt mean. How many times in his life has Jax said something would never happen again just for it to happen all over again? Remember when he ended up in bed with Faith and some old lady? I bet he said cheating would never happen again, and, well, Im sure it has.

The boys go off on a fishing trip together while the girls stay back at the house to get ready for Janets surprise baby shower. What starts as a conversation about Jesse and Michelles doomed union is quickly usurped by the black hole of need that is Jax Taylors ego. He says that Brittany wears the pants in the family, which leads Jesse to an astute observation. She tries to put the pants on, and you yank them down, he says. I think youre a fighter, youve always been fighting, and youve been fighting to prove yourself for a long time, and you dont need to prove yourself to your wife. Exactly! Jax is always robbing Brittany of any ideas or agency that she has by taking control and fighting with her over things. Jax is so insecure that he constantly needs to prove he is right and in control when that is the thing that will tear them apart.

When talking about it, Jax says to Jesse, My marriage is on the fence, too. But then he takes it back. My marriage is far from on the fence. My wife and I love each other to death and we dont believe in divorce, he says. We dont believe in separation. We dont believe in any of that. My wife is going to have to bury me in the backyard. I will never go anywhere, and she will never leave. Sure, you may not believe in divorce, but what if divorce believes in you? This also illustrates a problem that Brittany was discussing earlier, that Jax thinks shell never leave him so he treats her like shit because there will be no repercussions other than more of Brittanys permanent frown.

We also already know this is not true. We know that whether or not they believe in separation, they are currently separated. We also know that Jax is just the right kind of idiot whose insistence that he will never get divorced is just what will do his relationship in. We know he will never change, we know that Brittany wont take it forever, and, as sure as we know there are corpses at the bottom of that lake, we know that before this even airs, theyll already be separated. And after this was the first time I believed that these two might have busted up for real, not for a publicity stunt to get people to tune into their new show.
Under the Bridge isnt just about the murder of Reena Virk. The story of her killing has been examined for almost three decades, and people are still finding things to talk about. As the penultimate episode of the series focuses heavily on Rebecca and Warrens budding relationship and her insistence on treating him like a human even though he was a party to Reenas murder, the series seems to be leveling criticism at the entire system for utterly failing the wayward, often abused and abandoned teens who were responsible for creating the circumstances that resulted in this heinous act.

The episode follows Warren, Dusty, Jo, and Kelly as they await trial in a juvenile detention facility. Somehow, this facility is co-ed, and Jo often taunts and verbally abuses Warren as they try to pass the time before trial. All of the kids  save for Kelly  are having horrific nightmares about what happened to Reena. There is obviously something very wrong with Kelly, and throughout the episode, she cuts a terrifying figure as she whines, cajoles, and manipulates her way into freedom from the detention facility. When she meets with her lawyer and her parents, her voice springs into a helpless falsetto as she insists that shes just a little girl. Its a chilling moment thats on par with some of the more chilling moments in horror movie history. This girl would make one hell of a Stephen King villain.

Kellys continued belief that shes going to get away with literal murder is incredibly disconcerting, but at times, it looks like she might get her wish. By the end of the episode, shes not only free, but Warren is on his way to serving a life sentence in jail for the monstrous crime she (mostly) committed. Shes a female, she has family support, and shes got money to buy the best lawyers in town. Sure, she doesnt have Succession stacks, but she doesnt have to; she just has to have more money than Warren.

Rebecca is very aware of this imbalance of power and money as the trial creeps ever closer. One of the low-key reveals of this episode is that Rebecca doesnt actually think about Warren as her dead brother Gabe  she feels like Warren is a version of herself. Rebecca feels regret about her role in Gabes death  we find out that Cam once told her that it was her fault  and this mistake was the turning point that the rest of her life has pivoted upon. Much like Warren, she turned her anger outward and, in her eyes, that misdirection of anger resulted in death. So, in looking for redemption for Warren, shes actually looking for redemption for herself.

Throughout the episode, we learn more about the state of Warrens life on the day of Reenas murder. His deadbeat dad calls him up and tells him that some repo guys are coming to take the trailer at noon. In a short and brutal conversation, Warrens dad briefly asks him if he wants to join him in Vegas (he met a lady there, so hes staying on a whim), and Warren says no. The dad almost seems relieved and then quickly hangs up on his son. Dazed by the double whiplash of abandonment and homelessness, Warren cracks open his dads liquor cabinet, chugs a bunch of booze to numb his feelings, and grabs the rest of the bottles. Later, Rebecca will write about the situation. Her voiceover narrates, Warren, like most kids, didnt know how to describe how he was feeling. Warren did not know there were words like humiliation and shame, so he thought it was maybe anger. This emotion he felt when he did things he would later regret. Again, Rebecca is basically talking about herself here, but her assessment of how teens and, um, most humans, in general, process emotion is pretty spot on.

In the present-day timeline, Rebecca goes to visit Warren at the detention facility, and the two have a really adorable scene together where they easily chat about weed and donuts and normal teenage things for a few minutes before they have to circle back to reality. Rebecca insists that community support is for him, but Warren knows better: The Virks dont like him. Why would they?

Theres an interesting push and pull between Rebecca and the Virks throughout this episode, and its worth wondering if there was skepticism and pushback from the family in real life when they found out that Godfrey was writing a book about their daughters murder. Theres a beat in the episode where Rebeccas dad offers feedback to her after reading some rough pages. Shes writing a good deal about Warren, the perpetrator, but not Reena, the victim. Rebecca briefly protests, but she knows her dad is right, so she goes to see the Virks. This scene is tense and heartbreaking, in no small part due to the open eagerness that Manjit displays when he asks Rebecca what Reenas friends shared about her. Its almost physically painful to think back on the conversations that Rebecca has had with Jo, Dusty, Kelly, and Warren and recall that she never really asked about Reena directly. And, when she did, the kids either didnt know her or had nothing kind to say.

Later, we do get a scene in which Dusty admits to being Reenas one friend. Much like Warren and Rebecca, Dusty and Cam get paired up as counterparts in shared trauma. Both Dusty and Cam came from broken homes with absent parents. Both of them were in foster care. But Cam was adopted at one point in time, and Dusty was not, so Dusty bristles at being compared to her. Cam comes to Dusty with some terrible news. Due to the written confession that Cam coerced out of Dusty, shes screwed no matter what she does at Warrens trial. If she goes on the stand and testifies that the statement she signed, saying that Warren Glowatski killed Reena Virk, is true, then she can be charged with perjury. And, if she refuses to testify, then she can be charged with contempt. As Cam and Dusty talk this maddening situation over, Dusty becomes emotional about her friends death. She knows that her participation in everything that happened to Reena was wrong, and she doesnt really care what happens to her  she just wants to do the right thing. Before the trial, she says as much to Warren, but he wasnt Reenas friend, so the advice doesnt hit the same.

Ultimately, Cam stands up to her bad dad  Is Bad Dad the true villain of Under the Bridge? Discuss!  telling him that she wont put Dusty on the stand. Warrens girlfriend Samara is away with her mother and she doesnt want to return to testify against her boyfriend, so what we see of Warrens trial pretty much consists of his testimony. And its riveting. As Warren is grilled by the prosecution, he flashes back to memories of the incident. Completely wasted after drinking his dads booze all day long, his inhibitions are lowered and his penchant for violence has been activated. His eyes light up when he senses a fight in the air, and he greedily follows to get in on the action. As the girls set upon Reena, Warren jumps out from the crowd and delivers two swift kicks to her head. Even Warrens Crip buddy thinks this is too far, grabbing him out of the fray and yelling at him.

In court, Warren is barraged by the prosecution, with Reenas underwear becoming a point of contention. Then, Samaras testimony is invoked. Warren recalled Reenas hairy back, which turned into an argument that he didnt see Reena as a person. Perhaps he didnt. In that moment, he just saw rage.

Warren starts to cry as he continues to recall memories from that night. We see him remember Kelly coming to find him after everyone else had gone. With nowhere to go, hes the only one left. Kelly encourages him to follow her, saying that she wants to see if Reena is sorry. His distant and glassy eyes are unmoving as he silently gets up and follows her. The shot of the two of them walking over the bridge to confront Reena is upsetting in its stark simplicity.

As Warrens testimony wraps up, the prosecution asks Warren to rate his responsibility versus Kellys responsibility on a scale of one to ten. And hes surprisingly honest. He says that he would rate himself a three for kicking her at the first altercation and for just being around at the second one. He doesnt admit to much more, but it feels like hes leaving stuff out. The judge thinks so too, because he sentences Warren to life in prison, citing that he found Warrens testimony incomplete and that he was reckless to whether death ensued in the altercation with Reena. Any amount of responsibility is too much responsibility when a life has been taken.

Warren is taken out of court, and Rebecca is there to embrace him. She promises him that shes going to make sure that everyone will know who he truly is. But the Virks are standing there, and the final scene sets up what appears to be some sort of showdown in the finale. But what Im really looking forward to is Kelly Ellard finally facing some sort of consequence for her actions as she heads to trial.

Random Thoughts

 We do finally see the girls beat Reena, but thankfully, we dont see her actual body. Instead, the camera looks up at the perpetrators, wild in their violence, as they kick, stomp, and punch as a collective. I am grateful for this choice because I did not want or need to see violence directly inflicted upon Reena.

 The goosebump-inducing scene in which Kelly insists that shes just a little girl immediately reminded me of the scene in Breaking Bad in which Mike tells Walter to watch out for Lydia especially because shes a woman. Women and girls can be savage, too, and Kelly certainly knows how to get what she wants by playing upon societal perceptions.

 Jo is 100 percent in an abusive friendship with Kelly. The way Kelly peaces out by smacking Jo full on the head is evidence enough for me.

 Book Club Corner: When Rebecca promises Manjit that she wont write about Reenas accusations against him, thats a promise that Godfrey kept in real life. Theres absolutely no mention of it anywhere in her book.
When the Virginia Clean Economy Act became law in 2020, solar advocates celebrated. In addition to creating a framework for a transition to a zero-carbon electricity sector by 2050, the VCEA and sister legislation known as Solar Freedom swept away multiple barriers to installing solar in Virginia. Among the new provisions were some that strengthened net metering, the program that allows residents, businesses and local governments who install solar on site to be credited for excess electricity they feed back to the grid.

Currently, the law requires that customers of Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power be credited for the electricity they supply to the grid at the full retail rate for electricity. The credit is applied against the cost of the electricity they draw from the grid at night. The policy makes solar affordable and supports small businesses across Virginia.

However, the VCEA came with a ticking time bomb. It provided that in 2024 for Appalachian Power, and 2025 for Dominion, the State Corporation Commission would hold proceedings to determine the fate of net metering, and in particular the terms for compensating new net metering customers.

Well, its 2024, and the bomb just went off. On May 6, the SCC issued an order directing the two utilities to file their suggested changes. Appalachians proposal is due by Sept. 2; Dominions is due by May 1, 2025. The SCC will establish a schedule for each case that will include provisions for the public and interested parties to participate.

There are two important protections to note. First, low-income customers will have their choice of installing solar under either the existing rules or the new ones. Second, customers who install solar panels and interconnect to the grid before the SCC issues its final order will continue to be covered by the existing provisions for retail net metering.

For anyone whos been on the fence about installing solar, I cant overstate the urgency of acting now. Nonprofits Solar United Neighbors and Solarize Virginia can help you get the best deal. Also check out the excellent advice and sample quotes from HR Climate Hub.

Make no mistake, utilities hate net metering and will destroy it if they can. The more customers who install solar, the less control the utility can exercise over them  and, even more critically, the less money the company makes for its shareholders from building new generation and transmission.

Thats not what our utilities tell legislators and the SCC, though. Instead, they promote a narrative that net metering customers impose extra costs on other ratepayers, creating a cost shift. The idea is that residents who go solar are making everyone else pay more of the costs of the grid while they themselves rake in money with their free electricity from the sun.

This argument has raged across the country for years. Utilities often argue that solar customers should be paid for their surplus electricity only the amount of money the utility would otherwise have had to spend to generate or buy that same amount of electricity from somewhere else. This avoided cost can be less than one-third of the retail rate for residential electricity.

With a payback period of nine to 15 years in Virginia, residential solar is a reasonable investment with retail rate net metering, but its hardly a get-rich-quick scheme. Brandon Praileau, the Virginia program director for Solar United Neighbors, said in an email that lowering the net metering rate would eliminate the energy savings that homeowners see from solar today.

It is the full retail 1:1 value of solar that allows solar to not be a boutique purchase that only fits a certain demographic but something that every homeowner can benefit from, he noted.

Praileau added that the loss of net metering would also hit Virginias solar installers hard and lead to job losses, something I confirmed with industry members. Russ Edwards, president of Charlottesville-based Tiger Solar, says any devaluation of solar would have a significantly adverse impact on local companies like his that serve the residential market.

But the cost shift argument doesnt actually depend on whether rooftop solar is affordable for customers or profitable for installers. The way utilities think about net metering, a homeowner could even lose money on solar and still be guilty of shifting the costs of maintaining the grid onto other customers.

Net metering supporters counter that rooftop solar provides valuable benefits to the grid and to other customers that the utilities overlook, like relieving grid congestion and lessening the need for utility investments in new generation and transmission. Solar also has larger societal benefits like increased energy security, local resilience, clean air and carbon reduction.

Over the years this dispute has spawned literally dozens of studies estimating the value of solar. A Michigan study found that rather than being subsidized by other ratepayers, residents who install solar actually subsidize their non-solar-owning neighbors. Closer to home, a Maryland study also concluded that distributed solar provided a value greater than the retail cost of energy.

But every state is different. Californias public utility commission recently slashed the net metering rate all the way down to a so-called avoided cost, in part because the huge growth of solar in the state has led to a power glut in the middle of the day. The residential solar market cratered as a result of the PUCs action, with an estimated 17,000 jobs lost in the solar industry.

Virginia does not have Californias problem. With only about 6.5% of our electricity generated by solar and the worlds largest energy storage facility in the form of Bath Countys pumped hydro plant, rooftop solar still helps Virginia utilities meet peak demand. We also face a skyrocketing demand for electricity from data centers, which militates in favor of all the clean energy we can generate.

Ten years ago, Virginia set out to do a study on the value of solar, led by the Department of Environmental Quality. Unfortunately, our utilities pulled out when they didnt like what they were seeing, so the study never progressed beyond a framing of the issues.

Since then, Dominion and Appalachian have often repeated the cost shift narrative but have never backed it up with evidence. Their efforts have had some effect with legislators, most recently with passage of a bill instructing the SCC to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the net energy metering program does not result in unreasonable cost-shifting to nonparticipating electric utility customers.

But of course, that simply raises the question of whether a cost shift is actually occurring. Under the VCEA, the SCC will now have to evaluate and establish the amount a net metering customer should pay for the cost of using the utilitys infrastructure and the amount the utility should compensate the customer for the total benefits the customers solar panels provide. The SCC is also instructed to evaluate and establish the direct and indirect economic impact of net metering and consider any other information the Commission deems relevant.

Presumably, this other information should include the states energy policy. The policy specifically supports distributed solar, including enhancing the ability of private property owners to generate their own renewable energy for their own personal use from renewable energy sources on their property.

The SCC will now have to navigate these opposing positions in what are certain to be contentious proceedings. Meanwhile, residents and businesses would be well advised to get their solar panels up this year.

This column was originally published in the Virginia Mercury.
Reports of seagull attacks rise during nesting season.

Love them or hate them, seagulls have been part of Rome's urban landscape for decades and can regularly be seen feasting on discarded food, pigeons and even rats.

The birds can also be decidedly aggressive towards humans, particularly during nesting season, with seagull attacks common on Roman rooftop terraces between March and May.

Since 2018, the Italian environmental association Earth has been collecting reports of this growing phenomenon in Rome, according to Il Messaggero newspaper.

"We receive more than 30 calls a week from people who don't know what to do because they have seagulls at their buildings that prevent them from accessing the terraces or roofs" - Valentina Coppola, ethologist and president of Earth told Il Messaggero - "The reason for the aggression is obviously the defence of the nests and the young."

The attacks are not confined to rooftops, however, with regular reports of gulls swooping on people out and about on the streets of Rome.

When a hungry seagull misses your sandwich the first time but returns for a second attack #Rome pic.twitter.com/2KDyb6OPLd  Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 12, 2020

"I was walking holding a freshly baked calzone in my hand when, suddenly, a seagull swooped down on me, injuring my hand, to take my food away" - Lorenzo, a 34-year-old Roman told Il Messaggero - "Luckily I got away with putting on a plaster, but I can't imagine what would have happened if it had been a small child."

Another Rome resident, Maria, told the newspaper that she was attacked by a seagull on the roof of her apartment block, in an incident that gave her "an incredible fright" and almost risked her falling.

So what can be done to avoid difficult rooftop situations with aggressive seagulls? Not a whole lot, according to the experts.

"Not much can be done because destroying or moving nests is prohibited by city regulations and in the case of the death of the chicks it is a serious crime", warns Coppola who advises "going out on the terrace with an open umbrella to protect yourself from low-flying [gulls]".

Coppola says the best solution is prevention to ensure that the seagulls don't have access to the rooftops in the first place, by installing deterrents such as nylon nets.

However she said the real problem in Rome is the "open-air restaurants" provided by plentiful rubbish - particularly at bins outside fishmongers, butchers and markets - as well as food thrown on the ground by litter louts.

The first couple of nesting seagulls arrived in Rome in 1971, making their home at the zoo in Villa Borghese.

This remained an isolated case until the early 1980s when the numbers of nesting gulls began rising slowly in Rome, with many thousands of pairs now living in the capital.

For more insights on seagulls in Rome see Wanted in Rome feature article from 2016.
Cillian Sherlock, PA

Updated: 7.20am

Ireland is to move on recognising Palestinian statehood on Wednesday morning, it is understood.

According to reports, Ireland will also be joined in the decision by Spain and Norway.

The Coalition leaders are scheduled to hold a press conference at 8am after signalling it would recognise the state of Palestine by the end of the month.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will speak to the media amid warnings from Israel that recognition will fuel extremism and instability.

Irish and Spanish officials have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine.

Micheal Martin and Simon Harris (Maxwell Photography/PA)

The Coalition leaders briefed Cabinet ministers on the latest stage of negotiations on Tuesday.

Mr Harris and Mr Martin have been involved in co-ordination with other European leaders about the announcement.

Recognising Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of foreign policy as part of the Governments belief in a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, in an online video targeted at Ireland, Israels Foreign Ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

The narrator says: Ireland, the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.

Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.



Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/81f7Gxweol  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 21, 2024

Such a move will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian authority.

The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as a wake-up call.

Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Dont be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to recognition.
On Monday, May 19, Waterford Gardai, while observing a "steady flow of Monday early morning traffic", encountered two cars racing each other.

The cars were spotted racing dangerously along the N25 bypass.

The speed camera used by Gardai to catch two drivers racing who then tested positive for drug use. Photo: Waterford Gardai

Gardai snapped the drivers with the speed gun, catching a speed of 180 kilometres per hour, as both travelled through the 100 kilometres per hour zone.

When Gardai pulled the "young" drivers over they were tested roadside for drugs. One returned a positive result for cocaine, and the other driver tested positive for cannabis.

Both drivers were arrested at the scene and have been charged to appear in court at a later date.

Roads Policing

In efforts to reduce road deaths across the nation, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has instructed all Gardai to commit to 30 minutes of roads policing per shift.

More than 80 people have died on Irish roads to date in 2024.
A Waterford teenager suffered fatal injuries after being struck by the wing mirror of a van moments after getting off a school bus near her home two years ago, an inquest has heard.

Aisling Kennedy (13), of Glasha, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, died at Childrens Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin on July 12th, 2022  over three months after the incident.

The first year student at Presentation Convent in Clonmel never regained consciousness after being transported to the hospital by air ambulance following the accident a short distance from her home on April 7th, 2022.

The driver of the school bus, John OBrien, told an inquest into her death at Dublin District Coroners Court that he had pulled into the left-hand side of the road at a crossroads near Glasha.

Mr OBrien said several vehicles overtook his bus while he had stopped to allow Aisling to get out.

The bus driver said she was standing to the left of the bus as he moved off to continue his journey.

Mr OBrien said neither he nor any of the remaining students on the bus witnessed the accident, and he only learnt about what had happened when he was subsequently contacted by his employer.

In reply to questions from the coroner, Crona Gallagher, the witness said students on the bus were generally advised to wait for the bus to move off before crossing a road.

A motorist, John Fahy, said he was returning from working in Dungarvan, Co Waterford in a van with two of his employees when he saw the school bus stopped on the opposite side of the road to his direction of travel.

Mr Fahy, who runs a construction firm based in Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois, recalled that he had slowed down as a number of other vehicles coming towards him were overtaking the bus.

The witness said that he just caught sight of a girl approaching his van from the right-hand side as he was driving past the bus before hearing a bang.

Mr Fahy said he stopped the vehicle and got one of his employees to ring the emergency services after seeing the girl lying on the ground.

He told the coroner that everything happened in an instant but he believed the girl had appeared from a car that was behind the bus.

Evidence

One of Mr Fahys passengers, Mark Kelly, also gave evidence of seeing a girl coming out onto the road and seeing the vans wing mirror move after hearing a bang.

Mr Kelly recalled that Aisling had remained unresponsive while he held the girls head in a steady position until emergency services arrived.

He estimated that the van had been travelling at around 40km/h at the time of the accident.

Another eyewitness, Catherine Troy, who was travelling towards Ballymacarbry from Clonmel, said she had seen a girl waiting on the side of the road at the back of the bus.

Ms Troy said she was looking in her rear-view mirror when she saw the teenager emerge from behind the bus in a split second straight into the side of the van. She told the inquest that she doubted that she had seen something fly up into the air until she checked again and saw the girl on the ground.

Another motorist, Linda Skehan, who came on the scene and provided first aid to Aisling, said she knew from Mr Fahys demeanour with his head on his hands that something had happened.

Ms Skehan recalled that he told her: She just ran straight out. She said they covered the victim with blankets and coats after detecting that she still had a pulse.

The inquest heard that an examination of Mr Fahys Ford Transit van, which had a damaged wing mirror, found the vehicle to be otherwise in good roadworthy condition.

A forensic collision investigator, Garda Maurice Mahon, said the incident had happened on a straight stretch on the R671 regional road between Clonmel and Ballymacarbry in dry, bright conditions.

Garda Mahon said there was no evidence of pre-impact skidding by the van and it was impossible to determine the exact location of the impact.

He said the damage to the vehicle was consistent with a van and a pedestrian glancing off each other but it was not possible to estimate the speed of the vehicle at the time.

Garda Conor ODonovan confirmed that Mr Fahy had a full driving licence and had tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

Garda ODonovan said he believed Aisling had come from a blind spot which left the van driver with no opportunity to react. The witness observed that if the victim had been an adult, she might only have been hit on the shoulder by the wing mirror.

The inquest heard Aisling was placed in a medically induced coma by doctors at Temple Street but her condition never improved despite several operations.

Post mortem

A post mortem confirmed she died from traumatic brain injuries she had suffered from being struck by the wing mirror with bronchial pneumonia a contributory factor.

Aislings parents, Thomas and Louise Kennedy, attended the inquest but did not give evidence to the court.

Ms Kennedy had previously told an earlier sitting of the case in June 2023 how she formally identified her daughters body to gardai.

Dr Gallagher, was also informed on that occasion that the DPP had directed that no prosecution should arise from the circumstances of Aislings death after reviewing a Garda file on the case.

Her parents also confirmed to the coroner that they were not appealing the DPPs decision.

Aisling is also survived by her sisters, Eimear and Aoife.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, Dr Gallagher said the incident had come out of the blue and could not have been predicted or prevented.

The coroner said Aisling had been very unfortunate to have received the glancing blow from the vans wing mirror.

On another occasion, it might just be a broken arm, she remarked.

Offering her sincere sympathy to the teenagers parents, Dr Gallagher said she could not imagine what they had gone through over the months between the accident and her death.

Im sure the shock is with you to this day, she added.
The heroic actions of a group of fishermen over 150 years ago would set in motion a series of events that would provide a lasting legacy in Waterford of saving lives and protecting those who risk their lives to do so.

John Fitzgerald and Thomas Crotty were lost at sea in January 1858 when they, as part of a group of six men, set out from Brownstown to rescue seven French sailors who had been shipwrecked aboard the French brig, La Capricieuse, in Tramore Bay.

The tragedy caused not only an outpouring of grief in the local area, but a groundswell of support for the establishment of a dedicated RNLI lifeboat service in Waterford.

Both John Fitzgerald and Thomas Crotty, who are already remembered across the water in Dorset, in the UK  where their names are inscribed on a memorial at the RNLI College there  will now be remembered for their bravery much closer to home on the Lost at Sea Memorial in Dunmore East.

It is fitting that not only is their act of heroism all those years ago finally marked much closer to home, but that we can take this opportunity to reflect upon the wonderful contribution the RNLI has provided to Waterford communities across all the decades since.

The volunteerism at the heart of the RNLI is phenomenal. Their bravery, often in the face of extremely difficult conditions at sea, has saved countless lives  both of Waterfordians and visitors to our shores and seas.

The immediate response to the appeal for an RNLI station back in 1858 meant a station was officially founded a year later. The commitment of those who volunteer their services has not abated since.

Remembering the heroes Fitzgerald and Crotty is, as David Carroll, author of Dauntless Courage (a book about the history of Dunmore East RNLI), says, about reminding people that those who carry out selfless acts of heroism to help others will always be remembered. To them, and to all who have given their services to the RNLI, Waterford is truly indebted.

Garda Youth Awards

The Garda Youth Awards took place in Waterford last Friday, providing an opportunity to reflect on the amazing contributions of our young people, in making our communities better, safer places in which to live.

The overall winner was Waterpark student Ava Walsh for her work in helping young people overcome grief. Ava was inspired to help others after the tragic passing of her father Stuart when she was only 13 years old.

The stories, such as Avas, are inspirational. Others included campaigns to improve road safety, sea rescues, a young boys commitment to looking after a vulnerable neighbour these are but a few examples of the wonderful achievements of these Waterford young people. Well done to the winners and to all who entered, and who work so hard to provide a positive contribution in our communities.
Vivienne Clarke

The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland has thanked the Irish Government for its formal recognition of the state of Palestine, while the Israeli embassy in Ireland has said it views the move as "undermining its sovereignty and security".

Taoiseach Simon Harris made the announcement that Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine in a joint move with Norway and Spain on Wednesday morning.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, told RTEs Morning Ireland that her reaction to the announcement was "positive and emotional".

I think it's time. It's not just symbolic, it's a recognition of our rights, of 13 million people, of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to live in peace and security in a sovereign state. That acknowledgement of recognition is highly welcomed by the Palestinian leadership. And, of course, by all the Palestinians."

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid. Photo: PA

Dr Abdalmajid said Ireland had led the way and had worked hard with other countries at UN level and within the EU, which had resulted in the recognition which was "something very good, very strong".

She said the United States could not ignore the international community and if they were to use their veto again at the UN Security Council, it would be seen as opposing the international community.

When asked about the decision of Israel to recall its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway, Dr Abdalmajid said the Palestinian people deserved the formal recognition.

"Someone should take the lead and say to the international community that [the war in Gaza] must stop," she said. "And the Palestinian people deserve to have their own state, to live in peace and security in the region. We cannot just live in this war forever."

Israeli ambassador recalled

Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in Ireland said it views the move to recognise Palestine as "damaging to our bilateral relations".

It said the Israeli government has recalled its ambassador in Dublin, Dana Erlich, "temporarily for consultations".

"We are disappointed by the Irish governments decision on recognition, which follows worrying initiatives and statements in recent months," it said in a statement.

Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich. Photo: PA

"This decision brings more questions than answers, especially regarding its timing, after Hamas committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. In the wake of the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 which saw the indiscriminate mass murder of 1,200 people and the kidnapping, rape and torture of hundreds more, a step such as this sends a message to Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.

"This act jeopardises any hope of Hamas releasing any of the 128 women, children and men kidnapped and held captive by them.

"Unilateral gestures such as this will do nothing for either Palestinians or Israelis. We can only resolve our differences through bilateral negotiation. Just as in Irelands case, political steps cannot be imposed.

"Recognition raises many questions, such as what is meant by Palestine. What does it mean for Gaza since Hamas, who control it, are bitter rivals of the Palestinian Authority. How will this help the people of Gaza under Hamass rule? Most importantly, one must question the timing of this announcement in the midst of a war that Hamas launched."

'Terrible' timing

Oliver Sears, the founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, described the timing of the States recognition of Palestine as "frankly, terrible."

Speaking on Newstalk radio, Mr Sears said he wanted peace for the region and supported a Palestinian state, but timing was everything.

"We all want peace in this region. I've been a committed peacenik who has wanted a Palestinian state for as long as I'm aware of this region and this crisis. I think timing is everything. I think the timing is, frankly, terrible. You can't force peace on two warring parties. You have to create an atmosphere where there is at least the beginning of trust between the parties. We know this from the long peace negotiations that happened in the north of this country."

Mr Sears said the Irish Governments action was emotional but not practical and did not recognise how the region was going to find peace.

When asked how he thought the Jewish community in Ireland would regard the decision to recognise the Palestinian state, Mr Sears replied: "They know that this has been coming. My sense is that they will be very disappointed because they see it as a reward to Hamas. And everybody in the community is sickened by what's going on. Most Jews I talked to are absolutely in favour of a two-state solution. It's just the timing."

Government 'got it right'

Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish Ambassador to the EU, said the Government got it right with its official recognition of Palestine.

Mr McDonagh told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne that the timing was right for the announcement.

I think it's the right decision in principle and at the right time as well. Of course, no timing is perfect because there are pros and cons of timing, but I think that they've got it right. We've had 143 of 193 countries at the United Nations recently calling for Palestine to be recognised, Sweden recognised to Palestine in 2014, and many other EU countries did it before that and were acting with Norway and Spain. So I think the timing is right, and I think it's the right decision.

Mr McDonagh said that the only way to undermine extremism was to provide a political perspective. And that's what Norway and Spain and Ireland and hopefully some other countries do later in the month.

Ireland had to do what it thought was right, he added. We just have to do what we think is right, working with many members of the international community. And our motives are absolutely clear. We want peace. We want justice. But you can only control your actions. You can't control responses to them.

Political reaction

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said the recognition of Palestine was an important first step.

"Ireland is a small nation but we punch above our weight when it comes to influence at both European level and with the United States," Ms McDonald said.

"The recognition of Palestinian Statehood by Ireland must be the first step in the Government playing a leading international role in assisting the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

"The Government must follow todays announcement by utilising every tool at their disposal to hold Israel to account and to demand full adherence to international law."

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the announcement was a "really welcome and positive move", and essential to create momentum towards peace and the two-state solution.

A really welcome and positive move. Essential to create momentum towards the two state solution that is so badly needed. Along with Spain and Norway, other countries must follow now to end the suffering in #Gaza & help bring about #CeasefireForGazaNOW @IrePalestine https://t.co/AHuSNO4KgW  Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) May 22, 2024

Independent MEP Clare Daly welcomed the "symbolic gesture" but said Ireland should have recognised Palestine as a state decades ago.

"What Palestinians need is tangible action, such as an arms embargo, denial of passage through Shannon airport to US military aircraft aiding the genocide, and suspension of the trade relationship with Israel," she said in a statement.

Independent TD Cathal Berry described the recognition of Palestine as a positive development.

It was also positive that the move was in conjunction with two other European countries, this was the logical way to do business, he told Newstalk.

"I think it's the only logical way to do business, really, in light of what happened in the General Assembly 12 days ago when an overwhelming majority of UN members decided to recognise the existence of Palestine and request that it be given full UN membership status as well."

The DUP's Ian Paisley criticised the move by the Irish Government as "electioneering".

In a statement, the North Antrim representative said: "The announcement by the Dublin Prime Minister to recognise the state of Palestine  even though he could not identify that state accurately on a map  will unfortunately only play into the hands of extremist, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel factions. Ireland should brace itself for a run of abuse against people and businesses associated with Israel."

Mr Paisley added: "It has taken the Irish state over 90 years to recognise Palestine. One can only view that this is about electioneering and appealing to the extreme elements in Irish society to come back and support the so-called centrist parties."  Additional reporting: Press Association
He believes what the young people of today need most for acceptance is support. The No.1 solution is for young people to be understood on a deep, interpersonal level. So, is it easier to be queer today? Its an impossible question to answer, and one that would require flattening the rich and varied lived experiences of an entire generation into a singular yes or no. To catch a glimpse of what its like to be Gen Z and queer today, we spoke to three young Australians  all mentors in Minus 18s young leaders program about growing up, identity and what life is like. I stopped going to school Kira grew up playing sports, but says things became more complicated once they started to explore their queer identity.

For Kira*, a 21-year-old student living in Melbourne, the choice to come out was stolen from them in year 9. I knew that I was queer when I was quite young, they explain, [but] the coming out process was a bit complicated for me because I was outed by the girl I had a crush on. It caused an influx of bullying by my peers. Even my close friends at the time would feel uncomfortable walking close to me during school because they wouldnt want anyone to think they were gay too. The bullying led Kira to stop attending school for six months before moving to a new one, where they say bullying still occurred but was less intense. Getting involved with programs for LGBTQ youth provided a reprieve from what was happening at school. Kira grew up playing sport but, as they began to question their identity in their early teens, things started to become a little more complicated. My first club didnt really support me and I felt like I had to take on the role of more than a footy player  of an educator, Kira says.

They say things such as pronouns and the experiences of non-binary people in quite a gendered space were particular blind spots for the club. And elements of team sport that some might take for granted  such as uniforms and change rooms  could be tricky to navigate. A second generation Australian  their mother is Maori and Tongan and their father Filipino  Kira was born in Melbourne but spent a lot of their childhood moving around. While they agree that representation for the LGBTQ community is improving, they say it remains narrow. Growing up, my greatest exposure to queer identities was through couples and individuals on YouTube, who were primarily white. Because of this, I felt pressure to assimilate into colonial and Western ways of being queer and trans. The public arent really exposed to intersectional experiences of queer and trans people of colour, which I feel is an important story to tell as well. Kira recently completed a double degree in gender and criminal studies, and has since been working across various volunteer roles, including as a mentor in Minus 18s queer leadership program.

Their biggest piece of advice for young queer people today is to be proactive in seeking out those spaces and also creating those safe spaces yourself. It was constantly in the back of my mind that my school didnt care about me Enfys says coming out in 2017 during the marriage equality debate was tough. Credit: Penny Stephens Enfys*, an aspiring gender studies researcher, grew up on the Gold Coast, Queensland, a place they say isnt known for being the most welcoming to LGBTQ people. Now 22, Enfys came out in 2017, amid raging debate over the marriage equality vote. It was not a fun time to be learning about myself because it was everywhere, and it was debated in school and my school actually refused to allow the year 12 graduates of that year to mention it in their yearbook quotes, they say.

It was just incredibly lonely. In year 12, Enfys was a school leader and tried to start a gender and sexuality group. While they had a supportive teacher help them push to have the group approved, they received a firm no from the school. During this time, they also pushed for the acknowledgment of queer couples during Valentines Day events, and were again refused. That was much worse than just feeling isolated, because it was the school actively telling me, No, theres no space for you here.  All this affected their ability to concentrate in class, at a time when they should have been focusing on their final exams. It was constantly in the back of my mind that my school didnt care about me essentially. Enfys now lives in Melbourne in a house with other queer people.

Its nice to be able to exist in a space that you call home and be able to be entirely yourself and not worry about whether or not someones going to question you. It can be hard growing up in that space where youre having to explain yourself before youve even discovered yourself. Loading Mentoring younger members of the community as part of Minus 18s leadership program has been a rewarding project, says Enfys, who sees a lot of themselves reflected in their mentees. I want to be the kind of person helping the child version of me that couldnt find anything. For Enfys, its the little things that go a long way when it comes to creating more inclusive spaces for members of the LGBTQ community. People get afraid that they cant do anything, but the tiniest action can have a big impact when done by so many people, they say.

Even something like adding pronouns at the end of an email or discussing with family or friends laws that need to be reformed or need to be pushed back against. I did feel a bit like an outsider; I was always on show Jemma came out in year 8, an experience she says felt terrifying at the time. Credit: Penny Stephens Jemma* was one of the only openly queer students at her high school, having come out to her peers in year 8, a decision she says was not easy. It was terrifying, to be completely honest. It was not a great time. I was really, really self-conscious about it because it was just not something that was openly super-accepted yet, like marriage equality wasnt even legalised yet.

Like Kira, Jemma says intolerance also came from her peers. They often treated me like a science experiment, or, it sounds a bit dramatic, but like an animal in a zoo. Theyd ask me really personal questions they wouldnt ask anyone else, says the 22-year-old criminology and psychology student. Loading Despite being proud about her sexual identity, she says she did feel a bit like an outsider; I was always on show. And while she says many teachers were incredibly supportive, some who she turned to for help perpetuated harmful stereotypes about sexuality. A student counsellor suggested that her bisexuality was merely a phase. Does she think its easier to be queer today? Its a complicated question to answer, she says, but stresses that many of the strides made for equality have only been recent.

I know that society feels like its made lots of progress in terms of accepting the queer community, she says. But its really important to note that most of these changes were only made in very recent history. Marriage equality was only legalised in 2017 ... Its so important that we look back and acknowledge how recent that is and the people who fought for change. Jemma, who attended Minus 18 events throughout her teenage years, says joining its leadership program was a way to give back. Being neurodivergent, she says the program has been rewarding in more ways than one. Its been really affirming for me, being around so many like-minded people who are very open to unmasking and embracing neurodiversity in ways that I havent even explored before.
Long-running pro-Palestine protest camps at the University of Melbourne are expected to be packed up today.

On Thursday afternoon, the university publicly committed to disclosing more details how joint academic research projects are funded. On Wednesday night, the students agreed to ending their occupation of the universitys Arts West building and dismantling a camp on the campus south lawn following the universitys release of the public commitment.

The Pro-Palestinian encampment at Melbourne University. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

The Age contacted protesters to confirm this will occur after the university issued an update on its website at 2.30pm, but is yet to receive a response. No response is visible on the protest groups social media yet either.

Earlier, the University of Melbourne update said it would commit to additional disclosure of its research grant arrangements as they relate to research projects, the parties who support that research and the quantum.

Currently, the university makes information related to the topic and duration of research projects available to all members of the university community and the public. Further updates will be made available on the Universitys website progressively, commencing in June.

On Wednesday, protest organiser Dana Alshaer said demonstrators expected the university to disclose all its ties to weapons companies within a month and would keep campaigning for it to end those deals altogether.

This is a major win, but its also a first step.

But on Thursday, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim denied the agreement was a victory for protesters, instead calling it nothing more than a sham to disguise the fact that they have shut down their camp under threats of expulsion and totally capitulated.

Apart from menacing and harassing students and staff over several weeks, and bringing Australian higher education into disrepute, the protesters have achieved precisely nothing, Wertheim said.

They should hang their heads in shame.
Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham triggered a wave of abuse including death threats against Sydney MP Alex Greenwich when he posted a tweet playing on offensive stereotypes about gay men, the Federal Court has heard.

Greenwich, the independent NSW MP for Sydney, filed defamation proceedings against Latham last year after the independent NSW upper house MP posted and later deleted a highly graphic and offensive comment on Twitter, now X, on March 30.

Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney on Wednesday for the first day of the defamation trial. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Greenwich is also suing Latham over related comments he made to Sydneys The Daily Telegraph on April 1. Greenwich, who is gay, described the tweet as defamatory and homophobic.

Giving evidence in Sydney on Wednesday, the first day of the trial, Greenwich said that since this tweet was put out into the world ... I have wanted it to go away.
Its clear you had trouble dealing with the fact that the relationship is over  it was clear you were extremely angry at the prospect of Ms Lezsak being interested in someone else, or wanting to end the relationship. Given your relative sizes and strength ... it was only by sheer luck that Lily was not seriously injured. Mother of two Monique Lezsak. The court previously heard that during the attack, Lily had told Lindemann to leave my mother alone as Lindemann shouted at Lezsak, Youve ruined my life. You were not deterred by breaking two of the knives, or having two of them taken away from you, Hollingworth said. This was not a momentary loss of control  you were clearly determined to kill Ms Lezsak.

After the attack, Lindemann transferred $71,000 between bank accounts, tried to call his ex-wife and then turned the knife on himself. Hollingworth labelled the money transfer particularly calculated. Loading Lily rang triple zero and told police her mother had been injured. Please help me. My mum is dead, she said on the phone, crying. Stay with me, Mum, stay with me. When police arrived, Lily was found sitting next to her mother, covered in her blood. Lindemann, who has a tattoo of Jesus on the left side of his neck, didnt react as his sentence was read out. In a previous hearing, Hollingworth told Lindemann to stop his crocodile tears as he sobbed in court.

Family, friends and supporters of Lezsak were in court as it was revealed the young mother had been worried about what Lindemann might do if she tried to end their relationship. Lezsaks lifelong friend Jacqueline Schwartz thanked police for their work in prosecuting Lindemann, whose actions had left her friends and family horrified and devastated. Jacqueline Schwartz, a close friend of Monique Leszak, spoke outside the court on Wednesday. Credit: Wayne Taylor There is no excuse for such actions, there is no amount of punishment that will be enough or replace our loss, she said outside court. The destruction that has ensued and devastation it has caused is unfixable. Let it be clear ... that we, as Australians, will not accept domestic violence. It will not go unseen, and it will not go unpunished.

Let it be said that domestic violence is not isolated, and that it is capable of happening to anybody. Women should be safe in their own homes. Especially from the ones they trust the most. At a time of heightened focus on domestic violence, the court heard that a psychological report found Lindemanns problematic gender-based beliefs contributed to his inability to feel remorse about taking Lezsaks life. In his report, forensic psychologist Patrick Newton said Lindemann was resentful towards Lezsak because he had left his family to pursue a relationship with her, and he had a range of problematic gender-based beliefs. Hollingworth accepted that Lindemann had pleaded guilty at an early stage and had used his time in custody productively, and that he had no prior criminal history, all of which entitled him to a small sentencing reduction.

But Hollingworth rejected that Lindemann was genuinely remorseful for his actions, finding there was not evidence of genuine contrition because you still lack insight into your actions, and that he had shown evidence of a victim-blame mentality. Loading The court heard that due to the nature of the killing, Lindemann might have to spend time in protective custody. If Lindemann had not pleaded guilty, he would have been sentenced to 37 years. According to the National Homicide Monitoring Program, domestic homicide victims made up more than one-third (or 38 per cent) of all homicide victims in 2022-23. Most domestic homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. * Lily is a court-ordered pseudonym to protect the identity of the child.
Lebanon firefighters nearly $11 million bid for new tax revenue is on a path to fail following the Tuesday, May 21 primary election, with more than two to one voters saying no in preliminary counts, even as other fire-related taxes appeared mostly to succeed across Oregon and locally.

The Lebanon Fire District asked voters to approve a local tax option to fund daily operations, levied over five years. By noon Wednesday, the Linn County elections office had recorded a little less than 69% of the vote against the district with about 7,700 ballots returned.

A Place to Sleep, episode 5: Lebanon How did the last couple of elections change the way East Linn County interacts with its unho

Fire officials across the state put 25 funding measures on the May ballot, including Jefferson Rural Fire Protection Districts five-year local option tax levy and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District's $3 million bond measure for wildland firefighting trucks and radios. Both are on track to pass.

Early primary election results on Wednesday, May 22 showed fire districts renewing local option levies in Banks, La Pine, Vernonia, Woodburn and Yamhill County. Voters approved 10 new option levies and passed one new tax district, establishing a fire district in Row River.

Lebanon led districts where voters mostly denied new option levies, including Haines where 53% voted against; Rocky Point (54%); Dundee (56%); Tillamook (57%) and Baker (61%).

Fire officials in Lebanon had made their pitch after polling showed the district was not likely to vote yes for tax hikes to maintain emergency services, but more likely to approve $10.82 million in proposed taxes meant to add ambulances and crews, and speed up response times.

The districts fire chief, Joe Rodondi, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Lebanons de facto fire department began considering additional tax funding in 2023. Thats when district staff warned elected leaders that without additional revenue, Lebanon Fire will overdraw its budget by about $490,000 in 2024 and around $1.4 million in 2026.

Leading the shortfall are basic operating costs.

Revenue at the district is stagnant, choked by flagging tax revenue and pressed against costs that rose to historic highs under coronavirus-era inflation.

At the same time, Lebanons call volume increased 44% between 2014 and 2024 and hasn't slowed. The district answers an average 7,000 calls each year.

The district schedules seven firefighters at any time to cover 144 square miles.

Lebanon Fires tax would have raised a little less than $2.2 million each year. Thats on top of the about $6.5 million the district already collects on its base property tax rate.

Property owners would have paid 75 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value under the tax levy. Thats $225 added to tax bills on a property assessed at $300,000.

Voters rebuke comes as elected officials at the city of Lebanon had considered their own tax measure to float operations at the municipal government ahead of a looming $2-plus million shortfall.

And about five years after voters approved $16.1 million in bond funding to help pay for the districts new central fire station.

Bonds are repaid by taxpayers but can fun only capital projects like construction or buying equipment. Levies are used to fund regular operating expenses, such as personnel.

Remaining votes, which if postmarked by Tuesday will continue to be tallied through May 28, are unlikely to favor the district. Right-wing political organizers spread disinformation in the primary election run-up, criticizing district leaders and the proposed levy, confusing its purpose with the prior bond.

One argument claimed Linn County property owners experience the highest tax rate in the state. They don't, according to the state. Multnomah, Benton, Washington and Clackamas counties have them beat.

Lebanon is the only major population center in the mid-Willamette Valley where voters have shifted to the right even as the city grows.

Linn County saw 34.52% turnout in the last primary election, 2022, and about 40% in the last presidential election year, 2020.

About one in two Lebanon voters cast ballots in May 2020 with an average 53% turnout across the city

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Elyse, a former Eucalyptus customer from Newcastle who did not give her surname to protect her privacy, stopped using replica Ozempic four months ago after being on the weight loss drug for about a year. She said making the compounded medicine unavailable was deeply disappointing. [The compounded drug] made me not feel guilty about using it, and taking away the pens from people who should take first priority [is deeply disappointing]. This is a medication Ive relied on to get to a point where Im happy with myself  It will cause distress and anxiety for a group that gets so much benefit from it. Health Minister Butler defended his decision to ban the compounds on the basis these were powerful new drugs that have a significant impact on the body. I know there are thousands of patients who have been lured into this market. I want to give them time to go and consult with their doctor, he said. But I want to be really clear: this is an unacceptable safety risk. This is an abuse of the compounding exception thats always existed in our medical system to allow doctors and pharmacists to make a one-off decision.

What weve seen over the last several months is that exception, essentially, exploited by some businesses who have set up large-scale manufacturing operations, where theres no line of sight on safety, at all. He has broad support from the health sector, including GPs, the Medical Board of Australia, Diabetes Australia, the Eating Disorders Alliance of Australia and state and territory health departments. Elizabeth Deveny, chief executive of the Consumers Health Forum, said she welcomed the ban because of concerns about safety and quality issues. But what we have also been hearing from consumers for a very long time now is that there is absolutely a supply issue which is impacting those people who legitimately need it, she said. We realise that todays announcement may worry some people and our advice is for people who are using an Ozempic-like product to speak to their GP and pharmacist now to plan options for what happens after October.

Ozempic and Mounjaro, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are regular injections that reduce a users appetite by mimicking hormones that cause the body to feel full. Loading Ozempic is subsidised at $31.60 in Australia for type 2 diabetes but is frequently bought off-label  meaning a purpose for which the drug has not been approved  for weight loss at a higher price, from about $140 a month. Mounjaro is not available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme but sells for between $315 and $645 a month. Between 20 and 40 per cent of Australian Ozempic users have used it off-label, Novo Nordisks general manager for Oceania, Cem Ozenc, told federal parliaments diabetes inquiry in March. Global supply issues remained the major challenge for boosting Australians access to the drug, he said.

What we are doing every day is building manufacturing sites like theres no tomorrow ... But, as you can imagine, the manufacturing process is complex and it will take time, he said. We are already increasing the supply of Ozempic to Australia. We doubled it last year and its still increasing this year, yet its still not enough. Unfortunately, that wont change this year. Next year, we will see how that goes, but I do expect that there will be a similar challenge. Supply problems have also stopped the company from launching its other product, Wegovy, in Australia. Wegovy includes a higher dose of semaglitude and is approved for obesity. Its very frustrating  I acknowledge that  because this is a treatment that many millions of Australians are anticipating and thats also causing a lot of turmoil in the market. But we are working very hard to bring it to Australia, Ozenc said. Once Wegovy has been launched in this country, there will be two treatments for two types of patients, and I guess that will at least lessen that problem a little bit.
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 Two years after the election of Anthony Albaneses government, the prime minister has not lost a single minister to scandal, retirement or incompetence. But it has also become clear that some ministers are more equal than others. Looking beyond their ministerial day jobs, here are the people Albanese turns to for advice and problem-solving  and a couple who are running their own show. The brains trust Credit: Marija Ercegovac Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong is one of the governments best-performing ministers. She is loved by the Labor faithful and has carefully repaired connections with Pacific and South-East Asian neighbours while thawing relations with Beijing. Wongs handling of the Israel-Hamas war has not been perfect, however, and she has shown a distinct lack of interest in Europe. But her most important job is the one you dont see publicly  the veteran South Australian senator is Albaneses closest political confidante and, often, the first person he turns to for advice. Katy Gallagher, the minister for finance, women and the public service, has perhaps the broadest portfolio responsibilities of anyone other than Albanese. After Wong, Gallagher has arguably the most in the room influence on the tone and direction of the government, and she has the ear of the PM. Dubbed the co-deputy prime ministers by some in the caucus, the pair sits on the powerful expenditure review and national security committees of cabinet (known as the ERC and NSC), wield covert influence and play an important role in taking the fight to the opposition. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is one of the governments best communicators. While he is not as tight with Albanese as Wong and Gallagher, he has formed a powerful duo with the finance minister and helped steer Labor towards consecutive budget surpluses. Albanese and Chalmers might go a couple of days without talking, but will then speak six times in one day to exchange notes. Chalmers sits on the ERC and NSC, too, and is viewed as the person most likely to succeed Albanese one day  he is quietly biding his time and building his credentials. Importantly, he is the most senior Queenslander in a state where the party is desperate to win more seats.

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Tony Burkes day job is minister for employment, workplace relations and the arts, but its his other job  leader of the House  that places him firmly in the governments brains trust. In this role, Burke plays a big role in determining when legislation is brought forward and votes are called, and ensuring the government has command of the House in question time. He works closely with Albanese, himself a former leader of the House, in ensuring parliament runs smoothly. And although Burke is not on the ERC, he has another important job that hes handled with aplomb so far  delivering union-friendly industrial relations laws that keep the partys industrial base happy. Covert influencers Credit: Marija Ercegovac Trade Minister Don Farrell has played a big role in restoring trade with China, which is of major importance to Australian exporters. He failed to land a trade deal with the European Union, but for the right reasons: it wasnt good enough. But Farrells biggest influence is behind the scenes as a steady hand, advocate for policy focused on middle Australia and, most of all, as the head of the small states Right faction. He has MPs loyal to him in every state and territory and his support for Albanese is vital. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has been a solid performer and kept a low profile in what can be a tricky portfolio for Labor. Marles is closer to the PM than people realise and, along with Albanese, bedded down Australias commitment to the AUKUS submarine deal despite the objections of some Labor faithful. Marles is the only other MP who sits on the ERC and NSC and serves as a Right faction gatekeeper in Victoria for Albanese. Resources Minister Madeleine King, much like her former boss and predecessor in the West Australian seat of Brand, Gary Gray, is a low-profile cabinet minister. But she matters as she is the most senior WA MP, and Labor is desperate to hang on to the swag of seats it won in the state in 2022. King is a strong advocate in cabinet for the resources sector, which can sometimes be a lonely task in a Labor government, but its core business for her home state. As members of the ERC, ministers Michelle Rowland, Catherine King, Mark Butler and Stephen Jones all get an honourable mention, as do Mark Dreyfus and Chris Bowen as members of the NSC.

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Running their own show Credit: Marija Ercegovac Bill Shorten has licence to roam across portfolios after six years leading the party, and hes an accomplished performer. His desire to reform the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which he championed as a junior minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments, is genuine. If he can pare back its rapid growth rate and put it on a sustainable footing, it will be a singular legacy item. Although Shortens in the cabinet, hell never be in the tent while Albanese is leader and as such is allowed to run his own show. Tanya Plibersek is a cut-through media performer and former deputy leader, so shes allowed more freedom to run her own race. Though she isnt in the inner circle of trust, she can land a killer blow on her political opponents. The difficult environment portfolio requires her to approve coal mines while representing one of the nations most left-wing, climate-friendly electorates. Attack dogs and shutdown merchants Credit: Marija Ercegovac Murray Watt is a close political ally of the PM and, along with ministers Pat Conroy and Andrew Giles and assistant minister Tim Ayres, is a member of Albaneses Left faction Praetorian Guard. Watt, the agriculture and emergency management minister, is often the man sent to speak outside his portfolio, put out political spot fires and shut down an issue. His input on Labors hunt for Queensland seats will be crucial if the party is to make gains up north. On track for promotion.

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Education Minister Jason Clare had a spectacular 2022 election as the temporary face of the campaign when Albanese got COVID-19, but has since seemed to retreat into his shell. Juggling school funding deals with the states and an even bigger fight with universities over cuts to the number of foreign students, he is still sent occasionally to speak outside his portfolio  such as the instant response to Opposition Leader Peter Duttons budget reply speech  and take the fight to the opposition. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has a portfolio that can make news for the wrong reasons, such as problems with pension payments or the low rate of JobSeeker. A patient explainer in the media, Rishworth controls about one-third of the $700 billion federal budget and has delivered two successive rises in rent assistance and an increase in JobSeeker payments  decisions that pleased the party faithful and the sector, even if they may have wanted more. Shes also the person the prime minister relies on to be the caring voice of government, anchoring the 10-year plan to tackle domestic violence. The lone wolf Credit: Marija Ercegovac Ed Husic is one of the governments best plain-speaking communicators and Labors Future Made in Australia agenda has made his industry and science portfolio more high-profile than usual. But while Husic is in the tent, unlike Shorten and Plibersek, he functions as a sort of pressure release valve for the backbench. Thats because he is not afraid to put a dissenting view in cabinet or speak out publicly on issues such as Gaza. This is a rare trait in a ministry, and a caucus, that has been well-behaved to the point of being supine for two years. Next into cabinet Credit: Marija Ercegovac

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Trumps absence from the witness box was hardly surprising for other reasons, too. While the feisty 77-year-old had initially signalled he would be willing to provide evidence in his own defence, he was noticeably less enthusiastic after Judge Juan Merchan last month ruled that prosecutors would be allowed to question him about two of his other recent legal woes. Loading The first was the civil fraud case in which Trump was recently ordered to pay $US350 million ($535 million) and barred from running a business in New York for three years, for unlawfully inflating the value of his assets while building the real estate empire that helped catapult him into the White House. The second was the defamation case against writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. But even without his testimony, the hush-money case was nothing short of a legal blockbuster  so much so, that people would often stand in line hours before the court opened hoping to get one of the limited seats on the 15th floor.

Some even spent hundreds of dollars on professional line sitters, who would camp out overnight to reserve spots for clients at the front of the queue, giving people a much greater chance of ending up with a ringside seat to history. Part of the interest came down to the key players in this salacious tale of sex, politics, power and money. The line for Michael Cohens second day of testimony at Donald Trumps hush-money trial, filled with paid line sitters in the front and the crowd swelling at the back. Credit: Farrah Tomazin There was American porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she slept with Trump in 2006 while he was married to his current wife, Melania. There was tabloid king David Pecker, and his Australian offsider Dylan Howard, who agreed to bury damaging stories about Trump to help him win the 2016 election, in a practice known as catch and kill.

And there was former fixer-turned-felon-and-foe Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels $US130,000, which Trump allegedly reimbursed by cooking the books. Others, however, were less impressed. Whats going on here is an absolute farce and anyone in America should be embarrassed at the absolute miscarriage of justice that were seeing here, said Donald Trump Jr, who came to support his father at the court for the first time. The star witness in this case is a what? A nine-times convicted liar and now a convicted thief? That is who theyre hanging their hat on? he said of Cohen. And the other one happens to be a porn star. Not exactly the ultimate form of jurisprudence here.

The final week of evidence kicked off just as last week had ended: with Trumps defence lawyer Todd Blanche seeking to discredit Cohen as a liar and criminal who was obsessed with his former boss and out for revenge. It was a fairly successful cross-examination, too, in which Blanche sowed enough doubt over a phone call Cohen had earlier claimed hed had with Trump about the Daniels deal. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen (front). Credit: The New York Times Later, the mild-mannered defence lawyer scored another hit, by getting Cohen to confess hed stolen $US60,000 from Trumps family business while trying to rig a popularity poll to make Trump the most famous businessman in the contest. So you stole from the Trump Organisation, right? Blanche asked Cohen.

Yes, sir, the typically hot-tempered 57-year-old replied, matter-of-factly. But in an astonishing own goal, the defence teams work was undermined by a last-minute decision to call brash New York lawyer Robert Costello to the stand in the hope of discrediting Cohen further. A court sketch showing Judge Juan Merchan (left) castigating witness Robert Costello. Credit: AP The jury had earlier heard through Cohen that in 2018, shortly after he was raided by the FBI, Costello offered to create a back channel to Trump via disgraced lawyer Rudy Giuliani, amid fears Cohen would flip and tell authorities about the hush money. The jurys attention quickly turned to Costellos own credibility, however, as he became increasingly frustrated by Merchan sustaining the prosecutions objections to his evidence.

At one point Costello rolled his eyes, stared the judge down, and muttered geez under his breath  resulting in the judge angrily clearing the entire courtroom to admonish him. Loading I want to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom, Merchan said. If you dont like my ruling, you dont say geez and you dont say strike it because Im the only one who can strike testimony in court. Trumps team rested its case as soon as Costello left the stand, no doubt leaving a lasting impression on the jury of seven men and five women. The 12 New Yorkers have now been dismissed for an extended Memorial Day long weekend, but will return on Tuesday when both sides present their closing arguments.
With the generous support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF-Japan), the World Customs Organization (WCO) organized a regional pre-accreditation workshop for Technical and Operational Advisors (TOAs) on PCA (Post-Clearance Audit). The event was held in Kashiwa (Japan) at the premises of the Japanese Customs Training Institute (CTI), serving as WCO Regional Training Centre, from 13th to 17th May 2024.

This workshop was organized as part of the strategic approach taken by the WCO aimed at expanding the pool of WCO experts to timely respond to the needs expressed by the WCO Members on PCA.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Aoyama, Managing Director of CTI, warmly welcomed all participants. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of PCA in facing the challenges of global trade and expressed the full commitment of the RTC in Kashiwa to support WCO Capacity Building initiatives.

The workshop was attended by twelve preselected participants from Bhutan, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. They were assessed on their relevant technical knowledge and application, presentation and facilitation skills, communication and advisory skills, overall knowledge on key WCO tools and instruments and their team working capabilities. Throughout the intensive five-day workshop, they had the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills, techniques and, most importantly, enthusiasm to contribute to the capacity building activities to be organized by the WCO in the future.

Successful participants at the workshop will be invited to the next stage of the WCO expert accreditation process, an in-field mission. It is expected that those participants who successfully complete the accreditation process will be added to the pool of experts and work together with the WCO for the benefit of Members who request technical assistance from the WCO in the area of PCA.

For more information about PCA, please click here.
Gabe Shepherd, a Corvallis city councilor who campaigned on a platform of more access and transparency in local government, likely will serve on the Benton County Board of Commissioners after taking the Democratic nomination Tuesday night.

Shepherd led Liz Irish by 62% to 38% in early ballot returns.

In the first release of votes just after 8 p.m., Benton County election officials had tallied 8,236 votes. Final election results are due in June.

That lead extended into Wednesday, when the county had recorded about one-third of all eligible votes, about 20,000 ballots. Some 11,300 of those returned votes for the Democratic nomination to Position 2 on the Benton County board.

Oregon closes partisan races in its primary elections to voters who aren't affiliated with political party.

Shepherd has campaigned in the runup to Oregons May 21 primary on feedback he said he heard as chair of the Benton County Democrats, criticizing a county he said spent too much time listening to consultants and promising to meetings in the local governments rural reaches.

People right now are frustrated with the county, and they were looking for a change Shepherd said Tuesday night. "I'm glad they saw me as that change."

Irish, a loan officer and appointee to county budget and land use committees, said at 10 p.m. that she had called Shepherd to congratulate him.

We see that the numbers are leaning his way," Irish said. "I'm not sure that we're going to make up that large of a deficit."

No Republicans filed to contest the Position 2 seat that Xan Augerot has held since 2016, effectively handing the seat to the primary winner.

Augerot didnt file to run for a third term and said she intends to step down at the end of 2024 with two of the boards three offices up for election.

Even before Irish's concession, a crowd celebrated Shepherd's lead at a watch party with about 25% of eligible votes counted.

Benton County saw 69% Democrat turnout in the 2020 May primary election. At 33% on Wednesday, Benton's preliminary voter turnout led statewide results with about 26% of votes counted across Oregon.

On social media Wednesday, Irish wrote: "We fought hard and did our best."

Shepherd said of his opponent: "It's important that we have competition in these races, and I appreciate her standing up and running. It's not easy.

Shepherd will sit on board that likely sees dump managers next attempt to expand Coffin Butte Landfill, and inherit a jail in disrepair and a legacy of failed bond measures.

He said voters Tuesday demonstrated confidence that he will address some of those banner issues.

The size of the lead right now shows their buy-in, Shepherd said.

Democrats have held a supermajority on the Benton board since 2000.

Keith Lembke, a Republican, will run against Democrat incumbent Nancy Wyse in November after each took their partys nomination without competition.

Lembke ran in 2022 for state office, losing his bid for Oregon House of Representatives to former House Speaker Dan Rayfield of Corvallis. Hes been a vice chair of the Benton County Republican Party.

Wyse defeated Republican John Sarna two-to-one in November 2020, replacing Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo who held the job as a Democrat for 20 years.

She served two two-year terms, from 2016, as a Corvallis city councilor. Wyse came from the countys budget committee and planning commission, first running in 2018 for a seat on the Benton board but lost in the Democratic primary.

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Press Release

May 22, 2024 Senate Health Committee provides platform for healthcare workers to voice concerns as Chair Bong Go reminds DBM, DOH to prioritize HEA Senate Committee on Health and Demography Chair Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday, May 20, championed the welfare of healthcare workers as the public hearing he led became an "avenue" for ordinary healthcare workers to ask high-ranking officials directly about their delayed health emergency allowances during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a public hearing conducted by the Committee, healthcare workers were given an opportunity to have a dialogue with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman regarding their Health Emergency Allowance or HEA concerns. Senator Go was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances Act, which grants benefits and allowances to healthcare workers during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the lifting of the state of public health emergency last year, a number of health workers have not yet received what is due to them. Healthcare worker Rowel Pahati expressed deep gratitude to Go for providing a platform to air their concerns. Pahati, however, could not hold back his emotion as he raised his questions directed to DOH and DBM through the committee chair. "Tuwang-tuwa po kami. Kasi pangatlong beses na kami uma-attend dito at palagi kaming ini-involve ni Senator Bong. Salamat po. Pangalawang beses ko nang narinig na unang tinanong ni Senator Bong na napakaganda sa pandinig naming mga healthcare worker kung priority n'yo kami. Hindi kayo masagot, senator eh. Hindi kayo masagot nila. Nung may mga sakit po ang mga Pilipino, priority namin kayong lahat. Naiiyak kami kasi para kaming namamalimos," Pahati said. Pahati, who is part of the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, raised concerns about a fellow healthcare worker who he said is losing hope of ever receiving HEA. "Meron po kami ngayon, senator, na kasamahan na mukhang hindi na masisilayan 'yung HEA dahil may cancer po siya. Pasensya na kayo kung nagiging emosyonal. Kasi tuwang tuwa kami na ilang hospital na pribado na iniimbita dito ni Senator. Salamat, Senator. Pero kada punta po namin, hindi po masagot 'yung tanong namin kung kailan," he added. Expressing his solidarity with healthcare workers, Go acknowledged their hardships and sacrifices, saying, "I am one with you po. Alam ko 'yung hirap. Ang mga BHW, ang init po, nagbibilad sa init 'yan para sa kanilang trabaho, makapag-serbisyo sa mga ating mga kababayan." "You have this committee, you have the avenue, nandito po ito. Kung kakailanganin nga, mag-weekly tayo, monthly hearing tayo hanggang matapos po ang obligasyon ng gobyerno," he added. Turning to DOH and DBM officials, Go asked for assurances that the concerned agencies will fulfill their previous commitment of releasing HEA in full by next year. "Priority po namin kayo. Priority po namin. 'Yan po ang utos. Ika nga ni Senator, nasa SONA po ng ating Presidente (Marcos). Tuwing nagkikita po kami, sinasabi po niya, pinapaalala po niya 'yan, priority po namin kayo," Budget Sec. Pangandaman replied. "But ang promise ko po, sinabi ko na rin po kanina, by 2025, tapos na, babayaran na po natin. Pero 'yung implementation po, sa DOH, 'yung listahan, sa DOH po," she added. Go also sought reassurances from DOH Secretary Herbosa, who acknowledged the bureaucratic issues and budget constraints but committed to improving the distribution system and reconciling their records with DBM as to the pending amount needed to fulfill all obligations. During the hearing, healthcare worker representatives inquired about the discrepancy in funding prioritization in the national budget, pointing out that while PhP27.3 billion was still required on top of what was programmed under this year's DOH budget, only PhP2.3 billion had been indicated under the unprogrammed appropriations for the Health Emergency Allowance. In response, Pangandaman elaborated on budget constraints and the prioritization process, emphasizing the government's efforts to balance numerous essential programs within a limited fiscal space. "Depende po sa amount ng excess revenues na makukuha natin from Bureau of Treasury, and then, titignan po natin... dahil marami pong... I know this is important, pero marami ding equally important programs po na kailangan din po natin," she replied referring to the process of funding unprogrammed appropriations. The complexity of disbursing the HEA was further discussed by DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who detailed the logistical hurdles faced by the DOH in ensuring the funds reach the intended recipients. Herbosa further explained the internal procedures that delay the flow of funds, noting that once the funds are available for disbursement, they release funds to private hospitals, as done in Metro Manila. However, delays arise when liquidation reports from these hospitals to ensure accountability and proper disbursement are not submitted on time. Amidst the technical explanations, healthcare representatives expressed their need for more transparency and efficiency in the disbursement process. They stressed the urgency of resolving these delays, which would significantly impact their livelihoods and morale. Go echoed these sentiments and emphasized the dire situation faced by healthcare workers, saying, "Marami pong umaasa dito sa munting benepisyo na makukuha nila... allowances na pinaghirapan at pinagpapawisan po nila... services rendered na po iyan," he added. As the meeting progressed, the DBM and DOH also stressed efforts for "HEA mapping", an initiative to provide transparency by showing exactly who has received their allowances and who has not. Go then acknowledged the ongoing efforts and pushed for clarity on how these processes could be optimized to ensure no qualified healthcare worker is left out due to bureaucratic delays. Senator Go concluded the deliberations by reiterating the plight of healthcare workers: "Sabi ko, this Committee has been an avenue for healthcare workers in the previous hearings, and it will continue to be a platform for them to voice out their concerns. To our healthcare workers, I am one with you in your call for the release of your much deserved allowances."
IN-PERSON CAMPUS VISITS



Our beautiful campus is located in the foothills of the majestic Wasatch Mountains in Ogden, Utah, about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City.

Join us for a 90-minute tour of our campus, where you can see our state of the art facilities, check out classrooms and labs, and fall in love with the views. We promise, you will! To help you get to know WSU, you will meet an admissions staff member and learn about majors, admissions, financial aid, campus life, and more. We can also include a tour of campus housing if you are interested. Those who are younger than 18 must attend with a parent or guardian.

In addition to our regular tours, you can join us for Adventure Fridays to hang out with us at the climbing wall too. Check that out below!

Weekday Campus Tours

transfer wednesdays

Thinking of transferring to Weber State? Take this opportunity to speak with a transfer advisor and get information tailored to your needs, then tour our state of the art facilities, check out classrooms and labs, and fall in love with the views. Sign Up for Transfer Wednesdays Adventure Fridays

Planning a tour of campus? Take this opportunity to add some extra adventure to your Friday tour! After your tour, come hang out with us at the climbing wall and join us for a fun rappelling experience. Adventure awaits, sign up now! Register for your Friday tour at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., and then add Adventure Friday to your tour!* *All rappels take place on Fridays at 1 p.m. and require registration Sign Up for Adventure Friday

GAME DAY Tour Saturday, November 9 at 9 am

Come join us for some great WSU information, a campus tour, a tailgate lunch and party, and tickets to the WSU football game! Sign up today for this unique tour, which will include information about WSU, academic programs, financial aid and scholarships, and more! Then enjoy a guided tour of our beautiful campus, followed by lunch and a tailgate party at Stewart Stadium. All attendees will receive tickets to the WSU football game starting at 1 pm. Sign Up For The Game Day Tour

saturday & evening Campus Tours

We offer evening and Saturday options for visiting WSU as well, Saturday morning tours are from 10 a.m.  noon and Wednesday evening tours are 6 - 7:30 pm. Sign Up Now

Self-Guided TOURS You are welcome to check it out yourself. Download the map and directions (PDF). group tours

Have a class or group you'd like to bring to campus for a tour? We would love to host your group for a visit! Please fill out the Group Visit Request Form and we will get back with you to confirm your visit.

purple carpet Events

Weekday tours are held Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Join us for one of our exclusive information events to help students, family members and counselors get to know Weber State University. You get to check out campus and get all of your questions answered so you can be confident as you prepare to start college. Come enjoy a guided tour and learn about programs, services and facilities offered at WSU. Additional information sessions include how to pay for college, be successful in college, the benefits of Concurrent Enrollment, how to defer admission and scholarships, and the next steps for students after being admitted.

Open Houses

Weber State University is coming to you! This is your opportunity to learn about Weber State and get all of your questions answered. These events include topics like scholarship opportunities, deferring admission and scholarships, student services and which major is right for you. Network with other prospective students and families while you learn about Weber State!

Thursday, Oct. 10 | 6:308 p.m. | Idaho Falls Activity Center

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David Young, PA

A hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to trial over historical sex offences will take place on July 3rd, a court has heard.

The date for the committal proceedings  known as a preliminary enquiry (PE)  was fixed when the case against Mr Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates Court in Co Down on Wednesday.

Neither accused was in court, having been excused from attending.

The 61-year-old MP for Lagan Valley was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates Court after his first court appearance in April. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.

His wife (58), of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

The next review hearing in the case will take place on June 12th.

Barrister Fiona OKane, for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, gave an update on progress of the case on Wednesday.

Eleanor Donaldson arrives at Newry Magistrates Court in April. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The case is progressing quite expeditiously, she told District Judge Eamonn King.

The position this morning is that we would hope to be able to have the PE (preliminary enquiry) itself on the third of July.

She said the review hearing on June 12th would provide an opportunity to check that progress towards the committal hearing was still on track.

The barrister said papers on the case were being prepared.

I understand that both defendants solicitors will accept service of the papers to facilitate the progress of the PE, so that makes matters a lot easier, she added.

A lawyer representing Eleanor Donaldson questioned whether the PE could be brought forward to the June 12th hearing date. When Ms OKane indicated that would not be possible, he said he was content not to pursue that request.

Judge King then confirmed the preliminary enquiry would take place on July 3rd.

Well review on the 12th of June to make sure that we are on track for the PE on the third of July, he added.

A lawyer representing Jeffrey Donaldson then asked the judge to agree to what he described as an uncontentious amendment to his clients bail conditions.

He explained that a condition on the bail granted by police when Mr Donaldson was arrested was that he was to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16.

When the politician appeared in court for the first time last month, that police bail was converted to bail granted by the court.

The lawyer said in the process of converting the bail conditions, the term unsupervised was omitted in the court bail, leaving the condition stating that Mr Donaldson was to have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

The judge agreed for the word unsupervised to be added to the condition in the court bail.

However, after a request from the PPS barrister Ms OKane, he added a stipulation that the person supervising any contact Jeffrey Donaldson had with anyone under the age of 16 could not be his co-accused, Eleanor Donaldson.

No other issues were raised during the brief review hearing, which lasted only three minutes.

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations against him emerged in March.

It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers at the time, he made clear he would be strenuously contesting all charges against him.

Weeks prior to his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

East Belfast MP and deputy leader, Gavin Robinson, has been appointed interim DUP leader.

Mr Donaldson has so far remained as MP for Lagan Valley, a seat he has held since 1997.
Owning a car is vital to Irish life, according to a recent survey undertaken by AA Ireland.

Two-thirds of Irish drivers own their car outright, and almost three out of four own a car that is more than five years old.

The latest AA Ireland Customer Opinion Survey also found that half of respondents drive no more than 10,000km a year, and six in ten motorists have paid less than 20,000 for their car. Only about 10% of car buyers paid more than 40,000 for their car.

The Irish car Parc is now near to 2.5 million vehicles, but only 4% of respondents yet own an electric car, while 9% are driving hybrids. When it comes to replacing their current car, most respondents are open to the idea of electrification: the majority (28%) will be considering buying a hybrid, 26% a diesel and 20% petrol.

Some 42% of survey respondents spend 250 to 500 annually on vehicle maintenance and 94% claimed to have fully comprehensive insurance cover.

The survey also suggested that a die-hard 14% of existing car owners will drive their cars into the ground, only replacing it once theyve wrung every last kilometre out of it.

MG 242 offers

MG Ireland has announced 242 special offers across its vehicle line-up, including the MG4, MG ZS, and MG5.

The offers include 0% finance or 4,000 off RRP on the MG4 EV Standard Range car, giving a start price of 25,995, and making the MG ZS EV Standard Range available from 31,495.

The MG5 EV Long Range Excite is now offered from 29,995.

The 242 special offers are available for a limited time only with limited stocks.
Minister of State, Alan Dillon, has welcomed funding of over 193,000 awarded to 155 community, sporting and local groups across Mayo under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP).

Funding from 600 to 2,040 has been awarded to the groups and organisations from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the programme. They include community organisations, clubs, mens and womens sheds, youth centres and parish halls to improve their facilities and continue to facilitate the provision of their valuable services to the people of these areas.

A total of 6m was allocated to assist thousands of community groups across the country with a focus on disadvantaged areas while also supporting the Governments rural development policy, Our Rural Future.

Minister Dillon said: The aim of this years LEP is to support non-profit, community-based and voluntary sector organisations who are seeking support with their capital costs through small scale funding. The fund also supports groups to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities and purchase equipment.

Groups and organisations across Mayo have been awarded funding with 1m nationally ring-fenced to support womens groups. It will give a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, who are the building blocks of Irish community life.

Deputy Michael Ring, welcoming the news said: The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects. The Programme responds to local needs. These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country.

The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is felt hugely in the communities that these groups serve.
An Bord Pleanala has overturned a decision by Mayo County Council to grant planning permission for the proposed development of an entrance and access road to a forestry located near Ballyhaunis, writes Paul O'Malley.

In July 2023, the local authority granted planning permission to SLM Silva GP Ltd for the proposed development at Corraun, Ballyhaunis, which would allow access into an existing forestry plantation to facilitate the removal of timber.

An appeal was made to An Bord Pleanala by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the decision.

In its appeal, TII argued that the creation of a new access road on the adjoining N83 route (to Dunmore and Tuam) would cause additional road safety risks in this area. It added that the proposal would establish an undesirable precedent for the application of inappropriate standards for similar developments, which it said would be "a serious concern".

In making its decision to refuse permission, An Bord Pleanala said the applicant had not demonstrated that "exceptional circumstances" applied in the case of the proposed development.

In addition, it said the access road's location on a national route would be contrary to national roads policy outlined in the Mayo County Development Plan.

"The proposed development would therefore adversely impact on the capacity and efficiency of the adjoining national road, would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and obstruction of road users," the Board said.
A leading organiser of the Ukrainian community in Ballyhaunis and Claremorris has described plans by the Government to reduce welfare payments as concerning.

Maria Koraskova, who lives in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, highlighted the various difficulties in employment access for refugees based locally. She made her comments after the Government said it would put all Ukrainian refugees on 33.80 from August per week, a significant reduction on the 230 per week that many of them had been receiving.

These are not gradual actions, this is a seven-fold reduction in weekly income, said Ms Korsakova, who has assisted locally-based Ukrainians in organising cultural events and accessing services.

She explained how her search for work is a challenge given shes a single parent. She purchased a second-hand car and insurance in order to be mobile and look for work in line with her career experience as a marketing executive.

This is the only opportunity to be mobile and find work outside of your town. Because there are very few opportunities in Claremorris. Most of my compatriots work in the chicken factory in Ballyhaunis.

Ms Korsakova wants clarity on how wages earned from employment will be linked to benefits and accommodation.

For example, many offices are looking for cleaning employees who work from two to six hours per week. If a mother with a child under 14 years goes into such employment, will her 100% benefit be restored?

According to the law, her income as a single parent up to 200 is not taxed and she has to gain full allowance. If the child is over 14 years old, the benefit is calculated proportionally for the days that the person worked.

If we are talking about 38.80 per adult, in case of part-time work, will the entire benefit be restored or will it be proportionally deducted from 38.80?

Ms Korsakova believes the Governments placement of refugees has inhibited employment with older refugees placed in social housing in large cities and many youths placed in rural accommodation such as Ballinafad House, which relatively speaking is in the middle of nowhere, where there is no public transport or work.

A fluent English speaker with a successful career before the war forced her to leave the city of Chernihiv, Ms Korsakova wants to see more interaction between state employment agencies, and IPAS, the agency dealing with accommodation. She sees it as a waste of government training funds for well-qualified refugees to be expected to take cleaning jobs.

Access to food from the hotel is also an issue for workers.

We have our last meal at 5pm and the kitchen does not leave lunchboxes for working residents. We have no kitchen, no refrigerator, no microwave... Ukrainians love to cook, so the restrictions in benefits specifically for hotel residents are just a kick in the back.
Muireann Duffy

Updated: 10am. Additional reporting by PA & Reuters.

Ireland is to formally recognise Palestine as an independent state, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed.

"We said the point of recognising the state of Palestine was coming closer, that point has now arrived," Mr Harris said, speaking outside Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday morning.

Similar action is also to be taken by Spain and Norway.

"Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine.

"Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."

Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th. Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024

Mr Harris added: "It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples."

The Taoiseach said it is "long past time for a ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas, calling for a release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7th, and an end to the Israeli offensive in Rafah.

He added that Palestinians in Gaza are enduring "the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation", but said civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law.

Mr Harris said the Palestinian people "deserve a future full of hope", adding: "We see you, we recognise you, we respect you."

He added that he has spoken to a number of other world leaders, and is confident "further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks".

Tanaiste Micheal Martin confirmed the decision will formally take effect on May 28th.

'Two states for two peoples'

"It is with a heavy heart that we watch those intent on imposing by force a future based on violence, domination, subordination and exclusion, become some of the most prominent voices in Israel and Palestine today. We reject that future.

"Instead, we endorse a future that so many people, in the Middle East and internationally, have put so much time and energy and commitment into developing over decades  one based on mutual respect, equality, and on two states for two peoples," Mr Martin said.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan added that Ireland also recognises Israel and its entitlement to protect its people.

Following warnings from Israel that recognition of a Palestinian state would "fuel extremism and instability", Mr Ryan stressed the decision is "not an endorsement of Hamas".

I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024

However, Israel's foreign affairs minister has called the decision a "distorted step".

"I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognise a Palestinian state," Israel Katz said in a post on X.

"Im sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security."

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have both welcomed the announcements by Ireland, Spain and Norway.
Margo Steele School of Accountancy honours top students

The students' achievements underscore the school's impact on transforming the accountancy profession over the 30 years since democracy.

The newly renamed Margo Steele School of Accountancy honoured its top-achieving students at the annual prize-giving breakfast on 17 May 2024. The school awarded 2023 top performers in disciplines that include financial accounting, taxation, audit and assurance, corporate reporting and accounting information systems. These prizes were sponsored by several companies such as KPMG, Investec Private Bank, Standard Bank, Ernst and Young (EY), Deloitte and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). View prizes here.

Bilal Said, who is currently doing his Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting and a financial accounting ll tutor at Wits was awarded the SAICA prize for the top Wits Bachelor of Accounting Science 3rd year Student, along with the EY prize for the Top Tax lll student, and KPMG Prize for the top Financial Accounting lll student.

Three years ago, I was not the student I am today. I was not the most diligent, focused learner and struggled with motivation to actually do the work, despite everyone speaking of the potential I had if I just put in the work, said Said.

Said graduated his Bachelor of Accounting degree cum laude. Refering to his achievement, he posted the following on LinkedIn: But a reminder that you cant change the past, but you can definitely change tomorrow with your actions today, day by day.

The Wits School of Accountancy has been renamed in honour of former Head of School, Margo Steele. This was made possible through the donation of $10m.

This donation of nearly R200m, is one of the largest in Wits history. It positions the school to change the lives of hundreds of students through scholarships and bursaries, to implement the sorts of resources and support structures that would provide our accountancy students with an unparalleled learning environment, and would ensure the ongoing professional development and excellence of our academic staff, said Professor Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management.

He used the opportunity to note the broader accomplishments of the school under the leadership of the Head of School, Professor Zubair Wadee.

If you consider the top five ranked universities in the SAICA Initial Test of Competence (ITC) exam, you will note the massive contribution this school makes to the transformation of the accounting profession in the country. If you add up the black South African candidates passing from University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, and Stellenbosch and North West universities, all taken together just equals the total number of successful candidates from this demographic put through by Wits, said Cohen.

Wadee said the Margo Steele School of Accountancy contributed widely to the transformation of the accountancy profession in the 30 years since democracy.

"A reflection on the number of black students that were in our PGDA class in 1994 reflects black students constituted 2% of the class. This is in stark contrast to the 75% of our class that was black that closed off the 2023 academic year, and represents a significant democratic gain that has an impact across multiple layers of society, said Wadee.

This directly aligns with the Wits. For Good vision and Wits 2033 strategy which, among other areas, focuses on achieving social impact and pursuing excellence.
Peter Sarnak awarded the 2024 Shaw Prize

Celebrated mathematician and Wits alumnus acknowledged for his profound impact on number theory.

Professor Peter Sarnak (BSc 1974, BSc Hons 1975, DSc honoris causa 2014) has received the 2024 Shaw Prize for Mathematical Sciences for his development of the arithmetic theory of thin groups and the affine sieve, by bringing together number theory, analysis, combinatorics, dynamics, geometry and spectral theory.

The award is given annually by the Shaw Prize Foundation, which was founded in 2002 by the Hong-Kong-based philanthropist Run Run Shaw (1907-2014). The Shaw Prize consists of three awards for life sciences and medicine, astronomy and mathematics and comes with a substantial monetary prize.

Prof Sarnak is one of the worlds leading mathematical scientists and is currently Gopal Prasad Professor in the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study and the Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University in the United States.

In their citation, the Shaw Prize's Mathematical Selection Committee praised Prof Sarnak's original and deep vision which has had a profound impact on numerous areas of study. Many of Prof Sarnak's major contributions have been motivated by number theory  a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of integers (e.g., whole numbers) and arithmetic functions. It is one of the oldest and most fundamental areas of mathematics, with its origins dating back to ancient civilisations. Number theory has been described as the "queen of mathematics" due to its fundamental nature, beauty, and ability to inspire groundbreaking work. While initially considered a purely theoretical field, number theory has found numerous modern applications in cryptography, computer science, communications, physics, and more.

Prof Sarnak was born in Johannesburg, completing his BSc degree at Wits in 1974 and was awarded the Herbert Le May Prize for applied mathematics and the William Cullen Medal for the best graduate in the Faculty of Science in 1974. He went on to complete his BSc honours in pure mathematics and was awarded the Unico Chemical Company Gold Medal for the Best honours student in the Science Faculty in 1975. He moved on to complete his PhD at Standford in 1980. After he received an honorary doctorate from Wits in 2014 he said:

I owe much of where I am today to Wits. I stepped onto this great campus in the early 70s, a naive 18-year-old. Thanks to my teachers and fellow students, the next four years opened my eyes to the world around me from the political to the scientific. Wits transformed me for good!

The exceptional faculty at Wits introduced me to modern mathematical sciences and I was immediately taken by abstract mathematics  its beauty and the powerful reasoning which allows us to tackle many concrete problems whose solutions lie well below the surface. This quickly became my passion and it remains so to this day.

Prof Sarnak is a member of the editorial boards of the top journals in these fields and has published over 120 research articles, books, and has supervised numerous PhD students. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and Fellow of the Royal Society of London.

Read more from the Shaw Prize website.
Malaysian wholesale 5G operator Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) has reportedly given the five telcos taking stakes in the company 20 days to finalise the process as the government looks to get on with launching a second 5G operator and encourage private 5G adoption.

According to the Bernama news agency, DNB held its first board meeting on Monday with new board members representing Telekom Malaysia, Maxis, U Mobile, YTL and CelcomDigis Infranation. All five signed share subscription agreements (SSAs) in December 2023 to collectively take a 70% stake in DNB, with each taking a 14% stake, while the Minister of Finance (MOF) will hold the remaining 30% as well as a special share.

However, the SSAs have not yet been finalised because the telcos have not yet agreed on the condition precedents that have to be settled before the SSAs can take effect. In April, DNB admitted that SSA negotiations were still ongoing, but firmly denied a media report in April that negotiations had broken down completely.

On Tuesday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told Bernama that the DNB board has given the telcos 20 days to sort everything out, adding that they will not be allowed to make bids for the governments planned second 5G network until the SSAs are completed.

Fahmi added the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will announce a tender process soon to kick off the bidding process for the second 5G network.

Fahmi said DNBs 5G network coverage for populated areas now stands at 81.5% as of April 30, well over the 80% threshold required to greenlight a second network. He also said the 5G adoption rate has reached 39.2%.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian government sees private 5G as a missing piece of the overall 5G puzzle, and is making moves to correct that.

Fahmi said that in the next week or two, the MCMC and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will sign an MoU to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt and implement 5G for their businesses.

In a separate Bernama report, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said his ministry is talking with MCMC to create a policy to encourage private 5G rollouts for industrial use cases.in sectors such as health, manufacturing, agriculture and aquaculture.

Gobind made the remarks on Monday while attending a showcase trial of automotive supplier Clarion Malaysias new 5G-enabled manufacturing line.

Clarion is using YTL Communications Yes 5G Private Network for 5G connectivity, as well as smart manufacturing solutions from Cnergenz such as cloud-based inventory systems and AI-powered autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Also on Monday, U Mobile announced it has successfully wrapped up a private 5G network proof-of-concept (PoC) with Enfrasys Solutions to automate the container inspection process for transport and logistics company Transocean Logistics.
Technology giant Microsoft and artificial intelligence-focused UAE-based technology group G42 have announced a comprehensive package of digital investments in Kenya, as part of an initiative with the Republic of Kenyas Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.

In collaboration with Microsoft and other stakeholders, G42 will lead the arrangement of an initial investment of US$1 billion for various components outlined in a comprehensive package. They include a green data centre that will be built by G42 and its partners in Olkaria. It will run entirely on renewable geothermal energy and be designed with state-of-the-art water conservation technology. The data centre will run on and provide access to Microsoft Azure through a new East Africa Cloud Region, which will become operational within 24 months of the signing of the definitive agreements.

The initiative will include four additional pillars that will be pursued with local partners: local-language (Swahili and English) AI model development and research; an East Africa Innovation Lab coupled with broad AI digital skills training; international and local connectivity investments; and collaboration with the government of Kenya to support safe and secure cloud services across East Africa.

Among the highlights of a very long list of initiatives announced by Microsoft, it says its AI for Good Lab in Nairobi will use AI technology to work with non-profit organisations and other partners to help address economic and societal priorities across East Africa, including food security, nature conservancy, disaster preparedness and monitoring wildlife populations.

Also, Microsoft and G42 will launch and operate an East African Innovation Lab in Nairobi to help Kenyan and other East African startups, entrepreneurs, companies and organisations develop and implement cloud and AI services.

In addition, Kenyas Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy will continue to expand work with Microsoft and G42 to broaden internet connectivity including development of international and domestic marine and terrestrial fibre cable infrastructure.

Microsoft adds that it will continue to expand its work to bring last-mile wireless internet access to 20 million people in Kenya and 50 million people across East Africa by the end of 2025 building on the companys partnerships with Mawingu Networks, Liquid, CSquared and other local partners in Kenya. It also aims to work with M-KOPA, one of the largest providers of solar home systems globally.

Nor is cybersecurity being overlooked; Microsoft says it will provide cybersecurity assistance and support to its customers in Kenya and across East Africa.

Underlining the significance of this agreement, a letter of intent formalising the relationship will be signed on Friday as part of Kenyan President William Rutos state visit to the USA.
People dressed in ethnic costumes parade in a street in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 18, 2024. [Xinhua/Tao Liang]

GUIYANG, May 20 (Xinhua)  Moved by the cheerful rhythm of a song and dressed in her own ethnic costume, Chen Chuanqian, along with many others from different ethnic groups, sang and danced in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, thousands of ethnic minority people from all over Guizhou gathered and paraded in Guiyang.

Although soft rain fell from time to time, people's enthusiasm to participate was not at all dampened. Both sides of the main parade road running from Zhonghua North Road towards the fountain were swarming with people, who were cheering and shouting in excitement.

Ethnic minority people dressed in different ethnic costumes assembled on a parade square, blowing a traditional musical instrument known as a Lusheng, banging gongs and drums, singing and dancing, and creating a unique "ethnic carnival" for tens of thousands of spectators along the route followed by the parade.

Chen, aged 23, from the city of Bijie in Guizhou Province, performed in the "Flower Sea Bijie" section of the carnival. Most performers in this section came from Nayong County, Hezhang County, and Weining County, and were Yi and Miao people. They demonstrated the Yi bell dance, Miao rolling beads and other forms of intangible cultural heritage.

Zhu Shengji, aged 10, participated in the Miao rolling beads performance. This is one of the Lusheng dances handed down from generation to generation by the "Little Flower Miao," a branch of the Miao ethnic group living in Nayong County and a few other places. The Miao rolling beads performance combines Lusheng playing, dance and acrobatics.

While playing the Lusheng, Zhu and his buddies also tumbled and even performed difficult lifting maneuvers, and despite a somewhat slippery road, they performed well and won applause from the crowd.

There are several children of about the same age as Zhu in the Nayong County rolling beads art troupe. "Over the years, the county has vigorously promoted ethnic culture in schools, and more and more people are learning the rolling beads," said Yang Yanrong, who is the performance instructor.

Yang added that the rolling bead performance was this year taken to the provincial capital to give more people a better understanding of the culture and art of "Little Flower Miao," which is very meaningful.

People dressed in ethnic costumes parade in a street in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 18, 2024. [Xinhua/Tao Liang]

The parade route stretched over 2 kilometers in the central urban area of Guiyang and served as a "mobile grand stage" for showcasing diverse ethnic cultures.

Hu Xiaohua, a resident of Guiyang who was at the front of the crowd, arrived at the fountain as early as 8 a.m. While recording the grand parade by using her phone, she also sang along loudly as the music played. "I'm 56 years old this year. Seeing such a grand event in the central urban area, I'm particularly impressed," she said.

Hu added that this parade had assembled distinctive ethnic cultures from across the province, providing everyone in attendance with a colorful feast of ethnic cultures.

Located in the southwest of China, Guizhou Province is abundant in tourism resources, featuring attractive natural ecology and rich ethnic customs. Guizhou boasts internationally renowned sites such as Huangguoshu Waterfall and Libo Seven Small Arches, as well as diverse forms of ethnic intangible cultural heritage.

The grand parade celebration held in Guiyang was a part of the countdown city relay for Chinese Tourism Day, which falls on a Sunday this year and is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Carnival director Tang Huang explained that this event, themed around ethnic unity and collective celebration, not only focused on showcasing the colorful ethnic cultures of Guizhou, but also aimed to let more people see the new open, confident, and vibrant side of Guizhou.

Tu Yuanyuan, a dance teacher at Guizhou University, participated in a fusion of ethnic songs, dances and motorcycles. This parade involved 100 cool motorcycles moving in neat rows while carrying girls dressed in Miao costumes, drawing much attention in the process.

"This kind of fusion of ethnicity and fashion not only allows everyone to see different forms of presentation of ethnic culture but also aims to showcase the youthful and vibrant spirit of ethnic minorities," Tu said.

(Source: Xinhua)


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Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu said the operator groups fintech division may go public as the company looks to diversify its business away from traditional telco revenue drivers.

The chief executive told Bloomberg, the operator would want to list GCash sometime in 2025. Cu is the chair of Globe Fintech Innovations, also known as Mynt, the holding company of GCash and the company that will do the IPO.

Cu stated a preference to conduct the IPO in the Philippines but is also weighing. A dual listing possibly in the US, a move to take advantage of the liquidity in the US market, while also pointing out limited trade volumes in the Philippines.

The chief executive did not detail the value of the IPO as GCash is still growing and profitable, with 94 million users. Mynt was valued at US$2 billion after its last funding round three years ago.

Globe owns 35% of Mynt, China-based Ant Group have 34%, and other investors include Warburg Pincus, Bow Wave Capital and Ayala Corp, revealed Cu. Ant Group may hold onto its shares if the IPO goes ahead.

Cu claimed there has been lots of interest from private equities and foreign funds to invest in GCash.
New mega-nuclear power plant earmarked for North Wales

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

Wylfa, 66 miles away on Anglesey, is UK Governments preferred site for the UKs third mega-nuclear power station.

The UK Government have said they are .kickstarting talks with global energy firms to explore building the new power plant, which could provide enough clean, reliable and cheap power for 6 million homes for 60 years. It brings the UK closer to its target for a quarter of electricity to come from homegrown nuclear power by 2050 to strengthen the nations energy independence.

The government is exploring building a major nuclear power station, similar in scale to Hinkley in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk. This new project would revive the nuclear history of Wylfa and bring thousands of jobs and investment to the area, boosting the local economy. Wylfa, sitting on the North Wales coast, is ideally-suited to host one given its proximity to cooling water and nuclear heritage.

Great British Nuclear  tasked with delivering the worlds fastest small modular reactor competition  recently secured Wylfa and Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire as two possible sites for new nuclear projects. It was the first time the government acquired land for new nuclear since the 1960s.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said: We are powering ahead with the biggest expansion of nuclear energy in seventy years.

Anglesey has a proud nuclear history and it is only right that, once again, it can play a central role in boosting the UKs energy security.

Wylfa would not only bring clean, reliable power to millions of homes  it could create thousands of well-paid jobs and bring investment to the whole of North Wales.

The UK Government say the UK is delivering the biggest expansion to nuclear power in 70 years and suitable sites will be critical to meet ambitions to quadruple nuclear capacity by up to 24GW by 2050. This will come from a mix of traditional large-scale power plants and small modular reactors, which can be rolled out more quickly and at scale.

They say Wylfa is well-suited for a large-scale nuclear project, given its proximity to water and nuclear history.

Gwen Parry-Jones, CEO of Great British Nuclear, said: Having agreed to purchase the Wylfa site earlier this year, GBN looks forward to working with the Government on the market engagement programme for large scale gigawatt providers and also delivering this vital project in the years to come.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said: This is significant and welcome news for Wales that promises to bring thousands of high-quality jobs to the local economy.

Alongside the revival of nuclear power at Wylfa, recent measures we have announced include a Freeport for Anglesey, 17m in Levelling Up money for Holyhead and electrification of the North Wales rail line which show that the UK Government continues to deliver for Anglesey and for North Wales.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union, said: Wylfa represents the best site in Europe for a large-scale nuclear power station. With this announcement this has now been recognised by the UK government.

Gigawatt scale new nuclear power stations are vital to hitting net zero and for our energy security. But they also maintain well paid and highly skilled jobs, meaning this project would be a major boost to the Welsh economy.

Now we need a laser-like focus on delivery of new nuclear to make sure skills and experience are not lost, and costs are reduced as we progress.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the NIA said: The Government is absolutely right to pursue more large-scale nuclear alongside the SMR programme: it is proven technology that delivers clean, sovereign power and can transform communities with thousands of high quality, long term jobs and apprenticeships. Wylfa is an ideal place for a big nuclear project, and the community knows nuclear.

We welcome the Governments engagement with potential partners internationally, and we urge them to move forward at pace. A large-scale project at Wylfa would be the single biggest inward investment in Welsh history, and a huge step towards both energy security and net zero for the whole country.

Responding to the governments announcement on nuclear at Wylfa, Labours Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: Any progress is welcome but people on Ynys Mon will believe it when they see it. Successive Tory governments have failed to build a single nuclear power plant that will provide lower carbon power, boost energy security and create jobs.

Its been five years since Ministers sat back and watched as the previous plans for Wylfa fell through. That project would have been 50% completed by now, and wed be seeing the benefits of thousands of construction jobs with almost a thousand more permanent jobs on the way.

After 14 years its high time people had a UK government they could rely on to deliver. Labour will back the building of new nuclear in places like Wylfa, unlocking the transformative potential of investment and jobs the Tories have left dormant.

(Top pic from ONR)
Plans to increase housing numbers on Rhosrobin development

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

The number of new homes being built on a site in Rhosrobin could be increased to more than 200.

Developer Castle Green Homes is carrying out a pre-application consultation over proposals to replan and substitute the number of new homes being built on former grassland between Pandy and Rhosrobin

Work on the Llys y Coed development has been underway for over year with a number of the homes completed and occupied by residents.

Planning permission to build 189 was granted on appeal by the Welsh Government in 2019, with detailed plans approved in 2021.

Castle Green Homes are now consulting on changes to initial planning permission for the latter stages of the development.

According to the consultation this would substitute 43no 3 and 4-bedroom properties with 63no. 2,3 and 4 bedroom properties  including an additional 5 affordable homes.

This would increase the number of homes to be delivered across the Site from 189 to 209 homes.

According to the developers the proposed amendments are sought in response to changing market conditions since the granting of the original planning permission and increased consumer demand for smaller, more affordable homes.

It adds that it is responding to customer feedback for a smaller and more affordable housing mix.

In a statement on the website, Castle Green Homes said: The homes will comprise a range of 2-storey two-to-four-bedroom properties and include a variety of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties and incorporating a range of measures including double glazing, energy efficient heating systems, insulated flooring and a high standard of roof and wall insultation.

Other elements of the scheme including vehicular access, equipped play and areas of on-site public open space will be delivered in accordance with the approved scheme with the application not seeking any further amendments to the approved scheme.

The proposed homes will be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area including the earlier phases of the Llys y Coed scheme, offering a well-considered and attractive place to live for future residents and make a significant contribution to meeting the identified housing needs of Wrexham.

The additional houses would not impact the existing road arrangement and public open space plans.

The pre-application consultation will close on May 27. More information can be found on the Castle Green Homes website.

Picture: Castle Green Homes
PCSOs helping to maintain visibility and neighbourhood policing despite funding cuts, says PCC

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

The re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner says PCSOs are helping to maintain visibility and neighbourhood policing in North Wales after UK and Welsh Government funding cuts.

Welsh Labours Andy Dunbobbin was re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for the next four years earlier this month and claimed PCSOs played a vital part bolstering community policing.

In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Dunbobbin claimed the numbers of police officers in the region had increased by at least 100 during his tenure from around 1,600 to around 1,700.

He also claimed North Wales is a safe place with crime down 13.5%.

There are 1,700 officers in North Wales Police, said Mr Dunbobbin.

There are civilian posts as well within North Wales Police. We have 3,300 police officers and staff. What I would say is we are at pre-austerity levels. I think we were at around 1,600 police officers when I took over, so numbers have increased.

But policing and times have changed as well, and because of police forces absorbing that cost, what happens is a lot of officers were removed from neighbourhood policing teams into response because of that demand.

So instead of all the neighbourhood policing work that was taking place, all that preventative type of work, where you would see more police officers in our community, what happened, to try and compete with the demands that were placed upon police forces and targets set by the Home Office, the officers had to go into response policing, a more reactive type of policing.

When asked how many bobbies were on the beat in North Wales, Mr Dunbobbin said he didnt have that level of detail.

But the commissioner said he had been able to find funding and maintain 133 of North Wales Polices 198 PCSOs, a role he says is vital in providing community policing, despite Welsh Government funding cuts last year.

Welsh Government cut the funding (for PCSOs) because of their challenges, he said.

But I know how important the PCSOs are to policing, especially regarding neighbourhood policing, to try and improve visibility. I didnt want that being reduced because I know how important it is for people to have that policing presence, so save having to lose PCSO numbers, I maintained that level, he said.

In total weve 198 PCSOs. Thats more than when I started. PCSOs have got a really important part to play in building trust and confidence in our communities. We do a lot with community groups, attending fetes, and open days, things like that. They can really be that point of contact in our communities, so I think they have a really important part to play.

I know some people dont really see much of a value in that, but it is to bring in that community policing aspect of things to improve that engagement, and they do contribute to that.

He added, The reduction of crime is down 13.5% over last year. I think we are always going to need more police officers, but we are having to be accountable to the Home Office. So we are stuck in a way with the amount (of police officers) we can have. It is a bit easier with PCSO numbers because thats within my remit as Police and Crime Commissioner, but with a lot of things, we are having to stick with what the Home Office are instructing us to do.

I think North Wales is a safe place. Im always wanting to make things better for people. Thats the reason I went for re-election again.

But we are not going to be complacent at all in improving engagement and providing what our community needs and strengthening that engagement.

By Richard Evans  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Ruabon factory workers to strike amid calls for fairer pay deal

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

Healthcare and safety equipment workers at a factory in Wrexham are set to stage industrial action over what a union has described as a measly pay increase.

Over 150 workers at Ceramtec UK in Ruabon, will strike across four days from 28  31 May.

Ceramtec produces high-tech ceramics for use in healthcare, safety components within the automotive and manufacturing industry.

This includes items such as replacement hips and safety transducers but also advanced ceramic components for medical applications.

A typical grade C, day worker, who is responsible for manufacturing ceramic medical equipment such as sensors and transducers currently earns 11.44 per hour.

According to Unite staff have been offered a 79 pence increase to their basic hourly rate.

The union says that disrupted production of Ceramtecs products could lead to significant consequences for its customers given the use of just in time supply chains.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Ceramtec are treating their workers with contempt by offering such a measly pay rise when their latest accounts show millions in profits.

They need to realise that our members wont stand for such penny pinching in a cost of living crisis, Unite has their backs every step of the way.

Unite regional officer Jono Davies said: The strike action will inevitably lead to delays and disruption in the production and supply of vital components but this dispute is entirely of Ceramtecs own making, it has had every opportunity to make workers a fair pay offer but has failed to do so.

Ceramtec need to get its house in order and come back with a significantly improved offer.

Picture: Google Maps
Welsh Government urged to cough up cash for a culture sector in crisis

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

A former minister urged the Welsh Government to cough up cash for a culture sector in crisis after being deprioritised in budget decisions since the start of devolution.

Alun Davies, the Labour MS for Blaenau Gwent, criticised cuts in the Welsh Governments 2024/25 budget, warning arts funding has been down the pecking order for decades.

He said: The politics of devolution has been that this government has deliberately taken a decision to deprioritise culture funding in terms of its overall budget.

Not just because of the crisis today or yesterday but over the period of devolved self-government.

With fears for the future of Wales national museum, library and opera, Mr Davies, a member of the Senedd culture committee, warned funding cuts are undermining cultural expression.

Leaking roofs

Pressing Wales new culture secretary, he said: I think if the Welsh Government is serious about what it says  then it has to put its money where its mouth is, quite frankly.

Lesley Griffiths, who came into post in March, responded: I dont disagree with you about the funding and, obviously, we had to make some very difficult choices.

Ive come in at a time when, as you say, the budget has been cut significantly.

She added: The first week I was in post  everywhere I go, there seem to be leaking roofs; weve got these iconic buildings, which are very old, etc.

Ms Griffiths, who is also responsible for social justice, said the Welsh Government will be launching a new cultural strategy in the next couple of weeks.

No substance

Mr Davies highlighted an editorial in the final copy of Planet magazine, raising concerns its funding is worth less in real terms than when John Major was prime minister in the 90s.

He told the committee: The cuts, recently, have ended the magazine  its closed it.

So, its very easy for successive ministers we see come here with strategies but if the people dont exist, they disappear, theyve gone.

Youve got a speech, youve got a strategy, youve got a press release but you havent got any substance behind it, and I think thats the issue.

Mr Davies said Welsh Governments of all complexions have deprioritised arts funding in relative terms, even despite wider funding increases when he was first elected in 2007.

Copy-and-paste job

Delyth Jewell, who chairs the committee, raised concerns about the Welsh Governments written evidence on culture and the new relationship with the EU.

She said swathes appeared strikingly familiar to a paper submitted by Wales Arts International, the Arts Council of Wales international arm.

Plaid Cymrus deputy leader said: There were quite a few sections that, it seems, were copied and pasted from what we received from Wales Arts International.

During the evidence session with the Welsh Government, Ms Jewell called for assurances from Ms Griffiths, who was previously responsible for rural affairs.

Ms Griffiths replied: Yes, absolutely. Im very surprised to hear that. Obviously, it was before, as you say, I came into portfolio. But, yes, I can assure you that it wont happen again.

Farcical

Llyr Gruffydd raised concerns about a hugely disappointing update from HSBC following the closure of its Welsh-language customer support phone line.

The Plaid Cymru politician, who represents North Wales, said the bank received 22 calls a day before moving to a system where customers can request a call-back in Welsh.

He warned: Its decreased to 17 calls every three months, which is a farce in terms of providing a service to customers.

In a letter to the committee and Jeremy Miles, the Welsh language secretary, HSBCs Jose Carvalho claimed customer feedback has been largely positive.

The head of wealth and personal banking said HSBC is reducing the maximum length of time for a call-back from three working days to the next working day.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Co-hosted by the Fiber Network Council APAC (FNCA) and Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), China FIBERTalk 2024 was held in Chinas Optics Valley on May 17th.

The conference, which focused on New Optical Network Technologies and Applications in the AI+ Era, brought together top management executives and senior engineers from leading telecom and mobile network operators, network service providers, research institutes, and corporate users of communications services.

Xiong Zhuang, President of FNCA and Chief Cable Scientist at YOFC, highlighted in his address that this event marks the second collaboration between FNCA and YOFC following the FTTH APAC Conference 2019, also held in the same location. FNCA is dedicated to advancing the widespread use of fiber optic networks. In the AI+ era, the synergy of AI and fiber optic network is unlocking numerous possibilities. The integration enhances efficiency and reliability, while enabling new services and applications, launching the next wave of innovation in technology. As an industry association, FNCA is dedicated to fostering communication and cooperation within the industry. By promoting the advancement and adoption of fiber optic network technology, the organization aims to shape the future of connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Zhuang Dan, Executive Director and President of YOFC, delivered a welcome speech at the conference, extending a warm greeting to all the participants. He expressed his gratitude to FNCA for their trust and ongoing support. Zhuang emphasized that AI is driving new opportunities for the development of fiber optic network technology. He highlighted the mutually beneficial relationship between AI and fiber optic networks, noting that they drive each other forward. The sophisticated advancement of AI applications and the growth of data traffic are escalating the demand for fiber optic infrastructure. Concurrently, high-quality fiber optic networks, empowered by new technologies, are enabling AI to process and analyze data at unprecedented speeds, providing fresh opportunities for innovation across multiple industries. Zhuang also expressed his expectation that the conference would spark innovation and foster new breakthroughs in fiber optic network technology.

With the theme of the conference first and foremost on the minds of all industry leaders, the leading researchers and engineers in optical communication engaged in an in-depth discussion about new optical networks in light of network deployment requirements.

Ao Li, Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, noted that the AI+ era is pushing optical communication to evolve towards higher speeds, greater capacity, and intelligence. He emphasized the need to enhance the integration and efficient support of high-speed transmission, modular devices, optical fiber and cables, intelligent management and control systems, as well as capacity assessment frameworks.

Zhang Chengliang, President of China Telecom Research Institute, explained how China Telecom is advancing the development of FTTR by offering standardized products and solutions that center around networks, services and capabilities. He detailed how this is accomplished through multiple new technologies,such as intelligent middleware, open connectivity protocols, and AI computing power convergence.

Wang Guangquan, Chief Engineer of China Unicom Research Institute, described their digital transformation program. The program incorporates digital twin technology into optical networks and utilizes big data analysis, optoelectronic mathematical models, and deep learning algorithms to enable dynamic modeling and intelligent optimization of optical networks. The method, taking into account the characteristics of next-generation optical networks, aims to meet the requirements for intelligent network operation and maintenance.

Gao Junshi, General Manager of the Division of Optical Communication, China Mobile Group Design Institute, highlighted that due to network functions centralization, optical transport networks (OTNs) must meet the demands for higher bandwidth, and increased stability and reliability. Additionally, OTNs must have smarter operational and remote maintenance capabilities.

As a global leader in optical communications, YOFC showcased their latest innovations in optical fiber and optical module products, designed to address the demands for high-speed, high-efficiency, and intelligent communication networks within the AI-driven technology landscape.

Raadjkoemar Matai, Chief Scientist of Optical Fibre of YOFC, gave a presentation on YOFC Advanced Fibre Innovation & Application. He detailed the R&D, progress, and industry applications of YOFCs new advanced offerings, including G.654.E, multi-core, few-mode, and hollow-core optical fibers. His presentation also covered the evolution of optical fibers and the challenges facing the industry.

Chu Yuanliang, Chief Scientist of Optical Transceiver of YOFC, focused on introducing YOFCs AI Generated Content (AIGC)-based large model applications. He also outlined the companys customer-side optical interconnect technologies with higher speeds and increased complexity for applications on both AIs server and user sides, along with advanced optical interconnect solutions such as optical modules.

Additionally, Wu Guangzhe, Deputy Director of Communication Engineering Center of State Grid Information & Telecommunication Branch, shared his insights into the research and application of multi-source perception fusion technology for electric optical cable networks. Meanwhile, Melanie Germentil, Chief Procurement & Logistics Officer of InfiniVAN, a network service provider in the Philippines, detailed the companys domestic submarine cable network project. Nishiguchi Yuki, General Manager of Senko HK/China, delivered a keynote speech titled Responsible AI Advancement, Balancing Growth with Sustainability. Representatives from Huawei, China Telecommunication Technology Labs, ZTE, and the University of Milan offered professional insights into key optical network technologies, the latest research findings and application cases.

Optical networks, originating from the invention of optical fiber, have evolved through iterations of information and communication technology and are now entering a significant period of opportunity due to the increasing focus on AI. Industry observers are all in agreement that with the collaborative efforts of the global industry, optical network technology is set to increasingly empower the advancement and application of AI technology, ultimately contributing to societal betterment.
This essay was submitted to the WSWS by Shih-Yu Chou. Now based in Taipei, she acquired her doctorate in politics from Sheffield University.

President of the Republic of China (hereafter Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen delivered a speech at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event held in Taipei on 17 April 2024.

Tsai Ing-wen, who stepped down on May 20, claimed, Every year, we come here together to remember those who perished in the Holocaust, as well as those who endured unimaginable suffering because of this tragedy.

Vowing to fight against discrimination and bigotry, she went on to stress: In the pursuit of justice and truth, we can learn from Israel and Germany: Israel in its efforts to preserve the historical accounts of the Holocaust, especially its victims, and Germany in its courage to face the past.

President Tsai Ing-wen (centre) at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event, April 17, 2024 [Photo: english.president.gov.tw]

The world must continue to confront anti-Semitism and authoritarian aggression. We are also seeing the horrifying effects of such aggression in Ukraine and in Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. This is why we stress the importance of working alongside the international community to safeguard what we fought so hard to achieve, namely, democracy, freedom, equality, and peace.

Displaying contempt for Palestinian deaths and suffering, Tsais remarks were a whitewash of todays German establishment and of the complicity of Zionist organizations along with democratic imperialist powers, especially the United States and Britain, in the Holocaust.

To see why Tsais statement had nothing to do with remembering the lesson of the Holocaust when understood as Never again for anyone or warning against ongoing genocides, we must examine Zionist collaboration with the Nazis and expose Germanys supposed coming to terms with history, which is really all about suppressing the truth of its Nazi past and its imperialist present.

Zionism and Anti-Semitism

As a historical and social phenomenon, the Holocaust emerged out of the imperialist powers reaction against the 1917 October Revolution, inter-imperialist rivalry and revolutionary uprisings across Europe. Germany became one of the imperialist states expanding its global influence and emerging as a rival to British hegemony by the turn of the twentieth century. It is Germany that committed the first genocide of the last century, the Herero and Namaqua genocide between 1904 and 1908.

For the German ruling establishment, its visceral hatred of and aversion to Jews had everything to do with socialist thoughts and movements pioneered by Karl Marx, the October Revolution advanced by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, and the communist movements led by Rosa Luxemburg in Poland and Germany. To forestall a socialist revolution in Germany, then Defense Minister of the Weimar Republic Gustav Noske instructed Waldemar Pabst, a far-right officer of Free Corps, to murder KPD leaders Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

Gustav Noske, c. 1918 [Photo: Unknown author]

The anti-Semitism displayed by the German bourgeoisie was inextricably linked with the existential threat to Germany posed by Marxism, Bolshevism, and communism, or what Adolf Hitler referred to as the Jewish Bolshevization of the world in Mein Kampf. He wrote that it required the NSDAP to declare [its] position towards Soviet Russia and to thwart the development of dual perils of Marxism and Judaism.

With social tensions heightening, the German ruling elite turned against its Jewish nationals. Prior to the Holocaust, the Zionist Federation of Germany, the largest Zionist organization in the country, deliberately promoted Nazi propaganda that falsely claimed that European Jews were racially distinct from and inferior to the Aryans. Zionist leaders pronounced that Jews should have emigrated from Europe to British Mandatory Palestine to find sanctuary and equality.

Nazisms political antisemitism differed from medieval religious persecution of Jews such as the Inquisition in that, in being depicted as a race, Jews could not escape persecution by simply converting to Christianity. Large sections of the Zionist movement embraced this lie for their own purposes, with tragic consequences, and this became the basis for collaboration between Zionism and Nazism.

As envisioned by Theodor Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism, The anti-Semites will become our most dependable friends, the anti-Semitic countries our allies. The Zionist Federation of Germany and the Zionist-run Anglo-Palestine bank, actively brought about the 1933 Haavara Agreement with the Nazi Party (NSDAP). Under this arrangement, 60,000 German Jews emigrated to Palestine between 1933 and 1939.

Theodor Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism [Photo: Carl Pietzner]

Zionist leaders saw this pact as a means for the social construction of the Jewish people as a race in Palestine. David Ben-Gurion, later the first Prime Minister of Israel (19551963) proclaimed in 1933 that Zionism was not primarily engaged in saving individuals. He added that in case of a conflict of interest between saving individual Jews and the good of the Zionist enterprise, we shall say the enterprise comes first. This explained why Zionist leaders thwarted numerous refugee rescue operations while simultaneously granting certificates to 25,000 Jews whose lives were under no threat, including those in the US and other parts of the world, to live in Palestine between 1933 and 1939.

In 1935, the Zionist Federation of Germany became the sole Jewish group that supported the Nazi regimes racist Nuremberg Race Laws, which stipulated that only those with German or kindred blood had the legal entitlement to German citizenship and outlawed sexual relations and marriage between Jewish and non-Jewish Germans. What the Zionist leadership had in common with anti-Semitic bourgeois gentiles such as British and Nazi ruling elites was their emphasis on racial purity. That was why German Zionist leaders embraced the Nuremberg laws.

Being complicit in the persecution of European Jews, Zionist organizations, as early as September 1942, started to plan out the construction of Yad Vashem, later to become Israels official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, in an attempt to co-opt and weaponize the memory of Jewish suffering.

Anti-Semitic countries as allies of Zionism

Similar to those Zionist leaders who were loath to save Jews fleeing for their lives, the British political establishment couldnt care less. Confidential internal memoranda indicated that the British government had deliberately suppressed news coverage of the Nazi regimes plan for the extermination of European Jews since 1943. Controller of the Home Service Sir Richard Maconachie later justified the complicity of the British state on the ground that Any direct action to counter anti-Semitism would do more harm than good.

As Bernard Wasserstein documented in Britain and the Jews of Europe, 19391945, despite the fact that the Third Reich was bent on exterminating Jews, British officials insisted:

The not inconsiderable expanse of the British Empire was found to have an absorptive capacity of nil when it came to the admission of Jewish refugees. The Labour Party Home Secretary in the wartime national coalition government [Herbert Morrison (19401945)] considered the danger of anti-Semitism in Britain during the war so menacing as to preclude the admission of any significant numbers of Jewish refugees to the United Kingdom. At the end of the war he urged their return to Germany on the basis that anti-Semitism was a lesser threat there than in Britain.

The US ruling elites indifference to the mass extermination of European Jews was on a par with that of its British counterpart. The Roosevelt administration (19331945), whose presidential term coincided with the rise and downfall of the German Reich, deliberately set a ceiling on refugee intake and subsequently turned away Jewish refugees due to fears for Nazi infiltration. The family of Anne Frank, author of The Diary of Anne Frank, first applied for US visas in 1938. The US had their application turned down. Moreover, the United States and Britain could not be bothered to bomb any railway tracks leading to Nazi concentration and extermination camps. It was Britains and the United States refusal to provide a sanctuary for Jews fleeing anti-Semitism and Nazism that left them with no place to go but Palestine.

The plight of Jewish refugees in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s continues to resonate in the world that migrants and refugees fleeing war, persecution, and climate catastrophe confront. The rights to seek asylum in other countries are under attack by both supposedly left liberal democratic governments and far-right forces. They have every interest in sowing divisions among working people of different countries and drumming up national chauvinism while directing rapidly rising social, political, and economic tensions outward.

The myth of denazification

West Germany differed very little from the US and the UK in terms of the class nature of the state and bourgeois rule. With the onset of the Cold War and the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in May 1949, the German ruling elite found the postwar collaboration between the Allies of World War II and German imperialism under the guise of denazification to be mutually beneficial.

One question immediately arises. Did denazification at the time constitute a rupture between the Nazi past and the postwar present? The answer is a definite no. In 1949, West Germany under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (19491963) ended all investigations of the past behaviour of civil servants and army officers. In Bavaria in 1951, 94 percent of judges and prosecutors, 77 percent of finance ministry employees, and 60 percent of civil servants in the regional Agriculture Ministry were ex-Nazis. By 1952, one in three Foreign Ministry officials in Bonn [the capital of the FRG] was a former member of the Nazi Party, according to Tony Judts highly acclaimed book Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945.

Konrad Adenauer

It came as little surprise that Adenauer recruited Hermann Josef Abs, a member of the board of directors of Deutsche Bank and of IG Farben during the Holocaust, as his top economic advisor. The German finance giant gained notoriety for trading tons of gold taken from Jews who were dispossessed and subsequently subjected to industrial-scale violence at ghettos and/or concentration camps, including those gold bars made from gold teeth extracted from corpses. This bank also granted loans to finance the construction of Waffen-SS sites and an IG Farben Buna-N plant, which were parts of the Auschwitz concentration and death camps, despite the full knowledge that IG Farben had been a leading manufacturer of Cyclone B, a cyanide-based pesticide used in gas chamber mass execution.

The elevation of Nazi collaborators and leaders as top-ranking officials by successive West German governments was no aberration. Postwar German governments were and are concerned with one thing only: preserving the wealth and power of the German ruling elite and extending the reach of German capitalism. Adenauer had no qualms whatsoever about appointing Hans Globke, Hitlers former henchman, as Chief of Staff of the German Chancellery (19531963) and Reinhard Gehlen, former Head of the Nazi military intelligence unit on the eastern front, as the founding president of the CIA- and NATO-affiliated Federal Intelligence Service of West Germany (19561968). This imperialist and anti-communist spy organ worked under the direct command of the Chancellors Office.

While it was true that the federal government of Germany carried out the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials between December 1963 and August 1965, only 22 mid- or low-ranking Nazi officials were brought before the court for their roles in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death and concentration camps. Phrased differently, the court deliberately let over 6,000 camp officials off scot-free.

Hungarian Jews on the ramp at Auschwitz II-Birkenau in German-occupied Poland, around May 1944. [Photo: Anonymous photographer from the Auschwitz Erkennungsdienst]

Playing a key role in arming the genocidal Zionist regime, Olaf Scholz government has cracked down on working-class protests in defense of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and turned the so-called security of Israel into Germany's raison dEtat. Up to this date, the stance taken by successive German governments is a continuation of a century-long collusion between German imperialism and Zionism.

Taiwan sides with the genocidaires

Taiwan is no better than its western counterparts. Among the attendees at the aforementioned Taipei-held Holocaust remembrance event were Chair of the Taiwan-Israel Friendship Group in Knesset Boaz Toporovsky, Israels top representative to Taiwan Maya Yaron, Germanys top representative to Taiwan Jorg Polster, and the sitting president of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan Han Kuo-yu. Intending to serve as a cover for imperialist crimes and national oppression, Yarons remembrance speech likened Hamas to the NSDAP and the anti-colonial Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to the Holocaust. This so-called Holocaust memory was instead Holocaust amnesia.

Israel, the attack dog of the United States, is a source of inspiration for the Taiwanese ruling establishment. After the Republic of China was booted out of the United Nations in 1971, the Kuomintang regime started to cozy up to Israel and then acquired the surfacetosurface Gabriel missiles from the Zionist state. The Gabriel was equivalent to the Soviet and Chinesemade Styx, one of which sank an Israeli destroyer in 1967. With the technical assistance of Tel Aviv, Taiwan subsequently modeled Hsiung Feng I, the island countrys subsonic antiship missiles, on the Gabriel in the late 1970s.

It is worth recalling that during the Cold War and afterward, both Taiwan and Israel insisted that the US- and UK-backed apartheid regime of South Africa had a right to exist and to oppress black people. Moreover, these three Cold War warriors had backed every war, aggression, and coup sanctioned by the United States. Taiwanese President Chiang Ching-kuo even awarded the Order of Propitious Clouds to Prime Minister of South Africa P. W. Botha in 1980 after the Soweto uprising.

The stance taken by Taiwan to boost its international standing has continued to this day with bipartisan support. The Taiwanese ruling elite rolls out the red carpet for US war criminals. Former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were respectively granted the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon in 2011 and 2022.

President Bush, center, Vice President Dick Cheney, center, and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld take part in an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of Rumsfeld. Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at the Pentagon. [AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

The Taiwanese ruling class, in the long tradition of being a frontline state and client of the US, wants the island to play a greater part on the world stage, similar to Israel. That was why Israels former top representative to Taiwan Omer Caspi had an affinity for the Taiwanese political establishment and likened the island of imperialist flag-waving to a home away from home in July 2023. This also explains why Toporovsky praised Taiwan for being a beacon of democratic and liberal values and saw the similarity between Israel and Taiwan as small but strong democracies in a harsh environment. The actual similarity between them was and is that these ruling classes are not at peace unless they are at war.

It is little wonder that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan has just donated half a million US dollars to Tel Aviv in March 2024 to back Israels ongoing genocide in Gaza and its annexation of the West Bank. Furthermore, the Ministry refused to suspend Taiwans exports of technologies with military applications to Israel. Indeed, the government stressed that such measures would have been taken only if they had been handed down by the United Nations Security Council, which, in the eyes of the international working class, is an instrument of imperialist domination. By proactively aligning its democratic and liberal values with the US-led Axis of Genocide, the ruling class of Taiwan will rid itself of the role of a spectator and then turn into an executioner.

Learning the lessons of the Holocaust

Backing imperialist domination and bourgeois political reaction, the ruling circles of Taiwan had the audacity to pontificate about democracy, freedom, equality, and peace, namely, a euphemism for the capitalist world order that the bourgeois sections of the international community sought to safeguard.

Lenin reminded us of the class nature of the bourgeois conception of equality in a short piece, Draft Theses on National and Colonial Questions. Capital aspires to transcend national boundaries. As capital expands on a global scale, national inequality emerges from capitalist social relations of production. Lenin explained:

Under the guise of the equality of the individual in general, bourgeois democracy proclaims the formal or legal equality of the property-owner and the proletarian, the exploiter and the exploited, thereby grossly deceiving the oppressed classes. On the plea that all men are absolutely equal, the bourgeoisie is transforming the idea of equality, which is itself a reflection of relations in commodity production, into a weapon in its struggle against the abolition of classes. The real meaning of the demand for equality consists in its being a demand for the abolition of classes.

Lenins insight into inequality within nations and among nations enforced by the bourgeois sections of the world and into ever sharpening class antagonism at home and abroad is true today, more than ever. To confront imperialist savagery and class exploitation, the working masses must unite for a joint revolutionary struggle that combines the liberation of Palestine with the overthrow of capitalism. Without the unity of the international working class, it is impossible to end inequality between the exploiter and the exploited and between the oppressors and the oppressed.

Lenin at his desk, 1918

Bourgeois states around the world have been rotting alive. Those liberal democracies that refused to lift a finger to save Jews during World War II are the exact same imperialist powers that have armed, bankrolled, and backed the Gaza Genocide. Those who wish to appeal to the ruling circles to save the Palestinians must bear in mind that it is imperialist powers that had previously engineered the restoration of European Jews as a race to Palestine, enabled the Final Solution to the Jewish Question, and then carved up historic Palestine.

They have subsequently worked in cahoots with Arab despotic regimes to prop up the apartheid state of Israel. They have now both vied with the BRIC countries to win Israel over and inflicted the final solution to the question of Palestine.

Without situating the Holocaust in the context of social uprisings across Europe and counterrevolutionary assaults on the October Revolution, the lessons of history can never be understood. Being the revolutionary class of society, we must commemorate and reclaim Holocaust Remembrance Day instead of letting imperialists, fascists, and Zionists manipulate this event in our name.

If we are to fight for a world in which never again means never again for anyone including Jews, our Palestinian and Yemeni sisters and brothers, and all oppressed nations, we must shatter what Lenin referred to as the petty-bourgeois illusions that nations can live together in peace and equality under capitalism and fight for the overthrow of capitalism.

Thanks to John Smith for commenting on an earlier draft of this article. The usual disclaimer applies.
German Ambassador to Georgia, H.E. Peter Fischer, stated that if the government accepts the "Foreign Agents" law in its current form, Germany will not vote to open the negotiation space for Georgia when announcing the decision of the European Commission. Fischer further emphasized that Georgia has already deviated from the European path."This is a dynamic process. Perhaps you read the statement that the German chancellor and the French president jointly published, which was related to the adopted law. Georgia has already deviated from the European path. There are standards that candidate countries must meet, and this law falls outside the standard. As for the decision of the European Commission to be made in December, if this law is adopted as it is now, Germany will not vote to open the negotiation space for Georgia. You must adhere to the standards; otherwise, you will not be able to move forward," Fischer stated.Politico recently released information about an alleged bill initiated by members of the United States Congress. This bill allegedly targets individuals responsible for introducing a Russian-style "Foreign Agents" law in Georgia. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze criticized this information, labeling it as "simply the language of blackmail and threats." He emphasized that while "no one fears sanctions", such an approach is not conducive to constructive dialogue."I don't think that this step will be taken, because you don't talk to partners and friends like that, it's not the right attitude. If we really want friendship, partnership, the door is open. No one is limited in this direction, but effective steps must be taken and we only welcome this. Once again, no one is afraid of these sanctions and there will be no problem in this regard, although it is inconceivable to sanction the representatives of the government. For what? Because the majority of the representatives of the parliament elected by the majority of the population of the country adopt a law, which is its direct obligation. I think this is incredible, however, big injustice is happening in the world today, I am not surprised," said Kaladze.
Telecom Egypt, a leading communications and information technology service provider, and Huawei Cloud have joined forces to launch tech giant Huaweis first locally based public cloud platform in Egypt and North Africa.

This launch, say the partners, aligns with Telecom Egypts strategy to position Egypt as the premium regional digital hub and underscores Telecom Egypts and Huawei's commitment to enabling Egypts transformation in the digital era.

Hosting Huawei Cloud in Telecom Egypt's data centres ensures seamless reachability to more than 60 countries around the globe, capitalising on more than 14 submarine cable systems, which are set to increase to 18 cable systems by 2025, in addition to the massive national reach of enterprises and SMEs in Egypt.

Beyond hosting, Telecom Egypt says it is leveraging its extensive network and expertise to seamlessly integrate Huawei Cloud solutions with existing infrastructure.

Huawei Cloud offers comprehensive scenario-based solutions and over 240 extensive professional services covering cloud construction, migration, utilisation, and management, to cater to evolving business needs in Egypt, allowing users to focus on business innovation while benefiting from a secure and reliable cloud environment.

By introducing Huawei Cloud, Telecom Egypt and Huawei say they are showcasing their commitment to delivering cutting-edge technologies and services that cater to the evolving needs of the market. Additionally, launching the cloud is expected to generate a multitude of job opportunities for youth in Egypt and many countries in North, West and Central Africa.

Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, says: We are thrilled to host Huawei Cloud in Telecom Egypts state-of-the-art, Tier III-certified data centre located in the Smart Village Campus, which is connected to EG-IX, an open access internet exchange platform, and a fully meshed subsea and terrestrial network that connects Huawei Cloud to the globe.

He adds that Telecom Egypts hosting services will enable access to all networks in Egypt, supporting businesses and contributing to Telecom Egypts vision of becoming a thriving global digital hub through its associated ecosystem.
On Saturday, in the German capital, Berlin, some 10,000 people demonstrated against the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli regime with the support of the imperialist powers against the Palestinian population in Gaza.

The protest on the 76th anniversary of the Nakba commemorated the brutal oppression of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents and families and their expulsion from their villages and settlements in 1947/48, when the British Mandate in Palestine was dissolved. The occupation and dismemberment of Palestine by the newly founded state of Israel, without equal rights for Palestinians, turned the Palestinians into second-class citizens and unleashed a conflict in the Middle East that continues to this day.

The demonstrators in Berlin chanted slogans and carried signs denouncing the German government for supporting the genocide in Gaza through arms deliveries and financial aid to Israel, paid for with taxpayers' money and taken from the health and social welfare budgets.

Members of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) took part in the demonstration with their own signs and posters. They distributed the statement 'The working class must take up the fight against the genocide in Gaza and in defense of democratic rights,' and discussed with protesters a socialist perspective for the fight against genocide and war.

European Parliament candidates of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP), the German section of the Fourth International, Angela Niklaus and Gregor Kahl, spoke from the SGP's loudspeaker van. They condemned the genocide and the complicity of the ruling class and promoted the SGP's policies. Kahl stated:

The Socialist Equality Party calls on all workers to take action to defend the students. Get in touch with us and form action committees to fight independently of the trade union bureaucracy to block the arms shipments and put a stop to the warmongers. The struggle against the genocide in Gaza is part of the global struggle against the imperialist NATO powers that are waging a murderous proxy war against Russia in Ukraine that could escalate into nuclear war at any moment.

Niklaus said:

The ruling class is brutally deploying the police against peaceful demonstrators and student protest camps. Freedom of expression and basic democratic rights are being undermined with police state methods by the nominally bourgeois democratic partieswith the support of the press.

As with previous demonstrations and rallies, whether registered in the name of Palestinian or Jewish organizations, the governing parties in Berlin did everything in their power to obstruct the protest and intimidate the demonstrators by means of a provocative and brutal police operation.

The peaceful demonstration was accompanied by a massive police contingent. It came to a halt towards the end of the routeGertrauden Street and Fischerinselbecause the rear section of the procession was apparently held up by the police.

From the organizers loudspeaker van, a speaker had repeatedly chanted the slogan, 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free! From Sea to River, Palestine will Live Forever,' which was taken up and repeated by the marchers.

Police officers charged into the crowd with the aim of arresting the speaker, and began to kettle this section of the demonstration. One elderly demonstrator was pushed down by the police, while another was injured in the face and had to retreat with a bleeding nose.

Police apparently also used pepper spray. The loudspeaker van was expelled from the demonstration. After this violent provocation, the demonstration was allowed to proceed to its destination, Rotes Rathaus.

A police spokeswoman justified the operation by stating that 'forbidden slogans that are relevant under criminal law were publicly uttered' from the loudspeaker van. This explanation is not only a restriction on freedom of expression, but itself legally dubious. On March 22, the 8th Senate of the Hessian Administrative Court ruled that the slogan 'From the River to the Sea' may not be prohibited.

The demonstrators were not intimidated by the police violence. Several participants with whom SGP members had already discussed at Oranienplatz and who were attracted by our international socialist perspective took SGP posters for themselves to carry during the march and to draw attention to the SGP rally on May 21 at 6 pm in front of Neukolln Town Hall.

Several of them also bought the book 'The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide' by David North, published by Mehring Books. The lectures in this book not only provide a profound analysis of the reactionary ideological and political foundations of Zionism, they also constitute an appeal to the Israeli and international working class to oppose the murderous policies of the Netanyahu regime and its imperialist supporters and to defend the Palestinians on the basis of a revolutionary socialist perspective.
Rezan Sengul, Vedat Dogan and Halil Yakut, political prisoners in Krsehir High Security Prison in Turkey, went on hunger strike on March 30, April 3 and April 18, demanding an end to isolation and ill-treatment, to be held with other political prisoners and to be transferred to prisons closer to their families.

Sengul and Dogan are musicians and members of Grup Yorum, a left-wing music band founded in 1985 and well-known in Turkey and internationally.

On May 12, Yakuts mother, Gulten Yakut, launched a petition on Change.org calling for her sons release. She has stated that Yakut was arrested because he was photographed in a Health for the People tent set up to help earthquake victims after the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Halil Yakut, a political prisoner, and his mother, Gulten Yakut. Credit: Gulten Yakut on Facebook

Over 53,000 people have officially been killed in Turkey due to the failure of the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take action following warnings from scientists and official bodies of major earthquakes in the region.

Pointing to the governments criminal role in the disaster, Yakuts mother added, Those who buried our people in concrete graves in the earthquake are now trying to kill my son, who helped our people during the earthquake, in concrete prison cells for showing solidarity with the earthquake victims.

Gulten Yakut, whose house in Antakya was destroyed by the earthquake, said her son Halil called her on March 15 and told her that he had been threatened with death: Today was Halils call day. He called me and said that on March 10, the head prison guard threatened him from the window of his cell, saying: There are people here who are serving life sentences. They will kill you, and we wont do anything against this. We will say that he committed suicide.

According to what Halil Yakut told his mother in another phone call on the 23rd day of his indefinite hunger strike, prison conditions are extremely inhumane. He compared his treatment to that of prisoners in Nazi concentration camps and caged animals in zoos.

He is held in a solitary cell with no sunlight, no ventilation and a small window covered with wire mesh. He is allowed only one hour of exercise a day and has no contact with other political prisoners. Water flows from the fountains only three times a day, and it is muddy and smells bad. Prison management does not provide healthy drinking water to prisoners due to the report issued by the Krsehir health director that the water is safe to drink.

Political prisoners are subjected to a severe isolation regime. Prison doors are automatic and the only way to communicate with the guards is through the megaphone at the door. It is forbidden to see a human face and new investigations are constantly being launched for phone calls. Personal belongings are confiscated during cell searches by the guards, and books and letters are denied because they are deemed objectionable. Yakut said that even letters he wanted to send to parliamentary deputies were blocked by the disciplinary board and the letter reading commission.

The prison authorities have illegally criminalized Yakut by telling lawyers, deputies and human rights advocates who try to contact him that he is a terrorist, even though there is no court order against him. In his phone call, he explained that he is protesting these unlawful and inhumane actions.

According to the Halkn Gucu TV, the arrests of Yakut and the other political prisoners were justified with an armed attack on the Caglayan Courthouse in Istanbul on February 6, 2024, the first anniversary of the earthquake disaster.

A civilian who was seriously wounded in the clash that broke out during the attack, claimed by the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) which is outlawed in Turkey, died in hospital. Three police officers and two other civilians were wounded, and the two perpetrators were killed by police.

The police detained 96 people, including four lawyers, in raids in Istanbul after the armed attack. According to the latest reports, 61 people are still under arrest.

The inhumane conditions faced by thousands of political prisoners in Turkey are imposed following the governments legally baseless and arbitrary arrests of its opponents. This police-state repression has intensified, with violations of freedom of expression, the right to protest and the right to a fair trial all rising.

Following the May Day demonstrations, hundreds of people were detained by police across the country, while 49 people protesting the arbitrary closure of Taksim Square in Istanbul were arrested and sent to prison. Among those arrested were five youth who had earlier protested the governments collaboration with Israel amid the NATO-backed genocide in Gaza.

Last week, in a blatantly political verdict following the Kobane trial, a court sentenced dozens of Kurdish politicians, including former co-chairs of the Kurdish nationalist Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), to a total of 408 years in prison for actions taken fully within their constitutional rights.

On Tuesday, the Istanbul office of sendika.org, a left-wing web site, was raided by police, while 27 more people were detained over May Day protests in Istanbul.

Over 100 journalists, artists, intellectuals and writers have signed a petition demanding the immediate release of those arrested.

The Erdogan governments escalating police state crackdown is part of an international process. Demonstrators protesting against the Gaza genocide in the US and internationally have been subjected to police attacks for months.

In late April, the NATO-backed fascist Ukrainian regime arrested Bogdan Syrotiuk, a leading member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL). Bogdan, a socialist opponent of the war, an opponent of the NATO imperialist powers using Ukraine as their proxy, and of the Putin regime, a fighter for the international unity of the Russian and Ukrainian working class, is being falsely charged by Zelenskys regime as an agent of Russia on the basis of his writings on the World Socialist Web Site. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) has launched a global campaign to free him.

The escalation of political repression in Turkey after Erdogans meeting with Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), on May 2 must be seen as a serious warning by the working class.

In a statement on X/Twitter, the Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu in Turkey denounced the recent police crackdown, stating:

At the heart of this ruling class consensus, of which the trade union bureaucracy is a part, is the need to intensify the social offensive against the working class and to suppress social opposition from below. In conditions where, on the one hand, NATO-backed Israel is intensifying the genocide in Gaza and provoking a Middle East-wide war against Iran, and, on the other hand, NATO-backed Ukraines war with Russia is raising the danger of a nuclear conflict, war abroad is everywhere accompanied by class war and the elimination of democratic rights at home.
Two draconian pieces of military secrets legislation came into operation simultaneously in Australia this month, pointing to intensifying preparations for a US-led war against China or any other country designated as a danger to US or Australian geo-strategic interests.

Both Acts were pushed through parliament in late March, with virtually no publicity, by the Labor government in partnership with the Liberal-National Coalition. They are part of a broader array of laws to implement the AUKUS military pact.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles in Brisbane for AUSMIN talks, July 28, 2023 [Photo by DoD by Chad J. McNeeley / CC BY 2.0

This involves spending hundreds of billions of dollars on long-range nuclear-powered submarines, other weaponry and upgraded Australian military bases for use in a war against China, and ensuring that all research is subordinated to that effort.

The legislation has far-reaching implications, especially for university and other researchers in a wide range of science and technology fields. That is particularly so for those who might be accused of any links to, or partnership with, colleagues from China, Russia or other proscribed countries.

Researchers in universities, research institutes and companies will be in danger of being prosecuted for collaborating, directly or indirectly, with overseas colleagues. Researchers and graduate students from many countries, except for the US and UK, could be barred. Universities and businesses will be placed under wartime-style scrutiny and required to obtain permits for research.

The Safeguarding Australias Military Secrets Act, or SAMS Act, sets jail terms of up to 20 years for anyone, including former defence department or military personnel who train or work for, or on behalf of any overseas organisation or state-backed company, unless the defence minister grants them an individual foreign work authorisation.

The Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act (DTC) sets prison terms of up to 10 years for supplying or disclosing military-related or supposed dual-use goods, technology or services on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) to non-Australian citizens, with the explicit exception of US and UK authorities and companies.

Supplying can mean simply sharing research resultswhich is integral to the development of science and technology. In addition to imprisonment, fines of nearly $800,000 apply for individual researchers and almost $4 million for corporate bodies, including universities.

According to the explanatory memorandum for the DTC amendment, dual use goods include equipment and technologies developed to meet commercial needs but which may be used either as military components, or for the development or production of military systems.

The Acts list of dual-use technologies is extensive, including materials and infrastructure that almost all scientific and engineering researchers use, such as supercomputers, semiconductors and sonar scanners. Electronics and Telecommunications and Information Security are also on the 10-category list, which can be changed constantly by ministerial regulations.

Restricted services include design, development, engineering, manufacture, production, assembly, testing, repair, maintenance, modification, operation, demilitarisation, destruction, processing or use of DSGL goods.

An unclear exception exists for fundamental research that is intended for public disclosure, or would ordinarily be published or shared broadly.

This huge reach of the legislation takes to a new level the measures that were first introduced by the Greens-backed Gillard Labor government through the Defence Trade Controls Act, or DTC Act, of 2012, as part of its support for the Obama administrations pivot to Asia to confront China.

Divulging military or security secrets has long been a serious offence, as evidenced most recently by the sentencing of former military lawyer David McBride to nearly six years jail for exposing war crimes committed by the Australian military in Afghanistan. But these laws go far beyond that, covering entire areas of research and the economy.

The legislation matches similar measures in the US and UK, whose authorities have demanded such provisions as a condition of the AUKUS pact. It hands sweeping arbitrary powers to the government, via the defence minister, to decree which countries are subject to the restrictions, decide what goods and technologies are listed on the DSGL, and grant, refuse or suspend permits and foreign work authorisations.

The Albanese government has introduced this regime despite widespread objections by researchers, research organisations and sections of business because of the chilling and crippling impact it will have in many scientific fields that depend heavily on international collaboration.

A large proportion of Australias research workforce is from overseas. In the area of semiconductor development, for example, evidence was given in a parliamentary inquiry into the legislation that some research teams have 75 percent of their workforce coming from non-AUKUS countries, such as India and South Korea.

In a submission to the inquiry, however, Universities Australia, the peak management body of the countrys 39 public universities, aligned itself with the AUKUS agenda, noting that Australia needs to leverage its research sector to full effect in order to meet AUKUS challenges.

University managements have embraced, and helped enforce, military controls since the 2012 Act came into effect. Starved of government funding, the universities have become dependent on war-related research, as well as attracting full fee-paying international students. There are expanding ties with military conglomerates, such as the Lockheed Martin research centre at the University of Melbourne.

The Labor government is moving to enforce the new regime. Last week, the defence departments Defence Security Division asked universities and their staff to join a briefing on the legislation, warning:

Universities, research institutions, organisations, and companies operating in and outside of Australia should consider if their personnel, students, contractors or sub-contractors are impacted by the new legislation.

The Albanese government is determined to proceed because the legislation is part of its escalating commitment to US militarism and Washingtons war offensive, from the Israeli genocide in the Middle East, to the war against Russia in Ukraine and the military and economic confrontation with China.

The US Congress passed AUKUS-related legislation that exempts Australia and Britain from some of the export control requirements under the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) scheme, but only on the condition that both countries implemented parallel laws.

The explanatory memorandum for the DTC amendment cited the Albanese governments Defence Strategic Review, issued last year, that outlined a vast military expansion and the development of an whole-of-nation war economy. It said the review made clear that it is critical that Australia works with like-minded partners, especially with the United Kingdom and the United States, to enhance defence trade, deepen military interoperability and enhance defence capabilities.

Realising the full potential of AUKUS will not be possible without major changes to the way that AUKUS partners cooperate on defence industrial and technology issues.

This is taking place amid a definite political climate. There has been relentless anti-China and anti-Russia propaganda in the Australian corporate media, fuelled by unsubstantiated claims by US-linked intelligence agencies of pervasive meddling in the country, including via university research projects.

For all the propaganda about foreign interference in Australia, Washington has politically intervened to ensure support for these military preparations, and the Labor government is enforcing the turn to war.
Early Tuesday morning, dozens of riot cops with the University of Michigan and Michigan State Police violently cleared out the Ann Arbor Gaza Solidarity encampment. According to multiple reports, including from demonstrators, police arrived shortly after 5:00 a.m. and gave protesters roughly 10 minutes to clear the campus grounds or face assault and arrest.



After the protesters refused, police began to violently attack them. At least four people were arrested, three of them students, while nearly all 50 participants in the encampment were hit with pepper spray. The UMich Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine reported that two undergraduate students were rushed to the [Emergency Room] following the police rampage.

The Ann Arbor encampment was one of nearly 100 established in the United States in the last month following the arrest of 108 anti-genocide protesters at Columbia University on April 18. The anti-war encampments, like the mass protests against the US-backed Israeli ethnic cleansing campaign, are not limited to the US. On May 20, students at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand established an encampment.

According to a tracker maintained by the New York Times, in the last month police in the US have arrested students protesting the genocide on at least 65 campuses. Triple-digit arrests have taken place at City College of New York, New York City, (173 arrests); Columbia University, New York City (217); Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts (118); State University of New York at New Paltz (132); University of California, Los Angeles (243); University of Massachusetts, Amherst (130); University of Texas at Austin (136); and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (100).

In a statement to the World Socialist Web Site, a UM research staff member wrote:



When I arrived on campus this morning it looked like a militarized zone. The buildings were locked to staff, and there were dozens of police still in riot gear on the corner in the center of campus, surrounding the perimeter of the Diag. Apparently they had been pepper-spraying and physically attacking students just two hours earlier, and President Santa Ono sent out a letter while it was happening. These are students who were peacefully protesting against the universitys connections to genocide and militarism, and who have broad support. All the mealy-mouthed public relations talk by Ono and the Board of Regents about respecting and upholding freedom of speech is so cynical, and it is all blatant lies. The proof is in the anti-democratic pudding. They have been thwarting every attempt by students to solidarize the student body and the institution against an ongoing, highly visible and well-documented genocide in Gaza. At first, it started with shutting down student body resolutions against genocide, and now it is reaching the point of physically attacking these protests. The university takes its marching orders from the Democratic Party, Wall Street and the Pentagon.

Police on the University of Michigan campus, May 21, 2024.

After the Ann Arbor encampment was cleared, university President Ono released a cynical statement justifying the siccing of cops on students. Declaring that rights are not limitless, he said:

The university can and must regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure one groups right to protests does not infringe on the rights of others, endanger our community or disrupt the operations of the university.

The violent attacks on students are part of a global attack on the democratic rights of the working class. So-called democratic governments from North America to Europe to Oceania are banning expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people and against war as part of a global counterrevolution aimed at erasing previously won rights and militarizing society, as the ruling classes, spearheaded by American imperialism, escalate already raging wars against Russia (in Ukraine) and the Palestinians (in Gaza) and prepare wars against Iran and China, i.e., a new world war.

For peacefully calling for an end to the slaughter, students on the UM campus, like others across the world, including many Jewish students, have been slandered as antisemites and terrorist sympathizers by college administrators, billionaire donors and regents, and capitalist politicians, including President Joe Biden.

While the students have taken a brave stand against the genocide, the arrests at UM and other campuses prove that the students cannot fight alone. In capitalist society, the only social force capable of ending war and police violence is the working class, armed with a socialist perspective to unite workers and young people around the world against the capitalist system.

But the nationalist, pro-corporate and pro-war trade unions, tied to the Democratic Party, are working in lock-step with the politicians to block industrial and mass action. At UM, students were deliberately isolated and left to be assaulted by the police by the leadership of Lecturers Employee Organization (LEO), which is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).



As student protesters across the country were being attacked by the police, and President Ono was threatening to unleash the police against the UM encampment, the LEO kept its members on the job after their contract expired on April 20, betraying the labor maxim No contract, no work!

Even after the rank and file of the 1,800-strong LEO voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, the union officials refused to call a walk-out and instead quickly pushed through a sellout contract. The disgust and hostility of the majority of lecturers was expressed in a mass abstention in the contract ratification vote, with less than half of the union members casting ballots.

Political responsibility for the police assault Tuesday at Ann Arbor rests not only with the LEO but also with the AFT. Shortly before the contract expiration, AFT President Randi Weingarten joined Biden in smearing the protests as horrific, unacceptable examples of antisemitism.

The same role is being played by the United Auto Workers (UAW). On the West Coast, despite an overwhelming strike authorization vote, United Auto Workers Local 4811, the bargaining agent for 48,000 academic workers in the University of California system, has only called out 2,000 academic workers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.



By limiting the strike to only one campus, the UAW and its president, Shawn Fain, a top campaign surrogate for Genocide Joe Biden, are doing everything they can to smother the UC strike in order to prevent broader mass action. In this way, the trade union bureaucracies work with Biden, the Democrats and their fascistic Republican colleagues to suppress mass and growing opposition in the working class to war, genocide and the mounting attacks on social and democratic rights that accompany them.

The bureaucracies that run the UAW, the LEO and the AFT, and the ruling class they serve are terrified that the example of workers using their industrial strength to oppose war and defend student protesters will spread to other sections of the working class.



This is precisely what must be done to defend democratic rights and end the wars. It requires an all-out struggle against the union bureaucracies.



In a joint statement issued on May 3, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at the University of Michigan and the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee (MERFC) warned that the refusal of the LEO/AFT to call a strike amounted to a green light to Ono, the regents and the Democratic Party to call out the police to suppress the student encampment.

They wrote:

In refusing to call a walkout despite an overwhelming strike authorization vote by the rank and file of the 1,800-strong LEO, the officials of both the local union and the parent American Federation of Teachers are deliberately isolating the student protesters, even as President Biden endorses police raids and arrests to tear down encampments and crush protest actions at campuses far and wide.

The IYSSE and the Michigan Educators R&F Committee explained that the struggles on the campuses and in the workplaces must be unified. The statement continued:

What is key is the formation of an independent rank-and-file organization, not to pressure the union bureaucracy, but to overthrow it. Put the power into the hands of the workers themselves!
Demonstrators raised their red-painted hands to protest US sponsorship of the Gaza genocide during testimony by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. [Photo: C-Span]

The war crimes charges lodged against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant by the lead prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have elicited howls of indignation from the worlds leading imperialist war criminals.

US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have joined hands with fascistic Republicans Mike Johnson and Lindsey Graham to condemn the ICC and assert the right of Israel and the United States to commit war crimes with impunity.

In remarks on Monday, Biden condemned the ICC, declaring, We reject the ICCs application of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.

Biden absurdly declared:

It is clear that Israel wants to do all it can to ensure civilian protection. Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice, whats happening is not genocide. We reject that.

What world is Biden living in? The two men charged by the ICC prosecutor have not only killed tens of thousands of civilians, they have made clear that this massacre is motivated by genocidal intent. Netanyahu referred to the Palestinians as monsters and Amalek, while Gallant referred to the Palestinians as human animals.

If this is not genocide, what is?

In fact, Bidens response to the ICC charges has exposed his governments open and unabashed support for the physical extermination of the Palestinian population by Israel.

In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday, Blinken pledged to work with congressional Republicans to sanction the ICC.

Blinken made this statement in response to Republican Senator Graham, who earlier this month implied that Israel should use nuclear weapons against Gaza by invoking the precedent of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In his remarks at the Senate hearing Tuesday, Graham said that the prosecution of Israel sets a precedent for prosecuting the United States for war crimes. If they do this to Israel, we will be next, Graham said.

Graham pressed Blinken, So I want to take action, not just words. Will you support a bipartisan effort to sanction the ICC not only for the outrage against Israel, but to protect our own interests in the future?

To this, Blinken replied, I welcome working with you on that.

Graham, who had previously stated that there is no limit to the number of civilian casualties Israel should be allowed to cause, and who defended collective punishment against the population of Gaza because it is a radicalized population, praised Blinken and Biden for their response to the war crimes charges against Netanyahu and Gallant.

I want to thank you, Graham said. I want to thank President Biden for issuing a strong statement. Your statement was terrific, Mr. Secretary.

As Biden was publicly denouncing the ICC, his national security advisor Jake Sullivan posed for a photo shaking hands with Yoav Gallant in Israel. This took place as the Israeli defense minister was asserting his intention to expand the attack on Rafah.

We are committed to broadening the ground operation in Rafah, Gallant told Sullivan during their meeting.

Israels genocidal onslaught has proceeded without interruption for seven-and-a-half months. It has officially claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians, overwhelmingly women and children. Unofficially, well over 45,000 have lost their lives, with thousands of bodies remaining under the rubble. Over 75,000 people have been injured, and over 70 percent of the enclaves housing stock has been demolished. Added together, the Israel Defence Forces has killed or maimed five percent of Gazas population.

None of these crimes would have been conceivable without the support of the imperialist powers. American and German imperialism have led the way with their delivery of high-powered weaponry and military equipment to the far-right Zionist regime.

At home, the North American and European imperialist powers have witch-hunted all opponents of the genocide as antisemites, banned protests, and let loose the riot cops on anti-genocide demonstrations and encampments.

The imperialist powers complicity in the barbaric genocide in Gaza demolishes their cynical posturing as defenders of democracy and human rights, claims they have used to sell every war of aggression since the Stalinist dissolution of the USSR.

Beginning with the first Gulf War, US imperialism unleashed one war after another in what has become more than three decades of uninterrupted military conflict. The assertion that American imperialism and its European allies were the most indefatigable proponents of human rights served the purpose of providing their political and media propagandists with a justification for these wars.

The first Gulf War, everyone was told, was a crusade to free Iraq from the barbaric Saddam Hussein regime, which was killing babies in incubators in Kuwait and oppressing the Kurds. To justify the destruction of the major European city of Belgrade by NATO warplanes in 1999, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic was cast as the reincarnation of Hitler himself, guilty of genocide against Bosnians and Kosovo Albanians.

Seizing on al-Qaidas 9/11 terrorist attack, Washingtons leadership of a two-decade-long neocolonial occupation of Afghanistan was presented as a mission to secure womens rights and bring democracy to the long-suffering Central Asian country.

The US-led coalition of the willing that destroyed Iraqi society following the 2003 illegal invasion portrayed itself as a liberating force as it butchered civilians and inflamed internecine ethnic and religious conflicts.

NATOs 2011 air war on Libya claimed tens of thousands of lives, led to the brutal murder of Muammar Gaddafi and plunged one of the continents most advanced societies into a fratricidal civil war that continues to this day. Its advocates, relying on a pretentious pro-war academic theory cooked up in a project funded by the Canadian government, asserted that the war was justified by imperialisms responsibility to protect civilians from a supposed impending massacre by Gaddafi. Similar lies were used to legitimise the incitement of civil war against the Assad regime in Syria, which the imperialists hoped would produce regime-change in Damascus.

These crimes have now reached a new level of savagery. US imperialisms uninterrupted series of wars has metastasized into a rapidly escalating third world war involving all of the major powers in a global struggle for markets, raw materials and geostrategic influence. Washingtons backing of Israels Final Solution of the Palestinian question is bound up with its preparations for a region-wide war against Iran, aimed at consolidating American dominance over the Middle East.

The other two main fronts in this war are in Ukraine, where the crusaders for human rights are allied with genuine antisemites and the political successors of Nazi collaborators in their war against Russia, and in the Asia-Pacific against China.

American imperialism and its European allies seek to subjugate these two countries to the status of semi-colonies so they can capture natural resources and, in the case of China, prevent its emergence as an economic and geopolitical peer competitor. To this end, they are prepared to commit any crime, including genocide, and risk the destruction of human life itself in a nuclear conflagration.

The pursuit of such predatory goals demands the mobilization of the most reactionary political forces at home and abroad. The standing ovation in September 2023 extended to the Nazi war criminal Yaroslav Hunka by the Canadian Parliament, joined by diplomatic representatives from every G-7 member country, underscores that global imperialist war must go hand in hand with the rehabilitation of fascism and dictatorship. The brutal repression meted out by governments in North America and Europe against anti-genocide protesters is part of the abrogation of workers democratic rights.

As the World Socialist Web Site wrote in its 2024 New Years statement:

All the red lines that demarcate civilization from barbarism are being effaced. The motto of capitalist governments is: Nothing that is criminal is alien to us.

Millions of workers and young people around the world recognize the hypocrisy and lawlessness of the imperialist powers. This is testified to by the mass movement against the Gaza genocide, including the launching of a strike by US academic workers to protest the brutal police clampdown on anti-genocide demonstrators. But the challenge now posed is to draw political conclusions from these facts.

Like Mussolini and Hitler, who contemptuously brushed aside the League of Nations as they plundered Abyssinia and marched into one European capital after another, Biden, Scholz, Sunak and Macronthe leading imperialist barbarians of the 21st centurywill not permit the United Nations or the ICC to restrain them. Appeals to these institutions to hold accountable war criminals like Netanyahu, or Biden for that matter, are doomed to fail.

The same capitalist contradictions that produce imperialist barbarism are propelling the international working class into struggle. It is the independent political mobiliation of this social force that the students and young people protesting the genocide and the complicity of the imperialist governments must fight for.

Prosecuting the war criminals, halting the genocide, and preventing the further escalation of a third world war are tasks inseparably connected with the fight for the revolutionary transformation of society under the leadership of the working class, which will replace capitalist barbarism with socialism.
Anti-genocide protesters at the UC-Irvine encampment, May 15, 2024.

The University of California system has filed an injunction to ban a strike by academic workers opposing the police crackdown on campus protests against the genocide in Gaza. On Monday, 2,000 workers at University of California Santa Cruz walked out, but the United Auto Workers has left 46,000 of its members on the job at the systems nine other campuses.

A press release by UC employed sweeping authoritarian language, declaring the strike is illegal because its goal is to pressure the University to concede to a list of politically motivated demands closely linked to the protests occurring across California and the nation.

Adding insult to injury, the press release ends: The University has allowedand will continue to allowlawful protesting activities surrounding the conflict in the Middle East. In fact, students have been beaten and arrested across California and the United States. Only last week, police smashed up an encampment at UC Irvine while the academic workers strike voting process was ending.

This is a major escalation of the assault on the right to free speech, including the right to protest a genocide. This has already been ripped up de facto through weeks of police raids that have led to over 3,000 arrests nationwide. But the court filing amounts to a demand that all strike activity of a political character be banned in the United States.

As a matter of fact, the ruling class long ago passed a ban on political strikes in the Taft Hartley Act of 1947, widely denounced as the slave-labor bill. However, the claim that the UC strike is illegal is factually absurd.

An Unfair Labor Practice complaint filed with the state employee relations board Friday used similar language. Particularly in todays climate, if [the] UAW can disregard no-strike clauses, the Universityand every other public agency in Californiawould face constant strikes advancing political and/or social viewpoints, the complaint warned.

In other words, a precedent must be set that workers and youth can not only be prevented from exercising their right to free speech, but are banned from active opposition when their rights are violated. The only form of political activity which is acceptable to the ruling class is voting for one of the two official pro-war parties in electionsand even this is under threat, as shown by the January 6 coup attempt.

The very forces seeking to have opposition declared illegal are themselves criminals. At the same time that the UC files for an injunction, prosecutors with the International Criminal Court are seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials for genocide.

This would make the Biden administration, as well as the whole US political establishment and campus administrators, unindicted co-conspirators. The irrefutable legal case against the Israeli government also exposes the absurd slander that the protests are motivated by antisemitism.

The response of the US political establishment to the looming ICC warrants has been hysterical denunciations. Additionally, the US has long refused to acknowledge the courts authority, and Congress even passed a law in 2002 allowing the president to rescue American war criminals from The Hague. At the same time that it rejects all restraint on its own criminal activity, US imperialism demands that workers accept the authority of capitalist courts to ban strikes as inviolable.

Union bureaucrats as policemen

The isolation of the strike by the UAW bureaucracy creates conditions favorable for the ruling class to ban the walk out. This is an outcome which the bureaucracy, which supports Biden and expelled protesters from its own Political Action Conference this year, would welcome.

The limited strike at UC is patterned after the so-called standup strike used to impose a sellout contract on autoworkers last year, which has since been used to lay off thousands of people. Last week, the UAW also shut down a strike by academic workers at the University of Washington after only a few hours, just before workers at Western Washington University began their strike. They clearly did not want both WWU and UW workers on the picket lines together while the bureaucrats struggle to keep the political strike at UC from spreading.

UAW Local 4811, which covers the UC workers, responded to the injunction with a statement claiming More campuses are preparing to strike. But instead of announcing an expansion of the strike to more campuses, the statement begs the administration to bargain in good faith. Local 4811 President Rafael Jaime said: We are open to sitting down with UC to resolve these Unfair Labor Practices  Were disappointed that UC has refused to engage in [the California Public Employment Relations Boards] resolution process.

The statement ends by declaring that if the university does not accept their openness to sit down and resolve this situation, then our unions Executive Board will announce the next of the campuses to Stand Up no later than Friday. But by then, a court may have already declared the strike illegal.

But any deal to end the strike with some sort of agreement with UC administrators would amount to an injunction in all but name, enforced through a bureaucracy which acts as an extension of the government and the police. There has not even been an official call for the removal of police from the campuses as part of their deal. In other words, not only the genocide but even the police occupation of universities would continue.

It is urgent that the working class, both across the United States and the world, mobilize to defend the strike. The strike must be immediately expanded to the entire UC system, as well as the whole UAW membership.

Transportation workers and other key industrial workers must also prepare actions in support of the strike. The potential injunction against the UC strike follows Congress strike ban in 2022 against railroaders, after they defied a sellout contract worked out between the White House and the rail unions.

But academic workers cannot wait for approval to massively expand the strike, which they already voted overwhelmingly to approve last week, that will never come from the bureaucrats. They must act now, forming rank-and-file strike committees to enforce their democratic will.
On Monday, Lai Ching-te was officially installed as the new president of Taiwan following his election in January. In his inaugural address, Lai, of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), demonstrated that his government will continue the policy of his predecessor which will only deepen tensions with Beijing in line with the US war drive aimed at goading China into a conflict.

New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, centre, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, and former President Tsai Ing-wen wave during Lai's inauguration ceremonies in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, May 20, 2024 [AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying]

In his speech, Lai made numerous provocative statements about Taiwan as a sovereign nation and called on Beijing to engage with Taipei under the principles of parity. He declared, The Republic of China [i.e. Taiwan] and the Peoples Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. All of the people of Taiwan must come together to safeguard our nation; all our political parties ought to oppose annexation and protect sovereignty; and no one should entertain the idea of giving up our national sovereignty in exchange for political power.

These statements are a direct challenge to the One China policy, which has governed cross-strait relations for decades and states that Taiwan is a part of China. This situation arose following World War II when Taiwan, a former Japanese colony, was reunited with China. When the Chinese Nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949 during the Chinese Revolution, the US protected them by sending its Seventh Fleet into the Taiwan Strait. Since 1979, Washington has de facto recognized the One Chinese policy when it ended formal diplomatic relations with Taipei and recognized Beijing.

However, Washington now encourages Taiwanese politicians like Lai to reject reunification with mainland China. Beijing has made clear it will not accept an independent Taiwan as it would allow for the basing of US troops only 180 kilometers (112 miles) from the mainland and set a precedent for the carving up of Chinese territory. Beijing has also declared that while it pursues the peaceful reunification with Taiwan, it will use force if Taipei ever formally declares independence.

Lai is following the position of outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen who claimed that Taiwan was already a sovereign nation and therefore had no need to declare independence. He stated on Monday that since the first democratic election of the president in 1996, the Republic of China Taiwan [has been] a sovereign, independent nation in which sovereignty lies in the hands of the people.

In response to Lais address, Chen Binhua, spokesman for Beijings State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, declared on Monday, Our determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification is as solid as a rock, our ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unshakable, and our actions to fight against Taiwan independence separatist activities and external interference are resolute and powerful.

Lai comes to office after serving as vice president from 2020 to 2024 under Tsai, who during her eight years in office, increased cooperation with Washington and strengthened the Taiwanese military in preparation for war. Taking over as vice president is Hsiao Bi-khim, Taipeis representative in the US between 2020 and 2023. Hsiao has been aggressively anti-Beijing and has numerous connections to the US government. Lais cabinet includes other former Tsai officials, including Joseph Wu, who will shift from foreign minister to secretary-general of the National Security Council. He is replacing Wellington Koo who is now defense minister.

The dangerous game Lai and the DPP is playing with Beijing, backed by the US, does not have widespread support in Taiwan, despite claims to the contrary in the Western media. There are deep concerns over a war with mainland China, reflected in the fact that Lai was elected with only 40.05 percent of the vote. His opponents, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP) received 33.49 percent and 26.46 percent of the votes respectively. The KMT supports closer relations with Beijing while the TPP attempts to split the difference between the KMT and the pro-independent DPP, often critical of the latters anti-Beijing stance.

Furthermore, the DPP does not have control of the Legislative Yuan, losing its majority during the January election. The KMT now holds 52 seats in the 113-seat body and are joined by two so-called independents. The DPP holds 51 seats while the TPP holds eight.

In spite of this, Lai is pushing ahead with the anti-Beijing alliance Taipei has forged with Washington. In his speech Monday, Lai claimed that Beijings actions in and around the South China Sea were the greatest strategic challenges to global peace and stability. He praised Washingtons massive military spending bill that allocates $US8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific, part of a package totaling $US95 billion, which also provides funding for war in Ukraine and Israels genocide in Gaza.

A total of $US3.9 billion will be provided to Taiwan and regional partners. This includes $US2 billion in direct military funding from Washingtons Foreign Military Financing program, typically reserved only for sovereign nations. The Biden administration used this program for the first time last August to finance Taiwans military. Lai claimed this miliary spending would provide the Indo-Pacific region with additional security and assistance, thereby supporting the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed these remarks, saying, We look forward to working with President Lai and across Taiwan's political spectrum to advance our shared interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The US also sent an unofficial delegation to the inauguration, which no doubt worked to ensure Lais administration would continue where Tsais left off. It included Richard Armitage, who served as deputy secretary of state under George W. Bush. Armitage is an anti-China hawk who has taken part in other delegations to Taiwan. He was joined by Laura Rosenberger, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which serves as Washingtons unofficial embassy; Brian Deese, a former director of the Biden administrations National Economic Council; and Richard Bush, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former chair of the AIT.

These references to peace and stability are deliberately provocative. It is repeated now ad nauseum by Washington and its allies to demonize Beijing and further challenge the One China policy. While Washington carries out belligerent actions, as it did on May 8 when it sent the guided missile destroyer USS Halsey through the Taiwan Strait or by the expanding war games that regularly take place throughout the region, any response from Beijing is denounced as illegitimate and an infringement on Taiwanese sovereignty.

In addition, one only has to look at the destruction the US has caused in Ukraine and Gaza to see what Washington and its allies mean by peace and stability. Lai expressed his support for US imperialism, declaring that Russias invasion of Ukraine and conflict between Israel and Hamas continue to shake the whole world. In other words, he ignored Washingtons role in stoking the war in Ukraine as a means of subordinating Russia as well as legitimizing Israels genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 people, mostly women and children.

In reality, it is Washington that is responsible for the rising tensions by massively arming Taiwan, conducting visits by high-level officials, and promoting Taiwans separate participation in international bodies like the World Health Organization. These provocations and the escalation of the danger of war in the Indo-Pacific will only continue under the new Lai administration.
University of California Santa Cruz grad students on strike, May 20, 2024 [Photo: UAW Local 4811]

There are growing calls from academic workers and other members of the United Auto Workers for an all-out strike against the police crackdown on campus protests against the genocide in Gaza.

The University of California system is seeking to shut down the strike by filing a court injunction. Its anti-democratic maneuvers, which have the support of the entire political establishment, are aided by the UAW apparatus, which has called out only one campus and kept the vast majority of workers on the job.

There is enormous anger over the limiting of the strike, expressed in a number of recent statements denouncing the decision and calling for a UC-wide strike, including from the Students for Justice in Palestine. Meanwhile, the movement of rank-and-file committees against mass layoffs in the auto factories continues to grow, with workers in Kokomo, Indiana issuing a founding statement of their committee this week.

Objective conditions are growing for a class movement combining the fight against war with the fight of the working class against inequality and exploitation. On Tuesday, 1,100 student workers launched a strike at Western Washington University to demand higher pay, tuition forgiveness and other demands. The student workers are also UAW members, part of Western Academic Workers United (WAWU).

Significantly, a protest encampment was also formed last week at Western Washington. Protesting students marched out on Tuesday to take part in the picket line.

On Tuesday, UCLA postgraduate workers spoke out in favor of expanded strike action to the World Socialist Web Site. One political science PhD student said: I think you have a lot of momentum, especially on UCLAs campus and UC Irvine now, after what happened last week, where students are incredibly angry and you can use that to get people to turn around.

So I dont think a limited strike makes sense. And I think UAW 4811 leadership has been pretty behind closed doors, even during the strike negotiations. I dont like them that much. I support the rank-and-file kind of committee much more in their take on things. I think, considering time constraints and considering the current circumstances, just call for a strike, like everywhere. People would turn up.

Another PhD student said: Ive never really been a friend of UAW being in charge of our organizing. I didnt really like the tactics during the 2022 strike. The people from the UAW seemed like they were running the whole thing. They were just a different type of people than most of the student workers. I just felt like we were being shuffled around like cattle and they were running the whole show.

I am a Marine veteran, he continued. I was in Fallujah during Operation Phantom Fury  and a lot of the stuff that I saw that was actually happening in the country wasnt being reported in the media. And I started to recognize back then that what was being reported in the media and what was actually happening was completely different. Like, its not even close to what was really happening.

On the war in Iraq, he explained: I think there werent a lot of combatants when we first entered the country. I feel like we were making enemies on purpose  maybe 90 percent of the people that they actually arrested and brought into detention centers werent necessarily combatants. That act of going in and taking peoples fathers, kicking peoples doors, he explained, was like how Israel claims every Gazan is a member of Hamas. Theyre counting every male as an enemy combatant to them  they could just kill any guy and say that they were Hamas.

A Ford worker in Ohio said he had been following the police attacks on student encampments. The police overstepped themselves. They had no right to interfere in peaceful demonstrations. It is going to escalate. You can only push people so long. Civil unrest is coming. You can see it growing by the day. On the effort to limit the UC strike to one campus and the unions lack of action in general, he said, The UAW could do a lot more. They are just hiding. they have done nothing.

A Ford autoworker from Detroit also spoke out against the genocide to the WSWS. What they are doing to the Palestinians reminds me of what they did to the [Native Americans]. They had land, and it was taken from them. They were massacred. There was nothing reasonable about it  what they are doing sounds like Hitler and the Nazis.

I believe the students have the right to free speech, she said. Everybody does. Just because we put up with it for the time being doesnt mean we like it. The younger people are speaking out.
French President Emmanuel Macron is flying to New Caledonia today in a direct attempt to shut down riots and unrest that have enveloped the colony for the past eight days.

French President Macron, 2nd right, chairs a security and defence council at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, May 20, 2024 [AP Photo/Benoit Tessier]

Macron said the main objective was to install a dialogue mission to resume political talks with all stakeholders and find a political solution to the crisis. Macrons spokesperson Prisca Thevenot said a return to order was a preliminary condition for any talks.

The French Pacific territory has entered a second week of unrest despite the imposition of an emergency decree by Macron last Wednesday. Rioting, largely by indigenous Kanak youth, has devastated the islands capital, Noumea. By Friday five people, three young Kanaks and two gendarmes, had been killed.

The rioting erupted as the French National Assembly pushed through a constitutional amendment to allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years since 1998 the right to vote in provincial elections and for the 54-member Congress. The move is opposed by pro-independence leaders who claim it will dilute the vote of indigenous Kanaks, who make up over 40 percent of the population.

The protests, involving thousands of Kanaks, have been met with fierce repression from the French state and been confronted with armed pro-France vigilante groups. So far 230 people have been arrested. The 12-day state of emergency gives authorities extensive powers to ban gatherings, impose travel bans, and conduct house arrests and searches.

A contingent of 1,000 French police and army reinforcements arrived on Friday, bringing armed security personnel to 2,700, including riot and crowd control squads.

Over the weekend, the media reported an uneasy calm had settled over Noumeas suburbs, where scenes of violence, arson and confrontation had continued throughout Friday. Despite the military-police crackdown, however, enforcement agencies still had not regained control of the capitals central districts, with fires and other damage occurring overnight Saturday.

Frances High Commissioner Louis Le Franc claimed: With massive reinforcement, we will soon be able to regain control of these areas. But Noumeas mayor, Sonia Lagarde, said while overnight violence had eased due to a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, we are far from a return to normal. The situation is not improvingquite the contrarydespite all the appeals for calm, she said, adding that Noumea was under siege.

The unrest has spread to rural areas. On Saturday, a sixth death was reported after a man was killed near the town of Kaala-Gomen, about 355 kms north of the capital, in an exchange of gunfire at one of many barricades blocking roads on the island. Le Franc said security forces would stage harassment raids to reclaim other parts of the territory held by pro-independence groups.

A major armed police operation was mounted Sunday to regain control of the main roads in and around Noumea. Le Franc warned: Republican order will be re-established whatever the cost. More than 600 gendarmes used tanks to clear protesters and roadblocks from the road connecting Noumea with Tontouta International Airport, which remains closed for commercial flights until further notice.

On Monday Macron claimed that there was clear progress in the restoration of order, while authorizing the military deployed to bolster police protecting public buildings in Noumea. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan reported scattered attacks were still occurring around the capital, including on shops and businesses. Roadblocks were also maintained by pro-independence forces into the Northern Province.

Australian and New Zealand governments yesterday began dispatching military aircraft to evacuate their citizens after French authorities authorised the flights to land at the domestic airport. According to Maclellan, the foreign ministers of Australia and NZ had earlier contacted their French counterpart to press action over delays.

France remains determined to tighten its grip on the colony. As the US and its allies prepare for war against China, French imperialism is seeking to play a role in the militarisation of the Pacific. New Caledonia hosts a major French military base and holds nearly a quarter of the worlds reserves of nickel, essential in the manufacture of stainless steel and in the arms industry.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has been chairing daily meetings of an inter-ministerial crisis cell involving Overseas Minister Gerald Darmanin, his deputy Marie Guevenoux, Army Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Justice Minister Eric Dupont-Moretti. On Friday, Attal met leaders of the parliamentary parties to discuss whether to extend the state of emergency beyond 12 days, which would require the approval of both the lower house National Assembly and the Senate.

Two pro-France parties, Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement, told a press conference on Tuesday that to withdraw the constitutional amendment would amount to condoning the rioters and looters actions. Terrorism, violence must not win () Were asking the French State to restore law and order, local pro-France politician Virginie Ruffenach declared.

Pro-independence figures led by the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) have been calling for the measure to be scrapped and that a French dialogue missionsimilar to the delegations sent by Paris before the signing of the 1998 Noumea Accordheaded by a high, recognised and independent official should come and negotiate a compromise.

The alliance of five pro-independence parties that make up the FLNKS represent an indigenous elite that has a vested interest in maintaining the existing voting arrangements, while posing no real alternative to the imperialist-dominated establishment.

New Caledonias President Louis Mapou a Kanak politician from the National Union for Independence, part of the FLNKS bluntly condemned the actions of the rioters, saying anger cannot justify harming or destroying public property, production tools, all of which this country has taken decades to build.

The explosive rioting has exposed the vast class chasm between Kanak workers and youth in particular and the colonys wealthy layers. Maclellan posted on X/Twitter that the young people burned symbols of wealth and targeted large shopping centres and businesses. They live in urban areas and face daily difficulties. With their families, they are in poverty. They dont have a job.

Andre Qaeze from Noumeas Radio Djiido similarly told RNZ Pacific that Kanak youth dont have any training, they go out from school with no job The rich become richer and the poor become poorer, and they say no, we have to change this economic model of sharing. I think this is the main problem.

Amid an escalating economic crisis, with the vital nickel industry in turmoil and people reeling from escalating living costs, the official parties representing both pro-independence and rival anti-independence forces stand on the side of the business elite, opposing any meaningful measures to end poverty and social inequality.

Across the region, meanwhile, there is growing outrage over Frances repression. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, formed in 1986 by Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to back decolonisation, blamed France for the riots and demanded it drop the electoral reform.

An alliance of over two dozen Pacific non-government organisations also condemned France for what they say is a betrayal of New Caledonias Kanak population. The Pacific Regional Non-Government Organisations (PRNGOs) condemned the Macron government for its poorly hidden agenda of prolonging colonial control over the territory.

The outgoing chair of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said greater autonomy for the indigenous Kanak population is needed. Noting that many Forum members are former colonies, Brown said Pacific peoples value sovereignty and the protests were in response to that.

The reality is that none of the impoverished Pacific Island countries are fully independent: all of them rely heavily on aid from the imperialist powers and their governments are subject to routine interference from Australia, New Zealand, the US and France. Some analysts are concerned, however, that Frances police repression could undermine the propaganda about an alliance of democracies seeking to push back against autocratic Chinese influence in the region.

Reuters reported that one commentator for the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, Oliver Nobetau, declared that the heavy-handed response to the protests by France would backfire in the region, where decolonisation was expected. France is trying to re-emerge as a Pacific partner and this will evidently not help that image, he warned.
'Nothing they do is to help.' A liter of oil now selling for 1,500 pesos in Santiago de Cuba 'Here, no one has the money for anything, and we can't go on like this,' says an old woman forced to serve the food at her home boiled and in gobs.

"When there is no fat, it's stew or boiled slop that you cook," said Claudia Montoto, one of the grandmothers whose pension is not enough to buy a liter of edible oil, now going for 1,500 pesos in Santiago de Cuba.

"The daily struggle for food shortages is compounded by the cost of this product in Barracones and Los Cangrejitos, where it rose four times in just six months," added Claudia, a retiree who can't afford this product even after collecting with her children.

For this 76-year-old, "here no one can afford anything, and we can't go on like this," with the disastrous consequences for children who, like their grandchildren, "must be forced to swallow what there is. Even so, they often reject the food, because, in addition to it being awful, you have to serve it all gobby."

Since the entry into force of the Ordering Task the inhabitants of the second largest city in Cuba have suffered a disproportionate increase in prices as a result of the botched economic reform that keeps the country mired in a deep crisis.

The cost of living in this territory is among the highest on the island, largely because scarcity and the Government's shock policies have sapped families' purchasing power, and they are forced to choose whether to wash, dress or eat.

The situation spurred hundreds of people taking to the streets to protest the lack of food and electricity in mid-March. Two months later things have only gotten worse and the only response from the authorities has been to militarize parts of the city to try to stave off demonstrations.

"To buy a liter of oil, the stars must be aligned," said Sarbelia, a receptionist who lives in perennial agony to cook "the pumpkin puree or cabbage broth that I force on my children."

"Typical dishes and salads are disappearing. No one thinks of using the little bit of fat they have on those luxuries," said Armando, whose wife struggles to serve up just "peas and okra."

In front of the store windows on the Calle Aguilera Roxana complained that she could not afford to buy the product in a city where, despite featuring the only operating oil factory in Cuba, "the State and individuals compete to see who suffocates or starves the people the fastest."

Caridad said that she tries to fry chicken in its own fat, "with the risk that it will burn or stick to the pots," a method that she alternates with "browning foods with sugar," which is also deficient and alters the food's flavor.

At the state network's stores a liter of oil now costs 48.75 pesos, while a little bag costs 23.75. The problem, according to Adriana, is that to buy it "you have to really luck out, because the lack of regulation stokes the black market."

A saleswoman from La California explained to DIARIO DE CUBA that the oil that reaches MLC stores has already been bought by certain customers, and never even hits the shelves. "There are entire lots that are bought by MSMEs or resellers, who hoard the merchandise and do a very lucrative business," he added.

In the same vein, a Commerce official acknowledged that part of the regulated oil that is distributed through the rationing card, and that for bakeries, will end up on the informal market at unattainable prices, and without distinguishing between oils based on its quality, or whether it is sealed; or soy, palm or sunflower.

"Nothing they do is to help," said another Santiago woman who has a girl with nephrotic syndrome. "The Government doesn't address my case, nor does it treat my daughter's health problem."

Julio Espinosa is one of those who think that the State always uses the "gradual scheme," which consists of "making the product disappear, which favors speculation, evaluating the extent to which the people withstand this abuse, and then releasing the merchandise at prices that are seen as a relief, but deep down they are part of an extortion, covering up business inefficiency."

In rural areas the prices are even more abusive. Rogelio Mastrapa, based in Laguna Blanca, said that "for a jug of five liters of oil they are asking for between 8,000 and 10,000 pesos, a luxury that some can afford, but criminal for day laborers and agricultural workers."

Most families, both in the countryside and in the cities, refuse to exchange vegetable oil for pork fat, since a pound sells for 750 pesos, and when it is friend a bottle turns out to be more expensive. In some areas of the province there are those who cook with sebum or coconut butter.

The situation is getting worse because the oil for basic groceries is almost never available on time or in the established quantities. In fact, the quota of 250 milliliters per person is already overdue at all the bodegas. In the meantime, the product can be found at private businesses or the informal market.

Although Cuba has an Edible Oil Refining Company (ERASOL), based in Santiago de Cuba, and two bottling plants for the oil it imports, located in Camaguey and Havana, demand has not been met for almost a decade.

The national program for the promotion of soybeans, local oil production's base ingredient, has not yielded results, mainly due to the lack of state financing and failures to pay suppliers and producers.
PULLMAN POLICE

Monday

8:58 a.m.  A controlled substance problem was reported in Pullman.

12:02 p.m.  Officers responded to items reportedly stolen from a storage unit on the 1200 block of Hillside Drive.

1:12 p.m.  Package theft was reported on the 1900 block of Landis Place.

6:31 p.m.  A burglary was reported on the 900 block of Maple Street.

WHITMAN COUNTY SHERIFF

Monday
With 47 percent of Australians prioritising flexible work arrangements over a pay raise, businesses are facing pressure to meet the demands of the tightening workforce.

Flexible working has become an increasingly common practice across businesses, expanding opportunities to engage with talents across geographic locations.

Flexible arrangements have, however, blurred distinctions between worker classifications, increasing risk of penalties for businesses employing remote workers. Previous guidelines around working hours and location are less clear in an era of increasingly common practices including remote working and flexible hours.

Tightening the terms on classification

Increasing misclassification has prompted an increase in government regulation around worker classification, such as recent reforms to Fair Work legislation to improve classification of gig economy workers. The regulatory changes make it increasingly important to correctly identify and distinguish whether individuals are employees within the business, or external contractors.

Making the distinction

By definition in Australia, independent contractors are workers who provide contracted services to another party. Several factors impact the nature of an employment relationship, with key distinctions typically including expected working hours, work location, payment structure, and freedom to pursue other jobs. Employees typically must adhere to employment conditions set by the employer, including working within designated business hours, in a location approved by their employer, whereas self-employed contractors often work more flexible hours to a set output deadline.

Compensation also varies between employees and contractors, with employees paid on a regular payroll cycle, generally with tax withheld by their employer. Their remuneration is agreed on at the start of their employment, to either a monthly salary or per-hour wage, and includes access to employment benefits such as paid holiday. Contractors, on the other hand, invoice the business that engaged their services, and are paid without tax withholding.

Finding the line

This means that the nature of a relationship can also change over time, as conditions of engagement morph. For example, an independent contractor may be engaged in a longer-term working relationship, which then requires a reclassification of their employment nature.

The shadow over contractors is further obscured by legislation, which varies between countries and can cause confusion for employers engaging contractors remotely across national borders. As a result, companies may feel the need to overcorrect by avoiding working with any contractors at all.

The business of contracting

Contractors are engaged through their own business entity, which operates as either a sole trader or incorporated legal entity.

Most independent contractors in Australia opt for the sole trader format, which enables them to maintain sole ownership of the business under an Australian Business Number (ABN). The simple business structure and relatively easy operating requirements enable contractors to maintain their independence while contributing to a larger project, with payment structures in this situation serving as a key indicator for correct classification.

To mitigate risks when working with contractors, its advisable to ensure they maintain business insurance, as the personal liability contingencies of their sole trader leave both parties responsible for any faults. Ensuring they have a valid ABN is also essential to avoid potential payroll risks when paying invoices.

Read the fine print

The key to differentiating between employees and contractors lies in the terms of their contract. Particularly when operating in non-native jurisdictions, contractual terms may leave a business open to misclassification risks in line with local laws. Contracts localised to Australia should equally protect the rights and interests of the business entity and the contractor or employee engaging with the business.

Contractors can negotiate contract terms under the Independent Contractors Act 2006, which includes protections around contractors rights during their engagement with a company, and the freedom to offer their services to other organisations.

Mistaken (mis)classification

In some cases, businesses seeking to avoid providing legally obligated benefits to employees may misrepresent the employees relationship to the business as a contractor. Known as sham contracting, this arrangement is illegal in Australia and can incur significant penalties of up to $469,500 for corporations.

While there may also be cases where the misclassification is accidental, the responsibility still sits with the company to ensure that theyve correctly classified an employee, with penalties still applied if the company should have reasonably known a contractor was misclassified.

How to avoid misclassifying workers

The answer for businesses engaging with contractors lies in being proactive about avoiding misclassifying workers as contractors when they work as de facto employees. This means understanding the proper classification of workers under the applicable labour laws, and working with their contractors to ensure a positive and compliant contractor-business relationship that is mutually beneficial.

When engaging with a global workforce, employers might gain security or guidance on employment classification by working with an employer of record, which can handle payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance for international team members. For companies with more resources, or that are looking to establish themselves in a location long-term, creating a local entity in the country might be an option to maintain a level of control.

For businesses looking to harness the advantages of a global talent pool, embracing contractors in their workforce is a strategic move. The flexibility, agility, and fresh perspectives that contractors bring can invigorate a companys operations and keep them competitive in an ever-changing market.

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Sometimes it feels like an actor has just been waiting for their breakout moment: Mikey Madison just had hers at the Cannes Film Festival. She has been good for a long time in projects like Better Things, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Scream. (In both of the latter titles she, bizarrely, played a crazed villain who was ultimately lit on fire. She has a great scream.)

But she has never quite had a role like the title character in Sean Bakers Anora, a twisted fairy tale about a sex worker who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The film is very funny, until it punches you in the gut with a beautiful ending, and it entirely rests on Madisons performance as the tough-as-nails Anora.

Anora, however, goes by Ani, when we first meet her through a series of lap dances at the midtown strip club where she works. That night her boss tells her to go meet with Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), a gangly Russian patron, who wants her for a dance because she speaks his language. Hes infatuated, they hit it off, and she gives him her number. When they first meet up for sex, he reveals his familys riches, and after inviting her to a rager of a New Years Eve party, he pays her $15,000 to be his girlfriend for a week, in which they party, run around Coney Island, and go to Vegas. Its all like a semi-sordid dream for her. He showers her with affection and lets her live in his lavish world. And then, in Sin City, he proposes. She says yes.

But once they get back to New York it all starts to go sour. His parents get wind of the nuptials, and send their lackeys to clean up his mess. Instead of standing by his new bride, Ivan runs off, forcing Ani and the beleaguered employees to chase after him, leading to a delirious adventure through Brooklyn that feels reminiscent of the way Baker used Los Angeles in Tangerine, his film about trans sex workers that takes place over one Christmas.

The Substance: Demi Moore Stars in the Grossest Movie at Cannes

Madison, using a perfect New Yawk accent, plays Ani as a self-possessed woman who knows her worth, and refuses to let anyone who she thinks is taking advantage of her do so. Still, we also see in her eyes how swept up she is by Ivan, allowing herself to be slightly blinded by his gilded universe and giant mansion. She knows hes somewhat childishtheir sex scenes in which he finishes very quickly prove thatbut hes also fun, genuinely affectionate, and, of course, wealthy. And when he proposes she believes that he really wants to give a middle finger to the life he has awaiting him back in Russia.

So when his parents muscle arrives, Ani stands her ground. In the movies most thrilling sequence, she gives two guys much bigger than her absolute hell when they try to prevent her from following Ivan into the snowy streets. She leaves destruction in her wake, kicking furiously, breaking noses, and biting necks. She can fight back and scream louder than anyone.

The Scandalous Trump Movie at Cannes Could Be an Oscar Contender (Really!)

Madison wears Anis vulnerabilities just under the surface. We never learn much about her backstoryjust that her mom now lives in Florida and she hates going by Anora. To be a descendant of Russian immigrants in New York comes with a sort of shame for her, but to be the bride of a rich Russian guy? That's fine. All that tension builds up until the last beat of the film, making the ending all the more poignant. (Baker has a thing for great endings. See: The Florida Project.)

In a way, Anora operates as an anti-Pretty Woman, where a happy ending never seems in the cards. However, for as much as it pokes holes in the tropes that the Julia Roberts movie perpetuated, its not a sour film, in part because Baker refuses to pity his protagonist, giving her the dignity she deserves. A lot of the credit for Anora herself goes to how Madison imbues her portrayal with so much fire. When the actor beamed during the applause at the Cannes premiere it felt like a star was truly born.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A former model accused Diddy in a new lawsuit of sexually assaulting and drugging her in 2003. He's now facing 5 suits.

A former model accused Diddy in a new lawsuit of sexually assaulting and drugging her in 2003. He's now facing 5 suits.

A former model filed a lawsuit on Tuesday accusing Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sexual assault.

Crystal McKinney said in the lawsuit that Combs assaulted her after a Men's Fashion Week event in 2003.

According to the lawsuit, she believes Combs drugged her with laced marijuana.

A former model filed a lawsuit Tuesday, accusing embattled music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexually assaulting her in 2003.

Crystal McKinney, according to a lawsuit obtained by Business Insider, met Combs at a 2003 Men's Fashion Week event in Manhattan when she was 22. According to the lawsuit, McKinney was introduced to Combs by a fashion designer who believed Combs could "advance her modeling career."

The suit, filed in New York's Southern District Court, alleged Combs had been "coming on to plaintiff in a sexually suggestive manner" at the restaurant they were dining at.

"Combs also plied plaintiff with alcohol throughout the dinner as he repeatedly refilled her glass with wine," the suit said.

According to the lawsuit, McKinney was invited back to Combs' recording studio and given what she believed to be laced marijuana. The suit alleged that Combs began kissing her nonconsensually and pointed to his crotch, asking that she "suck it." After she refused, Combs shoved her head down to force her to perform oral sex on him, according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, she became unconscious and later woke up in a cab.

McKinney is suing Combs under the NYC Victims Of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, a city law that allows for civil suits to be filed within a two-year look-back period, and she is asking for a jury trial. She is seeking an unspecified amount of damages for "mental and emotional injury, distress, pain and suffering and injury to her reputation."

Representatives for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorneys for McKinney declined to comment.

Combs faces lawsuits from four other people: a former employee and three women have accused Combs of sexual assault, abuse, drugging, and other acts of sexual misconduct. One woman said in her suit filed in December that Combs "sex trafficked and gang raped" her as a 17-year-old in 2003.

Combs denied the previous allegations on Instagram and declared he would "fight for my name, my family and for the truth."

"For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy," he said. "Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday."

A sixth lawsuit, filed in November by Comb's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, accused the mogul of rape and abuse while they were together for over a decade. The two parties settled the lawsuit a day after it was filed, the Associated Press reported.

On Friday, CNN published 2016 surveillance footage that appeared to show Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles Hotel. Combs later released an apology, calling his actions "inexcusable"  though he didn't specify which actions he was apologizing for, nor did he mention Ventura's name.

On March 25, the Department of Homeland Security raided Combs' Los Angeles and Miami homes. He has not been charged with any crime related to that raid.

In a previous statement to Business Insider, Aaron Dyer, a lawyer for Combs, called the search a "gross overuse of military-level force."

"There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations," Dyer said. "Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name."

Read the original article on Business Insider
We cant pretend that General Hospitals Anna (Finola Hughes) was ever a big fan of Carly (Laura Wright). After all, Carly once had a fierce rivalry with Annas daughter Robyn (Kimberly McCullough). However, Anna and Carly have been able to navigate Port Charles fairly well without incident until Carly recently decided to jump head-first into this Pikeman mess.

Once Carly overheard Jason (Steve Burton) and John Cates (Adam J. Harrington) talk about Jasons duty to help bring down Pikeman to satisfy his deal with the FBI, Carly took it upon herself to help her best friend and see if she could find any information on the subject.

That led Carly to pay a visit to Brennan (Charles Mesure) in prison. The duo exchanged some flirtatious banter before she informed him that John Cates and the FBI are looking into Pikeman. Despite Brennan serving time as the "head" of the organization, most people believe theres a boss even higher than him, even higher than Valentin (James Patrick Stuart).

Carlys impromptu meeting yielded relatively no new information, and only irritated Anna who felt Carly could have hindered her investigation into the criminal gun ring. She even threatened Carly to stay out of the way. But knowing the hotel owner, she wont stop as long as she thinks she can be what helps free Jason from the FBIs control.

Steve Burton as Jason Morgan in a black shirt in General Hospital

With all that being said, what Carly doesnt know about the particulars of Jasons deal with the FBI. She is unaware that hes working as an informant to protect her from prison.

John Cates has an audio recording of Carly claiming to be the head of the Corinthos crime organization from when she briefly took over for Sonny (Maurice Benard). John agreed the FBI wouldnt use it as long as Jason helps them take down Pikeman. Outside of Jason and John, the only other person who knows of this leverage is Anna, whom Jason swore to secrecy. Well, if Carly continues to poke her nose into this Pikeman investigation, Anna may soon be forced to tell her.

Its not hard to imagine a scenario in which Anna catches Carly interfering again. Then out of frustration, and thinking it could sway Carly into leaving this takedown up to the real police, Anna tells Carly that Jason is working with the FBI to protect her. Furthermore, if Carly doesnt stop her amateur sleuthing, she could tank this entire investigation, meaning shell be off to prison due to the audio. The thought of being away from her children and grandchildren could scare Carly enough that she hangs up her detective hat.

Laura Wright as Carly smirking in General Hospital

However, wed be remiss if we didnt bring up the possibility that Anna telling Carly could push the latter to double down on her efforts to aid Jason. Carly could become guilt-ridden thinking about how Jason spent over two years away from his own kids just to protect her, and she may feel compelled to bail him out to return the favor.

While we have a hunch that Anna will spill the beans to Carly, youll have to keep watching the soap to see if were right.

New episodes of General Hospital air on weekdays on ABC. If you miss an episode, you can catch up on Hulu .
Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes deepens his brand of unclassifiable, globetrotting cinema with Grand Tour, a period drama thats not really a period drama at all, or is it?

Set in Southeast Asia circa 1918, and following the trajectories of a British civil servant and his fiancee as they trace similar paths across the continent, the film hops between present-day documentary footage and historical recreations, with voiceovers in several local languages and a plot that slowly nudges along. Fans of Gomes breakthrough 2012 feature, Tabu, will find much to love here as well, and in terms of craft his latest offers some truly beguiling moments. But anyone looking for a good story, or characters to get hooked on, may find themselves admiring the scenery without ever relishing it.

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Despite a simple pitch, Grand Tour is, at least aesthetically speaking, anything but simple, jumping between epochs, genres, color and black-and-white without warning. Gomes has forged a unique style over the years that blends past and present until they become indistinguishable, as if the period piece were watching is, in fact, a documentary shot over a hundred years ago that was only unearthed today. Or rather, todays footage actually comes from the past, as thought it were sent back to the future.

If this sounds perplexing, thats because it is, and Grand Tour is not for those who like their movies served up succinctly and without too many digressions. Playing in competition in Cannes, which is a first for the director, it should find bookings in plenty of other festivals and select arthouse theatres, though mostly on a niche basis.

The film is split into two parts that both follow the same winding path, which takes us from Myanmar (still known as Burma back in 1918) to western China, with many, many stops in between. In the first half we follow Edward (Goncalo Waddington), whos about to meet his fiance, Molly (Crista Alfaiate), at the train station in Rangoon. They havent seen each other for seven years and are supposed to get married, but for some reason Edward gets cold feet and sets off on a journey toward parts unknown.

Actually, the title of Anthony Bourdains continent-hopping foodie series, which trekked all over Asia as well, isnt that far off from what Gomes is doing here. As Edward heads to Singapore, Bangkok and a host of other cities, the director cuts between grainy ethnographic footage of those locations in the present and costumed period recreations that were mostly shot on soundstages in Portugal.

Its supposed to be 1918, but suddenly were in a karaoke bar in Manila and a guy is singing Frank Sinatras My Way in Tagalog. Or wait, were in an old home in Vietnam owned by a creepy colonial (Claudio da Silva), but there are modern cars swirling around a traffic circle as The Blue Danube booms on the soundtrack. And why, by the way, do all these Brits speak in Portuguese?

Gomes could care less if this is a bit confusing at times. What interests him is capturing the essence of a certain place and putting the viewer in a certain state of mind  both of which he does quite well, even if Grand Tour seems stretched at over two hours.

The films second half offers up a little more plot, as we switch to Mollys point of view upon her arrival in Rangoon. From there she tracks the elusive Edward across the continent, picking up a Vietnamese companion (Lang Khe Tran) along the way. The two eventually make it to Shanghai, then head west to Chengdu and the Tibetan border, where we lost Edwards trace during the first part. By then Molly seems lost as well, suffering from a fatal malady and unsure if shell see her future husband again.

The director, who co-wrote the script with three other scribes, builds some tension out of the pair possibly crossing paths, although neither party seems totally interested in that happening. While Edward is on the run and never looks back, Molly bursts out laughing anytime someone mentions her situation, as if shes aware that the couples fate has already been sealed but realizes its too late to give up. In one sense, the two are on a honeymoon-like death trip, they just dont know it.

While Grand Tour is not a love story by any means, it is about a couple falling under the sway of all the strange and new places they visit  places that seem to alter their bodies and minds. As Edward and Molly make their way from one location to another, Gomes cuts in contemporary footage of karaoke performances, puppet shows, panda bears, martial arts exhibitions and, in one case, two women using their arms and hands to mime chickens making love. Southeast Asia becomes a spectacle of sights and sounds for both the characters and for us, and the best you can do is plunge into it without asking too many questions. In the words of one Japanese monk that Edward meets on his long journey: Abandon yourself to the world and youll see how it rewards you.

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The recently premiered thriller C-drama Insect Detective 2 released its first set of episodes on May 21, 2024. It features Zhang Yao, Chu Yue, and Bie Thassapak Hsu in the main roles. It is the sequel to the popular 2020 Chinese drama Insect Detective. The drama follows the story of Tan Jing Tian (Zhang Yao), a toxicologist who attempts to clear his name from a murder. He joins hands with his girlfriend, Jin Ling (Chen Chuyue), who is a forensic doctor, to investigate mysterious murders committed by a twisted killer.

Episode one focuses on the police interrogating Jing Tian. After a prostitute is murdered in a brothel, the police, led by Sheriff Valarillo, arrive to investigate. Valarillo meets Jin Ling, who is in Thailand as part of an international exchange program. The victim has several cuts on her back. The police suspect that the murderer caused those wounds with the help of a sharp object. The victim is identified as a 27-year-old girl named Sai.

Meanwhile, Valarillo mentions that the one who reported the crime smelled aphrodisiac in the room. Furthermore, forensics concluded that the killer choked the victim to death. As they come outside, Jin Ling is surprised to see Jing Tian being dragged by the police. Jing Tian mentions that he flew in to surprise Jin Ling, but when he was searching the hotel, the police caught him.

Insect Detective 2 ep 1: Zhang Yao arrives in Thailand

The police take Tian to the police station to further interrogate him. He mentions that he was there at the brothel because of the driver of the taxi he had rented. The taxi that picked him up from the airport went to the brothel after receiving a phone call. He went inside, keeping Tian waiting in the car. When he didnt come out for a long time, Tian decided to look for him. As he was searching, the police mistook him for the suspect. It created even more confusion as he didnt speak Thai.

Tian also mentions that the driver was wearing a colorful pendant that showcased the wing of an endangered butterfly. It caught his attention, and it was easy for the inhabitants of the brothel to locate the driver. The police let him go after questioning him.

Meanwhile, the informant is taken into custody after he is found suspiciously loitering around the police station, looking for something. He tells the police that he was not chasing anything; he just wanted to visit the brothel. He begs Valarillo to believe that he is not the killer and urges him to catch the real murderer.

The semen sample obtained from the victims body matches that of an ex-policeman named Phaitoon. He seemed to have a special relationship with the victim, as he was her only client. Phaitoon is brought in for questioning. He breaks down crying when he hears news of Sai passing away. Valarillo asks him if he choked her accidentally, but he denies it. His sensitivity baffles the police.

Insect Detective 2 is available for streaming on Youku.

The post Insect Detective 2 Ep 1 Recap & Spoilers: Why Is Zhang Yao Taken to the Police Station in Thailand? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Kehinde Wiley, the acclaimed artist renowned for his famous portrait of former President Barack Obama, has denied allegations of sexual assault made by another artist, who claims the incident occurred in 2021, according to a report from The Washington Post.

Someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with almost three years ago is now making a false accusation about our time together, Wiley wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. These claims are not true and are an affront to all victims of sexual abuse.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kehinde Wiley (@kehindewiley)

He continued, I have no idea why he has decided to target me in this way  particularly when there is a litany of evidence showing his claims are false  but I hope he gets the help he needs for whatever he is going through. I kindly ask for privacy as I work to clear my name.

Wiley made the statement the same day British-Ghanaian artist and curator Joseph Awuah-Darko took to Instagram, stating that the 47-year-old had allegedly assaulted him twice in 2021. The first incident happened on June 9, 2021, at a dinner held at the Noldor Artist Residency in Ghana, which Awuah-Darko founded in 2020.

In the post, Awuah-Darko said Wiley inappropriately groped him and proceeded to grab my buttocks while also making lewd comments in front of another guest at the event. Additionally, he said they did not know each other long enough for him to act in such a manner.

The act was categorically unwelcome and unprovoked, he wrote. Wiley had barely known me for more than two hours by this point.

It was done by a critically celebrated artist who knew the power he wielded and seemed clearly prepared to abuse it, he wrote. Nevertheless, I placated the situation with awkward humour and the dinner subsequently continued.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joseph Awuah-Darko  (@okuntakinte)

Awuah-Darko characterized the second incident as notably severe and violent. He admitted not immediately recognizing it as sexual assault, a response often shared by other victims who come to realize it only later. However, the strict laws against LGBTQ+ groups in Ghana also influenced his decision to remain silent about it.

The New York Times reported that Wileys lawyers sent a cease-and-desist order to Awuah-Darko, demanding he remove his Instagram posts that are categorically false and defamatory toward their client.

On Monday, Awuah-Darko posted on his Instagram Stories that he plans to sue Wiley over the alleged incidents.

As Blavity reported, Wiley is known for paintings of Black people, especially Black men, in a humanizing way. However, it wasnt until he was selected to paint Obamas official portrait that he gained widespread fame.
Kourtney Kardashian Shares Photos from Italy Wedding to Travis Barker on 2-Year Anniversary: 'Forever with You'

"2 years ago I married the husband of my dreams," Kardashian captioned a set of images from the couple's Italian nuptials on Instagram

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker in 2024

Kourtney Kardashian is looking back on two years of marriage with Travis Barker.

In honor of her second wedding anniversary, the Lemme founder, 45, shared a series of photos from the couple's extravagant nuptials in Portofino, Italy in May 2022.

"2 years ago I married the husband of my dreams  forever with you @travisbarker," the Poosh lifestyle guru captioned the carousel of snaps from the ceremony posted on Wednesday.

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Barker, 48, returned his wife's sweet sentiments in the comments, writing, "My dream wife, forever with you."

Related: Kourtney Kardashian Posts Sexy Lingerie Thirst Trap Video: 'Love Is the Highest Frequency'

Kardashian's younger sister, Kylie Jenner, 26, also commented underneath the snapshots, which showcased the ornately decorated venue. "These pics !!" the makeup mogul wrote.

All 10 photos of her Instagram post featured the bride and groom in their Dolce & Gabbana wedding attire. Barker in his classic tuxedo and Kardashian in her white corset mini-dress paired with a long, dramatic veil embroidered with flowers.

Courtesy of Hulu Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker at their wedding in Italy in 2022

Related: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker Mark Anniversary of Courthouse Wedding: '2 Years Ago in Santa Barbara'

The reality star and rocker first tied the knot in Las Vegas just after the 2022 Grammy Awards. An Elvis Presley impersonator officiated the ceremony, which was not legally binding, at the One Love Wedding Chapel.

A month later, the couple were then legally married at a California courthouse with only a few close friends and family members in attendance on May 15, 2022.

The Kardashians star also posted an ode to their Santa Barbara ceremony last week, sharing another carousel of photos from the occasion.

hulu/youtube Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker at their wedding in Santa Barbara in 2022

Related: Travis Barker Treats Kourtney Kardashian Like a Queen and They Talk About Growing Old Together (Source)

During their third epic celebration on the Italian Riviera, Kardashian and Travis' guests stayed on luxury superyachts and a series of oceanside villas owned by Dolce and Gabbana.

Among the guests were the newlyweds' entire brood of six kids: Kardashian's sons Mason, 14, and Reign, 9, and daughter Penelope, 11, and Barker's son Landon, 20, daughter Alabama, 18, and stepdaughter Atiana, 25.

In November 2023, Kardashian and Barker welcomed their son Rocky together.

Courtesy of Hulu Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker at their wedding in Las Vegas in 2022

Related: Travis Barker Posts Rare Video of Son Rocky While on Family Vacation with Kourtney Kardashian

At the time, a source close to the European destination wedding told PEOPLE exclusively that Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo were invited to perform at the event. The musicians sang "I Found My Love in Portofino," "Can't Help Falling in Love" and their 2018 single "Fall on Me."

"It was an incredible moment and a very special performance," the insider said.



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Read the original article on People.
Madagascar writer-director Eric Darnell knew he wanted to adapt Chinese folklore about a magic paintbrush for modern audiences from the moment he came across the ancient tale while at DreamWorks, initially developing an animated film inspired by it, then a VR project for Baobab Studios, where he has served as chief creative officer since 2015. But his vision was first realized in decidedly analog form  a childrens book for middle readers.

The Magic Paintbrush, now available in bookstores and online under Random Houses Crown Books for Young Readers imprint, is intended as the first work in a platform-spanning franchise that will eventually include TV, film and interactive works in addition to more childrens books. It was developed under an unusual deal brokered between Baobab and the publishing house in 2019: Darnell collaborated with Crown Books for Young Readers VP Phoebe Yeh, who recently edited George Takeis My Lost Freedom picture book, and childrens book author Kat Zhang to ensure the modern-day telling properly honors the folklore that inspired it. Phoebe Zhong, an artist based in Beijing, created the illustrations that fill the book targeted to readers ages 8 to 12.

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I knew I needed help, says Darnell, who early on envisioned the tale as contemporary one about an Asian American girl and the grandmother she didnt know that well.

The ancient folklore about a paintbrush that brings creations to life had immediate appeal for Darnell when he first encountered it years ago. As an animation guy, being able to paint something and have it come to life  thats basically what we do, notes Darnell, who directed Antz in addition to the writing and directing the Madagascar movies for DreamWorks before tackling VR projects at Baobab. But he wanted to make an adaptation of the story that would resonate with younger audiences as well.

Its one thing to imagine somebody 1,000 years ago stumbling across the magic paintbrush, but what if it was you? he says. You were walking home from your school in Port Jefferson on the north coast of Long Island, and stumbled across a magic paintbrush, and anything you drew, they became real. Thats real wish fulfillment.

Mindful of his own regrets about not learning more about his Oklahoma homesteading grandfathers rich creative life while he was alive, Darnell was also keen on in building an intergenerational aspect into the story. And theres a real lesson for young people about responsibility that comes with possessing anything with magic powers, he points out, evoking the Harry Potter literary and movie franchise.

In The Magic Paintbrush, written by Zhang with Darnells input, an aspiring artist named Amy is forced to stay with her grandmother in Queens when her parents are on a cruise. While there, she discovers Lao Laos magic paintbrush that can bring all sorts of creatures  good and bad  to life. Over the course of the book, she learns to stop second guessing her talent and appreciate her grandmother, unbeknownst to her an artist in her own right.

Zhang, who first learned about Chinese magic paintbrush folklore from her father, relished the opportunity to adapt it for contemporary readers, noting the Baobab project already had many elements she loves  fantasy and adventure in addition to painting, which she has done since she was a girl  when she signed onto to write the planned book series.

For me, the core of this story was a lot about Amy struggling with self-doubt, Zhang says. I remember when I was 12 and youre feeling like you suddenly have to take your art seriously and yourself seriously, she says. That can be really paralyzing at any age, but especially for preteens still trying to even figure out who they are in the world.

Growing up in Georgia, she didnt see that many childrens books with Asian American characters, but she has since written quite a few, including the Amy Wu series of picture books. She doesnt consider The Magic Paintbrush to be overly focused on Asian issues, however. It is not specifically about Amys struggles being Chinese American or anything like that, Zhang says. Its about her art and its the same experience that I think any young artist would be able to see themselves in.

Zhang, who works as a doctor in the Philadelphia area by day, is now working on a second Magic Paintbrush book as Baobab continues to develop the IP for other formats. The company shared concept art for those projects exclusively with Variety for this story.

Exclusive never-released concept art from Baobab Studios' early development for the film / TV / interactive adaptations of The Magic Paintbrush.

Baobab, which specializes in interactive animation, also provided some Hollywood sizzle to the book launch in the form of a Magic Paintbrush trailer below.

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The messy fight to see who really owns Elvis' Graceland is over

A company had claimed it owned the rights to Graceland and planned to auction it.

Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough accused the company of fraud and forging documents.

The company said it would withdraw its claim just hours after a judge ruled in Keough's favor.

A bizarre legal battle over who actually owns Elvis Presley's Graceland estate came to an end on Wednesday, leaving the iconic site in the hands of the King of Rock and Roll's family.

A company that claimed it owned the deed to Graceland has now said it'll withdraw its claim on the estate, the Associated Press reported.

Hours earlier, a Tennessee court had ruled in favor of Elvis' granddaughter, the actor Riley Keough, who had been fighting to keep the property.

Keough became the owner of the 13.8-acre Memphis property and trustee of Promenade Trust, which operates the estate, after her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, died in January 2023.

The saga started when a company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending said it owned the deed to the property and announced plans last week to auction it off.

The company said that Lisa Marie Presley had taken out a $3.8 million dollar loan from Naussany, using the estate as collateral. Naussany argued that it had the right to sell the property for repayment after Presley never paid the firm back.

But Keough sued Naussany, accusing the creditor of forging the signatures that purportedly gave it the deed to Graceland.

"While the documents bear signatures that look like the signatures of Lisa Marie Presley, Lisa Marie Presley did not, in fact, sign the documents," the lawsuit says.

"These documents are fraudulent," Keough's lawsuit said. "Lisa Marie Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments."

The lawsuit also argues that Naussany isn't a real company.

"Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC appears to be a false entity created for the purpose of defrauding the Promenade Trust, the heirs of Lisa Marie Presley, or any purchaser of Graceland at a non-judicial sale," the suit continues.

Naussany said in an email to the AP that it would be "withdrawing all claims with prejudice." Naussany told the AP that it was dropping the case because the loan and another critical document had been filed in a different state, meaning the company would have to take legal action in multiple states.

"As the court has now made clear, there was no validity to the claims," a spokesperson for Graceland told Business Insider. "There will be no foreclosure. Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home."

Lawyers for Keough declined to comment on the situation.

BI wasn't able to reach Naussany Investments.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The winner of the 2024 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship has been announced, in conjunction with World Day for Cultural Diversity.

The scholarship is part of ESETs global Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship program for women currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) field.

This years winner is Lucy Fidock, a dedicated and passionate student pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced) at the University of Adelaide.

This is the third year for the scholarship in Australia, and the second year ESET is teaming up with the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare ONeil. Experts predict Australia needs a further 5,000 cybersecurity workers annually to meet the target of being the most secure country in the world by 2030, which is why the Cyber Security Strategy invested $8.6 million towards accelerating the cyber industry in Australia. As Minister ONeil said , to make Australia the most cyber-secure country in the world by 2030 we need to invest in the people who will defend Australians and our assets from this massive and growing threat. The percentage of women in cyber security is growing, and initiatives such as ESETs scholarships complement the work the Government is doing to support that influx of women.The Ministers involvement in the 2024 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship reaffirms her commitment to achieving this goal.

Parvinder Walia, President for Asia Pacific and Japan, ESET, said, We are thrilled to announce Lucy Fidock as the winner of the 2024 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship. Driven by ambition and a passion for cybersecurity, we are confident that she will contribute significantly to making Australia, and the world, a more secure place. This scholarship is a testament to our commitment to fostering talent and diversity in the cybersecurity field. We are incredibly honoured to partner with Minister Clare ONeil for the second year running and hope to continue this precious partnership to build up the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

Lucy Fidocks passion for the field was ignited at a tender age during a high school work experience program at a cybersecurity company, specialising in insider risk technology. This experience motivated her to delve deeper into programming and cybersecurity studies. Lucy has been proactive about gaining real-world experience through intensive training programs and capture-the-flag competitions. Her choice to do research on malware detection evasion further highlights her dedication to learning about evolving cybersecurity challenges. She plans to work part-time in cybersecurity while pursuing a Masters in Cybersecurity after graduating, aiming to contribute significantly to national security. Her academic achievements include a 98.65 ATAR, a SACE Biology merit and a perfect GPA at the University of Adelaide.

About the Scholarship

The ESET Women in Cyber Security Scholarship was launched in 2016 to help support and encourage women who aspire to have a career in information security.

Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college or university within Australia, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (or equivalent GPA in 9.0 scale)

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Nile Rodgers, the award-winning songwriter, composer, producer and guitarist and co-founder of Chic, and Esa-Pekka Salonen, world-renowned composer and conductor and the current music director for the San Francisco Symphony, received their 2024 Polar Music Prizes from the hands of King Carl XVI Gustaf at a royal ceremony held at Stockholms Grand Hotel on Tuesday night (May 21).

The Polar Music Prize was first presented to Paul McCartney and the Baltic States in 1992 after it was founded and funded by Stig Stikkan Anderson, manager of ABBA and a songwriter in his own right, as well as a music publisher and label owner.

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Rodgers spoke from the heart when accepting his award from the king. I know that music changes lives, Rodgers told the audience of 532 invited guests. Ive been told, Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. I am honored to be here tonight in such distinguished company. Congratulations to the outstanding Esa-Pekka Salonen and all the past recipients of the Polar Music Prize. To have been acknowledged in the same way as Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Joni Mitchell, Ennio Morricone and so many more of my heroes is a dream come true.

I would like to give a very special thanks to the Polar Music Prize for recognizing so many artists of color, and to the people of Sweden for welcoming us with open arms, from Eric Dolphy and Miles Davis to Jimi Hendrix, way before most people did. I say this from the bottom of my heart: We are family.

After Rodgers spoke, it was Salonens turn to receive the Prize from the King. In his acceptance speech, he said, There are so many reasons why the Polar Music Prize feels incredibly special. Stockholm used to be my musical and my actual home for many years, early in my career. I have close friends among the previous prize winners, as well as artists who were heroes of mine when I was growing up, and still are. To share the stage today with the legend Nile Rodgers is a great privilege and honor.

Speeches aside, it was a full night of music as Swedish artists performed the music of the two Laureates. Among the many Rodgers hits heard during the ceremony and banquet were We Are Family, Le Freak, Get Lucky, Good Times, Im Coming Out, Material Girl, Lets Dance, Spacer and Everybody Dance. Salonens music was represented by many classical pieces and a stunning rendition of Innan Karleken Kom (Before Love Came) sung by Eva Dahlgren, who wrote the lyrics for a 1995 album. Salonen was the conductor on the track. Dahlgren, a nine-time Swedish Grammys winner, received a standing ovation after her performance.

Near the end of the royal banquet, Polar Music Prize managing director Marie Ledin, the daughter of the late Stig Anderson, told the assembled guests of her personal connections to the two Laureates.

When I was younger, I loved dancing, she said. Every weekend I would dress up, and my friends and I would hit the dance floors and in all the clubs, night after night, the DJs played the irresistible music of Chic and Sister Sledge  songs that made us move and are to this day a memorable part of my younger days.

Then Ledin reached back for another memory. In 1995 I had the privilege of sitting in Berwaldhallen [a concert hall in Stockholm] to hear a young but brilliant conductor rehearse the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. I clearly remember how he suddenly stopped the orchestra as he apparently noticed one wrong note in the score. I was astonished. How was that possible? Not only to hear that tiny mistake but then to bring the whole 70-piece orchestra to a halt in an instant. I was impressed. Of course, that conductor was our Laureate, Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Rodgers and Salonen join a long list of Laureates who have been awarded the Prize over the last 32 years, including Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, B. B. King, Burt Bacharach, Sting, Renee Fleming, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Max Martin, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Angelique Kidjo, Patti Smith, Wayne Shorter, Bjork, Metallica, Diane Warren, Ray Charles, Ravi Shankar, Chris Blackwell, Dizzy Gillespie, Miriam Makeba, Iggy Pop, Grandmaster Flash, Yousou NDour, Gilberto Gil, Sonny Rollins and Isaac Stern.

Best of Billboard
The Reef is a horror adventure film directed and written by Andrew Traucki. The film follows Luke and his friends as they sets out on a sailing trip to Indonesia. However, their journey takes a terrifying turn when their boat overturns. The movie originally premiered on May 13, 2010, at the Cannes Festival.

Heres how you can watch and stream The Reef via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video.

Is The Reef available to watch via streaming?

Yes, The Reef is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Luke and his friends sets out sailing for Indonesia to deliver a yacht to a customer. However, on second day of their journey the yacht strikes a reef and overturns. The boat soon starts flooding with water. Luke and his three friends decide to swim to the nearest island twelve miles away. As the group struggle to reach the island, they are soon stalked by a large white shark.

The cast members include Damian Walshe-Howling as Luke, Zoe Naylor as Kate, Adrienne Pickering as Suzie, Gyton Grantley as Matt, Kieran Darcy-Smith as Warren, and more.

Watch The Reef streaming via Amazon Prime Video

The Reef is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Amazon Prime Video subscription plan grants viewers access to popular television shows and movies such as Chase Street, Primeval: New World, Billions, Endless, Being Human, The Paradise, Hazbin Hotel, Expats, and so on.

You can watch via Amazon Prime Video by following these steps:

Go to Amazon Prime Video Select Sign in and Create your Amazon account Sign up for a Prime Video membership: $14.99 per month or $139 per year with an Amazon Prime membership

$8.99 per month for a standalone Prime Video membership

Amazon Prime is the online retailers paid service that provides fast shipping and exclusive sales on products, so the membership that includes both this service and Prime Video is the companys most popular offering. However, you can also opt to subscribe to Prime Video separately.

The Reef synopsis is as follows:

A great white shark hunts the crew of a capsized sailboat along the Great Barrier Reef.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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The post The Reef Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Amazon Prime Video appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Dong Dong the chimpanzee has a reputation at Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Park in China for being polite and intelligent

Newsflare Dong Dong the chimpanzee throwing a shoe out of his zoo enclosure

Dong Dong the chimpanzee doesn't believe in the adage "finders, keepers."

The compassionate chimpanzee resides at Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Park in China's Shandong Province, according to Newsflare. On May 13, a visitor to the zoo stopped by the chimpanzee exhibit and accidentally dropped their sandal in the habitat while viewing the animals.

After the footwear landed in the primates' enclosure, Dong Dong approached the shoe and picked it up. The animal then started playing with the surprise gift, much to the dismay of the shoe's owner.

In response, the zoo visitor located a zookeeper and asked for assistance retrieving their sandal. The zookeeper agreed to help and communicated with Dong Dong from the walkway above the chimpanzee's enclosure.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Footage of the exchange shows the ape, who is sitting with the sandal in his mouth at the start of the clip, looking up at the keeper as the person addresses him. Shortly after the keeper communicates with Dong Dong, the chimpanzee expertly tosses the sandal from his perch up and over the railing surrounding his habitat. The primate's high toss is precise enough to land the sandal near the keeper's feet.

Newsflare Dong Dong the chimpanzee throwing a shoe out of his zoo enclosure

Related: Gorilla Treated with World's First 3D-Printed Titanium Cast Is Doing Well at Cincinnati Zoo: 'Healing Is Happening'

The clip ends with the shoe returning to its rightful owner as Dong Dong watches.

According to Newsflare, Dong Dong has a reputation at Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Park. He is known for being intelligent and helpful. Zoo officials informed the outlet that this is not the first time 14-year-old Dong Dong has returned a dropped item to a park visitor.

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.

A different zoo in China shocked its visitors when it started displaying panda dogs. The animals added to the Taizhou Zoo turned out to be Chow Chow dogs painted to look like pandas.

Video of the canines taken at the zoo shows two "panda dogs" walking around a habitat, wagging their tails and looking at visitors through the glass.

A zoo spokesperson confirmed that the panda dogs were Chow Chows and that the zoo purchased and dyed them after the facility was denied the opportunity to house giant pandas.

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Read the original article on People.
Crack open the windows and pull the Tommy Bahamas out of storage, folks, because beach season is here  and for city slickers like myself, its the best way to escape the sweltering NYC summer heat. I, for one, am looking forward to hitting the sand with flip-flops, an umbrella, and a cooler full of ice-cold beverages and snacks  however, the only issue is getting said chilled drinks to the beach in the first place. I have plenty of high-quality coolers that work perfectly, but most of them are too big to justify schlepping to the beach when its just my girlfriend and I. Plus, I have to go out and buy ice, and Im usually left with a pool of water at the end of the trip that can make a mess. Thankfully, if youre also itching for some chilled beachside bevvies, Ive got just the item you need. The Frigidaire Portable Mini Fridge Cooler takes the hassle out of keeping your drinks cold on the drive to the beach and requires no ice at all.

Frigidaire, Portable Insulated 6-Can Mini Personal Fridge Cooler

$29.98 (was $39.99) at Walmart

What Is the Frigidaire Portable Mini Fridge Cooler?

This versatile cooler can hold up to 6 canned beverages at a time  perfect for one or two people  and has a built-in thermoelectric cooling system, which keeps your drinks cold with no ice required. (Its insulated, too, so it can act as a regular cooler if youre so inclined.) Its also super stylish and features a cork lid and faux-leather details for a chic beach look. The heavy-duty rubber latch makes sure your cooler stays locked down and keeps beverages at a chilly 26-28F below the ambient temperature. The best part is that it plugs right into the wall or a car outlet, letting you chill your beverages on the way to the beach without the hassle of melted ice or inefficient ice packs.

Credit: Walmart Credit: Walmart

What Walmart Reviewers Are Saying

Average Rating: 4/5

Does it work? Absolutely! Does it plug in to your car correctly? Absolutely. Have I used it [and] do I like it? Absolutely. Plugged it in with snacks for the kids to drive 30 mins away, left it in the car unplugged for 2 hours on a 80 day and our stuff was still cold.  SwaggingMomma Perfect for keeping my sons milk, water and snacks cold on the go. Plugs right into my cars outlet.  Brianna The cooler is lightweight, runs quietly, and works good! I do recommend having your drinks prechilled when packing the cooler.  Sarah

So if youre hoping for a summer filled with cold beverages (and you dont want to end up with a pool of water in your car) snag the Frigidaire Portable Mini Fridge Cooler today  youll be crushing cold ones by the water before you can say its not the heat that gets you; its the humidity.



Buy: Frigidaire Portable Mini Fridge Cooler, $29.98 (normally 39.99)
Direct flights from Lubbock? Here is a list of 8 direct flights from the Hub City

Looking to get away this weekend or just have an itch to fly somewhere new? Well, Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport has three airline carriers from which to choose.

All three airlinesSouthwest, American and United  operate around 19 flights each out of Lubbock, but most have a layover for passengers to reach their final destination. Why wait when you can fly direct?

According to directflights.com there are only eight direct flights out of Preston Smith. Here is a list of where they fly to, what airline and how often.

Dallas: No. 1 Thanksgiving and Christmas domestic destination

Dallas, Texas

Not surprisingly, Dallas is at the top of the list with two airlines  Southwest and American Airlines  flying the hour fifteen-minute flight several times a day.

American typically operates seven or eight flights a week out of Lubbock to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, with Southwest having three to five flights to Dallas Love Field Airport.

Houston, Texas

Both United and Southwest have flights from Lubbock to Houston. However, United flies out of Lubbock two to three times a day, every day of the week, to Houston International Airport.

On the other hand, Southwest flies one direct flight to Lubbock out of Houston Hobby Airport, but only on Saturdays and Sundays.

Panorama of Denver skyline long exposure at twilight.

Denver, Colorado

One or two direct flights operate out of Lubbock seven days a week with United and Southwest.

The flight time is 1 hour and 41 minutes  shorter than flying to Houston International.

Phoenix, Arizona

If Lubbock's sun wasn't cutting it for you, hope on a flight to the Valley of the Sun. Sitting at 2 hours and six minutes, American flies directly to Pheonix one or two times a day, seven days a week,

The new High Roller observation wheel takes its place along the skyline of the Las Vegas strip as seen from atop the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Las Vegas, Nevada

For an extra nine minutes, why go to Phoenix when you can go to Sin City?

But hope Lady Luck is on your side because Southwest only operates one flight out of Lubbock to Las Vegas seven days a week.

Austin, Texas

Looking to go to the capital? Thank Southwest.

The airline operates about one daily flight from Lubbock to Austin every day except on Saturdays.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 8 direct flight from Lubbock's Preston Smith International Airport
Tricia Wheeler and her dog, Sierra Bear, wait outside the former Crossbridge Community Church building recently to get pet food from the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma.

A local nonprofit was created to prevent disadvantaged pet owners from having to make difficult decisions regarding the animals they love and cherish.

Candace Beaty, executive director of the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma, said many pet owners who are in need or experiencing homelessness often choose to feed their pets, rather than themselves, if they determine that they only have enough food for one of them.

The Pet Food Pantry  known as "Central Oklahoma's pet food bank"  aims to end this dilemma by providing these pet owners with free food for their furry family members.

Pet Food Pantry comes to the rescue of people like Denetta Nero, who said she has a home for herself and her dogs Lady and Brown Sugar, but she often finds purchasing food for her four-legged friends too expensive.

"It helps me out with the income that I'm on, and I appreciate it a lot," Nero said of Pet Food Pantry as she picked up free dog treats at the agency's distribution event near downtown Oklahoma City.

Tricia Wheeler, who is experiencing homelessness, said her pit bull terrier mix Sierra Bear is like a family member. She said she is grateful that Pet Food Pantry offers free food for her pooch.

Sandy Candler sorts bags of cat food as the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma van makes a stop outside the former Crossbridge Community Church building in south Oklahoma City.

"I need this dog to help me stay safe," she said.

Beaty said Nero and Wheeler are among about 65 people who typically show up for a twice-a-month pet food giveaway event at the former Crossbridge Community Church building, 1200 S Walker. Beaty said the nonprofit Ice Angels and other organizations offer food and clothing to those in need every Wednesday in a lot adjacent to the church, while the Pet Food Pantry distributes free pet food at the site on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

More: Oklahoma included in Pedigree dog food recall. See if your pet's food is affected

She said the small nonprofit was established in 2010 to come alongside pet owners who need help. The organization delivers pet food and pet supplies to about 400 low-income seniors, veterans and disabled people, as well as to those experiencing homelessness.

Beaty said the agency makes home deliveries in a service area that ranges from Bethany to Midwest City and Edmond to the Moore area. There is an application process and pets must be spayed/neutered in order to be the nonprofit's program. Once in the program, as long as the client abides by the agreement they have made with the organization, the Pet Food Pantry will continue providing service for the life of the pet. Beaty said pet owners must agree to refrain from taking on additional pets, among other things.

The nonprofit also often delivers pet food and supplies that survivors and volunteers may need in areas devastated by storms. Beaty said the Pet Food Pantry recently distributed supplies to a shelter in Holdenville and storm survivors and volunteers in the Sulphur and Ardmore areas.

Norm Chaichankanchang, warehouse manager for the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma, opens packs of water in the nonprofit's van during a recent pet food giveaway event.

Pet owners helping pet owners

The organization has two staff members  Beaty and warehouse manager Norm Chaichankanchang. Everyone else involved with the Pet Food Pantry are volunteers who love animals and want to help struggling pet owners. Beaty, who said she has more pets than she can quickly name, said she simply wants to help other pet owners.

Volunteer and fellow pet owner Barbara Hidalgo, of Oklahoma City, is bilingual and said she likes being able to translate information for Spanish-speaking Pet Food Pantry recipients.

"I love doing this. It feels good," she said.

With a laugh, Sandy Candler, of Oklahoma City said she also loves animals, but she promised her spouse she wouldn't be part of an animal rescue organization, "because he says I bring them all home."

She said being part of Pet Food Pantry gives her an opportunity to help animals and the people who love them.

"A lot of people will give their food to their pets because they comfort them and they support them," she said.

Beaty called the nonprofit one of the best kept secrets in Oklahoma.

"We're not well known and we're very small, but we do such a big and great work," she said.

Bags of cat food and dog and cat treats sit in the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma awaiting distribution to pet owners in need.

How to help

The Pet Food Pantry of Central Oklahoma accepts donations of money and pet food, with dog food among the nonprofit's biggest needs. For a list of donation drop-off sites and more information, go to https://www.petfoodpantryokc.org/.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma helps owners in need feed their pets
Martin Feistl of Austria fell to his death on Saturday while free soloing the south face of the Scharnitzspitze, in the Austrian Tyrol. He was 27 years old.

An experienced free soloist, Feistl was climbing ropeless on the Spitzenstatter-Baldauf route, a 270m line described in detail here.

He lost his footing on a difficult, overhanging section and fell 40m, Alpin.de reported, quoting a police report. He hit a ledge at the base of the wall, and the force of the impact threw Feistl into a field of old snow, where he slid a further 50 meters until reaching rocky ground, wrote the outlet.

Other climbers in the area, including a professional rescuer, quickly rappelled down to help, but there was nothing they could do.

Feistl had made a name for himself as a first-rate ice and mixed climber, although he was equally at home on rock. In 2020, he was a candidate for a Piolet dOr for the first ascent of Stalingrad, a 1,000m ice route in Austrias Karwendel Massif, with David Bruder.

At 20, he climbed Shivling, in Indias Garhwal Himalaya. Feist was a purist, looking for first ascents of ice routes as they formed, and using non-permanent, traditional protection only.

Last summer, he opened new routes in East Greenland. Over winter, he climbed ice and mixed routes almost non-stop, mainly in the Tyrol.

The post Free Soloist Dies in 40m Fall appeared first on Explorersweb.
A new study on heat-related deaths in the U.S. between the years 1999 and 2023 found that last year  the hottest year on record  had the most number of deaths in which heat was cited as an underlying or contributing cause. In 2023, 2,325 heat-related deaths were reported in the U.S., compared to just 311 in 2004. Researchers also found that heat-related deaths have more than doubled since 1999, a trend they say is "likely to continue" as climate change drives temperatures up.

It's easy to forget about the risk of heat exhaustion or sunstroke when you're enjoying a pool party or hanging out at the beach, but these serious conditions can and do happen. Ahead, three emergency room physicians answer questions about how to stay safe when it's scorching out  from being able to identify symptoms to the most effective ways to keep cool.

Why should I care about heat illness now?

Summer is when temperatures are the highest in the U.S. As temperatures soared last year, so did ER visits for heat illness. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in April found that there were nearly 120,000 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023, and 90% of them happened between May and September.The most ER visits happened in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, with males and adults between the ages of 18 and 64 having the highest rates of ER visits for heat illness.

Heat is also the deadliest form of extreme weather, the National Weather Service warns. Hot weather kills 1,220 people annually, according to the CDC. And tolls are rising each year, amid climate change. Last year was the hottest in human history, and a record-breaking 2,303 people died from heat exposure, the Department of Health and Human Services estimates.

"With hotter summer months rapidly approaching, its important to plan ahead to protect yourself and others from heat illness," Dr. Marc Taub, an emergency physician and medical director of emergency services at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif., tells Yahoo Life. "Its especially important to take precautions for those who are more vulnerable to the heat, such as children, older adults, pregnant persons, those who work outdoors, people without ready access to cool areas and fluids and people with underlying health conditions."

What exactly is heat illness?

Heat illness (also known as heat-related illness) is an umbrella term used to describe several conditions that can happen to your body when temperatures rise.

Heat illness generally refers to these conditions:

Heat cramps : These can be the first sign of heat illness, and usually involve painful muscle cramps that can happen in the legs and abdomen, per the National Weather Service (NWS).

Heat rash : This is skin irritation that can happen when you sweat a lot on hot, humid days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Heat exhaustion : Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt that usually happens from sweating a lot, according to the CDC. It can cause heavy sweating, fatigue and dizziness, along with other symptoms.

Heatstroke: Also known as sunstroke, this is the most serious heat illness, the CDC says. It happens when the body can no longer control its temperature. The sweating mechanism fails, and the body is no longer able to cool down. Body temperature can also get to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, according to the CDC. Heatstroke can lead to permanent disability or death.

Read more: What does a heat rash look like? How to identify and treat it

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of heat illness vary depending on the type you experience. Here's a breakdown, according to the CDC:

Heat cramps

Muscle cramps in the abdomen, arms or legs

Pain in the abdomen, arms or legs

Spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs

Heat rash

Red clusters of pimples or small blisters

Pimples or blisters that show up on the neck, upper chest, groin, under the breasts and in elbow creases

Heat exhaustion

Headache

Nausea

Dizziness

Weakness

Irritability

Thirst

Heavy sweating

Elevated body temperature

Urinating less than usual

Heatstroke

Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech

Loss of consciousness

Hot, dry skin or excessive sweating

Seizures

Very high body temperature

How dangerous is heat illness?

It depends on the type of heat illness you have. Heat rash and heat cramps are "generally uncomfortable if you are healthy," Dr. Lewis Nelson, chair of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, tells Yahoo Life. However, they are not usually serious.

But anyone can experience heat exhaustion and heatstroke  the latter of which is life-threatening, he points out.

"With heatstroke, you can develop organ problems, kidney failure, heart problems and stroke-like symptoms," Dr. Eric Adkins, emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells Yahoo Life. "You can die from heatstroke."

I am having symptoms. What should I do?

Doctors recommend getting out of the heat ASAP if you don't feel well. "The most important intervention if you feel sick in the heat is to move to a cooler area," Nelson says. "This may be as simple as moving out of the sun or going indoors."

Using a fan can speed up the evaporation of sweat and help you cool down, but Nelson points out that it's "not very efficient" at higher temperatures. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that people don't use fans when the heat index temperature, which is a combination of the temperature and humidity, is above 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Making sure you are adequately hydrated is critical and replacing the lost sweat with water, plus electrolytes will help avoid a fall in your blood sodium level," Nelson says.

It's also a good idea to take off extra clothes and put on wet towels, if you have them nearby, to help cool you down, Adkins says. Spraying water on your body can also help, according to Taub.

If someone is showing symptoms of heatstroke, call 911 immediately. The NWS also urges getting "immediate medical attention" if heat cramps last for more than an hour, the person vomits or if heat exhaustion symptoms get worse or last for more than an hour.

How can I stay informed about heat risks?

The CDC just launched a Heat & Health Tracker to make it easier to know what's happening with heat in your area. The tracker offers local heat and health information, including rates of emergency room visits for heat illness where you live. The CDC also notes which medications might make you more vulnerable to the effects of heat, and how to store them safely when temperatures rise.

"Keep track of daily weather forecasts and local heat alerts," Taub says. "Good sources of information on current and forecasted weather include local news channels and weather websites." He also suggests checking out Heat.gov for up-to-date information and forecasts.

My car is always sizzling in the summer. How can I keep myself cool?

Car temperatures can skyrocket, and research has found that interior temperatures can hit 116 degrees and seats can get up to 123 degrees.

"Getting into a hot car for a brief period of time is generally safe, but opening the windows or turning on the air conditioning should help moderate the temperature," Nelson says. "The inside of a car, especially in the sun, can reach unsafe temperatures if not cooled, so do not keep children or pets in closed cars, even if out of the sun."

Adkins recommends parking in the shade when you can. A sun shade in your car can help to deflect heat away from the interior as well, Taub says. If your car doesn't have air conditioning and it's extremely hot outside, Adkins suggests taking public transportation if it's available.

What are the most effective ways to stay cool?

If you feel yourself getting hot, there are a few things you can do to cool off in the moment.

Drinking plenty of water is an obvious choice, but Adkins also recommends keeping an eye on the color of your urine. "If it looks more pale yellow, you're hydrated," he says. "If it's dark yellow, orange or brown, that's a primary sign of dehydration."

Using fans, including portable fans, when the heat index is below 99 degrees can be helpful, along with misting yourself with cool water, Nelson says. Putting cool, wet cloths on your wrists, neck and ankles can help keep your temperature down, too, Adkins says.

Is there anything else I can do?

Doctors say there are a few other moves you can make to keep yourself cool on hot days. A big one is avoiding being outside on the hottest times of the day  typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  if you're able, Adkins says.

Nelson also suggests carrying around a bottle of water with you to make sure you're staying well hydrated. Carrying a portable fan in your bag and using it when you need to cool off can also be helpful, according to Adkins.

If you want to really plan ahead, Adkins recommends planting trees on your property to create shade for the future.

Overall, doctors stress the importance of being aware of the heat in your area and taking steps to keep yourself cool. "Exposure to excess heat can be serious  and it's important to take it seriously," Adkins says.

This article was originally published on May 22, 2024 and has been updated.
Hilary Bradt: Any country where Britain disapproves of the government, we should do a guide to it

After half a century in publishing, Hilary Bradt is looking back on her travels with a new book - Heathcliff O'Malley

In 1973, a 31-year-old Hilary Bradt went trekking in Peru and Bolivia. She travelled light, so light that she didnt have a tent or a sleeping bag. Instead, she and her then-husband George took refuge in shepherds huts along the way, or tied hammocks between trees.

For three months they crossed the Cordillera Blanca, trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu  they were among the first modern-day pilgrims to do so  and crunched along farmers paths through the mountains of Bolivia. Since there were no maps or guidebooks, they relied on local information to find their way. Indeed the sight of tourists was so unusual that some villagers screamed in terror at the vision of these gringos and hurried inside their huts to protect their children.

On a three-day river barge trip in Bolivia, Hilary and George wrote up detailed descriptions of these three treks, plus other day walks. They drew maps and Hilary did the illustrations. Later, back in the US where Hilary lived with George (a Bostonian), they printed 2,000 copies of the pamphlet on yellow paper. In 1974, Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia was published with a price tag of $1.95. Bradt Guides was born.

We took it to a London publisher and said: Look, weve got this wonderful book, would you publish it? and they said: No. Its not going to make any money, Hilary recalls. The London publisher asked if they could write a mainstream guidebook on Peru instead. When George said they couldnt afford to fly back out to do the research, the publisher suggested they take the information from tourist brochures. This, of course, was not their style.

That was a pivotal moment, says Hilary. If this is publishing, we thought, well do it ourselves.

I meet Hilary in the lounge at Londons lavish Goring hotel. She is wearing jeans and has a half-open rucksack by her side, while bow-tied waiters float about and suited businessmen take calls. Hilary says that she was worried that the doormen would refuse her entry because of her jeans, like a backpacker who has ended up in a posh hotel in which backpackers do not belong.

Hilary Bradt with The Telegraph's Greg Dickinson - Heathcliff O'Malley

They are a bit frayed at the bottom, but they didnt notice, she confides, with a conspiratorial, nose-scrunched smile.

Hilary, aged 82, is now on the board of directors at Bradt Guides having stepped back from the day-to-day running of the company some time ago (Georges involvement stopped in 1980 after their relationship ended), but her fire-in-the-belly, jeans-at-the-Goring spirit remains a powerful influence at the publishing house.

Any country where Britain disapproves of the government, we should do a guide to it, she laughs, although Bradts list of guidebooks suggests she is only half joking.

Today Bradt Guides is the worlds largest independently owned guidebook company, with titles ranging from Antarctica to Zambia via Karakalpakstan (I had to Google it, too), plus Slow Guides to places like Devon and the Cotswolds. But there are also some controversial destinations on the list. Bradt published a guidebook to Iraq in 2002, a year after 9/11, a guide to North Korea in 2008, a book on Saudi Arabia in 2023, and theres a guidebook to Afghanistan, currently under Taliban rule, in the offing.

Hilary Bradt on a pile of Bradt guidebooks at Stanfords bookshop in Covent Garden in 2007 - Richard Cannon

Is it responsible to encourage or facilitate travel to these countries, some of which have Foreign Office warnings or reprehensible human rights records? Hilary recalls a press trip she took to Iran, soon after it reopened to tourists after being off-limits for many years.

We went to a party, and I remember all the women had skirts up to there, she points above her knee. They had their hair out. One woman was drinking away, and she said: You know, I dont like alcohol, but I have to drink to defy the government.

They were educated, articulate, passionate. If we hadnt been there and if we didnt meet these people, we would think you shouldnt go to Iran because of their human rights record. But it was a beautiful country, and the people were lovely.

The Foreign Office is so blanket with its warnings. And its silly, because dangerous places are so often the safest places. Where youre going to get robbed or perhaps run over is somewhere like Barcelona. In a car accident, thats how youre going to get killed on holiday, and what a waste. It is only later, listening back to our conversation, that I question whether the waste is the hypothetical car accident, or the fact that British travellers are advised against visiting so many countries.

To this day, Hilary practises what she preaches. In 2020, she visited the Indian Ocean island of Socotra, part of Yemen, which the Foreign Office warns against all travel to. She took out a specialist warzone travel insurance policy to visit, although for most travellers  and indeed most travel publications, including Telegraph Travel  Foreign Office advice is there to be followed, not ignored.

Bradt, a keen horse rider, pictured on a journey around the west of Ireland in 1984

This month Bradt Guides published Hilarys first ever exhaustive travel memoir, Taking the Risk. It is a home for all of the anecdotes that didnt make it into the guidebooks: smuggling George across Swazilands border beneath a back-seat blanket, getting arrested in Tanzania on suspicion of espionage, eating a mysterious green fruit which glued her lips shut.

The book also showcases Hilarys flair for descriptive observations. In one extract, taken from a letter sent home to her parents, Hilary describes an ice cave at Perito Moreno, Argentina: Its as though Henry Moore had been let loose with a chisel to suggest human forms. Other sections capture the essence of travelling on a budget. She recounts a trip to Big Bend, Texas, where she discovered that the small number in her car rentals mile-o-metre went down, not up, when driving in reverse. So she would drive nine miles forward and then nine miles in reverse to avoid racking up costly mileage.

One of my ambitions is to be a bad influence, she says, before taking a sip of her English Breakfast tea. Knowing that Hilary met the Queen and became an MBE in 2008 (she suspected the invite was a hoax) only adds to her mischievous mystique.

'Where you're going to get robbed or perhaps run over is somewhere like Barcelona,' says Bradt - Heathcliff O'Malley

Taking the Risk looks back on Hilarys life in travel and publishing, but what lies ahead? One challenge for print guidebook publishers is that todays travellers find much of their travel inspiration and advice online. But Hilary isnt too worried about the long-anticipated death of the print guidebook: If youre in Somaliland, your phone would be useless, she points out. I might not be around, but my eternal optimism says we will endure for another 50 years.

There is also a growing awareness, particularly among Gen Z and millennials, of how the aviation industry contributes to climate change. Can a business that relies on people boarding flights survive the 21st century? And furthermore, should it?

This is where I jump on my soapbox, Hilary says. If youve got a private jet and dont fly, youre making the right decision. But there is no benefit to the climate or anyone to have an empty seat on a scheduled aircraft flight.

Once you get there, whether its Africa or South America, you can do a lot of good by eating locally, supporting charities, supporting conservation projects.

Before Bradt published its seminal guidebook to Madagascar, locals used to eat lemurs, Hilary says. Now, the species is protected, and treasured, as wildlife tourism has emerged as the countrys leading attraction. But the fruits of tourism can be precarious, too. During a period of political turmoil in Madagascar in the 2000s, foreign tourists stopped visiting, and some women who used to work in hotels resorted to prostitution after losing their jobs.

Bradt gets an enthusiastic welcome on a visit to a school in Madagascar - Mike Unwin

We need to keep going to these countries, Hilary insists, on her soapbox, where she belongs. Its absolutely what we should be doing.

Taking the Risk by Hilary Bradt (RRP 20) can be purchased via the Telegraph Bookshop, or online at bradtguides.com

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.
Australian fintech company Zeller has unveiled a new initiative to support small businesses across regional Australia, offering $10,000 worth of grants aimed at fostering innovation and resilience.

As part of this endeavour, Zeller will be providing $10,000 worth of grants annually to regional small businesses, with the goal of equipping them with technology, resources, and funding needed to succeed in a changing economic landscape. The announcement of the Zeller Regional Small Business Grant coincides with the premiere of Welcome to Inglewood, the second short film by Zeller, which delves into the heart of the rural town situated in the Loddon Shire of Victoria. The film sheds light on the ongoing challenges the regional small business owners have confronted over the years, from dwindling foot traffic and faltering infrastructure, to increasingly adverse weather events.

Despite these hurdles, the film captures the Inglewood business communitys remarkable journey of resilience and adaptation in the face of economic turbulence. From traditional brick-and-mortar retailers embracing eCommerce, to those utilising Zellers innovative Tap to Pay solution to overcome connectivity issues, the short film and accompanying story showcase the indomitable spirit of Inglewoods small business leaders, steadfast in their mission to preserve the towns unique charm and vitality.

Joshua McNicol, Director of Growth at Zeller stated , Zeller recognises small businesses as the lifeblood of regional economies, driving innovation, fostering community, and fueling growth. But the challenges faced by regional businesses are also distinctly unique  and often a result of factors out of their control such as tourism, traffic, weather, and access to financial services or technology. Thats why were committed to enabling business owners with the solutions they need to thrive, whether through facilitating payments, improving their cash flow, or managing their finances. Additionally, through Zellers new Regional Small Business Grant, we aim to provide tangible support to regional business owners so they can unleash their full potential and contribute even more to their local communities.

Australias rural towns play a vital role in the nations economy, contributing approximately 40% of the total economic output and serving as a stabilising force. Inglewood, once a major hub during the mid-19th century gold rush, is among the many rural towns where business owners are adapting their business model to thrive in a more challenging economic environment.

Wendy Murphy, Loddon Shire Councillor for the Inglewood Ward said, Zeller has provided a remarkable platform with this film, enabling the business owners of Inglewood to share their genuine, heartfelt stories. The film beautifully captures the essence of our small business community, illustrating their generosity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to our community. It underscores the profound impact that small businesses have on the fabric of Australian society, portraying a narrative of not just commerce, but of family, community, and loyalty.

Catherine Norman, Co-owner of Fusspots Antique Shop said, As a resident of almost twenty years and small business owner of eighteen years here in Inglewood, Ive witnessed first-hand the transformative power that community collaboration and innovation can bring. Zellers commitment to a small regional town like ours holds immense long-term benefits in revitalising our economy and elevating our towns allure as a tourist destination. This film gives me hope that our community will be able to forge a sustainable future for Inglewood, ensuring its ongoing prosperity.

To apply for a Regional Small Business grant, please click here.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Costco members already know what a great deal they're getting when they sign up for the membership, but whisky lovers have something new to get excited about. Nikka Whisky From the Barrel is one of the best-selling Japanese whiskies on the market for good reason, and some Costco shoppers have started to notice the bottles popping up on the store's shelves at affordable prices. It's not available everywhere in the U.S., so you'll have to check with your local Costco.

Nikka From the Barrel (as it's often called) is an interesting member of the Japanese whisky family for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it's technically not a Japanese whisky at all. Back in 2021, Japan updated its regulations of Japanese whisky, intending to protect the Japanese whisky industry from imposters who were looking to cash in on the Japanese whisky boom. One of the new requirements stated that the contents of Japanese whisky must be fermented and distilled exclusively in Japan.

Nikka From the Barrel is a blend of over 100 different batches of various malts and barrels, including old bourbon barrels and sherry barrels. This blend is artfully combined to produce a flavor profile similar to the deliciously raw flavor that a master distiller enjoys straight from the barrel, but a small percentage of those batches are distilled outside of Japan, which means it doesn't legally qualify as Japanese whisky under the new regulations.

Read more: The 27 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

Nikka From The Barrel Is A Top-Tier Whisky Made Affordable At Costco

nikka whisky in bottle and glasses - Jim Cumming/Shutterstock

Regulatory confusion aside, there's plenty to love about Nikka From the Barrel. The first thing that stands out is the bottle itself, which has a remarkably understated persona. In bold, all-caps typeface, you see the name of the whisky, the 51.4% ABV disclaimer, and that's about it. There's no age statement (which is unusual for the genre), no fancy gimmicks, just matter-of-fact labeling.

That minimalist marketing belies a bold and refreshing sipper that has risen to the top of the Japanese whisky scene in the span of a few short years. The bottle debuted in America in 2018, riding the Japanese whisky craze that swept through the U.S. over the past 10 years. It's become so well-regarded that we put it at the top of our list of the 12 best Japanese whiskies earlier this year.

The name is a little misleading as "from the barrel" doesn't have any specific meaning the way that other barrel-related terms do. It reflects the desire to create a commercial whisky that conjures the same raw flavors you get to experience fresh from the tap. Costco has plenty of whiskies to choose from and even produces its own blends from time to time, but getting wholesale prices on such a high-quality whisky is a real treat. Prices will vary, but $20 below retail seems typical.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
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.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  The Mesa County Coroners Office will host its first Death Cafe on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Death Cafe is a setting for open conversation about all aspects of death, dying and living. The coroners office stated the meeting is not a support group or an educational seminar, but rather, a chance to talk about death in an effort to enhance life.

Death Cafe will be at Colorado Craft Coffee and Beer House at 1144 N. 12th Street. The event is free to attend and will start at 6 p.m. For more information, email westernslopegna@gmail.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Summer is a time for pleasure -- and good food is the quickest way to get there. If you're like us, the warmth of the sun has us craving the bright, briny flavors of fresh seafood, which is why we can't wait to get our hands on this limited-edition lobster tail collab between Get Maine Lobster and Momofuku. Get Maine Lobster has been on the cutting edge of premium seafood delivery straight to your door for years and Momofuku is Chef David Chang's restaurant and grocery brand that's widely credited as a key figure in the rise of Asian-American cuisine.

The collab is a match made in watery heaven and arrives on your plate in the form of Sichuan Chili Butter Lobster Tails. The lobsters are caught fresh in Maine and the tails are flash frozen so they arrive at your doorstep in peak condition. The Sichuan chili butter is packaged separately, so you can choose how you want to add it to the dish  be that dipped, marinated, or drizzled.

We think fresh lobster is better than frozen but Get Maine Lobster knows what it's doing and its attention to quality means you have nothing to worry about. The duo has a second collab in the works in the form of a Wasabi Yuzu Lobster Roll, which will be launching on June 6, 2024. But both meals are only running for a limited time, so make sure to grab them while you can. The easiest way to do that is to head to Get Maine Lobster's website.

Read more: 15 Different Ways To Cook Fish

Momofuku's Lobster Meal Kits Are Easy And Delicious

Close-up of Sichuan chili lobster - Get Maine Lobster/Momofuku

The Sichuan Chili Butter Lobster Tail meal arrives raw but comes together quickly and easily. The package includes cooking instructions that any level of cook can follow, so there's no need to feel locked out if you aren't confident in the kitchen. Best of all, the dish can be assembled in as little as 10 minutes. The flavors take inspiration from David Chang's well-known love of Sichuan cuisine, which helped create his famous Sichuan crawfish dish. Expect a little heat from the Sichuan chili butter in classic Momofuku style.

You can get the lobster tails in a package of four or eight depending on your needs. The four-pack will run you back around $120, while the eight-pack sits at around $185. If you know you're gonna be hungry, the eight-pack is clearly a better deal. This collaboration comes at the tail end of some culinary drama surrounding Momofuku over the past couple months. Momofuku had attempted to trademark the name "chili crunch" since its chili crunch product has been so successful.

The drama has since ended, with Momofuku no longer waging its trademark war, but it will be interesting to see how the ordeal will affect sales of this collaboration. In any case, both the Sichuan Chili Butter Lobster Tails and the Wasabi Yuzu Lobster Rolls are calling our name. Now, all we need is to find a good place to put our towel down so we can enjoy these bold flavors under that big beautiful sun.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Wednesday.

Stefano Tonchi named editorial director at Harper's Bazaar Italy

Fashion journalist and former editor-in-chief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine and W Magazine, Stefano Tonchi, has been named the new editorial director of Harper's Bazaar Italy. He will work with the title's EIC Daria Veledeeva. In a statement to WWD, Giacomo Moletto, chief executive officer of Hearst Italy said, "We are confident that [Tonchi] will lead us to new opportunities for growth and significance for a brand that is more and more strategic in the Hearst portfolio." In recent years, Tonchi launched the Palm Beach lifestyle magazine Palmer and TheWrapBook, a biannual luxury art book. {WWD/paywalled}

Chanel and Tribeca Festival announce 2024 Artist Awards participants

Chanel and the Tribeca Festival announced Wednesday that Deborah Kass, Erick & Elliot Jimenez, Glenn Ligon, Jenny Holzer, Joiri Minaya, Jose Parla, Juliana Huxtable, Maia Cruz Palileo, Paul Anthony Smith and Tourmaline are the participants of this year's Artists Awards Program  a collection of creators who donate their work to the festival's winning filmmakers. "Each artist brings a unique vision and narrative, enriching the dialogue of storytelling and emphasizing the importance of inclusive narratives in shaping our cultural landscape," Racquel Chevremont, 2024 Artist Awards curator, said in a press release. See their donated works below. {Fashionista inbox}

Photo: Courtesy of Chanel and Tribeca Festival

View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article

Emma Corrin for Harper's Bazaar Photo: Sam Rock/Courtesy of Hearst

Emma Corrin covers Harper's Bazaar's "Freedom" issue

"The Crown" and "Deadpool" star Emma Corrin covers Harper's Bazaar's June/July 2024 issue wearing Miu Miu (for which the actor is an ambassador) styled by Carlos Nazario. The actor talks about their new Marvel supervillain roles, facing homophobia and transphobia as a nonbinary queer person in Hollywood and more. "It feels impossible to know where to start to enact the change that needs to be done," Corrin says. "But by taking up space, by being visible, that's something in itself." {Harper's Bazaar}

Celine releases Winter 2024 menswear runway show video

Celine has released "Symphonie Fantastique," a video featuring the new Celine Homme Winter 2024 collection. Cutting between clips of leather-heavy outfits, mountains in the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles architectural scenery, the Hedi Slimane-directed project was inspired by Hector Berlioz's 1830 musical composition of the same name. Leonard Bernstein later described the symphony as "psychedelic," which is how an 11-year-old Slimane discovered the piece. {Fashionista inbox}

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Now you can grab a bite and get your brakes done at these Charlotte car dealerships

In an innovative blend of community service and culinary delight, Scott Clark Toyota has opened a new Community Kitchen Cafe at its Honda and Toyota locations in south Charlotte and Matthews.

The cafe is more than just a place for customers and employees to grab a bite to eat. Its also a training ground that provides development opportunities for those new to food service.

The initiative is part of the dealerships new partnership with Community Kitchen program, a nonprofit organization with Community Leadership Academy that focuses on culinary education, community engagement and leadership development. Participants in the program receive training in food preparation, information technology and language proficiency.

[RESTAURANT INSIDE AN UNLIKELY PLACE: Who would have ever imagined a locally-owned, soul food restaurant inside a Walmart?]

Sixty percent of the cafes revenue goes back into the program, allowing it to offer these services free of charge to underserved and migrant populations.

The dealerships had cafes in the past, but struggled at times to staff them, said Rod Goodall, director of community engagement at Scott Clark Toyota.

Goodall got to know Community Leadership Academy Executive Director Robel Mamo through various outreach programs, including intern graduation dinners. He was inspired by Mamos commitment to giving back and felt the Community Kitchen Program aligned perfectly with Scott Clarks values.

Robel does so much work with individuals in the community, teaching them the soft skills necessary for culinary success and empowering them to secure jobs, Goodall said. Hes truly impacting lives. Theyre coming into this kitchen program and graduating with skills that are in so much demand right now.

Mamo said he looks forward to the new partnership with Scott Clark.

Not only will this provide more workforce development opportunities for those in food service, but it will also support our small business, which is a community non-profit, said Mamo, who is providing hands-on leadership at the dealership cafe to help ensure smooth operations.

[ITS A TREND: Come for a meal, leave with a Mustang at this restaurant in a Charlotte car dealership.]

The menu, which continues to adapt based on customer feedback, includes hot breakfast and lunch options including fresh pastries, parfaits, chicken, sushi, turkey wraps, Buffalo chicken wraps and more. Prices range from about $2 to $10.

Its all top-quality food created by an amazing head chef and a talented, diverse group of workers, Goodall said. Now, when you come into the store, you can have a delicious pastry or sandwich while you wait for service or look for a car. And when you do that, youre also pouring back into the community.

The cafes are located near the main lobbies of each dealership. The hours are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Location: Inside Scott Clark Toyota, 13052 Marie Garris Dr. Matthews, North Carolina 28105

Location: Inside Scott Clark Honda, 7025 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28227

Cuisine: Pastries, sandwiches and salads
This Is the Only White Paint Color Youll Ever Need



"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Picking the perfect white paint color is notoriously hard (and, dare we say, kind of annoying). But fear not, weve rounded up our favorite warm white paint colors to help streamline your decision making. Even those of us who love color (like, a lot of color) need a good, classic white paint color in our design tool box. From creamy, happy shades to more stately gray-tinged neutrals, weve gathered up the paint colors we know youll find yourself coming back to time and again for any painting project on your listfrom kitchen cabinets to living room walls. Along with our hall of fame shades and designer go-tos (hello, White Dove, our old friend!), youll also find some new shades that we think have instant star power. So, put down the fan decks, relax your eyes, and scroll through these best-of-the-best warm white paint colors we guarantee will work for your next project!

For more decorating ideas with creamy warm palettes, check out these stories...

Lime White by Benjamin Moore

In a room with small windows, such as the kitchen of this Ohio cottage, creamy white walls and cabinetry bring a sense of cozy warmth without overpowering the small space.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Lime White by Benjamin Moore

RELATED: See More of This Ohio Cottage That Is What Tiny Home Dreams Are Made of

Erin Kelly

Pure White by Sherwin-Williams

When paired with warm woods and chippy antiques, this pure and classic white that has a slight yellow undertone feels warm and inviting.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams

Buff Strickland

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

If you love the look of crisp white walls but want to bring out the warmer tones, pair them with off-white fabrics, such as the tea-stained window treatments shown in this coastal California cottage.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore

Roger Davies

Delicate White by Glidden

If your room has a lot of dark finishes and rustic materials, such as stained wood and brick, choose a bright white over a muddier tone to keep the room looking fresh. Here, clean white walls serve as the perfect blank canvas for all of the homeowners collected finds.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Delicate White by Glidden

RELATED: See More of This Tiny Cottage in West Virginia That Brims With Big Personality

Brie Williams

Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams

A hint of taupe adds just the right amount of warmth to this cozy white paint color used to drench a guest bedroom. For an even cozier look, dry a darker taupe on the trim and pair with tone-on-tone accents.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams

Trim Paint Color: Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams

RELATED: Take a Look Inside More of This Cozy Hunting Lodge

Becky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason

All White by Farrow & Ball

Rely on this crisp-but-still-warm white (meaning no cold blue undertones) to drench the ceiling and walls in a room with a ton of natural light. In rooms with large windows, leaning into starker whites adds brightness and counterbalances sunshines golden hue.

Get the Look:

Wall, Ceiling, and Cabinetry Paint Color: All White by Farrow & Ball

Erin Little

Dropcloth by Farrow & Ball

Historic paint colors, especially whites, tend to have darker undertones. If youre going for an age-appropriate touch in an old house, opt for a warm beigey white with a hint of gray, like this warm white used in the hallway of a 17th century cottage.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Dropcloth by Farrow & Ball

Read McKendree

Intimate White by Sherwin-Williams

Blush has long been a favorite hue for bedrooms thanks to its supposed flattering powers. If you love the idea in theory but not in practice, pick this white paint color with just a hint of pink to get the same flattering effect.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Intimate White by Sherwin-Williams

RELATED: Try These Bedroom Paint Colors for a Restful and Inviting Space

Becky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason

Creamy by Sherwin-Williams

A quick and easy way to warm up an all-white kitchen? Avoid painting kitchen cabinets a stark white and, instead, pick a white with a creamy undertone.

Get the Look:

Cabinetry Paint Color: Creamy by Sherwin-Williams

Kirsten Francis

White Limewash by JK Wall Paints

No matter the color, limewash paint is a great way to give your walls texture and character. If youre going for an airy interior but want a touch of patina, seek out a white limewash paint color, like the one shown here on the bedroom wall.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: White Limewash by JH Wall Paints

Erin Kelly

Decorators White by Benjamin Moore

Often hailed as an all-time favorite by the designers and architects, this white paint color has just a touch of gray in it, making it the perfect all-encompassing, work-in-every-room white.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Decorators White by Benjamin Moore

DAVID TSAY, styling by Becki Griffin

Tapestry Beige by Benjamin Moore

If youre going for a room soaked in whites, opt for a slight variation between floors and walls. A warmer-toned beigey white for the floor helps ground this large living room.

Get the Look:

Floor Paint Color: Tapestry Beige by Benjamin Moore

Wall and Ceiling Paint Color: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams

David Tsay

White Dove by Benjamin Moore

White Dove is a top-picked paint color for a reasonit pretty much works in any situation! When paired with the moody wood tones of this California cabin, the slightly off white acts as a neutral ground for an explosion of color and pattern.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore

RELATED: See More of Textile Designer Heather Taylors Cozy California Cabin

David Tsay

London Fog by Benjamin Moore

If your room has large black elements in it, such as this stove, opt for a soft gray white.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: London Fog by Benjamin Moore

DANE TASHIMA

Shaded White by Farrow & Ball

A mid-tone white paint color, like this creamy white, brings an air of cozy elegance to any room, especially when paired with neutral textiles such as tone-on-tone ticking stripes, nubby linen, or grain sack fabric.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint: Shaded White by Farrow & Ball

Tara Donne

Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball

If you love the idea of gray but dont want to commit to a house full of it, paint a rooms trim or wainscoting in your favorite gray hue, then pair it with a delicate off-white.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball

Stephen Karlisch, styling by Jimmie Henslee

Swiss Coffee by Behr

Dont be afraid to mix and match your white paint colors to give an all-white room kitchen visual variance. In this small kitchen, two of our favorite shades of soft white come together to create a cohesive, creamy palette.

Get the Look:

Trim and Cabinetry Paint Color: Shaded White by Farrow & Ball

Ceiling Paint Color: Swiss Coffee by Behr

RELATED: 20+ Brilliant Ideas for Painted Floors

David Hillegas, styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Seapearl by Benjamin Moore

When picking out your perfect warm white paint color, look to other colors in the room. If theyre cool-toned, like the blues shown in this breakfast nook, pick a white with a gray ground. (If theyre warm-toned, seek out a creamy white with a yellow or tan ground.)

Get the Look:

Wall Paint Color: Seapearl by Benjamin Moore

Read McKendree

Classic White Buff by Sherwin-Williams

If you want to give your room a little more gravitas, choose a paint color with historic charm. This kitchens gray-toned warm white is rooted in the 1800s, which we think makes it pretty tried-and-true.

Get the Look:

Cabinet Paint Color: Classic Light Buff by Sherwin-Williams

David Hillegas

Dimity by Farrow & Ball

When in doubt, pick out a true neutral white. A touch of taupe ensures that this warm white paint color works in most any room, from the kitchen to the bath.

Get the Look:

Cabinet Paint Color: Dimity by Farrow & Ball

RELATED: Try These Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas for Your Kitchen

Stephen Karlisch

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New Peruvian restaurant opens in SLO. See whats on the menu and get a look inside

San Luis Obispos dining scene has a new addition with the opening of a restaurant that brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to the Central Coast.

Kiko, located at 746 Higuera St. in the Mission Mall space previously occupied by Lotus, is named after its owner, Kiko Pomalaza, who grew up in Lima, Peru, and has worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years.

Pomalaza co-founded the restaurant with Paul Hamou, who serves as the restaurants general manager.

What is that in SLO County?

Ever wonder what that construction is in your town or what happened to that local business? Were finding out the answers. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.

  

Read More

 New SLO County cafe serves up American breakfasts with a Mexican flair

 SLO County bar closes doors after 5 years. I think thats all folks

Kikos causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispos Mission Mall.

Pomalaza said his restaurant offers the opportunity to bring a new cuisine to San Luis Obispo County and create a sense of community at the same time.

Its not just about serving food, Pomalaza said. Its about creating a dining experience. It is really great food with a great ambiance. Its about the human connection and the storytelling.

Kiko, the new Peruvian Restaurant in San Luis Obispos Mission Mall, features a tiled bar in its dining room.

What makes Peruvian food unique, Pomalaza said, is the diverse array of different cultural backgrounds that influence the cuisine.

In addition to Indigenous Inca and colonial Spanish influences, Peruvian food also is inspired by different African flavors, making for a unique flavor profile, Pomalaza said.

Kikos arroz con mariscos is made with panka pepper and spices, seafood mixture, basmati rice, and criolla salad. The Peruvian restaurant is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.

On the menu, customers can enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes like seco con frejoles  a slow-cooked Amarillo beef stew flavored with cilantro and served with Peruvian beans. Customers can also try tacu tacu a la chorrillana, a pan-seared rice and bean pastel served with a choice of steak or chicken and sauteed vegetables.

Pomalaza said he has been dreaming of opening a Peruvian restaurant for eight years and had his eye on a spot that was occupied. After years of planning and manifesting, Pomalaza saw his dreams realized when the space became available.

If you really want something and you work hard, things happen, Pomalaza said.

Then main dining room at Kiko in San Luis Obispos Mission Mall opens onto a patio near the creek.

To make the restaurant come alive with color, Pomalaza and his partner brought in art and painting from their trips to Peru.

In addition to creating a sense of community through food, Pomalaza said he also believes in ensuring his restaurant is as high quality as possible.

Kikos causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispos Mission Mall.

Inspired by his father who owned a hotel in Lima, Pomalaza said he strives to ensure the highest of standards and will work with customers to bring them a positive experience.

The food cant be just OK, Pomalaza said. The food has to be great.

Pomalaza said his team is comprised of employees he handpicked who share his values, are always smiling and are humans who love other humans.

Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant at San Luis Obispos Mission Mall, offers a spacious, heated back patio faces the San Luis Creek.

In a post-COVID world, human connection is especially important, he added.

It sounds very romantic, but honestly its true: You can touch peoples lives, Pomalaza said. Ive seen this for years. Many of my customers are now my really good friends.

For more information

Kiko is open Wednesday through Monday from 5 to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit kikorestaurantslo.com or call 949-456-5198.

Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant, is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.

Kikos Creek Salad is made with mixed greens, cucumber, radish, cherry tomato, roasted peppers, sweet potato crisp and topped with a chile guero-dijon vinaigrette.
Get ready: The tourists are coming! Space Coast ranks 10th best summer travel destination

Be prepared for an influx of tourists over the next few months.

The Space Coast has been named the countrys 10th best travel destination this summer beating out places like Orlando and Miami, according to USA Today 10Best. In fact, the Space Coast was the only spot in Florida to make the list.

Situated on Floridas Atlantic shore, the Space Coast area is recognized as the home of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where Apollo 11 lifted off for its moon landing mission, according to USA Today 10Best experts. The region is also a hub of activities, including water sports, cruise excursions, fishing, and golfing. Its also a great spot for lazy beach days.

What other places made the USA Today 10Best best summer travel destination list?

The Space Coast is the 10th best summer travel destination according to USA Today 10Best.

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

2. Ocean City, New Jersey

3. Catalina Island, California

4. Cody, Wyoming

5. Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania

6. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

7. Door County, Wisconsin

8. San Juan Islands, Washington

9. Ocean City, Maryland

10. Space Coast, Florida

People are visiting the Space Coast, but are they moving to Brevard County?

The USA Today 10Best list was released one day after Melbourne dropped in a national ranking of best places to live.

U.S. News & World Report placed Melbourne at the No. 49 spot on the best places to live in the country. Its a significant drop from last year when Melbourne was ranked No. 15.

Officials with the publication attributed the drop partially to switching from metropolitan-based data to city-based data. It also was noted that Melbourne received lower scores in a areas such as job market and quality of life.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey pointed out that being in the top 50 of places to live is still an accomplishment.

Although it appears negative, were still in the top 50 of best places to live, Alfrey said. When people realize its such a great place to live and theyre looking to relocate, we kind of become a victim of our own success. Melbournes still an amazing city.

Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space Coast listed as No.10 for summer travel destinations in U.S.
The United States rejects the announcement of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, that he is applying for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, as well as three leaders of Hamas on charges of war crimes, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a briefing.

There should be no equivalence between Israel and Hamas  none. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that carried out the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and is still holding dozens of innocent people hostage, including Americans, he said.

Furthermore, the ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter, said Spokesperson Miller. The ICC was established by its state parties as a court of limited jurisdiction. These limits are rooted in principles of complementarity, which do not appear to have been applied here amid the prosecutors rush to seek these arrest warrants, rather than allowing the Israeli legal system a full and timely opportunity to proceed.

In other situations, the prosecutor deferred to national investigations and worked with states to allow them time to investigate. The prosecutor did not afford the same opportunity to Israel in this case, which has ongoing investigations into allegations against its personnel, noted Mr. Miller.

There are also deeply troubling process questions. Despite not being a member of the court, Israel was prepared to cooperate with the prosecutor and had made that clear, said Mr. Miller.

In fact, the prosecutor himself was scheduled to visit Israel to discuss the investigation and hear from the Israeli government. But the prosecutors staff didnt get on their flight around the same time that the prosecutor himself went on television to announce these charges. These circumstances call into question the legitimacy and credibility of this investigation, declared spokesperson Miller.

Finally, this decision does nothing to help  and could jeopardize  ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement that would get hostages out of Gaza and surge humanitarian assistance in, warned Mr. Miller:

Those are the goals that the United States is pursuing and will continue to pursue despite these actions by the ICC prosecutor.

President Joe Biden called the application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders outrageous. He added, We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.
Riverside County residents looking to adopt a pet have a great reason to do so this weekend.

All adoptions are free on Saturday at the countys three largest shelters located in Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms in addition to the Riverside County Animal Services Blythe location.

The initiative is part of the Riverside County Animal Services 10-10-10 day, which references the shelters operating hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and how anyone who adopts a pet is a 10 on a one-to-10 scale.

10-10-10 day references our unique hours of operationand anyone who adopts will always be a 10 in our book, Animal Services Director Erin Gettis said. Be a 10 between 10 and 10!

The Blythe shelter, which is normally closed on Saturdays, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Orphaned black bear siblings returned to San Bernardino National Forest

In addition to free adoptions, all impound fees are also waived, meaning that individuals can pick up their dog or cat without any fees being charged, Gettis said.

Like many in Southern California and across America, shelters across Riverside County are over capacity; over 1,000 dogs are packed into the countys shelters, and officials are looking to make Saturday truly a call to action.

We are over capacitywere packed and we need help, Gettis said.

If you are unable to adopt but would like to help, Riverside County Animal Services also offers opportunities to volunteer, donate and foster pets.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
If the extent of your knowledge of French cuisine is how to obnoxiously pronounce omelette du fromage thanks to that one Dexters Laboratory episode, don't worry. You dont need to be able to cook like Julia Child to treat yourself to a vintage Le Creuset piece. Why spend hundreds on the new stuff when you can cook like the greats with some iconic vintage Le Creuset cookware?

How to Spot Vintage Le Creuset

Le Creuset is the aesthetes favorite cookware line with its sturdy construction and beautiful array of colors. The French company has been selling its famous cast-iron enamel cookware since 1924. And its bigger today than its ever been.

But what about the classic Le Creuset pieces  the ones that slid through the cracks when Pyrex and Tupperware dominated your grandparents' kitchen cabinets? Thanks to Le Creusets newfound pop culture popularity, theyve experienced quite a boon. Make sure you pay top dollar for the right pieces by knowing what characteristics to look for.

Look for Loop Handles

Before the round knob handles Le Creuset has today, the companys lids had loop handles. These are handles that you can pinch between your thumb and forefingers or hook a finger through to pick up and move. Into the later-20th century, you start seeing the knob tops.

Spy the Wooden Handles

In true mid-century fashion, vintage Le Creuset from the 1950s-1970s usually featured wooden handles. Saucepans, fondue pots, skillets, and more had warm wooden handles befitting of the we could always use more wood mid-century style.

Check for Ridged Bottoms

If you look at the bottoms of vintage Le Creuset cookware, you may find ridges. These ridges were customary for decades. Theyre not too common today, so when you find a ridged piece with these other features, chances are youve got an authentic vintage.

Related: 7 Vintage Dishes Worth Money You Might Have in Your Kitchen

3 Features to Help You Authenticate Vintage Le Creuset

You can authenticate vintage Le Creuset pieces in basically the same way you do today. Youll want to look and see if these three main features are present:

Le Creuset France Round Gratin Casserole

The Le Creuset Name Is on the Bottom

Its standard for the company to engrave their name on the bottom of their pieces. You should find the entire name spelled out in single-level font without serifs.

The Country of Origin Is on the Bottom

Le Creuset is manufactured in France, and so all genuine Le Creuset pieces should feature either France or Made in France engraved in the same font and style (though smaller) as the company name. It should also be on the bottom of most pieces.

Theres a Two-Digit Number Present

Another engraved element you can find on real Le Creuset cookware is two-digit numbers. These numbers refer to the items diameter. For example, if you find a 16 engraved in the bottom and in the lid, the pot has a 16cm diameter.

Sometimes, you can find these numbers encased in a diamond shape, but if you dont find a diamond, it doesnt automatically mean its not a real Le Creuset.

Since Le Creuset is a French company, their number measurements always refer to the metric system. So, calculate the sizes using centimeters, not inches.

Discontinued & Vintage Le Creuset Colors

One of Le Creusets genius marketing tactics is its limited color palette. They frequently release limited edition specialty collections and retire colors or patterns to the archive. When looking for vintage Le Creuset pieces, youll find many of them in retired colors such as these.

Dijon yellow

Elysees yellow

Emerald green

Fennel green

Fig

Indigo

Persimmon

Provence

Soleil yellow

Deep teal

Ganache

Kiwi

Lime green

One vintage color you can still find today is flame, a sunset-hued orange-red. It was the companys first color and remains a staple in their current catalog.

Related: Why Vintage Melmac Dishes Are Mid-Century Classics

Popular Vintage Le Creuset Series

Casual Le Creuset fans are more familiar with pieces by their functions than the designed series on the whole. However, there are two vintage series that are particularly worth knowing.

Raymond Loewys Coquelles

Cast Iron Le Creuset 4.5 Cooking Pan, Pot and Lid by Raymond Loewy, Retro Kitchen

Raymond Loewy was a famous mid-century designer credited with multiple accolades, one of which was a series of dishes for Le Creuset including the famous Coquelle. At first glance, they dont look or feel like they come from Le Creuset. Theyre very atomic age in their style (geometric lines that play with proportion and split color schemes) and are a hot commodity on the resell market.

Enzo Maris Mama

Cocotte Le Creuset 20 vintage Enzo Mari

In the 1970s, Italian designer Enzo Mari redesigned the cocotte. Its most identifiable feature? The new handles. These handles are flat on the top, and slope towards a curved edge thats perfect for gripping with your fingers. This Mama series is also one of the most valuable vintage series you can find on the auction block.

Le Creusets Heritage collection releases modern pieces in archival designs. Though theyll look vintage, they feature modern packaging and crisp, clean enamel.

Vintage Le Creuset Values

Le Creuset isnt cheap cookware on a good day. Naturally, vintage Le Creuset wouldnt be cheap either. Vintage pieces' values are heavily dependent on their condition, size, series, and color. At the lower end, vintage Le Creuset pieces can sell for $40-$50, while sets on the higher end can go for $1,000+.

Vintage Le Creuset Recent Sales Prices 1930s Marbeled Grey Cocotte $135.98 1960s Chocolate Brown 5-Piece Collection $800 2-Piece Set Owned by Joan Didion $2,500

For example, a 5-piece chocolate brown collection from the 1960s sold for $800, while a rare 1930s marbled grey cocotte sold for $135.98. Youd think the older piece would sell for more because of its age. But the larger set and more attractive color are better selling points.

Another thing to consider is who owned the vintage Le Creuset pieces. If pieces have strong provenance and once belonged to a famous person, they can go for quite a lot. For instance, a two-piece set from Joan Didions collection sold for $2,500 despite having substantial wear and tear.

La Petite Chaise, Who?

Vintage Le Creuset cookware is stylish, functional, and will help you up your culinary game. Embrace the ratatouille of it all, and hunt down the pieces that speak to your talents. Love a dip? Invest in a good vintage fondue pot. Either way, the dishes you make will have your guests saying La Petite Chaise, who?
John and Rebecca Wass spent much of last summer building a deck at their Millcreek Township home. This year, they want to spend more time at the beach.

They grabbed an early start Tuesday, enjoying the warm sun and a gentle breeze at Presque Isle State Park's Beach 8, along with nearly 40 other lunchtime visitors.

"We didn't get here once last year, even though we live so close," said John Wass, 64.

"We just like to sit here and relax," added Rebecca Wass, 63.

Summerlike temperatures reaching 86, two degrees below the all-time record for the date, encouraged hundreds of people to visit the park's beaches Tuesday, even though swimming isn't allowed until Saturday at noon.

John Wass, 64, and his wife, Rebecca, 63, of Millcreek Township enjoy a warm spring day at Presque Isle State Park's Beach 6 on Tuesday.

Instead, people sunbathed, grilled hot dogs, read books and helped their children build sand castles. Some of the more adventurous waded into the cold Lake Erie water, which was only 52 frigid degrees Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

"The (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) sets our swim dates in advance regardless of the weather, so the beaches won't be guarded until noon Saturday," said Steve Dunsmore, one of the park's Lake Erie lifeguard managers. "If you're at an unguarded beach, you can wade up to your knees, with a maximum of being 10 feet from shore."

Hannah West and Carolyn Mankey were more interested in reading than swimming during their visit to Beach 8. The two friends had traveled to Erie from their homes in southwestern Pennsylvania for an impromptu vacation.

West, 20, works as a certified nurse's assistant, while Mankey, 21, just graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"We just wanted to get out of Washington (Pennsylvania)," West said. "We played volleyball last night and I like the history of Presque Isle. I've been to the lighthouse and I like going to Misery Bay."

Park lifeguards prepare for swim season

Not everyone was at the beach to relax. Erich Fuhrman, Luca Hokaj and Garrett Thayer were hauling lifeguard chairs onto Beach 6 as the park prepared for swim season.

Presque Isle State Park lifeguards Erick Fuhrman, right, Garrett Thayer, left, and Luca Hokaj move a lifeguard's chair into position Tuesday at Beach 6. Swim season starts at the park Saturday at noon.

Another park lifeguard was patrolling the beaches in an all-terrain vehicle, educating people about the various park rules.

"To give you some idea of how many people visited the park on Monday, our ATV lifeguard made 175 public contacts that day on the various beaches," Dunsmore said. "That's just the number of people who they talked with. We had many more visit the beaches."

When will Presque Isle beaches be open for swimming?

Once swim season starts on Saturday, swimming will be allowed seven days a week, weather permitting, from noon until 7:30 p.m. The following beaches are expected to be open for swimming:

Weekdays  Beaches 3, 6, 8 and 11

Weekends  Beaches 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11

Stay up to date on Erie-area weather

Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Warm Erie weather leads people to Presque Isle State Park beaches
New Veterans Wellness Center is one step closer to completion

New Veterans Wellness Center is one step closer to completion

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Veterans Wellness Center has been in the works since spring of 2023 and its getting one step closer to completion this week with a special event to mark the occasion.

This state-state-of-the-art facility, brought to the Borderland by Endeavors, is projected to be finished in late 2025.

The center will include an integrated mental and physical health services that will be based on suicide prevention for Borderland veterans.

This model will provide telehealth and in-person services along with support groups, professional development training, a fitness center, group fitness classes, case management and more.

Endeavors organization corporate external affairs officer Ben Miranda told KTSM this facility is only the second one of its kind in the entire country. The first one is located in San Antonio.

Miranda explained that the center is meant for veterans, first responders and their families.

If they want massage therapy, acupuncture, any type of service, they can just walk in. But the good thing is, if they are getting a massage, and they start speaking to the therapist helping them and they start a conversation that they also want to see a mental health counselor, they dont have to drive across town, its all right there, Miranda said.

Its all in an effort to prevent suicide and save lives, marriages and families.

Miranda explained that the need for such a facility is great in El Paso after having conducted a veterans need assessment analysis in 2019.

Some of these needs are more mental health services, more connected services, more wellness services, he said.

The organization in collaboration with the city, county and the chamber found that the best location for this center is between 79936 and 79938 ZIP codes where most veterans and their families live.

Endeavors is hosting a special event on Wednesday, May 22 on the corner of Pebble Hills and Joe Battle, where the center is located.

The last steel beam will be topped off with a special ceremony that includes local veterans.

Endeavors is inviting everyone who wants to be a part of it to show up at 8:30 a.m. and leave their signature or an inspirational message on the last beam before it goes 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 KTSM 9 News.
Water-lovers look no further: These are the best Oklahoma rivers to kayak this summer

For many people, summertime is synonymous with being on the water, and in Oklahoma, there's no shortage of ways to achieve that.

For those seeking to enjoy nature without the addition of noisy boat engines, kayaking is one of the best options.

Check out these Oklahoma rivers for some of the best places to kayak in the state.

More: Looking forward to warmer days? Here's your ultimate OKC summer bucket list

Illinois River

Winding through northeast Oklahoma is the Illinois River, a popular float destination northeast of Tahlequah.

Many visitors choose to leisurely float the river on a raft, ideal for families with some able to hold up to nine passengers, but kayaks and canoes are also available at the many floating outfitters along the river.

The Class II river is "a gently-flowing waterway with a moderate current and few hazards," according to Travel OK.

More: Scientists say the next La Nina is on its way. What it means for Oklahoma weather

While many of the river outfitters are open year-round, the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is the busiest. This river isn't the best option if you're hoping for a totally peaceful trip, as families and groups flock there to cool off in the summer.

Mountain Fork River

Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.

Miles of scenic river abound in southeast Oklahoma. The lower Mountain Fork River is a scenic destination for water-lovers, especially those visiting Beavers Bend State Park which the river runs through below Broken Bow Lake.

Park visitors can explore 2.5 miles of the river in one-or-two-person kayaks, or canoes that will hold two adults and two small children.

Outside the state park, there are other river outfitters and public access points for river enthusiasts.

Eagle Fork Creek

For the more experience kayakers, specifically those experienced in whitewater paddling, the Eagle Fork Creek in southeast Oklahoma is an attractive location.

A scenic place offering solitude and fishing, the "small, winding stream near Octavia" can turn "into a raging river" after heavy rain, Travel OK warns.

2024 cicadas: Where will cicadas emerge in Oklahoma? What to know about periodical cicadas

Hazards include whitewater, ledges, waterfalls and the dams at the low-water bridge off U.S. Highway 259. The dams should be avoided by getting out of the water and going around them thanks to the heavy currents they produce.

According to americanwhitewater.org, Eagle Fork Creek "is a first-class stream reminiscent of Colorado or other places out west. Many have said 'It's hard to believe this is Oklahoma.'"

North Canadian River

The Canadian River at the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge is pictured in Oklahoma City.

If you live in the Oklahoma City metro area, you don't have to travel far for this kayaking haven in northwest OKC.

The North Canadian River runs right through the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, offering a place to escape the city and explore the area known for its bird-watching, ancient trees and some sandy beaches.

You can rent kayaks from the Riversport Lake Overholser boathouse south of the historic Route 66 bridge and access the river from there.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Where to go kayaking in Oklahoma: Four scenic rivers to explore
MILAN  Weekend Max Maras roving project dedicated to its signature Pasticcino bag has landed in Japan, the third destination of its World Tour.

Under the moniker Treasures of Japan, the brand is launching special-edition iterations of the pouch bag crafted from about 1,200 meters of silk jacquards drawn from the storied archives of the Kawashima Selkon Textiles fabric maker.

More from WWD

The project aims to support artisanal excellence and crafting traditions. Kawashima was established in Kyoto in 1843 and is regarded as one of Japans finest weavers, having supplied textiles to the Meiji Palace in the past, as well as to the Kyoto State Guest House. The textile atelier currently creates obis, formalwear and luxurious interior fabrics and runs a school and museum to help preserve storied weaving techniques.

Inside the Japanese ateliers crafting the Weekend Max Maras Treasures of Japan Pasticcino bag.

Available in six variants and two sizes, the Pasticcino bags bear different patterns, from a pink floral motif nodding to fertility to a revisited 1905 imperial pattern with floral fabric featuring bouquets of peonies, roses and buttercups.

All designs are done in painterly pastel nuances matching the bags lining and clasp. In keeping with the projects ethos, the latter, a boule-shaped closure, is the result of another linkup with local craftspeople.

Weekend Max Mara asked Bottega Nakamori-Kumihimo  a workshop established in 1927 specialized in the handicraft of obijime and haori cords  to reimagine the boule clasps, wrapping them in precious threads in contrasting colors. Bottega Nakamori-Kumihimo is part of the Ando Corporation, which groups craftspeople from across disciplines.

Inside the Japanese ateliers crafting the Weekend Max Maras Treasures of Japan Pasticcino bag.

Hitting retail in June, the Pasticcino bags, part of the Treasures of Japan collection, are priced between $865 and $1,025.

A dedicated campaign shot by photographer Marco Imperatore is fronted by influencer twins Ami and Aya Suzuki, known professionally as Amiaya, who made waves in the fashion community for their matching, colorful kawaii style.

Marking the launch of the Pasticcino Bag World Tours third leg, which follows previous iterations in Venice and Paris, Weekend Max Mara hosted a two-day event in Kyoto. Comprising a bespoke city tour to discover the citys landmarks as well as its traditional crafts, the event culminated with a dinner on Wednesday night at the Chishakuin Temple, a Buddhist training, devotion and community center, hosted by Nicola Gerber Maramotti, Max Maras consumer channel director.

Weekend Max Maras Treasures of Japan Pasticcino bag.

Named after the Italian word for small pastry, the Pasticcino pouch was first introduced in 2016.

Weekend Max Mara was launched in 1983 as a casual collection well suited to traveling and it has evolved into a comprehensive line of ready-to-wear and accessories. Recently, it has orchestrated seasonal tie-ups with fashion designers and personalities including American actress Lucy Hale, designer Arthur Arbesser, British stylist Kate Phelan, Lily Aldridge, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, New York-based stylist and editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, among others.

The brand is available in about 250 monobrand stores and department stores globally.

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Horse riders accompany a park guide on a horse trail ride to the top of Red Cloud Buttes at Fort Robinson State Park. (Courtesy of Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)

LINCOLN  A gallop for equestrian fans: The $1.2 million expansion of campsites and facilities for visitors traveling with horses is set to open this week at Nebraskas Fort Robinson State Park.

The additions now double the capacity of the Mare Barn Campground, which is on the main park complex of the sprawling 22,000-acre Fort Robinson in northwestern Nebraska.

New are 24 campsite pads, paved large enough for a truck and trailer and equipped with hook-ups for electricity, water and sewer service.

Adjacent to the pads is a newly constructed 30-pen enclosure where horses can be stalled outside.

We still need to add some trees and get the grass to grow, but the sites are ready for people to camp on them, said Donita Morava, a superintendent at the park.

The new campsites and outdoor horse pens at Fort Robinson State Parks Mare Barn Campground are in the forefront of this photo, with the new camp pads standing out in white. They are scheduled to open May 24. (Courtesy of Justin Haag, Nebraskaland/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)

Half of the campground sites are available for reservations at OutdoorNebraska.gov and the others are first-come, first-served.

Already renovated in 2020 is the 20,000-square-foot main horse barn at the Mare Barn Campground, which offers indoor stalls. The new outdoor 30-pen addition is expected to be popular with visitors who want a place to put horses during their stay.

Morava said outdoor pens have long been requested by visitors, as some horses arent used to being indoors, especially in hot weather.

The Mare Barn facility originally housed broodmares when Fort Robinson served as a remount depot for the U.S. Army from 1919 to 1945.

Fort Robinsons history with horses, both as a state park and its former role as a calvary base, make it an ideal attraction to cater to the rising popularity of equestrian activities nationwide, said Morava.

Its going to become increasingly popular as time goes on, she said. People bring their horses to experience the open spaces of the Pine Ridge.

Fort Robinson is Nebraskas largest state park, and offers two other campgrounds besides the Mare Barn Campground: Soldier Creek and Red Cloud.

Its going to become increasingly popular as time goes on ... People bring their horses to experience the open spaces of the Pine Ridge.

 Donita Morava, Fort Robinson State Park superintendent

Historically, the area operated as a fort from the early days of the Old West until after World War II. According to the State Game and Parks Commission, it served previously as the Red Cloud Indian Agency, as a cavalry remount station, K-9 dog training center, POW camp and beef research station.

Established as a state park in 1962, Fort Robinson also was the site of the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of famed Sioux Chief Crazy Horse.

Last year, the state allocated $20 million from excess state funds for improvements at Fort Robinson  with up to $2 million to go to efforts to honor the significant history of the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-Black regiments that served for 18 years at Fort Robinson.

The Black soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry regiments were given the name buffalo soldiers by Plains Indian tribes because their black curly hair reminded the Native Americans of the coats of buffalos.

The Ninth Cavalry first arrived at Fort Robinson in 1885 and helped expand the new fort. According to History Nebraska, the soldiers served during the turbulent ghost dance period. They were transferred out later and relocated to the Philippines.

Equestrian Campground at Fort Robinson State Park in Dawes County and Sioux County in summer 2022. (Courtesy of Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)

The post $1.2M expansion set to open, bolster Fort Robinson State Parks horse-riding profile appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Teen dead after shooting erupts during sleepover in Fairburn neighborhood

Fairburn police responded to reports of multiple gunshots around 4 am Wednesday at the Durham Lakes subdivision off Johns Rivers Road.

Its unfortunate that we are facing this situation today, neighbor Krista Heslip told Channel 2s Tom Regan.

Other neighbors say teens were having a sleepover at a house when a fight began.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

It moved outside and then came an outburst of gunfire.

One person was shot inside a car on the street.

He died at the scene.

Its believed there may have been an exchange of gunfire between the teen in the car and another person at the front of the house.

Multiple shell casings were found outside the home.

Police took a person into custody, but charges have not been filed as they try to determine if the shooting was deliberate or a case of self-defense.

My prayers are with both families at this time, Heslip said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the investigation.

Police are questioning possible witnesses and trying to locate porch camera video that may shed light on the deadly shooting.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  One person has been killed, and another has been critically injured in a shooting in southeast Wichita Wednesday afternoon.

According to Wichita Police Department Patrol East Captain Chad Beard, officers responded around 3:30 p.m. to the report of a possible shooting at a massage parlor at 2725 Southeast Blvd.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Upon arrival at the scene, two victims were found.

One of those victims is a 44-year-old white male who was deceased from multiple gunshot wounds, said Beard. The other white male is a 70-year-old male, and he has been transported to a local hospital where he is currently in immediate surgery. He is expected to survive at this point.

The exact number of shots fired is unknown.

Wichita man wanted for assaulting USPS worker arrested in Arkansas City

Beard says it is likely the two shot each other.

At this point, way too early for us; we do not know if they knew each other or anything like that at this point, so were not sure if it domestic or you know something else that was occurring, said Beard.

There is no threat to the community.

An investigation is ongoing. KSN News will provide more information as it 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 KSN-TV.
1-Year-Old Went into Cardiac Arrest and Died After Moms Boyfriend Allegedly Beat Him: 'Sickening'

Edward Murray has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Kareem Keita

Hamilton County Sheriffs Office Edward Murray

An Ohio man has been accused of murdering his girlfriend's toddler son earlier this month.

Kareem Keita, 1, was pronounced dead at a Cincinnati, Ohio, hospital on May 5, days after he was found unresponsive in his home, the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powers said in a statement.

The statement referred to the alleged victim only as K.K., but he was identified by WLWT, WCPO and the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Edward Murray, 23, was arrested in connection with Kareem's death and was later indicted on several charges, including murder, per Powers statement.

The child was killed on May 1, the statement alleged.

An investigation into the brutal injuries sustained by Kareem revealed he suffered cardiac arrest leading to a brain injury, a fractured rib, a lacerated liver, bleeding eye tissue and brain swelling, according to the statement.

Physicians at the hospital said the injuries on Kareem "could only have occurred from violent impacts against objects or from delivered blows," the statement said. His death was ruled a homicide.

Kareems mother, Aminata Keita, was dating Murray for about three months at the time of the killing, the statement said. On May 1, Murray was playing with Kareem outside the home before allegedly bringing him inside and putting him directly to bed, according to the statement.

The child skipped dinner because he was tired, Murray allegedly said, per the statement. Authorities allege that Murray said he spent several minutes with Kareem in the boy's bedroom.

Murray and Aminata Keita then allegedly smoked marijuana and neither checked on the child for the rest of the night, per the statement. Murray was allegedly alone with Kareem the following morning when the child was found to be unresponsive.

Murray was unable to provide any alternate explanation for how K.K. could have been injured so severely, the prosecuting attorney's statement claimed.

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.

Murray has been indicted on two counts of murder, one count of assault and one count of child endangerment, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

This case is both heartbreaking and sickening. I cannot imagine the amount of evil required to hurt an innocent child so severely, Powers said in the statement. It is genuinely disturbing to think someone capable of doing this might walk among us.

Online court records show Murray is being held on $1 million bail. Its unclear if he has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Read the original article on People.
A day after the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials, the United States expressed its official condolences in a statement by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller. Mr. Miller also wrote, As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

At a press briefing, Spokesperson Miller said that expressing U.S. condolences after the death of an official foreign leader was an appropriate step, often taken by the United States. He made clear, however, the United States has no doubt about the kind of leadership Ebrahim Raisi displayed:

Ebrahim Raisi was a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades. He was involved in numerous horrific human rights abuses, including playing a key role in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. Some of the worst human rights abuses occurred during his tenure as president, especially the human rights abuses against the women and girls of Iran.

We dont want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash, said Mr. Miller. But that doesnt change the reality of his record both as a judge and as the president of Iran, and the fact that he has blood on his hands.

Most importantly, our fundamental approach to Iran has not changed and will not change. We will continue to support the people of Iran, to defend their human rights, their aspirations to an open, free society and democratic participation, he said. And we will continue to confront the Iranian regimes support for terrorism, its proliferation of dangerous weapons, and its advancement of its nuclear program in ways that have no credible civilian purpose.

Spokesperson Miller noted that the United States holds the Iranian regime accountable, not only by words but actions, including imposing more than 500 sanctions on the Iranian Government and Iranian entities for their destabilizing actions in the region and for the repression of their own people.

To the Iranian people, Spokesperson Miller declared: The official message is that we stand with them as we have stood by them, and our policy of holding the Iranian regime responsible for [its] abuses has not changed and will not change, period.
DENVER (KDVR) Wheat Ridge police spent Wednesday working on what they called a complex situation after two suspects allegedly rammed into cars in a King Soopers parking lot.

Just before 12:30 p.m., the Wheat Ridge Police Department tweeted about the situation. Officers were at the King Soopers on Youngfield Street.

Officers said the situation started as a shoplifting call. When officers arrived at the King Soopers the suspects allegedly rammed into a patrol car and two other cars before fleeing the scene.

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Police confirmed that no officers were injured, but one bystander sustained injuries from the crash and was taken to a local hospital. On Thursday, police said the victim was treated and released.

Wheat Ridge police are searching for a suspect who allegedly rammed into a patrol car and other cars in a King Soopers parking lot. (Wheat Ridge Police Department)

Wheat Ridge police are searching for a suspect who allegedly rammed into a patrol car and other cars in a King Soopers parking lot. (Wheat Ridge Police Department)

Wheat Ridge police are searching for a suspect who allegedly rammed into a patrol car and other cars in a King Soopers parking lot. (Wheat Ridge Police Department)

The suspects vehicle was located at 42nd Avenue and Youngfield Street after the crash. At the intersection, officers took a woman into custody. She was also taken to a local hospital, but the extent of her injuries is unknown.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Wheat Ridge police were still searching for a male suspect who allegedly ran toward the Clear Creek trailhead. At about 2:51 p.m., officers reported they had pulled back from the search along Clear Creek for the outstanding suspect, and said they do not believe there is a threat to the community.

The suspect was identified on Thursday as Francisco Gonzales. Gonzales is 37 years old and 6 foot, 3 inches tall.

If you recognize or see him, you are asked to call 911 immediately.

The investigation is ongoing.

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10 of the best celebrity-chef potato-salad recipes to try this Memorial Day

10 of the best celebrity-chef potato-salad recipes to try this Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, you'll likely want your potato salad to be the best of the best.

Celebrity chefs from Martha Stewart to Guy Fieri have their own recipes for potato salad.

Ree Drummond and Joanna Gaines both add eggs to their potato salad.

Potato salad is one of the most popular Memorial Day cookout foods, and everyone has their preferred recipe.

Many celebrity chefs have their own recipes for the classic summer dish, adding their own unique touches that make it totally their own. Guy Fieri, the highest-paid Food Network star who recently signed a three-year deal worth a whopping $100 million, grills his potatoes rather than boiling them, while the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, adds sweet pickles and hard-boiled eggs to her potato salad.

Here's how 10 celebrity chefs make their potato salad.

Ina Garten's recipe for an old-fashioned potato salad uses fresh dill and "good mayonnaise."

Ina Garten. Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images/Food Network/YouTube

To make a Barefoot Contessa-approved potato salad, you'll need small red potatoes, Dijon and whole-grain mustard, fresh dill, celery, and red onion. Garten also recommends boiling the potatoes until they're barely tender and then letting them steam in a colander under a kitchen towel until they're tender but firm.

She also recommends not serving the potato salad right away. Instead, she says to toss it well, cover, and then refrigerate the salad for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Alton Brown adds garlic, apple cider vinegar, and sliced cornichons to his potato salad.

Alton Brown. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Food Network/YouTube

"Iron Chef" host Alton Brown makes his potato salad with red potatoes, garlic, cornichons, onions, and celery. Like Garten, he recommends letting the salad sit for at least an hour before serving.

Martha Stewart's recipe for a basic potato salad uses only six ingredients, including white wine vinegar and scallions.

Martha Stewart. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images/Martha Stewart/YouTube

Martha Stewart's potato salad recipe is surprisingly simple. It only calls for either Yukon gold or new potatoes, white wine vinegar, scallions, salt, pepper, and light mayonnaise.

Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, adds sweet pickles and hard-boiled eggs to her potato salad.

Ree Drummond. Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images/Food Network

Drummond's recipe for "perfect" potato salad recommends using russet potatoes, cutting them into halves or thirds before boiling them, and lightly mashing them to make them fluffy.

In addition to pickles, pickle juice, and hard-boiled eggs, she also adds mayonnaise, mustard, green onions, dill, and other seasonings.

Joanna Gaines' creamy potato salad has bacon, Dijon mustard, and hard-boiled eggs.

Joanna Gaines. Rob Kim/Getty Images/AS Food studio/Shutterstock

Joanna Gaines' recipe for potato salad calls for red potatoes, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, and hard-boiled eggs. The "Fixer Upper" star also adds bacon and jalapeno to the potato salad for a slight kick.

Guy Fieri grills his potatoes rather than boiling them.

Guy Fieri. D Dipasupil/Getty Images/Delish/YouTube

To make Guy Fieri's recipe for a "smokin' potato salad," you'll need to grill some sliced potatoes until they're puffed and golden brown. Fieri also adds sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, capers, and lemon juice.

Giada De Laurentiis roasts baby red potatoes to make her lemon-mustard potato salad.

Giada De Laurentiis. Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Giada De Laurentiis's recipe adds freshness to a standard potato salad by dressing baby red potatoes with olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, salt, pepper, and lemon zest before roasting them in the oven. She also recommends topping the salad with gorgonzola cheese and chopped walnuts.

Aaron Sanchez also grills the potatoes in his recipe for potato salad.

Aaron Sanchez. Noam Galai/Getty Images/Paula Ohreen/Shutterstock

Sanchez keeps his potato-salad recipe pretty simple  he doesn't even use mayonnaise. Instead, the celebrity chef uses sour cream, in addition to cilantro, lime juice, scallions, and olive oil.

Bobby Flay's recipe for German potato salad uses bacon, apple cider vinegar, and two kinds of onions.

Bobby Flay. Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images/Food Network/YouTube

While Bobby Flay's recipe does have delicious ingredients, it won't be creamy like some potato salads you're used to. There's no mayonnaise in this recipe, only a light dressing made with apple cider vinegar and mustard.

Jamie Oliver's potato-salad recipe includes pancetta or bacon, breadcrumbs, and sour cream.

Jamie Oliver. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Jamie Oliver/YouTube

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's potato-salad recipe includes sour cream, yogurt, breadcrumbs, pancetta, and chives. This savory, slightly crispy potato salad may be a bit unusual, but it will likely still impress the guests at your next summer cookout.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The sign for a unisex bathroom at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

As now more than 12,000 hoax complaints have flooded the states newly-created online tip website over the past three weeks since Utahs new transgender bathroom law went into full effect, Utah State Auditor John Dougall issued an update Wednesday announcing that so far five complaints appear to be good faith and his office is investigating further.

Of the more than 12,000 complaints received, the overwhelming majority are frivolous at best and transparent hoaxes at worst, Dougall said in a prepared statement. Indeed, we have identified only five complaints for which we will provide greater review.

Dougall  who in recent weeks has criticized Utahs new transgender bathroom law and his fellow Republicans for making him bathroom monitor  added that even though none of those five complaints detail a clear allegation of a violation of the law, each complaint might reflect a good-faith effort to attempt to make (a) plausible allegation of a government entitys violation of statute.

We will review these five complaints to determine whether the allegations require further investigation, as required by the Legislatures mandate codified in statute, Dougall said.

Utahs new law (with some exceptions) restricts transgender people from accessing certain bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with in publicly owned and controlled buildings including public schools, the Utah Capitol, and city and county buildings.

Dougalls office began fielding complaints as required by law on May 1 when the enforcement provision of HB257 took effect. The law only requires Dougalls office to investigate allegations that a government entity has failed to comply with the law. It doesnt require the state Auditors Office to investigate the actions of individuals, Dougall emphasized again Wednesday.

Unfortunately, Dougall said, there clearly is still a misunderstanding of the Offices duties under the statute. To reiterate: We only investigate alleged violations of the Statute by government entities. We will not investigate allegations about an individuals bathroom use, and we will not investigate or determine an individuals sex or gender.

Dougall told Utah News Dispatch on Wednesday that he couldnt provide specific information about the allegations because theyre under investigation, but he said the complaints involve a mix of different governmental entity buildings, and the complaints are more to do with individuals rather than the government agency.

So these five still technically missed the mark because they involve a person or an incident, he said, rather than a complaint about a governmental entitys compliance. But it looks like a good faith effort, so well try to adapt it into our specific purview based on what theyve alleged and well go from there.

Dougall said those complaints seemed to imply that the government had a problem, so well ignore the person and focus on the governmental piece.

Well use this as a learning experience to say, OK, how does this investigative process work for these kinds of issues, Dougall said.

Dougall said after investigating the complaints, his office will do what it normally does after an investigation and release a report. Its unclear when that might be, he said, given its his offices first time handling these types of complaints.

Utahs transgender bathroom restrictions

HB257 restricts transgender individuals from accessing certain bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with. Its a complex bill with many caveats:

It only applies to public schools and government-owned or controlled facilities, like the Utah Capitol or city and county buildings. It does not apply to any privately owned buildings.

In public schools, it restricts access to bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms, while in other government-owned facilities only changing rooms and locker rooms are restricted.

It includes no explicit penalties to punish a transgender person for simply entering a government-owned bathroom they identify with  unless there are circumstances or behavior that cause affront or alarm.

It does, however, make it a crime for a person to simply enter a sex designated changing room that does not correspond with their biological sex, and they could also face increased criminal penalties for other crimes committed in that situation.

It allows exceptions if a person has legally changed their birth certificate to correspond with the sex-designation of the changing room and has undergone a primary sex characteristic surgical procedure.

It does not require Utahns to show documentation or paperwork to access a bathroom or privacy space.

It does, however, require government entities to contact law enforcement in response to complaints or allegations of criminal behavior, which could include simply accessing a sex-designated changing room that doesnt correspond with someones biological sex.

Any alleged violation must have occurred at a publicly owned or controlled facility, program, or event, the auditors website states. When possible, citizens should make a good faith effort to address and resolve concerns with the government entity before submitting a complaint to the State Auditor.

If an auditors investigation substantiates a violation and if a government entity fails to cure it within 30 days, the auditor could refer the violation to the Utah Attorney Generals Office, and the school or agency could face a fine of up to $10,000 per violation per day, according to the bill.

This story has been updated with additional details about the five complaints.

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TechCrunch

The FCC just decided that anyone affected by a natural disaster can get a break on broadband and mobile service; it's not much, but every little bit counts. The Lifeline program is a long-running program that helps lower the cost of internet access for anyone that, temporarily or chronically, finds it difficult to pay for. Because of the exigent circumstances that arose from Hurricane Milton, we find that there is good cause for further action to expeditiously ensure that households receive critical assistance for their communications needs in the aftermath of hurricanes and other tropical weather systems in the near term.
Trainees at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Center. (Courtesy of SD Attorney General's Office)

Thirteen tribal law enforcement recruits have signed up for the states first-ever tribal law enforcement-specific training session starting June 3 in Pierre.

The trainees are from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, according to the state Attorney Generals Office. The rest of the 24-member class will consist of 11 officers from non-tribal law enforcement agencies.

Gov. Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley announced their plan for the course in April, responding to calls from some tribes for training options closer to home.

Most officers in reservation communities are expected to attend a 13-week training session at the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. Tribal officers can and do get trained in South Dakota, but there are limited slots available, and even those who complete state training are expected to spend two weeks in Artesia afterward.

For the new course, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials have agreed to come to South Dakota to offer a shortened version of that two-week portion of the training.

The new 13-week course in South Dakota will be at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, allowing tribal officers to go home on the weekends. Graduation is scheduled for Sept 3 in Pierre.

We thank Gov. Noem for her support of this training session, and our tribes for trusting us with their officers, Jackley said in a news release. Training tribal officers alongside state and local officers serving near our reservations strengthens relationships, increases consistency and makes sense for South Dakota.

Class members are required to complete course work in the law, arrest control tactics, firearms, vehicle handling and criminal investigations. The program is taught by full-time staff from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and adjunct instructors from law enforcement agencies across the state. U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell has also provided instructors.

The development of the course comes amid a period of heightened tension between Noem and tribal leaders. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe said Tuesday that a ban of Noem from its lands is imminent, which would make it the ninth of nine tribal governments in the state to endorse banning the governor.

The bans are in response to repeated comments from Noem alleging Mexican drug cartel activity on reservations, claiming tribal leaders are personally benefitting from cartels, and saying children on reservations dont have any hope because they dont have parents who show up and help them.

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19 arrested, several on the run after suspects found trafficking heroin, cocaine in Spalding County

A drug investigation in Spalding County has led to multiple arrests and pounds of illegal drugs seized.

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The Spalding County Sheriffs Office along with several law agencies conducted search warrants at eight homes and a business. The investigation led to 19 arrests, three vehicles and seven guns seized.

Authorities also found $9,287 and recovered trafficking amounts of cocaine, along with heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, and opiates.

Locally, we estimate that this organization was moving somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds of cocaine a week along with other narcotics and opiates, Sheriff Darrell Dix said. The gang aspect of the investigation comes into focus because they openly provided trafficking amounts of cocaine and other narcotics to documented crip and blood gang members.

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Once again, dont break the law or do dumb stuff and you wont have to worry about talking to your loved ones on phone calls that start with a pre-recorded message about it being from an inmate at the Spalding County Jail, Dix said.

The following was arrested, charged and booked into the Spalding County Jail:

Kenneth Artez Phinazee Jr, 47: Four counts of trafficking cocaine, four counts of sale of cocaine, five counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, five counts of possession of cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine), possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession methamphetamine, three counts of conspiracy to sale cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act, eight counts of possession firearm by convicted felon, additional charges of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act are pending

Douglas Cornelius Burden Jr, 31: Trafficking cocaine, Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, four counts of conspiracy to sell cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act. Fourteen counts of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang act are pending

Linda Nell Phinazee, 63: Conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to sell cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession firearm during the commission of a crime, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act , Four counts of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang act are pending

Ronald Dickerson, 72: Trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Teion Davis, 28: Trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Zachery Shannon, 67: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

George Corbin Jr, 50: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Darrell James, 59: Unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Shondrick Gray, 49: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, conspiracy to purchase Cocaine, conspiracy to purchase marijuana, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Carl Schurman, 62: Possession of cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Darrell Marshall, 52: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Jason Ryan Foster, 42: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Phillip Matthews Sr, 67: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine

Ray Davis, 70: Failure to maintain drugs in original container

Verdrick Tyus, 54: Trafficking Cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, two counts of Trafficking Schedule II narcotic, two counts of possession of Schedule II narcotic with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a schedule II narcotic, littering

Zaine Tyus, 21: Three counts of trafficking schedule II narcotic, three counts of possession with intent to distribute a schedule II narcotic, three counts of possession of a schedule II narcotic, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm during commission of crime, ten counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, four counts of felony obstruction of an officer, six counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang act, theft by receiving stolen property

Taivion Pitts, 23: Theft by receiving stolen property, Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act

Shavaurio Thomas, 20: Theft by receiving stolen property, Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act

Deonte Henley, 34: Conspiracy to traffic cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

The following people have outstanding warrants related to the investigation operation and are currently being sought:

Phillip Matthews Jr, 40: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Kenneth Lindsey, 58: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, conspiracy to purchase marijuana, conspiracy to sell Schedule II narcotics, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Jaquavious Cotton, 31 : Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Demarkis Miller, 31: Unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Andre Dewayne Jester, 45: Unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, conspiracy to purchase Marijuana, Additional charges of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act are pending

Brandon Sims, 26: Conspiracy to Purchase Marijuana, Unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, and two counts of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act are pending

Willie Charles Barkley, 46: Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

Brian Keith Fuller, 45: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act

Gary Everette Lester, 45: Conspiracy to traffic cocaine, Violation of the Georgia R.I.C.O Act, unlawful use of a telecommunications device for the commission of a crime

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2 accused of kidnapping and forcing woman, 70, to withdraw $25K from bank

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Two people are in custody after allegedly abducting a 70-year-old Delano woman and forcing her to withdraw $25,000 dollars from her savings account, according to Delano police.

Delano police responded May 9 to the Bank of the Sierra at 1126 Main St. to reports of a woman who had been kidnapped and robbed.

Wife says husband killed her cousin following argument: docs

They learned Christian Rojas Chauta, 30, and Claudia Castellanos Toqueca, 47, Colombian nationals from Stockton, forced their way into the victims home in Delano just after 10 a.m.

Chauta and Castellanos abducted the woman and forced her into a white Honda Pilot, police said. The pair drove her to the Bank of the Sierra and demanded she withdraw all the money in her account, officials said.

The suspects allegedly threatened to come back to the victims home and hurt her if she didnt follow their directions. Out of fear for her safety, the victim withdrew $25,000 from her life savings and gave it to them, according to police.

The suspects also took $350 from the victims purse before abandoning the her in an unknown location, police said. The victim returned to the bank and called authorities.

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With the help of Flock license plate readers, police located the license plate for the Honda Pilot. On May 17, deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department stopped the vehicle in Modesto.

Chauta and Toqueca were arrested on suspicion of several felonies which include robbery, burglary, kidnapping, elder abuse, conspiracy and criminal threats.

Anyone with information is asked to call Delano police at 661-721-3377.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
2 Gwinnett high schoolers will have their art displayed in the U.S. Capitol

For the next year, members of Congress will see the art of two young women from Gwinnett County every day.

Gwinnett County Public Schools announced Wednesday that two high school students are winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Campaign and will have their art displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Their art will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, which is the most heavily traveled path between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol.

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Whitney Yeobah, a 10th grader at Brookwood High School, won first place in Georgias 7th Congressional District for Kingsley, which depicts a young Black man looking over his shoulder while taking a sip from a cup.

Rebecca Lee, an 11th grader at North Gwinnett High School, won in Georgias 9th Congressional District for Box of Memories, which shows an open cardboard box of yarn and stuffed animals that appears to be lifting off of the canvas.

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This remarkable achievement not only highlights our students exceptional talent and creativity but also underscores the dedication and hard work they have put into their artistic pursuits, GCPS Director of Fine Arts David DuBose said. Winning such a distinguished award is a testament to their passion for the arts and ability to excel nationally.

Yeobah, Lee and their parents will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Capitol to see their artwork displayed and participate in a celebration with other winners nationwide.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Two Kansas candy stores have been nominated for USA Todays 10Best Candy Stores in the United States.

For the contest, USA Today consulted a panel of experts. They then selected 20 candy stores and wanted the public to vote for their favorite.

Two stores in Kansas made this list this year. USA Today selected The Farris Wheel Candy Co. in Wichita and the Sweet Granada in Emporia.

KSN Summer Road Trip 2024 destinations

Describing The Farris Wheel, USA Today calls the family-owned gourmet candy store an easy place to satisfy your sweet tooth. The store offers a wide selection of treats, from fine chocolates and fancy candies to gummies and trail mixes.

The Sweet Granada, which also recently opened a second location in Kansas City, Missouri, offers a variety of treats, such as truffles, fudge, macaroons, and their dog-safe white-chocolate-dipped dog biscuits. However, they are best known for their Pop-Choc, which is buttery popcorn mixed with white and milk chocolate.

You can vote for your favorite once a day between now and 11 a.m. CDT on June 10. The winners will be announced June 19.

To vote for The Farris Wheel Candy Co. in Wichita, click here. To Vote for Sweet Granada in Emporia, click here.

To see all the nominees, 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 KSN-TV.
In the State Departments recently released human rights report on the Peoples Republic of China, among the significant abuses listed are serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including criminal prosecution of journalists, lawyers, writers, bloggers, dissidents, petitioners, and others.

The report notes the arrest of countless citizens for spreading fake news; the imprisonment of numerous journalists working in traditional and new media; the singling out of political prisoners for particularly harsh punishment; the frequent subjection of former political prisoners and their families to surveillance, telephone wiretaps, searches, and other forms of harassment or threats.

The disturbing case of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan is a recent example of such abuses. Zhang, a former lawyer, was arrested in May 2020, after she reported from Wuhan on the PRCs response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her reporting gave a rare and different perspective from the governments positive narrative. PRC authorities charged Zhang with picking quarrels and provoking trouble, and sentenced her to four years in prison. While there, her health deteriorated; she dropped to 90lbs (40kg), and when she went on a hunger strike, prison officials force-fed her, tying and chaining her arms, torso, and feet.

On May 13, Zhangs 4-year prison term was up, and she was scheduled to be released. Yet her whereabouts remain unknown, and PRC authorities refuse to disclose any information. Additionally, as Reporters without Borders noted, In the weeks prior to Zhang Zhans scheduled release, human rights defenders and lawyers were threatened by authorities and warned not to raise her case internationally. Her family was also reportedly threatened and warned not to speak about her.

The United States is deeply concerned over reports that PRC citizen journalist Ms. Zhang Zhan has disappeared following her expected release from Shanghai Womens Prison on May 13, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. The United States has repeatedly expressed our serious concerns about the arbitrary nature of her detention and authorities mistreatment of her. We reiterate our call for the PRC to respect the human rights of Ms. Zhang, including by immediately ending the restrictive measures that she and all journalists in the PRC face, which include surveillance, censorship, harassment, and intimidation. Journalists in the PRC should be safe and able to report freely.
Two Massachusetts men have been charged in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot against a witness in a federal drug case, prosecutors said.

Elijah Melton, 26, of Middleboro, and Kareem Pires, 25, of Wareham, are charged with one count each of conspiring to commit murder for hire, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy.

The alleged plot stems from Meltons arrest in December 2023 when he was indicted on federal drug charges involving the distribution of fentanyl, Levys office said. Melton was released and arrested again in February 2024 for allegedly violating his pre-trial release conditions. Hes been detained since.

A cooperating witness told federal authorities that Melton had solicited him to murder a target witness who Melton believed was working with investigators in his federal drug case, according to charging documents.

Prosecutors say Melton told the cooperating witness that members of his gang had placed a bounty on the target witness and provided the cooperating witness with information about the target witness, including the city in which he resided, the car he drove, and details about distinctive jewelry he wore.

Melton is said to have offered to arrange for a juvenile family member to deliver $75,000 to a family member of the cooperating witness. The cooperating witness informed federal authorities that he refused the money at that time, according to prosecutors.

Melton allegedly further asked the cooperating witness to murder two other individuals that were beefing with Meltons crew, Levys office said. Melton also allegedly told the cooperating witness that he wanted two federal prosecutors murdered.

According to the charging documents, Melton told the cooperating witness that Pires, who was not in custody, could help identify the people he wanted killed.

When the cooperating witness was released from custody in April, Pires met with him to assemble information about the targets, prosecutors said.

Pires was arrested Tuesday morning and later appeared in federal court in Boston. Melton will appear at a later date.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Williamsville man and a Hamburg man pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed a 15-year-old girl last August, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Officials said just before midnight on August 20, a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Dylan Wiza of Williamsville was hit as he exited a parking lot to enter McKinley Drive. Justin Trane, 30, of Hamburg was traveling northbound on McKinley Parkway and struck Wizas vehicle.

Both drivers in fatal Hamburg crash accused of DWI

Both drivers were taken to ECMC to be treated for their injuries. Trane was alone in his vehicle. Two passengers with Wiza, a 16-year-old female and a 15-year-old female, were transported to Oishei Childrens Hospital.

The 15-year-old was unresponsive when paramedics arrived and later died from her injuries. The 16-year-old was treated for a concussion and lacerations.

The investigation later determined that both parties were responsible for the collision. Under the influence of alcohol, Trane drove through a red light at the Quinby Drive intersection, while Wiza, under the influence of cannabis, traveled southwest to enter the intersection, crossing the northbound lane.

An investigation allegedly found suspected cannabis and drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle driven by Wiza.

Trane, who pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter, faces a maximum of seven years in prison while Wiza, who pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular manslaughter, faces 15 years.

Both remain released on a $5,000 cash or bond bail.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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20 in ICUs after deadly turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight, Bangkok officials say

Twenty passengers were being treated Wednesday in the intensive care units at two Bangkok hospitals after a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, hospital officials said.

One person died on Tuesday as Singapore Airlines flight SQ 321 encountered "severe" turbulence, the airline said in a social media post on Tuesday. The Boeing 777-300ER departed London's Heathrow Airport on Monday with 221 passengers and 18 crew members on board, according to the airline.

PHOTO: A general view of the Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, May 21, 2024. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

MORE: 1 dead, 6 critically injured amid 'severe' turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight, carrier says

At least 85 people had been admitted to three hospitals in the Bangkok after the plane was diverted there, Bangkok hospital officials said in a statement released Wednesday. Another 19 were treated at a local clinic, officials said.

The airline had said late Tuesday night that four of the passengers were American. Two of them were injured.

Thirteen patients were still in the intensive care unit at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, along with seven at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, officials said.

PHOTO: Officials enter the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER airplane parked on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on May 22, 2024. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images)

Thirty-six other passengers were being treated Wednesday at those two hospitals, along with another two at Bangkok Hospital, the statement said. By midday on Wednesday, 27 others had been discharged, the statement said.

Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old man from the U.K., died, according to authorities and a music theater group where he worked. Singapore Airlines offered its condolences to Kitchens family, saying in a statement on Tuesday, "Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft."

The flight, which had been scheduled to arrive at Singapore Changi Airport, instead touched down in Thailand at about 3:45 p.m. local time, the carrier said.

ABC News' Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.

20 in ICUs after deadly turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight, Bangkok officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Oklahoma officials said they recovered the body of Brendan Arrington, 20, on Tuesday, May 21 just after 8 p.m. local time

GoFundMe Brendan Arrington

A 20-year-old man was found dead after a kayaking trip with his family to Lake Carl Blackwell in Oklahoma went awry.

The Oklahoma State University (OSU) Police Department said that Brendan Arrington, 20, was reported missing on Sunday, May 19 at around 4 p.m. local time after going kayaking with his parents, according to the Kansas City Star, KOTV and KOCO-TV.

Brendans father Joshua Combs shared on GoFundMe that the family had decided to go to Carl Blackwell lake for a family fun day which turned into a tragedy. He said their son jumped into a kayak and took off, though the family wasnt worried at the time because he was a good swimmer" and "smart as a whip.

Combs said he checked on his son 20 minutes later to find him in the middle of the lake, which led him to believe that Arrington would have difficulty returning due to the wind. When he checked on him again 30 minutes later, he said he lost sight of his son and hopped in his own kayak to find him.

Related: Teen Hit by Truck While Driver Was Adjusting Babys Pacifier. Family Says His Brain Injury Is 'Not Survivable

However, Combs had to be rescued by the Stillwater Fire Department due to the brutal winds, and he and the rescue crews combined efforts to search for the 20-year-old.

OSU Police Capt. Dan Ray told KOCO-TV they finally found Brendans kayak after 30 minutes of searching.

We did find the kayak that he was in, and it was full of water," Ray added to the outlet. We were told he did not have a lifejacket with him."

At this point I am freaking out there's the kayak, where the hell's my son? Combs recalled on GoFundMe. I start running up and down the shore looking for footprints, any sign that he got out of the water, but there was absolutely nothing. No footprints, no paddle, no speaker, no phone, no sign of life.

Related: Solo Climber from Japan Found Dead at 17,000 Feet After Falling on Alaska's Mt. Denali

OSU police department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Stillwater Fire Department and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation aided in the search, which was halted on Sunday night due to severe storms, according to KOTV and KOCO-TV.

Combs said on Monday that the search continued with thermal scanning drones and a dive team utilizing "expensive sonar equipment."

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It wasnt until Tuesday, May 21 at around 8 p.m., that Oklahoma Highway Patrol recovered Arrington's body from the lake, KOTV reported. OSU Police told the outlet that he likely fell out of his kayak and never resurfaced from the water.

In an update on GoFundMe, Combs shared that they were still not sure what exactly happened out there to the 20-year-old and that he had hoped that his son had been unconscious prior to drowning.

Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated, he added.



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ST. LOUIS  A 23-year-old St. Louis man appeared in court Wednesday and admitted to a fatal shooting at a gas station in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood of north St. Louis City.

The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2021, at the BP gas station in the 3500 block of Natural Bridge Avenue.

Surveillance video shows the victim, Moye Elkins, entering the store while the accused shooter, Daevone Austin, is leaving the business. As they pass each other, Austin pulls out a gun and shoots Elkins in the back of the head. Elkins was not armed.

Elkins was rushed to Saint Louis University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 30.

After speaking with witnesses, the police were able to identify and apprehend Austin several months later. Police said Austin made numerous incriminating statements during an interview with detectives.

Police shoot, kill suspected truck thief after chase in Jefferson County

Austin told police he and Elkins had gotten into an argument a few months prior to the shooting.

This was a senseless murder that could easily have been avoided, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said.

Prosecutors initially charged Austin with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. However, Austin agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action to avoid trial.

A St. Louis Circuit Court judge sentenced Austin to 21 years for the murder and three additional years for armed criminal action. The sentences will run consecutively.

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A vote here signs directs residents to their polling location for the primary election on May 21, 2024 at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls

A vote here signs directs residents to their polling location for the primary election on May 21, 2024 at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Fifteen incumbent Republican legislators, including Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise; Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle; and Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot; lost their re-election bids Tuesday, according to unofficial primary election results released by the state and counties.

Winder, the highest ranking member of the Idaho Senate, lost to Republican challenger Josh Keyser in the District 20, Idaho Senate Republican primary election. With 100% of Ada County precincts reporting, Keyser secured a 281-vote victory over Winder, according to the Ada County Elections Office.

Keyser: 3,207 votes, 52.3%

Winder: 2,926 votes, 47.7%

On the other side of the state, Young, who is the vice chair of the Idaho House State Affairs Committee, lost to Republican challenger Ben G. Fuhriman of Shelley in the District 30, Idaho House Seat B race by the slimmest of margins. With 100% of Bingham and Butte County precincts reporting, Fuhriman won by less than 10 votes, according to unofficial results released by the two counties.

Fuhriman: 3,763 votes, 50.1%

Young: 3,753 votes, 49.9%

With 100% of precincts reporting in Bonner and Boundary counties early Wednesday, Herndon was defeated by Republican challenger Jim Woodward, also R-Sagle. Unofficial results released by the Idaho Secretary of States Office showed Woodward winning the primary election by 613 votes shortly before 2 a.m. Mountain Time.

Herndon: 7,606 votes, 48%

Woodward: 8,219 votes, 52%

Several other incumbent legislators lost as well.

Reps. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett; Matthew Bundy, R-Mountain Home; Chenele Dixon, R-Kimberly; Melissa Durrant, R-Kuna; Jacyn Gallagher, R-Weiser; Linda Wright Hartgen, R-Twin Falls; Tina Lambert, R-Caldwell; Gregory Lanting, R-Twin Falls; Kenny Wroten, R-Nampa; Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell; and Sens. Geoff Schroeder, R-Mountain Home, and Chris Trakel, R-Caldwell, all were defeated in their primary elections.

Other incumbent legislators had more success in their primary election campaigns. With 100% of Bonneville County precincts reporting, incumbent Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, held off two Republican challengers  Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti and Republican National Committee member Bryan Smith.

Coletti: 2,522 votes, 35.5%

Horman: 3,236 votes, 45.5%

Smith: 1,352 votes, 19%

Horman is the co-chair of the Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which sets each element of the state budget.

2024 Idaho primary election voter turnout

This year, all 105 seats in the Idaho Legislature are up for election, even though not all of the races are contested. In addition to legislative elections, Tuesdays primary election also featured congressional primary elections, races for county positions such as sheriff, county commissioner and prosecutor, as well as hundreds of races for neighborhood level political positions called precinct committeemen, which make up the grassroots of the states political parties.

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Polls closed at 8 p.m. local time across the state on Tuesday and initial results were first posted by the Idaho Secretary of States Office at about 9 p.m. Mountain Time.

2024 Idaho Republican primary

During a 9 p.m. Mountain time conference call with news reporters as the final polls closed, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said more than 150,000 voters had voted in-person. That number did not include voters who voted by absentee ballot or participated in early voting. McGrane estimated the percentage of voter turnout could land somewhere in the mid 20-percent range. If that estimate holds true, McGrane said turnout would surpass the 2016 primary election turnout of 23% but would fall short of turnout from the 2022 and 2020 primary elections. During the most recent primary election in 2022, turnout was 32.5% in Idaho, according to the Idaho Secretary of States Office.

There have been no real issues. Its been a very smooth election from the county perspective, McGrane told reporters Tuesday night.

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GOP chairwoman: primary election has been pretty doggone brutal

On Tuesday, hundreds of Republican candidates, voters and boosters gathered at the Riverside Hotel located just outside of Boise for the Idaho GOPs election night watch party. At the event, Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon told supporters this years primary election was one of the most divisive in recent years.

Its been pretty doggone brutal, Moon said. Ive never seen anything like it.

Labrador Moon Idaho GOP primary 2024

This primary season, hundreds of contested precinct committeeman elections are being staged between competing factions that are battling for control of the Idaho Republican Party. A group of traditional establishment Republicans is seeking to take control of the party back from Moon, who gained power at the 2022 Idaho Republican State Convention, and her supporters. The chairmanship of the Idaho Republican Party will go up for a vote again this summer at the Idaho Republican Partys upcoming state convention in June.

Tuesdays primary election results wont become official until the State Board of Canvassers certifies the election results. The canvass is scheduled to occur at 11:15 a.m. June 5 at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls, McGrane said.

The winners of Tuesdays primary election advance to Nov. 5 general election.

Residents take part in the voting process for the primary election on May 21, 2024, at Hillcrest High School in Idaho Falls

The post 2024 Idaho primary election results: 15 GOP incumbent legislators lose re-election campaigns appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
22/322 reopens in Dauphin County after extended closure

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  22/322 in Dauphin County is back open after an extended closure caused by a downed utility pole.

According to PennDOT, PPL crews were working in the area when the pole broke, bringing the lines down on a PPL truck. No injuries have been reported at this time.

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Power has been restored in the area.

Eastbound traffic opened around 6 p.m. and westbound reopened around 7 p.m.

PennDOT had originally listed the accident has occurring in Perry County, but later updated the location as Dauphin County.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Three people linked to a series of armed robberies have been arrested, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. The trio was arrested when a police chase ended in a crash on Tuesday.

CMPD said early Tuesday morning, a woman was robbed at gunpoint while walking home near New Bern Street. Her personal items were stolen and then someone tried to use her credit card, police said.

ALSO READ: Woman admits to Monroe police that she lied about robber burning child

Just before 10 p.m. that day, CMPD officers found the suspects car and discovered it had been reported stolen. Police said they tried to pull it over but the driver, later identified as 18-year-old Joaquin Lopez-Davidson, didnt stop for police, leading to a chase.

The chase ended when Joaquin Lopez-Davidson lost control of the car and hit a pole. Police arrested him and two passengers inside, who were identified as 19-year-old Nichols Lopez-Davidson and 31-year-old Joseph Cruz.

On May 21, 2024, officers arrested three suspects in connection to a stolen vehicle linked to a series of armed robberies following a vehicle pursuit.



In the early hours of Tuesday, May 21, a female was robbed at gun point while walking home near the 100 block of New Bern pic.twitter.com/bUIDPknRUp  CMPD News (@CMPD) May 22, 2024

All three were charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, financial card theft, felony conspiracy and misdemeanor financial card transaction fraud. Joaquin Lopez-Davidson was also charged with felony flee to elude and felony possession of stolen goods.

Channel 9 was at the scene of the crash and could see a car had flipped onto its roof. There was a large police presence and our crew could see the pole that the car hit.

Where the victim was robbed is not far from where another woman was robbed at gunpoint in South End on the same day, CMPD said. That other case happened around 5:30 p.m. on Youngblood Street.

The police report for that incident says someone pointed a gun at a 26-year-old woman and robbed her of cash, a computer, an iPhone and her purse.

No further information has been released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Police: Suspect shot during attempted robbery at Lincolnton gas station)
No candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in Georgias House District 145 were able to get a majority of the vote in Tuesdays election, meaning the race is headed to a run-off.

Donald Druitt Sr., Tangie Herring and Juawn Jackson were running for the seat. Jackson and Herring were the top two candidates on votes Tuesday, meaning they will advance to a June 18 run-off to decide who faces Republican nominee Noah Harbuck in Novembers General Election.

The Associated Press reported that Jackson received 43.4% of all votes and Herring received 42.3%.

Herring holds degrees from Georgia College, Fort Valley State University and Mercer University.

Herring said during her campaign that if elected, she plans to focus on improving public safety, creating quality public schools that involve parents and value teachers, and expanding access to quality, affordable health care. She said she also would focus on supporting economic growth, and increasing safe, healthy, accessible housing options.

Herring said she ran to represent the people of District 145 because she knew she could make a positive difference in the state legislature by offering the unique perspective as a 28-year classroom teacher, small business owner, and as an advocate for womens health, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing and youth empowerment.

Jackson holds a bachelors degree from Georgia College and State as well as a masters degree from Mercer University and doctorate degree from the University of Georgia.

Jackson said during his campaign that he plans to prioritize health care, womens rights to choose, economy and finances, education, and safer neighborhoods.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Thirty adults were arrested in connection to a prostitution sting operation throughout May, the San Francisco Police Department announced Tuesday in a press release. The crimes related to soliciting prostitution were committed from May 8 to May 19, primarily in the area of Shotwell Street between 18th Street and 21st Street.

Crimes related to the arrest also happened in the area of South Van Ness Avenue and 18th Street, SFPD said. Arrests were made at various locations in the city but originated from the two aforementioned areas.

Seventeen of the arrests were for paying for sexual acts, SFPD said. The other 13 arrests were for accepting money for sexual acts. A Toyota Prius with a Texas license plate (pictured below) was deemed to be in connection with these crimes.

These crimes have created hazardous street conditions for workers and residents in the area, SFPD said. The acts of prostitution have resulted in used condoms being littered, cars double parked and roadways blocked.

South Bay tech workers quit jobs to run Cybertruck-powered coffee shop

Police say the crimes resulted in the littering (of) used condoms (SFPD).

This Toyota Prius, which has a Texas license plate, is connected to the arrest of 30 adults in a prostitution operation (SFPD).

Ten of the arrested adults are from San Francisco. The rest of the suspects are either from outside San Francisco or outside of California, according to SFPD.

Mission Police Station will continue to patrol and conduct operations in this neighborhood which is being negatively impacted by the increased foot traffic of illegal sex workers and vehicles, SFPD said in the press release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
President Xi Jinpings Special Representative, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing will attend the memorial service for Irans late President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran on May 22.



At the invitation of President Azali Assoumani of the Comoros, President Xi Jinpings Special Envoy and Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference He Baoxiang will attend the inauguration of President Azali Assoumani in Comoros capital Moroni on May 26.

AFP: Spain and Ireland just said theyre gonna recognize the Palestinian State. Whats Chinas reaction and is China planning to do the same?



Wang Wenbin: China always firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, supports the two-State solution and is one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine. Chinas stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is consistent. We believe the immediate priority is to implement UNSC Resolution 2728, realize ceasefire at once, end the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza and return to the right track of seeking a political settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-State solution as soon as possible. China will continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role for ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as early as possible and promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.

CCTV: Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council yesterday. Can you share more details with us?



Wang Wenbin: On May 21 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development has become a fundamental guidance for the SCO to grow from strength to strength and a banner in building a new type of international relations. The more fluid and turbulent the world is, the more important that we stay committed to the Shanghai Spirit, keep to the right direction, and safeguard common interests, respond to various challenges and uphold fairness and justice more effectively through making the SCO more substantive and stronger.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made four proposals. First, uphold strategic independence, maintain solidarity and coordination, and never allow external forces to turn the region into an arena for geopolitical games. Second, jointly protect security and guard against risks, step up coordination, follow the guidance of the Global Security Initiative, and make relentless effort to safeguard world peace. Third, work for universal benefit and achieve development through cooperation. China stands ready to work with all parties to enable high-quality synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of all SCO member states, and create more opportunities for development. Fourth, uphold openness and inclusiveness, deepen exchanges and mutual learning, respect each unique civilization, and deepen mutual understanding among people of various countries.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated Chinas solemn position on the Taiwan question. He noted that the Taiwan question is at the very core of Chinas core interests. Taiwan independence separatist activities are the biggest disrupting factor to cross-Strait peace. Those like Lai Ching-te have betrayed their nation and ancestors. What they have done is simply disgraceful. No matter what gimmicks they play, they will not stop Chinas complete reunification and Taiwans return to the embrace of the motherland. All Taiwan independence separatists will see their names written on the wall of shame. China appreciates SCO member states firm commitment to the one-China principle. We believe SCO member states will continue to support the Chinese peoples just cause of opposing Taiwan independence separatist activities and striving for national reunification.

Foreign ministers attending the meeting spoke highly of the role and development achievements of the SCO. They agreed that in face of the complex international and regional landscape, member states need to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, tap the potential for cooperation, uphold openness and inclusiveness, step up cooperation in political, economic and security areas, promote connectivity, work for common development and prosperity, and make new contribution to world peace and sustainable development. The foreign ministers condemned all forms of terrorism, and agreed to intensify fighting against terrorism, separatism and extremism, and safeguard peace and stability in the region. Parties expressed the belief that we need to address hotspot issues through political and diplomatic means, respect countries sovereignty and territorial integrity, uphold the authority of the UN Charter, oppose unilateralism, and build a multipolar world.

The meeting made full preparation for the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Astana in July.

Bloomberg: The Philippine President over the weekend said he plans to order the investigation over the taped conversation between a ranking naval officer from the Philippines and a Chinese diplomat in Manila on reaching agreement on resolving issues concerning the South China Sea. The naval officer told the Philippine Senate inquiry today that he denies entering into any agreement with Beijing. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment?



Wang Wenbin: Whether its the gentlemens agreement, or the internal understandings, or the new model reached between China and the Philippines on properly managing the situation in the South China Sea, they all have clear timelines and are supported by solid evidence. No one can deny their existence. The Philippines replacement of the official concerned is exact evidence that China and the Philippines did reach agreement on managing the situation at Renai Jiao. The Philippines persistent denial and breach of commitmentand blaming it all on Chinashows exactly their guilty conscience and who is acting in bad faith, infringing the other sides sovereignty and making provocations on Renai Jiao.

We once again urge the Philippines to abide by the already reached agreements and understandings, observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and respect the common will of regional countries in keeping the South China Sea peaceful and stable, rather than heighten tensions in the region.

Global Times: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari stated during a recent interview that Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle and stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. Whats your comment?



Wang Wenbin: President Zardari has, on behalf of Pakistan, reaffirmed Pakistans firm commitment to the one-China principle and opposition to Taiwan independence. His remarks reflect the firm support for Chinas legitimate stance and, more importantly, the common aspiration of countries that uphold fairness and justice, and fully demonstrate that the commitment to the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends. China commends President Zardari for his remarks.

China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends. We will firmly support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns, and jointly build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

Reuters: The Vatican has said it would like to establish a permanent office in China that would be a major upgrade of diplomatic relationship with Beijing. What conditions does the Vatican need to create in order for this to happen? And will China allow the Vatican to open an office in Beijing without full diplomatic relationship being established?



Wang Wenbin: In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained engagement, had in-depth communication on bilateral relations and international hotspot issues and increased understanding and trust. China is ready to work with the Vatican for the steady improvement of relations.

Shenzhen TV: Today marks the 24th International Day for Biological Diversity with the theme Be part of the Plan. Could you share with us Chinas contributions to biodiversity protection and global governance?



Wang Wenbin: We humanity are the stewards of our home planet Earth, and biodiversity is the key to keeping our planet healthy and making sure that humanity and the global economy will continue to thrive. As one of the first parties to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity, China highly values biodiversity conservation. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, biodiversity conservation has become a national strategy and good progress is made by improving policies and regulations, implementing major steps, regulatory capacity building, and encouraging public engagement. According to the Catalogue of Life China 2024 released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences today, China added 6,423 species and 267 infra-specific taxa compared with last year.

China is dedicated to building a community of all life on Earth. By embracing openness, inclusiveness and cooperation, we are committed to working with the rest of the world to open up new prospects in global biodiversity governance. In 2021, China hosted the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) and relevant activities. We were able to bring all parties together for the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework with a package of supporting policy measures, which provided a new blueprint for global biodiversity governance in the next 10 years and beyond. In January this year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030), which made China one of the first countries to update biodiversity conservation strategies and actions after the adoption of the Framework. Since 2019, China has been the largest contributor to the core budget for the Convention on Biological Diversity and its protocols, as well as the largest developing country contributor to the Global Environment Facility.

Chinas action speaks to its contribution and commitment and makes us an advocate and champion in global biodiversity governance. We will remain part of the global effort to uphold a fair and equitable global order, form stronger and cohesive global synergy and establish coordinated and effective global dynamics on biodiversity protection for a beautiful world of harmony between humanity and Nature.

Reuters: What conditions must the Vatican create if it wants to elevate ties with China?



Wang Wenbin: As I just said, China is ready to work with the Vatican for the steady improvement of China-Vatican ties.

AFP: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted yesterday that the EU might impose tariffs on Chinas electric vehicles, but will take a different approach from the US. She said that should it be confirmed that Chinas subsidies on electric vehicles are illicit, the EU will impose targeted duties. Whats your comment on her remarks?



Wang Wenbin: Chinas development and openness bring the EU and the world opportunities rather than risks. Protectionism does not solve the EUs problems, but only protects backwardness and costs the EU its future. China and the EU are each others second largest trading partners. Both are major contributors to an open world economy. Its important for the two sides to handle specific economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation. We noted the EU sides remarks and hope that the EU will act on its commitment to supporting free trade and opposing protectionism, and work with us to uphold the overall economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

Beijing Daily: The Foreign Ministry announced on its website the decision to take countermeasures against former US Congressman Mike Gallagher. What message does the Foreign Ministry hope to send?



Wang Wenbin: Over the past few years, driven by selfish interest and bias, former member of the US Congress Mike Gallagher grossly interfered in Chinas internal affairs, which seriously undermined Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, disrupted China-US relations and harmed Chinas interests as well as the common interests of China and the US. His actions were egregious in terms of both their nature and impact.

In accordance with Chinas Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China decided to take countermeasures against Mike Gallagher, including banning him from entering China, freezing his property in China, and prohibiting organizations and individuals in China from transactions and cooperation with him. The details have been released in the decree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It must be stressed that China has unwavering resolve in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interest. China will bring the full weight of the law to bear against anyone or any organization bent on countering and containing China.

AFP: My question is about a former Royal Marine charged with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service. He was found dead in a park in southeastern England last Sunday. Whats your comment?



Wang Wenbin: We noted the report. We have previously made clear Chinas position on the UKs so-called Chinese spy cases. We firmly oppose the vilification of China under the pretext of so-called spying and urge the UK to stop the political manipulation aimed at China.

CCTV: Its reported US Treasury Secretary Yellen said yesterday Chinese production in areas such as electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels significantly exceeds global demand, the US and Europe need to respond in a strategic and united way and the subject will be a focus at the forthcoming meeting of G7 finance ministers this month. Whats your comment?



Wang Wenbin: We have made it clear that Chinas new energy sector has thrived because of our companies decades-long technology accumulation and participation in open competition. They competed their way to excellence rather than relied on industrial subsidies. Thats fully consistent with the principles of market economy and fair competition. Chinas new energy sector offers advanced capacity urgently needed for the global economys green transition. Its not overcapacity.

The US overcapacity narrative against Chinas new energy sector is diametrically opposed to facts and the laws of economics. It is pure protectionism. According to US logic, any large export of a particular product means an overcapacity. If so, shouldnt US soy, plane and natural gas exports in large amounts be considered overcapacity? Shouldnt the G7 finance ministers meeting first and foremost focus on US overcapacity in those areas?

Overcapacity is just a pretext the US uses to try to coerce G7 members into creating fences and restrictions for Chinese new energy products. This could mean building a coalition for protectionism which is completely against the trend of the times that calls for openness and mutual benefit. It will not only hurt the consumers in those countries but also impede global green transition.

We need to point out that green double standard is not an option. It does not get anyone the best of both worlds and will only backfire. If you want to deal with climate change, then you must say no to protectionism. If one resorts to protectionism, there will be no real solution to climate change. The US cant just wave the banner of climate response and ask China to take on greater responsibility on the one hand, while wielding the stick of protectionism and not letting Chinese green products benefit the world on the other.

China stands ready to work with all countries to deepen cooperation on new energy industrial and supply chains, and promote tech innovation and industrial development. We hope that countries will embrace open cooperation, reject protectionism, strive for win-win and prevent lose-lose.
ELKO  A West Wendover casino worker accused of conspiring to embezzle reached a plea agreement to reduce her charge.

Maria E. Hernandez Perez, 51, pleaded no contest to petit larceny in Elko Justice Court before Judge Randall Soderquist at her preliminary hearing on May 15. She and two other women were taken into custody May 1 after an initial court appearance.

In a plea agreement with the Elko County District Attorneys Office, her gross misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to embezzle and/or theft was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Hernandez Perez was represented in court by attorney Julie Cavanaugh-Bill.

She was ordered to pay $132.50 in restitution to the Wendover Nugget and was given a suspended sentence of five days in jail.

Hernandez Perez was also ordered to maintain good conduct in the community and not be arrested on new charges for the next six months.

The three women were each scheduled for preliminary hearings in Elko Justice Court on May 15 after an initial court appearance three weeks ago.

Erika Collazo Rodriguez, 36, and Maria A. Gonzales, 49, were each charged with category D felonies of embezzlement and theft by conversion.

Collazo Rodriguez was bound over to Elko District Court on May 14 by Soderquist, waiving her preliminary hearing the day before she was scheduled to appear in Justice Court.

Gonzales appeared in Elko Justice Court on May 15 before Soderquist by teleconference call and was represented by attorney Andrew Fritz.

Fritz told the court that both parties were engaged in ongoing negotiations and requested additional time to review the evidence and asked for a status hearing scheduled for June 11.

According to a report from the Nevada Gaming Controls Elko office, the three women were suspected of stealing money a year ago while working in the cashiers cage at the Wendover Nugget. An investigation was launched in April 2023.

Collazo Rodriguez and Gonzales admitted to gaming officers that they devised a plan to cash transfer slips for more money than they had been written for and divide the cash among them.

A surveillance video from the locker room showed the two women placing cash inside three lockers.

During an interview with gaming officials, Hernandez Perez insisted she was innocent in the plan but that the money illicitly exchanged was to pay for lunches purchased on her behalf by Collazo and/or Gonzales.
Get 40 cents off gas Thursday at these Circle K locations in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Convenience store chain Circle K is offering discounted gas at select locations for one day only in honor of Memorial Day.

During a three-hour period on Thursday, May 23, those in the Golden State, including San Diego County, can get 40 cents off per gallon of fuel. The discount will be active from 4-7 p.m. at participating stores. The price at the pump will reflect the savings during that timeframe.

Free things to do in San Diego for fun

Circle K said 10% of the profits from fuel sales during the discounted event will go to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. The nonprofit helps to provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

As many consider this holiday weekend the unofficial start of summer, we are excited to bring all of our valued customers, new and old, some great savings at the pump, said Louise Warner, Sr. Vice President, Global Fuels, for Circle K. We are also proud to recognize the true meaning of Memorial Day through our support of our non-profit partner, the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, during this event.

California drivers can find their nearest participating location using the convenience store chains Store Locator. A representative with the company said participating locations include stores in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Bernardino, and more.

Heres a list of Circle K locations that will be participating throughout San Diego County:

60 BROADWAY CHULA VISTA CA 98 BONITA RD. CHULA VISTA CA 2210 OTAY LAKES RD. CHULA VISTA CA 2750 VIA DE LA VALLE DEL MAR CA 2903 JAMACHA RD. EL CAJON CA 26746 N. CENTRE CITY PKWY. ESCONDIDO CA 1161 E VALLEY PKWY. ESCONDIDO CA 4730 HWY. 76 FALLBROOK CA 1990 COLLEGE BLVD. OCEANSIDE CA 3361 MISSION AVE. OCEANSIDE CA 14863 POMERADO RD. POWAY CA 704 MAIN ST. RAMONA CA 13007 CAMINO DEL SUR SAN DIEGO CA 4360 GENESEE AVE. SAN DIEGO CA 10520 CAMINO RUIZ SAN DIEGO CA 9370 PASEO MONTALBAN SAN DIEGO CA 11898 RANCHO BERNARDO RD. SAN DIEGO CA 10555 SCRIPPS POWAY PKWY. SAN DIEGO CA 12849 RANCHO PENASQUITOS BLVD. SAN DIEGO CA 9750 N MAGNOLIA AVE. SANTEE CA 795 SHADOW RIDGE DR. VISTA CA

For those who come for gas while thirsty, Circle K is also offering any size Polar Pop or Froster for just 79 cents all summer long.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sometime in the early 1970s, John Crawford received an offer he couldnt refuse.

The Charlotte Housing Authority approached him about a job working with families and children who lived in its dozens of complexes. Crawford, then a school teacher and coach, loved working with children. It was a natural fit and he accepted the offer.

But early in the gig, Crawford saw things he found troubling  prostitution, drug dealing and teens overdosing at some of the properties, making it an unsafe environment, he said.

I wanted to change that, he said.

Im gonna get there. How a unique scholarship helped 4 Charlotteans get their degrees

His method didnt surface until 1982 when a college-age resident reached out to him, the youth services director, asking for money to help finish school.

Thats when Crawford realized the need and saw a way to give youth living in public housing more control over their destinies.

It evolved into the Greater Steps Scholars, a scholarship fund which after 40 years has reached a notable milestone  1,000 students living in public housing who have been awarded scholarships.

Many came from impoverished backgrounds whose families may not otherwise have been able to shoulder the hefty cost of higher education. For some already making a plan for college, this scholarship was a welcomed boost.

A meeting with John Crawford and Christopher Davis in West Charlotte. Christopher lived in multiple housing developments but met John first in 2004. He became one of 1,000 students helped over the past 40 years with a scholarship fund for youth living in public housing, which became the Greater Steps Scholars.

Its the only program of its kind in Charlotte, says Aisha Strothers, the executive director of the $5 million endowment now managed by The Foundation For the Carolinas. The goal is to ultimately get to $10 million.

The big thing here is the programming that we provide, that assists these children, said Cecil Burrowes, The Greater Steps Scholars board chairman. We can give you scholarships, thats great. That gets you into the school. What happens while youre in the school?

The program began as the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, which was among many at the housing authority  renamed Inlivian in 2019  to support economic mobility for the hundreds of families living in public housing, CEO and president Fulton Meachem told the Charlotte Observer.

The housing authority has financially partnered with Crawford and the scholar fund since it began.

The reason that John reached out to our residents, is because we all know that their zip code, you know, doesnt define the destination, Meachem said.

Recipients from the first group in 1983 who grew up in subsidized housing are now working in professional fields. After completing undergraduate studies there are some who have earned advanced degrees, as well.

Over the past four decades, scholars have graduated from more than 70 colleges. Among them: the University of North Carolina system, Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University of Charlotte, Winthrop University, Howard University, Spelman College, Wake Forest University, Central Piedmont Community College and Duke University.

Degrees earned range from engineering, computer science, medicine and psychology to accounting, business management and social work.

Ladreon Aneka Hare is among the successful students through the Greater Steps Scholars which helps students with lack adequate financial means to attend college. John Crawford remembers back in 1982 when a young man asked him for $300 dollar so that he can finish his senior year in college. From that moment on, Crawfords mission was to find money to help poor youth living in public housing who would otherwise not be able to shoulder the hefty cost of attending college.

The scholars program expects to announce the newest class mid-summer, said Strothers, who has been managing it since 2015.

I always felt like this was the right thing to do, said Crawford, who is now 86. Ive kept my foot on the pedal. I guess Ill be doing this until I pass out.

This years milestone comes with a few honors for Crawford, who hails from South Carolina and is an alumnus of Johnson C. Smith University, UNC Charlotte and MIT.

This year, Crawford received one of Mecklenburg Countys highest honors, the Order of the Hornet, bestowed by the Board of Commissioners. Additionally, Gov. Roy Coopers office awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the states highest civilian honor, recognizing his 40-plus years of service to youth in Mecklenburg County.

I need $300

When Crawford started working at the housing authority four decades ago there were roughly 5,000 families living in dozens of public housing sites across the Queen City, he told The Charlotte Observer. The average income was about $6,000 a year, Crawford said.





Because Crawford grew up with strong Christian values, he wanted to help the youth living in these properties, some that had several hundred units and families challenged to make ends meet, let alone pay for college.

I was wrestling with the Lord, what is it that you want me to do? because I was still a devout Christian, he said I wrestled with that for about two years.

One day, a young man living in Dalton Village (now called Arbor Glen) called Crawford seeking help.

Mr. Crawford, I need $300 to go back to Winston-Salem State for my senior year, Crawford recalled him saying. He worked and saved money over the summer, but came up $300 short. I told him, Well find the money and we did. Id ask anybody for money for my kids.

That was October 1982.

And the next school year, we had raised enough money to be able to send kids to college, he said.

John Crawford remembers back in 1982 a young man asked him for $300 dollar so that he can finish his senior year in college. From that moment on, Crawfords mission was to find money to help poor kids in public housing who would otherwise not be able to shoulder the hefty cost of attending college. Crawford, celebrating his 40th year of the program and is trying to raise $10 million to expand the program, recounts wonderful memories helping many young men succeed through the program his home in Charlotte on Friday, April 5, 2025. Monteic Sizer, PH.D. is among the successful students through the program.

Hey we can do this

But raising money didnt happen overnight. It took cultivating.

The drive started with conversations with Crawfords boss, housing authority leadership and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners about starting a scholarship for kids living in public housing.

While Crawford wrote a full-scale proposal in 1986, he initially asked people to chip in. A first donation came from a fan of his idea, who gave $5. More money poured in, and with help from Arthur Griffin, now a Mecklenburg County commissioner, Crawford organized a fundraiser breakfast.

I asked him to speak at our first breakfast, Crawford said. This is when I sent letters out to about 150 people asking them to come to a breakfast at 7:30 in the morning  and about 100 showed up.

Crawford said he asked Griffin during the breakfast to help him raise $50,000 to start the scholarship. During the breakfast, the duo raised $3,500 in donations.

That morning, I realized, Hey, we can do this. And by the end of that year, we raised $64,000. The second year we raised $89,000, Crawford said.

John Crawford remembers back in 1982 when a young man asked him for $300 dollars so that he can finish his senior year in college, reflecting in his Charlotte home on Friday, April 5, 2024. From that moment on, Crawfords mission was to find money to help poor youth living in public housing who would otherwise not be able to shoulder the hefty cost of attending college. Gayle B. Crawford, his wife is seen in the back.

Word of the emerging scholarship spread. The donor breakfast became an annual event that drew a whos who of power and influence across Charlotte.

That included former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl; former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt; other financial sector-leaders, such as Dale T. Halton, as well as former Charlotte Observer publisher Rolfe Neill.

Rolfe became my friend, Crawford said. Every year we had a breakfast fundraiser. And Rolfe was our speaker the second year. And he also gave the fund $25,000.

The Foundation for the Carolinas stepped into the arena in 1986, Strothers said. A donor read early coverage about the scholarship and suggested Crawford contact the foundation to establish an endowment to raise money, rather than an event here and there.

(Donors) feel confident with being able to invest in the foundation, Strothers said.

Lasting legacy

Fund managers say they already have a road map to sustain this distinctive Charlotte scholarship to make this legacy last long after Crawford and early organizers have stepped down.

Some 60 students, from 17 to 24 years old, benefit from the fund each year. They receive scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on GPA and up to five years in college.

The numbers include an average of 25 new students and those still receiving scholarships every year they are in college. The application process opens in October, and organizers host recruiting and planning events throughout the Inlivian housing system. The scholarship has since been expanded for youth whose families receive housing choice vouchers or other subsidized housing.

Im looking to grow that number, said Burrowes, the chairman for the past two years. He noted he wants to bring that number to 100, but not just recruiting students, also helping them succeed while in college with a mentorship program.

John Crawford remembers back in 1982 when a young man asked him for $300 dollars so that he can finish his senior year in college, reflecting in his Charlotte home on Friday, April 5, 2024. From that moment on, Crawfords mission was to find money to help poor youth living in public housing who would otherwise not be able to shoulder the hefty cost of attending college.

Some 92% of scholars are first-generation to attend college, Strothers adds. Having a mentor help them navigate getting into and staying in college makes a huge difference in the success rate. Its programming that has gotten more robust since the early days.

We paired each of our students with a one-on-one mentor that is ideally in their career field, she said, adding its to give them encouragement, share advice, wisdom about opportunities.

Burrowes hopes to extend this opportunity not only to youth currently living at Inlivian-managed properties, but for youth whose families are on waiting lists for housing, provided the students dont age out. Over the next 40 years, Burrowes hopes to increase industry representation on the board beyond the financial sector, and also connect more with other underrepresented populations.

I want to amplify the brand ... on the lips, tongues of everyone whos in the Charlotte area, he said.  ... we need to open up our engagement from a diverse ethnicity perspective ... so those families are well aware of who we are, what we do and how we can support them.

More on the fund and scholarship program is available here.
Three people connected to Italian businesses allegedly made bogus claims for more than 375,000 in EU agricultural funds between 2020 and 2023, of which 65,000 has already been drawn from Italys payment agency.

The 368 hectares of farmland they claimed to own in order to receive the subsidies were not actually theirs, however, according to the authorities, belonging instead to the naval air station of Sigonella, for which the three suspects used to simply cut the grass.

That is why they were not allowed to use it for agricultural activities, but only to carry out the grass mowing service, said a press officer at the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) which requested the seizure issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Catania today (22 May).

The suspects are two brothers and another partner who took an active part in the alleged scam at a later stage. The brothers are familiar with farming, however, as one of the two actually owns an agriculture business while the other was employed by Italy's Agricultural Assistance Centre.

This is the third large case involving freezing orders requested by EPPO - which investigates, prosecutes, and brings to judgment perpetrators of criminal offences harming the EU budget - involving Italy this year, leading to more than 3.7m assets being frozen in the past three months.

In 2023, a third of the open investigations related to fraud in the EU farming budget involved Italy, according to EPPO figures.

For Andrea Venegoni, European prosecutor for Italy, there are many reasons for the large number of agricultural fraud investigations in the country.

First of all, there are many rural areas in Italy where EU funds are distributed to promote agriculture and rural development, he told Euronews.

It is also natural that where there is money, there is a potential for fraud. Hence, criminal organisations target EU funding programmes," he added.

The prosecutor also highlighted the "extraordinary investigative skills" of the Italian financial and judicial police leading to fraud detection, combined with the activity of the European delegated prosecutors who worked effectively with the law enforcement agencies.

Fraud is not within the remit of the Commissions action as the EU executive can only address administrative errors that may occur and correct the spending with audits  while the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF) is the body responsible for dealing with fraud cases, which may then be prosecuted by EPPO.

The Commission has zero tolerance for fraud. We trust EPPO, and OLAF, to always investigate, follow up and prosecute fraud cases, Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told Euronews.

Since the assets of the alleged perpetrators have been seized with a judicial order, the EU financial interest is fully protected, he added.

The Commission will be following developments of the case closely to see if the alleged crimes highlight weaknesses in the administrative control systems, the spokesperson continued.
5 big moments the Trump jury will have to weigh

The defense rested in the criminal trial of former President Trump on Tuesday, signaling that the proceedings are in the final stretch.

With Memorial Day looming, Judge Juan Merchan told jurors they would not be needed until next Tuesday, when he expects both sides to deliver closing arguments. Then, the former presidents fate will be left in the jurys hands.

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

The charges pertain to a $130,000 payment made to porn Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign. The money was intended to stop Daniels from going public with her allegation that she had sex with Trump a decade prior.

The former presidents then-attorney Michael Cohen paid the money to Daniels and was later reimbursed from Trumps personal account and a Trump trust.

Prosecutors allege the payments to Cohen were falsely classified as legal expenses to conceal their true purpose  keeping Daniels quiet and thereby boosting Trumps electoral hopes.

The defense lawyers contend no offense exists. They note that nondisclosure agreements are legal and say the payments to Cohen were correctly categorized.

Trump has repeatedly alleged that the case is politically motivated.

Here are five big moments jurors will have to weigh.

The Cohen-Trump Oval Office meeting

Cohen is now a sworn enemy of Trump  despite having said in the past he would take a bullet for his erstwhile boss.

One of the most vivid points of his testimony came when he recounted a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office in early 2017.

Cohen says that Trump asked me if I was OK; he asked me if I needed money.

According to Cohen, Trump also told him make sure you deal with Allen  a reference to Allen Weisselberg, then the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization.

Once Cohen had sent invoices for legal services rendered, he began receiving checks.

Cohen testified several times that there were no legitimate legal services being paid for here.

The Oval Office meeting is pivotal because, at least in prosecutors minds, it shows Trumps awareness of  and involvement in  an allegedly illegal scheme.

The worst moments for Cohens credibility

Cohen was always destined to be a flawed witness. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and violations of campaign finance laws. Another guilty plea, for lying to Congress, followed.

But even if the star witness for the prosecution is a tarnished figure, criminal cases routinely feature key witnesses with blemished pasts.

There were two notable instances when the defense seemed to land hits on Cohens credibility.

One came Monday, when Trumps lawyers delved into Cohens actions in an unrelated business deal.

In summary, Cohen used personal funds to pay $20,000 of $50,000 owed to a firm that had been hired by the Trump Organization and then sought reimbursement of the full $50,000.

You stole from the Trump Organization, right? Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked. Cohen affirmed he had done so.

Another tricky  but less definitive  moment for Cohen came when doubts were raised about a brief phone call he made to Trumps bodyguard, Keith Schiller, in 2016.

Cohen contends he called Schiller because he knew the bodyguard would be with Trump, and that a discussion about Daniels followed.

The defense highlighted evidence suggesting Cohen could actually have been calling Schiller to ask advice over harassing phone calls he was receiving.

Stormy Danielss story

The appearance of Stormy Daniels on the witness stand was perhaps the trials most sensational moment.

Trump had to sit in the courtroom listening to Daniels reveal explicit, and often mocking, details regarding the sexual encounter she says they had in 2006.

Trump denies he had sex with Daniels.

The bigger question for the jurors will again pertain to Daniels credibility.

The level of detail she ascribed to the liaison with Trump could make his flat-out denials of the encounter seem flimsy.

On the other hand, Trumps lawyers noted how eager Daniels was to get paid before the 2016 election, reportedly because she felt the value of her story would decline if Trump lost.

One of Trumps lawyers, Susan Necheles, accused Daniels of trying to extort Trump.

False, Daniels replied.

Hope Hicks, 2016 campaign and the Access Hollywood tape

A central question in the case is whether Trump and his allies wanted to silence Daniels because of the presidential campaign  or simply to avoid personal embarrassment.

The testimony of Hope Hicks will be important here. Hicks was press secretary of Trumps 2016 campaign and later became his White House communications director.

The prosecution argues that Trumps team was acutely concerned about the possibility of Daniels going public because it had already been hit by the bombshell Access Hollywood tape.

The tape, which emerged in October 2016, was an old recording of Trump speaking about grabbing women by the genitals. At the time, it was expected to be catastrophic for his White House chances.

Hicks testified to the panic that gripped the campaign when she was approached for prepublication comment by the reporter who had the story, David Fahrenthold.

I was concerned about the contents of the email. I was concerned about the lack of time to respond. I was concerned that we had a transcript, but not a tape.  There was a lot at play, Hicks testified.

Hicks also acknowledged that the tape was plainly bad for the campaign.

Her testimony could help make the case that the motivation to suppress Danielss story was political, not personal.

A magazine executive and catch-and-kill

Testimony from former magazine magnate David Pecker could prove important.

Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, was less central to the Daniels saga than to a deal intended to silence another woman who said she had an affair with Trump, former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

The broad picture Pecker laid out could be the most vital thing of all, however.

Pecker explained the practice of catch-and-kill. The phrase refers to buying the rights to someones story with the intent of suppressing it rather than publishing it.

Pecker was candid about the ways the Enquirer helped Trump during the 2016 campaign, including with negative stories about his GOP rivals.

Peckers testimony provided a context that could render the prosecutions overall story more easily believable.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Youre putting these kids in danger: 5 GA school districts accused of violating Title IX

At least five Georgia school districts are accused of violating Title IX.

An attorney says he plans to file federal lawsuits against the districts on behalf of students.

Attorney Mel Hewitt is bringing Title IX allegations of six different cases of teacher-on-student and student-on-student assaults in Georgia public schools, some of which occurred in metro Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Youre putting these kids in danger, Hewitt said.

At a news conference, Hewitt discussed cases involving Carroll, DeKalb, Douglas, Gwinnett, and Washington County school districts.

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination, including sexual abuse, assault, and coercion in educational institutions that receive federal funding.

Its time more folks knew about the situations going on in our schools, Hewitt added.

This is how the six cases layout:

According to Hewitt, the first case surrounds the alleged hazing of a Douglas County high school student.

The second, centers around the reported hazing of a McNair Middle School student.

Hewitt told Channel 2s Audrey Washington hes representing alleged victims in two different cases in DeKalb County, one involving a student with autism.

This is a middle school student being sexually assaulted by another student, Hewitt explained.

Hewitt said he is also suing Gwinnett County schools after police arrested school bus driver, Jayson Lyons, for the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old student.

I did receive a response [from Gwinnett County Schools] from this particular notice and it said hey, call our lawyer, Hewitt said.

TRENDING STORIES

In a statement, a Gwinnett County Schools spokesperson wrote:

Given the possibility of future legal action against Gwinnett County Public Schools, on the advice of our attorneys, the district has no comment at this time.

Hewitt said he also sent a notice to Carroll County schools after police arrested former guidance counselor Alonzo Wyatt.

Wyatt is accused of sexually assaulting a Villa Rica High School student.

Everyone is shocked about it because Mr. Wyatt always had a smile on his face. He was just happy to be there, one Villa Rica High School student said.

Hewitt said the case with perhaps the most alleged victims, involves the indictment of former Washington County Schools drama coach Michael Allan Dendy.

Dendy faces 20 counts of sexual misconduct, that involved at least 16 students.

There were reports of misconduct. The school knew about that and hired him anyway, Hewitt said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Washington County schools did not respond to Washingtons request for comment.

In a statement, a DeKalb County Schools spokesperson wrote:

It is the longstanding practice of the DeKalb County School District not to comment on potential or pending litigation.

A Carroll County Schools spokesperson wrote:

...We do not comment on pending litigation.

A spokesperson for the Douglas County School System shared a statement that read,

The Douglas County School System is committed to providing all our students a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. We take allegations of misconduct or violations seriously and have policies and procedures to address them promptly.

While we cannot comment further on pending litigation or ongoing investigations, we remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. The protection of our school community is our top priority. Therefore, we will continue investigating all allegations and cooperate fully with authorities to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

IN OTHER NEWS:





































Channel 2s Audrey Washington

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]





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5-Year-Old Canadian Girl Who Made Headlines for Being Born on a Plane Found Dead After Years of Abuse

Chloe Guan-Branch's guardian Justin Cassie-Berube has been found guilty of manslaughter and child abuse

Ontario Superior Court Chloe Guan-Branch

A Canadian girl, who became a worldwide sensation after being born on a plane, died from abuse and neglect five years later, according to new reports.



Chloe Guan-Branch was found dead in her bed with evidence of shocking abuse five days after she turned 5 on May 15, 2020 in Ottawa, Canada. Justin Cassie-Berube was found guilty of manslaughter and child abuse on March 1, per the CBC and Ottawa Citizen.

The reports come after a lift on a publication ban on the case granted by Guan-Branchs biological paternal grandparents.

Guan-Branch was discovered in the apartment where she lived with her mother, Ada Guan, and her mother's ex-boyfriend Cassie-Berube, per the outlets. She had lacerations on her head and injuries to her face and body, including a bruised abdomen, cuts on her lips, rib fractures and cigarette burn marks on her hips.

Related: Teen, 13, with 'Beautiful Soul' Protected His Sister. But Police Say Mom Looked On as Man Killed Him

The 5-year-old ultimately died of acute uremia caused by a fatal bladder rupture that occurred days before her death on May 9, 2020. The condition led to symptoms of severe pain, nausea and seizures, per the CBC and Ottawa Citizen.

According to evidence in the trial, Guan-Branch suffered worsening effects of the rupture in the days leading up to her death as she moaned in pain, was unable to leave her bed and lost consciousness. Per Guan's testimony, the young girl was never taken to the hospital as Cassie-Berube was concerned her bruises would lead to questions from doctors.

Cassie-Berube told police Guan-Branch was perfectly fine on the morning of her death. Her mother discovered her body an hour later, the CBC reported.

Evidence in the case revealed that six months earlier, Guan sent a text to Cassie-Berube about her daughters abuse that read: " It makes me mad when we said no more slapping her face and her mouth and you go and do that  I just don't wanna see her face all bruised and f----- up no more. .."

Per Ottawa Citizen, he responded, OK. Im sorry I understand what you mean, you do have every right to yell and get mad. Im sorry for what I did."

According to phone records, per CBC, Cassie-Berube searched online for answers regarding Guan-Branchs symptoms, mentioning puking, passing out and hard to walk the day before she died.

Cassie-Berube was found guilty of manslaughter, failing to provide the necessaries of life, assault causing bodily harm and assault and criminal negligence causing death. He will be sentenced on May 24.

Superior Court Justice Pierre Roger said Cassie-Berube contradicted himself numerous times, admitted that he lied on occasion and at times grossly embellished parts of his narrative in an Ontario courtroom on March 1.

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.

Guan-Branch previously hit headlines as a baby after being born on a plane back in 2015.

Her mother gave birth to her during a flight from Calgary to Tokyo, after not realizing she and her ex-partner at the time, Wes Branch, were expecting, Ottawa Citizen reported.

According to evidence in the trial, per the outlet, B.C.'s child protective services removed Guan-Branch from her parents care when she was a few months old and her parents split soon after. At age 3, she was returned to her mother's care.



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He traced his stolen iPhone to the wrong home and set it on fire killing 5. Now, he faces prison.

The teenager traced his stolen iPhone to a Denver neighborhood where he believed the device pinged and, in an act of revenge, set fire to the house where he thought his phone was located.

He hit the wrong home.

In what police have called a coordinated arson attack, the 2020 fire killed five Senegalese family members, including two babies. On Friday, Kevin Huy Bui, now 20, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder in connection to the family's deaths.

Bui was 16 years old when he was robbed and used the "Find my iPhone" app to mistakenly track his stolen phone to the wrong home, officials said. Bui, along with two teenage co-defendants, were all later prosecuted as adults in the case, court papers show.

Under a plea deal, Bui faces up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced this summer for his role in the quintuple homicide.

The August 5, 2020 fatal fire in Denver that killed five members of a Senegalese family including two babies inside. Kevin Bui, 20, pleaded guilty on May 17, 2024 in connection to their deaths.

According to an arrest warrant filed by the Denver Police Department, the fatal fire took place Aug. 5, 2020 and killed Djibril Diol, 29, and Adja Diol, 23, and their 22-month-old daughter, Khadija Diol. Hassan Diol, a 25 year-old mother, and her 7-month-old daughter Hawa Beye also died.

Three other people escaped the home through an upstairs back window, with some suffering broken bones, court documents show.

Suspected serial killer? Oregon man charged in the deaths of 3 women may be linked to more killings

Co-defendants also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges

Bui was the last of a trio of friends to enter a plea in the fatal arson fire, records show.

Dillon Siebert, 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2022 and was sentenced to three years in a juvenile facility followed by seven years in a state prison, Colorado Department of Corrections online records show. Siebert, age 14 when the arson occurred, remained incarcerated Tuesday, with an estimated parole release date of February 2029.

A third co-defendant in the case, Gavin Seymour, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was 16 when the crime took place, and also remained incarcerated Tuesday, records showed, with an estimated parole release date of November 2050.

Police kicked in front door but could not enter due to extreme heat

According to the 17-page arrest warrant, on the day of the fire, a police officer in the city's Green Valley Ranch neighborhood was patrolling the area around 2:40 a.m. when he spotted the family's home ablaze.

After alerting firefighters, the officer attempted to enter the home through the garage but could not due to the heat and flames.

He then rushed to the front door where "someone was attempting to unlock the door with the keypad but was unsuccessful. He then kicked the front door in but again could not enter due to the extreme heat.

Arriving fire crews managed to pull one victim from the area of the front door, and the other four victims' bodies were recovered from the front area of the house, the warrant continues.

Black bear found with all paws cut off: Paws stolen after in animal hit by vehicle in Northern California

Surveillance from neighboring home showed trio wearing masks, hoodies

Surveillance video provided by a neighbor showed three masked suspects wearing dark hoodies outside the home at 2:26 a.m., according to the warrant. The footage also showed at least one suspect holding what appears to be a gasoline can.

Suspects caught on a neighbor's surveillance video just minutes before an August 5, 2020 fatal fire in Denver that killed five members of a Senegalese family including two babies. Kevin Bui, 20, pleaded guilty on May 17, 2024 in connection to their deaths. He is the last of three defendants to be convicted in the tragic case that stemmed from a stolen iPhone.

Court papers also reveal, in what police called "a coordinated attack," the suspects entered the home and used gasoline as an accelerant to set fire to the rear of the home, then fled.

Detectives later obtained a search warrant after asking Google who had searched the homes address prior to the fire and eventually identified Bui, Siebert and Seymour as suspects. The warrant goes onto say that detectives reviewed conversations between the trio on social media including one on July 15, 2020, where Bui told his friends he was robbed and another where he wrote "they gonna get theirs."

On Aug. 1, 2020, the warrant reads, Bui sent Seymour this message on Snapchat: "#possiblyruinourfuturesandburnhishousedown."

Bui remained incarcerated Tuesday in Denver's downtown detention center without bond, online records show.

He is slated to be sentenced in Denver County District Court on July 2

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin Bui pleads guilty after arson of Denver home killed 5 people
Voters in several states headed to the polls Tuesday, weighing in on key races up and down the ballot in Oregon, Georgia, Kentucky and Idaho.

November match-ups were solidified in a number of closely watched House contests, while President Biden and former President Trump sailed to victory in their respective party primaries in Kentucky and Oregon.

At the same time, voters in California picked Republican Vince Fong in a special election to finish the rest of former Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R) term in the House.

Here are five takeaways from Tuesday nights contests:

Protest votes highlight frustration with Biden, Trump

Both presidential candidates raked in more delegates from their respective primaries in Kentucky and Oregon, but they also saw protest votes that underscore Americans discontent with the looming November rematch.

Trumps win in red-leaning Kentuckys race was dampened by enduring protest votes for his ex-rival Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race back in March.

Haley pulled in roughly 6 percent of the Bluegrass States primary vote, with 99 percent of precincts reporting at the time of publication. Another 4 percent voted uncommitted.

The figures follow notable Haley numbers in other states, signaling an abiding frustration with the former president among some in the GOP. Haley received roughly 20 percent of the vote in last weeks primaries in Maryland and Nebraska, and almost 10 percent in West Virginia.

An uncommitted push also cut into Bidens Kentucky win, siphoning roughly 18 percent of the Democratic primary vote as of publication. A combined 11 percent went to Bidens long-shot challengers, Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.), who has exited the race.

Biden has seen uncommitted protests in multiple states as progressives voice frustration with the administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Uncommitted has scored 28 delegates so far, according to Decision Desk HQs tracker, a figure not in the same ballpark as Bidens tallies but still notable.

Organizers over in Oregon, where uncommitted wasnt a formal option on the ballot, also pushed for voters to write it in.

Incumbents have a good night

Tuesday was a good night for incumbents in several key races.

In Kentucky, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie fended off primary challengers for his seat in the states 4th Congressional District, even as a super PAC aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) aired ads hitting him over his record on Israel. AIPAC, however, has said it was not playing in Massies primary but setting the record straight for voters on his track record with Israel.

Over in Georgia, Rep. Lucy McBath (D) knocked out two primary competitors for her seat in the Peach States 6th Congressional District.

Meanwhile, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor leading a probe into former President Trumps efforts to interfere with Georgias 2020 election results, won her primary Tuesday, and the judge overseeing the case scored reelection.

Willis bested attorney Christian Wise Smith in her first election since launching her high-profile probe. She is set to go against a Republican competitor in the fall.

At the same time, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee fended off a challenge and kept his seat, avoiding the complications that might have arisen in the Trump case if his caseload was passed to a successor.

And Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson won reelection as well, fending off a challenge from Democratic former Rep. John Barrow, who had sought to put the issue of abortion front and center.

Establishment Dems breathe sigh of relief in Oregon

The Democratic establishments pick for Oregons 5th Congressional District won a competitive primary Tuesday, raising hopes that the party will be able to flip the seat in November.

Democratic state Rep. Janelle Bynum, who had the backing of the partys House campaign arm, bested Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the partys unsuccessful 2022 nominee.

Last cycle, McLeod-Skinner defeated centrist former Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) in the primary, only to go on to lose narrowly to her Republican rival, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

The seat, which the nonpartisan political handicapper Cook Political Report rates as a toss-up, is now considered one of several that could help decide control of Congress in the fall.

The party establishment had rallied around Bynum, who was generally seen as a stronger candidate. Bynum scored endorsements from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) and EMILYs List, a group that had backed McLeod-Skinner two years ago. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Bynum to its coveted Red to Blue program and has touted that the Democrat beat Chavez-DeRemer in previous state Legislature races.

A well-funded candidate beats one with name recognition

In another closely watched Oregon race, state Rep. Maxine Dexter (D) emerged the winner of a competitive Democratic primary for outgoing Rep. Earl Blumenauers (D) seat in the House.

Dexter went up against Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, the older sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and six other Democrats for the open seat.

Though Jayapal had drawn headlines early on thanks in part to the name ID of her progressive sister, Dexter had raked in large amounts of cash in the last few months of the race, including from pro-Israel donors.

Not even endorsements from the likes of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) were enough to pull Jayapal over the finish line, with progressives suffering one of a handful of notable defeats in the Beaver State.

Dexter is the favorite to succeed Blumenauer in November in the solidly blue district.

A warning to Dems on crime

The other big loss for progressives occurred in Portland-centered Multnomah County, where progressive District Attorney Mike Schmidt was trailing his primary challenger, though the race was still uncalled as of publication.

Schmidt faces a challenge from within his own office in Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, who ran as a tough-on-crime candidate in a race that has highlighted growing tensions around public safety and criminal justice.

Oregon sees growing concerns over drug decriminalization efforts and increasing homelessness. Schmidt, who took office in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd sparked protests in Portland, has focused on progressive criminal justice reforms.

And while Vasquez has the backing of six law enforcement unions in Multnomah County, Schmidt has the support of Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and former Gov. Kate Brown (D), as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Should Schmidt ultimately lose reelection, the race will likely be seen as a warning sign to Democrats on how to handle the issue of crime, which Republicans have tried to put front and center ahead of November in much the same way Democrats have sought to emphasize the abortion issue.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A 50,000-Year-Old Block of Ice Paints the Most Chilling Picture of the Future Ever

Scientists from the Oregon State University conducted chemical analyses on air bubbles trapped within the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide ice core.

They discovered that, in the last glacial period, Earth experienced its highest CO 2 increase: 14 parts per million in just 55 years. Not, our planet experiences that increase every five years.

The mechanism of these natural CO 2 increases suggest that increasing westerly winds in the Southern hemisphere could weaken the Southern Oceans ability to absorb CO 2 .

A favorite refrain among the dwindling number of climate deniers is that increases in temperature and carbon dioxide levels are a natural part of the Earths atmospheric cycle. And while the planet has certainly seen some rise and falls in both of those metrics over thousands (and even millions) of years, what the planet is currently experiencing far outstrips everything that has come before.

In a new study published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), scientists from Oregon State University identified the fastest natural rates of CO 2 rise over the past 50,000 years. To do this, the research team tapped into bubbles of air trapped in West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide ice core that essentially preserved the delicate balance of gasses present in Earths atmosphere at the time of their icy entombment.

The team had to drill some 2 miles deep to get enough ice to study a 50,000 year time span. After conducting an extensive chemical analysis, the researchers discovered just how extreme and outlier the current rising CO 2 levels fueling our current climate crisis are compared to the rest of Earths recent geologic history.

Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented, OSUs Kathleen Wendt, the lead author of the study, said in a press statement. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher.

During the most recent glacial period, CO 2 levels rose 14 parts per million in the span of roughly 55 yearstoday, a similar increase takes only 5 or 6 years.

Usuallythat is, when humans arent sowing the seeds of own climate destructionthe Earth experiences periodic increases in CO 2 levels due to an effect known as Heinrich Events. Named after German marine geologist Hartmut Heinrich, these events coincide with a cold spell in the North Atlantic caused by icebergs breaking off from the Laurentide Ice Sheet. This causes a kind of chain reaction that leads to a change in global climate patterns.

We think [Heinrich events] are caused by a dramatic collapse of the North American ice sheet, OSUs Christo Buizert, a co-author on the study, said in a press statement. This sets into motion a chain reaction that involves changes to the tropical monsoons, the Southern hemisphere westerly winds and these large burps of CO2 coming out of the oceans.

This small bit about westerly winds is particularly bad news. Climate models suggest that these winds will only increase as the planet warms, meaning the Southern Ocean could lose a lot of its much-needed carbon dioxide-absorbing ability.

While this news is all definitely one big climate bummer, maybe theres at least some hope that this last vestige of climate denialism will finally face oblivion, and humanity can focus on the hard and necessary work of cleaning up our mess.



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Painted beehive panels are exhibited in the Slovene Ethnographic Museum in the center of Ljubljana, Slovenia on May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Yue)

LJUBLJANA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Slovene Ethnographic Museum will showcase Slovenian beekeeping traditions at an upcoming exhibition in Xi'an, an ancient capital in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to mark World Bee Day.

The exhibition, to be held at the Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts later this year, will feature painted beehive panels and highlight Slovenia's rich heritage in beekeeping.

World Bee Day, which falls on May 20, was declared in 2017 when the United Nations accepted Slovenia's proposal to celebrate bees annually on the birthday of Anton Jansa, Slovenia's pioneer of beekeeping.

Slovenia, a mountainous country with 2.1 million citizens, boasts 11,000 beekeepers -- the highest number per capita in the world. Its beekeeping and beehive panel painting tradition is inscribed in the intangible cultural heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

"The focus of the exhibition will be on painted beehive panels," said Bojana Rogelj Skafar, curator of the Slovene Ethnographic Museum for the Xi'an exhibition. "There are as many as 600 various subjects of painted beehive panels in existence, including religious scenes as well as those from everyday life."

Slovenian beekeeping is known for its colorful hive panel paintings. Experts indicate that traditional practices sustained that these paintings helped bees recognize their hives in densely populated areas. Over time, this practice evolved into a form of artistic expression, with themes shifting from religious to daily life scenes.

The earliest painted beehive panels date back to 1758. Early painting materials used natural pigments and linseed oil applied to the surface to make the colors last. It is only after the 19th century that industrial pigments started being used, experts indicate.

"We can be proud of this artistic tradition, but it remains an enigma why it has not spread into wider European area," Skafar added, pointing out the uniqueness of this ancient practice. "People enjoyed painted beehives -- they were like outdoor galleries."

Traditional beekeepers believed that painted hives had a protective function, ensuring healthy and productive bees, she said. However, only a few beekeepers have kept on the tradition in modern days.

Beehives are commonly installed on rooftops of Slovenian cities, notably on the roofs of Ljubljana's largest cultural and congress center, the Cankar Center, and the state radio channel, Radio Slovenia.

According to Skafar, 60 panels will be exhibited in Xi'an, along with traditional molds to produce small gingerbread pieces and photos of various in Slovenia.

The exhibition will also feature urban beehives in line with modern awareness of care for the environment. "We want to take to China and the world a message that bee products are beneficial to human health, and that humans must keep the environment healthy to enable the survival of bees," Skafar said.

Curators and organizers of this exhibition hope the event will also be staged in other Chinese cities.

The Ethnographic Museum, located in the center of Ljubljana, collaborates with Chinese counterparts on several levels. In September last year, the museum invited experts from Beijing's Palace Museum to inventory and restore Chinese artifacts collected by Slovenian navy officer Ivan Skusek during his stay in China from 1914 to 1920. Skusek's collections will be exhibited later this month.

Last month, the museum also co-organized the United Nations Chinese Language Day celebrations with the Confucius Institute Ljubljana.

Painted beehive panels are exhibited in the Slovene Ethnographic Museum in the center of Ljubljana, Slovenia on May 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Yue)

Editor: WXL
About 500 Iowa AEA workers are leaving. How Area Education Agencies are adjusting to new law

Nearly 500 employees of Iowa's Area Education Agencies have retired, resigned or made plans to leave since the start of the year, as the agencies adjust to a new law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds overhauling their funding and responsibilities.

The law, which Reynolds signed on March 27, transfers the responsibility for oversight of special education services from the AEAs to the Iowa Department of Education.

And in the 2025-26 school year, it gives school districts full control of a pool of money for media and general education services  worth about $68 million  requiring the AEAs to adjust how they offer those services to schools.

All nine AEAs are in conversation with school districts to discuss which of their services are most in demand for the coming school year. And several AEAs have made arrangements to share certain staff positions with each other as they adjust to the departures and a more uncertain budget outlook.

All but one AEA seeing highest staff turnover in past five years

All but one of the AEAs report that their 2023-24 turnover is the highest in the past five years. Every AEA has seen at least 10% of its staff leave, and two AEAs  Green Hills and Prairie Lakes  have seen 20% or more of their staff go.

At least 478 AEA employees have voluntarily left their jobs between Jan. 1 and mid-May, either through retirement or resignation, according to data the state's nine AEAs provided to the Des Moines Register. Some AEAs have seen more employees leave since then.

That's an increase from the 341 employees who had announced plans to leave as of mid-April.

The AEAs employed more than 3,400 full-time and part-time staff as of the beginning of this year, according to a summary of personnel compiled by the agencies.

"The almost 500 employees weve lost, that leaves a hole," said Stan Rheingans, chief administrator of Keystone AEA in northeast Iowa.

Rheingans is also serving as the interim chief administrator of the neighboring Central Rivers AEA, taking over from departing administrator Joel Pedersen. It's one of several positions the two AEAs are planning to share next year as they figure out their budgets.

"We will do everything we can to make sure our kids have what they deserve to have," Rheingans said. "But it will have to look different because you cant do the work that we do with that much smaller of a staff."

Reynolds said she believes the AEAs' transition to adapt to the new law will result in a better system to meet students' needs.

"Yes, its been right-sized, but I do believe that we have turned a corner," Reynolds told reporters May 17. "Everybody is beginning to work together; theyre focused on the system. Theyre focused on the kids. Theyre focused on special education, and thats really where they should be focused."

The 478 employees who are voluntarily leaving the AEAs include:

Central Rivers AEA: 75 employees.

Green Hills AEA: 36.

Great Prairie AEA: 43.

Grant Wood AEA: 89.

Heartland AEA: 86.

Keystone AEA: 27.

Mississippi Bend AEA: 39.

Northwest AEA: 34.

Prairie Lakes AEA: 49.

Another 42 AEA employees across the state have been laid off or had their positions eliminated.

Heartland AEA anticipating 50 fewer staffers for the coming school year

Heartland AEA in central Iowa has seen the second highest number of departures, at 86. Chief Administrator Cindy Yelick said there are about 50 positions the agency won't fill next year.

"We are doing everything we can to not have it impact service," Yelick said of the staff turnover. "Theres a reality. I have 50 fewer staff members than I had last year. Next year Ill have 50 fewer staffers across divisions, across employee groups, than Heartland had this year."

"We know given constraints that we will have to adjust some things," she added.

Yelick said she's prioritizing filling positions that deal with special education and provide direct services to kids. For everything else, particularly jobs in media and education services, she and her staff are looking to determine whether the position is "mission critical" for next year.

"And some of them we made decisions that we were not going to fill," she said.

One question mark for Iowa AEAs: How much will school districts spend with them?

Yelick said all nine AEAs are having conversations with the school districts they serve to determine how much money the districts will spend with the AEAs on media and education services, and which services the AEAs will be able to provide for districts with reduced staffing.

"Were really focused now into leaning into those conversations with districts, knowing were going to have to prioritize, because we dont have the same staffing that weve had; we dont have the same resources weve had," she said. "So what are their priorities and how can we meet those in our efforts to still do the best that we can do for kids?"

For the coming school year, districts will receive 60% of the media and general education services funding, and AEAs will receive 40%. In the 2025-26 school year, districts will receive 100% of that funding.

They can decide to use the money to continue contracting for services with the AEAs under a "fee for service" model, but the law also allows them to spend the money on any general fund purpose.

The 2025-26 school year will also see districts gain control of 10% of the state funding for special education that currently goes to the AEAs, while the agencies will retain 90%.

For Keystone, Rheingans said many of the small and medium-size school districts have already said they'll spend their full allocation of media and education service dollars on AEA services. But some larger districts are still deciding, because there are larger dollar amounts at stake for them.

The situation will also be different for districts that might be experiencing tight budgets because of loss of enrollment or another reason, he said.

"They have to have some hard conversations about can they afford to flow their dollars through the AEA system or do they have to look at these new general fund resources to spend on bigger budgetary needs?" he said.

Reynolds said the law keeps the same amount of money in Iowa's education system, even though school districts will have direct control of some funds, rather than the AEAs.

"The good news is not one dime comes out of the system," she said. "So its going to go into the classrooms, its going to go into services for the kids. And thats what Im excited about."

Some Iowa AEAs are sharing certain positions, although they aren't talking about merging

When Pedersen, the Central Rivers AEA administrator, decided to leave the AEA this summer to take a job as president of North Iowa Area Community College, he said it made sense to find someone like Rheingans who could step into leading the agency right away.

"It seemed logical also because it would be someone thats been going through this the past year instead of maybe someone new coming in trying to learn whats happened," Pedersen said.

It's not just administrators the AEAs are sharing. It may be a speech language pathologist or another position that works directly with students.

"Were trying to look at it systemically too to say where can we help and support each other. But we will be down positions, theres no doubt," Rheingans said.

Both Rheingans and Pedersen said the shared positions aren't necessarily permanent, and they aren't a precursor to merging the AEAs. They said the goal is to maintain the distinct identities that each of the AEAs have, while saving on costs and ensuring that both AEAs will have experienced leadership teams in place to handle the upcoming transition.

"Its a one-year decision," Rheingans said. "But it may take many different avenues going forward. We may go back to the old model. The shared positions may become more permanent. We may look at sharing some positions and not others. So I think its, again as we evolve as a system its an opportunity for us to learn some things."

Rheingans praised the staff at the AEAs for being committed to providing positive outcomes for kids.

"I think while theres a lot of uncertainty and probably anxiety in different areas from time to time, people are leaning pretty heavily into their belief system that were here for a reason and thats to make sure that kids have opportunities to maximize their educational opportunities," he said.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa AEAs see nearly 500 workers retire or resign in wake of new law
Fifty-four delegations supported Ukraine's statement that Russia is jeopardizing global nuclear and radiation security at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna on May 22, the Energy Ministry reported.

Over 2,000 participants from more than 130 IAEA member states are meeting in Vienna for the conference. The event covers topics on policy, law, and regulations for nuclear security, as well as technology and infrastructure for nuclear security prevention, among other issues.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has repeatedly violated the Seven Indispensable Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security, additional safety standards developed in March 2022 in accordance with the acting IAEA's regulations.

The same month, Russian forces occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, located on the east bank of the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Throughout its occupation, the plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

"Russia's willful disregard for international law, its presence, and actions at the Zaporizhzhia plant, as well as attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, continue to endanger Ukraine and the region," the joint statement said.

"We call for continued efforts to make Russia responsible for creating threats to nuclear security."

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called the recent joint statement another step toward "removing Russia from the global atomic technologies sector." The next step should be sanctions against the Russian Federation's nuclear industry, the minister added.

Halushchenko also recalled that Russia must fulfill the requirement of four IAEA Governors Board's resolutions, as well as the resolution of the IAEA 2023 General Conference on Russian troops and unauthorized staff withdrawal from the Zaporizhzhia plant.

The signatory states highlighted the IAEA and its Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's contribution in prevention of a nuclear accident.

The parties also said that Russia's full-scale invasion hinders the IAEA's ability to implement safeguards in Ukraine more effectively.

Read also: IAEA: Reports of attempted drone attack just outside Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

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Almost 6,000 doctors called on the Supreme Court to protect emergency abortions, urging it to uphold a federal law recently challenged by Idaho.

Nearly 6,000 physicians from all around the country penned a letter Wednesday asking the nations highest court to uphold protections for patients who are experiencing complications and need emergency abortion care.

We call on the Supreme Court to uphold guaranteed access to medical care for all patients when they walk into an emergency department under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), the medical professionals said in the letter.

No patient should be denied access to emergency care, including people who need an abortion. We know firsthand how complications from pregnancy can lead very quickly to a medical crisis, requiring immediate care and treatment.

The letter, which was signed by doctors across various specialties, was organized by Committee to Protect Health Care (CTP), a national health care advocacy group that has thousands of members working in the field.

The effort from CTP comes as the Supreme Court heard the U.S. v. Idaho case last month.

In that case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) argued EMTALA requires hospitals that take Medicare funds to provide patients with treatment in an emergency, including abortion. Idaho has argued the state had already set its own standard and that the law does not mention abortion.

In these states, without the protections of this national law, a woman would be denied care at an emergency department even though her organs are shutting down due to a ruptured placental membrane, the physicians said in the letter. Patients would be turned away from emergency departments because they have an ectopic pregnancy that endangers their lives.

These horrifying and heartbreaking scenarios are all too real  and can be prevented, by allowing doctors and health care professionals to practice the full scope of medicine when a patient comes to our emergency departments, without political interference or the threat of prosecution.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Six people floating down the Willamette River on inner tubes were saved from a hazardous low-head dam packed with logs east of I-5 in Lane County on May 18.

Rescuers were called to the low-head dam located just upstream of the Whilamut Passage Bridge after five of the rafters went over the dam into a strainer and one person clung to a log jammed above the falls. None of the rafters were wearing life jackets.

[The dam] has formed an enormous log jam, the Lane County Sheriffs Office said.  Had they gone under the log jam, they likely would not have survived.

A view of the water rescue on May 18, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Lane County Sheriffs Office).

A photo of the low-head dam in the Eugene-Springfield area from an Oregon State Watershed Board boating obstruction report. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon State Watershed Board).

Two hospitalized after I-5 multi-car crash on Nyberg off ramp

First responders with the Lane County Sheriffs Marine Patrol, the countys search and rescue team and Eugene-Springfield Fire responded to the scene at approximately 3:15 p.m. All of the rafters were safely pulled from the river.

Low-head dams are known as drowning machines, the National Weather Service warns. Low-head dams are structures built across rivers to redirect water flow. These dams can cause deadly, tumbling currents that can trap swimmers underwater. The American Society of Civil Engineers warns that more than 1,400 people have died at low-head dams in the U.S.

A low head dam is designed and built such that water flows continuously over the crest from bank to bank, the American Society of Civil Engineers website states. If water levels rise downstream, a submerged hydraulic jump can form which produces an upstream directed current that traps any recreationist who might go over the dam.

The dangers associated with a low-head dam. (Iowa Department of Natural Resources)

Oil-coated birds washing ashore in Oregon, Washington, officials say

The Lane County Sheriffs Office encourages swimmers, rafters, paddlers and boaters to check the Oregon State Watershed Boards boating obstructions web page before entering a local river or stream. People are also encouraged to wear life jackets while enjoying recreational water sports.

For those floating the Willamette River in the Eugene-Springfield area, be very cautious passing low-head dam, the sheriffs office said. [Get] out well before the obstruction to go around it.

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66 people were abused as children in Pennsylvanias juvenile facilities, lawsuits say

Lawsuits filed by 66 people allege they suffered physical and sexual abuse by staff as children in Pennsylvania juvenile facilities.

Some attacks were reported but ignored or not believed, the suits claim.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services runs the Loysville Youth Development Center, the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit and the North Central Secure Treatment Unit in Danville. Three others are privately run.

An attorney representing the group said the legal team also represents more than 100 people who were similarly abused, but civil suits cant be filed because it was too long ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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72 percent in new poll say its likely theyll watch first presidential debate

Most Americans say they will likely tune in to the first presidential debate next month, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Former President Trump accepted President Bidens offer to debate each other ahead of the November election. The first debate has been set for Thursday, June 27.

According to the Quinnipiac University survey, 72 percent of voters say it is likely that they will watch the first debate, which CNN will host.

Twenty-seven percent of voters say its unlikely that they will watch.

Last week, Biden said he had accepted CNNs offer to debate and challenged Trump to take the stage. The 45th president notably skipped all of the GOP primary debates and instead held campaign events.

The meeting in June will be each of their first debates since meeting in the fall of 2020. The June debate is much earlier in the calendar year and campaign cycle than in the past.

Trump, who has a fairly consistent lead in national polls despite his ongoing legal battles, said he was ready and willing to debate Biden.

The two presumptive nominees agreed to the June debate, and a second one Sept. 10 hosted by ABC.

Since then, Trump has demanded Biden take a drug test ahead of the first debate. The former president has insisted Biden was all jacked up during his energetic State of the Union address in March.

He also has consistently slammed the president for his age, even though the June debate will take place after Trumps 78th birthday, when they will only be three years apart.

The Quinnipiac survey was conducted May 16-20 among 1,374 voters and has a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points.

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ERIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  Nine children and two workers were rescued from a daycare as floodwaters swept through the area.

Erin Police Chief Mark Moore told News 2 the 11 people were rescued from Ms. Katies Kids daycare on Store Front Drive Wednesday, May 22 and were taken to City Hall for safety.

Severe weather risk Wednesday and into holiday weekend

This comes as heavy rain fell across Erin and most of Houston County.

The conditions of those rescued is not known at this time.

Erin flooding (Courtesy: Mark Moore)

Erin flooding (Courtesy: Mark Moore)

Erin flooding (Courtesy: Mark Moore)

Erin flooding (Courtesy: Mark Moore)

Erin flooding (Courtesy: Mark Moore)

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, PIX11 is putting a spotlight on Indonesian culture.

For almost 20 years, the Saung Budaya Dance Company has been exposing the world to Indonesian culture through dance and music. Company founder Amalia Suryani joins PIX11 to talk about dance styles that originated in Indonesia.

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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $17 million in grant funding was awarded to rural hospitals by the Texas Health and Human Services commission, Abbotts office said in a news release.

HHSC provides grant funding for those rural hospitals in alignment with the Rural Hospital Service Strategic Plan. This plan ensures Texans have access to hospital services, the release said.

Rural hospitals that qualify will receive $100,000 to $375,000 over a two-year period, the release said.

Grant awards to qualifying hospitals can go toward supplementing operational expenses, repaying debt, making facility repairs and buying or renting equipment  depending on the a rural hospitals financial need, the release said.

Rural hospitals are a critical part of the healthcare system in Texas, and HHSC is proud to facilitate initiatives like this to support Texans and our rural communities, HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young said in the release.

Qualified rural hospitals that want to apply online for the grant have until June 21 and can do so on the HHSC Rural Hospital Program Grants Portal, the release 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 KXAN Austin.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari speaks during an interview with Chinese media in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 17, 2024. Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

by Deng Kaiyin, Jiang Chao, Zhang Jingyao

ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media.

Tuesday observes the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Recalling the rapport between the previous generations' leaders of the two countries, Zardari said: "My late father-in-law, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto told the nation to look east, to look towards China."

Zardari, who had visited China nine times during his first term as Pakistani president, said Pakistani people love China as "there is no conditionality between us."

In the interview, the first one with foreign media after being re-elected as Pakistan's president for the second time in March, Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's stance of upholding one-China principle, rejecting any form of "Taiwan-independence."

"Taiwan is part of China. There's no other way," the president said, adding that Pakistan will always stand with China and safeguard China's core interests.

Commenting on the development of Gwadar Port, a starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Zardari said many things have been done in Gwadar port since the launch of the CPEC 11 years ago, noting that the port will always welcome investors from all over the world.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, Zardari called for more policies to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries as Pakistan is encouraging more schools to adopt the Chinese language into their compulsory curriculum.

Speaking highly of the development achievements made by the Chinese people, Zardari said that ensuring the continuation of policies is one of the key reasons behind China's success, adding that Pakistan hopes to be more involved in China's development process.

"Long live Pakistan-China friendship!" Zardari said in Chinese while concluding the interview.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (1st L) speaks during an interview with Chinese media in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 17, 2024. Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is interviewed by Chinese media in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 17, 2024. Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari speaks during an interview with Chinese media in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 17, 2024. Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

Editor: WRX
Long wait times and incorrect payments: Those are among the problems student loan borrowers say theyve faced since federal student loan payments resumed last year. Borrowers say the federal student loan servicer MOHELA is to blame.

A group of student loan borrowers and Democrats in Congress gathered outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday calling for change. The group chanted, Fire MOHELA!

Thomas Gokey is an organizer with the nonprofit group Debt Collective and spoke with our Washington News Bureau.

Our members, student debtors, are constantly reaching out to us with problems with their accounts, Gokey said. We think some accountability is needed and that its time to end MOHELAs contract entirely.

Gokey said he was on hold for more than nine hours trying to get answers from MOHELA about his sisters student loans.

We had faxed time sensitive paperwork. We had emailed it to MOHELA. We uploaded it to the MOHELA website, and there was no confirmation that they received it and if they didnt receive it by the deadline, shed be stuck with debt for decades into the future, Gokey said. I called and I waited on hold, and I waited until the MOHELA call center closed.

Critics said the long delays and other errors have meant many borrowers have been wrongfully denied student debt relief or have been given incorrect repayment amounts.

Four in ten MOHELA customers experienced a servicing failure during the student loan systems return to repayment, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) said. MOHELA failed to meet its most basic obligations. Shameful.

This is an absolute disgrace, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said. Millions of borrowers have faced servicing errors by MOHELA and others since borrowers resumed loan payments in October of 2023.

MOHELA is being sued by borrowers who accuse the company of repeated failures.

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In a statement, a MOHELA spokesperson denied the claims and said:

MOHELA is a governmental, non-profit entity that supports and assists around 8 million Americans with managing and navigating the complexities of their federal student loans. Borrowers are not better off when outside groups spread false and misleading information about our work as a federal contractor for FSA. We remain committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of customer service to the borrowers that we serve.

Ahead of return to repayment, MOHELA worked with FSA to diligently prepare to help the 6 million federal borrowers MOHELA serves who were entering repayment (of the total 8 million borrowers the organization serves of behalf of FSA), while following FSA guidance. MOHELA went to extreme lengths to increase staff in advance of return of repayment, despite there being reduced funding for servicers like MOHELA. MOHELAs current hold times average 1-5 minutes.

In March 2024, MOHELA sent a Cease-and-Desist letter to the Student Borrower Protection Center, which can be viewed here, calling on the organization to immediately disband their disingenuous PR campaign that is irresponsibly promoting false, misleading, and sensationalized claims about MOHELAs work as a federal contractor.

The calls for change from borrowers come as the Biden administration announced Wednesday it canceled student debt for another 160,000 borrowers who are public service workers.

To date, weve provided over $167 billion in debt relief for over 4.7 million Americans, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told our Washington News Bureau in a one-on-one interview.

We asked Cardona about the calls by borrowers to end the MOHELA contract.

Weve held servicers accountable by withholding over $9 million in payments if they didnt do their job, Cardona said. We recognize that theres a system that has to be improved and fixed, and were taking steps to do that Were always looking at ways to improve services and that means when we do contract negotiations and when were having feedback and accountability sessions with our contractors, were addressing the issues that our borrowers face.

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Cardona did not say if the Biden administration is considering terminating the contract with MOHELA.

The Education Department pointed out that as of this spring, the Department transitioned to new loan servicing contracts with United Servicing and Data Solution (USDS). The Department said USDS has strengthened security, accountability, and transparency provisions.

Borrowers we spoke with said its long overdue for the Biden administration to eliminate its contract with MOHELA altogether.

We asked Gokey what alternatives advocates would like to see put in place instead of MOHELA.

Broadly speaking, we think we should have fully funded public college and no student debt at all, Gokey said. Student loan servicers simply shouldnt exist. But in the next couple of months, what we want to see is the Biden administration commit to transferring all of the accounts currently serviced by MOHELA to the other servicers and then canceling it as much as possible.

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More and more children are not attending school, and its happening nationwide.

Chronic absenteeism is so rampant, that leaders in Washington are even working to find solutions.

Action News Jax Investigates examined the issue in Duval County Public Schools, our largest local school district.

Anchor Tenikka Hughes investigates why thousands of students arent showing up for school, the work underway to get them back in class, and why everyone in our entire community should care about this issue.

What is chronic absenteeism?

To understand the problem, lets start by defining it. A student is considered chronically absent when they miss at least 10% of days in a school year, excused or unexcused.

In most districts, the minimum amount of instruction time is 180 days, so thats at least 18 days of class time students are missing.

RELATED: State lawmakers look to curb chronic absenteeism at Florida schools

Data from the American Enterprise Institute shows more than a quarter of public school students nationwide were chronically absent last school year, a 15% increase since before the pandemic.

The Florida Department of Education reported that 30.9% percent of students were chronically absent last school year. In Duval County, our largest local school district, 41.9% percent of students were chronically absent last school year.

Local pastor Luke Benjamin is passionate about education.

RELATED: Something new: Florida school district adds 4-day mini-breaks to curb absenteeism

Its sad. I mean, for me, when you think about those stats, youre realizing how much kids are missing, he said.

Benjamin is married to an educator, the father of two school-aged girls, and vice president of the Highlands Elementary School PTA.

My wife being a teacher, she tells me all the time if a kid misses two or three days a month, they miss a key component of whatever lesson theyre learning. And if they miss that, they miss the building blocks, Benjamin said.

2017 STORY: Duval County parents far more likely to be prosecuted for kids skipping school

That learning loss can lead to poor grades and low standardized test scores. But thats only the beginning. Hughes sat down for a candid discussion with three local professionals from education, criminal justice, and family services, who all share the common goal of getting Duval students back in the classroom.

Studies show children that are chronically absent and are truant from school are more likely to experience substance use issues, alcoholism, mental health, it impacts employment, which impacts the economy. And then of course it leads to delinquency and being involved in the criminal justice system, Assistant State Attorney and Smart Justice Coordinator Coral Messina said.

Long term effects that ultimately impact our entire community.

So how did we get here?

While the pandemic heightened several challenges local families were facing, Katrina Taylor, Director of School Behavioral Health for Duval County Public Schools said chronic absenteeism often has a common source.

One word. Trauma, and thats all-encompassing of parent issues. Community violence, homelessness, transience. And these are all traumas that our students are dealing with every single day. And so we often see that these are barriers to our students getting to school every single day, Taylor said.

Sue Watson agrees. She is the director of the Exchange Club Family Centers Parent Aide Program, which sends mentors to local homes to help parents and guardians learn tools to build stable households to prevent abuse and neglect.

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Sometimes when we look at the parent and say, OK, youve told us what your child needs, but what do you need? The parent or the caregiver will start to cry. No one looks at them, except for the shame. And blame them for not getting their child at school, when really theyre dealing with their own trauma. Theyre dealing with their own, not being able to pay the bills or losing a job or the car broke down, or not having transportation to get their children where they need to go, Watson said.

Chronic absenteeism is often more prevalent in economically disadvantaged communities.

State data revealed several Duval schools, particularly in Northwest Jacksonville, where more than 70% of students were reported chronically absent last school year.

Taylor said DCPS has systems in place to identify and prevent absenteeism, including targeted intervention.

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We try to train and educate our school-based staff because we want to be as prevention-focused as possible. We truly believe being prevention-focused will help to reduce the number of issues we are seeing as a district, Taylor said.

Taylor said if a student has five unexcused absences within a calendar month or 10 days within a 90-day period, parents are required to meet with the district Attendance Intervention Team, or AIT, where they work to determine what barriers are keeping the child out of school and what support the family needs.

If the child continues to miss school, Taylor said the response ramps up to include home visits, counseling, and social workers get involved.

INVESTIGATES: Florida nursing students are failing state exam required to enter the workforce

In cases of chronic absenteeism, several agencies and community partners join the AIT meeting including the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the State Attorneys Office, the Exchange Club Family Center, and other nonprofits.

When asked about challenges and gaps in the current processes, Taylor said, I would say that the major gap that we see is funding not having enough, individuals at the school level that can really help to address truancy like our truancy officers. Needing more of them to really go out and find these kids and help to remove barriers and go knock on doors.

Taylor said there are currently 17 truancy officers for the more than 129,000 students in the district. She said their jobs will not be impacted by the districts potential cuts as it works to tackle a massive budget gap. Since chronic absenteeism rates tend to be higher in impoverished communities, Taylor also said she thinks there should be policy change on the state or federal level.

INVESTIGATES: Controversial police training banned in 9 states is now welcome in Florida

I think that that should be a component that in order for you to stay in this housing or to receive this funding for food, that one thing you have to do is to send your child to school, Taylor said.

I think we certainly need more people to help with investigating, Messina said. At best, the children are at home watching TV, but at worst, theyre being abused and neglected by their caregivers, so when a child misses 30 days in a row, theres really no one to figure that out.

Messina said she would like to see a central entity accountable for overseeing truancy and chronic absenteeism, ideally on a city level.

INVESTIGATES: Jacksonville Transportation Authoritys autonomous shuttle challenges

Thats why having something like a truancy czar, for example, to kind of help lead and direct the intervention process, through multiple agencies might be a helpful solution, Messina said.

Watson said there must be more community awareness and engagement.

You see a mom thats struggling, help them out. You see a family that needs help getting their children to school, be a good neighbor and help them get their children to school. ... Its a community issue, needing all the support we can to back up families and be there with families and to emphasize the importance of education and how it can get them out of their current situation if thats not where they want to be.

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Benjamin, who is in the process of launching the City Church at Highlands, said his church will be committed to doing everything it can to answer the call.

It takes a village, and I really believe that we should be looking out for each others children because this truancy level doesnt just affect that kid. It affects the entire community, he said.

Since the idea of city-level intervention was introduced as another part of the potential solutions to address absenteeism, Action News Jax reached out to Mayor Donna Deegans office. A spokesperson sent the following statement:

The truancy crisis is of great concern to Mayor Deegan. She has directed a team to work with Duval County Public Schools and community partners to create a public education and outreach campaign that encourages attendance going into the next school year. Well have more to share on that effort as August approaches.

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To view statewide absentee data from the Florida Department of Education click here: Absent 21+ Days and Absent 10% or More Comparison, 2022-23 (Excel)

To view absentee data from the Florida Department of Education by school click here: Average Daily Attendance/Average Daily Membership by School, 2022-23 (Excel)

To see a dashboard of school data created by the University of Florida and the nonprofit Safe Schools for Alex, click here: https://www.safeschoolsforalex.org/fl-school-safety-dashboard/school-safety-dashboard-search/

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NEW YORK  Mayor Adams legal team is set to ask New Yorks highest court to clear the way for his administrations push to enroll some 250,000 retired city workers in a controversial Medicare Advantage plan, the New York Daily News has learned.

Nicholas Paolucci, a spokesman for Adams Law Department, confirmed Tuesday that the administration will ask the State Court of Appeals to intervene in the long-running effort to make Advantage, a privatized version of traditional Medicare, the only city-subsidized health insurance plan available to municipal retirees.

The confirmation from Paolucci came after the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court earlier in the day upheld a ruling issued by Manhattan Justice Lyle Frank last year that first permanently blocked Adams administration from enacting its Advantage plan. Franks ruling found the mayors attempt to strip city retirees of their current access to a subsidized traditional Medicare plan violates local administrative law.

In order to get the State Court of Appeals to even consider a request to overturn the latest ruling, though, Adams administration must file a so-called motion for leave. As New Yorks highest legal venue, the state Court of Appeals could reject such a motion and not consider the case at all, which would leave Franks ruling in place and deal a final blow to the mayors Advantage effort.

Paolucci said the administration will move ahead with filing a motion for leave, as it believes an Advantage plan would both improve health benefits for retired municipal workers and save the city money.

The citys plan, which was negotiated closely with and supported by the Municipal Labor Committee, would improve upon retirees current plans and save $600 million annually, Paolucci said, referring to the umbrella group representing most of the citys public sector unions. This is particularly important at a time when we are already facing significant fiscal and economic challenges.

The battle over Medicare Advantage started shortly after Adams took office when a group of retired cops, firefighters and other municipal workers filed a class action lawsuit seeking to prevent the mayor from shifting them into Advantage.

The group, NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, has contended Advantage would water down their benefits, in part due to convoluted preauthorization processes required by the private insurance providers administering Advantage plans. The group has pointed to federal studies finding Advantage plan holders can be denied medically necessary care due to such preauthorization protocols.

Marianne Pizzitola, a retired FDNY EMT whos president of the retiree group, said shes disappointed Adams administration will continue its Advantage push even after the latest legal setback, but vowed to keep fighting.

If he wants to take that on, I aint going nowhere, she said of the planned State Court of Appeals move. The larger question should be: After everything we have put out there, factually cited and sourced on how forcing people onto [Advantage] will harm them, that he is still hell-bent on forcing this plan onto retired civil servants.
Add Trump's Vow To Testify In His Trial To His Long List Of Broken Promises

NEW YORK  Making Mexico pay for a border wall, creating a big, beautiful healthcare plan to replace Obamacare, balancing the federal budget and avoiding Minnesota if he lost the 2020 election have new company on the lengthy list of broken Donald Trump promises: his vow to testify in his New York City hush money trial.

Despite repeated pledges to take the witness stand to proclaim his innocence, Trump had his lawyers rest their case Tuesday after calling only two witnesses, neither of them the coup-attempting former president.

Trump refused to answer shouted questions as to why he didnt testify as he left the lower Manhattan courtroom after the brief morning session. In recent months, he has on many occasions said he was eager to tell his side of the story in the business records falsification case that could send him to prison for as long as four years.

Yeah, I would testify, absolutely, he told reporters just three days before the trial began five weeks ago. Im testifying. I tell the truth, I mean, all I can do is tell the truth.

Even his lawyers suggested it was possible Trump could testify  last week, Todd Blanche told Judge Juan Merchan it was a decision that had not yet been made  before essentially admitting Monday in open court that it would not happen.

Legal experts and observers, of course, said they were not in the least surprised that testimony ended without hearing from Trump.

He was never going to testify, said Ty Cobb, a former top lawyer in the White House when it was under Trump and who is now a Trump critic.

If he had taken the stand, they would have cross-examined him for three days with every lie he has told about E. Jean Carroll, maybe January 6th, the classified documents, Stormy  does Stormy, a ... porn star, pole dancer really remind you of your own daughter  McDougal, his real estate tax fraud cases, his taxes and more to show he is a darker version of Michael Cohen.

Cohen is Trumps former lawyer and fixer who ended up in prison in part because of his involvement in a payoff to Stormy Daniels. Daniels is the adult film actor and director who testified she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 and received $130,000 from Cohen to remain quiet about it in the days leading up to the 2016 election. McDougal is the former Playboy model who received $150,000 from American Media Inc. not to reveal the affair she claimed she had with Trump. Carroll is the writer whom Trump owes $88 million to after a federal jury found he sexually abused her and then defamed her.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts against him and denied having had sex with either Daniels or McDougal.

Cobb said that had he been the prosecutor doing Trumps cross-examination, he would not only have poked holes in Trumps version of what happened but also made sure the jury understood what a prodigious liar Trump is.

Credibility is always relevant and no one is more exposed on that point than Trump, Cobb said.

It would have been glorious. Alternating gusts of incoherence, egoism, anger, insolence and prevarication, said Mac Stipanovich, a lawyer and longtime Republican political consultant in Florida. He added that he would have had a field day as the prosecutor doing Trumps cross-examination.

I would have goaded him about the tawdry details of the Stormy Daniels encounter, his business practices, his relationship with Cohen, and then just stepped back and let him go, Stipanovich said. Whenever he slowed down, I would goad him again.

An informal adviser to Trump said the feeling that Cohen did poorly under cross-examination last week led to Trumps ultimate decision not to take the stand.

I think he really wanted to until Cohen crashed, the adviser said on condition of anonymity.

The adviser also conceded it would not have been in Trumps best interests, saying, It would have been crazy for him to.

One former Trump White House lawyer with experience practicing criminal law who remains sympathetic to Trump agreed that having a defendant testify is always risky  particularly one as undisciplined as Trump.

A big risk, he said on condition of anonymity, explaining that even a small misstep can lead to answering all kinds of damaging questions on cross-examination. You say the wrong thing or say it in the wrong way, and the prosecution can say, Judge, he opened the door.

The prosecution in Trumps case wrapped up on Monday afternoon. Trumps defense finished Tuesday morning, and Merchan spent the afternoon working with both sides to hash out what instructions he would give to the jury. Closing arguments are scheduled to take place on May 28, the day after the long Memorial Day weekend.

If Trump winds up regretting his decision not to testify, though, he may have at least three more chances to do so in other trials.

Trump is facing federal charges in Washington, D.C., based on his actions leading up to his Jan. 6 coup attempt and in South Florida for his refusal to turn over top secret documents he took with him to his Palm Beach country club upon leaving the White House.

He also faces felony charges in Georgia for his attempts to overturn his election loss there.

If convicted in any of the other jurisdictions on these charges, he could receive decades in prison.

Related...
Africas richest man says he needs 35 visas to travel in Africa  way more than a European visitor

Even Africas wealthiest man has trouble traveling in his own continent.

Despite doing business in multiple countries, Nigerian-born Aliko Dangote complains he faces far more hurdles crossing Africa than visitors with European passports ever do.

As an investor, as someone who wants to make Africa great, I have to apply for 35 different visas on my passport, Dangote told the recent Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.

I really dont have the time to go and drop off my passport in embassies to get a visa, he said to laughter from the audience.

The 67-year-old entrepreneurs visa woes have reignited a fresh firestorm about the frustrations of traveling within Africa for Africans.

Its even more infuriating for many Africans that European passports from former colonial masters have more visa-free access in Africa than many African passports. Its a point Dangote made powerfully in Kigali, when he turned to the French executive next to him and deadpanned: I can assure you that Patrick (Pouyanne, CEO of Total Energies) doesnt need 35 visas on a French passport, which means you have freer movement than myself in Africa.

Dangote commended Rwanda, which eliminated visas for all African nationals in 2023. Benin, The Gambia and Seychelles also offer visa-free access to all Africans.

But many African countries still require visas from other Africans and the experience is fraught with discrimination, hostility and sky-high fees.

Humiliating experience

Nigerian travel filmmaker Tayo Aina says he was forced to give a stool sample in front of an Ethiopian immigration officer, to confirm he hadnt ingested any drugs, when he landed in Addis Ababa in April 2021.

It was my most humiliating experience traveling within Africa, he told CNN by phone from London. He has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa because of his Nigerian passport.

This year, Aina announced that he bought a passport from the Caribbean country of St Kitts and Nevis for $150,000 so he can travel more freely. Sometimes you go to a country, and it is no longer visa-on-arrival. There are cases where people get deported when they land because they changed the policy mid-flight, the 31-year-old YouTuber says.

The African Union has said one of its goals is to remove restrictions on Africans ability to travel, work and live within their own continent by transforming restrictive laws and promoting visa-free travel but implementation has been slow. Free movement within the continent is a critical part of the African Continental Free Trade Area, but action hasnt followed the commitments.

Difficulty crossing African borders is a regular source of frustration for African travelers. - Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

The fear of permanent migration is one of the reasons why African nations dont make it easy for other Africans to visit, migration researcher Alan Hirsch told CNN.

Theres a fear in richer African countries that people from poorer nations might be looking for a way to permanently move there, he explains. A lot of Africans cross borders informally and we dont have a real record of that. Some countries fear people applying for asylum and then disappearing under the radar.

The retired University of Cape Town professor runs a program on migration at the New South Institute think tank in Johannesburg. He says the integrity of passport and visa systems especially in poorer African countries has also held back Africans mobility. People have found illegal ways of obtaining passports, for example someone pretending to be Burundian without actually being from that country.

Fresh bottlenecks

While Africans can move relatively freely within their regions, traveling further away is still challenging. Travelers from East African Community countries dont need a visa within the block and most parts of Southern and West Africa are open to nationals from the respective regions.

But even what looks like progress can introduce some fresh bottlenecks. A Nigerian visa on arrival used to be $25 for Kenyan passport holders. But after changes to the application process, Kenyans now have to apply for a Nigerian e-visa in advance, at a cost of $215.

Security officers are seen at the passport control point at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport in Abuja, Nigeria September 7, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde - Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters

Kenyan President William Ruto famously promised to eliminate visas for everybody traveling to the East African nation. He introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization instead but the application process is similar to that of a visa. It costs $30 without processing fees and approval may take several days. Many visa applications require an application form, bank statements, flight and hotel bookings. Applicants are often rejected for incomplete documentation or for unclear reasons.

South Africa held my passport for almost five months, the Nigerian content creator Tayo says. His new St Kitts passport allows him to go to more African countries than his Nigerian passport.

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Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

The 18 students entered a crosswalk in Pollock Pines a year ago, on May 31, on a clear day in the 70s. They were small children  preschoolers from Pine Top Montessori school  on a walking field trip, a chance to enjoy the world outside the classroom in the quiet foothill town.

The marked crosswalk, in front of the 50 Grand restaurant at Pony Express Trail near Willow Street, was a few blocks away from the school. The county had plans in the works to move it to improve safety.

At about 10:40 a.m. a driver of a van allegedly looked down at his GPS, became distracted, looked up to realize he was barreling toward a group of kids and slammed on the brakes. Too late. According to police, he struck five, seriously injuring three.

Families earlier this year filed suits in El Dorado Superior Court alleging, among other contentions, that the county knew the walkway was unsafe and could have corrected it. And the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors addressed the issue months later at its Oct. 10 meeting.

The people of Pollock Pines have been worried about this area, accented by the tragedy with the children getting hit in the crosswalk, Supervisor Brooke Laine, who represents the area and South Lake Tahoe, said at the meeting. And if we couldve prevented that accident, we wouldve done everything in our power to do that. It was just awful timing.

The crosswalks remains. But plans are finally in place to improve safety there.

Plans are now in place

A few weeks ago, county officials announced construction would begin this month on a new pedestrian and bike path along Pony Express Trail between Sanders Drive and Sly Park Road as part of the road improvement project.

It is anticipated to be completed in September.

The improvements include about 1.7 miles of bike lanes on both sides of Pony Express Trail, Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, crosswalks and signage with flashing beacons.

This follows the October meeting in which supervisors approved more than $4 million in safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists on Pony Express Trail through Pollock Pines.

But the effort was initiated five years before. The county has had a plan in the works since 2018 to add road improvements on Pony Express Trail, from Sly Park Road to Sanders Drive. Those road improvements include moving the crosswalk near Willow  where the children were hit by the van  farther east and adding a sign with flashing lights that can be activated by pedestrians before they enter the road.

A van drives through the crosswalk on Monday, June 5, 2023, where five children were hit on Pony Express Trail last week near Willow Street in Pollock Pines.

When asked to respond to the allegations in the lawsuits, the El Dorado County Counsels Office referred The Sacramento Bees request for a comment to county spokeswoman Carla Hass.

Its our policy to not comment on any pending litigation, she said.

Suits alleges county had time to make fixes

Families are suing El Dorado County, the appliance company that employed the driver and the two teachers who accompanied the preschool students that morning on a walking field trip to a nearby park.

Attorneys for the families allege the defendants are responsible for the injuries the small children suffered. Both civil cases are scheduled for hearings this summer; a trial has not been scheduled in either case.

The lawsuits filed make similar arguments. The attorneys seek damages for financial losses, past and future medical costs, income capacity loss and physical and mental suffering, along with physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress.

The first lawsuit was filed Jan. 25 on behalf of two children, Axel Van Skike and JaCorey Dunlap, who were both 5 when the van struck them. Both boys were released from the hospital last June to continue their recovery, physically and emotionally, according to GoFundMe online fundraisers created to financially help their families.

Axel underwent surgery and had six screws and a plate placed in his femur, according to the fundraiser. JaCory also suffered a broken femur and underwent surgery to insert several pins in his leg, according to the GoFundMe page.

Joseph Babich, a Sacramento-based lawyer who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Axel and JaCorey, argued the condition on the Pollock Pines crosswalk created a substantial risk of injury and had become dangerous before last years crash due to an increased amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

In the lawsuit, Babich said the area was unsafe because the crosswalk and pedestrians using it were not visible to westbound (vehicle) traffic due to a curvature of the roadway surface. Babich also argued that the county had a reasonable amount of time to obtain funds and carry out the necessary corrective work.

School is a defendant, too

Also listed as defendants in the lawsuits are Pine Top Montessori school and the teachers who accompanied the preschool students that morning on a walking field trip, Jill Kime and Carrie Molaug.

Babich argued in the lawsuit that Kime and Molaug negligently led the group (of children) across the crosswalk when it was unsafe to cross in light of traffic and roadway conditions.

The second lawsuit argues that Kime and Molaugs failure to supervise, instruct, lead, accompany, monitor and/or chaperone the group of preschool children directly and imminently caused for the third victim, a 4-year-old girl named Juniper Ammons.

Friedrich Seitz, a Los Angeles-based attorney, is representing Pine Top Montessori, along with Kime and Molaug. He did not respond to The Bees request for comment. Calls The Bee made to Pine Top Montessori were not returned.

When asked to respond to the allegations in the lawsuits, Kime said in an email that she could not speak about the May 31 incident under advisement of her attorney.

My apologies, as you can imagine its been a very sad situation for all involved including our community, Kime said in declining to answer questions.

Flowers, a teddy bear and a sign with handprints stand in June at the site where a driver struck five children on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

The result: Her new life with a walker





That second lawsuit was filed Feb. 27 on behalf of Juniper. She was the last of the seriously injured children to be released from the hospital; she was able to return home in mid-August.

Alison Warren, Junipers aunt, has told The Bee that her niece suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash. In an April 3 online update about her nieces recovery, Warren wrote that Juniper tried new therapies in Texas but started to regress emotionally and has since returned home with her parents to continue her recovery and work to adjust to her new life with a walker.

We all know this is a long process, Warren wrote in the most recent online update. Above all, we just want Juniper to know she is loved.

John OBrien, an Elk Grove-based attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Juniper, said in the lawsuit that the little girl suffered severe emotional distress due to the catastrophic and permanent nature of her injuries.

Jacob Glen Rose, 21, drove the appliance van and is listed as a defendant in the lawsuits along with his employer, Stabler Appliance Inc., which also does business as Edwards A-1 Appliance with locations in Placerville and Woodland.

OBrien argued in the lawsuit that the appliance business and the employee driver are responsible for the direct and proximate result of the negligence and carelessness that caused serious injuries to the little girl.

Babich, the attorney representing Axel and JaCorey, argued in their suit that Rose negligently took his eyes off the road ahead of him and failed to stop for the children in the crosswalk.

When asked to respond to the allegations in the lawsuits, Katie Stabler, co-owner of the appliance business said No comment, and she referred The Bees questions to Christopher Beeman, a Bay Area-based attorney representing Rose and the appliance business. Beeman did not respond.

Driver not charged

El Dorado County prosecutors in January announced they would not be filing criminal charges against the appliance vans driver. Prosecutors have said the facts of the investigation would not satisfy the legal requirements needed to file a charge of reckless driving causing injury.

Rose was working for the appliance business Placerville location and driving a company vehicle, a Ford E-150 cargo van, to a job location in Pollock Pines.

An investigation by the D.A.s Office, which included information gathered by the California Highway Patrol and a reconstruction of the traffic collision conducted by an outside crash expert, determined the driver was traveling 2 mph above the speed limit of 35 mph when he looked down at a GPS device moments before spotting the children and hitting the brakes.

The driver stopped the van soon after the vehicle hit the children. Prosecutors said the driver was distracted and unaware that there was a large group of pedestrians in a crosswalk directly in front of his vehicle.

However inexplicable and negligent the conduct is, there are insufficient facts to show that he was subjectively aware that his driving presented a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm to others, and that he then willfully and intentionally ignored that risk, prosecutors said in a news release in January.

Alison Warren, left, the aunt of a preschooler seriously injured by a van while crossing the street with her classmates, consoles teacher Carrie Molaug at a community meeting in June at Pinewood Elementary in Pollock Pines. Molaug was of one of two teachers supervising the students when the collision occurred.

The aftermath

Days after the crash that injured the children, Molaug was among the childrens families and residents who gathered at Pinewood Elementary School. The Pollock Pines community was invited to that meeting to discuss the investigation into the crash and what needed to be done to make sure the road was safe for pedestrians, especially children.

The memory of what happened to the small children, at the time, was still vivid and emotionally overwhelming for their teacher.

The kids that we see every day, theyre like our family. And to see something like this happen to not just one child but multiple children, and all the other children have to see it, has been heartbreaking, Molaug told The Bee after last years meeting. Its just been probably the hardest thing Ive ever had to go through in my whole life. And as long as all of them make it out of the hospital, its gonna be a lot better. But its not gonna be OK.

The civil case in the lawsuit for Axel and JaCorey is scheduled for a case management conference hearing June 4 in Placerville. Lawyers in Junipers lawsuit are scheduled for a similar case update Aug. 27.
Ahead of testimony on Capitol Hill on Thursday by Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway, hundreds of Jewish Rutgers students, faculty, administrators and staff signed onto a pair of letters condemning the schools handling of antisemitism on campus.



Rutgers administration agreed to many of the demands put forward by anti-Israel protesters on campus, but refused to divest from companies linked to Israel or cut ties with Tel Aviv University. Lawmakers, including Gov. Phil Murphy, have condemned the universitys handling of the situation.



The more than 150 students who signed the student-led letter wrote that they would like to share our experiences of the past academic year in the hope of conveying the hurt, pain, and isolation that many of us have suffered and suggesting ways that the entire university community might do better in the future, not just to support its Jewish students, but to create a more tolerant climate for all its members.



The students said that anti-Israel demonstrators had in short taken over our university, including by forcing the delay of final exams, taking over building and blocking events.



They said they felt abandoned by people they considered friends in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, some of whom defended the Hamas massacre and quickly mobilized in support of terror, conveying to us that we would not be safe and welcome at the university many of us called home.



The students further accused many faculty and staff of having guided [protesters] in tactics of intimidation and menacing protest, helped the students negotiate with administrators and in some cases allowed for and perpetuated antisemitic behavior in their own classrooms.



They said that they have no objection to pro-Palestinian protests, but said that student groups that have actively violated others rights to free expression have faced no punishment, and that the university has failed to enforce its own rules.



Our desire is nothing more than for our university to once again become a place where all peoples are welcome and treated equally, in a tolerant environment where we can all pursue knowledge in a spirit of peace and empathy for others, the letter continued.



The second letter, signed by more than 200 faculty, staff and administrators, highlights more than a dozen incidents, including celebration of the Oct. 7 attack and the use of university resources to promote anti-Israel propaganda, some of which have gone unpunished.



The administrations decision to accede to the demands of the encampment protesters undermines the principles of shared governance, and it elevates the voices of a radical few above those of the more reasonable whole, they wrote. It does a disservice not just to Jewish students, faculty, and staff, but to the entire university community.



They said Rutgers had failed to act proactively to respond to and make clear its rules and policies with regard to demonstrations and, As a result, the entire university community has suffered through the disruption of normal university operations and an often chaotic and intimidating environment on our campuses.





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Ukrainian air defenses shot down all 24 Shahed-type attack drones launched during a Russian attack overnight on May 22, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

The drones were reportedly launched from the Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov, from occupied Crimea, and from Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Aircraft, missile and electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force intercepted the drones over Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy, and Odesa oblasts, Oleshchuk said.

Russian troops reportedly conducted an air strikes on the towns of Shostka and Konotop in Sumy Oblast overnight, leaving a number of settlements without electricity.

Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. In recent months, Russia has intensified attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, launching massive drone and missile strikes targeting critical facilities.

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.
by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- In late April, the Mesopotamia Express, a new tourist-oriented train service, embarked on its maiden journey from Ankara, the Turkish capital, to the eastern province of Diyarbakir.

The launch of the express marks the latest expansion of Turkiye's rail services, which have experienced significant growth over the past decade in an effort to diversify Turkiye's tourism industry, a key driver of the national economy.

Scenic train journeys have emerged as a trendy choice for both domestic and foreign tourists eager to discover Turkiye's historic sites.

The Mesopotamia Express is designed to offer travelers an immersive journey through the country's diverse landscapes and rich history, now extending to ancient Mesopotamia, often regarded as the cradle of civilizations.

Spanning a distance of 1,051 kilometers, the journey includes three stops where travelers can savor regional cuisine and explore archaeological sites in southeastern Anatolia.

Mehmet Kaya, president of the Diyarbakir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the significance of the new route for the development of tourism in the region, as reported by the Daily Sabah newspaper.

The new train service was launched at a time when the Touristic Eastern Express has gained increasing popularity. The express route links Ankara with Kars, a historic city located near the borders with Georgia and Armenia.

Almira Aygen, a university student from Ankara, along with several friends, took the 30-hour journey onboard the Eastern Express in February.

"We were very excited, because tickets for this ride are difficult to obtain, but with the help of a travel agency, ultimately we got them," she said.

Aygen said she enjoyed the scenery as the train travelled 1,300 km eastward from the Turkish capital to the snowy borders of the country.

"This train route has become a trend in recent years, particularly among the younger generations eager to discover a part of their country that they did not explore before," said Ender Senkan, a travel vlogger.

He said that while Turkiye may not be widely considered as a top train destination, but new train routes are drawing more attention from social media users and tickets of those routes are often difficult to get.

"Economical and comfortable transportation services enable the exploration of Anatolia's historical and natural wonders. In recent years, the Eastern Express has become a favourite of travellers and art enthusiasts seeking different holiday options," Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement in December 2023.

"Train tourism options will be gradually increased," he said, stressing the significant revival of train travel worldwide.

Editor: WRX
Airline attorney says child was to blame for being recorded in lavatory

An attorney for American Airlines said a 9-year-old girl should have known a hidden camera was recording her.

Now, the airline is apologizing.

Estes Thompson III was the flight attendant who placed a camera in the lavatory, federal agents said.

Former flight attendant pleads not guilty to recording girls in lavatories

An attorney for AA wrote in a filing on Tuesday, Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.

A spokesperson with American Airlines told Channel 9 that outside counsel retained by its insurance company made an error in the filing.

The defense is not a representative of the airline, and it does not believe the child is at fault, the spokesperson said.

VIDEO: 2nd lawsuit alleges American Airlines flight attendant recorded girl in lavatory
Its wheels up for another potentially record-breaking summer travel season with millions expected to pass through airports nationwide over the Memorial Day holiday.

Im like, Oh my gosh, like is it gonna be longer wait times? Am I gonna get be able to get here as late as I usually do to push it? said traveler Stacy Miyamoto.

But this year, theres some new turbulence.

Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United Airlines along with the lobbying group, Airlines for America, are now suing the federal government over its latest junk fee rule. It would require airlines to disclose all fees  including those for checked bags and change fees - up front!

I think thats pretty reasonable. I think its common sense, said Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Kirstin Garriss talked one-on-one with Transportation Security Pete Buttigieg about the lawsuit.

We are going to defend this rule. We think its the right thing to do, said Buttigieg. We think they should be doing it without us even having to ask, but were requiring it because customers, passengers deserve that information.

Airlines For America said carriers already show those fees before a customer buys their ticket. In a statement, the organization said the rule will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process.

As airports prepare for another busy summer travel season, several major airlines are suing @USDOT over its latest junk fee rule. It would require airlines to disclose all fees - up front. I sat down w/@SecretaryPete about his agencys response. Details on @COXMG stations today. pic.twitter.com/v6qVMAopbn  Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) May 22, 2024

A spokesperson added airlines also advertise fee discounts and benefits with loyalty programs.

But Secretary Buttigieg believes the rule is necessary.

And I would argue that if an airlines not even telling you what some of the fees, charges and costs are before you buy a ticket, thats unfair and deceptive, said Buttigieg.

At Regan National Airport, travelers had mixed reviews about the proposed rule change.

I feel like theyre running a business, so I say let them run their business, said Miyamoto.

We should be able to understand what youre charging me and I shouldnt have to find out later when I get a bill, said traveler Anthony Henderson.

Another new rule will require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds if theres a cancellation or a significant flight delay.

The Transportation Security Administration predicts more than 18 million people will pass through airports this Memorial Day weekend. The TSA expects this Friday will be the busiest with nearly three million passing through airport checkpoints. Airports are also reminding travelers to arrive early and be prepared for long lines. Staff say also know TSAs carry-on luggage rules to get through security faster.

Full statement from Airlines for America on the lawsuit:

U.S. airlines care deeply about the customer purchasing experience from first search to final purchase and invest heavily in their websites and mobile apps to ensure both transparency of all costs and ease of use for each customer with a purchase path tailored to that customers specific choices. Airlines already provide consumers with complete disclosure of all fees associated with air travel before they purchase a ticket.

The ancillary fee rule by the Department of Transportation will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process.

DOTs attempt to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its authority. DOT has failed to establish that consumers are unable to obtain information about ancillary fees. To the contrary, consumers are well-aware of the existence of ancillary services fees. Airlines go to great lengths to make their customers knowledgeable about these fees. In addition to the disclosures required by existing DOT regulations, airlines engage in competitive advertising and emphasize ancillary fee discounts and benefits when they promote their loyalty programs. The DOT ancillary rule is a bad solution in search of a problem.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined 19 states in supporting the religious freedoms of the Amish community in rural New York.

This comes after the state decided to no longer allow exemptions from vaccinations for religious beliefs in 2019 following a reported measles outbreak.

The Lost Resort in Spanish Fort: From fancy to forgotten

Marshall argued in support of the Amish and Amish schools along with Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia in an amicus brief.

The brief argues that the refusal to allow religious exemptions for vaccine requirements imposes massive penalties for Amish schools and violates the First Amendment rights of parents to exercise their religion and raise their children in accordance with their religious beliefs.

New York has so little regard for religion that it will seek out, harass, and threaten Amish communities that want only to live out their faith amongst themselves, Marshall said. Parents should not be forced to choose between their childrens schooling and their fundamental rights.

It further notes that the First Amendment was designed to protect religious minorities like the Amish and that the law discriminates against religion because it permits students to be unvaccinated, so long as they give health reasons, not religious ones.

The states expressed concern in the brief that eliminating religious exemptions for vaccine requirements is a growing trend to curtail longstanding liberties protected by the First Amendment after California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York all stopped accepting the exemptions.

Wilmer woman arrested after driving under the influence: Semmes Police

The full brief is included below.

05.20.24-NY-Amish-1A-Amicus-Br-FILEDDownload

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Ranked choice voting, which asks voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference, has seen its profile steadily expand since 2016. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

The Alabama attorney generals office Monday asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to block a new law criminalizing some forms of ballot assistance.

In a 52-page filing in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, the attorney generals office argued the new law does not violate existing rights and that it did not make it harder to vote.

It is easy for a voter who is eligible to vote absentee to request an application, and the recent reforms ensure that the process is driven by voters, not unduly influenced by interested parties, the brief argued.

Messages were left with representatives for the plaintiffs and the attorney generals office on Tuesday afternoon.

SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, makes it a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for a person to receive a payment or gift distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, prefilling, obtaining or delivering an application. It would be a Class B felony, up to 20 years in prison, for a person to knowingly pay or provide a gift for a third party to distribute, order, request, collect, prefill, complete, obtain or deliver.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill in March. Republican supporters of the measure said they were trying to prevent ballot harvesting, which they defined as third parties collecting and submitting absentee ballots. Evidence of ballot harvesting was not presented in the House or Senate.

Democratic opponents said it would make it much harder for people with disabilities in rural areas to vote.

Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Alabama and the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, filed suit seeking to block the law on April 4. The complaint cited Alabamas history of voter suppression and said that volunteers helping people with absentee ballots could be punished.

Voter assistance is a vital means of political expression in Alabama that allows civic leaders to promote and build political power among historically disenfranchised communities, the lawsuit said. And yet, the state has historically and consistently engaged in efforts to restrict voter assistance, including through criminal prosecutions of groups and individuals seeking to create political change through civic engagement.

In Mondays filing, the Alabama attorney generals office said the complaint was a shotgun pleading that made broad accusations and employed conclusory, vague and immaterial facts.

The attorneys also wrote that the plaintiffs had no standing to sue Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, one of the defendants in the case, as he does not have enforcement power. The Secretary of State is often a defendant in voting rights cases, and Allen was the major party in Allen v. Milligan, the voting rights case that concluded last year with the courts approving a map creating a majority-Black congressional district and a near-majority one.

The office also argued that SB 1 targeted activity around conduct  specifically, the ballot harvesting kind  and not political speech.

The plaintiffs argued that SB 1 could impact the right to association at voter drives or other events which include voter assistance. The state rejected the argument.



Even if SB 1 works some incidental burden on Plaintiffs associational rights, it is far short of the level that raises concerns about Plaintiffs ability to express their message, they wrote.

The state attorneys wrote that the rules around payment or gifts, which plaintiffs wrote could have included branded logo items for volunteers, are not vague.

The text and structure of these provisions shows that the payment or gift provisions (though broad) are not vague, they wrote.

The plaintiffs had not filed a response as of Tuesday afternoon.

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The post Alabama attorney general wants absentee ballot lawsuit dismissed appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Department of Public Health to analyze more maternal deaths through autopsy program

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The Alabama Department of Public Health is looking to gain more insight into the cause of maternal deaths through the implementation of the Maternal Autopsy Program, and Mobile pathology centers and coroners are helping the cause.

Officials say the implementation of the Maternal Autopsy Program is important given Alabamas maternal mortality rate.

Wilmer woman arrested after driving under the influence: Semmes Police

Alabamas maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the nation, and it is hoped that this new program will help gain greater insight into the cause of maternal deaths, an ADPH release said.

The problem with gaining greater insight, according to officials, is not enough detailed information.

Obtaining the most detailed and accurate information is critical in making determinations regarding maternal deaths and reducing maternal mortality in Alabama, the release said. Approximately 50 percent of all maternal deaths do not have an autopsy performed.

To get more information to help in understanding and ultimately preventing maternal deaths, ADPH has implemented the Maternal Autopsy Program in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Pathology Department and the University of South Alabama Department of Pathology.

Pensacola man arrested in connection with 2023 homicide: ECSO

Coroners in Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Marshal, Mobile, Montgomery, Shelby and Walker counties participate in the Maternal Autopsy Program, according to the release.

Through this program, family members of women who died during pregnancy or up to a year after delivery are offered a complete autopsy free of charge if there is no one to perform the autopsy in the area, or they cannot afford one.

For more information on maternal mortality in the state, visit Alabama Public Healths Maternal Mortality Review website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Jennifer Brown plays the drum while Jarrell Williams dances at an MMIP march on the Capitol steps in Juneau on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Jennifer Brown plays the drum while Jarrell Williams dances at an MMIP rally on the Capitol steps in Juneau on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Lawmakers added protections to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Alaska last week, a move celebrated by activists who have devoted years to a campaign for equity.

Senate Bill 151 passed with a combined 57-1 vote. Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, was the sole vote against; Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, and Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, were excused from the Senate vote.

Under the new law, the state must employ two full-time, dedicated MMIP investigators to pursue cold cases and must include cultural training in police officer training. It also establishes a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission and requires that state public safety officials consult with tribes for a statewide needs assessment.

Charlene Aqpik Apok, director of Data for Indigenous Justice, a nonprofit database that tracks missing and murdered Indigenous people in Alaska, remembers when it was hard to get lawmakers to agree to a meeting about the issue of violence against Alaska Native people, let alone influence policy. So when the Alaska Senate passed legislation aimed at doing just that, Apok felt the significance when their 9-year-old son said, Oh my god, youre about to pass a law!

Its almost unbelievable and I feel a range of emotions. Its such a huge thing to be celebrated, Apok said. It also is just a starting point, we have so much more to do. But Im so excited to celebrate it. And Im ready to see what else we can get done.

Our Indigenous communities have been long overlooked for too long. It's time to be treated equally.

 Joel Jackson, President of the Organized Village of Kake

Apok lost close family members to violence  mother, auntie and cousin  which makes the work personal. They said it was important to see so much Indigenous-led collaboration.

Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, who is Inupiaq, proposed Senate Bill 151 to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people that affects communities across the state. Coincidentally, he and Apok are from the same village of fewer than 200 people.

Apok is quick to note that tribal leaders, people who gave testimony and other other advocacy groups contributed to making the legislation possible.

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake, was one of the testifiers. He said the move is a long time coming. Our Indigenous communities have been long overlooked for too long, he said. Its time to be treated equally.

Jackson was among advocates that came to the Capitol to advocate for changes intended to make law enforcement and justice equitable for Alaska Native communities.

Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, sponsored the House companion bill and urged lawmakers to approve its passage.

What this does is begin to answer many who have felt ignored and forgotten, he said. SB 151 makes meaningful efforts to bring our families home and to provide closure to many who have waited far too long for justice.

Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell advocated for the legislation and he said lawmakers should be proud of the direction the state is going in regards to making sure Alaska Native people have equal access to justice. He said the state has struggled with the issue for years and he is pleased by the commitment in law to support a council to address it.

It spotlights the progress the state is making in recognizing the difficulties that Indigenous people have in this state, he said.

The bill takes effect next January, but Cockrell said his department already has most of its new requirements in place. Cockrell currently has four MMIP investigators on staff, double what the new law requires, and is planning how to structure research for the report that will be due in a few years.

I think my ultimate goal is that, whatever we set forth, that it will outlast me  and the next commissioner will have to continue the progress so it wont go away, he said of the new regulations. Even though the Department of Public Safety currently has more MMIP staff than the new law requires, Cockrell said its nice to know that theres a minimum requirement.

It will be there long after I leave this department, which is rewarding in itself, he said.

The post Alaska lawmakers approve additional support for addressing missing and murdered Indigenous people appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, in his capitol office on May 16, 2024, holds up a printout showing how warning signs about alcohol consumption's health effects would change under legislation he sponsored. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, in his capitol office on Thursday, holds up a printout showing how warning signs about alcohol consumption's health effects would change under legislation he sponsored. Gray's legislation was folded into another bill that passed and, if signed by the governor, would allow workers younger than 21 to serve alcoholic beverages. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska bar patrons will see new signs warning about the link between alcohol and cancer, and women at elevated risk for breast cancer will no longer have to pay extra money for more detailed examinations that go beyond routine mammograms, if bills passed by the Legislature are signed by the governor.

Both measures were proposed initially in stand-alone legislation but wound up combined with related bills that passed late in the session.

The proposal for signs warning about the alcohol-cancer link was originally in a bill sponsored by Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage. It was later bundled with a different alcohol-related measure, House Bill 189, that would allow workers between the ages of 18 and 21 to serve alcohol.

That underlying bill, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, was seen as important to restaurants and other businesses coping with a labor shortage.

Gray, a physician assistant, introduced his bill to raise public awareness about how alcohol consumption increases cancer risks. While surveys show that public awareness of the connection is low, cancer experts say alcohol consumption ranks near the top of modifiable cancer-causing behaviors and conditions, along with the better-known factors of tobacco use and obesity.

Legislative approval of the alcohol-cancer signs was won narrowly.

Grays legislation was crafted so that only one new sign would be required at each establishment, thus minimizing the cost to the state and keeping it below the threshold that would require consideration by the House Finance Committee.

The design for the new signs was also crafted carefully, with a word count kept low and a graphic of a pregnant woman incorporated to make clear a combined message about health risks of alcohol consumption.

We made sure that we did not increase the word count. And we also wanted to make it more readable, Gray said. In general, I just think that weve created a more meaningful, impactful sign that will have the effect of educating the public and potentially changing their choice as far as alcohol consumption.

The design was borrowed from a prototype considered in Georgia, where that states Legislature weighed but declined to pass a similar bill, Gray said.

The House passed the amendment inserting it into Sumners underlying bill on May 6 by the narrowest of margins, 21-19, with the support of Sumner and a few other majority-caucus members. Final passage of the bill came with a House concurrence vote cast three minutes after midnight on Wednesday, considered the deadline for the legislative session.

Sumners bill was important to the business community, Gray said, even if that community may not have been very amenable to my bill, which might cause people to buy less alcohol.



In a way, this was probably the only vehicle to get this legislation across the finish line, he said.

Gray, on the day after the session ended, praised and thanked Sumner.

There are certain brave people who are willing to think for themselves, regardless of how the party may view their actions. So I think Jesse Sumner is a conservative politician, but he is absolutely willing to be independent from the party. And thats what I needed. Because this is not partisan policy; this is just good health policy, he said. Cancer, he added, doesnt care if youre Republican or Democrat. I think most folks want to prevent cancer.

The Alaska bill has gotten some national attention.

The Providence Imaging Centers mobile mammography unit is parked at Anchorages Bartlett High School on Saturday. Bartlett was the starting area for the Gold Nugget Triathlon, an all-female event attracting up to 1,600 participants each year. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

We applaud the Alaska state legislature for seeking to enable consumers to make more informed choices around alcohol, Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America, said in a statement. Alcohol-attributable cancers kill tens of thousands of Americans each year. The available evidence makes clear that most consumers fail to appreciate that risk. Policymakers in other states, and at the federal level, should follow Alaskas lead in warning consumers about alcohol cancer risk.

Only a few jurisdictions have required signs warning about the links between alcohol and cancer. In Ireland, for example, warning labels will be required on alcohol products starting in 2026. In Canadas Yukon Territory, an administrative policy launched in 2017 required such warning labels on alcoholic products, but that requirement was suspended within months.

California for decades has had a requiment for warning signs about cancer risks of various chemicals and substances, and alcoholic beverages are on the list.

Preventing copayment charges for detailed breast exams

As with the alcohol-cancer signage proposal, there had been a standalone bill concerning diagnostic breast examinations.

That measure, House Bill 285, was introduced by Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, after he and others were contacted about the issue by the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

As introduced by Fields, the bill aimed to bar private insurers from requiring patients to chip in for the costs for diagnostic mammograms, which are often required after routine mammograms show trouble spots, or other advanced examination technology such as magnetic resonance imaging, known as MRI, or ultrasounds. It is estimated that 15% of women are at high enough risk for breast cancer that they need the more advanced screenings, Fields said. Ultrasounds are also sometimes used to detect breast cancer in men.

That bill wound up being folded into a different health-insurance measure, Senate Bill 134, that concerned insurance data privacy.

While routine mammograms are fully covered by insurers, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act, the more detailed diagnostic examinations can be costly to patients. Often, the costs of copayment for such screening can be seen as prohibitive, discouraging many patients from getting them, according to Fields.

A study published in 2019 by the Susan G. Komen Foundation found that nationally, the median out-of-pocket costs range from $234 for a diagnostic breast mammogram to more than $1,000 for an MRI.

Fields said he became worried about House Bill 285s chances when it was grouped with a long list of other bills being considered by the House Rules Committee.

I just thought, the odds that this bill goes to the floor as a standalone are low, he said. My take was, lots of really good standalone bills die only because of time, and I was not going to let that happen.

He learned that Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, had introduced the insurance bill, he said. Kaufman and Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, worked really hard to roll it in there to ensure that we had two vehicles close to the finish line, because you never know which one is going to be first, Fields said.

As it turns out, Fields may not have needed to combine his bill with another. His standalone bill was passed out of the House Rules Committee and sent to the floor, where the House passed it on April 26 by a 37-1 vote.

Now, I was wrong in a good way, Fields said on Thursday, the morning after adjournment. However, You dont want to let your bill sit, sit, sit in Rules.

With passage of Senate Bill 134, Alaska joins the majority of U.S. states that have enacted or are considering legislation barring private insurers from charging copayment fees for diagnostic breast examinations.

Similar national measures are pending in Congress that would affect federally managed insurers, which the states legislation does not. There are bills in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate that would bar those insurers from requiring such copayments.

The post Alaska Legislature passes cancer-related bills as amendments to other legislation appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
On the last day of testimony in Trump's hush-money trial, a dozen or so grasping Trump sycophants dressed in the official elite MAGA uniforms of a red tie and blue suit (the troops wear the red hats) all gathered in the Manhattan courthouse to show their solidarity with their Dear Leader. The group included Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who weirdly excoriated "the ruling class" of which he and Donald Trump are very much members. "Saturday Night Live" alum Joe Piscopo showed up, as did former White House physician and current oddball congressman Ronny Jackson. Donald Trump Jr. was there for the first time as well, apparently inspired to attend as a MAGA follower rather than a family member in support of his father. It's become a daily self-abnegation ritual for those yearning to be on the inside of Trumpworld and that apparently includes his own son.

If it weren't for the boring blue suits and red ties, the daily tableau would be more reminiscent of a criminal gang than a political party. The groveling for the attention and approbation of "the Boss," the willingness to do absolutely anything for him (under threat of excommunication or worse), and the macho posturing and preening for each other and the public all look like mobbed-up behavior. In fact, one member of the group was an ex-con named Chuck Zito, founder of the New York Nomads chapter of the Hell's Angels, which was linked to the Gambino mafia crime family. He obviously felt quite at home. He showed up two days in a row.

Trump himself has often drawn comparisons of himself to mob bosses, proudly declaring that he's been indicted more than the "the late, great Alphonse Capone" all over the campaign trail. At his rallies, Trump often makes the point that Capone "was seriously tough" as if to say he's even tougher. Tim O'Brien, one of Trump's biographers, has said that Trump openly admires figures such as New York crime boss John Gotti and he's now it appears he's using some of Gotti's tactics in court:

The thing he respected about Gotti was that he  sat there in court and he looked at the jurors and he looked at the judge with a big F-U on his face.

He's selling that mug shot F-U on t-shirts which the MAGA faithful have turned into their version of the Che Guevara shirt.

Underlying all this is something serious, however. The threats to judges, prosecutors, witnesses and jurors are very real and the courts where Trump is being tried are all having to put in place protections, including a gag order, to keep the former president from threatening people. He was sanctioned 10 times for violating the order in his current case until he came up with the novel tactic of having his red-tied capos do the threatening for him. He even got the Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisana, to go before the cameras and personally put the judge's daughter in the cross hairs.

Tuesday marked the end of the presentation of evidence in the Trump hush money trial. All that's left is the summations, scheduled for next Tuesday and then deliberations will begin. Trump had boasted repeatedly that he was going to testify but, of course, he didn't. He hasn't explained why just yet but I'm sure he'll come up with an absurd excuse eventually. In reality, even he knows it would have been a terrible idea because it would have required him to studiously prepare and he can't do that. So he did the next best thing.

Last week he no doubt saw a lawyer by the name of Robert Costello testify before a hastily called hearing before the House subcommittee on the "Weaponization of the Federal Government." Republicans brought in Costello to slam Michael Cohen, who was in the midst of a days-long examination in Trump's trial. He claimed that he was Cohen's attorney for two months and that "virtually every statement he made about me was another lie.

At the time, most people didn't believe the defense would call Costello because the lawyers knew he would be a terrible witness but after his bravura performance, it's fair to guess that Trump pushed them to call him. It would be the next best thing to having Trump on the stand himself. Unfortunately for Trump, just like the goombahs in the red-ties, Costello was preening for the boss and Trump couldn't tell the difference. As with his good friend Giuliani, he's just an out-of-his-depth tough guy way past his sell-by date. His performance on the stand this week was a disaster.

Costello insulted the judge and caused a scene, almost getting cited for contempt. He was rude to the prosecutor, ordering her to speak into the microphone as if he was in charge of the courtroom. The judge even cleared the courtroom briefly to admonish him.

Trump probably thought he did great though and showed them who was boss. But the consensus is that Costello did very serious damage to the defense with his testimony. Trump's lawyers had done a pretty good job of dirtying up prosecution witness Michael Cohen over the course of a grueling cross-examination and the prosecution had rested on a bit of a sour note. And then along came Costello to turn the whole thing upside down by making Cohen seem like a nice honest fellow by comparison.

Emails between Costello and Cohen were read aloud to leave the indelible memory in the minds of the jurors that Trump and Giuliani were conspiring with Costello to make sure Cohen didn't cooperate with the government. There is even an email from Costello to Cohen saying, "Rudy said this communication channel must be maintained...sleep well tonight, you have friends in high places," and one from Costello to his law partner saying, "Our issue is to get Cohen on the right page without giving the appearance that we are following instructions from Giuliani or the President," (which they clearly were.) When Cohen didn't sign on with him right away he told his law partner Cohen was "slow-playing us and the President...What should I say to this asshole? He's playing with the most powerful man on the planet." Didn't he know who he was messing with?

Cohen had testified that he never retained Costello because he didn't trust him. It turns out he was right. By the end of the cross-examination, the prosecution had turned the defense argument that Cohen was just seeking revenge against Trump because he didn't get a job in the White House to Costello seeking revenge against Cohen for refusing to hire him to defend him and make him valuable to Donald Trump.

Trump the mob boss has always been careful not to put anything in writing and to speak in code to underlings so he never gets caught giving direct orders. Unfortunately, his soldiers aren't quite as careful. This one got him in real trouble by making it very clear that Donald Trump had leaned on Michael Cohen to keep his mouth shut. Why would an innocent man do such a thing?
This undated file photo provided by the National Space Science Center shows the high-frequency coherent scattering radars located in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- China has built a mid-latitude high-frequency radar network in the country's northern regions to provide high-quality detection data for global space weather forecast and warning.

The first batch of scientific detection results of the network was released at an international workshop of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), which opened in Beijing on Monday.

The network, constructed by the National Space Science Center (NSSC) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was completed in October 2023. It's also a part of the second phase of China's Meridian Project, a space weather monitoring network comprising ground-based stations.

China has made new breakthroughs in high-frequency coherent scattering radar technology and scientific research, and will deepen international cooperation in this field, said NSSC.

The ionosphere is home to all the charged particles in Earth's atmosphere. It's also home to many spacecraft including the space stations. Ionospheric irregularities can disrupt signals, scientists say.

Six high-frequency coherent scattering radars were set up in Jilin province, Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northern regions of China.

This high-frequency radar chain achieves large-scale continuous detection of ionospheric irregularities in mid and high latitudes of the Asian sector. The detection range can reach 4,000 km from south to north, and the east-west span exceeds 12,000 km, according to NSSC.

The high-frequency radar chain is expected to join the SuperDARN, a global network of scientific radars monitoring conditions in the near-Earth space environment, and realize real-time data exchange and sharing with databases in the United Kingdom and Canada.

The SuperDARN, which has members from a dozen of countries including the UK, the United States, Canada, Japan, China, France, Italy, Norway, Australia and South Africa, is also one of the main international organizations participating in the International Meridian Circle Program proposed by China.

Editor: JYZ
During four days of testimony in Donald Trump's trial, his estranged lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, supplied crucial evidence linking the former and possibly future president to the crimes alleged by New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Cohen said "the boss" instructed him to pay porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before the 2016 presidential election to keep her from talking about her alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Cohen said Trump also approved a plan to reimburse Cohen in 2017 through a series of payments disguised as compensation for legal services. Cohen was the only witness who gave direct support to the latter claim, which underlies the allegation that Trump falsified business recordsthe heart of the case.

One question for the jurors is whether to believe Cohen, a convicted felon and admitted liar with a powerful grudge against Trump and a financial interest in agitating for his imprisonment via books and podcasts. Another question is exactly what sort of intent is required to convict Trump not only of falsifying business records but of doing so to conceal "another crime," which elevates what would otherwise be 34 misdemeanors into 34 felonies. Here things get confusing because of the interacting statutes on which the prosecution is relying.

As a misdemeanor, falsifying business records requires only an "intent to defraud." If the jury believes the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump knew the checks to Cohen were falsely identified as payment for legal services, it will convict him of falsifying business records.

Trump personally signed nine of those 11 checks, which the stubs described as "retainer" payments. Although Trump designated Cohen as his personal lawyer after the election, Cohen testified that he never expected to be paid for that position, which he said he was glad to have mainly because of the business connections he thought it would facilitate. Cohen said he never had a retainer agreement with Trump.

Although Trump had to sign those checks because they were drawn on his personal account, his lawyers say, he was not aware of exactly how his bookkeepers characterized the payments. According to the defense team, Cohen presented invoices that the Trump Organization paid as a matter of course, and Trump was too busy with presidential duties to concern himself with the associated records.

To rebut that account, prosecutors presented testimony that Trump was a proud penny-pincher who never would have agreed to pay Cohen without knowing exactly what he was getting in return. The payments totaled $420,000. According to handwritten notes by Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, that included reimbursement for the hush payment, which he doubled to account for taxes, plus a bonus and a reimbursement for an unrelated expense. Prosecutors suggested it was implausible that Trump actually thought he was paying Cohen for his 2017 services as a personal lawyer, and Cohen testified that Trump signed off on Weisselberg's plan during a meeting at Trump Tower.

To prove that Trump is guilty of 34 felonies, however, the prosecution had to show that his "intent to defraud" included "an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof." Lead prosecutor Matthew Matthew Colangelo said the other crime was a violation of an obscure New York statute: Section 17-152 of the New York Election Law, which makes it a misdemeanor for "two or more persons" to "conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means."

Prosecutors say the "unlawful means" was Cohen's payment to Daniels: By fronting that money, he made an excessive campaign contribution, thereby violating the Federal Election Campaign Act. Cohen accepted that characterization, which hinges on the fuzzy distinction between personal and campaign expenditures, in a 2018 federal plea agreement that also resolved several other, unrelated charges against him. But Trump was never prosecuted for soliciting that "contribution," probably because it would have been hard to prove that he "knowingly and willfully" violated federal campaign finance regulations. If Trump thought the nondisclosure agreement with Daniels was perfectly legal, as his lawyers maintain, he did not have the intent required for a federal conviction.

Does that matter under Section 17-152? Since it appears this provision has never been enforced before, the answer is not clear. On its face, the statute requires only a conspiracy to promote an election "by unlawful means." It does not say the conspirators must recognize that the means are unlawful. But ordinarily under New York law, proving a criminal conspiracy requires proving "a specific intent to commit a crime." If Trump did not think Cohen's payment to Daniels was "unlawful," and it is plausible that he didn't, he did not have that "specific intent."

The uncertainty about Trump's understanding of federal campaign finance regulations also figures directly in the felony charges under the statute prohibiting falsification of business records. If Trump believed there was nothing illegal about paying off Daniels via Cohen, it is hard to see how he could have falsified business records with the intent to hide "another crime."

Prosecutors presented testimony from Cohen and other witnesses who said Trump's main motivation in silencing Daniels was neutralizing a threat to his election, which goes to the question of whether the payment qualified as a campaign expenditure. Cohen averred that Daniels' story, coming on the heels of the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women, would have been "catastrophic" to his campaign.

That seems doubtful in retrospect. Trump won the election despite the Access Hollywood tape and despite his well-known history of adultery, to which the alleged Daniels encounter merely would have added another chapter. And right now he seems poised to defeat Biden again, even though the Daniels story is common knowledge and even though a jury found him civilly liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll. But when it comes to proving that Trump should have recognized that the hush payment was an illegal campaign contribution, what matters is whether he was worried about the potential electoral impact of Daniels' account, as opposed to the embarrassment it would cause or the damage it would do to his reputation, brand, and business.

When Cohen asked Trump how his wife would respond to the Daniels story, Cohen testified, Trump did not seem concerned. "Don't worry, he goes," Cohen said. "He goes: 'How long do you think I will be on the market for? Not long.'" In other words, Cohen said, "He wasn't thinking about Melania. This was all about the campaign." In fact, Cohen testified, Trump initially hoped to never pay Daniels. If he could stall her until after the election, Cohen said, "it wouldn't matter" to Trump.

If so, you might wonder, why would Trump be so keen to keep the story under wraps even after the election? The prosecution says he was trying to hide the fact that he and Cohen had violated Section 17-152 by violating the Federal Election Campaign Act. That theory hinges on several doubtful premises.

As New York Times columnist David French notes, "the state election law that the prosecution cites may well be pre-empted by federal law and therefore be inapplicable to the case." Even if the state law does apply, the prosecution's theory assumes not only that Trump recognized Cohen's payment to Daniels as an illegal campaign contribution but also that he knew it was a violation of Section 17-152a provision so obscure that experts on New York election law say they have never seen a criminal case based on it.

It seems quite unlikely that Trump knew anything about that law, let alone that he anticipated how it might be construed by New York prosecutors. And if he did not know he could be accused of violating Section 17-152, how could he have falsified business records with the intent of covering up that alleged crime?

Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over Trump's trial, presumably will clarify these issues when he instructs the jurors prior to their deliberations, which are expected to begin next week. But the case presents such a tangle of interacting laws and mens rea puzzles that Trump will have ample grounds for appeal if he is convicted.

Those issues help explain why Bragg's predecessor, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., decided, after long consideration, that state charges based on the Daniels payment were too iffy to pursue. Mark Pomerantz, a former prosecutor in Vance's office who worked on the Trump investigation, concluded that "such a case was too risky under New York law." In a 2023 book, Pomerantz noted that "no appellate court in New York had ever upheld (or rejected) this interpretation of the law."

Pomerantz, who was so keen to build a criminal case against Trump that he agreed to work on the investigation for free, is by no means the only Trump critic who is skeptical of Bragg's case. "Numerous legal analysts, including people who are no friends of Trump, have expressed grave reservations about the case," French notes, "in large part because of the difficulty of linking the falsified records to an additional, separate crime."

While French condemns Trump's "morally repugnant" conduct, he emphasizes that "immorality alone doesn't make him a criminal." And he worries about the consequences of a conviction that is overturned on appeal. "Imagine a scenario in which Trump is convicted at the trial, Biden condemns him as a felon and the Biden campaign runs ads mocking him as a convict," he writes. "If Biden wins a narrow victory but then an appeals court tosses out the conviction, this case could well undermine faith in our democracy and the rule of law."

The problem, of course, goes beyond public perceptions. If Bragg is prosecuting Trump in a desperate, last-ditch attempt to prevent him from reoccupying the White Houseand that is certainly how it lookshe is abusing his powers and perverting the law. The case seems to exemplify the very sort of misconduct that Trump's opponents fear he will commit if he wins the election.

The post Alvin Bragg's Case Against Trump Presents a Tangle of Interacting Laws and Intent Puzzles appeared first on Reason.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers detained someone who is accused of stealing an ambulance in Northwest Wednesday afternoon.

DC police recovers 50 illegal guns in 7 days

MPD said officers were in the 3800 block of 14th St. NW investigating.

Officials said while crews were transferring a patient to AMR, somebody took the ambulance.

Police recovered the ambulance at Howard University Hospital and then took that person into custody.

No injuries were reported and the ambulance did not appear to have any damages, officials 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The D.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DCAAP) unveiled a new initiative Tuesday to address gun violence in the District.

Our prescription for the district is really a call to action for all people who interact with children who live, work and play, explained Nia Bodrick, a pediatrician and the president of the DCAAP.

Prescription for the District, or Rx4DC, urges local leaders and stakeholders to adopt preventative approaches to reducing violence.

Among the actions prescribed include an increase in community spaces, funding for out-of-school time, more support for school attendance, improving mental health access and prioritizing economic investment.

Its sort of like taking your fruits and vegetables to live a healthier life, said Bodrick. Prevention is key. What are all the things, all the assets in our communities that we can build upon to prevent some of these dangerous outcomes like violence in communities?

DCs AG introduces legislation to curb high juvenile recidivism rates in District

Bodrick said violence is a public health issue.

So far this year, seven juveniles have been killed by gun violence, including 3-year-old Tyah Settles.

The number of homicides overall is nearing 70.

I think violence affects everyone, said Bodrick. It affects those who are the victims, the perpetrators, the communities. It can have a lasting effect on the growth and development of children.

The DCAAP is calling on all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards solutions.

The initiative was presented at the organizations annual spring symposium.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
American Airlines backtracks after saying 9-year-old girl 'should have known' flight attendant was filming her in the bathroom: lawsuit

American Airlines backtracks after saying 9-year-old girl 'should have known' flight attendant was filming her in the bathroom: lawsuit

American Airlines is facing backlash for blaming a 9-year-old girl in a hidden camera lawsuit.

The airline's defense claimed the girl should have seen the phone filming her in the bathroom, court document show.

Lawyers amended the court record after criticism; American Airlines says it does not blame the child.

American Airlines is facing backlash after saying that a 9-year-old girl should have seen the cellphone filming her in the bathroom in its initial lawsuit defense.

Paul Llewellyn, an attorney for the girl's family, told Business Insider that the airline placing blame on the 9-year-old was "shocking." Llewellyn is representing several families who claim Estes Carter Thompson filmed their children on American Airlines flights in separate civil lawsuits against the airline.

Lawyers for the airline amended the court record to remove the claims of fault placed on the girl.

Thompson, a former flight attendant for the airline, is also facing federal charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse.

Federal authorities charged Thompson after police say he taped his phone to a toilet seat during a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston to film a 14-year-old girl in September 2023. Thompson pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Llewellyn is representing that girl's family in a civil lawsuit against the airline. The lawsuit alleged Thompson used "psychological tricks" to make her think the filming wasn't strange. He is also representing the family of a 9-year-old girl, who says Thompson filmed her in the bathroom during a flight from Texas to Los Angeles in January 2023.

The family of the 9-year-old became aware of the incident after FBI agents informed them that images of their child were found on Thompson's iCloud account, according to the lawsuit.

In a response to the family's complaint, lawyers for America Airlines denied negligence on the part of the airline, claiming that the girl "knew or should have known" that the bathroom was "compromised" because it "contained a visible and illuminated recording device."

The 9-year-old girl's mother said in a statement that the family was both "shocked and angered" by the defense.

"How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion?" the family said. "American Airlines has no shame."

American Airlines told Business Insider in a statement that it does "not believe this child is at fault, and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously."

"Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing," American said in the statement. "The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning."

Llewellyn said that the airline's defense is "not credible" and that "the bell can't be unrung."

"They should never have taken such a position in the first," Llewellyn said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
American Airlines blames girl, 9, for not noticing she was being recorded by flight attendant in bathroom

American Airlines legal team has blamed a nine-year-old girl for an incident in which one of its former employees filmed her while she was using an airplane bathroom.

The airline is being sued in a Texas court after a now-former flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, used a recording device to film girls between the ages of seven and 14 years old using the American Airlines bathroom for several months in 2023.

After Mr Thompsons arrest, the family of a nine-year-old victim sued the airline, alleging that the company should have known he was a danger to guests.

On Monday, a lawyer representing the airline wrote in a filing that the little girl should have been aware that a device was recording her while she was using the bathroom.

Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device, the filing said.

The attorney representing the victim told the New York Post that her family is absolutely livid.

Estes Carter Thompson III was arrested earlier this year

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? the girls mother said in a statement, according to WCVB. It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.

I was absolutely shocked and I think its outrageous, attorney Paul Llewellyn told The Post. The idea that American Airlines and its lawyers would blame a nine-year-old girl for being filmed, in my opinion, just smacks of desperation and depravity.

The Independent has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

The little girl was allegedly filmed during a January 2023 flight. She and her family flew from their home in Austin, Texas, to Disneyland.

In September of that year, a 14-year-old girl from North Carolina noticed that an iPhone was recording her while she was using the bathroom. Her discovery ultimately led to the arrest of Mr Thompson in January of this year.

The parents of the 14-year-old victim offered their sympathies to the Texas parents after American Airlines blamed the child in its lawsuit.

A former American Airlines flight attendant allegedly filmed a nine-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom. Attorneys representing the company blamed her for not noticing the recording device (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

This callous legal position shocks us. Our hearts go out to the Texas family, they said in a statement.

Police found that Mr Thompson had recorded girls on at least four occasions.

Mr Thompson has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child sexual abuse material depicting a minor, according to the Boston Herald. His next court date is 1 July.

In addition to blaming the nine-year-old victim, American Airlines also made clear that Mr Thompsons alleged recording of children while they used the bathroom was outside the course and scope of his employment.

In my view, it just smacks of desperation, Mr Llewellyn told WCVB. Really, are they going to stand up in front of a Texas jury and point to a nine-year-old and say, Don't blame us, its her fault.
Is American Airlines blaming a child for a flight attendant trying to film her in toilet?

In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? RealityCheck@star-telegram.com.

American Airlines faced backlash this week when attorneys responding to a lawsuit over a 9-year-old being filmed in plane lavatories by a flight attendant appeared to blame the girl for the alleged peeping.

But what exactly did the attorneys say, and is that what Fort Worth-based American Airlines really believes?

In a routine filing by attorneys for the airline on Monday, the company denied several of the claims made by the family of the girl. In denying negligence by the airline, the attorneys wrote that American would show that any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by the girl were caused by her own fault and negligence, and by her using a compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.

This photo shows a phone allegedly hidden on a lavatory seat on an American Airlines plane by flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III, who faces federal charges.

American Airlines issued a statement Wednesday that called the attorneys filing in a Travis County federal court an error.

Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing, the airline said in a statement. The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning. We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously.

The airline continued that its core mission is to care for people  and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team.

Not everyone is buying it.

Paul Llewellyn, a San Francisco-based attorney representing the girls family, said in an email that Americans explanation was simply not credible.

American Airlines has clearly faced intense media and public backlash over their blaming of a 9-year-old for being filmed. To claim that they filed the wrong answer is simply not credible. But the bell cannot be unrung. They should never have taken such a position in the first place, he said.

 Here's what else we've Reality Checked:

 Migrant crime in Tarrant? We got the numbers.

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What are the allegations against American Airlines?

In February, the family filed a lawsuit against American Airlines alleging that while on a flight from Austin to Los Angeles, their 9-year-old daughter got up to use the restroom. The flight attendant told her to wait outside while he cleaned up a mess.

The girl then used the restroom and returned to her seat.

According to the lawsuit, FBI agents showed up at the familys home almost a year later and told them their daughter had been secretly filmed by flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, of Charlotte. The authorities had been investigating Thompson on allegations of trying to film another child who was 14 at the time.

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Thompson was arrested in January and is in federal custody on charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. In April, Thompson was indicted by a federal grand jury the charges.

The 9-year-old has since been terrified and deeply concerned about her personal safety, according to the familys lawsuit, and suffers from depression, irritability and anxiety. The suit does not specify the amount of damages the family is seeking.

In the same court filing by the attorneys representing American, which the airline now says was in error, the attorneys also say the company was not at fault because Thompsons actions were performed outside of the scope of his employment, and American was not liable.

The filing went on to say that American is not responsible for intentional acts or crimes committed by its employees including defendant Thompson.

American is also facing a lawsuit from the family of the 14-year-old. The girl from North Carolina got up to use the restroom and saw a cell phone taped to the toilet seat lid on a flight from Charlotte to Boston. She told her parents, and law enforcement met the plane when it landed.

Shortly after that incident, a search of Thompsons iCloud account revealed four more instances between January and August 2023 of him recording minors using lavatories on planes. The victims were said to be 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old.

Prosecutors also allege that Thompsons account had hundreds of images of AI-generated child pornography.

Thompson could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

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American Airlines later released a statement distancing the company from the filing, saying attorneys had made a mistake and that the defense will be changed

Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority via AP, File Estes Carter Thompson III

Attorneys for American Airlines claimed in a court filing this week that a 9-year-old who was allegedly filmed by a flight attendants hidden phone in an airplane bathroom is to blame for the incident.

In response to the amended civil lawsuit filed in Travis County, Texas, on April 20, and brought by the family of the 9-year-old girl, attorneys for the company suggested in a Monday, May 20, filing that the unnamed alleged victim was at fault since she should have been aware that she was being recorded while using the bathroom during a January 2023 flight from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, Calif.

"Any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device, the filing, which was reviewed by PEOPLE, states.

The companys attorneys also said in the filing that the accused flight attendant, identified as Estes Carter Thompson III, was not acting within the course and scope of his employment at the time of the alleged wrongful conduct against Plaintiff.

Related: Flight Attendant Arrested for Allegedly Filming Minors in Airplane Bathroom

In an emailed statement to PEOPLE, the 9-year-old girls attorney said he is outraged at the companys defense.

To blame a 9 year old for being filmed while using the airplane bathroom is both shocking and outrageous, said Paul Llewellyn, Lewis & Llewellyn LLP. In my opinion this is a depraved legal strategy that sinks to a new low. American Airlines should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed, the girls mother added in a statement shared with PEOPLE. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.

American Airlines later released a statement condemning the filing, saying the companys attorneys made a mistake and that the defense will be changed.

Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing, the emailed statement shared with PEOPLE reads. The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning. We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously. Our core mission is to care for people  and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team.

When the the 9-year-old girl walked to the bathroom during the Jan. 26, 2023 flight, Thompson allegedly asked her to wait, went into the bathroom before her, and told her that he needed to clean up a mess in the lavatory before she used it, according to the lawsuit, which was also reviewed by PEOPLE.

Thompson then entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him while the girl waited. Moments later, Thompson exited the bathroom and the girl went inside, where she partially undressed to use the toilet. She then went back to her seat, according to the lawsuit.

Defendant Thompson saved images of Mary Does face, unclothed buttocks and genitalia to his iCloud account, the lawsuit alleges.

This isnt the first time Thompson has been accused of secretly recording a minor with his phone. Thompson was arrested in January in Lynchburg, Va., after he allegedly filmed a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom in September 2023 on a flight from Charlotte, N.C. to Boston, Mass, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office at the time. He has been in federal custody since.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Prosecutors allege Thompson convinced the 14-year-old girl to use the facilities in the first-class section of the plane and escorted her there.

He allegedly entered the bathroom before her and told her that the toilet seat was broken. When she entered the bathroom, the alleged victim saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid that indicated the toilet seat was broken. Thompson's iPhone was allegedly taped and hidden under the stickers so that he could record video, the statement claims.

The minor victim used her phone to take a picture of the red stickers and the concealed iPhone she found in the lavatory before exiting, at which time Thompson allegedly re-entered it immediately, per the statement. The 14-year-old subsequently informed her parents, who reported the incident to the crew onboard, who then notified authorities.

Authorities allege Thompson also had other surreptitiously recorded videos on his phone of minor females using the bathroom on aircrafts he previously worked on.

The minor victims allegedly depicted in the surreptitious recordings were seven, nine, 11 and 14 years old at the time, investigators said in the statement. Additionally, over 50 images of a nine-year-old unaccompanied minor were allegedly found in Thompsons iCloud.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement shared last month that all minor victims involved in this matter have been identified and their families contacted by law enforcement.

In April, Thompson, 36, of Charlotte, N.C., was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor in connection with the alleged incident involving the 14-year-old girl, prosecutors said.

According to NBC Boston, KVUE, and Boston.com, Thompson pleaded not guilty to the two counts against him in federal court on May 20. He is expected back in court on July 1, Boston.com reports.

PEOPLE couldn't immediately identify an attorney who could speak on Thompsons behalf.



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(NEXSTAR)  American Airlines says a legal filing blaming a 9-year-old whom a former American Airlines flight attendant is accused of secretly recording inside a plane lavatory was made in error.

In the initial a court document, American Airlines attorneys suggested that the child should have known there was a recording device, writing, defendant would show that any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence.

On Tuesday, the attorney representing the 9-year-old, as well as a 14-year-old from North Carolina, blasted the defense tactic.

To blame a 9 year old for being filmed while using the airplane bathroom is both shocking and outrageous, Paul Llewellyn, of Lewis & Llewellyn LLP, told Nexstar in a statement. In my opinion this is a depraved legal strategy that sinks to a new low. American Airlines should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

American Airlines flight attendant arrested after teen reports phone taped to toilet seat

The families of the two children are suing the airline and the ex-employee accused of recording them, Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

FILE  This undated inmate photo provided by the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority shows Estes Carter Thompson III. The American Airlines flight attendant pleaded not guilty Monday, May 20, 2024, on charges of trying to secretly video record a 14-year-old female passenger using an airplane bathroom last September. Police have also alleged that Thompson had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked. (Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority via AP, File)

FILE  In this photo provided by the law firm Lewis & Llewellyn LLP, an iPhone is taped to the back of a toilet seat on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, N.C., to Boston, Sept. 2, 2023. Estes Carter Thompson III, an American Airlines flight attendant, pleaded not guilty Monday, May 20, 2024, on charges of trying to secretly video record a 14-year-old female passenger using an airplane bathroom last September. Police have also alleged that Thompson had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked. (Lewis & Llewellyn LLP via AP, File)

How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? the 9-year-olds mother told Nexstar in a statement via her attorney.

On Wednesday, an American Airline spokesperson reached out to Nexstar with the following statement:

Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing. The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning. We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously. Our core mission is to care for people  and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team.  American Airlines

2024_05-20-AA-Answer-to-First-Amended-PetitionDownload

Police arrested Thompson in January, 2024. He was indicted in April on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Investigators say that during a flight on Sept. 2, 2023, from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old girl left her seat to use the bathroom, but found it occupied. Thompson took her to a first-class lavatory, but before she could use it he told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, she told investigators.

After he left, the 14-year-old said she walked in and noticed red stickers across the underside of the open toilet seat that were concealing an iPhone.

Investigators say that Thompson had recordings of four girls  including two others ages 7 and 11  that were taken inside plane bathrooms. He also allegedly had hundreds of AI-generated images depicting child sexual abuse on a personal iCloud account.

Thompson, who has been in federal custody since he was arrested in Lynchburg, Virginia, entered a not guilty plea Monday in a Boston federal courtroom.

American Airlines told Nexstar in January that Thompson was withheld from service after the Sept. 2023 incident, and that he didnt work again, adding:

We take these allegations very seriously. They do not reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people. We have been fully cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation, as there is nothing more important than the safety and security of our customers and team.  American Airlines

Thompsons next court date is set for July 1. He faces up to five years of prison time, lifetime supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and potential restitution.

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 Queen City News.
American Airlines Walks Back Claim That 9-Year-Old 'Should Have Known' Plane Toilet Had Camera

American Airlines has condemned a filing from its legal team that suggested a 9-year-old girl, who was allegedly filmed using an in-flight lavatory by a flight attendant, was at fault for what happened to her.

In a Monday legal filing, which came in response to a civil lawsuit from the 9-year-olds family, attorneys argued the child knew or should have known about the visible and illuminated recording device in the bathroom.

After backlash from the public and the girls family, American Airlines said that outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company had made an error in the filing.

The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning, an airline spokesperson told HuffPost in an email. We do not believe this child is at fault and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously.

The attorneys who authored the defense filing have not responded to a request for comment from HuffPost.

The child, identified in the suit as Mary Doe, was onboard a flight with her parents to Los Angeles in January 2023 when flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III allegedly hid a camera inside the planes lavatory, according to a legal filing obtained by HuffPost.

The suit, filed in February, said the 9-year-old met Thompson when she got up to use the lavatory on the flight. Thompson allegedly told the girl he needed to clean up a mess before she went in.

The girl used the lavatory after he left, and returned to her seat without knowing she had been recorded, according to the lawsuit. The family found out what happened when federal authorities informed them images and videos of Doe had been discovered on Thompsons iCloud account, the lawsuit said.

American Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on Jan. 11, 2023, in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Federal authorities arrested Thompson in Virginia earlier this year on charges including sexual exploitation of children after a 14-year-old girl said she caught him also trying to film her in a plane lavatory in September.

A probable cause affidavit following Thompsons arrest alleged he had also filmed other young girls in airplane bathrooms.

The argument that the 9-year-old should have known about the recording device appeared, among other defenses, in the airlines answer to the lawsuit.

Defendant would show that any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiffs use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device, the airlines legal response read.

The legal filing also argued that the airline was not responsible for alleged crimes committed by employees, and that Thompson was not acting within the course and scope of his employment during the incident.

The familys attorney, Paul Llewellyn, told HuffPost on Tuesday that the airline should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for claiming the child was at fault.

To blame a 9 year old for being filmed while using the airplane bathroom is both shocking and outrageous, Llewellyn told HuffPost in a statement. In my opinion this is a depraved legal strategy that sinks to a new low.

Attorneys for the family sent HuffPost a statement from the victims mother, who said the airlines response both shocks and angers us.

Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed, the mother said. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion?

Thompson has remained in federal custody since his arrest, but pleaded not guilty on Monday to sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor, NBC Boston reports.

Related...
Amid discussion of new prisons, some lawmakers on budget panel call for reforms

State Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City, participates in a 2023 meeting at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A comparison with North Dakota caused some lawmakers on South Dakotas legislative budget committee to say Tuesday that changes are needed to curb high incarceration numbers.

The discussion came as South Dakota prepares to build a new mens prison near Sioux Falls and a new womens prison in Rapid City, for a combined estimated cost of around $800 million.

I would dare say its probably not too late for the Legislature to pivot maybe in their philosophy for how we handle things in the state of South Dakota, said Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City, the co-chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, agreed.

It is time for us as a state to look at how we are focusing on individuals who are incarcerated, and how we help them reenter society, she said.

Sen. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, added the cost of incarceration is very high for a state that doesnt like to tax very much.

The bipartisan sentiment was shared as Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko and lawmakers discussed the price tags associated with new prison construction.

The Legislature has set aside $567 million over the past several years for the mens prison that the state plans to build in rural Lincoln County, south of Sioux Falls and Harrisburg. Wasko said the full price for the new mens prison should be known in the coming months, but did not offer an estimate. During the most recent legislative session, the Bureau of Finance and Management said the cost could grow to $700 million.

The mens prison will largely replace the 143-year-old penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Meanwhile, the state is also planning and has set aside money for an $87 million womens prison in Rapid City, to ease overcrowding at the womens prison in Pierre.

With an incarceration rate of 824 per 100,000 residents as of 2021, the state was locking up a higher percentage of its people than any democratic country on earth, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Prison Policy Initiative.

Derby said he heard North Dakota had half as many people incarcerated as South Dakota, despite the states having similar populations.

Is there maybe things we can do legislatively that would reduce the future number of inmates? he asked.

Its actually a little stunning, Wasko said, regarding the differences between North Dakota and South Dakota. Youre correct. South Dakota has about double the number of incarcerated inmates as North Dakota.

Wasko said North Dakota has about 1,850 inmates compared to South Dakotas 3,800. But North Dakotas focus on probation and other methods to keep people out of prison has come with a cost: North Dakota has 2,200 correctional employees, compared to South Dakotas 1,100, and North Dakota spends $220 million annually on corrections, compared to $145 million in South Dakota, according to Wasko.

Wasko said North Dakota has a very robust probation program and a lot of pre-sentencing programs that South Dakota does not have.

North Dakota is investing in the corrections philosophy, and I think were catching up, she said. I think its just, with our institutions and some of our policies, I think that South Dakota is catching up.

She also said there are differences in sentencing.

Again, I dont have to remind anybody, South Dakota is the only state in the United States that has ingestion as a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, Wasko said.

Wasko said the highest convicted crime for 241 prisoners in South Dakota is drug ingestion, and 236 of them are serving the maximum sentence of five years.

Duba reflected on a failed bill to roll back the states ingestion sentencing law in 2020.

And of course, it died painfully in committee, she said. Unfortunately, there is a mentality in our state right now  it resides with a group of people  that, lets just lock them up, versus, lets rehabilitate them.

Derby said its not too late for change.

In the business world, if I had this information, Id be making different decisions, he said.

According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed laws in 2017 that focused on reducing jail time for people who committed minor crimes or broke probation rules. The state also spent $7.5 million to improve community behavioral health services and increase the number of providers through the Free Through Recovery program. By mid-2022, 2,700 people had participated in the program.

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The post Amid discussion of new prisons, some lawmakers on budget panel call for reforms appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Tea, originating from ancient China, has now become one of the world's three major beverages, beloved globally. Last year, "China traditional tea-making skills and related customs" was officially listed in the representative list of human intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Chinese tea culture is extensive and profound, encompassing six major types of tea: red, green, yellow, white, blue, and black, as well as reprocessed teas such as flower-scented teas. On May 21, the fourth "International Tea Day," we can learn about tea, appreciate the charm of tea culture, and master the art of scientific tea drinking.

Photo taken on May 20, 2024 shows a high-speed rail attendant guiding passengers in tea painting on train G2807. (Su Yang/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 20, 2024 shows students from Shijiazhuang Finance and Economics Vocational College learning tea art from a tea artist during a tea art class in north China's Hebei Province. (Zhang Xiaofeng/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 21, 2024 shows staff members demonstrating tea art at a tea house in Duyun City, Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xiao Wei/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 21, 2024 shows a tea artist demonstrating tea art to children at a tea house in the urban area of Zunhua City, north China's Hebei Province. (Liu Mancang/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 21, 2024 shows a tea artist showcasing tea art at a tea business in Yunyang District, Shiyan City, central China's Hubei Province. (Cao Zhonghong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 20, 2024 shows a tea art teacher and students conducting a tea art demonstration in the tea art room of Beijie Primary School in Gaocheng District, Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province. (Liang Zidong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on May 18, 2024 shows children sharing tea at the fifth "International Tea Day" and the seventh International Youth Friendship Tea Party held at Chaoyang Park in Beijing, capital of China. (Chen Xiaogen/Guangming Picture)

Editor: WXY
State Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City, participates in a 2023 meeting at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A comparison with North Dakota caused some lawmakers on South Dakotas legislative budget committee to say Tuesday that changes are needed to curb high incarceration numbers.

The discussion came as South Dakota prepares to build a new mens prison near Sioux Falls and a new womens prison in Rapid City, for a combined estimated cost of around $800 million.

I would dare say its probably not too late for the Legislature to pivot maybe in their philosophy for how we handle things in the state of South Dakota, said Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City, the co-chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, agreed.

It is time for us as a state to look at how we are focusing on individuals who are incarcerated, and how we help them reenter society, she said.

Sen. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, added the cost of incarceration is very high for a state that doesnt like to tax very much.

The bipartisan sentiment was shared as Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko and lawmakers discussed the price tags associated with new prison construction.

The Legislature has set aside $567 million over the past several years for the mens prison that the state plans to build in rural Lincoln County, south of Sioux Falls and Harrisburg. Wasko said the full price for the new mens prison should be known in the coming months, but did not offer an estimate. During the most recent legislative session, the Bureau of Finance and Management said the cost could grow to $700 million.

The mens prison will largely replace the 143-year-old penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Meanwhile, the state is also planning and has set aside money for an $87 million womens prison in Rapid City, to ease overcrowding at the womens prison in Pierre.

With an incarceration rate of 824 per 100,000 residents as of 2021, the state was locking up a higher percentage of its people than any democratic country on earth, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Prison Policy Initiative.

Derby said he heard North Dakota had half as many people incarcerated as South Dakota, despite the states having similar populations.

Is there maybe things we can do legislatively that would reduce the future number of inmates? he asked.

Its actually a little stunning, Wasko said, regarding the differences between North Dakota and South Dakota. Youre correct. South Dakota has about double the number of incarcerated inmates as North Dakota.

Wasko said North Dakota has about 1,850 inmates compared to South Dakotas 3,800. But North Dakotas focus on probation and other methods to keep people out of prison has come with a cost: North Dakota has 2,200 correctional employees, compared to South Dakotas 1,100, and North Dakota spends $220 million annually on corrections, compared to $145 million in South Dakota, according to Wasko.

Wasko said North Dakota has a very robust probation program and a lot of pre-sentencing programs that South Dakota does not have.

North Dakota is investing in the corrections philosophy, and I think were catching up, she said. I think its just, with our institutions and some of our policies, I think that South Dakota is catching up.

She also said there are differences in sentencing.

Again, I dont have to remind anybody, South Dakota is the only state in the United States that has ingestion as a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, Wasko said.

Wasko said the highest convicted crime for 241 prisoners in South Dakota is drug ingestion, and 236 of them are serving the maximum sentence of five years.

Duba reflected on a failed bill to roll back the states ingestion sentencing law in 2020.

And of course, it died painfully in committee, she said. Unfortunately, there is a mentality in our state right now  it resides with a group of people  that, lets just lock them up, versus, lets rehabilitate them.

Derby said its not too late for change.

In the business world, if I had this information, Id be making different decisions, he said.

According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed laws in 2017 that focused on reducing jail time for people who committed minor crimes or broke probation rules. The state also spent $7.5 million to improve community behavioral health services and increase the number of providers through the Free Through Recovery program. By mid-2022, 2,700 people had participated in the program.

South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Amid discussion of new prisons, some South Dakota lawmakers call for reforms appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
On-site amputation for Grovetown construction worker after leg stuck in concrete curb machine, says Grovetown Police

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WJBF)  According to Grovetown Fire Rescue Chief Wayne Kent, a worker at a construction site inside the Deer Hollow Subdivision in Grovetown has had an work-related accident and became entangled with a concrete curb machine that extrudes concrete or asphalt for roadway curbing projects.

Grovetown Fire Rescue was called to the scene around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, and, according to Chief Kent, began a prolonged extrication of the victim.

According to descriptions of the machine involved in the accident, inside it rotating augers pull concrete or asphalt through the machine smoothly and extrude it in a curbing shape beneath the machine.

During an assessment of the injured worker, according to Grovetown Fire Recue, first responders determined theyd need help freeing the injured worker and called a team of emergency physicians from Wellstar MCG Health to assist with the extrication.

According to Grovetown Police Department and a witness who called the accident in to WJBF said that an on-site amputation of a lower extremity had to be performed to free the victims leg, which was stuck inside the machine.

After the worker was freed from the curb machine, the Wellstar MCG Health AirCare was called and landed in the subdivision and airlifted the patient to an area hospital.

In addition to Grovetown Fire Rescue and Grovetown Police Department, Columbia County Fire Rescue confirms that they were also called to the scene along Deer Hollow Run and provided mutual aide, with Grovetown Fire Rescue leading the rescue operation.

The scene was cleared shortly after noon Wednesday, according to Grovetown Fire Rescue.

No further information on the health status of the injured worker is available at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls

Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on May 22, 2024.

Tuesdays Republican legislative primaries delivered as promised.

They were turbulent.

Fifteen incumbents lost  including, in what could be a historic primary upset, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder.

The House and Senate caucuses appear poised to shift further to the right, thanks in large part to a series of upsets in the Magic Valley.

Outside PAC money made the primaries more costly and more caustic. Even so, the big spenders success rate was mixed, as some negative campaigns fizzled out.

Theres a lot to process.

And it picks up where we left off in 2022, with Statehouse turnover.

Two years ago, the primaries claimed 20 GOP incumbents  a purge that seemed like a fluke, compared to previous election cycles. Tuesdays turnover didnt quite reach that level, but it was still dramatic.

One upset could have a profound impact on education policy. Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, a retired teacher and administrator, brought a moderate and unapologetically pro-public school mindset to her job as House Education Committee chair. As a result, her committee was frequently bypassed, as House leadership routed school choice and library bills to other committees. Yamamoto lost Tuesday to a challenger to her right, Kent Marmon of Caldwell.

A fellow moderate, Vice Chair Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, narrowly won her own primary Tuesday, and stands next in line to head House Education. But House leadership isnt obligated to promote a vice chair. The only guarantee here is turnover  which could prove to be minor, or major.

Winders ouster was Tuesdays biggest upset. Winder, R-Boise, had served 16 years in the Senate, 14 of them in some spot in GOP leadership. His loss to a relative unknown, Meridian Republican Josh Keyser, isnt completely unprecedented. In 1988, then-Senate President Pro Tem Jim Risch lost in the general election to Boise Democrat Mike Burkett. But its another matter  and perhaps unprecedented  for the Senates top leader to lose in a party primary.

Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, R-Boise

Winders departure creates a vacuum at the top of Senate leadership, and sets up a showdown between the Senates mainstream GOP faction and its rising hardline faction.

Hardliners are poised to gain seats in the Senate GOP caucus. Two Senate hardliners lost Tuesday: first-term Sens. Scott Herndon of Sagle and Chris Trakel of Caldwell. But barring any upsets in Novembers general election, four new or returning hardliners could join the Senate: Keyser, Brandon Shippy of New Plymouth, Joshua Kohl of Twin Falls and former Sen. Christy Zito of Hammett.

The Senate GOP caucus  sharply split when Winder was re-elected pro tem in 2022  could be more deeply divided now.

Hardliners also made gains in the House, even after losing incumbents like Reps. Jacyn Gallagher, R-Weiser, and Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot.

Its also significant to note where the headliners picked up ground and unseated moderate incumbents.

Kohl led a conservative surge in Twin Falls County  a reliably Republican stronghold that has long favored mainstream to center-right candidates.

Zito headed up a hardline sweep in sprawling legislative District 8, which takes in Elmore, Valley, Custer and Lemhi counties. All three of District 8s incumbents lost, including Rep. Matt Bundy of Mountain Home, a high school teacher who served on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Megan Blanksma of Hammett, a fervent backer of the Idaho Launch postsecondary grant program.

The turnover  and the Legislatures potential shift to the right  came after a torrent of independent campaign spending. And, arguably, despite the torrent of independent spending.

None of the big-dollar PACs ran the table Tuesday, and several had a downright spotty night:

The Idaho Liberty PAC  backed by mainstream business groups that are closely tied to Gov. Brad Little  put most of their $941,000 into negative messaging against four first-term Senate hardliners. Only one of their primary targets lost: Trakel.

Make Liberty Win, aligned with Texas-based Young Americans for Liberty, spent $656,000, and directed almost $110,000 at a big-money blitzkrieg at House Speaker Mike Moyle. Several of the groups other key targets also survived Tuesdays primary. The group did spend $104,000 targeting Winder, and the money had to be a factor at some level. But Winder had already accumulated baggage, partly because of his own battles with senators of his own party.

The Idaho Federation for Children PAC fared reasonably well with its $303,000. The group used much of its money getting retribution against first-term Reps. Melissa Durrant of Kuna and Kenny Wroten of Nampa, who opposed a private school tuition tax credit bill. The group also rewarded two school choice supporters, Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree. The group missed on two other races, including the Winder race.

Right 2 Learn, an anti-school choice group funded largely by the Idaho Education Association, spent nearly $130,000 and whiffed on its big race. Right 2 Learn spent close to $77,000 targeting Horman, JFACs powerful co-chair, and supporting one of Hormans opponents, Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti, a school choice critic.

In all, state elections officials have seen at least a $2 million surge in outside spending this year  for a midterm primary without any statewide races.

We just have never experienced this kind of outside money coming in, Secretary of State Phil McGrane said Tuesday.

Whether that spree continues might depend on whether outside groups get what they consider an adequate return on a speculative investment. Do they get enough for their money, ousting or promoting some candidates while wagering on some races that become lost causes?

Regardless, the outside spending fed into a brutish primary campaign. The messaging was long on negativity, short on nuance. But that also fit in with races where many candidates fell neatly into mainstream and hardline camps, without a lot of gray area on the issues.

The end result: a string of legislative primaries that felt less like retail elections and more like miniature congressional races.

If thats the way of the future, expect more big spending, an ongoing fight over the GOPs balance of power  and more turnover and turmoil.

Kevin Richert writes a weekly analysis on education policy and education politics. Look for his stories each Thursday. Due to the timeliness of the topic, this weeks analysis was published on Wednesday, May 22.

The post Analysis: A turbulent Idaho primary election, and maybe a glimpse into the future appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Crosby-Schyen Codex, sold for millions at auction, gives a glimpse into the history of early Christianity

An important piece of early Christian history, the Crosby-Schyen Codex, sold for nearly US$3.9 million on June 11, 2024, at Christies in London. This codex is a mid-fourth century book from Egypt containing a combination of biblical and other early Christian texts.

The Crosby-Schyen Codex was discovered alongside more than 20 other codices near Dishna, Egypt, in 1952. These manuscripts are collectively known as the Dishna Papers or the Bodmer Papyri, after the Swiss collector Martin Bodmer.

Though often overshadowed by other 20th century discoveries, this trove of ancient manuscripts represents one of the most significant finds for understanding the history of early Christianity. As a scholar of early Christian reading practices, I consider the Dishna Papers an invaluable witness to the formation of the Christian Bible. This ancient library shows how, before the consolidation of the Bible, early Christians read canonical and non-canonical scriptures  as well as pagan classics  side by side.

An overshadowed discovery

The middle decades of the 20th century were exciting years for scholars of early Christianity.

In 1945, a collection of 13 ancient codices was discovered near Nag Hammadi, Egypt. These contained dozens of otherwise unknown works, mostly associated with minority and marginalized forms of early Christianity. With titles like The Gospel of Thomas and The Secret Revelation of John, this cache of non-canonical scriptures captured the publics imagination and inspired a bestseller.

Codices found at Nag Hammadi, Egypt. The Gnostic Society Library

The very next year, Bedouin shepherds discovered ancient Hebrew scrolls hidden in a cave at Qumran on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea Scrolls found in this and a dozen subsequently discovered caves constituted a massive library of Jewish texts, including biblical works and hitherto unknown texts with remarkable parallels to the writings of the New Testament. This find was celebrated in news stories, documentaries and other publications as among the greatest discoveries of the 20th century.

At the very same time, the Dishna Papers were discovered, smuggled out of Egypt and sold to European collectors with considerably less fanfare. No headline hailed the discovery of the Dishna Papers. Instead, pieces of this collection were sold to the highest bidders, scattering the ancient library across the globe.

The Dishna Papers

Though less exotic than Nag Hammadi or Qumran, the contents of the Crosby-Schyen Codex and the 20-some additional codices discovered near Dishna have proved every bit as important for our understanding of early Christianity.

Two manuscripts of the canonical gospels, Luke and John, belonging to this ancient library predate almost every other surviving copy of these gospels. Scholars used these new manuscripts to revise the text of the New Testament.

For instance, the vast majority of manuscripts of the Gospel of John describe Jesus as the only-begotten Son (1:18). But the early manuscripts discovered at Dishna read the only-begotten God. Here and elsewhere, English translations of the Bible were changed to reflect the contents of the Dishna Papers.

But the library discovered near Dishna did not consist entirely of texts that ended up in the Christian Bible. Scriptures that were not included in the Christian canon, like Pauls Third Letter to the Corinthians and The Shepherd of Hermas, were also found among the Dishna Papers.

One codex from Dishna contains the Acts of Paul, an extra-Biblical account of Pauls travels and martyrdom. Another contains the Infancy Gospel of James, a non-canonical story about the life of Mary, Jesus mother. The discoveries at Dishna provide evidence that these writings, though unfamiliar to modern readers of the Bible, spent centuries on the periphery of Christian scripture.

The Dishna Papers included a few additional literary texts. One codex in this mostly Christian library contains several comedies by the Hellenistic playwright Menander. Another codex binds together a chapter of Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War with a Greek version of the biblical Book of Daniel.

Evidently, the owner of this Christian library had no aversion to the arts and sciences of pre-Christian Hellenism. In this library, pagan classics and Christian scripture stood side by side.

But whose library was this?

The Crosby-Schyen Codex, written in Coptic, on papyrus. The Schyen Collection

The Crosby-Schyen Codex, which is now up for sale, actually supplies several important clues to the origin of the Dishna Papers with which it was found.

Thanks to recent radiocarbon dating of this codex and the contents of a closely related manuscript, the Crosby-Schyen Codex can be dated with some measure of confidence to the middle of the fourth century  roughly 325 to 350 C.E.

The Crosby-Schyen Codex itself contains five texts in Sahidic Coptic, a dialect of the ancient Egyptian language. Three texts are Biblical: Jonah, Second Maccabees 5:27-7:41, and 1 Peter. The rest of the codex contains part of a well-known Easter homily and a brief otherwise unknown exhortation.

These texts, argue scholars Albert Pietersma and Susan Comstock, may have been collected into a single codex for use as an Easter lectionary. A lectionary is a collection of readings used in Christian worship services. Such lectionaries were used in Pachomian monasteries, like the one located only a few miles west of Dishna.

This monastery was established in the mid-330s by Pachomius, the reputed founder of communal monasticism. His Pachomian Rule, by which the monks would have ordered their communal life, makes frequent reference to the public and private use of books. Pachomius monasteries even taught illiterate monks to read.

It seems likely that this eclectic library of canonical and non-canonical scriptures, early Christian writings and pagan classics belonged to these book-loving monks in central Egypt. One of the Pachomian rules allowed monks to borrow books from the monastic library for up to one week.

Today, for a few million dollars, the highest bidder gets to keep a piece of this library forever.

This piece was updated on June 11, 2024, to include the sale price.

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: Ian N. Mills, Hamilton College

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Ian N. Mills does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Animal rescue icon Lee Asher to appear in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. What will he say?

Animal-rescue personality Lee Asher returns to Florida next week for a speaking tour, and one issue he is likely to be asked about is his desire to partner with a sanctuary in this state.

Speaking in Boca Raton last November, Asher said he envisions expanding his Asher House sanctuary concept nationally  and the Sunshine State is a priority for a new location.

"Do I want to be back in my home state? That's absolutely a yes," said Asher, who grew up in South Florida, during a talk at Lynn University's Dialogues Speaker Series.

The statement sparked a social-media frenzy as animal rescuers across Florida and the United States sought to get in line for consideration. Among those interested in partnering with Asher were individuals and groups in Palm Beach County and Nevada.

Who is Lee Asher? Five things to know about American animal rescue icon.

Who is Lee Asher?

Asher, 35, is a New York native who grew up in Broward County.

Today, Asher lives in the Salem, Oregon, region, where he runs two animal sanctuaries and is affiliated with a third that, in total, care for an estimated 200 dogs, cats, horses, llamas and other animals. His crusade to bring attention to abandoned animals and those languishing in shelters attracted Animal Planet producers, and his six-episode reality show "My Pack Life" aired in 2022.

Since then, Asher has been telling the stories of the animals he has rescued to the millions who follow him on social media.

Lee Asher of The Asher House returns to Florida after the Memorial Day weekend for three speaking engagements.

Lee Asher's new 'pack' life: What animal rescue star is doing now, and why he eyes Florida

What else has Asher said about expansion  and Florida in particular

In an interview in late January, Asher reiterated that he still calls Florida home and plans an Asher House sanctuary here. But he emphasized that project is likely many years away,

"I was raised in Florida. Florida is my home, and it was so good to be home," he said in a recent interview about his late November stay. "I would love nothing more, nothing more, than to open up a sanctuary there tomorrow."

But at the moment, his focus is on the success of a third location not far from his base in the Salem region.

Asher's goal is to continue to develop his Asher House sanctuary model. Rather than a warehouse, Asher Houses are homes on expansive estates with fenced-in ranges where animals are allowed freedom of movement.

Asher said the latest location in Portland  140 acres in size, the second-largest to-date  is a prototype for how he would roll out a national network of Asher Houses by working out key challenges.

He is learning how to best manage spin-off locations from a distance. The Portland site is run by the founders of an animal shelter that he has known and collaborated with for the past three years, a milestone in the expansion vision.

"I trust them just as much as I trust the closest person in my life," he said.

For a site in Florida, Asher said he would need equally trustworthy individuals with a track record of success and then cultivate a bond over a yearslong span of time, as he did with the Oregon site.

"That would be the next step, over the next couple of years, finding some people that we really like partnering with out of Florida and that we really trust," he said.

Where is Lee Asher speaking in Florida next week?

Wednesday, May 29, at 8 p.m.: Florida Theater at 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Ticket prices range from $36 to $101.

Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m.: Hard Rock Live Orlando at 650 Universal Blvd. at CityWalk. Tickets range from $42 to $186.

Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m.: Ruth Eckerd Hall at 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Tickets are $49 and $69.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Where animal rescue Lee Asher will speak in Florida post-Memorial Day
Anne Gay Donworth came out on top in Tuesdays Democratic primary election for the Kentucky House District 76 seat, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of States Office.

Donworth received approximately 44% of the votes cast. Jamie Palumbo and Josh Buckman received approximately 41% and 15% of the votes, respectively.

No Republican filed to run in the district this year, meaning Donworth will run unopposed in Novembers general election.

Im really proud and excited to get to go to Frankfort and represent the 76th, Donworth said Tuesday night after the unofficial results came out.

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Donworth said she felt good about the election and was cautiously optimistic heading into today. She congratulated Buckman and Palumbo on their campaigns.

They both ran good races and were in it with their whole hearts. Im just glad we were able to keep it a clean race as well, Donworth said.

Palumbo said he called and congratulated Donworth for her victory after the unofficial results came out. He is proud of the race he ran and added Donworth did a better job motivating the voters to turn out.

Im very proud of the race that I ran  honesty, integrity, Palumbo said. I still stand behind that I am the best qualified candidate, not from an egotistical or narcissistic standpoint, but because of my background, experience, the only candidate that has lived and grew up in the 76th District and graduated from that public high school.

Buckman also congratulated Donworth on her victory.

The results arent what I wanted, but I want to congratulate Anne Donworth for running a terrific race, Buckman said in a statement to the Herald-Leader. Im going to continue to work to improve my community.

Donworth played a major role in fundraising for library projects, including the new Marksbury branch on Versailles Road. She has also been involved with initiatives designed to uplift the community at the local level while also advocating for public libraries, public pensions, DEI initiatives and more, she said.

Donworth said Tuesday night her biggest focus in the upcoming term will be advocating for womens health and public schools.

Those are my two really big pieces but Im excited to tackle all kinds of different things, Donworth said. I have a whole lot of experience in a lot of different areas that Im excited to put to use.

Palumbo said he hopes Donworth stands by her platform.

I am concerned about all the minorities, Palumbo said. That was my big thing, was representing everybody and all the minorities, especially the Black community, the LGBTQ community, a lot of those voices that are not heard. I asked her about that and she said that she would, so I fully support her and hope that she represents the 76th District with a great heart and represents all the people.

The 76th District seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, who announced she wasnt seeking reelection this year. Palumbo is the longest-serving member of the House and the longest-serving woman in the state legislature. Shell have served 34 years by the end of her term.

Jaime Palumbo is Ruth Ann Palumbos son. He said its too early to make any concrete plans for his future but wants to be active in the community.

Ill try to get involved more heavily with organizations that Im passionate about and helping as many people as I can from whatever standpoint that I can, Palumbo said. I dont have to hold an elected office to help lots of people. Thats what Ive done my whole life and thats what Ill continue to do.

The 76th District includes neighborhoods along Richmond Road like Kenwick and Chevy Chase; it also reaches East into Hamburg and North to neighborhoods near Bryan Station High School.

There was a 13.34% voter turnout in Fayette County in the primary election, according to the Secretary of States unofficial results.
AOC roasts Rudy Giuliani over his bizarre coffee venture: Remember falling asleep with the TV on and waking up to the weirdest ads?

Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has roasted former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani over his latest business venture: selling coffee.

Mr Giuliani  who is grappling with bankruptcy and a string of legal issues  recently launched his new business Rudy Coffee offering three styles of coffee beans.

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; enjoying life, with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach; and Americas mayor, with an image of a smiling Mr Giuliani holding a cup.

While former president Donald Trump has chosen to sell sneakers and bibles to cover his legal fees, his former lawyer is flogging three coffee types: bold, morning, and decaf. The bags weigh two pounds each and can be purchased for $29.99.

The coffee will begin shipping in June with the first 100 bags signed by the former mayor.

Youre not just treating yourself to exceptional coffee, youre also supporting our cause, Mr Giuliani said in a new video advertisement on X.

The cause of truth, justice, and American democracy.

AOC, a progressive from New York, was quick to slam the ad.

Rudy Giuliani pictured advertising his new business, Rudy Coffee. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the venture on X (Rudy Giuliani)

Does anyone remember falling asleep with the TV on as a kid and waking up to the weirdest ads on at 2am? AOC wrote on X.

This and the Trump campaign are basically that except the scams are to cover the legal fees of creeps, rapists, and traitors to democracy, she continued.

Mr Giulianis new business comes after he filed for bankruptcy in December.

He has subsequently missed deadlines to file financial disclosures.

Rudy Giulianis new coffee product, pictured, comes as he faces bankruptcy (Rudy Giuliani)

His bankruptcy came after being ordered to pay two election workers $148m after he pushed a baseless conspiracy that they committed fraud in the 2020 election. On Wednesday, he agreed in a court filing to never again publicly accuse the two workers of tampering with votes in the 2020 election.

While Mr Giuliani faces dire financial straits, he is also contending with a string of legal battles over his actions around the 2020 election.

The former lawyer to Donald Trump faces nine felony charges for his alleged role in an Arizona 2020 presidential election interference plot.

Two Arizona officials served him with the indictment after his 80th birthday party last week.

On Tuesday, he appeared virtually for his arraignment in Phoenix, Arizona, where he pleaded not guilty and was required to post a $10,000 bond. His trial will begin in October.

The former mayor has been charged alongside 17 others in the scheme. The Arizona indictment accuses the 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.

Prosecutors say that one month after the 2020 election, 11 Republicans supporting Mr Trump convened at the states GOP headquarters to sign certificates claiming the states electoral college votes.

The additional seven people charged, including Mr Giuliani, were included for their alleged roles in the scheme.

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani, told The Independent the former mayor looks forward to full vindication soon.

This comes after he was also charged in a sprawling RICO case including Mr Trump in Georgia. Mr Giuliani has also pleaded not guilty to the charges in that case.
The Apalachicola River is seen from the location of Fort Gadsden at Prospect Bluff in the Apalachicola National Forest Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

The Apalachicola Riverkeeper has asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to delay permitting an exploratory oil well in the sensitive Apalachicola River basin as it weighs a possible legal challenge.

Attorneys for the Riverkeeper filed a request on May 16 asking for a 45-day extension of time, which is allowable under administrative rules. The lawyers, Timothy Perry and John Lavia III of Tallahassee, said the organization needs more time to decide whether to challenge the permit.

In order to fully analyze this ... prior to deciding whether to file a permit challenge, in good faith and for good cause, Petitioner needs additional time to hire and consult with technical experts and its attorney regarding the draft permit and its potential impacts, the Riverkeepers filing says.

Apalachicola Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley told the Democrat that the nonprofit, established in 1998 to protect the Apalachicola River and Bay, said oil drilling in the floodplain threatens everything about this river and bay that this organization was created to fight for.

Apalachicola Riverkeeper has a long history of standing up for the river and the people who depend on a clean productive ecosystem for their enjoyment and livelihoods, she said. We're continuing the review of the permit as we consider legal options to ensure that oil and water don't mix on our watch.

Clearwater Land & Minerals FLA of Shreveport, Louisiana, applied for a state permit in December to conduct exploratory drilling in Calhoun County at a well located between the Apalachicola River, the states largest river by volume, and the Chipola River just north of the Dead Lakes.

DEP told the Democrat on Wednesday afternoon that it approved a 15-day time extension, which would give the Riverkeeper a June 6 deadline challenge the permit. DEP noted that the permit would allow Clearwater to drill and test the well only, not to put it into commercial production.

Last month, DEP issued a notice of intent to allow Clearwater to drill from a well that was built by another oil company, Cholla Petroleum, and previously permitted by the state. Cholla Petroleum, of Dallas, Texas, walked away from the project in 2021 amid the death of one of the company's principals.

Edward R. "Chip" Campbell III and and Edward R. "Camp" Campbell IV are listed as the managers of Clearwater Land & Minerals. Chip Campbell did not return a call from the Democrat. Camp Campbell declined to discuss the project when reached by phone.

At this point, we dont have any comment, he said.

Cameron Barton on the Apalachicola River near Alum Bluff.

The latest proposal sparked bipartisan opposition, with state Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, and state Reps. Allison Tant and Gallop Franklin condemning it. State Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, said he opposes any exploration that would harm the regions ecosystem.

The proposal to drill comes amid state and local efforts to restore the bay, which saw its oyster fisheries collapse more than a decade ago. Opponents say drilling could cause catastrophic environmental damage to the river and the floodplain and habitat that surrounds it.

Calhoun County commissioners, hopeful that the project could bring badly needed revenue to the cash-strapped county, voted in favor of drilling last year. Franklin County commissioners, their colleagues downstream, voted against it. The cities of Apalachicola, Wewahitchka and Port St. Joe also submitted letters of opposition to DEP.

Georgia Ackerman of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper urges Calhoun County commissioners during a May 7, 2024, meeting to reconsider their support for exploratory oil drilling near the Apalachicola River.

Earlier this month, Georgia Ackerman of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper appeared before Calhoun County commissioners to ask them to reconsider their support. She called the Apalachicola River a globally recognized ecological treasure that could be used to create jobs and boost commerce.

Petroleum is a short-term, dubious economic route that will benefit a few and has the potential to devastate our shared irreplaceable ecological assets, she said.

The commissioners briefly discussed DEPs plans to permit the well but otherwise gave no sign that they plan to change their minds.

The Apalachicola Riverkeeper, in its recent filing, also told DEP that if its request for more time is denied or ignored by the agency, that it be treated alternatively as a petition for a formal administrative hearing.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Apalachicola Riverkeeper weighs legal challenge to Florida oil drilling
Illustration by LOOKOUT

Jeffrey Hansen says he treats porn addiction.

Its not a recognized diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Associationnor is any kind of sexual addiction promoted by self-described sex addiction counselorsbut that hasnt stopped Hansen, a licensed psychologist in Arizona who works with youth, from promoting it as a way to treat people who have difficulty with sexual compulsions.

This story was published in partnership with LOOKOUT, an independent, nonpartisan news outlet covering Arizonas LGBTQ+ communities. You can sign up for their free newsletter here.

Hansen believes that pornography can lead people to falsely identify as gay or trans. Hansen authored a paper and a book urging parents to prevent their trans children from transitioning: Find a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist who does not follow the gender affirmative paradigm as the sole treatment option, he wrote.

Gender affirmative care involves listening to trans patients when they share their identity, and supporting their decisions to align their outward appearance with their internal sense of gender. The opposite, to ignore or downplay a trans persons sense of gender and restrict access to care, has similar outcomes to conversion therapy, medical experts have contended .

In an interview with LOOKOUT, Hansen said the definition of conversion therapy was contested, and denied practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ people: Im very pro affirming sexual identity to an extent of people that are gay or whatever. I just struggle with the medical aspect of what this does to kids, he said, referring to trans youth who receive gender-affirming care. Its hard to say how much pornography might push a person to identify as trans when they otherwise wouldnt.

Hansen is set to speak at a far-right town hall event in Camp Verde this June , hosted by Turning Point USA, a group run by anti-LGBTQ+ activist Charlie Kirk that works to galvanize students and evangelicals to conservative politics. The event is called the Protect Our Children Town Hall.

Hansen isnt alone in using sex-addiction as a way to justify or even disguise conversion therapy. In Arizona, LOOKOUT identified at least three therapists who previously advertised that they practiced conversion therapy who describe themselves as sex or porn addiction specialists. And some of those are working with teenagers.

According to the APA, conversion therapywhere a mental health professional tries to use counseling to change peoples sexual orientationincreases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in young people. AS a result, many states have banned its use, including in Arizona where the Governor enacted a partial ban last year.

When LOOKOUT reached out to the practice that hires some of the therapists identified, Family Strategies Counseling Center, LOOKOUTs reporter was sent a cease and desist letter to stop contacting them.

What is sex addiction?

The phrases sex addiction and porn addiction bring to mind stories of celebrities who seek out treatment after being caught cheating. But according to multiple medical experts and sex therapists, the concept of sex addiction is also used by conservative religious groups, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a cover to enforce their congregants stances around sexuality and gender.

The origins of sex addiction date back to 1976, when Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous formed. Modeled after the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, both groups have Christian underpinnings that ask participants to become ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Participants were pushed to believe they were addicted to their sexual desires and come forward for treatment.

Sex addiction is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard guide for classifying mental health diagnoses in the United States. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, or AASECTthe primary professional association for sex therapistsalso does not consider sex or porn addiction to be mental health disorders backed up by evidence.

AASECT certified sex therapists who LOOKOUT interviewed do believe that sexjust like any behaviorcan become compulsive. But treating it as a separate addiction can stigmatize it, sex therapist Roger Libby said.

Ive seen it quite a bit, not only with Mormon clients, but others that went to these groups or went to a counselor who was a sex addiction counselor, he said. And what they came out with was all kinds of shame and guilt about sex, which is not positive.

Additionally, the sex addiction approach often assumes monogamous and heterosexual people are the cultural standard, which makes it easy for any deviation to be considered a problem, according to sociologist Kelsy Burke, the author of a book that attempts to examine and explain porn addiction.

Conservative Protestant men are much more likely to say that theyre addicted to porn, even when they tend to use it less than their other male counterparts, Burke said in an interview with LOOKOUT, adding that culturenot pathologydefines normal sexual behavior.

According to Burke, sexologists and sex therapists who study human behavior said that sex addiction when it was introduced wasnt seen favorably, particularly because behavioral addictions are hard to study empirically.

Unlike chemical dependency on substances, which can be observed in animals, behavioral addictions cant be observed in the same way.

Things like addictions to food or shopping or pornography or sexrats dont respond to those things that have cultural meaning, she said.

In sheeps clothing

Looking to legitimize the field of sex addiction, therapist Patrick Carnes founded the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals in the 1980s. The organization offers certification and training for sex addiction therapists. Carnes popularized sex addiction treatment as a therapeutic practice, and he also founded a sex addiction treatment program called the Gentle Path, which is located within the Meadows rehab center in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Joe Kort, a sex therapist who previously described himself as a sex-addiction therapist for 25 years, said he witnessed the training from Carnes institute being used for conversion therapy during the 2000s.

I was listening to therapists say that they would treat men who didnt want to be homosexual, and they would use the sex addiction model, Kort said. And Id be like, wait a minute, you know, thats conversion therapy in sheeps clothing?

That model included abstinence from sexual activity , including if people experienced same-sex attraction.

Kort said he cut ties with the institute in 2012.

Since then, IITAP has denounced conversion therapy. On its website , it says the organization has a zero tolerance policy on [conversion therapy] and reserves the right to revoke certification at will if evidence proves a violation has occurred.

But LOOKOUT and the Arizona Mirror have identified at least two sex addiction therapists certified by the IITAP in ArizonaFloyd Godfrey, founder of Family Strategies Counseling, and John McLean, a camp counselor associated with Family Strategies. While Godfrey no longer has his license, both of them promoted conversion therapy as a practice.

Stephanie Carnes, the current head of IITAP and Patrick Carnes daughter, told LOOKOUT that the organizations current training materials follow guidance from the World Health Organization. Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder was added to the WHOs diagnostic manual in 2019, and the entry cautions therapists from making a diagnosis based on a patients shame. In other words, sexual activity shouldnt be interpreted as compulsive simply if a patient believes their own behavior is morally wrong or abnormal.

Stephanie Carnes said that the group does not endorse a diagnosis of sex addiction based on shame alone.

She also said the groups stance against conversion therapy has been in place for at least six years.

Am I aware that there have been people that have misused sex addiction in the past and historically to pathologize sexual behaviors or to use as a conversion therapy model? Yes, Im aware of that, she said. And thats why weve taken such a zero-tolerance policy on it.

Carnes said they have not had an ethics complaint submitted about a certified sex addiction therapist actively practicing conversion therapy.

An Arizona trend

The two certified sex addiction therapists the news organizations identified have practiced conversion therapy in Arizona for years.

Family Strategies Counseling Center, a practice whose original website was healinghomosexuality.com, advertises sex addiction as one of its specialties, and several of its therapists have sex addiction certification .

A screenshot from Family Strategies Counseling Centers former website in 2012. (WayBackMachine)

Godfrey, the founder of Family Strategies, believed that being gay could be caused by abuse , and that coming to terms with trauma could turn people straight.

A previous LOOKOUT story detailed how Godfrey lost his license to practice counseling in 2023 after multiple sexual harassment claims were filed against him, including a staff member who the state licensing board identified as male. While he was still licensed, Godfrey advertised his certified sex addiction therapist status on the Family Strategies website.

In March, LOOKOUT and the Arizona Mirror also identified John Hinson as a reparative therapist who used to advertise himself as an expert in treating unwanted same-sex attraction. Hinsons page referencing same-sex attraction was changed after LOOKOUT contacted him. Hinsons current webpage advertises his training in sex addiction, although he lacks certification.

Before coming to work at Family Strategies in 2004, Hinson underwent his clinical training at The Meadows, the same treatment center that hosts Carness Gentle Path program.

Targeting the youth

Sex addiction treatment isnt a practice limited to adults at Family Strategies; they also run a group therapy treatment program for teenage boys called Band of Brothers that addresses sexual addiction, but does not define what that may look like.

Good recovery means more than simply NOT slipping, reads the Band of Brothers web page. Young men must make changes inside themselves for lasting recovery.

The website previously claimed the program was based on materials created by LifeStar, a sex-addiction program cofounded by certified sex addiction therapist Dan Gray in Utah in 2006. Currently, the site only mentions attending LifeStars annual conference.

Gray was listed as a former counselor for the conversion therapy camp Journey Into Manhood. The flier Gray is listed on describes him and the other therapists as being knowledgeable not only about same-sex attraction issues but are also very familiar with the Journey into Manhood experience, teachings and program.

When reached for comment, Gray said his only association with the camp was in around 2005 when he was invited to one of the organizations workshops but had to leave early. I have worked with many individuals wanting to overcome their unwanted, compulsive sexual-acting-out behaviors that had become problematic in their lives, he said. Though some of these clients are gay, most have reported themselves to be heterosexual.

In an emailed statement, a representative for LifeStar said the organization was not created as a conversion therapy program: If someone came to a therapist who uses the LifeStar materials, asking to cure them of an addiction to unwanted same-sex attraction, we would hope that the therapist would respond by informing the individual that same-sex orientation and attraction are not considered an addiction.

LifeSTAR advertises Family Strategies as an official LifeStar provider on its website.

Another program at Family Strategies, Adventures in Manhood, is touted as a weekend retreat for teenage boys and their guardians. The web page for the camp describes the staff as faith-based and says they follow conservative standards.

The camp used to advertise itself as a weekend for teens struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction. It is currently run by John McLean, the camp counselor. He is also a certified sex addiction therapist who formerly described one of his specialties as treating unwanted same-sex attraction.

Family Strategies did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

Religions influence

When Elena Joy Thurston caught her son watching pornography, she panicked. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had taught her that porn was a stepping stone to other sins.

If you watch porn, two things will happen, she said, describing what she heard from church leaders. One, youre going to become addicted. And two, because youre probably a guy watching porn, youre going to become gay.

Relaying what she was taught, she told her son that watching porn would make him gay, too.

According to Thurston, who now calls herself an ex-Mormon, the Churchs doctrine goes hand-in-hand with considering all sexual behavior as an addiction.

Homosexuality and sex addiction are framed as temptations that come from our body, she said. And the underlying idea is that our bodies are tempting us to sin. The whole reason why were on this planet is to learn how to overcome our body.

LifeSTAR is still recommended on the website of the Church as a resource to help people struggling with viewing pornography.

Thurston was taught that men are especially susceptible to becoming addicted to porn and masturbation, and that it could eventually turn people gay.

In 2017, Newsweek obtained a copy of a leaked 1981 document from the church that gives credence to what Thurston was taught: it explained masturbation of any kind to pornography could make someone homosexual. The church has since updated its positions on same-sex attraction, but its unclear the current position on masturbation or pornography.

This same anxiety, that porn or sex can turn people gay or trans, is touted by Hansen, the licensed sex addiction counselor speaking in Camp Verde next month. He said in a 2021 essay: A previously defined heterosexual boy might ultimately find himself enjoying homosexual pornography and then begin to question his sexuality.

Hansen takes this further, writing that trans masculine youth might be persuaded to transition because they see mistreatment of women in porn that they watch, and then seek to avoid that by transitioning.

His essay was endorsed by the American College of Pediatricians, a group originally formed in 2002 to advocate against lesbians and gays from adopting children. Several members of that organizations leadership also served on the board of the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity, the primary conversion therapy advocacy association in the United States.

The College of Pediatricians currently testifies in support of gender-affirming care bans across the country. Hansen, along with members of the College, filed an amicus brief in support of a gender-affirming care ban in Arkansas in 2021, calling that care ill-founded.

The post Some Arizona counselors are using sex addiction to practice conversion therapy, critics say appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
In this photo illustration, packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic on April 13, 2023 (Getty Images)

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has sent cease-and-desist letters to two abortion pill providers in New York and Europe, demanding they stop marketing and selling the medication in his state, where abortion is illegal.

Mr Griffin announced on Tuesday that he was taking the first step in warning the companies - Choices Womens Medical Center Inc based in New York, and Aid Access based in the Netherlands - to stop advertising the availability of abortion-inducing pills in Arkansas.

Both companies have created website pages that appeal directly to Arkansans and offer medical solutions to people in need of abortions.

Aid Access says people in Arkansas can buy the abortion pill, mifepristone and misoprostol, online and the company will ship it to them. Choices Womens Medical Center Inc says it can connect Arkansas with its clinic serving patients from Little Rock to help.

These companies must cease and desist advertising relating to the performance of abortion services in Arkansas immediately or face the possibility of lawsuits from my office, Mr Griffin wrote.

Almost all kinds of abortions are illegal in Arkansas except to save a mothers life, though there is a lot of uncertainty around what that means.

Since Arkansas, and other states, have enacted anti-abortion laws, some companies and organizations have offered to ship abortion pills where access is limited. More than half of abortions in the US are performed with medication rather than surgery.

Mr Griffin told the companies that abortion pills may not legally be shipped to Arkansas  though the state statute he invoked was under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. ... It appears that some of your business practices may constitute false, deceptive, and unconscionable trade practice under (ADTPA), Mr Griffin wrote.

The attorney general warned that failure to cease advertising abortion services in Arkansas would result in a formal investigation or lawsuit. The companies could face penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Voters in Arkansas have the opportunity to weigh in on abortion restrictions in the state through a November ballot measure. The group Arkansans for Limited Government are working on obtaining enough signatures to move the ballot measure forward.

The proposed measure would protect abortion within the 18 weeks of pregnancy and include exemptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies as well as protecting the life and physical health of the mother.
Arrests in 2023 murder of Queens teen: I have no sympathy for them

Arrests in 2023 murder of Queens teen: I have no sympathy for them

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A New Jersey dad who got a fresh start after serving eight years in prison for a murder he didnt commit  is back behind bars. This time, hes accused, along with two other men, in a Queens shootout that led to Joshua Taylors death.

He bled out they could not save him. Im so sorry. Oh my god, I dont like to talk about it. That was my heartbeat, said Linda Taylor, with tears in her eyes.

Ten months later  the grief hasnt gotten any easier for this great-grandmother.

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Nineteen years of age, you all take my grandson away from me. I have no sympathy for them, she added.

Dante Hunter is facing a murder rap, while Damone Miller and Shamel Capers are looking at attempted murder.

I just want to get back to my family, thats all, expressed Shamel Capers in November 2022.

PIX11 News was there as he walked out of the Queens courthouse a free man. Exonerated after serving eight years in prison for a deadly city bus shooting he didnt do.

But now  in a twist of fate  the 26-year-old is back behind bars.

Detectives put Capers at the scene of Taylors July 2023 murder in Middle Village. Hes allegedly seen on surveillance video firing a gun, which his attorney denied in court Tuesday.

His mother, Tidleek Capers, in a statement to PIX11, said:

Our family continues to unequivocally stand by Shamel, who has sadly been unjustly railroaded by the legal system before. A rush to judgment led to his previous wrongful conviction for a crime he did not commit, resulting in his unjust imprisonment for over eight years, beginning when he was just a teenager. History is tragically repeating itself. Shamel intends to vigorously defend himself in court and I pray he is given a fair chance this time to clear his name. Tidleek Capers

After a year of tragedy, theres a glimmer of hope for the victims family. Taylors baby girl was born in March, seven months after he died.

He always wanted his first child to be a girl, so I guess hes in heaven smiling, Taylor, now a great-grandmother, said.

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The suspects have been remanded to Rikers Island.

District Attorney Melinda Katz oversaw the exoneration of Capers in 2022.

Tuesday, Katz said in a statement, In the case of Daja Robinsons murder, an exhaustive investigation and newly discovered evidence led us to conclude that Shamel Capers had been wrongfully convicted. The court agreed and the conviction was vacated. The defendant responsible for Robinsons murder is in prison serving a sentence of 25 years to life.

Katz continued, In this incident, Capers is charged with attempted murder. Nothing will shake our resolve to remove illegal guns and those who use them from our communities. We are duty bound to follow the facts in every case wherever they may lead us.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A series of imagery confirms that the widely used Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, has been equipped with Grad-series artillery rockets. The rocket-armed boat has reportedly already been used to successfully engage Russian vessels. Once again, the development demonstrates that Ukraine is exploring using its growing fleet of USVs for missions beyond one-way kamikaze attacks.

A series of imagery confirms that the widely used Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, has been equipped with Grad-series artillery rockets. The rocket-armed boat has reportedly already been used to successfully engage Russian vessels. Once again, the development demonstrates that Ukraine is exploring using its growing fleet of USVs for missions beyond one-way kamikaze attacks, although there remain questions about the overall feasibility of the adaptation.

A rear view of a Sea Baby USV launching a Grad rocket while chained down during tests on land. SBU

Photos released by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) show the rocket-armed Sea Baby drone during testing on land. Two of the photos are taken against a snowy backdrop, indicating that the tests were undertaken last winter, if not before.

A frame added to the rear of the USV supports three rocket tubes on each side and two of the photos show what appear to be Grad-type artillery rockets actually being fired.

A more detailed view of the six-tube rocket launcher arrangement on the Sea Baby USVs. SBU

An unnamed SBU source told The Kyiv Independent that the rocket-armed Sea Baby drone has been used in combat against Russian positions on the Kinburn spit, a thin stretch of coastal land near Mykolaiv on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast. This technological solution is already showing powerful results, the source said, adding that new surprises await the enemy.

The location of the Kinburn spit, where the rocket-armed Sea Baby is said to have been used in combat. Google Earth

A video posted to YouTube claims to show a Sea Baby launching a rocket attack, perhaps the same one referenced by the SBU, but this cannot be confirmed. Certainly, the footage, apparently taken by an aerial drone in the vicinity, shows a salvo of approximately half a dozen rockets coming off the drone boat while its underway. The results of the engagement, and where the rockets impacted, is not clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ravt50D_go4

There may have been previous references made to the rocket-armed drone boat, with an SBU spokesperson, Artem Dekhtiarenko, recently declaring that an upgraded version of the Sea Baby is now able to deliver almost a ton of explosives on a target over 1,000 kilometers [621 miles] away. This means that the SBU can reach a target almost anywhere in the Black Sea, Dekhtiarenko said.

While the name Grad is often used as a catchall term for Soviet-era unguided rocket artillery, the rockets seen in the SBUs photos appear to be the same kind as used in the BM-21 Grad , probably the best-known Russian multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS), also widely used by Ukraine.

A Ukrainian BM-21 Grad MLRS. Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The BM-21 Grad fires 122 mm rockets, from a variety of different vehicles. The maximum range of the basic rockets is around 13 miles. The standard rocket type is the 9M28F high-explosive/fragmentation round, but other options are available, including incendiary, flare, smoke, and anti-tank mine.

There have been previous efforts to introduce a rocket-armed Sea Baby in the past, as TWZ has detailed . In this case, the primary targets were understood to be Russian warships.

In January this year, the SBU released another video that was claimed to show the first use of such a system, to attack Russian ships near Sevastopol in Crimea.

At the time, SBU head Vasyl Maliuk said that the video showed Ukrainian SBU drones firing at Russian boats that jumped out of one of the Crimean military ports to sink the drones. But the drones, instead of running away, turned around and opened fire in return.

The brief video showed what appeared to be 14 munitions fired, but, again, not the results of the engagement.

After analyzing that video, Andrii Ryzhenko, a retired Ukrainian Navy captain told TWZ that the Sea Baby was likely armed with unguided RPV-16 thermobaric rocket launchers .

In contrast, the Grad is a much longer-range weapon, with a significantly heavier payload, capable of area bombardment.

At this point, any relationship between the Sea Baby configuration seen in the latest photos and previous reports of rocket-armed USVs is not entirely clear.

Regardless, as TWZ has discussed in the past , the military utility of any kind of unguided rockets launched from a USV is at least questionable.

The Grad is already a fairly inaccurate weapon and firing it from a very small boat as it bobs around on the waves is even less precise. Whatever type of targeting system is used, the chances are the results will be fairly indiscriminate. Presumably, the trajectory of the launch tubes can be altered to change the rockets trajectory, but there is still the issue of the lack of stabilization.

While a lack of accuracy on land can be compensated for with steady barrages of much larger numbers of Grad rockets, the same is not an option when launching them from a small drone boat.

One of the first images to be released showing a Sea Baby drone boat. Ukrainian Government

Unguided rockets firing from a shaking platform on the go is just sporadic fire, a Ukrainian defense official told TWZ earlier this year. It has little practical value.

Nevertheless, there are likely certain scenarios in which the Grad-armed Sea Baby could be useful. Especially if used in larger numbers, the drone boats could be at the very least effective nuisance raiders, prosecuting attacks on fixed coastal infrastructure.

Repeated kamikaze attacks by similar Ukrainian USVs confirm that these craft are by no means straightforward to defend against. At the same time, Russia has gotten much better at interdicting them early and keeping them from entering their harbors. The Grad adaptation would allow for standoff bombardment of these high-security areas, even if the results of those barrages are very inconsistent, if not largely symbolic. But doing so begs the question if possibly wasting these USVs, which are said to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each, on such acts is worth it?

There have been other recent efforts to provide new capabilities to the Sea Baby. Earlier this month, it became clear that Ukraine has begun arming the USVs with heat-seeking air-to-air missiles . The adaptation seems to have been made to provide the drone boats with protection, and some deterrence value, against the Russian aircraft that are increasingly being used to counter them. As with the Grad rocket modification, there remain questions about how these newly added weapons are intended to work and just how practical the arrangement is.

A Sea Baby USV underway, with a single R-73 (AA-11 Archer) heat-seeking air-to-air missile seen fitted to a launch rail at the rear. via X

https://www.twitter.com/clashreport/status/1791363874601529676

Since the first confirmed use of the Sea Baby in combat, during an SBU attack on the Kerch Bridge in July last year, the drone boats have been implicated in a string of other operations, primarily kamikaze attacks on vessels operated by the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

For now, the combat effectiveness of the Grad-armed Sea Baby remains unconfirmed  as does the effectiveness of the modification fitted with adapted air-to-air missiles.

Both, however, fit in with broader Ukrainian plans to migrate the kinds of capabilities found on larger naval vessels and incorporate them on USVs.

We want to break down a large warship into its functions  air defense, weapons, protection  and put these weapons on several drones, an SBU brigadier general with the callsign Hunter, told the Ukrainian Pravda (UP) news outlet earlier this year. Ukraine does not have the time or money to build large warships, but a swarm of drones, which will include anti-aircraft drones, kamikaze drones, drones with guns, and so on, can solve the issue of the fleet in a completely different way.

Ukraine now seems to be increasingly putting that philosophy into action.

With no chance of fighting the Russian Navy on its own terms, Ukraine has adopted a much more asymmetric approach, with drone boats very much at the center. It remains to be seen how successful the concept of USVs as multi-purpose reusable platforms is, but at the very least it provides another threat  or range of threats  that the Russians will need to respond to with suitable countermeasures, something that they have struggled to do in the past.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Nature has a way of making a way. Invasive species arrive in a new area and explode in population. The rapid population growth can put a strain on ecosystems that were in place before the newcomers arrival.

Lake Effect: What changes scientists are seeing on Lake Michigan

What invasive species are there in Lake Michigan?

An invasive species can be a plant, animal or organism. While 180 species have been introduced into the Great Lakes by ships coming in from the St. Lawrence Seaway, only a few have produced a massive impact.

The most memorable and notable are sea lamprey, alewife, zebra mussels and quagga mussels. Each of these species rapidly overwhelmed Lake Michigan and completely upended the lakes ecology and subsequently the fishing and tourism industry.

At the bottom of Lake Michigan, shipwrecks race against invasive species

In the 1940s, nightmarish-looking sea lamprey arrived in Lake Michigan, striking a lethal blow to lake trout. By the mid-1950s, the commercial lake trout industry on Lake Michigan became nearly extinct.

In the 1960s, the alewife arrived, exploding in droves in Lake Michigan. The fish were so plentiful they began dying in heaps and washing up on the shoreline in rotting piles. Bulldozers were needed to clear the stinking piles of dead, rotting fish off of the shoreline. To this day, salmon are being stocked into Lake Michigan to keep alewives in check and the fishing industry healthy.

Great Lakes team rolls out plan to fix mussel damage

Quagga mussels are largely to blame for whats happening to the whitefish. The mussels are sucking up all the good algae that whitefish fry need to grow. This is leading to a hit in the whitefish population, with numbers in rapid decline.

Invasive species have the power to upend Lake Michigan and the businesses that rely on its stability. There is no way to completely stop an invasive species once it arrives. Sea lamprey, alewife, quagga and zebra mussels are all still present in Lake Michigan. This means prevention is the best way to provide stability and minimize economic and ecological loss.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Assembly passes bill to require farmers to notify county before using pesticides near schools

The state Assembly on Tuesday passed legislation that would require farms within a quarter-mile of a school to notify county officials before spraying pesticides.

The intent of Assembly Bill 1864, authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael), is to reduce exposure to pesticides in young children, who are uniquely affected by the carcinogens.

"Strengthening the enforcement of pesticide regulations in school zones is critical to student health, particularly in our rural school districts," Connolly said. "Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of pesticides, and insufficient enforcement of pesticide regulations disproportionally impacts students of color."

The legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

Before the Assembly vote on Tuesday, Connolly argued that the prevalence of the chemicals near classrooms is a source of anxiety for parents of school-age kids living in some of the state's most rural counties where schoolyards and farms often border each other.

Last month a group of teachers and environmental and social justice groups sued Monterey County agriculture officials and state pesticide regulators, alleging they disregarded childrens health by allowing several farms to use restricted pesticides near three elementary and middle schools, whose students are mostly Latino.

Monterey County ranked seventh among Californias 58 counties for the most number of pesticides applied, with more than 9 million pounds used on 6.5 million acres. Fresno and Tulare counties are ranked first and second, respectively, according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

A local city council member called it "environmental racism."

Read more: Its environmental racism: Monterey County sued over farm chemicals near mostly Latino schools

The California Department of Public Health, California Environmental Health Tracking Program and Public Health Institute released a study in 2014 that examined pesticide exposure across 2,511 public schools attended by more than 1.4 million students. It found that Latino students were disproportionately exposed, where 46% were more likely than their white counterparts to attend schools with the highest exposure to pesticide use.

The report found that children are more prone to exposure due to three factors: being outside more often, their physiological maturity and their body size. Exposure rates were also found to differ dramatically across counties, mostly due to counties implementing different buffer zones for pesticide use or restricting the use of pesticides near certain sensitive locations.

Connolly's bill would require farmers to submit requests to county agricultural commissioners for authorization to use pesticides within a quarter-mile of a public or private school.

Californians for Pesticide Reform, a statewide coalition that wants to restrict pesticide use and a supporter of the bill, said that exposure to pesticides is "linked to acute poisoning and chronic diseases, such as cancer, respiratory disease and developmental disorders in children."

The California Agriculture Commissioners and Sealers Assn., an organization that provides regulatory services for agricultural production and opposes the bill, argued that the burden of the new enforcement responsibilities would "fall largely on the county's agricultural commissioners."

Other opponents include various state and family-run groups including the California Blueberry Assn., the California Strawberry Commission and the Olive Growers Council of California.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of assault. Reader discretion is advised.

On October 28, 2022, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul Pelosi, was assaulted by an intruder in their San Francisco residence. The victim was 82 at the time and was admitted to the hospital for six days. He had a fractured skull and several other injuries. NBC News reported in November 2023 that David DePape was convicted of the attempted kidnapping of a federal officer, Nancy Pelosi, and also an assault on the immediate family member of a federal officer.

A report by CNN stated that David DePape was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the assault on Pelosi. He was also sentenced to 20 years for an attempted kidnapping of Nancy Pelosi. According to CBS News, Nancy DePape asked the court to give DePape a very long sentence. Paul Pelosi reportedly claimed to be suffering from headaches, dizziness, balance problems, walking challenges, and nerve pains ever since DePape attacked him. After the attack, he also claimed to remember waking up in a pool of blood. He then alleged to have remembered being rushed to the hospital.

Was Paul Pelosi attacked with a hammer?

The New York Times reported that a police officer arrived at the front door of the couples home to find Paul Pelosi and an intruder standing together, holding one end of a hammer each, on the early morning of October 28, 2022. Moreover, upon being asked to drop the weapon, he reportedly raised the hammer and attacked him. He struck Pelosi on the head three times with the hammer. DePape allegedly entered the house through a rear glass door and was there then to abduct Nancy Pelosi.

According to BBC, the officer was wearing body cameras, which recorded the incident. At the hospital, Paul Pelosi underwent surgery to repair his fractured skull and several injuries to his arms and hands, per a report by CNN.

Pelosi in the House is a 2022 HBO documentary that follows Nancy Pelosis career through her daughters perspective.

The post Attack on Nancy Pelosis Husband: What Did David DePape Do to Paul Pelosi? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The man accused of the brutal attack on Cari Anderson is set for retrial next month after a jury hung on four of five charges at his first trial.

Prosecutor Ken Russell and Deputy Public Defender Sebastien Bauge told a judge Wednesday theyre ready for the retrial of Michael Allen Fontes, whos charged with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, kidnapping to commit robbery and rape.

Russell said the trial is expected to last about two-and-a-half weeks.

The attorneys and Fontes return June 3 to see if a courtroom is available.

In a trial that ended in September, jurors acquitted Fontes of sodomy but couldnt reach verdicts on the other counts.

Fontes, 50, is accused of attacking Anderson after she left a bar on Nov. 23, 1997, and leaving her for dead behind Golden Empire Transits maintenance yard off Golden State Highway and F Street. A GET employee found Anderson naked and unconscious hours later. There was extensive bruising to her face and body, and her throat had been slit.

Anderson survived but suffered permanent injuries. She died in late 2021.

In 2019, with advances in technology, investigators took the suspects DNA profile and uploaded it to a genealogy database. Further investigation showed Fontes DNA matched the profile, according to police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on 22 May.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Nehammer for supporting the Peace Summit in Switzerland, confirming his participation and "efforts to encourage other countries."

Quote: "We value Austria's contribution to humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraine and expect to expand our cooperation in this area."

More details: In addition, the leaders of Ukraine and Austria discussed the involvement of Austrian business in Ukraine's recovery and "planned future joint events."

Background: Last week, Austria announced the creation of a special fund that would allocate up to 500 million over the next five years to support Austrian exports to Ukraine.

The Austrian government will also allocate 5 million for a fund to support Ukraine's energy sector.

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Coroner identifies MS Coast man killed by Gulfport narcotics officers. What we know

Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Gulfport that killed a 22-year old Wednesday morning, Mississippi authorities confirmed.

George Jones III, 22, of Gulfport, died at Singing River hospital Wednesday morning of multiple gunshot wounds, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said.

The shooting occurred about 10 a.m. at the corner of Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road, Gulfport Police Sgt. Jason Ducre said.

Gulfport narcotics officers saw a suspicious subject walking down Dedeaux Road, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said in a press release.

An officer stands near a gun on the ground at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Gulfport Wednesday morning.

Officers attempted to make contact with the subject, but the person fled and presented a weapon towards the officers, according to the Department of Public Safety.

The officers fired and struck the subject, the press release said.

Authorities transported Jones III to the emergency room at Singing River where he died at 10:47 a.m., Switzer said.

Switzer said authorities will transport Jones body to the crime lab on Wednesday and expect to complete an autopsy on Thursday.

It is unclear how many times Jones III was shot. Switzer said he does not release the location of a victims gunshot wounds.

The officers involved sustained no serious injuries, the Department of Public Safety said.

Gulfport Police and crime scene investigators were on the scene around 11:30 a.m. at an old bank building on the corner of the intersection. Traffic around the intersection had also slowed.

Blood is visible on the ground at the scene of an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday morning at an old bank building on Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.

Ducre did not answer further questions about the circumstances of the shooting and directed all questions to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which investigates all officer-involved shootings in the state.

The Department of Public Safety called the information preliminary and said it could change.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will collect evidence share findings with the state Attorney Generals office after its investigation.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Law enforcement stands on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road in Gulfport on Wednesday, May 22.

Yellow tape surrounds the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Gulfport on Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement officials talk at the scene of an officer-involved shooting at Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road in Gulfport on Wednesday, May 22.

Law enforcement on the scene of an officer-involved shooting near the corner of Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
Update: Authorities say Russian guided munitions attack on Kharkiv injures at least 12, including 16-year-old boy

Editor's note: This story is being updated.

Russia troops attacked the city of Kharkiv with guided munitions on May 22, injuring at least 12 people, according to preliminary information from the local authorities.

The estimate of the casualties was raised from 10 injured after an update from the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office at 5:45 p.m. local time.

Explosions in Kharkiv were reported at around 1:45 p.m. A residential area in the Shevchenkivskyi district came under the attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

A fire broke out in an apartment building and at a civilian gas station, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The Russian attack also reportedly damaged cars and a local cafe.

Four people were hospitalized. One of the injured, a trolleybus driver, is in serious condition, the governor said.

Russian forces launched new offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, exposing Kharkiv and a number of border settlements in the region to heavy attacks.

A Russian glide bomb attack on Ukraine's second-largest city on May 17 killed four people and injured 31 others, the local authorities said.

Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, front, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Singapore Airlines flight descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday. A British man died and authorities said dozens of passengers were injured, some severely. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP)  Passengers on the Singapore Airlines flight that descended sharply after hitting severe turbulence described the sheer terror of the aircraft shuddering, loose items flying and people wrenched so badly that 20 remained Wednesday in intensive care.

I arrived back in the airport and I couldnt stop vomiting. I couldnt walk, it was pretty bad," said Josh Silverstone, 24, who was discharged from a hospital with a cut in his eye and a chipped tooth. He said it could have been way worse.

The British man said he was so scared that he bought in-flight internet access to message his mother: I wasnt trying to scare her, but I said I love you.

It was still not clear what exactly caused the turbulence that sent the Boeing 777 carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members on a 6,000-foot (around 1,800-meter) descent in about three minutes on Tuesday. The flight from London to Singapore was diverted to Thailand. A British man died, possibly of a heart attack.

Aviation investigators arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday. Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board was sending technical advisors because the incident involved a Boeing plane.

Singapore Airlines said 131 passengers and 12 crew members from Flight SQ321 who were well enough to travel were picked up on a special flight and arrived early Wednesday at Singapores Changi Airport.

Six crew members and 79 passengers stayed in Bangkok, where the majority remained in the hospital, said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where most of the injured were taken, said the 20 people in intensive care include six Britons, six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Passenger Beverley Mayers, who was not injured, described the situation inside the plane as sheer terror."

The whole plane was shuddering ... great pieces were falling off and dropping on the floor, people getting hit in the head, she told Australias TV Channel 9 on arrival at Sydney airport.

Thai officials withheld the name of the dead man, but British media identified him as Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, who was going on a six-week holiday with his wife. A Thai airport official said Kitchen might have had a heart attack, though that hadnt been confirmed.

Newlyweds Ali and Ramiza Bukhari, who were flying back from their honeymoon, told reporters at Sydney Airport that they were relieved to be back home.

It was a very, very traumatic experience," Ali Bukhari said.

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

The U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants said clear air turbulence is virtually undetectable with current technology. One second, youre cruising smoothly; the next, passengers, crew and unsecured carts or other items are being thrown around the cabin, it said.

Always follow crew instructions and wear your seatbelt whenever seated. It is a matter of life and death," it added.

-

Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
AWOL AOC refusing to debate underdog rival: Thinks shes above democratic process

Lefty democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is refusing to debate her little-known Dem opponent just weeks away from the June 25 primary, her underdog rival said Tuesday.

Ocasio-Cortez is heavily favored to win re-election to a fourth term against Marty Dolan, 66, a retired Wall Street banker.

Dolan requested a formal debate with AOC last month after she got free airtime on the CBS Late Night Show with host Steven Colbert.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has refused to debate her Democratic primary opponent Marty Dolan. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

But the hopeful said he still hasnt heard from AWOL AOC, 34.

She thinks shes above the democratic process, Dolan said. AOC is AWOL, which is no surprise.

Shes ducking. Shes a chicken.

The Ocasio-Cortez campaign had no immediate comment.

Dolan accused Ocasio-Cortez of believing she is above the democratic process. Marty Dolan/X

The congresswoman did debate her then-primary opponent, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, in a feisty showdown on BronxNet before the 2020 primary.

She did not have a Democratic primary in 2022.

The 14th Congressional District takes in portions of The Bronx and Queens.

Dolan called Ocasio-Cortez a chicken for skipping the debate. X / @MartyDolanNY

Ocasio-Cortez has $6 million in her campaign treasury while Dolan is running on fumes after personally lending his campaign money.

Dolan said voters have a right to hear a debate on his moderate views vs. AOCs radical ones.

He said Ocasio-Cortez supports New Yorks sanctuary policy that encourages protecting and encouraging illegal immigration, which he opposes.

We should freeze illegal immigration, Dolan said.

He said her Green New Deal would boost electricity costs for her constituents, too.

Shes chasing two rabbits  national fame and trying to serve her district. You cant do both, Dolan said.
Baby fights for his life after DUI crash that cops say was preventable

Baby fights for his life after DUI crash that cops say was preventable

BROWNSVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11)  Hes just one year old and is fighting for his life after being the victim of a car crash that investigators say could have easily been prevented.

The driver of the car in which the baby was riding faces drunk driving charges, among other infractions. Also, the cars passenger  the mother of the one-year-old  apparently had the child in her lap when the collision took place, according to law enforcement sources.

Man stabbed while chasing alleged robbers in Brooklyn: NYPD

Now, the baby tries to recover from a fractured skull that happened when the car in which he was riding hit another in an intense crash.

In fact, the impact of the Monday evening collision was so great that it collapsed a wrought iron fence that the two cars rammed through. On Tuesday, the fence still had yellow caution tape wrapped around it from the crash that had happened at around 7:00 the evening before.

It was at Mother Gaston Boulevard and Dumont Avenue. Thats where, according to police, the Honda Accord driven by Natalie Leonard, 28, blew through a red light, and crashed into an Acura, which was in the intersection, and had had a green light.

In the Accords passenger seat, according to investigators, was a 21-year-old mother, who held her one-year-old son in her lap.

Ty did this: Woman IDs ex-boyfriend as her killer before dying

The crash left the boy bleeding from his ears, mouth, and nose  indications of significant trauma. Medics rushed him to Brookdale Hospital, where hes reported to be in critical condition, but stable.

In the neighborhood where the crash happened, many residents expressed concern for the child.

Its a devastating thing for the baby, said Virginia Kelly, who lives nearby. Prayer that the baby makes it through, she said.

Many local residents reacted to details of the crash, including the list of charges that alleged driver Natalie Leonard faces. It includes: DUI; DWI; reckless endangerment; vehicular assault; acting in manner injurious to a child; disobeying a steady red light; reckless driving; aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle; operating a motor vehicle without insurance; and operating an unregistered vehicle.

Man exonerated in 14-year-old girls death now charged in fatal shooting in Queens: DA

The strongest reaction, though, was concern for the baby.

Very sad, said Diana Davis, who lives near the intersection. There wasnt a seatbelt or anything?

The babys mother was charged with not using a seatbelt.

Other people who live nearby said that they wished that one other thing had been different.

The baby shouldve been in a car seat, said Sharon Fulmore. Point blank to the period, a car seat.

The childs mother is now at the hospital with him, trying to ensure that the child survives this crash.

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Baby made headlines after being born on a flight. Nine years on, details of her short, tragic life are revealed

Chloe Guan-Branch, pictured, died in May 2020 due to abuse and neglect at the hands of her stepfather newly unveiled court documents reveal (Ontario Superior Courts)

Chloe Guan-Branch made national news when her mother gave birth to her on a flight from Calgary to Tokyo in 2015.

Now, shes making headlines yet again for a different reason: She died on 15 May 2020 at just five years old after her caregiver assaulted and neglected her. The details of her life and ultimate death due to neglect were unknown until this week when an Ontario judge lifted a publication ban on the case in a challenge initiated by two Canadian news outlets.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Pierre Roger said Chloes paternal grandparents gave their permission to end the ban, as this would give the victim a final say, The Ottawa Citizen reports.

Her stepfather Justin Cassie-Berube, now 27, was arrested in June 2021 and convicted in March 2024 of manslaughter, assault, criminal negligence and failing to provide the necessities of life after Chloe was found dead in a soiled bed from neglect.

He will be sentenced on Friday.

Chloe Guan-Branch, pictured, died in May 2020 due to abuse and neglect at the hands of her stepfather newly unveiled court documents reveal (Ontario Superior Courts)

The newly uncovered trial details reveal that Chloe was born to her mother Ada Guan and her father Wesley Branch. She was removed from their care after just a few months before returning to her mothers custody at three years old, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

At that point, Ms Guan moved to Alberta and met Cassie-Berube online. Ms Guan then moved to Ottawa to be with Cassie-Berube, bringing Chloe along, The Ottawa Citizen reports.

Ms Guan later testified that Cassie-Berube controlled her, threatening to end his life if she left him.

Officials said they found the young girl with a shocking number of bruises, cuts, a possible cigarette burn and a ruptured bladder, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

Chloe Guan-Branch (left) pictured with stepfather Justin Cassie-Berube (right) in February 2020. Her stepfather will be sentenced on Friday (Ontario Superior Courts)

The five-year-old then died of acute uremia, a condition caused by waste entering the bloodstream, the outlets reported.

In the hours leading up to her death, Cassie-Berubes phone records indicated he was looking up her symptoms, the CBC reports. His searches included what to get kids to eat after puking and what should I eat after passing out. Cassie-Berube admitted to beating the five-year-old but said he never punched her in the stomach, instead claiming her ruptured bladder was caused by falling on her bed railing.

Pathologists were not able to determine the definitive cause of the rupture, the outlets reported.

At Cassie-Berubes trial, Ms Guan testified she wanted to take her daughter to the hospital but was afraid to make her partner angry. The mother also testified that Cassie-Berube was violent with her and Chloe, saying he used Chloe as a punching bag when he was angry, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

Cassie-Berube told officials, If Im the monster that hurt a little girl, I need to be helped, the CBC reports.

Mr Branch and his parents wrote in a victim impact statement that they never knew Chloe except as a baby, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

We were hoping one day we could meet her, the three said in their statement. We thought wed reminisce about the day she was born on a plane to Japan.
A view of the death chamber from the witness room at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility shows an electric chair and gurney. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images.)

It has been almost six years since Ohio carried out an execution, and some lawmakers believe a new method for conducting sentences could end the delays. Theyre looking to a measure adding nitrogen hypoxia to the list of eligible protocols for capital punishment. The method asphyxiates a condemned person by replacing the air they breathe, a mixture of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, with pure nitrogen.

The proposals backers argue Ohios long delay in executions amounts to an undeclared  and unjust  moratorium on lawfully imposed sentences. And looking around the country at other states and the federal government carrying out lethal injections, theyre not exactly buying claims Ohio cant get access to the necessary drugs.

Meanwhile, opponents argue that without the explicit blessing of the U.S. Supreme Court, the method sits on shaky legal footing. If the American Veterinary Medical Association rejected it as a method for euthanizing most mammals, they ask, isnt it likely to violate prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment?

Proponents testify

Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Executive Director Lou Tobin argued during a committee hearing Tuesday that execution by nitrogen hypoxia has already been carried out in Alabama, and a handful of other states have approved the protocol. Although witnesses of Alabamas execution of Kenneth Smith reported he writhed in apparent pain, Tobin argued defendants in Ohio have actually asked courts that the method be made available. Quoting from a recent filing, he noted nitrogen hypoxia was praised for its effectiveness, lack of pain and track record with people using it for assisted dying protocols in other countries.

Even granting that the Alabama execution was painful or distressing, Tobin argued, The Constitution doesnt guarantee a pain-free death.

We dont want to cause them unnecessary pain, he added, but whatever they experience as part of an execution pales in comparison to the pain and suffering that theyve inflicted on their victims.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins argued the state should do whatever is necessary to carry out sentences. If it includes nitrogen gas, Im for it, he said, If it includes the firing squad, Im for it. Watkins alluded to a 2009 case in which Kenneth Biros was executed using a single drug after an execution with the standard three-drug cocktail failed earlier that year. He praised then-Gov. Ted Strickland for carrying out the last dying wish of the victims mother.

We have a fair system in Ohio, and that system has worked, he said. And it has worked three times in Trumbull County  if we have the willpower.

Attorney General Dave Yost criticized the states acceptance of pharmaceutical companies refusing to sell it the necessary drugs.

Call it a private sector pardon, he said. Its preposterous, and it ought to be rejected out of hand. This bill will put an end to the stalemate and restore Ohios sovereign power to act.

He argued Ohioans still favor the death penalty because juries keep voting for it. It only takes one juror, Yost emphasized, to scuttle a death sentence.

Speaking outside, he argued the time for delaying executions is over. If the problem is really just the supply of drugs, then nitrogen hypoxia offers a solution. But if, on the other hand, the problem is a moral objection, that debate should be hashed out openly.

Youre allowed to have a change of heart, but at least own it, Yost insisted. This stuck in the mud, nothing happens, we dont keep the promises but we dont have the guts to say were not going to, is just wrong.

Committee questions

Its difficult to separate arguments for an additional capital punishment protocol from arguments about capital punishment itself. State Rep. Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester, criticized proponents several times for that kind of bait and switch  couching their arguments in upholding existing law rather than the merits of nitrogen hypoxia itself.

Again, this is not about the death penalty, he said, growing frustrated. I havent told you if Im for it, or against it. For all you know, Im for it.

The issue is how to execute the death penalty  thats the issue, he went on. And it seems to me, the use of nitrogen hypoxia is cruel, unusual, and most likely will violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

Brown brought up the 2020 veterinary guidelines that rejected nitrogen hypoxia for euthanizing most mammals.

While were polling the group, Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, chimed in, I am opposed to the death penalty.

Isaacsohn expressed skepticism at capital punishments deterrent effect. He noted the gruesome cases supporters reference only underscore its ineffectiveness. Tobin acknowledged, the death penalty has unquestionably lost some of its deterrent effect, as weve drawn out that appeals process over the years. But he insisted justice sometimes just demands more.

Committee chair Rep. Bob Peterson, R-Selina, cut in, to redirect debate toward nitrogen hypoxia rather than the death penalty writ large.

Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, took up a different provision related to confidentiality for companies providing the materials for executions.

Do you think by doing that, Seitz asked Tobin, we might suddenly be able to get the supply of the three-drug protocol that we were somehow unable to get for these many years?

I think that is certainly the hope, he said before allowing, obviously I cant predict that that will come to fruition. Tobin noted some of the states that have continued carrying out executions have those confidentiality protections in place. And I have to believe that that has provided them greater access maybe than Ohio, he said.

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The post Backers believe nitrogen hypoxia can jumpstart Ohios stalled capital punishment system appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
GOP Assemblymember Vince Fong addresses supporters in March. San Joaquin Valley voters on Tuesday chose Fong, 44, to replace former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) in Congress. (John Donegan / Bakersfield Californian via AP)

In the race to replace former Rep. Kevin McCarthy in Congress, San Joaquin Valley voters Tuesday chose Vince Fong, a Republican state assemblyman who was endorsed by McCarthy and Donald Trump.

The Associated Press called California's 20th Congressional District special election for Fong at 8:17 p.m. Fong bested fellow Republican Mike Boudreaux, the Tulare County sheriff.

McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) resigned from Congress at the end of 2023 after being voted out as House speaker. Fong will complete McCarthy's term, which ends in January, representing a vast agricultural district that stretches through Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.

In a prepared statement, Fong said that he was "filled with humility and gratitude" at the early results.

With the campaign over, the real work now begins," he said. "In Congress, I will remain focused on solving the tough issues facing our community  securing the border, supporting small business, bringing investment in water storage and infrastructure, unleashing our energy industry, and keeping the United States safe amidst the grave security threats facing our nation."

Fong, 44, began his career working for McCarthys predecessor, then-Rep. Bill Thomas, then worked for nearly a decade as McCarthys district director before winning a seat in the Assembly in 2016.

Boudreaux, 57, has been the sheriff of Tulare County for more than a decade and serves as the head of the California State Sheriffs' Assn.

Boudreaux said in a statement that he called to congratulate Fong on Tuesday night. He added that he was "absolutely humbled by the outpouring of support from family, friends, and neighbors across Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties who stepped up to volunteer their time and energy to our campaign and donated generously to spread our message for a better Valley."

Fong and Boudreaux will meet again in November, when voters will choose a representative for a full two-year term in Congress. Being the incumbent will give Fong a significant advantage.

Although McCarthy was not on the ballot, the former House speaker had a hand in boosting Fong, using his political influence and fundraising prowess to help his handpicked successor.

Fong placed first in the March primary for the full two-year term and the remainder of McCarthys term, and raised more than three times as much money as Boudreaux.

Fong also had support from a political action committee called Central Valley Values, which reported raising $950,000 from McCarthys Majority Committee PAC and a new PAC funded by major Republican donors, including longtime McCarthy ally Barbara Grimm-Marshall of Bakersfield's Grimmway Farms, the worlds largest carrot grower.

Fong was also boosted by the endorsement from Trump in March, widely seen as orchestrated by McCarthy. The endorsement was a coup for Fong, who has largely avoided the culture wars that dominate factions of the GOP and sought to win over right-wing Republicans skeptical of the political establishment.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Bakersfield psychiatrist surrendered his physicians license this month after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a patient, according to the state Medical Board.

The surrender of Sean Andrew Sassano-Higgins license took effect Tuesday, according to medical board documents.

Wife says husband killed her cousin following argument: docs

Although Sassano-Higgins said he stopped treating the patient  identified only as Patient A  before they began a sexual relationship, the board notes in an accusation brought against the doctor that he wrote prescriptions for her months later.

(Sassano-Higgins) placed his own self-interest in seeking gratification through a sexual relationship with Patient A ahead of the welfare of Patient A, who continued to require treatment for psychiatric disorders, according to the accusation.

In October 2019, Sassano-Higgins began treating a patient with a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. They had multiple appointments and in spring 2020 the patient said she was sexually attracted to him, according to the accusation.

They began exchanging emails. The patient asked if they could continue to see each other if she asked for a referral to another doctor. Sassano-Higgins told her if she saw another provider they wouldnt see each other again, the accusation says, and said they could navigate through the tension.

On June 24, 2020, the patient emailed him asking if he would write a sexual fantasy about her, according to the accusation.

California bill would require new cars to beep at speeding drivers

Happy to do this if you think it would be helpful, Sassano-Higgins responded according to the accusation.

He didnt document their email exchanges in his records, the accusation says.

Their final appointment occurred in July 2020. Sassano-Higgins told her they could be friends, according to the accusation, and wrote in his records that he and the patient agreed she no longer needed psychotherapy.

They began a sexual relationship five days later, the accusation says.

Sassano-Higgins later admitted to a sexual relationship that continued at least through summer 2020, according to the accusation.

Despite documenting he no longer treated the patient after their relationship began, he wrote prescriptions for her in September 2020, the accusation says.

The patient started going to another therapist where she reported the sexual relationship caused her continuing emotional distress and an exacerbation of her psychological conditions, according to the accusation.

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Filed last year, the accusation alleged the following: sexual misconduct with a patient, sexual exploitation, gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, inadequate or inaccurate recordkeeping and unprofessional conduct.

(Sassano-Higgins) exploited information and trust obtained during the treatment of Patient A by engaging in inappropriate email communications with her, encouraging Patient A to continue treatment with him after she requested to be transferred to another care provider, and engaging in a sexual relationship with Patient A immediately following the abrupt termination of their patient-physician relationship, the accusation says.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen attends a press conference near the Vaalimaa border checkpoint between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As the war in Ukraine takes a turn in Russias favor, borders are being bolstered in the front-line Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Leaders around the Baltic Sea reacted warily Wednesday to reports that Russia could revise the borders of its territorial waters in the region, with Lithuania's foreign minister calling it an "obvious escalation that must be met with an "appropriately firm response.

In a draft proposal reported by some Russian media, Russia's Defense Ministry suggests updating the coordinates used to measure the strip of territorial waters off its mainland coast and that of its islands in the Baltic Sea. The existing coordinates were approved in 1985, the ministry says; adding they were based on small-scale nautical navigation maps and don't correspond to the modern geographical situation.

It wasnt immediately clear from the draft whether the proposed changes would shift the border or merely clarify it.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Russia had signed a United Nations convention that regulates how to make such changes. Both we and Finland assume that Russia  which is a signatory party to that convention  lives up to that responsibility, he said, according to Swedish news agency TT.

If Russians were to challenge borders, then Russia violates a U.N. convention, then Russia has the whole world against it, Finlands Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said, according to Finnish broadcaster YLE.

She said, however, it likely was a routine act by Russia and not a provocation.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote on X that Russia had not been in contact with Finland on the matter. Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts, he wrote.

Also on X, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis asserted that Russia was attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea. There has been great concern in Lithuania about Russian troops latest gains in northeastern Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was on a visit to Lithuania on Wednesday, echoed Landbergis remarks saying that whatever this was or actually is, it appears to be another example of the thoroughly perfidious kind of hybrid warfare that Putin is practicing," German news agency dpa reported.

The Baltic News Service said Lithuania summoned the Russian representative for a detailed explanation.

However, Russias Interfax news agency later Wednesday cited an unnamed military diplomatic source as saying Moscow does not intend to revise the border or the width of its territorial waters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters there was nothing political in the Defense Ministrys proposal.

You see how tensions and the level of confrontation are escalating, especially in the Baltic region. This requires appropriate steps from our relevant bodies to ensure our security, Peskov said.

The proposal was published on an official government website for draft legislation but appeared deleted Wednesday. It wasnt immediately clear why.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO. The Baltic Sea  Russias maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and its Kaliningrad enclave  is now almost surrounded by members of the military alliance.

Kaliningrad is sandwiched between Lithuania to the north and east and Poland to the south. It is home to the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet.

__ Associated Press writer Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
With barely a week left, little movement has been made on a new budget for Oklahoma

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Speaker of the House Charles McCall are pictured May 9 during Stitt's budget conference with the Senate and House leaders at the Oklahoma Capitol.

Delegations from Oklahoma's Senate and House of Representatives launched their week with another budget "summit" in an effort to finalize a state budget for the 2025 fiscal year. It was the seventh time they met since Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt came up with the joint hearing idea two weeks ago.

The week did not start well.

Monday's meeting followed one on Friday, normally an off day for lawmakers. During Friday's session, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat said even though the Senate had agreed to millions in spending being touted by the House, the Senate would not sign off on a final budget deal unless the House committed to overriding any gubernatorial vetoes on the budget.

At that point, the meeting ended abruptly.

After Friday's meeting, McCall and Treat spoke with reporters. Treat again asked House leaders for a pledge to override any items in the final budget agreement on which Stitt might issue a line-item veto. McCall declined.

"I find it ironic the Senate is asking me to guarantee we put up and pass a veto override, when they refuse to put up a vote, just a vote, on the tax cut," McCall said.

Treat countered that the House had, essentially, abdicated its leadership to the governor's office.

More: Oklahoma's budget-making process  now open to public view  has proven contentious, with some progress

"It's unfortunate the House of Representatives just turned over to the governor's office," Treat said. "I've been saying over and over, 'is the speaker in charge of the House, or is the governor in charge of the House?' We just got a clear, well, non-answer."

Any concessions that the Senate had made were not valid if the House was unwilling to override any vetoes by the governor, Treat said.

"It's been told to me repeatedly that the speaker's team has told lobbyists and government agencies that they will not override vetoes. And I think I got  it wasn't a clear response, but  an understanding today that that may very well be what the speaker has directed his team to do," he said.

New voices in the discussion, but the tensions and disagreements remained the same

Monday's meeting was much of the same, though a new player stepped on stage in the budget drama: Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton. Tipton criticized the Senate team after Greg McCortney, the majority floor leader, called for a pause in the construction of a new Oklahoma Department of Public Safety tactical training center.

Last year, state lawmakers earmarked $59 million for the first phase of a tactical training facility that would be used to train Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers, officers from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and those from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. A second phase, under consideration as part of the FY 25 budget, would cost about $74 million.

Total cost for the project would be more than $133 million.

"It's not too late to adjust from a bad decision," McCortney, R-Ada, said. "I believe it was presented in two phases because no one would have approved the amount of spending that was actually going to be proposed. We're doubling a workload, we're doubling FTEs that could be combined together. We have assets in the state that can do many of these things."

Tipton countered that McCortney was attempting to defund law enforcement.

"It is astonishing to me that the soon-to-be pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate would take a position to not only stop this critical training need, but to go back and defund what has already been done," he said.

McCortney denied that he was attempting to defund law enforcement. He said he had legitimate questions about whether or not the training center was a wise use of state funding and whether or not the new facility would duplicate other training efforts, such as those from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

"To be fair, the property at CLEET and the topography at southeastern Oklahoma is not good for the driving track that the highway patrol needs," McCortney said. "But I think everything but the driving track could be done at CLEET. Lot of shared resources there. Lot of shared staff there."

Still, even though he had "many questions" about the DPS training facility, McCortney said the Senate had agreed with the House position to fund the project.

"The last offer we made to the House of Representatives included this project," McCortney said. "So the fact that the Commissioner is running around, A) calling me a liar, and B) saying I'm try to defund the police  that is clearly not true. It (funding for the DPS project) was one of the things we had in the offer today that they could have said yes to today."

Tipton's entrance in the budget negotiations adds new pressure to an already difficult process. Monday evening, Treat and McCortney said they remained focused on completing a budget before the end of session.

"They badgered me for the first few meetings, but then the speaker and the governor pulled themselves out, and we got really, really productive; then the speaker came back in, and we got unproductive," Treat said. "Then he left, and we're still unproductive."

Tipton's implication the Senate wasn't supportive of law enforcement wasn't a smart move on the commissioner's part, Treat said.

"During budget negotiation on Friday, he (Tipton) came in and sat with the House and he went in the copy room with the House and he caucused  and I use caucused loosely  with the House," Treat said. "He's not playing this wisely."

Oklahoma Legislature has little over a week to agree on a budget

With just nine days left before the Legislature is required to adjourn the 2024 legislative session, the pressure to complete the budget  and possibly use a special session to protect the budget from gubernatorial vetoes  grows stronger each day.

McCall said the House would continue budget negotiations in good faith.

"The House has come to the negotiating table in good faith throughout the budgeting process. As Speaker, I have decentralized power, and empowered the House budget negotiating team to make budget deals on behalf of the House," McCall said in a statement Tuesday to The Oklahoman. "They will be back at the table today, operating in good faith."

The speaker said he and the House "are still committed to negotiating a budget on behalf of the citizens of Oklahoma, and look forward to getting a deal done.

Treat said he, too, remains optimistic.

"I still believe that we will have a budget deal by May 31," he said. "But I don't know what that (deal) will look like. I walked in Friday's meeting thinking we'd get a budget deal. I walked in today thinking we'd get a budget deal. Maybe I just need to walk in with lower expectations, and we'll get a deal."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Little progress made on budget in Oklahoma Legislature special summit
BBC made an error in failing to refer to Hamas as terrorists, says Culture Secretary

The BBC has received more than 8,000 complaints over its Israel-Hamas war reporting - Carl Court/Getty Images

The BBC made an error by failing to refer to Hamas as terrorists in its coverage of the Gaza conflict, the Culture Secretary has said.

Lucy Frazer said she had raised the issue in a private board meeting with the public service broadcaster amid criticism of its reporting.

Speaking in front of MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Ms Frazer said: We discussed very clearly the position that the BBC did not refer to Hamas as terrorists. It was a matter I had publicly called the BBC out on, I think the previous week in a newspaper article.

I put points to the BBC in a private meeting about something I had already said publicly about the reasons why I thought their guidance allowed them to refer to Hamas as terrorists.

Asked if it was appropriate to put pressure on the BBC over the use of language in its reporting, the Culture Secretary said: I think the BBC made an error, which Ive been very public about, in its refusing to recognise the use of the term terrorists.

Ms Frazer added that she had asked her officials whether it was appropriate to raise the issue at the meeting and informed the BBC of her intention to do so.

The BBC has drawn criticism from Rishi Sunak and Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, over its refusal to label Hamas as terrorists.

The broadcaster instead opts for the term militants and only uses the word terrorists when quoting other people, such as the Government.

John Simpson, the BBCs world affairs editor, has previously defended the policy, saying: Its simply not the BBCs job to tell people who to support and who to condemn  who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.

However, new chairman Samir Shah has said he will review the broadcasters editorial guidelines, adding that it needs to consider very clearly its refusal to use the term terrorist.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked a flurry of scrutiny of the BBCs coverage amid concerns about impartiality.

Ms Frazer raised the issue in a private board meeting with the broadcaster - Yui Mok/PA

In March, bosses said the corporation had received more than 8,000 complaints about bias in its reporting of the war.

However, they insisted the complaints were split roughly evenly between those accusing the BBC of bias in favour of Israel and those alleging bias against it.

Ms Frazer, who has previously accused the BBC of bias, said the broadcaster needed to address impartiality as a whole within its organisation.

She pointed to the findings of recent reviews of migration and economics coverage, which found no consistent bias but highlighted shortcomings that posed a threat to impartiality.

Ms Frazer said: I do think that the BBC has more work to do on impartiality and I think the BBC absolutely accepts that.

A BBC spokesman said: No one consuming BBC News can be left unaware of the horrific nature of Hamass acts.

Weve made our longstanding position on this matter very clear  we use the word terrorist when it is attributed to others, such as [by] the UK Government.

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HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY)  Growing neighborhoods and nature are clashing in parts of Hampton Roads as bear sightings have residents concerned.

Dont poke the bear: Black bear wandering through Chesapeake

The latest bear was spotted in Chesapeake in a neighborhood near Greenbrier Mall at the corner of Volvo and Greenbrier parkways. In addition, doorbell camera video showed a large bear dangerously close to home in the College Park neighborhood in Virginia Beach over the weekend.

The two locations are less than two miles apart.

It was just walking around like it lived there, said Joann Hutt. Im always out messing in my yard, and so now, I feel like every time I come out, Ive got to look here and look there to make sure the bear is not around.

Andrew Lanham was coming home from work Tuesday morning when he saw a bear crossing through peoples yards.

Unbearable sight: Bear spotted near Chesapeake school

I was like, Wait, what is it? Like, what am I seeing? And I had no idea, Lanham said. But then I got closer and I saw that it was really a bear, and then I was terrified because I didnt know if kids were out at the bus stop or anything.

He then followed it and even honked his horn to warn a jogger.

He was jogging, and then he started to sprint afterwards, Lanham said. I was just terrified. I was like, Wait, Ive never seen anything like this before. I never knew I would be down here in Greenbrier.

Marie Harris doorbell camera caught a bear walking across her front porch in the College Park neighborhood in Virginia Beach.

She watches kids during the day at her in-home daycare and told us:

Were not going outside, Harris said. We are going to wait to go outside.

She says about 20 minutes prior, her husband and grandson were out front painting the porch.

My neighbor right here told me that the bear is in the area, Harris said, and I just happened to open the door and as soon I opened the door, he came from this way.

After going through Harris yard, the bear traveled through other yards over to Joann Hutts house.

You know, youve got to worry theres people who walk for exercise, so you dont ever know, Hutt said. They told me to stay in the house so I guess Im just supposed to stay inside forever, you just dont know.

Hutt has lived in the area for more than 20 years and says shes never even seen a fox in her yard.

Never, never anything to really, you know, frighten me like a bear, Hutt said. But when I look at that video and I see that bear walking around, I said, Oh, no, thats a real bear.'

Virginia Department of Wildlife resources said this is usually a time when they have more reports of bear sightings in our area.

A bear sighting for the birds in Suffolk

Its just, theyre doing bear things in a different area and so we hear a lot about it, said Pete Acker, a district biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource Pete Acker.

Acker said this is normally when teen boy bears venture out searching for food.

They are teenagers, so to speak, Acker said. Theyre not very bright. They dont know what theyre doing.

He said the future of this bear and its behavior depends on peoples actions in the neighborhoods.

That bear is around houses because its hungry and it smells things like trashcans and bird feeders, Acker said. Thats why our main message is just for folks to secure those food sources [and] make it so the bear cant get rewarded by coming near your house.

He said its a cool sight to see, and the bear is probably more afraid of you than you are of it. DWR said they rarely relocate the bears unless theyre aggressive or causing severe property damage, such as damage to someones car or fence.

I always tell folks, take a picture, tell your friends, thats neat, you have to see a bear, just dont chase it, dont throw sticks at it, dont corner it. Thats pretty obvious, Acker said. I dont think folks are out there doing that anyway, but theyre just native wildlife. Theyre not a risk to people any more than raccoons or deer are a risk to people.

I mean, this is my neighborhood, Lanham said. Ive lived here for a long time. I just dont want anyone getting hurt, I wanted to be a protector.

In the meantime, Lanham said it was a crazy sight to see, but he is thankful everyone is OK.

DWR said they have been advised of the sightings, and they do keep track of how often bears are spotted in our area. If you have one to report, or if you need to get in touch with them, the Wildlife Conflict number is 855-571-9003.

Resources:

Bears as Neighbors information from the Wildlife Center of Virginia

Bear Facts from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Virginias Bears: Forest, field and front porch?

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Behind on rent? You arent alone if you live in Pierce County, according to study

A study that aimed to quantify the amount of rent owed to landlords by tenants nationwide estimated that renters in Pierce County are more than $30 million behind on rent, with more than 13,000 households in rent debt.

The study was conducted by National Equity Atlas. It used household rent and income data from the 5-year 2019 American Community Survey as well as data on households behind on rent and number of months behind on rent from the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey to generate rent-debt estimates across all states and counties.

We use the share of households behind on rent from the Census Household Pulse survey and the median contract rent paid by households from the American Community Survey to determine the total amount of monthly rent owed by households behind on rent, National Equity Atlas wrote of their study methodology. We then multiply these monthly figures by the average number of months that households are in arrears based on the Pulse survey to estimate total rent debt.

A data dashboard of findings was first released in April 2021 and was last updated on March 6, 2024.

National Equity Atlas estimates that tenants across the country owe more than $9.877 billion in rent across more than 4.7 million households. They estimate that there are more than 4.7 million children living in households that are behind in rent, with roughly 47% of all the households owing rent having children living in them.

According to the data, 65% of tenants behind on rent are people of color, 78% are categorized as low-income and about half are estimated to be unemployed.

National Equity Atlas estimates Pierce County has 13,080 households behind on rent, averaging $2,030 in rent per household, with an estimated 9,700 children living in those households.

Pierce County and the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) both have rent-forgiveness programs that originated during the pandemic.

According to the Tacoma Housing Authority website, its rent-forgiveness program was created after THA stopped issuing late-rent notices at the onset of the pandemic. State and federal eviction moratoriums also allowed people to keep their housing at a time when many people faced unemployment.

At the end of 2021, THA analyzed the impact of the accumulated debt.

The analysis identified that the negative effects of debt would disproportionately harm BIPOC households. Additionally, half of impacted households have children in the home, the THA website stated. The analysis also concluded that it would cost THA more money in staff time to pursue debt collection and eviction proceedings. As a result, staff recommended that THA forgive the outstanding debt.

Nick Tolley, spokesperson for Tacoma Housing Authority, said that the agency has worked to help forgive a total of $1,093,768 in late rent since October 2022. According to him, the agency is aware of 690 households that are behind on rent in Tacoma, with an outstanding debt of $915,000 that has been collecting.

According to data provided by Pierce Countys Human Services Department, the county spent more than $4.5 million on rental assistance between January 2023 and April 24, 2024. The county also spent nearly $1.1 million to fund efforts by providers to alleviate rental debt.

The county reported that in the same time frame, it received more than 9,000 applications for rental assistance from households and approved rental assistance 1,165 times to those who applied. According to the county, many of the applications were ineligible to receive rental assistance, and many of those ineligible households applied multiple times.

According to the county, it has received $13.3 million in eviction-prevention funding through the Washington State Department of Commerce  available through July 2025.

Recently, Pierce County Council allocated additional dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $1.3 million for Rental & Utility Assistance. A county spokesperson said those funds are going through a procurement process and the selected provider will be announced in May.

Editors note: The amount of rent debt originally reported by Tacoma Housing Authority was incorrect. The story has been corrected to reflect the accurate amount.
CNN

Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday denied the allegation from an International Criminal Court prosecutor that he was starving Palestinians in Gaza as a method of war, arguing the ICC arrest warrant was based on a pack of lies.

On CNN, Netanyahu labeled ICC prosecutor Karim Khan a rogue prosecutor putting forth false charges after he had applied for arrests for the Israeli prime minister and Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, as well as three leaders of Hamas. Khan accused the Israeli pair of causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, [and] deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.

Netanyahu also compared the notion of his arrest to how it would have looked if President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had been arrested for leading the Allied war effort in World War II.

Or, he went on, its like issuing arrest warrants for George W. Bush but also for [Osama] bin Laden. Its absurd.

While the arrest warrant has garnered support from some human rights groups like Amnesty International and three European countries, including France, President Joe Biden called it outrageous, saying there is no equivalence between Israeli and Hamas leaders.

The same day as Netanyahus interview on CNN, the United Nations suspended its food distribution services in Rafah due to dwindling supplies and unstable conditions on the ground as a result of Israels military activities in the Gaza city, which have killed civilians, including many children. The suspension occurred despite Israeli leaders backing down from a full invasion of the city after Biden objected, an unidentified senior U.S. official told the Associated Press.

Humanitarian operations in Gaza are near collapse, a spokesman for the U.N.s World Food Program said, warning that famine-like conditions will spread if food and other supplies arent received in bulk.

Approximately 1.1 million people in Gaza are living in near-famine conditions, the U.N. said.

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The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $7.7 billion in debt relief impacting more than 160,000 in three categories. File Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- The Biden administration said on Wednesday it will forgive student loans for three categories of borrowers totaling $7.7 billion, the Education Department said.

The White House said about 160,500 borrowers will be impacted by Wednesday's relief including those enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan and certain Saving on a Valuable Education plan as well as those receiving forgiveness on income-driven repayment after changes by the Biden administration.

"The Biden-Harris administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country, and this announcement proves it," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

"One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted."

President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday that each borrower received an average of $35,000 in debt cancelation.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that each borrower received an average of $35,000 in debt cancelation. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

"Today's announcement comes on top of the significant progress we've made for students and borrowers over the past three years," Biden said, noting that nurses, police officers and other public service workers received the benefits.

Student loan debt forgiveness was one of Biden's biggest campaign promises in 2020, but that effort slowed when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year a larger, more sweeping plan under COVID-19 rules was unconstitutional.

Republicans have continued to push back on such efforts with lawsuits, charging that the paying for the loans would now fall unjustly on taxpayers.

Biden, though, said the debt from student loans has become a barrier to opportunity for many borrowers.

"I will never stop working to cancel student debt no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us," he said.

The Biden administration said that along with student loan relief, it has secured a $900 increase in the maximum Pell Grant and established new rules to protect borrowers from unmanageable debt.
FILE - Education Secretary Miguel Cardona testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 30, 2024. The Biden administration is cancelling student loans for another 160,000 borrowers through a combination of existing programs. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is canceling student loans for another 160,000 borrowers through a combination of existing programs.

The Education Department announced the latest round of cancellation on Wednesday, saying it will erase $7.7 billion in federal student loans. With the latest action, the administration said it has canceled $167 billion in student debt for nearly 5 million Americans through several programs.

From day one of my administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, President Joe Biden said in a statement. I will never stop working to cancel student debt  no matter how many times Republican-elected officials try to stop us.

The latest relief will go to borrowers in three categories who hit certain milestones that make them eligible for cancellation. It will go to 54,000 borrowers who are enrolled in Biden's new income-driven repayment plan, along with 39,000 enrolled in earlier income-driven plans, and about 67,000 who are eligible through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Biden's new payment plan, known as the SAVE Plan, offers a faster path to forgiveness than earlier versions. More people are now becoming eligible for loan cancellation as they hit 10 years of payments, a new finish line that's a decade sooner than what borrowers faced in the past.

The cancellation is moving forward even as Biden's SAVE Plan faces legal challenges from Republican-led states. A group of 11 states led by Kansas sued to block the plan in March, followed by seven more led by Missouri in April. In two federal lawsuits, the states say Biden needed to go through Congress for his overhaul of federal repayment plans.

A separate action by the Biden administration aimed to correct previous mistakes that delayed cancellation for some borrowers enrolled in other repayment plans and through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives loans for people who make 10 years of payments while working in public service jobs.

The Biden administration has been announcing new batches of forgiveness each month as more people qualify under those three categories.

According to the Education Department, 1 in 10 federal student loan borrowers has now been approved for some form of loan relief.

One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

The Biden administration has continued canceling loans through existing avenues while it also pushes for a new, one-time cancellation that would provide relief to more than 30 million borrowers in five categories.

Biden's new plan aims to help borrowers with large sums of unpaid interest, those with older loans, those who attended low-value college programs, and those who face other hardships preventing them from repaying student loans. It would also cancel loans for people who are eligible through other programs but haven't applied.

The proposal is going through a lengthy rulemaking process, but the administration said it will accelerate certain provisions, with plans to start waiving unpaid interest for millions of borrowers starting this fall.

Conservative opponents have threatened to challenge that plan too, calling it an unfair bonus for wealthy college graduates at the expense of taxpayers who didn't attend college or already repaid their loans.

The Supreme Court rejected Biden's earlier attempt at one-time cancellation, saying it overstepped the president's authority. The new plan is being made with a different legal justification.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
A soldier in the Afghan National Army (ANA) walks past a burn pit at a command outpost recently handed over to the ANA from the United States Army on March 22, 2013 in Kandahar Province, Zhari District, Afghanistan. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images).

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden announced in New Hampshire on Tuesday that 1 million claims have been granted for benefits under the toxic exposure law that Congress approved less than two years ago, following the militarys use of open air burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The law, approved with broad bipartisan support following years of advocacy by veterans, their families and service organizations, has also led to more than 145,000 people enrolling in health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough told reporters on a call ahead of the announcement that the law has made tangible, life-changing differences for veterans and their survivors.

That has meant more than $5.7 billion in earned benefits for veterans as well as access to no-cost VA health care across all 50 states and the territories, McDonough said.

White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden said during the call that the law, known as the PACT Act, represents the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans, including veterans exposed to burn pits and certain veterans exposed to radiation and Agent Orange.

This is truly personal for the president given his experiences as a military parent, Tanden said. Bidens son, Beau, died at 46 years old in 2015 from brain cancer.

The approval rate for benefits under the PACT Act is about 75%, according to a senior administration official.

Biden is set to make the announcement during a trip to Nashua, New Hampshire.

Burn pit exposure

Congress struggled for years before reaching a compromise on when and how to provide health care and benefits for veterans exposed to open air burn pits during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hazardous chemicals, medical waste, batteries and other toxic substances were disposed of in those burn pits, typically located on military bases. Service members had no choice but to live and work alongside the smoke, often breathing it in.

The law added 23 illnesses to the list of conditions that the VA presumes are connected to military service, eliminating the arduous and complicated process that many veterans had to undergo to try to get health care and benefits for those diagnoses.

Before the bill became law, veterans often had to prove to the VA that their illnesses were connected to their military service if they wanted to receive benefits or health care for those illnesses.

The U.S. Senate voted 84-14 in June 2022 to send the legislation to the House, where it was delayed for weeks over a dispute about incentivizing health care providers to move to rural or very rural areas.

The bill passed the House following a 342-88 vote in July, after that section was removed from the package. Senators voted 86-11 in August to send the bill to Bidens desk.

The president signed the bill during a ceremony on Aug. 10.

When they came home, many of the fittest and best warriors that we sent to war were not the same, Biden said during the event. Headaches, numbness, dizziness, cancer. My son Beau was one of them.

The VA has an interactive dashboard that provides veterans with information about how to apply for health care and benefits under the PACT Act as well as how many claims have been submitted.

The VA has a calendar of in-person events that can be found here. Veterans or their family members can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 to inquire about PACT Act benefits.

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(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden denounced Donald Trump after a video was posted to the Republicans social media account that referenced a unified reich as a potential news headline if he won a second term.

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Thats not the language of an American president. Thats not the language of any American. Its the language of Hitlers Germany, Biden said of the video during a Tuesday campaign fundraiser in Boston.

The president scoffed at the Trump campaigns statement blaming a junior staff member for sharing the post, calling it a lame excuse.

We already know Trump personally controls his social media account because he brags so much about his control, Biden said.

Trumps post drew widespread backlash after it appeared Monday on his Truth Social account, though it was left up for almost 24 hours before being taken down on Tuesday. The White House earlier Tuesday issued a statement calling it a sickening example of promoting content associated with Germanys Nazi government under Adolf Hitler.

The term reich is commonly linked to the Third Reich established by Nazi German leaders ahead of World War II. The 30-second video sought to portray a positive future for the US under a second Trump presidency. The phrase industrial strength significantly increased ... driven by the creation of a unified reich appeared next to other headlines describing mass deportations, a roaring economy and the end of World War I.

Biden addressed the video at both of his Boston fundraisers on Tuesday, saying at one event that Trump was clearly unhinged, pointing to the post as well as a Time magazine interview in which his predecessor said he would use the US military to deport migrants, allow states to prosecute people who violate abortion bans and demurred on the prospect of political violence around the November election.

Biden told donors at his first event that he decided to run for president after Trump equivocated in response to the 2017 White nationalist march on Charlottesville, Virginia, during which participants chanted Jews will not replace us.

The president said he must compete and win to ensure Trump loses, adding, I hope I dont screw it up for you.

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The Trump campaign sought to distance itself from the video, which appeared on his Truth Social page on a day when he was at his Manhattan hush-money trial.

This was not a campaign video, it was created by a random account online and reposted by a junior staffer who clearly did not see the word, while the President was in court, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Trump has said only longtime aide Dan Scavino and he have access to his social media pages, the Biden campaign said.

The Anti-Defamation League said in a statement that the Trump campaign did the right thing by removing the video, adding that the German Third Reich is not a government to be celebrated or glorified in any context.

Biden and his team have repeatedly bashed Trump for using rhetoric targeting racial, ethnic and religious minorities. He has accused immigrants of poisoning the blood of our country and described his opponents as vermin, language that echoed Hitlers.

Trump has also drawn fire for dining in 2022 with a Holocaust-denying White nationalist at his Palm Beach estate and for his response to the Charlottesville march. He has accused Biden of running a Gestapo administration, a reference to the Nazi secret police, and also said Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats hate their religion.

--With assistance from Stephanie Lai and Simone Foxman.

(Updates with new Biden comments starting in second paragraph)

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President Biden announced Wednesday he would be canceling student debt for more than 160,000 borrowers.

The new plan forgives $7.7 billion for the latest batch of borrowers, bringing the total relief from Bidens student debt actions to $167 billion for 4.75 million Americans. The latest loan forgiveness initiative comes through various income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, including the presidents newly established SAVE program.

The 160,000 borrowers are people enrolled in the Biden administrations SAVE plan, and are public service workers such as teachers, nurses, or law enforcement officials, or are borrowers who were approved for relief because of fixes to IDR plans.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country, and this announcement proves it, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted.

Biden made forgiving student debt a campaign promise in 2020 and is stepping up his recent efforts as he works to appeal to young voters ahead of Novembers election.

Last month, the administration canceled student debt for more than 277,000 borrowers. Those actions targeted public service workers, those on IDR plans, borrowers defrauded by their schools and people with disabilities.

Biden last month also announced a plan to give relief to 25 million borrowers, including those on IDR plans, people who participated in low-financial-value education programs, individuals experiencing hardship and borrowers whose debt has grown due to unpaid interest. The plan, if finalized, will almost certainly be challenged in court.

The latest plans are part of the presidents efforts to find a workaround after the Supreme Court struck down his student debt relief plan in June.

Updated at 8:32 a.m. EDT

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BOSTON  Donald Trumps trial over alleged hush-money payments to a porn star has for weeks been a tantalizing bit of political fodder that Joe Biden has refused to touch.

With the former president now days away from a potentially election-altering verdict as his trial moves to closing arguments, Biden again stayed silent. But this time, he had another lever to pull.

In a pair of Boston fundraisers on Tuesday, Biden went off on Trump after the Republicans campaign shared and later deleted a video that included a phrase  "unified Reich"  that nodded to Nazi Germany.

It is not the first time Trump has gone down this road, Biden said at his final event of the night, a more than 300-person fundraiser in Bostons Seaport district. Folks, it cant be any clearer. The threat Trump poses is greater the second time around than it was the first."

It was a sharp attack from the president that laid bare what he sees as a major vulnerability for his general election opponent: that he and his team are threats to democratic governance.



It also, to a degree, showed the lines that Biden remains unwilling to cross. Trump's evoking the unified Reich is a clean hit, while his criminal troubles are better left to others. And some of Biden's fellow Democrats say they're fine with that choice.

I just dont think Joe Biden needs to get into a discussion about Donald Trumps legal problems, said Jim Demers, a longtime New Hampshire Democratic activist who helped run a write-in campaign on Bidens behalf in the states presidential primary earlier this year.

Joe Biden needs to continue what hes doing, and that is running for reelection and focusing on whats important to the American people and the issues that he has worked so hard for, Demers said. Building our economy, working on environmental issues, veterans issues like today  those are what people need to hear, rather than Donald Trump bellyaching about a judge who thinks hes unfair to him.

Not every Democrat buys Demers logic. Others in the party have urged Biden's team to lean into Trumps legal woes, framing them as further proof that he is unfit for office. But, short of a few quick jabs about "stormy weather" and being "free on Wednesdays"  when the trial has not been regularly in session  Biden has avoided doing so.

That approach has come from the top, with Biden instructing his team to largely stay silent about Trumps criminal trials, according to aides.

In response, the Trump campaign said Biden is the real threat to democracy with his weaponization of our justice system, wide open border invasion, and weak foreign policy that is leading our country straight into World War III.

Biden took office looking to reinstall the bright line between the White House and the Department of Justice, one that he felt grew blurry under Trump. He told aides to not publicly discuss any criminal matters, particularly ones involving his predecessor, for fear of being accused of trying to influence the proceedings. Some of his aides also believe that there was no need for the president to amplify the criminal trial, which was already receiving outsized media attention even though it has not yet appreciably changed the contours of the campaign.

The president, his aides said, also recognized that his son Hunter faced legal jeopardy and he did not want to be seen as meddling in that matter either.

Polls show a Trump conviction could play to Bidens benefit. A national ABC/Ipsos survey conducted shortly after the former presidents trial began in late April showed a fifth of Trump backers would either reconsider or drop their support if hes convicted of a felony.



New polling of swing-state New Hampshire, shared first with POLITICO, shows similar results. In the UMass Lowell/YouGov survey of 600 likely New Hampshire voters, 23 percent of respondents said they would be less likely to vote for Trump if he is convicted of a crime that included jail time before the election, compared to 14 percent who said they would be more likely to pick his name on a ballot. The survey conducted online May 6-14 has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.24 percentage points.

Trump being on trial for allegedly conspiring to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star diminishes his presidency, said Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), who helped introduce Biden at a White House event in Nashua on Tuesday. Voters are certainly aware, and horrified.

But, she told POLITICO after the event, President Biden needs to stay above that.

Biden appeared to heed that advice while campaigning across New England on Tuesday. The president ignored his predecessor during his official-side stops in New Hampshire, where he met privately with veterans and spoke publicly about the ways in which his administration has expanded benefits for them.

Later, in a series of fundraisers in Boston, he tore into Trump over seemingly everything but his trial  his support of abortion restrictions and of the fossil-fuel industry, and his comments about there being a blood bath" if he loses again.

Trump is obsessed with losing in 2020, hes clearly become unhinged. Just listen to him, he wants to become a dictator on Day One, Biden said at his last event. Well Ill say what he cant  theres no place for violence in American politics. None.

But the new focus was on the Reich video. The president touched on it during multiple stops on Tuesday, calling it un-American and cutting a 13-second, direct-to-camera video in which he expressed his dismay. In a sign that they see it as a golden opportunity, the campaign also put out a fundraising solicitation around the video  something it had not done with respect to the criminal trial.
The Biden administration is in talks with a European Union organization to potentially help open and take control of the Rafah border crossing in Gaza amid Israels invasion of the city, according to a senior administration official and another person familiar with the matter.

U.S. officials have for weeks worked behind the scenes, brokering talks between Israel and Egypt, to strike a deal that would put the European organization in charge of the Rafah crossing and significantly improve the flow of aid into the enclave, the people said. The Rafah crossing has been closed since Israels invasion of the city May 7.

In the talks, Egyptian officials have said they want the Gazans who used to run the crossing to return. Israel has argued that those who previously manned the crossing included members of Hamas  and that a new group should take over. The stalemate has significantly slowed the amount of aid getting through to Gazans amid Israels invasion of Rafah, threatening the return of famine-like conditions.

The U.S. is proposing bringing in a neutral third party to take control of the crossing: the European Union Border Assistance Mission to the Rafah Crossing Point. The organization previously worked at the border in Gaza but suspended its operations in 2007 after Hamas took over Gaza.

The EU Border Assistance Mission didnt respond to a request to comment on its conversations with the Biden administration. Representatives with the European Commission also did not respond.

Israeli officials have traveled to Cairo in recent days to discuss the opening of the Rafah crossing. If they agree on EUBAM  and the group signs on to the idea  the crossing could open in the next several weeks, according to another senior U.S. official.

The discussions come as tensions are increasing between Egypt and Israel over the Rafah invasion.

Before Israels invasion of Rafah, Cairo had for months warned Jerusalem against the operation, claiming the intense fighting on its border threatened its national security.

Israel pushed back, telling the Egyptians it had a comprehensive plan to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people west before it moved in. Israel moved forward with its invasion sooner than Egypt had anticipated, angering officials in Cairo, one of the U.S. officials said.

In the days that followed, Egypt refused to divert aid shipments from the country to the Kerem Shalom border crossing, significantly undercutting the ability of aid organizations to receive and distribute food and medical supplies inside Gaza.

Biden officials have scrambled in recent days to try and help get more aid into Gaza but the Kerem Shalom crossing is crowded with trucks from both private contractors and U.N.-associated aid groups and shipments are moving slowly. The drop-off in aid deliveries has made essential goods such as flour less available, spurring desperate Gazans to climb onto trucks and take packages before theyre distributed at aid sites.

The Biden administration has explored several options for helping reopen the Rafah crossing, including potentially asking private contractors to help. But many groups have worried about taking control of the crossing during Israels operations in Rafah.
Biden plans to visit Africa in February if he is re-elected

U.S. President Biden welcomes Kenyan President Ruto on at the White House in Washington

By Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said he plans to make an official visit to Africa in February after the U.S. presidential election, an announcement that presumed he will defeat Donald Trump.

I plan on going in February after I am reelected, Biden said as he greeted Kenyan President William Ruto on his arrival at the White House for the first of two days of meetings and a lavish state dinner.

Biden, a Democrat, is seeking another term in the Nov. 5 election against his Republican rival, former President Trump.

Senior administration officials said Biden and Ruto would discuss a range of issues from trade to debt relief and the way forward for Haiti, Ukraine, Sudan and other areas.

Biden dangled the prospect of a trip to Angola during an Oval Office meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco, in late November, although he did not specify when the meeting would take place.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan earlier told reporters that Biden looked forward to visiting Africa and intended to do so as president of the United States.

Sullivan said he had no formal announcement to make.

Biden has drawn attention for not visiting the African continent despite underscoring its importance on global issues.

More than two dozen senior Biden administration officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have visited various African countries.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose; Writing by Andrea Shalal and Eric Beech; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Signs are emerging that President Biden may lose the support of Black voters come November over his support for Israel over the war with Hamas in Gaza.

A March poll by In Our Own Voice: National Black Womens Reproductive Justice Agenda with PerryUndem, found that 24 percent of Black voters identified the Israel-Hamas war as extremely important ahead of the election.

One in 6 Black voters in the poll said theyve considered not voting as a form of protest  with protecting Palestine as one of their top reasons.

The poll followed calls in February from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest religious and civic institutions for Black Americans, for an end to all financial aid to Israel.

Quintin Cross, senior policy adviser at the New York-based racial justice organization Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, said many Black Americans identify closely with the struggle of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

This is the subtle life we live with every day, Cross said. Whether its police violence, government attack or just a general disregard for Black lives, we can relate.

If Black voters stay home, it could hurt not only Biden but Democrats up and down the ballot as the party vies for control of Congress.

Concerns are especially high among young voters, many of whom were already disappointed in the administration.

A March survey from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace found Black Americans are increasingly concerned about the humanitarian crisis of the war.

According to the report, 45 percent of Black Americans report feeling connected to the Palestinian plight, while 59 percent said U.S. military aid to Israel should be conditional in order to ensure that American weapons are used for legitimate self-defense and in a way that is consistent with human rights standards.

The Carnegie survey found that people under 30 years old were more likely to report feeling worse about Biden since Oct. 7.

Biden has remained steadfast in his support for Israels right to defend itself.

He didnt call for a cease-fire until early April in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, frustrating many on the left.

He offered the call again during his commencement speech Sunday at Georgias historically Black, all-male Morehouse College, a visit seemingly intended to help shore up support with a key constituency.

Black voters generally are much more likely to vote for Democrats than Republicans, though some polls have shown former President Trump doing better with Black men in this cycle than in his previous runs.

In another worrying sign for Democrats, only 41 percent of Black voters between the ages of 18 and 39 said they were certain to vote in November, according to a recent poll from the Washington Post/Ipsos.

Cross expressed mixed feelings about such surveys.

Though he is dedicated to ending the war in Gaza, he said he is also worried about what could happen to protesters, Palestinian- and Jewish Americans if Trump returns to the White House.

I understand where theyre coming from completely, because that was me two months ago, Cross said. But if the wrong person gets in [office], those communities are going to suffer even more.

Encampments on college campuses have cropped up around the nation as students protest the ongoing war, many in support of Palestinians. More than 2,700 students have been arrested or detained.

Leading Black organizations including the NAACP have thrown their support behind these students.

Protest is the language of the people, used to fight against violence and build a healthy democracy, said Wisdom Cole, national director of the NAACP Youth & College Division.

We cannot encourage a generation to use their voice through their vote while simultaneously suppressing their freedom of speech, he added. Enough is enough. It is time for our leaders to come together in embracing the activism of our youth while investing in solutions to promote safety, not suppression. We can, and must, do better. 

Black lawmakers have been raising the issue vocally, warning Gaza could prevent him from putting back together the 2020 coalition that helped him defeat Trump.

President Biden was elected by a broad, diverse, and multi-generational coalition of voters to lead with moral clarity and the responsibility to save lives, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) told The Hill.

Its imperative that in seeking a second term, the Biden-Harris administration is accountable to this coalition and responsive to the pain people are feeling. A lasting, bilateral ceasefire to save lives, return the hostages, and surge humanitarian aid to Gaza is not only essential, but also critical to ensuring Donald Trump is never president again.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution earlier this year, said it should be no surprise that Black voters are protesting the war.

The struggle in occupied Palestine feels all too familiar for many Black people in this country, Bush said. For decades, Palestinians have been victims of state-sanctioned violence, oppression, apartheid, and racial injustice and inequalityand so have we. Our commitment to ending violence, brutality, and oppression is not conditional. Its universal. Black people have a deep understanding of that.

A spokesperson for the Biden-Harris campaign said the administration has delivered on the issues Black Americans care about most.

Since Biden took office, America has seen the lowest Black unemployment rate in history, Black child poverty has been cut in half and billions in student loan debt has been forgiven.

Biden has also appointed the most diverse Cabinet in American history and invested billions in historically Black colleges and universities.

Partly because of these successes, Marshall Mitchell, the pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Abington, Pa., just outside of Philadelphia, said he is surprised by how heavily invested Black Americans are in the war.

I have never heard this many or as many young African Americans concerned about foreign policy as we are hearing today, Mitchell said.

Though this interest in politics is a positive, he said, he is concerned Black voters may be prioritizing the wrong fight for justice.

African Americans have to be hypersensitive in the complex global economy in which they live, to be sure that the interests that they live and die on are their own and not someone elses, said Mitchell, who is also on the board of trustees at the University of Pennsylvania.

While I certainly respect the interest of Palestinians, I know that the interest of African Americans economically and socially and educationally are more important than any foreign policy issue.

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FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden hosts White House celebration of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington

By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -President Joe Biden surpassed a milestone 200th appointment to the federal judiciary on Wednesday as the U.S. Senate confirmed two more of his nominees, exceeding his Republican predecessor Donald Trump's pace even as the clock ticks toward their Nov. 5 election rematch.

Reaching this number at this point in his presidency is evidence, according to Biden's allies, that he may achieve a goal his fellow Democrats not long ago fretted could be out of reach - matching Trump's tally of 234 judges appointed to life-tenured positions on the federal bench in four years in office.

Challenges in confirming judicial nominees in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority, had left Biden behind Trump's pace at the start of this year. In fact, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee that reviews such nominations, had previously called reaching the 200 mark a year-end goal.

Instead, Biden reached the 200 milestone on Wednesday when the Senate voted 66-28 to confirm U.S. Magistrate Judge Angela Martinez as a federal district court judge in Arizona and then hit 201 when the chamber voted 50-44 to confirm California state court Dena Coggins as a federal district judge.

Biden called crossing the 200 mark "another milestone in the effort to protect the freedoms and liberties of all Americans," and pledged to nominate more judges.

"There is more work to do," Biden said in a statement.

One way Biden has managed to surpass Trump's pace has been to cut deals with Republican senators to fill vacancies at the trial court level in their home states. That means Biden has sometimes picked compromise, moderate nominees rather than judges more to the left as he might prefer.

Trump, with the Senate then controlled by Republicans, appointed the second-highest number of judges on record in a single term in office, behind only Jimmy Carter. Biden is nearing Trump's tally despite inheriting less than half as many vacancies to fill when he took office as Trump had.

Durbin said in an interview that Senate Democrats have "done better than I expected" in confirming Biden's nominees and that reaching Trump's tally is possible now, though hurdles remain.

"I'm going to keep pushing forward as long as we have good nominees that I can send to the (Senate) floor for consideration," Durbin said.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Trump succeeded in moving the federal judiciary rightward, including giving the U.S. Supreme Court a 6-3 conservative majority, up from an evenly split 4-4 when he took office. Trump named three conservative justices to the top U.S. judicial body: Neil Gorsuch in 2017 to fill a vacancy that Senate Republicans had refused let Democratic President Barack Obama fill in 2016; Brett Kavanaugh in 2018; and Amy Coney Barrett in 2020.

The Supreme Court since then has delivered rulings cheered by conservatives including overturning abortion rights, widening gun rights and limiting the power of U.S. regulatory agencies.

Biden has made a single appointment to the Supreme Court: liberal appellate judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022, the first Black woman to serve as a justice. All told, Biden has appointed 23% of the 874 federal judges as he edges the judiciary back in a more leftward direction.

"That's a significant change considering the kinds of nominees that have been put on the bench," Durbin said.

Trump's outsized influence on the judiciary included his appointment of 54 judges to the 13 federal appellate courts that are a step below the Supreme Court. Biden has made 42 such appointments.

Durbin also praised the diversity that Biden has brought to the bench. Two-thirds of his appointees are women, and about the same proportion are Black, Hispanic or other racial minorities.

'RUN THE TABLE'

Thomas Jipping, a senior legal fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, said Biden's six predecessors dating to 1981 averaged about 30 confirmed judges between this point in the final year of a presidential term and Dec. 1 of that year, making it unlikely Biden can reach the 235 needed to surpass Trump.

"You'd have to run the table," Jipping said.

Biden has 23 pending nominees. The Judiciary Committee's calendar has enough hearings scheduled for it to process enough nominees and send them to the Senate floor for confirmation votes to enable him to eclipse Trump.

But nominations can easily stall in a Senate so closely split. Biden's pick to become the first Muslim federal appeals court judge, Adeel Mangi, faces an uncertain path to joining the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after three Democrats said they would vote with Republicans against him.

Senate Democrats have successfully secured confirmation of other contentious nominations such Nicole Berner, a top union lawyer who formerly worked at abortion provider Planned Parenthood. The Senate confirmed Berner in March to the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The White House has cut deals with Republican U.S. senators in states like Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming to move forward on nominations for trial judge positions in those states. There is a Senate custom that nominees for such judgeships receive a "blue slip" - an informal endorsement - from their home-state senators, regardless of party.

"There is not a single day where I am not interfacing with some Republican office," Phil Brest, the White House senior counsel in charge of nominations, said in an interview.

George Washington University law professor John Collins, who studies judicial nominations, said Republican senators are more likely to sign off on candidates who are older, former prosecutors or worked in corporate defense. But such compromises mean that Biden can fill positions now rather than risk Republicans regaining Senate control in the November election or Trump regaining the presidency.

The White House goal now, Collins said, is to "avoid more extreme outcomes in the future."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Will Dunham)
President Biden said that former President Trumps language isnt representative of the United States after the former president shared a video on social media referencing a unified Reich.



Bidens reelection campaign released a video that displays the president watching and reacting to the video Trump shared to his Truth Social page Monday night that featured hypothetical headlines about his potential victory in November, including one that referenced a unified Reich.

This on his official account? Wow, Biden said in the video. A unified Reich? Thats Hilters language, thats not Americas. He cares about holding onto power. I care about you.

The Biden campaign, White House, and Vice President Harris also bashed the video earlier on Tuesday. The video, which was not created by the Trump campaign, was taken down Tuesday morning.

Biden referenced it on Tuesday evening during a fundraising event in Boston, during which he called Trump, a little unhinged.

Yesterday, his campaign posted online about if he wins itll be a unified Reich  like the third Reich. This is the same guy that uses Hitlers language, not Americas, the president said.

He added, Its no surprise that when he, about four months ago, he talked about  I think maybe a little longer  that Hitler did some quote some good things.

Biden was referring to conversations former Trump White House chief of staff John Kelly recounted, where Trump spoke favorably about Adolf Hitler and said he had done some good things. Kelly spoke about the conversations in an interview with CNN in March.

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President Biden has won the Kentucky Democratic presidential primary, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Bidens win in the Bluegrass State will net him at least most of the states 53 pledged delegates up for grabs. He has already been the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party since clinching enough delegates in March.

He was the only active major candidate on the ballot, which also included author Marianne Williamson. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who dropped out and endorsed Biden, was also on the ballot.

Voters could select uncommitted instead of any of the candidates, as some voters have done in various states to protest the Biden administrations handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. The effort to get voters to cast a ballot for uncommitted as a protest against Biden has seen some moderate success in states such as Michigan and Minnesota.

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President Biden was projected to win Oregons Democratic presidential primary, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Biden is already the Democrats presumptive nominee, but the Beaver State could add as many 66 more delegates into his column as he heads toward a rematch with former President Trump.

Across the aisle, Trump is expected to win Oregons Republican primary  but hell likely have a tougher time against Biden in the general. Oregon has voted blue in every presidential election since the mid 1980s, and its eight electoral college votes are considered solidly Democrat.

Also on Oregons Tuesday ballot: the district attorney in Multnomah County, and two key House races.

In the states Third congressional district, Susheela Jayapal, the sister of U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wa.) is vying to succeed retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). And national party leaders have their eye on the race in Oregons Fifth, where two Democrats are battling to take on the Republican incumbent who flipped the seat in the midterms.

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With the crisis in Gaza worsening, a private humanitarian group staffed with former military and intelligence officials stumbled upon a surprising hurdle in its efforts to help the United States government rush supplies to Palestinian residents by boat: For several weeks, there was little to no aid ready to move.

Fogbow, an independent outfit, said it had expected there would be large-scale donations of food, medicine and other supplies piling up at a port in Cyprus, where aid was supposed to be staged and screened by the Israelis before being shipped to the Gaza coast via a U.S.-built pier known as JLOTs, or the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability.

When that aid didnt materialize, Fogbow officials knocked on the doors of several local flour mills in Cyprus -- eventually purchasing nearly 2.5 million pounds of flour that it now plans to ship in early June.

"It's not the capacity of JLOTs," said Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor and former assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East who's one of the co-founders of Fogbow. "It's that there's not enough aid" to move, he said.

PHOTO: The U.S.-flagged container ship MV Sagamore in Cyprus. The ship is being used by the US military to transport humanitarian aid into Gaza. (Fogbow)

Two months after President Joe Biden announced his vision of the floating pier off Gaza that would enable some 2 million meals delivered a day, the $320 million project has been off to a bumpy start. The pier, initially envisioned as a 90-day project, first struggled with bad weather that delayed its placement, as well as security concerns tied to Israel's operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Since becoming operational nearly a week ago, the pier's new complicating factors appear to be convincing countries to step up donations into Cyprus and enabling aid workers safe passage to distribute the supplies.

Of the 695 metric tons of aid that's been shipped in recent days -- roughly 1.5 million pounds -- the United Nations' World Food Program said it has struggled to get much of it to warehouses because of security issues. On Tuesday, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that 11 of the 16 trucks leaving the pier last weekend were looted by desperate residents.

The U.S. also announced it was suspending food distribution in Rafah this week "due to lack of supplies and insecurity."

Gaza aid timeline: How the hunger crisis unfolded amid the Israel-Hamas war

Jake Sullivan, the presidents national security adviser, told reporters Wednesday that he does not see the pier as a failure.

"Aid is flowing. It is not flowing at the rate that any of us would be happy with because we always want more, but we are actually seeing good cooperation between the U.S., the IDF [Israel Defense Forces], the U.N. and other humanitarian organizations to ensure that aid goes from that pier to innocent people in need," he said.

USAID has not said how much aid is in Cyprus now, other than to note that "thousands of tons" of aid is "in the pipeline."

"We anticipate more assistance from additional countries and organizations utilizing and steadily scaling up the maritime corridor soon after it is operational," USAID said in a recent statement provided to ABC News.

PHOTO: A tugboat in Cyprus leased by Fogbow, a private US humanitarian group that plans to begin moving aid into Gaza in early June. (Fogbow)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers Tuesday that "deconfliction" between aid groups and the IDF remains a serious problem, referring to steps to coordinate logistics to reduce the risk of friendly fire.

"There are good procedures in place, but we continue to see some problems at the operational level, at the tactical level where a given unit may not know in real time that a convoy is supposed to go through," Blinken told the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"So we're working on significantly improving that, finally fixing that to make sure that humanitarians can proceed safely," he said.

Pentagon's temporary pier off Gaza is ready to begin delivering aid

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday that aid movement has resumed with the U.S., Israel and U.N. working on identifying "alternative routes for the safe movement of staff and cargo."

Ryder and other officials say the military is employing a "crawl, walk, run" strategy that starts out slow and builds capacity with time.

In the meantime, with its three empty barges on hand and nothing to move, Fogbow officials this month turned to buying their own shipment of aid.

PHOTO: Limassol Port in Cyprus, where humanitarian aid is shipping to Gaza. (Fogbow)

Mulroy said the hope is that international donors and aid groups will offer up more supplies once they see a functional operation.

"This pier has a lifespan ... and the conditions are not great," Mulroy said. "So the longer that we don't have large quantities of aid going in, the more we're wasting this opportunity."

ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

Biden's military pier to deliver aid to Gaza off to slow start originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
There is no limit to the amount of plastic that can legally be deposited into human testicles. Presumably there are crimes an individual can be charged with if they inject polypropylene, for instance, into someones balls without their consent. Yet if that plastic is deposited over several decades into the air and water, finding its way to untold scrotums, theres no reason to believe that the companies responsible for doing this will ever be held accountable.

This isnt a theoretical scenario. A recently published study of 23 human and 47 dog testes found that all of the testes contained microplastics. The study, published in the journal Toxicological Studies, also suggests a correlation between microplastics contamination and lower sperm count. Its not the first of its kind, either: Plastic particles are widespread in food, water, blood, and placenta; their presence in certain blood vessels has been linked to higher rates of strokes, heart attacks, and death.

In the United States, environmental regulations protect against toxins and pollution in the air and water, often quite successfully. Rules around certain kinds of plastic pollution are relatively new, though; it was only last month that the Environmental Protection Agency finalized limits on six forever chemicals frequently found in plastics owing to their potential to cause kidney and liver cancer. As regulators start to crack down on plastics seemingly ever-larger footprint, will there be any reckoning with the harm thats already been done?

Its a question that pertains not just to plasticsa broad umbrella of products overwhelmingly derived from oil and gasbut to the fossil fuel economy and its well-documented tendency to harm and kill people. One 2021 study found that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for a whopping one in five premature deaths worldwide. Big oil and gas producers, like Shell and ExxonMobil, are also some of the worlds top plastics producers and see it as a promising growth industry over the coming decades.

If you missed news about the plastics-in-testes study, it might have been because a seemingly unrelated event was dominating headlines. On Monday, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan announced that the ICC is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three top Hamas leaders (Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. While these warrants seem well justifiedthe Israel Defense Forces have openly admitted to deliberately bombing refugee camps, for instancecoverage of the announcement has been met with understandable cynicism: ICC proceedings are notoriously sluggish. While they can exert pressure on alleged war criminals, it can take decades, in some cases, for them to be brought to justice; infamous Serbian war criminal Ratko Mladic, for instance, wasnt found guilty of atrocities committed during the Bosnian War, spanning from 1992 through 1995including the Siege of Sarajevo and the Srebrenica Massacreuntil 2017.

In some ways, expecting Netanyahu or Gallant to face a similar trial, however slow, is optimistic. While the U.S. was united with the international community in opposing Serbian actions in the Bosnian War, today its actively funding Israels brutal war on Gaza with billions of dollars in military aid. Despite mounting regular defenses of the so-called rules-based international order, U.S. officials have uniformly rebuked the ICCs pursuit of Netanyahu and Gallant. Biden called the ICCs application for those arrest warrants outrageous, pledging that the U.S. will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also chided the ICC for seeking arrest warrants rather than allowing the Israeli legal system a full and timely opportunity to proceed. On Tuesday, Blinken said he was open to working with Congress on sanctioning the ICC for sticking its nose in the business of countries that have an independent legitimate, democratic judicial system, as Republican Senator James Risch put it. (Like the U.S., Israel is not a party to the ICC, meaning that Israeli leaders would need to travel to a country that is to face the possibility of arrest and prosecution over killing upward of 35,000 Palestinians.)

As ever, the U.S. supports the rules-based international order so long as it gets to set those rules. For the most part, it has. The architecture of that order has been designed to protect the interests of capital, not the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Corporations have no shortage of venues to demand payouts from sovereign governments they see as threatening their profits. Investor-state dispute settlementsbaked into trade agreementsallow companies to sue governments over all manner of regulations in front of secretive tribunals; most of those charges have been brought under the Energy Charter Treaty, ostensibly designed to assure prospective investors in former Eastern bloc countries power sector that their assets wouldnt seized by extant Soviets. Its now a potent tool for fossil fuel companies to discourage environmental regulations that make them lose money.

Whereas United Nations compacts rely overwhelmingly on voluntary pledges and financing to address global crises like climate change and plastics, titans of industry can lean on any number of legally binding statutes to seek justice for lost profits all over the world. Needless to say, those on the losing end of corporate crimesespecially victims looking to bring cases against Western multinationals operating in the global southhave comparatively few options to seek compensation, let alone criminal prosecutions.

Thats not to say there havent been attempts. Court challenges against fossil fuel companies have picked up over the last decade. More than 40 states, municipalities, and tribal nations across the U.S. are suing polluters for damages, and a Dutch court sided with the climate group Milieudefensie in its 2021 ruling that Shell needs to reduce its carbon emissions 45 percent below 2019 levels by the end of 2030. Aaron Regunberg and David Arkush have made a compelling case for trying fossil fuel on criminal charges, including homicide. In a recent book, Spanish economist and environmental adviser David Lizoain makes the case for bringing fossil fuel executives in front of the International Criminal Court, and understanding rising temperaturesand the resulting mass deathsas climate genocide.

These are excellent, well-argued proposals. Implementing them will entail long, hard battles against some of the planets most powerful countries and companies. For now, Netanyahu and Gallant are unlikely to be brought to justice for the same reason that petrochemical companies are likely to continue pouring plastic into our blood and balls with impunity: Thats just not what the rules-based international order was built to do.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A bill to further regulate the funeral home industry has passed one of the chambers in the Illinois statehouse.

The proposal filed in November by State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) would require creating a tagging system with chain of custody documentation for all human remains for any death that happens in Illinois. The bill passed the House unanimously Tuesday.

The hope of the bill is to ensure all families receive the right remains. In September, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon announced his office was opening an investigation into Heinz Funeral Home/Family Care Cremations in Carlinville after dozens of families were given the wrong cremains. August Heinz, the funeral director for Heinz, has since had his license for embalming and funeral directing revoked by the state.

It was like doing it all over again: Woman finds out she was given wrong ashes by Carlinville funeral home

The bill now heads to the Illinois Senate for a quick concurrence vote before it reaches the governors desk, due to a minor amendment made in the Illinois House of Representatives. The previous version of the bill passed the Senate unanimously too.

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Getty Images photo illustration.

Billings Public Schools librarians said this week it was ironic they were being recognized for the Pat Williams Intellectual Freedom Award from the Montana Library Association at the same time the school board was considering undercutting their work.

Monday, librarians, parents, teachers and community members lined up to tell school board members to respect students rights, the First Amendment, taxpayer dollars, and the expertise of librarians and to oppose changes to a library collection procedure.

The changes  not approved this week  would have added layers of approvals to book purchases, including by the superintendent. They also would have struck out the Library Bill of Rights, including a provision that libraries should challenge censorship and support groups concerned about the free access to ideas.

The conflict pitting parents rights against intellectual freedom brings a debate thats taken place across the country and at the Capitol to the largest school district in Montana.

Parents who are worried about obscene materials have raised concerns in Billings this year, and at the meeting Monday, they did so again and called on the school board to follow the law and protect their children.

Holding up what appeared to be a slice of chocolate cake, Sabra Stene said school libraries have plenty of books, and they wont hurt with more culling of poop ingredients from more sets of eyes  thats diversity.

Keep the manure in the corral. Dont put it in our schools, Stene said.

But Denise Grewell, a librarian of 40 years, said a book that had nude drawings and wasnt an art book had saved a couple of siblings. It had a tip line for children dealing with sexual predators.

Grewell said a girl called the tip line, and she and her sibling were removed from their home. The husband of their mom had been abusing them, she said, but the children were too scared to report it. She said the husband was convicted and sentenced to prison as a result.

Librarians save lives by handing the right book at the right time to a kid in need, Grewell said.

Backed by community members, she and other librarians argued the proposed changes would compromise childrens safety, lead to significant delays in librarians abilities to buy books that align with new homework assignments, and mean missing out on time-limited book deals for the district.

Opponents of the policy also said the public was given the new procedures at the last minute, on a Friday before a Monday meeting. Plus, they said, it could be a civil rights violation in denying access to students.

One of at least 35 members of the public to comment, Elizabeth Halvorson said its always been true that parents and guardians have the right to direct their own childs reading, and a law the district is analyzing doesnt affect that right.

A legal analysis reviewed House Bill 234 for the district related to obscenity. (The analysis said confusion around the law exists, but it doesnt make it more or less possible for a district employee to be convicted of the offense of obscenity.)

But Halvorson said the matter trustees were grappling with in regards to books came from a national group, not from a reading experience in Billings.

This procedure is being reviewed and revised in the context of a national group that has brought its culture wars to Billings, Halvorson said.

In a Facebook post about the meeting, Moms for Liberty of Yellowstone County urged parents to show support for those standing against the indoctrination of our children and oppose inappropriate sexual content (including rape, incest, killing teachers, violence, teaching drug use and alcoholism, etc.) in our public school libraries.

Moms for Liberty is a conservative political organization that describes itself as dedicated to fighting for the survival of America. It has been at the fore of book ban fights, and the Southern Poverty Law Center considers it an extremist group.

Some parents in support of changing the way librarians add books and other materials to library collections said the school district should focus on raising low achievement scores for students rather than gender identity, and put procedures in place to stop pornographic and obscene materials from landing in school libraries.

Jessie Browning said taxpayers are assisting librarians in breaking the law by providing obscene material to children, and it needs to stop.

We strongly support any efforts by the superintendent and others to change current district policy that has allowed this to continue, Browning said.

At their regular meeting Monday, after much public comment and several failed motions, the school board opted to direct the policy review committee to draft language to update its collection policy to address a recommendation by legal counsel for the board to consider.

Legal counsel Jeff Weldon of Felt Martin said Montana code has long noted library books are selected subject to approval of the trustees, but Billings was out of step. He agreed that once the policy was clarified, the board could take up a revised procedure.

Trustee Teresa Larsen said some of the material she heard parents read from at an earlier meeting made her sick to her stomach, but she said small excerpts of a book may not be a fair representation.

Larsen agreed she would not choose some materials as a parent herself, but she said her responsibility as a board member is separate: Making a decision at a board level for all parents is not something I am interested in doing.

As it moves forward, community member Jack Hanson urged the board to retain language in the Library Bill of Rights and a Freedom to Read statement, which states reading is essential to our democracy. Hanson said removing them would be frankly un-American.

Hanson, who identified himself as a proud product of Billings Public Schools, also said if the board approves a new procedure that gives non-librarians the ability to remove material, he and others will insist on knowing exactly what theyve removed, who authorized the removal, and the reason.

What staff person is going to perform that work? Hanson asked.

The procedure related to Billings library materials  where the rubber meets the road  will outline the steps for adding to the collection. Monday, the proposed revision with layers of reviews and drawn out approvals drew the bulk of the opposition from librarians.

The board did not adopt the proposed changes to procedure this week, but revisions may be an agenda item again in the future, and some members of the public urged support for them.

Rep. Lee Deming, a Laurel Republican, told the board it should stick with the revisions being proposed and stick with its guns: I exhort you to stand your ground.

The librarians, though, said they have the expertise to manage collections. They said they need to be nimble in responding to students  to help them compare parrot prices or address requests from multilingual students who are English language learners and speak more than 30 different languages.

Imagine a student asking for a pencil and being told to wait two months? said librarian Hayley Botnen.

Annie Rice, a librarian and mother, said she knows shell need to buy three copies of a certain book because its so popular it gets trashed, and she knows a new nonfiction book about the Nazi occupation of Poland will be popular.

Did you know middle schoolers are always asking for books about World War II? Rice said.

She said she wont be able to buy all of the books the students want because her budget doesnt allow it, and she suggested the board create fewer barriers to books because students need them and librarians need to respond in real time.

May I suggest you just give me more money? Rice said.

The post Billings librarians speak out on proposed school district changes to book collection procedure appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The boat towing the Ransom Everglades student who was killed in a Biscayne Bay boating accident earlier this month is owned by a renowned biotech entrepreneur who lives in a $23 million Miami Beach home, is a University of Miami donor and owns a 182-foot superyacht in addition to the vessel involved in the accident off Key Biscayne.

Jonathan Rothberg, 61, who made his fortune through several geonomics and medical device companies he founded, is the owner of the black 42-foot 2017 Hanse Fjord that was towing 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler in the water when she was struck and killed by another boat near Key Biscaynes Nixon Beach, according to international, federal and state records.

READ MORE: The world has been robbed: Family mourns girl killed in boat crash near Key Biscayne

While marine authorities have identified the boat owner who they say left the scene after hitting Ella, a freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, they havent yet named the owner of the vessel on which Ella was spending the day with friends on the water.

Ella Riley Adler, 15, was killed in a hit-and-run boat crash off Key Biscayne, Florida, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Temple Beth Sholom

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the accident, did, however, include that vessels registration number in its initial report of the accident.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection log states that in 2021, a boat with that vessels registration number departed West Palm Beach for the Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy.

The vessels name appears as T/T Gene Chaser. Records from the Cayman Islands, where the boat is registered, link a company under the same name to Rothberg. Rothbergs yachts  the Gene Chaser and the Gene Machine  have garnered big spreads in the boating, scientific and business trade press in recent years, particularly since he transformed them into floating science labs during the pandemic.

Rothberg hadnt responded to the Miami Heralds multiple requests for comment as of Tuesday evening.

The 42-foot boat towing Ella and another girl is a tender, that is, a smaller boat used to shuttle back and forth from a larger boat, in this case, Rothbergs Gene Chaser, a 182-foot superyacht built in 2020. Photos of the Gene Chaser capture the Fjord, plus a 20-foot Zodiac, a landing craft and a fleet of jet skis all fitting on the sizable stern deck.

Miami biotech entrepreneur Jonathan Rothbergs 182-foot yacht, the Gene Chaser (right), is docked at a marina on Watson Island on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Another boat that Rothberg owns, a 42-foot 2017 Hanse Fjord, was the boat that was towing Ella Adler, the 15-year-old Ransom Everglades student who was struck and killed by a boat in a wake-boarding accident in Biscayne Bay on May 11, 2024.

Two girls in the water at the same time

The FWC report says Edmund Richard Hartley, 30, was piloting the Fjord, which was towing Ella and the other girl behind the boat around 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, about a mile west of Mashta Point off Key Biscayne. Ella was on a wake board and the other girl was on a wake surfboard, according to the report.

The girls fell off their boards at different times and in different locations, and both were in the water simultaneously, the report states. The report did not identify the other girl.

Another boat, heading west, struck the female wake boarder who was in the water, further away from the boat that was towing her, the report says. Ella died from her injuries.

On the boat with Hartley were Emma Roberts, 30; Sebastian Pearce, 21; seven 15-year-olds; and three 14-year-olds. One of the girls on the boat was Rothbergs daughter, a classmate of Ellas at Ransom Everglades, whose 15th birthday was the day before the boat outing, according to the report.

Ella was the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. Michael Adler was formerly president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and vice chair of the Florida International University Board of Trustees.

Hundreds turned out for Ellas funeral service at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, where she was eulogized by Rabbi Jonathan Berkun, the rabbi at Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, as a force of nature, a glowing and gorgeous young woman who was loved, admired, cherished and adored by more people than anyone her age would normally be.

First Lady Jill Biden sat shiva with the Adlers.

Pallbearers of male family members and friends roll the casket of Ransom Everglades student Ella Riley Adler at a funeral service for her at Temple Beth Sholom on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Background of captain piloting boat

Its not clear if Rothberg hired Hartley as a captain. The Miami Herald has reached out to Hartley but hasnt received a response.

Hartley, whos from London, studied at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy and at the Glasgow Maritime Academy in Scotland, according to his Facebook profile. The page also says he works in the superyachts industry. A source close to the matter said Hartley is certified through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the United Kingdom to captain a ship up to 3,000 gross tons.

Carlos Alonso

According to the FWC investigation report, 78-year-old Carlos Alonso, who lives on the water in Coral Gables near Matheson Hammock Park, was operating the 42-foot 2020 Boston Whaler that struck and killed Ella.

READ MORE: Gables man was piloting boat that struck and killed Ransom Everglades student: FWC report

Alonsos criminal defense attorney Lauren Field Krasnoff previously told the Miami Herald that Alonso has no knowledge whatsoever of having been involved in this accident, and, if he had realized he hit someone on the water, he absolutely would have stopped.

READ MORE: Man accused of piloting boat that killed 15-year-old girl off Key Biscayne. Who is he?

Bill is a good man and he is absolutely devastated by the loss of this intelligent, accomplished and beautiful young woman, Field Krasnoff told the Herald. He has cooperated 100% with law enforcement and will continue to do so.

The FWC said its investigation is ongoing, and the agency hasnt arrested anyone.

A scientist  and a multimillionaire

In 2021, Rothberg moved to South Florida from Connecticut, buying a $23.5 million house off the Venetian Causeway, Miami-Dade property records show.

An article on the UM website states Rothberg was seeking to spur innovation through building deep relationships with the University of Miami community.

His gift to UMs College of Engineering has led to the Miami Engineering Rothberg Catalyzer Award, which helps fund biotech projects of UM undergraduate and graduate students. The first winners consisted of 13 teams, each receiving $5,000 to push their projects forward.

Rothberg has made headlines with his superyacht Gene Machine, which boasts a fully functional biology lab and team of scientists on board. During the pandemic in 2020, Rothberg and his team spent most of the year on the superyacht developing a low-cost, at-home coronavirus testing kit.

In 2016, President Obama awarded Rothberg the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his work developing fast, cost-effective DNA-sequencing technology.

Rothberg earned a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon and masters and doctoral degrees in biology from Yale.

Jonathan Rothberg receives the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2016.

Rothberg, who was born into a family of entrepreneurs, holds more than 400 patents. A founder of several key geonomics and DNA-sequencing companies, Rothberg got his start as a graduate student at Yale in 1991 when he founded CuraGen, one of the first geonomics companies at the time, according to a UM article about him.

CuraGen went public in 1999, valued at $5 billion.

Ive spent my career building disruptive solutions to improve the lives of those I love, according to the UM article.

A Miami Herald photo of a boat docked behind Jonathan Rothbergs home originally published with this story incorrectly identified the vessel as the one towing Ella Riley Adler when she was killed by another boat while wakeboarding off Key Biscayne Saturday, May 11, 2024. Rothberg does own the boat that towed Adler, but, it was not the vessel shown in the photo.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. In this photo, he speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Thune: Democrats trying political theater

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. In this photo, he speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. In this photo, he speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Source New Mexico.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. In this photo, he speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom.

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
U.S. Capitol | Susan J. Demas

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Michigan Advance.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Tuesday said he wants to see Republicans go on the record with a vote on a bipartisan border bill. In this photo, he speaks with reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democrats are pushing for a second attempt to pass a bipartisan border security bill that failed in February after Republicans walked away from the very deal they helped craft, and its likely to fail again when the Senate votes on the legislation Thursday.

So why are we bringing this bill up the second time? said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of three negotiators of the measure. The answer is simple. Democrats care about border security.

The expected vote comes as immigration has continued to rise as a top concern for voters in the polls and as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has centered his reelection campaign on the issue, promising to reinstate his previous policies and carry out mass deportations.

President Joe Biden called Republican leaders in both chambers Monday night to advocate for them to vote for passage of the bill that, among various things, would give Biden the executive authority to close the southern border when its overwhelmed.

Mr. President, you caused this problem, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he told Biden in their phone call.

McConnell said he pushed for Biden to reinstate Trump-era policies such as the completion of the border wall and the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases.

The president needs to step up to it, do everything he can do on his own, because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year, McConnell said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, already said in a statement that should the bill pass the Senate, its dead on arrival in the House.

Schumer says GOP must go on record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he wanted Senate Republicans on the record for voting on the stand-alone bill. Republicans last year originally said they would only vote for vital aid to Ukraine if a border security bill was attached.

Do Republicans want to improve the situation on the border, or not? Schumer said. Maybe theyre happy with the way things are.

Schumer said that Republicans were on board with voting for the border security bill, until President Trump told them to make a U-turn.

Murphy as well as Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma spent months crafting a bipartisan border security bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration law. Senate Republicans walked away from the bill, eventually siding with their House colleagues and Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said Democrats are only holding Thursdays vote to protect vulnerable incumbents up for reelection this November such as Ohios Sherrod Brown and Montanas Jon Tester.

Where we are right now, this has become a political liability, a political vulnerability for the Democrats, Thune said, adding all the charades and political theater the Democrats are trying are meant to protect incumbents.

The sweeping border security bill would raise the bar for migrants claiming asylum, clarify the White Houses parole authority and end the practice of allowing migrants to live in U.S. communities as they await their asylum hearings, among other things.

The Biden administration expressed frustration after Senate Republicans voted to kill the border security deal, frequently blaming Trump and Republicans for walking away.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, Biden said in February.

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The post Bipartisan border bill likely doomed in approaching U.S. Senate vote appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Lawmakers in North Carolina took another stab at moving a proposal that has failed multiple times that would grant nurse practitioners more independence in their practice.

While the proposal moved forward in a bill, it was met with reticence from various lawmakers who expressed concerns about potential issues with patient safety and more.

The proposal  tacked to the bottom of House Bill 681 and debated in a Senate health committee  would allow nurse practitioners who meet educational and clinical practice requirements to practice without physician supervision.

To gain this autonomy, these nurses would have to have worked under the supervision of a physician or a qualified nurse practitioner for at least 4,000 hours and not have been disciplined by the Board of Nursing in the past five years.

This would bring North Carolina into the mainstream of regulation of advanced practice nurses, said Democratic Sen. Gale Adcock, who is a nurse practitioner from Cary.

Controversy around the new provisions

This new language is akin to language included in another bill filed last year in the Senate and House known as the SAVE Act.

The SAVE Act would have granted full-practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. A nurse practitioner is a type of APRN.

It failed to pass either chamber, and bills like it in the past have also failed despite bipartisan support. In 2022, the Senate passed the SAVE Act but the House did not take it up.

Across the country, at least 27 other states have passed similar legislation to the SAVE Act, according to the North Carolina Nurses Association.

North Carolina lawmakers in favor of the act have said it would help expand services in the state, particularly in rural areas.

Theyve also said that advanced nurses are often charged thousands of dollars for supervision services by physicians which amount to little more than a twice-yearly check-in, as previously reported by The News & Observer.

But critics warn against granting too much independence, including Sen. Sydney Batch, a Democratic lawmaker from Apex.

As an attorney who had an all-day trial on Monday, my paralegals helped me prepare for the trial, but theres no universe in which they would have been able to actually represent my client effectively in that court hearing, despite the fact that many of them have been a paralegal for years and years and years, said Batch.

I think we just need to be very thoughtful about what were doing and make sure that the actual patients are being cared for, she said.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, a Republican from Kernersville, defended the choice to tack the provisions onto another bill, saying that the data is overwhelming that there is no safety issue and were not the first team on the court.

Considering this years-long debate, I think its time to stop talking and start doing something  but we have some that arent willing to come to the table, she said.

Against the bill is the North Carolina Patient Safety Association, a group of medical professionals that advocates for physician-led health care.

Last year they spoke out against the SAVE Act, saying that the bill would remove physicians from patient care, risk patient safety and raise health care costs without increasing access to care.

The group has a list on its website of various physician groups, including the NC Medical Society and the NC Society Of Anesthesiologists, that oppose the SAVE Act.

Other provisions in the bill

House Bill 681, in its original format, focused solely on paving the way for the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, helping expedite licensure for physicians who want to practice in other states. The original provisions have already passed the House and did not face criticism in the Senate committee on Wednesday.

Sen. Mike Woodard, a Durham Democrat, said he continued to have a lot of concerns with the new provisions in the bill and that he wished the original bill could have moved forward alone.

The new provisions are issues weve talked about for over a decade around here and weve had many conversations in this committee and then on the floor and one-on-one, but I feel like this cake is not quite baked yet. So were not quite ready to start slicing it up and serving it.

Among other provisions, the amended bill also would:

 require anesthesiologists working with certified registered nurse anesthetists to comply with certain procedures in order to obtain insurance reimbursement, which the bill says are consistent with federal laws.

 require in-network health care facilities to notify patients of any out-of-network charges

 prohibit most nonhospital health care facilities from charging facility fees.

The amended bill passed the committee and now goes to the finance committee.
A male walker in Colorado sustained minor injuries when a black bear swiped at him from behind, knocking him to the ground.

The man was on a morning walk Tuesday morning when the encounter occurred on a path connecting Walton Creek Road and Mt. Werner Circle in Steamboat Springs near the ski resort, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported Wednesday.

The man, who had noticed a yearling cub in the area before the attack, received scrapes to his arm from falling. He finished his walk before seeking first aid. He notified CPW of the attack around 9:45 a.m.

Local wildlife officers have set up bear traps and placed signage to notify those walking the trail of increased bear activity, the CPW stated. As of Wednesday morning, no bears have been caught in the traps.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

Rachael Gonzales, CPW northwest region public information officer, told the Craig Daily Press that residents and visitors to Steamboat Springs need to practice good living in bear country principles.

If you see a bear, dont run, Gonzales said. Stand still, stay calm and slowly back away until the bear is out of sight. If you see cubs, their mother is usually close by. Leave the area immediately to give them space.

As cool as it is to get these videos and photos, its not worth it. Make noise. Dont panic. Being alert, keeping your dog on a leash and knowing what to do if you encounter a bear is important.

Generic photos of a black bear with cub and a black bear courtesy of Mass.gov and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Story originally appeared on For The Win
This commentary is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that desegregated public schools, stands in the collective national memory as a turning point in Americas 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 Americas 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 Browns 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.

A section of the Brown v. Board mural is seen on April 2, 2024, at the Kansas Statehouse. The mural appears outside the former Kansas Supreme Court room where 11 state cases seeking to end segregation of public schools were argued and rejected before the federal case struck down segregation in public education. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Certification exams are barriers to entry

Obtaining a professional license is a critical milestone in a teachers 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.

Whats 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.

The post How Black teachers lost when civil rights won in Brown v. Board appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Willie Patmon wants to teach Detroit's children how to plant the seeds to grow, harvest and consume clean produce.

Willie Patmon at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm on the city's North End.

TC Collins of Willow Run Acres farm, a Ypsilanti farmer known as "Farmer TC," who has been farming on leased land for decades, wants more equitable funding for Black farmers.

Those are among other Black farmers and Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund members who participated in a roundtable discussion. The fund is a coalition of three Detroit-based urban farming organizations: Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, Keep Growing Detroit, and Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network.

Xochitl Torres Small (L), Deputy Secretary of the USDA and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (R), D-Lansing meet with urban farmers and at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit's North End.

Urban farmers had their voices heard on Monday when a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official and others gathered in Detroit for an urban farm visit focusing on the USDA's efforts to "encourage the growth of small-scale and urban farming. "

Fund co-founder Erin Johnson described the discussion as "making sure our unique perspectives are heard at the table.

Xochitl Torres Small, USDA deputy secretary, was in town and joined by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, on the city's North End on a visit to the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm.

Torres Small and Slotkin toured the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm's various hoop houses, crops and facilities. They listened to pleas from Black urban farmers for help with access to more grants and funding.

Black farmers voice concerns

Xochitl Torres Small (L), Deputy Secretary of the USDA, Patrice Brown (C), Eastern Market Food Access Manager and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (R), D-Lansing at recent roundtable at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm.

After touring the urban farm on Goodwin Street in Detroit, Torres Small and Slotkin, along with Patrice Brown, senior manager of the Community Food Network for Eastern Market Corp., convened at the farm's resource center for the roundtable discussion.

Collins, who said he is one of two Black farmers in Washtenaw County, said match funding is a roadblock he faces and the "playing field is not equitable."

"As a Black farmer, if you don't have land to mortgage and they say you need to have match funding ... if you don't have land as collateral or money in the bank or good credit or any financial credit forces, how do you have money, so that's the roadblock. Match funding can't exist in the Black community."

Other barriers he discussed included property and crop insurance, and the cost of accessing irrigation and water.

Collins farms a variety of herbs, more than a dozen tomato varieties, and dozens of potato varieties, including Peruvian potatoes.

Patmon, who grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, is dedicated to teaching children how to grow and harvest clean produce. That requires having land free of debris and access to water, he said.

"You've got to have water, you've got to have sunshine and you have got to have good soil," he told the panel. "I refuse to grow crops on polluted soil. I'm just not going to do it."

Patmon said when he first bought the property, "it wasn't clean enough to grow a tomato."

"I had a terrible time trying to get the debris out and have clean soil so I can grow clean food," he said.

Farm Bill hearings to begin

The urban farm visit was just ahead of the House Committee on Agriculture hearings on Thursday of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, commonly called the "Farm Bill."

Slotkin said the farm bill presented to the house has no money for urban agriculture, while the proposed bill under U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.," has a good chunk of money for urban agriculture.

"We're going to be talking about this meeting on Thursday in a live hearing because there's a complete lack of understanding of what urban agriculture can do in our country," Slotkin said.

Monday's roundtable, Slotkin said, was based on previous conversations with some of these farmers and hearing about some of the program restrictions that make it hard for them to be successful.

"The rules of some of the programs make it hard for some of our growing farmers of color to actually make it," Slotkin said. And we know that in Detroit, there's not enough fresh food, we know that around the state, there's not a lot of Black farmers."

Torres Small said the USDA is "working hard to make our programs more accessible through smaller grants that might not require as much of a match or also looking at insurance programs that can cover new beginning farmers as well as new beginning farmer loans that might be easier to get."

Torres Small said the Biden-Harris administration is investing in urban agriculture through seventeen service centers across the country, including one in Detroit.

"A key part (of the service centers) is working directly with urban farmers and how we can better support them through our programs," Small Torres said.

The USDA's service centers aim to "increase market access and revenue streams for producers while strengthening the food system and giving consumers better access to locally grown foods and healthier choices," according to a news release.

"Urban farming is such a vital part of our future when it comes to AG," Small Torres said. "Making sure that we can get more local markets and that farmers can get a fair share of their food dollar, Secretary Vilsack is focused on making sure that USDA programs can serve urban farmers."

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Officials meet with Michigan Black urban farmers ahead of Farm Bill
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Blaine County Sheriff Department on Wednesday announced the seizure of a facility that produced illegal marijuana plants.

According to the Blaine County Sheriffs Office, agents of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) initiated a raid May 21st on an illegal marijuana grow west of Watonga. More than 17,500 untagged marijuana plants and 600 pounds of untraceable, processed marijuana were confiscated.

Christmas in May: DOJ threatens to sue OK over new immigration law

Police say the seizure was a joint operation of the OAGs Organized Crime Task Force and the Blaine County Sheriffs Office, with additional assistance from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Investigators allege the plants, found in a search of more than 100 hoop houses and other structures in a densely packed area, were headed for the black market.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a press release the bust is emblematic of how the Organized Crime Task Force is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to stamp out the illegal grows that have invaded Oklahoma since the legalization of medical marijuana.

The drug cartels and crime syndicates are steadily getting the message that Oklahoma will not tolerate their nefarious activities. We want them out of our state and out of our lives. Law enforcement will continue to crack down and do what needs to be done to eliminate this pestilence. Attorney General Gentner Drummond

Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daugherty expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the operation, including the Blaine County Commissioners for their help in removing the plants for destruction.

I want to send a clear message that our vigilance will continue, Daugherty said. We have established a partnership with a dedicated team that will relentlessly pursue those involved in illegal activities. If you are engaged in such activities, it is in your best interest to leave Blaine County or be prepared to face the consequences enforced by the Department of Corrections.

Headlines

OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry commented on the alliance, stating she is proud of the partnerships forged.

Were committed to advancing our mission by working with fellow agencies like the AGs office. Working together has allowed OMMA to more effectively identify and remove bad actors to safeguard the integrity of the states medical marijuana program. OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry

Four firearms were also seized in the bust.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Blinken questioned over war in Gaza as protestors interrupt

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  As the war in Gaza continues U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be testifying before Congress again Wednesday.

His appearance at a hearing Tuesday drew protests over policy in the Middle East.

Republicans, Democrats and protestors were taking aim at the U.S.s policy toward Israel in its war against Hamas.

Were standing with Israel in its efforts to ensure that what happened on October 7th never happens again, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers the U.S. is also trying to get more humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen says not enough is being done.

That hurts our credibility around the world, and it sets a dangerously low bar for whats acceptable going forward, said Van Hollen.

The hearing comes after the international criminal courts chief prosecutor said hes pushing to arrest Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.

Blinken denounced the move.

The shameful equivalence implied between Hamas and the leadership of Israel, I think that only complicates the prospects for getting such an agreement, said Blinken.

Meanwhile, Idaho Republican Senator James Risch said the U.S. should be doing more to support Israel, criticizing the pause of a recent weapons shipment.

The administration is imposing costs on Israel. You must stop blaming Israel and let Israel remove Hamas from Gaza. That is the only way to move forward, said Risch.

Blinken will testify before the House Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the United States and Saudi Arabia were very close to concluding a set of agreements on nuclear energy, security and defense cooperation, which are part of a wider normalisation deal with Riyadh and Israel.

Speaking at a hearing in the House of Representatives, Blinken said the finalizing of the agreements "could be weeks away" but cautioned that for the wider normalisation to proceed, there must be calm in Gaza and the formulation of a pathway for Palestinian statehood.

"Those agreements are in principle very close to being able to be concluded. Now of course we will come to Congress with them when they're ready to be reviewed, but we're - could be really weeks away from being able to conclude them," Blinken told the House Appropriations Committee.

"However, in order for normalization to proceed, Saudi Arabia has made very clear that even with the agreements between us completed, they have to have two things: they have to have calm in Gaza and they have to have a credible pathway to a Palestinian state," Blinken added.

Sources told Reuters earlier this month that a working draft has been crafted that lays out principles and proposals aimed at putting back on track the U.S.-led effort to reshape the volatile region that was derailed by Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

However the bigger deal still remains elusive largely due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated rejection of any plans for the creation of a Palestinian state.

As Washington works on restoring calm in Gaza through a hostage deal that would achieve a ceasefire, Blinken said, a moment of choice was approaching for Israel.

"Until now this has been a hypothetical or theoretical question for Israel. Assuming we complete the agreements between the United States and Saudi Arabia, that hypothetical or theoretical question becomes a real question that they will have to answer one way or another," Blinken said.

Blinken sidestepped a question on whether any U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear pact would commit Riyadh to the "gold standard" of foregoing uranium enrichment or reprocessing spent fuel, both processes that can yield fissile material for bombs.

Blinken said Washington wanted any civil nuclear deal to include the foreign nation agreeing to the "gold standard" as well as "Additional Protocol" that gives the U.N. nuclear agency more verification tools but he did not commit that a Saudi deal would include either.

U.S. President Joe Bidens aides originally envisioned, in three-way negotiations before the Oct. 7 attack, for Saudis to gain U.S. security commitments and U.S. nuclear cooperation in exchange for normalizing ties with Israel.

Now the administration is negotiating with Riyadh on a separate track and seeking to finalize the offer of a "grand bargain," leaving Netanyahu to decide whether to join.

U.S. officials are hoping Netanyahu will not want to forego the historic opportunity to open relations with Saudi Arabia, guardian of Islams holiest sites. But they say they are mindful of the domestic political pressures he is under, including keeping Israels most right-wing government ever from collapsing.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed; editing by Deepa Babington)
By Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Egypt to do everything it can to make sure humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza as food and medicine bound for the strip piles up on the Egyptian side.

Blinken told a hearing in the House of Representatives that the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza remained closed after Israel's military seized it on May 7.

Fighting near the crossing has made providing assistance challenging, but aid could still be getting through, Blinken said, an apparent reference to the Kerem Shalom crossing near Rafah where some deliveries have continued.

"So we need to find a way to make sure that the assistance that would go through Rafah can get through safely, but we do strongly urge our Egyptian partners to do everything that they can on their end of things to make sure that assistance is flowing," Blinken said.

Israel is retaliating against Hamas in Gaza - an enclave of 2.3 million people - over a brutal Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militants. Aid access into southern Gaza has been disrupted since Israel stepped up military operations in Rafah, a move that the U.N. says has forced 900,000 people to flee and has raised tensions with Egypt.

Egyptian security sources said Egypt cannot bring aid in through Rafah as this would mean an acceptance of the Israeli military's presence at the crossing, which Egypt opposes.

For Egypt to agree to operations restarting at Rafah, a Palestinian presence was needed on the Gazan side of the crossing, Egypt's state information service said on Wednesday in a statement refuting a CNN report about Egypt's role in Gaza ceasefire talks.

Egypt's foreign minister said on Monday that the Israeli military presence and combat operations put truck drivers in danger.

Israel's strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" the hold-up was Egypt's fault.

"Right now, Egypt is withholding 2,000 trucks of humanitarian assistance from going into Gaza because they have a political issue about the Rafah crossing," Dermer said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; additional reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Matthew Lewis and Diane Craft)
DENVER (KDVR)  The U.S. 50 bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir in southwest Colorado is set to reopen July 4 to limited traffic, transportation officials said Tuesday.

The bridge has been closed since April 18 after inspectors found cracks in the steel. Closer examination revealed 118 critical locations with defects.

CPR News first reported the update from a meeting Tuesday night in Gunnison County. State transportation officials confirmed the news to FOX31 and laid out the repair plan.

The first phase of the repair plan is for crews to repair four locations on the bridge in time for limited traffic to be able to use the bridge starting July 4, weather permitting and with all factors going smoothly, Elise Thatcher, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said in an email. The exact amount of traffic will be determined as repairs progress, and weather will play a significant role in being able to complete the first phase of repairs on this timeline.

A second phase for repairs will take longer and will be performed in between in-service traffic openings on the bridge, according to CDOT. Full loads are expected to be allowed back on the bridge in fall 2024.

Meanwhile, Gov. Jared Polis formalized a disaster declaration for the closure in Gunnison, Hinsdale and Montrose counties.

This Executive Order allocates funding to assist in the response and recovery efforts related to the U.S. Highway 50 Blue Mesa Middle Bridge closure, the governors office said in a release. The Blue Mesa Bridge is a critical access point for emergency services, agriculture, education, and community members daily travel throughout the region.

Inspectors continue conducting work on the US 50 middle bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir. (Courtesy the Colorado Department of Transportation)

US 50 Blue Mesa bridge closure detours

The bridge, built in 1963, is west of Gunnison near Dillon Pinnacles. The closure is in place on U.S. 50 from mile points 136 to 137.8 at Red Creek Road.

On Monday, the state said the bypass on County Road 26, which is a high mountain native surface and gravel road, will open seven times every day but Wednesdays for local public travel, with restrictions.

Drivers traveling through Colorado were told to avoid County Road 26 and use the alternate detours on Interstate 70 to the north and U.S. 160 to the south. The northern route is 354 miles and takes around six hours of travel time, while the southern route is 331 miles and takes around seven hours.

Travelers are urged to visit COtrip.org for the latest traffic information around the state.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BOCA RATON  The county's southernmost city was named a top meeting destination in North America by a company that provides technology for conferences, conventions and business meetings throughout the world.

The Virginia-based software company, Cvent, ranks cities by their success in engaging event planners and drawing business events to their towns, based on activity within its network. In that annual ranking, Boca Raton was the only Palm Beach County city to make the list, landing at No. 50.

"This recognition underscores Boca Ratons growth and popularity as a tourism destination," said Milton Segarra, president and CEO of Discover the Palm Beaches. "The investments in the local hotel industry, strong community support, regional growth and prominent events have contributed to this tremendous achievement.

"This accolade emphasizes what weve known all along  that Boca Raton shines as a premier destination for meetings and conventions in North America."

Where are most business conventions held in Florida?

The Boca Raton resort, founded in 1926, features more than 1,000 guest rooms today. Located at 501 E. Camino Real, the resort's average price per night is around $560.

Florida is a popular meeting destination with six cities on the list of 50, including Orlando which topped Cvent's rankings for all of North America. The city cleans up thanks to multiple theme parks, 200 hotels and more than 120,000 guest rooms, according to Cvent.

Other Florida cities that made the cut: Miami, at No. 13; Fort Lauderdale, No. 20; Kissimmee, No. 24; Tampa, at No. 26; and Boca Raton, at No. 50.

Other cities in the Southeast that made the list included Nashville, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Of course, business conventions are global affairs, and Cvent also ranks meeting destinations in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East and Africa.

The full list of 2024 destinations can be found here.

Where does Boca Raton rank among top business meeting destinations?

Boca Raton was ranked 50th among Cvent's top meeting destinations in North America. The city is one of 39 cities and towns that make up South Florida's Palm Beaches.

"This prestigious accolade is a testament to Boca Ratons commitment to partnering with hoteliers and event planners alike to orchestrate exceptional events," said Bharet Malhotra, Cvent's senior vice president of sales.

"Given the tremendous value that meetings and events bring to local economies, its more important than ever that convention and visitors bureaus and destination management companies embrace their role as destination advocates to attract group business to their locales."

Landing on this list is more than a nice bragging point, the distinction highlights Boca Raton to Cvent's global network of event planners and partners looking for places to host events and bring their visions to life, Malhotra said. The company, founded 25 years ago, serves as a technology provider for meetings, events and hospitality management.

Boca Raton hotels at a glance

Boca Raton has 24 hotels to choose from within the city limits when it comes to planning for meetings and events. according to Cvent.

Among those two dozen hotels, there's 3,986 rooms. The city's largest hotel, The Boca Raton, has more than 1,000 guest rooms.

According to Cvent, on average, a hotel room in Boca Raton costs $132, and a meal costs $59.

Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton ranks among top 50 meeting destinations in North America
Bodies of 4 Men, 2 Women Found Strangled, Piled Up in Mexican Resort City

The victims were found with their hands tied behind their backs and dumped into a pile on Monday night

Matthew Stockman/Getty Acapulco beach in Mexico

Six people have been found dead in Acapulco, Mexico.

Authorities revealed that four men and two women had been strangled in the popular resort city in the state of Guerrero, according to the Associated Press.

The victims were found with their hands tied behind their backs and dumped into a pile on Monday night. The outlet reports the investigation remains underway.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Tourism at Acapulco beach in Mexico

The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

These slayings come just one week after five bodies were dismembered and scattered on the tourist-filled streets of Acapulco. Per Fox News, one was a candidate for nearby Coyuca de Benitezs town council.

Related: Baltimore Sailor Still Missing Off Coast of Mexico as Boat Found: 'We're Not Giving Up Hope,' Says Wife

A month prior, Acapulcos head of traffic police, Eduardo Chavez, was shot to death.

Earlier, in February, two people were found dead on a local beach. According to AP, the men had been strangled, which the Coast Guard described as torture by ligature with signs of torture around the neck.

The outlet also reported that a common way for Mexican drug gangs to kill is by asphyxiation.

Ian Robles/Eyepix Group/LightRocket/Getty Tourists in Acapulco, Mexico

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The city has been plagued by death in recent months. In October, Category 5 Hurricane Otis killed 52 people and ripped through most of the towns infrastructure.

At the time, research scientist at Colorado State University Phil Klotzbach told CNN that Otis was the fastest intensifying hurricane in a 12-hour period in Eastern Pacific history.



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Read the original article on People.
OVERBROOK (KSNT)  A relic from the Civil War caused a bomb scare in a small Kansas town Tuesday.

The Overbrook Police Department (OPD) announced in a press release that officers were called around 3:30 p.m. on May 21 to the 400 block of Walnut on a possible explosive device. Officers responding to the area found what appeared to be an antique cannon ball.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

(Photo Courtesy/OPD)

Following this discovery, the OPD called for backup from the Osage County Sheriffs Office and Kansas State Fire Marshal. Together, the responding agencies determined the ball was an old cannon ball dating back to the Civil War of 1861-1865.

Deteriorating artifacts cause bomb scare at northeast Kansas museum

Law enforcement with the Topeka Police Departments bomb squad removed the cannon ball from the area. The OPD said there was no danger to the public while the cannon ball was being removed.

OPD Chief Eric Carlson says the cannon ball was taken by the TPD to verify whether it is safe or needs to be destroyed. If it is safe to do so, the cannon ball will be donated to the Overbrook Historical Society.

If items like this are found, that can be dangerous, citizens should always contact police, Carlson said in a written statement.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
OVERBROOK, Kan. (KSNW)  A Civil War-era cannonball had to be removed by the Topeka bomb squad Tuesday afternoon.

The Overbrook Police Department was called around 3:30 p.m. to a home in the 400 block of Walnut. Someone reported finding a possible explosive device.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When officers arrived, they discovered what appeared to be an antique cannonball in a flower bed outside of a home.

The county fire district for Overbrook/Michigan Valley, along with the Kansas Fire Marshal and The Osage County Sheriffs Office, responded to the scene to assist Overbrook Police.

Courtesy Overbrook Police Dept.

Courtesy Overbrook Police Dept.

The cannonball was determined to be from the Civil War era. The Topeka Bomb Squad was called, and they safely removed the cannonball.

No one was hurt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Spain, Norway and Irelands recognition of a Palestinian state is likely to have little impact on Israel

Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 13, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. - AFP/Getty Images

Europe has struggled over the Middle East for a very long time.

The decision by Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognize a Palestinian state tells us more about the domestic politics of those countries than anything else.

Obviously, the decision of three European nations to take this step is newsworthy and will have repercussions diplomatically, perhaps putting pressure on their allies to take a firmer stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

However, it is also reasonable to say that thus far, no amount of pressure from even the US has had a major impact on the thinking of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel responded by recalling the ambassadors of the three countries, accusing them of rewarding terror with the decision.

Conversations about what recognition of statehood practically means and how helpful it is to the Palestinian cause in the long run are all entirely valid. But the reality is that the stakes are quite low for the majority of European countries when it comes to issues relating to Israel and the Palestinians.

In Ireland, Spain and Norway, support for a Palestinian state chimes with the broader electorate and is unlikely to receive any political blowback. That isnt necessarily the case in other European countries. While supporting a peaceful two-state solution in the long-term, Germany has been consistent in its support for Israel, as have Hungary, Poland, the UK and others.

The main consequence of this is military support, which inevitably raises questions about complicity in the war against Hamas  namely weapons being used to kill civilians. The UK government is currently under pressure to publish legal advice on whether or not selling arms to Israel falls foul of international law.

But these are largely domestic issues. For a long time, European governments have mostly considered the Middle East  especially Israel  to be something that the US deals with, in part due to the USs military operations in the region.

European countries simply do not have a huge amount of influence in this area. The Middle East was not something that dominated European thinking in a major way until the fallout from the Arab Spring led to an enormous influx of migrants into continental Europe. Aside from the practical implications of mass migration, it also presented a security risk, with terror groups hiding among refugees and carrying out atrocities across the continent.

That isnt to say Europeans didnt care about the Middle East, specifically the Palestinian cause. Large sections of Ireland are supportive of Palestine due to its own history of occupation, while Norway mediated the famous Oslo accords.

The European Union has historically sent huge amounts of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territories and supported a two-state solution. Indeed, the European Commission responded to Wednesdays news: The European Union has a long-standing commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Whether this pushes any kind of peace process along or not remains to be seen. This is not a coordinated European effort. Norway is not a member of the EU and the idea that 27 member states would all be willing to go as far as Ireland and Spain seems extremely unlikely. Yes, it might put pressure on bigger players to take a stand. But Europe doesnt speak with one voice and is unlikely to any time soon.

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What's Your KCQ is a collaboration between The Star and the Kansas City Public Library series that answers your questions the history, people, places and culture that make Kansas City unique. Have a suggestion for a future story? Share it with us here, or email our journalists at KCQ@kcstar.com.

On a recent visit to Penn Valley Park, a reader noticed an oddly placed stone along Penn Drive south of the lake. A plaque embedded into its surface reads: To the author of Annals of the Great Western Plains, Charles Carroll Spalding, who in the day of small things had the bold vision to foresee the future city.

The plaque provides the books publication date, 1858, and states that the monument was erected in 1918, but provides no additional information. The reader asked Whats Your KCQ?, a partnership between The Kansas City Star and the Kansas City Public Library, to explain its significance.

The Spalding name is familiar to KCPLs Missouri Valley Special Collections staff. His book is regarded as the first history of the city, and an 1855 map of Westport drawn by Spalding hangs on the fifth floor of the Central Library in the Missouri Valley Room.

Spaldings 1855 map of Westport.

SPALDING GOES WEST

Spalding was born in Vermont in 1826, grew up comfortably in a prominent Montpelier family, and studied civil engineering before seeking his fortune in the American West.

He made his way to California during the gold rush years, but like many, failed to strike it rich, and went on to ply his trade as an engineer. He worked as a land surveyor for railroad firms in several western states, and by 1854, records of his activity show up in the newly created Kansas Territory.

Charles Carroll Spalding

Upon arriving in Kansas, Spalding worked as a correspondent for the New-York Tribune, penning dispatches designed to lure easterners to his new state. He took to the business and, in 1854, started his own paper, the Frontier News, across the border in Westport.

He also worked as city clerk and engineer there, where he produced his 1855 map of the town.

BORDER RUFFIAN DAYS

Spalding still wanted to make his fortune, and through his newspapers mission made clear what he thought was necessary to ensure success  The paper will be devoted to the interests of the frontier, and the south, and will advocate the cause of slavery, as an institution sanctioned by divine law, proclaimed an announcement published in another local paper, the Weekly Leavenworth Herald.

Spalding backed up his words.

Following passage of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act that mandated that popular vote would decide if slavery would be extended into the new territories, pro-slavery advocates flocked to the area hoping to influence the decision. Conflict erupted along Missouris western border, initiating the pre-Civil War violence known as Bleeding Kansas.

Two Missouri border ruffians displaying their weapons.

Emigrant aid societies designed to attract eastern abolitionists to Kansas began popping up in 1854. Spalding, on the other hand, helped organize the Jackson County Pro-Slavery Pioneer Association to attract Southerners interested in making Kansas a slave state.

On Aug. 29, 1855, Spalding participated in a convention of the Pro-Slavery Party held at the Shawnee Indian Mission, then serving as the temporary territorial capital, to nominate a slavery supporting delegate to the U.S. Congress. Their candidate won an assured victory once the free-staters refused to participate in a subsequent election claiming widespread voter fraud by Missourians.

Notice of the formation of the Jackson County Pro-Slavery Pioneer Association.

To what degree Spalding participated in violent conflict or personally influenced Kansas territorial elections is not known. However, later in life, he was fond of recalling his days as a Missouri border ruffian.

MOVE TO KANSAS CITY

Records show that Spalding married in 1855 and accepted a position as editor at The Western Journal of Commerce, future mayor Robert T. Van Horns newspaper. Van Horn would remain a mentor and associate for the remainder of Spaldings career in Kansas City.

In addition to newspaper work, he platted McGees Addition, an area of land south of 12th Street that effectively doubled the size of the city in 1857. Spalding and his wife, Matilda, relocated to a cabin at 17th and Locust for the job.

An 1869 birds eye view of the city showing the location of McGees Addition stretching from 12th Street south to 20th Street (highlighted in blue).

In 1858, Van Horn published Spaldings book. While known as the citys first history, the work is largely promotional in nature, the original town company having been formed just eight years prior. In the text, he hints at his support for slavery and is preoccupied by missed economic opportunities in Missouri due to the activities of East Coast abolitionists.

An original copy of Spaldings book.

Spalding continued to promote the new city in print, and he likely would have continued had the Kansas-Missouri border conflict not escalated into all-out war.

THE CIVIL WAR

As the country steamed toward civil war following the election of Abraham Lincoln as U.S. President, Spalding wrote to his father in December 1860. In the letter, he blames the countrys turmoil on the the licentiousness  of the American Press. Interestingly, he omits mention of his border ruffian escapades.

He also doesnt blame slavery for the conflict. He does, however, affirm his loyalty to the Union. It was this stance that would bring an end to his investment in Kansas City.

With Missouris secession decision still up in the air, nearly all business activity in the city ceased  including newspapers. Much of the populace supported the Union, but rural areas and towns like Independence and Westport saw increasing Confederate support. Once the Civil War broke out in April 1861, secessionists converged on the city.

The newly elected Mayor Van Horn struggled to defend the city from secessionists armed with weapons stolen from the federal arsenal in Liberty. By June, he had formed a volunteer battalion of reserve corps and established a camp called Fort Union at 10th and Central streets. Kansas City would remain in Union hands throughout the war.

Robert T. Van Horn was elected mayor on the eve of the Civil War.

An account of Spaldings departure in the New York Herald records that his newspaper office was attacked and that he was given until the next morning to leave the city. He fled to the countryside and accepted a job as a schoolmaster. He took his family back to Vermont as soon as war was declared.

The move wasnt driven by cowardice. Spalding joined the Fifth Regiment of the Vermont Infantry as a combat newspaper correspondent. The unit was charged with the defense of Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1861 and later saw action on the Virginia Peninsula. In October 1862, Spalding was discharged due to poor health.

A newspaper announcement that Spalding had arrived back in Vermont.

EAST COAST NEWSPAPER CAREER

Once back in Vermont, Spalding started another newspaper, the Newport News. He pledged that the new title would avoid party affiliation and would let the negro severely alone, an indication that he intended to hold his tongue on slavery.

The publication didnt last, and by the late-1860s Spalding had accepted a position with the Boston Herald and relocated there. During these years, he took up a new cause  temperance. He delivered speeches at teetotaler meetings in Massachusetts and Vermont championing abstinence from alcohol as the cure for American societys ills.

Spalding passed away at the age of 50 following a bout with a dropsical affection. He was buried in the family plot in Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier, Vermont.

SPALDING REMEMBERED

In 1918, the Missouri Valley Historical Society spearheaded the move to place a memorial to Spalding in Penn Valley Park. Former Mayor Henry M. Beardsley led a ceremony to dedicate the bronze plaque set into a granite boulder. The original bronze plaque was stolen in 1929 and replaced with a replica.

Kansas City annexed Westport in 1897 and the memory of Spaldings 1855 map faded with time. In the 1930s, Westport pharmacist and historian Albert Doerschuk started looking for an early map of the area. A tip led him to Claude Hallerans automobile repair shop on Westport Road, where he found Spaldings map. Halleran reported that his grandfather, an early resident and wagon builder for the Santa Fe trade, had handed it down to him.

Westport mechanic Claude Halleran posed next to the map his family kept.

Halleran donated the map to the Daughters of Old Westport historical society, which placed it on permanent loan to the Library in 1974.

Despite spending less than a decade in the Kansas City area, Spalding left a mark on our history  a mark complicated by his outspoken support of slavery.

His opinion was in keeping with the general mid-nineteenth century mindset in Kansas Citys white business community, a community largely made up of Southern transplants who needed to keep all economic avenues open  pro-slavery, abolitionist, or otherwise. When the war came, many of them, like the author of the citys first history, remained loyal to the Union if only to protect their economic futures.

Have your own KCQ?

Ask in the form below or email kcq@kcstar.com and well help you uncover the hidden history in your corner of Kansas City.
DENVER (KDVR)  In May 1974, two car bombings killed six Chicano activists within 48 hours of each other in Boulder. Now, the city is remembering the group with a sculpture at 17th and Pearl streets.

The activists protested the University of Colorado Boulders administrative actions in 1974 that created higher levels of financial aid disparity for students of color. According to the Los Seis de Boulder Community Sculpture Project, the first fatal bombing occurred on May 27, 1974, killing Una Jaakola, Reyes Martinez and Neva Romero in a car bomb at Chautauqua Park.

Pro-Palestine protesters reject DUs deadline to clear encampment

On May 29, Francisco Dougherty, Heriberto Teran and Florencio Granado were killed in a second car bomb in a parking lot near 28th Street and Canyon Boulevard. A seventh activist, Antiono Alcantar, was severely injured in the second explosion.

On the 50th anniversary of this tragedy in our community, we come together to remember those lost and share in their legacy, said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde in a release. Artwork has a powerful ability to memorialize loss and offer a space for reflection. It is through pieces like this community-created sculpture that we can begin to acknowledge the past and heal from it.

In 2019, CU Boulder community members, including CU Boulder alumna and artist Jasmine Baetz, created a sculpture with portraits of all six activists. They installed it in front of Temporary Building 1 on campus, according to the Community Sculpture Project website. The university launched the CU Boulder History Project and Art in Public Space Committee in January 2020. In March 2020, the chancellor extended the permit for the statue, allowing it to remain permanently on the campus.

At the time of the bombings, United Mexican American Students were occupying Temporary Building 1, which is why the sculpture was placed outside. The occupying group in 1974 demanded continued financial aid and educational opportunity programs for Mexican American students, according to Boulder City Council.

In 2020, Baetz began a second sculpture. It was installed earlier this month at the corner of 17th and Pearl streets and is titled El Movimiento Sigue.

Two car bombs exploded less than 48 hours apart in May 1974, killing six Chicano activists and injuring a seventh.

The sculpture embodies the multigenerational and coalitional effort to fight against oppressive systems and advocate for education and transformation, the city said in a release.

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The sculpture will be dedicated on May 28 at 6 p.m. on Pearl Street. Speakers for the event include the artist and family members of Los Seis de Boulder. Spanish interpretation will be provided. The city also issued a declaration on May 16 in memory of Los Seis and also made a $1,500 contribution to UC Boulders Bueno Center for Multicultural Education Los Seis Memorial Scholarship.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)  On Wednesday, Bradenton City Council members voted 4-1 in favor of adopting an ordinance to install speed detection cameras throughout school zones in the city.

This is part of a state-wide effort to make students commutes to and from school safer.

I would love to put a cop in every school zone before and after school every day, said Bradenton Police Department Captain Brian Thiers. Its just not possible.

Despite District 4 Councilwoman Lisa Gonzales Moores opposition, city leaders have officially decided to implement speed enforcement cameras within 9 school zones throughout Bradenton.

Do you ever see people speeding through school zones? we asked a Bradenton parent. Quite often actually, she responded.

Melissa Bomar drops her kids off at school every day in Bradenton.

While in favor of creating safer school zones, she believes its not always the seemingly speedy drivers fault.

If there was more I guess not notification, but awareness of where the school zones are other than just a flashing light just here or there I think that would bring awareness to the drivers as well, Bomar said.

She said she wishes there were more signage, and better lighting to make it clear when youre in a Bradenton school zone, especially because not everyone is familiar with the area.

The State of Florida has outlined very specific instructions in the state law that we will have to comply with to include ensuring our signage is correct, including notifying motor vehicle drivers that there is photo enforcement going on in that area, said Captain Thiers.

By the start of the 2024-2025 school year those who speed 10 miles or more over the school zone speed limit during enforcement hours are expected to receive a $100 ticket.

Those who receive one will have the opportunity to appeal the ticket.

In a recent study throughout the nine school zones the cameras will soon appear in, the city found that more than 3,000 drivers daily speed 10 miles per hour or more during school zone enforcement hours.

The new cameras should help reduce the danger those drivers are causing students.

The new cameras are not expected to cost the city money but rather generate revenue.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
He doesnt even live here!

The news of Harry Dunns plans to run for Congress in Marylands 3rd congressional district went off like a fart in a crowded movie theater, at least among his soon-to-be-opponents. So much for any focus on local issues whatsoever: it was time to prepare to hear the phrase January 6 on repeat for four months.

Dunn had become a fixture on CNN because of his past career as one of hundreds of Capitol Police officers assigned to protect lawmakers on the day of the attack. Of several who testified to the January 6 committee in 2022, Dunn provided a unique, deeply personal and raw perspective as a Black officer subjected to racist taunts by rioters during the hours-long siege on Americas seat of democracy.

Once a virtual nobody, Dunn was now a well-known figure in DC circles. He was spotted at house parties hosted and attended by Washington journalists, and continued to appear in the odd cable news hit long after congressional hearings related to the attack concluded. And now, he was rocketing to the top of the power rankings (or close to it) of Democratic candidates vying in a crowded primary for a seat in Congress.

His first act was to announce his candidacy, unsurprisingly, in a CNN interview. Of course, he was the only candidate to run for the seat who scored an in-studio interview with a national news network over the course of the primary: another perk of being Washington-famous.

The district, Marylands third, is not inside the Beltway  but its about as close as one can get. Sandwiched between Washington DC and Baltimore, the district includes Anne Arundel and Howard counties, including the states capital of Annapolis and wide swath of suburbia, before extending up Interstate 70 to the west. If any voters were sufficiently TV-brained to elect a Capitol cop with zero experience and few concrete ties to his would-be district, they lived here.

Just one problem: Dunn was a resident of Montgomery County. As in, another suburb of Washington DC. Its close to district 3, but it is not, in fact, part of it.

Dunns lack of connection to the area  and lack of political experience  was not lost on voters, members of Marylands political class and especially his opponents.

Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, greets supporters at an election night watch party on 14 May 2024 (Getty Images)

It even appeared to be understoon by Dunn himself, as he spoke to voters in my hometown of Severna Park in early May. The candidate met with a handful of potential supporters on May 6 at the house of a self-described MSNBC junkie (the jokes write themselves), covered by local outlet Maryland Matters. Even as he told those voters that he was hoping to let people know that Im more than January 6, Dunn made the admission: [If] January 6 doesnt happen, Im not standing before you today. Im at work at the Capitol.

That ended up being an understatement. Throughout his campaign, Dunn focused his message almost exclusively on Donald Trump and the battle against MAGA-aligned Republicans in Congress. Those MAGA Republicans, he argued, were working in the primary to keep him from making it to Congress  a claim that seemed outlandish, given the nature of a closed Democratic primary in a state where Trumps brand of Republicanism never caught on in any serious way. He faced constant questions, meanwhile, regarding why he was running for a seat in a district where he had never lived.

The anti-MAGA messaging continued on, even when it became clear that it was a useless tool. Text messages and statements sent by the campaign over the course of several months rarely, if ever, focused on his actual Democratic opponents, including frontrunner Sarah Elfreth, the state Senator who eventually won the primary.

The former cop ended the race in second place, buoyed undoubtedly by his support from activist anti-Trump donors nationwide. But he was unable to beat Elfreth, who was backed by the local Democratic political establishment. Meanwhile, his rivals were left questioning what could have been, had a thumb not been pressed so firmly on the scale.

One senior staffer for a campaign that fought unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination against Dunn and Elfreth in the 3rd district denounced a DC consultant class that they said had poured money behind a losing candidate on a pointless bid to satisfy their own obsessions.

Dunns loss is an indictment of the DC consultant class that think they can drop a national figure into a local race and win with flashy ads, said the source, who spoke to The Independent on condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the state of politics in Maryland. The same source lamented that Elfreth, who received a surge of AIPAC-linked donations as the race progressed, was the only candidate able to fight back against the barrage of spending Dunns team was able to unleash thanks to their national connections.

The saddest thing this proves is that you can only fight back against that if youre a lifelong politician that can garner mysteriously-motivated big PAC donations, they said.

One trip down I-95 to the south reveals that a similar dynamic is playing out in Virginia, where the departure of Abigail Spanberger in district 7 has triggered another crowded Democratic primary race. Like the MD-03 campaign, Virginias 6th was set to be a battle between local personalities but has been upended by the entrance of one of cable news favorite #Resistance champions: Eugene Vindman.

Eugene Vindman, left, and his brother Alexander, right, were central figures in the 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump. Eugene Vindman is now a candidate for Congress in Virginia (Getty Images)

A former US Army colonel, Vindman and his brother Alexander worked for the White House National Security Council before they were famously fired by Donald Trump during the course of events leading up to his first impeachment trial in 2020. Eugene and Alexander, twin brothers, are credited with alerting the public to a phone call then-President Trump had with Ukraines president on which Trump pressed Zelensky to open a criminal investigation into Joe Biden in the hopes of damaging the latter politically.

Now, Eugene is running for the House of Representatives. Despite having never held elected office, not having a history of activism or service with local Democratic Party groups, and without serious connections to Virginias political establishment, hes leading the race in fundraising as the June 15 primary approaches. He also has the endorsement of The Washington Post, which in its endorsement of him did not list any qualifying or even notable factors beyond his participation in the impeachment process.

Unsurprisingly, his entrance into the race  and the oversized mark his national attention is causing  is not going over well with others in the race, or even some Democrats who have yet to endorse a candidate.

We need somebody who understands the entire district, not just the I-95 corridor, Vindmans rival, Carl Bedell, said.

Another critic of Vindmans is state delegate Joshua Cole, who tweeted that he had never seen the former colonel involved in local Democratic Party politics in Virginia at all.

I want to have someone representing me who understands what its like to live here in Fredericksburg, who knows what its like to understand Culpeper, who knows what its like to understand King George County, he told NOTUS, a nonprofit newsroom run by the nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute. We understand Donald Trump is a boogeyman right now, but there are other real-life issues that we are concerned about too.

It does get under some folks skin that hes trying to parachute into the district and win by talking about a bunch of national issues and just saying Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. And just waltz into Congress, just based on that, added Matt Borja, a Democrat running for school board in Culpeper County, to NOTUS.

It remains unclear if Vindman will fare better than his counterpart in Maryland. But either way, the attention of Washingtons media class is having a measurable effect on these local races, as low as the stakes may be in a race where there is little daylight between the candidates.

If he shares Dunns fate, the consultant class  WaPos editorial board very much included  may be overdue for a long, hard look at the kind of candidate whose proliferation they are encouraging, and whether it isnt just another bad investment.
Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman talks about plans to expand the airline's presence in Rhode Island during a press event Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick. (Office of the Governor)

Breeze Airways plans to double its presence at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport over the next five years with more flights west of the Mississippi River, including adding three international routes, the company announced Wednesday.

The Utah-based budget airliner, which first landed at T.F. Green in 2021 offering flights to three U.S. cities, now offers 120 flights a week to 18 domestic destinations. Under the new expansion plan, Breeze will have 200 weekly nonstop flights to 35 destinations by 2029.

That includes the three flights to international destinations yet to be named and seven domestic flights west of the Mississippi River, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC).

Breezes expansion comes one week after the airline launched nonstop flight service from Rhode Island to Denver.

What a day as we continue to grow Breezes base of operations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, which has essentially already been doubling in size each year, Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman said in a statement.

Gov. Dan McKee said Breezes latest commitment to Rhode Island will bring in more economic activity, more good-paying jobs, more routes, more visitors, and help set Rhode Island up as a true destination state.

Breeze invested $160 million to create a permanent base at the Warwick airport, which opened last year. To increase its presence at T.F. Green, Breeze was awarded $2.9 million in tax credits through the states Qualified Jobs Incentive program through 2034.

The agreement with the state to create that hub included goals to create between 200 and 250 jobs in Rhode Island within the first five years. As of Wednesday, RIAC said the Breeze workforce based out of T.F. Green totals 205 employees.

Breezes expanded service is expected to serve 1 million passenger flights annually to T.F. Green, according to RIAC.

Breeze Airways exceptional performance at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is a wonderful success story, not just for the airline, but for Rhode Island and all of Southern New England, said RIAC CEO Iftikhar Ahmad.

The post Breeze Airways to double number of flights, add international routes out T.F. Green appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
A typo apparently led Pinellas County, Florida, sheriff's deputies to pull a man and his epileptic teenage daughter from their car at gunpoint. A local TV station reports that a deputy ran the car's tag and it came back stolen. But about 10 minutes after deputies pulled over the driver, dashboard and bodycam video showed the deputy who entered the tag number realizing he'd typed it in wrong. Another deputy can be heard complaining about deputies "not knowing what they're doing." "People make mistakes," said the deputy who ran the tag number.

The post Brickbat: Typo Trauma appeared first on Reason.com.
A British grandfather who died on a turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight has been described as the most wonderful human being that you could ever know by a close friend.

Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen and his wife Linda, were among 47 British passengers aboard the Singapore Airlines flight when it plunged around 6,000ft within minutes.

Lizzie Atkins, a friend of Kitchen, paid a moving tribute to the retired insurance worker who suffered a suspected heart attack on the flight from London.

Kitchen, 73, was on the trip of a lifetime with his wife that he had planned for a long time and was very excited about.

Ms Atkins, a fellow member of Bristol-based Thornbury musical theatre group, said: He would do anything for you. He was just amazing.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, she said: He was just a remarkable man, really. He was stable and reliable, and you always knew you were in safe hands with Geoff.

He had a really dry sense of humour and had a twinkle in his eye and every time you saw him, you just knew that he was going to make a funny joke.

She added: He was the most wonderful human being that you could ever know, one of the top ones.

Geoffrey Kitchen and his wife was on the trip of a lifetime which he had "planned for a long time" - FACEBOOK

Ms Atkins said the father of two was a staunch supporter of their theatre group, and had been a member for 35 years.

She said: Within the group he played many roles, not just on the stage, but also he was the secretary, treasurer, he was the chairman and he would do anything for you, anything for the group.

She said of the couples dream trip: Last time I saw him just after New Years, they were both talking about this.

They were both very adventurous travellers, they loved to travel and this was something they were particularly looking forward to. They were going on a cruise in Indonesia and then onto Australia, and so it had been planned for a long time and was very exciting.

The Singapore Airlines flight flew from London Heathrow to Singapore and encountered severe turbulence en route. - PONGSAK SUKSI/REUTERS

More than 70 other passengers and crew members were injured on the flight with seven others in a serious condition and thought to be in intensive care.

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing, 11 hours into the flight, at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi airport.

The aircraft hit an air pocket and plummeted an astonishing 6,000ft in just five minutes.

The 16-year-old Boeing 777 left Heathrow at 10.17pm on Monday and was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time (9.45am BST) on Tuesday.

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew on board - including 47 passengers from the UK and four Irish nationals.

Singapore Airlines said: Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 20, encountered severe turbulence en route.

We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board.

Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

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A man charged by British police for allegedly spying for Hong Kongs intelligence services, has been found dead in a park outside of London.

Police are investigating the unexplained death of Matthew Trickett, 37, whose body was found by a member of the public in the park in Maidenhead, Berkshire, west of London, on Sunday, Thames Valley police said in a statement.

Trickett had appeared alongside two other suspects at Westminster Magistrates Court on May 13, charged with national security offences. All three were granted bail.

Trickett was on court bail, awaiting court proceedings, which required him to register at a police station regularly, the police said.

In a statement, Tricketts family told British newspaper The Times: Were mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family man.

The Chinese Embassy in the UK and Hong Kongs Chief Executive John Lee have both condemned and rejected the accusations.

Relations between Hong Kong and its former colonial ruler Britain have soured in recent years following mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city in 2019 and 2020.

The British government has criticized Hong Kongs Beijing-backed crackdown on almost all opposition in the years following the protests, while Hong Kong authorities have bristled at Britain providing a safe haven for pro-democracy leaders sought by the Hong Kong police.

The charges against the three men allege that between December 20, 2023, and May 2, 2024, they agreed to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, according to PA media.

Police also alleged that on May 1, the three forced entry into a UK residential address, according to PA.

While all three were granted bail, they were barred from traveling internationally with District Judge Louisa Cieciora saying they must abide by a night time curfew and report weekly to their local police station.

In a recent press conference, Lee said one of the men charged was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London but did not directly address a question over whether it was involved in surveillance of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK.

Lee, the citys former security chief, said that Hong Kongs Economic and Trade Office exists to facilitate cultural and economic interactions with people and businesses in the UK and that Any attempt to make unwarranted accusations against the Hong Kong government is unacceptable.

Additional reporting by Lucas Lilieholm, Chris Lau and Jerome Taylor in Hong Kong

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Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, from Northern Ireland, fell along with a Sherpa climber on Everest

A British climber is missing after falling in a rock slide while returning from the summit of Mount Everest.

He fell along with a Sherpa climber as they descended a near-vertical section of the route near the top of the mountain, the expedition company said.

A break in the rock triggered the fall, sources said.

Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, from Northern Ireland fell alongside Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, from Makalu, Sankhuwasabha, in Nepal. They were part of 8K Expeditions.

A five-member team was deployed to save other climbers caught in the rock slide.

Three other climbers were rescued but Peterson and Pas Tenji fell towards the Tibetan range where rescue is impossible, a witness said.

He added: We mobilised six sherpa for rescue, but could not retrieve them. They were swept away by the rock towards the Tibetan range.

Paterson was described as a fit and experienced climber.

This was his first summit with us, Pemba Sherpa, 8K Expedition manager, said.

He was aware about everything about climbing and the challenges. He was physically fit. Its a natural disaster. Who knows what will happen in the mountains? They are unpredictable.

We dont know [his location]. Its a steep slope and they are gone. We have called off the search operation, he said.

Two Mongolian climbers  Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Prevsuren Lkhagvajav  had died while descending from the summit point on May 13.

Rajendra Bajgain, a Nepal Congress parliamentarian. attributed the accidents to climate change.

Glaciers are melting because of rising temperature and the stable ice is breaking. There were five climbers on the ice and a part of it collapsed and the two climbers were swept away, Mr Bajgain said.

The climbers fell towards the Tibetan part of Everest and it is not possible to press in helicopters without the approval of China, he said.

It came as a 54-year-old Nepali climber known as Everest Man reached the peak of the worlds highest mountain for a record 30th time on Wednesday, three decades after his first summit.

Kami Rita Sherpa, who broke his own record after climbing the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak for the 29th time earlier this month, has previously said that he was just working and did not plan on setting records.

Kami Rita reached the summit this morning. Now he has made a new record with 30 summits of Everest, Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, his expedition organiser, said.

Sherpa first stood on the top of Mount Everest in 1994 when working for a commercial expedition.

Since then he has climbed Everest almost every year, guiding clients.

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Brothers Sentenced to Death for Gang Raping Girl, Burning Her in Coal Furnace

The teen disappeared on the morning of August 2, 2023, while grazing cattle in her village

Getty

Content warning: This story contains disturbing details.

Two brothers in India were sentenced to death for gang raping a 14-year-old girl and then burning her alive in a coal furnace.

The brothers, identified in published reports only as Kalu, 25, and Kanha, 21, were sentenced Monday, May 20, by a special court for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Rajasthans Bhilwara District, per the Hindustan Times, the The Hindu and India Today.

Seven others were acquitted after being accused of playing a role in disposing of the girl's body, according to The Hindu. Special Public Prosecutor Mahaveer Singh Kishnawat said he planned to appeal the acquittal, per India Today.

The teen disappeared on the morning of August 2, 2023, while tending to cattle in her village, per the The Hindu. A search ensued and her family found her shoes near a coal furnace. They found pieces of bone and a charred bracelet inside the burning furnace, according to The Hindu.

Police found some of the teens body parts in a pond two days later, according to India Today.

The brothers, who were caretakers of the coal furnace, admitted to police that after they tossed the victim in the furnace, they disposed of some of her remains in a pond to hinder the police investigation, per The Hindu.

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A forensic examination showed that the girl was alive before she was put in the furnace, per India Today.

Authorities said she was hit in the head with a stick, per The Hindu.

There is no place for crime and criminals in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma posted on X, according to The Hindu. If anyone dares to commit a crime, he will not be spared under any circumstances.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



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Bryan Freedman, the lawyer representing UTA in a clash over Michael Kassans departure from the agency, has prevailed in a lawsuit accusing him of defaming the MediaLink founder.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel Murphy, in an order issued on Tuesday, dismissed the case under a statute allowing for the early dismissal of lawsuits intended to chill free speech. He found that a comment from Freedman aimed at Kassan can only be construed as opinion, which cant make up the basis of a defamation claim.

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Sanford Michelman, a lawyer for Kassan, said in a statement, Freedmans defense was that everyone knows he blusters and is not truthful, therefore proving our point. He added, He is unable to stop Mr. Kassan from competing and now hes unable to tarnish his clients reputation.

The lawsuit was an offshoot of a legal dispute that erupted in March when Kassan claimed that he resigned from UTA after being lied to about his powers at the agency and the company asserting that it fired him for misusing funds. In an arbitration action initiated by Kassan against UTA, naming chief executive Jeremy Zimmer, he alleged that UTA fraudulently induced him to agree to a sale of MediaLink only to then walk back the very promises made regarding what he would oversee at the agency and allowances for his special expenses budget. He resigned on March 6, allegedly preempting the agency terminating him the next day.

A lawsuit from UTA followed, proceeded by a complaint filed by Kassan accusing Freedman of trying to tarnish his reputation at the direction of agency in a bid to prevent employees and clients from following him to his next venture. The allegedly defamatory statements concerned Freedman calling Kassan a pathological liar.

The court concluded that Kassans defamation claims fail as a matter of law and have no probability of success because Freedmans comments cant be understood as anything other than a nonactionable statement of opinion.

Critical to the judges analysis was that the statements were made in a highly publicized, contentious dispute between Kassan and UTA involving mudslinging in both direction. The context is critical, Murphy said, because it shows that the statement was made in an adversarial setting and heated dispute wherein the participants were expected to use epithets and hyperbole which an average reader would not take as fact.

In other cases, courts have found that accusations similar to calling someone a liar doesnt rise to defamation.

Freedman didnt respond to a request for comment, while UTA declined comment.

Last week, Kassan prevailed in a bid to move to arbitration a lawsuit from UTA looking to block him from setting up a new venture after his exit from the agency. Hes expect to appear at Cannes Lions next month.

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The last surviving World War II triple ace pilot died at age 102 this week, more than 75 years after serving in the U.S. Air Force and flying missions over Europe, the Washington Post reported.

Brigadier General Clarence E. Anderson, better known as "Bud," died peacefully in his sleep on May 17, his family said in a statement on his website.

"We were blessed to have him as our father," the statement read. "Dad lived an amazing life and was loved by many."

Anderson is survived by his two children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His wife, Eleanor, died in 2015.

Anderson, who was born in California and learned to fly at 19, served two combat tours during World War II, according to his website. He escorted heavy bombers over Europe from November 1943 to January 1945, flying 116 combat missions and destroying over a dozen enemy aircraft in aerial combat as part of the 357th Fighter Group, nicknamed the "Yoxford Boys." He was the highest scoring ace in his squadron, according to his website.

Bud Anderson. / Credit: CEBudAnderson.com.

Anderson's other military service included serving as the commander of a squadron in post-war Korea and as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing during combat in Southeast Asia.

During his military service, Anderson earned 25 medals, including two Legion of Merits, 16 Air Medals and "many campaign and service ribbons," according to his website. He has also been recognized as a fighter ace, or a pilot who has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat, three times over.

When not overseas, Anderson was a fighter test pilot and served multiple roles, including as the deputy director of flight test operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In total, Anderson logged over 7,500 flying hours in more than 130 types of aircraft.

World War II fighter pilot Bud Anderson stands alongside a P-51C Mustang, Princess Elizabeth, at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, in Cambridgeshire. / Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Images via Getty Images

Anderson retired from the Air Force in 1972, and joined the McDonnell Aircraft Company and spent 12 years serving as the manager of a test facility at Edwards Air Force Base in in California. He retired fully in 1984, published an autobiography in 1990, and quit flying at 90 years old but continued to lecture on the topic and consult on computer flying games, according to his website.

Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008 and the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2013, according to his website. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. In December 2022, he was given an honorary promotion to Brigadier General at the Aerospace Museum of California.

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Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the head of the German Bundestag's defence committee, has called on France to step up its assistance to Ukraine with weapons, noting that its contribution contrasts with statements coming from Paris.

Source: Politico; European Pravda

Details: Strack-Zimmermann, who is a key candidate of the Free Democrats in the European Parliament elections and one of the most active advocates of support for Ukraine in Germany, said that France should speed up the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Her comments came ahead of a meeting on Wednesday in the Weimar Triangle format between the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland.

Quote: "We have the problem that, while Poland is doing a lot as a neighbouring country, while Germany is doing a lot, France is doing relatively little," she said.

The MP expressed her hope that all three countries would be able to quickly transfer more weapons, ammunition and air defence systems to Ukraine.

Quote: "Ukraine has no time and everything, everything, everything has to go much faster. What I expect is that France, precisely because it is an important nation, not only  and I don't mean this in a negative way  makes big speeches, but also follows up its words with action," said Strack-Zimmermann.

Her remarks on Paris' statements may refer to Macron's insistence that the deployment of allied troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out to keep Russia in limbo, as well as his keynote speech.

Politico cites estimates by the German Kiel Institute that Germany is the second largest donor to Ukraine after the United States, with France lagging far behind. At the same time, French Defence Minister Sebastien Le Coronneu has repeatedly criticised these estimates and insists that France has always provided the announced aid.

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Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defence Committee of the Bundestag, believes that Germany could do more to support Ukraine and hopes that Chancellor Olaf Scholz will eventually change his mind about the possibility of providing Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles.

Source: European Pravda, citing Strack-Zimmermann in an interview with Politico

Strack-Zimmermann criticised Scholz, arguing that Germany was still not doing enough to support Ukraine, specifically mentioning his resistance to providing Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles.

Scholz recently confirmed that he continues to refuse to supply these cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Quote: "If the situation changes, I also expect the chancellor's opinion to change. And I hope that when the situation changes, he will realize that he made a big mistake not giving the green light a year ago. So in that respect, hope dies last," she commented.

The MP added that Germany could strengthen its assistance not only by agreeing on the Taurus missiles but also in other areas, particularly in supplying ammunition for air defence systems, even though Germany has already done more than many other countries overall.

"And he says, Gosh, Germany is doing so much compared to the others. Now it's the others' turn. But we can't afford to have this discussion. We can only do it together," Strack-Zimmermann stated.

She also called on France to increase its weapon support for Ukraine, noting that its contribution so far contrasts with the statements coming from Paris.

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The city is changing the rules for on-street dining four years after Norfolk embraced outdoor setups during the coronavirus pandemic  and downtown business owners are not happy.

In the spring of 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic began to escalate in the United States, Norfolk allowed flexibility in outdoor dining on patios, sidewalks and even in city parking spaces. The city enacted a temporary approval process, making it easy for restaurants to install outdoor dining areas as a way to help them survive the state-imposed closure of indoor spaces.

Now, Norfolk has asked businesses to follow new, long-term rules for street dining. While some downtown business owners are working to comply with the new regulations, others are removing their setups entirely.

City officials say the new rules, which have been in the works for more than a year, are a long-term solution, and the less restrictive regulations were never meant to be permanent. But business owners say the new restrictions mean more expensive changes for setups that have already cost them thousands of dollars.

The city sent letters to business owners April 11 detailing what they would need to change to comply with the new regulations.

I think thats just such terrible timing, Patrick Edwards, owner of The Stockpot Norfolk, said. Now is the time when people are starting to sit out there.

He said the city delayed telling business owners what they needed to do until nearly a year after passing ordinances related to street dining. Additionally, they did so during the beginning of the busy season for outdoor dining and at a time when contractors have less availability, he said.

Rather than undergo the time-consuming process of obtaining a permit and paying new city fees, Edwards said he plans to remove his outdoor seating, which was used two months of the year. He plans to transfer it to a Chesapeake restaurant opening soon.

That way Im not wasting the money that I invested into building that, Edwards said.

Christy Marron, owner of Grace OMalleys Irish Pub and Restaurant on Granby Street, said she was instructed to reduce the size of her street dining setup, or streatery, from three parking spaces to two. Marron said shes in talks with city officials to finalize the changes before bringing in a contractor.

The Grilled Cheese Bistro on Granby Street is in a similar situation, owner Dina Taylor said. According to the letter she received, she will need to remove two-thirds of her $24,000-plus setup and reapply for a conditional use permit.

We are not rich people, Taylor said. We are here doing our best and came out of the pandemic fighting to keep doors open.

Norfolk spokesperson Kelly Straub said restaurant owners were asked to respond to the letters by May 1, but there is no formal deadline for compliance.

During the height of the pandemic, city officials granted permission to a wide swath of street dining setups along Granby Street, in Ghent and other city locations. Called OpenNorfolk, the temporary program expired April 30, 2023.

The dining setups were also encouraged by the Downtown Norfolk Council business organization, which offered restaurants matching $5,000 grants to construct or improve outdoor dining spaces beginning in early 2021.

The pandemic-era city program was replaced by a long-term program called Norfolk Outdoor Spaces, which was developed by Norfolk-based Work Program Architects and approved by City Council on April 25, 2023. The group worked with area businesses, including Grace OMalleys, in developing the plan.

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In an April 2023 presentation to City Council, then-acting director of planning Paula Shea said the new system formalizes the program for the long term.

The ordinance imposes several rules on street dining setups, including that dining areas cannot be wider than the length of the restaurants lot. Restaurant owners must paint their street dining setups a range of dark grays, blacks and browns unless the structure is made of naturally rot-resistant wood.

Additionally, the city is adding new fees associated with outdoor dining. For example, semi-permanent dining structures on Granby Street south of Virginia Beach Boulevard incur a one-time $100 application fee and a $14-per-square-foot annual fee for a three-year permit. Other fees vary by location and type of outdoor dining, which also includes seasonal setups and pop-up installations.

Taylor, whose restaurant has been around since 2015, said outdoor dining is vital to her business. Customers love it and have grown used to eating outside rather than at the communal indoor seating, she said.

Closing our patio can mean closing our doors, she said.

Marron hoped the city and business owners would be able to reach an agreement.

I hope that many of the other businesses will come into compliance because it I really do feel like it adds to the atmosphere of downtown Norfolk and the Granby Street corridor, Marron said. A lot of out-of-town visitors have commented how much they like that street.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
Charleston businesswoman and philanthropist Anita Zucker, right, with College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu. (Provided by College of Charleston)

CHARLESTON  Prominent South Carolina businesswoman and philanthropist Anita Zucker donated $2 million to start a scholarship program at the College of Charlestons new engineering school.

The Zuckers latest gift for engineering scholarships will help the college provide a pipeline of talent to our regions growing high-tech, manufacturing and life sciences industries, President Andrew Hsu said in a statement.

The colleges governing board unanimously approved the new School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics in April, hoping to boost enrollment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields at the liberal arts college.

The college first started offering an engineering major in 2020, with engineers from nearby Boeing, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plants helping design the curriculum. It enrolled 36 students in its first semester.

Zucker made the scholarship donation to help attract more students, giving preference to female and minority applicants who are underrepresented in the field.

My late husband, Jerry Zucker, was gifted at math and science. These skills made him the incredible person he was and built our businesses, Zucker said in a statement. Couple that with liberal arts, including the importance of communication and writing proficiency, and it completes the person.

Zucker has long been a supporter of the school, serving on the Presidents Strategic Initiatives Committee, the School of Business Board of Governors and the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program Advisory Board.

The post Businesswoman Anita Zucker starts scholarship at new Charleston engineering school appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
If AB 2226 is approved by the Senate and signed into law by Newsom, it would require California kids to complete one year of kindergarten before enrolling in first grade in a public school, beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

After several failed attempts, California lawmakers are once again working to mandate that children attend kindergarten, with the state Assembly passing a bill Tuesday to make it compulsory.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration and, if passed, heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.

Newsom vetoed a similar bill in 2022, calling the effort "laudable" but saying the costs were not accounted for in the state's budget. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown also vetoed a proposal for mandatory kindergarten in 2014, arguing that because most children already attend kindergarten and those that don't are often enrolled in other appropriate programs, parents should be able to determine what's best for their offspring.

If AB 2226 is approved by the Senate and signed into law by Newsom, it would require California kids to complete one year of kindergarten before enrolling in first grade in a public school, beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

School is mandatory for 6-year-old students, but California  like most other states  does not mandate kindergarten.

Children are are eligible for kindergarten at age 5, but are not required to attend. Still, most do. Data suggest that about 3.5% of California students who attended public first grade during 2022-23 did not attend kindergarten the prior year, according to an Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis.

The legislation would create costs that are "potentially in the $100-million range annually" for increased per-student funding to attend kindergarten, according to the committee analysis.

Newsom and state lawmakers are already contending with a $44.9-billion budget deficit. Amid that grim forecast, the governor described a spending plan earlier this month that would shrink the size of state government and slow his progressive policy agenda.

A Newsom spokesperson declined to comment on pending legislation.

The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates), with Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) introducing a similar measure in the Senate. Rubio also introduced the bill that Newsom vetoed in 2022.

Read more: Newsom vetoes bill to make kindergarten mandatory, citing costs

The Los Angeles Unified School District, which co-sponsored the 2024 bill, argued that kindergarten "is critical to closing the opportunity gap and furthering equity," citing research that shows that kids who went to kindergarten are more likely to attend college and to earn more, and are less likely to experience poverty as adults.

Times staff writer Mackenzie Mays contributed to this report.

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California Democrats introduced a bill in Sacramento on Wednesday that would prohibit school districts from adopting parental notification policies, which they said are harmful, forced outing practices that cause suffering for LGBTQ students.

The policies, which several conservative-leaning school boards across the state enacted over the last year, require school staff to inform a students parents if the student shows signs of being transgender. Such signs can include going by a different name and using pronouns that dont align with their biological sex.

The new bill is the latest volley in a political war thats been raging for more than a year.

Last year, a California Republican assemblyman introduced a bill that would have forced school staff in all schools in the state to inform parents if their child showed signs of being transgender.

The Democratic-controlled Assembly killed the bill, Assembly Bill 1314 by Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, before it could even get a hearing. But Democratic lawmakers couldnt stop the momentum behind it  the fervor of a parents rights movement that inspired school board after school board to adopt a similar measure.

Now Assembly Democrats are trying a different approach.

Assemblyman Chris Ward, D-San Diego, on Wednesday unveiled a bill to bar school districts from passing such policies, and to protect school staff who defy such policies from district retaliation.

Assembly Bill 1955 is a gut-and-amend bill, meaning that Ward stripped the bill of its original language and replaced it with the new wording.

According to Ward, the bill has three major pieces:

 It spells out that districts are prohibited from enacting forced outing policies of LGBTQ students.

 It provides resources and support to LGBTQ students and their family, such as access to counseling and other mental health services.

 It bars school districts from punishing employees who defy their policies in keeping with the superseding state law.

The bill is must go through the Senate, but because it has been amended it will have to also be voted on again by the Assembly before going to the governors desk for a signature.

Why now?

Ward, vice chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, said that his bill is a caucus priority.

Asked why, more than a year after Essaylis bill started the parental notification movement in California, lawmakers were only just now responding with legislation, Ward said that while the caucus wanted to respond last summer, as the school districts first began adopting these proposals.

They chose to wait for legal guidance from the many court battles being waged on the topic.

The legality of such policies is currently being put the test in several lawsuits across the state. Elected officials at the highest level of state government, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Superintendent Tony Thurmond have taken an aggressive stance against the policies.

Chino Valley Unified School District in Riverside passed its own parent notification policy last August, and has since become embroiled in a legal battle with the Attorney Generals office about whether or not the policy is discriminatory.

Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District in Roseville passed a similar policy last fall, but has said it wont enforce the policy while the courts decide whether its legal or not.

Rocklin Unified School District in Placer County passed its own contentious policy after several hours of public debate last September, and last week voted to accept pro-bono legal support from a conservative, Chicago-based firm that takes on high-profile culture war issues, for a case with the state Department of Education. The department called the policy discriminatory and ordered that they rescind it.

Essayli has committed to taking the issue all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Teachers have a job to do

Asked about the bills chances of being signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Ward said his team is focused on just getting the bill passed through both houses of the Legislature first.

This really comes down to the suffering and the challenges that LGBTQ youth are feeling, Ward said.

He cited surveys of transgender youths who said that they feel safer and more supported at school than at home. A 2022 survey by the LGBTQ advocacy group the Trevor Project found that just 32% of trans and nonbinary youths view their home as a safe and affirming place.

Ward said that his bill doesnt take away a parents right to know about their child.

Parents can always engage their kid and have a conversation, he said.

Ward said that its important not to confuse the parent-child relationship with the student-teacher relationship, and that the district policies place an unacceptable burden on teachers.

The policies have proven wildly unpopular among most teachers, particular among teachers unions. In the Rocklin district, the local teachers union has gone so far as to file an Unfair Practice Charge with the California Public Employment Relations Board, saying that the boards decision to pass the policy without union input is a violation of the Educational Employment Relations Act.

Many teachers have also said the policies put them in a precarious legal position where in they would have to violate student privacy, and just as many have said they wont enforce the policy, even if costs them their jobs.

Teachers have a job to do, Ward said. Theyre not the gender police.
California could soon license Arizona abortion doctors unable to practice in their own state

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CALIFORNIA COULD SOON OFFER LICENSING TO ARIZONA ABORTION DOCS

Arizona abortion providers may soon be able to render their services in California.

California Senate lawmakers voted on party lines for SB 233, a bill from Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, that is intended to allow Arizona doctors to practice medicine in the Golden State until Arizonas repeal of a Civil War-era law that bans all abortions goes into effect later this fall.

The bill provides expedited licensing for Arizona doctors through Nov. 30 of this year. SB 233 was a Legislative Womens Caucus priority bill. The bill has already passed out of the Assembly, and now it moves to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom. If he signs it, as expected, it will immediately become law.

SB 233 is in response to the Arizona Supreme Courts resurrection of a dead law criminalizing any and all abortions, a law passed in 1864 when women couldnt vote and husbands could legally beat their wives., the caucus said in a statement.

With SB 233, California offers a lifeline to Arizona doctors to provide the health care their patients need without fear of a prison sentence. Once again, California has made it loud and clear we will remain a safe haven for reproductive care, it said.

The bill came at the request of Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who called on California and other states to allow abortion providers to continue offering care while state lawmakers worked to overturn the ban.

According to a caucus statement, over the last year, California has seen a surge of abortion-seeking patients from other states, and more than 25 million women of child-bearing age live in states that have banned abortion.

CAIR-LA CONDEMNS ZBUR STATEMENT

The Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) is not happy with Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Hollywood.

The group sent a letter to the lawmaker condemning his one-sided response to the attack on the pro-Palestinian protesters camped at UCLA earlier this month.

Recall that Zbur called the attack on the largely peaceful protesters by a pro-Israel mob both horrific and abhorrent, saying in a statement, No matter how strongly one may disagree with or be offended by the anti-Israel demonstrators messages, tactics, or goals, violence is never acceptable and those responsible must be held accountable.

CAIR-LA was unimpressed with that.

As a civil rights leader, you should recognize the anti-Palestinian hate on display during the attack at UCLA. Instead, your May 3rd statement shows a dangerous double standard in dealing with the civil rights of Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims. It also disregards the clear Islamophobic, xenophobic, and anti-Palestinian attacks on students, focusing solely on the safety concerns of those not involved with the encampment, the letter by CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush reads in part.

The letter discussed an April 29 meeting CAIR-LAs policy team had with Zbur, that left the former feeling disappointed with the latter.

We call on you to release a statement affirming your commitment to protecting the first amendment rights of student protesters. Your Palestinian, Arab and Muslim constituents deserve the same humanity and empathy as any other constituent, the letter reads.

CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMEMBERS AMONG MOST BIPARTISAN

Via David Lightman...

Californias congressional delegation is dominated by Democrats, but several of them are among Washingtons most bipartisan lawmakers.

A new report by the nonpartisan Lugar Center and Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy ranks members of Congress according to bipartisanship last year. Ten House members ranked among the 100 most bipartisan.

Topping the California list was Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Salinas, at 13. Close behind at 16 was Rep. Young Kim, R-La Habra.

Two more Republicans followed, Reps. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, at 34 and David Valadao, R-Hanford, at 38. Rep. Michele Steel, R-Seal Beach, was 85th and Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, was 87th.

The rest of the top 10 were all Democrats: Jim Costa of Fresno, 44; Salud Carbajal of San Luis Obispo,,58; Ami Bera of Sacramento, 79; Doris Matsui of Sacramento, 82. Nationally, the most bipartisan member was Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.

California had 10 members, all Democrats, among the 100 most partisan.

They included Reps. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, 415 (out of 436), Maxine Waters of Hawthorne, 412; Adam Schiff, now seeking a U. S. Senate seat, 376; Nanette Barragan of San Pedro, 374; Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles, 365; Mark Takano of Riverside, 364; Sara Jacobs of San Diego, 363; Kevin Mullin of San Mateo, 357; Barbara Lee of Oakland, 350 and Robert Garcia of Long Beach, 341.

Most partisan nationally was Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the outspoken House Judiciary Committee chairman.

In the Senate, Californias Alex Padilla, a Democrat, ranked 62nd for bipartisanship. Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., was not ranked since she was not in office for most of 2023.

The rankings try to measure how well and how often members of the different parties work together. It uses data on bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship.

Former Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, explained in a statement before his death in 2019 that the index uses this method for two reasons.

He said it allows the center to construct a highly objective measure of partisan and bipartisan behavior and helps reveal partisan tendencies. Sponsorships are very carefully considered declarations of where a legislator stands on an issue, Lugar said..

QUOTE OF THE DAY

@californialabor stands in solidarity with  @newsguild calling on the full Senate to pass SB1327 today. If passed, this bill will dramatically improve the capacity of local newsrooms to deliver news that preserves democracy and informs communities.

- California Labor Federation boss Lorena Gonzalez, throwing her organizations weight behind a Senate bill to tax online advertising to pay for a tax credit for media organizations, via X.

Best of The Bee:
Since the pandemic, nursing in California has taken a hit.

With an estimated the shortage of 36,000 licensed nurses, a decade long shortage that was exacerbated by COVID-19 and limited capacity at current programs, the state needs more nurses.

A possible solution? Provide opportunities through community colleges that would not only break down a barrier of entry, but diversify the workforce. Senate Bill 895 would require the office of the Chancellor for the California Community Colleges to pilot 15 nursing bachelor degree programs throughout the state. If passed, the effectiveness of the programs would be evaluated on or before July 1, 2032.

Community colleges are known to be the most affordable option in pursuing higher education in the state. They are hubs for communities of color and more mature students, said Christina Kelley, the education director for the American Nurses Association.

There is no majority racial group across for nurses the state, with 59% of the workforce identifying as non-white. However, the state is seeing a lack of Latino and Black representation among registered nurses, a survey from the University of San Francisco found.

Hispanics and Latino make up 40% of Californias population. Yet, they only make up 9% of the registered nursing workforce. The same study found Black Americans only make up 5% of California nurses with licenses and residences.

Currently, 70% of students attending a California community college come from a diverse ethnic background with a majority identifying as Hispanic and or Latino, according to the Chancellors Office. By diversifying the nursing workforce, it helps a patients experience.

Seeing their caregiver as someone who looks like them, who speaks their language, who believes in things they believe in, helps puts a patients mind at ease, Kelley said. We have a duty as nurses to ensure that our body of professional nurses matches the population we serve.

Diversifying the nursing workforce could provide repair trust for Black and brown communities and health care providers, Kelley said. To some, distrust can be traced to past experiences with discrimination and a history of unethical medical procedures. Seven in 10 Black Americans say theyve been treated unfairly by health care providers, a survey from the Commonwealth Fund found.

Every hospital or care organization that delivers care to the community should always look like their population served, Kelley said. Our population served should match the person giving the care. It creates a more comfortable space, a more trusting space.

Ben Testani, the legislative team lead for NorCal Resist, a Sacramento-based non profit that support immigrants, said this bill could have a second order positive effect on immigrant communities, especially in Sacramento. Immigrants usually enroll at a community college when pursuing higher education, he said.

And for those who were in health care their home country, and wanting to continue medicine in the United States, this program could assist in re-certification.

Making this relatively low cost, relatively accessible program to the (community colleges) is a really great way to get those people with those job skills re-certified in the United States and get right back to what they want to be doing, Testani said.

Californias nursing shortage

The goal of SB 895 is to make obtaining a nursing degree more equitable and accessible. Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, who authored the bill, said preference will be held for programs in the Central Valley, where there are currently nursing gaps.

The number of nurses has declined since the beginning of the pandemic, hitting rural areas significantly and causing concern for growing health care disparities.

Kelley said the shortage is happening for various reasons: nurses have left the profession because of traumatic experiences with the pandemic, some are retiring and programs are limited across the state. A combination of all three has created obstacles in the workforce.

As nurses retire, leave, pivot and that combined with the impaction of nursing schools, its very difficult to churn out new nurses to backfill those roles, Kelley said.

Today, a two-year nursing degree isnt enough to land a nursing position, either. The nursing industry has a significant preference for bachelors degrees compared to an associates, which is the standard degree awarded at community colleges. Eighteen percent of California hospitals require a bachelors nursing degree in order to be eligible for employment, a 2021 Health Impact found. A 2017 report from Health Impact noted over half of hospitals preferred prospective nurses hold a bachelors degree.

Nursing bachelors degrees are typically offered at a public four-year institution, like a California State University campus. Students can also pursue a degree at private college. But both institutions are seeing limited capacity system wide, said Roth.

The education is the same, whether a prospective student goes to a California State or a community college, Roth said. Both students take the same clinical coursework, train in the same hospitals and complete the national examination which entitles them to practice as a nurse. The only difference is 30 additional units of coursework.

If passed, SB 895 would allow students who have completed their associates degree in nursing to stay and pursue their bachelors. This will be an option for the 15 community college districts selected for a pilot program.

Were using the community college programs to supplement the great work of our public and private institutions, Roth said. I think this is a win-win for everyone.
California lawmakers in both houses this week voted to approve a pair of bills that would ban grocery stores and other retailers from handing out multi-use plastic bags to customers.

California already bans stores from offering single-use plastic bags. But proponents of these two bills say that not enough has been done to curb plastic pollution in the state.

The bill would still allow for stores to offer paper bags or bags made of at least 50% post-consumer recycled materials for checkout for a 10-cent fee.

Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236 each passed this week out of their respective houses of origin, just days before the deadline to do so.

SB 1053 passed out of the Senate, 31-7, while AB 2236 passed out of the Assembly, 51-7. Now, each bill heads to the opposite house.

Plastics are the next front in our fight against Big Oil. By 2050, plastic production will exceed 20% of global oil production, said AB 2236 author Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, in a statement. AB 2236 is a critical step to eliminate plastic pollution, and eliminates an opportunity for the oil industry to continue destroying our planet.

Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, who authored SB 1053, said in a statement that Californias original ban on plastic bags has not worked out as planned.

We need to do better. Shockingly, some 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year from coastal regions alone. California must do its part to eliminate this scourge that is contaminating our environment, she said.

The bill has a wide range of support, including from environmental groups such as the Ocean Conservancy and the Sierra Club as well as retail groups including the California Grocers Association and Krogers.

The bills are opposed by the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance and other plastic industry group.

Passing this bill would likely trigger increased plastic use through the implementation of (non-woven polypropylene) bags (as happened in New Jersey), eliminate the use of 183 million pounds of recycled content in California each year, exacerbate our carbon footprint, and significantly raise costs for working families, the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance said in a statement.
California man set off more than 150 explosions, police say

PASADENA, Calif. (KTLA)  A man from Pasadena, California, has been arrested in connection with over 150 unidentified explosions in the city over the past two years, police said.

Art Leon Berian, 62, is accused of setting off the explosions, including 14 in the past two weeks alone, the Pasadena Police Department said in a news release.

Berian was identified as the suspect after investigators working on the case on May 16 stumbled upon another explosion. While obtaining video of a previous incident, detectives heard a loud explosion and observed a white cloud in front of them, the release said.

While searching the area, detectives spotted Berians 2013 BMW, one of two vehicles registered to the same owner that had been spotted at previous incidents, police said.

Berian was detained, and evidence was collected from his car related to that explosion, police said.

He was arrested and booked into Pasadena City Jail.

He has been charged with three felony counts of explosions with intent to injure or intimidate, though as police noted, miraculously, there have been no reported injuries associated with these explosions.

Officials with the Pasadena Police Department later confirmed to Nexstars KTLA that Berian is being held without bail and his arraignment was rescheduled for May 30.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Californias social services lifted my family out of poverty. Now, that help is at risk | Opinion

As a student-parent attending community college and working more than 20 hours a week, I have faced many challenges over the years. Still, I overcame them with the help of some valuable programs provided through CalWORKs, known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families nationally, and more commonly referred to as welfare.

When most people think of welfare, they think about cash assistance. The important truth of CalWORKs is that it doesnt just offer financial support. It also includes programs like family stabilization that provide additional services to support families experiencing crisis who are struggling to stretch their grant to cover basic necessities.

Thats why Im shocked and dismayed that this life-saving program (and others like it) are now on the chopping block, as the state faces a budget deficit.

Opinion

With a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, I was trying to escape an unhealthy environment and relationship. I asked myself, Will I still be in this hopeless situation five years from now? I decided that I needed to make a change for myself and my daughters so that they could experience life outside of poverty.

I signed up for CalWORKs and food stamps. Then, I enrolled at Laney Community College in Oakland. I was only 95 pounds, facing homelessness and overwhelmed by mental health struggles. While CalWORKs provided childcare and paid for my books, finding a safe place to study was challenging. I had to bring my children to class and only had time to search for daycare on my days off.

Although the resources offered by CalWORKs were helpful, they werent enough to ensure my success (the average monthly grant is only $1,021). We used the money to survive, but we still didnt have a home to cook the food we received from food stamps. Without a safe place to call home, the benefits were just a means of survival  not a path to a better life.

Desperate for help, I went back to the welfare office and was told that someone might reach out to me, but it wasnt guaranteed. While walking to the bus stop, I received a phone call from the Family Stabilization Program. They said they might be able to help me temporarily, but I knew this opportunity would change my life.

Soon after, my daughters and I had a place to call home. We could cook dinner together and have dance parties in the living room. It might not have been much, but it was everything to us. For the first time, I was able to put my kids to bed and focus on my homework.

Now, however, the governors proposed budget would permanently eliminate Family Stabilization. It would also cut Subsidized Employment, intensive case management for families with the greatest barriers and county administrative funding  threatening good union jobs, mental health, substance abuse, home visiting and other vital services. I am at a loss over what these cuts would mean for families like my own.

I now have an Associate in Science degree and am waiting to enter a radiology program while working to transfer my kinesiology degree. State assistance changed my life and helped me achieve my goals. Family Stabilization gave me the opportunity to show my children that we dont have to settle, and that poverty doesnt have our name on it.

Cutting programs that support families already at risk has human consequences, pushing families past the brink. Just last fall, a baby died at a bus stop near LAX after the mother had made repeated attempts to access aid. That should be a wake-up call to all of us to strengthen  not cut  our safety net.

These cuts make no sense from a social stand point, and they make no sense from an economic standpoint, too.

If states opt to simply stop providing cash assistance to families affected by a work requirement, the economic and societal costs could be as high as $29.6 billion per year, according to a brief from Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty & Social Policy.

These assistance programs are making a real impact, empowering families across California, two generations at a time.

Im counting on the governor and legislature to do the right thing and listen to parents like me who have known poverty firsthand. Parents with low income didnt cause this budget problem, and we cant be asked to solve it. Budgets are statements of values, and we need California to prioritize our poorest children and families.

Joy Perrin is a Laney Community College student and a student leader with Project SPARC (Student Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs).
(BCN)  While a crowd of ride-hailing service drivers rallied outside the California Supreme Court in San Francisco, the seven members of the high court opened oral arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit that will decide the constitutionality of the states Proposition 22. The 2020 ballot measure sponsored by Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash, Prop 22 allowed the companies to classify gig drivers as independent contractors rather than employees with more benefits.

Boosted with a $200 million campaign, it was approved by nearly 60% of voters in California. It was the industrys response to Assembly Bill 5, which would have required the companies to classify the workers as employees.

Man who allegedly smashed San Jose ice cream shop window near child arrested

In Tuesdays case before the court, Castellanos v. California, the California Gig Workers Union, which represents tens of thousands of gig workers and delivery drivers, and the Service Employees International Union allege that Prop 22 violates the state constitution because companies who hire independent contractors do not have to provide them with workers compensation insurance. The state requires companies to provide workers compensation to their own employees.

The argument hinges on workers compensation, but it also argues that the proposition is nearly impossible to change. It includes language that requires a seven-eighths majority vote for amendments.

The gig workers union is arguing that, as it currently stands, Prop 22 doesnt allow the state Legislature to enforce workers compensation laws in its entirety, and that may infringe on the states constitutional powers, said Kaumudi Misra, professor at California State University East Bay who studies human resource management. By requiring a 7/8 majority in the Legislature for amendments, the argument is that Prop 22 limits the states authority.

On Tuesday, hundreds of ride-hailing service workers traveled to the states highest court in San Francisco to watch the opening arguments and rally in support. Jorge Vargas, 53, drove up from Southern California. He started working as a gig driver in 2016, when he had to leave college to take care of a sick family member.

He remembers thinking conditions would improve when AB 5 passed.

It would have the corporations pay the workers better, Vargas said. Better wages and better working conditions, maybe medical benefits, vacation, sick time, the same as every other employer in the state of California, workers compensation. And we got injured at work a lot.

Vargas was a working student at Fresno City College when a family emergency caused him to move back to Los Angeles. At first, the flexibility the apps offered worked out. He could pull 50-hour shifts over weekends and take care of his family during the week.

He needed income, and he thought the flexibility might let him go back to school one day. Soon, he was working for over six different companies  Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash, Amazon, Postmates  still not making enough to get by. DoorDash would pay him for the distance between a restaurant and the delivery point, but not for travel to and from home.

He said he once got paid $7.49 for being on standby for 24 hours, waiting to be called for a food delivery.

Thats my valuable time on their platform. Its like were paying the companies to give us work, he said. As independent contractors, we have no say. And we want a better share of the profits. They have control over the app, the algorithm, and how the profits get moved around.

The case before the California Supreme Court has already gone through two courts. In 2021, an Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled that Prop 22 was invalid because it intrudes on the Legislatures exclusive authority to create workers compensation laws.

In 2023, an appeals court ruled that the measure could stand. The Supreme Court files its written opinion within 90 days of oral arguments, and a final decision is rendered 30 to 60 days after the opinion is filed.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Canada has once again sanctioned Russian individuals and companies aiding Russia's war against Ukraine.

The sanctions target two individuals and six shipping firms that Ottawa claims have "facilitated the illegal transportation of weapons, including ballistic missiles, from North Korea to Russia."

According to Global Affairs Canada, these entities have acquired weapons used in Ukraine over the past two years, contravening international sanctions against North Korea.

Ottawa claims that these companies are closely linked with the Russian military and involved in the transportation of weapons. They are prohibited from engaging in financial transactions with Canadians.

Since the 2014 Russian invasion into Ukraine, Canada has sanctioned over 3,000 individuals and entities in eastern Europe. Sanctions against Russian nationals since late February 2022 have led to $103 million ($140 million Canadian dollars) being frozen in Canada, an increase from $100 million ($136 Canadian dollars) last fall.

"Our sanctions send a clear message: Canada condemns Russias military cooperation with North Korea, which has consequences for security in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Canada remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and its people in the face of the Kremlins brutal actions," Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, said in a statement.

Read also: Russian delegation arrives in North Korea

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Miranda Murray and Alicia Powell

CANNES, France (Reuters) -Part of director Sean Baker's aim in making "Anora," a darkly funny and touching drama about a young exotic dancer who becomes involved with a Russian oligarch's son, was to remove the stigma surrounding sex work, he said on Wednesday.

"It's important to explore what sex work is in the modern age," Baker told journalists at the Cannes Film Festival, where the competition film premiered on Tuesday. "It's a career and job that should be respected."

Sex work should be decriminalized and not regulated as "it is a sex worker's body, and it is up to them to decide how they will use it in their livelihood," he said.

"Anora" continues a streak of sex worker-focused films by Baker, including the 2021 Cannes entry "Red Rocket" and 2017's "The Florida Project," that he has no plans of stopping.

"We've already been talking about the next one, and it involves a sex worker. So let's see what happens," he said.

"Anora" stars Mikey Madison as the titular character, who meets Vanya, the immature son of a Russian oligarch with seemingly unlimited money, while working at a strip club.

Vanya, played by Mark Eydelshteyn, hires Anora to be his girlfriend for a week, deciding on a whim to take his private plane to party in Las Vegas, where they get married. That decision upsets his disapproving parents so much that they jet over from Russia to ensure he gets an annulment.

Reviews were positive, with The Guardian newspaper giving the "stellar" film four out of five stars and The Hollywood Reporter calling it "a very satisfying watch, deftly commenting on questions of class, privilege and the wealth divide."

Shooting the sex scenes was a collaborative process that involved the actors' input, said Madison, who opted not to use an intimacy coordinator or bring in a stunt double.

"We spoke about the sex scenes a lot because in the script you would say they have sex. And so we're like, okay, well what would that look like?" said Madison, recalling that Baker and his wife and producer Samantha Quan would demonstrate for them.

"Those scenes were fun to shoot and all of the lap dance scenes were very fun to shoot as well," said Madison, who read books by sex workers and spoke to exotic dancers in New York to prepare for the role that is "completely different from me."

Baker said he would support an actor's decision to use an intimacy coordinator - who helps choreograph TV and movie scenes involving sex or nudity and ensures actors are not exploited.

"Our number one priority is to keep our actors safe, protected, comfortable, and involved in the process," he said.

(Reporting by Miranda MurrayEditing by Bernadette Baum)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A national crime monitoring organization is revealing which vehicles are seen as the top choices for thieves to target in Kansas.

27 News reached out to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to learn which vehicles are being targeted the most by thieves in the Sunflower State. While Kansas ranks low in overall vehicle theft statistics when compared with other states, hundreds of stolen vehicles were still recorded in the state in 2023.

Walmart relocates northeast Kansas facility operations to Topeka area

In total, there were 8,289 vehicle thefts recorded by the NICB for 2023, a slight decrease from 2022 which saw 8,696 instances of theft. The top 10 most popular vehicles to steal by thieves included the following:

Chevrolet Silverado 1500  282 Ford F150 Series/Pickup  228 Dodge Ram Pickup  226 Hyundai Elantra Kia Optima  209 Ford F250 Series/Pickup  187 Hyundai Sonata  136 Ford F350 Series/Pickup  121 Honda Civic  119 Honda Accord  110 Dodge Charger  107

Larger population centers, such as Kansas City and Wichita, were prone to increased vehicle thefts as compared to smaller urban areas. A breakdown of where the most vehicle thefts were reported in 2023 include the following:

Kansas City, MO-KS  13,953 Wichita  2,768 Topeka  867 Lawrence  184 Manhattan  110

Kansas awards $80,000 to missile silo tourist attraction

More than 1 million vehicles were reportedly stolen last year, according to the NICB. This information was gathered through data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Statistics released by the NICB in early May showed which vehicles are being targeted by thieves the most nationwide. For 2023, thieves chose the Hyundai Elantra the most with more than 48,000 thefts reported nationally.

Hyundai Elantra  48,445 Hyundai Sonata  42,813 Kia Optima  30,204 Chevrolet Silverado 1500  23,721 Kia Soul  21,001 Honda Accord  20,895 Honda Civic  19,858 Kia Forte  16,209 Ford F150 Series Pickup  15,852 Kia Sportage  15,749

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends vehicle owners invest in anti-theft systems to prevent thieves from stealing their cars and trucks easily. This includes installing immobilization devices which stop thieves from bypassing a vehicles ignition system and hot-wiring your vehicle or making sure your alarm is working properly. More theft prevention tips can be found by clicking here.

Man found guilty of murder in deadly crash that killed Topeka mom

The NICB is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and crime that was formed in 1992. It regularly educates the public about crime trends regarding vehicle theft, contractor fraud and scams. You can learn more about the NICB by clicking here.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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HINGHAM  The Haitian migrant accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at a Rockland hotel in March has been indicted on the charges, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz' office.

A grand jury returned indictments Tuesday, May 21, charging Corey B Alvarez, 26, with one count each of aggravated rape of a child with 10-year age difference and rape of a child by force, according to information from the DA's office.

The indictment transfers the case from Plymouth District Court to Plymouth Superior Court, where more serious cases are tried and defendants can face longer sentences if convicted.

Alvarez continues to be held without bail since his arrest and a subsequent dangerousness hearing March 22. He has pleaded not guilty.

Cruz' office said Alvarez will be arraigned in Plymouth Superior Court at a later date.

What Alvarez is accused of doing

Alvarez was arrested by Rockland police March 13 after they were called to the Comfort Inn at 850 Hingham St. for a report of a sexual assault. The hotel is part of part of a state program to house migrant families, and both Alvarez and the 15-year out girl who accused him of the assault had been staying there, police said.

The girl, who speaks French Creole, told police through a translator that Alvarez raped her in his room while she was getting help with using apps on a tablet. She said Alvarez pushed her onto the bed before sexually assaulting her, according to the police report.

"He raped me," the girl said to investigators during their interview with her at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, where she had been taken for evaluation that evening. according to the police report. I told him to leave me alone, but he didnt stop.

Comfort Inn in Rockland being used as homeless shelter

Corey Alvarez 26, has been indicted on rape charges after a 15-year-old girl accused him of sexual assault there in March 2024.

Massachusetts has a right-to-shelter law, which guarantees housing to homeless families and pregnant women. Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency in August 2023 due to a "severe" lack of shelters available to the rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in the state.

Other locations around the state, including a soon-to-open 450-peorson housing shelter at the closed Bay State Correctional Center in Norwell and Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, have opened in an effort to accommodate the overflow.

More: Rockland rape case gets national attention, stokes anti-migrant sentiment

The case has gained national attention, especially by right-leaning media outlets, and has been used in fundraising efforts by former President Donald Trump in his reelection campaign.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Rockland Comfort Inn rape case: Migrant indicted by grand jury
A Roman Catholic diocesan hermit  yes, thats an official church position  has come out as a transgender man.

This Sunday, Pentecost 2024, Im planning to come out publicly as transgender, Brother Christian Matson told Religion News Service Friday. He believes he is the first out trans person in his position; although that is difficult to confirm, he is undoubtedly one of very few.

In Catholicism, a hermit is a person who lives a secluded life devoted to prayer. Hermits are subject to approval by their local diocese, which Matson received from Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. Matson took his vows as a hermit in 2022 for a one-year commitment, and in 2023 he renewed his vows.

As a hermit, he has lived a life of basically spending half the day in prayer and half the day doing some form of work, he told Religion News Service. He writes, acts, and does production work at a theater in the area; he received rave reviews for his 2023 performance in Every Brilliant Thing, a show about grief and resilience.

He is also an oblate in the churchs Benedictine order. An oblate is a member of a religious order who devotes their life to prayer and service to God.

Matson, now 39, had a long journey to finding his place in the church. He grew up in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) but converted to Catholicism in 2010, four years after his gender transition. He had become interested in Catholicism while attending graduate school at Loyola University Maryland. It was my first time in a Catholic environment  I was very drawn to the beauty of the liturgy, but also to the Jesuit approach to education, which is care of the whole person, and the sense of Catholic education project in a rich intellectual history, he told the Lexington Herald Leader.

To the news service, he noted, I became Catholic after I transitioned because of the Catholic understanding  the sacramental understanding  of the body, of creation, of the desirability of the visible unity of the church and primarily because of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the sacrament of receiving bread and wine, representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

He tried to join various religious orders but was turned away, all while keeping his devotion to the faith. He ran a nonprofit organization for Catholics in the arts in New York City for a time. He was troubled, though, by statements from Pope Francis and other church leaders against gender transition. Francis, sometimes progressive and sometimes not, has spoken out against gender theory but has met privately with trans people who found him warm and accepting.

Eventually, friends of Matsons suggested he contact Stowe, who was known to be liberal on LGBTQ+ issues, so Matson wrote to the bishop in 2020. Matson was open about being a trans man and shared his vision for an artists community and his pull to religious life, Religion News Service reports. Stowe replied quickly and with encouragement.

It was an enormous relief, Matson told the news service. I was in tears. I felt my hope revive.

My willingness to be open to him is because its a sincere person seeking a way to serve the church, Stowe said. Hermits are a rarely used form of religious life  but they can be either male or female. Because theres no pursuit of priesthood or engagement in sacramental ministry, and because the hermit is a relatively quiet and secluded type of vocation, I didnt see any harm in letting him live this vocation. Stowe supported Matsons coming-out.

Matson had some political motivations for coming out. There are a number of laws getting passed around our country, including in Kentucky, as well as policies being published in the church, that are making life more difficult for transgender people and are based on faulty assumptions about them, he told the Herald Leader.

Matson is receiving much praise. I think Brother Christian is heroic  the church has neither spoken kindly nor been kind to transgender people, and he still views service to the Lord and to the church as something far greater than something that would cause most people to back down. Thats heroic faith, Stan JR Zerkowski, the director of the Lexington Dioceses LGBTQ ministry, told the paper.

"Brother Christian has long sought to consecrate his life to Christ in the Church by living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. He has consistently been accompanied by a competent spiritual director and has undergone formation in the Benedictine tradition," the Catholic Diocese of Lexington said in a statement, according to Newsweek. "He does not seek ordination, but has professed a rule of life that allows him to support himself financially by continuing his work in the arts and to live a life of contemplation in a private hermitage. Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., accepted his profession and is grateful to Brother Christian for his witness of discipleship, integrity and contemplative prayer for the Church."
Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters in Georgia recently found a cat who was attacked with a crossbow. Now, the man responsible for the act has pleaded guilty to not only gravely injuring the cat but also killing another.

Georgia man pleads guilty to shooting cats with a crossbow

Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters received a call from residents that they saw a cat roaming the streets. While they werent sure what had injured the cat, they knew there was either an arrow or a dart through the felines skull. Upon trapping the feline, the rescue made the unfortunate discovery that the cat was attacked with a crossbow.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the animal shelter took five days to trap the kitty. They finally caught him in Roswell, Georgia. Once they had the feline, they quickly sprung into action because a crossbow bolt was stuck in his skull. Furkids director of programs for cats, Diviya Roney, exclaimed, I cannot tell you how heartbreaking that was. It was heartbreaking for our staff, it was traumatizing.

The shelter has named the kitty Patrick. Moreover, he has survived and safely made it through his rehabilitation. Patrick has not only made a full recovery but is also ready for adoption. After the traumatic incident, the cat needs a loving forever home that serves as his safe haven, as per Roney.

On May 20, the man responsible for this horrifying incident pleaded guilty. The culprit has been identified as Elvis Fistik. He is facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty. The worst part is Patrick wasnt the only victim, as Fistik also attacked and killed another cat. Roney testified against Elvis Fistik on Monday, and he was sentenced to two years in prison.

Diviya Roney noted that Patrick is a lucky cat because he recovered fully and had no special needs after the incident. He can independently eat, drink, and use his litterbox, so anyone who adopts him wont have any issues.

The post Cats Attacked With Crossbow in Georgia, Man Pleads Guilty appeared first on CatTime.
A decision is looming over a proposed micro-home village that would house hundreds of chronically homeless people near Spanaway Lake.

As a Pierce County hearing examiner compiles his decision on the controversial project, The News Tribune spoke with the villages chief proponent, Tacoma Rescue Mission executive director Duke Paulson, about his thoughts on the process and the future of the project.

Paulson said the Pierce County Village, which is planned for over 280 units of permanent, supportive housing, would house an elderly population, including people who have been unhoused for decades. He said the village would serve people who dont have many sustainable, long-term options to get off the streets. They would come to the village to work, pay rent and rehabilitate themselves, he said.

Many people support such a vision but say the Spanaway Lake site is the wrong place for it, citing the potential impact on adjacent wetland habitats, among other concerns.

During a land-use hearing that spanned April 29 to May 9, details and elements of the village were scrutinized as the hearing examiner considered the projects compliance with zoning and environmental regulations.

Here is a synopsis of The News Tribunes conversation with Paulson. Some of his answers have been edited for clarity and succinctness.

Q: Following the public hearing, what do you expect the future of the project to be? Is there anything that youre concerned about? Is there any kind of decision that you expect from the hearing examiner?

A: I dont think anyone is excited about having the Tacoma Rescue Mission be their neighbor. Its scary.

At the same time, you know, we strategically sought out property that was zoned residential, so that we could have enough space to put a critical mass of people to really get the services and support we want there. And I feel like going through the hearing, what were trying to present is weve done that.

Weve met every county standard or exceeded by a significant amount, every county standard of boundaries, people density, impervious surfaces, tree retention, all that stuff. We met everything that the county asked us to do.

The push back is because its a comprehensive use beyond housing that were asking for. Staff, buildings, bathroom buildings, living-room spaces, gathering spaces for people. Now we have to have this extra level of community-use permit because theres community services here that are beyond just residential.

I still feel like were in good shape going forward. And Im hoping that prevails, and that well get to keep moving forward in having people live here.

Q: What are your contingency plans if the hearing examiner decides to limit what you have planned?

A: I think someone asked me what our contingency plans are. We dont have another whole contingency. Its not like, oh, well, well just go find another piece of property. There is no massive rework contingency.

Q: During the hearing, elements and details of the proposal were scrutinized. In hindsight, what were some things that you wish you had been better prepared for?

A: We met with the county team and said ... what can we do to work with you more on this. And their response was, Well, if youve saved more trees, that would be really helpful, because if you can save trees on that Northern boundary, its both saving more trees and its creating a bigger barrier between the neighbors. And the neighbors are the ones that are most upset.

So I went back to the engineer, and we shifted our boundary from 20 feet to 80 feet, which is more than you have to do for a highway, by code. Were way exceeding the standard to save more trees to create more boundaries to do what we heard the county say.

You know, were trying really hard to meet the standards of work with the community and thats why were putting in sewer. Thats why we had a huge boundary. Were listening to a bunch of stuff and trying to adapt.

At the end of the day, people just dont want those people to be here.

Q: What do you think the neighbors who oppose it and the Spanaway Concerned Citizens dont understand about the project? What are some things that you wish you could talk to them about?

A: I understand the fear of people wanting to protect the lake, and the fear that people have when they drive by and see the Tacoma Rescue Mission shelter, and theres an encampment up the street, and they take a photo of it and say, Look, this is whats coming in.

Thats out of my control. Thats on Tacoma Public Utilities land and Sound Transits property, and I cant enforce anything there. But if you come here on our property right now, its safe. We dont have people getting killed. We dont have people that have knife fights and all this other stuff.

This isnt a violent, horrific place. These are people ... were working with that are just normal people that are trying to live.

I would love for people to get that perspective of someone whos been living homeless for 10 years [who] suddenly has their own private place, and a job that theyre doing and something that theyre engaged in, and theyre part of that community. Theyre not going to want to do bad things to their neighbors because they know theyre gonna get kicked out of probably the best situation they have for their life for the rest of their life. And so theres every motivation to stay and behave and do a good job.

So I think getting that perspective and helping the fear get calmed down. I dont think itll happen until people actually see neighbors living there, and go, Oh, theyre actually pretty nice people.

Q: You have brought up your visit to the village in Austin, Texas, as inspiration for the concept for the Pierce County Village. You said it had a spirit that was unlike anything youd seen anywhere. What did you mean by that?

A: ... when I went to Austin I spent the night there several nights because I wanted to see what it was really like. Does it get loud at night when staff leaves? Do people hang out until drug dealers come out? Is there traffic? Do people start cruising?

It was totally peaceful.

And Id walk around and just talk and ... see people on their porch wave and say, Hi. You walk in and it feels like North Tacoma. At its best. And youre in a village for chronically homeless people.

I would let my daughters walk through it at night and feel OK. Its just special.

Q: The village property seems to be complicated to develop, especially with the adjacent wetland habitat. Why was this site chosen over other options?

A: From me coming back from Austin and saying What would it look like if we try and do this?

To do this ... with permanent housing that will remain for 30, 40, 50 years, there is no precedent for. There is no code for it.

My goal was 250 units because I wanted it to be big enough where we could draw in support.

We needed 25 acres that we could buy, that was zoned residential and in a growth-management area. There are county rules we had to follow. We could not just buy a farm and put a residential development on it.

There just isnt a lot of availability.

We searched for eligible land and simultaneously went to the county and asked how they could help us zone something like this. Because, yes, these are single-family homes, but they are different from every other single-family home.

We looked at multiple properties. A lot of them either had an owner that did not want to sell because they could sell it for money to a larger developer.

We also wanted something that was close to transportation, and not too far. The less rural the better.

But, I wanted to have space around it because I anticipated we were going to have neighborhood issues. The wetlands actually created a buffer that put fewer people around us.

Things started lining up and that became clear that it was the best choice in the whole county.

The next best site was in Peninsula, adjacent to an elementary school. You want to talk about a community fiasco, imagine the neighborhood reaction if we tried doing this adjacent to an elementary school.

Even looking at Pierce County now, trying to find a location for a stability site  they only need four acres. They have reviewed all of the properties we looked at, and they cant find a single property that they can do something on for a tinier site, for a tinier project  because it is really hard.

Q: What would it mean to you if the hearing examiner makes a decision that prohibits the village entirely?

A: It will be a gut punch, and I will be really sad, and then I will say, Lets reorganize, lets reconfigure and reapply.

We are not going to find another property that is zoned for housing that we can do this with. Its kind of an all or nothing.

If the money gets pulled, and we have to walk away, I will be literally devastated that we lost a chance to really help the greater community in a way that people maybe dont realize.
The Coast Guard said Tuesday that the chaplain serving its 7th District was fired due to a "loss of confidence" in his abilities to fulfill his duties -- the second chaplain fired by the service in recent weeks.

Navy Cmdr. Cristiano DeSousa, a Presbyterian chaplain, was relieved by the 7th District commander for what a Coast Guard official described as "poor judgment and performance constituting a breach of trust with the workforce."

The chaplain position provides pastoral care to roughly 9,000 members and is a trusted adviser to the commander, 7th District Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. John Beal said.

Read Next: Air Force General Charged with Sexual Crimes Has Retirement Request Denied by Service Secretary

But DeSousa's performance breached that trust, Beal said.

"His performance undermined his position of leadership and authority, and the Coast Guard has higher expectations of officers in these key leadership positions," Beal said in a statement Wednesday to Military.com.

The relief is the second of a Coast Guard chaplain in less than a month and the third of a high-profile Coast Guard member during the same time period.

The Coast Guard relieved the chaplain of the Coast Guard, Navy Capt. Daniel Mode, on April 24, also citing "loss of confidence in his abilities to fulfill his duties."

According to the service, Mode failed to take action when he was made aware of sexual misconduct by another chaplain that had taken place prior to the other chaplain joining the Navy and serving in the Coast Guard.

And Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Timothy Beard was temporarily relieved May 3 while the service investigated alleged inappropriate misconduct.

The Coast Guard announced May 15 that Beard's firing was permanent, citing "loss of confidence in his judgment and ability to fulfill his assigned duties."

Beal said DeSousa's relief is unrelated to Mode's removal.

Coast Guard chaplains are Navy officers. DeSousa will be reassigned to the Navy Chaplain Corps, where the service will determine his professional future.

DeSousa had served as 7th District chaplain, based in Miami, Florida, since July 2023. Beal said the district chaplain position will remain unfilled until a permanent replacement is named.

A Navy spokeswoman said that as a matter of policy, the "Navy does not comment or speculate on any pending administrative and disciplinary actions or internal personnel movement."

"The relief is based on the Coast Guard's loss of confidence in Commander DeSousa's ability to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of this key leadership position," said Lt. Lauren Larar with the Navy's Office of Information.

DeSousa earned his commission in 2006 and a master's degree in theology from Duke University in 2018. He has served with Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard units and previously was assigned as chaplain for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Okinawa, Japan, according to press releases.

Related: Chaplain of the Coast Guard Fired for 'Loss of Confidence' After Not Acting on Case of Sexual Misconduct
Two Twin Cities men posed as employees and burglarized a central Minnesota communications tower in pursuit of valuable copper wiring, according to charges.

Charged with burglary, possessing burglary tools and illicit drug possession in Morrison County District Court were Gabriel D. Smith, 40, of Dellwood, and Travis M. Zaiser, 43, of Richfield, in connection with them targeting a tower outside of Little Falls.

Both men were arrested and have since posted bond and are both due in court on Tuesday. Court records do not list defense counsel for either man.

The tower's owner, Little Falls-based Fallsnet, issued a statement on social media that last week's break-in was the company's third in the past year.

"The suspects caused significant damage, cutting through the south fence and damaging waveguides and cables, totaling over $10,000 in damages," the statement continued.

A check of court records through all of 2023 and this year showed no other charges filed stemming from the other two break-ins noted by Fallsnet.

The theft of copper has proven to be a nettlesome problem around the state, particularly in St. Paul, where thieves have broken air conditioning units, crippled vehicle-charging stations and dimmed thousands of street lights across the city in recent years. Such thefts cost the city $1.2 million to repair in 2023.

As the state Legislature wound down its session in recent days, it passed a bill that requires anyone selling copper to first be issued a state license. The legislation awaits the signature of Gov. Tim Walz, who has pushed lawmakers to act.

According to the charges in Morrison County:

A monitor of a motion-activated camera detected two people using a pry bar while trying in vain to break into the building attached to the tower. The two went ahead and cut copper wire and tubing from the back of the building.

Deputies arrived, saw fencing on the perimeter had been cut and arrested Smith and Zaiser. At first, they claimed to be employees with authority to be on the property, but "when actual employees arrived, they confirmed Zaiser and Smith had no permission to be on the property," the charges read.

A law enforcement search of the SUV they drove to the tower turned up burglary tools, a maul hammer, a flashlight and suspected methamphetamine. A trailer attached to the SUV held a bandsaw that deputies suspect was used to cut the fencing and free the copper.

Also inside the SUV were AT&T stickers, with one of them attached to a hard hat. A homemade AT&T sticker was affixed to the trailer.

"It was apparent that the suspects had preplanned the burglary and had taken steps to portray themselves as legitimate company employees," the charges continued.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  After beating out tens of thousands of submissions, Creek Wood High Schools Leeann Manring is one of 55 state and territory Doodle for Google winners.

The competition began in January, when students were asked to answer the prompt My wish for the next 25 years through art. According to a spokesperson for Google, 2024 marks Googles 25th anniversary and the 16th annual Doodle for Google competition.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

My wish for the next 25 years is for Earth to become a better place. I want to save the trees that are quickly diminishing, Manring said of her doodle. I want to save endangered animals that we hunted and stole habitats from. I want shelters to be empty and animals saved from euthanization.

You can see a full gallery of all the state and territory winners here. You can also vote for your favorite Doodle starting today and the recipient with the most votes by June 4 will become the national winner.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CHENEY, Kan. (KSNW)  Boater beware at Cheney Lake this coming holiday weekend. Lake levels are low.

Right now, Cheney is five and a half feet low, said Shayn Koppes with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. There is an inflow right now of a thousand and forty cubic feet per second of water, so the lake will come up slightly. But its not going to be enough. We need a lot more rain.

Koppes says the boat ramp by the marina on the east side of Cheney is the only option for dropping a boat into the waters.

On Tuesday, avid fisherman Ted Webster was on the water.

Well its not going to be fishable in another month, month and a half if we continue with the drought conditions. But right now, you can unload here. This is the only one. Right here at the marina, said Webster. And you just have to be very, very careful out there because even a seasoned veteran boater or fisherman thats been out here for years, the lake levels will surprise you for sure.

\Victim identified in drowning at O.J. Watson Park

Koppes says there are sandbars that have popped up because of low water levels that may catch you off guard out on the water.

At Cheney, you can go from eight feet high to a couple feet low very quickly. So you just want to make sure to use caution, explained Koppes.

Koppes points out the water is good to go for the weekend, if you use caution while operating a boat. He also says the park is in great shape heading into the holiday.

Others at the park on Tuesday say the fish are biting, and the coming holiday is all about friends and family.

And you gotta take your time at the boat ramp. Dont rush everybody, said Richard Chandler. Just kind of take your time getting in and out, and everybodys good.

The lakes down, but its still enjoyable. Everybodys still swimming. Fishing. The crappie are moving back in again, they said. So it sounds to me like its going to be a great weekend.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  Chicago firefighters are battling a house fire on Wednesday evening in the citys Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

Skycam 9 was over the fire around 5 p.m. near West Wrightwood Avenue and North Moody Avenue.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the 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 WGN-TV.
A Chicago man admitted in federal court Wednesday to sexually exploiting gay men online, including at least one Ohio State University student, in a multi-state scheme.

Omoruyi Uwadiae, 28, entered guilty pleas Wednesday to 22 criminal charges, including cyberstalking, in U.S. District Court in Columbus on Wednesday. He will be sentenced at a later date.

As part of a plea agreement, Uwadiae admitted to eight counts of cyberstalking, seven counts of interstate communications with the intent to extort and seven counts of unlawfully using a means of identification.

Each cyberstalking count carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, as do the unlawful use of identification charges. The extortion charges carry a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment each.

The "Grindr" app logo as seen on a mobile phone screen. (Credit: Leon Neal, Getty Images)

According to court records, Uwadiae communicated with at least eight victims online in 2019. In each instance, Uwadiae would connect with the young men on social media or a dating application like Grindr that targeted gay men and begin communicating with the victim.

Court records said the victims would communicate consensually with Uwadiae and send him sexually explicit photos or videos.

Related coverage: FBI: Columbus man wanted in nationwide 'swatting' investigation involving false threats

After receiving the images or videos, Uwadiae would then threaten the victims, some of whom had not disclosed their sexual orientations to their families or publicly. Uwadiae would tell them that he would send the photos or videos to friends, family members or employers and followed through at least once on those threats, according to court records, sending pictures to a victim's mother and siblings.

In other instances, court records say, Uwadiae demanded money while threatening to release images or videos of his victims.

If the victim refused to pay, Uwadiae demanded they meet up with him for a sexual encounter or force them to make incriminating statements, such as admitting to being racist, for further virtual ammunition to keep them under control.

Court records say Uwadiae targeted at least one Ohio State University student, whom he met through Grindr. Uwadiae demanded $200 or sex. When the student didn't comply, Uwadiae made fake social media accounts using the victim's name and actual photos of the victim, outing him as bisexual to his family.

Uwadiae created fake social media accounts for other victims as well, according to court records. In some instances, Uwadiae posted photographs of the victims on "Male General," a blog targeting young gay men, court records say.

Victims are spread across multiple states, including Ohio, Colorado and Washington, court records say.

bbruner@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State student, others extorted by Chicago man on Grindr
CHICAGO  The search continues for an endangered missing adult who police say has not been contacted for over three months.

According to Chicago police, 29-year-old James Henison was last seen on February 19 and has not been heard from since.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Authorities say Henison, a former Austin resident, is considered to be an endangered adult and may be in Chicagos Central Business District.

The missing man, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes.

According to Chicago police, 29-year-old James Henison was last seen on February 19 and has not been heard from since.

A photo provided by CPD shows Henison wearing a pair of black framed glasses, however, it is unclear if he was wearing them at the time of his disappearance.

Police were not able to provide a description of what Henison was last seen wearing.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 29-year-old James Henison is asked to contact CPD Area 5 Detectives at 312-746-6554 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
New Chief of Police appointed in Leesburg

The City of Leesburg announced that Captain Joe Iozzi has been selected as the citys new Chief of Police.

The city said Iozzi has gnarly three decades of working with Leesburg citizens, which made him a uniquely qualified leader for the position.

Chief Iozzi served as Bureau Commander of Uniformed Services and Special Services and Investigations and has helped Leesburg residents since 1994.

Read: Judge blocks sale of Elvis Presleys Graceland

Ioxxi completed the FBI National Academys 281 Session, the Southern Police Institutes 127 Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville, and the Florida Police Chiefs Associations Future Chiefs seminar.

Chief Iozzi has been a command officer since 2014 and has provided direct supervision and management in personnel matters, department planning, training, policy creation, budgeting, and general department-related functions.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Child found in deplorable conditions after shots fired in Somerset County domestic assault

Two people are facing charges after a domestic assault in which shots were fired in Somerset County.

Pennsylvania State Police were called to the 7490 block of Lincoln Highway in Shade Township for a report of a domestic assault on Tuesday.

Melissa Monaghan, 40, and Allen Hitechew, 39, both from Central City, were taken into custody at the scene.

Further investigation revealed a child was living in the house in deplorable conditions, state police said.

Monaghan is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats and two counts of endangering the welfare of children. Hitechew is charged with endangering the welfare of children.

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(Bloomberg) -- China signaled its ready to unleash tariffs as high as 25% on imported cars with large engines, as trade tensions escalate with the US and European Union.

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The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said it was informed about the potential move by insiders, according to a statement posted on X. The levies would affect European and US carmakers and have a significant impact on relations with the EU, it added.

Shares of European carmakers that stand to be most affected by a potential tariff fell on Wednesday, with Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW AG both dropping more than 2% in early trading.

Beijing is ramping up threats of retaliation as a deadline looms for the EU to announce results of its probe into Chinas electric-vehicle subsidies. The bloc must inform Chinese exporters whether it intends to impose tariffs by early June, and they could go into effect a month later, according to Eurasia Group.

Trade tensions between the EU and China have soared since the EV probe was announced, with President Xi Jinpings visit to Europe this month seemingly doing little to relieve the strain. Xi was seeking to dissuade the bloc from going down the same path as the US, which has unveiled a sweeping set of charges on imports from China  raising concerns in Beijing that American allies may follow suit.

Chinas retaliatory trade investigations and warnings are not deterring the EU, Eurasia Group analysts wrote in a note on Tuesday. Brussels is eager to send a strong signal to Beijing with its EV probe that the EU will counteract Chinese subsidies and overcapacity.

The Chinese chamber referred to an interview published by the ruling Communist Partys Global Times newspaper on Tuesday in which Liu Bin, the chief expert at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center, called for temporarily increasing the tariff rate on cars with engines larger than 2.5 liters.

China imported 250,000 cars in that bracket last year and World Trade Organization rules would permit a tariff of up to 25%, the report cited Liu as saying. The current charge on passenger car imports from Europe is 15%, according to the Ministry of Commerces tariff search page. The ministry didnt respond to a request for comment.

The carmakers most impacted would be Toyota Motor Corp., Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW AG, said Daniel Kollar, head of consultancy Intralinks automotive and mobility practice.

Most of Chinas auto imports are in the luxury segment, with Porsche, Audi and Range Rover among the top 10 brands in 2023. Larger-engine models including the GLE SUV and S-class sedan from Mercedes and Porsches Cayenne SUV could be affected if the new tariff is implemented.

Toyotas Lexus brand topped the overall import rankings last year with 180,000 sales, more than one-fifth of the total. If Beijing decides to implement the tariff across all nations, the Japanese company could become collateral damage in the trade spat with the EU and US.

In addition to the jab at the car trade, China has recently hinted it could impose tit-for-tat levies on European wine and dairy products, and begun an investigation into European exports of brandy.

Amid global concern about Chinas surging exports, the EV industry is drawing especially close attention. China produces more electric cars than anywhere else, as well as controlling a majority of the battery supply chain. With a price war and slowing economy at home, its auto makers are seeking to expand overseas. They exported 1.55 million EVs last year, about 40% of them to Europe.

The Biden administration earlier this month announced 100% tariffs on Chinese electric cars, while the EU is investigating Beijings subsidies across a range of industries, which has prompted Chinese firms to pull out of rail and energy tenders.

Asked about the auto dispute with Europe at a regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said such issues should be resolved through dialogue.

We have taken note of the relevant statements from the European side, he said, and hope they will abide by their commitments to support free trade and oppose protectionism.

--With assistance from Charlie Zhu.

(Updates with European auto shares, Chinese foreign ministry)

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China sanctioned 12 American military companies and 10 defense executives on May 22 in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and sanctions against Chinese firms the U.S. has accused of aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.

The Chinese government claimed that the U.S. has ignored China's "objective and fair stance" on Russia's war in Ukraine and "indiscriminately" sanctioned several Chinese entities in light of Russian-related factors, the statement read.

Beijing also condemned the U.S. for continuing to sell arms to Taiwan, allegedly "interfering in China's internal affairs and seriously damaging China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The sanctioned companies include subsidiaries of Lockheed Martin Corp., General Dynamics, IronMountain Solutions, and Applied Technologies Group, according to the statement. The entities' assets will be frozen in China.

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Regarding the sanctioned executives list, six senior representatives of Northrop Grumman Corp., including Chief Executive Officer Kathy Warden, and four of General Dynamics, including Vice President Firat Gezen, will be banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The Chinese sanctions are mostly symbolic, as the mentioned companies do not usually do business in China.

The U.S. on May 1 imposed new sanctions against 300 more companies and individuals in Russia and third countries, including Chinese companies, for aiding Moscow's war effort.

The same month, Washington extended the list of sanctions even further, adding 37 more companies to the trade blacklist due to security reasons.

Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow during the war, increasing economic cooperation and disrupting Western attempts to isolate Russia.

Expanded trade with China has played a key role in allowing Moscow to keep its economy running and ramp up its military industry despite Western economic pressure.

Read also: Taiwans FM: If Russia can do that to Ukraine, China might do the same to Taiwan

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Wednesday it had taken measures against 12 companies involved in the U.S. military-industrial complex and their senior executives, in response to the U.S. arming of Taiwan and sanctions on Chinese companies.

The U.S. companies included units of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and General Dynamics, China's Foreign Ministry said.

The measures, which include freezing assets in China and banning senior executives from entering the country, took effect from Wednesday, it added.

The action follows U.S. "indiscriminately imposing unlawful unilateral sanctions on a number of Chinese entities on the basis of so-called Russia-related factors," the ministry said in a statement.

China said the U.S. had "ignored its objective and impartial position in the Ukrainian crisis", and had instead "engaged in unilateral bullying and economic coercion".

The ministry said the U.S. has also continued to sell arms to Taiwan, which "seriously violates" the one-China principle and joint communiques between both countries, and "seriously undermines" China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Andrew Heavens)
In her first public statement since being released from prison, seemingly early May 13, citizen journalist Zhang Zhan thanked the member of the public who supported her during her four years' imprisonment in a Chinese jail. Screen capture courtesy of Jane Wang/X

May 22 (UPI) -- Zhang Zhan, a Chinese blogger and citizen journalist imprisoned four years in China for her coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, said in a recorded statement that she has been released from prison, though worries remain over her safety.

The video was published online Tuesday by Jane Wang, a Chinese activist based in Britain who has been advocating for Zhang's release.

"Today, we finally received confirmation that Zhang Zhan .... has been released from prison," Wang said in a statement. "However, she only has limited freedom."

The recording is 28 seconds long and poorly lit. In it, Zhang states she was released from prison at 5 a.m. May 13 and was taken to her older brother's house in Shanghai, according to an English-language translation by Reporters Without Borders.

"Thank you, everyone, for your help and concern," she said, according to the translation. "I wish you all the best. There is not much more what I can say."

Press release#ZhangZhan has left prison Beijing time 22:16, Tuesday 21 May 2024 Today, we finally received confirmation that Zhang Zhan @consultorzhang has been released from prison. However, she only has limited freedom. In a short video recording provided by an... pic.twitter.com/sZk10FJQXw Jane Wang  #FreeZhangZhan (@changchengwai) May 21, 2024

Zhang was arrested in China on May 14, 2020, and convicted that December for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" with her early coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak from Wuhan, ground zero of the pandemic.

She had posted hundreds of videos on social media, including YouTube, detailing the situation in Wuhan amid the pandemic and China's repressive response to it, with her last video posted the day she was detained.

Her sentence, served at Shanghai Women's Prison, was completed on May 13, but no one had heard from her until Tuesday, leaving some to consider that she had been "disappeared."

The lack of confirmation of her release prompted the U.S. State Department to release a statement of concern last week.

Wang said she cannot confirm where Zhang was when the video was shot nor who recorded it with her.

She remarked that Zhang appeared to have regained some of the weight she had lost from her hunger strikes but looks "pale and tired, her eyes puffy."

Before the end of her sentence, there were concerns over what freedom she would be released into. Reporters Without Borders last month said journalists detained for their work in China are often surveilled once released and banned from traveling abroad.

"It is a relief to hear from Zhang Zhan again, but we remain concerned about her safety and well-being," Wang said Tuesday.

"There is a long way to go before she recovers fully from her jail ordeal. Like other former political prisoners, she is subject to intrusive government surveillance and harassment. She is at high risk of being 'disappeared' or arrested again."

Reporters Without Borders reiterated that concern.

"We're worried about her situation under strict surveillance," it said on a statement. "Our call for her full & unconditional release remains urgent."
A team of Chinese scientists say they have come up with a way to build tunnels under artificial islands in the South China Sea,which Beijing uses to reinforce its claim to large swathes of contested territory.

These islands are small and overcrowded, especially in the Spratly reef chain where there are competing territorial claims from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

It was previously thought that the soft coral sand in the region was unsuitable for below-ground construction, but a research team from the Ocean University of China claims to have solved the problem with a new method for reinforcing the islands and their surrounds, the South China Morning Post reported.

The method involves injecting a slurry mixed with fine cement particles into the ground, solidifying the substrate and allowing safe tunnel construction without water seepage or risk of collapse.

According to SCMP, the team suggested using this method to build large tunnels beneath Chinas artificial islands in the region, and that this could bolster Beijings presence without provoking neighbouring countries.

The engineering team, led by Chen Xuguang, noted in a peer-reviewed paper published in April by the Ocean University of Chinas journal: As the functions required of the islands or reefs increase, more personnel are stationed on them and the living facilities on the islands are facing shortages.

The paper states that the tunnels could house living quarters, store weapons, and offer shelter from extreme weather, enhancing the military and economic utility of the largest islandsMeiji (Mischief), Yongshu (Fiery Cross), and Zhubi (Subi).

In total there are six parties  Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  with competing claims in the South China Sea, with Chinas being the most expansive. In 2016, an international tribunal rejected Chinas claims, but Beijing refused to accept the ruling.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies: China has 20 outposts in the Paracel Islands and 7 in the Spratlys. It also controls Scarborough Shoal, which it seized in 2012, via a constant coast guard presence, though it has not built any facilities on the feature.

It says that since 2013, China has engaged in unprecedented dredging and artificial island-building in the Spratlys, creating 3,200 acres of new land, along with a substantial expansion of its presence in the Paracels.

China has reportedly fully militarised three of its artificial islands in the contested South China Sea, arming them with missile systems, fighter jets, and other military facilities, senior US naval commander Admiral John C Aquilino said in 2022.

Buildings and structures are seen on the artificial island built by China in Cuarteron Reef on 25 October 2022 in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. China has progressively asserted its claim of ownership over disputed islands in the South China Sea by artificially increasing the size of islands, creating new islands and building ports, military outposts and airstrips. The South China sea is an important trade route and is of significant interest as geopolitical tensions remain high in the region (Getty Images)

The function of those islands is to expand the offensive capability of the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] ... They can fly fighters, bombers plus all those offensive capabilities of missile systems, Mr Aquilino said at the time.

They threaten all nations who operate in the vicinity and all the international sea and airspace, he told the Associated Press.

Mr Aquilino said that over the past 20 years weve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War II by the PRC.

They have advanced all their capabilities and that buildup of weaponisation is destabilising to the region.

In 2015, Xi Jinping, during a visit to the White House said: Relevant construction activities that China are undertaking in the island of South  Nansha (Spratly) Islands do not target or impact any country, and China does not intend to pursue militarisation.

Mr Xi also said that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Buildings and structures are seen on the artificial island built by China in Subi Reef on 25 October 2022 in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. China has progressively asserted its claim of ownership over disputed islands in the South China Sea by artificially increasing the size of islands, creating new islands and building ports, military outposts and airstrips. The South China sea is an important trade route and is of significant interest as geopolitical tensions remain high in the region (Getty Images)

Earlier this month, the Philippines increased surveillance in its South China Sea territory amid accusations that China is building a new artificial island.

The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed a ship to Sabina Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, where it alleges Chinas construction activities have been causing damage to coral.

China denied these accusations, labelling them as groundless rumours and urging Manila to resolve maritime disputes through negotiation. The Sabina Shoal is a strategic point for resupplying Philippine troops stationed nearby.
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A bus transporting over 50 people from Merced County, including students, caught fire in San Benito County, the California Highway Patrol informed our news partners KSBW.

According to CHP, a Charter bus transporting 56 Merced County people from Monterrey County caught fire on Monday just after 4 p.m. The incident happened on Highway 156 near San Juan Bautista, and CHP reports the bus was full of students.

The fire destroyed the interior and the back of the bus. All 56 people onboard were able to get out of the vehicle safely thanks to the driver, a firefighter from the Hollister Police Department said.

If the bus driver hadnt been quick to get this thing. He moved quickly, got off to the side of the road, got us an early response out to it. If they hadnt moved quickly this wouldve been a bad outcome but they did a fantastic job of getting everybody off, said Rodney Dover with the Hollister Fire Department.

Preliminary investigations point to a blown tire, but as of Tuesday, the cause of the fire is unknown.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)  The Mercer County Schools Patriots Pledge Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Chuck Mathena Center to recognize high school seniors who committed to a branch of the military or have been accepted into a military academy.

Recruiters from the United States Marine Corps, the United States National Guard, and the United States Army attended the event. The recruits received a certificate, flag, and coin from the recruiters.

Mercer County Schools thanks the community for passing the excess school levy

The students who committed to a branch of the military or have been accepted into a military academy include:

Bluefield High School

Noah Bailey | U.S. Army

Catalina Dalton | U.S. Air Force

Augustine Ozuna | U.S. National Guard

Montcalm High School

Logan Coburn | U.S. Marine Corps

PikeView High School

Kaden Duckworth | U.S. Army

Joseph Maltempie | U.S. National Guard

Ashelin Merritt | U.S. National Guard

Michael Neal | U.S. Air Force

Princeton Senior High School

Elijah Campbell | U.S. Air Force Academy

Tamiriah Truckenmiller | U.S. Army

Stanley Curry | U.S. National Guard

Guests at the event were welcomed by Superintendent Edward Toman, who also introduced the board members President Greg Prudich, Mercer County Board member Jim Bailey, and other dignitaries who were at the ceremony. He also acknowledged event coordinator, Jennifer Collis.

Concord University and Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College partner together to offer business degree

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools











Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

Photo Courtesy: Mercer County Schools

A $1,000 award was given to patriotism essay contest winners by Dayton Meadows, owner of Mountain Memories Freedom Flag. The winners of the essay contest include:

Princeton Senior High School

Cora Thornton

PikeView High School

John Auldon Perkins

WVU Tech announces the Southern West Virginia Success Program, expanding access to higher education

Meadows also gave $500 award to those who won the patriotism art contest. The winners of the art contest include:

Bluefield High School

Mandy Hancock

PikeView High School

Destiny Robinette

Guest speaker, Bluefield City Manager Colonel Harry Cecil Marson V, gave a speech after being introduced by Dr. Amber Bowling, and talked about how his life and career was shaped by his experience in the military.

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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The familiar cicada chirps of a Central Illinois summer are set to become twice as loud this year with a rare double-emergence event. What may be a nuisance for some is providing the perfect opportunity for one University of Illinois researcher to explore the relationship between the noise and certain auditory conditions.

The mating call of male cicadas are largely the cause behind that notable, bright droning sound. It is produced by their vibrating abdominal muscles. Most female cicadas make simple clicking noises with their wings instead.

Cicadas: When are they the loudest?

Fatima Husain is a professor of speech and hearing science at the University of Illinois Beckman Institute. She has researched conditions like tinnitus and hyperacusis for 20 years.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound that may not really be present outside the brain. Most people experience this as ringing in the ears, even relating it to a droning cicada call. However, those with tinnitus can also perceive buzzing or whooshing noises.

Husain said that in the eastern U.S.s 2004 and the 2021 cicada emergences, several people claimed the frequencies and loudness of the cicadas actually drowned out the sounds of their tinnitus. However, once the noise went away, the tinnitus would return.

This experience may not be the same for everyone with tinnitus, Husain noted. The effectiveness of masking tinnitus sounds largely depends on the type of sounds perceived and the sounds produced externally. Based on these factors, some peoples tinnitus may actually worsen in response to cicada chirps.

Protecting pools from cicadas: What to do when they end up in water

People with hyperacusis, or the sensitivity to the loudness of everyday sounds like vacuum cleaners or lawn mowers, may also be bothered by the wall of cicada noises this summer. Husain said cicadas are capable of reaching 90-110 decibels  as loud as a jet engine.

Even at this staggering volume, Husain doubts hearing loss would occur unless one stands roughly three feet from a ton of cicadas for several hours. But if you still want to save your ear drums  or at least your sanity  Husain suggests either wearing ear protection, playing some music through headphones, or standing about 12  24 feet away from trees harboring cicadas.

Husain also notes that the hotter the day, the louder the cicadas will be. So, she said the best solution of all may just be to head indoors to muffle the noise, enjoy cool comfort, and wait for it all to be over in around six weeks.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The City of Austin said it is investigating after documents obtained by The Washington Post showed at least 13 instances of outside police departments providing results of facial recognition searches to Austin Police Department officers since the city banned the use of facial recognition nearly four years ago.

The Washington Post first reported on the documents in a May 18 article.

Previous: Austin Council unanimously backs 5 items on police reform and racial justice

When allegations are made against any department staff, we follow a consistent process. Weve initiated that process to investigate the claims. If the investigation determines that policies were violated, APD will take the necessary steps. We will not be able to comment until after the investigation is complete, the City of Austin stated.

On June 11, 2020, the Austin City Council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution that, in part, prohibited the use of facial recognition across all City operations. Resolution 20200611-95 passed following 11 consecutive days of Austin demonstrations and protests against police brutality related to the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin.

Neither facial recognition technology designed or used to identify members of the public, nor information obtained from such facial recognition technology, shall be used by the City for criminal investigation purposes, law enforcement, or surveillance purposes, nor shall such technology be allowed to be used by private corporations on City property, the resolution states.

If the information is inadvertently obtained by the city, or if APD determines the use of this information or technology is necessary due to imminent threat or danger, the City Manager must approve and the purpose must be promptly given to the Council and public, according to the resolution.

KXAN asked the city if APD asked for approval or notified the city manager about using facial recognition technology or information inadvertently obtained under the resolutions guidelines.

KXAN will update this story once a response is received.

Citys response to The Washington Post story

In an email KXAN received from a city council source, the City of Austin told council members it received a media inquiry from The Post alleging the use of facial recognition technology by APD officers which could be a violation of APD policies.

The City informed the reporter that we were not aware of this complaint and did not have sufficient information to determine if the alleged acts were a violation of policy or not, the email states.

The email states that the city provided The Posts reporter a link to the APD General Orders 1000.5 (e) and explained its standard process for investigating alleged policy violations.

According to The Post, at least one of the 13 searches provided to an APD officer came from the Leander Police Department.

The Post reported LPD declined to comment on the matter.

KXAN has requested records from the City of Leander of all email communications between the City of Austin and Leander containing various keywords associated with facial recognition.

The City of Leander has confirmed it is currently processing this request, KXAN will update this story as soon as information is provided.

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MUNDAY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  For the first time ever, the Munday City Council is comprised entirely of women. While Mundays mayor and city manager are both men, these five women say they are proud to represent their community, and hope to inspire young girls to one day run for office.

10-year councilwoman Karen Longan told KTAB/KRBC she first ran in an effort to make a difference in her community. Throughout the decade that shes served the City of Munday, she said shes seen city managers and councilmembers come and go, so she now looks forward to the different backgrounds and perspectives her other four councilmembers provide.

Im very excited. These women have many ideas, and they have passion, and thats what drives change is passion and the knowledge. They are going to work as hard as they can, said Councilwoman Longan.

Councilwoman Skye Urbancyk has a background in education as a teacher. She said joining the council was meant to spread information residents need to know.

When the meetings are, when youre supposed to vote, how to vote, how to run for city council, Councilwoman Urbancyk listed.

In the process, the five coucouncil women said they hope to stir up a sense of community leadership in future generations of women.

No matter your gender, your race, that you can do anything. Dont let anyone ever tell you that you arent good enough or that you cant do something, because it doesnt [matter] where you came from, who you are, or what your name is. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it, encouraged Councilwoman Urbancyk.

Councilwoman Joyce Sanders told KTAB/KRBC she remembers her kids reactions after announcing her candidacy.

My kids that live here, they live outside the city limits. They were like, oh, we cant vote for you, but go Mimi, go Mimi, go! Now that Im retired, I feel like that I have the time to give back to the community, Councilwoman Sanders shared. Continuing, she said she was proud to now represent a city shes known and loved.

Using their differences as an advantage to ensure effective decision making and policies, Councilwoman Jayla Sanchez said shes proud to work with this group of women. In a small town like Munday, with around only 1,200 residents, these councilors agreed that their constituents are an extension of their family, and they want the best for each one of them.

Excellent group of women, highlighted Councilwoman Sanchez, and I think we can come together and do some things for the community. Mrs. Longan was actually my teacher when I was in high school back in 2003, so I mean, we all know each other.

Mundays fifth councilwoman, Exa Lee Smith is said to be most interested in an inclusive leadership model.

She also has amazing vision, putting those decades together and learning from each other is going to be wonderful, Councilwoman Longan vouched for Councilwoman Smith.

As for the mayor and city manager, they expressed excitement in working with a council to bring in new ideas every day.

We joke that he may need a counselor, laughed Councilwoman Longan

At Munday City Hall, you can not only find the five city council women, but the justice of the peace, city judge, and the city and county attorney, are also all women.

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Clark County moves to allow more F1-hosted events, other businesses awaiting compensation from last year

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Clark County Commissioners are attempting to create more F1 business, which has some other business owners saying it overshadows efforts to compensate those disrupted from last years race.

The 300,000-square-foot pit building on Koval Lane and Harmon Avenue already hosts special events outside of the November race, but it costs the county time.

I know there was talk of weddings, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said during Tuesdays commission meeting, speaking of previous conversations with the Las Vegas Grand

Prix (LVGP). Nightclubs, and luncheons, and concerts.

Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson said these events almost always involve serving alcohol, requiring county staff to authorize the use each time. This is because theres no category of

liquor license for the type of business the pit building is.

Typically, the type of liquor licenses awarded are based on the business type, such as hospitality or food and beverage. Gibson said creating a new category of liquor license would allow

LVGP to host special events at the pit building without county staff needing to authorize the use each time.

Efforts to cancel Las Vegas F1 races met with silence from county, leaders

At a resort casino, they have carte blanche. They do whatever they want to do over there, Gibson said after the meeting. [The pit building] may not be the last of this kind of a

building that we see.

While county staff was directed to draft the necessary ordinance, commissioners will eventually vote on creating that liquor license category, its not what businesses came to speak about

during the Tuesday meeting. Conversely, they rebuke the idea until a former idea is materialized.

That idea is reimbursing businesses who claim revenue loss from months of race-related disruptions around their property. Collectively, a group of them claim losses of $30 million.

Magdy Amer used to own Tex Mex Tequila on Las Vegas Boulevard and Koval Lane, the last turn off the Strip within the F1 circuit. He said he was forced to close because of access issues to his

business from F1 construction.

Petition aims to stop Las Vegas F1 race until 2023 damage corrected

They say, Oh, we brought money. Yeah, you brought money, not to us, Amer said after the meeting. You came in to do the race. Now all of a sudden youre going to be concert? All of a

sudden, youre going to be a retailer?

Wade Bohn also spent months watching customers driving over his mart, Jays Mart, via the temporary bridge built directly next to it.

(Pedestrians) are not stopping to be at my store on their way to the event, Bohn said after the meeting, referencing those currently held at the pit building.

Ellis Island Casino was the first property to file a lawsuit against race organizers and Clark County last month. Business owners like Amer and Bohn said theyre preparing to follow suit.

How do we hold anyone accountable? Clark County report highlights internal conflicts with F1 2023

They claim no conversations have been held with either party to compensate them for the reported losses. Gibson said those conversations did begin with Liberty Media and others months ago, though they hit a dead end when these businesses declined to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Thats their right, but its not so business-like to do business with somebody who wont agree that the discussions were having and the settlement were doing it ought to be something

thatd be confidential between us, Gibson said.

Small businesses voice concern over impact of ongoing construction, expansion in downtown Las Vegas

The question of who should potentially reimburse businesses seems to be the dilemma. Commissioners 8 News Now have spoken to indicate Liberty Media should be responsible.

Representatives of both Liberty Media and LVGP frequently decline or do not respond to requests for comment from 8 News Now, including on Tuesday.



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Tensions in a Florida courtroom briefly flared during a hearing in Donald Trumps classified documents case on Wednesday, with the judge reprimanding a prosecutor for repeatedly raising his voice.

The hearing is the first of two scheduled to deal with a bid by Trump co-defendant Walt Nauta to get his charges dismissed over alleged vindictive prosecution. The pre-trial motion is among a batch of unresolved issues that have snarled proceedings in the case, leading U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to indefinitely delay the trial, which otherwise would have started this week.

But the mood in the room turned sour as the attorneys in the room began sparring over whether Nautas defense team had been arm-twisted by prosecutors seeking to get the Mar-a-Lago valet to turn on his boss, for whom he still works.

Stanley Woodward, one of Nautas lawyers, claimed early in the hearing that prosecutors had threatened to interfere with a potential judicial nomination if he couldnt convince his client to flip and cooperate with the government.

I had been recommended for a judgeship, thats beyond dispute, Woodward said, according to CNN.

The allegations center around an Aug. 2022 meeting he had with prosecutor Jay Bratt, a member of special counsel Jack Smiths team, the details of which Woodward first outlined in a sealed letter to a federal judge last June.

More Classified Docs Were Found in Trumps Bedroom Months After FBI Raid

Three people familiar with the matter told The Guardian shortly after the letter was filed that Woodward had been summoned to the Department of Justice the previous year. There, Bratt told him that he did not think he was a Trump guy and that he would do the right thing before mentioning his pending judgeship nomination. Smiths office has disputed Woodwards account.

I think the implication was that I was to travel and convince Mr. Nauta to cooperate with the investigation, and if I didn't do that, there would be consequences, Woodward said on Wednesday.

Prosecutor David Harbach rose to dismiss the claims as nonsense and a garbage argument to begin with. Slamming his hand down on the lectern, according to CNN, he heatedly added, Mr. Woodwards story about what happened at that meeting is a fantasy; it did not happen.

Smiths office has noted that details of Woodwards account have varied with time, something Harbach reiterated on Wednesday, waving his arms and becoming emotional as Cannon questioned him about the preservation of evidence from the meeting. Mr. Harbach, Im just going to ask that you calm down, the judge told the prosecutor at one point.

Woodward dug his heels in. Those things happened, he insisted later in the hearing. What I understood at the time was Mr. Nautas refusal to cooperate could be used against him. The attorney said he would be willing to testify to the facts of the meeting under oath.

The second hearing, held in the afternoon, hinged on a separate motion by Nauta seeking to kill the charges against him and his co-defendants: Trump and Carlos De Oliveira, a Mar-a-Lago property manager. Smiths prosecutors have called their argument to dismiss meritless.

Cannon did not issue a ruling on either motion Wednesday. The judge has been accused of slow-walking the trial by some critics, who see her recent delay as a tactic to kick the can down the road past the November presidential election.

Trump faces 37 felony charges in the case related to his willful retention of classified material and attempts to keep the government from retrieving it.

He has pleaded not guilty, as have Nauta and De Oliveira, who are separately charged with trying to help Trump conceal evidence of his wrongdoing.

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With deficits looming, Minnesota's school districts brought their arguments for new funding to the State Capitol this year in the face of warnings not to expect much after a bountiful 2023 session.

And the final tally?

"Very modest," Scott Croonquist, executive director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, said this week.

Lawmakers managed to bolster funding for new literacy programs and took the first step to giving student teachers the financial support they say is needed to stick with 12 weeks of classroom training. Otherwise, it was a policy-driven year, with attention given to curbing excessive cellphone use and keeping kids in school and libraries free of book-ban politics.

"Students must be the center of our focus, and this legislation puts attention squarely on our kids," state Rep. Laurie Pryor, DFL-Minnetonka, chair of the House Education Policy Committee, said of the education policy bill approved in the session's closing days.

Here's what they did and some homework they left for later.

Curbing in-school cell phone use

In an effort to keep students on task and to lessen the risks of cyberbullying, the state is requiring every school district and charter school to set cellphone use policies by March 15, 2025.

The legislation is not prescriptive, but state Rep. Sandra Feist, DFL-New Brighton, and Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, made clear this year they'd like schools to be cellphone-free  and they pointed to success at a pair of middle schools where students must keep their phones locked up or out of sight.

The state's principals association will advise districts on ways to minimize the effects of cellphones on student behavior, mental health and academic achievement.

Keeping kids in school

School attendance has suffered post-pandemic and lawmakers have responded by establishing a legislative work group to study chronic absenteeism in the coming months. In addition, 12 districts are being asked to come up with "promising practices" that ensure students get to class.

Minneapolis Public Schools is to take the lead and will receive $1 million of $4.7 million in state aid being dedicated to the effort. The 12 districts must conduct their first virtual meeting by Aug. 1.

The legislative work group is charged with recommending how best to tackle absenteeism and truancy, and must issue a final report by Dec. 31.

Matt Shaver, policy director with EdAllies, a group that works closely with underserved communities, said the action was a "start," but a "big deal," too, given limits on new funding this session.

Funding for teachers and student teachers

A year ago, the state passed the Read Act, which tasked teachers with learning a new way to teach kids to read. But districts were left wondering about long-term funding and the time available to train personnel.

There was the question, too, of how to pay teachers for their time learning, so lawmakers this session allocated $31.4 million to districts, charter schools and cooperatives to compensate teachers as they dig into programs placing a greater emphasis on phonics.

A pair of training deadlines were extended by a year, too.

Croonquist said the Read Act funding "certainly is appreciated, but it's not going to cover all of the costs."

The state also set out to ease the financial burden on student teachers who prepare for the profession by working weeks for free. A pilot program will supply a total of $6.5 million in stipends to student teachers enrolled at eight Minnesota colleges and universities.

Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota, commended lawmakers for finding ways to invest in current and future teachers during a tight budget year.

"Every Minnesota student deserves a great teacher who has the support and financial security they need to focus on the work," Specht said in a news release.

Banning bans on books

Another new measure prohibits book bans in schools and public libraries. The move comes at a time when books focusing on multiracial and LGBTQ themes have been removed from shelves at libraries across the U.S.

Students need access to books with "characters like themselves and their families," Specht said, praising the new policy.

Republicans said the legislation was unnecessary because book ban campaigns have been infrequent here.

What didn't happen this session

A proposal to open rigorous courses to more students of color failed to advance, as did a proposed expansion of early learning scholarships to middle-income families. But the state Department of Education is receiving $7 million to establish the logistical groundwork to make the expansion happen.

Ericca Maas of the advocacy group Think Small said the move was an "important vote of confidence" in the fight to make child care more affordable to more families.
Colonial Williamsburg president to be charged after hitting William & Mary student with SUV

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY)  The president and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is set to be charged after a crash last year that left a William & Mary student seriously hurt.

After a thorough review of all of the facts and circumstances in the case, Williamsburg-James City County Commonwealths Attorney Nate Green said he has asked Virginia State Police to issue a summons charging Cliff Fleet III with reckless driving.

Green confirmed the update on Tuesday, after the news was first reported by the Virginia Gazette.

Fleet will be charged under Virginia code 46.2-852, which lists reckless driving as a class 1 misdemeanor. That carries a potential of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Previous: W&M student struck by car driven by Colonial Williamsburg President

The crash happened back on October 26, 2023, around 8:15 a.m. on Richmond Road at the William & Mary campus. The victim, William & Mary student Rosemary Raynal, was initially flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Raynal suffered brain trauma and other significant injuries, and faces a long road to recovery back home in North Carolina, William & Mary announced.

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Mainland says Lai takes more radical "Taiwan independence" stance

Xinhua) 08:03, May 22, 2024

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Lai Ching-te has taken a more radical stance seeking "Taiwan independence" in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Tuesday.

Full of hostility and provocation and made up of lies and deception, Lai's Monday speech is a confession of "Taiwan independence," said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to a media query for further comments on Lai's speech.

The speech fully demonstrated that Lai is "a traitor to mainstream public opinion on the island and a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

It is clear that from the very beginning of his tenure, Lai cannot help but to expose his true colors as an advocate for "Taiwan independence" with an extremely arrogant attitude and more radical views, he said.

Not only did he fail to address the fundamental question of the nature of cross-Strait relations, but he also attempted to change the nature of the relations, which poses a serious challenge to the one-China principle, he said.

Chen reminded Lai of the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and its future can only be determined by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.

In his speech, Lai has turned to external forces for support of his independence agenda. However, no matter how much he fawns on external forces and seeks their support, he will always be a "pawn," Chen noted, adding that the "pawn" will inevitably become a discarded piece because "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and the attempts to seek independence by inviting in external forces will only backfire.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are Chinese and belong to the Chinese nation. No one desires more than we do to achieve national reunification through peaceful means," Chen said.

"However, in response to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces to provoke and seek independence, we must counteract and punish them," he added.

Lai's attempts to incite "anti-China" sentiments and pursue "independence" by force will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation of military conflict, Chen said.

In his speech, Lai talked superficially about "dialogue" and "exchanges," misleading people to believe that he has good intentions and sincerity to improve cross-Strait relations, Chen noted.

"However, the inability of mainland residents and students to travel to Taiwan for tourism or study is entirely caused by the DPP authorities," he said, adding that Lai showed no genuine intent to promote cross-Strait exchanges or improve the island's economy.

No matter what Lai says or how he says it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor can it alter the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Strait to become closer and more connected. It also cannot stop the irreversible trend of China's reunification, Chen said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado may have legalized cannabis and decriminalized some psychedelic drugs, but when it comes to buying alcohol at a store on Christmas Day? No can do.

For the Colorado newcomers reading this, yes: The state has long prohibited stores (but not bars) from selling booze on Christmas. But that will change this year after Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law that lifts the rule.

This is what you need to make to be middle class in Colorado

While the pandemic pushed Colorado to change course on things like to-go alcohol, and voters also decided to allow wine sales in grocery stores, the Christmas Day rule remained until this legislative session.

The update comes from Colorados Liquor Advisory Group. Polis asked the group in 2022 to review the states liquor and beer codes, noting that there had not been a broad review in recent history.

Bipartisan group lifts Colorados Christmas Day liquor sales ban

The groups recommendations were presented to the legislature this year and signed into law on Saturday.

In addition to lifting the Christmas Day ban, the recommendations address several other aspects of the states liquor laws. A couple of examples: Liquor licenses will be lengthened from one to two years for some applicants, and arts licensees will be able to have limited advertising that they will have alcohol for sale during a production.

What new gun laws passed in Colorado this year?

Senate Bill 24-231 had bipartisan sponsorship and overwhelming support, with just one opposing vote in the Senate and four in the House. Prime sponsors include Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and state Rep. Marc Snyder, both Democrats, along with Assistant Minority Leader Bob Gardner and state Rep. Lisa Frizell, both Republicans.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference about a bipartisan property tax reduction bill on May 6, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado is the first state in the country to create a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence after Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 24-205 into law Friday evening.

The bill sets guardrails for companies that develop and use AI in an attempt to mitigate consumer harm and discrimination.

Polis, a Democrat, wrote in a signing statement that he signed the bill with reservations and hopes the conversation around AI regulation will continue at both the state and federal levels.

While the guardrails, long timeline for implementation and limitations contained in the final version are adequate for me to sign this legislation today, I am concerned about the impact this law may have on an industry that is fueling critical technological advancements across our state for consumers and enterprises alike, he wrote.

The law will not take effect until 2026.

It was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez of Denver, Rep. Brianna Titone of Arvada and Rep. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City, all Democrats, and passed in the final days of the most recent legislative session, which concluded May 8.

The law imposes requirements on developers and deployers on so-called high-risk AI systems, such as those involved in making consequential decisions related to hiring, banking and housing. Developers and deployers will have a responsibility to avoid algorithmic discrimination and report any instances to the attorney generals office. There are also reporting requirements from developers to consumers.

Laws that seek to prevent discrimination generally focus on prohibiting intentional discriminatory conduct. Notably, this bill deviates from that practice by regulating the results of AI system use, regardless of intent, and I encourage the legislature to reexamine this concept as the law is finalized before it takes effect in 2026, Polis wrote.

Polis wrote that AI regulation should be considered at the federal level, versus a patchwork of state-level policies. A similar bill in Connecticut, which was crafted with input from human resources software Workday, failed during that states legislative session this year.

Congress has yet to pass any bills regulating AI, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, released a roadmap for potential policy born from the work of the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group earlier this month.

Colorados legislation drew opposition from the technology industry and businesses that use AI. They were primarily worried about it stifling innovation in a nascent field.

Its a very wide-reaching bill. Its really challenging to wrap our heads around all the things we might inadvertently do that we might not think about, said Logan Cerkovnik, the founder and CEO of Denver-based Thumper.ai. Its certainly a well-intentioned bill, but as we think about how the major social changes were trying for in the bill are supposed to work.

Are we shifting from actual discrimination to the risk of discrimination before it happens? he added.

His company plans to soon offer different tools, such as large language models, and he questions whether they should restrict the consumer use to automatically prevent banks from uploading loan applications or employers from uploading resumes  two instances where AI can show bias and discrimination.

Maybe they get into some sort of trouble later on and try to say that our company has liability because we gave them a general purpose tool and they misused it, he said.

Cerkovnik said theres room for industry input to improve the legislation before it takes effect. That could include sharpening over-broad definitions and having an expert commission in charge of regulatory enforcement instead of the attorney generals office.

Polis wrote in his signing statement that stakeholders, including industry leaders, need to take the next two years to fine tune the provisions and ensure that the final product does not hamper development and expansion of new technologies in Colorado that can improve the lives of individuals across our state.

It is critical that such discussions among stakeholders be based on a robust understanding of how the AI industry is developing, the impact of creating a separate anti-discrimination framework for AI systems only, and what our country is doing as a whole to adapt to this change in our society.

Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com. Follow Colorado Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Colorado becomes first state with sweeping artificial intelligence regulations appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
The Colorado Republican Party called on parents Tuesday to pull their children out of public schools in the state, citing LGBTQ indoctrination.

Our next policy aims to save Colorado children from progressive Democrats who want to turn more kids trans by requiring teachers to use pronouns that do not make any sense and cause gender confusion, according to a fundraising email sent by the state GOP.

In the email, the party takes issue with a new law recently signed by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis that requires teachers to use the preferred pronouns of a student without notification or permission from a guardian.

In reality, all Colorado parents should be aiming to remove their kids from public education, the email reads.

The bill, sponsored by four far-left progressives, two of whom do not know their own genders and do not have children, requires teachers in public schools to use pronouns for kids with gender confusion that do not align with their actual scientific gender, without parental consent.

The school choice movement has gained traction the past few years with dozens of states passing laws making it easier for parents to homeschool their children or send them to private institutions.

The party encourages those who believe their rights are being violated to look at religious exemptions and highlighted a case in California where a teacher won a lawsuit against a policy that required her to use students preferred pronouns.

The goal here is clear; the Colorado legislature seeks to break down the family unit while convincing kids that government knows best, the party said in the email.

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Column: California wants to mandate folic acid in tortillas to help babies. Why that's bad

Enrique Rodriguez, CEO for La Princesita Tortilleria, talks about the issue of having to add folic acid to corn tortillas at his store in East Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Thursday mornings at La Princesita Tortilleria in East Los Angeles are devoted to making chips, so customers couldn't get any piping hot tortillas when I visited last week. But CEO Enrique Rodriguez made sure two fresh batches of corn tortillas were available for what we were about to do.

It was time for the Great Tortilla Folic Acid Test.

My older relatives have complained for years that corn tortillas in the United States don't taste like they should, because most contain as many ingredients as the fine print in an infomercial. That makes them as palatable as the lickable part of an envelope.

But over the last decade, a growing number of restaurants and tortilla makers have gone back to the basics  using just corn, water and lime in a process called nixtamalization  to promote the older, tastier, healthier ways. Some, like La Princesita, never deviated from the practice and became beloved for it.

Nevertheless, health advocates have argued for decades that fortifying masa with folic acid is necessary and have pushed to make it mandatory.

Read more: They Want Those Old-Time Tortillas

They cite research showing that consuming it early in pregnancy drastically cuts down on neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida, and that Latina mothers lag far behind in their intake compared with other ethnicities. Folic acid is so important to the health of a fetus that the Food and Drug Administration required its inclusion in 1998 in all enriched grain products, and Mexico did the same to corn masa in 2008. A subsequent study found this reduced the number of children born in the U.S. with neural tube defects by 35%.

Now, a proposed state law would force all commercial California manufacturers of masa and masa products  corn tortillas, pupusas, tamales, tortilla chips, taco shells and more  to include the vitamin starting in 2026. If the proposal, sponsored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), passes, it would in effect end in California a culinary tradition going back millennia.

A few weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra convened a Zoom meeting on the subject with retail giants such as Kroger and Walmart.

"The consensus in general was it was a good thing, and how do we make it happen?" said Tortilla Industry Assn. Executive Director Jim Kabbani, who attended. "One school of thought is it's a matter of public education  make it so that people say, 'I want to buy the product with folic acid.' Another is, 'Just put it in there, and let people enjoy the benefits.'"

"The data really spoke to me," said Arambula, a former emergency room doctor. He was inspired to write the bill  which unanimously passed the Assembly last month and is scheduled for a state Senate health committee hearing next week  after researchers at UC Davis approached him.

Arambula knows what good corn tortillas taste like. Some of his favorite come from El Premio Mayor in Fresno, a taqueria that I completely vouch for. But focusing on masa products, he said, "really spoke to our office to find a culturally appropriate way to ingest folic acid."

Rodriguez, 40, said he supports Arambula's "idea and overall intent." But he's been in contact with the Assembly member's office urging an exemption that would allow tortilla makers such as La Princesita  winners of the 2022 edition of my KCRW Great Tortilla Tournament  to sell unadulterated products to restaurants, and for restaurants to pat out their own tortillas.

"Chefs specifically seek out tortillas like ours," he continued as we stood next to La Princesita's assembly line. "If the bill goes through, if a chef wants an all-natural tortilla, they'll just go to makers in Arizona or Texas or other states."

Rodriguez shook his head. "It'll change who we are."

A bag of folic acid at La Princesita Tortilleria. Manufacturers of corn masa flour may be mandated to add a new ingredient to their products sold and produced in California. Two grams, foreground, is the amount of folic acid that would have to be added to 600 pounds of raw masa. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Carlos Salgado, who helped jump-start the modern-day nixtamalization revolution in Southern California with the blue corn tortillas of his now-shuttered Michelin-starred restaurant Taco Maria, called Arambula's bill "crudely broad" for including small-batch makers and restaurants. Yet he also sees it as an "incomplete solution," because it does nothing to lessen prenatal costs or increase health coverage for Latinas. He noted that artisanal bakeries in the state have long used unenriched flours without health inspectors going after them, as Arambula's bill would do to tortilleros.

"If food legislators can make exceptions for [bakers]," Salgado said, "then they can allow for the continued revival and growth of an ancestral food so important to the health and identity of so many Californians."

To ask how a tortilla might taste because of a supplement that could save lives sounds petty. But mandating folic acid in masa isn't like adding fluoride to tap water; it's messing with cultural patrimony. Asking Latinos to accept a fundamental change to something that's part of our very essence in the name of a supposedly greater good is little better than culinary imperialism.

Arambula said he did his own taste test and found no difference, arguing that the amount he's requiring  0.7 of a milligram per pound of raw masa and 0.4 of a milligram for finished products  amounts to "particles."

"I think based on the data, we need to make sure we're protecting our moms and families as best as we can and lean into science to use all the tools that are disposable," he told me. The Assembly member, who is Latino, didn't flinch when I pressed on the idea that his bill would basically ban Mexicans, Salvadorans and others in California from enjoying their heritage.

"These disparities won't resolve themselves, and it's important for us to fortify. I go back to, I don't see anything about people complaining about [how bread tasted] prior to 1998. We see the benefits, and we appreciate that."

His unsympathetic approach is Big Blue California at its worst: thinking that the state should take care of residents from conception to death, and being willing to mess with traditions if they get in the way.

Rodriguez said he asked Arambula's staffers for the studies they're relying on for his bill; they declined.

Read more: Francisco Ramirez, owner of pioneering East L.A. tortilleria La Princesita, dies

"I'm not questioning the science," he said. "But is there a way to be part of the solution and maintain the way we've always made our tortillas? We want to keep making the tortillas we've been making for over 50 years, and our ancestors for thousands of years."

It was time for my taste test.

Rodriguez took out a 3.5-ounce bag of folic acid powder available on Amazon for $20. "This would last us for a year," he said as I put some in my palm and tasted it. Chalky, slightly bitter  not disgusting but not pleasant. I washed out my mouth with water, closed my eyes and took two warm corn tortillas.

The first tasted the way a pure corn tortilla should: a pleasant initial tinge of sourness, a soft texture, a concluding rush of earthiness. The second one had a subtle taste of ... something. It lingered longer on the palate than an old school tortilla, and turned too rubbery in my mouth. The difference was obvious  it contained folic acid.

I opened my eyes. The tortilla with folic acid was also slightly more yellow than the one without.

"Everyone [at La Princesita] immediately knew there was a difference and was able to pick our original one," Rodriguez said. "It doesn't taste bad, but it's not the same tortilla."

La Princesita production manager Cesario "Chayo" Covarrubias, who has worked there for 35 years, passed by in a hairnet and white coat. I asked whether he was able to tell which was which.

"They tasted the same," he replied in Spanish, drawing a laugh from Liborio Cano, who was shoveling chips into boxes in his first week on the job. "Nah, you could tell them apart easy!"

I asked Chayo how he felt about Arambula's bill.

"If they want us to put it in, it has to be put in," he said with a rancho libertarian tone, mixing resignation and matter-of-factness. "If they don't want us to, we won't."

Rodriguez looked at shelves filled with bags of La Princesita's white corn and yellow corn tortillas. Arambula's bill would also force manufacturers to indicate on their labels that their products contain folic acid. "We can do a whole line of ones with it," he said, thinking out loud about a way forward for La Princesita. "Make our packaging pink." He pointed at La Princesita's logo, a smiling Jackie O. lookalike. "Hey, we can make her pregnant!"

Enrique Rodriguez, CEO for La Princesita Tortilleria, and La Princesita President Monica Ramirez discuss the difference between corn tortillas that have folic acid and ones that do not. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

La Princesita President Monica Ramirez joined us. She took the taste test and also guessed correctly.

"On one hand, I support [the bill] because of health," said the 44-year-old. "On the other hand, it hurts in my heart because it's a process that my dad did. It's what he learned, and it's what he taught us."

She offered a pained smile. "It hurts, but both weigh the same to me."

Rodriguez wants to ask his fellow tortilla makers to write a letter to Arambula and plans to request a meeting with state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, who represents East Los Angeles. "This is the epicenter of tortilla making," he said, "so she's going to have to listen."

We stepped outside and walked toward an electrical box painted with an image of Francisco "Pancho" Ramirez, La Princesita's founder, Monica's father, and Rodriguez's father-in-law. He's towering over stalks of corn while dropping kernels onto dark soil. Sunrays envelope the scene as a hummingbird flies next to him.

Rodriguez sighed, resigned to the march of modernity. "That's how we did it forever."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would require presidents to make a series of disclosures about their relatives foreign earnings  drafting a laundry list of obligations stemming from the GOP inquiry into President Biden.

The legislation requires presidents and vice presidents to disclose anything of value received from a foreign country, whether a gift or payment, while in office and during the two years before and after. The executives would similarly have to disclose any foreign money received by their immediate family.

It also requires presidents and vice presidents to share their tax returns for the same period  a detail that would have forced former President Trump to share the filings he bucked tradition in refusing to release during his first campaign.

But the legislation does not make explicit any disclosure requirements for companies owned by family members  a detail that would aid both Trumps and Bidens family members who have conducted business overseas.

It does, however, require presidents or vice presidents to share tax filings of businesses they transferred to a family member within the last four years  a provision that would address Trumps business, now under the control of his children.

Influence peddling is a cottage industry in Washington and weve identified deficiencies in current law that have led to a culture of corruption. By creating this bipartisan legislation to provide greater transparency to the financial interactions related to the office of the president and vice-president, we can ensure that moving forward American presidents, vice presidents, and their family members cannot profit from their proximity to power, Comer said in a statement.

Porter said that by boosting transparency and requiring additional financial disclosures, Congress can shine a light on improper conduct in the Executive Branch  or be confident that none occurred.

Many of the requirements listed under the bill walk through the GOP investigation into Biden, which, while accusing the president of influence peddling, has yet to demonstrate that he took any official actions to benefit his family.

For instance, the bill requires presidents and vice presidents to disclose any loans made to family members that exceed $10,000  a nod to a loan President Biden made to his brother James Biden.

It likewise requires documentation any time a family member travels with the president or vice president, including whether the travel was connected with any business purpose. That provision comes after the GOP has been critical of rides Hunter Biden took while his father was vice president, taking trips to countries where he had business meetings.

Were always happy to look at Congressman Comers bright ideas, but on his first day in office, President Biden implemented the strictest ethics standards of any Administration in history, he has publicly released 26 years of his tax returns for the American people to see  the most of any President ever  and publicly releases his personal financial disclosures each year, Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, said in a statement.

So the president of course believes in the importance of presidential ethics, and he has already made clear his commitment to upholding strong ethical standards.

The legislation also requires presidents to disclose any conflicts of interest.

Comers bill comes the day after Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the panel, introduced his own legislation targeting foreign funding flowing toward top officials.

Raskins bill targets Trumps flouting of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution by failing to seek Congresss blessing before accepting foreign government money through his various businesses.

Under that bill, federal elected officials, as well as some high-ranking appointees, would have to seek congressional approval before accepting such payments both while in office as well as for two years beyond.

The legislation would apply those provisions to senior White House advisers as well, an inclusion that targets a $2 billion deal Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner made with the Saudi royal family shortly after leaving government.

This story was updated at 8:58 p.m.

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A construction site near Battery Park City in New York that overlooks the Statue of Liberty is an example of construction sites that have more women working in construction and skilled-trades jobs after the Commerce Department launched its Million Women in Construction Community Pledge Tuesday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

May 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce launched its Million Women in Construction Community Pledge Tuesday to encourage more construction companies to hire more women.

Federal investment is creating a construction boom across the country that is increases job opportunities for construction and trade workers, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an online announcement.

"Women make up less than 11% of jobs in construction and only 4% in skilled trades," Raimondo said.

"Many of these are good-paying, quality jobs you can get without a college degree," Raimondo said. "Women deserve equal opportunity for these jobs."

She said an "industrywide commitment" is needed to achieve the goal of putting a million women to work in construction and skilled-trades positions on construction sites.

"I'm calling on everyone -- contractors, labor unions [and] trade organizations -- to join our community pledge to ... overcome barriers faced by women and underserved communities in construction and the trades," Raimondo said.

Representatives of seven of the nation's largest construction firms have signed on to the pledge.

Those entities are Baker Construction, Gilbane Building Co., McKissack & McKissack, Mortenson, Power Design, Suffolk and Shawmut Design and Construction.

The initiative comes as the number of women employed in the construction industry is among the highest with 1.3 million working in various positions.

About 40% of women employed in the construction industry work in management or office positions while 2% work in production, transportation or materials movement.

About half of female construction workers have children under age 18, including about 22% with children younger than age 6.
NEW Cooperative used soil to block a ditch that goes to the East Nishnabotna River to prevent further contamination from a March fertilizer spill. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The states Environmental Protection Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to refer one of the largest fertilizer spills in the states history to the attorney generals office for enforcement.

In doing so, the commission granted a referral request from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which said its administrative fine limit of $10,000 is insufficient for the March spill at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak. The incident contaminated the East Nishnabotna River and killed more than 750,000 fish.

The attorney general can seek a much higher penalty in court.

A $10,000 penalty is simply not commensurate with the harm caused by this case, said Bradley Adams, a DNR attorney.

Representatives of the cooperative, which is based in Fort Dodge, did not challenge the referral and said it worked quickly to mitigate the spill that was caused by the mistake of one of its employees.

Frankly, NEW Cooperative doesnt see a reason to invite a combativeness in front of this commission, said Brittany Barrientos, an attorney for the co-op. We have otherwise proceeded cooperatively, and so with that spirit, thats how we plan to proceed today.

Heres what happened, according to Barrientos: Co-op employees had worked for days to prepare a 500,000-gallon tank of liquid nitrogen fertilizer for distribution. The fertilizer  a urea ammonium nitrate solution that is commonly known as UAN-32  had partially crystalized over the winter and clogged a line that is used to dispense it.

On Friday, March 8, the employees inadvertently left a valve to the line open. There was no fertilizer flowing from it at the time, but at some point over the weekend  when no one was present  the warm weather apparently cleared the blockage. About 265,000 gallons of the fertilizer flowed over the ground and through a stormwater drain into a ditch that goes to the river.

The spill was discovered early Monday, March 11, when co-op employees began their work week. They constructed a series of dams to stop further contamination of the river, but it was too late to prevent the annihilation of fish, frogs, mussels and snakes downstream in the river.

A 50-mile stretch of the river became uninhabitable for aquatic life, Adams said. He added: The fish literally choked to death in the water.

The devastation continued another 10 miles into Missouri until the Nishnabotna reached the Missouri River, where the fertilizer diluted in higher water flows.

An assistant attorney general indicated the office would pursue the case but did not comment further about it. Its unclear how much money the attorney generals office will seek from NEW Cooperative. The fines are typically negotiated as part of a settlement agreement.

The largest fish kill event on record resulted in a $150,000 settlement, according to DNR records. In that case, an unspecified amount of liquid nitrogen fertilizer discharged from Midwest Farmers Cooperative in Sheldon into the Floyd River in January 2002 and killed more than 1 million fish.

The value of those fish, which is used to determine restitution to the state, was about $120,000.

The fish killed by the NEW Cooperative spill have been valued at about $226,000. Adams said money from a settlement with the co-op will be used to rehabilitate the East Nishnabotna and Nishnabotna rivers.

Missouri officials are mulling penalties as well and recently asked residents to watch for dead fish this summer that might result from residual fertilizer contamination in river sediment.

Its possible the fertilizer could mobilize once the water warms up this summer, resulting in another fish kill, said Matt Combes, a Missouri Department of Conservation supervisor.

An estimated 40,000 fish died in Missouri as a result of the spill.

The co-op has excavated a large amount of contaminated soil from the creek that goes to the East Nishnabotna to prevent further pollution, said Dan Dix, its general manager.

Our company has always operated under the philosophy of striving to do the right thing (for the) customer, employee and the environment, Dix said. He added: Unfortunately, it was simply due to a mistake, an accident caused by a long-term employee. We take this matter very seriously.

NEW Cooperative is the largest farmers co-op in Iowa and has about 12,000 member owners. Dix said it acquired the Red Oak site last year as part of a merger with United Farmers Cooperative.

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Luke Dwenger accesses his coursework online from the parking lot of his local library while his dad Todd Dwenger waits with him in the car. (Photo by Mitchell Lierman / Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism)

By Arnolt Center staff Mitchell Lierman, Yanai Levy, Ryan Murphy, Stephen Prager and Tyler Spence.

Luke Dwenger checks his assignments over the public Wi-Fi connection at the Greensburg Decatur County Public Library while his dad Todd waits with him in the parking lot.

This story was originally published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom. It is republished here with permission.

The library closed four hours ago, but the Dwengers internet is down again.

That Wednesday night isnt the only night the Dwengers have had to leave their home in search of stable internet. The family has visited the library, local parks and the McDonalds parking lot to make sure the kids can do their homework.

Relying on the librarys Wi-Fi from the parking lot was far from the perfect alternative to the Dwengers unreliable internet speeds at home. But Tyler and Luke Dwenger still had homework to finish.

Its kind of a luck thing because occasionally its on, occasionally its off, said Tyler Dwenger, a senior at Greensburg Community High School.

The Dwengers pay Frontier Communications $50 for internet every month, but their connection is often too slow to accomplish basic tasks like sending emails.

The family is not unique.

Indiana Broadband Map

When everyday activities like school and business meetings were moved online during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of Americans from big cities to rural towns were left scrambling to find reliable high-speed internet.

According to the consumer data monitor BroadbandNow, a third of Decatur County residents lack download speeds over 25 megabits, the amount considered fast enough to support streaming high definition video, loading webpages, and sending emails across one to three devices at the same time.

Rural residents are more likely to not have service because low population densities make it more expensive for internet service providers (ISPs) to connect them with existing infrastructure, according to the Indiana Broadband Office.

The return on investment is lower for a provider compared to in a city because there are fewer homes, so fewer customers, office spokeswoman Lela Sibley said in written responses. She noted costs can still be a barrier in urban areas too.

Rural Indiana is far from alone. Communities around the United States have been struggling to receive adequate internet access for over 15 years.

The U.S. government has attempted to remedy this divide for over 16 years  and has thrown increasing amounts of money at the project of broadband access.

Since 2009, federal programs have dedicated at least $92 billion to fixing this issue for families like the Dwengers. Reporters at the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism at Indiana University looked at three federal laws funding major broadband programs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $20.4 billion toward broadband development, while the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund of 2020 put $7.2 billion toward the cause.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 dedicated a mammoth $65 billion to access, mostly through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Indiana got a whopping $868 million out of the program.

The state is also using funding from the federal American Rescue Plan to invest more than $350 million in constructing new broadband infrastructure. In March, $500,000 was approved for underserved areas like Decatur County to improve service.

In addition to these big-ticket bills, dozens of smaller programs across 15 federal agencies have poured millions more into improving digital equity, according to the Government Accountability Office.

But some critique the funding structure.

Historically speaking the approach has been: lets give money to the big ISPs, Chao Jun Liu, a legislative associate at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the Arnolt Center. It sort of disappears into that black box.

Indianas broadband office said the BEAD program requires states to award funds through subgrants to ISPs.

Non-profits and local governments are eligible, but only after the state can reach every address with appropriate broadband infrastructure, Sibley, the offices spokeswoman wrote in comments to the Capital Chronicle.

And she defended the process, adding, The Indiana Broadband Office believes that the subgrantee selection process that matches funding to internet service providers to connect every unserved and underserved location in the State is the most efficient use of this grant money. Partnering with internet service providers ensures that current infrastructure is expanded, and new development meets industry standards and practices in a timely manner.

Theyre used to it.

Sometimes, it just spins. Well, it spins and it goes out on you and itll say no internet connection, Todd said. These guys, I feel sorry for because, you know, thats their fun, he said, gesturing towards his sons who often try to play online games with their friends  when their service lets them.

The Dwengers have download speeds of only about two megabits, 50 times lower than what the Federal Communications Commission considers high-speed internet.

Roughly half of the people who lacked high speed internet in 2009 still dont have it today, according to data from Arizona State University and the U.S. Census Bureau analyzed by the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism.

In 2023, as many as 24 million Americans lacked access to adequate broadband internet speeds as defined by the FCC. Last month, when the FCC quadrupled the required speed to meet their definition of broadband, it found that this number had risen to 45 million. The problem is worst in rural areas.

Internet companies have been slow to make progress in areas where potential profits might not justify the costs, especially in areas with few providers to choose from.

In Gary, one of Indianas largest cities, more than 31% of households lacked broadband of any kind as of 2019. That year, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance ranked it the 4th worst-connected city in America.

Many other Indiana counties lag nationwide progress on broadband. In rural counties like Benton, Warren, and Union, the vast majority of residents lack high speed service.

The broadband offices Sibley said the federal BEAD program requires it to connect every unserved and underserved location in the state.

She said the office would begin the subgrantee selection process in the fall, and that all poorly connected areas throughout Indiana will be accounted for through the awards. ISPs must build out the projects and spend the grant money by the end of 2028, in accordance with BEAD program guidelines.

For now, however, 11.2% of Indiana residents lack access to modern broadband internet.

Thats no surprise to the Dwengers.

Todd Dwenger and his children have shared the same issues.

He said it once took him 15 hours to work through an eight-hour training class for a religious community service program. A half hour class took me almost an hour to do because it just buffered, Todd Dwenger said.

For more demanding tasks like playing online games, the internet is essentially unusable. When Luke Dwengers friends play video games online, he often has to tell them he cant join. While video games are a hobby, they represent a great deal of how young people connect socially. Over 47% of teens play video games with their real life friends, and the inability to do so can make rural community living that much more isolating.

They just kind of know by now because it happens all the time, Luke Dwenger said. Theyre used to it.

Better service is always 5 years away

While they have a rural address, the Dwengers dont live in the middle of nowhere.

They live just six miles from the center of Greensburg, the largest town in Decatur County. However, their $50 monthly rural internet subscription struggles with simple tasks like sending emails and finding coupons for groceries.

Frontiers website did not list connection speeds when enrolling new customers, despite pushing service add-ons to its basic internet package with flashy marketing images that some of their users might struggle to load.

Indiana joined the FTC and five other states in a 2021 complaint against Frontier. In the complaint, Indianas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) wrote that Frontier committed unfair, abusive or deceptive acts by leading consumers to believe Frontier offered service quality it could not actually live up to.

Indianas claims werent heard in court. Attorney General Todd Rokita and Frontier reached a $15 million settlement which requires Frontier to change their advertising efforts to accurately represent to Indiana consumers both the availability and reliability of their internet service according to an OAG news release.

The settlement required Frontier to invest in internet infrastructure throughout Indiana over four years. The company has until September 2024 to spend the $7.5 million; its spent $7, 045,658 to date, the OAG said Friday.

Frontier was also required to credit  from September 2023 to September 2025  customers who pay for internet that doesnt live up to advertised speeds. So far, for September 2023, thats meant $6,153 in credits to 214 customers, per the OAG.

The company must also deliver two compliance reports annually to the state through September 2026. The OAG said its received two reports to date.

(We) continue to review these reports and any consumer complaints we receive that may deal with the same issues to ensure continued compliance, an office spokesperson said in written responses to the Capital Chronicle.

Frontier didnt return multiple requests for comment.

But for customers like the Dwengers and thousands of others across Indiana, truth in advertising doesnt fix their slow internet.

The Dwenger boys hope to continue living in Decatur County.

Tyler graduates high school this year and wants to stay in Greensburg. He hopes to begin online classes within the next few years, but slow internet speeds in his hometown may serve as a barrier.

Sometimes I do take tests at home from that and theyre only allowed a certain amount of time, Tyler Dwenger said. I start it and Im like, I hope the next 35 minutes of internet are good, because if theyre not, Im not going to be able to get in this test. If I was to get to do an online school, I would have to take that risk a lot more often.

Todd says local politicians have campaigned on improving connectivity for Decatur residents for years. But I heard that would be five, 10 years down the road. Ive heard people talking about putting new towers in different places.

Every time you hear about it, it goes away.

The post Communities struggle to get connected, despite billions in broadband investment appeared first on Source New Mexico.
WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLNS)  Flowers are continuing to pile up along Wacousta Road after 16 people were hit by a vehicle Saturday night. Two men died at the scene.

Weve now learned that 30-year-old Johnathan Esch was one of them. He worked for the Lansing Township fire department.

Some community groups have posted condolences on Facebook  sending thoughts to his family and the fire department.

The day after a mass-casualty hit-and-run in Watertown Twp., May 18, 2024, people began leaving flowers at the side of the road. (WLNS)

42-year-old Daniel Harris from Grand Ledge also died and a 38 year old woman remains in critical condition.

Since the incident, some community members have set up fundraisers to help the family. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan also set up their Hometown Heroes program to give back to first responders who were at the scene.

However, the family has asked that all fundraising efforts stop for the time being.

Watertown Township has also canceled its Memorial Day events that were planned for May 25th out of respect for the family.

At Mondays board of trustees meeting, a few residents expressed concerns for the lack of sidewalks and stop signs on Wacousta Road. One of the trustees says that Watertown Township is continuing to work towards solutions.

The suspect, 35-year-old Ashley Monroe, has been charged with 11 felony counts and more could still be added as the investigation continues.

Booking photo of Ashley Marie Monroe, 35. (Courtesy Clinton County Sheriff Department. WLNS)

A community prayer vigil is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:00pm at the West Lansing Church of Christ. The church will be accepting donations to help the families with medical bills and other needs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
City looks at solutions as concerns grow over homeless activity near elementary school

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Joann Sisson has two kids at Joslin Elementary School in south Austin.

A pre-K and a fourth grader, she said.

She worries about whats across the road.

Kids seeing things they just shouldnt be seeing so young, Sisson said.

Any given day, youll see crowds of people experiencing homelessness outside of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, which sits in view of Joslin Elementary on the other side of Redd Street. The center officers mental health and addiction services, as well as day-to-day needs like showers, food, coffee and clothes.

While were very grateful for what theyre doing, its just the proximity, Sisson said.

We cant tell the story about Sissons  and other neighbors  concerns, without telling the story of Mark Hilbelink, Sunrises executive director, and the people he works with.

Watch this story on KXAN News at 5 p.m.

Tensions rise over homelessness in south Austin neighborhood after SWAT incident

In March, the Austin Police Department (APD) said a homeowner called 911 after finding a naked man inside her home on Merle Drive, which is a couple of blocks away from Joslin and Sunrise.

Police confirmed with KXAN the man accused of entering the house is part of the homeless community. Officials could not confirm if he was a client of Sunrise.

According to an arrest affidavit, the woman who called 911 after she found him was very scared and feared for life, and jumped out of a window to get away.

Sisson said this incident put Joslin on a secure hold.

As a parent trying to come to pick up your pre-K kid and your fourth grader, it was just very alarming and upsetting, she said.

Thank you for everything. Sunrises efforts an asset in the community

Mark Hilbelink at Sunrise knows most of the people who walk through his door by name, and he knows their stories.

Thank you for everything, one of his clients said as Hilbelink walked by. She told Hilbelink she was heading out of town to stay with a family member.

Homelessness is a whole person trauma, he said.

According to the centers website, staff helped nearly 11,000 clients last year, served almost 80,000 meals and answered about 30,000 hotline calls.

If you can intervene with someone in their first 30 days of becoming homeless, they oftentimes dont fall into the same chronic drug use, mental health issues, Hilbelink said. They dont fall into the violence that comes with people experiencing homelessness.

Just as Sisson recognizes the work Hilbelink does at Sunrise, he recognizes neighbors concerns.

When KXAN asked him about public safety concerns, he said weve worked really hard on that. Part of the way weve worked on that is to try to connect people to other partners. And people who are stepping over the line and doing anything theyre not supposed to and we have evidence of that, we make an attempt not to serve them.

This neighborhood is in Austin City Council Member Ryan Alters district.

Sunrise is such an asset, and also a really difficult element of the community as well, Alter said. They are doing amazing work. They stayed open through the pandemic when a bunch of other service providers didnt.

He said his office receives continuous complaints about homeless activity in the neighborhood.

According to 311 data, calls related to homeless matters in the area are up from last year. In 2023, 311 received 30 calls for transient, squatter and/or drug concerns. That number is already up to 47 for the first five months of this year.

We need more Sunrises around the city so the neighborhood like the one right there at Western Trails isnt experiencing all of the traffic, Alter said.

The council member said Sunrise is working on another site in north Austin to help with that. He added that this challenge doesnt all fall on the center, which Alter said fills gaps the city sometimes cant.

Alter said Austins homelessness system, at present, is too small compared to the homeless community.

Hilbelink said thats how Sunrise got into this space. Before the homeless population spiked in Austin, Hilbelink said Sunrise solely functioned as Sunrise Community Church. While still operating as a worship space, the facilitys title grew to homeless navigation center, when Hilbelink and staff noticed a need in the community.

As a community, we just dont have enough resources for the amount of people that we have, Hilbelink said. The easiest answer to what solves homelessness is homes.

No matter what the solution is, Sisson said she just wants to see one.

We are begging at this point for some change to happen, she said.

Alter and other city council members are holding a meeting to address homelessness Thursday morning. KXAN will have a crew there and provide updates Thursday afternoon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 green and white striped plane emerging along the backdrop of the Phoenix Mountains as it landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport heralded a new era for flights to Germany.

That striking plane is Condor Airlines' new Airbus A330-900neo, designed to seat more passengers and offer greater comfort on its seasonal nonstop route between Phoenix and Frankfurt, Germany, a financial hub on the Main River in the country's central region.

Condor announced the 310-seat plane in October 2023 after the end of last year's season. It previously operated Boeing 767 jets for its Phoenix-Frankfurt flights, which hold 259 passengers. Mikko Turtiainen, Condor's director of sales in the Americas, described the Airbus as a "game changer" in terms of passenger comfort.

Flights on the new plane began Saturday, May 18. Here's what the experience aboard Condor's new Airbus jet is like.

Condor Airlines new plane offers greater comfort

Condor's new A330neo includes 216 economy seats, 64 premium economy seats and 30 business class seats. The jet's layout configures the seating across three rows spanning the width of the cabin:

Business class: One seat in the first row, two seats in the second and one seat in the third.

Economy and premium economy: Two seats in the first row, four seats in the second and two seats in the third.

Business class seats are lie-flat and can convert to a 76-inch-long, 19-inch-wide bed. The 30 business class seats include four "prime seats" with more legroom, a space large enough to accommodate two passengers who wish to dine together and a 24-inch entertainment screen.

Premium economy features a 35-inch pitch, or distance between seats, allowing for greater legroom. (Condor's standard economy has a seat pitch just below 30 inches.) Premium economy seats also have adjustable headrests and footrests.

All seats have 4K monitors with touchscreens for viewing in-flight entertainment, USB connections for type A and type C devices, plus headphones for in-flight entertainment and a mobile device holder.

The cabin also includes mood lighting in all classes of service that can be adjusted to suit the time of day.

Condor Airlines' new Airbus A330neo at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 20, 2024.

How is the Condor business class?

Business class and premium economy passengers receive amenity kits.

These include a pillow and blanket, sleep mask, toothbrush, socks and bottled water. Guests in the prime seats in business economy also receive in-flight pajamas and a snack basket.

What is special about the A330neo?

Condor's A330neo is equipped with the latest generation of Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and aerodynamic innovations. The airline said these features reduce the plane's fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 20%.

The Airbus A330neo consumes about a half gallon of fuel per passenger per 62 miles and is the world's first aircraft certified for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that the International Civil Aviation Organization will begin requiring in 2028.

Condor's Phoenix-Frankfurt flight schedule

Condor's nonstop flights between Phoenix and Frankfurt aboard the A330neo will take off on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October 2024. Book at condor.com/us.

Another upgraded airline experience that will soon await Sky Harbor passengers is JetBlue's Mint business class service. And Condor isn't the only long-haul airline with a big reveal this week  Air France's first flight to Paris is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Condor Airlines debuts bigger, roomier plane for 2024 season
Editors Note: In Snap, we look at the power of a single photograph, chronicling stories about how both modern and historical images have been made.

At an outpost in Afghanistans eastern Korengal Valley, in the midst of a heightened American military campaign against the Taliban, two soldiers appear to be fighting  each other. Its a play fight and the young man on the bottom has his comrade in a headlock, forcing a kiss on the cheek.

The photograph, taken in 2008 by the late British photographer Tim Hetherington, is from a time when nearly a fifth of all combat in Afghanistan was taking place in the six-mile valley.

In the long stretches of boredom that would arise when the enemy was nowhere to be found, the men had to find other things to do at their remote outpost.

These guys are tough, aggressive guys and when there wasnt any combat, they turned their aggression on each other  in a fraternal way, explained Sebastian Junger, a writer and journalist who first brought Hetherington to Afghanistan on an assignment for Vanity Fair magazine in 2007.

'Doc' Kelso sleeping. Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. July 2008. - Tim Hetherington

Both Hetherington and Junger became enamoured with the opportunity to show the intimacy of a platoon in combat, Junger said in an interview via telephone. The pair went on to co-direct what would become the Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo filmed over the course of the same platoons deployment.

Bobby, the soldier on the bottom of this image, is remembered by Junger as incredibly funny, extremely smart. On top is Cortez, an incredibly sweet kid, said Junger, adding that he was sort of the pretty boy in the platoon.

The photograph is currently on display at Londons Imperial War Museum (IWM), accompanied by an excerpt from Hetheringtons journal written that same year: In the end it has little to do with the war, and a lot to do with being men Or in the case here, becoming men.

The works form part of an exhibition called Storyteller: Photography by Tim Hetherington, which opened on the 13th anniversary of the photographers death (he was killed by shrapnel while filming and photographing the Libyan Civil War in April 2011).

A young rebel fighter and hand grenade, taken in Tubmanberg. Liberia in June 2003. - Tim Hetherington

Junger agrees with his friends sentiment. One of the things that place is very good at is turning children into men. And I think thats always been true of war.

Young men in conflict

The experience of war was the only opportunity that men had in a society to express unconditional love for each other, is a quote that Hetherington often repeated, according to his friends.

He first learned it from another friend, photographer James Brabazon while the pair waited with Liberian rebel forces who were going to attack the capital Monrovia, during the Liberian Civil War in 2003. It was Hetheringtons first experience of combat.

A casualty from an ambush lies in the back of a 'technical' during the push on Liberia's capital Monrovia in June 2003. - Tim Hetherington

Brabazon first heard the saying from his grandfather, a British soldier who served in World War II. He just clearly, really took it to heart, said Brabazon in a video interview with CNN. Tim was really interested in the dynamics of young men He was really interested in how young men related to one another, how they represented one another to each other, where those representations came from, how they were amplified and how they were perpetuated  particularly in conflict.

In a remote outpost where society was stripped away, these bonds captured Hetheringtons attention more than the war itself.

I became much more interested in the inter-relationships between the soldiers and my own relationship to the soldiers than I was in the fighting, reads a quote from Hetherington in the exhibition. My examination of young men and violence, or of young men Its as much a journey about my own identity as it is about those young soldiers, he wrote.

An anti-Gaddafi combatant during the Libyan civil war, April 2011. - Tim Hetherington

Following his year in the Korengal, Hetherington published Infidel, a photography book of stills taken during his deployment with bits of commentary from himself and the US soldiers he was embedded with.

One contributor is Cortez, one of the subjects of the photo, who wrote: I told them time and time again that if a grenade went off, I would actually throw myself on the grenade Because I actually love my brothers. I mean, it is a brotherhood I think any of them would do it for me also.

Its very important that this work happened

The IWM, which holds the entire archive of Hetheringtons work, worked with researchers and different communities to find out how they engaged with conflict photography. Greg Brockett, who curated the exhibition, was especially interested in how refugee communities would respond to Hetheringtons work.

Its very difficult to say how people are going to respond Because a lot of them have experienced war and conflict directly, he told CNN over a video interview. What struck me was there was generally an overwhelming sense of people who felt its very important that this work happened, and people were able to see the realities they experience.

Im less interested in people taking away knowledge of Tim, Im more interested in people taking inspiration away from Tim, said Stephen Mayes, executive director of the Tim Hetherington Trust, who also spoke to CNN via video call.

A woman brings cassava leaves into the central market area of Tubmanberg, Liberia in May 2003. - Tim Hetherington

Hetherington was distinguished from other conflict photographers by his approach, which involved spending prolonged periods of time with his subjects. He often used film cameras and would speak to his subjects while photographing them.

He wasnt interested in photography in and of itself, for its own sake. He was interested in how that would allow him to access the lives of others, said Brabazon.

It took a little bit from his soul

In this process, Hetherington worried about how photography could be extractive. He wanted the process to be consensual and also to leave something in the community, added Brabazon, recounting a series of street photographs Hetherington took in Liberia where he would take photographs of people, keeping one Polaroid for himself and giving another to the subject.

I think that was really important, because it allowed people to have agency in the work that was being created Its about extending the courtesy of participation in the creation of the work to the subject themselves.

Tim Hetherington self-portrait taken during the Libyan Revolution in Misrata, Libya, April 2011. - Tim Hetherington

Hetheringtons friends reflect on the tragedy of his death in Libya, believing he was killed in his prime as a photographer  not only because of the images he produced, but because of his reflections on what it meant to capture conflict.

Mayes mentions the old adage that making a picture takes a little piece of the subjects soul. Tim thought, definitely, in his mind, hed sold his soul to the devil in a way, because he saw that in making every picture he made, it took a little bit from his soul.

What did Tim want the effect of his work to be? That is a question which I dont think we will every really know the answer to, because he died in the process of working that out himself, Brabazon explained.

In his final diary entry on April 19, 2011, Hetherington wrote about attending the funeral of a rebel fighter who was killed by a mortar. He wrote of the young men he met there: They are grimily happy that we are here to help them. They feel that now the whole world can see.

Storyteller: Photography by Tim Hetherington is on at Londons Imperial War Museum until September 29.

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Richland County Council is advancing a plan to close the juvenile wing of the county jail, a plan thats apparently taken law enforcement officials by surprise as the county continues to try to improve a facility that is under state and federal scrutiny for understaffing, neglect and violence.

The plan was approved by the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center ad hoc committee Tuesday with little warning to law enforcement partners or lawmakers. If approved by the full council, the 27 juveniles currently housed in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center will be moved to the state Department of Juvenile Justice, county administrators told council members Tuesday.

Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown said the county does not have a statutory obligation to house juveniles and closing the facility would free up the 14 staff members currently working in the juvenile wing to help address other pressing concerns at the jail.

It does not make sense for us to continue to stand up an operation that we dont have direct responsibility for knowing that there is already an identified staffing issue at our facility, Brown said. Were picking up ancillary duties that are not our charge, which is leading to additional stress on our system that were responsible for.

County officials said they would be following a model set by Greenville, which recently closed its juvenile jail facility. Currently, Richland and Charleston are the only South Carolina counties that still operate their own juvenile detention facilities.

But the move came as a surprise to the state Department of Juvenile Justice. Department spokesperson Michelle Foster said that they only found out about Richland Countys plans Tuesday.

Our facilities are already extremely overcrowded, and adding additional youth to facilities, it just exacerbates those overcrowded conditions, Foster said. The $50 daily cost paid by counties to DJJ for each child housed was not sufficient to cover costs, Foster said.

Asked if there is anything the state is prepared to do to help keep the juveniles at the Richland County facility, Foster said the agency was not prepared to issue a statement on that.

State Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, a prominent defense attorney, said he estimated that the daily cost to house juveniles should be closer to $300 or $400 per day, not $50.

Kudos to Richland County for continuing to take care of juveniles for as long as they have. People like me who defend juveniles and who are in that facility all the time did not realize that it was not an obligation that they had to undertake, Rutherford said. I just wish that as a lawmaker we could have been given a heads up so that we could have allocated funding. ... DJJ cannot house another 27 juveniles. There have been days where they are double capacity.

Both Columbia Police Department Chief Skip Holbrook and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said said they were not informed in advance about the county administrations plan.

It impacts us a good bit. It wouldve been nice for them to consult us, Lott said. While the Richland County Sheriffs Department does not run the jail, Lott said that the closure of the facility, built in 1993, would increase the time required for his deputies to transport juvenile offenders.

I dont think that anybodys gone back and looked at why Richland County built the facility in the first place, Lott said.

In his remarks before the ad hoc committee, Brown acknowledged that closing the facility was a tough conversation but argued it was in the countys best interests.

Were being courteous, were being considerate, were talking through it, Brown said. My understanding is that today, as you and I sit here now, it is not the responsibility of Richland County. You would want to have good relationships, but we do not have to house juveniles.

The jail has seen improvements over the past year following critical reports from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.

A recent letter from Scott Bolman, the director of jail and prison inspections at the Department of Corrections, noted that impressive upgrades were being made to living facilities, security and health and hygiene at Alvin S. Glenn.

There is a definite difference being made, and the facility is certainly on the right track, Bolman wrote.

While Rutherford acknowledged the closure of the juvenile facility may be necessary to continue improvements to the jail, he said lawmakers and officials should carefully consider the consequences of the plan.

The overriding theme here has got to be these are innocent children, they have not been convicted of anything, Rutherford said. We forget that as we talk about jails.
Rep. Greg Murphy

Rep. Greg Murphy (Photo: House.gov)

Republican eastern North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy  himself a physician  announced in a statement on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with having a base of skull tumor called a pituitary macroadenoma. Murphy said that it appears the tumor is not cancerous, but that because of its size and potential for interfering vital structures of the brain, he has scheduled surgery to remove it.

The statement said the prognosis excellent but did not provide a date for the surgery or where it would take place. Numerous comments were posted to Murphys account on X from across the political spectrum expressing concern and wishes for a speedy recovery. Murphy will be opposed by a libertarian candidate in the November election, but no Democrat filed to run in the district, which was designed to guarantee a Republican victory.

The post Congressman Greg Murphy announces health concern, plans for surgery appeared first on NC Newsline.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Purevel, center, addresses the Cincinnati Planning Commission as the body meets to hear public comment before voting on a zoning overhaul named Connected Communities, Friday, May 17, 2024, at City Hall in Cincinnati. Pureval is joined by Councilman Reggie Harris, left, and Councilman Jeff Cramerding, right.

Cincinnati has a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own charms and challenges. In Mt. Lookout, residents enjoy proximity to great parks, historic architecture and a thriving business district. However, we face challenges, including overburdened infrastructure, a lack of public parking and pedestrian safety concerns.

The mission of the Mt. Lookout Community Council is to inform, serve and advocate for the residents and businesses of Mt. Lookout. While perhaps stated differently, our mission is consistent with our colleagues in community councils across Cincinnatis neighborhoods. The community councils are volunteer organizations comprised of engaged citizens who love our communities, pour into them, seek to change, improve and enhance them. The city itself notes that "Community councils are a crucial link between the City and its many unique neighborhoods, and each council is as unique as the neighborhood it serves. These organizations ensure that neighborhood development responds to the needs and goals of its citizens. The councils are also a vehicle for communication and engagement throughout neighborhoods."

So I was surprised and disheartened by the comments from Mayor Aftab Pureval and Councilman Reggie Harris in the recent Enquirer story on Connected Communities ("Connected Communities: Overhaul of city zoning code at pivotal point").

Members of the public listen to proceedings of the Cincinnati Planning Commission meets and hears public comment before voting on a zoning overhaul named Connected Communities, Friday, May 17, 2024, at City Hall in Cincinnati.

Regarding the pushback and opposition to the proposed legislation, Mayor Pureval was quoted as saying "they want their neighborhoods to be the way they are today. And change is very difficult." The article states that Pureval sees the opposition as resistance to change, not necessarily the plan itself.

This claim and the underlying viewpoint are an insult to the work of the community councils and the many residents and business leaders who have spent time and effort to review the plan, consider its possible risks and benefits, and clearly articulate well-founded concerns. It ignores the fact that community councils exist to drive change and improve their communities. It dismisses that they have the support of their residents in facilitating that change when it is well-calibrated to the needs of the neighborhood and considers their input and concerns.

It is lazy, disappointing, and a common tactic to undermine the opposing position.

Councilman Harris stated that presenting to individual community councils and their communities was "an unreasonable expectation for them to have." I would argue it is the most reasonable expectation of our city leaders to leverage and engage with "the crucial link between the City and its many unique neighborhoods." Former Councilwoman Liz Keating, to her credit, met this very reasonable expectation several years ago when she championed the last density ordinance. She found it more than reasonable to directly engage the communities that would be impacted by the proposal. She faced the tough questions, addressed concerns, and championed the benefits of that proposal in the communities.

Over the past two to three months, the Mt. Lookout Community Council has worked hard to inform our community about the proposed Connected Communities legislation and the changes it would bring to land use and zoning across Cincinnati, and specifically in our neighborhood. Our board has spent countless hours to present unbiased information to the neighborhood and gather the feedback of residents and business leaders. Throughout this engagement, the community's feedback has been overwhelmingly opposed to the legislation. Accordingly, the Mt. Lookout Community Council board of directors recently voted unanimously to oppose the proposed legislation in its current form and submitted our official position letter to the mayor, City Council, and the Department of City Planning and Engagement.

From left: Cincinnati Planning Director Katherine Keough-Jurs, Cincinnati Planning Commission Chair Byron Stallworth and commission member John Eby listen to public comment before a vote on a zoning overhaul named Connected Communities, Friday, May 17, 2024, at City Hall in Cincinnati.

Cincinnatis community councils are not resistant to change  we are change agents. I encourage the mayor and Councilman Harris to reflect on where in the broad and highly visible communication plan around this legislation they missed the community councils. According to The Enquirers survey, over 70% of Cincinnatis community councils feel the engagement missed. To my knowledge, only one community council in the city supports the proposed legislation. Lets rectify that before voting on this legislation in council. I challenge you to listen to the concerns of the community, address them instead of dismissing them, and take the time to enhance and amend the proposed legislation.

As stated in our position letter, to which we have received no direct response to date, Mt. Lookout Community Council welcomes the opportunity to collaborate in addressing the shared goals of our neighborhood and the city administration. I invite you to meet with our board, residents and business leaders prior to voting on the Connected Communities legislation. We are flexible to any date and time and look forward to organizing this engagement as soon as possible.

Mike Cheetham is the president of the Mt. Lookout Community Council.

Mike Cheetham

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: City failed to engage community councils on Connected Communities plan
Connecticuts roots are in the defense industry. Can its colleges truly divest?

Students gather around a Sikorsky Black Hawk Helicopter during "Lockheed Martin Day" at the University of Connecticut. (UConn photo)

On a sunny Thursday afternoon earlier this month, about 100 students gathered outside the Dodd Center for Human Rights on the University of Connecticuts campus in Storrs for a press conference.

While most of the schools nearly 20,000 undergraduates were clearing out dorm rooms and posing for graduation photos in their caps and gowns, the impassioned group chanted in unison for an end to the war in Gaza. Days earlier, UConn leaders had cleared a cluster of tents where the protesters were camped out, and university police arrested two dozen students.

One by one, several students stepped up to a microphone and denounced the arrests as well as Israels campaign in Gaza, calling again on their university leaders to divest from the military manufacturers supplying Israeli Defense Forces with weapons.

Recent actions taken by the university have unfortunately shown that the administration cares more about appeasing big dollar donors and multinational corporations than the students, staff and faculty of this university, said Adam Opin, the only undergraduate speaker that day who publicly shared his name.

This spring, as anti-war protesters pitched tents and occupied buildings on college campuses across the United States, the groups coalesced around a similar set of demands  conditions they said their institutions would have to meet in order for the students to vacate common spaces. Prominent among those demands was the insistence that college and university administrators disclose details about their endowment investments and divest funds from companies supporting Israels military operations.

Student groups have deployed the strategy in Connecticut before, and its worked. In 1986, the UConn board of trustees sold stock in companies conducting business in South Africa in response to student protests of apartheid. In 2006, Yale University pledged to divest from the Sudanese government and in several oil companies operating there, citing the genocide in Darfur. More recently, Yale has set conditions fossil fuel companies must meet in order to maintain the universitys endowment investments, and it has canceled investments in private prison operators and assault weapons retailers.

But divesting from military manufacturers is a line Connecticuts prominent institutions of higher education dont seem inclined to cross.

Last month, the Yale Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility said the military weapons industry didnt meet the board of trustees criteria for divestment  causing grave social injury  because the manufacturers offer socially necessary products that support national security and policing.

A representative of the UConn Foundation, which administers the universitys endowment, said in an emailed statement that its investments are made through broadly diversified co-mingled funds managed by third-party investment managers. A survey of those holdings for the broad array of companies that may have defense, security, or aerospace divisions has not been undertaken.

In reality, its even more complicated than that. For the flagship university in a state where defense manufacturers account for a significant portion of the economy and employ tens of thousands of highly skilled workers  many of whom were trained in Connecticuts public post-secondary institutions  divestment would mean more than selling a few shares of stock.

The states top three military manufacturers  General Dynamics Electric Boat, RTXs Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martins Sikorsky  drew more than $20 billion in federal defense spending in 2022. Connecticut ranked seventh among states for total military spending and third in spending as a percentage of GDP (behind Virginia and Hawaii).

State and Congressional leaders regularly tout Electric Boats gargantuan nuclear submarines; Sikorskys iconic Black Hawk attack helicopters; and Pratt & Whitneys F135 engines, which power the F-35 strike fighter jet. All are made in Connecticut, all for the U.S. military and its allies.

Defense manufacturers form the backbone of the Connecticut state economy, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, whose district encompasses major operations of Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney, said in response to emailed questions. The good paying union jobs that the defense sector provides are key to the economic security of thousands of individuals and families in Connecticut and across the United States.

Marchers from Veterans for Peace are spending a 2-week stretch of their nearly 2-month march in Connecticut. Stops include the Naval Submarine Base New London and Electric Boat. (Shahrzad Rasekh/CT Mirror)

In remarks at an event last year celebrating Sikorskys 100th anniversary, Gov. Ned Lamont commended the companys engineers.

The precision of manufacturing in the 21st century by Sikorsky is second-to-none, he said. My obligation is to make sure we continue to train those people right here, to make sure you remain part of this great ecosystem.

Pro-Palestinian student demonstrators would like to see that sense of obligation come to an end.

At the press conference, one young woman  representing a leftist student group known as UNCHAIN, which has pushed UConn to cut its ties with the defense industry  shared pointed comments (but declined to share her name). War makers must hunt for well-trained industrial foot soldiers, and they look at us, the students of UConn, as their prey, the woman said. We implore the UConn administration: Do not further sell education to arms dealers.

Moments later, as the final speaker wrapped up his comments  and as if on cue  what appeared to be a military helicopter fluttered over the Dodd Center plaza. The students laughed in disbelief, booed the aircraft then launched into an impromptu chant: Shame on Sikorsky, shame on Sikorsky.

In an emailed statement, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson wrote, We will continue to support organizations and initiatives that help educate and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians. We respect the right to peaceful protest and are committed to advancing STEM education and career readiness, including through partnerships with colleges and universities.

The Provisions State

From its earliest days, Connecticut has proudly claimed its role as a key weapons supplier to Americas armed conflicts: First as the Provisions State, when it delivered arms to George Washingtons Army during the Revolutionary War, and later as the Arsenal of Democracy, providing weaponry to U.S. military campaigns during the first and second World Wars.

That arsenal has included operations of prominent gunmakers like Smith & Wesson Brands, Remington Arms Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons and the iconic Colts Manufacturing Co., which maintains its headquarters in West Hartford and recently was awarded a $57 million contract by the U.S. Army for assault rifles. (Most of the others have moved production to other states in recent years.)

More than 130,000 Connecticut residents work in the aerospace and defense sector. Military and defense operations in the state, which include both defense contractors and active-duty military personnel, account for as much as 12.5% of the states GDP, according to a report from defense sector association SENEDIA.

At UConn, the names of military manufacturing companies adorn buildings, laboratories and endowed professorships. Last month, UConn unveiled the Pratt & Whitney Engineering Building on its Storrs campus. Pratt also sponsors five endowed chairs and professorships in the College of Engineering. During its annual Lockheed Martin Day, Sikorsky lands helicopters on the Student Union Mall and offers students rides over the campus.

My obligation is to make sure we continue to train those people right here, to make sure you remain part of this great ecosystem.

 Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont

Both Yale and UConn receive millions of dollars through federal contracts and grants to conduct specialized research for the Department of Defense on projects ranging from advanced communications systems to environmental science and biomedical applications. One of the largest recent contracts awarded to UConn was a four-year, $10 million project to test welding materials and processes for RTX hypersonic missiles. UConn also collaborates closely with Electric Boat in research and development through the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology.

The University proudly partners with these and other companies, business organizations, and federal agencies in the shared pursuit of technological advancement related to the well-being of our society, UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said in an emailed response to questions. Their work is wide-ranging and highly valuable to society, including the development of many consumer products and best practices that advance critical areas such as transportation safety, sustainable building, resource conservation, protection against cyberattacks, and myriad other areas too numerous to count.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat from the Congressional district that encompasses the campuses of both UConn and Electric Boat, said in an emailed statement: Our states ability to support our national security here and abroad would not be possible without the talented workforce that is trained-up through successful partnerships between employers and our institutions of higher education.

Connecticut has also directed millions of taxpayer dollars toward the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, housed at the states community colleges and technical high schools; the workforce development program is assisting Electric Boat in its efforts onboarding thousands of workers to fulfill tens of billions of dollars in new ballistic missile submarine contracts for the U.S. Navy.

Tens of millions more in state dollars have supported military manufacturing operations through direct financial assistance and tax credit programs.

Heightened demand

On Oct. 7, militant Palestinian group Hamas attacked several communities in southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people  mostly civilians, including many young people at an outdoor concert  and taking more than 200 hostages.

In the months since, in response to the attack, Israels military has killed more than 35,000 people in the densely populated Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave bordering southwest Israel and Egypt, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Much of Gazas population of 2.3 million has been displaced, many relocating to refugee camps where bombing has continued. Humanitarian aid organizations have had difficulty delivering food, and many Palestinians are starving, the Associated Press has reported.

The conflict has spurred vigils and protests in Connecticut and around the world, triggering tensions between and within Israeli and Palestinian diasporas.

A poster outside a UConn classroom calls for the resignation of UConn President Radenka Maric and Alumni Trustee Bryan Pollard. Pollard is an associate general counsel for RTX Corp. Below it is a poster for a defense-related course. (Shahrzad Rasekh/CT Mirror)

The United States, a close ally of Israel, has beefed up shipments of American-made weapons and equipment to support the Israeli Defense Forces. Last week, the Biden Administration made plans to sell an additional $1 billion in weapons to Israel, several outlets reported.

Each year, the U.S. provides a baseline $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, which includes contracts with large Connecticut operators. Sikorsky supplies CH-53K heavy lift helicopters, known as the King Stallion, to the Israeli Air Force and other U.S. allies. Pratt & Whitneys F135 engines power Israels fleet of stealth fighter jets.

One of General Dynamics other businesses outside of Connecticut, Ordnance and Tactical Systems, builds the highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs that Israel has been deploying in its campaign to destroy Hamas. The New York Times reported that Israel has dropped potentially hundreds of these bombs, which are rarely used by U.S. forces, in densely populated areas in Gaza.

As is to be expected, the escalations in the military conflict have boosted the fortunes of Americas defense contractors. RTX, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have all seen their stock prices rise by double-digit percentages since Oct. 7.

Pratt & Whitneys F135 jet engines power F35 fighter planes used by the U.S. military and its allies. (Courtesy of Pratt & Whitney)

A spokeswoman for RTX declined to answer questions for this story, citing a lack of adequate time to respond. But during a conference call discussing the companys first quarter earnings, Chief Executive Christopher Calio said he was pleased with Congress recent passage of the annual federal spending bill, which increased the defense budget by 3% to $886 billion.

Internationally, we continue to see heightened demand from U.S. allies, he said.

A spokeswoman for Electric Boat didnt respond to multiple emails and phone calls requesting comment. Phebe Novakovic, CEO of parent company General Dynamics, said during a 2023 year-end earnings call in January that the companys combat divisions  which include Ordnance and Tactical Systems  had a wonderful quarter and a year with strong revenue growth, strong margin performance, good order activity and a strong pipeline of opportunity as we go forward.

Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said on his companys most recent quarterly call, The increasingly unstable geopolitical environment in the world today makes it essential for industry and government to strengthen our nations capabilities to deter and defend against further aggressive behavior against the U.S. and our allies. Citing investments the company has made to respond to that need, Taiclet added, As a result, we delivered robust revenue growth across the company.

None of that sits well with people who oppose Israels response to the Hamas attack  and the United States support. In recent months, the companies have faced protest demonstrations outside several of their manufacturing facilities, including Pratt & Whitneys plant in Middletown.

I think there is a true culture shift that has to happen, and that starts at places that are focused on education, said Taran Samarth, a graduate student at Yale and a member of the Endowment Justice Coalition, an activist student organization that pushes the universitys endowment to divest from fossil fuels and other industries. At Yale this week, a group of protestors staged a walkout during commencement.

In response to emailed questions, a spokesperson for Yale said the school doesnt publicly discuss its investments.

If the headline tomorrow is that the second-largest endowment will fully divest in weapons manufacturing, thats a shock to the sector that says, This is no longer a place for investment. It removes incentives, Samarth said. For educational institutions, if we can pull away our funding sources from defense and military agencies and industries, and instead re-center on the communities we work in  what does New Haven need, not Lockheed Martin  that can push us toward this peace economy in a more meaningful way.

(Earlier this week, student protestors at Wesleyan University agreed to take down their tents after negotiating an agreement with administrators to disclose details about the schools investments in the aerospace and defense sector. )

Members of Connecticuts Congressional delegation see it differently.

Connecticut schools divesting from defense manufacturers would not change the incentives of Israel or Hamas in this conflict, nor would it limit the weapons available to them, DeLauro said in an email. But it would weaken our national security, discourage investments in our economy that create jobs for Connecticut graduates, and embolden our adversaries around the world.

Courtney added: As someone who supports President Bidens decision to pause delivery of 2,000-pound bombs in order to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza, I agree that the deployment of armaments is always a legitimate area of debate. That debate should focus on public officials like the president and Congress who have the legal discretion to export such items, as opposed to a blanket boycott of an industrial base that our own national defense and our allies in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific rely on, he said.

Graduating

Student organizers, many of whom have personal ties to Gaza, have formed the nucleus of the pro-Palestinian movement. But their calls for ceasefire, and demands of their schools to disclose endowment details and divest from the military machine, have given voice to concerns shared by many Connecticut residents.

Theyve led the way to bring attention to whats gone on in the Middle East that involves us, if not completely directly, somewhat directly through the military production that takes place in Connecticut, said Clark Peters, a retired health care worker who recently attended a press conference held by UConn students to show his support for protesters who were arrested.

Some Connecticut residents have participated in student protests on campuses. Some have organized their own as the movement grows beyond colleges and universities.

Multiple banners on Wesleyans encampment advocated for divestment from weapons manufacturers. (Shahrzad Rasekh/CT Mirror)

Members of Connecticuts Congressional delegation have encountered protesters at community events in their districts. Local pacifist groups have called on Connecticut to divest public employee pension funds from companies supporting Israels war effort. And this month, Veterans for Peace is marching from Maine to Washington, D.C., making several stops in Connecticut.

A lot of people recognize the problem of the United States supplying Israel with the weaponry, sophisticated military weaponry, to bomb and kill and destroy an entire people. ... But, as many people say, what can you do? I need a job.

 Clark Peters, retired health care worker

I think a lot of people recognize the problem of the United States supplying Israel with the weaponry, sophisticated military weaponry, to bomb and kill and destroy an entire people in Gaza, Peters said. But, as many people say, What can you do? I need a job, I go to work. I try not to worry too much about what Im doing.

Connecticuts big three defense manufacturers, Electric Boat, RTX and Lockheed Martin, consistently rank among the top 20 employers for UConn graduates. For those who earned engineering degrees, the companies rank 1, 2 and 3.

At this years commencement ceremonies, UConn graduate students heard from Daniel Fata, a 1994 graduate of UConns public policy school. Fata worked as a staffer in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, then went on to the Defense Department, where he served as a deputy assistant secretary for Europe and NATO. Fata later worked as a vice president at Lockheed Martin, and he now consults on national security, government relations, strategic risk, foreign policy, aerospace and defense, the industrial base supply chain and other issues.

All of what Ive learned and have been able to witness is because of what started here at UConn 34 years ago, he said. Among the advice Fata dispensed to the graduating class gathered that morning at Gampel Pavilion: Be engaged. Dont just settle, dont just watch. Use your voice. Try and make a difference.

Fatas four years at UConn in the early 1990s were marked by the first Gulf War, the fall of the Soviet Union and the expansion of the NATO alliance. Historic differences were once again being allowed to fester and boil over. It was a world I wanted to be part of, and try my best to make it as safe, peaceful, fair and democratic as possible.

Today, he said, he sees parallels.

There is once again a call to action to try to establish some form of order. It requires us to come together rather than be distant and isolated from each other.

Connecticut Mirror is a content partner of States Newsroom. Read the original version here.

The post Connecticuts roots are in the defense industry. Can its colleges truly divest? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Entrance to the polling station in Portland's Merrill Auditorium. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)

Citizens and Republican lawmakers have launched a peoples veto campaign in an attempt to repeal a measure that would pledge Maines Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote for president.

Organizers will now need to collect a little over 67,000 signatures by early August to put the issue on the ballot.

LD 1578, which would make Maine part of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, was approved by the Legislature in April, with the Democratic majority at the State House largely supporting the measure and Republicans mostly opposing it. States in the compact pledge their electoral votes to the presidential candidate with the most overall votes across the country rather than to the person that wins that particular state.

Gov. Janet Mills let the bill go into law without her signature, making Maine the 17th state to approve the agreement. If the peoples veto effort fails and Maine indeed joins the compact, states with 209 total electoral votes will have ratified the agreement.

The compact would only actually be implemented if states with a total of 270 electoral votes join. Thats because 270 electoral votes represents a simple majority in the Electoral College, meaning that the compact would guarantee that the winner of the national popular vote is elected president if it takes effect.

For proponents of the compact, the basic idea is to avoid situations like Donald Trumps victory in 2016 or George W. Bushs win in 2000, where the candidate with fewer overall votes was elected president by virtue of their Electoral College majority. Trump and Bush are both Republicans, and the GOP holds an advantage under the current Electoral College landscape, according to the Cook Political Report.

But some are not happy about the idea of Maine joining the compact, and the Secretary of States office confirmed that it received a filing for a peoples veto of the national popular vote bill on May 10 submitted by James DuPrie of Lebanon. Several Republican state lawmakers (Reps. Jeffrey Adams of Lebanon, David Boyer of Poland, John Andrews of South Paris and Barbara Bagshaw of Windham) also appear on the filing.

In an interview, DuPrie argued that moving to the national popular vote would minimize Mainers voting power in presidential elections. (The current system provides smaller states with more statistical influence than a national popular vote structure would). As a result, he said Mainers deserve a say on the matter.

Regardless of whether or not you think the popular vote is a good idea, that is not a decision that should be coming from the top, he said. Thats not a legislative decision, thats a decision that should come from the voters.

DuPrie  who said he has been active in local politics and within the Maine GOP but hasnt spearheaded a statewide referendum before  also believes the popular vote is the wrong way to elect a president. Under that system, he argued that big cities would have a stronger sway over the results than places like Maine. Still, he said that critique is of secondary importance to allowing voters to have a say via a referendum.

In pushing for the bill, however, proponents have cast the national popular vote compact as a basic democracy reform and argued that the candidate with the most total votes should win the presidency. Supporters also say the compact would safeguard the principle of one person, one vote and move the country away from a system that currently magnifies the influence of a small handful of swing states at the expense of other states such as Maine.

I for one believe that my vote is not worth more, nor is it worth less, than any other adult American who exercises their right to vote regardless of which U.S. state that they happen to live in, Sen. Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock) said in March.

As the peoples veto effort gets underway, DuPrie acknowledged that the campaign has little time to waste. State law provides 90 days from the adjournment of the legislative session to turn in at least 67,682 valid signatures  equal to 10% of the votes cast for governor in 2022  meaning the campaign has until Aug. 8.

DuPrie said the goal is to have every polling location staffed with signature-gatherers for the states June 11 primary elections, although he admitted that might be difficult. The campaign will also be attending other political events and gatherings like town fairs to try to collect the necessary number of petitions.

Once the signatures are turned in, the Secretary of States office has 30 business days to review them. If the office determines the petition benchmark has been met, LD 1578 would be stayed and the question of whether Maine will join the national popular vote compact would go to the voters.

However, Secretary of States office spokesperson Emily Cook said the issue cant go on this years ballot if notice of the referendum is given fewer than 60 days before the general election. Therefore, signatures would have to be verified and a proclamation for a peoples veto referendum sent out by Sept. 6 for the issue to appear on the November 2024 ballot.

Given that, Cook said whether the peoples veto appears on the November ballot depends on when the signatures are turned in and how quickly we are able to review them. If the campaign gathers the needed signatures but they arent reviewed in time for the issue to go on the 2024 ballot, it would be voted on during the next statewide or general election in Maine.

DuPrie said his primary focus right now is on the signature-collecting effort. However, he said hed prefer the referendum to happen in 2024 because its a presidential year where voter turnout is likely to be higher.

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The post Conservative activist launches campaign for peoples veto of national popular vote law appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
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Germanys Alternative fur Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD) party has been kicked out of the EU parliaments far-right Identity and Democracy alliance after one of its highest-profile members said the Nazi paramilitary force, the SS, were not all criminals.

Frances Marine Le Pen, who leads the far-right National Rally party and is part of the ID alliance, said her party would have a clean break from the AfD, potentially dealing a blow for the far-right movement as the elections draw near. A recent Politico poll found the ID group is in fourth place ahead of next months elections, but that could all change if the controversy around the AfD splinters the group further.

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The right-wings growing popularity in Europe positions far-right parties to shape the blocs policy more broadly, but they need to find unity if they are to wield greater influence on the EU stage, according to Euronews  particularly when it comes to Ukraine. But the far-right factions have a tendency to clash on the nuances of policy decisions so much thatthey are not such a big danger to more moderate party alliances, according to a European Centre for Foreign Relations research fellow.

Germanys youth are embracing the far right, with violent consequences

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Political violence is on the rise in Germany: At least three lawmakers belonging to the governments coalition have been attacked this month, and there have been several other attacks on moderate and left-wing local politicians. The incidents, often perpetrated by teenagers or young adults in far-right youth groups, underscore a new level of uninhibitedness, according to Der Spiegel. The AfDs electoral success and rhetoric created a climate in which such violence is more likely, the newspaper wrote, and the party has rewarded young loyalists by nominating them as candidates in local elections.

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Italys Giorgia Meloni combines Atlanticism  a strong commitment to NATO and Ukraine  with hardline immigration and climate policy, making her one of the most pragmatic European far-right leaders, according to a New York Times op-ed. So much so that Brussels now sees her as a key ally and diplomatic force. Meloni has played a crucial role in guiding the blocs foreign policy  particularly by working with African countries to try to curb migration into the EU. Some have dubbed her the Orban whisperer for pushing Hungarian Prime Viktor Orban to allow EU funding for Ukraine. Her success could have a ripple effect, as more radical far-right parties like Le Pens RN have scaled back their Eurosceptic rhetoric, according to the Times.





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Convicted rapist known for crimes in 90s up for early parole

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A serial rapist who brutally attacked and sexually assaulted his victims in the Pacific Beach neighborhood in the early 1990s is up for early parole, prosecutors said.

Kenneth Bogard, 66, has served 30 years of a 96-year prison sentence, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a news release Tuesday.

Bogard, who was denied his first parole hearing request in 2019 by the Parole Board, is eligible for an elderly parole hearing, the district attorney said. The latter is available to inmates who have served at least 20 years of their sentence and are over the age of 50.

The Elder Parole law that allows for early release of murderers and rapists is cruel to crime victims and is rigged to only benefit violent criminals, Stephan said. This newer law forces victims and their families to revisit the trauma they have already suffered and causes additional despair. It doesnt matter what kind of vicious acts for which the inmate was convicted.

Retail theft operation leads to 7 arrests in El Cajon

In 1995, Bogard was convicted of 37 felonies that included multiple counts of residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual battery, forcible oral copulation, rape by foreign object, assault with intent to commit rape and rape, according to prosecutors.

The crimes stemmed from attacks on seven women inside their Pacific Beach homes between August 1992 and October 1993.

He stalked his victims prior to the attacks, sometimes watching them for weeks. He disguised his identity with a ski mask, carried a knife to force the victims into submission, and viciously forced them to perform sex acts, Stephan said.

Stephan added that Bogard would often tuck the victim into bed saying Goodnight or reminding the victim to lock her doors and windows after the attacks.

Bogards parole hearing is set for Thursday.

If Bogard is denied parole, the Board of Parole Hearings will not set a new parole hearing for at least three years. If he is granted parole, he will not be released immediately. The Governor reviews all grants of parole and can send the case back for additional review by the Board of Parole Hearings if he so chooses, Stephan said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
(Bloomberg) -- Global mining heavyweights including Lundin Mining Corp., Glencore Plc and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. are piling into Argentina as a new government intent on luring foreign investment propels the companies closer than ever to opening up vast copper deposits in the red-hued Andes.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Its part of a colossal wave of spending needed worldwide to prevent a supply crunch for the metal, a critical component of the electrification push to slow climate change.

Argentina stands to get a good share of that money if President Javier Milei can convince companies based in Toronto, Melbourne and London that their projects are safe from the countrys notoriously volatile politics and rules for doing business  and if those companies can convince Argentines that the economic benefits outweigh the environmental risks.

As it stands, Argentina produces next to no copper despite sharing geology with its neighbor Chile, the worlds top exporter.

But should just six of the two-dozen-or-so copper projects being contemplated in Argentina come to pass, the nation could be a major supplier by 2035, churning out more than 1 million metric tons a year. Annual exports could top $8 billion, according to local mining group Caem.

With the change of government, I think Argentina will now become a huge rival to Chile, said Marcelo Awad, who was the chief executive of Antofagasta Plc from 2004 to 2012 when the Chilean miner tried and failed to start operations in Argentina. The pro-business policies clearly make it a big competitor for attracting capital flows to copper projects.

Milei, a libertarian in his first year in office, is trying to flip the fortunes of a country thats on course for its sixth recession in a decade by curtailing government influence and freeing business from a slew of controls to  in theory, at least  tee up private-led growth. Former President Mauricio Macri tried something similar from 2015 to 2019, but the efforts didnt make much progress and he was swiftly voted out.

To help avoid a repeat scenario, Milei needs to generate a surge in economic activity. Mining, one of just a handful of sectors with the muscle to stimulate business up and down Argentina, provides an obvious opportunity.

Thats why Milei has made a sweeping package of tax, currency and customs benefits for big-time investors  known locally by its Spanish acronym, RIGI  a hallmark of his proposed reforms. Theyre being debated by lawmakers.

The RIGI will be a jumper cable for infrastructure projects, said Michael Meding, the general manager of Los Azules, a copper site run by Canadas McEwen Copper Inc. Company officials estimate it will take $2.5 billion to build the mine, with construction slated to start midway through Mileis four-year term if it can win the needed permits.

Prices of copper, a wiring metal, have surged in recent months, driven in part by concerns that demand from clean power, military equipment and data centers will outstrip supply. Miners need to spend about $130 billion over the next decade to avoid a projected annual shortfall in 2034 of some 7.7 million tons, according to the CRU Group, a research firm focused on mining and commodities.

While theres plenty of copper still in the ground, deposits are getting pricier and trickier to develop at a time of heightened scrutiny of social and environmental issues. In Argentina, those issues have been a bigger hurdle than elsewhere  but the record prices and Mileis pivot to a friendlier business climate are suddenly making it more feasible to unearth the nations resources.

Read More: Energy Mogul Makes 100-Year Bet on Argentinas Mineral Wealth

Argentina has already had success with lithium, a mineral thats key to making batteries for electric cars. Copper projects, though, tend to be bigger, more expensive and more destructive. And Argentina is a particularly precarious destination for prospectors since it is largely focused on farming and oil, not metals like regional peers Chile and Peru.

A scene last month offered a peek into this dilemma. In the mountain village of Calingasta, in San Juan province, Meding and other officials from McEwen Copper were pitching investors about their plans to dig the Los Azules pit, measuring 2.3 miles long and more than half as wide, just up the road in a pristine stretch of the Andes.

Company founder Rob McEwen, seated in the audience, didnt like the rosy picture he was hearing from his underlings about the impact the mine would have on wetlands, oases at 12,000 feet called vegas in Spanish. They were suggesting that water could be rerouted to recreate the marshes elsewhere.

Those vegas are disappearing, McEwen, 74, interjected from across the room, taking the men aback. Theyre gone forever. Dont try to coat it, as people will see through it.

In addition to securing environmental permits, miners operating in remote corners of the developing world like Calingasta must win social licenses from communities and other groups. Its a difficult task in a place like Argentina that hasnt fully embraced the metals industry, but McEwen says its vital to avoid protests and disruptions down the line.

San Juan, a relatively poor province with an economy based on agriculture and solar power, has been opening its arms to miners in a way that others  unwilling to compromise on ecological issues  havent.

Beyond the wetlands, glaciers are another concern. A federal inventory lists 16,000 sites to protect in the Argentine Andes, many in San Juan. Glencore has tried to get one  an ice-rich rock glacier  struck off the list so it can proceed with its El Pachon copper project.

Earthquakes are another major threat: A big quake might damage a mine and release chemicals into river systems.

Already, leaders of a small anti-mining group from Jachal, a San Juan county close to Calingasta, have been warning people not to give their blessing to Los Azules. At community meetings hosted by McEwen Copper, theyve highlighted the negative impacts of nearby gold mine Veladero, which suffered three cyanide leaks from 2015 to 2017, leading a federal judge to recommend it be shuttered. After making improvements, today Veladero operates normally.

We went to Calingasta with our own truth  to tell them that because of the sheer scale of mines its impossible for them not to pollute, said Faustino Esquivel, one of the leaders of the non-governmental organization called Dont Touch Jachal.

Bill Shaver, chief operating officer of McEwen Coppers parent company, said hes heard similar arguments before during a career spanning 50 years. His strategy is to bring in outside specialists who are comfortable with the project, say professors from the provincial university, and get them to meet with locals to address their concerns.

You have to work with the communities, Shaver said. Otherwise these NGOs could come in and you get in a p-ing match that lasts years.

San Juan  which has the power to issue environmental permits for building mines, rather than federal authorities  wants the windfall of investment, jobs and tax revenue that copper can bring. Yet officials are only too aware that they must tread carefully when it comes to social and environmental considerations.

Mining in San Juan is state policy, Governor Marcelo Orrego said in an interview. But we also know that we cant make a mistake on environmental issues.

There are risks at the national level, too: Mileis proposed RIGI tax benefits for miners  part of his broader deregulation push  come after a similarly sweet deal recently fueled protests and the downfall of a huge copper pit in Panama.

For now, McEwen, like most wealthy investors, is fawning over the policies.

Argentina has been a case of nice deposit but wrong country, he said. Milei is Prince Charming whos given it the wake-up kiss.

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General skepticism toward qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that makes it difficult to sue rights-violating state and local government officials, has over the years brought together weird coalitions, to put it mildly, and challenged some of the stereotypes about traditional partisan fault lines. A federal judge this week floated one such alliance: If you hated Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court precedent that enshrined abortion as a constitutional right, then you should really disdain qualified immunity.

Stay with me here. That connection came nestled in an opinion concerning a police detective who allegedly cost an innocent man almost two years of his life by using a nearly-incomprehensible statement from someone in jail, who was reportedly under the influence of meth, and then guiding that same person to pick her chosen defendant, Desmond Green, out of a photo line-upafter her witness explicitly picked someone else. As a result, Green was arrested for capital murder and spent 22 months in the Hinds County Detention Center, which he claims was infested with rodents and where his cellmate was stabbed.

He sued. Detective Jacquelyn Thomas of the Jackson Police Department countered that she was entitled to qualified immunity, which shields state and local government employees from civil suits if they violated the law in a way that has not been "clearly established" as unconstitutional in prior case law.

Judge Carlton Reeves of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi disagreed, ruling that such blatant misconduct indeed violated clearly established law. That the officer in question could reasonably assert such a defense, thoughand drag out litigation for years with appeals, where it is plausible she will win at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuitopened a window to discuss the doctrine of qualified immunity as a general matter, encouraged by Green's lawsuit, which asserts it is "unsound law." Reeves took the opportunity.

In 1871, Congress passed Section 1983, which established an avenue for victims of civil rights violations to file federal lawsuits. Qualified immunity did not exist as a defense from liability until the Supreme Court legislated a version of it into existence in the 1967 case Pierson v. Ray, in which the justices created a "good faith" exception to suits against state and local government employees accused of misconduct. The Court then strengthened that defense in 1982 with its decision in Harlow v. Fitzgerald, which created that meticulously exacting "clearly established" standard that can doom plaintiffs if they are unable to find a prior court precedent with nearly identical circumstances.

In other words, qualified immunity came into existence in spite of, not because of, the legislative process, with the Supreme Courthowever well-intentionedwatering down a near-century-old federal statute. That, in some sense, puts qualified immunity in the same family as abortion jurisprudence.

"Opponents of qualified immunity advance many of the same kinds of arguments that opponents of abortion used," wrote Reeves in his opinion. "In both instances, the primary complaint was that the Supreme Court had disregarded authoritative texts" in order "to balance implied rights and interests." That is especially true in the case of qualified immunity, Reeves notes, as lawmakers already expressly decided what should happen in such cases. It is not a mystery. They enshrined it into law a century and a half ago.

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, "the Court instead thought voters should resolve reliance interests, not judges," writes Reeves. That isn't a controversial premise, even if one supports abortion access. The notion it is inappropriate for judges to "legislate from the bench," as opposed to lawmakers legislating from Congress, has long been a hallmark criticism. It's a fair one. And it should not be applied selectively.

The Supreme Court, for its part, has been reticent, it seems, to take up qualified immunity as a doctrinal matter. While they have reversed a few ridiculous rulings in recent yearsin 2020, for example, they rejected a decision from the 5th Circuit awarding qualified immunity to correctional officers who locked a psychiatric inmate allegedly in feces- and sewage-infested cellsthe justices have demurred at reconsidering the doctrine broadly. Perhaps they'd prefer to let Congress do its job. The issue there, of course, is that Congress did do its job, and then the Supreme Court decided it knew better.

But there is something else about qualified immunity that makes the doctrine even more relevant in a conversation about such issues being relegated to the people. That voters, not judges, should "resolve reliance issues," as Reeves says, is particularly important when considering the core issue at stake here is: Should an alleged victim of government abuse get the privilege of a jury trial? A victim who has overcome qualified immunity does not mean they won their case; it means they get to state it before a jury. And losing on qualified immunity groundsa decision made by judges, not votersrobs them of the opportunity to go before their peers, with the courthouse doors shut before any trial can begin.

Reeves' recent ruling is not his first brush with qualified immunity. In 2020, he lamented that the status quo was "extraordinary and unsustainable." And then in that same decision, he begrudgingly gave the protection to a cop who allegedly cost a man $4,000 in vehicle damages while conducting an extensive drug search that produced no contraband, as there was no precedent with near-parallel circumstances. "This Court is required to apply the law as stated by the Supreme Court," Reeves wrote. "Under that law, the officer who transformed a short traffic stop into an almost two-hour, life-altering ordeal is entitled to qualified immunity. The officer's motion seeking as much is therefore granted."

The post A Cop's Corruption Allegedly Cost an Innocent Man 2 Years of His Life. Should She Get Qualified Immunity? appeared first on Reason.com.
Corey Lewandowski, who has drifted in and out of former President Trumps orbit, is joining the Trump campaign ahead of Novembers election.

A campaign official confirmed to The Hill that Lewandowski is advising the campaign on the delegate and convention process. A second official said Lewandowski is engaged on the convention team.

The Republican National Convention is slated to take place in mid-July in Milwaukee.

National Review first reported on Lewandowskis hiring.

Lewandowski served as Trumps first campaign chair during the 2016 campaign before he was ousted and eventually replaced by Kellyanne Conway and campaign Chair Paul Manafort.

The Massachusetts native co-authored two books during Trumps first term that were highly complimentary of Trump, defended him against criticism and lashed out at the so-called deep state.

Lewandowski was removed from a top post at a pro-Trump super PAC in 2021 after he was accused by a major donors wife of making unwanted advances during an event in Las Vegas.

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Cornell University using DEI policy to reject faculty candidates for not conforming, group claims

Cornell University is corrupting its science, math and engineering programs by using its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy to reject a huge portion of candidates for faculty jobs because their views are deemed counter to the schools left-leaning ideological orthodoxy, a merit-based campus advocacy group alleged after reviewing bombshell leaked documents.

A report by the Cornell Free Speech Alliance cities smoking gun evidence that the DEI Statements of prospective professors were used to reject 21% of applicants in a recent faculty search in a hard science field.

The Upstate New York Ivy no longer requires candidates to submit explanations of how they would advance Cornells commitment to the principle of DEI  but such forms were used against the job hopefuls anyway, the Free Speech Alliance said.

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According to the Cornell Free Speech Alliance, the university is corrupting its science, math and engineering programs by using Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies to reject faculty job candidates. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File

The rejections came without fairly considering the candidates academic credentials, research, or teaching abilities, the group alleged.

The analysis was based on whistleblower documents and internal reports provided to the alliance by Cornell staffers, according to the Free Speech Alliance

The DEI policy is discriminatory and should be scrapped, said the Free Speech Alliance said.

Cornell has an opportunity to reverse course and demonstrate principled leadership by loudly and publicly abolishing these pernicious DEI policies, said Free Speech Alliance board member and Cornell alum Carl Neuss.

The group claims there is evidence that Cornell used DEI statements to reject 21% of applicants in a science department. Photo by Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images

Without major reforms, Cornell faces increasing risk of legal jeopardy, reputational damage, and loss of academic legitimacy. We urge the university to act before its too late, added Neuss.

The internal documents show that the school also used demographic factors such as race and age to favor some candidates and disadvantage others.

DEI is NOT `leveling the playing field to fully include underrepresented groups  but, instead, is `heavily tilting the playing field in favor of faculty candidates possessing preferred demographic characteristics and viewpoints, the report said.

The group has recommended that Cornell stand by free speech and advance diversity of viewpoints on campus.

The Free Speech Alliance analysis called the DEI hiring practice the corruption of academic fields that have little to do with political ideology, including the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.

By placing such socio-political loyalty pledges before academic excellence in assessing applicant qualifications, the faculty hiring process has become badly distorted and educational quality has been seriously degraded at Cornell, the groups study said.

The group alleged this hiring practice, which is aimed at enforcing viewpoint conformity, is widespread across academic fields.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently announced it will no longer require prospective professors to write a statement explaining how they would promote DEI as part of their employment .

Cornell president Martha Pollack is retiring on June 30. cornellpres/Instagram

Cornell president Martha Pollack, a champion of the DEI policy, recently announced she is retiring  effective June 30  after six years at the helm.

Like other New York campuses, Cornell in leafy Ithaca has been embroiled in months of turmoil following the terror group Hamas Oct. 7 invasion of Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza  resulting in anti-Israel demonstrations, antisemitism and death threats to Jewish students.

Prominent alumni have called for Pollacks resignation over DEI and campus unrest.

The policy has come under greater scrutiny after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in admissions of college students, saying any racial or ethnic preferences is unconstitutional.

A Cornell rep declined to comment.
A rendering of what a bus rapid transit corridor in Columbus could look like.

After years of planning and pitches, voters this fall will decide on whether to approve a sales tax to support LinkUS  an initiative to bring bus rapid transit to the greater Columbus area.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority on Wednesday approved ballot language for a 0.75% sales tax that will go before voters this fall in Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Union and Licking counties, according to a resolution.

The tax includes 0.5% that would support LinkUS and 0.25% that would replace a temporary sales tax that is set to expire in 2026, the resolution shows. If approved by voters, the ballot measure would provide an estimated $6 billion in new revenue to support LinkUS.

More on COTA and LinkUS : COTA ridership rising but still far from pre-COVID high. What does that mean for LinkUS?

What bus rapid transit in Columbus would look like

LinkUS would begin by building out bus rapid transit along three routes including one on West Broad Street, another on East Main Street and a third that would carve through the northwestern part of central Ohio.

Differences between typical bus service and rapid transit include dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal prioritization and control, increased bus capacity and off-board fare collection to speed up boarding and more, according to LinkUS. Along with bus rapid transit, LinkUS would also provide funding for sidewalks, greenways and bike paths.

Bus rapid transit would allow central Ohio to get ahead of its growth, said Monica Tellez-Fowler, COTA president and chief executive officer. If LinkUS is implemented, it would mark "a significant step" forward for public transit in the region, she said.

"I think the alternative is to do nothing or wait and do something later," Tellez-Fowler said. "I think we've seen other cities go down that path and it is something that ultimately results in you can't catch up to where you need to be."

After the vote, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin called it a "historic day for central Ohio" for the region. Hardin has been a vocal supporter of LinkUS as the initiative has come to fruition and said that he thinks there is pent-up demand and interest that will push the public transit proposal to success at the ballot box later this year.

"Today, the COTA board voted to put forward an initiative that will increase the quality of life for our residents," Hardin said. "As we grow, as we welcome in more people, it will make sure that we have a more walkable, more connected, more sustainable community ... For far too long, we have been the largest region in the country without advanced transit."

Many central Ohioans spoke in support of LinkUS on Wednesday, including Sandy Doyle Ahern, president of engineering and survey firm EMH&T. Some form of modernized mass transit system is needed for the Columbus to remain competitive with other regions and it could serve as an economic driver, Ahern said.

"The build it and they come scenario will absolutely play out here in central Ohio," she said.

Stephanie Hightower, president of the Columbus Urban League who sits on the LinkUS board, told COTA board members that bus rapid transit would be a "game changer for many families we serve" and said that it would support the community in "ways that move generations to come."

Central Ohio's 15-county region is expected to swell to more than 3 million residents by 2050 and public officials and COTA leaders have often referenced the predicted population growth in pushing for the LinkUS ballot imitative.

"We must provide safe comfortable and attractive transit choices as more people choose to call our region home," Chris Groomes, mayor of the city of Dublin told board members Wednesday.

mfilby@dispatch.com

@MaxFilby

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: COTA asks Columbus area voters to decide on new sales tax
Could SNAP benefits become more restrictive?

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Wednesday, a House committee held a hearing examining the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

House Republicans say since SNAP recipients eat on the governments dime they should be limited to healthy options.

Subsidizing foods that harm health and nutrition is counterproductive to the original purpose of SNAP, Rep. Andy Harris, (R-Md.) said.

More than 40 million households receive monthly SNAP benefits and the USDA found that soft drinks are the number one purchase using SNAP.

Harris is pushing a program that would prohibit people from buying soda and candy with SNAP.

The SNAP program is solely focused on providing calories rather than nutritious food, Harris said.

Georgia Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop opposes the idea.

The majoritys proposal is, at best a half-baked idea and at worst, a negligent suggestion that misses the mark, Bishop said.

Bishop says these families already face a number of barriers when trying to buy healthier food.

Including being physically disabled as 22% of recipients were in 2020, having no income other than SNAP, Bishop said.

Some independently owned grocery stores oppose the proposed plan by Republicans.

Choice and flexibility makes SNAP the effective program it is today, Michael Gay of Independent Community Grocers said.

A group of doctors told lawmakers at a hearing on SNAP Wednesday that they support limits on non-health foods.

To ensure that SNAP recipients have access to foods that will heal, not harm, Dr. Robert Seligson said.

The next fight for lawmakers will be funding the assistance program in the upcoming farm bill.

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Council gives itself power to take control of ShotSpotters future, defies Johnson campaign promise

Chicago aldermen voted Wednesday to take control over the ShotSpotter gunshot detection systems future out of Mayor Brandon Johnsons hands in a bid to stop him from deactivating it.

The 34-to-14 vote to give the City Council final say over the mayors cancellation plans sharply defies Johnson, who campaigned on the promise of getting rid of the controversial and expensive technology.

Under the order that passed Wednesday, the pact with ShotSpotter is now subject to an up-or-down council vote before it can be terminated. It is not clear how the new rule will be applied to a deal the mayor already announced will end, however, especially since Johnson has suggested its illegal for aldermen to try to exert such authority over a city contract.

After the meeting, Johnson did not answer directly when asked if he would veto the measure, which in any event passed with a veto-proof majority. But he said the order did nothing because the City Council does not have executive authority.

This passage, whatever it was, has no bearing on my executive authority to cancel the ShotSpotter contract, Johnson said. It doesnt make any sense, frankly.

Several aldermen made a last-second effort to send the order back to committee for further consideration, some arguing it has questionable legal standing and may fail to effectively secure ShotSpotters future.

Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, who led the push to try to stall a vote on the order, called on the council to consider other technologies besides ShotSpotter, a system ardently opposed by Johnson that he said the mayor will ultimately block.

This is about trying to get the best for our citizens, Ervin said. We have got to get beyond one piece of technology if the goal is to make the city of Chicago safer.

But stalwart ShotSpotter supporters who expected the order to easily pass angrily challenged the proposed delay. The order would only give aldermen the ability to vote over ShotSpotters tenure in the future with better data, said its sponsor, Ald. David Moore, 17th.

It just blows my mind, Moore said. Youre voting against having a voice for your constituents.

Ald. Peter Chico, 10th, a former police officer, told his fellow aldermen he knew ShotSpotter better than any of them.

Ive used ShotSpotter. Ive seen what happens. Ive seen it works, Chico said, recalling the technology helping him find wounded gunshot victims despite no one calling 911. That body that I saw there, many, many times, we cannot put a price tag on that.

Council breaks from mayor again over CTA presidents future

The City Council flashed its growing independence again Wednesday by introducing an ordinance calling for Johnson to fire Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval Carter. Carter has faced mounting pressure from commuters in recent months as the CTA continues to struggle with quality, hiring and impending financial crisis, but Johnson has so far declined to discuss Carters future.

Twenty-nine out of 50 aldermen co-sponsored the resolution authored by Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th. But Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, and Ervin used a legislative maneuver to send the resolution to the councils Rules Committee, delaying its movement through the body and likely passage.

The council was set for another tense transportation-focused moment to vote on the appointment of West Side pastor the Rev. Ira Acree to the Regional Transportation Authoritys board, but Acrees nomination was instead withheld from consideration. Johnson decided to pull it back, he said, to give people more time to have inquiry.

All of my nominations, whether they are commissioners, other appointments, we are batting a thousand, Johnson said. The best and the brightest, the people who are most connected, again, to the pain that have solutions.

The Johnson nominee drew scrutiny earlier this month when he struggled to answer basic questions about the RTA during a Transportation Committee meeting and said he did not know about the upcoming $730 million budget gap the financial oversight body is facing.

Progressive allies of the mayor also introduced an ordinance Wednesday seeking to establish a citywide referendum that, if successful, would make a police oversight board whose members are appointed by the mayor instead almost fully elected. The proposal was also sent to the Rules Committee.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, said he hopes the referendum appears on the November election ballot and has not yet heard from Johnson on the proposal that would take power away from the mayors office. If the referendum gets on the ballot and passes, the mostly-elected board powers would include setting the Police Departments budget, hiring and firing superintendents and bargaining police union contracts.

Zoning Board gets long-awaited appointment

Also Wednesday, aldermen approved Johnsons first appointee to the Zoning Board of Appeals, a government board that controls major development decisions in the city. Adrian Soto, executive director of the Greater Southwest Development Corp., cleared the final hurdle without pushback.

However, Johnsons second appointee introduced last month, Vaishali Rao, withdrew her candidacy due to the time commitment, according to Department of Planning and Development spokesman Peter Strazzabosco. She will remain an alternate member of the board, which still has a vacancy more than a year after the Johnson administration came into office.

At the start of Johnsons term last May, the five-member panel had one unfilled seat, from when Ald. Timmy Knudsen, 43rd, was appointed to City Council by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in fall 2022. The lack of urgency to fill that spot in the past year cost the Johnsons administration a high-profile vote in February, when the ZBA tied 2-2 on a proposed homeless shelter in Uptown. Every ZBA proposal requires at least three votes to advance, and an alternate member cannot fill a vacancy.

Since then, ZBA member Sam Toia resigned in March, leaving another vacancy. Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, told the Tribune the decision was 100% my call ahead of his term expiring in July.

Aldermen were set to consider an ordinance from Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, aimed at quieting anti-abortion protests outside a West Loop clinic, but the legislation was stalled using legislative maneuvers by Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, and Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th.

Do not worry, Conway told fellow aldermen after the stall tactic. This delay will not stand, and this will pass.

The ordinance would block the use of noise-making devices outside the clinic, which Conway said had been used to disrupt health care inside and harass arriving patients.

Finally, Johnson at his post-council presser gave his most strident endorsement yet of reinstating ally Ramirez-Rosa on his council leadership team. The alderman had resigned from his plum Zoning Committee chairmanship last fall amid bullying allegations, but colleagues have whispered for months that the Johnson administration indicated it was angling to restore him to some committee post.

First of all, Ald. Ramirez Rosa is a leader. Hes one of my strongest allies and what he has done in City Council over the course of his time is remarkable, the mayor said, citing the need to demonstrate restorative justice practices. The body made a commitment to his restoration. And so were going to continue to have conversations to ensure that his restoration is complete.

It was not clear what commitment Johnson was referring to, as the council remains fiercely at odds over who should lead the influential Zoning Committee.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com

ayin@chicagotribune.com
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) With Election Tuesday wrapping up in Georgia, WRBL is following two local nonpartisan races on the ballot. One headed towards a runoff, another decided.

District 10 at-large seat

The race for the citywide seat vacated by John House last year heads to a runoff.

Four candidates were vying for this seat  Businessman John Anker, Realtor Travis Chambers, Pastor Dr. Patrick Leonard, and Army retiree Rocky Marsh.

Anker ran unsuccessfully for mayor two years ago. Chambers also had a failed campaign when he attempted to unseat Debbie Buckner in a state House race.

Both Anker and Chambers head to a runoff.

I guess its a blessing. Its not what I wanted. I wanted to win faster, not easier, Anker told WRBL Tuesday. But Im ready to go to work. Im ready to start doing the peoples business. Ive got energy, Ive got passion to serve, to continue on. So, Ill run the race. My legs are still good.

WRBL spoke with Chambers twice Tuesday night, both times he declined to comment. Chambers Campaign Chairman, Cameron Bean, spoke with WRBL shortly after all of the precincts had reported Tuesday.

We led by 1,000 votes so we need to focus on getting our support that are predominately for Travis Chambers to go back to the polls on June 18. I think the community at large has decided they support Travis Chambers, so we want to get the voters to return to the polls.

The runoff is slated for June 18.

District 4

Early Wednesday morning, official votes solidified a win for one Columbus councilwoman looking to defend her seat.

Councilor Toyia Tucker defended her District 4 seat in a re-election campaign against retired law enforcement officer Tyrone Thomas.

Tucker won with 52% of the vote. WRBL caught up with Tucker to learn her reaction to earning another four years on council.

To my constituents, thank you. I appreciate you. I tell people from the bottom of my heart; this is how I feel about my district. My district are my children. The other districts are my nieces and nephews, meaning, Councilor Crabb and Councilor Davis, theyre the nieces and nephews, Tucker said. And we care about our family. So, I care. I love and care for District 4, just like I love and care for my kids.

Tuckers challenger, Thomas, nodded his hat to Tucker on the victory.

I would [like to] congratulate Councilor Toyia Tucker on the victory, and if theres anything I can do to help her while shes in office, Im going to step up and help her, Thomas said. Like I say, its not about me. Its not about her. Its about the people of Columbus, Georgia.

Tucker says she looks forward to continuing to represent her constituents of District 4.

The word has been continued, continue to serve us, continue to advocate for us. Its been a lot of great things that have occurred since Ive been in the seat. And Im just about to kind of spotlight what happened today with me adding $4.7 million to the budget to give pay increases for our public safety individuals, Tucker said. And that was the sheriff, and also the fire department because as you know, we have just the CPD last year.

Tucker says her four years in office flew by, and she looks forward to building on the groundwork she has helped set in place during the next term.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Couple given urn full of dirt instead of baby's ashes by Georgia funeral home, attorneys say

Couple given urn full of dirt instead of baby's ashes by Georgia funeral home, attorneys say

A grieving Georgia family is suing a metro Atlanta funeral home and accusing the business of sending them an urn full of dirt instead of their babys ashes.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Michael Seiden with Action News Jaxs sister station WSB-TV was outside Emory University Hospital in Midtown Tuesday, where Alexus Taylor and Jalen Matthews, of Valdosta, said they spent a month with baby Josiah last October before he died. Josiah was born with Trisomy 18, a rare but fatal genetic disorder that causes a wide range of severe medical problems. He died Nov. 14, 2023.

We didnt know how much time we had with him, Matthew said.

The couple said a family member recommended Stan Henderson & Son Funeral Home in Henry County to handle the babys remains.

Read: Judge blocks sale of Elvis Presleys Graceland

It was very important that I had him cremated. I wanted to be able to bring him home because I always knew that, you know, most likely we (would) never get to bring him there, Taylor said.

They held a memorial service at the funeral home. They said it took nearly 4 months to get Josiahs ashes, but then 2 weeks later, they were told the babys remains were still at the funeral home.

Like 2 weeks later, thats when we got the call and, you know, that Josiah was still at the crematory, Taylor said.

CLICK HERE to read the full story by WSB-TV.

Read: Jacksonville police: Teen charged for planning fathers murder, killing teen accomplice 3 days later

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From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch

Happy Wednesday! Your Morning Dispatchers are big coffee drinkersas one might imagineand were not necessarily picky. But we do draw the line at a $30 bag of Fighting for Justice beans, brought to you by Rudy Giuliani.

Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories

Whither Thou Goest, Haley Voters

Then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley takes pictures with attendees of a campaign rally at the Sawyer Park Icehouse bar in Spring, Texas, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

When former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley dropped out of the presidential race in March leaving Donald Trump as the only remaining candidate, she wasnt ready to serve her voters up on a silver platter. It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party, and beyond it, who did not support him, she said. And I hope he does that.

Our conservative cause badly needs more people, she added. This is now his time for choosing.

More than two-and-a-half months later, the Trump campaign hasnt made any real attempt to mend fences with Haley supporters who Trump himself had said would be permanently barred from his movement, and the former Trump appointee has yet to endorse her old boss. Haley, in turn, has continued ability to snag a sizable chunk of votes in primary contests taking place since she dropped out. Despite the protest votes, its unclear whether that dissatisfaction will redound to President Joe Bidens favor in November, as his campaign pursues only a muted outreach strategy for Haley voters.

When candidates drop out of a presidential primary, die-hard fans will still sometimes show up to their states primaries and cast a vote for their favorite anyway. A week after Haley dropped out, she received 5.3 percent of the vote in Mississippis primary, compared to Trumps 92.7 percent. On the same day, however, Haley also garnered 13.2 percent support in the Georgia primary and 19.5 percent in Washington state77,893 and 149,085 votes, respectively. A week later, in early April, she secured 13.9 percentmore than 155,000 votesof the GOP primary vote in Florida, 14.4 percent of the votes in both Illinois and Ohio, 16.1 percent in Kansas, and 17.8 percent in Arizona. Last month, 16.6 percent of Pennsylvania primary voters, 158,178 people checked the box for the former ambassador and South Carolina governor in the battleground state where Trump and Biden are in a dead heat and Biden won in 2020 by fewer than 100,000 votes.

So far in May, Haley has received 21.7 percent of the vote in Indiana (a primary open to voters regardless of party affiliation), 21.1 percent in Maryland, 18 percent in Nebraska, and 9.4 percent in West Virginia. We are well past the primary, Olivia Perez-Cubas, a Haley spokesperson, said earlier this month, referring to the Indiana primary results. If youre not paying attention yet, you should. Haley added somewhat to the tally on Tuesday in the Kentucky primary, securing 6.4 percent of the votewith another 3.6 percent opting for uncommitted over the former president, and 3.1 percent going with former Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

[Support for Haley is] more durable than anyone even anticipated when she dropped out, said Robert Schwartz, a senior adviser with Haley Voters for Biden, a super PAC working to convince Haley supporters to back the incumbent Democrat. I dont think anyone would have predicted that she was going to be getting 20 percent still at this stage.

In a contest likely to be decided by razor-thin margins, and with a sizable bloc of voters united by a relatively coherent set of policy preferencesamong them a strong, internationalist foreign policy, fiscal discipline, and border securityseemingly up for grabs, you might reasonably assume Trump and Biden would be doing everything under the sun to woo Haley voters.

But youd be wrong.

When Haley dropped out, Trump seemed potentially willing to welcome Haley voters into the fold on Truth Socialinviting all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nationbut only after emphasizing how he TROUNCED the South Carolinian on Super Tuesday.

Offering Haley voters a seat on the Trump Train isnt quite the same as convincing them he deserves their support. Instead, Trump seems content to focus primarily on his base of existing voters rather than cater to Haleys supporterscontinued protest votes be damned. His campaign is likely hoping that, regardless of the so-called zombie votes for Haley in the primary, her supporters will come home by November, as has often been the case in past presidential primaries with a large share of votes against the presumptive nominee after challengers dropped out.

But that could be a risky strategy. These are Republican primary voters who are fed up with the drama and the chaos of the past and are actively turning out to vote against the presumptive Republican nominee, a former Haley campaign staffer told TMD. If Trump wants to win, he should do everything he can to win over Nikkis support and her voters.

To be fair, if youre a Haley voter, Trumps policy positions are likely a tough sell even if the campaign were doing more targeted outreach. As Dispatch Politics reported earlier this month:

These voters, who broadly identify as Ronald Reagan Republicans are unhappy with the former president for myriad reasons. But Trumps opposition to U.S. military aid to Ukraine, coddling of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and indifference bordering on opposition to international alliances such as NATO are particularly grating. They align more with Biden on these issues, creating a crucial opening for the incumbent Democrat.

Trump could offer an olive branch to some Haley voters by picking a running mate more palatable to thempossibly even Haley herself. The former president stated earlier this month that Haley isnt under consideration for the position, but prior statements havent prevented Trump from reversing himself before. Even so, he could also choose a running mate generally more aligned with Haleys foreign policy views, like Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida or Tim Scott of South Carolina. Picking someone like Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio or biotech entrepreneur and former primary rival Vivek Ramaswamywho once called Haley Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels (and meant it as an insult)would likely further alienate Haley supporters.

The Biden campaign has made comparatively more overtures to Haley voters. Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters, the president said in a statement in March. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign. Later that month, the campaign released an ad that compiled Trumps statements insulting Haley and rejecting her voters. But for some Haley voters, the pitch seems to be falling flatparticularly as it relates to the Biden administrations Israel policy.

Its a mistake for the Biden campaign to think that somehow when Trump criticizes Haley that thats the issue to them, Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist and adviser to the PAC set up to support a now-defunct No Labels ticket, told TMD. They need to be talking to those voters about the issues that Haley consolidated that base of voters around. For starters, Stutzman suggested Biden could get more aggressive on border enforcement, pledge to appoint a Republican to his cabinet in his second term, and more vocally attack the isolationist Republican lawmakers on foreign policy.

Schwartz, the Haley Voters for Biden PAC adviser, agrees that there has to actually be some substance to the Biden appeal. While a lot of these people may think that Joe Biden is more of a decent human being, theyre not convinced that they can support Joe Biden because they view him potentially as catering too much to the left wing of the Democratic Party, he told TMD. In order for Haley votersthese Haley conservativesto consider voting for Joe Biden, that policy gap needs to be somewhat narrowed. They need to feel like Joe Biden is focused on winning over the center, not just the left.

Navigating the tension between progressive voters who oppose Bidens stance on Israel and Haley voters who are turned off by the presidents attempts to appease the left is a challenge for the Biden campaign. But strategists TMD spoke to think there could be more for Biden to gain by more explicitly engaging Haley voters. We understand that theres cross-pressures, Schwartz said. What were trying to say is, Look, theres 4.4 million Nikki Haley voters so far, and theres 590,000 [Democratic] uncommitted voters so far.

Its unclear whether Biden is prepared to make any real policy concessions to attract Haley voters. According to reporting from the Dispatch Politics crew, the presidents campaign is focusing on a micro-targeted messaging strategy to reach Haley voters at the precinct level rather than a top-down pivot to the center led by Biden. Ted Kaufman, a Biden adviser and former Democratic senator from Delaware, suggested this week that Biden could appoint a Republican to his cabinet in a second term, but the White House has not signaled any such show of bipartisanship.

A potential X factor could be Haley herself. Since dropping out, shes joined the Hudson Institutea conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C.and largely kept quiet on the race, although she has made some statements criticizing Bidens fiscal policies and his pause on weapons shipments to Israel. Haley seems unlikely to endorse Biden, but the question remains: Will she withhold her endorsement of the GOP nominee, a la Mike Pence, or throw her weight behind Trump? Her decision could influence some of her voters.

A lot of her strongest supporters do really admire her and will look to what she does as a reference point, Schwartz said. It will make a big difference if she comes out with an enthusiastic endorsement of Trump versus a tepid endorsement. In other words, the Bill Barr tack versus the Tim Scott approach.

But Stutzman argued that Haley voters wouldnt follow her back to Trump. Theyre not looking to take a command from her, he told TMD. Haley is not some type of spectacular superstar to these voters. She earned her way to being the candidate that took that lane and was able to consolidate that 35 percent of the party to her.

For now, that lane remains open.

Worth Your Time

Why dont more major newspapers feature earnest, well-reasoned pro-Trump columnists? Its hard to do, Christian Schneider argues, in part because there arent that many pro-Trump columnists around. Therein lies the rub, he wrote in his Substack Anti-Knowledge. There arent many pro-Trump columnists at major papers because there arent many pro-Trump columnists anywhere. In past years, it hardly seems possible that a major publication wouldnt have a supporter of Ronald Reagan [or] George W. Bush on its staff. That is why in 2024, newspapers would love nothing more than to have an in-house columnist on Team Red Hat/Tie. But Trumpism is a visual mediumit cannot withstand the scrutiny of a written column. Trump supporters can go on Fox News or Newsmax or OAN and say whatever they want in the moment without being fact-checked beforehand.  That is because being a Trumper is based almost solely on emotion and doesnt rely on facts. Trumpism is a clenched fist, not an argument. And newspapers print arguments.

The Biden administration has delivered long-range weapons to Ukraine with an important condition: No American-made weapons are to be used within Russian territory. In a wide-ranging interview with the New York Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that these restrictions limit Ukraines defensive capabilities. What we have always asked of President Bidenand not only President Biden, but the leaders of many countriesis that we want to use the weapons for defense. When there are attacks from Russian territory targeting civilians exclusively, and artillery is firing exclusively at civilians, when artillery strikes a city, the city centerthats how it happensyou cant respond to them because of the range of your artillery, he said. How can we protect ourselves? We can either strike the missile that is entering Ukrainian territory or strike the aircraft before launch. To strike the missile, we need air defense. To strike the aircraft, we need appropriate weaponsweapons and permission. What about the potential escalation risk? There are no risks of escalation, Zelensky answered. Escalation has already occurred: Russias escalation against Ukraine.  So, tell me, what could be a greater escalation than mass killings of people in Ukraine?

Presented Without Comment

The Hill: Tucker Carlson: Program Airing on Russian State TV Without Legal Permission

Also Presented Without Comment

Associated Press: Trump Says He Is Open to Restrictions on Contraception Before Backing Away From the Statement

Also Also Presented Without Comment

CNBC: RFK Jr. Says He Invested $24,000 in Gamestop After Brief Meme Stock Revival

In the Zeitgeist

As the weather warms up, every new song released becomes a contender for the song of the summer. We think Birds of a Featheroff Billie Eilishs new album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFTis a compelling entry in the category.

Toeing the Company Line

In the newsletters: Nick argued () that the election will come down to a question of which candidate causes voters the least anxiety.

On the podcasts: Jonah is joined on The Remnant by Alison Gopnik, a psychology professor at UC Berkeley, to discuss the best way to raise a child.

On the site: Kevin argues that Who won the 2020 election? will be the most important question of the upcoming debate, Molly Yanity writes about the Caitlin Clark effect on the WNBA, and Jonah previews the upcoming presidential debates.

Let Us Know

What do you make of the Haley voters continuing to show up to the polls to vote for their candidate? Will they play a decisive role in November?

Correction, May 22, 2024: This newsletter originally misspelled the last name of Judge Beryl Howell.

Read more at The Dispatch

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The countdown to a possible trial date for the suspects accused in the killing of Young Dolph continues; however, its still unclear when it will begin.

Its been almost three years since the death of 36-year-old Adolph Thorton Jr., better known as Young Dolph. To this day, no one has been sentenced in his death even though one of the suspects has already pleaded guilty.

Young Dolph: The latest coverage

Nearly one year ago, Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact in the killing.

Prosecutors say Johnson was not involved in the shooting or the planning but did assist his half-brother, Justin Johnson, escape after the shooting.

At the time, the judge said the charges would bring a sentence of 6 to 12 years.

According to court records, Johnson bonded out the same day he entered the guilty plea and has been out awaiting his sentencing.

Johnson was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning, but his appearance was reset because Division 10 Judge Jennifer Mitchell was out for the day.

According to the Shelby County Criminal Justice Portal, Johnson was supposed to have a hearing to discuss a petition to suspend his sentence.

WREG learned his hearing has been reset several times. We reached out to his attorney, who says his clients case will continue to be reset until the trial ends.

However, the exact date of the trial is still in the air.

Trial date for suspect in Young Dolph death pushed back

Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, the men accused of pulling the trigger, were initially set for trial next month, but it was rescheduled. Court documents say both parties want more time for expert testimony and hearing before the trial.

Also out on bond is Hernandez Govan who is accused of being the mastermind behind the killing.

The resets and delays come as another disappointment to Dolphs loved ones who have been vocal on social media about their dissatisfaction with how the case is being handled.

Young Dolphs fiance calls out D.A. Mulroy after trial date rescheduled

In a recent statement, the DAs Office said, While the frustration is understandable, these complexities in the criminal justice process must be addressed to ensure the integrity of the case.

Cornelius Smith, Jermarcus Johnson, and Hernandez Govan are all due back in court June 3.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told The Independent on Wednesday afternoon that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to give a joint address to Congress.

I spoke with him today and hes going to sign the letter jointly and itll get out to the prime minister this week, Johnson told me.

The announcement comes after almost the entire congressional leadership and President Joe Biden condemned Karim Khan, the top prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, for his announcement that he is seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior Hamas officials.

As Inside Washington explained on Tuesday, Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the announcement a step in the wrong direction. Ranking Republican Jim Risch and Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed.

Schumer is the highest-ranking Jewish American in Congress, and his agreement to a joint address comes despite the fact that he has also called for new elections in Israel and criticized Netanyahus execution of Israels war in Gaza.

But the response among other Democrats was very mixed.

Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who faces a tough re-election, gave a non-answer.

I've heard the same things but I need confirmation, she told The Independent before Johnson made his announcement.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, one of only four senators who supports a ceasefire, also deferred when asked before Johnsons announcement.

I want to talk to Schumer before I say anything, the Illinois Democrat said.

Conversely, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the most pro-Israel Democrat, said he would welcome a visit from Netanyahu, recalling how Netanyahu spoke to Republicans over video months ago.

I wanted to hear from the prime minister months ago. I even approached the Republicans see if I could get on that, he told The Independent. They couldn't make that happen, but I'm glad to know that he's coming... It took too long.

Senator Elizabeth Warren had the opposite take. The senator for Massachusetts has criticized the Israeli government in the past but nonetheless voted to advance the Ukraine-Israel-Taiwan aid bill, and she told The Independent that having Netanyahu address Congress would be inappropriate.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has created a humanitarian catastrophe. And every day that goes by, he makes the problems in the Middle East worse, she said. I would like to see someone address the Congress who is committed to a long-term peaceful solution in the region.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who voted against the aid package last month, also said doing so would not be a good idea.

I think given the fact that he has led a military campaign in Gaza which has created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, where hundreds of thousands of people now face starvation, I think inviting Mr Netanyahu to Congress is not a good idea, he told The Independent.

Opinions were similarly mixed in the House of Representatives. Democrats in the House remain far more split, with some supporting a ceasefire in Gaza while others vocally supporting Israel.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who supports a ceasefire in Gaza, said that inviting the Israeli prime minister at this time would only have negative effects.

I think that the presence of Netanyahu here for a joint address is an incredibly divisive and unproductive activity, she told The Independent. She also pushed back on Democratic leaders, including Biden, for their criticism of the ICC prosecutor.

There's a large and growing consensus globally about respecting the independence of [the ICC]. I think that it is an alarming precedent to set to attack institutions of the international system who are responsible for litigating international law and considering international law, she added.

Conversely, Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida, a pro-Israel Democrat, said that Johnsons invitation was his prerogative.

If the speaker invites the leader of a democratic state, one of our greatest allies, then he should be allowed to come speak, regardless if there are policy differences among some of the members, he told The Independent.

But Representative Ritchie Torres, one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel in the Democratic caucus, gave a more mixed response.

The leader of an ally has every right to come before Congress and make his case, he told The Independent, but said he would not advise Netanyahu to do so. Just setting aside personal opinion, it's just a matter of honest political analysis hes a polarizing figure in American politics.

The United States continued support for the Israeli government comes despite the pushback from other countries. On Wednesday, Ireland, Norway and Spain announced their recognition of a Palestinian state. The US, in response, said that it supports the idea of a two-state solution but not via such unilaterial recognition.

The fact remains, however, that for the most part, Democrats who oppose such an address are still pushing back against the majority consensus in Washington. Even many Democrats who have objections to the Israeli government have deep objections about international bodies litigating how Israel manages the war.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Fire crews are working to determine what sparked a fire at a market just south of downtown Nashville early Wednesday morning.

The Nashville Fire Department said crews were sent to the 140 block of Lafayette Street just after 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22 to respond to reports of a commercial fire at Marleys Market.

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Photo: WKRN

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When units arrived at the scene, they said found a pickup truck that was fully engulfed in flames and another fire inside the store.

According to the department, fire personnel also found a broken window in front of the market and are looking to determine whether someone threw something through the glass.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

Crews are also investigating if the pickup truck was intentionally set on fire, according to firefighters at the scene.

Fire officials told a News 2 crew that the fire is believed to be suspicious in nature at this time.

Additional details about the incident were not immediately released.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

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 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Federal authorities brought Cuban aviation officials to tour Miami International Airport in 2011 and 2015, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed Wednesday, two days after the revelation of a similar visit launched a political storm in Miami.

In August 2011, Cuba inspectors conducted a reciprocal visit to observe security measures at Last Point of Departure airports at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Miami International Airport in Miami, TSA spokesperson Mark Howell said in an email. During this visit, the Cuban delegation presented TSA with a copy of its Civil Aviation Security Program, which was a breakthrough in sharing information.

Cuban aviation officials have been touring U.S. airports for years, including before direct flights between the two countries resumed in 2016, Howell said.

He said a Cuban aviation delegation also visited the Miami-Dade airport in 2015, the second tour under the administration of President Barack Obama.

The visit of a Cuban government delegation to Miami International Airport this week stirred a political storm among local officials and members of Congress who questioned why the Biden administration had granted access to what they claim are sensitive TSA facilities.

Howell said none of the visits, including this weeks, would involve sensitive areas at airports.

Its very similar to a media tour, he said. Its not classified information. Its basic operations information to raise the overall baseline of global aviation security.

Cuban groups also visited security operations at other U.S. airports under the administration of President Donald Trump. In 2018, three Cuban officials visited airports in Philadelphia; Arlington, Virginia; and Atlantic City, New Jersey, Howell said.

Mondays visit to MIA brought Cuban officials to a baggage screening area thats not open to the public but has been toured by media and other visitors, said Ralph Cutie, aviation director for Miami-Dade County, which owns the airport. He said no county officials were notified by their TSA counterparts about the visit, which the Cuban-American said left him appalled.

His boss, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat and ally of President Joe Biden, said she was shocked by the visit.

Levine Cava took office in 2020. Her predecessor, Republican Carlos Gimenez, is now a member of Congress. He said in social media posts that he is demanding an investigation into why the Biden administration allowed the visit to MIA, which he called pathetic and a danger to U.S. citizens.

Gimenez was mayor in 2015 and took office in the first half of 2011. In a videotaped question-and-answer session released by a spokesperson Wednesday afternoon, Gimenez said he wasnt notified of any Cuban officials visiting MIA while he was overseeing the airport as mayor.

As the mayor at the time, I knew nothing about it, he said. Had we known about it, then I think I would have raised the same concerns I am today.

Federal authorities said the Cuba visits are part of a broader program to promote better security screening at foreign airports with direct flights to the United States. Adding to the security stakes, there are 15 flights out of Cuba into MIA on a typical day, making it the fourth busiest international route at MIA.

TSA has cooperated with Cuba on civil aviation security for many years and has facilitated, with the Department of State, multiple such visits over the years, a State Department spokesperson said. Without this longstanding cooperation on civil aviation security, the direct flights between the United States and Cuba that so many Cuban-Americans and others use to visit and support their family members may not be possible.

On Tuesday, Florida Republican senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Miami representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar and Gimenez sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to express their profound concern and outrage over the latest visit of a Cuban delegation to MIA.

As you know, the Cuban regime is designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and has absolutely no reason to be invited to tour sensitive areas or view security protocols of an American airport which sole purpose is to safeguard the millions of travelers that pass through the U.S. commercial aviation system every year, they wrote on the letter.

They said Congress was not notified of the visit.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Concho Valley Electric Cooperative has reported that it is experiencing an outage in an area south of San Angelo.

According to a social media statement, the company stated that crews are currently traveling to the affected region to patrol the line and identify the issue. Once the issue is identified, the cooperative states that the crews will work as quickly as possible to restore power.

CVEC asks anyone experiencing an outage to report it via SmartHub or call the company at (325) 655-6957.

For an interactive map of electrical outages, visit the interactive outage web map.

This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
DA: 2 killed in crash hit by Madera driver with 6 DUI convictions

DA: 2 killed in crash hit by Madera driver with 6 DUI convictions

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The driver who was under the influence in a deadly crash south of Easton has been charged with the death of two Texas missionaries, the Fresno County District Attorneys Office announced on Tuesday.

According to court records, 54-year-old David Alvarado of Madera was driving a Ford F250 pickup truck north of Highway 41 at Manning Avenue at a high rate of speed. Alvarado crashed into vehicles stopped at a red light, injuring a motorist and killing 65-year-old Mary Hardin on scene and 69-year-old Paul Hardin at the hospital.

The sheriffs office says the couple was in the Fresno area from Helotes, Texas, serving as missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Second Texas missionary dies at hospital after Easton crash

The California Highway Patrols investigation revealed Alvarado was driving under the influence of alcohol. The concentration of alcohol in his system was reportedly more than double the legal limit to operate a vehicle.

As a result, the DA has charged Alvarado with the following:

Two Counts of MURDER [Penal Code 187]

Two Counts of GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER WHILE IMPAIRED WITH PRIOR CONVICTIONS [Penal Code 191.5(d)]

One Count of DRIVING WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OVER .08% CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY [Vehicle Code 23153(b)/Penal Code 12022.7(a)]

One Count of DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY [Vehicle Code 23153(a)/Penal Code 12022.7(a)]

One Count of DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE BASED ON A PRIOR DUI CONVICTION AND CAUSING INJURY [Vehicle Code 14601.4(a)]

One Count of DRIVING WITH A .01% OR HIGHER BAC WHILE ON DUI PROBATION [Vehicle Code 23154(a)]

The district attorney also adds Alvarado has six previous DUI convictions, with offenses occurring in 1997, 2005, 2006, two in 2019, and 2021. If convicted of the charges, he could face a sentence of five years plus 30 years to life in state prison.

Alvarado remains in custody and officials say he is set to be arraigned on Wednesday in Department 32 of the Fresno Superior Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
On May 22, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt established Crater Lake National Park in southwest Oregon, the fifth-oldest national park in the United States. File Photo by Mike Doukas/U.S. Geological Survey

On this date in history:

In 1868, seven members of the Reno gang stole $98,000 from a railway car at Marshfield, Ind. It was the original "Great Train Robbery."

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt established Crater Lake National Park in southwest Oregon, the fifth-oldest national park in the United States. The defining feature is Crater Lake, the remains of Mount Mazama, a volcano that collapsed after a major eruption thousands of years ago.

In 1972, Richard Nixon became the first U.S president to visit Moscow.

In 1987, a tornado flattened Saragosa, Texas, population 185, killing 29 residents and injuring 121.

Annika Sorenstam reacts to making birdie on the 2nd hole at the Bank of America Colonial PGA Golf tournament May 23, 2003, in Fort Worth, Texas. On May 22, she became the first woman in 59 years to compete in a PGA event. File Photo by Joe Mitchell/UPI

In 1990, South Yemen and North Yemen united, forming the new Yemeni Arab Republic.

In 1992, Johnny Carson ended his nearly 30-year career as host of The Tonight Show.

Police guard closed areas near Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, England on May 23, 2017. Twenty two people have been killed and dozens injured in Britain's deadliest terror attack in over a decade. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Tuesday for the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande show that left than 22 people dead as young concert goers fled in Manchester. Photo by Mushtaq Mohammed/UPI

File Photo by Mike Hill/UPI

In 2002, authorities in Birmingham, Ala., convicted a fourth suspect in a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls. Bobby Frank Cherry, 71, a former Ku Klux Klansman, was sentenced to life in prison.

An aerial view shows the destruction of residential neighborhoods in Joplin, Mo., after a tornado passed through May 22, 2011. File Photo by Tom Uhlenbrock/UPI

In 2003, Annika Sorenstam became the first woman in 59 years to compete in a PGA event but her 5-over-par 145 through two rounds of the Bank of America Colonial tournament failed to make the cut.

In 2011, the deadliest tornado to strike the United States in half a century roared into the heart of Joplin, Mo., with winds of 200 mph. It killed nearly 160 people, injured about 1,100 others and destroyed nearly one-third of the city. Damage was estimated in the $3 billion range.

Yemeni President Ali Saleh raises the Yemeni flag on May 22, 1990, at a ceremony marking the unification of North Yemen and South Yemen. File Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

File Photo by Rick Meyer/UPI

In 2015, voters in Ireland overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow civil same-sex marriage, making it the first nation in the world to legalize gay unions through a popular vote.

In 2017, a suicide bomber killed 22 people attending an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. More than 500 people sustained injuries.

In 2020, at least 76 people died in a fiery crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK-8303 near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport.

In 2023, the three states that make up the Colorado River Basin -- Arizona, California and Nevada -- reached a new conservation deal to preserve the future of the river system.

File Photo by Judith Calson/UPI
DA identifies man shot by Malden police following alleged armed robbery and assault on woman

Police have launched an investigation after an officer-involved shooting in a busy section of Malden on Wednesday morning, the Middlesex District Attorney says.

Dominique Matthew Long, 31, of Malden, was shot by police after a confrontation, according to authorities.

DA: Officer-involved shooting in Malden leaves victim hospitalized

The DAs office says Long engaged in an altercation with a 43-year-old Malden woman in the area of 260 Eastern Avenue around 9:15 a.m. Long allegedly threw a cup at the victim before punching her in the head and stealing her iPad while she was trying to record him before police were called to the scene.

Arriving officers say Long brandished a knife towards the victim before walking down Eastern Avenue.

Malden Police say they arrived on scene and began speaking with Long, who allegedly refused to comply with officers orders to put down a number of items he was carrying.

According to the DAs office, Long then pulled a kitchen-style knife from his pants pocket and began advancing toward officers. Police say they deployed less-than-lethal tasers that were ineffective.

Another officer at the scene then shot Long, striking him, police say. According to authorities, Long was responsive on scene and was transported to a Boston hospital where hes in stable condition.

The woman who was allegedly attacked by Long was also transported to the hospital and later released. Another officer was also transported and released in relation to this incident.

Longs cousin is baffled he was involved in a police confrontation.

Hes very much a very friendly, non-threatening, very goofy kid, silly kid, he said.

Long will be charged with armed robbery, assault and battery, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and intimidation of a witness. He will be arraigned when hes medically cleared.

Several cruisers and investigators could be seen canvassing an expansive crime scene on Eastern Avenue shortly after 10:30 a.m.

A hat and clothing could be seen on the ground surrounded by yellow crime scene tape near a Good Year Auto Service location.

Massachusetts State Police are assisting Malden police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Dead Boeing whistleblowers family says company may not have pulled the trigger but its responsible

The family of a dead Boeing whistleblower says that they hold the aircraft manufacturer responsible for his death, even if the company had not pulled the trigger.

John Barnett, 62, a quality control engineer at Boeing for 32 years, was found dead at a South Carolina hotel in March, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A coroner later ruled that he died by suicide. At the time he was testifying in a lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer.

An autopsy report, released by the Charleston County Coroner, stated that a review of Barnetts medical records and interviews with his family showed he was suffering from chronic stress brought on by the lawsuit, as well as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A note found by law enforcement in Barnetts truck demonstrated he was going through a period of serious personal distress, according to the autopsy report.

A note found by authorities in Barnetts vehicle expressed his frustration with Boeing and the whistleblower protection programme (City of Charleston Police Department)

Excerpts from the note, shared by Charleston police, showed the former employees frustration with the company as well as with the whistleblower protection programme, with one sentence reading: I pray Boeing pays.

Whistleblowers protection is f***** up too!

He also wrote: Family and friends, I love you I found my purpose! Im at peace!

On Tuesday, Barnetts family released a statement via their lawyers in which they reiterated their criticism for the manufacturer.

Mr. Barnetts last words make clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death, read the statement from attorneys Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles.

Mr Barnetts family wishes to thank the Coroner, the responders and all those who have reached out with kind words and support. It is hoped that Johns legacy will be his brave and courageous efforts to get Boeing to change its culture of concealment to one that places quality and safety first.

Barnett had alleged that Boeing intentionally used defective parts in its planes and warned that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner might face a lack of oxygen if a sudden decompression occurred.

He had traveled to Charleston on 26 February from Louisiana, to take part in a deposition as part of the lawsuit with Boeing. He was deposed by Boeing attorneys on 7 March and by his attorneys the next day.

John Barnett, a former Boeing employee-turned-whistleblower, died in March, while giving testimony in a lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer (@Megatron_ron/Twitter)

He was due to resume testimony on 9 March. In the autopsy report, Coroner Bobbi Jo ONeal, noted that Barnett had not responded to a courtesy call from his lawyers on that day.

After he failed to arrive for the proceedings, his lawyers called for a wellness check, and he was found dead, according to authorities.

The coroners report, released last week, came following the death of a second Boeing whistleblower earlier this month.

Joshua Dean, who worked as a quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, died earlier this month, according to his family. The 45-year-old who had an active lifestyle and was believed to be in good health, passed away in hospital following the onset of a fast-moving infection.

Attorney Brian Knowles previously told The Independent that the men were heroes who wanted to help the company do better.

He added that there were at least ten other Boeing whistleblowers out there, both former and current employees, who are safe and sound.

However, the incidents with Barnett and Dean have been unsettling for some, including Santiago Paredes  another whistleblower who has come forward publicly against Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Mr Paredes, 40, dismissed conspiracy theories about two other whistleblowers who died shortly after coming forward with claims of safety issues at Boeing suppliers, but admitted hes remaining vigilant about his own safety.

Santiago Paredes, another whistleblower, came out against Boeing supplier Spirt AeroSystems, after the deaths of John Barnett and Joshua Dean (Sheila Flynn)

Im always looking behind my mirror to make sure nobodys cars following me, he said. Im not saying that Im scared, but at the same time, I cant put a blind eye to the reality of what could be. I have to prepare myself for that.

Mr Paredes spent more than a decade as an inspector and team leader at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems before leaving in 2022 after repeatedly issuing warnings to superiors about quality control failings  which at one point resulted in his demotion, he says.

Spirit AeroSystems  not to be confused with Spirit Airlines  manufactures plane components, including fuselages and wing parts, and Boeing is its largest customer.

Questions and concerns about the safety of Boeings 737 Max 9 planes have been circulating since January, after after a door plug blew off in mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight. The FAA grounded all all 171 MAX 9 jets and instigated an investigation.

Mr Paredes had been friendly with Dean, an auditor, who contacted him last year and asked him to help with a shareholder lawsuit. Paredes agreed to participate anonymously  but went public with his claims earlier this month after Deans death, revealing that hed been encouraged to play down any defects he found when inspecting plane fuselages.

Im picking up the mantle of where he left off and I have to carry on and see it through, Paredes told The Independent.

Last week, Mr Paredes attended a celebration of Deans life at Cross Point Free Will Baptist Church. The gathering took place less than five miles from the sprawling headquarters of Spirit Aerosystems, which spans 600 acres and employs about 12,000  more than half the companys global workforce.

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.
Army officials and local police are investigating the recent off-post death of a 23-year-old Fort Campbell, Kentucky soldier as a homicide.

The Army Criminal Investigative Division notified the 101st Airborne Division of an ongoing homicide investigation with local law enforcement into the death of a soldier at her off-post residence in Clarksville, Tennessee, according a statement from the 101st Airborne Division on Tuesday.

Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar enlisted in the Army in 2018 as an information technology specialist, completing basic training at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia. Duenas-Aguilar moved to Fort Campbell in 2019. She was from Mesquite, Texas.

We are stunned by the death of Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar, 101st Airborne Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler said in a statement. In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate with Army and local investigative authorities on this matter.

The Clarksville Police Department responded to an ambulance call at approximately 8:33 p.m. on Saturday to Duenas-Aguilars residence, where she was found deceased. Local law enforcement ruled Duenas-Aguilars death a homicide on Sunday, releasing her identity on Tuesday after her family had been notified.

Duenas-Aguilars awards and commendations include two Army achievement medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, according to the statement.

Those with information or additional video footage are asked to contact Detective Hofinga of the Clarksville Police Department at (931) 648-0656, ext. 5720, according to a statement from the Clarksville Police Department. Those who prefer to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward can call the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Tipsline at (931) 645-8477, or go online and submit a tip at P3tips.com/591.
Before he managed to best a weak field in a heavily orchestrated 2021 election, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisis primary claim to fame  or infamy, as the case may be  was his role in sending 5,000 political prisoners to their deaths. That mass murder in 1988 was part of a larger campaign by Irans theocratic state to intimidate its increasingly frustrated citizenry in preparation for the end of the eight-year war with Iraq and the death of the revolutions founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Raisis many victims might find satisfaction in his death, but the repressive regime he leaves behind will outlive him.

It is perhaps fitting that Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday at 63, leaves behind another war that the regime helped to fuel and another looming leadership transition. Like the executions he fast-tracked in the revolutions early decades, Raisis elevation was intended to sustain the revolutionary enterprise through the much anticipated succession of its current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisis unexpected loss will force the aging scions of Irans theocracy to improvise at a precarious moment at home and around the region. How they navigate this challenge will prove decisive for the future of Iran and the broader Middle East.

The ascension of Raisi to the regimes second highest office was not a function of any discernible charisma or political skill, but rather an acknowledgment that he possessed the qualities most valuable for late-stage autocracy  mindless loyalty to the ruling system, a track record of unhesitating brutality and deep integration within the religious, familial and security networks that underpin the state. In this sense, he was a reliable functionary of the clerical state, a symptom not the cause of its domestic repression and regional aggression.

For that reason, his death is not likely to precipitate meaningful changes in Iranian policies. What may have changed is the considerable appetite for risk that Tehran has demonstrated over the past several years. From blindly enforcing religious strictures on their rebellious constituents to nearly going to war with Israel, the regime seems to disregard its own practical interests. Irans senior leadership necessarily will find itself more consumed by the task of ensuring a smooth transition to a new president amidst voter apathy and a recent history of internal unrest. However, Khamenei and the security services will be acutely aware of the risk inherent in any perception of vulnerability, both in terms of their external posture as well as internal politics. As a result, we should expect a skittish, reactive Iran that may be more dangerous if it perceives itself on the defensive.

As with many aging leaders, Khamenei is facing his own generational dilemmas. He has been aggressive in purging his peers and the old establishment figures such as the former president Hassan Rouhani and former speaker of the parliament, Ali Larijani. These men were at times prone to question his judgment and even challenge his decrees. They were, after all, responsible for transacting an arms control agreement with the perfidious Americans that yielded little in terms of economic dividends. And then, former President Donald Trump's team simply abrogated the accord and reimposed all sanctions. And with that, Washington helped to collapse the center of Iranian politics.



In one of the many paradoxes of Iran, Khamenei finds that he has more in common with the younger generation of reactionaries than his own contemporaries. This cohort is drawn from traditional classes with their attachment to God and his divine republic. They were trained at colleges such as Imam Sadiq University whose curriculum is heavy on religion and light on sciences. They are the foot soldiers of the revolution, manning the security services and the Revolutionary Guards Corps. They have their own political party in the form of the Paydari (Steadfastness) Party and their own publications. Raisi was acceptable to them given his grisly legacy, but they view most of their elders as corrupt relics of the past. They dominate the parliament and are now eyeing the presidency. Among the men that could be acceptable presidents for this cohort would be the former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and the current minister of roads and urban development, Mehrdad Bazrpash. They believe their time has come.

Looming over all this is Khameneis stage-managing of his own succession. This will not be just about the survival of the republic but safeguarding its revolutionary identity. Khamenei needs men who will not go wobbly in the face of international pressure or yield to temptations of commerce with the West, as Rouhani did. He has little choice but to entrust his state to one of the last segments of his society that still believes in Gods cause. In essence, the Islamic Republic is in the process of being handed over to untested ideologues.

Foreign policy debates no longer fracture Irans elite the way they once did. The remarkable success of Irans so-called axis of resistance is hard to dispute. Irans conglomeration of proxies and militias have helped defeat America in Iraq and Afghanistan, humbled Saudi Arabia in Yemen, preserved the Assad Dynasty in Syria and traumatized Israel on Oct. 7. This is imperialism on the cheap.

The remaining issue that Khamenei has to settle before his own passing is the nuclear program. Irans scientists and technicians have done their job and there are probably no longer any remaining technological barriers to detonation. Khamenei has expanded the nuclear infrastructure in terms of size and sophistication but has been hesitant about crossing the final line and actually detonating the bomb. As he contemplates his last and most consequential decision, he will increasingly be surrounded by men who feel they have little to lose in the age of American decline in the Middle East.

Raisi was in many ways a transitional figure. He represented the last gasp of those who were present at the creation of the revolution. Under the watchful eye of Khamenei, a new generation is about to assume power. And they believe the world is going their way.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan is hosting a presentation of roadmaps for 2024 on the topics of Entry into Business and Taxation of the Business Readiness project, which Azerbaijan is implementing with the World Bank (WB), Trend reports.

Representatives of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, State Statistics Committee, Central Bank, Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), and other structures are participating in the discussions.

Meanwhile, reports were made by the head of the working group Taxes and reporting, deputy head of the State Tax Service Ilkin Valiyev, and the head of the working group Entry into business, deputy head of the State Tax Service Samira Musayeva, head of the sector of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and head of the secretariat of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings, Vusal Shikhaliyev (who presented the work on the World Bank's project Business Ready).

Particularly, Shikhaliyev noted that this project with the WB is based on such components as the functionality of business areas in the country and business rules affecting the development of the private sector as a whole.

The project covered two important areas - the indicators Entry into Business and Taxation, and two-year roadmaps have been implemented in these areas over the past period, he explained.

According to him, the new road maps, approved for 2024, will include raising the existing processes to a higher level, implementing several innovations, and finalizing regulatory and technical processes.

Deputy Head of the State Tax Service and Head of the Entry into Business working group, Samira Musayeva, gave general information to the meeting participants about the Entry into Business roadmap, its sub-indicators, and its components, as well as spoke about the reforms carried out in the sphere of state registration of commercial legal entities.

She mentioned that draft amendments to the laws On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Azerbaijan have been submitted to the Azerbaijani Parliament for consideration.

As a result of the work carried out, technical possibilities for electronic regulation of commercial legal entities' information have been created, electronic signature SIMA has started to be successfully applied in online registration of commercial legal entities, and information resources have been improved, Musayeva added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A prosecutor told a judge Wednesday that they intend to seek the death penalty for Larry Acree, the man accused of fatally shooting an Independence police officer and a Jackson County court employee during an eviction.

In a brief hearing Wednesday afternoon, Jeremy Baldwin, assistant prosecuting attorney, told the presiding judge that the prosecutors officer planned to file the death penalty notice.

Acrees attorney, Edward Berrigan of the Missouri State Public Defenders office, asked for a continuance so that the public defenders who handle such cases could be reassigned.

A grand jury has indicted Acree on 18 felonies relating to the shooting that killed Independence police officer Cody Allen and Jackson County civil process server Drexel Mack on Feb. 29. Two other Independence officers were also injured in the shooting.

Larry Acree has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and three counts of armed criminal action in the mass shooting that killed Independence police officer Cody Allen, 35, and Jackson County Circuit Court civil process server Drexel Mack, 41.

Platte County Judge Megan B. Benton, assigned to preside over the case, scheduled Acree to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. July 10 at the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence.

Prosecutors in the Kansas City region have rarely sought the death penalty in recent years. In March 2023, Clay County prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in the case against Joshua Rocha. He was charged with first-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of North Kansas City police officer Daniel Vasquez, and is scheduled to go to trial in September 2025.

Eleven people are on death row in Missouri. Those convictions were out of Butler, Camden, Carter, Cole, Green, Jefferson, Phelps, St. Charles and St. Louis counties, according to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

One man faces a June 11 execution date.

The state has ramped up its use of the death penalty, executing four people last year and a man last month.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

When Missouri voters head to the ballot box this year, theyll be asked to sign off on a measure that would ban ranked-choice voting or ranking candidates by preference.

But the first bullet point that will appear on the ballot question has nothing to do with that issue. It instead will ask Missourians whether to ban non-U.S. citizens from voting in the state, a practice that is already illegal.

Disputes among lawmakers over whether to include a ban on non-citizen voting ultimately tanked a separate measure to weaken direct democracy. It was a key win for Democrats, who argued Republicans were using the non-citizen language as a way to deceive voters.

However, Missouri voters will still see similar language on the ballot this year. House Republicans, in the waning hours of the legislative session, passed a measure that included a ban on non-citizen voting attached to the ballot question that would outlaw ranked-choice voting.

The measure that will appear on the ballot, likely in November, will be a test for whether the non-citizen language can encourage enough Missourians to approve it. The provision has been referred to as ballot candy, or a way to entice voters as Republicans seize on fears about illegal immigration.

Its absolutely a deceptive ballot measure, Rep. Eric Woods, a Kansas City Democrat, said in an interview.

The core of the ballot measure would officially ban ranked-choice voting in Missouri, a practice that is not largely used in the state that allows voters to rank their preferred candidates in order of preference. It includes a carve-out for St. Louis, which implemented a form of approval voting in municipal elections in 2020.

Supporters of ranked-choice voting argue that it gives voters a chance to elect candidates more closely aligned with their values and seeks to discourage polarization. But Republicans nationwide have targeted the practice as several states, such as Alaska and Maine, have implemented forms of ranked-choice voting.

House Republicans argued last week that ranked-choice voting would confuse voters.

When Ive worked the different poll locations, Ive seen how confused oftentimes the voters are and I feel like ranked-choice voting will just add to that even more, Rep. Aaron McMullen, an Independence Republican, said on Friday.

Larry Bradley is a member of a group called Better Ballot KC that is pushing for ranked-choice voting in Kansas City. He said in an interview that he felt Republicans attached the non-citizen voting provision to encourage Missourians to vote in favor of the measure.

They decided to do that because they felt people wouldnt look beyond that, he said. This is a blatant attempt to keep ranked-choice voting from being authorized for use in the state of Missouri.

The specific language of the ballot question appears to acknowledge that only U.S. citizens can vote in Missouri. It will ask voters whether to make the state constitution consistent with state law by only allowing citizens of the United States to vote.

Some Republicans argue that the language in the Missouri Constitution, which states that all citizens of the United States can vote, is not strong enough. Theyre pushing for it to state only U.S. citizens.

In our opinion, the language in our constitution is ambiguous, said Rep. Adam Schwadron, a St. Charles Republican running for secretary of state. When you have the word all citizens are able to vote instead of only, that still does not preclude any local municipality from allowing non-citizens to vote.

However, the Missouri Secretary of State Offices website makes clear that individuals must be a citizen of the United States in order to vote. Missouri law also requires voters to state whether they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote.

The Missouri ballot question comes amid a growing focus on non-citizen voting by Republicans nationally.

Some falsely allege non-citizens are voting  or could vote  in large numbers, which election experts and Democrats say is a ploy to set the groundwork for former President Donald Trump to dispute the results of the election if he loses this November.

But some Republicans who have raised the issue are concerned about a small number of municipalities and school boards nationally that have allowed some form of non-citizen voting in local elections (federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections).

Theres an effort to conflate two very different issues, said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, which seeks to build trust in elections.

Becker, speaking with reporters this week, said good reasons exist to support or oppose non-citizen voting in local elections. But he emphasized that the practice is exceedingly rare.

Rep. Robert Sauls, an Independence Democrat running for state Senate, pushed back on Schwadrons argument about the wording of the state constitution.

Our constitution makes it clear that only citizens can vote, he said in a statement. I swore an oath to uphold the constitution and stand by it.

Sauls added that he would prefer that the non-citizen language not be used as ballot candy to get less popular issues across the finish line.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson, in an interview with a Nexstar Media Group reporter earlier this month, also appeared to confirm that state law already bans non-citizens from voting.

Its already illegal for an illegal to vote in the state of Missouri, he said. Weve already got that part.

While Parson was speaking about the language attached to the separate legislation that would have made it harder for Missourians to amend the state constitution, he made his point clear.

Im passionate about, you know, you gotta be a citizen to vote and thats all there is to it in Missouri. I think right now our laws are pretty strict on that, he said. We know that the Secretary of States Office, the way we do things here, that were not gonna allow that to happen.

He went on to say that the whole idea of making sure it doesnt happen in the future, I think thats what everybodys trying to do.

Dispute over ballot candy

Similar deceptive language became a flashpoint in the Missouri Senate over a measure that would make it harder for Missourians to amend the state constitution. Democrats mounted a record-breaking filibuster to push Republicans to remove the provision from the ballot question.

Republican senators, who were gripped by infighting this year, were unable to agree on cutting off the filibuster and the legislation died on the final day of the legislative session.

Despite the rancor over that legislation, the non-citizen voting provision was largely not discussed during debate on the anti-ranked-choice voting legislation last week.

Rep. Brad Banderman, a St. Clair Republican, pointed to this discrepancy on Friday, saying there was a robust conversation in both chambers over non-citizen voting attached to the other measure.

It seems like weve been wringing our hands for about a week or two on this particular issue, but on this daythe other side of the aisle doesnt seem to be standing at mics complaining, he said.

Schwadron, the St. Charles Republican, criticized ranked-choice voting in an interview, saying that it has resulted in successful candidates who typically would not have won under other forms of voting. He specifically pointed to Republican-leaning Alaska, in which Democrat Mary Peltola was elected to the U.S. House in 2022.

We feel that that is not a system that we want to see here in Missouri and, ultimately, it is a decision for the voters to make, he said.

But for Bradley with Better Ballot KC, the current voting process is flawed and allows for candidates who receive less than 50% of the vote to win an election.

He also pointed to elections that have spoiler candidates in which voters feel a need to vote for a candidate that doesnt completely align with their views in order to prevent another candidate from winning.

When you go to ranked-choice voting, both those problems are solved, he said. You no longer are afraid to vote for who you really want to.
Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen is again seeking to have the case against him dismissed, raising new allegations that police and prosecutors failed to turn over critical evidence that could clear him of the killings.

At the heart of the motion to dismiss are pieces of evidence involving a man who defense attorneys have alleged was involved in the deaths of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German. A key part of Allen's defense are allegations that a group of Odinists killed the girls in 2017 during a sacrificial ritual in the woods.

Delphi murder suspect Richard M. Allen on Monday, May 6, 2024, when he was booked into the jail at Allen County, Indiana.

A 20-page motion filed Monday cites missing extraction data from the phone of alleged Odinist Brad Holder, who told defense attorneys in a recent deposition that he'd turned over his phone to investigators on Feb. 17, 2017, just days after Abby and Libby were killed. Andrew Baldwin, one of Allen's attorneys, said prosecutors have yet to turn over any data extracted from Holder's phone.

Holder also testified during his recent deposition that he spoke with investigators first on Feb. 17, 2017, and again a year or so later. But prosecutors have not turned over recordings of that second interview. Recordings of Holder's first interview with police were accidentally taped over, Delphi's police chief at that time testified at a previous court hearing.

The Delphi case: Judge denies murder suspect's motion to dismiss the charges

Finally, Baldwin cites an image posted on Holder's social media that "holds an eerie similarity to the actual crime scene." Defense attorneys have alleged that the girls' bodies were staged in a way that points to Odinism. Prosecutors, Baldwin said, have also yet to turn over the image that an Indiana State Police trooper found on Holder's social media account in the spring of 2017.

Baldwin notes that Holder  whose son, Logan Holder, dated Abby  had given inconsistent answers when asked if he'd met his son's girlfriend. According to the court filing, Holder told police in his Feb. 17, 2017, interview that he never met Abby. More than six years later, he claimed to have met Abby once. And during his recent deposition, he said he met the teen twice.

speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017.

"Brad Holder's ever changing answers to such a simple question provides evidence that the missing items ... are exculpatory in nature," Baldwin wrote.

Baldwin also noted that many of the pieces of evidence that prosecutors have failed to turn over involve Odinism and alleged Odinists.

"Richard Allen cannot have a fair trial when exculpatory evidence that would support the involvement of third-party suspects is missing," Baldwin wrote, adding that "only so many coincidences can explain" why several pieces of evidence involving Holder and Odinism are missing.

Evidence leak, suicide, Odinists: Inside 'bizarre' Delphi murders case

This is the second time that Allen sought dismissal. His attorneys sought to dismiss the case earlier this year, arguing that video and audio recordings of police interviews of possible suspects believed to be tied to Odinism had been erased. These include recordings of the Feb. 17, 2017 interview with Holder.

Special Judge Frances Gull denied the request, saying the defense failed to show that the evidence was exculpatory and that it was destroyed negligently.

Officers transport murder suspect Richard Allen during a hearing regarding sealed documents, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Ind.

Steve Mullins, Delphi police chief at the time of the killings, testified during a hearing in March that the recordings from the February 2017 interviews were lost after the recorder was mistakenly left on and the drive's large memory was filled.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland is asking Gull to prevent testimony about Odinism, cult or ritualistic killing and other pieces of evidence from being presented to the jury, arguing they're irrelevant, unfounded and misleading.

Allen's trial, which has been rescheduled multiple times, is now set to start in October. Jurors will be selected in Allen County and will be transported to and sequestered in Carroll County for the duration of the trial, which is expected to last five weeks.

Lafayette Journal & Courier reporter Ron Wilkins contributed to this story. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen seeks to dismiss case again
House Republicans invoked Wednesday a rule meant to keep House floor debate somewhat civil to instead punish a Democratic lawmaker who recited the litany of charges against former president Donald Trump.

Basically, what theyre trying to do now is cancel people. Theyre trying to cancel people who are speaking up in a way that they dont approve of. Thats the strategy, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) told reporters after a portion of his debate speech on the House floor was ruled out of order.

The dustup kept the House at a standstill for a bit more than 45 minutes after Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) made a motion to take down McGoverns words from the record after he listed Trumps alleged crimes during debate on the floor.

McGovern said a candidate for President of the United States is on trial for sending a hush money payment to a porn star to avoid a sex scandal during his 2016 campaign, summarizing Trumps current trial in New York City.

He is also charged with conspiring to overturn the election. He is also charged with stealing classified information. And a jury has already found him liable for rape in a civil court, McGovern said, describing Trumps other current and past run-ins with the law. Trump was found liable for sexual assault in May 2023, although the judge in that trial acknowledged that it fit the colloquial definition of rape.

And yet in this Republican-controlled House, its OK to talk about the trial, but you have to call it a sham, McGovern said, which is when Houchin objected.

The presiding officer, Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), agreed, ruling after a long delay that presumptive nominees for president enjoy the same debate protections as members of Congress and the sitting president do. Under House rules, floor debate is supposed to be restricted to the question under debate, avoiding personality.

McGoverns never been punished similarly before, even though he has a reputation as a pugnacious floor debater as the top-ranking member of the House Rules Committee. He said hes made much worse remarks in debate before.

Their candidate for president has been indicted more times than hes been elected, he said May 15 on the floor, which drew a similar warning from the chair about engaging in personalities but no punishment.

While taking down words is uncommon, it is part of the often rough-and-tumble nature of floor rhetoric where each of 435 members vies for any way to get attention and tempers can flare. Many times the disputes are resolved with a vote on whether to affirm the chairs ruling that a members words were out of order. McGovern said he didnt call for one this time because Democrats would have lost.

Leaving the House floor where he was barred from speaking for the rest of the day as part of his punishment, McGovern said the episode showed how extreme Republicans are.

And how sensitive they are in a way that, I think, is irrational.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) received a rebuke on the House floor Wednesday after he remarked on former President Trumps ongoing hush money trial, comments that were deemed offensive.

The spat  which grinded the House floor to a halt for more than an hour  began after McGovern, during debate on a procedural rule, described Trumps current legal entanglements in no uncertain terms, mentioning the hush money case and allegations that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

We have a presumptive nominee for president facing 88 felony counts, and were being prevented from even acknowledging it, said McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee. These are not alternative facts. These are real facts.

A candidate for president of the United States is on trial for sending hush money payment to a porn star to avoid a sex scandal during his 2016 campaign, and then fraudulently disguising those payments in violation of the law, he continued. Hes also charged with conspiring to overturn the election. Hes also charged with stealing classified information, and a jury has already found him liable for rape in a civil court.

McGovern added, And yet, in this Republican-controlled House, its OK to talk about the trial, but you have to call it a sham.

A jury in May 2023 found that Trump sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s then defamed her by denying her claims, but the jurors did not find that he committed rape.

Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), who was managing the rule debate for Republicans, asked twice that McGoverns comments be taken down, speaking over the Massachusetts Democrat as he continued his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I demand that his words be taken down, Houchin said.

Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), who was presiding over the chamber at the time, asked McGovern to sit down, and the chamber then went into an elongated standstill, with individuals determining how to proceed with Houchins request.

More than an hour later, Carl ruled that McGoverns words  which he deemed offensive  would be taken down, concluding that a presumed nominee for president should receive the same treatment as a sitting president under the rules of decorum in debate, and that alleging the presumptive GOP nominee did something illegal is not in order.

Although remarks in debate may include criticism of such candidates official position as a candidate, it is a breach of order to refer to the candidate in terms personally offensive, whether by actually accusing or by merely insulting, Carl said after the pause. The acquisition that the president has committed a crime or even that the president has done something illegal is not in order.

The chairs ruling bars McGovern from speaking on the House floor for the remainder of the day.

They can get around and they can, you know, characterize the trial as a sham and that the judge is corrupt and the jury is rigged, thats perfectly fine, they never get admonished for saying that. And I said what I said, which everything is factual, I didnt characterize  I didnt say he was guilty of anything, an incredulous McGovern said shortly after the incident.

It mustve hit a nerve, and they moved to take my words down and basically canceled me or silenced me for the rest of the day, he added.

He told reporters, Theres nothing I said that I regret.

The ruling was extraordinary, setting up a potentially significant precedent in the House where future comments about ongoing legal proceedings could be stricken from the record.

Some Democrats were quick to criticize the conclusion, questioning why McGoverns comments  which stated the facts of Trumps ongoing legal proceedings  were stricken.

So facts cant be said on the House floor now? Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) wrote on social platform X.

McGovern said the move by Houchin was stupid because it actually amplifies what I said.

It is clear that they are, you know, theyre so afraid of Trump, he later added. Theyre all, you know, this cult-like devotion to him that they cant tolerate anybody saying anything that they deem as negative about him on the House floor.

Filip Timotija contributed.

Updated at 3:24 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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APPLETON - Fox Valley-area Senate candidate Joseph Carman is bowing out of the race early to throw his support behind challenger Kristin Alfheim.

Carman announced Wednesday he is ending his Democratic primary campaign to unify support for Appleton Common Council member Alfheim to make it onto the November ballot.

The 21-year-old University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire student and Appleton native said he came to the conclusion that Alfheim would be the most likely Democratic candidate to win Senate District 18. Carman is hoping for more Democratic wins in the Legislature this year to even out the playing field as Republican senators currently have a supermajority.

"I decided to drop out of the race because I think Kristin Alfheim is in the best position to win the district," Carman told The Post-Crescent. "I fully endorse her as the Democratic nominee."

Joseph Carman

Alfheim told The Post-Crescent she welcomes the endorsement.

"The right answer is to have some unity and put our best foot forward," Alfheim said. "Having some experience in the political world locally and at the state level puts me in a position of really being impactful in this race."

Under recently reshaped maps, Senate District 18 now covers the lakeshore communities of Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha and Appleton.

Carman's endorsement leaves Alfheim as the sole Democratic candidate for District 18, eliminating the need for a Democratic primary and securing her place on the November ballot. Currently, the only Republican to enter this Senate race is oncologist Anthony Phillips.

Wisconsin Senate candidates still have until June 3 to return nomination papers to secure a space on the ballot. They would need to collect between 400 and 800 signatures.

While political office is off the table for Carman this year, he said he still has ambitions to run in the future and will help his grandfather, Joe Pacovsky, with his campaign for a state representative seat in Minnesota in the meantime.

"I wanted to start young because I think it's the best time to jump in and learn," Carman said. "While I won't win this time, I've gained a lot of experience for down the road."

This is Alfheim's second bid for Fox Valley Senate district

Appleton alderperson Kristin Alfheim launches her bid for Senate District 18 Feb. 29 at the Democratic Party of Outagamie County office.

Alfheim ran in 2022 for Senate District 19, which previously covered the Appleton-Neenah area, against Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara.

Cabral-Guevara narrowly secured the district winning 53% of the vote against Alfheim.

But Alfheim hopes her familiar name and previous campaign experience will help get her to the Legislature this time around.

"Having a couple of years under my belt and learning all the mechanics of how (the state government) works will make me a better candidate," Alfheim said.

New election maps give the Fox Valley a Democratic edge

Gov. Tony Evers signed new election maps into law in February that even out the playing field for Democrats and Republicans in the state Legislature.

Wisconsin currently has 10 Democratic senators but the new maps bump up the number of Democratic-leaning Senate districts to 14.

This includes Senate District 18, which will be the sole Democratic-leaning Senate district in northeastern Wisconsin, with a 55% Democratic lean.

Under the previous 2022 and 2011 maps, all Senate districts covering the Fox Valley had a 52% Republican lean. This is according to an analysis of the maps by Marquette University Lubar Center research fellow John Johnson, who compared Wisconsin's current maps to the new ones and determined its partisan lean based on Republican or Democratic vote share in the 2022 election.

With the new slight Democratic edge, the Oshkosh area could see the first Democratic senator since Jessica King in 2012 and Appleton could see its first blue win since Gary Goyke was in office in 1982.

Senate District 18's lines changed drastically between the 2022 and 2024 maps. The 2022 boundaries surrounded Oshkosh, Omro, Waupun and Fond du Lac and is currently held by Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, who is now running in District 20.

Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Joseph Carman endorses Kristin Alfheim for Senate District 18
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday pushed back on claims that former President Trumps political opponents are out to kill him as outlandish and dangerous and urged GOP colleagues to tamp down conspiracies he worries could lead to violence.

What Donald Trump said falsely suggesting his political opponents are out to kill him is beyond the pale and is the stuff that leads to political violence, Schumer said on the Senate floor. Donald Trump seems to have no consideration for the sanctity and peacefulness and further functioning of our democracy.

Schumer called the claim absurd and pointed out that the FBI consulted with the Secret Service before they went into Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to search for classified records now at the center of one of the former presidents court cases. Trump was in New Jersey when they searched his Florida home.

And Schumer warned that Trump appears to be trying to rev up his supporters in the same way he did on Jan. 6, 2021, when they stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election.

What Donald Trump is doing [is] using conspiracy theories to spin the hard right into a frenzy, and its despicable for members of Congress to spread Donald Trumps lies. This is how people get killed, how the seeds of political violence are sowed, and how people lose faith in democracy, he said.

Schumer was responding to Trumps claim that FBI agents were ready to take him out when they raided Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 to recover classified documents.

Trump claimed in a fundraising email Tuesday that FBI agents were locked & loaded ready to take me out because law enforcement documents unveiled this week included a statement that officers were authorized to use deadly force if confronted with imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.

He doubled down on the claim in a post on his social media site Truth Social.

WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the Icebox, and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Bidens DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, he posted.

Trumps allies, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, have echoed the claim.

Its the weaponization of justice in America, he told his viewers Tuesday. This was not typical federal search.

But Schumer said the statement on use of force is standard law enforcement practice.

What the FBI did was follow standard practice. They worked with the Secret Service at Mar-a-Lago ahead of time to coordinate how to carry out a search warrant. Donald Trump wasnt even in Florida but instead in New Jersey on the day of the search. So this idea that his political opponents are out to kill him is absurd, Schumer said.

And he warned that if lawmakers in both parties dont condemn Trumps claim, it could set the stage for future political violence.

Every single member of the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, should condemn Donald Trumps outlandish and dangerous statement, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The operative running the campaign of Miami Democratic congressional candidate Phil Ehr was arrested Tuesday at an event in Wynwood where she was raising money for another Democrat running to claim a congressional seat in the Tampa Bay area.

Vanessa Brito, announced last month as Ehrs campaign manager, was taken into custody by Miami police just before the scheduled end of a fundraiser for Democrat Sabrina Bousbar at Gramps Wynwood, her arrest report shows. Video of the arrest obtained by the Miami Herald showed Brito being led to a police car outside of Gramps.

Brito was picked up on an outstanding bench warrant related to a petit theft charge for allegedly shoplifting $118.24 in clothes, homeware and other items from a Target department store in Midtown Miami in 2017. The warrant was issued in early 2018 after Brito failed to show up for her court date.

Join me this Tuesday at @grampswynwood to support Latina powerhouse @SabrinaBousbar for Congress! Sabrina is running to unseat extremist Anna Paulina Luna. Let's get our country back on track Miami style!

May 21 | 6-8 PM | Gramps, Miami pic.twitter.com/Cf4r5nFIQX  Vanessa Brito (@VanessaBritoMia) May 19, 2024

A spokesperson for the Miami Police Department said that the arrest was made in response to an anonymous 911 call reporting Britos location and noting that there was an active warrant out for her arrest. Once officers verified the warrant, they asked Brito to step outside, where they explained the situation and took her into custody.

Ehr, a Navy veteran who four years ago unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, is the lone Democrat running to unseat U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez in Floridas 28th congressional district this year.

Bousbar is among a handful of Democrats running for the nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who represents a St. Petersburg-area congressional district.

Phone calls to Ehr and Brito went unanswered on Wednesday. Ehrs campaign did not respond to the Heralds request for comment on the arrest.

Democrat Phil Ehr stands with former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell during an October Miami press conference announcing his campaign to run in the Democratic primary for Floridas 28th congressional district, represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez.

A spokesperson for Bousbars campaign said that neither Bousbar nor her staff were aware of the circumstances surrounding Britos arrest. The spokesperson said that while Brito was among the fundraisers co-hosts, she did not purchase a ticket to the event, nor had she previously worked with or donated to the campaign.

Brito, a longtime political operative best known for her involvement in the historic recall efforts in 2011 that resulted in the ousted of then-County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, has been paid at least $10,500 by the Ehr campaign, according to campaign finance records. She also worked on former Miami-Dade Community Coucilman Johnny Farias unsuccessful 2023 campaign for state House.

A booking report shows that Britos $3,500 bond had been posted.

Vanessa Brito, arrested Tuesday in Miami, played a role in one of Miami-Dade Countys most tumultuous political eras. She is pictured here on the Dade County courthouse steps after a hearing on an ultimately successful effort to recall then-County Commissioner Natacha Seijas.

Other issues

The Tuesday night arrest marked Britos latest run-in with the law. Months after she was arrested for shoplifting in 2017, she was arrested again in Daytona Beach and charged with trespassing at a Walgreens. She pleaded no contest in that case and was fined $223, according to court records. Adjudication was withheld.

Brito is also facing a lawsuit in Broward County, where shes accused of pocketing $30,000 from a GoFundMe intended to pay for legal representation in a class action lawsuit to force Florida to restore extended federal unemployment benefits that the state ended before those benefits were set to expire.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Scott Behren, who said that Brito never paid him for his work on the case. Brito was held in contempt multiple times in that case for failing to comply with the courts requests for information. A judge ultimately ordered Brito to pay Behren $29,000, as well as another $2,624 in legal fees and court costs.

In a brief phone interview on Wednesday, Behren said that he had still not received any payment from Brito, and was looking for other means to collect the money from her.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Kirby Wilson contributed to this report.
The Democratic National Committee has launched a campaign to target the desperate race to the bottom to become Donald Trumps running mate.

The DNCs Trumps MAGA Veepstakes will highlight the Republican vice presidential hopefuls anti-abortion views, election lies, and support for gutting healthcare and Social Security.

Like any narcissist, Donald Trump will choose a VP in his image: an extreme, anti-choice MAGA election denier who wants to rip away Americans freedoms and sell out working families to help their special interest donors, DNC communications director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Trump has floated dozens of names, and while he trots them around like sad show ponies on the campaign trail, it doesnt really matter whos in his good graces one day and whos shooting their dog the next.

Trumps VP contenders have all already shown they pass his extreme, MAGA litmus test.

The campaign, first reported by Axios, will shape Democratic messaging during President Joe Bidens re-election campaign, which has broadened its scope to warn against the Republican partys growing far-right antidemocratic agenda and Mr Trumps dominance across US politics.

The MAGA Veepstakes campaign will reach across social media, in rapid response messaging and in candidates remarks, advertisements and debates, a DNC official told The Independent.

US Rep Byron Donalds, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, House Speaker Mike Johnson, former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Rep Cory Mills attend Donald Trumps hush money trial on May 14 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Democrats will hammer Mr Trumps shortlist of running mates, which is chock full of anti-abortion extremists who are in lockstep with Trumps cruel anti-choice agenda to rip away womens freedoms, according to the DNC.

The campaign also will target the partys extreme election denialism and Mr Trumps bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Democrats will also focus on potential running mates who have vowed to gut the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, as well as Medicare and Social Security, and the GOPs yearslong records of threatening seniors pocketbooks.

The campaign will also zoom in on candidates support for Trump-backed tax cuts.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem hugs Donald Trump at a campaign rally in September 2023. (REUTERS)

Mr Trump has not yet unveiled a running mate but hasnt turned away praise from a parade of loyalists who appear to be vying for the spot.

A string of hopefuls have been putting in an appearance at his hush money trial in New York, acting as his surrogates to rail against the case and the judge.

Vice President Kamala Harris has already accepted an invitation from CBS to debate Mr Trumps running mate on the network on either July 23 or August 13.

But Mr Trump wants it on Fox News.

The DNC and their media defenders will stop at nothing to gaslight the American people into believing their lies and forgetting their disastrous record, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Further support of projects such as the Middle Corridor not only will boost political and economic relations within the region, but also will support regional goals for connectivity, said Efgan Nifti, President of the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

He noted that the developments witnessed in the Caspian region in the last 12 months have been remarkable.

These include progress in the development of the Middle Corridor, ongoing reconciliation steps between Armenia and Azerbaijan, heightened levels of engagement and investment from a diverse array of global donors, the enduring ramifications of the war in Ukraine, challenges posed by climate crises, matters concerning Black Sea security, the ongoing energy transition, and the increasing significance of critical minerals, added Nifti.

CPC President Nifti highlighted that Russian trade routes are hampered by sanctions while maritime trade is constricted by hostilities in the Middle East.

"The need for diversification of trade routes is obvious. This has injected new momentum into the development of regional transport connectivity in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Further support of projects such as the Middle Corridor not only will boost political and economic relations within the region, but also will support regional goals for connectivity, energy diversification, and long-term development, he said.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Wednesday! If you or someone you know has amassed a hefty fortune in Bitcoin, you can use it to give to the Trump campaign, which began accepting cryptocurrency as a form of donation Tuesday.

Up to Speed

Former President Donald Trump sparked (more) controversy after his Truth Social account posted and later deleted a video that had obscured text promising a unified reich if he is elected. In a video detailing hypothetical headlines in a possible second Trump term, smaller text reads: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED  DRIVEN BY THE CREATION OF A UNIFIED REICH. A Trump spokeswoman said a person from outside the campaign created the video, and a staffer posted it to the former presidents account without seeing the controversial text while Trump was in court for his hush money trial. President Joe Biden called the text Hitlers languagenot Americas at a fundraiser in Boston Tuesday.

For the first time this election cycle, Trumps campaign apparatus raised more money in a calendar month than Bidens, reflecting a slowdown in fundraising for the Democratic president. The Trump campaign and its affiliated committees (which includes the Republican National Committee) raised a total of $76.2 million in April, compared to Biden and the Democratic National Committee bringing in just $51 million in the same period, according to the New York Times. Biden remains well ahead in cash on hand, $84.5 million to Trumps $48 million.

Meanwhile the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee outraised its Republican counterpart in April with a record $12.4 million, compared to the National Republican Congressional Committees $10 million. That total contributed to the Democratic House campaign arms total cash on hand of $75.9 million compared to the $59.8 million for the Republican House arm. Democrats have also enjoyed a fundraising advantage in the presidential race as Donald Trump attempts to catch up to President Joe Biden while the former president also pays his legal bills.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is running as the Republican nominee for the states Senate seat, released his campaigns first TV ad Tuesday, in which he promised to codify Roe v. Wade. Ill support legislation that makes Roe the law of the land, in every state, so every woman can make her own choice, he said in the ad. His comments mirror those he gave to the New York Times last week, describing himself as pro-choice. Notably, however, he put himself to the right of his Democratic opponent Angela Alsobrooks, supporting a more moderate bill to codify Roe than the one she has called for.

Republicans in West Virginia are considering pulling Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin into the states governors race, the local MetroNews reported Monday. Those encouraging Manchin to run are dissatisfied with the result of the states Republican primary last week, which saw Attorney General Patrick Morissey defeat former state Delegate Moore Capito (son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito), whom Republican Senate nominee Gov. Jim Justice endorsed via his pet bulldog, Babydog. Manchin previously served as governor of the state from 2005 to 2010 before he won his Senate seat in a special election. He was reelected in 2012 and 2018, defeating Morissey in the latter cycle.

Oregon Dems Spurn a Progressive for a Key House Seat

Janelle Bynum talks with a voter (Photo Courtesy Janelle Bynum for Congress)

Democratic primary voters in an Oregon swing House district overwhelmingly rejected their previous, far-left nominee Tuesday in favor of a more broadly appealing candidate to take on first-term Republican incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

The suburban Portland district, which President Joe Biden won in 2020 by nearly 9 points, is a major target of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) as it seeks to retake the House this fall. Tuesdays battle saw state Rep. Janelle Bynum defeat attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner by 38 points in the Democratic primary, denying the more progressive McLeod-Skinner a rematch of her 2022 race with Chavez-DeRemer. The Cook Political Report rates the November contest as a toss-up.

The DCCC supported Bynum in the primary, andgiven her and McLeod-Skinners electoral recordsit is easy to see why. In 2022, McLeod-Skinner successfully primaried Blue Dog incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader, who had held the seat for seven terms. In the general election, however, McLeod-Skinner lost to Chavez-DeRemer by 2 points, giving the seat to the GOP for the first time since the Clinton administration.

Meanwhile Bynum, a more mainstream Democrat, has twice beaten Chavez-DeRemer in elections to the state legislature in 2016 and 2018, a fact she highlighted in the primary campaign.

Im running for Congress because working families in Oregon who are struggling with rising costs need a fighter who will deliver for them, and because I believe Oregons children deserve

the very best, Bynum, asked what her pitch would be to voters to choose her over Chavez-DeRemer, told Dispatch Politics in an interview last week. Ive represented this area for nearly eight yearsDemocrats, Republicans, and independents alikeand I have a strong track record of proven bipartisan success. As a mom, a small business owner, and a state representative, this mission is personal for me.

After Bynums victory Tuesday, McLeod-Skinner called for Democrats to rally behind their nominee.

Its now time for Democrats to unite behind our shared goal of defeating the MAGA extremist agenda and winning this seat in November so we can take back the House of Representatives, she told supporters at her campaigns election party.

Chavez-DeRemer, who was uncontested in the Republican primary, released a statement Tuesday extolling her own record.

As an independent voice for Oregon, Ive worked across the aisle to lower costs, tackle the fentanyl crisis and reduce crime, she said. Im honored to have such a strong coalition of support from Oregonians of all backgroundsRepublicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Fundraising data is more recent for Bynum than for Chavez-DeRemer, but it shows the incumbent Republican with a sizable cash advantage. Chavez-DeRemer had more than $1.8 million on hand at the end of March, compared to Bynums $339,000 at the beginning of May.

Pelosi: Dems Ground Game Will Be the Difference in 2024

LAS VEGASRep. Nancy Pelosi rallied the Democratic faithful in Nevada over the weekend, steeling activists and party leaders for a tough campaign as they labor to reelect President Joe Biden, while she also reserved time to mock presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Addressing delegates to the biennial Nevada Democratic Party convention, the California Democrat and former two-time speaker of the House of Representatives said Biden inherited an economy that whats-his-name had driven into the ground. Explaining her nickname for Trump, Pelosi said later in the 30-minute speech that, I dont like to use his name because its kind of a curse word for me.

But Pelosis keynote remarks mostly focused on what Biden, and everyone in the audience, have to do to overcome challenging public opinion polls to ensure the president wins a second term. Pelosi, 84, assured the room Biden would defeat Trumpagain. But reading between the lines, it seemed apparent Pelosi was predicating those assurances on both Biden and Democratic activists doing what is necessary to win.

For the president, she said, that means focusing on the future, not resting on first-term accomplishments. For nervous party stalwarts in Nevada, where Trump leads Biden in polling averages by 4.6 percentage points, that means turning out the vote. Afterward, Dispatch Politics caught up with Pelosi for a quick, impromptu interview as she walked to her next engagement through the corridor of the MGM Grand Conference Center.

The following was edited for length and clarity:

Dispatch Politics: What is the biggest challenge the president faces versus whats-his-name, as you like to call him?

Pelosi: People have to know that elections are competitive. As I saidthey said we were going to lose 30 or 40 seats in the last election, I dont place a whole lot of value on naysayers. And I think he just has to show who he is, and hes wonderful. Hes been working very hard to get the job done, and also his global role. Now he has to be out on the campaign trail, and you heard what I said about Nevada. In fact, for a womens right to choose, it makes all the difference in the world if hes president, or if whats-his-name is. Its stunning the difference is so great. But people have to pay attention. Lincoln said: Public sentiment is everything. With it you could accomplish almost anything, without it, practically nothing. But if public sentiments going to prevail, people have to know. And we just have to make sure they know.

Dispatch Politics: Do you have any thoughts on why Trump is so resilient, politically?

Pelosi: Im not sure he is that. I dont even accept that. Again, there are different categories. There are people who are never going to be for a Democrat; okay, lets put them in their categorywhatever negativity they have about women, or LGBTQ or newcomers to our country or something. Then you have people who have genuine concerns about innovation, globalization, immigration, things that change where they came from. And thats legitimate and we have to show them an economic pathand I think thats what the president has to do.

Then you have very rich people who dont want to pay taxes, and I put it all at their doorstepthe risk to our democracybecause they dont want to pay taxes. Look, [Trump] asked the fossil fuel industry to raise him $1 billion. Why? So that they can keep the Republicans in their pocket for these votes. Not one Republican voted for our climate initiative, not one. Isnt that amazing? So, I think its big money, big negativity, and some genuine concern that has to be respected. Thats what the campaign is about.

But I have no doubt that Joe Biden will be president. Our country cannot withstand another whats-his-name administration. Our legal system, our economyimagine, one bill, 83 percent of the benefits to the top 1 percent, $2 trillion to the national debt, and instead we could be investing in our children and our future. I just think its about a campaign. We will own the ground. They may have money, but we have people, we will own the ground. We will have a message that is unifying.

Dispatch Politics: Anything else to add?

Pelosi: We want to be, I meanIm a smart aleck to say, I dont like to say his name. But we have to be more unifying than that. And again, well have enough resources to win.

Notable and Quotable

I say to every young man thinking of getting married, marry into a family with five or more daughters. I did. My wifes the oldest of five sisters. You know why? One of them will always love you. President Joe Biden at a campaign speech in New Hampshire, May 21, 2024

Read more at The Dispatch

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An Amtrak California Zephyr train departs Grand Junction on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

The flurry of funding bills for passenger rail passed during the recently-completed 2024 Colorado legislative session  dubbed the year of transit  will most likely be felt first in an unlikely part of the state, according to a state senator who sponsored several of those bills.

In a recent phone interview with Colorado Newsline, Democratic Sen. Dylan Roberts of Frisco touted the near-term possibility of passenger trains returning to Steamboat Springs, his hometown, for the first time since passenger service between Denver and Craig ended in April of 1968.

The last of the rail bills yet to be approved by Gov. Jared Polis, Senate Bill 24-190, is expected to be signed next week in either Craig or Hayden, where railroad giant Union Pacific is looking to replace lost coal-train traffic as coal-fired power plants in both towns shut down in the next few years.

That bills kind of flown under the radar a little bit, but its really exciting and could be one of the linchpins for making sure that northwest rail comes to fruition soon, and it is going come to fruition much sooner than Front Range rail, because the infrastructures already there, Roberts said of SB-190, which provides tax credits and creates enterprise zones along the line.

The goal is to ensure that freight traffic on that rail line continues even after coal transportation drops when the power plants retire in the next few years in Hayden and Craig, because the only way that passenger rail is viable on the mountain rail is if theres also a healthy freight business, Roberts added. Front Range Passenger Rail is a long-term plan to connect Colorados Front Range cities from Pueblo to Fort Collins, starting with the elusive goal of Denver to Boulder.

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Federal passenger rail operator Amtrak already uses part of Union Pacifics tracks into the Colorado mountains for both its daily, long-distance California Zephyr between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area and its seasonal Winter Park Express ski train between Denver and the city-owned ski area. The goal is for more frequent and less seasonal passenger trains to continue northwest at Bond and head up to Steamboat, Hayden and Craig.

This bill provides financial incentives to businesses opening in Craig and Hayden, our coal transitioning communities, when they utilize the rail line to haul freight, Steamboat Springs Democratic state Rep. Meghan Lukens, a sponsor of the bill, wrote in an email statement. This increase in rail revenue will allow for the mountain passenger rail to be affordable to all, bringing more tourism and business to the Western Slope.

Moffat Tunnel lease renewal

Roberts addressed language in SB-190 dealing with the Moffat Tunnel, the vital, state-owned, 6.2-mile railroad tunnel beneath the Continental Divide at Winter Park. Colorado Department of Transportation officials are renegotiating the terms of a 99-year, $12,000-a-year lease for the tunnel with Union Pacific that expires early next year, with the tunnel remaining the only active rail route through the Colorado Rockies.

The reason why theres some language about the Moffat Tunnel in (SB-190) is because its trying to make the negotiation between CDOT and UP more of a level playing field, Roberts said when asked if the bill is aimed at offloading the state asset. Its not because we want to sell the Moffat Tunnel, necessarily, its because the changes will actually allow CDOT to refuse an offer from anybody, UP most likely, to buy the Moffat Tunnel, because the way the statutes currently written, it would make it very hard for the state to refuse an offer if it were at fair market value.

Union Pacific currently covers maintenance and insurance costs for the tunnel.

Union Pacific did not respond to a request for comment on the current status of the Moffat Tunnel lease negotiations. Said to be the highest elevation (9,200 feet) and lowest holing (2,800 feet beneath the Continental Divide) railroad tunnel ever, the Moffat Tunnel was finished in 1927. But in recent years it has been the scene of a wastewater spill and the subject of scrutiny in a pitched battle to slow the roll of Utah oil trains through Colorado.

The East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel near Tolland is pictured on June 26, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

The mayor of Winter Park last summer told Newsline the town and the local business community, including Alterra  the Denver-based ski company that owns and operates Steamboat and runs Winter Park for the city of Denver  is focused on increasingly using passenger rail as an alternative to the chronically congested Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 40 corridors.

Besides shuttling tourists, mountain passenger trains are seen as a potential part of the fix for the vexing workforce housing crisis in Colorado ski towns, shuttling employees between more affordable outlying towns and congested resort areas with limited parking.

Commuters between Craig, Hayden and Steamboat will really help Steamboat address some of their affordable housing issues, because it will make Hayden and Craig a very viable place for folks to live more affordably and still work in Steamboat, Roberts said. Same thing with Grand County with commuter service between Winter Park and Granby and Kremmling. So getting it all going addresses both of those uses  the tourism traffic and the commuter traffic.

State Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat from Frisco, speaks at a press conference in Glenwood Canyon on April 7, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Need for speed

Lawmakers this session acknowledged that increased rail traffic, in particular mixing passenger and freight service, presents safety and environmental issues as railroad companies look to increase profits and scale back staffing. Union Pacific pushed back on the need for a new state rail safety office approved by the Legislature this session, pointing to existing federal regulations. But the company says it will continue to work with Colorado as it looks to expand passenger rail.

We look forward to our continued partnership with rail labor organizations and key state agencies to address issues important to communities and all stakeholders, Mike Jaixen, Union Pacifics senior manager of corporate communications, wrote in an email.

Amtrak, as reported by Newsline, is likely to operate the proposed Front Range passenger trains, which could start with Denver to Boulder to Fort Collins service as early as 2029, but an Amtrak spokesman said its premature to draw any conclusions about Amtrak running the mountain line.

(The state is) far from being in a place where theyre going to choose an operator, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said in a phone interview. Certainly, we would be interested in being an operator wherever it makes business sense for us and for the states, or whatever agencies were doing the business for. Were very interested, but theyre not at that point yet.

Critics of diesel-powered passenger trains sharing tracks with heavy freight say the trains are too slow for todays car-crazed culture, but since the Yampa Valley Mail (the Denver and Rio Grande Western train carried the U.S. mail in the 1960s) shut down, the states population has grown 176%, from 2.1 million in 1968 to 5.8 million last year. Road capacity hasnt come close to keeping up.

Its a pretty horrible drive either up to Boulder, or just going north and south on I-25 (and east-west on Interstate 70], Amtraks Magliari said. Theres no way to make it wide enough to accommodate everybody, and, especially since theres existing rail route up and around, use it more.

One of the reasons passenger service to Craig was derailed was that it took a minimum of six and half hours to travel the 197 miles to Denver by rail. Nowadays, motor vehicle traffic can sometimes take that long or longer given modern congestion and weather-related delays, although in perfect conditions its a four-hour drive.

Roberts acknowledges that the success of mountain rail will hinge on convenience, service and, to some degree, the speed of the trains, which can be hampered by conflicts with freight traffic.

I think thats a valid concern, but its definitely something that people are aware of and is going to be taken into account when theyre coming up with all those plans, Roberts said.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A Denver museum has been fighting for the last 14 years to bring a piece of the citys history back home after a 140-year-old bell, which was presumed missing, turned up at a church in Pueblo.

The bell itself is a 1,600-pound bell, which is quite large and its got a tone that even the bell company said is kind of a special tone, Dan Farley said.

US Census: More people moving to Greeley than any other large Colorado city

Farley is the executive director of the Denver Firefighters Museum, which highlights the history of the fire service since its beginnings in Denver. Part of the museums exhibit features two photographs of Denvers Fire Station 1, located at Broadway and Colfax Avenue.

Fire Station 1 was torn down in 1909. The bell was housed in a belfry atop the building.

Everybody was volunteer back then, so you ring the bell to bring it to the publics attention (that) something is going on (and) we need help, retired Denver firefighter Danny Perez said.

According to museum staff, the bell could be heard as far away as Loretto Heights in southwest Denver.

How many lives do you think this bell saved back in the 1800s and early 1900s? So that bell to Denver saved countless lives when it rang and now its sitting silent in the dirt in a church storage area for no explainable reason to me, Farley said.

Pueblo diocese open to returning bell

Farley said the museum discovered St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Pueblo had been using the bell for about 100 years until their bell tower came crashing down in 2010.

At that time we offered the church $8,000 and they felt that the bell was worth more than that so they didnt give it to us, Farley said.

Sports-betting taxes could fund Colorado water projects

A few months later, another piece of the museums collection was damaged and the $8,000 offer for the bell was rescinded to help pay for restoration.

In an email to the head priest at the time, the museum wrote, Please keep us in mind if, in the future you do decide to sell the bell. We would appreciate first right of refusal.

Farley said the museum has not heard from the church since.

Now its sitting in the dirt and its been in the dirt for 14 years, he said.

Obviously the church has significant feelings with this bell or they wouldnt still possess it. They cared for it for years, as I understand. But the fire department looks at it a little bit different. We look at it as an artifact. As a history of this city, Perez said.

On Tuesday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pueblo sent FOX31 a statement that said, in part, We are open for conversation and would like to see the bell go to its proper place in the Denver Fire Department.

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It is unclear what the process of returning the bell to Denver will entail, what restoration it will require and how it will be displayed going forward. However, museum staff say those challenges pale in comparison to the difficulties of securing the bell over the last few years.

We dont have a lot from that building. It doesnt exist anymore and it was torn down over a century ago so having something more than photos  Thats just irreplaceable, Denver Firefighters Museum deputy director Katie Karris 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 FOX31 Denver.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin allegedly knelt on the back of a woman he was arresting mere months before he pulled the same move, that turned fatal, on George Floyd, a new federal lawsuit contends.

Its yet another excessive force case that's come to light against Chauvin, who is white, now serving time on state charges of murder in connection with the death of Floyd, a Black man, as well as federal charges of violating his civil rights.

Floyd's May 2020 death was filmed by a passerby and showed Chauvin pressing his knee into his back and neck for nearly nine and a half minutes as Floyd pleaded I cant breathe in Minneapolis  a moment that sparked national protests decrying police brutality and racism.

A new complaint filed Tuesday in Minnesota federal court alleges Chauvin and his previous partner, Ellen Jensen, used excessive force in January 2020 against Patty Day, who worked as the communications and public outreach director for the Minneapolis Department of Public Works.

The two allegedly "violently" yanked Day from her car, threw her onto the ground in the middle of the street with Chauvin pressing his knee into her back. The complaint said she was handcuffed and was not resisting.

Day fractured her tooth and was left with bruises across her body in the ordeal, the complaint said. The officers also allegedly failed to report their use of force in their police reports.

Bruising on Patty Day's arm (U.S. District Court)

Day's arrest

On Jan. 17, 2020, a 911 call came in at 7:45 p.m. regarding an intoxicated person, who was Day, in a minivan outside the caller's residence in Minneapolis.

Day, who was depressed at the time and going through a divorce, had drank at her home and woke up to an alarm reminding her to pick up her children at daycare, according to the complaint.

It was snowing that day as she got into her minivan and started driving, and pulled over after a couple of blocks realizing she shouldnt be driving. Her vehicle then got stuck in a snowbank.

She threw her keys into the back seat to prevent herself from driving. She had left her cellphone at home and couldnt call for help. Depressed and intoxicated, she felt hopeless, the complaint said.

Chauvin and Jensen responded to her vehicle at 8:50 p.m.

Jensen's police report said that they found Day's vehicle with its passenger side turned into snowbank, almost blocking the sidewalk. She found two people speaking to Day through the driver's window who told the officer they believed Day has a bad situation at home and pulled over to rest.

Jensen talked to Day through the window, and Day attempted to explain that the vehicle couldnt be driven because the keys were not in the ignition, but in the back of the minivan. Jensen didnt understand what Day was saying and pointed out that the vehicle was running. Chauvin then approached the open window, reached inside the car and unlocked the drivers door, according to the complaint.

The two then violently grabbed Pattys left and right arms, respectively, and began pulling her out of the vehicle, the filing said. The officers also didnt inform Day she was under arrest before attempting to physically remove her from the minivan, the complaint said.

She was thrown onto the ground facedown in the middle of the street and the impact cracked one of her teeth. She also suffered pain to her left arm and shoulder, as well as her face, arms, hands, chest, ankle and legs, which were scraped and bruised, the filing said.

Chauvin then drove his knee into Pattys back and pressed her into the ground, the complaint said.

Though Patty allegedly did not resist, she was cuffed and Chauvin did not immediately release his knee. She was then made to stand up and put into the squad car lying on her side, the filing said.

In an interview with NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis, Day said: I was not resisting. I was not being belligerent  I was simply trying to show them that there were no keys in the ignition of my car.

Another officer was summoned to administer field sobriety tests that concluded that Day was impaired. That officer informed Day she was under arrest for driving while impaired and she was taken downtown for chemical testing that showed she had a .25 blood alcohol content. In Minnesota, the legal alcohol concentration limit is 0.08.

She complained about her injuries and asked for medical attention, but none was provided. She ultimately spent 2 days in Hennepin County Jail, the suit said.

The complaint included photos of her swollen and bruised arm.

After the interaction, Jensen and Chauvin then wrote up police reports that appeared to downplay the use of force.

They claimed that they ordered Day to exit the vehicle but, in the criminal case, Hennepin Count District Judge Julie Allyn viewed body camera video footage  which wasn't released to Day's attorneys  and concluded that Day was not given any orders before being pulled out, the suit said.

In Chauvin's police report, he wrote that he pulled Day from the drivers seat and pulled [her] facedown onto the street, but didnt report driving his knee into her back and pressing her into the ground, including after she was handcuffed. Neither Chauvin nor Jensen submitted a use-of-force report for the interaction or an injury report for Day.

Day was charged with two gross misdemeanor counts of third degree DWI from the incident, and her drivers license was temporarily revoked.

An evidentiary hearing in that case was held in February 2021, when Chauvin was awaiting trial on state murder charges in the death of Floyd. Ultimately, the criminal charges in Day's case were dismissed over a lack of evidence and after the prosecution acknowledged that the city attorneys office didnt condone the way that the interaction went down in this particular case, the suit said.

Day ultimately had to undergo emergency tooth repair and had a sprained ankle and significant left arm and shoulder pain following the incident. She has also experienced significantly increased anxiety and now seeing or hearing police cars is triggering, the complaint said.

The suit, which was filed against both officers and the city of Minneapolis, alleges Fourth and 14th Amendment violations, and civil rights violations. It seeks a trial by jury and compensatory and punitive damages.

A pattern of excessive force

The complaint said that Chauvin had a documented pattern of misconduct which was ignored by the Minneapolis Police Department and city leaders. It listed other victims of Chauvins alleged use of excessive force, including John Pope and Zoya Code.

The complaint alleged the city knew its officers "were applying force to the necks and backs of prone (lying on their stomach) arrestees, despite the known, appreciated, and obvious risk of causing serious injury or death from positional asphyxia."

In Floyd's case, his death was ruled a homicide caused by cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression by the Hennepin County medical examiner. However, pathologists hired by Floyd's family determined his death was caused mechanical asphyxia.

Day's complaint accused the Minneapolis Police Department of a history of excessive force and listed excessive force cases filed against other officers, noting, The city has paid nearly $80,000,000 in the last two decades as a result of the unconstitutional use of force by MPD officers.

The city of Minneapolis ended up paying $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by Floyds family for Chauvin and other officers violation of his civil rights.

The complaint further claimed instances of misconduct were not properly investigated or addressed in a timely manner, and officers are not consistently held accountable.

It cited reports by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (published in April 2022) and the Justice Department (published in June 2023) that found the police department and the city itself engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force and racial discrimination that violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

Those probes ultimately resulted in a court order mandating structural, policy, training, and oversight changes at the MPD, the complaint said.

NBC News has reached out to the city of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Police Department and an attorney for Chauvin for comment on Day's suit.

In a press release, Day said: Sadly, my experience with Derek Chauvin is not unique. George Floyd died at the hands of this individual, and had the City intervened on his behavior after my interaction, he could still be alive today. Other people have also had their civil rights violated, like Zoya Code and John Pope, showing his aggressive patterns. It was a traumatic part of my life that I hope no one else will have to endure.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Starbucks store in Tallahassee, Florida on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Florida Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody wants the state agency in charge of investigating violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act to inspect Starbucks diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Moody announced the complaint against Starbucks on Wednesday during the governors guest host stint on The Sean Hannity Show.

Were going to make sure that in Florida this quota or hiring and programs that cause every employee to determine whether they are the problem based on the color of their skin, whether that violates Floridas anti-discrimination laws, and so the matter will be investigated, Moody said on the radio show.

Im proud to report that we are referring the matter officially to the Florida Commission on Human Relations for full investigation of Starbucks and these practices, she added.

Moodys complaint to the commission comes after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed in March that the 2023 Stop Woke Act was unconstitutional when applied to businesses. That law aimed to prevent companies from requiring employees to attend DEI training.

One of the things that bill said was, Look, this is actionable. If theyre doing this in a corporation, you dont have to sit there and self-flagellate yourself because of your skin color. You have a right to opt out,' DeSantis said.

For some reason, the court said that that was a violation of the companys First Amendment right, even though they can say whatever they want. Were just saying you had the right to opt out. But we didnt even think that that was necessary. We believe thats what the law is, anyways.

Bonuses

In the four-page complaint, Moody argues that the companys goal of inclusivity for people of color in 30% of corporate roles and 40% of retail and manufacturing roles by 2025 violates federal and Florida civil rights acts. More than 48% of employees at Starbucks are white, 31.7% are Hispanic, 8.1% are Black, and 5.9% are Asian, according to the companys most recently released data.

Additionally, Moody pointed to ties between the diversity goals and executives bonuses to claim the company has racial quotas. According to the Nations Restaurant News, 7.5% of Starbucks executive bonus consideration was tied to diversity in 2023.

But the state commission, which the Legislature established in 1969, doesnt represent whoever filed the complaint or the employer. Instead, the agency describes itself as an impartial fact-finder that offers mediation opportunities.

Starbucks did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication.

The post DeSantis and Moody announce state investigation of Starbucks DEI practices appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
A shooting that killed a young man in the parking lot of an East El Paso apartment complex stemmed from a drug deal for THC "dispos"  disposable vape devices, according to court documents.

Aldo David Flores, 17, was arrested on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Bryan Raul Castillo on the night of May 14 in the parking lot of the Vista Village Apartments, 10535 Montwood Drive, El Paso police officials said. No attorney was listed for Flores on court records.

Aldo David Flores was arrested on May 17 on a murder charge in connection with the May 14 shooting death of Bryan Castillo, 21, in the parking lot of the Vista Village Apartments, 10535 Montwood Drive in East El Paso.

Castillo was an aspiring local rapper known as GGRI$H with more than a dozen music videos on YouTube, according to social media posts offering condolences.

Relatives witness fatal shooting of Bryan Castillo

Police had initially said that the shooting took place during an argument involving a group consisting of two men, a woman and a child and a second group but the investigation revealed the shooting was tied to a drug theft.

Castillo was accompanied by at least two relatives when he was shot in the parking lot, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by a police detective obtained by the El Paso Times.

The relatives told investigators that Castillo had picked them up from the Ysleta border port of entry and told them that he need to stop somewhere to sell something, the affidavit stated.

Castillo parked at the Vista Village Apartments where he met with two males who arrived in a black four-door vehicle with damage to its front, the affidavit stated. The buyers attempted to get into Castillos vehicle, but decided not to when they saw Castillos relatives inside the vehicle.

Courts: Final defendants sentenced in drug robbery slaying of Afghanistan war veteran

Castillo, who was holding a shoe box, met with the males by their vehicle before he was shot by the driver, who then pointed a handgun and threatened one of Castillos relatives while driving away from the parking lot, the affidavit stated.

Castillo was transported to Del Sol Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The shooter was later allegedly identified as Flores during a homicide investigation by the police Crimes Against Persons Unit with assistance from the Gang Suppression Unit, which had previously dealt with Flores.

Fatal shooting tied to THC 'dispos' deal

The affidavit stated that a separate witness informed detectives that a drug deal had been set up between Flores and Castillo, who was supposed to sell Flores "dispos" containing THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Flores allegedly told the witness that he had shot Castillo and taken the "dispos," the affidavit stated. Five boxes containing THC cartridges were found by detectives in the back cargo area of Castillo's vehicle.

Some teens have been caught using vaping oils that contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Stock image.

Detectives doing surveillance at Flores' last known address saw a black four-door vehicle with front end damage parked in front of the house similar to the vehicle description given by witnesses to the shooting, the complaint stated.

More: Accused El Paso drug dealer fatally shoots teen girl after she allegedly attempts to steal drugs

After the witnesses identified Flores as the shooter in a photo lineup, Flores was arrested May 17. He remains jailed under a $500,000 bond at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown, according to a jail log.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso rapper killed in drug deal shooting. New details revealed.
Seven people were arrested on suspicion of various child sex abuse charges during an undercover sting operation in San Luis Obispo County.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney and Sheriffs offices worked with the California Office of the Attorney General over the span of three days to conduct the operation, the DAs Office said in a news release.

I am grateful to the California Department of Justice for their outstanding partnership with our local agencies in apprehending these seven individuals who attempted to prey on vulnerable children in our county, District Attorney Dan Dow said in the release.

From May 15-17, undercover agents and detectives posed as minors on social media platforms and websites commonly used by predators. The operation targeted adults seeking to exploit child victims of sex trafficking.

This operation reminds us yet again we must remain vigilant against those who would do harm to our most precious and vulnerable resource, our children, Sheriff Ian Parkinson said in the release.

The seven suspects face felony charges, including contact of a minor with the intent of sex, attempted lewd act with a child and sending harmful content with the intent to seduce a minor. They were booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail, the release said, and the District Attorneys Office will prosecute them.

Let me be absolutely clear: Using the internet to target children for sex is a reprehensible and despicable crime, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in the release. If you go after our children, we will hold you accountable.

The District Attorneys Office asks anyone who is or knows someone who is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
State Reps. Janelle Bynum, left, and Maxine Dexter, right, won their primaries for the 5th and 3rd congressional districts. (Campaign photos)

Money and endorsements mattered in Oregons contested Democratic congressional primaries, with state Reps. Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum clinching nominations.

Dexter is all but certain to represent Oregon in Congress, as the 3rd Congressional District based in east Portland and the Columbia River Gorge is overwhelmingly Democratic. Retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer held the seat for nearly 30 years.

Bynum, meanwhile, will face a formidable challenge in November as Democrats fight to take the 5th District back from first-term Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The district, which stretches from Bend to Portland, is one of a handful of congressional districts nationwide that could determine which party controls the U.S. House in 2025.

Oregons other congressional races had no surprises: Chavez-DeRemer, Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz and Democratic Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas coasted to victories in their respective primaries. Salinas faces a rematch with 2022 Republican nominee Mike Erickson, while Hoyle appears likely to face retired Air Force Col. Monique DeSpain in the general election.

3rd District

Blumenauers retirement gave Portland-area Democrats an opportunity to represent the states most consistently liberal area in Congress  and potentially serve for decades, as he did. Dexter, former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales quickly emerged as the three front-runners.

Dexter, a state representative since 2020, is a pulmonary and critical care doctor who has planned on serving in Congress since she was in college.

She came out to an early lead, capturing nearly 53% of the vote in initial returns posted shortly after 8 p.m. Jayapal was in second, with 25% of the vote, followed by Morales, with almost 15%. Additional results are expected later on Tuesday and throughout the next week as election officials process ballots.

Blumenauer, who did not endorse anyone running, congratulated Dexter on her primary victory.

Maxine has proven herself to be a serious and effective legislator, Blumenauer said. I am confident shell take this success with her to Washington, D.C. I look forward to partnering with her to ensure our district is well-served when she is elected in November. There is a lot of work to do on behalf of our community.

Jayapal is the older sister of U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who represents a Seattle-area district and is the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She served on the Multnomah County Commission from 2019 until 2023, when she resigned to focus on the congressional run.

Morales has served on the Gresham City Council since 2019 and has spent most of the past decade trying to help other candidates from east Multnomah County get elected through his political advocacy organization, East County Rising.

The Democratic primary was rocked by a flood of outside money, most benefitting Dexter. The 314 Action Fund, a national group named for the first three digits of pi and that backs Democratic scientists, spent about $2.2 million to support Dexter. Jayapal and Morales claimed, without providing evidence, that the group was funneling money for Republican donors and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. But fundraising forms filed by the group Monday show that the bulk of the funds came from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, investor Robert Granieri and Sesame Street creator Joan Ganz Cooney, all New Yorkers.

A newly formed group, Voters for Responsive Government, spent at least $3.25 million on ads attacking Jayapal, but the source of its funding still remains secret. The organization turned in a federal filing on Monday that listed no donors.

5th District

Political analysts have spent nearly two years rehashing the 2022 race in the 5th Congressional District, in which McLeod-Skinner trounced incumbent Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader in the primary and then lost the general election to Chavez-DeRemer by 2 percentage points. McLeod-Skinner has argued that national Democrats hung her out to dry by redirecting money and ad time from the 5th District to bolster Democratic nominee Andrea Salinas in the neighboring 6th District, and said that she was running a better campaign this time around.

But Democratic leaders in Oregon and nationally werent willing to take another chance on McLeod-Skinner, especially not after the Capital Chronicle and then Willamette Week reported on complaints from former staff that they endured a hostile environment at work. They said her behavior led to her losing what was otherwise a winnable race in 2022.

This time, Democratic leaders coalesced around Bynum, a state representative since 2017 who twice beat Chavez-DeRemer in legislative races and promised that she would do so again.

Oregons three female governors, most of the states Democratic legislative and congressional organizations and all major endorsing newspapers in the state put their weight behind Bynum. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also backed her candidacy, adding her to its Red to Blue list of preferred candidates to flip Republican districts.

Bynum also raised significantly more than McLeod-Skinner, bringing in more than $1.1 million for her campaign compared to about $700,000 raised by McLeod-Skinner.

The support paid off for Bynum, who in initial results posted on Tuesday night was beating McLeod-Skinner with nearly 70% of the vote and leading by large margins in all but one county in the district  the sole vote counted from Jefferson County went to McLeod-Skinner. Bynums margins were largest in Clackamas County, where she lives, but she was beating McLeod-Skinner by a three-to-two margin in Deschutes County, where McLeod-Skinner built her base.

There is so much at stake in this election and we have a choice between a democracy that works for folks here in Oregon, or the dysfunction in Congress that works for no one, Bynum said in a statement. Our district cannot afford two more years of an extreme enabler like Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who has gone along with the chaos of her far-right party and proven herself to be a part of the problem in DC at a time when our families need answers more than ever. In Congress, Ill work to address our growing housing crisis, create good-paying jobs, and bring federal resources home where they belong. And unlike Lori Chavez-DeRemer, I will do everything I can to protect and expand abortion access for Oregon women. The fight for our families and our future starts now  and Im ready to lead.

The race has seen a flood of outside money, with close to $1.3 million boosting Bynum and more than $500,000 in ads backing McLeod-Skinner. Last-minute McLeod-Skinner ads, paid for by a newly formed political action committee that has ties to Republican operatives, sparked concerns among Democrats that the GOP was meddling to elect a weaker candidate.

McLeod-Skinner made the same allegations about ads boosting Bynum, including about $475,000 spent by the 314 Action Fund and more than $800,000 from the Mainstream Democrats PAC controlled by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

And while McLeod-Skinner didnt have much institutional support, she touted grassroots backing from local Democrats, especially in Deschutes County where she had built a strong base during previous campaigns for Congress and secretary of state.

The post Dexter, Bynum clinch Democratic nods in Oregon congressional primaries appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
How did photo ID affect NCs primary election? The numbers tell only part of the story | Opinion

After presiding over a trial in Winston-Salem last week, U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs will decide whether Republican lawmakers tinkering with North Carolinas voter photo ID law made it legal for use in this Novembers election.

Biggs temporarily blocked the law with an injunction in 2019, but was overruled by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Now she must consider whether this latest version of the law discriminates against Black voters, just as the 2013 version did with what a panel of federal judges called almost surgical precision.

In terms of common sense, the law is still clearly targeted at a group of voters who tend to vote Democratic. Why else would Republicans be so insistent on having the photo ID requirement? They say it prevents in-person voter fraud, but thats virtually nonexistent and such fraud is already a felony.

Still, proving that Republican lawmakers had discriminatory intent is difficult. And the laws first major test in the March primary didnt reveal a problem with voters being turned away at the polls for lack of a photo ID. A total of 1,185 voters out of 1.8 million voters had to cast provisional ballots for reasons related to the photo ID requirement. Of those provisional ballots, 473 ballots were not counted, or about 2.6 ballots for every 10,000 cast.

Patrick Gannon, a State Board of Elections spokesman, said voters appear to be aware of the new requirement. Based on the small number of voters who did not bring ID in the primary, we believe the word is getting out, he said.

The challenge for the NAACP and others seeking to get the law thrown out is that its damage is largely invisible. The issue isnt so much what happens at the polls. Its how many voters are discouraged from going to the polls because they lack the resources to get the records needed to obtain a valid photo ID.

Making the absence of these voters visible is hard, but researchers have tried.

A 2022 report published in The Journal of Politics analyzed 16,000 Texas voters who filed reasonable impediment declarations for not having a valid photo ID. The researchers concluded, Our findings indicate that strict identification laws will stop a disproportionately minority, otherwise-willing set of registered voters from voting.

A 2020 study of North Carolina by two Stanford University political scientists concluded that a previous North Carolina voter ID law deterred voters in the 2016 general election even after the court struck it down. The researchers said the deterrent effect endured because voters inferred they would be unable to vote and therefore declined to turn out at all.

Despite numerous studies, the impact of voter ID laws is still hard to quantify. Its possible that the requirement will affect more Republican voters than Republican lawmakers anticipated. And a perceived effort to limit voters may actually drive up turnout by the targeted group, at least for an election or two.

Whatever the actual effects, adding a strict voter photo ID requirement is part of a broader Republican effort to reduce voting.

The state Supreme Courts new Republican majority last year reversed a trial court ruling that that allowed people convicted of felonies to have their right to vote restored once they complete their active prison time. In the reversal, the state Supreme Court said those with felony convictions must also complete their periods of probation, parole, or post-release supervision. That rescinded the right to vote for as many as 56,000 people who had completed their prison sentences.

In another trimming of the vote, the Republican-controlled legislature eliminated the three-day grace period for the arrival of absentee ballots  a voting method recently used mostly by Democrats. The State Board of Elections reports that in the March primary 747 absentee ballots were rejected that would have counted if the grace period was still in effect. In the November general election, that number could swell into the thousands.

In a democracy, the right to voting should be protected and exercising that right should be encouraged. There was once bipartisan support for increasing turnout by making it easier to register and vote. Now Republicans  seeking to protect their shrinking base  are making it harder.

Today, the opportunity to vote is being narrowed and democracy is being diminished in many states. Perhaps Judge Biggs will find cause to stop a further stifling of the right to vote in North Carolina.

Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com
Much has happened in the last couple of weeks that make me question peoples civility, common sense and decency.

In retrospect, these very public and divisive acts are not shocking or even surprising. They are simply sad testaments to the troubling mindsets that have evolved in America.

These perpetrators werent doing anything special or unusual. They were just being themselves, with no concern about appearances, decency, or consequences.

In Texas, the governor pardoned a man convicted of killing a Black Lives Matter protester.

In New York City, U.S. congressmen and other public servants paraded through the courthouse where Donald Trump is being tried for falsifying business records to hide payment to a porn star.

In Washington, D.C., during a House committee meeting, a Republican representative disparaged a Democratic member of the House, referring to her fake eyelashes.

Tennessee 'tough on crime' bill will not make us safer and take away from rehabilitation

There was a time when elected officials would have restrained from such chicanery and questionable behavior. Those days are gone. With Donald Trumps blatant disregard for the law, the legal system and the truth, his supporters brazenly follow in his footsteps as though they are brainwashed.

Trump Truth Social post references 'unified reich' drawing backlash from Biden campaign

Texas governor pardoned a racist, convicted murderer

The pardoning in Texas is disturbing. In 2020, Daniel S. Perry drove his car into a Black Lives Matter protest in Austin, Texas, in the wake of George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer. Several protesters approached Perrys car, including Garrett Foster, a 28-year-old former mechanic in the U.S. Air Force. Foster was carrying a weapon, for it is legal in Texas. Perry shot Foster dead. Perry was indicted by a grand jury, found guilty by a trial jury of 12, and in 2023 sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Daniel Perry returns to his chair after being sentenced May 10, 2023, for the 2020 murder of Garrett Foster. (Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman)

Yet, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to pardon Perry, a convicted killer. A recommendation from the states Board of Pardons and Paroles, whose members were appointed by the governor, was required before he could fulfill the promise. On May 16, the board made its recommendation and on that same day, Abbott pardoned Perry  obviously with no regard to the emotional stress inflicted on the victims family and loved ones. For them, the pardon was a dagger in the heart.

Here's what the Constitution's Fifth Amendment says about indictments and double jeopardy

In addition, that pardon came despite Perrys racist remarks and expressions of animosity toward protesters on social media. Psychological experts deemed Perry to be basically a loaded gun.

Former president Donald Trump arrives in Eagle Pass, Texas at Shelby Park on Feb. 29, 2024, where Texas Governor Greg Abbott greeted him.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, who met with the Board of Pardons and argued against the pardon, in a statement said that the governor and the pardons board had made a mockery of our legal system. . . They have sent a message to Garrett Fosters family, to his partner and to our community that his life does not matter, that the grand jury and the trial jury do not matter.

Republican politicians swooned over Trump at his hush money trial

That kind of mockery of our judicial system also was evident as politicians and other Trump allies paraded to the New York courthouse to show support for Donald Trump, who is being tried on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to bury damaging stories about him before the 2016 election. Among the stories is an alleged tryst with porn star Stormy Daniels, who was silenced with a $130,000 payment.

This parade also is an effort to hijack the trial and legal system to reap a favorable verdict for Trump.

As the trial continued, Trump let it be known he wanted to see more of his allies in the courtroom. Word was circulated and the spectacle began. A senator was among the first to show up, followed by a governor, several former presidential candidates, the U.S. House of Representatives speaker, and a stream of other politicians and staunch supporters.

It is unusual that elected officials would flock to a trial of another politician who is being charged with a serious crime. Usually, politicians stay away from such situations to avoid being tainted. Yet, the actions of his trial visitors follow the way Trump operates. His disregard for the law and the legal system are well-known.

It neatly ties into his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and its consequences. This parade of followers also reflects Trumps disregard for U.S. procedures and laws, his irreverence of anything and everything that does not benefit him and his bank accounts.

As with other aspects of his life, Trump seeks to normalize this kind of behavior with a culture of defiance. This whole wave of denouncing the political and judicial systems helps to normalize this disrespectful behavior, says Memphis Attorney Walter Bailey, a former Shelby County Commissioner. This normalization set the stage for Abbotts behavior in Texas, Trump supporters in New York, and certainly the disrespectful behavior of Marjorie Taylor Green in Washington.

U.S. House members lob personal insults at each other

During a meeting of the House Oversight Committee, Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, told Texas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading.

New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jumped in with: That is absolutely unacceptable. How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person?

This interruption of the meeting manifests Trumps influence on government protocol and manners. The New York Times reported that this incident reflects not just the way Capitol norms have changed over the six years, but the way physical appearances have become weaponized against all genders since Donald J. Trump first took office, bringing with him his penchant for costumery, casting and playground insults.

Trump is known for taunting his adversaries with physical insults. He has called Stormy Daniels horseface, E. Jean Carroll not my type, and Omarosa Manigault Newman a dog. Its not surprising that those who worship him would resort to the same distasteful tactics.

Lynn Norment

This Trump-led rebellion against decency points to a dismal time in our nation. We all must work harder to fend off the rebels who disregard our court systems, our laws designed to safeguard order in our society, and the social norms that support human decency.

Lynn Norment, a columnist for The Commercial Appeal, is a former editor for Ebony Magazine.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump toadies snub decency through pardons, at court and in Congress
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. To improve the efficiency of the Middle Corridor, it is necessary to engage with private companies in order to minimize risks and costs, said Azerbaijans Ambassador to the United States Khazar Ibrahim, during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum hosted by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

Through organizations such as the Organization of Turkic States, by working on issues such as customs fees and regulations, relations among the states and all cooperation with their partners are becoming much smoother, he said.

Khazar Ibrahim pointed out that Azerbaijan is also working to greatly expand its renewable energy capacity by constructing new transmission cables and new energy generation facilities.

The Caspian-EU green energy corridor proposed by Azerbaijan also serves as part of the Middle Corridor, through which not just goods, but energy and technology can also be transferred, Ibrahaim stated.

The Ambassador additionally discussed cooperation with Georgia, Romania, and Hungary on the Black Sea Submarine Cable. We need to also multiply the number of partners and friends, and I hope that the US will remain as one of the most important and steadfast friends in this endeavor, Ambassador Ibrahim explained.
CHESTER, Pa. (WFLA)  Two workers were killed and three others were injured in a workplace shooting in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, according to a report from NBC affiliate WCAU.

The shooting happened at a business in Chester. The city is located outside of Philadelphia in Delaware County.

This is a story that plays out too often across the United States of America, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said at a news conference. A disgruntled employee has walked into a linen shop  the Delaware County Linen shop behind us  and shot five people, five coworkers.

(WCAU)

(WCAU)

(WCAU)

The shooting took place both inside and outside of the business, according to police. The suspect was arrested during a traffic shop in the nearby town of Trainer.

Police told residents to avoid the area as they investigate the shooting.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Israeli officers fire back at a suspect at the area following the attacks of Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Disturbing video footage of the kidnapping of five female Israeli soldiers during the Hamas massacre on October 7 was released on Wednesday.

The parents of the young women agreed to the release of the video in the hope that the horrific images could contribute to the release of their daughters and other hostages in a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement.

In the video, the injured young women - some of them covered in blood - who were on duty as army observers in the border area with the Gaza Strip, can be seen with heavily armed terrorists. They are obviously terrified and have their arms tied behind their backs.

The kidnappers keep shouting at them and threatening them. The women are first guarded in a room and then taken into a vehicle where they lie crowded together on the floor.

"The video is a damning testament to the nation's failure to bring home the hostages, who have been forsaken for 229 days," The Hostages Families Forum said in a statement.

"The footage reveals the violent, humiliating, and traumatizing treatment the girls endured on the day of their abduction, their eyes filled with raw terror," the statement said.

The video, which is just over three minutes long, is a compilation of bodycam footage taken by the terrorists. The worst scenes, such as footage of corpses and the most severe violence, were reportedly not shown.

"On that horrific Saturday, 15 female observers were murdered, and seven were abducted alive from the Nahal Oz base," the statement said. One of them was rescued after 23 days, while another was murdered in captivity. Her body was recovered by the army from the Gaza Strip.

"The Israeli government must not waste even one more moment - it must return to the negotiating table today!" the statement ended.
(BCN)  Police in Oakley believe they have cracked a more than 20-year-old sexual assault cold case after a mans DNA popped up in the national database upon his arrest in Idaho in 2022.

The case began in April 2002, when a girl with a cognitive disability was out walking her dog near Laurel Road in Oakley. She was approached by a man who got out of his car, pointed a gun at her, and ordered her into the backseat, where he sexually assaulted her at gunpoint.

At some point, the girl was able to escape, and she went to a nearby home for help. Police arrived and an investigation began, including the collection of DNA left behind from the suspect.

30 arrested in connection to prostitution sting: SFPD

No matches were found until 2022, when a CODIS hit  or Combined DNA Index System  showed up in the national database, which identified a man living in Idaho.

In coordination with U.S. Marshals, Oakley Police worked with officers in Coeur dAlene and eventually traveled to Idaho on May 12 to serve a search warrant for the suspects DNA.

Oakley detectives headed back to California with the DNA sample and presented it to the Contra Costa Sheriffs Office lab so that it could be compared to the DNA on file in the cold case. They allege it was a direct match.

On May 16, authorities in Idaho arrested Eric Ferguson, 49, who was a resident of Contra Costa County in 2002, according to police. Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of rape of an incompetent person, forcible oral copulation, and kidnapping for the purpose of rape.

Ferguson remains in custody in Idaho but will be brought to Contra Costa County later this week, according to police.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued a pair of anti-abortion activist groups Monday, accusing them of blocking access to Ohio reproductive care clinics in 2021.

The suit claims that the two groups, Citizens for a Pro Life Society and Red Rose Rescue, and seven individuals, physically prevented patients from accessing care by blocking waiting rooms and parking lots.

Obstructing people from accessing reproductive health care and physically obstructing providers from offering it are unlawful, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement.

Activists allegedly filled a care centers waiting room to prevent patients from accessing their appointments, physically blocked the doors of a clinic so nobody could be let in, and prevented a patients car from leaving a clinic.

The protests impacted two Cleveland suburb reproductive clinics in June 2021. The prosecution is part of a DOJ effort to focus on enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 law making it illegal to prevent access to reproductive care.

Individuals have the right to access facilities in Ohio to make decisions about their own bodies, health and futures, in consultation with health care providers, free from force, threats of force, intimidation or physical obstruction, U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko said in a statement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) also sued Red Rose Rescue last year, similarly accusing the group of illegally preventing patients access to reproductive care in New York.

James said the group made it their mission to terrorize reproductive health care providers and the patients they serve.

Monica Migliorino Miller  the president of Citizens for a Pro Life Society, a founding member of Red Rose Rescue and one of the individuals named in the suit  called the DOJ complaint a bogus initiative meant to intimidate peaceful pro-Lifers in a statement to The Hill.

The DOJs complaint totally falsifies and mischaracterizes what we do! she wrote. We do not use any form of physical obstruction, there is no restriction of freedom of movement for women seeking to kill their unborn children or abortion center staff.

We feel confident that we will prevail against this bogus initiative to intimidate peaceful pro-Lifers trying to help moms and save the unborn from violent acts of destruction, she continued.

Updated 5:40 p.m. ET.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.)  A felony domestic violence suspect out of Teller County was seriously injured in a crash following a chase in Park County on Saturday, May 18.

According to the Teller County Sheriffs Office (TCSO), deputies initially responded around 4 a.m. on Saturday to the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital on a report of a woman who was injured as a result of domestic violence that occurred in Teller County.

When deputies arrived, they found the woman had suffered serious injuries and that the suspect was a previous felony offender who may have been in possession of a gun. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the location where the assault happened, as well as an arrest warrant for the suspect, 51-year-old Mark Lewis Tuckel.

Courtesy: Teller County Sheriffs Office

Tuckels arrest warrant was issued for multiple charges:

Felony menacing

Felony assault

Domestic violence

Harassment

Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender

TCSO issued a Be On The Lookout (BOLO) for Tuckels car in surrounding counties, and the Park County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) later spotted it outside Fairplay on Highway 9. PCSO tried to pull Tuckels car over, and a chase ensued. When the chase became too dangerous for other drivers and deputies, the chase was called off.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Park County pursuit ends with crash in South Breckenridge

Tuckel eventually crashed about 10 minutes later near the town of Blue River in southern Summit County, near Breckenridge. TCSO said Tuckel suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital Denver.

Tuckel was booked into the Teller County Jail on Tuesday, May 21.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Donald Trump has bowed to the pressure of social media following backlash for a post that drew Nazi comparisons.

The said post had a "Unified Reich" phrase, which made many think that the former president was using Nazi talking points as part of his campaign.

According to reports, the post has been deleted from Trump's page on his Truth Social platform, although the billionaire mogul has yet to address the issue personally.

The Former President Deleted The Video Within A Day

MEGA

Amid Trump's hush money trial, he garnered negative attention when he posted a video on his Truth Social that seemingly had a Nazi-centered narrative.

However, within hours of being dragged and criticized on social media, the 30-second clip was removed from Trump's page.

The video in question had several shocking headlines from mocked-up newspapers predicting a future of Trump winning the upcoming presidential elections later this year. One stood out for its remark, which read, "Industrial strength significantly increased, driven by the creation of a unified Reich."

Social media users were quick to point out that the "United Reich" phrase mirrored Hitler's Nazi Germany and should not be associated with a presidential candidate.

While Trump has yet to comment on the issue personally, his campaign secretary, Karoline Leavitt, claimed that the video was "not a campaign video," contrary to what many online have claimed it to be.

"It was created by a random account online and reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word while the President was in court," Leavitt said in a statement to AP News.

Donald Trump Was Dragged Online Over The 'Disgusting' Video

Trump posts a new ad foreshadowing a second Trump term that says he will create a UNIFIED REICH, echoing Nazi Germany pic.twitter.com/z4ZmMSWuRH  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 21, 2024

Among those who criticized Trump was President Joe Biden's campaign team. They warned that Trump's statements evoke echoes of Nazi Germany and hint at a concerning trajectory for a potential second term.

The team posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Trump posts a new ad foreshadowing a second Trump term that says he will create a 'UNIFIED REICH,' echoing Nazi Germany."

Another X user wrote, "This sickens me to my core. This is one bit of history that should never be repeated, yet here we are."

A second person noted, "Trump's continued use of Nazi rhetoric is un-American and despicable. Yet too many Americans are brushing off the glaring red flags about what could happen if he returns to the White House. When someone shows you who they are, believe them."

Joe Biden Says It Is 'Not The Language Of An American President'

MEGA

Biden also reiterated his campaign team's stance during two fundraisers in Boston on Tuesday.

"That's not the language of an American president. That's not the language of any American. It's the language of Hitler's Germany," the U.S. president told his listeners, referencing the "Unified Reich" remark, per Yahoo.

He also slammed the excuse from Trump's campaign secretary, describing it as "lame" while suggesting that the post indeed came from Trump himself.

Biden added, "He's got some lame excuse that a staffer did it. But we already know Trump personally controls his social media account because he's bragged so much about his control."

Donald Trump Fails To Take To The Stand In His Hush Money

MEGA

Before the start of Trump's hush money trial, speculation swirled about whether the former president would take to the stand to defend himself.

Trump stands accused of making and covering up illegal payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their affair.

This led to 34 counts of falsifying being brought against him as prosecutors claimed Trump's action sought to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election and suppress negative information.

The billionaire mogul later hinted that he had the intention of testifying and had repeatedly claimed that he was not guilty of the accusations.

However, after jurors heard testimony from individuals such as Daniels, his former lawyer Michael Cohen, and David Pecker, Trump decided against testifying in his criminal trial, swiftly wrapping up his defense. This has cleared the path for jurors to commence deliberations next week ahead of an eventual verdict.

Donald Trump's Team Announces New Payment Method For Campaign Donations

MEGA

Despite the possibility of Trump facing a jail term if he is convicted after the hush money trial is concluded, the former president has continued to forge ahead with his reelection bid.

Recently, his team announced in a campaign statement that they were now open to accepting donations via crypto, making Trump the first major party presidential candidate to initiate such a move.

The campaign framed the decision as a way to build what they call a "crypto army" to seemingly position itself as being friendly to the sector, despite Trump once saying that he was not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

According to reports, any cryptocurrency accepted through the Coinbase commerce product can be donated to the campaign. This includes Bitcoin, Ether, and U.S. Dollar Coins.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Azerbaijan is a gateway for Uzbekistans exports to European markets. said Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States Furqat Sidiqov during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum hosted by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

Uzbekistan is committed to enhancing regional connectivity and sustainable development. We aim to improve trade and economic ties to promote regional integration, he said.

Sidiqov also noted, Uzbekistan has already invested in the ports of Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan is a getaway for Uzbekistans exports to European markets. We are witnessing growing interest in American businesses doing business in Uzbekistan. There are more than 300 companies operating currently in Uzbekistan, Ambassador Sidiqov said.
NEW YORK  Donald Trump rested his defense Tuesday after one day without taking the stand  despite claiming he absolutely would  ushering the historic hush money trial into the home stretch and paving the way for a Manhattan jury to begin deliberating as soon as next week.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche announced that the defense had finished countering prosecutors monthlong case against the former president shortly after 10 a.m. after Robert Costello wrapped up on the stand.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan informed jurors they would be off through Memorial Day to avoid a long lapse between closing arguments and deliberations.

I think that the best thing that we can do is adjourn now until next Tuesday, Merchan said. Later, he heard arguments regarding how to instruct jurors before they get the case.

Speaking to reporters earlier Tuesday, Trump declined to address his decision not to testify but lamented that he couldnt fully voice his feelings about his prosecution because of a gag order prohibiting comments about trial participants.

Youd be very impressed, but Im gagged, Trump said. So why would I take the chance? We do want to defend our Constitution. So at some point, maybe I will take the chance.

The presumed GOP nominee in this years presidential election pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in April 2023, each tied to his alleged reimbursement to Michael Cohen for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to silence her claims of sleeping with a newlywed Trump in 2006.

Prosecutors allege the payments, logged as compensation for legal fees, constituted felony-level crimes as they were disguised to mask an underlying conspiracy to influence the election.

The 12 New Yorkers tasked with deciding whether to convict a U.S. president for the first time heard from 20 witnesses for the prosecution and two for the defense  Costello and a paralegal from Blanches firm.

Team Trump called Costello, who drew the usually even-tempered judges ire Monday for mouthing off in front of jurors, to try to discredit Cohen.

The New York City defense attorney, a longtime ally of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, informally advised Cohen in the spring of 2018 after the feds began investigating him. He claimed he independently advised Cohen, who told him Trump knew nothing about the Daniels payoff.

Prosecutors have posited that Costellos desire to represent Cohen, Trumps former fixer, was actually part of a pressure campaign to stop him from flipping on the mogul. Cohen, who served a stint in federal prison for crimes including breaking campaign finance laws for Trump, previously told jurors he didnt trust the attorney and felt anything he told him would get back to the boss.

On cross-examination Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Susan Hoffinger elicited testimony establishing Cohen and Giuliani had known one another for half a century and asked if he brought that up while trying to pin down Cohen as a client, which he denied.

Hoffinger then pulled up emails between the two men and Costellos law partner.

Michael, I just spoke to Rudy Giuliani and told him I was on your team. Rudy was thrilled and said this could not be a better situation for the President or you, read an excerpt of an email Costello sent Cohen soon after the FBI raided Cohens residences.

(Giuliani) said thank you for opening this back channel of communication and asked me to keep in touch.

Hoffinger asked Costello if the email speaks for itself.

No, not quite, because there are surrounding circumstances about that email, which I will be delighted to tell you, a beet-red Costello said.

Thats all right, Hoffinger said, prompting laughter in the courtroom. Lets move on to the next one.

Other emails showed Costello telling Cohen he had friends in high places, with the defense witness conceding he was referencing Trump. The jury also saw Cohen telling Costello to leave him alone around the time he pleaded guilty.

In another exchange, Costello described Cohen to his law partner as an a--hole who was playing with the most powerful man on the planet.

Our issue is to get Cohen on the right page without giving him the appearance that we are following instructions from Giuliani or the president, Costello wrote in one email.

On redirect with Trump lawyer Emil Bove, Costello said Giuliani was the first to utter the term back channel when Costello told him they had to keep his communications with Cohen private.

Costello denied he sought to pressure Cohen in 2016 or intimidate him last week when Costello voluntarily testified before the House of Representatives, where he described Cohen as a liar. He admitted that Cohen never signed a retainer agreement and that he was peeved for never being paid for advising him.

Hoffinger asked Costello if he lost control of Cohen when Cohen got another lawyer and copped to committing crimes for the president.

No! I answered no! Costello fumed.

During his testimony, Cohen said that Trump gave the green light to the Daniels payoff and his reimbursement as part of a conspiracy devised in August 2015 to boost Trumps campaign for president.

Trump denies he reimbursed Cohen for illegal work and says any efforts to bury allegations were intended to protect his family and brand  not his presidential candidacy.

Among those who accompanied Trump to court Tuesday were former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, comic Joe Piscopo and Donald Trump Jr. Outside court, a cyclist heckled the Trump scion, yelling, Don Jr., we hate you in New York.

Trumps oldest son disparaged Cohen as arguably the least credible (witness) in the history of, I dont know, witnesses, and defended his fathers decision not to testify.

He didnt ask me to come here, Don Jr. said. I came here, and I damn sure saw it myself. Its a circus in that courtroom.

-------
A man walks at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) venue on the eve of the Fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport in Katowice

(Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee on Wednesday called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to launch inquiries ahead of this summer's Paris Olympics into a doping case involving Chinese swimmers.

Earlier this month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed that 23 Chinese swimmers avoided sanctions after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

"This incident raises serious concerns and may constitute a broader state-sponsored strategy by the People's Republic of China to unfairly compete at the Olympic Games," said Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the bipartisan House select committee on China.

An investigation by Chinese authorities ruled the positive tests were the result of being inadvertently exposed to the drug through contamination.

A report determined all the swimmers who tested positive were staying at the same hotel where traces of TMZ, which is found in heart medication, were discovered in the kitchen.

WADA has vigorously defended its handling of the case despite criticism from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Moolenaar said that in the two years prior to the positive tests, China "inexplicably" contributed nearly $2 million more than is required to WADA programs.

WADA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The agency announced in April that it would launch an independent review of the matter led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier, but Moolenaar said the DOJ and IOC should launch investigations of their own.

"Our American athletes deserve to know they are competing on a clean and level playing field at the Paris Games this summer," Moolenaar said.

"No nation, no matter how powerful, should be exempt from the highest legal and ethical sporting standards."

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby Davis)
After passing a statement calling for peace in the Middle East, Doral political leaders scrambled to douse the firestorm the purely symbolic resolution sparked in their own backyard.

In a contentious Tuesday meeting called solely to deal with the resulting controversy, the city council unanimously rescinded a resolution passed less than two weeks ago that advocated a permanent end to hostilities between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Some council members had initially described the measure, a first from a South Florida city, as a call for a ceasefire. It quickly drew backlash from many Jewish groups and politicians outside the city.

Mayor Christi Fraga  who had originally introduced the peace resolution crafted after meeting with a Doral resident and lawyer who advocates for a free Palestine  led the way in walking back what she said had been intended to bring the community together. After hearing from critics, she described the resolution she had championed as flawed by many issues.

It did not condemn the horrific acts of Hamas. It did not condemn the acts that we have seen on innocent lives. And that was something that needed to be said again, Fraga said during a brief discussion after rescinding the resolution.

She said that the only way to find peace and a cease to all hostilities was for the militant group Hamas to first return all hostages and surrender.

Ive been very clear on my stance of pro-Israel. Its all over my social media, Fraga said. Its the most important ally we have.

In its stead, Fraga introduced a new resolution, one crafted with leaders from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, that focused on defeating Hamas and commending Israel for the extraordinary measures Israel has taken to minimize casualties among innocent civilians.

The new proposal largely doubled down on a resolution Doral had passed in the immediate aftermath of an October attack where Hamas raiders killed some 1,200 people and took another 250 civilians hostage. Its language was in stark contrast to the peace measure, supporting Israels right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense and removing much of the wording that recognized suffering in Gaza, where an estimated 35,000-plus Palestinians have been killed during Israels retaliatory strikes.

READ MORE: This city, very carefully, calls for end to Mideast hostilities. Its a first for Miami-Dade

The council, after hearing from a string of speakers on both sides, eventually rejected that, leaving in place only the original November measure that supported Israel and condemned the attack.

Councilwoman Digna Cabral was the only commissioner of three no votes to explain why she was hesitant to support any new resolution. She said she wanted more time to review and work on a proposal and for the residents to be able to sit down and have a conversation with us.

Zohra Khorashi, the Doral resident who helped craft the original resolution, dismissed Fragas new resolution as designed to amplify the voice of one side, protect one side and ignore the actual problems that are arising.

Itll be interesting to see if Councilwoman Cabral lives up to what she said, and is actually willing to work with the Muslim community, as well as the Jewish and other residents here in Doral, to draft a new resolution, Khorashi told the Miami Herald.

Protestors (Ken Barnes, left, Katherine Shehadeh, Sabren Najjar, and Jalal Shehadeh, right) stand outside the City of Doral Government Center in protest of any change to the current Israel-Palestine peace resolution passed in early May.

Public comments get heated

During an hour-long emotional public comment period, the majority of speakers urged the council to keep the peace resolution, with a handful applauding the decision to rescind.

You originally did the right thing. You have succumbed to the hate-filled backlash instead of listening to the diverse perspectives in your city, said Ken Barnes. Please let compassion, kind heartedness and intelligence guide you now.

Some speakers also said the council was ignoring Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim prejudice, which has also risen alongside antisemitism in recent months. The new resolution stripped any mention of condemning Islamophobic incidents, but keeps a mention of a global rise in antisemitism.

Others argued that the peace resolution was an effort to make a neutral statement on a deeply divisive issue.

It did not take the side of one part of the community against the other. It recognized that human suffering is bad and should be avoided, said educator Martha Schoolman who is Jewish. It represented the kind of community oriented peace love, recognition and common humanity that has been so lacking in our world in the seven and a half months since October 7, 2023.

But Aventura Commissioner Paul Kruss thanked the council for swiftly rescinding the resolution.

I know its not easy to rescind a resolution once its been proposed, Kruss said. Israel tried to safeguard every human life. Hamas ... uses their own citizens as human shields.

Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez also urged the council to rescind the peace resolution, saying his own city  where almost half the residents are Jewish was ground zero for antisemitism.

October 7 was the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, he said. In Miami Beach, weve had praises of Hitler on Ocean Drive. He called some supporters of the peace resolution terrorist sympathizers who were uninformed and ignorant.

Sabren Najjar, left, holds pictures of dead Palestinian babies, as Samuel Aldana, speaks to the press after the special council meeting to rescind its Israel-Palestine peace resolution in the city of Doral.

Another resolution in the pipeline

After back-tracking on the peace resolution, Fraga carefully avoided mentioning Palestinians or Gaza but said she was still human, and that she can see the issue from different perspectives.

I have been very vocal and an advocate for Israel and its right to exist and its right to defend itself. Yet, I do have empathy, she said. I can humanize the tremendous loss that this has created in several communities.

But after the resolution was rescinded, Fraga told a Herald reporter that she intends to wade into the issue again during a June 12 meeting with a new resolution with no ambiguity about our fixed position. She said it would identify Hamas as the problem preventing peace in the region.

It is a terrorist group that not only holds its own citizens captive but also creates terror towards Israelis. If this terrorist organization is not condemned and led to release the hostages and lay down their arms, there can be no peace, she said in Spanish.

Councilman Rafael Pineyro spoke in support of the way Fraga handled the backlash to the resolution, but recognized the councils original unanimous vote.

Supporting a call for peace is something that we all supported, he said. Im not going to be here pretending I didnt read that resolution that the mayor proposed.

Councilwoman Cabral told the media she believes the mayor should not have gotten the city embroiled in international politics and that she is glad that [Fraga] has now acknowledged she should not have brought forth this resolution.

Councilwoman Maureen Porras after rescinding the resolution said that it did not represent the Doral community or the council.

Unfortunately, it brought a lot of attention that we did not have in Doral, causing internal conflicts and conflicting opinions, she said in Spanish.

This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
DOVER  Tree removal day arrived Monday, and some residents of Grove and Fifth streets were not happy.

Emily Szarka has lived here for 11 years. Pausing in front of the tree that has greeted her daily, she placed her hand on its bark and stood in silence, like she was holding the hand of an old friend. It will be gone by the time she returns home.

The neighborhood is part of a capital improvement project. Dover officials targeted Fifth and Grove streets for reconstruction to upgrade underground utilities and address drainage concerns and roadway/sidewalk conditions. All the trees on the streets standing in the way are being cut down and removed to clear the way.

Some of us knew about it, but our landlords didnt tell us about it until it was way too late, Szarka said. Some of these trees are so old, and it kills me that they are doing this. We only get to keep that one on that corner. Its horrible; theres tons of animals that arent going to have anyplace to live anymore.

Dover resident Emily Szarka spends a moment reflecting Monday, May 20, 2024, as the city removes trees lining the sidewalks of Fifth Street, where she has lived for 11 years.

Some people posted emotional signs on the trees, wishing they could be saved.

Tree crews with cranes, claws, bucket trucks, chippers and chainsaws arrived. Roots of the big trees have come up pushing aside sidewalk panels, making a very uneven pathway. The city has been working with the land owners and got signed permission from each to proceed.

Tree removal and replacement part of $5.1 million city project

Trees are cut down and removed in the neighborhood of Fifth and Grove streets in Dover Monday, May 20, 2024, making room for the street reconstruction project.

The Dover City Council at its March 27 meeting unanimously authorized awarding the construction bid for the Fifth and Grove reconstruction project to N. Granese & Sons of Salem, Massachusetts, for just over $5.1 million.

Dover Community Services Director John Storer explained the reason behind the work.

I know trees evoke passion, and it doesnt go unnoticed that some people might be frustrated," he said.

The city held a number of community meetings and passed out flyers. Property owners were informed as they worked with city officials but renters were not as involved in the process.

"If you could look at this from an engineering perspective, we cant get in there to plow the sidewalks," Storer said. "Trees have uprooted the sidewalk panels and roots are coming up. If you can fast forward and think about the end results there will be better drainage, and we are working with the Conservation Commission and planting 19 new trees. The sidewalks are a safety issue and need to be ADA compliant.

An old tree is mourned by a sign on it on Grove Street in Dover. It was one of many cut down Monday, May 20, 2024, making room for the Fifth Street and Grove Street Reconstruction Project.

The city's plan calls for the new trees to have 25-30 years of life before being changed out.

We are also concerned about the emerald ash borer, and need trees that can stand up to that," Storer said, referencing the invasive wood-boring beetle, which has destroyed trees across North America.

Kids climbing in trees brings out emotions

Chris Hobson has lived in the neighborhood for seven years. Its a quiet area, but I know Grove Street in particular has been rough on peoples vehicles. Hobson said his main transportation is a unicycle. He doesnt use the sidewalks. He has been riding since he was 12, and he now has a cycle with a fat tire and a hand break.

I wish they could improve the streets without taking the trees," he said. "The signs kids left on the trees is heartwarming. Its a pretty cool place. Kids are always out playing over there.

"The trees were here before the road was," Szarka said. "Theres been a couple of kids that have been hanging out in that tree, and it makes me so happy to see them in the tree because you dont see kids climbing trees anymore. ... Apparently theyre going to be replacing the trees but we are going to end up getting these tiny trees, not these gorgeous beauties.

A worker uses a chainsaw to work his way down the limbs of a tree on Grove Street in Dover that neighbors say is 140 years old. This tree and others were cut down Monday, May 20, 2024, and hauled to make room a street reconstruction project.

On Wednesday, one tree on Grove Street residents say was 140 years old was gone, leaving only a huge stump as seen on a post on Facebook. Resting on top was a vase containing flowers in sawdust.

City officials hope the change residents are experiencing will be seen as positive eventually.

If you can picture what the Silver Street project became with beautiful sidewalks reconstruction, landscaping, lighting, better drainage, it will be worth it, Storer said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover's removal of trees causes heartbreak: Here's why it's happening
Several businesses in Jackson, including one owned by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, were raided by the FBI's Jackson office Wednesday morning.

Crime scene tape was wrapped around Downtown Cigar Company LLC on Pearl Street, a business owned by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State's website.

Just after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Owens' released a statement on his Facebook page confirming FBI agents came to his office at the Hinds County Courthouse. Read the statement below:

"This morning, FBI agents came to our office," the statement reads. "We are fully cooperating with their efforts. The Hinds County District Attorney's Office is fully functioning and continues its work on behalf of the citizens of Hinds County. That has been and will continue to be our primary focus. Currently, we have not further statements."

Downtown Cigar Company LLC, a business owned by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, was raided by Jackson's FBI office early Wednesday morning.

Another business next door, Downtown Daiquiri and Pizza, also was surrounded by law enforcement agents.

One FBI agent told the Clarion Ledger he had been standing outside of Owens' business for "a couple hours." Along with the FBI, Capitol Police was also on the scene.

"The FBI is executing federal search warrants at multiple locations," said FBI Spokesperson Marshay Lawson in an email. "The affidavit in support of the search warrants has been sealed by the court and so I am prohibited from commenting further. There is no threat to public safety."

Owens was first elected as Hinds County's District Attorney in 2019 after being the managing attorney at the Mississippi office of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He was reelected to the office in November 2023.

A business owned by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, seen here in this May 4, 2021 file photo, was raided by law enforcement agencies Wednesday, May 22, 2024

In a separate 2022 incident, Owens was accused of pointing a gun at Joshua Towns of Hattiesburg who told police he was visiting his "lady friend" in her apartment on Pearl Street when Owens entered the apartment and pointed a gun at him, according to previous Clarion Ledger reporting. The woman was reportedly an employee in Owens' office.

Owens denied all allegations at the time.

In September 2023, Owens successfully prosecuted John Davis, former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, for misspending public welfare money in the state's largest embezzlement case. He pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy and 13 counts of fraud against the government. A federal judge indefinitely delayed Davis' sentencing in January 2023.

"While this case is far from over, John Daviss guilty plea is a resounding victory for the State of Mississippi and its citizens," Owens said at the time.

Davis and six others were indicted in 2020 after State Auditor Shad White released an audit the year prior that "questioned" more than $94 million in welfare money spending. The audit revealed millions were funneled through the MDHS to several interested parties to spend on special projects, luxury vehicles and even for a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hinds County DA releases statement after FBI raids office, business
Draft agreement says Rudy Giuliani can never defame Fulton election workers ever again

Rudy Giuliani can never again publicly accuse two Fulton County election workers of voter tampering in the 2020 election ever again, according to court documents filed in federal court on Tuesday.

A draft agreement said Giuliani would be permanently enjoined from publishing, causing others to publish, and/or assisting in others publication of any statements that suggest that Plaintiffs, whether mentioned directly, indirectly or by implication, engaged in wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election.

In December, a unanimous jury in Washington, D.C. awarded Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss damages for defamation and emotional distress.

The mother and daughter volunteered to count votes at Atlantas State Farm Arena during the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani accused the two of mass voter fraud. Both Freeman and Moss said they received death threats.

A judge made a default judgment that Giuliani did defame Freeman and Moss.

Giuliani vowed to appeal the verdict, saying the absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding.

But the judge in the case ruled against Giulianis appeal.

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After the jurys decision in December, Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the next day. He claimed he had less than $10 million in assets but more than $100 million in debt, according to his bankruptcy petition.

The agreement still must be approved by Judge Beryl Howell. It also includes a stipulation that Freeman and Moss must drop a second lawsuit against Giuliani because he continued to make false statements about the women.

This comes as Giuliani and 10 others were charged in Arizona for trying to overturn the 2020 election in that state for former President Donald Trump.

All the defendants plead not guilty.

A judge ordered Giuliani to post a $10,000 bond and appear in the state within 30 days for booking procedures after authorities spent weeks trying to serve him with a court summons.

Officials served him Friday in Palm Beach, Florida, at his 80th birthday party after tracking him to the location based on his podcasts

Giuliani still faces several charges here in Georgia. There is still no word yet on when that case will go to trial.

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WASHINGTON - Donald Trump headlined a fundraiser with energy executives in Texas on Wednesday, just weeks after telling industry leaders he would remove regulations on their business - and asking for $1 billion in donations.

The former president and presumptive Republican 2024 White House nominee has made no secret of his desire to unleash the oil and gas industry if he wins in November, frequently invoking the pledge to "drill, baby, drill," and making it part of his plan to be a "dictator" for a day.

During a December town hall in Iowa, asked by Fox News host Sean Hannity about criticism that he wants to be a dictator, Trump replied: "No, no, no - other than day one. Were closing the border, and were drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, Im not a dictator.

The Trump campaign did not comment on the Houston fundraiser.

Trump has campaigned and raised money throughout his hush money trial in New York City, which come Tuesday will shift toward a climatic end as prosecutors and defense attorneys make final arguments to the jury before they begin deliberations in the first criminal case in U.S. history to involve a former president.

President Trump, right, joined by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks to the media during a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House on Oct. 16, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Trump's courting of the oil and gas industries was a common theme during his first term, which included the appointment in 2017 of former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson to be U.S. secretary of state.

In 2024, Trump's efforts have again drawn scrutiny from environmentalist and Democratic lawmakers. They said Trump is putting the presidency up for sale, in an effort to promote dirty fossil fuels and curb clean energy initiatives pursued by President Joe Biden's administration.

"Donald Trump is going directly from the courtroom to courting Big Oil," said Alex Glass, managing director of communications for the organization Climate Power.

Glass said that Trump visited Houston "to cash in on his pitch to Big Oil that, for the bargain price of $1 billion in campaign contributions, will save them $110 billion in promised tax breaks while Americans are left to foot the bill."

The lunch was hosted by Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources; Kelcy Warren, executive chairman of Energy Transfer Partners; and Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, according to the invitation.

Outside the hotel, protesters held signs that read "Out of Court/Courting Big Oil."

The Washington Post this month reported that Trump hosted a meeting of oil executives in April at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

Trump asked the executives to "raise $1 billion to return me to the White House," and vowed to "immediately reverse dozens of President Biden's environmental rules and policies and stop new ones from being enacted," the Post reported.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to nine energy company CEOs seeking details about what he called "quid pro quo financial agreements related to U.S. energy policy."

In a statement accompanying the letters, Raskin said that "media reports raise significant potential ethical, campaign finance, and legal issues that would flow from the effective sale of American energy and regulatory policy to commercial interests in return for large campaign contributions."

Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign, said Biden "is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy agenda in history."

Trump, she said, "is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect our national security and bring down the cost of living for all Americans.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Drill, baby, drill:' Donald Trump raises money from the oil industry
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  An Amherst man pleaded guilty Tuesday to fatally striking a pedestrian and leaving the scene during a winter storm earlier this year, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced.

Amherst man arrested in connection with fatal Cheektowaga hit-and-run

Officials said Matthew J. Althoff was driving a Ford SUV around 7:20 p.m. on Jan. 15 when he struck a pedestrian on Losson Road in Cheektowaga. Althoff then drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to police.

The victim, 41-year-old Antwain R. Hankle, was clearing snow from his vehicle in front of his home when he was struck, and he was later found injured in the roadway by an off-duty New York State trooper. Hankle was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he later died.

Althoff pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting resulting in a death, the highest sustainable charge. He faces a maximum of seven years in prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 8, and he remains released on a previously posted $10,000 bail.

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Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. With their expanding economies, rising populations, and geopolitical potential, Central Asia and Azerbaijan together form a historically and culturally unified region of strategic importance in global politics. Over the past year, relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries have reached an entirely new level. This progress is driven by numerous visits by heads of state, signed deals, and the implementation of specific agreements. Truly, the cooperation between our country and Central Asian partners is something to envy.

Azerbaijan highly values building robust ties with Tajikistan. Over the past 30 years, these two nations have solidified their relationship, creating a favorable environment for addressing mutual concerns and actively participating in global affairs. With a shared history, culture, friendly relations, and common values and traditions, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have a strong bond that spans centuries.

Currently, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are working together on numerous economic projects, covering sectors such as energy, oil, and aluminum. Key areas of economic collaboration between the two countries include metallurgy, agriculture, energy, light industry, transportation, telecommunications, and finance.

Of course, despite the strong political ties between the two countries, there's still untapped potential in their economic relationship. For instance, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in 2023 totaled $6.1 million - up 2.98 percent year-on-year ($5.9 million in 2022). However, in January-March 2024, the trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $1.4 million, which is already 40 percent higher than the same period of 2023 ($1.03 million).

As of today, the foundation for bilateral cooperation is comprised of nearly 80 agreements governing various areas of collaboration. In May of this year alone, the two countries inked 15 additional deals during the Azerbaijan-Tajikistan business forum in Baku. The majority of these agreements focused on enhancing industrial cooperation between Baku and Dushanbe.

Azerbaijan is already set to invest in the reconstruction of an aluminum plant in Tajikistan. As per the agreement, Azerbaijan will assist in raising capital for the overhaul of the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO). Tajikistan will import aluminum, cryolite, and aluminum fluoride from Azerbaijan, while alumina will be exported from Azerbaijan to Tajikistan.

Undoubtedly, one of the key areas for potential cooperation between the two countries is the transportation sector. High-level negotiations frequently highlight the importance of enhancing logistical connectivity and integrating Tajikistan's railways and highways into the Middle Corridor transportation network. Tajikistan's leadership has indicated that Dushanbe is eager to make use of Azerbaijan's efficient transit infrastructure and boost the volume of freight transported.

Moreover, Baku and Dushanbe have strengthened their relationship through another platform  the UN's Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). During SPECA Week in Baku at the end of November 2023, the countries discussed various agenda items, including progress toward sustainable development goals, cooperation in the transport and energy sectors, and much more.

Of course, the full development of relations can't happen without fostering connections between people. Azerbaijan is particularly attractive to tourists from Central Asia, especially Tajikistan. On May 30, 2023,a regular flight route between Baku and Dushanbe was launched. An additional flight between the cities is also expected to be introduced this year. Undoubtedly, the establishment of direct flights between Dushanbe and Baku will give a significant boost to the further development and expansion of trade, investment, tourism, cultural, and humanitarian ties.

Without a doubt, President Emomali Rahmon's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan will further boost bilateral cooperation and reaffirm the political commitment to strengthening ties between the entire Central Asian region and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is actively seeking to establish new avenues of cooperation and strengthen existing relationships. The enduring ties with Central Asian nations are a direct result of President Ilham Aliyev's strategic leadership. Azerbaijan has cultivated strong partnerships within this region and remains dedicated to furthering these connections for the mutual benefit.
Driver seriously injured in crash near Holland

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A woman sustained serious injuries in a crash near Holland Wednesday afternoon, deputies say.

It happened around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of 120th Avenue at Greenly Street in Holland Township.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office says the driver of a Jeep going west on Greenly pulled out in front of a Kia that was headed north on 120th, leading to the crash.

The driver of the Jeep, a 32-year-old West Olive woman, sustained injuries that are considered life-threatening, deputies say.

The driver of the Kia, a 29-year-old Holland man, was also hospitalized, but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

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Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, deputies say.

The intersection was shut down for about an hour while authorities investigated and cleaned up.

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Duck decoys can be seen inside the lobby of the Ducks Unlimited building in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

In the race to protect North America's at-risk wetlands, Ducks Unlimited, along with its Canadian and Mexican counterparts, recently crossed a $2 billion mark in funds raised for large-scale wildlife conservation, well on the way towards the campaign's $3 billion goal by 2026.

The current campaign, "Conservation for a Continent," is the third campaign in the 21st century to raise billions.

Much of the funds raised, said Ducks Unlimited President Chuck Smith and CEO Adam Putnam, have come from philanthropic donations and government grants, as man-made threats to North America's wetlands continue to jeopardize the future of all breeds of waterfowl.

The story of how the organization has been able to execute billion-dollar campaigns is decades in the making.

"Since 1970, we've lost a third of all bird species in North America, across the board," said Putnam. "Only wetland species of birds have increased in population."

Ducks Unlimited President Chuck Smith and CEO Adam Putnam pose for a portrait outside the Ducks Unlimited building in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Headquartered in Memphis, the main Ducks Unlimited campus coordinates with field offices in all 50 states and in both U.S. border countries. While the emphasis is on protecting lands that nourish waterfowl populations, some 900 species of animals that rely on wetland ecosystems are also positively impacted for the better.

Ducks Unlimited distinguishes itself from other conservation-focused non-governmental organizations by both raising funds and executing conservation strategies.

"We actually move the dirt, we're not just here for advocacy," said Putnam. "And we're going to share what we know in engineering and designing and executing these projects.

The result of this work and corresponding achievements is increasing public and private partnerships; governments and corporations alike want the association with and knowledge of the organization now synonymous with best practices, Smith said.

The lobby of the Ducks Unlimited building can be seen in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

An additional galvanizing factor is a growing awareness clean water is not infinite or guaranteed.

"Everybody's concerned about water now," Smith said. "And the work we're doing is focused on clean water as a benefit to society in general."

And while water is the organization's primary field of expertise, Ducks Unlimited is also engaging in carbon work by working with rice farmers to reduce methane emissions or conserving prairie land grasses that naturally capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it in roots and soil.

The combination of the factors the organization addresses is increasingly yielding government grants, Putnam said, because the results of the organization's work are tangible.

"It looks like planting hundreds of thousands of trees that are going to restore a bottomland hardwood forest similar to what used to channelize the Mississippi. It looks like working with farmers throughout the Mississippi Delta to modernize their rice production. In Louisiana, it looks like constructing terraces in the water that restore the sedimentation effect of the Mississippi River that then helps restore Louisiana's coastlines," Putnam said.

All of these efforts, Putnam said, must be done at a faster rate to mitigate the rapid onset of ecological changes in North America. And it's why crossing $2 billion in a fundraising campaign is so significant, it represents immediate efforts to preserve more for those who follow us.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis-based Ducks Unlimited surpasses $2 billion fundraising goal
Lawmakers passed a bill Monday that could either ease a backlog of veteran disability claims or allow disabled veterans to be exploited.

A bill sits on Gov. Jeff Landrys desk that has supporters and detractors among disabled military veterans. The supporters say the measure will help ease a backlog of veteran benefits claims, while the detractors say it will allow bad actors to exploit those who served and sacrificed.

Proponents say Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, received final passage Monday in the House in an 87-9 vote with no debate or discussion and now awaits the governors consideration.

Catheys bill deals with a complex and often misunderstood issue involving the filing of military veteran disability benefits and loopholes in federal law that have created an unregulated industry making a windfall off of claims consulting  a practice that is technically illegal but difficult to enforce.

Catheys proposal, in short, would attempt to legalize non-accredited claims consulting but puts a $12,500 cap on the consulting fees a company can charge a veteran per claim.

The Louisiana Legislature was considering an opposing measure, House Bill 979 by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, to penalize the practice unless consultants agreed to be accredited. Although Hortons bill received unanimous support in the House and from all major veteran service organizations, a group of senators on the Committee on Judiciary B sidelined the proposal Tuesday.

We would want a veteran to make sure they get every benefit theyre due through every avenue possible, committee Chairman Mike Reese, R-Leesville, said.

Reeses view is common among lawmakers and others who believe the non-accredited claims consulting industry offers some kind of alternate pathway for veterans who want to pay for such a service to avoid bureaucracy. Yet the option has resulted in some veterans being exploited or misled by those consultants. Previous reporting by the Illuminator explored the issue in-depth.

Claims consultants flourish unregulated

When military members leave the service, they might be entitled to a monthly cash benefit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for any service-connected disabilities. To receive them, they have to fill out paperwork and submit medical records and other related information to support their claim.

To accommodate veterans through the process, the VA offers accreditation to private claims agents, lawyers, and members of veteran service organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), as well as anyone else who wants to assist veterans in filing their disability claims. This accreditation involves a background check and a written exam to ensure they can properly assist veterans with claims and represent them in appeals.

Search the internet for VA claims consulting, and it will generate virtually endless listings for websites offering claims services for veterans and their dependents to obtain disability benefits or apply for an increase to their benefits.

Many of these companies do not have VA accreditation and are not staffed with lawyers, accountants or other credentialed professionals. Critics say the consulting services amount to telling veterans how to fill out VA forms, for which they often charge a fee or take a percentage of the disability payment. Before the claims consulting industry came into existence, veterans never had to pay money just to apply for their benefits, but many veterans dont know this and are not aware of even their most basic rights to such benefits.

During Tuesdays committee hearing on Hortons bill, Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, shared a story about his grandfather, who was wounded during World War II and didnt apply for an increase to his disability benefit until much later in life.

It took him decades because he didnt even know that he could apply for a higher rating, the senator said.

Coussan, an attorney, also believes non-accredited consultants or paid claims agents can offer some kind of express service or alternate pathway to VA benefits. He said he once got a call from a client who offered to pay him to get to the front of the line with their VA claim.

There are veterans that need this that would be willing to pay more, he said.

Louisianas VA leader weighs in

The suggestion that a veteran can pay a private consultant, or anyone else for that matter, to somehow speed up a disability claim or avoid the bureaucratic backlog at the VA is false, according to veterans advocates and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. All disability claims go through the same path at the VA regardless of who fills out the forms. The unaccredited consultants dont have any special tools or elite access that could get a veteran to the front of the line, they said.

Everyone submitting a claim to the federal VA has to follow the same process, LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick said.  For those who dont want to deal with bureaucracy, because thats another argument, vets can still go a non-governmental route by hiring a private lawyer whos accredited by the VA.

The claims consulting industry has become particularly lucrative since President Joe Biden enacted the largest expansion of veteran benefits since World War II. The industry has few barriers to entry and requires little capital investment.

Charlton Meginley, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said the companies have deliberately avoided seeking accreditation because doing so would subject them to the same set of rules as the accredited claims agents and private lawyers. Once a person becomes accredited, they can no longer charge high fees just for helping veterans fill out initial claims forms. They would instead have to work on appeals and more complicated matters that accredited agents handle.

The VA has tried for several years to educate veterans about their rights and push back against the non-accredited industry, but its hands are tied. It is currently against federal law for non-accredited, non-attorney agents to assist anyone in the preparation, presentation or filing of claims on behalf of veterans. But in 2006, for reasons unclear, Congress removed the penalties that once existed under the law.

Battle stalls at national level

Both Catheys and Hortons bills are derived from legislation pending in Congress: the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or GUARD Act; and its countermeasure, the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services Act or PLUS Act.

Dysfunction on Capitol Hill has grounded both proposals and prompted lobbyists to take the debate to state legislatures. Two of the largest claims consulting companies, Veterans Guardian and Veteran Benefits Guide, joined forces in the effort by forming the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) to lobby on their behalf.

At the helm of the NAVR is Peter ORourke, the former VA secretary from the Trump administration.

He pushed back on arguments that his companies do little more than tell veterans how to fill out paperwork. He said they offer claims assistance, which can involve compiling the right kinds of medical records to ensure a claim is approved, though he did admit theres no such thing as a speedy alternative to the VA claims process.

Yes, we cant make a claim go any faster  but your claim is done very accurately, ORourke told the committee.

Veterans Guardian and Veteran Benefits Guide have spent approximately $1.76 million and $960,000, respectively, on lobbying for this single issue, according to the political finance website OpenSecrets.org. Those amounts do not include lobbying expenses at the state level.

Landry faces decision

If Gov. Landry signs Catheys bill, Louisiana would be the only state to have enacted such a law. It would also mark a reversal of Landrys previous stance on the issue. Prior to his election as governor, Landry investigated and shut down non-accredited claims consultants while serving as attorney general.

Also, last August, he was among 44 state attorneys general who signed a letter urging Congress to oppose the federal version of Catheys bill and instead expressed support for its countermeasure.

Horton pointed this out, saying the legislation puts the issue in the lap of the governor to see if he stands by this letter that he signed onto in 2023.

The governors office has not responded to a question about his stance on the two proposals.

Mike Figlioli, the VFWs national director, told the Illuminator he was disappointed to hear about the Legislatures decision to support Catheys bill over Hortons and urged Gov. Landry to veto it.

It will be interesting to see if the governor vetoes this legislation that is unconstitutional, Figlioli said. The PLUS act should be renamed the Please Let Us Steal Act because that is what the Louisiana Legislature is allowing these unaccredited bad actors to do.

However, ORourke told the committee Hortons bill would deny veterans the right to choose how they want to file their claims, and Sen. Reese agreed it would close out available avenues for veterans to obtain their benefits.

In response, Horton pointed to a critical nuance she said many people overlook when debating this issue.

We dont want to close anything out, she said. We just want them to be accredited.

Several lawmakers have compared the claims consultants to private third-party tax prep services charging to file returns with forms and websites the Internal Revenue Service offers at no cost, but there are several discrepancies with the analogy.

H&R Block and other third-party tax preparers must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service and have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), which the agency issues. When filing someones tax return, the preparer signs their name and includes their ID number on the IRS forms, attesting to the accuracy and integrity of the claim.

Unlike an unaccredited claims consultant, a third-party tax preparer puts their name on the line and takes responsibility for their clients tax return in the same way an accredited American Legion representative, private lawyer or third-party claims agent would do with a VA claim. Unaccredited consultants dont put their names on any VA forms. They essentially work in secret because the VA has no indication if a veteran has even hired a consultant unless a complaint is filed.

Time for Hortons bill to advance from the Senate committee is running out. Its members will likely meet once more before the legislative session must end by June 3.

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The post Lawmakers force Gov. Landrys hand on veterans disability proposal he previously opposed appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
In rural Duette, a resident died after suffering a heart attack and waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive in March, according to the areas fire chief.

Duette Fire Chief Rocky Parker wants Manatee County commissioners to approve a permit that allows volunteer paramedics to offer advanced life support services. That includes giving patients cardiac drugs, intravenous fluids or electric shocks to restart their hearts.

According to Parker, Duette Fire Rescue has seven paramedic firefighters with the skills necessary to provide advanced life support, but without a permit from Manatee County Government, they are not allowed to administer that care.

Would it have made a difference? Parker said. Nobody can say that, but I can say that when we were on the scene within six minutes, we could have begun advanced care right away.

During a recent Manatee County Commission meeting, Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said some residents have less access to emergency services, which is one downside to living out in the country. Van Ostenbridge suggested that the Duette Fire Rescue District should explore a merger with the Parrish Fire District.

When you have smaller districts, they tend to be more susceptible to these challenges, Van Ostenbridge said. When you have larger districts, they tend to be more resilient.

Duette Fire Rescue seeks advanced care permit

Commissioner George Kruse argued that the merger between the Myakka City Fire Control District and the East Manatee Fire Rescue District has been successful.

I know Myakka has better service as a result of a merger that maybe they didnt want to have, Kruse said. You kind of lose the source of pride of having a Myakka Fire, but its for the best interest of the citizens out there, cost-wise and safety-wise.

While Van Ostenbridge claimed that Duette Fire Rescue failed to meet the minimum requirements because it does not have ALS-certified paramedics on duty at all times, the agency posted on Facebook that county officials were looking for anything they could to deny the permit.

Meshia Richardson-Judd, 66, who has lived in Duette for six years, questioned why the county commissioners did not take an important step to cut emergency response times to rural parts of the county.

Overlooking rural needs?

Why should I have to sit and wait? Richardson-Judd said. None of us should have to sit and wait.

She criticized the county commissioners for overlooking the needs of rural residents.

Dont make us second-class citizens, Richardson-Judd said. We choose to live out here. It doesnt mean that its a given that we wont get services we might need in a more populated area of Manatee County.

Parker is frustrated that heart attack patients face long wait times for an ambulance. He compared it to being locked in a room for 30 minutes with crushing chest pain. His goal is to treat those patients as soon as possible.

They are right about one thing, in a rural area, we should expect lesser service, Parker said. But thats the thing, were not asking for money. Were not asking for resources. Were asking to take care of ourselves.

Parker wants to do more to help the residents who count on him.

I live here, Parker said. I know these people. Its a small, rural community. Were standing there trying to help people that we know, that look to us for help.
Dunwoody police searching for man who vanished days ago on his way to work

Dunwoody police are searching for a man who left home to go to work and hasnt been heard from or seen since.

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Police said Justin Romine left his home on May 18 to head to his job in the City of Decatur. He never arrived.

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He was driving a gold, 2017 Jeep Compass with Georgia tag CPY1522. Hes described as 601 and 145 pounds with red hair and a tattoo on the left side of his neck.

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Friends and family told police that this is extremely out of character for Romine.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dunwoody police.




Its not hard to find Israelis opposed to the manner in which Bibi Netanyahus government is conducting its war in Gaza. Tens of thousands of people march against it every Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and elsewhere in the country. Families of people believed to be held hostage by Hamas protest outside Netanyahus Jerusalem residence and even his vacation home in Cesaria. Members of his coalition and war Cabinet are threatening to leave the government over his stiff-necked refusal to even consider a postwar plan for Gaza (thereby leaving open not only the likelihood of endless war but also a new Israeli occupation of Gaza). Other opponents call attention to Israels diplomatic isolation, the price the country is paying economically, and the mass displacement of citizens from towns and villages on both its southern and northern borders.



What barely rises above a whisper, however, is the issue that is causing so much anger and anguish in most of the world, in the United States, on college campuses, and among wide swathes of American Jews: the horrific humanitarian costs of the manner in which Israel has chosen to wage this war and the innocent lives that are being destroyed as a result; the very reasons that the International Criminal Court just went ahead with its warrants for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu, together with the leaders of Hamas, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the conduct of the current war.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and 80,000 wounded in response to the terrorist attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the kidnapping of perhaps 120 more. Its not just the numbers, though these are maddeningly high. Its no exaggeration to say that virtually every day, we read of some new horrific story of hundreds of innocents killed in carelessly targeted bombing raids, shot on the basis of faulty intelligence, of families forced to evacuate one no-mans land to another, lacking not only food but medicine and potable water. These supplies, donated from the United States and Europe, are routinely refused passage by the Israel Defense Forces at checkpoints. And when they are not, more than a few blind eyes are turned as Israeli right-wing thugs destroy them with apparent impunity.

In search of explanations for this apparent silence, I contacted a number of friends and colleagues in Israel whom I knew to have devoted much of their lives to the cause of peace with the Palestinians to ask about the apparent disappearance of the peace movement just when its influence is most intensely needed.

After all, once upon a time there was a strong and vibrant Israeli peace movement; one strong enough to help elect prime ministers and Knesset majorities. True, it has spent most of its time in opposition since Likud started winning elections in 1977, but it still got things done. In 1982, a massive protest of 400,000 people in Tel Aviv, some one in 10 Jewish Israelis at the time, flooded into a protest meeting following the Sabra and Shatila massacres in Lebanon, which led to a commission of inquiry, Defense Minister Ariel Sharons resignation, and the massive growth of the soldier-led Peace Now movement. Decades later, the Four Mothers movement helped sway public opinion in support of a unilateral military withdrawal from southern Lebanon: a remnant of that same, disastrous Israeli invasion.

But that was a different Israel. As the Israeli American pollster and political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin explains it, the number of Israeli Jews who defined themselves as members of the left fell by 50 percent, from 30 percent to just 15 percent in the early 2000s, the other half immediately shifting to the self-defined center, as the right wings popularity began to climb, reaching 60 percent of Jewish Israelis by 2019.

There are multiple factors contributing to this transformation. As Scheindlin sees it, Some of this shift can be explained by demographics, mainly the growth of the religious Jewish population, who are characterized by stalwart right-wing attitudes toward the conflict. But historical events were just as crucial in reshaping Israeli views, specifically, the violence during the Oslo peace process in the 1990s and during the second Intifada in the early 2000s, followed by a series of escalations with Hamas in Gaza in the next decade and the fact that the peace process had vanished. By the next decade, Netanyahus long rule via ultranationalist right-wing governments had moved society decisively to the right, and most young people had no memory even of the hope for peace.

Meanwhile the Israeli left that proved so important to Yitzhak Rabins willingness to embrace the Oslo process (and far more reluctantly, the hated leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yassir Arafat), dwindled to close to just 10 percent of Israelis. The so-called separation wall, the West Bank barrier built by Israel in the early 2000s, put an end to the terrorist threat from the West Bank and took everyday Israelis minds off the fact that an occupation existed at all. Most saw no need to concern themselves with the lives of the people who wanted to take their land away from them and were not altogether opposed to treatment that the increasingly lawless settlers and the IDF meted out to them. In the five consecutive elections conducted over just four years ending in 2022, it was almost impossible to get a mainstream candidate to mention the Palestinians at all. The only two parties to address even a completely hypothetical two-state solution to the conflict did not call for any specific concessions on the part of Israel, and one of them, Meretz, did not even reach the 3.5 percent threshold needed to gain a single seat in the Knesset.

So it was a decidedly dispirited and divided remnant of the peace camp that found itself responding to what has accurately been called the worst attack on Jews anywhere since the Holocaust. All of my correspondents pointed to a similar set of circumstances that explain their fellow citizens refusal to question the manner in which their army is fighting this war, regardless of the price it exacts from the Palestinian citizens of Gaza, together with their relative silence in the face of the campaign of violence currently underway on the West Bank, carried out by increasingly radicalized settlers and supported, oftentimes, by both the government and the IDF.

Today, as Yoav Frommer, who teaches politics and history at Tel Aviv University, accurately notes, it is difficult if not delusional to speak anymore of a peace camp on the Israeli left. Yes, there is a very small minority of Jews and Arabs who, admirably one should say, remain committed to this painfully anachronistic ideal, but in all practical terms that ship has sailed years ago, with any remaining lifeboats from it sinking on October 7.

Yael Sternhell, also a historian at Tel Aviv and board member of the New Israel Fund, an organization that promotes and advances liberal democracy in Israel, noteslike everyone with whom I wrote or spokethat the mainstream Israeli media, with the exception of Haaretz, is hiding the truth from the public. Its bad for ratings, and its an opening for a fight with right-wing politicians. Israeli Jews who consume only mainstream media simply have no idea whats happening down there. No less important was the factor that sheand again, everyone with whom I wrote or spokedescribed as the Israelis deep-seated hatred and suspicion of Palestinians, [which] has been greatly exacerbated by October 7. Many are simply incapable of making the distinction between Hamas and ordinary Palestinians. All are considered either terrorists or potential terrorists. Other Israelis are oblivious. They dont support starvation or the denial of humanitarian aid, but they also dont care enough to do anything about it, and the fact that the Israeli media intentionally avoids showing images of human suffering in Gaza enables their callous avoidance of reality.

Hillel Schenker, who co-edits the excellent Palestine-Israel Journal with the Palestinian attorney and columnist Ziad AbuZayyad, also notes a specific focus among Israelis on the hostages, the young soldiers who are dying almost daily, and the over 150,000 people from the kibbutzim and villages near the Gaza Strip and near the Lebanese border who are displaced from their homes. The average Israeli doesnt see, the mainstream electronic media doesnt show it, or doesnt want to see, the humanitarian catastrophe that is happening in Gaza.

Haggai Matar, executive director at the left-wing +972 Magazine, adds that there are some protests taking place with a focus on what Israel is doing to Gazans, but these get no more than a few hundred participants each, a couple of thousand at the very best. Owing to October 7, Israelis feel afraid, their sense of security shattered, seeing not only what Hamas did, but how poor the armys response was. Considering statements by some in Hamas saying that this was just the first round, and we will be seeing more like it, people see Hamas as an existential threat and buy into the narrative that it can and should be utterly destroyed if we are to live in peace one day. The result, Mattar observes, is that even people who still support a two-state solution on the Zionist left have proven willing to see the army starve Gazans to death if thats what it takes to win the war. These Israelis, in Frommers estimation, see the war as as an existential struggle for survival.

All of my correspondents wanted to make sure I understood that there are those among Jewish (and Palestinian) Israelis who have not given up on the values that inspired them in the first place, even if news of their efforts does not usually reach the wider world (again, except people who read Haaretz). This past Memorial Day, for instance, Combatants for Peace, an organization of former Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants and the Parents Circle-Families Forum, a group of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who work together for reconciliation, organized a joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial service. It had to be recorded in advance and held online because the government would not allow any Palestinians to attend.

Standing Together, which its website describes as a movement dedicated to mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice, claims 5,000 dues-paying members. Sternhell tells me the group has embarked on a massive campaign on choosing life. They are also in the process of organizing a group of Jewish Israelis to try to protect food and medicine shipments to Gaza from settler/terrorists who have been attacking them of late and dumping the food and medicinesomething one would have expected the IDF to be doing. Other organizations Sternhell notes are also working in this space include Zazim, a community action organization comprised of Jewish and Arab Israelis working together for democracy and equality, which is sending food trucks to the border. The New Israel Fund has also raised money for Jose Andress World Central Kitchen. And then Breaking the Silence and BTeselem are doing the work of documenting and exposing human rights offenses by Israeli soldiers.

One cannot but admire both the bravery and tenacity of these people, whom so many Israelis treat as traitors, somehow sympathetic to Hamas. Some have been physically beaten by both police and West Bank settler/terrorists. They show up at demonstrations to bring the hostages home, to resist Netanyahus judicial coup, and to call for new electionspositions endorsed by a majority of Israelisbut are generally ignored at best by those who in the past would have been allies. But will they make a difference? Will their voices even echo beyond their still small numbers at their meetings and demonstrations?

According to Hillel Schenker, the overarching problem is that we have two highly traumatized societies, both the Israelis and the Palestinians, each immersed in their own pain, with little emotional energy to have empathy for the other side. He signs off by quoting the Israeli standup comic and peace activist Noam Shuster Eliasi: From the river to the sea/We all need therapy.
By Alexandra Valencia and Oliver Griffin

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's attorney general's office is investigating eight extrajudicial killings reported to have taken place during the country's most recent state of emergency, after rights groups warned authorities were not taking steps to prevent abuses.

The killings are the most serious rights abuses reported by detained people, local advocacy groups and victims' families that allegedly took place during the January to April state of emergency.

President Daniel Noboa declared the emergency amid spiraling violence in the Andean country, which officials blame on drug trafficking gangs.

Under the measure Noboa deployed thousands of troops on streets and in prisons, with security forces making more than 18,000 arrests.

The attorney general's office said it is also looking into dozens of accusations of torture and other alleged abuses.

Neither the government nor the armed forces responded to requests for comment on alleged abuses.

The crackdown in Ecuador mirrors strategies deployed elsewhere, particularly in El Salvador, where heavy-handed tactics under President Nayib Bukele have led to an "alarming regression" in human rights, according to Amnesty International. Bukele has denied abuses.

In a letter to Noboa's government on Wednesday, the director of advocacy group Human Rights Watch Americas, Juanita Goebertus, said Ecuadorean authorities "appear to have taken little or no measure to prevent human rights violations or to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

Noboa has defended security forces' behavior and previously shied away from comparisons to Bukele.

"I won't have any non-patriot tell us we're violating anyone's rights, when we're protecting those of the vast majority," Noboa said in February.

CHECKPOINT SHOOTING

Carlos Javier Vega, 19, was killed in February after being shot at a check point in Guayaquil as he traveled with his cousin, Eduardo Alfredo Velasco, Velasco told Reuters.

Stopped at the checkpoint, Velasco said he accidentally grazed the boot of a soldier while reversing his car.

"I wanted to get out and see the damage, that's when I heard the shot," Velasco said, adding that he saw his injured cousin change color as other shots rang out.

Velasco said he drove through the checkpoint after the shots were fired to take his cousin to hospital but soon realized he was also wounded.

Unable to drive further, he got out of the car and was met by the troops who had shot at them, he said.

"They threw me to the ground, hit me, stepped on my head. They pulled my cousin out from the car, they stepped on his head and they hit him," Velasco said.

Ecuador's military did not respond to questions including about why soldiers shot at the car.

Three soldiers told a court that Velasco tried to move through the checkpoint and ran over one trooper's left foot, according to documents seen by Reuters.

Velasco was charged with resisting arrest and attacking the troops, though the charges were later dropped.

An Instagram post by Ecuador's military from Feb. 2, featuring a blurred image of what Velasco and Vega's mother, Laura Ipanaque, said is Vega's body, described an operation against "terrorists."

Vega's killing is being investigated by the attorney general's office.

Authorities view abuses as collateral damage in the fight against drug gangs, said Billy Navarrete, director of Guayaquil advocacy group the Permanent Committee of Defending Human Rights.

"The official discourse displays these damages as inevitable in the face of a greater evil," Navarrete said.

The attorney general's office said it is also investigating 48 allegations of torture and 67 cases of overstepping of duties. It did not respond to requests for clarification.

"I wouldn't want another mother, another family to go through what we're going through," Ipanaque said.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito and Oliver Griffin in Bogota; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
There are moments when Baltimore is unified and times when it is not. An appreciation and respect for the Orioles and Ravens, for steamed crabs and cold beer, for Maryland history makers from Frederick Douglass to Thurgood Marshall enrich our sense of community. Yet partisan politics, class division, violent crime and systemic racism undermine that sense of pride, of belonging, of shared purpose and unity. Given all that, it was still somewhat surprising to look out across a certain stretch of the Patapsco River and find oneself truly moved  and dare we say emotionally lifted  not by what was there but by what was not.

Seven weeks after the terrible collision between the Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the massive container ship was no longer stuck amid the wreckage. Early Monday, with much of the fallen steel girders blasted and set aside, a small fleet of five tug boats pushed and pulled the refloated, significantly damaged vessel to Seagirt Marine Terminal.

As Gov. Wes Moore observed from the river bank this morning, this absence proved a beautiful sight. It marked a critical point of progress. And it was achieved ahead of schedule and without serious injury to rescue and salvage workers, divers or U.S. Coast Guard crews. This is not a cause for celebration, exactly  not given the six road workers who died or the enormous economic cost incurred and the uncertainties that still remain. But we cannot dismiss the feeling of hope it inspired.

Gov. Moore likes to trot out the phrase, Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong, as a kind of post-Key Bridge collapse mantra, and it can seem, at least at first blush, a bit corny and pat  like an ad campaign with the inevitable t-shirts and bumper stickers on sale in the lobby. It is easy to be cynical in an age of internet-fueled hucksterism. But theres also something to be said for finding words to describe our shared experience and how, at least so far, we have gathered together in solidarity to mourn our dead, to provide for those who have suffered, and to plan for the future. That the Greater Baltimore Committee has sponsored a Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance to help raise money for port-related businesses and their employees suggests the slogan is here to stay.

The extrication of the Dali is just one small step. The next will be the reopening of the shipping channel expected before the month is over. And then there will be further restoration of port traffic, a complete clearing of the bridge remains, planning for a new span followed by construction that may cost $1.9 billion and could last well into 2028 or longer. Meanwhile, we will have to find ways to ease highway traffic congestion worsened by the loss of the Interstate 695 connection. Memorial Day weekend vacationers will soon provide the latest test. Whether we successfully vault all those hurdles with our shared sense of community, purpose and strength intact remains to be seen.

How is Baltimore looking from afar? Well, so far so good. This week, the time lapse video showing the slow withdrawal of the Dali in the early morning hours made national news. The message: Baltimore is bouncing back, Baltimore is moving forward, Baltimores wounds are healing. Maybe pride isnt quite the right word to describe what were feeling, but then perhaps family hits closer to home. What is community if not extended family? And even in Washington, D.C., with all its political dysfunction, support from the White House and Congress for financing the bridge rebuild seems on track as well.

So thanks to all those who worked so hard to free the Dali and to those whose work is really just starting. We see you. We appreciate you. You have given Baltimore hope. That is a big part of the governors beautiful sight as well. Now, if we could only bottle this spirit and make sure it stays in stock. There are many other challenges this city needs to tackle.

___
Palestinian children who fled the Israeli bombing of the northern Gaza Strip and took shelter at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital walk at Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 12, 2023, days after the Hamas attack on Israel. ( NurPhoto via Getty Images)

For the record:

9:45 a.m. May 22, 2024: An earlier version of this editorial said more than 30,000 noncombatants have died in Gaza since Oct. 7. Noncombatants has been removed because numbers reported by Hamas and the United Nations do not distinguish between military and non-military deaths.



It is somehow fitting that the International Criminal Court prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants against leaders of both Hamas and Israel in connection with mass slaughters carried out since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Israels response.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Read more: Editorial: The U.S. cannot let Israel carry out a slaughter in Rafah

All parties unsurprisingly expressed outrage that they would be deemed equally complicit in an endless war that in its latest iteration has resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000.

Linking Israeli and Palestinian leaders in this fashion is a tragic and thoroughly depressing reminder that there were once more hopeful times. In 1994, their predecessors  Israeli leaders Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat  were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for moving from avowed eternal enmity and armed force to attempted reconciliation.

Read more: Editorial: The humanitarian aid Gaza needs most is a cease-fire

We who have fought against you, the Palestinians, we say to you today, in a loud and clear voice, enough of blood and tears, Rabin said to Arafat in a 1993 White House ceremony. Enough!

The Oslo Accords intended to pave the way to Palestinian statehood were never fully embraced. Arafat was discredited by Islamic activists for making peace, and his successors lost control of Gaza to Hamas. Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by an Israeli claiming to be acting on orders from God, and his successors encouraged continued Jewish settlement on Palestinian lands in the West Bank.

Before Oslo, there were the Camp David Accords, which resulted in mutual recognition of Egypt and Israel, return of the Israeli-occupied Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and a commitment to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The notion of land for peace became current. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat were awarded the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.

Sadat was assassinated in 1981.

Read more: Editorial: Cease-fire now. The killing in Gaza must stop

Begin, Peres and Rabin, Arafat and Sadat  they were spokesmen for bitter enemies, who attempted to destroy the other, much as Netanyahu and Gallant promise to destroy Hamas and Sinwar, Deif and Haniyeh vow to destroy Israel. They all succeeded at killing tens of thousands of people, including their own. After doing so, the earlier generations of warriors and terrorists turned into peacemakers, but they are now gone, and the momentum for destruction remains.

Enemies who were once connected by peacemaking efforts are now enemies who may be linked soon in arrest warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The important point is not legalistic arguments over who bears the greatest moral or legal responsibility. The point is that they are linked. Neither side earns a Nobel Peace Prize or an arrest warrant without the other, nor are they ever likely to.

However committed each is to eliminating the other from the face of the Earth, neither has much chance of success. They will remain linked, forever, as neighbors at war or  if they ever decide that this time they really have had enough blood and tears  neighbors at peace.

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.
Efforts to defuel a luxury tour yacht that ran aground in shallow waters off Lahaina, Hawaii, last week are underway.

The Maui Princess, a 100-foot passenger vessel widely popular for its sunset dinner cruises around Maui, broke free from its mooring farther offshore on Thursday after a part reportedly failed, according to a news release by the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The ship drifted closer to shore and ended up stuck on a shallow shelf of sand and rubble.

The incident did not cause any injuries.

The Maui Princess is stuck on a shallow reef.

What to do in Hawaii? Locals weigh in on if these popular spots are worth the hype

Maui Princess owner David Jung hired Willoughby Consulting and Adjusting to lead the defueling effort. The company started removing the ships 2,500 gallons of fuel, batteries, hazardous materials and other items on Monday afternoon.

The release said the process is expected to take several days and involve up to 10 helicopter trips to remove the majority of the fuel.

This is pretty calm compared to the stuff Ive done in the past, David Willoughby from Willoughby Consulting and Adjusting said in a transcription from Monday.

Jung did not immediately respond to USA TODAYs request for comment but told local media outlet KITV 4 Island News on Friday that the grounding was an accident.

Since the Maui wildfires destroyed Lahaina Harbor last August, the boat has paused all commercial operations and struggled to find a location to be permanently docked.

The Maui Princess paused operations after the Maui wildfires but was popular among tourists for sunset dinner cruises.

The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources is providing expertise and guidance for the removal operation to minimize any additional impacts to important hard substrate and living corals in the area. Aquatic biologists have been unable to assess possible damage to marine life due to high surf along the West Maui coastline.

After the defueling, a salvage contractor will move the boat into deeper water during high tide.

Last February, a different private luxury yacht ran aground off the northern coast of Maui. The vessel leaked fuel into the ocean and damaged coral and live rocks.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A 100-foot luxury tour yacht runs aground off Lahaina, Maui
Fatime Letifova

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, will visit the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azernews reports.

On May 22, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov will participate in the official commemoration ceremony in Tehran dedicated to the tragic deaths of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other accompanying persons in a helicopter crash.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, members of the working group of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) on Azerbaijan-Iran inter-parliamentary relations, and other officials.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Qualification diplomas of crew members of sea vessels will be mutually recognized between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani parliament's plenary meeting has discussed the Azerbaijani draft law on approval of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Diplomas of Specialization of Ship Crews between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan.

The discussion was followed by putting the document to a vote and its approval.

To note, the above agreement was signed by the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev on March 11, 2024.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Egyptian shipwreck survivors enter a police station to be processed following their release from prison, in the town of Nafplio, about 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of Athens, Greece, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A Greek court Monday dismissed a case against nine Egyptian defendants accused of causing a shipwreck off the southern coast of Greece last June that killed several hundred migrants travelling from Libya to Italy. The suspects had spent 11 months in pre-trial prison detention. (AP Photo/Elena Becatoros)

NAFPLIO, Greece (AP)  A group of Egyptians jailed for nearly a year pending trial for a deadly shipwreck were released from jail Wednesday, a day after a Greek court threw out the case against them on grounds that it had no jurisdiction to try it.

Nine Egyptians had been charged with being part of the crew of the Adriana, a massively overcrowded trawler that capsized and sank near Greece last June with an estimated 700 people on board while sailing from Libya to Italy. Only 104 people survived  all men, mostly from Syria, Egypt and Pakistan - and 82 bodies were recovered.

The nine, who have been in pretrial custody since their rescue last year, had been charged with being members of a migrant smuggling ring and were accused of having caused the shipwreck. They had faced several life sentences if convicted.

But a court in the southern Greek city of Kalamata on Tuesday ruled it had no jurisdiction to try the case, as the shipwreck occurred in international waters, none of those involved had been trying to enter Greece, the ship was not Greek flagged and no Greek citizens were on board.

The Egyptians defense team had argued that the nine were not crew members of the ill-fated trawler but had been paying passengers who were mistakenly identified as crew by nine other survivors, and that they were being used as scapegoats by authorities eager to put all the blame for the tragedy on the trawlers crew.

Eight of the nine were released from a jail outside the southern city of Nafplio on Wednesday evening. They were transferred to a police station in the city, where they were to remain in custody overnight pending further procedures. It was not immediately clear when they would be fully released from custody.

The ninth defendant was to be released from a different jail.

The massive loss of life in the sinking of the Adriana in the early hours of June 14, 2023, renewed pressure on European governments to protect the lives of migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach the continent. The European border protection agency Frontex says illegal border detections at EU frontiers increased for three consecutive years through 2023, reaching the highest level since the 2015-2016 migration crisis, driven largely by arrivals by sea.

The exact circumstances of how the Adriana sank remain unclear. The trawler was sailing in international waters but within Greeces search and rescue area of operations, and a coast guard patrol boat and passing merchant ships were near the vessel for several hours. Greek authorities have said the trawlers crew repeatedly refused offers of help, insisting it wanted to continue to Italy.

Several survivors have said the boat capsized after the Greek coast guard attempted to tow it, an accusation Greek authorities have vehemently denied. A Naval Court investigation into the sinking is still underway.

Speaking at the courthouse after the case was dismissed on Tuesday, Dimitris Choulis, one of the lawyers in the defense team for the nine Egyptians, said attention should turn to how the Adriana sank.

The court today had to be very brave to issue this decision, and to say that these people are not the smugglers, Choulis said.

The lawyer blamed the tragedy on the Greek coast guard and Europes migration policies, and said it was essential to make sure that nothing like that would happen again.
By Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan

DUBAI (Reuters) - Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed on Wednesday to Tehran to participate in the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Shoukry's visit is the first visit by the Egyptian foreign minister to Iran," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said.

Relations between Egypt and Iran have often been fraught in recent decades although the two countries have maintained diplomatic contacts.

Last September, foreign ministers of both countries met during the United Nations leaders gathering in New York and Raisi, who also attended the U.N. General Assembly, said at the time that the meeting could pave the way for a restoration of ties.

Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who also died in the crash, had met his Egyptian counterpart earlier this month in Gambia on the sidelines of a summit for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The two ministers had discussed efforts to promote bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region, especially the ongoing situation in Gaza.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Center for Diabetes hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their new facility.

In collaboration with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at 8700 Montana.

Formerly known as El Paso Diabetes Association, the El Paso Center for Diabetes mission is to educate and empower the community to achieve a healthy lifestyle throughout their diabetes journey, according to the news release by the center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser visited the Fort Bliss Armed Services YMCA on Wednesday, May 22 to discuss the impact of their programs on military families in the area.

Leeser visitied the facility to address initiatives aimed at enhancing services for veterans and their families within the community, further establishing the citys commitment to supporting military families, according to a press release from Fort Bliss ASYMCA.

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) at Fort Bliss is dedicated to providing support and community services to military members and their families. ASYMCA focuses on strengthening military families, supporting healthy living, and fostering a sense of community, the press release 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 KTSM 9 News.
President Joe Biden has won the Democratic presidential primary in Kentucky.

The Associated Press called the race for Biden shortly after polls closed in the state.

Because Kentucky has one of the latest presidential primaries in the nation, Biden entered the contest Tuesday as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, having already amassed more than enough delegates to clinch the win.

Biden, 81, is expected to face off against former president Donald Trump, 77, in a 2020 rematch come Election Day on Nov. 5.

In the 2020 election, Trump carried Kentucky by more than 25 percentage points over Biden, though Biden would go on to win the Electoral College votes needed to secure the presidency.

On Jan. 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election. Since then, more than 1,200 people have been criminally charged for the attack, and Trump faces felony allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to overturn the legitimate election results.

Biden was sworn in as the 46th president on Jan. 20, 2021. His vice president, Kamala Harris, made history as the first woman to serve in the role.

Across the nation, thousands of Democratic Primary voters has expressed their displeasure with Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war by casting uncommitted votes. The uncommitted option has won 27 delegates thus far for this summers Democratic National Convention, according to the Associated Presss 2024 Delegate Tracker.

Prior to the presidency, Biden served two terms as vice president under President Barack Obama, and was a U.S. Senator from Delaware for more than three decades.

Sworn in at age 78, Biden was the oldest president at the time of his inauguration. Trump, who was sworn in at age 70, is No. 2 on that list.

Biden is married to First Lady Jill Biden, and is the father of four children, two who have died.
Former President Donald Trump has won the Republican presidential primary in Kentucky.

The Associated Press called the race for Trump shortly after polls closed in the commonwealth.

Because Kentucky has one of the latest presidential primaries in the nation, Trump entered the contest Tuesday as the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, having already amassed more than enough delegates to clinch the win.

Other high-profile Republican candidates  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy  suspended their campaigns months ago, though they still appeared on the ballot in Kentucky and elsewhere.

Trump, 77, is expected to challenge President Joe Biden, 81, in a 2020 rematch come Election Day on Nov. 5.

In the 2020 election, Trump carried Kentucky by more than 25 percentage points over Biden. the former VP, however, would go on to win the necessary Electoral College votes to secure the presidency.

Trump has falsely claimed that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud.

On Jan. 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election. Since then, more than 1,200 people have been criminally charged for the attack.

Trump also faces felony charges on allegations he was a part of a conspiracy to overturn the legitimate election results.

Its one of four ongoing criminal cases for the embattled former president.

Also on Tuesday, Trumps defense team rested its case in his New York felony hush money trial. Trump did not take the stand, as was his right. Juror deliberations are set to begin next week.

The 45th president also faces state criminal charges in Georgia for alleged election interference, and federal court in Florida for allegedly mishandling classified national security documents.

Trump won the presidency in 2016 over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, making him the first U.S. president with no prior government or military service.

Inaugurated at the age of 70, Trump was the second-oldest president at the time he was sworn in. First on that list is Biden, inaugurated at age 78.

Before running for office, Trump was best known as a real estate developer and reality television star on The Apprentice.

Trump is married to Melania Trump, and has five adult children. He resides in Florida.

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SAN BRUNO, Calif. (KRON)  Children at a San Bruno elementary school were exposed to pepper spray on Tuesday after a San Francisco Sheriffs Office training exercise went wrong, a spokesperson with the sheriffs office confirmed to KRON4. Twenty students and one teacher reported symptoms such as burning sensations on their faces and scratchy throats, the San Bruno Fire Department said.

The training class for crowd management, intervention, and control was conducted inside a building on SFSOs jail property in San Bruno. It involved testing chemical agents against CS gas (2-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile) and OC gas (commonly known as pepper spray).

$2.1M home listed on Redfin appears to be that of Google engineer who allegedly killed wife

Gas drifted over to Portola Elementary School, located at 300 Amador Ave., causing teachers and students to feel symptoms.

This is an unprecedented situation that we take very seriously, said Tara Moriarty, SFSOs Director of Communications

Moriarty said SFSO and other law enforcement agencies have conducted training at this site for more than 20 years, and this has never happened before. Both gases are commonly used by law enforcement, per Moriarty.

Members of SFSO visited the school to explain what happened and apologize. SFSO will now pause its chemical agent training exercises for safety purposes, Moriarty 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.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) bill would revitalize the Department of Justice's civil rights office. via Associated Press

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would give federal and state officials more power to hold police departments accused of bad behavior to account.

The Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act, led by Warren and in the House by Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), would strengthen the power of state attorneys general to launch investigations into police departments involved in civil rights violations if the Justice Department fails to act on them.

The bill would also task the Justice Department with looking beyond traditional law enforcement mechanisms when providing reforms to selective police departments such as mental health support, civilian oversight bodies, and community-based restorative justice programs, according to Warrens office.

Warren had introduced a version of the bill in 2020. This newest version of the measure would also revitalize the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, granting an increase in funding to pursue civil rights investigations into police departments and other government offices accused of discriminatory practices.

It would increase funding for the civil rights division to $445 million per year over a 10-year period. (For scale, the 2023 budget for the division was $189.9 million.)

Warren first introduced her bill following the death of George Floyd in 2020. That earlier draft also called for Attorney General Merrick Garland to rescind a 2017 memorandum from his predecessor, Trump-era Attorney General Jeff Sessions, that limited the DOJs ability to initiate consent decrees on police departments  a key way of stopping bad behavior. (Garland rescinded that memorandum in April of 2021.)

Nine senators co-sponsored the bill: Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

Several civil rights organizations are backing Warrens new bill, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Urban League and others.

Allies of presidential candidate Donald Trump have discussed overhauling the Justice Department if hes elected in 2024. That could include diminishing how aggressively the department pursues investigations into local and state police for potential civil rights violations.

President Joe Biden has tried to pursue more oversight of police departments accused of discrimination. He appointed Kristen Clarke as the assistant attorney general in charge of the Civil Rights Division, the first Black woman to get the job. And at the end of 2023, Biden announced a national law enforcement accountability database to document federal law enforcement officers found to have engaged in misconduct.

His moves come as there have been several high-profile police killings and incidents of brutality over the last several years.

In April, six Mississippi police officers were sentenced to prison for federal civil rights violations after officers terrorized and sexually assaulted Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, two Black men, because of their race.

The officers were members of the Goon Squad, a rogue unit within a Mississippi sheriffs department that had a culture of racist and violent police practices.

The Justice Department also launched an investigation into allegedly anti-Black policing practices by a police department in Lexington, a rural, predominantly Black Mississippi town.

Other departments were investigated after releasing body camera footage depicting officers beating or killing civilians.

On April 4, 2022, Patrick Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The officer, Christopher Schurr, was fired from the Grand Rapids Police Department and charged with second-degree murder.

And on Jan. 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a Black man from Memphis, Tennessee, was allegedly beaten to death by police officers after he fled a traffic stop. Nichols was pronounced dead in a hospital three days after the incident.

Police departments shouldnt get away with chokeholds, unconstitutional searches, or killing unarmed teenagers. Our criminal justice system is broken  fixing it starts with holding police officers and departments accountable for discriminatory practices and ensuring thorough civil rights investigations are happening, free of conflicts of interest, Warren said in a statement.

Related...
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Cooperation between the Prosecutor General's Offices of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of combating crime continues successfully, Trend reports.

The petition of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan to bring criminal liability citizen of Kazakhstan Serik Sadyrbayev (born in 1989) was satisfied by the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In February 2024, the location and detention in Azerbaijan of Sadyrbayev, who was put on the international wanted list on charges of committing fraudulent acts in Kazakhstan, were established. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen in respect of the detainee.

In accordance with the Convention On Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Cases of October 7, 2002, a decision was made to extradite the accused.

Sadyrbayev, accompanied by a special convoy of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, was handed over to the competent authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the information says.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Editors Note: KXAN Investigator Matt Grant discusses our teams initiative sharing hospital security barrier findings with Texas lawmakers.

Project Summary:

This story is part of KXANs Preventing Disaster investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospitals emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation  including whether medical sites had security barriers  known as bollards  at their entrances. Experts say those could stop crashes from happening.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Can somebody get me a tissue? Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly asked as a tear ran down her cheek. Sorry.

The emotional reaction came in the middle of watching a KXAN investigation into the deadly crash at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, which revealed the type of incident that occurred there on Feb. 13 has happened more than 300 times across the country in the last decade.

Generally, theres added risk factors at medical facilities, said Storefront Safety Council co-founder Rob Reiter, an expert who tracks vehicle-into-building crashes. Because you have drivers that might be on medication, you have drivers that might be in distress, they could be injured, they could be suffering a medical emergency  and if you have set people up to be aimed at your door  because thats where you want them to come  dont be surprised if vehicles from time to time dont stop.

The number increases to 28,014 if you look at crashes the SSC has tracked with any storefront, not just hospitals, since 2014.

Most hospitals KXAN visited in Central Texas used vertical security posts, called bollards, at their entrances. St. Davids did not have them at its north Austin location on the day of the crash, a KXAN investigation found. The hospital installed seven afterward. A spokesperson would not answer questions about its use of bollards, citing security reasons.

KXAN sent our investigation to more than 50 state lawmakers and every Austin City Council member. Council Members Kelly and Vanessa Fuentes were quick to respond  and wanted to see what we uncovered.

Can we initiate an ordinance change?

How do we prevent this from continuing to happen? Kelly asked, after pausing the KXAN report and turning to her staff.

WATCH: See the KXAN investigation that sparked local leaders to act

Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly teared up watching KXANs investigation (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)

Can we initiate an ordinance change that requires any new builds of hospitals, or places where people seek medical attention to have these types of protections? she asked, referring to the steel posts designed to prevent vehicles from crashing into buildings or people.

A former volunteer firefighter who worked in health care, Kelly called bollards a very easy fix that can save lives. The McCue Corporation, which makes bollards for companies across the country, including H-E-B, said it would cost around $30,000 to install 20 crash-rated bollards at a hospital entrance.

Nadia and Levi Bernard were inside the lobby at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center looking at an aquarium with their two toddlers when a white Acura barreled through it, injuring them all. Nadia is still in a wheelchair. Their 2-year-old son has hundreds of stitches in his head and is being monitored for a brain injury.

The family hired an attorney and are expected to file a lawsuit against St. Davids related to not having bollards in place at the time.

Police are still investigating the crash, which killed the driver.

After a car crashed into St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, it added security barriers near the ER entrance (Courtesy Howry, Breen & Herman; Diane Warmoth)

The safety of our patients and their families, as well as our employees and visitors, is always our top priority, St. Davids HealthCare previously said in a statement, adding, per policy, we do not comment on pending claims or litigation.

Asked about potential policy changes, St. Davids HealthCare said it will work with policymakers and officials to ensure compliance with any new laws if they are passed.

KXAN asked Kelly what she would say to the Bernard family.

Your tragedy, hopefully, will save other lives and prevent that from occurring (again), Kelly said. But, there is no excuse for the pain your family has felt, and I wish I could give you all big hugs.

Ensure this never happens again here in Austin

Oh my gosh, Council Member Fuentes said as she watched KXANs report, at one point putting her hand over her mouth in shock. Wow.

Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes reaction while watching a KXAN investigation (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)

Thank you all for covering this, she said afterward. I appreciate you all doing this type of investigative journalism because that exactly  is why we need policies updated.

Fuentes called what happened at St. Davids heartbreaking. Now, she also wants to require bollards, but not just at hospitals.

We want all of our hospital systems, all of our critical infrastructure, our nursing facilities, anywhere where theres a lot of people moving in and out of, Fuentes said, We need to start looking at how are they designing their buildings with safety in mind.

Asked if she would look into changes to address that, Fuentes quickly responded: Yes.

Were looking at a potential zoning change, any update to our land development code, any type of regulation where it makes sense that the city could really ensure that we have these safety measures in place, Fuentes said. And, to me, thats what local government is all about, is ensuring the safety of our communities.

KXAN also asked Fuentes what she would say to the Bernard family.

Im so sorry for the horrific experience that youve had, knowing that their children were injured, that the family was injured themselves  its just horrifying, she said. I hope that by us taking action, by bringing forward a policy that seeks to ensure this never happens again here in Austin, that that brings some semblance of relief for them knowing that their experience, their horrific experience, has not gone without any action being taken to prevent it.

WATCH: Crash-testing bollards at Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Current city policy does not prohibit hospitals or other businesses from installing bollards, a City of Austin spokesperson said after KXAN asked the city manager for a comment. Any new policies or requirements wouldnt impact current facilities, only future ones and would require a transportation code change if bollards are placed in a right-of-way, the spokesperson added.

The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department said its focus is on the public right-of-way and anything to do with installing bollards on private property, like ER entrances, is not within its typical purview. The city is generally supportive of initiatives which increases safety related to motor vehicle crashes, a spokesperson added.

The Austin Code Department suggested KXAN contact other agencies that work with public safety saying they may have more insight or relevant information regarding this issue.

KXAN also reached out to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. A spokesperson said they would review this with the mayor. We will update this story with any additional responses we receive.

Other cities took action following deadly crashes

Austin wouldnt be the first place to consider policies surrounding safety barriers.

A Flourish map showing some cities with safety barrier ordinances. Source: Storefront Safety Council (KXAN Interactive/Dalton Huey)

Over the past decade, the SSC has worked to help pass local ordinances requiring crash-rated vehicle impact protection devices, like bollards, in business parking lots in five cities and counties. Some specifically addressed protecting outdoor public seating areas. Three were sparked by deadly accidents:

A 6-year-old was killed in a crash at a dentists office in Midfield, Alabama in 2017.

A 73-year-old was killed in a crash at an ice cream shop in Artesia, California in 2014

A 4-year-old was killed in a crash at a daycare center in Orange County, Florida in 2014.

The SSC helped local policymakers with ordinance language requiring the bollards be crash-rated to the same standards used during tests KXAN watched at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The language also made sure they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Experts in vehicle-into-building crashes indicate that standard parking lot wheel stops and raised sidewalks are not sufficient, by themselves, to stop the force of a vehicle in such pedal error accidents and that other design standards and devices are needed to protect pedestrians, shoppers and customers, read part of one ordinance in Artesia, California the SSC helped develop following a deadly crash at an ice cream shop in 2014.

In 2022, the state of California updated a law allowing insurance companies to offer discounts to businesses that install vehicle safety barriers to protect pedestrians from motor vehicle collisions.

Fuentes office has already reached out to the SSC to collaborate on a policy in Austin. In response to a KXAN investigation, her office said they are interested in putting forth policy to require safety devices in front of hospitals and businesses to prevent crashes, according to an email shared with KXAN.

Welcome the opportunity to collaborate with lawmakers

Following the crash at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, KXAN visited 34 major hospitals with emergency rooms in Central Texas. We found 18 hospitals had bollards, nine had partial coverage and seven had none. In Austin, four had partial coverage.

Most of the hospitals KXAN visited in the Austin area were owned by St. Davids HealthCare, Ascension Seton or Baylor Scott & White Health. We reached out to each hospital group about potential policy changes that could require bollards.

Ascension Seton works with policymakers on various issues regarding the health and safety of our employees, patients and their families, Ascension Seton said in a statement. We will work with officials to ensure compliance with any new laws.

The health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff continues to be the highest priority for our health care system, Baylor Scott & White Health said in a statement. We appreciate the continued conversation on safety measures and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with lawmakers.

Weeks before the crash at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, vehicles drove into two Baylor Scott & White medical centers in Navasota and College Station.

State lawmakers eyeing action

Fuentes said she wants to see uniform regulations at the state level when it comes to bollards.

In the past three decades, Texas lawmakers have filed more than 101,000 bills, according to the Legislative Reference Library. While many dealt with public safety, a review of those bills found none appeared to have ever proposed rules regarding bollards outside buildings, a KXAN investigation found.

That could change in the next legislative session.

Bollards protecting the entrance to the Texas Capitol (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)

KXAN reached out to more than 50 state lawmakers who sit on transportation or health-related committees or represent districts with prior crashes involving medical centers.

In the week since our first report, more than a half dozen lawmakers have responded and indicated this is an issue they want to look into during the next legislative session:

The chief of staff for Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, who sits on the Senate Committee on Transportation, told KXAN: We have put this issue on our legislative ideas to research.

The joint chief of staff for Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, told KXAN their office is reviewing materials and doing some research of our own too.

A senior adviser to Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, said their office will further review our findings. We appreciate all your work producing such a thorough investigation and for focusing on this important issue, Talaricos adviser said.

Aides to Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, asked to see our data.

The chief of staff for Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas told KXAN, Thank you for bringing this to our attention and said he would discuss it with the representative.

Aides to Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, are looking into our findings.

In the last legislative session, Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, invited investigator Matt Grant to testify in front of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services about a KXAN investigation into the Texas Medical Board. Hall co-sponsored a bill, which became law, to reform the TMB based on our findings. Now, in response to our investigation into hospital safety, his chief of staff said she will visit with the Senator on this idea.

Other agencies contacted

KXAN also reached out to several state and national organizations that represent healthcare workers.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which regulates health care facilities has no plans at this time to make rule changes that would require bollards at hospitals, HHSC spokeswoman Jennifer Ruffcorn said.

The Texas Medical Association has no policies regarding bollards and, therefore, has no formal position for or against them.

Naturally our physician members want patients to be safe and healthy, TMA spokesman Brent Annear said, especially in places to which they go for health care and healing.

The Texas Nurses Association, Texas Hospital Association and Capital Area of Texas Regional Advisory Council did not respond to our latest requests for comment. Gov. Greg Abbotts office also did not respond. The American Hospital Association declined to comment. We will update this story with any statements we receive.

The Texas Nurses Association previously said it encourages all healthcare organizations to seek evidence-based protocols and procedures that create a safe environment for their staff and patients.

The Austin EMS Association, which represents more than 500 emergency medical services professionals, previously called bollards a cost-effective security measure and said they could have helped if they had been in place at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center on the day of the fatal crash.

I do think that this event will potentially change some infrastructure for a lot of the hospitals in the area, Austin EMS Association President Selena Xie previously said.

KXAN asked Xie what she thought of potential measures to require bollards at hospitals.

We dont have any specific thoughts besides supporting them, she said.

On Wednesday, the Bernard family reacted to Kelly and Fuentes calls for new measures to improve hospital security.

Nadia cried when she heard that news that lawmakers are taking this seriously, Levi told KXAN in an email. [A]mazing how quickly your story is getting attention.

KXAN Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson, Graphic Artist Wendy Gonzalez, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, Investigative Producer Dalton Huey and Digital Director Kate Winkle 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 KXAN Austin.
Dozens gathered at the Mexican Consulate in Orlando to mourn the lives of eight migrant workers killed in a Marion County crash.

Surrounding them, hearses carrying caskets for seven of the eight farmworkers killed. Each bearing the names of the migrant workers ranging in age from 20 to 46.

Two of the families of the farmworkers killed joined those paying their respects.

The Consul told Eyewitness News that the families were able to get humanitarian visas so they can be with their loved ones bodies as they return home.

Read: Results are in for special election to fill Orlandos District 5 seat

This emotional tribute come a week after troopers say an impaired driver clipped the bus the farmworkers were on causing it to flip. It happened while the victims were traveling to work on a watermelon farm on State Route 40.

Terrible, very, very, very sad. The people that died all of them are very young guys, said Juan Sabines, Mexican Consul in Orlando. Sabines said farmworkers often wait weeks or months before being able to work on an H2-As visas in the U.S. Its a chance for them to earn money to send back to their families in their home country. Many of those killed were only in U.S. for about three weeks.

It was like knowing them when [their caskets] came here and when I see their names, said Ana Lamb.

Read: We are so proud of her: Only Channel 9 speaks with family who lost home in fire

Lamb didnt know any of the farmworkers. But in the days after the crash, shes helped connect with the farmworkers families. She was overwhelmed with emotions seeing the farmworkers names labeled on the outside of each of the caskets.

I cannot imagine the impact for the ones that were family members, cousins, brothers, fathers, Lamb said.

Many at the vigil said in this moment of mourning, the community must unite.

Read: Central Florida medical professionals describe the effect gun violence is having on them

They spoke of how often migrant workers are not treated fairly.

They said now is the time for change.

Were the ones who put the food on their table, regardless, that nationality. So thats very important to remember when you are eating, regardless of nationality, you are eating the work of our farmworkers, Lamb said.

Sabines says two of the bodies of the farmworkers will return home Tuesday night. Three will be transported to Mexico Wednesday. Two of the farmworkers bodies will return to their hometowns later this week.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
EMPORIA (KSNT)  An Emporia man was injured Tuesday in a rollover crash police say was caused by inattentive driving.

The Emporia Police Department (EPD) announced in a press release that officers were called to the scene of a crash around 8:10 p.m. on May 21 in the 1400 block of Lawrence Street. Upon arrival, police found a 23-year-old Emporia man had struck a parked vehicle.

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The mans vehicle rolled onto its roof in the crash. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Walmart relocates northeast Kansas facility operations to Topeka area

The EPD does not mention any other injuries for this crash. Inattentive driving was listed as the primary cause of the incident.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Engineers deploy 'sand motor' to protect shorefront communities from erosion  though it may be too late for some areas

What if the answer to saving West Africa's rapidly disappearing coastline is a massive sand sculpture?

The "sand motor" is an innovative approach to managing coastal erosion that the Netherlands pioneered, according to Grist. Instead of the typical strategy of dumping replacement sand evenly along eroding beaches, the sand motor approach builds out one section of the coast with a huge amount of sand that then naturally redistributes to the rest of the coastline over time.

While these carefully engineered sand landscapes require a significant upfront investment, they protect more shoreline and last far longer than other nourishment methods  a massive win-win.

Grist reported that The World Bank recently financed an 8 million cubic yard sand motor in Benin, a small nation in West Africa where miles of beaches have vanished since 2000. Parts of Benin's coast are eroding up to 45 feet per year, threatening roads, fishermen's livelihoods, and tourism.

The project, about one-third the size of the original sand motor in the Netherlands, aims to provide a longer-term, more cost-effective solution than the concrete barriers and rock walls that have failed to slow Benin's rapid erosion so far.

This creative approach is a game-changer for coastal communities in developing countries that can't afford to constantly rebuild their beaches as sea levels rise. The World Bank hopes projects like Benin's could work in other regions to embrace the sand motor as an eco-friendly way to protect vulnerable shorelines.

"In the U.S. and other countries, they can afford to replenish often," Peter Kristensen, an environmental economist at the World Bank, explained to Grist. "It's harder for the African countries to afford that kind of replenishment on a regular basis."

However, according to coastal erosion expert Rob Young, the sand motor approach likely wouldn't work in the U.S.

"In the U.S., we have lots of coastal resort communities where the houses are on the edge of the sea, right now, and we're scrambling to keep sand in front of them," he said, per Grist "If you look at what is down drift of the sand motor on the coast of Holland, they don't have buildings teetering on the edge.

"By working with nature instead of against it, the sand motor offers an ingenious, longer-lasting way to safeguard coastal communities most at risk from rising coastlines and extreme weather events. Now that's an innovation we can all get behind.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Independent School Board voted 4-3 Tuesday, May 21 not to terminate Lundy Elementary School teacher Nicole Schuster.

Schuster was under investigation after being accused of helping students during the STAAR test back in April.

Many parents and teachers went to bat for Schuster. They spoke highly of her and were unanimous in agreement that she did not do what she has been accused of.

What that did was that showed us that she was a beloved teacher and that she was well respected in the classroom and really had a great impact on our students, Israel Irrobali, EPISD school board president, said.

After hearing the decision, Schuster said shes thankful.

I cant wait to be back in the classroom with my students and to be back at school. Im thankful for the board that objectively viewed everything that was presented and made the right decision, Schuster 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 KTSM 9 News.
Estonian lawmaker urges NATO to "wake up" after Russians hint at plans to change border

Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, has said it was time for NATO to "wake up" and prove its ability to respond adequately to threats, particularly after Moscow's hints at plans to redraw the border in the Baltic Sea.

Source: Mihkelson on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Mihkelson was responding to a Moscow Times article about a draft document indicating Russia's plans to unilaterally change the country's maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

With such steps, Russia is testing NATO's readiness to defend itself. So far, he has received a signal that NATO does not dare to quarrel with Russia. Be it helping Ukraine at half strength and banning their use of weapons, ... 1/  https://t.co/al2l8qQWq1  Marko Mihkelson (@markomihkelson) May 22, 2024

"With such steps, Russia is testing NATO's readiness to defend itself. So far, he [Russian ruler Vladimir Putin] has received a signal that NATO does not dare to quarrel with Russia. Be it helping Ukraine at half strength and banning their use of weapons, turning a blind eye to Russia's missile and drone inflows, widespread GPS signal jamming, or disrupting vital infrastructure. Even the ambassadors of the NATO member states do not dare to make a joint visit to Kyiv, fearing that it could place NATO as if it were at war with Russia," said Mikkelson.

The lawmaker believes that Moscow views its campaign in Ukraine as part of a battle to destroy the Western-determined world order, and part of this strategic goal is to undermine NATO's credibility.

"It is high time for NATO allies to wake up and decide with which symmetric or asymmetric steps to respond to Russia. Otherwise, there will be new provocations from Russia, which may eventually lead to an immediate military conflict," said Mikkelson.

Background: Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna suggested that media reports about Russia's intentions to change maritime borders in the Baltic Sea are an attempt to "sow confusion".

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Russia is waging a "shadow war" on the West, and there must be a coordinated response, the Associated Press wrote on May 22, citing comments from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Kallas said she was concerned that some other European leaders have not viewed the uptick in incidents of sabotage and arrest of suspected spies across the EU to be interconnected.

The West needs to have a "serious discussion of a coordinated approach" to counter the Russian threat, she said.

"How far do we let them go on our soil?"

There have been several episodes linked to Russian security services in 2024 in Estonia alone, such as Russia's ongoing jamming of GPS signals on commercial flights across the Baltic region.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in April that GPS jamming was "too dangerous to ignore."

Kallas said that she had three requests to her European allies: "the recognition that these are not isolated events, second, that we share information about this amongst ourselves, (and) third, (to) make it as public as we can."

As more of these incidents are uncovered, Russia has been shifting tactics, Kallas said, and is using spies who pose as diplomats "all the time."

Russia's aim is to "sow fear" in Europe and hinder support for Ukraine, she said.

Estonia has been one of the leading military donors to Ukraine in terms of share of GDP since the beginning of the all-out war in 2022. Kallas and other Estonian politicians have also been particularly outspoken about the threat that Russia poses to Europe.

Read also: Largest NATO cyber defense exercise begins in Estonia

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EU ambassadors approve new sanctions against those involved in Navalny's death  media

At a meeting in Brussels on 22 May, permanent representatives of the European Union agreed on new sanctions against about 20 people who are said to be responsible for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a penal colony.

Source: European Pravda, citing diplomatic sources of the Europa Press agency

Details: EU ambassadors have agreed on measures under the sanctions regime for human rights violations in Russia, thus expanding the sanctions already approved in March against 33 representatives of the Russian political, judicial and penitentiary system.

The measures will be finally approved next Monday, 27 May, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Europa Press reports.

Background: In February, eight EU countries asked EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell to impose sanctions on Russian prosecutors, judges and workers of penitentiary institutions in connection with Navalny's death.

On the afternoon of 16 February, Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at Correctional Facility No. 3 in Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, in northwestern Siberia.

Western countries put the blame for the death of Navalny on Russian leader Vladimir Putin. At the same time, US intelligence agencies believe that Putin probably did not order the killing of the opposition politician.

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Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib arrives before the start of the NATO foreign ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa

Ukraine and Moldova can hope for a quick start to EU accession negotiations, the Belgian EU Council presidency said following a ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday evening.

The presidency made it clear that it is working towards organizing a first conference of negotiating delegations by the end of June. Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the EU Council from Belgium in July.

"We are doing our utmost to reach an agreement that will enable us to move on the next stage," explained Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib. It is possible that negotiations will start within the next 40 days.

Before the accession talks can start, the EU states still have to unanimously approve so-called negotiating frameworks. These set out guidelines and principles for the accession talks with each candidate country.

The start of negotiations with Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and its smaller neighbour Moldova had already been agreed in principle at an EU summit in December.

At the same time, however, it was agreed that all reform requirements must be met before negotiations could begin.

According to the last written Commission report, for example, some reforms in the fight against corruption, the protection of minorities and the influence of oligarchs had not been fully implemented in Ukraine.

Lahbib did not explicitly comment on Tuesday evening on whether there were still shortcomings, merely stating that Ukraine and Moldova were continuing their reform processes.

The opening of EU accession negotiations is seen as an important symbol for the people of Ukraine and Moldova, though the accession process can at times take decades.

Turkey, for example, became an EU candidate in 1999 - and has probably never been further away from membership than it is today.

Being a member country does not guarantee reaching member status.

It is currently considered impossible for Ukraine to become an EU member before the end of its war with Russia. This is because Kiev could then call for military assistance under Article 42, paragraph 7 of the EU Treaty and the EU would become a party to the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made it clear that he nevertheless hopes for a decision in favour of accession negotiations before the end of June.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. As part of the working visit to the Swiss city of Geneva, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, met with Gian Carlo Cirri, Director of the Geneva Global Office at the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and Arnold Kreilhuber, the new Regional Director of the UN Environment Programmes (UNEP) Europe Office, Trend reports.

During the meeting with the WFP official, discussions revolved around the joint collaboration between the IDEA and WFP in ending world hunger, which is one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, as well as providing food to people suffering from conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change.

Leyla Aliyeva highlighted IDEAs successful multifaceted cooperation with various UN agencies in Azerbaijan and outside the region, emphasizing the readiness for a closer partnership with WFP. Leyla Aliyeva proposed involving the Azerbaijani volunteers in the WFPs activities in different regions of the world, taking into account that the volunteer movement in Azerbaijan has gained momentum in recent years, accumulating a wealth of experience both inside and outside the country.

During the meeting with the regional director of the EMP, the sides referred to various projects implemented by the IDEA Public Union in Azerbaijan with the UN WFP program, highlighting the successful cooperation in the projects to fight for species protection, as well as initiatives to protect and restore the environment of the Caspian Sea. Leyla Aliyeva particularly noted that forests were cut down, water basins were polluted, natural resources were ruthlessly exploited in Azerbaijans occupied territories during almost 30 years, which resulted in serious damage to the environment of the country. In this regard, the meeting highlighted the significance of cooperation with the WFP to restore natural environment and ensure sustainable development in the occupied territories.

Head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva invited the representatives of both of the UN programs to participate in the COP29 conference, scheduled to be held in Baku this November, noting that they are ready to discuss the possibilities of holding joint events within this process.
By James Mackenzie

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Already under global pressure over the mounting toll from the war in Gaza, Israel slipped further into international isolation on Wednesday after three European countries broke with their main EU partners and decided to recognise a Palestinian state.

The move, described by an Israeli government spokesperson as "obscene", will have little practical impact either in the ruins of Gaza or the occupied West Bank. Squeezed by Israel, the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority in the West Bank struggles to pay its own civil servants.

But it follows a steady build-up of problems, from Washington's warnings over withholding arms if the war in Gaza continues and sanctions against violent settlers to accusations of genocide before the International Court of Justice and a possible arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the International Criminal Court.

Netanyahu has long resisted the so-called two-state solution and his resistance has increased since he went into government with a clutch of hard right religious nationalist parties at the end of 2022.

His government remains deeply suspicious of the Palestinian Authority, set up three decades ago under the Oslo interim peace accords, accusing it of hostile actions from paying the families of armed militants killed by Israeli forces to encouraging antisemitism in schoolbooks.

Netanyahu himself described the decision by the three countries as "a reward for terrorism", and said a Palestinian state would "try to repeat the massacre of Oct. 7 again and again."

That comment underlined how bitter the climate surrounding the war in Gaza has become and how distant the prospects of a political settlement based on an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel now appear, with peace talks seemingly hopelessly blocked.

As well as recalling its ambassadors from Oslo, Madrid and Dublin, the foreign ministry summoned the Norwegian, Irish and Spanish ambassadors in Israel to be shown video footage of the attack on Israel by Hamas-led gunmen on Oct. 7.

Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East analyst at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies in Washington, said the three countries' decision was "diplomatically bold but emotionally tone deaf and unproductive."

"For Israelis it will increase paranoia, reinforcing Netanyahu's argument that Israelis stand alone," she said. "For Palestinians, it falsely raises expectations, without defining a pathway toward realizing legitimate national dreams."

LONGER TERM PRICE

For Netanyahu, struggling to hold together a fractious wartime coalition and widely blamed in Israel for the disaster of Oct. 7, Wednesday's announcement may provide a temporary lift, by reinforcing an image of defiance in the face of a hostile world.

"This really strengthens the narrative which we have been hearing since Day One of this war that in the end, we can only depend on ourselves," said Yonatan Freeman, an international relations specialist from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "And I think that this can even assist the Israeli government's explanation and description of what it's doing in this war."

However, the longer term price to Israel of standing in the way of moves towards a Palestinian state may be heavier, starting with the prized goal of normalized relations with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu's top foreign policy goal before the attack.

Appearing before a Senate committee on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that for an agreement to be reached with Saudi Arabia, there would have to be calm in Gaza and a "credible pathway" towards a Palestinian state.

"And it may well be...that, in this moment, Israel is not able or willing to proceed down that pathway," he added.

For Israelis, the images of Oct. 7, when Hamas-led gunmen rampaged through communities around the Gaza Strip, killing around 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages into captivity, remain deeply traumatic.

But outside Israel, the images of the suffering in Gaza, where the relentless Israeli campaign launched in response has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the heavily built up enclave, have helped fuel an expanding protest movement on U.S. college campuses and the streets of European cities.

For both the U.S. administration and other governments like Germany that have traditionally been friendly to Israel, the often angry protests have imposed an increasingly heavy political cost.

Both countries say recognising a Palestinian state must be the result of negotiations rather than unilateral declarations, and other major European countries like France and Britain also declined to join the trio granting recognition.

But for Alon Liel, a former director general of Israel's foreign ministry and a critic of Netanyahu's government, the recognition of Palestine by individual countries was less important than the broader context, including cases against Israel and its leaders at the international tribunals in the Hague.

"If it's part of a wider move that's triggering momentum and part of the ICC, ICJ moves, sanctions on settlers and so on, there's a chance that Israel will notice that the world exists," he said.

(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Aislinn Laing in Madrid and Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
European nations say they're planning a $4.3 billion joint air and missile defense system.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said creating an Iron Dome similar to Israel's was "necessary."

The European Sky Shield Initiative involves 21 countries and aims to enhance NATO's defenses.

European countries are preparing to disclose plans for a $4.3 billion Iron Dome-style air and missile defense system, Poland's prime minister has announced.

Donald Tusk told the Polish broadcaster AVN that the proposal, which involves the cooperation of 21 nations, would be presented to the European Council in a matter of days, according to the Kyiv Post.

The European Sky Shield Initiative is conceived as a means to jointly procure ground-based interoperable air-defense systems.

"The recent attack on Israel showed how essential such systems are. There is no reason for Europe not to have its missile-defense shield," Tusk said, according to The Telegraph.

"Creating an Iron Dome against missiles and drones is necessary," he added.

In a not-too-subtle reference to Russia, Tusk also said it didn't take much imagination to figure out where a potential attack on Europe might come from, the Telegraph reported.

Israel's Iron Dome has long been seen as one of the world's most advanced air-defense systems, protecting the country's skies from rockets and other projectiles.

In April, Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel, which Israel's air defenses almost completely shot down, with the assistance of US and UK forces.

While a direct hot-war attack by Russia on NATO Europe isn't considered an immediate likelihood, many countries  particularly those that border Russia  are deeply alarmed. Many are also beefing up their defense spending in ways that were unimaginable before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

ESSI was first mooted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 2022, not long after Russia had begun pounding Ukraine's civilian infrastructure with rockets. It's been led by Germany ever since.

In July last year, Austria and Switzerland  both traditionally neutral states  signed up to the initiative, and as of February this year, the number of countries had grown to 21, with the participation of Turkey and Greece.

The German Institute for International and Security Affairs, or SWP, outlined in a report last year some of the systems the German government was seeking to buy or replenish as part of ESSI. These included US-made Patriots, the IRIS-T SLM  a short-to-medium-range system capable of targeting drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles  and the long-range Arrow system in use in Israel.

SWP also said that although it considered a Russian attack on NATO countries unlikely in the immediate term, "improving air and missile defense in Europe could curb Russia's coercive power vis-a-vis NATO and thereby strengthen the cohesion of the alliance."

Despite Tusk's championing of ESSI, it has faced challenges from Polish President Andrzej Duda, who has opposed joining it on the grounds that the country already has its own joint air-defense agreements with the US and the UK.

Read the original article on Business Insider
VELYKA NOVOSILKA, UKRAINE  Relief for Ukraines exhausted and outgunned fighters is now arriving after Congress passed a foreign aid package that included $61 billion to support Ukraines war effort  and it is having immediate effects in repelling Russian advances.

Russia has made slow and steady gains after a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer. Another front was recently opened by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, where pressure is mounting on already overextended Ukrainian brigades.

With the aid, 155mm artillery ammunition is heading straight to the front, where Ukraines guns  also buffered by a Czech initiative to purchase artillery shells  continue to fire in the face of a Russian offensive. Also included in the aid are HIMARs munitions and long-awaited ATACMS missiles to improve Ukraines long-range strikes, which have proven capable of hitting Russian logistics and troop concentrations deep within occupied territories.

Finally, fresh stocks of air defense munitions  notably, interceptors for Ukraines Patriot systems  will help stifle Russian missiles launched into Ukraines cities and civilian infrastructure.

Give us the shells, and we can finish the jobs ourselves is a refrain heard throughout the frontlines, where Ukrainian soldiers I met recently discussed the need for aid and its impact on morale.

At a dugout a few kilometers away from Russian positions, we watched as a Ukrainian artillery brigade repelled an assault on their trenches after being issued an influx of shells.

Still, most analysts agree the most recent aid package will simply buy Ukraine time, perhaps a year, to fix fundamental weaknesses.

Beyond weapons, Ukraine needs a long-term strategy to address a serious manpower deficit against the Kremlins seemingly endless supply of troops. And if it ever wants to attempt another offensive, a training overhaul will be a crucial component.

Ukrainian troops play with Stary, the unit's adopted cat. (Tom Mutch)

Those needs remain prominently on display near the town of Velyka Novosilka, where hardened, weary soldiers paused from the frontlines and discussions of war to play with Stary, a blue-eyed gray kitten the brigade rescued during operations in the nearby town Staromaiorske.

No idea what we are facing here

Just months earlier, these same soldiers had fought like hell to pry the town, located in the Donetsk region, from Russian control. Its now almost jarring to see them  muscular, bearded and battle-scarred  reduced to coos and smiles while watching Stary catch mice.

Some in the West have no idea what we are facing here, said Alexander, an officer with Ukraines 121st Territorial Brigade. Comrades of ours were at NATO training in Germany, being taught how to operate tanks ahead of the counteroffensive. One soldier asked the instructor what to do if you encountered a minefield. Oh, you just drive around it.

This anecdote quickly became a running joke among soldiers on the frontline, where, just weeks later, Ukrainians on what would be a failed offensive encountered minefields hundreds of kilometers wide, with as many as five devices per square meter.

Now, with the influx of U.S. aid, Ukrainian and Western planners are looking to training methods that will avoid the mistakes of 2023.

One key concern raised by Ukrainians and their partners has been that Western troops cut their teeth in environments, such as Iraq or Afghanistan, where they had a significant technological advantage and total air superiority.

Ukrainian soldiers near from the Velika Novosilka frontline. (Tom Mutch)

When visiting a training base in southern England in 2022, one trainer, a New Zealand army officer, warned me that the training might not be adequate to meet Ukraines needs.

Quite frankly, weve never fought this kind of war before, he said, adding that their teams experience had come almost entirely in Afghanistan.

Still, trainers did their best to simulate the environment in Ukraines bloodier trenches.

We try and give them something close to live fire, the officer said. They are practicing artillery on the light fire range  and we do fire maneuver ranges as well as battle simulation. Well have loud bangs that simulate artillery, we have exercises where we bring in amputees and dress them to make it look like that amputation was caused by artillery, and make the recruits responsible for treating that individual.

This training, however, left out significant components of the fights Ukrainians routinely encounter. Several soldiers specifically raised concerns over the lack of drones during training  now ubiquitous on the battlefield  both for reconnaissance and assault purposes.

Others, like Yuriy, an officer with Ukraines 80th Air Assault Brigade, which has fought around the city of Bakhmut, praised the trainers while acknowledging a serious lack of time  compared to any Western military  afforded to master what was being taught.

Ukrainian troops train in the U.K. (Tom Mutch)

[Training in Germany] was  a change of environment, and all the instructors were very polite, he said. In all six days, we didnt hear a raised voice. If something wasnt understood, no one would shout. They would explain 20 times if needed. Our methodology in Ukraine is slightly different.

The training was very intense. Since we arrived late, they gave us an extra hour of sleep, and the training started in the morning. [But] in six days, we covered all the theories that NATO artillerymen go through in half a year.

Nazar, a driver with the 80th Air Assault Brigade, noted the importance of soldiers, regardless of their specific job, being trained to handle all situations that may arise in battle.

Driving is my [specialty], but I learned this [gun].  We have managed the system in a way where everyone could be replaced if needed. So, as a driver, I can direct the gun, clean it and shoot.  Training that would be needed [is in] tactical medicine, new ways of mining and how to work with drones. But [mainly]  electronic signals intelligence and camouflage.

Mobilization

Ukrainian training suggestions come amid a major debate within the country about the necessity of mobilizing hundreds of thousands of extra troops to create new brigades. Doing so could also mean rotating out exhausted soldiers who have spent years on the front with little rest.

Jack Watling, a land warfare fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, pointed out that it is not just specific tactics training soldiers need, but training to learn a whole new paradigm of battle.

You could double the size of the Ukrainian armed forces [and] conscript twice as many people into it and it wouldnt actually make any difference, he told the Financial Times.

And if you scale a military from 150,000 ground forces to 700,000 ground forces, then the number of people whove been through staff training and who are practiced in the organization and synchronization of that military activity is going to be too few.

We need to now shift  to a more deliberate training process to make sure that troops are properly prepared for attack.  If I can only move 120 people at you at a time, because thats how many people I can conduct the command and control for, that is a much smaller problem that youre presenting to me than if you can move a whole brigade of 3,000 people at me across multiple directions. But that requires a lot of synchronization and planning and therefore trained officers.

Other experts think the bulk of Western training should be more specialized, focusing instead on preparing officers to direct troops in combat.

A large part of Ukraines failure on the battlefield last year was due to an inability to coordinate among brigades, as well as between artillery support, air power and mechanized units that were assaulting prepared Russian positions.

Michael Kofman, an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, told Military Times part of Ukraines struggles with these combined arms maneuvers has been the result of a bandwidth issue.

To train and equip the force you need the capacity, he said. Hence, mobilization is likely to be constrained by the systems potential to absorb new recruits. One solution is to expand training in Ukraine with Western support including financing, simulators and advisers where necessary. Western training should focus on helping Ukraine scale its ability to employ and coordinate forces above company level.

As deliberations continue regarding best training practices, Ukraines troops on the ground continue to hold the line against Russian assaults.

And despite steep odds, they remain confident of victory.

We know we will win, one soldier on the frontline told me. It is up to our Western allies at what cost, and how long it will take.

Olena Skachko contributed to this report from Ukraine.
Former President Donald Trumps attorneys found more classified documents in his bedroom at Mar-a-Lago, months after the FBI conducted a raid at the Florida club, according to newly unsealed court documents.

The findings were cited in an 87-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell last year, who oversaw a Washington D.C. grand jury in the matter. The FBI raided Trumps Florida residence in August 2022, after the National Archives had attempted for months to see boxes of classified material returned. Trumps behavior is the subject of a 40-count federal indictment.

Howell cited the finding of additional classified documents in the opinion, where she ruled special counsel Jack Smiths team could question Trump attorney Evan Corcoran. Such topics would usually be shielded by attorney-client privilege, Politico notes, but the judge said prosecutors had demonstrated Trump instructed his lawyer to tell the government all of the classified material in his possession had been returned.

A representation, Howell wrote, that the former president  knew to be wrong.

More classified-marked documents still were uncovered in November 2022 in a leased storage unit, in December 2022 in the Office at Mar-a-Lago, and apparently sometime thereafter in the former presidents own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago, she wrote.

Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago.

This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. (Justice Department via AP) via Associated Press

Trumps attorneys eventually provided the records found in his bedroom to the FBI in January 2023.

The opinion was one of several related to the D.C. grand jury unsealed this week by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida, who is overseeing the classified documents case. Cannon has effectively slow-walked the proceedings to the frustration of Smith and his team, and a trial is not expected to begin before late summer at the earliest.

Trumps attorneys are attempting to see the case dismissed for prosecutorial misconduct, and the opinions were unsealed as part of that effort. Cannon is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday, although she still has several other motions before her that are waiting for a ruling.

Trump has been indicted on dozens federal charges over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. Prosecutors have alleged he intentionally rebuffed efforts to return them after his presidency and obstructed federal investigators. Two of his aides have also been charged in the case.

The former president has pleaded not guilty on all counts and attacked the case as a political witch hunt, a familiar refrain for the other three criminal indictments he faces. He is currently on trial in New York on charges he falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to the porn star Stormy Daniels.

Related...
Just a few years ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) successfully fended off another in a series of petitions asking it reclassify marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In that case, the DEA reiterated its long-standing position that removing marijuana from Schedule I, the most restrictive category, would require the sort of evidence that is necessary to win approval of a new medicine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In August 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit dismissed a lawsuit challenging that position, saying the petitioners had failed to exhaust their administrative remedies.

Last week, when the DEA posted a proposed rule that would move marijuana to Schedule III, it looked like the agency had reconsidered its contentious interpretation of the CSA. But as Columbia University law professor David Pozen notes, several pieces of evidence suggest that is not the case. Instead it seems that Attorney General Merrick Garland overrode the DEA's resistance to achieve the outcome that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended last August. That recommendation was the result of a review that President Joe Biden ordered in October 2022, and it comported with his judgment that marijuana's Schedule I status "makes no sense."

Biden was right about that. To qualify for Schedule I, a drug is supposed to have "a high potential for abuse" compared to the drugs in Schedules III through V and, unlike Schedule II drugs, "no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States." Schedule I drugs are also supposed to be so dangerous that they cannot be used safely even "under medical supervision." As Biden noted in 2022, "we classify marijuana at the same level as heroin" and treat it as "more serious than fentanyl," which does not pass the laugh test.

Although the CSA lays out three criteria for Schedule I, the DEA maintained that marijuana had to stay in that category as long as it had no "currently accepted medical use." It defined that phrase narrowly, requiring actual FDA approval or research extensive and rigorous enough to meet the agency's criteria for safety and efficacy.

HHS rejected that test when it recommended that marijuana be moved to Schedule III, a category that includes prescription drugs such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. Instead it relied on a definition of accepted medical use that took into account "widespread clinical experience associated with various medical conditions recognized by a substantial number of jurisdictions across the United States." It found "credible scientific support" for marijuana's use in the treatment of pain, nausea and vomiting, and "anorexia related to a medical condition."

HHS also noted that "the risks to the public health posed by marijuana are low compared to other drugs of abuse," such as heroin (Schedule I), cocaine (Schedule II), benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax (Schedule IV), and alcohol (unscheduled). Although "abuse of marijuana produces clear evidence of harmful consequences, including substance use disorder," HHS said, they are "less common and less harmful" than the negative consequences associated with other drugs. It concluded that "the vast majority of individuals who use marijuana are doing so in a manner that does not lead to dangerous outcomes to themselves or others."

In light of the rescheduling proposal announced last week, you might surmise that the DEA has come around on all of these issues. But although the HHS recommendation was addressed to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, the response is framed as a decision by Garland, who has direct authority to reschedule drugs under the CSA. The attorney general has traditionally delegated that authority to the DEA, which is part of the Justice Department. But in this case, Garland seems to have taken that power back in response to recalcitrant drug warriors.

The proposed rule was posted by the DEA, and it has a DEA docket number. But it is signed by Garland rather than Milgram, and it begins, "The Department of Justice ('DOJ') proposes" As Pozen notes, scheduling changes usually are signed by the DEA administrator and begin, "The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposes" He links to recent examples here, here, and here.

According to the proposed rule, "the Attorney General concurs with HHS's conclusion" that marijuana has currently accepted medical uses. "The Attorney General" also "concurs with" the assessment that "marijuana has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II." And "the Attorney General" agrees that "the abuse of marijuana may lead to moderate or low physical dependence, depending on frequency and degree of marijuana exposure."

Does the DEA agree with those propositions? Apparently not. "DEA has not yet made a determination as to its views of the appropriate schedule for marijuana," the proposed rule says.

All of these clues are consistent with reports that DEA officials were unhappy with the HHS recommendation. In March, for example, The Wall Street Journal reported that "federal officials are at odds over President Biden's push to loosen restrictions on marijuana, a move some in the White House hope to see ahead of an election in which he needs the support of younger voters." Citing "people familiar with the matter," the Journal said DEA officials were "resistant, saying the drug's medicinal benefits remain unproven and that it has a high potential for abuse." Those internal arguments help explain why nine months elapsed between the HHS recommendation and its official acceptance.

On the same day that Garland proposed moving marijuana to Schedule III, Pozen notes, the Justice Department released an April 11 opinion from its Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) on the question of what qualifies as "accepted medical use." The opinion sides with HHS rather than the DEA. "The approach that the Drug Enforcement Administration currently uses to determine whether a drug has a 'currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States' under the Controlled Substances Act is impermissibly narrow," the OLC says. "An alternative, two-part inquiry proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services is sufficient to establish that a drug has a 'currently accepted medical use' even if the drug would not satisfy DEA's current approach."

Milgram would rather not discuss any of this. On May 7, a week after the Justice Department confirmed that it had accepted the HHS recommendation, Milgram declined to answer a congressional subcommittee's questions about marijuana's pending reclassification. "Since DEA is ultimately the decider of scheduling and rescheduling, and the DEA administrator is in that role," she said, "it would be inappropriate for me to make comments about this process or parts of that process."

In this case, it looks like the DEA was not "ultimately the decider." It is "pretty clear," Pozen thinks, that the DEA "has, in fact, continued to resist the rescheduling of marijuana."

Pozen argues that the DEA never should have been entrusted with scheduling decisions to begin with, because "it's an 'anti-drug' agency with a deep material and ideological investment in prioritizing criminal responses to drug problems." Although HHS is supposed to guide those decisions by making scientific determinations, the DEA is not required to accept its policy recommendations.

"The scientific and medical determinations that underlie HHS's 'currently acceptable medical use' recommendation are binding on DEA, but only until the initiation of formal rulemaking proceedings to schedule a drug," the OLC says. "Once DEA initiates a formal rulemaking, HHS's determinations no longer bind DEA, but DEA must continue to accord HHS's scientific and medical determinations significant deference, and the CSA does not allow DEA to undertake a de novo assessment of HHS's findings at any point in the process."

That leaves the DEA considerable leeway to decide where a given substance belongs. Although CSA criteria are ostensibly based on scientific assessments, the DEA's scheduling decisions are apt to be influenced by its anti-drug ideology. Otherwise it would be hard to explain why the DEA spent half a century stubbornly defending a classification that the president rightly says "makes no sense."

In acknowledging that point, of course, Biden was not driven purely, or even mainly, by respect for logic or scientific evidence. As the Journal noted, Biden is trying to motivate younger voters whose turnout could be crucial to his reelection, hoping his moves toward "marijuana reform" will encourage them to overlook his long record as a gung-ho drug warrior. Since those voters overwhelmingly favor marijuana legalization, which Biden opposes, that is a tough sell. Hence his hyperbole about the practical impact of rescheduling.

The HHS recommendation, which reversed the department's previously steadfast agreement with the DEA, and Garland's response to it, which fit his boss's preferences, likewise were clearly influenced by politics. After Biden decided, at least partly for political reasons, that marijuana did not belong in Schedule I, his underlings fell in line. Perhaps we should give the DEA credit for sticking to its anti-pot convictions, however gravely mistaken they may be.

The post The Evidence Suggests the DEA Still Has Not Come Around on Rescheduling Marijuana appeared first on Reason.com.
Ex-boyfriend arrested for butchering NYC woman, 29, after she IDs him with dying breath: Ty did this

A 33-year-old man was arrested for butchering his ex-girlfriend, who named him as her alleged killer before she died in the ambush attack outside her Manhattan home Monday morning, police said.

Shirley Rodriguez, 29, had just left her Washington Heights apartment building and was on her way to work around 5:30 a.m. when her attacker, who was hiding between two parked cars, struck, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Tuesday.

Rodriguez was stabbed in her torso, back, neck, arms and face in the vicious crime that lasted for more than a minute, Kenny said.

The woman desperately tried to fight off her attacker, who was eventually chased away by two witnesses as others on the street called 911.

A 29-year-old woman was stabbed to death in front of her Manhattan home early Monday morning. Citizen

Despite her injuries, Rodriguez stumbled back into her building lobby and buzzed her father, with whom she lived with, on the intercom, police said.

The father comes down to aid his daughter. As shes dying, she tells him that Ty did this,' Kenny said.

Rodriguez was taken to Harlem Hospital but could not be saved.

Her ex-boyfriend, Tyquane Jemmott, was caught Monday afternoon hiding out at his uncles house in the Bronx, Kenny said.

Rodriguez and Jemmott had broken up last week after a two-year relationship in which two domestic incident reports had been filed, but did not lead to any arrests, the police chief said.

Charges against Jemmott are pending. He has one prior arrest for criminal mischief in Midtown in November 2023.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Higher Military School of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been renamed into the Military Institute of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on renaming the Higher Military School of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and amending the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 680 dated July 9, 2012, on approval of the Charter of the Higher Military School of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Internal Affairs should resolve the issues arising from this decree.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
FILE - Defendant Timothy Rankine talks on Sept. 18, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash., to codefendant Matthew Collins and an attorney during the pre-trial motion in the trial at Pierce County Superior Court of Tacoma Police Officers Christopher Burbank, Collins and Rankine in the killing of Manny Ellis. Rankine, one of the Washington state police officers cleared of criminal charges in the 2020 death of Ellis  a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained facedown on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath  is taking steps to sue local and state officials for $94 million over alleged defamation. (Brian Hayes/The News Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

TACOMA, Wash. (AP)  One of the Washington state police officers cleared of criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis  a Black man who was shocked, beaten and held facedown on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath  has filed multimillion-dollar claims against local and state officials alleging defamation.

Former Tacoma Police Department officer Timothy Rankine, who is Asian American, alleges in the tort claims seeking $47 million in damages that he was falsely accused of criminal and racist misconduct, KNKX reported Monday. Tort claims are generally precursors to lawsuits.

Rankine testified during the trial last year that he pressed down on Ellis back on March 3, 2020, despite Ellis saying he couldnt breathe. Rankine was acquitted of manslaughter but said in the claims filed with the city of Tacoma and the state Attorney General's Office that his reputation has been destroyed.

Rankine and his wife, Katherine Chinn, claim that Attorney General Bob Ferguson, his staff and contractors, as well as elected officials in Tacoma and city employees defamed Rankine by falsely accusing him of criminal misconduct and that those accusations were politically motivated, according to the claims, The News Tribune reported.

A spokesperson for the city of Tacoma said in an email Tuesday that the city doesn't comment on pending litigation.

The Attorney Generals Office told The News Tribune through a spokesperson that it didnt have a comment on the claims and said they first go to the State Office of Risk Management, which can resolve the claim or assign it to the Attorney Generals Office for investigation and handling. Sixty days after the claims are submitted a lawsuit can be filed.

Rankine and his co-defendants each received $500,000 to leave the Tacoma Police Department earlier this year. Joan Mell, an attorney for Rankine, told KNKX that he wants to return to law enforcement but feels hes been blackballed. Mell didn't immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Rankine and two other officers  Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins  were each cleared of criminal charges by a Pierce County jury last December. Rankine had been charged with manslaughter, while Collins and Burbank had been charged with manslaughter and second-degree murder.

Earlier this spring, a neighboring county hired Burbank as a patrol deputy but he resigned days later with the sheriff there saying he failed to anticipate the communitys strong objections.

Attorneys for the three had argued that Ellis died from a lethal amount of methamphetamine as well as a heart condition, not from the officers actions. The Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide and said it was caused by a lack of oxygen during the physical restraint.

Ellis, 33, was walking home that night with doughnuts from a convenience store in Tacoma, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Seattle, when he passed a patrol car stopped at a red light, with Collins and Burbank inside.

The officers claimed they saw Ellis try to open the door of a passing car and he became aggressive when they tried to question him about it. Collins testified that Ellis demonstrated superhuman strength by lifting Collins off the ground and throwing him through the air.

But three witnesses testified they saw no such thing. After what appeared to be a brief conversation between Ellis and the officers, who are both white, Burbank, in the passenger seat, threw open his door, knocking Ellis down, they said.

The witnesses  one of whom yelled for the officers to stop attacking Ellis  and a doorbell surveillance camera captured video of parts of the encounter. The video showed Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as Burbank shot a Taser at his chest and Collins wrapped an arm around his neck from behind.

Ellis was already handcuffed facedown when Rankine arrived. Rankine knelt on his upper back.

Video showed Ellis addressing the officers as sir while telling them he couldnt breathe. One officer is heard responding, Shut the (expletive) up, man.

Ellis death remains under review by the Department of Justice for civil rights violations. State officials are also investigating whether to revoke the acquitted officers certifications.

A federal lawsuit from Ellis family is also still pending against the city and the officers. The family previously settled for $4 million with Pierce County, which first investigated Ellis death.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has told The Independent that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would sign a letter inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to Congress.

Mr Johnson had previously urged the Democratic leader of the Senate to sign a letter allowing Mr Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to Congress.

After votes on Wednesday, the Republican Speaker said that Mr Schumer had agreed to do so.

I spoke with him today and hes going to sign the letter jointly and itll get out to the prime minister this week, Mr Johnson told The Independent.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2024 flanked by House Majority leader Steve Scalise (Getty Images)

The Speaker said that he did not have a date set.

No, Im going to talk about prime minister Netanyahu about that today, he said.

The invitation comes despite the fact that Mr Schumer has previously called for new elections in Israel and criticised Israels execution of its war against Hamas in Gaza.

But Mr Johnson and Mr Schumer--along with nearly every major elected official leader in Washington--condemned the top prosecutor for the International Criminal Courts announcement that he would seek arrest warrants against Mr Netanyahu, as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior Hamas officials.

But the Biden administration said it had not been made aware of such a visit.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 22: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), flanked by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) as he speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. Senate Democrats have revived the bipartisan border bill that was already blocked once earlier this year, Republicans including Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who negotiated the immigration package say they will block it again.A (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

So we have not at this point heard from the Prime Minister on a joint address to the Congress, the president talks to the prime minister in fact, he just talked to him not too long ago, senior administration officials engaged with him I just did so over the weekend, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. So we'll stay in touch with the prime minister and obviously we'll stay in touch with the Congress and see what happens.

Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu have been at odds recently about Israels plan to attack Rafah. The Biden administration recently paused the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel and Mr Biden said the US would not support Israel if it went into Rafah.

But some Democrats denounced the potential visit.

I think that the presence of Netanyahu here for a joint address is an incredibly divisive and unproductive activity, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.

I think given the fact that he has led a military campaign in Gaza which has created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, where hundreds of thousands of people now face starvation, I think inviting Mr Netanyahu to Congress is not a good idea, Senator Bernie Sanders told The Independent.

The announcement comes also as Ireland, Noway and Spain all announced their recognition of Palestinian state on Wednesday.
FILE PHOTO: Billionaire businessman Guo Wengui speaks during an interview in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jury selection begins on Wednesday in the criminal trial of exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui, who U.S. prosecutors have accused of defrauding thousands of investors and supporters out of more than $1 billion.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan could last into July.

It is expected to touch on sensitive areas, with prosecutors seeking to keep Guo, a fierce critic of China's Communist Party, from eliciting classified information during witness testimony.

Guo, who has several aliases including Miles Guo, Miles Kwok and Ho Wan Kwok, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions and conspiracy, including for money laundering.

He has been jailed in Brooklyn since his March 2023 arrest, and could face decades in prison if convicted. His age has been reported as 54 and 55, and federal prison records say he is 57.

Guo has been a business associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump's onetime adviser Steve Bannon.

It was on Guo's $37 million yacht, the Lady May, where Bannon was arrested in 2020 in a separate fraud case. That case ended when Trump pardoned Bannon in the waning hours of his presidency. Bannon had pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors accused Guo and his accomplices of taking advantage of his prolific online presence and hundreds of thousands of followers to cheat investors in a media company, a cryptocurrency ventures and two other fraud schemes.

Rather than deliver the promised outsized financial gains, prosecutors said Guo stole money to fund an extravagant lifestyle including a New Jersey mansion, a $3.5 million Ferrari for his son and two $36,000 mattresses.

Prosecutors have also sought the forfeiture of the mansion, the yacht, bank accounts, a Bugatti, a Lamborghini and a Rolls Royce.

Their case against Guo may have been strengthened when his former chief of staff Yvette Wang pleaded guilty on May 3 to conspiring to commit both wire fraud and money laundering. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

SPECIAL MEASURES FOR JURORS

Guo left China in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown under President Xi Jinping. Officials there accused Guo of bribery, money laundering and other crimes, which he has denied.

After moving to the United States, Guo bought a home in the Sherry-Netherland on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and drew ardent fans through his criticism of China's government, including by accusing leaders of corruption.

At Beijing's request, the global police organization Interpol in April 2017 issued a "red notice" for Guo's arrest.

Last month, Torres rejected Guo's bid to dismiss the indictment, saying prosecutors could try to establish a pattern of racketeering at trial.

Jurors will be kept anonymous from the public and be partially sequestered.

This reflects in part what Torres called the substantial public attention to the case, and Guo's "history of using his organization to harass and threaten those who dare to criticize and oppose him."

Torres kept Guo in jail out of concern that if released he would be a serious flight risk and a danger to the community. A federal appeals court upheld her decision last June.

Guo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Connecticut in February 2022. That case was later combined with the bankruptcies of other companies he controlled. Torres has rejected Guo's bid to put the bankruptcy cases on hold.

The case is U.S. v. Guo, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-cr-00118.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Love-themed Mickey Mouse backpacks. Pronoun pins. Not a Phase hoodies. So gay for each other greeting cards.

Every year, national brands cozy up to LGBTQ+ Americans with colorful merchandise for Pride Month. This June, those displays may not be as loud and proud.

Especially during Pride season, most companies like ours are pretty busy working on Pride projects. I can tell you for myself, I have not been, and I think its across the board, said Matt Skallerud, president of Pink Media, which helps brands reach the LGBTQ+ demographic.

Mainstream brands used to brush off anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. That changed last year when conservatives organized boycotts online that slashed sales.

National retail chain Target moved its Pride displays from the entrances to the back of stores after conservative activists confronted employees and vandalized displays. This year, Target is scaling back its Pride collection and wont carry the collection in all stores.

Bud Light, owned by beer giant Anheuser-Busch, is still struggling after last years conservative blowback over a social media campaign with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

A PRIDE sticker is exchanged during a Westchester PRIDE event in downtown White Plains, N.Y., on June 5, 2022.

The goal is to make pride toxic for brands, conservative commentator Matt Walsh wrote on X, formerly Twitter, at the time.

The strategy worked. Activists rallied supporters using hashtags and slogans like go woke go broke and held boycotts and other actions they called Bud Lighting.

Not only did sales suffer, some in the LGBTQ+ community turned away from Target and Bud Light, too, for bowing to conservative pressure.

Now brands are navigating the volatile political climate more gingerly. Expect fewer rainbow logos, Skallerud says.

Nobody in the media, marketing and advertising world wants to admit how heavy and hard this has been, he said. Ever since Target and Bud Light had their fiascos last year, a tremendous number of brands have decided it would be much better to sit on the sidelines and let this sort itself out.

Retailers and brands tone down Pride merchandise, promotions

Opposition from some conservative quarters is common, but bursts of outrage usually fizzle quickly. In fact, before last year, companies were more likely to face criticism for rainbow washing  using Pride promotions to signal support for the LGBTQ+ community without making meaningful commitments.

Thats not the case anymore. So, after years of weighing in on divisive topics like abortion, immigration and racial equity, business leaders are trying to steer clear of the nations culture wars.

Transgender issues, in particular, have emerged as a conservative flashpoint. Hundreds of bills restricting LGBTQ+ rights have been introduced and dozens have passed. Harassment and violence targeting gay and trans people have surged. Last years backlash against Target was largely driven by false allegations that it was selling tuck-friendly swimsuits for children.

A vendor sells Bud Light and other cold beverages during the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds game at Nationals Park on July 6, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, says mainstream brands know they cant please everyone. He expects they will celebrate Pride in moderation, toning down the merchandise and keeping promotions under the radar.

If you promote Pride, some people will be unhappy with it. If you dont promote Pride, some people will be unhappy about that. Its not a battle you can win completely, which is why some retailers and brands are taking a middle-of-the-road approach and keeping it moderate, he said. They are doing some promotion but they are restricting it to things that they think are palatable and acceptable for most people.

Pride Month apparel is seen on display at a Target store in June, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Saunders does not expect that to change anytime soon.

The country is extremely polarized at the moment and there are very few signs that that will change, so I think for the immediate future, we will see this type of approach continue, he said. Retailers and brands will be more cautious about how they promote issues and causes.

Levi Strauss & Co. told USA TODAY it has no plans to scale back its Pride Month collection or celebration.

"This years Pride collection marks ten years that the Levis brand has been celebrating Pride with products, marketing and an $100,000 USD donation to Outright International, a global organization working to advance human rights for LGBTQ+ people all over the world. We are excited about this years collection and our plans to engage consumers," the company said in a statement.

Wells Fargo, another longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, said it would celebrate Pride Month by putting on employee events, supporting LGBTQ+ organizations and sponsoring parades in cities across the country.

Our plans this year are not scaled back; we have celebrated Pride Month in the past and will continue in the future, Wells Fargo said in a statement.

But other brands contacted by USA TODAY including Walmart, Google and Hyatt declined to say if they are adjusting their Pride Month plans.

Up until last year, we saw more and more corporate dollars being thrown at Pride, Skallerud said. Now everybody is wondering if they will ever come back.

On Saturday Walmart promoted its Pride collection on social media. "Not just a slogan. #PrideAlways is a reminder to lead with love," the retailer posted on Instagram.

"Guess they didn't learn from target and bud lite," one person commented.

Conservatives turn up the pressure on brands like Target, Bud Light

Jared Todd, senior press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, said his organization is not yet seeing many corporations back off their support for Pride Month.

Granted, many companies have yet to announce their Pride plans publicly, so things could always change, Todd said.

A recent survey found that most organizations are not planning to decrease expressions of solidarity.

Gravity Research surveyed a panel of 200 communications and corporate affairs executives including those from Fortune 500 companies. It found that most brands are not adjusting their plans to engage customers during Pride Month, said Luke Hartig, president of the firm.

A small percentage  13%  said they were unsure, indicating that some may be taking the wait and see approach, Hartig said.

Plans vary sharply by industry. Consumer staples were the most likely to shift course (30%) as brands whose peers faced boycotts last year were more likely to take precautions.

This indicates to us that corporations view last years anti-LGBTQ+ backlash as more noise than signal, Hartig said.

Whats driving the pullback among some consumer brands? Intensifying pressure from conservative activists, Hartig says.

His firms survey found that 18% of corporations said the threat of conservative backlash pressured them to adjust their 2024 Pride plans, compared to 9% who said the same of progressive consumers.

The reputational risk landscape for companies on LGBTQ+ issues continues to evolve, Hartig said.

How big brands became allies of the LGBTQ+ community

Observed every year in June, Pride Month commemorates the 1969 riots following a police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York.

Over time, the communitys activism from protests to boycotts helped turn corporations that were indifferent or hostile into powerful allies in the global fight for gay rights.

Brands have stepped up to promote LGBTQ+ equality internally with inclusive policies, and publicly with support for same-sex marriage and opposition to transgender bathroom laws.

Pride Month apparel accessories are seen on display last year at a Target store in Austin, Texas.

The LGBTQ+ community is a huge customer base, representing trillions in potential sales, according to Anders Jacobsen, co-founder of investment adviser LGBT Capital.

LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. have an estimated $1.4 trillion in purchasing power and $3.9 trillion globally, Jacobsen's firm found.

At the same time, LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. continues to grow, with 7.6% of U.S. adults now identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or sexual orientation other than heterosexual, up from 5.6% four years ago.

The proportion of younger people who identify as LGBTQ+ is even higher  more than 1 in 5 Gen Z adults  so companies trying to win their business need to appeal to them.

Research also suggests that Americans are more likely to patronize brands that support the LGBTQ+ community.

A GLAAD and Ipsos poll last year found that Americans are nearly twice as likely to say they would support companies facing criticism for supporting people in the LGBTQ+ community rather than their critics.

Two out of 3 Americans are neutral to positive about Pride merchandise in stores and nearly three-quarters of Americans are neutral or feel positively about a company offering Pride merchandise, the poll found.

That kind of research should rally the LGBTQ+ community, Skallerud said.

His colleagues and competitors are reluctant to talk about brands distancing themselves from Pride Month because its an admission that the folks who orchestrated these attacks a year ago won, he said.

But Skallerud says he sees it differently.

I look at it as, if we admit it, we can dust ourselves off and try to figure out a game plan or a strategy to be able to move forward and prevail.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Targeting Pride: Brands back off Pride after conservative backlash
Some provisions of the 2017 federal tax law expire at the end of next year, setting off debates about what changes to make to the tax code. (Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The race to harness the tax code is in full swing as economists and advocates across the political spectrum view the expiring Trump-era tax law as an opportunity to advance their economic priorities.

Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington said Wednesday that reworking the tax code will be a reflection of what your values are.

DelBene, who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy, said her priorities include modernizing the tax code, raising revenue via carbon fees on imported goods, and making permanent an expanded child tax credit akin to the temporary changes in place during the pandemic.

The top line is starting from what our values and goals are, and then looking at what the policies are that help us get there, DelBene said at a Politico-sponsored discussion on proposed tax law changes.

The event at Washingtons Union Station brought together tax experts and advocates from Georgetown University Law Center, the Urban Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative.

Tax overhaul

The massive tax overhaul ushered in under the Trump administration permanently cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. The 2017 law, championed by Republicans as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also put in place several temporary measures for corporations and small businesses. Some are phasing out or already expired, including immediate deductions for certain investments.

Temporary changes for households included marginal tax rate cuts across the board, a doubling of the child tax credit, and a near doubling of the standard deduction  all of which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.

A bipartisan bill to temporarily extend the expiring business incentives and expand the child tax credit beyond 2025 sailed through the U.S. House in late January, but has been stalled by U.S. Senate Republicans who oppose some of the child tax credit expansion proposals.

A May 2024 nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report estimated extending the tax cuts would cost roughly $4.6 trillion over 10 years. The bulk of the cost would stem from keeping in place individual tax cuts, according to an analysis of the report by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Critics of the 2017 law point to a recent March analysis from academics and members of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Federal Reserve that shows that the laws benefits flowed to the highest earners.

DelBene said revisiting the corporate tax rate, even on the Republican side, is on the table and lawmakers will be talking about where the TCJA wasnt about investing and making sure that we were being fiscally responsible.

Incredibly bullish

Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said Wednesday shes incredibly bullish on elected officials making fundamental changes to the tax code next year.

The progressive think tank sent a letter Wednesday to House and Senate leadership and top tax writers urging them to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing problems with our tax code, not just to tinker around the edges.

The letter was signed by 100 organizations from across the U.S., ranging from the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers to the National Womens Law Center and United Church of Christ.

Stephen Moore, who helped write the Trump-era tax law and is now the conservative Heritage Foundations senior visiting fellow in economics, said the 2017 law was a huge success and were gonna definitely make those tax cuts permanent.

Moore is an economic adviser for former President Donald Trumps reelection effort, but said he was not speaking on behalf of the presidential campaign.

He said he does not agree with Trump on everything, including a promise to enact 10% tariffs on imported goods, reaching as high as 60% on Chinese imports.

A tariff is just a consumption tax, he said. And so you know, I think that it is not a great policy, in my opinion. But if youre gonna have a tariff, I would rather have a tariff that is uniform than trying to have, like, a protectionist tariff to, you know, protect this industry or that industry.

When pressed on data that shows funding the Internal Revenue Service increases revenue, Moore said that President Joe Bidens increase in funding for the agency is diabolical.

The post Experts eye tax changes ahead of Trump-era cuts sunset appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
A closeup of a federal government check, focusing on an image of the Statue of Liberty.

Some provisions of the 2017 federal tax law expire at the end of next year, setting off debates about what changes to make to the tax code. (Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The race to harness the tax code is in full swing as economists and advocates across the political spectrum view the expiring Trump-era tax law as an opportunity to advance their economic priorities.

Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington said Wednesday that reworking the tax code will be a reflection of what your values are.

DelBene, who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy, said her priorities include modernizing the tax code, raising revenue via carbon fees on imported goods, and making permanent an expanded child tax credit akin to the temporary changes in place during the pandemic.

The top line is starting from what our values and goals are, and then looking at what the policies are that help us get there, DelBene said at a Politico-sponsored discussion on proposed tax law changes.

The early morning event at Washingtons Union Station brought together tax experts and advocates from Georgetown University Law Center, the Urban Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative.

Tax overhaul

The massive tax overhaul ushered in under the Trump administration permanently cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. The 2017 law, championed by Republicans as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also put in place several temporary measures for corporations and small businesses. Some are phasing out or already expired, including immediate deductions for certain investments.

Temporary changes for households included marginal tax rate cuts across the board, a doubling of the child tax credit, and a near doubling of the standard deduction  all of which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.

A bipartisan bill to temporarily extend the expiring business incentives and expand the child tax credit beyond 2025 sailed through the U.S. House in late January, but has been stalled by U.S. Senate Republicans who oppose some of the child tax credit expansion proposals.

A May 2024 nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report estimated extending the tax cuts would cost roughly $4.6 trillion over 10 years. The bulk of the cost would stem from keeping in place individual tax cuts, according to an analysis of the report by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Critics of the 2017 law point to a recent March analysis from academics and members of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Federal Reserve that shows that the laws benefits flowed to the highest earners.

DelBene said revisiting the corporate tax rate, even on the Republican side, is on the table and lawmakers will be talking about where the TCJA wasnt about investing and making sure that we were being fiscally responsible.

Incredibly bullish

Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said Wednesday shes incredibly bullish on elected officials making fundamental changes to the tax code next year.

The progressive think tank sent a letter Wednesday to House and Senate leadership and top tax writers urging them to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing problems with our tax code, not just to tinker around the edges.

The letter was signed by 100 organizations from across the U.S., ranging from the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers to the National Womens Law Center and United Church of Christ.

Stephen Moore, who helped write the Trump-era tax law and is now the conservative Heritage Foundations senior visiting fellow in economics, said the 2017 law was a huge success and that were gonna definitely make those tax cuts permanent.

Moore is an economic adviser for former President Donald Trumps reelection effort, but said he was not speaking on behalf of the presidential campaign.

He said he does not agree with Trump on everything, including a promise to enact 10% tariffs on imported goods, reaching as high as 60% on Chinese imports.

A tariff is just a consumption tax, he said. And so you know, I think that it is not a great policy, in my opinion. But if youre gonna have a tariff, I would rather have a tariff that is uniform than trying to have, like, a protectionist tariff to, you know, protect this industry or that industry.

When pressed on data that shows funding the Internal Revenue Service increases revenue, Moore said that President Joe Bidens increase in funding for the agency is diabolical.

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The post Experts eye tax changes ahead of Trump-era cuts sunset appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Some provisions of the 2017 federal tax law expire at the end of next year, setting off debates about what changes to make to the tax code. (Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The race to harness the tax code is in full swing as economists and advocates across the political spectrum view the expiring Trump-era tax law as an opportunity to advance their economic priorities.

Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington said Wednesday that reworking the tax code will be a reflection of what your values are.

DelBene, who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy, said her priorities include modernizing the tax code, raising revenue via carbon fees on imported goods, and making permanent an expanded child tax credit akin to the temporary changes in place during the pandemic.

The top line is starting from what our values and goals are, and then looking at what the policies are that help us get there, DelBene said at a Politico-sponsored discussion on proposed tax law changes.

The early morning event at Washingtons Union Station brought together tax experts and advocates from Georgetown University Law Center, the Urban Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative.

Tax overhaul

The massive tax overhaul ushered in under the Trump administration permanently cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. The 2017 law, championed by Republicans as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also put in place several temporary measures for corporations and small businesses. Some are phasing out or already expired, including immediate deductions for certain investments.

Temporary changes for households included marginal tax rate cuts across the board, a doubling of the child tax credit, and a near doubling of the standard deduction  all of which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.

A bipartisan bill to temporarily extend the expiring business incentives and expand the child tax credit beyond 2025 sailed through the U.S. House in late January, but has been stalled by U.S. Senate Republicans who oppose some of the child tax credit expansion proposals.

A May 2024 nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report estimated extending the tax cuts would cost roughly $4.6 trillion over 10 years. The bulk of the cost would stem from keeping in place individual tax cuts, according to an analysis of the report by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Critics of the 2017 law point to a recent March analysis from academics and members of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Federal Reserve that shows that the laws benefits flowed to the highest earners.

DelBene said revisiting the corporate tax rate, even on the Republican side, is on the table and lawmakers will be talking about where the TCJA wasnt about investing and making sure that we were being fiscally responsible.

Incredibly bullish

Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said Wednesday shes incredibly bullish on elected officials making fundamental changes to the tax code next year.

The progressive think tank sent a letter Wednesday to House and Senate leadership and top tax writers urging them to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing problems with our tax code, not just to tinker around the edges.

The letter was signed by 100 organizations from across the U.S., ranging from the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers to the National Womens Law Center and United Church of Christ.

Stephen Moore, who helped write the Trump-era tax law and is now the conservative Heritage Foundations senior visiting fellow in economics, said the 2017 law was a huge success and that were gonna definitely make those tax cuts permanent.

Moore is an economic adviser for former President Donald Trumps reelection effort, but said he was not speaking on behalf of the presidential campaign.

He said he does not agree with Trump on everything, including a promise to enact 10% tariffs on imported goods, reaching as high as 60% on Chinese imports.

A tariff is just a consumption tax, he said. And so you know, I think that it is not a great policy, in my opinion. But if youre gonna have a tariff, I would rather have a tariff that is uniform than trying to have, like, a protectionist tariff to, you know, protect this industry or that industry.

When pressed on data that shows funding the Internal Revenue Service increases revenue, Moore said that President Joe Bidens increase in funding for the agency is diabolical.

The post Experts eye tax changes ahead of Trump-era cuts sunset appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Some provisions of the 2017 federal tax law expire at the end of next year, setting off debates about what changes to make to the tax code. (Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The race to harness the tax code is in full swing as economists and advocates across the political spectrum view the expiring Trump-era tax law as an opportunity to advance their economic priorities.

Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington said Wednesday that reworking the tax code will be a reflection of what your values are.

DelBene, who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy, said her priorities include modernizing the tax code, raising revenue via carbon fees on imported goods, and making permanent an expanded child tax credit akin to the temporary changes in place during the pandemic.

The top line is starting from what our values and goals are, and then looking at what the policies are that help us get there, DelBene said at a Politico-sponsored discussion on proposed tax law changes.

The early morning event at Washingtons Union Station brought together tax experts and advocates from Georgetown University Law Center, the Urban Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative.

Tax overhaul

The massive tax overhaul ushered in under the Trump administration permanently cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. The 2017 law, championed by Republicans as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also put in place several temporary measures for corporations and small businesses. Some are phasing out or already expired, including immediate deductions for certain investments.

Temporary changes for households included marginal tax rate cuts across the board, a doubling of the child tax credit, and a near doubling of the standard deduction  all of which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.

A bipartisan bill to temporarily extend the expiring business incentives and expand the child tax credit beyond 2025 sailed through the U.S. House in late January, but has been stalled by U.S. Senate Republicans who oppose some of the child tax credit expansion proposals.

A May 2024 nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report estimated extending the tax cuts would cost roughly $4.6 trillion over 10 years. The bulk of the cost would stem from keeping in place individual tax cuts, according to an analysis of the report by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Critics of the 2017 law point to a recent March analysis from academics and members of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Federal Reserve that shows that the laws benefits flowed to the highest earners.

DelBene said revisiting the corporate tax rate, even on the Republican side, is on the table and lawmakers will be talking about where the TCJA wasnt about investing and making sure that we were being fiscally responsible.

Incredibly bullish

Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said Wednesday shes incredibly bullish on elected officials making fundamental changes to the tax code next year.

The progressive think tank sent a letter Wednesday to House and Senate leadership and top tax writers urging them to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing problems with our tax code, not just to tinker around the edges.

The letter was signed by 100 organizations from across the U.S., ranging from the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers to the National Womens Law Center and United Church of Christ.

Stephen Moore, who helped write the Trump-era tax law and is now the conservative Heritage Foundations senior visiting fellow in economics, said the 2017 law was a huge success and that were gonna definitely make those tax cuts permanent.

Moore is an economic adviser for former President Donald Trumps reelection effort, but said he was not speaking on behalf of the presidential campaign.

He said he does not agree with Trump on everything, including a promise to enact 10% tariffs on imported goods, reaching as high as 60% on Chinese imports.

A tariff is just a consumption tax, he said. And so you know, I think that it is not a great policy, in my opinion. But if youre gonna have a tariff, I would rather have a tariff that is uniform than trying to have, like, a protectionist tariff to, you know, protect this industry or that industry.

When pressed on data that shows funding the Internal Revenue Service increases revenue, Moore said that President Joe Bidens increase in funding for the agency is diabolical.

The post Experts eye tax changes ahead of Trump-era cuts sunset appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. An amendment has been made to the List of positions of the highest military rank in the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a corresponding decree.

According to the decree, a change was approved in the List of positions of the highest military rank in the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, approved by Decree No. 1148 of the President of Azerbaijan dated October 11, 2010 (Collection of Legislation of Azerbaijan, 2010, No. 10, Article 881 (Vol. I)).
A panel of housing experts answer questions during the 2024 Rural Development Conference on May 21, 2024 in Hot Springs. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

By definition, housing should not exceed 30% of a persons monthly income to be considered affordable. But with rising construction costs, capacity issues and an overall lack of project funding, options in rural Arkansas can be limited.

Ten housing experts from the private and public sectors joined a panel Tuesday afternoon at the 2024 Rural Development Conference in Hot Springs to discuss affordable housing in rural Arkansas. Speaking to an audience of leaders from across the state, panelists expounded on barriers that exist in todays market and brainstormed ideas to combat the ongoing affordable housing crisis.

People are starving for affordable housing, said Mark Conine, president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.

The Development Finance Authority works to promote growth in the state by providing financing for affordable housing, capital improvements for local governments and other projects.

Prioritizing affordable housing, while also getting enough people committed to the issue, is crucial for development in Arkansas and all across the country, Conine said.

Martie North, president of the nonprofit ACHANGE, said Arkansas small population is both an advantage and a disadvantage for housing projects in the state. While having 3 million residents may result in smaller federal funding allocations, piloting a few innovative ideas could make Arkansas a leader in housing solutions, North said.

Incorporating housing stock that spans a variety of price points and sizes within one community is one way to provide accessible options, said Jill Floyd, state director for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development office.

[A community where] you can come in as a new young homebuyer, go all the way up and then when youre ready to downsize you come all the way back down, Floyd said. Everything has a consistent community, so you dont have to move.

One challenge with large-scale projects, Floyd said, is that a developer cant easily construct houses across the state when every municipality creates its own building code.

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Zoning laws pose a different, additional hurdle, said Abe Hudson with the Walton Family Foundation. Rural communities in the South need to do a better job of long-term planning so construction companies can work quickly and easily, rather than being bogged down with rezoning delays, he said.

Thats so critically important because it puts us in a position that we can look out further and make real plans for a community that can be able to sustain itself versus allowing people to be in communities and decide to do whatever it is that they want to, Hudson said.

Opportunity ahead

Panelists seemed to value involvement from differing levels of the community, companies, philanthropic organizations, government and more. Success comes much faster when several groups buy into a plan, Conine said.

It takes a commitment from everyone, he said. If you want to see a successful project  it takes a commitment level from that local area for the project, and then [other] people get on board so theres all types of funding that comes together.

Small towns developing housing at the same time could increase the scale of a project, which would make it more attractive to potential investors, said Michael Jackson, CEO of Delta Community Development and Law Center.

Just imagine if small towns in southeast Arkansas that are within five to 15 miles of each other decided they wanted to improve housing so much that when employers think about a place to go, they know that place, those nearby small towns are going to offer good quality housing and hopefully, good quality education to the children, Jackson said, making a reference to similar collaboration in Northwest Arkansas.

Martie North, president of the nonprofit ACHANGE, introduces herself to an audience of rural leaders on May 21, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

Panelists also recommended communities look into developing a local land bank to obtain parcels from people who want to donate.

On the funding side, Hudson said the Walton Family Foundation was looking into investing in more infrastructure projects in Northwest Arkansas and the Delta in the southeast part of the state.

Building a vibrant and equitable Delta for the long haul wont happen by going at it alone, he said.

North proposed state officials should allocate money to the Arkansas Housing Trust Fund, which she said has not been funded since its inception in 2009. Further, she said projects that have private and public partnerships can mitigate risks.

If we want to continue to grow our state, especially the areas between Northwest Arkansas and any other point in the state  weve got to work collaboratively and I think we have the ability to do so if were willing to do so, North said.

The post Experts identify affordable housing barriers, opportunities for rural Arkansas appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
As the summer season approaches, so does the heat. As scientists around the world continue to address the effects of a warming planet, many will have to prepare for the impact heat stress will have on their health and communities.

What's happening?

Reuters reported that rising temperatures are causing heat stress in Europe, putting public health officials on alert.

The news outlet noted that the European Union's Copernicus climate monitoring service and the World Meteorological Organization found that last year's July heatwave put up to 41% of southern Europe on notice for "strong, very strong, or extreme heat stress," per Reuters.

Parts of Italy, for example, saw deaths in the summer season increase by 7% compared to the previous year, while Europe has experienced an overall 30% increase over the last 20 years.

In response, the Environment Agency for the European Union has encouraged healthcare organizations to prepare for heat-induced illnesses.

Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said to Reuters, "Some of the events of 2023 took the scientific community by surprise because of their intensity, their speed of onset, extent, and duration."

Why is heat stress concerning?

At some point, everyone is bound to witness an extreme but isolated weather event. Weather is what you see outside on any particular day.

Climate, on the other hand, is the average of that weather over time and space. It's the big picture of temperatures, precipitation, and wind patterns in an area over 30 years or more, as National Geographic explains. As planet-warming gases are released, the weather patterns change, making events more extreme and frequent for communities.

Heat stress is a serious concern, especially as our planet continues to experience record-breaking temperatures. It's the body's response to overheating and can lead to a range of health issues, from mild symptoms like heat cramps to more severe conditions like heat stroke.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, heat-related deaths have also been increasing in the United States. In 2023, there were 2,302 attributed to high temperatures.

Additionally, excess heat lead can lead to drought, causing food systems to be affected and insured economic losses of $2.6 billion, according to Swiss Re. Heat can also cause more moisture to stay in the air, per Reuters. In Slovenia, sea level rise and flooding threatened around 1.5 million people last year, Reuters reported.

What's being done about it?

As stated on Phys.org, children, the elderly, those with health conditions, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Limiting outside exposure, increasing airflow, and installing heat-reflective windows at home are ways to prevent heat stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On the individual level, cool baths or misting with water can help keep a person's temperature down. This article has more guidance on how to stay safe in extreme heat.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Extreme weather is having a dire effect on animals. Heres whats being done to protect them.

A veterinarian holds a young howler monkey rescued amid extremely high temperatures in Tecolutilla, Mexico, in late May. (Luis Sanchez/AP)

At least 138 howler monkeys have been found dead in Mexico since May 16 amid a heat wave that reached 113 degrees on Tuesday.

The monkeys, which reportedly have been falling dead out of trees like apples, are among the latest victims of extreme heat caused by the current El Nino cycle, which is having dire effects on humans and animals alike. They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes, wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo told the Associated Press.

Yahoo News spoke to Nikhil Advani, senior director for wildlife and climate resilience at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) about how global warming is affecting animals like the howler monkeys in Mexico, and what conservationists are doing to try to protect them.

 What's happening?

El Nino, a global climate-warming phenomenon that happens every few years, causing significant fluctuations in temperature and other weather disruptions, has been exacerbated in recent years by unprecedented heat from climate change.

This combination, Advani explained, has proven fatal for a variety of wildlife, including the howler monkeys, primates that are mainly found in Central and South America and known for their distinct roar.

All species have temperature thresholds within which they can tolerate, explained Advani. In the case of these monkeys, these temperatures have clearly exceeded those thresholds.

Advani said that in response to the increasingly hot temperatures, some animals are forced to move to new locations, and in some cases, even their body sizes have changed to adapt to new environments. For some species, such as sea turtles in Colombia, temperature changes have also caused an imbalance in sex ratios, which disrupts mating.

There's also the impact of a lack of water availability that often goes hand in hand with extreme heat events, said Advani, adding that natural disasters and other extreme weather events like severe flooding, cyclones and hurricanes can also cause a shortage of food for many animals.

All of these things are impacting species in many ways, he said. We're seeing species that are going extinct, potentially due to impacts of climate change.

Climate change is also causing ocean temperatures to rise, resulting in the bleaching of about 63% of the worlds coral reefs. During these events, coral become pale and can eventually die. The devastation impacts other living creatures that depend on the coral.

In the places where we have coral reef systems, they are the foundation of the ecosystem there  they are the lifeblood of that ecosystem, said Advani. If we lose that coral reef, you see a huge reduction in species diversity.

Advani explained that once the El Nino season ends, flooding, droughts and extreme heat wont be as severe as what were seeing now. However, climate change is worsening the long-term impacts of these cycles.

"Climate change is something that's here to stay, said Advani. We tend to look at El Nino years as a proxy for how bad things could get potentially within even a decade or two."

 Whats being done to protect wildlife?

Conservationists are working on a range of research and initiatives to reduce the negative effects of climate change on wildlife.

For example, WWF says that it has funded 25 projects around the world, including the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund designed to help vulnerable animal populations. They include:

Improving nest design for birds

Providing artificial shade structures near watering holes

Controlling sand temperatures for sea turtles

Providing additional water sources for animals

Advani noted that there is a chance that some of these solutions may not work because creatures may face challenges adapting to human-made solutions. So organizations like WWF test out the solution on a smaller scale and then scale up if it proves to be successful.
History serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting air superiority, a mistake America must not repeat with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it did with the F-22 Raptor.

In 2009, the F-22 program was abruptly cancelled after the production of only 187 aircraft  a quarter of the originally planned 750 fighters . This short-sighted decision left the U.S. Air Force with a diminished capacity to maintain air superiority in the face of evolving threats from the major military adversaries, China and Russia.

Created as Americas premier air superiority fighter, the F-22s stealth capabilities, speed, and agility were designed to dominate any adversary. However, ongoing fiscal concerns and a miscalculation of the evolving capabilities of our adversaries led to its early termination.

Today, we are at a crossroads with the F-35. Some in Congress are threatening further cuts to the F-35 program due to budgetary pressures and delays in software upgrades known as Block 4/Technical Refresh 3.

We cannot let history repeat itself.

It is simply imperative that Congress learns from past mistakes and ensures that F-35 production is maximized to bolster national defense and maintain our strategic advantage over our adversaries.

During my time as NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, I witnessed firsthand the evolution of aerial warfare and the indispensable role that fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 play in modern conflict.

In the years since the F-22s cancellation, the F-35 has emerged as the cornerstone of U.S. and allied airpower. The F-35s ability to remain undetected, provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness, and to close the sensor-shooter kill chain quickly make the aircraft a peerless adversary.

The F-35s role the last few years in maintaining deterrence has been indispensable. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, allied F-35s have been instrumental in identifying Russian air defense systems and securing NATO airspace from incursions from Russian aircraft. Joint exercises with U.S. and NATO F-35s have also demonstrated the alliances ability to respond to aerial threats quickly and effectively.

In peacetime, tactical aircraft  fighters  are generally in much higher demand than other weapons platforms to show resolve, police airspace, etc. And if war comes, fighter aircraft will be the tip of the spear for America and her allies, as our doctrines rely on the establishment of air superiority.

From the P-51 Mustang, which played a pivotal role in securing air superiority over Europe at the end of World War II, to the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, which were deployed to counter the Soviet Unions numerical advantage during the Cold War, history is replete with examples of the critical importance of a robust fighter force.

Today, we have significant demand for tactical aircraft in the Indo-Pacific, in the European theater, and in the Middle East  not to mention homeland defense.

While the demand for tactical aircraft is almost bottomless, the supply is not. The Air Forces current fighter inventory is the oldest and smallest it has ever been . The advanced age of our tactical aircraft fleet has a deleterious impact on cost and readiness, not to mention survivability.

The F-35 is simply the only allied stealth fighter in production that meets the demands of modern warfare. Its advanced capabilities make it the preferred choice for over 20 nations around the world, from the United Kingdom to Japan.

Yes, there are frustrating delays in TR-3 technology upgrades to the F-35, as the GAO recently highlighted . Those upgrades will maintain and extend the F-35s advantage over any adversary, but even now the F-35 remains the dominant fighter in the sky.

Pulling back on F-35 orders might feel good, but its not the responsible solution. Do not repeat the mistakes made with the F-22 program. The premature cancellation of the F-22 program left a void in our Air Force, whose repercussions we are still feeling today.

In the late 1930s, America saw the gathering storm and began to re-arm. In the early 1980s, America answered the growing threat of the Soviet Union and its satellites with a buildup that ultimately helped peacefully bring down the Warsaw Pact.

Today, we face a global threat environment on par with those moments.

That global threat environment demands we build as many F-35s as we can, as fast as we can. To do otherwise is to invite aggressors to take their best shot. That would, indeed, be history repeating itself.

Philip Breedlove is a retired Air Force general and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Legal experts say Donald Trumps remark urging the public to look where the judge in his Manhattan criminal trial comes from is the latest instance of the former president working to delegitimize the judiciary while relying on the specter of racism and xenophobia.

As he left the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, Trump told reporters that Judge Juan Merchan "hates" him.

Just take a look, Trump said. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from. He cant stand Donald Trump. Hes doing everything in his power.

Stephen Burbank, emeritus professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, said Trumps comments are reflective of his tactic of trying to inflame his base and the wider public with "racism" and "phobia."

Take a look at where he comes from of course raises again the specter of racism, phobia, a phobia about people of Hispanic origins, Burbank said. Simply by the name of a judge it appears he assumed that he would be anti-Trump.

Hes doing everything in his power to provide a fair trial to Mr. Trump, Burbank said. Its really quite repulsive, in my view.

Merchan, who was born in Colombia and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of six, is presiding over Trumps criminal trial, where he faces a potential four-year prison sentence if found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsification of business records.

Charles Geyh, a professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, said Trumps comments on the judge are aimed at urging his supporters to believe the prosecution is political and sowing distrust in the American justice system.

What he's doing here is, in effect, trying to discredit the court as a way to maintain his constituency and preserve their confidence in him by by discrediting the court, Geyh said. If and when he loses his case, he can blame the judge, blame the court proceeding, blame the state judiciary, blame the administration of justice that has fallen into liberal hands and so on. That's what I think is going on here, certainly. The business of trying to delegitimize every judiciary, or every court that has his ruling against him is a pattern that we've seen in prior cases.

Russell Wheeler, a non-resident senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, said Trump has a history of criticizing judges he views as unfair.

These statements are nothing more than Trumps fabricated rantings about any judge who makes any ruling that displeases him, Wheeler said. He's kept up to the present day, unmoored from reality and with no concern about the threats of violence that they provoke.

Geyh said Trumps statements about Merchan are a carbon copy of comments he made in 2016 about Judge Gonzalo Curiels Mexican background.

During a civil fraud case against Trump University in 2016, then-candidate Trump called Curiel a "hater" because he was "Hispanic" and "Mexican."

Trump maintained in interviews that because of Curiels ancestry, he was biased against him for wanting to build a border wall. Curiel was born in Indiana, went to law school at Indiana University, and, like Merchan, is an American citizen.

Geyh said he thought there was an argument for Trump to be cited for contempt in the Trump University case: Because I think of that disrespect for the courts order and rulings, and that fundamental impartiality was at stake.

Then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., at the time disavowed Trumps comments, which he called the textbook definition of a racist comment.

Ryan said he still supported then-nominee Trump.

Almost eight years later, Trump has yet to receive public pushback from top Republican allies.

Salon reached out to current House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., but his office did not respond to that emailed request for comment by Wednesday afternoon. Trumps campaign also did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

In 2016, Trump issued a statement saying: "I do not feel that ones heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial."

Trump has a gag order limiting what he can say about his Manhattan trial  but it does not include comments about Merchan.

The gag order was very carefully crafted to protect the people who don't have a power to protect themselves, Burbank said. Judge Merchan obviously doesn't suffer from the extraordinary insecurity of Mr. Trump. Which is one of the reasons why, but not probably the most important reason why, he didn't include himself in that gag order. He doesn't have any problem taking care of himself.

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Merchan did expand the gag order to bar Trump from making statements about family members of the judge and prosecutors.

He referenced the chilling effect on the criminal case  as prosecutors' called Trump's language "dangerous" and "violent."

Merchan said that Trump's "pattern of attacking family members of presiding jurists and attorneys assigned to his cases serves no legitimate purpose. It merely injects fear in those assigned or called to participate in the proceedings, that not only they, but their family members as well, are 'fair game' for Defendant's vitriol. It is no longer just a mere possibility or a reasonable likelihood that there exists a threat to the integrity of the judicial proceedings. The threat is very real."

That came after Trump falsely claimed that Merchans daughter, Loren Merchan, used an image of him behind bars as a profile picture on X. But a court spokesperson said that X account had not belonged to Merchan since she deleted her handle a year earlier.

Burbank noted that Trump is now evading the gag order by having his surrogates stand outside the courthouse levying claims about witnesses, jurors and Judge Merchans daughter.

HuffPost reporter Andrew Rice said on MSNBC that he saw Trump editing statements for his Republican allies to say.

The gag order also bars Trump from directing others to say statements.

Judge Merchan could have initiated an inquiry into whether that violated the gag rule or namely, if Trump was responsible for violations of the gag order, Burbank said. That would be a circus. And that's just what Trump wants. He wants chaos The way Judge Merchan has run these proceedings is he's just not going to allow it to be turned into a circus.

Trump has so far paid $10,000 in fines for contempt in his Manhattan trial  and was fined thousands for violating a gag order in his civil fraud trial.

Geyh said that Merchan is in a tough place when it comes to enforcing the gag order against a presidential candidate.

Judges traditionally take steps necessary to preserve the integrity of their proceedings and respect for the solemnity of their proceedings, and for the perception of traditional impartiality that they're struggling to preserve," he said. Letting him go and do what he's doing erodes that respect for the court. But if they go ahead and cite him and pursue a contempt kind of route, they will simply create other problems. In other words, it will exacerbate the feelings of a large segment of the public that the people are out to get the president and that this isn't a fair proceeding. And so it really does underscore just how tense and intractable the situation is.

Geyh said that Trumps recurring complaint that judges from another political party could never give him a fair shake are highly troubling  and not enough to get any judge disqualified in the U.S. judicial system.

The idea that no person with a Democratic background could rule on a Republican litigant or no Republican judge could rule on a Democratic litigant would be impossible, Geyh said.

And he said Trumps comments are reflective of a common tactic by individuals fearing a loss in court.

This does happen in some cases, where a litigant reaches the point of concluding that he's basically losing on the merits, Geyh said. And so he starts saying things about the judge in order to basically claim now 'the judge doesn't like me, because of the things I've said.' In other words, you insult the judge, bait the judge, anger the judge. And then when it works, you basically say, See, the judge is biased against me, because of the stuff I've said.
Fact Check: What to Know About 'World's Shortest International Bridge' Allegedly Connecting Homeowner's US and Canadian Property

Claim:

The world's shortest international bridge connects a homeowner's property that spans both Canada and the U.S.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

The bridge is real, connecting Ontario's Zavikon Island with a smaller island. However, the passageway is not the "world's shortest international bridge" because it does not cross the Canada-U.S. border. Rather, the bridge and the islands are located exclusively in Canada. Also, the claim that one person's residential property spans both islands was unsubstantiated.

Online posts suggest a small, 32-foot-long bridge between two islands is the "world's shortest international bridge" that connects a "homeowner in Canada to his backyard in New York."

https://www.facebook.com/LifeOfCanada/posts/772925541632723

The bridge is real, connecting Ontario's Zavikon Island with a smaller island. However, the passageway is not the "world's shortest international bridge" because it does not cross the Canada-U.S. border. Rather, the bridge and the islands are located exclusively in Canada. For that reason, Snopes rated this claim "False."

While the property does exist, Snopes was not able to confirm or disprove the claim that one person's residential property spans both islands.

Snopes reached out to the Canadian government (specifically, the agency that helps the federal government manage properties) for more information about the islands, including whether it was true they are one person's residential property. We also asked whether it was possible that the U.S.-Canadian border may have changed over the decade and at one point the islands were separated by it. We will update this article if we receive a response.

That said, Alexandre Baillairge-Charbonneau, a spokesperson for the Canadian government, confirmed the "bridge between Zavikon Island and the smaller one is within Canadian boundaries."

A look at Google Maps and the Canadian Geographical Names Database  Canada's official database of locations' names and their attributes  showed Zavikon Island within the boundaries of Ontario in the Saint Lawrence River. Meanwhile, Zavikon Island is about 1,800 feet from Huguenot Island, one of the nearest parcels of land in the neighboring U.S. (New York state, specifically).

(Google Maps)

Zavikon Island, known previously as Aspasia Island, is located in the Thousand Islands  which, according to the 1000 Islands Tourism Council in the U.S, is a "sightseer's paradise" that is "located along the peaceful border" between New York and southeastern Ontario. Despite the region's name, it actually covers 1,864 islands that span more than 50 miles of water. According to the tourism website:

To be considered an island, it has to stay above water 365 days a year and support a living tree. Many are open to the public and are home to parks, campgrounds and cottage rentals. Wellesley Island (United States) is connected to the U.S. and Canadian mainland by the Thousand Islands International Bridge. Wolfe, Howe and Simcoe islands (Canada) are reachable by ferries. Thousand Islands Islands National Park (Canada) is a group of 21 islands along the 1000 Islands Parkway, Ontario, that are open to the public.

According to the Gananoque 1000 Islands Visitor Center in Canada, the notion of Zavikon Island's bridge straddling two nations is a "popular but incorrect tale." Zavikon Island is "entirely located in Canadian territory."

As the travel journalism website Atlas Obscura reported in June 2013, the story of Zavikon Island "goes back to the late 19th century with the tiny bridge between the two islands said to be the shortest international crossing in the world." For instance, a 1910 image that's in the public domain purportedly shows the two islands "with Canadian and American flags" on their respective islands:

(Public Domain)

According to Sovereign Limits, a database that provides information on international borders, the U.S.-Canada border was originally established by the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Since then, it's been revised nearly a dozen times. It's possible that the boundary near Zavikon Island may have shifted at some point during the 20th or 21st centuries.

In addition to the Canadian government, Snopes contacted the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to ask questions about the bridge and nearby border. We will update this article accordingly.

That said, a flag flying on a private residence does not necessarily indicate the property's country.

Another image hosted by Wikimedia Commons showed the bridge in a 2016 photo. The image did not show any signs of digital manipulation  that is, it appeared to be an authentic documentation of the bridge. In that photo, the bridge's railing displayed Canadian and American flags, as well as what appeared to be Hungary's flag. The latter country is located on another continent entirely.

(Public Domain)

Sources:

author, Unknown authorUnknown. English: Image Created c. 1910. circa 1910date QS:P,+ - -00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 1910. http://www.zapix.com/lord-of-ridley/genevaviews/pc70.htm, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zavikon.jpg.

"Contact Us." Visit 1000 Islands, https://visit1000islands.com/about/contact/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

"First-Time Visitors." Visit 1000 Islands, https://visit1000islands.com/experiences/first-time-visitors/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. Place Names - Zavikon Island. https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=FDFZU. Accessed 14 May 2024.

---. Place Names - Zavikon Island. https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=87f7a91fd05211d892e2080020a0f4c9. Accessed 14 May 2024.

---. Place Names - Zavikon Island. https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=FDFZU. Accessed 14 May 2024.

Log in or Sign up to View. https://www.facebook.com/login/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

Meier, Allison. "Curious Fact of the Week: The World's Shortest International Bridge." Atlas Obscura, 17 June 2013, http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/curious-fact-of-the-week-shortest-bridge.

Wannamaker, Bonnie. "Fun Facts About the 1000 Islands." 1000 Island Tourism, 23 June 2020, https://www.1000islandstourism.com/fun-facts-about-the-1000-islands/.

---. "Fun Facts About the 1000 Islands." 1000 Island Tourism, 23 June 2020, https://www.1000islandstourism.com/fun-facts-about-the-1000-islands/.

"Zavikon Island  Leeds and Grenville United Counties, ON K0E 1L0, Canada." Zavikon Island  Leeds and Grenville United Counties, ON K0E 1L0, Canada, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zavikon+Island/@44.3692412,-75.917738,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4ccd3ee7e8516ae1:0x26346352b96384d4!8m2!3d44.3695256!4d-75.9136627!16s%2Fm%2F02z9x8z?entry=ttu. Accessed 14 May 2024.

https://earth.google.com/web/search/zavikon+island/@44.36921829,-75.91595832,73.34661907a,1879.18209022d,35y,360h,0t,0r/data=CigiJgokCWkzOhG4tjdAEWkzOhG4tjfAGaqQsjjENkJAId_RCo-of1HAOgMKATA. Accessed 14 May 2024.
(KRON)  The Fairfield Police Department is searching for a woman who went missing in March.

Paula Lynn Coates, 77, was last seen on March 13 at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, located at 1150 Kentucky St. Her last known contact with family was over the phone in early March, police said.

New cars in California could alert drivers for breaking the speed limit

Coates is also known as Paula Lynn Barry. She is homeless, police said.

Coates has dementia and a fractured hip that has not been treated. She is 5-foot-5, 100 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes.

Fairfield officers are actively looking for Coates. They do not know what clothes she is wearing.

Anyone who sees Coates is asked to call (707) 428-7300, option 8.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Families of seven female Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas during the October 7 attacks have released graphic footage of their abduction as they pile pressure on the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure their release.

The video shows the women  all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel  lined up against a wall, their hands bound. The faces of some of the women are bruised and bloodied.

The footage was previously released by Hamas, according to the Hostages Families Forum. The campaigning group obtained it from the IDF, which had previously edited the video to exclude the most disturbing scenes.

Every new testimony about what happened to the hostages echoes the same tragic truth  we must bring them all back home, now, the Hostage Families Forum said in a press release Wednesday.

The women were kidnapped during a Hamas raid on Israels Nahal Oz military base, near the northern Gaza Strip, as part of the militant groups attacks on Israel that left around 1,200 people dead and saw more than 250 captured and taken hostage in the enclave.

Following the attack, Israel launched a war in Gaza that has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians over the past seven months, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The kidnapped women were working as IDF observers, a role that involves monitoring Israels border security.

Video of the ordeal has been made public as pressure mounts on Netanyahu to secure the release of the Israelis still held by Hamas, which his government has made a key goal of the Gaza offensive. Numerous attempts to strike a hostage-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas have faltered in recent months, infuriating those in Israel campaigning for the return of the captives.

The State of Israel cannot accept a reality where its citizens constantly feel their lives are threatened and suffer from unrelenting fear and anxiety, the Hostages Families Forum said as it publicized the video on Wednesday.

With each passing day, it becomes more challenging to bring the hostages back home  the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial. The Israeli government must not waste another moment; it must return to the negotiating table today!

Netanyahu said Wednesday he is horrified by the video showing the abduction of our dear field observers. He said Israel will continue doing everything to bring them home and the cruelty of Hamas terrorists only enhances my determination to fight forcefully until the destruction of Hamas, to ensure that what weve seen this evening will not happen ever again.

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz said when he first watched the video it made his stomach turn. However, Gantz said, the responsibility of leaders is not only to look reality in the eye  it is to create a different reality even when it comes to difficult decisions. And that is our responsibility.

For the world to see

One of the women shown in the video, Ori Megidish, was rescued by the IDF in a special operation 23 days after being taken.

Another, Noa Marciano, an IDF Corporal, was killed while in Gaza and her body was returned to Israel in November.

But five of the seven  Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy  remain in captivity, more than seven months after being taken across the border.

The mother of Naama Levy told CNN on Wednesday that bringing them home is not a top priority of the Israeli government, saying some members of the government did not even watch the video.

Ministers and members of the government were asked to watch a version of this video in their meetings, and some of them refused and said we want to sleep OK at night, Ayelet Levy Shachar said, adding, So if this is the reaction when its their duty to watch these materials, this is their job, so they can make correct decisions, then we think that we should put it out there for our citizens, for the world to see.

More than 100 hostages were freed during a release deal in November, but the IDF believes there are still around 130 people being held in Gaza.

Efforts to reach a deal that would pause the war in Gaza and allow the release of hostages have repeatedly been dashed. Earlier this month, Hamas said Israels rejection of a ceasefire plan submitted by mediators at negotiations in Cairo had sent hostage release talks back to square one.

The statement came a day after the latest round of Gaza truce and hostage deal talks ended in Cairo, without a deal.

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Families of female Israeli hostages taken by Hamas release graphic video of their capture

The video shows the capture of seven Israeli female soldiers from the Nahal Oz military base, near the northern Gaza Strip, on 7 October 2023 (Hostage and Missing Families Forum)

A video showing the capture of seven female Israeli soldiers by Hamas on 7 October has been released by the Israeli government at the request of their families.

The graphic footage shows a chaotic scene as the bloodied women are forced to line up against a wall while Hamas fighters shout orders at them.

The fighters take photographs of the women as their hands are bound. One of the fighters shouts at the captured soldiers: Our brothers died because of you.

"I have friends in Palestine," one of the Israeli conscripts, 19-year-old Naama Levy, says in English.

One of the gunmen can be heard shouting back in Arabic: "You are dogs! he says, according to Reuters.

Later they are pushed into the back of a truck while gunshots ring out around them, and presumably taken to Gaza.

Still from a video showing the capture of Israeli women soldiers during the 7 October attack (Hostage Families Forum)

The footage appears to have been filmed during the morning raid by Hamas at the Nahal Oz military base, near the northern Gaza Strip. The 7 October surprise attack killed nearly 1,200 people, including more than 750 civilians, and more than 250 people were taken hostage.

One of the women shown in the video, Ori Megidish, was rescued from Gaza by the Israeli army on 30 October. The body of Noa Marciano, a Corporal in the Israeli army, was recovered from Gaza in November.

The remaining five  named as Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy  are thought to still be held captive by Hamas.

Agam

Daniella

Karina

Liri

Naama.



229 days in hell. pic.twitter.com/2P4CL5aD0z  Israel  (@Israel) May 22, 2024

The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the relatives of hostages held by Hamas, said it approved the release of the video to pressure the Israeli government to take action to rescue them. The footage was also released on Israels official account on X, formerly Twitter, and was previously released by Hamas in the aftermath of the attack.

Every new testimony about what happened to the hostages echoes the same tragic truth  we must bring them all back home, now, the Hostage Families Forum said in a press release Wednesday.

Still from a video showing the capture of Israeli women soldiers during the 7 October attack (Hostage Families Forum)

With each passing day, it becomes more challenging to bring the hostages back home  the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial. The Israeli government must not waste another moment; it must return to the negotiating table today! it added.

The kidnapped women were reportedly Israeli army observers, or spotters, who monitored the border with Gaza.

In response to the brutal 7 October attack, Israel launched a widespread ground invasion into Gaza that has killed around 35,000 Palestinians  most of them women and children  and destroyed much of the territory.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the appointment of the head of the military affairs department of the Presidential Administration, Trend reports.

Farid Seyidov was appointed to this position.

To note, by decree of December 9, 2023, the head of the military affairs department of the Presidential Administration, Maharram Aliyev, was relieved of his post and appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belarus.
Families of several kidnapped Israeli Defense Forces soldiers have released a video of their missing loved ones in an effort to put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly rejected agreements for their release.

The footage, which shows several women bound and bloodied, was originally released by Hamas, and was edited by the IDF before being given to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Every new testimony about what happened to the hostages echoes the same tragic truth  we must bring them all back home, now, the group said in a press release Wednesday.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has released footage obtained by the IDF, showing the abduction of five female soldiers from the Nahal Oz base on October 7 by Hamas terrorists.



The clip shows Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy.



It has pic.twitter.com/xcls0UGq3F  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 22, 2024

One of the soldiers in the video, Ori Megidish, was rescued 23 days after being kidnapped. Another of the IDF soldiers in the video, Noa Marciano, was reportedly killed by an Israeli airstrike.

The other five soldiers remain in captivity, some of the 130 hostages the IDF believes remain in Gaza.

Israel has killed over 35,000 people in Gaza, as part of its ongoing military campaign to eradicate Hamas from the region. The massive operation has only resulted in the rescue of three of the Israeli hostages who were snatched on October 7.

Many in Israel have criticized Netanyahu for appearing more concerned with rooting out every member of the Palestinian militia group than ensuring the safe return of hostages. Thousands of protesters recently gathered in Tel Aviv to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Earlier this week, Karim Khan, the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, announced that he would seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu, as well as the leader of Hamas, a move which the Prime Minster decried as a hit job.

On Tuesday, as Israel has advanced with its deadly military campaign in Rafah, the U.N. announced that it will halt the distribution of food in the already embattled city that is full of starving Palestinian refugees.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, another peace deal between Hamas and Israel fell apart, CNN reported.

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Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022. Credit: Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News

Relatives of 17 children killed and two kids injured in Texas deadliest school shooting are suing Texas Department of Public Safety officers who were among hundreds of law enforcement that waited 77 minutes to confront the gunman at Uvaldes Robb Elementary, lawyers announced Wednesday.

Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom, Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said in a statement.

The legal action against 92 DPS officers comes days before the two-year anniversary of the shooting in which an 18-year-old used an AR-15 to kill 19 students and two teachers in two adjoining fourth-grade classrooms.

Relatives of most of those students killed and two who were injured also announced Wednesday that they are suing Mandy Gutierrez, who was the principal at Robb at the time, and Pedro Pete Arredondo, who was the school district police chief, for their inaction that day.

The families attorney also announced Wednesday that the city of Uvalde will pay them $2 million to avoid a lawsuit. Additionally, the city will provide enhanced training for current and future police officers, designate May 24 as an annual day of remembrance and work with victims families to design a permanent memorial at the city plaza, among other things.

A DPS spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

[Someone tell me what to do]

During a press conference in Uvalde, an attorney for the families, Josh Koskoff, said the state's failure to prevent the deaths began long before the shooting occurred. He said Texas failed to provide small communities like Uvalde with enough resources to train their officers.

"You think the city of Uvalde has enough money, or training, or resources? You think they can hire the best of the best?" Koskoff said. "As far as the state of Texas is concerned, it sounds like their position is: You're on your own."

Koskoff also hinted that the families could also sue state and federal agencies, but did not name which ones. He also said the families are negotiating an agreement with the county, which would also avoid a lawsuit.

Javier Cazares, the father of one of the victims, Jacklyn Cazares, said it had been an unbearable two years since the massacre that took his daughter.

There was an obvious system failure out there on May 24. The whole world saw that, Cazares said. The time has come to do the right thing.

The family's lawsuit will likely need to overcome a judicial doctrine called qualified immunity, which shields government officials, including law enforcement officers, from liability in lawsuits. Overcoming that immunity will require establishing that the officers violated a constitutional right.

We think that this situation where kids, after all, are required to lock down in their classrooms, their freedom is constrained, Koskoff said. In this situation we feel like qualified immunity is not applicable.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat who represents Uvalde in the Legislature, filed a bill last year that sought to end qualified immunity. Like several other pieces of legislation filed in response to the massacre, that bill failed to pass.

Koskoff, who has also represented the families of children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, said city officials had also failed to hold their officers accountable but praised the city for working with the families to implement changes aimed at preventing another tragedy like the 2022 shooting.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from scores of local, state and federal agencies have been heavily criticized for waiting more than an hour to confront the gunman, which conflicted with training that instructs them to confront a shooter if there is reason to believe someone is hurt. The U.S. Justice Departments investigation of the massacre concluded that the delay likely caused some deaths and that failures in leadership and training contributed to law enforcements ineffective response.

Koskoff on Wednesday noted that law enforcement outnumbered the gunman 376 to 1.

"On paper, it should have been no contest. So what happened?" Koskoff said. "Maybe it just turns out that if a kid has a military weapon, the military weapon  the AR-15  and you get access to it easily, maybe it's not that simple to stop a kid like that. Of course, they didn't give themselves a chance, these 376 officers."

[He has a battle rifle: Police feared Uvalde gunmans AR-15]

In the settlement with the city of Uvalde that families lawyers announced Wednesday, local officials will implement a new fitness for duty standard for Uvalde police officers, to be developed in coordination with the Justice Department and provide enhanced training for current and future police officers.

For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day, Luevanos said. This settlement reflects a first good faith effort, particularly by the City of Uvalde, to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us.

In a written statement, city officials called the 2022 shooting the "community's greatest tragedy."

"We will forever be grateful to the victims families for working with us over the past year to cultivate an environment of community-wide healing that honors the lives and memories of those we tragically lost," city officials said."

An investigation by a Texas House committee found systemic failures and egregious poor decision making by nearly everyone involved in the response.

That panels 77-page report revealed that a total of 376 law enforcement officers descended upon the school in an uncoordinated manner, disregarding their own active shooter training.

The majority of the responders were federal and state law enforcement  149 U.S. Border Patrol and 91 state police  whose responsibilities include responding to mass attacks in public places. The other responders included 25 Uvalde police officers, 16 sheriffs deputies, and five police officers with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District as well as neighboring county law enforcement, U.S. marshals and federal Drug Enforcement Administration officers.

The myriad of law enforcement mistakes stemmed from an absence of leadership and effective communications, according to the House report. DPS fired at least two officers who responded to the shooting.

A trove of recorded investigative interviews and body camera footage obtained by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and FRONTLINE showed that officers failed to set up a clear command structure and spread incorrect information that caused them to treat the shooter as a barricaded suspect and not an active threat  even as children and teachers inside the classrooms called 911 pleading for help. No single officer engaged the shooter for more than an hour despite training that says they should do so as quickly as possible if anyone is hurt.

Following intense criticism of their response, several law enforcement officers resigned or were fired in the months following the shooting. Arredondo, the school district police chief at the time, was fired in August 2022.

About 72% of the state and local officials who arrived at Robb Elementary before the gunman was killed received some form of active shooter training throughout their law enforcement careers. But of those who received training, most had taken it only once. After the shooting, Texas mandated that officers receive 16 hours of active shooter training every two years.

A Uvalde County grand jury is currently considering potential criminal charges against responding officers. The countys prosecutor declined to comment this week on the status of those proceedings.

DPS is fighting the release of records from its investigation into the shooting. In the aftermath of the massacre, agency leaders carefully shaped a narrative that cast local law enforcement as incompetent.

Koskoff criticized DPS for deflecting blame away from state police.

As if they didnt know how to shoot somebody? he said.

Pooja Salhotra contributed to this story.

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.
JERUSALEM  The families of women soldiers held hostage by Hamas allowed the release Wednesday of a harrowing video showing of the violent abduction during the attack Oct. 7.

The video, three minutes and 10 seconds long, is a short compilation of footage taken from Hamas body cameras. It shows the rounding up of young, female soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces, who were taken in their pajamas, bloodied, and with their hands zip tied.

The video was released with the permission of the families of five of the women held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip as part of an effort to increase pressure on the Israeli government and international community to secure their release.

The disturbing video has been the reality of Agam [Berger], Daniela [Gilboa], Liri [Albag], Naama [Levy], Karina [Ariev], and 123 other hostages for 229 days, the Hostage Families Forum, the volunteer organization representing the families of hostages, said in a statement.

The video is a damning testament to the nations failure to bring home the hostages, who have been forsaken for 229 days. There is no greater mission, no more significant achievement, and no chance to restore hope to Israel without the return of all  the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for burial. The Israeli government must not waste even one more moment  it must return to the negotiating table today!

The women soldiers were serving as observers on an Israeli military base on Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel when Hamas terrorists stormed the community, massacring civilians and soldiers, and taking at least seven of the women hostage.

One woman, Ori Megidish, was rescued by Israeli forces after 23 days in captivity. Another woman, Noa Marciano, was killed by Hamas terrorists while in captivity, and her body was returned for burial in Israel.

The women being held by Hamas are seen as vulnerable to an extraordinary degree, at risk of rape, sexual assault and getting pregnant.

You are beautiful, a Hamas member is seen in the video saying to one of the female captives, who turns her head in disgust.

The Hostage Families Forum said it edited the video and censored footage showing dead bodies. But the few minutes of video is at times difficult to watch; it shows young women, their faces covered in blood, surrounded and yelled at by Hamas members who line them up against a concrete wall, while discussing what to do with them.

The Israeli women are seen being loaded into the back of a jeep. One woman, in shorts and barefoot, with blood on her legs, appears to have injured her ankle and is forced to hop on one foot while shes led away with her hands bound behind her.

My heart is with my daughter Naama in those horrifying moments in the horrifying day of October 7th, said Ayelet Levy, mother of 19-year-old Naama Levy, who is in the video.

That is just that one day. She has been there for 229 days since. We only see in that video a fraction of the horrible things that are going on in their surrounding in the shelter. She is terrified and wounded, there is fear in her eyes, and she is saying what she can, she is begging for her life. The top priority is to bring her home, bring them all home now.

Hamas is holding approximately 128 hostages. A weeklong cease-fire in November secured the release of more than 120 hostages, but international efforts to implement a larger deal between Israel and Hamas has yet to succeed.

The U.S. has tried to broker, through intermediaries with Hamas, a deal for a six- to eight-week cease-fire that would require the release of hostages, in phases, in exchange for an increase in humanitarian aid to the strip, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The U.S. and Israel have faulted Hamas as failing to agree to the terms of the deal, with Hamas calling for a permanent end to Israels war against them and a retreat of Israeli forces from the Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected this and has focused on a punishing military campaign as the best way to increase pressure on Hamas.

Israeli military operations have rescued only a few hostages and have recovered the bodies of people killed in captivity or held since they were murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  One of the suspects accused of using a tire iron to beat two men in separate attacks, killing one of them, has now pleaded guilty to the crime.

Jermaine Bennett pleaded guilty this morning in exchange for a life sentence. The attacks, which happened in October 2022, injured a 79-year-old from St. Pete and killed 49-year-old Jeffery Chapman, from Clearwater.

Up until today I felt like Ive been living in this horrible, bad dream, said Jefferys daughter Sierra Chapman.

Family of murder victim speaks out after one of the men charged changes plea to guilty

Its still a very deep scar that will never fully be healed, added Alex Chapman, Jefferys son.

Chapman was just riding his bike when Clearwater Police said he was brutally beaten during a violent criminal mischief spree.

Its demonic to me how someone sees somebody pedaling on a bike and says thats him, thats the one I want to kill, Sierra said.

Chapmans family was surprised Bennett changed his plea to guilty.

I thank God that this man is never going to come out of a prison cell again, for everyones sake, said Sierra. When the cop told me that my father had been identified as the man who was in the article as the bicyclist that was bludgeoned to death, I couldnt even comprehend it.

Police said Bennett admitted to hitting Chapman more than 10 times with a tire iron.

I apologize, its not worth much, but its all I can give, Bennett stated in court.

Chapmans children were both at the sentencing. Both said Bennett seemed to have no remorse for the lives he destroyed.

The way of him saying sorry, from what Ive gathered, I didnt hear any tone of sadness, said Alex.

Jeffery was described as a devoted father, animal lover, and someone who would go out of his way for his family and to help others.

Both of Chapmans children said they will never stop fighting for him.

When someone that dear to you is taken, how he was, theres really only two options: you can quit or you can keep going, Alex said.

The other man charged, Savonne Morrison, will have his trial in January 2025. Both Sierra and Alex said they would be attending.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Family wants 6-time DUI offender, suspect in deadly crash in prison for the rest of his life

Family wants 6-time DUI offender, suspect in deadly crash in prison for the rest of his life

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man with six previous DUI convictions suspected of driving while drunk over the weekend and causing the death of two missionaries made his first court appearance to answer to a new set of DUI charges.

54-year-old David Alvarado of Madera is accused of causing the deaths of 69-year-old Paul Hardin and his wife 65-year-old Mary Hardin while driving his truck on Saturday; both victims were missionaries from Texas with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

DA: 2 killed in crash hit by Madera driver with 6 DUI convictions

The Fresno County DAs office reports that he was driving on either a suspended license  or was illegally behind the wheel at the time of the crash. The California Highway Patrol reported that Alvarado was also driving impaired.

Alvarado pleaded not guilty inside Fresno County Superior Court on Wednesday.

54-year-old David Alvarado of Madera

Family members of the Hardins were in the courtroom.

Today I am supposed to be in Utah attending my granddaughters dance recital. Instead, I will be attending a funeral service for my sister and her husband, said Amy Lott, Mary Hardins sister.

I never want to have another family experience what we are experiencing right now, the grief and sorrow that has been caused by the cruel and careless choices of someone else.

Lott said that there has been talk about mercy, but mercy in this case would mean stopping the defendant from committing any more crimes.

We want to let go of anger because anger only hurts the person who holds on to it. But I feel in this case, mercy would be to keep the defendant in prison for the rest of his life.

Anona Striker, who also spoke in court, says the defendant, David Alvarado, must be kept away from alcohol and vehicles for the rest of his natural life.

This boundarywill ensure that the demands of justice are satisfied, and also keep any other family from experiencing the grief and devastation that we are experiencing right now.

According to the CHP chemical testing of Alvarados breath at the scene showed that the concentration of alcohol in his system was more than double the legal limit to operate a vehicle.

The Fresno County District Attorneys Office reports that Alvarado has been convicted of driving under the influence on six occasions, with offenses occurring in 1997, 2005, 2006, two in 2019, and 2021.

Alvarados bail was set at over $2.7 million and he is due back in court in June.

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Fani Willis, the prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump, has won renomination in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.

Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, easily defeated Democrat Christian Wise Smith. Willis and Smith, whom she also beat in the 2020 primary, both worked in the district attorney's office under former District Attorney Paul Howard.

Willis is now set to face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in November. Kramer, who interned in the Trump White House, ran unopposed Tuesday. Willis is considered the heavy favorite for the general election in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta.

Willis brought charges against Trump last year for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as co-conspirators, which include Georgia GOP state legislators and the former head of the state Republican Party.

But the case has stalled after a public filing in January alleged an affair between Willis and Nathan Wade, an outside attorney whom Willis hired under contract. Willis and Wade admitted that they were romantically involved but swore under oath that the romance did not begin until after Willis hired Wade in November 2021. Willis later suggested that racism was at the heart of the allegations lodged against her.

An Atlanta judge ordered in March that Willis could stay on the election interference case if Wade was removed from the team  and within hours of the ruling, Wade offered his resignation.



The state Court of Appeals this month agreed to review an appeal from Trump after the judge ruled that Willis could stay on the criminal case. The appeals court is expected to take several months to rule on Trumps request to review the judges decision not to remove Willis  further delaying any criminal trial.

Willis has drawn consistent criticism and scrutiny from Republicans, at all levels of government  not just in Georgia.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, subpoenaed her office last year to investigate possible misuse of funds. Willis told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow ahead of her election Monday night that shes happy to comply with any oversight.

Kramer had already begun attacking Willis in media interviews and social media before the primary race was called Tuesday.

It is clear that@realDonaldTrump is undoubtedly a victim of selective prosecution due to another rogue District Attorney who will stop at nothing to weaponize the justice system for personal gain, Kramer said on X in April.

Willis also told Maddow on Monday night that threats against her have elevated to the point where she now needs extra security. Willis said in October she had received 150 personal threats since Trump was indicted in August.

Its a very interesting way to live, but its well worth it to have the honor of being the first female district attorney in Fulton County, Willis said Monday night. It pales in comparison to what my victims are going through.

Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the Trump trial in Georgia, also won an election on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. The victory in the nonpartisan election gives McAfee a full, four-year term.
Fani Willis, the embattled Georgia prosecutor handling an election interference case against former President Donald Trump, won her Democratic primary election handily on Tuesday, the Associated Press projects.

The Fulton County District Attorney now heads to Novembers general election, where she is set to face off against Republican Courtney Kramer, a former intern in the Trump White House who was involved in the efforts to overturn the states results in 2020.

The judge presiding over the case, Scott McAfee, also won his own election Tuesday, according to the APhis first full term after being appointed last year.

Fani Willis Tells Maddow: Should Feel Sorry for Those Attacking Her

Willis has come under fire in recent months after revelations surfaced that she carried out a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, one of the lead special prosecutors she hired to prosecute Trumps case.

The Georgia Court of Appeals is currently considering an appeal from Trump and some of his co-defendants to toss Willis from the case due to the appearance of impropriety caused by her relationship with Wade, which has ground the proceedings against the former president to a halt. The appeal likely means that Trump will not face a trial in the case before Novembers electionespecially given a slew of investigations that Republicans in both the Georgia legislature and U.S. House of Representatives have launched against Willis.

It is unlikely, however, that she loses in November due to her heavily Democratic constituency in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta.

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Fani Willis sails to victory in Georgia primary  and celebrates with Grey Goose vodka

Fani Willis, the district attorney for Fulton County and prosecutor who brought charges against Donald Trump in Georgia, sailed to victory in her Democratic primary reelection race on Tuesday night  and celebrated with Grey Goose vodka.

Ms Willis had been the favorite in the race against her opponent Christian Wise Smith, who she also defeated in 2020.

In a landslide victory, she took more than 80 per cent of all Democratic votes.

Now, she will face off against Republican candidate Courtney Kramer during the general election in November.

In her victory speech, Ms Willis thanked supporters saying: They want a district attorney that believes everyone deserves to be safe and everyone is entitled to some dignity.

And its a message that p***ing folks off but there is no one above the law in this country nor is there anyone beneath it, Ms Willis added.

Ms Willis brought charges against Mr Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants last year in a sprawling case under the states anti-racketeering RICO statute.

She alleged that the former president and his allies ran a criminal enterprise to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis celebrates winning re-election in the primary on Tuesday May 21 (AP)

Mr Trump and his co-defendants sought to remove Ms Willis from the case by accusing her of misconduct because of her prior romantic relationship with Nathan Wide, a prosecutor who she had hired to lead the case.

They claimed Ms Willis financially benefitted from the case against the former president.

During hours of heated and, at times, embarrassing testimony, Ms Willis acknowledged her prior relationship with Mr Wade but insisted their relationship began after he was hired and ended before an indictment was brought against Mr Trump.

Ultimately Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the case, said Ms Willis could remain on the case but suggested either she or Mr Wade should withdraw themselves from the case. Mr Wade announced his resignation hours after the decision.

During her victory speech, Ms Willis made a callback to a revelation during some of her testimony in the disqualification hearing  that she enjoys Grey Goose vodka.

Every now and then you get to stop and smell the roses and tonight we gonna stop and smell these roses, we gonna celebrate, we are gonna party. The DA is drinking Grey Goose in case anybody wondering, Ms Willis said.

Judge McAfee also won re-election on the Fulton County Superior Court on Tuesday evening.
Fani Willis says primary win proof people of Fulton County have faith in her

District Attorney Fani Willis said her primary election win is proof that Fulton County has faith in the job she is doing.

On top of talking about her big win Tuesday night, Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne also asked Willis about the election interference case and her relationship with Nathan Wade.

Do you believe the size of your primary victory was an affirmation from your constituents that they are good with the way you are handling the election interference case and the way you handled your relationship with Nathan Wade? Winne asked Willis.

What I believe the 87% victory tells the nation is that my constituents know the work that we are doing in this office, Willis said. I believe it is the constituents saying we know that this district attorneys office has a 92% conviction rate, that they see us in the community, that they see us fighting for victims, that we are unapologetic about locking up violent offenders.

Attorney Manny Arora, who defended one of the people involved in the Georgia election interference case, said he had no choice but to vote for Willis opponent.

My point was to support somebody that would actually do what they say versus just saying whats popular in the moment. And so, we decided to support the opponent, Arora said.

You represented one of the election interference case defendants who got out, right? Winne asked Arora.

Yes I did, Arora said. The case was going along fine. If it wasnt for all the personal issues.

I believe the citizens of Fulton County want a district attorney that says no one is above the law and no one is beneath me, and that she is not afraid to prosecute anyone that comes into this jurisdiction and commits a crime, Willis said.

Willis said while she was focused on winning the Democratic primary for reelection, she remained focused on her office winning cases, like the one against Farderren Grier.

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Chief Senior Assistant DA Kassie Hall said on May 17, a jury convicted Grier of the murder of girlfriend Destiny Simone Fitzpatrick in 2022

When he pointed the gun at her, she actually said, Do you know you can go to jail for pointing a gun at someone? And he said Yeah, and they pulled the trigger, Hall said.

She said Grier made no secret hes nephew of hip hop star Jeffery Williams, a.k.a. Young Thug, but that Grier should be known now as a domestic violence abuser.

Hall said 10 days before the murder, Grier dropped his crutches and went after Fitzpatrick, throwing her to the ground and hitting her head against a wall. Almost an hour later, Grier pointed a gun at her.

Deputy DA Asia Baysah said Fitzpatrick tried to defend herself against another attack the day she died at one point throwing a bottle at Grier.

The defendant claimed to be a victim of domestic violence, Baysah said.

Baysah said what happened to Fitzpatrick fits a tragic pattern.

They call it the cycle of violence. its a cycle that domestic violence victims are in, Baysah said.

We have to make sure domestic violence victims are educated and that they know that there is someplace to go, and the truth is that we do not have enough resources for them right now, and I plan to be at the center of providing them resources and safe spaces where they can escape, Willis said.

Griers attorney told Winne they plan to appeal the conviction and that the trial was unfair because they werent allowed to present evidence of his intellectual disability.

The attorney also raised an issue involving one of the jurors.

RELATED NEWS:




BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. A member of the Parliament of New Caledonia and chairwoman of the l'Eveil Oceanien (Oceanian Awakening) political party Maria Isabella Saliga Lutovika has sent an appeal to President of France Emmanuel Macron in protest against his visit to New Caledonia, Trend reports.

The appeal highlights that Macron's unlawful decision to expand the electoral base has incited resentment among the Kanak people.

It further condemns the dismissive and arrogant attitude of French high-ranking officials towards the just demands of the Kanak people for decolonization, which they have repeatedly voiced. The statement emphasizes France's intent to perpetuate the "colonial status quo" in New Caledonia through this approach.

The new Caledonian MP attributed responsibility for the tragedy in the region, including the killings of Kanak people, particularly to France and Macron. Lutovika underscored that the deaths of young Kanaks at the hands of police officers, with government and law enforcement support, exacerbated racial tensions in the country.

Highlighting the formation of a "Collective of Victims of May 2024 Riots in New Caledonia" to support affected Kanaks, Lutovika announced plans to seek compensation from the French government for the committed crimes.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis won her primary election in Georgia Tuesday night and immediately sent a message to the man her office is prosecuting, Donald Trump.



I am just so humbled and so grateful to the citizens of Fulton County who made this possible. Tonight, they delivered a strong and powerful message: They want a district attorney who believes everyone deserves to be safe and everyone is entitled to some dignity, Willis said in her victory speech.



And its a message thats pissin folks off, but there is no one above the law in this country, nor is there anyone beneath it, Willis added in a pointed jab at the former president.



Williss victory in the solidly Democratic county is good news in the face of Republican efforts to thwart her prosecution of Trump and his allies for their attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Willis was accused of appointing former special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a personal relationship, to the case for financial gainand the Trump campaign sought to have her thrown off the entire case. A Georgia judge ultimately ruled in her favor, provided that she replace Wade.

The rest of Williss speech didnt focus on the case against Trump, instead highlighting her efforts to lower crime and thanking her supporters and local law enforcement. But she did allude to the attacks against her both in Georgia and the U.S. at large.

All the attacks in the world cant stop us. And they will not stop us. This is a fight for safety. Its a fight for justice. But most, its a fight for the rule of law. And we are just at the beginning of this fight, Willis said.

Nobody is supporting me but the people of Fulton County, Willis added.

Right now, however, the case against Trump and his more than a dozen co-defendants is in limbo, as the Georgia Court of Appeals reviews an appeal seeking to overturn the order keeping Willis on the case. Similarly, federal charges against the Republican presidential nominee are also stalled in Washington, D.C., and Florida, thanks to the efforts of a Trump-appointed judge and the Supreme Courts decision to review the issue of presidential immunity. It seems that Trumps ongoing hush-money trial may be the only sure avenue to see him face some kind of accountability.


By Brad Brooks and Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -A powerful tornado ripped through a small Iowa town on Tuesday, killing multiple people and leaving at least a dozen injured, authorities said.

Images from the town of Greenfield show a path of utter destruction, with homes reduced to splinters, debris strewn everywhere and several large wind turbines toppled.

"This tornado has devastated a good portion of this town," said Sgt. Alex Dinkla, a spokesperson with the Iowa State Patrol, during an evening press conference in Greenfield.

"We can confirm there have been multiple fatalities with this tornado."

Dinkla did not provide a death toll, but said it may not be before Wednesday that figures could be provided.

At least a dozen people in Greenfield, a town of about 2,000 people, were injured in the twister, Dinkla said. Because the local hospital sustained damage in the storm, those people had to be transferred to facilities in nearby towns.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said she would visit Greenfield on Wednesday morning.

"While it's too soon to know the storm's full impact, answers will come in the hours and days ahead," Reynolds said in a statement.

The governor said the state would provide its full resources to help the impacted areas recover, and reassured residents that support was in place working to provide shelter, food and water, and restore power to thousands of residents.

"I've lived here all my life. I'm just praying that everyone was safe, that everybody's safe, and nobody got hurt," Valerie Warrior, a Greenfield resident, told CBS affiliate KCCI TV in an interview, standing near some of the demolished dwellings. "It was scary, very scary."

Other video showed smashed vehicles and heavy damage to a gasoline station in Greenfield, the county seat of Adair County, which along with adjacent Adams County appeared to have borne the brunt of the Iowa storms in the southwestern corner of the state.

At least one person, a woman in Adams County, was listed as a storm-related fatality, the county's medical examiner Lisa Brown said. She spoke to Reuters by phone but said she could not yet provide more details.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds declared a "disaster emergency" for 15 counties, including Adair and Adams, allowing state resources to be readily utilized in responding to the storm.

Also in Adams County, at least three wind turbines standing about 25 stories high were nearly snapped in half, with one catching fire, KCCI reported. It said several other wind turbines were damaged in Adair County.

The National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm advisories for much of Iowa and several other Midwestern states on Tuesday, including parts of Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Earlier in the day, the weather service confirmed at least one tornado over Rollingstone, Minnesota.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado, and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, additional reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates)
Seagull Lake near the end of the Gunflint Trail. The Boundary Waters and surrounding Superior National Forest are home to 20% of the freshwater in the national forest system. Photo by Christina MacGillivray/Minnesota Reformer.

An extraordinary story in the Washington Post on May 9 reported that at a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump told oil and gas industry executives that if they gave $1 billion to his presidential campaign, he would reverse dozens of President Bidens regulations enacted to combat the climate and biodiversity extinction crises.

That sort of crassness is entirely consistent with Trumps drive to help Chilean billionaires exploit our public lands by mining copper in the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He callously disregards the welfare of the American people. All that matters to Trump is whats in it for Trump.

In June 2018, while attending a political rally for then-GOP candidate and now U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, Trump called for the cancellation of the Forest Services ongoing study of the risks of sulfide-ore copper mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters. Why? Because shortly before the rally, a Minnesota politician told Trump that if he opened the Superior National Forest to sulfide-ore copper mining, he would win Minnesota in the 2020 election. He didnt win Minnesota, because the people of Minnesota love the Boundary Waters. Nonetheless, his administration sought to enable destructive sulfide-ore copper mining for the benefit of Chilean billionaires and their mining company, Antofagasta.

Trump used his administration  including officials who were former industry lobbyists  to issue federal mineral leases along rivers and lakes that flow directly into the Boundary Waters. He attempted to jam through approval of a defective mine plan of operation submitted by Antofagasta subsidiary Twin Metals. He halted and then buried the Forest Service study on the dangers of mining in this area. Under pressure to release the study, the Trump Administration produced a 60-page document that  but for the cover page  was entirely redacted, as if it were a top-secret document.

Trumps federal mineral leases to Antofagastas Twin Metals were cancelled after the Biden Administration determined that they had been unlawfully issued. Although the mining company challenged the cancellation in court, its lawsuit was dismissed because of legal inadequacy. The Biden administration re-instituted the study on the risks of harm to the Boundary Waters if sulfide-ore copper mining were allowed upstream, and on January 26, 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed a Public Land Order banning sulfide-ore copper mining on 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest lands for 20 years (the maximum period allowed under current law). The order thus helps to protect the Boundary Waters and other parts of the Superior National Forest; Quetico Park; and Voyageurs National Park from acid mine drainage and related water pollution.

Whats in it for Trump to reverse the strongest protection the Boundary Waters has received in 45 years? He obviously thinks he can benefit by shilling for extraction industry barons, as shown by the Washington Post article.

Trump acolyte Stauber authored legislation that recently passed the U.S. House that would force the reinstatement of cancelled federal mineral leases for the benefit of one foreign corporation, Antofagasta, which is owned primarily by one of South Americas richest families. Staubers bill blocks judicial review of reinstated illegal leases, because Stauber knows that a court would throw out the leases. The Stauber bill would also rescind the 20-year ban on sulfide-ore copper mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters and compel rapid approval of a dangerous mine plan.

Staubers plan, pandering to South American billionaires, is Trumps plan. The blatancy of the mutual pandering is chilling. For four years, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner rented a Washington, D.C., mansion owned by a member of the family that controls Antofagasta.

Make no mistake, Trump would sell out the Boundary Waters. On May 17, at the GOP Lincoln-Reagan dinner in St. Paul, Trump stated that he would reverse Biden administration policies that restrict mining in northeastern Minnesota to protect the Boundary Waters: I rescinded the federal withdrawal of, in Superior, you know, Superior National Forest, did anybody ever hear of Superior National Forest? Well, I opened it up. Whats wrong with that?

Trumps plans for America include quitting international climate treaties, doubling down on fossil fuels, gutting Americas civil service and replacing it with political cronies and sycophants, and giving foreign mining conglomerates sweetheart deals that would irreparably damage Americas greatest canoe country.

What kind of planet, in what condition, do we wish our children and grandchildren to inherit?

The borderlands canoe country ecosystem is one of the most important areas in North America for addressing the climate and extinction crisis. It is a critical migratory pathway, and it is an area of high biodiversity that possesses strong attributes for resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

Should we allow Donald Trump  a corrupt politician and dishonest businessman who has no regard for the natural world or the fate of the planet and its inhabitants  to be the most powerful man in the world?

The post The fate of the Boundary Waters is on the November ballot appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Father of slain 19-year-old takes to Indianapolis streets in search of justice

INDIANAPOLIS  DaJuan Thrasher went door-to-door to homes and businesses looking for information Tuesday. The Anderson man has been back and forth between home and Indianapolis trying to understand what happened the night before.

His 19-year-old son, JaDen Thrasher, was shot and killed less than 24 hours earlier.

This is senseless for individuals out here to be able to have guns and kill. Senseless, you know. I'm hurt, I'm devastated, I'm disappointed behind the people here carrying guns committing these senseless acts daily," said Thrasher, "I always promote, put down the guns, stop the violence, you know. Love your neighbor."

The teen just celebrated his birthday last week. DaJuan Thrasher has 12 children and JaDen was his youngest.

The father said his son was visiting his girlfriend's family home Monday night when he was shot multiple times outside the residence by suspects who fled.

DaJuan Thrasher spoke with more than a dozen neighbors Tuesday, May 21, 2024 about his son in and around the area where he was shot and killed the night before.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police responded to a report of shots fired just after 10 p.m. Monday near East 12th Street and Colorado Avenue. Officers found JaDen Thrasher with multiple gunshot wounds near a vehicle outside.

JaDen Thrasher's girlfriend was grazed but in stable condition after the shooting. A 1-year-old boy related to Thrasher's girlfriend also received minor scrapes.

"It feels like that baby is a miracle. It's a blessing that he was OK," DaJuan Thrasher said.

JaDen Thrasher was taken to Eskenazi Hospital where he later died.

"There's no excuse for this type of violence and we need help trying to get it figured out," Capt. Mark McCardia with IMPD said to Fox59 the night of the shooting.

That is why DaJuan Thrasher was out trying to find answers.

"I never thought I'd be the one saying this about my son JaDen. I know that there's people around here that see something. Their cameras see something and they're out here talking, sharing information and interacting," the father said.

So he walked around the block from the house where the shooting happened searching for cameras that could have caught a glimpse of the suspects. Thrasher canvassed North Grant Street, North Gladstone Avenue and North Colorado Avenue for six hours.

He knocked on multiple doors and spoke to over a dozen neighbors and business owners trying to piece together the minute-by-minute details that led to his son's death.

Many gave him eyewitness accounts about who they believed were suspects and camera footage from their homes and businesses angled at the streets.

Local businesses allowed DaJuan Thrasher to review their video surveillance for evidence on potential suspects Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Thrasher's son, Jaden Thrasher, was killed the night before in a shooting in the 4000 block of East 12th Street.

Brenda Souders, who's lived in the Little Flower neighborhood since 2009, was eager to help and offered her contact information and camera footage from her doorbell camera. She wishes people would put the guns down.

"I don't understand why all this is happening. These are kids out here," Souders said. "It's wrong."

LaShun Thrasher, JaDen's mother, was the first parent there after the shooting.

"They killed my baby," said LaShun Thrasher. "He's not coming back no more. They riddled his body with bullets."

Indianapolis crime: Stories of rising Indy youth violence 'shock the conscience.' But not everyone has given up

She, too, is making trips between Anderson and Indianapolis to help gather leads.

She wants justice, but she also wants people to know who was taken from her.

"A beautiful personality. Always real happy and bubbly. He was goofy like me. Comical. He just enjoyed life. Everybody loved him. It was like he's always happy about everything and if you're his friend he's loyal. Always got your back," said LaShun Thrasher, who described her son as a peacemaker who forgave easily.

His older cousin Regina Harris said his senseless death is a reminder of how youth are operating these days with no regard for human life. She remembers her baby cousin's joy for life.

DaJuan Thrasher comforts his wife LaShun Thrasher on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The couple's son, JaDen Thrasher, was killed the night before in a shooting in the 4000 block of East 12th Street.

"He was handsome, intelligent, charming and a very charismatic young man. He's a mama's boy. He was the family's baby. We all loved and adored him. Just an amazing young man with a bright future ahead of him," Harris said.

DaJuan Thrasher gave all evidence and tips found to police, but said that as a father he is taking on the case to ensure nothing is missed.

"I miss my son. My wife, she's crying. She's devastated, she's hurt. His family is hurt. His friends are hurt. His brothers and sisters are hurt," Thrasher said. "If you see these guys, you know these guys, please come forward."

Anyone with information about JaDen Thrashers killing is asked to contact Detective Douglas Morning at 317-327-3475 or Douglas.Morning@indy.gov. Those with information can also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 to remain anonymous.

Contact Jade Jackson at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana father looks for answers after son gunned down in Indianapolis
(PUEBLO, Colo.)  Pueblo Parks and Recreation will be honoring the life of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent with the dedication of Lauras Park on Saturday, May 25.

The dedication ceremony will take place from Noon to 2 p.m. at Lauras Park, formerly known as Starlite Park, located at Surfwood Lane and Starlite Drive.

PRIOR COVERAGE: Parks Department upgrading accessibility at Pueblo Park, named for fallen FBI agent

The park will be dedicated to Laura Schwartzenberger, an FBI agent who in 2021 was killed in the line of duty in Florida while serving a search warrant. Schwartzenberger was born and raised in Pueblo, the park was renamed as that was the park she grew up playing in as a young child.

Pueblo Parks and Recreation is honored to have the opportunity to rename and dedicate Lauras Park in Laura Schwartzenbergers memory, said Director of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Steven Meier. Laura was a well-loved member of our community and her service to our country as an FBI agent will always be remembered in the neighborhood park, she grew up playing in as a child. Now this space can continue wonderful memories for other children and community members of Pueblo in Lauras honor.

Schwartzenberger attended Sr. John Neumann Catholic School and then graduated from South High School with honors, where she was a state qualifier for the diving team during her tenure there. Later in life, she married fellow Puebloan Jason Baca and had two sons, Gavin and Damon.

Her career with the FBI began in 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she was and still is the only woman ever part of the New Mexico SWAT Team. In 2021, she was transferred to Miami, Florida where she worked on the Cargo Theft Task Force.

Eventually, she was transferred to the Violent Crimes and Fugitive Task Force, where she felt she found her calling in the Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. She was the first woman to be named as part of the FBI SWAT Team and was amongst the first responders following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

In 2016, she received the accolade of Law Enforcement Officer for Federal Agent and the Outstanding Law Enforcement Office  which she also received in 2019.

Special Agent Laura Schwarzenberger and her family will always hold a special place in the hearts of all FBI employees, especially those of us in Denver, Miami, and Albuquerque, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. Lauras Park in her hometown is a fitting tribute to an FBI agent who had a passion for helping children, and who knew what it meant to treasure time with family.

The public is invited to join the family, friends, and coworkers of Schwartzenberger for the dedication of the park and recently updated playground in her honor.

The dedication will consist of the Presentation of Colors by a joint Honor Guard, a proclamation read by Pueblo City Council President Mark Aliff, an introduction of Lauras family, an FBI presentation, a blessing, and a ribbon cutting for the park, There will also be food and games for children.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Maryland man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, according to the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, D.C.

Thomas Joseph Kelly Jr., 36, was at the Capitol for more than three hours during the Jan. 6 insurrection during which he allegedly assaulted and interfered with police officers while trespassing, prosecutors said in a statement Wednesday.

At one point during the riot, Kelly was captured on video surveillance holding a long pole in pursuit of police officers inside a tunnel that led into the Capitol, per the FBIs arrest affidavit.

While inside the tunnel, Kelly allegedly jabbed and thrust the pole into the police line and used the end of the pole to hit an officer in the head, the FBI said. He then gave the pole to another rioter who assaulted more officers, according to the affidavit.

The FBI said the officer whom Kelly hit with a pole lost consciousness for a few seconds and later dealt with vision loss and degraded consciousness.

Earlier in the riots, Kelly was seen on video apparently yelling obscenities toward the police line, while discussing the need to rush the officers, the FBI said.

Another video showed Kelly apparently cheering while another rioter used pepper spray at the police line and helping another rioter use a TRUMP metal sign to assault police.

Kelly was listed as No. 189 on the FBIs Capitol Violence webpage, which includes the bureaus most wanted list of suspected rioters.

The FBI was tipped off in February 2022 about publicly available photos of Kelly online, which helped the bureau eventually identify him, the affidavit noted. To confirm his identify, the FBI accessed his wifes Amazon account purchases, which included receipts for several of the items Kelly was wearing or holding during the riot.

These items included running shoes, Zionor snow goggles and a flag titled Trump Law & Order 2nd Amendment Guns Flag Trump Flag Make America Great Again, the affidavit stated.

Kelly, of Middletown, Md., is facing felony offenses of civil disorder, assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, along with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon. He also faces five demeanor offenses.

Kelly is expected to make an initial appearance in D.C.

More than 1,420 people in nearly all 50 states have been charged for their alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 riot.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It takes a lot of courage for a lower court judge to criticize the Supreme Court, but Judge Carlton Reeves has long felt a responsibility to speak candidly to the public about threats to their civil rights. In an opinion on Monday, he calls for the abolition of qualified immunitya noxious legal doctrine that insulates violent and corrupt government officials, especially law enforcement, from accountability. He embedded this call to action in a broader critique of the Supreme Courts selective application of precedentwith a focus on the cavalier reversal of Roe v. Wadeas well as its pernicious distrust of democracy. Reeves opinion warns all who wish to listen that a broad array of our constitutional liberties are in serious and imminent jeopardy.

A Barack Obama appointee, Reeves sits on a U.S. District Court in Mississippi. His latest opinion was sparked by facts that he sees all too often and has written about before: the egregious violation of a criminal suspects constitutional rights as an innocent person wrongly charged with a crime. It began when detective Jacquelyn Thomas of Jackson, Mississippi, accused Desmond Green of murder. The detectives only evidence was a statement made by Greens acquaintance, Samuel Jenningsafter Jennings was arrested for burglary and grand larceny, and while he was under the influence of meth. Thomas allegedly encouraged Jennings to select Greens picture out of a photo lineup after he identified someone else as the killer. Allegedly, she also misled the grand jury to secure an indictment, concealing Jennings drug abuse as well as the many inconsistencies and inaccuracies in his statement.

Jennings later recanted, admitting that, in his meth-addled state, hed provided a bogus tip. A judge finally dismissed the charges. By that point, Green had spent 22 months in jail, serving pretrial detention. The facility was violent. The food was moldy. He slept on the floor. His cell was infested with snakes and vermin.

Green then sued Thomas, accusing her of malicious prosecution in violation of the Constitution. Thomas promptly asserted qualified immunity to defeat the lawsuit. This doctrine protects government officials from liability unless they run afoul of clearly established law. In other words, there must be an earlier case on the books with similar, particularized facts that explicitly bars the officials actions. If there is no near-identical precedent that unambiguously prohibits those acts, qualified immunity kicks in, the lawsuit is tossed out, and the case never even reaches a jury.

This shield has allowed a repulsive amount of wrongdoing by police and prosecutors to go totally unpunished. Cops are permitted to brutally beat, murder, steal from, and conspire against innocent people because the rights they violate are, ostensibly, not clearly established. Courts regularly apply the doctrine when there is a tiny discrepancy between a previous case and the facts at hand as an excuse to let the officer off scot-free. And over the past few decades, SCOTUS itself has expanded qualified immunity to new extremes. The result, as Reeves wrote, is a perpetuation of racial inequality: Black Americans experience more violations of their civil rights than any other class, yet qualified immunity denies them a remedy in even the most appalling circumstances.

Here, though, Reeves refused to let the doctrine devour the Constitution. He concluded that there is sufficient on-point precedent to show that Thomas malicious prosecution, if proved, violated Greens clearly established rights. So the case may go to trial. That, however, was not the end of his analysisbecause, as he pointed out, the concept of qualified immunity is unlawful, unworkable, and indefensible.

The first problem is that judges made up the doctrine as a special favor to other employees of the government. Congress, as Reeves explained, gave individuals the power to sue state officials in federal court through the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, enacted after the Civil War so newly freed Black Americans could sue racist and abusive local police. Congress did not establish anything like qualified immunity in the statute. Rather, the Supreme Court invented the doctrine in 1967, purporting to protect cops who commit illegal arrests in good faith, and imposed it unilaterally on the nation. It then crept, kudzu-like, into other areas of law.

The People never enshrined qualified immunity in the Constitution, Reeves wrote. Our representatives in Congress never put it into the statute or voted for it. No President signed it into law. If anything, it represents a kind of trickle-down democratic legitimacy. In recent years, the Supreme Court has not bothered to account for qualified immunitys origins, but rather maintains it on the basis of respect for precedent: It exists already, so it might as well keep existing.

And here is where Reeves goes for the jugular: The Supreme Court has tossed out far more defensible and entrenched precedent on the basis of far feebler excuses. How can it justify keeping qualified immunity around while recklessly destabilizing vast areas of settled law it doesnt like?

SCOTUS has suggested that law enforcement officers have come to rely on qualified immunity, creating a reliance interest that counsels keeping the doctrine. But when the court overruled Roe in 2022s Dobbs decision, Reeves wrote, the majority rejected that kind of vague, generalized assertion about the national psyche.  Instead, Reeves wrote, the justices thought voters should resolve reliance interests, not judges. He then repurposed Dobbs most notorious lines: After all, just like women, law enforcement officers and their unions are not without electoral or political power.  Law enforcement officers, like women, can affect the legislative process by influencing public opinion, lobbying legislators, voting, and running for office. If courts cant protect womens bodily autonomy, he asked, why should they do the bidding of police unions?

Dobbs, Reeves went on, also reflects the Supreme Courts desire to remove itself from the center of a hot-button issue and return it to the electoral process. Police reform, like abortion, is undoubtedly a controversy on issues of life and death, where passions run high. Yet even after Dobbs, SCOTUS has not yet seen fit to return this contested issue to the democratic process, Reeves opined. It is not clear why. After all, the current court is certainly not shy about overturning precedent. And the list of cases on the chopping block seems to grow every year. Teachers unions and racial minorities have watched the court gut precedent that shielded them for decades. Why should cops get favored treatment? Merely because of SCOTUS policy-based choice to privilege government officials over all others.

Reeves has a complex history with reproductive rights. He was the district court judge who struck down the Mississippi law that the Supreme Court later upheld in Dobbs when overruling Roe. His emphatic opinion famously accused the Mississippi Legislature of misogynistic gaslighting, analogizing the states defiance of Roe to its earlier defiance of Brown v. Board of Education. Its evident that, to Reeves, the Supreme Courts embrace of democracy in Dobbs rings hollow alongside its rejection of democracy in so many other areas, including the Second Amendment. (In a pointed footnote, he called out the court for treating the right to bear arms as a uniquely absolute, unlimited freedomwhile greenlighting the erosion of other liberties that it values less.)

The judge folds together these rather scathing observations by reminding us that the Supreme Courts creation and expansion of qualified immunity is, itself, a rejection of democracy. The Framers, after all, envisioned jury trials as a bulwark of democratic power, a check by We the People on government abuse. It was, Reeves wrote, designed to be exercised one dispute at a time, day after day, rather than on fixed election days. Unfortunately, an arrogant judicial supremacy has too-often deprived the people of their proper role in deciding whether public officials should be liable for their unconstitutional acts. Qualified immunity reflects a deep distrust of ordinary people in direct conflict with the Constitution. In the same way we trust the collective judgment of voters in elections, we must trust the judgment of jurors in deciding cases, Reeves wrote. They can resolve tensions and contradictions case by case, as the evidence dictates. All judges must do is tell jurors the truth.

Will the Supreme Court listen? The conservative justices seem disinclined to reevaluate their cynical, selective concerns about precedent and democracy. But with this opinion, Reeves has given the public yet another reason to question these justices increasingly dubious wisdom and integrity. Just as importantly, other judges may take note of Mondays critique and follow Reeves suggestion of narrowing qualified immunity wherever possible. They might even join him in calling for its eradication, forcing SCOTUS to either stand by its handiwork or reevaluate it. The judges simple suggestion boils down to this: If were going to do democracy, lets actually do democracynot whatever partisan, half-baked substitute this Supreme Court is trying to pass off to the people.
Months before Donald Trump was indicted for mishandling classified documents, a federal judge said that investigators had strong evidence that the former president intended to hide classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort, according to newly released court documents.

Judge Beryl Howell cited, among other things, the discovery of additional classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago months after the FBIs search of the property in the summer of 2022. The records included a mostly empty folder marked as Classified Evening Summary that was found in the former presidents bedroom, as well as four other documents with classification markings found in his post-presidential office at the resort.

Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago, Howell wrote in March 2023.

The ruling was among hundreds of pages of previously sealed filings that were publicly docketed Tuesday in the criminal classified documents case against Trump. Included as well were new images of Walt Nauta, Trumps personal aide, moving boxes around Mar-a-Lago room before the a Trump attorney was to review the boxes for classified materials sought by a subpoena.

Prosecutors say Nauta moved boxes around as part of an alleged conspiracy to conceal classified material from federal investigators.

Nauta has been charged alongside Trump and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira in the case, facing charges of mishandling sensitive or classified materials and obstruction. All three have pleaded not guilty.

The photos of Nauta, which appear to be screenshots of surveillance footage, are dated June 1, 2022  shortly before the Trump attorney was slated to canvass the storage room for any documents with classified markings to be returned to the federal government.

The case against Trump, brought last summer, is currently in front of Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce, Florida. Cannon is a Trump appointee.

Judge said that Trump used his attorney as a front man to obstruct probe

Trumps defense team is seeking to throw out parts of the prosecutors case  including all the evidence seized from Mar-a-Lago and obtained from his former attorney Evan Corcoran, according to the filings in federal court in South Florida.

Trumps team argues that the warrant for the search wasnt valid because of the way an FBI agent described the agencys thinking to a magistrate judge. They are also contesting Howells 2023 ruling ordering Corcoran to provide testimony and produce documents that he had previously withheld from the grand jury investigating the matter.

Howell, an appointee of Barack Obama, said at the time that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to show that the former president used Corcoran as a front m[a]n to obstruct the governments investigation and perpetuate the former presidents unlawful retention of any classified documents contained in boxes transferred from the White House.

This photo from the US Department of Justice allegedly shows Walt Nauta moving boxes inside former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. - From US Department of Justice

Corcoran played a pivotal role in the investigation into the classified documents, as he was the attorney who was tasked with finding and producing documents with classified markings at Trumps Florida resort. In the criminal case filed last year, prosecutors say there was conspiracy led by Trump to move boxes of government records from the storage room before Corcoran searched for it for classified materials.

Corcoran is referred to as Person 18 in Howells ruling but can be identified based on whats known about the case.

Among the topics Howell ordered Corcoran to testify about was a June 24, 2022, phone call he had with Trump  the same day investigators subpoenaed surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago. She also ordered the production of 88 documents that had been withheld under attorney-client privilege.

Howell recounted Trumps actions over the course of several months while the federal government sought to retrieve the sensitive documents taken from the White House.

Trump deliberately curtailed his staffs efforts to comply with the National Archives initial efforts to retrieve the documents, she wrote.

The former presidents misdirection of NARA was apparently a dress rehearsal for his actions in response to the May 11, 2022 subpoena, Howell said.

Twenty-one of the 32 national security documents Trump is accused of criminally mishandling were in the former presidents possession August 8, 2022, the date of the Mar-a-Lago FBI search.

That means that Trumps team in this newly available motion to suppress is seeking to cut out from the case those 21 documentsand thus their related chargesand the hundreds of other classified records around them, plus the part of the case accusing Trump of obstruction of justice that is built around Corcoran.

Guidelines for FBIs search at Mar-a-Lago unsealed

Also unsealed Tuesday was a law enforcement document outlining how the FBI was authorized to search Mar-a-Lago.

The document, called a law enforcement operations order, explains what agents were permitted to bring with them when they searched Trumps estate and how they were allowed to operate as part of the search. It also includes boilerplate language from the Justice Department manual about use of force, including the limited circumstances in which agents are authorized to use deadly force.

Though the language is standard and directly from the departments manual, Trump quickly took to social media Tuesday to decry the 2022 document as having authorized deadly force.

WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the Icebox, and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Bidens DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE  25TH AMENDMENT!

The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter, the FBI said in a statement.

Much of the plan includes traditional practices by the FBI when executing a warrant  like how agents are required to have their standard issued weapon, ammunition and credentials while on duty.

Other parts, however, show the lengths that the bureau went to to accommodate the former president, including instructions for commanding agents to wear unmarked polo or collared shirts and to keep their law enforcement equipment concealed, as well as references to their efforts to coordinate with US Secret Service to create a smooth process for entering the Florida club.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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The U.S Justice Department followed through Tuesday on its threat to sue Oklahoma over its new immigration law, saying it was a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Oklahoma cannot disregard the U.S. Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration."

The Justice Department had signaled its intention to file the lawsuit in a letter to state officials.

Oklahoma Latino legislators have also said they plan to sue to stop enforcement of the new law.

"House Bill 4156 is preempted by federal law and violates the United States Constitution. Indeed, the Oklahoma law is similar to Texass Senate Bill 4, which has been preliminarily enjoined," Boyton wrote in a May 15 warning letter to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. "The United States intends to file suit to enjoin the enforcement of HB 4156 unless Oklahoma agrees to refrain from enforcing the law. The United States is committed to the processing of noncitizens consistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act. HB 4156 is contrary to that goal."

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond before Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State speech during the first day of the Oklahoma Legislature Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.

Under the Constitution, the federal government has the authority to regulate immigration and manage the country's international borders. Pursuant to this authority, Boyton said, Congress has established a comprehensive immigration framework governing noncitizens entry, reentry and presence.

Because HB 4156 is preempted by federal law and violates the U.S. Constitution, Boyton said the Justice Department seeks a declaration that HB 4156 is invalid and an order preventing the state from enforcing the law.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond calls initial letter disingenuous

The lawsuit drew a terse reaction by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

"I'm writing in response to your disingenuous letter of May 15," Drummond wrote in a May 17 letter, "where you falsely assert that the Biden Administration is 'committed to the processing of noncitizens consistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act."

Drummond said his office and "the millions of law-abiding Oklahomans will not accept lectures or threats about immigration from this failed Administration."

Oklahoma, the attorney general wrote, grapples daily with startling and significant economic, health and public safety issues because of an unprecedented immigration influx.

More: Oklahoma Capitol protest over anti-immigration bill draws large crowd: 'Now make them hear you'

"In short, Oklahoma has moved to protect its sovereignty," Drummond wrote. "Not in contriduction of federal law but in complete compliance with it."

Echoing Drummond, Stitt said, "the Biden Administration refuses to do its job to secure our borders."

"Not only that, but they stand in the way of states trying to protect their citizens. Had the Biden administration set aside politics and done their job, HB4156 wouldnt have been necessary," the governor said in a statement to The Oklahoman. "As governor, I will continue to do what is necessary to protect all four million Oklahomans.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said he found it laughable that in the Administration's letter to Gov. Stitt and Attorney General Drummond, the justice department claimed Oklahoma was interfering with the function of the federal government on immigration issues.

"There has been nothing but disfunction at the federal level since President Biden took office," McCall said. "House Bill 4156 was a carefully crafted, well-thought-out piece of legislation designed to acknowledge the role of the federal government in immigration matters, while at the same time protect the sovereignty and security of our state's borders. I fully support the defense of this law by our state's attorney general, and look forward to seeing it upheld in court."

Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat's office declined to comment.

A person holds a sign during a demonstration in support of the immigrant community before Hispanic Cultural Day at the Capitol in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Oklahoma Latino community protests immigration law

Latino community members have rallied at the state Capitol in protest of the new law.

State Sen. Michael Brooks and Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, both Democrats with districts in Oklahoma City, said they expected another lawsuit to be filed against the new law before it takes effect on July 1.

Alonso-Sandoval said he agreed that the Oklahoma law is unconstitutional because it supersedes the federal government. He also pointed to the laws vague language, questioning how it would be enforced.

Some law enforcement officials in Oklahoma have also expressed concern about enforcing the law in a fair and reasonable way.

Opinion: Oklahoma Republicans passed a law that police chiefs don't want to enforce

Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said his department does not check immigration status and to do so for every person would be a huge burden. He said the department has spent years building relationships by attending community meetings, events, festivals and visiting schools, and the law could negatively impact those connections, setting them back at square one.

A joint statement by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders released last week said the law conflicts with many existing directives over law enforcement practices.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: US Department of Justice files suit over Oklahoma immigration law
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan strongly condemns and categorically rejects the biased and absurd statements made by Claude Wiseler, President of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, who leveled several accusations against Azerbaijan during his speech in the Armenian Parliament, the Press and Public Relations Department of the parliament told Trend.

Luxembourg, which has embraced French as its official language in its legislation, seems to be overly eager to emulate the French style in their approach to the South Caucasus. They misrepresent regional events and demand to Azerbaijan. The President of the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies should be reminded of numerous facts: Armenia occupied internationally recognized Azerbaijan, four times larger than Luxembourg, for 30 years. This occupation made over 1 million of our compatriots refugees and IDPs. Eight cities and hundreds of villages were devastated, along with many historical, religious, and cultural monuments. Unfortunately, Luxembourg's parliament, which defends human rights and ideals, ignored these tragedies and concrete facts.

Under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the country liberated its lands from occupation and independently ensured compliance with international law. These territories are now being restored and reconstructed through significant efforts, and displaced persons are returning to their native lands. Despite the severe consequences of the 30-year occupation, Azerbaijan is actively working towards normalizing relations with Armenia, a move that promises long-term peace and stability for the region.

Foreign representatives' comments are damaging to regional peace and stability during constructive Azerbaijani-Armenian peace discussions. These interferences are plainly meant to scuttle the peace process. We urge the Luxembourg Parliament and President to transfer their "support" elsewhere. We further remind the Armenian side that accepting one-sided approaches, fabrications, and lies from external third parties about regional activities harms the peace process and confidence-building initiatives, the statement of the Milli Majlis reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
SAN DIEGO  A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military officers who had admitted to accepting bribes from a Malaysian contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard in one of the Navys biggest corruption cases.

The dismissals came at the request of the government  not the defense  citing prosecutorial errors.

Retired U.S. Navy officers Donald Hornbeck, Robert Gorsuch and Jose Luis Sanchez, and U.S. Marine Corps Col. Enrico DeGuzman had all admitted to accepting bribes from defense contractor Leonard Francis, nicknamed Fat Leonard.

The enigmatic figure  who was six feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 350 pounds at one time  is at the center of the Navys most extensive corruption cases in recent history.

The three pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disclosing information on Tuesday. The judge also dismissed the entire case against U.S. Navy officer Stephen Shedd. Their defense lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.

It marked the latest setback to the governments yearslong efforts in going after dozens of military officials tied to Francis, who pleaded guilty to offering more than $500,000 in cash bribes, along with other gifts and wild sex parties in Southeast Asia, to Navy officials, defense contractors and others. The scheme allowed him to bilk the maritime service out of at least $35 million by getting commanders to redirect ships to ports he controlled and overcharging for services, according to the prosecution.

Francis owned and operated Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., which supplied food, water and fuel to U.S. Navy vessels. He was arrested in 2013 in a sting operation in San Diego.

Prosecutors said in legal filings outlining their request for Tuesdays dismissals that the action does not mean the defendants did not commit the charged crimes but because information was withheld from the defense and other mistakes were made, they wanted to ensure justice was served fairly.

In 2022, Judge Janis Sammartino had ruled the former lead federal prosecutor committed flagrant misconduct by withholding information from defense lawyers. In September, the felony convictions of four former Navy officers were also vacated. The four men pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and agreed to pay a $100 fine each.

The dismissals come weeks before Francis is due back in court to set a date for his sentencing.

Francis returned to the U.S. late last year after a daring escape from his house arrest in San Diego in 2022. He fled to South America weeks before he was scheduled to be sentenced last year, and was later captured in Venezuela, which extradited him to the U.S. as part of a prisoner exchange.

The escape was also seen by some as a misstep by the prosecution for allowing him to not be held behind bars.
Turnout was light as predicted for Kentucky's primary election. A lone voter makes her choices at the Michael O. Buchanon Park polling site in Bowling Green, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky legislators largely staved off primary challengers, although a few will be out of office, as voters on Tuesday picked candidates for the November election.

Republican Reps. Killian Timoney, of Nicholasville, and Richard Heath, of Mayfield, lost to GOP opponents. Republican Sen. Adrienne Southworth, of Lawrenceburg, was defeated as well, according to unofficial results Tuesday night.

Kentucky voters also decided party nominees for president, Congress and local races.

Aaron Reed

Republicans in the dramatically redrawn 7th Senate District decided they wanted a change in who represented them. Southworth, a former staffer for Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton elected to the Senate in 2021, appears to have been defeated by challenger Aaron Reed although Reed was leading the other Republican, Ed Gallrein, by a little more than 100 votes with 99 percent of the votes counted.

Reed of Shelbyville is a retired Navy SEAL, farmer and has firearm-related businesses. He will face Democrat Rhonda Davis, a retired nurse and business owner, in the general election this fall.

Adrienne Southworth (LRC Public Information)

Southworth has often been at odds with members of her caucus, either by casting a vote against bills the rest of the Republicans support or by challenging leadership in the chamber. Her corner seat is separate from the rest of the GOP and in the middle of the Democratic senators. The 7th Senate District was also redrawn to exclude many of the voters who had elected Southworth. It now includes Shelby County, part of Jefferson and Southworths home of Anderson County.

Gallrein, of Shelby County and also a former Navy Seal, had the endorsement of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Senate President Robert Stivers donated $2,000 to Gallreins campaign.

Races in the General Assembly

In the Kentucky House, 14 incumbent Republicans faced primary challengers. On Tuesday 12 defeated their opponents, while Heath lost to Kimberly Holloway and Timoney lost to Thomas Jefferson. Five Democratic representatives had primary challengers and all five are heading to the general election.

Kimberly Holloway

In a closely watched primary in Northern Kentucky, Rep. Kim Moser, of Taylor Mill, defeated Karen Campbell, of Independence, in the 64th House District.

Over in the Senate, four Republican senators including Southworth had primary challengers. The remaining three, Sens. Jason Howell, Stephen Meredith and Johnnie Turner, beat their opponents. On the Democratic side, Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal defeated two primary opponents, one of whom was former state Rep. Attica Scott.

GOP leadership seeking reelection in the General Assembly did not face any primary challengers. Some but not all will go head to head with Democrats in the fall. House Speaker David Osborne of Prospect and Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester have no opponents in their districts.

On the Democratic side of leadership seeking reelection, Neal and Senate Minority Whip David Yates of Louisville faced primary opponents Tuesday.

A sticker showing the correct way to fill out a ballot in Bowling Green. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

House Democratic leaders Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Steveson and Rachel Roberts congratulated primary election winners in an evening statement.

With each partys legislative candidates now known, we look forward to the chance to promote a platform that focuses on building up public education and educators; relies on data-driven and fiscally responsible measures to keep us safe; helps families maintain a roof over their heads and food on the table; and keeps government out of our personal healthcare decisions.

The Democratic leaders also took a swipe at Republicans, saying the majority found the will to cut taxes on gold but sees nothing wrong in criminalizing homelessness, referring to a recent exemption on sales and use taxes for currency and bullion sales and House Bill 5, an omnibus tough-on-crime law.

The Kentucky Democratic Party is also looking ahead. Chairman Colmon Elridge said in a statement that the party is committed to providing the support our candidates need to win this November, and to help lead Kentucky to a brighter future.

Congratulations to tonights primary winners who are leading the charge in fighting for a better Kentucky, Elridge said. To our general election candidates, and to those who came up short this evening, we are a better Commonwealth because you have lifted your hands in service. Running for office takes serious determination and we appreciate your commitment to public service.

Mom and daughter at the polls at the Michael O. Buchanon Park site in Bowling Green, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

President and Congress

Heading into Kentuckys primary, the 2024 presidential race was already unofficially between Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump.

Biden and Trump handily won their parties primaries in Kentucky. The Associated Press called their races around 7 p.m. Eastern.

Trump won 85% of the Republican vote while 71% of Democrats voted for Biden. Uncommitted came in second among Democrats, winning 18% of the primary vote, according to unofficial returns.

Last week, Trump was on the ground in Kentucky at a fundraiser in Lexington during a break in his New York trial where he is accused of paying money to cover-up an extra-marital affair. He won Kentuckys eight electoral votes in 2016 and 2020.

Trump also gave some endorsements on his social media site, Truth Social, to some of Kentuckys incumbent Republican congressional members. They were Reps. Hal Rogers, Andy Barr, Brett Guthrie and James Comer. The latter is the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the business dealings of Hunter Biden, the current presidents son.

Barr, Guthrie and Comer did not have primary challengers, but will face Democrats in the fall.

Rogers, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey won their primaries Tuesday. McGarvey will face a challenger in the fall. Rogers and Massie arent being challenged by Democrats.

Massie, who recently joined Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a failed attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, said in a statement Tuesday night that his reelection was a referendum on thousands of independent votes I have cast in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Kentuckys 4th District.

Julia Turner of Bowling Green waves to drivers holding a sign for a local candidate in Bowling Green on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

The post Few upsets as Kentuckians nominate candidates for November election appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
(Bloomberg) -- Fidelity Investments Chief Executive Officer Abby Johnson attended a fundraiser for President Joe Biden in Boston on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Cathy Minehan, a former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston official, was also among the invitees to the event, one of two fundraisers on Bidens calendar, said people familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity because the guest list is private.

The fundraisers are an opportunity for Biden to juice his May fundraising figures after trailing Donald Trump on donations for the first time in April. Biden raised $51 million last month, compared with Trumps $76 million. But the presidents campaign still holds a wide financial edge over his Republican rival with roughly twice as much cash on hand, according to federal filings.

The Biden campaign and Fidelity declined to comment. Minehan didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is performing at the fundraiser, according to the Biden campaign. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who introduced Biden at the event, said there were about 400 people in attendance.

Closed-door fundraisers with deep-pocketed donors could help Biden eclipse Trump this month. Johnson has a net worth of $36.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Her biggest campaign expenditure in recent years was $222,000 to the Democratic super political action committee Priorities USA in October 2020, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Earlier: Fidelitys Abby Johnson Tightens Grip on Far-Flung Family Empire

Minehan has contributed to Bidens campaigns, giving his political operation $25,0000 in 2020 and another $25,000 last year.

Both Biden and Trump are aggressively fundraising and meeting with donors. Trump is scheduled to attend donor events in Texas on Wednesday, including those hosted by Continental Resources Inc. Chair Harold Hamm, Occidental Petroleum Corp. Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub and Energy Transfer LP Chair Kelcy Warren.

--With assistance from Bill Allison and Amanda Gordon.

(Updates with additional details on fundraiser in fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
A mother and daughter studied the primary ballot at a poll in Bowling Green, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

The race is on for nine open seats in the Kentucky General Assembly, while some legislative races were decided in Tuesdays primary, though not by many voters.

Statewide, turnout was 12.71%, according to unofficial numbers. The turnout in the 2023 primary was only about 14.5%, despite including a highly contested Republican gubernatorial race.

Eight House seats and one in the Senate are heading to a general election this fall after voters picked Republican and Democratic nominees Tuesday. Across the state, Kentuckians also decided party nominees for many local offices and presidential and congressional races.

The Republican supermajorities in the 100-member House and 38-member Senate are safe heading into November, but Democrats are hoping to flip some seats to increase their caucuses. As for GOP leadership seeking reelection, some but not all will face Democratic candidates in their home districts this November. Republican leaders House Speaker David Osborne of Prospect and Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester have no opponents.

The makeup of committees is likely to shift in the next legislative session, as some of those open seats belonged to committee chairs, such as Fruit Hill Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield, the longtime Senate Judiciary chairman who is retiring from the legislature. House Agriculture Committee Chair Richard Heath lost to a Republican Tuesday.

A voter marks a ballot in Bowling Green, Ky.,May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Adams says early voting won, election denialism lost

Despite the traditionally low turnout in primaries, Tuesdays election could be a sign that primaries will matter more than some general elections in Kentucky, Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams said. Some races do not have contested general elections, so primary winners automatically move onto the statehouse.

I think it does spell what the future looks like, which is that increasingly the primaries are going to matter a lot more than they used to, and maybe in some districts more than the general, Adams said.

Sample ballots on the wall at Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green,May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Three incumbents fell in the primary: Republicans Sen. Adrienne Southworth, of Lawrenceburg, and Reps. Killian Timoney, of Nicholasville, and Heath, of Mayfield, lost to GOP opponents.

Ahead of the primary, Adams told the Kentucky Lantern he was watching Tuesday for the the future of the Republican Party in Kentucky. On Wednesday, he said that one of the biggest takeaways from the primary election for him was that Liberty Republicans who questioned the integrity of elections lost their races, while others who did not go that route were successful.

One such Republican was Southworth who openly denied election outcomes and pushed disinformation regarding election security. She lost Tuesday to Aaron Reed, of Shelbyville, who now heads to a general election against Democrat Rhonda Davis.

I hope that the takeaway for that wing of the party is this is not a good strategy, Adams said. One, you lose a lot of people who know better, which I think is most voters. And number two, youre telling your own voters not to bother voting.

Adams also saw the primary as a good sign for early voting, especially among Republicans. He said it was the third consecutive primary election in which early voting has increased. Of the almost 444,000 who voted, more than 75,000 Kentuckians took part in no-excuse early voting this election, with most being registered Republicans.

Michael Adams. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Matthew Mueller)

For the November election, which includes the 2024 presidential race, Adams said he will advocate for voters to use early voting to avoid lines on Election Day as a higher turnout is expected, increasing the need for polling locations and poll workers.

During the 2024 legislative session, a bill was introduced to end early voting, but it died in a Senate committee.

Republicans love early voting, Adams said, and I hope that legislators who are trying to take it away  all of whom are Republicans  will realize that No. 1, its not (only) popular with voters generally, but No. 2, youre hurting yourself with voters of your own party, if you take this away from Kentucky.

The election results are unofficial until they become certified in the coming days. Adams said candidates still have time to request a recanvass, but none had as of Wednesday afternoon.

One open Senate seat will be contested in the fall

Of the four open seats in the Senate, only one has a general election in the fall  Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayers seat in the 17th Senate District. The remaining three seats will stay with their current parties, two GOP and one Democratic.

In the 17th Senate District, Matt Nunn defeated Julia Jaddock on the Republican side with 67% of the vote. Kiana Fields was the only Democrat to file for this election.

The successor to Republican Sen. John Schickel in the 11th District was decided Tuesday. Rep. Steve Rawlings, a Burlington Republican, defeated Duane Froelicher in the GOP primary. Rawlings received 77% of the vote. No Democrats filed to run for Schickels seat.

Westerfields seat in the 3rd Senate District drew only one candidate, Republican Craig Richardson. According to his website, Richardson is an attorney in Hopkinsville.

Sen. Denise Harper Angels seat in the 35th Senate District will remain with another Louisville Democrat. Rep. Keturah Herron was the only candidate to file for election to the seat.

Kentucky House contests

Of the 10 open House seats, five are currently held by Republicans and five by Democrats. Two of those seats were decided Tuesday in Democratic primaries.

In Lexington Democrat Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbos 76th District seat wont be staying in the family. Anne Gay Donworth took 44% of the vote, defeating Joshua Buckman and James Palumbo, the incumbents son. No Republicans filed for the seat. Donworth is the director of development, marketing and communications for the Lexington Public Library.

In the Democratic primary for Herrons seat in the 42th District, Joshua Watkins received 53% of the vote over Jonathan Musselwhite and Jack Walker. Watkins is director of strategic initiatives for Louisville Metro Government. No Republicans filed for this seat.

The remaining eight seats are heading to a general election this fall.

In the 24th House District, the winner of a March special election, Rep. Courtney Gilbert, R-Hodgenville, did not file for reelection. One Democrat, Johnny Pennington, filed for the race. In the GOP primary, Ryan Bivens defeated Asa Waggoner with 75% of the vote.

Longtime Louisville Republican Rep. Kevin Bratchers seat was hotly contested. Bratcher did not seek reelection in the 29th House District and ran instead for Louisville Metro Council. In the Democratic primary, Timothy Findley Jr. received 42% of the vote over Matthew Pfaadt and Ricky Santiago. Findley will face Republican Chris Lewis, who defeated Debbie Peden and Wyatt Allison with 68% of the vote in the GOP primary.

Another Louisville lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Josie Raymond of the 41st House District, also opted to run for Metro Council. Former Rep. Mary Lou Marzian defeated Rick Adams in the Democratic primary with 71% of the vote. Marizan goes to a general election with Republican Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell.

Bratcher won his local primary and will face a Democrat in the fall. Raymond was the lone primary candidate in her race but could face an independent in the general election.

For Minority Floor Leader and Frankfort Democrat Rep. Derrick Grahams seat in the 57th District, voters will decide between Republican Kyle Thompson and Democrat Erika Hancock. Hancock defeated Kristie Powe with 67% of the vote in the Democratic primary.

For Georgetown Republican Rep. Phillip Pratts seat in the 62nd District, Tony Hampton defeated Bill Parker in the GOP primary with 70% of the vote. Hampton will vye for the seat against Democrat Kevin Kidwell.

Because Rawlings sought election to the Senate, his seat in the 66th House District is now open. In the GOP primary, T.J. Roberts defeated former Rep. Ed Massey with 74% of the vote. Roberts is now running against Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber.

Minority Whip and Newport Democratic Rep. Rachel Roberts announced she would not seek reelection in the 67th District. Matthew Lehman was the only Democrat to file for the seat there. He will face Terry Hatton, the winner of the GOP primary. Hatton defeated Brian Ormes with 82% of the vote on Tuesday.

Four Democrats filed for the primary in the 98th House District after Russell Republican Rep. Danny Bentley announced he would not seek reelection. Tuesdays winner was Tammie Womack with 42% of the vote. Womack will face Republican Aaron Thompson.

The post Field is set for open seats in the Kentucky General Assembly appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
The fight to keep Wayne Salisbury from leading RIDOC just turned nasty. Here's how.

PROVIDENCE  The correctional officers' union is bringing up the 2010 arrest of Wayne Salisbury Jr. as they ramp up their fight to keep Gov. Dan McKee's pick to run the state Department of Corrections out of the job.

The charge  obtaining money under false pretenses  was later dismissed.

Richard Ferruccio, president of the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers, said: "Rhode Islanders deserve to have governmental leaders they can trust to do the job theyre appointed to do. It is disheartening that Governor McKee has chosen to appoint a leader to the Department of Corrections who was charged with a felony for stealing from his employer."

In addition, Ferruccio:

Faulted Salisbury as unqualified to be the director and questioned whether he could be trusted to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as required.

Claimed that the prisons are less safe under his leadership.

The union urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject McKees nomination and called for a national search for a qualified leader who doesnt carry the baggage of a felony arrest.

McKee stands by Salisbury

McKee remained solid in his support for Salisbury, who has served as the interim director for 16 months.

"As acting director with over three decades of experience in corrections, Wayne Salisbury has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to manage challenges in the field of corrections, from assembling a task force dedicated to recidivism reduction, to renewing the departments focus on staff development and succession planning, spokeswoman Olivia DaRocha said in a statement.

We appreciate the Brotherhood of Correctional Officers concerns," she continued. "DOC leaders have and will continue to work with their membership and the advocacy community to identify and implement best practices in areas such as officer safety and recruitment, as well as inmate discipline and education."

Wayne T. Salisbury Jr.

Salisbury stands by his own record

Salisbury also stood by his record.

As it has been previously reported, the 2015 unsubstantiated charge involving Interim Director Salisbury was dismissed," corrections spokesman J.R. Ventura said in a statement. "Interim Director Salisbury remains focused on leading the Department of Corrections by advocating for its staff and positioning those in its custody for success upon reentry to the community."

Ventura also noted that a 2012 settlement was reached without a finding of fault in another lawsuit involving the 2008 death of Chinese detainee Hiu Lui "Jason" Ng while in the custody of immigration officials at Wyatt Detention Center.

A federal judge approved a multimillion-dollar settlement on behalf of Ngs family. Salisbury was one of more than two dozen parties named as defendants in that case.

Looking back: Rocky career at Wyatt Detention Center

Salisbury began as a corrections officer at the publicly owned and privately run Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in 1993 and rose to the rank of warden.

He was fired as warden in 2007, but rehired later that year under new management. He was fired again in February 2010.

In April 2015, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office dismissed a charge against Salisbury alleging that he had obtained money under false pretenses by falsifying the amount of unused vacation time he was owed at Wyatt and collecting more than $16,456 from the jail.

Prosecutors dismissed the single felony count in "the interest of justice," a filing noted. Witnesses had provided new information that "may impact the ability of the state to sustain its burden" of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The filing noted that Salisbury had been compliant with his bail terms since his arrest in 2010 and had paid restitution.

The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation, which operates Wyatt, voted unanimously to "permanently terminate" Salisbury and his wife, Tammy L. Novo, the jail's top financial administrator.

The correctional officers union noted in its statement that Novo was the CFO at the Wyatt when these payments to Salisbury were made.

Blistering Wyatt report

A 2009 report by Michael V. Fair, a former corrections commissioner in Massachusetts, was highly critical of the jail's management team and its relationship with its board of directors.

The report detailed that Salisbury reworked the jail's organizational chart by placing the chief financial officer of the corporation under him instead of having Novo, his wife, report to the board as an equal to the warden as it was originally established by the board.

This one act, implemented by the warden without the benefit of discussion or approval from the board, has placed the warden in a position with much more authority and power than the board ever conferred on him, the report said.

The report stated that Novo previously "noted that she took a risk by withholding her responses thereby delaying the issuance of the audit report. She was aware that the audit report was to be a `going concern and that she wanted to avoid such an opinion."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island corrections officers step up attacks against head of RIDOC
May 29 Update: Three GOP incumbents who had opposed Gov. Greg Abbotts bid to make private school choice universal were defeated Tuesday. Read Kevin Mahnkens update.

Its not often that statehouse elections in rural Texas steer the national conversation about school choice. But things might change later this month.

On May 28, voters will choose Republican candidates in 13 of the states 150 House districts. Four are currently held by representatives targeted by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for persistently stymying his attempts to create a statewide system of education savings accounts (ESAs). If the incumbents fall, many believe the plan will be enacted, turning Texas into the countrys biggest school choice marketplace as soon as 2025.

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While presumptively on hold until January, when the legislature will next come into session, the proposal could gain irresistible momentum if the elections are decided in Abbotts favor. Almost immediately, lawmakers and educators alike would begin seriously considering the fallout from what could be a billion-dollar reform to school enrollments and financing.

Related

Gov. Greg Abbott Says Texas is Two House Votes Away from Passing School Vouchers

The election is the culmination of a yearlong campaign by Abbott and his allies that has migrated from committee hearings in Austin to front-porch campaigning in East Texas. In March, an initial round of primary voting knocked off nine Republicans who had blocked a push during last years legislative session to allow universal eligibility for ESAs, which provide state funds for families to use for educational expenses like private school tuition. Another handful were denied majorities, triggering runoff elections against opponents who have largely been endorsed by the governor. Abbott has openly predicted that if two more anti-voucher incumbents are defeated, the legislation can be revived and passed.

That victory, if achieved, would result from the interplay of local and national political pressures.

Abbott would immediately gain a critical policy win after multiple previous bids to expand ESAs, all of which have been thwarted by the same coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans. But national donors and advocacy groups have also taken a close interest in the electoral fight, funding the GOP insurgents to the tune of millions of dollars in the hopes of extending a generational winning streak for school choice that has unfolded over the past few years.

Texas is the biggest red state in the country, and Abbott is the long-serving governor here. He has clearly made (ESAs) a huge priority where it hasn't been a huge priority for him in the past. Monty Exter, Association of Texas Professional Educators

Monty Exter is the director of government relations at the Association of Texas Professional Educators, a non-union organization that strongly opposes the governors ambitions. He said the success of voucher rollouts in other red states presented something of a street cred issue for Abbott, one of the most prominent conservative leaders in the country.

Texas is the biggest red state in the country, and Abbott is the long-serving governor here, he said. He has clearly made it a huge priority where it hasnt been a huge priority for him in the past. And its certainly not a new issue.

Rural pushback

Indeed, the roots of this months extended primary fight extend far into the past, even predating Abbotts time in office.

In 2007, 2009, and 2013, in response to prior Republican governors voucher designs, the Texas House of Representative adopted budgetary rules that explicitly prohibited the transfer of public funding to private schools. In 2017, an ESA bill passed the Senate only to be torpedoed in the lower chamber. And just last spring, Abbotts renewed effort  sweetened with offers of extra per-pupil funding for traditional public schools  fell short again in the face of familiar bipartisan resistance.

Related

How Rural Republicans Derailed Texas School Voucher Plan

The overriding obstacle cuts against traditional partisan loyalties: A key faction of Republican legislators are perennially skeptical of the potential disruption of voucher programs to small-town school districts, often their communities largest employers. Local officials fear that families will quickly abandon public schools after receiving an ESA, leading to a collapse in both student enrollment and funding.

Those concerns werent allayed even after Abbott called a special session last fall to force further consideration of the proposal. In the months following, he turned to the primary ballot, supporting a host of challengers to the House Republicans who defied him. He was joined in his endorsements by high-profile allies like Sen. Ted Cruz, while Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against seven school districts whose leaders he accused of whipping up opposition to pro-ESA primary candidates. (While several of those districts later resolved the complaints with the attorney generals office, charges are pending against administrators accused of using school resources for electioneering purposes.)

The Texas Legislature has seen repeated fights over private school choice extending back nearly two decades. The runoff vote could resolve the clash permanently. (Getty Images)

According to survey results, the public stir around school choice made little impact on Republicans around the state. In a February poll from the Texas Politics Project, a research institute housed at the University of Texas at Austin, just 2 percent of potential Republican voters listed ESAs as a top issue influencing their primary vote. Asked which politicians endorsements might sway them, only 7 percent named Abbott.

But the governors energetic campaigning clearly helped to sweep out a healthy proportion of the state GOPs biggest ESA critics in the March 5 primary. So did the heavy spending of conservative donors  including billionaire TikTok investor and school choice maven Jeff Yass, who personally gifted Abbott with $6 million in December to spend on the campaigns.

Related

School Choice Activist Jeff Yass May Have Prompted Trumps About-Face on TikTok

What made this cycle different was that the governor decided to stake so much of his political capital on the passage of a school voucher program in Texas and  upon failing to achieve that goal  committed to spending significant amounts of money to unseat these incumbent legislators, argued Joshua Blank, the Texas Politics Projects research director.

It remains to be seen whether the same recipe will unseat the four additional incumbents fighting runoff battles this month. Cal Jillson, a professor of government at Southern Methodist University and a longtime observer of Texas politics, said that runoff elections tend to draw a smaller and more ideologically committed electorate. That could be a bad sign for Abbotts targets.

With the low turnout in a runoff race, it's usually the most motivated people who will end up turning out and casting ballots. Cal Jillson, Southern Methodist University

We did see a lot of these incumbents go down in the primary, Jillson noted. With the low turnout in a runoff race, its usually the most motivated people who will end up turning out and casting ballots, and those tend to be people who are deeply committed to the party and social conservative issues.

A clear message

For now, ESA proponents are using every edge to grab more seats in an already-conservative chamber  particularly money.

In addition to the individual contributions made by Yass and other wealthy activists, the conservative challengers have drawn deeply from the coffers of the Club for Growth, a right-leaning advocacy organization based in Washington. Through an affiliated Super PAC, the School Freedom Fund, the Club spent $4 million in the March primaries; theyve dropped at least as much in the three months since.

In a statement, Club for Growth President David McIntosh said the group jumped into the little-publicized legislative primaries not just to shape Texas policy, but also to send a message to all Republicans guilty of denying parents and kids choice in education. The organization might look for similar opportunities in places like Georgia and Tennessee, he added.

Related

As Arizona Probes School Choice Fraud, Advocates Dismiss Scheme as Inside Job

This election will send a clear message to Republicans in every state that you should retire or expect to lose in your next primary, McIntosh warned. We are also hopeful that this will push school freedom allies in other states to reform failing public schools, and we are looking at replicating these efforts in other states.

That nationwide perspective has grown as more red jurisdictions have acted to establish or expand families eligibility for private school choice. In all, 11 states now boast universal ESA access, and with each newly adopted law  Alabama became the latest to pass its legislation in March  it has become more noteworthy that Texas still lags behind.

Related

Florida Just Became the Nations Biggest School Choice Laboratory

Jillson said he believed that vouchers would be all but inevitable if the embattled incumbents lose their elections next week. Even if a few survive, he said, they will be sobered against continuing to stand in the way of ESA expansion.

I suspect that some of these four will be defeated. That will provide Abbott with a slim majority in the next regular session, which could grow if other members whove opposed vouchers in the past say, I cant do this anymore or hell come for me. 
FILE PHOTO: Group of migrants arrive to the international border crossing at Salla

By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's plan to allow border agents to block asylum seekers from trying to enter from Russia received both praise and criticism on Wednesday, as the country's parliament began debating a draft law.

The government on Tuesday proposed emergency legislation that would allow border guards to reject asylum requests and push back migrants trying to cross Finland's 1,340-km (830-mile) border with Russia. Finland believes Moscow is promoting migration in retaliation for Helsinki joining the transatlantic alliance NATO that backs Ukraine against Russia.

Moscow denies the allegation.

Before Finland closed its eastern border stations last December, more than 1,300 migrants from third nations including Syria and Somalia had made their way to Finland from Russia.

Since then, only a few dozen migrants have arrived from Russia through thick forest along the border but Helsinki fears numbers could grow again.

The so-called push-back law would be useful, several lawmakers said during debate.

"In principle, we think it is a good thing that the government has set out to draft this type of law," said Tytti Tuppurainen, member of parliament for the largest opposition group, Social Democrats.

The second-largest opposition group, the Centre Party, called the government's proposal "absolutely necessary".

It was not immediately clear if the proposed law, which requires a five-sixths majority, will pass in a plenary vote that has not yet been scheduled.

Its strongest opponents include members of a smaller opposition group, the Left Alliance, which holds 11 of parliament's 200 seats.

The proposal was slammed by some legal scholars.

Martti Koskenniemi, professor emeritus of international law at the University of Helsinki, said it conflicted with Finland's constitution and its international human rights commitments, in particular the principle of not returning asylum seekers to a country where they would be in probable danger.

Koskenniemi said the law would grant border guards "completely unsound" powers to judge which migrants might be particularly vulnerable or have reason to fear the death penalty or torture in their home countries.

"It is unheard of that a Finnish authority would be allowed to make on the basis of a gut feeling such judgements that are not administrative decisions and cannot be appealed," he told Reuters.

Finland's non-discrimination ombudsman told Reuters that states had throughout history used migrants to put pressure on each other.

"This is not new or exceptional," ombudsman Kristina Stenman said. She added that it would be alarming if Finland refused to receive asylum applications at its borders.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto and Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; editing by Rod Nickel)
Firefighters rescue cat while battling fire in Mountlake Terrace

Firefighters with South County Fire battled a fire in Mountlake Terrace Tuesday, rescuing a cat in the process.

According to South County Fire, a kitchen fire was stopped from spreading throughout the home.

Firefighters rescued a cat while a resident made it out safely.

The cause of the fire - with an estimated damage of $50,000 - is being investigated.

Firefighters recommend checking your smoke alarms today.
Tony Reider, president of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, speaks from a podium to the State-Tribal Relations Committee at its meeting on July 31, 2023, at the Royal River Casino. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Tony Reider, president of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, speaks from a podium to the State-Tribal Relations Committee at its meeting on July 31, 2023, at the Royal River Casino. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe said Tuesday that its president informed the governor that a ban from our territories is imminent, according to a news release obtained and published by multiple media outlets.

South Dakota Searchlights messages to tribal officials seeking further comment were not immediately returned. The tribe was the only one of nine in the state that hadnt yet endorsed a ban of Gov. Kristi Noem from its lands.

The banishments began after Noem said during a speech in January that Mexican cartels were operating on Native American reservations. More bans came after Noem said during March town halls in Winner and Mitchell that some tribal leaders are personally benefitting from cartels, and that children on reservations dont have any hope because they dont have parents who show up and help them.

The Noem administration has questioned the validity of the Yankton Sioux Tribe ban, because it was adopted by that tribes Business and Claims Committee. The committee is the highest elected body under the tribes unique structure, but its action to ban Noem is not considered final and enforceable without a vote of tribal members, which hasnt occurred.

Noem has not adjusted her rhetoric in response to the bans. During a press conference last week, she reiterated allegations of cartel activity on reservations and said, Banishing me does absolutely nothing to solve this problem. All it does is help those who are perpetuating horrible violence and crimes against the people that are citizens of the state of South Dakota.

Flandreau Santee Sioux tribal members discussed a potential Noem ban Saturday during a meeting that was contentious at times, according to the tribes Tuesday news release.

The release said President Anthony Tony Reider and Vice President Cyndi Weddell met with Noem on Monday for a conversation that was respectful and productive.

But the tribes Executive Council continued deliberations Tuesday, the release said, and agreed that Noems rhetoric was ill advised.

President Reider informed the governor that a ban from our territories is imminent and requested that the Governor refrain from making future blanket statements that offend the tribes within the boundaries of the State of South Dakota, some of which depend on state services for the needs of their people, the press release said.

It was recommended that the Governor clarify her statements and issue an apology to all tribal nations for the misunderstanding, the release continued. Until such a time, the Executive Council and the people of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe stand with our fellow nations.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Fleet Week is sailing into New York City this week.

The celebration of Americas military is also an opportunity for the public to meet some of the brave service members. PIX11s Kirstin Cole has the story from Pier 88 in Hells Kitchen.

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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia will bring positive outcomes for the entire region, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), Trend reports.

Fidan highlighted that Azerbaijan's liberation of its lands from a 30-year Armenian occupation has paved the way for lasting peace in the South Caucasus. He noted the return of four occupied villages by Armenia to Azerbaijan and the positive development of the May 11 meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

"The signing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will have positive consequences not only for the two countries but also for the entire region," he stated.

To note, on April 19, 2024, the 8th meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Matters of Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan took place under the chairmanship of Shahin Mustafayev, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mher Grigoryan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

At the initial stage of the delimitation process, the sides tentatively agreed on the passage of certain segments of the border line directly between the settlements of Baganis (RA)  Baganys Ayrim (AR), Voskepar (RA)  Ashagy Askipara (AR), Kirants (RA)  Kheyrimli (AR), and Berkaber (RA) - Gyzylhajily (AR) to bring them in line with the legally justified inter-republican border that existed within the Soviet Union at the time of its collapse.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Flight delays and cancellations are piling up at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday as severe storms rumble across North Texas.

More than 300 flights were delayed as of 4 p.m., or 28% of departing aircraft, according to FlightAware. At least 188 flights out of DFW had been canceled. One traveler posted on X that passengers were waiting up to an hour for luggage because lightning was preventing ground crews from working.

Much of North and Central Texas is under a tornado watch through Wednesday evening, covering 36 counties.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines was suffering the biggest brunt of delays with at least 694 flights nationwide on Wednesday, nearly a fifth of its daily schedules. More than 200 of the carriers flights were canceled.

Strong storms were expected to roll across the South from Louisiana to Tennessee into the evening.

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What is in-flight turbulence, and when does it become dangerous for passengers and crews?

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 from Heathrow is seen on the tarmac after requesting an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand on Tuesday. One person died aboard the London-to-Singapore flight. (Pongsakorn Rodphai / Associated Press)

The death of a British man and injuries to dozens of other people aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence this week highlighted the potential dangers of flying through unstable air.

Based on witness accounts, the number of injuries and the airliner's sharp descent, experts point to the significant safety hazards that in-flight turbulence poses to airline passengers and crews.

Though turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, injuries have piled up over the years. Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters also have been increasing and point to the potential effects that climate change may have on flying conditions.

Most incidents of planes hitting bumpy air are minor, however, and airlines have made steady improvements to reduce accident rates from turbulence over time. Experts advise air travelers to stay vigilant, stressing the importance of wearing a seat belt whenever possible as a first line of protection.

What is turbulence?

Turbulence is essentially unstable air that moves in a nonpredictable fashion. Most people associate it with heavy storms. But the most dangerous type is clear-air turbulence, which often occurs with no visible warning in the sky ahead.

Read more: British man dies and several passengers injured when turbulence hit Singapore Airlines flight

Clear-air turbulence happens most often in or near the high-altitude rivers of air called jet streams. The culprit is wind shear, which is when two huge air masses close to each other move at different speeds. If the difference in speed is big enough, the atmosphere cant handle the strain, and it breaks into turbulent patterns like eddies in water.

When you get strong wind shear near the jet stream, it can cause the air to overflow. And that creates these chaotic motions in the air, said Thomas Guinn, chair of the applied aviation sciences department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

How common are turbulence-related injuries?

Tracking the total number of turbulence-related injuries around the world is difficult. But some individual countries publish national data.

More than one-third of all airline incidents in the United States from 2009 through 2018 were related to turbulence, and most of them resulted in one or more serious injuries but no damage to the plane, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.

Between 2009 and 2022, 163 people were injured seriously enough during turbulence events to require hospital treatment for at least two days, according to NTSB figures. Most of them were flight attendants, who are particularly at risk since they are more likely to be out of their seats during a flight.

Investigations are underway into what happened during Tuesday's Singapore Airlines flight. The carrier said the Boeing 777-300ER descended 6,000 feet in about three minutes after hitting severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean.

Preliminary casualty figures from the airport and a hospital in Bangkok, where the plane heading from London to Singapore landed in stormy weather, indicated that in addition to the one death, six or seven passengers were severely injured. Dozens of other travelers and crew members were reported to have suffered moderate or less serious injuries.

Its not uncommon to have turbulence encounters that cause minor injuries up to, say, a broken bone, said Larry Cornman, a project scientist at the National Science Foundations National Center for Atmospheric Research who has long studied turbulence. But fatalities are very, very rare  especially for large transport aircraft.

According to Stuart Fox, director of flight and technical operations at the International Air Transport Assn., the last clear-air turbulence-related death reported from a major carrier took place in 1997. A few fatalities on smaller planes have been reported since, including a death on a private jet last year, Fox said.

Now-standardized safety procedures have significantly helped prevent more cases of serious injuries over the years. Fox said. They include reviewing weather forecasts, having pilots report when they encounter turbulence and suspending cabin service when planes hit rough air.

Can pilots avoid turbulence?

Pilots use a variety of methods to avoid turbulence, including using a weather radar display. Sometimes they can simply see and fly around thunderstorms.

But clear-air turbulence is altogether another animal, according to Doug Moss, a former airline pilot and safety consultant. It can be devastating, he said, because the time before the incident can be very calm, and people are caught off-guard.

Air traffic controllers will warn pilots after another plane runs into clear-air turbulence, Moss said. Many pilots also look at the upper-level jet streams along their route for signs of wind shear, then plan to fly above, below or around those areas, he said.

Modern planes are strong enough to handle just about any turbulence. Cabin areas such as overhead bins may receive cosmetic damage, but these dont impact the structural integrity of the planes, Moss said.

Is climate change causing turbulence to increase?

Some scientists note that reports of turbulence encounters are on the rise. There are a number of possible explanations for that, but several researchers have pointed to potential climate impacts.

Guinn, of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, explains that some predict climate change could alter the jet stream and increase the wind shear, which would consequently drive up turbulence in the air.

In a statement Tuesday, Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in England, said there was strong evidence that turbulence is increasing because of climate change.

Williams said his research team recently discovered that severe clear-air turbulence in the North Atlantic has increased by 55% since 1979, for example. The team's latest projections signal that severe turbulence in the jet streams could double or triple in the coming decades if global conditions continue as expected, he said.

Still, others say other factors could also be at play. Cornman said that there could be a rise in overall air traffic  which may increase turbulence encounters as the number of flight tracks, including those in areas of more turbulence, goes up.

How can travelers stay safe?

In short, buckle up. Turbulence can be tricky to predict, but experts stress that the first line of defense in the air is keeping the seat belt fastened, whenever possible.

"Planes are generally built to withstand turbulence," Guinn said, noting that passengers not wearing their seat belts is a large source of injuries from in-flight turbulence. Though no precaution is foolproof, wearing a seat belt greatly increases an individual's chances of avoiding serious injury , he said.

Wear your seat belt," Guinn said. Thats just a really quick fix to prevent injury.

Grantham-Philips writes for the Associated Press. Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok and David Koenig in Dallas contributed reporting.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Winter Park, Florida, power couple Marc and Sharon Hagle already flew to space with Blue Origin. Theyre set for a return flight soon and want to corral some student journalists to cover the story.

Its part of a contest from the Winter Park-based national nonprofit SpaceKids Global that Sharon Hagle founded in 2015. It aims to stoke interest in the space industry among elementary-school children, focusing on STEAM education, which is science, technology, engineering, art and math.

I think this is a great opportunity for the kids to really learn, she said. What occupations we have here, we need up there, including space reporters.

The National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition will award eight children ages 8 to 12 and one parent or guardian a two-day, all-expenses paid trip to the Space Coast. There they will be able to do something most professional journalists have yet to do, tour Blue Origins Merritt Island rocket factory, home to the New Glenn rocket Jeff Bezos has said will have its first launch attempt from Cape Canaveral later this year.

The winners will also visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, including its new Gateway attraction tied to commercial space endeavors. Its home to a New Shepard simulator that opened last December.

And the contest also promised training from a real-life reporter, to give them TV journalism lessons. With those skills, the Press Squad will interview Blue Origin engineers, spacecraft designers and managers about their careers.

We hope that their local communities will pick up the story, and just spread the word across the country that space is for everyone, Sharon Hagle said. What were trying to do at SpaceKids Global is bring the possibilities of space to kids everywhere, and we want to make learning fun again, and this is a great example of how to do it.

If the stars align, they also will interview and watch the Hagles on their return flight to space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket. The Hagles would launch from Texas, and the contest winners would be covering the launch remotely from Blue Origins Rocket Park complex in Florida.

Theyre at mission control. Theyll have a live feed. Theyll be able to see everything, she said. Theyll actually be sitting at one of the monitors, and theyll have their press reporter credentials on. So I mean, were gonna make this really special for them.

The Hagles were on the fourth crewed New Shepard flight on March 31, 2022, for a quick suborbital trip to space, paying Blue Origin an undisclosed amount of money. Marc Hagle is president and CEO of commercial property company Tricor International Corp. The couple live in Winter Park and have a philanthropic hand in several Orlando-area ventures.

Their trip, which featured a weightless kiss, was the culmination of the married couples dreams to go to space started when Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic began corralling customers for its own space venture. The Hagles were among the first to buy prospective tickets back in 2007.

Our good friend Richard Branson, his quote struck home. It really resonated with me, and he always says, If your dreams dont scare you, theyre too small, Sharon said.

The Hagles have yet to fly on Virgin but are still in line. Sharon said she would also love to fly on SpaceX one day.

If theres really a Santa, we could go on SpaceX and do a three- to five-day orbit around the planet, she said. With that mission comes a lot of responsibility, because Marc and I would both like to do research experiments while were up there and have that opportunity.

It feeds into her altruistic desire to give back and spark interest in the youngest students.

So not only are we contributing to the future, in the scientific manner, but also sharing our stories to get the next generation of space travelers excited about their futures, she said. Weve got to get them engaged, or theyre going to be left behind.

Its why she decided to start SpaceKids Global after listening to a guest speaker at Rollins College, physicist Michio Kaku, more than a decade ago.

He was brilliant, and he talked where everybody could understand. And his message was, if you dont have kids hooked on math and science by 6 and 7, youre going to lose them, she said. And with that message, it was just time to start to do something.

She noted that the space industry will need many kinds of people in a future space economy.

We know that space is for everyone, and that everything that we have here on Earth, were going to need off-planet, she said.

No launch date has been set for the Hagles Blue Origin launch, but it will be some time after the contest winners are chosen on Aug. 2.

The contest, run in collaboration with Blue Origins nonprofit Club for the Future, was launched on May 3, National Space Day.

One winner each will come from an active-duty military family, an active-duty first responder family, and a member of a Boys & Girls Club, and five others from across the United States.

Parents and guardians can enter their children until June 14 at the nonprofits website at www.spacekids.global.
Florida Highway trooper hurt in cross-county chase of a stolen car, police say

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is recovering from his injuries after his car crashed during the chase of a stolen BMW across the Miami-Dade-Broward county line, authorities said.

Around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, troopers were investigating a stolen BMW from West Kendall, FHP said. The car owner was tracking its location when Trooper Ronald Melendez-Bonilla found it on State Road 826 in Miami-Dade.

Authorities later learned that Tommie Allen, 18, was behind the wheel of the BMW, with Tyler Tyrone Hollins, 20, in the passenger seat.

Melendez-Bonilla tried to stop the BMW, but Allen took off at a high rate of speed. A chase crossed over into Broward County on Floridas Turnpike.

Eventually, the chase spilled onto surface roads, the two making their way to West Oakland Park Boulevard, troopers said.

As Melendez-Bonilla tried to catch up to Allen in the 2900 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard, but he cut into a McDonalds parking lot and tried to exit quickly.

Allen rammed Melendez-Bonillas patrol car, causing it to spin into a large sign.

Allen tried to drive away, but due to a mechanical failure, the car crashed into a Broward County bus stop. Allen and Tyrone Hollins ran away but were eventually arrested by Fort Lauderdale police and the Broward Sheriffs Office.

Melendez-Bonilla was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and treated for minor injuries. Tyrone Hollins also suffered minor injuries from a dog bite.

Allen and Tyrone Hollins were both charged with grand theft, fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence.
DNA evidence connected a man locked up in a Florida state prison to the sexual assault of a Broward massage parlor employee in 2017  years after the crime, investigators say.

Gilberto Erasmo Gonzalez, 35, fell on polices radar in November 2022 when a DNA sample taken from him after he was sentenced to six years in prison was uploaded to a federal database. The DNA, according to a police report, was a match to that found after a woman was raped at the Hollywood business.

Gonzalez was transferred Tuesday to the Broward Main Jail from the Wakulla Correctional Institution, a prison in northern Florida. He faces charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment and battery.

Gilberto Erasmo Gonzalez

In June 2017, Gonzalez entered the Hollywood massage parlor and told the female employee that he wanted a massage, the report says. As she prepared to charge Gonzalezs credit card, he pulled down her underwear.

Gonzalez, police say, dragged the victim into a nearby room that had a bed inside. The employee, pleading for help, screamed for him to go out. He began to strangle her, also covering her mouth.

The woman fought to free herself but was quickly yanked back, according to the report. Fearing for her life, she stopped resisting  and Gonzalez raped her.

Years went by, with few answers, until there was a break in the case.

Detectives, after the database hit, obtained a search warrant for Gonzalezs DNA, the report states. In March 2023, investigators visited Gonzalez in prison and swabbed the inside of his cheeks to collect his DNA. They tried to interview him, but he declined to speak with them without a lawyer.

By January, the Broward Sheriffs Office Crime Lab confirmed that Gonzalezs DNA was a match to the sexual assault, according to the report. The analysis concluded that the DNA was almost 7,000 times more likely to have originated from Gonzalez than from another individual.

A troubling pattern?

In 2022, Gonzalez pleaded no contest to a Dania Beach burglary during which he entered a womans bedroom, covered her mouth and pushed her down on a table. He admitted to breaking in with the intent to engage in sexual activities, according to a report.

That decision is ultimately why he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Gonzalez, who wasnt known to the woman or anyone else living in the home, also confessed that he had entered the house on two separate occasions and watched her sleep, the report states.

Shortly after his arrest, the victim filed a stalking violence injunction against Gonzalez in Broward circuit court. Gonzalez was ordered to stay away from her home, place of employment and the Florida International University campus, where she was studying.

The petition states that Gonzalez broke in through the back door of the house. When she noticed him, she screamed and woke up her father, who called 911 and subdued Gonzalez until deputies arrived.

The injunction was dismissed in August 2022  two months before Gonzalez was sentenced  after the victim didnt show up to court.

Gonzalez will appear before Broward Circuit Court Judge Edward Merrigan for his arraignment on May 28.
WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida man is facing several charges after he allegedly threatened two young children with a screwdriver at their bus stop on Monday.

Kurt Strzesynski, 31, is accused of threatening the children with a screwdriver, demanding they lay down on the ground to show him respect, an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WESH showed.

Both children complied with Strzesynskis demands out of fear but were able to report the incident, according to WESH.

Search on for men seen with 21-year-old before he vanished in Lakeland

When officers arrived at the bus stop to speak with the children, Strzesynski allegedly returned to the scene and ignored officers clear and concise demands to stop. He was then hit with a stun gun and detained.

According to WESH, police were able to find the red, metal screwdriver with the 31-year-old.

Strzesynski is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, two counts of false imprisonment of a child under 13, and resisting an officer without violence, WESH 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 WFLA.
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN)  Becky Kimmelmann was full of fear back on May 8 when she saw that a tornado touched down near her family members in Maury County.

Luckily, her loved ones were safe, but she was heartbroken to see the destruction the storms left behind in Giles and Maury Counties  both places she used to call home.

Kimmelmann said its the panicked feeling people get from tornadoes that she, unfortunately, knows all too well.

10 confirmed tornadoes May 8-9 in Middle Tennessee

On Jan. 9, an EF-2 twister came through her neighborhood in Marianna, FL. It badly damaged her home and forced her into temporary housing.

My house started cracking and snapping and popping, Kimmelmann recalled. It was probably one of the scariest things Ive ever been through in my entire life.

As she navigates the recovery process herself, Kimmelmann still found herself wanting to give back to storm victims in the Volunteer State.

I know what these folks are going through, and its hard and its tough, Kimmelmann said. Your house is a mess, and its not something that you did, and its not something you asked for, it just happens. If I cant be there to help pick up the pieces literally, Id like to offer my assistance at least financially.

We lost our matriarch: Family mourns great grandmother killed in tornado

Kimmelmann said shes been inspired by the people whove rallied around her and wants to continue to pay it forward.

My company helped me by paying my deductible on my home, and Im just so appreciative, I want to be able to give back too, Kimmelmann said.

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

Courtesy: Becky Kimmelmann

When the tornadoes came through Middle Tennessee in December 2023, she created and sold T-shirts through her company, Andi Bs Boutique, to raise money for disaster relief for those victims. Five months later, shes doing the same for Maury and Giles Counties. She said 100% of her profits from those sales are going directly toward helping those communities rebuild.

At least 245 Maury County homes damaged during severe storms

Working through my T-shirt business, I know this is a way that I can give back, Kimmelmann said. I know its not a whole lot, but its at least something that I can do, and if it helps one person then I know Ive done something right.

Kimmelmann said the T-shirts design included the words There is no place like home for a specific reason.

We wanted something that reflected how these communities feel about their area and how they all come together and band together like a family to take care of each other, Kimmelmann said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The T-shirts Kimmelmann sold to benefit the December 2023 Middle Tennessee tornado victims raised over $500. She said shes hoping to raise even more this time around.

If you would like to order a T-shirt benefitting recovery efforts in Maury and Giles Counties, 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.
Foodmobile road-tripping through Champaign Co. this June

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Eastern Illinois Foodbank Foodmobile will be hitting the road on June 4 and 14 to help bring healthy food to underserved areas of Champaign County.

Specific sites and times for each town are listed here. The Foodmobile will pay a visit to southern Champaign County on June 4 and northern on June 14.

Champaign City Council opens applications for vacant seat

The road trip is part of the EIFs Foodmobile Program, which aims to distribute healthy food to areas that need it most, including rural areas.

Pre-registration should be done at www.EIFclient.com, though it will not guarantee a place in line. EIF officials provided the following income eligibility guidelines:

Updates on future food distributions can be found at www.eifoodbank.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, who is on a state visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, Trend reports.

President Emomali Rahmon paid tribute to Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the countrys independence and territorial integrity. He also laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

The Tajikistani President then enjoyed a panoramic view of Baku as he was informed about the history of the Alley of Martyrs and the redevelopment works carried out in the city.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Formal EU accession talks will almost certainly not take place on 25 June

The intergovernmental conference between Ukraine and the EU, which is considered the beginning of the opening negotiations, will almost certainly not occur on 25 June, as previously announced in the media.

Source: European Pravda article Getting in before Orban: when and how Ukraine plans to start negotiations on its accession to the EU

Details: The General Affairs Council (GAC) of the EU is scheduled to meet in Luxembourg on 25 June. The GAC is responsible, among other things, for procedural decisions in the EU enlargement process.

European Pravda noted that this will be the first GAC meeting after the European elections. According to the plan, the Council is expected to give the green light for the intergovernmental conference between Ukraine and the EU to be held during this meeting.

Quote: "At this conference, following the procedure, Kyiv and the European Union will jointly approve the negotiating framework, Ukraine will announce its negotiating position and this will be a solemn beginning to the talks. Purely legally, all this can be done on the same day, 25 June, at the ambassadorial level."

Meanwhile, the beginning of accession talks is a historic event for Ukraine.

"We should expect a major bilateral political event, including a visit by the Ukrainian government representatives to Brussels. And there is already an additional reason for such a visit as the EU summit will be held in Brussels on 27-28 June," European Pravda said.

Background:

Politico reported that Brussels officials insist on starting official negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union as early as June. It was proposed to start official negotiations on Ukraine's accession on 25 June.

Katarina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, believes that Ukraine is ready to start negotiations on joining the European Union and hopes these will begin by the end of June.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, during her last visit to Kyiv, also said that she expects the negotiations to begin by the end of the first half of 2024.

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SOMERSET  Former Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas was placed on two years probation Tuesday for a non-contested simple assault offense stemming from a domestic violence case involving his wife, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office in a media release.

Former DA Jeffrey Thomas is serving a Pennsylvania prison sentence for sexual assault.

Thomas was charged in Cambria County following an investigation into reports he punched his wife in the head while they were traveling through the Johnstown area on May 15, 2021.

What: Domestic case proceeds against Somerset County DA Jeff Thomas

Thomas pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor simple assault. A no-contest plea has the same legal effect as a guilty plea, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry in the media release.

Thomas' sentence will be served concurrently with the 2-to-7-year prison term he was given in August 2023 regarding the sexual assault of a Windber woman. The Attorney General's Office was the prosecutor in the case.

Why: Suspended District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas sentenced to prison in sexual assault case

He was Somerset County district attorney when both offenses occurred.

This conviction shows that no one is above the law and domestic violence will not be tolerated, Henry said. My office will continue to prosecute these difficult cases regardless of who the defendant is.

A Cambria County judge presided over this week's plea and ordered the sentence. As a result of the conviction, Thomas will be prohibited from possessing firearms.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Former DA Jeffrey Thomas gets probation in domestic violence case
Heather Berghmans is challenging Daniel Ivey-Soto for state senate seat for district 15, which is one of the Albuquerque districts.

Early voting in primary elections is already underway. One race set to be closely-contested is Albuquerques District 15s Democratic state senate seat where Heather Berghmans is running against incumbent Daniel Ivey-Soto. Whoever wins the seat will be up against Republican Craig Degenhardt in the general election.

Candidate Heather Berghmans is an Albuquerque native who spent more than five years as a policy analyst for Democratic officials including House Speaker Javier Martinez, and served as finance director for the New Mexico House Democratic Campaign Committee.

As the challenger, Berghmans said she wants to be that new voice for the district as a young person and a woman.

I want to help make the government work for the people. Im not just there for my ego or to do the politicking thing  were hanging with a lobbyist at The Bull Ring in Santa Fe. I want to do the policy work. That makes the difference, she said.

Berghmans said her previous positions gave her the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process.

I learned how the bills work, and how bills are written and then how the Roundhouse works and moves, how to get legislation through both chambers, and ultimately, hopefully not vetoed by the governor. The work I got to do in the session definitely gave me the experience to be a legislator, she said.

Her opponent, Daniel Ivey-Soto has been in the state legislature for nearly 12 years and has helped pass 87 different bills into law.

That includes bills dealing with voting rights, dealing with intimate partner violence, dealing with economic development, dealing with public safety. And so theres still a lot of things to continue to work on, he said. I think I have the experience and the track record..

In her campaign, Berghmans raised allegations of sexual harassment brought against Ivey-Soto by a lobbyist in 2022. He did not face official punishment, but did resign as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, saying the allegations were a distraction. Senate leadership removed him from the chairmanship of the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee. Last year, another complaint to the State Ethics Commission alleged he committed financial impropriety.

Ivey-Soto told KUNM the Commission dismissed all charges against him.

If the allegations that were made were true, I should not be in office. But theyre not, he said.

Berghmans said Ivey-Soto has been in the state legislature for too long.

I think the district needs a new perspective and a new voice, especially a young person and a woman, she said.

Public safety is one of the top priorities for the candidates in this race. Ivey-Soto said in the last legislative session that he was a part of a bill that passed that will keep repeat felony offenders off the streets.

Ensuring that before someone gets out if they have other felony charges pending, that each of the judges who put the person on conditions of release has to be able to review those conditions of release,prior to that individual being released from jail, he said. Thats going to have an overnight difference on felony crimes in the metro area.

Berghmans attended college at the University of New Mexico and she said lately while shes visited her younger sister, who lives near campus, it feels different.

Theres like homeless people doing drugs in the alleys by their house all the time. And when I lived in the student ghetto, thats not what I experienced. So definitely finding solutions to make our streets more safe, that dont just criminalize people or put them in jail longer, she said.

Ivey-Soto said that homelessness is a problem not just at the local level but at the national level. He said that each region has to deal with it in their own way because there are different levels of homelessness.

Its important to understand that a one-size-fits-all solution to homelessness doesnt work, he said. You need to actually understand who youre dealing with, so that you can tailor the resources necessary.

The housing shortage is a big issue for New Mexico and Berghmans said that although the state has all different levels of governments working on housing, theres not much collaboration between them.

I think trying to create a cohesive, collaborative environment where all the levels of government talk to each other would be useful. Where the money is streamlined. The ideas are streamlined, and the people who work in these areas actually talk to each other, I think is definitely a good place to start, she said.

Ivey-Soto said housing shortages are a big issue in the state for both renters and buyers.

We really need to stimulate more housing in this area. So that people have options, right. And, you know, we pride ourselves on the low cost of living in this area. But if housing prices keep going out of whack to the rest of the cost of living, then people start reevaluating if theyre going to be staying in this area or not, he said.

When discussing health care, Berghmans said while there is a doctor shortage here, she experienced good care giving birth two months ago.

There was a lot of systems Presbyterian seems to be trying out that were helpful. And it would be nice to expand on ideas like that, she said. Anything we can do to keep doctors here and bring doctors here would be helpful. And just making sure everyone can get access to the health care they deserve..

Ivey-Soto said that cost-effective health care is important for New Mexicans. He sponsored a bill that passed a few years ago that required the maximum prescription for insulin be no more than $25 dollars which is less than the national requirement of $35 dollars.

I think $25 is better than $35. And so we have a better deal in New Mexico, because of the bill that I carried, he said.

He said that New Mexico needs to have medical providers.

I understand that people need to be compensated when something goes wrong. But at the same time, we need to have that be at a reasonable level, that doesnt create liability so high, that the insurance costs are so high that doctors and other medical providers choose not to practice in New Mexico. And thats part of whats happening right now, he said.

Education is also another important issue. Berghmans said that while she didnt attend Albuquerque Public schools, she knows that APS needs help.

Ive told this to my teacher friends and to the union, that I want to work with teachers, for teachers and just be the voice they need and to listen to them, she said. I definitely dont know the answer. So Id love to learn from educators what we can do better..

As a former school teacher, Ivey-Soto said that he understands the challenges that educators face and advocates for higher wages.

One of the things that I think we dont focus enough on are actually the educational assistants, the cafeteria workers, the bus drivers, the custodians, the school secretaries, these are folks who quite frankly, dont get paid very well, he said. We really need to beef up the pay for the ancillary workers and the educational process because they have an impact upon our children as well..

With some state lawmakers recently taking public positions related to Israels war against Hamas, Berghmans said she advocates for a ceasefire. She said her decision stems from her time spent minoring in Middle Eastern Studies.

I would say that Ive been someone advocating for an end to the blockade in any type of ceasefire each time Israel has decided to bomb Gaza, she said.

However, she said theres not much a state legislator can do.

I have received emails and people saying that our state legislators should do something about it, but I wish that was a realistic possibility.

Ivey-Soto said these issues are a federal matter.

I always took the position that as a state legislature, its not our job to weigh in on international relations, I would never hear those resolutions or those memorials, he said.

According to reporting from Source New Mexico, the race has seen the third-highest spending among the states senate primaries, with both candidates spending more than $30,000 between April 2 and May 6.

The primary elections will be on June 4th and early voting is already underway.

Support for this coverage comes from the Thornburg Foundation.

The post Former Democratic fundraiser takes on long-time incumbent for district 15 senate seat appeared first on Source New Mexico.
Former deputy head of Office of President of Ukraine served with notice of suspicion

Andrii Smyrnov, former deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, was served with a notice of suspicion of illegal enrichment.

Source: several sources of Ukrainska Pravda in law enforcement agencies

Details: The sources of the publication did not provide any other details.

Ukrainska Pravda asked law enforcement officers and Smyrnov himself for comments.

Background:

In February 2023, Ukrainska Pravdas journalists found out that in 2022, Andrii Smyrnovs brother Ihor purchased property, including an apartment and a plot of land in the Carpathians, at a price significantly lower than the market total of US$0.25 million dollars.

It was reported that the brothers could not answer unambiguously where the money for this purchase came from and why the prices were lowered.

On 29 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Andrii Smyrnov from the position of deputy head of the Office of the President.

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Former FTX Executive Deserves 5 to 7 Years in Jail, US Says

(Bloomberg) -- Former FTX executive Ryan Salame should serve five to seven years in prison, prosecutors say, for criminal charges stemming from the multibillion-dollar collapse of the cryptocurrency empire.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a sentencing memo filed in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday, federal prosecutors said the 30-year-old pleaded guilty to serious crimes, and a substantial sentence is required to ensure that Salame receives just punishment. Salames lawyers have argued he should serve no more than 18 months.

The campaign finance offense is one of the largest-ever in American history, and the unlicensed money transmitting business exchanged more than $1 billion without proper supervision, prosecutors wrote.

Salame is due to be sentenced on May 28, the first of FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Frieds top lieutenants to be punished for their roles at a crypto exchange that siphoned $10 billion from customers, investors and lenders. Bankman-Fried was sentenced in March to 25 years in prison, an outcome he is planning to appeal.

Members of Bankman-Frieds inner circle who turned against him  Caroline Ellison, Nishad Singh and Gary Wang  are yet to be sentenced.

Salame joined FTXs sister hedge fund Alameda Research in 2019, after meeting Bankman-Fried at a blockchain conference.

The former accountant moved to the Bahamas in 2021 and became chief executive officer of FTXs subsidiary there. Prosecutors say Salame allowed FTX to accept customer deposits through a US bank account when it didnt have a proper license to operate. He also acted as a straw donor for Bankman-Fried, making millions in political donations to candidates and campaigns he perceived as crypto-friendly in the lead-up to the 2022 election.

In advocating a sentence of no more than 18 months in prison, Salames attorneys pointed out he was the first FTX figure to alert authorities in the Bahamas about potential fraud in late 2022.

Since pleading guilty in September, Salame has started a new chapter in his life, raising his first child with longtime partner Michelle Bond and seeking treatment for substance abuse.

He has been a good man who has done much good in this world, who conspired to commit two crimes while in the thrall of a criminal leader who had beguiled captains of industry and politics far savvier than Ryan, his attorneys wrote in a court filing.

Salames push for 18 months or less is well below the recommendation of 10 years prison made by US probation officials.

As part of his plea deal, Salame agreed to forfeit $6 million of assets to the US government, including a restaurant near his hometown in Massachusetts. Salames sentencing memo included 28 letters from friends and family, including former Alameda Research co-CEO Sam Trabucco. Trabucco has managed to keep a low profile since FTXs blowup, even in the face of a high-profile trial that zeroed in on the actions of his colleagues.

Prosecutors said in their memo that a substantial sentence was required for deterrence.

Would-be violators of the campaign finance laws must understand that these are not minor offenses, they wrote. And players in the crypto industry, who are serial offenders of the money transmission laws, must understand that they disregard the registration requirements at their peril.

The case is US v. Bankman-Fried, 22-cr-673, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

(Updates with excerpt of prosecutors sentencing memo at bottom.)

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A former Powell County judge-executive died after falling off a trailer at a Kentucky middle school Tuesday, according to Kentucky State Police.

The incident happened around 11:15 a.m. at Jackson County Middle School in McKee. KSP said a construction worker, 48-year-old James Anderson, of Stanton, was unloading storm drain tiles from a low-boy equipment trailer when he fell off and hit the ground.

Anderson was transported to St. Joes Hospital, where he later died, according to KSP. No foul play is suspected.

Anderson is a former judge-executive for Powell County, according to his obituary.

The Powell County Detention Center shared a Facebook post of a photo of an American flag at half-staff to honor Anderson. The jail said Anderson was a good man dedicated to his family and doing the right thing in the post.

His passing has left a hole in our community that we could never fill, and a grief we feel in every creek, hill and holler stretching across Powell County, the Powell County Detention Center said in the Facebook post. May God bless and strengthen his family, friends and those of us lucky enough to have known him.

In a separate Facebook post, the Powell County Democratic Party said it was deeply saddened from Andersons death.

His tenure in office exemplified unwavering leadership and visionary thinking, fostering a climate of growth and prosperity, the Powell County Democratic Party said in the post. Yet, beyond his official accomplishments, it was Jamess warmth and character that will forever resonate with those fortunate enough to have known him. Undoubtedly, he stands as one of Powell Countys finest sons, leaving an indelible mark on this community and a legacy that has truly enriched our lives.

The incident is being investigated by KSP Post 7 in Richmond.
NAPERVILLE, Ill. A former high school student is behind a federal lawsuit against the city of Naperville and members of its police department.

Attorneys say it all centers on a pair of AirPods and allegations made against a high school student.

The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a young woman named Amara Harris, who was a student at Naperville High School in 2019.

Biden canceling student debt for more than 160,000 borrowers

Last night on behalf of Amara Harris, we filed a federal lawsuit alleging the city of Naperville abused process, maliciously prosecuted her, violated rights and inflicted emotional distress cause they did not want to admit they were wrong, said attorney Todd Yeary.

Harris was accused of stealing a pair of AirPods from another student and was charged with theft. She was issued a fine and refused to pay it because she maintained her innocence.

The case ended up going to trial and she was exonerated last year.

Last Sunday, 53 months after first being accused of the crime, Harris graduated from Spelman College with a degree in international studies. She said the last few years have been exhausting.

I saw my daughter go across that stage and say in spite of Im still going to persevere and that for me was exhilarating, said Marla Baker, Harris mother. Everything you teach these kids in these schools is the exact same thing you need to practice in positions of power.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

WGN has reached out to the city of Naperville for comment on the lawsuit, but has not yet heard back.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11)  A former caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services pleaded guilty to possessing and sending child pornography, according to prosecutors.

Trent Collier, 57, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.

Suspect shot by accomplice during attempted necklace theft in Midtown: NYPD

Prosecutors alleged that law enforcement at Newark Liberty International Airport searched Colliers cellphone after he got off a flight from the Dominican Republic back in 2021. He admitted to officers that he had sent child pornography to someone and that the person also sent him child pornography, prosecutors said.

Officers then found multiple images of child sexual abuse on Colliers phone, according to prosecutors.

Man wanted for raping girl, 12, multiple times in the Bronx: NYPD

He faces up to 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography and between 5 to 20 years for sending it. Hell also be fined up to $250,000 for each count.

Collier is expected to be sentenced in October.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Nazrin Abdul

Azerbaijan's burgeoning international image has cemented its status as a premier destination for global gatherings. International organizations, mindful of the country's robust capabilities and global position, increasingly choose Azerbaijan as the stage for their significant events.

Over time, Azerbaijan has hosted a plethora of international forums, conferences, and competitions, spanning political, economic, humanitarian, and sporting realms, underscoring its unique allure as a global event hub.

This year marks a pinnacle in Azerbaijan's hosting prowess as it prepares to welcome the largest international event yetthe 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Renowned as a steadfast partner in contemporary international relations, Azerbaijan stands tall as the preeminent state in the South Caucasus, serving as the economic, political, and humanitarian nucleus of the region. With a rich tapestry of experience in organizing world-class events, it is necessary to highlight 2 prestigious events hosted by Azerbaijan recently: the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019-2021 and the 7th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States.

Summit of Religious Leaders and Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement

Baku has also served as the venue for high-level diplomatic gatherings, including the Summit of Religious Leaders and the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. These events have provided opportunities for leaders from diverse religious and political backgrounds to come together and explore avenues for promoting peace, tolerance, and cooperation on the global stage.

Since 2019, Azerbaijan has assumed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a tenure initially set for three years through the unanimous decision of member countries. Demonstrating trust in Azerbaijan's leadership, our presidency was extended for an additional year, acknowledging our efforts in expanding the organization's activities and global influence.

Under Azerbaijan's stewardship, the Non-Aligned Movement has flourished, becoming the world's largest international organization after the UN General Assembly. President Ilham Aliyev's leadership has bolstered Azerbaijan's standing and role on the global stage, garnering significant achievements for the Movement.

President Aliyev's proactive approach as NAM chairman has garnered widespread support both within the Movement and from other nations. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during Azerbaijan's chairmanship, the country adeptly adjusted its agenda to address the new reality.

Azerbaijan has demonstrated its adeptness in multilateral diplomacy, firmly committed to its principles. From 2019 to the outset of this year, Azerbaijan fervently championed the tenets of multilateralism within the Non-Aligned Movement, comprising 120 countries. As the second-largest organization after the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement upholds pivotal values such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Azerbaijan played an active role in bolstering this movement by establishing women's and youth organizations, thereby enhancing its institutional framework and fostering a cohesive network. These initiatives, spearheaded by Azerbaijan, underscore its dedication to advancing the cause of multilateralism.

Initiated by President Aliyev, the Non-Aligned Movement assumed a leadership role in the global fight against the pandemic, rallying the international community to combat the threat. In May 2020, Azerbaijan hosted an online summit dedicated to COVID-19, where President Aliyev proposed a special session of the UN General Assembly focusing on pandemic response. This proposal received backing from over 150 countries, leading to a successful session in December 2020 attended by more than seventy heads of state and governmenta pivotal moment in global pandemic response efforts.

Azerbaijan's commitment to humanitarian aid has been remarkable, providing support to over 80 countries, predominantly NAM members. This reflects our nation's dedication to human values, underscored by a $10 million voluntary contribution to the World Health Organization.

Chairing the Non-Aligned Movement and hosting such prestigious events underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to multilateralism and global solidarity. It exemplifies our country's pivotal role in shaping international discourse and fostering cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

The 7th Summit of the Turkic Council (TDT)

Expanding ties with Turkic-speaking nations stands as a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's foreign policy agenda. Our nation's steadfast commitment to bolstering this union remains a focal point, underscoring our dedication to fostering meaningful relationships across new frontiers.

On October 15, 2019, Baku hosted the 7th Summit of the Turkic Council (TDT), a significant event that affirmed Uzbekistan's membership in the organization. By the unanimous decision of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship for the years 2019-2022, and again by unanimous decision, our chairmanship was extended for another year. Preceding the Summit, a Business Forum was convened, setting the stage for robust discussions on economic collaboration. With the conclusion of the Summit, the chairmanship of the organization transitioned to the Republic of Azerbaijan, underscoring the country's commitment to advancing Turkic cooperation until the next Summit.

Two years later, on November 12, 2021, Istanbul welcomed the 8th Summit of the TDT, marking the transfer of chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Turkiye. During this Summit, the "Turkic World Vision 2040" document was ratified, emphasizing the participation of TDT member states in the transformation of the liberated Karabakh region into a "green energy" zonea testament to the organization's forward-looking vision and collaborative spirit.

Distinguished leaders including President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, First President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary convened in Baku for the Summit, reaffirming their commitment to Turkic solidarity and cooperation.

Founded on the Nakhchivan Agreement signed on October 3, 2009, the Turkic Council stands as an international intergovernmental organization dedicated to fostering comprehensive cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey serve as its founding members, championing mutual interests and solidarity within the Turkic world.

Azerbaijan's presidency of the UN Security Council

It's worth noting that Azerbaijan assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council in May 2012 and October 2013. Over these two periods, the Security Council convened 30 plenary and individual meetings, alongside 29 closed sessions. Notably, it adopted 7 resolutions, 3 chairman's statements, and issued 13 press statements.

During its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Azerbaijan convened a high-level meeting on October 28, 2013, focusing on expanding cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Additionally, Azerbaijan proposed furthering relations between the UN and the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States.

In September 2017, during the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Ilham Aliyev addressed the assembly, providing detailed insights into Armenia's aggressive policies and their ramifications. President Aliyev underscored the importance of international decisions and resolutions in resolving the conflict, emphasizing the significance of the four UN Council resolutions. He highlighted the lack of international pressure on the aggressor as a key impediment to the conflict's resolution and elaborated on Azerbaijan's achievements over the past 25 years, including its international economic endeavors.

Under Azerbaijan's presidency, the UN Security Council organized a visit to Africa from October 3 to 9. On October 8, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea and Azerbaijan co-chaired the 7th annual joint meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the UN Security Council. Discussions centered on various regional issues, including the situation in the Great Lakes region, Sudan-South Sudan relations, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and the Sahel region, culminating in the adoption of a joint communique.

On October 30, the Council adopted a report reflecting its activities over the past year, encompassing meetings, discussions, and decisions undertaken during Azerbaijan's presidency.

As chair of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan demonstrated unwavering commitment to international peace and security, making substantial contributions to the advancement of international law and justice. Azerbaijan fostered close cooperation with other Security Council members, the UN Secretariat, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the media, solidifying its reputation as a reliable and resolute partner in global affairs.

In recent years, Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan, has emerged as a dynamic hub for hosting a wide array of prestigious international events. From thrilling Formula 1 races to the cultural spectacle of the Eurovision Song Contest and the European and Islamic Solidarity Games, Baku has played host to a diverse range of gatherings that showcase its rich cultural heritage, organizational prowess, and commitment to fostering global dialogue and cooperation.

Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

One of the crown jewels in Baku's event calendar is the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Since its inception in 2016, this high-octane race has attracted racing enthusiasts from around the globe to witness the adrenaline-fueled spectacle on the streets of Baku. With its challenging circuit and stunning backdrop of Baku's modern skyline juxtaposed with historic landmarks, the Grand Prix has become a must-attend event for motorsport aficionados.

Eurovision Song Contest

Another highlight of Baku's cultural landscape is the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2012, Baku captivated audiences worldwide as it played host to this iconic music competition. The Eurovision Song Contest not only showcased Azerbaijan's vibrant music scene but also provided a platform for artists from across Europe to come together in celebration of diversity and creativity.

European and Islamic Solidarity Games

Baku further solidified its reputation as a global sporting destination by hosting the 1st European Games in 2015 and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. These multi-sport events brought together athletes from Europe and the Islamic world, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect through the spirit of sportsmanship. Baku's state-of-the-art sporting facilities and warm hospitality left a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike.

Baku International Forums

In addition to its sporting and cultural events, Baku has become a nexus for intellectual exchange and diplomatic dialogue through its hosting of international forums. The 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum, The 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, Global Baku Forum, and Global Media Forum have provided platforms for thought leaders, policymakers, and media professionals to engage in constructive discussions on pressing global issues. These forums have underscored Baku's role as a bridge between East and West, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has served as a melting pot of cultures, a testament to its strategic position bridging East and West. Our rich multicultural heritage, shaped by centuries of diverse influences, has fostered enduring values of tolerance, mutual respect, and partnership within Azerbaijani society.

The most recent of these events was the VI World Intercultural Dialogue Forum, themed Dialogue for Peace and Global Security, held in Baku in May of this year. This significant event, part of the Baku Process, aimed to promote intercultural dialogue on a global scale.

The forum provided a platform for individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds to engage in open and respectful discussions, fostering mutual understanding. Launched by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008 and supported by leading international organizations, the Baku Process has convened over 10,000 participants from 180 countries in more than 250 events, sparking new intercultural initiatives in the region.

With goals centered on promoting peace, enhancing global security, and fostering cooperation, the forum sought to formulate policies, documents, and agreements capable of influencing world governments on pressing issues.

Now, as the spotlight turns to COP29, Azerbaijan is poised to set new benchmarks in event organization. The city of Baku is gearing up to host not only COP29 but also the 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the 6th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, promising two weeks of vibrant global dialogue and collaboration. Anticipating approximately 70-80 thousand foreign guests, Baku is ready to pulsate with the energy of the world.

As Baku prepares to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) alongside other significant international gatherings, the city's reputation as a premier destination for hosting world-class events continues to grow. With its blend of modern infrastructure, cultural richness, and unwavering hospitality, Baku stands ready to welcome the world once again, affirming its status as a global beacon of progress and unity.

This monumental event is not just a testament to Azerbaijan's organizational acumen but also a significant boost to its international standing. It reaffirms Azerbaijan's commitment to universal human values and its integral role in the global community, showcasing the nation's unwavering dedication to advancing the collective well-being of humanity. As the world converges in Baku, Azerbaijan's star shines brighter on the international stage, illuminating its status as a beacon of progress and unity in an interconnected world.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on amendments to the Regulation on the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan approved by Decree No. 391 of April 18, 2006, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the authority of the minister of justice has been expanded.

The minister will have the authority to appoint and dismiss the heads of the ministry's main departments and directorates. Previously, this was accomplished through an agreement with the President of Azerbaijan.
Former North Smithfield student says teachers harassed her after sexual assault, files suit

PROVIDENCE  A former North Smithfield student is accusing former school administrators of failing to protect her from a sexual assault by an older student.

The student alleges she was then subjected to bullying by teachers and harassment after she reported the crime.

The student, identified as C.P., alleges she was sexually assaulted in 2017 at age 14 by an 18-year-old male student who had been implicated in a previous assault.

According to the complaint, school leaders disciplined the male student for the previous assault by barring him from playing on the football team but allowed him to remain on school grounds without supervision.

The lawsuit names as defendants:

The town

Former high school Principal Timothy McGee

Vice Principal Steven Boss as defendants

It says the assault occurred on Nov. 6, 2017, in a bathroom during school hours, the same location of the boys previous assault.

North Smithfield High school. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

After the assault

The lawsuit claims Boss yelled at and shamed the student after she reported the assault, threatened to show her parents video footage from after the assault, and insinuated that she welcomed the attack.

McGee, the principal, told the student's parents about the assault. The parents then reported the assault to North Smithfield police, which led to the male student being arrested and charged with first degree child molestation.

The lawsuit says the school, Boss and McGee all failed to notify the state Department of Children, Youth and Families about the allegations, as required by state law.

The male student later admitted to third-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to a five-year suspended term with probation and home confinement. He was ordered not to contact the teenager and to register as a sex offender. He no longer attended the school.

McGee, who retired in 2022, and Boss, who news outlets reported resigned last year, could not be reached immediately Tuesday for comment.

Going deeper: Abuse and bullying after the assault

After the incident, Superintendent Michael St. Jean sent an email to the school community about the assault and the male student's arrest. This sparked speculation about who was involved, the lawsuit claims.

That email led to C.P. being bullied, harassed and cyberbullied on school grounds, through text messages and on social media by other students, the lawsuit states.

Teachers joined in by questioning her about the allegations and her character, and the lawsuit alleges they revealed confidential information about the assault that made the bullying worse.

The lawsuit said one teacher even outed her as the victim on an 11th grade field trip, stating C.P. is a nice girl, but she just made a bad decision." Another teacher banned C.P. from using her classroom during morning time because, the lawsuit alleges, the teacher was embarrassed to be associated with C.P.

'Permanent harm and humiliation'

C.P.'s parents repeatedly reported the alleged bullying and abuse to Boss and the school, but the lawsuit states it continued without the administration intervening.

In 2018, police were contacted over the alleged bullying and and abuse, the suit says,

C.P. suffered severe and permanent harm and humiliation, the lawsuit says, and after the assault she was not supported academically or accommodated in her special education plan, nor was she provided with emotional support despite experiencing a significant trauma.

According to the suit, C.P withdrew from North Smithfield and finished high school at Woonsocket Career and Technical Center.

Title IX and civil rights claims

The suit accuses the town and school of:

Violating C.P.'s right to equal protection

Creating a dangerous environment by allowing the male student to remain on school grounds.

It also accuses the town and Boss of:

Violating C.P.'s First Amendment rights to report the assault

Failed to fix the hostile school environment, in violation of Title IX

Denied C.P. equal access to educational opportunities by creating an abusive and hostile environment

The suit additionally charges that the town and school violated the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act and being negligent in its duty of care to C.P.

C.P. seeks unspecified damages.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: North Smithfield student accuses admins of bullying her after assault
Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama adviser, on Tuesday warned the U.S. Supreme Court could be left with a MAGA majority should former President Trump win reelection in November.

Pfeiffer predicted Trump will almost certainly get to appoint two more Supreme Court justices in addition to the three he already appointed during his first term  Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh.

By the end of Trumps second term  were he to win  [Justice Clarence] Thomas will be 82, [Justice Samuel] Alito will be 78, Pfeiffer said on a recent episode of Pod Save America.

He added Thomas and Alito are definitely retiring, and noted Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was appointed by Obama, will be 72 at the end of the next presidential administration.

If he gets two appointments, that means he will have appointed five Supreme Court Justices, all of whom will be around or below the age of 60 when he leaves office, he said. That is a MAGA court majority that will rule for decades, in reference to Trumps Make America Great Again, political movement.

We can win the next however many presidential elections and absent something short of extraordinary happening, Trumps fingerprint will be all over the Supreme Court, Pfeiffer added.

The other justices presiding on the Supreme Court are Chief Justice John Roberts, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, Elena Kagan, an Obama appointee, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom President Biden most recently appointed.

Pfeiffer argued the Democrats should mimic a strategy used by Republicans in the 2016 election, in which some reluctant GOP voters were pushed to vote for Trump due to the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia prior to the election.

I think we should make this a big issue and we know this works, he said, adding later, Republicans who did not like Trump, at the last minute, were willing to hold their nose and vote for Trump because they care about the Supreme Court. So, I think we can do that in reverse, he said.

The Hill reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

Recent polling shows the race between Trump and Biden is razor thin, with the former president having a 1 percent lead over the incumbent, according to a polling index by The Hill/Decision Desk HQ.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former U.S. official offers lesson in military aid  and political power  at Menendez trial

Sen. Bob Menendez leaves the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday, May 20, 2024, where his corruption trial entered its second week. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Sen. Bob Menendez had a reputation as someone very strong in his concern about human rights abuses in Egypt, where a repressive military government jailed tens of thousands of dissenters over the past decade, a former top U.S. security official testified at his trial Tuesday.

Yet federal prosecutors said New Jerseys senior senator, as ranking member and then chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, signed off on billions in military aid and arms between 2018 and 2023  sometimes over the objections of his Congressional colleagues.

Tuesday, prosecutors set out to educate jurors about Menendezs role in how the United States distributes $180 billion a year to its defense partners, including $1.3 billion to Egypt, which pockets the most behind Israel.

One of their witnesses was Joshua Paul, who headed congressional and public affairs at the State Departments political-military affairs bureau until last fall, and for several hours, it felt like an honors-level civics class in U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Steins Manhattan courtroom.

About $300 million of Egypts annual aid is conditional on its human rights record, with Congress able to withhold some or all of that if the country doesnt improve on issues like freeing political prisoners, Paul testified. U.S. lawmakers unhappy with their progress have held back money or threatened to in recent years, he added.

Egypt did not like the idea that there were conditions in the first place and certainly did not like when funding was withheld, Paul said.

Prosecutors then asked how much influence Menendez had over foreign military sales, given his committee role.

More than any other member of Congress, Paul responded. Menendez surrendered his leadership role on the committee after his September indictment, although he remains a member.

Pauls tutorial touched on everything from the Camp David Accords to the map of the Middle East, but he didnt talk too much about Menendez. That was intentional: Lawmakers get constitutionally granted immunity that protects them from being prosecuted for official legislative acts, under whats known as the speech and debate clause.

That protection has prompted Stein a few times to scold prosecutors pushing to introduce evidence of legislative acts  such as releasing military aid  that have appeared in text messages and other communications between the senator, his wife, Nadine, and co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes.

Prosecutors argued peoples understanding of acts in communications arent the same thing as the acts themselves, as in the case of a 2022 text from Nadine to Hana about arms sales to Egypt that read: Bob had to sign off on this.

But Stein didnt buy it, noting recent court precedents that have made public corruption charges tougher to prosecute and such convictions less likely to stand.

I am not going to admit a document that has a core legislative act of the defendant in it, he said again Tuesday during an argument after jurors had left for the day.

Longtime relationships

Prosecutors on Tuesday also called to the stand two women who have worked for Hana and Daibes.

One, Jamela Maali, told jurors she has worked for Daibes for 15 years, including 13 years as his executive assistant. Daibes is a real estate developer and bank founder in Edgewater accused of bribing Menendez with gold bars and cash to interfere in a federal bank fraud case he faced and to publicly support the Qatari government so that a Qatari investment company would invest in one of Daibes properties.

Maalis testimony helped underscore the long, mutually beneficial relationship Menendez, Daibes, and Hana shared. She also linked Nadine Menendez to the businessmens finances, as did testimony from John Moldovan, Hanas former in-house counsel.

Maali said she met Hana in 2018 at a fundraiser Daibes threw for the senator at his restaurant Le Jardin in Edgewater. Soon afterward, Daibes asked Maali if shed like to work on the side helping Hana launch a startup company, which became IS EG Halal. Prosecutors say Hana bribed the Menendezes to secure a lucrative monopoly on halal beef exports to Egypt.

Moldovan had testified Monday that Hana paid about $23,000 to rescue Nadine Menendezs Englewood Cliffs home from foreclosure. Tuesday, he told jurors Hana planned to hire Nadine as a consultant and pay her $10,000 a month. She named her venture Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, but she never signed a contract Moldovan drafted and he never saw her work, he added.

Prosecutors have said it was a sham job, and defense attorney Lawrence Lustberg said Hana paid her $30,000 before he fired her after three months for doing no work.

Maali also told jurors Daibes ran a lending company called East-West Funding. Moldovan testified Tuesday that East-West Funding tried to buy out Nadine Menendezs entire mortgage from the lender that had foreclosed on her. At that time, she still owed about $270,000 on a $320,750 mortgage she took out in 2007, he testified Monday.

The trial is expected to pick back up again Tuesday, after the holiday weekend.

Nadine Menendez, who is battling breast cancer, will be tried separately. Stein has scheduled a hearing in her case for July.

The post Former U.S. official offers lesson in military aid  and political power  at Menendez trial appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
FORT PIERCE  A star-spangled banner flew upside down Wednesday at the United States Post Office on Orange Avenue, days after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito faced criticism for years-old pictures of the same sight at his home.

The upside-down American flag has been a symbol used by "Stop the Steal," groups backing false conspiracy theories that the 2020 presidential election actually was won by former President Donald Trump, only to be stolen by President Joe Biden.

A flag at the United States Post Office on Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce flew upside down Wednesday, May 22, 2024, days after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito faced criticism for pictures of his home with the same sight, a symbol used by some who deny the 2020 presidential election results.

The photographs of the flag at Alito's home were taken three days before Biden's inauguration, about two months after the election and less than two weeks after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, led by supporters of false election-denial theories. The photos were first reported by the New York Times last week. Alito said his wife arranged the flag that way.

It is unclear how long the flag flew upside down outside of the post office in Fort Pierce, or who was responsible. A POW-MIA flag, honoring prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, was flying correct-side-up just below the upside-down American flag Wednesday.

Management at the post office, which is a federal building, declined to comment Wednesday, directing all questions to a spokesperson. Debra Jean Fetterly, USPS spokesperson for South Florida, said she would call the local postmaster to inquire about the flag.

"The U.S. Postal Service takes pride in displaying the American flag at its facilities," Fetterly later said in an email. "We appreciate being made aware of this situation, which appears to be an unintended error and which local management is investigating. As soon as we became aware, the issue was immediately corrected, and the U.S. flag is now flying properly. We sincerely apologize for this inadvertent occurrence."

A flag at the United States Post Office on Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce flew upside down Wednesday, May 22, 2024, days after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito faced criticism for pictures of his home with the same sight, a symbol used by some who deny the 2020 presidential election results.

St. Lucie County narrowly voted for Trump with just over 50% of the vote in 2020. However, a majority of Fort Pierce voters backed Biden, including more than 75% of voters in the precinct where the Orange Avenue post office is located and more than 92% in the precinct with boundaries that begin just across the street.

Meanwhile, about a mile east on Orange Avenue, a hearing was under way at the Alto Lee Adams Sr., U.S. Courthouse, where attorneys for Trump were once again asking U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon to throw out charges against him in a case about his retention and storage of classified federal documents at Mar-a-Lago, his home and club in Palm Beach. Trump was not in attendance.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com and 504-331-0516.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Mistake or pro-Trump symbol? Post office flies its U.S. flag upside down
(FOUNTAIN, Colo.)  The Fountain Police Department (FPD) said it needs the communitys help identifying a suspect in a pair of armed robberies.

According to FPD, the unidentified man is suspected of committing two armed robberies in Fountain. One was at the Walgreens located at 7910 Fountain Mesa Road and one at the Circle K located at 6480 South Highway 85.

A man wearing a blue sweater and an orange balaclava holding a firearm

A man wearing a blue sweater and an orange balaclava

A man wearing all black and a mask

FPD describes the suspect as a white man, with a heavy build, tattoos on the top of both forearms, and wearing glasses. In the first robbery, the suspect was described as wearing all dark clothing and a black face mask. Police said in the second robbery the man wore a King of Spades blue hoodie, blue sweats, and an orange balaclava with a lion image on the mouth.

If you have any information contact Detective Isaac Abila at iabila@fountainpd.com or if you wish to remain anonymous contact the FPD tip line at (719) 382-4200 or the Crime Stoppers tip line at (719) 634-7867.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
While nearly 400 guests celebrated Thom Browne and other honorees at Tuesday nights Parsons benefit, pro-Palestinian protesters picketed outside of the Cipriani Wall Street event.

Four protesters were arrested Tuesday night for varying acts including resisting arrest, trespassing, obstructing governmental administration and, in one instance, carrying a weapon. The four individuals who were arrested were Matthew Huffhammer, 55; Allen Ying, 41; Maria Abdelazim, 22, and Deirdre Martin, 41, according to a NYPD spokesperson.

More from WWD

The annual gathering attracted such attendees as Tory Burch, Donna Karan, Carolina Herreras Wes Gordon, LVMHs Gena Smith, Hudson Bays Liz Robdell, J.Crews Olympia Gayot and model-activist Carolyn Murphy. In addition to Brown, the founder and chief creative officer of his namesake company, the 75th annual event saluted fashion advocate and documentarian Bethann Hardison and the J.Crew Groups chief executive officer Libby Wadle.

Bethann Hardison

The seated dinner raised nearly $1 million for student scholarships, which are typically distributed based on financial need with the amount also varying based on that, according to a New School spokesperson. The number of recipients was not shared.

New School representatives also declined to comment about the protest.

About 50 pro-Palestinian protesters picketed, according to one of the organizers Sawyer Wilson-Mifsud. A video posted on Instagram shows officers from the New York Police Department escorting Wadle and her partner David Potter to their transportation, while protesters crowded around them. After the couple entered a vehicle, two protesters were apprehended by police officers. Wilson-Mifsud alleged via email Wednesday that Potter had assaulted a protester prior to that.

Wilson-Mifsud said that three protesters had been arrested and were still being held. The NYPD spokesperson said four arrests had been made and was uncertain of the status of their detainment Wednesday afternoon.

The New Schools newly named president Joel Towers was also at the benefit. On Aug. 1, the 20-year veteran of the academic institution and the former executive dean of Parsons will succeed Donna Shalala, who has served as interim president, as reported.

Towers appointment comes at a chaotic time for The New School, which like other colleges and universities has been dealing with on-campus protesters and encampments including a faculty-led one. Earlier this month, 43 protesters were detained by the NYPD, after school officials called for the removal of an encampment that they said was blocking the entrance to a residence hall, where 600 people were housed.

On or before June 14, the board of trustees investment committee will vote on whether or not to completely divest in companies identified by the advisory committee on investor responsibility (ACIR), bringing The New Schools investments in these companies to zero.

At the start of this month, supporters of The New Schools Students for Justice in Palestine claimed the university is invested in 65 funds that have positions in 13 companies including Google, General Electric, Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed Martin, Motorola Solutions and the Raytheon Co. among others. The group asked that the school divest from those 13 companies.

The New School said in a statement that that call was based on resolutions by the Gaza Solidarity Encampments; the University Faculty Senate; University Student Senate; University Staff Senate; as well as the faculty councils of Eugene Lang College, The New School for Social Research, Schools of Public Engagement, Parsons School of Design, and the AAUP chapter. They call for complete divestment from industries implicated in military and police violence in Gaza and the West Bank, and all global militarized conflict such as companies or subsidiaries involved in weapons manufacturing, military supplies and equipment, military communication and public surveillance technology, the statement read.

Wilson-Mifsud said Wednesday that Tuesday nights picket was a labor action because the demands of the encampment include recognition of the New Student Workers Union (an unrecognized union of non-academic TNS student workers) and an accretion election for it to join UAW 7902.

Shalala has previously said that the university supports the NewSWUs right to organize and has told non-faculty student workers that they can do so now.

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France's new Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne speaks during his inaugural visit to the Federal Foreign Office. Sejourne has rejected the idea of recognizing Palestine as a state at the present time. Soeren Stache/dpa

France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has rejected the idea of recognizing Palestine as a state at the present time.

"Our position is clear: the recognition of Palestine is not taboo for France," said the minister on Wednesday after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz in Paris.

However, the decision in favour of recognition must be beneficial, which means that it enables decisive progress at a political level, Sejourne said, stressing it has to be made at the right time.

"It is not just a symbolic question or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic instrument in the service of a solution with two states living side by side in peace and security," said the French foreign minister.

"France does not believe that the conditions have been met to date for this decision to have a real impact on this process."

Earlier on Wednesday Norway, Ireland and Spain said they would recognize Palestine as a state on May 28.

Katz's visit to Paris follows France's positioning in favour of the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose chief prosecutor applied for arrest warrants on Monday against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and three leaders of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, including Yehya al-Sinwar, who leads Hamas in Gaza.

The Paris Foreign Ministry stated that it supports the ICC, its independence and the fight against impunity in all situations.

After the meeting with Katz, Sejourne wrote on X: "I reaffirmed France's priorities: immediate release of the hostages, ceasefire, massive humanitarian aid and two states living in peace and security."
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at New Caledonia's High Commissioner residency, in Noumea, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia Thursday May, 23, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron pushed Thursday on a visit to riot-hit New Caledonia for the removal of protesters' barricades and said police sent in to help battle deadly unrest in the French Pacific archipelago "will stay as long as necessary," even as security services back in France focus in coming weeks on safeguarding the Paris Olympics. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday on a visit to riot-hit New Caledonia that he wont force through the contested voting reform that sparked the French Pacific territory's deadly unrest, saying he wants local leaders to come up with an alternate agreement for the archipelagos future.

Speaking after a day of meetings with leaders on both sides of New Caledonias bitter divide between Indigenous Kanaks who want independence and pro-Paris leaders who do not, Macron laid out a roadmap that he said could lead to another referendum for the territory.

Three earlier referendums between 2018 and 2021 produced no votes against independence. He said another could be on a new political deal for the archipelago that he hopes local leaders will agree on in coming weeks and months after protesters barricades are dismantled, allowing for a state of emergency to be lifted and for peace to return.

I have pledged that this reform wont be pushed through with force today in the current context and that we are giving ourselves a few weeks to allow for calm, the resumption of dialogue, with a view to a global agreement, he said.

The unrest began early last week in response to legislation in the French parliament that Kanaks fear will dilute their influence by allowing some more recent arrivals in the archipelago to vote in local elections.

Both French houses of parliament in Paris have already approved the overhaul. The next step was to have been a special Congress of both houses meeting in Versailles to implement it by amending Frances Constitution. That had been expected by the end of June. But Macrons comments in the New Caledonian capital, Noumea, suggested hes now willing to change tack and buy more time for an alternate deal, perhaps more palatable to pro-independence leaders who fear the electoral change will marginalize Kanak voters.

Macron said he would take stock in one month at the most.

His announcements came at the end of a whistle-stop visit aimed at de-escalating the severest violence since the 1980s in the archipelago of 270,000 people, with decades of tensions over the issue of independence between Kanaks and the descendants of colonists and other settlers. Macron also visited in 2018 and 2023, in calmer times.

Macron repeatedly pushed for the removal of protesters' barricades and said police sent in to help battle shootings, arson, looting and other unrest will stay as long as necessary," even as security services back in France focus in coming weeks on safeguarding the Paris Olympics.

His roughly 32,000-kilometer (20,000-mile) round-trip from Paris to spend the day in New Caledonia brought the weight of his office to bear on the crisis, which has left six dead and a trail of destruction.

Pro-independence Kanak leaders, who a week earlier declined Macron's offer of talks by video, joined a meeting the French leader hosted with rival pro-Paris leaders who want New Caledonia to stay part of France, which took possession of the territory in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III. Macron also met separately with both camps.

Macron called for a minute of silence for the six people killed in shootings, including two gendarmes. He then urged local leaders to use their clout to help restore order. He said a state of emergency imposed by Paris for at least 12 days on May 15 to boost police powers could only be lifted if local leaders call for a clearing away of barricades that demonstrators and people trying to protect their neighborhoods have erected in Noumea and beyond.

Everyone has a responsibility to really call for the lifting of the barricades, the cessation of all forms of attack, not simply for calm," he said.

Barricades made up of charred vehicles and other debris have turned parts of Noumea into no-go zones and made traveling around perilous, including for the sick requiring medical treatment and for families fretting about food and water after shops were pillaged and torched.

French authorities say more than 280 people have been arrested since violence flared May 13, as French lawmakers in Paris debated the contested changes to New Caledonia voter lists.

The unrest continued to simmer as Macron jetted in, despite a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and more than 1,000 reinforcements for the archipelago's police and gendarmes, now 3,000 strong.

I will be very clear here. These forces will remain as long as necessary. Even during the Olympic Games and Paralympics," which open in Paris on July 26, Macron said.

At Noumea's central police station, Macron thanked officers for facing what he described as an absolutely unprecedented insurrection movement."

No one saw it coming with this level of organization and violence, he said. You did your duty. And I thank you.

Fires, looting and other violence targeting hundreds of businesses, homes, stores, public buildings and other sites in and around Noumea have caused destruction estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros (dollars). This week, military flights evacuated stranded tourists.

Macron flew to the archipelago under pressure from politicians in France and pro-independence supporters to delay or scrap the overhaul of the voting system. It would enlarge voter numbers in provincial elections for New Caledonia's legislature and government, adding about 25,000 voters, including people who have been residents of the archipelago for at least 10 years and others born there.

Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize Kanaks, who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination. Supporters say the proposed reform is democratically important for people with roots in New Caledonia who can't currently vote for local representatives.

Macron in the past has facilitated dialogue between the divided pro- and anti-independence camps. France's efforts included the three referendums that asked voters if they wanted independence. They voted no each time, but the last referendum in 2021 was boycotted by pro-independence forces.

___

Rush reported from Portland, Oregon. Leicester reported from Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron is on his way to New Caledonia, a government official has said, after a week of deadly unrest in the Pacific archipelago.

Macron was leaving Paris on Tuesday night and will set up a mission in the French territory, government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot told a press conference, without giving further details.

He will be accompanied by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and Overseas Minister Marie Guevenoux, Darmanin told the National Assembly.

New Caledonia has been roiled by riots sparked by electoral changes from the national government. The unrest has killed at least six people, and has left a trail of burned cars and looted shops, with road barricades restricting access to medicine and food.

The violence is the latest outburst of political tensions that have simmered for years and pitted the islands largely pro-independence indigenous Kanak communities  who have long chafed against rule by Paris  against French inhabitants opposed to breaking ties with their motherland.

Macrons visit comes as Australia and New Zealand deploy government planes to evacuate their nationals from New Caledonia and as hundreds more French security personnel have been deployed to assist in the unrest.

Frances High Commission of New Caledonia said Tuesday the airport remains closed for commercial flights until May 25.

Thevenot said Tuesday that 1,000 more members of French security forces have arrived in New Caledonia to support the 1,700 personnel already on the island. Darmanin also told the French legislature the number of police and gendarmes in New Caledonia would soon reach 3,000.

Also speaking to Frances National Assembly, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Tuesday the situation is starting to improve.

Protests began May 13 involving mostly young people, in response to the tabling of a vote in the French parliament proposing changes to New Caledonias constitution that would give greater voting rights to French residents living on the islands. On Tuesday, legislators voted overwhelmingly in favor of the change.

The proposed changes to the constitution add thousands of extra voters to New Caledonias electoral rolls, which have not been updated since the late 1990s. Pro-independence groups say the changes are an attempt by France to consolidate its rule over the archipelago. Supporters of the change say voter rolls will better reflect the current population.

Lying in the South Pacific with Australia, Fiji and Vanuatu for neighbors, New Caledonia is a semiautonomous French territory  one of a dozen scattered throughout the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Ocean.

Colonial France took control of New Caledonia in 1853. White settlement followed and the indigenous Kanak people were longtime victims of harsh segregation policies. Many indigenous inhabitants continue to live with high rates of poverty and high unemployment to this day.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Western Azerbaijan Community has refuted Claude Wiseler's, President of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, statement attempting to accuse Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing and demanding the release of those involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and terrorism, Trend reports, referring to the community's statement.

During a May 22 session of the Armenian parliament, Wiseler delivered a biased statement expressing sympathy for Armenians who voluntarily departed Karabakh and urged Azerbaijan to submit a list of specific "missing" individuals.

The community notes that, in fact, the policy of ethnic cleansing was implemented by Armenia. The country, which occupied Azerbaijani territories for 30 years, forcibly displaced over 300,000 Azerbaijanis from their homes between 1987 and 1991. Yet, the fate of over 4,000 missing Azerbaijanis from the First Karabakh War remains unknown.

"All of this suggests that Claude Wiseler discriminates against Azerbaijan. Given recent attempts to normalize Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, including border delimitation, such harmful and improper interference by external parties is unacceptable. The group wants Wiseler to be fair and restore over 300,000 Western Azerbaijanis to their native homeland," the statement emphasizes.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Friends raising money for family of slain Lyft driver who fled Afghanistan for safety of US

The friends of Shawali Sherali have set up a GoFundMe to help the family of the 30-year-old Lyft driver who was fatally shot Friday in east Fort Worth.

Sherali, his wife and two children fled from Afghanistan to the United States, the GoFundMe organizer Sayed Musa told the Star-Telegram in an email. They settled in Fort Worth, and Sherali drove for a ridesharing company to support his family.

Shawali brought his family to the United States during the collapse of his native government, to seek asylum and safety for himself and family, the fundraiser reads. Shawali had no idea that he would end up losing his life.

Sherali was killed while working Friday, according to the fundraiser. Fort Worth police found Sherali dead from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle in the 1500 block of Sandy Lane around 11:40 a.m.

According to police, the victim was inside the vehicle when it hit a fence. A person of interest then got into the vehicle and drove away from the scene. The vehicle was found nearby with Sherali inside.

Michael Walker, 35, was arrested Monday in connection with Sheralis death, according to police records. He was booked into the Fort Worth City Jail around 7:30 p.m. and charged with capital murder by terror threat.

Sherali was a caring husband and father and a good friend to many in his community, according to the GoFundMe. The money raised will go to help with his funeral expenses and future needs for his family.

Lyft told the Star-Telegram in a statement that it is assisting law enforcement with its investigation into the fatal shooting.

Our hearts are with Mr. Sheralis loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our support during this difficult time, a Lyft spokesperson said.

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A Frontier passenger sat in an exit row was escorted off the plane in handcuffs after seemingly saying she wouldn't help in an emergency

A Frontier passenger sat in an exit row was escorted off the plane in handcuffs after seemingly saying she wouldn't help in an emergency

A Frontier passenger was escorted off the plane after an argument over an exit row.

A TikTok post shows her arguing with other passengers, a flight attendant, and a pilot.

Aviation laws require exit-row passengers to assist in emergencies and follow crew instructions.

A Frontier Airlines passenger appeared to be escorted off a plane in handcuffs after a dispute over an exit row.

In a video shared on TikTok earlier this month, the plane is seen descending into chaos as a woman argues with several people.

The uploader of the video, Travel With Tia, said that when the woman sat in the exit row, she said: "I'm not going to save anybody. If something happens, I'm going to save myself first."

The woman then appears to change her mind, telling a flight attendant in the recording: "We don't have a problem with that. We understand we have to help people get off the plane."

But by then, the crew is already trying to move the woman, the video shows. The pilot is also heard announcing that law enforcement will be arriving to "take care of this issue."

The woman says that she's flying to take care of her grandson while his mom goes to Mexico. Then she adds: "I'm getting my attorney on the phone."

It becomes more dramatic as several other passengers and a pilot try to persuade the woman to leave.

Two police officers are seen boarding the plane before the video cuts to the airport, where it appears everybody else had to deplane. The woman is then filmed being escorted down the airstairs in handcuffs.

Frontier did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There are several aviation laws about sitting in the exit row to ensure safety. For example, the passengers sat there must be physically able to assist others evacuating and have "the ability adequately to impart information orally to other passengers," a federal regulation says. The latter is part of the reason flight attendants require a verbal yes from those in the exit row.

Plus, the law adds, "Each passenger shall comply with instructions given by a crewmember or other authorized employee of the certificate holder implementing exit seating restrictions."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Frustration is mounting over the condition of one of Springfield's premier downtown living quarters.

The owners of Lincoln Tower Apartments at 520 S. Second St., Illinois-based Lincoln Tower Holdings, LLC and Delaware-based Strategic Lincoln, LLC, have been taken to court by the city of Springfield over a crumbling underground garage for residents and other fire code violations, said city attorney Gregory Moredock.

The apartment manager from Friedman Real Estate Management handling the property stiffed a May 10 meeting with residents he called with Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase.

More: Pop-up parties in Springfield: How they happen and what's being done to prevent them

Residents of the 17-story complex, across from the Capitol Building, have expressed their displeasure to the city council numerous times, including at the May 14 committee of the whole meeting, over other issues like faulty elevators and backed up trash chutes.

"We need answers," said Hewitt Douglass during the public comment section of the Committee of the Whole meeting, which was attended by several other Lincoln Tower residents. "The residents are frustrated.

"We're asking for more pressure to be put on whoever pressure needs to be put on to make things a little bit better up there. It's very important that we keep doing what we do and that's coming here and begging you to just listen to us, but we need action."

Lincoln Tower Apartment building sits at 520 S. Second St. in downtown Springfield on May 19, 2024. The 17-story residence opened in 1968, but its owner, Strategic Property Services Group LLC, is in bankruptcy and city of Springfield has two court cases against it.

Douglass, 70, said the May 10 meeting was attended by 30 to 40 residents.

Friedman, which is out Farmington Hills, Michigan, was ordered by Circuit Court Judge Adam Giganti in March to act as the receiver and manage the property.

"I thought it was really disrespectful how we (were) played with," Purchase said of the no-show and not being able to address residents' concerns. "I don't like when people mess with my intelligence."

The manager, Sontae Massey later texted her, Purchase said, saying he was told by Friedman that he wasn't allowed to give updates to the residents.

Purchase and others at Lincoln Tower confirmed that Massey was fired Friday morning. No representative from Friedman was on-site Friday afternoon and company officials didn't immediately return a call from the newspaper.

Moredock said he has agreed to talk to residents about what the city has done to address the problems at the property.

"If (he) walks them through the process, I think they'll be a little more at ease," Purchase said.

Douglass said the problem with the building's working elevators was amplified recently when his wife, Victoria, had a medical emergency.

"We sat in that hallway, I know, eight to 10 minutes, waiting on that elevator to come back up," Douglass said.

Another time, a 93-year-old resident, Purchase said, was forced to sleep downstairs three nights in a row because elevators weren't working, and she couldn't walk up to her 17th floor apartment.

Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase, left, at the swearing-in of Springfield Fire Academy recruits at the Firefighters Lake Club on Sept. 21, 2023.

"That's a problem for me," Purchase said. "I would be (angry) if my grandma lived there."

Residents who have cars haven't been able to park in an underground garage there since March.

That's meant, Purchase said, using a parking ramp at Fourth Street and Capitol Avenue and another parking lot at Fourth and Cook Street.

At the May 14 meeting, Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory wondered if the city shouldn't condemn the building. He tamped down those remarks when reached late last week by an SJ-R reporter.

Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory at the Springfield City Council on Feb. 20, 2024.

"I stand with whatever (the residents) want to do," Gregory said. "But the fact they've been before us three to four times concerns me. It's getting to the point where we have to send a message."

Purchase, also reached later in the week, said she would be against condemning the building.

"These are people's lives we're dealing with," she said.

The entrance to Lincoln Tower Apartments at 520 S. Second St. is seen on May 19, 2024, in downtown Springfield. The 17-story residence opened in 1968, but its owner, Strategic Property Services Group LLC, is in bankruptcy and city has two court cases against it.

Opening in 1968, the 199-unit building has long been a prime spot for Springfield urban dwellers and out-of-town legislators, like former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, wanting their own accommodations.

When George Ryan was still governor, there was a plan for the State of Illinois to buy both the 17-story residential area and a smaller business building that faces Second Street.

The Department of Central Management Services negotiated a $21 million purchase price for the property, but at the time, the buildings were valued at $11.1 million for property tax purposes, prompting complaints that the state was paying too much for them, and the deal was later nixed.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Frustration mounts for Lincoln Tower Apartments residents
Estonia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Sweden are among several EU countries pushing for sanctions against Georgia in response to its government's passing of the controversial "foreign agents" law, the Financial Times (FT) reported on May 22, citing official sources.

Concerns about Georgia's democracy have reached a fever pitch after the ruling Georgian Dream party passed the foreign agents law, which requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents" and mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics.

The country has been rocked by protests which grew out of opposition to the controversial law, and have now begun to morph into a larger sign of discontent against the government and the direction the country is heading.

According to the FT, sanctions could include the suspension of visa-free travel to the EU. The issue will reportedly be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers next week.

Another option on the table is the freezing of EU funds, officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper.

Even before the law was revived after a failed attempt to pass it in 2023, EU and U.S. officials warned that Georgia's democratic institutions were weakening and that the country was under the control of the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who only holds the title of honorary chairman of Georgian Dream.

Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, but a report by the EU's Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) the following month said that the country had made limited progress in its required reforms and was at risk of drifting toward Russia.

The U.S. is considering a package of military, trade, and visa liberalization incentives for Georgia if it reverses the trend of democratic backsliding and abandons the controversial law, Politico reported on May 20, citing a draft bill to be introduced in Congress in the coming days.

Read also: Explainer: Whats behind ongoing protests in Georgia?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Gavin Jones and Giuseppe Fonte

ROME (Reuters) - G7 finance chiefs meeting in Italy this week will attempt to find common ground on pulling forward earnings on frozen Russian assets to boost funding for Ukraine's war effort and pushing back on China's growing export strength in key sectors, officials said.

Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies - the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada - will gather in the northern Italian lakeside town of Stresa on Friday and Saturday.

G7 negotiators have been discussing for weeks how to best exploit some $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets, such as major currencies and government bonds, which were frozen shortly after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The United States is pushing to find a way to bring forward the future income from those assets, to back a loan that could provide it with as much as $50 billion in the near term.

However, several officials from G7 countries, including the U.S., said many legal and technical aspects need to be hammered out, and a detailed accord is not expected to be reached in Stresa.

"We're not looking for term sheets over the weekend," a senior U.S. Treasury official said, referring to legal documents that describe basic investment terms and conditions.

Instead, the official said on condition of anonymity that the G7 ministers are trying to build consensus around a plan for that would give Ukraine enough money up front to meet medium-term war and civilian needs and signal to Russia that it "cannot outlast" Western powers financially. The talks are aimed at presenting a proposal to G7 heads of government who will meet in Puglia, southern Italy, on June 13 to 15.

Who would administer the loan - the World Bank or some other body - how it would be guaranteed, how future profits can be estimated and what would happen in the event of a peace deal with Russia are all aspects still to be clarified.

European officials are particularly cautious, with one EU diplomat saying it would take "weeks if not months" for a final decision to be made.

'LEGAL IMPLICATIONS'

Italy holds the G7 presidency this year and its Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said last week the U.S. proposals on the use of the Russian assets had "quite serious legal implications" which still need clarifying.

Russia has repeatedly warned the West of consequences if its assets are touched and accused Washington of bullying Europe to take more radical steps to thwart it in Ukraine.

The prospects for global trade will be another central topic in Stresa after the United States last week unveiled steep tariff hikes on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicle batteries, computer chips and medical products.

Giorgetti said after the U.S. move that a "trade war" was being fought reflecting geopolitical tensions and warned of the risk of "fragmentation" to global commerce.

The United States is not calling on its partners to take similar measures against China, but an official said it was likely to push for the G7 communique to express common concern for what it calls Beijing's industrial "overcapacity".

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Frankfurt on Tuesday the United States and Europe needed to address the threat from Chinese imports in a "strategic and united way" to keep manufacturers viable on both sides of the Atlantic and foster development of their domestic clean energy industries.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire echoed her sentiments, saying on Wednesday that Europe and the G7 must "stand united" in the face of Chinese industrial overcapacity.

TAX TALKS

Other topics to be discussed in Stresa, according to an official programme issued by the Italian presidency, will include the impact of artificial intelligence on the global economy, and a "stocktaking" on sanctions against Russia.

Taxation will also be on the agenda, with Italy trying to revive a deal on a global minimum tax on multinationals which was signed by around 140 countries in 2021, but has not been fully implemented due to opposition in the U.S. and elsewhere.

A proposal for a global wealth tax on billionaires, which has been promoted by Brazil and France among the broader Group of 20 developed countries, would also be discussed in Stresa but was meeting U.S. resistance, one of the officials said.

(This story has been refiled to remove repeated words 'several officials said' in paragraph 5)

(Additional reporting by David Lawder in Washington and Julia Payne in Brussels; Editing by Alex Richardson)
GA man faces child porn charges after turning himself in

An Upson County man is facing eight counts of sexual exploitation of children.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit began an investigation into John Howard Booker, 30, after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the possible online possession and distribution of child pornography.

That investigation led to a search warrant at Bookers home in 2023.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Investigators were granted arrest warrants for Booker in 2024.

He turned himself in to the Upson County Jail on May 15, 2024.

The investigation is part of the effort by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to identify people involved in the trade of child pornography.

Anyone with information about other cases of child exploitation is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870 or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Azerbaijani police officers have detained Amrah Khagverdiyev, a resident of the Khojavand district and an assistant foreman at a construction company, as a suspect, a source in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

During the detainee's personal search, a Makarov pistol with eight rounds in the magazine and an additional 16 rounds were revealed and seized.

"In the suspect's house, three bayonets were discovered and seized, along with an AK-74 automatic rifle, six magazines, and 273 rounds of various calibers, which were hidden at individual buildings in the city.

A criminal case has been launched by the city police department under the article of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan for the illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices.

The investigation continues," the source added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Natural gas is mostly methane  when burned, it emits the pollutants nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and benzene (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Lung-irritating pollution created by cooking with gas stoves may be contributing to tens of thousands of premature deaths and cases of childhood asthma in the United States, according to a new study published in the journal Science Advances.

For decades, scientists have known the flames from a gas stovetop produce nitrogen dioxide, a pungent gas that can inflame a person's lungs when inhaled. But for the first time, a team of researchers from Stanford University and Oakland-based research institute PSE Healthy Energy published a nationwide estimate of the long-term health consequences associated with cooking with natural gas and propane stoves.

Researchers ran tests in apartments and single- and multistory houses in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, the Bay Area and elsewhere, and concluded that exposure to nitrogen dioxide emissions alone may contribute to nearly 19,000 premature deaths in the United States each year. It has also resulted in as many as 200,000 current cases of pediatric asthma compared with cooking with electric stoves, which do not produce nitrogen dioxide.

Stanford researcher Yannai Kashtan noted higher levels of pollution were correlated with the amount of gas that was burned. But pollution also accumulated at higher levels inside smaller homes.

"If you live in a smaller house, you're exposed to more pollution, and that can lead to income and racial disparities in exposure," Kashtan said. "In general, folks living in neighborhoods with higher levels of outdoor pollution also tend to have higher indoor pollution. So this environmental injustice extends indoors as well."

The American Gas Assn., a trade organization representing more than 200 local energy companies nationwide, dismissed the findings as "misleading and unsupported."

Despite the impressive names on this study, the data presented here clearly does not support any linkages between gas stoves and childhood asthma or adult mortality, the association's president and CEO, Karen Harbert said in a statement earlier this month.

Read more: Revelations of possible radioactive dumping around the Bay Area trigger new testing at parks

The study is the latest examining the serious health effects associated with breathing fumes from gas stoves, which release planet-warming carbon emissions and a variety of air pollutants. In recent years, the popular household appliance has become a political hot-button issue as policymakers and regulators have weighed environmental impacts against consumer choice.

Many large cities in California, including Los Angeles, have moved toward phasing out gas stoves in newly constructed residences. Earlier this month, the California Assembly advanced a bill to the Senate that would require gas stoves to come with warning labels detailing the pollution and health effects that can arise from cooking with gas.

Gas stoves emit a variety of pollutants, including asphyxiating carbon monoxide, cancer-causing formaldehyde and benzene. The flame also creates nitrogen dioxide, a precursor to smog and a pollutant that can cause difficulty breathing.

Environmental groups say consumers should be notified about these pollutants and the potential harm they can cause.

Gas stoves create pollution in our homes, increasing the risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory problems for our families," said Jenn Engstrom, state director for California Public Interest Research Group. "However, this risk has largely been hidden from the public. Consumers deserve the truth when it comes to the danger of cooking with gas. Warning labels will give consumers what they need to make informed decisions when they purchase appliances for their homes.

Read more: Air regulators ding California Tesla factory over air pollution

Kashtan and other researchers had previously discovered cooking with gas stoves presented cancer risk similar to inhaling secondhand cigarette smoke. They also found some gas stoves leaked contaminants even when the burners were off.

The effects are especially devastating to children, whose smaller and still-developing lungs need to take more breaths than adults, Kashtan said. Older adults, especially those with cardiovascular or respiratory illness, are also more vulnerable to pollution from gas stoves.

To alleviate indoor air pollution, experts recommend using ventilation hoods and opening windows while cooking.

Starting in 2008, California required new and redeveloped homes to have ventilation that could prevent pollution from building up indoors. But during their research, measuring emissions in more than 100 households across the country, Yannai said they found many kitchens didn't have ventilation hoods at all.

Although the health effects of breathing these pollutants are clear, researchers still wonder to what degree these conditions could be reversible. As communities take steps to mitigate their exposure or transition away, he said, we could soon see the results.

"It's never too late to stop breathing in pollution," he said.

Read more: Patt Morrison: Now were cooking with gas  and paying for it with massive bills

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.

Palestinians in Gaza have begun receiving humanitarian aid delivered through a newly completed floating pier off the coast of the besieged territory. Built by the U.S. military and operated in coordination with the United Nations, aid groups and other nations militaries, the pier can trace its origins back to a mid-20th century U.S. Navy officer who collected discarded cigar boxes to experiment with a new idea.

Among the artifacts of the military collections of the National Museum of American History, I happened upon these humble cigar boxes and the remarkable story they contain.

The original cigar-box model that Navy officer John Laycock used to demonstrate the construction of a multipurpose floating platform. (National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.)

In 1939, John Noble Laycock, then a commander in the Navys Civil Engineer Corps, was assigned, as the war plans officer for the Navys Bureau of Yards and Docks in Washington, D.C., to help prepare for a potential war in the Pacific.

Laycock had to figure out how to construct naval bases on undeveloped islands. The top priority would be what the military called naval lighterage, the process of getting cargo and supplies from ships to a shoreline where there were no ports or even piers to dock at.

Thats exactly the problem the relief effort faced in Gaza  and one that military forces and humanitarian groups have faced countless times in the past century.

In the office files of his predecessors, Laycock found plans developed in the 1930s to use small pontoons  essentially floating boxes  that could be easily transported and quickly assembled by hand into larger barges or floating platforms. But Laycock saw problems with the plans design and method of connecting the pontoons to each other. And he had an idea.

In my research into his work, I found that around July 1940, Laycock began visiting every concessionaire in the Navys headquarters building, which was then located along the National Mall, asking them to save empty cigar boxes for him. Laycock and a helper lined up the boxes and spaced them evenly. Then they linked them together using wooden strips from childrens kites, which they fastened to the corners of the boxes with small nuts and screws.

The simple model demonstrated that it was possible to connect individual, uniformly sized, small pontoon boxes into a much longer, and much stronger, floating beam. Multiple beams could be combined into the base for a platform of any needed size. A big enough platform could support cargo, military trucks and armored vehicles weighing up to 55 tons.

From cigar boxes to steel pontoons

Pontoon jewelry consisted of a wedge bolt, a diagonal wedge and a wheel nut. (National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.)

In August 1940, during his family vacation, Laycock figured out how exactly to connect the individual pontoons, which were made of steel and not wood or cardboard like his cigar-box model. He designed steel fasteners  scaled-up nuts and bolts nicknamed jewelry that could be inserted and tightened by hand  that could handle the stress of the movement of the ocean beneath a floating platform.

Through trial and error, and applying various military requirements such as the width of the steel plates, weight of the empty pontoon, depth needed to float and load-bearing capacity, Laycock designed a basic pontoon 5 feet high by 7 feet long by 5 feet wide. He also designed a curved section to serve as the bow of a pontoon-based transport vessel. By 1941, testing had proved the design and the system were ready for mass production.

A pontoon causeway is assembled and tested. (Andrew Hussey)

Floating causeways of steel

The pontoon technology first went to war in the South Pacific in February 1942 with the Naval Construction Force, nicknamed the Seabees, who took it to Bora Bora in the Society Islands. The Seabees were pleased with how it worked and helped contribute to the systems nickname  Laycocks magic box.

The universal nature of the pontoons permitted construction of an array of floating structures, including dredges, barges, floating cranes, workshops, storehouses and gas stations, tug boats, pile drivers and dry docks. These pontoon structures could be found from Guadalcanal to the Marianas, the Aleutians and the Philippines.

The planning for the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 found another use for Laycocks pontoon system. In late 1942, Royal Navy Capt. Thomas A. Hussey recognized that the Sicilian beaches had gentle slopes. During an invasion, landing craft, especially those designed for tanks, could be expected to run aground several hundred feet from dry land, in water 6 feet deep. Even waterproofed vehicles would be swamped and could sink.

Aware of Laycocks pontoons, Hussey inquired whether the units could form a floating road, called a causeway, to bridge the gap between ship and shore. Laycock designed a method to build narrow causeways two pontoons wide and 30 pontoons long  roughly 175 feet. Setting them side by side would form a 325-foot floating causeway. They could even be towed or carried by landing craft and deployed upon arrival in shallow water.

Tested successfully in mid-March 1943, the causeways proved a success at Sicily. In 23 days of round-the-clock shifts, the Seabees unloaded over 10,000 vehicles, including trucks, jeeps, half-tracks and towed artillery, on the causeways. Senior American and British leaders said the landings could not have succeeded so rapidly were it not for the pontoon causeways.

U.S. troops walk across a double-wide floating causeway at Omaha Beach in 1944. (Source: Seabee Museum. Seabee Museum)

Pontoon highways at Normandy

Much like Sicily, the Normandy coast of France also featured beaches with gentle, flat slopes. Floating pontoon causeways were key to the June 6, 1944, D-Day landings for U.S., British and Canadian forces. Engineers would anchor one end of the causeway on the shore and extend the structure out into the ocean far enough that whether it was low or high tide, cargo-carrying vessels could dock without running aground.

Along the sides, every few hundred feet along the causeway, additional pontoons were attached to form piers, so multiple vessels could dock at the same time, regardless of tidal conditions. They could unload directly onto dry pontoons just as they would at any regular pier or dock.

This system allowed a massive, around-the-clock flow of tanks, trucks, artillery, supplies and personnel to support the fighting as the Allied forces moved inland through Normandy over the coming months.

Uses in war and for humanitarian aid

U.S. troops assemble floating barges into larger structures as part of the construction of the floating pier off Gaza. (U.S. Army via AP)

Over the decades, this concept, with technological advancements in construction and fasteners, evolved into pontoon systems used in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Those have since been improved as well and have helped provide humanitarian aid such as in Haiti after a massive earthquake in 2010.

The pier at Gaza involves both parts of the pontoon system  Laycocks original floating platform as a cargo transfer site 3 miles offshore, and the British-suggested floating causeway and pier system allowing truck deliveries to get to dry land. All from a humble concept model of cigar boxes.
The sheer effrontery of it is astounding. One of the Grand Old Men of British journalism sits in a BBC studio and condemns and patronises an upstart broadcaster of which he disapproves. In what has become a favourite tune of the establishment media Andrew Neil this week appeared on Today to unleash a broadside against GB News  the station he helped set up three years ago. In the studio it was all very matey, everyone on first-name terms; it was Andrew this and Andrew that as Mishal Husain allowed Mr Neil a free hand to vent his spleen. It was a most revealing interview but not, I think, in quite the way the BBC and Neil intended.

You have to wonder why the hatred of GB News by the others is so pungent. Is it because they are losing audience share to a competitor? A reasonable suggestion because GBN is increasing its audience by leaps and bounds. As the UK Press Gazette reported last month: Year-on-year, relative newcomer GB News, which launched a dotcom url last year, saw the fastest growth in the top 50. Audience to the newsbrand was up 167 per cent compared to February 2023 at 9 million people.

But, apparently, it is not the fact that GB News is now ranked at 21st in the list of top UK news brands with an astonishing year-on-year growth of 3,515 per cent, that worries Mr Neil. He adapted the stations claim that Britain is listening by saying that it was only a wee, wee bit of Britain that listens and watches. Perish the thought that his ire was sparked by a vigorous young competitor eating his lunch. What really gets Mr Neils goat is that some GB News programmes are fronted by serving Tory MPs. Its the principle of the thing you see.

Andrew Neil presenting the first night of GB News, June 2020

And, putting MPs behind the mic is a break with British broadcasting tradition which  as everyone knows  is all about maintaining pristine impartiality. Yet the whole notion of media impartiality is phony; it is a Big Lie constantly repeated to browbeat us into submission. The BBC  and the rest of the media  is no more impartial than GB News. Its just that their preferences and prejudices are rather different.

The interview with Andrew Neil was prompted by the announcement by the media regulator Ofcom that it was to investigate GB News for a breach of the rules involving a programme where Rishi Sunak took questions from the public. Ofcom said the programme, called The Peoples Forum, broke its rules because the Prime Ministers responses went unchallenged. Portentously, the Ofcom statement said: Given this represents a serious and repeated breach of these rules, we are now starting the process for consideration of a statutory sanction against GB News.

This could spell the end for GB News, as Ofcom has the power to strip it of its licence to broadcast. I rather doubt theyll go that far. It wouldnt be a good look either for Ofcom or British democracy generally, to be closing down a broadcaster merely because it offends elite opinion  especially not as a general election looms. Perhaps therell be a fine or perhaps GB News will be ordered to conform more closely to how the BBC and the others do it. Which would be a recipe for more bland, middle-of-the-road, consensus broadcasting. That would be a pity; the experiment of using MPs and other politically engaged people like Nigel Farage as presenters has, to my mind, been a resounding success.

Jacob Rees-Mogg reporting for GB News from Parliament Square, March 2024 - Paul Grover

Jacob Rees-Mogg, for instance, has shown himself to be a fiercely intelligent and quite brilliant interrogator and someone whose understanding of politics and deep historical knowledge makes his programme one of the consistently best things around. It would clearly be better if GB News had some Labour MPs to balance the books but, as the stations boss Angelos Frangopoulos, has said: We have been trying very hard to encourage members of other parties to come on board and present programmes. We would love to have a wide range of MPs on our channel in the same way that stations like LBC do Its an ongoing conversation, but its purely because weve yet to find someone to say yes.

I wonder why? MPs are not generally shy of getting their voices heard. I suspect its because GBN has become a dirty word on the Left  and in elite circles more generally. And the reason for that is simple: GB News is the only broadcaster where you will hear full-throated challenge to some of todays mad orthodoxies, like climate change. I have heard, and admired, debates on GBN which have robustly questioned the UKs Net Zero policies.

To some of us its beginning to look as though this piece of eco-zealotry might prove hugely damaging to national prosperity. But you will not be hearing that kind of debate on Today anytime soon. The BBC, the High Priest of the Church of Climate Change, censors heretics. A political naif might expect Ofcom to be interested in that kind of failure of impartiality too  but that would be to misunderstand the regulator, which is a central pillar of the media establishment alongside the BBC.

Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO of GB News - JULIAN SIMMONDS

It was fascinating to hear Mr Neil justifying his criticisms of GB News whilst also attacking Ofcom itself. The decision to focus on the Rishi Sunak Q&A programme was, Neil intoned, like prosecuting Al Capone for tax evasion (a slur hed copied from Michael Crick who had appeared on Rees Moggs programme the night before lambasting GBN as a Right-wing propaganda channel). In other words, GB News sins were much greater in other areas.

One had to wonder how much of Mr Neils odium arose because of his connection with GB News as originally conceived. He was its first chairman and its star presenter at its launch in June 2021. But the relationship quickly soured and Neil departed whilst GB News set about findings its own voice. Frangopoulos says its mission is to be a disruptor  of the UK media scene and that, of course, is why it is so resented.

But Mr Neil said that he was all in favour of disruptors  just not, apparently, of GB News ilk. He much preferred the Sky News model  which, he boasted, he had been instrumental in setting up. Yet Sky has turned out be be a disruptor in the same way as Tweedledum is to Tweedledee. Its output is now, in terms of content and underlying world-view, indistinguishable from the BBC.

Michael Crick to Jacob Rees-Mogg: "I think if you went onto YouTube, you wouldn't get even the meager advertising that you do get"



Crick goes on: "They [Ofcom] don't regulate GB News so heavily because your viewing figures aren't very high"



Shots fired  pic.twitter.com/hFL3zP86Cx  GB News Spin Room (@GBNewsSpin) May 20, 2024

George Orwells timeless parable Animal Farm comes to mind where the revolutionaries shape-change over time into exact replicas of their original oppressors. Andrew Neil, by-the-by, has just announced hes off to join Times Radio  another disruptor following pretty much the same agenda as the BBC, but one growing more slowly than GBN.

GB News is not perfect. Some of its coverage is shouty and sometimes downright ignorant. But its saving grace is that it represents something new, a departure from an old, stale, media consensus that censors proper debate about important topics.

Up to now Ofcom has resisted calls from people like Neil to hobble the newcomer with regulatory burdens that would make it sound and look like all the others. For anyone who cares about free speech and free debate in a free country it must be hoped Ofcom holds its nerve and allows GB News to prosper.

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After a day of fervent speculation, Rishi Sunak has finally called a snap general election on July 4.

Mr Sunak confirmed the news in a speech outside No 10. Almost upstaged by the rain  and pranksters loudly playing D:Reams Things Can Only Get Better, closely associated with Tony Blairs 1997 Labour victory  the prime minister reminisced on his time in office, before making the big announcement.

Before now, the prime minister had resisted calls to go to the polls, despite constant pressure from the Labour Party to do so over the past year.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

However, it is speculated that Mr Sunak had been waiting for an opportune time to make his move. Bolstered by the positive downturn in inflation to 3.2 per cent, it appears his mark has been met.

Taking a swipe at the Labour Party, the prime minister said:

I dont know what they offer, adding they have no plan, there is no bold action, and as a result the future can only be uncertain.

Responding to the news, Labour leader Keir Starmer released a video saying its time for change.

They have failed. Give the Tories five more years, and things will only get worse, he said.

While neither party has released an official election manifesto yet, as they will only come after an election is officially called, both have dropped hints and promises over the course of the past few years, which offer a clue for their vision for the country.

Heres where the UKs two largest parties stand on some of the key issues:

Economy

Economic policies have been a focal point of Mr Sunaks premiership, making up three of the Conservatives five key priorities. They are: reduce inflation, grow the economy, and reduce national debt.

The first of these aims has largely been achieved, with inflation falling since the pledge was made, from 10.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent, although it is still above the Bank of Englands target of 2 per cent.

However, the respected IFS economic think tank has questioned Mr Sunaks taking credit for the economic good fortune, with director Paul Johnson arguing that it is the Bank of Englands job to cut inflation and that the prime ministers pledge was always inappropriate.

The economy has shown signs of growth since Mr Sunaks pledges were made, with the economy forecast to have grown 0.5 per cent in 2023, and wages rising steadily. However, debt has risen to 89.9 per cent of GDP, up from 85.1 per cent in late 2023, when the prime minister promised to reduce it.

Jeremy Hunt delivers a speech on May 17, 2024 (Getty Images)

Labour has been critical of the governments economic record, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves promising to take an approach of securonomics as an antidote to the economic turmoil caused by Liz Trusss catastrophic 2022 mini-budget.

Outlining Labours first steps for change in May, Keir Starmer said the party would impose strict rules on themselves.

Mr Starmer also says the party would introduce an Office for Value for Money to ensure taxpayers money is spent wisely and halve government consultancy spending, instead focussing on long-term staffing.

Finally, the party says it would appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner to recoup billions in taxpayer money wasted on fraudulent Covid contracts, as well as ending what it calls the VIP fast lane government contract procurement process.

Taxes

Both parties have expressed reluctance to raise taxes.

Labours Rachel Reeves has confirmed the party would not seek to undo the governments 2p cut to National Insurance tax if it came to power, looking to other measures to raise funds.

Chief amongst these measures is scrapping the controversial non-dom tax status held by some wealthy foreign nationals in the UK, as well as a crackdown on tax avoidance, and introducing VAT and business rates to private schools.

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

In April Mr Sunak beat Labour to the punch on non-doms by announcing that the tax regime would be phased out over a transitional period. Labour has said they would scrap the transitional measures, saving a further 2.6 billion.

Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also indicated a desire to cut NICs even further, if he can afford to. This is despite a warning from the International Monetary Fund of a potential 30bn hole in the public finances, which the Treasury disputes.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have ruled out increasing income tax (or changing its bands), capital gains tax, or corporation tax.

The NHS

NHS waiting times have skyrocketed over the past two years, with the number of people waiting for a hospital treatment hitting a record 7.8 million in late 2023, with around a third waiting over 6 months.

The proportion of people waiting over 4 hours in A&E has also increased, reaching a peak of over 50 per cent last Summer, and now at around 45 per cent.

Both parties have pledged to reduce these waiting times.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

The Conservatives have pointed to the Covid pandemic as the driving force behind the increases, pledging to work hard to reduce them.

Mr Sunak has said his government will do this by introducing record funding, up 35 per cent since the start of the last parliament, as well as record staffing levels.

However, the IFS argues that, in real-terms, the increased spending amounts to no real growth in the NHS budget between 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The prime minister also plans to reform the NHS. This includes allowing people to receive prescriptions directly from pharmacies, improving health technology, and giving people the choice to be referred to the private sector.

Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has said the party will get the NHS back on its feet by delivering 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments a week, funded by their economic policies.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

However, Mr Streeting raised some eyebrows in April when he announced his intention to use spare capacity in the private sector to work towards Labours NHS goals, despite what middle-class lefties might think.

The shadow health secretary has since clarified that this does not mean Labour wishes to privatise the NHS in any way, and that he believes the health service should always be free for everyone.

Immigration

Immigration has been a key issue for both parties. The Conservative government has taken a hard stance on the issue, pledging to stop the boats and increase measures to deter immigrants and asylum seekers from heading to the UK. Mr Sunak announced last year his goal of reducing net migration from 606,000 in 2022 to 240,000 in 2024.

His 12-point plan includes measures such as capping the number of people claiming asylum in the UK, raising the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers, and cutting visas for care staff and students.

Home Secretary James Cleverly standing in front of a discarded migrant boat in Lampedusa Port, April 2024 (PA)

However, Mr Sunak has not yet delivered on his promise to reduce the number of people arriving into the UK via small boats, with a record number of migrants crossing the channel in the first three months of 2024.

The governments controversial and long-standing Rwanda bill is also likely to feature prominently in the run up to the general election. Despite approval by parliament in April, it is unlikely a flight will take off under the scheme until late June or July.

Labours plan on immigration similarly looks to reduce the UKs reliance on overseas workers. It says it would implement policies that tackle home-grown skills shortages to fill key sectors facing employment gaps.

The opposition party says it would take inspiration from Australias points-based immigration system, which assesses a migrant workers suitability for a visa based on factors such as education, language skills, and work experience.

The Labour party has also pledged to secure the UKs borders by introducing a Border Security Command, which would use counter-terror style tactics, as well as a Returns Unit to more efficiently removed asylum seekers with failed applications.

Environment

In 2019, the Conservatives under Theresa May committed to a net zero target of 2050. Rishi Sunak has said he remains committed to this goal.

The governments current policies include a transition to electric vehicles by 2035, meaning no new petrol or diesel cars should be sold after that year, as well as encouraging households to transition from gas boilers to heat pumps.

However, the prime minister was criticised last year for pushing back the transition period for both of these measures, alongside announcing new oil and gas licences.

Labour has laid out its plans for Great British Energy, a publicly-owned sustainable energy company, which it says will reduce household energy bills and create half a million jobs.

Shadow environment secretary Ed Milliband says the party would pay for the plan with a windfall tax on excess profits made by oil and gas companies.

Education

Labour has made education a key part of its policy programme in its time as in opposition. Their headline measure is to recruit 6,500 new teachers in key subjects, as well as creating a national excellence programme which would see teachers given continuous support with professional development.

The party has also said it will set out to review the national curriculum, giving it wider scope to improve creativity, and digital and communication skills, alongside more mental health support staff in schools.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have promised a new qualification framework called the Advanced British Standard for 16- to 18-year-olds. It will increase the number of A-Levels students study from the typical three to five, and ensure everyone will study some form of maths and English to age 18.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan speaks during the Conservative Party Conference, October 2, 2023 (Getty Images)

The Department for Education has said the rollout will take around a decade, pledging 600 million in the first two years, as well as a 30,000 bonus for for teachers in key shortage subjects, spread out over the first five years of their career.

The government has clashed with teachers unions during Mr Sunaks tenure, seeing a number of teacher strikes organised over the course of 2023.

After accepting a pay offer last year, teachers unions are now looking to secure a further pay increase for September 2024. Education secretary Gillian Keegan was due to table a new pay offer soon, but this now looks unlikely and will probably fall to the next government.
George Floyds uncle to speak in Charlotte on 4th anniversary of his nephews murder

Selwyn Jones, the uncle of George Floyd, will appear in Charlotte on Saturday on the fourth anniversary of his nephews murder by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Selwyn Jones, uncle of George Floyd

Jones will celebrate his nephews life during a community event at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 1901 Rozzelles Ferry Rd. Clinton Fest/George Floyds Hope 2024 will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Floyds killing while in police custody on May 25, 2020, sparked protests nationwide, including in Charlotte.

Officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyds neck for nearly 9 minutes, is simultaneously serving a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyds civil rights and a 22-year state sentence for second-degree murder, the Associated Press has reported.

Jones has traveled the country the past four years to speak with the families of other victims of police violence and help with their struggles, according to his charity. He spoke at Harvard University last month, scene of one of many student-led pro-Palestine encampments nationwide.

Jones also has rallied support in various states for passage of the Medical Civil Rights Act, which Connecticut government officials approved last year. The act establishes the right to emergency medical care during police interactions.

The event also will include entertainers, vendors, art areas, fitness zones and food, according to an announcement by Hope929, the charity Jones co-founded to promote civil rights and create change in honor of his nephew.

In a statement released by his charity, Jones said there has been change since the killing of his 46-year-old nephew.

But it will never be enough as long as innocent people of all colors and races continue to die at the hands of police and from gun violence, Jones said.

Hes pushing for more progress, he said, to make communities everywhere better for all our children.
Georgians settle many races on the primary ballot, including surprise contest over abortion rights

A voter walks into Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Cobb County Tuesday on the last day to vote in the primary election. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

A statewide Supreme Court race that centered on abortion rights delivered a jolt to an otherwise largely low-key primary election.

Tuesdays primary lacked the high-profile statewide contests that usually drum up interest, like a race for governor. For the most part, this years primary was a chance for voters to choose nominees for state legislative and congressional primaries, local contests and a host of nonpartisan judicial races across the state.

But a late push by a state Supreme Court candidate to make the one contested high court seat a referendum on abortion rights got some voters attention.

John Barrow, a former Democratic congressional candidate, raised eyebrows with his pronouncements that he believes the Georgia Constitution protects abortion rights. Barrow challenged Justice Andrew Pinson, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022.

A legal challenge to the states 2019 abortion law has already landed before the state Supreme Court and will likely return at some point. But Barrow has defended his comments as reflecting his general view on the issue and not a declaration of how he would vote when it comes to any particular case.

Barrow came up short Tuesday, but his campaign offered one of the few tests for how voters in Georgia feel about the controversial 2019 law, which bans most abortions after about six weeks and before many women know they are pregnant.

Its unclear how widely known it was that Barrow was campaigning on abortion rights, but several voters interviewed Tuesday were keenly aware.

I hate to use this phrase, but a group of old white men shouldnt be making decisions about my reproductive health, said Nancy Dombrowsky of Villa Rica, who said she voted for Barrow.

Barrows stance on abortion access also won over Jeff Evans from Coweta County.

I think whats happened has gone way beyond where it should have ever gone. And I think women ought to have that right, Evans said. Every time theres been an election in any state in the country where that was on the table, they lost, so I hope that happens here.

That didnt prove to be the case in Georgia, although the race was far tighter than expected.

Barrows statements were also off-putting to other voters.

Judges dont write the law. They should interpret the law, said William DeLoach, also of Coweta County. Thats the reason I voted the way I did, because Barrow already said exactly how hes going to rule in certain situations, and thats not the way it should be done.

Others said they were not familiar with the candidates or the issues in the state Supreme Court race.

Top state election official says he expects strong turnout in November

By the time polls closed on Tuesday night, voter turnout had exceeded the number of ballots cast in the presidential preference primary in March.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that Tuesdays election went smoothly across the state, with the exception of a few minor hiccups. In all, 1.3 million voters, or 20% of registered voters, cast ballots for state and congressional primaries and elections for local races.

Sign wavers stood outside a west Atlanta polling place Tuesday trying to convince passing motorists to stop and vote. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

About 12% of Georgia voters cast ballots in the March 12 presidential primary that helped cement Trump and Bidens nomination as Republican and Democratic presidential candidates..

Raffensperger said his election investigation team visited nearly 400 precincts across 102 counties Tuesday and found that everything was operating in good form.

State election officials have predicted that six million Georgia residents will vote in the Nov. 5 general election, when the expected Biden-Trump rematch will be on the ballot

We think this is pretty good turnout for a primary which means coming this fall we really expect a strong turnout, Raffensperger said Tuesday night after the polls closed.

The Secretary of States MyVoterPage crashed Tuesday afternoon for about 45 minutes after the system was unable to handle the volume of people trying to find out their polling place, registration status and other election information.

Also, on Tuesday morning a Troup County polling place was able to use battery power to keep electronic voting machines running after a tractor trailer knocked over a utility pole.

Fair Fight, the voting rights group started by Stacey Abrams, raised concerns about extreme delays in vote-by-mail delivery and the technical glitches with the My Voter Page. The group criticized the Secretary of States office for not providing options and support for voters who were attempting to find their way through a vastly different voting landscape than four years ago.

Cobb County resident Elinor Spears described the time it took her to submit her Democratic Party ballot as being as fast as greased lightning.

Issa Jackson, who is known professionally as DJ Kutt Throat, participated in the nonpartisan DJs at the Poll initiative. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

She does not anticipate the same speed in November when significantly more voters are expected to turn out.

Ill be patient if I have to wait a little longer (Nov. 5). Theres too much at stake to worry about spending a few more minutes standing in line, the 72-year-old retired public school teacher said.

Issa Jackson, who is known professionally as DJ Kutt Throat, was set up at C. T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center in west Atlanta as part of the nonpartisan DJs at the Polls initiative.

Jackson blasted upbeat music and occasionally spoke into a microphone in hopes of prodding more people to come vote. Others waved signs of individual candidates at the passing vehicles.

Cant complain about whats going on in your community if youre not voting, Jackson said into the mic.

Georgia Recorder reporters Ross Williams, Stanley Dunlap and Jill Nolin contributed to this report.

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The defendants (L-R) Edmund Schultz, Mirjam Herrmann and Henning Jeschke stand on the stage during a demonstration to mark the indictment by the Neuruppin public prosecutor's office against five members of the Last Generation on charges of "forming a criminal organization". The Federal Chancellery can be seen in the background. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Following the indictment of five members of Germany's Last Generation protest group, climate activists in Berlin have protested against the public prosecutor's decision and announced further actions.

"What we have done is right. I can only say: Keep going," Edmund Schultz, one of the defendants, said on Wednesday afternoon in Berlin.

Several alliances had called for a rally on Washingtonplatz, the square in front of Berlin's central train station, because the public prosecutor's office in the town of Neuruppin to the north-west of the city had brought charges against five members of the climate activist group on suspicion of forming a criminal organization.

The public prosecutor's office accuses the defendants of carrying out several attacks on facilities belonging to the PCK Schwedt oil refinery to the north-east of Berlin near the Polish border and an oil pipeline in the north-east of the state of Brandenburg and in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

They are also accused of actions at the capital's BER airport and the Barberini Museum in Potsdam just outside Berlin.

The defendants emphasized on Wednesday that they would not be deterred from protesting despite the expected trial at Potsdam District Court.

"They want to put us behind bars. We will stay loud," Henning Jeschke wrote on the social media platform X.

"Our government is acting criminally," was another message from the Last Generation group.

The lead candidate of the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party for the European elections, climate and refugee activist Carola Rackete, also told dpa: "The activists are the wrong people in the dock."

She referred to the ruling by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court according to which the German government must tighten its programme to combat climate change.

Last Generation is once again calling for a gathering on Washingtonplatz on Saturday at noon (1000 GMT). There are also actions planned for the cities of Erfurt, Karlsruhe and Bonn on Saturday.

With the rallies, Last Generation plans to increase pressure on the German government to take stronger action to combat the climate crisis.

The public prosecutor's office in the southern city of Munich has also been investigating five climate activists from Last Generation for over a year on suspicion of being members of a criminal organization and two others for providing support. The public prosecutor's office in the far northern city of Flensburg is also conducting a corresponding investigation.

A protester holds a sign reading "Criminal organizations that destroy our livelihoods:" at a demonstration to mark the Neuruppin public prosecutor's indictment of five members of the Last Generation on charges of "forming a criminal organization". Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
FILE - Germany's Maximilian Krah, of the German far-right Alternative for Germany party, grimaces during a session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, banned Krah for next month's European election from making any further public campaign appearances and said he would resign from the party's board immediately. The public demotion came after Krah told an Italian newspaper that not all members of the Nazis' elite SS unit, which was involved in major war crimes during World War II, were war criminals. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, File)

BERLIN (AP)  Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party on Wednesday banned its top candidate for next month's European election from making any further campaign appearances and said he would resign from the party's board immediately.

The public demotion came after Maximilian Krah told an Italian newspaper that not all members of the Nazis' elite SS unit, which was involved in major war crimes during World War II, were war criminals.

Krah, 47, had already been under scrutiny after authorities in Brussels searched his offices at the European Parliament in connection with one of his assistants who was arrested last month on suspicion of spying for China.

German media have alleged that Krah has had ties himself to China and also Russia.

The scandals involving Krah come at a most inconvenient time for the Alternative for Germany, or AfD  only a few weeks before the party is hoping to make big gains at the European election. It had been riding high in the polls last year, but has become less popular this year after millions of Germans protested its radical far-right stance.

In addition to Krah, the no. 2 on the AfDs list for the European Parliament election, Petr Bystron, last month separately denied allegations in a Czech daily that he may have received money from a pro-Russian network.

AfD's top party board said in a statement after an emergency meeting to discuss Krah's recent missteps that there had been massive damage to the party in the current election campaign, for which the lead candidate had provided the pretext.

It said Krah took full responsibility and will resign from his position on the federal executive board with immediate effect. It wasn't immediately clear if he was still running for the European Parliament.

The latest party crisis was triggered by an interview Krah gave last week to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, in which he said, I will never say that anyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal, German news agency dpa reported.

When asked whether the SS were war criminals, he replied: There was certainly a high percentage of criminals, but not all of them were criminals.

In reaction to that interview, France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen from the Rassemblement National party indicated that Krah had overstepped a red line. So far, the Rassemblement National, or RN, had been working together with the AfD in the European Parliament, but now the French far-right is considering ending its cooperation with the AfD on the European level, dpa reported.

RN party leader Jordan Bardella said on TF1 that I think that the AfD, with whom we have worked together in the European Parliament for five years, has crossed lines that are red lines for me, dpa reported.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Azerbaijan Fish Farm MMC has released 50,000 sturgeon fry into the Caspian Sea to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, Trend reports.

Since 2001, May 22 has been the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise awareness of the extinction of many plant and animal species and urge their protection and restoration. UN General Assembly-established yearly event calls for worldwide cooperation to address serious environmental issues.

On May 22, 2024, LU-MUN Holding's subsidiary, Azerbaijan Fish Farm MMC, organized a significant event at the Kura River Sturgeon Production and Experimental Farm in the Neftchala district to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity.

As part of the event, 50,000 sturgeon fry were released into the Caspian Sea. This effort represents a significant contribution by the company to preserving the biodiversity of the Caspian Sea's endemic species. Azerbaijan Fish Farm has committed to restoring and conserving sturgeon populations, which are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the Caspian Sea.

The event was attended by over a hundred distinguished guests, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), experts from fish farming enterprises, and high-ranking officials. Foreign guests and embassy officials were also present, highlighting the importance of such programs for corporate environmental responsibility.

In line with global commitments to combat climate change, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has declared 2024 the "Green World Solidarity Year," reaffirming the country's dedication to environmental protection. LU-MUN Holding Chairman of the Management Board Rufat Tabasaransky and Azerbaijan Fish Farm CEO Mammad Nazaraliyev highlighted this in their speeches, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming COP29 conference and the prioritization of environmental issues.

The company's proactive biodiversity conservation strategy sets a regional example for environmental management. Azerbaijan Fish Farm's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development was highlighted by the historic International Day for Biological Diversity event, which highlighted the need for collective action to restore Caspian Sea sturgeon stocks.

The event's main partners included Azerbaijan Poultry Company LLC, which produces chicken products under the Marcan brand, along with FAO, AzPol, and Ukrayna Ticaret Evi.

Azerbaijan Fish Farm MMC promotes eco-friendly aquaculture. The Baku Caviar brand breeds sturgeon and produces caviar to conserve the Caspian Sea's ecology while serving worldwide demand.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited a mobile air defence unit near Kyiv during her visit to Ukraine the day before.

Source: Bild, reported by European Pravda

Details: When asked by Bild whether Ukraine could lose the war, she replied: "No."

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Baerbock visiting the positions of Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners.

Photo: IMAGO/PHOTOTHEK

"The people here in Ukraine, whom I met again today, are fighting with lion's courage. We can hardly imagine what that means," Baerbock said.

She said that with their courage, Ukrainians are defending not only their country but also "our peaceful order."

"That is why Ukraine must win this war. We must do everything in our power to ensure that this happens one day," she stressed.

Baerbock also agreed with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser that Germany needs a "security budget."

"This means that we have to provide funds for Ukraine," Baerbock added.

Background: On 21 May, Baerbock also visited one of Ukraine's largest thermal power plants, which was destroyed by a Russian missile strike.

On Tuesday, Baerbock visited Ukraine for the seventh time since Russia's full-scale invasion started. On the occasion of her visit, she called for increased international support for Ukraine's air defence.

She also spoke about the legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.



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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba after their meeting. -/Ukrinform/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to meet her French and Polish counterparts in the central German city of Weimar on Wednesday for consultations on security and defence policy.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Office in Berlin said that the focus of the talks would be the Russian war in Ukraine, as well as the future of the European Union and the situation in the Middle East.

Baerbock is scheduled to attend the meeting directly after returning from a short visit to Kiev on Tuesday, where she called for more international support for Ukraine's air defence.

She is set to be joined in Weimar by French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and Poland's Radosaw Sikorski.

The three countries regularly meet under the umbrella of the Weimar Triangle alliance, which was founded in 1991.
Germany pushes ideas to combat fake news and propaganda in the EU

Anna Luehrmann (R), Minister of State for Europe and Climate to the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, speaks during the presentation of the key issues paper. Hannes P Albert/dpa

In the fight against election interference in the European Union, Germany and a number of other member states plan to focus more on sanctions.

Restrictive measures are an important instrument to use against individuals and organizations that attempt to interfere in EU democracies, according to a proposal paper published on Tuesday on the margins of a Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels.

In addition, the code of conduct to combat disinformation should be made a binding set of rules. To date, this has been a non-binding voluntary commitment by online platforms such as Facebook or Tiktok.

Other proposals include improving the ability to recognize fake news and propaganda as well as a more intensive exchange of information between member states.

The background to the initiative is findings that state actors from countries such as Russia are attempting to influence public opinion in the EU with disinformation and propaganda. In particular, they utilize the possibilities of digital distribution of content via online platforms.

In addition to Russia, China in particular is also accused of attempting to systematically influence public opinion.

The proposals were drawn up by Germany, Poland and France, with the support of around a dozen other EU states.

They are intended to serve as a working basis for the next European Commission, which will be formed after the European elections in June.

German Minister of State for Europe Anna Luhrmann also described the initiative on Tuesday as a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The EU must consistently sanction Russian attempts at destabilization," said the Green politician. However, it is also important to hold large online platforms more accountable and to strengthen independent journalism in Europe, she added.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba after their meeting. -/Ukrinform/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said she supports the call by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius for a significant increase in aid to Ukraine this year.

"I am in complete agreement with the minister of defence. And not only with him, but also with the minister of the interior," Baerbock told the Bild newspaper and other Axel Springer media on Tuesday evening, adding: "We need a security budget."

Sunday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper reported that Pistorius was planning an additional requirement of 3.8 billion ($4.13 billion) for military support for Ukraine for the current year.

According to the report, the German government has allocated 7.1 billion for military aid to Ukraine so far this year.

However, the sum has been almost completely earmarked, with only 300 million still outstanding for new ammunition and weapons purchases, the newspaper reported, citing government sources.

Baerbock justified her demand with the fact that "we have never experienced our European order of peace, our European continent, being challenged this way, right on our doorstep."

"And in such an exceptional situation, I believe that the exception must also be reflected accordingly in a budget," Baerbock added. This requires "a lot, a lot of money."

No one in the future could justify saying that "we were not prepared to spend billions more on peace at the time. And it then led to this Russian war of aggression spreading further into Europe," warned Baerbock.

Baerbock on Tuesday made a plea for more international support to protect Ukraine's skies from Russian airstrikes as she visited Kiev.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba after their meeting. -/Ukrinform/dpa
Maximilian Krah, AfD lead candidate for the European elections, leaves after a press statement. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has banned its lead candidate for the European election, Maximilian Krah, from making public appearances, following his comments that not all SS members were criminals. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has banned its lead candidate for the European election, Maximilian Krah, from making public appearances, following his comments that not all SS members were criminals.

A party spokesman confirmed a report in the Bild newspaper on Wednesday that the federal executive committee had banned Krah from making public appearances around two weeks before the EU election.

Krah declared on the social media platform X that he would refrain from further election campaign appearances and would resign as a member of the federal executive committee.

The move comes a day after the French far-right National Rally party said it no longer wants to sit in the same parliamentary group as the AfD over Krah's comments.

Krah told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that not all members of the SS were criminals, referring to the Schutzstaffel (SS), a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

"I will never say that everyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal," said Krah. When asked whether the SS were war criminals, he replied, "There was certainly a high percentage of criminals, but not all of them were criminals."

Nazi concentration camps were guarded and administered by the SS, which was heavily involved in war crimes. The organization was declared a criminal organization in the Nuremberg trials after the end of World War II.
Maximilian Krah, AfD lead candidate for the European elections, leaves after a press statement. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has banned its lead candidate for the European election, Maximilian Krah, from making public appearances, following his comments that not all SS members were criminals. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has banned its lead candidate in next month's European elections, Maximilian Krah, from making public appearances, following his comments that not all SS members were criminals.

A party spokesman confirmed a report in the Bild newspaper on Wednesday that the federal executive committee had banned Krah from making public appearances ahead of the pan-EU elections to decide the next European Parliament.

Krah declared on the social media platform X that he would refrain from further campaign appearances and would resign as a member of the federal executive committee.

The move comes a day after the French far-right National Rally party said it no longer wants to sit in the same parliamentary group as the AfD over Krah's comments.

Krah told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that not all members of the SS were criminals, referring to the Schutzstaffel (SS), a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

"I will never say that everyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal," said Krah. When asked whether the SS were war criminals, he replied, "There was certainly a high percentage of criminals, but not all of them were criminals."

Nazi concentration camps were guarded and administered by the SS, which was heavily involved in war crimes. The force was declared a criminal organization in the Nuremberg trials after the end of World War II.

Krah said on X: "I realize that factual and nuanced statements by me are being misused as an excuse to harm our party."

The AfD must maintain its unity, he continued. "For this reason, I will refrain from further election campaign appearances with immediate effect and resign as a member of the federal executive committee."

It is unclear how the AfD's European election campaign will continue. According to the party leadership, the number two on the European list, Petr Bystron, will also no longer appear due to investigations by the public prosecutor's office.

Both Krah and Bystron have come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks for alleged links to pro-Russian networks.

In addition, German police arrested Krah's former assistant Jian Guo on suspicion of espionage last month, and Krah fired him following the allegations that the parliamentary aide was spying for China.

The AfD's signature issue is a hard-line anti-immigration stance, and the party is profiting from increased concern among many German voters over rising numbers seeking asylum in the country.

The party is polling nationally at around 19%, amid high dissatisfaction with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition, and is predicted to do well in the EU election on June 9.

The AfD works together with France's National Rally and the Italian League in the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament.

The split between the French and German parties comes after a series of disagreements between the AfD and National Rally.

Le Pen criticized the AfD after plans to deport migrants on a large scale were discussed at a secret meeting attended by members of the AfD and well-known radical right-wingers last November near Berlin.

"So I think that, if this is the case, we have a glaring difference of opinion with the AfD and that we need to talk together about major differences like this and see whether or not these differences have consequences for our capacity to ally ourselves in a parliamentary group," Le Pen said.
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II speaks in support of the governor's proposed $5,000 tax credit for caregivers during a media conference in Lansing on May, 21, 2024. (Photo Anna Liz Nichols)

As the Legislature hammers out the details of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget this summer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist is urging lawmakers to include tax credits for caregivers.

The Caring for MI Family Tax Credit is one of the proposals under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers recommendations for the states next budget and would afford caregivers tax relief of up to $5,000. But neither the House nor Senate have included the plan in the first budget bills they have passed.

I expect that item to be part of ongoing budget discussions, said Amber McCann, spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit).

Caregiving is costly, not just financially, but emotionally, Gilchrist said at a media conference alongside AARP volunteers in Lansing on Tuesday afternoon. Its not something that individuals often decide to do, but rather something they have to do because a loved one needs care.

That work is almost always uncompensated.  It is not always visible in policy in terms of how we respond to the needs of caregivers, things that caregiving requires so that people can do it, Gilchrist said. Caregivers are a critical infrastructure to life, to success, to wellbeing, to stability, and we need to make sure that they are really supported.

There are about 1.7 million unpaid caregivers currently in Michigan, said Paula Cunningham, state director of AARP Michigan. That equals out to approximately $19.6 billion annually in uncompensated care.

These are people who care for their loved ones and use their own dollars for out of pocket expenses, grandparents taking care of grandchildren, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, mothers daughter taking care of those who they love, Cunningham said. They dont do this for the money, they do it because of their commitment to their family members and  their loved ones.

Both the House and Senate have passed first versions of the budget this month that will have to be negotiated over the summer in order to send a finished product to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers desk for final approval. The Legislature has a July 1 deadline, but theres no penalty if they miss it.

The FY 2025 budget year begins Oct. 1.

The hope now is to impress upon legislators the needs that exist for folks around the state of Michigan to receive financial relief for the work of caregiving, Gilchrist said after the media conference. If the policy needs to change in order to get compensation to caregivers, the governors office is open to talk with lawmakers.

Theres always opportunity to improve policy and so thats a conversation were ready to have about what the policy can look like, Gilchrist said.

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The post Gilchrist implores Legislature to consider caregiver tax credit in the next state budget appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Rudy Giuliani agreed to cease accusations of election fraud against Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million judgment after a judge found the former New York City mayor guilty of defaming the two women.

On Tuesday, Giuliani "agreed to never again accuse either [Ruby] Freeman or [Shaye] Moss of engaging in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 election," according to attorneys for the two women.

PHOTO: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani departs the U.S. District Courthouse after he was ordered to pay $148 million in his defamation case in Washington, Dec. 15, 2023. (Bonnie Cash/Reuters, FILE)

MORE: Giuliani defamation trial live updates: Jury awards election workers nearly $150 million

"Today ends [Giuliani's] efforts to profit off of lies about these two heroes of American democracy," said Michael Gottlieb, an attorney for the two women.

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, released a statement to ABC News on Tuesday night saying: "Based on advice from his lawyers, Mayor Rudy Giuliani agreed not to comment on the two specific individuals or their activities until the cases are resolved. He will continue to comment on everything else surrounding the 2020 election, particularly the latest developments in Fulton County."

The jury awarded Freeman $16,171,000 and Moss $16,998,000. In addition, jurors awarded each of the women $20 million for emotional distress.

The jurors also awarded them a total of $75 million in punitive damages.

MORE: Judge threatens to mute Giuliani during arraignment in Arizona fake electors case

On the heels of that large judgment in December, Freeman and Moss again sued Giuliani seeking to "permanently bar" him from making additional defamatory comments about them. Giuliani has since suffered a series of embarrassing setbacks.

In the 134-page complaint filed in December, attorneys for the two women wrote that Giuliani "continues to spread the very same lies for which he has already been held liable," citing comments Giuliani made outside of court to ABC News' Terry Moran, in which he insisted that Freeman and Moss were "changing votes."

Giuliani filed for bankruptcy after the judgment and was fired from his radio show.

Earlier on Tuesday, Giuliani pleaded not guilty to election-related charges brought by the Arizona Attorney General.

Giuliani agrees to cease election fraud accusations against 2 former election workers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has agreed to stop accusing two former Georgia election workers of election fraud, attorneys say.

According to attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation lawsuit against Giuliani earlier this year, the former mayor has agreed to stop accusing them of wrongdoing as it relates to the 2020 presidential election.

Giuliani agreed never again to accuse either of the women of engaging in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 election, the womens attorneys said in a statement online.

Michael Gottlieb, an attorney for the women, said the admission Tuesday ends Giulianis efforts to profit off of lies about these two heroes of American democracy.

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, said in a statement to The Hill that Giuliani agreed not to comment on the two individuals until the cases are resolved after receiving advice from his lawyers.

He will continue to comment on everything else surrounding the 2020 election, particularly the latest developments in Fulton Country, Goodman said.

Goodman argued that Gottliebs assertion that the former mayor is profiting off lies is false, and the attorney is being purposefully dishonest to try and get favorable headlines.

Giuliani was ordered to pay the staggering sum to Freeman and Moss after a four-day civil trial in December. He was found liable months earlier, but the jury convened to decide how much he needed to pay in damages. Days after the decision, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy.

He most recently lost his bid to dismiss the verdict in April. Giulianis attorneys said they will now appeal to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals on the case.

The women claimed their lives were turned upside down after facing a torrent of racist and violent threats after they were baselessly accused of committing fraud in the election.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. COP29 will be one of the most important events in Azerbaijan's history, the Belgian Ambassador Michel Peetermans said at an international seminar themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and Regional Perspective" held at ADA University in Baku on May 22, Trend reports.

"COP 29 will be one of the most significant international events that have taken place in Azerbaijan since its independence," he emphasized.

The ambassador mentioned that decisions to combat climate change need to be made both globally and locally.

According to him, mitigating the effects of climate change requires decisive and coordinated efforts from all major participants.

He also added that financing will be a key topic at COP29.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD gave failing grades to several major social media platforms for how well they protect the safety, privacy and expression of the LGBTQ community online.

As part of the fourth annual Social Media Safety Index, GLAAD examined hate, disinformation, predominant anti-LGBTQ tropes, best policy practices, the suppression of LGBTQ content, artificial intelligence and data protection, regulation and the connections between online hate and offline harm.

The organization gave five of the six leading social media platforms a failing grade. Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter; YouTube; Metas Facebook; Instagram; and Threads all received a failing F grade on the indexs score card for the third consecutive year.

TikTok, an app that could eventually be banned in the United States, was the only major social platform to not receive an F, earning a D+ rating.

TikToks score improved from last year, GLAAD said, because the company made several improvements to its Anti-Discrimination Ad Policy, which means advertisers cant wrongfully target or exclude users from seeing content, among other improvements.

The organization said it aims to analyze social media platforms and index them so advocates can call on the leaders of social media companies who fail to make safe products for the LGBTQ community.

When it comes to anti-LGBTQ hate and disinformation, the industry is dangerously lacking on enforcement of current policies, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. There is a direct relationship between online harms and the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ legislative attacks, rising rates of real-world anti-LGBTQ violence and threats of violence, that social media platforms are responsible for and should act with urgency to address.

Threads received its first F rating since it was launched in the summer of 2023. Metas other platforms, Facebook and Instagram, were the only other platforms to receive worse ratings than the year prior. Facebook dropped 3 points and Instagram dropped 5 points from 2023.

TikTok increased 10 points over the last year. YouTube increased 4 points, and X increased 8 points.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE)  The crackdown on fentanyl in California continues.

In February, the California National Guard supported operations resulting in the seizure of more than one million fentanyl pills in California.

The State of Fentanyl: YourCentralValley.coms complete coverage

In 2023 in California, a record amount of fentanyl was seized. Enough to kill everyone in the world nearly twice over.

At the border, thanks to the hard work of law enforcement agencies at the ports of entry, along with the help from CalGuard, the act of trafficking is getting harder.

Major General Matthew Beevers in Sacramento says they are working to make it harder for traffickers to bring the narcotics into the state.

Yeah, were going to catch you. We continue to catch you. Were going to deny your profits. Were going to make it so extraordinarily hard to traffic narcotics into this state that you will look to do it elsewhere, Beevers said.

Beevers goes on to explain just how big of an issue trafficking fentanyl is.

Its significant and by in large is greater than any other narcotics that kind of balances back and forth between fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, but, by in large, fentanyl becomes the number one challenge that we have. We see that coming across the border every day, he said.

In September 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a 50% increase in California National Guard service members to the border. Today 60 soldiers are stationed in the four U.S. Ports of Entry.

Their goal is to assist the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in stopping fentanyl from entering California.

We have seen some minor improvements in fentanyl numbers coming down across the border and we believe frankly that some of that stuff is now moving east because of the work we have done at the southern border. The challenge is, while some of that stuff is moving east through Arizona, its still coming back to California, said Beevers.

In February 2024, CalGuard helped seize nearly 600,000 fentanyl pills at the border and more than one million across the state. In addition to pills, nearly 400 pounds of fentanyl powder was confiscated at the border and more than a thousand pounds statewide.

Dorman: When you break down those numbers what does that mean, I mean to get that much fentanyl, that much fentanyl power off of the streets and pills off of the streets across the state? What does that mean?

Beevers: It means its taking that money out of the hands of transnational criminal organizations. Its taking it out of the pockets of drug lords in Mexico and Central America. Its impacting their supply chains that come from China and India.

When it comes to tackling the problem, General Beevers says he is proud of the work his team of about 300 folks in his organization is doing every day.

He says the state has taken an honest assessment of the problem and is 100% committed to ending the fentanyl epidemic that has touched every state in the US,

Its easy to say theres a problem, its much more challenging to actually address it and have the moral courage to go over it come what may. You know, were not always as successful as we want to be, but we are moving the needle forward, we are doing the things we need to do, Beevers said.

And it is not just enforcement; CalGuard has service members in over 100 schools across the state educating students on the deadly consequences of fentanyl.

Weve probably engaged 100,000 students and this is not your mothers or grandfathers just say no to drugs talking point if you will, this is trauma-informed training that speaks to how to improve your life, be more resilient, how to have a healthy lifestyle, how to just characterize how you want to live your life so you can remain drug-free, he said.

They teach students that fentanyl is highly addictive. General Beevers often tells people methamphetamine takes 20 years to kill someone, but fentanyl takes 20 seconds.

He is most concerned about an alarming trend of more people deliberately seeking out fentanyl to feed their addiction. Those addicted to fentanyl typically die from it within four to five months.

Dorman: To someone who is stuck in that lifestyle right now, what would be your message to them?

Beevers provided insight as to what someone stuck in that cyclical lifestyle should do.

Yeah, reach out. Call somebody. Theres a plethora of services across the state, in every town, in every community. Reach out, social services are there, police officers are there. I can assure you, if you walked up to a police officer in any city in our state and you tell them you have a problem and you need help, they will help you.

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CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN (PIX11)  In November, Zettie Shapeys best friend Caroline Meister sent her a letter from California.

And it was a really good one, Meister promised over the phone; it was really long and shed put cool things in the envelope.

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We hadnt written letters to each other in a while, so I was really excited, Shapey told PIX11 News on Wednesday.

But the letter never made it to Shapeys place in Crown Heights. In March, her best friend unexpectedly died.

Now, Shapey is doing everything she can to find that small piece of her friend of over 15 years.

I didnt get to say goodbye, Shapey said. I feel so hungry to touch any more scraps of her and have any more pieces of her back.

The letter was sent from a monastery in Carmel Valley, California, where Meister was living at the time. Meister went for a hike on March 18 and was reported missing. Four days later, she was found dead at the base of a waterfall.

Zettie Shapey (left) is on a quest to find a letter from her late best friend, Caroline Meister (right). (Photos courtesy of Zettie Shapey)

Shapey is hoping for a miracle to find the letter, addressed to her place on Saint Marks Avenue near Nostrand Avenue. She submitted a claim via USPS, reached out to the monastery and solicited neighbors to check their mail piles. A stranger in California even checked the post office near the monastery with Shapey on speakerphone.

Now, she plans to put up fliers and contact the USPS Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta.

In the face of such a sudden death and traumatic death, it feels like the closest I can get to a goodbye letter, Shapey said.

And knowing Meister, she likely wasnt exaggerating about how special the letter was. Meister was a talented artist with a knack for writing, great handwriting, and a curious mind. Their friend group had never really taken to smartphones, so they found creative ways to keep in touch.

Shapey and Meister became fast friends in high school. Theyd grown up two blocks apart in an Illinois suburb, and Shapey was inspired by her friends ability to cut through the noise.

Some writing from Caroline Meister. (Courtesy of Zettie Shapey)

I didnt know that a person could just choose how to be, she said. We grew up in an Illinois suburb and there were really specific, unspoken ways of how one should be, and she just chose to be herself in spite of it all.

Meister lived many different lives before she died. She studied waste disposal systems for a semester, once apprenticed with a cabinet maker, was a creek steward, ran programming for high school girls, and spent years in the Buddhist monastery. She most recently had plans to go back to school, which would have helped the two friends keep better contact.

Caroline was this deeply seeking person, very fascinated with being alive, Shapey said. That was who I was going to grow old with  I really built my life with her and around her and was really excited to grow old together.

The letters recovery, while tricky, feels totally within reach to Shapey, especially given how willing people are to help out.

Crazy things are possible, impossible things are possible. People really want to help other people, she said.

If you have any information about the missing letter, please contact helpfindmymissingletter@gmail.com.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Google searches may reveal Americas most hated day of the week

[Editors Note: In the video player above learn how many hours people in other countries work.]

(WJW)  New data may suggest the most hated day of the week isnt Monday, as some may think.

Instead, its Tuesday.

Hidden gem patios you need to explore in CLE area

The findings are based on Google searches analyzed by QR Code Generator, a company that specializes in custom QR codes. Their research found that every Tuesday, almost like clockwork, a spike in searches with the topic job, such as job listings near me, part-time job, and quit my job.

The analysis reviewed data from February to May 2024 and found more than 4.4 million searches under the job topic during that time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Republican T.J. Roberts crushed opponent Ed Massey in the Kentucky primary election. He'll represent state House District 66, which includes northern Boone County, in the next legislative session.

Republican T.J. Roberts, of Burlington, crushed former state House Rep. Ed Massey in the primary Tuesday night with 77% of the vote, according to Kentucky Secretary of State data.

"It is a remarkable thing what can happen when people come together and actually fight to put their districts first," Roberts said, thanking U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and others for supporting his first-time race for office.

2024 Victory Party https://t.co/w38Cufbm49  Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) May 21, 2024

The race was nasty until the very end.

After polls closed, Massey told The Enquirer he and his supporters were out until 3 a.m. putting up more campaign signs. When he woke up this morning, there were opposition signs near his that said, "Ed Massey donated to Hillary Clinton."

"I have no idea what impact, if any, that had," Massey said.

Massey told The Enquirer he paid $250 to see Clinton speak at a friend's Fort Mitchell home in 2008 after he was invited to hear the presidential candidate speak.

More: This Northern Kentucky GOP primary is getting nasty. We fact-checked the rumors

"I didn't even meet her, didn't shake her hand. I just heard her speak and was there. That's it. I've never supported her. I've never voted for her. I've never campaigned for her," Massey previously told The Enquirer.

Over the weekend, Boone County voters received a mailer claiming Massey had a profile on Ashley Madison, a site for people who want to cheat on their spouses. Massey, who has been married for almost 40 years and has three daughters, denied the claim and said he's considering a lawsuit.

Massey has frequently mentioned Roberts' ties to controversial public figures and controversial social media posts. Massey also claimed Roberts is rumored to have a Grindr account, which Roberts - who believes marriage is between one adult man and one adult woman - has adamantly denied.

The nastiness wore on voters, who spoke with The Enquirer at the polls Tuesday in Hebron.

Nathan Chalk, 49, of Hebron, said there was "too much mudslinging" in the race so he didn't vote for either candidate.

Boone County had a 12.64% voter turnout in the primary.

Roberts will face Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber in the general election this November for state House District 66, which includes northern Boone County. The open state House seat has been Republican for over 40 years.

Kentucky state house District 66

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Republican T.J. Roberts crushes Ed Massey in Kentucky primary
Rep. Killian Timoneys quest for a third term in office was cut dramatically short by Thomas Jefferson, a Liberty GOP candidate in the primary.

Jefferson won in landslide fashion, with more than 70% support with the vast majority of votes in.

Money didnt appear to matter.

Timoney, a Nicholasville Republican, had more than $250,000 come in from outside groups supporting him, but Jefferson was backed by a network of social conservative groups and the Jessamine County GOP.

Jefferson also had the strong backing of Liberty Republicans across the state, a group intent on pushing legislative leadership to the political right on various issues.

House District 45, which is part Jessamine County and part Fayette County, was among the more closely watched state House primaries because it exemplified the partys internal push-pull between more moderate Republicans like Timoney, and the Liberty wing of the party.

Jefferson, who has never held public office and had the endorsement of the Jessamine County Republican Party, campaigned heavily on knocking Timoney for a vote he cast in 2023, splitting with his party.

Decisive issues

Timoney, an educator in Fayette County Public Schools, was one of only a handful of Republicans who voted against a 2023 GOP-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 150 which is now law, that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. He also voted against a bill, Senate Bill 83 in 2022, that banned transgender girls and women from school sports.

SB 150, in addition to outlawing hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries for kids under 18, banned lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom, prohibits trans students from using restrooms that correspond with their gender identity, and stops districts from requiring faculty use a students pronouns if they dont assigned with their sex assigned at birth.

Outside groups continually bruised Timoney on those votes.

One mailer from the group Make Liberty Win framed his votes as the telltale signs of a predator and called him groomer Killian.

Jefferson told the Herald-Leader that he campaigned on the issue hard. It worked.

Ive been knocking on doors since September. My shoes are worn out, my knuckles are raw, and when I brought up his voting record to people when I knocked on doors, it was a no brainer for them. When you vote against Senate Bill 150 twice, its crazy, Jefferson said.

When asked if he regretted the votes, Timoney responded absolutely not.

Sixty percent of trans kids have had suicidal ideation within the past 12 months  60% of them, he said. They are the most endangered group of children that exists in society today, whether we understand it, agree with it, find it as an abomination, or dont care.

I will always protect kids, even if I dont understand it or agree with it.

Timoney and Jefferson also had differing views on school choice, for which there will be a question on the ballot in November.

Proposed by Republicans earlier this year, House Bill 2 aims to give parents the choice of where to send their children. The question in November will ask voters if they support amending the Kentucky constitution to give lawmakers this funding option in the future.

Timoney, who brought in nearly $30,000 in his primary bid, has said he does not support diverting those tax dollars to charter schools or other private schools. Jefferson favors the measure.

I love our public school system and I love our teachers, but its not a good fit for everybody, Jefferson said.

Looking forward

Jefferson will face a well-funded opponent in Democrat Adam Moore, whos already hosted a fundraiser with popular Gov. Andy Beshear.

Mostly suburban in nature, House District 45 is one of relatively few politically purple districts in the state.

While former GOP President Donald Trump won the district by just over three percentage points in 2020, according to elections data website CNAlysis, Beshear won the district by more than 21 points.

Timoney predicts a tightly contested race given the political makeup of the district.

Jefferson said he wont budge on his policy stances for the general election.

I wont change my values. Ill speak my values and what I feel is right. If people want to vote for me, thats great, Jefferson said.

In an election night press release, Moore was already working to draw a stark contrast between himself and Jefferson.

Our opponent is an extremist on healthcare, education, and workers rights  a candidate that supports criminalizing reproductive care, harming our mothers and driving doctors out of our state. He wants to take your tax dollars out of our public schools and give them to unaccountable private and for-profit charter schools, Moore wrote.

Though the primary tally was decisive, Timoney also indicated that he may run for something again in the future.

I still have fuel in the tank, and I still have ideas that could make Kentucky better, Timoney said. Im not done.

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On a recent Wednesday afternoon, the Cal State L.A. student union buzzed with people eating lunch. Outside, students took graduation photos wearing caps and gowns beside a yellow sign that read, We are L.A.

Not far away, a small group of student protesters continued their weeks-long encampment in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

On May 1, organizers established a Gaza Solidarity Encampment on a patch of grass beneath the Olympic Fantasy tile mural near the heart of campus. The encampment barrier, fortified with blue tarps and plywood, displays artwork decrying the bloodshed as Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza. Graffiti on a campus building behind the encampment trumpets Free Gaza in bold, colorful letters.

The campers' demands on university leaders are much the same as those from protest organizers at USC, UCLA, Pomona College and other campuses across the country. They are asking the university to disclose its financial investments in companies that supply weapons to Israel and to divest from those funds. They want the Cal State L.A. president to issue a statement supporting a cease-fire in Gaza.

But there are also notable differences in the protest scenes as the encampment enters its fourth week.

The vibe here has been much quieter than the raucous events that unfolded at UCLA and USC, where police in riot gear moved in to clear encampments. Cal State L.A.'s president has said she would let the peaceful demonstration continue without law enforcement intervention. While some encampments have drawn many hundreds of students, the members of Cal State L.A.'s encampment could be counted in the dozens.

Part of that difference is sheer size: Cal State L.A. enrolls 23,000 students, about half the enrollment of UCLA and USC. And unlike those schools, Cal State L.A. is a commuter school. Only 1,000 to 2,000 students live on campus.

The demographics at Cal State are also markedly different from schools such as UCLA and USC. About 75% of Cal State's student body is Latino, and many of the students are working-class and older than traditional college populations. Just more than 2% of students come from other countries.

By contrast, Asians and whites make up more than 60% of the undergraduate student body at UCLA, where 9% of undergraduates and 17% of graduate students hail from other nations. At USC, a private school, 27% of students are international.

But perhaps the greatest distinction involves free time: Most students at Cal State L.A. are juggling schoolwork with jobs and pressing responsibilities at home.

Shawna Andrews, a nursing student at Cal State L.A., said she hadnt heard much about the Israel-Hamas war until she saw the encampment. The 29-year-old appreciates the message the protesters are sending. But Andrews, who is graduating, said she simply hasnt had the bandwidth to pay close attention to the Gaza war between being a full-time student and caring for a family member in the early stages of dementia.

There are other things that just grab my focus that are here, that are next to me, surrounding me, versus something that's going on overseas, Andrews said.

Brian Hernandez, an information systems major, echoed those sentiments. You do need a little bit of privilege to actually protest  that type of way. To sit in a random place and just hang out, the 25-year-old said. I cant spend days sleeping on a campus.  I got a job, I got class.

While their numbers are relatively small, the students occupying the pro-Palestinian encampment at Cal State L.A. are ardent about their cause. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Though their numbers may be smaller than at some other Los Angeles-area schools, the students who raised the Cal State L.A. encampment are ardent about their cause. They vowed this week to stay until their demands were met, even as the semester wound down and commencement ceremonies took place.

"In terms of demographics, the people who are in there, they may not be related to the Palestinians in that way, but we deeply, deeply care because it's the most devastating thing ever, said one organizer, who provided only her first name, Sarah, for fear of being harassed online. We're students and we're community, and we still care. Those are the values that our families have instilled in us.

Read more: Column: Pringles, plywood and chalk: The supply chain sustaining the Cal State L.A. encampment

Last week, Cal State L.A. President Berenecea Johnson Eanes and other administrative leaders met inside the encampment with the protesters to discuss their demands. Eanes reaffirmed her commitment to allowing the students to continue their encampment as a form of free speech. She agreed to disclose Cal State L.A.'s foundation and auxiliary investments, which campus leaders have control over, and to recommend revisions to its investment policies "by adding a human rights-based approach" and reviewing current investments to align with that policy.

Eanes did not agree to issue a statement supporting a cease-fire in Gaza.

I want to emphasize and I understand, again, that this has been a traumatic experience for many people and many people are suffering pain. It is not lost on me at all, Eanes said. I hope that you see my conversation with you as my ongoing commitment to staying in collaboration and staying in communication.

Many Cal State L.A. students live off campus and hold jobs. "I can't spend days sleeping on a campus," says one student not involved in the Gaza war protests. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Leda Ramos, a professor of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies, was also at the encampment last week, helping students monitor who entered. They welcomed passersby to stop in and ask questions, which some did. Ramos two daughters are also participating in the encampment, she said.

This is a demographic that  it's amazing  that commutes for the most part and really struggles with economic security, and  [there is a] huge number of first-generation students," Ramos said. "So we're aware of how this is such a sacrifice.

One student organizer said she was maintaining a work and class schedule while also staying at the encampment.

"We're not only working-class students going to work, having jobs, but we also know what's going on the world and we've taken it upon ourselves to be here," said Red, who like many of the protesters declined to give her full name for fear of harassment. "It's not that we're unaware. I think the system has made it so that we don't focus on those things."

The community, Ramos noted, has been supportive with donations of food and other items. As Ramos spoke, a woman stopped by to hand one of the organizers a $20 bill. Moments later, a student appeared with a donation of two large jugs of water and offered two thumbs up.

Another student, wearing cap and gown, took a break from graduation photos to chat with the protesters. Thank you for standing up, the student told them. The photographer, also a student, shared her gratitude as well.

Im Lebanese; this has been my reality for my entire life, the student said. She promised to stop by later.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Got a suspended driver's license? Ohio moves to make it easier to get it back

The Ohio Senate voted 31-0 on Wednesday for a bill that would help drivers get their suspended licenses restored more quickly and cut back on the ways Ohioans could lose their licenses in the first place.

Currently, Ohio drivers can lose their licenses for more than 30 reasons, many of which are not related to dangerous driving. Reinstatement fees can ramp up quickly, starting at $15 and maxing out at $650.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles doesn't keep statistics on the total number of current suspensions but on average there are 257,500 suspensions imposed each year.

The Ohio Senate voted 31-0 on Wednesday for a bill that would help drivers get their suspended licenses restored more quickly and cut back on the ways Ohioans could lose their licenses in the first place.

The Ohio Poverty Law Center estimates more than 1 million drivers had suspended licenses from 2016 to 2020, which is one out of every eight licensed drivers across the state. Roughly 60% of the suspensions stemmed from debt-related or other issues not related to dangerous driving, the center said.

A persons ability to pay a fine or a fee should not determine whether they are free to drive, supporters of the bill say.

Senate Bill 37, which still needs to clear the Ohio House, would:

Limit suspensions only to convictions that are related to dangerous driving.

Eliminate authority to revoke, suspend or renew a license for failure to pay court fines and fees.

Wipe out old suspensions from the discontinued program that randomly selected drivers to provide proof of insurance.

Shorten the window in which driving without insurance offenses can be considered repeat offenses from five years to one year.

Increase the opportunities that Ohioans can ask for driving privileges if their licenses were suspended for failure to pay child support.

Eliminate school truancy as a reason for license denial or suspension.

Removes licenses suspensions for drug offenses unrelated to driving.

The bill is opposed by county prosecutors but supported by the ACLU of Ohio, Americans for Prosperity and several other groups.

The bill co-sponsors, Sens. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Twp., and Catherine Ingram, D-Cincinnati, said the legislation doesn't accomplish all the reforms they want but it does remove some barriers.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio moves to limit driver license suspensions to dangerous driving
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, left, and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop are two of the most prominent elected officials who oppose a bill that would revamp the state's public records law. (Baraka photo by New Jersey Governors Office/Fulop photo by Dave Kotinsky-Getty Images for Liberty Science Center)

The mayors of the states two largest cities are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to veto a controversial bill sitting on his desk that would revamp the states public records law.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who are both running for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, criticized the bill as a step backward for government transparency and accountability. The measure would make numerous changes to the Open Public Records Act that critics say are tantamount to gutting the law.

OPRA may need some change but this is not it. Let us find a balanced solution together that addresses the issues without compromising our democratic values. New Jersey deserves nothing less, said Baraka in a statement released Wednesday.

Fulop, meanwhile, said in a statement that Murphy made a bad deal with legislative leaders who support the bill.

There is no other rational reason on why it moved the way it did and why legislators would put themselves out there without a commitment that Murphy would sign it, he said. If Murphy signs this bill this will be his legacy as the governor that moved NJ backwards on both election finance and transparency in a moment when the Democratic Party is asking for stronger and more protective laws.

Murphy spokesperson Tyler Jones declined to comment. Murphy, a Democrat, has declined to say whether he will sign or veto the bill.

Fulop said, based on Murphys actions, it is reasonable to assume the governor has committed to supporting the bill.

The mayors pleas for a veto echo the calls from civil rights groups, press organizations, government watchdogs, and residents who say the Open Public Records Act is a useful tool to hold government officials accountable and have also asked Murphy to kill the bill.

The measure landed on Murphys desk on May 13 after lawmakers fast-tracked the legislation and advanced it out of both chambers with slim margins of support. If Murphy doesnt sign or veto the bill by June 27, it will automatically become law the next time the Senate holds a quorum.

A provision of the bill that has especially angered critics, including Baraka, would end whats called mandatory fee-shifting, a practice that requires governments that lose public records disputes in court to pay the requestors legal fees.

Baraka said this change would lower the compliance rate of records requests. But the mandatory fee-shifting change is only the beginning of the anti-democratic measures in the bill, he added.

Supporters of the bill say the law must be changed because clerks offices statewide are buried under mountains of records requests, many from commercial entities seeking property or court records. And ending mandatory fee-shifting would save taxpayers money, they argue.

Baraka said he understands the burden records requests can put on cities like Newark, the states largest. He agreed the use of the Open Public Records Act by commercial enterprises is an issue, but the bill does little to address it. He pointed to previous bills introduced by former Sen. Loretta Weinberg that aimed to alter that practice but also leaves democracy intact.

I also stand with other mayors who want to push back against those who have weaponized OPRA to make money for themselves, but this is an opportunity for us to stand up for democracy, he said in a video posted to social media.

The post Gov. Murphy should veto public records bill, say mayors of N.J.s two biggest cities appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
Sen. Merrill Piepkorn delivers a speech for his race for governor alongside running mate Patrick Hart on the steps of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on May 21, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

Governor candidate Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, D-Fargo, at a Tuesday news conference criticized Gov. Doug Burgum as an absent leader with divided loyalties.

During the event, Piepkorn and his running mate Patrick Hart  a construction company owner and former state employee  cast themselves as the choice for North Dakota voters who have lost confidence in the states current leadership.

Lets tell the governor to put North Dakota first, Piepkorn said from a podium on the Capitol steps. Lets restore integrity to this house of the people.

Piepkorn spoke disapprovingly of Burgums May 14 appearance at former president Donald Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan.

When a governor is preoccupied and consistently out of his state doing someone elses partisan business, the voters have the right to ask, How much is that individual working for the citizens of North Dakota? Piepkorn said.

Burgum isnt seeking reelection. The governor is believed to be a contender for vice president or another spot in the White House Cabinet, should Trump be reelected.

When Burgum announced in January that he would not seek a third term, he pledged that he would be busy working for the state in his final year, including meeting with state agencies to develop strategic budget proposals before the next legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller is running to replace Burgum as governor. Her running mate is Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen.

The governors recent budget proposals, which recommended that large state agencies downsize their operational budgets by 3%, were subject to criticism from Piepkorn, too.

During a recent presentation on the proposals, Burgum defended his recommendations as in the best interest of the states long-term financial health.

We realize that asking agencies to cut their budgets may seem counterintuitive when our state coffers and reserves are flush with cash, Burgum said at the May 9 event. But the current trajectory of our overall state budget requires us to contain costs, and we must identify additional areas for efficiencies and savings if were to ensure that ongoing revenues can cover expenditures in the long term.

Piepkorn, however, said there are already areas of state government that are underfunded  like pay for rank-and-file state employees.

I think we have to take care of todays needs now, he said.

Piepkorn also said Tuesday that Burgum should have vetoed several bills targeting LGBTQ North Dakotans during the 2023 legislative session.

Burgum signed a handful of bills related to transgender people, including measures that criminalize gender-affirming care for minors, prevent transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identities in schools and some state-owned living facilities, and that forbid transgender girls and women from playing in female K-12 and college sports.

Hart, meanwhile, demanded more transparency from Miller on where Legacy Fund dollars are invested. The Legacy Fund is a trust fund for the state made of oil and tax revenue. Its administered by the State Investment Board, which Miller chairs.

A North Dakota News Cooperative poll indicated that respondents want the state to publish Legacy Fund investments rather than require citizens to file open records requests.

One Bismarck resident, attorney Tory Jackson, asked for a list of Legacy Fund holdings by country and company. In return, he received a 57-page list of investments. Some were not identified by country, but categories like Emerging Markets Region and Global Region instead. Jackson, who wrote a column criticizing the Legacy Fund transparency, has since asked for an attorney generals opinion on whether the state is in violation of open records law.

In response to a request for comment from the North Dakota Monitor, spokesperson Mike Nowatzki said the governors office typically does not comment on attacks by political campaigns.

He said the state is already transparent about Legacy Fund investments, including publishing monthly performance reports. Miller has also defended the transparency of the fund and said the State Investment Board meetings are open to the public.

Hart also condemned what he characterized as pervasive unethical behavior by lawmakers and other high-ranking officials.

We need a strong and well-funded Ethics Commission with the teeth to define the legal and ethical violations, Hart said. We need legislators who have high personal standards and demonstrate respect for all North Dakota, and we need an executive branch that makes sure North Dakota citizens can trust their government working for them.

The post Governor candidate says Burgum too distracted by Trump campaign appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. COP29 is one of the most important global events on combating climate change, Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Tamas Torma said at an international seminar themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and regional perspectives" held at ADA University in Baku on May 22, Trend reports.

The COP29 conference, which is one of the most global events on combating climate change, will be held in Azerbaijan in November, he emphasized.

According to him, relations between Hungary and Azerbaijan are characterized by a wide variety of interactions based on international respect and understanding.

He also mentioned that relations with Hungary are the basis for further and near-term cooperation between Europe and Azerbaijan.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Russian troops have been trying to storm the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast for three days, but the situation is under Ukraine's control, Governor Artem Lysohor told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) on May 22.

Ukrainian forces liberated Bilohorivka, located around 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of the center of Russian-occupied Luhansk, in September 2022. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have captured the village again on May 20.

The situation in Bilohorivka is "really difficult," as well as in the Serebrianskyi Forest near Kreminna and near the villages of Terny and Nevske on the border of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Lysohor said.

"There is an escalation in (the direction of) Bilohorivka now. Our forces control the situation," the Luhansk Oblast governor said.

"The enemy tried to attack the Ternivka direction several times before with columns and (conduct) 'meat assaults' supported by heavy artillery," he added.

Ukrainian soldiers are striking at Russian troops "and fulfilling their tasks," according to Lysohor.

According to Ukraine's General Staff, Russian troops continue their assaults on the town of Chasiv Yar, which has been seen as Russia's next target in Donetsk Oblast.

Russia also launched a new offensive with a reported 30,000 troops on May 10, targeting Kharkiv Oblast, which is situated near the two countries' shared border in northeastern Ukraine.

Moscow's forces had managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) in the region but had been halted by the first line of defense, President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week.

Read also: Zelensky: Situation in Donetsk Oblast difficult but there is military success in Kharkiv Oblast

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Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen was remembered by his daughter as "a wonderful man and he had years ahead of him"

ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Stock image of a Singapore Airlines flight

A British passenger who died after a Singapore Airlines flight was hit with "severe turbulence" has been identified as Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen, according to BBC, The Telegraph and Gloucestershire Live. He was 73.

Kitchen and Linda, his wife of more than 50 years, were on Flight SQ321 from Heathrow Airport in London to Singapore when it unexpectedly hit rough air at 37,000 high in Myanmar on Tuesday, May 21. The Boeing 777-300ER, which had about 210 passengers and 18 crew members on board, then fell 6,000 feet. It made an emergency landing in Bangkok at 9:45 a.m. local time, Singapore Airlines said in a statement.

Kitchen died after having a suspected heart attack, authorities at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok said, according to The Telegraph, The BBC and The Independent. Nearly 70 others were injured.

Kitchen's daughter Anna Proctor told The Telegraph that Kitchen, a grandfather, retiree and trustee of a critically acclaimed local music theater, was an "extremely kind, loving and gentle man."

Xinhua/Shutterstock Ambulances are seen outside the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand on May 21, 2024

Related: 1 Dead and Several Injured After Flight from London to Singapore Hit by Severe Turbulence

She remembered him as a wonderful man and he had years ahead of him and obviously we are completely devastated. He was a legend, he was."

In his final hours, Kitchen and his wife left their Thornbury, Gloucestershire home for a six-week "holiday of a lifetime." Kitchen moved to Thornbury over 30 years ago, and ran as an independent for Thornbury Town Council for the North East Ward in May 2023. He had experienced heart issues in the past, however, his neighbors said he lived a healthy life.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Singapore Airlines said that the flight "encountered severe turbulence en-route."

It added, "We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased."

Passengers on the plane recounted the incident, with Andrew Davies telling PEOPLE, It was a very scary experience."

I fly a lot and never had an experience even close to that," Davies continued. "Im glad to be on the ground. The Singapore Airlines staff were great, but were badly injured too.





Thornbury Musical Group also mourned Kitchen's death on Facebook. It posted a photo of Kitchen and wrote in part, "Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.



Xinhua/Shutterstock Rescuers wait for passengers outside the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand on May 21, 2024

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Adding, "His commitment to TMTG was unquestionable and he has served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding various offices within the group, including Chairman, Treasurer and most recently Secretary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy."

In its latest update shared on Facebook Tuesday, Singapore Airlines said 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived in Singapore on a "relief flight," and transportation to their home or hotel has been arranged. Those who had a layover in Singapore were rebooked on "alternate flights" and provided with access to the lounge or a hotel so they could "rest until their next flight."

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Read the original article on People.
He Was Granted Clemency After Trying to Strangle a Dog. Then He Killed 3 Women, Say Police

Jesse Lee Calhoun has been charged with murder in connection with the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster and Joanna Speaks, authorities say

Multnomah County District Attorney; Clark Co. Sheriff's Office; Multnomah County District Attorney Bridget Leanne Webster (left), Joanna Speaks and Charity Perry

An Oregon man is accused of killing three women throughout April 2023 after he'd been granted clemency, which sprung him from prison after multiple prior convictions  including one for attempting to strangle a dog.

Jesse Lee Calhoun is now charged with three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, May 17.

The women were found dead "under suspicious circumstances" in different parts of Washington State and Oregon throughout April 2023, per police.

On April 9, Speaks was found dead near an abandoned barn in Ridgefield, Wash., and a medical examiner determined her cause of death to be blunt force trauma to her head and neck, KOIN reported in November, citing Portland Police Bureau and the Clark County Medical Examiners Office.

Later that month, on April 24, Perry was found dead near Ainsworth State Park in Oregon under suspicious circumstances, but police did not provide further details, per KOIN.

Days later, on April 30, Webster was found dead under "suspicious circumstances" near a park in Polk County, Ore., KOIN reported, citing the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

Related: Deaths of 4 Women in 3 Months Are Linked, Say Authorities in Oregon

Oregon Department of Corrections via AP Jesse Lee Calhoun

At the time of the killings, Calhoun was out of prison after being granted clemency in July 2021, per KOIN and the Associated Press.

He had been serving a four-year sentence following convictions for assault of a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog and burglary, among other offenses, per the Associated Press.

He was sent back to a detention facility in June 2023 for an alleged parole violation, per KOIN and KATU.

His clemency was revoked in July 2023 because he was allegedly "involved in criminal activity currently under investigation," Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said, per KOIN.

Authorities said in July that they had a person of interest in the killings of the three women, per KOIN. Investigators did not immediately name him, but KOIN identified Calhoun to be the person of interest.

At the time of his murder indictments, Calhoun was in custody at a correctional facility in Oregon and awaiting his transfer to Multnomah County's custody, the DA's office said in their statement.



Related: Ore. Man Charged with the Murders of 3 Women Who Were Found Dead Under 'Suspicious Circumstances'

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Calhoun is currently charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of abuse of a corpse, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office statement.

He has been at the Oregon correctional facility since July 2023, PEOPLE previously reported, citing jail records.

It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.



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Read the original article on People.
New Land Enterprises has proposed including a third-floor rooftop pool, golf simulator, community room and other amenities in an eight-story, downtown Green Bay project it is discussing with city officials.

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay City Council considered two contentious housing proposals during its meeting Tuesday, but approved only one.

Concerned neighbors of both projects provided close to three hours of passionate comment to the City Council during a meeting that turned the spotlight on the region's need for thousands more housing units at almost every price point.

"I'm personally and professionally aware of the housing crisis in this community and country," Mayor Eric Genrich said at the meeting's start. "My hope is we do what we can tonight to meet that need."

The council approved New Land Enterprises' plans to build an eight-story, $55 million high-rise in the center of downtown Green Bay and pledged to work with stakeholders in the building next door to resolve their concerns.

But it asked city staff to resolve some unanswered questions before it acted on Veterans 1st of NEW's request to build a "cottage court" of 21 tiny homes for veterans in an east-side neighborhood whose residents strongly oppose the plan.

A tentative eight-story, downtown Green Bay luxury apartment building would include 5,000 square feet of retail space along Washington Street. New Land Enterprises and the city of Green Bay continue to work on a development agreement for the project in April 2024.

Milwaukee developer's luxury apartments approved in downtown Green Bay

New Land can proceed with its plan to convert the city-owned surface parking lot at 221 Cherry St., commonly known as the Adams Street parking lot, into an eight-story high-rise building complete with enclosed tenant parking, first-floor commercial space for a restaurant, and a package of high-end amenities that includes a third floor rooftop pool.

The group plans to build a J-shaped building oriented toward the Fox River with a mix of apartments that includes eight townhouse-style units along Cherry Street and eight multi-floor penthouse units. The city agreed to sell New Land the property for $1 and provide at least $8.5 million in tax incremental financing assistance to the project.

New Land encountered several concerns during community meetings including the loss of 120 parking spaces close to downtown businesses and the building's impact on its closest neighbors. Members of Spring Lake Church and the housing nonprofit Gateway Collective, two owner-tenants of Baylake City Center, the building next door to the parking lot, said the luxury high-rise would force them to undertake costly renovations to move their entrances.

Discussions between key stakeholders and city officials leads to hope for 'win-win-win'

On Tuesday, Spring Lake Lead Pastor Jack Guerra said recent conversations between city officials and Baylake City Center tenants had identified "ways we can work together" to get answers to the tenants' concerns and address issues like parking spaces for people with disabilities. And city staff said they've already started to review plans that would see Baylake City Center tenants reorient their entrances away from what will be a large building wall and toward Adams, Washington or Northland streets.

"I believe there is a win-win-win in this. Our goal, as your goal, is to bless downtown. Let's work work together to make downtown Green Bay better," Guerra said.

The City Council did add one condition to the development agreement before approving it: New Land would be required to provide an easement to the city for the five feet of the property it doesn't plan to build on. The aim is to ensure New Land, Baylake City Center and the city can partner on a plan to activate the space between the two buildings.

Veterans 1st of NEW's site plan calls for construction of 21 tiny houses, two parking lots, a community center and gardens on a piece of Brown County-donated land in the 2800 block of St. Anthony Drive in Green Bay, Wis. Veterans Manor, a separate development, is the building north of the site.

Supportive housing cottage court for veterans delayed to get answers to 'real legal issues' after late clarification from Brown County

More than 20 people spoke about Veterans 1st of NEW's request to develop a cottage court of 21 tiny homes on 3 acres in the 2800 block of St. Anthony Drive in the Schmitt Park neighborhood. One resident said the proposal had "torn apart" the neighborhood association's board and damaged an outstanding neighborhood in five months' time.

Opponents continued to question everything from the qualifications of Veterans 1st of NEW to the legality of Brown County's December vote to donate the land in question to whether the site overlaps with a potters field of unmarked graves from the 19th century.

But the council decided to refer Veterans 1st of NEW's request back to city staff to get legal clarification on a couple of issues, including a late clarification from Brown County's attorney that said the county-approved land donation to Veterans 1st for a project that exclusively provides housing and services for veterans, not veteran-preferred housing as previously discussed.

"I'm not suggesting the county has put us in a bind with that last bit of news, but it creates some real legal issues that are unclear to all of us," Genrich said. He later added the city, county, neighbors and Veterans 1st need "clear understanding" of the county's explanation.

Council members also said they hoped doing more work on some of the issues, including the location of the potters field, might get more support from the neighborhood.

Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay City Council approves one of two contentious housing plans
Group allegedly stole, cashed checks throughout L.A. and Orange counties  then posted it on Instagram

A post office in Upland similar to this one was targeted by check bandits. (Google Maps)

A group of Southern Californians allegedly stole mail and checks from post offices throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, often hitting several locations in a single day  then turned to social media for help cashing in on their haul.

Authorities are accusing Antonio Hernandez and confederates Ivan Murillo-Hernandez and Alexis Garcia Martinez of ripping off mail from unsuspecting venues with the help of four juveniles, whose names were not released. They then allegedly went on social media to solicit people with bank accounts to help them fraudulently cash the stolen checks.

Check amounts ranged from the low four figures  $1,500, $1,725 and $1,800  to a whopping $555,099.14 on one light pink business check. Total damages to financial institutions tallied more than $800,000 over a 10-month spree that ended in August 2023, authorities allege.

Sometimes the check crew would even post Instagram reels of their police chases or of them flashing thousands of dollars in cash, asking followers for likes, according to court documents.

A grand injury responded to their attention requests last week with indictments against Hernandez, Murillo-Hernandez and Martinez on felony charges, including bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, robbery of a post office and mail theft.

The three are expected back in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on June 20 for a pretrial conference.

Hernandez and Alexis Garcia Martinezs legal representation could not be reached. The lawyer representing Murillo-Hernandez did not offer a comment.

Read more: In one of L.A.'s largest cash heists ever, burglars steal as much as $30 million from vault

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, a federal agency that protects postal facilities and mail carriers and investigates crimes involving mail, anchored the investigation into the check ring with the help of law enforcement agencies from various counties.

The 22-page indictment accuses the crew of various incidents across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County between Nov. 14, 2002 and Aug. 18, 2023.

Many of the post offices they hit either had unlocked doors, back entrances, docks or unmanned areas that enabled the thefts.

On April 4, 2023, crew members allegedly stole mail from an Upland post office via an open back door, according to court documents. Hernandez, who the Postal Inspection Service believes is a member of the Northeast Los Angeles Avenues gang, is alleged to have pushed a postal employee who attempted to take a photo of the license plate of the getaway vehicle, a silver Toyota Camry.

That same day, the indictment alleges, Hernandez, Murillo-Hernandez and three co-conspirators stole mail from an Anaheim post office, then drove to a restaurant parking lot on South State College Boulevard and opened the pilfered mail. Envelopes that contained checks were kept while everything else was discarded into a nearby dumpster.

When an Anaheim Police cruiser pulled near the silver Camry, the crew fled in what became a high-speed chase on the 57 and 60 freeways, according to court documents.

The crew reached Rowland Heights before stopping, abandoning the vehicle and taking off on foot, the indictment alleges, and Hernandez and one other person successfully evaded capture.

Read more: GardaWorld heist: The reason $30 million was in a Sylmar warehouse and not a bank

One of the alleged co-conspirators who was caught posted a video that evening of a police car blasting its warning lights, apparently as seen from the passenger-side rearview mirror of the car being pursued. The co-conspirator asked followers to like the post, according to court documents.

About a month passed before another duo of co-conspirators stole checks from the docks of a post office in El Segundo on June 8, according to court documents. That day, the indictment alleges, the crew also hit a post office in West Hills. Its in that theft that the group ripped off a check for $555,099.25 from a West Hills business' Chase Bank account, the indictment says.

The following day, an Instagram story from a co-conspirator was reposted by Hernandez that showed three stolen pink checks from a Chase account, according to the indictment. A caption read, The lil homie came through with the slips. Thank you, my boy. Slips, in this reference, is slang for checks.

Despite their brassiness, the gang was also deterred by small measures, authorities say.

They fled a La Mirada post office on March 2, 2023, because a postal employee approached them, the indictment says. Two days later, an attempt to hit a La Canada Flintridge post office was thwarted by a locked door, according to court documents.

Read more: They robbed banks in L.A.'s heist heyday. Freed from prison, can they resist the lifestyle?

Once they stole checks, however, they turned to social media for a payday, the indictment alleges. The crew looked for people with long-established bank accounts to cash the checks so they could access their money more quickly, according to court documents.

To persuade third parties to cash the checks, crew members often claimed to be the rightful recipients and offered to share a portion of the proceeds, hiding the fact that the checks had been stolen, the indictment alleges. Some of the crew also sold stolen checks rather than cashing them, according to court documents.

Law enforcement eventually caught up with Hernandez and the one alleged co-conspirator who'd evaded capture on Aug. 18, 2023, raiding the home they shared.

Hernandez published one last Instagram story that day, according to court documents, saying, I got raided by FBI earlier delete anything you got of [sic] me.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Group of congressmen call on Pentagon to allow Ukraine to attack targets in Russia

The US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee issued an appeal from both parties to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to authorise Ukraine to attack targets in Russia and to expand Ukrainian F-16 fighter training.

Source: US House Intelligence Committee on Twitter (X); Voice of America; Michael Turner on Twitter (X)

Details: According to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Michael Turner, Ukraine should be permitted to strike critical targets in Russia under specific conditions.

Lawmakers feel Ukrainians are unable to properly defend themselves due to the Biden administration's strategy, so it must be changed.

Quote from Turner: "Ukrainian officials have expressed grave concerns, stating that the situation is worse than ever.

The United States should authorise Ukraine to use weapons capable of striking targets within Russia under certain circumstances, train additional Ukrainian F-16 pilots, and bolster Ukraines air defence systems."

The letter, signed by 13 congressmen on 21 May, reads: "Our Ukrainian allies are requesting permission to use certain weapons provided by the United States to conduct operations on strategic targets inside Russian and Russian-controlled territory It is essential the Biden Administration allows Ukraine's military leaders an ability to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russia's unprovoked attack on their sovereign land.

There remains a critical need for a substantial number of trained pilots to operate these aircraft as the F-16 fighter jets become available to Ukraine.

Graduating 12 Ukrainian pilots is simply insufficient. Ukraine is at war and slots for Ukraine must be prioritised over other foreign countries."

More details: Lawmakers also point out that Kyiv is asking for at least seven additional Patriot systems to protect "large urban areas": "We ask that you work with us to expedite resources as our friends in Ukraine continue to defend their territory against Russia's brutal assault and aggression."

Several Democratic representatives signed the letter, including Jim Himes, Brendan Boyle, Andre Carson, and Jason Crow.

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Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and a coalition of medical officers advocated Tuesday for Congress to pass stronger gun safety laws.

Congress should build on the 2022 gun control law following high-profile mass shootings, Durbin, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and about 80 members of OnCall4Kids, a group of doctors and healthcare professionals that advocates for stricter gun laws, said at a Tuesday press conference.

There is a constant in America, and one that Im very embarrassed to say we have allowed to transpire and to exist for too long a period of time, and that is gun violence, Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said.

Speakers included Emily and Elliot Lieberman of Illinois and Ashlee Jaffe of Pennsylvania who survived the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed.

It is unlikely that Ill ever be able to do my job again as a result of my injuries, Jaffe, a pediatric physiatrist, who was shot in the hand and sustained nerve damage, said.

The speakers pushed for Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, legislation to regulate the storage of firearms and restrictions on the sale, transfer and receipt of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and high capacity magazines.

But in a divided Congress, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans holding a majority in the House, any gun safety legislation is unlikely to pass.

Durbin called for voters to elect candidates who would enact gun-safety legislation.

What we need to do and say as American voters: Were going to the polls to elect women and men who have a sense of responsibility to change this once and for all, to take away these gun threats, Durbin said.

The press conference came ahead of Fridays two-year anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

We are losing a generation of children in this country to the trauma of gun violence, Murphy said.

That mass shooting, coupled with another in Buffalo, New York, where a white supremacist targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood and killed 10 Black people, led to the passage of gun safety legislation in 2022.

Murphy led the coalition of 20 bipartisan senators to pass the legislation.

That law led to the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, allocated $750 million for states to enact red flag laws, provided $11 billion in mental health services for schools and families and aimed to curb the illegal trafficking of guns known as straw purchases, in which a buyer can acquire a gun for someone else.

Incremental progress

While the legislation was historic  it was the first time in 30 years Congress passed a comprehensive gun safety bill  many Democrats noted that it did not ban assault weapons, a term that generally refers to semiautomatic rifles, or high-capacity magazines.

Shooters used those weapons in seven of the most deadly mass shootings in the last decade, according to the Giffords Law Center, an organization that conducts research on gun violence and advocates to end it.

Let us not judge the legislation for what it does not do, but for what it does, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said at the time of the bills passage in the House.

Several of the speakers from OnCall4Kids mentioned they were grateful for the gun safety legislation that Congress passed nearly two years ago, but that more needed to be done.

Incremental progress is still progress, Emily Lieberman said. However, death rates from firearms continue to climb.

Elliot Lieberman said that the leading cause of death for children is firearms.

If your child dies in this country, the most likely reason will not be a drowning accident. It wont be a car crash and not even cancer, Elliot said. Its a bullet.

Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency physician in Atlanta, advocated for laws to require safe storage of firearms. She said those kinds of laws could have saved the lives of several of her patients  including a one-month-old  who were unintentionally shot by other children

These patients haunt me, she said. Their needless, senseless loss haunts me. The piercing cries of their parents haunt me.

The post Gun safety group, U.S. Senate architects of 2022 law call for stricter measures appeared first on Source New Mexico.
Police gather following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.

Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. As the two-year anniversary of the shooting approaches, gun control advocates are pushing for stricter laws. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and a coalition of medical officers advocated Tuesday for Congress to pass stronger gun safety laws.

Congress should build on the 2022 gun control law following high-profile mass shootings, Durbin, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and about 80 members of OnCall4Kids, a group of doctors and health care professionals that advocates for stricter gun laws, said at a Tuesday press conference.

There is a constant in America, and one that Im very embarrassed to say we have allowed to transpire and to exist for too long a period of time, and that is gun violence, Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said.

Speakers included Emily and Elliot Lieberman of Illinois and Ashlee Jaffe of Pennsylvania who survived the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed.

It is unlikely that Ill ever be able to do my job again as a result of my injuries, Jaffe, a pediatric physiatrist, who was shot in the hand and sustained nerve damage, said.

The speakers pushed for Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, legislation to regulate the storage of firearms and restrictions on the sale, transfer and receipt of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and high capacity magazines.

But in a divided Congress, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans holding a majority in the House, any gun safety legislation is unlikely to pass.

Durbin called for voters to elect candidates who would enact gun-safety legislation.

What we need to do and say as American voters: Were going to the polls to elect women and men who have a sense of responsibility to change this once and for all, to take away these gun threats, Durbin said.

The press conference came ahead of Fridays two-year anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

We are losing a generation of children in this country to the trauma of gun violence, Murphy said.

That mass shooting, coupled with another in Buffalo, New York, where a white supremacist targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood and killed 10 Black people, led to the passage of gun safety legislation in 2022.

Murphy led the coalition of 20 bipartisan senators to pass the legislation.

That law led to the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, allocated $750 million for states to enact red flag laws, provided $11 billion in mental health services for schools and families and aimed to curb the illegal trafficking of guns known as straw purchases, in which a buyer can acquire a gun for someone else.

Incremental progress

While the legislation was historic  it was the first time in 30 years Congress passed a comprehensive gun safety bill  many Democrats noted that it did not ban assault weapons, a term that generally refers to semiautomatic rifles, or high-capacity magazines.

Shooters used those weapons in seven of the most deadly mass shootings in the last decade, according to the Giffords Law Center, an organization that conducts research on gun violence and advocates to end it.

Let us not judge the legislation for what it does not do, but for what it does, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said at the time of the bills passage in the House.

Several of the speakers from OnCall4Kids mentioned they were grateful for the gun safety legislation that Congress passed nearly two years ago, but that more needed to be done.

Incremental progress is still progress, Emily Lieberman said. However, death rates from firearms continue to climb.

Elliot Lieberman said that the leading cause of death for children is firearms.

If your child dies in this country, the most likely reason will not be a drowning accident. It wont be a car crash and not even cancer, Elliot said. Its a bullet.

Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency physician in Atlanta, advocated for laws to require safe storage of firearms. She said those kinds of laws could have saved the lives of several of her patients  including a one-month-old  who were unintentionally shot by other children

These patients haunt me, she said. Their needless, senseless loss haunts me. The piercing cries of their parents haunt me.

The post Gun safety group, U.S. Senate architects of 2022 law call for stricter measures appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. As the two-year anniversary of the shooting approaches, gun control advocates are pushing for stricter laws. (Brandon Bell | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and a coalition of medical officers advocated Tuesday for Congress to pass stronger gun safety laws.

Congress should build on the 2022 gun control law following high-profile mass shootings, Durbin, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy, and about 80 members of OnCall4Kids, a group of doctors and health care professionals that advocates for stricter gun laws, said at a Tuesday press conference.

There is a constant in America, and one that Im very embarrassed to say we have allowed to transpire and to exist for too long a period of time, and that is gun violence, Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said.

Speakers included Emily and Elliot Lieberman of Illinois and Ashlee Jaffe of Pennsylvania, who survived the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed.

It is unlikely that Ill ever be able to do my job again as a result of my injuries, said Jaffe, a pediatric physiatrist, who was shot in the hand and sustained nerve damage.

The speakers pushed for Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, legislation to regulate the storage of firearms, and restrictions on the sale, transfer, and receipt of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and high capacity magazines.

But in a divided Congress, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans holding a majority in the House, any gun safety legislation is unlikely to pass.

Durbin called for voters to elect candidates who would enact gun-safety legislation.

What we need to do and say as American voters: Were going to the polls to elect women and men who have a sense of responsibility to change this once and for all, to take away these gun threats, Durbin said.

The press conference came ahead of Fridays two-year anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

We are losing a generation of children in this country to the trauma of gun violence, Murphy said.

That mass shooting, coupled with another in Buffalo, New York, where a white supremacist targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood and killed 10 Black people, led to the passage of gun safety legislation in 2022.

Murphy led the coalition of 20 bipartisan senators to pass the legislation.

That law led to the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, allocated $750 million for states to enact red flag laws, provided $11 billion in mental health services for schools and families and aimed to curb the illegal trafficking of guns known as straw purchases, in which a buyer can acquire a gun for someone else.

Incremental progress

While the legislation was historic  it was the first time in 30 years Congress passed a comprehensive gun safety bill  many Democrats noted that it did not ban assault weapons, a term that generally refers to semiautomatic rifles, or high-capacity magazines.

Shooters used those weapons in seven of the most deadly mass shootings in the last decade, according to the Giffords Law Center, an organization that conducts research on gun violence and advocates to end it.

Let us not judge the legislation for what it does not do, but for what it does, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said at the time of the bills passage in the House.

Several of the speakers from OnCall4Kids mentioned they were grateful for the gun safety legislation that Congress passed nearly two years ago, but that more needed to be done.

Incremental progress is still progress, Emily Lieberman said. However, death rates from firearms continue to climb.

Elliot Lieberman said that the leading cause of death for children is firearms.

If your child dies in this country, the most likely reason will not be a drowning accident. It wont be a car crash and not even cancer, Elliot said. Its a bullet.

Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency physician in Atlanta, advocated for laws to require safe storage of firearms. She said those kinds of laws could have saved the lives of several of her patients  including a 1-month-old  who were unintentionally shot by other children

These patients haunt me, she said. Their needless, senseless loss haunts me. The piercing cries of their parents haunt me.

The post Gun safety group, U.S. Senate architects of 2022 law call for stricter measures appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. As the two-year anniversary of the shooting approaches, gun control advocates are pushing for stricter laws. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and a coalition of medical officers advocated Tuesday for Congress to pass stronger gun safety laws.

Congress should build on the 2022 gun control law following high-profile mass shootings, Durbin, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and about 80 members of OnCall4Kids, a group of doctors and healthcare professionals that advocates for stricter gun laws, said at a Tuesday press conference.

There is a constant in America, and one that Im very embarrassed to say we have allowed to transpire and to exist for too long a period of time, and that is gun violence, Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said.

Speakers included Emily and Elliot Lieberman of Illinois and Ashlee Jaffe of Pennsylvania who survived the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed.

It is unlikely that Ill ever be able to do my job again as a result of my injuries, Jaffe, a pediatric physiatrist, who was shot in the hand and sustained nerve damage, said.

The speakers pushed for Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, legislation to regulate the storage of firearms and restrictions on the sale, transfer and receipt of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and high capacity magazines.

But in a divided Congress, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans holding a majority in the House, any gun safety legislation is unlikely to pass.

Durbin called for voters to elect candidates who would enact gun-safety legislation.

What we need to do and say as American voters: Were going to the polls to elect women and men who have a sense of responsibility to change this once and for all, to take away these gun threats, Durbin said.

The press conference came ahead of Fridays two-year anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

We are losing a generation of children in this country to the trauma of gun violence, Murphy said.

That mass shooting, coupled with another in Buffalo, New York, where a white supremacist targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood and killed 10 Black people, led to the passage of gun safety legislation in 2022.

Murphy led the coalition of 20 bipartisan senators to pass the legislation.

That law led to the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, allocated $750 million for states to enact red flag laws, provided $11 billion in mental health services for schools and families and aimed to curb the illegal trafficking of guns known as straw purchases, in which a buyer can acquire a gun for someone else.

Incremental progress

While the legislation was historic  it was the first time in 30 years Congress passed a comprehensive gun safety bill  many Democrats noted that it did not ban assault weapons, a term that generally refers to semiautomatic rifles, or high-capacity magazines.

Shooters used those weapons in seven of the most deadly mass shootings in the last decade, according to the Giffords Law Center, an organization that conducts research on gun violence and advocates to end it.

Let us not judge the legislation for what it does not do, but for what it does, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said at the time of the bills passage in the House.

Several of the speakers from OnCall4Kids mentioned they were grateful for the gun safety legislation that Congress passed nearly two years ago, but that more needed to be done.

Incremental progress is still progress, Emily Lieberman said. However, death rates from firearms continue to climb.

Elliot Lieberman said that the leading cause of death for children is firearms.

If your child dies in this country, the most likely reason will not be a drowning accident. It wont be a car crash and not even cancer, Elliot said. Its a bullet.

Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency physician in Atlanta, advocated for laws to require safe storage of firearms. She said those kinds of laws could have saved the lives of several of her patients  including a one-month-old  who were unintentionally shot by other children

These patients haunt me, she said. Their needless, senseless loss haunts me. The piercing cries of their parents haunt me.

The post Gun safety group, U.S. Senate architects of 2022 law call for stricter measures appeared first on Michigan Advance.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. COP29 presents a good opportunity for the world to advance the climate agenda, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Zoltan Szalai said at an international seminar themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and regional perspectives," held at ADA University in Baku on May 22, Trend reports.

This year's COP29 conference will be held in Azerbaijan. I think it will be an important political opportunity not only for this country but also for the whole world to promote the climate agenda, he emphasized.

According to him, the EU cooperates closely not only with universities but also with the Azerbaijani government in the field of combating climate change.

Within the framework of EU cooperation with Azerbaijan at bilateral and regional levels, the EU is ready to explore ways to intensify our climate action without negative consequences. For example, assisting Azerbaijan to promote its climate policy concerning the transportation sector, he added.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Deputies are searching for at least one gunman after a man was found dead in a Rowland Heights neighborhood overnight.

The shooting was reported around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at a home on the 2500 block of Doubletree Lane. Several squatters had reportedly lived at the home, according to neighbors.

The victim was only identified as a 34-year-old man from Hacienda Heights.

Deputies responding to the residence near the end of a cul de sac found the man lying on the driveway and suffering from a gunshot wound to his neck, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Deputies investigate a fatal shooting in Rowland Heights on May 21, 2024.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, or suspects, fled the location in an unknown direction.

Authorities have not announced a motive for the shooting.

Andres Arevalo, who lives nearby, said that news of the shooting in his neighborhood surprised him.

This is a little bit shocking  Kind of scary because Ive got my kids here so were definitely going to be locking the doors, Arevalo said.

Victim in heinous Venice Canal sexual assault declared brain dead

Several surveillance cameras located in the neighborhood may help with the investigation.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Sheriffs Department at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Thirteen people, including a gynecologist and two pharmacists, have been sentenced for their participation in a pill mill operation in metro Atlanta.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Anthony Mills, M.D., 57, was a medical doctor, licensed to practice in Georgia since 1997 as a gynecologist.

Buchanan said Mills operated a pill mill out of his home since at least October of 2018, giving hundreds of prescriptions for controlled substances (such as large amounts of oxycodone) to addicts and drug dealers for cash.

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Mills did not have a traditional patient-doctor relationship with these people.

Instead, he often issued prescriptions without ever meeting or evaluating the recipients.

Some of the prescriptions issued were in the names of people who were dead or in jail or whose identities had been stolen at the time he wrote the prescriptions.

Channel 2 Action News first reported on Mills in 2021 when Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes knocked on the door of the southwest Atlanta home where federal agents said he lived.

He did not answer. Neighbors said he moved out after his house was raided.

Many of the illegitimate prescriptions were filled by licensed pharmacist Raphael Ogunsusi, RPh, 71, through his pharmacies, Evansmill Pharmacy and Retox Pharmacy located in Stonecrest and Conyers.

Buchanan said Ogunsusi accepted large cash payments to fill the prescriptions, which he knew were illegal.

He would charge way over market value for the illegal prescriptions - as much as $900 to fill just one prescription for oxycodone and $500 to fill one prescription for Percocet.

Ogunsusi would require the people filling the illegal prescriptions to buy many other non-controlled substances, which he called the Shebang.

That way he could maximize his profits and conceal that most of his customers only wanted to fill prescriptions for controlled substances at his pharmacies.

Ogunsusi also instructed his pharmacy employees, including another licensed pharmacist, to fill the illegal prescriptions.

In addition to Mills, Ogunsusi, and the other pharmacist, 10 people who filled prescriptions and sold them to drug users were sentenced.

Mills, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to 11 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

Ogunsusi, of Conyers, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and money laundering and was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison and one year of supervised release.

Moses Kirigwi, RPh, 32, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to using a telephone in connection with the unlawful dispensing and distribution of prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to 90 days in prison and one year of supervised release with the first three months served in home detention.

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Thomika Riley, 50, of McDonough, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to six years and six months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Brittany Tinker, 30, of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to six years and six months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Natalie Jackson, 40, of East Point, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to four years and three months in prison and two years of supervised release.

Rogerick Smith, 46, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Keandre Bates, 31, of Decatur, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Jeana Alston, 43, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to three years and one month in prison and two years of supervised release.

Chafulumisa Lisbon, 33, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Javon Hamilton, 34, of Bluffton, South Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Marcena Jordan, 30, of Albany, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

Travious Polain, 33, of Decatur, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense and distribute prescription controlled substances and was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Pharmaceutical products that are distributed for non-medical reasons can be just as deadly as illicit drugs, Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division said. Dr. Mills distributed vast quantities of pharmaceutical products and had total disregard for human life. The moment he decided to illegally distribute drugs, he became nothing more than a drug trafficker.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Paul Senft, a former Polk County commissioner and longtime leader in Republican Party politics, died Tuesday at age 84.

Senft, a resident of Haines City for nearly five decades, helped create the citys Economic Development Council and served as its executive director for several years.

He really took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew, Cyndi Jantomaso, president and CEO of the Haines City EDC, said Wednesday. He was just a great mentor. Hes been on my speed dial all the way up to now. He passed the gavel in 2013, but he was always part of the EDC.

Henry Paul Senft Jr. was born in Macon, Georgia, and attended high school in Atlanta before earning a bachelors degree from Emory University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University, according to an obituary shared by his family. During college, he enlisted in the Air Force National Guard and was called to duty during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

Senft worked as a hospital administrator in Georgia and held leadership roles in Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Puerto Rico, the obituary said. In 1975, he moved to Haines City to acquire his father-in-law's insurance agency, which became Townsend-Senft Consulting and Insurance Inc.

He and his wife, Chere Townsend Senft, lived in the house in which Chere was born, Jantomaso said.

Senft helped form the Haines City EDC in the early 2000s and became the executive director of the private, nonprofit organization in 2007. He regularly brought his golden retriever, Butters, into the office, Jantomaso said.

Butters was part of the organization, she said. When I went for my interview, Butters was there. So I went up for my interview, and of course, the first thing I'm greeted by this beautiful golden retriever and I'm like, Oh, I have got to work here.

Paul Senft was appointed to the Polk County Commission by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2003 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Charles Richardson. He won an election in 2004 to fill out the remainder of Richardson's term, then opted not to seek re-election in 2006.

Jantomaso said she has continued the tradition by making her dog, Murphy, a West Highland white terrier, a member of the office. When Butters died within the past two years, Jantomaso was surprised to learn that Senft had obtained a golden retriever puppy, even at his advanced age.

Until the end, let me tell you something, Paul had to do something every single day, she said. He was involved in something. He never was stagnant.

Power Line Road extension It's Polk County's largest developer-constructed road project

In 2003, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Senft to fill a vacancy on the Polk County Commission created by the death of Charles Richardson. Senft gained election in 2004 to serve the remainder of Richardsons term and opted not to run again in 2006.

On the County Commission, Senft helped to pass a tourism development tax and an indigent healthcare tax and to establish the municipal services tax unit for libraries and parks. Those votes earned criticism from some fellow conservatives opposed to tax increases.

Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Senft in 2008 to the Board of Governors of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, whose jurisdiction includes most of Polk County and all or part of 15 other counties. Senft held the position for 11 years, taking on the role of board chair from 2011 to 2013.

He also served three terms as president of the Haines City Chamber of Commerce and was a founder of the Central Florida Economic Development Council, the obituary said. Among other volunteer roles, Senft served on the Polk County Planning Board and the boards of Polk State College, Florida Citrus Mutual and what is now AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital.

Senft had an impact on Republican Party politics well beyond Polk County. He was one of Floridas three voting members of the Republican National Committee from 2004 to 2012.

Besides helping create the Haines City Economic Development Council and serving as its leader, he also served three terms as president of the Haines City Chamber of Commerce and was a founder of the Central Florida Economic Development Council.

Jantomaso, who grew up in Massachusetts and had little interest in politics, said that Senft invited her to join him at the 2012 Republican National Convention, held in Tampa.

I got a staunch education on the Republican Party, she said. And that day, I went from a Democrat to a Republican, changed my affiliation, and then became very active with Paul in the Republican Party.

Jim Guth, a past chair of the Polk County Republican Party, attended the 2016 National Republican Convention in Cleveland as a Florida delegate and recalled a stream of well-wishers stopping to greet Senft, the former national committeeman.

He had already retired from that position, but it was clear to me that he had made quite an impression, Guth said in an email.

Senft served in various roles with First Presbyterian Church of Haines City for more than 40 years, the obituary said. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, two daughters and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 104 Scenic Highway (S.R. 544), in Haines City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Way Center or to First Presbyterian Church of Haines City.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Paul Senft, former Polk commissioner and GOP activist, dies at 84
Haiti police to head security mission set to deploy by end of May, transition council says

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's national police force will take charge of a much-awaited U.N.-backed security mission set to launch by the end of this month, Haiti's transition council said on Tuesday.

Police will oversee the force, meant to wrest back control over large swathes of Haiti from gangs, and will make decisions on its "makeup, objectives, rules of engagement and health measures," the transition council said on X.

Last year, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the mission's deployment. However, progress has lagged as Haiti has fallen into further chaos, which saw interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry pushed out and an interim council installed in April.

Kenya has offered 1,000 officers to lead the force, though their deployment has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges despite construction on a base to house them underway.

Kenyan President William Ruto will visit Washington this week to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The two are expected to speak about Haiti.

Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh have also pledged personnel to the force.

Other foreign governments have been reluctant to take part in the mission. Many Haitians have also been wary of international interventions after previous U.N. missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals.

"Haiti, through the Haitian National Police, will have overall control over the mission on the ground," the transition council said, adding it "should be deployed before the end of May."

Haiti's police are up against heavily armed gangs, worsening humanitarian conditions and lack equipment and infrastructure. Some 80 police officers were killed in action, died in accidents or disappeared last year, according to a union report.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry in Mexico City and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Wednesday that shell vote for former President Trump over President Biden this fall.

As a voter, I put my priorities on a president whos going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account, who would secure the border, no more excuses, Haley, the former presidents ex-rival in the Republican presidential race, said at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank. A president who would support capitalism and freedom, a president who understands we need less debt not more debt.

Trump has not been perfect on these policies. Ive made that clear, many, many times. But Biden has been a catastrophe. So, I will be voting for Trump, she said.

Haley was the last major candidate standing between Trump and the Republican nomination when she dropped out of the contest in March.

Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech. Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me, and not assume that theyre just going to be with him, Haley added. And I genuinely hope he does that.

Haleys remarks at the institute come as she continues to be a significant presence in Republican presidential primary results, despite her exit from the race, as some in the GOP voice their frustration with Trump through protest votes.

Haley picked up 20 percent of the vote in Marylands GOP primary last week, and 18 percent in Nebraska. The week before that, Haley won nearly 22 percent of the vote in Indianas Republican primary. Earlier this year, she also received over 100,000 votes in each of the two key battleground states of Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Trump has brushed off the results, insisting Haleys supporters will flock to him in the general election against Biden.

She got very few voters, Trump said earlier this month. And those voters are all coming to me, and you may have a lot of Democrats in there because they have a very tricky little system. But those voters are coming to me.

Across the aisle, Bidens campaign has also made a move for Haley voters disillusioned with the former presidents bid.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters, Biden said in March. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign.

Biden-Harris communications director Michael Tyler said after Haleys announcement that nothing has changed for the Republican voters who continue to cast primary protest votes and care deeply about the future of our democracy, standing strong with our allies against foreign adversaries, and working across the aisle to get things done for the American people  while also rejecting the chaos, division and violence that Donald Trump embodies.

Haley joined the Hudson Institute as its Walter P. Stern chair in April.The post will help the former South Carolina governor maintain a notable profile ahead of the 2028 GOP presidential primary, for which she has repeatedly been floated.

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(Bloomberg) -- Half of swing-state voters say theyre worried about violence surrounding the US presidential election, suggesting misgivings about how an acrimonious race and its results will be received by a highly polarized electorate.

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Roughly equal shares of Democrats and Republicans hold that fear, and it is even more common among independents, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found. That result makes for a backdrop of apprehension as President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump gear up to spar in a debate in June and put on shows of pageantry before thousands of people at their nominating conventions this summer.

With those events, the candidates will try to improve their standing in what the monthly tracking poll has consistently shown is a close contest. In May, Trump was ahead of Biden by 4 percentage points across seven key swing states.

The unease around the election was not limited to concerns about violence. Six in 10 swing-state voters worried about misinformation, while 46% expressed similar concerns about foreign interference. Smaller numbers of voters said they had little or no confidence that the election would be fair, legitimate and free from fraud, but the share that held those concerns has grown since March.

US voters have seen activism translate into unrest, including with a wave of protests during the 2020 campaign cycle after the police killing of George Floyd, and the more recent demonstrations on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war.

Separately, anger about Bidens victory four years ago culminated in a riot on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop Congress from certifying the election.

Read More: TikTok Ban Is Popular With Voters as AI Stirs Privacy Fears, Poll Shows

Underlying voters concerns is a deep partisanship that has colored how Democrats and Republicans view everything from the trajectory of the economy to the importance of issues like immigration and abortion. Nine in 10 Republican swing-state voters say the national economy was better off under Trump, but only 13% of Democratic voters hold that view.

Across the seven states, the Bloomberg poll of 4,962 registered voters has a statistical margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point and was conducted May 7-13.

In the Blue Wall battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Biden and Trump are separated by no more than 2 percentage points. Biden can win the election  or at the very least, force an Electoral College tie  with a sweep of those states and victories in those considered safe turf for Democrats.

Biden also gained ground from April in each of the competitive Sun Belt states. He now trails Trump by 7 points in North Carolina, 5 points in Arizona, 3 in Georgia and is even in Nevada.

Nevada, however, has the largest margin of error of the seven states, and the result is a departure from other recent polls. The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed Trump leading there by 8 points only a month ago, and a New York Times/Siena College poll released in May had Trump ahead in Nevada by 12 points.

@gregorykorte has more on the story https://t.co/u3DlCGCitV pic.twitter.com/8fmdf6iMhu

 Bloomberg (@business) May 22, 2024

Mays polling comes as Trump has spent much of the past month in a Lower Manhattan courtroom, defending himself against criminal charges that he falsified business records in order to conceal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign.

Trumps legal troubles have prompted the Biden campaign to adopt a split-screen strategy, with strategists highlighting Biden's busy travel schedule to battleground states and seeking to contrast it with Trump's situation.

"While Trump is stuck in New York or hiding in Mar-a-Lago, we're expanding and deepening our reach in every critical battleground community," Biden Battleground States Director Dan Kanninen told reporters this month.

One metric suggests that the strategy is working: Half of respondents reported hearing mostly negative news about Biden recently. For Trump, it was 65%  a 7-point increase in reported negative news since March, as he was clinching the Republican nomination.

More than 1,000 respondents mentioned or alluded to Trumps court cases in response to an open-ended question about what news they had heard about the candidate, an indication that details of the case are percolating through the swing-state electorate despite the lack of televised testimony.

Fewer respondents say Biden is doing the right amount to help Israel.

Biden faces a different set of challenges, including renewed questions about his support for Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. Biden lobbied Congress for $26 billion in aid for Israel, only to delay a shipment of bombs over worries that they could lead to unacceptable civilian casualties.

Several months into an Israeli counteroffensive that followed attacks last October by Hamas, recognized as a terrorist group by the US and the EU, public opinion in the swing states has only become more polarized. Compared to the November poll, fewer respondents say Biden is doing the right amount to help Israel, with increasing numbers saying hes doing either too much or too little.

The intense feelings in the US around the conflict have been especially visible on college campuses, where protests disrupted the end of the spring semester and some commencement ceremonies.

Half of swing-state voters oppose the pro-Palestinian campus protests, while only 28% support them. The demonstrations received some of the strongest support from young voters, Democratic men and self-described liberals. Some 65% of Trump supporters oppose the protests.

Among Trumps potential vice presidential picks, Ben Carson has the highest favorability rating with Republican voters.

Trump has yet to make one of the most high-profile decisions of his third run for the White House: Who will join him on the ticket as his vice presidential candidate.

The short-list of contenders with the highest approval among Republican voters are also those with the highest name recognition  including former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Several candidates believed to be on Trumps list are relative unknowns. More than half of Republican voters say theyve never heard of Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, or New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

The low awareness indicates that some of the people to be considered are yet to be defined," said Christopher Devine, a political scientist at the University of Dayton and co-author of author of a book about the influence of vice presidential candidates on elections.

"That could give an opportunity for that person to tell their own story, Devine said. But there's also a lot of room for the opposition to paint them negatively and make them a liability for the Trump campaign.

It likely wont take long for whomever is selected to make an impression.

When he names his running mate, that person becomes the second-most famous person in the Republican Party, said Eli Yokley, US politics analyst for Morning Consult.

Trump has held what are widely seen as open auditions for his running mate, with candidates turning up at his Palm Beach home and in the Manhattan courtroom in a show of loyalty to the former president. He's said he'll make his decision during or just before the July nominating convention, and suggested Monday that there could be as many as 15 people under consideration.

Methodology

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll surveyed 4,962 registered voters in seven swing states: 795 registered voters in Arizona, 795 in Georgia, 704 in Michigan, 459 in Nevada, 704 in North Carolina, 812 in Pennsylvania and 693 in Wisconsin. The surveys were conducted online from May 7-13. The aggregated data across the seven swing states were weighted to approximate a target sample of swing-state registered voters based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, home ownership, 2020 presidential vote and state. State-level data were weighted to approximate a target sample of registered voters in the respective state based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, home ownership, and 2020 presidential vote. The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states; 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania; 4 percentage points in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, and 5 percentage points in Nevada.

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The head of the Hamas terror group travelled to Iran for its late presidents funeral where he implored Muslims to help liberate Palestinians and met with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the countrys supreme leader.

Khamenei led prayers on Wednesday for Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday alongside Irans foreign minister and other officials.

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, which is backed by Iran, met with Khamenei and addressed mourners.

As chants of Death to Israel came from the crowd, Haniyeh recalled how Raisi told him that Hamass Oct 7 attack on Israel was an earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity.

I am here on behalf of the Palestinian people, in the name of the resistance factions of Gaza ... to express our condolences, Haniyeh continued.

The Muslim world must fulfil their obligations to the Palestinians to liberate their land, he said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran - West Asia News via Reuters

Haniyehs appearance at the funeral proceedings was his first public appearance after the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said he was seeking an arrest warrant for the Hamas leader, who lives in exile in Qatar.

Iranian state media published pictures showing Haniyeh meeting with Khamenei and Mohammed Mokhber, the acting president.

Khamenei indicated that Irans policies and approachesregarding Palestine would remain the same.

He also told Haniyeh that the destruction of the Zionist regime is feasible and, God willing, the day in which Palestine will be created from the sea to the river will arrive.

The deaths of Raisi, known as the Butcher of Tehran after being held responsible for thousands of dissidents deaths, and Hossein Amir-abdollahian, who was foreign minister, and other Iranian officials comes at a very tense moment for the Middle East.

The region is grappling with the consequences of a mushrooming war that has galvanised Iran-backed militant groups to exchange fire with the Israeli military, or engage in attacks that have sent ripple effects across the globe.

Negotiations for a ceasefire have been deadlocked as the death toll in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory where the worst clashes have occurred between Israel and Hamas, continues to rise.

Huge crowds in Tehran for the funeral procession of Ebrahim Raisi - AFP via Getty

Raisi, 63, had been seen as a potential successor to Khamenei, now 85.

There is now no clear candidate, though propaganda messaging before Raisis death had suggested that Khamenei was possibly grooming Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, for the top job.

The ICC prosecutor is also seeking warrants for Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Al-Masri, who are part of the Hamas leadership, as well as Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the Israeli prime minister and defence minister respectively.

A number of countries sent delegations to Tehran to attend funeral services, including Pakistan, Iraq, Armenia, Egypt, Jordan, China, Russia and Turkey.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Hamburg man has pleaded guilty in connection with luring and fatally stabbing a 25-year-old in a Lake View wooded area in 2022, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Wednesday.

Jared Adamski, 27, admitted to luring Boston resident Brenden Benoit into the woods off of Heltz Road and fatally stabbing him in the early morning hours of July 10, 2022.

During the attack, Adamski stabbed Benoit in the legs multiple times and then abandoned him in the woods. Benoit died at the scene.

Four co-defendants, 20-year-old Kayleigh Skybyk-Schuh, 22-year-old Harrison Drozen, 22-year-old Connor Krone and 22-year-old Elexus Dean all pleaded guilty to charges in connection to the attack last week.

As for Adamski, he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 22.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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A judge dismissed murder charges Wednesday against a Cincinnati man who spent more than a decade in prison because of a conviction his attorneys say was based on lies by a police informant.

The judge's decision means Marcus Sapp, who was convicted of shooting to death Andrew Cunningham in Oakley in 2008, will remain free and will not face another trial. His conviction hinged in part on the testimony of jailhouse informant Quincy Jones, who, as detailed in an Enquirer investigation earlier this year, was a felon who routinely swapped testimony for leniency in his own cases.

Sapp's case was among several homicide cases examined by The Enquirer because they involved informants who traded testimony for plea deals and other consideration. The Enquirer identified six homicide cases involving informants that later unraveled.

Marcus Sapp speaks with Katharine Flexter, an Ohio Innocence Project attorney, before a hearing at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Jan. 11, 2024, in Cincinnati. Sapp was released on Jan. 27, 2023, after serving 13 years for a murder conviction that was overturned. Hamilton County prosecutors dismissed charges on May 22, 2024.

Sapps conviction was overturned by Judge Jody Luebbers in January 2023. Prosecutors, however, said they were determined to retry the case and fought for the past year to convict Sapp and send him back to prison.

But prosecutors gave up the fight Wednesday, filing a one-page motion citing several problems they'd face during a second trial. Those include the unavailability of several witnesses, including a man who lived with Cunningham and had claimed Sapp was one of the two men who broke into their apartment.

Another problem, prosecutors said, was that Jones would be unavailable to testify at a second trial because he was murdered in 2012.

Due to the lengthy passage of time, memories of specific events have faded or been lost and important evidence is no longer available, prosecutors said in their motion. It was signed by longtime assistant prosecutor Seth Tieger, who had been handling the retrial with colleague Allison Oswall.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said the decision to drop the case should not be mistaken for doubt about Sapp's guilt among police and prosecutors. "Marcus Sapp is a killer," Powers said in an email. "A jury of his peers determined he was a killer. Our certainty of that fact has not changed in the fifteen years since he was indicted.

"The only thing that has changed in that time is our ability to successfully prosecute the case against him a second time."

Defense attorneys say conviction was flawed from the start

Sapp's lawyers, however, said Sapp's conviction was flawed from the beginning. They said the prosecution's failure to turn over important evidence, including details about Jones and his prolific work as an informant, stacked the deck against Sapp.

"Marcus would never have been convicted if the whole evidence had been out there," said Marty Pinales, one of Sapp's lawyers. "He should not have been charged in the first place."

Lawyer Marty Pinales, pictured in January 2024, learned Wednesday that prosecutors dismissed a looming murder charge against his client Marcus Sapp.

Though Jones told the jurors in Sapp's case that he received no benefit from testifying against Sapp, he got a new plea deal two months later that allowed him to walk out of jail, despite his conviction on reduced charges of manslaughter.

Sapp's lawyers said Jones, who claimed Sapp admitted to him that he killed Cunningham, lied about the confession to secure his own plea deal and save himself a long prison sentence. The Enquirer found that Jones testified or assisted police in at least 12 homicide cases, including Sapp's.

"Marcus is not the only innocent man in prison based on his lies," another of Sapp's lawyers, Eric Eckes, said last year of Jones.

On Wednesday, Eckes took issue with Powers' insistence Sapp is guilty.

"The current prosecutor's office says they remain certain of Marcus' guilt," he said. "It was that misguided certainty that was the cause of the misconduct uncovered in this case."

Eric Eckes, pictured in January 2024, said prosecutors' certainty that Marcus Sapp is guilty of murder despite dismissing charges against him Wednesday is "misguided."

After The Enquirer investigation ran, Powers said she would be open to creating a statewide database to track the use of informant testimony in criminal cases. However, she didn't acknowledge that Jones or other informants might have provided faulty testimony.

Eckes and Pinales were honored Tuesday night with a Courageous Advocate Award from the Potter Stewart American Inn of Court for their work on Sapps case. When accepting the award, Eckes said he wouldnt feel comfortable displaying it until Sapps case was officially over.

Pinales said neither lawyer had any idea that finality would come the next morning.

I said at the ceremony yesterday I have been practicing for a half century and our pro-bono work on this case has been the most satisfying, Pinales said. Today, I am just overjoyed.

Pinales called Sapp straight away, who said they needed to celebrate. Then Pinales called Sapp's mother.

When Sapp was originally tried, he faced charges in three murders: Cunningham in 2008, and Todd Oliver and Robert Lane, who died the year prior. The cases were separate but similar enough that they were tried together. The jury acquitted Sapp in the 2007 murders but found him guilty in Cunninghams.

The evidence was stronger in the Cunningham case because in addition to Jones testifying that hed heard Sapp admit to the killings, one of Cunninghams roommates also identified him. However, the Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law began looking into the case and learned the roommate had initially identified a different man  a fact police and prosecutors did not share with Sapps original lawyers.

Luebbers overturned the conviction because of Brady violations, or prosecutors withholding exculpatory evidence from the defense. Prosecutors denied any wrongdoing and refiled the charges.

Over the past 16 months, Eckes, Pinales and Mark Godsey, executive director of the Ohio Innocence Project, fought to have investigative documents disclosed and items from the crime scene tested for DNA. Prosecutors objected but Luebbers ordered them to comply.

Even after DNA testing excluded Sapp from having touched key evidence, such as shell casings from the shooting, prosecutors maintained he was guilty.

"Marcus Sapp is innocent," Godsey said. "Even the very recent DNA test results show this. The case revealed disturbing patterns about how murder convictions are obtained in this city."

Godsey praised Judge Luebbers for her work on the case. As the original trial judge, Luebbers oversaw Sapp's trial and sent him to prison after his conviction, but she also ordered a new trial years later when defense attorneys unearthed problems, such as details about Jones and the failure by prosecutors to disclose relevant information to the defense.

"Judge Luebbers went above and beyond," Godsey said.

Sapp is one of four men whose murder convictions have been overturned since 2022. In each case, prosecutors have insisted the men were guilty and blamed the reversals on overzealous judges.

In the wake of those decisions, Powers in March launched a conviction integrity unit ostensibly to help ensure guilty people aren't sent to prison for crimes they didn't commit. But she told The Enquirer that the unit isn't really needed and is simply an extension of already-existing practices. The last time she knew of prosecutors wrongly convicting anyone was in 1982, she said, in a case that was overturned eight years later.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wrongful conviction: Informant testimony sent Cincinnati man to prison
What can happen if you park under an overpass during a tornado

(NEXSTAR)  With parts of the U.S. facing a risk of severe weather and tornadoes  including some still trying to recover from other recent storms  its a good time to revisit storm safety.

If you live in an area known to have tornadoes, knowing your safe spot may be common sense, whether its a basement, an interior room on the lowest level of the building, a tornado shelter, or, if those are unavailable, the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert.

But what about when youre driving, and arent near any buildings to hide in?

Your first instinct, especially on a highway, may be to find a bridge or overpass to park under as the storm moves through. While that may sound like a safe space to protect yourself and your car from a storm, experts warn against it for a number of reasons.

Parking there can block traffic, potentially putting yourself and others at risk of collision.

Should a tornado move through the area, parking under an underpass can create an even more serious situation.

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As meteorologist Aaron Brackett of Nexstars KFOR explains, when winds encounter an overpass, they increase.

So even if you have a wind in a weaker tornado of 100, 150 miles per hour, you can add 40, 50, 60 miles per hour to that just from being underneath the underpass. So, its actually making the tornado youre in worse, he says.

In May 1999, many people took cover under an overpass during the deadly F5 Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado  with wind speeds reaching over 300 miles per hour, the highest ever recorded  as it moved through Moore, Oklahoma. Among those was Stuart Earnest, who told KFOR in 2012 that when the tornado hit, people started getting sucked out from under the bridge.

He recounted coming down the embankment to help the injured, first encountering a man whose wife had been killed in the tornado. Her body was found days later. Other survivors suffered horrific injuries, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition to vehicles and people being caught up in the wind, parking under an overpass puts you at risk of being hit by flying debris. The bridge may also fail, causing more debris and even the possibility of collapse.

Why nighttime tornadoes are 2.5 times more likely to be deadly

Instead of parking beneath an overpass, experts recommend exiting the highway to find more suitable shelter close by.

When the traffic is jammed or the tornado is bearing down on you at close range, your only option may be to park safely off the traffic lanes, get out and find a sturdy building for shelter, if possible, NOAA writes. If not, lie flat in a low spot, as far from the road as possible (to avoid flying vehicles).

You cannot outrun a tornado with your vehicle, but you can try to get out of its path if it is far enough away. As NOAA explains, if the tornado is moving to your right, you should move to your left and vice versa to put more distance between you and its path.

If the tornado begins to impact your car and youre unable to escape, experts say to keep your seatbelt on and get as low as possible away from windows and the windshield.

Speaking of windows, if youre able to shelter in a building, do not open the windows. While it is commonly believed that opening windows during a tornado will reduce damage and equalize pressure, NOAA notes doing so is absolutely useless, a waste of precious time, and can be very dangerous.

Officials go on to explain that you may be injured while trying to open the windows, and that tornadoes are capable of blasting them open anyway.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. OP29 will discuss four priority issues, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva said at an International Workshop themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and regional perspectives" held at ADA University in Baku on May 22, Trend reports.

There are four major priority topics on which the parties will have to decide and make decisions at COP29, she said.

As such, those priorities include:

1. Building political momentum for the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0)  which are ambitious, inclusive and economy-wide, covering all emissions and sectors (ahead of the deadline of March 2025);

2. Agreeing on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance (amount, modality, contributor base and recipient eligibility);

3. Finalizing agreement on Article 6; and,

4. Submitting the first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), which are due 31 December 2024.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Kelly Flynn, president of A Womans Choice in Jacksonville, Florida, stands in the doorway of her office. (Agnes Lopez/The 19th)

Voters in several states will likely have the chance to reverse their states abortion bans this November  but the election results could come too late for clinics that have been forced to scale back or even shut down while those bans were in effect.

A measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution has been approved for the November ballot in Florida, where abortion is currently outlawed after six weeks of pregnancy. Organizers in Arizona, which bans abortion after 15 weeks and where a near-total ban could briefly take effect in September, say they have enough signatures to put an abortion rights measure on the ballot.

This report was originally published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a member of The 19th News Network.

Campaigns are also underway in Arkansas, Missouri and South Dakota  where the procedure is almost entirely outlawed  to restore abortion rights via ballot measures. (The Arkansas measure would protect abortion up until 18 weeks of pregnancy.) And advocates are pushing for an abortion rights measure in Nebraska, where the procedure is banned after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights measures have succeeded all seven times that they have appeared on state ballots since Roe vs. Wade was overturned in June 2022. But this falls campaigns could face a particularly uphill battle, especially in Florida, where 60 percent of voters must approve a ballot measure for it to take effect.

For clinics, the challenge is staying staffed and financially afloat while facing an uncertain future. In Florida, where the six-week ban took effect May 1, health care providers anticipate clinics will be forced to shut down or reduce their services  changes that could be difficult to reverse, even if the state restores abortion rights this fall.

Were not naive. We know some clinics are going to close and theyre probably not going to be able to reopen, said Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, which supports independent clinics across the country.

History has shown that when abortion restrictions take effect, the resulting clinic closures are likely permanent, even if the state law is ultimately reversed. Already, health centers have shut down in states where near-total bans are in effect. In Arkansas, one of the states two abortion clinics closed within the first 100 days of Roes overturn; so did a clinic in Arizona.

In 2013, well before Roes fall, Texas passed a law limiting abortion in the state. By the time the law was struck down, more than half the states clinics had closed. At Houston Reproductive Health Services, one of Texas last remaining abortion clinics, the states near-total ban has forced a drastic pivot. The clinic now provides a very limited range of services: pre-abortion ultrasounds, post-abortion follow-up, and help referring patients out of state.

People are definitely going to need pre-abortion ultrasounds. Theyre going to need follow-up, said administrator Kathy Kleinfeld. And if no one is here, theyre going to go to crisis pregnancy centers  the anti-abortion facilities that seek to deter people from terminating their pregnancies and that are not regulated under the same standards as medical clinics.

Financially, its only possible thanks to drastic downsizing, paying for only the bare minimum, said Kleinfeld. After Texas near-total ban took effect in 2022, the clinic relocated from a 5,000-square-foot facility to one less than one-fifth the size. It went from 12 full-time employees to three, including Kleinfeld.

What I thought about was what could I personally afford, she said. If I had to foot the bill for the rent and payroll, how much was I able and willing to float the clinic if need be? For how long of a period of time?

In Missouri, only one abortion clinic existed prior to Roes fall: a Planned Parenthood in St. Louis that now focuses instead on birth control, pregnancy counseling, gender-affirming care and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

Dr. Colleen McNicholas, the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said the clinic was able to shift quickly because it had already been diversifying its options even before the Missouri ban took effect in 2022. State legislators had been targeting abortion access there for years; Planned Parenthood performed only about 150 abortions in Missouri the year before Roe was overturned.

This is a very different reality than independent clinics are facing right now  clinics that are mostly serving just abortion patients, McNicholas said.

Planned Parenthood clinics have generally been more nimble and able to navigate the changes, she said, though the business model is challenging. The organization has been barred from receiving state funding for Medicaid patients, and has chosen to absorb costs for patients so that services remain affordable, though a steadier stream of donations in the wake of the Roe decision has helped.

But even if Missouri does get a measure on the ballot and voters restore abortion access, it will likely take months or even years for her clinic to be able to fully stand up abortion care again. It isnt the case that we wake up the next day and abortion is available, she said.

Part of the difficulty for abortion clinics is that they operate on thin margins. Health insurance often does not cover the procedure, and the federal government cannot subsidize it, meaning patients pay out of pocket or rely on financial support from nonprofit abortion funds. Clinics sometimes provide the service at a discount so that patients can afford it.

Meanwhile, the risk of harassment and violence means clinics often have higher security costs. Some also have to pay to fly doctors in from out of state.

When abortion bans take effect, youre getting less clinic revenue while also trying to continue with the same amount of overhead, Madsen said. Providing other services, like contraception or testing for sexually transmitted infections, doesnt pull in the same level of income.

The examination room in A Womans Choice of Jacksonville clinic, which provides abortion care on April 30, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. A six-week abortion ban that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed went into effect on May 1. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

At A Womans Choice in Jacksonville, Floridas six-week ban has already cut in half the number of abortions performed, down to just a handful of patients a day. The clinic has pivoted to emphasize other services, such as directing patients to abortion clinics in North Carolina and Virginia, and providing birth control, ultrasounds and some gynecological consultation.

Kelly Flynn, the clinics president and CEO, acknowledged the challenges of staying open and retaining staff in the face of the new six-week cutoff  especially those who might want a job with more secure long-term prospects.

Im going to keep [staff] on for as long as I can. Some of them may be like, OK, I need to be doing something more than this, she said. We can be sustainable. We just have to cut back a bit and figure it out.

Another Florida clinic, Fort Pierce-based A Womans World Medical Center, has launched a GoFundMe to raise $100,000 to stay afloat through the election. Candace Dye, the clinics administrator, has already cut her staffs hours because they are seeing so few patients.

Dye believes her clinic can make it through the fall, and shes counting on Florida voters restoring abortion rights.

If [the measure] doesnt pass, well try to stay open for a while, until we cant do it, she said. But I dont think we would be able to stay open if we dont get donations and if it doesnt pass in November.

Shes begun making contingency plans just in case. If the measure fails, she said, shes thought about turning her clinic into a halfway house for women in recovery for substance use disorder. That would allow her to help people in her community, she said, but it wont be the same.

Clinicians in Arizona have a different concern. The states Supreme Court recently upheld a near-total ban on abortion  enacted in 1864  that is set to take effect at the end of September. Although state lawmakers have repealed the ban in favor of a 15-week cutoff, that decision wont take effect until 90 days after the states legislative session ends, meaning that there could be a brief period when abortion is almost completely outlawed.

These providers have some local history to look back on: When the state temporarily instituted a near-total ban in late 2022, following the overturn of Roe, clinics lost employees who sought more stable jobs. Its a concern that lingers.

I dont want to lose staff, because its the worst, said Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick, who runs Camelback Family Planning, in Phoenix. When you lose staff, you have to hire new people and retrain them. Its disruptive.

At Planned Parenthood in Arizona, which has multiple affiliates in the state, the uncertainty has made the business unstable, particularly when it comes to recruiting staff. Dr. Jill Gibson, the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Arizona, said the organizations clinics are in dire need of staff to help manage a high volume of patients, but who can I bring on that is willing to give up their day job and come over when we are still in limbo?

Gibson lost two doctors and multiple nurses and clinic staff after the fall of Roe as clinics paused operations twice and later resumed. Job security vanished. All her energy, she said, was spent on staying open  it left little room to expand the business or improve patient care.

I wish that energy could have been spent in efforts to not just rebuild what has been pulled out from underneath us, Gibson said. We have even been trying to rebuild the same table that we had, instead of trying to expand the house that we always wanted and visualized and dreamed of.

Goodrick, too, has had to work hard to reassure her staff that their jobs are safe. Some are looking into taking on other part-time jobs to supplement their work at the clinic.

Were not going to close  we can survive, Goodrick said. We know theres an end in sight.

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The post What happens to clinics after a state bans abortion? They fight to survive. appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
What happens if the general election ends in a hung parliament?

Sir Keir Starmer is predicted to win a clear majority at the election, but a number of less clear cut outcomes are possible - UK PARLIAMENT

There are 650 seats up for grabs in the House of Commons. To secure a victory at this years general election, one party must win at least 326 of them.

The Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer is projected to far outstrip this number and win a clear majority of seats when Britain goes to the polls.

But each party could fall short of the magic number that determines which leader will automatically be able to form a government. Such a result, a hung parliament, was the outcome of both the 2010 and 2017 general elections.

What are the consequences of a hung parliament?

The number of seats held by each party determines more than who will become the Prime Minister, explains leading polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice.

Without a working majority in the House it can be almost impossible to pass any legislation, and it is very easy for an opposition party to try and bring down the government, he says.

What are the next steps if no party gains a majority?

If there is a hung parliament then whoever is trying to form a government has three options, Prof Curtice says.

The first is to try to form a coalition with another party, as happened in 2010. It was by this arrangement that the Liberal Democrats came into government, joining forces with then Conservative leader David Cameron to oust Labour from government.

In this situation, it is the sitting Prime Minister rather than the party with the most seats that gets the first chance to form a coalition. This means that Rishi Sunak could stay on as leader if Sir Keir wins more seats but still falls short of half the house.

Whats important here is that Brexit has made the Conservatives unpopular in parliament, Prof Curtice says.Its highly unlikely that the Liberal Democrats or the SNP would be happy to form a coalition with the Conservatives, though either group could potentially say yes to an offer from Labour.

Could one party simply form a minority government?

In reality, it is likely that Rishi Sunak would have to resign in the event of a hung parliament, though either he or Starmer could attempt to govern with the number of seats they already have, rather than strike a deal.

That is incredibly unlikely to work in favour of the Conservatives because it basically means flying by the seat of your pants, says Prof Curtice.

In such a situation, the first test of a minority government would be parliaments first vote after the Kings speech, given to mark the first session of a new parliament.

Any prime minister who wants to lead a minority government would essentially be daring the opposition to vote them down after the speech, Prof Curtice explains.

If this were to happen then it would be usual for that prime minister to resign.

The third option Prof Curtice sets out is an informal supply and confidence arrangement, where a smaller party commits its support to a minority government in some important votes.

This was the deal that Theresa May struck with Northern Irelands DUP when there was a hung parliament in 2017. This allowed the Conservatives to form a minority government, but it remained difficult for the Prime Minister to get Brexit legislation through the House, leading to her eventual resignation.

How likely is a second general election if no party forms a majority?

Should all parties fail to form a government through any of the three most likely routes then this would force a second general election.

One suspects that this would not happen, Prof Curtice says. In this country we tend to want to form a government quickly and avoid being left without one.

He adds: Financial markets tend to take a downturn when there is no clear government, which in this climate is something that politicians will want to avoid.

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HARBOR SPRINGS  A zoning code update thats been in the works since 2022 was approved by the Harbor Springs City Council on Monday, despite more than 800 people signing a petition against it.

The contentious update resulted in several hours' worth of public feedback across multiple meetings, as well as a public campaign in opposition to the changes.

Jeff Grimm, the Harbor Springs planning and zoning administrator, said the biggest change that can be seen from the updated code is based on plans to make the document more easily accessible. The code being used was originally passed in the 1970s, and a bigger overhaul was made in 2005.

This latest overhaul, Grimm said, includes updates that make it easier to find what youre looking for in the document online.

Harbor Springs City Hall is located at 160 Zoll St.

While the process to update the zoning code has been in the works for two years, many property owners said they only recently became aware of it. The council was originally meant to vote on the proposed update in March, but postponed it for a May 6 public hearing. At that public hearing, a vast majority of attendees asked for the zoning code updates to not even be considered, citing concerns about overdevelopment in the city. Residents also expressed opposition to the city's participation in the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) program, which is hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Several property owners asked the council to pause and restart the process with more community engagement and feedback.

Despite this, the council approved the proposed zoning code update unanimously on Monday night. The ordinance will go into effect on June 1, said Harbor Springs City Manager Victor Sinadinoski. Until then, the current ordinance will remain in effect.

Grimm said the codes changes include more options that can be assessed by the city planner, rather than requiring people to attend a meeting with the zoning board, which only meets once a month, in order to get approval for something. He said the updated code will allow the process to be streamlined.

Im able to move at a slightly faster pace because Im not tied to only taking action on things once a month, Grimm said.

Maureen Kenney lives in Toledo, Ohio but has owned property in Harbor Springs for 37 years. She said she did not used to be politically inclined, but over the last few years she has started attending more city meetings and becoming involved in different issues, such as bringing playground equipment to Zorn Park or moving M-119.

Until five years ago, no, I was not politically inclined, nor did I attend city council meetings because I didn't even know who they were, Kenney told the News-Review. "But now I know. And if it's an issue that is going to impact the beauty and the long-term preservation of the historic aspect of Harbor Springs, yes, we're going to get involved.

Kenney said her concern about the zoning changes was based on the councils plan to try to rush it through the approval process.

The issues concern more than just the voters in the city, Kenney said, and property owners should have their rights protected. She agreed that the zoning code could probably be revamped, but didnt understand the urge to push the process through so fast once more residents started speaking against the issue.

Kenney said she was also concerned about the lack of notification regarding the potential changes. Information was published online, but many people commented at council meetings that the city should have mailed out information regarding the updates, the same way that tax information is mailed.

Downtown Harbor Springs includes a variety of stores, restaurants, galleries and more.

A change.org petition made by the Political Action Committee We Love Harbor Springs was just shy of 1,000 signatures as of May 21.

The petition claims that "The Harbor Springs City Council and planning commission have been working under the community's radar to transform the town into a Redevelopment Ready Community. While leaders spearheading the zoning changes suggested the RRC will improve affordable housing, the reality seems starkly different. Several meetings later, the chairman of the planning commission stated the affordable housing train has left the station. The community deserves a chance to ask important questions and contribute input."

Many concerns about the updated zoning also overlap with the public's concerns about the RRC program.

Sinadinoski said while the zoning code was unrelated to the citys participation in the RRC program, the city did receive grant money from the MEDC, which they applied for after learning they were eligible due to the citys participation in the program.

After public comment and prior to the approval of the ordinance, council member Nancy Rondel spoke in support of the proposed code. She said she has heard peoples responses, but she thinks the plan is fair after compromises have been made. She also said people have told her the city is a summer town, but its the councils job to make sure that the citys business goes on year-round.

It's not that I havent heard your concerns, its not that people arent important to me and that property owners arent important to me, but I think this is a good plan for the City of Harbor Springs, Rondel said.

Council member Kathy Motschall said she didnt think any of the emails and comments she heard gave her much of a clue as to what the real issue is for people against the changes.

I think this plan is well constructed. Its well-written. I think it covers all the issues we can think of, she said. I understand that no plan is perfect, but I believe this plan is a good one and we need to proceed with it.

Mayor Matt Bugera spoke about the issues with the old zoning code, saying it made it difficult for people who wanted to build new homes. The process will now be simplified for people who want to move to the city, he said.

Its a well thought-out plan that can be changed in the future, he said. Theres lots of ways to control the development that youre all so afraid of. I dont think its going to be a drastic change to the community.

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The council did ask the planning commission to keep looking at and considering different topics, including the ideas of triplexes, a residential water zoning district and outdoor display of goods.

While the zoning code passed, options have not run out for residents who oppose the plan. The Harbor Springs City Charter has a referendum stating that the ordinance can be placed on the ballot and potentially repealed if the signatures of 25 percent of registered voters within the city limits are collected.

The newly approved code can be seen at cityofharborsprings.com.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs council passes new zoning code despite public pushback
Thirteen students who participated in the three-week-long pro-Palestine encampment in Harvard Yard will not receive their diplomas alongside their classmates after Harvard Universitys governing body rejected a motion that would allow them to graduate.

The Harvard Corporation, the universitys governing body, said Wednesday the 13 students will be able to participate in the ceremony but will not receive their degrees, citing the Harvard College handbook.

Today, we have voted to confer 1,539 degrees to Harvard College students in good standing. Because the students included as the result of Mondays amendment are not in good standing, we cannot responsibly vote to award them degrees at this time, the Harvard Corporation stated on the schools website.

The announcement came two days after Harvards Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted to allow the 13 students currently suspended or on probation their degrees.

According to the Boston Globe, 115 faculty members gathered for the vote to approve the list of graduating seniors, adding an amendment for the 13 students not in good standing.

Each of these students has been found by the Colleges Administrative Boardthe body established by the FAS faculty to investigate and adjudicate disciplinary mattersto have violated the Universitys policies by their conduct during their participation in the recent encampment in Harvard Yard, the statement from the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard reads. We respect each facultys responsibility to determine appropriate discipline for its students. Mondays faculty vote did not, however, revisit these disciplinary rulings, did not purport to engage in the individualized assessment of each case that would ordinarily be required to do so, and, most importantly, did not claim to restore the students to good standing.

On Sunday, anti-Israel protesters marched from Harvard to the home of interim president Alan Garber for the second time. They are upset that students who participated in the three-week-long encampment are being disciplined.

Harvards Administrative Board had previously suspended 5 students, placed 20 on probation and blocked 14 seniors from receiving degrees

We understand that the inability to graduate is consequential for students and their families, the governing board said. We fully support the Faculty of Arts and Sciences stated intention to provide expedited review, at this time, of eligible requests for reconsideration or appeal. We will consider conferral of degrees promptly if, following the completion of all FAS processes, a student becomes eligible to receive a degree.

Harvards graduation will take place Thursday morning.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Harvey Milk was a groundbreaking political figure and an activist in the LGBTQ + rights movement.

Harvey Milk was born in 1930

Milk was born in Woodmere, on New York 's Long Island, on May 22, 1930, to William and Minerva Milk. He had a brother, Robert. Both of his parents had served in the Navy. They ran a family store called Milk's Dry Goods and were active in the Jewish community on Long Island. Among other things, they helped found a synagogue.

Milk went to college at what is now the State University of New York in Albany, studying math and history, and writing a column for the student newspaper, often dealing with issues of diversity, according to the Harvey Milk Foundation. After he graduated college in 1951 he joined the Navy. He went to officer candidate school, but he left the Navy in 1955 after questions about his sexual orientation began popping up. Milk went on to work as a teacher on Long Island, then became a stock analyst and later a production associate on Broadway. He worked on several high-profile shows, including Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Milk began his activist career while protesting the Vietnam War. In the early 1970s, he moved to San Francisco and opened a camera shop on Castro Street. The camera store became a community gathering place, and Milk's political activity increased. After some gay business owners met with hostility from established merchants, he helped found the Castro Village Association and became its president. It was the first predominantly LGBTQ+ business organization in the U.S.

Harvey Milk gay man assassinated san francisco politician LGBTQ icon

Bettmann Contributor via Getty Images

Harvey Milk made history in 1977

In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, making history as the first out gay elected official in California. It was his third race for the board, which is San Francisco's version of a city council. He had made a run for the California State Assembly as well.

His election was a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ movement, symbolizing the communitys growing political power and visibility. He also noted what it meant for other marginalized groups. "It's not my victory, it's yours and yours and yours," he said after winning the election. "If a gay can win, it means there is hope that the system can work for all minorities if we fight. We've given them hope."

Milk used his position to champion various progressive causes, including affordable housing, public transportation, and civil rights. He played a crucial role in defeating Proposition 6, a.k.a. the Briggs Initiative, a 1978 ballot measure that sought to ban LGBTQ+ people from working in Californias public schools.

Milk often stressed the importance of being out. We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions," he said in one of his speeches. "We are coming out to tell the truths about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so Im going to talk about it. And I want you to talk about it. You must come out.

Harvey understood that the single most important political act anyone could take was simply to come out  to reveal their true nature to their friends, families and coworkers, his fellow activist Cleve Jones told NBC News in 2018. Harvey understood that that was important, because he understood that hatred of us was grounded in fear, and that that fear would evaporate once people could understand that in fact they had gay people in their families and in their congregations and in their neighborhoods.

Harvey Milk's death

Milks life was cut short on November 27, 1978, when Dan White, a disgruntled former city supervisor, assassinated him and Mayor George Moscone. White had resigned from the Board of Supervisors but wanted to rejoin it, and he believed Moscone and Milk were blocking him from that. The murders shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage and activism. Police charged White with two counts of murder and illegal firearms possession. Dianne Feinstein, then president of the Board of Supervisors, became acting mayor following the tragedy.

The assassinations shocked San Francisco and the nation. Stunned friends and colleagues expressed their grief and admiration. President Jimmy Carter acknowledged Milk as a leader of San Franciscos gay community, who kept his promise to represent all constituents.

Harvey Milk George Moscone candlelight vigil memorial

Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG via Getty Images

Thousands of San Franciscans paid their respects as Milk and Moscone lay in state at City Hall. A massive candlelight march from the Castro district to City Hall honored Milks legacy, with more than 25,000 people participating.

Milk had received numerous death threats due to his activism. He left a recording to be played after his death in which he said, If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door in the country.

White was convicted in 1979 of manslaughter, not murder, and received a sentence of eight years in prison, which was widely considered too light. Outraged San Francisco residents lashed out in what became known as the White Night Riots in May 1979. White was released from prison in January 1984, having served only a portion of his sentence, and he died by suicide in 1985.

Harvey Milk's legacy

In 2018, on the 40th anniversary of Milks assassination, The Advocate spoke with his nephew , Stuart Milk, who cofounded the Harvey Milk Foundation. Stuart Milk highlighted his uncles courage and the ongoing relevance of his legacy. He recalled that Harvey Milk was a touchstone for his self-acceptance and authenticity, noting that his uncles courage was evident as he campaigned for office when it was illegal to be openly LGBTQ+ in California.

USNS Harvey Milk

NASSCO

In March the USNS Harvey Milk, the first U.S. Naval ship named after an out gay person, embarked on its maiden voyage. A ceremony was held in San Francisco to honor Milk, attended by local and national officials, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Rear Admiral Richard Meyer. Stuart Milk and Anne Kronenberg, Milks campaign manager, also spoke at the event. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi noted that the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein was one of the original sponsors of the ship.

Milks enduring impact on LGBTQ+ rights and his pioneering role in American politics make him a seminal figure in civil rights history. His life and work have been commemorated in numerous ways, including the annual Harvey Milk Day in California, celebrated on his birthday, and the Harvey Milk Foundation, which continues his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights globally. His story has been told in the 1982 book The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts; Rob Epstein's 1984 documentary film The Times of Harvey Milk, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary; and the 2008 biographical film Milk, starring Sean Penn, written by Dustin Lance Black and directed by Gus Van Sant. Penn won the Oscar as Best Actor, and Black won for his screenplay. An opera and several plays have also chronicled Milk's life.

There are schools and other public buildings named after Milk. In 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Stuart Milk accepted the medal.

Harvey Milk gay man assassinated san francisco politician LGBTQ icon 1978 pride parade

Terry Schmitt/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Head of FEMA tours deadly storm damage in Houston area as more residents get power back

FILE - Workers clean out shattered glass at the Wells Fargo building as clean up from the previous week's storm continues in downtown Houston, Monday, May 20, 2024. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, file)

HOUSTON (AP)  As the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency toured the Houston area on Tuesday to assess the damage from last weeks deadly storms, local officials reassured residents still without power that their lights would be back on and they could soon begin rebuilding their lives.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said crews with CenterPoint Energy had been working hard to restore power to residents dealing with temperatures of about 90 degrees (32 Celsius) and heat indexes approaching 100 degrees (38 Celsius).

At the height of the power outages, nearly 1 million people in the Houston area were without electricity. By Tuesday evening, that was down to less than 95,000.

Were on top of it. No one is being neglected, Whitmire said.

The widespread destruction of last Thursdays storms left at least eight 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.

Some downtown streets remained closed as crews continued cleaning up glass as the strong winds damaged 3,250 windows on high-rise buildings. Officials said it could take months to repair all the windows.

The deadly winds tore through a wide swath of Harris County, where Houston is located, causing damage and knocking out the power in both lower income and wealthier neighborhoods.

Last weeks storms took place as the Houston area and several Texas counties to the north were still recovering from flooding caused by heavy rainfall in late April and early May.

FEMA has approved small business loans and federal disaster assistance, which can help pay for temporary housing and repairs, for both weather events.

More than 48,000 people in the affected counties that were declared disaster areas have already applied for assistance, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Tuesday. The agency has already issued more than $1 million in help to residents.

We know that thousands in the region are still without power. So again, I encourage you to continue to check in on your loved ones, your neighbors, your vulnerable individuals in your communities and make sure that theyre OK, Criswell said.

Lisa Reed, a teacher who lives in the Cloverleaf neighborhood in east Harris County, had been without power for four days before finally getting it back Monday evening.

I felt exhilarated. It was real good to be just back in my own home, Reed said.

But Reed said one of her daughters and her son, who both live nearby, were still without power on Tuesday. Even with the power back on, some of Reeds neighbors were dealing with sparking wires and other electrical problems.

Its frustrating seeing people struggle. You wish you could do more, she said. Everyone doesnt have the resources.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, whose home still didnt have power on Tuesday, said the deadly storms have had a severe impact on many lower-income residents.

In one area in the Spring Branch neighborhood in northwest Harris County, many damaged apartment complexes are 

The choice is to stay in these substandard, unlivable conditions or be homeless. And so, we are working actively on the long-term legal issues, she said.

Michelle Hundley, a spokesperson for CenterPoint Energy, said the utility provider still expected to restore power to more than 90% of customers by Wednesday. If someone didnt have power by Wednesday, it would most likely be due to damaged equipment at their home that the homeowner would need to fix.

Certainly our linemen and all of our employees are very diligent in working to make sure that your electricity is up and running, and we will do the absolute best that we can, Hundley said.

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia said some underserved communities might feel left out because they see lights in nicer-looking neighborhoods go up. I just want to say youre not forgotten. Youre not left behind.

Authorities had initially reported the deadly storms were being blamed for at least seven deaths. On Sunday, authorities raised the total to eight to include a man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while running a generator after his power went out.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
OAKHURST, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Officers with the California Highway Patrol are searching for the owner of a headstone found on Highway 41, leading towards Yosemite National Park.

The California Highway Patrol reported on Tuesday that Caltrans staff found the headstone in a pullout on Highway 41, near Lewis Creek Trailhead. The location is less than 10 miles from the south entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Parks secret moonbows: do you want to see one?

The headstone is for a Piao Ming Lu and describes him as a beloved husband and father. He was born on Sept. 29, 1955, and passed away at the age of 51 on March 8, 2007.

The headstone has since been taken to the Caltrans yard in Coarsegold. The owner of the headstone is asked to contact either Caltrans or the CHP office in Oakhurst.

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South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Chief Operating Officer Tammy Hatting presents to legislators on Sept. 25, 2023 in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Chief Operating Officer Tammy Hatting presents to legislators on Sept. 25, 2023, in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

Health care industry representatives voiced concerns to lawmakers Tuesday in Pierre regarding newly finalized federal staffing standards for nursing homes.

This is an unfunded mandate being placed on nursing homes, said Tammy Hatting, chief operating officer of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.

She called the new requirements a threat to nursing homes nationwide.

We have to start talking about, How do we prepare for this threat? Because the clock is ticking, the deadlines are out, Hatting said. Her comments came during a hearing conducted at the Capitol by the Legislatures budget committee.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the new rules for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities in April. The agency said the rules affirmed its commitment to hold nursing homes accountable for providing safe and high-quality care.

The new rules say nursing homes must complete a facility assessment by Aug. 8.

By May 10, 2026, for urban facilities and May 10, 2027, for rural facilities, there must be enough staff to give each resident 3.48 hours of care daily, and at least one registered nurse on-site 24/7.

By May 10, 2027, for urban facilities and May 10, 2029, for rural facilities, at least 0.55 of the 3.48 hours of daily care per resident must come from a registered nurse and 2.45 hours must come from a certified nurse assistant.

The rules define areas with a population of 10,000 or more as urban. Hatting said her organization is seeking clarity about how areas are defined and is lobbying to raise the population threshold defining an area as urban.

Hatting said the requirement to have a registered nurse on-site 24/7 is the biggest immediate concern. She said the state had 1,232 open registered nurse jobs as of April 24, and 15.1% of registered nurses are expected to retire in the next five years.

Hatting said 18 nursing homes in the state closed from 2015 to 2023, many due to a caregiver shortage.

A new health care industry-led analysis found that 96% of South Dakotas nursing homes dont meet the new rules. They will need to hire 299 more staff members, which will cost about $19.7 million. Nursing homes might limit new residents, reduce their number of beds or close down, according to the report.

South Dakota Health Care Association Executive Director Mark Deak shared his concerns about the staffing requirements with legislators.

Where on earth would we find these people? he said.

Hatting said various congressional bills have been introduced with aims ranging from stopping the rules to providing up to $400 million per year in grant funding to states for long-term care workers.

Health care industry officials said theyre urging South Dakotas congressional delegation to take action, and asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider and roll back some of the rules.

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The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations presentation to legislators on May 21, 2024.

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The post Health care officials call federal unfunded mandate for nursing homes a threat appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
HOLLAND  When small business owner Cassie Loomis heard about the fatal shooting of Miguel Raul Zamudio on Saturday, April 13, she felt compelled to do something to help.

She didn't know the family personally, but Loomis had previously lived just four doors down from where the shooting took place.

As the owner of Healthy Holland, a protein drink shop, Loomis decided to use her platform to raise money for the victim's family.

Cassie Loomis (center) presents a check for over $2,000 to Katrina Zamudio (third from left) and other family members of fatal shooting victim Miguel Zamudio.

Officers and firefighters with the Holland Department of Public Safety responded to an address on W. 19th St. around 2:15 p.m. April 13. They found Zamudio in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the head.

Medical treatment was provided on-scene. Zamudio was taken to Holland Hospital, then transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he died from his injuries.

Officers located the shooter, Jerell Alexander Lindsey, inside an adjacent home.

More: Thousands raised for family of apparent random shooting victim in Holland

Lindsey was initially charged with attempted homicide, but detectives worked with the Ottawa County Prosecutors Office to amend the charge to homicide after Zamudios death.

Based on an initial HDPS investigation, Zamudio was visiting family at the time of the shooting. They were outside the residence when Lindsey allegedly approached. After seeing Lindsey with a firearm, the family began to retreat. The suspect continued to approach and shot Zamudio in the head.

Lindsey was not known to the victim.

Thousands were raised in the days to come, but Loomis managed to collect $2,041 more. She presented the check to the family earlier this month.

"They have a community that loves and supports and wants to be with them in their journey," Loomis said. "We can't possibly understand what they're going through, nor do we want to try to know that pain, but we are here to walk alongside them and offer any kind of safe space they need."

The victim's wife, Katrina Zamudio, said the fundraiser was unexpected and very much appreciated.

(It) was so gracious, Zamudio said. ... Our hearts are so full with the outpouring of support we have been receiving from everyone. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the amount of people.

In total, a GoFundMe organized for the family has now raised over $24,000.

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I would like to thank our community from the depths of our hearts for all the messages, donations, etc. that we have been receiving, Zamudio said. The kids, myself and our whole family have felt so loved and supported during this tragic time.

They say it takes a village, and boy, do we have a good one.

Jerell is scheduled for a probable cause conference on Thursday, May 23, before Judge Bradley Knoll in Ottawa County's 58th District Court.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Healthy Holland raises $2K for family of random shooting victim
Heather A. Hadi and Joseph Hale will face off in the November general election to represent District 7 on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.

Primary voters chose them from a field of four candidates that also included Frank Cannavo and William Matthew Housh.

Unofficial results indicate that Hadi got about 40% of the vote, Hale got about 25%, Cannavo received about 21% and Housh had about 14%.

They are running for the seat currently held by Preston Worley, who has served on the council since 2017 and announced in December he would not run again.

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The 7th District includes areas off Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road, including neighborhoods around Woodhill and Codell drives, Squires Road and Hays Boulevard.

Hadi is an immigration and family law attorney who grew up in Lexington.

Im incredibly humbled to have the overwhelming support from my neighbors and friends here in Lexington, she said in a statement



Tuesday night. We have a lot of momentum heading into the General Election, and Im looking forward to continue sharing my vision for the future of Lexington.

Hale, who ran unsuccessfully against Worley in 2022, is the IT coordinator for the Emergency Response and Preparedness Branch of the states Department for Public Health and a pastor who runs a mentoring program for boys.

Thank you to the people of District 7, he said in a statement. I am very excited about this election season, and even more excited about serving our community. District 7 deserves a voice, influence, and a vote at council, and Im determined to be just that. 

Both Hadi and Hale mentioned the availability of affordable housing as a topic theyre concerned about.

Four political newcomers seek 7th District council seat. What to know about candidates
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. OPEC Secretariat will host a high-level dialogue ahead of COP29, Trend reports.

"OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais warmly welcomes Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and COP29 President Designate to the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, in a historical and first-ever visit by the COP Presidency to OPEC," the bloc's post on X reads.

As such, the dialogue, co-chaired by Minister Babayev and Haitham Al Ghais, will bring together high-ranking officials from OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the Charter of Cooperation (CoC), providing a unique opportunity for all delegates to actively engage with the COP Presidency in a constructive and inclusive dialogue.

Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku, having become the center of the world, will host about 70,00080,000 foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The parties to the convention are 198 countries. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
Ambulances in Bangkok wait to carry passengers from a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence. via Associated Press

A passenger who was on the Singapore Airlines flight that hit extreme turbulence shared details of the harrowing experience on CNN Tuesday.

The London-Singapore flight, which departed Monday evening, made an emergency landing in Bangkok after plummeting 6,000 feet in about three minutes, leaving a British man dead and dozens of other passengers injured.

Authorities said the man may have died of a heart attack. Six people are hospitalized in critical condition.

Andrew Davies, who was one of the 211 passengers on board, told CNNs Erin Burnett that the flight started out smoothly. He had eaten a meal and was watching a movie, about nine or 10 hours into the flight, when he saw the seat belt sign come on.

He buckled in right away, he said, and thank goodness I did, because within moments of doing that, all hell broke loose.

The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing into the ceiling, he recalled.

All hell broke loose.



Andrew Davies was on board the Singapore Airlines flight that turned deadly. He tells @ErinBurnett what he saw pic.twitter.com/FSa5XBtF7O  Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) May 22, 2024

When the plane leveled off, Davies said, he turned and saw a woman with a large gash in her head.

The passenger who died was sitting right behind him, he added.

We tended to this gentleman and I helped carry him, get him out of the seat, and we lay him on the floor so that some medical professionals could administer CPR... for at least 20 minutes, Davies said, adding that the passenger was then pronounced dead at the scene.

When the plane landed, local medics swiftly boarded and tended to the injured, he said, adding that he had been seated next to the deceased mans wife, who was in severe shock.

Davies said many of the passengers showed one another extraordinary kindness during the ordeal, and some have exchanged contact details and intend to keep in touch after the terrifying shared experience.

The deceased man has been identified as Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, a musical theater director from southwest England. He was a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity, the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in South Gloucestershire said in a statement.
Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday described a sudden, dramatic drop as all hell broke loose on board the Boeing airliner carrying 229 passengers and crew.

At first, the flight was perfectly normal, said passenger Andrew Davies, who was traveling to New Zealand for business. He described the flight as quite smooth  I dont remember any turbulence at all.

Flight SQ321 was cruising at 37,000 feet from London to Singapore when flight tracking data shows the plane dropped sharply before climbing several hundred feet, then repeated the dip and ascent, for about a minute.

Many passengers were having breakfast at the time of the incident.

Then, about nine or 10 hours into the roughly 13-hour flight, he was watching a movie when he saw the seat belt sign light up  so he put his seat belt on. Thank goodness I did because within moments of doing that, all hell broke loose, he told CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront.

The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing to the ceiling. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee, which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling, Davies said.

Images from the plane afterward show the cabin in disarray, with papers, cups and water pitchers scattered on the floor, and ceiling panels and piping hanging loose.

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21. - Reuters

Davies was sitting toward the front of the plane and witnessed some of the injuries sustained by dozens of passengers  including Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old Briton who died on the flight.

That gentleman was sitting right behind me, he said. Lots of people needed some help but we tended to this gentleman, and I helped carry him, get him out of the seat, and we laid him on the floor so that some medical professions could administer CPR.

Kitchen was given CPR for about 20 minutes, said Davies. Meanwhile, he said, there was so much screaming, and peoples injuries were evident; when he turned around, he saw one passenger with a big gash in her head and blood pouring down her face, and another elderly passenger in severe shock.

Another passenger, 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir, told Reuters that the aircraft had begun tilting up and shaking.

Very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling, he told Reuters. Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.

Azmir added that the whole thing was really, really quick  which is why I think nobody could really respond to it. People didnt have time to react, he said  there were passengers in the plane bathrooms and air crew still standing when the turbulence hit.

The plane was diverted to Bangkok after the incident, which injured 104 of the passengers, according to an update at Wednesday lunchtime from the Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, which treated many of the travelers.

Those injured on the flight included citizens from Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and Ireland, the hospital said in an earlier update.

Those needing medical assistance were sent to several hospitals in the Thai capital, while others were looked after at a clinic at the airport. Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said 20 travelers remained in intensive care units on Wednesday.

Josh Silverstone, one of the passengers on the Singapore Airlines flight, described feeling happy to be alive as he was leaving Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital on Wednesday evening.

Speaking with journalists on his way out, the 24-year-old British citizen said he had suffered a cut on his eye and a chipped tooth in the turbulence.

He also said that after the incident had taken place, he had let his mother know he was ok by purchasing an in-flight Wifi package for the first time in his life.

Silverstone described the aftermath of the emergency landing in Bangkok, saying he started vomiting, which prompted him to look for medical care.

According to Silverstone, there are still several passengers being treated at the hospital, many apparently with spinal injuries and in a much worse physical state than he is.

Silverstone told journalists he was going to Bali to see my boys when the horror on SQ321 unfolded, but he still hopes to eventually get there.

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board the original flight, 143 were transported via a relief flight to Singapore, where they landed early Wednesday morning, according to Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong in a video message released on Facebook.

The remaining 79 passengers and 6 crew members are still in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care, and their family members.

Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager of the Bangkok airport, said on Tuesday that preliminary investigations suggest Kitchen had suffered from a heart condition, and that the autopsy process is ongoing.

Several passengers had broken arms, but the majority of injuries were cuts and bruises, he added.

Goh, the CEO, extended his condolences to Kitchens family and loved ones, saying the airline was deeply saddened by this incident and was very sorry for the traumatic experience that passengers endured.

The airline is cooperating with authorities on the investigation, he added.

Singapores Ministry of Transport is investigating the incident, saying Tuesday it was in touch with its Thai counterparts and would be sending investigators to Bangkok. The US National Transportation Safety Board is also sending personnel to Singapore to help the investigation, including a representative of the board and four technical advisors.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the surname of a passenger speaking with reporters outside Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok.

Additional reporting from Angie Puranasamriddhi, Ivan Watson and Duarte Mendonca contributed to this report.

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BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 28: Veronica Spencer, great granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells are some of the most important in medical research, poses at her home with a portrait of her great grandmother March 28, 2017 in Baltimore, MD. - Photo: Katherine Frey/The Washington Post (Getty Images)

The family of a Black woman whose biopsied cancer cells have been used in medical research without her consent for decades just scored a major victory in their fight for justice. On May 20, a federal judge rejected pharmaceutical company Ultragenyxs motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the family of Henrietta Lacks last year.



Research conducted on Henrietta Lacks biopsied (HeLa) cells has played a key role in the development of both the polio and COVID-19 vaccines. However, the cells were saved and used by doctors without her consent when she was a patient at Johns Hopkins University receiving treatment for cervical cancer in 1951. Although Johns Hopkins maintains they did not profit from the use of Lacks cells, the Locks family is seeking justice by going after several pharmaceutical companies they believe profited without their permission.

In August of 2023, the family settled for an undisclosed amount with scientific research company Thermo Fisher Scientific. They filed a lawsuit in a Baltimore federal court against Ultragenyx shortly after. Since that time, the company has tried to get a judge to dismiss the case, arguing the family used an invalid legal theory, in pursuit of huge profits that do not exist. Lacks family attorney, Chris Ayers called the judges decision to allow the family to pursue justice for Henrietta the first step of holding the scientific community accountable.

In a joint statement about the decision, attorneys Ben Crump and Christopher Seeger, who have been representing the family call on the pharmaceutical industry to work with the Lacks family to right the wrongs it committed over 70 years ago.

The family of Henrietta Lacks is grateful for the judges important decision to deny Ultragenyxs baseless motion to dismiss the case and allow the lawsuit to move forward. This historic ruling is not only a victory for Henrietta Lacks family; it presents an opportunity to correct a monumental wrong. We invite Big Pharma to the table to resolve this on behalf of Henrietta Lacks family.

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MORA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  More than two years since a government-sparked wildfire took everything from victims in northern New Mexico, hundreds of those victims say the federal government is still failing them. KRQE Investigates visited the burn scar where families say theyre fighting another battle, this time with FEMA.

Latest from KRQE Investigates

There are some things you cant put a price on. It was just a really beautiful piece of property, Toby Dolan explained, as he walked around the empty lot where his home used to stand. Both of our boys bedrooms were over here, our oldest son was in this corner, he pointed. Our younger son was in this corner.

Dolan showed KRQE News 13 what was his three-generation family property in northern New Mexico near Mora. Through the gap in the trees, you could see Hermits Peak real clearly, he pointed. Thats where it all started right there.

Dolan is one of hundreds of victims still left with an empty lot two years since the government-sparked wildfire. Now weve got elk tracks coming through the house, he pointed to wildlife tracks where his living room used to be.

His house and everything in it burned two years ago in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire, the states largest, most destructive fire, sparked by the U.S. Forest Service. The wildfire burned through more than 341,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Toby Dolan showing reporter Gabrielle Burkhart where his home used to stand before the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Wildfire burned it to the ground.

I mean this was going to be retirement for all of us, Dolan explained. And then with the intentions of passing it down to our kids as well.

The retired New Mexico State Police Captain and his wife raised two sons there. They had good times here, he said, pointing to a large rock his boys used to play on near the house.

An old toy truck Dolans sons used to play with, found during our interview on his property.

His sons are now grown men, too heartbroken to visit the ashes of their childhood home, their mom explained. I mean, you lose, you lose things that just cant be replaced, said Dolan. You cant attach a dollar sign to it or anything like that.

But he has to try. In order for thousands of victims like him to rebuild, the federal government set aside nearly $4 billion to repay them.

President Joe Biden sat next to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in June of 2022 when he vowed to Fully compensate survivors for their total loss.

But today, Dolan says he hasnt seen a dime yet from the government. And hes not alone. Thats been a process thats been very aggravating, he said.

Wildfire victims are suing FEMA

So currently, we have over 1,500 individual plaintiffs that we represent, explained Brian Colon. Colon is a former state auditor, now managing partner for Singleton Schreiber, attorneys representing victims of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire who are now in a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA.

They have failed to recognize all the damages to fully compensate those victims of the federal governments negligence, said Colon. Under New Mexico law, they deserve to be fully compensated. That means loss of enjoyment and use of their property, the inconvenience of having to be evacuated, the distress of going back and not having what was once theirs.

FEMA set up a local claims office to process payments. And while Colon credits New Mexicos federal delegation with a Fire Assistance Act, directing the claims office to Provide victims compensation, Colon says FEMA is failing to meet a 180-day deadline, and failing to account for non-economic damages.

Twenty-five weeks would have been acceptable, but 25 months? Colon said. These folks essentially have been retraumatized by FEMA.

Three generations displaced

Aside from the actual structures the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire took from their family, it also took the proximity Dolan had to his elderly mother who used to live just a few steps away from him and his wife. Today, shes renting an apartment more than an hour away from where hes currently staying.

KRQE took the drive to their weekender rental, meant for visitors staying for a weekend in the mountains. We thought it was temporary but, Tangee Dolan shrugged.

Tangee is Tobys mom and cares for her 99-year-old mother in the weekender apartment rental. To be homeless at that age is pretty disturbing, Tangee said. You know, I trust God. I know hes gonna take care of us, but theres a level of anxiety for sure, she said through tears.

Tobys grandmother watches television in their weekender rental property. Tangee notes the steep 15-stair climb she uses daily.

Why has the claims process taken so long?

Like with any new program, there have been challenges, explained Deborah Martinez, spokeswoman for the FEMA Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Claims Office. With programs, with, you know, the software that we had, with our capacity, we had limited space, and limited people.

Martinez explained things are moving faster this year with a new director and more staff. She also claims, We were disturbed to find that not all law firms are presenting the offers that were giving them for significant amounts of money for their clients.

She told KRQE Theyre [attorneys are] not sharing those with them. When asked how she knew those offers were not shared with clients, Martinez replied, We just know.

When asked if shed tell KRQE which attorneys are allegedly not sharing offers, Martinez replied, I cant.

FEMAs allegation that attorneys are not sharing offers with their clients is preposterous, said Colon. Under our rules as attorneys, we have an obligation to extend and share those offers and then give our legal advice as to whether or not those offers are acceptable.

And many of FEMAs offers arent acceptable, Colon claims. But secondarily, what interest do I have in withholding an offer to a client from the FEMA claims office? Thats ridiculous, he added.

For its part, FEMAs paid out hundreds of millions of dollars so far, nearly $632 million, Martinez said. Were staffing up, were speeding up. And, you know, I think that thats really happening in a very good, positive way in the community, she said. Martinez also wanted KRQE News 13 to talk to Jerry Gomez.

Ive been here all my life, Gomez said. He didnt hire an attorney, and with a partial payment from FEMA, hes started to rebuild.

Everybody had to start from scratch, Gomez explained. And as a somebody that lost everything, it was it was kind of hard to remember everything.

Gomez said his case manager has been helpful through the recovery process. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also visited his property since the wildfire, and Gomez was featured in political ads with Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez.

However, Gomez denies any notion political relationships give him a leg up. I find myself, hopefully, anything that I say or anything that I can do, its for everybody. Not for me, Gomez told KRQE.

Yes, I lost everything. But, on the other hand, this world is a lot older than we are, said Gomez. So lets not give up on it. Like his neighbors, he still has a long way to go and a lot of rebuilding. He also hasnt been paid in full by the government.

Jerry Gomez also lost everything in the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire.

We dont play favorites, said Martinez. We take every case in the queue as they are put into our system, she assured.

A generational loss

For now, Dolan and his wife are living with their employer. His family is leaning on the generosity of landlords and friends, worried about overstaying their welcome.

You never know, they might want it to be a weekender again, said Tangee. So how do you put a price on a generational loss?

What we were gonna pass on to kids and grandkids and great-grandkids, Tangee trailed off, and put up her hands, Theres nothing left to pass on.

Those folks of northern New Mexico will never be made whole, said Colon. You cant give them back what the federal government took away.

In their lawsuit against FEMA, Colon is seeking payment for losses you cant see, the non-economic damages. If we dont get these claims resolved in the next 180 days, we will see them in federal court, he said.

After our interviews with the Dolan family, Toby received a partial payment offer from FEMA that he and his attorneys are reviewing. Things like reforestation, erosion, road damage, and diminution of property values, are some of the topics yet to be considered, Dolan said.

FEMAs new Director of Operations, Jay Mitchell, took the helm this month. The local claims office says it expects the office will be around for years. November 14th is the deadline for people to file a claim with FEMA.

According to Martinez, FEMA has currently paid out $631.9 million. We are still seeing many third-party or attorney-represented claimants who have pending offers  close to 80% of the total pending amount at last count, Martinez said in an email.

Under the Fire Assistance Act, FEMA cannot duplicate certain payments covered by insurance. However, in cases like Dolans mothers home, many homes didnt have insurance policies. And many of the pending offers from FEMA are for partial payments.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainian soldier in a trench. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported that the highest number of combat clashes on 22 May occurred on the Kupiansk front.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 19:00 on 22 May

Quote: "The enemy kept conducting attacks along almost the entire line of contact; a total number of offensive and assault operations increased to 105 today. The majority of combat clashes are taking place on the Kupiansk front. The Defence Forces respond to the actions of the occupiers and take all necessary measures to deplete the offensive potential of Russian troops.

On the Kharkiv front, all 10 combat clashes took place in the area of the village of Lyptsi. One battle is still ongoing. The enemy concentrated all of today's airstrikes in the areas of Vovchansk and the village of Vilcha. They dropped aerial bombs. The situation is under control.

On the Kupiansk front, fighting is ongoing in the areas of Synkivka, Berestove, Druzheliubivka and Hrekivka."

Details: On the Lyman front, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled six Russian attacks near Torske and Nevske.

On the Siversk front, Ukrainian forces are currently repelling three Russian attacks near the villages of Bilohorivka and Vyimka.

On the Kramatorsk front, there were five Russian attacks. Three more combat clashes continue in the areas of Ivanivske and Andriivka.

On the Pokrovsk front, 11 combat clashes are ongoing, and another 10 Russian attacks have already been repelled.

On the Kurakhove front, 18 combat clashes took place today.

On the Prydniprovske front, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to force Ukrainian troops from the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River seven times.

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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A historic Black cemetery in York County announced it is closed the week before Memorial Day following the discovery of another damaged headstone.

The Lebanon Cemetery posted on Facebook that a large stone was toppled over Wednesday and officials are unsure if this is a new incident or if it is related to the recent vandalism of other headstones.

Previous coverage -> Historic York County cemetery vandalized

The reason for the closure is so cemetery volunteers can assess the entire property. No one is allowed to enter until work has been completed, the post states.

With over 2,000 stones on the property, the members of the volunteer Lebanon Cemetery Company need to secure resources to assess the safety of the entire property, the post reads. With this in mind, Lebanon Cemetery (1412 N. George St, York, PA 17404) is now CLOSED effective immediately. No one is permitted on the property without prior authorization until the work to enhance safety is complete.

The hope is that the cemetery is back open in time for Memorial Day but volunteers are needed, officials said.

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Officials first found multiple headstones toppled over Friday, and filed a report with Northern York Regional Police Department who are investigating.

In order to notify the proper families of the people who are buried there about the headstones, they should contact the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery at 717-819-9448 or lebanoncemeterycompany@gmail.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Hope and a summer of healing for Baird in the wake of tragic loss

BAIRD, Texas  Grief at any age is difficult to navigate.

But when youre a teenager coping with the loss of a peer, it can be especially hard to find your way through it.

Thats where the community here has found itself this month in the wake of the fatal loss of three teens in an early-morning collision May 5.

A student sits before three candles representing the teens who died at the intersection of West Third Street and Payton Road in Baird. Families, classmates and townspeople gathered to remember them during a memorial service May 7.

Layni Potter and Madi Buchanan, both 18, and 16-year-old Ryan Bilby died in the crash.

A 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by Ashlie Haynes of Clyde struck the 2008 Kia Spectra they were riding in, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The driver and another occupant of the Kia suffered minor injuries. Haynes was later arrested for DWI after her breath test showed a blood-alcohol concentration surpassing .08.

While the survivors wore seatbelts at the time of the accident, the three victims did not.

The impact of a loss like this resonates in all directions in a small town like Baird. Two days after the accident, families, friends and members of the community gathered at the intersection where it had occurred.

Treating the wound

David Avecedo, the pastor of First Baptist Church, held a microphone as he read a prayer on his phone behind a pickup. The loudspeaker in its bed carried his voice to the crowd of 150 or more surrounding the intersection at West Third Street and Payton Road.

We gathered here, and the plan was to give them a chance to try to process some of this, he said afterward. To let their grief be real and let that pour out.

In many ways, grief is like any other wound to the body prone to infection. Its not enough to cover it up and think it will heal in time. It requires periodic cleaning to prevent festering.

Its natural to avoid pain, and cleaning a wound is never painless. But the trade here is enduring a lesser amount of discomfort in the short term to avoid something larger down the line.

The school and the Region 14 Education Service Center have been really great at providing counselors, Avecedo said. With summer coming up, you know, it's gonna be important because (the kids) are going to begin to kind of scatter.

At the intersection where three teens were killed, David Avecedo, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Baird, delivers a prayer during a memorial service May 7.

'A kid-by-kid basis'

Baird High School counselor Kortni Collins said theyve got a wide variety of tools at their disposal to help any child who needs it.

I tell the kids all the time, adults have a hard time processing this, and so we totally understand that they're having a hard time processing that, she said. I would say probably the biggest thing is we take it at a kid-by-kid basis.

Dr. Tim Little, Baird ISD superintendent, said their biggest resource is their elementary school counselor and Collins.

At the high school, we have roughly 150-160 kids. Ms. Collins knows every one of them by name, Little said. Being a small school, it gives our teachers, and especially our counselors, a chance to know all the kids."

Anger is a common reaction among those grieving.

Little said while he can't remember a fight on campus in four years, there had been a couple of recent incidents where residual anger was believed to be at the root of the conflict.

"We make sure that our principals are very knowledgeable about these things," he said. "We talk about what to look for, so when something's going sideways, they can pick up on it. That's a lot harder to do in a bigger school. We are blessed in that way.

For Avecedo, the impact on the students was apparent by the silence within the hallways.

School has been . . ., you know, it's eerie when kids are in the hallway between classes, and there's not a sound. It's really quiet, he said. That's when kids are trying to process something that, you know, they shouldn't have to.

A holistic approach

Little agreed that early on, the atmosphere in the school was very much how Avecedo described it. Funerals and other memorial gatherings have served to assist with some closure. Time and honest conversations help as well.

Honoring the three teens who died, a mourner holds a candle during a memorial service in Baird May 7.

Region 14 was out here for two days providing support with their trauma crisis team. They were fantastic, Little said. We opened it up not just to our kids and our staff, but to the parents and any community members who needed counseling. A lot of them took advantage of it.

There is a wealth of literature and a large selection of programs available to school administrators and teachers on how to weather a crisis of this kind.

Little said that training was invaluable.

One thing I think is very important, you do need to take a holistic approach to things like this, he said. That would be my advice to a district going through this.

He explained that means not just looking at your students, but communicating with your staff as well.

We had meetings every morning to talk to the staff; What are you guys feeling?,' Little said.

Teachers needing time to heal were given that opportunity through paid leave and other support.

So, you've got to look at the whole thing," he said. "You've got to look at your students, you've got to look at your staff, and you've got to look at the larger community, and how does it all fit together.

Little emphasized the stress of the tragic event wont end with the school year.

This is not something you just handle for two days, put it in a box and say, 'Well done, mission accomplished,' Little said. It'll continue into the summer, and we'll have residuals of it even into the fall when we come back.

The heart of the town

Support from the school wont end with the school year, either.

The school is the heart of the town, and most of our kids are up here in some capacity or another throughout most of the summer, so we never really lose touch with them, Little said. And like I say, being a small community, our counselors have really good relationships with most of the parents.

Collins invited parents to use her counseling resources during the summer if needed, indicating she would be there all summer. Otherwise, she offered a bit of commonsense guidance.

For parents, the most important thing is just to stay connected with their kid, she said. I've given some advice on limiting social media interactions in the last few weeks just because that can be something that kind of keeps (the loss) at the forefront and doesn't sometimes let us process in a healthy way.

During a candlelight service May 7, friends and peers remember the three Baird teens killed earlier in the month.

Part of the struggle with grief is trying to make sense of what happened, to look for an answer to the hardest question anyone can ask. But for Avecedo, thats a fruitless pursuit.

If there is any kind of answer, he suggested turning to personal faith or simply focusing on the things that are important now and not on the past.

What happened here was beyond control, Avecedo said. This is something that happened, and it doesn't make sense.

We've got to understand it's never going to make sense.

More: Missouri man indicted in wrong-way crash that killed Baird teen

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Hope and a summer of healing for Baird in the wake of tragic loss
Wherever you turn in Horry County, you can find new construction. New homes, communities, and business ventures crop up routinely as development remains strong despite a cool real estate economy.

However, the pace of development worries some residents, and social media posts about new construction receive frustrated comments from locals. Some wonder what impact unchecked development will have on the Grand Strand, and in attempting to address these concerns, Horry County policymakers introduced new zoning designed to preserve the Grand Strands nature.

The proposal, presented to the Infrastructure & Regulation Committee on May 14, 2024, creates a new preservation zoning district within the existing Multi-Residential District framework. Developments classified as a Preservation Multi-Residential District would specifically address rural subdivisions by reducing the size of lots and increasing the amount of land kept in its natural state.

Specifically, the proposal would add a 100-foot landscape buffer that either contains a mix of a minimum number of trees, shrubs, and grasses or a natural forest area supplemented by additional planting that must be 50 percent evergreen varieties.

However, the proposal allows Horry Countys Imagine 2040 Future Land Use Map Designation to determine the maximum number of dwelling units per acre. Currently, rural multi-residential districts allow for a maximum of three dwelling units per acre. The preservation district size requirements for single-family homes, townhomes, and other properties largely mirror existing suburban multi-residential district limits  typically smaller than what rural communities would currently allow.

Horry County Planning & Zoning Department Director J. Charles Suggs presented the plan to the Infrastructure and Regulation Committee. Suggs did not return a request for comment before publication. Committee members discussed the proposals merits, and while many seemed in favor of creating zoning specifically designed to preserve a more natural environment, balancing sustainability and remaining friendly to development was a topic of concern.

Developers, including the Chief Operating Officer of the building firm Diamond Shores, David Schwerd, were also present at the meeting. Schwerd previously worked for Horry County as a director of Horry County Planning & Zoning, according to his LinkedIn profile. While speaking with the committee, Schwerd said the new zoning would present trade-offs for developers. The new zoning would reduce the number of lots a property could have, but Schwerd said the proposal could also reduce the infrastructure and roads a project would need  reducing development costs.

The entire meeting was posted to Facebook.

According to Horry County Director of Public Information Mikayla Moskov, before the preservation zoning district can be adopted, it must receive three readings from Horry County Council and a public hearing. The desire to protect Horry Countys environment comes as the area has lost a considerable amount of trees since the beginning of the 21st century, and experts and policymakers are worried that the loss of forests could exacerbate the Grand Strands susceptibility to flooding.

How flooding and deforestation impacts Horry County

From 2001 to 2022, Horry County lost 61-kilo hectares of tree cover, equivalent to about 26 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to Global Forest Watch, an online, open-source platform that monitors forests worldwide.

Global Forest Watch did report that Horry County gained 16.5-kilo hectares of tree cover during the first 20 years of the 21st century, the third most in South Carolina. However, the service also reported Horry County lost 1.62 kilo hectares of natural forest, equivalent to 778 kilotons of carbon dioxide emissions, in 2022 alone.

One group worried about deforestation is the Coastal Conservation League, a non-profit founded in 1989 that protects South Carolinas coastal habitats and natural resources.

In a December 2023 interview, CCL North Coast Project Manager Trapper Fowler and North Coast Office Director Becky Ryon spoke at length about the impact tree reduction has on the Grand Strand area. Ryon added that cutting down trees hurts the area not only due to carbon emissions but also in practical terms, like flooding.

The storage capacity for trees for water is astounding, and anytime we cut down a tree, we risk worsening the flooding for the area, Ryon said. All of the developments that were seeing where they are clear-cutting lots. Its exacerbating all of these issues that the County is already facing, but especially flooding.

Fowler also said that development could be sustainable by avoiding sprawling communities, which utilize large amounts of land without a corresponding number of units and reduce the number of trees and green spaces in the area.

One way to do that is to promote conservation subdivisions or cluster development where you have the building footprint of the subdivision or the multifamily development within the uplands, Fowler added. Then you have the surrounding area left untouched.

Indeed, deforestation is already impacting areas within Horry County. In 2021, student researchers at Coastal Carolina University released a report about the Bucksport community in Horry County, how flooding negatively impacted the area, and what sustainable development looked like in the future.

The report found that Horry County lost more than 15 percent of its total forested area between 1996 and 2016, which equated to more than 38 miles. CCUs study also showed that deforestation impacted 30 percent of Bucksports four miles of total land and that the area is at risk of flooding due to losing so many trees, which serve as natural flood protection.

The South Carolina Floodwater Commission issued a report in November 2019 examining the states flooding, what was amplifying the problem, and flooding solutions. The report stated that increased urbanization, specifically removing trees and destroying wetlands to make way for more paved surfaces, reduced the Palmetto States natural flood barriers.

The report added that the development and reduction of natural areas worsen flooding, specifically in fast-growing areas like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island, which reside in floodplains and receive the initial impact of natural disasters. The flood commission added that reforestation and wetland restoration could improve the Palmetto States flood resiliency.
The House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday adopted an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would push the Department of Defense to rehire U.S. service members who were fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

The measure, which would require the Pentagon to create a robust plan for rehiring those service members, was adopted by voice vote as the committee considered a round of amendments for a markup of the 2025 national defense authorization act (NDAA).

The measure, however, faces an uncertain future later this year, when the committee will meet with the Democratic-led Senate Armed Services Committee to reconcile differences in the NDAA before full passage in Congress.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who offered the amendment, said the measure would correct the wrongful firing of 8,400 service members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine when it was made mandatory for the U.S. military.

The Department has so far failed to recruit a significant number of service members separated under the COVID mandate. This is unacceptable, she said. These individuals possess valuable skills, and many already have training that our military desperately needs.

In the 2024 NDAA, Congress included a measure that directed the Pentagon to consider the reinstatement of service members fired over the vaccine at the request of the veterans. Those veterans, however, must have submitted a request for a religious, administrative or medical exemption for the vaccine.

Lawmakers also included the authorization of an investigatory board to review service members discharged over the vaccine and a requirement for the Defense Department to communicate to those veterans how they can be reinstated in the 2024 bill.

In the 2023 NDAA, Congress forced the Pentagon to rescind a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

But Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) said service members are required to get multiple types of vaccines.

Vaccines save lives, he said. It is a readiness issue. We currently vaccinate our forces to protect them and to protect their fellow troops. When service members get sick, it undermines the effectiveness of our entire force.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. One of the key aspects of the COP conference is that participating countries update their legislation in climate-related areas to meet international commitments, an advisor to the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan Asad Shirinov said at an International Workshop themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and regional perspectives," held at ADA University in Baku on May 22, Trend reports.

According to him, Azerbaijan always pays special attention to climate change.

He also mentioned that organizations related to the environmental sector actively participated in the events preceding COP29.

Azerbaijan, traditionally an oil and gas country, demonstrates its commitment to green energy. State institutions are actively working to address key issues in preparation for COP29, focusing on water diplomacy, transboundary cooperation, and innovative solutions, he added.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) and business leaders criticize effort to gut DEI programs across the UNC system. (Image: NCGA livestream)

The University of North Carolinas Board of Governors could vote as early as Thursday to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across its 17 campuses.

State Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) says a hasty decision to end DEI offerings would be detrimental to attracting and retaining top talent in North Carolina.

North Carolina has been Number One for the last two years when it comes to business. This is largely because of our talent pipeline and our human resources, said Cervania. We will not remain and maintain this title if we go further in divesting from important DEI programs.

Cervania said critics who mislabel DEI as divisiveness, exclusion, and indoctrination, are simply attacking something that they dont understand.

Diversity encompasses the present of individuals from different backgrounds, identities and experience, including and not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, and age, Cervania said. That encompasses everyone in North Carolina and everyone in this room, everyone in this building.

Rep. Amos Quick

Cervania said current DEI event offerings at UNC campuses include engineering summer camps for low-income children, mentorships with Black and LGBTQ business leaders, and residence halls in which aspiring women engineers learn from one another.

I would like to ask if any critics out there have ever been or attended a DEI event, spoken to a DEI employee, or spent a day in the life of a college student using DEI services? If they ever have, they would not be doing the things that theyre doing, Cervania admonished.

Rep. Amos Quick (D-Guilford) said it was maddening to again be at a place in our nations history where diversity, equity, and inclusion have become bad words.

Quick said diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into the very fabric of the Declaration of Independence.

The declaration says, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, thats diversity, are created equal thats equity and equality, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness thats inclusion, Quick said.

Reverend Dr. Rose Cornelious, president of the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, said her community does not support the university system moving backward on DEI.

I represent a town that is probably the most diverse and welcoming in North Carolina, said Cornelious. We have a population that is over 40% Asian. Morrisville has greatly benefited from this diversity, but it has called us to learn about our neighbors. It is required that we see them and respect them and include them.

Reverend Dr. Rose Cornelious

Cornelious believes DEI initiatives make communities richer and less divisive.

They teach us how to see all people. They teach us how to value and respect all types of people. They teach us how to include all types of people.

Deanna Jones, the vice president for Harmony, NCs LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, said the DEI mission is critical to its business members.

If we start eliminating programs and putting a straitjacket on colleges and universities that tell them what programs they can have or what fields of study, it does great damage to this wonderful state. And it sends the wrong message, said Jones.

Jones said North Carolina legislative leaders who rushed ahead in passing House Bill 2 (the bathroom bill) in 2016 did the state a great financial disservice.

North Carolina has been the beneficiary of many companies moving here. Weve had headquarters, operations move here. We cant risk losing this momentum because were fighting a cancel culture war, recalled Jones.

Nehemiah Stewart attended UNC-Chapel Hill as an undergrad and is currently an MD PhD candidate at Chapel Hill studying neuroscience.

He worries the policy shift that the Board of Governors is contemplating will not simply cost jobs, but opportunities that leads minority, low-income rural students to find success.

Each of us in this community, this inclusive community, is needed for success, said Stewart.

Stewart said a better approach would be to establish a new joint legislative committee on workforce development, allowing all voices including parents and students to be heard.

Cornelious said the move to gut DEI, in her opinion, was part of a broader agenda to marginalize people and take away rights from women, minorities and others.

It is unfortunate, but I think we need to raise our voices. Contact your legislators, contact the people who are involved on the Board of Governors, the Rev. Cornelious said. Dont be idle. You cannot afford to sit back.

The full UNC Board of Governors meets on Thursday. Ahead of the meeting, the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees voted last week to strip $2.3 million from next years budget allocated for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on the Chapel Hill campus. Those funds will be used for public safety.

North Carolinas debate over DEI comes as a number of conservative states including Florida, Texas and Utah have already enacted outright bans on DEI initiatives in higher education.

The post House Democrats, business leaders condemn plan to repeal DEI initiatives at NC universities appeared first on NC Newsline.
House gives in to Senate on disabilities funding bill, which wouldnt mandate how $180M is spent

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw banged his gavel as the House adjourned sine die on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, ending the May special session of the West Virginia Legislature. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

A sharp disagreement between the West Virginia House and Senate nearly tabled a bill that would give $180 million to the Department of Human Services to use for programs that help people with disabilities.

Ultimately, after a stand off between the two Republican-supermajority chambers, the House of Delegates opted on Tuesday to accept the Senates version of the bill, which includes no mandate of how DoHS spend the money.

While I dont think this is the best path forward, I think its the path we need to take, said Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor, who had on Monday led the Houses effort to amend spending mandates into the bill.

The embattled DoHS previously spent millions of dollars earmarked for people with disabilities on things like in-home COVID-19 tests and contract nurses salaries.

This gives the additional money to the DoHS to fund these programs, if they so choose  we are going to have to blindly trust that theyre going to do that, Summers continued. But we dont want everyone to suffer by not advancing the funding.

The Legislature in March slashed funds for the states care of people with disabilities, prompting Gov. Jim Justice to call lawmakers back to Charleston this month to restore the money.

While both the Senate and the House cited transparency concerns about DoHS spending, the chambers were sharply divided on how to restore those funds.

Tracy White is the parent of a child who uses the states Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver program.

We feel like theyre taking our loved ones and playing ping pong with them  Theyre playing games with peoples lives, and its uncalled for, said White, who lives in Kanawha County.

The House wanted to mandate that DoHS use some of the funds to improve its Medicaid reimbursement rate that helps pay direct care workers.

The Senate stripped that language out, volleying it back to the House, who refused to concur on the bill late Monday night.

The Senate adjourned sine die Tuesday afternoon without action on the bill. That left the legislation stuck in the House, where their only option was to reverse their actions Monday night that would have added spending mandates to the bill.

The position the House is in now, they need to recede from what they did yesterday or the bill is dead, said Eric Tarr, R-Putnam.

House members said that the Senate wouldnt participate in public conference committees, where lawmakers from both chambers can hash out a compromise.

Its not in the best interest of the people that were supposed to be looking out for, said Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha. I wish [Senators] were more interested in actually doing the job we were sent here to do, which involves disagreeing with each other more than hashing it out. It involves deliberation  I find it disgusting.

House members voted 87-2 to recede its position and pass the Senates version of the bill. Members then adjourned sine die.

The legislation now heads to the governors desk to await signature.

Lawmakers hope money is spent on direct care worker raises

The bill would permit the DoHS secretary to dip into the reserve funds for limited reasons, including services for people with disabilities.

It would require the secretary to submit a monthly report to lawmakers starting on Aug. 1 about any transfers made from the reserves account.

Tarr felt that the Senates version, which ultimately passed, would help lawmakers better understand where DoHS is spending its money.

We had no idea that money was not being spent for the purpose that we appropriated it, he said. What were trying to get right to right now is to make sure that when the legislature appropriates a dollar to a given end, thats the given end it goes to.

Many lawmakers  particularly in the House  are hoping that DoHS uses its funds to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate, which would allow a pay raise for workers who help elderly individuals and people with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries remain in their homes.

A 2023 survey  paid for by state dollars  said West Virginia needed to increase its rate of reimbursement and the worker salary range to $15.50 to $18.60 per hour. Care workers currently make around $11 an hour, which has contributed to a statewide staffing shortage.

[Families] cant get the services they need. There are no respite workers. The pay for our respite workers is extremely low, White said.

DoHS leadership previously said they had no intention to fund the rate increase.

Del. Evan Worrell, one of two House members who voted no on the Senate version Tuesday, argued that it didnt do enough to ensure DoHS spend the money on improving direct care worker salaries.

They stole money from IDD waiver people in this state. Now, a month later were going to give them $180 million, [and say] Go have fun, spend the money however you want. We trust you, he said. Thats why Im still against this, I believe we need to restore all the cuts appropriately  I dont trust the agency do whats right.

Worrell, R-Putnam, owns a company that provides in-home workers and has had to lay off employees due to the low reimbursement rate.

Del. J.B. Akers said he hoped the money would be spent the way our constituents expect it to be spent.

I would hope if this bill does not fit the way that we intended it, then theres hell to pay next year, he said.

The post House gives in to Senate on disabilities funding bill, which wouldnt mandate how $180M is spent appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The House Agriculture committee is trying to fund its farm bill proposals with counterfeit money, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters Wednesday morning.

Vilsack spoke after a range of groups from across the political spectrum criticized House Republicans proposed farm bill, which seeks to direct tens of billions to subsidies for farmers of peanuts, rice and cotton.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) told reporters these increases  which he said were necessary to make up for rising costs of inputs like fuel and fertilizer  would be paid for by freezing increases to food aid, and by cuts to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which allows administrations to make emergency loans.

But Vilsack noted that the Congressional Budget Office has found these cuts  which are deeply unpopular among Democrats  fall well short of what is needed to pay for Thompsons proposed increases.

Thompsons camp disputes these findings, and The Hill has reached out for further clarification.

The House, Vilsack said, doesnt have the resources, if they follow the rules, to be able to do everything that theyre doing.

You cant rob Peter to pay Paul, he added.

The House bill, unveiled by Thompson last week, would increase the reference prices for cotton, peanuts and rice. Analysis from the Environmental Working Group suggests those changes would lead to farmers of those commodities getting paid out over the next five years no matter what.

That plus proposed increases to crop insurance could cost between $50 billion and $100 billion  though the Congressional Budget Office doesnt yet have firm numbers, and may not have them before the current farm bill expires.

That price tag poses a serious challenge for the House because Congress has said this farm bill must be budget neutral, meaning additions in one area must be balanced by cuts in another.

The trouble, Vilsack argued, was that the creative math in the House Agriculture Committees bill doesnt work. He compared the plan to a parent who at Christmas time you go out and buy all the gifts on credit. And then the bill come due in January and then youd have to really tighten the belt and you have to make serious sacrifices, which nobody likes.

In the upper chamber, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Minn.) has run up against the same dilemma, but taken a different  though similarly fraught  approach: Her committees bill is up to $20 billion over the budget, and she plans to ask Congress for more money.

She basically went to the leadership and said I need additional money  to be able to raise reference prices to be able to satisfy some of the concerns that have been expressed by folks out in the countryside, Vilsack said. Why arent we seeing that from the majority?

The situation, the secretary stressed, is urgent. The failure of last years farm bill amid the chaos in the House meant that the bill  usually passed every five years  was thrown into limbo.

Last September, as the five-year bill expired, Congress passed a one-year supplemental that kept all programs running at their previous levels  but left the broader trajectory of American agriculture in doubt.

As Democrats and Republicans mutually exclusive red lines on the issue loom over the process of negotiating a new farm bill, and the possibility of a second failure looms, long-term planning is becoming ever more difficult for farmers, bankers and conservationists.

All those camps, Vilsack said, want the same thing: they want to know what the rules of the road are going to be for the next five years.

So the failure to get the farm bill done, makes it more difficult for farmers, for rural communities for businesses to be able to plan and to be able to implement in order to create economic opportunities.

In comments after Vilsacks call, Thompson fired back, calling it an eleventh-hour push and defending both the cutbacks to the CCC and the savings they would yield. Thompson accused the secretary of using every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, and said his committee was reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

Funding the farm bill is always a puzzle, and finding the right pieces to produce a strong farm bill has been tricky but also a worthwhile, he said. The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

Biden isnt the only president to make heavy use of CCC. Former President Trump used the corporation to record-breaking levels, according to Politico with no strings attached and little oversight from Congress.

For the first time in history, that administration threatened to put CCC in the red and required Congress to refill it not once, but four times, Vilsack wrote in an October op-ed for the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

 Updated at 2:51 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Bill 217 would establish the Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive Program." (Getty Images)

The New Hampshire House is poised to vote down a bill that would create a grant program to boost teacher recruitment in rural schools, after Republicans on the House Finance Committee said it could create future financial burdens for the state.

Senate Bill 217, which passed the Senate by voice vote, would establish the Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive Program. That program would eventually allow teachers who sign up to work in certain schools up to $12,000 in grants over four years. But the bill that passed the Senate does not actually fund those grants; it sets aside $1 of state funds as a placeholder through June 2025.

Democrats and other advocates for the bill say it could be a major boost to school districts that have struggled to recruit staff since COVID-19, particularly those in far-flung communities. And they argue the placeholder money would allow a commission to begin designing the program in anticipation of future funding.

The program was modeled after the successful Idaho incentive program targeting rural teacher shortages and is supported by NHs critical stakeholders, wrote Rep. Mary Hakken-Phillips, a Hanover Democrat, in remarks in the House calendar.

The grants would be available to teachers who take jobs in school districts with fewer than 20 students enrolled per square mile, as well as schools in areas that the Department of Health and Human Services has deemed rural. The program would also allow the state Department of Education to identify schools that are affected by educator shortages, and to give priority to those that are rural and economically disadvantaged.

The bill passed the House Education Committee unanimously in April and received a voice vote in the House.

But Republicans on the House Finance Committee argued that even if the bill does not commit state funds for the next year, passing the bill could tie the hands of future lawmakers. The committee voted, 13-12, to recommend that the bill be killed.

This bill has merit and should be considered during the next budget cycle, wrote Rep. Tracy Emerick, a Hampton Republican, in a report in the House calendar. Adopting this bill at this time would obligate future legislatures. In light of recent revelations of accelerating liabilities due to youth detention center lawsuits, obligating a future legislature is not recommended.

The House will take up the measure at its session on Thursday.

The post House set to vote down proposed rural teacher recruitment fund appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Former Gov. Howard Dean, 75, will not seek a sixth term as governor this fall.

Dean, Vermont's longest-serving governor, surprised Vermonters when he announced late last month that he was considering another bid for the seat more than two decades after he left office. But on Monday, Dean, a Democrat, told reporters that despite going "back and forth multiple times," he had decided to forgo another campaign after all.

At a press conference in Waterbury on Monday, the former governor said that while he believed he could win against incumbent Republican Phil Scott, a close race "between two well-known candidates" risks stirring political division in Vermont.

Dean, who said he was polling 10 points behind Scott, said his only hope to defeat Vermont's highly popular governor would be to "run a scorched earth, negative attack campaign like the ones being run all over the country," a tactic he called "really harmful to our state and our values."

"There's plenty of negative things to say about your opponents but it's certainly not the Vermont way," Dean said. "I was not going to be the one that made it the Vermont way."

Dean said his three grandchildren  who he wouldn't be able to see while campaigning  also factored into his decision not to run for governor again.

"I will support our candidate, I'll work for them, I'll continue to work both before the election and afterwards to move Vermont towards affordable healthcare and universal healthcare," Dean said.

Who is Howard Dean?

Dean, a physician, assumed the governor's office in August 1991 following the death of Gov. Richard Snelling after being elected twice as lieutenant governor. He left office in January 2003 and, with five terms under his belt, remains Vermont's longest-serving governor.

Dean ran for president a year later, but failed to secure the Democratic nomination over Sen. John Kerry from Massachusetts. Despite losing his bid for higher office, Dean was elected the chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2005, a position he held for four years.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean makes it official by announcing his run for president on Church Street in 2003.

Is another two years of Scott's administration imminent?

Dean's decision to forgo another bid for governor leaves Vermont Democrats with no candidate with a household name less than 10 days before the application deadline for the August primary election. So far, only one Democrat has launched an official campaign for governor  former Middlebury Selectboard member Esther Charlestin.

Besides Scott, the only other gubernatorial candidate to declare so far is social worker Poa Mutino, an Independent.

Scott remains the country's favorite governor, and was re-elected two years ago with 71% of the votes. Additionally, a poll from the University of New Hampshire shows a "bipartisan majority" of residents want Scott to seek another term.

The statewide major party primary is scheduled for Aug. 13, followed by the general election on Nov. 5.

Former Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, as seen in his office in City Hall on March 28, 2024.

Weinberger also declines to join governor's race

Former Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger also announced on Monday that he had chosen not to run for governor.

Samantha Sheehan, a Weinberger spokesperson, shared a statement with the Free Press from the former mayor:

"I am grateful that the people of Burlington gave me the opportunity to serve for 12 years, and I am committed to doing what I can to forge further progress on housing, climate and our other urgent challenges, however, I do not intend to be a candidate for public office this fall."

Weinberger chose to not run for re-election in this year's March election after serving 12 years as Burlington mayor.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Howard Dean, Miro Weinberger out as Vermont candidates for governor
Huber Heights city manager put on leave after being arrested for OVI

Huber Heights city council members voted unanimously to put Richard Dzik on leave during an emergency meeting Tuesday.

After being in executive session for over an hour, council members voted unanimously to put Dzik on paid administrative leave and ask the law directors office to investigate.

>> RELATED: Police body cam captures arrest of Huber Heights city manager

Members also voted unanimously to appoint John Russell as interim city director and assign the law directors office to finalize an employment agreement between Russel and the city.

News Center 7 has previously reported that Dzik was arrested on OVI charges while driving a city vehicle in central Ohio on Sunday, according to a Mount Vernon police report.

According to Huber Heights online directory, Russell is an Administrative Battalion Chief with the citys fire division.

We will continue to follow this story.












Florida Channel screenshot of Attorney General Ashley Moody speaking in Coral Gables on May 13, 2024.

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

A law set to go into effect in Florida on July 1 mandates the display of human-trafficking awareness signs in public spaces where that activity is likely to occur. The signs will include a Florida-specific tip line for individuals to report human trafficking, in addition to the existing national hotline.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody says the policy (HB 7063) will ensure that law enforcement in Florida is aware of any and all types of information about human trafficking in the state. As Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the new law last week in Coral Gables, Moody criticized the National Human Trafficking Hotline, operated by an organization called Polaris, because it doesnt always refer tips to law enforcement.

We see organizations that have abandoned their original mission. A hotline that was propped up to help law enforcement rescue survivors no longer doing that, Moody said of the national hotline.

When you see them pushing a radical agenda, an agenda that has been proven not to work in city after city and state after state all around our nation, when the goal is not to help law enforcement accomplish their mission but to obstruct law enforcement in accomplishing their mission, they should be called out and they should be defunded and states need to do what they must to take back that responsibility.

Some human trafficking survivors and their advocates strongly disagree, pointing to a distinct difference between a hotline  a telephone number you call when you need help or resources  and a tip line, where such calls go directly to law enforcement.

The divide is less ideological than philosophical. Although Florida is one of the first states to create its own human trafficking tip line, Moodys sentiments about the National Human Trafficking Hotline not directing all of the calls they receive to law enforcement was shared by 35 other state attorneys general last year, from both blue and red states, who sent a letter to congressional leaders claiming that it appears to us that the Hotline is not performing the services it is already funded to perform.

Without changes to Polariss operating procedures, our state anti-trafficking initiatives gain little from participation in the National Hotline, the letter reads. As such, individual states may be forced to establish their own state hotlines, as some already have begun to do. A nationally run hotline not only achieves cost-efficiencies, but also ensures a uniform approach and allows for the collection of cross-state information with regard to human trafficking tips.

Empowering survivors

Not everyone concerned about the safety and welfare of human trafficking survivors agrees  there are advocates who see legitimate reasons why tips called into the hotline need not immediately be sent directly to law enforcement.

Across the board from survivors, were hearing that requiring law enforcement reporting for adults who do not consent for that information to be shared is very harmful, said Emma Ecker, senior policy specialist with Freedom Network USA, a national organization consisting of service providers, legal advocates, survivors, academics, and others who help survivors through their post-trafficking experiences.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been operated since 2007 by Polaris, a Washington-based nongovernmental organization.

Rafael Flores, director of communications for Polaris, told the Phoenix that the Polaris is a mandatory reporter, meaning it must report immediately all situations involving the abuse, neglect, or trafficking of a minor to the appropriate child welfare or law enforcement agencies.

But Flores confirmed that when it comes to adult victims of human trafficking, Polaris has engaged law enforcement in 30% of all potential trafficking situations handled by the Trafficking Hotline annually.

[H]uman traffickers very regularly threaten victims and their loved ones if someone involves law enforcement. Thus, immediate law enforcement involvement is not always the safest option for a caller, Flores said.

Our protocols require that we put the safety of callers first and foremost when supporting callers in their times of need. A single national hotline number also allows human trafficking victims, survivors, and their loved ones to call us from anywhere they are located, regardless of jurisdiction and regardless of the needs they have at the moment they call.

The rules

The hotlines operations are governed by what is called the Notice of Funding Opportunity within the Department of Health and Human Services, last published in 2020. Polaris involves law enforcement when protocol requires that we do so, as prescribed by HHS guidelines, Flores added.

These are the times when the guidelines mandate that the hotline must share information with law enforcement:

A potential victim directs someone to contact the hotline on their behalf.

A potential victim involved in commercial sex is under the age of 18 at the time of the report.

There is a clear indication of active violence and the potential victim is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.

The potential victim asks the hotline to make a report on their behalf or anonymously.

The letter sent by the attorneys general about Polaris spurred immediate congressional action last year by Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee of Hillsborough County, who filed the proposed National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act. Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, also of Hillsborough County, signed on as co-sponsor. The bill would require entities under contract with the National Human Trafficking Hotline to cooperate with state and local law enforcement agencies when receiving tips.

The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee last November and its next step would be a vote on the floor of the U.S. House, although its uncertain when that would happen, said Grace Bartlinski, communications director for Lee.

Disrupting human trafficking requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that encourages the public to report suspicious activities and victims to reach out for help, Castor told the Phoenix in an email.

As a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general suggested, it is imperative that calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline involve law enforcement while preserving victim safety and privacy. Every piece of information can contribute to dismantling trafficking networks and rescuing survivors from further exploitation while acknowledging the profound trauma experienced by victims and survivors, Castor wrote.

Castor said she has been inspired by the work at the Trafficking in Persons Risk to Resilience Lab on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, which contributed nearly $1 million earlier this year toward a statewide human trafficking data repository called TIPSTR.

Misleading and confusing

However, a number of state and regional organizations that work with victims of human trafficking oppose the Lee/Castor bill and told members of Congress that in their own letter sent last year.

Public awareness efforts that misrepresent the role of the hotline as a place to send tips to law enforcement are misleading and confusing, the letter says.

However, to replace the national hotline with a national or state hotline that automatically reports to law enforcement is equally misleading and more damaging and will erode trafficking victims already-shaky trust in systems when they call for help and instead are funneled into non-consensual engagement with law enforcement, the letter continues (emphasis in the original).

Seattle-based freelance journalist Sabra Boyd has described being trafficked by her father as a child and again as a homeless teenager in Portland. She emphasizes the differences between hotlines and tip lines.

For example, we have domestic violence hotlines, and data shows that domestic violence has a lot of overlap with human trafficking, yet Gov. DeSantis and A.G. Moody arent suggesting that every single domestic violence hotline call should get routed to police instead of a local shelter and DV [domestic violence] advocate who can help victims navigate what resources and options are available, she told the Phoenix by email.

Boyd added that her first trafficker, her father, was a confidential police informant and violent organized crime boss.

I cant rely on just any random police officer to possibly understand everything that needs to be in place for one of his victims safety, she wrote.

If someone he was trafficking called a hotline, asking for help with tangible needs like a safe place to stay, but the hotline immediately routed the call to law enforcement, that would likely put their life in danger instead of providing the help they took great risk in reaching out to ask for. Just like domestic violence victims, our protocols should first and foremost ask survivors what they need to be safe, and then if they want to press charges and ask police to investigate you go from there.

Not safe

Nicole Avila is anti-trafficking supervising attorney for Florida Legal Services, which serves low-income individuals and families. In many cases, she said, human trafficking survivors might not feel safe going directly to law enforcement.

Having the hotline become a tip line would most likely cause survivors to not access the help that they need and not make that call, knowing that law enforcement would be engaged right away and take agency away from the survivors, which is essentially what trafficking in large part is, she told the Phoenix by telephone.

Another reason why some trafficking survivors are not ready immediately to engage with law enforcement, Avila said, is that they may have been involved in forced criminality, exploited by being forced to engage in illegal activities such as street crime, begging, or drug trafficking, as defined in a 2014 U.S. State Department report.

We encounter folks who either have warrants or pending criminal cases because of the forced criminality aspect, so it may not be safe for them to engage with law enforcement without taking care of those pending things first, because it could lead to additional criminalization and incarceration, Avila said.

In her comments supporting the new Florida legislation last week, Moody blasted Polaris CEO Catherine Chen, calling her a Columbia- and Stanford-educated self-described social justice warrior.

In an accompanying press release, Moody cited Chens hiring in 2020 and her quote that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem as a factor in why Polaris changed its mission of sending all of the tips from the hotline to law enforcement

However, Flores told the Phoenix that the 30% rate of engaging law enforcement has been consistent since 2015.

The letter from the 36 attorneys general raising concerns about the National Human Trafficking Hotline was organized by Democratic Attorney General Kathy Jennings of Delaware and Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch of Mississippi. Neither replied to requests for comment.

The Florida human trafficking hotline is 1-855-FLA-SAFE. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888. They will be located in areas like rest area service plazas, emergency rooms, strip clubs, truck stops, restaurants, message parlors, and other places where sex and labor trafficking may be taking place throughout the state.

The post Some human trafficking advocates object to Floridas new tip line appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Nazrin Abdul

The Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Tamas Torma, highlighted Azerbaijan's increasing significance in diversifying Europe's energy resources during the ADA University event "Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action: European and Regional Perspective", Azernews reports.

He emphasised Azerbaijan's potential in supplying renewable energy sources, electricity, and energy carriers to the European Union (EU).

Torma underscored the importance of strengthening existing energy infrastructure interconnections to enhance the EU's energy security and diversify energy resources. He noted that such efforts would benefit Hungary and the EU as a whole.

Furthermore, Torma highlighted Azerbaijan's pivotal role in the "green energy" project, which aims to supply renewable energy sources to Europe. He mentioned upcoming routes connecting Azerbaijan and Georgia through Albania and Hungary, facilitating the transfer of energy resources to the EU.

Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, emphasised the significance of the upcoming COP29 event in Baku, slated for November. She described it as an opportunity for countries to make crucial collective decisions on various issues.

"In such conditions, when the participants of the climate conference gather in Baku in November, they will make a number of important collective decisions. All this indicates the global character of this event," she stressed.

Andreeva stressed that COP events are interconnected and form the foundation for future discussions. She highlighted the common goal of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, underscoring the urgency of climate action.

COP29 will also form the basis or starting point for some of the discussions at COP30. But there is clearly another common goal: to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees," V. Andreeva added.

Zoltan Salai, Deputy Head of the EU Representation in Azerbaijan, affirmed the EU's collaboration with the Azerbaijani government to ensure the success of COP29. He expressed the EU's readiness to provide support and plans for effective COP goal implementation, particularly in advancing climate policy in transportation, industry, and environmental sectors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Hungary will present a new version of the National Energy and Climate Plan by June 30, 2024, the head of the Hungarian delegation to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Veronika Skolasztika Bagi said during the COP29: Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action. European and Regional Perspectives international workshop at the ADA University in Baku, Trend reports.

"Hungary is currently revising its National Energy and Climate Plan and will present a new version by June 30, 2024," she emphasized.

She outlined the plan's key goals:

 Reducing gross greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

 Achieving a renewable energy share of at least 29 percent in gross final energy consumption.

 Expanding solar power generation capacity from approximately 500 MW to nearly 12,000 MW by 2030.

 Increasing wind power capacity from about 330 MW to 1,000 MW by 2030.

She also highlighted that the Carpathian Basin, particularly Hungary, is among the most vulnerable regions in Europe regarding expected extreme temperatures.

According to her, there is a trend towards an average temperature increase of 34 C, leading to a significant rise in heat waves.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Hunter Biden is now expected to stand trial on federal tax charges in September after a California judge agreed to his request to delay the trial as he faces a separate gun trial beginning next month, The Associated Press reported.

During a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi pushed the tax trial to begin Sept. 5, after Bidens lawyers argued more time is needed to prepare while they also juggle a federal gun trial beginning in Delaware on June 3, AP reported.

The presidents son is accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 through 2019.

The nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses further allege he tried to evade the assessment of taxes in 2018 by filing false returns and instead used the money to fund an indulgent lifestyle that included drugs and alcohol.

Prosecutors fought the delay request in court Wednesday, with attorney Leo Wise telling the judge, The time to try this case is now, per the AP.

The younger Biden was not in the Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday as he was not required, and Scarsi told Bidens lawyer this would be the only delay in the case unless there is an order from a higher court, AP added.

Over on the East Coast, Hunter Biden faces charges related to possessing a firearm while under the influence of drugs. Prosecutors allege he lied on a form indicating he was not using drugs at the time.

He has pleaded not guilty to both indictments, which his attorneys have claimed are both politically motivated and influenced by the separate House GOP investigation into Bidens business dealings.

Earlier this week, Hunter Bidens legal team separately pushed for an appeals court to pause the federal gun trial, claiming there is no urgent need to start the trial June 3. His legal team also filed two appeals Monday, one to attempt to get the prosecution dismissed and a second to contend his actions were protected under the Second Amendment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Huntsville City School Board has given final approval for the systems 10-year capital plan.

The board approved the plan, which you can find a copy of here, after weeks of consideration and public meetings to discuss how it would affect each school. The board voted to approve the plan unanimously.

All five board members spoke before the vote was taken, each explaining why they were in support of the plan. They all say theres something for everyone in the district included in it.

HCS Board President Ryan Renaud says this plan pushes the district closer to a partial unitary status motion under its consent order.

If we get a favorable review on the three partial unitary motions we havethat were planning to submit this yearwe will be 4/7 of the way there which is more than halfway, Renaud stated. In 65 years of the desegregation orderthats something Huntsville City Schools has never accomplished.

Sheriffs office investigating string of small business burglaries near Owens Cross Roads

The 10-year capital plan will give major renovations and expansions to each of the systems schools, in some cases including completely new schools.

The plan will affect each of the systems feeder plans differently. For example, the Columbia Feeder Plan would see a new school in Limestone County to serve students in grades P-8 who live in West Huntsville.

Yet, the plan would require other schools such as Mountain Gap Elementary School and Mountain Gap Middle School, both in the Grissom Feeder Plan, to close. Those students would be consolidated into other schools including a new Challenger Middle School. Those changes would not happen until 2032 and 2031 respectively.

Those closures have caused concern among some parents, with many stating they were worried consolidating students could lead to overcrowding or affect opportunities offered to those students.

What kind of opportunities are going to come to these kids that are in sports, theatre, and band, one parent asked board members at that meeting. How are we still going to give those opportunities to those kids who would not have made it but wouldve made it back at their old school.

New City Hall decorated with local artwork

Other parents were worried the school system might sell the land the schools sit on.

The final plan was unveiled at a board meeting on May 7. During that meeting, Renaud said the board was carving out more time to discuss options with the community.

Were committed to a timeline to engage in a public-facing, community forum to get their inputs on what that looks like, Renaud told News 19s Lynsey Smith. Weve had discussions about potential covenants on the land to ensure it doesnt become anything other than some sort of public facility or school building. So, weve got our legal team looking into what ramifications could come of thatif thats a legally, feasible option.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
The Hy-Vee store on Logan Street in Waterloo is set to close in June 2024. (Photo via Google Earth)

It certainly made the news.

Last week, the Hy-Vee grocery store chain announced it is closing stores in three eastern Iowa communities and recently reduced operating hours at a fourth store in Des Moines.

Waterloos Logan Avenue store will shut down June 23. The supermarket chain says all employees will be offered jobs at other locations. Cedar Rapids took a similar hit. Put Davenport on the list as well.

Unfortunately, these locations have not met our financial expectations over the past several years, Hy-Vee spokesperson Tina Potthoff said in a statement. Editors note: See the end of this column for an updated statement from Hy-Vee.

The nearest grocery store to the Logan Avenue location is All-In Grocers, two miles away on Franklin Street. The Walnut neighborhood surrounding All-In was classified as a food desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 47 years before that store opened in October.

The Cedar Rapids store serves two neighborhoods the U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies as low income, the Gazette reported. Hy-Vee received $915,000 in tax incentives in 2002 to purchase the land for the store and replace an old store nearby.

The downtown Des Moines store also was built with incentives. It recently cut its operating hours despite a 2015 development agreement with the city that requires a longer schedule. Potthoff told Axios in February theft and loitering have been a problem at the store with police being called more than 200 times in a six-month span.

Is it simply a coincidence that all these stores are in middle-, moderate- and low-income family areas? If you live in this part of town, you wont have a grocery store. The overall effect of these closings is that this giant corporation just started putting red lines in Iowa.

Redlining, if you have forgotten, was practiced after the Civil War through the late 1960s. Financial institutions refused to provide mortgages and insurance based on where a person lived. Landlords loved it. They could provide substandard housing and raise rents because dwellers couldnt access the money to buy homes themselves. It was highly discriminatory, and it kept poor areas poor.

Congress finally acted. The 1968 Fair Housing Act outlawed racially motivated redlining. Unfortunately, at present it only includes discriminatory conduct in housing and does not yet extend to other commercial practices. But, make no mistake, should they be made, these store closings are an extraordinary discriminatory act by Iowas largest grocery chain.

Still, cities are not without remedy. The cities should organize job fairs for all the dislocated workers. This means in one place, at one time (or multiple times if necessary) providing guidance on applying for unemployment compensation, other employment in the area and job training at community colleges.

Finally, the cities might well reconsider their relationship with the grocery chain. The city of Waterloo and private developers have spent more than $40 million over the last decade improving the area around the store being closed. Road reconstruction, strip malls, new stores, all were designed to enhance the area and help Hy-Vee succeed.

Cedar Rapids subsidized its store, and the company just walked away. Des Moines had a development agreement stipulating that store would be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The city has agreed to a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule and remains in talks with Hy-Vee.

All cities should look at recapturing tax money that assisted this multimillion-dollar corporation. Any tax dollar assistance should be reviewed. That includes discounts on property or free land, since this company doesnt seem to care about its customers or employees.

I guess you can still expect to see a helpful smile in every aisle. It will just depend on where you live.

This column was originally published by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

Update: Hy-Vee to assist affected customers with transportation, delivery

Hy-Vee emailed the following statement after publication of this column:

No business wants to close a location and that certainly includes Hy-Vee. Over the past several weeks, we have listened to community leaders and residents about the impact of our store closures in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Davenport. Unfortunately, these three stores have each been losing significant amounts of money for several years, and they are simply not feasible for us to operate any longer. However, we have been working to implement viable solutions to ease the transition for the community. Below are several ways we will be helping customers who live near those three stores:

Free transportation: Hy-Vee will provide a free shuttle from each impacted store location to the Hy-Vee store where pharmacy prescriptions will be transferred. This will allow customers to get groceries and receive their medications at the Crossroads Hy-Vee in Waterloo, Oakland Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids, and West Locust Hy-Vee in Davenport. The shuttle service will run three days a week for four hours at a time to accommodate various schedules. The free shuttles will run on a designated schedule starting the week of June 24 through Sept. 1. At that time, we will reevaluate their use by the community. More information will be shared once we finalize routes with our transportation partners. Free grocery delivery: Hy-Vee will provide free grocery delivery to all residents within a one-mile radius of each store that is closing for one year when they sign up for the service. Sign up will begin June 10, and more details will be announced closer to that date. Free delivery will continue through June 23, 2025. A minimum order of $24.95 will be required. Continuation of free pharmacy delivery: Hy-Vee will continue to provide free pharmacy delivery to Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Davenport residents. We have done this for the past several years for all residents in these cities and will continue to do so. No lease restrictions: Hy-Vee is actively working with landlords to try to fill the spaces at each location so that the property does not stay vacant once we close our store. We are not placing a use restriction on any of these three locations. Increased food bank assistance: Hy-Vee is partnering with HACAP in Cedar Rapids, River Bend Food Bank in Davenport and Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo to fund, supply and staff several food distribution events in July and August to help local families in need while school is out for the summer. In Cedar Rapids and Davenport, we will support a mobile food pantry in the parking lot of the First Avenue Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee on Rockingham Road twice a month. Notification for the events will be provided to neighborhoods surrounding each location in late June. In Waterloo, additional protein, like meat and peanut butter, will be donated by Hy-Vee to the food bank to assist families in need since a mobile unit is not available at this location.

We value our customers and communities. As a major employer in the area, we remain committed to supporting our local schools, food banks and other nonprofit organizations. Its what weve always done and will continue to do.

The post Hy-Vee closings hit working-class neighborhoods hard appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Note: This file was updated as of 8:24 a.m. Wednesday. Ada County and Canyon County had reported all of their results complete. The state was at 100%, too. Results for races outside of our area can be found here.

Here you can find the latest results of the 2024 Idaho primary elections, which began pouring in after the statewide poll closure at 9 p.m.

Ada and Canyon County voters cast their ballots for their preferred candidates in numerous races Tuesday, including for U.S. Congress, legislative seats and county commissioners. The winners of the primary elections will move on to the Nov. 5 general election.

One of the areas more high-profile races includes the Republican vote for Idahos 2nd Congressional District, where longtime incumbent Mike Simpson faced Scott Cleveland and Sean Higgins for the Republican Party nomination.

Treasure Valley voters also voted on numerous races for the Idaho Senate and House, including Boises District 20, where Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder faces challenger Josh Keyser for the Republican nomination.

Nampa residents voted on a general obligation transportation bond, which would provide $38 million to fund improvements to roadways and pedestrian corridors.

Only contested races are listed. Incumbents are marked by an asterisk *.
An Israeli army tank churns up dust as it returns into a forward staging area inside southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. On the day when Spain, Ireland and Norway announced they would recognize a Palestinian state next week, Israel reports three of its soldiers were killed in fighting Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- The death toll for Israeli Defense Forces rose to 286 after the IDF on Wednesday announced the deaths of three soldiers killed by Hamas militants in the northern Gaza Strip.

The soldiers were killed during operations Wednesday morning and are Master Sgt. Gideon Chay DeRowe, 33, of Tel Aviv; Capt. Israel Yudkin, 22. of Kfar Habad; and Sgt. 1st Class Eliyahu Haim Emsallem, 21, of Raanana, the IDF announced.

A sniper attack in Beit Hanoun killed Emsallem and Yudkin, while an explosive device caused DeRowe's death. A Defense Ministry civilian contractor also was killed.

The soldiers were in Beit Hanoun to locate tunnel shafts, explosive devices and snipers in an area located between civilian houses and a security area near the border fence that separates the northern Gaza Strip from Israel.

Many soldiers also were wounded and were airlifted by helicopter to the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva.

Israeli Defense Forces identified Yisrael Yudkin, left, Gideon Chay DeRowe, center, and Eliyahu Haim Emsallem as its three soldiers were were killed while searching for tunnels and explosive devices in the norther Gaza Strip Wednesday morning. Photo by Israeli Spokesperson's Unit

The IDF issued a statement expressing its sorrow and shared grief with the fallen soldiers' families.

The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health announced 62 deaths and 138 wounded in fighting during the past 24 hours.

An Israeli army Humvee travels with soldiers seen in a rear view mirror inside southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI

The casualties occurred as Ireland, Spain and Norway announced they will recognize Palestine as a state and encourage other nations to follow suit, Al Jazeera reported.

Officials in Colombia also announced they will open an embassy in Ramallah in the West Bank to support diplomatic relations in Palestine. Colombia recently ended its diplomatic ties with Israel.

An Israeli army tank churns up dust as it returns into a forward staging area inside southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. On the day when Spain, Ireland and Norway announced they would recognize a Palestinian state next week, Israel reports three of its soldiers were killed in fighting Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI

Meanwhile, an estimated 800,000 have been displaced in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip while awaiting an anticipated push by the IDF to eliminate four remaining Hamas battalions in the city.

The U.S. Department of State designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization on Oct. 8, 1997.
IL village ambulance service to close. What will it mean for emergency response times?

New Athens residents are asking how an upcoming change to contract their ambulance services out to a private company will affect medical emergency response times in their community.

Officials are negotiating the contract with MedStar Ambulance Inc. to take over for the taxpayer-funded New Athens Ambulance Service. Mayor Joe Behnken said the village cant afford to be in the ambulance business anymore.

The changeover to MedStar is expected to happen in early June.

Residents are asking questions about the service theyll be getting because MedStars closest base is in Freeburg, about 10 miles away. The New Athens Ambulance Service is located near the center of town at 301 S. Van Buren St.

But MedStar CEO Charles Kelley said response times are likely to get faster for New Athens residents. He plans to station a MedStar ambulance in New Athens and staff it 24 hours a day, seven days a week like the Illinois Department of Public Health requires.

The village has been losing money trying to staff the New Athens Ambulance Service 24/7  about $15,000-$20,000 a month since September, according to Behnken. Thats when the Village Board of Trustees raised the pay for EMTs to try to increase the ambulance services staffing and comply with the state requirement for 24-hour coverage, the mayor said.

The Illinois Department of Public Health didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about any recent communications with New Athens regarding ambulance staffing.

The average response times from the New Athens Ambulance Service have been about eight to 12 minutes with part-time on-call EMTs, according to Andrew Green, director of the ambulance service.

Kelley estimated that MedStar would be able to respond to emergencies in town within about six to eight minutes, with a slightly longer wait for more rural areas, in part because EMTs would be on duty in the ambulance rather than on call. MedStar also uses a GPS system that helps dispatchers know which of its system of ambulances, from Freeburg to Red Bud and Sparta, is closest to a particular scene, according to Kelley.

The national average response time to rural areas is about 14 minutes.

The New Athens Fire Protection District collects about $150,000 in property taxes each year for the ambulance service, which responds to calls in both New Athens and nearby Lenzburg. The service is also supported by the revenue it collects from bills each time someone uses the ambulance.

Behnken said the tax money and revenue couldnt cover the cost of 24-hour staffing because the call volume is low and Medicaid and Medicare cap what theyll pay for an ambulance bill. He said they average less than one call per day since the community nursing home New Athens Home for the Aged closed in 2022.

It amounted to a loss of $135,702 between September and April, according to Behnken.

Its an unsustainable service, Behnken said. So we got out of the service in order to keep our village solvent and so that our village doesnt go bankrupt.

Green is skeptical of the villages financial outlook for the ambulance service. He said Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements for billing are typically slow.

We knew that we were not super profitable, Green said. ... I dont think we should be that far off base.

Under a new contract with MedStar, the tax money from the New Athens Fire Protection District would go to the company to provide ambulance services. MedStar will also respond to medical emergencies in Lenzburg like the New Athens Ambulance Service did, according to Kelley.

He said his company can survive the underpayment from Medicaid and Medicare by asking private insurers to pay a bit more, a process in health care known as cost-shifting.

For longer than Ive been alive its common to do cost-shifting, Kelley said. We just try to at least break even and many times thats a struggle on its own.

Green said he hopes village officials will consider other options in the future. Hed like to see the village create a new, larger tax district that would collect more money than the fire protection district can from residents in New Athens, Lenzburg and Marissa to support a public ambulance service again.

Kelley wants to see that, too. He said he has been pushing for Illinois legislators to change state law to require that local governments fund and provide ambulance services like they do for police and fire departments.

Its just very disheartening to see another ambulance service shut down, Kelley said. ... I would love nothing more than to build them back up and hand it back to them and let them run it again.

Behnken said the legislature could help communities by uncapping Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements for ambulance services.
What will the new illegal dumping ordinance codes consist of?

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Fresno County leaders held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss ordinance codes related to illegal dumping.

The press conference was at 10 a.m. at the Hall of Records, 3rd Floor, 2281 Tulare Street, Fresno.

The press conference addressed the topics of proposed amendments to ordinance codes related to illegal dumping and the seizure and impounding of nuisance vehicles.

Fresno Countys Board of Supervisors for District 5, Nathan Magsig, says the proposed ordinance for seizing nuisance vehicles is complicated. Initially, when creating the particular ordinance he said to just impound vehicles. As they took a look at state law its only if you can impound vehicles as well as trailers, but only if you have someone who has been convicted of doing commercial dumping in the past.

Failed us: Calwa residents say Fresno County is ignoring dumpsite

Masig said creating an ordinance wouldnt be as easy as he thought and the ordinance that they developed has increased fines and repeat offenders will have their vehicles, and equipment towed and impounded.

He also said that if there is garbage on the side of the road, they will be looking for letters receipts, and anything that will be able to tie back the garbage to the person who was responsible for dumping it.

Masig said that he thinks the ordinance allows for a new misdemeanor, which will help deter crime.

Dumping things like couches, mattresses, refrigerators, and washing machines could be a $3,000 fine, according to officials.

Masig said hes unsure what the fines are for impound fees but the penalties will add up.

The current code enforcements can be found here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Illinois to get a chance to glimpse a flower moon  and the last of a meteor shower

A flower full moon will peak over Illinois soon, and a meteor shower will also be active for the next few days.

The flower moon gets its name from spring blooming season, and its also referred to as the mulberry moon, camas blooming time, moon of the green leaves and more names, according to the Farmers Almanac.

Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.

Heres when to catch a look at the flower moon this year in Belleville, plus when to see a meteor shower.

When will the flower moon peak?

The flower moon will peak at 8:53 a.m. Central Daylight Time Thursday and will appear full from Tuesday night to Friday, according to NASA.

This weeks forecast is relatively stormy in Belleville. The National Weather Service St. Louis office forecasts a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday night, Thursday night and Friday night.

PASS IT ON: Full Moon arrives Thursday! During the month of May, this Moon is known as the Full Flower Moon. Photo courtesy of @carolbauer320 #Moon #Space pic.twitter.com/vtr4TVGjbC  Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) May 21, 2024

Illinois stargazers may also get an opportunity to see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which peaked earlier this month, but will continue activity through Monday. Upcoming meteor showers include the Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids, according to the American Meteor Society.

The St. Louis Astronomical Society and the Saint Louis Science Center will host a public telescope viewing event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday outside McDonnell Planetarium.

More full moons in 2024

If you dont get a chance to see this months flower moon, youll still have seven more opportunities to see a full moon in 2024.

Heres this years full moon calendar, with information from astronomy publication Space.com:

June 21: Strawberry moon

July 21: Buck moon

Aug. 19: Sturgeon moon (supermoon and blue moon)

Sept. 17: Harvest moon (supermoon and partial lunar eclipse)

Oct. 17: Hunters moon (supermoon)

Nov. 15: Beaver moon (supermoon)

Dec. 15: Cold moon

Do you have a question about the environment in Illinois for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Please fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
CHICAGO  Days after Bartlett High School halted the distribution of its yearbook due to an image that school officials considered antisemitic, a Change.org petition racked up more than 1,400 signatures opposing the decision while a few students addressed the content of the images at a board of education meeting Monday night.

In a Friday email to parents and students, Bartlett High Schools interim principal, Melanie Meidel, said administrators immediately pulled back distribution to prevent further dissemination, calling the photo offensive.

One of our top priorities is the well-being and respect of our students, staff and community, Meidel wrote in the email obtained by the Chicago Tribune. Regrettably, we have become aware that the yearbook was printed with a photo containing text that is considered antisemitic. We will work to remove the page with the photo and will inform students and families when we resume distribution of the yearbook.

In the email, Meidel did not confirm which photo was flagged, though members of the schools Muslim Student Association say they believe the photo in question, obtained by the Chicago Tribune, is of a group of students holding up a Palestinian flag and two signs at the schools multicultural festival in March. One sign reads from the river to the sea written across, with Arabic text underneath reiterating the latter.

For Palestinians and their allies, the slogan from the river to the sea is a call for peace and equality after 75 years of Israeli statehood and decadeslong, open-ended Israeli military rule over millions of Palestinians, according to The Associated Press. However, pro-Israeli activists often hear a clear demand for Israels destruction.

According to Avi Gordon, executive director of Alums for Campus Fairness, he and other pro-Israeli community members believe the term from the river to the sea is an anti-semitic charge.

That chant calls for the dismantling of Israel from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the West, Gordon said. It not only makes Jewish and Israeli students feel unsafe but also ostracizes them.

The other sign the students held in the photo reads in our hundreds, in our millions, we are all Palestinian.

On Friday, after some yearbooks had been distributed, students from the yearbook club approached a few MSA students who helped organize the multicultural festival to inquire about the posters in the photo from that day, said Bartlett senior and MSA member Aisha Ali.

They said they were asking because someone reported the picture for inappropriate and offensive content, especially the Arabic text in the picture, Ali said.

This interaction happened hours before the official email from Meidel went out, according to Ali.

Attempts to reach Bartlett High Schools yearbook staff were unsuccessful.

In an Instagram post Friday evening, the Bartlett High School Muslim Student Association posted the photo they believe is being incorrectly deemed antisemitic.

The photo features 16 students in traditional Middle Eastern and South Asian clothing in front of a black wall decorated with small flags of the world. A group of male students are holding the Palestinian flag and a couple of female students are holding posters.

Asraar Siddiqui, a Bartlett High School senior, said the picture was from the flag walk, in which students representing various backgrounds walk with their flags to highlight the schools diversity.

None of these signs were created or displayed with malevolent intent and antisemitic prejudice, and there is nothing inherently offensive about them, Siddiqui said.

Uday Jain, a postdoctoral teaching fellow in the committee on social thought at the University of Chicago, said pro-Palestine advocates say the slogan is not antisemitic, but rather anti-Zionist. To dispel the idea that supporting Palestinians equates to anti-Jewish hate, its essential to differentiate Judaism from Zionist thought, he said.

Jain said students all across the country have been seeing the vicious violence of this extremely harmful racial ideology, hence proudly holding up signs that counter it.

So while it might be emotionally uncomfortable and deeply challenging for some people to learn that an institution they considered sacrosanct is racist and genocidal in practice, they have no right to silence and criminalize students who are making this urgent, thoughtful, and loving critique, Jain said.

In Fridays email, Meidel said the administration will review and improve the yearbook approval process to prevent such occurrences in the future, taking into account the seriousness of the issue.

At Monday nights U-46 district board meeting in Elgin, a few students expressed their disappointment at school officials decision to halt the distribution of Bartletts yearbook.

I ask if the Bartlett administration knew the (Arabic meaning) before sending a schoolwide email calling our picture offensive  I like to ask, where exactly theres antisemitic notions or beliefs? said Ryhah Rizvi, a Bartlett senior and member of the MSA. Releasing this email without consulting us led to a complete misinterpretation of the photos texts and caused us to feel insignificant amongst other cultures celebrated at the multicultural festival, she said.

U-46 Superintendent Suzanne Johnson, who chaired Monday nights board meeting, did not respond to requests for comment, but in an email, district officials said they are working through the matter.

We are aware of the concerns regarding the Bartlett High School yearbook and are working on a follow-up, as we are committed to addressing this matter thoroughly in line with our Board Policy. We will be sharing an update very soon with our Bartlett High School students and families, district officials said.

At Monday nights meeting, Siddiqui  a former student adviser to the board  spoke about the outpouring of support from community members, parents, and alumni on Bartlett High School MSAs Instagram page, including the Change.org petition.

Rizvi, who waited hours to speak at Mondays meeting, said she was devastated at the schools response, which created a problem when there wasnt one.

It would be sheer hypocrisy if the institutions that taught us to raise our voices are the same ones that are actively trying to silence us, Rizvi said. Theres nothing discriminatory about the liberation of any people, whether theyre white, black, Arab, Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

_____
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. A project to run an electrical cable along the Black Sea's bottom has piqued the interest of the European Union, head of the Energy Research Center at Ilia State University Professor Murman Margvelashvili told Trend.

There is a lot of interest in this initiative from the European Union. The potential for Azerbaijan and Georgia to create green energy is enormous. Particularly near the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan's wind energy potential is enormous. Hydropower and wind energy development have substantial resources in Georgia. To lessen reliance on gas and offset emissions from fossil fuel consumption, this energy can be exported to the European Union, he noted.

The professor emphasized that this is the longest submarine cable, which runs through rather deep waters, so technically, it is quite a complicated project. Nevertheless, according to him, the cable enjoys great support from at least four countries, namely Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania.

Margvelashvili mentioned that this cable will provide a link between the South Caucasus and the European Union, adding that the political aspect of this project is also important.

He also added that it will require significant improvements in the energy sector in Azerbaijan and Georgia.

To note, Azerbaijan, Romania, Hungary, and Georgia signed a strategic partnership agreement on December 17, 2022, which envisages the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe. Within the framework of the agreement reached, Black Sea Energy is expected to build a submarine electric cable with a capacity of 1,000 MW and a length of 1,195 kilometers. The cable will be designed to deliver green electricity generated in Azerbaijan and Georgia through the Black Sea to Romania for subsequent transportation to Hungary and the rest of Europe.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
'I'm not going away.' Massie celebrates victory, decries PACs that tried to beat him

CRESCENT SPRINGS, Kentucky  Rep. Thomas Massie didn't have trouble fending off a challenge from within his party.

He easily defeated former attorney Eric Deters and Fort Thomas Republican Michael McGinnis on Tuesday getting 76% of the vote with nearly all the votes tallied. The Associated Press called the race an hour after the polls closed.

Massie is unopposed in the fall. It's a district that includes all three Northern Kentucky counties and stretches from the outskirts of Louisville east to Ashland.

Kentucky's 4th Congressional District

Massie declares victory over 'establishment Republicans'

Massie, fresh of his attempt to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, stood in a corner of PeeWee's Place restaurant in the Northern Kentucky community of Crescent Springs, microphone in hand, and held up his voting card, about the size of a driver's license.

"It's always a question, can you go to Washington, D.C. and not sell out? Can you vote exactly the way your constituents want?" Massie said. "This is your card. This is your voting card. You let me keep it in my wallet and go to Washington, D.C. and vote for you."

Flanked by other Republicans who won their state legislative races, including T.J. Roberts, the new state representative who won his race Tuesday night in Boone County, they declared victory over "establishment Republicans" and political action committees from outside the area who poured money into their races.

Pro-Israel group had run ads against Massie

The United Democracy Project spent $300,000 in ads statewide that slammed Massie for perceived anti-Israel views. The United Democracy Project is an affiliate of pro-Israel lobbying group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, commonly known as AIPAC.

Massie has opposed U.S. foreign aid and voted against an aid package that included funds for Ukraine and Israel. Massie said Congress should prioritize U.S.-Mexico border security instead.

"They're worried that I'll run statewide so they ran these ads all over the state of Kentucky," Massie said. "How stupid is that? That's like campaign malpractice to run an ad two years before a campaign. Thank you for the name ID."

'We sent a message to Washington, D.C.'

Massie has garnered a reputation for challenging Republican leadership, even before the latest ouster attempt against the speaker of the House. He earned the moniker Mr. No for frequently being the lone House member voting "no" on bills.

Massie has represented Kentucky's 4th Congressional District since 2012, driving his Tesla from his off-the-grid house in Lewis County to Washington,

"We sent a message to Washington, D.C. Trust me they are watching in Washington D.C.," Massie said. He said his phone lit up from fellow members of Congress shortly after the election results were announced. "They know Im not going away, because you will keep sending me there every single time."

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Did Thomas Massie win his Republican primary in Kentucky?
The number of foreign people moving to the UK for work and study has fallen by 25 per cent, in a further sign that migration is starting to decline from its record levels.

The number of skilled worker, study and health and care visas issued dropped from 235,400 to 175,500 in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.

It is the biggest drop since the pandemic with the three groups making up the majority of migration to the UK and accounting for a total of 1.13 million visas last year.

The Home Office has published the figures ahead of Thursdays release of data for net migration  the number of people arriving minus the number leaving. It is expected to have remained high for the year ending December 2023.

This is because measures including a ban on students bringing in dependents only took effect this year. Ministers are expected to argue that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data on Thursday will not reflect Rishi Sunaks efforts to bring down net migration.

Net migration hit a record 745,000 in the year ending December 2022, three times the level in 2019 when the Tories made their manifesto pledge to reduce it by the next election. It fell to 672,000 in the year to June 2023 and analysts believe there may be a marginal drop for the 12 months to December 2023.

The Home Office data showed that the tightening of rules on foreign students bringing family members with them to the UK has led to a 79 per cent fall in the number of dependent visas issued to them, from 38,900 in the first four months last year to 8,300 since January this year.

There was also a 12 per cent decline in applications by foreign students, from 49,400 to 43,600, suggesting the ban on postgraduates other than those studying PhDs from bringing in dependents was also hitting student recruitment by universities.

Number of study visas drop as ban on students bringing in dependents takes effect this year - OVERSNAP/iSTOCK

A similar ban on dependents for care workers, which came into effect on March 11, and a crackdown on rogue agents hiring in the sector also appears to have had an impact on the numbers coming to the UK.

The number of foreign health and care worker visas fell by 76 per cent from 50,900 to 12,400, while dependents were down by six per cent from 59,300 to 55,700.

By contrast, skilled worker visas were up 41 per cent, from 20,700 to 29,200 in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in 2023. The number of dependents were up 62 per cent to 26,300 from 16,200.

The increase in the skilled worker is likely due to a fire sale of visas as skilled workers sought to come to Britain before the threshold was increased in April from 26,200 to 38,700, according to experts.

It comes after Prof Brian Bell, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, said the Prime Minister had a fighting chance of reducing net migration by the time of the next election, expected in October or November.

He said that net migration could fall to between 150,000 and 200,000 by September because a ban on foreign students bringing dependents was having a far bigger impact than the Government expected.

It would mean that Mr Sunak could go into the election claiming to be on course to meet Boris Johnsons 2019 manifesto pledge of reducing net migration from its then level of 226,000 a year.

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said: The plan to cut deliver the largest-ever cut to legal migration in our countrys history is working. This monthly data is the most up-to-date picture of visa levels, showing that on current trajectories legal migration continues to fall across key routes.

The British people deserve an immigration system that puts their interests first. Our approach is about control and fairness; to the highly skilled coming here who deserve a decent wage, to taxpayers who shouldnt be relied on to support them, and to British workers who shouldnt be undercut.

We will continue to keep these measures under close review and if needed, we will not hesitate to go further.

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.
Incredibly disappointed: Aetna objects after being left out of new Kansas Medicaid contracts

The state has award new KanCare contracts, following a determination process that started in October of 2023. A former provider that hasn't been chosen for the new contracts calls the move a disappointing one. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  A week after the state announced new contracts for the states privatized Medicaid program, a health care insurance company says it plans to protest its failed bid.

Kansas health officials on May 14 announced the three managed care organizations to administer KanCare, the states version of the federal Medicaid program. Incumbents Sunflower Health Plan and United Healthcare Community Plan had their bids accepted for a new contracting cycle, but Aetna was replaced with a new organization, Healthy Blue.

Becky Austin-Morris, behavioral health director for Aetna Better Health of Kansas, said during a Wednesday meeting of the Kansas Mental Health Coalition that the company will protest the decision.

Were incredibly disappointed.  Its been a very pleasant, however very heavy, lift in Kansas, Austin-Morris said. Its been good. We did not expect this outcome.

Bids for these contracts opened in October 2023, marking the first time the selection process had been conducted in six years. The three current KanCare contracts expire Dec. 31, 2024. The new contracts will last from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2027.

KanCare provides health care services to low-income families, including thousands of elderly Kansans; low-income children; and people with developmental, intellectual or physical disabilities. KanCare serves 458,000 Kansans, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

We are hoping to stay as an MCO in Kansas ultimately, and continue our good work in trying to expand behavioral health, mental health services in Kansas, Austin-Morris said.  Its very emotional for all of us.

Aetna Better Health of Kansas had a history of complaints, including a lack of transparency over health provider coverage and mistakes with pay. In 2019, Aetna officials appeared before the Legislature to apologize after the state sent a notice of noncompliance over the organizations failure to abide by its contract, according to a Topeka Capital-Journal report.

This round of bids attracted seven candidates: Aetna, CareSource, Healthy Blue, Moline Healthcare of Kansas, Sunflower State Health Plan, UCare of Kansas and United Healthcare of the Midwest. No protests have been posted on the KanCare page yet, and it is unclear whether any other failed bidders plan to protest. Bidders that want to protest have 30 days after the contract is awarded to file.

The KDHE Office of Communications didnt immediately respond to a Kansas Reflector inquiry about the MCO process and Aetnas protest.

There were so many things that seem to be on hold, as if the MCOs were holding their breath for the last couple of months, said Amy Campbell, lobbyist and coordinator for KMHC. Hopefully with this announcement being out, well be getting back to more business as usual and filling positions and that kind of thing going forward.

The contract announcement comes as the state finishes its large-scale Medicaid review process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal continuous coverage provisions meant Medicaid administrators couldnt end health care eligibility unless the person in question moved away, died or asked to end coverage. With this protection in place, participation in KanCare increased from 410,000 to 540,000 people during the pandemic.

The nationwide process of determining Medicaid eligibility restarted in April 2023, after federal protections ended.

KDHE officials oversaw a rocky beginning to unwinding, with Kansans unnecessarily losing eligibility because of administrative issues, such as slow mail delivery and a lack of clear communication from the state about what was needed for renewal.

The most recent data shows 318,791 people have been approved, with 75,532 people discontinued from services. Another 75,420 Kansans will need to reapply because they missed the reinstatement window.

Of the Kansans discontinued from services, 3,151 were 65 or older. The states data collection shows 10,351 children aged 4 and under were also removed.

The post Incredibly disappointed: Aetna objects after being left out of new Kansas Medicaid contracts appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Is Indias free press not so free after a decade of Modi?

These days, journalist Siddique Kappan avoids controversial stories.

Last time he chased a major story, a shocking rape-and-murder case, it landed the father of three in jail for more than two years, and severely damaged his career and livelihood. The 44-year-old blames his incarceration on a worsening climate for journalists in India, where arrests and harassment are growing more common.

And he is far from the only journalist feeling squeezed out of their industry during Prime Minister Narendra Modis decade-long rule.

The government of the popular but divisive leader - who has not taken a single solo press conference while in office - stands accused by opponents of suppressing media pluralism and ratcheting up the use of anti-terror legislation against reporters.

And as Modi looks to win another five years in power in an ongoing nationwide election, critics fear further erosion of the protections afforded to Indias free press.

I think many times before I write stories, Kappan told CNN. Anytime, anywhere, anyone can file a case against me.

Journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested in October 2020 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, walks out of jail after being granted bail in a money laundering case, in Lucknow on February 2, 2023. - AFP/Getty Images

In October 2020, Kappan was working as a freelancer for a Malayalam-language news website. He was on his way to Hathras district, in northern Uttar Pradesh state, to report on the alleged gang rape and killing of a Dalit teenager by upper-caste men. Indias caste system was officially abolished decades ago, but the social hierarchy imposed on people by birth still exists in many aspects of life. Dalits are on the lowest rung.

Before he arrived at the scene, he was taken into police custody, charged under anti-terror and money laundering laws. The police alleged he was part of a conspiracy to disturb the peace in the area, but he said his arrest was an attempt to tamp down on coverage of the story.

He would spend 28 months in jail. Kappan was granted bail by the Supreme Court in February 2023, but while he currently walks free, his case is still making its way through the courts.

Opposing his bail, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. In the document, seen by CNN, it argued against bail on the grounds Kappan had been writing articles targeted at spreading communal tensions and was a part of a larger conspiracy to foment religious discord and spread terror in the country.

CNN has contacted the BJP at both the local and national level for comment on the case.

Since his bail, Kappan has struggled to find a permanent job to provide for his family. The main reason is the fear of newspaper bosses, the media, which depends on government advertisement, who do not want to upset the government, he told CNN.

He says he is wary of more cases being brought against him, and finds himself working on safe zone stories unlikely to ruffle feathers.

The treatment of journalists like Kappan has struck fear into many other reporters.

There was nothing Kappan could have done differently to avoid arrest, except not going to report, said Kaushik Raj, who works with several publications and writes on hate crimes. This was chilling for me.

India is one of the largest media markets in the world, according to the Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), with more than 20,000 daily newspapers across the country and about 450 privately owned channels dedicated to news, which broadcast in dozens of languages.

Yet despite its size and diversity, critics say the media industry is growing increasingly subservient to Modis government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the presentations of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

There was a blend of public service, public interest and corporate private media that served a burgeoning urban middle class, but also showed interest in issues of rural development. Journalists were respected Regulatory mechanisms were weak but not completely absent, said Shakuntala Banaji, professor of media, culture and social change at the London School of Economics.

They have been all but destroyed in the last 10 years, she added.

According to RSF, the country fell 25 places on the Press Freedom Index between 2015 and 2023, to 161st place  below neighboring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. In the latest index for this year it rose slightly to 159th place but remains below all neighbors except Bangladesh (165th).

There has been a sharp deterioration in the status of media over the last ten years, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) India representative Kunal Majumder told CNN, adding that this included imprisonment and invoking terror laws to criminalize journalists.

According to the CPJ, 21 journalists were imprisoned in India between 2014 and 2023, up from four between 2004 and 2013.

There has also been an uptick, it said, in the use of anti-terror laws  which allow for detention without trial or charge for up to 180 days  against reporters.

Police have used the same anti-terror law against a website linked to a left-leaning organisation critical of the government. In a charge sheet filed to the court recently and seen by CNN, police claimed NewsClick was responsible for stoking riots that hit New Delhi in 2020, spreading disinformation around Covid, and funding terror groups. In a statement, NewsClick said the claims were absurd and baseless, and were intended to target independent journalism. Its editor Prabir Purkayastha was in jail from October 3 until Wednesday, when the Supreme Court granted him bail, saying his arrest and remand were invalid in the eyes of law.

When the state resorts to using anti-terror laws to shut down the freedom of expression of journalists holding institutions to account, then we are deep in authoritarian rule, said Banaji from LSE.

Asked about this apparent increase in hostility to journalists, Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, told CNN that media workers were not above the law.

If journalists violate the law they are open to prosecution and legal action, he said.

Shrinking independent media

Alleged harassment of reporters has worsened too, according to press freedom groups. The Amnesty 2022 release says Hindu nationalists feel emboldened to threaten and abuse journalists critical of the government.

Ravish Kumar, one of the countrys best-known journalists, said he has not felt safe for many years while people from various Hindu-nationalist organisations showered him with death threats and abuse.

The face of New Delhi Television (NDTV) for more than two decades, Kumar said he chose to resign when he was told he would have to toe the government line. He said he was driven to this decision during a hostile takeover of the channel by billionaire Gautam Adani in late 2022.

Indian Journalist Ravish Kumar speaks during Jaipur Literature Festival on January 26, 2020. - Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto/Getty Images

CNN has contacted NDTV for comment.

Kumar told CNN he resigned because Adanis proximity to Modi and the BJP would leave him unable to continue asking tough questions of the government.

Soon after, he started his own YouTube channel with a small team that has about 10 million subscribers. He said he took to YouTube  where his videos receive at least a million views within their first 24 hours - because there was no other option left.

There is no place for people like us in Indian media anymore, he said.

Critics say TV news has been overrun by pro-government voices. With the worlds largest election underway, a study of prime-time shows by media watchdog Newslaundry - that tracked more than 400 segments between February 1 and April 12 - showed that 52% of airtime was spent criticizing the opposition, while another 27% pushed pro-Modi narratives.

Security officers after a raid at the office of NewsClick in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. - Dinesh Joshi/AP/File

For Kumar the pluralism of Indias past is fast disappearing. There is very little time and space left, so were living our last moments, he said.

But Gupta, of the information ministry, said it was not true that the media toes a government line. There are 903 satellite channels in the country, he said. If you look at the headlines across newspapers and television channels you will see that this generalization is not true.

This entire thing of saying that the media houses or individual journalists are manipulated by the government, that is not true.

Foreign correspondents

It is not just local reporters who face obstacles. The Australian Broadcasting Corporations South Asia bureau chief Avani Dias recently left the country, as did Vanessa Dougnac, regional correspondent for four French publications.

Dias said the government told her that her visa extension would be denied as her reporting had crossed a line, though the government has denied this. It said she was granted an extension the day she paid her visa fees, on 18 April, but decided to leave nonetheless on 20 April.

Dougnac, an overseas citizen of India (OCI) who worked in the country for 23 years, left in February. In January, she said, she received a notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that her journalistic activities were malicious and critical in a manner that they create a biased negative perception about India.

She applied for her journalistic permit  as required for OCIs since 2022  but was denied. They gave no reasons nor any justifications for why they denied my permit, she told CNN from Paris.

Indias Home Ministry did not respond to CNNs request for comment about Dougnacs situation.

And in February last year the Indian offices of the BBC were raided by tax authorities, weeks after the broadcaster aired a documentary highly critical of Modi.

The documentary, which was described as anti-India garbage by a senior advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was later blocked on social media platforms.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the BBC raids, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia made no reference to the documentary, and said companies, including media agencies, must follow and respect Indian law. The BBC has since split its India operations into separate companies in a bid to meet the countrys foreign investment rules.

Dougnac said she was not surprised by the actions against international media.

It started with local journalists and slowly foreign correspondents got the sense they were next, she said.

That is what is happening now.

Despite witnessing what is happening to and around him, Kappan says he has not lost faith in journalism in india. He considers advocating for it a moral imperative.

Despite the personal risks involved, the pursuit of truth remains paramount, he said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Indias central bank will pay a 2.1 trillion-rupee ($25 billion) dividend to the government, more than double what was budgeted, shoring up fiscal revenues before a new administration takes office after elections.

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The transfer was approved Wednesday by the Reserve Bank of India board in a meeting in Mumbai, the central bank said on its website. The government had budgeted to receive 1.02 trillion rupees in dividends from the RBI and state-controlled banks. The central bank also raised its contingency risk buffer to 6.5%, citing resilience in economic growth.

The RBI makes an annual payout to the government from the surplus income it earns on investments and valuation changes on its dollar holdings, and the fees it gets from printing currency. Last year, the RBI transferred 874.2 billion rupees to the government.

The higher dividend payout will lift government revenues and help narrow the fiscal deficit of 5.1% of gross domestic product in the current financial year that ends in April 2025. It also gives a boost to the new administration that takes office after nationwide elections ending June 1, allowing it to increase spending and spur economic growth.

The windfall may help the government lower the fiscal deficit by 0.4 percentage point to 4.7% of the GDP in the current fiscal year assuming expenditure is constant, said Upasna Bhardwaj, chief economist of Kotak Mahindra Bank, by phone.

The RBI dividend will be definitely 0.2%-0.3% of GDP higher than what we expected as receipts, said T.V. Somanathan, Indias finance secretary, speaking with reporters in New Delhi. Its good news, its always good when revenues go up, he said.

The large dividend, coupled with the governments high cash surplus, means it can reduce its borrowing for the fiscal year from a previously budgeted amount of 14.13 trillion rupees. Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the government may consider cutting its bond sales this year, prompting a drop in bond yields.

Sovereign bonds in India advanced Wednesday after the RBIs announcement, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year note falling 4 basis points to 7.04%.

Its positive for fiscal balances, said Gaurav Kapur, chief economist of IndusInd Bank Ltd. This is the second consecutive year where the dividend has exceeded the budget estimate. This is helpful in pursuing the planned reduction in budget deficit.

Big Bonanza

The dividend amount surprised even the most bullish of all analysts. While the exact details behind the RBIs bigger payout wont be known until the annual report is released in a few days time, analysts say higher interest income on foreign and domestic assets and gains from foreign exchange sales would have helped.

The RBI intervenes in the currency markets by buying and selling dollars. While selling dollars that it had bought cheaply in the past, at current market rate, helps it gain a profit, buying dollars and investing them abroad helps it earn an income.

There was income from both sides for the RBI, said Pankaj Pathak, portfolio manager at Quantum Asset Management Co. Our idea was it could be somewhere around 1 trillion rupees of dividend transfer, and the rest will go in the reserves. Its much larger than expectations, said Pathak.

--With assistance from Malavika Kaur Makol and Siddhartha Singh.

(Updates with government official comments in sixth paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi  an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly.

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A top opposition leader in Indias electorally important state of Uttar Pradesh predicts a big win for his party, saying young and poor voters are turning against Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling party.

Akhilesh Yadav, leader of the Samajwadi Party  the biggest opposition group in Uttar Pradesh  said Modis Bharatiya Janata Party wont repeat its past success in Indias parliamentary elections ending June 1. He didnt provide any polling data to support his views, which were based on feedback from party workers and turnout at political rallies for the opposition.

The BJP route to power was through Uttar Pradesh, now they are losing all seats and that will be their end, Yadav said in an interview Tuesday at a political rally in Bhadohi, a rural town in the eastern part of the state.

Of the 543 seats contested in Indias parliamentary elections, 80 seats come from Uttar Pradesh, making it the state with the largest number of lawmakers. The northern region is the heartland of the Hindi belt, a stronghold for the BJP, which won 62 seats there in the 2019 elections.

Modi had set an ambitious target that the BJP and its allies would win 400 seats in the parliamentary elections, increasing the coalitions majority from more than 350 seats in 2019. Slightly lower voter turnout figures, and Modis turn towards sharper and more divisive rhetoric, have raised doubts about the BJPs support. Uncertainty about the results has crept into financial markets as well, with stock market volatility rising in recent weeks.

Amit Shah, Indias home minister and key Modi ally, sought to dismiss those doubts, telling a rally in Odisha state on Tuesday that Modi has crossed 310 seats already, and the coalition will aim to reach 400 in the final two phases of voting, set to take place on May 25 and June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.

Dayashankar Mishra, an Uttar Pradesh state minister from the ruling BJP, said Tuesday that Modi remains popular and the BJP will easily reach its electoral goals. Citizens have benefitted in the past 10 years from the BJPs policies, such as a free food program, and support measures targeted toward farmers and women, he said in an interview in Varanasi, the Hindu holy city where Modi is contesting the election.

Yadav, in his interview, said that voters in the province are turning against the BJP because of a lack of jobs, especially for young people, the high cost of living, and concerns that the ruling party may dilute affirmative action policies for lower-caste individuals. His party has traditionally drawn its support from lower caste voters and Muslims.

At the rally in Bhadohi, Yadav claimed that his party and allies will win all 80 seats up for grabs in Uttar Pradesh. While thats unlikely, if the BJP loses significant support in the state to Yadavs party, hell emerge as a key player in the alliance.

Yadav was in Bhadohi to campaign on behalf of a candidate from the Trinamool Congress, who is standing in the constituency against the incumbent winner from the BJP. To dent the BJPs support in the elections, the opposition alliance, comprising of more than 20 political parties, have agreed not to contest seats against each other.

Yadav said opposition groups were aligned on policy priorities if they came to power: they plan to waive loans for farmers, create more government jobs and conduct a caste survey nationwide to better target affirmative action policies.

He said the alliance hasnt yet chosen a candidate for prime minister, but will do so once the results are known.

We are yet to finalize one face, he said. We have so many faces, but they have only one face, he added, referring to Modi, who has emerged as an increasingly dominant figure in the BJP, with the party even labeling its manifesto Modis Guarantee.

--With assistance from Swati Gupta.

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Indian teen allegedly kills two while drunk driving. As punishment, he was told to write an essay

Anger is growing in India after a teenager who allegedly killed two people while drunk driving was ordered to write an essay as punishment, with many demanding a harsher penalty and accusing the judiciary of leniency.

The 17-year-old boy was allegedly speeding in a Porsche in the city of Pune on Sunday when the vehicle hit a motorcycle, killing two people, according to Maharashtra states deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The minor was taken into custody and later presented to the Juvenile Justice Board, where he was released on bail and given 15 days of community service. He was also asked to write an essay about road safety, Fadnavis said.

The outrage grew after this. According to police, the boy is 17 years and 8 months. This is a heinous crime, he told reporters Tuesday, pointing to the 2015 changes to Indias juvenile laws, which allow children above 16 to be tried as adults if they allegedly commit a heinous crime.

This was a surprising order passed (by the Juvenile Justice Board), Fadnavis said.

CNN has attempted to contact the alleged drivers lawyer, Prashant Patil, for comment.

Fadnavis added that Pune police are investigating the minor for alleged culpable homicide not amounting to murder. They have also asked the Juvenile Court to review its bail order, he said.

CCTV video, purportedly filmed moments before the crash, shows a white Porsche speeding down a busy main road. People can be seen rushing to the scene of the crash, which is not pictured in the video that was shared widely on social media and broadcast on local news channels.

The minors father has been arrested for allegedly allowing his son to drive despite being underage, according to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The legal driving age in India is 18.

Three people who served the minor liquor have also been arrested, Kumar added.

We have adopted the most stringent possible approach, and we shall do whatever is at our command to ensure that the two young lives that were lost get justice, and the accused gets duly punished, he said.

The incident has dominated headlines in India and sparked widespread anger, with many taking to social media to condemn the boys bail conditions.

Suresh Koshta, whose 24-year-old daughter was killed in the crash, urged authorities to take tougher action against the alleged driver.

It was wrong (to allow the minor to drive), he told reporters outside his home, while fighting back tears. One needs to know how to drive first.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of Indias main opposition, the Indian National Congress, questioned whether a bus or taxi driver would be given the same punishment.

If a 16-17-year-old son of a wealthy household, driving a Porsche under the influence, is caught, he is asked to write an essay, Gandhi said in a video posted to X. Why arent essays assigned to truck drivers or bus drivers?

This isnt the first time a courts verdict has been scrutinized in this manner.

In 2015, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was facing a lengthy prison sentence for a fatal hit-and-run, got a reprieve when the Bombay High Court tossed out his conviction for lack of evidence, causing widespread outrage.

On basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks, the court said.

The hit-and-run incident took place outside a Mumbai bakery in September 2002, with prosecutors saying Khan ran over five sleeping men after losing control of his vehicle. He was returning from a bar after a night of drinking, they said.

The actor said he wasnt the driver.

One of the victims was killed; the others injured.

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The report warned that it was not only Victorian prisons such as HMP Winchester which were failing - DAVID GODDARD/GETTY

Prisoners are able to use plastic cutlery to dig through cell walls because of the poor state of UK jails, watchdogs have warned in their annual report.

The dire physical conditions were a common concern across the prison estate in England and Wales  and not just in ageing Victorian jails, said the report from the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) which acts as the eyes and ears of the public in scrutinising prisons.

One of the worst was Victorian-era Winchester mens prison, built in 1849, where watchdogs reported crumbling walls and roofs all over the prison, leading to leaks, flooding and slip hazards.

So decrepit was the damp-sodden masonry that in one case a prisoner was able to use plastic cutlery to tunnel through the wall of his cell on to a prison wing landing.

At Winchester, there were several occasions throughout the year where prisoners were able to damage and attempt to dig through cell walls, on one occasion through the wall to the landing, using simple implements such as plastic cutlery, said the report, presented by Elisabeth Davies, chairman of the IMBs.

The IMBs said the conditions in Victorian prisons were particularly dire worsened by the fact that many of them had a high churn of prisoners who were sent by the courts on remand or awaiting sentence. This made it more difficult to maintain cells to an acceptable standard.

Security concerns

In some prisons, maintenance was delayed even when it gave rise to security concerns. At Pentonville, a window-replacement scheme deemed extremely important for escape prevention had to be halted because the prison was too crowded for the cells to be taken out of use, said the report.

Even at more modern prisons  and one state-of-the-art jail  IMBs raised serious concerns about the poor conditions. At Woodhill, built in 1992, the showers were of an unacceptable standard and the concrete flooring in many cells was breaking up, making it impossible to clean, said the IMBs.

At Five Wells, built in 2022, the board reported significant design faults that had yet to be corrected; these included poor airflow on landings, leading to uncomfortably hot temperatures in summer months, and low mobility cells which could not be occupied for safety reasons.

The report warned: Poor physical conditions meant some prisoners were living in unacceptable conditions, sometimes without access to basic sanitation, which had serious consequences for hygiene and dignity. Some IMBs described living conditions as inhumane.

Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, has previously suggested about 14 Victorian jails are so poorly designed, overcrowded and ill-equipped that they should be shut down if alternative buildings could be found.

The report also highlighted security breaches at immigration removal centres where migrants earmarked for deportation flights to Rwanda are being detained.

The IMBs disclosed four serious incidents of disorder at Yarls Wood immigration removal centre in Bedford, where 13 detained men escaped after a riot.

The report said there had been disorder, violence, or safety and security breaches at every male immigration removal centre in England last year.

It warned that widespread staff shortages across prisons had contributed to significantly low time out of cell for many prisoners, leaving them bored and directionless.

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About a month before I moved to Denver in 2018, I texted another recent transplant to ask for neighborhood suggestions. Her reply might as well have been in another language: Among the options she rattled off were RiNo, SoBo, LoDo, and the head-scratching LoHi. I couldn't find those names anywhere on the city's official maps, but the shorthand flowed freely among the youngish crowd I met there. The older real-estate types I encountered while reporting on the city's housing market were fond of the nicknames, too. Soon I was parroting them all.

If you've relocated to an up-and-coming American city in the past decade, you've likely had to decipher a similar code. Developers and business associations have long slapped pithy names on fast-growing parts of town, and tenured residents have long rolled their eyes at them. But with the growing adoption of these new abbreviations, I think I'm ready to say enough is enough. Charlotte, North Carolina, has MoRA and LoSo; Nashville's got SoBro; Boston has SoWa. In Louisville, Kentucky (which also has a SoBro), you may find yourself sipping a craft beer in NuLu. My hometown of Austin already has SoCo, and the powers that be are trying to make "SoLa" happen. The path of progress is paved with nonsense nomenclature  or, as my editor calls them, "'Sound of Music'-ass names."

These unholy mashups would be fine, I guess, if they were dumb yet harmless inventions. But they're not just silly nicknames or low-lift marketing ploys. They're the calling cards of developers and new arrivals as they try to wipe the slate clean on existing neighborhoods and remake them in their image. I'm all for building more housing  it's the only way out of our affordability crisis, after all. If a goofy new name is all that's needed to convince well-off transplants to flock to glass towers in a once deserted part of town, then great! But often it's more about renaming a place where people already live in hopes that whitewashing its history will make it easier to attract wealthy people and drive up the property values  inevitably sending longtime residents packing.

I worry that the pandemic reshuffling, which scattered white-collar workers across the country in search of wide open spaces, will only encourage more of this kind of behavior. As cities bend over backward to attract a certain type of middle- and high-income worker, they often end up looking the same. Now they're sounding the same, too. Let's at least call these two-syllable monikers what they are: cookie-cutter attempts to herd HENRYs and DINKs toward new coffee shops and studio apartments in areas they would have avoided a decade ago.

It seems like every undervalued neighborhood in America is at risk of this kind of rebrand. But the SoBros and SoWas of the world are just the tip of the iceberg  the most egregious outcomes of contentious battles over neighborhoods' names and boundaries. And unless we put our collective foot down, we're bound to get a lot more of them.

Gill Holland moved from New York City to Louisville in 2005. Holland, a serial entrepreneur and real-estate developer, is a country boy at heart  he was born and raised in a small town in North Carolina  but he yearned for the kind of vibrant, walkable streets he'd come to love as a resident of Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighborhood. He began renting office space at the edge of Louisville's downtown, in a run-down area that was home to, in his words, "lots of great, old buildings." Holland saw potential. But there was another issue. All the surrounding areas had "great brands": strong names with history behind them, like Butchertown, Smoketown, and Phoenix Hill. Holland's chosen zone, meanwhile, had no such calling card.

"I kept thinking, like, this part of town needs a brand," Holland told me.

The local business association tried out "East Market District," which stuck for a little bit. But Holland was quietly floating another name, one that represented the "New-York-to-Louisville bridge" he was already building in his mind. When he opened an art gallery in the area, he lopped off the first syllable of each city and stitched them together. The result was NuLu.

While some cities have processes for naming neighborhoods and defining their limits, most often things are more informal. Neighborhood names, as the law professors Nestor Davidson and David Fagundes noted in a 2019 paper, have long been a neat little trick of advertising devised by "real estate agents and developers, or community groups like neighborhood associations." An apartment owner might come up with a catchy name in a bid to draw new tenants, new arrivals might will a neighborhood into existence merely by saying it a lot, or some communities might band together to intentionally reclaim an area.

These enterprising groups understand that neighborhood "brands" play an essential role in attracting new arrivals and helping them establish their place in a city (while also luring them to spend their dollars at the shops, art galleries, and restaurants in burgeoning areas). Neighborhood names are proxies for the kind of person you are or hope to become. We choose a neighborhood that matches our sense of self, the kind of place where we can find our people. Or we latch on to a neighborhood to craft a new identity, taking on the qualities of the area in which we live.

Neighborhood names are also shorthand for your rent or mortgage payments. A 2018 study from the online home-improvement platform Porch found that areas with "Hills," "Island," "Village," and "Oaks" tended to have the highest household incomes across the US. Areas with the Spanish words "Los" or "Las" in their names, on the other hand, were among the neighborhoods with the lowest incomes. In another 2018 study, researchers from McGill University and the University of Maryland noted that real-estate companies relied on neighborhood boundaries to compare prices across properties and that being associated with a desirable neighborhood could improve access to things like healthcare or lower mortgage rates.

Neighborhood nicknames have a rich tradition in New York: There's SoHo, an abbreviation for South of Houston Street (which also appears to be the inspiration for the wave of two-syllable monikers that has followed), Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), FiDi (the Financial District), and Tribeca (the Triangle Below Canal Street). Landlords in the city often try to stretch the boundaries of desirable neighborhoods when advertising their properties  I've rolled my eyes at listings that claimed to be in high-demand neighborhoods like the Lower East Side or Chelsea when no reasonable local would agree. This practice isn't unique to New York. The researchers from McGill and Maryland found that affluent or otherwise desirable neighborhoods around the country appeared to be much larger in the eyes of landlords advertising their properties on Craigslist than they were according to less biased third parties like Google Maps or city planning departments. Meanwhile, landlords who advertised rental properties in areas with lower-income, nonwhite communities were less likely to include the neighborhood's name in their listings.

"A single neighborhood name invokes a whole lot of different connotations or feelings for people," Grant McKenzie, a geography professor at McGill who was a member of the research team, told me. Landlords are all too aware of this effect  mention a neighborhood that has a negative connotation, and "it immediately jumps out in the listing," McKenzie said. The solution? Spin up new shorthand to drum up interest in an old neighborhood.

But here's where things get cringey. In 2017, real-estate brokers in the historically Black New York neighborhood of Harlem sparked backlash when they tried to rebrand its south end as SoHa. Years earlier, Hakeem Jeffries, then a Democratic lawmaker in the New York State Assembly, had proposed legislation to ban neighborhood renaming, claiming the practice artificially inflated housing prices.

"Neighborhoods have a history, culture, and character that should not be tossed overboard whenever a Realtor decides it would be easier to market under another name," Jeffries told The New York Times in 2011.

In some cases, a new neighborhood name might signal it's already too late. Davidson told me that once a neighborhood has a lot of cachet, shortening its name, a la SoHo, can be a way of formally announcing its arrival.

"For better or worse, and I think often worse, it is a way of signaling exclusion and signaling that a certain kind of people are living in that neighborhood," Davidson said. "That can have consequences for gentrification or displacement."

The SoHa controversy isn't unique to the Big Apple  in Denver, many developers proudly tout their buildings' locations in the River North Arts District, or RiNo, without mentioning that the district is a relatively new creation overlaid on part of the historically Black neighborhood of Five Points. The South Congress strip in Austin used to be home to a brothel and porn theater; today, a visit to SoCo might include a splurge at the Hermes store or a stroll past the members-only Soho House. For developers, brokers, or whoever else is behind these rebrands, the abbreviations are a kind of compromise, McKenzie said. They're not total erasures, but they're clearly designed with a fresh start in mind.

"It's an attempt to adjust things without blatantly coming in and putting a brand-new name that has nothing to do with the region," McKenzie said. "By shortening it to this sexy acronym, you're able to sort of mask a bit of the historical name that maybe has some negative connotation."

Whatever the rationale behind some of these rebrands, it's hard to argue with the results. In the case of SoCo, a thriving retail district is certainly preferable to its seedy past. Louisville's NuLu neighborhood, which eventually caught on among other residents, has received more than half a billion dollars in investment since Holland coined the term around 2006, he told me. Bob Dylan's whiskey company is opening a restaurant, bar, and live-music venue there. The times are indeed a-changin'.

I'm not a NIMBY. We need to build a lot more homes across all price points, and we need developers to move mountains of red tape in order to make it all happen. At their best, new neighborhood names bring people together over a shared sense of pride in their little corner of the world. But at their worst, they're cynical chess moves designed to grease the wheels of gentrification.

Along the way, these neighborhood names have veered into parody territory. In "How I Met Your Mother," Marshall and Lily buy an apartment in the fictional neighborhood of Dowisetrepla before realizing its name stands for Downwind of the Sewage Treatment Plant. When a "South Park" character urges his fellow citizens to revamp their town, the result is a new shopping district called SoDoSoPa. Like any good piece of satire, these names aren't too far off from their real-life inspiration. When a Redditor posts a map of Charlotte with a reference to WeLoSo (West of Lower South End), it can be hard to tell if they're kidding.

But while jokes at the expense of Scrabble-tile neighborhood names have been around for years, I think we're destined to see a groundswell of new targets as pandemic-era transplants settle into their chosen Zoomtowns. I'm not saying that neighborhood names should be set in stone  in fact, I think it's natural for them to evolve alongside their populations. But I think our cities, and their residents, deserve better than the lazy rebrands we've seen of late.

Recently, one X user wondered aloud whether a section of Brooklyn's East Williamsburg neighborhood, outlined on a map in a yellow box, was worthy of a new name given its appeal to a specific kind of tech professional. The post drew some earnest comments ("East Willy!") and plenty of backlash ("i'm begging u pls don't make this a thing"). But one reaction, from the downtown gadfly known as Nolita Dirtbag  his own moniker a reference to the neighborhood that gets its name from a mashup of North of Little Italy  asked simply for a little introspection.

"Listen to yourself, man."

James Rodriguez is a senior reporter on Business Insider's Discourse team.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The White House wasnt happy when Spain, Norway and Ireland announced they were recognizing a Palestinian state on Wednesday. But it didn't come as a surprise.

In the days leading up to the announcement, some European officials had discussions with the Biden administration to avoid ruffling the White Houses feathers, according to American and Irish officials. While President Joe Biden has long supported a two-state solution, he believes the best way to do it is through direct diplomacy between Israelis and Palestinians.

As a result, the rollout was relatively non-combative. In the private discussions, Biden administration officials said that while they disagree with the move, they also understand why were taking this step now, and they do seem to have accepted it as an inevitable development, a senior Irish official said.

There was no real pushback, said the official, who, like others, was granted anonymity to detail private conversations.

The back-and-forth in the leadup to the announcements shows the extent to which American allies across the globe are attempting to balance their political interests at home with their desire to avoid further destabilizing the Middle East  all while managing their relationship with the United States, one of Israels staunchest allies.



And as the war drags on, such discussions will likely become increasingly critical to keep tensions from boiling over  and preserve long-standing relationships as Israels war in Gaza drags on.

A U.S. official familiar with the discussions stressed that Washington had made clear to the three countries  Spain and Ireland, in particular, given their more public approach  that recognizing a Palestinian state would not be useful.

Still, the administration believes  or at least hopes  that the move by Spain, Norway and Ireland will not significantly raise the global tensions over the war in Gaza.

We would consider this an unavoidable reality of Spain and Irelands politics, and Norway has special reasons because of [the Oslo accords], said the official, granted anonymity to speak candidly. The accords were a set of agreements in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization that established a peace process for a two-state solution, which ultimately faltered.

Dublin was determined to take this step without damaging its typically strong relations with U.S. politicians  particularly Bidens White House.

Consequently, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs diplomats ensured that their U.S. counterparts in the State Department were speedily briefed on every conversation the Irish had with like-minded European governments  Belgium, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and above all Spain  as they pursued a joint plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, the official said.

This included face-to-face discussions with senior National Security Council officials at the White House in March as part of St. Patricks Day-related diplomacy; multiple phone calls between Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, who led the Irish initiative, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken; and final calls to Washington following the Irish Cabinets formal signoff on its decision Tuesday night.

We couldnt have been clearer in spelling out our intentions weeks, months in advance to make sure there were no surprises or needless suspicions raised in Washington, said the official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The conversations with the U.S. also played into Irelands messaging on the announcement, the official said.

In his statement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stressed that Ireland hoped to see resumed diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank  and did not want to throw a diplomatic lifeline to the militant group.

The Biden administration was worried that the recognition could strengthen the Hamas militant group battling Israel in Gaza, so we were keen today to emphasize in our messaging that Ireland is no friend to Hamas, the official said.

U.S. officials are still expressing their displeasure publicly.

The Biden administration believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

Asked about Israels growing diplomatic isolation on Wednesday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, That is of concern to us because we do not believe that that contributes to Israel's long-term security or vitality.

But behind the scenes, officials downplayed the importance of the announcements.

Given all of the drama involving the Middle East this week, including the International Criminal Court prosecutors decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, the three countries efforts may not have much impact, the U.S. official argued.

They tried to make enough of a group so that it would make a splash, but in our view, its more like a ripple, the official added.

The U.S. also may be seeing the recognition of Palestine by these countries as a pressure point with Israel. Sullivan said U.S. officials had told Israel that a strategic approach to defeating Hamas and pursuing regional integration would help Israel revitalize those relationships. In recent weeks, U.S. officials have publicly criticized Israels military strategy in Gaza.



The move by the three countries could bolster Palestinians international recognition if other European countries sympathetic to their cause follow suit. Of the 193 United Nations member countries, 142 already recognize a Palestinian state, according to Palestinian officials.

The effects of the recognition will be cumulative and incremental and over time, but it does tell us that the United States is increasingly isolated, said Michael Wahid Hanna, U.S. Program Director at the International Crisis Group think tank.

One of Americas closest allies  France  has said it would consider recognizing Palestinian statehood if a two-state solution stalls due to Israeli opposition.

On Wednesday, however, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Paris does not consider that the conditions have yet been met for this decision to have a real impact on this process.

Paris has been drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution on the two-state solution issue that it plans to put up for discussion over the summer.

In response to the actions by Spain, Norway and Ireland, Israel decried the decisions and recalled its ambassadors from the three European countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. OPEC offers Azerbaijan full support in hosting COP29 in the months ahead, said OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, Trend reports.

He made the remark as he addressed the High-Level Dialogue ahead of COP29 held today at the OPEC headquarters in Vienna.

OPEC secretary general stressed that the OPEC-Azerbaijan relations are witnessing a "golden era" and pointed out that the strength of these ties is evident through the ongoing cooperation under the Declaration of Cooperation and the Charter of Cooperation.

Haitham Al Ghais also praised Azerbaijans adoption of an inclusive approach to COP that ensures that all views, including those of the oil industry, are heard, noting that this constructive approach is in harmony with the perspective of OPEC and its Member Countries.

"We found it extremely heartening when Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, articulated our commonly held beliefs on the oil industry when he described oil and gas as 'gifts from God'," he said.

The dialogue, co-chaired by Mukhtar Babayev, Minister for Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and COP29 President-Designate and Haitham Al Ghais, OPEC Secretary General, brought together high-ranking officials from OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the Charter of Cooperation (CoC) and provided a unique opportunity for both sides to engage in a constructive and inclusive dialogue.
University of Minnesota Interim President Jeff Ettinger and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a joint email this week that they "acknowledge there is frustration and a real need for solutions" to address crime in Dinkytown.

In an email sent to students, faculty members and others, the pair said they "have made significant steps and investments toward this issue including enhanced lighting, extra patrols, and community engagement."

The U has also installed additional kiosks on the edge of Dinkytown that can be used to connect with the U's dispatch center, and U leaders are working on plans to establish a public safety center in the area.

University police have traditionally responded to 911 calls on property owned or leased by the U, but earlier this year they also took the lead in responding to calls in Dinkytown, where many students live or spend some of their free time. Minneapolis police are facing a staffing shortage.

The Marcy Holmes neighborhood, which includes Dinkytown, as a whole saw violent crime increase by about 60% in 2021 compared to 2019, tracking with a citywide trend of rising violent crime beginning in 2020, according to Minneapolis police data.

In recent months, U police have been working overtime to step up patrols at night and on weekends. UMPD Chief Matt Clark told regents earlier this year that violent crime in Dinkytown had dropped about 60% since 2021.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The stunning announcement that the International Criminal Court is considering issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity has ignited a fierce debate about the court's future as an independent arbiter.

The request by Prosecutor Karim Khan against the leader of a close U.S. ally also comes as the United Nations highest court, the International Court of Justice, is investigating whether Israel has committed genocide during its seven-month war against Hamas in Gaza.

Although human rights activists generally welcomed Khan's move on Monday, which also included requests to arrest Israel's defense minister and three Hamas leaders, Netanyahu told ABC News that Khans decision turned the ICC into a pariah institution.

In Washington, where Senate Republicans have threatened sanctions against ICC staff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Hague-based court doesn't have jurisdiction and that it was extremely wrongheaded for the prosecutor to equate the Israeli officials with the Hamas leaders he's seeking to indict.

Blinken said Tuesday that the Biden administration would work with Congress to come up with an appropriate response.

Khan has warned that attempts to interfere with the ICCs work would be an offense under its founding treaty, the Rome Statute. However, the warning may not carry much weight, as world powers including the U.S., Israel, China and Russia, arent members of the court and dont recognize its jurisdiction

European countries generally support the court, with France and Belgium underscoring their backing after Monday's announcement.

France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement late Monday, around the same time Belgium's foreign minister expressed support for the tribunal.

Some Palestinians were critical of a perceived lack of reach in Khan's requests.

In an opinion piece on the Global Issues website, analyst Mouin Rabbani wrote that Khan had ignored any and all "issues unconnected with the current situation in the Gaza Strip.

Nour Odeh, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah, said she wasn't surprised that Khan also sought charges against Hamas leaders, but noted in a text that he "had more charges against Hamas leaders than Israel which is a politicized choice that I find very cynical on his part.

The ICC prosecutor's office has been investigating alleged crimes in the Palestinian territories dating back to 2014 and could seek more arrest warrants in the future.

Nevertheless, Khan's announcement Monday marked the first time in its more than two-decade existence that the global court's prosecutor has sought to charge the leader of an important U.S. ally.

Israeli leaders fiercely deny they have committed crimes, saying they are defending their nation and abiding by international law. Because Israel doesn't recognize the ICC's jurisdiction, even if judges were to issue warrants, there is no immediate prospect of Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant being arrested anytime soon.

A decision on whether to issue warrants is expected to take several weeks. The legal bar for approving warrants is relatively low. Judges need to find reasonable grounds to believe that crimes outlined in Khan's request were committed. In the past, judges have generally approved such requests.

This is a watershed event in the history of international justice," human rights lawyer Reed Brody, who has gone after leaders including Augusto Pinochet of Chile and former Chad strongman Hissene Habre, wrote in an email. The ICC has never, in over 21 years of existence, indicted a western official. Indeed, no international tribunal since Nuremberg has done so.

And it might have an impact.

The Court as an institution is overwhelmingly supported by Western governments. But that might not always be true in the future, Tom Ginsburg, a professor of international law at the University of Chicago Law School, told The Associated Press in an email. By charging the head of a Western-supported government along with a terrorist leader, the Court is making an appeal to even-handedness.

Also unusual  and indicative of the profound sensitivity of the request to charge Israeli and Hamas leaders  was Khan's decision to consult a panel of top legal experts, including lawyer Amal Clooney, before seeking warrants.

Clearly the prosecutor wanted some cover from prominent international lawyers for a highly charged decision, said Ginsburg.

By including Amal Clooney, he will ensure a lot of attention; by including Theodore Meron, a former legal advisor to the Foreign Ministry in Israel and prominent former judge of international criminal tribunals, he seeks to insulate himself from the charge of bias, he added.

The latest Gaza war between began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostage. Khan is seeking warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh on charges including the crimes against humanity of extermination, murder and sexual violence.

Among the charges Khan wants instated against Netanyahu and Gallant is the war crime of starvation as a weapon of warfare. That's a first, too, in international courts.

This is a watershed moment in addressing this egregious crime, which has long been viewed solely as a collateral or incidental effect of armed conflict, rather than a deliberate and calculated strategy," said Catriona Murdoch, of rights group Global Rights Compliance.

For Palestinians who have long sought action from the ICC, Khan's announcement was a breakthrough, even if they may not think he went far enough.

Listening to Karim Khan talking about these crimes, these accusations, war crimes and crimes against humanity, knowing that this taboo has finally been broken, on an emotional level ... it is historic. Its monumental, said Odeh.

___

Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed

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Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Democrats from two powerful committees are urging Joe Bidens justice department to investigate the fossil fuel industry over its decades-long attempts to sow doubt about the climate crisis.

We believe that there is adequate evidence that fossil fuel industry companies and trade associations may have violated one or more federal statutes, the Senate budget committee chair, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, wrote in a Wednesday letter to the attorney general, Merrick Garland.

The letter follows a multi-year joint investigation into the oil industry by the two committees, launched in 2021 by the House oversight committee, which was disbanded when Republicans took control of the chamber in 2022.

Fossil fuel companies do not dispute any longer that they had known for more than 60 years that burning fossil fuels causes climate change, Raskin told reporters on Wednesday. And yet theyve worked for decades to undermine public understanding of that fact. The Department of Justice declined to comment.

Late last month, the lawmakers released a report on the sectors history of climate misinformation, based on a tranche of subpoenaed documents from Exxon, Shell, BP, Chevron and the lobbying organizations the American Petroleum Institute and the US Chamber of Commerce.

Related: Top oil firms climate pledges failing on almost every metric, report finds

These firms have worked together to mislead the public about the planet-warming nature of fossil fuels, the report said. Though they frequently made public commitments to slash their emissions, invest in carbon-free energy and take on the climate crisis, they privately sought to defend their fossil fuel-heavy business models, including by obfuscating the dangers of gas.

In recent years, the report said, the sector has stopped denying the existence of climate change outright in favor of a more sophisticated strategy of deception, disinformation and doublespeak.

The goal is the same: deceive the public to stop real limits on fossil fuel production, and increase profits, Whitehouse said at Wednesdays press conference.

The evidence, the lawmakers wrote, calls to mind the historic congressional investigation into deceptive practices of the tobacco industry and its trade associations, which led to investigations and litigation by several state attorneys general and the Department of Justice.

Sharon Eubanks, who served as lead counsel on behalf of the US in the successful 2005 federal lawsuit against big tobacco, has made the same comparison. At a Senate budget committee hearing earlier this month focused on the investigation, she too said the US could reasonably take legal action against the oil industry.

There is certainly an adequate legal foundation for litigation against this industry and individuals and as groups, Eubanks testified at the hearing. We should not waste any time wringing our hands.

Cassidy DiPaola, communications director for the Make Polluters Pay campaign, which focuses on climate accountability, said a justice department investigation into the sector would probably require companies to turn over additional documents, and for executives to testify about their behavior and business models.

It could also uncover new information about the role of trade associations, public relations firms and other third parties in the efforts to shape public opinion on climate change, she said.

The fossil fuel industry has operated under a cloud of suspicion for many years, said DiPaola, who supports the lawmakers efforts. A DoJ investigation could help clear the air and establish the facts about the industrys climate deception. The public deserves to know the truth.

Last week, Raskin launched a House oversight investigation into nine oil companies after Donald Trump reportedly offered to dismantle Bidens environmental rules for their benefit, and requested $1bn in contributions to his presidential campaign. Whitehouse has also expressed interest in formally investigating the meeting.

Trumps offer of a blatant quid pro quo to oil executives is practically an invitation to ask questions about big oils political corruption and manipulation, he said last week.

Lawmakers have pushed the Department of Justice to investigate big oil for years. Last July, the Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal and California representative Ted Lieu, both Democrats, sent a plea to the agency, signed by 20 members of Congress. Days later, the independent Vermont senator Bernie Sanders sent another missive to Garland, calling for the department to not only launch an investigation, but also bring lawsuits against the industry.
Investigation underway following dispute at recreation center during election day

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  An investigation is underway after multiple people reportedly pulled out firearms near a voting location on Tuesday, according to the Columbus Police Department.

Police responded to a fight at Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center on Steam Mill Road at about 5 p.m. It was reported that during this fight, multiple people pulled out guns.

By the time officers arrived, both parties had left. As a pre-cautionary measure, the gym in the center was temporarily closed.

Columbus police shared this statement on the incident:

We want to emphasize that despite this incident, there was no disruption in the voting process which was happening at a separate area inside the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center. Voters were able to continue casting their ballots without interruptions. Due to this incident, we will be providing increased police presence at local recreation centers. The safety and security of our community, including polling places, remain our top priority.

 Columbus Police Department

The investigation remains ongoing.

The individuals below are wanted for questioning:

Anyone with information is asked to call (706) 653-3400.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Severe weather in the Midwest on Tuesday brought flooding to Nebraska and tornadoes to Iowa where police confirmed fatalities in the small town of Greenfield. Photo courtesy of Omaha Police Department

May 22 (UPI) -- An unknown number of people were killed Tuesday in western Iowa after a strong tornado tore through the town of Greenfield, leveling everything in its path.

Greenfield, which has a population of about 2,000 and is located about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines, suffered major damage as the Iowa State Patrol confirmed "multiple fatalities."

"Sadly, we can confirm that there have been fatalities with this tornado. Also, injuries have been sustained by residents in the Greenfield area," Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Alex Dinkla told reporters Tuesday, adding that the exact number of those killed or injured would not be confirmed until Wednesday.

Dinkla said Adair County Memorial Hospital was also damaged, forcing about a dozen people who were injured in the tornado to evacuate to hospitals outside of the area.

Drone video showed a wide path of destruction after the tornado hit.

"Greenfield, Iowa is completely leveled by the tornado track! It's very bad here," Chicago and Midwest Storm Chasers wrote Tuesday in a post on X.

Greenfield, #Iowa is completely leveled by the #tornado track! It's very bad here, Please send help, food, water, and supplies... I have search and rescue ongoing right now! #IAwx @NWSDesMoines @NWSOmaha Contact Curtislergner@gmail.com for licensing. pic.twitter.com/k0pXtvkfLx Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers (@ChicagoMWeather) May 21, 2024

"The Greenfield community has shown incredible unity during this challenging time with neighbors and friends displaying remarkable compassion, empathy and support," Dinkla said.

"The Greenfield community has a long road ahead of them. But if they're actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more united than ever."

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for 15 counties impacted by Tuesday's severe weather, and said she planned to visit Greenfield Wednesday morning to assess the damage.

"My prayers are with all the communities and families impacted by today's severe weather, and especially those who tragically lost their lives in the Greenfield area. I am committed to providing the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort," Reynolds said in a statement.

"It was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it's hard to believe that it's happened again," Reynolds added.

"Iowans are strong and resilient, and we will get through this together."
When more than 100 Iranians were murdered and hundreds of others were injured by suicide terrorists in January, President Ebrahim Raisi said: We tell the criminal America and Zionist regime that you will pay a very high price for the crimes you have committed and will regret it. But neither the U.S. nor Israel (the aforementioned Zionist regime) had anything to do with the atrocity of killing pilgrims mourning the death of terror master Qasem Soleimani, a general of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who the Pentagon justly dispatched in 2020.

The actual perpetrator of the terror attack in Kerman, the worst since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, was ISIS, specially ISIS-K, the Afghanistan offshoot of the bloodthirsty gang. But it didnt matter to Raisi, a fanatic close to the IRGC. Well, now Raisi is close to God, having died in a helicopter crash, along with Irans foreign minister, a regional governor and the local representative of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader.

And the culprit here wasnt Washington or Jerusalem or some internal faction or even ISIS, but a very old copter flying in bad weather over dangerous terrain.

Raisi will now have to account for his crimes that earned him the title of Butcher of Tehran, a nickname he got not because he was selling halal meat, but for his part in the wanton murder of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. We dare not call the deaths executions because that implies the carrying out of a sentence for a capital offense following a fair and just trial.

Raisis long career of ruthlessness had him being eyed as the 85-year-old Khameneis successor as the next supreme leader, the holder of the ultimate power.

Iran and the world is at least spared that, but Khamenei and the other mullahs remain, oppressing women, crushing dissent and speech, fomenting terror across the Mideast, and most dangerous of all, still pursuing nukes. Iran was blessed by nature to be sitting on one of the worlds biggest pools of oil and natural gas. They dont need atomic technology to generate electric power (the phony claim for their reactors and their uranium and their plutonium) and the hostile and belligerent regime shouldnt have nuclear weapons.

Funding and arming IRGC proxies Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Shia terror militias in Iraq and Syria, allows Tehran to extend its power to and attack Israel and moderate Arab states. But what does that power do for the Iranian people? Are they more secure or more prosperous? No. They are less secure or less prosperous.

Irans fusillade of rockets, missiles and drones at Israel a month ago, despite being a colossal failure, was a shocking act of war that was successfully defeated by an alliance of Israel, Western powers and Arab states. That should be the future of the region, of trade and cooperation, not terror and war. Iran should join with its neighbors instead of trying to undermine and destroy them. However, we fear that Irans next president and next supreme leader will continue to pursue aggressive policies that have isolated and impoverished the country.

That Iran remains a threat to the Mideast is a decision made by the bad men who lead that nation.

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Iran began five days of national mourning on Tuesday following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Thousands of people gathered in Tabriz, the capital of Irans East Azerbaijan province, to mourn Raisi, but some Iran watchers have noted how limited the public displays of grief appeared.

The muted atmosphere is a contrast to past reactions to the deaths of other high-ranking officials in Iran, like Revolutionary Guard general Qasem Soleimani, whos 2020 funeral drew large crowds of mourners after he was killed in a US-ordered drone strike in Baghdad, Reuters noted.

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Dissidents say Iranians urged to attend funeral

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Source: Sky News

The Iranian government is reportedly desperate for people to attend Raisis funeral, and anti-government protesters told Britains Sky News they had received calls from officials urging them to go to events to mark the presidents death. I dont think many people will show up, and anyone that does, is most certainly one of their own. For ordinary people, this is just another day, one protester told the outlet. Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in Iran, another protester said, adding, they are trying to engineer an atmosphere.

Raisis death casts dark legacy over Iran

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Sources: Semafor, The National

Raisi presided over Iran as the regime tightened its grip over society, marked by harsh crackdowns on dissidents and more executions in recent years. After his death, demonstrators set off fireworks in the hometown of Mahsa Amini, a young woman whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests in late 2022. People will celebrate. Raisis legacy for Iran is murderous, Neda Mirzaloo, an Iranian dissident living in Canada, told The National. Iran now is a security state, there are Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basijis everywhere. He executed and blinded our people.

Iran looks for a unifying replacement

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Sources: BBC, Iran International

The cause of the helicopter crash that killed Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is unclear, but the fallout from their deaths is crystalizing into a succession crisis. Raisis absence can exacerbate the ongoing power struggle within the establishment among various rivaling actors who jockey for higher positions, United Kingdom-based outlet Iran International noted. The system will make a massive show of his death and stick to constitutional procedures to show functionality, while it seeks a new recruit who can maintain conservative unity and loyalty to Khamenei, Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, told the BBC.

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Within days of the helicopter crash that killed its president and other top officials, Iran detailed a succession plan and named replacements in a clear effort to project stability at a moment of profound and sudden uncertainty within the regime.

One familiar name stood out to US officials: the new acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani.

Seen by US officials as a hardline establishment figure, Kani has been a top negotiator for Iran on sensitive talks with the United States on everything from nuclear issues to its use of proxy forces to attack US and allied interests across the region.

Just last week in Oman, Kani was part of a delegation of senior Iranian officials that met indirectly with US officials, current and former officials said. Because the US and Iran do not have formal diplomatic relations, the two delegations sat in separate rooms while Omani officials passed back and forth messages.

Kani, US officials said, is a known quantity and one example of why the Biden administration largely expects little to change in Iran following the sudden deaths of its president and top officials.

For hours on Sunday after the US received the first reports that a helicopter had crashed while carrying some of Irans most senior leaders, including President Ebrahim Raisi, US officials werent sure how bad the accident was.

But even once it became clear that Raisi and the others aboard had perished, the consensus view across the US government was that Irans foreign and domestic policy were likely to remain consistent.

Thats because Irans true leader is its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi was, in many ways, a functionary. He had influence and impact, according to Jonathan Panikoff, a former senior intelligence analyst specializing in the region, but ultimate decision-making authority on every issue is solely held and consolidated by the Supreme Leader.

Khamenei, 85, has been in frail health and has been watched closely. In the wake of the death of so many of his top officials, US officials believe that Khamenei will work to ensure that replacements adhere to his hardline worldview.

Its difficult to see there will be any major changes in the way Iran behaves on the world stage, a senior administration official said.

If anything, Panikoff said, the death of Raisi and its other top leaders may make Iran more risk-averse in the short term.

The senior administration official cautioned that it is still too soon to know for sure how the crash might ultimately affect overall regional volatility, including Irans handling of the Gaza conflict. But for now, the Biden administration believes that there will be little impact.

Impact on succession plan

Raisi was widely seen as a possible successor to Khamenei, and his death has sparked a spirited debate in Washington intelligence and policy circles over how it will jumble the field. The Supreme Leader is chosen by an opaque group known as the Assembly of Experts. Some analysts believe that Khameneis son may now have a better chance of succeeding his father, although he may lack critical religious credentials the role requires.

But analysts say its impossible to assess how that mysterious election process will play out and whether the crash has improved the chances of Khameneis son.

I think thats probably true if the Ayatollah dies in the next month, said Panikoff. I think it may not be as true if its still another two or three years and other people have surfaced and come into the system.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrives to vote for the parliamentary runoff elections, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, May 10, 2024. - Vahid Salemi/AP

Raisis death may also offer a small window for domestic protest. According to the Iranian constitution, elections must be held to name a new president within 50 days of Raisis death.

The Iranian regime has struggled with popular support; Raisi was known as the butcher of Tehran and already a meme has circulated within Iran celebrating his death. Analysts say the regime will seek to tightly control who can run, deepening the public perception that elections are neither free nor fair.

But Iranian authorities will almost certainly crack down on any nascent protests, analysts say. Parliamentary elections in March of this year had an historically low turnout rate  a signal of discontent with the regime and a worrying sign for regime leaders, but not one most analysts believe will translate into meaningful or successful grassroots protest.

Impact on proxy activity

The sudden shakeup in Irans leadership structure has taken place as Tehran has been deeply involved in the tense regional imbroglio surrounding Israels invasion of Gaza. Iran has offered support to a series of proxies launching attacks on US and Israeli interests in the region and in April, it launched a large-scale missile and drone attack directly on Israel.

US officials have long believed that Iran is seeking to calibrate its handling of the simmering, multiprong conflict, extracting costs from its adversaries but avoiding an all-out direct conflict with Israel or the United States. So far, it has been successful.

A US military official said they have seen no uptick in proxy activity in the wake of the crash.

Importantly, the military official said, the death of Raisi and the elevation of Kani to the role of foreign minister has also not opened any sudden opportunities for the United States when it comes to dealing with Iran. The same toxic issues  including Irans nuclear program  remain intractable problems.

In talks with Iranian officials in Oman last week, US officials once again laid out for their counterparts the consequences of Irans destabilizing actions, behavior and policies, according to the senior administration official and a US official.

The Biden administrations view has been that having zero contact with Iran would heighten the risk of dangerous miscalculation, officials told CNN, adding that the US will continue to deploy a mix of deterrence and diplomacy  like last weeks talks  to manage Iran. Issues like Irans support for terrorism, its various proxy groups and its nuclear program were all topics of discussion last week.

The two sides have communicated in this indirect manner multiple times since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October. Last week was the first meeting of this kind in several months.

But in the aftermath of the crash, Iran asked for US help in recovery efforts.

The US, according to State Department spokesman Matt Miller, was unable to help largely for logistical reasons.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Repair, expansion, and reconstruction work on the 184-kilometer section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTC) railway line passing through Georgia was completed on May 20, and freight transportation started, economic expert Eldaniz Amirov told Trend.

He emphasized that the BTC brings economic and strategic dividends to Azerbaijan.

Considering that this railroad line is the main element of the Middle Corridor, it is very important. This railroad not only passes through three countries, but it is also the shortest route by this mode of transportation between Asia and Europe, which helps save time. It provides access to European and world markets for countries such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. It brings economic and strategic dividends to Azerbaijan," he said.

The expert noted that in 20172022, about 1.3 million tons of cargo were transported through the BTC.

The objective is to achieve a transportation volume of 17 million tons. This will contribute to the growth of our economy. On the other hand, the BTC will help the country and region realize their tourism potential by increasing integration and deliveries between economic sectors, he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads prayers over the coffins of late president Ebrahim Raisi and the rest of the victims of a helicopter crash during a funeral ceremony in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Iran's Office of the Supreme Leader

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, May 22 (UPI) -- Iran's supreme leader led prayers at a funeral service in Tehran Wednesday for the country's president and others killed in a helicopter crash, with foreign leaders, including the head of Hamas, in attendance.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the service at Tehran University, reciting the ritual prayer for the deceased -- "O Allah, we know nothing of him but good" -- over the flag-draped coffins.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed Sunday in the crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border along with eight other people, including the country's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian.

After the prayer service, huge crowds of mourners waving flags and portraits of Raisi joined a procession carrying the coffins to Tehran's Freedom Square.

Funeral events for the 63-year-old hardline cleric, who had been seen as a potential successor to Khamenei, began on Tuesday in the northeastern city of Tabriz. Raisi will be buried on Thursday in his home city of Mashhad.

Iran hosted dozens of foreign delegations for the funeral, state-owned media reported. Among them was Ismail Haniyeh, the chief political leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas, who gave a eulogy at Tehran University.

Haniyeh offered condolences and recalled a meeting with Raisi during Ramadan during which he said that Palestine is the foremost issue among Muslims globally and that the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas targeted "the heart of Israel."

The Hamas leader, who is potentially facing an arrest warrant requested by the International Criminal Court on Monday, had a private meeting with Khamenei after the ceremony.

Also at the funeral ceremony were Lebanese militant group Hezbollah's second-in-command, Qaim Nassem, and top officials from countries including Qatar, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Iraq, Pakistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry made his first visit to Iran for the occasion as well. Diplomatic ties between Tehran and Cairo were severed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, but both countries have discussed restoring relations in recent months.

Raisi's death comes as Iran faces a fraught period of domestic discontent and regional tensions. Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim leader until an election is held on June 28.

The conservative cleric was known by his critics as the Butcher of Tehran for his involvement in Iran's mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.

After winning office in 2021, Raisi oversaw a crackdown on dissent that included the September 2022 police killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died after being beaten by authorities over violating the country's draconian hijab laws.

The United States offered terse "official condolences" earlier this week, but State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Raisi has "blood on his hands" for his involvement in suppressing dissent.

Other human rights and opposition groups also spoke out against Raisi's brutal record.

"The curse of mothers and those seeking justice for the executed, along with the damnation of the Iranian people and history, mark the legacy of Ebrahim Raisi," said Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran.

His death "will trigger a series of repercussions and crises within theocratic tyranny, which will spur rebellious youths into action," she said in a statement.

State media said the crash of the Bell 212 helicopter carrying Raisi and the others was due to "technical failure," while the Iranian military announced that it had launched an investigation and sent a team to the site.

On Tuesday, the official IRNA news agency offered more details of the crash, which appeared to further the theory that bad weather was the cause.

Presidential Chief of Staff Gholam Hossein Esmaili, who rode in another helicopter in the convoy, said that weather conditions were perfect when the choppers took off. After 45 minutes into the flight, however, Raisi's helicopter disappeared into heavy clouds and couldn't be reached by radio.

The remaining two helicopters circled the area until being forced to land at a nearby copper mine due to poor visibility, Esmaili said.
DUBLIN/OSLO/MADRID (Reuters) -Ireland, Spain and Norway announced on Wednesday that they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28, prompting an angry response from Israel which said this amounted to a "reward for terrorism" and recalled its ambassadors from the three capitals.

Dublin, Madrid and Oslo painted the decision as a move aimed at accelerating efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

They urged other countries to follow suit although the United States, Israel's main ally, stood by its position that a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations and not "unilateral recognition".

"We hope that our recognition and our reasons contribute to other western countries following this path, because the more we are, the more strength we will have to impose a ceasefire, to achieve the release of the hostages held by Hamas, to relaunch the political process that can lead to a peace agreement," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told parliament.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the only possible political solution between Israelis and Palestinians was "two states living side by side in peace and security".

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said he did not expect the recognition to stop the war in Gaza, but it was "a key component" for an Arab-led peace initiative.

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris told a Dublin press conference that Ireland remained unequivocal in recognising Israel's right to exist "securely and in peace with its neighbours", and called for all hostages in Gaza to be freed.

The decision infuriated Israel, which says recognising a Palestinian state amounts to rewarding Hamas militants for the Oct. 7 attack that triggered Israel's offensive against the Palestinian militant group in Gaza.

"The intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

"This would be a terrorist state. It would try to carry out the October 7 massacre again and again - and that, we shall not agree to," he said.

"Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas."

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision would carry "severe consequences", and ordered the immediate return of the Israeli ambassadors from the three countries for consultations.

PALESTINIANS WELCOME STATEHOOD ANNOUNCEMENT

The decision by the three European countries was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli occupied West Bank, and by Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since driving the PA out of the enclave in 2007.

About 144 of the 193 member-states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as a state, including most of the global south, Russia, China and India. But only a handful of the 27 European Union members have done so, mostly former Communist countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus.

Britain, Australia and EU members Malta and Slovenia have indicated in recent months that they could soon follow suit.

Norway, which is not an EU member, was the host of the Oslo peace process some 30 years ago that was intended to lead to a Palestinian state on territory captured by Israel in a 1967 war, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. The last negotiations collapsed a decade ago.

Netanyahu has rejected a sovereign Palestinian state, despite the so-called "two-state solution" remaining the U.S. policy objective. Washington, however, opposes recognising Palestine without an agreement reached at negotiations.

President Joe Biden "is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career," a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said. "He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition."

Germany said it was a matter that required further dialogue, while France said conditions had not yet been met.

Last month, Washington vetoed recognising Palestine as a state at the United Nations, where the Palestinians now have observer status.

The move by the three European countries was the latest example of Israel's increasing international isolation, both over the civilian casualties resulting from its tactics in the Gaza war, as well as its over longstanding policies such as building Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

Jan Egeland, who was part of the Norwegian diplomatic team that helped broker the Oslo Peace Accords in the 1990s, said the announcement by the European trio, though "symbolic", was a message to Israel that the occupation of Palestinian territories had to end.

Alon Liel, a former director general of Israel's foreign ministry and a critic of Netanyahu's government, told Reuters by phone from Tel Aviv that the move by Spain, Ireland and Norway could have an important impact on Israeli public opinion.

Equalising the status of Israel and Palestine in the international sphere, was "a nightmare for the current Israeli leadership", he said. The three European countries' action represented "the start of the recognition by the countries that Israel cares about, that are a role model for Israel".

Israel launched its war in Gaza in retaliation for the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas in which fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's operations in the enclave have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

(Reporting by Conor Humphries, Inti Landauro, Nerijus Adomaitis, Gwladys Fouche, Emma Pinedo and Stephanie Van Den Berg; Writing by Sharon Singleton and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Peter Graff, Alexandra Hudson, Philippa Fletcher)
Ireland set to recognise state of Palestine on Wednesday

Ireland is expected to move on recognising Palestinian statehood on Wednesday, it has been reported.

The three Irish Government leaders are scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday morning after signalling it would recognise the state of Palestine by the end of the month.

Irish premier Simon Harris, deputy premier Micheal Martin and Minister Eamon Ryan will speak to the media at 8am, amid warnings from Israel that recognition will fuel extremism and instability.

Irish and Spanish officials have been in discussions with other European countries about making a joint recognition of the state of Palestine.

The leaders of the three coalition parties briefed Cabinet ministers on the latest stage of negotiations on Tuesday.

Mr Harris and Mr Martin have been involved in co-ordination with other European leaders about the announcement.

Recognising Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy as part of the Governments belief in a two-state solution.

Ireland's president, Michael D Higgins, at a football match for Palestinian solidarity in Dublin last week - SPORTSFILE

Meanwhile, in a online video targeted at Ireland, Israels Foreign Ministry warned that recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism and jeopardise any prospects for peace.

The narrator says: Ireland, the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.

Such a move will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian authority.

The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as a wake-up call.

Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Dont be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to recognition.

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(Bloomberg) -- Israel recalled its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain after they announced they would recognize a Palestinian state.

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The co-ordinated moves by the European nations underscores how Israels war against Hamas in Gaza is focusing global attention on the issue of statehood for Palestinians and hurting Israels relations with the rest of the world.

Israel will not be complacent against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday in a statement. The countries are sending a message that terrorism pays.

Around 140 nations already recognize a Palestinian state, but very few in Europe have. Among them are Hungary and Sweden.

This is an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told reporters on Wednesday morning. It is an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights to the state, including self determination, self governance, territorial integrity and security.

Ireland, Norway and Spain plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state  comprising Gaza and the West Bank  on May 28.

Norway Used to Shy Away From Taking Sides. Gaza Changed That

Harris and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez reiterated calls for an end to the war in Gaza thats now in its eighth month and which has devastated the Mediterranean enclave. They and Norway have been among the European countries most critical of Israel for continuing the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war is necessary to destroy Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union.

Netanyahu has spent most of his life rejecting a Palestinian state, although in 2009 he said hed accept a demilitarized one as long as the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish state. The Palestinian leadership rejected that, and in recent years, Netanyahu and the Israeli public have stepped away from supporting two states.

This is due to the growth of religious nationalism in Israel and a sense that violent forces like Hamas would push aside more moderate parties in any Palestinian country. In addition, the refusal by the Palestinian Authority  which runs parts of the West Bank  to properly condemn Hamass attack of Oct. 7, which started the war, have solidified those concerns.

Israel controls many aspects of security in Gaza and the West Bank, including their air space. It officials fear losing those powers if the Palestinians get an independent country and have argued that they would have far less ability to prevent Oct. 7-style assaults in the future.

US Backs Negotiations

The US, Israels most important ally, backs a two-state solution, but says it can only come about through negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. In recent months, President Joe Bidens signaled a state of Palestine could be created with strict limits on its military forces so as to reassure Israel.

Frances government said that while recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo, it does not yet think conditions have been met for this decision to have a real impact.

The decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain was praised by both the PA and Hamas, which nominally governs Gaza.

Understanding the Roots of the Israel-Hamas War: QuickTake

The PA said the recognitions are in line with international law, while Hamas said it was an important step on the path of affirming our right to our land and an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Sanchez stressed the decision was about peace and not made against Israel or in favor of Hamas. The Iran-backed organization is a terrorist group that must disappear, he said.

Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin made similar comments, saying it should not be misrepresented as a hostile act toward Israel.

The conflict began when Hamas fighters swarmed into southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. Since then, Israels air and ground offensive on Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Harris and Sanchez held bilateral talks in Dublin last month and reiterated their intention build international support for a two-state solution.

In March, the leaders of Slovenia, Malta, Spain and Ireland met in Brussels. They issued a joint statement saying Palestinian statehood was the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

Irelands position had already led to tensions with Israel. Harris discussed the plan with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in a phone call on Sunday. Harris insisted he did not want to see Irelands diplomatic relations with Israel severed.

Relations between Israel and Spain have been tense too. In November, Israel recalled its ambassador to Madrid after Sanchez said he had serious doubts Israel was complying with international law. He told Netanyahu that the number of deaths in Gaza was unbearable, adding that Spain also suffered terrorism in the past and it cant be stopped by force alone.

--With assistance from Rodrigo Orihuela, Ott Ummelas, Olivia Fletcher, Omar Tamo and Ethan Bronner.

(Updates with reaction and comments in seventh, eight, ninth and tenth paragraphs)

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Well, at least its clear how one gets the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian governments on side: murder and rape as many Jews as you can find.

Whatever your views on Israel, whatever you think of the conflict, be in no doubt about the only substantive message of yesterdays decision by those three governments to recognise Palestine as a state.

Hamas has already welcomed it. Of course it has, because the terrorist organisation (which is committed to the elimination of Jews) now has direct causal evidence to show to Palestinians that terrorism works. Hamas murdered Jews  Im sorry, I forgot we are supposed to say Zionists  and a few months later, bingo: the Irish, the Spanish and the Norwegians all fall into line.

This is the key  indeed the only - point about yesterdays coordinated announcements: it has strengthened the terrorists by showing that Western governments will act as a result of terrorism. And thats all there is to note about it.

Dont think this will have any beneficial impact for the Palestinians themselves, or even that it is meant to.

Before yesterday, 141 countries recognised a Palestinian state. If you think the addition of three more countries to that list will make any difference at all to reality  that somehow it will magic up the existence of an actual Palestinian state rather than the imagined one that exists only to enable politicians who know next to nothing about the Middle East to virtue signal  then, as they say, I have a bridge to sell you.

Its not just the Palestinians for whom yesterdays announcements will make no difference. Thats true also of Israel, which has and will continue to have diplomatic relations with almost all of the now 144 countries which have recognised a Palestinian state. Israels withdrawal of its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland shows that it, too, can virtue signal with the best of them  although in Israels case the audience Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is signalling to is his far-right coalition allies and their voters. Withdrawing the ambassadors is a ludicrously over the top response. No one else in Israel thinks yesterdays recognition makes any difference to anything.

Just as Israels response was intended for Israeli voters consumption, so the actual announcements in Ireland, Spain and Norway are in reality about their own internal politics rather than actually seeking to bring about a Palestinian state. All three countries have long been in the vanguard of support for Palestine, mostly because it goes down well with their voters. Its costless and bolsters their domestic support.

Its also frivolous showboating, which is why countries with a serious interest in bringing about a Palestinian state  such as the US, the UK, France or Germany  have gone nowhere near recognition. Try asking any of the countries which have done otherwise what the borders are of this supposed Palestinian state and youll get no response, because there is no state to recognise and there are no agreed border. Does it include Gaza? What about Jerusalem? And what is its government  the Palestinian Authority (in its 18th year since elections)? Until Israels military operation in Gaza youd have had to ask if it was Hamas, which ran the territory. No one knows the answers to any of this because that would be the work of the hard, frustrating, difficult negotiations upon which the fabled two state solution depends.

If youre serious about bringing about a Palestinian state there is hope, despite the seemingly impossible situation at the moment. Saudi recognition of Israel remains possible, even likely, at some point. That might well be the key which unlocks wider change. That should be the real focus.

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(L-R) Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa

Ireland's leader called it an "historic day" for Palestinians as his country, along with Norway and Spain, announced it would recognize the state of Palestine.

"Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," prime minister Simon Harris said in Dublin.

Harris said he was "confident" other countries would join the initiative.

"This is an historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine," he said.

"On January 21 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognize our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasizing our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination and justice," he said in an address to the nation.

"Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state."

He said Dublin's move would advance the prospect of a "permanent peace" in the region.

The decision by the three countries to recognize Palestine will take effect on May 28.

Irish prime minister Simon Harris (L) and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa

Irish prime minister Simon Harris speaks to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa
This isnt Yogi Bear: Oxford Police warn residents of black bear spotted in the area

Police in one Worcester County town are urging residents to put away their pic-a-nic baskets after a black bear was spotted on Wednesday morning.

Authorities say the bear was seen roaming around the area of 30 Prospect Street in North Oxford.

Keep a close watch on your pets, young children and watch yourselves if youre outside, police wrote in a social media post. This isnt Yogi the Bear! Hes searching bird feeders and trash looking for some food.

Black bears are generally not aggressive towards humans but can become dangerous if they feel threatened.

Residents are reminded to be smarter than the average bear and keep both trash cans and bird feeders secured.

If you see a bear or notice any unusual wildlife activity, please contact the Oxford Police Department at (508) 987-0156, authorities said.

 Black Bear Sighting Alert  Attention Oxford residents, As a follow up to our previous post. We have received a... Posted by Oxford Police Department Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

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




Israeli tanks advanced to edge of a crowded district in the centre of Rafah on Wednesday, witnesses say - Saeed Qaq/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Israel appears to have abandoned its plans for a major invasion of Rafah in favour of targeted incursions to eradicate Hamas from the area, US officials have said.

The United States had for weeks warned Israel against going into Rafah, the last city in Gaza untouched by heavy fighting, and Israel had taken the US concerns into account, a senior US official said late on Tuesday.

Its fair to say, I think, the Israelis have updated their plans. Theyve incorporated many of the concerns that we have expressed, the US official, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters.

This is an ongoing discussion, ongoing conversation. Its been constructive.

The official was referring to last weeks talks in Israel between Mr Netanyahu and Jake Sullivan, the White Houses national security adviser.

Joe Biden, the US president, has repeatedly voiced his categorical opposition to a major invasion in Rafah, arguing that the operation in the town packed with displaced Palestinians is likely to claim too many civilian lives.

Israeli tanks rolled into the outskirts of Rafah earlier this month but its operations there have so far appeared limited.

Those statements came as the latest US intelligence shows that Israel is far from achieving total victory in Gaza, as once touted by Mr Netanyahu.

Israeli troops go house to house in Rafah after invasion plans were scaled back - Telegram/IDF

No more than 35 per cent of Hamas fighters have been killed in Gaza since the war began and about 65 per cent of its underground tunnels are still intact, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials with knowledge of the latest intelligence.

Hamas has also been able to recruit several thousand new members during wartime, according to the US officials. It is not clear, however, whether these individuals joined the ranks of Hamas forces on the ground or its political wing.

Inside Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is deepening as the Pentagon reported that none of the aid that had been loaded on lorries and dispatched from a new US-built temporary pier was delivered.

Crowds of desperate Palestinians intercepted and emptied the lorries with aid this weekend, leading the UN to suspend the deliveries, a Pentagon spokesman said, adding that they were working with the UN on new delivery routes.

On Wednesday, witnesses in Gaza said Israeli tanks advanced to the edge of a crowded district in the centre of Rafah during an intense night of bombardment.

Israel Defense Forces tanks took up new positions further west than before along the southern border fence with Egypt and were now stationed on the edge of the Yibna neighbourhood in central Rafah, residents and militants told Reuters. They reportedly have not yet entered the district.

Spooked by the reports of an imminent Israeli invasion of Rafah, Palestinians there had been fleeing northwards, with some 800,000 people leaving the area in about two weeks, according to the UN.

The UNs agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Wednesday raised the alarm about overcrowded, unsanitary conditions in the areas where the locals had fled to, with no better alternative in the sealed-off enclave available.

UNRWA said the population of its facilities in Khan Younis, a city to the north of Rafah that was badly bombed earlier this year, alone has increased by over a third in the past fortnight.

Photos from UNRWA facilities there showed Palestinians living amongst the rubble in damaged school buildings, with no tents or vital services.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Azerbaijan initiated the creation of the Made in Turan brand in Kazakhstan, uniting trademarks of the Turkic world, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Franchising Association Jamid Movsumov told Trend.

He noted that the creation of the brand implies a transition to unified labeling of products manufactured by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries.

The introduction of the 'Made in Turan' brand signifies a significant step forward for brands across the Turkic world, promising increased trade turnover and stronger economic ties between countries. This branding initiative is poised to elevate brands from Turkic states to global prominence through special incentives, fostering steady progress and boosting trade within the region. Ultimately, the 'Made in Turan' brand will enhance the international recognition of the Turkic world as a formidable economic entity. Additionally, we are planning to establish trade houses under the brand to further support this initiative, he said.

To note, cooperation among member countries of OTS, home to over 200 million people, is expanding across various sectors, including political, economic, trade, cultural, transport, energy, agriculture, tourism, security, and defense industries.

Situated along the historical Silk Road, Turkic world countries play a pivotal role in the increasing trade between East and West, with daily trade turnover between China and European nations exceeding $1 billion. This strategic location positions the OTS to emerge as a significant economic force in the region, reflected in the total trade turnover of member countries reaching $536 billion in the global economy.

The OTS member countries are strategically located along the Middle Corridor route, which holds both global and regional strategic importance.

With a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.5 trillion and a trade turnover of $1.2 trillion, OTS member countries contribute 2.4 percent to the world trade turnover.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israel updated White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on its refined plans to minimize civilian harm in Rafah when he visited the region last weekend, he said on Wednesday.

"We now have to see what unfolds from here," Sullivan told a news briefing, referring to Israel's operation in the southern Gaza city. "What we're going to be looking at is whether there is a lot of death and destruction from this operation or if it is more precise and proportional."

He said Israeli operations to date in the area have been targeted and limited.

He also said aid is flowing from a pier in Gaza to the Palestinians there, and that it was wrong for Israel to withhold funds from the West Bank.

Israel is retaliating against Hamas in Gaza - an enclave of 2.3 million people - over a brutal Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militants. Aid access into southern Gaza has been disrupted since Israel stepped up military operations in Rafah, a move that the U.N. says has forced 900,000 people to flee and has raised tensions with Egypt.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose; Writing by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)
Apparent remains of ballistic missile near Dead Sea following attack by Iran on Israel

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States hopes defense meetings in Riyadh on Wednesday will help advance a long-standing goal of building a regional missile shield, bolstered by Israel's successful defense against waves of incoming Iranian missiles and drones last month, U.S. officials say.

But it's unclear whether Gulf allies have the same confidence the U.S. would rush to their defense, or if those allies are willing to take the steps needed to truly integrate their defenses in a region that has longed hedged its bets, according to former U.S. officials and experts.

The May 22 meeting in Riyadh of the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comes just over a month after the United States, Britain and other allies helped Israel knock down hundreds of missiles and drones, mostly launched from inside Iran.

The meeting also comes against the backdrop of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthis against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Interceptions by U.S. and British warships have also demonstrated the power of Western air defenses.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Gulf allies recognized that the successful defense of Israel was a result of years of defense integration among Israel's partners.

"It is not lost on (U.S. Gulf allies) that the effectiveness of defending against that very substantial, high-end barrage by Iran was not just because of the individual capabilities of the countries - Israel, United States, the UK - but the fact that there is a substantial amount of integration among those countries," said the official.

RELUCTANCE TO SHARE

The last GCC meeting was in February 2023. It is not clear if the upcoming meeting will produce any agreements.

U.S. officials have long acknowledged that many nations in the Middle East are reluctant to directly share sensitive defense information with each other, including radar data, given that it could reveal vulnerabilities.

Dana Stroul, who was the Pentagon's top Middle East policy advisor until late last year, said that countries in the Gulf would need to make a political decision on whether to move forward with regional intelligence sharing and investments in secure communications.

But there are also "ongoing doubts about America's willingness to support the defense of partners beyond Israel," Stroul said.

"Washington should also make clear to these partners that they can expect the same level of defensive support if Iran attacks them directly," said Stroul, who is now the director of research at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Iran's attack by more than 300 missiles and drones caused only modest damage inside Israel. The April 14 strikes were Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel and came amid soaring regional tensions over the more than seven-month-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

During an April visit to Amman, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed to the U.S.-GCC working group meetings as he called for greater regional missile defense.

"This attack highlights the acute and growing threat from Iran, but also the imperative that we work together on integrated defense," Blinken said.

The U.S. delegation will include officials from the military's Joint Staff, the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Naval Force Central Command, Air Forces Central and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

All GCC members - which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - will send delegations. Israel will not be sending a participant, a U.S. military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Stroul noted that Gulf allies continue to purchase military systems from a mix of vendors from the U.S., Europe, China and other countries. This has put them at odds with the United States, which has warned that they cannot integrate Russian or Chinese systems with U.S. equipment for integrated air and missile defense (IAMD).

"Hence, if GCC militaries want to pursue IAMD, they must commit to 'buying American' or purchasing systems from other trusted sources," Stroul said.

The senior U.S. defense official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the US-GCC meetings would hopefully see countries "put aside some of their doubts a little, some of their mistrust, and see the value" of integrated missile defense.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali. Additional reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman. Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington)
Israel kills less than third of Hamas fighters in Gaza

Israel has only eliminated 30 to 35 per cent of the Hamas terrorists who were part of the group prior to the October 7 attack, US intelligence believes.

In addition, 65 per cent of Hamas vast network of underground tunnels, which Hamas has used to carry out attacks, remain intact, Politico reported.



The outlet also said that US officials believe that Hamas has recruited thousands of new members in recent months.



Top officials from the Biden administration have expressed fears that Israel is scuppering its chance to defeat Hamas, publicly lambasting Israelis strategy in the Gaza Strip as self-defeating and likely to open the door to Hamas return.

Israel vowed to crush and destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attacks, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

Follow the latest updates below

03:32 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

03:12 PM BST

Attacks on health workers in conflict zones highest level ever, new report finds

Attacks on health workers, hospitals and clinics in conflict zones surge by 25 per cent last year to their highest level on record, a new report has found.

The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, composed of 40 groups including medical charities, reported 2,562 incidents of violence or obstructions including arrests, killings and kidnappings of doctors and strikes across hospitals in 30 conflicts.

Where the rise was largely driven by fresh wars in Gaza and Sudan, ongoing conflicts such as Ukraine and South Sudan also fuelled attacks at a relentless pace, said the Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition.

Palestinians inspect damages at Al Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital - Dawoud Abu Alkas/REUTERS

02:52 PM BST

Pro-Palestine protesters repeatedly interrupt Blinken in Senate

Furious protesters interrupted Antony Blinken in Congress on Tuesday as he faced criticism from the Right and Left over the United States Israel policy.

As Mr Blinken began his testimony before two committees in the Democrat-controlled Senate, protesters called him a war criminal and accused him of involvement in genocide.

Mr Blinken reiterated the support of Joe Bidens administration for Israel, but insisted it was focused on easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and opposed an Israeli assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where over one million displaced people had taken shelter.

Read the full story here

02:43 PM BST

Palestinian state should be reached through negotiations, White House says

US President Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through direct negotiations between parties, not unilateral recognition, the White House said on Wednesday.

The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said.

He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.

US President Joe Biden - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

02:34 PM BST

No two-state solution without dialogue, Berlin says on Palestine

A German foreign ministry spokesperson stressed Berlins support for a two-state solution on Wednesday.

An independent Palestinian state remains a firm goal of German foreign policy, the spokesperson told a regular news conference in Berlin.

It comes as Spain, Hungary and Ireland announced that they would recognise the State of Palestine from 28 May.

They added that a dialogue process was needed for that goal.

02:20 PM BST

Labour says preferable to recognise Palestine as a state

Labour said it would work towards recognising Palestine as a state if it won power, after Spain, Ireland and Norway announced a landmark decision to change its diplomatic status.

David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, said it would be preferable if British recognition was part of a two-state solution bringing peace to the Middle East.

He accused some Israeli politicians in Israel of wanting a no-state solution to the conflict.

The shadow Foreign Secretary was speaking after Israel recalled its ambassadors to the three European countries, saying they had rewarded Hamas for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.



Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron faced a backlash from some Tory MPs after he suggested the UK could fast-track recognition of Palestine during negotiations for a final peace deal rather than at the end of it.



The Government has been asked for comment.

02:08 PM BST

Israel abandons full-on Rafah invasion after US talks

Israel appears to have abandoned its plans for a major invasion of Rafah in favour of targeted incursions to eradicate Hamas from the area, US officials have said.

The United States had for weeks warned Israel against going into Rafah, the last city in Gaza untouched by heavy fighting, and Israel has taken the US concerns into account, a senior US official said late on Tuesday.

Its fair to say, I think, the Israelis have updated their plans. Theyve incorporated many of the concerns that we have expressed, the US official, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters.

Read the full story here.

01:55 PM BST

More than 35,000 Palestinians killed since beginning of war

The Hamas-run health ministry says at least 35,709 Palestinians have been killed in Israels military offensive on Gaza Gaza since 7 October.

A further 79,990 have been injured, it added.

The figures reported by the ministry do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.

01:42 PM BST

Ireland says recognition of Palestinian state based on 1967 borders

Ireland plans to recognise the Palestinian state based on its 1967 borders, said its Foreign Minister Michael Martin on Wednesday.

When we recognise a state, we dont recognise the government of the day, we recognise the state in terms of a permanent population of people in terms of defined borders, and in this case its the 1967 borders, Mr Martin told local RTE radio station.

Mr Martin said that defined a territory involving Gaza, the West Bank and a capital of both an Israeli state and a Palestinian state in Jerusalem.

Ireland will recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.

01:08 PM BST

Historic day as Ireland becomes one of first to recognise Palestinian State

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill has hailed Irelands move to recognise the state of Palestine as historic.

The people of Ireland will continue to stand up for the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people, Ms ONeill wrote on X.

 An historic day as Ireland becomes one of the first countries in Europe to officially recognise the state of Palestine.



The people of Ireland will continue to stand up for the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/TSiTpvC1uj  Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) May 22, 2024

12:53 PM BST

Egypt changed terms of Gaza ceasefire deal presented to Hamas

Egyptian intelligence discreetly changed the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed off on earlier this month, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

The ceasefire agreement announced by Hamas on 6 May was not what the Qataris or the Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review. We were all duped, said one of those sources.

The move ultimately sabotaged a deal that could have released Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and paved the way to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza.

A senior Egyptian intelligence official, Ahmed Abdel Khalek, was responsible for proposing several alternatives and scenarios, said one of the sources.

Mr Abdel Khalek is a senior deputy to the Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel, who has been CIA Director Bill Burns equal in conducting Egypts mediation in the sabotage talks.

The edits came more than a week after a group of Egyptian negotiators flew to Israel in late April to iron out the final details of the ceasefire agreement.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the framework extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel.

When the Egyptians returned from Israel to negotiate with Hamas, it became clear that the group did not agree with the Israelis propositions, said one of the sources. So the Egyptian official made significant changes to ensure that Hamas would also sign the agreement.

The Qataris are expected to play a bigger role in the next round of negotiations, if talks resume. Although Egypt would still hold the central position given their essential proximity to Hamas.

12:25 PM BST

Two key border crossings now open, says Cogat

The Kerem Shalom and Erez crossing are now Operating as usual, says Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat), the body responsible for clearing the movements of aid convoys in Gaza.

We welcome aid coordinations from all actors and encourage the UN organizations to coordinate as well - we are here to facilitate, they wrote on X.

The United Nations and Israeli military clashed over similar claims two weeks ago. The Israeli military said lorries had reached Kerem Shalom, which was closed after a Hamas rocket attack.

The UN refuted the claim and said no supplies had yet passed through the crossing.

Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings are open and operating as usual. Hundreds of aid trucks are inspected and transferred into Gaza.



We welcome aid coordinations from all actors and encourage the UN organizations to coordinate as well - we are here to facilitate. pic.twitter.com/zIem4GjJ9d  COGAT (@cogatonline) May 22, 2024

11:56 AM BST

Ireland will hold the Israeli regime accountable for its war crimes

Sinn Feins president Mary Lou McDonald said, Ireland is a small nation but we punch above our weight when it comes to influence at both European level and with the United States.

We have a role to play in acting decisively and using every avenue available to bring about a ceasefire, and to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its war crimes, the Irish opposition leader said.

11:46 AM BST

Hamas hails turning point after European countries recognise Palestinian statehood

Hamas has thanked Ireland, Norway and Spain for recognising Palestinian statehood.

Bassem Naim, a senior figure in the Gaza-based terror group, described the moves, announced on Wednesday morning, as a turning point.

These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people, he said. We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Israels foreign ministry, which withdrew its envoys from Ireland and Norway immediately after the announcement, warned that the recognition of a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace.



Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas, it said.

11:37 AM BST

Herzi Halevi: we want to bring our hostages home alive

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi met with commanders in Jabaliya who participated in the operation to rescue the bodies of the four hostages and return them for burial in Israel today.

We want to bring our hostages home alive, and we want to bring those who, unfortunately, are no longer alive back for burial in Israel, he said.

'We want to bring our hostages home alive, and we want to bring those who, unfortunately, are no longer alive back for burial in Israel.'



IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi met with the commanders in Jabaliya who participated in the operation to rescue the bodies pic.twitter.com/rhHUKuu2wn  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 21, 2024

11:13 AM BST

Not right moment for France to recognise Palestinian state

Frances foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, said that it was not a taboo to recognise a Palestinian state, but Paris considers that now is not the right moment to do so.

Our position is clear: the recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France, Ms Sejourne wrote in a statement.

France does not consider that the conditions have been present to date for this decision to have a real impact in this process.

10:58 AM BST

Israel will make Irish, Spanish, Norwegian envoys watch October 7 video

Israel has recalled its ambassadors to Spain, Ireland and Norway and said that they will be summoned for reprimand talks - during which they will be made to watch the video of the kidnapping of female Israeli soldiers on October 7.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said: History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to the Hamas murderers and rapists, who raped teenage girls and burned babies.

I ordered the ambassadors to be immediately summoned for reprimand talks - during which they will watch the horrifying kidnapping video of the abduction of the female observers to illustrate to them what a twisted decision their governments made, said Katz.

He added: Israel will not go over this in silence - their step will have serious consequences.

Israel's acting foreign minister Israel Katz, who also serves as intelligence and transport minister - REUTERS

10:42 AM BST

Ireland, Norway and Spain recognise Palestinian state

Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced they will recognise a Palestinian state.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

The moves prompted an immediate backlash from Israel, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordering the countrys envoys to return from Ireland and Norway.

At least 143 members of the United Nations already recognise Palestinian statehood, but others - including the United Kingdom and the United States - do not formally recognise a Palestinian state.

10:23 AM BST

Netanyahu expected to reject US-Saudi lifeline

Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to reject the historic deal with Saudi Arabia that was to establish ties between the two major regional players in the Middle East, an Israeli newspaper has reported

The Israeli prime minister received the outline of the normalisation agreement last week from visiting White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday cited several Israeli officials present at the meetings with Mr Sullivan, saying that he was deeply disappointed by Prime Minister Netanyahus stance and reportedly said With Bibi, there isnt going to be normalisation with Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli leader reportedly refuses to compromise on two key prerequisites for the deal: recognition of a Palestinian state and ending the war in Gaza.

The White House has not commented on the reports but Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, late on Tuesday admitted it may very well be that at this moment Israel is not able or willing to agree to those conditions, thus blocking the deal.

The agreement establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, both key military allies of the US in the region, has been in the works for years and was supposed to be a cornerstone for regional security. Both Israeli and Saudi political leaders recently confirmed their commitment to the deal.

10:20 AM BST

Iranians gather to mourn former President Ebrahim Raisi

Thousands of Iranians have gathered in the capital, Tehran to mourn the death of Ebrahim Raisi and seven other officials who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei led prayers at Tehran University, with high-level foreign dignitaries, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in attendance.

Huge banners among the crowds can be seen hailing Raisi as the martyr of service.

10:08 AM BST

Analysis: the deeply political issue of Palestinian statehood

Recognising Palestine is a richly symbolic move, as Irelands leader Simon Harris said this morning, but it is also deeply political.

Spain and Ireland are the two EU member states that have been most critical of Israel and its war on Hamas.

Recognition is a vote winner in both countries ahead of European elections in June.

But geopolitical as well as domestic concerns drive this coordinated announcement, which is the fruit of months of intense international diplomacy, which could result in more countries following suit.

Dublin, Madrid and Oslo insist recognition will be valuable backing for an eventual two state solution to bring peace to the Middle East.

Arab states have made clear that European recognition for Palestine is a condition for their vital support for the two state solution.

Recognition can be a building block for peace in the long term, which is a view shared by David Cameron in Britain, if not the whole Tory party.

But in the short term it undoubtedly heaps more pressure on Israel to curb its war on Gaza.

Israels furious reaction is not surprising given the timing of the announcement, so soon after an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued for Benjamin Netanyahu.

09:56 AM BST

Hamas calls todays move a turning point

Senior Hamas figure Bassem Naim has said the brave resistance of the Palestinian people is behind the move.

These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people, he said.

We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

09:53 AM BST

Palestinian foreign ministry welcomes three countries decision

The Palestinian foreign ministry welcomes the decisions taken by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognise the State of Palestine, it said in a statement.

The ministry, based in the West Bank, said the recognition was in line with international law and all United Nations relevant resolutions, which will in turn contribute positively to all international efforts towards ending the Israeli Illegal occupation and achieving peace and stability in the region.

They added: with this significant step, Spain, Norway and Ireland have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and to delivering the long overdue justice to the Palestinian people.

The statement also calls for other states to take this principled decision as soon as possible.

09:37 AM BST

Some in Gaza survive on just 3 per cent of water needs

Some Palestinians are surviving on as little as 3 per cent of minimum daily water needs, warn British charities.

Essential hygiene supplies for the 1.7 million displaced Palestinians in the enclave could take an average of 3 months to arrive in the besieged enclave, said the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

Families across the strip have resorted to building their own toilets, with up to 600 people sharing a single latrine, said the charities.

A severe lack of clean water and sanitation facilities have caused water-borne and communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis, to become rife across the besieged enclave.

Displaced Palestinians queue for water at a camp west of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip - AFP

09:28 AM BST

Analysis: Israel is increasingly isolating itself

Israel is so alarmed by this mornings statements from leaders of Norway and Spain that it is recalling its ambassadors from the two countries for urgent consultations.

Norways prime ministers announcement that his country will recognise a Palestinian state next week and the upcoming statement by the leader of Spain have touched a nerve with the Israeli government, which has been hemorrhaging international support as the war in Gaza is about to enter its eight month.

Israel, mired in a war that shows no image of a total victory as one promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is increasingly sensitive to any moves on the international arena that can be interpreted as helping the other side.

Israeli officials repeatedly said they view the recognition of a Palestinian state - something that has been on the cards since the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s - as a reward for Hamas for brutally attacking Israel on October 7.

The Israeli leadership has brushed off arguments that supporting a Palestinian sovereignty amid deaths and devastation in Gaza should serve as a counter-weight to radical movements such as Hamas.

Unlike the United States or Britain, neither Norway or Spain are crucial military allies or trade partners for Israel, so should the ties with them be cut off, the impact on the Israeli economy would be minimal.

But Israel is increasingly driving itself into a corner of isolation as its top speakers, like Foreign Minister Israel Katz this morning, suggest that recognising a Palestinian state within the borders under post-1967 Israeli occupation, as recognised by the UN, represents a threat to its sovereignty.

09:10 AM BST

None of the 569 tons of aid has been distributed from US pier, says Pentagon

A US Defense Department spokesman has said that none of the 569 tons of humanitarian assistance that has arrived at a US-built floating pier in the Gaza Strip has been formally distributed.

While some of the aid coming off the pier has made it to warehouses, trucks have been intercepted by hoards of desperate Palestinians after the aid left the loading area.

I dont believe so, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in response to a question about whether any of the aid had been delivered yet.

We fully appreciate and recognize that land routes are the optimal way to get aid, said Ryder. Its also important to remember that this is a combat zone and that it is a complex operation.

It comes as the UN World Food Programme warned that the $320m (250m) project may fail unless Israel starts providing the conditions humanitarian groups need to operate safely.

Palestinians rush a truck as it transports international humanitarian aid from the US-built pier - AFP

08:56 AM BST

Spanish PM: this is not in favour of Hamas

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said that they have an obligation to obligation to act. In Palestine like in Ukraine without double standards.

Mr Sanchez warned that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is still playing deaf ears... he is still bombing hospitals and schools and punishing women and children with hunger and cold.

We need to send humanitarian aid, and help the refugees we are already doing this. But more needs to be done.

He adds: This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews.

It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour or peace and coexistence.

08:50 AM BST

Israel war cabinet: never has been famine in Gaza

A member of Israels war cabinet has said there is no famine in Gaza and there never has been.

Minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer described the claim as nonsense and insisted there were bustling markets selling fruits and vegetables in the Gaza Strip.

It comes after the World Food Programme warned there was a full-blown famine in pockets of Gaza due to the besieged enclave suffering a severe lack of food after eight months of war.

08:37 AM BST

Spain recognises Palestine for peace, justice and consistency

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchezs speech receives applause from his parliament in Madrid

We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words  peace, justice and consistency, he said.

We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.

He adds: It is essential that the two sides negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognise Palestine.

Spain will recognise the state of Palestine on 28 May.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announces that the country's council of ministers would recognise an independent Palestinian state - Violeta Santos Moura/REUTERS

08:33 AM BST

Irish PM: Gaza enduring suffering, hardship and starvation

Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the country believes that permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people.

Mr Harris pointed to a vote earlier this month at the United Nations General Assembly, where 143 nations overwhelmingly backed a resolution granting Palestine enhanced status within the organisation.

He adds: Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation.

The Irish government argues that recognition supports a two-state solution, which it said is essential for lasting peace in the region.

08:22 AM BST

Israel drops plans for full-scale rafah invasion

Israel has decided to scale back its plans for a major offensive in the Gaza Strips southernmost city of Rafah.

A previous plan to send two military divisions into the city will no longer go ahead, and operations will instead be more restrained, according to reports.

The US has indicated that it is initially satisfied with the changes, as they believe the new military plans will result in fewer civilian casualties, said a senior Biden administration official on Tuesday.

It comes after months of the US vehemently opposing a Rafah assault, warning that there was no way to complete the mission while also protecting the 1.3 million Palestinians trapped in the city.

08:03 AM BST

Israel recalls envoys to Ireland and Norway

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israels ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel, as Norway said it would recognise a Palestinian state and Ireland was expected to follow suit.

Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays, Katz said.

I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear message: Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security.

He also threatened to recall Israels ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

07:59 AM BST

Norway foreign office: Norway recognises Palestine as a state

Norway recognises Palestine as a state, in line with international law and relevant UNSC resolutions.

That means that Norway will consider Palestine to be an independent state with rights and duties this entails.

- PM @jonasgahrstore & FM @EspenBarthEidehttps://t.co/8I3IXYeRJt pic.twitter.com/nUNnlgndLE  Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) May 22, 2024

07:57 AM BST

Norway: There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition

Norways prime minister confirms that Norway is formally recognising Palestine as a state.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said Wednesday, There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

Store said the ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.

He added that the move sends a strong message to other countries to follow in the footsteps of Norway.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, said Store.

The Scandinavian country will recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.

07:49 AM BST

Israel: dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas

Israels foreign ministry said recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.

Dont be a pawn in the hands of Hamas, it said in a post on X.

Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context.

Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.



Don't be a pawn in the hands of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/81f7Gxweol  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 21, 2024

07:42 AM BST

Norway moves to recognise Palestinian state

Norweigan prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said the country will recognise a Palestinian state, with Spain and Ireland expected to make similar announcements this morning.

At least 140 members of the United Nations already recognise Palestinian statehood, but others - including the United Kingdom and the United States - do not formally recognise a Palestinian state.

The current Israeli government has opposed the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It argues such a state would be a threat to Israels very existence.

07:36 AM BST

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Were bringing you the latest updates from the Middle East.

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Ireland, Spain, and Norway on Wednesday said they will officially recognize a Palestinian state in a historic move that was met with a predictably furious response by Israel as it faces mounting international condemnation over its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Although the majority of countries in the world already recognize a sovereign state of Palestine, most in Western Europe, along with the U.S., do not. The news of the latest additionswhose formal recognition will begin Tuesdaywas welcomed by Palestinian officials as a highly symbolic victory for their people and derided by the government of Israel, which wasted no time in excoriating the decision.

Benjamin Netanyahu Denies Starving Gazans Amid Near-Famine Conditions

Writing on X before Spain announced its decision to join Norway and Ireland, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the immediate recall of his countrys ambassadors to Oslo and Dublin.

Todays decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays, Katz wrote. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

He also slammed the distorted step as an injustice to the victims of Hamas Oct. 7 terror attackswhich sparked the current war in Gazaand said it would act as a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages. Katz also claimed the decision represents a boost to Hamas and Irans jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israels right to self-defense.

Israel will not remain silentthere will be further severe consequences, Katz wrote. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it. He added that Israel would not be deterred by the Irish-Norwegian folly.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre announced his governments decision by arguing that a lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East is only achieved through a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East, he said.

Gahr Stre also said he would take note of Israels decision to recall its ambassador. This is a government with which we have many disagreements, he said, according to the Associated Press. What we agree on is to condemn Hamass cruel attack on Oct. 7.

Simon Harris, the Irish Taoiseacha head of government position equivalent to that of a prime ministersaid Ireland was similarly recognizing Palestine as a nation among nations to keep the hope of that two-state solution alive. He also said Ireland was honored to make the recognition at the same time as Spain and Norway, remaining hopeful that others will do the same in the next wave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, meanwhile, insisted that the recognition is not against Israel or the Jewish people, nor is it in favor of Hamas, but rather it is in favor of peace and coexistence, he said, the BBC reports. He added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still playing deaf ears and still bombing hospitals and schools and punishing women and children with hunger and cold.

Netanyahu has yet to personally respond to the development. Earlier this week, the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court requested an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and his defense minister over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu slammed the outrageous move, accusing the ICC prosecutor of making blood libels and callously pouring gasoline on the fires of antisemitism that are raging across the world.

He has long opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, hailing an overwhelming Knesset vote in February rejecting any unilateral recognition of such a state as a clear statement that Israel will not reward terrorism by unilateral recognition in response to the October 7 massacre, nor will we accept imposed solutions amid rising international clamor for new talks on Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu said the formation of Palestinian state would not only fail to bring peace but would endanger the state of Israel.

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestinian Authority, welcomed the decisions of Ireland, Spain, and Norway. In a statement reported by the Wafa news agency, Abbas called on other countries yet to recognize the state of Palestine to acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and restore confidence in a global system based on rules and equal rights for all the peoples of the earth.

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Israel has recalled its ambassadors to Norway, Ireland and Spain after the three countries said they would recognize a Palestinian state amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said during a Wednesday press conference.

Israels foreign ministry then ordered immediate recalls of its ambassadors to the three countries, according to its website. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also summoned the ambassadors of Spain, Norway and Ireland in Israel for a severe reprimand conversation.

History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists, who raped girls and burned babies, with a gold medal, Katz said in a statement.

I ordered the ambassadors to be immediately summoned for a reprimand conversation, during which they will watch the horrifying footage of the abduction of the female field observers to illustrate to them what a twisted decision their governments have made. Israel will not let this silently pass us by  their actions will have serious consequences, he added.

The Hamas attack killed more than 1,100 people in Israel on Oct. 7, and about 240 people were also captured as hostages and brought into Gaza by the militants. The ensuing war in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and caused more than 1 million Palestinians to be displaced from their homes.

The Associated Press reported that Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to Muslims and Jews, in response to the announcement by Ireland, Norway and Spain.

We will not even allow a statement about a Palestinian state, he said.

The formal recognition of a Palestinian state by Norway, Ireland and Spain, which is largely a symbolic gesture, is slated for May 28, the AP noted.

The United Nations General Assembly backed the Palestinian bid to be eligible for a full U.N. membership earlier this month, but the U.S. and eight other countries opposed the bid. This comes after the U.S. vetoed the Palestinian request to be recognized as a member state of the during a Security Council vote last month.

The U.S. has expressed some support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians amid the Gaza war, but Israel has opposed the idea of an independent Palestinian state.

The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli tanks advanced to the edge of a crowded district in the heart of Rafah on Wednesday during one of the most intense nights of bombardment of the southern Gaza city since Israel launched its offensive there this month.

Israel's assault on Rafah on Gaza's southern edge has set hundreds of thousands of people fleeing in what had been a refuge for half of the enclave's 2.3 million people. It has also cut off the main access routes for aid into Gaza, drawing international fears of mass casualties and famine.

Israel says it has no choice but to attack the city to root out the last battalions of Hamas fighters it believes are sheltering there. Its troops have been slowly moving into the eastern outskirts of Rafah since the start of the month.

Residents and militants said tanks had taken up new positions on Wednesday further west than before along the southern border fence with Egypt, and were now stationed on the edge of the Yibna neighbourhood at the centre of Rafah. They had not yet entered the district as fighting had been intense.

Hamas's armed wing said it had struck two armoured troop carriers at a gate along the border fence with anti-tank rockets.

Palestinian residents said Israeli drones were firing into the Yibna suburb and had opened fire overnight on fishing boats on the beach of Rafah causing some to catch fire.

"There has been no stopping of Israeli fire all night, from drones, helicopters, warplanes, and tanks," said one resident of Rafah, asking for his name to be withheld to protect his security.

"Tanks made a limited push southeast, still limited but they have advanced under heavy fire all night," he told Reuters via a chat app.

There was no immediate word from the Israeli military on Rafah. It said it had killed a number of fighters in targeted operations in Khan Younis just north of Rafah, and in the northern Gaza Strip where its troops have returned in a major operation in an area where they said they had dismantled Hamas months ago.

UNRWA, the main United Nations agency in Gaza, estimated as of Monday that more than 800,000 people had fled Rafah since Israel began targeting the city in early May, despite international pleas for restraint.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7 in which fighters killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages. Since then, Israel's assault has killed more than 35,000 people, with thousands more feared buried under the rubble, according to Gaza health authorities.

The Israeli military said it had killed a person it identified as Ahmed Yasser Alkara and described as a key Hamas operative, along with two other militants, in a strike in Khan Younis.

"Alkara took part in the Oct. 7 massacre in communities in southern Israel and was a significant anti-tank missile operative who carried out attacks on IDF troops during the war," said the military statement.

The statement also said five other militants were killed and had been operating from inside a school.

In the central Gaza Strip town of Zawayda, an Israeli air strike killed seven people in one house, medics said.

Just after midnight, an Israeli air strike on a house in Al-Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip killed eight Palestinians including children, medics said, while another air strike on a mosque, housing displaced families, in Gaza City, killed and wounded several people, they added.

On Gaza's northern edge in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historical refugee camps, Israeli forces pressed on with a ground offensive that has carried on in parallel with the Rafah assault for two weeks.

Health officials and residents say entire residential districts have been destroyed and dozens of people killed in the operation, in an area where Israel withdrew its forces after claiming to have "dismantled" Hamas in January. Israel says it has had to return to prevent Hamas from re-establishing there.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-MughrabiEditing by Peter Graff and Diane Craft)
Republican Representative James Comer has teamed up with an unlikely allyDemocratic Representative Katie Porteron a landmark ethics bill. And its sure to piss off Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, Comer and Porter introduced a bill that would require candidates for president and vice president to disclose tax filings for the two years before entering the White House, for every year they are in office, and for two years after that. The bill would also require presidential and vice presidential candidates, along with their close family members, to make any payments, big gifts, and loans from foreign entities public. While it doesnt attach any legal penalties, the bill does extend Congresss authority to pursue such financial documents.



Comer told The Wall Street Journal that the bill is not a partisan political tool from either Porter or himself.



Shes not doing it to pick on Trump, and Im not doing it to pick on Biden, Comer said.



That seems hard to believe, though. Comer, as chair of the House Committee on Oversight, has led a long and futile effort to impeach President Joe Biden on sham corruption charges. Comers so-called evidence against Biden and his son Hunter was later found to have come from an indicted former FBI informant who was working for Russian intelligence officials, but as recently as last month, Comer was still saying impeachment was on the table.

Contrary to what Comer and many other Republicans say, though, Biden has been forthcoming about releasing his tax returns, releasing them for several years before and after being elected president. In contrast, Trumps tax returns were only released after a long, drawn-out fight with Democrats in Congress.



Porter, a protege of Senator Elizabeth Warren and a former college professor, has a reputation for strong research and asking tough questions in Congress, unlike Comer, meaning that Trump and his family ought to be worried about their finances and foreign dealings. The former presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner has made several controversial deals during and after Trumps presidency. Trumps businesses took in millions of dollars from foreign governments while he was president, including profits from the hotel he used to operate in Washington, D.C.



Like it or not, Comer may have just accidentally made himself Trumps next top enemy.
Democratic state Rep. Janelle Bynum talks with a voter in Oregon's 5th Congressional District in March. National Democrats saw her as the best contender to take back the seat. Matt Roth/Bynum Campaign Facebook Page

Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum won the Democratic primary in Oregons 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, setting up what is likely to be one of the most contentious House races in the country.

Bynum, who is Oregons only Black state lawmaker and would be the states first-ever Black member of Congress, will now take on Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.).

Ousting Chavez-DeRemer, who, last cycle, flipped a seat that President Joe Biden carried by nine percentage points, is a top priority for House Democrats with their sights on retaking the House. Bynum has twice defeated Chavez-DeRemer, a former mayor of Happy Valley, in races for the Oregon state House of Representatives.

With that in mind, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) recruited Bynum to run, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee endorsed her against another candidate, and super PACs like the centrist Mainstream Democrats spent heavily on her behalf.

In less than two years in Congress, Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been engulfed by the extremism that has taken hold of the Republican Party, Dan Gottlieb, a spokesperson for the DCCC, said in a statement ahead of the primary. Luckily, voters in Oregons 5th Congressional District have a better option in Janelle Bynum  an Oregon state legislator with a proventrack record of delivering results, an extensive coalition and a clear path to flipping the seat.

Bynum, a restaurant owner from the Portland suburbs, defeated progressive Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a small business owner, trained attorney and former civil servant.

McLeod-Skinner, who hails from a rural part of central Oregon just outside the districts eastern boundaries, was the Democratic nominee last cycle and lost to Chavez-DeRemer by two percentage points. She had unseated centrist Rep. Kurt Schrader in a heated Democratic primary that shined a light on Schrader ties to the pharmaceutical industry and efforts to water down Medicare drug price negotiation.

In the general election, however, Republicans succeeded in painting McLeod-Skinner as a left-wing radical with ties to groups that are hostile to law enforcement. She has since faced accusations of verbal abuse and physical intimidation from former aides, which she has denied.

Republicans plan to use a similar playbook against Bynum, whom they dubbed Janelle Prison Break Bynum, for criminal justice reform legislation that she allegedly advanced.

In Salem, Prison Break Bynum built an extensive record as an extremist hellbent on emptying prisons, decriminalizing fentanyl and unleashing criminals, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement.

For their part, Democrats plan to depict Chavez-DeRemer, a partisan conservative masquerading as a moderate, noting that she celebrated the Supreme Courts 2022 decision overturning a federal right to abortion.

From voting to restrict access to reproductive care and then lying about her record back home, to proudly re-endorsing Donald Trump and gutting funding for critical services that Oregonians rely on most, Lori Chavez-DeRemer has quickly proven herself to be a part of the foundational problem in Congress  not the solution, Gottlieb said after results came in Tuesday night.
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan has lodged a protest against the Chinese ambassador's "extremely inappropriate" comments about Taiwan, chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Wednesday.

Wu Jianghao, the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo, said on Monday Japanese people would be dragged into the fire if they took part in forces plotting to support Taiwan's independence and "split China", according to Japanese media reports.

"We consider it to be extremely inappropriate for an ambassador stationed in Tokyo to make such a comment, and we have immediately lodged a severe protest against it," Hayashi, the top government spokesperson, told reporters at a regular news conference.

Hayashi also reiterated Japan's position that Tokyo expects issues surrounding Taiwan, an island Beijing views as a breakaway province, to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed its support for Japan's reaction to the Chinese ambassador's remarks.

"The foreign ministry welcomes the international community's attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and any actions that will help maintain regional peace," it said in a statement.

(Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Nick Macfie)
LEIPZIG, Germany, May 22. Work proceeds on a corridor stretching from the Persian Gulf to Europe, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said during the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum themed "Greening Transport: Keeping focus in times of crisis" in Leipzig on May 22, Trend reports.

He pointed out that recently, Turkiye has been one of the components of the Middle Corridor between East and West.

Work is underway to further develop the Middle Corridor. Recently, work has been carried out, in particular, to expand the railways. We are making special efforts to ensure that the vehicles we use run on green energy. Specifically, the need for alternative lines has emerged after the problems that arose in the Red Sea, the minister added.

To note, the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum is the largest gathering of transport ministers worldwide and serves as the premier event in global transport policy. This year's summit, chaired by Lithuania, with Chile and Azerbaijan serving as first and second vice presidents, respectively, is scheduled to take place from May 22 through 24 in Leipzig.

The 2024 summit aims to explore the role of the transport sector in promoting environmental sustainability and to assess the impacts of climate, health, and geopolitical crises in this context. Given that transportation contributes to 30 percent of global CO2 emissions and climate change is triggering extreme weather events, there is an urgent need to prioritize the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

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The son of former North Texas car dealer Robert Hudiburg has been arrested and charged in the Tuesday stabbing death of his wife, Cathy Jones-Hudiburg, according to police in Colleyville.

Jason Phillip Hudiburg, 57, is charged with murder in Jones-Hudiburgs death. Tarrant County Jail records show he is in the jails custody but note has has posted $200,000 bond. The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office has determined Jones-Hudiburg, also 57, died due to a stab wound to the back. Her death has been ruled a homicide.

Officers were sent to the 6700 block of St. Moritz Parkway around 4 p.m. Tuesday to find Jones-Hudiburg on the floor, unconcious with stab wounds, police wrote in a news release. Officers were responding to a call about a domestic disturbance.

Medics responded to the scene and determined that the stab wound was fatal. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Jason Hudiburg was arrested after initial investigation and interviews, according to police. Colleyville police and North Richland Hills crime scene investigators are still processing the scene, but authorities in Colleyville said the stabbing death was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Robert Hudiburg, who died in 2020, owned Hudiburg Chevrolet in North Richland Hills until 2002, when he sold the company to AutoTrader. He continued to run Hudiburg Management LTD in Hurst after selling his car dealership.

This report contains information from Star-Telegram archives.
Court video, updates: Longtime friends of John OKeefe take stand in Karen Read murder trial

Jennifer McCabe retook the stand on Wednesday morning in the Karen Read murder trial after she faced an intense, four-hour round of questioning from the defense on Tuesday. Then Kerry Roberts and Laura Sullivan, friends of OKeefe, testified.

Murderous romance or frame job? Things to know so far as Karen Read trial enters 4th week

Jennifer McCabes sister owned the Fairview Road home in Canton that John OKeefes body was found outside of in January 2022. And she was inside when prosecutors allege Read, 44, of Mansfield, struck OKeefe with her SUV. Read is charged with second-degree murder in his death.

McCabes intense and confrontational testimony ended shortly before noon. Kerry Roberts, a longtime friend of OKeefe, took the stand next.

PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM DAY 16 OF TESTIMONY:

3:40 p.m.

Laura Sullivan is excused. Judge calls it for the day. No trial tomorrow. Court will be back in session for a full day on Friday.

3:20 p.m.

Laura Sullivans sister Etta is called to the stand. She was on the Aruba trip and the one Read thought OKeefe kissed.

Etta says Read told her to f herself and she says she replied, f you too. That was their first meeting.

3:15 p.m.

Laura Sullivan says Read texted her about OKeefes death: We were both at the same party. I didnt go in. I went home

3:00 p.m.

Laura Sullivan testifies that Read thought OKeefe had kissed Sullivans sister in Aruba and got angry.

Read apologized to Laura Sullivan and offered to pay for some of her sisters room.

2:30 p.m.

Kerry Roberts is excused. The judge calls Laura Sullivan from Pembroke to the stand. She was in Aruba with OKeefe Read and others on New Years in 2022.

Laura Sullivan says Karen Read took the bill on the first dinner they had in Aruba

2:00 p.m.

Court Resumes with judges direct examination of Kerry Roberts.

Kerry Roberts describes seeing OKeefe in the hospital after he was pronounced: She says both of his eyes were swollen and she noticed scratches on his right arm.

Kerry Roberts says she allowed police to search her phone. She says the police took her phone and Jennifer McCabes phone.

1:00 p.m.

Judge calls lunch. ADA Lally will continue to question Kerry Roberts when the jury returns.

12:50 p.m.

Kerry Roberts: His phone was under him and it was grass.

12:45 p.m.

Kerry Roberts: He had blood coming out his nose and his mouth, his left eye looked like a golf ball, I was concentrating on doing chest compressions.

12:40 p.m.

Kerry Roberts: She ran over to a mound of snow at some point I realized it was the shape of a body She lifted up his shirt and started to lay with him.

Kerry Roberts is in tears as she watches police dashcam video of the 1st officer arriving at 34 Fairview.

12:15 p.m.

Kerry Roberts uses green laser pointer to show where she says she saw damage to Reads taillight and a piece of metal sticking out

12:05 p.m.

Kerry Roberts describes JO as a neat freak. You did not wear footwear in the house, she says.

ADA Lally asking Kerry Roberts about JOs ability to access his Ring cameras from his phone. This is when Roberts, JM, and KR arrived at JOs home

Video from John O'Keefe Ring doorbell

12:00 p.m.

Kerry Roberts testified she called police, hospitals, and JO trying to figure out what happened to him.

Kerry Roberts says she saw, there was a piece missing from Reads taillight in JMs driveway before they left that morning to JOs house and later 34 Fairview.

11:50 a.m.

Roberts: Karen called me at 5 in the morning on the 29th. Kerry Roberts says it was the second call. She says she missed the first one.

Kerry Roberts: I answered the phone and she said Johns dead. Kerry, Kerry Kerry, and then she hung up. In a later call Kerry Roberts says that Read told her JO may have been hit by a plow.

11:45 a.m.

Roberts says OKeefe was one of her closest friends.

11:40 a.m.

Court returns after morning recess.

Judge tells Jury that they cant hold statements about harassment against Read and jury should consider it only for determining witnesses credibility

Kerry Roberts is called to the stand next. Shes friends with Jennifer McCabe and was in the SUV with KR and JM when KR said she saw JOs body and jumped out.

11 a.m.

Jen McCabes testimony ends with a heated exchange with AJ. Judge sends the jury out and talks privately with the lawyers.

10:55 a.m.

On redirect, AJ asks why the I hit him (3x) did not come up under oath until a 2023 proceeding. (federal grand jury) On harassment AJ says Im sure it sucks to be harassed, Im sure it does.

10:45 a.m.

JM tells ADA Lally that people have been harassing her family since 4/23. JM: Im a witness thats all I am, Im not on trial and people are terrorizing me. She says Trooper Proctor alerted her that a rolling rally was coming to her home and Lally said police put up pole cameras to record the rally

10:30 a.m.

Statement Kerry Roberts made that JM says horrified her She says KR said JO really loved Amy and KR was just a babysitter with benefits

10:20 a.m.

JM tells ADA Lally KR initially told her she and JO got in a fight and she left him at the Waterfall, then she says KR told her JO was dead, a plow hit him.

She says the story changed several times

10:15 a.m.

JM says she turned off her phone when she went to bed and left her search tabs open.

She tells ADA Lally when she made the hos long to die in cold search I went to the tab that was already open.

When asked if she made the search at 2:27 am she answers I did not, no

10:10 a.m.

JM tells ADA Lally she saw the vehicle (KRs SUV) in one place and when I came back it was further up

ADA Lally: Were you looking for a body outside the home? (paraphrased)

JM: Absolutely not

10:05 a.m.

AJ ends on the hos long to die in cold Google search. Lally on redirect now

10 a.m.

AJ: Did you delete that search because you knew you would be implicated?

JM: I did not delete that search I would have never left... (JO) out to die in the cold

9:55 a.m.

On the hos long to die in cold google search, JM initially says AJ put it out on social media.

AJ says he doesnt have social media. She then says Turtleboy

McCabe tells Jackson her Google search occurred after JOs body was found at the request of KR.

AJ: Why did you do it again Ms. McCabe? (re: google search)

JM: I cant answer that beyond my hands were frozen and shaking and she was screaming at me.

AJ accuses JM of searching twice to cover your tracks

JM: Again, absolutely not.

Jennifer McCabe searches

9:50 a.m.

Jen McCabe tells AJ she doesnt remember what she typed in the hos long to die in cold search.

AJ: You literally are saying under oath you dont remember?

McCabe asks AJ to show her the hos long to die in cold google search.

9:40 a.m.

JM confirms she traded calls with MSP Trooper Michael Proctor on 1/29, 1/30. and 1/31

9:30 a.m.

McCabe testified she went to the home of MSP investigator Michael Proctor in September 2023.

She says she went there to see his wife and says Michael Proctor wasnt home.

She says they met to talk about the Vicious harassment

JM: Im a state witness whos being tortured because of lives Its a social media witch-hunt

9:25 a.m.

AJ says JM called Lt. Lank at 9 a.m. on 1/29/22 (morning body found) to tell him something important.

Yesterday JM testified that KR said I hit him (3x) AJ refers to Lanks notes of conversation

AJ: What you said is that I hope my client didnt hit him, correct?

JM: No

9:20 a.m.

Alan Jackson (AJ) begins by asking Jennifer McCabe (JM) to review records from a group chat.

The judge allows the document in.

8:50 a.m.

Jen McCabe is expected to be back on the stand this morning in the Karen Read murder trial. The defense will continue to cross-examine her.

Jen McCabe is expected to be back on the stand this morning in the #KarenRead murder trial. The defense will continue to cross-examine her. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/KFd1hhD38x  Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) May 22, 2024

PREVIOUS STORY:

Jen McCabe is the prosecutions witness that googled how long to die in cold.

The defense has long suggested shes part of a cover-up.

She testified to helping Karen Read find John OKeefe in the snow and said Read implicated herself in OKeefes death. She also testified, Im not sure if its in this document but I can tell you today with 100 percent clarity, she said I hit him, I hit him. I hit him.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson said McCabe never testified to that at the Grand Jury in April 2022.

Its probably the most powerful part of your testimony, maam, said Jackson.

McCabe responded, And I will never forget it.

Ms. McCabe, the truth of this matter is that you manufactured this new story for this jury because you think it helps you out, Jackson said.

Absolutely, not, McCabe answered.

Jackson also accused McCabe of plotting with family and friends before police interviews.

McCabe addressed a text she sent to a friend when police interviewed them at their home.

Jackson said, The very next text is from you telling the group Shes telling him everything!!

Yes, answered McCabe. She continued, We never worked together to come up with a story, we have the facts and the everything was a comment about your client.

DAY 15 OF TESTIMONY:

Like others, McCabe said she saw Reads Lexus pull up to 34 Fairview Road  and later move to the area where OKeefes body would later be found.

But McCabe said she never saw a body.

Calls from McCabes cell phone were also a point of contention.

Jackson said records show she made several that were deleted from her phone.

You do know that your phone was forensically analyzed and those calls were in the deleted file folder, Jackson asked.

McCabe answered, I have seen that but there were 20 calls all in the group that were all deleted so cherry-picking a few makes it look a different way. She continued, I never deleted any calls when I willingly handed my phone over.

Jackson said McCabe deleted 6 calls she had made to John OKeefes phone.

McCabe previously testified that those could have been butt dials.

Read, 44, of Mansfield, has been charged with second-degree murder, among other charges, in the death of OKeefe, her boyfriend.

The defenses theory is that OKeefe was actually beaten up inside the Albert home and dragged outside in a snowstorm and that the Albert family is at the center of an effort to frame Read.

Prosecutors claim Read drunkenly struck OKeefe with her luxury Lexus SUV while making a three-point after dropping him off at the home. They allege she fled the scene and left him to die.

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A spokesperson for the airline says the condensation is 'common' and not a cause for concern in a statement to PEOPLE

Savannah Gowarty; Savannah Gowarty/TikTok Savannah Gowarty's video of the mist on her JetBlue Flight

Last week, JetBlue passengers headed to New York boarded a flight clouded with a mysterious mist rolling through the cabin before takeoff

TikToker creator Savannah Gowarty captured the phenomenon in a video in which she claimed to be "soaking wet and cold" aboard the aircraft

In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for JetBlue explains that the preflight condensation is common in humid climates and not a cause for alarm

Last week, real estate agent Savannah Gowarty recorded some curious conditions on her JetBlue flight to New York.

In her now-viral TikTok video  which has amassed over 7 million views on the app  clouds of mist appeared to roll through the aisle as passengers boarded the aircraft.

The TikToker claimed the pilot announced, It appears to be raining in the cabin during the foggy phenomenon.

Gowartys hair and skin looked damp as she told the camera she was so cold once she was seated. She also folded her shirt over the side of her seat, writing, Hoping this will air dry on my arm rest, in overlaying text.

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Related: Wife Rewards Working Husband After Family Vacation, Upgrades Him to Plane Seat Away from Their 5 Kids (Exclusive)

Nothing better than being on a 4hr flight back to new york soaking wet and cold, Gowarty added in her videos caption.

TikTok users voiced their shock and confusion about the pre-flight occurrence in the videos comment section, but the airline says the conditions are nothing to worry about.

The condensation or mist is common, especially in humid climates, and does not cause wetness inside the aircraft, JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski tells PEOPLE in a statement. We believe the customers were wet due to heavy rain that occurred as they were boarding via an outside ramp and stairs.

Joe Raedle/Getty A JetBlue Airways plane takes off

Related: Stranger Knits Fellow Passenger's Baby a Beanie During Her First Flight: See the Heartwarming Video (Exclusive)

In August 2019, travelers experienced a similar case of condensation on a Delta flight also headed for New York. But while Gowartys video captured a relatively light mist, passengers described the earlier instance as an extremely dense fog.

I have never seen it that thick before, Alan Yurman, a retired national transportation safety board investigator, told CNN at the time.

zhongguo/Getty Stock image of rain seen through an airplane window

Related: Woman Says She 'Wanted to Gag' After Receiving Photo of Woman Using Toes to Change TV Channels on Plane (Exclusive)

Regardless of the disconcerting clouds, Delta issued a statement to PEOPLE similar to JetBlues recent explanation five years later, clarifying that the fog was no cause for alarm.

However, passengers on the 2019 Delta flight claimed that the airline staff did little to reassure them about the overhead clouds during the 30 minutes they waited on the tarmac before takeoff.

The flight attendants didnt really make an announcement, they just said that they were practicing for their Halloween haunted house, and kind of made a joke of it instead of saying like it was from the humidity or condensation, passenger Amanda Goncalves told CNN of the disturbance in 2019.

enviromantic/Getty Stock image of passengers inside the cabin of a commercial airliner during flight

Related: Married Couple Goes Viral for Wholesome Ritual After Wife Captures It on Video (Exclusive)

In-flight irregularities continue to make headlines regularly. In March 2024, United Airlines emphasized its emphasis on safety after a series of five incidents occurred within one week. Some resulted in passengers and crew members having to undergo emergency evacuations.

Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement to PEOPLE earlier this year.

His statement continued, Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus.



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Read the original article on People.
Jim Clyburn says he took his eyes off SC in 2022, vows not to do the same in 2024

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolinas highest ranking elected Democrat, says he took his eye off of the Palmetto State in 2022 when Democrats suffered losses in statewide races and in the State House.

But Clyburn says he wont lose sight of his home state again.

Sitting inside a holding room with refreshments at EdVenture Childrens Museum during his annual fish fry, Clyburn said hes still up for dealing with the pressure of being a prominent Democratic Party member who receives requests for appearances across the country.

In 2022, Clyburn campaigned across the country for Democrats to try to stave off an anticipated red wave, which ultimately did not occur. Republicans were unable to make gains in the U.S. Senate and only achieved a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But in the process, Clyburn did not pay attention to his home state, where Democrats suffered losses in the State House of Representatives and lost the governors race by more than 17 percentage points. Republicans increased their state House majority to 88 seats in the 2022 elections, up from 80 seats.

I did not personally concentrate on the legislative seats. I had no idea that these legislative seats were in any real danger, Clyburn said in an exclusive interview with The State on Friday evening. I guess I took my eyes off of South Carolina, which I will not do this time around. Im going to concentrate on various legislative seats.

Three of those Democratic losses were in Clyburns congressional district.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, speaks at the South Carolina Democratic Party Blue Palmetto Dinner at the state fairgrounds on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Clyburn donates to state, local parties

Even though much of Clyburns campaigning ahead of the 2022 midterm elections was across the country, he did provide financial resources for election efforts in the state, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Clyburn in 2022 contributed $350,000 to the state party, and many thousands more to county parties and local campaigns.

During the 2024 cycle, hes already spent $5,000 on the South Carolina Democratic House Caucus, and more than $111,000 to the state Democratic party that can be used for a coordinated campaign effort.

Other than contributing money, how Clyburn will campaign in South Carolina remains to be seen. He said he is speaking with South Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Christale Spain on where he will be most useful to help get out the vote.

Whatever she asks me to do, Clyburn said. Theyve been conducting focus groups all over the state and theyre coming up with a plan based on what theyre finding.

She and the party people will develop a plan and share that plan with me and then Ill go to work, Clyburn added.

Clyburn doesnt face heavy opposition to his reelection. He is in a safe Democratic district, which allows him to campaign for other candidates.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, speaks at the Jim Clyburn 2024 Fish Fry as political strategist Antjuan Seawright, Clyburn and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey listen on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Pulled in different directions

Clyburn is pulled in many directions. Hes the biggest name for the party that has struggled in the ruby red state, but has a prominent position on the national stage. Hes more in demand from candidates around the country after he endorsed Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, which propelled Biden to the nomination and eventually the White House.

In the 2024 cycle he has already visited Pennsylvania and has trips to Georgia, Florida and Michigan on his schedule, a sign that he will be in demand ahead of the general election.

Hell have to balance requests from across the country with requests in his home state.

Its not easy, its hard and, of course, I have a certain notoriety that I have to respond to. And I tried to do it, said Clyburn, who is 83. I do feel the amount of pressure, but I feel up to it.

At Clyburns annual fish fry Friday evening, people lined up to take photos with the 16-term congressman. Potential 2028 presidential candidates U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Raphael Warnock of Georgia attended and spoke to the crowd about the importance of reelecting Clyburn.

Clyburn, who is confident Democrats will win control of the U.S. House allowing Hakeem Jeffries to become speaker of the House, recently stepped back from House Democratic leadership. In February he stepped down as assistant Democratic leader allowing U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, to move into the role.

But I have not stepped out of leadership. I gave up the title, Clyburn said.

Asked if he was in the background of Democratic leadership, Clyburn said, and in the forefront.

But with Clyburn giving up the leadership title, it leads to questions on how long he will want to continue in the job as congressman.

He is running for reelection and has never faced any true challenge to his job. But in December in the annual family gathering during the holidays he again will have the discussion with his daughters about whether to make another run during the 2026 cycle.

Those talks are real meaningful to me, Clyburn said of the discussions which the late Emily Clyburn would preside over. Sometimes we talk about whats happened over the last year, what happened in the last campaign. What you need to do in the next campaign and I guess this year we will talk about whether or not there should be another campaign. Theyre very meaningful and very beneficial.

His daughter Jennifer Clyburn Reed now presides over the discussion, Clyburn said.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, said he wont take his eyes off of South Carolina in 2024 election as he balances campaign demands around country.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted federal health care benefits for veterans under a law championed by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.

Biden spoke in New Hampshire, announcing that more than 1 million PACT Act related claims have now been granted. The PACT Act is a bipartisan federal law enacted in August 2022 that expands health benefits to toxic-exposed veterans, particularly from toxic burn pits, while also making it easier to prove health conditions caused by Agent Orange.

Since the passage of the PACT Act, more than 5.4 million veterans have received free screenings for toxic exposures from the VA. The White House said more than $5.7 billion in related benefits have been delivered to veterans and their survivors, with nearly $637 million in benefits for veterans with cancer.

In Kansas, since the passage of the PACT Act, there have been 15,710 claims filed with 10,157 granted and 1,614 new VA health care enrollees.

In this 2021 file photo, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran talks with members of American Legion riders outside of the Statehouse for Bob Dole's memorial service. Moran was instrumental in helping pass the PACT Act, which enacted health benefits for veterans that President Joe Biden touted on Tuesday.

"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved 1 million benefit claims under the PACT Act," Moran said in a statement to The Capital-Journal. "More veterans suffering from illnesses connected to toxic exposures are receiving the care they have earned and deserve because of the PACT Act, and VA is delivering on a promise to care for our nation's veterans. This is a great accomplishment, and we must continue working to make certain VA is delivering toxic-exposed veterans and their survivors timely and quality care and benefits."

Moran had long fought to address treatment for veterans exposed to toxins and, as the top Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, was instrumental in getting the PACT Act passed by Congress.

Formally known as the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, the PACT Act faced opposition during the lawmaking process, particularly in the U.S. Senate, drawing the criticism of "Daily Show" comedian Jon Stewart in an expletive-laden speech.

President Joe Biden talks to veterans and supporters after an event Tuesday in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The USA TODAY Network reported from Tuesday's speech that Biden criticized the 41 Senate Republicans  which includes U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas  who initially moved to block the PACT Act.

"Only 1% of the American population risks everything to defend the other 99%. We owe you, and we owe you big, Biden said. "America has a lot of obligations, but only one truly sacred obligation, and that's to prepare those we send into harm's way, and to care for them and their families when they come home. And if they don't come home, care for their families."

More: Kansas Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall split as Senate Republicans block toxic burn pit bill

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Joe Biden, Jerry Moran tout PACT Act benefit claims for veterans
House Speaker Mike Johnsons communications director, Raj Shah, is expected to leave his role before the end of the summer, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.

This was Shahs first role on Capitol Hill. He has emerged as a top GOP official in the Trump era, earlier serving as deputy press secretary during the 45th presidents administration before departing for a job as senior vice president at Fox Corporation.

At Fox, Shah helped push the network in a more pro-Trump direction after the 2020 election before leaving the company last May in the wake of its settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. As part of Dominions defamation lawsuit against Fox, several messages from Shah  most notably a brand protection report that Shah sent to senior executives which contained threats to Fox News reputation  were a part of the internal Fox communications brought to light.

In that report, Shah highlighted criticism that host Neil Cavuto was facing after his decision to cut away from a news conference in November 2020 by then-White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

In another message following Foxs call that Joe Biden would win the presidency, Shah emailed Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and Fox Chief Legal Officer Viet Dinh, reporting strong conservative and viewer backlash to Fox that we are working to track and mitigate.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A federal judge sentenced a Joplin man today (5/21) for two fraud schemes totaling almost $300,000, including fraudulent PPP loans and transaction reversal bank schemes, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri.

Deaviyon Rockett, 22.

Deaviyon Rockett, 22, was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison without parole. He was also ordered to pay $260,000 in restitution.

Last year, Rockett plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud for the nearly $120,000 in PPP loan applications and approximately $176,000 in the transaction reversal scheme.

In the former, Rockett admitted to submitting six PPP loan applications in 2021 under the names of other individuals claiming a fake business, employees, and salaries intended to be covered via CARES Act financial assistance. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the act were meant to retain workers and payroll  with their principal and interest eligible for forgiveness.

The bank accounts of the other names involved were accessed by Rockett who withdrew much of the fraudulently received money  spending it in ways prohibited by the PPP loan program.

For the latter, southwest Missouri authorities were tipped off in 2022 by numerous people saying Rockett contacted them through various media platforms, asking for their help. Rockett told them he was part of a business that involved transaction reversal and that in return for their bank account information, Rockett would make himself and the victim money.

Rockett then accessed those bank accounts to deposit fraudulent checks written on bank accounts of Coffeyville Community College and/or Santander Consumer USA. The unauthorized checks would then have their amounts, or in some cases the entire bank account, withdrawn before the banks reversed the deposits.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.

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A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the enforcement of a Florida law that makes it a felony to transport undocumented immigrants into the state, putting in question the fate of a key part of Gov. Ron DeSantis immigration agenda.

The state law, which went into effect last July to prevent undocumented immigrants from coming into Florida, has already resulted in arrests and human smuggling charges. In one case, a Mexican national has been detained in a county jail for nearly a year on human smuggling charges after he was arrested for driving six other Mexicans in a van from Georgia into Florida.

Judge Roy K. Altman, a Trump-appointed jurist in the Southern District of Florida, said that the law extends beyond the states authority to make arrests for violations of federal immigration law, and in doing so, intrudes into territory thats preempted.

In this case, any harm the state may suffer from an injunction is overweighed by the harm [the transportation law] poses both to the Plaintiffs and to the United States, which has the ultimate interest in protecting federal supremacy in the realm of immigration, Altman wrote.

The decision comes after a federal lawsuit was filed in August by the Farmworker Association of Florida and several of its members, who were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center and other advocacy organizations. The Farmworker Association, which advocates for almost 12,000 seasonal and migrant farm workers across the state, argued the law hurts members of immigrant communities, including mixed-status families and workers, as well as the people who help them.

In Wednesdays order, Altman wrote that he temporarily blocked the law because, otherwise, the group would suffer irreparable harm. He said that its members would face family separations and that the law would impact service providers that transport immigrants across state lines to appointments for medical and immigration services.

DeSantis office did not respond to a request seeking comment on the court decision.

READ MORE: Battle over Floridas immigrant transportation law plays out in Miami court. Will a judge block it?

Consequences for criminal cases?

Under the law, which took effect last year, people can face a third-degree felony charge for knowingly and willfully transport someone into Florida who the person knows, or reasonably should know, has entered the United States in violation of law and has not been inspected by the Federal Government since his or her unlawful entry from another country.

Mark Arias, an attorney who represents Raquel Lopez Aguilar, a Mexican national charged last year under the law, said he would be requesting his clients release following the court decision. Aguilar, has been in jail since his arrest last August. He is awaiting his pre-trial hearing, scheduled for next week.

As the lawsuit has unfolded, the state has maintained its position in support of the law.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who is a defendant in the lawsuit, has argued in court documents that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing to bring the case forward and clarified that visa holders, DACA recipients, asylum seekers and people with pending removal proceedings are not subject to punishment because they are considered inspected by the federal government.

Altman rejected arguments that the law is vague, saying the statute does not fail to put reasonable people on notice of its meaning.

READ MORE: Immigration advocates move again to block Florida transportation law in federal court

The plaintiffs and their attorneys celebrated Altmans decision to block the law on Wednesday. Amien Kacou, staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida, called it a much-needed win for Floridians.

For too long, our state has imposed a barrage of anti-immigrant laws and policies that harm citizens and noncitizens alike, he said in a statement. We salute the courage of the individual and organizational plaintiffs who will continue to pursue this litigation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. EU wants to turn Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor into multimodal economic gateway, said Henrik Hololei, Hors Classe Adviser, Directorate-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission, during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum hosted by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

One of the key projects that we are focusing on, and bringing along also the private sector and international financial institutions, is particularly the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor into a modern, multimodal economic gateway, said Henrik Hololei. Its in all our interests to make the corridor competitive, predictable, affordable, and sustainable, he emphasized.

Hololei explained that it has never been more important to develop this corridor than now. Its now or never for the corridor, he said.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
In a what-goes-around-comes-around moment, a judge denied Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley's request to access his parents' confidential pre-sentencing reports  much like when he refused to let his mom and dad use his medical records to help them in their historic trials and subsequent prosecution.

Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews reads James and Jennifer Crumbley their sentences for their role in the 2021 Oxford School shooting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The Crumbleys were both found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter.

In a three-page ruling Wednesday, Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews sided with lawyers for James and Jennifer Crumbley, concluding the shooter has no right to his parents' confidential pre-sentencing reports, which contain personal details about their lives. The teenager's appellate lawyers wanted to use the reports to potentially reduce Ethan Crumbley's life-without-parole sentence, maintaining his childhood and family life had not been thoroughly investigated before his sentence was handed down in December.

The parents' presentencing reports, the appellate lawyers argued, contain information that is "relevant and necessary" to the shooter's appeal, and "might mitigate his sentence."

Those reports include, among other things, information about the parents' drinking habits, psychological issues, prior brushes with the law and family life.

Lawyers for both James and Jennifer Crumbley argue in court documents that if the shooter's new legal team wants more information about his childhood, then the shooter is capable of providing that information himself.

The judge agreed.

"For the reasons stated by counsel for the (parents), the (shooter's) motion is denied," Matthews wrote.

Jennifer Crumbley shoots her husband James Crumbley a glance during their sentencing hearing in the Oakland County courtroom of Cheryl Matthews on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The Crumbleys were found guilty each on four counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The ruling comes months after a similar scenario played out in Matthews' courtroom, where the shooter's mom and dad made history as the first parents in America to be held criminally responsible for a school shooting committed by their child. During their trials, James and Jennifer Crumbley had hoped to use their son's medical records to defend themselves against claims that they ignored his mental health issues and bought him a gun instead of getting him help.

But Ethan Crumbley refused to waive privilege over his medical records and refused to testify at his parents' trials, which ended with both parents being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of four students murdered by their son: Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Justin Shilling, 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14. Six other students and one teacher were wounded.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were both sentenced to 10-15 years in prison. They are both appealing, maintaining they never saw any signs that their son was mentally ill; that they had no idea of his plan to shoot up his school; and that the gun at issue was not to be used freely by their son, but was hidden in a bedroom armoire, unloaded, with the bullets stored in another location.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 when he carried out his rampage on Nov. 30, 2021, pleaded guilty last year to all his crimes, admitting he wanted to terrorize the school community and witness the suffering of his victims and their families. At his sentencing, he said his parents were not to blame, and asked the judge to give the victims the justice they asked for.

He is now appealing his sentence, with his new legal defense team arguing his family and home environment may not have been properly investigated, or considered, when the punishment was handed down.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Judge rules in favor of Crumbleys on appeal issue
FILE - This undated photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Leonard Francis. A federal judge on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military officers who had admitted to accepting bribes from the Malaysian contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard" in one of the Navy's biggest corruption cases. (U.S. Marshals Service via AP, File)

SAN DIEGO (AP)  A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military officers who had admitted to accepting bribes from a Malaysian contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard in one of the Navys biggest corruption cases.

The dismissals came at the request of the government  not the defense  citing prosecutorial errors.

Retired U.S. Navy officers Donald Hornbeck, Robert Gorsuch and Jose Luis Sanchez, and U.S. Marine Corps Col. Enrico DeGuzman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disclosing information on Tuesday, while U.S. Navy officer Stephen Shedds entire case was thrown out. Their defense lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.

It marked the latest setback to the governments yearslong efforts in going after dozens of military officials tied to defense contractor Leonard Francis, nicknamed  Fat Leonard." The enigmatic figure  who was 6-foot-3 and weighed 350 pounds at one time  owned and operated Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., which supplied food, water and fuel to U.S. Navy vessels.

Francis is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to offering more than $500,000 in cash bribes, along with other gifts and wild sex parties in Southeast Asia, to Navy officials, defense contractors and others. The scheme allowed him to bilk the maritime service out of at least $35 million by getting commanders to redirect ships to ports he controlled and overcharging for services, according to the prosecution. He was arrested in 2013 in a sting operation in San Diego.

Prosecutors said in legal filings outlining their request for Tuesdays dismissals that the action does not mean the defendants did not commit the charged crimes but because information was withheld from the defense and other mistakes were made, they wanted to ensure justice was served fairly.

In 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino ruled the former lead federal prosecutor committed flagrant misconduct by withholding information from defense lawyers. In September, the felony convictions of four former Navy officers were also vacated. The four men pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and agreed to pay a $100 fine each.

The dismissals by Sammartino on Tuesday come weeks before Francis is due back in court to set a date for his sentencing.

Francis returned to the U.S. late last year after a daring escape from his house arrest in San Diego in 2022 weeks before his original sentencing hearing. He was later captured in Venezuela, which extradited him to the U.S. as part of a prisoner exchange.

The escape was also seen by some as a misstep by the prosecution for allowing him to not be held behind bars.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military officers who had admitted to accepting bribes from a Malaysian contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard in one of the Navys biggest corruption cases.

The dismissals came at the request of the government  not the defense  citing prosecutorial errors.

Retired U.S. Navy officers Donald Hornbeck, Robert Gorsuch and Jose Luis Sanchez, and U.S. Marine Corps Col. Enrico DeGuzman had all admitted to accepting bribes from defense contractor Leonard Francis, nicknamed  Fat Leonard.

The enigmatic figure  who was 6-foot-3 and weighed 350 pounds at one time  is at the center of the Navys most extensive corruption cases in recent history.

The three pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disclosing information on Tuesday. The judge also dismissed the entire case against U.S. Navy officer Stephen Shedd. Their defense lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.

It marked the latest setback to the governments yearslong efforts in going after dozens of military officials tied to Francis, who pleaded guilty to offering more than $500,000 in cash bribes, along with other gifts and wild sex parties in Southeast Asia, to Navy officials, defense contractors and others. The scheme allowed him to bilk the maritime service out of at least $35 million by getting commanders to redirect ships to ports he controlled and overcharging for services, according to the prosecution.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Walt Nauta, personal aide and co-defendant in the federal documents case to former President Donald Trump, seen in Aug. 2023 at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. It was revealed days ago that Trump lawyers had found classified documents in the former president's Florida bedroom months after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- The Florida judge in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case on Wednesday held two separate hearings with the defense teams hoping to get the charges tossed out.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, fielded arguments by lawyers representing Trump's valet and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, who claims the charges against him by prosecutors are vindictive. And another claiming the Trump indictment is flawed enough to be dismissed.

It was revealed that Trump lawyers found classified documents in the former president's Florida bedroom months after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday.

The government alleges that Nauta helped move the classified documents, and allegedly conspired along with Mar-a-Lago maintenance worker Carlos De Oliveira to try to delete video surveillance footage.

Nauta has pleaded not guilty to eight charges against him.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump (L), with personal valet and co-defendant in the federal documents case, Walt Nauta at the Aug. 2023 LIV Golf- Bedminster Tournament at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Earlier this month, Judge Cannon postponed indefinitely Trumps classified documents trial, making it less likely the case will go to trial before Election Day. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI

Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal counts last June related to his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.

Jury selection was to begin this week in the classified documents case until Cannon recently put the brakes on it.

Walt Nauta (L), aid to former U.S. President Donald Trump and indicated in the classified documents case, is seen leaving Florida's Alto Lee Adams, Sr United States federal courthouse in Aug. 2023 in Fort Pierce. The government alleges that Nauta had helped move classified documents, and that along with Mar-a-Lago maintenance worker Carlos De Oliveira allegedly conspired to try to delete video surveillance footage. File Photo by Gary Rothstein/UPI

Earlier this month, Cannon postponed indefinitely Trump's classified documents trial, making it less likely the case will go to trial before Election Day, due to "the myriad and interconnected pre-trial and [Classified Information Procedures Act] issues remaining and forthcoming" in Trump's several legal battles in front of him.

Cannon in April had rejected Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss the classified documents case against him, one of multiple among other legal maneuvers, his argument being that he was authorized to keep classified documents when he left the White House. In rejecting Trump's request, Cannon said the Presidential Records Act did not apply pretrial.

"It's inexcusable that the system allows Aileen Cannon to get away with delaying the documents case," the ex-president's estranged niece, Mary Trump, posted Monday on X.

"A clearly partisan judge shouldn't have this much power," Trump, a psychologist, said.
A pro-White candidate  who was photographed in 2019 giving a Nazi salute next to a man in Klan robes in front of a burning cross  will appear as a GOP candidate for governor on Missouris primary ballot this year. A state judge has ruled that Missouris Republican Party can only blame itself for allowing Darrell L. McClanahan III to gain ballot access, and has no legal recourse to terminate the honorary Klan members candidacy. The election is in August.

McClanahan is a controversial figure  but no stranger to GOP politics in Missouri. He ran, unsuccessfully, in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2022. (He received fewer than 1,200 votes.) Not long after that race concluded, the Center on Extremism, a project of the Anti-Defamation League, published a dossier detailing the Republicans links to white-supremacy groups, including a Ku Klux Klan chapter called the Knights Party, and the League of the South, a notorious organization for neo-Confederates.

Breathing life into the public controversy, McClanahan then sued the ADL in federal court last year, alleging defamation and asserting the group had caused him mental suffering, anguish, and injury to his name. McClanahan served as his own legal representation in the matter, and the complaint he filed in court, ironically, stipulated that much of what the ADL had exposed was factual.

This included his honorary 1-year membership in Knights Party, the KKK chapter; his attendance at what he called a Christian Identity Cross lighting ceremony falsely described as a cross burning in 2019; and his choice to write an article in the Klan groups newsletter, the Torch  in which he commemorated the second anniversary of the notorious Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, from a Pro-White perspective, denouncing Anti-Whiteism.

McClanahan also objected that the ADL had connected his honorary membership in the League of the South to that groups political goals, protesting that he, himself, had never advocated for Southern Secession or a White dominated South.

A federal judge dismissed McClanahans suit with prejudice in December. The ruling declared that descriptions of McClanahan as antisemitic, white supremacist, anti-government, and bigoted were matters of opinion and not legally actionable.

The judge also ruled that the ADLs descriptions of McClanahans affiliations  as well as its publication of photo of McClanahan, as the judge described it, standing in front of a burning cross alongside an individual in KKK regalia giving the stiff-arm Nazi salute  were not defamatory because they substantially align with the truth. (McClanahan has not responded to a Rolling Stone interview request.)

The current drama with the Missouri Republican Party began this February, when McClanahan filed paperwork to run for governor on the GOP ticket, after paying and receiving a receipt for his candidate filing fee with the party.

The Missouri GOP soon claimed that McClanahans ballot access was not consensual  tweeting that his affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan fundamentally contradicts our partys values and platform. McClanahan replied to this post asserting that the Missouri GOP knew exactly who I am, including when he ran for Senate in 2022, and that party officials now blasting him were a bunch of Anti-White hypocrites.

The state GOP first tried to refund McClanahans filing fee, before asking the Missouri secretary of state to terminate McClanahans ballot access. When that office countered it did not have legal authority to do so, the state GOP filed suit in state court in March. The Missouri State Republican Committee asserted, however implausibly, that it was made aware of Mr. McClanahans disturbing racist and antisemitic history in February. Further, it claimed that the party had been in a helpless position to prevent him from filing  asserting it has virtually no ability to screen potential candidates.

The suit said the state GOP does not want to be associated with Mr. McClanahan, and declared it had had a constitutional right to block his ballot access. Any ruling to the contrary, the party insisted, would force an unwanted association with Mr. McClanahan and cause irreparable harm by violating the state GOPs First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

But last week, Missouri Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker issued a scathing opinion, ruling that the Missouri GOP had not properly pled and proven any constitutional violation and would, instead, have to keep McClanahans candidacy on its ballot.

The judge ruled that the state party is a sophisticated entity that should have just followed its own policy of rejecting filing fees from any candidate who has not completed a prescribed vetting process. He rebuked the party for having willingly created the very association of which it now complains, insisting the supposed harm in question only exists because the state GOP made the voluntary decision to accept filing fees, on two occasions, that McClanahan offered in accordance with Missouri law.

Cotton ruled that GOP voters will now get to decide whether McClanahans pro-White platform reflects the partys values. He insisted that the party remains free to publicly disavow McClanahan and any opinions it believes are antithetical to the state GOP.

But he made the case that Missouri Republican primary voters will speak their own minds. If the partys voters eventually did choose McClanahan as their nominee, Cotton wrote, it could merely indicate that the plaintiff did not actually know, or correctly represent, the values or interests of its rank-and-file members.

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Judge Scott McAfee is projected to win his election bid for Fulton County Superior Court

Judge Scott McAfee is projected to win his election bid for Fulton County Superior Court

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has won a new term in Georgia, The Associated Press projected.

McAfee has been in the spotlight over the past year thanks to his role overseeing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis election-related racketeering case against Donald Trump and more than a dozen other defendants.

McAfee was appointed to his position in late 2022 after a judges retirement, and his victory Tuesday nets him a full four-year term. He defeated defense attorney Tiffani Johnson and civil rights attorney Robert Patillo in what was officially a nonpartisan race.

McAfee, who served as vice president of his law schools chapter of the conservative Federalist Society, has generally received praise for his handling of the Trump case. But his recent condemnation of Willis leadership, following unproven allegations that her romantic relationship with a prosecutor amounted to a conflict of interest, did strike me as cruel.

Nonetheless, as a symbol of his bipartisan appeal, McAfee received endorsements from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and former Gov. Roy Barnes, the last Democrat to serve as the states governor.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Judge sides with Fort Lauderdale man who complained neighbors yacht was too big for lot

FORT LAUDERDALE  Say your neighbor has a yacht so big that it dwarfs the dock behind his home. Do you call the city to complain?

Michael Meldeau did. It wound up getting him sued by one Steven Howell, owner of the yacht.

The two men live on Delmar Place in Fort Lauderdales upscale Las Olas Isles, just north of Las Olas and west of the Intracoastal.

The yearslong feud isnt your run-of-the-mill neighborhood dispute. The lawsuit, filed four years ago, touched on not only property rights but also, in the case of the defendant, the right to free speech.

Reed Tolber, Meldeaus attorney, attempted to get the lawsuit thrown out, accusing Howell of trying to muzzle Meldeau from complaining to Fort Lauderdale code officers if he notices anything amiss on Howells property.

The case was heading to trial in June, but all that changed May 16 when Broward Circuit Judge Martin Bidwell signed an order granting summary judgment in favor of Meldeau, saying there was no need for a trial.

The record evidence firmly establishes that (Howell) knowingly and routinely moored his yachts behind his home in violation of the citys code, Bidwell wrote in his order. Although it must be vexing to have (a neighbor) constantly report ones code violations to the city, these actions by (his neighbor) cannot be said to be unreasonable.

It remains unclear whether Howell and his legal team plan to appeal.

Howell, 64, declined to comment. His attorneys, Brent Gordon and Brian Gottlieb, could not be reached for comment.

Howells lawsuit had accused Meldeau, 77, of embarking on a campaign of harassment and urged the court to require him to employ an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida to report any future potential code violations on Howells property.

To keep the peace, Howell was forced to rent out dock space and pay dockage fees, his lawsuit says. Those dockage fees, according to the lawsuit, are special damages that Howell would not have to pay if the boat were docked behind his home.

A matter of size

Meldeau bought his three-bedroom home on Delmar Place in 2000 for $825,000, according to the Broward County Property Appraisers Office. Howell moved into the neighborhood a decade later, paying nearly $2.7 million for a four-bedroom home two houses away, appraiser records show.

The trouble began when Howell started docking his yacht on the 100-foot lot behind his waterfront home in late 2018, both parties say. The boat, named #OMG, was sometimes docked behind the homes of neighbors with their permission, according to the lawsuit.

Most waterfront homes in Fort Lauderdale have a 10-foot setback on either side for boat dockage. So a property thats 100 feet wide like Howells would be prohibited from docking a boat bigger than 80 feet in length.

Meldeau and his attorney say the #OMG is just shy of 105 feet in length  25 feet too long for Howells property.

A former attorney of Howells told a city board the yacht is 96 feet long. And Howell testified during a deposition that hes not quite sure how long the boat is, records show.

Meldeau took exception to the yacht extending into his property line when it was docked behind the home of a different neighbor whose home sits in between his home and Howells, according to court records.

He called the city to report the yacht for violating the setback code in late 2018.

The citys inspectors found the yacht to be in violation and ordered Howell to remove it, Meldeaus attorney wrote in his motion to dismiss the case. When they returned to verify compliance, the yacht was gone and the complaint was closed.

But once the case was closed, the yacht was back at the dock, according to Meldeaus motion to dismiss the case.

This dance occurred several times, Tolber wrote.

Meldeau complained again and again. But when the citys inspectors would show up, the yacht would be gone, Tolber wrote.

Then one day, a code inspector spotted the yacht docked behind the house in between Howells and Meldeaus and found it to be in violation of the citys setback code.

Its time to stop it

A hearing was scheduled before a magistrate, who agreed the yacht was too big for the lot.

Howell took his case to the citys Board of Adjustment in January 2020 to request a variance that would allow him to keep the yacht behind his home.

The board denied his request, citing its failure to meet the codes hardship requirement.

Before the boards vote, Meldeau spoke up against the variance. He told the board that Howell started bragging that it was saving him $8,000 a month in dockage fees to keep his yacht docked behind his home.

So this is not a hardship, Meldeau told the board. This is an economic benefit. And I say were not for sale. Its time to stop it. If you cant bring a boat in your neighborhood that doesnt meet the code, dont bring it in.

In February 2020, the following month, Howell filed suit against Meldeau.

During a deposition last year, Meldeaus attorney asked Howell to explain the timing of his lawsuit.

I dont know the exact dates of how all this timed out, Howell said. But the truth of the matter was that there were all sorts of challenges all around this at different times. We had to manage different risk levels while all this stuff was going on. And thats why I escalated this to where we are now because I just decided I wasnt going to live like this any longer. We did everything we could to try to mitigate this and not end up where we are right now.

In March 2020, the magistrate fined Howell $14,000.

The fine remained unpaid as of Tuesday, May 21, city officials said. During last years deposition, Howell said he hadnt paid the fine because it was not correct and he didnt consider the matter resolved. The yacht was moved from his home in late 2021 and was docked at the RMK Marina, Howell testified.

Howell told Meldeaus attorney he doesnt remember details about the boat being moved around after Meldeau started making calls to code officers.

I dont recall its movement, but boats come and go, Howell said. Thats what they do.

When asked to confirm that the #OMG yacht is 105 feet long, Howell said he was under the impression the boat was 105 feet when he bought it. But during last years deposition, he testified that he was no longer sure.

When we bought the boat, we thought that it was 105 feet, Howell said during the deposition. Weve since learned, since all this started with Mr. Meldeau, that its a Model 105, not 105 feet. And I have multiple documents that confused us all about the exact size, including certifications from the manufacturer. We never measured our boat. We tried and we cant figure it out.

The lawsuit, which was amended in 2022, accused Meldeau of making repeated complaints to code enforcement about Howells property.

Twice in 2019, Meldeau called the city to report that sewage from the yacht was possibly being dumped into the canal, according to the lawsuit. The city came out to investigate but found no evidence to support the claim, the lawsuit says.

Plainly, Meldeau is obsessed with Howell, the lawsuit said, and he shows no signs of stopping with his continued social media posts (though he subsequent to this lawsuit removed or made such posts private), his unsupported accusations to the president of the local homeowners association, and complaints to the marine patrol just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic on or about as of February 9, 2020.

I dont want him to do that

According to the lawsuit, Meldeau spread lies on Facebook that Howell was dumping sewage in the canal and renting out dock space to other boat owners. The lawsuit references this comment posted on Meldeaus Facebook account: Las Olas Isles will turn into a Commercial Marina full of supersized yachts looking to rent docks on the Cheap. And so goes the Venice of America.

In his order, the judge makes mention of a Facebook post where a relative of Meldeaus commented, jokingly suggesting he shoot holes in the yacht. I am ready, Meldeau replied under the comment.

The record further establishes that Defendant at one time made a Facebook post suggesting that he would shoot holes into the OMG, the judge wrote. However, the record does not show that (Meldeau) has ever pointed the gun at someone, made threats towards anyone, or otherwise caused (Howell) to suffer irreparable damage.

The lawsuit alleged that Meldeau set out two chairs on his dock turned east toward the Howell property, then sitting in one and leaning a rifle against the other. In a motion for summary judgment, Meldeaus attorney says the rifle Meldeau was holding was actually a pellet gun his client used to kill iguanas on his sea wall.

The matter came up during Howells deposition last year.

I think sitting with a rifle and looking down at my house is, especially in todays culture, no, I dont think thats acceptable and I dont want him to do that, Howell told Meldeaus attorney. I wouldnt sit with chairs and a rifle facing his house.

But in his findings, the judge noted that Meldeau maintains the device was an air-powered pellet gun used to kill iguanas.

Regardless, (Howell) last witnessed (his neighbor) on his dock with the device about three years ago, the judge wrote.

Toward the end of last years deposition, Tolber asked Howell whether he had any plans to bring the yacht back and dock it behind his house.

Its undetermined right now, Howell said.

Tolber asked again, rephrasing the question.

It will not go back behind my house, Howell replied, but its possible that it could come back here to a neighbors.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
A judges sentencing error has scrambled the federal governments case against David DePape, who was convicted of attempting to kidnap Rep. Nancy Pelosi and assaulting her husband, Paul.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley admitted she failed to ask DePape if he wanted to address the court before sentencing him to 30 years in federal prison over the 2022 attack last week and subsequently ordered a redo of the sentencing hearing to be held next Tuesday.

DePapes lawyers are now fighting the new hearing that would bring him back into federal court, pointing out his parallel state trial over the attack is starting soon.

The Court violated Mr. DePapes rights when it sentenced him without inviting him to allocute, DePapes attorneys argued in a Wednesday filing to the court in San Francisco. But it cannot now cure that error by disrupting his state trial and asking Mr. DePape if he has anything to say.

The procedural failure adds a major layer of complication to the federal governments case against DePape, which had been relatively straightforward from the start, with police body-cam footage capturing the assault. A federal jury needed one day of deliberation to convict him last year after a trial in which prosecutors also marshaled footage of DePape entering the Pelosi residence in San Francisco and transcripts in which he spoke of wanting to punish Pelosi and other Democrats.

DePapes lawyers have already appealed his federal conviction and sentence to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that requires Corley to hold off on any further actions until the appeal is resolved. Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, said in a court filing last week that Corley had 14 days from the original sentencing hearing to hold another court session to hear from DePape, if he wished to address the court.

The parallel state case overseen by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is underway, with a trial expected as early as next month. DePape's attorneys argue that hauling him back into federal court while thats proceeding would violate his right to a fair trial.

If DePape must return to federal court, his attorneys argue, he must be resentenced by a new judge after Corley  who was appointed by President Joe Biden  expressed strong views about the case.

A representative for the U.S. attorney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Josh Gerstein contributed to this report.
Jury selection underway in trial for stepfather of missing Madalina Cojocari

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Jury selection started Wednesday in the trial of Christopher Palmiter, the stepfather accused of failing to file a report on his stepdaughters disappearance.

That stepdaughter, Madalina Cojocari, has been missing since November 2022, and her missing persons case has gained national and international attention due to the circumstances.

Wednesdays events also included some pre-trial discussions about the possibility of having Palmiters wife and Madalinas mother, Diana Cojocari, testifying.

The judge over the case said that the decision on Diana Cojocari testifying would likely come at a later time. Cojocaris lawyer was present in court Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Fifty-four potential jurors were called into the courtroom Wednesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, three have been excused.

During discussions with the potential jurors, prosecutors noted they would likely bring forth an interview that was captured on body-worn camera, in addition to several witnesses.

Palmiter has pled not guilty to the charge of failing to file a report on the disappearance of a child. Cornelius Police said he and Diana Cojocari did not report Madalina missing for three weeks after she went missing, and only did so after Madalinas school started questioning the girls absences.

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Diana Cojocari pled guilty to the same charge earlier this week. She was sentenced to time served for the 17 months she was at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. The judge in that case noted that Diana Cojocari had already served the maximum sentence for the crime while in jail. She walked out of jail Tuesday, surrounded by lawyers and cameras, saying very little.

The unusual nature of Madalinas disappearance has led to various searches in locations that could possibly be connected to the childs disappearance. The case has also garnered a great deal of media attention, even internationally, due to Diana Cojocari being from the eastern European country of Moldova.

Diana Cojocari still faces the possibility of being deported for her guilty plea to the failure to report charge, which is a felony. So far, there are no indications of when or if that will happen.

Madalina Cojocari remains missing to this day. Palmiter and Diana Cojocari have given no indication on her whereabouts, and have stated to police that they did not know where the girl was. Diana Cojocaris family have previously said that they believe Madalina may be alive and being sex-trafficked.

However, court filings so far have claimed Diana Cojocari had feared Palmiter and had been possibly looking to leave him, prior to Madalinas disappearance.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. World Bank is actively working to identify and resolve issues on the Middle Corridor, said Winnie Wang, the Lead Infrastructure Specialist and Program Leader for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum hosted by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

We see great impacts when projects are designed to address specific bottlenecks and to define the level of service. To this end, at the World Bank, we have employed a number of regional and global monitoring tools to give the corridor solutions.... We estimated a cost of priority investments at about $7 billion in order to address bottlenecks, she continued.

Corridors are multidimensional and beyond just the transport infrastructure. They are about trade policies, trade finance logistics services, and support for the value-chain development, as well as training and education, Winnie Wang explained. Developing this emerging corridor will require logistic and policy coordination, she added.

One of the defining characteristics of the Middle Corridor is its multimodal nature. This hurdle can be turned into an opportunity to use all elements of the system and to decarbonize transport, Wang added.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
It was a tawdry tale of lies, revenge and hush money, with a sordid alleged bedroom scene, a judge whose patience finally cracked and a raging defendant who is a once and possibly future president.

But therell be no more evidence, witnesses, or brutal cross-examinations in Donald Trumps first criminal trial, which has moved into the final phase before jurors retire to deliberate their verdict in a historic case entangled with the 2024 election.

Unusually, there will now be a break of a week  because of the Memorial Day holiday  between Tuesdays final testimony and when lawyers for each side lay out their final narratives in closing summations. Then the judge will deliver his instructions  a critical stage of the case in which the jury will learn how to apply the law and to weigh conflicting testimony and different kinds of evidence.

Thats when seven men and five women from New York will have to decide whether Trump will be the first ex-president convicted of a crime and the first presumptive nominee running as a convicted felon.

The former president has been preparing for the moment for weeks. Hes mounted a daily campaign to destroy the reputation of the court and Judge Juan Merchan, as well as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, who brought the case. The judge hates Donald Trump, just take a look, take a look at him, take a look at where he comes from. He cant stand Donald Trump, the former president said on Tuesday in the latest of his daily media rants in the corridor. At one point, the judge threatened to send him to jail if he continued to violate a gag order protecting key witnesses  establishing a red line that the ex-president is yet to cross.

Trumps bizarre practice of reading aloud critiques of the case from his allies in conservative media was all designed to create an atmosphere of grievance around the trial, which hes leveraged to bolster the core rationale of his White House campaign  that hes a persecuted victim of weaponized justice.

As the weeks went on, Trump was joined at the court by a cadre of Republican lawmakers, exemplifying his total control over the GOP after winning his third consecutive nomination and its continued genuflection toward a leader who tried to destroy American democracy to stay in power after the 2020 election.

Its still early to say if the case in which hes pleaded not guilty  and the eventual verdict  will have any influence on voters this fall. But there is little sense the trial, from which television cameras are barred, has captured the imagination of the nation.

The intricate task that awaits jurors

Its impossible to know how jurors are interpreting the daily drama of the courtroom in any trial.

But theres a lot to sort out in a case that has grave implications for Trumps future, and even his liberty, and comes with huge political overtones as potentially the only one of his four criminal trials to be completed before the election.

In a month of dramatic testimony, the prosecution alleged that Trump illegally falsified business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to deceive voters in 2016 in an example of election interference. Trump has denied the alleged affair with Daniels, and hush money payments are not illegal in themselves. But the jury must work through a complex legal equation at the heart of the case. To reach a guilty verdict, they must agree that New York State prosecutors have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified business records  which is normally a misdemeanor in the state. Then, to convict Trump of a felony, the jury must determine that this was done to commit another crime  in relation to the election. The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors in his opening statement in April.

The defense, however, contends that Trump is innocent of any crime. His lawyers have sought to cast doubt on the paper trail established by prosecutors by saying Trump had nothing to do with falsifying financial records and theyve tried to obliterate the credibility of the prosecutions star witness, Michael Cohen. The ex-presidents self-described former thug is critical to the case because he provided the only direct implication of Trump in an alleged scheme to break the law with the cover up of the payment. And the defense tried to establish that Trump did not try to suppress details of his alleged affair with Daniels as part of a scheme to mislead voters. Rather, they argued, he was worried that it would upset his family.

And in his opening statement, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told jurors: I have a spoiler alert. Theres nothing wrong with trying to influence an election: Its called democracy.

The critical witness

Cohens testimony will likely be a critical element of the deliberations  especially whether the damage done to his trustworthiness during a searing cross-examination is enough to convince one or more jurors they cannot convict Trump based on his former fixers word.

Prosecutors knew that they had a problem with Cohen heading into the trial since he had already gone to jail after being found guilty over offenses related to the hush money payment and other crimes, including lying to Congress. They therefore sought to buttress his testimony before he took the stand with days of evidence. They called David Pecker, the former head of American Media Inc., which published the National Enquirer. Pecker was not directly involved in the hush money payment at the center of the case. But he was used to establish that Cohen and Trump had a record of using payments to squash unflattering stories about the future president before the 2016 election.

Former White House communications director and long-time Trump aide Hope Hicks was also called by the prosecution and appeared to put her former boss in a heap of trouble when she said that his campaign was transfixed with worry over the release of an Access Hollywood tape that showed him boasting that he could grab women by the genitals. Hicks testified that Trump believed that the Daniels story would be even more damaging. It would be better to be dealing with it now, and that it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election, Hicks said of his thinking.

Why the most salacious evidence may have been best left unsaid

In the most risque chapter of the trial, Daniels was called to testify about her alleged liaison with Trump in a suite in Lake Tahoe in 2006.

Daniels said that she spanked Trump right on the butt with a magazine and returned from the bathroom to find him on the bed in his boxers and a T-shirt. She said that they had sex and that she was shaking when she left the room, which she remembered for its black-and-white-tiled floor. The judge had sought to limit the details of the encounter ahead of time, and after the testimony he commented that some of the explicit details were best left unsaid. But the Daniels testimony was critical to the prosecution case because it illustrated the alleged liaison that it wants jurors to believe was the genesis of the cover up.

When Cohen finally took the stand, he directly implicated Trump in the alleged scheme to buy Daniels silence. He stated to me that he had spoken to some friends, some individuals, smart people, and That its $130,000. Youre a billionaire, just pay it. Theres no reason to keep this thing out there so do it. He expressed to me, Just do it, Cohen said, paraphrasing Trumps alleged instructions to him. The former fixer, who once said hed take a bullet for Trump, also denied that he had acted alone, saying that everything he did for his former boss required Trumps sign off  and that he wanted to make sure he was paid back.

But Cohens reputation came back to haunt him in a cross-examination when the defense claimed he was a liar who was obsessed with bringing Trump down and that he was getting rich from his media appearances and podcasts focusing on his former idol.

The key moment came when Cohen was tripped up over a phone call about which hed previously testified under oath. He said he had discussed with Trump the payment of the hush money in that October 2016 call. But the defense produced texts Cohen sent before the call  placed to the phone of Trumps bodyguard, who was with the then-2016 GOP nominee  that suggested the subject of the 96-second conversation was another matter. In response, prosecutors used their redirect examination to try to downplay the importance of a single call, and Cohen said he spoke to Trump about the payment multiple times, not just on that occasion.

But Trumps lawyers beseeched the judge on Monday to throw out the trial based on Cohens testimony, saying the jury should not be asked to deliver a verdict based on what the defense viewed as unsafe evidence. There is no way that the Court should let this case go to the jury, relying on Mr. Cohens testimony, Blanche told Merchan.

In comparison to the weeks of testimony put on by the prosecution, the defense case lasted only 90 minutes and included only two witnesses before Trumps lawyers rested on Tuesday. That meant the former president, who many experts thought would pose a massive risk to his own case if he testified, did not take the stand.

Some experts questioned whether the defense would also have been better not to have called one of its witnesses  Robert Costello, who got into a verbal altercation with an infuriated Merchan, some of which was seen by the jury. In an extraordinary scene, Merchan asked whether Costello was trying to stare him down after the witness had registered contempt for several of the judges interventions.

Costello was meant to rebut a claim by prosecutors that Trump mounted a pressure campaign to keep Cohen quiet in 2018. But he may have ended up creating a hole in the Trump defense, according to several legal experts. At the very least, his spell on the stand may have made a case that looked in recent days like it could turn on the reputation of Cohen once again focus on the behavior and character of the ex-president.

It may have all been a sideshow that will have little bearing on the eventual destiny of the trial.

But only the jury can decide that.

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In April, Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 4156, an immigration crackdown law that criminalizes "impermissible occupation" in the state. Any immigrant who "enters and remains" in Oklahoma "without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States" could face jail time and be forced to leave the state.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma yesterday, arguing that H.B. 4156 "is preempted by federal law" and "violates the U.S. Constitution." The lawsuit is the latest entry in the ongoing battle between the federal government and the growing list of states passing their own immigration laws.

Under H.B. 4156, a noncitizen convicted of being in Oklahoma without legal authorization to be in the U.S. will be guilty of a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to a year in county jail. A subsequent offense is a felony and carries a punishment of up to two years in Department of Corrections custody. The unlawfully present person must also leave the state within 72 hours of conviction or release from custody, whichever comes later.

"We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the DOJ's Civil Division. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has vowed to defend H.B. 4156, arguing in a May 17 letter that Oklahoma has "not only the sovereign right, but also the solemn legal obligation, to protect its own borders and its own citizens."

Several other states are facing similar legal action over their immigration laws, which have prompted a debate over whether the federal government has the sole authority to regulate immigration. Challenges to those laws are ongoing; one of the most controversial state-level policies, a Texas law that allows officers to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants, is currently on hold following "a dizzying volley of courtroom maneuvers," as the Associated Press put it.

Lawmakers framed H.B. 4156 as an effort to "protect the citizens of Oklahoma" and combat organized crime, drug cartels, and sex trafficking. Others aren't so sure that these will be the primary targets. "This bill would affect people who have been here for decades and contributed millions in tax dollars without ever having a criminal offense," explained Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The Migration Policy Institute estimated that 90,000 undocumented people lived in Oklahoma as of 2019. Of those, about 80 percent had lived in the state for five years or more.

Some have warned that the bill will make policing more difficult and reduce community trust. Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley told KOCO, the local ABC affiliate, that "it's almost like everybody we come in contact with, we have to check their immigration status," given the bill's phrasing. "We have found that this law conflicts with many existing directives governing law enforcement practices throughout Oklahoma," the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency leaders said in a joint statement. It "places crime victims at risk by increasing the fear of reporting to law enforcement" and "brings forth legal challenges in fair and impartial policing."

"This law has the potential to destroy the connections and relationships we have built within our local immigrant communities and set us back for many years to come," the statement continued. H.B. 4156 is slated to take effect on July 1.

The post Justice Department Sues Oklahoma Over Law That Would Imprison Undocumented Immigrants appeared first on Reason.com.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department says a juvenile is in custody in connection to last months deadly shooting of 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman.

Freeman was killed on Wednesday, April 10, when someone fired shots at a home near E. 33rd Street and Flora Avenue, shooting Freeman inside. She died about a month before turning 12.

A neighbor FOX4 talked to Tuesday says theyre glad someones in custody. Theres no word how old the juvenile suspect is. Larry Sanders says the Freeman family really hasnt lived in the house since the shooting happened, and theyve been looking for them.

Weve been trying to really do something for the family, but we havent been able to get in touch with them since they left, Sanders said in an interview with FOX4 Tuesday.

Bobby Witt Jr. surprises students at Kansas City elementary school

Sanders lives just across the street from where Kourtney Freeman lived. Sanders was at his home April 10th when the shooting took place. He says he had just gotten back from bible class.

There were about seven or eight that we heard just sitting in our chairs right after work, he said of the gunshots. So, as we were going upstairs because we didnt want to look out the bottom window as we were going upstairs, we heard probably maybe two more, maybe a total of 10.

Sanders says the gunshots were so close it seemed like it vibrated his windows. He says that type of thing doesnt usually happen in the Ivanhoe neighborhood. He was also at his home Monday, April 15 when KC Mothers in Charge helped set up a vigil to remember Freeman. A goal in this neighborhood is to try to make sure they dont have to have vigils like that again.

Sanders says Freeman recently took part in something at the Ewing Marion Kauffman School she attended to try to prevent violence and bullying. The girls family would come over to Sanders house every once in a while for help.

Just going and seeing her walking by to the bus stop every morning just waving and just kind of watching her until the bus came just to make sure that she was okay, he continued. I mean we just kind of miss that.

Sanders says Ivanhoe homeowners are getting together to talk about violence prevention Tuesday, June 4.

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Police are saying that the shooting that killed Freeman was targeted, at least at that home. A KCPD spokesperson said they are not calling this a stray bullet.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (PIX11)  Investigations into an attack on two Hasidic boys in Brooklyn earlier this month that is being treated as a possible antisemitic hate crime are ongoing, according to the NYPD.

The two boys, ages 11 and 13, were playing on the sidewalk of Franklin Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant with several others when a male juvenile rode up on a Citi Bike on May 12, police said.

Man exonerated in 14-year-old girls death now charged in fatal shooting in Queens: DA

The juvenile got off the bike and approached the group, telling them to get off the sidewalk, police said. He then punched and kicked the victims, before throwing them to the ground while the others ran to safety.

Police said the juvenile rode back and forth on the sidewalk and that there was an interaction between him and the group of kids before the attack.

Police do not believe the juvenile and the victims know each other. While no antisemitic comments were made during the altercation, the attack is currently being handled as a hate crime.

NYPD officials announced they are currently working on a Crime Stoppers tip.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Clay County Sheriffs Office arrested a man on Friday who is reported to be the first person in Missouri charged with attempted voluntary manslaughter after knowingly trying to help someone take their own life.

According to investigators, deputies responded to the 600 block of Cherry Street in Randolph, Missouri just before midnight when they saw a woman lying on the ground with a large knife sticking out of the left side of her body, under her armpit.

KCPD asking for help finding truck after deadly crash on 40 Highway

Investigators said a man, 41-year-old Christopher R. Crownover, was near the woman when they arrived. Shortly after, EMS took her to North Kansas City Hospital.

Crownover told police he had recorded the woman stabbing herself. He then proceeded to show deputies a video of him threatening the woman to grab a knife or he was going to stab her.

According to court records, Crownover said, I was going to kill her if she didnt kill herself.

The video showed Crownover telling the woman to grab a bigger knife because the one she had originally grabbed was too small. He also gave her directions on how and where to insert the knife so she could die quickly.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Deputies said Crownover later admitted to getting this information from the 2004 Brad Pitt feature film, Troy.

When the woman fell to the ground, court documents said the video showed him checking and asking her multiple times if she had stabbed herself. Crownover then watched the woman and never attempted to help her or prevent further self-harm.

Investigators said Crownover also told deputies that he had physically assaulted the woman a few days before. This lined up with the injuries they saw after they spoke with the victim in the hospital.

KCK Police, Fire Departments report network incident Tuesday morning

The woman is reported to be alive, and investigators sent the case to the Clay County Prosecutors Office. In addition to attempted voluntary manslaughter, Crownover is also facing armed criminal action.

Crownover is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. He has been arraigned and has a bond reduction hearing scheduled for May 28.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Gov. Laura Kelly appears at a May 14, 2024, event at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Gov. Laura Kelly appears at a May 14, 2024, event at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  When Gov. Laura Kelly signed a state spending bill last week, she scolded legislators for attempting to insert budget language designed to pick winners and losers without being subjected to the normal scrutiny of a public hearing.

She used her line-item veto power to strike language directing state mental health funding to specific entities in de facto no-bid contracts, as well as scholarship money to private, for-profit tech schools. She also vetoed language dictating software purchases for the executive branch and granting bonding authority to a dairy facility.

None of the items had surfaced during public hearings during the legislative session but in the final days were tucked into House Bill 2551, which grew the states spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year to $10.6 billion.

This practice of allocating funding to specified organizations or businesses is unfair, and I encourage the Legislature to allow all eligible entities the opportunity to access state funds through competitive processes, Kelly said.

However, the governor also praised the Legislature for making investments to support the workforce pipeline, address water needs, and boost access to behavioral health services.

This funding supports my administrations work to address critical infrastructure needs, grow our economy, and make Kansas the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family, Kelly said.

She was silent on her decision to keep in the budget a $9 million earmark to support Emporia State University as it recovers from the self-inflicted turmoil of firing tenured faculty members, altering program offerings without supporting evidence, and cratering student enrollment. Kelly vetoed the earmark in a previous budget bill, but lawmakers reinserted the funding. She allowed it to stand without explanation.

Grace Hoge, a spokeswoman for Kelly, didnt respond to repeated inquires about the governors flip-flop on the ESU earmark.

Lawmakers adopted the final round of budget provisions in the final hours of the session on April 30, with a 22-12 vote in the Senate and 71-49 vote in the House.

The legislation includes $26.5 million for construction of a new psychiatric hospital in Wichita. The facility will help alleviate overcrowded jails, where inmates often are stuck waiting for pretrial mental health evaluations.

Another $4.5 million will be invested in a pilot program to expand K-12 student access to behavioral health services.

Lawmakers added $10 million for the state water plan, in addition to $35 million previously allocated. The funding is used to address water quality and quantity needs.

They also added a $8.3 million investment in need-based financial aid and scholarships for higher education, including $2 million for nursing students, $1.7 million for first-generation students and children of teachers and paraprofessionals, and $1 million for National Guard members pursuing a masters degree.

Kelly vetoed language that would have expanded access to a state-funded scholarship program to Wichita Tech Institute, Peaslee Tech in Lawrence and Heartland Welding Academy in Andover. She said those changes should be considered through the normal legislative process, rather than through budget provisos that choose winners and losers.

The Legislature chose to provide these funds to three intentionally chosen institutions, Kelly said. If the Legislature desires to turn the Kansas Promise Scholarship into a form of support for private, for-profit institutions, it should attempt to enact this policy through the normal process and allow input from stakeholders.

The governor vetoed earmarks directing $5 million in mental health funding to go to Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita and NMC Health in Newton. The funding will now be available to entities across the state.

She also vetoed $2.5 million for Valley Hope of Atchison, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, $232,000 for Kansas City Full Circle and $250,000 for EmberHope Youthville in Newton.

Another veto removed language that would have provided bonding authority and debt service payments for the creation of a new dairy facility at Kansas State University.

While this may be a worthwhile project, the university did not request it, nor was it considered through the normal budgeting process, Kelly said.

Other vetoes included the removal of language ordering a study on the affordability of providing breast cancer screenings to state employees through their health insurance plan. Kelly said the State Employees Health Care Commission has the authority to add the coverage and shouldnt wait.

The state employees potentially impacted by this provision need this service as soon as possible, she said.

She also vetoed $350,000 for a new office of inspector general to serve under the state attorney general.

This funding mechanism should have been vetted through the regular legislative process, especially since it expands the size of government, Kelly said.

The post Kansas governor scolds lawmakers for picking winners and losers in unvetted budget items appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  Law enforcement is telling Kansans to Buckle Up! this month.

The annual Click-it-or-Ticket campaign is underway, just in time for a busy Memorial Day weekend of travel.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, a campaign event was held in the Little Apple to pay tribute to the armed forces and discuss the importance of seat belt safety. Everyone in attendance had the same goal: to save lives.

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) officials say the number of people wearing seatbelts has increased dramatically within a year, jumping from 61% in 2023 to 85% in 2024. However, they want that number to be 100%, including military members.

Brigadier General Michael T. Venerdi, the Kansas Adjutant General, spoke at the podium, telling everyone how service members can mitigate the safety of duty in their personal lives.

Bomb squad called after Civil War cannon ball found in Overbrook

We can apply the same principles of safety and risk mitigation while in our civilian or personal lives that we apply while on duty, Venerdi said.

27 News also spoke to State Trooper Ben Gardner with the Kansas Highway Patrol about the importance of this campaign.

Click it or ticket is such a valuable time for law enforcement officers to be proactive in delivering a message to remind people to wear their seatbelts at all times, Gardner said.

Officials say every 47 minutes, on average, someone dies in a crash due to not wearing a seat belt nationally. Police are ramping up patrols this time of the year to keep people safe.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Voters are headed to the polls in Kentucky on Tuesday for the Republican Primary.

Former President Trump is the only major candidate in his party who has already clinched the nomination. The states 46 delegates for the Republican National Convention are at stake as the former president is expected to win them.

Follow live results from DDHQ here:

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A powerful Western Kentucky Republican state representative has been ousted from his seat by a "Liberty" wing Republican candidate.

Incumbent Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, who chairs the Houses agriculture committee and has held his seat since 2012, was behind by just 161 votes to Kimberly Holloway when the votes were tallied. The Associated Press delayed in calling the race because it was so close.

Holloway had the backing of both the Kentucky Liberty Caucus and Raise Your Voice KY, two pro-liberty groups. Her campaign materials criticized Heath for being a supporter of Mitch McConnell and for not being conservative enough.

Kentucky Representative Richard Heath at Fancy Farm.Aug 6, 2022

"While I am disappointed by yesterday's results, primaries provide a whole new set of challenges," Heath said in a statement. He said he was proud of his track record of "lowering the income tax, protecting children and the unborn (and) preserving our constitutional rights."

Heath raised close to $30,000 and spent over $20,000 by May 8. Holloway raised nearly $19,000 and spent around $15,000 by May 8, the most recent campaign finance filing deadline.

There was no candidate on the Democratic side of the ticket. Barring unusual circumstances, Holloway will represent District 2 in Frankfort next year.

District 45 - Republican

Part of Fayette County and part of Jessamine County

In a major upset, a moderate Republican incumbent suffered a resounding defeat by a "Liberty" wing Republican in Fayette and Jessamine counties.

Rep. Killian Timoney, who represented the 45th District since 2021, lost out to the aptly named Thomas Jefferson, a businessman who picked up support from the Jessamine County Republican Party, the Kentucky Liberty Caucus and Raise Your Voice Kentucky.

Jefferson's campaign website says he is strongly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment and in favor of school choice.

"They were successful in creating an identity for me ... that I wasn't a conservative," Timoney told The Courier Journal. He said Jefferson worked hard, and said he is now "second guessing" how he communicated with voters during his campaign.

Timoney works for the Fayette County Public Schools, according to a document filed with the state's Legislative Ethics Commission. Timoney drew criticism for voting with Democrats in the past. For example, last year Timoney was one of just four Republicans to vote not to override a veto of an anti-trans bill.

Jefferson had spent a total of around $7,000 by early May, the most recent campaign finance filing deadline. Timoney's campaign finance records had not been updated since December 2023.

Jefferson picked up 72.1% of the vote while Timoney pulled just 27.9%. Jefferson will face sole Democratic candidate Adam Moore in November.

District 65 - Republican

Northern Kentucky (part of Kenton County)

Rep. Kim Moser fended off a challenge from Karen Campbell in a Northern Kentucky Republican primary.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser narrowly fended off a challenge from Liberty Caucus candidate Karen Campbell. Moser defeated Campbell by just 84 votes, another sign of the growing influence of the caucus among northern Kentucky Republicans.

Moser has served in the state House since 2017. The chair of the health services committee, Moser this year spearheaded a successful effort to get a maternal health reform bill, the Momnibus, passed with bipartisan support.

Campbell's campaign website said she would be a voice against overreach of government mandates.

Both candidates say they are opposed to abortion rights and want to defend the Second Amendment.

Moser will face Democrat Heather Crabbe in November.

District 41 - Democratic

East-central Louisville

Voters chose a longtime state legislator over a more youthful Democratic activist in a deep blue Louisville district.

The Associated Press called the District 41 race for longtime former state Rep. Mary Lou Marzian around 8:30 on Tuesday night. Marzian picked up about 70% of the votes, while attorney Rick Adams won just 30%.

The strongly Democratic east-central Louisville district opened up this year when Rep. Josie Raymond announced she would leave the state legislature to mount a run for Louisville metro council.

Former state Rep. Mary Lou Marzian is likely heading back to her Frankfort after she defeated her Democratic primary opponent, Rick Adams, on Tuesday night.

That opening led Marzian and Adams to throw their hats into the ring. Adams has represented the Democratic Party in court and done legal work for The Courier Journal.

Adams spent big, around $49,000, while Marzian had spent under $15,000 by May 8, the most recent campaign filing deadline.

Marzian emphasized her experience in Frankfort and her ability to work across the aisle to get bills passed during an April campaign forum. Adams said he would bring a fresh, youthful perspective to the Democratic caucus. He also criticized Marzians attendance and her record of proposing what Adams called stunt legislation to make a point during her prior tenure in the legislature.

The two candidates differed over nuclear energy as well, with Marzian expressing doubts about its safety and Adams calling for the state to consider nuclear energy.

"We didn't get the result we wanted but I'm incredibly proud of this campaign," Adams said in statement about his defeat. "Primary season is over, it's time for Democrats across Kentucky to come together."

Marzian could not immediately be reached for comment.

Marzian will face Republican Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell in November.

District 40 - Democratic

Part of Jefferson County

Incumbent Democrat Nima Kulkarni faced a rocky road to election day after former state Rep. Dennis Horlander, whom Kulkarni defeated in the 2018 election, challenged the propriety of her campaign paperwork.

Horlander alleged one of the two people who signed Kulkarni's campaign filing documents was not a Democrat at the time of signing, and state law requires two party members to sign a candidate's declaration of intent to run for office.

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Kulkarni's candidacy could proceed, reversing a ruling from a state Court of Appeals decision last week. However, the Supreme Court will hear arguments next month about whether Kulkarni should be eligible for office.

Her challenger, William Zeitz, is from south Louisville and works as a truck driver. Zeitz is not involved in the lawsuit against Kulkarni.

Despite the challenges, Kulkarni appears poised to easily carry the race. As of 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, Kulkarni had 78% of the vote while Zeitz had just 22%, according to the Associated Press.

District 66 - Republican

Northern Kentucky (part of Boone County)

A Republican in the state GOP's "Liberty" wing defeated a former state representative in a hotly contested Northern Kentucky race, one of the first notable House results from Tuesday's primaries.

Controversial candidate T.J. Roberts beat the more traditional Republican C. Ed Massey in early returns. Roberts earned about 74.3% of the vote with Massey garnering just 25.7%, according to the Associated Press, which called the race before 8 p.m.

Roberts picked up the endorsement of the Boone County Republican Party but has also been accused of antisemitic comments. Roberts apologized after publishing an offensive post about guns after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Massey, meanwhile, caused controversy when he said without evidence that Roberts was rumored to be on Grindr, a social networking app for the LGBTQ community, during a campaign forum last month. Roberts then called for Massey to drop out of the race.

Ed Massey and T.J. Roberts are running for state House in District 66.

Roberts told The Courier Journal his campaign's success was driven by his strong voter outreach efforts. While personal issues did come up during the campaign, Roberts said he focused on the issues and "didn't engage in the politics of personal destruction."

"This is an obviously unfortunate result (with) still low voter turnout. (Massey) hopes one day Northern Kentucky will unite as a Republican Party, and he hopes that the district realizes who they actually elected," said Carter Davidson, Massey's campaign manager.

Roberts, who at 26 would be the first Gen Z Republican in Kentucky's General Assembly, will face sole Democratic candidate Peggy Houston-Nienaber in November.

The seat had been held by Republican Rep. Steve Rawlings, who decided to leave it to run for state Senate. Rawlings also won his primary Tuesday and, barring unusual circumstances, will take a Senate seat in Frankfort next year because there is no Democratic candidate in the race.

District 60 - Republican

Northern Kentucky (part of Boone County)

Another Liberty candidate, incumbent Rep. Marianne Proctor, fended off a challenge from Christopher Pavese, a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce-backed candidate aligned with more traditional Northern Kentucky Republicans.

Pavese had outspent Proctor by around $14,000 as of May 8, the most recent campaign finance reporting deadline.

But Proctor earned over 76.5% of the vote with Pavese pulling just 23.5% as of Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press.

Proctor will face Democrat Deborah Ison Flowers in November.

District 62 - Republican

Georgetown (part of Scott County)

Scott County Sheriff Tony Hampton beat Bill Parker in the Republican primary for a seat currently held by Rep. Phillip Pratt, who is not running for re-election.

Hampton drew 70.1% of the vote while Parker drew 29.9% as of Tuesday evening, according to the Associated Press.

Hampton will face Democratic candidate Kevin Kidwell in November.

District 24 - Republican

Green, Hart and LaRue Counties

This seat is currently held by Republican Courtney Gilbert, who ran in a special election to replace Brandon Reed after he left to serve as executive director of Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy. Gilbert just took office in March but decided not to run again.

That left the field open for Ryan Bivens and Asa Waggoner to square off in the GOP primary. Bivens appeared to have defeated Waggoner by about 50 percentage points as of Tuesday evening, according to the Associated Press.

Bivens campaign website describes him as a rock-solid conservative who wants to eliminate the state income tax and is pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. Bivens owns Fresh Start Farms and describes himself as a first-generation farmer.

Waggoners website also touts his conservative values, including that he is pro-Trump. Waggoner has the support of the Kentucky Liberty Caucus and Raise Your Voice Kentucky. He works for Houchens Food Group, Jobe Publishing, and Caveland Kayak and Canoe, according to a disclosure form filed with the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Bivens will likely face sole Democratic candidate Johnny Pennington in November.

District 29 - Republican

Southeastern Louisville (part of Jefferson)

Republican Rep. Kevin Bratchers departure from the Statehouse to run for a seat on Louisville's Metro Council opened the door for packed primaries on both sides of the ticket.

The GOP race included 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.

On the GOP side, Lewis won, pulling 68% of the vote to Pedens 27.1% and Allisons 5%, according to the Associated Press around 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

District 29-Democratic

Southeastern Louisville (part of Jefferson)

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 was not a registered Democrat at the time of filing) and Ricky Santiago, a Louisville Metro employee.

According to poll results updated by the Associated Press on Thursday, Findley takes the lead with 41.9% of the vote, and Pfaadt trailed behind with 40% and Santiago with 18.1%. Findley will face Louisville Republican Party official Chris Lewis.

District 30 - Democratic

Part of Jefferson County

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who has served since 2023, eked out a narrow victory over challenger Mitra Subedi, a Bilingual Associate Instructor at Fern Creek High School.

Grossberg, who was elected in 2022, won the race by just 50 votes, pulling in 50.8% of the vote to Subedi's 49.2%.

Grossberg, a Realtor, picked up an endorsement from Gov. Andy Beshear.

There is no Republican candidate in the race, so barring any unusual circumstances Grossberg will return to Frankfort next year.

District 42 - Democratic

Jefferson County (part)

Current State Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, has left the state House to run for state Senate, a seat shes almost certainly to pick up as the sole candidate on either side of the ticket.

The primary for her now-open seat drew three Democrat candidates: Jonathan Musselwhite, Jack Walker and Joshua Watkins.

Watkins picked up 53% of the vote to Musselwhite's 24% and Walker's 23%. Watkins will run unopposed in the November general election.

Watkins is the director of strategic initiatives for Louisville Metro Government as well as a Realtor, according to documents filed with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. Watkins advocated for improving Jefferson County Public Schools, improving access to community programs for veterans and supporting local businesses.

Musselwhite is a union steward and renter in District 42, according to his campaign website. He has called for raising the minimum wage, expanding health care access and preventing gun violence.

Walker is the director of operations for Burger Boy and Burger Girl diners and has previously served on the Democratic Party State Central Executive Committee. He ran on increasing funding for public education, freezing the gas tax and addressing gun violence.

Some races too close to call

Although the Associated Press has not called the following races, here's how they stood as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday with nearly all votes counted:

District 36 - Democratic

At 50.1% of the vote, William "Woody" Zorn has a 5-vote lead over Colin Daugherty McDowell, who has 49.9% of the vote.

Politics reporter Hannah Pinski contributed to this story. Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky primary election 2024: Updating results from House races
A Lexington councilwoman will face her former aide in Novembers general election.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Tayna Fogle received 39% of votes cast during Tuesdays primary. Tyler Morton received 58%. Coming in third was Darnell Tagaloa, a Pepsi sales account executive, with 4%, according to unofficial results from the Kentucky Board of Elections website.

All council races are nonpartisan. The top two vote-getters in the May primary move on to the November general election.

Fogle, 64, is serving her first term as the First District council member. The First District includes parts of downtown Lexington north of Main Street and extends to Interstate 75. It includes neighborhoods along Newtown Pike, North Broadway and North Limestone.

The race has not been without controversy. In late February, Fogle accused Morton, 25, who worked for Fogle when she was first elected, of stealing emails from her office. Morton, who is an anesthesia technician, denied the allegation and said he collected the emails.

Fogle was also charged with several misdemeanors after a dust-up at a Lexington AT&T store in early March. Those charges were eventually dismissed.

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During the campaign, Fogle, Morton and Tagaloa said they did not want to focus on past controversies. Instead, the three candidates said they wanted to focus on issues important to the First District, including homelessness, affordable housing, crime and safer streets.

Fogle also championed her work bringing more money to the First District, including more pedestrian crossings around First District schools and the new Douglass Pool. Fogle said she wanted to continue working for the First District.

Morton pledged to be open and transparent with First District residents. Morton also said he wanted to tackle issues like crime through more mental health services, job training and other outreach.

Morton had the clear fundraising advantage. As of May 8, Morton had raised $29, 979. Some of his donors include former vice mayors Mike Scanlon and Steve Kay and Mount Brilliant Farm owner Greg Goodman. Fogle raised $1,441, according to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance records.

Tagaloa raised no money, according to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance records.
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Rep. Killian Timoney is his own worst critic and does not spare himself when it comes to his humiliating 45th House District loss to Liberty candidate Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday night.

I did not work as hard as he did, the Nicholasville Republican said Wednesday morning.

Timoney has a full-time job, three children and aging parents, plus, theres a part-time job in Frankfort that did not end in April.

That sounds like Im making excuses, but he had the time to start knocking on doors in October and he (Jefferson) was relentless with it, he said.

In many ways, Timoney has always been vulnerable because hes a Republican who takes moderate, complicated stances. For example, he works for Fayette County Schools, and did not support the amendment to fund private schools that will be on the ballot in November.

With last years no vote on SB 150, banning healthcare for transgender children, he put the target on his own back.

I would do it again, he said. We dont know enough about the trans issue to give a definitive answer, and if we dont know the answer we should tread cautiously.

So can any politicians, especially Republicans, vote their conscience anymore?

Theres a micro and macro answer to that. The micro answer includes a very low turnout primary in which the most energized voters rewarded the most radical candidate.

Extremism feeds on apathy, said Republican consultant Tres Watson. When you have 12 percent turnout, guess who turns out?

The GOP may pay a price. Democrat Adam Moore is well-funded now and will be more in the future if theres a sense the 45th District  which voted overwhelmingly for Gov. Andy Beshear  could flip from Republican to Democrat.

The larger issue is one of the ways that politics work today. Timoney was well-funded by establishment Republican groups, but Jefferson had the backing of such special interest groups as the Family Foundation and the Jessamine County Republican Party.

The Family Foundation has made no bones about not wanting me in the General Assembly ever, Timoney said. The special interest groups are one of the dangers to America they are the ones who get to take over the definition of who a person is, and thats problematic.

You likely have heard of the Kentucky Family Foundation, a nonprofit religious organization that says: The Family Foundation stands for Kentucky families and the Biblical values that make them strong by advocating for God-honoring public policy in our Commonwealth.

Another mailer for example, called Timoney a groomer for his vote on SB 150, which apparently negates his conservative stances on lower taxes and reproductive rights.

As expertly explained by reporter Austin Horn, the Kentucky GOP is already grappling with power dynamics in Frankfort, in which more extremist radical groups are pushing more establishment Republicans in directions they may not wish to go.

But its making it untenable for politicians and candidates who dont wish to toe the party line.

Former Rep. Adam Koenig and two other high profile Republicans from Northern Kentucky lost to Liberty candidates; Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, is stepping down from his seat partly, he said, because the situation in Frankfort is too ugly and difficult.

As I write, Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, who sponsored probably the best bill of the session on maternal mortality, is still in a race too close to call. Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, whose kooky election denial should have made her a favorite with the Liberty wing, lost decisively to two more even more conservative candidates still battling it out on Wednesday.

The only Kentucky politician who seems to effectively marry his more nuanced views to votes is Secretary of State Michael Adams, but he is in the second of two terms, and its not clear what he will be able to do next in the current environment.

The radical notion of more voting for more people may be too much.

For example, it didnt used to be politically dangerous to say you support public schools. That really worries me, said education advocate Nema Brewer. Public education should not be a partisan issue.

Koenig said that when he lost two years ago, a fellow legislator told him for 16 years, he did it his way. He told Timoney the same story on Tuesday night.

That was the best compliment, but thats not okay anymore, Koenig said. Everyone has the chance to cave or vote their conscience, and I guess it now depends on what your conscience says.

Timoney said he doesnt know what his political future holds, but he will spend the remainder of the year educating people on dark money, special interest groups and misinformation.

I think voters are being manipulated, and I want to become a voice of reason, he said.

If I was back in the classroom teaching government about how a bill becomes law, it would be a very different lesson plan these days.
A long-planned multinational security mission for Haiti led by Kenya is unlikely to deploy this week, dashing hopes in Washington, Nairobi and Port-au-Prince that the mission will begin during Kenyan President William Rutos official state visit to the White House on Thursday.

It is still possible the deployment could start by May 23, an unofficial deadline set for the mission to launch, coinciding with Rutos formal engagements with President Joe Biden. But a delay in the procurement of armored vehicles and helicopters equipped for medical evacuations could push the deployment into early June, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details of the mission.

The official told McClatchy and the Miami Herald that Kenya, which is leading the 2,500-member security force, has agreed with the Haitian government on rules of engagement for the security personnel, who could face fierce opposition from the well-armed Haitian gangs that have taken over the countrys capital and overwhelmed local police.

But the agreement has not yet been committed to writing or submitted to the United Nations Security Council, a prerequisite for the multinational security mission, or MSS, to begin.

Aides on Capitol Hill briefed on the matter also told McClatchy and the Herald they expect the deployment to be delayed.

The latest weve heard is thats not possible by the end of the week, said a congressional aide, who asked for anonymity to speak openly about the matter. They are running into some stark realities in terms of equipment logistics.

READ MORE: Theres an arms race in Haiti, and its fueled by Floridas pipeline of weapons of war

A six-member delegation from Kenya that arrived in Port-au-Prince on Monday, the same day Ruto arrived in Atlanta, found that Haiti lacks equipment to accommodate a deployment of the police officers. Questions arose whether even the delegation itself was provided with sufficient security to assess the situation on the ground.

The Kenyan team found that the country not only lacks armored vehicles to move the foreign troops around, it also faces a deficit of radios and communications equipment. The mission still needs to procure helicopters to evacuate potential casualties from the country, where dozens of hospitals have been destroyed or looted since Feb. 29, when gangs united to topple the government.

Were talking about vehicles, weapons and other things theyre going to need off the bat, the congressional aide said. And that has not all been procured. Most of the stuff has been pulled together from a smattering of different sources.

The U.S. official said that radio and communications equipment is on track to be delivered by the end of the month. A deployment of forces could theoretically take place beforehand, but the Biden administration would oppose it proceeding without medical evacuation procedures and equipment in place, the official said.

The goverment of El Salvador has made overtures about providing helicopters, but two sources say there remains disagreement about the offer.

The U.S. Defense Department, which has pledged $200 million to help the mission, has been leading the preparations, but critics say those efforts only began in earnest two weeks ago.

Though the mission has been branded as a Kenya-led deployment, congressional aides say it is in practice a U.S.-led mission with multiple actors. The United States, which has pledged $300 million in support and has been taking the lead in getting the troops to Port-au-Prince, is providing the overwhelming preponderance of money, one aide said.

That reality came into play this week when both Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, who have been blocking $40 million in funding, blasted the Biden administration for using presidential emergency powers to pay for the mission.

In April, Biden authorized a $60 million military aid package using what is called presidential drawdown authority to get rifles and ammunition into the hands of the Haiti National Police, and to allow the Kenya-led force to quickly deploy.

In a May 17 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, obtained by the Herald and McClatchy, McCaul and Risch called the unprecedented use of the drawdown for Haiti questionable and asked that any transfer of equipment from U.S. stockpiles be halted.

The administration, they wrote, leveraged  a counternarcotics provision in the law to justify shifting the funds to the mission.

Plainly stated, the administration is rushing to fund an undefined and indefinite engagement in Haiti without congressional approval, the letter said.

A frustrated Biden administration has been seeking $40 million out of $100 million pledged by the State Department, but McCaul and Risch have refused to release their blocks, citing concerns over the State Departments approach. They acknowledge in the letter their block on the money.

On Tuesday, Risch continued to express his concerns about the mission, telling Blinken during a Senate committee hearing he remains concerned about the logistics, feasibility and costs.

Prior international interventions over a long, long period of time in Haiti had been dismal failures, leaving the Haitian people worse off than before, Risch said. We cant use U.S. taxpayers dollars to support an open-ended, poorly conceived mission in a country plagued by extreme gang violence and political instability without some kind of assurances that things are going to be different this time.

As a united front of armed gangs targeted key government institutions in Haiti, some Haitians in March of 2024 took to the streets in protest.

In Haiti, anticipation is high that the arrival of foreign forces will help loosen the tight grip by armed gangs that have forced shortages in medications and food. Without the funds, either from the U.S. or other countries, supporters fear the country will be facing not just a full gang take over, but a humanitarian catastrophe.

Earlier this month, members of Haitis newly installed transitional presidential council, tasked with putting together a new government, wrote to Ruto asking him to deploy Kenyan police. The cops will serve as the backbone of a force that will include officers from at least six different countries from Africa, the Caribbean and southern Asia.

Both the Biden and Ruto administrations have been tight-lipped about how many of the 1,000 Kenyans police officers would be deployed in the initial phase. The number has varied from 80 to 120, along with support staff.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Kenya has also yet to provide the U.N. Security Council with the necessary paperwork before the mission is allowed to begin.

The Kenyan government  which is responsible for submitting documentation on the structure and goals of the MSS to the council  still has time to do so before the deployment begins. But officials familiar with the plan have thus far been unable to outline some of the key parameters of the mission as required by the Security Council, such as the rules of engagement for the forces involved, the ultimate goals of the deployment and its planned end.

We know specifically that they do not have rules of engagement established, a congressional aide, who asked for anonymity to discuss the issue, said, disputing the U.S. officials account.

Three officials confirmed that Nairobi had yet to file the paperwork. Kenyan officials have told the Security Council that the documentation is ready, despite failing to submit it yet, one source familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Herald.

Ruto is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, where he will meet with members of Congress before the official visit withg Biden.

Ahead of the visit, the head of Doral-based U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, said preparations were on track for the Kenyans arrival. Well be ready to go on the 23rd of May, she said.

Richardson made the declaration during a discussion at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. Southcom has been providing the logistics for the mission and coordinated over three dozen military flights into Port-au-Prince with construction materials and equipment for the Kenyans to be able to operate.

A United States serviceman, left, stands guard on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, as supplies are offloaded from a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The plane was carrying supplies for the camp being built for Kenyan police officers who will lead a Multinational Security Support mission into Haiti.

A visit to the bases location last week by a Herald journalist found that construction was in very early stages, and questions arose about where a contingent of Kenyans would be housed upon arrival. Both Haitians and the U.S. officials have declined to answer questions on the matter, citing security concerns.

The Security Council passed Resolution 2699 in October of last year endorsing the mission to assist the Haitian government in its battle against criminal armed groups.

The council said that the mission could not deploy until its leaders provide them with key details. Council members want the mission to adhere to international law and that rules are in place to address issues such as human rights violations and past problems that have arisen with previous foreign interventions into Haiti.

The delay in delivering a documented plan reflects broad skepticism that the mission is ready to go. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly called for the deployment and for the international community to support a trust fund to support the mission that currently has only $21 million.

Since Feb. 29, a united front of armed gangs have been targeting critical government infrastructure. The gangs has attacked police stations, looted hospitals and emptied out two of the countrys largest prisons. Over the weekend, armed gunmen with the 400 Mawozo gang destroyed most of the Croix-des-Bouquets prison not far from the U.S. embassy using a bulldozer. The prison was built in 2012 by Canada, and another one north of the capital haves become targets of gangs trying to eliminate the only two modern facilities in Port-au-Prince where the multinational mission can detain people they arrest.

Human rights observers in the capital report a panic among some gang members, who are trying to keep a low profile in some areas ahead of the anticipated Kenyan arrivals. In other areas of the capital, however, they continue to press their attacks.

On Tuesday, as the Kenyan assessment team conducted meetings in Port-au-Prince, the U.N. continued to raise the alarm over the impact of the violence, which has forced the displacement of tens of thousands of Haitians and the closure of nearly 900 schools in the capital and nearby Artibonite Valley. The U.N. also noted that armed groups continue to take control of neighborhoods in the capital.

Thirty attacks on schools have been recorded since the start of this year, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres.
Kenyan President William Ruto will attend a rare U.S. state reception for an African leader on May 23, 2024  but much of the chat will be about a third country: Haiti.

Kenyan troops are preparing to deploy to the Caribbean nation as part of a U.N.-backed mission aimed at bringing stability to a country ravaged by gang violence.

The White House event is in part a recognition by Washington of Kenyas decision to step up to a task that the Biden administration  and much of the West  would rather outsource.

Indeed, Haiti has seemingly become a crisis that most international bodies and foreign governments would rather not touch. The U.S., like other major governments in the Americas, has repeatedly ruled out putting its own troops on the ground in Haiti.

As someone who has written a book, Fixing Haiti, on the last concerted outside intervention  the United Nations stabilizing mission known as MINUSTAH  I fear the lack of action by countries in the Americas could increase the risk of Haiti transitioning from a fragile state to a failed one. MINUSTAH was the first U.N. mission formed by a majority of Latin American troops, with Chile and Brazil taking the lead. The outsourcing of that role now to Kenya has sparked concerns from human rights groups. It should also lead to soul-searching questions in capitals from Washington to Brasilia, as well as at United Nations headquarters in New York.

At the mercy of gangs

Haitis descent into chaos began almost three years ago with the murder of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. Lawlessness in the nation has seen gangs take control of an estimated 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince and thousands killed in the spiraling violence.

Today, the country is not only the poorest in the Americas but is also among the most destitute in the world. About 87.6% of the population is estimated to be living in poverty, with 30% in extreme poverty. Life expectancy is just 63 years, compared with 76 in the United States and 72 in Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole.

Recipe for disaster

International intervention in Haiti has been long overdue. Yet, until now, the attitude of the international community has, from my perspective, been largely to look away.

From a humanitarian perspective and in terms of regional security, to allow a country in the Americas to drift into the condition of a failed state controlled by a fluid network of criminal gangs is a recipe for disaster. Yet governments and international organizations in the region are unwilling to step up to confront the crisis directly despite pleas from Haiti and the U.N.

The Organization of American States, which in the past played an important role in Haiti and for which I served as an observer to the countrys 1990 presidential elections, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States have been criticized over their slow response to the Haitian crisis. The Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, has made a significant effort, holding a number of meetings on the Haitian crisis; several member states, such as the Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica, have committed to sending police forces to Haiti, albeit in small numbers.

The United States, in turn, having left Afghanistan in 2021 after a tumultuous 20-year occupation, appears reluctant to send troops anywhere.

Rather, Washington would prefer that others take up the role of peacekeeper this time. In response to the offer from Kenya, the State Department said it commends the African nation for responding to Haitis call.

Part of this reluctance in the Americas could also be related to the perception  in my view, a misperception  of how past interventions have played out. The United Nations mission from 2004 initially managed to stabilize Haiti after another rocky period. In fact, the country made significant strides before it was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2010.

There were bad missteps, for sure, after 2010. A cholera outbreak brought to Haiti by infected troops from Nepal resulted in more than 800,000 infections and 10,000 deaths. Sexual misconduct by some of the U.N.s blue helmets further tarnished the mission.

But the notion that MINUSTAH was a failure is, in my view, quite wrong. And the end of the mission in 2017 certainly didnt see improved conditions in Haiti. Indeed, after the mission ended, criminal gangs had the run of the country once again and proceeded accordingly.

A U.N. mission car is burned by demonstrators in Haiti on Dec. 20, 2006. Thony Belizaire/AFP via Getty Images

Yet the perceived failure of the U.N. mission has become the basis of a view held by some Haiti watchers that international interventions are not only unsuccessful or misconceived but also counterproductive.

Such a view forms the backbone of the notion of Haiti as an aid state  as opposed to a failed state. In this view, international interventions and the inflow of foreign funds have created a condition of dependency in which the country gets used to having foreigners make key decisions. This, the argument goes, fosters a cycle of corruption and mismanagement.

There is no doubt that some previous interventions left much to be desired, and that any new initiative would have to be conducted in close cooperation with Haitian civil society to avoid such pitfalls.

But I believe the notion that Haiti, in its current state, would be able to lift itself up without the help of the international community is wishful thinking. The nation has moved too far down the direction of gang control, and what remains of the Haitian state lacks the capacity to change that trajectory.

A duty to intervene?

Moreover, there is an argument to be made that the international community bears responsibility for the Haitian tragedy and is duty bound to try to fix it.

To use one example from the relatively recent past: Haiti, until the early 1980s, was self-sufficient in the production of rice  a key staple there. Yet, pressured by the United States in the 1990s, the country lowered its agricultural tariffs to the bare minimum and, in so doing, destroyed local rice production. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton later apologized for the policy, but its legacy still lasts.

Haiti today has to import most of the rice it consumes, largely from the United States. And there isnt enough of it to go around for all Haitians  the U.N. estimates that nearly half of Haitis population of 11.5 million is food insecure.

Indeed, from its very beginning as an independent nation in 1804, Haiti has suffered the consequences of its unique place in history: It was simply too much for white colonial powers to see Haiti thrive as the first Black republic resulting from a successful slave rebellion.

France retaliated over the loss of what was once considered the worlds wealthiest colony by exacting reparations for a century and a half. Payments from Haiti flowed until 1947  to the tune of US$21 billion in todays dollars. The United States took 60 years to recognize Haiti and invaded and occupied the nation from 1915 to 1934.

Any thoughts of atoning for past actions, however, seem far from the minds of those looking on as the chaos in Haiti spirals. Rather, many appear to have the kind of mindset expressed in 1994 by current U.S. President Joe Biden when, as a senator discussing the rationale for various interventions, he noted: If Haiti just quietly sunk into the Caribbean, or rose 300 feet, it wouldnt matter a whole lot for our interests.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Jorge Heine, Boston University.

Read more:



Jorge Heine is a member of the Party for Democracy, a Chilean political party, and of the Foro Permanente de Politica Exterior, a Chilean think tank.
GM workers with the UAW Local 2250 Union strike outside the General Motors Wentzville Assembly Plant on September 15, 2023 (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images).

Just days before workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama began voting last week on whether to unionize, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a new law that would claw back state incentives from companies that voluntarily recognize labor unions.

Alabamas move follows similar efforts in Georgia and Tennessee, where GOP leaders also have passed laws pushing against a reinvigorated labor movement.

The laws require that unions be formed only by secret ballots rather than the so-called card check process, in which employers can voluntarily recognize a union without a protracted election process. And under the laws, companies that voluntarily recognize unions risk losing state incentives, which amount to billions of dollars invested by governments to bring automakers to the region.

These new laws speak to the growing push of labor unions into Southern states  and the fierce opposition of pro-business GOP leaders there. For decades, the region has attracted investments from foreign automakers with lucrative tax breaks, low-cost labor and a lack of labor unions. Labor leaders hope that is changing now that workers at Volkswagens plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overwhelmingly endorsed a union in April, becoming the first foreign auto plant in the South ever organized by the United Auto Workers.

Unions such as the UAW argue their involvement can help boost wages and improve the work environment at auto plants. But GOP forces in the South view unions as an existential threat to their manufacturing economies  of even more importance now that states are increasingly competing for electric vehicle and battery plants.

Mercedes-Benz workers outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Friday voted against joining a union at their plant, in a setback for the labor movement. But more organizing drives are underway in Alabama and South Carolina, as well as in California.

Many Southern states where unions have begun to focus already are less friendly to organizing. They are so-called right-to-work states, where each employee in a workplace can decide whether to join and pay union dues, though all workers are represented by the union.

Seeking to capitalize on major contract wins it secured for workers last year at the nations Big Three automakers (GM, Ford and Stellantis), the United Auto Workers union announced plans to spend $40 million through 2026 to help organize workers at auto and battery plants across the country, with a particular focus on the South. The union did not respond to multiple Stateline requests for comment.

A week before Aprils monumental vote at the Tennessee Volkswagen plant, six Southern Republican governors warned that unionization would jeopardize the regions auto jobs. In addition to Ivey in Alabama, the governors of Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas also signed on.

And Ivey continued to rally against organized labor in auto plants last week, as she announced she had signed the states bill regarding secret ballots.

Alabama is not Michigan, Ivey said at a chamber of commerce event last week.   We want to ensure that Alabama values, not Detroit values, continue to define the future of this great state.

Its unclear how much impact the new laws will have. The vote in Chattanooga was conducted by secret ballot with nearly three-quarters of all workers who voted in the election choosing to join the UAW. Tennessee awarded Volkswagen more than $500 million in incentives to build its plant there in 2008.

To Tennessee state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, the 2023 law regarding union elections passed in his state was yet another GOP effort to blockade union power in the South.

Its typical, in my view, for Southern states to have that kind of a mindset: to have less of a voice for workers as opposed to having an exchange between workers and employer, said Hakeem, a Democrat.

Hakeem said the UAWs landslide win in his hometown of Chattanooga exposed a political miscalculation on the part of Republicans who view economic development prospects and union organizing as mutually exclusive.

I thought it was huge, he said. They thought that scare tactics would be the winning thing for them  and the union workers demonstrated that they have a backbone.

Right-to-work states

The American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group known as ALEC that works with lawmakers across the country, introduced model legislation similar to the laws already passed in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

ALEC did not respond to a request for comment, but the organizations involvement could further push the legislative concept across red states, particularly in the South.

That expansion is likely to happen, said Vincent Vernuccio, a senior fellow at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank that worked with Tennessee Republican lawmakers on their legislation.

Were seeing a snowball effect, he said of the legislation. It is getting noticed and I fully expect it to spread.

Vernuccio said most Southern employers had been protecting their employees by calling for secret ballot elections rather than the signing of union cards in the open.

There could be peer pressure, there can be coercion and intimidation, he said, and probably even more common is the unions trying to make sure that employees  are not receiving both sides of the story on what would happen if a union organized them.

Billy Dycus, president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council, viewed fierce GOP opposition to Chattanoogas union effort as a boon to the cause.

I think that helped more than it hurt, he said. People say, You know what, were kind of tired of the government telling us how we should run our lives.

Dycus, whose organization represents more than 60,000 union workers in the state, including teachers, steelworkers and nurses, said labor leaders have little incentive to mislead or pressure employees to join unions, especially in right-to-work states. Dycus said that because workers can choose whether to join unions, organizers must continually prove their worth to maintain membership and dues.

They think that card check means we go in and twist arms and force people to sign cards. That doesnt make any sense because youre in a right-to-work state, he said.

Opponents of the new union voting laws argue that pushing for elections through secret ballot run by the National Labor Relations Board  as opposed to card check  can subject workers to anti-union messaging from management. Such elections also might delay the inevitable, they argue, in cases where the union has identified a clear majority of support.

But pro-business Republicans portray the new laws as ways to protect the privacy of individual workers, who might feel peer pressure to sign union authorization cards in a card-check scenario.

Theres absolutely nothing in this bill that would stop anybody from being able to unionize, Georgia state Sen. Mike Hodges, a Republican who carried his states bill on the floor for Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, said in an interview.

Hodges said the new law aims to ensure a level playing field in union decisions. He noted that his father, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Georgia, raised him and three siblings on union wages and benefits.

We didnt say we dont want unions, Hodges said. Bless your heart, if you want to unionize, unionize.

Alabama state Sen. Arthur Orr, a Republican who sponsored the legislation in his state, said the secret ballot process protects workers from both management and union leadership.

Employees are caught in a tug of war, if you will, Orr said. Having the secret ballot provides the employees the ability to say what they want to, one side or the other. But when it comes to the ultimate voting, they can do it privately.

Union expansion could hurt economic development prospects, Orr said, but workers always have the right to unionize.

If companies are not taking care of their workers  and you can define that as you will, whether its pay or whether its time, job flexibility, safety, whatever  then that makes them vulnerable to an organization effort, he said.

Legal challenges

While some labor advocates have argued the state bills could be preempted by federal labor law, Orr said he consulted with several attorneys on Alabamas legislation. He noted that Tennessees law had not been challenged in court.

Still, its a close question as to whether these laws would hold up to a legal challenge since federal laws govern most labor issues in the private sector, said Benjamin Sachs, a professor of labor and industry at Harvard Law School. Some labor advocates expect courts could strike down the state laws, finding them preempted by federal labor law.

What I can say for sure is that if its not preempted, then we are really opening up the landscape to dramatically more state and city intervention into labor relations and the rules of union organizing, he said in an interview.

In his blog, OnLabor, Sachs warned anti-union forces to be careful what they wished for: If the Southern GOP laws stand, he wrote, it could open the door to blue states passing a litany of bills with opposite aims.

If red states are entitled to tie economic incentives to a ban on card check, then blue states presumably are entitled to tie economic incentives on a requirement for card check, he added in the interview.

While the recent labor win in Tennessee shows unions in the South can still succeed with a secret ballot process, Sachs said the legislation could have a chilling effect on companies that would otherwise prefer to voluntarily recognize unions.

If it werent a big deal, they wouldnt have enacted these laws, he said.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post As a key labor union pushes into the South, red states push back appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Most people understand the Brown v. Board of Education decision as one of the most definitive cases in education and American history. On Tuesday, though, a special panel looked to remind listeners of not only how closely Delaware is tied to that story  but how that relevance still echoes.

The decision, eventually stripping the country of its "separate but equal" doctrine across schools, just marked a 70th anniversary this month. Two cases from Delaware joined that landmark case at the Supreme Court, Bulah v. Gebhart and Gebhart v. Belton, led by Wilmington powerhouse attorney and civil rights advocate Louis L. Redding.

Delaware Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion invited several speakers to dive into this intersection. State officials were joined by the Rev. JB Redding, daughter of Louis L. Redding; Rene Ricks-Stamps, daughter of plaintiff Shirley Bulah; Justice C.J. Seitz Jr., of the Delaware Supreme Court and son of late judge Collins J. Seitz; and James Sonny Knott, a 94-year-old former student of the very school they sat in. More names lined the list.

Speakers and a small audience packed Hockessin Colored School #107C for two hours of discussion, and the public livestream can still be watched. Here are just some key takeaways.

"We're standing on hallowed ground today," said Ricard Potter Jr., chief diversity officer within Delaware's Department of Human Resources. "And hopefully this conversation will be one that enriches individuals who are in attendance, as well as an opportunity for us to have a call for action."

'Trail to Desegregation': How one Wilmington bus tour honors 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

The work is not over

A panel discussion was held at the Hockessin Colored School on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 to mark the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

This was never an instant solution.

Though the 1954 decision called for an "immediate" stop to segregated schools, the reality would play out much more slowly. And in the very state with two cases fueling arguments, school segregation persisted in some areas until the late '60s. Impact was clear, but progress painfully lagged for many.

And, Tuesday's speakers would argue, it has yet to be entirely achieved.

"Even today, Black students in our state and across the nation continue to face challenges that impact their academic success," said guest Rep. Kendra Johnson, speaking in opening comments. "Issues such as unequal funding, resource gaps and racial discrimination are reminders that the promise of Brown v. Board of Education is yet to be fully realized."

Redding echoed her thoughts as the panel heated up.

"I think the first thing to say is where we are not," said the daughter of Delaware's first Black attorney. "That whatever brown the board did, it did not desegregate America. That right now, straight across the nation, north and south, any of our big cities but also rural areas, are as segregated as they were at the time required."

JB Redding, daughter of Louis L. Redding, sits on a panel to discuss the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education at the Hockessin Colored School on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

The state's own Redding Consortium has rooted its recent work in this reality, having been created in 2019 to recommend policies aimed at educational equity in Wilmington and the northern county. Legal and political decisions over decades, members write, have left the city with several racially identifiable, high-poverty schools  plagued with higher rates of crime, housing instability and poverty, alongside educator turnover and persistent underachievement.

Another familiar face on the panel came in Mark Holodick, secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

"Equality and fairness have changed, and I would say improved, since the Brown decision," Holodick said. "However, opportunities and outcomes for students of color  not so much."

He nodded to this consortium work, exploring how redistricting could be a first step in more systemic reform for Wilmington schools, which he senses an appetite for from the state board. He also called on necessary impact from a very similar body, charged with improving city schools: the Wilmington Learning Collaborative.

But statewide, Delaware is battling low proficiency among students of color, not leading such students to high levels of success in math and reading in particular. His department, Holodick told the panel, is particularly focused on trying to bolster elementary reading levels.

"We need to do something about our literacy rates in Delaware, particularly among students of color," he said, also quoting some counsel from activist Bebe Coker. "Because we all know reading opens the door for everything else."

Collins J. Seitz Jr., chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, sits on a panel to discuss the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education at the Hockessin Colored School on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Justice Seitz, of the Delaware Supreme Court, also noted the ongoing need for diversity in the law  having formed the Delaware Bench and Bar Diversity Project, back on the 67th anniversary of Brown. There's hope changemakers like his father won't be far and in between again.

"We have a huge amount of work and resources going in to education because that is, as we said today, that is the key to a long-term solution to getting greater diversity in the Delaware bar," the justice said.

Wilmington with two school districts? Delawares latest redistricting vision to take shape

Remember Delaware's history

One of the old desks on display at the Hockessin Colored School on May 21, 2024.

When asked if segregation made him angry as a child, Louis L. Redding said no.

"It was not anger he felt," said Claire DeMatteis, Delaware's secretary of human resources, moderating the panel, "but instead: 'Curiosity.'"

During the more than 50 years that he practiced law in Delaware, Redding handled cases that challenged discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment and criminal justice. His two Delaware cases that consolidated under Brown v. Board of Education played out on New Castle County soil.

In 1951, the families of Ethel Louise Belton and Shirley Barbara Bulah hired Redding in separate cases, suing the state for refusing to provide transportation to attend the schools closest to their homes. Belton was required to attend Howard High School, a forced 20-mile round trip on public transportation, while living just blocks from all-white Claymont High. Bulah attended Hockessin Colored School #107-C, even though a white school would have been much closer for the 7-year-old.

"The quest to satisfy this curiosity changed the face of Delaware and shaped laws within our nation," DeMatteis said, noting the very decision joining this panel.

James "Sonny" Knott, 94, who attended the Hockessin Colored School, sits on a panel to discuss the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Sonny Knott, alongside nearly every speaker, stressed Delaware cannot forget this history. That is, both what these parents went through for their children's education, as well as the stories within the state's Black schools.

He remembers a vibrant community, in a close-knit one-room school with six grades and one teacher. But he also remembers missing pages in school books, given as hand-me-downs if the white schools upgraded.

"I love the opportunity to talk about the 107, and I encourage each and every one of you: Forget about today," the former student said to the crowd. "Think about tomorrow and the next day in our future. Bring your kids here. There's a lot of history here. There's only about five of us left that spent their entire career at the 107."

Knott's stories and many more fill the pages of another panelist's book. Lanette Edwards, author and school historian, published "Hockessin Colored School #107C (Images of America)" just last year.

Hockessin Colored School #107C ceased operations after desegregation. After a rocky road, the school has now been restored and transformed into a Center for Diversity and Social Equity. In 2022, President Joe Biden protected the site, having signed a law incorporating Hockessin Colored School #107 into the National Park System among other additions.

A display at the Hockessin Colored School shows the names and pictures of some of the students who went there.

Redding House Museum and Community Center, maintained by its own foundation, is now a historic landmark located near downtown Wilmington. Today's Howard High School of Technology was once the only high school serving Black students in the state and one of the earliest in the nation. Once-Claymont High is now the Claymont Community Center.

"The remarks you quoted from my father are what I would say are hopeful remarks," said Justice Seitz, noting passages from his father, who ruled on the Delaware Gebhart v. Belton case that conditions were unequal, and the only remedy to suffice would be integration.

"And I think he'd recognize the reality that the solutions to race relations in the United States are not going to be found in the courts; as he said, 'They have to be found in the hearts of people.' And I think events like today are so important because they eliminate or reduce complacency."

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware panel marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board
Kim's portrait is publicly displayed in North Korea. Here's a look at what it means

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, inspects a class room of a newly built central cadres training school in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was publicly displayed along with those of his father and grandfather for the first time, sparking speculation about the message it sends.

Portraits of leaders are at the core of North Koreas state-sponsored cult of personality that has buttressed the Kim familys rule since the countrys foundation in 1948. Almost all homes and public offices in North Korea must have portraits of Kims father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, but featuring that of the younger Kim hadnt yet been a requirement until recently.

Here's a look at what it means and why now:

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

On Wednesday, North Koreas state media released a photo showing Kim Jong Uns large portrait hung on the wall of a building alongside those of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, during his recent visit to the Central Cadres Training School of the ruling Workers Party.

Another state media photo showed the smaller portraits of the three Kims placed side by side at a classroom, where Kim Jong Un, seated in a chair, talked to officials who took notes of his remarks.

Longtime North Korea watchers say its the first time for North Korea to publicize images showing the portrait of Kim Jong Un installed together with those of the two late North Korean rulers since the younger Kim took power in late 2011.

IS KIM BOOSTING HIS PERSONALITY CULT?

Placing his portrait next to those of his father and grandfather would suggest he wants to elevate his status to a level similar to that of the past two leaders, who are the subject of a strong and loyal following and regarded like gods. By doing so, Kim Jong Un wants to announce the start of his own era, according to Kwak Gil Sup, head of One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korea affairs.

Few foreign experts question Kims grip on power. But the 40-year-old has still avoided the same level of personality cult bestowed on his predecessors: they are memorialized in numerous statues and mosaics across North Korea, their birthdays are two of the countrys biggest holidays and pins bearing their likenesses are worn by all North Korean adults.

Kwak said Kim Jong Uns portrait will now likely be hung on the walls of all households while his birthday could also be designated as an official holiday.

The place where his portrait was recently hung is the highest education facility for ruling party brass. Kwak said it shows that Kim Jong Un wants to begin a new era with new people.

Observers say Kim needs stronger domestic support of his leadership as he struggles to navigate his country past economic hardships and protracted tensions with the United States over his nuclear program. In January, Kim announced he will no longer pursue a peaceful unification with South Korea, a decadeslong policy cherished by his father and grandfather.

ANY PROBLEM WITH PROPAGANDA DRIVE?

Prospects for Kim's push aren't clear, though he likely thinks he has bolstered his power and built his nuclear and other military programs strong enough to elevate himself in the national mythology.

Kim's headlong pursuit of a bigger nuclear arsenal has drawn punishing U.S.-led sanctions, which together with border closures during the pandemic were believed to have badly hurt the Norths fragile economy. Kim has subsequently admitted policy failures as his vow that North Koreans would never have to tighten their belts again remained unfulfilled.

For regime propaganda to reach such a stage of personality cult suggests both impressive confidence and insecurity, said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

However, this is also a political gamble, with Kim betting that ideology can buy time to address North Koreas economic struggles and social divisions," Easley said.

IS HIS PORTRAIT PRELUDE TO ANOTHER HEREDITARY POWER TRANSFER?

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said Kim's portrait is more likely associated with his possible bid to groom his preteen daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, as his heir.

By hanging the portraits of all three  Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung  I assess that North Korea is underscoring the need to extend the Paektu bloodline to justify another hereditary power transfer for Ju Ae, Cheong said, referring to the Kim familys lineage named after the countrys most sacred mountain.

Ju Ae, aged about 10, has been the subject of keen outside attention as she accompanied her father on a series of high-profile events such as missile tests and military parades since late 2022. State media called her Kim Jong Uns most beloved or respected child while churring out footage and photos proving her soaring political standing and closeness with her father.

In January, South Korea's spy agency said it saw Ju Ae as her fathers likely heir apparent.

Some experts say it's still too premature to determine Ju Ae is Kim's heir, given her age and North Korea's male-dominated power hierarchy.
A Kings Guard horse bit a tourist after she touched it while posing for a photo.

The woman put her hand on the horses neck while smiling for a camera outside Horse Guards Parade in Westminster, central London.

But while she did so, the horse swiftly craned its neck around and snapped at her torso.

She gasped and stumbled backwards in shock before almost falling over, in video footage that has gone viral online with hundreds of thousands of views.

A man who was taking the photo then comforted her and the pair walked away while crowds of other visitors watched on.

The Household Cavalry soldier stayed motionless and expressionless during the incident, in line with protocol.

The woman, who has not been named, touched the horse despite a sign nearby warning visitors not to do so, adding: Beware! Horses may kick or bite.

I know I shouldn't laugh  pic.twitter.com/tcqKNFZs6P  Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) May 21, 2024

It comes after armed police officers, who are typically stationed near the horses, arrested a TikTok prankster who was poking a microphone beneath the nose of a Household Cavalry horse.

The man was escorted away in handcuffs after he began arguing with tourists who confronted him for getting in the way of their picture.

Another female tourist was bitten by a horse in the Kings Guard earlier this year while posing for a photo, with the animal clenching her puffer jacket with its jaw after she attempted to stroke it.

In this case, the horse did not let go and shook its head violently while gripping on to her jacket as she tried to step away. She was not hurt but was left with a torn jacket.

And in September last year, a Household Cavalry soldier broke his customary composure to shout, Do not touch the reins, when a male tourist latched on to them before walking away in embarrassment.

Another royal mount was embroiled in another incident in April when four horses rampaged through central London after being spooked by noisy construction work during a morning ride.

The animals threw their riders, Life Guards and Blues and Royals servicemen, while they were leaving Hyde Park Barracks during preparations for rehearsals for the Kings birthday parade in June.

The Household Cavalry is formed of the most senior regiments in the British Army, with the Mounted Regiment acting as a ceremonial face representing the monarch and nation in state and public duties, alongside a separate operational armoured reconnaissance regiment.

The mounted regiment is tasked with protecting the King and while popular for tourist photo seekers, they are generally not allowed to interact with the public and must remain focused at all times.

Horse Guards Parade is named after the troops who have mounted The Kings Life Guard there since the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
In an unprecedented and shocking event, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was grievously injured when an attacker fired several shots at him in the town of Handlova after a government meeting on May 15.

Fico remains hospitalized in "serious condition," and the motive of the detained suspected attacker, identified by the Slovak media as 71-year-old Juraj C., is only being investigated.

The assassination attempt escalated the already palpable tensions permeating Slovak society.

Some of Fico's allies have rushed to lay the blame on their political rivals or the media.

"Anger, rage, hate, this is the result of your work - the progressives, the entire opposition, the liberal media The guilt of the progressives and all of the liberal media will never be washed away," said Lubos Blaha, a senior lawmaker from Fico's Smer (Direction) party, at a press conference.

Andrej Danko, the leader of the right-wing Slovak National Party (SNS), which is Smer's junior partner in the government, said the shooting put his party in a state of political war and also blamed the media, attacking the liberal Dennik N media outlet as "disgusting pigs."

The two provided no grounds for their accusations, and opposition leaders and the country's media categorically denounced the attack.

According to Matej Simalcik, a Slovak political analyst and executive director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, pro-government actors may use the incident to push their illiberal agenda, such as a crackdown on the public broadcaster or Slovakia's own version of a "foreign agents" bill.

"By blaming the media and the non-governmental sector, they gain arguments, or rather pseudo-arguments to push through with these policies," Simalcik told the Kyiv Independent. He added that they might seek to present their steps as "in the supposed interest of security."

Fico's critical stance toward arming Kyiv has also been used by disinformation actors at home and abroad in an attempt to find a "Ukrainian trace" and fan anti-Ukrainian sentiments, though with varying success.

Read also: Explainer: Whats behind ongoing protests in Georgia?

Fodder for disinformation

The motive of the suspected attacker remains unclear, though Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said the assassination attempt was politically motivated.

In a non-dated video that appeared on social media and was verified by Reuters, the suspect is seen saying, "I do not agree with government policy."

The suspect, Juraj C., was seen in the company of the radical Russia-linked paramilitary called Slovak Conscripts, which he praised. He also founded an organization called the Movement against Violence.

Almost immediately after the attack, Russian propaganda channels and pro-Kremlin social media accounts launched what the Wired magazine described as a "seemingly coordinated campaign" to link the attack to Ukraine.

While there is absolutely no evidence to back up this claim, the Kremlin propaganda machine was using Fico's criticism of Ukraine to lay the blame on Kyiv or its supporters.

Wired wrote that the disinformation campaign included bot accounts linked to the so-called Doppelganger network and over 100 Russian-language pro-Kremlin Telegram channels.

The narrative was also publicly backed by Russian officials and public figures.

Read also: Slovak PM shooting  everything we know so far about the assassination attempt on Robert Fico

"Is it really surprising that for the first time in decades in Europe, there was an assassination attempt against a PM who held a sensible stand on Russia?" said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and the current deputy security council hair known for his waspish comments.

Similar messaging was adopted by conspiracy theorists in other countries, including the U.S.

After the shooting, American radio show host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones shared an article on his social media with the headline "Slovakia would veto Ukrainian membership in NATO, prime minister says ahead of Kyiv visit" while asking a rhetorical question: "I wonder who would want him dead."

I wonder who would want him dead. https://t.co/E4Ef8JMDAp  Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) May 15, 2024

"We can assume that this disinformation is tailored primarily for the domestic Russian audience, but it is also spilling over to the Slovak information scene through various Telegram channels," said Matej Kandrik, the executive director of the Adapt Institute think tank, in a comment for the Kyiv Independent.

Experts say, however, that the Ukrainian link has not taken a strong hold in Slovakia.

"Some websites tried to make the connections, but it hasn't taken hold," Jana Kazaz, a researcher at the Slovakia-based think tank Globsec, told the Kyiv Independent.

At home, disinformation narratives have sought to link the incident with the media or political opposition parties, Kazaz said.

According to Kandrik, the narratives are shifting to the version, which was not excluded by local law enforcement agencies, that the attacker was not working alone, and delve into his earlier activities.

"The core messaging copies and strengthens the government's line of argument that the attack was a result of a hateful campaign by the media, journalists, and the opposition," he added.

Slovakia on edge

The assassination attempt took place in an already highly polarized socio-political climate, with tension accumulated by years of internal and external crises.

"Polarization was always quite strong in Slovakia when compared to other countries in Central Europe," political scientist Peter Spac told the Kyiv Independent, adding that tensions had escalated in the past 10 years.

"We can see this societal split running across various topics, including domestic policies  as we can see in connection to the government's reforms of criminal law  and foreign policy," Simalcik added.

In 2018, Fico resigned from his post as prime minister in the wake of the assassination of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova.

Before his murder, Kuciak was investigating suspected connections between Italian organized crime and Slovak politicians and officials, including some in Fico's office. The prime minister rejected any such links, but in March 2018, following mass protests, he handed over the reins of power to Peter Pellegrini, the current president-elect.

The tragic episode dealt a heavy blow to Fico's Smer party, which was ousted in the 2020 election and replaced by a coalition government led by centrist-populist OLaNO. The change brought no stability, however, as the new cabinet was forced to run a three-year stint marked by Covid-19, the fallout of the Russian war against Ukraine, economic challenges, and political turmoil.

Disillusion with the government's performance was one of the key factors that propped Fico back into power in the 2023 elections.

The other crucial element was the returning prime minister's capitalization on the population's fears and anxieties, related to the economy and Russia's war next door.

Smer politicians also launched vigorous attacks against the media, their political opponents, and liberal President Zuzana Caputova, not shirking from personal attacks and outright lies. They denounced liberal and progressive values as new "liberal fascism" and took up anti-Ukrainian, anti-Western, and pro-Russian rhetoric.

In fact, this has been a staple of a certain segment of Slovak politics for a long time. Spac said personal attacks against opponents have become a common tool rather than an exception.

"For several parties, polarization, hatred, and all these negative emotions have become a fundamental way to mobilize their voters," he added.

Upon returning to power, Fico's cabinet materialized many of his opponents' fears. The new government lowered penalties for corruption and abolished a specialized prosecutor's office that was investigating high-profile cases dating to Fico's previous term in power.

Ruling parties are also pushing forward a bill labeling foreign-backed NGOs, drawing comparisons to similar legislations in Hungary, Georgia, or Russia.

Fico's cabinet has backed a new bill that would shut down and reform the country's public TV and radio broadcaster RTVS, in a move seen by critics as a way to take control over the public media.

These steps sparked a wave of mass demonstrations in Bratislava and other cities, organized by the opposition parties and underscoring the growing division in society.

Mobilizing support

Outgoing head of state Zuzana Caputova and president-elect Peter Pellegrini, who is seen as Fico's ally, made a joint statement in which they denounced the assassination attempt as an attack against democracy.

The two suggested holding an all-party meeting to calm the situation, though Pellegrini recently said the "time is not yet ripe" for such a meeting as "some politicians are unable to self-reflect even after such a tragedy."

On May 21, the Slovak parliament unanimously adopted a declaration that called on politicians, media, and the non-governmental sector to avoid "hateful rhetoric" and work toward social stability and peace.

Spac points out, however, certain caveats in the declaration.

"Parts of this declaration call on political parties, the media, and others to accept the results of the elections," Spac said, explaining that the government has previously presented recent demonstrations as an attempt to undermine the recent elections.

"Then there is the question of what do you describe as 'hateful.' We can easily imagine that the opposition will raise some objective criticism regarding some government policies, and a ruling party will say, 'don't spread hate, you yourself promised not to do it, why do you increase tensions?" Spac said.

The Slovak society thus finds itself between a rock and a hard place: on the one hand, facing the danger of ever-increasing societal tension that already lead to violence, and on the other hand, a tacit blackmail used to exhort compliance with the government's policies in the name of "social reconciliation."

Read also: Rise of populism in Ukraines neighborhood: Not as gloomy as you think

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, seen here testifying before Congress, is facing allegations of illegal campaign finance violations.

The campaign for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has responded to a complaint filed by the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party that accuses the top law enforcement officer of campaign violations, including raising more campaign funds than allowed by law, and recruiting a primary candidate who is not qualified.

Responding to the complaint filed last week, campaign manager Jake Eaton called on Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus to dismiss the complaint, saying that it doesnt mention one violation of law, and therefore the Knudsen campaign cannot respond to the allegations, which Eaton called semi-coherent ramblings.

Ms. Hogans complaint violates the requirements of (Montana law) because the complain does not set forth a detailed description of the alleged violations, including citations to each statute and/or rule that is alleged to be violated, the response letter said.

The Commissioner of Political Practices has yet to rule on the matter, and, as of Wednesday afternoon, was still awaiting a response from Knudsens primary opponent, Daniels County Attorney Logan Olson, whom Hogan also filed a complaint against.

Those complaints are similar and connected.

Hogans letter cites a portion of Montana law that governs donations to statewide political candidates. In her letter, Hogan asks the Commissioner to declare that Olson doesnt meet the qualifications for running for Montana Attorney General, which requires candidates to have been practicing law for five years by Election Day.

According to his website and a records check with the University of Montana, Olson graduated from law school in 2020, although some courts have counted time in law school toward the requirement.

Hogan alleges that Knudsen started collecting campaign funds for both the primary and the general election before he had a challenger. Moreover, when Olson filed on the last day of eligibility, he wasnt qualified, the complaint alleges.

In her complaint, Hogan asks the Commissioner of Political Practice to strike Olsons name from the ballot and force Knudsen to return excessive funds because he was ineligible for office.

However, in his response, Knudsens campaign said that many Democratic candidates for office start raising money in anticipation of an opponent, as Knudsen has done.

If the commissioner accepts Ms. Hogans new interpretation of 13-37-216(6), please notify me right away so I may file complaints against those candidates as well, Eaton said in his response.

Barbecue in Dillon

Knudsens complaint is silent about remarks he made at a May 11 barbecue to meet candidates in Dillon. During the event, where Knudsen was featured as a guest, the attorney general told the crowd that he recruited Olson to run against in him in the primary so that he could raise more money, according to a recording obtained by the Daily Montanan.

Moreover, Knudsen said that Olson wasnt planning on running a campaign, and said that he had recruited him so that the incumbent Republican attorney general could raise more funds, calling Montana campaign finance law ridiculous.

Montana law places limits on how much candidates running unopposed can raise. It also prohibits enticing another candidate to run for office for financial gain.

Hogan-v-Knudsen1 AFM-Response

https://dailymontanan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/knudsen-.m4a

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The feud between South Dakotas governor and indigenous Native American tribes in her state escalated again on Wednesday as the ninth of the nine recognized tribes in the state voted to ban her from their lands.

Its a decision that is unlikely to move the Republican governor and conservative culture war enthusiast, who has been publicly gunning for a shot at being Donald Trumps running mate. But it does signal the deep dissatisfaction that the governor faces at home from her states Native population.

Noems feud with the tribes stems from a number of reasons, including disputes between the state government and tribal leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic and her efforts to save the doomed Keystone XL pipeline project. But her most recent spat with Native American leaders relates to her accusations that tribes are allowing drug cartels from Central America to operate on their territory.

She has also made comments about Native American parents and their children, which caused deep offense.

Her comments about cartels were made during a May 17 press conference: I ask them .... Why have they not banished the cartels? Why have they not banished the cartel affiliates? Why have they only focused their attention on me, who has offered them help, and not gone after those who are perpetuating violence? she said, at the time.

As evidence, she pointed to a quote from Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux, who testified before a US Senate committee in 2023. Star Comes Out blamed the federal government, which ultimately has law enforcement authority in tribal lands, for allowing cartels to move on to the Oglala Sioux reservation.

Kristi Noem speaks at the Library of Congress on February 17, 2023 (Getty Images)

This week, Star Comes Out issued a statement insisting that no drugs or weapons were being produced on the reservation, but insisted that his tribe needed more law enforcement funding to battle organized crime on their territory.

Crime has only gotten worse, Star Comes Out said, pointing to an extreme officer shortage that have led to 30-60 minute response times. Other tribal leaders have argued that while crime is a real problem, cartels are not operating directly on their territory  its just where their products end up.

"We have cartel products, like guns and drugs. But they pass over state highways getting to the reservation. So, putting us all together like that and saying that all tribes are involved in this really shows to the ignorance of the governor's office," Crow Creek Sioux president Peter Lengkeek said.

Noems comments about the cartels specifically led to her banishment in February from the Oglala Sioux reservation; her latest ban came from the Flandreau Santee Sioux. Shes now banned from roughly one-fifth of her states total land mass.

The Executive Committee calls on the governor to reconsider the effectiveness of the liaisons she has appointed and whether or not they truly have an understanding of the issues affecting tribal nations as well as their ability to foster a cooperative relationship between the tribes and the state of South Dakota, said the Flandreau Santee Sioux in a statement.

The governor addressed her bans from tribal land at a May 17 press conference and called on tribal leaders to work with her administration to battle criminal gangs.

Banishing me does absolutely nothing to solve this problem, she said. All it does is help those who are perpetuating horrible violence and crimes against the people that are citizens of the state of South Dakota.

Her dispute with tribal leaders could provide a welcome relief for the governor in terms of media coverage. Its been a rough month for Noem, who was once thought to be near the top of Donald Trumps list of potential running mates. She saw her name plummet on that list after a vicious media cycle around an anecdote in her book in which she described killing a puppy with a shotgun.

She remains a close ally of Trumps, however, and the former president recently appeared alongside her at a fundraiser.
Its official: All nine of South Dakotas tribes have now voted to ban Gov. Kristi Noem (R) from their lands.

The final tribe still holding out hope for a productive relationship with the states governor, the Flandreau Santee Sioux, made the decision to join their counterparts Tuesday, just a week after telling The Daily Beast that they had no plans to do so.

A tribal leader told the Argus Leader that the Flandreau Santee Sioux executive council made the decision after hearing from a number of citizens who urged them to banish Noemsaying that many on the reservation were uncomfortable and upset with the councils decision to wait so long in the first place. One attendee of the councils Tuesday meeting told the local newspaper that the matter led to a pretty heated discussion.

Noem angered Indigenous American communities earlier this year by suggesting that tribes in her state were in league with Mexican drug cartels and blaming Indigenous parents for their childrens poor academic performanceleaving them unemployed and with no hope.

The comments led to her to be rapidly declared persona non grata by most of the tribal nations in South Dakota, starting with the Crow Creek, Sisseton Wahpeton, Oglala, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, and Rosebud Sioux tribes, which account for nearly all of the reservation land in the statealmost 20 percent of the its total area.

Leadership of the Yankton Sioux Tribe has also voted to express its support for a similar ban, though it has yet to make an official decision on the matter.

Prior to its decision, leaders of the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe reportedly held one last meeting Sunday with Gov. Noem in the Capitol, one they described to the Argus Leader at the time as respectful and productive.

Noem released her own statement following the meeting, writing that it was never my intent to cause offense by speaking truth to the real challenges that are being faced in some areas of Indian country.

It is my hope that the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will give us the opportunity to partner together in a way that can be an example for all, she added.

But just two days later, the tribes leadership committee decided that it just could not let her comments go unpunished.

We need to stand in solidarity with our fellow tribes in South Dakota, the Ochethi Sakowi, Tyler Rambeau, a tribal leader, told the local newspaper during a recess in Tuesdays meeting. We do not want to come up on the wrong side of history in this moment.

Noems office did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.

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AUGUSTA (WJBF)  Wednesday morning local leaders and community partners held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Krogers new Eisenhower Crossing Marketplace.

Hundreds of people gathered for the grand opening of the 124 thousand square foot, 32 million dollar grocery store.

During the ceremony the company donated more than $5000 dollars to several schools, the American Legion and Golden Harvest Food Bank as part of its Zero Hunger, Zero Waste program.

Victor Smith, the Kroger Atlanta Division President to NewsChannel 6, So we recognize our responsibility in the communities that we serve. And we have a great mission for Zero Hunger, Zero Waste in terms of eliminating hunger and waste in the areas that we serve. So our partnerships with food banks go a long way toward helping us achieve that mission, and were really, really pleased to be able to get that accomplished today.

For the next week the Eisenhower Crossing Kroger Marketplace will have grand opening specials, including $.20 cents per gallon off of gas at the fuel center.

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KS Gov orders flags at half-staff in Columbus in honor of CPD Chief Jason Daniels

TOPEKA, Kan.  Governor Laura Kelly directed flags to be flow at half-staff in the City of Columbus later this week in honor of Columbus Police Department Chief Jason Daniels.

From sunup to sundown Friday, May 24, flags are to be flown at half-staff in the city in memory of Chief Daniels, who passed away earlier this month. He was 49, and served with the department for over 20 years.

He was incredible for the people of Columbus: City mourns loss of their police chief

Chief Daniels served the people of Columbus honorably for more than two decades, Governor Laura Kelly said.

We owe him a debt of gratitude for his contributions to his community. My sincere condolences go out to Chief Daniels wife, children, and loved ones during this difficult time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Monday, May 27

Clifton  Cadet Jairub Constable, 250th Forward Support Company, 997th Brigade Support Battalion, will be the guest speaker at a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the Clifton American Legion Post. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Berner Memorial Park, 634 E. Parallel Street.

Emporia  Retired Chief Master Sgt. Sherry Willard, Human Resources Supervisor, Adjutant Generals Department, will be the guest speaker for a Memorial Day service at the All Veterans Memorial, 931 S. Commercial, #913. The 9:30 a.m. service is hosted by Lowry-Funston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 180.

Leavenworth Maj. Gen. John Rueger, commanding general, 35th Infantry Division, will be the guest speaker for a service at 9 a.m. at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Rd.

Manhattan  Lt. Col. Chris Coco, chief of plans, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Infantry Division, will be the guest speaker for a 10 a.m. Memorial Day service at Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road. Chaplain (Maj.) Travis Forde, 635th Regional Support Group, will offer the invocation and benediction for the service.

Marysville  Sgt. 1st Class Preslee Fritz, readiness noncommissioned officer, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the city cemetery, 1410 N. 16th St.

Topeka  Lt. Col. Tom Warth, 69th Troop command administrative officer, will be the guest speaker for a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, 17th and Fairlawn Road.

Lt. Col. Jordan Clark, commander, Army Aviation Support Facility #1, will be the guest speaker for a Taps Across America Memorial Day service at 2:30 p.m. at the Combat Air Museum, 7016 SE Forbes Ave., Forbes Field.

WaKeeney  Col. Matt Oleen, chief of staff  Kansas Army National Guard, will be the guest speaker for a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at the Kansas Veterans cemetery, 403 S. 13th Street.
This story includes mention of self-harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Lago Vista High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday after what Lago Vista ISD called a student self-harm situation.

In a statement, the district said the high school was placed on lockdown after an incident of student self harm involving a handgun.

We are deeply saddened to share that the student did not survive. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the students family and friends during this incredibly difficult time, the statement said in part.

The district said there was no threat to other students at the school.

Other Lago Vista ISD schools were not released early; however, all after school events in the district were cancelled Wednesday.

For Thursday, Lago Vista Middle School, Lago Vista Intermediate School and Logo Vista Elementary School will all operate on a normal schedule, according to the district. Lago Vista High School will be open to students. However, the district said attendance is optional, and all absences for Thursday will be excused.

All remaining final examinations will be exempted. However, any student wishing to take a final exam due to the positive impact it may have on their grade should contact their teacher to make arrangements, the statement said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Lancaster County man pleads guilty to having sex with dogs

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Lancaster County man pleaded guilty to charges of having sex with dogs, according to officials.

Uriah Groff, 23, pleaded guilty in front of Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn Tuesday to aggravated cruelty to animals  torture, cruelty to animals, and sexual intercourse with an animal, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office confirmed.

On Groffs phone, investigators found multiple videos in July during the investigation of him engaging in sexual intercourse with dogs that were in his possession.

Possible cockfighting roosters seized in Lancaster County, woman charged

Multiple dogs were seized by Pennsylvania State Police after they executed a search warrant. The dogs were placed in the care of the PSPCA.

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Two men stand side by side. They are both wearing blue suits. One is in front of a microphone and speaking.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley and Gov. Jeff Landry presented the Let Teachers Teach recommendations in a joint news conference. (Allison Allsop)

Louisianas governor and the states K-12 public school leader unveiled recommendations they say will free teachers to focus on classroom instruction rather than what they consider bureaucratic hindrances.

The 18 recommendations from the Let Teachers Teach workgroup cover professional learning, required training, student behavior and discipline, teachers non-academic responsibilities, curriculum, instruction and planning. Gov. Jeff Landry and Superintendent Cade Brumley shared the workgroup report Wednesday in a joint news conference.

The workgroup was created earlier this year and is composed of more than two dozen educators. The leader, Kylie Altier, is Louisianas Teacher of the Year for 2024.

This is the best job, Altier said about teaching. There is not a job more fulfilling or better in the world, all because of children. However, the reality is that many teachers dont feel they have the time, capacity or autonomy to do this important work in a sustainable way.

Curriculum and instruction

The first of the three recommendations asks to eliminate mandated scripts from teaching manuals. Teachers are often given scripts with the curriculum to base their lessons on, but teachers complain they are being required to closely follow these scripts instead of using their own background and knowledge.

When asked about how this recommendation might interfere with bills from this session that restrict what can be discussed in classrooms, Gov. Jeff Landry said that there should not be any conflict and that teachers should be able to take a curriculum and add their creative teaching talent to it.

Two recommendations call for the Department of Education to provide better website access for materials and guidance on how to implement curricula.

The workgroup acknowledges many useful guides, workbooks and other materials are available on the state website, but it notes they can be difficult to locate. Without easy access to these materials, teachers are at a disadvantage when teaching core subject areas.

Teachers would also like guidance on how to pace the curriculum throughout the semester.

Student behavior and discipline

The first of four recommendations on discipline seeks to exempt student behavior records from school accountability scores. Specifically, the workgroup wants to prevent student suspension rates from impacting school report card grades that the state issues.

Currently, schools require urgent intervention if their suspension rates are more than two times the national average for three or more consecutive years. Middle schools with a suspension rate over 5% and high schools with a suspension rate over 20% for three consecutive years also call for interventions.

Schools must report their suspension rates to the U.S. Department of Education, and they are required to be used to calculate school report cards under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

The workgroup also recommends removing disruptive students from the classroom and, in extreme cases, from schools. Their report calls for ungovernable students to be sent to alternative schools.

The recommendations also call upon school systems, advocacy groups and the criminal justice system to work together in creating guidelines for consistently absent students.

I think that somewhere along the line we highlighted the disruptiveness over the learning, and so we want to bring back some discipline into those classrooms, Landry said.

Non-academic duties

Several recommendations seek to limit the non-teaching responsibilities of educators  when such tasks are necessary  or compensate them for the additional work.

Specifically, the workgroup urges trained mental health professionals be provided for students so teachers do not have to take on counseling duties. Their report calls it an undue burden and disservice to students.

The workgroup also asked that teachers be paid for non-academic work. The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that seeks to do just that. Senate Bill 205 now makes its way to the governors desk.

Last year, then-Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill to require school employees to receive pay for any work performed outside of their assigned duties. It would have also required teachers to be paid for their planning time outside school hours.

Edwards felt the additional payments would put a burden on local school systems already stretched thin. Charter schools and special school districts were exempt from the legislation, which he said in his veto message was unfair.

Whats next?

Changes suggested in the workgroups report will require approval from the appropriate oversight body, which could be the Louisiana Department of Education, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Louisiana Legislature or local school boards.

Any legislative changes would have to wait until 2025 as lawmakers have already passed the deadline for filing new proposals in their ongoing session.

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The post Landry, Brumley push for sweeping classroom changes for teachers appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Ulviyya Shahin

On May 21, 2024, the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan) orchestrated a momentous gathering, hosting the AHK Members Assembly, Azernews reports.

The event, which saw an impressive turnout of over 80 esteemed business representatives, serves as a biannual platform for AHK Members to reflect on the accomplishments and initiatives of AHK Azerbaijan throughout the preceding year.

The assembly commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Anar Hasanov, Chairman of AHK Azerbaijan's Board of Directors, who outlined the agenda for the day. Hasanov commended the tireless efforts of the chamber and its staff, emphasizing the significance of member engagement and the burgeoning membership numbers as indicators of success.

Dr. Ralf Horlemann, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Azerbaijan, took the stage, highlighting the dynamic exchanges between Germany and Azerbaijan over the past 15 months. Notable events, such as Azerbaijan's upcoming hosting of COP29 and President Ilham Aliyev's frequent visits to Germany, underscored the deepening ties between the two nations. Horlemann also pointed to the record number of visas issued to Azerbaijanis by Germany, signaling a promising trajectory for bilateral relations.

Chairman Anar Hasanov provided insights into AHK Azerbaijan's recent endeavors, including a plethora of business, online, and social events. He announced the appointment of Mr. Rashad Huseynli as Vice Chairman of the Energy Transition Working Group, acknowledging the dedication of AHK Azerbaijan's Working Groups. Hasanov also lauded the accomplishments of the Human Resources and Vocational Education & Training Working Group, unveiling the newly published "AHK Human Resources Insights" journals. Additionally, he shed light on the successful East Business Association of the Federal Republic of Germany business trip to Baku, co-organized by AHK Azerbaijan.

Mr. Hasanov proudly announced the addition of 15 new companies to AHK Azerbaijan since the previous Members' Assembly, bringing the total membership to 181, representing diverse sectors of the economy. The event culminated with the induction of new AHK Azerbaijan members and a convivial business dinner.

Established in 2012 as the official representative of the German economy in Azerbaijan, AHK Azerbaijan has evolved from the German-Azerbaijan Business Association (DAWF), founded in 1999. With 181 member companies, AHK Azerbaijan stands as the preeminent European economic association in Azerbaijan, offering invaluable information services and support for market research. Through its robust network and steadfast advocacy, AHK Azerbaijan continues to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between German and Azerbaijani enterprises, while providing essential business and legal services to its members.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has completed the subscription process for the Banks second capital increase during a special meeting held in Ankara, Turkiye, Trend reports via the BSTDB.

Following the successful full subscription and allocation of the offering to its shareholders, BSTDBs capital base has been raised by 35 percent, reaching 3.10 billion.

This capital increase will enhance BSTDB's financial capacity, enabling the Bank to offer a broader range of financing instruments to address critical regional challenges, thereby driving further growth and prosperity in Black Sea member countries.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity, and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries.

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Rep. Jack McFarland said lawmakers might redirect $700 million that is supposed to flow into a savings account into construction projects instead. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. Jeff Landry and legislative leaders are looking to redirect over $700 million that would typically go into a state savings account toward one-time building projects for transportation, water systems, college campus maintenance, prisons and juvenile justice detention centers.

Budget architects in the Legislature said the spending on transportation items alone could be as much as $400 million, though they havent released a list of specific projects yet. Lawmakers would have to vote by a two-thirds majority in each chamber to spend the $700 million on construction instead of socking it away in savings.



The money comes from business tax collections. State corporate and franchise taxes that exceed $600 million annually and a portion of oil and gas production revenue that is above $660 million per year automatically goes into a state savings account called the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund.



This years deposit into the savings account would typically be a little over $700 million, but lawmakers would like to use the money to address some outstanding building needs instead, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, said in interviews this week.

For example, Landrys aggressive criminal justice agenda is expected to require an expansion or refurbishment of prisons for adults and minors.



State and local authorities are still struggling to find enough space to house all the underage people who are arrested. Some are paying large amounts of money to put them in facilities outside of the state or hundreds of miles away from their home jurisdiction.

With Landrys encouragement, lawmakers voted earlier this year to automatically put 17-year-olds arrested for crimes in adult jails instead of juvenile facilities, but sheriffs are saying they dont have the space they need to take in underage detainees.



Federal law requires 17-year-olds receive services that adult jails arent equipped to offer, according to the sheriffs. Juveniles also need to be separated from adults in jails in order to comply with regulations of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. Those restrictions require more space.

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Some of the $700 million is expected to deal with these jailhouse challenges, Henry said, but most of the money would go toward other projects, such as roads, bridges and water system upgrades.

Lawmakers are dealing with constraints in their traditional state construction budget plan. Last year, the Legislature, under different leadership, tied up much of Louisianas standard capital budget and made it harder for the state to spend money on new building projects over the next few years.

By tapping into the trust fund, Landry and the new leaders of the Legislature can still advance some of their own building agenda without having to wait two or three cycles. Approximately $2.3 billion will also remain in the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, even if this years $700 million deposit is diverted to those other priorities.



The fund was initially designed to only be tapped in an emergency when it had a balance of less than $5 billion.



Once the fund is over $5 billion, the law allows lawmakers to easily withdraw 10% of its balance to spend on infrastructure and building projects. While it is under $5 billion, as it is now, legislators need to take a two-thirds vote to tap into its resources.

Legislators had attempted to make it harder to withdraw money from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund just last year.



Lawmakers placed a constitutional amendment on the November 2023 ballot that would have added more steps before the legislators could tap into the fund. It failed to pass on a 56% to 43% vote statewide.

The post Landry, Louisiana lawmakers look to divert $700M from state savings to construction projects appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Lansing woman died when a tree fell on her home in the August storm. Now her family is suing a neighbor

BWL workers begin to cut limbs of the large hickory tree that fell on the house of Vernita Payne during last Thursdays major storm, killing her.

LANSING  The family of the elderly Lansing woman killed last summer in the Fabulous Acres Neighborhood when a severe storm hit the area has filed a lawsuit against a neighbor.

The lawsuit, filed by Willard Payne, claims that the tree that fell onto Vernita Payne's house and killed her was on a neighbor's property and had not been maintained.

A code compliance officer with the City of Lansing had previously tagged the tree "as a potential danger and known risk, due to the tree's poor health and condition," according to the lawsuit. Tasha Canty, whose property the tree was on, "failed to take any precautions to mitigate the risks," the suit claims.

However, Scott Bean, a Lansing spokesperson, said city code compliance inspectors, or those from any other department, do not inspect or tag trees on private property. He added there's no record of city involvement with the tree.

Jeanne Barron, Canty's attorney, and Matthew Samuels, an attorney for Willard Payne, both declined to comment for this story. Willard Payne is the personal representative for Vernita Payne's estate.

Canty spoke to the State Journal in February and said she knew Payne for years.

"I have nightmares from that situation, and I wish it would have fallen a different way," Canty said. "She was a grandmother to everybody, even people who weren't related to her."

Vernita Payne, 84, was one of two people killed in the Lansing area in August when a storm that produced an EF-2 tornado made its way through the region. It knocked out power and uprooted trees in Lansing before moving east, becoming a tornado and striking Interstate 96.

Daughter of Vernita Payne Cherryl Sasnders, holds up a photo on a cell phone of her 84 year-old mother who was killed when a tree fell through the roof of the house she had lived in for over 60 years in Lansing's Fabulous Acres neighborhood Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

A 40-year-old Hartland man was killed near Williamston when the tornado struck drivers on I-96 leaving behind a roughly 12-mile trail of destruction from Wheatfield Township to south of Fowlerville. It carved a path as wide as 500 yards in some places.

Within days of the August storm, local officials said they expected it to be the most expensive of any area weather event. Trees were snapped apart. Siding was pulled off homes. Large areas were without power for days.

The Lansing Board of Water and Light, which has about 100,000 electric customers in Lansing and surrounding communities, put the damage between $8 million to $10 million, at least $2 million more than the 2013 ice storm.

More: Nurse from St. Johns escapes tornado on I-96, then helps injured family get to hospital

BWL crews cut up the tree to remove it from Payne's property.

Payne was known to many people who live in the neighborhood near REO Town as "granny" or "aunt," and was the only person home during the August storm.

She had eight children, dozens of grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

The family is seeking compensation for pain and suffering and funeral costs, according to the lawsuit.

Photos: Family, friends mourn death of Lansing woman killed by falling tree

Reporters Rachel Greco and Mike Ellis contributed to this story.

Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing woman died when a tree fell on her home in the August storm. Now her family is suing a neighbor
Las Vegas man accused of threatening mass shooting at former school: police report

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man faces more than a dozen charges after police said he threatened to shoot up a school in Las Vegas, according to a police report.

In court documents, Clark County School District police (CCSDPD) describe Jonathan Lee Sandoval as a former student of Cowan Academic Center and accuse him of calling staffers there 75 times over four months and leaving threatening voicemails.

According to an arrest report, Sandoval, 25, called the school last Tuesday, May 14, and told staff he was killing all of them.

However, as a result of the quick action of CCSDPD, Sandoval did get to execute that plan, police said. Instead, he was in a courtroom on Tuesday. Handcuffed, as a judge read the 18 charges he faces, including making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.

Five counts of ownership or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Those are felony offenses, Clark County Judge Diana Sullivan said in court.

A public defender represented Sandoval for his initial appearance on Tuesday.

I did get a disc full of calls that I think the state wants to introduce at this hearing, the public defender said.

Court documents outline some of the voicemails Sandoval left to staffers at Cowan Academic Center, which is located near Russell and US 95.

According to an arrest report, he called on May 14, nine times over 25 minutes and made verbal threats to Come kill you all and said, Dont call me back and Ill shoot up your school.

The 25-year-old was an 8th-grade student at Cowan Academic Center in 2013, according to police.

Voicemails Sandoval allegedly left also included other derogatory and threatening statements, including raping staff members, according to an arrest report.

A CCSDPD investigator also said another staffer states that the male caller, would not stop rambling and started to not make sense,' according to the arrest report.

According to police, the nature of the calls to Cowan Academic Center prompted school staff to notify officers, who arrested Sandoval the next day on May 15. When officers executed a search warrant at Sandovals home, police found two guns and three others that were privately manufactured, according to an arrest report.

Court records show Sandoval has a criminal history with guns, including a prior arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.

In his most recent case, he entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill in 2021 for attempting to carry a concealed weapon and was sentenced to a year of probation, according to court documents.

Sandoval has a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday to determine his bond.

Sandoval faces the following charges:

One count of making threats or conveying false information related to act of terrorism.

Two counts of possession of a gun with altered/removed serial number.

Three counts of possession, sell, transfer, purchase, transport, receive firearm without issued serial number.

Five counts of owning/possessing of gun by illegal alien/mentally ill person.

Seven counts of obscene/threatening/annoying phone call

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man who vandalized several public officials homes could face new charges after prosecutors said he wrote a letter where he solicits the murder of the judge hearing his case and several other people, including two reporters.

Earlier this year, Charles Dowling, 21, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to several charges, including stalking and extortion, for a series of events beginning last spring.

On June 17, Dowling went to several public officials homes, vandalizing [them] and bringing a knife to terrorize and attempt to influence the action of the public officials regarding perceived grievances the subject has against each person, documents said.

Henderson police responded to the home of a city employee for a report of a man, later identified as Dowling, who was smashing raw eggs, [scattering] various vegetables both cut and uncut, sprayed alfredo pasta sauce over the area and then threw various seasoning including paprika, documents said. Dowling also left a personal letter for the public official.

Charles Dowling, 21, vandalized several public officials homes and could face new charges after prosecutors said he wrote a letter, appearing to solicit the murder of the judge hearing his case and several other people, including two reporters. (LVMPD/KLAS)

Early the next morning, Dowling went to former Republican Nevada Assemblyman Tom Roberts home, documents said. Video surveillance showed Dowling leaving a letter at the home and cutting Roberts bushes, police said. It appears Dowling believed Roberts, who retired from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as assistant sheriff before his run for office, was the current Clark County sheriff.

Later that morning, Dowling splattered eggs, sauce and vegetables at the home of Democratic Nevada Assembly Speaker Yeager and his wife, Bita Yeager, who is a district court judge, also leaving behind a knife, documents said. The judge was Dowlings intended target, police said.

Speaker Yeager also found messages from Dowling, which said in part, Yall keeping [the inmate] locked up as a slave for a month. Look out because both of yall will be stabbed if you come near my door. Dowling also went to the home of a former CCDC corrections officer, police said.

Police arrested Dowling on June 18 as he was leaving a home near Valley View Boulevard and Southern Highland Parkway, documents said. While a detective introduced himself to Dowling, Dowling reportedly said, Is this about the emails or the eggs?

Items left outside one home. (KLAS)

Dowling stated during his interview that he sought out these particular persons and went to their homes in an intent to make them fearful and feel what he was feeling in his frustration for his causes, police said.

As part of a plea agreement, Judge Ronald Israel was due to sentence Dowling to a suspended jail sentence and order him to attend inpatient mental health treatment, documents said. But prosecutors said the deal may fall apart after Dowling sent a letter to his ex-partner from jail.

On May 7, Dowling sent the letter to the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation, asking the letter then be delivered it to his former partner who himself is out on probation and in a facility, documents said. In the letter, Dowling asks his former partner to help finish the plan, which includes the hiring of hitman people.

Dowling then lists people he plans to murder as Israel, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Dickerson, Roberts, two reporters, including 8 News Now Investigator David Charns, and several others, documents said.

A knife left outside one home. (KLAS)

Dowling appears agitated that reporters identified him as a man instead of a boy, his letter said.

Defendant discusses his motivations for murdering these individuals and continues the letter discussing using fuel and Molotovs for the biggest revolt the country has seen to ensure not one palm tree in the legal district or the Strip remains standing, Dickerson wrote in court documents.

Because of the new allegations, Dickerson asked Israel to file new criminal charges against Dowling, including the solicitation to commit murder.

Dowlings defense attorney told the court he was prepared to respond to the request for new charges in the coming weeks, adding it appears his clients mental health condition led to the new allegations.

Israel scheduled a June 10 date to rule on the possible new charges. Dowling remained in custody Wednesday at the Clark County Detention Center where he was held without bail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The man who threatened a mass shooting at the Stanley Cup Final hours before the Vegas Golden Knights clinched the championship last year could serve 6-15 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Police arrested Matthew DeSavio, 34, just hours before the game in June 2023 after he threatened the mass shooting, documents said. A grand jury later indicted DeSavio on several charges.

DeSavio has agreed to plead guilty to three charges, including making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism, and aggravated stalking, documents said. Under Nevada law, defense lawyers must prove their client is mentally ill when pleading guilty to the stipulation. The language means a judge could add mental health treatment as part of sentencing.

In addition to verbal threats, DeSavio also posted threatening messages about the game on Facebook, police said. Im coming for you guys tonight and I hope you get every [expletive] police officer in Vegas Golden Knights there to defend you! one message said, according to police. Hope Sin City is ready for the Mandalay Bay massacre part duex [sic].

Another person contacted police, seeing Facebook posts where DeSavio [claimed] to want to conduct a mass shooting at T-Mobile Arena, police said.

Fifty-eight people were shot and killed during the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Oct. 1, 2017. One October is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Two people later died from injuries they suffered that night, bringing the death toll to 60. Hundreds more were injured in the shooting.

In another post, DeSavio reportedly wrote, I warned yall October 1st was just a preview, police said.

A judge previously dropped similar charges against DeSavio after the state failed to transport him to a psychiatric facility promptly, violating his constitutional rights.

A message on Matthew DeSavios Facebook page, cited by police in court documents. (KLAS)

On Oct. 26, 2022, a person reported a disturbing Facebook post to police where DeSavio reportedly threatened a similar mass shooting, police said.

Something big is about to hit the Vegas Strip. #October1stwasjustapreview! Lets [expletive] [expletive] up before I literally #blowup Paradise NV, the Facebook post reportedly said, according to police. The Las Vegas Strip is in the unincorporated community of Paradise, Nevada.

Officers later contacted DeSavio, who agreed to meet them at a fast-food restaurant on Blue Diamond Road near Durango Drive, police said. While speaking to DeSavio, police said the man stated he wanted to drive his vehicle into the Mandalay Bay.

Records show a judge ordered DeSavio to undergo a competency evaluation in November 2022. DeSavio awaited treatment for 78 days, which his public defender said violated his due process rights. In a hearing in March 2023, District Court Judge Christy Craig noted the state failed to transport DeSavio to behavioral health treatment within seven days. DeSavio remained in custody for eight days after that hearing, prompting Craig to dismiss the charges and release DeSavio from custody in April.

A judge will sentence DeSavio on June 18.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The leaders of three European countries  Norway, Spain and Ireland  announced Wednesday that they would formally recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. The move is intended to pressure Israel to accept a political process to end its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel reacted angrily to the decision, calling it "a distorted step" and recalling its ambassadors to the three countries. The Jewish state's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, said he'd summoned the three countries' ambassadors in Israel and that they would be shown a harrowing video of the abduction of five female hostages by Hamas during its Oct. 7 terrorist attack, which sparked the ongoing war.

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leaders

The video, released by the Hostages Families Forum with permission of the abductees' families, was recorded by Hamas fighters wearing body cameras as they abducted the women, who are still believed to be held captive in Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Hamas, which ruled over Gaza for almost two decades prior to Oct. 7, both welcomed the announcement by the European nations, which came amid intensified fighting in Gaza.

The bodies of Palestinians, killed in Israeli attacks on Jabalia and Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, are brought to the morgue of the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, May 22, 2024. / Credit: Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty

Israeli tanks advanced to the edge of a crowded district in the heart of the southern city of Rafah on Wednesday. Israel's offensive in Rafah, which the U.S. and others had long warned against, has driven almost 1 million people who'd sought refuge there out of the city  many of them already displaced multiple times during the seven-month war.

But Israel's fight with Hamas isn't limited to southern Gaza. It has also intensified again this week in parts of the Palestinian enclave battered by Israeli artillery and ground forces early on in the war.

At the Kamal Adwan hospital in the northern Jabalia refugee camp, CBS News producer Marwan al-Ghoul said 150 patients and medics had to run for their lives as the Israel Defense Forces carried out repeated strikes Tuesday night.

The IDF said in a statement Wednesday that soldiers had "dismantled a multitude of terrorist infrastructure and conducted aerial and artillery strikes on terror targets in the area" of Jabalia. Palestinian media said at least six people were killed, and images from the region showed shrouded bodies in a morgue, including several that appeared to be children.

A worker from the Kamal al-Adwan hospital evacuates a Palestinian patient after Israeli airstrikes damaged the hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2024. / Credit: Karam Hassan/Anadolu/Getty

An Israeli strike in the central Gaza town of Deir al Balah killed at least 12 people, including small children, al-Ghoul reported. CBS News' team visited the town's Al Aqsa hospital soon after the strike and saw an infant being removed from the womb of his mother, who was killed in the strike. Doctors were unable to save the tiny baby.

The U.N. aid agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, estimated that as of Monday, more than 810,000 people had fled Rafah in two weeks. The agency has suspended food distribution in Rafah, citing a lack of supplies and insecurity in the area. Most of those who've fled Rafah have moved, on the IDF's orders, to a crowded coastal area northwest of the city, al-Mawasi, which Israel says it has established as a humanitarian zone.

"For thousands of Palestinian families there is nowhere left to go: military operations & bombardments pose a continuous threat, buildings have been turned to rubble," UNRWA said in a social media post on Wednesday, adding: "Nowhere is safe in Gaza."

A U.S. official has said that Israeli leaders have addressed many of President Biden's concerns about launching a full-scale ground operation in Rafah, and that the White House had yet to signal its support for such an assault on the city.

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Latvia to allocate 6 million to support the Ukrainian infrastructure in 2024

Latvia will assign 6 million to help with Ukraine's infrastructure development in 2024, with the same amount anticipated for 2025.

Source: Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, with reference to representatives of the Latvian delegation headed by the Latvian Minister for Economics Viktors Valainis, during a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation

Quote: "The Republic of Latvia is interested in deepening economic connections, particularly in terms of substituting agricultural products from Russia and developing export routes.

It is envisaged that a proposal for a joint logistics solution would be developed for both Ukrainian exporters and Latvian partners, which will encompass both land and sea transit," the ministry said in a statement.

The parties also talked about expanding cooperation in railway transit and implementing the eCherha (eQueue) system.

Furthermore, representatives of the Latvian delegation confirmed that the air carrier airBaltic is ready to commence operations in Ukraine as soon as air traffic is restored.

Background:

Latvenergo, the Latvian state-run energy company, provided Ukraine with humanitarian supplies for the electrical system with a total weight of more than 325 tonnes. The aid package included a 250 megavolt-ampere transformer.

Ekonomichna Pravda

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Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law that supporters say would protect domestic violence survivors. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a measure that would let judges give criminal defendants who are domestic violence victims lighter sentences if they can prove prior abuse contributed to the crime.

Senate Bill 1835 requires judges to consider whether domestic violence was a mitigating factor in a crime, and, if so, a defendant would be eligible for a lighter sentence compared with the usual mandatory ranges. Mitigating factors that judges must consider include physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Domestic abusers could include sexual partners, family, household members, human traffickers or other individuals who use a person for financial gain.

Stitt had vetoed an earlier version of the bill, Senate Bill 1470, known as the Oklahoma Survivors Act, after he said it was written so broadly that it could have unintended consequences. Defendants, for instance, could have claimed domestic abuse from years prior as a factor in why they became alcoholics, drove drunk and killed someone.

The Senate overrode the veto, but the House did not take up a veto override. Lawmakers then went back and revised the legislation to require that domestic violence must be a substantial contributing factor in causing the defendant to commit the crime.

The new law would not apply to crimes that would require someone to register as a sex offender, offenses where someone is sentenced to death, child abusers or those who abuse or neglect a vulnerable adult.

Advocates for domestic abuse survivors heralded the new law as a victory.

For years, Oklahoma has placed the blame for violent acts on domestic abuse survivors, punishing them for defending themselves, said Jan Perry, president and CEO of YWCA Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Survivors Act rights those wrongs.

The state ranks first in the nation in domestic violence rates with estimates showing that about half of women and about 41% of men have been victims. The state ranks third in the number of women killed by men.

Alexandra Bailey, with the The Sentencing Project, said the new law is a tremendous victory for domestic abuse survivors and their families.

By signing this bill, Gov. Stitt has demonstrated his commitment to the well-being of domestic violence survivors, and affirms his dedication to creating a safer and more supportive environment for all Oklahomans, Bailey said.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, the measures author, said his colleagues believe it is an important piece of legislation to help those who are suffering from abuse.

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The post New law could reduce sentences for Oklahoma domestic violence victims who commit crimes appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
WEST HARRISON  Count Rep. Mike Lawler as a "no" vote if the bipartisan Senate plan for immigration reform and border security ever makes it to his side of the Capitol.

The Senate was expected to take up the bill again this week, reviving a proposal that once appeared to have a chance of bridging one of Washington's deepest divides. It emerged to fanfare in February after months of two-party talks, but then collapsed after former President Donald Trump panned it and Republican senators balked.

Lawler, in an interview at The Journal News office on Tuesday, criticized it as well, arguing it would codify a policy he said no Republicans support, and which they call "catch and release." It allows undocumented immigrants to enter and stay in the U.S while their asylum applications play out in court, rather than keep them in detention centers for a process that takes years.

Rep. Mike Lawler speaks with Political Reporter Chris McKenna in The Journal News / lohud office in West Harrison May 21, 2024.

The first-term Republican from Rockland County recently scored high marks for bipartisan work in his first year in Congress. But on this topic, he stood squarely with his party against the Senate bill and in favor the House Republicans' own border bill, which has no Democratic support and is shunned by their side as overly harsh.

Lawler blamed President Joe Biden and his administration for the underlying problem, saying they stoked a surge in border crossing by reversing Trump's executive orders.

"That was a policy choice," he said. "It was a policy choice to enact 'catch and release.' So while people focus in on the Senate bipartisan bill as if that was going to somehow solve the fundamental issue, you have to look back to why we're even dealing with this issue in the first place."

Moderate brand: Rep. Mike Lawler walks a tightrope as centrist in first four months in Congress

Trump deportation threat "not realistic"

Lawler sees little prospect for Trump's threat to round up and deport millions of undocumented immigrants  using the National Guard or military if necessary  if he beats Biden in November's election and returns to office.

"That's not realistic," he said. "You're not going to round up 20 million people and kick them out."

He pointed to the softer approach spelled out in a bipartisan bill he helped introduce last year. That proposal, known as the Dignity Act, would create pathways to legalization or citizenship for many of the millions of immigrants already living and working in the U.S. without authorization. Deportation, he said, would be reserved for only those who commit crimes.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler was among the officials who spoke to the media across the street from Columbia University in Manhattan April 22, 2024 after school officials closed the campus and made all classes remote. This came after hundreds of anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protestors took over large parts of the campus last week.

Trump trials "destructive" to country

Lawler made no endorsement during this year's presidential primaries and has been quieter than many of his colleagues about Trump's third White House run. And he says he has no plans to join a rotating cast of House Republicans to stand in solidarity with Trump at a Manhattan courthouse, where the former president's being tried for falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn star.

But in Tuesday's interview, Lawler voiced similar misgivings about the four criminal cases against Trump, arguing they will widen the nation's partisan divide and stoke distrust in the criminal justice system among the former president's supporters.

"I think these types of cases that have been brought, in some respects, are destructive to the county, and are going to worsen the divide, regardless of the outcome," he said. "And so from that vantage point I think it's extremely unfortunate for the country."

Another run at the SALT cap

Lawler was part of a bipartisan push to raise the $10,000 limit his party set in 2017 on a tax deduction known as SALT  for state and local taxes  that used to cut federal tax bills every year for people in high-tax states like New York. A proposal to double that limit for married couples fizzled in February when it failed to clear a procedural vote.

New members: Fresh faces in DC: meet the three rookie congressmen representing the Hudson Valley

In Tuesday's interview, Lawler scolded Democrats for opposing that motion, which they did because Republicans paired it with a resolution denouncing the Biden administration's energy policies. And he said he plans to renew his opposition to the SALT cap next year  if reelected  when it expires and Congress negotiates a new tax bill.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lawler pans border bill, Trump trials: What he said in lohud interview
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Members of Congress are stepping into the effort to free five Americans who are facing prison time in Turks and Caicos.

They were arrested on charges related to illegally carrying ammunition during recent trips there, an offense that could mean 12 years in prison.

This whole experience has been such a rollercoaster of a ride, said Michael Wenrich, who is in Turks and Caicos trying to bring home his son, Tyler. Hope is something were holding on to, but its up and down every single day.

A congressional delegation and a U.S. State Department representative traveled to Turks and Caicos to meet with the Wenrichs and other Americans, along with a group of island government officials.

These are not criminals, said U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, (R-Texas.).

They werent coming with a bunch of machine guns and loaded magazines, said U.S. Rep. Bob Good, (R-Va.).

Good and Cloud said the tourists accidentally carried the ammunition in their luggage and were arrested while leaving the island.

And have had to spend tens of thousands of dollars to try to defend themselves, to pay bail, to pay for the cost of staying on the island, Good said.

Turks and Caicos recently passed tighter gun laws that now carry a 12-year prison sentence for illegally carrying ammunition.

They were trying to crack down on an issue they had with crime, but this is absolutely not that at all, Cloud said. Its absurd.

The congressmen are urging the Turks and Caicos government to instead charge the vacationers under the Customs Act.

Which would be fine and deportation, Cloud said. Send them home.

Good said they also reminded island officials the U.S. tourism industry makes up half of their economy.

We dont want to have to issue a travel advisory warning folks not to travel to Turks and Caicos, Good said.

The State Department first alerted travelers last year of the potential 12-year sentence, warning if they bring a gun or ammunition, the department would not be able to secure their release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The World Banks Board of Executive Directors today approved a $35 million loan for the first phase of the Enhancing Energy Security through Power Interconnection and Renewable Energy (ESPIRE) Program for Georgia, Trend reports via the World Bank.

The ESPIRE Program consists of three phases with a potential financing envelope of up to $500 million that seeks to improve Georgias institutional capacity for the development of submarine cable projects, strengthen Georgias domestic power transmission system, and establish a direct electricity interconnection between the South Caucasus and Southeast Europe. Additionally, the parallel digital interconnection would reduce internet connection costs, improve bandwidth, and generally enhance international digital connectivity across the Black Sea.

The ESPIRE Program is designed to support the next steps in the preparation of a potential Black Sea Submarine Cable (BSSC) Project, which aims to establish parallel electricity and fiber-optic submarine cable interconnections across the Black Sea, with landing points in Georgia and Romania.

On December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement that provides for the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe.

As per the agreement, a 1,000 MW Black Sea Energy submarine electric cable spanning 1,195 kilometers is set to be constructed. The cable is intended to transmit 'green' electricity generated in Azerbaijan, routed through Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania, and further distributed to Hungary and the rest of Europe. This infrastructure will facilitate the supply of up to four gigawatts of green energy.

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Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on May 8, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

With one legislative session finished and the next about eight months away, Alabama legislators will spend the time in-between deciding whether to develop an entirely new school funding formula.

The House and Senate committees that oversee the Education Trust Fund (ETF), the states education budget, held a joint meeting Tuesday to begin discussions about potential changes to the current public K-12 education funding formula.

It has been 30 years since we changed our funding formula for education, and a lot has changed in the past 30 years, said Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, the chair of the House Ways and Means Education Committee, in an interview after the meeting. We are one of six states out of 50 that continues to fund the way we are funding, on a resource-model basis, so we are looking at what other options we have that would be better suited to that.

It is the first in a series of meetings aimed at providing members an education on the workings of Alabamas Foundation Program, the $4.6 billion program in the ETF which provides funding for schools around the state.

Many states fund their schools using a student-based model, one that takes into greater account not only the number of students within a given school system, but also the students composition, such as whether they are English Language learners or someone with special needs.

Under Alabamas current formula, in place since 1995, the number of students creates a certain number of teacher units. That number of teacher units then becomes the basis of much of the funding.

At a recent State Board of Education work session, State Superintendent Eric Mackey had defined the school as a hybrid program rather than a true foundation program because those units are the basis of funding.

You get what you get based on the number of units, he said.

According to Allovue, Connecticut, Kansas, California, Tennessee, Maryland and Texas have all moved to a weighted student funding formula in the last decade.

Members discussed not only the funding formula, but also underfunding of schools in lower-income communities with significant minority populations; the role of economic development incentives and their effect on school funding, and the lack of funding for special needs students.

Kirk Fulford, deputy director of the Legislative Services Agency, provided lawmakers with an overview of the Foundation Program.

The amount that schools receive is based on a unit count. The state takes the average number of students enrolled in the school or school system for the 20 days following Labor Day. The number is then divided by the divisor, set by the Legislature for the number of students within a set of grade levels.

If a school has 100 students, and the divisor for K-3 grades is 14.25, the school or school district has a unit count for K-3 grade teachers of 7.01. That is then converted to dollars based on the salary schedule that is set.

The number of principals, assistant principals and counselors for a school is also calculated based on units, and the amount of Foundation Program funding for the school is converted by multiplying that unit count by the money per unit decided by legislators.

Other types of funding are added to the Foundation Program allocation for schools, from transportation expenses to additional money specifically for math and science teachers along with special education.

Money to fund the cost determined for each district is shared between municipalities and the state. The formula is designed so that more affluent locations pay a greater share of the cost than those whose residents are lower income.

Local governments must set property taxes at a minimum of 10 mills in order to receive money from the Foundation Program.

For the coming year, the state portion of the ETF for K-12 schools, including the Foundation Program; transportation, and programs run through the Alabama State Department of Education, is about $5.5 billion. The local fund portion is about $831.5 million.

The amount in local property taxes collected for the school system will vary by the assessed value of the properties within the school systems boundaries. Poorer areas will generate less tax revenues than more prosperous ones.

Lowndes County, for example, an area with a significantly lower-income population, paid roughly $1.3 million into the Foundation program. Mountain Brook, a wealthy suburb of Birmingham, paid about $7.3 million to the Foundation Program.

School districts with wealthier populations tend to record higher scores on standardized tests, according to an analysis based on FY21-22 spending and School Year 2022-23 scores from the Edunomics Lab based at Georgetown.

The local allocation has irritated some lawmakers who work to increase their economic development to increase school funding, only to have their state allocation reduced, leaving them net neutral.

We always were under the impression that, Wow, we bring in industry, and they pay $200,000 of property taxes to our schools, said Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, who used to be on the Elmore County Commission. We felt like we were improving our local schools because we were bringing in more money. However, Elmore County is only a participant in our Foundation Program with our 10 mills. We do not have any local funding. Because of that, all we were really doing was lowering the amount that the state contributed to Elmore County.

In Tennessee, which moved to a weighted student funding formula in recent years, school districts were required to keep funding at previous levels, according to the Commercial Appeal. The state provided overall more funding to the education budget so that districts received more money by numbers, even if the share they received from the state lowered.

Garrett previously told the Reflector that the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund, created in the 2022 regular legislative session, could be used in shifting the funding formula.

Schools receive additional funding for specific students, such as those with special needs, from the Foundation Program. The formula automatically factors in the number of students who have special needs at 5%. The unit count is then weighted up to 2.5 for those students to give schools additional dollars for more resources.

Currently, the sole adaptation in the formula is headcount, and doesnt incorporate the specific needs of some in schools, one that is based on each student, might.

We know the cost to educate a special needs child is, far and away, more than the average child, said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the chair of the Senates education budget committee. The cost to educate an English Language Learner is much more than an average Alabama child. Following the trend, or at least looking at the other states who have gone down this road, seeing if we want to consider changing our funding model, how we fund based on a type of student instead of just a student.

The committees plan to resume the discussions at an August meeting.

Reporter Jemma Stephenson contributed to this story.

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The post Lawmakers consider new Alabama school funding model appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Oklahoma Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says money that would have been needed to pay employees state Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters claims to have fired could be used for other purposes.

Discussion over a $4.7 million budget request from the Oklahoma State Department of Education to fund rising costs of student assessments has resulted in legislators asking why the agency needs the extra money, given the number of employee departures in recent months.

More than 130 employees have left the agency  the vast majority via either resignation or retirement  since state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters took office in January 2023, and at least 65 of those have come since last July. Walters has falsely claimed he fired 130 people and has dismissed those who left the agency as bureaucrats.

Walters has boasted of an agency with less bloat and claims the departures have saved taxpayers money. That said, his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year includes a request for money to pay for the equivalent of 426.9 full-time employees, or FTEs in legislative parlance. Thats down only slightly from the 440 FTEs he requested for the current fiscal year and is more than the 426.7 FTEs requested by his predecessor, Joy Hofmeister, for the 2023 fiscal year.

The request for 426.9 FTEs by Walters comes even though only the agency currently has only 384.8 FTEs  about 42 fewer full-time employees than the request would indicate  according to House sources. Still, legislative leaders apparently are taking to heart Walters claims about saving money while preparing his agencys budget.

Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, the chair of the Senate Education Committee, told The Oklahoman a difference in 130 FTEs  the number Walters falsely claimed to have fired  would result in about $9 million in savings that could be reallocated to other areas of the agency.

That was their budgeted FTE, but their actual FTE  from what the state super has said  is down 130 FTEs, Pugh said. He has said hes fired, and reduced staff, by 130 FTEs. With that being said, thats about a $9 million, over a year, realized cost savings. If thats true, then the money is there to pay for the assessments out of their budget.

High number of departures from state education department a topic of discussion among legislators

When legislative leaders met last Thursday in a public hearing to discuss budget items, they held an extended discussion when they came to the agencys $4.7 million request. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, told House negotiators the Senate was willing to go as high as $4.2 million and asked if it was a recurring cost, which House Appropriations Committee Chair, Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, confirmed.

Wallace said federal pandemic-era funding had been used to pay for the assessments in recent years, but that money is no longer available. He said the costs for the assessments has risen from $9 million to more than $13 million. House Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, responded that hed spoken with the state Department of Educations lobbyist, Lindsey McSparrin, that morning, who told him the reasons why the cost of assessments had risen.

Hilbert, who likely will be the House speaker next year, said he was told by McSparrin the increase was due to an increased amount of students taking the assessment, overall higher costs for assessments, standard setting for grades three through eight must be done for (English and Language Arts) and math, added reporting for ACT and added Spanish translations.

Treat then broached the subject of the agencys large number of recent departures: You know, there should be a large savings over there, with 130 less employees. Can they not fund this themselves?

Hilbert responded, Its funny you ask that. I asked that very same question this morning.

He told a story about another state agency that, in 2017, had budgeted substantially more FTEs than they actually had. Then, on, like, page 72 of the 100-plus-page slide deck, they buried that they had used that $40 million or some odd for IT and administration, which was a very curious thing to me, as a brand-new freshman legislator, to ask about.

Hilbert said he asked a similar question to McSparrin.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an Oklahoma school board meeting in April at the Oklahoma Capitol.

The response was, I cant remember if it was 80 or 90, but either 80 or 90 of those 130 employees have been replaced and some of those employees also were funded from federal funds, and so the funds arent there to replace them, Hilbert said. But also, I do believe there, from what Ive seen from media reports, a lot of those employees that have left the state Department of Education had been there for a long time, and so I imagine the costs of them leaving would be substantial, from buyout and the leave and all that accrued.

Thus, Hilbert said, I dont believe that theyre sitting on a big pile of cash in operations, from the gap between FTEs and actual employees for those reasons, but I do think maybe, in a year from now, if they still have this gap of 40 actual employees to FTE count they budgeted for, there would be, but I dont believe there is today.

Hilbert said if Senate leaders pull the (agencys) revolving funds and see differently, Id be open to that conversation about having the agency cover the extra assessment cost itself.

Key player in determining state education budget wants to see the numbers

Pugh said hes asked questions of state Education Department officials about employee numbers and labor costs, but hasnt yet received a response, although he expects one soon. But if what McSparrin said was true, there would still be a gap of about 40 FTEs, Pugh said.

Thats probably $3 (million) or $4 million, Pugh said. We need the accounting data. We want to cover the assessment cost, because the schools have to take the assessments. We dont want to shortchange that funding stream. It draws down from a federal match, so we need to make sure that the state money is there, so the federal match comes in as well, because its a mandate.

One thing I always do is I look at the budgeted FTE, which is what you get paid for, versus the actual FTE, which is who you actually staff. If those numbers are off one or two, that could be pretty benign. But when youre off 130 from what youre budgeted versus your actual, then thats a significant cost difference we have to reconcile.  Thats something we do with every agency.

Pugh said its a fair question, if youre touting the fact that youve cut all this staff.

Dan Isett, a spokesman for the agency, didnt answer questions from The Oklahoman about how many employees the agency currently has, whether 80 to 90 of the 130 positions have been filled, how many positions remain open, how much money the agency has saved during the past year due to having fewer employees, and why the agency couldnt absorb the extra $4.7 million in assessment costs, given that Walters has spoken about saving taxpayers money by having fewer employees.

Instead, Isett issued the following statement:

"Superintendent Walters has been breaking up bureaucracy and woke ideology in the public school system. The liberal teachers (sic) unions and the woke left are out of step with Oklahomans so they attack and abuse the judicial system at every turn to save their institutional brainwashing. Superintendent Walters represents a threat to their ability to use our schools as indoctrination centers.

"Walters is focused on eliminating bureaucrats and union lackeys. Anyone hired in his administration will be focused on parents, teachers, and kids to bring back common sense to the state. This is in keeping with his commitment to maintain a lean, efficient agency that makes the most of the hard-earned money taxpayers provide."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers question OSDE budget requests amid staff departures
Rep. William Bruck (R-Erie) testifies before the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee. | Kyle Davidson

On Tuesday, members of the Michigan House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee continued discussion on a set of bills to expand mental health care for veterans, creating a new Office of Mental Health and Suicide alongside improving outreach and resources available.

While bill sponsors Reps. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp.), Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp.), William Bruck (R-Erie) and Bob Bezotte (R-Howell) discussed their policies at the previous committee meeting, the panel continued to take testimony from organizations supporting veterans and the armed forces.

U.S. veterans are at increased risk for suicide, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs annual report on suicide prevention. In 2021, suicide was the 13th-leading cause of death for veterans overall, and the second-leading cause of death among veterans under age 45-years-old.

In Michigan, 171 veterans died by suicide in 2021 according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In the same year, 46,421 former service members in the U.S. died by suicide.

Alcohol and substance use can also increase the risk of suicide, with more than one in ten veterans being diagnosed with a substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

In order to address mental health and substance use disorders among Michigan veterans, House Bill 5276 places the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agencys Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention into state law, and would require the office to collect data on various efforts to address veteran mental health and substance abuse, alongside publishing a mental health and wellness resource guide, adopt a mental health self assessment for veterans and service members, and submit an annual report on the data it collects as well as its distribution of resource guides.

House Bill 5720, requires the the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to ensure members of the National Guard and other military service members have access to the resource guide at no cost in both print and electronic formats.

House Bill 5277 would require the MVAA to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to perform outreach on mental health and offer resources on substance abuse for service members and their families.

House Bill 5279 would create peer support program between veterans and current service members, while House Bill 5280 would require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop the Transition Bridge program for service members and veterans, focusing on mental health, wellbeing, suicide prevention and bridging the gap between military and civilian life.

Members of Reason for Hope, American Legion Department of Michigan, the National Guard Association of Michigan and the MVAA shared their support for the five bills before the committee, although some shared concerns on how the new programs created by the bills would impact operations within the veterans affairs agency.

MVAA Director Brian Love expressed support for the bills, but pointed to a number of challenges in implementing them with the agencys current funding and capabilities.

Love noted that while the state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 had allowed the MVAA to create an Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, it does not currently have the capacity to collect data and administer grants as required by House Bill 5276.

The agencys staffing and funding also limits its ability to develop, publish and distribute a resource guide, Love said.

Love also voiced concern about the requirement that MVAA work with the Department of Health and Human Services.

He also noted the agencys current buddy-to-buddy program, which would be put into law by House Bill 5279, is currently run by one full time employee, who also works on other projects. The program also relies entirely on volunteers and recruiting those volunteers has been challenging, with the MVAA planning to launch a recruitment campaign later this year, Love said.

While Love also shared support for House Bill 5280, noting the agencys excitement to see a program educating service members on mental health and wellbeing alongside the value of partnering with outside stakeholders, this bill also carries its own challenges.

With its current funding the MVAA would need to rely heavily on partnerships for programming and financial support to successfully develop and implement the Transition Bridge program. The agency also has limited access to service member records, which makes connecting service members with a program two months before or after separating from the armed forces  as required by the bill  a very difficult task, Love said.

I want to restate the Michigan Veterans Affairs agency supports these bills and is eager to work with the legislature to ensure we are all able to achieve the goals outlined, Love said.

Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), who chairs the committee, acknowledged the bills would be a heavy lift, and that additional funding would likely be needed.

Those are ongoing discussions as we kind of see where you need that extra help, too, she said.

The committee adjourned without voting on the bills.

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The post Lawmakers propose more mental health support for veterans, agency notes funding challenges appeared first on Michigan Advance.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  As artificial intelligence grows, deep fakes are becoming more common.

Deep fakes are digitally altered videos, audio, or photos showing a person saying or doing something that they never did. A set of bills discussed Tuesday would ban intimate deep fakes. Anajana Susarla is a professor at Michigan State University and an expert on AI. She said there are a lot of positives when it comes to AI, but there are also negatives like a deep fake portraying someone naked. She said there needs to be regulations.

We associate deep fakes with something like deep fake Tom Cruise, deep fake Keanu Reeves. Those are all really cute, I think we see them on TikTok and Instagram. But we have to think, what if youre doing something with malicious intent? Susarla said.

(WLNS)

And a sexually deep fake situation happened right here in Mid-Michigan. Back in July, 6 News reported on a woman who posted a picture of herself fully clothed. Someone then sent her the same photo back, but they AI generated her naked. Situations like this are why lawmakers have proposed a set of bills that would ban intimate deep fakes, which include putting artifically generated genitals on a person. One lawmaker backing these bills, State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou said the state needs to get ahead of AI sooner rather than later.

Weve seen an upsurge in these types of images on the internet. Theyre really easy to create theres websites where you can put a picture of someone in and they can do all sorts of things.

Tsernoglou said these bills would create civil and/or criminal penalties for distributing deep fake sexual images. Depending on the details of the situation, it could be a misdemeanor or felony. There is also an exemption for consent. Tsernaglou said the bills passed the committee with a unanimous vote.

This could be a nonpolitical subject. Tsernoglou continued, That we could come together in support of passing good laws that would benefit society.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Hours after the Louisiana House voted Tuesday to criminalize the possession of mifepristone and misoprostol without a prescription, lawmakers reacted to the vote, some expressing anger and others celebrating the legislation.

The unprecedented legislation is the first time a state has declared abortion drugs as controlled substances. The two drugs are used to induce a medicated abortion.

The state House passed the bill 64-29, and it now heads back to the state Senate for a concurring vote. It would then head to the desk of Gov. Jeff Landry (R), who is expected to sign it.

Vice President Harris posted on the social platform X responding to the vote, saying its absolutely unconscionable.

The Louisiana House just passed a bill that would criminalize the possession of medication abortion, with penalties of up to several years of jail time, she wrote. Lets be clear: Donald Trump did this.

State Sen. Thomas Pressly (R), who sponsored the bill, posted in response to Harriss comment, saying its unconscionable for her to lie about his legislation, which began after his sister was unknowingly given the medication.

Leaving out the part about not having a valid prescription & our efforts to protect expectant mothers from being slipped abortion meds by diabolical spouses, thats kind of a big omission. Do better, Pressly posted.

Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer (N.J.) said he was disgusted by the vote. He said he introduced legislation attempting to protect mifepristone and womens right to choose across the country, like we do here in NJ.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) also released a statement following the vote, admonishing the Republicans who passed it.

If Louisiana is successful in passing this dangerous bill into law, other Republican-led states will follow. The only way to stop this onslaught of Republican attacks in Louisiana and across the country is by making a concerted effort to build Democratic power in state legislatures, DLCC national press secretary Sam Paisley said in a statement.

Anti-abortion groups celebrated the vote. The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group released a statement saying the legislation should not be controversial.

Like morphine and Valium, the drugs in question will still be available for prescription for legitimate medical reasons  like miscarriage care  but will be harder for abusers to obtain, the groups Southern Regional Director Caitlin Connors said in the statement.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) said in a thread on X that she supports the legislation because the drugs are increasingly being shipped from outside Louisiana.

The Louisiana Right to Life group posted online that it is proud of the state Legislature for its support of the bill and advocacy for the health and safety of women & girls.

Surgical and medication abortion is already banned in Louisiana except to save a patients life or if the pregnancy is medically futile. Abortion pills are illegal to get through the mail in state, but laws in other states allow doctors to continue prescribing and sending the drugs through an online telehealth option.

The amendment makes it a crime for anyone who doesnt have a prescription or is a licensed provider to possess the drugs. People could face up to five 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 The Hill.
Eight Johnson City women who are participating in a lawsuit against Johnson City over its handling of rape reports spoke at a February press conference in Knoxville to push back on public statements suggesting victims shared fault (Photo: John Partipilo)

Eight Johnson City women who are participating in a lawsuit against Johnson City over its handling of rape reports spoke at a February press conference in Knoxville to push back on public statements suggesting victims shared fault (Photo: John Partipilo)

As parallel criminal and civil cases move forward, involving claims that Johnson City police conspired to protect a serial rapist, new allegations have emerged of a co-conspirator who laundered money in order to funnel extortion payments to officers.

The cases have gripped Johnson City for nearly three years. At their center are allegations that local businessman Sean Williams drugged and raped scores of women and sexually exploited children in a years-long sex and drug trafficking conspiracy  while local police took bribes to turn the other way.

Now, new filings in an ongoing lawsuit allege that Williams business partner funneled $2,000 in weekly extortion payments to Johnson City Police officers, using a complicated scheme of shell companies disguised as subcontractors in order to cover her tracks.

Some of the transactions took place in 2022 while Williams was a fugitive and Johnson City police were supposed to be monitoring his companies transactions for suspicious activity as part of their formal investigation into his disappearance.

Instead, according to legal filings, some officers continued to cash in on Williams through his business partner, identified in court papers as Female 4.

Johnson City police officers also provided the business partner with police protection, conducting extra patrols of her home and business, according to emails between officers that were submitted in court.

Johnson City police officers extorted Williams through Female 4, and she was the party responsible for opening shell businesses in order to launder funds to the officers, the new filings allege.

An attorney for the unnamed business partner did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. In her legal response, the business partner said she had had a personal relationship with Williams between 2010 and 2017, but had infrequent communications with him since.

Her response, seeking to quash a subpoena for business, social media, text messages and other records, also argued victims lawyers were seeking an overly broad and burdensome array of documents. The woman has not been charged with a crime.

The allegations are among the latest to emerge involving Williams, 52, who is currently jailed on federal charges for escaping and custody and child pornography production.

Williams also faces multiple state charges for child rape. When he was arrested in North Carolina last year, authorities found video and photographic images of Williams assaulting more than 50 women in his Johnson City apartment. Among them are victims who reported their assaults to Johnson City Police to no avail and have since joined a class action lawsuit against Johnson City, its police department and individual officers.

The lawsuit, filed last year, alleged a corrupt scheme by some Johnson City police officers to shield Williams after he was accused of sexual assault by multiple women.

Last month, court filings in the victims case alluded to a wider federal public corruption probe under way. The filing noted victims attorneys had been cooperating with the prosecution team for the federal public corruption investigation of the Johnson City Police Department.

A separate lawsuit, filed in 2022 by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kateri Dahl, heads to trial later this year. Dahl filed suit against then-Johnson City Police Chief Karl Turner and the city, alleging her efforts to investigate sexual assault allegations against Williams were thwarted.

Johnson City officials have denied any wrongdoing.

The post Lawsuit: Business partner of alleged serial rapist made extortion payments to Johnson City police appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
(Bloomberg) -- French far-right politician Marine Le Pen said her party will end cooperation with the Alternative for Germany in the next European Parliament following comments by an AfD lawmaker that appeared to play down the crimes of the Nazis.

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The AfDs lead candidate in next months European elections, Maximilian Krah, was quoted last week by Italian newspaper la Repubblica as saying that not all members of the Nazi SS paramilitary organization were criminals. Krah was already under pressure after his assistant in the EU parliament was detained last month suspected of spying for China.

Its enough  AfD is going from one provocation to another, Le Pen, who heads Frances National Rally, or RN, said Wednesday on Europe 1 radio. Its time to make a clean break with this movement, which has no leadership and is clearly under the sway of radical groups within it.

Le Pens move could be a first step toward a realignment of far-right parties represented in the EU legislature. They are currently divided into two groups, hampering them from securing key posts in the blocs administration.

The European Conservatives and Reformists group, or ECR, includes the parties of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Frances Eric Zemmour, while Le Pens party and the AfD belong to Identity and Democracy, or ID.

Le Pens RN is expected to trounce French President Emmanuel Macrons group in the EU elections and has a double-digit lead in the polls ahead of the June 6-9 vote.

Read More: Why Eyes Are on the Far Right in European Elections: QuickTake

The decision by RN to end ties with the AfD was first reported by newspaper Liberation. AfD spokesman Daniel Tapp declined to comment and referred to a party leadership meeting Wednesday morning where the issue will be discussed.

The two parties were already at odds following a media report that AfD members attended a meeting where a remigration scheme was discussed that echoed policies of the Nazis. Talks between Le Pen and AfD co-leader Alice Weidel in Paris didnt resolve the conflict.

There isnt a war between groups. There are ongoing discussions about how we can topple the majority at the European parliament, Le Pen told Europe 1 Wednesday.

Far-right parties can find common ground on issues including control of borders, a desire to remain sovereign and defending veto rights of nations, she said.

In a sign of possible movement, Le Pen attended a meeting in Madrid on Sunday with Spains Vox, which is part of the ECR.

The RN in recent years has sought to portray itself as a moderate party that prioritizes the economy and peoples livelihoods.

--With assistance from William Horobin.

(Updates with Le Pen comments starting in third paragraph)

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League of Women Voters of Maine looking for nonpartisan election observers

Voters cast ballots at the Expo Center in Portland, Maine. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

The League of Women Voters of Maine is looking for volunteers to serve as nonpartisan election observers for the June 11 primary.

We deploy these volunteers to polling locations to check on the conditions, help resolve any issues, talk to poll workers, and offer our gratitude, the League wrote in an email message Wednesday.

The program is in its fifth year and hopes to deploy observers at more polling places than previous years across all 16 counties. Volunteers  whether its your first time or not  need to attend a training session before the election, but election day assignments are flexible based on a persons availability.

People who would like to volunteer can fill out an online interest form. Anyone is eligible to be an observer.

There will be a virtual training session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, but the League said it can schedule alternative options for those who may have a scheduling conflict.

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The post League of Women Voters of Maine looking for nonpartisan election observers appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Leaked emails reveal oil companies privately betraying their pledges, misleading public: 'The time for accountability is now'

For years, some of the world's biggest oil companies have been saying all the right things in public about fighting our changing climate. They've voiced support for the Paris climate agreement and pledged to slash their planet-heating pollution.

But it turns out, behind closed doors, many of these same companies have been singing a very different tune, according to The Washington Post.

What's happening?

Congressional Democrats recently released documents revealing that major oil companies have been far more skeptical of key climate efforts behind the scenes than their public pledges of support would suggest.

The documents, obtained as part of a multi-year probe, show that while oil giants have voiced backing for measures like the Paris climate agreement and federal methane regulations, company officials have privately expressed doubts about these initiatives.

Why are these documents concerning?

This two-faced approach from oil companies is a huge problem for our overheating planet. By publicly supporting climate action while privately dismissing it, these companies delay the measures we desperately need to avoid climate catastrophe.

Scientists warn that unless we rapidly transition to cleaner energy, we could face increasingly severe heatwaves, droughts, floods, and other climate disasters in the coming years.

As California Governor Gavin Newsom put it when announcing a recent lawsuit against oil firms, "These are things that we imagined we might be experiencing in 2040 and 2050, but that have been brought into the present moment, and the time for accountability is now."

What's being done about oil companies' skepticism?

The good news is that the new documents are adding fresh evidence to a wave of lawsuits seeking to hold oil companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.

Eight states, dozens of cities, and Washington, D.C., are suing oil companies for allegedly misleading the public about the climate damage they knew their products would cause.

These lawsuits aim to make oil companies help foot the massive bill for climate impacts that are battering communities nationwide. The goal is to shift the costs of adapting to a warming world from regular people to the companies most responsible for the crisis.

What can I do to help?

As an individual, one of the most powerful things you can do is vote with your dollars.

When possible, skip the gas pump and walk, bike, or take public transit instead. If you're in the market for a new car, consider going electric  they're cheaper to fuel and maintain than gas guzzlers.

You can also urge lawmakers to invest in clean energy. Write to your elected officials, demanding they support a rapid and just transition away from oil, gas, and coal. Our future depends on it.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Lebanon man charged after wife's fatal shooting held without bond, given June court date

A suspect accused of shooting and killing his wife in Lebanon has been jailed without bond in Wilson County, and a court hearing is scheduled in the case next month.

Steven Yarbrough, 42, has a preliminary hearing scheduled on June 7, court records show. Yarbrough is charged with criminal homicide in connection to the death of his wife on May 18.

Catara Yarbrough has been identified as the victim, according to Lebanon Police. A GoFundMe page is set up to help the family with funeral arrangements.

Officers were called to The Ridge at Lebanon apartments on Fairview Avenue just before 12:30 a.m. on May 18 and found the victim, who'd been shot multiple times, according to a social media post from the city's police department.

A Lebanon police car.

Catara Yarbrough was taken to Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, where she died, police said.

Steven Yarbrough allegedly fled the area after the shooting, but eventually turned himself in later that day, according to police.

Catara Yarbrough was described as a caregiver to her ailing father in the GoFundMe description.

Tony Maynard has been appointed as the attorney to represent Steven Yarbrough. The investigation is continuing, according to prosecutors.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon man accused of shooting, killing wife due in court next month
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Kazakhstan is ready to share its experience on the introduction of digital currency with Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Board of the National Payment Corporation of Kazakhstan Binur Zhalenov told Trend on the margins of the Fintex Summit in Baku.

"As far as I'm aware, no conclusive decision has been reached regarding the digital manat. However, we're eager to exchange our expertise with our counterparts. Once a decision is reached regarding the implementation of the digital manat, we'll be prepared to share our insights, which will not only foster cross-border settlements between our nations but also enhance cooperation," he said.

The chairman suggests that the presence of digital currencies in both countries will aid in lowering transaction costs.

"Should there be a digital manat and digital tenge, the velocity and expense of transactions between our nations may see a potential decrease," remarked Zhalenov.

Additionally, he highlighted the collaborative efforts between regulators in both countries.

"We consistently engage in fruitful collaboration with our counterparts at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. They are a highly proficient regulatory body," stated the chairman of the National Payment Corporation.

To note, the digital tenge project underwent a pre-launch phase in 2021 to assess its feasibility. Subsequent research and testing with real consumers and businesses continued throughout 2022.

On November 15, 2023, the initial phase of implementing the digital tenge platform within the industrial circuit commenced. Collaborating with the Almaty city's administration and Kazpost postal service company, a pilot project introducing "digital vouchers" for complimentary meals in schools was initiated. Furthermore, in conjunction with international payment systems and four second-tier banks, the world witnessed the debut of bank cards connected to a digital account in the central bank's digital currency. This innovative development enables citizens to utilize, withdraw, and conduct transactions worldwide, all within a familiar user interface.
The left took it on the chin in Oregon on Tuesday.

Major progressive figures had mobilized in a safe blue congressional district  and their preferred pick lost. Establishment Democrats, meanwhile, successfully blocked a more liberal candidate from winning the nomination for a key battleground seat.

That means Rep. Pramila Jayapals sister wont be joining the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in Washington next year. And that national Democrats get their candidate of choice to take on Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer  and avoid a rematch of a race they lost in 2022.

Many of the congressional primaries that were held across Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky and Oregon were for safe seats  meaning the victors are poised to cruise to victory come the fall. But a handful of battleground races were finalized Tuesday, setting up competitive races, particularly in Oregon.

In addition to establishment Democrats big win in the Republican-held 5th District, general election contests were also set between Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle and veteran Monique DeSpain in the 4th District, and between Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas and repeat candidate Mike Erickson in the 6th.

Donald Trump-backed candidates had a good night, as did incumbents. But an abortion-rights playbook flopped for a former Democratic representative in Georgia, and the presidential candidates faced some of their final primary tests of their base appeal.

Heres what happened in Tuesdays primaries:

Progressives had a tough night

Progressives had a rough time in Oregon.

In the hopes of avoiding a 2022 repeat, national Democrats mobilized to block Jamie McLeod-Skinner in the race for the 5th District  one of over a dozen GOP-held seats that President Joe Biden won in 2020. McLeod-Skinner unseated then-Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader in the primary two years ago running to his left. But Chavez-DeRemer beat her by 2 points in the general election.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee quickly identified state Rep. Janelle Bynum  who was backed by the likes of Mainstream Democrats PAC  as its preferred candidate and spent around $1 million on a joint buy with her campaign. Bynum will now be the partys candidate for a seat Biden wouldve carried by almost 10 points  and shes facing an opponent, Chavez-DeRemer, whom she defeated in state House races in both 2016 and 2018.



In the open and safely Democratic 3rd District, the biggest candidates were all progressive, but state Rep. Maxine Dexter bested Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County Commissioner  despite her roster of impressive liberal endorsements. There was little daylight between the two candidates on major policy areas, but Jayapal was backed by a star roster of progressives including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and her sister, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Dexter received millions in dollars of support from 314 Action PAC, which supports STEM-educated Democrats, while Jayapal was hit with millions of dollars in attack ads from Voters for Responsive Government, a pop-up super PAC whose funders wont be disclosed until next month.



And in the district attorney race in Multnomah County  which encompasses liberal Portland  progressive incumbent Mike Schmidt trailed Nathan Vasquez, who had more moderate Democratic backing, in early returns. (The Associated Press had not projected a winner as of 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday.)

Trumps endorsement is still king

Two Trump endorsees were among the GOP primary winners Tuesday.

Vince Fong, Kevin McCarthys handpicked successor, won a special election in California. Brian Jack, a top Trump political hand who helped the former president snag endorsements from members of Congress, finished first in the race for an open House seat in Georgia, though he still faces a runoff next month.



Their performances preserved Trumps string of successful endorsements in open House seats. His endorsement of Brad Knott in North Carolinas 13th District convinced Knotts runoff opponent to drop out after early voting had already begun in last weeks runoff. And Trump earlier this spring elevated political unknowns like Addison McDowell in North Carolina, who was running against a former congressman, and Brandon Gill in Texas, who had to overcome super PACs looking to thwart him.

His endorsements in these open seats and others help cement his grip on Congress that could prove crucial in a second Trump presidency. Most of his endorsees so far are in deep red districts and poised to have long congressional tenures  a trend that helps Trump further remake the party in his image.

Incumbents prevail

Public approval of Congress is near record lows, but congressional incumbents keep winning.

Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho  a member of the pragmatic Republican Main Street Caucus  easily batted away two underfunded challengers and is poised to coast to a 14th term.



In Kentucky, Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Hal Rogers, along with Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey, all skated to victory in their contested primaries. While none had a serious primary challenge, Massies victory is notable: He had endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump (whom he backed once DeSantis dropped out) and voted to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this month.

Massie has also been the chief  and, at times, sole  critic of Israel in the House GOP conference, and the AIPAC-funded super PAC aired ads in Kentucky markets outside of Massies district in an attempt to tarnish his brand for a potential statewide race later this decade. (Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is retiring in 2026, and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is term-limited in 2027.) In a statement after his win on Tuesday, Massie said his victory is a referendum on thousands of independent votes that he has cast in Washington.

In Georgia, Democratic Reps. Lucy McBath  who was running in a new district that did not overlap with her current constituency due to redistricting  and David Scott, whose health had some concerned about his reelection bid, also easily fended off their challengers.

No House incumbent has been ousted by a primary challenger so far this cycle, with the exception of Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), who faced a rare member-on-member primary and was defeated by Rep. Barry Moore.

Further down the ballot in Georgia, Fani Willis, the prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against Trump, won her Democratic primary. And Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the Trump trial in Georgia, also won his nonpartisan election for a full four-year term.

An abortion-rights based campaign falters

Abortion-rights messaging has propelled Democrats and liberal-leaning candidates to victory in even the reddest of states since the overturning of Roe v. Wade two years ago. But that tactic faltered on Tuesday night for a nonpartisan seat on the Georgia state Supreme Court.

Former Blue Dog Democratic Rep. John Barrow lost his challenge against Justice Andrew Pinson, who was appointed to the court by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022 and was running for a full six-year term. Barrow staked his campaign on a vow to protect abortion rights.

It wasnt a novel plan: In last springs Wisconsin state Supreme Court election, liberal Janet Protasiewicz leaned on such messaging in her campaign for an open seat, flipping ideological control of the court. In Pennsylvania, Democrat Daniel McCaffery emphasized abortion rights in his bid to fill a vacancy. He ultimately won and expanded Democratic control.



Barrows loss isnt necessarily an indictment of the saliency of abortion-rights messaging. Incumbent justices in the Peach State are rarely unseated, and Pinson benefited from the support of Kemp in the final stretch of the campaign. The Georgia race also failed to attract the widespread attention and investment from national groups that the others had.

The real lesson of Wisconsin  it was a crash course, if anybody needed it  is that judicial candidates have a right to remain silent, alright, but they also have a right to speak, and to speak their mind on controversial issues, even controversial issues that are likely to come before them in court, Barrow said in an interview prior to Election Day. And that's because the voters have an even more important constitutional right to know what the hell they're voting for.

The protest vote continues on

Biden faced another uncommitted headache on Tuesday  but this one is quite different from the protest votes hes faced from the left in other states over the Israel-Hamas war and other issues.

Eighteen percent of Kentucky Democrats voted uncommitted, enough to send unaffiliated delegates to the August national party convention in Chicago.

Uncommitted even carried seven of Kentuckys 120 counties, but all of them were deep-red counties where ancestral Democratic registration handed primary ballots to voters whove long left the party except on paper. The Biden protest vote came from the right on Tuesday, not the left.

Thats a different problem from Michigan back in February, where the top uncommitted county was Washtenaw, home to the University of Michigan. Or in Wisconsin last month, where the top-performing uninstructed delegation county was Dane, site of the state capital and the University of Wisconsin.

Oregon presented a test of the Biden protest vote from the left, but it mostly fizzled out. With a little more than half the estimated vote counted late Tuesday night, Biden had 89 percent of the primary vote, with Marianne Williamson at 7 percent, and just 4 percent writing in another name.

The only state holding a binding Republican presidential primary was Kentucky, and it was no problem for Trump, who won about 85 percent of the vote. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley captured just 6 percent statewide  though she ran a little stronger in the cities of Louisville (11 percent) and Lexington (15 percent), and in some of the old-line suburban Republican counties like Oldham (12 percent), Woodford (12 percent) and Kenton (9 percent).
Legislation to end subminimum wage for tipped workers stalls, but advocates plan to keep pushing

Legislation to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers statewide appears unlikely to pass before lawmakers adjourn this week, but the coalition pushing the measure vowed Tuesday to continue efforts to bring the rest of Illinois in line with the city of Chicago.

We have more work to do. Were going to do that over the summer. Were going to do it in good faith, state Sen. Lakesia Collins, a Chicago Democrat, said, standing alongside members of the coalition One Fair Wage at a Springfield news conference.

With the spring legislative session scheduled to adjourn Friday, the bill has not been called to a vote in either chamber, underscoring the difficulty of making the policy statewide after Chicago eliminated the subminimum wage last year.

State Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez noted that the measure made more progress than ever and did receive a favorable vote in the House Labor and Commerce Committee.

Richard Rodriguez, national policy director for One Fair Wage, said the group hopes that the Democratic National Convention in Chicago will provide a burst of momentum for the legislation heading into the fall veto session, noting that President Joe Biden has called for an end to the tipped minimum wage nationally.

The elimination of the subminimum wage in Chicago last year was a win for Mayor Brandon Johnson and progressive members of City Council.

But the Illinois Restaurant Association has continued to fight a statewide measure and some Democrats, including Chicago Reps. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar and Curtis Tarver, have sided with the association, citing potential costs to small businesses.

The associations president and CEO, Sam Toia, on Tuesday maintained that the legislation is a solution to a problem that does not exist.

According to One Fair Wage, more than 200,000 Illinois service industry workers make a base wage thats less than the states minimum wage of $14 an hour for workers 18 and over. Tipped workers can earn a base rate thats 60% of that minimum, or $8.40 an hour.

Opponents including Toia have argued the focus should be on enforcing existing wage laws.

Some workers who appeared at the news conference in support of the legislation said the current laws arent protecting them from being underpaid.

Its not for me to run around and try to enforce the law about $5 and $2 and $3, its for the law to start working for workers, organizer and former tipped worker Nataki Rhodes said at the Springfield news conference.

Hernandez, who represents Cicero, and other leaders from the Chicago suburbs have also said theyre worried the retention of tipped wages outside Chicago could draw workers away from suburban businesses. The Cook County Board of Commissioners last week voted 15-1 in favor of a resolution calling on state lawmakers to pass the legislation.
Yes to ranked-choice voting

I read with interest Secretary of State Steve Hobbs column about ranked-choice voting (RCV). Yes, Washington is an outstanding example of well-run elections. I commend the work of election officials and have been proud of the state during the recent hoopla about election fraud.

But I differ on what RCV has to offer. I believe that extreme partisanship is destroying us. In our current zero-sum game, a congressperson can lose their job for cooperating with the other side and politicians run on increasingly extreme platforms in order to win.

With RCV, a candidate must appeal to a range of voters because if they arent the voters first choice, they can still benefit by being their second choice.

RCV also makes it possible for a third-party candidate to run without being a spoiler.

Mr. Hobbs cites problems for minorities but doesnt say why. I wonder how good the outreach was to those communities. And if a voter chooses to vote for only one candidate in RCV, its just fine, whatever the cause. For those who chose to rank candidates, the chances improve that they will be somewhat satisfied with the winner.

Yes, it will be a heavy lift to change, requiring a lot of work, outreach and funding. But if its better for the country, why wouldnt we? Alaska and other states have managed it. Australia has used it for over a century. I have complete confidence that Washington can do it well.

Chris Hempleman, Olympia

Time for Congress to take action on pharmacy benefit managers

As a caretaker to my aging parents, I worry about the lack of access to prescription medications. I was hopeful that Congress would pass legislation to reform the harmful Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices contributing to these problems last year, but lawmakers failed to act.

Given how harmful these PBM practices are to patients, that is a real shame. I hope that lawmakers from both parties can come together to pass much-needed PBM reform that improves access and reduces high out-of-pocket prescription costs this year.

PBMs dictate exactly where and when patients can access the critical medications, therapies, and treatments that they have been prescribed by their doctors. With my father battling prostate cancer, these kinds of delays and interruptions in care can pose a particularly dangerous threat.

Lawmakers in the other Washington should work together to pass PBM reform. Patients like my parents deserve a solution to this problem now, not later.

Timothy Krumland, Olympia

Palestine solidarity is not anti-semitic

In an opinion piece, David Mastio made the outrageous claim that faculty that support student encampments in solidarity with Palestine are antisemitic. Leaving aside the flimsy evidence he provides to accuse student demonstrators of being the same, the base of his claim is that he discovered some faculty at these schools have provided donations to Congressional Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Michigan.

In an unoriginal and tiresome trope, Mr. Mastio equates any critic of the Israeli Occupation as an antisemitic bigot. These protests are about stopping the wholesale slaughter of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza strip. Anyone that has a heart and eyes and ears to see can see that the bombing, shooting, and starving of civilians is wrong. That is why these protests are spreading.

Of course, Mr. Mastio is unable or unwilling to see it this way. Further, he seems unwilling to recognize the thousands of Jewish students and faculty that are participating in these actions. Its a major hole in his reasoning.

Its possible to oppose Hamas and also the Israeli Defense Forces indiscriminate killing of Palestinians. Mr. Mastio would do well to talk to a growing number of families of the Israeli hostages that are calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to sign the ceasefire with Hamas to ensure their loved ones are returned to them. I certainly hope he would not accuse them of being Hamas supporters or antisemites. But then he might have to face reality.

Alessandro Tinonga, Olympia
Letters to the Editor: California's population decline was too brief. The Golden State needs fewer residents

A U-Haul moving truck outside a Sausalito home in 2020. After years of decline, California's population started growing in 2023. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

To the editor: At almost 40 million people, California is the most populous state in the U.S. To achieve this dubious distinction, we have dammed up nearly every river in the state to supply water and power for growth and industry. ("California exodus left a gaping population hole. Can the Golden State finally bounce back?" May 14)

We have over-drafted nearly every aquifer in the state.

We have the worst air quality in the nation, along with some of the worst traffic.

We have plowed up nearly every square inch of the once glorious Central Valley and slathered it with pesticides, herbicides and rodenticides.

We have cut down native oaks and conifer forests.

We have all but destroyed native fish populations, and we have killed off California's grizzly bears, our state symbol.

Our cities are becoming unlivable and our neighborhoods are becoming un-neighborly.

And yet, there are some who bemoan the fact that we have lately lost some population and think we need more growth.

It seems obvious to me that we have exceeded California's carrying capacity. We are destroying the ecosystems on which our lives depend. This is not sustainable.

Pat Veesart, Santa Margarita

..

To the editor: This article assumes that flat or negative population growth is a bad thing.

Consider that most of California's problems  air pollution, traffic congestion, water shortages and housing shortages  were caused by the rapid population growth in previous decades. Now it is time for the state to catch up and build infrastructure to support the people who are already here.

Steve Mills, Glendale

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: I couldn't believe the gentle stance columnist LZ Granderson took on Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's backward and dangerous commencement speech at a Catholic college.

Doesn't Granderson know that millions of women and LGBTQ+ people are still in danger of or are living squelched lives? "Just let him be wrong" is wrong.

Butker's speech encouraged a regression to inequality for women and prejudice against gay people. Shame on that Catholic school for choosing and embracing that speech.

Lucy Fried, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: I really got a chuckle from Granderson's article about Butker's speech at Benedictine College, a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college in Kansas. After noticing the uproar in other news sources, I conclude that Butker will likely not look back in a few years with any measure of regret, contrary to what Granderson said.

Butker's message to the men was in the spirit of a pep rally, calling them to be aware of their importance in our culture. He told the women that not all of them would take professional careers outside the home.

Perhaps some (or many) today don't value the position of homemaker, but I assure you my own mother of seven would have relished that role had she not had to work five and a half days per week to supplement the family income because of my father's failure to develop himself professionally in his early adult years, the same years those Benedictine graduates are going through.

I suggest we get the drum soloists off the stage and start playing together as an orchestra, recognizing and valuing the role each of us voluntarily agrees to play.

Larry Furman, Woodland Hills

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Corye Franklin, principal of Lexingtons Henry Clay High School, has accepted the same position at a Fort Wayne, Ind. high school, district officials there said.

The Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees onMay 13, approved Franklin as the new principal at Wayne High School, a news release posted on its website said.

Fayette County Public Schools spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said Wednesday afternoon in a statement: I can confirm that the reports are true. Dr. Franklin informed the (Henry Clay High School) staff this afternoon of his departure. There is nothing more to report right now.

The news release included information that Franklin was the principal at Henry Clay.

Franklin became principal of Henry Clay High School in July 2023. He was hired from a school district in Indianapolis after being investigated for potential district policy violations but the charges were ultimately dismissed, reports say. Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins looked into Franklins background at his former school district and said it came back whistle clean.
Lexington wants to have a say on a solar farm proposal before KY utility regulators

The city of Lexington has asked state utility regulators whether it can intervene in a case involving an industrial solar farm in eastern Fayette County.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has proposed a nearly 400-acre industrial solar operation on land that is currently zoned agricultural.

The farm is projected to generate 40 megawatts of power, or enough to power about 4,558 homes, according to estimates from cooperative officials. The site is between Interstate 64 and Winchester Road.

The power company does not have to follow local zoning regulations but must get permission from the Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities.

Fayette Countys zoning regulations currently do not allow for industrial, or large-scale solar operations. A Nashville-based solar company has proposed a zoning text amendment that would allow solar on agricultural land with a conditional-use permit. That zoning text amendment is pending.

Silicon Ranch, which runs and operates solar farms in 15 states, has an option to purchase 797 acres in the Haley Road area adjacent to the proposed East Kentucky Power Cooperative site. Because Silicon Ranch is private, it must go through local zoning. It cant apply for a zone change until there is change to zoning regulations.

The city of Lexington wants to intervene in a case before the PSC. East Kentucky Power Cooperative wants to build a solar farm in eastern Fayette County.

The city does not currently allow for commercial solar facilities under its zoning ordinances, Mayor Linda Gorton said. We need time to study and create a plan concerning solar facilities that serve the best interest of Fayette County.

Gorton said the only way for the city to weigh in on the East Kentucky Powers proposal is to intervene in the case. She said the city is concerned about the loss of agricultural land to solar operations.

The city has long limited commercial and industrial uses in agricultural zones due to the importance of agriculture to our economy, she said

Gorton said the city supports renewable energy. However, we should have a say in determining the siting of such projects in this county, she said.

Gorton said she is also concerned East Kentucky Power will benefit from the new solar field but Fayette County customers may not.

All or nearly all of the energy produced would be sold on a wholesale market and provide little to no energy to Lexington consumers, Gorton said.

Its not clear when East Kentucky Powers case will be heard by the PSC.
LI village with contaminated water demands fed help for new $55M treatment facility: Its their constituents

A Long Island village is demanding that the federal government help shell out for a brand new, $55 million water treatment facility after the community has spent years ingesting toxic, carcinogen-laden drinking water.

We will not allow the Village of Hempstead to be another Flint, Michigan, Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. told The Post Tuesday evening.

The Nassau County community has been battling astronomical levels of 1,4 dioxane  listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen  for years, with the highest detected levels soaring 900% higher than what is permitted by New York state.

Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr is calling on the federal and state governments to help fund a new $55 million water treatment plant.

Health officials have tracked the unhealthy water quality down to the villages more than 100-year-old water treatment plant, where all nine wells are loaded with 1,4 dioxane  the same chemical found in laundry detergent and shampoos.

The fed-up village has already drafted and approved plans to replace the failing facility, but is now calling for emergency assistance from its state and federal partners to pitch in for what is estimated to be a $55 million project.

Then that burden wouldnt fall on the residents of the village Hempstead, said, Hobbs, a Democrat who has been in office since 2021.

We are the largest village in the state of New York, but we are a community that many of our people suffer economically. And we know in Long Island all together, the cost of living is very difficult.

The Village of Hempsteads highest levels of 1,4 dioxane has fallen between 7 and 10 parts per billion, according to a 2022 survey.

According to a 2022 survey, the Village of Hempsteads highest levels of 1,4 dioxane has fallen between 7 and 10 parts per billion, which well exceeds the 1 part per billion maximum contamination level that New York state established in 2020.

PFAS  or so-called forever chemicals  have also been detected in the drinking water.

The chemicals were released into the groundwater by commercial and industrial sources, eventually being sucked up by the villages nine wells and dispersed to its 55,000-person-strong community, the survey indicates.

The presence of the chemical is common across Long Island, whose only source of drinking water comes from groundwater aquifers.

Although research on the potential carcinogen is still novel, the EPA estimates that those who consistently ingest high levels of 1,4 dioxane have a one-in-a-million increased chance of developing cancer.

The people in the Village of Hempstead also have little room to protect themselves  with the median household income falling 41% below the rest of Nassau County, Hobbs says his constituents cant afford to buy bottled water, order delivery or even water filters.

And while there are no known cases of cancer in the community directly linked to the drinking water, Hobbes said officials arent waiting around to find out.

The new facility was approved by the Village of Hempstead Board of Trustees Tuesday. Newsday via Getty Images

Its nothing that is new in the water, but we want to make sure that we take care of it now, to protect not only the residents that we have now, but our future, our children, our childrens children, generations, the mayor said.

Whether the state and federal governments cough up the funding or not, the village will plow ahead with its plans to build the new facility.

On Tuesday, the board of trustees voted in favor of financing $55 million for the new water treatment plant, but with clear hopes that the government will help alleviate the heavy burden.

When asked if the federal and state government owes the money to the Village of Hempstead for the new plant, Hobbs said: Of course, because the same residents that elect me and the same residents that elect our state and federal officials.

Absolutely, its their constituents.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Little Rock police have identified the man who died after being shot out the Big Country Chateau apartment complex Tuesday night.

Officials with the Little Rock Police Department said 32-year-old Akeem Broadway died at an area hospital from gunshot injuries.

Little Rock police investigating deadly Tuesday night shooting on Colonel Glenn Road

Authorities said patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting around 7:40 p.m. and found Broadway suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel then arrived at the scene to take Broadway to the hospital where he later died.

Broadways body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab by the Pulaski County Coroner for autopsy.

Department officials said homicide detectives and the Crime Scene Search unit arrived at the shooting location to start their investigation, searching for surveillance video and talking with witnesses.

Suspect in Little Rock deadly shooting arrested in Texas

On Wednesday, Little Rock police released images of a suspect involved in the shooting. In the images, the suspect seems to be wearing a light-colored hoodie and dark pants.

Images provided by Little Rock Police Department

Authorities said the investigation into this shooting is ongoing. Little Rock Police Department officials ask anyone with information related to this shooting to contact the Major Crimes Division.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Police in Little Rock are investigating after a Tuesday night shooting left one man dead.

Officials with the Little Rock Police Department report that officers responded to a shooting call in the 6200 block of Colonel Glenn Road around 7:40 p.m. The address that officers responded to matches the listing for the Big Country Chateau apartment complex.

Little Rock mother hopes for justice in sons 2022 death

When they arrived at the scene, the officers said they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where authorities said he died from his injuries.

Police secured the scene, and LRPD homicide detectives arrived to begin their investigation.

Little Rock woman reacts to arrest made in connection with loved ones 2023 death

Little Rock police released images of a suspect involved in the shooting. In the images, the suspect seems to be wearing a light colored hoodie and dark pants.

Images provided by Little Rock Police Department

Little Rock Police Department officials ask anyone with information related to this shooting to contact the Major Crimes Division.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
LIVE UPDATES: Several races have yet to be called in Georgias primary

Several races have been called in Georgias primary. Todays includes a state Supreme Court race thats grown unusually heated by the sleepy standards of the states nonpartisan judicial elections, as well as a five-way GOP primary for an open seat in the strongly Republican 3rd Congressional District south and west of Atlanta.

Runoffs will be held June 18 in races where candidates dont win a majority.

Here is what you need to know:

12:33 a.m.

With 100% of the votes reported in the Cobb County District Attorneys race, it appears current D.A. Flynn Broady Jr. has lost to Democratic challenger Sonya Allen.

12:22 a.m.

With 100% of the votes reported, it appears voters have approved the creation of the City of Mulberry, according to the Secretary of States Office website.

With 98% of the votes reported in the Gwinnett County District Attorneys race, it appears current D.A. Patsy Austin-Gatson will win another term, according to the Secretary of States Office website.

With 98% of the votes reported in the Gwinnett County Sheriffs race, it appears current Sheriff Keybo Taylor (D) and Mike Baker (R) will face off in the November general election, according to the Secretary of States Office website.

12:01 a.m.

With 100% of the votes reported in the DeKalb County CEO race, it appears Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Larry Johnson will advance to a runoff, according to the Secretary of States Office website.

11:55 p.m.

With 100% of the votes reported in the Fulton County sheriff race, it appears current Sheriff Pat Labat will win the Democratic nomination.

11:51 p.m.

With 100% of the votes reported in the Henry County sheriff race, it appears current Sheriff Reginald Scandrett (D) will advance to the general election where he will face off with Republican John Lee Redlinger, who ran uncontested.

11:45 p.m.

With 100% of the votes reported in the Clayton County sheriff race, it appears current Sheriff Levon Allen and Jeffery E. Turner will advance to a runoff.

11:31 p.m.

With 99% of the votes reported in the Cobb County sheriff race, it appears David Cavendar (R) and current Sheriff Craig Owens Sr. (D) will face off in the November general election, according to the Secretary of States Office website.

11:26 p.m.

Democrat Maura Keller wins nomination in Georgias 3rd Congressional District, AP projects.

11:16 p.m.

Republicans Brian Jack and Mike Dugan advances to primary runoff election in Georgias 3rd Congressional District, AP projects.

9:55 p.m.

Lexy Doherty wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 10th Congressional District, AP projects.

9:54 p.m.

Republican Chuck Hand advances to a primary runoff election in Georgias 2nd Congressional District, the AP projects.

9:53 p.m.

Republican Wayne Johnson has advanced to a primary runoff election in Georgias 2nd Congressional District, the AP projects.

9:46 p.m.

David Scott wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 13th Congressional District, the AP reports.

9:44 p.m.

Jonathan Chavez has won the Republican nomination for US House in Georgias 13th Congressional District, the AP reports.

9:39 p.m.

Katy Stamper wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 11th Congressional District, AP projects.

9:37 p.m.

Democrat Clarence Blalock and Shawn Harris advance to a primary runoff election in Georgias 14th Congressional District. The race will decide who will go up against Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

9:36 p.m.

Elizabeth Johnson wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 12th Congressional District, AP projects.

9:32 p.m.

Incumbent Georgia Justice Andrew Pinson defeats challenge from John Barrow in nonpartisan court race for Georgia Supreme Court, AP projects. The 37-year-old Pinson wins a six-year term after Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him to the nine-member court in 2022.

9:11 p.m.

Incumbent Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat appears to be well ahead of his competitors according to current election results.

8:17 p.m.

Darrius Butler wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 8th Congressional District, AP projects

7:46 p.m.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, the judge presiding over the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, has won his race to keep his seat, AP reports. He will now have a full 4-year term on the bench beginning in January.

7:44 p.m.

Barry Loudermilk wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 11th Congressional District, AP projects

7:38 p.m.

Lucy McBath wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgias 6th Congressional District, the Associated Press projects.

7:36 p.m.

The Associated Press projects that Fani Willis will win the Democratic primary for Fulton County District Attorney. She will now face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in the general election.

RELATED NEWS:
Mica Miller was found dead in North Carolina in April from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office says

Mica Miller/Facebook Mica Miller

The FBI is now conducting a "parallel" investigation following the suicide of Mica Miller, the South Carolina pastor's wife found dead in April 27 in Robeson County, N.C., the sheriff's office tells PEOPLE.

Miller, 30, was found dead at the Lumber River State Park from what authorities determined was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Wednesday, Damien McLean with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office told PEOPLE that the FBI's field office in Columbia, S.C., is conducting a parallel investigation in connection with the case, but is not investigating Micas death. McLean declined to provide further information on the nature of the investigation.

Pastor John-Paul Miller, Micas estranged husband, was not in North Carolina at the time of her death. McLean reiterated to PEOPLE that the sheriff's office believes John-Paul was not involved in Mica's death.

"There's no evidence connecting him to her death," McLean told PEOPLE. "[The FBI is] investigating separate from her death. Her death has been rule [a] suicide."



Related: Friends Grieve Mica Miller's Death and Share Their Own Uncertainty About Pastor's Wife's Suicide (Exclusive)

Kevin Wheeler, a spokesperson for the FBI's field office in Columbia, S.C., told PEOPLE the office is "communicating" with Robeson County authorities but declined to comment on whether there was an investigation.

Wheeler added, "The truth is, the Robinson County Sheriff Department put out a statement saying that [the FBI was investigating], and all that I can tell you is that we have communicated with them. Beyond that. I can't give you any details."



A statement to PEOPLE from the FBI's national office of public affairs reads: "We have no comment and can neither confirm nor deny an investigation because of longstanding DOJ policy."

McLean, however, said the FBI's is an "investigation that's going along with our investigation," though he added that the bureau is not investigating any death.

"It's not connected to, it's not the same investigation," McLean added.

Related: Mica Miller's Suicide 'Is Quite Clear,' Police Say as They Push Back on Conspiracies Around Pastor's Wife's Death

Mica Miller/facebook Mica Miller

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The ruling of Mica's death as suicide did little to quell speculation from her loved ones that there was foul play involved, but Robeson County authorities have repeatedly asked those following the case to refrain from speculating about the high-profile death.

"Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made," Sheriff Burnis Wilkins warned in a May 7 statement.

"However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts, and evidence that has been gathered," he Wilkins, adding that "the evidence [of a suicide] is quite clear and compelling."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.



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Read the original article on People.
Local TV Journalist Points Out Uncomfortable Truth For Donald Trump Right To His Face

Jon Delano, the political editor of Pittsburghs KDKA-TV, pushed back at Donald Trump when the former president falsely claimed in a video interview Tuesday that widespread voter fraud cost him the 2020 election.

Trump in 2020 lost Pennsylvania to President Joe Biden by more than 80,000 votes. But that didnt stop the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee from regurgitating his election lies to Delano and claiming he absolutely won the state, and others that he actually lost.

After a lengthy ramble from Trump that included baseless allegations about Democratic cheating and a rail against Americas very primitive voting system in swing states, Delano pointed out an uncomfortable truth to Trump.

But the courts didnt agree with any of the claims of electoral fraud, Delano told Trump, who is currently on trial in New York in his hush money case.

Indeed, various courts have tossed more than 50 lawsuits that were brought by Trump and his associates in the aftermath of his 2020 defeat.

Trump appeared to struggle to hear Delanos comment due to feedback noise on the line. So, Delano repeated it. Im sorry. The courts in Pennsylvania did not seem to agree with any of the claims of anything going wrong in the 2020 election, he said.

Trump rode roughshod over the reminder, though, and claimed the courts didnt have the courage to do what they had to do and then described them as very disappointing.

Watch from the eight-minute mark here:

Related...
Locked Door Loophole: How Sen. Wiener is attempting to crack down on car break-ins

(KRON)  State Senator Scott Wieners (D-San Francisco) Senate Bill 905, a bill attempting to lessen the hurdles of convicting a suspect of auto burglary, was passed in the state senate today.

Under current law, convicting a suspect of auto burglary requires that prosecutors prove not just that the person entered the vehicle without permission but did so forcibly when the vehicle was locked. The mere fact that a window was broken is insufficient prosecutors must prove that the door was locked, which requires that victims must physically come to court to testify.

This requirement can sabotage clear cases of guilt, particularly for situations where someone is visiting San Francisco and is not going to return just to testify that they locked the car door, Wiener said.

Alameda Co. DA sues Farmers Insurance for allegedly underpaying homeowners across CA

SB 905 eliminates the requirement of proving the victims door was locked; instead, forcible entry  such as a broken window  will be sufficient to prove the crime of auto burglary, which may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

Wiener said the bill would also address the organized resale of valuable goods found in a stolen car. If car burglars hold more than $950 of goods intended to resell such as laptops, cameras, and cellphones then the car burglar is under grounds of being criminally prosecuted.

Auto break-ins have long been a vexing problem in San Francisco, and despite recent progress by city officials reducing the number of break-ins, they remain a problem, Wiener said in a statement.

Senator Wiener previously authored similar legislation in 2018 and 2019, but the proposed bills have since been killed. SB 905 is sponsored by the Office of San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Massapequa Park, N.Y.: Photo of the home of alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann, in Massapequa Park, New York, on July 26, 2023. (Photo Credit: Newsday LLC via Getty Images)

Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

In July 2023, police arrested a man named Rex Heuermann in connection with a series of murders in Long Island, New York. He is suspected of being the infamous Long Island Serial Killer who murdered 11 individuals. Although the Gilgo Beach serial killings began 28 years ago, they came under the limelight in 2010.

Recently, authorities arrived at Rex Heuermanns house to collect evidence. According to TIME Magazine, they used their cars, set up barriers to separate the area, and hoisted white tents in front of his house. Forensic and crime lab units were present at the location throughout the day, and investigators found bags and boxes that counted as evidence. Additionally, Suffolk County medical examiner officials were also present at the scene. Heuermanns family house is located in Massapequa Park on Long Island, New York.

Moreover, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierneys office did not comment on the whole ordeal after being questioned by New York State Police and Suffolk County Police. Meanwhile, Tania Lopez, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierneys offices spokesperson, released a statement that read, As District Attorney Tierney has previously stated, the work of the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task force is continuing. We do not comment on investigative steps while ongoing.

Heuermanns lawyers and family received several calls and emails for comments, but they didnt respond. TIME Magazine also noted that the suspects wife and two daughters werent at home when officials collected evidence. Earlier, police searched his residence for nearly two weeks following his arrest in July 2023.

What are the charges against Rex Heuermann?

Per People Magazine, Rex Heuermann has been charged with first and second-degree murders of Amber Costello, 27, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. Following his arrest last year, the in-custody suspect has maintained his innocence.

According to CNN, a friend of Brainard-Barnes reported her missing to the Norwich Police Department on July 14, 2007. The last person she spoke to was a friend from Connecticut. Two years later, the night before Barthelemys disappearance on July 12, 2009, she told her friend that she was en route to meet a man. However, she added that she would return in the morning. Waterman, a Maine resident, was last seen alive by her family on June 6, 2010. Costello was a sex worker who was addicted to heroin. She was last seen on September 2 of the same year.

As for Heuermann, CBS News reported that he worked as an architect. He also founded the New York City firm RH Consultants and Associates in 1994. This companys website states that its clientele has high-profile names such as Foot Locker, American Airlines, Catholic Charities, and Target.

Furthermore, they have described the accused as a provider of services to builders, developers, and more. Per CBS News, the website states, Throughout the years, Rex Heuermann has provided services to other city agencies, not for profit agencies, builders, developers and individual owners of buildings in regard to ADA, NYC and NY State Codes as well as Zoning Consultation.

Netflix is currently working on an untitled documentary that will delve deep into the Gilgo Beach serial killings. This projects director is Liz Garbus, and its release date has not yet been announced.

The post Long Island Serial Killer: Where Is Rex Heuermanns House? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  Longview ISD announced their lone finalist for superintendent as Dr. Marla Sheppard, a 29-year veteran educator.

Angelina College awards student new car

According to a release, Sheppard has served as a math and science teacher, assistant principal and middle and high school principal in Houston ISD. She was also an assistant superintendent at Fort Bend ISD where she was responsible for 16 schools.

Dr. Marla Sheppard, courtesy of Longview ISD.

I am honored to be chosen to serve the Longview community, Sheppard said. I am grateful to the board for their trust in me and I look forward to creating long-lasting relationships with the students, staff, and greater community.

Sheppard received her bachelors degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and her masters and doctorate from the University of Houston. She has also received numerous awards and recognitions for her work in educational leadership.

Jacksonville librarians to judge second poetry contest

Sheppard said she looks forward to the journey forward in the community and she is excited for the opportunity to lead Longview ISD. She will begin her tenure at the district after the state-required 21-day waiting period.

People can contact Longview ISD Communications at ask@lisd.org or call 903-381-2235 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as hundreds of animals are stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted.

The East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys is one of six L.A. shelters that are operating at over double its capacity  at around 211% full.

The issue has left shelter workers feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

The crisis is worse than ever, said Shira Scott Astrof, CEO of The Animal Rescue Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing homeless or abused animals. L.A. city shelters are still absolutely deplorable. They are overcrowded and the dogs are suffering. There are two or three dogs in a kennel meant for one. There are crates lining the hallways.

Astof blamed the ongoing troubles on city administrators, saying theyre not creating effective solutions to prevent overcrowding.

One issue Astrof pointed to is the amount of animals reportedly being released for adoption without being spayed and neutered.

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

Animal shelters in Los Angeles are facing a crisis from overcrowding as animals remain stuck in cramped conditions while waiting to be adopted. (KTLA)

She also points to increasing veterinary costs and backyard animal breeders not being effectively punished as exacerbating the crisis.

Unfortunately, were having to kill a lot of dogs for space and I think if people knew that, it would encourage them to create these solutions, Astrof said.

In 2024, the city of Los Angeles will spend nearly $32 million on animal services with about 90% of those funds allocated towards employee salaries.

Astrof recently spoke to city councilmembers to voice her concerns about the budget being slashed by $3 million, especially when shelters are struggling at full capacity.

You walk in and these dogs are screaming, she said. Theyre suffering and their cages are just covered in feces and the fountains still dont work. Its just so sad. We live in L.A. It doesnt have to be like this. These animals deserve so much better.

KTLA reached out to L.A. Animal Services for comment on the situation and has yet to hear back.

Those looking to add a furry friend to their family can help clear the shelters with a free adoption event taking place across L.A. city shelters on June 1. More information can be found here.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the East Valley Animal Center is part of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
It was February 2019. The Army Corps of Engineers announced it needed a new plan to manage the water level in Lake Okeechobee.

They knew $1.6 billion and 15 years of work to shore up the dike surrounding the lake and protect lakeside communities from potential flooding would finish early in 2023. The Corps knew it would have to adjust how, when and what volume of freshwater it sent downstream into brackish estuaries in Fort Myers and Stuart.

The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual design work was launched that month with an introduction to South Florida water users, farmers, conservationists, Everglades restoration organizations and residents. Everyone knew it would take some time to design, run computer models and account for stakeholders' requests.

No one thought it would take five long years, though.

This week marks the long-awaited final stages of LOSOM. By summer's end, LOSOM will become the document used by the Army Corps to govern Lake O decisions for the next decade  or more.

An aerial view of the St. Lucie Inlet on March 12, 2024 showing the dark water from Lake Okeechobee discharges entering the South Fork 9 miles upstream in Martin County.

When will LOSOM take effect?

The final environmental impact statement will be published May 24 in the Federal Register, Corps spokesman J.P. Rebello confirmed Tuesday. Then it is subject to a 30-day public review and a 30-day state and agency review. The record of decision and implementation is expected to take place in July or August, he explained.

"After the 30-day period, the Jacksonville District team (of the Army Corps of Engineers) will finalize the "Draft ROD (Record of Decision)" and transmit the ROD package to our South Atlantic Division (SAD). SAD will review the ROD package and then sign the ROD later this summer," Rebellos said via email to TCPalm.

Gen. Daniel Hibner, leader of the South Atlantic Division, will sign LOSOM into action. It will replace the Lake Okeechobee Regulation System 2008 (LORS08) currently being used to manage levels in the 730-square-mile lake. LORS08 resulted in four of the highest volume lake discharge events in 100 years.

Earlier this year, Col. James Booth, commander of the Jacksonville District, said lake discharges to the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie River were needed to lower lake levels because an El Nino this winter pushed the lake to 16 feet 4 inches by mid-February.

From Feb. 17 to March 28, 56.2 billion gallons of water were sent to the St. Lucie River and even more were sent west. The discharges dropped the lake a mere 9 inches. But since then, the lake has receded to 13 feet 4 inches because of irrigation water being pulled into the farms south of the lake and evaporation.

What will LOSOM do for the river?

According to computer models executed during LOSOM's design, the new management system could reduce discharges to the St. Lucie River by as much as 40%. The new document also calls for discharges to the St. Lucie to not even begin until the lake's level reaches 16 feet 6 inches.

Advocates and Stuart city officials call that a win for the river.

The final adoption of LOSOM will close a long chapter in the Citys pursuit for cleaner water and protection of our natural environment. Although we cant say the new lake regulation schedule will be the silver bullet to all of our concerns, the critical improvements to the system will be seen and felt by all for years to come, said Ben Hogarth, community affairs liaison for the city of Stuart.

Hogarth said this milestone would not have been possible without cooperation from Martin County, the Rivers Coalition and individual citizens negotiating with the Corps "with one voice."

LOSOM look back 2021: Here's what the Army Corps LOSOM decision means for the future of the St. Lucie River

LOSOM delays avoidable: Army Corps began new Lake O management plan 5 years ago. What is taking so long?

Implementing LOSOM should help the river and the southern Indian River Lagoon, said Mark Perry, executive director of Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart and of the Rivers Coalition.

"The sooner they start using LOSOM the better," Perry said.

"Implementation of this new Lake Okeechobee plan is long overdue," said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. "It's an improvement over the current, highly flawed lake plan, LORS08, that led to the lost summers of 2013, 2016 and 2018."

"That said, nobody should expect LOSOM to save the northern estuaries during high-lake years, like we're experiencing now. Lasting relief from toxic Lake O discharges will only come when more land is converted to marshes south of Lake Okeechobee, to restore flows of clean water to the Everglades."

Booth's 3-year term as commander of the Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District ends July 26.

Ed Killer writes about the environment for TCPalm. Email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Army Corps' Lake O plan finally reaching finish line after 5 years
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 22. The countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will set up a simplified customs corridor, Trend reports.

According to an official source, deputies of the lower house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan at the plenary session adopted a bill 'On ratification of the agreement between the governments of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States on the creation of a simplified customs corridor'.

Furthermore, the agreement introduces concepts such as 'simplified customs corridor' and 'trade operators' where, using the simplified customs corridor, trade operators will voluntarily share goods information.

The simplified customs corridor will offer trade operators priority customs clearance at checkpoints, simplified customs formalities, where possible, including separate traffic lanes, to reduce clearance time, and non-application of customs inspection at checkpoints (destinations), except in cases where the risk of customs law violation by the parties is identified.

After the entry into force of the agreement, the customs authorities of the parties will organize and implement a pilot project within six months.

The simplified customs corridor is a voluntary electronic system that exchanges information about carried products on all forms of transit.

Trade operators are persons who provide reliable information about goods and vehicles, participate in the simplified corridor, and complete customs procedures in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
Senate President Cameron Henry said a constitutional convention could still be held in August, even if lawmakers fail to pass the constitutional convention bill.

Dont count out that constitutional convention just yet, even if lawmakers fail to pass the bill to call the convention.



Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said legislators might still convene an August convention to revise the states foundational governing document, regardless of whether the convention proposal, House Bill 800, gets approved before the Legislature must adjourn June 3.



[Lawmakers] havent shut the door on it completely yet, Henry said in an interview with reporters Tuesday.

Lawmakers could hold meetings in June and July to explore what might happen in a convention to revise the 50-year-old state constitution. Then, they could schedule a special legislative session in August to quickly approve a bill to establish a constitutional convention that would convene later that month, Henry said.



Alternatively, the legislators could also come back into an August special legislative session to take up individual amendments that target the areas of the constitution they want to change, he said. Under that scenario, lawmakers wouldnt open up the entire constitution for alterations, but only specific areas they agree to discuss ahead of time.

These two workarounds appear to be a response to state senators resistance to committing to a constitutional convention in the next couple of weeks. By not making a decision on whether to call the convention until later this summer, lawmakers would give themselves and the public more time to get comfortable with the proposal, Henry said.

Gov. Jeff Landry made a constitutional convention a central part of his legislative agenda this spring, but hes struggling to get the overwhelming support he needs from the Legislature to hold one.



The Louisiana House of Representatives agreed earlier this month to call a constitutional convention in August, but the Senate hasnt even been willing to schedule a vote on the matter yet.



There is no need to tie our hands to a date for the convention, Henry said.

Senators havent been given details about what the governor hopes to accomplish in a convention. Landry has refused to say what his specific goals would be, and he also hasnt shared a lot of information about how the convention would function.

In general, Landry has said changes to the constitution are needed to provide more flexibility to the states budget and tax structure, though he has declined to give examples about what budgeting and tax practices he would want to change.

Louisiana is facing a large budget deficit next year, after an automatic state sales tax cut takes place in July 2025. The increased budget and tax flexibility would make that shortfall easier to handle, Landry said.



At a rally last week, the governor also mentioned that some budget changes might make it easier to pay for his proposal to use public money for childrens private school tuition, but he did not explain what other government funds might be targeted.

The governor and his supporters have also refused to declare certain areas of the constitution off limits to changes, even when they dont fundamentally have to do with budget and taxes. This includes the state court system and civil service, which is supposed to insulate state workers from the political pressure of elected officials.



Henry was asked if he knew what Landry wanted to accomplish during a convention.

No. No one does, the Senate president said.



If lawmakers called a convention in August, any new version of the constitution they approved would appear on the November state ballot for voter approval.



If legislators decided to pare down the proposal and approve a limited number of constitutional amendments in August, those amendments would appear on the December ballot, Henry said.

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The Louisiana House on Tuesday approved a bill to add two abortion-inducing drugs to the list of Schedule IV controlled dangerous substances in the state, making it a felony for anyone to possess them without a valid prescription.

The measure, Senate Bill 276, passed 64-29 in the Republican-controlled lower chamber after an hour of debate and some amendments. It will now be sent back to the Senate for concurrence, and then on to the desk of Gov. Jeff Landry (R).

If it is signed into law as expected, Louisiana will become the first state in the country to consider the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol in the same category as narcotics and depressants, making their possession without a valid prescription a crime punishable by fines of up to $5,000 and years-long jail terms.

The bill allows Louisiana doctors to prescribe the drug. It also includes an exemption for pregnant women who obtain the abortion drugs for their own consumption. Vice President Kamala Harris was among those who expressed horror at its passage in the House, tweeting on Tuesday night that it was absolutely unconscionable.

Lets be clear: Donald Trump did this, she added.

Abortion is already banned in Louisiana under most circumstances except to save the life of the mother or because the pregnancy is medically futile. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State Sen. Thomas Pressly (R) is responsible for the bills introduction. The proposed legislation began as a means of making a crime out of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraudin other words, using the drugs to induce an abortion without the consent of the pregnant person.

The lawmaker has explained that the issue had had a personal impact on him and his loved ones. Presslys sister, Catherine Herring, consumed abortion pills without her knowledge when she was given them by her estranged husband. Mason Herring pleaded guilty to charges of injury to a child and assault of a pregnant person earlier this year and was sentenced to 180 days behind bars.

He only attached the amendment to reclassify mifepristone and misoprostol after the bills unanimous passage in the Senate last month.

Everyone was blindsided. This was attached to a very specific billin response to the horrible thing that happened to his sister, state Rep. Mandie Landry (D) said Monday, according to The Washington Post. Then this different issue comes in. It was like the senator pulled a fast one. Changing the category of the medications is just malicious, and now every conservative state in the country will be copying it.

The bills introduction was also met with fierce blowback from hundreds of Louisiana healthcare providers, who signed a letter to Pressly protesting its potential passage. The letter, obtained by CNN, stresses that mifepristone and misoprostol are widely prescribed and taken safely, that they are non-addictive, and that reclassifying them would create the false perception that these are dangerous drugs that require additional regulation.

Pressly told the network that the doctors he had consulted with about the legislation feel this provision will not harm healthcare for women.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Louisiana House of Representatives has approved legislation to classify mifepristone and misoprostol as dangerous controlled substances. The medications are used to induce labor and treat miscarriages, as well as in first trimester abortions. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Louisiana House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to reclassify two drugs commonly used to treat miscarriages and induce labor in pregnant people as controlled substances because the pills are also used to carry out first-trimester abortions.

Louisiana lawmakers are likely only one vote away from defining mifepristone and misoprostol as dangerous over the objections of hundreds of Louisiana doctors, who sent them letters over the past few weeks opposed to the drugs reclassification.

Mischaracterizing misoprostol, a drug routinely and safely used on labor units, throughout the state, as a dangerous drug of abuse, creates confusion and misinformation and harms women seeking high-quality maternal care, the doctors said in a public letter to the bills sponsor, Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, earlier this month.

Under the legislation, approved in a 63-29 House vote, Louisiana would become the first state in the nation to categorize these two drugs as dangerous, signaling a new policy issue for the anti-abortion movement nationwide.

Opposition to the bill has also become a rallying cry for people who support abortion rights, capturing the attention of national figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris.

Absolutely unconscionable. The Louisiana House just passed a bill that would criminalize the possession of medication abortion, with penalties of up to several years of jail time. Lets be clear: Donald Trump did this, Harris posted Tuesday evening on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Absolutely unconscionable. The Louisiana House just passed a bill that would criminalize the possession of medication abortion, with penalties of up to several years of jail time. Lets be clear: Donald Trump did this.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 21, 2024

Doctors have said mifepristone and misoprostol might take longer for patients to obtain if they become classified as Schedule IV drugs. The medications can be used to treat constipation and ulcers, though they are most commonly applied for pregnancy care. Physicians who treat pregnant people have said they use them multiple times per day in their practices.

Louisiana already ranks among the worst states for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes, and critics of Presslys proposal said making these drugs harder to access could exacerbate that problem.

Fiftieth in maternal outcomes is not pro-life, said Rep Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, who opposed the bill. If you believed in the right to life, you would believe in the maternal outcomes being the best for this state.



If the drugs become controlled substances, doctors prescribing them will need to have specialty licenses, and health care providers will have to ensure their secure storage.

Supporters of the bill insisted the two drugs could rightfully be called dangerous because they can cause the termination of a pregnancy. It is illegal to use pills to induce an abortion in Louisiana, which has had a strict abortion ban in place since 2022.



They can be quite harmful, said Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, who is anti-abortion and supported the bill. Overuse can cause the death of a child.

Drugs classified as controlled substances are usually addictive. Mifepristone and misoprostol are not, said the Louisiana Society of Addiction Medicine in a letter to House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice.



Similar medications in this class are to treat erectile dysfunction and enhance eyelash growth, Dr. Smita Prasad, the president of the society, wrote in her letter. Scheduling these [abortion-inducing] medications would not prevent access through black market means, which is often how these medications are accessed illegally.

Rep. Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport also raised concerns about the legislation being placed in the racketeering section of state law, which is typically used to prosecute organized crime or gang activity.

Presslys bill was dramatically changed late in the legislative process. Initially, it only focused on increasing penalties for the crime of inducing an abortion without a pregnant persons consent.



Pressly brought it on behalf of his sister, Catherine Herring, whose husband placed abortion medication in her drink at her Texas home without her knowledge. Mason Herring, a Houston attorney, was sentenced to 180 days in prison and 10 years of probation in February for that crime, according to the Associated Press.

After the bill initially passed the Senate, the House added the language reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances into the legislation. The states most prominent anti-abortion group, Louisiana Right to Life, requested the change.



Twelve state representatives initially missed the vote on the legislation Thursday, meaning they didnt take a stance either way on the proposal. Their presence wouldnt have changed the outcome of the legislation, but the cohort included several moderate legislators and Republican women.



I was trying to decide which way to vote and I couldnt decide, said state Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, who changed her vote from absent to yes on the bill at the end of the day.

The Senate must agree to the changes to Presslys bill before it can become law. Gov.Jeff Landry, who is staunchly anti-abortion, is unlikely to veto the measure.

If the bill becomes law, it would take effect Oct. 1.

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The post Louisiana House votes to define drugs used for abortions, miscarriages as dangerous appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
The Louisiana state House voted Tuesday to add two common medications used for abortions to the states list of controlled, dangerous substances despite widespread evidence theyre perfectly safe and effective.

The medications in question, mifepristone and misoprostol, are already illegal to use for abortions in Louisiana, where the procedure has been completely outlawed since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022. But the legislation the House passed Tuesday would make possession of the medications without a valid prescription punishable by up to five years in prison  even though they have uses beyond inducing abortion.

The first-of-its-kind proposal, which passed 64-29, now goes to the states Republican-controlled Senate. If it passes there, it will move on to Gov. Jeff Landry (R), who is expected to sign it.

The drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are the most common method of terminating pregnancy. In 2023, the Guttmacher Institute found the medications accounted for 63% of all abortions in the United States  up 10% from 2020. Since its FDA approval in 2000, mifepristone  the first of the two drugs taken to terminate a pregnancy  has been used more than 5 million times, with fewer than 0.5% of users experiencing serious adverse reactions.

The Louisiana state House voted to add Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills to the states list of controlled, dangerous substances. Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Democrats blasted the bills progress Tuesday.

Louisiana Republicans already have a dangerous total abortion ban on the books that could threaten IVF access, and now theyre threatening jail time for simply possessing medication abortion pills, Sam Paisley, press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement, calling the idea outrageous.

Voters should anticipate a Louisiana law like this being influential in other red states.

If Louisiana is successful in passing this dangerous bill into law, other Republican-led states will follow, she warned.

The Houses passage of the bill is absolutely unconscionable, Vice President Kamala Harris posted on social media.

Despite the drugs widespread use, the bills author, Sen. Thomas Pressly (R), cited an exceptional situation in his reasoning for bringing it to the floor. Speaking on Presslys behalf at Tuesdays vote, state Rep. Julie Emerson (R) recounted how Presslys niece was poisoned by her former husband when he crushed up the abortion inducing drug misoprostol and put it in her water with the intent of aborting their unborn child.

Emerson continued: So what this bill is going to do is, its going to make sure that our laws can hold accountable those individuals who are using deception to harm women and unborn children.

Covertly drugging someone is already a punishable offense.

Democrat state Rep. Mandie Landry (no relation to Gov. Landry) argued against the bill Tuesday, saying the sudden need to treat the drugs as dangerous substances is absurd.

These prescriptions have been used for a really long time, and theyre used probably thousands of times per day in this country. Nothing about this has changed, but the politics of this has changed, she said ahead of the vote.

Furthermore, she noted, the drugs have numerous other medical uses that have nothing to do with abortion.

This is used for ulcers, miscarriage. Its to induce labor. Its postpartum hemorrhaging. If you get an IUD, it might help with that, she listed.

Classifying drugs under the states Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law also requires them to be addictive, she noted  something mifepristone and misoprostol are certainly not.

Nothing has changed to make these drugs addictive, she said. You cannot be addicted to misoprostol unless you get pregnant once a month, I guess.

The Louisiana bill comes as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a case that could severely scale back access to mifepristone. However, a majority of justices appeared skeptical of the lawsuits merits when they heard the case in March. The court is expected to release its ruling as early as June.
FILE - Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on March 16, 2022. Louisiana lawmakers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, advanced a bill that would reclassify two abortion inducing drugs, making it a crime to possess without a prescription. Mifepristone and misoprostol have other critical uses, including to induce labor, stop obstetric hemorrhaging and treat miscarriages. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill that would make it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription, a move that doctors fear could prevent them from adequately treating their patients in a timely manner.

Under the bill, which aims to reclassify mifepristone and misoprostol, pregnant patients would still be able to possess the drugs with a valid prescription. But in a state with one of the countrys highest maternal mortality rates, doctors fear the legislation would have chilling effects.

More than 200 doctors signed a letter to lawmakers saying the measure could produce a barrier to physicians ease of prescribing appropriate treatment and cause unnecessary fear and confusion among both patients and doctors. The bill heads to the Senate next.

These medications touch on maternal health, which, as we've all discussed for several years now, is really bad in Louisiana, state Rep. Mandie Landry, a Democrat, said as she argued against reclassification of the drugs. In their (doctors') view, this (measure) will have very bad effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone in 2000 to end pregnancy, when used in combination with misoprostol. The pills also have other common uses, including to treat miscarriages, induce labor and stop obstetric hemorrhaging.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in March on behalf of doctors who oppose abortion and want to restrict access to mifepristone. The justices did not appear ready to limit access to the drug, however.

The reclassification of the two drugs in Louisiana is an amendment to a bill originating in the Senate that would create the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud." The measure would make it a crime for a person to knowingly use medications to cause or attempt to cause an abortion without a pregnant person's knowledge or consent.

Proponents of the reclassification say it would prevent people from unlawfully using the pills.

He wants to stop these abortion pills from getting into the hands of those people who should not be able to have them, GOP state Rep. Julie Emerson said of Sen. Thomas Pressly, the Republican sponsoring the bill. Pressly's sister has shared her own story, of her husband slipping her abortion-inducing drugs without her knowledge or consent.

The bill as amended must now return to the Senate. Specifically, the amendment aims to label the medications as Schedule IV drugs under the states Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.

Under the measure, doctors would need a specific license to prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol, and the drugs would have to be stored in certain facilities that in some cases could end up being located far from rural clinics. Opponents say such restrictions could cause delays in doctors prescribing and patients obtaining the drugs.

The bill, with the amendment, passed in Louisianas GOP-controlled House, 66-30.

Louisiana has a near-total abortion ban in place, which applies both to medical and surgical abortions. The only exceptions to the ban are if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother if she continues the pregnancy or in the case of medically futile pregnancies, when the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Currently, 14 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.

Although it is already a crime in Louisiana to be given medication to induce an abortion, a recent survey found that thousands of women in states with abortion bans or restrictions are receiving abortion pills in the mail from states that have laws protecting prescribers.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  An effort by Louisianas Jewish community to bar nitrogen gas as an execution method was blocked by a conservative legislative committee on Tuesday.

Alabama was the first state in the nation to use the gas earlier this year. Since then, several Republican-led states have added the method, prompting a backlash by opponents who say it is inhumane. Members of the Jewish community in Louisiana have another reason for rejecting it: They say it invokes trauma from the Holocaust, when the Nazis used lethal gas to kill millions of European Jews.

Louisiana lawmakers advance bill to reclassify abortion drugs, worrying doctors

I cannot remain silent against a method of execution that so deeply offends our people and displays blatant disrespect for our collective trauma, said Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation in Metairie, Louisiana.

While the bill to remove nitrogen hypoxia executions from state law advanced in the GOP-dominated Senate, it came to a screeching halt in a House legislative committee Tuesday. During the hearing, Republican committee members and others argued against the parallels presented by Jewish advocates, saying the execution of death row inmates is not comparable to the Holocaust.

Were not talking about innocent children, men or women.  Were talking about criminals who were convicted by a jury of 12, said Republican state Rep. Tony Bacala.

The committee rejected the bill to eliminate the execution method by a vote of 8-3, along party lines. With less than two weeks left in legislative session, the measure is likely dead.

It was no secret that the effort faced an uphill battle in Louisianas reliably red legislature, which has overwhelmingly supported capital punishment. Under the direction of new, conservative Gov. Jeff Landry, lawmakers added both nitrogen gas and electrocution as allowable execution methods in February. The only previously allowed method was lethal injection, which had been paused in the state for 14 years because of a shortage of the necessary drugs. The shortage has forced Louisiana and other states to consider other methods, including firing squads.

What happens behind the gates? Investigative reporter examines claims of health care abuse at Louisianas Angola prison

In January, Alabama performed the first execution using nitrogen gas, marking the first time a new execution method had been used in the United States since lethal injection, which was introduced in 1982. Kenneth Eugene Smith, convicted of murder, was outfitted with a face mask that forced him to breathe pure nitrogen and deprived him of oxygen. He shook and convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes on a gurney before his breathing stopped and he was declared dead. State officials maintain that it was a textbook execution.

Alabama has scheduled a second execution using nitrogen gas, on Sept. 26, for Alan Eugene Miller, who was convicted of killing three men during a 1999 workplace shooting. Miller has an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the execution method as a violation of the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, citing witness descriptions of Smiths death.

About 60 people now sit on Louisianas death row. There are currently no scheduled executions.

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California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis launched a PAC this week to mobilize Democratic voters and help retake control of the House. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis publicly launched a new independent political committee to mobilize "pro-choice" California voters and help to defeat Donald Trump and take back Democratic control of the House of Representatives.

Californians for Choice, which as a super PAC is allowed to raise unlimited sums from donors for independent expenditures on races, plans to recruit volunteers across the state to make calls and knock on doors in key congressional contests, according to a statement from the committee.

The PAC will focus on defeating Reps. John Duarte (R-Modesto), Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita), David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and replacing them with Democrats, as well as retaining Democratic control of Irvine Rep. Katie Porter's House seat, where Democratic State Sen. Dave Min is competing against Republican Scott Baugh. Instead of running for reelection, Porter made a bid for the U.S. Senate but lost in the March primary.

Read more: Six California House races that could help determine control of Congress

The PAC launched with a statewide 30-second ad starring Kounalakis, who speaks directly to the camera in jeans and a blazer while headlines about abortion restrictions blare in the background.

Im building an army to fight back, stand up for choice and stand up for women, Kounalakis says in the ad.

Californians for Choice has placed an initial ad buy just over seven figures across digital and TV, according to David Beltran, a strategist working with the PAC.

The powerful state politician and former U.S. ambassador to Hungary has already been running in the 2026 gubernatorial race for more than a year, and the ad will undoubtedly help improve her name recognition and burnish her image as a leader on abortion rights.

With Newsom termed out in 2026, the race to replace him is already crowded more than a year out, with California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former state Controller Betty Yee among those who have already thrown their hats in the ring. State Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has also said hes considering a gubernatorial bid, but hasnt officially joined the race.

Read more: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announces early bid in 2026 California governor's race

Kounalakis is the daughter of self-made Sacramento real estate magnate Angelo Tsakopoulos; she and her family have spent generously on their political priorities in the past, including Kounalakis lieutenant governors race.

Kounalakis was first elected as lieutenant governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The post is a relatively under-the-radar office that's often used a launching pad for the governor's mansion. Both Newsom and former Gov. Gray Davis previously served as lieutenant governor.

Paperwork to create the Californians for Choice PAC was filed with the Federal Election Commission in mid-April, according to FEC records.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The stepfather of missing Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari will face a jury trial this week, a judge ruled Tuesday after hearing motions to delay or dismiss the case. Jury selection began Wednesday morning in Mecklenburg Superior Court.

Madalina mysteriously disappeared in 2022 following her schools Thanksgiving break. Then, she was 11.

Now 13, Madalina remains missing, and investigators have not released much information about their investigation or where theyre searching.

Local police and the FBI began investigating immediately in December 2022 after learning of the girls disappearance. But by then, she had not been seen at school for weeks.

In December 2022, mother Diana Cojocari and stepfather Christopher Palmiter were charged with failing to report her missing. The couple previously gave police conflicting information, both insinuating that the other hid Madalina somewhere and that each suddenly had a large bag of money following her disappearance.

Palmiter and Cojocaris respective cases could give possible answers to the larger lingering question: What happened to Madalina?

While Palmiter maintains he is not guilty of failing to report Madalina missing, Cojocari pleaded guilty to the same charge Monday. Because she had served the maximum amount of time for the charge while awaiting her court date, a judge released her Tuesday. She was expected to be deported to Moldova, but Palmiters lawyer Wednesday subpeonaed her to testify during his trial.

She will likely plead the fifth, refusing to provide any information that could incriminate her, said her attorney, Daniel Roberts.

Trial delay sought

Brandon R. Roseman, Palmiters court-appointed attorney, filed a motion Monday to delay the trial so he could review evidence he said was new to him: an FBI interview with Cojocaris cousin.

According to the motion, which references the interview, Cojocari, 39, spoke with her cousin  Octavian Cebanu  before, during and after Madalinas disappearance.

In 2022, Diana Cojocari allegedly called Cebanu as she realized the medical excuse she was using to keep Madalina out of school was about to expire, according to court records. The school would soon ask questions.

She needed help, she said. She needed to get away from Palmiter.

Roseman says the defense did not know until May 15 about the information in the interview, or in the texts between Cojocari and Cebanu. The interview with the cousin contains exculpatory information that could prove Palmiter is not guilty, Roseman said in the motion.

He also asked the judge to order the state to share more evidence from their findings, listing Cojocaris phone data, conversations with her mother and any conversations [she] had about a covert effort to hide this girl away without Mr. Palmiters knowledge.

Unless shes able to communicate ... through telepathy, shes probably using a form of communication I need to discover, he told Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Matthew Osmond in court Tuesday.

Osmond denied all the requests. He said the defense had ample time to review the case.

Assistant District Attorney Austin Butler relayed that the warrant detailing the interview was unsealed July 17, 2023. Roseman said he wasnt made aware of it until last week.

The judge also denied Rosemans earlier request to dismiss the case and to compel the state to share evidence, saying it could compromise the investigation into Madalinas disappearance.

Surveillance video from 11-year-old Madalina Cojocaris school bus shows she got off at her stop on November 21, 2022, at 4:59 p.m. This is the last time police have independent confirmation of when she was last seen

Palmiter was supposed to begin trial Monday, but a separate murder trial scheduled in the same courtroom needed to end before his could begin, said Mike Stolp, a spokesman for the Mecklenburg District Attorneys Office. That four-week trial ended Tuesday afternoon when Dwayne Bryan Evans, 33, was convicted of first-degree murder and related charges in the 2018 killing of his roommate, Eric Spells.

As jury selection began Wednesday, Osmond told a group of about 50 potential jurors that the case had some publicity and cautioned them that what they may have seen on the news is not evidence and that they must not let it influence [their] decision in any way.

For most, that wasnt an issue.

Of the 14 jurors who were individually questioned  two later being excused  only three said they had any prior knowledge of the case.

Its all over, one juror said of the publicity around the case. I dont know anybody who hasnt seen it.

Youd be surprised, Osmond replied.

Some other potential jurors were excused on Wednesday afternoon after they said they had seen news reports on the case.

Butler, the assistant district attorney, asked potential jurors: Does everybody understand that what happened to Madalina is not what this trial is about?

Cornelius community still searching for Madalina

On the eve of the trial Tuesday when the motions were heard, Cornelius Police Department Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson sat in court alongside detectives and reporters.

The focus remains on Madalina, she said when asked how the trial would impact the case. On finding her.

Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson of the Cornelius police reads birthday cards at a community gathering at town hall to mark the 13th birthday of Madalina Cojocari, who has been missing since November 2022. Behind her at the April 11, 2024 event are police Chaplain Paul Turbedsky, left, and Chief David Baucom

While Palmiters charge concerns only his alleged failure to report his stepdaughter missing, a trial is expected to reveal more details about what happened when she vanished.

School counselors in November 2022 called Cojocari and Palmiter to Bailey Middle School after Madalinas teacher noticed a long absence.

Madalina was last seen Nov. 23, 2022, police say, and on Nov. 30, a neighbor reported her mother was burning furniture in the backyard.

Cojocari and Palmiter didnt report her missing until Dec. 15 of that year. By Dec. 17, Cornelius police had arrested the couple, charging each with failure to report a missing child.

Palmiter posted a $25,000 bond, which was originally $200,000. Cojocari remained in jail under a $250,000 bond until she pleaded guilty and was released Tuesday. At a court date in February, she refused to leave her jail cell and come before a judge.

Both Cojocari and Palmiter have been interviewed by police, but neither have offered any explanation as to why they didnt report the girl missing, prosecutors said in a previous court hearing.

Cojocari told investigators she believed Palmiter put their family in danger. She also told police she did not report her daughter missing sooner because she feared conflict with him, investigators wrote in the documents in the court file.

In court in August, Palmiters lawyer said Palmiter believes Madalina is now being cared for by someone assigned by Diana Cojocari.

Have you seen Madalina?

An 11-year-old Madalina was last seen wearing jeans, pink, purple and white Adidas shoes, and a white T-shirt and jacket. She is 4 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds.

Anyone with information on Madalinas whereabouts is asked to call the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867.

Observer staff writer Ryan Oehrli contributed to this story.
When it comes to the newly unsealed revelations from Donald Trumps classified-documents scandal, theres a big difference between whats important and what Republicans are pretending is important. Lets start with the latter.

The former president, referencing newly available materials, claimed by way of his social media platform that the Justice Department AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE while executing a court-approved search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. This, according to Trump, is proof that President Joe Biden is MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE.

It wasn't at all clear how or why the Republican made this leap, but his allies were similarly hysterical. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, for example, claimed that the incumbent Democratic president ordered the hit on Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia added that the Justice Department and the FBI had plans to assassinate the former president. Even some Fox News personalities parroted the line.

Trump even issued an outlandish fundraising appeal, falsely claiming that Biden was locked & loaded and ready to take me out during the FBIs search of his glorified country club.

All of this was utterly bonkers. As NBC News reported, Trump and allies appeared to be misconstruing standard operating procedure at the FBI. In fact, the bureau took the unusual step of issuing a public statement yesterday, explaining reality, and leaving no doubt that the former president and his allies simply had no idea what they were talking about.

But as truly ridiculous as the Republican rhetoric was, it would be a mistake to assume that there were no revelations of note in the newly unsealed court documents. NBC News also reported:

The timeline of events helps clarify matters. In the spring of 2022, the Justice Department subpoenaed Trump, directing him to return the documents he took. In June 2022, the Republicans attorneys insisted to law enforcement that there were no classified materials at Mar-a-Lago.

When Trump refused to comply with the subpoena, and his lawyers claims proved false, the FBI showed up at the venue in August 2022 to retrieve the classified documents the former president wasnt supposed to have. In December 2022, Trumps legal team arranged for a sweep of the Republicans properties to ensure there were no remaining sensitive documents in his possession.

It was at that point when personnel found even more classified documents  in Trumps bedroom. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wondered how, exactly, this happened, and in a 2023 ruling, she wrote, Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago.

In case this werent quite enough, a Politico report went on to note, In a footnote, Howell also noted that another Trump adviser connected to his Save America PAC had acknowledged scanning the contents of the box that contained the classified materials in 2021 and storing them on a personal laptop provided by the PAC.

Theres a reason the former president and his allies were fixated on absurd assassination claims: They were no doubt aware that the reality-based revelations from yesterday made Trump look even worse.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As his criminal trial was poised to begin, Donald Trump told reporters they should expect to see him on the stand. Yeah, I would testify, absolutely, the defendant declared. Im testifying. I tell the truth, I mean, all I can do is tell the truth.

The language, which the former president repeated more than once, sounded categorical  which made it all the more notable when Trump and his defense team started hedging last week.

The Republican's critics, hoping to see him deliver testimony that would almost certainly make his problems worse, did their best to try to coax him into testifying. Third Way even invested in a 30-second ad that concluded, Take the stand, Donald, or admit youre a coward.

It didnt work. As my MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin explained:

It was hard not to wonder whether the suspected felon would explain why, exactly, he didnt testify after saying he would. But at least so far, Trump hasnt shed light on the subject.

During a relatively brief Q&A with reporters at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse yesterday, the Republican was asked specifically about his decision not to testify. Trump simply walked away, ignoring the question.

Trump ignores a question about why he decided not to testify as he walks away from reporters pic.twitter.com/FfXdG4vNdi  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 21, 2024

The public is left with a dynamic in which the criminal defendant had plenty to say about the case online, in interviews and outside the courtroom, but given the opportunity to tell the jury his side of the story, Trump demurred.

Jurors are not supposed to care. Voters, on the other hand, might.

Indeed, for all of the Republicans tough talk and chest thumping, Trump has a problem when it comes to actually following through on his bravado. After declaring, Im testifying, the former president not only failed to keep his word, hes also failing to explain why he failed to keep his word.

Following up on earlier coverage, theres no great mystery as to why: Trump would share his side of the story under questioning from his own attorneys, but the moment he faced off against prosecutors, the former president would've run the risk of lying under oath, losing his temper or lashing out wildly, all while inviting another contempt citation.

Facing a series of brutal questions about his alleged sexual encounter with Stormy Daniels and his treatment of women probably wouldnt do him any favors, either. (He has denied a sexual encounter took place.)

The circumstances are eerily familiar: Trump and his team continue to understand that he can, and often does, get away with public deceptions, but its vastly more difficult when hes under oath and facing the prospect of real consequences.

The former president probably realizes that hell have to endure months of mockery about chickening out and breaking another promise, but he also knows that taking the stand and helping prosecutors wouldve been worse.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Madison County man sentenced to prison for trying to have his ex-girlfriend killed

An East Alton man has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for trying to have his former girlfriend killed.

Madison County Circuit Court Judge Kyle Napp handed down the sentence Tuesday after a jury in April found Lorenzo D. Miller, 42, guilty of solicitation of murder and obstructing justice.

Miller was accused of encouraging or requesting an acquaintance, Vernon G. McIntosh, 38, of St. Louis, to murder the woman at her home in Alton. The obstruction charge alleged Miller told investigators he did not know McIntosh.

Millers attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

Assistant States Attorney Morgan Hudson said during the trial that Miller was upset about his ex-girlfriend breaking up with him.

On March 26, her home was attacked with a barrage of gunfire. No one was injured, but one bullet grazed her friends torso, a news release from Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine said. Three days later, on March 29, her van was torched and she feared someone was trying to lure her outside, the prosecution argued.

Alton Police detectives determined that McIntoshs car was near her home both times and that Miller and McIntosh communicated minutes before and after the gunfire, according to the release.

At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, Hudson told the judge that the two spoke about McIntosh needing to return to finish the job.

McIntosh is awaiting trial for charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and arson.
Major social media companies are failing to protect LGBTQ+ users from hate speech and harassment, according to a new report from GLAAD out Tuesday.

The Social Media Safety Index report highlights how major platforms either do not have policies to protect user data or fail to enforce them; refuse to safeguard users against against online hate; and cant or wont stop the proliferation of harmful stereotypes and disinformation about LGBTQ+ people.

Now in its fourth year, the report ranked six social media platforms, including Metas Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as well as TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), on 12 different criteria. Among these metrics were whether each company has explicit policies to protect trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming users against deadnaming and misgendering; has options for users to add their pronouns to profiles; protects legitimate LGBTQ+-related advertisements; and tracks and discloses violations of LGBTQ+ inclusivity policies.

GLAAD found social media companies miss the mark on almost all of these metrics  and allow harmful rhetoric to proliferate on their platforms, even as they rake in billions in advertising profits.

Almost all of the platforms received an F rating and a corresponding percentage. TikTok, however, received a D+, a slight improvement from last years rating, because it recently adopted a policy to block advertisers from targeting users based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Although many of these social media companies currently have policies that on paper seem to protect LGBTQ+ users, the report notes that the platforms do little to actually stop the spread of harmful and false information.

For example, X, which received the lowest rating by percentage, has seen a sharp uptick in misinformation about LGBTQ+ people by anti-LGBTQ influencers. The Libs of TikTok account, for example, run by Chaya Raichik, is known for posting misinformation about gender-affirming care and for equating LGBTQ+ people with groomers and pedophiles. There have been dozens of reports of bomb threats at schools, gyms, and childrens hospitals that have been singled out by the account.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, has also promoted anti-trans content from Raichik and others, including posts that have praised restrictions on trans women participating in sports. Republican legislators, who have introduced a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills in statehouses across the country annually since 2020, have similarly amplified and promoted anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment on social media.

There is a direct line from dangerous online rhetoric and targeting to violent offline behavior against the LGBTQ community, Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAADs CEO, wrote in the report.

Though X has been one of the biggest platforms of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, it only taken in $2.5 billion in advertising revenue in 2023. Meta  which has allowed posts equating trans people to terrorists, perverts, and the mentally ill to remain on its platforms  generated $134 billion in revenue last year.

Social media companies have also targeted legitimate LGBTQ+ content and made their platforms less safe and accessible to LGBTQ+ users, the report says.

The report notes one instance from March of this year, when the nonprofit Men Having Babies shared a photo of two gay dads and their newborn child in an Instagram post. Soon after posting, the organization saw that the platform had flagged Men Having Babies post as sensitive content that may contain graphic or violent content.

That label is typically used to mitigate extreme content, Leanna Garfield, GLAADs social media safety program manager, told Pink News earlier this year. That shouldnt include something as innocuous as a photo of two fathers with their newborn.

Increased usage of artificial intelligence tools for content moderation could lead to LGBTQ+ posts being targeted even more. An investigation by Wired in April found that AI systems like OpenAIs Sora displayed biases in its depiction of queer people.

Companies like Facebook have at times relied exclusively on automated systems to review content, forgoing any human review in the process, Axios reported last year. A GLAAD report released around the same time said this practice was gravely concerning and could jeopardize the safety of all users, including those who are LGBTQ+.

The new GLAAD report claims that other tech companies, which the report did not name, have created automated gender recognition technology that purports to predict a persons gender in order to better sell products through targeted ads. But privacy advocates have warned that these technologies could be taken a step further, to try to categorize and surveil people in gendered or sex-segregated spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms.

Some countries and regions, like the European Union have adopted restrictions on AI and have regulated social media platforms practices, but the United States has lagged. The GLAAD report recommends that platforms strengthen and enforce their current policies to protect LGBTQ+ people  including by stopping advertisers from targeting LGBTQ+ users and by improving content moderation without simply automating it.

Related...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The majority of Tennessee voters favor legalizing recreational cannabis, according to the latest poll from Vanderbilt University.

The semiannual polls most recent survey found more than half the states voters support a womans right to an abortion, that there is significant bipartisan support of IVF procedures as well as modest gun control legislation, and that views about many state and national issues differ significantly by gender, as well as majority support for the full legalization of cannabis.

Cannabis popularity has grown significantly over time, with a 2018 poll by MTSU showing more than 80% of Tennesseans supporting some capacity of legal cannabis.

TN Democrats celebrate DEAs move to reclassify cannabis

Nearly all of the states that border Tennessee have legalized cannabis in some formmostly for medicinal purposes. Kentucky is the latest neighboring state to approve a medical cannabis program. Lawmakers in the Bluegrass State approved its medical cannabis program in 2023. Missouri and Virginia both have full recreational weed approved.

Tennessee, meanwhile, has yet to get a medical cannabis program through the general assembly, despite bipartisan support. Republican Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) put forward legislation to create a medical cannabis commission multiple times over the last few years, though her bills have never made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to the latest Vanderbilt poll, more than half of Tennessee voters would favor full recreational use of cannabis in the Volunteer State, let alone medical usage.

According to Vanderbilt University, the survey was conducted among 1,003 registered Tennessee voters between April 26 and May 9.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A majority of Tennessean women across all political ideologies are self-identifying as "pro-choice," according to new poll released by Vanderbilt University, mirroring a large political gender gap seen across a number of health-related issues.

Bipartisan support for at least some abortions in certain cases has been steadily growing in the Volunteer State over the past decade, with a slim majority of Tennesseans identifying as "pro-choice" for the first time in a November 2022 poll, months after the state implemented one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation.

According to the most recent Vanderbilt poll released Wednesday, 52% of registered voters consider themselves either "definitely" or "somewhat" pro-choice. Vanderbilt defined the terms as either supporting a "womans right to choose an abortion" or supporting "restricting access to abortion."

The slim majority is driven heavily by Democrats, who polled at 93% pro-choice, along with 54% of independents. Republicans, which Vanderbilt splits into a more moderate faction and those who identify as "MAGA" Republicans, still largely identify as pro-life, at 69% for non-MAGA Republicans and 78% for MAGA Republicans.

Dr. Heather Maune and Dr. Amy Gordon Bono listen from the gallery while HB 883 is discussed during a House session at the Tennessee state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 20, 2023.

But an even larger majority of Tennessee women, 57%, now identify as definitely or somewhat pro-choice regardless of their political ideology.

The female majority comes as Tennessee maintains its near-total abortion ban, with no exceptions for cases of rape or fatal fetal abnormalities. There is a narrow exception when a woman's life is threatened by a pregnancy, which a group of women and doctors have filed a lawsuit against over claims it does not clearly allow emergency abortions.

Gender gap on key issues

This gender gap is mirrored elsewhere in the new Vanderbilt poll.

A majority of state voters are in favor of Medicaid expansion, for example, but a much larger share of women, 70%, support expansion compared to 54% of men.

This poll shows a nearly 20-point gap between the views of men and women on many major policy issues, particularly on public health, that we have not seen before, Vanderbilt Poll co-director Joshua Clinton said. The differences we see among registered voters on issues related to reproductive issues, gun restrictions, the expansion of Medicaid and willingness to get a vaccine for serious illnesses suggests that differences in opinion by gender may have important implications for both voting and policy decisions, in our state and across the country.

Gun agreements and disagreements

Last year, multiples polls indicated broad, bipartisan support for some gun safety reform measures, such as an extreme risk proposal that would remove guns from people deemed a "high risk" of being a danger to others.

The issue continues to garner bipartisan support, with 76% of poll respondents agreeing they would strongly or somewhat support a similar measure, up slightly from last year. MAGA Republicans polled as the least likely to support the measure, but even 64% of the group agreed they would strongly or somewhat support an extreme risk law. Non-MAGA Republicans polled at 75% supportive with independents at 75%.

Again, a larger majority of women indicated support for the measure: 81% of women strongly agree with the measure, compared to 70% of men.

Meanwhile, political lines appear more entrenched on issues like arming teachers, which the General Assembly approved in a controversial bill earlier this year. Tennesseans polled at an even split on either side of the issue, 47% opposed and 47% in favor of. Republicans approved at significantly higher rates than Democrats on the issue.

There continues to be bipartisan support for modest gun control in the state beyond the policies that the state legislature has decided to enact, Clinton said. While allowing teachers to carry weapons is an area where opinion is very much divided, there are other policies we asked about receiving strong bipartisan support that were left on the tableincluding restricting access to individuals with a significant risk of harming themselves or others.

Lee, General Assembly ratings remain low

Approval ratings for Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly remain low in comparison with recent years, though Republicans are till largely satisfied with Lee.

At 54%, the approval rating for the two-term governor rose slightly from last year, though it remains well below his highest rating of 65% in 2021. Republicans across the board approve of Lee at over 80%, compared to 16% of Democrats.

Meanwhile, approval ratings for the General Assembly, currently controlled by a Republican supermajority, have plummeted in recent years. Less than half of voters approve of the job the Tennessee legislature is doing, compared to a 60% approval rating in May 2020. The poll found 46% currently approve of the General Assembly's work.

Vanderbilt Poll co-director John Geer noted a disconnect between state policy and Tennessean opinion, such as on issues like abortion and gun safety, could be driving the low approval rating.

Because of recent actions by the Tennessee legislature, overall approval of the assembly and the governor remain low, by historical standards, Geer said. State government appears to be paying a bit of a penalty for pursuing policies that are out of touch with Tennesseans.

The Vanderbilt poll surveyed 1,003 registered voters in Tennessee with a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt poll: Majority of Tennessee women now identify as 'pro-choice'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was arrested this week after allegedly carrying out unfounded bomb threats at two shopping centers in Eugene, authorities said.

According to the Eugene Police Departments Facebook page, 36-year-old Matthew Luke Fernandez was arrested on Tuesday at his residence and faces multiple charges, including improperly calling 911.

Students chain themselves to PSU admin building in protest for a Free Palestine

Fernandez is accused of making multiple bomb threats in late April and early May at a Walmart store and a Target store. Fernandez allegedly made at least one of the calls from inside the store, police said.

In their post, Eugene PD elaborated on the timeline of events, including that the stores were evacuated and searched by officers each time.

The series of bomb threats began at 6:38 p.m. on April 29 when Eugene Police got a call of a threat at Walmart, 4550 W 11th Avenue. The threat was unfounded. Then, at 9:52 p.m. on May 2, another call came in with a Walmart bomb threat and an officer was already in the area, having already dealt with a bomb threat made for Target, also on W.11th. That call had come in around 8:45 p.m. and was unfounded. As a precaution in these cases, the stores evacuated, and officers conducted searches, police said.

Vasquez leads Schmidt in Multnomah County District Attorney race

Police added that Fernandez previously made false reports of shootings.

Fernandez was booked into the Lane County Jail and charged with three counts of improper use of 911, three counts of first-degree disorderly conduct and being a fugitive from justice stemming from an outstanding felony warrant in Colorado.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN)  A man in his 20s was arrested and charged in connection with vandalism that occurred at Texas Congressman John Carters office in Georgetown last month, according to the Georgetown Police Department.

Sheriffs office looks for suspects connected to vandalism, criminal mischief in Georgetown

In late April, the Williamson County Sheriffs Office asked the public for help identifying suspects in three criminal mischief incidents in Georgetown. The sheriffs office said the suspects were connected to vandalism at Rep. Carters office and other criminal mischief at the Republican party headquarters and Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown.

Georgetown police on Thursday said they arrested Reiss Funicelli, 26, for graffiti. He was arrested at his residence in Salado, Texas without incident and booked into the Bell County Jail, according to GPD.

Its unclear whether or not law enforcement authorities are still looking for the two other previously mentioned suspects in connection to the incidents. The Georgetown Police Department said it had not identified any other suspects as of Monday, May 20.

KXAN has reached out to Bell County for Funicellis attorney information, and the county said it did not appoint one to represent him. We will continue to reach out until attorney information can be found.

PREVIOUS: Congressmans office vandalized with red paint; Georgetown police investigating

The police department said in a release the arrest was made possible through detectives following multiple small pieces of information to build a substantial list of potential leads and possible suspect(s).

The police department said detectives looked at video surveillance footage from around the Williamson County Courthouse and Rep. Carters office, as well as arrest records from the Travis County Sheriffs Office, and they were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Funicelli. Additional information from cell phone records helped place Funicelli at Carters office at the time of the incident, the department added.

I applaud the Georgetown Police Department for their hard work in investigating, identifying, and arresting Reiss Funicelli as the suspect allegedly responsible for the vandalism at my Georgetown office in April. From the moment my staff called police to report the damage, GPD has been professional, thorough, and committed to finding the individual responsible. As a former judge, I trust that the court system will take it from here and the suspect will face appropriate consequences for his alleged actions. Congressman John Carter

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that a Riverside, California man was arrested on an 18-count indictment alleging that he placed swatting calls that threatened to commit mass violence at schools and to bomb Nashville International Airport (BNA) on behalf of ISIS.

According to the indictment, 31-year-old Eduardo Vicente Pelayo Rodriguez is charged with one count of stalking, seven counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, three counts of transmitting threats or false information regarding fire and explosives, and seven counts engaging in hoaxes. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in the U.S. District Court in Riverside, California.

The Justice Department alleged that he placed swatting calls, which are calls that falsely report in the name of another person that an emergency is either in progress or about to occur. Under these false pretenses, emergency services or law enforcement respond to that persons location to investigate.

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Per the indictment, Rodriguez impersonated a victim more than a dozen times between January and February 2023, calling a suicide prevention center and a veterans crisis hotline. Under this false identity, he allegedly indicated that he was contemplating suicide or harming others before calling staff at seven different schools in California and Sandy Hook, Connecticut. With each call, he allegedly either threatened a mass shooting or bombing. He finally called BNA, allegedly saying that he had planted a bomb on a plane at the airport, adding this is for ISIS, and one hour, boom.

Mr. Rodriguez is alleged to have conducted swatting attacks, to include the callous targeting of an open wound at Sandy Hook, without regard for the potential consequences of this insidious type of hoax, said Krysti Hawkins, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. Perpetrators of swatting hoaxes should understand that the FBI and our local partners take these threats seriously and that the penalties  if convicted  are considerable.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

If convicted of these charges, Rodriguez would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for stalking, five years for each threat count, five years for each hoax count, and 10 years on each count relating to fire and explosives.

The sorts of swatting crimes alleged against this defendant are highly troubling, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. The indictment alleges that the defendant placed calls to schools, airports, and other locations that were designed to cause maximum fear and trigger an emergency response. Swatting is a serious crime that can cause great trauma and risk loss of life, so it is important that we hold wrongdoers accountable.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Man arrested for second week in a row during Sacramento City Council meeting

A man was arrested in the Sacramento City Council chambers for the second week in a row  this time for a different reason.

Ryan Messano, who routinely makes antisemitic, racist and sexist remarks during council meetings, stepped up to the podium to give a public comment on the city budget Tuesday evening.

Instead of speaking about the budget, Messano criticized a city employee. Mayor Darrell Steinberg interrupted him and told him to limit his comments only to the budget.

You can speak on the budget, Steinberg said. Otherwise youre going to be ruled out of order.

Messano responded, We have a problem with Jewish supremacy. I need to address that.

Someone in the audience screamed, Ryan Messano is a Nazi!

Messano turned to face the crowd and replied, Im not a Nazi, Ive already addressed that.

Steinberg, who is Jewish, recessed the meeting briefly and told Messano to step away from the podium. When he did not, Steinberg recessed the meeting again  this time for about 20 minutes. During that time, several officers placed Messano in handcuffs and escorted him outside. The council continued the main business of the meeting  discussing how to fill a $66 million budget deficit by June 30.

Messano was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail at 11:34 p.m., about four hours after he was removed from City Hall, and charged with disturbing a public meeting for a non-religious reason  a misdemeanor. He was released Wednesday before 8 a.m.

Messano did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

A different chain of events occurred at last week when Messano was arrested for the first time during a Sacramento council meeting. During that meeting, Messano submitted a speaker slip to the city clerk to speak about city fee increases, but the clerk never called his name. He stood and walked to the podium, where he was arrested and charged with willful disobedience of a court order.

That charge stemmed from an active temporary restraining order filed against Messano by an unnamed city employee, a police spokesperson said at the time. Whether the temporary restraining order is still active is unclear. Sacramento police spokespeople did not immediately respond to emailed questions.

In addition to Sacramento City Council, Messano has made comments at Vallejo City Council, where he was removed from a meeting in 2018.

In May 2023, Messano told the Sacramento council: Any white person in America is open game, but youre not allowed to criticize non-whites and youre not allowed to criticize other groups.

Messano told the council May 15: Antisemitism used to mean someone who hates all Jews, now it means someone who is hated by Jew bankers.

The comments prompted a large group of Sacramento Jewish leaders to denounce the comments in a news conference. It has also prompted groups of people attending the meeting with large banners to shout over Messano when he speaks, leading Steinberg to adjourn several meetings early or go into hourslong recesses.
A St. Joseph man accused in a fatal shooting in Kansas Citys Northland has died of a self-inflicted gunshot after Kansas City police officers tracked him down in Iowa.

The victim of the KC Northland shooting was identified on Monday as Noah Bryant, 22, of Leavenworth.

According to a police report filed in Platte County court, Christian Crail, 26, shot Bryant in the head on May 14 while Bryant and his girlfriend were driving for Doordash in a black Dodge Dart.

Bryant had stopped at a Taco Bell and a Chipotle in Kansas Citys Northland to pick up orders. Bryant was passing Chase Bank at NW Barry Road and N Boardwalk Avenue when Crail shot into the car, according to court documents.

Bryants girlfriend, the owner of the Dart, was uninjured. After Bryant was shot, she steered the vehicle onto the sidewalk, and surveillance footage shows Crail fleeing north on Interstate 29.

Bryant was pronounced dead the following day at a local hospital.

We are overwhelmed by grief at the loss of our sweet Noah, Bryants aunt, Christy McKee, wrote online. He was and always will be the brightest star in the sky.

Surveillance footage collected from Chase Bank shows Crail, in a black Jeep Patriot, arriving at the Chipotle around the same time as the Dart. Bryant was parked outside Chipotle for an extended period of time, during which his girlfriend reported that she and Bryant had had an argument, according to court documents.

Crail did not exit Chipotle until Bryant did, and drove side by side with him until the shooting, according to court documents. Police have not found any evidence that Crail and Bryant knew each other, according to Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd.

After the shooting, police tracked Crail to Centerville, Iowa, where officers attempted to speak with him Monday evening. As they approached, officers heard a gun fire, Zahnd said.

Crail was discovered in his car with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and pronounced dead at an Iowa hospital. He had been charged with felony assault and armed criminal action prior to his death.

In a statement Tuesday, Zahnd described efforts to find Crail as an intense manhunt. Zahn also referred to Crail as an evil man.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the victim, an innocent motorist who was randomly gunned down, said Zahnd.

Crail was a suspect in at least one other roadway shooting, according to Zahnd. In 2021, a man in a black Jeep Patriot matching Crails description fired a gun at the passenger side of a womans car in Olathe. The woman told Olathe police that the shot was fired after she responded with a profane hand gesture to Crail cutting her off in traffic.

Crail was also charged with second-degree assault in 2021, according to court records.

Bryants family hosted a walk in his honor at North Kansas City Hospital on Friday. Five of Bryants organs were donated after his death, his father Virgil shared online.

I will forever tell the world about you, Bryants sister Grace wrote online Sunday. Our bond is one of a kind, I know you are still with me Noah. I wont let you down.
A 24-year-old Davenport man previously convicted in a fatal 2019 crash was arrested again after Eldridge Police allege he led officers on a chase Monday.

Angel Ochoa faces felony charges of controlled substance violation and failure to affix a drug-tax stamp, along with obstructing prosecution or defense, an aggravated misdemeanor, and eluding, a serious misdemeanor, court records show.

Angel Ochoa (Scott County Jail)

Shortly before 9:42 p.m. Monday, according to arrest affidavits, Ochoa was observed driving a Honda Accord without license plates. A temporary registration tag was not immediately visible, police say in affidavits.

Ochoa failed to stop for emergency lights and sirens, and officers saw him throw two separate items out of the driver-side window onto the road, police allege in affidavits.

Police confirmed Ochoas license was suspended. A fraudulent temporary tag was observed in the back window on the passenger side and the VIN, make and model did not match (the) vehicle, affidavits say. A strong odor of marijuana emitted from the inside of the vehicle.

When officers backtracked the path before Ochoa stopped, a plastic bag with 50 grams of marijuana was found, according to affidavits, which show The vehicle was searched and additional buds of marijuana were found. (Ochoa) did not affix required tax stamp to marijuana.

Ochoa, who, police say, admitted to throwing the located item out the window, had $2,754 in cash in his pants pocket, affidavits show.

A fatal crash in 2019

In June of 2019, a Davenport woman was killed after a crash that happened during a police chase.

Iowa State Patrol says Ochoa, then 19, was involved in the death of 48-year-old Lori Ann Letts.

It happened around 2 p.m. June 13, 2019, when Davenport police say they tried to stop Ochoas car at Division Street and Northwest Boulevard.

Officers say Ochoa hit the gas, and they chased him to Kimberly Road. Police say he ran a red light at Fairmount Street and hit Letts car. She died at the scene.

Ochoa and an 18-year-old passenger in his car were taken to Genesis Medical Center  East Campus.

Ochoa was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, for which he was sentenced to a period not to exceed 10 years; serious injury by vehicle, sentenced to a period not to exceed five years; and interference with official acts, sentenced to a period not to exceed five years.

The sentences in the last two charges were to be served concurrently, or at the same time, to each other but consecutive, or after, to the sentence for homicide by vehicle, court records say.

Official documents show Ochoa was on parole. He was released on his own recognizance to appear June 7 in Scott County Court for a preliminary hearing.

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CNN

A passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight that flew through extreme turbulence, leading to one death and dozens of injuries, recalled his tense experience to CNN on Tuesday.

Andrew Davies was one of 211 passengers on the flight that took off from London bound for Singapore, but was forced to to land in Bangkok, Thailand. The BBC reported that a 73-year-old British man likely suffered a heart attack, and 53 passengers were injuredamong whom 30 were hospitalized. Davies didnt say whether he had been injured, but OutFront anchor Erin Burnett began the interview by saying she was glad he was OK.

Davies said it was about nine or 10 hours into the flight when he saw the seatbelt sign illuminate, which prompted him to do as advised.

Thank goodness I did, because within moments of doing that all hell broke loose. The plane just felt like it had dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cookware and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing into the ceiling, he said. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling.

As the turbulence grew weaker, he said, he began to chat with the man next to him before realizing the gravity of the situation.

I looked over my shoulder and saw the people sitting behind me with a lady who had a big gash in her head and blood pouring down her face. Then as we know, a gentleman passed away and that gentleman was sitting right behind me, he said.

So I got up and obviously lots of people needed some help, and we tended to this gentleman and I helped him get him out of the seat and we lay him on the floor so that some medical professions could could administer CPRfor at least 20 minutes, said Davies, who added later that the other passenger beside him was the deceased mans wife.

Once the plane landed, about 20 medics came on board and tended to the injured, Davies recalled.

Singapore Airlines, in a statement, gave its condolences to the deceased mans family and apologized for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, May 22. Georgia reexported 375 cars to Tajikistan from January through March 2024, which is 54 percent less than the 815 cars in the first quarter of 2023, Trend reports.

According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), the value of the reexport amounted to $5.234 million, declining by 35 percent compared to the figures for January through March 2023 ($8.124 million).

To note, trade turnover between Georgia and Tajikistan totaled $7.430 million from January through March 2024, which is a 24.2 percent decrease compared to the $9.814 million recorded during the same period in 2023.

Exports to Tajikistan stood at $7.271 million, decreasing by 25.9 percent compared to the first quarter of 2023 ($9.814 million). Imports from Tajikistan reached $159,200 this year, with no imports recorded from January through March 2023.
After man dies due to scalding whirlpool, lawmakers get limited info from state facilities director

Michael Caruso, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities. spoke to lawmakers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Charleston, W.Va. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

The head of state-run facilities appeared before lawmakers on Tuesday to answer questions about an elderly patient who died due to burns after being left unattended in scalding water.

There was limited information offered up about the patients death or systemic problems with high water temperatures at the Hopemont Hospital, where the incident occurred.

I have been instructed to say that we are under investigation so were not allowed to elaborate on that, said Michael Caruso, secretary of the Department of Health Facilities.

What I would like to expand is to tell you that when an isolated incident occurs in any facility, we immediately jump on that situation  Were the ones that solve the problem, and we solved that problem pretty quickly with an unfortunate situation that did occur.

Hopemont Hospital is a long-term care facility operated by the Department of Health Facilities in Preston County.

The man, who was nonverbal, was placed in a whirlpool with a water temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prior to his death, [the patient] was ripping his skin off his legs by rubbing them and ripping the skin off his feet by rubbing them on the drain, according to the report by the states Office of Health Facility and Licensure and Certification.

The report showed that water temperatures had exceeded the recommended amount of 110 degrees Fahrenheit for 121 days before the mans death.

The report we were provided frankly had some very telling failures at multiple levels,  said Del. Bob Fehrenbacher, R-Wood. It was disappointing to read.

Jessica Whitmore, general counsel for the Office of Inspector General, told lawmakers that federal Medicare and Medicaid regulations prevented her from being able to discuss the report.

CMS does not want us to be discussing [a report] because it would be potentially be giving an opinion, she said. We stand by the report.

The report was shared with lawmakers and posted online.

Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, said,  it appears were not going to get answers today to much of anything.

Lawmakers have tried twice to get information about what happened in the mans death.

In April, legislators alleged that Gov. Jim Justices administration intervened and canceled a meeting where they were scheduled to hear from Caruso and Hopemont leadership. Justice denied those accusations.

Next, lawmakers were frustrated after the Department of Health Facilities canceled a tour scheduled earlier this month due to a scheduling conflict.

The states inspection showed that the facility was in immediate jeopardy, which is the highest degree of severity, for patients regarding an environment free of abuse and neglect, accident, and competent nursing staff.

Caruso assured lawmakers that Hopemont was a four-star facility.

After the patients death, a DHF spokesperson said that Hopemont Hospital and the department provided staff training on monitoring water temperatures and took steps to make repairs on the facilitys hot water system.

Sometimes I think you get only a skewed view of what is occurring in our state facilities, and its our job to show you a bigger [and] better picture, Caruso said.

State considers future for its facilities, including two psych hospitals

The DHF is a new agency created out of the Legislatures mandate to split up the former West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Caruso presented a long-term sustainability report of the states seven facilities, which includes psychiatric hospitals and long-term care facilities. The report was due before lawmakers Dec. 1, 2023, according to the bill that created DHF.

I think it was a tall order and a big ask to come up with a strategic plan for each of the facilities for the last seven months, but weve come a long way, he said. Im very pleased with the work that weve done.

He said DHF is focused on figuring out what the facilities need to stay in business and is currently considering affiliations with other health care systems.

He added that quality of patient care and hospital job preservation are priorities.

I think weve been very open about what were doing and there was a tremendous amount of data that we needed to collect, he told lawmakers. We have some facility issues, but we wanted to do a deep dive and analysis, which weve done these last few months.

Well try to be better at communicating and be more transparent as we go down the line, he added.

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Man Fined for Attempting to 'Body Slam' Orca Whale in New Zealand: 'This Is Stupid Behavior'

Man Fined for Attempting to 'Body Slam' Orca Whale in New Zealand: 'This Is Stupid Behavior'

The New Zealand Department of Conservation learned about the incident involving the man and the killer whale from a video posted on social media

The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) announced on May 21 that a man had been fined for trying to body slam a whale

The incident, which took place earlier this year, was filmed and posted on social media

Officials learned about the dangerous encounter after someone reported the social media video to the DOC

A New Zealand man has been fined after attempting to jump on a wild killer whale.



A video of the incident involving a 50-year-old man was posted on Instagram in February. A member of the public saw the clip and reported it to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), according to a release from the agency.

In the video, filmed in the waters off Devonport, Auckland, in New Zealand, a man standing on the edge of a boat with an orca swimming beside it jumps off the vessel and seemingly tries to land on the nearby whale. After leaping off the boat, the man yells, "I touched it," in reference to one of the orcas, and then asks others on the boat, "Did you get it?" Throughout the footage, other people can be heard cheering and laughing.

Getty A stock photo of an orca whale

The DOC shared the video on its Facebook page on May 21, noting that the footage shows "what appears to be a deliberate effort to touch or 'body slam' the orca." The agency added that the man in the clip "has been slapped with a $600 infringement" because of his actions.

"The incident showed a shocking and stupid attitude to protected marine mammals," the social media post continued, adding, "The man showed reckless disregard for his own safety  and that of the adult male orca with a calf swimming near the vessel."

Related: North Carolina Group Caught on Camera Pulling Black Bear Cubs from Tree to Get Selfie

Hayden Loper, a DOC principal investigation officer, said in the DOC's release that the footage "left us genuinely stunned" and deemed the offender "extremely irresponsible."

"As well as the initial attempt to dive onto the animal, the man stays in the water and then swims toward it again in a second attempt to touch it," Loper stated. "This is stupid behavior and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the welfare of the orca."

Getty A stock photo of a killer whale

The official also noted that the man's actions "could have ended horribly  with either the startled whale being injured, or the man responsible being harmed by the aggravated animal."

According to The Guardian, the orcas involved escaped without injury.

Regardless, the man's decision to get close to the whales was a "clear breach of the Marine Mammals Protection Act," per Loper, which resulted in the fine.

The Marine Mammals Protection Act in New Zealand makes it illegal to disturb, harass, or swim with any marine mammal.

Related: Whale Watchers Stunned by Sighting of 'Super Rare' White Orca Named Frosty

In its release, the DOC encouraged the public to report behavior they believe breaches wildlife protections.

"This is the third case in recent years in which social media content has led to a successful prosecution for DOC and we greatly appreciate the tip-offs we get from the public," Loper said.

The DOC noted that an estimated 150200 orcas are found in New Zealand's waters and that interactions with humans and boats can have a large, negative impact on the country's killer whale population.

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"Interacting with pods can disturb their natural behaviors like resting, feeding, and socializing, which can have long-term impacts on survival and breeding success, while repeated disturbance may lead to animals avoiding an area," DOC marine technical adviser Hannah Hendriks told The Guardian.

"In particular, disturbance of a pod with a calf presents a risk of separation of the calf from the rest of the pod  this can end up with the calf starving, stranding, and ultimately dying."



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The person shot and killed by a Washington State Patrol trooper last week has been identified.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office identified the man as Marvin Arellano, 37, of Nampa, Idaho. His death was ruled a homicide. A gunshot wound was the cause of death.

A Washington State Patrol trooper shot and killed Arellano, who was armed with a hammer, on northbound Interstate 5 in Everett on May 16.

Troopers were called to a road rage incident on I-5 just north of Highway 2 just after 4 p.m.

A man was ramming his car into a Washington State Department of Transportation contractors vehicle and a lift on the shoulder of I-5 that was operating over the slough, according to the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team. The lift had two employees on board.

Arellano, who was armed with a hammer, got out of his car and started fighting with the workers and the trooper. During the fight, the trooper shot the man, who died at the scene.

We spoke with another man who was driving past the scene at the time. He said he saw the trooper trying to use a stun gun on Arellano.

The guy turned away from the police officer and just high-tailed it as fast as he could. He was running full speed, head down, just charging north up the 5. And the trooper began giving chase like he was chasing him down to tackle him, said witness David Scherer.

One of the WSDOT contractors was hurt, but their injuries were not life-threatening.

The Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team is investigating.

All lanes of northbound I-5 were closed for hours during the investigation, causing gridlock for drivers during the peak hours of the commute.

WSDOT said all lanes were back open at around midnight Thursday night.
Inland Empire man receives package with live rattlesnake; thinks someone is trying to kill him

Inland Empire man receives package with live rattlesnake; thinks someone is trying to kill him

A man is rattled after picking up a package at the Twentynine Palms Post Office earlier this month and receiving what he thinks was a murder attempt.

Elijah Bowles, 60, had a friend open the box as they drove away from the Post Office, only for her to find a rattlesnake inside, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

No one was bitten; the pair pulled over and Animal Control picked up the Western rattlesnake, a species that also goes by the name Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, indicating its typical home in Northern, but not Southern, California.

Video: Rattlesnake slithers into Inland Empire home

Rick Boyd, the Animal Control supervisor for the city of Twentynine Palms, told the Times that the snake appears to have been intentionally mailed. Bowles added that the 2-foot snake was surrounded by cotton balls to silence its rattle.

Rattlesnake expert Danielle Wall told the Times a rattlesnake can survive for up to six months without food and water.

It is 100% possible for a snake to survive in the mail like that, as long as they dont overheat or freeze, she told the Times.

While this snake was safely captured, Bowles said a second package virtually identical to the first was sent to his home in Florida. His family took it to the police station without opening it.

Im trying to figure out, do I have any enemies? he told the Times. Im not a gangster. Im a truck driver.

The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A man was sentenced Tuesday for shooting a stranger in February 2023 in what prosecutors called a random and unprovoked act of violence.

Jorge Antonio Arreola, 35, was sentenced on May 21 to 32 years in the Department of Corrections after he was found guilty by a jury on March 27 of one count of attempted murder and a sentence enhancer of a violent crime using a weapon. The eight-day trial started on March 19.

Missing person found dead in lake in Milliken

The evidence in this case is overwhelming, it is really one of the most brazen acts Ive seen, said Judge Daniel McDonald before he sentenced Arreola, according to the 8th Judicial District Attorneys Office. I have to agree with the prosecution and say that there is no evidence that has been presented that warrants reducing this sentence by even a single hour.

The shooting took place at about 5:15 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2023, when a man was driving in the area of East Mulberry Street and Airpark Drive. He told investigators that a white pickup truck pulled up next to him and fired shots. The victim drove to a nearby store where the staff called for help.

According to prosecutors, the bullet entered and exited the victims neck, shattering his car window in the process. Arreola was identified through surveillance video and shell casings were found in his vehicle that matched the gun used in the shooting.

During Tuesdays sentencing, a deputy district attorney argued that the jury verdict proved Arreola was aware of his actions.

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This may have been a different situation if this was Mr. Arreolas first violent offense, but this is not a case of a young naive boy. This isnt even a case of someone who was not given resources for rehabilitation, the prosecutor said.

The victim has made a full recovery from the shooting and testified at trial.

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JOLIET, Ill.  A man was critically injured after he was hit Wednesday morning by a city worker in Joliet, according to police.

The man, 75, of Joliet, was hit by a city utility worker who was driving a city-owned truck around 11 a.m. near East Cass Street and Herkimer Street, according to the Joliet Police Department.

The worker, 54, of Elwood, was not injured, police said.

The driver was turning left onto Cass Street from Herkimer Street when he hit the man who was in the crosswalk, police said.

Joliet Fire Department personnel took the man to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said.

The crash is still under investigation.

Anyone with video footage or information on the crash is asked to call police at 815-724-3193.

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If Mansfield City Council does not impose a six-month moratorium on marijuana dispensaries, it could have a potential business interested in locating here.

Keri Stan, district manager for Illinois and Ohio for the Cannabist Company, addressed council Tuesday during a safety committee meeting ahead of the regular session.

"We would like to see that (moratorium) end," Stan told council. "We would like to pursue a property in the city of Mansfield."

Council members held the second reading of the proposed bill at Tuesday's meeting. They are scheduled to vote June 4.

The Cannabist Company, formerly known as Columbia Care, is one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of cannabis products and related services, with licenses in 15 U.S. jurisdictions. The company operates 123 facilities, including 92 dispensaries and 31 cultivation and manufacturing facilities, including those under development.

Plans for Mansfield would be to run a recreational facility, not a medical one. Stan provided handouts about the company's stores in Marietta and Williamstown, West Virginia. She also took questions from council.

"I have never been to a dispensary," Councilman Aurelio Diaz said. "That is one of my goals between now and June 4."

Laura Burns

Councilwoman Laura Burns asked how the product is regulated.

"I don't know a whole lot about the oversight," she said.

Cannabist Company district manager addresses marijuana regulation

Stan talked about medical facilities.

"Everything has to be tested by a third party," she said. "We can trace it back to the plant where it came from, all the way back to the seed."

Councilwoman Cheryl Meier asked about security.

Stan said the Cannabist Company has more enhanced security than states require. She said the cameras both on the perimeter and inside have no blind spots.

There is a remote monitoring system that operates continuously. The company also has sensors that detect motion and broken glass.

The Cannabist Company also employs guards on site. They all have background in either the military or law enforcement.

"We know that they have training and can de-escalate a situation," Stan said.

Deborah Mount

Councilwoman Deborah Mount asked about customers providing identification and how the company prevents juveniles from entering the businesses.

At the medical facilities, Stan said people have their IDs checked three times, at the door, by the receptionist and at the point of purchase. She added they sometimes get pushback from customers.

Customers have to be at least 21. A minor can enter a medical facility with a licensed caregiver.

Diaz wanted to know how the Cannabist Company affects morale in communities where it locates.

"We realize when we go into a community that there's a stigma," Stan said.

Cannabist Company gives back to communities where it locates

She said to overcome such a concern, the company gets involved in communities. Stan pointed out the company raised $13,000 for the Humane Society in Marietta. The company has also held food drives in some of its communities.

Law Director Rollie Harper asked if there is more marijuana use among juveniles in communities where the company has locations.

Stan said she has not heard of that happening but would have to refer to studies done by other sources.

Keith Porch

Keith Porch, safety service director and former city police chief, asked about crime statistics near dispensaries. He focused on the company's sites in California.

"I don't hear a lot of reports of it. That's not to say there is or isn't," Stan said. "I can get you an answer for that."

When council continued its discussion during the regular session, Councilman David Falquette asked if members do not impose a moratorium, how will a potential dispensary affect zoning?

"We're waiting to hear from the state," Mayor Jodie Perry replied. "We would want to know what our options are for zoning."

Some restrictions already in place include dispensaries have to be a mile apart can cannot be within 500 feet of schools and libraries.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, local resident Brody Raburn supported bringing a marijuana dispensary to town.

"We're not passing laws on morality," he said. "This was passed by Ohioans (in the general election) to regulate marijuana like alcohol."

Raburn also disputed the notion that marijuana is a gateway drug.

Council postpones vote on CDBG grants

In other business, council was scheduled to submit the city's plan for Community Development Block Grants but postponed the vote until June 4.

Council members Stephanie Zader and Cynthia Antoinette Daley were absent from Tuesday's meeting, and Falquette said he would have to abstain, leaving only five council members to vote to pass the bill as an emergency.

According to council rules, six members have vote "yes" to pass a bill as an emergency. If council had voted with five members, the bill would not have gone into effect for 30 days, affecting plans for the agencies getting the CDBG funding.

Mount pointed that out, prompting council to delay the vote until the next meeting when there should presumably be enough members to pass the bill as an emergency and have it go into effect immediately.

In other business, council:

accepted a $4,800 grant from the Richland County Foundation to hire a summer intern.

accepted a $2,500 grant from the Richland County Foundation for the Summer Fun at North Lake program.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Council hears from rep of marijuana dispensary
A Mansfield man is among six people to have been charged with visa fraud for what federal agents say was a conspiracy to stage armed robberies in Chicago and its suburbs so purported victims could apply for U.S. immigration visas reserved for certain crime victims, according to an indictment unsealed this month in federal court.

A Mansfield man is among six people to have been charged with federal fraud.

Kewon Young, 31, of Mansfield, and Parth Nayi, 26, of Woodridge, Illinois, are alleged to have organized and participated in staged armed robberies at restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores and gas stations in Chicago and the suburbs of Lombard, Elmwood Park, St. Charles, Hickory Hills, River Grove, Lake Villa and South Holland, as well as restaurants in Rayne, Louisiana, and Belvidere, Tennessee.

The indictment indicates that four other men arranged with Nayi to be victims of the staged robberies so they could submit applications for U nonimmigrant status, which is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in an investigation or prosecution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Individuals paid Nayi thousands of dollars to participate in the scam, according to the indictment. During the staged robberies, federal officials wrote, individuals acting as robbers brandished what appeared to be firearms, approached the purported victims and demanded money and property. Afterward, some of the supposed victims submitted forms to local law enforcement to obtain certification that they were victims of a qualifying crime and had been or would be helpful in the investigation, the indictment states. Upon receiving certification, some of the victims then submitted fraudulent U-visa applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Nayi; Young; Bhikhabhai Patel, 51, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Nilesh Patel, 32, of Jackson, Tennessee; Ravinaben Patel, 23, of Racine, Wisconsin; and Rajnikumar Patel, 32, of Jacksonville, Florida, are charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Ravinaben Patel is also charged with an individual count of making a false statement in a visa application.

The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, while the false statement charge against Ravinaben Patel is punishable by up to 10 years, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. Wes Wheeler, Jr., special agent-in-charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Sean Fitzgerald, special agent-in-charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago. The government is represented by assistant U.S. attorneys Matthew D. Moyer and Saqib M. Hussain.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield OH man among 6 charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud
Marine from Twentynine Palms Randomly Gunned Down While Sitting in Car at Park

A Marine stationed at Twentynine Palms, California, was killed in a park near the base Monday night in what local law enforcement authorities called a "completely random act of violence."

Gunnery Sgt. Robert James McDonald, 35, was in his car at a park with his dog just 10 miles south of the installation when 18-year-old Rudy Garcia fired a weapon into the vehicle's cabin, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department press release Tuesday.

"Without provocation, Garcia fired his firearm into McDonald's vehicle," the sheriff's department said in the release.

Read Next: Air Force General Charged with Sexual Crimes Has Retirement Request Denied by Service Secretary

McDonald, who was hit by the gunfire, attempted to drive away, but lost control of his vehicle and collided with another car. Deputies provided care to McDonald, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

"The command is grieving with the family and fellow Marines of the deceased and is working diligently to provide them with much-needed support during this difficult time," Staff Sgt. Victoria Ross, a spokesperson for Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, told Military.com on Thursday.

At approximately 7:49 p.m. local time, authorities with the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station responded to a call that several individuals, one of whom was Garcia, were drinking alcohol and "causing a disturbance" several blocks east of the dog park.

A local resident spoke with the individuals, who became confrontational. Garcia fired several shots at the resident before fleeing toward the park where McDonald and his dog were in their car. There, authorities said, Garcia approached McDonald's car and shot him.

Gloria Huerta, a public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, confirmed to Military.com on Wednesday that McDonald was a Marine. She said that Garcia did not have any affiliation with the military.

Ross also confirmed that McDonald was stationed at the base at the time of his death, assigned to the Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group. Ross said that McDonald served as an operational contract support specialist and enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 7, 2010.

"This was completely a random act of violence," Huerta said. "There was no connection between the two."

Authorities recovered a handgun that they believe Garcia used in the shooting. Garcia was charged with murder and is ineligible for bail, according to inmate records reviewed by Military.com.

"The dog is safe," Morgan Cole, with the Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter, told Military.com on Wednesday of McDonald's dog, which was in the car with him at the time of the shooting. "It did come to our facility for a short amount of time, and then we released it to a close family friend," who he said was McDonald's dog sitter.

KESQ, a local news channel, first reported the shooting based on the press release, which did not mention that McDonald was a Marine.

The shooting at Twentynine Palms happened two days after another service member, Army Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar, 23, died in what authorities are investigating as a homicide near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from Twentynine Palms.

Related: 101st Airborne Soldier Murdered in Off-Base Residence Near Fort Campbell in Kentucky
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  A man is being held without bond after allegedly traveling from Maryland to Convington to meet a minor.

The Alleghany County Sheriffs Office says on May 18, 57-year-old Albert C. Forand, from Glen Burnie, was arrested and charged with the Use of Communication Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Against Minors (Child Solicitation).

One injured in Southeast Roanoke shooting, investigation underway

Deputies said Forand allegedly traveled to Covington to meet a child under the age of 15. It was revealed that he allegedly planned to bring the minor back to Maryland to become a daughter-wife, which is a middle-aged or older man determined to be in a relationship with a considerably younger girl.

However, when Forand arrived in Covington he was arrested.

WFXR News will update this story as more information is released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 22. Turkmenistan discussed the development of comprehensive economic cooperation with Georgia, Trend reports.

According to the official source, the meeting addressed these issues between Ambassador of Turkmenistan in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, Dovletmyrat Seyitmammedov and the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze.

The sides noted with satisfaction the active growth of Turkmen-Georgian relations, as well as the positive experience of multilateral cooperation within the framework of reputable international and regional organizations.

They also talked about trade and economic relations, industry, transport, fuel and energy, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.

The parties paid special attention to the role of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Georgian Commission for Economic Cooperation in the context of further development of trade and economic relations.

The parties concluded that traditionally cordial interstate relations, strategic partnerships based on trust, mutual respect, and consideration of each other's interests will strengthen Turkmen-Georgian cooperation.

Meanwhile, the development of cooperation between Georgia and Turkmenistan represents a promising way to strengthen economic and cultural ties in the region.

Both countries have great potential for commerce, notably in energy, transport, and tourism, and promoting cooperative projects like transit routes and energy infrastructure initiatives strengthens their collaboration.
Massachusetts man seriously injured after being attacked by a grizzly bear in Wyoming

A Massachusetts man was seriously injured after being attacked by a grizzly bear while he was visiting Wyomings Grand Teton National Park over the weekend, according to the U.S. National Park Service.

On Sunday afternoon, Teton Interagency Dispatch received a report that a 35-year-old man had been seriously injured by a bear in the area of Signal Mountain Summit Road.

Grand Teton National Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue teams responded to the scene to provide emergency medical care to the Mass. native who was then air-lifted by helicopter to an awaiting ambulance and taken to St. Johns Hospital, officials said.

The man is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover, the NPS said on Tuesday. The identity of the man and where he is from were not released.

Law enforcement rangers and park biologists believe the incident was a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears, with only one of the bears attacking the victim.

The Signal Mountain Summit Road and Signal Mountain Trail are currently closed to all public entry, according to the NPS.

NPS officials said anyone who sees a bear should give it space and always stay at least 100 yards away from it.

Additionally, hikers should make noise, carry and know how to use bear spray, and should always slowly back away from a bear  not run, NPS said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Matt Nunn has won the Republican nomination for the District 17 Senate seat in Kentucky.

Nunn, a Republican from Sadieville, will face Kiana Fields, a Democrat from Georgetown, in the November election.

District 17 includes Grant and Scott counties, as well as parts of Kenton and Fayette counties. Scott county is among the fastest-growing counties in the state, with about half of the districts population living there.

Nunn beat Julia Jaddock, a Republican from Georgetown, for the seat. He received 67% of the votes and Jaddock received 33%, according to unofficial election results.

Nunn is a retired Kentucky Army National Guard commissioned officer and is currently the vice president of enterprise risk management at Toyota Tshusho America. He grew up in Bell County and is now a business owner in Georgetown, according to his website.

He was backed by outgoing the outgoing senator, Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, as well as Kentucky Right to Life, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and local judge-executives in all three counties in the district with a judge-executive system of government.

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Dr. Maxine Dexter, a state representative, did not go as far as Jayapal in her criticism of Israel. She had the support of the majority of big-money groups. Maxine for Oregon/Facebook

Dr. Maxine Dexter, a physician and state representative, won a contentious Democratic primary in a liberal Oregon House seat on Tuesday with help from big-money super PACs and pro-Israel donors.

In Oregons 3rd Congressional District, a solid Democratic seat that includes most of Portland, Dexter, a mainstream progressive, is the prohibitive favorite to triumph in the general election. She is in line to succeed Rep. Earl Blumenauer, an avid transportation funding advocate who is retiring after representing the seat for 28 years.

Among other contenders, Dexter defeated Gresham city council member Eddy Morales and Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County commissioner, ex-corporate attorney, and older sister to Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Jayapal, the runner-up, was the preferred candidate of the activist left, garnering the endorsements of, among other high-profile progressives, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

But her outspoken views on topics like Israels war in Gaza and ties to the Congressional Progressive Caucus made her a target for pro-Israel donors and possibly, the deep-pocketed super PACs that gave Dexter an edge.

Jayapals family connections into the Congressional Progressive Caucus have played a role in both giving her higher visibility and in potentially attracting opponents to her candidacy, said Chris Shortell, a political science professor at Portland State University. And those who are bringing outside money into the election are probably reflecting that dynamic.

At the start of April, Jayapal had a cash advantage over Dexter of nearly $175,000.

Then, 314 Action Fund, a Democratic super PAC that backs scientists or candidates in adjacent professions, began spending heavily to promote Dexter. They would end up spending $2.2 million on advertising promoting Dexter.

A second, unknown group, Voters for Responsive Government, sprang up to spend $3.2 million attacking Jayapal for the Multnomah County commissions failure to properly address the Portland areas homelessness problem. Jayapal has laid most of the blame at the feet of the commissions chair, who had overriding authority during her tenure, and touts housing policy reforms prominently on her campaign website.

Still, those ads might not have resonated if their critique had not been echoed by local opinion leaders.

The editorial board of the Oregonian newspaper, for example, wrote in its endorsement of Dexter that Jayapals years on the commission were remarkably unaccomplished.

By contrast, the newspaper declared that Dexter, as chair of the state Houses committee on housing and homelessness, had succeeded in carefully navigating opposition to land use law changes in order to pass a slate of bills to boost and finance housing construction.

Meanwhile, though Susheela Jayapals relationship to Rep. Pramila Jayapal is likely part of what earned her the suspicion of an anonymous super PAC and pro-Israel donors, it did not bring an accompanying windfall from the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC. The younger Jayapal campaigned heavily for her Oregonian sister, but the CPC PAC, which has spent six-figure sums in Democratic House primaries in the past, did not endorse in the race.

The left-wing candidate was not entirely bereft of outside support in the face of a full-scale onslaught, however. The Impact Fund, a group that supports Indian-American candidates, spent nearly $160,000 in support of Jayapals bid.

But the outside spending for Dexter outstripped the analogous effort for Jayapal by a more than 30-to-1 margin.

In the final weeks of the campaign, Dexter also began lapping Jayapal in direct campaign fundraising. On a single day earlier this month, Dexter raised more than $200,000, of which the lions share came from pro-Israel donors with ties to AIPAC and, in some cases, Republican giving histories.

AIPAC, which did not publicly endorse Dexter, promptly congratulated her on Tuesday night.

AIPAC members were proud to support Maxine Dexter in her race against an anti-Israel opponent endorsed by [Bernie Sanders], [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez], and J Street, the group posted on X. Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!

Some progressives have speculated that AIPAC or other pro-Israel donors are also behind the group Voters for Responsive Government, but the group claims to have raised its money starting only this month, which enables it to conceal its funders until after Election Day.

Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County commissioner and older sister to Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), was the left-wing favorite to represent an open Portland district. Susheela Jayapal Campaign/Facebook

This cycle is like the Empire Strikes Back. This is the reaction to a bunch of progressive, pro-Palestine candidates getting elected, like the Squad, said Connor Farrell, Jayapals fundraising consultant, referencing the Houses bloc of left-wing lawmakers of color. And it shows the other side is willing to spend nearly unlimited amounts of money just in a House race.

By the broad ideological standards of the House Democratic Caucus, Jayapal and Dexter are not that far apart.

But policy nuances often reveal the difference between a mainstream progressive like Blumenauer, whom Dexter might resemble, and an insurgent-style fighter in the mold of Ocasio-Cortez, who might model how Jayapal would have governed.

Jayapal ran as a proponent of Medicare for All, forswore corporate PAC donations, called for a permanent cease-fire early on in Israels invasion of Gaza, and demanded an end to U.S. funding of Israels military until the war ends.

Dexter, by contrast, speaks of working toward the goal of adopting a single-payer model, has not explicitly rejected corporate PAC donations, and is calling for a cease-fire that includes the return of the Israeli hostages. She told Jewish Insider that she would support a policy of reviewing humanitarian clauses on U.S. aid to all countries, but not a policy directed at Israel on its own.

Jayapals campaign insists that the support of pro-Israel donors  and the endorsement of one group, Pro-Israel America  foreshadows how Dexter would approach the thorny issue currently dividing the Democratic Party.

Where the money comes from is a pretty good window into where candidates values are or will be, which is not necessarily what they say publicly, Farrell said.

More importantly, the campaign and its allies highlighted some of Dexters pro-Israel donors ties to prominent Republicans in a bid to paint her as a stalking horse for cynical right-wing interests. One such donor was Larry Mizel, the chair of a Denver-based home-building giant, who served as finance chair on former President Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

But 30 of Dexters colleagues in the state legislature, including the House speaker and Senate majority leader, rushed to her defense in a public statement.

Dexter has earned a reputation as a principled, independent, and effective legislator. The idea that she would ever do the bidding of any group or special interest is offensive and wrong, the group wrote.
On Wednesday, as temperatures approached the nineties for the first time this year, Revere Beach was packed.

The self-proclaimed oldest public beach in America is THE place where people are escaping this early taste of summer

Its beautiful weather, take advantage of it while we have it, said Revere resident Hanna Morris.

But just one year ago, over Memorial Day weekend, violence struck the Revere Beach area.

Three people were shot in separate incidents, and hundreds of people were evacuated from the beach.

Revere Beach reopens Memorial Day after pair of shootings over weekend injuring 3 people

A year later, as State Police mounted patrols watch Revere Beach, the Mayor says he is working with other agencies to make sure there is no repeat of Memorial Day 2023.

The rules of the beach are going to be followed, Mayor Patrick Keefe told Boston 25 News Reporter Bob Ward.

Mayor Keefe added that beachgoers can expect to see more police in the area, along with undercover officers.

He added, that if crowds grow, like they did last year, police are now authorized to intervene early if things start getting heated.

People should be able to enjoy their public open space and we want them to be carefree as well. But there are rules, and we want to make sure they are followed, Mayor Keefe said.

Beachgoers say, on a day like this, they just want to enjoy Revere Beach.

Theyre not letting last years violence interfere with this years sunshine.

Im not too worried about that when I come here. I come just to enjoy some sun and some water and hang out, said Lee Mahabair of Malden.

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(Bloomberg) -- House lawmaker Lucy McBath won the Democratic primary for the seat in Georgias 6th Congressional District, AP projected.

Most Read from Bloomberg

McBath ran for the new seat in Atlantas western suburbs after Republican state lawmakers redrew her current 7th Congressional District to favor the GOP.

The primaries are the de facto general election in Georgia, where all 14 districts  nine Republican and five Democratic  are rated as solid for the defending party.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
California Assemblymember Vince Fong won a special election Tuesday to finish out former Speaker Kevin McCarthys term in the House, paving the way for him to claim a second victory in Novembers general.

With his win over fellow Republican and Tulare Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Fong has secured a potent incumbents advantage heading into the November election for a full term. A victory there would position Fong to represent the solidly red Southern California district for decades.

McCarthys fall from the speakership and abrupt resignation last year spurred a fierce intra-GOP scramble for his seat. Much of the Republican establishment coalesced behind Fong, including McCarthy  his former boss  and former President Donald Trump.



Republican rivals sought to tap into anti-establishment skepticism in portraying Fong as an extension of the Bakersfield political machine that launched McCarthy. But Fong recorded convincing first-place finishes in both the regular and special election primaries in March, buoyed by spending from a McCarthy-linked Super PAC.

The fallout from McCarthys chaos-inducing eleventh-hour exit rippled far beyond his district. Fong ended up running simultaneously for the House and the state Legislature  a double-dip that Californias top elections official unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Now Fongs Assembly seat will open up, likely prompting a special election.
McDonalds Worker Seen Drying a Dirty Mop Under the French Fry Warmer: McMop

A customer recorded the employee at a McDonald's in Australia while they held a dirty mop above the French fries

A McDonalds in Australia is feeling the heat after an employee was videotaped using a heat lamp to dry a dirty mop.

Customer Debbie Barakat caught the incident, which took place at a restaurant in Booval, Queensland, on video and later shared her experience online. She recalled the events to Yahoo! News Australia and claimed that the mop had just been used to clean the floors.

"I was just standing waiting for my order when I looked over and heard a staff member say, 'I dont think you should be doing that as it could be a safety issue as it can catch on fire'," the woman told Yahoo!, adding that the employee allegedly just laughed it off. Barakat claimed the workers served the fries moments after.

Debbie Barakat via Storyful A McDonald's worker in Australia dried a mop over the French fries

The incident took place on April 4 but Barakat waited over six weeks to share the video after seeing more complaints about the restaurant location, she told Yahoo!.

"Something needs to be done as if they are happy to do something like this in front of customers what exactly do they do behind the scenes?" she said.

McDonald's

A McDonalds Australia spokesperson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, but told Yahoo! it was an isolated incident.

McDonalds takes food safety extremely seriously and follows strict cleaning, sanitization and hygiene procedures in all restaurants, said the McDonalds spokesperson. We have addressed this with the restaurant directly and conducted thorough re-training for all employees on McDonalds sanitization, hygiene and food safety procedures.

Social media users were quick to make jokes about the video, according to New York Post. The old McMop is back! Must be limited time only get in while [theyre] hot," said one commenter.

Related: Nearly 900K Yogi Tea Bags Voluntarily Recalled for High Levels of 'Pesticide Residues'

Also abroad, customers in Japan were recently left reeling after rat remains were found in sliced bread. According to the BBC, Pasco Shikishima Corporation had to recall 104,000 packs of sliced white bread and issue refunds after black rat parts were found in at least two packs.

Pasco Shikishima Corporation did not respond to PEOPLEs request for a comment but a representative from the company told NBC News that the bread had been contaminated with a small black rat.

It is unclear how the animal remains got into the products.



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Read the original article on People.
Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the South Carolina Statehouse on Jan. 28, 2023, in Columbia. Trump's Statehouse visit marked his first trip to the state since announcing his intention to seek the presidency for a second term in 2024. To his left (l-r) are former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson and Russell Fry, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette and Gov. Henry McMaster. To his right are U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Rep. William Timmons, Trump's former ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen and former U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Gov. Henry McMaster weighed in Wednesday to the 4th District GOP battle, as he endorsed U.S. Rep. William Timmons in his fight to ward off a challenge from state Rep. Adam Morgan.

U.S. Rep. William Timmons, a Republican from South Carolina, speaks at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Sept. 30, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (File/Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)

Also endorsing Timmons is Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who  unlike the governor  can actually vote in the primary that pits the three-term incumbent against the leader of the Statehouses hardline Freedom Caucus. (Evette lives in Travelers Rest.)

William is a great conservative ally to our fight against the Biden administrations efforts to impose their radical socialist agenda on the people of South Carolina, McMaster said in a statement.

The governor did not mention Morgan in the statement.

McMasters spokesman, Brandon Charochak, said the endorsement had nothing to do with Morgan, and Timmons would have the governors support no matter whos challenging him.

But the endorsement comes a week after the State Law Enforcement Division issued a report concluding that allegations raised through a series of social media posts by Morgan and the Freedom Caucus were unfounded. McMaster directed SLED to evaluate the claims after the caucus told the governor on social media he should take action.

In response, Morgan pointed to his endorsements from Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis and Greenville businessman John Warren, a Marine veteran lost to McMaster in the 2018 GOP primary runoff.

The establishment is supporting their own, Morgan said of McMasters endorsement of Timmons. The most important endorsements are those of the voters of the Fourth Congressional District.

The 4th District, which covers most of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, has already received national attention.

Rep. Adam Morgan shares a laugh with other members before the start of the House Education Committee meeting in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (File/Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

Timmons boasts the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who won the district in Februarys presidential primary with 60% of the vote over former Gov. Nikki Haley. His other backers include U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Morgan has the backing of U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman from the adjacent 5th District. A member of the uber-conservative Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House, the Rock Hill Republican helped launch the Statehouse affiliate in 2022.

Morgans other backers include U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a controversial figure who campaigned with Morgan in April.

Its not the first GOP primary fight McMaster has jumped into ahead of next months contests.

McMaster has previously backed Sheri Biggs in the 3rd Congressional District, which also features a Freedom Caucus candidate.

Biggs, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, is running in an eight-way primary that also includes Kevin Bishop, the recently retired communication director for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham; state Rep. Stewart Jones, a founding member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus; and Mark Burns, a pastor who gained national attention for his support of Trump.

That primary is almost certain to go to a runoff. In South Carolina, if no candidate receives at least one vote over 50%, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff two weeks later.

The post McMaster endorses Timmons in 4th District fight appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Over half of road construction projects across Michigan will lift their lane restrictions over the holiday weekend to help traffic flow smoothly, the governor announced Wednesday.

Orange barrels will be removed and lane restrictions lifted on many roads beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. Construction will resume at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Of the 154 projects statewide, 85 will have lane restrictions removed.

LIST: Memorial Day events, parades in West Michigan

Every holiday weekend, we try to lift restrictions wherever we possibly can by 3 p.m. Friday just to ease travel for everyone thats going to be coming and going to and from Grand Rapids, said John Richard, Michigan Department of Transportation communications representative for the Grand Region.

Richard explained that Thursday will be a hectic day as crews prepare for the holiday weekend.

They have to close those ramps to the main detour routes so they can pick up traffic control devices, all the equipment, get everything buttoned up and ready for the holiday weekend, he said.

According to Richard, the maintenance project on US-131 in the Grand Rapids area is running slightly ahead of schedule. Starting March 31, northbound US-131 was closed for about a month at 28th Street so crews could work. Once that work wrapped up around the end of April, southbound US-131 closed at Burton Street so crews could work on that section.

Southbound US-131 is set to be back open by Friday afternoon, Richard said.

Crews have been working overtime. Theres been well over 100 contractors and subcontractors on US-131 just to get this done, he said of the project, which involved replacing the freeways decades-old joints.

Thursday afternoon, MDOT said southbound US-131 was open, as were the ramps from eastbound and westbound I-196 to southbound US-131. However, the southbound US-131 ramps to both directions of I-196 and the Lane Avenue on ramp to eastbound I-196 were closed Thursday, and lane closures remained in effect on southbound US-131 from Ann Street to Hall Street.

Memorial Day weekend brings comfortable weather plus shower chances

Some work zones will remain active or keep their road closures for the holiday weekend, including northbound US-131 in Grand Rapids and Kent County, which will have the ramp to I-96 and M-37 closed; southbound US-131 in Kent County, which will have lane closures and a traffic shift from 68th Street to 108th Street; eastbound I-196 Business Loop, which will be closed from Holland to Zeeland; eastbound M-6 near Cascade Township, which will have the ramp to eastbound I-96 closed; and US-31 Business Route in Norton Shores, which will have one lane open from Shettler Road to Hoyt Street.

For a full list of Michigan roads that will still have construction changes, visit the MDOT website. Detour routes will be posted if necessary, the state said. Keep up to date with the latest closures at the Mi Drive website.

Over 1.3 million Michigan residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, according to the American Automobile Association.

Richard says people tend to head north from Grand Rapids for Memorial Day weekend, causing northbound congestion at the beginning of the weekend and then southbound congestion as the holiday wraps up.

Monday will be the day to watch out for congestion on southbound 131 and everywhere else as people come back to Grand Rapids, he said.

The Gerard R. Ford International Airport is also expecting a busy weekend, Airport Authority CEO Tory Richardson said. But he added that it wont be as busy as spring break, which is its busiest travel period.

GR direct to Cancun? What it takes to add a new nonstop flight

We expect Memorial weekend to be busy, he said. That spring break travel period for us is really our peak, our stressful time, so we see more passengers through the facility then. But itll be a busy weekend, just like all the other holidays are for us.

He said the airport is on pace to see another record number of passengers this year, after it saw close to 3.8 million passengers over the course of 2023.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 22. Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Secretary General Sergei Lebedev, who arrived in Ashgabat to discuss preparations for the upcoming meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, Trend reports.

The parties discussed organizational concerns for the CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting, which is slated for May 24, 2024, in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.

Furthermore, they stressed the need for successful collaboration within the CIS, examined the schedule of joint events, and discussed the agenda of the next meetings at the highest levels under the auspices of the CIS this year.

Lebedev stressed the importance of Turkmenistan's active involvement in the CIS in strengthening ties between member states, as well as the commonwealth's commitment to developing mutually beneficial relations.

Meanwhile, the development of Turkmenistan's cooperation with the CIS nations keeps gaining regional importance.

The country is actively strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties with other CIS members by participating in various initiatives, such as joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, and trade.
Medal of Honor recipient to be honored by Ft. Moore

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Fort Moore is memorializing Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe with a dedication sign at Access Control Point 5A on May 30 at 1 p.m.

There will be commemorative remarks from Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard, Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore commanding general, and Gen. Gary M. Brito, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command commanding general.

The Maneuver Center of Excellence will play a special rendition of Dogface Soldier and Cashes family will be recognized.

Cashe, a U.S. Army Infantryman and platoon sergeant stationed on Kelley Hill, deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III for his third combat deployment.

On October 17, 2005, when on patrol during a route clearing mission near Forward Operating Base Macknezie in northern Iraq, his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The explosion ignited the vehicles fuel cell and the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames.

Cashe, drenched in fuel and on fire, climbed from the Gunners seat, and repeatedly went back through the rear hatch to help soldiers escape. He was able to retrieve all six of his men and an Iraqi interpreter from the burning vehicle.

He administered first aid and oversaw their evacuations for medical treatment, all while receiving burns to nearly 72% of his body.

Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe died on Nov. 8, 2005, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, from the wounds he suffered.

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Editor's note: The story is being updated.

The former deputy head of the Presidential Office was charged with illicit enrichment, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said on May 22.

While NABU did not say the name of the suspect, Ukrainska Pravda reported earlier in the day, citing undisclosed law enforcement sources, that it was Andrii Smirnov.

Smirnov held the position of deputy head from September 2019 until March 2024, when President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him without naming a reason.

According to NABU, the suspect acquired assets worth more than Hr 17 million ($~426,000) between 2020-2022, although he officially reported his salary and savings for the time period as Hr 1.3 million ($32,500).

Smirnov reportedly purchased two luxury cars, two motorcycles, several parking spaces, an apartment in Lviv, and plot of land in Zakarpattia Oblast.

In an apparent effort to obfuscate his ownership of the assets, NABU said that he transferred the majority of the property assets to his brother, but secretly retained access.

Read also: Law enforcement agencies search State Judicial Administration premises

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
French authorities are reportedly investigating the potential role of Russian security services in graffiti that was painted on the Holocaust memorial in Paris, the France Info media outlet said on May 21, citing sources in law enforcement.

Russian security services have been accused of carrying out a wide variety of subversive acts in the EU, ranging from assassinations to low-level sabotage.

French authorities discovered spray-painted red hand symbols on the walls of the memorial on May 14, which Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo immediately characterized as an antisemitic act.

The following week, authorities told France Info that the possible perpetrators had been found using surveillance cameras and other corroborating information, and identified as Bulgarian nationals.

Investigators told France Info that there is "little doubt" it was a Russian "operation to destabilize public opinion."

The case follows a similar incident in October, shortly after the beginning of Israel-Hamas War, in which hundreds of Stars of David were found graffitied around Paris. Two Moldovan nationals are suspected of carrying out the vandalism campaign on the orders of a pro-Russian Moldovan businessman.

Read also: FT: Russia plotting violent sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto was reportedly hospitalized on May 21 after falling ill during a meeting of the Italian Supreme Defense Council, multiple Italian media outlets reported.

Crosetto, 60, was reportedly taken by ambulance to San Carlo di Nancy hospital in Rome after suffering from chest pains, RAI news reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Monitoring is ongoing and updates were not immediately available on Crosetto's condition.

Earlier this February, Crosetto was hospitalized with suspected pericarditis after suffering severe chest pains, Reuters reported.

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining around the heart that causes chest pain, but is not usually considered serious.

Following the news of his hospitalization, various Italian politicians wished Crosetto a speedy recovery on social media.

"Come on Guido! We look forward to seeing you soon," Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wrote on social media.

Read also: Italian defense minister rules out sending troops to Ukraine, says the discussion increases tensions





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FILE - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Medicare bill in Independence, Mo., July 30, 1965. At right is former President Harry Truman. The Supreme Court's pending Idaho abortion ruling may hinge on how federal spending power might protect doctors against a state's criminal code. For guidance, the justices can look to the very beginning of Medicare in the 1960s, when the promise of federal funding finally persuaded hospitals in the Jim Crow South to desegregate. (AP Photo, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  The Supreme Court's pending Idaho abortion ruling may hinge on how federal spending power might protect doctors against a state's criminal code. For guidance, the justices can look to the very beginning of Medicare in the 1960s, when the promise of federal funding finally persuaded hospitals in the Jim Crow South to desegregate.

In oral arguments for Idaho v. United States last month, Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch raised questions about the Biden administration's power to pull Medicare money from hospitals whose doctors won't perform emergency abortions for fear of being prosecuted.

Idaho law currently threatens doctors with prison if prosecutors challenge their medical determination that an abortion was necessary to save a woman's life. Idaho also criminalizes abortions to preserve a woman's bodily functions, contrary to federal requirements for emergency care.

How can you impose restrictions on what Idaho can criminalize simply because hospitals in Idaho have chosen to participate in Medicare? asked Alito, who wrote the decision overturning Roe v. Wade. I dont understand how  how the theory works."

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar countered that Idaho wants its hospitals to be able to accept Medicare money without federal conditions  like emergency abortion care in certain cases  that are attached to those funds as an essential part of the bargain. And there is no precedent to support that outcome.

In fact, using Medicare to impose federal will over states with contrary criminal codes is as old as the program itself. As Medicare prepared to begin paying for the care of elderly patients in July 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson used the offer of massive federal spending as a tool to finally end the most glaring racial discrimination in hospitals nationwide. It remains one the most prominent and powerful cases of linking federal funding to other policy goals, said University of Wisconsin professor Tom Oliver, an expert on health care policy changes.

Similarly, today's federal use of power is indirect and does not directly override state criminal statutes  it only makes compliance with a complete ban on abortions, even in emergencies threatening the life of the mother, very expensive for hospitals, Oliver said.

Before Medicare money began flowing, despite passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and federal court rulings requiring desegregation, hospitals across the South were still conforming to criminal codes long used to enforce racial discrimination.

Black doctors were denied privileges at most hospitals. Black patients had to use segregated ambulances, wards, bathrooms and even blood supplies. Black people were turned away from emergency rooms reserved for white patients, leading to higher death rates in supposedly separate but equal facilities, according to Philip Lee, a Johnson administration official who helped implement Medicare's rollout.

In Atlanta, only the public Grady Hospital treated both races but in separate wings known as the two Gradys. Even there, Black childbirths could only be scheduled on Wednesdays, according to Xernona Clayton, an aide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

King's cousin-in-law, Dr. Roy Bell, eventually won a 1962 federal lawsuit seeking to end segregation in Atlanta's hospitals, but actual practice lagged behind federal law.

President Johnson was impatient for change and needed more grassroots support as Congress considered the Medicare and Medicaid Act. His aides urged Atlantas Black doctors to make some noise, and they did: Clayton brought them to lobby Congress, and they scored a White House visit.

That pressure reverberated back home: On June 1, 1965, one month before Johnson signed the act, Grady's superintendent announced that the entire hospital would operate on a non-racial basis, effective today.

Grady was ahead of the curve. By March 1966, four months before the money started flowing, fewer than half the nation's hospitals  and less than a quarter of them in the South  met federal standards outlawing racial discrimination, Lee wrote in 2015 in the Journal of the American Society on Aging.

Hospital inspections by Lee and other federal officials, more litigation and a come-to-Johnson meeting of health care executives at the White House led 95% of the 7,000 hospitals nationwide to comply within six months, enabling Johnson to declare that there will be no second-class patients in our health-care institutions nationwide, Lee wrote.

This fundamental principle of American federalism has extended to many other areas: States have updated antidiscrimination practices to qualify for education money and raised the legal drinking age to 21 to get highway funding, for example.

The feds are saying, heres a bunch of money  if you want it, abide by our conditions. If you dont, dont take it. Its as simple as that, said Eric Segall, a constitutional law professor at Georgia State University. No one who cares about the text and history of the Constitution would seriously argue that federal spending power cant be used as leverage this way, he argued.

But this federal power was challenged in a 2012 ruling against the Affordable Care Act, which initially would have withdrawn states from Medicaid if they declined federal funding to expand the program. Chief Justice John Roberts opinion held that this aspect of Obamacare amounted to unconstitutional coercion. Most states have volunteered to expand since then.
Meet the candidate whose victory will now put four women on the Augusta Commission

For the first time in Augusta's nearly-300-year-history, four women will represent districts in city government. Augusta Commissioners Catherine Smith McKnight and Francine R. Scott kept their seats and civic activist Tina Slendak won in District 7. District 2 is held by Stacy Pulliam, whose term expires in 2026.

Here are the results of contested races for the Augusta Commission and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners:

Augusta Commission District One candidate Matt Aitken (center) poses for a photo with wife Melissa Aitken (right) and daughter Cecilia Aitken (left) at his watch party at the Aitken's home on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Augusta Commission, District 1

Augusta's incumbent District 1 commissioner avoided a possible runoff Tuesday to keep his seat.

Jordan Johnson managed to stave off four challengers, including former District 1 Commissioner Matt Aitken,to keep the seat he first won in 2020.

Jordan Johnson: 1,559Matt Aitken: 977Kevin de l'Aigle: 0Jo'Rae Jenkins: 228Kenny Osorio: 41

District One Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson speaks at his watch party inside his campaign office on Laney Walker Boulevard on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Augusta Commission, District 3

Incumbent District 3 Augusta Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight bested two opponents 2-to-1 Tuesday to keep her seat.

Two challengers captured only about one-third of all votes  Carol J. Yancy, vice-chairwoman of the Richmond County Housing Autority; and Augusta dentist Joidaz Gaines.

Catherine Smith McKnight: 2,724Carol J. Yancy: 941Joidaz Gaines: 315

More: Power up: Augusta citizens vote to strengthen mayor's role, and the vote wasn't even close

Augusta Commission, District 5

A network operations manager at Cisco has won a seat on the Augusta Commission.

Don "D.C." Clark is an Army veteran, a former radio announcer and the former deputy director of the now-defunct veterans services nonprofit Forces United.

Clark defeated District 5 incumbent Bobby Williams, who won the seat in 2019 in a special election to fill Andrew Jefferson's seat after the incumbent's November 2018 death.

Don "D.C." Clark: 1,901Bobby Williams: 1,698

Augusta Commission, District 7

The race to replace Sean Frantom will put four women serving together on the Augusta Commission.

Tina Slendak is a longtime civic and church volunteer with 25 years of office management experience. She defeated Dr. Marshall Bedder, director of the Medical College of Georgia's Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Augusta University.

Tina Slendak: 2,372Marshall Bedder: 1,384

More: Augusta District Attorney tentatively wins re-election. Sheriff, judge go to run runoff

Augusta Commission, District 9

The superdistrict's incumbent got to keep her seat against a perennial local candidate.

Retired state government employee Francine R. Scott posted a convincing win over Marion Williams on Tuesday.

Scott first won the seat in 2020. Williams won commission races in 1999, 2003, 2013 and 2016 but lost a 2022 bid for mayor.

Francine R. Scott: 7,941Marion Williams: 4,412

Columbia County Board of Commissioners, District 2

An insurance broker is returning to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, representing his old constituency for a nonconsecutive third term.

Trey Allen represented District 2 from 2008 to 2016, with Don Skinner succeeding him. With Skinner not running, Allen was pitted against retired Marine and longtime Publix employee Mark E. Petersen.

Trey Allen: 1,460Mark E. Petersen: 677

Columbia County Board of Commissioners, District 3

An insurance executive cruised to victory in two Columbia County Board of Commissioners races Tuesday - one to fill an unexpired term, the other to fill a full term.

Michael W. Carraway cofounded ACHS Insurance, which earlier this year partnered with financial services giant Acrisure. He defeated veteran and professional chef Rickey Merideth Sr. for the board's District 3 seat.

Voters might have been confused if they saw the Carraway/Merideth race listed twice on Tuesday's ballot. That's no typo, according to Nancy Gay, executive director of the Columbia County Board of Elections.

Votes were cast to determine two outcomes: first, who would fill the unexpired term of Gary Richardson; then who would serve the following full term of office for District 3. Theoretically, the two political terms could have been served by different people.

To fill the unexpired term:Michael W. Carraway: 2,692Rickey Merideth Sr.: 630

To serve a new, full term:Michael W. Carraway: 2,206Rickey Merideth Sr.: 365

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Commission incumbents win; Columbia County elect two
Frank Johnson stands outside Believe Academy in Memphis. Johnson suffered a stroke in September, but is recovering and has continued to get better.

When the Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education began its annual retreat at the Oasis Event Center on Nov. 3, only one board member was missing: Frank Johnson, whose absence was expected. Johnson had suffered a stroke less than two months earlier and was still recovering. He certainly wasnt required to attend a lengthy, two-day retreat chockful of meetings about academics and finances.

But that morning, as Tomeka Hart-Wigginton of the HarWigg Group addressed the board, Johnson walked in; and a discussion about governance turned into a joyous reunification. Everyone in the room stood, cheered and clapped. A five-minute break was called. Some people cried. Stephanie Love, who had suffered her own stroke in 2022 and visited Johnson in rehab, hugged him tightly.

I know Frank has felt the prayers, the support, said Althea Greene, chair of the MSCS board. But Frank, just know, youve made our day.

Preparing for his surprise appearance hadnt been easy. Johnson was still in the early stages of the recovery process and could barely move the right side of his body. Just putting on a belt and a pair of pants was challenging, and it had taken him two hours to get ready. But he had been determined to make it to the retreat. He had needed to prove, to himself, that he could be an effective school board member, despite the stroke.

School district news: MSCS superintendent says there are enough openings to avoid layoffs as she shifts personnel

More: MSCS board approves consulting contract for former interim Superintendent Toni Williams

One event wouldnt give him this confidence, and as the weeks went by, Johnson would doubt whether he was up for the job. But today, he is confident that he can still positively impact students through his board role  so confident, in fact, that he will look to retain his seat in the August election.

Heres an inside look at his stroke, recovery, and mindset.

On the floor

Johnson didnt exactly fit the profile for someone who would have a stroke.

His summer had been stressful, as the MSCS boards search for a new superintendent had grown tumultuous and controversial. But the majority of strokes occur in people over the age of 65. Johnson was 46, and going on runs a few times a week. Though he had gone to the doctor for not feeling well, he had been told he had arthritis and prediabetes  there hadnt been any indication that a stroke was looming.

Frank Johnson and Stephanie Love embrace at the board retreat in November.

But on Sept. 11, 2023, half of Johnsons body abruptly stopped working while he was in his den, and he collapsed on the floor. Unable to get onto the couch, he dragged himself to the bookshelf and tried to hoist himself up. Johnson lived with his sister, who was in her bedroom; and he tried to get her attention. But here was another problem.

Johnson realized he couldnt speak.

When his three dogs saw him on the floor, they came to his aid. One stayed by his side, while the other two ran to his sister, barking, trying to get her attention. When she found her brother, she called an ambulance.

As sirens blared and he was rushed to Methodist University Hospital, Johnson freaked out. He didnt understand what was happening to him.

A few hours later, he got the news. He had suffered a stroke.

Macaroni or beef?

When Rev. Earle Fisher, the senior pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church, heard what had happened, he headed to the hospital. Johnsons pastor and friend, he laid his hands on his head, closed his eyes, and prayed.

In a situation like that, Fisher said, you pray for healing.

They were prayers that felt needed. Johnson could barely move the right side of his body, and he was struggling to speak. He would try to communicate, but his words would come out jumbled. There was initially only one word he could say clearly: s**t.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members Mauricio Calvo, Frank Johnson and Keith Williams listen to a speaker during a meeting to pick the next MSCS superintendent in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, February 9, 2024.

If anyone deserves to curse, its a man whos suffered a stroke. As Fisher said, It captured the essence of all that was happening at the time. But seeing Johnson barely able to communicate was hard. Fisher watched as Johnson searched for words in his mind, then wondered if his mouth would deliver them.

To be there with him and see him straining and struggling like that, it was rough, Fisher said.

It was doubly difficult for Johnson. During his first few days in the hospital, his speech slowly improved. On his first full day at Methodist, he could only say a few words; the second day, he could say 10 or 12; and the third, he could string a sentence or two together. His personality seemed to be returning, and he even started texting, responding to emails from school principals and approving funding allocations for schools.

But he was a long way off from where he had been previously, and he wrestled with his inability to say what he wanted to.

I'm thinking of macaroni and beef pops out. Come on, it's like, I thought I said macaroni, Johnson said. But every time you get ready to say, macaroni, beef pops out. It's crazy.

More: MSCS presents $1.8 billion budget. Here's where the money comes from, and where it will go

Related: MSCS to inject additional $28.4M into teacher pay, bring starting teacher salary to $50K

Still, he showed signs of improvement, and after a week in the hospital, he was sent to a rehab facility down the street, where he spent another week. After this, he returned home and began outpatient rehab.

As time passed, Johnson continued to improve. He made it to the retreat in early November. When The Commercial Appeal first spoke to him about his stroke in late November, it was hard to tell he had suffered a stroke at all. It was clear to those around him that he was recovering; people were impressed by how well he was speaking.

But Johnson didnt feel like he had made big strides. He felt like he was at 10%. He thought he should be speaking more effectively than he was, and when he was told he was speaking well, he thought, privately, that he was being messed with.

Thats part of the challenge, too, knowing where his level of comprehension and communication existed prior to [the stroke], Fisher explained in November. Frank  would have these very elaborate and detailed conversations about a complex issue  And when you when you operate intellectually on a high plane, that's what you expect to get back to.

Even if Johnson felt like a shell of his former self, he remained hopeful. He was moved by the outpouring of support he had received from schools in his district, and he was determined to continue getting better so he could effectively serve students. He was even leaning towards campaigning to keep his seat in the upcoming summer election.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board member Frank Johnson listens during the MSCS school board meeting in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

You want to be up, you want to be going at it, Johnson said in November. Some days, you honestly just get tired  But I go to sleep, wake up, and its a whole new day, and the day is better than the other one. So, you put your passion behind that.

San Diego

Amid the challenges of recovery, however, that passion waned. In early January, he said he had decided not to run in the August election.

In December, he had started to lose hope. Because his insurance had only covered two months of rehab, he had stopped going. He grew depressed. He felt like his condition was no longer improving and started to believe he was never going to recover. And if he wasnt going to recover, then why would he try to keep his seat on the school board?

Even during his recovery, he hadnt stopped working with the schools. But his priority was doing the right thing for the students of MSCS  even if that meant stepping aside.

I thought about me dragging around. I thought I was going to be lacking on words and all that kind of stuff. I thought I was going to have a limp, Johnson said. I did not want to get in the way of our children.

But in early January, he went to San Diego for two weeks, to visit a cousin he had connected with on Facebook but never met. And while there, he was impressed by all he was able to do.

Frank Johnson has continued his work as a school board member, despite having a stroke in September.

He walked a lot and talked a lot, more easily than expected. He did physical therapy with his cousins daughters boyfriend, who said to him, I dont know if anyone has told you that, but youve really progressed, since weve been here.

San Diego was rejuvenating. It seemed to strengthen him, and he returned to Memphis with a newfound sense of optimism and hope.

I came back, and I thought, you know, I really went out there and did a whole lot, Johnson said. Let me just bring it back here.

He switched insurances and began doing rehab again. He started working out regularly. Along with the other school board members, he interviewed finalists for the then-vacant superintendent post, and ultimately voted for Marie Feagins, Ed.D., who was selected to be the districts next leader on Feb. 9. He publicly opposed Gov. Bill Lees sweeping voucher proposal and introduced a resolution cementing the MSCS boards stance against it.

He also decided to try and keep his school board seat come election time.

'That keeps me going'

Roughly eight months have now passed since Johnsons stroke, though he feels like it's been years. He doesnt feel like hes back to 100%, but if he was at 10% in November, hes at 80% now; and he's confident he will fully recover. Hes still going to rehab, and hes still hard on himself sometimes.

But he isnt about to give up.

I do feel that I have something to do, he said. Im part of this great plan that God has put forth for us, and I feel that.  I have to get up and do something. That keeps me going.

John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at John.klyce@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MSCS board member Frank Johnson on stroke recovery, reelection bid
One Republican and one Democrat are seeking their party's nomination in the June primary election for an Iowa Senate seat in Dallas County.

Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, is seeking reelection after being elected in 2020 and 2022. She is uncontested for her party's nomination.

Republican Mark Hanson, a member of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, is the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination.

Iowa Senate District 14 includes Waukee, Adel, Van Meter and parts of West Des Moines and Clive in Dallas County.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

More: Early voting has started for Iowa's June 4 primary election. Here's what you should know:

Who is Mark Hanson?

Mark Hanson

Age: 67

Party: Republican

Where did you grow up: I grew up in Rosemount, Minnesota, a small town just 15 miles south of the Twin Cities. My Iowa connection began when I met my wife, an Iowa native and Dallas Center-Grimes school alum. We met while living in California but chose to build a life in Iowa because of the great public schools, safe communities, strong economic opportunities and exceptional quality of life.

Current town of residence: Waukee

Education: I graduated cum laude from Minnesota State University at Mankato with a bachelor's degree and also earned a Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification from the American Society of Association Executives.

Occupation: For the past 19 years, I have served as county supervisor for the Dallas County Board of Supervisors representing the citizens of Dallas County. I also have served as executive director for the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging, vice president of membership for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, and as an association executive with Smith Bucklin in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Political experience and civic activities: I have had the honor of being elected Dallas County supervisor since 2005, helping lead the county through extraordinary growth. Dallas County remains one of the fastest growing, best-managed counties, and the county property tax remains among the lowest in the state. I serve on the boards of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Greater Dallas County Development Alliance, Dallas County Historical Preservation Commission, New Opportunities, and North Raccoon River Watershed Management Coalition. I am also a member of Lutheran Church of Hope, serving as a Hope Kids youth leader since 2004.

Who is incumbent Sarah Trone Garriott?

Sarah Trone Garriott

Age: 45

Party: Democrat

Where did you grow up: I grew up in Cloquet  a small town in northern Minnesota

Current town of residence: West Des Moines

Education: Bachelor's degree in history, 1999, The College of St. Scholastica; Master of Theological Studies, 2003, Harvard Divinity School; clinical pastoral care residency, 2005, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Master of Divinity, 2008, The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Occupation: Ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving as coordinator of interfaith engagement for the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network. I provide education about poverty and food insecurity, work with the diverse religious communities of the Des Moines metro to build relationships and understanding, preach and lead worship at congregations throughout Iowa.

Political experience and civic activities:

Engaged parent of two public school students

Elected to serve in Iowa State Senate in 2020, 2022

Senate committees: commerce, education, health and human services (ranking member), natural resources and environment, rules and administration

State boards and commissions: Child Care Advisory Committee, Council on Health and Human Services, Human Rights Board, Mental Health and Disability Services Commission

Clinical Pastoral Education Professional Advisory Group, 2019 to present

Board of Directors Luther Park Senior Living Community, 2015-2019

Dean of Southeastern Iowa Conference of ELCA, 2015-2017

What would be your top issue should you be elected?

Hanson: Iowans can count on me to work hard on issues that people care about. My No. 1 priority is helping Iowa families and ensuring the state continues to provide a promising future for future generations. I will advocate for policies to strengthen Iowas educational system, economy and way of life. We need to ensure our schools are strong, teachers valued, tax burdens reduced, communities safe and we have improved access to health care, mental and behavioral health services and step up support for Iowa seniors. Most importantly, I will listen to all Iowans, deliver on their priorities and serve as their voice.

Trone Garriott: Public education: Iowa needs legislators who will listen to parents, students, educators and staff so that we can craft policy to support thriving schools and dedicate the funding necessary to ensure excellent education.

What policies would you support to improve Iowas education system?

Hanson: Education is the bedrock of our communities and the cornerstone of a thriving economy. The quality of Waukee schools was a top reason we moved to Waukee to raise our family nearly 24 years ago. As the son of educators, I care deeply about the quality of education in Iowa and believe supporting our schools is paramount for the betterment of all children and communities. I will champion education through supporting policies to reduce class sizes, improve student achievement, reward great teachers and ensure children in Iowa have the best opportunity in the nation to learn and thrive.

Trone Garriott: Make funding public schools the priority for our state again. For 10 years we have seen increases that fall below rising costs, resulting in an effective cut each year to our public schools. As a result, school districts have not been able to pay competitive salaries for educators or staff, class sizes are increasing and programs are being cut. Restore funding to the Area Education Agencies. The governor's AEA bill has already harmed valuable services for our public schools, forcing cuts to services and leading to mass resignations of talented AEA staff. As one of my Republican colleagues said, "No one wanted this bill," and next year the Legislature can fix the mess it has created.

What do you think Iowas tax policy should be? Do you believe the states priority should be on lowering rates or spending on services for Iowans?

Hanson: As a state, we must continue looking for ways to help Iowas working families and give Iowans tax relief, while also advancing policies that create jobs, foster quality schools, create better access to mental health services and support public safety and law enforcement. I am committed to policies that ensure Iowa is the best place to live, work and raise a family. We must make Iowa more competitive by enacting property tax reform to keep families in the state and attract new businesses to start or relocate here.

Trone Garriott: Iowa's tax policy needs to be fair. In recent years we have seen cuts that benefit the wealthy and corporations the most, shifting the burden to the Iowans who can afford it least. Working families like mine haven't seen any noticeable benefit of recent tax policies, but we do see our local schools struggling, roads and bridges falling apart, public safety understaffed, rivers and lakes untouchable, and costs for everything from food to housing to health care increasing. Our state can better pay for vital services if tax cuts are targeted to those who truly need the relief.

What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa?

Hanson: I will prioritize school safety and work toward additional measures to address security at schools across Iowa. This includes policies for greater mental health support, building upgrades, threat assessment, safety plans and incident command drills. I encourage continued taskforce collaboration between parents, educators, school leaders, law enforcement, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Department of Education and Homeland Security/Emergency Management to further improve safety and security standards of schools. Nothing is more important than Iowa students and teachers having a safe environment. One of the governments constitutional mandates is the safety and security of our people.

Trone Garriott: Our schools need mental health resources in the building to prevent violence before it happens and flag concerns before it's too late. It's time to ensure that there are more caring, skilled adults in schools to give students the support and interventions they need. With nearly $3 billion in surplus, our state has the resources to increase the number of mental health providers in public school buildings.

What next steps do you believe the Iowa Legislature should take when it comes to abortion?

Hanson: This is a sensitive issue that requires compassion and a balanced approach that upholds the rights of women and values human life. This encompasses exceptions for women who are faced with heartbreaking decisions, makes IVF treatments available, expands access to womens health care information, services and contraceptives and enhances the quality and availability of prenatal care services.

Trone Garriott: The next step Iowa legislators should take is to listen to the public and health care providers. We've seen the majority pass legislation on reproductive health care and abortion that do not include accurate medical terms. Iowa has the fewest OB-GYNs statewide and legislation that threatens a physician's ability to provide standard of practice patient care is making the problem worse. This year families undergoing IVF watched in horror as an extreme personhood bill moved forward, threatening a life-giving medical procedure. Iowans overwhelmingly support access to birth control, yet we have not seen legislation to protect or improve access. It's time for legislators to listen and do better.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Mark Hanson, Sarah Trone Garriott running in Iowa Senate District 14
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Nazrin Abdul

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has expressed full support for Azerbaijan and warmly welcomes the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to be held in Baku this November, Azernews reports.

This affirmation comes from a report issued by the OPEC secretariat following a meeting today in Vienna between Haysam Al-Qais, the Secretary General of OPEC, and Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and President of COP29.

During the meeting, a high-level dialogue took place at OPEC's headquarters in Vienna, led by Haysam Al-Qais and Mukhtar Babayev, to discuss preparations for COP29.

The Secretary General emphasised the strong and mutually beneficial relations between OPEC and Azerbaijan, describing them as enjoying a "golden period." He highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the two parties within the framework of the Cooperation Declaration and Cooperation Charter (OPEC+).

Today, the COP29 Presidency and OPEC held a high-level dialogue at the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, ahead of the COP29, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024. OPEC SG stressed that OPEC-Azerbaijan relations are witnessing a golden era and pointed out that the strength of these ties is evident through the ongoing cooperation under the Declaration of Cooperation and the Charter of Cooperation," he noted.

Additionally, the OPEC Secretary General commended Azerbaijan for its inclusive approach to COP29, ensuring that all viewpoints, including those from the oil industry, are taken into account. This constructive approach aligns well with the perspectives of OPEC and its member countries.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 22. Turkmenistan and Latvia discussed the current state and prospects for further cooperation in various fields, Trend reports.

According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, these issues were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and Latvian Ambassador to Ashgabat Reinis Troksa.

During the talks, the parties reviewed the current state and prospects for further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Latvia in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields, as well as exchanged views on a number of topical issues on the international agenda.

Economic and social spheres were named among the priority vectors of interaction, where, in particular, the parties discussed the possibility of holding a regular meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic, industrial, scientific, and technical cooperation, organizing mutual business missions and cross-cultural days, as well as enhancing partnership in the field of education.

Meanwhile, cooperation between Latvia and Turkmenistan is developing in various fields, including economics, culture, and education.

Latvian ports, such as the port of Riga, play a key role in the transportation of Turkmen gas and oil to Europe, and Latvian companies are involved in the modernization of Turkmenistan's transport infrastructure.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

a packet of birth control pills

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

U.S. rep. Kathy Manning

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on NC Newsline.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Photo via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

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The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception. Shown is a packet of birth control pills. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception  a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced Wednesday the chamber would vote on the bill in June, saying it would help to bolster womens reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting womens reproductive freedoms, Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has 49 co-sponsors, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign would be releasing a policy on contraception in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later said that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came after Trump was asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

In Congress

The House approved a bill similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.

Senate Democrats tried to pass their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

Thomas dissent

In a dissenting opinion in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965 case where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling.

Polling from KFF, released in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is a secure right likely to remain in place.

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is a threatened right likely to be overturned. A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

The post Members of the U.S. Senate face a vote on whether they support contraception access appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 22. Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed prospects for further development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, Trend reports.

According to the official source, these issues were discussed during the meeting of the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, with the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Turkmenistan Azizbek Madmarov.

During the meeting, the parties stressed that the deepening of bilateral parliamentary ties will contribute to strengthening Turkmen-Kyrgyz relations in general.

Furthermore, they also noted the importance of maintaining interstate cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy, which will enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

Meanwhile, the development of parliamentary cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan includes the exchange of experience and information on the legislative process, the creation of inter-parliamentary committees to work on specific aspects of cooperation, as well as regular meetings and the exchange of delegations to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen trust between the countries.
Memorial Day events in Hattiesburg area put spotlight on lives lost in service to country

On Independence Day in 1944, fighter pilot 2nd Lt. Sam Dale Jr. and his squadron had just completed a mission in France and were on their way back to camp when they were attacked by German aircraft.

Three planes, including Dale's, were shot down over the village of Le Mesnil Fuguet, but only Dale suffered a fatal wound.

The Hattiesburg native who grew up in Columbia, was buried by the villagers, but he was later moved to Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, about 130 miles away.

Sam Dale Jr., U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant

Dale flew with the Army Air Corps' 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, also known as Zeke Zemke's Wolfpack.

He was honored in 2018 by the village of Le Mesnil Fuguet, and this year  80 years after his death  Dale's legacy also will be remembered by the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum.

A ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. Friday at the museum, located at Camp Shelby. Speakers will include Keltoum Rowland, the honorary consul of France for Mississippi. A laying of the wreath ceremony will follow at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

Hattiesburg honors its fallen service members

Memorial Day is a time for somber reflection and remembrance of the men and women serving in all branches of the United States military who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

On Monday, Hattiesburg will join other cities in honoring those who were killed during their military service. The service will begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 399 West Pine St., in downtown Hattiesburg.

The service is open to the public.

"Put part of your day aside to thank the people who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy this wonderful day," said Ted Tibbett, chair of the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee.

The event will feature a 21-cannon salute and bagpipes and drums playing patriotic music. During the ceremony, the names of the 173 service members from the Hattiesburg community will be read by members of the community. Their names are engraved in the four pillars welcoming visitors to the park.

Gold Star mothers attending the event also will be recognized. Gold Star mothers are those whose sons and daughters were killed while in service to their country.

The Memorial Day event will be followed by lunch at 11 a.m. at the VFW Post 3036, 210 Ronie St., behind the park.

Area veterans groups such as the VFW and American Legion post flags on the graves of veterans at Oak Lawn, Highland and Roseland Park cemeteries ahead of Memorial Day. The city of Hattiesburg places 173 flags along Veterans Memorial Drive to honor the fallen service members.

Laurel Memorial Day service

Laurel also will hold a Memorial Day ceremony to remember its fallen service members. The event will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial Museum, 920 Hillcrest Drive.

The service will be in the museum's new Hall of Heroes.

Retired Army Col. Scott Carson will welcome guests and lead the invocation after the pledge of allegiance and singing of the national anthem. During the ceremony, Gold Star families will be recognized.

The Jones County Varsity Home School Choir will perform before the Rev. Scott Hilton of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church speaks.

An honorary gun salute and the playing of "Taps" will wrap up the ceremony.

Do you have news to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Memorial Day events in Hattiesburg spotlight those who died in service
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Cities, towns and organizations across central Ohio are hosting parades and events for Memorial Day, honoring the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the armed forces. Find a service near you below.

Blendon Township

Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on May 27

The ceremony will take place at the Blendon Central Cemetery flag pole, followed by a picnic in the senior center.

Canal Winchester

Memorial Day Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on May 27

The ceremony will feature a keynote speaker, announced at a later date. Other ceremony participants will include Boy Scouts Troop 103, Cub Scouts Troop 103, and the Canal Winchester High School Band.

The public is invited. Lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged for seating.

Dublin

Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on May 27

11 a.m.  Procession through Historic Dublin starting at Riverside Crossing Park and ending at Dublin Cemetery with a wreath-throwing ceremony at The Dublin Link pedestrian bridge/

11:30 a.m.  Memorial Day Ceremony at the Dublin Cemetery located at 83 West Bridge Street

Noon  Complimentary community picnic lunch at Monterey Park. Bring blankets and chairs. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Free parking is available at Dublin Community Church, and more parking can be found throughout Historic Dublin.

Grandview Heights

Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. on May 25

The parade starts at 10 a.m. on First Avenue at Cambridge Boulevard, goes east on First Avenue, and ends at Oxley Road.

Grove City

Memorial Day Parade and Service at 11 a.m. on May 27

The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and travels down Broadway. There is a short ceremony at City Hall, then the parade continues to Grove City Cemetery for the Grove City Memorial Day service.

Following the service, the American Legion Post 164 is hosting an open house, at 3363 McDowell Road, for the remainder of the day.

The event is open to the public and includes food and beverages.

Powell

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 27

The parade is beginning at 10 a.m. in downtown, followed by a special ceremony at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial.

The Olentangy Rotary Club is hosting the annual Field of Flags display in Village Green Park throughout the weekend.

Prairie Township

Memorial Day Service at 9:30 a.m. on May 27

Galloway Cemetery  9:30 a.m. Service conducted by Amvets Post #1928

Alton Cemetery  Noon Service conducted by Camp Chase Post #98 of the American Legion

Westerville

Field of Heroes all day from May 24 to 27

325 N. Cleveland Ave., across the street from the Westerville Community Center is a visual display of more than 3,000 American flags. The field is illuminated at night.

Throughout the weekend, there will be events and flags can be purchased to honor a hero.

Worthington

Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. on May 27

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on E. Dublin-Granville Road and proceed south on High Street in Worthington to Cemetery Drive. A ceremony takes place at Walnut Grove Cemetery at the conclusion of the parade.

Sunbury

Memorial Day Market on May 27

The market has been held annually on Memorial Day for more than 30 years, and all proceeds go directly to music programs for Big Walnuts students.

Memorial events at National Veterans Memorial Museum

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum will host a series of ceremonies and events at the museum and online in honor of Memorial Day. Admission is free on Memorial Day. Donations are accepted.

CrossFit Hero Workout at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. on May 25.

Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil begins at 7 p.m. on May 26 to honor families who have lost a loved one in service to our country. The vigil procession will begin on the museum rooftop and travel down to the Soldiers Cross in Memorial Grove.

The Memorial Day ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on May 27. The keynote message will be provided by Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, Americas first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress and the 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Army.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two separate shootings in Frayser left two men dead within hours of each other, according to Memphis Police.

Memphis murders and homicides 2024

At around 10 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a shooting in the 3300 block of Ardmore Street.

A man was shot and pronounced dead on the scene.

Hours later, there was a shooting in the 2100 block of Willow Wood Avenue a little before 3 a.m. There was a trail of blood left in front of Marcus Watkins home.

A man was found with a gunshot wound and taken to Regional One. He was later pronounced dead.

I woke up and saw blood all over the fence and in my yard, Watkins said. They said the crime scene happened right here in my yard. So, its crazy.

In a ring camera footage, a tan Ford SUV is seen stopping on Willow Wood Ave at Watkins driveway and someone continuously screams Go back.

Watkins says all of this is new information to him and that he didnt hear or see anything.

 Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

MPD says both shootings remain an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Buhach Colony High senior Elaine Delguidice felt joining the Navy would open doors for her future that she couldnt find elsewhere.

Delguidice, 18, who has compiled a 4.0 GPA during high school, ultimately wants to become a neonatal nurse, which would allow here to care for critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units.

I was inspired by a Navy recruiter who came and talked during our health class, Delguidice said.

Delguidice was one of 50 soon-to-be high school graduates from the Merced Union High School District who were celebrated during the districts inaugural Salute to Service Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon at Merced High School.

The event was created to honor the seniors who have taken the oath of service to the United States Armed Forces.

There were more than 200 people in attendance, including the enlistees, their families, recruiters, active service members, school and district administrators and local dignitaries.

Merced Union High School District seniors set to enlist in the Navy pose for photos with active members during a luncheon at Merced High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Its important to celebrate them, its important to honor them, its important to say, Thank you, because they are doing something incredibly important for all of us and they need to feel the community support, said superintendent Alan Peterson. Thats the No. 1 reason behind all of this.

Peterson said he was emotional as he addressed the crowd, which included veterans and active service members.

It was special, it was all I could do to hold back the tears, Peterson said. I dont get nervous about speaking in public but it was a different feeling. It was the goosebumps you had, the vibe being so special with all the veterans here, active duty, all the recruiters and the parents with their students about to go off.

The event to honor the future service members was spearheaded by Merced High counselor Regina Cherf.

Merced Union High School District superintendent Alan Peterson speaks during a luncheon to honor students who are enlisted in the military after they graduate.

A few years ago, Cherf held a small ceremony for 12 Merced High seniors who enlisted in the military and discovered the event was well received and suggested to Peterson that they hold a district-wide event.

Cherf discovered the Clovis Veterans Memorial District holds a similar event. San Jose and San Diego also honor future service members.

Cherf said it was nice to see the future military members feel honored during the luncheon.

Every enlistee was introduced and came up on stage to be recognized. They went through a receiving line, shaking hands with local dignitaries and then were congratulated by active service members and veterans as they left the stage.

Military saw a 40-year low enlistment in 2020

Every recruit received a gift bag.

It was seeing their faces, Cherf said. It started with the music the band was playing and I just looked out at all the faces in the crowd and I recognized so many.

Merced Union High School District students who are enlisted in the Marines pose for photos during a luncheon honoring the 50 students in the district who are joining military service branches after graduation on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Merced High School.

The 50 seniors from the district enlisting into the military was a large number this year, according to Peterson.

The number of active military has decreased nation wide from 2012 to 2022 by 6% from 1.4 million to 1.3 million, according to U.S. facts. The 143,318 enlisted into the military in 2020 was a 40-year low.

There were 17 seniors from Buhach Colony enlisting in the Navy, including Delguidice.

Were like one big family, Delguidice said.

Merced Highs Warren Parker is also enlisting in the Navy and was grateful for the luncheon.

This means a lot, Parker said. I couldnt be more thankful for everyone who helped and supported me.

Parker comes from a family who has had members serve in the Army, Navy and Air Force. He knew early on in high school he wanted to join the military.

Ive known since freshman I wanted to join Air Force, Marines or Navy, he said. It was just a matter of which service. I felt the Navy offered jobs I was interested in and its an opportunity to help me see the world. Im pretty excited. Im ready to start.
More than 2,300 people and organizations have submitted comments to Facebook and Instagrams independent Oversight Board on whether the apps should continue allowing the pro-Palestinian phrase from the river to the sea, a board spokesperson said.

The board, which functions as a quasi appeals court for content moderation on the Meta-owned apps, agreed two weeks ago to consider whether the phrase qualifies as hate speech because some people interpret it as a call for the elimination of Israel. The board has been accepting public comment to help with its deliberations, with a deadline of Tuesday night.

The thousands of comments are the second-most that the board has received on a matter, the board said in a statement to NBC News. Only the case related to former President Donald Trump, whose accounts on Facebook and Instagram were suspended after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, received more feedback, with 9,666 people and organizations weighing in then.

The phrase from the river to the sea has seen a surge in interest since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel and the start of Israels military campaign in Gaza.

A spokesperson for the Oversight Board said in a statement: Conflicts create unique content moderation challenges for social media platforms, where these situations are heavily debated, protested and reported on. The Board is deliberating three cases regarding this phrase because of the resurgence in its use after October 7 and controversies around its meaning. The Board will issue its decisions and may, as is typical in its cases, provide additional recommendations to Meta.

The Oversight Board, created in 2019 by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has 22 members from around the world. They include law professors, former government officials, journalists and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Tawakkol Karman of Yemen.

The board is evaluating three instances in which people on Facebook used the phrase from the river to the sea. In all three cases, Facebook left up the phrase after users reported it. The users who opposed the phrase then filed appeals.

The Oversight Board asked for public comment on an array of different questions including the origin of the phrase, how people use it, any trends in usage online, any harm caused by the phrase and how universities and other institutions have responded to the use of the phrase.

The board says it aims to issue a decision within 90 days of announcing a new case, in accordance with its bylaws. The boards decisions about individual posts are generally binding on Facebook and Instagram. The board also sometimes recommends policy changes, which Meta can accept or reject.

Meta said it welcomed the boards review.

While all of our policies are developed with safety in mind, we know they come with global challenges and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board, the company said in a statement.

As weve said previously, we continually assess our policy guidance to better understand potential impacts on different communities. This work is ongoing, and we look forward to the boards decision and recommendations, it said.

The phrase refers to the contested region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The area includes Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Pro-Palestinian slogans and chants often include the phrase online and at protests across the country, and it has long been a point of controversy. Some interpret it as a general appeal to Palestinian nationalism, while others, including Hamas, have used it to call for a Palestinian state over the entire area, meaning Israel would not exist as an independent state.

A spokesperson for the Oversight Board said the board was not immediately able to share a breakdown of how many comments supported the phrase or opposed it.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish anti-hate organization, submitted a comment calling the phrase antisemitic hate speech because it implies the dismantling of the Jewish state.

Usage of this phrase has the effect of making members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracized, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wrote in the letter, according to a copy provided by the ADL.

There are many ways to advocate for Palestinian justice and rights, including a Palestinian State, without resorting to using this hateful phrase, which denies the right of the State of Israel to exist, he wrote.

Greenblatt cited a poll commissioned by a University of California, Berkeley, professor, finding that many college students who embrace the phrase didnt know which river or sea the phrase refers to.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights organization, submitted a comment in defense of the phrase, which it said is a call for advancing Palestinian human rights.

Most Palestinian, Jewish, and other activists who use the phrase have explained that they are calling for Palestinians and Israelis to live together in a single state with equal rights for all, wrote Robert McCaw, CAIRs director of government affairs, according to a copy provided by CAIR.

No reasonable person would call this antisemitic, even if they disagree with that proposed solution, he wrote.

McCaw added that the Likud Party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had used similar wording in its original 1977 party platform, saying: between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty.

Some Jewish students have also been vocal about their belief that the phrase isn't antisemitic. In February, a student argued in an opinion piece for Dartmouth's student paper that "as a Jewish American grandson of a Holocaust survivor, I fully reject the undertones of racism and Islamophobia within the idea that the phrase 'river to sea' is antisemitic."

Metas apps have been at the center of several controversies related to the war in Gaza. Some human rights advocates have accused the company of censoring pro-Palestinian voices, while Instagram in particular has been a go-to platform for many Palestinian journalists and photographers. Others have claimed that Meta has censored pro-Israel content.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Methodist pastor has finally been reinstated in the church over 20 years after she was kicked out for being gay.

The United Methodist Church defrocked Beth Stroud, 54, in 2004 after she told her Philadelphia congregation that she was in a committed relationship with another woman. She was found guilty of violating Christian teaching in a church trial and stripped of her credentials.

Stroud is now once again a pastor and full member of the church after being reinstated Tuesday night during a closed meeting between clergy from eastern Pennsylvania. The pastor told the Associated Press that she was brought into the room after the vote, and that she was unable to speak after being overcome with emotion.

"I was completely disoriented, Stroud said. For what felt like several minutes I couldnt tell where the front of the room was, where I was, where I needed to go. Everyone was clapping and then they started singing. The bishop asked me quietly if I wanted to say anything and I said I couldnt.

The United Methodist Church overturned its 40-year ban on clergy members who are self-avowed practicing homosexuals at the beginning of May. The churchs top legislative body met in Charlotte, North Carolina and voted 692-51 without debate to overturn both its ban on gay clergy as well as the penalties for holding same-sex marriages.

Stroud, who is currently teaching writing at Princeton University, does not yet plan to return to the ministry full-time, as she has a job lined up over the summer as an assistant professor of Christian history at one of 13 seminaries run by the UMC, the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. While she is proud of the work she's done, she said that my whole life would have been different" if she had not been ousted from the church.

The first thing I felt was just anger  thinking about the life I could have had, Stroud continued. I loved being a pastor. I was good at it. With 20 more years of experience, I could have been very good  helped a lot of people and been very fulfilled.
New Mexico Environment Department invested over $11 million in water projects last quarter

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico has been making big investments into water. The latest quarterly performance assessment from the New Mexico Environment Department shows an investment of over $11 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, and a total of more than $50 million so far.

The environment department has a goal of supporting 115 new water infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2024. So far, theyve already passed 200 projects.

New Mexico expanding medication-assisted treatment at public health offices

That means the department disbursed funds to local communities for projects like drinking water improvements, stormwater collection, and wastewater management. The money comes from various sources, like legislature-approved capital outlay, the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, and the Rural Infrastructure Program.

In 2024, state lawmakers approved funds for arsenic treatment in Albuquerque, and water system improvements in Carnuel, Tijeras, Angel Fire, Carlsbad, Roy, Hobbs, Lovington, Carrizozo, Columbus, and other communities. Many of those projects were requested by community members through the capital outlay process.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 22. Trade turnover volume between Uzbekistan and the US amounted to $205.7 million from January through March 2024, Trend reports.

It dropped 29.4 percent year-over-year to $158.9 million in JanuaryMarch 2023, according to Uzbekistan's Statistics Agency.

The US ranked eleventh among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan.

The volume of exports to the US amounted to $45.7 million, while imports to Uzbekistan reached $159.9 million from January through March 2024.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistans trade turnover with the US reached $115.5 million from January through February 2024. The volume of exports amounted to $27.9 million, while imports reached $87.6 million during this period.

US foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan was 12th during this time.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  The New Mexico Department of Health will start offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder at more than 30 public health offices around the state.

More than 2 million people in the U.S. have an opioid use disorder and we know many New Mexicans struggle with this addiction, New Mexico Health Secretary Patrick Allen said in a press release. We are proud that we can now offer MAT services in all four regions of the state.

New Mexico to use over one fourth of opioid settlement fees on outside lawyers, according to LFC

The state previously offered outpatient opioid use disorder treatment in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Roswell. Now, the department of health is expanding those sorts of services.

MAT is aimed at helping people who want to cut their dependence on opioids. Treatment relies on Buprenorphine (or the brand-name equivalent, Suboxone) to help reduce opioid cravings. In New Mexico, the department of health says it does not dispense Methadone.

What can you do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke?

The latest expansion of treatment services also includes telehealth treatment options. The state offers a helpline at: 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773). That helpline is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on the weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More information at treatment options can be found at this link.

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New Mexico Forestry offers tips on how to prevent forest fires

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The New Mexico Forestry Division is asking the community to celebrate Memorial Day weekend safely by preventing human-caused wildfires.

Evacuation orders for Cloudcroft fire lifted

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Departments Forestry Division, the organization is working with local, state, federal and tribal partners and other organizations to provide information about how to be prepared for wildfires year-round.

Warehouse fire reported in El Pasos Lower Valley

These are the following tips and information to keep in mind before planning outdoor activitities:

Always check for fire restrictions and closures in the area you plan to visit before you leave Stage 1: Fire Restrictions Prohibits building and maintaining fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stove except within a developed recreation/improved site. Prohibits smoking unless within an enclosed vehicle/building clear of flammable materials. No discharge of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibits building and maintaining fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stove. Prohibits smoking. Prohibits discharge of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices. Prohibits the use of a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine. Prohibits the operation or use of an internal/external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed. Prohibits welding or operating with an open flame. Prohibits the possessing of a motor vehicle off roads on federal lands, expect when parking in an area without vegetation and within 10 feet of the roadway. Violating any state law that specifically concerning burning, fires or any other laws that have the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fires.

Check weather conditions before you leave on your trip here.

Read information boards and signs for local regulations and safety information.

Make sure you are not dragging chains, parking on dry grass and that all smoking-related embers are safely disposed of during your travel to and from public lands.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, go to their website here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Ron DeSantis, pictured, signed a series of bills that repeal climate change policies and remove climate references from state law. A local meteorologist has pushed back (Getty Images)

A Florida meteorologist has blasted Governor Ron DeSantisafter he signed a series of bills dubbed the Dont Say Climate Change laws.

Last week, Gov DeSantis signed three laws impacting climate policy and clean energy, including a bill that strips the term climate change from many parts of state law and repeals a 16-year-old policy listing climate change as a priority when making energy policy decisions.

The bills also prohibit wind farms offshore and near coastlines and protect against possible gas appliance bans.

As Florida is on fire, under water and unaffordable, our state government is rolling back climate change legislation and language, NBC6 meteorologist Steve MacLaughlin wrote on X.

Mr MacLaughlin said this legislation comes in spite of the fact that the state of Florida, over the last couple of years has seen record heat, record flooding, record rain, record insurance rates and the corals are dying all around the state.

Dont Say Climate Change! As Florida is on fire, under water and unaffordable, our state government is rolling back climate change legislation and language. #nbc6 #climateincrisis @nbc6 @CLEOInstitute @ClimateCentral pic.twitter.com/HDMBhylVFE  Steve MacLaughlin (@SteveMacNBC6) May 19, 2024

Please keep in mind the most powerful climate change solution is the one you already have in the palm of your hands: The right to vote, the meteorologist said, addressing his viewers.

We implore you to please do your research and know that there are candidates that believe in climate change and that there are solutions, he added.

The so-called Dont Say Climate Change laws have taken on a similar moniker to the 2022 Dont Say Gay law in Florida, which banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.

There is overwhelming scientific evidence pointing to a global climate crisis which is heating the planet and contributing to extreme weather that threatens communities, particularly those on coastlines and islands.

Ron DeSantis, pictured, signed a series of bills that repeal climate change policies and language from state law. Now, a local meteorologist is pushing back (Getty Images)

Florida is one of the most vulnerable states to sea-level rise and extreme weather. Sea levels are expected to rise up to a foot in the next 30 years, according to the Florida Climate Center. Millions of Floridians are at risk of losing their homes on the coast, including Mr DeSantis staunch ally, Donald Trump.

Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, located in Floridas low-lying southern region, could be partially submerged by rising sea levels as soon as 2045.

Despite the dire consequences for Florida from the climate crisis, Mr DeSantis says the legislation is fighting against radical activists.

The legislation I signed today...will keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state, Mr DeSantis said last week. Were restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots.

DeSantis camp posted on social media mocking reports about the meteorologists statement, calling him a media activist.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Attorney Generals Office on Wednesday released its report summarizing allegations of sexual abuse involving priests within the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, saying the goal of the document was to acknowledge the reports of abuse from victims and to make public the findings of its investigation.

We must break down the walls of silence that so often surround sexual abuse and assault, Attorney General Dana Nessel said during a virtual news conference Wednesday morning. In the end, we hope that this report provides a voice to those have suffered in silence for so long and that it shines a light on those alleged offenders whose actions allowed them to evade true accountability.

She praised the survivors who shared what happened to them.

Their willingness to come forward helped bring attention to an issue that has affected so many in our state and our country, including, of course, children, Nessel said.

after the fall sexual abuse hotlines graphic_1550092154156.jpg.jpg

THE REPORT

The 144-page report contains allegations dating back to 1950 against 19 priests who worked with the diocese.

The report contains detailed descriptions of allegations of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct, including grooming and misuse of authority, against minors and adults, the offices release said.

PDF: Attorney Generals full report (Discretion advised)

The AGs Office said that of the 19 priests, 12 were ordained or incardinated by the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Of the 19, 12 are dead. Six of the remaining seven have been removed from ministry and one was deemed too infirm to minister as of 2023, the diocese said.

Ten of the 19 were included in the list released by the diocese last month of people it has barred from working with children, which means the diocese deemed the allegations against them credible. Of the nine who were not on the list, at least four had allegations involving only adults.

The AGs Office has pursued criminal cases against two of the priests: Brian Stanley and Jacob Vellian. Stanley, who was accused of holding a teenage boy against his will in a closet at St. Margarets Church in Otsego, pleaded guilty in November 2019 and later sentenced to jail time. Vellian died in India before he could be brought back to the United States to face charges.

The AGs Office noted that it could not file criminal charges in many of the cases because of statutes of limitations, because the priest involved has died or because the law was not broken. It added that some people who came forward with allegations did not wish to pursue criminal charges.

Where we had the evidence and a priest who was alive and the charge survived the statute of limitation challenge, we did in fact move forward, Danielle Hagaman-Clark, of the AGs criminal trials and appeals division, told reporters. At least with one of these priests, we believe there was a charge we could move forward with if we had a victim who was willing to participate in a criminal justice investigation.

After the Fall: The legacies of Grand Rapids two most notorious priests

The AGs Office said the list of priests came from its search of hundreds of thousands of pages of documents it got from an October 2018 search warrant for the diocese and 65 reports to the states tip line for victims of clergy abuse. Information in the report came from the documents, tip line, interviews with victims and investigators, open-source media, and reports of allegations disclosed by the Diocese.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo agreed to provide reports of abuse directly to the Department of the Attorney General. Victims often reach out to their faith leaders to share stories of abuse, and the willingness of the diocese to provide information was instrumental in the compilation of this report, Nessel told reporters.

Her office said the report was shared with the diocese before it was made public.

BISHOP: TRAGIC, APPALLING, INEXCUSABLE

In a news conference in Kalamazoo following the release of the AGs report, Bishop Edward Lohse apologized to those who suffered abuse at the hands of clergy and said the diocese would work to prevent future assaults.

Today we are confronted with a disturbing truth: The sexual abuse of minors by priests here in the nine counties of the Diocese of Kalamazoo is an historic reality, Lohse, who became the bishop of the diocese last year, said. It is tragic, appalling and inexcusable. No one knows this better than you who are the victim survivors of that abuse. You were entrusted to our care and we failed to protect you. There is no other way to put it. For that failure, I am deeply sorry.

He promised to meet the reality of the abuse head-on.

We cannot be afraid of the truth. The ugliness detailed in the attorney generals report is not the whole of who we are  but it is a part, and we must acknowledge that fact and own it so that it does not happen again, he said.

Lohse said diocesan review boards had reason to believe most of the allegations brought forth are credible:

There are 28 allegations of sexual misconduct with minors, Lohse said, also clarifying that there were cases in which a single priest had multiple allegations against him. At this time, we estimate that as many as 23 of those could be credible. Not all of those occurred here in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

There are 24 allegations of misconduct against adults, 22 of which are alleged to occur within the diocese. We estimate that potentially all 24 of those could be credible, he continued.

He also said that in at least some cases, there is evidence that suggests that warning signs werent recognized or unheeded.

Lohse said that currently, no active priests within the diocese have credible allegations of abuse against a minor. He said the diocese now has robust policies to protect kids and that it will be updated this summer, but acknowledged that does not erase what happened in the past and how reports of abuse by priests have eroded the level of moral credibility of church leaders.

(The allegations in the AGs report are) a reality check, Lohse said. We have work to do.

When push comes to shove, were going to side with protecting kids, he said.

Kalamazoo Diocese releases list of those disqualified from working with kids

THE AGS INVESTIGATION

The AGs Office has published or will publish similar reports for all seven of the Catholic dioceses within Michigan. The reports for the dioceses of Marquette and Gaylord were released in 2022 and January of this year, respectively.

The information is being released to the public as an acknowledgment to the victims of these alleged crimes and as a public accounting of the resources allocated to the Department of Attorney General to investigate and prosecute clergy abuse, the release from her office said.

Nessel could not provide a precise timeline for releasing the rest of the reports, but said to expect the next one to be for the Diocese of Lansing, followed by Grand Rapids, Saginaw and then the Archdiocese of Detroit, the one she thinks will be the most comprehensive.

The AGs Office says that the October 2018 searches of the seven dioceses resulted in the seizure of 220 boxes of paper documents (58 related to Kalamazoo) and more than 3.5 million digital documents (about 200,000 linked to Kalamazoo). It says it has reviewed all of them, spoken with victims and hired a full-time victim advocate to work with them.

The investigation has yielded criminal charges against 11 priests from around the state, including Stanley and Vellian. Nessel said those cases involved at least 38 survivors.

In most of those cases, the priests pleaded to charges or were convicted by a jury. The state is still working to extradite one of the suspects, Roy Joseph, from India.

To report abuse by any member of the clergy to the state attorney general, you can call 844.324.3374, email aginvestigations@michigan.gov or go to the AGs website. The state also has resources for all victims of sexual abuse at 855.VOICES4 (864.2374).

News 8s Meghan Bunchman contributed to this report.

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Michigan school shooters parents do not have to help their son with his appeal, court rules

A Michigan judge on Wednesday denied Ethan Crumbleys request for his parents pre-sentence investigation reports to help him appeal his life without parole sentence.

Ethan was sentenced in December after pleading guilty to gunning down four classmates and wounding six others and a teacher at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021. He was 15 at the time.

His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison earlier this year following manslaughter convictions.

As part of the appeal of his sentence, Ethan asked a state court for the confidential pre-sentence reports used in the trial of his parents, arguing his family and home environment are relevant to his appeal.

On Wednesday, Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews sided with the parents and denied the request for the pre-sentence reports, according to Ashley Williams, a member of Matthews legal staff.

The sentencing court was required to consider his family background, including his home environment, because he was under the age of 18 at the time of the offenses, Ethans attorneys wrote in a motion earlier this month.

In response, prosecutors did not take a position on the matter and noted the parents pre-sentence reports were not created until months after Ethan was sentenced.

Alona Sharon, an attorney for Ethans father, wrote in response to the motion that Ethan is able bodied and capable of advising his counsel about his childhood, his parents and his home environment. Counsel has failed to explain to this Honorable Court why they cannot learn this evidence from Ethan directly.

An attorney for Ethans mother wrote in a court filing that the documents are privileged and confidential and she had not waived her statutory privilege allowing the disclosure of her pre-sentence report.

Jennifer Crumbleys attorney wrote that in a bid to show that her sons trial counsel was ineffective, Ethan is simply attempting to engage in a fishing expedition for information that (he) hopes will prove helpful.

Her attorney wrote Ethan should be able to provide his attorney with any information about his family and home environment that may be relevant under the law.

The Crumbleys are the first parents to be held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting committed by their children as the nation continues to grapple with the scourge of gunfire on campuses.

Attorneys for Ethan and his parents did not immediately respond to CNN requests for comment.

Ethan was sentenced last year after pleading guilty to terrorism causing death, four counts of murder and 19 other related charges. He did not testify in his parents trials.

Ethan admitted in court that on November 30, 2021, he took a gun from an unlocked container in his home, hid it in his backpack and took it out in a bathroom before opening fire on his schoolmates. He killed Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Justin Shilling, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16.

At the parents trials, prosecutors used testimony from shooting survivors, police investigators and school employees to show James and Jennifer Crumbley were grossly negligent in allowing their teenage son to have access to the gun and ignoring signs of his spiraling mental health.

In pre-sentence investigation reports included in the prosecutions sentencing memos, the parents continued to defend their actions.

I am wrongly accused, and now wrongly convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. My actions were that of any other parent, James Crumbley wrote. He also said he had no knowledge of what (my son) was going to do, or presented with ANY warning signs, and he defended his gun safety efforts. I followed the law and took gun safety to the point as needed.

In her report, Jennifer Crumbley sought to clarify her testimony, saying she would not have done anything differently. With the information I have now, of course my answer would be hugely different. There are so many things that I would change if I could go back in time, she said. I never imagined he would hurt other people in the way that he did.

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Mourners gather in Islamic Revolution Square (Enghelab Square) to attend the funeral service of Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials who lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Saeid Zareian/dpa

Millions of mourners flocked to a funeral procession in Tehran on Wednesday after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident, footage from Iran's state television showed.

The broadcaster showed the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading a prayer ceremony in front of the victim's coffins.

The procession then made its way from Tehran University towards Freedom Square along crowded streets filled with mourners.

Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and seven other people were killed when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of north-western Iran on Sunday.

In the wake of the crash, Khamenei ordered five days of national mourning ending on Friday.

Wednesday's funeral ceremony was attended by numerous high-ranking political and military representatives as well as foreign dignitaries, the state news agency IRNA said.

Raisi is to be buried in his home town of Mashhad on Thursday at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shia Islam.

High-ranking representatives of friendly states are expected to attend, including Russian parliamentary leader Vyacheslav Volodin.

Iran's state railway company has organized special trains to take mourners from Tehran to the north-eastern city of Mashhad.

Raisi's death has provoked mixed reactions in Iran. While supporters of the country's Islamic regime have mourned the loss of an important political figure, critics have highlighted the heightened repression his administration oversaw.

Mourners gather in Islamic Revolution Square (Enghelab Square) to attend the funeral service of Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials who lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Saeid Zareian/dpa

Mourners gather in Islamic Revolution Square (Enghelab Square) to attend the funeral service of Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials who lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Saeid Zareian/dpa
Russian forces launched a drone at a police car during evacuation efforts near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, killing one officer and injuring another, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on May 22.

The town has become a focus of Russia's new offensive into Kharkiv Oblast launched earlier in May.

The vehicle was hit by a first-person-view (FPV) drone as the two policers inside it were heading to help evacuate civilians, the minister said.

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As evacuations from the embattled settlement are ongoing, Ukrainian officials reported several cases of Russian troops shooting at civilians.

According to Klymenko, Russian drones are constantly circling the area, presenting a danger to police teams.

"But the police continue to take people out from the shelled areas," Klymenko said on his Telegram channel.

"This self-sacrifice must always be remembered."

Read also: Police: Russian forces shooting civilians in Vovchansk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
DENVER (KDVR)  Engineers will be flushing sediment out of the Cherry Creek Dam on Wednesday, meaning trails and crossings may flood.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District will conduct the annual maintenance to ensure the dams outlet gates are operating properly.

These annual flushes keep the gates clear of sediment so that gates can operate reliably when needed to help reduce downstream flood risk to people and property in the Denver metropolitan area, said Joe Maxwell, operations project manager for the USACE Tri-Lakes projects.

During Wednesdays flush, between 150 and 1,300 cubic feet of water will be released from the dams five main outlet gates from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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For reference, during normal operations engineers release less than 100 cubic feet of water per second. One cubic foot of water is equal to 7.5 gallons  about the volume of a beachball.

The higher flows will take around six hours to reach the Champa Street Bridge downstream and flow from the last gate will reach the area by Wednesday evening.

During the flush, engineers urge the public not to cross or access Cherry Creek on Wednesday as flooding is possible. The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory during the maintenance.

Katie Seefus, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, told FOX31s Andrea Henderson that the operation is critical to prevent the gates from getting stuck during heavy rain, which could lead to severe flooding.

If the gates get stuck open thats an issue because we might have more water than wed like to have in the creek, and if they get stuck closed, we then have more water than wed like in the reservoir, Seefus said.

A large flush like this happens once every other year. Areas closer to the dam will experience flooding first, while areas further away can expect more flooding in the late afternoon and evening. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects flooding to hit Confluence Park downtown around 8 p.m. Wednesday.

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What youll see is the low-lying areas around parks and golf courses, youll see those flooded temporarily, youll also see the trails where they dip down or cross over the creek those will be flooded as well, Seefus said.

The flooding should recede by Thursday.

Denver Parks and Recreation provided alternate routes, including bike paths, to avoid Cherry Creek. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates the Cherry Creek Dam in Aurora and Chatfield and Bear Creek dams in Denver.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Missing 14-Year-Old Girl Found Dead, 7-Year-Old Rescued After Being Caught in a Rip Current Off Texas Island

The 7-year-old girl was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to the Coast Guard

Go Fund Me Anllelith Solis.

A 14-year-old girl has been found dead after she was swept away by a rip current while swimming in Texas.

Ana Suarez said in a translated Facebook post on Monday, May 20, that her niece Anllelith Solis was found on the shores of South Padre Island.

The Coast Guard said in a news release on May 19 that they had been searching for the teen  originally identified as a 13-year-old girl  after she went missing when she was pulled by the rip current near Beach Access 5 on South Padre Island.

Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a notification at 7:15 a.m. local time from Cameron County dispatchers after the incident.

Related: Dad Speaks at Funeral of Teen Who Rescued His Family from Rip Current: 'Thank You for Saving My Kids'

"One of the children, a 7-year-old girl, was rescued from the water and taken to the hospital in stable condition," the agency said.

"Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station South Padre Island 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to search for the missing child," the Coast Guard said in their release.

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Multiple agencies had also been involved in the search.

Related: Here's What to Know About Rip Currents  and What You Can Do to Stay Safe In One

PEOPLE has reached out to the Coast Guard for comment.

On Monday, the Cameron County Park Ranger said in a Facebook post that they were notified of a body "washing up on the shoreline 2 miles north on county beach access 5" around 11:10 p.m. local time.

"The Cameron County Park Rangers recovered the body and received confirmation from the aunt and uncle of the deceased teenager," authorities said. "It was confirmed to be the missing 14-year-old swimmer in distress from earlier in the day."

Related: 13-Year-Old Who Drowned After Being Swept Away in Lake Michigan Was 'Loving' Daughter, Family Says

A GoFundMe fundraiser created by loved ones of the teen has raised over $15,000 as of the morning of May 22 for funeral expenses.

The tribute added, "Please continue sending your thoughts and prayers to the family as they cope with this loss."

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Read the original article on People.
(KRON)  A woman from Oakland was reported missing in Mendocino County, the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office announced Wednesday in a news release. Elizabeth Schenk was reported missing on Tuesday, May 21 around 4:47 p.m.

Schenk, 70, was last seen on the 31000 block of Bruhel Point Road in Fort Bragg. Authorities said Schenk was visiting the Northern California county from Oakland.

She is considered to be at risk due to her age and pre-existing medical conditions, MCSO said. Schenk was last seen wearing a white sweater, a white vest and white jeans when she left for a walk on Tuesday.

Schenk is described as a white woman who is 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds. She has graying brown hair and blue eyes.

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Elizabeth Schenk, 70, is an Oakland resident who was reported missing out of Mendocino County (Mendocino County Sheriffs Office).

South Bay tech workers quit jobs to run Cybertruck-powered coffee shop

MCSO received a call from a reporting party who said he received a call from Schenk around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday after Schenk went for a walk on a nearby logging road, the sheriffs office said. Schnek was reportedly lost and called the man for directions.

Schenk described her surroundings to the man who gave Schenk directions. However, about an hour and a half later, Schenk didnt return from her walk and didnt answer her phone. The man then asked for neighbors help in finding the woman, which they didnt after an hours-long search.

The male subject then reported Schenks disappearance to MCSO later that day around 4:47 p.m.

Anyone with information about Schenks location is asked to call MCSO at 707-463-4086.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Mississippi is one of the worst states to live in, according to U.S. News and World Report

In its 2024 annual Best States ranking, U.S. News and World Report has ranked Mississippi among the worst states to live in.

The report is based on eight categories  health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, and natural environment  through a stringing together of thousands of government and publicly available data-sources by U.S. News team.

Overall, the Magnolia State ranks 48th out of 50. . Mississippi is ranked worst in the nation in terms of economy and health care. It ranks 48th in infrastructure and 45th in fiscal stability.

The states highest ranking is its natural environment, placing it 20th, and is 25th for crime and corrections. The state ranks 35th for both education and opportunity.

For affordability, a subcategory of opportunity, Mississippi placed second in the nation, beaten only by Arkansas. Mississippi ranked last, though, in the economic opportunity category, another subcategory of opportunity.

Mississippi also ranked 48th last year. Since last years report, Mississippi has improved most in crime and corrections, jumping up nine places; improved six places in education and five places in its fiscal security. Mississippi fell four places in the natural environment category, from 16th place last year.

Changes in other categories proved minor, either improving or declining by just one place.

The only states ranking lower than Mississippi overall were New Mexico at 49th place and Louisiana, which placed in dead last for another year.

Utah, again, topped U.S. News ranking. Florida was the only southern state to breach the top 10.
ST. LOUIS  If you shop at big-box retailers frequently, theres a chance an employee has stopped you to check your receipt and items before you leave. As the shopper, are you legally required to stop?

It depends. First, it comes down to any policies the retailers may have in effect. After that, its a matter of whether the state you shop in requires such practices.

For retailers, there are three retail giants where you may notice receipt checkers

At Walmart, an employee may ask to check your receipts as you leave, though these checks are understood to be voluntary rather than required.

At Sams Club and Costco, shoppers are members and agree to receipt checks as part of the shopping experience.

Its important to note that other retailers may have slightly different practices for checking receipts. If youre uncertain, make sure to check on policies of the retailer where you plan to stop.

Next, it comes down to the states. The terms receipt checker or receipt checking arent part of state statutes in Missouri or Illinois. Because of that, it comes down to the etiquette outlined in other state statutes that some consumers know as shopkeepers privilege.

Are shoppers in Missouri and Illinois legally required to stop for receipt checkers? Heres how the laws explain it:

Missouri

Missouri State Statute 537.125 explains:

Any merchant, his agent or employee, who has reasonable grounds or probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a wrongful taking of merchandise or money from a mercantile establishment, may detain such person in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time for the purpose of investigating whether there has been a wrongful taking of such merchandise or money. Any such reasonable detention shall not constitute an unlawful arrest or detention, nor shall it render the merchant, his agent or employee, criminally or civilly liable to the person so detained.

In shortened terms, the statute also address the following situations

Any person willfully concealing unpurchased merchandise of any mercantile establishment  shall be presumed to have so concealed such merchandise with the intention of committing a wrongful taking of such merchandise.  Any such reasonable detention shall not be deemed to be unlawful, nor render such merchant, his agent or employee criminally or civilly liable.



Any employee who has reasonable grounds or probable cause to believe that a person has committed a wrongful taking of property . may contact law enforcement officers and instigate criminal proceedings against such person.  And any contact with authorities shall not constitute malicious prosecution or hold the merchant civilly liable to the person so detained or against whom proceedings are instigated.

As written, the statute doesnt necessarily indicate that shoppers should show their receipts as they leave, but it gives merchants the right to stop shoppers and check on their purchases, so long as its done in a reasonable manner and in a reasonable length of time.

Short answer: Are shoppers in Missouri legally required to stop for receipt checkers in retail stores without policies? No. Shoppers can legally refuse a stop to show their receipts. That said, its also important to keep shopkeepers privilege in mind.

Illinois

Illinois State Statute 720 ILCS 5/16-26 explains:

Any merchant who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed retail theft may detain the person, on or off the premises of a retail mercantile establishment, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time for all or any of five distinct purposes:

To request identification

To verify such identification

To reasonably inquire as to whether such person is in possession of unpurchased merchandise and investigate the ownership of such merchandise;

To inform a peace officer of the detention of the person and surrender that person to the custody of a peace officer;

In the case of a minor, to immediately make a reasonable attempt to inform the parents, guardian or other private person interested in the welfare of that minor.

As written, the statute doesnt necessarily indicate that shoppers should show their receipts as they leave, but it gives merchants the authority to stop shoppers for a variety of reasons, including a reasonable suspicion that the shopper may have stolen items.

Short answer: Are shoppers in Illinois legally required to stop for receipt checkers in retail stores without policies? No. Shoppers can legally refuse a stop to show their receipts. That said, its also important to keep shopkeepers privilege in mind.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Missouri State Auditor, Scott Fitzpatrick, announced on Wednesday he launched an audit that will evaluate the finances and overall educational performance of the Independence School District.

The audit is a part of Fitzpatricks plan to review the performance of Missouri schools regularly.

Kansas City man first in Missouri charged with assisting attempted suicide

After taking office in January 2023, Fitzpatrick described that although schools are required, by law, to have financial audits every year, these audits do not measure the efficiency or effectiveness of the school district.

Fitzpatrick said that the State Auditors Office can perform audits for more than 500 school districts in Missouri. However, previous administrations, on average, only conducted one audit each year.

He even said some school districts were only evaluated because residents of the districts created successful petitions that got the minimum number of required signatures.

Parents and taxpayers deserve to know how their tax dollars are being used by their schools, and to have a better understanding of how district decisions impact their childrens education, Fitzpatrick said.

We will take a thorough look at how the Independence School District is operating with the goal of providing parents with the information they deserve to know about how the district is performing and make necessary recommendations on how the district can make their schools more efficient and more effective for their students.

Missouri news: Headlines from St. Louis, Jefferson City and across the Show-Me State

The Independence School District is the third audit launched so far. Currently, the Kingston K-14 School District in Washington County and the Francis Howell R-III School District in St. Charles County are being audited.

If you want to provide the State Auditors Office with any additional or confidential information about the Independence School District, call the State Auditors Whistleblower Hotline at (800) 347-8597, send an email to moaudit@auditor.mo.gov, or go to www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.

FOX4 has reached out to the Independence School District for comment but has not heard back.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Dalal Warra testified that her son called her moments after allegedly killing two people  including his wife  and confessed to the murders, according to reports

Facebook Ana Abulaban, left, and Ali Abulaban

The mother of a former TikTok star who is accused of murdering his estranged wife and her friend took the stand on Monday, May 20, to discuss the moment her son allegedly confessed to her that he committed the double murder.

Ali Abulaban is accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, 28-year-old Ana Abulaban, and her friend, 29-year-old Rayburn Barron, in October 2021 at a luxury San Diego apartment complex, according to NBC San Diego, 10 News and Fox 5.

Ali's mother, Dalal Warra, testified that her son called her in the moments after and said he killed Ana and Barron, NBC San Diego reports. Warra said she told her son something along the lines of, "That's not funny, Ali. Don't say that." She initially didn't believe him, but then he allegedly sent her a photo as proof, she testified, the outlet reports.

"I deleted it right away. I hung up the phone and I literally fell on the ground," Warra testified, CBS 8 reports.

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.

ABC 10 News/YouTube Ali Abulaban takes the stand

Ali  who had nearly a million followers on TikTok at the time of the murders  had moved out of the apartment the couple shared in San Diego, but allegedly snuck back inside at one point and downloaded an app with a listening device on his 5-year-old daughter's iPad, Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast previously claimed, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Later, Ali listened to the app and heard Ana talking with another man, then allegedly went back to the apartment and fatally shot that man, later identified as Barron, three times and struck Ana in the head, the outlet reports.

gofundme Ana Abulaban, left, and Rayburn Barron

Related: Trial Nears for TikTok Star Accused of Killing Estranged Wife After Spying on Her and Man Using Daughter's iPad

On May 21, Ali took the stand in his own defense and testified about his tumultuous relationship and admitted to drug use, Fox 5 reports. He testified that during one fight, I snapped, I rolled on top of Ana and I began punching her, in her face, three times. I was just very impulsive, per the outlet.

While Ali's mother was on the stand the following day, Brast asked her: Did the defendant tell you that he has punched and hit Ana on a number of occasions?

Warra responded: "Not punched. Hit, yes, but not punched, according to CBS 8.

Ana and Ali were together for seven years at the time of her death. They shared one child.

Ana's friend, Alexandria Black, testified previously during the trial about her friend's relationship and her dislike of Ali, Fox 5 reports.



I just couldnt stand being around him," Black testified, according to the outlet. "He made everyone in the room feel uncomfortable, just very physical and verbal.

A GoFundMe created in 2021 for Ana's funeral expenses reads, in part: "Losing a daughter, a sister, a mother in such a violent manner is unfathomable."



Barron, the second victim in the double-murder, was the "glue to his family," according to a GoFundMe that was created for his celebration of life expenses in 2021.



The double-murder trial is ongoing.



If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Mom of Girl, 14, Found Dead in 'Skeletal State' Was Charged Last Month. Why Were Grandparents Just Arrested?

Kyneddi Miller was living in a West Virginia home with her mother, grandmother and grandfather at the time of her death

Courtesy of Boone County Kyneddi Miller

The grandparents of a 14-year-old girl who was found in a "skeletal state" have been charged in connection with her death.

Jerry Stone, 75, and Donna Stone, 76, have been charged with child neglect causing death, MetroNews, WCHS-TV and WSAZ report. The girls mother, Julie Anne Stone Miller, 49, is facing the same charge.

The charges come a month after the teenager, Kyneddi Miller, was found emaciated to a skeletal state on the bathroom floor in her West Virginia home on April 17, according to a criminal complaint previously obtained by PEOPLE. According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, Kyneddi went into cardiac arrest.



Boone County Sheriff's Department Julie Anne Stone Miller

Kyneddi had not been able to function on her own in a reported 4-5 days due to her physical state, the criminal complaint states, adding that she had an unchecked eating disorder. She has not been eating for months, and her health was deteriorating for months or years, it states.

Jerry and Donna failed to exercise a minimum degree of care to assure the teenagers physical safety and health, a new criminal complaint filed on May 20 alleges, according to WSAZ.



Related: 911 Call Leads to Discovery of Girl, 14, in 'Emaciated, Skeletal State,' and Mom Is Arrested

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"The details in this case are very disturbing and hard to fathom," Boone County Sheriff Chad Barker previously told PEOPLE.

According to Barker, Jerry, Donna, Julie and Kyneddi all lived together. The investigation also revealed that Kyneddi had not attended school in nearly four years, per the original criminal complaint.

It is unclear whether the suspects have retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Mom of slain NYC teen knew daughters accused killer would be in jail again: He did this to somebody else

The mom of slain New York City teenager Daja Robinson knew her daughters accused killer would wind up back behind bars after his conviction was tossed nine months ago.

She was right.

He did it again, Shadia Sands told The Post on Wednesday following ex-con Shamel Capers arrest for his alleged role in a Queens shootout that left a 19-year-old man dead last year.

Shadia Sands speaks at a 2013 press conference after her daughter, Daja Robinson, 14, was killed by a stray bullet. Stefan Jeremiah

Its giving me chills all over again, Sands said in a phone interview. He did this to somebody else.

Sands recalled how, after Queens prosecutors pushed to clear Capers of her 14-year-old daughters murder, leaving him back on the streets, We said these exact words: Hes gonna be out there doing this to somebody elses child.

And he did it again, she said.

Capers, now 25, was found guilty in 2016 in Dajas shooting death three years earlier.

The teen was hit by a stray bullet while she rode a Q6 bus in Jamaica after a Sweet 16 birthday party.

Me seeing him in the papers and now seeing my daughter again, its like Im reliving it all over again  from the same person, Sands said.

Shamel Capers was convicted of murder in the death of Daja Robinson in 2016 but was freed after Queens prosecutors threw out his conviction in 2022. CBS News

Daja Robinson, 14, was riding a Q6 bus in Jamaica when she was struck by a stray bullet and killed in 2013. Facebook / Shadia Sands

The Queens District Attorneys Office moved to throw out Capers conviction in November 2022 after his lawyers said a witness in the case lied about Capers involvement.

Sands, who had since moved out of the Empire State, said she was blindsided.

The advocate of the DAs office called me and said, Hes gonna be exonerated tomorrow. I said, Wait a minute. Hold up. Exoneration means he had absolutely nothing to do with this. His hands wasnt in this pot,' she told The Post.

Sands said she still believes Capers was allegedly involved in her daughters slaying.

Before the DAs Conviction Integrity Unit took up a review of his case, prosecutors had said he and a second man, Kevin McClinton, took turns firing shots at the bus Daja was riding in, killing her.

Shamel Capers is charged with attempted murder in a July 2023 shootout in Queens  just nine months after prosecutors threw out his 2016 murder conviction. Seth Gottfried

I watched the video. I saw him on camera, he was there. Everyone pointed him out, Sands recalled. I said, Im confused. What do you mean exonerated? No one told me until the day before he got exonerated.

Once freed, Capers, a dad who now lives in Brooklyn, was back in the streets  and allegedly armed.

On July 23, 2023, prosecutors said Capers was part of a rowdy group out on the streets in Middle Village shortly before 3:30 a.m. when a shootout ensued, killing 19-year-old Joshua Taylor.

Prosecutors said Capers, who was arrested in New Jersey last week and extradited to the Big Apple, didnt fire the fatal shot. He was charged with attempted murder and remanded into custody at his arraignment.

Alleged gunman Dante Hunter, 25, is facing murder charges, while a third suspect, 21-year-old Damone Miller, was also charged with attempted murder this week.

Saja Robinsons funeral is held in 2013. Matthew McDermott

In a statement Tuesday, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz defended the decision to throw out Capers 2016 murder conviction, saying the decision followed an exhaustive investigation.

Katz said that newly discovered evidence led us to conclude that Shamel Capers had been wrongfully convicted. The court agreed and the conviction was vacated.

But Sands said her family were never given a chance to speak about the decision.

The grieving mom said both Capers and McClinton fired shots from the same gun that killed Daja, and she wonders how prosecutors could determine whose shot killed her daughter.

Regardless, she said she will always have to live with the pain of losing Daja.

Theyre portraying [Capers] as this great dad thats missing out on his kids life, Sands said. My child was a great kid and Im missing out on her growing up and having a career, going on with life. And she didnt do anything wrong.

So, what hes missing out, he put himself into that.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  There is new talk about a monorail system coming to Memphis and how it could possibly transform the city.

For beleaguered Memphis commuters tired of being stuck in traffic, a new monorail rapid transit system proposal being considered by the city council could one day put them on the fast track.

During a Memphis City Council Transportation Committee meeting, a group called Iceland Investments unveiled what could be described as an ambitious plan for a Monorail Rapid Transit System and Smart Grid Upgrades for the city.

The proposal is called Zoom 2125.

County has no deed for Graceland; Elvis Presleys family calls sale a scam

The Memphians behind the plan say it would revolutionize the economic and social conditions in the city, creating thousands of new jobs and innovation for the next 100 years.

But council members had a lot of questions for the group, regarding their communication with Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), what role the City of Memphis will play when it comes to securing funds for this multi-billion-dollar project and whether this would be a city, county and federal government collaboration?

In response to questions about the obligation of the city, Patrick Price, the Chief Investment Officer of Iceland Investments said that it would be fairly minimal.

Basically, we would just need you guys to sign off on allowing our group, our consortium group to be the sponsor  to be the group thats leading the charge for this initiative, Price said. Our responsibility will be to raise the capital, the private capital and secure federal funding and also to bring the leadership in certain areas of construction, operation and management.

Raising Canes Chicken coming to Southaven, MS

The dream of building a contemporary rail line in and around Memphis has been talked about for years, including the possibility of connecting Memphis to cities like Nashville and Atlanta.

Thats especially the case considering the citys monorail to Mud Island Park lies dormant and needs repairs.

As were looking at this, I know it seems crazy and pie in the sky, but you have to have a vision to make something crazy happen and something big happen, City Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren said. I think all we are doing here is giving permission to these guys to go out and explore and bring us back a project with money so that we can say go for it.

Dr. Warren is not alone in his intrigue in the possibility of a monorail.

(Its) a great idea. Plus, it might enhance the citys tourist attractions, residents Joseph Garner and Gail Rayford said. Memphis wants to be an upscale city.

Even Downtown Neighborhood Associate President Jerred Price told WREG that he sees the value in establishing one in the city.

It would benefit our downtown because it would then inner link and better connect our city so that patrons from Midtown to downtown to Boxtown could hop on a monorail or light rail system and be anywhere in the city in just a few minutes and not have to worry if they have a car, Price 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 WREG.com.
Monroe police search for couple wanted in attempted theft of ATM

Police in Monroe are searching for two people wanted for the attempted theft of an ATM.

The two alleged burglars tried to steal the ATM from a business.

If you have any information about the couple in the photo, email police@monroewa.gov or call 360-794-6300.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 22. We have initiated the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railways with our foreign partners to enhance regional connectivity, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the US Furgat Sidigov said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum in Washington.

These strategic projects will fundamentally transform the geopolitics and economics of the region, turning Central Asia into the global transit hub connecting North and South, East and West, he said.

According to him, Uzbekistan is committed to enhancing regional connectivity and fostering sustainable development through the support of various economic corridors. The country aims to boost trade, strengthen economic ties, and promote regional integration, ultimately contributing to the prosperity and stability of Central Asia.

The United States and the West place a great value on Uzbekistan's oil, gas, and essential mineral resources. The nation is prepared to ship over six thousand different products to European markets. The Great Silk Road can be revived on a contemporary basis with the help of investors from worldwide organizations who are taking part in this regional endeavor, Sidigov noted.

Meanwhile, the 8th Annual Trans-Caspian Forum, titled "How to Maximize the Middle Corridor," was held on May 21 in Washington.

The inaugural panel of the Trans-Caspian Forum focused on "Building on the United States-Caspian Strategic Partnership."

It's worth noting that the Middle Corridor, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, is under scrutiny by the global community for facilitating trade between two major economies, China and the EU.
Montgomery County high school student charged as adult for bringing gun to school

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A 16-year-old high school student was charged after bringing a gun to a school in Montgomery County Tuesday.

Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) responded to Paint Branch High School in the 14100 block of Old Columbia Pike at around 10:13 a.m., after receiving a report about the student with a gun.

MCFRS wants to remind people not to go swimming in Potomac River as they deal with water rescues

A teacher had told school security when they saw what looked to be a gun on the student.

That student consented to a self-search and a handgun was found with him.

He was arrested and charged with possession of a dangerous deadly weapon on school property, possession of a handgun, underage possession of a firearm and other related charges.

The student was being charged as an adult and he was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit where he will wait for a bond hearing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
More than 12,000 ComEd customers without power following high winds and overnight storms

Thousands were without power after a line of storms blew into the area overnight, bringing strong winds, dust storms and transit delays.

More than 12,000 customers were without power across the state Wednesday morning, according to ComEd. A total of 670 outages were reported as of 9 a.m., including 225 in Cook County affecting more than 2,600 people. Nearly 2,500 people were also affected in DuPage and Lake counties.

Tuesday night, winds gusted up to 75 mph in portions of central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. Temperatures rose shy of 90 degrees. The National Weather Service said it received 23 tornado reports in the Midwest, with most in Iowa. About 60 miles west of Des Moines, multiple people were killed by a tornado that leveled a small town, officials said. Responders are still counting the number of fatalities.

As of Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service has not confirmed any tornados in the Chicago area, but officials are out monitoring the damage. Illinois State Police had issued a dust storm warning on I-55 near McLean Tuesday afternoon.

Amid strong winds, downed powerlines and track obstructions were causing delays on the CTA Yellow Line and Metra Milwaukee North Line early Wednesday.
Four documents with classification markings were discovered in Donald Trumps private quarters at Mar-a-Lago months after federal agents conducted an exhaustive sweep of the property, something a federal judge described with disbelief as part of a trove of documents newly unsealed on Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell seemed to find it dubious that the former president could have possibly missed the records, which constituted a box containing four documents or partial documents, totaling six pages, with classification markings found in a closet in his office.

Authorities were alerted to the existence of the box around Dec. 15, 2022, the judge said, four months after the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago and retrieved dozens of classified and top-secret records. Trumps lawyers turned the box and its contents over to the government on Jan. 5 of the following year, in compliance with another subpoena.

But that wasnt the last of the leftover folders, according to Howell. While handing over the box, Trumps people also gave the FBI one empty folder and another mostly empty folder marked Classified Evening Summary that had been found in the former presidents bedroom.

Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago, Howell wrote.

In her opinion, penned in March 2023, Howell found that the government had presented sufficient evidence that Trump had willfully tried to shield the documents scooped up by the FBI in August 2022. (She noted that there was no direct evidence that Trump had deliberately retained, or was even aware of, the records found after the raid.)

The Dramatic Meeting Now Stalling Trumps Mar-a-Lago Case

As a result, she said she would grant the prosecutions request to question Trump lawyers under the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. The unusual step to force Trump attorney Evan Corcoran to testify before a grand jury had been previously reported, but the rationale for her decision was only unsealed on Tuesday.

In it, Howell said that prosecutors in Special Counsel Jack Smiths office had adequately demonstrated that Trump knew his attorney, Evan Corcoran, was unknowingly lying to the government when he told agents in June 2022 that all classified materials had been returned. The judge explained that the crime-fraud exception pierces the attorney-client privilege even when the attorney is an unknowing tool of his client.

In addition to Corcorans testimony before the grand jury, Howell said that 88 documents hed been attempting to keep away from prosecutors over supposed attorney-client privilege also had to be turned over, with the government having shown they were sufficiently in furtherance of the former presidents criminal scheme.

The partially-redacted decision and a raft of other exhibits were unsealed as part of Trumps efforts to have his case dismissed over alleged prosecutorial misconduct.

Among the filings unsealed on Tuesday was also an operations order showing that FBI agents were authorized to use deadly force during the Mar-a-Lago raidstandard protocol for the Department of Justice, but something Trump immediately seized upon.

WOW, he posted on TruthSocial. I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the Icebox, and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Bidens DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

MAGA Lawyer Gets Dismantled by His Own Damning Trump Emails

Other denizens of MAGA World were quick to pick up the former presidents call, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) screeching on X that the Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light.

In a statement to The Washington Post, the FBI said that it followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who took over the classified documents case from Howell after Trump was indicted on 37 criminal counts last summer, ordered the documents released on Tuesday unsealed. She indefinitely delayed the start of the trial earlier this month over the thicket of outstanding pre-trial motions and classification issues that have yet to be resolved.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. The trial is unlikely to begin before the November presidential election.

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The Morgantown City Council on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, repealed a 2005 panhandling ordinance. (Morgantown City Council livestream screenshot)

The city of Morgantown has repealed a panhandling ordinance that made it the target of a lawsuit filed last month by a legal advocacy organization.

Morgantown City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to repeal the 2005 ordinance that prohibits the solicitation of people traveling in vehicles on public rights-of-way.

Mountain State Justice filed the lawsuit against the city in federal court last month on behalf of Anthony Rowand, an unemployed Monongalia County resident who relies on panhandling to cover his basic needs and those of his girlfriend, according to the lawsuit. It argues that panhandling and soliciting of charitable donations constitute speech protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The complaint says that last summer Rowand began receiving tickets and fines under the ordinance as city police began more rigorous enforcement. The man has continued to solicit donations, and has been repeatedly ticketed, racking up fines he is unable to pay, the complaint says.

During an earlier meeting, Morgantown city attorney Ryan Simonton acknowledged that by specifically addressing solicitation for money or goods, the law violates the First Amendment to the Constitution.

According to the lawsuit, while the law had been on the books since 2005, the city began more rigorous enforcement last summer.

Councilman Brian Butcher, who also helps lead a Morgantown homeless services provider, said the law should have been repealed a long time ago. The ordinance had not been enforced until recently, Butcher said.

Its definitely more pressing now that were  engaged in a lawsuit over the enforcement of that ordinance, Butcher said. So, [its] good for multiple reasons to repeal it. Its the right thing to do. Its also obviously illegal, so getting it off the books was the best thing for the city.

In October, Monongalia County passed an ordinance that limits interaction between vehicle occupants and people standing on roadways and prohibits standing or sitting on roadways in certain situations. Critics say that law unconstitutionally targets people experiencing homelessness asking for money.

During the meeting, Councilwoman Danielle Trumble said the city and other local municipalities should come together with the county to address a social service crisis. Bartlett Housing Solutions, a Morgantown emergency shelter, is reportedly set to close this summer.

Councilman Bill Kawecki said the city is concerned about the homeless and looking into what possibilities there are.

Its being discussed and being worked on, he said. Nothing ready for prime time at the moment, but I assure you that there are numbers of people on this council that are very interested in seeing a resolution that will be positive. And I have every confidence that there will be something appropriate, although unfortunately I believe these solutions are helpful, but it doesnt make the problem go away.

A representative of Mountain State Justice did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

The post Morgantown repeals panhandling ordinance appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
MSNBC headliners decried former President Donald Trumps seemingly racist and discriminatory rhetoric hes lashed out towards the Latino American judge presiding over his criminal hush money trial.

On Wednesday morning, Morning Joes Mika Brzezinski skewered Trumps new line of attack against Judge Juan Merchan after leaving the courthouse in New York on Tuesday.

In a clip shared by MSNBC, Trump begins his rant with snippy remarks asking where does Merchan come from.

The judge hates Donald Trump, Trump said, speaking of himself in third person. Just take a look. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from. He cant stand Donald Trump. Hes doing everything in his power.

Merchan was born in Colombia, moved to the U.S. when he was 6, and was raised and attended undergrad and law school in New York. He spent years building his legal resume.

MSNBC contributor Sam Steinand former Daily Beast politics editorsaid the language was typical Trump, comparing the situation to an incident in 2016 when Judge Gonzalo Curiel oversaw the case involving the defrauding of Trump University students. At the time, Trump chided the judge for being Mexican.

Trump University Fraud Lawsuit Finally Settled

Where he comes from could beand I think, deliberatelya phrase to be interpreted however the viewer wants. But I think we all know what the implication was, Stein said. That statement, in its own right, wouldve been a shock to the system six, seven years ago. And it was. I remember how we felt when it first happened. But its become sort of normalized because weve been so inundated with Trump.

Stein elaborated about how the derogatory speechand Trumps alleged hush-money paymentdoesnt sway his voters or change their political views of him as a leader.

Theres an acceptance, Brzezinski said.

Its become baked into our political psyche, Stein added.

Ironically, Republican Rep. Steve King from Iowa was stripped of his congressional duties in 2020 after he attempted to be a champion for white supremacy. As a dedicated Trump supporter and 20-year member of Congress, King lost appeal when he endorsed Nazi sympathizers, referred to Latin American immigrants as dirt, repeatedly made disparaging comments about Black and Asian Americans, considered himself to be a nationalist, and questioned when white supremacy became a negative concept.

However, similar forms of admonishment have been lost on Trump.

Joe Scarborough said the twice-impeached presidents words were more than just concerning or nerve-wracking and considered the language to be open, blatant racism that has been mainstreamed into American political life.

Donald Trump speaks in code because he wants people to see the judge as an other. Everybodys an other unless their immigrant parents were from Scotland and Germany, Scarborough said.

Donald Trump Didnt Create the Rage That Fueled Charlottesville, but He Sure as Hell Unleashed It

Then, he disgustingly recalled people willing to tolerate Trumps Nazi-like and fascist rhetoric targeted towards lawmakers who arent white.

Theres so much of it that its hard to keep track, Brzezinski said.

[People] are voting for a racist. Theyre making an active choice, Scarborough snapped. This isnt a passive choice.  This is them hearing hes a racist. These are racist terms.  For Donald Trump, its always us versus the other.

People are actively choosing to vote for this guy, to vote for a bigot, a fascist, a man who says he wants to be an authoritarian and a dictator on day one.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A passenger, with backpack at right, arrives from Bangkok at a Singapore airport Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A Singapore Airlines flight from London's Heathrow airport to Singapore was diverted and landed in stormy weather in Bangkok on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

BANGKOK (AP)  Singapore Airlines said a relief plane flew into Singapore early Wednesday morning with most of the passengers who were on a flight that was battered by severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean and had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after one man died and dozens of people were injured.

The airline said 143 passengers arrived in the city state shortly after 5 a.m.

The airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong, said an additional 79 passengers and six crew members remained in Bangkok, including the 71 hospitalized as of Wednesday morning. The airline told The Associated Press that a second relief flight was planned.

The airline's Flight SQ321 was flying from Londons Heathrow airport to Singapore, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members aboard, when it hit the turbulence Tuesday, bashing people around inside the plane. The Boeing 777 descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday.

We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through, Goh said in a video on social media. He said the airline was providing all necessary support and pledged it would fully cooperate in investigations.

An airport official said the 73-year-old British man who died might have had a heart attack, though that hadnt been confirmed.

Thai officials withheld the man's name, but British media identified him as Geoff Kitchen, who was going on a holiday with his wife. She was among the passengers taken to hospital in Bangkok

Kitchen was described as formerly working in the insurance industry, and in retirement continuing his involvement with amateur theater.

The Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, with which he worked, said he was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.

Passengers who arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport on Wednesday were greeted by Goh and their family members, some with tears of joy and relief. They were escorted out and didnt talk to the media.

Officials from the British and Malaysian embassies in Bangkok visited Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital on Wednesday to check on the injured. British officials were taken to the ninth floor, which hosts the hospital's intensive care unit along with pediatric surgery and bone marrow transplant wards. Hospital officials said 61 of the injured were being treated there and 10 had been transferred to other hospitals in its network.

Malaysias Foreign Ministry said nine of that country's citizens, including a crew member, were being treated at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital and three at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. According to both hospitals, all of them suffered physical and internal injuries, with one person in critical but stable condition, it said in a statement.

Recounting the accident, British passenger Andrew Davies told Sky News that the seatbelt sign was illuminated but crew members didnt have time to take their seats.

Every single cabin crew person I saw was injured in some way or another, maybe with a gash on their head, Davies said. One had a bad back, who was in obvious pain.

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on the flight, told ABC News: Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it. They hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.

Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said the sudden descent occurred as passengers were being served food. He said at least seven passengers were severely injured. The British man appeared to have had a heart attack but medical authorities would need to confirm that, he said.

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press show the Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters).

At one point, the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descended to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) over about three minutes, according to the data. The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later.

Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration, another U.S. government agency, has said there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

Boeing extended condolences to the family of the dead man and said it was in contact with Singapore Airlines and stand ready to support them.

The wide-body Boeing 777 is a workhorse of the aviation industry, used mainly for long-haul flights by airlines around the world. The 777-300ER variant of the twin-engine, two-aisle plane is larger and can carry more passengers than earlier models.

Singapore Airlines, the city-states flag carrier, operates 22 of the aircraft as part of its fleet of more than 140 planes. The airlines parent company is majority owned by Singapores Temasek government investment conglomerate and also operates the budget airline Scoot.

Singapore Airlines said the nationalities of the passengers were 56 Australians, two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one Icelander, four Irish, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 New Zealanders, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States.

___

Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
(Photo illustration by Getty Images)

The furor over immigration is an issue that wont go awaycant go away because once it does it will no longer provide political ammunition for Republicans to use against the Democratic Party.

The easiest way for Republicans to win politically on that issue is to propose solutions that at least to Democratsdefy logic and are unrealistic. Why? Because Democrats are suckers for logic and reject solutions that dont make sense logically.

Years of failure by Democrats to deal with their myopia have not even begun to teach them that logic is their enemy. Take, for instance, their insistence that American workers are voting against their own self-interests. Speaking logically, of course they are! Doesnt bother them a bit, but the argument is insulting to working people and is counterproductive for Democrats hoping to win workers trust.

In taking a political position, it is important to not let the other party seize the day. In early 2024, the U.S. Senate killed a landmark bipartisan immigration bill negotiated by conservative Senator James Lankford, R-Oklahoma. After years of inaction on immigration policy, this bill contained everything the Republicans wanted, which was one reason it was dead on arrival, and another was because it was bipartisan. But the main reason it died was because it would have removed immigration as a 2024 Presidential campaign issue. You cannot beat up on the opposition when they do what you want to do.

Fortunately, for Montana Republicans a migrant family from Venezuela allegedly walked into the Flathead County Sheriffs office around the first of May 2024 looking for a place to stay. Details are sketchy, which is the best way they can be because that leaves plenty of room for speculation. These hapless hypothetical refugees became the embodiment of a dark-skinned invasion, funded by a dark money non-profit according to Congressman Ryan Zinke, who apparently has some intimate familiarity with such groups. The story was jumped on by every statewide and local Republican important person. (The dark money group was Valley Neighbors of the Flathead which does all this clandestine work on an annual income, according to their IRS Form 990 disclosure in 2022 of $61,686. Pikers, in other words.)

So, now there will be an attempt to call for a special session of the Legislature to secure our borders which is fine with me as long as it includes our borders with Idaho, Wyoming, and the Dakotas, and another pressing and unsolvable issue is kept alive. Unsolvable because once solved it will then cease to be an issue for winning campaigns.

Another issue of crushing importance is that of addressing the partisanship of judicial candidates. It seems that not including a candidates political party affiliation on the ballot is a trick on the electorate and fools voters into thinking that the candidates are even-handed. In reality, the political argument for making judicial elections partisan is because non-partisan judges havent rubberstamped laws passed by the partisan Legislature and the legislative leadership that they can get judges elected who will agree with them if they have to declare a party allegiance. My suggestion is to leave the names of the candidate entirely off the ballot and substitute Republican Candidate, Democratic Candidate followed by Vote for one.

The judicial branch is not supposed to agree with the Legislative branch any more than it should agree with governors. The judicial branch is a check on the powers of the other two branches of government, just as those branches are checks on excesses of the judicial branch. The entire purpose of making judges run on party affiliation would be to make things run more smoothly for the majority party. But American government is not supposed to work smoothly. It was designed to work in mutual antagonism among the branches so that there would be second opinions and second thoughts and that minority viewpoints would be represented and protected.

We are told to think of the scales of Justice as always in balance, always equally applied. That is the still picture, as a friend of mine once put it, taken at a particular moment when the balance trays are at the same level. The motion picture, he said, would show the balance trays constantly moving in their attempts to find true balance.

As they should.

The post The moving scales of justice appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The leaders of a prominent Milwaukee charter school network will have to wait another month to find out whether they will lose two of the south side buildings where they operate high schools.

A committee of the Milwaukee School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to kick the decision back to its next meeting, on June 25, so board members have time to gather more information about the potential impact of ending leases with the Carmen Schools of Science and Technology's South and Southeast campuses.

The proposal, from board member Missy Zombor, would end the leases at the end of the 2025-26 school year to make room for the crowded and growing district-run schools that operate in different rooms of the same buildings: Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA) and Pulaski High School.

The board room was packed Tuesday night with about 80 people speaking for and against the plan for three hours. The audience was starkly divided between one crowd wearing Carmen shirts and another crowd waving signs that said, "Give ALBA and Pulaski room to grow."

At a Milwaukee School Board committee meeting May 21, dozens supporters of a resolution that would end leases for two Carmen Schools of Science and Technology campuses hold signs urging board members to "vote yes." Behind them, dozens of Carmen supporters hold signs expressing their own school pride.

Carmen staff and families said they don't want to be forced out of the buildings and don't know where they could go. ALBA and Pulaski staff said they need room to grow their popular bilingual programs. Pulaski administrators said they're building the state's only bilingual International Baccalaureate diploma program.

After Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent Keith Posley recommended the committee wait until June to make a decision with more information, speakers on both sides urged board members not to wait.

"Our families and students showed up tonight looking for an answer because there's a lot of uncertainty," Kathy Hamel, a member of Carmen's board of directors, said after the meeting.

Several MPS board members said Tuesday that they needed more information, including the potential financial consequences for the district. Zombor agreed to hold the proposal for a month so board members could "make an informed decision."

More: Carmen charter schools wont leave Milwaukee Public Schools buildings without a fight

Questions surround possible financial impact of Carmen's departure

Posley said the district had received a "large number of inquiries" about Zombor's proposal and recommended holding off on a vote until administrators could review more data. He didn't say what data he wanted to review.

Before Tuesday's meeting, Carmen leaders sent a memo to MPS administrators and board members warning that the district could lose funding if board members decide to end the leases.

Part of the financial impact is clear: MPS would lose lease revenue for the two buildings that house Carmen's South and Southeast campuses. Carmen paid MPS about $776,000 for those campuses this school year. MPS could regain lease revenue if the Carmen schools move to a different MPS building.

Another part of the financial impact is murkier. As an independently run charter school network, Carmen needs to have a contract with MPS, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or the city of Milwaukee to receive public funds. Carmen's South and Southeast campuses are contracted through MPS. Through that contract, Carmen's funding gets routed through MPS, and some of it stays with the district.

If MPS kicks the two Carmen campuses out of its buildings, the network could choose to cut ties with MPS altogether. Two of its other campuses are already chartered by UW-Milwaukee.

It's hard to measure the financial impact of such a decision. MPS hasn't granted an interview request this week about related revenues and expenses.

When the Wisconsin Policy Forum analyzed charter payments in 2018, it found that MPS collected about $10,572 per Carmen student in core state and local funds, and paid Carmen about $8,311 per student, keeping about $2,261. With the funding it kept, MPS paid for districtwide services. It was difficult to determine whether that funding matched the value of districtwide services that Carmen might have benefited from, the Forum found.

Since the 2018 report, funding levels have changed in a couple ways.

This school year, MPS collected about $13,366 per student in core state and local funds, according to the Forum. Under Carmen's charter contract, MPS gives Carmen a payment that matches what state lawmakers set as a payment amount for independent charter schools, after keeping a 1% administrative fee, working out to about $11,271 per student this school year. That leaves a net gain of about $2,095 per student this school year for MPS; it's unclear how much of the amount might be spent on services that benefit Carmen.

"We do think MPS should should look at the financial implications of this decision because they are pretty large for the district," Hamel said.

On the other hand, board members on Monday also received a report by Ben Ward, former executive director of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, which argues that MPS could stand to gain more funding than it might lose, if its own schools are given room to take in more students. If MPS is able to enroll more students who otherwise might have gone to nondistrict schools, it stands to gain over $13,000 per student.

"For MPS, the financial impact of Pulaski and ALBA growing without the hindrance of the co-locations is significantly more valuable than the expected return on continuing the co-locations," Ward wrote.

Board members on Tuesday said they need more time to understand the potential consequences.

Alternative locations for Carmen include vacant north side schools

Board members did get an answer to another question Tuesday.

Zombor asked Posley whether the district has any open buildings that could house the Carmen schools. As part of her plan, administrators would be tasked with helping Carmen find another MPS building where they could possibly move its students.

Posley said there are two options, both on the north side. One is the former McNair school, 4950 N. 24 St., which Milwaukee Excellence is vacating. The other is the former Happy Hill school, 7171 W. Brown Deer Road, which Milwaukee Excellence left last year.

Carmen leaders have been adamant about staying close to their current locations, as most of their students live within 2 miles of the South and Southeast campuses. They're exploring another site a few blocks away from their Southeast campus: a medical office property owned by Wheaton Franciscan at 2005 W. Oklahoma Ave.

What's next?

Zombor's proposal is expected to be considered at the next meeting of the school board's accountability, finance and personnel ccommittee, 5:30 p.m. June 25.

The resolution would also need to be approved by the full board at a later meeting. The full board is scheduled to meet June 27.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS board delays decision on whether to end leases with Carmen charter schools
Donald Trump talks to the press while standing with his attorney Todd Blanche at the end of the day at his criminal trial in New York, on 21 May 2024.

Donald Trump talks to the press while standing with his attorney Todd Blanche at the end of the day at his criminal trial in New York, on 21 May 2024. Photograph: Getty Images

Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial inched toward its final stretch on Tuesday with a fizzle, not a bang.

The former presidents defense rested after calling two witnesses, and Trump  despite previously saying that he would take the stand  was not among them. After the defense announced its decision to rest, Judge Juan Merchan told jurors to return on Tuesday 28 May for closing arguments, and that they should expect to start deliberations the following day.

Trump did not comment on his decision not to testify as walked out of Merchans courtroom at 10.19am. He lifted his left hand, which was balled into a fist, and didnt respond to the shouted query: Mr Trump, why wont you testify? per a hallway pool report.

Trumps quietude on the topic of testimony marked a stark departure from his prior statements  and others seeming concern about their aftermath. Several weeks ago, while railing about a gag order that bars him from talking about trial witnesses, Trump falsely stated: Im not allowed to testify. Im under a gag order, I guess. I cant testify.

Related: Defense rests without Donald Trump testifying in criminal hush-money trial

Following this comment, Merchan, perhaps sensing the perils presented by such a false claim, sought to clarify the record. Trump, after all, is a wildly popular politician who has ranted about political prosecution and witch-hunts, and whose untrue comments about the 2020 election fomented the deadly January 6 insurrection.

I want to stress, Mr Trump, that you have an absolute right to testify at trial, Merchan said in open court.

But after the morning session ended, sans testimony from Trump, son Donald Trump Jr attacked a question about why his father wouldnt testify.

Why would you justify this insanity? You dont subject yourself to that, Trump Jr said. Youre going in a kangaroo court, nothing more, nothing less. Theres absolutely no reason or justification to do that whatsoever. Everyone sees it for the sham that it is.

The morning started with the continued cross-examination of Robert Costello, an attorney whom Trumps defense called in an effort to discredit Michael Cohen, Trumps former fixer turned top prosecution witness.

The conclusion of Costellos testimony largely regurgitated discussion of his relationship with Cohen, who claimed that he was being pressured into playing ball as a criminal investigation loomed.

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Costello about his correspondence to Cohen after they had met in the wake of federal authorities raiding the former Trump lawyers residence, and temporary home at a hotel, in April 2018. Cohen had said on direct that Costello touted his coziness with Rudy Giuliani, a close Trump ally.

As a result that relationship, Cohen said he worried that Costello would disclose things to Giuliani who, in turn, would tell Trump. Costello, who has rejected that there was any pressure, was asked about an email he wrote to Cohen that read: If you really believe you are not being supported by your former boss, then you should make your position known.

You wrote that to him, right? Hoffinger questioned. Costello responded in the affirmative. Was he angry at Cohen? Upset? Costello said no.

Did you believe that he was also playing President Trump, correct? Hoffinger pressed.

I dont think thats correct.

Attorney Emil Bove questioned him shortly thereafter, referring to this email, and asked: Was that you pressuring Michael Cohen to do anything?

He said: No, not at all.

Did you ever pressure Michael Cohen to do anything? Bove asked later.

I did not.

Did you ever have control over Michael Cohen? Costello grinned and replied: Absolutely not.

Related: Trumps hush-money trial: heres whats happened in the case so far

The second day of Costellos testimony lacked the fireworks from his early testimony on Monday, which sent Merchans courtroom into near-chaos. At various points, Costello committed courtroom faux pas  quipping jeez at one point and telling the stenographer to strike something.

Merchan sent jurors out of the room and, after warning Costello not to do this, snapped: Are you staring me down right now? and ordered officers to clear the courtroom. An attorney for the press tried to address Merchan, who did not allow him to do so, even though it is common practice for judges to do this.

Under the law, courtrooms are presumed public and open; Merchan offered circular reasoning for limiting access in an incredibly high-profile criminal case. He said that difficulty in booting reporters from the proceeding was why he had to boot them in the first place, according to a court transcript.

The fact that I had to clear the courtroom and that the court officers, including the captain, had great difficulty clearing the courtroom, and that there was argument back and forth between the press and including counsel for the press, goes to why I had to clear the courtroom in the first place, Merchan said.

It remains possible that something else will happen to upset Merchan. While heading back into court this afternoon for a conference on jury instructions, Trump hinted that he might violate the gag order yet again.

Im not allowed to say what Id like to really say. Youd be very impressed, but Im gagged. So why would I take the chance? Trump said, quickly shifting into pot-stirring territory.

We do want to defend our constitution, Trump said, according to a pooler, so at some point, maybe I will take the chance.
MSCS, local law enforcement opt out of arming teachers in school

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Shelby County School teachers will not be allowed to carry guns in school despite the legislation allowing them to, according to the superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins.

This comes after Feagins, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., and Interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis agreed on maintaining school safety through trained law enforcement personnel.

In a recently released video, they explain that firearms have no place in classrooms.

Tennessee legislators pass bill to arm teachers in school

We will not allow teachers to carry guns in our schools, Superintendent Feagins said.

Schools are for learning, and emergency situations should be handled by trained officers, Chief Bonner said.

Chief Davis joins in saying that they are all united on the issue.

The new law to allow school faculty and staff to carry a concealed handgun on school property under certain conditions was passed in April. However, authorization is required from the schools principal, superintendent, and chief of the local law enforcement agency.

MSCS superintendent addresses safety, arming teachers in school

On April 30, MSCS passed a resolution that prohibits MSCS employees from carrying firearms onto school property.

The resolution states, The Board does not believe that arming school staff is the most effective approach for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. That is the expectation of the Board that school staff serve first and foremost as trained, focused, and dedicated educators, not law enforcement and/or security officers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Photo: Information portal of the 1st vice president of Iran

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Iran's government held its first meeting after the death of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Trend reports.

I Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, who is acting president of Iran, presided over the meeting.

The meeting exchanged views on programs related to receiving delegations from foreign countries that will attend the farewell ceremony for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Several proposed documents on customs, roads, and agreements with foreign countries were also discussed and approved.

Mohammad Mokhber noted the importance of continuing the path of the late President Ebrahim Raisi during his tenure in power.

To note, on May 19, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Tabriz Province Imam Ayatollah Ali Hashim, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor-General Malek Rahmati crashed while flying from Khudafarin to Tabriz.

The Iranian President and the entire accompanying delegation were confirmed dead.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State University has received a million-dollar donation to study womens health issues from a couple whose daughter suffered from a variety of undiagnosed problems for years.

Ward and Mari Margaret Walstrom gave the money to the College of Human Medicines Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology.

Maybe this is just one little puzzle piece, to help solve the problem thousands of women across the world are experiencing: years of horrible pain with no answers or relief, said Mari Margaret Walstrom in a press release. We see this as a starting point to spare others from sufferingwe have to start somewhere, to give women hope.

The school will use the money to create a training program that will work to increase the number of healthcare workers who focus on womens issues. It will also help pay for lectures and presentations by leaders in the womens healthcare field.

Ward Walstrom is a Spartan alum.

It is our desire to support MSUs research in womens health, including causes and cures for pelvic pain, and potential relationships and effects of drugs suppressing the immune system, he said in the release.

We are grateful for the support of Ward and Mari Margaret Walstrom, which will inspire the next generation of medical clinicians and researchers in womens health, said MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz in the same release. Their gift will provide greater access to resources and opportunities and will hasten the pace of bringing health innovation to improve womens lives.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Authorities have not released an official number of fatalities, though reports suggest at least three people have died

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall Locals survey damage from the tornado that ripped through Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21

Multiple people have been killed and dozens more injured after a tornado ripped through Iowa, according to authorities.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the deadly storm system just after 3:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 21.

Initial storm surveys confirmed the tornado in Greenfield  a town of about 2,100 people, according to U.S. Census data  caused at least EF-3 damage," according to the agency.

Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla confirmed the tornado caused fatalities and injuries within the community of Greenfield, but did not offer specific numbers, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Related: 3 Dead After Tornadoes Hit Tennessee, North Carolina: 'All Hell Breaking Loose'

Among those killed are an unidentified couple and a third individual, according to The Weather Channel. Cynthia Jenson, a cousin of one of the victims, said she knew all three individuals.

It was heartbreaking, Jenson told the station while describing the damage she witnessed. I mean, there are houses that are gone that you always saw. You knew the landmarks in town to get to where you needed to go. So yeah, its awful.

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall Damage from the tornado that hit Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21

Drone footage captured by professional storm chasers Reed Timmer and Mike Scantlin showed the massive twister barrelling through the small town.

Several wind turbines were knocked down by the twister, which storm chasers also filmed.

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The Adair County Memorial Hospital sustained damage as well, though teams still worked swiftly to assist the injured, according to Dinkla.

The Greenfield Community School District is serving as both a reunification point and a temporary shelter following the storm, according to the sergeant.

Related: At Least 5 People, Including a Baby, Dead After Tornadoes Hit Oklahoma and Iowa

This town has a long road ahead of them, but if their actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more united than ever before, Dinkla told reporters Tuesday evening.

A food and water donation site has been established at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Facility at 2313 Highway 92, Dinkla added.

The community of Greenfield has shown incredible unity during this challenging time, with neighbors and friends displaying remarkable compassion, empathy, and support, Dinkla said at Tuesdays press conference.

Related: 1 Dead in Oklahoma as Tornadoes Touch Down in Multiple States amid Severe Weather Outbreak

At least 20 tornadoes touched down across the Midwest on Tuesday, according to ABC News. At least 18 twisters were recorded in Iowa, CNN reported.

Tornadoes have been ravaging the Midwest and Southern states since March, and more are expected on Wednesday. This time, the highest risk for twisters is in portions of central and eastern Texas, southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana, according to the NWS Storm Prediction Center.



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A New Hampshire school district closed its schools on Wednesday as police continue to search for a driver who allegedly struck a police chief in Massachusetts, then drove to the Granite State, crashed near a school and walked away from the vehicle.

Police described the driver in the hit-and-run crash, Michael Martelle, as a white male with medium build and was last seen wearing black shorts and no shirt. Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant.

The incident on Tuesday prompted a Hinsdale school to shelter in place, and schools in the public school district were closed on Wednesday. All sporting events are also cancelled.

The Hinsdale School District canceled school and all school activities on May 22, 2024, as a precautionary measure to protect students and staff from any threat posed by an ongoing police search for a fleeing suspect in the area, April Anderson, a Hinsdale School Board member, said in a statement. Police reported to the school district on Tuesday evening at 9:45 pm that the suspect had been last seen in a neighborhood adjacent to the school campus.

With no new information or update on the suspects apprehension or location by 4:45 am Wednesday morning, the school district took the precautionary step to close for the day, Anderson said.

Hinsdale Police said the department has received numerous calls from the public.

While the driver has not been located, there is no information that would indicate he poses an Immediate threat to the public, police said in a Facebook post. Please continue to be vigilant and call police for any possible sightings.

We have not instructed the town to hunker down, please just be aware of your surroundings, police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, around 3:19 p.m., local police were notified that a police officer had been struck by a motor vehicle in Warwick, Massachusetts in a hit-and-run crash.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday night, the Warwick, Massachusetts police department identified the officer who was struck as Warwick Police Chief David Shoemaker. His condition was not known on Wednesday.

While assisting Sgt. John Stewart at a motor vehicle stop, Warwick Chief David Shoemaker was deliberately struck twice by the stopped motorists car, police said in their post.

Fleeing northbound, Officers terminated pursuit of the suspect due to safety concerns and continued towards Hinsdale, police said. There the suspect attempted to ram Sgt Stewarts cruiser and left the scene, only to crash in the area of the Hinsdale school. The female passenger was taken into custody and the male fled on foot. A K9 and drone were requested and deployed.

Police removed Martelles vehicle for processing.

The vehicle, which police said Martelle drove away from the scene, was last seen headed west on Route 119 in New Hampshire headed towards Hinsdale, police said.

A Hinsdale police unit responded to the area of Main Street and spotted the vehicle, which sped away, police said.

A short time later, the vehicle crashed on Brattleboro Road, where both Martelle, the driver, and a female passenger took off on foot.

The passenger, later identified as Estrella Crespo, was arrested and charged with disobeying an officer, police said.

Martelle continued to walk away on foot. Police said it is unknown if he has a weapon.

Due to the vicinity of the incident to the school, the school was notified and they were instructed to shelter in place, police said in a Facebook post.

We would like to recognize the quick response from the Hinsdale School District in taking the appropriate action to ensure the safety of staff and children that were still on school property during this incident, police said.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call 911 or Hinsdale Police.

Assisting police in their search were the Chesterfield Police Department, Warwick, Massachusetts Police Department, Winchester Police Department, Cheshire County Sheriffs Office with their K-9, Keene Police Department with their K-9, NH Fish and Game and Rescue Inc. Technical Rescue Team with their drone.

Hinsdale is a small town north of Amherst, Massachusetts, just over the New Hampshire/Massachusetts border. The towns population was 3,948 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled governments cannot retain more money from tax sales than a resident owes. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A trio of New Jersey residents lodged a class action lawsuit Tuesday seeking to reclaim equity in foreclosed homes that far exceeded the unpaid property taxes they owed.

The suit is the latest to challenge New Jerseys Tax Sale Law since the U.S. Supreme Court in Tyler v. Hennepin County ruled governments that retained more money from tax sales than a resident owed were committing an unconstitutional taking barred by the Fifth Amendment.

Home ownership is a core pillar of the American dream, said Daniel Suhr, an attorney for the plaintiffs. When governments take these victims homes and steal their equity, they are also stealing their dignity. By taking these properties and, in many cases, the life savings of these homeowners, they are not only grossly disrupting their lives, but also violating the Constitution.

In New Jersey, governments can sell liens on properties with delinquent property taxes or unpaid utility bills to private holders or other governments at annual tax sale auctions.

The Tax Sale Law does not require municipalities or private investors to return surplus equity, though legislators are drafting legislation to bring the statute into compliance with Tyler.

In court filings, the three plaintiffs  Dorothy Thompson, Barry Seward, and Trude Sherrod-Polan  said they lost a combined $490,000 in excess home equity when their properties were foreclosed following sheriff sales. Together, the three owed $49,485.79 in back taxes and interest, according to the filing.

The suit is the second class action lodged over the states tax sale law. Three residents in December sued state officials to reclaim surplus equity in foreclosed homes. The newest suit additionally lists Trenton, Hazlet, and Lawrence as defendants.

New Jersey courts have already decided some cases based on the Tyler decision. While none of those cases have so far set precedent, a three-judge appellate panel in December warned applying the decision retroactively could prove unworkable.

But state courts elsewhere have disagreed. In Minnesota, where the Tyler case began, officials in March agreed pay $109 million to settle with homeowners of roughly 6,000 properties spanning seven years of foreclosures.

The post N.J. residents sue to reclaim equity in foreclosed homes appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
The NAACP is investigating why a Pennsylvania middle school removed the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing often referred to as the Black National Anthem from its chorus concert.

District Superintendent Betsy Baker and Spring Cove Middle School Principal Amy Miller decided to remove the song from the program a day before the concert last Tuesday, according to The Altoona Mirror. They said students expressed concerns over the hymn and how it relates to a current divisiveness and controversy in the nation.

We wanted everyone to feel comfortable, Baker said, adding that removing the song would allow all the kids to participate.

Lift Every Voice and Sing was written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson. It was performed for the very first time that same year by 500 children at a segregated school in Florida to celebrate the anniversary of Abraham Lincolns birthday. The song has also been the anthem of the NAACP for over a century.

Cutting the song just sends the message that a few individuals discomfort outweighs the perspective and care and concern of minority students and others who dont have the same beliefs as them, Stephen Hershberger, a parent, told the news outlet. Being a minority student is already a daunting task and dismissing the little representation that the minority students have in the school sort of reinforces the inherent racism in this country.

Hershberger added that an email announcing the schools decision to remove the song was due to concerns over maintaining order during the concert.

We cant make everyone happy, Spring Cove School Board President Troy Wright said. We have to do the balancing act between who supports it and who doesnt support it and our job is trying to find the balance between it.

Wright referred to the decision as a lose-lose situation in which parents were threatening to pull their children out of the concert over the song.

Baker said that race didnt drive the schools decision and that instead, discomfort had to do with controversy and divisiveness.

By no means is a song about the glory of America and the truth of our past divisive, Blair County NAACP President Andrae Holsey said.
Morgan Wallen's Broadway bar is set to open this Memorial Day weekend, but a sign bearing his name won't be joining the fabled throng of neon lights over Nashville's Honky Tonk Highway.

Nashville's council soundly rejected plans for a 20-foot sign advertising "Morgan Wallen's This Bar" Tuesday, citing the country music star's past use of a racial slur and pending felony and misdemeanor charges over a chair thrown off another Broadway bar's six-story rooftop in April.

"I don't want to see a billboard up with the name of a person who's throwing chairs off of balconies and who is saying racial slurs," At-large Council member Delishia Porterfield said Tuesday.

Nashville's council rejected a proposed sign for country star Morgan Wallen's new Broadway bar on May 21, 2024, citing Wallen's previous conduct on Broadway and a 2021 recording of Wallen using a racial slur.

The council voted 30-3 to deny the aerial encroachment to allow the construction and installation of the sign. Four council members, including 5th Congressional District challenger Courtney Johnston, abstained. Council approval is needed any time a sign is constructed over a public right of way  in this case, a sidewalk in one of Nashville's most iconic districts.

Wallen's bar, called "This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen" after his 2019 song of the same name, is located at 107 Fourth Avenue North, adjacent to the Ryman Auditorium. The six-story building will feature six bars, a rooftop and three live music stages.

Representatives for Wallen and TC Restaurant Group, the company developing and managing the bar, declined to comment on the council decision.

What to know: Morgan Wallen to open 'This Bar' in downtown Nashville.

Morgan Wallen's Broadway arrests

Police documents accuse Wallen of throwing a chair over the railing of Chief's, Eric Church's new six-story honky-tonk, around 11 p.m. on April 7. The chair landed just feet away from several Nashville police officers who were standing in front of the building, according to Wallen's arrest affidavit.

Chief's is located less than 600 feet down the street from Wallen's new bar.

Wallen will appear in court in Nashville on Aug. 15. The 30-year-old faces three Class E felony counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and one count of disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.

"I'm not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility," Wallen wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, several days after his arrest. "I didn't feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. I've touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief's."

This is not the first time Wallen has been arrested in downtown Nashville  police arrested him on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct in May 2020 after Wallen was kicked out of Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse for "kicking glass items" and verbally fighting with passersby. But those charges were likely expunged; they are absent from Davidson County Criminal Court records.

More: Timeline of Morgan Wallen's rollercoaster career after his most recent arrest

Council members denounce Wallen's actions

Council member Jacob Kupin, who represents downtown Nashville, sponsored the legislation and was one of three council members who voted in favor of green-lighting the sign's installation. Though aerial encroachment legislation typically sails through Metro Council, Kupin said he felt he could not "let this individual just slide through quietly."

"It struck me that  we're putting up a sign with someone's name on it who has not been a good actor downtown," Kupin said, adding that Wallen has since "made efforts to apologize and to make amends."

Kupin said he voted in favor of the legislation because TC Restaurant Group "has been really a good partner in everything going on downtown" and he felt they should not be penalized for what happened.

"To me, it's important to remind those watching at home, the public, whether you're a celebrity or someone coming to our town or someone who lives here, that downtown needs to be a safe place," he said.

But the majority of council members said they could not overlook Wallen's actions, with several referring to a 2021 recording that showed Wallen drunkenly using a racial slur. He later pledged to donate a total of $500,000 to organizations including the Black Music Action Coalition and the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville  donations verified as complete by USA TODAY in September 2021.

District 24 Council member Brenda Gadd remarked that Wallen is "someone who continues to get second chances."

"Mr. Wallen is a fellow East Tennessean. He gives all of us a bad name," District 14 Council member Jordan Huffman said. "His comments are hateful; his actions are harmful."

District 33 Council member Antoinette Lee, presumably referring to the Metro Council, said entities speaking up and saying no might "help folks who are doing these harmful actions think twice."

Signs of disagreement

Debate over Lower Broadway signage has gripped city hall before.

In January 2019, Nashville's council debated approval of a 20-foot neon sign featuring a guitar with a base shaped like a woman's buttocks for Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse.

The council ultimately approved the sign 27-3, with three abstentions, but not without voicing their distaste.

Patrons look out of the window from Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse at Lower Broadway in Nashville on May 25, 2020. Nashville started the second phase of reopening, allowing restaurants and retail stores to open at 75% capacity for the recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic.

"This one I feel crosses the line between good taste, family-friendliness, and I think what we would like Nashville to portray to people who come to visit us," then-Council member Kathleen Murphy said.

That legislation was sponsored by then-District 19 Council member Freddie O'Connell, now Nashville's mayor. Former Nashville Mayor John Cooper, then an at-large council member, voted against the measure, as did Lee, who was then serving her first term.

Some council members who took issue with the sign relented after then-Metro Council attorney Mike Jameson advised that rejecting Rock's sign due to vulgarity or obscenity could lead to a First Amendment lawsuit.

Metro Council members did not discuss the applicability of the First Amendment or potential legal challenges before voting Tuesday.

How Metro Nashville councilmembers voted:

In favor: Jacob Kupin, Jennifer Webb and Jeff Eslick

Opposed: Zulfat Suara, Delishia Porterfield, Quin Evans-Segall, Burkley Allen, Olivia Hill, Joy Smith Kimbrough, Jennifer Gamble, Clay Capp, Emily Benedict, Deonte Harrell, Erin Evans, Russ Bradford, Jordan Huffman, Terry Vo, Tom Cash, Rollin Horton, Brandon Taylor, Sheri Weiner, Thom Druffel, Brenda Gadd, Jeff Preptit, Bob Nash, David Benton, Tasha Ellis, Sandra Sepulveda, John Rutherford, Joy Styles, Antoinette Lee, Sandy Ewing and Jason Spain

Abstained: Kyonzte Toombs, Mike Cortese, Jeff Gregg and Courtney Johnston

Recused: Sean Parker

Audrey Gibbs, Kirsten Fiscus and Marcus K. Dowling contributed.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Council rejects Morgan Wallen sign citing 'harmful actions'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The search for Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives continues, with a rape suspect and a man with 21 outstanding warrants among the newest additions.

The list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to police, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city.

More than 100 of Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives arrested since 2022

Of the suspects on this weeks list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and failure to report a dead body.

While the search for these suspects continues, the list has aided police in several arrests. In total, at least 110 wanted fugitives have been taken into custody since the program was launched in October 2022.

One of the most recent arrests was that of 51-year-old Anthony Etuk, a rideshare driver accused of exposing himself and making sexual advances toward two teenage girls he had routinely been driving to school for nearly a month.

Rideshare driver accused of exposing himself to 2 Nashville girls on way to school

Police had been searching for Etuk ever since the girls reported the incident on April 16. He was finally taken into custody on Wednesday, May 15 for two counts of solicitation of a minor.

Investigators have largely attributed the programs success to tips from the public. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police departments Top 10 Most Wanted list the week of May 22, 2024.

1. Adrian L. Cameron

Adrian Cameron (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. This is the second week in a row Cameron has appeared on the list. However, police have been looking for him since mid-April.

Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night.

READ MORE: 1 killed, 1 injured in shooting along Hayes Street

Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. Kings friends told police it started out cordial, but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. Thats when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend.

Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later.

Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021.

Unbelievable: Mourning Lebanon family outraged teen murder suspect was out on bond, accused of killing again

Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. Hes now charged with criminal homicide in connection with Kings death, as well as failure to appear.

However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Camerons whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

2. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith

Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashvilles Most Wanted list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.

He was initially added to the list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.

Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.

RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike

According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.

Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.

However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful.

3. Jaylen Bender

Jaylen Bender (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Jaylen Bender, 22, was recently indicted by a grand jury on charges for aggravated assault with intent and assault with bodily injury, according to police. He was added to the Most Wanted list on May 1. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

4. Raceme Crutcher

Raceme Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher, 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting.

Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.

RELATED: Teen killed in shooting at East Nashville apartment complex

Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.

SEE ALSO: Teen wanted in connection with deadly Fourth of July shooting arrested

Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. However, Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.

5. Michael A. Yarlett

Michael A. Yarlett (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Michael Yarlett, 29, is wanted on three counts of aided and abetted rape, according to police. Court documents indicate he is one of two suspects in the incident, which happened in September 2022.

Yarlett was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 22, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.

6. Kevon Q. Horton

Kevon Q. Horton (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Kevon Horton, 23, is a new addition to the list this week. Police said Horton has outstanding warrants for two counts of statutory rape and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Court records show Horton was charged for allegedly raping a minor in Nov. 2022. The sexual exploitation charge stems from an incident in July 2023. Hortons last location is unknown.

7. Adrian Abernathy

Adrian Abernathy (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Adrian Abernathy, 30, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North.

Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report.

RELATED: Man wanted after allegedly lying about driving stolen car involved in deadly crash

According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed and Abernathy was the one driving the car.

Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch.

Abernathy has been featured on the Most Wanted list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.

8. Renee L. Mason

Renee Mason (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Renee Mason, 27, was recently indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to two alleged murders that happened in September and October of last year.

The charges against her include two counts of failure to report a dead body, two counts of accessory after the fact and three counts of failure to appear.

Authorities said they found the first victim on Wednesday, Sept. 27. A worker had arrived on Franklin Limestone Road to clear some brush and came across a car that was still smoldering from a fire.

RELATED: Man arrested in connection with badly burned body found in Nashville

Before the vehicle was towed, police said they looked inside the trunk and found the badly burned body of 37-year-old Elmer Nahum Miranda-Martinez. Detectives believe he was shot and killed before being placed in the trunk.

Kevin Joel Castro-Garcia, 32, a native of Honduras, was identified as his alleged killer and later arrested in October on charges of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and more. About a week later, investigators said they had connected Castro-Garcia to a second murder.

He was charged with another count of first-degree murder for the death of Brandon Rivas-Noriega, who had been reported missing earlier that month. As detectives investigated Rivas-Noriegas disappearance, they learned he frequented a home in Antioch.

Officers searched the home Monday, Oct. 9, and found the owners manual for a Ford Focus, Rivas-Noriegas drivers license, and paperwork for property at a home in the 1300 block of Rural Hill Road in Antioch.

SEE ALSO: Man charged with murder for second time in one week

When they went to the home on Rural Hill Road, officials said they found the Ford Focus parked behind an abandoned trailer with decomposing human remains in the cars trunk. An autopsy confirmed the remains were those of Rivas-Noriega.

Police believe Mason knew about both of the murders and tried to help Castro-Garcia cover them up. Court records show she was arrested and later released earlier in May but has since failed to show up for court, leading to a search for her whereabouts.

She was added to the Most Wanted list on May 8. Police said her last location is unknown.

9. Ricky C. Roach

Ricky Roach (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ricky Roach, 43, who was the subject of a massive manhunt in Cheatham County in 2022, is wanted by police after being indicted on multiple charges out of Davidson County.

Those charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary acting in concert and theft of property less than $250,000. Court records show those offenses date back to March 4, 2022  only about two months before he escaped from corrections officers at an Ashland City hospital.

At the time, Roach was reportedly serving jail time in Cheatham County for a parole violation. Cheatham County court records indicate that Roach has previously pled guilty to charges for robbery, assault, theft and contempt of court.

SEE ALSO: New details released after escapees arrest caught on camera

After hours of searching, the May 26, 2022, manhunt ended when a reserve off-duty Ashland City police officer spotted Roach and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.

Following his arrest, Cheatham County Sheriffs Office Lt. Ken Miller told News 2, Ive been dealing with Mr. Roach for quite some time, pretty much my whole career here actually.

Now, Metro Nashville police are looking for Roach in connection with more alleged crimes across county lines. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

10. Dewayne E. Humbles

Dewayne E. Humbles (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Dewayne Humbles, 21, is another new addition to the list. According to police, Humbles has a total of 21 outstanding warrants for multiple violent offenses and violations of court orders.

The charges against him include three counts of aggravated stalking, three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic assault, four counts of criminal contempt, three counts of failure to appear, four counts of violation of a protection order, one count of probation violation and one count of vandalism.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Officials said Humbles last location is unknown.

Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (PIX11)  The Nassau County Police Department welcomed its newest members to the force on Tuesday.

EJ, Winchester and Karkho are the newest members of the K-9 unit. Chief, Scout and Patriot are the newest members of the mounted unit.

The department held its K-9 and mounted unit graduation, bringing its total number of dogs to 12 and horses to 10.

The dogs are all German shepherds from Europe. They underwent an intense selection process to be chosen, as well as six months of training.

NYPD officers rescue ducklings trapped in the sewer

We use them for their nose. Its special. They do things we just cant do, said Robert Cohen, administrative supervisor for the K-9 unit.

The biggest thing we want is that they have drive, Cohen said. We want to make sure these dogs dont stop searching. Sometimes they have to search for an hour for a missing kid or someone hiding from the police, so we need them to be driven.

The same is true for the horses. The three new horses are from Long Island and trained for around six to eight months.

Horses are herd animals, so you have to take them from being almost a herd, scared flight animal to standing their guard, said Justin Nash, commanding officer of the mounted unit.

We look for strong traits. Health is a big aspect. A big part of it, Nash said. So well try them out for three months, and if its not working out, then we have to let them go. Patriot, the last horse we got, we had to go through seven horses before we selected Patriot.

All of the animals were donated.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the animals will have several tasks. The dogs will help with missing person cases, narcotics and bombs. The horses will help with traffic, noise, protests and crowd control.

They are the partner of that police officer, thats key. The dog or the horse Im riding every day, thats my partner so I have to make sure were working hand in hand, Ryder 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 PIX11.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Nationwide Childrens Hospital has announced it has received the largest ever corporate foundation commitment to a childrens hospital in the country.

It was announced Wednesday afternoon that the Nationwide Foundation has given the hospital a 10-year, $100 million commitment. With that funding, Childrens Hospital publicly launched its campaign Empower the Possible, which aims to raise $500 million.

Rapid transit plan will go before voters this November in Columbus

With the new funding from the Nationwide Foundation, the campaign total has now reached $270 million. Todays landmark announcement is inspiring for the entire team as we work to achieve our ambitious strategic plan, said Nationwide Childrens Hospital CEO Tim Robinson. We exist to achieve best outcomes for children everywhere, and Nationwide has been by our side every step of the way. We are honored to have the Nationwide Foundation as a leading contributor to our campaign.

Nationwide Foundation has been providing contributions to Childrens Hospital for 18 years. This $100 million commitment will aim to help the hospitals strategic plan, including funding for advanced treatment and clinical care, expanding access to behavioral health services, and raised support for genomics research and personalized medicine.

To learn more about the fundraising campaign, 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Graceland foreclosure case has taken another turn into the absurd.

In an email, Gregory Naussany, a representative claiming to be from Naussany Investments and Private Lending, has said the firm is dropping the case. However, the Shelby County Chancery Clerk's office confirmed it has not received any correspondence from Naussany Investments since the court proceeding ended Wednesday.

Jeff Germany, the attorney representing Riley Keough, speaks to the press after an injunction hearing over a potential foreclosure sale of Elvis Presley's Graceland estate at Shelby County Chancery Court in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

On Wednesday, Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins issued a ruling regarding the Graceland estate, blocking its foreclosure sale. At the beginning of Wednesday's hearing, Chancellor Jenkins said the court had received a request from Gregory Naussany of Jacksonville, Florida, to delay the injunction hearing.

In the email statement riddled with grammatical errors, Gregory Naussauny said:

"Due to the Deed of Trust not being recorded and the loan being obtained in different state, legal action would have to be filed in multiple states and NAUSSANY Investments & Private Lending will not acquire to proceed. That comes from consultation of the lawyers for the company. There was no harm meant on Ms. Keough for her mothers LMP mis habits and mis managing of money. The company will be withdrawing all claims with prejudice."

In a follow-up email, Gregory Naussay said that Kurt Naussany is not affiliated with Naussany Investments and Private Lending and has not been since 2015. The full email reads as follows:

"Please make it NOTED ASAP Kurt NAUSSANY is not affiliated with NAUSSANY Investments & Private Lending and has not been since 2015 nor does he have any claims with this situation.

Im the lender in this case, and I will let it be known that LMP has taken out multiple loans with my firm since 2008. Its not Keough fault for her mothers mis conduct of mishandling money and not paying her obligations.

Thank you

And no need to contact any further!!!!"

The aforementioned "LMP" presumably refers to Lisa Marie Presley. In the foreclosure case, Naussany alleges Lisa Marie Presley took out a $450,000 loan in August 2015 with the company, which rose to $3.8 million in unpaid debt and led to the foreclosure listing.

When The Commercial Appeal reached out to Kurt Naussany for comment regarding this morning's hearing, it did so with the email mentioned in the lawsuit. In response, the presumed Kurt Naussany forwarded The Commercial Appeal, Gregory Naussany's email address which differed and was a Hotmail account. A third Naussany Investments email associated with the company is also different and mentioned in the initial countersuit filed by Riley Keough, who inherited the Graceland estate after her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, died in January 2023.

Memphis-based law firm Morton and Germany is representing Keough and the Promenade Trust. Jeff Germany of Morton and Germany could not be reached for comment.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X/Twitter,@neilStrebig.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Graceland foreclosure claim to be dropped by Naussany Investments
Navy Pier keeps its title as Best Place for fireworks: Heres how you can see them

Navy Pier keeps its title as Best Place for fireworks: Heres how you can see them

CHICAGO  A Chicago attraction has been named the Best Place to See Fireworks for the second consecutive year.

USA Todays 2024 10Best Readers Choice Travel Awards ranked the top 10 destinations where locals and tourists can see fireworks this summer and Chicagos Navy Pier was crowned the winner. Described as one of Chicagos secret pleasures, a panel of travel experts praised Navy Pier for its display show, which can be seen from charter boats on Lake Michigan, hotel rooftops, Maggie Daley Park, or along Chicagos Lakefront Trail.

The honor comes days before summer fireworks at Navy Pier returns for Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Firework shows occur every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m.

Chicago beaches open Friday: What you need to know

We are incredibly honored to have Navy Pier voted as the Best Place to See Fireworks in the nation for another year, said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. This recognition is a testament to the joy and wonder our Summer Fireworks bring to both locals and visitors from around the world. Our heartfelt thanks go out to our dedicated community of partners, supporters, and everyone who voted for us. We look forward to continuing to light up the sky and create unforgettable memories for all who visit Navy Pier.

Other Midwest entries include Ford Fireworks in Detroit, Michigan, which finished second overall. Firework displays at Minneapolis Aquatennial in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fair Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri finished fourth and ninth, respectively.

Suburban brewpub serving cicada-infused Malort shots

The full top-10 includes:

No. 1: Navy Pier  Chicago, Illinois

No. 2: Ford Fireworks  Detroit, Michigan

No. 3: Concert in the Sky at the Amelia Earhart Festival  Atchison, Kansas

No. 4: Minneapolis Aquatennial  Minneapolis, Minnesota

No. 5: Addison Kaboom Town!  Addison, Texas

No. 6: Wawa Welcome America  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

No. 7: Let Freedom Sing!  Nashville, Tennessee

No. 8: Big Bay Boom  San Diego, California

No. 9: Fair Saint Louis  St. Louis, Missouri

No. 10: Americas Freedom Festival at Provo  Provo, Utah

These are the best places to live in the U.S., according to a 2024 report. Did Chicago make the list?

Results were announced on Wednesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
NC bill cracking down on masks in public is dead for now

A North Carolina bill that cracks down on masks in public is dead for now.

On Wednesday, the House voted by voice not to agree with the Senates version. That means the bill will head to committee to be reworked.

PREVIOUS: NC bill removing health and safety exception for wearing masks passes Senate

Last week, the Senate passed the law that would remove the health exemption from North Carolinas mask ban.

Senate Republicans say the goal is to target people wearing masks to conceal their identities during crimes.

Doctors and health advocates say they are worried about the bills impact on immunocompromised people.

(WATCH BELOW: We hid: Man in ski mask fires shots at students waiting for school bus in southwest Charlotte)
NC bill would restrict public access to criminal autopsy reports

State lawmakers may make it harder for the public to access criminal autopsy reports.

The Senate Judiciary Committee debated Tuesday but did not vote on the changes.

NC autopsy backlog frustrates families, leaves cases open

Senate lawmakers are considering adding autopsy reports to the list of documents exempt from records requests when they are part of an investigation.

The reports would become public after the investigation is complete.

NC state budget allocates money to address autopsy backlog

State Sen. Danny Britt, R-Robeson County, said releasing the information can impact a case.

VIDEO: NC state budget allocates money to address autopsy backlog
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The North Carolina House of Representatives voted Wednesday not to concur with the Senate on a bill that would reinstate mask restrictions in North Carolina after some Republican members publicly criticized the proposal.

The bill, titled Unmasking Mobs and Criminals, passed the Senate last week on a 30-15 party-line vote.

PREVIOUS: NC Senate committee approves bill restricting masks

It would eliminate an exception to the states ban on masking thats been in place since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and has allowed people to wear masks for health and safety reasons.

Republicans in the Senate pushed to eliminate that exception in response to incidents such as the recent protests on college campuses where some people have worn masks to conceal their identities to commit crimes.

While officials at the state Dept. of Health and Human Services said they dont believe it would open people up to prosecution if they continue to wear masks for their health, they did say it would lead to misunderstanding among the public and potentially harassment.

This bill as written infringes on our constitutional First Amendment rights and puts at risk the health and safety of our community, said Rep. Sarah Crawford (D-Wake).

CBS 17 attempted to ask Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson), who led the effort to pass the bill in the Senate, about the issue Tuesday but he declined to comment.

During floor debate last week, he said, I smell politics on the other side of the aisle when theyre scaring people to death about a bill that is only going to criminalize people who are trying to hide their identity.

Following Wednesdays vote a conference committee comprised of members of the House and Senate will meet to try to reach a compromise on the bill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Lawyers with the North Carolina Attorney Generals office tried three times to convince a federal court the states ag-gag law should stand.

They lost in U.S. District Court, which ruled the law violated the constitution.

They lost at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the lower court.

They petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, which declined.

Now the state will pay nearly $885,000 in attorneys fees to the plaintiffs, including the ASPCA, the Government Accountability Project and Food & Water Watch, who successfully argued that the ag-gag law ran afoul of the First Amendment. Two national law practices, FarmSTAND and Public Justice, and Raleigh firm Whitfield Bryson were among those representing the plaintiffs.

It didnt have to be this way, the plaintiffs said in a joint statement. This news should serve as a serious warning to other states defending or considering passing an Ag-Gag or Anti-Sunshine Law: Defend Big Ags interests to the detriment of the health, safety, and civil liberties of your citizens, and youll be choosing to do so at the taxpayers significant expense.

As Newsline previously reported, in 2015, the state legislature passed the Property Protection Act. It allowed courts to assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day on employees who documented alleged wrongdoing  in video, audio, or written work  from a businesss non-public areas, and then passed that information to anyone besides the employer or law enforcement. The language in the act was broad enough that people who induced others to document the wrongdoing could also be implicated and fined.

Shortly after the act became law, eight animal welfare and environmental groups sued the state and Kevin Guskiewicz, then the UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor over the law. (UNC-Chapel Hill was named because it operates research labs using animals.)

The North Carolina Attorney Generals Office deferred questions about the case, including from which fund the attorneys fees would be paid, to UNC-Chapel Hill. A UNC spokesperson said the university needed time to review the plaintiffs announcement.

In 2020, a federal district court judge found that as an act of newsgathering, the distribution of the undercover material was constitutionally protected, as was the very act of documenting and creating the material.

In 2023, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision  upheld the lower courts decision. And since North Carolinas ag-gag law penalized only the documentation and distribution of negative material, it regulated speech based on the content, which violates the First Amendment, the appellate court ruled.

Although the law targeted people who were documenting animal abuse by corporations and private farms, the law was written so that it could have applied to any employee, including:

Law enforcement officers who documented abuses by fellow officers  but didnt have faith in their supervisors to act  could have also been penalized had that information been passed to outside parties.

Workers at nursing homes or meatpacking plants who wanted to document sanitation practices during COVID-19 and pass the photos or video to the media could have been penalized.

The North Carolina measure was modeled on legislation  the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act  drafted in 2003 by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative lobbying organization that writes bills that states can then adopt or amend. According to ALECs agricultural principles, the proper role of government involvement in agriculture is to limit and remove barriers for agricultural production, trade, and consumption throughout our innovative food system.

North Carolinas law was similar to measures passed by state legislatures in Kansas, Iowa, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. The courts have struck those down, ruling they are unconstitutional. Arkansas enacted a law similar to North Carolinas; it is being challenged in federal court.

In 19 states, legislatures defeated proposed ag-gag bills, while Montana, North Dakota and Missouri passed similar laws, which are still in force.

The post NC will pay $885K in attorneys fees after unsuccessfully defending ag-gag case appeared first on NC Newsline.
a pile of buttons in which each reads: "I'm for second chances"

Criminal justice reform advocates voiced opposition on Wednesday to a bill that would amend the 2020 Second Chance Act to make expungement of certain criminal records harder to obtain. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

The North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee approved a bill on Wednesday that would repeal automatic expungements of not guilty or dismissed charges from criminal records.

The committee approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 565 on a voice vote. As NC Newsline previously reported, the original bill proposed to restart automatic expungements the legislature approved in 2020, but that were paused months later and have now been on hold for nearly two years.

In 2020, the Second Chance Act expanded the eligibility for expunging multiple nonviolent misdemeanor convictions and automated expungement of certain dismissed or not guilty charges. It also allowed prosecutors to petition for expungement for dismissed or not guilty charges and youthful convictions. The Second Chance Act was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper.

The original version of SB 565, which was introduced in 2023, was crafted with the help of second chance advocates, district attorneys, law enforcement officials, lawmakers and others to improve the Second Chance Act after problems arose implementing the law.

With any new system, implementation may present some problems but as we have seen in the many other states that passed similar laws, we have to be willing to work through these problems if we really want to address the second chance gap thats evidenced by the data in our state, said Whitley Carpenter of Forward Justice, a nonpartisan law, policy and strategy center that works to advance racial, social and economic justice.

But second chance advocates and several committee members opposed the new version of the bill, saying the General Assemblys approval would create barriers to jobs and housing for people.

Rep. Marcia Morey

We told people that if you are not guilty or if the DA [district attorney] has dismissed your charges, it will not be a scarlet letter on your chest to prevent you from getting jobs, getting housing, said Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), who previously served as a former chief district court judge.

In defending the proposal, Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-Surry) said the automatic expungement provision is fraught with problems.

I can even start from the defendants perspective, Stevens said. If a defendant is arrested on a felony charge in District Court and has jail credit and the DA dismisses it in District Court but goes for an indictment, what about jail credit? The case has been dismissed, so theres no jail credit.

Stevens also said that if a defendants arrest is harvested on a website by potential landlords or employees and the charge is expunged, how will the person prove that it was expunged.

Its not that were not willing to visit it again and its not that theres not a remedy to get your [arrest] expunged, but right now this system was not working for the clerks, for the DAs, even for the defendants, Stevens said.

If the bill becomes law, Stevens said people seeking expungements would fill out a form through the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

Several advocates spoke against the bill.

Daryl Atkinson, co-director of Forward Justice, said wealth plays a large role in who can get records expunged if theres no process for automatic expungement.

People with money who could afford an attorney and pay $1,500 to file for this kind of remedy could get relief, poor people could not, Atkinson said.

He reminded lawmakers of their 2019 commitment to address the inequity.

There was complete consensus that sentencing people to a life sentence to poverty for contact with the criminal legal system was wrong, it did not make public safety sense, it did not make economic sense, Atkinson said. What I know about this state is, when we make commitment to something, no matter what the challenges may be, we see those commitments through.

Rep. Deb Butler

Rep. Deb Butler, D-New Hanover, shared a story about her brother who got into trouble as a youth but later became a Wrightsville Beach police officer.

Fortunately, for her brother, their parents had the money to hire a lawyer, Butler said.

He was one of those young men who had the privilege this gentleman [Atkinson] spoke of, Butler said. My father intervened and hired a lawyer and had it expunged.

She said that every person in the state deserves a second chance to pursue their dreams, become productive citizens.

Kristie Puckett, senior project manager at Forward Justice, said she is a survivor of gun violence and sexual assault.

Puckett said she want the person who harmed her to have housing and a job.

I understand when people dont have those things, they are exposed to more violence and are more likely to engage in violence because of it, Puckett said. These types of policies do not keep people safe. They only satisfy the thirst for punishment, which isnt the same as my safety.

Quisha Mallette, an attorney with the N.C. Justice Centers Fair Chance project, said expungements can give people access to housing, employment and other resources needed to support themselves or their families.

Mallette said that early implementation of the Second Chance Act saw successful expungement of more than 400,000 cases over nine months.

I ask that you vote against this proposed PCS to Senate Bill 565 and allow the process that is in place to continue, Mallette said.

The bill was referred to the committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

The post NC Senate panel okays bill to roll back automatic expungements of not guilty, dismissed charges appeared first on NC Newsline.
Neighborhood blocks a low-barrier shelter some see as key to solving homelessness in KC

Ken Simard was homeless for seven years. He slept in an encampment under a Blue Parkway bridge (Mili Mansaray/The Beacon).

Ken Simard mainly slept under the Blue Parkway bridge near railroad tracks along Brighton Avenue for the seven years he was homeless, numbing himself with meth and weed.

If it were not for the drugs that I did, I would have been suicidal, he said. I would do anything to take my mind and put it in an alternate place and time.

That drug use would have made him unwelcome at Kansas Citys homeless shelters.

Its not a good mix to have somebody whos hallucinating with people who are sober or havent used, he said. When youre hallucinating youre inclined to think your best friend is out to get you. It just turns into a dangerous environment for all parties involved.

Kansas City has the countrys highest rate of chronically homeless people who cant find an apartment  or space in a shelter. A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development survey found that 96% of those people in Kansas City live on the street.

Last year, the Kansas City Council set out to pass along $7.1 million in federal tax dollars for a low-barrier shelter  a last-resort way to get people off the streets by dropping the usual shelter rules like sobriety or job skills training. Its a key part of the citys Zero KC plan to end homelessness by the end of the decade.

Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Campus landed a grant from the city in January to open a low-barrier shelter at Virginia Avenue and Admiral Boulevard.

But pushback from residents in Northeast neighborhoods stalled that plan. Theyre worried about the safety of a center that they fear would concentrate people with mental health or substance abuse issues to one place. That opposition prompted the City Council to retract its grant to Hope Faith for a low-barrier shelter.

Factions in the Northeast neighborhood lobbied to split the money among multiple, scattered shelters.

But that money wont stretch far enough for multiple shelters. So Hope Faith argues Kansas City needs at least one place that takes in people other shelters turn away  if it wants to make sure people arent forced to live under bridges or in encampments.

If we dont help them, then where do they go? The streets. And Ive never seen anyone improve their life by living long-term on the streets, said Hope Faith Executive Director Doug Langner. The solution for this problem is to get them off the streets. And we feel we have a plan.

Why did the City Council restart the low-barrier homeless shelter application?

The Kansas City Council voted 8-2 on April 25 to restart grant applications. Of the $7 million, $5 million will be set aside for the construction of a new shelter.

Evie Craig, president of the Paseo West Neighborhood Association, said the City Council should have been more transparent about what was planned and where it would go. She said residents werent aware there were plans to build a shelter in her neighborhood until after the proposal was approved.

There was no community notification or engagement, she said. Why not share outcomes and issues and have regular meetings? It could be a true collaboration between providers and neighborhoods.

Craig said large homeless shelters arent always safe for all populations, particularly queer people or victims of domestic abuse.

One large building that the city is investing in can become an area where you have the same kind of dynamics that happens on the street, she said. Like a (homeless) campground in concrete. You really want a place where folks can feel safe.

She said many Northeast residents dont want their neighborhood to host the only low-barrier shelter in the city. Hope Faith is located near several other homeless services, such as reStart Inc., City Union Mission and NourishKC.

Craig said the neighborhood has supported those groups, but she doesnt think converting Hope Faith into a shelter is an accessible plan for everyone in the metro. Residents would like to see the money distributed to other shelters across the city or establish new small-scale shelters.

There are pockets of street homelessness throughout the city, she said. And we felt that one place where youre displacing folks from where their support system is may not be the best solution. Were advocating for a better solution. Not just the easiest one.

But Josh Henges, the citys homeless prevention coordinator, said the $7 million in federal money barely pays for a single shelter and couldnt be used effectively for multiple locations.

That argument is fine if were splitting up $100 million, but were not, he said. The quickest way to have 100 homeless people standing outside of your homeless shelter is to have a homeless shelter that only has 40 beds.

Henges said that Kansas City cant afford to wait for a perfect solution before taking action.

Were not even close to a solution. And were arguing about why we need multiple shelters, he said. So that means lets not just start with one?

Could splitting up the money work?

Henges said the city is making a mistake by trying to appease residents. He argues residents will always oppose a shelter in their neighborhood. So trying to win over residents, he said, means endless delays and abandoning the ambitious Zero KC goal of ending homelessness by 2030.

Theres always going to be people who dont want a thing, Henges said. If the role of (the City Council) is to appeal to the people who dont want a thing, nothing is going to get done.

Henges argued that low-barrier shelters are critical when he co-wrote the Zero KC plan. He said City Hall needs to listen to the insights of people working directly with the homeless community.

Kansas City isnt special, Henges said. It has to solve homelessness the way homelessness is solved everywhere and you have to have a starting point, which is a low-barrier emergency shelter.

He said spreading money across existing shelters with stricter requirements wont work. Rather, he sees a low-barrier shelter as the best chance to make a difference for the chronically homeless, who have experienced homelessness for at least a year  or repeatedly  while struggling with substance abuse, a serious mental illness or a physical disability.

Were trying to solve for chronic homelessness, Henges said. We have nothing for chronic homelessness, which is the reason the emails are coming in, the reason the cops get called and the reason that ERs are plugged up.

He acknowledged Northeast residents concerns, but said Hope Faith has served the chronically homeless for a decade. He said a shelter there wouldnt concentrate homelessness, but provide much-needed services to an existing population.

They are a low-barrier day center, he said. What were trying to do is solve the problem of what happens when Hope Faith is closed (at night).

Hope Faiths application included a proposal to use the $5 million to expand its campus at Virginia Avenue and Admiral Boulevard by creating up to 100 beds with shared bathrooms.

But rules attached to the federal tax dollars call for individual rooms and private bathrooms. Langner said Hope Faith originally proposed shared bathrooms to maximize the bed count. In the new application, it will include more bathrooms but have to cut out 70 beds.

Kansas City spent four times as much on a single animal shelter, so Langner said $7 million is barely enough for a single homeless shelter.

I cant put our organization in a spot where we either cant do construction, or have to do it in such a manner thats not dignified, he said. If they split this pot of money up, then I dont know that we could move forward.

Why is low-barrier homeless shelter necessary in Kansas City?

National Alliance to End Homelessness says more than one in five people who become homeless end up that way chronically. A chronically homeless person costs taxpayers more than $35,000 a year. Give them housing, the group says, and that cost is cut in half.

Langner said he understands why residents are concerned about the safety of a large facility. A homeless person is more likely to be the victim of a crime than to commit one. And he said a larger low-barrier shelter doesnt have to bring chaos.

If Hope Faith becomes a shelter, guests will not have to pray to stay or be sober, so long as they pose no danger to themselves and others, he said.

Bakersfield, California, ended chronic homelessness for a moment. In 2020, the county briefly achieved functional zero, meaning at least as many people escaped homelessness as fell into it.

Federal pandemic funding allowed homeless service agencies to place people in hotels and motels. But that wasnt a long-term solution. The high cost of housing in California remains the core issue, said Carlos Baldovinos, chairman of the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative in Bakersfield.

Baldovinos said communities will decide what best suits their low-barrier shelter needs through trial and error. Low-barrier shelters in Kern County, for example, began to allow guests to bring their pets. Some shelters even installed dog kennels.

He said large shelters should have evaluations and trained professionals on-site to deal with mental health issues or substance abuse.

You have to accommodate people where they are and work with them, he said. Doing nothing is not an option.

Henges said Kansas City needs to do something now if city leaders want to see Zero KC hit its 2030 goal. For now, he said, Kansas City is behind schedule.

We are more likely to double our homeless population than we are to reduce the homeless population by even 5 percent, he said. At some point, your elected officials have to decide this is a problem they want to solve. Until then, its not solvable.

This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The post Neighborhood blocks a low-barrier shelter some see as key to solving homelessness in KC appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors requests for arrest warrants for himself alongside Hamas officials to charging former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and former United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

I think these charges are exactly as President Biden called em, theyre outrageous, Netanyahu said in a Tuesday interview on CNNs The Lead with anchor Jake Tapper. Theyre beyond outrageous. This is a rogue prosecutor that has put false charges, and created false symmetries that are both dangerous and false.

The first false symmetry is he equates the democratically-elected leaders of Israel with the terrorist tyrants of Hamas, Netanyahu continued. Thats like saying that Well, Im issuing arrest warrants for FDR and Churchill, but also for [Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.]

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan made requests for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh Monday.

Khan has said that Netanyahu and Gallant are criminally responsible for starvation as a method of war, intentionally targeting civilians, extermination and persecution, alongside other war crimes.

Biden went after the ICC prosecutor on Monday for trying to get arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

The ICC prosecutors application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous, Biden said in a statement. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also criticized the requests, stating that the ICC was established by its state parties as a court of limited jurisdiction.

Those limits are rooted in principles of complementarity, which do not appear to have been applied here amid the Prosecutors rush to seek these arrest warrants rather than allowing the Israeli legal system a full and timely opportunity to proceed, Blinken said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GUBA, Azerbaijan, May 21. Azerbaijani-Uzbek Investment Company plans to realize more than 10 projects, Director General of Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Company Nazim Hajiyev told Trend on the sidelines of the II Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum in Guba, Trend reports.

There are both projects of Azerbaijani companies in Uzbekistan and projects of Uzbek companies in Azerbaijan, and we will start implementing some of them this year, Hajiyev said.

According to Hajiyev, these projects are vital for import substitution, strategic industries, and societal impact.

We are engaged in food production, textiles, financial leasing initiatives, and a private school project, he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a joint meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned against the intended recognition of an independent Palestinian state as announced by Norway, Ireland and Spain.

"The intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism," Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Eighty per cent of the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] support the terrible massacre of October 7," he asserted. "This evil cannot be given a state."

"This would be a terrorist state. It will try to repeat the massacre of October 7 again and again; we will not consent to this," the Israeli prime minister asserted.

"Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas," Netanyahu added.

A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisages an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel.

Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution, as does the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement.

Netanyahu would have little support from his ultra-right coalition partners for a more conciliatory approach to relations with the Palestinians.

Critics have repeatedly accused Netanyahu of having tolerated or even encouraged the rise of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As a rival to the more moderate Fatah of President Mahmoud Abbas, it has served to divide the Palestinian people in order to prevent a Palestinian state.

Many right-wing Israelis consider a Palestinian state to be an intolerable security risk for Israel.
Netanyahu says he has no plans for Israeli settlements in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.

"Resettling Gaza... was never in the cards," Netanyahu said in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN on Tuesday. "Some of my constituents are not happy about it, but that's my position."

Several of the right-wing nationalist ministers in Netanyahu's coalition had repeatedly spoken out in favour of resettling the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir even declared on Tuesday that he would like to live there himself.

As soon as Palestinian militant organization Hamas is defeated, a sustainable demilitarization of the Gaza Strip must be achieved, Netanyahu told CNN, adding that "the only force that can prevent the resurgence of terrorism for the foreseeable future is Israel."

"At the same time we want - I want - a civilian administration that is run by Gazans who are neither Hamas nor committed to our destruction."

On Saturday Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, said that he and other members of his centre-right National Union party would leave Netanyahu's government if the prime minister did not present a plan for the post-war order in the Gaza Strip by June 8.

The 64-year-old retired army general and former defence minister joined the war cabinet as a minister without portfolio.

The parties involved sought to demonstrate national unity in the wake of the attacks led by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. The unprecedented attack triggered the Gaza war as Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive.

National Union is actually an opposition party. In opinion polls, it is currently far ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party.

Netanyahu has previously said he wanted the territory to remain under Israeli military control for the foreseeable future. So far, he has refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.
Voters have already started receiving mail ballots, and early in-person voting begins Saturday, May 25. (Photo: Hugh Jackson/Nevada Current)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Ahead of Nevadas June 11 primary election, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar outlined new guidance around when counties should start tabulating votes in order to make sure results are released as soon as possible.

Nevadans have already begun receiving ballots in their mailboxes, and in-person early voting begins Saturday, May 25 and runs through Friday, June 7.

Speaking to press on Wednesday, Aguilar said his office is instructing county officials to begin tabulating early voting returns and mail ballots at 8 a.m. on Election Day.

Counties are being instructed to submit their results to the Secretary of States office by 6 p.m. to allow our internal team to conduct verification and quality assurance as we always do, he said.

The new guidance is very important as more and more voters opt to participate in the electoral process in different ways either during early voting or by mail, Aguilar said. We will be able to release more data to the public more quickly with this new process.

The timeline, Aguilar said, will not only aid in transparency and allow for results to be released quickly, but also help get ahead of any potential misinformation around the election.

Republican officials, encouraged by former President Donald Trump, have used lag times in election results and the voting process itself to baselessly claim there was rampant voter fraud in recent election cycles.

Aguilar said 120 voters have cast their ballots through Nevadas Effective Absentee System for Elections (EASE), which is available for military and overseas voters, tribal members and people with disabilities.

More than 4,700 mail ballots have been returned statewide.

Though vote-by-mail was made universal, voters can submit a form to opt out from receiving a mail ballot. There have been hiccups in that process.

The Reno Gazette Journal reported that 2,700 people in Washoe County received a mail ballot despite requesting not to receive one.

Aguilar said the state is in the process of implementing a new top down voter registration system that would help address glitches like that seen in Washoe County.

I think youre seeing the challenges of the legacy system, he said.

He added that the county has done a tremendous job addressing the issues and getting out in front of them and that he didnt foresee any future issues.

The Secretary of States office originally announced they would implement the new voter registration system prior to this years June primary, but that timeline was amended after county election officials expressed concern.

In addition to new guidance, Aguilar highlighted recent efforts statewide to ramp up recruitment efforts to get more poll workers, which has included reaching out to veterans and youth 16 and older.

Last month we announced a new partnership with Vet the Vote to encourage the veteran community, who know the value of serving and protecting our fundamental rights, to step up again for our community, he said.

Aguilar campaigned on efforts to protect poll workers, who experienced greater levels of harassment as the result of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

The state last year passed an Election Worker Protection Act to make it a felony to threaten or intimidate election officials.

Sigal Chattah, a Republican who lost her 2022 attorney general race by the largest margin of all the statewide races that year, filed a lawsuit challenging the bill on behalf of three plaintiffs, including a virulent right-wing conspiracy theorist and regular GOP donor.

A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in April.

Despite the challenges to our Election Worker Protection Act, were focused more than ever in ensuring our poll workers are safe and protected through June primary and November general, Aguilar said.

The post Nevada Secretary of State outlines timeline for counting primary election ballots appeared first on Nevada Current.
FILE - Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, left, talks with Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony during the opening of the 82nd session of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City, Nev., Feb. 6, 2023. Nevada election officials will start tabulating in-person Election Day votes that morning instead of when polls closed in an attempt to expedite results in the Western swing state known for ballot tabulation that, at times, has stretched close races out for days. (AP Photo/Tom R. Smedes, File)

RENO, Nev. (AP)  Nevada election officials can start tabulating in-person Election Day votes as they come in, rather than waiting for polls to close in an effort to get results out quicker, Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar said Wednesday.

Aguilar cited state law in making the recommendation to county election officials that also include tabulating mail ballots as early voting is underway. The recommendations apply to both Nevada's primary on June 11 and the November general election.

The changes could help quell anxiety over close races in a western swing state known for razor-thin margins. The nation watched Nevada closely in 2022 for the outcome of a U.S. Senate race that was decided by less than 8,000 votes, as the final mail ballots were counted after other battleground races were settled.

If county election officials adopt the recommendations, ballots will be counted throughout the day of the primary and general elections. But no results will be released until after the polls close.

We will be able to release more data to the public more quickly with this new process, Aguilar said during a news conference Wednesday.

Every voter in Nevada automatically receives a ballot by mail, unless they opt out, a pandemic-era change that was later codified in state law. The mail ballots can arrive at county election offices up to four days after Nov. 5, which is Election Day, but the ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

Aguilar said he consulted with election officials in the state's two most populous counties  Washoe and Clark counties  over the past year and a half in crafting the recommendations.

This is not about putting additional strain (on local election officials), Aguilar said. This is about creating efficiencies and allowing the staff and the clerks to be able to be more efficient in the work that theyre doing.

Mail ballots take longer to count because of the numerous verification steps built into the process to guard against potential fraud. Those include matching ballots to the voter registration database and verifying signature or identification information.

Pressure to have results out quickly has only increased since the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump sowed doubt about the election process by highlighting that ballots came in after Election Day and blasted those who showed him losing in a state after initially being ahead. The process is normal, as officials administer elections with rules and processes that vary across the country, and it simply takes time to count large amounts of ballots.

Most states allow local election officials to handle mail ballots before Election Day, a process that includes verifying the voter requested the ballot, confirming the ballot matches the one sent to the voter, and either matching a voter signature to one on file or matching voter ID information to records.

Some states even allow ballots to be scanned into a counting machine days in advance with a process designed to keep results secret. This allows election officials to run a report on Election Day that provides a tally of these votes quickly.

And when results are released on Election Day, they are unofficial. It takes days and sometimes weeks for election officials to count every ballot and to certify the results.

Already, the top election officials in Nevada's Washoe and Clark counties outlined plans to more quickly process ballots.

Lorena Portillo in Clark County told state lawmakers earlier this month that the county now has six mail ballot readers, up from four in 2022 and two in 2020. The machines can tabulate 8,000 ballots per hour. The county that includes Las Vegas also will use 26 machines that tabulate in-person ballots on Election Day from flash drives, up from 10 in 2022.

Portillo also said the county will introduce double shifts on Election Day for election workers.

In the less-populated Washoe County, interim registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess told lawmakers that the county is looking to upgrade the mail balloting processing room to sort ballots quicker. She added that, as the county that includes Reno grows, so too will the capacity of the elections department.

___

This story has been corrected to say that results from ballots tabulated throughout the day of the primary and general elections will not be released until after polls close.

___

Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy contributed reporting from Atlanta. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. Follow Stern on X: @gabestern326.
South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks attacks Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner in the U.S. Senate chambers on May 22, 1856.

South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks attacks Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner in the U.S. Senate chambers on May 22, 1856, in this illustration. (U.S. Senate)

Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner risked his life for the sake of Kansans freedom.

On May 22, 1856  168 years ago  he suffered a beating at the hands of unhinged South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks. Sumner had just delivered a fiery speech about the evils of slavery and its supporters in the chamber. Its title? The Crime Against Kansas. At that time, the status of the soon-to-be state was contested between pro- and anti-slavery forces.

Brooks approached Sumner at his desk in the chamber and beat him into unconsciousness. The Massachusetts lawmaker suffered grave injuries, both physical and mental; he spent the better part of three years away from Washington, D.C.

It was, in the words of the Senate Historical Office, one of the most dramatic and deeply ominous moments in the Senates entire history.

Northerners could scarcely believe the news, and the newly formed Republican Party made substantial electoral gains. Its presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, nearly won that fall. Southerners cheered the violence, reelecting Brooks to his office and sending him hundreds of canes as gifts.

The path toward Civil War had been laid.

Summers legacy can be seen across Kansas today. Sumner County, which contains Wellington and Belle Plaine, was established Feb. 26, 1867, and named for the senator, according to the book 1001 Kansas Place Names. So was Sumner Academy of of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas, once a segregated institution but now a magnet school for high-performing students. The onetime Sumner Elementary School in Topeka was at the center of the Brown v. Board of Education case.

We remember Sumners name.

But we should also remember that Sumner was right.

His abolitionist beliefs were intellectually and morally correct. The institution of slavery was evil, yet millions of Americans believed it was divinely pre-ordained. They were willing to sacrifice themselves and their families to defend white supremacy. According to most recent estimates, 750,000 people died in the U.S. Civil War. All for the cause of keeping humans as property.

A contemporary cartoon lampoons Rep. Preston Brooks, who attached Sen. Charles Sumner in Senate chambers on May 22, 1856.

We cannot forget that simply holding an opinion forcefully and deeply does not make it correct. Your passion for a cause does not impart any virtue to you or to the cause.

Sumner was caustic and disliked by his colleagues in the Senate. Indeed he may have achieved more if he had been more willing to compromise on the rights and the lives of people who were different than him. He died without achieving his most important goal: a sweeping civil rights law that did not come to fruition until 1964. That was 80 years after his death.

Heres a taste of Sumners oratory, taken directly from that fateful 1856 speech: When the whole world, alike Christian and Turk, is rising up to condemn this wrong, and to make it a hissing to the nations, here in our Republic, force, aye, sir, FORCE has been openly employed in compelling Kansas to this pollution, and all for the sake of political power.

Kansans should know about Sumners principled stances, not just his name or a bloody few moments in the Senate chambers.

You cant write about the statesman or his legacy, however, without asking yourself how 1856 compares with 2024. Weve made substantial progress toward freedom and equality, thank goodness. I like to think that our Massachusetts lawmaker would feel some pride in his country over that.

How about our ability to debate challenging issues? Can we navigate our difference? If not, do we also face a slow descent into bloody madness and civil conflict?

We havent seen senators or representatives fighting on the floors of their respective chambers. Tough words may be exchanged, but so far we have not seen members of the Freedom Caucus beating up members of The Squad, or vice versa. Thats a good thing.

Yet threats of violence have become distressingly frequent in Kansas. You only have to remember the effigy of President Joe Biden enthusiastically beaten at a GOP fundraising event in Johnson County. You only have to look at the case of Wichita man who was sentenced to 21 months in jail for threatening to kill Biden.

I pray that the grim months of 1856 and the years that followed remain deep in the history books. But I fear theyre closer than any of us acknowledge.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

The post Bloody anniversary: This brave senator was bludgeoned as tempers flared over slavery in Kansas appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
'Never seen a mess like this': NJ police chiefs blast Spotswood administration

SPOTSWOOD  About 20 police chiefs and deputy chiefs came to Monday's Borough Council meeting to deliver a simple message  bring suspended borough Police Chief Philip Corbisiero back to work.

And South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, past president and board member of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP), said Acting Capt. Nicholas Mayo and Officer Richard Sasso Jr., who are also suspended with pay, should be brought back to work too.

"Ive been a police officer for 36 years and 18 years as chief of police and I can tell you I have never seen a mess like this in my life," said Hayducka, who was also speaking on behalf of the Middlesex County Chiefs of Police Association.

South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, past president and board member of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, attended the Spotswood Borough Council meeting in an effort to have the borough bring back three officers who were suspended with pay.

In March Mayor Jackie Palmer suspended Corbisiero and Mayo, the two top-ranking officers in the Spotswood Police Department, and has threatened to fire them.

The suspensions are the latest development in the ongoing conflict between the mayor and some members of the police department, including Sasso, the president of the local Policemens Benevolent Association (PBA), that has resulted in an onslaught of lawsuits.

The 39 pages of charges against the chief allege a litany of infractions, from incompetence and insubordination to discrimination and sexual harassment.

More: Spotswood chief: Mayor thinks town 'is her own little empire where she can make the rules'

Both Corbisiero and Mayo have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have requested public hearings.

Corbisiero and Mayo have also gone to Superior Court to have the disciplinary charges dismissed and their suspensions lifted.

Hayducka said the suspensions are "political" because Corbisiero and Mayo refuse to be "puppets" and do the bidding of Palmer and Business Administrator Brandon Umba.

Both Palmer and Umba, who were both at the meeting, did not respond to Hayducka's comments.

Spotswood Mayor Jackie Palmer and Business Administrator Brandon Umba.

Hayducka also urged council members to adopt a resolution supporting the return of Corbisiero, Mayo and Sasso along with the dismissal of these bogus charges.

"You have the authority to do so," he said.

He also urged council members to approve a resolution demanding that Palmer and Umba recuse themselves from any policy or decisions involving the police department until the matter is resolved.

Borough Council members also did not respond to Hayducka's comments.

"Everyone's losing in this situation  the taxpayers, the police officers everyone up here," he said.

Hayducka said he has looked at the charges against Corbisiero and Mayo and said, "they're not worth the paper theyre written on."

Hayducka singled out one charge against Corbisiero that is related to the PBA putting information on Facebook.

That might be my favorite stupidest charge thats out there, he said. It's ridiculous. It's embarrassing, and I cannot believe an attorney wrote that.

There is no legal basis for these charges, Hayducka said, adding there are numerous procedural violations.

"You can't just wake up and say I want him out of here because I'm not getting what I want," he said.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office has already exonerated Corbisiero on some of the charges, Hayducka said, but the other charges were never investigated.

Every police officer in New Jersey, including the chief of police, has certain rights, he said.

"We're entitled to due process," Hayducka said.

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: NJ police chiefs blast Spotswood administration over cops' suspensions
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  News13 continues to follow the story of Mica Miller, the Horry County woman who investigators say shot and killed herself last month.

At the time she was going through divorce proceedings with her husband, pastor and founder of the Solid Rock Ministries Church, John-Paul Miller.

When details of Micas death were announced, John-Paul was released from all ministerial functions for a time of healing, counsel, and guidance, pursuant to our governing instrument, according to a statement from a church advisor.

Church officials have said since then that he remains affiliated with Solid Rock.

Police reports say Mica was also a suspect in a now closed theft investigation regarding church funds.

Her family said after her death, she didnt steal from the church and her family had questions about the churchs finances and even if they properly paid Mica for her work with the church.

News13 was later shown court documents by her attorney showing Mica was given access to funds in a church account earmarked for mission work in Kenya.

Solid Rock announced last week it plans to build a seven-figure school on a property off Highway 17 Bypass.

News13 was the first to report on Solid Rock Ministries publicly known assets from combing through land records, tax forms and online data bases to tabulate its $5.59 million portfolio, that includes acres of land, and a $429,000 airplane, registered with the FAA on May 9.

The centerpiece of Solid Rocks planned expansion is a new church and school, for 1st through 9th grade students, off Highway 17 Bypass, near the newly Publix Supermarket complex off Coventry Road.

News13 has asked church leaders for an on-camera interview and sent a list of questions to their lawyers, asking for more details on the church and school expansion.

The churchs website had been suspended for about three weeks, and just recently came back online, with one significant change. Under its Leadership category, it now says coming soon. Previously, it noted John-Paul Miller as one of 3 senior pastors.

Also, listed a one of those pastors was Bernard Kenerson. News13 had learned that Kenerson is a registered sex offender, convicted in March 1991 for indecent acts with another.

Kenerson was listed as an elder at Solid Rock Church as of February 21. He also was adult Sunday school overseer and a short term facilitator/teacher, per the church website then. Its not clear though if he is violating any laws being a registered sex offender.

Kenerson told News13 after this story published that he resigned from his position at Solid Rock on May 4. He said he and his wife do not have any involvement with the church anymore and will not be back.

News13 has reached to attorneys for the church, but we have not heard back.

Kenerson is also pictured in an undated photograph on the churchs website, posing with John-Paul Miller and another Solid Rock senior pastor. That photo has since been scrubbed off the church website.

Timeline: Whats happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller

Russell Long, an attorney representing both John-Paul Miller and Solid Rock Ministries, has not answered multiple requests for comment by News13  including a detailed list of questions sent to his email on Monday.

Solid Rocks planned Highway 17 Bypass expansion is creating more space for the tuition-based school. Costs must be paid in full and starts at $3,300. The schools website doesnt give enrollment figures but says it offers classes for students in grades one through nine.

In a December 2023 interview with The Sun News, John-Paul said the campus was expected to be ready some time next year. Church members donated about $1 million to pay for it, he told the newspaper.

Money is the most fascinating subject to me

John-Paul Miller founded Solid Rock on four core values: We serve, We forgive, We respect and We give.

He explained in February 2021 sermon why he believed money is the most fascinating subject to me in the Bible.

All growing up, I saw Christians manipulate each other financially, Ive seen spouses break up and have horrible marriages because they fight about money, Ive seen friendships that were supposed to last forever disintegrate because of money, he said.

Miller said he would ask the churchs bookkeeper for tithing information on congregants if they expressed interest in taking on a leadership role or cause me a whole bunch of problems.

Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of a persons income to support a church or religious community.

Miller said he began tithing in 2003 after a religious conversion. Solid Rock Church earned its federal tax-exempt status in 2015.

Lets say you meet somebody and you start to fall in love and you really want to get to know them, because we can all put on a good face, we can all fake people out, if you really want to know somebody, look at their bank account, Miller said. Imagine telling somebody, I love you, but they never ever spend any money on you.

While Solid Rock Ministries doesnt claim a denomination, marketing materials label it as Christian.

On Solid Rocks website, John-Paul Miller starts one section by saying I am the richest person on the planet.

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability  which counts more than 2,700 affiliates nationwide  does not include Solid Rock Ministries among them, according to its website

Ground Zero in Myrtle Beach and WMBJ FM based in Murrells Inlet are ECFA members.

John-Paul Miller also runs Dare2Care Missions, whose website is dedicated to Mica Miller. The ministry is dedicated to building the Kingdom of God in Kenya and urges donors to give $300 a year to attend the ministrys African-based school.

Solid Rock Church has direct connection to architect of forced labor scheme

If Solid Rock Church was on the tax rolls, its coveted Market Common footprint would have an overall value of $1.93 million, according to Horry County land records.

John Paul Millers father, Reginald Wayne Miller paid $280,000 to the U.S. Air Force in 1995 when he opened Cathedral Baptist Church at the 803 Howard Ave. site.

In 2014, Reginald Miller took a deal with federal prosecutors after pleading guilty to fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud and willful failure to pay minimum wage  all stemming from claims that they worked at Millers Cathedral Bible College under a pervasive climate of fear and intimidation that includes being forced to work at Millers home unpaid, deprivation of food and water and threats to eliminate their visa status.

Miller was charged with crimes that carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Homeland-Security-affidavitDownload

In January 2013, Cathedral Baptist Church transferred the Howard Avenue property to Solid Rock Ministries for $300,000.

Solid Rocks airplane is idling in North Carolina

Solid Rock Ministries registered a 2007 Cirrus four-seater with the FAA on May 9, according to government records, but the aircraft was last used April 6, flying from Knoxville, Tenn. to Rocky Mount, N.C.

A plane of similar make and model is listed for sale online at more than $429,000.

On its website, Solid Rock explains how its finances are split: A third on ministry purposes including local, national and international mission work, a third for employment and third for maintenance and operations.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
On May 21, Newsweeks Brendan Cole reported that Tucker Carlson had launched a show on Russian state television.

Tucker Carlson launches show on Russian state TVhttps://t.co/CoDjHvsWo1 pic.twitter.com/G96XBZJUPg  Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 21, 2024

The former Fox News anchor is presenting the program Tucker on the rolling news channel Russia 24, with the first episode now available online, the story reads, citing a report by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a Russian state media organization and the Russian governments paper of record. The paper said that the show is part of a joint project with Carlson TV, in which he will interview figures and politicians who have alternative views to the mainstream. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Carlsons show is available on Russian streaming site Smotrim via the state-owned news channel Rossiya 24.

Newsweeks claim is false: Representatives for Carlson and the Tucker Carlson Network (TCN) have denied involvement in the broadcasts and Newsweeks article has since been updated. Rossiya 24 has been publishing dubbed versions of TCN programs since at least September 2, 2023, when it made available a translated version of Carlsons August 29 interview with Hungarian President Viktor Orban.

Following its publication, Newsweeks initial article garnered significant attention, leading to quick denials from Carlson and TCN. A representative for Carlson told The Hill Tuesday evening that, Any use of our content by that channel is without legal permission, and TCN CEO Neil Patel rejected that the network had any agreement with Russian state media.

The Tucker Carlson Network has not done any deals with state media in any country. Whoever is currently pretending to be the old Newsweek brand would know that if they had checked with us before printing like news companies are supposed to do. https://t.co/xbukz58F88  Neil Patel (@NeilPatelTDC) May 21, 2024

Carlson made a similar denial to CNNs Hadas Gold, claiming that the Newsweek story was all fake obviously, like most stories in American news media.

Tucker Carlson tells me there is no partnership with Russian state tv to air his show: "Its all fake obviously, like most stories in American news media. Of course I have no partnership with Russia. The first I'd heard anything about this was (this) morning" @TuckerCarlson  Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) May 21, 2024

Following the denials, Newsweek updated its article substantially and acknowledged Carlsons denials. It also changed the storys headline from Tucker Carlson Launches Show On Russian State TV to Tucker Carlson Show Aired By Russian State TV.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

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KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)- There are a lot of changes happening at Bays Mountain Park to help preserve the area for years to come.

The first phase of a multi-year renovation plan is nearing completion.

We want to make sure that we keep upgrading and updating to make sure that there are new opportunities for those special experiences, said Park Manager Megan Krager. We were able to actually say Okay, this is what we really want to do. We wanna emphasize the nature center. We wanna make the necessary improvements. We dont want to just make an improvement that will last for five years. We want to make improvements that are going to last 50 years.

How to see the most activity from Bays Mountain animals

The park improvement plan was unveiled earlier in 2024. Renovations will come in multiple stages to modernize the facility, starting with the nature center.

People who have been there in the past will come back to see the changes, and then it will probably attract new people that have not been there already to see whats going on at Bays Mountain, check out a planetarium show, said Frank Lett, the President of Visit Kingsport. Eleven counties from around the region visit there for sure, a lot of folks from Kentucky, Virginia. Its just the amount of license plates that dont say Tennessee is pretty amazing.

Renovations are happening on both levels of the nature center and include lighting and furniture changes to a new planetarium entrance.

It looked like you were going into a broom closet, so behind me here, we have definitely modified the entrance, Krager said. We want people to say Hey, I want to go behind those doors. What is on the other side?'

Volunteers work to restore Bays Mountain hidden gem

The nature centers exhibits are being upgraded too with a focus on technology.

Kids have a very short attention span, and so do adults, Krager said. And we want to make sure that the exhibits are number one interactive so that everyone can learn when theyre part of an exhibit. Whether you learn through touching, whether you learn through reading, we want to make sure that everyone is understanding our exhibits.

Krager said construction crews are taking advantage of the renovation phase to put in more outlets and ethernet cables.

Who knows where thats going to be in the future? And so, we wanted to be sure that we had those opportunities in place while we were in the construction phase, said Krager. We really dont know where technology is going to lead us, but at the same time, were going to try to make it easier for those that will be following in our footsteps.

Eventually, a gallery will be added to the nature center.

You are going to see our exhibits be a little bit more bold in color, have more interactive opportunities to them, and then also too, were going to be utilizing the glass thats around the gallery, Krager said. The murals that you see actually are from individuals that have taken pictures within the park itself so we are using volunteer photography in order to show different locations within the park.

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Outdoors Appalachia

Theres also a focus on making sure everyone can enjoy the park.

Over the next three years, were hoping that we can make improvements to the walkway coming into the nature center. We would like for it to be more ADA accessible, and also a walkway that leads you around the animal habitats. We want to make sure that its more ADA accessible, Krager said. They may not be able to get to all of our trails, but at the same time, we want to try and do our best to do what we can around the animal habitat area so that if grandparents are coming in with their grandchildren, everyone can share in that fun experience.

Guests will also see changes outside of the nature center, especially with the highly anticipated return of the otter habitat in 2026.

The otter habitat will be a state-of-the-art habitat that will provide viewing for everyone of every ability, and it will have underwater viewing as well as looking at the habitat from the balcony and also up through the habitat as well, Krager said.

The terrace is being improved, and more animals are in the works as well.

Its going to be a multi-use area, whether you can use it for birthday parties or family gatherings or school groups. Its going to be a really nice meeting location.

You can view the park improvement plan and follow along with it 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. U.S. government policy towards the Trans-Caspian Region is a key element of its policies for the entire Central Asian region, said Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia, during the 8th Trans-Caspian Forum hosted by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

It spans more than 30 years and $30 billion in U,S, contributions to support development in Central Asia, across the wide and diverse geography and cultures that make up this amazing region, he said.

Ambassador Pommersheim recognized increased U.S. engagement with Central Asian leaders over the past two years, which has been at a higher level than at any time in the past 30-plus years of the Central Asian states independence.

Our cooperation has reached a new high over the past year, said Pommersheim. The United Nations General Assembly New York Declaration issued by the C5+1 presidents [all five Central Asian presidents plus U.S. President Biden] is serving as a catalyst for our partnership with the region both in the C5+1 format and also bilaterally.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim continued, We have an opportunity for the U.S. government to leverage enhance coordination among our international partners, including for the G7 and other like-minded partners working in Central Asia, to share this common goal of advancing regional connectivity and economic resilience in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Title icon

The News

Nikki Haley said on Wednesday that shell be voting for Trump, telling a Washington, DC audience that her priorities as a voter  including the national debt and border security  meant she couldnt support President Joe Biden.

Trump has not been perfect on these policies, Haley said at the Hudson Institute, which she joined after suspending her own presidential bid in March. But Biden has been a catastrophe.

Haley had refrained from commenting on the presidential race since exiting it. Trump didnt reach out to his former UN Ambassador after her suspension  a situation Democrats tried to take advantage of by buying ads that played back Haleys criticisms of Trump and urged her voters to abandon him.

On Wednesday, Haley added little to comments made when she exited the race in March. Then, shed told a hometown audience that Trump needed to appeal to her voters, and she repeated that line, emphasizing that she has won hundreds of thousands of protest votes since quitting the race.

Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me, and not just assume that theyre going to be with him, she said.

Title icon

Davids view

Democrats never expected Haley to endorse Biden, and figured that shed protect her viability in Republican politics by supporting Trump. The other alternative, pioneered by Liz Cheney: Liberal plaudits and total conservative irrelevance.

But Haley could have gone further toward Trump than she did on Wednesday. She said nothing about the Biden campaigns appeals to unhappy Republicans, and repeatedly thanked the voters who kept supporting her defunct candidacy  a small but lingering source of embarrassment for Trump.

Her prepared remarks, which criticized some House Republicans for slow-walking aid to Ukraine, went after Biden for saying hed withhold some weapons from Israel. But she previously said much harsher things about Trump (and Biden) in the closing weeks of her own campaign. Haley, the candidate whod promised mental competency tests for elderly politicians, and called Trumps insults about her family unbecoming of a president, had been replaced by a think tank senior fellow focused on policy goals.

Haley had a prime speaking slot at the 2020 Republican National Convention; shes retreated into the background of this campaign. While the ex-candidate faintly praised Trump before a friendly audience  in Washington DC, one of two places she carried in the 2024 primary  she isnt about to rally with him at a Manhattan courthouse. (She took no questions from reporters in the room, who would have asked for clarifications on some of this.)

Title icon

The View From Democrats

Nothing has changed for the millions of Republican voters who continue to cast their ballots against Donald Trump in the primaries, said Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler, who said that Republican protest voters cared about democracy, standing strong with our allies, and rejecting chaos from Trump. Only one candidate shares those values, and only one campaign is working hard every day to earn their support  and thats President Bidens.

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Nikki Haley says she will vote for Trump  because Biden is a catastrophe

Nikki Haley ran against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination but ended her campaign in March

Nikki Haley has said she will vote for Donald Trump, in her first public remarks since quitting the Republican presidential primary.

Ms Haley said that while the Republican candidate has not been perfect, Joe Biden has been a catastrophe.

So I will be voting for Trump, she said during an event in Washington.

However, Ms Haley, who served as Mr Trumps ambassador to the UN, warned the former president against complacency in assuming her supporters were just going to be with him.

The 52-year-old declined to formally endorse Mr Trump when she suspended her presidential campaign in March, instead urging him to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him.

Since quitting the race two months ago, she has continued to garner a significant share of the vote in several GOP primary races, prompting Mr Biden to explicitly appeal to her supporters.

Ms Haley made her debut as a fellow at the Washington-based Hudson Institute on Wednesday, where she delivered a speech warning about the security challenges facing the US and its allies.

Haley served as Trump's UN ambassador - GETTY IMAGES

Asked whether she felt Mr Biden, 81, or Mr Trump, 77, were better prepared to face Americas national security threats, she made a notable pause before responding.

She said: I put my priorities on a president whos going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account, who would secure the border - no more excuses - a president who would support capitalism and freedom, a president who understands we need less debt, not more debt.

Trump has not been perfect on these policies, Ive made that clear many, many times. But Biden has been a catastrophe, so I will be voting for Trump.

Ms Haley continued: Having said that, I stand by what I said in my [campaign] suspension speech.

Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that theyre just going to be with him.

And I genuinely hope he does that.

During her speech, Ms Haley criticised the International Criminal Courts application for arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it literally is disgusting.

She was also critical of Mr Bidens approach to the US relationship with Israel, including his threat to withhold weapons shipments to its ally.

The Israel betrayal is the bookend of the Afghanistan disaster, Ms Haley said, in reference to the Biden administrations withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

Ms Haley, a longtime foreign policy hawk, urged Americas leaders to staunchly support Ukraine and Israel, warning Beijing was closely following Washingtons response to both conflicts.

She said: China is waiting to see if America is stupid enough to throw away the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific all at the same time.

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Nikki Haley Says She Will Be Voting For Trump In This Years Presidential Race

Nikki Haley said that she will be voting for Donald Trump in November, ending speculation since she ended her presidential campaign.

I will be voting for Trump, she said at an event at the Hudson Institute today.

More from Deadline

In a Q&A session after giving a speech, Haley told attendees that Trump has not been perfect on foreign policy and debt, among other things, but Biden has been a catastrophe.

Haley has posted criticism of Biden on social media since she dropped out of the presidential race in March. Back then, she said that it was up to Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support his presidential bid.

She continued to echo that plea in her remarks today. That is potentially significant, as she has continued to draw a significant share of support in the remaining primaries, even though she has been out of the race for some time. She drew almost 22% of the votes in the Maryland Republican primary last week.

Haley had remained in the presidential race through Super Tuesday, well after it was clear that she had just a slim chance of capturing the nomination. But in the final weeks of the race, she had become increasingly critical of Trump, questioning his fitness for office and calling him out as completely unhinged after he mocked her husband, who has been deployed in Africa as part of Army National Guard service. She also said that Trump was not qualified to be president.

Haleys support for Trump could serve as a permissive signal to moderates who may have misgivings about returning him to office. She often attacked him for the chaos that followed him.

That said, Trump has batted down a report that Haley was under consideration as a potential running mate.

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Nikki Haley Says She'll Vote for Donald Trump in November, but She Has Some Advice for His Campaign

When Haley suspended her presidential bid in March after a hard-fought challenge to Trump, she stopped short of backing the man she's repeatedly characterized as unfit for office

AP Photo/Morry Gash(2) Nikki Haley (left), Donald Trump

Nikki Haley revealed on Wednesday, May 22, that she will vote for Donald Trump for president, after previously withholding her support.

Even in doing so, she reiterated her belief that Trump "has not been perfect" on policy issues, and shared some advice for his campaign.

Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me, and not assume that theyre just going to be with him," she said in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday during her first public remarks since dropping out of the race. "And I genuinely hope he does that."

Related: Nikki Haley Drops Out of Republican Presidential Race, Leaving Only Donald Trump

Haley, 52, was elected South Carolina's first female governor in 2010 and served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump from January 2017 until her resignation in December 2018.

She officially declared her candidacy for president in early 2023, ultimately suspending her 2024 presidential campaign in early March.

Haley has, since leaving the Trump administration, both embraced and pushed back against her former boss, at one point calling his rhetoric "so unnecessary" and at another saying he "tells the world what it needs to hear."

But as a presidential candidate, she was even more forceful, calling 77-year-old Trump "the most disliked politician in America" during a primary debate hosted by Fox News.

JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Nikki Haley speaks during a South Carolina presidential campaign event on Feb. 24, 2024

While Haley emerged as the strongest challenger to Trump early in the 2024 race, the former president secured victory after victory once voting season began. After Super Tuesday, at which point she had only won in Vermont and Washington, D.C., her fate was sealed.



Saying she was "filled with gratitude" for the support she had received in the little more than a year since launching her campaign, Haley told a South Carolina crowd at the time. "I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done that. I have no regrets."

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.

Elsewhere in her remarks, she said, "In all likelihood Donald Trump will be the party nominee," adding, "I wish him well."

But she stopped short of endorsing the former president at the time, citing a quote by late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that says, "Never just follow the crowd, always make up your own mind."

Related: Ron DeSantis and Other Republican Candidates Show Support for Donald Trump in First 2024 Debate

"It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in the party who did not support him," Haley added. And it appears he has.



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Donald Trumps attorneys recently argued in court that the former president should be shielded from all criminal prosecution  even if they order the assassination of a political opponent. While no president has yet to test that bold legal theory, Trump and his MAGA allies are now baselessly attempting to accuse Joe Biden of authorizing the assassination of Trump during the FBIs 2022 raid of Mar-a-Lago.

Documents unsealed Tuesday revealed that more classified material was found at the former presidents Palm Beach estate after the FBIs August 2022 raid. Republicans, however, have zeroed in on standard language in FBI search warrants authorizing the use of deadly force in appropriate circumstances, claiming Biden and the DOJ wanted Trump dead  even though he wasnt even present on the property that day.

WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the Icebox, and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Bidens DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE, Trump wrote Tuesday of the FBIs boilerplate authorization to use deadly force. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE  25TH AMENDMENT!

In a campaign fundraising email, Trump further claimed that he nearly escaped death and that Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out.

Trump nearly escaped death, according to his fundraising email.



Words are hard. pic.twitter.com/veXhAoNlSd  S.V. Date (@svdate) May 21, 2024

Christina Bobb, an attorney for the former president who ahead of the raid signed a statement falsely asserting there was no more classified material at Mar-a-Lago, also reacted with incredulity to the filing. WTF?!! They were prepared to kill me?! A few dozen FBI agents v. me and they were ready to kill me?!!! What in the world happened to the United States of America?! she wrote. Earlier this month, Bobb and 17 others were indicted in relation to a pro-Trump scheme to meddle with the results of Arizonas 2020 election.

Trumps allies in Congres further boosted the idea that he was targeted for assassination.

The Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light. Does everyone get it yet???!!!! Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote on X, formerly Twitter. What are Republicans going to do about it? I tried to oust our Speaker who funded Bidens DOJ AND FBI, but Democrats stopped it.

I made sure that he knew.



The Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light.



Does everyone get it yet???!!!!



What are Republicans going to do about it?



I tried to oust our Speaker who funded Bidens DOJ AND FBI, but Democrats stopped it. https://t.co/XSTevEQsNI pic.twitter.com/o0lUjcEdix  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) May 21, 2024

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) even claimed that Biden ordered the hit on Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Greene and Gosars posts both have community notes attached to them  and for good reason.

Trumps attorneys wrote in a May filing that the FBIs operations order for the search included a policy statement stating that law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary. The filing omitted the full policy statement of the bureau and the Justice Department, which can be found on their websites.

Law enforcement officers and correctional officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.

The policy statement is a standard written reminder of agency policy given to law enforcement executing search warrants. No deadly force was used at Mar-a-Lago, and the raid was executed without incident  other than Trumps public protestations on social media.

On Tuesday, the FBI pushed back on the claim that the authorization had been specifically granted for the Mar-a-Lago raid. The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force, the agency wrote. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter.

Former FBI Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi added on X that every FBI operations order contains a reminder of FBI deadly force policy. Even for a search warrant. Deadly force is always authorized if the required threat presents itself.

Clearly, no such threat presented itself during the raid, and the FBI took pains to ensure that the operation was executed smoothly and without incident. In June of last year, former FBI Assistant Director Steven DAntuono sat for testimony before the House Judiciary Committee and explained the agencys strategy.

We didnt do a show of force, right? I was adamant about that, and that was something that we agreed on [] No raid jackets, no blazed FBI. We made sure we interacted with the Secret Service to make sure we could get into Mar-a-Lago with no issues. Were not banging down any doors. We werent bringing any FBI vehicles, everything that was reported about helicopters and a hundred people descending on [it], like a Die Hard movie, was completely untrue. That is not how we played it, he said.

We didnt want a spectacle, DAntuono added, noting that the agency had specifically sought to execute the warrant on a day when Trump was not present on the property. Who wants the subject of the search present at any search you do? You dont normally want that It just makes it easier and less of a spectacle at that point. And honestly, I didnt want the spectacle for obvious reasons of why were sitting here today.

But creating spectacle is a Republican specialty, and regardless of any steps that the FBI may have taken to stave off accusations of excessive force, the former presidents victim complex will always take center stage.

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No criminal charges to be filed against Bellingham police sergeant accused of abuse

The Skagit County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has declined to file charges against a Bellingham Police Department sergeant accused of domestic and sexual violence of a woman known to him.

Skagit County senior deputy prosecuting attorney Branden Platter declined to file criminal charges Tuesday, May 21, against Bellingham Police Sgt. Joshua Richard McKissick, 44.

Platter, who was assigned the case May 8, said the case involved allegations of sexual assault and criminal harassment, which included threats of bodily harm.

I did not find sufficient evidence to support any criminal charges of either harassment or any crimes of sexual assault. I have notified Lynden Police Department and the Whatcom County Prosecutors Office that I have declined filing any charges in this matter, Platter told The Bellingham Herald on Tuesday.

The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorneys Office sent the case and any potential charging decisions to Skagit County due to conflicts of interest, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richey said.

We determined there was a conflict of interest in this case and sent it to Skagit for a complete review, Richey said.

Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua McKissick smiles for a photo March 17, 2017. A Whatcom County Superior Court commissioner issued a temporary immediate domestic violence protection order Feb. 26, 2024 against McKissick and required him to surrender all weapons after a woman known to McKissick came forward alleging he physically and sexually abused her.

The prosecutors decision declining to file criminal charges against McKissick comes just before a follow-up court hearing in which a Whatcom County Superior Court commissioner is expected to decide whether to grant a permanent two-year domestic violence protection order sought by a woman who has come forward alleging McKissick abused her. The hearing originally was scheduled for May 22 but was rescheduled to June 17 at the last minute due to an illness.

The commissioner will also likely decide at the hearing whether to grant an order prohibiting McKissick from possessing weapons.

Temporary domestic violence protection and weapons surrender orders issued by the court have been in place against McKissick since Feb. 26. The hearing for the protection order requested was postponed twice  once in March and again in April  in part due to issues and timelines affecting evidence.

The hearing for the permanent order began May 9 and included roughly two hours of testimony from the woman. The continuation of that hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

It is Bellingham Herald policy to avoid identification of victims of domestic and sexual violence when possible.

The Herald has reached out to attorneys for McKissick and the woman for comment.

We are aware that the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has declined to file charges against Bellingham Police Department Sergeant McKissick, Janice Keller, a city spokesperson, said in a statement to The Herald. An internal administrative investigation is still underway. Sergeant McKissick remains on paid administrative leave, in accordance with City and Bellingham Police policy.

Administrative leave

McKissick has been on paid administrative leave from the Bellingham Police Department, in accordance with department policy, since Feb. 27, following the court-ordered weapons surrender and temporary domestic violence protection orders.

McKissick had previously been removed from patrol duties and placed on administrative desk duty Dec. 6 after Bellingham police became aware of a report made to another law enforcement agency alleging McKissick had perpetrated domestic and sexual violence against a woman known to him.

An internal administrative investigation into the allegations was also launched the same day, The Herald previously reported.

The Lynden Police Department handled the criminal investigation into the allegations against McKissick, while the Everett Police Department was asked to conduct the internal administrative investigation.

The internal administrative investigation had been placed on hold until after the criminal investigation had been completed by Lynden police. The Herald has asked for an update on the status of the internal administrative investigation.

Everett police is handling the administrative investigation on Bellingham polices behalf to avoid any appearance of bias.

Lynden polices criminal investigation, which started in February, was completed the last week of April. The case file was then sent to the Whatcom prosecutors office for review and a determination of possible charges, before it was then conflicted out to the Skagit prosecutors office.

Further involvement from Lynden police is not anticipated at this time, unless the department is asked to conduct additional follow-up from the Skagit County prosecutors office, according to Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor.

Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua Richard McKissick, 44, appears Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Whatcom County Superior Court for a domestic violence hearing after a woman sought a protection order alleging McKissick abused her.

History with department

McKissick has been employed with the Bellingham Police Department since February 2007, according to public records obtained by The Herald.

He was promoted to sergeant in February 2021, according to previous posts on Bellingham polices Facebook page.

McKissick was also a member of Bellingham polices SWAT team in October 2015, according to Herald archives.

A city of Bellingham spokesperson declined to answer The Heralds repeated questions regarding McKissicks hire date, rank, duties while in that rank, and whether hes still a member of the SWAT team. Court documents filed in the case show McKissick was still performing SWAT duties as of July 2023.

In a fall 2019 edition of a city of Bellingham newsletter it was stated that McKissick became a neighborhood officer in 2019. He was responsible for 13 neighborhoods north of Whatcom Creek, according to the newsletter.

McKissick also provided a wide variety of safety-related training on various topics, such as de-escalation, active shooter response and workplace and personal safety training. He also did work with the then-mayors neighborhood advisory commission, according to the newsletter.

Allegations

The womans request for a protection order alleged a wide range of concerning behaviors, including:

 McKissick has struggled with mental illness, suicidal ideation and hallucinations, including while at crime scenes. He has also allegedly struggled with alcohol abuse and has made comments that he could kill someone and they would never be found, according to court records.

 McKissick has threatened suicide in the past, and has allegedly fantasized about driving off the road after his shifts or sat with a firearm on his lap and contemplated shooting himself multiple times.

 McKissick has hallucinated his face or the faces of people he knows while at crime scenes.

 McKissick sexually abused the woman and controlled her, including her actions and finances. Following the abuse, McKissick allegedly said he knows how to kill someone and their body would never be found, according to court records.

 McKissick would act out sexually violent fantasies. The woman said the violence would be severe, and that shes been in therapy for several years in an attempt to address and heal from the abuse.

 McKissick allegedly subjected the woman to a significant amount of emotional abuse in 2022.

I am concerned that without support, (McKissick) is a danger to himself and others, the court documents state.

The city declined to answer The Heralds initial repeated questions regarding whether Bellingham police were aware of the womans concerns or whether the department is concerned for McKissicks safety and well-being.

Response to allegations

In a 238-page response to the womans allegations filed with the court, McKissick denied that he has ever sexually or physically abused the woman or controlled her. He also denied the remainder of the womans accusations.

I never threatened or talked to (the woman) in any way to cause her fear of harm, McKissicks response states.

The woman has made a wide range of claims in her police reports and affidavits and none of them are true. Nearly all of them are non-specific in nature and vague. What (the woman) has done is take a small thread of a comment, manipulate, and expand it into a false narrative, McKissick said in his response.

McKissick denied the womans accusations that he has been suicidal; that he has visions or hallucinations, including while at crime scenes; or that he has fantasized about driving off the road.

I have never hurt myself. I have never hurt my children. I have never hurt (the woman), McKissick said in his response.

In 2021, McKissick responded to a child death investigation where the victim had a strong resemblance to someone McKissick knows. He later told the woman the call was difficult, and that it made him reflect on how precious the lives of his loved ones were. He denied that hes had any visions, dreams or hallucinations about the incident, court documents state.

McKissick also said hes never fantasized about driving off the road, but has expressed concern to the woman that he may fall asleep while driving home after working a night shift.

McKissick reiterated that hes never been suicidal, and that hes been diligent about maintaining my mental well being. He said he uses various ways to stay mentally well, including exercise, reading, church, Bible study, wellness targeted podcasts, yoga, friends, journaling and peer support methods. McKissick said he has also participated in therapy and continues to do so to bolster the other methods of maintaining mental wellbeing, according to court records.

McKissicks response states that any sexual activity between him and the woman was consensual. McKissick said it was so confusing to him when the woman came forward with allegations of abuse, including past statements she made regarding being uncomfortable with their sexual activities, court documents show.

McKissick also denied that he abuses alcohol. He said he has never shown up to work intoxicated, had any work performance problems, has never been arrested for an alcohol-related offense and stated he works with people trained in detecting intoxication. As part of his response, McKissick also included his work attendance records showing the times he was away from work.

These allegations seem to be made to continue to paint me in a bad light, McKissicks response states.

In response to the womans allegations that he has made comments about knowing how to kill someone and hide their body so they wont be found, McKissick said that in the past, when he has watched crime documentaries with the woman, he would comment on how criminals are idiots. He said he also made comments that a suspect was dumb for taking his phone with him.

McKissick said that with work colleagues, he discusses the ways in which people who commit crimes are caught, and said that criminals are often caught because they make mistakes. McKissick said this a routine discussion regarding investigative methods, according to court records.

McKissick stated he was becoming increasingly concerned with the womans reactive hostility throughout separate other court proceedings the two are involved in. He said the further hes tried to distance himself, the more hostile shes allegedly become, the court documents state.

I am fearful of (the woman) because of her behavior. I have not had contact with (the woman) in person, phone calls or text messages since early December 2023 and yet she continues to do anything she can to ruin my relationship with my children, my reputation, and my career. I believe (the woman) will stop at nothing in her attempts to try to destroy my life and when I do not react to her, she continues to escalate looking for a reaction, McKissick stated in his response.

Phone call

McKissicks response alleges that the woman told him in a phone call between the two of them in September that she was going to ruin his life. McKissick said the woman told him she would take his children from him, that she would call the police and say he drove drunk with children in the car, that she would damage his reputation and career and she would be his worst nightmare, according to court records.

McKissick said he made detailed notes immediately following the phone call with the woman, and that he then reached out to his superiors through his chain of command to notify them of the phone call, court documents state.

A late February 2024 email from a deputy chief with Bellingham police recalling McKissick notifying him of the phone call is attached as an exhibit to McKissicks response and was submitted to the court for review in determining whether to grant the womans two-year protection order.

The email states that while the deputy chief did not recall the exact wording McKissick used to inform him of the phone call with the woman, he did remember that McKissick told him the woman said she would destroy McKissick, ruin his reputation and make McKissick pay for everything.

So although I cant recall the exact wording, it was conveyed to me in a manner that made me think that since you were actually moving forward, she was going to go scorched earth and make you the villain, the deputy chiefs email states.

When McKissick called the deputy chief in September to notify him of the phone call, McKissick made it quite clear he was calling in a work-related capacity, the email states.

McKissicks response to the womans domestic violence protection order petition also alleges the woman knew that law enforcement policy requires any allegation of domestic violence made against a department employee be investigated, and that the agency would put the accused person on administrative or reassignment leave in accordance with department policy.

The Petitioner knew that simply an allegation of domestic violence would have a significant impact on my career as a law enforcement officer, McKissick wrote in his response.

I wanted nothing more than to be free from her and move on with my life, the court records state.

McKissick has alleged the domestic violence allegations and petition for protection were filed after separate court proceedings between him and the woman soured. In a March interview with Lynden police, McKissick told a detective he felt like Im being legally abused, court documents state.

McKissick also provided numerous character references from family and friends, including a Seattle Fire Department firefighter, a longtime Bellingham Police Department employee and a Whatcom County Sheriffs Office employee.

All stated they had never observed or suspected McKissick of aggression or abusive behavior or alcoholism, the court documents show.

Editors note (1:30 p.m. May 22): This article was updated to include a comment from Janice Keller of the city of Bellingham.

Resources

 Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org

Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.

 Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.

 Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.

 Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.

 Tlils Taaaltha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/

 Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.

 WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.

If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.

To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
No One Wants To Talk About The People Who Get Abortions Later In Pregnancy

Illustration: Jianan Liu/HuffPost, Photo: Getty Images

Many Republicans want you to believe that women are getting abortions in the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy simply because they can. The right-wing rhetoric has been used to criticize abortion rights supporters and Democrats for years. Even Donald Trump  who up until recently consistently dodged the topic of abortion  has started repeating the myth.

Democrats support abortion up to and even beyond the ninth month, the GOP presidential nominee said last month. Democrats can have [an abortion] in the seventh, eighth, ninth month, and they can kill the baby, he said in another interview, adding that in some states they can kill the baby after the baby is born. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said this week that there are late-term abortions and every single Democrat supported it. (Late-term abortion is a popular right-wing talking point, but HuffPost is not using it because its medically inaccurate.)

The belief that pregnant people use abortion like birth control is a well-worn boogeyman that the anti-choice movement has peddled for decades. Though rife with misinformation, the political strategy has been extremely successful, creating cultural stigma so deep around abortions later in pregnancy that many Democrats, including President Joe Biden, and even some pro-choice advocates, are uncomfortable discussing it.

But people do get abortions later in pregnancy  a phrase that generally reflects abortions at or after 21 weeks. Some are women with wanted pregnancies who get a fatal fetal diagnosis. Others are young people who dont realize theyre pregnant or dont have a safe way to get an abortion right away. Still, others experience something catastrophic and life-changing later in pregnancy  a partner becoming violent, their home burning down, a job loss  that will make it nearly impossible to safely raise a child. Theres also an increasing number of people pushed further into pregnancy because they experience barriers to care early on: their home state banned abortion forcing them to travel, or their immigration status makes it dangerous for them to seek health care, or they need to save up for the procedure because its not covered by insurance.

The belief that pregnant people use abortion like birth control is a well-worn boogeyman that the anti-choice movement has peddled for decades.

No one is getting an abortion in the second or third trimester because they woke up one day, months into being pregnant, and decided they didnt want to be pregnant anymore. But the politically manufactured shame around later abortion care runs so deep that many Democrats believe it too, in part because of the power of these lies. Biden has centered his reelection campaign around restoring Roe v. Wade, and advocates are building policy around it too, protecting abortion care until viability or around 24 weeks  effectively ignoring those who will need care later in pregnancy.

One of the mistakes weve made as a movement is to not talk about later care, said Dr. Diane Horvath, an OB-GYN and abortion provider at Partners In Abortion Care, an abortion clinic in Maryland where 90% of her patients receive care in the second and third trimesters.

I think we thought we were protecting ourselves by being quiet about it, she said. But when you leave gaps in the narrative  anti-abortion folks have always been very happy to fill them in with things that are scary and incorrect, and really debase people who have abortions and debase people who provide them.

Most abortions do happen in the first trimester: Almost 93% of abortions reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2020 were done before the 13th week. Nearly 99% took place by the end of the 20th week. Somewhere around 1% of abortions occur at 21 weeks or later, and the subset of abortions in the third trimester (around 26 weeks) is even smaller.

One percent of those is not nothing, said Katrina Kimport, a researcher with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, whose current work focuses on third trimester abortions. Its small from a data analysis or statistical perspective, but when youre thinking about that as real people, thats a pretty big number.

Kimport pegs it at around 9,000 people; she applies the 1% figure against the Guttmachers Institutes 2020 data, collected from providers, on how many Americans seek abortions. (The CDC does not collect abortion numbers from a handful of states including California.)

The 1% statistic is often used by abortion rights supporters to debunk Republican rhetoric around later abortion care. Its a useful number that correctly reflects just how rare abortion care later in pregnancy is, but it fails to mount a value-based defense of those procedures.

The idea that this is so rare, and that its only a certain percent of the abortions that are happening, thats all well and good. But when its you and your pregnancy, its 100%, Horvath told HuffPost.

The politically manufactured shame around later abortion care runs so deep that many Democrats believe it too.

As a New Yorker, Erika Christensen certainly considered herself pro-choice when she got pregnant for the first time in 2016. She had no idea at the time that her home state had an abortion restriction that only protected care until 24 weeks. At 30 weeks pregnant, she was given a fatal fetal diagnosis and had to travel to Colorado to get an abortion in one of the few states that allowed all-trimester care.

Christensen recalled her immediate panic, thinking: I have really good insurance, but it doesnt matter if Im going out of state. I have access to really good information and health care, but it doesnt matter if I cant have it in my state. Christensen and her husband were able to get money from her mom, who took thousands of dollars out of her 401K so they could pay for the costly procedure. Christensen was able to take time off of work, get last-minute plane tickets, book a rental car and hotel. By the time Christensen and her husband were able to access an abortion in Colorado, she was 32 weeks pregnant.

Even under the best of circumstances, with a lot of privilege and resources, getting an abortion in the third trimester when Roe was still intact was extremely difficult. The whole time were asking ourselves, What would we have done if any of these pieces were not in place? What if we couldnt have accessed that money quickly? What if we didnt have IDs that allowed us to get on a plane? What if we didnt read and speak English? recalled Christensen, who along with her husband founded the abortion strategy and advocacy group Patient Forward.

In 2020, 9% of people who accessed abortions had to travel out of their home state to receive care, according to The Guttmacher Institute. Three years later, after the Dobbs decision that repealed Roe, that number has doubled with around 20% of patients seeking care across state lines. (That number does not account for the increase in medication abortion by mail, a common access point for pregnant people in the first trimester post-Roe.)

Horvath and Morgan Nuzzo, a certified nurse midwife, opened Partners in Abortion Care shortly after the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022. The two met working at a Planned Parenthood clinic, but didnt become close until Nuzzo was pregnant with her first child, and Horvath offered some hand-me-down baby clothes from her kids.

Partners in Abortion Care in College Park, Maryland, is one of a small handful in the country that offer all-trimester abortion care. During the first year the clinic was opened, they saw patients from 40 different states and three countries.

Their clinic sees about 10 to 15 patients a week  nearly all of whom are getting abortions after 20 weeks. The clinic caps the number of patients they see weekly because later care takes more time. Unlike early care, which can often be done using abortion pills, abortions in the second and third trimester are more complex. An abortion between 20 and 26 weeks is typically a two-day procedure, and past 26 weeks is a three-day procedure.

Think about what that would feel like to need a later abortion ... its the people you know  its people who also give birth, the people who also have miscarriages, the people who also need IVF. Its all the same people.Dr. Diane Horvath, OB-GYN and abortion provider

About 10%, or around one to two patients a week, are minors. Nuzzo, who is also the executive director at the clinic, recalled a recent week where every patient was under 18. There was literally a fight between a 12, 13, 14 and 15-year-old in the recovery room, like, I want a Capri Sun if shes going to have a Capri Sun! Nuzzo laughed. That tells you also where these folks are emotionally.

Late discovery of a pregnancy is common for young people in part because they dont know much about their bodies yet, or they may not have a regular cycle or know what pregnancy symptoms feel like. The clock starts for them a lot later, Horvath said.

The majority of young people bring a trusted adult  often a parent, aunt or sibling  when they come to the clinic. Nuzzo recalled going through the intake process with a 12-year-old at a previous clinic she worked for in Washington, D.C.

I consented a 12-year-old, and I was very concerned about a 12-year-olds ability to consent. The concern is always their ability to say the thing that they want and to understand the complexity of consenting to a medical procedure, she said. She just looked at me and said, Im 12  I dont want to have a baby. People know whats best for them, even young people.

The procedure, as well as travel and lodging costs, makes later abortion care incredibly expensive. Horvath and Nuzzo told HuffPost the cost of the procedure at various clinics can range from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the patients medical history, how far along they are, and what insurance they have, if any.

The cost of travel and lodging and child care and food is right up there with what it costs to get an abortion [later in pregnancy], Meghan Daniel, director of services at Chicago Abortion Fund, told HuffPost. When we talk about abortion being accessible, we have to be talking about these other wraparound support costs.

Partners In Abortion Care has a staff of 22 people, including a team of patient advocates and schedulers whose only job is to help patients figure out the often complicated financial and logistical hurdles of later care. They work with 40 abortion funds across the country to help subsidize the costs for patients, but as abortion funds dry up, Horvath and Nuzzo said they have discounted the procedure up to 40% because they try not to turn patients away.

Nobody thinks theyre ever going to need a later abortion and so its very easy to distance yourself, but then it happens to all of the people we see  all of those people didnt think they were going to need to come see us and here they are, Horvath said.

I would love for us to operate with empathy, for people to pause and think about what that would feel like to need a later abortion, she added. Because its the people you know  its people who also give birth, the people who also have miscarriages, the people who also need IVF. Its all the same people.

Related...
This article was originally published in EducationNC.

Federal child care relief funding runs out in less than seven weeks. Hundreds of providers, parents, and advocates showed up at the North Carolina legislature Thursday to call for emergency funding to replace it.

Without intervention, about 20% of the states child care facilities are at risk of closing within a year afterward, a survey of providers in February found.

Advocates are asking for a one-time $300 million allocation to extend grants that providers have been receiving through federal funding since 2021 and that end on June 30. Child Care for North Carolina: United for Change, a coalition of organizations, child care program owners and administrators, and educators across the state, hosted the event.

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Thats just enough to keep our doors open at the end of June, until we can figure out a better plan, said Emma Biggs, director of Pathway Preschool Center in Charlotte and a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA).

The funding is running out across the country, and facilities are struggling to survive the post-pandemic realities of providing child care. Some states have stepped in to create public funding streams or extend stabilization funding. In states that have not, care has become more expensive and less accessible.

In North Carolina, almost 30% of providers responding to the same survey in February said they expect to close at some point after that funding ends, which the survey estimates will affect more than 90,000 children. Almost 90% of respondents said they expect to increase tuition.

We want spaces for children, Courtney Alexander, a child care fellow with NDWA and a provider in Charlotte, told the crowd on Thursday. We want spaces for families. We want a fair living wage. Behind every statistic about program closures and cutbacks are real stories of care workers forced to choose between a career they love and their financial stability.

A mass exodus

Laterria Lassiter, a former owner of a home-based child care program in Charlotte, is one of those workers who felt she had to leave the industry.

I dont want anyone to have to go through what I had to go through when I closed, Lassiter said.

She said she shut her doors because she could not make the finances work. During the first year of operating her program, she said, she expected to lose some money. I saw it as a start-up, she said. Any business, youre going to have a loss and a small profit for the first year, but it continued like that. It never changed.

Most child care providers are operating on less than a 1% profit margin, according to economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. They are stuck between reducing costs and raising fees with the knowledge that teachers wont stay for less and families cant afford more.

I could see that the parents were struggling themselves, and I just didnt know how to make that balance, with making them pay, when everybody was going through a crisis, Lassiter said.

Most programs used the federal stabilization grants to increase teacher compensation so they could keep their staff. The median child care teacher wage was $13.99 an hour in May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the grants run out, providers are left with a gap in their budgets.

If we go back on pay, we know were gonna have a mass exodus of educators, Biggs said.

If we dont have child care, then we cant work

Many of the signs and speeches at the rally referenced the economic impacts of child care.

We the people are asking for a sustainable infrastructure, the backbone of the economy, said Marilyn Bernabe, director of strategic initiatives at Rockingham County Partnership for Children. The infrastructure in place is not working. The government should step up and do everything they can to save this industry because it is a cornerstone in this countrys economy.

Luke Stockhausen, a parent who came to the rally from Durham, said he and his wife started looking for a child care slot during the first trimester of his wifes pregnancy.

It didnt make sense for my wife and I to not work, and it was a struggle, Stockhausen said. If we dont have good child care, youre gonna lose a percentage of the workforce.

He showed up to support the teachers of the program his son attends, Branches Community School in Durham, he said.

Were here to support the teachers, he said. Were here to support making sure that good child care is accessible to everyone. We think that it should be a priority for society overall to take care for our young ones.

Mary Ryan, another parent from Durham, described a similar experience finding child care, adding her son to multiple waitlists and feeling lucky to access care as her maternity leave ended.

If we dont have child care, then we cant work, Ryan said.

She took off work to attend the rally with the staff of Kates Korner, where her son is now enrolled.

Its only one day, Ryan said. Whats going to happen if there isnt consistent child care? What will that mean for my ability to keep my job? My husbands ability to keep his job? Its important for me to be here.

I dont feel seen

Advocates asked for the same amount, $300 million, during last years legislative session, without success.

Instead, legislators allocated recurring funds ($32 million in the first year of the biennium and $43 million in the second) to raise the rates child care programs receive to participate in the subsidy program.

Legislators also gave $900,000 for each year of a two-year pilot in 14 counties called Tri-Share, a program that splits the cost of child care between participating employers, eligible employees, and the state.

At the rally Thursday, advocates asked for immediate action.

Dont waste a dozen years like you did with Medicaid expansion, said Steve Luking, a physician from Rockingham County who is also running for the state Senate seat in District 26, currently occupied by Senate leader Phil Berger. Our families cannot wait that long. Our child care workers need improved wages. Our families need more affordable services. And our owners and operators need the financial support of the state to survive this crisis. Its all a matter of priorities.

Lassiter, the provider from Charlotte who had to close her program, has moved on to an advocacy role at MDC, a nonprofit research firm in Durham. She is coordinating advocacy among providers from across the state.

She feels lucky, she said, to have found another way to support her seven children. But she still wishes she could be providing care.

It was never my desire to close, she said. I still get emotional about it.

She said she showed up Thursday with a hope that others can stay in the field. She remembers when a licensing consultant told her all of the information about her facility will be taken down from the states database, she said.

When I look, theres no record of me ever being there, she said. I dont feel seen.

This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Princess Kate Middleton of Wales has been undergoing cancer treatment for about 5 months now, so she hasn't been in public. However, that may change soon. As soon as the Duchess's doctors allow her to go out, her subjects will be able to see Prince William's wife again.

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A spokesman for Kensington Palace assured the concerned public of this. According to the BBC, the princess already knows what will be her top priority in her work.

"The princess is not expected to return to work until her medical team allows it," the palace spokesman said.

The activities of the royal family are mostly focused on charitable initiatives. This will not change after the princess recovers. She is currently privately studying a report by the Royal Foundation's Early Childhood Center, which encourages businesses to invest in the development of children in the UK.

"Early childhood will continue to be a central point of her social activities," the reporters were told.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, in January, the princess underwent abdominal surgery, after which doctors discovered that she had cancer. For several months, Kate Middleton recovered from the news and began treatment.

During this time, disturbing rumors about her condition spread online, so the princess decided to reveal all her cards and speak honestly about her fight against the disease. She was warmly supported all over the world.

Royal expert Mark Roche has shared his speculation about Kate Middleton's exact diagnosis. He believes that the Duchess has colon cancer.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Flanked by members of the Tuscarora Nation, Rep. Goodwin (R-Chowan) spoke Tuesday at a Legislative Building press conference. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow)

Members of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina held a press conference Tuesday morning at the North Carolina General Assembly to urge lawmakers to support House Bill 970. The bill would grant state recognition to the Tuscarora Nation.

Representatives of the group say they have faced mistreatment in their pursuit of state recognition, accusing the state Commission of Indian Affairs and its allies of engaging in intertribal prejudice against the Tuscarora people.

We have been maligned and outright bullied by intertribal prejudice from the Commission of Indian Affairs and its allies, said Cecil Hunt who has served as chief of the Tuscarora Nation for the past 50 years

The tribe has long sought formal recognition from the state, arguing it is essential to preserve its culture and traditions. State recognition would make the Tuscarora Nation eligible for federal recognition, which would qualify them for federal programs and services designated for indigenous communities.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Edward C. Goodwin (R-Chowan), also includes a provision for representation on the state Commission of Indian Affairs.

Rep. Goodwin said he has heard stories about the Tuscarora community from his Cherokee family members growing up. He has since vowed to fight for the groups recognition.

Every year I have tried to get a recognition bill passed for the Tuscarora, every year I have been shut down, Goodwin said holding back tears.

I cant believe at this time in our history were taking a people group  Native American people group here before all the rest of us were here  and were treating them the way were treating them. Its not right.

Hunt said he has been fighting for tribal recognition throughout his life and hopes to see it achieved during his lifetime.

My grandfather always told me, Son, your people are Tuscarora, the 81-year-old chief said. So how can I be anything other than that? It has been an honor to fight for my people, which I have spent all my life doing. I want to see my peoples status restored in my lifetime.

Donnie Rahnawakew McDowell, public relations officer for the Tuscarora, cited treaties, state laws and federal census records as confirmation of the longstanding relationship between the Tuscarora people and the state government.

By neglecting this relationship, the state has avoided its responsibility to the Tuscarora people. McDowell said that by acknowledging this relationship, North Carolina can take the first step of honoring their responsibilities to the Tuscarora Nation.

Other speakers say recognition would allow them to access important resources for their community, including healthcare, family services, education, and economic development opportunities.

We are simply asking for equality and to be reaffirmed by the state as a distinct indigenous tribe, said Eudora Locklear. For generations, we have endured the systematic exclusion of our Tuscarora people from these programs. Thus, we are not  eligible for scholarships or enjoy adorning our high school seniors with feathers to wear graduations, or even apply for help with housing, jobs utilities, many of which are grant funded programs.

Goodwin attributed the lack of traction for the bill over the years to politics. He vowed to keep fighting for its passage every year.

The post North Carolina House bill would grant recognition to the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina appeared first on NC Newsline.
North Little Rock felon gets 15-plus years for firearm possession in Little Rock federal court

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A North Little Rock man will spend years in federal prison after sentencing in Little Rock on Tuesday.

Kamron Leemonte Mathis received a prison sentence of 188 months followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm last October. Officials said the 27-year-old multi-time-convicted felon was facing a potential term of 15 years to life and a fine of $250,000 after making his plea.

Police arrest 15 in drug trafficking investigation in northeast Arkansas

According to officials, Mathis was stopped by North Little Rock police in June 2022 for driving a car with an expired registration. He was on parole at the time and had a search waiver on file, which allowed officers to search the car.

Officials said when officers searched the car they found a 9mm firearm under the drivers seat. Investigators also found two magazines and 24 rounds of ammunition during the search.

Little Rock woman reacts to arrest made in connection with loved ones 2023 death

The U.S. Attorneys office for the Eastern District of Arkansas said in a statement that Mathis was classified as an armed career criminal with a documented violent criminal history. The statement continued that his previous convictions, including felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, aggravated assault and first-degree battery were factors in the Tuesday sentencing decision.

Arkansas police chief facing felony kidnapping charges

The federal system does not have a parole program.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Residents in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood are concerned that graffiti in the area is adding to growing crime.

The first thing you see is a bunch of writing on the wall and it doesnt look good, Northwest Valley Resident, Rafael Munoz-Vega said.

Residents tell 8 News Now its an eyesore when entering the Whitney Heights community of Centennial Hills.

Its getting worse. We also had the two kids shot here and there has been lots of graffiti in the neighborhood for quite a while, resident Andy Nelson said. Ive caught some people that were putting graffiti marks on the sidewalk area too.

Nelson is a longtime homeowner, not pleased with how it makes the community look.

If someones looking to purchase a home, what do you think theyre going to think when they first see that, he shared.

Fellow homeowner Darius Taylor wants it removed immediately. A job he said their HOA should have handled weeks ago.

Its hard to look at it, Taylor said. I dont understand; What are we paying the HOA for, if theyre not gonna clean it 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 KLAS.
Northwestern University President Michael Schill is scheduled to testify Thursday morning at a congressional hearing titled Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Chaos, as the elite Big Ten school and others across the country face mounting accusations of fostering climates that are hostile or discriminatory to Jews.

Schill  who describes himself as a proud Jew raised with an enduring love for Israel  is slated to appear before lawmakers alongside the leaders of Rutgers University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

A similar congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses in December spurred the resignations of several leaders of Ivy League schools, amid fierce backlash to their testimonies.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest recently called for Schills resignation or removal by the university board of trustees, arguing in a statement that Jewish students at Northwestern have been harassed and intimated by blatant antisemitism on campus, which has worsened since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel killed roughly 1,200 and plunged the Middle East into an ongoing war.

Northwestern officials said in a statement Tuesday that the schools foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of our students.

We are confident in the actions we have taken to address antisemitism on our campus, the statement said, adding that President Schill looks forward to discussing them with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

The Republican chairwoman of that committee, however, has already expressed a hard-line stance when it comes to university officials, campus protesters and allegations of antisemitism.

The Committee has a clear message for mealy-mouthed, spineless college leaders: Congress will not tolerate your dereliction of your duty to your Jewish students, said Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina in a statement. No stone must go unturned while buildings are being defaced, campus greens are being captured, or graduations are being ruined. College is not a park for playacting juveniles or a battleground for radical activists. Everyone affiliated with these universities will receive a healthy dose of reality: actions have consequences.

The hearing comes as colleges around the nation are rocked by a movement of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and protest encampments, including one established at Northwestern last month.

Protesters erected tents on Deering Meadow, a popular green space on the Evanston campus, to protest the Israel-Hamas war and demand the university divest itself of financial assets linked to Israel.

Similar protests at other universities have devolved into the arrest of student demonstrators or the dismantling of encampments by police; some have erupted in violence. Other colleges and universities have also canceled graduation ceremonies or other large campus events citing the encampments, including an end-of-the-year festival that was scrapped at DePaul University last week.

Northwestern University officials, however, were able to negotiate an agreement with protesters  believed to be the first of its kind in the nation  that allowed demonstrations to continue while barring temporary structures and tents, except for one with aid supplies. The deal prevented protesters with no ties to the university from demonstrating; among other agreements, university officials in turn pledged to provide students more information about the schools investments, as well as establish a house for Muslim and Middle Eastern students to eat, socialize and pray.

Schill said he hoped the resolution could be an example for other universities.

The tents are down, removing a source of antisemitic intimidation to many of our Jewish students, Schill said in a Tribune opinion piece. We have largely removed outside, more radical influences from the peaceful demonstrations taking place on Deering Meadow. And we stand ready to commence disciplinary proceedings against anyone who breaks our rules or engages in antisemitic or anti-Muslim behavior.

Several faculty members praised Schill and lauded the agreement with pro-Palestinian protesters as historic.

Some university presidents who testified recently before the House committee were forced to step down. We call on (Northwesterns) trustees to resist outside pressures and condemn the House committees misrepresentations of our campus, the faculty members said in a letter published earlier this week in The Daily Northwestern, the universitys student newspaper. We stand in support of the deliberative process that led to this historic agreement, and we hope the trustees will do the same.

Yet others have decried Schill and accused the university of allowing a climate of antisemitism and discrimination to take hold. Several Jewish Northwestern students recently filed a lawsuit alleging the school permitted pro-Palestinian demonstrations there to become increasingly hostile to Jews.

A few weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Schill established an advisory committee on preventing antisemitism and hate. But seven members of the committee recently resigned to protest the universitys agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Jewish students dont need data, scholarship or research to know that antisemitism is a problem at every American university. Our experiences define that reality, Lily Cohen, a Jewish Northwestern student who resigned from the committee, said in a Tribune opinion piece. When antisemitism committees refuse Jewish members the permission and platform to define their own identities and the hate they face, when committee members cannot even agree on what antisemitism is and when Jewish members are spoken over and shut down in discussions of their own experiences, what is the point of having the discussions at all?

The U.S. Department of Education earlier this year launched an investigation into accusations of antisemitism at Northwestern, along with similar complaints made against many other colleges and universities nationwide.

A Northwestern alumni group in December launched a six-figure digital and TV ad campaign to expose what it called Northwestern Universitys refusal to protect Jewish students, according to a statement by the group.

Roughly 1,200 Jewish undergraduates  about 14% of the student body  and 1,000 Jewish graduate students attend Northwestern, according to Hillel International, a Jewish campus organization.

The Middle East has become a recent flashpoint in higher education: Locally and across the country, many colleges and universities have grappled with accusations of antisemitism amid the war, which has killed more than 35,000 in Gaza, according to United Nations officials.

The Anti-Defamation League tracked about 300 antisemitic incidents nationwide in the roughly two-week period following the Hamas attack, a 388% rise over the same time frame in 2022. An ADL report in November showed that nearly three-quarters of Jewish college students said they had witnessed or experienced some form of antisemitism since the start of the academic year.

An Israeli American student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago filed a lawsuit early this year alleging that she experienced a pattern of antisemitic discrimination and harassment there, included a professor modifying an assignment for the purpose of harassing and deliberately targeting her, according to the complaint.

SAIC in a statement said the school strongly condemns antisemitism and any discrimination based on religion, nationality, or any other aspect of a persons identity.

Arab Americans and Muslims have also endured a spike in Islamophobia and anti-Arab rhetoric, harassment and violence since the war began. A report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations released in April tracked more than 8,000 complaints in 2023  including cases of alleged hate crimes, harassment and education discrimination  a 56% increase from the previous year and the highest number recorded in the organizations 30-year history.

The primary force behind this wave of heightened Islamophobia was the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine in October 2023, the report said. Employers, universities, and schools were among the central actors suppressing free speech by those who sought to vocally oppose Israels genocidal onslaught on Gaza and call attention to Palestinian human rights.

Many higher education institutions have struggled to balance protecting free speech on campus while preventing harassment and discrimination.

Police last week cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment from the DePaul University quad, the last one of its kind on a Chicago-area college campus. Demonstrator demands included that DePaul divest from companies that advance Palestinian suffering and profit off of the occupation, have no Zionists determining where our tuition is going, and remove individuals with ties to Israel from (the) board of trustees, according to a social media post.

DePaul officials said they received more than 1,000 complaints of discrimination and harassment over the course of the encampment, including a death threat, as well as an estimated $180,000 in vandalism of buildings and structures.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest said the encampment created an unsafe environment for Jewish students, and supported its demise.

A pro-Palestinian encampment was taken down by police at the University of Chicago earlier this month. Students and alumni there also occupied the universitys Institute of Politics Friday to condemn the war and urge the university to divest itself of financial assets connected to Israel, but the protesters were quickly removed by university police.

The House recently passed legislation that would create a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to use in enforcing anti-discrimination laws, prompted by a student protest movement in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war. The measure would widen the legal definition of antisemitism include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.

Opponents fear this language would censor political speech on college campuses.

Addressing rising antisemitism is critically important, but sacrificing Americans free speech rights is not the way to solve that problem, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement condemning the measure. This bill would throw the full weight of the federal government behind an effort to stifle criticism of Israel and risks politicizing the enforcement of federal civil rights statutes precisely when their robust protections are most needed.

Responses to the war and its fallout on college campuses have cost some university officials their jobs.

Under pressure from donors and alumni, the president of the University of Pennsylvania stepped down amid criticism over her testimony at a December congressional hearing on antisemitism, where she would not say that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate school conduct rules. The chairman of the schools board of trustees also resigned.

The president of Harvard University stepped down as well following her testimony at the same hearing, though she had also faced plagiarism accusations.

Free speech stands at the core of the liberal arts education, (an education) which almost every member of Congress benefited from when they were students, said Pamela Nadell, an American University professor of Jewish history, during the December hearing. But free speech does not permit harassment, discrimination, bias, threats or violence in any form. And when they occur, our institutions  and not just the campus but our nation  they have in place mechanisms to respond.

eleventis@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  Northwestern University President Michael Schill is scheduled to testify Thursday morning at a congressional hearing titled Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Choas, as the elite Big Ten school and others across the country face mounting accusations of fostering climates that are hostile or discriminatory to Jews.

Schill  who describes himself as a proud Jew raised with an enduring love for Israel  is slated to appear before lawmakers alongside the leaders of Rutgers University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

A similar congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses in December spurred the resignations of several leaders of Ivy League schools, amid fierce backlash to their testimonies.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest recently called for Schills resignation or removal by the university board of trustees, arguing in a statement that Jewish students at Northwestern have been harassed and intimated by blatant antisemitism on campus, which has worsened since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel killed roughly 1,200 and plunged the Middle East into an ongoing war.

Northwestern officials said in a statement Tuesday that the schools foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of our students.

We are confident in the actions we have taken to address antisemitism on our campus, the statement said, adding that President Schill looks forward to discussing them with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

The Republican chairwoman of that committee, however, has already expressed a hard-line stance when it comes to university officials, campus protesters and allegations of antisemitism.

The Committee has a clear message for mealy-mouthed, spineless college leaders: Congress will not tolerate your dereliction of your duty to your Jewish students, said Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina in a statement. No stone must go unturned while buildings are being defaced, campus greens are being captured, or graduations are being ruined. College is not a park for playacting juveniles or a battleground for radical activists. Everyone affiliated with these universities will receive a healthy dose of reality: actions have consequences.

The hearing comes as colleges around the nation are rocked by a movement of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and protest encampments, including one established at Northwestern last month.

Protesters erected tents on Deering Meadow, a popular green space on the Evanston campus, to protest the Israel-Hamas war and demand the university divest itself of financial assets linked to Israel.

Similar protests at other universities have devolved into the arrest of student demonstrators or the dismantling of encampments by police; some have erupted in violence. Other colleges and universities have also canceled graduation ceremonies or other large campus events citing the encampments, including an end-of-the-year festival that was scrapped at DePaul University last week.

Northwestern University officials, however, were able to negotiate an agreement with protesters  believed to be the first of its kind in the nation  that allowed demonstrations to continue while barring temporary structures and tents, except for one with aid supplies. The deal prevented protesters with no ties to the university from demonstrating; among other agreements, university officials in turn pledged to provide students more information about the schools investments, as well as establish a house for Muslim and Middle Eastern students to eat, socialize and pray.

Schill said he hoped the resolution could be an example for other universities.

The tents are down, removing a source of antisemitic intimidation to many of our Jewish students, Schill said in a Tribune opinion piece. We have largely removed outside, more radical influences from the peaceful demonstrations taking place on Deering Meadow. And we stand ready to commence disciplinary proceedings against anyone who breaks our rules or engages in antisemitic or anti-Muslim behavior.

Several faculty members praised Schill and lauded the agreement with pro-Palestinian protesters as historic.

Some university presidents who testified recently before the House committee were forced to step down. We call on (Northwesterns) trustees to resist outside pressures and condemn the House committees misrepresentations of our campus, the faculty members said in a letter published earlier this week in The Daily Northwestern, the universitys student newspaper. We stand in support of the deliberative process that led to this historic agreement, and we hope the trustees will do the same.

Yet others have decried Schill and accused the university of allowing a climate of antisemitism and discrimination to take hold. Several Jewish Northwestern students recently filed a lawsuit alleging the school permitted pro-Palestinian demonstrations there to become increasingly hostile to Jews.

A few weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Schill established an advisory committee on preventing antisemitism and hate. But seven members of the committee recently resigned to protest the universitys agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Jewish students dont need data, scholarship or research to know that antisemitism is a problem at every American university. Our experiences define that reality, Lily Cohen, a Jewish Northwestern student who resigned from the committee, said in a Tribune opinion piece. When antisemitism committees refuse Jewish members the permission and platform to define their own identities and the hate they face, when committee members cannot even agree on what antisemitism is and when Jewish members are spoken over and shut down in discussions of their own experiences, what is the point of having the discussions at all?

The U.S. Department of Education earlier this year launched an investigation into accusations of antisemitism at Northwestern, along with similar complaints made against many other colleges and universities nationwide.

A Northwestern alumni group in December launched a six-figure digital and TV ad campaign to expose what it called Northwestern Universitys refusal to protect Jewish students, according to a statement by the group.

Roughly 1,200 Jewish undergraduates  about 14% of the student body  and 1,000 Jewish graduate students attend Northwestern, according to Hillel International, a Jewish campus organization.

The Middle East has become a recent flashpoint in higher education: Locally and across the country, many colleges and universities have grappled with accusations of antisemitism amid the war, which has killed more than 35,000 in Gaza, according to United Nations officials.

The Anti-Defamation League tracked about 300 antisemitic incidents nationwide in the roughly two-week period following the Hamas attack, a 388% rise over the same time frame in 2022. An ADL report in November showed that nearly three-quarters of Jewish college students said they had witnessed or experienced some form of antisemitism since the start of the academic year.

An Israeli American student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago filed a lawsuit early this year alleging that she experienced a pattern of antisemitic discrimination and harassment there, included a professor modifying an assignment for the purpose of harassing and deliberately targeting her, according to the complaint.

SAIC in a statement said the school strongly condemns antisemitism and any discrimination based on religion, nationality, or any other aspect of a persons identity.

Arab Americans and Muslims have also endured a spike in Islamophobia and anti-Arab rhetoric, harassment and violence since the war began. A report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations released in April tracked more than 8,000 complaints in 2023  including cases of alleged hate crimes, harassment and education discrimination  a 56% increase from the previous year and the highest number recorded in the organizations 30-year history.

The primary force behind this wave of heightened Islamophobia was the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine in October 2023, the report said. Employers, universities, and schools were among the central actors suppressing free speech by those who sought to vocally oppose Israels genocidal onslaught on Gaza and call attention to Palestinian human rights.

Many higher education institutions have struggled to balance protecting free speech on campus while preventing harassment and discrimination.

Police last week cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment from the DePaul University quad, the last one of its kind on a Chicago-area college campus. Demonstrator demands included that DePaul divest from companies that advance Palestinian suffering and profit off of the occupation, have no Zionists determining where our tuition is going, and remove individuals with ties to Israel from (the) board of trustees, according to a social media post.

DePaul officials said they received more than 1,000 complaints of discrimination and harassment over the course of the encampment, including a death threat, as well as an estimated $180,000 in vandalism of buildings and structures.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest said the encampment created an unsafe environment for Jewish students, and supported its demise.

A pro-Palestinian encampment was taken down by police at the University of Chicago earlier this month. Students and alumni there also occupied the universitys Institute of Politics Friday to condemn the war and urge the university to divest itself of financial assets connected to Israel, but the protesters were quickly removed by university police.

The House recently passed legislation that would create a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to use in enforcing anti-discrimination laws, prompted by a student protest movement in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war. The measure would widen the legal definition of antisemitism include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.

Opponents fear this language would censor political speech on college campuses.

Addressing rising antisemitism is critically important, but sacrificing Americans free speech rights is not the way to solve that problem, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement condemning the measure. This bill would throw the full weight of the federal government behind an effort to stifle criticism of Israel and risks politicizing the enforcement of federal civil rights statutes precisely when their robust protections are most needed.

Responses to the war and its fallout on college campuses have cost some university officials their jobs.

Under pressure from donors and alumni, the president of the University of Pennsylvania stepped down amid criticism over her testimony at a December congressional hearing on antisemitism, where she would not say that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate school conduct rules. The chairman of the schools board of trustees also resigned.

The president of Harvard University stepped down as well following her testimony at the same hearing, though she had also faced plagiarism accusations.

Free speech stands at the core of the liberal arts education, (an education) which almost every member of Congress benefited from when they were students, said Pamela Nadell, an American University professor of Jewish history, during the December hearing. But free speech does not permit harassment, discrimination, bias, threats or violence in any form. And when they occur, our institutions  and not just the campus but our nation  they have in place mechanisms to respond.

_____
The historic but largely symbolic move comes amid growing international outrage over reports of mounting civilian deaths in Gaza.

Smoke billows after an explosion from an airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel Tuesday. (Leo Correa/AP)

This is a breaking news explainer from Yahoo News.

 What just happened?

Norway, Ireland and Spain will soon recognize Palestine as a state, their leaders said Wednesday, in a move that angered Israel amid growing international outrage over the mounting civilian deaths in Gaza from Israel's war against Hamas. According to Gazas health ministry, more than 35,000 people have been killed since the war began, though that figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

 The background

People search the rubble following an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Gaza on May 19. (Ismael Abu Dayyah/AP)

Of the 193 United Nations member countries, 140, or more than two-thirds, already recognize a Palestinian state  but none of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States) do.

The U.S. and U.K. have previously backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state but say it should come as part of a negotiated settlement with Israel.

 What was Israels response?

Israel immediately recalled its ambassadors to the three countries  and accused the European nations of rewarding Hamas for its Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. Approximately 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage that day, according to Israeli officials.

History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to Hamas murderers and rapists, Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday.

 What did Norway, Ireland and Spain say?

Palestinian supporters attend a demonstration against Israeli attacks on Gaza in Pamplona, Spain, on May 18. (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

In their announcement, the leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain insisted that their recognition of a Palestinian state had nothing to do with Hamas.

This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.

Recognizing the state of Palestine sends a message that theres a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said at a press conference in Dublin. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

 What else happened this week?

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said that he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes over Israels ongoing bombardment of Gaza. The International Court of Justice said this week it was considering allegations of genocide against Israel.

President Biden blasted the ICC for the move. We reject the ICC's application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, Biden said Monday. Whatever these warrants may imply, there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

Contrary to allegations against Israel, he added, what's happening is not genocide.

 What happens next?

Norway, Ireland and Spain will formally recognize Palestine as a state on May 28. But Israel  which has controlled the territories of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip since seizing them in the 1967 Mideast war  has not agreed to a two-state solution.

Still, the recognition marks a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israels isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas, the Associated Press said.

And it will likely put pressure on other countries to recognize a Palestinian state. Irish Prime Minister Harris predicted that other countries might join in the weeks ahead.
(L-R) Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa

The leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain say their countries will recognize Palestinian statehood, despite staunch opposition by Israel.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez simultaneously announced the move on Wednesday morning in their respective capitals.

"The Palestinians have a fundamental, independent right to their own state. Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace in separate states. There can be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution," a Norwegian government statement said.

In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said such moves undermine Israel sovereignty and endanger the country's security.

In Europe, Sweden had already recognized Palestine as a state 10 years ago.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on his way to a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies to discuss the last European Council, the situation in the Middle East and the complaint against his wife, Begona Gomez, for her professional activities. Eduardo Parra/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store holds a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store holds a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa

Norway, Spain and Ireland will recognize an independent Palestinian state, their leaders said in near simultaneous announcements on Wednesday, defying staunch opposition from Israel.

"This is an historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine," said Irish prime minister Simon Harris in a speech to the nation.

It was "never the wrong time to do the right thing," he said, comparing the Palestinian struggle for independence to Ireland's pursuit of independence some 100 years ago.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in Oslo he hoped other countries would join in the initiative, believing it will advance the prospects for peace after more than seven months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

"In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Stre said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the parliament in Madrid that it was clear to him Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "isn't pursuing a project of peace for Palestine."

Netanyahu was punishing Palestinian civilians "with hunger and terror," he said.

"Fighting against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate after what happened, but it is causing so much pain, so much destruction and resentment in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, that the two state solution is in danger, in serious danger of being viable."

"As the states defending the human rights and the rule-based international order we are obliged to act, in Ukraine and Palestine, without double standards," he continued.

Spain has long been one of the harshest critics in Europe of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. The left-wing government suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. It also recently decided to deny all cargo ships loaded with weapons for Israel entry to Spanish harbours in future.

Israel for its part recalled its ambassadors for Norway and Ireland.

"I have instructed the immediate recall of Israels ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, shortly before the announcement by Spain.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," he posted on X.

"There will be further severe consequences."

A top official with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) called it an "historic" moment for the "free world."

"We thank the countries of the world that have recognized and will recognize the independent State of Palestine. We affirm that this is the path to stability, security and peace in the region," Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the PLO's executive committee, posted on X.

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the actions of Ireland, Norway and Spain and urged other countries "to assume their responsibility and recognise the right of the Palestinians."

The majority of the member states of the United Nations recognize Palestine as a state. But there are major exceptions, including the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

Germany is in favour of the long-sought two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. But it has said the establishment of a Palestinian state can only be the result of direct negotiations between the two sides.

Ireland and Spain are members of the European Union, but Norway is not. Among EU countries, Sweden recognized Palestine as a state a decade ago.

The decision by the three countries to recognize Palestine will take effect on May 28.

Momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood has grown in several European countries as the war that began on October 7 with the Hamas attack on Israel, which left some 1,200 people dead and another 250 others taken hostage, drags on.

Critics and allies of Israel have shown increasing frustration as the war continues to claim lives in Gaza amid mass displacement in the territory and worsening humanitarian conditions.

The Hamas-run health authority says more than 35,500 people have been killed so far.

Hamas said an "important step" had been taken on Wednesday toward an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Irish prime minister Simon Harris (L) and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies. Spain has announced the recognition of Palestine as a state. Eduardo Parra/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies. Spain has announced the recognition of Palestine as a state. Eduardo Parra/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Norway, Spain and Ireland will recognize an independent Palestinian state, their leaders said in near simultaneous announcements on Wednesday, defying staunch opposition from Israel.

"This is an historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine," said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in a speech to the nation.

It was "never the wrong time to do the right thing," he said, comparing the Palestinian struggle for independence to Ireland's pursuit of independence some 100 years ago.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in Oslo he hoped other countries would join in the initiative, believing it will advance the prospects for peace after more than seven months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

"In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Stre said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the parliament in Madrid that it was clear to him Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "isn't pursuing a project of peace for Palestine."

Netanyahu was punishing Palestinian civilians "with hunger and terror," he said.

"Fighting against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate after what happened, but it is causing so much pain, so much destruction and resentment in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, that the two state solution is in danger, in serious danger of being viable."

"As the states defending the human rights and the rule-based international order we are obliged to act, in Ukraine and Palestine, without double standards," he continued.

Spain has long been one of the harshest critics in Europe of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. The left-wing government suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. It also recently decided to deny all cargo ships loaded with weapons for Israel entry to Spanish harbours in future.

Israel for its part recalled its ambassadors from the three countries.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X. "There will be further severe consequences."

A top official with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which unilaterally declared a Palestinian state in 1988, called it an "historic" moment for the "free world."

"We thank the countries of the world that have recognized and will recognize the independent State of Palestine. We affirm that this is the path to stability, security and peace in the region," Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the PLO's executive committee, posted on X.

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the actions of Ireland, Norway and Spain and urged other countries "to assume their responsibility and recognize the right of the Palestinians."

The majority of the member states of the United Nations recognize Palestine as a state. But there are major exceptions, including the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

France's foreign minister reiterated the country's position on Wednesday.

Germany is in favour of the long-sought two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. But it has said the establishment of a Palestinian state can only be the result of direct negotiations between the two sides.

Ireland and Spain are members of the European Union, but Norway is not. Among EU countries, Sweden recognized Palestine as a state a decade ago.

The decision by the three countries to recognize Palestine will take effect on May 28.

Momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood has grown in several European countries as the war that began on October 7 with the Hamas attack on Israel, which left some 1,200 people dead and another 250 others taken hostage, drags on.

Critics and allies of Israel have shown increasing frustration as the war continues to claim lives in Gaza amid mass displacement in the territory and worsening humanitarian conditions.

The Hamas-run health authority says more than 35,500 people have been killed so far.

Hamas said an "important step" had been taken on Wednesday toward an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. However, Hamas categorically rejects a two-state solution and, according to its doctrine, is committed to destroying Israel.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store holds a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa

Irish prime minister Simon Harris speaks to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session, at the Congress of Deputies. Spain has announced the recognition of Palestine as a state. Eduardo Parra/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Norway, Spain and Ireland will recognize an independent Palestinian state, their leaders said in near simultaneous announcements on Wednesday, defying staunch opposition from Israel.

"This is an historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine," Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said in a speech to the nation.

It was "never the wrong time to do the right thing," he said, comparing the Palestinian struggle for independence to Ireland's pursuit of independence over 100 years ago.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in Oslo he hoped other countries would join in the initiative, believing it will advance the prospects for peace after more than seven months of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the parliament in Madrid that it was clear to him Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "isn't pursuing a project of peace for Palestine."

Netanyahu was punishing Palestinian civilians "with hunger and terror," he said.

Spain has long been one of the harshest critics in Europe of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. The left-wing government suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. It also recently decided to deny all cargo ships loaded with weapons for Israel entry to Spanish harbours in future.

Netanyahu denounces move as rewarding terrorism

"The intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism," Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Eighty per cent of the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] support the terrible massacre of October 7," he asserted. "This evil cannot be given a state."

"This would be a terrorist state. It will try to repeat the massacre of October 7 again and again; we will not consent to this," the Israeli prime minister asserted.

"Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas," Netanyahu added.

A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisages an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel. Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution, as does Hamas.

Critics have repeatedly accused Netanyahu of having tolerated or even encouraged the rise of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As a rival to the more moderate Fatah of President Mahmoud Abbas, it has served to divide the Palestinian people in order to prevent a Palestinian state.

Many right-wing Israelis consider a Palestinian state to be an intolerable security risk for Israel.

Others react

"We believe the only way that you are going to achieve a two state solution that delivers for both Israelis and Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the parties," US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in Washington on Wednesday. The Biden administration has been working on this for a long time, he added.

In response to a question, Sullivan said that he could not see how the unilateral recognition of Palestine would contribute to any real progress towards a peace process or ceasefire.

"I take note of todays announcement," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

"Within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, I will relentlessly work with all Member States to promote a common EU position based on a 2-state solution," he added.

Israel recalled its ambassadors from the three countries in reaction.

Palestinians welcome the move

A top official with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which unilaterally declared a Palestinian state in 1988, called it an "historic" moment for the "free world."

"We thank the countries of the world that have recognized and will recognize the independent State of Palestine. We affirm that this is the path to stability, security and peace in the region," Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the PLO's executive committee, posted on X.

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also welcomed the move.

Current recognition and support for the 'two-state solution'

The majority of the member states of the United Nations recognize Palestine as a state. But there are major exceptions, including the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday called for concrete steps towards a political solution to the Middle East conflict instead of symbolic politics.

An independent Palestinian state is a firm goal of German and European foreign policy, said Baerbock. "If a simple recognition now, at this moment, would bring peace, then I don't think anyone or any politician in the world would hesitate."

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said recognition should not be purely symbolic, but must contribute to a solution to the conflict. "Recognition now would not lead anywhere."

Ireland and Spain are members of the European Union, but Norway is not. Among EU countries, Sweden recognized Palestine as a state a decade ago.

The decision by the three countries to recognize Palestine is due to take effect on May 28.

Background to the conflict

Momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood has grown in several European countries as the war that began on October 7 with the Hamas attack on Israel, which left some 1,200 people dead and another 250 others taken hostage, drags on.

Critics and allies of Israel have shown increasing frustration as the war continues to claim lives in Gaza amid mass displacement in the territory and worsening humanitarian conditions.

The Hamas-run health authority says more than 35,500 people have been killed so far.

Hamas said an "important step" had been taken on Wednesday toward an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. However, Hamas categorically rejects a two-state solution and, according to its doctrine, is committed to destroying Israel.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store holds a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa

Irish prime minister Simon Harris speaks to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, as the Republic of Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. Damien Storan/PA Wire/dpa
Laman Ismayilova

The Latvian Embassy in Azerbaijan and the National History Museum have presented a multimedia exhibition, "Julius Straume-150: Patterns in different cultures" in Baku, dedicated to the Latvian cultural heritage, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was organised as part of the official visit of the Chairman of the Latvian Parliament, Daiga Mierina.

The Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the National History Museum, Doctor of Historical Sciences Farhad Jabbarov, who addressed the event, spoke about relations between Latvia and Azerbaijan.

"We are pleased with the cultural, political, and economic relations between the two countries that have been developing recently. It is very important that our museum is hosting such an important exhibition today. Julius Straume left behind a great legacy. We are glad that this heritage contains a trace of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan," Farhad Jabbarov said.

In her speech, Chairman of the Latvian Parliament Daiga Mierina noted that cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Latvia are closer than it seems. She said that Latvian artists came to this country and lived here. The holding of this exhibition is an indicator of the closeness of cultural ties between our countries.

"I had the opportunity to visit the Garabagh region, and this trip made a great impression on me. I hope that Shusha, the pearl of your history, will be revived as soon as possible," Daiga Mierina said.

Researcher Fuad Akhundov spoke about the rich creativity of Yuli Straume. He emphasised that this famous artist, who laid the foundations of professional applied art and design in Latvia, created a great cultural bridge.

Julius Straume showed great interest in the art of weaving and the study of weaving traditions during his scientific expeditions to the mountain villages of the Caucasus.

From 1907 to 1923, Julius Straume worked for the Caucasian Crafts Committee in Tbilisi. During scientific expeditions, he paid attention to textile graphics, the study of weaving traditions, and the preservation of local cultural heritage.

Today, the Georgian State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts houses more than 500 objects created by Julius Straume, who is considered the founder of this museum and the first Georgian designer.

In 1908-1911, Straume worked as a drawing teacher at the Real School in Shusha, Azerbaijan. After Straume returned to Latvia, he became one of the founders of Latvian professional textile art. Carpets, furniture, souvenirs, and dishes were made according to his sketches.

The leading organiser of the exhibition is the Latvian Embassy. The exhibition is held in partnership with the Latvian National Art Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Gulbene Regional History and Art Museum, the Druviena Old School Museum, the Latvian State Archives of Latvia, Radosa apvien? "Piekt? M?ja", professor at the Institute of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Kubra Aliyeva, and researcher and lecturer Fuad Akhundov.

The design and artistic design of the multimedia exhibition belong to the Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan, Sabina Shikhlinskaya.
Prince Harry and his father King Charles III never met in early May when they were both in London on business. It turned out that it was the son who refused to meet with the monarch, and not vice versa, as royal experts had suggested.

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King Charles III invited Prince Harry, who now lives in the United States rather than Britain, to stay at the royal residence during his visit, but he declined the offer due to "security concerns." This was reported by The Telegraph.

The prince did not like the fact that no one guaranteed him personal security so as not to remain "in the public eye". Therefore, he decided that it would be safer to stay in a hotel for three days during the Invictus Games, for which he visited the UK for the first time in several months.

Since that trip, Prince Harry has been required to notify the Metropolitan Police of his arrival in the UK 28 days in advance if he wishes to be provided with security. It turned out that each request considered on an individual basis by a committee that oversees the protection of royals and public figures.

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Earlier, royal experts suggested that the reason why King Charles III and his son, who has cancer, never met was due to their busy work schedules.

"In response to numerous questions and speculation about whether the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, we would like to inform you that unfortunately this is not possible due to His Majesty's busy schedule. The Duke, of course, understands that his father has his own commitments and other priorities and hopes to see him in the near future," the insider said.

Subsequently, another reason for the lack of a meeting was Charles III's responsibility to other family members, which Prince Harry spoke of unoptimistically in his memoir Spare. This allegedly could have upset the balance between the royals.

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"If he had met and said, 'Okay, all is forgiven, Harry,' then it could destroy the balance or the dynamic with other family members. I'm sure the king is very careful about those who attack the family. Hugging him, even if he loves him, will upset everyone else," expert Robert Jobson said.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stre has said at a special press conference that his country recognises the Palestinian state and the recognition will come into force on 28 May.

Source: European Pravda with reference to NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation)

Details It is reported that 75 years after Norway recognised Israel as a state, Norway has become the 144th UN country to also recognise Palestine.

Stre justifies this by saying that a Palestinian state is absolutely necessary to establish peace in the Middle East.

"By recognising Palestine, we can more strongly encourage other countries to support the building of a Palestinian state, and we can hold the Palestinian state accountable," Jonas Gahr Stre says.

Background:

Earlier, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that Spain, Ireland and some other member states of the European Union plan to recognize the Palestinian state on 21 May.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU, also showed its readiness to recognise the Palestinian state.

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Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28, PM says

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store holds a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa

Norway will formally recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said on Wednesday, in a move staunchly opposed by Israel.

The Nordic country's announcement comes amid a broader push within several European countries, such as Ireland, to recognize Palestine as a state, believing it will advance the prospects for peace in the region.

The government in Israel rejects any unilateral attempts to impose a Palestinian state.

"Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said this week.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (L) and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store hold a press conference to announce that the government will recognize Palestine as an independent state from 28 May 2024. Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/dpa
A view of the Colorado Capitol on May 4, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Seven sitting Colorado lawmakers are facing primary challenges this year as they work to retain their seats, leaving them with little break time between the end of the most recent legislative session and the thick of campaign season.

That includes two of the most progressive representatives, who face more moderate opponents and two Republican senators going against candidates who embrace more MAGA-style politics.

State legislative primaries will take place on June 25. Voters can check or update their registration online at the secretary of states website. Voters can find what House and Senate district they live in, as well as their current representatives, at the Legislatures website.

The next financial reporting deadline for candidates is June 3.

Incumbents defend seats

In House District 4, centered on northwest Denver, incumbent Rep. Tim Hernandez faces former federal immigration judge Cecelia Espenoza in the Democratic primary. Hernandez was appointed to his current term by a vacancy committee last summer, when he won against Espenoza.

Hernandez is backed by more than two dozen current lawmakers and a handful of organizations including the Denver chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the Colorado Working Families Party, New Era Colorado, YIMBY Denver and the Colorado Education Association.

During his first legislative session, Hernandez ran successful legislation to create a Chicano special license plate. He also sponsored a bill to ban the purchase of so-called assault weapons in Colorado, which passed the House for the first time in state history but died in the Senate.

To date in this campaign cycle, he has raised over $84,000 and spent close to $36,000. In the most recent financial reporting period, from May 2 until May 15, Hernandez raised close to $18,000. That included big donations from the political arms of the Aurora Council for Teachers and Students, the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.

Espenoza has raised a little under $84,000 and spent over $55,000. Nearly $14,000 of that spending was for direct mail to voters in the district, according to campaign finance filings. She raised just over $2,000 and spent about $18,000 in the most recent reporting period. She has received financial support from the Apartment Association of Metro Denver and the Colorado Medical Society.

Another of the closely watched Democratic primary races this year will be between freshman Rep. Elisabeth Epps and attorney Sean Camacho in the Denver-based House District 6.

Epps began the most recent legislative session with a reprimand from the House speaker for her actions during a special session last fall, when she joined pro-Palestinian activists in the chamber gallery. This year, she ran successful bills related to criminal justice and harm reduction. Two bills she sponsored  the assault weapons ban and one to let cities allow overdose prevention centers  passed the House and died in the Senate.

Camacho, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2022, has out-raised and out-spent Epps by a considerable margin. Epps has raised about $35,000 and spent a bit over $9,000, while Camacho has brought in over $125,000 and spent over $84,000.

Camacho has received financial support from the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, the Colorado Medical Society, Associated General Contractors of Colorado and the business group Colorado Concern. He spent $8,000 to collect signatures for his ballot petition, according to campaign filings.

Epps has received money from Colorado WINS, the union for state employees. She reported spending just over $500 to consultants for petition and canvassing work.

Republican Sen. Larry Liston is facing two primary opponents in Senate District 10 in Colorado Springs: Rex Tonkins, the husband of the El Paso County GOP chairwoman, and business owner David Stiver.

Liston accused Tonkins last year of harassment at a party meeting, but a jury acquitted Tonkins. The state Republican Party then censured Liston over the incident.

Liston has raised over $90,000 this election cycle and spent over $72,000. He gathered signatures to get on the primary ballot, while Tonkins and Stiver made it onto the ballot through the party assembly process. He has about $72,000 in cash on hand.

Tonkins and Stiver, however, have barely fundraised. Tonkins has brought in a bit over $3,000 and Stiver has brought in just $520, yet has taken out almost $18,000 in loans for his campaign. Stiver has spent over $13,000, including close to $4,000 on direct mail materials and $400 on flower seeds.

Here is the financial state of the other primaries with incumbents:

Democratic Rep. Junie Joseph will face Tina Meuh in House District 10 in Boulder. Joseph has raised nearly $99,000, which includes money from the Colorado AFL-CIO union, and spent over $93,000. Meuh has raised about $54,000 and spent a little over $23,000.

Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield will face former educator Jan Koester and businessman Bill Garlington in House District 21 in Colorado Springs. Koester and Garlington show very little raising and spending. Bradfield reported spending about $31,000 so far, including $13,000 in petition signature gathering efforts. She has also reported about $18,000 in contributions, including over $16,000 rolled over from a previous campaign.

Rep. Julia Marvin has a challenger in Jacqueline Jacque Phillips in Adams Countys House District 31 Democratic primary. Marvin defeated Phillips in a vacancy committee election for the seat earlier this year. Marvin has raised close to $8,000 and spent about $3,000. Phillips has raised a little over $17,000, including about $4,500 from herself, and spent about $10,000. She has received donations from the Denver Pipefitters Local 208 and the Thornton professional firefighters association.

Republican Rep. Barbara Kirkmeyer is going against construction projects manager Natalie Abshier in Senate District 23 along the Interstate 25 corridor north of Denver. Kirkmeyer, who sits on the powerful Joint Budget Committee, is one of the most influential Republicans at the Capitol and sponsored numerous successful bipartisan bills this year, including a consequential property tax relief bill. Kirkmeyer has a huge cash advantage over Abshier with about $89,000 raised so far and about $25,000 spent. Abshier, meanwhile, has raised about $400 and spent a little over $3,000, relying on loans.

Ballots wait to be counted at the Adams County Government Center in Brighton, Nov. 7, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

The open primaries

As state senators and representatives term out, there are also about two dozen open seats this year with no incumbent.

The most costly House primary race so far has been between Lakewood City Councilwoman Rebekah Stewart and health care activist Kyra deGruy Kennedy, who are vying in the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, Kyras husband, in Lakewoods House District 30.

DeGruy Kennedy has the backing of close to 30 current state lawmakers, the Colorado Working Families Party and Colorado WINS. She has raised over $86,000 and spent close to $53,000.

Stewart has raised over $116,000 and spent about $42,000. She has received money from the Colorado Medical Society, The Doctors Companys political action committee, and Architects of Colorado.

In the northwest Aurora-based House District 36, educator Bryan Lindstrom is competing in the Democratic primary against school board member Michael Carter to replace outgoing Democratic Rep. Mike Weissman.

Lindstrom has raised about $76,000 and spent about $61,000 and has received money from Colorado WINS, Colorado AFL-CIO and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. He has endorsements from Democratic state lawmakers including Rep. Javier Mabrey, Rep. Lorena Garcia and Sen. Lisa Cutter.

Carter, meanwhile, has raised about $56,000 and spent about $54,000. He has endorsements from U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Judy Amabile and Rep. Shannon Bird, all Democrats, among others.

There are also four state representatives looking to switch over to the Senate who face primary challengers:

Rep. Judy Amabile is competing against education consultant Jovita Schiffer in Boulders Senate District 18 Democratic primary to replace outgoing Senate President Steve Fenberg. Amabile has raised a staggering $182,000 compared to Schiffers $26,000.

Rep. Lindsey Daugherty faces Westminster City Councilman Obi Ezeadi in Senate District 19 s Democratic primary to replace Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada. Daugherty has raised about $129,000 compared to Ezeadis $134,000. Ezeadi has endorsements from many progressive lawmakers, while Daugherty has the backing of House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Fenberg and Gov. Jared Polis, among others.

State Rep. Mike Weissman will face attorney Idris Keith in Democratic Senate District 28 primary to replace Sen. Rhonda Fields of Aurora. Weissman has raised about $78,000 and Keith has raised about $59,000. Weissman is endorsed by Attorney General Phil Weiser, Treasurer Dave Young, AFL-CIO Colorado, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund and the reproductive rights group Cobalt, among others. Keith does not list endorsements on his campaign website.

Republican Rep. Lisa Frizell is facing Timothy Wesley Arvidson, a self-described America first candidate, in Douglas Countys Senate District 2 Republican primary to replace Sen. Jim Smallwood. Frizell has raised about $28,000 and taken on $10,000 in loans while Arvidson has raised just under $5,000.

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Nursery nurse who killed baby by strapping face to bean bag jailed for 14 years

Genevieve Meehan, known as 'Gigi', suffocated to death at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme - Greater Manchester Police

A nursery nurse who killed a baby by strapping her face down to a bean bag has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Kate Roughley was said to have an illogical and disturbing hostility towards nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan, whom she left to die.

Genevieve, known as Gigi, suffocated to death at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, on May 9 2022.

Roughley had previously told the baby to stop whingeing and strapped her to the bean bag as punishment for not sleeping for long enough.

At Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, Roughley was sentenced after a jury previously found her guilty of manslaughter, following a four-week trial.

Kate Roughley has been sentenced to 14 years - GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

There were gasps from the public gallery when the 14-year sentence was read out. Roughley, who had sat with her head down for most of the hearing, did not react.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen told Rougley that Genevieves death was absolutely avoidable.

Jurors were in tears at the start of the trial as they watched nursery CCTV footage of the baby room, which captured the tragedy unfolding as Genevieve was left virtually immobilised for around 90 minutes.

Mrs Ellenbogen said: As the harrowing CCTV audio and video footage showed, that day you left Genevieve in that position, only carrying the most cursory and infrequent of checks.

I am certain that every person in this courtroom who watched that footage was willing you to pick her up and remove her from the danger you had placed her, knowing of course that you didnt.

Kate Roughley as she was questioned by Greater Manchester Police - GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

Genevieve, the daughter of John Meehan, a barrister, and Katie Wheeler, a solicitor, died from asphyxiation brought on by a combination of patho-physiological stresses created by a very unsafe sleeping environment.

At Wednesdays hearing, a statement by Genevieves big sister, aged six, was read out. She said: Every day I get punched with sadness. What this lady did was terrible.

Her name will live on

Genevieves father told the 37-year-old nursery nurse that she had shown no remorse and was a child killer.

He said: For you, there will be no redemption and no legacy. You will never be anything but a child killer  but Genevieves name will live on.

Katie Wheeler, Genevieves mother, said in her victim impact statement that she feels dead inside and incapable of living following the death of her daughter.

She said: My love for Genevieve started from the moment we found out I was pregnant. It was a privilege to carry her in my womb. I am haunted that nine months later she was dying in an ambulance.

Det Insp Charlotte Whalley, the senior investigating officer said: This has been a truly harrowing and disturbing investigation.

She added: The impact of Roughleys abhorrent crime is immense and far reaching. Genevieves life was robbed, and others must now live with the painful consequences of Roughleys actions.

Roughley, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, joined Tiny Toes straight from college at the age of 18 and said she gained most of her knowledge of working with babies and young children from her colleagues.

She said the ratio of staff to children at the nursery gradually worsened.

In April and May 2022, the staff-to-children ratio was at various times one to nine, two to 11, two to 13 and one to 16, the court heard.

A separate health and safety investigation is continuing into the now-closed Tiny Toes, formerly owned by Franck Pelle, 59, and his wife, Karen, 66.

Rebecca Gregory, 25, a second Tiny Toes nursery worker, is due in court in August after she was charged with four counts of child neglect, which are not related to Genevieve.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Days after San Francisco nurses overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike, they were able to reach a tentative agreement with the City of San Francisco that would prevent any strike from taking place, the Service Employees International Union said Monday.

The union says the agreement will improve issues such as safe staffing, retention and recruitment, and reductions in contracting out. It will also bridge the wage gap between nurses in the public health department and private institutions.

Rents in this East Bay city are dropping, according to data

Another benefit of the deal is helping per-diem nurses with the San Francisco Department of Public Health land full-time jobs. Forty-seven new registered nurse positions will be added as part of the deal.

We have been desperate for resources to improve patient care and nurses working conditions for years  long before we went to the bargaining table in February, said SEIU 1021 San Francisco Community Registered Nurses Chapter President Jennifer Esteen. While its unfortunate that it took a landslide strike vote to get SFDPH management to take our issues seriously, we are pleased that we were finally able to reach an agreement that will make major strides in addressing our priorities of safe staffing, competitive wages for retention and recruitment, and reducing wasteful contracting out.

The nurses current contract is set to expire on June 30. More than 99% of nurses voted in favor of a potential strike if a new deal could not be reached.

The current agreement still has to be ratified by a majority of the union. The union said last week that a strike would be a last resort.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NYC ex-con whose past murder conviction was tossed by DA now charged in fatal shootout less than two years later

A Brooklyn ex-con whose murder conviction was tossed out by prosecutors is back behind bars  this time charged in a shooting that left a 19-year-old man dead just nine months after he was released from prison.

Shamel Capers, 25 was found guilty in 2016 in the shooting death of 15-year-old Daja Robinson with a stray bullet while she rode a Q6 bus in Jamaica after a Sweet 16 birthday party.

Now, after serving just eight years of a 15-year-to-life prison sentence for murder, Capers is facing new charges in a Queens shootout last year that left another teenager dead in a hail of bullets.

The district attorney was too quick to overturn the previous charge, one Queens cop told The Post Tuesday. Hopefully, she will work a little harder on the latest arrest.

Another source quipped that Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz shouldve been indicted as well because she has blood on her hands.

Capers was arraigned on attempted murder and gun charges Monday in the July 23 gunfight that killed Joshua Taylor, 19.

The convicted killer had been safely behind bars until the Queens District Attorneys Office moved to free him in November 2022 after a witness was caught admitting he lied about the case in a phone call to his mother.

The ex-con was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for his role in the senseless slaying. CBS News

Police said more than two dozen 9 mm shells were recovered from the scene, and the ex-con was tied to the shooting through surveillance footage. Seth Gottfried

Prosecutors said a co-defendant, Kevin Clinton, was the lone shooter.

In a statement at the time, Katz called the earlier conviction a miscarriage of justice that needed to be corrected.

Dajas mother didnt agree.

Im numb, a devastated Shadia Sands told WPIX-TV News then. I cant believe that that is happening.

Capers was just 16 when he was arrested in Dajas murder on May 18, 2013, and charged with the homicide and reckless endangerment.

Prosecutors said Capers took a shot at the bus where the teen victim was riding, but Clinton then took the gun and continued to fire  hitting Daja.

Capers, who served just eight years in prison before his release, is now charged with playing a role in the July shootout that left Taylor dead with a gunshot wound to the chest while sitting in the drivers seat of a car on Metropolitan Avenue, authorities and sources said.

On Tuesday, the office defended the decision to throw out Capers felony conviction nearly two years ago in DAjas death.

In the case of DAja Robinsons murder, an exhaustive investigation and newly discovered evidence led us to conclude that Shamel Capers had been wrongfully convicted, Katz said in a separate statement.

The court agreed and the conviction was vacated, she said. The defendant responsible for Robinsons murder is in prison serving a sentence od of 25 years to life.

Capers is now back behind bars as well, this time on an attempted murder charge stemming from an early morning gun battle.

The casket containing DAja Robinson is carried out of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral by friends and family after funeral services conclude for the young girl who was shot in the head while on a MTA city bus. Matthew McDermott

Taylor was shot dead around 3:25 a.m. on Metropolitan Avenue near St. Johns Cemetery, with Capers and two other men no charged in the senseless shooting.

Alleged gunman Dante Hunter, 25, was arraigned Tuesday on murder and other charges. Damone Miller, 21, was charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, police said.

Prosecutors said the fatal encounter started with a beef between two groups that was sparked by a friend of Taylors hurling a drink towards Capers and his pal.

The dispute escalated until guns were drawn and a four-way shootout broke out, the DAs office said.

Police said more than two dozen 9 mm shells were recovered from the scene, and Capers was tied to the shooting through surveillance footage.

The convicted felon was picked up in New Jersey on Thursday and extradited to the Big Apple to face a new round of charges.

Following a painstaking process of evidence gathering, we have secured an indictment on very serious charges against both defendants for the early morning shootout that left one person dead, Katz said in a statement Tuesday.

We will continue to dedicate all resources at our disposal to combating the scourge of gun violence in this borough, she said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the city Law Department said the official paperwork to overturn Capers murder conviction was only filed in February of this year, months after Taylors shooting death.
FILE - Police arrest a pro-Palestinian protester near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the Met Gala takes place, May 6, 2024, in New York. Some civil liberties attorneys are questioning New York City Mayor Eric Adams' commitment to overhauling how police respond to protests in the wake of the NYPDs aggressive response to a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday, May 18, where officers were filmed pummeling a man on the ground and holding another protester by the throat. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  When New York City resolved a lawsuit brought by Black Lives Matter demonstrators last year by agreeing to overhaul how police respond to protests, Mayor Eric Adams praised the suite of reforms as sensible steps to move our city forward.

But some civil rights lawyers are now questioning the mayor's commitment to the deal in the wake of the New York Police Departments aggressive response to a pro-Palestinian demonstration Saturday. Police arrested more than 40 people at the event and were filmed pummeling protesters and ordering them to leave the street.

At a press briefing Tuesday, Adams said officers had acted accordingly in response to protesters who had spit at them, blocked traffic, lit flares and, in the case of one marcher, climbed atop a city bus with a Palestinian flag.

The lawsuit settlement will require police to accommodate most street demonstrations, while creating a tiered system of responses that prioritize de-escalation. A city lawyer stressed that the city is still in the process of developing new training and procedures around the agreement, and it is therefore complying.

But Adams also argued that the protesters actions on Saturday negated the tiered approach, which is intended to ensure that police don't use isolated incidents of lawbreaking to crack down on otherwise peaceful protests.

You dont have a right to disobey the rules. You were told to do it on the sidewalk. You were told to do it in a peaceful way, said Adams, a Democrat and former police captain, adding that when you cross over that line, theres no tier to that.

Jennvine Wong, a supervising attorney at the Legal Aid Society, which is a party to the federal lawsuit, said the mayors comments raised serious concern about his commitment to meeting the citys obligations under the settlement.

Its one thing to be working on the policy and not having finalized them yet, but its another for the leadership of this administration to act so cavalier and dismissive about the ways this police department is ignoring the reality thats coming down the line, she added. Theyre going to have to comply with every aspect of this settlement.

The settlement, which does not have a deadline for implementation, stems from a lawsuit filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James that found a pattern of civil rights violations committed by police against protesters who took to the streets in New York in May 2020 following George Floyds death.

Under the new tiered system, the department must deploy fewer officers to most protests and refrain from sending heavily armored units that sparred frequently with protesters in the past. Moving to a high threshold requires authorization from a high-ranking commander and evidence of looming violence.

In an emailed statement, a mayoral spokesperson, Kayla Mamelak, said the city remained committed to honoring the obligations of the settlement."

Our efforts to date follow the exact structure outlined in the settlement, and any suggestion otherwise is simply untrue, she added.

As fierce protests against Israel have broken out across the city in recent months, demonstrations have often been met immediately by officers in riot gear and threats of arrest if attendees do not disburse from the street.

Even before the beginning of Saturday's demonstration in Brooklyn, a large group of officers with batons, zip ties and shields were stationed at several points along the protest route, along with correctional buses used for mass-arrest processing, according to organizers of the event and legal monitors.

The Nakba Day event is held each year in Bay Ridge, a heavily Arab enclave of Brooklyn, to mark the forced expulsion of Palestinians following the establishment of Israel in 1948. It typically draws a small police presence from the local precinct, attendees said.

This felt like a show of force, an intimidation tactic, said Nerdeen Kiswani, the co-founder of Within Our Lifetime, which organized the protest. We heard from community members all day that they had all these units spread out in the community.

Shortly after Saturdays event began, Kiswani said, officers threatened arrests for those congregating in the street or using amplified sound. When one supportive community member played chants from a speaker in his apartment window, an officer scaled the buildings fire escape to tell him to stop, video of the incident shows.

In his comments on Tuesday, Adams suggested that many of those in the protests had come from beyond the neighborhood or the city, invoking his oft-repeated claim that outsiders who dont like our country are working to radicalize our children. An NYPD highlight-reel style video after the protest criticized the clothing of the protesters and the flyers they allegedly circulated online.

The settlement strengthens an NYPD rule requiring that officers maintain content and viewpoint neutrality when responding to protests. But until it is formally implemented, protesters would continue to find themselves in a gray zone, said Wylie Stecklow, an attorney who represented protesters in the 2020 case.

Our settlement agreement is trying to put guardrails out there to ensure constitutionally compliant policing, Stecklow added. And those guardrails are not yet in place.
Former President Obama celebrated President Bidens 200th judicial nominee being confirmed to the federal bench Wednesday.

@POTUS just confirmed his 200th judge  not an easy accomplishment with a narrow majority in the Senate. And more than half are women and people of color, Obama said in a post on the social platform X.

Judges have the power to roll back progress or keep us moving forward; to protect our basic liberties or take them away, Bidens former boss continued. Its another reminder of whats at stake in this election, and why its so important to vote.

Magistrate Judge Angela Martinez was confirmed by the Senate to become a federal judge in Arizona on Wednesday, marking the 200th confirmed since Biden took office.

The president also celebrated the milestone in a statement Wednesday.

Judges matter. These men and women have the power to uphold basic rights or to roll them back, he said. They hear cases that decide whether women have the freedom to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions; whether Americans have the freedom to cast their ballots; whether workers have the freedom to unionize and make a living wage for their families; and whether children have the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.

The makeup of Bidens confirmed judges is diverse, with 64 percent of them being women and 62 percent being people of color.

And despite differences in background and experience, they are all committed to principles that are at the core of our democracy: independence, freedom, and liberty, Biden 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 The Hill.
'Oh thank you, God': Texas lawmakers halting Melissa Lucio's execution was the right call

Imagine spending 16 years on death row for a crime a judge now says you may not have committed. But, just two days before your execution date, you are told you're not going to be subject to the Texas death penalty.

At least not yet.

This happened to Melissa Lucio, mother of 14. If her capital punishment is carried out, Lucio will be the first Latina executed in Texas in the modern era of the death penalty.

Her story has all the makings of a terrifying television crime drama except that it's real, and it's not over yet.

There's a coerced confession, faulty forensics, suppressed evidence and a capital murder conviction followed by a set execution date. As time started to run out, friends, family and eventually lawmakers intervened, appealing to the state to grant Lucio clemency.

Last month, two years after her execution was stayed, Judge Arturo Nelson, who presided over Lucios original trial, recommended that the Court of Criminal Appeals overturn Lucios conviction and death sentence. She awaits a final ruling from the only panel that can overturn a criminal conviction in Texas.

Incredibly, Lucio's execution was stayed due in part to the lobbying efforts of Texas Rep. Jeff Leach, a pro-death penalty Republican. He joined bipartisan state lawmakers to save Lucio just before she was scheduled to be put to death. Her ordeal reveals flaws and prejudice in the criminal justice system and reignites debate over the death penalty in Texas.

I tend to be pro-death penalty as a strong deterrent for violent crime, but this is exactly the kind of case that people who are against the death penalty use to argue it can be flawed.

'I guess I did it.' A confession that should not have been.

Melissa Lucio spends time with her daughters Mariah and Adriana in this undated family photo.

Lucio's nightmare began just after Valentine's Day in 2007. On Feb. 15, Lucio's youngest child, 2-year-old Mariah, fell down a steep set of stairs outside their apartment in Harlingen, South Texas. Though Mariah had quite a tumble, Lucio did not seek medical help right away, a decision that would later prove to haunt the 16-year ordeal.

Two days later, Mariah did not wake up from a nap. She was rushed to the hospital but could not be revived.

The district attorney would later describe in a detailed statement that Mariah's body showed several signs of being "severely beaten," such as bruising, bite marks, a broken arm, a bruised spinal cord, and portions of her scalp missing hair.

Police investigators began to suspect Mariah died of child abuse, and Lucio was taken in for questioning just two hours after Mariah died.

I represent women wrongfully convicted: The Texas courts have spared Melissa Lucios life. Now she can prove her innocence.

Though she denied, more than 100 times, beating her daughter to death, after five hours, Lucio  pregnant with twins, tired and grieving  finally confessed: "I guess I did it."

Rather than interpret Lucio's statement as an exasperated admission of guilt that her failure to seek medical attention after Mariah's fall led to her death, prosecutors characterized her words as a murder confession.

The fact that Lucio had a history of drug abuse and investigations by child welfare agencies only exacerbated her fate and how investigators saw the overwhelmed, tired mom.

The trial where evidence was excluded

Relatives of Melissa Lucio rally in 2022 in Houston, asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop her execution.

During the trial, prosecutors focused on Lucio's confession and Mariah's bruised body. Though several of Lucio's children who were interviewed said their mother wasn't abusive and at least one child had witnessed Mariah falling down the stairs, corroborating Lucio's claim, prosecutors withheld this from the defense at the time.

A pathologist, Dr. Norma Jean Farley, testified that the childs autopsy indicated that she did not die from falling down stairs and that her injuries were consistent with a death from blunt force trauma.

At trial, the defense tried to present testimony of an expert psychologist about how conditions of the interrogation could lead to a false confession, but the court excluded that testimony.

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A documentary of Lucio's case relays that Mariah's autopsy showed signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation, a blood disorder that can cause extreme bruising.

In 2008, Lucio was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by the Cameron County court.

The circumstances surrounding Mariah's death, including Lucio's history and choice, made this mother all the more susceptible to scrutiny and assumptions of abuse. Lucio, a sexual abuse survivor, spent years living with her children in poverty, occasionally homeless and abusing drugs. Child Protective Services were in and out of Lucio's life and had removed the children at least once for neglect.

'Are you serious?' News of hope turns Lucio's case around.

Lucio's attorneys from the Innocence Project appealed her conviction multiple times to no avail. After the Texas Court of Appeals rejected Lucio's initial appeal, she appealed to a higher court. In 2019, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed that Lucio had been deprived of her constitutional right to defend herself adequately.

This decision was short-lived. In 2021, the same court, now a larger panel of judges, tossed that decision out, reinstating her conviction. The Supreme Court denied her petition for review.

Lucio's execution date was set for April 27, 2022.

That March 22, her attorneys filed her clemency application, which included a bevy of reports from experts disproving the prosecution's case. Four jurors and Lucio's children asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant clemency.

As the clock ticked, Lucio's case caught the attention of legislators and even celebrities. In a letter dated March 25, 2022, Leach, the Texas Republican, and other Republican and Democratic lawmakers appealed, requesting Lucio's execution date be stayed due to overwhelming evidence of her innocence.

At a Texas House hearing in April 2022, Texas Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, questions Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz for clemency in the death penalty against Melissa Lucio.

Bipartisan lawmakers also pressed Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz during a legislative hearing to intervene on Lucios behalf.

Two days before she was to be executed, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted Lucio's execution. In a three-page order, it granted Lucio a review of four issues: whether the state used false evidence to convict Lucio, whether the state withheld favorable evidence to Lucio's defense, whether new scientific evidence the jury didn't hear could have resulted in her acquittal and thus whether Lucio is actually innocent.

Rep. Leach called Lucio, still behind bars, to break the news that her execution had been stayed. Are you serious? she said. That is wonderful.  Oh thank you, God.

So partisan lawmakers can work together. Even in Texas.

Republicans in Texas are known for their strong center-right beliefs. Partisan politics is as common  and stifling  as the July heat. Leach and other lawmakers should be acknowledged for working hard to bring Lucio's case to light. This outcome is an example of just how lawmakers' continued pressure on a specific cause can truly make change.

I have long maintained that the system failed Melissa Lucio  and her daughter, Mariah  at every turn and that she should be given a new chance for justice  and a new chance for life, Leach said in a post on X last month.

Lucio's attorneys and DA Saenz released a rare joint statement saying that in 2023, the parties submitted a joint filing acknowledging that "Melissa's legal team did not have access to information favorable to her defense at the time of trial."

It's uncommon for both sides of a criminal case to agree about injustice.

Hate Texas? Get over it. Why so many people are moving to the Lone Star State.

Lucio is not free yet. Shes being held at a prison in Gatesville, but this is a step in the right direction.

For certain crimes, the death penalty seems fitting. In cases where there is any evidentiary doubt, it is not.

Lucio's story remains a tragic demonstration of just how careful lawmakers and the criminal justice system must be about convictions, to say nothing about the death penalty.

Without organizations like the Innocence Project and the dogged lobbying of Leach and other lawmakers, Lucio's story could have been even more tragic. It's hard to think of a more unjust scenario than serving time for a crime you didn't do, but to be executed for it on top of that seems unbearable to even consider.

This is also a cautionary tale of a whirlwind of factors that created a perfect storm of events that led to a near execution: racism, homelessness, abuse, poverty, police bias and more. Lucio appears to have been failed by so many people, in so many places.

For many, just the chance of executing one innocent person may be enough to advocate for ending the death penalty. While I believe Texas should still keep the death penalty in place, it should be exercised with extreme caution. This case is precisely why.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids.

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: Texas execution of Melissa Lucio was halted. Her case is haunting.
When historical centers start to get boring, tourists choose other routes. Interesting, youthful, and completely atypical. Today we offer a selection of locations where you can feel 10 years younger. If you want to be among the applicants and plunge into the atmosphere of fun, this is the place for you.

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Lyon, France

The city was founded in 43 BC. It was built as a Roman colony under the leadership of Julius Caesar's assistant. But after a while, it became the capital of Gaul. Two emperors were even born here: Claudius and Caracalla.

Lyon is located between Paris and Marseille at the meeting point of two rivers: Rhone and Saone. Four world-class universities have been built here. Therefore, the student atmosphere definitely prevails here. The local cuisine adds to the charm of the province. This is a real gastronomic center of France.

The city has preserved many monuments from different eras. We recommend visiting the Gallo-Roman amphitheater, which goes down five floors underground. During the reign of Emperor Tiberius, large-scale gladiatorial battles were held here. The building could accommodate more than 20 thousand spectators. Nearby is a museum that houses finds of ancient civilization and the ruins of the theater.

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Explore the traboules or the so-called secret entrances of Lyon. At first glance, these are ordinary residential buildings that are no different from others. But it's not that simple. In fact, these are covered passages that connect city buildings. These passages appeared in the Renaissance. They were used by traders to move between shops and workshops. Today, anyone can enter their walls. So don't miss this chance.

Do not miss the main shrine of the city: the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. The church is located on a high hill. There are two ways to get to it: by cable car and on foot up steep stairs. The decoration of the church is really impressive. There are marble walls, vintage frescoes, and a gilded dome depicting the Madonna. The prayer room is on two levels. You can go down to the crypt or go up to the observation deck to admire the beautiful panoramas.

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Munich, Germany

Among tourists, the Bavarian capital is known as a beer center. But it is actually one of the best student regions in the country. Two of the state's leading institutions operate here: the Ludwig Maximilian University and a technical university. Therefore, there is always an atmosphere of fun.

This is especially noticeable in September. This is when the academic semester begins and the annual Oktoberfest takes place. Whether it's a coincidence or not is anyone's guess.

If you are here, be sure to visit the Schloss Blutenburg. It was built on the orders of Albrecht III, who married his beloved despite his parents' prohibition. Unfortunately, the story has an unhappy ending. The duke's father did not accept his son's choice. So one day he lured him out for a conversation. During the young man's absence, the girl was grabbed by his subjects, tied up, and thrown into the river. Later, the young man forgave the head of the family. And in memory of his dead wife, he built a chapel on the estate.

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BMW fans are advised to visit the museum of this brand. Once upon a time, there was a factory where airplanes were assembled. After the First World War, the company retrained to produce cars. Retro models and many interesting documents have been preserved here.

As for pubs, we recommend the Hofbrauhaus beer restaurant. It was opened in the early 16th century. And since then, its doors have always been open to visitors. The bar is famous for its size. The largest hall can accommodate more than 4,000 guests. By the way, it has a very flexible pricing policy. Therefore, everyone can try different types of foamy drinks.

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Lausanne, Switzerland

In a small Swiss town, there is only one university with seven faculties. But this did not prevent it from becoming a real student center. About 12 thousand young people study here.

Lausanne is called the Olympic capital of the world. It is here that the headquarters of the committee, federations, and the arbitration court are located. The first settlement appeared here in the fifth century BC, so there are plenty of attractions. Moreover, it's hardly possible to get around them in a few days.

Go to the Polytechnic School. This is a modern art space for students to relax. There are various cafes, a food court, and a library. Japanese architects worked on the project, so the building has a cosmic look.

By the way, the CROCUS research nuclear reactor is located within the walls of the educational institution. Our fellow countrywoman Maryna Viazovska also teaches here. In December 2016, the woman was invited to the position of associate professor, and the following year she was promoted to professor and became the head of the EPFL Department of Number Theory.

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Don't miss the Olympic Museum. It features exhibitions dating back to ancient Greece. Visitors will be able to see the famous flame live, as well as to examine in detail historical posters, torches, clothes and equipment from different eras.

Finally, take a walk through the streets of Ouchy. This place used to be a fishing village. Then it was annexed to the city as a port. Later, the castle, built in the XII century, was converted into a hotel and gourmet restaurant. Today, the area is home to many new bars and cafes.

Travel through uncharted Europe. Visit atypical locations and add to your treasury of memories. Have a nice trip.

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Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper charged with sex crimes while on the job

VINITA, Okla.  An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper accused of sexual misconduct during a traffic stop is free on $50,000 bail.

Jackie Rhinehart, 52, of Miami, is a 25-year OHP veteran. He is charged in Craig County District Court with sexual battery and forcible sodomy, both felonies.

Rhinehart is currently on administrative leave, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol statement released on Wednesday.

Rhineharts actions are not in keeping with OHPs core values of honesty, loyalty, integrity, respect, self-discipline, and professionalism. As soon as we discovered the potential for criminal or unethical behavior, our agency took swift action. Rhineharts behavior is deplorable and has no place within the organization. The public puts great trust in law enforcement and we strive every day to be deserving of that trust. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton

The incident was uncovered by an OHP supervisor performing a routine check of dashcam video, according to a statement. The video centered around Rhinehart making a traffic stop while on duty.

The discovery of highly questionable behavior by Rhinehart led to a thorough investigation including contact with the alleged victim, the statement says.

What happened?

On March 7, Rhinehart initiated a traffic stop for speeding with a 2021 white Freightliner tractor-trailer on Interstate 44 around 1 a.m. at the Big Cabin eastbound on-ramp.

The driver, was a 58-year-old Hispanic female (HF) who told OHP investigators she felt as if she had to do everything Rhinehart said because he was an officer and had a gun.

Rhinehart is accused of making a non-verbal gesture to the driver that she Interpreted as the trooper wanting her to go into the sleeper cab of the semi, court documents show.

Rhineharts actions made the driver uneasy and she believed that he wanted a sexual encounter with her, the affidavit states.

The investigating officer reported a frustrated Rhinehart takes the womans drivers license and other information back to his patrol car where he prepares a warning notice.

The female driver told investigators she believed Rhinehart would attempt to enter the cab and she felt afraid for her safety. OHP says she contemplated calling 911, but was afraid of the possible consequences from the trooper.

The woman told investigators, she believed she was safer outside of the cab of the tractor-trailer so she moved to the passenger seat and when Rhinehart returned for the second interaction, the woman exited the cab.

Rhinehart begins to move his hips in a side-to-side action and rubs against the womans leg, the arrest warrant states.

In an unorthodox manner, Rhinehart explains the warning given to the woman.

This unorthodox manner is best described as Rhinehart telling for a second time that he has given her a warning, then an unreasonable time of silence, mixed with whispering between (HF) and Rhinehart. Affidavit For Arrest Warrant

Also during this interaction, the trooper points to his chest area several times. The woman interprets Rhineharts actions as for her to be careful with what she was saying because his body camera was recording. Rhinehart is heard whispering the word camera' twice, court records show.

Rhinehart turns off his dashboard camera and repositions his patrol vehicle immediately behind the vehicle outside of the cameras view. Rhinehart approaches the drivers side of the tractor-trailer and tells the driver to go to the passenger side, according to the arrest affidavit.

The woman told investigators Rhinehart kissed her and wanted her to perform a sex act on him. Court records say he made the woman perform oral sex on him.

An internal investigation is in its final stages, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol statement. He is expected to appear in Craig County Court today (5/22).

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Our nation is experiencing debt fatigue, allowing debt to increase more rapidly than the economy for far too long.

Total federal debt is now over 120% of the total size of the entire national economy, and the Congressional Budget Office projects that it will increase to at least 166% of the national economy by midcentury, and possibly much higher.

The federal debt is just the tip of the iceberg, current unfunded social insurance obligations are over double the size of federal debt. The accumulation of debt, liabilities, and unfunded obligations associated with federal social insurance programs exposes the country to an increasing risk of a major fiscal crisis. It also threatens the long-term viability of Social Security and Medicare.

As the trust funds associated with Social Security and Medicare become exhausted, future generations face the possibility of paying higher taxes and receiving less benefits.

In contrast, state and local governments have been more successful in maintaining sustainable debt levels. A good example is Oklahoma, which is one of the most fiscally responsible states in the nation. Oklahoma has stabilized debt at 8.9 percent of state income, well below the average for all states.

The explanation for the success of Oklahoma, as well as other states, is that citizens have imposed stringent fiscal rules on their state and local governments. Oklahoma now has some of the most effective fiscal rules in the nation, including balanced budget requirement, debt limit, tax and expenditure limit, rainy day fund, and gubernatorial veto authority.

Oklahoma is a conservative state, so it is not surprising that state and local governments pursue prudent fiscal policies. But over the years Oklahoma citizens have enacted stringent constitutional and statutory rules imposing more effective constraints on fiscal decisions. With this combination of fiscal rules Oklahoma state and most local governments have balanced their budgets and stabilized debt.

There are several lessons that the federal government can learn from the experience with fiscal rules in the states. Incorporating fiscal rules in the Constitution makes it more difficult for legislators to act in a fiscally irresponsible manner. If legislators fail to balance the budget and stabilize debt, they face the wrath of citizens who voted to incorporate the fiscal rules in their Constitution. Citizens also have recourse through the legal system to enforce the Constitutional fiscal rules.

Legislative leaders in Oklahoma have the power under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to address federal fiscal irresponsibility as well. Two thirds of the states, currently 34, can call a convention of states to propose fiscal restraints on the federal government. Any resulting fiscal responsibility amendment proposed by a convention must be submitted for ratification by three-quarters of the states, currently 38, preferably by a vote of the people as was the case with the 21st Amendment.

Oklahoma submitted a plenary application for an Article V amendment convention in 1908. In 1976 Oklahoma submitted the first in a series of applications for a fiscal responsibility amendment to the Constitution. Recent research discovered that more than the required number of states called for such a convention of states in 1979 and yet Congress failed to act.

Legislation introduced in Congress this year (H.C.R. 24) would require Congress to fulfill its obligation under Article V of the Constitution to certify and count state resolutions and call the convention. Organizations like the Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation are working with state legislators in an appeal to the Supreme Court for a declaratory judgement that would require Congress to record and count the applications and call the convention if the requisite number of applications has ever been met.

For too long Oklahoma and other states have allowed Congress to preempt their power to propose amendments to the Constitution. The states have met the two thirds requirement, and it is now up to Congress to set the time and place for such a convention. To do otherwise would reward bad Congressional behavior and moot the states equal rights to propose amendments to the Constitution as provided by Article V.

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The post Oklahoma leaders can help solve the federal debt crisis appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
One Bibb County school board seat up for grabs in May 2024 election. Heres who won.

Incumbent Kristin Hanlon prevailed against opponent Barbara Fike in the sole contested race for the Bibb County Board of Education, according to unofficial results from the Georgia secretary of state.

Hanlon won with about 68% of the vote, according to election results.

Hanlon, who will serve her second term on the board in the District 3 seat, said she is honored that voters of the district have shown their support and confidence by reelecting her.

I am excited to continue the work to move the district forward, driving improvements in academics, technology and infrastructure to improve student achievement and ensure every graduate from Bibb County public schools is prepared to choose their path, whether secondary education, enlistment in the armed services, productive employment or entrepreneurship, and to serve as a productive member of their community, Hanlon sent in an email to The Telegraph.

Hanlon, 60, is a certified public accountant who is currently a credit risk officer at Citizens Trust Bank in Macon. She started as a volunteer in the school district over 30 years ago. Hanlon said serving as a board member was a chance to take her volunteerism efforts and passion for great public schools to the next level.

For the next four years, Hanlon said her three priorities are to monitor student achievement, increase teachers salaries and ensure school programs are funded well enough to meet desired results. That will require decisions around cost-cutting, rezoning and right-sizing of schools, she added.

She said she will also work to address the local schools main issues, including student attendance, discipline and safety.

Companies look to relocate to communities with high-performing school districts, because their employees want to live in places which provide the best opportunities for their families, she said. Kids who receive a great education are prepared for the future, and will stay in the community and continue the cycle.

District 3 is located in South Bibb toward the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. The area houses Porter, Heard, Skyview and Southfield Elementary schools, as well as Rutland Middle and High schools, according to The Macon Newsroom.

What to know about Macon voting results the morning after Election Day
On the morning of 22 May, Russian troops opened fire on the centre of the city of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, leaving seven civilians injured.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "22 May, 08:00, Chuhuiv. As a result of an enemy strike, a kindergarten building was damaged."

Details: According to Syniehubov, as a result of the attack, a 21-year-old woman was injured.

He further stated that a house had been burned and agricultural buildings destroyed throughout the night as a result of Russian bombardment in the village of Druzheliubivka in the Izium district of Borova hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

Updated: Syniehubov later added that the number of injured had increased to five people. Four of them have been taken to medical facilities.

The injured are a man, 28, and women aged 22, 55, 65, 77.

Updated at 10:39: Syniehubov reported that the number of casualties in Chuhuiv had increased to seven. "A woman, 41, has been hospitalised. Another woman, 42, also sought help. Both are in moderate condition," the official added.

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One man dies, another taken to hospital after shooting at Wichita massage parlor

One man has died and another was rushed to the hospital after a shooting at a southeast Wichita massage parlor Wednesday afternoon, Wichita police patrol east Capt. Chad Beard said at the scene.

Police responded around 3:30 p.m. to the Beijing massage parlor in the 2700 block of Boulevard Plaza, near the intersection of Lincoln and George Washington Blvd.

Officers found a 44-year-old man and a 70-year-old man inside the parlor. The younger man died from multiple gunshot wounds; the other was taken to a hospital. He is undergoing surgery and is expected to survive, Beard said.

Asked if the men shot at each other, Beard said Dont know yet, but its likely thats what occurred.

Beard said the 911 call was made from inside the parlor and that more people may have been inside.

At this point we believe that the two people that were inside the business are the only two that were involved in this incident, Beard said.

Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.
A victim of one of last month's attack in the Venice Canals was pronounced brain dead, according to sources. (Allison Zaucha / For The Times)

A victim of last months attacks in the Venice canals was declared brain-dead after a monthlong coma, sources confirmed to The Times on Tuesday.

Two women were severely beaten and sexually assaulted in attacks that occurred one after the other on April 6 between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m., the Los Angeles Countys district attorneys office said last month in a statement.

The first attack occurred in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive when a woman was approached from behind and struck with a hard object. The second woman was attacked in a similar way, police said, less than a mile away near Sherman Canal.

Both women were alone when they were attacked.

The woman who was declared brain-dead was reportedly visiting from Massachusetts and staying at a nearby Airbnb the night of the attack. She has not been publicly identified.

We are aware of the tragic circumstances surrounding one of the victims of last months brutal sexual assaults at the Venice canals, the district attorneys office told The Times on Tuesday. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victims family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. Our office is evaluating how we will proceed to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable for his conduct.

Last month, the district attorneys office charged Anthony Francisco Jones, 29, on multiple counts for the attacks, including rape, torture and attempted murder.

A second victim, a Venice resident, was also badly beaten. According to a recent message posted to a GoFundMe on her behalf, she has been released from the hospital but is unable to work for some time until shes fully healed. The fundraiser has received nearly $100,000 for her care.

She previously spoke with KTLA-5 from her hospital bed. She said her teeth were knocked out and that, although the details of the attack were fuzzy, she remembered being on the ground.

I think he was trying to kill me, she said of the assailant.

The Times generally does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes Venice, said in a statement Tuesday that she was "devastated to receive this news about the victim in the horrific Venice Canals attack."

My prayers are with her family in this moment of loss and I want to extend my condolences on behalf of the entire Venice and Westside communities, Park said. While nothing can reverse this terrible tragedy, I hope the family is able to feel solace knowing that the perpetrator of this crime has been apprehended and justice will be served.

Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
One World School celebrates 20 years of language education

DURHAM  One World School, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to language education, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Founded in 2003 by Brigitte Herz and Julie Reece, One World began with a simple belief: all children deserve the chance to learn a second language. Today, the school has grown from a small summer camp with 24 students to an expansive language program with over 757 students enrolled in 2023 across in-school and after-school classes.

One World School, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to language education, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Julie Reece, co-founder and co-director for over 10 years, played an instrumental role in One World's success.

The school would not exist without her, said Brigitte Herz, co-founder. "She shared my vision of making language learning accessible to all children, and her dedication laid the foundation for our growth."

One World is committed to affordability and accessibility. The schools scholarship fund ensures students from all backgrounds have access to language classes.

The school's board of directors has also been vital to its mission. Dennis Harrington, former principal at Moharimet, became the first school leader to welcome One World's programs in 2003. Now serving as board chairman, Harrington continues to advocate for foreign language education at the elementary level.

The success of One World, school officials say, is rooted in its exceptional teachers.

As a nonprofit, One World is committed to affordability and accessibility. The schools scholarship fund ensures students from all backgrounds have access to language classes. The school also supports students who require financial assistance and has extended free programming to underserved communities, such as the Seymour Osman Program in Dover. A recently secured grant from NEB will allow the program to continue next year.

One World School, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to language education, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

One Worlds impact extends beyond the Seacoast. The school has provided English as a Second Language kits to children in Argentina and Zimbabwe and collaborated with the Lakota Nation in South Dakota to preserve language and culture. The school's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice initiatives, in collaboration with UNHs Browne Center, ensure that teachers are trained to be advocates and allies.

A highlight of One Worlds history includes the International Childrens Film Festival, organized with support from the governments of Germany, Switzerland, Quebec, Spain, and France, to expose children to global cultures. The school has also celebrated the success stories of former students, who have gone on to become multilingual and make meaningful connections through language.

Learning a new language opens doors to the world," said Herz, reflecting on the last 20 years. "We aim to create understanding between peoples, both locally and globally. Its our mission to empower children with the tools they need to connect, communicate, and build a brighter future.

One World School, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to language education, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

For more information about One World School and its programs, visit www.oneworldlanguageschoo.org or contact info@oneworldlanguageschool.org.

Greenland Central School raises $10K for the American Heart Association

GREENLAND  Greenland Central School raised $10,002.18 for the American Heart Association.

Over the past month, students have been learning about the importance of eating healthy, staying active, and getting a good night's sleep. Mrs. Gosselin, the school's physical education teacher, taught all students in grades K-5 hands-only CPR as part of Finn's Mission (a child who is a congenital heart defect survivor). On May 16, Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Thibault, Mr. Weld, and Mrs. Gosselin got slimed by students who donated to the American Heart Association. The top fundraiser in the school was second-grader Jack Franck. The next highest fundraiser was Rowan Miles, also in second grade.

Greenland Central School recently raised $10,002.18 for the American Heart Association.

Great Bay Community College brings robotics to Seacoast schools

PORTSMOUTH  The installation of 10 new 3D printers has transformed the data center at Great Bay Community College into a robotics laboratory as part of an innovative partnership with FIRST New Hampshire that will bring programming and robotics education to area students.

GBCC joins Manchester, Lakes Region, and White Mountains Community Colleges currently participating in the program. The new 3D printers will make seven-inch plastic chassis on wheels that are part of the Experiential Robotics Platform, a low-cost, open-robotics platform developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Built around a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller, the Experiential Robotics Platform was designed to provide an affordable means of introducing students to robotics, engineering, and software development.

Michael Harrison is seen in the college's data center with new 3D printers used to make the Experiential Robotics Platform, a low-cost open-robotics platform to introduce students to robotics, engineering and software.

Funded by a $455,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Education, FIRST NH has been outfitting labs across the state. The goal is to produce 5,500 robotics kits by July 2025 to support engineering education for New Hampshire students in community colleges and career and technical education centers and to create learning opportunities for students in grades 6-12.

Cheryl Lesser, president of GBCC, said the college is expanding its involvement beyond the manufacturing of the robotic kits to include professional development for teachers and classes for secondary school students.

GBCC has a long-standing commitment to robotics and microelectronics education, and we are developing new programs, such as automated manufacturing, that will prepare employees to work with the cutting-edge robotic technologies used by area companies," she explained. "We are excited to participate in the partnership with FIRST NH to share our expertise with secondary schools and CTEs to get area middle and high school students interested in engineering, robotics and software development.

Michael Harrison, chair of GBCCs information systems technology program, is leading the colleges involvement in the partnership with FIRST NH. He said the goal is for GBCC to create at least 1,000 robotics kits using the 3D printers. Once the printing design is built and tested, it will take approximately three hours to make the plastic chassis for each kit. GBCC then coordinates delivery to area schools.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: One World School celebrates 20 years: Education news
Oops. Former Tacoma teachers op-ed slamming DEI in schools proves how vital it is | Opinion

DEI in schools

While reading Mike Jankanishs recent op-ed on DEI training in The News Tribune Opinion section, I kept thinking it was satire. I was waiting for the bazinga at the end. But no, he seriously suggested that teaching educators about diversity (people with different backgrounds) and inclusion (making people feel included) is a threat.

I have attended numerous DEI training sessions and while I cant speak for each trainer, the goal is not Marxism, its treating all people with respect and equity.

For a groups that like to spout All Lives Matter, some sure dont believe all people matter.

If acknowledging, learning about and welcoming people who are different is threatening to Mr. Jankanish, his op-ed proves why it is necessary.

Angelie Coy, Tacoma

Pharmacy Benefit Managers

As the caregiver to my husbands parents, Ive seen how difficult it can be for patients to manage their conditions.

While Im grateful for the bright spots in our healthcare system, whether its patents that allow for research into cures or rebates to make sure patients receive the care they need, too many people in our state must jump through hoops to access the treatments they need due to the harmful impacts of pharmacy benefit managers or PBMs.

That makes it all the more frustrating and disappointing that Congress continues to drag its feet on reform.

Anyone who has had to fight with PBMs to get a medication covered or paid high out-of-pocket expenses for their prescriptions knows how bad these groups can be for patients. Insurer-owned PBMs are only in it for the profits, and their policies reflect that.

Our federal legislators, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representative Marilyn Strickland, must come together to pass PBM reform during this Congress.

Many patients literally cant afford to wait any longer for a solution to this growing problem.

Stacy Mattson, Puyallup

Lawn fertilizer

Before buying fertilizer for the upcoming spring season, theres something you may want to consider: many lawn fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen that can pollute our water, and some contain PFAS, a class of highly toxic, health-threatening chemicals that stay in the environment forever.

Initially developed in the 1940s for water and stain resistance, PFAS are now ever-present in many consumer goods, making their way into wastewater from disposal and lax regulations. Wastewater treatment plants convert PFAS-laden waste into biosolid fertilizers. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers with polymer coatings may also contain PFAS. Exposure poses health risks such as cancer and developmental problems in children.

Fertilizers with high nitrogen content (exceeding 12%) cause nitrogen leaching, which leads to harmful algal blooms, fish fatalities, hypoxia (an absence of oxygen in the body) and contamination of underground aquifers.

You and your landscaper can reduce these risks by choosing fertilizers free from sewage sludge, opting for slow-release fertilizers without PFAS, and selecting lawn fertilizers with nitrogen below 12%.

Mindful fertilizer choices are vital for Washingtons environment and your health and safety.

Genevieve Hammatt, Bellingham
The aggressor country Russia has started the first stage of the exercise with practical training and use of tactical nuclear weapons. It takes place in the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation.

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This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Russian ministry also showed footage from the exercise.

As part of this stage, the enemy will practice combat missions with the Iskander air defense system. In particular, the Russians intend to equip launch vehicles with special ammunition and secretly move to the designated position area to prepare for missile launches.

In addition, the enemy's aviation plans to practice equipping aircraft with Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles with special warheads and flying them to designated patrol areas.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the exercises are being conducted allegedly in response to "provocative statements and threats" by certain Western officials.

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It is worth noting that simultaneously with the start of the tactical nuclear weapons exercise, Russia announced that it was going to unilaterally change the border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

On May 6, Russia announced the training of non-strategic nuclear forces. The occupiers stated that these drills are aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment to respond to "provocative statements and threats" by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation.

Washington reacted to Russia's statements about military drills using tactical nuclear weapons, calling the Kremlin's rhetoric irresponsible. At the same time, the United States stated that it currently sees no signs of preparations to use such weapons in a war against Ukraine.

The EU, for its part, emphasized that the Kremlin is demonstrating its interest in escalation with its recent nuclear threats.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In recent months, as clashes over the war in Gaza have fractured American campuses  including my own at UCLA  Ive been thinking frequently of Grace Paleys 1991 story Three Days and a Question. In this short, autobiographical tale, the Jewish American author and activist recounts three scenes that take place over the course of three days on the streets of New York. In each case, a bare arm is proffered by someone who has suffered trauma. As its title suggests, Paleys story offers not easy answers but probing questions: questions about Jewish identity, antisemitism and the difficulties of solidarity that remain as urgent as they were when Paley was writing. (She died in 2007.)

All three of the scenes Paley recounts resonate 30 years later, but the first one is uncannily familiar in our moment of conflict. The story opens:

On the first day I joined a demonstration opposing the arrest in Israel of members of Yesh Gvul, Israeli soldiers who had refused to serve in the occupied territories. Yesh Gvul means: There is a Limit. As with todays campus protests, this demonstration, which takes place during the first Intifada, is teeming with members of the press, including an anchorwoman.

Read more: Granderson: The chaos in Congress is more dangerous than the protests on campuses

What do you think? the anchorwoman asked. What do you think, she asked a woman passer-by  a woman about my age.

"Anti-Semites, the woman said quietly.

"The anchorwoman said, But theyre Jewish.

"Anti-Semites, the woman said, a little louder.

Read more: Opinion: Nothing has prepared me for the antisemitism I see on college campuses now

At this point, one of the demonstrators steps forward and confronts the passerby in accented English: Are you crazy? How can you  Listen what were saying. How you dare to say that  all of us Jews. Me, he said. He pulled up his shirtsleeve. Me? You call me? You look. He held out his arm. Look at this. The passerby refuses. But the demonstrator persists: You look at my number, what they did to me. My arm  you have no right. She remains unmoved: 'Anti-Semite,' she said between her teeth. 'Israel hater.' The demonstrator, now revealed to be a survivor bearing a Nazi-inflicted tattoo, responds despairingly: No, no he said, you fool. My arm  youre afraid to look  my arm  my arm.

Israel supporters marched outside the USC campus earlier this month. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Many who are Jewish will recognize the scene Paley describes. Whether on social media, in family discussions or on campuses, versions of intra-Jewish conflict are a constant feature of our post-Oct. 7 moment  as, in truth, they have been for some time. The horrific events of Oct. 7 and Israels catastrophic war against Gaza have exacerbated tensions among American Jews about how to think about Zionism, Jewish identity and Jewish ethics. While the mainstream Jewish community remains staunchly supportive of Israel, polls also show a growing generational divide, with many younger Jews embracing the Palestinian cause. Across the United States, there are Jewish students and faculty on both sides of the barriers set up on campuses around Palestinian solidarity encampments. Jewish division has probably never been so visible in this country.

Paleys story also presciently predicts a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly prominent: the weaponization of charges of antisemitism to stifle dissent about Israeli actions. As Paley emphasizes, even a critic with the most radical personal experience of antisemitism  deportation to Auschwitz  can be accused of anti-Jewishness. Paley seems to have grasped decades in advance just how politically charged and consequential the issue of antisemitism would become.

Today, we are faced with a situation in which the accusation leveled by Paleys passerby may take on the force of law. On May 1, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which if passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden would link federal antidiscrimination laws to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances controversial  working definition of antisemitism .  Beyond the vagueness of the definition itself, the alliances definition is subject to abuse because of the illustrative examples that accompany it, which disproportionately identify forms of antisemitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. If signed into law, it would make critics of Israel even more vulnerable than they are now. As Paley predicts and as we see playing out in Germany , it would lead, absurdly, to the targeting of many Jews as antisemites.

Paleys story, however, does not stop with this unsettling encounter between demonstrator and accuser. Her final two vignettes clarify that she is more broadly interested in how confrontations with suffering and injustice provoke discomfort. On the second day the narrator meets a young man with AIDS who bares his arm to show her his lesions while begging for money: No one will help me.  Look at my arm.  Have you ever seen lesions? Thats what people see. On the third day, a Haitian taxi driver stops his cab, holds his bare arm up to the passenger divider and asks why refugees from his country are refused entry: You tell me  this skin, this black skin  why? Why you hate this skin so much?

The tale concludes with Paleys own question. What does it mean, she asks, to have confronted those gestures, those arms, the three consecutive days of unsettling encounters? Her question is our question too  a question about how we should respond to an excess of suffering, to conflicts with kin and colleagues, to clashing narratives about war and peace. Instead of offering easy answers, Paleys story helps us see discomfort as a necessary component of solidarity.

Todays protests about the war in Gaza have generated anger and accusations of antisemitism, just like the protest depicted by Paley; it is, indeed, disturbing to be confronted with the realities of political violence. Gaza is not the only place of suffering on Earth; there is more than enough all over. But if we look away or try to deflect, like the passerby in the first vignette who mutters antisemite, we risk becoming complicit in the injustice unfolding around us  both outside our doors and thousands of miles away.

Michael Rothberg teaches English, comparative literature and Holocaust studies at UCLA.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Donald Trumps defense team rested their case on Tuesday after putting on what The New York Times described as a minimal defense.

The Times likely did not intend any disparagement of Trumps defense with its wording. The article describes how Trumps team had put on only two witnesses compared to the prosecutions twentyhardly an uncommon ratio given that the prosecution bears the burden of proving all aspects of the case while the defense need not put on any evidence at all. The truth is Trumps defense wasnt minimal. It was terrible.

After the prosecution laid out its case, Trumps lawyers could have just relied on what they had done in cross-examination and woven that into their closing argument. Instead, they chose to put on two witnesses: a paralegal at Trump lead attorney Todd Blanches firm and Robert Costello, a former federal prosecutor who has represented many notable clients, including Rudy Giuliani and former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, and who at one point advised Michael Cohen.

The paralegal, Danny Sitko, was put on the stand essentially as a records custodian to help admit some phone records. Costello, fresh off his visit with the GOP-led House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, was put on to attack Cohen, Trumps former fixer and a key witness for the prosecution. The paralegal did fine. Costello, however, was an unmitigated disaster for the Trump defense team.

Defense Rests Despite Trump Saying Hed Absolutely Testify

The idea seemed to be for Costello to build off his appearance in Congress last week in which he commented about Cohens testimony in Trumps trial, saying: Virtually every statement he made about me was another lie.

According to Politico, Costello told CBS at the time of the congressional hearing that he had a brief conversation with Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, but that their discussion was not witness prep.

Costello was referencing the alleged lack of preparation for his congressional testimony, but it could just as well have applied to his trial testimony.

Presumably, Costello was meant to sink Cohens credibility on Tuesday by piling onto the hyperbole in the media about how Cohen was the weak link in the prosecutions case because of his convictions for tax fraud, campaign finance violations, and lies to Congress.

However, Cohenwho certainly does carry baggage that can and will be used by Trumps defense teamweathered three days of cross-examination by Blanche that was described by law forum Just Security as at times bumbling and at times bruising. Cohen maintained his cool and perhaps even managed to present himself to the jury as a man who has been dishonest in the past, but is telling the truth about his dishonesty. Notably, Cohen never appeared to draw any ire from Judge Juan Merchan, the trial judge.

In contrast, Costello, displayed remarkable arrogance towards Judge Merchan, exclaiming Jeez! at the judges rulings on Monday, rolling his eyes, and engaging in a stare-down contest with the judge when Merchan reprimanded him. Costello, perhaps, was performing for Trump, but it was an extraordinarily destructive performance in part because it elicited disapproval from the judge at least partially in the presence of the jury.

In fact, Costello managed to anger Merchan so much that Merchan cleared the courtroom to fully dress down Costello, telling him that his behavior was contemptuous and threatening to remove him from the witness stand and/or strike his testimony altogether.

Also in contrast to Cohen was Costellos performance under cross-examination by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, who put on a masterclass of dissecting Costello. As MSNBCs Katie Phang observed: Costello being difficult with Hoffinger just makes him more dislikable to the jury. He is being impeached by exhibit after exhibit.

MAGA Lawyer Gets Dismantled by His Own Damning Trump Emails

If Costellos mission as a witness was to undercut Cohens credibility, he failed. What he did do was undercut his own credibility and likely leave the jury with the overall impression that Trumps legal team sought to implement a mob-style loyalty atmosphere to prevent Cohen from cooperating with the government. Ironically, Costellos testimony coincided with comedian Joe Piscobos appearance in Trumps court entourage, which fully completed the Wise Guys atmosphere.

It's worth remembering that while a defendant does not have to put on any case at all, once they do that evidence is fair game for the prosecution. A former prosecutor colleague of mine, Julie Grohovsky, used to very effectively remind juries of that in closing arguments in cases where the defense chose to put on a case. A former director of training, she would make the point that while the government fully bore the burden of proof throughout a case, that did not mean the jury could not consider the weaknesses of evidence put forth by the defense. Put simply, being presumed innocent does not give you a free pass to put forth lousy evidence and testimony.

If the New York jury returns a guilty verdict against Trump, then his legal team may rue their decision to put on a case at all. Legendary defense counsel Johnny Cochran, arguing that forensic evidence had been tainted in the O.J. Simpson case, used the phrase: You get garbage in, you get garbage out. Trumps defense team might have done well to remember Cochrans words in deciding whether to put on a case featuring Robert Costello.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Editors note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, a professor of practice at Arizona State University and the host of the Audible podcast In the Room With Peter Bergen, also on Apple and Spotify. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

To a rogues gallery that has included the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could soon be added now that prosecutors for the International Criminal Court are seeking a warrant for his arrest.

The ICC is a criminal tribunal that prosecutes individuals, just as the Nuremberg trials did after World War II. Established in 2002, the ICC has only secured 10 convictions for war crimes. Even though the ICCs wheels of justice grind slowly, grind they do.

The move to charge Netanyahu has the potential to greatly alter how the war in Gaza plays out.

This development is far more significant for Netanyahu personally than the allegations of genocide against Israel in the case that South Africa brought in December in the International Court of Justice, which considers cases against countries.

An interim judgment from that court found that the Palestinians have plausible rights to protection from genocide, Joan Donoghue, then ICJ president at the time of the ruling, told the BBC. Israel has fiercely denied it is committing genocide in Gaza in the ongoing case.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would effectively become a pariah who wouldn't be able to travel to most countries if the International Criminal Court were to approve the arrest warrant. - Abir Sultan/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told CNNs Christiane Amanpour that the tribunals charges against Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant include causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict. In response, Netanyahu blasted Khan as one of the great antisemites in modern times.

The ICC is also simultaneously seeking arrest warrants for three top leaders of Hamas, but as a practical matter doing so wont have much effect on the Islamist group, which is already designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the member states of the European Union.

Meanwhile, one of those Hamas leaders, Yahya Sinwar, whom Israel has accused of being the mastermind of the October 7 attack on the Jewish state, is believed to be hiding underground in the tunnels under Gaza.

There are 124 countries that have signed on to the ICC, which doesnt include the United States or Israel. Those 124 countries would be duty-bound to arrest Netanyahu were the court to issue an arrest warrant for him. A panel of ICC judges will decide on Khans application for the arrest warrants.

Many of Israels closest allies such as the United Kingdom and Germany are parties to the ICC and would be bound by the courts decision if a warrant were to be issued. It would greatly complicate their relations with Netanyahu since he would effectively become an international pariah who would not be able to travel to most countries. Already France and Belgium have issued statements in support of the ICCs requests for Netanyahus arrest warrant.

If approved, the arrest warrant for Netanyahu would appear to put Israel, a sovereign state acting in self-defense  albeit leading to the deaths of more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza  on the same plane as Hamas, the terrorist group that instigated the war with its October 7 attacks on Israel that killed about 1,200 people.

In the United States, there has been predictable pushback against the ICC move to try to issue an arrest warrant against Netanyahu. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell fulminated, The ICC has succeeded only in discrediting itself even further as a rogue kangaroo court utterly untethered to morality or justice, while US President Joe Biden said the call for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu was outrageous.

But you cant have it both ways. When the ICC and its lead prosecutor, Khan, issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine in 2023, there were hosannas on both sides of the aisle.

Biden declared the ICC arrest warrant for Putin makes a very strong point, adding that hes clearly committed war crimes. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the courts decision, saying, The decision by the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin is a giant step in the right direction for the international community. It is more than justified by the evidence.

One effect of the possible arrest warrant for Netanyahu is that the Israeli public may become more aware of what is happening in Gaza. Because of self-censorship exercised by the Israeli media, Israelis are watching a very different war playing out in Gaza than what the rest of the world is seeing. Israeli media rarely shows images of the large-scale destruction and the many thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza, according to a report this month in The Wall Street Journal.

The possible ICC arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders are also likely to complicate the already thorny issue of the negotiations for the return of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and for a ceasefire.

Im attending a security conference in Qatar, the Global Security Forum. As is well known, Qatar had been playing a crucial mediating role between the United States, Israel and Hamas political leadership based in Qatar to release the 100 or more hostages that are still captive in Gaza, including eight Americans, along with the bodies of around 30 more.

The consensus among the delegates to the conference, which includes security experts from around the world, is that those negotiations have largely stalled.

The ICCs move to seek an arrest warrant for Netanyahu may only harden his resolve to continue the war in Gaza seemingly indefinitely. In an address to his nation on Monday, Netanyahu said the ICC would not prevent Israel from attaining total victory against Hamas in a translation of his remarks by The Times of Israel.

This article has been updated with the latest death toll from the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

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Editors Note: Haroon Moghul is director of Strategy at The Concordia Forum and the author of Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future. His Substack, Sunday Schooled, provides resources and curricula for Muslim parents, teachers and leaders. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

When I was growing up, most of my South Asian friends and peers were pushed into medical careers. I was able to go in a different direction, initially attending law school, only to realize early in my first semester that a legal career wasnt what I wanted.

Haroon Moghul - Courtesy Haroon Moghul

Coming from a literary and scholarly Pakistani-American family, I yearned to learn more about my faith. I wanted to challenge misperceptions about Islam. I wanted to teach and empower.

A year after graduating from college, I enrolled at Columbia Universitys Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies, eager to study with the many scholars who approached Islam on its own terms, with respect, rigor, nuance and a love of inquiry.

In the nearly decade and a half since I graduated with a masters degree, Ive continued to draw on the remarkable education I received. That has included designing historical experiences immersing travelers in the Muslim legacy in Europe: A new kind of Sunday school for middle and high schoolers. And global leadership programs for young Muslim professionals from across the West, strongly influenced by the kind of creative and open-ended inquiry I often experienced at Columbia. That is why I found what transpired at Columbia University these last few months so profoundly disappointing.

The weeks of student protests (which continue at some campuses) should provoke us to reflect on the larger impact of this movement  especially at my alma mater, where the main commencement ceremony, which had been scheduled for this week, was canceled. (Protesters and their supporters organized their own ceremony.)

The media line fed to the public about weeks of protests at Columbia  and the administrative crackdown that followed  has been selective at best. I know this as an alumnus, a parent with two kids on the verge of college and as someone who teaches young Americans, including high schoolers. I know adolescents and young adults are far more passionate, curious, creative and courageous than older adults sometimes casually assume.

Americas universities are the envy of the world and are meant to be laboratories for democracy and engines of innovation, keeping our society democratic and vigorous, economically dynamic and forward-facing. But instead, it appears too many this spring have seemed intent on suffocating debate they dont endorse, rather than promoting and protecting the exchange of ideas.

Im incensed by the same realities the student protesters are outraged by: Israels occupation and brutalization of Palestinians with our countrys active assistance. Columbia students have made clear that thats what drives their protests. Whats less widely reported is how they are also driven by double standards in how our leaders address Israeli and Palestinian issues.

When was the last time you heard a news report about anti-Arab or anti-Muslim animus on campuses? Where is the outcry for the pro-Palestinian students threatened with professional consequences only for protesting? Why, even as numerous students at Columbia and elsewhere have been doxxed, harassed and bullied, were no congressional hearings called?

Long before our protracted national conversation about antisemitism got underway, some Columbia faculty members have quite arguably crossed a line into anti-Palestinian agitation, with no apparent consequences. And at UCLA, pro-Israel demonstrators even attacked pro-Palestinian student encampments for hours. Police were nowhere to be seen.

For months now, weve seen pro-Palestinian students, including Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, as well as students of other backgrounds and faiths (including many Jewish students), held to different standards and demonized when they are in fact standing up for fundamental human, basic American and common civic values. There may be no better symbol of this than Columbias President Minouche Shafik, who last week was on the losing end of a no-confidence vote by faculty over her handling of the protests.

When Shafik was called to testify before a biased congressional hearing, she faced a hard choice. Two of her fellow Ivy League president predecessors did not hold onto their jobs very long after appearing before the same House panel, some of whose members seemed gleeful at the prospect of taking down another.

In my view, Shafik capitulated. She told Republican lawmakers everything that they appeared to want to hear. But she did not have to capitulate. She could have questioned the dubious, even dangerous assumptions inherent in the questions themselves. She could have taken a stand on principle, in support of students expressing their views in the best tradition of campus protest. She might have considered the blatant double standards at her and peer institutions.

She might have told lawmakers that all speech is free, or none is. She might have invited our national leaders to engage in a more difficult conversation  one which would have been less sensationalistic than the congressional hearing they held, but probably far more substantial.

Such a dialogue could have addressed how we balance free inquiry in a country of robust pluralism. It might also have raised the question about what it means to balance strong beliefs, academic rigor and mutual respect.

Thats the kind of engagement we sorely need more of in this country. Its the kind of discussion a university president such as Shafik would have been uniquely positioned to lead. She capitulated to bad-faith interrogators after the collapse of days of talks, then invited heavily armed police onto campus. Somehow, she and other authorities seemed more concerned with the purported unruliness of the protest than the horrors that prompted it.

Palestinians in this country, as well as pro-Palestinian demonstrators, have been shot at, menaced, struck with vehicles, merely for who they are or what they stand for. But there has been no congressional hearing about these crimes and hardly even acknowledgement in many quarters that these crimes have happened. That Shafik even had to appear before Congress is just another example of how deeply entrenched our double standards are.

Students arent out of touch with America. A majority of Americans disapprove of Israeli actions in Gaza. Student protesters are confirming what more and more Americans cannot deny, even while many of our elites remain seemingly indifferent. We might on reflection appreciate that it is better to see young Americans exceedingly committed to freedom, debate and challenging our hypocrisies than not.

That hardly means we are all going to agree on how to protest or on what approach is better  but we should all agree on the right to protest  and the responsibility of the protesters to push our country to do better.

Just a few weeks ago, I joined some 50 or so American Muslims and allies in Washington, DC, leaders and activists from diverse backgrounds, coming together to explore what it might mean to continue to advocate for our faith communities. That included continuing to hold our government to account for our role in Israels war and protecting freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

There was a special level of interest in protecting our universities from governmental and elite interference, preserving the unique space campuses provide for hard conversations, political exploration and civic formation. Most of us were deeply disappointed by how our respective alma maters put select donors over institutional integrity. But the energy and engagement underscored the commitment to this cause.

We left inspired to continue standing up for the right to protest and leverage our resources to put pressure on these colleges and universities to maintain academic freedom, to uphold standards that do not privilege certain politics or positions and to maintain and extend the opportunities our colleges had opened for us  a commitment I believe continues down to this present moment.

When Shafik arrived at those hearings, she faced some lawmakers who acted as if they believed universities, and those on campus who are allies of the Palestinians, were enemies of America.

But if Columbia students didnt care about their university and the values it claims to uphold, they wouldnt have risked so much with their protests. By the same token, if students didnt care about our country, they wouldnt protest so vocally against its policies.

Maybe these students are mirrors of America, revealing how much work we have left to do. But they also reveal that there is enough passion, commitment and courage that our causes are not lost. Our struggles are not pointless. A better future can be ours.

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Volodymyr Zelenskys five-year term as Ukraines president expired on May 20. For most Ukrainian citizens, including the countrys constitutionalists, the path forward is clear: Zelensky should continue as president until martial law in Ukraine ends and new elections can take place.

But critics argue that Zelensky and his decisions from May 20 onward will essentially be illegitimate. This has raised concerns about potential protests in Ukraine against Zelenskys tenure, including offbeat Russian propaganda narratives about a Maidan 3.0. More concerning is that this narrative will likely be used to tarnish the legitimacy of Ukraines peace and ceasefire talks and be used by Russia to achieve concessions.

Opposition to the continuation of Zelenskys term has not had much traction within Ukraine or among the countrys allies. Most in the West understand that legitimate elections cannot be held given the challenges that would prevent Ukrainians from fully participating in the democratic process, including near-constant bombardment, the threat of cyber attacks, Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory, limited campaigning opportunities, and the millions of Ukrainians who are refugees, internally displaced, or serving in the military.

However, claims put out by Russia and its allies propaganda machines aim to discredit Zelensky internationally, particularly in the so-called Global South. Ukrainian authorities will have yet another problem to manage if these narratives gain traction.

Read also: Opinion: The West should launch a new economic Cold War against Russia

Constitutional ambiguity

Unlike the clear guidelines set for the parliament (Verkhovna Rada), Ukraines Constitution leaves some gray areas regarding how presidential terms are handled during martial law.

While the document sets a five-year term for the president, it also includes a mechanism to ensure the continuity of power, thus preventing a dangerous power vacuum situation. Article 108 ensures that the presidents powers remain intact until a new president is inaugurated, while Article 112 outlines the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada as the interim head if presidential powers terminate prematurely.

Martial law, extended 11 times since Russias full-scale invasion, adds another layer of complexity. As per the Law on the Legal Regime of Martial Law signed by then-President Petro Poroshenko in 2015, presidential powers cannot be terminated during these periods.

Ukraines Central Election Commission (CEC) reinforced this interpretation in March 2024, asserting that elections cannot be held under martial law and Zelensky must remain in office until a new president is elected after martial law ends.

Most Ukrainian legal experts, including Andrii Mahera, Oleksandr Moskaliuk, Stanislav Shevchuk, and Yulia Kyrychenko, agree that the principle of continuity of state power supports Zelenskys ongoing legitimacy. Historical precedents, such as the presidential terms of Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, which exceeded five years, strengthen this interpretation.

There has been discussion about whether Ukraines Constitutional Court, tasked with arbitrating such disputes, could provide a definitive resolution. However, the Courts capacity to do so is hindered by vacancies and politicization. Consequently, its uncertain how a Constitutional Court interpretation would unfold.

While 10 judges are sufficient to issue a binding decision, five of the 18 seats are vacant. Of the remaining 13, four were directly nominated by Poroshenko, one by the previous Verkhovna Rada, and four by two judicial conventions (each comprising six slots that can be filled by the president, parliament, and judicial conventions).

A minor yet significant change is anticipated on May 29, as the acting chair is set to retire upon reaching the mandatory age of 70. Zelensky has the authority to appoint a successor, sparking speculation about Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk assuming the role. Discussions have started in the Verkhovna Rada to potentially appoint Yurii Barabash, Oleksandr Vodiannikov, and Serhii Riznyk as Constitutional Court judges.

Then-presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky reacts after the announcement of the first exit poll results in the second round of Ukraine's presidential election at his campaign headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 21, 2019. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)

Political impasse

A minimum of 10% of the Verkhovna Radas deputies can appeal to the Constitutional Court, but both the government and the opposition are reluctant to seek a definitive ruling.

Zelenskys camp, wary of feeding into Russian propaganda narratives, has chosen to ignore the issue entirely, relying instead on the CECs interpretation as a stopgap. In contrast, the opposition holds a strategic advantage in perpetuating the ambiguity, using it to sow doubt and undermine the legitimacy of the current administration.

The international arrest warrant issued in 2022 against the former Constitutional Court head Oleksandr Tupytskyi for corruption also stokes each sides fear of the others influence in court.

The oppositions efforts to contest Zelenskys legitimacy have not gathered significant momentum. An emerging anti-Zelensky coalition, which includes prominent figures like Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and former Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov, has struggled to mobilize sufficient public and parliamentary backing.

This anti-Zelensky coalition crystallized after the vote on the contentious mobilization bill in April, although it comprises just over 100 deputies at most, significantly short of the 226 needed for a majority. The vote, narrowly won by Zelensky, demonstrated his ability to retain a fragile grip on the Verkhovna Rada. Nonetheless, according to party members hesitant to speak publicly, this victory required significant personalized outreach to individual deputies and strategic alliances with opposition parties.

The situation remains fragile, with party discipline within Zelenskys Servant of the People faction deteriorating. For instance, dozens of Servant of the People MPs have contemplated resignation, risking parliamentary paralysis. Its worth noting that the parliament has 49 positions vacant out of 450, and this number will continue to rise, primarily due to natural reasons, in the absence of elections.

Read also: Opinion: Putins China visit was another battle in Russias war of economic endurance

Overlooked complexities

Western analyses often fail to grasp the nuanced dynamics of Ukrainian politics. Ukraines political landscape is uniquely volatile, marked by two major revolutions in the span of two decades. We believe Zelensky is acutely aware of this context and of the fact that legitimacy hinges not only on legality but also on public acceptance of authority.

Zelensky has little cause for concern for the time being. According to the latest polls, a decisive majority of Ukrainians (63%) express trust in Zelenskys presidency and believe he should continue his duties until martial law ends. Many of Zelenskys opponents prefer that he stay in power, presumably extending his presidency by a few months, rather than hold another election and risk granting him another five years.

As Kyiv Independent Editor-in-Chief Olga Rudenko put it, People are watching the administrations actions, not the calendar. However, internal politics must not be overlooked when seeking ways to de-escalate the war. The current administration will undoubtedly play a crucial role in any potential ceasefire negotiations. Nevertheless, regardless of their form and outcome, these negotiations are expected to face significant opposition from a considerable portion of the population.

Historical comparisons, like the Korean armistice, underscore the necessity of comprehensive political and economic assurances to secure a lasting peace. At the time, then-Korean President Syngman Rhee agreed to a ceasefire only after securing significant guarantees from the U.S. Similarly, Zelensky must obtain robust assurances to navigate post-war war governance effectively.

In the event of actual ceasefire negotiations, Russia and its proxies will try to leverage legitimacy concerns, effectively using them as another bargaining chip. Arguably more important is securing a deal that is sufficiently acceptable to mitigate domestic challenges, especially given the devastating toll of the ongoing two-and-a-half years of full-scale war.

De-escalation requires significant political and economic investments in addition to military efforts. The international community needs to recognize the gravity of the situation and be ready to commit to a sustainable resolution, providing guarantees on a scale comparable to those seen in previous conflicts.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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A demonstrator in Ramallah, in the West Bank, holds a sign at the commemoration last week of the Palestinian expulsion from Israel. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press)

Seven months into the man-made disaster in Gaza, very little is being done to deal with the sense of helplessness and fury that Palestinians are feeling.

International efforts to end the war in Gaza, and to ensure a hostage-prisoner exchange, continue to be blocked primarily by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lead prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has decided to recommend the issuance of a war crimes warrant for him, his defense minister and three top Hamas leaders.

Read more: ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu

The ICC decision follows a call by the United Nations General Assembly on May 10 for the Security Council to revisit the resolution calling for the recognition of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations. The Biden administration has already announced the United States intention to veto such a resolution, insisting that Palestinian statehood must be the result of direct negotiations. But Netanyahu has refused direct talks with Palestinians for more than a decade and has been openly adamant in his rejection of Palestinian statehood.

Pushing and pleading with Israel to participate in a two-state process that its current leadership has no interest in is a waste of time at this juncture. The international community should look for a different way out of this dire situation in which innocent Palestinians are being killed and Israeli hostages as well as thousands of Palestinian political prisoners are suffering.

Read more: Behind a prosecutors push to arrest Israeli and Hamas leaders

The closure of all political avenues adds to the hopelessness of Palestinians. Even with a cease-fire in place, without the ability to see serious movement toward an end to the occupation, anger will fester. Beyond a cease-fire, what is needed is a strong message that two independent states living next to each other in peace is possible.

To show that Washington and the international community mean what they say, there are concrete steps that can be taken to drive home this message.

First, an international protection force separating the Palestinians and Israelis would change the paradigm from one of occupation and submission for Palestinians to one of equals, establishing the foundation for a political solution to emerge.

Read more: Opinion: No, the Israeli-Palestinian divide is not unbridgeable. Here's how I know

Americas allies, both Western and Arab, should be encouraged to commit to invest in the infrastructure needs of the future Palestinian state, including an airport in the West Bank and an expanded port in Gaza. But the first requirement for any such effort is the presence of the international peace force in both areas. Gulf states have made it clear that they will not make an infrastructure investment until it can be guaranteed to be durable.

Although the U.S. is unwilling now to recognize Palestine, it should use all its influence to ensure that Gaza and the West Bank can function as a unit, that the two territories do not remain separated and that a settlement freeze is implemented. The movement of people and goods between the two Palestinian areas must be guaranteed.

A nascent Palestinian state must have the means to sustain itself. Instead of Israel supervising border crossings and collecting taxes and customs  yet refusing, for political and ideological reasons, to deliver to the Palestinians their own earmarked money  borders and customs should be turned over to an international body that would collect the customs on behalf of the Palestinians until the formalities of statehood can be completed.

Read more: Member of Israel's war Cabinet says he'll quit unless there's a new war plan for Gaza

Likewise, Gaza and the West Bank need energy and water independence from Israel. Palestinians must be able to dig their own wells and drill for oil off the Gaza Strip. In the immediate term, Palestinians could benefit from help in importing their energy needs from their Arab neighbors, Jordan and Egypt, which have peace treaties with Israel. Jordan already supplies electricity to Jericho in the West Bank; that should be expanded.

There are dozens of ways Western and Arab powers could help build facts on the ground to jump-start the two-state solution they claim to support. It will not suddenly appear, full blown, to end the violence and stalemate in the Middle East. The world community, and especially the United States, must prioritize the rights of the Palestinian people in the interim  to begin the end of Israels oppressive military occupation, to build and sustain the infrastructure of independence, to make progress toward self-determination.

All thats required is political will on the part of the Biden administration and Americas allies.

A cease-fire will come. Then and now, the practical work of creating a Palestinian state alongside a defined and secure state of Israel can and should go forward.

Daoud Kuttab is a Palestinian journalist, a former professor of journalism at Princeton University and a columnist with Al-Monitor. X: @daoudkuttab Threads: @Daoud.Kuttab





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ukraine has filed a lawsuit to nationalize six enterprises of the Russian corporation Poliplastik Group, which supports the Russian military industry. This corporation ensures the functioning of the occupation administrations in Crimea and supplies materials for the production of weapons ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General. This step is part of broader sanctions against the Polyplastik Group corporation, which works closely with the Russian military-industrial complex .

The case involves six Ukrainian companies, including two pipe plants. According to representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office, the purpose of the lawsuit is to recover assets in favor of the state.

Poliplastik Group's activities and ties to the Russian military-industrial complex Poliplastik Group is a large industrial conglomerate specializing in the production of high-tech polymer pipes and composite polymer materials. These materials have a wide range of applications, including the military industry.

The owners of the corporation support Russia's aggressive policy by providing logistical support to the occupation administrations in Crimea and participating in the development of composite materials for weapons supplied by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The pre-trial investigation into the financing of actions aimed at the violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order is being conducted by investigators of the SSU Main Investigation Department.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Ukrainian High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) ruled to confiscate two passenger aircraft of the Russian airline Ilyushin Finance Co. to the state. Before and during the full-scale invasion, the company systematically cooperates with the top political leadership of the Russian Federation and participates in the logistics of the Russian armed aggression.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Some residents of Fairmount, an upper-middle-income neighborhood of Philadelphia, are irate that a nearby homeless shelter is being turned into an addiction triage center without input from the surrounding community. News of the shelters expansion came just a week before the high-profile closing of an encampment of people experiencing homelessness and addiction in Kensington, a North Philadelphia neighborhood that has long been the center of the regions opioid crisis.

Neighbors quickly started a petition to halt the triage center project, and they garnered over 1,100 signatures. At a contentious community meeting, they expressed fears of their neighborhood becoming Kensington 2.0.

As professors of political science and public policy, we have studied public opinion about opioid treatment policies in the U.S. Our research shows that while Americans acknowledge the general need for opioid addiction treatment facilities, they dont like these services to be located near where they live. This not in my backyard  or NIMBY  opposition is true for people across the ideological spectrum.

We have also found that whether people support expanded opioid treatment policy spending or not can depend on whether they share a racial identity with the people they see might benefit from that policy.

We conducted a series of experiments and gathered survey data from both urban and rural respondents across the country to understand how both of these dynamics shape opposition to opioid treatment policies.

Police prepare to clear an encampment along Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia on May 7, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Role of race and media

In one experiment, we asked both white and Black respondents to read a media profile of someone struggling with opioid addiction. We randomly varied aspects of the profiled individuals identity, including whether they were white or Black, male or female, or lived in an urban, suburban or rural area.

We found that both white and Black respondents were more supportive of funding treatment programs after reading a profile about someone who shared their racial identity. We did not find similar effects based on shared gender or geography.

Our findings, published in the March 2024 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Political Behavior, suggest that race remains a dominant cleavage in shaping public attitudes toward opioid policy.

As a result, the way that media outlets depict people struggling with addiction could affect support for these policies. For example, evidence increasingly shows that overdose rates among Black Americans are rising faster than rates among white Americans, which could lead to a decrease in public support for opioid treatment policies among white Americans. Media coverage that emphasizes how the opioid crisis affects both white and Black communities may avoid this backlash.

Finding common ground

In addition to race, our research shows an individuals income and how opioid treatment policies are funded also affect peoples support.

In an earlier study we did, we asked respondents whether they supported a US$100 million state bill to respond to the drug epidemic. However, we randomly varied the structure of the bill.

Half our respondents saw a redistributive bill, where residents with a household income greater than their states median income would pay $55, and those below the median income would pay $5. The other half of our sample saw a need-based bill, where respondents living in areas with high opioid overdose rates would pay $55, and those in areas with low overdose rates would pay $5.

Respondents across the board preferred the redistributive bill compared to the need-based bill. This shows that Americans are willing to chip in rather than leave struggling communities to foot the bill on their own.

While higher-income Republicans showed little support for a redistributive funding bill, lower-income Republicans supported it.

Given that Democrats across the income spectrum supported the redistributive funding bill, our research suggests the potential for a coalition between Democrats and lower-income Republicans. Policymakers could take advantage of this to enact popular policy to address the crisis.

Boxes of Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdoses, are distributed for free along Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Building treatment

Even with this broad support, however, funding may have a limited effect if there arent more opportunities to build outpatient treatment centers and inpatient residential programs.

For example, addiction researchers have found that one of the most effective ways to respond to the opioid crisis is through medication-assisted treatment, such as methadone. Methadone treatment can require daily visits to a clinic for the first 90 days. Therefore, those seeking help must have reasonable access to a nearby clinic.

We asked survey respondents whether they supported opening a new methadone clinic, but randomly varied whether the clinic was either a quarter-mile away from their home, about a five-minute walk, or two miles away, about a 40-minute walk. While Democrats showed greater average support for clinics, both Democrats and Republicans showed 15 percentage points less support when the clinic was sited just a five-minute walk away.

Overcoming opposition

NIMBY attitudes across the political spectrum can impede construction of new opioid treatment facilities wherever they are proposed. However, we believe innovative policy solutions can help to prevent this.

State and local policymakers can take cues from the federal governments military base closure strategies, for example. Rather than voting on base closures one at a time  a strategy that would enable local opposition to block each closure  Congress has to decide on a single bundle of closures determined by an independent commission. This bundling spreads the spatial impact of the policy in a fair way.

Given that residents in cities like Philadelphia typically support opioid addiction treatment centers in theory, political leaders can harness this support but require infrastructure to be geographically spread out  and not just in the areas of the city where political opposition is less acute.

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: Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, Harvard Kennedy School and Michael Hankinson, George Washington University

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Justin de Benedictis-Kessner has previously received grant funding for his research from the MIT Election Data + Science Lab, Time-sharing Experiments for the Social Sciences (TESS), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Boston Area Research Initiative.

Michael Hankinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko speaks to lawmakers on Feb. 21, 2024, in Pierre. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko said the state will not change the location of a future mens prison south of Sioux Falls, despite pending litigation and local opposition.

I know that weve talked about this and I have to be very careful because we are still in litigation, but were not looking at other land, Wasko said Tuesday during a legislative budget hearing.

The site is a piece of state-owned property in rural Lincoln County, 15 miles south of Sioux Falls. Opponents, including people who own nearby homes, are frustrated that Wasko is avoiding them while discussing plans with lawmakers.

How is she able to speak on that, but not speak to the people directly impacted by that? said Maddie Voegeli with Neighbors Opposed to Prison Expansion (NOPE).

During a Jan. 22 hearing on NOPEs lawsuit against the state, the groups attorney argued the states unilateral siting decision undermines local planning and zoning laws and economic development plans. A lawyer representing the state Department of Corrections countered that the notion of the state needing county permission to build a penitentiary is absurd. The lawsuit awaits a judges decision.

Voegeli said opponents tried to talk with the state and governor before filing their lawsuit. She said a lack of communication is what propelled the lawsuit in the first place.

A sign opposing the proposed prison site in Lincoln County, as seen at a community meeting in Harrisburg on Dec. 21, 2023. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Kyah Broders, president of NOPE, concurred.

We reached out as soon as this became public knowledge, she said. Theres been no transparency in this. If there was, there wouldnt have been this much resistance.

Broders said the only person given any advance notice was the farmer leasing the land from the state for the last four decades. Sam Eiesland is that farmers son. He had planned to farm the land after his dad.

Eiesland said the notice from the state essentially told them, Were going to build here. From there, he said communication has been nonexistent with Wasko and Gov. Kristi Noem.

We have heard nothing from either of the two, Eiesland said, adding, If we could have sat down, as their constituents, looked at some other options, we maybe could have found another place.

Wasko told lawmakers Tuesday that other locations were considered for the 1,500-bed mens prison, which will largely replace the 143-year-old penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Legislators have set aside $567 million for the project, but the final price estimate is not yet known.

We did have several failed attempts at land that was brought to our attention, or we sought out, she said.

Our design team had effectively told us that we were coming to a point in our timeline that if we didnt have land that could start a design and development, we were going to go into a potential six- to nine-month lag because of their timelines, she continued.

Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, asked if expanding the existing penitentiary site in Sioux Falls is possible. But from building up a few more levels to expanding the site itself, the answer to that is no, Wasko said.

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Orange County Fire Authority workers join a search and rescue mission near the Cleveland National Forest in 2021. The force is largely male. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

A former Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman who accused the agency of rampant male chauvinism and systematic gender-based harassment has settled her lawsuit for $580,000.

Colleen Windsor, a former TV news anchor in San Diego, alleged she was systematically harassed, undermined and pranked by workers at the Irvine-based fire agency because she was a woman in a high-ranking executive position.

Windsor, who served as the agency's communications director from January 2019 to August 2021, sued the OCFA in October 2021, alleging that the agency had a "well-documented history of chauvinism and misogyny," including previous lawsuits alleging gender discrimination.

The settlement was reached in in July 2023, but its details were first reported Friday by the Times of San Diego.

According to the lawsuit, workers "sought to belittle and marginalize" Windsor in what she claimed was "an obvious attempt to coerce her to quit her job."

Read more: SoCal district to pay $360K to teacher who was fired after refusing to follow transgender policies

Employees sent unprofessional and "incendiary" emails, including memes of Windsor that undermined her role, and were instructed to ignore her emails to them, court documents alleged. Firefighters made comments about her physical appearance and falsely accused her of racism, Windsor claimed.

She was also accused of swerving her car toward employees in the OCFA headquarters parking lot on April 22, 2022, prompting a police report to be filed. Windsor said in court documents that no such incident had occurred.

In another incident cited in the lawsuit, Windsor said her husband had given her a helmet shield, prompting OCFA employees to prank call her and refer to her as "Chief Windsor."

Her attorney, Christopher Saldana, said he could not comment on much of the lawsuit or settlement, citing a mutual non-disparagement clause included in the agreement.

Windsor "is happy to have the case behind her and move on," Saldana said.

A spokesperson for the Orange County Fire Authority declined to comment on the case, saying the agency does not comment on personnel matters.

Read more: Former California State Parks employee awarded $2.3 million in discrimination lawsuit

On another occasion during the pandemic in March 2020, Windsor was not permitted into OCFA headquarters because her temperature was higher than normal. Believing it was because of her long drive to work and drinking coffee, Windsor returned a short time later and was permitted in when her temperature was normal.

"Nevertheless, several firefighters employed by OCFA started a rumor that Windsor may be ill and she was putting the lives of other OCFA employees in danger," the lawsuit alleged.

According to court filings, Windsor tried to inform a deputy chief about the incidents, but she was told OCFA had no mechanism for an executive-level employee to file a complaint alleging gender bias.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
State Rep. Maxine Dexter and Susheela Jayapal, a former county commissioner endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), lead the pack of candidates in Oregons 3rd district Democratic primary.

Dexter has given Jayapal, the sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wa.), a run for her money  literally, as she has raked in more than half a million dollars over the last quarter.

Oregons 3rd Congressional District seat is solidly blue, but the race has still drawn national attention as Democrats vie to succeed retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), whose exit opens up the seat for the first time in nearly three decades.

Follow along with live results from Decision Desk HQ here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the former nominee for Oregons 5th district in 2022, will go head-to-head against state Rep. Janelle Bynum on Tuesday.

The district flipped into Republican hands in the midterms, and Democrats this year are seeking to snag back the seat, which could be among the key races that decide control of the House this fall. The winner of the primary will head to the November election against incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R), who flipped the district in 2022 for the first time in about 25 years.

Follow along with live results from Decision Desk HQ 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 The Hill.
Democratic voters head to the polls in Oregon on Tuesday to cast votes for the states primary.

President Biden is set to rake in more delegates in the primary, less than six months out from their Election Day rematch. He is his partys frontrunner and has already clinched the nomination after receiving enough votes in March.

Follow live results from DDHQ here:

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Both Democrats and Republicans in Oregon's 2024 primary opted for the familiar. (Getty Images)

After all the primary campaign season drama this year, most of the Oregon results tended toward the familiar in both parties.

And most races werent even close.

On Tuesday, Oregon had two relatively critical Democratic primary contests, in ways important both locally and nationally that collected plenty of attention in the state and beyond. Both were resolved sharply, by strong margins that reflected the sensibilities of Oregons  and the nations  Democratic leadership.

In Oregons 3rd House District, seven candidates were competing to replace veteran U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, but the race clearly was going to come down to two: state Rep. Maxine Dexter and former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal. Dexter has been a productive legislator working smoothly with Democratic leadership, while Jayapal was perhaps best known as the sister of a member of Congress from Seattle, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who is one of the most visible and sometimes controversial progressives in the House.

Dexter got the mass of support from contributors and Democratic-leaning organizations, and her lopsided win  about twice the number of votes Jayapal received  looked like a clear demonstration of Democratic organization clout.

In Oregons 5th Congressional District, one of the half-dozen top battleground districts nationally this year, the Democratic nominee from two years ago, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, faced state legislator Janelle Bynum, each seeking to take on first-term Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer. McLeod-Skinner only narrowly lost to Chavez-DeRemer last time, and the primary contest was widely described as competitive, with the sole public poll giving Bynum a slight lead.

On election day, Bynums lead wasnt slight at all. In results on Tuesday night, she led McLeod-Skinner in five of the six counties, with only one vote reported in that race in Jefferson County, and that was for McLeod-Skinner. Overall, Bynum led by more than two to one. Some of that probably had to do with negative headlines for McLeod-Skinner in the last few months, and reports that Republican-backed money was supporting her in an effort to elect a weaker candidate in November. But the larger factor may have been a solid weighing-in of the Democratic establishment, from Gov. Tina Kotek on down, on Bynums behalf.

If one trend line ran through most of the notable Oregon primary results on Tuesday, it might have been the absence of revolt against the powers that be.

In the top statewide race, for Secretary of State, speculation had run in favor of the well-established Treasurer Tobias Read, who two years ago had experience running for governor. On Tuesday, he drew a stunningly wide lead, winning about 70% of the vote in the Democratic primary over his chief opponent, Democratic state Sen. James Manning. The margin of the Democratic legislator seeking to replace him, state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, against a candidate who had run for the office twice before, Jeff Gudman, was even larger  77%.

The familiar and the established mostly did well on the Republican side, too. In the 1st Senate District on the southern Oregon coast, a determined effort to take out incumbent Sen. David Brock Smith fell far short as he received twice the vote of the nearest of his three competitors. In the 2nd Senate District in Josephine and parts of Douglas and Jackson counties, Noah Robinson, the son of incumbent Art Robinson, decisively won the nomination for the seat there. And in the 28th Senate District in Klamath County, Diane Linthicum, the wife of Dennis Linthicum, the incumbent and the Republican secretary of state nominee, was winning easily.

The most striking but not surprising result in the whole state may have been in the 12th House District in rural Lane County, where incumbent Rep. Charlie Conrad, a Dexter Republican who split from his party on a vote concerning abortion and gender care, was getting only about a fifth of the vote against Darin Harbick, a challenger opposing him mainly on that issue.

There, as elsewhere, the message seemed to be: Stick with the party line or it may line up against you.

The post Oregonians largely opt for the familiar in primary appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Two-dimensional maps can be deceptive: the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth is rarely a straight line.

Take the journey I have just made, on a Korean budget airline, TWay Air, between Zagreb and Seouls Incheon airport. The most direct flight path between the Croatian and South Korean capitals begins by aiming northeast. This great circle route cuts diagonally across Hungary; clips corners of both Slovakia and Poland; and continues over western Ukraine, eastern Belarus and  for two-thirds of the journey  over Russia. Were the captain to take the straightest course, the final approach would involve flying over Mongolia, China and a western corner of North Korea before descending to Incheon International Airport.

That, as they say, is not going to happen.

Lets run through the obstacles. Ukraine has been off limits to civil aircraft since the Russian invasion. Belarus has been regarded as risky since a routine Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius was ordered to land in Minsk by air traffic controllers, with MiG fighters intercepting the Boeing 737 by way of friendly persuasion. A Belarusian dissident was removed from the plane before it was allowed to continue to Lithuania. Since then, Belarus air traffic control has not enjoyed a great reputation.

Continuing the putative flight plan: many Western airlines are banned from Russian skies. Others, including TWay, choose to avoid the worlds biggest country. Yet Russia permits plenty of overflights, including those of Chinese airlines between the UK and the Peoples Republic  who enjoy a time advantage over their British competitors.

Mongolia and China allow any airline through their skies, though the latter has carefully prescribed air lanes which can result in some significant zigzagging. And while North Koreas airspace is open to the aircraft of friendly countries such as China and Russia, South Korean airlines give it a wide berth.

Fast track: the most direct route between Zagreb (ZAG) and South Koreas main airport, Incheon (ICN) (Great Circle Mapper)

What happens in practice? I found out aboard the latest addition to Europes long-haul air schedules, TWay Air flight TW506.

The Airbus A330 used for the flight is, ironically, an ex-Aeroflot plane. But it flies over Russia no longer, instead taking a much longer course. The initial heading was not northeast but southeast: over Serbia, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea (a long way south of Russian-occupied Crimea), then joined the long line of aircraft flying over the Caucasus.

The air navigation providers of Georgia and Azerbaijan are profiting handsomely from detouring flights. The Europe-Asia planes thread through a narrow neck between the Russian frontier to the north and the Iranian border to the south. Then we crossed a trio of stans  Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan  before flying east across most of the length of China to Beijing, with a final wiggle to avoid North Korea.

The flight took 10 hours and 30 minutes. Had the pilots been able to chart the optimal course, it would have been at least an hour shorter. Because the prevailing winds are from west to east, the journey in the reverse direction takes significantly longer  and the plane cant make the trip in one go. Instead, the aircraft has to refuel in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the journey from Seoul to Zagreb, extending the journey to about 14 hours.

On a two-dimensional map, the actual flight path we took looks a reasonably straight line. But it fails to take into account the curvature of the earth.

The most extreme example of this is between London and Fiji. A line drawn between them on a standard Mercator projection suggests the most direct route is east-southeast over Istanbul, Delhi, Bangkok and Manila. In fact, were an airline to contemplate such a route from the UK to the South Pacific, the straight line on the surface of the earth involves heading almost due north, over Svalbard, deep in the Arctic Ocean, and passing very close to the North Pole before beginning a due-south journey over far eastern Russia.

Which also isnt going to happen.

Straight lines? The obvious straight route between London and Nandi in Fiji via Istanbul, Delhi and Manila; and the actual shortest route up and across the Arctic (Great Circle Mapper)

When airspace is restricted, all the impacts are negative. More fuel is burnt, engines wear out sooner, crew are wearier  and those of us aboard what I believe is the worlds longest budget airline flight endure an extended journey.

Yet as the plane finally came into land at South Koreas main airport, I enjoyed from the window seat a fine view of North Koreas mountains retreating into the haze in the direction of Pyongyang. One day
A pair of brother black bears were released back into the wild last week.

The two siblings were rescued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in July 2023 after their mother was found deceased when they were just five months old.

At only five months old, the cubs would have been too young to survive on their own, experts with the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) said. Black bear cubs typically need to stay with their mother, or sow, for up to 17 months.

California bill would require new cars to beep at speeding drivers

Upon being reunited at the Ramona Wildlife Center in San Diego County, it was clear the brothers were happy to be together, SDHS said in a release.

Two black bear siblings were released into the San Bernardino National Forest on May 15, 2024. (San Diego Humane Society)

Two black bear siblings were released into the San Bernardino National Forest on May 15, 2024. (San Diego Humane Society)

The two siblings were rescued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in July 2023 after their mother was found deceased when they were just five months old. (San Diego Humane Society)

The bears were kept in an outdoor enclosure mimicking their natural environment and were monitored by the humane societys wildlife rehabilitation specialists. In addition to being fed fruits, vegetables, nuts, peanut butter and bear chow daily, they even received a 467-pound pumpkin from an Escondido couple after Halloween.

Once the bears showed they could successfully forage for food and survive on their own, they were deemed ready for release, the humane society said, adding that they were microchipped, fitted with GPS collars and given a clean bill of health by the humane societys wildlife veterinary team.

California median home price passes $900K, sets all-time high

Its a delicate skill to raise wild bears in captivity, SDHS Ramona Wildlife Center campus director Andy Blue said. Bears eat more than ten pounds of food per day, so to ensure they are fed without of staff ever being seen and they have plenty of enrichment to exhibit their natural behaviors without leaving human scents behind takes meticulous planning.

San Diego Humane Societys Project Wildlife program nurses more than 10,000 injured, orphaned and sick wild animals back to full health before releasing them back into their natural habitats. SDHS specializes in caring for native apex predators and birds of prey, including hawks, owls, eagles, coyotes, bears, bobcats and  under special case-by-case authorization  mountain lions.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Since the beginning of massive stabilization blackouts in Ukraine, myths have been spread about alleged electricity exports during the period of restrictions. Such claims are more akin to conspiracy theories, as they require falsifying data from the European platform, bribing Ukrainian officials, officials in neighboring EU countries, and all energy professionals involved in imports and exports.

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Despite this, such theories are popular among some Ukrainians. OBOZ.UA has collected data on electricity exports and imports and publishes graphs that confirm the absence of commercial electricity exports.

Ukraine does not sell electricity in times of shortage

"No one exports electricity when there is a deficit in the system. We operate in a single European power system, and there are no export contracts. But there are technical flows, when we do not consume electricity and there is a surplus, it flows to the EU," explains Ivan Plachkov, chairman of the supervisory board of Kyivenergo.

A conspiracy theory is being spread among Ukrainians: that electricity is being sold to the EU when we are short of it ourselves. This fake is easy to refute, as all data on exports and imports are published on a special website, the European platform for collecting data on electricity production, transportation, and consumption.

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However, those who believe in this conspiracy theory find confirmation even in the platform's data. Instead of the "commercial exchange" section (actually trade), they open the section of the site about physical flows (which cannot be eliminated as long as we are part of a single energy system) and claim that this is exports.

One such post on Facebook has more than 3 thousand shares. The author of the post took a picture of her computer screen, which shows the "physical flow" section, and stated that "Ukraine is always selling electricity to Romania and Moldova." Although this information is easy to refute, most of those who commented on her post seemed to believe it.

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The author of the post shows a graph for May 13 and claims that on this day Ukraine allegedly sold electricity to Romania. However, if you open the graph of commercial exchange of electricity with Romania for this day, you will see that on the contrary, on May 13, Ukraine bought electricity from Romania between 00:00 and 07:00 and from 18:00 and 00:00.

Ukraine also bought electricity from Moldova on May 13, but did not sell it. You can check this information here. In the panel on the left, you can select a country and see data on exports and imports with Ukraine.

It is worth noting that the power system does not have the ability to accumulate current in large volumes. That is, if there is too much electricity today (more than Ukrainians consume), it cannot be "saved" for a rainy day. It is either necessary to reduce production (which is impossible now) or sell it abroad. To sharply reduce or increase production (when consumption is growing), energy is used from hydroelectric power plants and thermal power plants. It was these stations that Russia destroyed during its recent attacks on the energy sector.

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Therefore, if electricity was sold in March, it could not have affected the deficit in May. Moreover, even within a single day, the Ukrainian energy system can have both a surplus (for example, in the afternoon, when solar generation is actively working and consumption is low) and a deficit (in the morning and evening). And the fact that there will be a surplus of current at lunchtime will not help cover the evening peak in consumption.

For example, let's look at information on electricity exports and imports on a weekday. On May 17, there were schedules of power outages from 00:00 to 08:00 and from 19:00 to 24:00. That is, it was during this period that there was a deficit that could not be covered even by imports of electricity. And if you look at the volume of trade, it was during these periods that most electricity was bought. At the same time, no electricity was sold at all. Ukraine imports electricity from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova. Exports to these countries are also possible.

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Ukraine did not sell a single kWh to Romania that day. Instead, electricity was imported: from 00:00 to 09:00 and from 14:00 to 22:00. Moreover, at 6 am, the volume of imports (due to peak consumption) increased fivefold - from 50 to 255 MW.

No kWh was sold to Slovakia that day, but electricity was bought throughout the day. Mostly during the morning (at 7, 8 am) and evening (until 22:00) peaks.

We bought electricity from Poland from 6 am to 7 pm (and did not sell it), and from Moldova - throughout the day. There were no exports at all.

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Sometimes, to "confirm" the sale of electricity, graphs from the Ukrainian Energy Exchange are shown. However, they show sales on the domestic wholesale market. For the industry, market mechanisms have long been in place for both the purchase of electricity and price formation. There are no separate contracts for exports, all data goes through a single European platform.

The blackouts cannot be linked to the tariff decision

Another conspiracy theory is that Ukrainians are being cut off from electricity to justify the tariff increase. In fact, and without any argumentation, the current electricity tariff for Ukrainians (UAH 2.64 per 1 kWh) covers only the delivery. That is, Ukrainians do not pay a single penny for electricity generation.

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At the same time, electricity debts continue to grow. That is, consumers do not pay on time even for electricity delivery to their apartments.

"The situation is painfully clear. The goal is to cause more inconvenience to people to reduce resistance to the tariff increase," a resident of Zaporizhzhia wrote on her Facebook page. This statement has been actively spreading on social media over the past few days.

Despite the fact that Ukrainians have witnessed the largest attack on the energy sector in recent months, with the lion's share of balancing generation destroyed, some still find it easier to believe that the blackouts are the fault of Ukrainian power engineers or the government, not Russia.

"People are starting to look for someone to blame. There are no commercial sales, there are technical flows that are necessary. They are ten times smaller," Plachkov adds.

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The situation in the energy sector remains extremely difficult. Right now, the repair campaign at NPPs is underway. In addition, Zaporizhzhia NPP remains under occupation (6 thousand MW), Kakhovka HPP is destroyed, Dnipro HPP is out of operation, and several large thermal power plants have been destroyed. All these are the results of the Russian attack on energy facilities. And while some facilities can indeed be protected, it is virtually impossible to build "sarcophagi" and close a large thermal power plant from a direct missile attack. In any case, no country has yet learned how to create such protection. And the very fact of an attack on a thermal power plant is a war crime.

Any search for those responsible for the electricity shortage should begin with reminders of who destroyed part of Ukraine's generation. There is no evidence of any electricity sales during the lockdown. Not a single investigator, power engineer, or official has confirmed even the possibility of such exports. Moreover, Europeans publish all data on commercial electricity exchange, and it would be impossible to hide such information.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Two orphaned California black bear siblings were recently released back into the wild after spending 10 months at the San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center.

The brother bears are now back in the San Bernardino National Forest, where they were rescued in July 2023 after their mother was found dead. As explained by the Humane Society, the cubs were just 5-months-old at the time and were considered too young to survive on their own.

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While being cared for in Ramona, the bears were kept in an outdoor enclosure that the Humane Society said mimicked their natural environment. It included native plants like California live oak, pine, clover, mulberry branches, fruit tree branches, mulch, hummingbird sage, sumac, chamomile flowers and herbs.

Additionally, wildlife rehab specialists watched over the bears with minimal contact to ensure they would not become habituated to humans. Once the bears showed they could successfully forage for food and survive on their own, it was decided that they were ready for release.

Its a delicate skill to raise wild bears in captivity, said Andy Blue, campus director of San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center. Bears eat more than 10 pounds of food per day, so to ensure they are fed without our staff ever being seen and that they have plenty of enrichment to exhibit their natural behaviors without leaving human scents behind takes meticulous planning.

Bear Cub Brothers

The bears have been microchipped and fitted with GPS collars, said the humane society. They will be tracked to ensure a healthy return to the wild.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ottawa County Commission Chair Joe Moss, Jan. 10, 2023 meeting | Sarah Leach

Raises for elected officials in Ottawa County are in doubt after a legally flawed process unfolded earlier this year, resulting in politically charged accusations from conservatives controlling the county board.

Larry Jackson, chair of the countys compensation commission, said hes been asked to resubmit only some determinations from the commissions April meeting, which likely wasnt conducted legally.

This comes after Commissioner Joe Moss, the GOP chair of the county board, accused Jackson, a Democrat, of sabotaging the recent pay rate evaluation process for countywide elected officials  but numerous discrepancies could invalidate a process that experts say was the county administrations responsibility to follow.

At issue was the commissions determination to raise county commissioners pay by 60% and a $1,000-per-month health care stipend  both starting in 2025.

As the May 14 meeting got underway, Moss announced he removed the commissions determinations from the agenda, calling some of the work invalid. Moss claimed that Jackson, current chair of the Ottawa County Democrats, colluded with local media outlets to interfere with a May 7 special recall election that saw Democrat Chris Kleinjans defeat Ottawa Impact Republican incumbent Lucy Ebel.

Youve been played, Moss said at the meeting. He called the raise a phantom increase.

Larry Jackson has a vested interest in Republicans to lose elections, Moss said.

Moss leads Ottawa Impact, a far-right fundamentalist group formed in 2021 over frustrations with county and state COVID-19 mitigation measures that currently has a six-seat controlling majority on the 11-member board. After coming into power in 2023, the group has made a series of controversial decisions that have led to five lawsuits within 14 months and a brief investigation from the Michigan Attorney Generals Office that did not result in further action.

Jackson responded to the allegations on May 15, saying politics had nothing to do with it and that he and his fellow commissioners acted in good faith, but didnt receive adequate support from county administration.

I dont work for the county. I just came in to make a recommendation off the information that I received. I made that recommendation. And then the county commission chair grandstanded when its not even on the agenda, he said. Regarding Chair Moss unfounded and damaging allegations of misconduct, including accusations of colluding and election interference, I categorically deny these claims.

Compensation commissions are intended to remove the appearance of political gerrymandering in relation to county commissioner pay.

The point of the compensation committee was to try to get a little bit of expertise to figure out what positions like the clerk and the sheriff make, instead of making it just a political hatchet job or who has the most influence, said Doug Van Essen, former Ottawa County corporation counsel.

Ottawa Countys compensation commission was formed in late 2005 and is charged with making recommendations for the compensation of county elected officials in even-numbered years.

State statute requires that compensation commissions must:

Have seven members.

Have members appointed before Oct. 1 of the year of appointment.

Meet in even-numbered years for not more than 15 session days.

Have a majority of the members serving on the commission be in concurrence with any determinations made.

Comply with Michigans Open Meetings Act.

Jackson was appointed to the seven-member board in 2022 by the previous Republican-controlled board of commissioners. In December, the current board appointed four new members, all supporters of Ottawa Impact, giving the group a four-person majority on the compensation commission.

What happened with the compensation commission

The compensation commission first met March 11, setting the 45-day deadline for April 25.

In total, the commission met five times, but the first determinations occurred April 11, when four of the six active commissioners  one resigned after the first meeting  decided three separate determinations to forward to the county board:

The prosecutor, sheriff, treasurer, clerk/register of deeds and water resources commissioner shall have a salary increase of 8% effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a salary increase of 6% effective Jan. 1, 2026. (Approved 4-0)

The chairperson of the Ottawa County Road Commission shall have a salary set to $15,500 per year effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a 0% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and all other road commissioners shall have a salary set to $12,500 per year effective Jan. 1, 2025 and a 0% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. (Approved 4-0)

The chairperson of the board of commissioners shall have a salary increase of 60% effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a 0% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. The vice chairperson of the board of commissioners shall have a salary increase of 60% effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a 0% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. All other commissioners shall have a salary increase of 60% effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a 0% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. All commissioners shall receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 for purposes of compensation for health care coverage. (Approved 3-1)

On May 2, the commission met a final time with all six commissioners present to approve unanimously additional salary increases for the treasurer and water resources commissioner to make their compensation match the clerk/register of deeds effective Jan. 1, 2025, and provide a 6% increase to their salaries effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Whats at issue

Moss said there were two determinations that were legally problematic.

He claims the May 2 meeting occurred outside the 45-day window and that the 60% county commissioner raise yielded a 3-1 vote, which didnt meet the required threshold of a concurrence of a majority of the members appointed and serving, which means four members needed to vote for the determination.

In a legal opinion provided to county commissioners on Friday, Kallman Legal Group (KLG), which serves as the countys corporation counsel, that the May 2 meeting and 3-1 vote were not valid determinations.

The primary issue with the May 2, 2024, meeting was that it was held after 45 days had elapsed. The first meeting of the commission was held on March 11, 2024, which therefore required all determinations be made on or before April 25, 2024, according to the opinion.

In its legal opinion this week, KLG recommended that a corrected resolution be issued reflecting that the only proper determinations made on April 11 were the increases for the countywide positions and the road commissioners.

However, more legally problematic factors have been uncovered.

The first is whether or not the board of commissioners was following the state statute correctly when they appointed the four new members in December and not before Oct. 1. In addition, a review of the countys calendar shows that the April 11 meeting was never properly noticed in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

Also, its not clear if the commission had the authority to make a determination for the county road commissioners, who are appointed, not elected.

Minimally, that could mean the decisions on April 11 are entirely invalidated. Its also possible that the entire body of work for the commission is invalid.

Legal Memo County Compensation Commission Final

Theres no clear way to fix it

When Commissioner Doug Zylstra, a Democrat, asked on May 14 what next steps were on the compensation commissions determinations, Moss said he would entertain a revision at the boards next meeting on May 28.

Zylstra asked if it was legal to send the matter back to the compensation commission, which technically now is disbanded.

Im not sending anything back, Moss said. Im asking for something thats valid.

KLG recommended to memorialize the determinations and votes that occurred on April 11, 2024, but the commission technically has disbanded after the 45-day expiration date and cant reconvene again until 2026.

I think that the compensation commission, according to the law, did its report on time, said Field Reichardt, who served on the commission for 12 years and chaired it in 2018 and 2020. I dont think they can send it back to the commission. I think the commission did its work.

Jackson agreed.

If its wrong, then vote to reject it. Theyre asking me to resubmit it by excluding something that was in the meeting. Thats not how it works, he said. Im done with my duties.

KLG also asked for meeting minutes from the April 11 meeting, which Jackson said already were produced.

Theyre asking me to write meeting minutes when we already have meeting minutes, Jackson said. I dont know if a civilian person is supposed to be typing up meeting minutes for an official county meeting.

The board has options it can exercise

State law says a board of commissioners has options to respond to a compensation commissions determinations.

The board can:

Reject the determinations by a two-thirds majority.

Accept the determinations.

Do nothing  in which case, the determinations by the compensation commission will go into effect in 2025.

Rick Martinez, who vice-chaired the compensation commission in 2022, said he had four members on his commission that year.

In my understanding, its either an up or down vote  yes or no, or they can choose not to vote on it, and then it goes into effect by default.

Jackson agreed.

Theyre supposed to be making their decision on the recommendation that we make, he said. Nowhere in [state law] says they make their recommendation on what happened in the meeting.

Dangers of taking no action

In the legal opinion, KLG said, because no proper determinations were made, the board didnt need to take action.

That could create a future legal problem, according to Al Vanderberg, former longtime Ottawa County administrator.

If they dont vote at all, it automatically goes into effect on Jan. 1, he said of the compensation commissions determinations. It was voted 3-1, he said of the 60% raise, but somebody has to contest it. If nobody contests it, then bad things can happen.

Vanderberg said the compensation committees findings are determinations, not recommendations.

Its a determination to the board of commissioners. Its their choice whether to accept or reject the determination in whole or in part, he said. If they fail to act, then the determination automatically goes into effect on the following Jan. 1.

Vanderberg said theres no reason for the board not to vote the invalid measures down to ensure that future problems dont crop up.

I think the danger is that it could all go into effect if they dont vote on it, Vanderberg said. Somebody needs to make an issue out of it. And the right thing to do, really, is kill it. Make sure the board rejects that one recommendation, and they have all the way up until Dec. 31.

Reichardt, who chaired the compensation commission in 2020 and 2018, said he thinks Moss is playing political games.

My take is that there was such a negative reaction that the Ottawa Impact people dont know what to do, he said. It looks to me like Ottawa Impact realizes that they opened a can of worms here and theyre trying to put the worms back in the can.

Whos responsible?

Moss blamed Jackson for not following state law.

Others, however, said its up to the administration to ensure meetings are properly noticed and conducted in a way that complies with all the statutory obligations.

Its the county, Vanderberg said. The county administrator is responsible.

Jackson said Deputy Administrator Ben Wetmore and county administrative aide Jordan Epperson attended the meetings, and that he wasnt provided any guidance on how to conduct the commissions business other than a printout of the statute.

Both Martinez and Reichardt, who account for the past three cycles of the commissions work, said previous administrators provided binders of research, ensured meetings were properly noticed and took minutes.

Jackson said the situation has been frustrating.

This is all wrong, he said.

Reichardt went a step further and blamed Anderson.

This is the fault of the county attorneys and Interim Administrator Jon Anderson, he said.

The post Ottawa County officials may not get raises amid legal controversy appeared first on Michigan Advance.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man driving a commercial tractor-trailer was handed over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations Monday after a major drug bust in Otay Mesa, authorities said.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officers encountered the 35-year-old man while he was applying for entry from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility. He had a valid border crossing card at the time.

The driver and tractor-trailer were referred for further examination. CBP said a K9 unit then alerted officers to the fuel tanks. A total of 160 packages were found inside the fuel tanks in what officials described as a non-factory compartment.

The contents of the packages were tested and officers determined it to be cocaine, collectively weighing 412.26 pounds.

Cocaine found in a fuel tank.

The continued success of OFO canine teams in the detection of narcotics is a team effort, said Rosa E. Hernandez, portDdirector for the Area Ports of Otay Mesa. We will continue to conduct

operations, including Operation Apollo, while leveraging intelligence and investigative

information to target drug traffickers supply chains.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and commercial tractor-trailer, while the driver was turned over

to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

Officials said this seizure is the result of Operation Apollo, a counter-fentanyl effort that began on Oct. 26, 2023 in Southern California.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The owners of a troubled apartment complex have sent tenants 30-day pay or quit notices after the owners reached a settlement with Clark County.

County commissioners approved the settlement for the Apex apartments with California-based Pro-Residential Services last month.

We cant afford to go anywhere clearly, thats why were still here, Travis Smith told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Smith said he lives in an apartment located north of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway with his wife and children.

A judge previously put evictions on hold after the county filed a lawsuit against the owners in 2022. The settlement clears the way for the owners to attempt to evict people who are not paying rent. The owners must also repair the property, follow building and fire codes, and pay the county $45,000, according to the settlement.

Power shut off at troubled Las Vegas apartment complex

In the lawsuit, the county alleged that the owners provided unsafe housing in multiple states while collecting COVID rental relief money, known as CHAP (CARES Housing Assistance Program) in Clark County. The county pointed to deplorable conditions and excessive crime at the complex. The 8 News Now Investigators exposed how the business was operating without a license.

Pro-Residential Services bought the property in January of 2021, according to county records. The owners collected nearly $330,000 of CHAP money by May of 2022, according to the county.

Las Vegas apartment complex remains unlicensed despite collecting COVID money, rent

I had no problem paying rent for someone who was actually taking care of this property, Selena Betancure told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Smith and Betancure said they had not paid rent in months because of the conditions of the property. Smith provided a copy of a notice he received which states he owes more than $18,000.

I-Team: Clark County judge gives problem apartments another chance to improve

Several tenants said they filed a motion to stay, the first step to ask a judge to stop the eviction.

The 8 News Now Investigators tried reaching the property owners and had not received a response by Tuesday afternoon.

The 8 News Now Investigators also requested updated CHAP information for the property.

As of April 30, the county reported that repairs listed in the agreement were not yet made and the owner has 30 days since issuance of a temporary business license on April 25 to reapply for a permanent business license.

The total amount of CHAP money received by May of 2024 for the owners of Apex and their tenants is $488,000, according to the county.

The 8 News Now Investigators asked the county whether help would be offered to tenants to find new housing.

In an email, a spokesperson responded, Clark Countys Social Service Department has attempted to obtain information about how many people might be in need of assistance, but the property manager has instead indicated they will provide contact information for Social Services to those who may be in need.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Pa. House passed a bill to give tax credits to companies that help workers defray the costs of child care (Getty Images)

Child care may soon become less expensive for some of Pennsylvanias working families.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in a broadly bipartisan 155-47 vote, passed a bill that would provide tax credits for employers that contribute to their employees child-care expenses.

We need access to child care to ensure a functional economy because without access there is no workforce, no tax revenue and our economy halts, state Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the bill with state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), said in a speech on the House floor.

According to a release from House Democrats, the proposed tax credit equals 30% of the total contributions an employer makes towards child care for all its workers, counting only the first $500 in contributions made per employee.

The release also noted that the credit would not be considered income on employees personal income tax returns.

In her floor speech, Hanbidge criticized what she called insufficient wages for child care workers in Pennsylvania, attributing a shortage of such workers to the low wages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics last year pinned the mean hourly wage for Pennsylvania child care workers at $14.18 per hour, $1.24 less than the national mean.

While this bill is a modest step in alleviating some of the impact that lack of child care has on families and businesses, it is an important one, Hanbidge said. By creating partnerships with employers who are willing to help cover important employees care costs, we are able to better bolster our economy and strengthen our future.

Hanbidge noted that the U.S. economy loses up to $122 billion each year because of insufficient child care, an apparent reference to a study by the Washington, D.C. nonprofit ReadyNation. That study was funded by the Pritzker Family Foundation, which, according to its website, has a commitment to and a focus on social and economic justice and equity.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in an October report, estimated that Pennsylvania loses $591 million annually in tax revenue due to child care issues.

Hanbidge received loud applause at the conclusion of her speech and the bill passed without any debate. The measure now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate.

Two of Pennsylvanias neighboring states, West Virginia and New York, already provide incentives for businesses that assist employees with child care costs or provide child care. Similar proposals are being considered in Alabama, Connecticut and Wisconsin.

The passage of the bill follows the expansion of Pennsylvanias child care tax credit, which Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law in December. That measure also received bipartisan support.

The post Pa. House passes bill to give tax credits to employers who help workers afford child care appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Pa. state government refuses to pay local stormwater fees. This bill would force it to

This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our north-central Pa. newsletter, Talk of the Town, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown.

HARRISBURG  A Pennsylvania House panel has advanced a bill that would force the state government to pay municipal stormwater fees, something it has so far refused to do, costing local governments millions of dollars.

Municipal officials have said the fees should apply to all land owners  even those exempt from taxes  because runoff and pollution mitigation are shared responsibilities, and the bill that moved out of the Local Government Committee on Wednesday would mandate just that.

State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, who co-sponsored the proposal, told lawmakers before the vote that while federal and state regulations are necessary to improve and protect water quality, municipalities have limited ways to pay for infrastructure projects.

Local governments face fines if they fail to comply with stormwater guidelines, so taxpayers foot the bill when the commonwealth does not pay up, he said.

Most local governments with stormwater fees use the amount of impervious surfaces, such as buildings and pavement, to determine how much a property owner pays. These surfaces dont let water absorb into the ground, which leads to more runoff and strains the pipes, drains, and gutters that make up stormwater systems.

The typical homeowner pays about $120 each year, or $10 a month, Andy Yencha, a water system expert at Penn State Extension, previously told Spotlight PA.

Farmers who already use mitigation practices and large property owners have pushed back against the fee model, saying it leaves them with costly bills. Yencha has helped municipalities draft stormwater ordinances and works with property owners to lower their bills, recommending things like credit programs recognizing efforts to control rain and snowmelt.

If a credit program gives property owners too many allowances, local governments wont raise enough money for stormwater infrastructure.

State Rep. Brett Miller, R-Lancaster, was the only member of his party to support the bill.

Other state House Republicans acknowledged the financial toll stormwater regulations take on municipalities but expressed concern over what these fees would do to the states finances.

In Harrisburg, home to a sprawling government complex, Capital Region Water misses out on $386,956 annually because the state refuses to pay stormwater fees for the nearly 5.4 million square feet of impervious surface, the municipal authoritys board chair Marc Kurowski testified before a state Senate panel in 2022.

Think about it this way: The commonwealth issues a mandate to address stormwater runoff. Capital Region Water puts in place a plan to address stormwater runoff. The state then refuses to pay for the mandate it imposed and the problems to which it contributes, Kurowski said.

As of this month, the states outstanding balance totals more than $1.4 million, Rebecca Laufer, external affairs manager for Capital Region Water, told Spotlight PA.

No other government entities have indicated an unwillingness to pay their stormwater fee, Laufer said. This includes the city, county, and federal government.

A case currently on appeal to the state Supreme Court could have broad implications for the small but growing number of municipalities that have adopted these fees.

Last year, state-owned West Chester University won a judgment that found the fee was a tax the school didnt have to pay. The court also said using the amount of impervious surface to determine rates doesnt correlate with the benefit of paying the charge.

A spokesperson for the state attorney generals office, which represents West Chester University in the case, and a spokesperson for state Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, declined to comment on the legislation.

Dozens of municipalities and government groups have argued in friend-of-the-court briefs that upholding the lower courts ruling would leave local officials strapped for resources  other than raising property taxes  to meet mandates and maintain the necessary infrastructure.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has also asked the state Supreme Court to reverse the lower courts decision. In legal filings, the conservation group has argued that exempting state-owned land from local stormwater fees doesnt mean those properties stop contributing runoff.

Julia Krall, the foundations executive director in Pennsylvania, noted that public and private landowners statewide have agreed to pay these local stormwater fees to support programs to reduce pollution and meet government mandates.

The commonwealth paying its fair share of stormwater costs for state-owned properties would support locally-created and controlled stormwater programs that are a critical part of ensuring that we have clean and abundant water, Krall told Spotlight PA. Our health, well-being, and quality of life depend on it.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
PEARL HARBOR  A U.S. Army Logistics Support Vessel can transport 24 Abrams tanks at once, even at sea for nearly a month without needing a port visit, and one recently deployed to Gaza to help build the floating pier designed to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the war-torn region.

Aboard the USAV LTG William B. Bunker, or the LSV-4, the vessel master, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Arian Fernandez, told Defense News that much like the B2 Bomber, the ship is old but reliable. It has an engine very similar to a train locomotive, is operated by a crew of just 31 Army mariners and can be ready to go on a lengthy at sea mission within 24 to 48 hours.

The LSV-4 took one of its longest trips from Hawaii out to Talisman Sabre in Australia last year and much was learned about exercising logistics over the shore, according to Maj. Gen. Jared Helwig, the 8th Theater Sustainment Command commander.

At the Association of the U.S. Armys LANPAC conference in Honolulu last week, Helwig said Talisman Sabre was really the first time a major exercise in the Pacific had a key focus on logistics.

Logistics and sustainment are central to carving out a major role for the Army in the Pacific as the U.S. seeks to deter China and prepares to protect allies and partners.

The Army is figuring out what it will need to conduct logistics and sustainment in a contested environment going forward and watercraft is an essential element.

The LSVs in the Army inventory will stay in the fleet for many years along with other vital watercraft such as smaller Landing Craft Utility boats, modular causeway systems  which are essentially floating piers  and small tugboats.

Yet the Army wants more watercraft and is developing a strategy for strengthening the fleet in the future. Recent exercises in the Pacific theater are helping to shape that plan.

A U.S. Army watercraft is seen docked at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii. (Jen Judson/Staff)

Three-pronged approach

Watercraft in this region plays an enormously important role, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Charles Flynn told Defense News at LANPAC.

For Flynn, the strategy to build out the fleet will have a three-pronged approach. We have to take what is currently in the inventory, he said, and maintain that. We need to do a much deeper look at the maintenance of our current vessels

Secondly, the Army is taking lessons learned from its current LSV fleet to develop the right requirements for the Maneuver Support Vessel-Light (MSV-L) and MSV-Heavy development. The Army is working closely with industry to modernize through those efforts, Flynn said.

The service wants to make sure that we have a good lash up between what were currently learning, how were using them and what the future holds for us with lighter, higher payloads, greater speeds, lower draft, lower signature, he said.

Additionally, the Army needs to be able to maintain its fleet forward in the Pacific whether that is in Guam, Japan, Australia or anywhere else in the theater.

Why is that important? Thats important because they are also developing out their watercraft capabilities, Flynn said. And that is tied to our military capabilities but its also tied to commercial contributions thats being made in each one of these countries.

Growing the fleet

The Army is already testing out its first Maneuver Support Vessel-Light prototype with plans to build 14. The plan is to build one vessel a year in the production phase, Lt. Gen. Karl Gingrich, Army G-8, told Defense News in a May 21 interview.

Helwig said he is hoping to get the first MSV-L prototype in Hawaii by the end of the year to validate the capability and experiment with it around the Hawaiian Islands.

From a sustainers perspective, if were able to have it here, doing that activity, validating itself in the environment that it will operate in, it will also teach us a lot about what it takes to sustain it, to employ it, and to correctly integrate it into the joint force, he said.

The MSV-Heavy is not yet a requirement for the Army, Gingrich said. When you go above that to maybe an MSV-Heavy or something like that, he said, you start to really get up almost into the Navy, Marine Corps [Landing Ship Medium] requirement and thats a really big ship with a really big crew.

Vessels in that class are really expensive, and would be difficult to fund, especially with historically flat or declining Army budgets, Gingrich noted, so that is going to be really hard.

The Army is now watching the Marine Corps Offshore Support Vessel program. The vessel was at Project Convergence at Camp Pendleton, California, earlier this spring. Thats in theater right now, as I understand it, for about 90 days to learn and grow.

Gingrich said hed asked for a report assessing its performance. That could be an option, but we are very closely tied to the Marine Corps and what theyre doing, he said. Even if we do pursue an MSV-H, we wont have it for a long time. So what do we do in the interim?

One solution would be to pursue something commercially, according to Gingrich. When I say commercial solution, it could be something that we buy, a used craft, and man it. Or some other version where we truly just are contracted. I dont know yet.

As watercraft get larger, Helwig noted, moving around areas in the Pacific, particularly archipelagos with shallow water, are challenging and so the Army is looking at what commercial capabilities are out there as well when it comes to offshore support vessels, commercial shallow draft vessels that might help us out. What kind of barging capabilities are there?

The Philippines, with over 7,000 islands, for example, move things around on barges regularly, Helwig noted.

This year, the Army has used an offshore support vessel in Operation Pathways, Helwig said. Its been a great opportunity for us to see how we would integrate that into our overall military operations as part of Pathways.

The Army knows it will need to integrate offshore support vessels or commercial vessels, he added. Just like every operation, weve had commercial trucks, and other capabilities integrated into our operations. Watercraft are the same way; were never going to build enough watercraft for the military and so we have to leverage the commercial capabilities that are out there.
(BCN)  A San Francisco man was arrested in Pacifica this weekend on suspicion of attempting to break into several businesses, police said Tuesday.

At about 11 p.m. on Saturday, an officer on foot patrol in the 2000 block of Palmetto Avenue allegedly discovered a man trying to break into a closed business with a 4-foot-long metal fence post.

Elementary students exposed to pepper spray released during SF Sheriffs training exercise

Officers arrested Corey Hart, 36, who was allegedly caught with burglary tools as he tried to break into two other businesses through a storefront window and glass door. Hart admitted to searching for valuables to sell, according to police.

Hart was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, vandalism, and possession of burglary tools. He was also picked up on an outstanding bench warrant out of San Francisco for trespassing and vandalism.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
By Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - A veteran Italian paparazzi photographer has accused Gerard Depardieu of assaulting him in central Rome after he took photos of the French actor and his partner at a famed restaurant.

Rino Barillari, 79, told Italian media he went to Harry's Bar on Via Veneto when he heard that Depardieu was having lunch there on Tuesday with friends.

Barillari started taking photos before retreating to the street outside, after Depardieu's entourage repeatedly asked him to leave.

The actor's partner, Magda Vavrusova, followed him to remonstrate, Barillari said, with Depardieu rushing out soon afterwards and punching him three times, leaving him with a cut to his head that needed hospital attention.

"I reported Depardieu, a bully (to the police). He can't believe he can get away with it," Barillari told Il Messaggero newspaper.

Police said they were looking into the incident.

Barillari's account differs significantly from that of Depardieu and Vavrusova, who said he had shoved them around.

"The photographer pushed me by touching my torso and chest with his arm," Vavrusova said in a statement sent by her lawyer Delphine Meillet, adding she had also reported Barillari to police.

"Faced with the violence of the situation, Gerard Depardieu, who intervened between the paparazzi and his partner, fell and slipped on him," the statement said.

In an interview with la Repubblica newspaper, Depardieu blamed the incident on Barillari.

"He started pushing, he was also pushing Magda, and ... I completely lost my balance and fell," he said.

Gianni Riotta, a well-known Italian journalist who witnessed the altercation disputed Depardieu's version of events.

"That is a bald lie. He pummelled Barillari," Riotta told Reuters, adding that he had given police a statement describing how Depardieu had attacked the photographer.

"With surprising agility, I saw Depardieu charge out of the restaurant towards the photographer and then he punched him," adding that the attack left Barillari "bleeding profusely".

Depardieu, one of France's top movie stars, has been at the centre of a growing number of scandals in recent years, including numerous allegations of sexual assault, that have tarnished his legacy.

He is due to go on trial in Paris in October for alleged sexual assaults against two women during a 2021 film shoot. He has denied any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer; Additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon in Paris; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Former WBC welterweight champion Viktor Postol (31-5, 12 KOs) believes that after defeating Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) and winning the title of absolute champion of the super-heavyweight division, Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) no longer has any competitors of a decent level. According to the Ukrainian boxer, the only intrigue is the rematch with Fury.

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Postol is confident that even the former WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder cannot fight Oleksandr.

"There's no one else for Usyk to box with there. Yes, only Wilder remains, but it seems that Sasha will have no problems with him. He should even beat the American earlier. Yes, the only thing that would be interesting to see is a rematch with Fury," Viktor believes.

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However, in the second fight, the Gypsy King may be more dangerous for Usyk.

"It seems to me that it will be easier for Fury to box Sasha because he has already fought him, he will definitely review the fight, work on his mistakes, and he will already know how to work against him. So it seems that it will be harder for Oleksandr if there is a rematch," Postol added.

Earlier, in a conversation with OBOZ.UA, the former Ukrainian champion explained how the referee helped Tyson and why it would be easier for him in the second fight.

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It is known that Usyk was hospitalized after the fight with Tyson Fury. Promoter Oleksandr Krasiuk told the details of the boxer's jaw injury.

Usyk defeated Fury by a split decision  115:112, 113:114, 114:113. After the fight, the British fighter called the war in Ukraine one of the reasons for his defeat. Tyson also expressed his desire to visit Ukraine.

It has become known that Usyk will lose the title of absolute world champion by the beginning of summer. This decision angered the British Tony Bellew.

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And in England, they started talking about the Gypsy King ending his career after the defeat.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Gone but never forgotten.

On Monday, May 27, communities locally and across the nation will gather to salute their fallen heroes with Memorial Day events.

Considered by many these days as a three-day weekend celebrating the unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day was created for a more somber purpose.

The federal holiday was established in 1971 to honor America's men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Across the U.S., it is marked by parades, solemn observances at cemeteries or memorials and more.

Here is a look at this year's Memorial Day events planned across Greater Fall River and New Bedford:

Diane Leclair installs flowers and American flags in front of her father Albert Charles Normandin's grave at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Bedford in preparation for Memorial Day. Mr. Normandin was a Marine during WWII and fought during the battle of Iwo Jima.

Dartmouth

Monday, May 27: The Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Town Landing on Gulf Road. It will proceed to Bridge Street, stop on the Padanaram Bridge and Causeway for a wreath laying service with the local Boy Scouts, then proceed to the Elm Street Cemetery for a short service. The route ends at the World War I memorial outside the old police station on Russells Mills Road, where closing ceremonies will take place. Gold Star father Gerald Enos, whose son Peter died in Iraq in 2004, will serve as grand marshal of this year's parade. About 30 community groups will be marching, along with an M35 series 2.5-ton military truck and various emergency vehicles.

Fairhaven

Monday, May 27: Fairhaven's annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m., beginning at Union and Main streets, heading north to Fairhaven High School, and then continuing to Riverside Cemetery for a ceremony.

'Take a moment to think': What Gold Star families want you to remember on Memorial Day

Bella Almeida, 6, waves a flag at members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle crew during Fall River's Memorial Day parade, on South Main Street on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

Fall River

Saturday, May 25:

Italian American War Veterans Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial (Bicentennial) Park, followed by a Gold Star Families Candlelight Vigil at 7:45 p.m.

Sunday, May 26:

- Polish War Veterans Monument Ceremony, Mass, and breakfast, 8 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Parish

- Memorial Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Griffin Park

- Rolling Thunder MA Ch. 2 Ride for Freedom and ceremony: The ride starts at noon at Plainridge Casino and ends at Bicentennial Park, followed by a ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, May 27:

- Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the War on Terrorism Monument at North Park

- Kennedy Park Monument ceremony at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Memorial Day Parade on South Main Street. The parade steps off at 11 a.m.

- Ceremony after the parade at 11:45 a.m. at Government Center

Events will be held rain or shine.

Remembering Charles Braga: You know the bridge. But how much do you know about Charles Braga and Pearl Harbor?

Lakeville

Monday, May 27: The Lakeville Historical Commission will host its annual Memorial Day observance starting at 10:30 a.m. with remarks in front of the Veterans Memorial Stone at the fire station and town office building, 346 Bedford St. The group will then continue to World War I Memorial Dickran Diran Square, and end at the 1856 Town House, which will be open for a veterans display and refreshments. Ceremonial wreath-layings will take place along the way. In case of inclement weather, the program will take place at the National Register 1856 Historic Town House, at Route 18 and Precinct Street.

Marion

Monday, May 27: The town will host its annual Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession starting at 9 a.m. in front of the Music Hall, 164 Front St. The procession will then march 0.6 miles up Front Street to the Veterans Memorial at Old Landing, where the the town will pay tribute to its fallen heroes with a wreath-laying. The event will feature the Sippican School Marching Band, as well as The Portuguese American Band. The master of ceremonies will be Technical Sergeant Mandy Givens of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. The featured speaker is longtime Marion resident Charles A (Charlie) Brown, a military veteran and three-time Purple Heart recipient. Residents are encouraged to attend the remembrances as well as stand along the parade route on Front Street between Cottage Street and Ryder Lane. In the event of rain, the event will be relocated to the Multipurpose Room of Sippican Elementary School.

Mattapoisett

Monday, May 27: The American Legion Post 280 and The Tri-Town Veterans Office are hosting the annual Mattapoisett Memorial Day Ceremony at Center School, 17 Barstow St., at 1:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pete O'Brien USMC (Ret), and there will be performances by the Old Hammondtown Band and the Showstoppers.

Honoring a WWI veteran: Fall River's Route 79 bridge was named for a man killed in action in WWI. Who was he?

Middleboro

Monday, May 27: This year's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will honor AJ Lapanna, a lifelong Middleboro resident, police officer and U.S. Army veteran. The parade steps off from the Town Hall at 10 a.m. and goes through the center of town. A ceremony will follow the parade at the Veterans Memorial on the Town Hall lawn.

New Bedford

Saturday, May 25:

9 a.m. at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St. - The Greater New Bedford Civil War Roundtable will conduct its annual Remembrance Service in the Civil War section of the cemetery. The service will include a wreath-laying, presentations of Logans Order and the Gettysburg Address, musical selections, and keynote remarks from Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Sunday, May 26:

10 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1100 Ashley Blvd. - New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Veterans plot.

Diane Leclair installs flowers and American flags in front of her father Albert Charles Normandin's grave at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Bedford in preparation for Memorial Day. Mr. Normandin was a Marine during WWII and fought during the battle of Iwo Jima.

12 p.m. at City Hall, 133 William St. - New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Vietnam Veterans Honor Roll on the William Street side of the building.

Monday, May 27:

8:15 a.m. at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St. - New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Veterans plot.

10 a.m. at Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Drive - The New Bedford Port Societys annual Fishermens Memorial Day Service will follow a procession from Seamen's Bethel. In the event of rain, the event will be held inside Seamen's Bethel.

11:30 a.m. New Bedford Memorial Day Parade

The parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street beginning around 10:30 a.m. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m. It will march east on Parker Street to County Street, where it will turn left and head north on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will make its final turn into Clasky Common Park.

There will be a Memorial Day service at the reviewing stand at the conclusion of the parade, which includes the reading of the Gettysburg Address, Logans Orders, and roll call of New Bedford veterans who have died. Family and friends of veterans who have passed away are invited to bring a flower to the service and place it at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in remembrance.

Police note that a parking ban along the entire parade route will be strictly enforced.

Diane Leclair installs flowers and American flags in front of her father Albert Charles Normandin's grave at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Bedford in preparation for Memorial Day. Mr. Normandin was a Marine during WWII and fought during the battle of Iwo Jima.

Rochester

Sunday, May 26: A Memorial Day event is planned for noon at the Rochester Town Hall, which will include selected readings, a short procession to Daggett Square, with additional readings and music.

Monday, May 27: The Rochester Fire Department will sponsor the annual Rochester Memorial Day Boat and Kayak Race on the Mattapoisett River. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. at Grandma Hartley's Reservoir, Snipatuit Road in Rochester, and finishes at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

Somerset

Monday, May 27: The annual Memorial Day parade starts at 10 a.m. at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. It steps off at Luther Avenue, travels down County Street to Center Street, down Center Street to the World War I Memorial for a wreath-laying. The procession then continues on Riverside Avenue to Wood Street, up Wood Street to County Street, and then left to the VFW, where events will wrap up with a short ceremony at the VFW Post 8500.

'I would have my dad back': Gold Star son opens his heart at event to honor fallen heroes

Swansea

Saturday, May 25: Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Green, 59 Garners Neck Road, Swansea, on Saturday, at 10 a.m.

Westport

Monday, May 27: A parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, with the placing of a wreath, rifle salute, and playing of TAPS at the World War I monument. The half-mile-long parade -- which will include service members, veterans, veterans organizations, Gold Star families, elected officials, police and fire departments, Scout troops, school bands, color guards, and civic organizations -- will then proceed south along Main Road, ending at Beech Grove Cemetery. There will be a ceremony at the Veterans Monument in Beech Grove Cemetery following the parade at 10 a.m. In the event of bad weather, the parade will be canceled and the ceremony will be held at the Town Hall Annex Gym, at 856 Main Road, at 10 a.m.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Memorial Day 2024 events planned in Greater Fall River and New Bedford
PARKER, Colo. (KDVR)  A Parker family is frustrated and shaken after an overnight theft in their driveway.

The Wall family woke up to find the trailer holding their four-wheeler and side-by-side was gone. The family said they normally keep those utility vehicles on family property, but they had just brought them home for a planned camping trip for Memorial Day weekend.

This is what you need to make to be middle class in Colorado

Brie Wall, a mother of two, spoke with FOX31 about the theft and how they found out their property was gone.

I was leaving for the gym about 6 oclock this morning and I kind of pulled out of the driveway and noticed that there was something missing. So the flatbed trailer was not there that had our Razor and our ATV on it. So I pulled right back in and called him and called the police, Brie said.

Luckily, they have multiple cameras on their home, capturing the thieves on video.

It shows the thieves pass by their home around 2:17 a.m. in a white truck. Less than 10 minutes later, the pair return, and in a matter of minutes, they hitch the trailer and drive off.

The family estimates what they stole totals around $30,000. They were insured for everything but the four-wheeler. Speaking with neighbors, the Walls discovered just before hitting their home that these same suspects stole a trailer hitch just a street over, potentially using that same hitch to steal the Walls trailer.

Its a pretty tight-knit little community, two ways in and two ways out, and everyone really knows each other, Stan Wall, Bries husband, said.

They hope police can find the perpetrators, although they are more concerned about fellow Parker residents knowing about this happening in their community.

People need to be aware, like as the weather heats up, people are bringing home campers and toys and leaving them out and it could happen to anyone, Brie said.

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A neighboring areas homeowners association reached out to the walls after they posted the videos on social media. Their residents have a specific lot for residents to use for utility vehicles and have had multiple break-ins with a similar truck and suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Parker Police Department.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted on May 22 to create a special temporary commission on fortifications, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said.

The authorities have long been criticized for slow progress in building up fortifications along the front lines as a renewed Russian offensive loomed. The criticism only grew stronger after Russian forces broke into the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast earlier in May.

The proposal to create the special commission was backed by 277 lawmakers.

"We will not allow anybody to forget about the fortifications. This initiative is very important," Honcharenko said on Telegram.

In March, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was building 2,000 kilometers of fortifications across three lines of defense, adding that the "task is massive, but the pace is good."

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in April that the government has already allocated almost Hr 38 billion (around $950 million) to fortifications in 2024.

After Russian forces managed to quickly cross the border in Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, the regional authorities were lambasted over the lack of effective defenses in what was lauded as the most fortified oblast.

Tamaz Gambarashvili, the military administration head of the Vochansk border town that became a focal point of this new offensive, said the construction there was difficult due to the vicinity of the Russian border and constant shelling.

Read also: Construction of fortifications around Vovchansk was difficult, official says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Patients cared for by female doctors have a lower risk of death, according to new research

With more and more women being ignored in the medical field for ongoing symptomsbeing told they should just eat less, and workout more, or completely ignoring pain management when inserting IUDsit looks like all of us need to focus on finding more female doctors when setting up our care, according to countless studies.

Statistics show female doctors typically spend more time with their patients and interrupt their patients less often than male doctors do, which according to studies, leads to more accurate diagnoses and treatments, as well as ensuring things arent missed or ignored. Because of this, patients who have a female doctor are less likely to have major health issues after surgery or hospitalization, and their risk of death is much lower.

This correlation has been studied for quite a while, but a recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that surgical teams with more women see fewer health complications among patients than male-dominated teams, per NBC News.

Based on an analysis of more than 700,000 procedures in 88 hospitals in Canada taken between 2009 and 2019, hospitals where female surgeons and anesthesiologists made up more than 35% of the surgical teams, Higher levels of gender diversity were associated with a 3% lower chance of serious health complications for patients within three months of a major, non-emergency surgery, NBC News reports.

Over the last decade, other studies have proven this to be true as well. A study published last month found that women treated by female physicians were less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital compared to those treated by male physicians. The same was true for elderly hospitalized patients treated by female internists, according to a 2017 study, NBC News reports.

However, dont fret if you have a male for a doctor, according to Dr. Julie Hallet, lead author of the new study and an associate professor of surgery at the University of Toronto.

In an interview with NBC News, Hallet said, Its very hard to say a male is better than a female surgeon in general.

There are male surgeons who are excellent out there, and there are female surgeons who are excellent out there as well. Rather, the findings underscore that hospitals provide better care when they have diverse surgical teams, Hallet said. Its not only the right thing to do  its really the smart thing to do, she told NBC News.

She added that the strengths listed above with female doctors may not have as much of an impact if theres only one woman on the team.

If you have only one or two individuals, they may not feel comfortable to speak up and to bring forward their perspective, she said. So there has to be a critical mass achieved before you can see those benefits happen.

However, Dr. Andrea Riner, a general surgery resident at University of Florida Health, told NBC News that patients tended to fare worse when their sex isnt the same as their surgeons. She added, however, that this research still helps combat bias against female physicians.

There are oftentimes that I am assumed to be a nurse or another member of the entire care team based on just my appearance, Riner said.
Pax Americana, or American dominance, has declined so swiftly under Joe Biden that the worlds superpower now pays its respects to tyrants and terrorists when they die.

Hence the humiliating sight this week at the UN Security Council of US officials joining in a moment of silence for Irans late president, Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan. Ronald Reagan would have been appalled. This was a new low, even for the Biden administration.

Raisi carried the well-earned title of Butcher of Tehran, and had been a key figure in the development of Irans nuclear programme, as well as Irans vast role in fueling terrorist activity across the Middle East, including arming and funding murderous groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He was so close to Irans Supreme Leader that he was expected to ultimately be his successor.

You expect the French to perfect the art of appeasement, and the European Union to grovel to Tehran at every opportunity in the hope of restoring lucrative business ties and investment. But it is dispiriting to see US officials kowtowing to a terrorist regime that has the blood of Americans on its hands. Even following Irans extensive backing for Hamass October 7 massacre of Israelis, the weak-kneed Biden administration still hopes to revive the Iran nuclear deal and restart negotiations with Tehran.

In his first term, Donald Trump approved the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. Joe Biden, however, had his officials pay their respects to Soleimanis former boss, Raisi, the political leader of the worlds biggest state sponsor of terror. The contrast could not be more striking.

No US president has done more to undermine Americas standing in in the world than Joe Biden. If Trump becomes president of the United States for a second time, he must restore a sense of American dominance and exceptionalism on the world stage.

The United States needs to return to a position of being respected by its friends, and feared by its enemies. Biden has consistently undermined key US allies, including its two most important partners on the world stage, the United Kingdom and Israel. In recent months, Biden has treated Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with outright contempt, and his administration has at times withheld vital military weapons for the Israelis in their fight against Hamas.

At the same time, Biden has run roughshod over the Special Relationship with London, abandoning a trade deal with the worlds sixth largest economy, throwing Afghanistan to the Taliban wolves, and issuing bellicose warnings over Northern, directly intervening to undermine Brexit.

Even two of Americas closest allies in the Indo-Pacific, Japan, and India, were recently accused of being xenophobic by the US president while speaking at a fundraiser in Washington, in an astonishing rant that smacked of outright rudeness and amateurism.

At the same time, Americas enemies are growing emboldened. China increasingly threatens the sovereignty and security of Taiwan. Russia has launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Irans proxies continue to threaten international shipping in the Red Sea without any real consequences for Tehran.

The enemies of the free world are acting as though it is open season for them to behave with impunity, while the US colossus drowns amidst a sea of mounting debt, weak-kneed leadership from the White House, dangerous woke ideology imposed by the Biden administration, and a disastrous open-borders approach that has allowed over nine million illegal migrants to cross into the United States since Biden took office.

It is little wonder that Biden has some of the lowest approval ratings of any American president in modern times, with less than a quarter of Americans believing the US is heading in the right direction. The American people feel poorer, less safe, and less secure than they did four years ago, and are increasingly losing faith in the presidency and in Congress.

Bidens evident mental decline is matched only by Americas plummeting standing on the international stage. Our allies no longer trust our commander in chief, while those who wish the nation harm are growing in belligerence and confidence. The era of Pax Americana is on life support, with clueless and destructive Joe Biden in the driving seat.

If Trump returns for a second term, he will need to bring back strength and resolve to the White House, and rebuild Americas position as the leader of the free world. The alternative is the rise of Chinese totalitarianism in Asia, a potential invasion of NATO territory by Russia, and a genocidal nuclear-armed Iran prepared to carry out its threats to wipe Israel off the map.

A world without America at the helm is unthinkable, but that is the reality we are facing today with feckless Joe Biden in charge.

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Paying for two homes while away at school? The military wants to help

Airmen and guardians who move away from their families to attend a professional military education program or other training can now earn extra pay to cover the cost of living at both homes.

Under the new policy, a person can collect a daily stipend based on their monthly housing allowance rate without dependents, the Department of the Air Force said May 15. For instance, a major who lives near Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, while attending Air Command and Staff College can earn about $1,600 a month.

The new allowance is paid on top of the housing stipend an airman or guardian already receives at their primary residence.

Troops qualify for the pay bump if they are stationed at the training location for less than a year, have orders to return to their previous base, and do not live in free government housing like dormitories.

The change offers more flexibility for troops whose permanent changes of station can financially crunch families who stay behind while a service member is away at school. Those monthslong relocations are critical steps on an airman or guardians effort to climb the career ladder, but can squeeze a familys budget when trying to pay for two homes at once.

We understand that these short moves, while necessary, can be disruptive to the lives and finances of airmen and guardians with families  particularly in situations where they are slated to return to their original duty station, Alex Wagner, the services civilian personnel boss, said in a release. This new allowance gives our service members and their families additional resources to weather these times away without the added stress of financial uncertainties.

Congress directed the military to adopt the new policy as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which became law in December 2022. Pay is retroactive to Dec. 23, 2022.

The Pentagon added the rule to its Joint Travel Regulation last fall. The Air Force and Space Forces rule took effect May 7; the Navy and Marine Corps enacted their own versions in March. The Army has not yet issued a parallel update.

The November 2023 Joint Travel Regulation update entitled eligible Army service members to these allowances even without Army policy implementation, Army spokesperson Heather Hagan said Wednesday. We are in the process of updating our policies.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A pedestrian died in Tom Green County on Wednesday morning after being struck by a tanker truck, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The incident occurred around 10:10 a.m. near the 9500 block of South York Road, where a driver was operating a 2006 Mack tanker truck. The driver, who was not injured, was performing work-related duties when he inadvertently backed over Robert Stevens, 63, also of San Angelo.

Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene.

The weather conditions were clear, and the road was dry at the time of the accident.

The Texas Highway Patrol investigated the incident with assistance from the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office and the Wall Volunteer Fire Department.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Space Wars

The militarization of space is really heating up after the Pentagon accused Russia of launching a satellite that national security officials believe is capable of attacking other satellites in orbit, the BBC reports.

And most chillingly, this satellite, which the Russians launched last week, is on the same orbit as a US government satellite.

"Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter space weapon," said Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder on Tuesday, as reported by the BBC.

"Obviously, that's something that we'll continue to monitor," Ryder told ABC News. "Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force. And we'll continue to balance the need to protect our interests in space with our desire to preserve a stable and sustainable space environment."

Collision Course

This news comes on the heels of American security officials sounding the alarm earlier this year that Russia planned to send a nuclear space weapon  an anti-satellite probe, essentially  or even a dummy version of it into orbit. Security leaks to news media indicated that it would be capable of emitting a powerful energy wave that would disable other satellites, even ones sent into space by Russia.

Such a weapon would be in violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which "forbids countries from deploying 'nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction' in outer space."

Could this mysterious probe launched into space last week be the nuclear weapon that American security officials have been warning about? It's tough to say, but the Russians flatly denied the Pentagon's assertions that last week's launch was a space weapon.

"I don't think that we should respond to any information leak from Washington," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to journalists in Moscow, as quoted by ABC News. "The Russian space program is developing as planned, launches of spacecraft for various purposes, including devices that solve the problem of strengthening our defense capability, this is also not news."

That's somewhat hard to believe; back in 2021, Russia blew up a satellite with a missile in a military exercise, forcing the crew of the International Space Station to cower and prompting an outraged international response.

More on satellites: NASA was "Really Scared" When a Russian Satellite Almost Obliterated Its Orbiter
The activities of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine should be banned. The draft law on this issue has great public importance, so it must be adopted without violations so that it cannot be canceled through the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

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This was stated by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk at a briefing on Wednesday, May 22. He also commented on the blocking of the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada by the European Solidarity faction.

"The social significance of this draft law is great. The Parliament has no right to fire a blank shot when adopting this draft law, nor to violate the regulations," Stefanchuk emphasized.

According to him, Eurosolidarity MPs demanded that the bill be put to a vote in the session hall in violation of the Verkhovna Rada's Rules of Procedure.

"And as a lawyer, I can tell you that this is a direct basis for the subsequent repeal of this law in the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," Stefanchuk emphasized.

He explained that this is why it was decided to collect signatures under the draft law to make sure that there are enough votes for its adoption.

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"As soon as all the signatures are collected, the draft law will be immediately submitted to the parliament," the Speaker assured.

At the same time, Stefanchuk emphasized that he voted for the bill in the first reading and will vote for it in the second.

"But I want it to be passed with perfect compliance with the Rules of Procedure and procedures to give no chance to anyone to destroy this bill in the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized.

Stefanchuk also commented on the opposition's claims that the President's Office had allegedly instructed members of the Servant of the People faction not to sign the draft law. He called such statements one of the types of political struggle by opponents and their "flabby fantasies."

"All other manipulations, all other statements that someone called someone back are some kind of flabby fantasies of certain political actors who are for some reason in the parliament," the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada said.

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Stefanchuk reminded that before the vote in the first reading, signatures were also collected to see if there were votes to support the bill.

"I remember all the manipulations that allegedly delayed the publication of the draft law on the website somewhere in the Verkhovna Rada Office. You see, these are political lollipops that are sometimes given as information to give something to talk about," Stefanchuk said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine appealed to the Parliament to ban the UOC-MP at the legislative level. It is noted that the OCU supports the need to annul those organizations whose religious center is located in the aggressor state.

Bigus.info investigators reported that the UOC-MP is the basis for a Kremlin agent network in Ukraine that aims to destabilize the domestic political situation. In particular, according to the journalists, "agents in robes" spread propaganda narratives and materials discrediting the Ukrainian leadership through the "Union of Orthodox Journalists"," First Cossack", and "Myriany".

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Most Ukrainians support the ban on the UOC-MP. 63% supported a complete ban of this church in Ukraine, and 20% supported the establishment of state control and supervision over its activities.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
A Pentagon spokesman said that Russia "likely" launched a "counter space weapon" capable of attacking U.S. satellites. File Photo by Maxim Shipenkov/EPA-EFE

May 22 (UPI) -- Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Russia "likely" has launched a "counter space weapon" capable of threatening U.S. government satellites.

Responding to a question from ABC News, Ryder said that Russia launched the satellite on May 16, adding it was deployed "into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite."

"Assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previous deployed counter space payloads from 2019 and 2022," Ryder said. "Obviously, that's something that we'll continue to monitor. Certainly, we would say that we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined forces."

Counter space satellites have the potential to use lasers to "blind" satellite sensors with overwhelming light, preventing them from taking images. They can also listen in on communication satellites. France has charged that Russia has already tried to snoop on conversations bounced off its Athena-Fidus satellite.

The Pentagon also has accused Moscow of trying to develop a nuclear anti-satellite weapon.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council for a second time voted down a resolution to ban weapons in space. Monday was a proposal led by the Kremlin while the failed attempt in April came from a United States proposal.
Period supplies in schools are critical to education and health, schools and advocates say

Supporters for supplying schools with period products at a May 22, 2024 news conference. (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

Every day, North Carolina students who cannot afford period supplies are forced to ask teachers or school staff for feminine hygiene products. Some students miss school because they dont have tampons or menstrual pads at home.

Advocates for ending period poverty, the lack of access to supplies due to lack of income, met at the Legislative Building on Wednesday to emphasize the importance the issue has for education and student health.

Public school districts and charter schools eagerly dipped into a state grant program for feminine hygiene products that the legislature started in 2021 with $250,000.

Schools are able to obtain up to $5,000 a year for supplies. The current budget increased total funding to $500,000 a year.

Michelle Schaefer-Old, founder and CEO of the Diaper Bank of NC, said they wanted to thank legislators for what theyve done so far, and to encourage them to add to it. The Diaper Bank founded the Period Power Coalition, a group of organizations working to end period poverty.

In the state grant programs first two years, the money ran out within a week, according to state Department of Public Instruction reports. DPI was not able to award money to all applicants.

In one week, DPI received 149 applications for grant money and made 64 awards, according to a March 2024 report to legislators. The report covered a period during which $250,000 was available. DPI fields questions about the grant throughout the year.

Responses to the grant application demonstrated a great need for feminine hygiene products to be available in school, as school may be the only place some students have access to these products, the DPI report says.

As many grantees indicated, there is a direct link between student academic success and the provision of hygiene products in school. When students know that they can access hygiene products at school and do not experience anxiety and fear of not knowing when or where they will have the products they need, they are able to learn better and are more likely to stay at and come to school during their periods. The grant program has not only helped students stay in school during their menstrual cycles but has also helped provide educational opportunities for maintaining good hygiene to reduce instances of infections.

Period poverty has become a national focus and drawn the attention of governments, nonprofits, and students.

As these reports have stated and evidence has clearly shown, there is a great need for these products to be available in school, said state Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Wake County Democrat.

One-quarter of U.S. students who menstruate experienced period poverty in 2021, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies. Nine states pay for the period products they require schools to stock, according to the alliance. Ten states and Washington, DC have a requirement but dont pay for it. Eight states, including North Carolina, provide some funding.

The Period Power Coalition is able to provide supplies to about 350 to 400 schools, said coordinator Mia Kuykendall. That leaves thousands of schools without supplies, she said, with the state grant helping to fill that gap.

Kuykendall said she experienced period poverty as a student in Charlotte and missed school and opportunities because neither she nor her school had supplies.

This is still happening to students, she said. Theyre missing out on so much because their schools cannot access these supplies.

Elise Chang co-founded the organization Free Period at Chapel Hill High School in the fall of 2022. Through fundraising and donations, Free Period provided students with more than 16,000 products, she said.

Free Period has been monumental for the Chapel Hill High community, Chang said. Gone are the days of worrying if youve packed enough products for the day, if you have sleeves conducive to hiding a tampon or if you will simply be able to afford a box of pads, which are actually taxed as luxury goods in North Carolina. Students have informed us that Free Period being on campus makes their lives easier.

Chang said shes proud of the work Free Period has done, but students should not be responsible for financing critical resources.

The organization will continue to combat the stigma around menstruation and stock school bathrooms, she said.

This work cannot be done alone, Chang said. So we are looking to our legislators for that support.

The post Period supplies in schools are critical to education and health, schools and advocates say appeared first on NC Newsline.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Law enforcement is asking for the publics help in locating a suspect in connection to a shooting in Troutdale that left one person critically injured after being struck in the head earlier this month.

According to the Multnomah County Sheriffs office, deputies responded to the Mt. Hood Medical Center on May 9 at 11:45 p.m. where the injured victim was being treated.

Portland bridges to see traffic delays due to movie production

The shooting happened after an argument ensued between the victim, in their car, and an unknown man who was walking along Southwest 257th Avenue, authorities said. The suspect then produced a firearm and shot at the victims vehicle multiple times near Southwest 257th Avenue and Southwest 26th Street.

Authorities specified the person was struck in the head at least once by gunfire. The critically injured person was then rushed to the hospital thanks to the help of the passenger who was with them.

The sheriffs office said they believe two people who were walking in the area at the time may have witnessed the shooting. Authorities are asking anyone who has information about the incident to contact the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Appomattox Plantation House at historic City Point in Hopewell, Virginia on May 21, 2024.

TRI-CITIES  On Friday, June 7, Petersburg National Battlefield will reopen the Appomattox Plantation House, part of Grants Headquarters at City Point in Hopewell, as well as Five Forks Visitor Center in Dinwiddie.

Until further notice, the hours of operation will be 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, except for 30 minutes to allow for a lunch break at noon. Park rangers will be available on site to provide information and highlight the powerful history of these places. City Point is at 1001 Pecan Avenue in Hopewell, and Five Forks Visitor Center is at 9840 Courthouse Road in Dinwiddie.

The Five Forks Visitor Center in Dinwiddie, Virginia reopens on June 7, 2024.

Access to all park trails and grounds remain open and accessible to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The Eastern Front Visitor Center at 5001 Siege Road in Petersburg is open each day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance to all areas of the park is free. Hours of operation are subject to change due to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. For up-to-date information, visit nps.gov/pete or follow @PetersburgNPS on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.

If you are interested in volunteering with visitor services at Petersburg National Battlefield, find current opportunities at volunteer.gov.

'We are thrilled' LEGO Group plants 1,440 trees to revitalize green spaces in Chesterfield County parks

'All are under threat' Virginia: Preservation Virginia's 2024 top 10 list, most endangered historic places

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg National Battlefield reopens two sites: Free admission
State Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) attends the Michigan Inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023. | Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance

Former state Sen. Adam Hollier has been disqualified from the August primary ballot for the 13th Congressional District.

That was the determination of Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett Tuesday, who confirmed Hollier had failed to submit enough valid voter signatures as had been alleged in a petition challenge mounted by U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit), the first-term incumbent.

A thorough and comprehensive check of the petition signatures against the qualified voter file has been completed of the entire set of petitions filed by Candidate Hollier, not just the signatures identified in your challenge, Garrett wrote in a letter to Thanedar. A review of the handwriting and flourishes within each signature on each line for petitions S2-S10 show the same distinct handwriting and patterns indicative that the same hand fraudulently signed every line of each petition sheet.

The finding mirrored a report issued last week by Garretts election staff which found that only 863 of the 1,553 signatures submitted by Hollier were valid, leaving him 137 signatures short of the 1,000 needed to qualify for the ballot as a U.S. House candidate.

The signatures were collected by Londell Thomas of Harper Woods, a paid circulator and co-owner of Groundmind Strategies in Southfield. While Hollier had called Thanedars challenge a bad faith effort, he nonetheless admitted that the signatures Thomas turned in on his behalf appeared to have been forged.

Hollier referenced that in a statement issued late Tuesday following Garretts decision.

I am extremely disappointed with the news from the Wayne County Clerk following her thorough and professional review of our petitions  not for myself, but for the voters across the 13th District who deserve a real choice in who their next Congressperson will be, said Hollier. While I put my trust in someone who let us down in the collection of signatures, ultimately the leadership of the campaign falls on me and I must hold myself to a higher standard.

Hollier, who is African American and has many high-profile endorsements, has been considered best-positioned to oust Thanedar in the Aug. 6 primary. The freshman congressman has upset some constituents with his support for Israel during the war in Gaza.

Neither of Michigans two Detroit-based seats is represented by a Black Michigander, which has drawn criticism from some community leaders. Thanedar immigrated from India and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who was elected to the 12th District is Palestinian American.

The former lawmaker went on to say that the states petition collection system was sorely in need of reform, to prevent future campaigns and voters from falling victim to fraud.

The issue became front and center in 2022, when a determination of signature fraud resulted in five Republican gubernatorial candidates in Michigan being kicked off the primary ballot.

More recently, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), along with the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), alleged indications of fraud in the petitions of four of the five Republicans seeking the nomination to run for U.S. Senate.

Hollier has 72 hours to request a review of Garretts decision by the Michigan Secretary of State. He can also seek relief through circuit court action, although Hollier gave no indication if he planned to do so.

His disqualification leaves Detroit City Council member Mary Waters and attorney Shakira Hawkins as Thanedars only competition in Augusts Democratic primary.

However, neither has the financial resources of Thanedar, a millionaire businessman who defeated Hollier in the 2022 primary for the heavily Democratic district that includes a portion of Detroit, as well as other Wayne County communities such as Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, the Grosse Pointes, Allen Park, River Rouge, Melvindale and Taylor.

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The post Petition scandal disqualifies Hollier from the congressional primary ballot against Thanedar appeared first on Michigan Advance.
ST. LOUIS  A Pevely, Missouri, man appeared in federal court on Wednesday to be sentenced for recording his sexual abuse of a young girl.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Matthew Gamel, 36, pleaded guilty in February to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography.

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Gamel told the court that he sexually abused the victim and recorded it on at least four occasions. The victim was under the age of 14 at the time of each recording.

Gamel admitted keeping the video files of his abuse as well as possessing more than 1,700 media files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that he found online.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Gamel to 40 years 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 FOX 2.
(Reuters) -U.S. drugmaker Pfizer on Wednesday launched a new multi-year program to reduce its expenses by about $1.5 billion by the end of 2027, adding on to a $4 billion cost cutting plan it announced last year.

Investors have fled from Pfizer as pandemic worries declined and billions of dollars in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment sales disappeared. The company responded with a $43 billion purchase of cancer drugmaker Seagen, the cost cuts, and an internal restructuring.

Pfizer's shares were up 2.6% at $29.30 in afternoon trading. They are still off around 24% over the past year and about half of their peak pandemic value of December 2021.

Pfizer made the disclosure on Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company said it would record one-time charges, mainly related to severance and implementation costs, of $1.7 billion as part of the new program. It expects to record a majority of the charges this year, with the actual cash outlays expected in 2025 and 2026.

The focus will be on "operational efficiencies, network structure changes, and product portfolio enhancements," the company said.

Pfizer said that the program will take multiple years because of the complexity in manufacturing and longer lead times required to make changes.

A spokesperson said none of the job cuts associated with the new program have been announced yet.

She said further details of the program would likely be disclosed at future earnings calls and investor events.

Pfizer raised its annual earnings forecast and posted a better-than-expected first-quarter profit earlier this month, helped in part by the cost reductions. Chief Financial Officer David Denton said then that the cuts had helped improve its margins.

"Our cost control element across our manufacturing platform was really strong. We expect that to continue to be a focus," he said then.

(Reporting by Michael Erman in New Jersey and Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Diane Craft)
PG&E: We need the help of California lawmakers to keep utility costs affordable | Opinion

We at Pacific Gas & Electric are building a better future for California and the world by delivering a safe and climate-resilient energy system at the lowest cost for our customers.

Our investments in undergrounding powerlines, replacing gas pipelines and increasing electric capacity have already paid off for our customers: Our multiple layers of protection have reduced wildfire risk from company equipment by 94%. We delivered 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity in 2023 to residential customers and businesses to whom we directly sell power. Greenhouse gas-free electricity is generated by fuel sources  such as solar and wind power, nuclear energy and hydropower  that do not release carbon dioxide, methane or other gases into the atmosphere.

And in 2023, we reinvested more than 99% of our allowed earnings back into our business and energy system.

Opinion

The cost of some of these investments began appearing in customers bills beginning in January.

We hear what our customers are saying about recent increases in their energy bills. To ease the burden of rising energy costs, were focused on how we can make these and future investments at the lowest cost for our customers by reducing costs in our own operations and finding opportunities to decrease costs at the state level.

Through these strategies, we are working hard to have average bills decrease in 2025 and 2026 compared to this year even as investments in our system continue to pay off in greater safety and reliability for our customers.

In fact, we achieved operating cost savings of $510 million in 2023, in part by doing our work more efficiently.

Our efforts so far include reducing vegetation management costs by $300 million in 2023; lowering undergrounding costs through new trenching methods, saving $70 million in 2023. We also improved our new-service connection processes and served more customers while saving $24 million in costs.

But were not finished: Were managing more than 150 projects system-wide to reduce materials, labor and other costs. We continue to explore dozens of other ways to reduce our operating costs and to reduce or delay costs that state regulations require us to pass on to our customers. Overall, we expect prices will rise  on average  3% per year from 2023-2026.

However, we need the partnership of Californias lawmakers, policymakers and other stakeholders to make even greater strides in reducing customer bills.

Almost a third of what customers pay is the result of state policy. That means we need the states help to reduce or remove subsidies and societal costs from customers bills without compromising our collective progress on safety, climate change and equity.

For example, about 10% of the average residential customers total electric bill goes to trimming trees. Thats almost $1.8 billion a year that we could reduce by investing in climate-resilient infrastructure such as undergrounding powerlines to permanently eliminate fire risk and reduce costly annual tree trimming in high fire-risk areas.

Public purpose programs pay for important societal benefits including low-income bill discounts, energy efficiency programs and other state mandates, but they are not part of delivering energy to customers. These programs make up about 6% of customers bills today. Additionally, non-solar customers bills are 15% (or $34 a month) higher because of rooftop solar incentives.

Beyond removing these subsidies and societal costs off our customers bills, lawmakers and policymakers should also ensure state funding to meet climate goals, support continued financing of critical wildfire safety work through recovery bonds and continue support for a fixed charge to provide more bill transparency and predictability and lower the energy-use rate for all customers to help make electric homes and vehicles more affordable for everyone.

We want our customers to know that we are committed to continuing vital investments while reducing the financial effects of these improvements. We invite the states lawmakers and policymakers to join us in that effort. And we look forward to keeping our customers and stakeholders informed of our progress on reducing our costs.

Carla Peterman is PG&Es chief sustainability officer and executive vice president of corporate affairs
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff visits Western Command in charge of parts of South China Sea

MANILA (Reuters) - A senior Philippine navy official on Wednesday accused the Chinese embassy in Manila of recording a phone call without his consent and denied forging a deal with Beijing to deescalate tensions in the South China Sea.

Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos told a senate hearing he received a call from China's military attache in Manila in January when he was still commander of the military post overseeing the South China Sea, but said he did not agree to concessions with China.

A transcript of the supposed phone conversation was published by local newspaper The Manila Times on May 8 during which it said Carlos had agreed to China's proposal of a "new model".

In the proposed model the Philippines would use fewer vessels in resupply missions to troops at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, and notify Beijing about missions in advance, according to the conversion.

"I condemn the act of the Chinese embassy to record the conversation without my consent, much more to divulge it to the public with malicious twist and manipulation in order to appear that our discussion supported the corrosive narrative of PRC," Carlos told a senate hearing, referring to the People's Republic of China.

Carlos, who has been reassigned to another command after taking an extended leave, said the call to him was made by senior colonel Li but he did not enter into any secret deals or discussed a "new model" with the embassy official.

Carlos told the inquiry that he doesn't know the colonel's full name.

Reuters did not have access to the reported phone conversation and could not verify the contents of the published transcript. Manila Times said the transcript was provided by a "ranking Chinese official", which it did not name.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Its ambassador was invited to the senate hearing but he did not attend.

China's foreign ministry urged the Philippines on Wednesday to abide by the agreements and understandings reached for properly managing the situation in the South China Sea.

"The timeline is clear and clear, the facts are certain, the evidence is conclusive, and no one can deny it," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press conference.

The Philippines' national security adviser has called for Chinese diplomats to be expelled over the alleged leak of a phone conversation, accusing China's embassy in Manila of spreading "disinformation, misinformation and malinformation."

(Reporting by Karen Lema in Manila; additional reporting by Mei Mei Chu in Beijing; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Pho spot gets 50 red points. Here are Thurston County food safety scores for May 22

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. A reinspection also is required if total red and blue points exceed 65.

If red points exceed 100 and theres a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

Fresh Pho

700 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Lacey

May 13: 50 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

One employee had an expired food worker card.

The back hand sink was blocked by a strainer. Food workers reported the hand-washing sink in a tea area was too hot, lacked cold water and was not used. A food worker washed their hands in a prep sink.

Tapioca pearls were stored at room temperature with no time as a control indicator and no written time as a control procedures.

No sanitizer bucket was available at Ding Tea.

Dishes at Ding Tea were washed in a prep sink.

Pacific Mini Mart

9139 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey

May 15: 40 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

A food worker was not knowledgeable about food safety and was unable to demonstrate active managerial control of risk factors. A PIC with active managerial control must be present at all times.

Employees did not have valid Washington state food worker cards.

Hot held chicken tenders were less than 135 degrees.

There was no probe tip thermometer available during the inspection.

No sanitizer solution was prepared.

Munchies Plus

1110 Yelm Ave. E., Yelm

May 14: 35 red points; 15 blue points.

Comments:

The establishment was cited for improper use of time as a control.

Cold held TCS food items in a refrigerator were above 41 degrees.

A sanitizer solution was not prepared at the time of inspection.

Clean dishes were in the splash zone of a hand sink.

Dennys

600 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater

May 13: 10 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

Pico de Gallo with cut tomatoes was 47-50 degrees in a cold hold prep unit rather than at or below 41 degrees.

Test strips for a low-temperature chlorine sanitizing ware-washing unit were unavailable during the inspection. The ware-washing unit was not sanitizing because a chlorine sanitizer needed to be replaced. Test strips are needed to verify concentration.

Biscuit House

6969 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater

May 13: 10 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

Cooked mushrooms in a prep cold hold unit were at 45 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.

No violations

Papa Murphys Take N Bake Pizza, 1201 E. Yelm Ave., Yelm
On May 18, 2024, a new law on mobilization came into force, according to which all persons liable for military service aged 18 to 60 must update their personal data within 60 days. During this period, the Territorial center for recruitment employees have no grounds to force people to update their personal data.

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This was stated by Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, during a telethon. Citizens liable for military service can update their data at the Territorial center for recruitment, Center for the provision of administrative services or using the "Reserve+" application.

"Employees of the Territorial center for recruitment have no reason to bring a person to update personal data until the 60-day period has expired," Pavlichenko explained.

He noted that employees of the Territorial center for recruitment can only hand over a summons to verify the data, after which a person will be given a more specific time frame for updating military registration documents.

"But this is a duplication of two procedures. One procedure is provided for by law, these 60 days, and the second procedure is when a person receives a summons," emphasized Pavlichenko.

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He also reminded that there are three types of calls: for verification of personal data, for passing the military medical commission (MMC), and a combat call, which is issued for the purpose of mobilization of a person liable for military service.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on May 18, the Ministry of Defense launched the Reserve+ mobile application. In it, persons liable for military service aged 18-60 can update their data online, after which they will receive information from the Oberig register about themselves in the application.

The Ministry of Defense also urged non-conscripts not to download the mobile application. This leads to an excessive load on the system and, as a result, malfunctions.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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A woman and a child walk past damage after a tornado Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A tornado swept through Iowa on Tuesday, resulting in multiple fatalities, dozens of injuries, substantial property damage and widespread power outages.

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms also hit other parts of the Midwest such as Wisconsin and Nebraska. According to the National Weather Service, there were 23 tornado reports on Tuesday  with many coming from the Midwest.

Tuesdays natural disasters follow a series of severe storms that have ravaged other parts of the country, including Houston and Portage, Mich., in recent weeks.

Several Iowa counties were still without power Wednesday morning, forcing some schools to cancel classes. At a press conference Tuesday evening, Iowa police confirmed that a number of people were killed as a result of the tornadoes, but they were unable to provide an exact number.

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds authorized an emergency proclamation for 15 counties in Iowa  allowing the state government to provide financial assistance to its inhabitants. Reynolds is scheduled to visit the small town of Greenfield, which was the hardest hit by Tuesdays storms, on Wednesday.

The remains of a tornado-damaged wind turbine touch the ground in a field on Tuesday, near Prescott, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A law enforcement official stands among the remains of tornado-damaged property on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Damage to a home is seen after a tornado moved through Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. (Hannah Fingerhut/AP)

The remains of a tornado-damaged wind turbine touch the ground in a field on Tuesday near Prescott, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A workers searches through the remains of tornado-damaged property on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A firefighter searches through the remains of tornado-damaged property on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A man sorts through the remains of a home damaged by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

People sort through the remains of a home damaged by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Firefighters stand among the remains of homes destroyed by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A damaged car sits on a street after a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

People walk down a street past damage after a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Law enforcement officers and firefighters ride in a truck past homes destroyed by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A firefighter walks among tornado-damaged homes on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Clothes cling to a branch of a tree damaged by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Firefighters walks among tornado-damaged homes on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Brian Gutmann, of Creston, Iowa, looks over tornado-damaged property on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A firefighter walks among homes destroyed by a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Workers search through the remains of tornado-damaged homes on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Damaged cars sit piled up next to a road after a tornado on Tuesday in Greenfield, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Damage is seen after a tornado moved through Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. (Hannah Fingerhut/AP)

Damage is seen after a tornado moved through Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. (Hannah Fingerhut/AP)

People examine damage after a tornado moved through Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. (Hannah Fingerhut/AP)

The remains of a tornado-damaged wind turbine in a field on Tuesday near Prescott, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

See more of our photo features on Yahoo News >>>
Sea Baby drone has a Grad rocket launcher mounted to its hull - SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE

Ukraine has transformed part of its fleet of naval drones into unmanned rocket launchers to attack coastal targets.

Images that emerged online appeared to show the SBU security services Sea Baby drone equipped with a Grad rocket launcher mounted to its hull.

Our Sea Baby is not just a drone, but a multifunctional platform that is constantly being improved, an SBU source told the Ukrainian news wire Interfax.

And today we can confirm that they are equipped with a multiple rocket launcher system, and this technological solution is already showing powerful results.

The latest iteration of the Sea Baby has a range of more than 600 miles and a top speed of 55mph - SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE

The agency confirmed the new systems had entered into service in a combat mission off the coast of the Kinburn Spit, a small strip of Russian-held land where the Dnipro River meets the Black Sea.

The sandy outcrop is considered strategically important because it gives whoever controls it control over the entrance to the Dnipro  the river that bisects Ukraine  as well as the ports of Kherson and Mykolaiv.

Drone footage shared on social media by Russian sources appeared to show the moment the Sea Baby drones started letting off at least six tube-launched rockets simultaneously.

It was the first time the new weapons had been seen in combat after official images were released of them being tested on land.

Brig Gen Ivan Lukashevych, of Ukraines SBU security service, had previously told The Telegraph that the agency was working to modify its bomb-laden attack drones into multi-purpose weapons.

The latest iteration of the Sea Baby is fitted with a 400-horsepower engine, has a range of more than 600 miles and a top speed of 55mph, with a reinforced hull so it can transverse waves almost two metres (6.6ft) tall.

The kamikaze version carries a 400kg warhead, while it is now confirmed a reusable model has been developed for launching missiles.

A Starlink terminal and another satellite communications beacon beam the feed from its powerful infrared camera back to the SBU bunker in Ukraine.

The drones are best known for their explosive attack on the Kerch Bridge, which connects occupied Crimea to mainland Russia.

It has also been responsible for strikes on the Admiral Makarov frigate, the Olenegorskiy Gornyak, a Ropucha-class landing ship, and a Sig oil tanker in the Black Sea.

President Volodymyr Zelenskys United24 foundation runs fundraisers to help pay for the unmanned naval systems.

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.
Pictures from the plane hit by turbulence so severe a man died show debris strewn across the cabin, collapsed panels, and blood smeared on the ceiling

A man died and dozens of others were injured due to turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight.

Pictures released by the airport in Bangkok show the emergency medical response.

Videos and photos from inside the cabin show the extent of the damage, including a bloodied ceiling.

A 73-year-old British man died, and 71 others were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight was hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday.

Flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi had to divert to Bangkok. The airline said the Boeing 777 "encountered sudden extreme turbulence" in Myanmar airspace, 10 hours into the flight.

It added that 18 people were hospitalized, and a further 12 were being treated in hospitals. 80 people are still in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care and their families or loved ones, according to the airline.

Images shared by passengers and news agencies show the terrifying aftermath of the incident, with damage to the cabin ceiling, items strewn about the galley, and blood smeared across various parts of the plane, including on the ceiling.

Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore was diverted to Bangkok after encountering severe turbulence.

Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old British man who helped run a musical theater group, died in the incident.

It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident.



Rest In Peace Geoff. pic.twitter.com/HoCQUM53Kt  Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (@ThornburyMTG) May 21, 2024

The plane was met by airport officials and medical teams at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport.

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

The airport said medical teams, and fire and rescue teams, were immediately sent to the plane, "in accordance with the emergency plan."

Medical teams at Suvarnabhumi Airport attended to the Singapore Airlines passengers. Courtesy of Suvarnabhumi Airport

One person was pictured being carried off the plane on a stretcher.

Courtesy of Suvarnabhumi Airport

Several ambulances attended to the Boeing 777 at the airport. 18 people were hospitalized, and another 12 were treated at hospitals.

Sakchai Lalit/AP

"Very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling," Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on board the flight told Reuters.

Severe turbulence dislodged oxygen masks and caused injuries to dozens of passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321. Reuters/Stringer

The damage saw panels and oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling.

Obtained by Reuters/Handout

There also appeared to be blood on the cabin floor and ceiling due to passengers' injuries.

Aftermath of Singapore Airlines flight 321 from London to Singapore which had to divert to Bangkok due to severe turbulence. One death passenger and several injured. Blood everywhere, destroyed cabin. #singaporeairlines #sq321 pic.twitter.com/C2FgrVt9yv  Josh Cahill (@gotravelyourway) May 21, 2024

More damage was apparent in the galley, with tubes coming out of the ceiling.

REUTERS/Stringer

Meals, bottles, and serving jugs were strewn across the galley floor.

REUTERS/Stringer

131 passengers and 12 crew members have since arrived in Singapore after the diversion. They were met by Singapore Airlines' CEO and onward transport to homes or hotels was arranged by the carrier.

ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement, the Bangkok airport said: "Suvarnabhumi Airport would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased from the severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight."

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

On behalf of the Singapore Airlines Board, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our passenger who passed away," said the airline's chairman, Peter Seah.

Anadolu/Getty Images

"I assure all passengers and crew members who were on board the aircraft that we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time," he added.

"I also wish to express my gratitude to everyone in Singapore, Thailand, and around the world who are assisting those affected by this incident."

As the manufacturer of the plane, Boeing also released a statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A jury on Tuesday awarded a Jackson County family $400,000 after a neighborhood pit bull attacked their young son so badly last year he nearly lost part of his leg.

The lawsuit, which was filed in February 2023, centered on then-12-year-old Chris McClarty and a pit bull named Trash Can who lived a few houses away.

Now, the court battle between neighbors of the quiet Gulf Park Estates community has ended in a blow to owner Raymond Lias and a win for the childs family and neighbors who have said they feared the dog would attack again.

Were really happy, said attorney Matthew Lott, whose firm represented McClarty. The jury saw the atrocities the Liases committed on this child by keeping this vicious animal at home.

Bill McLarty, right, and his son Chris, 12, at their Jackson County home on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Bill McLarty wants tougher laws for vicious dogs because Chris has been attacked twice by a neighbors pit bull, suffering a severe leg injury the second time. The pit bull still lives a few houses down.

The McClarty family filed suit after Trash Can attacked Chris McClarty twice last year. The attack left McClarty with bites and puncture wounds and sent him to the hospital to be bandaged and stitched. When Trash Can charged on McClarty again, the child spent five days in a Mobile hospital, needed nine surgeries and missed almost 90 days of school, his family said last year.

Lias, a part-time Moss Point police officer at the time of the attacks, has defended his dog fiercely. He denied the dog was vicious after the Jackson County Board of Supervisors declared him as such under its animal control ordinance. He fought to keep the dog and promised to obey orders the animal be confined at home and leashed and muzzled anytime else. And he contended the child ventured onto his property near his mailbox when Trash Can attacked, despite all other evidence that suggested McClarty was only walking down the street, Lott said.

The McClarty family asked for no less than $500,000 in damages for what their lawsuit said was negligence and reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Lias countered that Trash Can was a family pet who was not aggressive or vicious.

Chris McLarty, 12, spent weeks in a wheelchair while recovering from a dog attack.

Mississippi law does not require the Liases to euthanize their dog, and they continue to keep it muzzled, Lott said. They lack the money to pay the McClarty family in full, he said, but the family is still happy even though its more of an on-paper win.

Lias attorney, NeShondria Shon Ellerby of Ellerby Law in Moss Point, did not immediately respond to a message left Wednesday morning.

But in the trial before Judge Kathy Jackson in Jackson County Circuit Court, Lias said on the stand that he bred the dog to attack people, according to Lott.

The dog, Lott said, was apparently doing its job.

Staff Writer Anita Lee contributed reporting.
TOPEKA  (KSNT) Access to the Kansas river may be in the future for Topeka.

A community event at Grand Overland Station was held by the Topeka Riverfront Advisory Council this evening to discuss river access.

The council presented three different concepts and discussed different access points throughout the river bank. Community members who attended the public event were able to vote on their favorite concept after the presentation. Some of the concepts shared included sand volleyball, ziplining and kayak access alongside the river.

Mars and Envista set to host Halfway to Halloween event

Topekans have been waiting for a solidified riverfront plan for sometime now.

When asked what what makes this year different from previous, Chairman of the Riverfront Authority council, Greg Schwerdt, told 27 News its the leadership that will make this the year progress is made.

Weve had a lot of plans over the years that have gone nowhere, and were now ready to move forward, I think we finally have the leadership at the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) level. We have leadership at the government level, both state, county, and city who are now actively working together to make something happen.

The riverfront council hopes to see a completely accessible Kansas River by 2027.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Flooding on U.S. Highway 59 in Livingston on May 2, 2024. Thousands fled their Southeast Texas homes as heavy rains inundated multiple counties. Credit: Drone Bros LLC

LUFKIN  U.S. Highway 59, a major evacuation route from Houston, has been a problem for East Texas for decades. And as flooding rivaling that of Hurricane Harvey inundated the region in April, the highway closed in several places, cutting off a major evacuation route for countless people seeking shelter from the floods.

Plans to upgrade the highway, which stretches more than 600 miles through Texas from Laredo to Texarkana, to interstate standards have been on the books for decades. But the Texas Department of Transportation says it cannot guarantee that the billions of dollars being poured into the project will fix the flooding problem.

U.S. 59 was one of the issues during [hurricanes] Rita, Ike and Katrina, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy said. So you think by now we would be committed to expanding that roadway.

Texas has poured millions of dollars over the past 30 years into upgrading parts of the highway to interstate standards  an effort known as the I-69 project  with the goal of relieving traffic congestion, supporting economic development, improving safety for travelers and upgrading a major evacuation route for the states most populous city.

Thus far, only the part of U.S. 59 that runs through Houston has been upgraded to interstate standards, with a minimum of two travel lanes in each direction, 12-foot lane widths and paved shoulders of a specific width on both sides.

Steps to upgrade the highway in other areas have focused on larger population centers, such as Lufkin and Nacogdoches.

Portions of U.S. 59 between Cleveland and Shepherd as well as between Shepherd and Livingston saw significant flooding in April. Those stretches of highway were closed multiple times between April 29 and May 4  then again when more heavy rain came the weekend of May 16  and are supposed to receive upgrades in the next four years.

Those sections are part of nearly $6 billion the state plans to pour into the highway over the next decade or more to upgrade the highway to interstate standards, address safety issues and cover basic maintenance. TxDOT says it has allocated $1.5 billion for projects already underway or that begin soon on U.S. 59. The agency has another $4.3 billion allocated for future projects scheduled to begin in the next four to 10 years.

But its unclear whether those upgrades will prevent the kind of flooding that submerged parts of the highway this spring and during Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.

TxDOT said the upgraded highway will be engineered to avoid flooding during a 100-year flood event. However, 100-year floods  which have a 1% chance of happening in any given year  have become more commonplace, as have 500-year floods  which are more severe and have a .2% chance of occurring in any given year.

For example, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was the third 500-year flood to hit Houston in three years. Memorial Day floods in 2015 and 2016 were also classified as 500-year floods.

John Nielsen-Gammon, the states climatologist at Texas A&M University, warned that floods are becoming more extreme in Texas.

East Texas in general has experienced a large increase in extreme rainfall compared to last century, Nielsen-Gammon said. Part of that is due to climate change. Climate change has increased the intensity of very heavy rainfall across the southern U.S. by nearly 20%.

TxDOT would not say whether current improvement plans take into account warnings from climatologists of even more severe flooding to come due to climate change.

The projects being developed along the future I-69 corridor are designed to be serviceable for a 100-year flood event, however TxDOT cannot predict the amount of rain or potential flooding our lakes, rivers and streams could see in the future," said Rhonda Oaks, the public information officer for TxDOTs Lufkin District, where plans are currently underway to upgrade around a dozen miles of U.S. 59 to interstate standards.

Laura Butterbrodt, another TxDOT spokesperson, said the agency is currently developing the Statewide Resiliency Plan, which will specifically target critical routes for the most appropriate design, maintenance and operations to foster resilience.

The first draft will be available for review by the Resilience Steering Committee in June.

When the federal government authorized building 41,000 miles of interstate highways crisscrossing the nation in the 1950s, the federal government paid 90% of the cost, leaving the remaining 10% to the states.

But the I-69 project was not included in the original plans and didnt receive federal designation until the early 2000s, state Sen. Robert Nichols said. When completed, the interstate will stretch more than 2,600 miles across multiple states from the Texas-Mexico border to the Michigan-Canada border.

But each state along the proposed interstate highway is expected to cover the cost  not the federal government.

At present, there is no dedicated federal funding for the entire conversion of U.S. 59 to a future I-69 route through Texas, the Federal Highway Administration said in an email statement. It is up to the State [Texas Department of Transportation], to move projects forward.

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WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland signed an agreement with the United States for the delivery of a $960 million airspace reconnaissance system to monitor its north-eastern borders, defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Wednesday.

"Poland will be the second country in the world to use this system," he said. "The agreement defines our security, it is another act of cooperation between Poland and the USA."

Poland has boosted defence spending this year to about 4% of gross domestic product as it seeks to strengthen its armed forces following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It aims to invest 10 billion zlotys ($2.6 billion) in protecting the eastern border.

Under the contract, Poland will receive four aerostats, or moored balloons, which will be stationed at posts along the eastern and north-eastern borders of Poland, assisting Poland's Air Defence System and Coastal Observation System.

The contract also provides for related logistics and programme support. The system will be delivered and fully operative by 2027, said Kosiniak-Kamysz.

According to the head of Polands Armament Agency, General Artur Kuptel, describing the system in Polish media earlier this month, radars suspended from the tethered balloons will monitor the sky as far as Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad from Polish air space.

They have the ability to detect a wide range of objects, such as missiles, aircraft, drones and surface vessels in a range of over 300 km.

In February the US Department of State approved the possible sale of airspace and surface radar reconnaissance aerostat systems and related elements of logistics and programme support.

($1 = 3.9162 zlotys)

(Reporting by Barbara Erling and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Peter Graff)
WARSAW, Poland  Polands Ministry of National Defence announced it has signed a deal to buy four aerostat-based early warning radar systems from the United States under a deal worth almost $1 billion.

Poland will be the second country in the world to use such a system, Kosiniak-Kamysz said at a press conference today, as quoted in a statement released by his ministry. These aerostats will be financed by a loan provided by the United States.

The U.S. Army uses aerostats under its Persistent Surveillance System  Tethered program, according the services website.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has ramped up its efforts to acquire new weapons and military gear for the nations armed forces. Under the plan, the four aerostats will be deployed to Polish military bases in the countrys eastern and north-eastern parts where Poland borders Belarus and Russias exclave of Kaliningrad, according to the national defense ministry.

The ordered systems have the capacity to detect a wide range of objects, such as missiles, aircraft, drones, and seaborne units, the ministry said.

In February 2024, the U.S. Department of State approved the foreign military sale, and it was subsequently authorized by Congress.

In a statement, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the principal contractors for this procurement will include Raytheon Intelligence and Space, TCOM, ELTA North America, and QinetiQs subsidiary Avantus Federal. Deliveries under the contract will cover airspace and surface radar reconnaissance aerostat systems, airborne early warning radars, as well as related equipment and logistics, according to the agency.

Manufacturer TCOM received a $450 million contract in 2021 to provide Saudi Arabia with 10 sensor-laden aerostats for communications and intelligence, according to the companys website.
Specialists in the maintenance of Western F-16 fighter jets have begun returning to Ukraine from their training abroad. The specialists who have already arrived back home will be able to share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues.

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At the same time, the training process is "continuous" and "will continue on an ongoing basis." This was stated by Iliia Yevlash, the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a telethon.

F-16 fighter jet maintenance specialists have started returning home after training abroad

"Of course, there are never too many of these specialists. Already the first specialists in this field have begun to return to Ukraine," Yevlash said.

According to the Air Force spokesperson, these specialists will be able to share their experience with other Ukrainian military technicians.

"We have already seen, for example, that the first F-16 simulator, which was handed over to us by the Czech Republic, appeared in Ukraine. Of course, this process is ongoing and will continue," Yevlash said.

Earlier today, it was reported that a group of Ukrainian servicemen had completed F-16 maintenance training in the Netherlands. The soldiers learned to service all the important parts of the aircraft.

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Particular attention was paid to the pilot's helmet, oxygen systems, and parachutes on board the fighter jet. The training program for Ukrainian servicemen also included the assembly and testing of a rescue kit. This allows the pilot to survive for several days after a forced landing, as the kit contains food and medicine, among other things.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
May 21 (UPI) -- A British immigration enforcement officer charged last week for working with Hong Kong intelligence has been found dead, police said Tuesday.

The body of Matthew Trickett, 37, was found Sunday at about 5:15 p.m. local time in Grenfell Park, which is located in Maidenhead, a market town 30 miles west of London.

Thames Valley Police confirmed identification of the body Tuesday, stating its officers were investigating the "unexplained death."

"His family have been informed and they are being supported by officers," the police force said in a statement. "We would kindly ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Trickett, a former Royal Marine and a resident of Maidenhead, died while out on bail and awaiting court proceedings for charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

He was charged May 13 along with Chi "Peter" Leung, 38, a border official at Heathrow Airport and a special constable with the City of London Police, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. Leung is also a dual Hong Kong-British citizen.

Authorities alleged that between Dec. 20, 2023, and their arrest, the trio agreed to spy for the Hong Kong intelligence service, and on May 1 attempted to break into the home of a Hong Kong dissident.

The three were out on bail.

China's ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang, China's foreign ministry and Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee have all rejected the accusations.

"The Chinese side firmly rejects and strongly condemns the UK's fabrication in the so-called case, and its unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong [Special Administration Region] Government," Lee told reporters following the arrests. "The Hong Kong Government has demanded the U.K. Government to provide full information of this matter."

The relationship between Hong Kong and London has precipitously deteriorated since mass pro-democracy protests rocked the former British colony starting in 2019.

In response to the protests, Hong Kong has implemented a draconian national security law that compelled pro-democracy demonstration leaders to flee overseas, some of who sought refuge in Britain.

London in 2021, launched a new visa program, opening millions of Hong Kong residents to apply to work and live in Britain over the national security law that criminalizes widely defined acts of of sedition, subversion, terrorism and working with foreign agencies to undermine China's national security with hefty sentences.
JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT)  A car chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies that started in Topeka ended in Jackson County.

Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office received information that the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) was in pursuit of a small pickup truck in central Topeka. According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, the vehicle entered Jackson County from Topeka Boulevard on 94th Street heading north on U.4 Road.

Former Manhattan mayor pleads not guilty to DUI charge after crashing into liquor store

Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office deployed stop sticks, which disabled the vehicle, according to the release. Jackson County EMS responded to the scene and transported the driver to a Topeka hospital for further evaluation. A spokeswoman with the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office told 27 News deputies from the Shawnee County deputies assisted KHP in this pursuit.

KSNT 27 News reached out to the KHP for more information. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Giant scuffle: Three teens stabbed during brawl at Andrew Station

Three teens who were stabbed during an after-school brawl at Andrew Station in South Boston are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses told Boston 25 News that it started as a heated fight involving dozens of kids on board an MBTA bus around 3:50 p.m.

Those witnesses said the dispute escalated further as soon as the juveniles exited the bus.

MBTA Transit Police said that possible suspects were detained on scene but did not say how many.

Boston 25 News spoke with a witness who said he applied pressure to the chest wound of one of the victims.

He touched his chest and said Ive been stabbed, Ive been stabbed, said Israel Matias. I had to rush and help him. I put pressure and held him.

Matias says the fight involved more than 30 kids and didnt know what they were fighting about.

He said it seemed to involve two separate groups.

It was a giant scuffle, he said. There were girls screaming and kids screaming.

Surveillance video from nearby Andrew Liquors shows one of the other victims asking for help after the stabbing.

The clerk told Boston 25 News that he called 911 right away while the teenager was gasping for air and holding his chest.

Witnesses tried to make sense of the violence involving people so young.

I grew up here. I never seen anything like this in my entire life, said George Bunting. I want this to end. People are getting killed here and everything else!

Trains temporarily bypassed Andrew Station at the request of transit police but service resumed within 15 minutes.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Russian forces in the embattled town of Vovchansk are shooting civilians as they try to escape the fighting, Ukrainian police said on May 22.

Speaking on air to KYIV24, Oleksii Kharkivskyi, the town's police chief, said there had been "several" incidents and investigations were "ongoing."

Around 100 Ukrainian civilians remain in Vovchansk, but Russian forces refuse to allow them to leave and have threatened to shoot them, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on state television on May 21.

Syniehubov said those who remained in Vovchansk would be evacuated at the soonest possible opportunity but that 100 civilians had been effectively "taken hostage" by Russian troops and could not leave.

Kharkivskyi said civilians were trying to flee the fighting by crossing the Vovcha River, which flows through Vovchansk, and this is where Russian forces were firing on them.

The police chief added that this continues to be an escape route, and on May 21, police helped eight people who had managed to make it across.

Syniehubov said on May 20 that more than 10,500 civilians had been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast amid the renewed Russian onslaught.

Deputy Governor Roman Semenukha said on the same day that Ukrainian forces control about 60% of Vovchansk amid continuous Russian assaults.

"The enemy keeps trying, especially inside Vovchansk, to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the town," he added.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirmed on May 15 that Russian units had entered the northern parts of the settlement.

The town is described by Ukrainian officials as almost destroyed, while Russia keeps attacking Vovchansk and other neighboring settlements, inflicting civilian casualties.

Read also: Governor: Around 100 civilians remain in Vovchansk, Russians have threatened to shoot them

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(NewsNation)  Police are investigating how actor Matthew Perry obtained the ketamine that ultimately killed the Friends star last year, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to NewsNation.

A bystander found Perry, 54, dead in a hot tub Oct. 28 at his Pacific Palisades residence. Perry died before first responders arrived. Toxicology and autopsy results showed the actor died from acute effects of ketamine.

You need to make $555K a year to buy Monicas apartment from Friends: Study

Drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects were contributing factors, according to the report. Buprenorphine is used to treat opioid use disorder. Perry was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.

According to the medical examiners report released in December, high levels of ketamine were found in Perrys blood specimens. However, the report noted his last known treatment as almost two weeks prior to his death, meaning the ketamine could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamines half-life is three to four hours, or less.

What to know about ketamine

Officials, however, are attempting to trace the origin of the ketamine that medical examiners found in Perrys system from the night he died.

The police department did not provide further details about the 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.
2 murder suspects caught, 1 more on the run after crash along busy Atlanta road

Atlanta police are searching for a murder suspect in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood surrounding busy Northside Drive.

Police say they are investigating a wanted person near I-75 and Howell Mill Road. They say two others have already been detained.

The suspects, whose names have not been released, are wanted for a murder in Mobile, Alabama, according to police.

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They have not commented on why they are searching for the suspect or who that person is.

NewsChopper 2 flew over the area and saw a car crashed on the side of the road surrounded by Cobb County police units.

Its unclear why Cobb police are also on the scene.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Police seek help locating missing teen last seen near Independence High School

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Police are seeking the publics help locating a missing teen who was last seen near Independence High School.

Bakersfield police say, Jeremiah Hannah, 17, was last seen near the intersection of Old River and McCutchen Roads, around 2 p.m. Thursday. He is considered at-risk due to having no prior history of running away.

Part of improving public safety in Bakersfield includes beautifying areas that need repair, cleanup

Photo provided by courtesy of Bakersfield Police Department.

BPD says Hannah stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, grey sweatpants and black and white slides.

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Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Just 1,000 spaces are currently available in prisons - Michael Cooper/PA

Police chiefs have been told to make fewer arrests because prisons are running out of spaces to take suspects, it emerged last night.

Chief constables have been advised to consider pausing non-priority arrests, and suspending operations that could trigger large numbers of arrests because of the overcrowding crisis in prisons in England and Wales.

Just 1,000 spaces are currently available in prisons despite the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) approving the early release of hundreds of offenders to try to alleviate the shortage of spaces.

It comes just a week after the MoJ was forced to order delays in bail hearings by magistrates to avoid increasing the number of criminal suspects being remanded into custody.

The advice to chief constables has been revealed in a memo drawn up by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

It states: Consideration is to be given to pausing non-priority arrests and any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease the pressure within the criminal justice system.

Notwithstanding public protection remains a priority and a considered threat, harm and risk assessment is to be completed when considering any pause in police operations.

Non priority arrests are understood to include investigations that were yet to be carried out into a named suspect identified via CCTV or forensic evidence from a burglary. It excludes large-scale protests and public events that required a police presence.

A separate, internal letter from the NPCC to all 43 chief constables in England and Wales has warned that the governments emergency measures are having an unsustainable operational impact on policing.

Hundreds of police cells have currently been commissioned by the MoJ to hold defendants before they are brought before magistrates because of the shortage of prison spaces for people to be held on remand.

The NPCC warned that the emergency package of measures introduced by the government risks public safety. The crisis may also restrict police officers ability to respond to urgent calls or investigate crime, the letter said.

They also urged police chiefs to record daily incidents to highlight the risks that the crisis is having on frontline policing so they could warn ministers against any further stopgap measures that affect their core duties.

One of Britains top judges has warned courts may have to be closed because of prisons running out of space to take convicted criminals.

In an internal statement to judges, magistrates and court staff, Lord Edis, the senior presiding judge, said that emergency measures introduced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) could lead to temporary closure of court buildings.

The emergency measures, known as Operation Early Dawn, have led to court bail hearings for defendants being delayed because of the shortage of prison places. It means that suspects are having to be held in police cells until prison places become available.

In his statement, Lord Edis said Operation Early Dawn aimed to maintain the effective management of prisoner transfers between courts and custody.

This involves daily operational assessments by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on which prisoners can be transferred from police cells and taken to courts to ensure there is a safe and secure location if remanded in custody, he said.

HM Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) will ensure that there is no risk of defendants / prisoners being left in court holding cells overnight. In extreme circumstances, application of Operation Early Dawn could lead to a pause in operations or the temporary closure of a court building.

The Ministry of Justice said it expected police cells to start freeing up from Thursday when a third emergency measure takes effect that will allow some prisoners to be released up to 70 days early. The department said this should enable it to stand down Operation Early Dawn and resume bail hearings as normal by the end of the week.

But shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: It beggars belief that police are being told to sit on their hands and ignore crime because the Conservatives have mismanaged the criminal justice system so badly.

Rishi Sunaks rap sheet now reads: the rushed early release of domestic abusers onto our streets, deliberate delays to trials, and victims waiting years for justice. The public will be absolutely dumbfounded. This cannot go on.

Labour is the party of law and order. We will build the new prisons needed and make Britains streets safe.

A Government spokesman said: Public safety will always be our first priority. That is why we have backed our police with the officers and resources they need to keep our streets safe and are introducing new laws to lock up the most dangerous offenders for longer while delivering the biggest prison expansion programme in 100 years.

We continue to see pressure on our jails following the impact of the pandemic and barristers strike and have initiated a previously used operational measure to securely transfer prisoners between courts and custody.

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Politicians file petition against EPA to limit investigations of civil rights violations: 'I think it's a test'

Republican attorneys general have asked the Biden administration to stop regulating pollution via Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What's happening?

Led by Florida's Ashley Moody, the petition is "an attempt to strip the [Environmental Protection Agency] of an avenue for tackling environmental justice," Grist reported. Twenty-two other AGs signed on, arguing the EPA's initiative "asks the states to engage in racial engineering."

They denied that the statute prevents discrimination and claimed it actually promotes it.

The letter is a response to the agency's commitment under President Joe Biden to use Title VI to ensure "the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making."

Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives federal funding. At issue is whether the harm to underserved groups is intentional, or "disparate."

In 2020, a federal judge ruled the EPA had to reverse course after it did not lawfully handle civil rights complaints filed by community groups across the country. In one case, the government waited 25 years to address an allegation but did nothing even after finding for just the second time ever that discrimination had occurred.

Why is environmental justice important?

As the Associated Press laid out, Cancer Alley is among the sources of recent civil rights complaints. The area, along the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana, is dominated by industrial companies that pollute the neighborhoods of predominantly Black residents with toxic chemicals.

An EPA investigation found evidence of discrimination, but a 2023 lawsuit by state AG Jeff Landry, who is now the governor, ended its negotiations with environmental and health regulators, per Grist. U.S. District Court Judge James Cain agreed that policies that weren't intentionally discriminatory were not covered by the act and said Louisiana and other states were "at the whim of the EPA and its overreaching mandates."

Lawyers told Grist that the government's interpretation of the law is vital to protect communities of color.

"I think it's a test for the EPA," Earthjustice Midwest office managing attorney Debbie Chizewer said about the petition. "The EPA needs to stand firm and show the importance of this tool."

Claire Glenn, staff attorney at the Climate Defense Project, said, "We're in an era where intentional discrimination is increasingly hard to prove, but discriminatory impacts are not going away."

What's being done about environmental justice?

Previous presidential administrations have fallen short of protecting us from the perils of pollution by, for example, not agreeing to a recommended global carbon dioxide monitoring project. But the Biden administration is working toward decarbonizing the energy sector and making renewable energy accessible, among other projects.

The AP reported that the AGs would sue the EPA if it did not change its stance.

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The Sea Baby maritime drones of the Security Service of Ukraine, for which Ukrainians raised funds through the UNITED 24 platform, are now equipped with Grad systems. Recently, they have effectively worked from the sea on Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit.

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OBOZ.UA learned about this from its own sources. The operation was jointly conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy.

"Our Sea Baby is not just a drone, but a multifunctional platform that is constantly being improved. And today we can confirm that they are equipped with a multiple launch rocket system, and this technological solution is already showing powerful results," the source said.

He announced new "surprises" for the enemy and emphasized that Ukraine's defenders, as always, are working quite effectively.

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OBOZ.UA also received exclusive footage from sources from Sea Baby tests that took place in the winter, as well as from the production of drones.

Earlier, SSU spokesperson Artem Dekhtyarenko said that SSU Sea Baby surface drones were modernized in 2024. The new version is more deadly than the previous ones. In particular, the drones can carry almost a ton of explosives and operate at a distance of about 1000 kilometers.

As of mid-April, the creators of the new Sea Baby-2024 continued a full cycle of testing of the modernized drones.

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The project was made possible, in part, thanks to a large-scale volunteer fundraiser through the United24 platform. Almost 300 million hryvnias were donated in record time. For this amount, 35 such drones can be built.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Back in January 2024, SSU Head Vasyl Malyuk said that in order to knock out all Russian missile carriers from the Ukrainian Black Sea, Ukraine was using two types of drones of its own production.

- Magura V5 naval surface drones have become a real nightmare for the Russian Navy. Since the beginning of their use, these drones have caused about $500 million in damage to enemy ships.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Some senior U.S. Republicans criticized the presidential administration's decision to direct military aid to Haiti from Pentagon stocks, claiming it could have otherwise been sent to Ukraine, Politico reported on May 21.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration approved in April a $60 million military aid package for the Haitian National Police and international security missions from countries like Kenya in order to help quell gang violence on the Caribbean island.

The package is meant to fast-track rifles, ammunition, and armored vehicles from the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), a tool also used to send arms to Ukrainian soldiers facing Russian aggression.

"The president's unprecedented use of PDA in this context is extremely questionable," two high-ranking Republican lawmakers, Michael McCaul and Jim Risch, said in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a letter obtained by Politico.

"Plainly stated, the administration is rushing to fund an undefined and indefinite engagement in Haiti without Congressional approval."

An undisclosed Republican Party aide told Politico that "armed services are conducting internal inventory audits to see what they can spare for Haiti  which puts it in direct competition with Ukraine for materials."

The U.S. State Department pushed back against the criticism, with an undisclosed official telling Politico that Washington is "responding to multiple critical needs around the world, and the scenarios in Ukraine and Haiti are different."

"Supporting the people of Haiti does not limit or take away from our ability to support the people of Ukraine," the source said, adding: "Both are important priorities, and in each case, we identify support tailored to the needs of our partners."

U.S. aid for Ukraine had been effectively blocked since last autumn until April when Congress finally approved a $61 billion aid package. The delays led to a significant deterioration of the situation on the battlefield as Russian forces ramped up their pressure, most recently opening a new front in Kharkiv Oblast.

The assistance delays were linked mainly to opposition from a hard-line faction of the Republican Party and months of House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal to put the bill to a vote.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces control 60% of Vovchansk; heavy battles continue in Kharkiv Oblast

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With all precincts reporting, former Adams County Prosecutor Chris Boyd is expected to become Canyon Countys next prosecuting attorney after defeating former state Rep. Greg Chaney in the hotly contested GOP primary race.

Canyon County voters also chose to advance their incumbent commissioners running for re-election to the November general election.

Primary election results Tuesday night showed Boyd secured 65.9% of the votes. Chaney conceded the race by phone to the Idaho Statesman and said he hoped for Boyds success as a prosecutor.

His success is the success of the county, he said.

Boyd didnt respond to requests for comment Tuesday night.

Boyd and Chaney ran in a high-profile race that drew endorsements from former and current Idaho attorneys general. Boyd will now advance to the November general election, where he will run uncontested.

Most Republicans in the county will run unopposed in the November general election; only one Democratic candidate is running in a Canyon County commissioner race.

On the ballot were races for Canyon County commissioner for Districts 1 and 3 and prosecuting attorney. In both commission races, incumbents sought another term, while Boyd will be new to the role. Prosecutor Bryan Taylor decided not to run for re-election.

Candidates challenging the Canyon County commission incumbents have been critical of the countys budget increases under the current leadership. The three commissioners also came under fire recently after a prosecuting attorney said they were investigated earlier this year for an open meeting law violation and were accused of deliberating on a candidate for county clerk outside of a regularly scheduled public meeting.

For District 1, Leslie Van Beek, who is seeking her third term, led in the polls with half of the total votes. She faced two challengers: Pam Blacker Wagoner, a substitute teacher who has called out the sitting commissioners for giving themselves raises at the taxpayers expense, and Theresa Denham, a Middleton business consultant and real estate agent. Denham and Blacker Wagoner each had around 26% of the votes.

Van Beeks campaign came under scrutiny when the Canyon County Prosecutors Office announced she was under investigation for using the countys print shop for campaign materials.

I believe Ive done a good job serving the citizens of Canyon County and to have their continued support and approval for the job that Ive been doing as commissioner is amazing, Van Beek told the Statesman by phone on Tuesday night.

District 3 incumbent seeks second term

For District 3, incumbent Zach Brooks led in the polls with 59.1% of the votes. His challenger, Richard Williams had 40.9%.

Brooks was first elected in 2022 after beating incumbent Pam White in the primary election and is now seeking his second term. He said in his Statesman Voter Guide answers that he wanted to continue the good work and success that the current board has started.

Van Beek was excited Tuesday night that Brooks also won his race.

This is such a win for Canyon County citizens, she said. They put good leadership back into place.

Brooks did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Williams owns a pizza and sandwich shop and said hes concerned with county spending and property tax hikes.

The District 3 GOP primary winner will face Democrat Kyle Thompson in the general election. Thompson is running unopposed in the primary. The District 3 commissioner will serve a four-year term.

The commissioners make $112,360.

Prosecuting attorney race draws statewide attention

The race for Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney has drawn statewide attention, endorsements and dollars. It has become more high-profile than the two candidates were predicting, they recently told the Statesman.

Boyd, a former Adams County prosecuting attorney who rejected Gov. Brad Littles stay-at-home order in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, was endorsed by Attorney General Raul Labrador. Chaney, who has long been critical of extremism in the Idaho Republican Party, was endorsed by former Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

Boyd ran on a pro-law enforcement platform and was critical of Chaneys lack of experience prosecuting crimes. Chaney, who is a private defense attorney, said his experience managing the lawyers in his office had prepared him to lead the Prosecutors Office.

The prosecuting attorney will serve a four-year term, and Taylor makes $164,000 a year.

Nampa voters decide on transportation bond

A $38 million bond that would have funded a long list of traffic and roadway improvement projects within Nampa city limits didnt secure enough votes despite having a majority of voters in favor of it.

A majority of voters, 56.7% approved the bond, but Idaho requires two-thirds of voters to approve bond measures.

The new bond was not expected to raise property taxes for Nampa residents but to keep taxes similar to the current rate citizens pay for an expiring bond, according to the city. The estimated cost per $100,000 of the taxable value of a residential home was $18. For a home with the average taxable value, it would equate to $40 to $50 per year, or about $3 to $4 per month.

The bond would have replaced another bond that is set to expire in August. The cost of the expiring bond is $19 per $100,000 of taxable value, according to the city.

PACs. Politicians. County employees. See whos contributing to Canyon GOP candidates

Ada County commission incumbents win primary races; West Ada voters support schools
With all precincts reporting their election results, two Ada County Republican commissioners won their primary races early Wednesday morning.

Commissioner Ryan Davidson defeated challenger Clyde Dornier with 58.8% of the vote.

Im looking forward to the next two-year term, but first, weve gotta get past November, Davidson said in a brief victory speech at the Idaho Republican Partys election night event at Garden Citys Riverside Hotel. He celebrated his success in his first term standing up to the COVID insanity, noting that Republican candidates had not gathered at the hotel on election night since before the pandemic.

In the race for District 3, incumbent Commissioner Tom Dayley led the pack with 37.8% of the vote. Challenger Branden Durst secured 26.6%; Sharon Ullman had 20.2% and Heather Luther had 15.5%.

At about 22%, voter turnout was lower than projected in this election.

In both of their races, the incumbent commissioners managed to secure the lions share of campaign donations and endorsements. Both commissioner positions pay about $130,000 annually.

Ada County Commission 2024 primary election candidates. District 1: Ryan T. Davidson (R - incumbent), Jonathan W. Lashley (D), Joseph Clyde Dornier (R). District 3: Thomas E. Dayley (R - incumbent), Heather L. Luther (R), Branden J. Durst (R), Sharon M. Ullman (R).

District 3 draws crowded field of challengers

In District 3, which reaches from the Canyon County line east to the Elmore County line and encompasses southern parts of Meridian and Boise, Dayley faced three challengers: Ullman, a former commissioner who served two terms from 2001-2003 and from 2009-2013; Durst, a former analyst for the far-right lobbying group Idaho Freedom Foundation, state legislator and school superintendent; and Luther, the countys director of recording and, at 35, the youngest candidate in the race.

Much of the conversation in the race centered around a desire to cut back on the countys spending, with candidates promising tax reductions and a willingness to cut government.

In his campaign for a second four-year term, Dayley, 80, positioned himself as an experienced government insider who has served at many levels of government and understands how they intersect with the private and nonprofit sectors. He received endorsements from Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford, the Treasure Valley Fraternal Order of Police, Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts, and all five Republican mayors in Ada County, according to his campaign Facebook page.

As of May 21, Dayley had secured over $50,000 in campaign contributions  far more than all his opponents combined, according to Idahos campaign contribution tracking website.

Ullman, 60, trailed Dayley in funding and raised about $7,500, all of which she donated to her own campaign. Active as a volunteer and advocate in the county since the 1990s, Ullman has been a vocal critic of the countys bloated bureaucracy.

With about $5,500 in contributions, Durst, 44, ranked third in funding. In his campaign, he sought to set himself apart from establishment Republicans, whom he has called weak and spineless. He said as a commissioner, he planned to address what he called Bidens border crisis, which he wrote in his entry to the Statesmans Voter Guide had turned every county into a border county.

Durst made headlines for the three combative months he spent last year as superintendent of the West Bonner School District in Idahos Panhandle. He resigned after voters recalled two trustees who supported him and after the State Board of Education refused to let him receive an emergency certification to remain superintendent, saying he wasnt qualified, the Statesman previously reported.

In February, Durst filed a notice with the state that he planned to sue the State Board of Education and the Idaho Department of Education for $1.25 million, Idaho EdNews reported.

Luther trailed the pack in funding, having raised only about $3,500.

Devin Gutierrez ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the commissioner position.

In District 1, incumbent defeats political newcomer

In District 1, which represents mostly Boise, roughly north of Interstate 84 and east of Idaho 55, newcomer Dornier, 62, sought to unseat Davidson, 47, who ran for a second two-year term. Both candidates focused on cutting the budget.

Dornier, a business owner and regional chapter support consultant for Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters, highlighted in his submission to the Statesmans Voter Guide his business and consulting experience, which he framed as a plus for budget management. He positioned himself as a business-savvy outsider who could help make the best decisions possible.

I am not a politician and Im not looking for a lifelong job, he wrote. Throughout my career, I have used data, common sense and collaboration to bring the right people together in leadership.

Davidson, 47, highlighted his extensive experience as the incumbent and focused on achievements during his time in office, such as cutting property taxes and finding a way to build a park at Expo Idaho using American Rescue Plan Act funds and no local tax dollars, according to his campaign website. He wrote that he serves as a strong advocate for the little guy who needs a break.

In recent weeks, Dorniers campaign sought to bring public scrutiny over an alleged campaign finance violation by Davidson: the use of old campaign yard signs, which were paid for by a political action committee that is supporting Dornier in this election. Dorniers campaign filed three complaints and published news releases in two weeks over the issue as, it alleged, Davidson failed to meet county deadlines to resolve the issue by removing the signs.

After the first complaint was filed, Davidson told the Statesman he was frustrated that Dorniers campaign did not first approach him directly about its concerns, calling the complaints a dirty campaign tactic.

As of Tuesday, Davidson raised about $25,000 in campaign contributions, compared with Dorniers approximately $20,000.

Jonathan Lashley ran unopposed for the same District 1 seat in the Democratic primary after his opponents, Preston Fischer and Graham Carter, dropped out of the race. (Fischers decision to quit was unofficial because he missed the March 29 deadline to drop out, so he still appeared on voters ballots.)

Mixed results for schools

There were two school district supplemental levies on the ballot in Ada County. West Adas levy passed easily, with 58.8% support. Kunas, however, was turned down with 55.3% of voters against it.

West Ada was running a $27.7 million, two-year levy that replaces an existing levy and would cover 152 teachers and 19 resource safety officers, according to Idaho EdNews.

Kuna was running a $10.6 million, two-year levy for staffing, operations and facility maintenance, EdNews reported.

Samuel ONeal contributed reporting.

Whos got your vote for Ada County commissioner? See the candidates and what they say

By one measure, this Ada commissioner candidate has big lead as GOP primary nears
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Over 20 roosters possibly tied to a Maryland cockfighting ring and an injured hen were recovered from a Lancaster County farm. Now, a woman is facing animal cruelty and fighting charges.

Investigators leaned in October about cockfighting at a location in Havre De Grace, Maryland, and learned Kelly Cole of Holtwood possibly owned the birds and used to live Havre De Grace, according to the charges filed.

While at Coles Lancaster County farm, investigators found dozens of roosters housed in wooden coops with their combs and wattles removed, which was noted to be typical when a rooster is dressed for fights and there is no agricultural purpose by investigators in the criminal complaint. Cole reported that she did this to the birds to reduce frostbite.

The hens living on Coles property were also described as neglected, kept in unsanitary conditions, and had very little or no water, according to the charges filed.

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The birds, which used to be her fathers before he passed, were being kept as pets, Cole told investigators and she also claimed they used to be entered in 4-H shows before the COVID-19 pandemic. The breeds were Old English and Bantam birds.

Cole denied being involved in any cockfighting but said her father and grandfather would fight and show birds. According to the complaint, there was no evidence found by investigators that indicated Cole partook in farm or 4-H shows.

The complaint states investigators found the birds where living in unsanitary conditions in the coops that contained little to no water. There was also a hen with a head injury that Cole admitted to being aware of but she allegedly did not provide proper veterinary care.

Multiple people charged for Lancaster County stabbing that injures one

There were 22 total roosters, along with the hen, that police seized from Cole and were given to the Pennsylvania SPCA. Many of the birds had injuries, while the hen was emaciated, had right leg paralysis, and was also covered in feces.

At Coles home, investigators said they found Rooster Booster Liquid B12 plus Vitamin K and a bottle of Rooster Booster wound spray.

Cole faces felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and animal fighting. She also faces misdemeanor charges of animal fighting paraphernalia and numerous summary charges of neglect of animals.

An arrest warrant was issued for Cole on May 13 however online court documents show she has yet to be arraigned on her charges.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Before a captive crowd of national media members in Chicago on Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker heaped scorn upon former President Donald Trump, saying the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is cruel, wants to be a dictator and is waiting to become the first felon elected president.

The remarks, made at a media gathering at the United Center in preparation for this Augusts Democratic National Convention in Chicago, hinted at just some of the barbs certain to be aimed at Trump this summer and highlighted the attack-dog surrogate role Pritzker is playing in the 2024 presidential campaign.

The comments also continued to boost Pritzkers national profile as he underscored Democrats efforts to draw a bright line between President Joe Bidens record and plans for a second term and Trumps often-tumultuous single term as president.

Its a choice between kindness and cruelty, between a president who stands up against hatred and extremism or a candidate who promises to be a dictator and makes excuses for white supremacists who chant, Jews will not replace us,  Pritzker said, citing participants shouts during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, an event Trump described as including very fine people on both sides.

Its a choice between a president who wakes up every morning working to improve the lives of families across this country or a guy who spends all day watching TV or flatulating in a courtroom, waiting to become the first felon elected president, the governor said, referencing rumors of the ex-presidents behavior during his ongoing hush money trial in New York.

Pritzker was joined by both local and national Democrats who gathered as part of a media walkthrough at the United Center, which along with McCormick Place will serve as the main settings for the Aug. 19-22 gathering. The two-term Illinois governor was instrumental in bringing the DNC to Chicago and hes expected to use the event to raise his national profile amid speculation hes eyeing a potential White House bid after 2024.

The Republican convention is being held in July in Milwaukee.

Pritzker even used Bidens age  something even some Democrats are concerned about  as a rallying point. Biden is 81 and Trump is 77.

Age isnt what distinguishes these two candidates from one another, Pritzker said. Donald Trump was stupid and ignorant long before he got old.

The contrast between these two is genuinely stark and I am truly excited to help remind the nation of that in August.

Among those also on stage were Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn and convention officials.

Johnson, who has had a rocky early relationship with the City Hall press corps, told the assembled members of the media that his goal for the convention is to show off to the rest of the world why the city of Chicago is a beautiful place.

Im looking forward to your collaborative approach to how we can carry that message so that people around the globe will also come to know the truth around why President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deserve four more years, Johnson said.

Harrison, who as DNC chair will preside over the convention, said the gathering aims to inspire committed Democrats along with independents and young voters who could be key to a potential Biden victory in November.

While the Republican convention will be mired in chaos, fear and division, the Democrats will host a hopeful convention, providing all Americans an important moment to celebrate our freedoms and come together as a nation, Harrison said. It will be a historic celebration of the work behind us and a preview of the work still to come.

Despite the Democrats efforts to convey messages of hope and unity, however, Biden and the party continue to be dogged by disunity among some core constituencies, particularly over the presidents support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Both Wednesdays media preview at the United Center and a Tuesday evening gathering at Garfield Park Conservatory on the West Side drew protesters critical of Bidens Israel policy. Some of the groups involved have vowed to protest during the DNC without the required permits from the city.
CHICAGO  Before a captive crowd of national media members in Chicago on Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker heaped scorn upon former President Donald Trump, saying the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is cruel, wants to be a dictator and is waiting to become the first felon elected president.

The remarks, made at a media gathering at the United Center in preparation for this Augusts Democratic National Convention in Chicago, hinted at just some of the barbs certain to be aimed at Trump this summer and highlighted the attack-dog surrogate role Pritzker is playing in the 2024 presidential campaign.

The comments also continued to boost Pritzkers national profile as he underscored Democrats efforts to draw a bright line between President Joe Bidens record and plans for a second term and Trumps often-tumultuous single term as president.

Its a choice between kindness and cruelty, between a president who stands up against hatred and extremism or a candidate who promises to be a dictator and makes excuses for white supremacists who chant, Jews will not replace us,  Pritzker said, citing participants shouts during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, an event Trump described as including very fine people on both sides.

Its a choice between a president who wakes up every morning working to improve the lives of families across this country or a guy who spends all day watching TV or flatulating in a courtroom, waiting to become the first felon elected president, the governor said, referencing rumors of the ex-presidents behavior during his ongoing hush money trial in New York.

Pritzker was joined by both local and national Democrats who gathered as part of a media walkthrough at the United Center, which along with McCormick Place will serve as the main settings for the Aug. 19-22 gathering. The two-term Illinois governor was instrumental in bringing the DNC to Chicago and hes expected to use the event to raise his national profile amid speculation hes eyeing a potential White House bid after 2024.

The Republican convention is being held in July in Milwaukee.

Pritzker even used Bidens age  something even some Democrats are concerned about  as a rallying point. Biden is 81 and Trump is 77.

Age isnt what distinguishes these two candidates from one another, Pritzker said. Donald Trump was stupid and ignorant long before he got old.

The contrast between these two is genuinely stark, and I am truly excited to help remind the nation of that in August.

Among those also on stage were Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn and convention officials.

Johnson, who has had a rocky early relationship with the City Hall press corps, told the assembled members of the media that his goal for the convention is to show off to the rest of the world why the city of Chicago is a beautiful place.

Im looking forward to your collaborative approach to how we can carry that message so that people around the globe will also come to know the truth around why President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deserve four more years, Johnson said.

Harrison, who as DNC chair will preside over the convention, said the gathering aims to inspire committed Democrats along with independents and young voters who could be key to a potential Biden victory in November.

While the Republican convention will be mired in chaos, fear and division, the Democrats will host a hopeful convention, providing all Americans an important moment to celebrate our freedoms and come together as a nation, Harrison said. It will be a historic celebration of the work behind us and a preview of the work still to come.

Despite the Democrats efforts to convey messages of hope and unity, however, Biden and the party continue to be dogged by disunity among some core constituencies, particularly over the presidents support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Both Wednesdays media preview at the United Center and a Tuesday evening gathering at Garfield Park Conservatory on the West Side drew protesters critical of Bidens Israel policy. Some of the groups involved have vowed to protest during the DNC without the required permits from the city.

_____
Paula Vennells has blamed a former Post Office IT director for issues with the Horizon computer system not being investigated in 2009.

In her written evidence to the public inquiry, the organisations disgraced former boss revealed that an article by Computer Weekly on Horizon issues was dismissed as nonsense by bosses.

Mike Young, the former operations director, who was in charge of IT at the Post Office until 2012, allegedly said that the trade magazine did not know what it was talking about in relation to Horizon.

Mr Young had been adamant that the article, which first revealed the plight of sub-postmasters suffering unexplained accounting shortfalls, should not be treated as a red flag, according to Ms Vennells.

Paula Vennells was said not to recall matters that could potentially be damaging to the Post Office - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

She wrote in her witness statement to the inquiry: I remember the Computer Weekly article because it was mentioned by Mike Young at a meeting of the executive management team which I attended.

She added: Mike told us that the article was critical of Horizon and had been picked up by a Welsh-language television station.

I remember this reasonably well because Mike was dismissive of Computer Weekly. I recall he said it was a trade magazine that did not know what it was talking about in relation to Horizon. Mike said he was handling it.

I spoke to him about it after the meeting because I was still concerned. He assured me that there was nothing wrong with the system and that the article was nonsense (or words to that effect).

She said later in her 861-page written statement that it was because Mr Young took such a firm view on this that potential issues with the Horizon system were not escalated further within the organisation.

As a non-IT specialist, I accepted that Mike, with his knowledge of IT and the Horizon system, had considered the article fairly and that it was no cause for concern. This message was reinforced during my time as MD of POL between 2010 and 2012, she added.

The disclosures were made as Ms Vennells, 65, began her first of three days of evidence before the public inquiry.

Jason Beer, the lead counsel to the inquiry, questioned her on why she had a tendency to recall things that diminish your blameworthiness in her testimony.

He accused her of often saying she doesnt recall matters that could potentially be damaging to the Post Office, but

I dont believe thats the way I approach my statement at all, she replied, adding that she had the intention to approach it with integrity and honesty.

It also emerged that Mr Young, who is mentioned frequently throughout Ms Vennells witness statement but has not yet been called to appear before the inquiry, said in 2012 that Post Office bosses should not bother meeting with an MP who wanted to discuss concerns by his constituents about Horizon.

Lord Arbuthnot, then MP for North East Hampshire, had written to Alice Perkins, the Post Office chairman, asking to meet as he was deeply sceptical at the Post Offices view that there was nothing wrong with Horizon.

Ms Vennells wrote: I recall that Alice was approached by Lord Arbuthnot, and Mike Young saying that we should not bother with it (or words to that effect).

Alice and I both decided that she should meet Lord Arbuthnot on the basis that if there was nothing in the challenge, then we had nothing to worry about; and if there were issues, it was better to review what they were.

The Telegraph has approached Mr Young for comment.

07:07 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of todays Post Office inquiry which saw Paula Vennells, the former Post Office chief executive, questioned by counsel to the inquiry.

Here is a summary of todays events;

Paula Vennells began by apologising to subpostmasters and their families who were affected by the scandal

The inquiry was shown a text message exchange in which Dame Moya Greene, former CEO of Royal Mail Group accused Vennells of knowing about Horizon errors

Vennells wept as she was asked why she had told MPs that every prosecution case involving Horizon was successful

She apologised for her comment that subpostmasters had been tempted to put their hands in the till and said it was an assumption she made

Former subpostmasters accused Vennells of making a PR apology

Vennells sobbed again as she recalled speaking with father of Martin Griffiths, a postmaster who took his own life

She broke down a third time over eight disturbing cases of wrongfully prosecuted subpostmasters

Alan Bates partner described Ms Vennells apology to the former subpostmaster as meaningless

Vennells told inquiry of her regret at referring to subpostmaster complaints as noise

Former subpostmaster Tim McCormack told Paula Vennells: I do wonder what kind of god you worship

Speaking outside the inquiry, Mr Bates said he had no sympathy for Paula Vennells after she broke down in tears thrughout the inquiry.

You can read more about the Post Office Horizon scandal here.

The inquiry will continue tomorrow morning, with Paula Vennells scheduled to continue giving evidence.

06:13 PM BST

Pictured: Paula Vennells leaves Aldwych House after giving evidence at the Horizon IT inquiry

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells leaving the inquiry - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

05:19 PM BST

Alan Bates has no sympathy for Paula Vennells

Campaigner Alan Bates said he had no sympathy for Paula Vennells after she broke down in tears at various points during the inquiry.

Speaking outside Aldwych House after Ms Vennells gave evidence, Mr Bates said: The whole thing is upsetting for everybody, including for so many of the victims.

Ive got no sympathy really.

Asked if he thinks she is genuinely sorry, he added: I wonder about these apologies, these are just words.

Alan Bates speaking outside Aldwych House after Ms Vennells gave evidence at the inquiry - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

05:12 PM BST

Vennells did not register briefing given before 2015 select committee meeting

Paula Vennells said she did not register a briefing given before she gave evidence to the select committee.

The briefing told her that if she was pushed on answers whilst being questioned by MPs, she could acknowledge that a functionality existed in the Horizon IT system for the Post Office or Fujitsu to edit, manipulate or remove transaction data once it had been recorded in a branchs accounts.

She added that she did not reach a conclusion that she was giving inaccurate information to the select committee.

04:50 PM BST

Vennells did not understand Fujitsu could edit balancing transactions

Paula Vennells said she did not understand that Fujitsu could edit balancing transactions on the morning that she was questioned at a select committee hearing.

Writing in her witness statement, Ms Vennells said that on the morning of the appearance, she believed it to be true that there was no functionality in Horizon for either branches, POL or Fujitsu to edit, manipulate or remove transaction data once it had been recorded in a branchs accounts.

Yet Mr Beer pointed out that notes in her briefing document effectively said she should disclose this was not the case, if pressed twice.

Ms Vennells said: Then at the time I didnt register that.

This was my understanding, that it was not possible to access a branches account remotely without the subpostmaster being aware of it and that was based on my understanding of what was explained to me in 2014.

I accept what you say is that there is more information in that briefing further down

Ms Vennells later said: I did not reach a conclusion that meant that I was giving inaccurate information to the select committee. Thats not something that I would have done.

04:42 PM BST

Counsel not permitted to impeach or question evidence Ms Vennells gave to Parliament in 2015

Lead counsel to the inquiry has confirmed he cannot ask questions which would impeach or question the evidence Ms Vennells gave to Parliament in 2015.

Addressing Ms Vennells, Jason Beer KC said: Because of rules concerning Parliamentary privilege, Im not permitted to ask you questions, the effect of which would be to impeach or to question the evidence that you gave to parliament on February 3, 2015. You understand?

Yes, said Ms Vennells.

04:34 PM BST

Vennells told colleagues she needed to say remote access was not possible

Ms Vennells was asked why she told colleagues she needed to say remote access was not possible - ahead of a select committee hearing in 2015.

Emails shown to the inquiry showed the former chief executive asking her comms chief Mark Davies and IT boss Lesley Sewell: Whats the true answer?

I hope it is that we know this is not possible and we are able to explain why that is. I need to say no it is not possible.

When asked why she phrased this request in this way, Ms Vennells told the inquiry: I phrased this point very specifically and I can remember why I did this. Alice Perkins [former Post Office chair] - not related to this specifically - but I can remember Alice Perkins saying to me at some stage, Paula if you want to get the truth and a really clear answer from somebody you should tell them what it is you want to say very clearly and then ask for the information that backs it up, that is why I phrased it in that way.

When pressed further, Ms Vennells said: I am very sorry, I am giving you completely the truthful answer on this.

I remember why I phrased this this way. Not because I was trying to tell people what the answer was at all but because I was trying to get them to phrase something in a way that said, from my understanding, this is what it should be.

04:09 PM BST

Former subpostmaster told Paula Vennells: I do wonder what kind of god you worship

A former subpostmaster asked Paula Vennells: I do wonder what kind of god you worship.

The ex-Post Office boss was questioned on a number of emails she received from Tim McCormack trying to warn her about the faulty Horizon IT system in 2016.

The inquiry heard how the subpostmaster received a standard response to one of his emails, with Post Office lawyer Rodric Williams commenting before the response was sent: Generally my view is that this guy is a bluffer, who keeps expecting us to march to his tune. I dont think we should do, but instead respond with a straight bat.

Ms Vennells denied thinking that Mr McCormack was a bluffer.

Mr McCormack sent another email to Ms Vennells in July 2016, saying: A typical head in the sand reply from the team you have placed too much trust in. Once the police investigation is completed it is highly likely, indeed probable, that members of your staff will be sent to prison. Your role in this will not escape attention.

He added: I do wonder what kind of god you worship.

04:01 PM BST

Vennells routinely received correspondence about subpostmasters issues

Paula Vennells accepted that she routinely received correspondence about issues subpostmasters were facing.

Asked if she saw a pattern in the correspondence, she said: I saw the theme of Horizon coming up.

Was anything done by you to join the dots between them? counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked.

Ms Vennells replied: The dots I believed were being joined through the investigation work in the Complaints Mediation Scheme and in every case I believed we had looked at it in some detail and I regret today that clearly neither of those exposed the issues that we came to find out about through the Horizon issues judgment.

03:56 PM BST

Vennells agreed it is serious issue if folklore about Horizon developed unchecked

Jason Beer KC asked if it is a serious issue if folklore develops which has no foundation in fact.

Ms Vennells said: I agree.

Mr Beer also asked if it says something about the culture of the Post Office if such folklore developed or was perpetuated and nobody checked the real facts?

Ms Vennells replied: Thats a difficult question to answer because in hindsight it is completely valid. At the time, certainly where I was concerned, I believed that I was getting information from the people who were employed to give me the best advice because of their expertise. I didnt believe that any of those things were folklore at all.

03:45 PM BST

Vennells asked why false statements and folklore about Horizon circulated within Post Office

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked Paula Vennells why a number of false statements or folklore about Horizon were circulating within the Post Office.

Mr Beer put to her that the Post Office falsely believed that every time it went to court it won, that there were no faults in Horizon and that there was no remote access for Fujitsu.

Ms Vennells responded: At the time they were not considered to be false statements. The source of those statements, I cant recall clearly, but on something like this the only possible source of this statement would have been through the Post Office legal team.

So the answer for all of them would be to look for where the expertise sat within the organisation as to the genesis of what we now know are false statements.

03:22 PM BST

Vennells regrets concerns raised by former subpostmaster took too long to address

Ms Vennells has said she regrets that concerns raised by a former subpostmaster took too long to address.

In 2015, Tim McCormack wrote to Ms Vennells warning her that he had clear and unquestionable evidence of an intermittent bug in Horizon that can and does cause thousands of pounds in losses to subpostmasters.

Asked what she did after receiving this, Ms Vennells said: I dont recall.

Amid gasps from those in the room, she went on: Genuinely, I dont recall.

She later added: In hindsight I think he was right and I regret that the matters he was raising took too long to address.

03:12 PM BST

Competely unfair for Post Office to maintain there were no systemic errors in Horizon

Paula Vennells has said it was completely unfair of the Post Office to maintain that there were no systemic errors in Horizon.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked if a frequent refrain of the Post Office in 2014 was that there were no systemic errors in Horizon.

Ms Vennells replied: It was, and it was wrong...it was completely unfair to use in the business.

03:08 PM BST

Vennells regrets referring to subpostmaster complaints as noise

Paula Vennells said she regrets using the word noise in association with complaints launched by subpostmasters about the Horizon IT system.

Asked at the inquiry if mere noise was how complaints were regarded among Post Office chiefs, Ms Vennells said: No, and Im sorry it is not a good word but you have also seen how I have responded personally to other individual matters.

It is a word I regret using.

Asked if it reflected the workings of the minds of those at the top of the business, Ms Vennells said: I think it reflects a wrong understanding, yes, that people believed that Horizon worked and this is me deploying a word that was unwise.

I did not in any way mean that I personally did not take seriously issues when they got to me.

03:04 PM BST

Former subpostmaster attends inquiry immediately after conviction cleared in court

A former subpostmaster has gone straight from court to the inquiry after her conviction was quashed.

Sushma Blaggan, 62, who ran Dale Acre Post Office in Litherland, Merseyside, lived for two decades wrongfully labelled a criminal after being convicted of theft when a shortfall of 8,000 emerged.

After her name was cleared at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday morning, she travelled across London to Aldwych House to watch the former Post Office boss Paula Vennells give evidence.

Her husband Narrinder Blaggan, 58, said: For Sushma to have appeared in court two decades after being wrongfully prosecuted, and for an inquiry only to be hearing from Ms Vennells as to what went wrong on the very same day, just shows how badly subpostmasters have been let down.

I hope Ms Vennells was made aware that we were at the inquiry today, and that we came straight from court.

02:49 PM BST

Jailed former subpostmistress not convinced Vennells apology genuine

A former subpostmistress, who was pregnant when she was handed a 15-month sentence for an alleged shortfall, said she didnt know if Ms Vennells apology was genuine.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Seema Misra - who was found guilty of theft after a 2010 trial - said: I dont know, its like a ritual, they just come in and say sorry, she might mean it, she might mean it - I just dont know.

When asked about the time Ms Vennells broke down when asked about the suicide of Martin Griffiths, Mrs Misra said: Thats the saddest bit - Post Office forced him to take his life.

The scandal will stay with us for the rest of our lives, it should haunt the people responsible for the scandal for the rest of their lives as well.

She added: Where were those tears when Mr Griffiths took his own life, where were the tears then?

You can hear more coverage of the Post Office inquiry on todays episode of The Daily T from 5pm. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

02:43 PM BST

Former subpostmaster says Vennells will never shed as many tears as he has

Lee Castleton, a former subpostmaster, has said Paula Vennells will never shed as many tears as he has.

Mr Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004. He was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

Asked about Ms Vennells breaking down in tears, he said: Shell never shed as many as I have, Im afraid, or my family, or the rest of the victims or the wider group.

Not that I have no empathy for that because I do, I understand completely.

Id imagine a lot of its nerves too and doing her best. I think shes got a need or want to do the right thing.

02:36 PM BST

Ms Vennells apology to Alan Bates meaningless, says his partner

Ms Vennells named Alan Bates as one of several individuals she wanted to apologise to for making their work 'so much harder' - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Alan Bates partner has described Ms Vennells apology to the former subpostmaster as meaningless.

The former chief executive named Mr Bates  whose fight for justice against the Post Office inspired the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office  as one of several individuals she wanted to apologise to for making their work so much harder.

Mr Bates arrived to hear Ms Vennells evidence with his partner Suzanne Sercombe.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: Its water off a ducks back  the same with her crying, we are the victims here, not her.

Its meaningless because she did not do anything in years gone past when she should have done something. Its like, Sorry I got found out.

The couple joined other subpostmasters in the hearing to watch Ms Vennells continue giving evidence.

02:26 PM BST

Inquiry resumes

Questioning of Ms Vennells continues as the inquiry resumes after breaking for lunch.

02:20 PM BST

Vennells broke down over disturbing cases of wrongfully prosecuted subpostmasters

Paula Vennells broke down in tears for a third time when speaking about eight disturbing cases of wrongfully prosecuted sub-postmasters.

Ms Vennells said: All the cases that came into the mediation scheme that they were going to look into, were by their nature disturbing. My purpose in circulating these cases was from a

She recovered and continued: It was from a point of view of compassion. There were questions in the organisation at a board and a group executive level about whether this was a distraction of management time.

When I read these reports it seemed to me that this was an important distraction of management time and that any colleagues who might think this was not a good use of money to be invested in and investigated were clearly wrong.

02:13 PM BST

Vennells received direct correspondence from subpostmasters having issues with Horizon

The Horizon IT Inquiry heard that Paula Vennells received direct correspondence from subpostmasters having issues with the computer system from 2012.

Ms Vennells sent an email after receiving word from subpostmaster Pervez Nakvi about Horizon issues in February 2012, in which the former Post Office chief executive said: It is very frustrating to receive mails like this. Pervez is right to raise it.

It is my understanding that Horizon is reliable...but if trusted individuals like Pervez are now not feeling that is the case are we monitoring the right metrics?

Asked if it was relevant that they were a trusted individual, she said: I responded to all complaints in the exact same way. It would not have made a difference whether I knew the subpostmaster or not.

Pressed on whether all complaints raised by subpostmasters would call for investigation, Ms Vennells said: I would hope so. Im sure there are cases where that was not the case but I would have tried to.

01:49 PM BST

Vennells did not see report that said Post Office systems were not fit for purpose

Paula Vennells has said she did not see a report which found Post Office systems were not fit for purpose.

Ms Vennells agreed that a 2013 report by Detica, a consulting division of BAE systems, ought to have been brought to her attention by either Lesley Sewell, Chris Aujard or Angela van den Bogerd.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC said: This is essentially marking some of Second Sights homework and agreeing with it, isnt it?

Ms Vennells responded: It is, yes.

Mr Beer went on: Thats an important fact for you, isnt it? That independent consultants Detica have been brought in and they essentially agree with Second Sight on the points identified there.

Ms Vennells replied: Yes.

Asked why the report was kept from her, she said: I was not under the impression that people were intentionally withholding information from me.

01:32 PM BST

Inquiry breaks for lunch

The inquiry has now broken for lunch and is scheduled to resume at 2.15pm.

01:31 PM BST

Horizon was like Fort Knox, said former Fujitsu boss

Fujitsu Europes then-CEO said the core of Horizon was like Fort Knox when discussing remote access, according to Paula Vennells witness statement.

Ms Vennells asked Duncan Tait if Fujitsu colleagues could alter branch accounts remotely, and said his response was no, adding: We concurred it was an implausible scenario.

She said: Why would a Fujitsu colleague try to hack into a branchs accounts? We couldnt find any suitable explanation - there was no way they could benefit financially from such an action. The only possible reason would be a malicious act by a disgruntled employee.

Duncan described the core of Horizon like a black box, ie., similar to an aircraft flight recorder; he said that even if someone wanted to, it was not possible to alter or break it.

I had heard the black box description before. He described how secure the system was  that even if someone had the motivation, it just wasnt possible  Horizon was like Fort Knox.

I found it reassuring that the CEO of Fujitsu confirmed that there was no cause for concern and that the system could not be tampered with.

01:10 PM BST

Vennells giving evidence to room with eyes full of hatred, says former subpostmaster

Janet Skinner, a former subpostmaster, said Paula Vennells is giving evidence to a room of people with eyes full of hatred as she expressed sympathy for the former Post Office chief executive.

Ms Skinner said: Ill be honest I felt quite emotional this morning. I actually felt emotional for her because she is up there and she has got all these eyes there that are just full of hatred towards her and that must be such an overwhelming, horrible, intense feeling.

She said Ms Vennells has brought it all on herself, adding: This is her time on that stand to now put her side of the story out there.

Everybody has chucked mud at her, its time for her to open up and be quite open and honest about who was at the forefront of it all.

Ms Skinner was sentenced to nine months in prison in 2007 for false accounting. She was 35 at the time and had to leave her two children behind.

01:05 PM BST

Ripples of laughter as Vennells reacts to inflammatory emails

A ripple of laughter was heard at the hearing as Ms Vennells responded to an inflammatory statement written in an email by former Post Office managing director Alan Cook.

In an email previously shown to the inquiry, Mr Cook told colleagues: My instincts tell that in a recession subbies with their hand in the till choose to blame the technology when they are found to be short of cash.

Addressing Ms Vennells, Mr Beer KC said: Was that a sentiment that you agreed with?

Ms Vennells said: No I never used the word subbies, I thought it was completely the wrong word  prompting laughter.

Mr Beer then added: What about the more important thing  about them having their hands in the till?

Slightly flustered, Ms Vennells replied: I beg your pardon. I wasnt avoiding that question. Either calling them subbies, or people with hands in the till.

12:57 PM BST

Vennells denied trying to counter the narrative around Martin Griffiths suicide

Paula Vennells denied trying to get on the front foot and counter the narrative that Martin Griffiths committed suicide because the Post Office ruined his life.

In an email which Ms Vennells sent to, among others, former top Post Office executive Angela van den Bogerd, the inquiry heard Ms Vennells wrote: I possibly heard but may be confusing with a previous case that Martin had had some mental health issues.

She denied that she heard the information from a rumour.

She also denied tasking a team with creating a counter narrative to the notion Mr Griffiths had committed suicide because his life was ruined by the Post Office.

Ms Vennells said: No. What I was trying to do, quite simply, was to get the wider picture and to understand particularly the very difficult challenges that Mr Bates had levelled at some Post Office colleagues.

12:51 PM BST

No motivation to put needs of Post Office over suffering of subpostmasters

Paula Vennells has said there was no motivation to put the needs of the Post Office over the suffering of subpostmasters during the Horizon scandal.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC asked: Were you preoccupied with the need to protect the Post Offices reputation and brand?

Ms Vennells said: Yes, but not to the extent of putting that over and above the suffering of the subpostmasters.

Mr Beer replied: Did you know they were suffering?

Ms Vennells said: Thats a difficult question to answer because the answer is yes and no, I understood clearly if people are being prosecuted, that was a very difficult thing and the reason that we put in place the review of Second Sight and the mediation scheme was to look into that. I wasnt personally aware at the time because I wasnt involved in the prosecutions.

Questioned on whether she put the needs of the business over the suffering of subpostmasters, Ms Vennells said there will be many examples of where that is clearly the case.

She said: In terms of a personal approach I dont ever recall that being a motivation. I can see with hindsight that there will be many examples of where that is clearly the case because the Post Office got this very wrong.

12:47 PM BST

Watch: Former Royal Mail chief executive told Vennells I think you knew in text messages

12:34 PM BST

Vennells did not know of criminal investigations against staff until five years after she joined

Paula Vennells has said she didnt realise the Post Office was bringing criminal investigations against its own staff until five years after she joined Royal Mail.

Ms Vennells spent 12 years in the organisation  first joining as group network director before moving on to the position of managing director and finally the chief executive in 2012.

Addressing Ms Vennells, Jason Beer KC said: Youre telling us that for five years as network director and then managing director  so between 2007 and 2012  you did not know that there was a department called POID , the Post Office Investigation Division, that it employed up to 100 people and that their job was to conduct criminal investigations around the country into your staff?

Ms Vennells said: I certainly didnt know the size of the team thats for sure.

She added: I didnt understand the extent of what it was until 2012 and Im very sorry for that.

12:28 PM BST

Accusations of blame by Alan Bates unhelpful

Accusations of blame by campaigner Alan Bates after Martin Griffiths death were unhelpful, Paula Vennells said.

An email from Mr Bates criticising the Post Office after Mr Griffiths death was shown to the inquiry, to which Ms Vennells said the campaigner was rightly very, very angry about this, but his language about her colleagues was extreme.

Jason Beer KC asked: You say in your statement that this was a time of great distress for Mr Griffiths family, and I felt the accusations of blame were unhelpful ... Is that right that you felt that Mr Bates accusations of blame were unhelpful?

Ms Vennells responded: I think at this stage some of those accusations of blame were unhelpful, yes, because the Post Office needed to respond to this properly and at that stage, I had no understanding as to what had gone on.

12:01 PM BST

Vennells in tears as she recalls speaking with father of postmaster who took his own life

Ms Vennells sobbed as she told the inquiry how she had spoken to the father of a subpostmaster who had taken his own life.

Ms Vennells was asked about her response to the news that subpostmaster Martin Griffiths was dangerously ill in hospital after stepping in front of a bus.

At the time, Mr Griffiths was being wrongfully blamed for shortfalls totalling 100,000 at his branch.

Responding to questions on why Ms Vennells emailed general counsel Susan Crichton stating there were usually several contributory factors and asking if the police were involved, Ms Vennells said: I had a personal experience of a previous Post Office colleague who had took his own life and I phoned the family and I spoke to the father who explained to me that there were other issues involved and I imagined ...

At this point Ms Vennells started to cry and paused to compose herself.

She then added: In this particular case I had spoken to the subpostmasters father who had said to me that there were other contributory factors in his sons death and they were very grateful for the call that I had made.

Turning back to Mr Griffiths, Ms Vennells said: In Mr Griffiths case I also offered to do the same and I was told by the general counsel of the crown offices that that wasnt needed and other people were in the loop.

Ms Vennells also apologised to Mr Griffiths family.

12:00 PM BST

Subpostmaster accuses Vennells of PR apology

A former subpostmaster has accused Paula Vennells of making a PR apology.

Mark Kelly, 45, who was a subpostmaster in Swansea from 2003 to 2006, said: The apology I think was quite well-rehearsed, the speech of the apology and also the response to the questions.

The reason why I think the apology was more like a PR apology was because all these years she could have made an apology like that.

Why did she have to wait until today to do that?

Jess Kaur, 52, an ex-postmistress in Walsall who was wrongly accused in 2009 of stealing 11,000, said: I was just thinking to myself when she started crying that we were crying like that at the time.

It was nice to see her tears, but at the same time shes got a lot to answer for. She just needs to tell the truth.

11:56 AM BST

Vennells apologises for hand in the till assumption

Paula Vennells apologised for her comment that subpostmasters had been tempted to put their hands in the till and said it was an assumption she made.

The Horizon IT inquiry heard Ms Vennells made the claim, among others, to a group of parliamentarians in June 2012.

She also told them the Post Office had never lost a case and that whenever the Horizon system had been investigated it was not found to have been at fault, the inquiry heard.

Of her comment that subpostmasters were being led into temptation, she said: Thats a more difficult one to talk about. The first thing I would say on that is to apologise because Im very aware that that was not the case and it was an assumption I made.

She explained the assumption was based on examples of cases and what she had been told.

On her comment that the Post Office had never lost a case, Ms Vennells told the inquiry she drew that information from what she was told in a board meeting in January 2012, adding: It was an understanding in the organisation that this was the case.

That the Post Office had a 100 per cent hit rate? Jason Beer KC asked.

I dont think it was mentioned that way but yes in terms of the way that its described here and clearly that was completely inaccurate in many different ways, Ms Vennells replied.

11:43 AM BST

Watch: Vennells breaks down in tears mid-evidence

11:41 AM BST

Vennells trusted information from highest lawyers in organisation

Ms Vennells has told the inquiry how she trusted information from the highest lawyer in the organisation but accepted it was clearly completely inaccurate.

The inquiry was shown minutes from a meeting attended by Ms Vennells and Susan Crichton, then the Post Offices most senior in-house lawyer.

The document stated that Ms Crichton had told attendees that the subpostmasters were challenging the integrity of the Horizon system.

However, the system had been audited by RMG Internal Audit with the reports reviewed by Deloittes. The audit report was very positive.

Ms Vennells said she couldnt remember Ms Crichton making this statement but agreed with Mr Beer KC when he said it suggested prosecutions had a hundred per cent hit rate.

She added: Clearly that was completely inaccurate in many different ways as you drew attention to before the break.

Ms Vennells went on to say she wouldnt have believed it was false information, adding: If youre given information by the highest lawyers in the organisation, you take it completely as the truth.

Because you assume that lawyers  and I must be clear Im not implying anything here at all in terms of Susan Crichton  but one assumes that lawyers work to a professional code  The Post Office didnt, I think with hindsight, have sufficient oversight to check whether that was or wasnt the case.

So if that statement was made at a board meeting  if any statement was made at a board meeting  the board would take it as fact and truth.

11:27 AM BST

Pictured: Vennells crying during questioning at inquiry

Paula Vennells has broken down in tears mid-evidence as she apologised for telling MPs the Post Office was successful in every court case against subpostmasters.

Vennells crying during questioning

11:22 AM BST

Inquiry set to resume

The inquiry is about to resume after a short break.

11:19 AM BST

Email sent to Post Office employees reads badly today

Paula Vennells said an email she sent to three top Post Office employees reads badly today.

The email was sent to Jane MacLeod, former general counsel and company secretary of Post Office Ltd, Mark Davies, former Post Office communications director, and Alisdair Cameron, current Post Office chief financial officer.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC accused Ms Vennells of saying in the email the Post Offices priority was to protect subpostmasters for whom the Horizon system was working.

She said: I am sorry first of all because this reads badly today.

Ms Venells added: That wasnt how I intended it to be read. I had been told, and the inquiry has heard other people say the same, that nothing had been found and so my understanding at this time was that the way the business was operating was an acceptable way, and what I was trying to say here is that we needed to make sure that the business as it was operating remained a priority for us.

Asked about what Mr Cameron told the inquiry previously - that Ms Vennells did not believe there had been any miscarriages of justice during her tenure - Ms Vennells said: I think thats right.

11:16 AM BST

Messages between Vennells and former Royal Mail chief executive

11:13 AM BST

Paula Vennells weeps while being questioned

Paula Vennells wept as she was asked why she had told MPs that every prosecution case involving Horizon was successful and had been found in favour of the Post Office.

The former chief executive was read a list of cases by lead counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC just more than an hour after she began giving evidence.

Ms Vennells was questioned by MPs at a select committee hearing in 2015.

Mr Beer asked: Why were you telling these parliamentarians that every prosecution involving the Horizon system had been successful and had been found in favour of the Post Office?

Responding, Ms Vennells said: I fully accept now that the Post Office, excuse me She then took a tissue, provoking quiet groans among those in the hearing room.

After composing herself, Ms Vennells continued: The Post Office knew that. I completely accept that.

Personally, I didnt know that and Im incredibly sorry that that happened to those people and to so many others.

Paula Vennells weeps while being questioned

11:07 AM BST

Vennells denies she is blaming everything on Horizon

Ms Vennells denied she was trying to blame everything on the Horizon system while minimising the blame on the conduct, competence and ethics of those within the Post Office.

In her witness statement, the former chief executive said: Their [subpostmasters] lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system.

Questioned on whether it was her intent to minimise the blame placed on the conduct, competence and ethics of those within the Post Office, Ms Vennells said: No, not at all, and apologies that thats not clear.

There were a number of debates about the Horizon system  what I meant to say, or what I should have said, is as a result of all of the matters relating to Horizon and all the issues we have discussed that the inquiry is looking at.

11:05 AM BST

Vennells reflections will demonstrate deep remorse

Ms Vennells said her reflections when giving evidence will demonstrate her deep remorse in her first witness statement for the Horizon IT inquiry.

In her statement dated March 8 2024, Ms Vennells said with hindsight there are many things I and the Post Office should have done differently.

She said: As a result of my commitment to this statement and to the work of the inquiry, which has been my priority, I have had much to consider. With the benefit of hindsight, there are many things I and the Post Office should have done differently.

I am now reflecting with care on these matters and I will expand upon them and answer them as fully as possible when I give my evidence to the inquiry in May.

Those reflections will demonstrate my deep remorse. They will set out the lessons I have since learnt.

11:05 AM BST

A former chief executive of the Royal Mail told Vennells I think you knew

The Post Office inquiry was shown a text message exchange in which Dame Moya Greene, former CEO of Royal Mail Group accused Paula Vennells of knowing about Horizon errors.

Ms Greene said: I dont know what to say. I think you knew.

Ms Vennells replied: No Moya, that isnt the case.

Ms Greene said: I want to believe you. I asked you twice. I suggested you get an independent review reporting to you. I was afraid you were being lied to.

You said the system had already been reviewed multiple times. How could you have not known?

10:28 AM BST

Vennells claims she was too curious

There was a quiet burst of laughter in the hearing room when Paula Vennells told the inquiry she was sometimes criticised for being too curious.

The former chief executive defended herself as someone who asked questions within the business.

She said: I was sometimes criticised in team development events for being too curious and stepping too much into peoples territory.

10:26 AM BST

Biggest challenges was realising how much went on at postmaster level

Ms Vennells said one of the biggest challenges has been realising how much went on at an individual postmaster level.

Giving evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry, she said: One of the biggest challenges as I have been going through all of this documentation is realising how much went on at an individual postmaster level. When a bug affected a large number of post offices... they were raised.

But if a single subpostmaster made a call X number of times to a service centre, it wouldnt have been picked up and I think from a governance point of view there is a very important lesson around the issue of the institution and the individual.

How does somebody as a chief executive of an institution that is large and complex have sight to what happens to an individual if they are affected by a bug?

Asked if she did not believe there was a conspiracy to deny her information but rather that issues came out of the way the company was organised and structured, Ms Vennells said: I think in the majority of cases yes that is true.

Asked who was responsible for organising and structuring the company, she said: As CEO you are accountable for everything. You have experts to report to you.

10:13 AM BST

Conspiracy at Post Office too far-fetched

Ms Vennells has branded the idea of a conspiracy at the Post Office as too far-fetched.

When asked by Jason Beer KC if this was the case, Ms Vennells smiled slightly before saying: No, I dont believe that was the case.

Ms Vennells added: I have been disappointed particularly more recently listening to evidence at the inquiry, where I think I have learnt that people knew more than perhaps either they remembered at the time, or I knew of at the time.

My deep sorrow in this is that I think that individuals, myself included, made mistakes, didnt see things, didnt hear things.

I may be wrong, but that wasnt the impression I had at the time. I have more questions now, but conspiracy feels too far-fetched.

Paula Vennells giving evidence to the inquiry

10:07 AM BST

Vennells says she is very sorry to postmasters

Paula Vennells said she is very very sorry to all the subpostmasters and their families affected by the scandal.

The former chief executive of the Post Office offered personal apologies to Alan Bates, accountants from Second Sight and Lord Arbuthnot as she began her evidence at the inquiry.

After asking permission to give a short statement before giving evidence, she told the inquiry: I would just like to say, and Im grateful for the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry I am for all the subpostmasters and their families and others who have suffered as a result of all the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long.

I followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and I was very affected by them.

Ms Vennells added: I am very very sorry. I would also like to repeat the apology which is in my witness statement to Alan Bates, to Ron Warmington and to Ian Henderson from Second Sight and to Lord Arbuthnot.

I and those I worked with made their work so much harder and I am very very sorry for that.

10:02 AM BST

Vennells too trusting

Asked if Ms Vennells was the unluckiest CEO in the United Kingdom, she replied: I given was as much information as the inquiry has heard. There was information that I wasnt given and others didnt receive as well.

One of my reflections on all this is that I was too trusting.

09:59 AM BST

Vennells apologises

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells has said how sorry I am for all that subpostmasters and their families... have suffered at the beginning of her evidence to the Horizon IT inquiry.

The inquiry has heard that one of Paula Vennells witness statements is 775 pages long.

09:56 AM BST

Witness statement

Ms Vennells witness statement is 775 pages long.

She has made three minor corrections to the document and has told the chairman she plans to answer all the questions put to her.

A second witness statement prepared by Ms Vennells is 23 pages long.

The statements will be uploaded to the inquirys website.

09:54 AM BST

Inquiry begins

Paula Vennells will be questioned by Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry. Subpostmasters, press and lawyers are bustling around the hearing room at Aldywch House this morning.

She has taken to the stand in a grey suit and an orange scarf, and was sworn in on the bible. Sir Wyn Williams, the chairman of the inquiry, has warned her against answering any questions which would incriminate herself.

Sir Wyn Williams, chairman of the inquiry, has warned Paula Vennells not to answer any questions that would incriminate herself

09:50 AM BST

Paula Vennells arriving at inquiry

Paula Vennells arrives at the Post Office Inquiry. Tight mouthed. She'll have to answer questions from 1000. @GMB @ITVX pic.twitter.com/6vNlOXzUpA  Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) May 22, 2024

09:36 AM BST

Former postmaster Seema Misra calls on Vennells to speak truth

Seema Misra, a former subpostmaster, called on Paula Vennells to speak truth.

Ms Misra, who ran a Post Office in West Byfleet, Surrey, was jailed in 2010 after being accused of stealing 74,000. She was pregnant at the time.

Asked what she would say to Ms Vennells, Ms Misra told the PA news agency outside Aldwych House on Wednesday: Please, for gods sake, speak truth.

Thats what we all deserve, weve been fighting such a long time... we want to know exactly what happened.

She said she of course feels strongly about what Ms Vennells is going to tell the inquiry, adding: Weve heard her name so many times.

Ms Misra said that no matter what happens, we wont give up.

09:18 AM BST

Vennells expected to start at 10am

Ms Vennells is expected to start giving evidence to the Horizon IT Inquiry at 9.45am today.

It is the first time the former chief executive will face questions over her role in the scandal.

She has not previously spoken about her involvement, but has apologised for the devastation experienced by those affected.

09:03 AM BST

Questions over misleading business select committee

Ms Vennells is likely to face questions over whether she deliberately misled the business select committee at the inquiry today.

Jason Beer KC previously told the probe she made a false statement in 2012 to then Conservative MP Oliver Letwin when she wrote about the prosecution of subpostmasters, in which she said: In every instance, the court has found in our favour.

Questions about the Post Offices alleged defensive and self-absorbed culture also loom over Ms Vennells - with the businesss current chief financial officer Alisdair Cameron speaking of an unacceptable, self-serving relationship with subpostmasters.

He told the probe that Ms Vennells had been clear in her conviction from the day I joined that nothing had gone wrong - adding that she did not believe there had been any miscarriages of justice.

She has not yet spoken in detail about her role in the scandal, but previously apologised for the devastation caused to subpostmasters and their families.

08:41 AM BST

I thought truth would be buried forever, says wrongfully prosecuted Horizon victim

Janet Skinner, who went to prison after being falsely accused of theft and then had the conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal, told BBC Radio 4: Ive had an apology from Alan Cook, who was also the CEO and was in position when I went to prison.

Now the whole question is did she know and if she didnt know then why were there people below her doing the positions they were paid to do? Then clearly none of them knew what they were doing.

She added: I thought the truth would be buried forever. All Im hoping is we dont hear a lot of I do not recall and I do not remember which seems to be one of the main answers that runs through that Post Office system.

08:32 AM BST

Former postmaster says he is looking forward to Vennells appearance

Lee Castleton, a former subpostmaster who faced bankruptcy as a result of losing a legal battle with the Post Office, said he was really looking forward to Vennells facing questions today.

Mr Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch in 2004.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he said: Im really looking forward to, the stage is set for her to set the record however she sees fit. I think its important for moving forward and for the victims that she is heard.

Mr Castleton said he was not looking for an apology, adding: I just want factual evidence giving the truth, the days of [an apology] making any difference to me are long gone.

I just want to know why this happened. And who knew what and when.

08:17 AM BST

Emails reveal how Paula Vennells joked about drinking champagne after learning of CBE

Paula Vennells joked about drinking champagne after being told she would receive a CBE for her Post Office work, The Telegraph revealed.

News of the then-Post Office chief executives decoration was shared among staff in December 2018, just months before former sub-postmaster Alan Bates would win a High Court battle against the organisation.

Ms Vennells, who left the business weeks before the High Court verdict, had already handed in her resignation when a statement was drafted announcing that she would be made a Commander of the British Empire.

She was made a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List for services to the Post Office and to charity, but voluntarily handed the honour back after a petition attracted more than 1.2 million signatures.

Read the full story here.

08:09 AM BST

Vennells arrives

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells has arrived at Aldwych House to give evidence to the inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.

Ms Vennells arrived at 7.45am and did not answer any questions as she walked a short distance up to the venue.

Police officers had previously asked media to ensure there was a clear path for her to enter the building.

But she was surrounded by press as she exited a car a short way from the venue and was eventually escorted by police.

08:07 AM BST

Vennells faces questions hours after email surfaces

Ms Vennells is due to be questioned under oath just hours after an email surfaced which showed her describing potential wrongful convictions of subpostmasters as very disturbing more than a year before the company halted prosecutions.

ITV News reported that the October 2013 email, as well as a recording of a phone conversation involving Ms Vennells, confirmed she was sent case files of eight subpostmasters.

The email from Ms Vennells to Ron Warmington, a forensic accountant with firm Second Sight who were drafted in to review independently the Horizon system, read: Apart from finding them very disturbing (I defy anyone not to), I am now even better informed.

The form you have devised is very helpful as it removes some of the emotion and highlights very clearly areas we need to address as well as investigate for the mediation process, which I hope will bring closure for some of these people.

As I said... I take this very seriously...

08:04 AM BST

Welcome to The Telegraphs coverage of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

Good morning and welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

Paula Vennells, the disgraced former Post Office boss, is set to be questioned today.

The former chief executive is due to begin her three days of evidence to the Horizon IT Inquiry amid claims she covered-up the Post Offices knowledge of bugs in the faulty accounting software.

It is likely she will also face questions of whether she deliberately misled MPs over the scandal.

Hundreds of subpostmasters were prosecuted by the business between 1999 and 2015 after Fujitsus Horizon made it appear as though money was missing at branches.

Ms Vennells, a 65-year-old ordained priest, was Post Office boss from 2012 to 2019. During this time the company was dealing with the fall-out of potential wrongful subpostmaster convictions.

She has been urged by the scandals victims to come clean with any possible personal wrongdoings.

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(Bloomberg) -- Indonesias President-elect Prabowo Subianto is in talks with the countrys largest party to form a coalition that would control 79% of parliament.

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Top officials from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, have been holding intensive discussions with representatives from Prabowos Gerindra party since March, including on potentially giving PDI-P members key ministerial seats or influence over the state budget, according to people familiar with the matter.

Prabowo, who will succeed President Joko Widodo on Oct. 20, has been reaching out across party lines to ensure he can secure lawmakers approval for key campaign promises such as his free lunch program and policies to help the country achieve 8% economic growth. That replicates the model set forth by Jokowi, as the incumbent is known, whose control over 74% of parliament allowed him to push through contentious legal and criminal reforms.

PDI-P is set to become the largest opposition party with 19% of seats in parliament after its presidential candidate lost to Prabowo in the Feb. 14 polls. The discussions between PDI-P and Prabowos allies show how political pragmatism may take precedence, even if the party is no stranger to opposition politics, having held that role under former dictator Suharto.

Puan Maharani, daughter of PDI-Ps Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, has been leading the talks, said the people who asked not to be named discussing private matters. Still, negotiations remain fluid and the main disagreement revolves around any potential role Jokowi might play after he steps down as president. Despite being a PDI-P member, Jokowi was widely seen as backing rival candidate Prabowo during the campaign  a move Megawati viewed as a betrayal, the people said.

Representatives from PDI-P, Gerindra and Maharani didnt immediately respond to separate requests for comment.

The decision to join Prabowos coalition or not rests entirely in Megawatis hands and the matter may be discussed at the partys national meeting, the people said.

Hundreds of PDI-Ps members from across the nation are set to meet on May 24-26 to discuss the partys stance and strategy. For the first time in a decade, the sitting president Jokowi will be absent as he wasnt invited to the meeting after losing his membership.

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Laman Ismayilova

Tajik Cinema Days has opened its doors to moviegoers at Nizami Cinema Centre, Azernews reports.

The event was held within the Days of Tajik Culture organised in the cities of Baku and Ganja.

The large-scale event features vibrant concerts, an exhibition of artists and craftsmen, film screenings and display of national costumes, which provide insight into the history, culture, and customs of the Tajik people.

Director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund, Honoured Artist Jamil Guliyev, addressed the event.

In his speech, he stressed that although geographically our fraternal and friendly republics are at a distance, for many years the two countries have cooperated very closely. Jamil Guliyev also touched upon the long-standing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in the field of cinema.

The director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund,underlined that the Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan will further enhance the cooperation between the film industries of the two countries.

The General Director of Tajikfilm, Mahmadsaid Shokhiyon, noted that over the years of independence, diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have developed dynamically and achieved significant results, which today serve for the benefit of our fraternal peoples.

"This was largely facilitated by close, trusting contacts at the highest level between the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Tajik-Azerbaijani ties have deep historical roots in the fields of culture, religion, literature, art, and cinema. I am confident that cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop," he said.

Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Tajikistan, Safar Khakdodov, said that it is gratifying that cooperation between the two fraternal countries continues within the Days of Tajik Culture. He expressed his hope that these ties will continue to develop in the future.

Next, the Tajik side presented a gift to the director of the Azerbaijan State Film Fund, Jamil Guliyev. The People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Tariel Gasimov, was awarded the medal "Excellence in Tajik Cinema".

Furthermore, the guests of the event watched the film "Rustam and Sohrab", which narrates about the hero Rustam, his love Tahmina, the long-awaited meeting of Rustam with his son, as well as the betrayal of Kavus- the envious and treacherous Shah.
As of Tuesday evening, May 21, Pokrovsk remained the hottest spot at the frontline. In total, 94 direct clashes took place between Russian occupants and Ukrainian defenders at the frontline over the last day.

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This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 22:00 on May 21. Russian occupants are storming our positions, using their superiority in numbers and equipment. Ukrainian troops are steadfastly defending their land, effectively repelling enemy attacks and improving their tactical position.

Over the last day, the enemy carried out three missile attacks, 35 air strikes and 367 kamikaze drone strikes. The enemy also made almost 2,800 assaults, during which enemy forces attacked the positions of our troops and settlements using various types of weapons.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy tried to force our units out of their positions 10 times, but Ukrainian soldiers repelled six of their attempts to advance in the direction of Lyptsi and Pletenivka-Vovchansk. The situation is tense near Starytsia, where an attack from Nova Tavolzhanka was repelled. The battle near Buhruvatka continues. For their part, Ukrainian defenders counterattack and take measures to strengthen the stability of the defense.

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The number of enemy attacks in the Kupiansk sector increased to 12. Fighting continues in the areas of Synkivka, Ivanivka and Novoyehorivka. In the area of Berestove, our defenders repelled two enemy assault attacks, and the situation is currently under control.

No positions were lost in the Lyman sector. The enemy's attempt to advance near Terny was suppressed.

In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 10 enemy attacks in the areas of Bilohorivka, Vyimka and Rozdolivka. The battle near Bilohorivka continues, the situation is currently under control.

A total of 10 enemy attacks were repelled in the Kramatorsk sector. In particular, the Russian occupants unsuccessfully tried to break into the defensive lines of our troops near Klishchiivka five times, three times near Andriivka, as well as in the areas of Novyi and Ivanivske. The enemy's losses in this sector currently amount to 135 people and 50 pieces of equipment. In particular, a tank and two armored personnel carriers were destroyed and a Burelom electronic warfare station was damaged.

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In the Pokrovsk sector, the hottest along the entire frontline, the number of enemy attacks increased to 37 since the beginning of the day. The enemy tried to advance from Ocheretyne in the directions of Novooleksandrivka, Kalynove, Prohres, Yevhenivka, where fierce fighting continues, 15 times. Russian invaders also keep trying to break through our defenses in the area of Novoselivka Persha, Sieverne and Netailove. In some areas, the situation requires our troops to maneuver. The defense forces are taking measures to repel the enemy offensive and stabilize the situation.

In the Kurakhove sector, our defenders continue to suppress the enemy's activity, which has unsuccessfully attacked our positions twice.

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In the Vremivsk sector, the situation is stable, but the enemy has concentrated a significant number of weapons in the area of Staromaiorske. Measures are being taken to stabilize the situation.

No active hostilities were registered in the Prydniprovsk sector . The enemy did not launch any attacks in the Toretsk, Huliaipole or Orikhiv sectors.

Ukrainian troops are actively using every weapon to weaken enemy positions along the entire frontline.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian troops destroyed an enemy position and mortar in the Zaporizhzhia sector. The enemy tried to hide in a forest plantation, where they dug trenches and set up a camouflaged position. However, aerial reconnaissance of the State Border Guard Service discovered the location of the Russians.

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Ukrainian border guards also destroyed the enemy's UAV piloting point. The occupiers deployed it in the Vovchansk community of the Kharkiv region, where fierce fighting continues.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, 230 units of military equipment and weapons of the Russian army were destroyed over the past day (May 20). Defense forces also killed and wounded at least 1380 occupants.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
UPDATE (5:05 p.m.): News 5 is continuing to gather information on a homicide suspect that the Mobile County Sheriffs Office is searching for.

19-year-old Robert McMillian was arrested on a gun charge three days after the murder of Donte Evans, which happened on April 27.

McMillian stayed in Mobile Metro Jail until May 7, when he was released, according to the Mobile jail log.

The murder warrant on McMillian was not signed until May 17, 10 days after he was released from jail on the gun charge.

Original Story

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A man wanted in connection with an April homicide in Prichard was arrested Tuesday in Cobb County, Ga., according to the Mobile County Sheriffs Office.

An MCSO news release said LaDerick Davis was arrested for an April 27 homicide on Telegraph Road.

A mugshot of LaDerick Davis (Cobb County Sheriffs Office).

Officers with the Prichard Police Department and deputies with MCSOs Crime Scene Unit were called to Telegraph Road that Saturday for a report of a homicide.

Law enforcement officials reportedly found a gray Ford Edge with a man, later identified as Donte Evans, dead from several gunshot wounds.

New information about missing teenager in Mobile County

The news release said officers learned that there were three other people in the vehicle with Evans at the time of the shooting. One of those three was shot in the abdomen and was taken to a local hospital, according to the release.

MCSO took over the case from PPD on April 30, and on May 15, they executed a search warrant for the location where the body was found to get surveillance video.

The release said detectives were able to identify Robert McMillian, known as Luh Mista, and LaDerick Davis, known as ESPN 20, as suspects in the murder.

Warrants were signed for felony murder and first-degree assault on McMillian and Davis on May 17.

A photo of Robert McMillian (Mobile County Sheriffs Office).

On May 21, Cobb County detectives contacted MCSO to let them know Davis was in their custody. Cobb County detectives said three other people were in the vehicle with Davis when they found him; however, all three ran and were not located, according to the release.

Family Dollar shoplifter fought with store employee before leaving, Mobile police say

The release said inside the vehicle, detectives found two guns. Davis is being extradited to Mobile Metro Jail to face the murder and assault charge.

MCSO is still looking for McMillian.

Anyone with information can contact MCSO at 251-574-8633.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Donald Trump was declared an early victor in Kentucky's primary election while President Joe Biden secured his nomination in the commonwealth Tuesday night.

Results published by the Associated Press heralded Biden's and Trump's victories in their primary races while other political heavyweights, such as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, struggled to keep pace.

President Joe Biden, speaking in Goffstown on March 11, 2024, is speaking in Nashua Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Kentucky primary election results: Trump, Biden tapped victors

Trump pulled 84.9% of reported votes for Kentucky's primary election this year. During 2020's primary, Trump  who ran unopposed  received 86.6% of Kentucky's votes.

In 2020, Biden pulled 67.7% of Kentucky's primary votes compared to second-place contender Bernie Sanders' 12.1%. This year, primary election results signaled Biden as an early winner for the commonwealth with 71.3% of votes, with 98% of estimated votes tallied.

How did other Republican, Democratic candidates do in Kentucky?

While the Republican party's candidate pool looks crowded on the ballot, with such names as Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, many have already suspended their campaigns, leaving Trump as the only remaining Republican contender.

Haley was the last candidate to concede, suspending her campaign in early March after being defeated by Trump across the nation on Super Tuesday. Despite already conceding, Haley landed in second place by pulling 6.4% of Kentucky votes as of late Tuesday night.

Haley pulled more than 21% of the primary votes in neighboring state Indiana earlier this month.

Haley faced sharp criticism by local politicians, such as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. In January, Paul had some positive remarks about most of the Republican presidential candidates while publicly lobbying against Haley.

"I don't think any informed or knowledgeable libertarian or conservative should support Nikki Haley," Paul said in a social media post shared on X, urging people to register at nevernikki.net.

In the Democratic primary, Biden only faced off against one candidate who had yet to concede  Marianne Williamson.

Williamson suspended her campaign in February after losing the Nevada primary, but relaunched her campaign three weeks later with an announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. She has pulled about 6% of the statewide primary votes.

Many Kentucky voters 'uncommitted' in 2024 presidential primary

While the candidate pool is so narrowed for both the Republican and Democratic nomination, some voters were labeled as "uncommitted" to a particular presidential candidate in the race.

In the Democratic primary, 17.9% of voters elected to be "uncommitted," which was the second most popular option chosen compared to Biden's over-70% victory.

Only 10.8% of voters voted uncommitted in 2020s primary election for the commonwealth. In comparison, Donald Trump, Bidens likely adversary for Novembers general election, only received about 3.6% of uncommitted voters this year in Kentuckys primary.

Trump, Biden win handedly in Jefferson County

In Jefferson County, with about 99% of estimated votes tallied, Biden pulled 82.1% of the Democratic primary vote while Trump scored the Republican nomination with 77.9%.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky 2024 primary see Joe Biden, Donald Trump win
The Oregon Secretary of State's Office is in Salem. (Michael Romanos/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon voters decided to give a slate of state legislators a chance to prove themselves worthy of a promotion to statewide office in the November elections.

Based on preliminary results in the primaries, Democratic voters want state Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis and the former House speaker, to run for attorney general. Democratic voters also favor state Sen. Portland Sen. Elizabeth Steiner in the state treasurers primary. On the Republican side, GOP voters are supporting Republican state Sen. Dennis Linthicum of Klamath County as he seeks the partys nod to run for secretary of state.

Dan Rayfield

Rayfield was among the first to comment.

I look forward to continuing to discuss my proven track record and vision for the attorney generals office and hope to earn your vote in November, Rayfield said in a statement.

The results are unofficial, with elections officials likely to be counting ballots over the next few days. Any ballots postmarked on Tuesday or deposited in a drop box or turned into a county office by 8 p.m. will be counted in the election, which sets the stage for a new Oregon leadership statewide.

All of the states three statewide races  for attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer  are open. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is retiring. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek in June 2023 after Shemia Fagan resigned amid an ethics scandal, is not running for election. Treasurer Tobias Read has served two consecutive terms which means he cant serve another. He opted to run for secretary of state.

Heres a look at the preliminary results:

Attorney general race

Rayfield, a state representative and an attorney in Corvallis, was leading in the Democratic primary with 76% of the vote as of 8:56 p.m. Tuesday.

Rayfield was speaker of the state House for two years before stepping down in March when the session ended. In the Democratic primary, he faced Shaina Maxey Pomerantz, executive director of Race Talks, a Portland-based nonprofit that connects people across different cultures. She also was a civil rights investigator for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She garnered 23% of the vote, according to preliminary returns.

The attorney general is in charge of the Oregon Department of Justice, which has nearly 1,500 workers statewide and an annual budget of about $406 million. The attorney general represents and defends state agencies when they are sued and performs consumer advocacy on behalf of residents. This can include taking legal action against unethical companies and helping collect child support.

In the Republican primary, Will Lathrop was ahead with 64% of the vote compared with 35% for Michael Cross at about 9 p.m.

Will Lathrop (campaign photo)

Lathrop, a Newberg attorney, has worked for International Justice Mission, a nonprofit human rights agency, in Uganda and Ghana, where he worked on projects to address human trafficking and help widows and orphans with land rights.

He also was a deputy district attorney for nearly a decade until 2014 in Marion and Yamhill counties.

Change is needed, Lathrop said in a statement Tuesday. I represent a dawn of new leadership that is focused on public service and problem solving  not partisan politics.

Secretary of State race

Read, whos term as treasurer ends in January, was leading the Democratic primary race for secretary of state with 71% of the vote as of about 9 p.m.

Tobias Read (Campaign photo)

The Democratic primary for secretary of state was a five-way race with two high-profile candidates: Read, state treasurer since 2017, and state Sen. James Manning of Eugene, who placed second with 20% of the vote. The other candidates are retired attorney Jim Crary, inventor Dave Stauffer and retired electrical engineer Paul Damian Wells.

Im incredibly honored by the support of my fellow Oregonians, Read said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. Im encouraged by how much we have in common: we care about protecting our democracy, our environment, & ensuring that our govt is making a difference. I promise to continue working hard for Oregons future.

The secretary of state is responsible for Oregons elections, audits state government agencies and administers state archives. The secretary of state also is first in line to succession if the governor leaves office early.

Its also the only statewide office with a Republican in charge in decades: Republican Secretary of State Dennis Richardson died of brain cancer while in office in 2019. He was elected in 2016.

Linthicum was ahead in the three-way GOP primary with 65% of the vote as of 9 p.m. The Klamath County senator is barred from serving another term in the Senate because he racked up more than nine unexcused absences during the GOP-led walkout in the Senate in 2023.

The GOP primary race also included Beaverton real estate broker Brent Barker and Salem business analyst Tim McCloud.

All the Republican candidates have backed false claims of voter fraud in elections.

Treasurer race

Portland Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a three-term senator, is leading the Democratic primary with 77% of the vote compared with 23% for Jeff Gudman, an investment manager and former Lake Oswego City Councilman. This is Gudmans third try for the office but his first as a Democrat: He previous ran two unsuccessful campaigns for treasurer as a Republican. He said that he switched affiliations because his policies are no longer aligned with the Republican party.

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Steiner of Portland is running for state treasurer. (Campaign photo)

Steiner touted her budget-writing experience in her campaign. She co-chairs the Legislatures Ways and Means Committee that decides how taxpayer dollars are spent. She is also a family physician and professor at Oregon Health & Science University. If elected in November, she would be the first woman in Oregon history to hold the position.

I launched this campaign because I know theres more we can do to help Oregonians save for their familys financial goals, boost the financial health of our state and invest in our shared priorities: healthcare, education, housing, jobs and a secure retirement, Steiner said in a statement.

Steiner is likely to face a fellow senator in the November general election: State Sen. Brian Boquist of Dallas ran for the Republican nomination unopposed. Boquist is among the Republican state senators who are barred from serving subsequent terms because of their participation in the 2023 Senate GOP boycott of an abortion bill.

The state treasurer runs Oregons $94 billion PERS fund that provides benefits for about 140,000 state retirees. The treasurer also manages public banking and savings programs, including the Oregon College Savings Plan and Oregon Saves, a retirement savings program run through the treasury.

The post Primary voters tap legislators, treasurer and an attorney for statewide office appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
(Getty Images)

Gov. Jim Pillen is embarking on a policy campaign to sell a new plan meant to lower property taxes. Hes hitting the road making his pitch to voters and state senators in communities around the state.

If you have planned a summer vacation, you know that a great trip does not happen on its own  it takes vision, planning and strong execution. The same is true for state tax policy. Before embarking on a restructuring of Nebraskas tax system, its important to set goals and map out the path to our ideal destination.

Two-part commentary

This is the first in a two-part series outlining good tax principles and the specific recommendations from the Platte Institute to achieve property tax reform in Nebraska.

Today:

Principles of good tax policy.

Coming Thursday:

Foundational property tax relief is within our reach.

We can all agree we want to arrive at a destination where Nebraska has a tax system that allows individuals and businesses to thrive, for our state to compete with our peers, and a system that is fair and equitable for all. How we get there, and what principles we follow, are the primary questions at hand. Achieving meaningful tax reform requires more than a big goal; it must be built upon sound tax policies that will endure for generations to come.

Prior to 2023, Nebraska consistently ranked high among peer states for income tax rates and property tax burdens. Unfortunately, budgets were tight during that time, which limited fiscally responsible means for reducing these taxes. Regardless, our state leaders knew Nebraska had to perform better if it was to successfully compete with peer states for business and job growth and personal prosperity.

Finally, in 2023, Nebraska had its shot. Due to a revenue surplus, in part because ofthe COVID crisis, Nebraska was able to slash its income tax rates to 3.99% over five years and also eliminate community colleges ability to levy property tax. These changes significantly enhanced our states tax code; however, they did not happen overnight, and they did not happen by accident. Despite this reform, Nebraska still has the seventh highest property tax rate in the country. As we look forward now, we need to consider what goes into good tax policy, and how Nebraska can ensure we get the best outcome for our state.

Budgetary restraint

Foundational to any good tax policy is budgetary restraint. Although Nebraska was able to accomplish significant reforms due to excess revenue, only budgetary restraint can provide sustainable tax relief. That is, future tax reforms should not rely on a tax shift, but instead focus on capping local spending growth and promoting budget restraint.

Simplicity

Good tax policy is also rooted in simplicity. A tax code that is easy to understand and comply with reduces administrative costs and economic distortions. Nebraskas recent reforms aimed to simplify the tax code by reducing the number of brackets and lowering rates. Eliminating the community college property tax simplified the overall property tax system. Future reforms should continue this trend towards simplicity, making the tax system as straightforward as possible while ensuring that elected officials are accountable to the taxpayer.

Transparency

Transparency is another critical principle of foundational tax reform. A transparent tax system ensures that taxpayers understand how their money is being used and can hold government officials accountable. Transparency also means keeping accountability at the level of government most accessible to the taxpayer. This means local decisions should stay in the hands of local elected officials, not bureaucrats in Lincoln. Nebraska should continue to prioritize transparency, building trust with taxpayers and ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly.

Economic growth

Lastly, economic growth should be a guiding objective. Tax policies that promote investment, job creation and economic expansion benefit all Nebraskans. By keeping tax rates competitive and reducing burdensome regulations, Nebraska can attract new businesses and retain existing ones, driving economic prosperity. Legislators should reject ideas that raise taxes on business inputs and instead focus on policies that spur economic growth throughout our state.

The principles of budgetary restraint, simplicity, transparency and economic growth form the bedrock of sound tax policy. As Nebraska looks to further improve its tax system, these principles will guide us toward a fairer, more prosperous future for all. In the next part of this series, we will explore specific policy solutions to achieve property tax reform, building on this strong and principled foundation.

In conclusion, it is wise to have a clear understanding of the objective before embarking on the journey. For Nebraska, the objective should be statewide population and job growth, business creation and personal prosperity, partnered with state and local spending controls and fiscal policies that help sustain Nebraskas performance, even through economic turbulence.

The post Principles of good tax policy appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH)  14 Ohio inmates and their family members are facing dozens of charges accusing them of smuggling drugs into various prisons.

The Muskingum County Prosecutors Office said multiple people charged in the ring were girlfriends and family members of prisoners, who smuggled drugs in corrections facilities around the state that were later laundered. Court documents said the offenses took place from September 2022 through March 2023.

The prosecutors office accused the people involved of making hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling faces, small squares of paper that are soaked in meth or suboxone, a chemical used as a treatment for opioid addiction. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, who led the investigation, also uncovered a plot to publish and sell a book with drug-soaked pages.

How Ohio lawmakers are looking to crack down on junk fees

The prisons listed in the May 15 indictment included Southern Ohio correctional facility in Lucasville, Warren correctional institution in Lebanon, as well as the Ross and Chillicothe correctional institutions.

Among the 14 people indicted, six of them are currently in prison or served a previous sentence. All of the various counts are felonies, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, money laundering, drug trafficking, and more. The suspects include:

Justin Alexander, 45 (Zanesville, serving 25-year sentence)

Lisa Davis, 49 (Zanesville, Alexanders sister)

Tondalea Hale, 54 (Zanesville, Alexanders aunt)

Jessica Queen, 46 (Belpre, Alexanders girlfriend)

Kashawn Cox, 28 (Zanesville, serving 7-year sentence)

Michelle Lang, 27 (Columbus, Coxs girlfriend)

Emily Goodrich, 27 (Columbus, mother of Coxs child)

Ken Gatlin II, 28 (Zanesville, serving 16-year sentence)

Vanita McCrae, 42 (Zanesville, Gatlins sister)

Randall Cremeans, 39 (Zanesville, serving 30-year sentence)

Kyle Ross, 34 (Marion, recently released from prison)

Jamaull Jones Jr., 27 (Cleveland, serving 6-year sentence)

Heaven Gouldlock, 26 (Cleveland, Joness girlfriend)

Sasha Hill, 25 (Cleveland, Joness sister)

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Furious protesters interrupted Antony Blinken in Congress on Tuesday as he faced criticism from the Right and Left over the United States Israel policy.

Republicans have accused the Biden administration of failing Israel, while Democrats have said it is doing too little to help civilians in Gaza.

As Mr Blinken began his testimony before two committees in the Democrat-controlled Senate, protesters called him a war criminal and accused him of involvement in genocide.

The US Secretary of State was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators - Anadolu

Several silent protesters held up their hands, stained with red paint or dye, behind Mr Blinken during his appearances.

At the first hearing, before the Senate foreign relations committee, Mr Blinken flinched from a protester who approached him from behind, waving a sign that said criminal, before security officers carried her out of the room.

One woman waved a sign that read 'criminal', before security carried her out of the room - Anadolu

Mr Blinken reiterated the support of Joe Bidens administration for Israel, but insisted it was focused on easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and opposed an Israeli assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where over one million displaced people had taken shelter.

When it comes to making sure that Israel has everything it needs to defend itself, no one has, no one will do more than president Biden, Mr Blinken said, pushing back against Republican accusations that Washingtons pause on a weapons shipment to Israel was weakening it in its war against Hamas.

At the same time when it comes to Rafah weve been very clear in many conversations with Israeli leadership over the past months about our deep concerns about a major military operation in Rafah and the impact that that would have on civilians, he said.

Protesters held up their red-stained hands behind Mr Blinken - Shutterstock

Mr Blinken appeared later on Tuesday before the Senate appropriations subcommittee, which oversees diplomatic and foreign aid spending.

He will return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for two more rounds of testimony at hearings of the Republican-led House of Representatives foreign affairs committee and a House appropriations subcommittee.

Republicans criticised Mr Biden for saying this month that he would delay a shipment of bombs to Israel and consider withholding others if Israeli forces launched a major invasion of Rafah.

Billions of dollars in US military assistance remain in the pipeline for Benjamin Netanyahus Israeli government.

Republicans also called for action in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors announcement on Monday that he had requested arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and his defence minister over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, also sought arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders.

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the hearing - Reuters

Mr Blinken said the Biden administration would be happy to work with Congress to formulate a response to what he called a profoundly wrong-headed decision regarding the warrants for the Israeli leaders.

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the foreign relations panel, also criticised the ICC.

I see it as a step in the wrong direction, Mr Cardin said.

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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators look out of the roof windows of the Institute of Social Sciences at Humboldt University. Activists have occupied rooms at Berlin's Humboldt University in support of the Palestinians and in protest against Israel. Soeren Stache/dpa

Activists have once again occupied rooms at a Berlin university in support of the Palestinians and in protest against Israel.

The police and a dpa photographer initially spoke of around 50 people who were at the Institute of Social Sciences at Humboldt University from Wednesday afternoon.

A further 250 to 300 young people demonstrated on the street outside.

A police spokesman said that they were in close consultation with the university. A university spokeswoman said that the situation was being monitored for the time being.

In a statement, the activists of the group called Student Coalition Berlin accused Israel of "genocide" and "ongoing mass murders." It was about "unconditional solidarity with the Palestinian people."

The activists called on the university to accept their occupation and presence and to ban a police operation.

Alongside the Free University (FU) and the Technical University (TU), Humboldt University is one of the three major universities in the German capital.

An occupation of rooms at the FU by the group Student Coalition Berlin was recently cleared by the police.
A white supremacist candidate will remain on the Missouri GOPs ballot for governor, according to a state judge who rejected a lawsuit brought by the Missouri Republican Party.

The state GOP had attempted to boot Darrell Leon McClanahan III from the August election after photos resurfaced in February of McClanahan giving a Nazi salute while posing with a hooded Ku Klux Klan member. But the action was too little too late to keep his name from appearing on the ballot beside the likes of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, and state Senator Bill Eigel. Instead, it will be up to Republican voters in Missouri to decide if they want a pro-White candidate leading the Show-Me state.

The Plaintiff did not present to the Court any evidence that having McClanahan on a primary election ballot would cause it any injury, wrote circuit court Judge Cotton Walker in his ruling Friday. McClanahans presence on the primary election ballot is not necessarily an endorsement of the candidate by the party.

Still, McClanahans blatantly racist views werent exactly a secret before he filed to runnor was it the Missouri GOPs first time accepting filing fees and candidacy paperwork from him in a local election. The known white supremacist had a failed run for U.S. Senate in 2022, when he placed fifteenth in a group of 21 candidates, pulling more than 1,100 votes.

McClanahan has not rejected his ties to white supremacist groups but has instead tried to downplay them, saying he is just an honorary member rather than a formal member of the Knights Party Ku Klux Klan. He identifies with the racist religious sect Christian Identity and has attended several events hosted by the Arkansas-based Christian Identity Klan, including a cross burning, which he attempted to brush off by describing the event as religious Christian Identity Cross lighting ceremony.

McClanahan also attended the 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right protestan experience that he wrote positively about for the Knights Partys newsletter, The Torch, cataloging his descent into far-right, race-based radicalization.

McClanahans attorney, Dave Roland, celebrated the outcome, telling the Columbia Missourian that the ruling will keep party leaders from having almost unlimited discretion to choose whos going to be allowed on a primary ballot.

Im not sure they ever actually intended to win this case, Roland told the publication. I think the case got filed because the Republican Party wanted to make a very big public show that they dont want to be associated with racism or antisemitism. And the best way that they could do that was filing a case that they knew was almost certain to lose.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, calls on the U.S. Education Department to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer MOHELA on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, outside the U.S. Capitol (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom).

WASHINGTON  A group of advocates and progressive Democratic lawmakers called on the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday to end its contract with MOHELA, a Missouri-based student loan servicer.

U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Greg Casar of Texas and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts urged the department to cut ties with MOHELA, also known as the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri, during a press conference hosted by the Debt Collective, which advocates for canceling student debt.

Advocates and the lawmakers accused MOHELA of being a predatory loan service and failing student borrowers, citing mismanagement, administrative failures and hours-long wait times for assistance.

It is time to stop their contract, it is time to fire them, it is time to listen to the borrowers that have been speaking up about the struggles that they are facing, and it is time for us to do the right thing, Omar said. We are asking the administration to take this step forward because it is past time that we listen to the borrowers that have been suffering under the incompetence of MOHELA.

The Education Department did not respond on the record to a request for comment Wednesday.

In moves it has characterized as bolstering protections for borrowers, the department launched a new accountability initiative in November and has transitioned to new loan servicing contracts.

Nothing short of a nightmare

MOHELA is at the center of two class-action lawsuits in recent months accusing the nonprofit of a failure to timely process and render decisions for student loan borrowers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

One of the lawsuits names MOHELA alone, while the other names both the nonprofit and the U.S. Education Department.

The student loan servicer has also taken heat from the Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group, and the American Federation of Teachers, a major teachers union. In a report from February, the two entities accused the nonprofit of failing to perform basic servicing functions.

They also claimed that more than four in ten student loan borrowers MOHELA services have experienced a servicing failure since loan payments resumed in September 2023.

In March, MOHELA sent a cease and desist letter to the Student Borrower Protection Center, accusing its report of making false, misleading and sensationalized claims and insinuations regarding MOHELA and its business activities.

A spokesperson for MOHELA said in an emailed statement Wednesday that borrowers are not better off when outside groups spread false and misleading information about our work as a federal contractor for FSA. The spokesperson added that MOHELA remains committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of customer service to the borrowers that we serve.

Student loan servicers are companies contracted by the federal government to handle billing and other administrative tasks regarding federal student loans, according to Federal Student Aid.

MOHELA services nearly 8 million borrowers after winning a contract in 2022 to handle the Education Departments Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, said during Wednesdays event that at every step, MOHELA has failed student loan borrowers.

Theyve lost paperwork, theyve given people the runaround, Pierce said while standing next to an exhibit displaying what appeared to be a nine-hour hold time when trying to reach one of MOHELAs customer service representatives.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, at Wednesdays press conference said MOHELA has a call-deflection scheme.

When it is critical for people to be on the phone with someone, they cant get on the phone with someone, Weingarten said.

Shamell Bell, a member of the Debt Collective, said her interactions with the student loan servicer have been nothing short of a nightmare.

Bell said she was in a labyrinth of just false information, false promises and failures that are not just administrative errors but also systemic obstacles that jeopardize the financial stability and mental wellness of countless borrowers like myself.

More student loan forgiveness

Meanwhile, the Biden administration said earlier Wednesday that it had approved an additional $7.7 billion in student debt relief for 160,500 borrowers. The bulk of the relief  more than $5 billion  went to nearly 67,000 borrowers partaking in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Wednesdays move brought the administrations total loan forgiveness to $167 billion for 4.75 million Americans.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country, and this announcement proves it, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted.

The post Progressives push Biden administration to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer appeared first on Missouri Independent.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, calls on the U.S. Education Department to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer MOHELA on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, outside the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  A group of advocates and progressive Democratic lawmakers called on the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday to end its contract with MOHELA, a Missouri-based student loan servicer.

U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Greg Casar of Texas and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts urged the department to cut ties with MOHELA, also known as the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri, during a press conference hosted by the Debt Collective, which advocates for canceling student debt.

Advocates and the lawmakers accused MOHELA of being a predatory loan service and failing student borrowers, citing mismanagement, administrative failures and hours-long wait times for assistance.

It is time to stop their contract, it is time to fire them, it is time to listen to the borrowers that have been speaking up about the struggles that they are facing, and it is time for us to do the right thing, Omar said. We are asking the administration to take this step forward because it is past time that we listen to the borrowers that have been suffering under the incompetence of MOHELA.

The Education Department did not respond on the record to a request for comment Wednesday.

In moves it has characterized as bolstering protections for borrowers, the department launched a new accountability initiative in November and has transitioned to new loan servicing contracts.

Nothing short of a nightmare

MOHELA is at the center of two class-action lawsuits in recent months accusing the nonprofit of a failure to timely process and render decisions for student loan borrowers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

One of the lawsuits names MOHELA alone, while the other names both the nonprofit and the U.S. Education Department.

The student loan servicer has also taken heat from the Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group, and the American Federation of Teachers, a major teachers union. In a report from February, the two entities accused the nonprofit of failing to perform basic servicing functions.

They also claimed that more than four in ten student loan borrowers MOHELA services have experienced a servicing failure since loan payments resumed in September 2023.

In March, MOHELA sent a cease and desist letter to the Student Borrower Protection Center, accusing its report of making false, misleading and sensationalized claims and insinuations regarding MOHELA and its business activities.

A spokesperson for MOHELA said in an emailed statement Wednesday that borrowers are not better off when outside groups spread false and misleading information about our work as a federal contractor for FSA. The spokesperson added that MOHELA remains committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of customer service to the borrowers that we serve.

Student loan servicers are companies contracted by the federal government to handle billing and other administrative tasks regarding federal student loans, according to Federal Student Aid.

MOHELA services nearly 8 million borrowers after winning a contract in 2022 to handle the Education Departments Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, said during Wednesdays event that at every step, MOHELA has failed student loan borrowers.

Theyve lost paperwork, theyve given people the runaround, Pierce said while standing next to an exhibit displaying what appeared to be a nine-hour hold time when trying to reach one of MOHELAs customer service representatives.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, at Wednesdays press conference said MOHELA has a call-deflection scheme.

When it is critical for people to be on the phone with someone, they cant get on the phone with someone, Weingarten said.

Shamell Bell, a member of the Debt Collective, said her interactions with the student loan servicer have been nothing short of a nightmare.

Bell said she was in a labyrinth of just false information, false promises and failures that are not just administrative errors but also systemic obstacles that jeopardize the financial stability and mental wellness of countless borrowers like myself.

More student loan forgiveness

Meanwhile, the Biden administration said earlier Wednesday that it had approved an additional $7.7 billion in student debt relief for 160,500 borrowers. The bulk of the relief  more than $5 billion  went to nearly 67,000 borrowers partaking in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Wednesdays move brought the administrations total loan forgiveness to $167 billion for 4.75 million Americans.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains persistent about our efforts to bring student debt relief to millions more across the country, and this announcement proves it, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted.

The post Progressives push Biden administration to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The Russian missile corvette "Cyclone" as part of the Black Sea Fleet did not even have time to pass state tests. The vessel was destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on May 19, and it was a Kalibr missile carrier in the Black Sea.

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This was reported by the spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, Dmytro Pletenchuk. He clarified that the invaders planned to introduce five such corvettes into the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and the Cyclone was the first of them.

"The project (of the ship) is not something new, but the ship itself was new. And yes, it actually did not even have time to pass state tests, because it never launched a single cruise missile," Pletenchuk said.

"The Cyclone is a corvette of the 22800 Karakurt project. Other vessels of this project were also either disabled or left the Black Sea.

"It was also the Askold, which was not even allowed to try, it was destroyed by the Air Force. Two more such ships, Amur and Tucha, were in the water area and were forced to leave it, and went somewhere to the Caspian Sea via Rostov to conduct tests. And another such ship is currently being completed at a plant in Taganrog. Therefore, in principle, this entire series has actually ended without having started," the military emphasized.

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Nevertheless, Russia still has 10 more surface launch vehicles in the Black Sea. If we take their total number, they can simultaneously launch "a little more than 50 Kalibr missiles. But in reality, this is unlikely, and "this practice has never been used," Pletenchuk added.

Cyclone and the 22800 Karakurt project

Small missile ships of Project 22800 "Karakurt" are 3rd-rank missile and artillery vessels with guided missile weapons in the near sea area. As of May 2024, 14 of these ships had been built, but only 4 were part of the invaders' fleet.

Pletenchuk said that this is "not a new project" for a reason - Russia has not done anything new under dictator Putin. And these "Karakurt" are a development of the 1990s (and in fact, a reworking of Project 12300 "Scorpion").

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Corvettes of Project 22800 are being built "taking into account the policy of import substitution; more than 18 ships of this project are planned for construction. The estimated cost of the sunken Cyclone is more than three billion rubles (at last year's prices).

The ship is equipped with strike and air defense systems, combat control, detection, targeting, and communication systems. However, it does not have high-quality protection against marine drones. To combat underwater saboteurs, the ships are equipped with a DP-64 grenade launcher.

The Cyclone corvette in question had a serial number of 801. It was commissioned into the Black Sea Fleet in July 2023.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in April it was estimated that during the full-scale war, the Russian Black Sea Fleet has already lost a third of its ships. Among the vessels destroyed by the Ukrainian Defense Forces are not only the flagship, but also patrol vessels and large amphibious ships. There is even a submarine.

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Earlier, agents of the Atesh military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars reported that the occupiers were strengthening their naval base in Novorossiysk, where they had previously moved most of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. They are installing various means against marine drones.

The network showed images of damaged ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the bay of the temporarily occupied Sevastopol. Among them are two amphibious assault ships and the Ivan Khurs.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Proposed bill would allow the use of psilocybin for adults in New York State

NEW YORK (PIX11)  A new bill proposed in the New York State Assembly on Tuesday would allow the growth, cultivation, and regulated use of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound typically found in magic mushrooms, to be used for certain health conditions.

Under the new bill, conditions like anxiety, cancer, depression, and PTSD could be treated with magic mushrooms. New York Assembly Bill No. 10375 was referred to the Committee on Health, according to the New York State Assembly.

New York City library presidents plead to reverse devastating budget cuts

The department shall be responsible for regulating the adult use of psilocybin with a permit, cultivation licenses and licensed cultivator operation requirements, certification of support services providers, and other authorized and related programs, the bill introduced by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who represents parts of the Bronx, White Plains, and Yonkers read. The department shall create a reporting program to allow permit holders the optional opportunity to identify health and experience data in connection with adult use of psilocybin, including on health conditions.

Other states, like Oregon and Colorado, have already legalized Magic Mushrooms. Other major metropolitan cities, like Washington D.C. and San Francisco, have seen decriminalization efforts.

So, can New York State be next?

One organization, New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives, seems to think so. Their mission, according to a statement on the organizations website reads:

To educate the public and policymakers about reasons to end the prohibition of psychedelic substances. To end penalties for the use, possession, and non-commercial cultivation of naturally occurring psychedelic substances by adults and to provide New Yorkers with legal access to psychedelic substances for mental health and well-being.

The new proposed bill still has a journey to go through in the legislative process before it becomes law, but it took decades before marijuana was made legal for adults in New York State.

The U.S. government still classifies Magic Mushrooms as a controlled substance with no accepted medical use. However, studies have concluded the psychedelic chemical in magic mushrooms (psilocybin) may ease depression in some hard-to-treat patients.

Assemblymember Paulin and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene were not immediately available to comment.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Proposed high-speed railway would link two major US cities in just 90 minutes: 'The opportunity to revolutionize rail travel'

Things are looking promising for a proposed high-speed train route that would connect Dallas and Houston, Newsweek reported.

In April 2024, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida both expressed support for a plan that would use Japanese Shinkansen technology and link these two major Texas hubs in just 90 minutes.

Driving from Houston to Dallas normally takes around four hours, so this train would save several hours for commuters, helping reduce stress and improve work-life balance. The route is also reportedly faster than air travel if you factor in the time normally spent at the airport.

It's better for the environment, too. According to Newsweek, which cited figures from Amtrak and Texas Central, the proposed high-speed rail link would reduce the number of cars traveling on Interstate 45 by 12,500 per day and slash planet-warming pollution by more than 100,000 tons annually. In turn, this would benefit human health since poor air quality is linked to a host of illnesses and also help slow the warming of our planet, protecting communities from extreme weather events.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation is one of the largest contributors of planet-heating gases in the United States, with light-duty vehicles like cars spewing out more than half of this pollution.

Meanwhile, trains only account for 2% of this transportation-related pollution.

While the U.S. has traditionally lagged behind other countries in high-speed rail development, the country has made some major strides lately.

For instance, the California High-speed Rail Authority is making progress on constructing the country's biggest high-speed rail system to date. And private high-speed rail company Brightline announced a new stop along Florida's Space Coast, which will make it easier to visit Cape Canaveral.

Would you want a high-speed railway in your state?

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"We believe in this," transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said of the proposed Texas high-speed rail line, per Newsweek. "Obviously, it has to turn into a more specific design and vision, but everything I've seen makes me very excited.

"Meanwhile, Texas Central CEO Michael Bui said in a press release, "This high-speed train, using advanced, proven Shinkansen technology, has the opportunity to revolutionize rail travel in the southern U.S."

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Proposed hotel tax increase in OKC is now heading to voter ballots

Chloe Smith, 17, from Washington, grooms Louie during the 2023 AQHYA World Championship Show at the OKC Fairgrounds.

The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday agreed to submit a proposed hotel tax increase to voters following assurances the funding can be used to promote destination districts and share in the cost of running streetcars for large events downtown.

As a result of the unanimous city council vote, residents will be asked on Aug. 27 to approve changing Oklahoma Citys hotel tax from 5.5% to 9.25%, an increase of 26% over the current total charges.

Champ Patel, who runs one of the states largest string of hotels, and James Beard Award winning chef Andrew Black both spoke in favor of the tax. No opponents showed up to speak on the proposal.

Black, who is opening a restaurant at the Skirvin Hilton, said he has encountered people across the country unaware of Oklahoma City attractions.

We have a lot of people, friends I have out of state, asking me what is in Oklahoma City, Black said. They dont know whats there.

OKC Thunder banners are hung on the Omni Hotel in April ahead of the NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City.

More: Massive slides are being installed at OKANA waterpark. Here's when you can book your trip

Harshil Patel, chair of the citys conventions and visitors commission, told the city council Oklahoma City is losing out on events due to the city being outspent by other cities. Oklahoma Citys hotel tax was last raised in 2004 and is below most regional comparable cities.

We try to apply for all we can to get the good events here, Harshil Patel said. It's hard to compete in scenarios where our overall budget is a third of other cities like Fort Worth.

How will the increased funding from OKC hotel tax increase be used?

The proposed increased funding is broken into four categories:

75% for tourism and convention promotion.

13.3% for event sponsorships.

6.7% for fairgrounds capital improvements.

5% for convention center improvements.

Councilmembers, including Nikki Nice and James Cooper, initially asked for a delay on their vote to explore how to use part of the hotel tax increase to promote districts like Paseo.

Todd Stone, supportive of the increase, argued the emphasis on promoting the citys convention center and fairgrounds is a recognition the their economic impact.

The Oklahoma City Fairgrounds is the main driver for Oklahoma City, by far, Stone said. When you go by it, every weekend you see 100 horse trailers sitting there, and its every weekend.

Councilmembers were cautioned by City Manager Craig Freeman that delay in setting the election and amending the proposal supported by hoteliers could come with unintended consequences.

The hoteliers are behind this, Freeman said. I think if we add a lot of things and we defer this, we might take away from that support and might get some opposition.

Cooper agreed with Freeman, saying any amendments are going to end up with pushback and opposition.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Council sets Aug. 27 vote on proposed hotel tax hike
(Getty Images).

A Republican-led bill just introduced in the Ohio House would charge teachers and librarians with a felony offense for distributing material deemed obscene.

The problem is, the bill does not explain what materials would be considered obscene, despite laying a fifth-degree felony on the feet of teachers and public school librarians who may possess or share such material.

State Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, put forth House Bill 556 last week, a bill that would create criminal liability for certain teachers and librarians for the offense of pandering obscenity, according to the language of the bill.

Librarian, in this sense, is defined as a librarian employed by a school district, other public school  or chartered nonpublic school and a librarian employed in a school district public library.

Teachers and school district librarians would be barred from creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting or advertising obscene material. They are also prohibited from creating, directing or producing an obscene performance, the bill states.

But what falls under obscenity is not clear from the initial language of HB 556, which has yet to receive committee consideration in the House. The word obscenity only appears three times in the six-page bill: in the title of the proposed legislation and twice referring to the title of the criminal offense.

Obscene shows up eight times in the bill, but only accompanying material, performance, articles and in a clause about giving notice about the character of the material or a performance.

HB 556 aims to amend existing statutes in the Ohio Revised Code, and pulls exact language from those statutes  for pandering obscenity and one explaining legal presumptions in obscenity cases  but neither of those statutes lay out what is considered obscenity either.

Its that lack of clarity that is giving teachers and library groups hesitation on the bill.

The Ohio Education Association said it is still reviewing HB 556, and Ohio Federation of Teachers president Melissa Cropper said the group has not taken a position on the bill, but she is concerned with the vagueness of the bill and the ability for it to be weaponized by bad faith actors who are focused on attacking public schools and libraries, not on protecting children.

We also question whether there is need for this new bill or if existing laws can address the concerns behind HB 556, Cropper said in a statement. We plan to discuss this bill and these concerns with legislators and with our members.

Questions beyond the motivations of the bill are still coming up as well, including whether or not school district public libraries can include the libraries of a community that are also classified as school district libraries.

The Ohio Library Councils executive director, Michelle Francis, said the group does have concerns with the legislation.

We reached out to the sponsor and we look forward to meeting with him soon, Francis told the Capital Journal.

The bill includes an affirmative defense, meaning if the person accused of pandering obscenity can prove the material or performance was for a bona fide medical, scientific, religious, governmental, judicial or other proper purpose, they can use that as a defense against the charge. The word educational was struck from the language in the proposal as reasoning for an affirmative defense.

As part of the affirmative defense, the material must also have been given by or to a physician, psychologist, sociologist, scientist, health or biology teacher, faculty member, person pursuing bona fide studies or research, librarian other than a school librarian, member of the clergy, prosecutor, judge or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance.

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The post Proposed Ohio bill would charge teachers, librarians with felonies for pandering obscenity appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Protestors criticize President Bidens handling of the war amid his campaign stop in Boston

Dozens of protestors marched to the Seaport Hotel from South Station with hopes of disrupting President Bidens fundraiser Tuesday night.

I heard the president Biden wants to come to Boston and hes not welcome here, said Corey Walden.

President Joe Bidens motorcade got a less than warm welcome with booing while passing by Bostons South Station in between two fundraising events in the city.

He seems to be talking out of two sides of his mouth. He announces that hes going to delay a shipment of weaponry and within a week hes sending more weapons, said Heather Clark of Scituate.

Dozens of protestors united in anticipation of the presidents visit to Boston criticizing his handling of the war in Gaza. But some openly disagreed with their message.

I think theyre missing the point that what happened on October 7th is not acceptable on this planet and that Israel is defending itself, said Haywood of Newton.

Police closed off streets and all entrances leading to the Seaport Hotel stopping protestors from getting anywhere near the President.

Weve never seen anything like this in the Seaport so its kind of exciting, said Tori of Seaport.

The commotion surrounding the Presidents visit got both positive and negative attention.

Hes just got his hat out looking for money, and the citizens are paying for this trip, said Jamie Parreira of Seaport.

The trip comes as President Biden is looking for support and donations with recent polls showing him trailing behind former President Donald Trump in several key states.

The President left from Boston Logan Airport around 8:30 p.m.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Members of a flood-damaged acequia clear the irrigation channel during the annual cleaning April 8, 2023, in the burn scar of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire. The version of the Farm Bill released by the House late last week does not include a provision codifying acequias' eligibility for a federal crop insurance program. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM)

In their 942-page Farm Bill proposal released late last week, Republican House leaders did not include a provision that would preserve insurance for acequia associations facing lower crop yields amid multi-year drought.

Keeping acequias eligible for the insurance, a provision touted by members of the New Mexico congressional delegation, is among many differences between the Senate Democrats and House Republicans plans for the twice-a-decade Farm Bill that needs to be renewed by Sept. 30.

The Farm Bill is already a year late, after expiring in September 2023 over disagreements between the split Congress on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, crop insurance and other aspects of the legislation.

The Houses version would spend up to $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. While the Senate has not yet released the full text of its version of the Senate bill, or provide an estimate of its cost, it did release summaries of key provisions earlier this month, including one that would clarify that acequias are eligible for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

The program provides insurance to farmers who are not otherwise eligible for other kinds of federal crop insurance and suffer from disasters like drought, hurricanes, hail or floods.

Acequias are centuries-old irrigation channels relied upon by generations of farmers in New Mexico. Many of them buy crop insurance to protect against harvests damaged by drought, which has intensified across the state in recent years due to climate change.

In 2018, farmers along acequias in Rio Arriba County learned that a policy imposed by former President Donald Trump would make their farms ineligible for the insurance program. The federal Farm Service Agency office in the area also reduced the threshold for harvests that would allow farmers to make an insurance claim, according to U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujans office.

In 2021, Lujan intervened, convincing incoming President Joe Bidens Agriculture Secretary to pause the policy and get the farmers paid back for their losses.

New Mexicos farmers and ranchers are essential workers who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, Lujan said in a news release at the time. This reversal in policy and practice represents a hard-fought victory that gives New Mexicans the benefits they deserve and have paid into.

In 2023, Lujan sponsored the ACEQUIA Act, which would enshrine the pause into law, along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) in the House.

The law was never enacted, but Lujan, as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was able to get the provision included in the Senates framework for the Farm Bill, Lujan spokesperson Adan Serna said.

But its not in the House version released Thursday, and both chambers are now working to agree on a compromise, Serna said Tuesday.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a statement May 17 that, while the two bills have a lot in common, she was concerned the House proposal will split the broad, bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful Farm Bill.

While the House version of the Farm Bill does not include the insurance provision, it does make acequias eligible for funding from the Water Source Protection Program, which provides $30 million annually to help the federal Forest Service and farmers partner to improve watershed and forest health.

The post Provision for acequia insurance hanging in balance as U.S. House and Senate debate Farm Bill appeared first on Source New Mexico.
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police say they arrested a man after he started a chase with two children in the car on the North Cross Valley Expressway that ended in a crash in Wilkes-Barre.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, on Tuesday around 6:00 p.m., troopers tried to pull over a car, driven by Joevanny Lopez, 28, of Connecticut, for traveling 84 mph in a 55 mph zone on State Route 309.

Police say Lopez ignored troopers and a chase started when he exited the expressway in Plains Township and headed down North River Street into Wilkes-Barre. During the chase, Lopez crashed into a car that was stopped at a red light on the interaction of South River Street and Academy Street, PSP reported.

DUI checkpoints set in Pennsylvania

Then troopers used a maneuver to try and stop Lopez that caused him to hit a parked car on South River Street, as stated in the affidavit. After that crash state police say they were able to arrest Lopez who was driving with a woman, and two children ages 4 and 3 months.

Courtesy of Bob Kadluboski

Courtesy of Bob Kadluboski

According to court documents, a search warrant was issued for the car, and as a result, PSP found marijuana, marijuana gummies, a black ski mask, and a Glock 9mm handgun.

Lopez faces the following charges;

Firearms not to be carried without a license

Fleeing or attempting to elude police

Flight to avoid apprehension

Illegal possession of a firearm

Child endangerment

Reckless endangerment

Several traffic violations

He remains in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail after being deemed a risk to society by the judge.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Black women aspiring to pursue a career in politics have a new role model to look up to: Jasmine Crockett. The 43-year-old has long been fighting for the rights of others (and looking fabulous while doing it), but this spring her name is on the tip of many tongues in light of her feud with Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Weve seen endless discourse about how the women handled their beef; while both sides are being criticized for different reasons, Americans are learning more about what Crockett has accomplished during her time as a lawmaker and how they can help her.

Born on March 29th, 1981 in Missouri, Crockett attended the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School as a young girl. Though shes of Baptist faith, she finished out her childhood education at an all-girls Catholic high school called Rosati-Kain. In 2003, the changemaker graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. Politics is a passion now, but Jasmine Crockett first had thoughts of becoming an anesthesiologist or certified public accountant. After experiencing hate crimes in college, however, the black-haired beauty decided to pursue law school, graduating from the University of Houston Law Center in 2006 with a Juris Doctor. During her studies, Crockett became a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Exploring the St. Louis Natives Political Career

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

From Public Defender to Texas State Representative

Before making a name for herself, Crockett worked tirelessly in the Bowie County Public Defenders Office to keep children safe and out of jail. Her passion for justice and the protection of human rights led her down this career path; shes now licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas and Federal Courts. After establishing a strong reputation in the area, the public figure opened her own firm and represented over 400 Black Lives Matter protesters pro bono.

All her years of experience only helped Crockett grow more confident in her role, eventually becoming a Texas State Representative. The Democrat icon challenged Lorraine Birabil in the partys 2020 primary and narrowly championed in a runoff. She then won the general election unopposed and assumed office in January 2021. During the 87th Legislative Session in Texas, Crockett was the youngest Black lawmaker and only Black freshman, filing more bills than any of her contemporaries. This was a powerful time in the 43-year-olds career, allowing her to assemble a wide coalition that passed landmark criminal justice reforms in the House. Thanks to her hard work, she also brought more accessibility and accountability to her office than ever before while helping to found the Texas Progressive Caucus and the Texas Caucus on Climate, Energy and the Environment.

What Has Jasmine Crockett Achieved as a US Congresswoman?

As Chairwoman Eddie Bernie Johnson announced her retirement from Texas 30th District, she simultaneously confirmed her support for Jasmine Crockett to assume the role. Other notable names stood behind the Rhodes College alum, including embattled crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman Fried, who donated $1M to her campaign through his Protect Our Future PAC. Congresswoman Crockett hopes to continue to build on the legacy of Chairwoman Johnson, and will fight to expand access to healthcare, voting rights, economic opportunity, and dignity for all, her official biography states.

She will fight to protect Medicare, Social Security, and expand critical social safety net programs. She will continue to be a tireless advocate for civil liberties, immigrant rights, and economic equity for women and the diverse communities across the State of Texas, it also declares. Its worth noting that Crockett is one of the few Black women to ever have been elected to Democratic House Leadership. Shes a member of the Black Caucus, Equality Caucus and Progressive Caucus, meanwhile, her committee assignments include Agriculture, Oversight and Accountability and a select subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. According to the New York Times, the lawmaker voted to support Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on the nation; in April 2024, she and most other Democrats were in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Her Drama With Marjorie Taylor Greene

After a video of her in-House verbal scuffle with Greene went viral, theres been a lot of talk about Jasmine Crockett. At the time, both women were attending a hearing to discuss holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Republicans are moving forward with charges against the AG for not complying with subpoenas related to audio recordings from an investigation into President Bidens handling of classified documents. After Crockett suggested that Greene was unaware of the purpose of the hearing, the 49-year-old shot back with a comment about the Democrats appearance.

I think your fake lashes are messing up what youre reading, Greene said, causing chaos to unfold in the room. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) both got involved, convincing the often-controversial Republican to strike her words. Still, she refused to apologize and insulted AOCs intelligence in the process. It was eventually ruled by Comer that Greene wasnt violating House rules by bringing up Crocketts appearance, leading the latter to ask a now-viral question about the verdict.

Im just curious, just to better understand your ruling: If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebodys bleach blonde, bad-built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct? the St. Louis-born politician shadily asked, causing more tension to brew. In the time since, Crockett has been speaking out in her defense, even plotting some creative money moves to ensure the Democrats capitalize off the viral incident.

What Has Jasmine Crockett Said About the Situation?

The former sorority sister spoke out in a rant on X on May 16th, writing, So MTG wanted to talk about my appearance in COMMITTEE?! This is what happens when mentally deficient people who cant read and follow rules or just dont give a damn somehow end up in CONGRESS. Crockett doubled down when speaking to the press afterward, explaining that shes noticed this behavior in the past, attributing it to racism.

A lot of times when I would go viral, instead of them trying to address the things that I laid out in a very factual way, what they would try to do is say, Oh, look at her hair, or Look at her nails, or Look at her lashes. They would all then associate anything I do as a form of beautification with being ghetto,' the fashionista recalled. Im not the only woman in Congress that wears lashes, and there are women on her side of the aisle that wear lashes, as well as hair extensions. But shes never felt like that was a dig she needed to take at anyone except for me, a Black woman who sits on the committee.

Rather than allowing hate to put up barriers, Jasmine Crockett is coming out of this situation with a renewed tenacity in her spirit. She recently filed a trademark application for the rights to bleach blonde bad-built butch body after teasing a clapback collection of merch promoting her clever wordplay. The money will go to ensuring that we have a Democratic House! Give me a little time to really get the swag online, Crockett told her followers. According to USA Today, the phrase could appear on items like hats, hoodies, socks and t-shirts, or we might see the mastermind behind the alliteration use it in a political consultancy capacity.
The demonstration training involving tactical nuclear weapons announced by Russia is most likely a bluff, although the Russian leadership's ability to do crazy things cannot be completely ruled out. This bluff is caused by several factors that are extremely irritating to the Kremlin, including the imminent arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine, the peace summit in Switzerland, and so on.

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The main purpose of Moscow's latest nuclear weapons rattling is to intimidate the West. This opinion was expressed by military expert Petro Chernyk in a commentary to OBOZ.UA.

He emphasized that to conduct exercises with a real nuclear explosion, special conditions must be provided, and this is not so easy to do.

"It is necessary to understand what the use of tactical nuclear weapons during the exercise is. A nuclear explosion must occur, only then it is considered to have occurred as prescribed by military science. And a nuclear explosion can only take place on specially equipped test sites, in the Soviet Union it was either Kamchatka or the nuclear test site in Kazakhstan  Semipalata or the Orenburg region. It is very difficult for me to imagine how they can detonate any nuclear warhead in the southern military district, where there are no special test sites for this type of nuclear weapon," the expert noted.

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Chernyk added that the lack of proper conditions for real tests makes him almost certain that Moscow is bluffing. However, he does not rule out a certain percentage of the probability that the Kremlin will make crazy decisions.

"At the moment, everything looks like a bluff. Can you expect anything from the crazy? I cannot refute this... Should we take this seriously? Of course, we cannot ignore it. Will a nuclear explosion happen right now during these exercises? Rather no than yes," he emphasized.

The expert also listed the reasons that, in his opinion, made the Kremlin nervous and bluff.

"Why is it being done now? First, the F-16s are about to start working. They should radically change the battlefield, and they can. Secondly, there are talks about allowing Ukrainians to hit deep into Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, which is unacceptable to them. Thirdly, the Peace Summit begins in June, and Putin wants to show the countries of the Global South  and there will be a lot of them  that he can do something, that he can achieve some results," Chernyk believes.

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In his opinion, the Kremlin's No. 1 task is to intimidate the West so that Ukraine's partners "do not allow their weapons to be used on the territory of the Russian Federation." However, there is no 100% guarantee that blackmail will work or vice versa.

"They waved this nuclear baton the same way when the decision on the F-16 was made. They didn't succeed, but the decision was made, and the F-16s are about to arrive. Look, there is a point of absolute analysis, that's what it's called. When you don't know, you just don't know how many variables are absolute, nuclear war is an absolute change, and it's impossible to understand whether it will cross this line or not. No one on planet Earth knows where the level of bluffing is and where the level of reality is," Chernyk summarized.

Earlier, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War began to explain what is behind Russia's nuclear weapons rattling. On May 21, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the start of the first stage of tactical exercises involving nuclear weapons. It is also planned to conduct exercises with Iskander ballistic missiles and Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.

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The Kremlin resorts to nuclear blackmail every time before important political discussions in the West to influence decision-makers. At the same time, the restrictive policies of Europe and the United States are seriously undermining Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the current Russian offensive in the northern Kharkiv region, according to analysts who consider this a serious mistake by the West.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Assistant Director of EMS for Pulaski County Michael Garnett has been awarded the 2024 Virginia Governors Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, this award is given to An individual who exemplifies outstanding teaching and leadership qualities while participating as an educator in an EMS program. Must have coordinated or consistently demonstrated excellence and a dedication to the education of prehospital EMS providers. The nominee must have participated as an instructor, coordinator, or adjunct faculty in an EMS program for at least two years. Educational programs include First Responder, EMT-B, EMT Enhanced, EMT Intermediate, EMT Paramedic, continuing education courses, preceptor programs, or equivalent EMS training.

Watch: Officers hit the dance floor at Salem H.S. 2024 senior prom

Assistant Director Garnett has been a reliable advocate for EMS and Public Education throughout his career. He has taught thousands as an instructor with various agencies including the National Association of EMTs, the American Heart Association Heart Alert Community Training Center, and in other classes and educational programs hes been a part of for decades.

Garnett has been deeply involved in the development of multiple agencies in the New River Valley to implement advanced and critical care training and protocols as the Program Director for the Western Virginia EMS Councils New River Valley Training Center, as well as the Assistant Director and Training Officer for Pulaski County Public Safety. Additionally, Garnett still serves as an active paramedic and continues to provide hands-on help for his community.

The Pulaski County Public Safety Department thanks Garnett for all he does for the community, department, and EMS.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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All nine tribal nations of South Dakota have officially banned the states Republican governor (and puppy murderer) Kristi Noem from their lands.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe moved to ban the governor following a meeting on Tuesday as an act of solidarity with eight Oceti Sakowin tribes that had done the same in response to inflammatory comments Noem has made about Indigenous communities since January, ICT News reported.

Noem has repeatedly accused South Dakotas tribes of personally benefiting from Mexican drug cartels, falsely alleging the cartels are using our reservations to facilitate the spread of drugs throughout the Midwest in March. Noem also lashed out at Indigenous families, claiming systemic poverty is a matter of parental failurea tired conservative talking point long used to justify inequality they create. Their kids dont have any hope, Noem said without evidence in March. They dont have parents who show up and help them.

Peter Lengkeek, chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe that banned Noem last week, stated: We do not have cartels on the reservations. We have cartel products, like guns and drugs. But they pass over state highways getting to the reservation. So, putting us all together like that and saying that all tribes are involved in this really shows the ignorance of the governors office.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe repeatedly met with representatives for Noem ahead of its vote on Tuesday, according to ICT News. In a press release announcing its decision, the tribe indicated Noems administration is drastically underinformed:

The Executive Committee calls on the governor to reconsider the effectiveness of the liaisons she has appointed and whether or not they truly have an understanding of the issues affecting tribal nations as well as their ability to foster a cooperative relationship between the Tribes and the State of South Dakota.

On Friday, as the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe met with representatives of Noems office, Noem held a press conference to address her being banned from the eight Oceti tribal lands and reiterated her cartel conspiracy.

I ask them right back, Why have they not banished the cartels? Why have they not banished the cartel affiliates? Noem said. Why have they only focused their attention on me, who has offered them help, and not gone after those who are perpetuating violence?

A vast majority of illicit drugs that enter the United States come from legal ports of entryand not with migrants as Republicans insistyet Noem has refused to give up the goat, instead throwing communities systematically oppressed by U.S. colonialism for 500 years under the bus for cheap political points.

The tribes have requested Noem apologize for her remarks and cease making future inflammatory statements against them. Until then, Noem is banned from visiting over five million acres of South Dakotamore than 10 percent of the state.
Dr. Allie Alvine went to Pierre in 2020 with a concern and came home with a mission.

At the state Capitol, she testified against a bill that would have repealed the immunization requirements that apply to most school children.

I saw the anti-vaxxers there, and they were a large group, she said.

Lawmakers rejected the bill, but Alvine, of Sioux Falls, feared the anti-vaccine movement was growing.

I had to get more involved, she said. I had to create a presence at our state Capitol in Pierre to counter their presence, to be the pro-vaccine voice.

Last year, she founded South Dakota Families for Vaccines, a state-level arm of the national Science and Families Engaged (SAFE) Communities Coalition.

As director of the state-level group, Alvines work includes talking to legislators and the public about the importance of vaccines, updating supporters about relevant legislation, and publishing local-level vaccination data and voter guides.

Those and other efforts earned Alvine the Excellence in Immunization Advocacy Award at the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships last month in Philadelphia. Another South Dakotan, Andrea Polkinghorn, received the Excellence in Immunization Collaboration Award for her work as president of Immunize South Dakota.

The two groups work together in the state. While South Dakota Families for Vaccines works at the grassroots level to influence policy, Immunize South Dakota works at the grass tops to raise immunization rates, Alvine said.

Alvine brings medical knowledge to her job: She went to medical school in Kansas and completed a psychiatry residency through the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. She now uses her medical education exclusively for advocacy.

Following are portions of South Dakota Searchlights recent interview with Alvine, edited for length and clarity.

Before your current work, you started the South Dakota chapter of the Arthritis Foundation in response to your sons juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. What role did vaccine advocacy play in that work?

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks its joints, and its very painful and destroys joints. So the goal is to treat the disease and save the joints as much as possible, but the medications decrease your immune system.

So part of what I did in the Arthritis Foundation was promote vaccinations, because that population has a lot of patients on immune-compromising medications, and it makes you much more vulnerable to all diseases, and these people depend on their communities being vaccinated  creating a community of immunity to protect them from these awful diseases, and especially the vaccine-preventable diseases. So that kind of started my journey in vaccine advocacy.

Did you get exposed to the anti-vaccine movement at that time?

I knew some people were hesitant  and thats absolutely OK to be hesitant and to ask questions, and to talk to your doctor or experts or our organization about vaccines. But back then I was not aware of the anti-vaccine movement as much. I knew they were out there, but they were kind of not on my radar back then.

They came on my radar while I was a member, through the Arthritis Foundation, of Immunize South Dakota. And they asked me to testify in 2020 on the bill that was brought forth in the state House of Representatives that would have gotten rid of school vaccinations, which would be horribly detrimental and dangerous and a disaster for our state. So I agreed to go testify as an M.D. and as a parent of an immunocompromised child.

Two weeks after your testimony to the Legislature in 2020, South Dakota had its first confirmed case of COVID-19. How did the pandemic influence your thinking about vaccine advocacy?

During the pandemic, I was thinking, OK, we all went through such a hard time with masks, social distancing, schooling our children at home, work changes and isolation. It was really hard. I thought  and a lot of vaccine advocates thought  that with the rolling out of the vaccine, which was the only thing that was going to get us out of the pandemic and make life normal again, that maybe the anti-vaccine sentiment would die down.

But that was exactly opposite of what happened. The vaccine hesitancy increased, and the sharing of misinformation about the COVID vaccine, and people got more vaccine hesitant, and their feelings about the COVID vaccine started trickling down to childhood vaccines, and were seeing our rates drop across the country.

So what had happened was the SAFE Communities Coalition started in 2020 to counter the spread of vaccine misinformation and support pro-vaccine legislation. Immunize South Dakota talked with SAFE Communities, and they approached me to take on this role as director of South Dakota Families for Vaccines, and SAFE now has 11 states covered.

Its truly a group effort. I work together with all the other directors in other states, and SAFE supports our work. And I also work a lot with other organizations and partners in our state and nationally.

On your website, you report that 93% of South Dakota kindergartners had all their recommended vaccines last school year (although vaccines are required, families can claim exemptions for religious and health reasons). How would you characterize the current atmosphere around vaccines in our state?

People say, Well, 93%, thats huge. The problem is that very small drops in rates have big effects on vaccine-preventable diseases. So where we want to be is 95%, and that has dropped. We were there, but that has dropped since 2020 to 93%, and thats all because vaccine misinformation is shared so rampantly.

Social media and the internet are great, but information is shared so fast, and a lot of people dont know whats a good source for medical information. TikTok is not a good source for this information. And people share things on Facebook and even websites, and they look professional and they look scientific, but you need to look at resources for the studies that they did, and who paid for it, and how many were in the study, and whether its been reproduced. Its hard for people to figure out whats good information, and a lot of the stuff that the anti-vaxxers are posting is really scary.

How do you explain the popularity and growth of the anti-vaccine message?

We always say now that vaccines are a victim of their own success. Older people in our communities can tell you about multiple family members that died of measles, and they remember polio and people living in iron lungs and dying, and multiple other vaccine-preventable diseases that have just ravaged peoples lives, but we dont see that anymore because of vaccines.

And so some people think that those diseases are just gone, and theyre not. If we get below 95%, measles is the first one that rears its head, because its so contagious. And were seeing that in areas of the country that have lower vaccine rates. Its expected. And if you drop any lower, other horrible diseases will start rearing their heads. And unlike what a lot of anti-vax people say, these diseases are not benign. Youre much safer to get the vaccine as opposed to getting any of these diseases.

How do you equip people to defend the safety and effectiveness of vaccines like you do?

We have lots of trainings. We have ways people can get involved and learn about how to do it. But the main goal is to keep the door open to conversation, and to be calm and not argumentative, because people just go into their corners when you argue. And to listen to their concerns. Ask them, what have you heard? What are you worried about? Then ask if you can give them the information that you have about vaccines.

Thats kind of the gist, because arguing doesnt do anything. And just reiterate that its fine to have questions. And then just talk about how vaccines have such a long history. The first smallpox vaccine was over 200 years ago. We have decades and decades of research that have proven that vaccines are well studied and extremely safe.

How important is it to have people with medical expertise like you working in the vaccine advocacy realm?

We need to have people in our health care communities stand up, now more than ever. Its so important to use their voice in this way, and a lot of people do. We have a lot of other medical professionals that do, but we need more  nurses, all medical professionals. We work with a lot of pharmacists, too. Public health experts are in the mix, too. It takes a group effort.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How an anti-vaccine bill motivated a South Dakotans award-winning response
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei performs prayer at a funeral for victims of helicopter crash, in Tehran

DUBAI (Reuters) -Qatar's emir and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait travelled on Wednesday to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, under whose tenure a historic deal that thawed relations between Tehran and its Gulf neighbours was brokered.

While Qatar has typically enjoyed warm relations with Iran, acting as a mediator between the Shi'ite Muslim country and the United States, other Gulf states had volatile relations with their neighbour. They had accused Iran of interfering in internal state affairs and backing regional foes, up until Riyadh and Tehran signed a landmark deal to normalise ties in 2023.

In the same year, the UAE also upgraded diplomatic ties with Iran. Both states share business and trade ties stretching back more than a century, with the UAE's Dubai long being one of Iran's main links to the outside world.

Kuwait reappointed an ambassador to Tehran in 2022 after recalling its top envoy in solidarity with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia when it severed ties with the Islamic Republic in 2016. Tensions still simmered over the offshore Durra gas field, where Saudi Arabia and Kuwait claim exclusive joint rights while Iran also claims a stake.

Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew were killed in a helicopter crash in Iran on Sunday.

Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, led a high-level delegation that included Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also the foreign minister, to offer condolences for Raisi and Amirabdollahian, the emir's royal court said.

The Saudi state news agency said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the funeral.

Iranian state media showed UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan attending the funeral and paying his respects to the deceased. Later on Wednesday, UAE state news agency WAM confirmed the foreign minister had been at the funeral.

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya also travelled to Tehran on Wednesday to participate in Raisi's funeral on behalf of the Kuwaiti emir, the foreign ministry reported.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Nayera Abdallah; writing by Jaidaa Taha and Nayera Abdallah; Editing by William Maclean, Alex Richardson and Jonathan Oatis)
Read the latest in our coverage of the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. and other issues in Tarrant County jail.

The mother of a man who died in the Tarrant County jail in April expressed heartbreak and trauma Tuesday at having seen unreleased footage of the altercation with jailers that ended with her sons death.

What I saw, I will need counseling for the rest of my life, said Jacqualyne Johnson during a press conference in Fort Worth. I saw my son take his last breath.

Her son, Anthony Johnson, 31, died on April 21 after being arrested two days earlier while experiencing a mental health crisis. He suffered from schizophrenia.

Sheriff Bill Waybourn held a press conference on Thursday to release part of the security camera and cell phone video of Johnsons death.

Lawyer Daryl Johnson (left) speaks with Jacualyne Johnson and her daughters Chanell and Janell after a press conference in Fort Worth on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

The video released to the public was around five and a half minutes long, but Johnsons mother and sisters said that the full video is around 15 minutes long.

If they released the whole 15 minutes to anyone out there, if you want to watch it, do so, but I want you guys to understand that theres going to be times where youre going to see that and youre going to have a nightmare, said Johnsons sister Chanell Johnson. Its not  its inhumane.

She added that they had not seen the video before the edited section was released to the public, but rather had been shown it at the District Attorneys Office the same time as the sheriffs press conference.

Having to go in and then being told that the update is seeing the video, and then finding out that not only am I watching this video, but the whole world is watching it, at least the six minute parts of it, at the same time as Im watching it, Chanell Johnson said.

The full video is between 14 and 15 minutes, Jacualyne Johnson told the Star-Telegram in an interview after Tuesdays press conference.

So from the time that you saw, didnt see any of that  him being picked up and put into a chair, you didnt see him going down the elevator, she said. Thats all that second half that you guys havent seen.

While she said she could not have measured the time perfectly, she said that the unreleased footage shows that Johnson was not given medical care for around eight minutes.

We saw mucus and everything come from his nostrils, and right there, he was gone, she said. So they kept talking about putting leg arms even after he was gone. No one paid attention to the fact that he was gone.

Johnsons other sister Janell Johnson called out Waybourn for what she said was a lack of communication and accountability on the part of the sheriffs office. She called the footage a 15-minute video of yall torturing my brother, and said that policing in Texas is inhumane.

This isnt a conspiracy anymore, this isnt in my head anymore, she cried with tears streaming down her face. This is my little brother.

The familys lawyer, Daryl Washington, told reporters that Johnsons funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Mansfield Funeral Home. It will be open to the public.

Activists with the advocacy group United My Justice called for a protest downtown on Wednesday, May 29.
Dr. Jerome Larkin, right, shakes hands with Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican, after the Rhode Island Senate confirmed his appointment as director of the Department of Health on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

The Rhode Island Department of Health has a new permanent director after nearly 28 months with temporary leaders.

Dr. Jerome Jerry Larkin will lead the states health department for the next five years, the Rhode Island Senate confirmed Tuesday with a 33-2 vote. Sens. Sam Bell, a Providence Democrat, and Anthony DeLuca, a Warwick Republican, voted against the appointment.

Gov. Dan McKee announced Larkin as his choice for director on May 10. Larkins appointment was OKd by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services last Thursday, with only one vote in opposition from Sen. Elaine Morgan, a Hopkinton Republican, who did not vote on Tuesday.

Larkin is medical director of inpatient infectious diseases consultation services at Rhode Island Hospital and teaches clinical medicine as a professor at Brown Universitys Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program. He also chairs the Tiverton School Committee.

Sen. Joshua Miller, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, made the motion for confirmation.

Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz also rose in support, albeit cautiously.

After speaking with Dr. Larkin, Ive been encouraged by his understanding of the delicate balance between bodily autonomy and deeply held religious convictions, de la Cruz said. He has expressed his commitment to reviewing the issue, particularly in the context of mandatory vaccinations in the manner that respects both individual rights and public health.

I will vote to affirm Dr. Larkin with the expectation that he does not take a blanket policy approach that ignores thousands of Rhode Islanders.

After passing muster with the Senate committee last Thursday, Larkin said he wasnt sure if would relinquish his role on the school committee.

I havent made a decision, he told Rhode Island Current. Certainly, you know, the Department of Health is a full-time job but so is being a doctor.

Larkins to-do list just got bigger. With his successful appointment, hell lead the agency responsible for the entire states health. Rhode Island features a centralized, state-run health agency. Decentralized health departments are more common nationwide, with local authorities instead charged with public health governance. Neighboring Massachusetts, for example, uses a decentralized public health system and counts over 350 municipal health departments inside its borders.

The department Larkin will lead includes much under its purview, from tracking infectious diseases to laboratory testing for mosquitos and drinking water. Community health centers, vaccination clinics and physician licensing are a few more of the departments many duties, as is making inspections of Medicaid-approved facilities on behalf of federal regulators.

The last time the state had a permanent leader for the health department was in January 2022, when Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott filled the role. She oversaw the handling of the pandemics early stages but resigned in 2022 after having been reappointed for another five-year term in 2020. Since then, a merry-go-round of leaders has filled the highest-ranked post at the departments Capitol Hill offices. First was Dr. Jim McDonald, then Dr. Utpala Bandy. Since March 31, Dr. Staci Fischer has been acting director.

Larkin also enters the department at a fortuitous time: a recent bid by McKee to raise the positions salary from $175,000 to $250,000 passed without a hitch.

Sens. Sam Bell, left, and Anthony DeLuca, right, seen on the Senate Floor on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, were the only two senators who voted against Dr. Jerome Larkins appointment to lead the Rhode Island Department of Health. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Opposition has been minimal to McKees recent cabinet appointments. An occasional protest vote squeaks through  like when Sen. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, offered the only no to the confirmation of Cory King as the states health insurance commissioner.

Sen. Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat, was not present for the vote Tuesday.

On the senate floor, the only no votes came from two senators sitting right next to each other: Bell and DeLuca.

DeLuca, a Warwick Republican with two decades of EMT experience, was elected in November 2022. Part of his election campaign critiqued state vaccine mandates. DeLuca said via text message Tuesday night that he believed Larkin to be courteous and professional in his discussions with him, and also well-qualified for the position.

However, my main concern for whoever fills this role is for the rights of Rhode Islanders in the context of mandatory vaccinations, DeLuca said. Dr Larkin could not say with certainty that he would support conscientious objections based on deeply held religious convictions in future pandemic situations, therefore I could not vote affirmatively today.

Now that he has been confirmed, I am hopeful that, in the spirit of our states founding by Roger Williams on the basis of religious freedom, he takes these concerns under consideration.

Bell, meanwhile, was concerned with de la Cruzs comments about rolling back vaccine mandates, the senator said in a phone call Tuesday. His reason for opposing Larkins appointment was instead based on the new department heads actions as a school committee member. Bell specifically cited the 2020 firing of Tiverton teacher and union president Amy Mullen. Larkin voted in favor of the suspension, the Providence Journal reported in 2020  a ruling that was eventually overturned in U.S. District Court two months later.

Theres a lot of concerns with the Tiverton School Committee about underfunding and not being sufficiently supportive of educational investment, Bell said. And I just didnt see a record there that indicated the kind of champion that the Department of Health needs.

Bell could be seen briefly speaking to Larkin before Tuesdays floor vote, but ultimately he just couldnt in good conscience vote in support of the confirmation.

I really hope that were going to be in a position where hes not going to intimidate public health experts, Bell said. Its not a concern with his broader policy views.

This story has been updated with additional comments from Sen. Sam Bell.

The post R.I. Senate confirms Dr. Jerome Larkin for permanent post at Rhode Island Department of Health appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
In racist rant, Trump claims his hush money judge "hates" him: "Look at where he comes from"

Donald Trump's hush money trial wrapped up for the week on Tuesday, capped off with an appearance by the former president outside the courtroom in which he insinuated that Judge Juan Merchan "hates" him because he immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia.

As part of what has become an end-of-day ritual, Trump, addressing reporters outside the Manhattan court, read aloud analyses from sympathetic pundits such as Fox News' Gregg Jarrett, who has made a habit of inventing legal doctrine to justify Trump's alleged criminal actions. This time, Trump echoed Jarrett's line that Merchan and prosecuting attorney Alvin Bragg "loathed" him, before proposing his own theory.

"The judge hates Donald Trump, just take a look," he concluded to the assembled reporters. "Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from. He can't stand Donald Trump. He's doing everything in his power."

Merchan was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to Queens, New York at the age of six. After attending Baruch College, he received a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.

In Trump's telling, judges with Mexican ancestry also hold a grudge against him. During a civil fraud case against Trump University in 2016, then-candidate Trump called Judge Gonzalo Curiel a "hater" because he was "Hispanic" and "Mexican"; because of his ancestry, Trump maintained, Curiel was biased against him for wanting to build a border wall. Curiel was born in Indiana, went to law school at Indiana University, and, like Merchan, is an American citizen.

But Trump has been unstinting in his praise for another judge born in Colombia. That judge, Trump appointee Aileen Cannon, is presiding over his classified documents case, and has been widely criticized for breaking legal norms in favor of the former president.
(Bloomberg) -- As visual images go, it was bad. In the pouring rain, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was drowned out by Tony Blairs election anthem Things Can Only Get Better as he announced a general election for July 4.

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For months, the embattled Conservative leader kept the nation guessing when he would finally call a vote largely expected in late 2024. He was trailing the Labour opposition by an abysmal 20 points and the economic news just wasnt getting any better. It was time to call it and after a day of feverish speculation in Westminster, the lectern was pulled out in front of 10 Downing Street for a moment that needed to be perfectly choreographed - if he was to stand a chance.

Instead, rain-sodden and fighting to be heard over a protester blaring a song famously associated with Labours 1997 landslide election win, Sunaks crisp and expensive-looking suit kept getting wetter and wetter in the famously unpredictable English weather. That was not the backdrop he, who has never won an election, needed as he made his 7-minute pitch to secure another term in office for his Tories.

The Liberal Democrats, the smaller opposition party, were quick to pounce with a jibe, sharing the picture of him on X along with the tag-line: Things can only get wetter. The UKs biggest union, which support Labour, also poked fun at Sunak, who often invites negative press for being independently wealthy: Forced to work in the rain unnecessarily? Join a union.

Observers on social media, generally, had a field day.

The image of Sunak in the rain contrasted with that presented by Keir Starmer, the Labour leader and the man widely expected to become Britains next prime minister. Starmer responded to Sunak setting the election date from a dry wood-paneled room with two Union Jack flags behind him, a background akin to that normally used by Britains leader when making a statement.

Sunaks own party was quick to lament the optics. Several Tory politicians, including a cabinet minister, told Bloomberg privately that he should have had an umbrella or given his statement inside. One also objected to the timing, and said it was a mistake to do the statement on a Wednesday, given thats the day that Bray  the infamous protester  is most often in Westminster.

Conservative Party leaders have a bit of a history in recent years of ignominious statements that risk fueling a narrative for the worse.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May famously gave a leaders speech at the Tory conference in 2017 where her backdrop fell apart as she spoke, chiming with the mood of her faltering leadership. The danger for Sunak is similar: that this dour image risks setting the wrong tone for the campaign.

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I ranked 4 brands of store-bought beef hot dogs, and the best one had a great snap

I ranked 4 brands of store-bought beef hot dogs, and the best one had a great snap

I tried beef hot dogs from Nathan's, Sabrett, Applegate, and Ball Park.

Ball Park had the thickest frank, but I thought Applegate's organic hot dogs packed the most flavor.

I didn't think Sabrett's less-than-flavorful hot dogs warranted their higher price tag.

Ahead of the Fourth of July, I decided to try four different kinds of hot dogs to see which one I would choose for my own cookout.

The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are recognized as "hot dog season" by the sausage industry. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume roughly 7 billion hot dogs during this time and produce roughly $614 million in hot-dog sales. Intent on contributing to that number this summer, I wanted to see which store-bought brand was most worth my money.

I opted for beef hot dogs from Applegate, Sabrett, Nathan's, and Ball Park. The Sabrett, Nathan's, and Ball Park packages each included eight beef franks, while the Applegate package included six.

I cooked each type of hot dog the same way. Then I tried each one on a Martin's long potato roll, topped with Heinz ketchup and French's classic yellow mustard.

Here's how all four hot-dog brands ranked, from worst to best.

My least favorite brand that I tried was the Sabrett skinless beef frankfurters.

Sabrett hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

This was the second-most expensive brand I tried. A pack of eight hot dogs cost $8.49, excluding taxes and fees. Since it's a New York brand  and I live in the city  I half-expected to pay a little less for a local product.

The hot dog was about the same thickness as the Nathan's hot dog, which I ultimately ranked higher.

Sabrett hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The Sabrett hot dog fit perfectly inside the potato roll bun without hanging too much off either end.

I felt like the flavor in the Sabrett hot dog was lacking.

Sabrett hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The only flavors that came through were from the ketchup and mustard  a distinct no-no in my book as far as hot dogs go. While the texture wasn't overly chewy, I thought it didn't have the distinct snap I often look for in a hot dog.

While it wasn't bad by any means, I didn't think this brand was worth the higher price tag.

I also tried a New York staple: Nathan's skinless beef franks.

Nathan's hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Nathan's is a New York institution famous for its annual Coney Island hot-dog-eating contest on July 4. I managed to snag an eight-pack of these hot dogs on sale at my local Key Food. The original price was $9.79, but I managed to get them for just $4.49, excluding tax.

I thought the Nathan's hot dogs were a perfect size.

Nathan's hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

It looked like a really classic hot dog you would eat on the pier in summertime: crispy on the outside, while still retaining that classic red hot-dog color.

The hot dog from Nathan's tasted slightly saltier than the other varieties.

Nathan's hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I needed water after just a few bites of this hot dog, and I definitely couldn't imagine consuming dozens of them to win a contest. Overall, it was a flavorful hot dog with a slightly snappy texture, but the salty aftertaste made it nothing to call home about.

My second-favorite brand was Ball Park's beef hot dogs.

Ball Park hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The Ball Park pack of eight hot dogs cost me $8.69, excluding taxes and fees. It was the most expensive brand I tried.

The Ball Park hot dogs were the thickest and shortest ones on my list.

Ball Park hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also noticed they cooked a lot faster than the other brands. While the other brands retained their red, crispy consistency in the pan, the Ball Park dogs quickly began to char and crisp up after only a minute or two of cooking.

I personally like really well-done, almost charred hot dogs, but it's something to keep in mind if you have different preferences.

The Ball Park dog was well done on the outside, but the inside was still slightly chewy.

Ball Park hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought the hot dog had a nice, smoky flavor that was complemented by the bun and condiments. The flavor came through, even though I wasn't crazy about what I thought was a slightly more rubbery texture.

My favorite hot-dog brand was Applegate's organic uncured-beef hot dogs.

Applegate hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The pack of six franks cost me $7.39 at my local Key Food grocery store, excluding taxes and fees.

The pack came with six hot dogs, two less than the other packs.

Applegate hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

This smaller package count is definitely something to consider if you're planning for a large cookout.

When the Applegate hot dog was done cooking, I noticed it was skinnier than the other brands.

Applegate hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I wondered whether it would be less filling, or how the slightly thinner shape would affect the eating experience.

Right away, I noticed that the hot dog had a lot of flavor and the frank had a satisfying snap.

Applegate hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The ketchup and mustard definitely came through but didn't overpower the hot dog's distinctly savory, beefy taste.

Despite being the thinnest dog, it also didn't taste like an unbalanced hot-dog-to-bun ratio. Every ingredient was perfectly complementary.

In the end, I had to give the win to Applegate.

The four kinds of hot dogs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was surprised that this brand won. Even though I call New York City home, neither of the local brands, Nathan's or Sabrett, deserved the win in my book.

I thought Applegate's hot dog, though thinner than the others, had the best flavor and texture. It was also a great value, despite the pack being two dogs short. If I had to choose which hot dog brand to eat at my cookout, it would be Applegate hot dogs all the way.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced legislation Tuesday to strengthen enforcement of the constitutional limitations on federal officials accepting payments from foreign governments, zeroing in on an issue that dogged the Trump presidency.

Raskins bill expands the reach of the so-called Emoluments Clause, restricting federal elected officials as well as some high-ranking appointees from accepting such payments while in office as well as for two years beyond.

The Constitution already directs the president and other officials to seek the permission of Congress before accepting any profit from foreign governments.

But that process was flouted by former President Trump, with House Oversight Democrats documenting nearly $8 million in income he received from 20 different countries via his various businesses.

Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, blasted Trump for taking the funds without seeking, much less obtaining, the required consent of Congress.

Although we have not needed to develop a full-blown legislative machinery to enforce the Emoluments Clause for more than two centuries, Congress must now enact a law to prevent presidents from ever again exploiting the presidency for self-enrichment by selling out our government to foreign states, he said in a statement.

He added that foreign governments were seeking to obtain, and often got, specific policy favors from [Trumps] White House.

The legislation is being sponsored in the upper chamber by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), saying Trumps brazen acceptance of illegal foreign payments and benefits showed the need for clear rules enforcing the Constitutions preeminent anti-corruption provisions.

By extending the prohibition on foreign government earnings for two years, the bill targets conduct from others in Trumps orbit, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Six months after leaving the White House, the Saudi government invested $2 billion with Kushners newly formed private equity fund.

Similarly, the legislation would apply the Emoluments prohibition to a number of White House staff like various assistants and counselors to the president. Kushner was a senior adviser to Trump.

The bill would also create both civil and criminal penalties for those who violate the law, meaning up to a year in jail time and $50,000 in fines for those convicted. Civil penalties are limited to $5,000 more than the retail value of the foreign payment.

Private citizens could also bring suits alleging violations of the law.

The legislation is the latest in the sparring between Democrats and Republicans over how to address money in politics.

Republicans have staged a multimonth investigation into Hunter Biden and other members of the Biden family as they accuse the family of influence peddling.

While Hunter Biden and his uncle both earned money in their overseas business dealings, they did so as private citizens, and GOP investigators have yet to connect their ventures with any actions taken by President Biden.

Still, the legislation puts no limitations on the business dealings of relatives of the president  something Republicans have argued needs to be a top focus.

The bill does, however, place new reporting requirements on the foreign income that officials are allowed to receive, requiring those earnings be detailed on their annual ethics disclosures.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On May 22, there was a "cotton explosion" in the occupied part of Donetsk region. Russian media began to write about the "shelling of the center of Makiivka by the Ukrainian Armed Forces".

ADVERTISIMENT

Several arrivals are reported. This is what Russian publics write about.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled the center of Makiivka. Eyewitnesses report that there were several arrivals," one of the messages reads.

The Russian media also published a photo that allegedly shows smoke after the attack in the center of Makiivka.

There are no details on where exactly the arrivals took place.

Earlier, it was reported that a "bavovna" had come to a refinery in Luhansk Oblast. It happened on May 10 in occupied Rovenky.

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition, it became known about the consequences of a missile attack on the command post of the Russian army in Luhansk region. The enemy lost at least 39 occupants among the wounded and dead.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Riley County Police Director (RCPD) Biran Peete joined the 27 Morning Show on Tuesday to discuss severe weather, summer community developments, the 2024 police budget and more.

Peete said he expects traffic to wind down, progress to be made on street repairs and to see smiling faces from warmer weather.

With the RCPD recently passing its annual budget, Peete said the department wants to be a good steward of tax dollars. He said the main budget priority is addressing the cost of living increases.

We want to make sure were implementing it in stepped ways so were not shocking the taxpayer as much as possible, Peete said.

Engaged in business: ATF rule change takes effect in Kansas

You can watch the full interview above.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A Santa Rosa County judge sentenced the son of former congressional candidate and fired State of Florida employee Rebekah Jones to an indefinite amount of probation Wednesday for charges related to threatening to shoot up a school.

In 2023, Jones' then-13-year-old son, called J.J. in court records, was charged under Florida Statute 836.10, for allegedly making repeated threats to shoot up Holley Navarre Middle School and to stab students who angered him. The statute outlaws written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.

The News Journal is not naming Rebekah Jones' son since he was not charged as an adult and remained in juvenile court, but is including his relationship to his mother because Jones has been vocal about her son's case.

"I will withhold adjudication, meaning that he is not convicted," Judge Steven Warrick told J.J. during the hearing. "I'm going to place him on a period of probation, an indefinite period of probation not to exceed his 19th birthday."

Rebekah Jones: Son charged under law making online threats - even 'jokes' or 'memes' - a crime

Former District 1 Congressional candidate Rebekah Jones arrives at the Santa Rosa Courthouse to show support for a family member following an arrest for making digital threats of terrorism.

Warrick also told him to "continue on the path that you're on" and to learn from bad choices.

J.J.'s sentence comes five months after he pleaded no contest on Dec. 15, 2023, to the charge. As part of the sentencing, the judge withheld adjudication of delinquency and ordered J.J. to comply with the following:

Complete 50 hours of community service

Write a 1,000-word essay on taking responsibility for his actions

Read the book "Know The Law"

Take all medications as prescribed

Comply with any therapy deemed necessary by a psychiatrist

Check in weekly with a school resource officer

J.J. will also have a curfew of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday while he remains on probation. The boy will also not be able to use the internet or social media unless directly supervised by his parents or by someone his parents have appointed.

The judge also ordered J.J. to pay $268 in court costs, but since the judge and J.J.'s attorney, Alex Saiz, noted the Jones family is indigent, the boy will be allowed to work at a rate of $10 per hour to cover the court costs.

As part of the order, Jones and her husband, Jacob Romer, will be required to report any violation in probation to J.J.'s probation officer within 24 hours of the violation or risk being held in contempt.

The family has since moved out of Florida.

Why was Rebekah Jones' son charged with threatening a school shooting?

An incident report released in April 2023 by the Santa Rosa Sheriffs Office alleges that Jones' son made repeated threats to shoot up Holley Navarre Middle School and to stab students who angered him. J.J. had recently been withdrawn from the school and was being homeschooled.

Investigators interviewed multiple students who spoke with the teenager, as well as those who saw messages he posted on social media. In the messages to his friends, the teenager made the following statements, among others:

I want to shoot up the school.

"If I get a gun Im gonna shoot up hnms lol.

Im getting a wrath and natural selection shirt so maybe but I dont think many ppl know what the columbine shooters look like.

Okay so its been like 3-4 weeks since I got on my new antidepressants and they arent working but theyre suppose to by now so I have no hope in getting better so why not kill the losers at school.

"Does your plug have access to guns?"

"I always keep a knife on me so maybe I'll just stab people idk"

J.J., who was homeschooled at the time of the alleged threats, told one of his friends that he planned to shoot up the school the Thursday before Spring Break but there were too many things going on so he postponed it until March 31.

The students reported the claims to the school prior to that date and the investigation was launched.

Rebekah Jones claimed Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered her son be arrested

Jones took to Twitter after her son's arrest in April and claimed Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered J.J. be arrested after she filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the state Health Department and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo asking for her job back along with back pay.

"My family is not safe," Rebekah Jones tweeted. "My son has been taken on the gov's orders, and I've had to send my husband and daughter out of state for their safety. THIS is the reality of living in DeSantis' Florida. There is no freedom here. Only retaliatory rule by a fascist who wishes to be king."

When Jones asked the officers who ordered the arrest, she says an officer told her it was the state.

Who is Rebekah Jones?

Jones is a former Florida data scientist who accused the Health Department of intentionally falsifying pandemic data on behalf of DeSantis. The claims were rejected as unfounded by an inspector general's report.

Jones came to national prominence during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic after she was fired from her position with the Florida Department of Health. Jones said she was fired for speaking out about what she said was the state's manipulation of COVID-19 data, while state officials said she was fired for insubordination.

Jones later ran against Rep. Matt Gaetz for Floridas 1st Congressional District, but lost to Gaetz who gained 68% of the vote.

Rebekah Jones' criminal history

In December 2022, Jones signed a plea deal admitting guilt and agreeing to pay $20,000 in a pending criminal case in which she was charged with accessing a state computer system without authorization.

Prosecutors filed a deferred prosecution agreement in Leon County Circuit Court on Dec. 9, 2022, that was signed by Jones.

The agreement delays prosecution for two years and has six special conditions, including paying $20,000 to reimburse the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for its investigation costs and admitting guilt to the charged offense.

If Jones meets conditions and is not arrested for another crime during the two-year period, prosecutors will drop the charges without Jones having to enter a guilty plea in the case officially.

Jones was charged in the case after FDLE agents executed a search warrant on her home in December 2020 that made national news.

Prosecutors alleged that Jones accessed a state computer system without authorization and sent a mass text calling on state employees to speak out against Florida's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By that point, Jones had become a well-known critic of DeSantis and had filed a whistleblower complaint after being fired from the Florida Department of Health five months earlier.

A state inspector general report released earlier in 2022 on Jones' whistleblower allegations found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Department of Health.

Jones took to social media once again, calling reports she admitted guilt false. In a video posted to her YouTube account, she said she had only admitted to having a Department of Health roster on her private computer.

"There was no guilty plea. There was no plea of any kind because it was a dismissal. The case is being dropped," Jones said in a video published on her YouTube channel.

However, the agreement she signed explicitly says she is admitting guilt.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Rebekah Jones son sentenced for Navarre Florida school shooting threat
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Its mosquito time!

The Shawnee County Health Department officials say you can expect more of them with recent rainfall and temperatures.

Shawnee County is one of the few counties in Kansas that sets traps for mosquitoes. On June 3, 2024, traps will be set up for surveillance.

The traps play a vital role in our public health efforts, helping to identify the total number of mosquitoes and the potential risk of West Nile Virus.

27 News spoke with Craig Barnes from the Shawnee County Health Department about prevention efforts. He explained how you can stay safe using the three Ds.

Dress

Drain

Deet

Is it legal to fly the American flag upside-down in Kansas?

Dress, drain and deet, Barnes said. Dressing in appropriate clothing, using appropriate mosquito repellent on your clothes, and then draining wherever you can for standing water.

Barnes also said that Shawnee County has six locations for traps that are strategically placed throughout the entire community.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
WISE COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  An inmate at Red Onion State Prison in Wise County was charged with the aggravated murder of another inmate in 2023.

According to a release from the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), inmate Julian Leon Mitchell, 36, was charged with aggravated murder by a grand jury in Wise County Circuit Court. An indictment against Mitchell was filed on May 15.

Inmate Jowell Legendre was reportedly found unresponsive in his and Mitchells shared cell by corrections team members on Aug. 24, 2023.

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Crime Watch

Legendre was taken to the Dickenson Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the VADOC stated.

Mitchell reportedly told security staff that Legendre fell from the top of his bunk bed.

The safety and security of our corrections team, inmates, and supervisees is this departments top priority, VADOC Director Chad Dotson said in a release. The Virginia Department of Corrections will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for anyone who threatens that safety and security. I thank Commonwealths Attorney Brett Hall for bringing this case before a grand jury, and for always being a steadfast supporter of our Department. I also thank our corrections team members for their work on this 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Army units met on Redstone Arsenal Tuesday for AMCOM 101, a conference meant to share how U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) can support the rest of the Army.

AMCOM is headquartered on Redstone Arsenal, where leadership directs thousands of soldiers and civilian employees across the county. The U.S. Army prioritizes readiness, and AMCOM plays a big role in making sure the Army is prepared to take action.

Florence officer involved in deadly shooting cleared by grand jury

The Army is all about learning lessons and doing things better tomorrow than we did today and certainly than we did yesterday, Maj. Gen. Tom OConnor said.

OConnor, who is the commander of AMCOM, said with this knowledge, he hopes to decrease costs and improve training across units in the future.

I hope they take back some management tools which is what were trying to provide, some assets for them to reference or just a person like myself to call when you need help, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Paul McNeill.

McNeill has attended AMCOM 101 in past years. Now, as the Army Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer, he helps instruct others at the conference.

AMCOM supplies aviation parts and works on maintenance and calibration.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Reena Virk was a 14-year-old Canadian girl who was murdered in Saanich, British Columbia, in 1997. According to ELLE, she studied at Colquitz Junior Secondary. Rebecca Godfrey, the author of Under the Bridge (a true crime book based on this case), described it as a rare combination of boldness and innocence.

Virks parents were Manjit and Suman, both of Indian origin. The family initially practiced Hinduism; however, they converted to the Jehovahs Witness religion years ago. Virk reportedly didnt get along with her parents and socialized with a group of teenagers, among whom was Nicole Cook. According to Godfreys book, Virk supposedly spread rumors that Ellard had fake breasts and AIDS and wore colored contact lenses.

On the night of November 14, 1997, Cook reportedly yelled at Virk for attempting to ruin her life. Virk responded by calling Cook a bi*ch, and this led to a massive fight that left the former bleeding. There were 14 girls and 2 boys at the scene that night. However, only a few of them participated in this battering. Subsequently, the heavily injured Virk walked away from the scene, but Kelly Ellard (Nicole Cooks friend) and Warren Glowatski followed her. A few moments later, Ellard attacked the 14-year-old again and dragged her under the water. She held her underwater until Virk died.

Warren Glowatski was convicted of second-degree murder. Glowatskis received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for seven years. According to CBC, he was released on parole in 2010. He even moved into an apartment but has struggled to find a job. Furthermore, per Distractify, he has led a quiet life following his release.

The 2010 Crime Stories episode, The Bully Kills, showcased this horrific case.

What happened on the night of Reena Virks murder?

According to CBC, Warren Glowatski reportedly received a days parole in 2007 with Manjit and Suman Virks support. The couple was present during his hearing, and he profusely thanked them for their backing. The then 26-year-old stated, I hope that one day I will be able to be as caring and selfless.

According to ELLE, Rebecca Godfrey described the night of Reena Virks murder in detail in her book Under the Bridge. The 14-year-olds friends reportedly invited her to a party. Initially, she was reluctant to go because she was caught speaking rumors about Cook, yet she gave in.

On the night of November 14, 1997, at 9:12 P.M., Virk and her peers saw the explosion of a Russian satellite in the sky. Soon, a girl appeared and announced that shed been summoned to fight a girl. Virk assumed this was Cooks way of exacting vengeance and began fleeing. Several girls ran and eventually caught up to her and ripped her bus pass to shreds.

They then took her beneath the bridge on Gorge Waterway, and Kelly screamed at her. This confrontation soon turned intense, and Kelly put a cigarette on the deceaseds forehead. The teenagers then began beating Virk, and the night ended with her death. Officials discovered her body eight days later, on November 22, 1997.

The post Reena Virk Murder Case: Where Is Warren Glowatski Now? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Throughout his political career, Mike Johnson has not been shy in expressing his religious beliefsthat everything he does, whether it be attacking LGBTQ rights or rejecting womens bodily autonomy, is in service of God. But on Wednesday, the Christian nationalist seemingly had no opinion about Donald Trumps extramarital affair with porn star Stormy Daniels or the alleged payments made to keep the tryst under wraps ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Youre a deeply religious man, said CNNs Manu Raju. Does that alleged conduct cause you any concern about the former presidents character?

Johnson was clearly peeved by the question. Look, Im not going to comment on that, he said. What weve said about whats happening in Manhattan is, Ive called it a disgrace because it is. Its clearly law-fare. Theyre clearly going after President Trump because of who he is, because he willsoon to be officially the nominee of the Republican party for president of the United States.

Last week, Johnson made a surprise appearance outside Trumps trial in New York, slamming the gag order against the former president. Dozens of other Republican politicians have traveled to the Manhattan courthouse to figuratively bend the knee to Trump, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senators Tim Scott, J.D. Vance, and Tommy Tuberville.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  If you want to have a pool party this summer at your home, you might want to listen to a warning from Mecklenburg County Public Health. The agency is telling homeowners not to rent out their private pools because the county says its against state law.

Mecklenburg County says that recently, renting private pools has become popular.

The county says it has not seen an increase in the issue, but says this time of year, as the weather gets warmer, its a good time to remind homeowners that North Carolina has issued guidance to health departments in recent years that homeowners renting residential pools out to people is against state law.

Finding Madalina: Stepfather Palmiters trial set to start after delay over new evidence

Renting backyard pools by the hour is the latest type of rental making waves in Charlotte.

Charlotte home pool rentals are going for $35, $50, even $100 an hour on an app called Swimply.

My guess is this is an answer to a market that is emerging thats just the rental of a pool, said Brad Smith, a Charlotte attorney.

Mecklenburg County Public Health is warning homeowners not to rent out their private pools.

The county says its a safety concern and its against state law.

Their idea is well if youre renting a pool, then you have to comply with all of the regulations that every other pool thats being rented out to people and being utilized by the public have to comply with, said Smith.

The health department also wants to clarify that renting a private home that has a pool does not fall under the rules of a public pool.

Mecklenburg County commissioner-elect charged with DWI in Gaston County

But Mecklenburg County Public Health says in North Carolina, if a residential pool is rented by the owner to generate income, it is no longer a private pool and is considered a public pool. and it must get a permit to operate.

Its about the safety of our residents, especially children, said Chrystal Swinger, Mecklenburg County Public Health Environmental Health Division director. Residential pools cannot be rented or offered for general public use. Only a properly permitted public pool can be rented to or used by the general public, and we inspect those pools every year.

There are also more than 30 pages of regulations that public pools fall under which isnt the case for people who have pools at home.

If the city or the county or the state took legal action in the form of injunctive relief, its going to come against the homeowner, theyre the ones that are going to be dealing with those legal consequences, said Smith.

Swimply sent Queen City News the following statement:

Swimply pool sharing does not make a residential pool public, and hence is not illegal under any current state or county statutes. Our hosts open their spaces to users as private guests and have full say as to who can use their pool and how. We operate in much a similar fashion to other experiential sharing services like Airbnb which are residential in nature, as are other home amenity rentals. All of our Swimply users in Mecklenburg County are operating well within the law and we will continue to defend their right to operate here, as there is no basis for one form of home sharing to be illegal while another is not.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Congressman Greg Murphy, who represents the Outer Banks as part of North Carolinas 3rd Congressional District, has a tumor in his skull.

Murphy, a Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, made the announcement on Tuesday.

As a physician I have, for the last 30 years, taken care of thousands and thousands of patients. It is now my turn to be one, Murphy said. After a series of tests and scans, I have been diagnosed with a base of skull tumor called a pituitary macroadenoma. It is thought to be a benign tumor, however, given its size and location, and its subsequent ability to affect vital structures in the brain, I am scheduled to have it surgically removed.

Murphy added that the prognosis is excellent, and he expects to be back to work full-time soon.

I am, as are all things, in the hands of God and am at absolute peace, Murphy said in a statement. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and hope everyone understands our desire for privacy at this time.

The 61-year-old has been the representative for the 3rd District since 2019, after serving in the North Carolina General Assembly from 2015 to 2019. He faced criticism in recent days for suggesting that Israel could use nuclear weapons in its war in Gaza.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized NATO's plan to create a no-fly zone in western Ukraine. In his opinion, this would mean direct involvement of the Alliance in the war in Ukraine. According to Scholz, these plans could turn Germany into a "party of war" and provoke Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to an unpredictable reaction.

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Olaf Scholz said this during a speech at an event of the Social Democratic Party of Germany in Karlsruhe. His words are quoted by Bild.

No decision should be made "with foam on the lips," the chancellor said in Karlsruhe, emphasizing that he stands for "prudence."

According to the newspaper, the German chancellor reacted so emotionally to Anders Fogh Rasmussen's plan for Ukraine's rapprochement with NATO, which he announced in preparation for the next NATO summit in Washington in mid-July.

The plan calls for linking Ukraine as quickly and closely as possible with its Western NATO partners and strengthening it in the war against Russia to make a peaceful solution possible. It says that "the credible prospect of NATO membership" gives Ukraine security and shows Russia "that it has nothing to gain from war." A "clear message to Russia that it must end the war" is needed.

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The document proposes, among other things, to deploy an air defense shield "along Ukraine's western border" to "protect NATO from Russian missile and drone attacks, and to protect Ukrainian civilian and military assets in a clearly defined area in western Ukraine."

According to NATO's plan, this could relieve Ukraine's air defense in the west, allowing the Ukrainian army to transport its own defense systems to the front and defend cities such as Dnipro and Kharkiv from Russian air attacks.

Scholz called these plans "dangerous talk by warmongers". He reminded that at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the issue of introducing a no-fly zone was already raised.

"There is no common sense in saying now: let's do it, but maybe for 70 or 100 kilometers. We have to focus on supporting Ukraine, but we do not want to become a party to the conflict and will not become one. Neither we, nor Europe, nor the United States," Olaf Scholz said.

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Crockett filed a trademark to use the phrase on apparel after making the remark during an exchange with Greene at a House Oversight Committee meeting

AP;Shutterstock (Left to Right) Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene

Rep. Jasmine Crockett wants official ownership of the viral "bleach blonde, bad built, butch body" phrase she used during a clash with Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene in a Congressional committee meeting.

Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, filed a trademark application for the phrase with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Sunday, May 19. She plans to use it for apparel like hats, hoodies, socks, pants, t-shirts and tops, per the filing. The owner's name is Jasmine for US, which is her branding for her website and professional Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Greene responded to the application, telling Fox News Digital on Monday, May 20, "Im very happy with myself. I turn 50 on Monday, and Im so excited that Im still alive and healthy and have done so much in life."

"And I think no matter what shape, size or how we look, we need to be ourselves, not telling women the only way to be attractive or accepted is to have fake boobs, fake hair, fake lashes, and injected faces," Greene, a Republican from Georgia, told Fox News Digital. "I mean, we all wear makeup and do lashes and stuff sometimes, but its out of control. Women need a better message for women."

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Rep. Jasmine Crockett in January 2023

Related: JFK Jr. and Wife Carolyn Loved Ordering KFC but She Really Wanted Martha Stewart to Teach Her to Cook

Crockett, 43, made the remark in a chaotic moment at the House Oversight Committee meeting on Thursday, May 16, referencing Greene, who had commented on her appearance moments before.

During the hearing, which was intended to revolve around a resolution over Attorney General Merrick Garland, Greene, 49, asked the committee's Democrats if they had been employing Judge Merchan's daughter  referring to New York Judge Juan Merchan in Donald Trumps criminal trial.

Crockett questioned how that was related to Garland, asking Greene, "Do you know what we're here for?"

Greene quipped, "I don't think you know what you're here for. I think your fake eyelashes are messing with your reading."

Related: Beyonce Gifted Kamala Harris $1.6K Tickets to the Renaissance World Tour

As those in attendance verbally reacted to the comment and called for order, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said it was absolutely unacceptable" and demanded for it to be removed from the record.

She added, How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person?

After a back-and-forth between Ocasio-Cortez, 34, and Greene, Crockett asked for clarification on what's considered an insult and appeared to toss in a jab of her own.

I'm just curious, just to better understand your ruling, she said. If somebody on this committee starts talking about somebody's bleach-blonde, bad-built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?

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Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in June 2021

"Uh, what now?" Chairman James Comer asked in response.

Crockett later clarified her statement on X (formerly Twitter), noting in part that Greene wanted to talk about my appearance in COMMITTEE, which she said was against the rules" to do so.

She refused to apologize! The chairman ruled that it was ok," Crockett continued. "AND I asked for clarification about what qualifies as engaging in personalities & basically wanted to know if I could talk s--- about her appearance as well yall know what she looks like, right."

Greene also shared her thoughts with her followers on X by saying that while some viewers were upset about the scene, she herself was upset and disgusted pretty much everyday at the Department of Justice, federal government and Congress  claiming that the DOJ wants to put Pres Trump in jail the rest of his life which is a death sentence!

Pardon me if I dont talk as nicely as some people would like to hear, Greene wrote. Im not going to keep you all addicted to outrage and hopium that never solves a problem or stops the inevitable implosion of the United States of America. Im completely over it.



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WASHINGTON  The confrontation between Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) at a House oversight committee hearing Thursday may have been inevitable.

Since arriving in Congress in 2023, Crockett has been one of the committees most vocal Democrats. And Greene has been Greene, offering her trademark stream of inflammatory behavior, including a fake eyelashes jab at Crockett last week, to which the Democrat responded with her now-infamous clapback about Greenes bleach-blond, bad-built, butch body.

For Democrats, especially newer members of the House oversight committee, Thursdays hearing seems to have vindicated their strategy of aggressively mocking Republicans. Greene went personal, Crockett responded, and the chaos overshadowed the GOP-led committees push for criminal contempt charges against the U.S. attorney general, with even House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shaking his head at the proceedings. It was just the latest episode of what some have termed failure theater for House oversight committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.).

It is a committee where you got to stay on top of your toes and be ready for some nonsense, Crockett told HuffPost. I didnt think that Id have to be ready for being attacked for my lashes in committee, but it is that type of committee where it is hand-to-hand combat all the time.

The daily combat is a strategy, Crockett said. We always look at it like were the truth-tellers, and were on the front lines of democracy because these are the people, they spread all the misinformation and disinformation and the Russian propaganda, she said.

Republicans have run the House for the past 17 months by lurching from one personality-based conflict to another, and theyre growing tired of Greene. Their collective shrug after Crocketts dig at Greene shows how theyve lost their appetite for governing through beefs.

Crockett showed an early willingness to fight on Greenes terms last year. In March 2023, she and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), another outspoken first-term Democrat on the oversight committee, joined a Greene-led delegation to the D.C. Jail, where Republicans decried the supposed mistreatment of Donald Trump supporters locked up for rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Its hard to argue with criticism of the D.C. Jail, a facility that has occasionally lacked working doors and functional air conditioning, and where inmates sometimes die. But Crockett and Garcia emerged from their tour noting that Jan. 6 defendants had their own unit away from the general population  and more.

They have their own cells, they have access to laptops and tablets, Crockett, a former public defender and defense attorney, told reporters outside the jail. Coming out of Texas, I have seen so much worse.

A reporter asked why Democrats would even lend their credibility to the visit. I mean, there had to be somebody that was going to be willing to tell the truth, Crockett said. And she seems to have had the last word: The oversight committee hasnt held a hearing or taken any other public action on the issue since members visited the facility last year.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on March 20, 2024, in Washington. Win McNamee via Getty Images

Since Thursday, Crockett has reveled in praise for her counterattack on Greene, aggregating various tribute songs on her social media feed and brushing off criticism that she, like the Georgian, had issued a degrading personal attack. She says she only went there after Comer made it clear that Greene would face no consequences for commenting on Crocketts appearance.

I did not respond in kind immediately, Crockett said. I actually sat there and attempted to allow the process to work.

Greene, an exercise enthusiast, may have been offended.

I think my bodys pretty good, and Im going to be 50 this month, she said later in the hearing. She has tried to show that shes taking the remark in stride, and that she doesnt mind being built and strong.

Crockett has confronted other Republicans, including Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), after Mace claimed that the presidents son Hunter Biden had flexed his white privilege by blowing off a committee hearing in January.

It was a spit in the face, at least of mine as a Black woman, for you to talk about what white privilege looks like, Crockett said in a clippable C-SPAN moment.

In February, during a break in a closed-door interview conducted as part of the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, Crocketts Democratic colleagues noted that the witness, a former associate of Hunter Bidens named Tony Bobulinski, had been oddly boisterous, repeatedly suggesting that other witnesses were liars.

Crockett put it more simply: He is completely wacky, OK?

The impeachment inquiry has largely petered out, with Republicans failing to deliver credible evidence of wrongdoing by Joe Biden  though Greene did find multiple occasions during public committee meetings to display photos of the presidents son apparently engaged in sex acts with prostitutes.

Thursdays committee meeting, which saw the verbal wrangling between Greene and Crockett, was tangentially related to the impeachment inquiry  Comer had called the meeting so the committee could approve a contempt citation against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for refusing to hand over recordings of Joe Bidens interview with former special counsel Robert Hur. The Justice Department already gave Congress the interview transcript, but Comer has claimed that the audio is needed to make sure the presidents friends in the supposed deep state didnt edit the text to hide his alleged corruption.

Its not clear when the full House will vote on the Garland contempt resolution, though Johnson said it would happen soon and likely pass. But the speaker said last weeks contempt markup was a bad look for Congress.

Decorum is an important principle to maintain, Johnson told reporters Friday. Were going to continue to try to advance that principle and we need people on both sides of the aisle to just, I think, just take the emotion out of it. We can have vigorous debate; thats what this institution is built upon. But, you know, we have to treat one another with dignity and respect.
A Star of David hangs on a wall in the prayer room of a synagogue. The number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded by an research centre in Berlin has risen to an all-time high since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. David Inderlied/dpa

The number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded by an research centre in Berlin has risen to an all-time high since the attacks by Islamist Hamas group on Israel on October 7.

The Research and Information Centre on Anti-Semitism (RIAS) in Berlin counted a total of 1,270 such insults online as well as physical threats, attacks and assaults last year, it reported on Wednesday.

This is an increase of almost 50% compared to 2022 and is also the highest number recorded by RIAS in a single year.

RIAS stated: "October 7, 2023 marked a turning point: Anti-Semitism has been much more present in Berlin since then; pre-existing forms of anti-Semitism have become more entrenched and intensified."

Jewish life in the public sphere after October 7 was even more restricted than before, the institute said, while the use of anti-Semitic language on the internet was "more uninhibited."

The number of reported anti-Semitic incidents rose sharply in the last three months of 2023; 62% of all incidents recorded last year occured during that period.

Before the Hamas attack on Israel, an average of just over two incidents per week had been recorded, as in the previous year. From October 7 until the end of the 2023, there was an average of 14 incidents per week, RIAS reported.
A tankship fills up with water after a collision with another ship on a side canal of Elbe river in Bad Bodenteich. picture alliance / Philipp Schulze/dpa

Although the number of vessels which sank around the world fell to a record low last year, the threat of piracy is increasing, according to a new report published by German insurance company Allianz Commercial on Wednesday.

The annual report on shipping risks stated that only 26 larger vessels sank worldwide last year, a decline of almost a third compared to the year before and a drop of over 70% in a ten-year comparison.

According to Allianz Commercial, marine traffic has recently become much safer. However, the threat of piracy is increasing.

Last year, there were 120 known pirate attacks worldwide, five more than in 2022.

The report said the waters of the western African Gulf of Guinea are the most dangerous region for pirate attacks, followed by the Strait of Singapore in Southeast Asia.

According to the report, a significant concern is a resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa, where Somali pirates hijacked a ship in December 2023 for the first in six years, with subsequent attacks occurring since then.

Allianz marine experts suggested that Somali pirates have been emboldened by the many attacks carried out by Houthi militias on merchant ships in the Red Sea since the Gaza war began last October.

The ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine also have an indirect effect on the safety of shipping by creating or favouring consequential dangers.

As one example, the authors cite an international "shadow fleet" of an estimated 600 to 1,400 oil tankers exporting Russian oil that have been involved in at least 50 incidents so far, including fires, collisions and oil spills.

"These are mostly older, poorly maintained ships that are operated outside of international regulations and often without adequate insurance," said Justus Heinrich, Head of Marine Insurance in Germany and Switzerland at Allianz Commercial.

"This harbours serious environmental and safety risks."
New report projects more than 1 in 5 cars sold this year will be electric: 'The continued momentum behind electric cars is clear in our data'

In 2024, more than one in five cars sold will be electric, according to a report from the International Energy Agency.

Each year, the IEA publishes the Global EV Outlook, which analyzes recent changes and developments with electric vehicles. According to the report, global EV sales will remain "robust as major markets progress and emerging economies ramp up."

The report suggests that global sales of EVs could reach 17 million by the end of the year. Last year, nearly 14 million electric cars were registered, accounting for 18% of all cars sold. This is up from 14% of all cars sold in 2022.

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"The continued momentum behind electric cars is clear in our data, although it is stronger in some markets than others," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said. "Rather than tapering off, the global EV revolution appears to be gearing up for a new phase of growth."

In Q1 2024, the sales of EVs were roughly equivalent to the number of EVs sold in all of 2020. While China, the United States, and Europe account for a majority of electric vehicles sold, there are emerging markets with rises in EVs, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand.

Electric vehicles help eliminate reliance on traditional sources of fuel in internal combustion engine cars, which helps clean the air and mitigate inclement weather disasters caused by these sources of dirty energy. EVs can also save you money, with Consumer Reports finding electric vehicle drivers spend 60% less on fuel annually.

The increase in demand and supply of EVs comes from investment in the production of these vehicles and incentives for drivers to buy. In the U.S., you can receive tax credits for electric vehicles purchased after 2023. In China, investment in battery production and charging infrastructure helped the country become the leader in electric vehicles. While Tesla drives a majority of the sales of EVs in the U.S., China continues to fund different automobiles, including an EV that allows for longer battery life.

As the rise of EVs bought continues to rise, so too does the demand for alternative infrastructure, including accessible charging stations and increased investment. Honda has pledged to invest $11 billion in their electric vehicle production in Canada, while major chains, like Walmart, Target, and Subway, are planning to build EV charging stations across the United States.

Are you in the market for a new car? Check out our guide on making your next car electric.

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Report reveals world's biggest banks have provided nearly $7 trillion in funding for oil and gas industry since 2016: '[They] continue to light the flame of the climate crisis'

A report showed that more than nine years after the Paris Agreement, banks gave $6.9 trillion to the coal, oil, and gas industry.

What's happening?

The 15th Banking on Climate Chaos review reported the 60 largest banks in the world funded 4,200 dirty energy corporations over the last eight years, "driving climate chaos and causing deadly local community impacts."

The institutions contributed the money through underwriting and lending, though the report was not detailed enough to separate the financing of dirty energy projects from cleaner and more sustainable ones, the Guardian reported. Of the nearly $7 trillion, $3.3 trillion went to the expansion of the industry.

In 2023, $347 billion of $705 billion in support was allocated to expansion. U.S. banks accounted for 30% of that total, with JP Morgan Chase ($40.9 billion) topping the list. Japan's Mizuho ($37B) ranked second, while Bank of America ($33.7B) was third.

England's Barclays ($24.2B), Spain's Santander ($14.5B), and Germany's Deutsche Bank ($13.4B) were the biggest European contributors last year.

Why is this important?

The banks are greenwashing.

Each one named above has signed on to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, whose goal is to cut planet-warming gas pollution by 2050 and help them establish other objectives that will have the most impact by 2030. All but two  JP Morgan Chase and Mizuho  were founding signatories.

The report noted Indigenous, Black, and Brown people as well as low-wage workers, women, fishers, and farmers suffer the most from rising global temperatures. Health impacts include heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and increased disease incidence.

"Financiers and investors of fossil fuels continue to light the flame of the climate crisis," Tom BK Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, a co-author of the study, told the Guardian. "Paired with generations of colonialism, the fossil fuel industry and banking institutions' investment in false solutions create unlivable conditions for all living relatives and humanity on Mother Earth."

"The fossil fuel industry targets our lands and territories as sacrifice zones to continue their extraction," Goldtooth continued. "Capitalism and its extraction-based economy will only perpetuate more harm and destruction against our Mother Earth and it must come to an end."

What's being done about greenwashing?

Reports such as this one can help shed light on duplicitousness.

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a legally binding treaty of 196 nations to try to limit the warming of Earth to less than two degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures. Even 1.5 C (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of heating will have devastating impacts, with more severe and more frequent rainfall, heatwaves, and drought, but human-caused gas pollution must peak by 2025 and be cut by 43% by 2030 to meet that goal.

You can help by using a bank that doesn't support the coal, oil, and gas industry and holding companies accountable. Another step to take: Vote for pro-environment political candidates.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
New report says profound barriers keep women, GA people of color from education, opportunity

A new report from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute details what they say are profound barriers hindering economic opportunity for women workers and early childhood education (ECE) teachers, particularly those of color, across Georgia.

GBPI said the barriers to education and economic opportunity stem from Georgias childcare system.

According to their report, high costs of childcare compared to a familys median income are creating significant obstacles for families working for economic stability.

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These burdens also hit families of color in a disproportionately heavier way, according to GBPI.

The childcare challenges in Georgia are not just a matter of inconvenience; they are a fundamental barrier to economic opportunity for women, particularly women of color, and early childhood education teachers. Addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and prosperous state, report author Finch Floyd said.

According to Floyds report, Black teachers are facing challenging working conditions and disproportionately lower salaries.

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More broadly, GBPI says Georgias childcare system creates economic barriers when it comes to early childhood education teachers, mostly women, and other women workers in the state. This cost barrier increases for families of color, according to GBPI.

Costs are too high relative to medium family income in most Georgia counties. For families of color, childcare costs take up a greater share of their median family income compared to white families. Additionally, not all families have enough childcare options available to them. Women often reduce their labor force participation to meet caregiving obligations, impacting their long-term earnings and wealth-building. Black women with young children tend to work more than their counterparts because they are often co- or main breadwinners and in greater need of childcare, the report says.

The GBPI report says the federal government considers a family spending 7% or less of their income on childcare is affordable.

In Georgia, GBPI said for families with children as young as infants, the median cost of center-based care is sometimes as much as double that, ranging between 7% and 14% in 140 Georgia counties.

When it comes to racial disparities, GBPI said there was a difference between white families and families of color.

The cost to families varies when considering race and ethnicity. In general, child care costs take up a smaller share of white families typical income across counties than Black or Brown families typical income, GBPI said in the report. Compared to white families, Black and Latino families face higher infant care costs in more counties, taking up more than 14% of their typical income.

On the other end of the childcare problem in Georgia, GBPI said lower salaries for childcare staff and teachers of young children has a notable gap when it comes to private education or public. Georgias Pre-K lead program receives its funding from the lottery, rather than tuition, so pay levels are higher in the program.

In private schools, GBPI said Pre-K teachers leave for the local school system due to salary differences.

The GBPI recommends a variety of budget policies to improve childcare outcomes and systems in Georgia. A full set of recommendations can be found here.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Overcrowded and understaffed prisons across Arkansas are facing another pressing issue: suicide rates among inmates.

Former Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri originally requested a study looking into the mental health issues and suicide rates in state prisons. The report handed over to the board last week shows the pace of these deaths are picking up significantly in prisons this year compared to last.

Arkansas board of Corrections remains under fire for contract with attorney in litigation against state

The report shows six inmates in the Arkansas prison systems have taken their lives by suicide since the start of 2024. While it might sound like a low number compared to total inmate populations, compare that to last years total of eight inmate suicides over the span of the entire 12 months.

The report also reveals that every inmate who committed suicide this year sought out mental health services at least once and that most had done so within a week of taking their lives. Additionally, it shows that the mental health staff had offered worksheets to these inmates but no actual treatment or counseling.

The mental health issue inside state facilities was one of Sen. Ben Gilmores (R-Crossett) focuses when he sponsored the Protect Arkansas Act. The law is now adding a new position to the Department of Corrections to implement more evidence-based methods.

UA Little Rock student receives grant to help fund suicide prevention programs in Arkansas jails

The act also creates a recidivism task force, which meets regularly to discuss future legislation.

State Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) voted against that legislation back in the 2023 session, saying at the time he believed the solution to the overcrowding problem in the prisons was not more prison beds, but more mental health treatments and intervention. Tucker said Tuesday he believes there are still some positive aspects of the law, and this task force is a step in the right direction.

Tucker added that it is not just about suicide prevention but addressing mental health issues in general for everyones sake.

Over 90% of them are going to get out and reenter society one day, Tucker said. When they get out we need them to be in stable conditions so they can re-enter safely for their own sake and our sake as well.

Prison deaths report finds widespread missteps, failures in latest sign of crisis in federal prisons

Secretary Lindsay Wallace, who is now working on implementing ways to address the issues, provided the following statement:

In-custody suicides are on the rise across the country, including in Arkansas. We want to reverse that trend. To do that, we must be deliberate in how we address the mental health needs of our inmate population. Dr. Brattons suicide study reinforced that the services we provide need improvement. We are examining policies, procedures and training for our staff to address the deficiencies noted. This is and will continue to be an ongoing assessment. The Protect Arkansas Act requires evidence-based programming and that is why this position is necessary. While we offer programming already, streamlining programming options across the DOC to become more impactful to our population is key to reducing recidivism and creating safer communities for Arkansans. Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace

Arkansas State Police investigating suspicious death at Cummins Unit state prison

Late Tuesday, the Department of Corrections reported a new suspected suicide that happened earlier that day in the East Arkansas Regional Unit. If the investigation underway confirms that suspicion, this year would have a total of seven inmates who died from suicide.

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MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A woman admitted to falsifying a police report about a robbery, an attack, and a subsequent burned child at a home in Monroe, authorities announced.

According to the Monroe Police Department, officers responded to calls regarding the incident on April 23 around 2:43 p.m. at a home on East Talleyrand Ave. where Maria Esquivel stated that an unknown suspect entered the home, attacked her, and then burned a child.

Detectives were able to later determine that the evidence discovered did not corroborate Esquivels story and following further interviews with her, she admitted to making the story up and that the child was actually burned by incense while he was left unattended.

PREVIOUS: Toddler and woman burned during violent home robbery in Monroe, search for suspect underway

Esquivel now has active warrants issued for felony child abuse and filing a false police report.

The child has since been released from the hospital and is at home recovering.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
FILE - The Republican National Committee logo is shown on the stage at the North Charleston Coliseum, Jan. 13, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. The Republican National Committees Washington headquarters was briefly evacuated on Wednesday as police investigated vials of blood that had been addressed to former President Donald Trump, the partys presumptive presidential nominee. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Republican National Committee's Washington headquarters was briefly evacuated on Wednesday as police investigated two vials of blood that had been addressed to former President Donald Trump following the presumptive presidential nominee's takeover of the national party apparatus.

Hazardous-materials teams were called in after the vials were discovered, according to the U.S. Capitol Police, who said they would continue to investigate. It was unclear if anyone came into contact with the blood and to whom it belonged.

The vials were addressed to Trump, according to a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak about it publicly. It was unclear whether any message accompanied the vials explaining why they were sent.

The RNC chairman, Michael Whatley, decried the revolting attack but did not offer more details.

We are thankful to law enforcement, who responded quickly and ensured everyones safety. The lockdown has been cleared and staff has resumed their office duties because we remain unintimidated and undeterred in our efforts to elect President Trump to the White House, Whatley said in a statement.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned any form of threats," adding, That has no place in our politics, no place anywhere."

In a statement posted to its official social media accounts, the Secret Service described the package as addressed to a Secret Service protectee and non-hazardous, adding that the situation would be investigated by its Washington field office.

The Metropolitan Police Department and the local fire department referred comment to the Capitol Police.

Earlier Wednesday, the Capitol Police issued a statement advising people to avoid the block where the RNC is located, a short walk southeast of the Capitol. The House sergeant at arms, the U.S. House of Representatives' chief law enforcement and protocol officer, sent out information advising traffic restrictions in the area due to law enforcement activity at the RNC.

Trump's handpicked leadership  including his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as the partys national vice chair and former North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley as RNC chairman  recently took over the RNC, completing his takeover of the national party as he closes in on a third straight GOP presidential nomination. A Trump campaign senior adviser, Chris LaCivita, has taken over as the RNC chief of staff.

Wednesday's situation comes less than two months from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is slated to become the party's official 2024 nominee and significant protests are expected. According to a letter sent last month to the Secret Service, RNC counsel Todd Steggerda asked officials to keep protesters back farther from the site than had been originally planned, arguing that an existing plan creates an elevated and untenable safety risk to the attending public.

___

Kinnard reported from Columbia, South Carolina, and Price from New York. Associated Press writers Ashraf Khalil, Alanna Durkin Richer, Seung Min Kim and Colleen Long contributed to this report.
At age 12, Gary Stevenson sold candy. At 16, he was kicked out of high school for selling cannabis. At 23, Citigroup gave him a bonus of 47,000 for lending money, selling loans. It was double the annual salary of his father, a postal worker. By the age of 26, he was a millionaire, but he had holes in his shoes and was unable to buy a sofa for his empty house. Mentally and physically exhausted, he decided to quit, even though he says that they threatened him to try to make him stay. Now 36, the British economist has become an activist who dedicates his time to warning about the impending collapse of the economy due to inequality. He tells his story in The Trading Game: A Confession.

Question. Why did you write this book? Is it a warning or a confession?

Answer. Both. It is part of a political project. The economy is getting worse and worse without most economists realizing it. I try to raise awareness about this by writing in newspapers, with my own YouTube channel... but to connect with people you have to tell them a story and I wrote about my own experience. I think it is much more powerful politically than any purely economics book I could write.

Q. You say that shortly before entering Citigroup an employee committed suicide by jumping from the 20th floor. Did you think about that man while you worked there?

A. The truth is, not really. Bankers have a long history of jumping from skyscrapers. This guy could have jumped from the outside, but he jumped in the internal atrium, because he wanted everyone to see, for traders to have a peek before going back to their desks. And my reaction was so it goes. It was a powerful metaphor for the way this world works, the level of obsession. It is an example of dehumanization.

Q. What should a trader in the City be like? What do you need to survive?

A. There is a book, Catch-22, that tells what lots of different people do to survive the war: some become obsessed with money, others with escaping, and others with enjoying everything as much as they can. Different traders do different things, some go out drinking, take drugs, go to Vegas... Cocaine addiction is a massive problem, gambling is a massive problem. Others, like me, were obsessed with being the best trader. The question to me is how humans survive in traumatic spaces. And a lot of people do not survive in many ways because they become dehumanized, they become aggressive people who hate others.

Q. You say in the book: Many rich people expect the poor to be dumb. Did you use it as an advantage?

R. It definitely was. They assumed I was an idiot. It happened at the London School of Economics, at Oxford... But, on the trading floor, I realized that they thought: If this guy got here with that accent, it must be because he must be very smart, because if not, how did he get here? There is an irony because at that time I had no idea what I was doing, but they thought I was going to be the best, and in the end I became the best.

Q. You once lost eight million pounds before making much more. In your book you write that the best trading is made with the nose. It smells like stupidity. What does that mean?

A. In the world of trading, you do not make big money just for being right, but when you are right and everybody else is wrong. And thats the kind of trading I specialized in, in being able to smell the bullshit when everybody believes it. My big trade was in 2011 because everybody thought things were going to get better and everybody was wrong. With the nuclear crisis in Japan, everyone went crazy: no one really knew what it was about, but everyone pretended that they did. Economists have been all wrong about almost everything for 15 years now. Lots of very intelligent people, with the most expensive suits and haircuts and with elite degrees from elite universities, have got it all wrong for a long time now. Thats fascinating to me and I have made a lot of money thanks to that.

Q. You were betting on disaster. What would have happened if there hadnt been people like you who were betting that the economy was going to crash?

A. The story of the last 15 years in economics has been one of incorrect optimism because there is an undiagnosed structural crisis of inequality. If you have cancer and are not diagnosed, if doctors treat the symptoms, but not the cause, you will get worse. Thats whats happening in the economy. Nobody looks at the distribution, the inequality. People like me make no difference if were working as traders, even though we can get paid millions to work at a bank. Politicians are not paid to do the right thing, but to win elections. Nobody in the public sphere is paid to be right. There are no incentives in the public sector to get it right, to do the right thing.

Q. But if they don't do the right thing, they can lose the next election.

A. Yes, but David Cameron earned 10 million within one year after leaving. Tony Blairs son is one of the richest men in the world. The current prime ministers father-in-law is one of the richest men in the world. Politicians who lose elections end up really rich.

Q. When they transferred you to Japan you were devastated. Your girlfriend, who only joined you when she had her own job and income, was asking you to leave Citigroup, but at that time, you left the girl, not the job. Did you exchange money for happiness?

A. Right now I could be on a beach in the Philippines, I dont have to be making this book or videos for YouTube. I come from a poor family, from a bad neighborhood, from a difficult childhood. I dont do what I do for money, but because I dont want the bad guys to win. Sometimes I wonder why nice kids from nice families arent doing the work Im doing. I do it because I dont want the world to go down the toilet. That money that I was fighting for then [a bonus he was owed] is what funds the work I do now.

Q. Who are the bad guys?

A. Many people who read the book will think they are the bankers. That is not all I want to say. I have a lot of empathy for my former colleagues, although they are multimillionaires and can take care of themselves. I am very confident that poverty will grow massively in the next 10 years because the system guarantees a flow of wealth away from the middle class, increasing inequality. That means that your grandchildren will live in desperate poverty. It would very nice to be able to say that the bad guys are guys like Elon Musk or George Soros, but that wont get us anywhere. We get somewhere by stopping the economy from collapsing. I dont want to have a big meeting on the Titanic to decide who the bad guys are, I want to steer the ship away from the iceberg. Being a banker helped lift my family out of poverty. The bad guys arent them, its the system.

Q. Caleb, your mentor, retired at age 29, but later returned. Have you been tempted to return?

A. I still sometimes have a recurring dream that I am still trading really well but I dont get the bonus. I still check the markets every day. I dont need the money, but I miss being known as the best. But I dont think Ill ever go back. I think what I do now is important.

Q. What relationship do you have with money now?

A. I dont spend much. I live frugally. I dont wake up and think about money, I think about how to win this fight. In my life I went very quickly from being judged for being poor to being judged for being rich.

Q. Your book says: Rich people get the assets, poor people get the debt. How do you see the future of the middle class?

A. Its going to get smaller and smaller. The future? Look at Colombia, Mexico, Brazil... Europeans are somewhat naive about the economy. They think that what happens in those places cannot happen here, but countries with a lot of inequality end up like this. When you read Dickens you see the poverty of my own country 150 years ago. We are losing the standards of well-being that our forefathers fought for.

Q. You signed a letter with other British millionaires asking the prime minister to raise your taxes. But people who will never smell the amount of money that you handle oppose the rich paying more. What do you attribute it to?

A. There are several reasons. The right is building a narrative that is not correct, but is compelling: You are poor because of the immigrants, who occupy your homes and your job, when it is because of inequality, because the rich are the children of the rich, who are the ones who take the money, not the immigrants. And the left does not have a clear message on the economy, it is not able to explain that things can be changed. There are many rich people who own many newspapers capable of convincing people that the problem is immigrants. We are going towards a more xenophobic Europe and we could end up where we were 100 years ago.

Q. You talk about the economy of inheritance, but education also works against that, right? You are living proof: from a poor neighborhood to the London School of Economics and from there to Citigroup.

A. Yes, I come from a poor neighborhood and I got a good job and a lot of money. But almost everyone I know is exactly as rich as their father and I know people who cant afford a house on their salary alone. It is not a meritocracy. Wealth is hereditary.

Gary Stevenson, this Tuesday, in Madrid. Santi Burgos
California state Assemblyman Vince Fong has won the special election to succeed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the states 20th Congressional District.

Fongs victory in an all-GOP clash against Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux will help House Republicans buttress their razor-thin majority on Capitol Hill.

McCarthy, after being deposed as speaker, announced in December that he would resign from his heavily Republican Central Valley seat. He endorsed Fong, a former staffer, as his successor.

Fong will serve out the remainder of McCarthys term through January next year. The pair are set for another rematch in November, when they compete for a full two-year term.

The first round of the special election took place in March with all candidates, regardless of party, running on the same ballot. Fong, who also had the support of former President Donald Trump, finished first in that race ahead of Boudreaux and Democrat Marisa Wood. But as he did not take a majority of the vote, the race moved to this months face-off between the top two finishers.

The 20th District contest was the first of three House special elections taking place for vacant GOP seats over the next five weeks.

The next is on June 11 in Ohios 6th Congressional District. Voters there will decide on a successor to former Rep. Bill Johnson, who resigned to become the president of Youngstown State University. Then, on June 25, Colorados 4th District will hold a special election to succeed former Rep. Ken Buck, a hard-line conservative who clashed with his own party at times. Following his resignation announcement in March, Buck told CNN in March that Congress had devolved into this bickering and nonsense and not really doing the job for the American people.

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Senate Republicans are vowing to block a bipartisan border security deal from moving forward on the floor, three months after Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) hailed it as a huge success, reflecting the rising partisan tensions of an election year.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to hold a vote to advance it Thursday, but no Republican senator has yet said they will vote for it, even though it was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

McConnell, who helped negotiate the border security package earlier this year when it was attached to $61 billion in Ukraine aid, called the Democrats plan to bring it back to the floor a gimmick. And he said it has no chance of passing the Senate or the House.

McConnell told President Biden in a phone call Monday that Republicans will not vote for the border security deal they hashed out with Democrats earlier this year.

He instead urged Biden to address the border crisis through executive actions, even though administration officials have said for months they have limited authority to stop border crossings without congressional action.

I said to him  Mr. President, you caused this problem. Theres no legislation that allows the problem to be fixed. Why dont you just allow what the previous administration was doing, McConnell said.

Republicans are pointing to Bidens decision to stop construction of the border wall, expand the parole of migrants into the country, and end the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the lead Republican negotiator of the bill, bashed Schumers plan to vote on the border security legislation as a piece of political theater intended to protect vulnerable incumbents, such as Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

Lankford said he would vote against advancing the bill, reversing his position from February, when he was one of only four Republicans to vote for it.

This is not trying to accomplish something. This is about messaging now. This is trying to poke Republicans rather than try to actually solve a problem, Lankford said.

Lankford said he hasnt received any outreach from Democrats to resume negotiation on the legislation, which would reform the nations asylum laws and give the president emergency power to shut down the border once migrant crossings average 4,000 per day.

Republicans said they will vote to block the bill from coming up for a debate because they dont expect to get any chances to amend it with proposals to make it stronger.

Theyre just trying to get political cover for some of their incumbents who are on the wrong side of the issue with the American people, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said.

Thune said he expects an overwhelming number of Republicans to vote to block the bill.

If you could actually get amendment votes, it would be one thing, but hell shut that down, Thune said of Schumer. This is not a serious attempt to actually have a debate on this. This is actually, right now, purely and simply a political stunt.

The three other Republican senators who voted to advance the border security deal in early February  Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Mitt Romney (Utah)  said they were undecided about whether they would vote for it again.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is vying with Thune to succeed McConnell as GOP leader at the end of the year, urged GOP colleagues to oppose it.

Its a joke. A bad joke, he said, arguing that securing the border is something that Biden could do on [his] own.

I have no confidence that if we pass a new law, he will enforce that law when he has refused existing laws, he said.

Schumer accuses Republican colleagues of following the marching orders of former President Trump, who urged GOP lawmakers earlier this year to oppose the deal because he wanted to keep the border as a major issue heading into Election Day.

Lets not forget, when this bill was being negotiated, Leader McConnell was also supportive of the effort. He insisted this has to happen as part of the [foreign aid] supplemental, Schumer pointed out.

Its the same bipartisan bill both sides negotiated for months this winter, he said. Its strong, tough and realistic.

This is the same bipartisan bill Republicans pushed for then backed away when they got orders from President Trump [and] made an about-face turn and then voted no, he argued.

The biggest drama heading into Thursdays vote may be how many Democrats turn against the border security deal now that it has little chance of passing and isnt attached to aid for Ukraine or Israel.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who voted against the border security deal in February, said he would vote no again and noted it broke with the traditional Democratic position of asking for reforms to help migrants to be paired with border security measures.

Im a no vote, he said. Questions, concerns about whats in the bill. Bigger issue with whats not in the bill.

Several of our [Democratic] colleagues who supported this package a couple months ago did so because it was the price of getting funding for Ukraine, and thats no longer the case. Thats not an insignificant difference.

Most problematic is whats not in the bill, he added. Not a single Dreamer is helped. Not a single farmworker gets any relief or protection. No long-term resident of the United States who happens to be undocumented is assisted here. This cannot be the new starting point for negotiation.

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(Getty Images).

James Coyne was selected as the GOP candidate for an open Boone County seat in the Missouri Senate by the Republican 19th Senatorial District Committee two days before the nomination deadline.

Coyne is the owner of health insurance company Coyne Agency. In the 2020 state Senate race, Coyne ran as an independent write-in candidate. During that election, he received 72 votes.

During the district committee meeting, Coyne discussed his campaign platform. According to a document given to the Missourian by Coyne, the platform is divided into three categories.

The first category focuses on reforming the legislative processes in the House and Senate as well as a return to transparent and equitable lawmaking. The second leg of the campaign is titled Protect the sovereignty of the state of Missouri, and its citizens freedoms and property. The third leg of the campaign focuses on cutting the size, scope and budget of Missouri state government, as well as the elimination of state income tax.

Democratic candidate in the race, former stat Rep. Stephen Webber, commented on the new candidate.

By nominating James Coyne to replace Chuck Basye, Boone County Republicans have unfortunately tripled down on candidates that push conspiracy theories and deny election results, Webber said in a statement after the selection. While James supports the Jan. 6 insurrection, I will remain laser focused on making sure Columbia is as good and safe a place to grow up for todays kids as it was for me.

Coyne posted multiple conspiracies about the validity of the 2020 election on Facebook that year. He also said: I will be in D.C. on Jan. 6 with my son to protest in a Facebook post.

This was the second meeting of the central committee to discuss the choice for a candidate.

Until April, former Republican state Rep. Chuck Basye was going to be the one to face Webber for the seat. Basye chose to withdraw from the race following a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Webber has had nearly $800,000 cash on hand as of April 1 between his candidate committee and affiliated PAC.

I didnt realize that, my goal is to speak the truth in love, Coyne said after hearing about Webbers fundraising. Hopefully, God willing, people will recognize that.

The two candidates are set to face off in the Nov. 5 election.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.

The post Republicans pick James Coyne to run in Boone County state Senate race appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Lawmakers set their sights on curtailing drugs contributing to 2,279 overdose deaths in 2022 in South Carolina.

There were more than 6,000 overdose deaths from 2018-2021.

The emphasis on needing laws dealing with drugs was prominent. Lawmakers passed a bill reclassifying Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that is often mixed with fentanyl, sometimes without the user knowing.

Multiple lawmakers were disappointed or regretful about the Fentanyl bill that would have created a drug induced homicide law. It died in the House, despite the Senate vote result of 43-0.

Xylazines presence in South Carolina or non-animal use has had a staggering increase. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Controls (DHEC) Division of Biostatistics reported a 379% increase in Xylazine involved deaths in South Carolina between 2020 and 2021. The report added that there was a continued elevation of Xylazine-involved deaths in 2023.

The drug will now be considered a Schedule III controlled substance under South Carolina law. It will also ensure that manufacturing or distributing the drug for uses other than veterinary ones would result in a felony charge and up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $15,000 fine. The non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer is not approved for use in humans. According to NIH, people exposed to xylazine often knowingly or unknowingly used it in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl.

Other states have passed similar legislation, including Florida, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Xylazine can be inhaled, smoked, snorted injected or swallowed, and effects last 20-50 minutes.

Advocates, lawmakers, law enforcement and others were thrilled with the reclassification bill to hopefully decrease the number of deaths or usage in general in South Carolina with the penalties associated and the understanding it is a drug that could be abused.

The fentanyl bill would have created a felony offense for anyone who committed a drug-induced homicide. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said he was disappointed it didnt pass the House.

I am a little bit disappointed that we were not able to get S. 1, which was a number one priority, but it dealt with trying to prevent more fentanyl deaths, Massey said. Im disappointed that the House wasnt able to move that across the finish line.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Weston Newton, R-Beaufort, said the reason the bill failed was due to time delays and certain antics, that caused the House to run out of runway. Newton was referencing to Republican infighting over the last two days of session. He added there was still some concerns on the bill that they were working through.

We wanted to make sure that what we were that we were not passing legislation that would allow two teenagers who may be sharing drugs together that allowed one of them to be charged with homicide, because the there was fentanyl in the material, Newton said.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The trial of a retired California Highway Patrol officer accused of sexually assaulting a minor was postponed Wednesday to late June.

Joel Brocks trial is now set for June 24. Its expected to last three weeks.

According to a court filing, a juvenile reported on June 5, 2019, that Brock gave her alcohol and she fell asleep. Its alleged Brock entered a bedroom and sexually assaulted her. DNA evidence corroborated her statement, police said.

Brock, 59 at the time charges were brought against him in 2019, has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts.

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Residents go through the damage a day after a tornado tore through town on May 21, 2024 in Greenfield, Iowa. Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported from a series of tornadoes and powerful storms that hit several Midwestern states. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Gov. Kim Reynolds, touring what she called horrific damage in Greenfield from Tuesdays tornadoes, emphasized the resiliency of the Iowa communities and appreciation for the support received in the day since the storm.

As severe weather impacted areas across Iowa, Greenfield was hit by a major tornado that caused multiple injuries and deaths, as well as significant property damage to the town of more than 2,000 people. At a news conference Wednesday, Reynolds compared the Greenfield damages to that in Minden from an April tornado.

Its just gut wrenching, Reynolds said. I mean, I was just in Minden, as I said, three and a half weeks ago and that was horrific. And I think theres even more debris and just more, more impacted here  so it is just horrific. Its hard to describe until you can actually see it, the devastation.  But at the same time, I cant begin to tell you just how heartwarming it is to see just everybody out there helping each other.

The National Weather Service categorized the tornado that hit Greenfield as at least an EF3. In addition to extensive property damage, the Iowa Department of Public Safety confirmed Wednesday night that four Greenfield residents died in the tornado, in addition to at least 35 people injured.

Search and rescue efforts were ongoing in the area. Volunteers are being limited from entering Greenfield until these operations, as well as other damage assessment and initial recovery efforts, are completed by state and surrounding local law enforcement, emergency services and community services and people from across the state who traveled in to help residents.

State Rep. Ray Sorensen, R-Greenfield, said he was on the ground in Greenfield Tuesday night immediately after the tornado. As his community faced such major destruction, Sorensen emphasized the incredible resolve shown by Greenfield and the larger community in dealing with the aftermath of the damage, speaking about the work done Tuesday night to clear roads for emergency vehicles and move people with injuries to the temporary hospital area, as the local hospital was damaged in the tornado.

While volunteers are not yet being let into the town, Sorensen asked for continued attention on Greenfield and residents in need in the weeks and months to come.

I know news and things like this are easy to forget  please dont forget about us, Sorensen said. Please, please continue to send volunteers and be at the ready. Because we will need just hands on deck and chainsaws and whatever we need to  you know, heavy duty trucks  to get this stuff out of here and get started on the rebuild.

Reynolds said she plans to submit a expedited request for a presidential disaster declaration, allowing Greenfield and other residents of areas impacted by Tuesdays tornado to receive federal assistance  likely on Thursday, when damage estimates are finalized.

President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for counties impacted by the extreme weather earlier in May, when 24 tornados hit communities across the state on April 26 and 27.

As Reynolds plans to seek another presidential declaration, she had already made a state Proclamation of Disaster Emergency Tuesday for those impacted by tornados and severe weather in 15 counties. The state declaration allows individuals in affected areas to seek assistance through the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for up to $5,000 for personal property damage if they have household incomes incomes at or below 200% the federal poverty line. It also activates the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, a system for helping residents impacted by disaster access programs and services available.

The presidential declaration would give access to assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Individual Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administrations Disaster Loan Program. Additionally, Reynolds said she plans to consider seeking federal assistance from U.S. Department of Agricultures for farms and agricultural operations that were impacted by Tuesdays severe weather.

Reynolds said FEMA staff is already on the ground in Greenfield, and will coordinate work with state and local efforts.

The governor thanked both the national and Iowa response and readiness to assist Greenfield and other impacted communities in the wake of the Tuesday weather. Officials said that people have already traveled from the Missouri and Nebraska state borders, as well as communities as far north as Fort Dodge, to volunteer and assist with recovery efforts.

Ive always said Iowa is one big community, and we certainly see that in times of tragedy and were witnessing it again, Reynolds said.

This story has been updated to include information about the number of fatalities and injuries released Wednesday evening by Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The post Reynolds tours gut wrenching Greenfield tornado damage, will seek federal aid appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
A key adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential campaign who guided Kennedy on a number of key issues, including on abortion, is stepping away from the campaign.

Angela Stanton King, the Kennedy campaigns Black voter outreach director who played a large role in shaping the independent candidates positions on abortion and criminal justice, said in a social media post Tuesday night that shes decided to step away from the political theatre.

Stanton King confirmed to CNN on Wednesday she is stepping down from her role in the campaign, but intends to informally advise Kennedy on select issues.

After much reflection, Ive decided to step away from the political theatre. The increasingly hateful and divisive atmosphere no longer aligns with my values. I will continue to advise RFK Jr. on key community issues. Now, its time for me to pursue peace and fully dedicate myself to nonprofit work, supporting pregnant women and returning citizens. This new chapter excites me, as I focus on making a tangible difference where its needed most, Stanton King wrote on social media.

Her departure comes shortly after the Kennedy campaign shifted its position on abortion access multiple times, drawing blowback from both abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion groups  including, at one point, Stanton King herself.

Kennedy said in a podcast interview earlier this month he opposes any government limits on abortion and said he supported keeping abortion legal even if its full term, referring to a potential abortion performed near the expected delivery date of a child.

Stanton King, a former Republican and Trump supporter, publicly criticized Kennedys comments in social media posts. After Kennedy reached out to her directly, he ultimately walked back those comments the following day. In a social media post clarifying his position, Kennedy said abortion should be restricted in the final months of pregnancy. He did not say specifically the number of weeks of gestation at which he would limit access to abortion but signaled support for restrictions based on the framework created through Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion access before fetal viability.

Most experts say fetal viability occurs at around 23-24 weeks.

In a podcast interview last week, Kennedy running mate Nicole Shanahan said the campaign supports federal limits restricting abortion access between 15 and 18 weeks. In a statement to CNN, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said Shanahans comments do not reflect Kennedys views and that Kennedy supports restrictions at fetal viability.

Mr. Kennedys position differs from Ms. Shanahans, in that he believes the cutoff should be at fetal viability. But both are aligned with the emerging national consensus of no restrictions up till a certain point and restrictions thereafter, Spear told CNN.

Stanton King also played a key role in ushering Shanahan on to the campaign trail. Stanton King helped organize and moderate the first public campaign event Shanahan spoke at in Houston earlier this month, where Shanahan spoke fondly of connecting with Stanton King on a number of issues, including abortion and criminal justice.

Angela, when I was chatting with you a few weeks ago, there was one point in which I was sitting here and youre sitting there, and I just saw this gold light in your eye, Shanahan said at the Houston event. You were talking to me about why youre a pro-lifer. And I realized in that moment there was nothing you could say that I could disagree with because it was coming from a place of fierce, fierce protection for the mothers and children in your community.

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Mexico, the United States and Canada are preparing the ground for the first six-year review of their free trade agreement, the USMCA, which was signed in 2018 and went into effect in 2020, replacing NAFTA. This week, trade representatives from all three countries will meet in Phoenix, Arizona for the fourth meeting of the agreements Free Trade Commission. The meeting between U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Mexicos Secretary of the Economy Raquel Buenrostro, and the Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, will be held behind closed doors, but a joint statement is expected afterwards.

The trilateral gathering is not a minor issue as two of the member states gear up for presidential elections. Representatives will be dealing with tensions over an increase in tariffs, a rise in Chinese imports to Mexico, and the fight over the Mexican governments veto of genetically modified corn.

The event will be marked by the hike in tariffs recently announced by the U.S. government on a range of Chinese imports  including solar panels, electric vehicles and their batteries  a measure that represents a warning to stop any type of commercial triangulation through Mexico. Earlier this month, Tai said Chinas use of Mexico as an alternative solution was something they were talking about with industry and workers. The Biden Administration has imposed a 102% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, in addition to imposing new tariffs on other products, including steel, aluminum, computer chips and solar cells. The Biden Administration suggested the possibility of additional sanctions if Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers try to move their production to Mexico to avoid recently announced import taxes.

With this decision, Biden has escalated the trade war with the Asian economy and, incidentally, with the previous USMCA agreements, against the backdrop of Mexicos growth as the main exporter to the United States, above China. According to official data, the Latin American country has become Americas most important trading partner, being the country from which the United States bought the most goods and services in 2023. The reasons, however, have less to do with Mexico and more to do with the geopolitical tensions of the moment. The United States wants to stop buying from China and Mexico is fighting for a slice of that pie.

Another issue on the table will be the labor conditions of Mexican companies with ties to the United States. The new complaint mechanisms to warn about alleged workplace violations have already been used by more than a dozen workers to denounce alleged abuses of their union rights. The United States has at least five cases open against Mexico under the USMCAs Facility-Specific Rapid Response Labor Mechanism; there is also an ongoing procedure against a Spanish call center with operations in Pachuca, Hidalgo.

Mexico will also be defending its ban on the human consumption of genetically modified corn, a move that threatens to block more than 400,000 tons of grain that the United States exports to Mexico. Canada has joined the U.S. in this dispute, which will be resolved in a trade dispute panel under the auspices of the USMCA. Just like the United States, Canada has criticized the measure taken by the Lopez Obrador Administration, asserting that the measure is not scientifically supported and that it threatens to stop trade flows between the three countries.

Mexico and Canada are the two main export destinations for the U.S. Last year alone, trade flows in North America reached more than $1.8 trillion and the majority of trade was conducted by small businesses, according to official data. SMEs exported more than $83 billion in goods to Canada, more than $49 billion to the United States, and more than $110 billion to Mexico. Investments in each others economies amounted to nearly $1.2 trillion in 2022, including small business supply chains.
How RFK Kennedy Jr. turned from tragedy and tumult to environmentalism before becoming the face of vaccine skepticism

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s early life was overshadowed by the murder of his father.

He later struggled with a drug addiction.

After his most humiliating moment, Kennedy reinvented himself as an environmentalist.

Robert F. Kennedy's children have spent a lifetime trying to add their marks to their slain father's legacy. They made history in public service, followed his footsteps into Congress, and contributed to an Academy Award-nominated documentary. Like their relatives born into the generation after Camelot, some struggled to shake the tinge of tragedy and scandal that continues to hang around the famous family.

Robert F. Kennedy's namesake has seen all elements of this journey.

The first Kennedy to run for the presidency in decades, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is doing so without the family's well-documented loyalty. Instead, some of his siblings have begged him to drop out. For years, they have worried, in increasingly public ways, that he's eroding the foundation of why the nation reveres them so much in the first place.

The son of the expected next Kennedy president.

Born into privilege in 1954, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was raised between Massachusetts and suburban Virginia estates. He took an early interest in the outdoors, an affinity aided by the menagerie of animals kept at Hickory Hill, the family's McLean, Virginia mansion. He was the third of the 11 eventual children born to RFK and Ethel Kennedy.

He was asleep in his dorm at Georgetown Preparatory School on June 5, 1968, when a priest awoke him. He wasn't told what was happening, only that a ride would soon take him back to Hickory Hill. At the family home, he was told his dad had been shot the night before. He, Kathleen, and Joseph P. II flew out on Vice President Hubert Humphery's plane in a rush to be by their father's side.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was later a pallbearer at his father's funeral, joined by Astronaut John Glenn and former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was one of the pallbearers in his father's funeral. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The 14-year-old never returned to Georgetown Prep, which now counts two Supreme Court justices and multiple lawmakers among its influential alumni. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bounced between three private schools before graduating from high school.

At Millbrook School in New York, he briefly kept a lion cub gifted to him by former "Tonight Show" host Jack Paar. Kennedy was forced to find a new home for the animal, aptly named Mtoto Mbaya, "Boy Boy" in Swahili, after a string of incidents, including when it bit the backside of the school's zoo keeper, according to "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream," an unauthorized 2015 biography. It wasn't the animal that got him kicked out.

Kennedy had begun to use drugs and not just marijuana, according to the 2015 book. Officials became increasingly concerned that they would be held responsible if another Kennedy died on their watch. Years later, Kennedy would tell Oprah that the source of his drug problems didn't truly matter. He viewed his problems more as being a product of the 1960s. Whatever the reason, his drug use would lead to repeated brushes with the law.

Kennedy graduates from Harvard, but drug use continues to hang over him.

After graduating from high school, Kennedy attended Harvard, the alma mater of his father, uncle, and grandfather. Like JFK, RFK Jr. would see his senior thesis turned into a book. Unfortunately for him, reviewers reacted harshly to the tome about federal judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., whose rulings played a major role in the Civil Rights movement.

After briefly attending the London School of Economics, Kennedy graduated from the University of Virginia Law School. While in Charlottesville, Kennedy met his first wife, Emily Black. Their wedding in Black's native Bloomington, Indiana, received international coverage as the Midwesterner joined the nation's foremost political family. The couple had two children together.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s marriage to Emily Black, his law school classmate, received international attention. Images Press/Getty Images

He filed for divorce in 1994 in the Dominican Republic, taking advantage of a local law that allows foreigners to file for divorce there and potentially trying to avoid media scrutiny.

In March 1982, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, whom JFK had previously appointed to lead the famous Southern District of New York, hired RFK Jr. as an assistant district attorney. The famous son's first brush with politics in New York, the state his father represented in the US Senate, did not go well. Kennedy struggled to pass the bar exam. He resigned in July 1983.

Months later, Kennedy would spark his largest legal scandal. While on the way to receive treatment in South Dakota for his addiction, a fellow passenger found him sick in an airplane's bathroom. Local authorities later found a small amount of heroin in his belongings. He faced up to two years in prison, according to The New York Times. Kennedy was sentenced to probation and community service.

Kennedy found a new advocacy after his lowest moment.

Kennedy's lowest moment led to his greatest reinvention. As part of his community service, he worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council and was later connected with the Hudson River Fishermen's Association. Robert Boyle, founder of the New York environmental group, began to mentor Kennedy. The organization already had notched major legal victories, but Kennedy's star power would help take it to new heights.

He was so committed to his new career that in 1994, he married Mary Richardson, a longtime friend of his sister Kerry Kennedy, aboard a ship on the Hudson River.

Robert F. Kennedy became a star for his environmental advocacy. L. Busacca/Getty Images

But his relationship with Boyle did not last. His mentor later recalled that he was less than thrilled about the celebrities Kennedy soon brought onto the organization's board. He also chafed at his former protege's other actions, particularly Kennedy's decision to hire a scientist named William Wegner. Kennedy defended hiring Wegner, who had served time in federal prison, saying that giving him a second chance was the right thing to do. Boyle was incensed given that Wegener was sentenced over his connections to a bird smuggling ring. Boyle and seven other officials later resigned from Riverkeeper's board in protest.

"I think he's a despicable person," Boyle told Kennedy's unauthorized biographer in 2014. Boyle's children recently told The Washington Post that his father later couldn't even bear looking at the Hudson as it was too much of a reminder of Kennedy's betrayal.

As for Kennedy, his environmental advocacy became the foundation of his fame. In 1999, Time Magazine named Kennedy one of its "Heroes for the Planet" as part of a series of reports on leading environmentalists.

While gaining fame, Kennedy began to notice problems with his voice. He recently told The Los Angeles Times that he was 42 when he first noticed the problem. Kennedy was later diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological condition that affects muscles in one's voice box.

In 2010, Kennedy filed for divorce from Richardson, the mother of four of his six children. Two years later, she died by suicide at the couple's former Bedford estate.

After years of environmentalism, Kennedy became the face of anti-vaccine advocacy.

After decades of environmental advocacy, Kennedy prepared to make his most controversial turn. In his retelling, mothers began to approach him at events to question whether vaccines had affected their children.

In 2005, Kennedy wrote a piece for Salon and Rolling Stone that is now regarded as establishing him as a major player in spreading vaccine skepticism. Despite his claims of a major conspiracy over a mercury-based preservative that had already been "removed from all childhood vaccines except for some variations of the flu vaccine in 2001," according to STAT. Within days, Salon, which published the piece online, issued five corrections. In 2011, the site decided to retract the article entirely.

In 2014, Kennedy married the actress Cheryl Hines, best known for her co-starring role in the Larry David-led "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

One year later, Kennedy joined the World Health Defense Fund. He continued to be involved with Riverkeeper, but his anti-vaccine advocacy overwhelmed his public persona.

Kennedy's name fueled his rise in the movement, which drew on the credibility of his environmentalism and his famous family. In turn, the now-presidential hopeful began to cobble together what the Associated Press would later deem "an anti-vaccine juggernaut" that he deployed when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.

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Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is running to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as the chambers Republican leader, making a second go at a job he sought unsuccessfully  and to the frustration of many of his peers  nearly two years ago.

In a letter to his Republican colleagues, Scott said that he wants to make dramatic change in the Senate GOP Conference. He predicted that former President Donald Trump will win the November presidential race with a mandate to govern, and cast himself as a conduit between Trump and the Senate that could help the former president fulfill his agenda.

We will have a historic opportunity to solve our countrys problems, Scott wrote. Over the years, the Senate has become the place where change oriented conservative policies come to die, and I believe now is the time to change that.

Scott, a first-term senator whos up for reelection this year, is likely to face an uphill battle for the leadership job. Two Senate Republican heavyweights, Minority Whip John Thune and former Minority Whip John Cornyn, are already running to succeed McConnell, whos expected to step down from his post this year.

Scott has also challenged McConnell before, and lost. He sought to unseat the longtime Republican leader in 2022, but won just 10 votes. Many Republican senators expressed frustration with Scott, who, at the time, served as the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Despite predictions that the GOP would win control of the Senate that year, Democrats ultimately eked out a narrow majority.

This time around, Scott is casting his leadership run as a chance to unite Republicans. In his letter to colleagues, he claimed that the Senate GOP has been far too willing to compromise with Democrats, and vowed to put Republicans first, if elected leader in November.

We too often take votes that divide us and unite Democrats, Scott wrote. Republicans all across America want the Republicans they elected to the U.S. Senate to stop caving in to Democrat demands. This is not an unreasonable request or expectation.

Scott still has to get through his reelection bid. Several Democrats, including former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, are running for the nomination to take him on in November, though early polls show Scott with a competitive edge.

In a statement, Mucarsel-Powell said that Scotts announcement dramatically raised the stakes of the November election, calling the prospect of him leading the Senate Republican Conference a disaster for Americans.

Theres no line Rick Scott wont cross to further his own extreme agenda, she said. The stakes of this race just got so much higher, but voters are fired up and ready to retire Rick Scott  for working Floridians and for Americans across the country.
A boy waves a Palestinian flag as demonstrators in Barcelona, Spain, march during a protest in January calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. (Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press)

For decades, Western Europe has largely spoken with one voice on the subject of Palestinian statehood. Now cracks are appearing in that consensus.

Ireland, Spain and Norway on Wednesday declared their intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, effective Tuesday. Previously, only seven of the 27 European Union member states had made such a pronouncement.

Norway is not a member of the bloc, but the Spanish and Irish announcements will bring the number of EU countries recognizing Palestinian statehood to one-third of its membership.

While the often-fractious bloc is unlikely to act as a whole on the question, EU members Slovenia and Malta have signaled they may extend recognition as well, and concerted lobbying efforts are underway in several other member states, including Belgium.

Theres a certain momentum there, said Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

Even as major Western powers refrain from recognition, the round of announcements illustrates yet again how the devastating war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is complicating traditional Western alliances  both within the EU and in transatlantic ties.

For the last two years, Washington and the EU have been largely focused on presenting a united front on the war in Ukraine , and on the growing closeness of Russia and China . But Gaza has shaken up diplomatic priorities.

Analysts say Wednesdays announcements primarily point to fundamental disagreements among Western allies over whether recognizing a Palestinian state now  usually a prelude to establishing diplomatic ties  will spur or hinder a future states establishment.

The Biden administration supports the creation of a Palestinian state, existing side by-side with Israel, but says recognition should be the result of political negotiations  a view backed by key European partners including Britain, France and Germany.

But the issue is a nuanced one. Britains foreign secretary, David Cameron, ruled out recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas remains in Gaza, but said it could occur in the context of ongoing peace negotiations.

And Germany, shadowed by having perpetrated the Holocaust, supports a two-state solution, but has been unwilling to extend Palestinian statehood recognition in the meantime.

The wars horrific toll in Gaza , where more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, has galvanized some governments to support any moves they believe might set conditions for a cease-fire.

Read more: This 5-year-old from Gaza is learning to live with one leg and untold loss

Recognition is a tangible step toward a viable political track leading to Palestinian self-determination, said Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations.

But he said without further measures, the recognitions risked being essentially symbolic.

To be impactful, recognition of Palestine must be matched with tangible steps to counter Israels annexation and settlement of Palestinian territory  such as banning settlement products and financial services, he said.

Read more: Israel's religious right has a clear plan for Gaza: 'We are occupying, deporting and settling'

The differing takes on recognition point to the ways in which European states own histories can lead them along distinct foreign-policy paths when it comes to the Mideast.

Each countrys story is different  its very idiosyncratic, said Elgindy, who directs the Middle East Institutes program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli affairs.

Irelands prime minister, for example, specifically cited his countrys lengthy and traumatic struggle for independence from Britain, and the shadow of the decades-long spasm of sectarian violence known as the Troubles , which subsided with the Good Friday peace accords in 1998.

Read more: Fathers shot, daughters killed in bombings: Ghosts of the blood-soaked Troubles haunt Northern Ireland

From our history we know what it means, Simon Harris, the taoiseach, or prime minister, told reporters in Dublin. A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment, where so many wrongs can never make a right.

In making their announcements, all three governments  Ireland, Spain and Norway  were at pains to express support for Israels existence, and revulsion over the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people and triggered the war in Gaza. Still, the recognition amounted to an unmistakable voicing of dismay over the wars immense civilian toll.

This recognition is not against anyone  it is not against the Israeli people, said Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. He called it an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.

Read more: Behind a prosecutors push to arrest Israeli and Hamas leaders

Israel, though, was infuriated by the second international episode this week to deepen its isolation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the recognitions a reward for terrorism.

The announcements came on the heels of Mondays news that the International Criminal Courts lead prosecutor was seeking arrest warrants for five senior Israeli and Hamas officials, including Netanyahu, over potential war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the current conflict.

Most Western European states accept the courts jurisdiction, although the United States and Israel do not.

The recognition announcements were welcomed both by Hamas and by its rival, the Palestinian Authority. Israel, however, recalled for consultations its ambassadors to Ireland, Spain and Norway.

Palestinian statehood recognition has already been extended by at least 140 of about 190 countries represented in the United Nations, but Wednesdays push represents an impetus not seen for years within Europe.

Five of the earlier EU announcements date back to 1988, together with that of Cyprus, which extended recognition before joining the bloc. Sweden recognized a Palestinian state in 2014.

With the war in Gaza now in its eighth month, the U.N. General Assembly this month approved Palestinian rights and privileges that were seen as a prelude to a potential vote to grant full membership. Currently, the Palestinian Authority has observer status.





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Was it courage or desperation? Either this was going to look like a cut-and-run spur of the moment dash to take advantage of some good bits of economic news, or a surprise hit to expose Keir Starmers Labour as vacuous and unprepared for government. Maybe both.

But the Sunak statement was pretty much optimal. First, and most important, he congratulated the people for their extraordinary courage and unselfishness during the pandemic. (I have never been prouder to be British. You rose to the moment.)

This should have been such an obvious political message that I cannot understand why it has not been uttered sooner and more often. He made it clear that the sacrifices that the population had been called upon to make were unprecedented, that the government was profoundly aware of this and that the challenges we now faced should be addressed in that spirit.

But why go for an election now? Was it cynical opportunism? Had he and his team decided that they could benefit from the risible vacuity of Labours six pledges, which even the shadow cabinet cannot seem to remember? Was it best to rush them, in their moment of deeply unimpressive blankness, into an election? If Starmers people had nothing more to offer than this absurdly vague plan - which is no plan at all - then perhaps it was clever to force them out in the open immediately.

Then he stressed the dangerousness of the moment: the most perilous time since the end of the Cold War, as he rightly pointed out. Facing a rampantly aggressive Russian regime that is apparently committed to blood-and-soil nationalism, a formidable China which is determined to dominate the global economy, and an Iranian regime which sponsors terrorism in the most incendiary areas of the world, would you place your country in the hands of an untried governing party? And, as he did not say (but we all know), a party whose past attitude to military defence has been patchy.

I dont know what Labour offers, he said, and I dont think you do either. This is patently true and it is designed to propel Sir Keir into filling us in with a bit more detail. Or else into refusing to do this and making his party look either dishonest or stupid. So is this a risk worth taking? Is the strategy of exposing Labour as having no programme that it dares to reveal, really brave and clever or just a suicidal gamble?

We wont know that for a while but, for what its worth, here are the ways it might be made to pay off. First, keep talking to the people as if you genuinely believe that we are all in this together: just as we came through the pandemic, we can survive the problems we face now. Keep the tone of your speeches sombre: this is what the historic moment requires. And challenge Keir Starmer to debate with you on everything from foreign policy to the economy: you are very strong on detail and rigorous argument. He isnt.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issues a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, on Wednesday after calling a general election for July 4. Stefan Rousseau - PA Images via Getty Images

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Wednesday that the U.K. will hold a general election on July 4, ending months of speculation about the timing.

The center-left Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is the firm favorite to form the next government, having consistently led Sunaks right-wing Conservatives in the polls, often with a double-digit advantage.

Sunak delivered Wednesdays news in an announcement outside 10 Downing Street in the pouring rain. Earlier that day, hed sought King Charles permission to dissolve Parliament, meaning that the bodys main purpose of making laws will be paused until after the election, when the new government will set out its legislative agenda. Charles agreed to the formality, setting in motion a six-week election campaign.

The prime minister faces an uphill struggle to keep Conservatives in power after 14 years in charge. Labour has held a polling lead of about 20 points since before Sunak took over from Liz Truss in late 2022. Sunaks focus on an immigration crackdown and economic revival has failed to improve his partys popularity.

The Conservatives will be pinning their hopes of a narrow victory on what they argue is a lack of voter enthusiasm for Starmer and the Labour Partys offer. But theres little evidence for that, with polls suggesting the more likely outcome is a landslide Labour win similar to 1997, when the party swept to power under Tony Blair.

How both parties will position themselves to the electorate already appears clear. In his address, which came on the day official data showed U.K. inflation was falling appreciably, Sunak contended there were brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan. Starmer, who spoke after the announcement, characterized the election as an opportunity for change.

Voters will choose 650 members of Parliament to sit in the House of Commons, with the party holding a majority of members forming the government, and its leader becoming prime minister.

Related...
Rishi Sunaks Election Speech Drowned Out By Pouring British Rain & Protester Blasting D:Reams Things Can Only Get Better

Farcical scenes in Britain, where Rishi Sunaks speech announcing a July 4 election was drowned out by rain and a protester blasting D:Ream hit Things Can Only Get Better.

As the prime minister delivered his address to the nation, he was getting visibly drenched by a spring shower, while he had to fight to be heard over protests outside Downing Street.

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A member of the public was playing Things Can Only Get Better, a famous Tony Blair campaign song and likely reference to the fact that there could be a change of government in the UK after 14 years of Conservative rule. Labour is around 20 points ahead in the polls.

Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream is drowning out Rishi Sunaks speech calling a general election. pic.twitter.com/JQlU3zGgrf  Scott Bryan (@scottygb) May 22, 2024

"Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future"



PM Rishi Sunak confirms he spoke with King Charles "earlier today" to request the dissolution of Parliament for a general election on 4 July



Follow live coverage: https://t.co/DQCtnZ53CB pic.twitter.com/9cPgLJYwma  BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) May 22, 2024

Things can only get wetter, joked Jessica Elgot, The Guardians deputy political editor.

Nigel Farage, the GB News presenter and Donald Trump ally, put it like this: Rishi Sunak and his speech notes are both soaking wet outside No 10. This is the most farcical General Election launch in history.

Steve Bray, an indefatigable protester who regularly torments politicians in Westminster, claimed credit for the music that played during Sunaks speech.

we had a good run at Downing Street but both and amplifiers got soaked and blown. They lasted for the moment that mattered. pic.twitter.com/zH0LInQzaY  GET TORIES DONE  GENERAL ELECTION NOW! (@snb19692) May 22, 2024

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A package containing two vials of blood was delivered Wednesday morning to the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. RNC Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement that the lockdown of the RNC had been cleared and thanked police for a quick response. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- After a package containing two vials of blood was delivered, the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday was evacuated and locked down for roughly two hours.

There were two leaking ice packs in the package and the vials were sealed, according to two people with knowledge of the situation who spoke to Politico.

U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson Brianna Burch said the suspicious package was cleared Wednesday morning just before 10 a.m. The incident is under further investigation.

The police said on X: "This morning, we responded to the 300 block of First Street, SE, for the report of a suspicious package. The package was cleared by our Hazardous Incident Response Division. It contained two vials of blood. The source of the package & its contents will be further investigated."

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement, "Today, vials of blood were sent to RNC Headquarters in DC. We are thankful to law enforcement, who responded quickly and ensured everyone's safety."

The RNC confirmed the lockdown was cleared and staff had resumed normal duties.

Whatley added that staff was not intimidated by the blood vials package.

The incident briefly caused law enforcement to cordon off the immediate vicinity and close roads around the RNC office.

It was not immediately clear who sent the vials or why they were sent, but Special Agent in Charge Matt Stoheler said in a statement that the package was addressed to a "Secret Service protectee."

The White House has repeatedly condemned political violence, and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday told reporters during a press conference that it has "no place in any community and certainly in our political discourse."

"It is important that we continue to repeat that that has no place in our politics, no place anywhere," she said. "And, so, we certainly condemn any form of threats."

Police first responded at about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday with a heavy presence and hazmat teams.

There were no reported injuries.
The Republican National Committee logo is shown on the stage at the North Charleston Coliseum, Jan. 13, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. The Republican National Committees Washington headquarters was briefly evacuated on Wednesday as police investigated vials of blood that had been addressed to former President Donald Trump, the partys presumptive presidential nominee. | Rainier Ehrhardt

The Republican National Committees headquarters in Washington were evacuated Wednesday morning after two vials of blood, addressed to former President Donald Trump, were discovered.

The Associated Press first reported the situation, noting that it is unknown where the vials came from and if anyone came into contact with them. Hazardous-materials teams from the U.S. Capitol Police were called in to address the situation.

The police cleared the suspicious package, which included two vials of blood and leaking ice packs, before 10 a.m. EDT, Politico reported. The vials were sealed. It was unclear whether any additional message accompanied the vials, other than Trumps name.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is expected to accept the partys nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. Trump all but secured the nomination in March, completing a sweep of early-voting states GOP primaries, and winning all but one of the Super Tuesday primaries.

In the subsequent months, Trump and his campaign have worked to align his campaign with the RNC. Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser, is now the RNCs chief of staff; Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, is now the RNCs co-chair.

In the past 24 hours, several prominent individuals  including a sitting member of Congress, a Fox News host and Trump himself  have promoted baseless theories that President Joe Biden is attempting to assassinate Trump. In a fundraising email Tuesday, Trump said Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out when FBI agents raided his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, to retrieve classified documents in 2022.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on Twitter that the Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump. And on Wednesday morning, Fox News host Maria Bartiromo led a segment suggesting that the raid was designed to assassinate Trump.

Trump faces criminal charges for his handling of classified documents. On Tuesday, court filings were released that described the FBIs court-authorized search plans. The plans included a statement that the officers may resort to lethal force only when faced with the imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.

The Washington Post reported that the raid was planned when Trump would be in New York, not in Florida, and the former presidents Secret Service detail was notified in advance.
The Republican National Committees (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was placed on lockdown early Wednesday, after it received a package containing vials of blood, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

Capitol Police responded around 7:45 a.m. to the RNC headquarters for a report of a suspicious package with two vials of blood inside, authorities confirmed to The Hill.

The building  located on the 300 block of First Street SE  and the surrounding area were blocked from pedestrian traffic while authorities investigated, Capitol Police said.

The hazardous incident response division was called in to clear the package and the contents will be further investigated, Capitol Police added. The lockdown was lifted soon after and staff were permitted back into the building, the RNC confirmed.

A suspicious package was delivered, out of an abundance of caution and following protocol  [RNC officials] called in a hazmat team, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who serves as the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told The Hill.

D.C. Metro Police and D.C. Fire and Emergency Management Services confirmed their departments both assisted Capitol Police.

The lockdown has been cleared and staff has resumed their office duties because we remain unintimidated and undeterred in our efforts to elect President Trump to the White House, RNC Chairman Michael Whatley wrote in a statement.

This revolting attack comes on the heels of pro-Hamas protestors violently demonstrating on college campuses and deranged Biden supporters physically attacking our campaign volunteers for supporting President Trump, Whatley added.

Authorities have not released any information on potential suspects or if the incident was related to any protests.

The Hills Mychael Schnell contributed.

Updated at 1:39 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The female barracks at Rivesaltes, in March 1941. AP

Between 1939 and 2013, the small French town of Rivesaltes, some 30 kilometers from the Spanish border, was the site of one of the most shameful chapters in French history.

Located on a barren, windswept plain, the ruins of the 650 barracks and latrines of what was Western Europes largest concentration camp, covering more than 600 hectares, can still be seen.

The papers of a Spanish refugee, which are on display at the memorial.

More than 60,000 undesirables were housed there: first came Spanish refugees fleeing the Civil War; after France capitulated to Germany in 1940, Jews and Gypsies were kept here before being sent to the Nazi death camps in Eastern Europe; after the war, collaborators and German POWs were kept there; and then, following Algerian independence, the harkis, Algerians who had fought for France were kept there; and finally, until just two years ago, migrants without papers.

On Friday, the French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, unveiled a memorial to them.

In 1939, half-a-million Spaniards poured into this corner of France, tucked away between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Among them was Victoriano Gomez Diaz, an officer in the Republican army.

He slept on a bunk bed in very damp conditions. There were fleas, lice, bedbugs, scabies The food was terrible and there wasnt much of it. They were cold all the time, and the guards, many of them Moroccans, used to beat people, says his daughter, Rosy Gomez, who lives in Argeles-sur-Mer, close to the vast beach where Spanish refugees were kept before being sent to other camps.

Unidentified Spanish refugees at the Argeles-sur-Mer camp.

Gomez is the president of an association that represents the children of exiled Spaniards, and that each year organizes a march that retraces the routes taken by Spaniards over the Pyrenees. Now aged 63, she is still moved as she tours the camp, pointing to reminders of the past. My father made this ring from animal bone, she says

Few Spaniards who were in the camp are still alive; among them is Gilbert Susagna. Aged 80, he now lives in the nearby town of Perpignan, and was at Fridays ceremony. He was kept here with his mother in 1941. I was aged five. But because I was a child I dont have any bad memories, he says. His father, a communist, had been the mayor of his tiny village in Lledia province. He lost a lung during the battle for Madrid and fled to France in 1939. My mother told me the Jews and the Gypsies had a terrible time of it. I didnt have such a bad time, but it has left its mark on me all my life, he says.

A photo of Spaniards on display at the Rivesaltes memorial.

Almost half of the 20,000 Spaniards who passed through Rivesaltes were sent to Nazi concentration camps; of them, 65 percent died. Of the 7,000 Jews interned there, 2,300 were murdered by the Germans. My father was due to be sent to Mauthausen in 1941, but at the last moment, a friendly hand pushed him to one side as they were being loaded on the train, says Rosy Gomez.

Walking through the camp today, it is easy to get an idea of the terrible living conditions. Each barracks was 30 meters long by six meters wide, and five meters high. The thin walls and ill-fitting windows and doors made them ovens in summer and freezers in winter. It was terrible: the diseases, the cold The wind, the wind, was what survivors I have talked to told me about. The children were thrown about, she says during a visit to the camp with Denis Peschanski, a member of the committee that oversees the camps new status as a memorial. His father fought with the international brigades during the Spanish Civil War and was later interned in several French camps.

It would be a good idea if Spain also looked into its own dark past. A people without memory cannot build a real democracy

The French authorities have tried several times to clear the site. The last attempt was in 1998, when thousands of archives relating to the camp were found on a nearby garbage tip. But civil associations, organizations such as Rosy Gomezs, and some in the local and regional administration managed to block the move.

Among them was the mayor of Argeles, Pierre Aylagas, the son of a Spanish republican who was held in several French prison camps, among them Rivesaltes. I have worked hard to make this camp into a memorial because I remember the values I have always defended, he says.

Rosy Gomez, president of an association that represents the children of exiled Spaniards. C. Y.

The museum, designed by Rudy Ricciotti, is a 4,000 square meter, windowless oblong cement block, most of which is underground, so as not to overshadow the tumbledown barracks nearby. Inside, is a permanent exhibition explaining the camps history through photographs, videos, maps, an auditorium, and a teaching area for students and teachers.

This is a symbol of one of Frances least glorious periods, but at last it is being recognized, says Genevieve Dreyfus-Armand, a renowned international expert on the exile of Spanish refugees who fled Francos Spain, and who is critical of what she sees as Spains failure to remember its own past. It would be a good idea if Spain also looked into its own dark past. A people without memory cannot build a real democracy. We must never confuse the executioners with the victims.

Present at Fridays commemoration were Valls and three other members of the French government, along with members of organizations representing the families of those interned here. No members of the Spanish government or any official entity attended.
Billboards blast McKee on handling of Washington Bridge. They could be up for years.

If drivers on Interstate 195 ever forget that the shutdown of the westbound Washington Bridge is contributing to their traffic, former candidate for governor Ken Block has found a way to remind them.

The Barrington data analyst-turned-politician-turned-author bought space on an East Providence billboard last week to criticize Gov. Dan McKee's administration's handling of the bridge.

"If they had done their job, you would be home already," one of two rotating messages on the digital highway sign reads.

"They knew in 2012," says another over an image of cars stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a reference to an engineering report that warned of the bridge's condition more than a decade before it was abruptly closed in December to prevent possible collapse.

The price to shut off the sign? Block sets 3 conditions

Block's Watchdog RI nonprofit organization is paying for the $9,000-per-month billboard and raising money to keep it going indefinitely, or at least until McKee addresses a list of Block's bridge-related grievances.

His demands:

Release the data and findings of inspections of the bridge's substructure, including the piers and foundations under the Seekonk River surface.

"Clean house" at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, so that the people building a replacement bridge are not the same team that oversaw the demise of the first bridge.

McKee "stop indicating that the impact of this bridge is low ... traffic remains snarled in Providence."

The administration's response? Crickets

There has been no indication that McKee is ready to change course on any of those issues or release the "forensic analysis" compiled by a team of consultants focused on why the bridge's condition deteriorated in the first place.

The Journal was still awaiting a response from McKee's office at deadline Tuesday.

One of two billboard messages put up in East Providence by Ken Block, targeting Gov. Dan McKee and his administration's handling of the Washington Bridge's known structural problems.

What lies on the Seekonk River bottom? Columns are 56 years old

The condition of the substructure of the bridge has come into the spotlight as the DOT awaits proposals from contractors to build a new westbound bridge to replace the condemned structure.

The entire horizontal superstructure of the bridge, including the road surface and beams that support it, are to be torn down under a separate demolition contract.

But the extent to which the existing vertical columns and foundations, or substructure, can be reused is being left to the company who wins the contract to design and build the new bridge.

And very little information is being made public about what condition those 56-year-old columns are in.

The DOT has released detailed engineering reports on the condition of the doomed superstructure, but only high level summaries of what divers found when they looked under the surface of the Seekonk. (The Journal has filed an Access to Public Records Act request for inspection reports on the substructure and not yet received a response.)

In a February memo released in March when the demolition was announced, consultant VHB wrote that some of the bridge piles "may" be reused, but others "will require supplementing with additional piles, which will also require new footings."

"Although the concrete pier columns may have some service life remaining, the current condition and substandard reinforcement detailing does not ensure these columns can meet the project goals without significant modifications," VHB wrote.

If the contractor finds out that foundations need to be replaced after work begins, the extended environmental permitting alone could delay the rebuild significantly.

Final bids are due July 3.

The billboard runs about $100K a year. How frustrated are folks?

Block said Tuesday he believes Rhode Islanders are angry enough about the bridge to keep the billboard up for at least a year, which would cost around $100,000.

If the billboard still happens to be up in 2026, it could stretch into the next campaign for governor. McKee is expected to run for reelection.

Common Cause Rhode Island Executive Director John Marion Jr. said Tuesday that because the billboard does not name a candidate, it would probably not have to be reported to the Board of Elections as a independent electioneering expense.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What are those billboards on I-195? Ken Block blasts McKee on Washington Bridge
In a contentious race to replace Rep. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, to serve Boone Countys District 66 in the Kentucky House of Representatives, attorney and Republican political operative T.J. Roberts defeated former state representative Ed Massey in Tuesdays GOP primary election.

Hell face Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber in November.

Roberts said in an interview Tuesday night that, in spite of the most outlandish smear campaigns, he had tried to run an issue-based campaign.

He said his platform was centered on preservation of life, liberty and prosperity.

Its an honor of a lifetime to have the trust of the voters of Boone County, he said. For so long, the people feel as if their voices havent been represented. That needs to change.

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Roberts, 26, who billed himself as the more conservative candidate, got about 74 percent of the vote in a particularly divisive race.

Massey criticized Roberts for reportedly using antisemitic lingo and social media posts, while Roberts complained of Masseys past political donations to Democrats and support from teachers groups.

Less than a month ago, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, a candidates forum came to a quick conclusion after Massey said hed heard rumors that Roberts had a profile on Grindr, a dating app associated with the LGBTQ community, an allegation Roberts denied.

In January, the Boone County Republican Party censured Massey, saying he had given long-standing support for left-wing politics, politicians, and policies.

Massey, an attorney from Hebron, previously represented the district from 2019 until early 2023. He was defeated by Rawlings in 2022.

There were several personal attacks levied against me, Roberts said. I think the voters resoundingly rejected it.

No one is going to agree with anyone 100% of the time, he said. Kentucky deserves better than the politics of personal destruction.
Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, has stated that a possible supply of a Romanian Patriot system for Ukraine must be approved by the Supreme Council of the National Defence, but it must not lead to a weakening of Romania's air defence.

Source: Iohannis, cited by Digi24, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Iohannis noted that he is not willing to discuss the issue of a possible supply of the Patriot system to Ukraine "in a public space" and would like it to be discussed with military experts and the Supreme Council of the National Defence of Romania, an advisory body under the head of the state.

Iohannis also stressed that the supply of a Patriot is a complicated process connected with a range of logistic and legal problems; "leave alone the fact that Im under no circumstances ready to accept that Romania will be deprived of anti-missile and air defence".

Background:

Klaus Iohannis stated during his visit to the US in May that Romania might consider supplying Ukraine with one of its Patriot systems.

"Therefore, even if Romania finally makes some concessions, it must receive something in return. Otherwise, nothing will happen," the Romanian president added, indicating that "there is no time horizon" for this decision.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tilvar has serious reservations about the possibility of providing Ukraine with a Patriot air defence system.

Later, Ciolacu added that the hardships in the discussion about providing Ukraine with a Patriot system do not mean its impossible.

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The Tower Cancer Research Foundation has launched the Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Project at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to assist underserved cancer patients.

The program is funded by a grant from the Lippin Family Trust as a tribute to the late music publicist and manager, who died of breast cancer in December 2006 at age 59. She was married for 34 years to veteran communications strategist Dick Lippin, founder and chairman of Lippin Group.

One of the most agonizing times in my life was when Ronnie, my wife, was diagnosed with cancer, Dick Lippin said. There was so much I did not know about dealing with cancer and I realized if I felt this way so many others must be experiencing it as well. When Ronnie passed, I had the good fortune of being introduced to Tower Cancer Research Foundation and now the project we envisioned will be implemented by one of the countrys finest medical institutions, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, lacking the resources and capabilities, who now can use this program as a guiding hand through extremely challenging times.

The program is designed to provide assistance to cancer patients with non-conducting assessments of the patient and/or caregiver needs, in-language aid and assistance with medical appointments, information and test results, and providing resources such as mental health support and making referrals to address mental health issues, per Tower Cancer Research Foundation. The program will serve patients and families at all stages of the cancer experience.

Ronnie Lippin

The importance of providing a strong cancer navigation systems for patients and their families has been championed by President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden as part of the White Houses Cancer Moonshot program.

I am so thankful to Dick Lippin, and the Lippin Family Trust, for partnering with Tower Cancer to improve cancer-related outcomes for underserved cancer patients at Cedars, said Christopher Clinton Conway, CEO of Beverly Hills-based Tower Cancer Research Foundation, which was founded in 1996. Naming the program after Ronnie Lippin, a trailblazing figure in the music industry, adds a beautiful layer of meaning to the initiative.

In 2012, Dick Lippin and his daughter, publicist and Lippin Group executive Alexandra Lippin, established the Ronnie Lippin Cancer Information and Resource Line, also in partnership with Tower Cancer Research Foundation.

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Donald Trump (L), owner of the New Jersey Generals, of the U.S. Football League, said 10/18 his leagues $1.32 billion antitrust suit against the national Football League will crack one of the great monopolies in the is country. At right is his attorney Roy Cohn. (Photo Credit: Bettmann | Getty Images)

Roy Cohn was a controversial New York-based lawyer best known for being Senator Joseph McCarthys chief counsel during the 1954 Army McCarthy hearings. Interestingly, he had a special relationship with business tycoon and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Biography, Roy Cohns long list of high-profile clientele included Donald Trump. The pair began working in 1973 after the U.S. Justice Department sued Trump and his father, Fred Trump. Reports suggest that the father-son duo and their company allegedly racially discriminated against African Americans at their New York City housing developments. Per Vanity Fair, the company exercised practices that made it difficult for black tenants to rent houses. The accusations involved marking applications with a C for colored, which was an infringement of the Fair Housing Act.

Cohn convinced Donald Trump and his father to counter-sue the Justice Department for defamation and demanded $100,000 in damages. Even though this measure was more of a stunt, the Trumps settled this case outside the court in 1975 without admitting guilt. Furthermore, the lawyer reportedly stated, Tell them to go to hell and fight the thing in court and let them prove you discriminated.

Following this cases conclusion, Donald Trump and Roy Cohn grew closer. The U.S. President regularly consulted the lawyer and even interacted with him 15 to 20 times a day. The latter assisted the former in several personal and business matters, including his 1977 marriage to Ivana Trump. According to The Guardian, Cohn introduced Trump to media magnate Rupert Murdoch and also helped him mingle with influential power brokers.

The upcoming biographical drama film The Apprentice will delve deep into their relationship. Furthermore, the 2019 documentary Wheres My Roy Cohn? showcased Roy Cohns complicated life and career.

What happened to Roy Cohn?

Federal authorities charged Roy Cohn thrice in 1963 at the height of his power. These charges included bribery, perjury, and conspiracy. Interestingly, due to his political influence, he was acquitted every time. Subsequently, years later, his health began deteriorating, which led to his downfall and demise.

In 1984, Cohn claimed that he was suffering from liver cancer. However, the truth was that he was suffering from complications of AIDS, and his illness kept getting worse. Following this disclosure, his relationship with Donald Trump went dormant for some time. During this entire ordeal, his career was under threat because a judicial disciplinary panel accused him of several violations that included manipulating multimillionaire Lewis Rosenstiels will in 1975.

Many famous individuals, such as journalist Barbara Walters and Trump, testified in support of him at his 1986 hearings. His legal team tried to get this case to cease because of his compromised well-being. However, on June 23, 1986, he was disbarred by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Only six weeks later, on August 2, 1986, he died of a heart attack. In the 1987 book Trump: The Art of the Deal, Trump gave him a nod for his friendship. He stated, Tough as he was, Roy had a lot of friends, and Im not embarrassed to say I was one.

Donald Trump hardly acknowledged Roy Cohns influence on him in public

According to Biography, they bonded impeccably since Trump and Cohn had similar upbringings. Cohn even identified Trump as a future global figure. In a June 2020 interview with Esquire, the documentary director mentioned above, Matt Tyrnauer, said that Cohn once stated that Trump was a meteor whose presence would be noticed worldwide. He said, In one incredible piece of footage from the late 70s, [Cohn] says that Trumps a meteor rising from New York that will go on to touch every part of the country and part of the world. Thats something said in 1978-79. It seems like Nostradamus in hindsight.

Interestingly, Trump hardly credited Cohns influence on his political and business achievements. In a 2016 conversation with The Washington Post, he merely called him a lawyer and denied their relationship. He said, I dont think I got that from Roy. I think Ive had a natural instinct for that. However, Tyrnauer strongly believes that Cohn played a huge role in creating an American president.

In the aforementioned June 2020 interview with Esquire, Matt Tyrnauer said that Cohn wouldnt have been remembered if it had not been for Trumps triumph in the 2016 United States presidential election. He stated, I think Roy Cohn would have been a bold footnote to American history had it not been for the election of Trump. Thats his significance right now.

He added, We thought that those days were over because in the 20th century, back room politics were prevalent, dark relationships between moneyed interests in politics in the law were going on out of sight.

The upcoming biographical drama film The Apprentice will see Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn.

The post Who Was Roy Cohn and What Was His Relationship With Donald Trump? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
King Charles has just returned to work with a surprisingly packed schedule following weeks away from public-facing duties during his cancer treatment. But the British monarch is now overhauling his diary once again as the announcement of a UK general election has prompted a reassessment of his schedule.

Following the Prime Minister's statement this afternoon calling a general election, the royal family will, in accordance with normal procedure, postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign, Buckingham Palace said in a statement this afternoon. "Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.

A royal source said that engagements will be reviewed on a case by case basis but made it clear that royal attendance at events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June will go ahead. Other big events due to happen next month that have yet to be confirmed in the wake of this announcement include the State Visit by the Emperor of Japan as well as the Kings official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour.

Chris Jackson - Getty Images

Earlier today, I spoke with His Majesty the King, to request the dissolution of Parliament, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said today outside his Downing Street residence. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on 4 July.

While the monarchs constitutional role includes appointing Prime Ministers and signing legislation, he does not have any political power. Indeed, the British sovereign is expected to sit above politics and therefore maintain distance as candidates from both sides carry out their public campaigns for election. A reassessment of diaries is likely to involve being mindful of which organizations and individuals the royal family draws attention to at this time.

The number of working royals has been reduced in recent months with the King and Princess of Wales both unable to carry out engagements and Prince William scaling back his schedule to support his family. The King made a return to public duties on April 30 with a visit to a London cancer treatment center. There remains no word on when Kate will be able to resume her public work, although charity projects that she started have continued in her absence.

Pool - Getty Images

In a British general election, votes are cast across the country for representatives to become members of parliament in the House of Commons. The political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons then forms a government and their leader is Prime Minister.

If the UK votes the Conservative Party out of power on July 4 then the Prime Minister will change and King Charles will be appointing the third Prime Minister of his reign. His first was Liz Truss, who was appointed by Queen Elizabeth just two days before she died. Charles appointed Rishi Sunak just six weeks later after Truss resigned and the Conservatives elected a new leader.

Sunaks competition on July 4 is the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer. In a speech today, he said calling the election was a moment the country needsand has been waiting forA chance to change for the better.

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Royal Mail fined close to 160,000 customers for counterfeit stamps before the penalty was dropped over fears they were wrongly applied.

The postal service collected 686,000 in fines from 158,000 customers in a nine-month period between July 2023 and March this year but maintains it did not profit from the surcharges.

In that period, the fine doubled from 2.50 to 5 as Royal Mail introduced new barcode scanners to identify fake stamps in delivery offices nationwide.

Royal Mail suspended the controversial penalties last month after a Telegraph campaign revealed a number of fines may have been incorrectly issued.

Whistleblowers at the time said they feared mistakes were being made  with genuine stamps ruled fakes  and said staff were using Google to identify counterfeits due to a lack of training.

In March, The Telegraph also revealed that China was flooding Britain with counterfeit stamps in what security experts described as an act of economic warfare.

Royal Mail disclosed the total number of penalties issued after Labour MP Liam Byrne, who is chairman of the Business and Trade Committee, wrote to the firms new chief executive Emma Gilthorpe demanding answers in light of the public concern.

However in his response to the Committee, acting chief executive Martin Seidenberg defended the use of surcharges and said Royal Mail was absolutely committed to ensuring that customers can buy and use stamps with confidence.

I know that customers need certainty that the stamps they purchase, and use, are genuine, and that concerns have been expressed about the surcharging of items posted using counterfeit stamps, the letter said.

Surcharging provides an important deterrent and is used by postal authorities in many countries. It is vital that Royal Mail and the UK are seen not to tolerate counterfeiters who mass produce, and illegally profit from, these illegitimate stamps.

Mr Seidenberg added that Royal Mail continues to work with law enforcement agencies to disrupt the manufacture and wholesale distribution of counterfeit stamps both in and outside the UK.

However, none of the four major Chinese suppliers identified by The Telegraph at the beginning of April offering to print up to one million counterfeit stamps per week for as little as 4p have had their listings taken down, despite this newspaper sharing its findings with Border Force.

Mr Seidenberg wrote that while it had good relationships with Border Force, the National Crime Agency, Trading Standards agencies and local police forces, these groups had many competing priorities. He called on the Government to allocate more funding for clamping down on counterfeit stamps.

We would, of course, welcome any additional resource that could be directed to help spot counterfeit stamps entering the UK, and to help us tackle the wholesale distribution of these stamps that only profit criminals, he said.

The Telegraph first reported in August that it had seen 40 instances of customers claiming that stamps bought from Post Offices or the Royal Mail website had been flagged as counterfeit.

The price of a first class stamp in Britain has doubled since March 2019 when it was just 67p. Since then, there have been seven price rises, culminating in last months rise to 1.35 for a first class stamp and 85p for a second class stamp.

Royal Mail is currently developing a new scanner in its app which will allow customers to scan barcodes to verify a stamps authenticity.

The postal service will also use an independent stamp expert to verify whether a stamp is genuine after fears were raised in-house staff were making mistakes.

Insiders expect the app update could take until July. In the meantime, the postal service is using yellow stickers to warn recipients if a stamp is fake.

The yellow sticker reads: This item has been identified as bearing a counterfeit stamp. You may wish to advise the sender. A surcharge has not been applied on this occasion.

However, if a letter does include the return address, the letter will be returned and the sender charged 5 for using a counterfeit stamp.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: The number of counterfeits we see in our network is reducing rather than growing. As a result of our interventions, we have achieved a significant reduction.

Counterfeit stamps now account for a fraction of a per cent of the c.450 million stamped items in our network annually, having declined by c.90% since the introduction of barcoded stamps.

This has been achieved through a series of interventions we have made. As well as the introduction of unique barcodes on Definitive stamps, these measures include added security features, increased activity to target the criminal supply of counterfeit stamps, and surcharging items that have been sent using counterfeit stamps.

These actions have significantly disrupted the criminals activity. Although this is a huge step forward, we are not complacent and there is more to be done.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Two Colorado police chiefs are among the incoming executive board members for the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, including Regional Transportation District Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was elected the 2024-2025 president of FBI-LEEDA, his second executive board appointment. In 2019 Fitzgerald was elected the Sergeant at Arms. Also elected to the 2024-2025 board is Chief TiRynn Hamblin of the Rangely Police Department in Rio Blanco County, who will serve as Sergeant at Arms.

Colorado lawmakers change education requirements for young drivers

I am truly honored to serve this esteemed organization as President, Fitzgerald said in a release. Together with the dedicated members of our Executive Board, instructors and staff, I look forward to leading the organizations efforts in providing world-class leadership training for law enforcement agencies across the globe.

The FBI-LEEDA was formed in 1991 as an FBI executive training program for municipal, state and federal leaders of law enforcement agencies. The nonprofit offers leadership and management seminars and sessions on internal affairs, media and public relations, ethics and procedural justice, and supervisor liability, among other topics.

In a message posted to the FBI-LEEDA website, Fitzgerald outlined his priorities.

Innovation will drive our efforts to continually evolve and enhance our training programs, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry standards, Fitzgerald wrote. By leveraging the diverse talents and resources within our organization, we can maximize our impact on policing while furthering our mission of advancing the science and art of law enforcement leadership.

Fitzgerald also said he is committed to creating a sense of family within FBI-LEEDA and its network.

This is how we will strengthen our core competencies, promote our brand, and bring former members back, he wrote.

RTD chief faces challenges in FBI-LEEDA and at home

Fitzgerald is also facing a fight at home: RTD has garnered a reputation as having drugs, violence and other dangers on its services. RTD announced earlier this year that it was moving to 24/7 police staffing for all bus, rail and paratransit services.

Man sentenced to over 3 decades for random attempted murder in Fort Collins

In 2023, there were 13,938 calls for service plus a lot of complaints from riders and employees. RTD is hoping to bring those numbers down by increasing the police presence.

I promise you, we hear you loud and clear. We are being strategic with our deployment and placement of cops throughout the system because we are committed to having a safe and welcoming transit environment, said RTD Transit Police Deputy Chief Glyn Horn said when the 24/7 program was announced.

Additionally, stations have improved security, lighting and landscaping. The agency will also add six mental health workers and five homeless outreach coordinators by the end of the year.

RTD customers are asked to help by reporting unwanted or illegal behavior or any suspicious activity they may observe by calling the RTDPD at 303-299-2911 or texting 303-434-9100.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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This may finally stop Rudy Giuliani from spreading lies about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss

This may finally stop Rudy Giuliani from spreading lies about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss

Rudy Giuliani has agreed to stop spreading lies about two former Georgia election workers who won a nearly $150 million judgment against him after he repeatedly accused them of election fraud.

In the court documents filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court, Giuliani agreed to be permanently barred from making any statements that suggest that Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss engaged in wrongdoing in the 2020 presidential election. He also agreed to allow the court to enforce the injunction in the future.

A jury awarded the mother and daughter $148 million in damages in December after a federal judge found that he had defamed them. Days later, Freeman and Moss filed another defamation lawsuit against Giuliani, who then promptly filed for bankruptcy.

The womens attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, said in a statement that the new injunction against Giuliani ends his efforts to profit off of lies about these two heroes of American democracy.

But its unlikely that the injunction will dissuade the former New York City mayor from continuing to insist more broadly that the 2020 election was rigged against Donald Trump. He has shown that he is willing to endure massive legal and financial consequences  including the loss of at least one major source of income  to do so.

A statement from Giulianis spokesperson, Ted Goodman, suggested as much.

Based on advice from his lawyers, Mayor Rudy Giuliani agreed not to comment on the two specific individuals or their activities until the cases are resolved, Goodman told ABC News. He will continue to comment on everything else surrounding the 2020 election, particularly the latest developments in Fulton County.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Women work in a restaurant kitchen in Chicago in March 2023. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a new workplace anti-discrimination law that was passed by Congress with wide bipartisan support, has become fodder in the abortion rights battle between Republican-led states and the federal government. Nam Y. Huh/The Associated Press

Natasha Jackson was four months pregnant when she told her supervisor she was expecting. It was 2008, and Jackson was an account executive at a rental furniture store in Charleston, South Carolina  the only female employee there.

I actually hid my pregnancy as long as I could because I was scared about what could happen, she said.

When her doctor recommended that she not lift more than 25 pounds, her employer wouldnt let her move temporarily to a role where she didnt need to lift furniture, even though those roles were available, she said. She was forced to go on leave and then lost her job. Her marriage unraveled and she spent time after the birth in emergency housing.

That hardship affected me years on, and it took away the joy of being pregnant, said Jackson. They made me feel guilty and ashamed for having a baby.

Jackson, now 41 and a mother of four who owns her own cleaning company, has spent years working with advocacy groups to fight for better laws to protect pregnant workers. Last year, she was invited to speak at a White House event celebrating the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a new workplace anti-discrimination law for which she had advocated.

But now this law, passed with wide bipartisan support, has become fodder in the bitter battle over abortion rights between Republican-led states and the federal government.

The act fills gaps in state and federal protections by requiring employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and those who have recently given birth or have related medical conditions  unless the employer can prove it would cause undue hardship on the business.

Accommodations can include allowing an employee to take additional bathroom breaks, carry a water bottle, or sit instead of stand while on the job. After years of lobbying by nonprofit organizations and business groups, the federal law passed in December 2022. It went into effect last June.

In its rulemaking process, the Biden administration included abortion as a related medical condition covered by the law. That means employees seeking abortion care can ask for accommodations from their employers, such as time off work for an appointment or recovery.

This year, 19 Republican attorneys general  including from Jacksons home state of South Carolina  have sued the administration over that interpretation.

It seems quite ridiculous to me that some employers want so much control over employees to the point that they feel like they have the right to threaten their job security because of pregnancy or anything associated with it.

 Natasha Jackson, mom of four who once lost her job after asking for pregnancy accommodations

The AGs argue the Biden administration is forcing abortion accommodations even in states where abortions are illegal.

Under this radical interpretation of the PWFA, business owners will face federal lawsuits if they dont accommodate employees abortions, even if those abortions are illegal under state law, Arkansas Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement last month announcing the lawsuit filed by Arkansas and 16 other Republican-led states.

But some advocates say the lawsuit threatens protections for all pregnant workers covered under the new law  not just the small subset who need abortion care.

These states are cutting off their noses to spite their faces, said Elizabeth Gedmark, an attorney and vice president of A Better Balance, a national nonprofit advocacy organization that provides legal services and has long pushed for a national Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

These attacks have very real consequences for peoples lives and for their economic security and health, she said.

Jackson fears the lawsuit could lead to fewer workers accessing the care they need to be healthy.

[Workers] should have the right to proper medical care during pregnancy, after childbirth, after having a miscarriage, or having an abortion, she said. It seems quite ridiculous to me that some employers want so much control over employees to the point that they feel like they have the right to threaten their job security because of pregnancy or anything associated with it.

Into the fray

After Congress passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency known as the EEOC, had to hammer out a set of rules that clarify what employers can and cant do under the law.

So last summer, the EEOC sought public comment on its proposed rules for how the new law would work. More than 100,000 comments were submitted over a two-month period.

The flood of comments stemmed from opinions about whether the EEOC should include abortion in its definition of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions that are covered under the new law.

The vast majority were nearly identical form comments, according to the EEOC. About 54,000 of the comments urged the EEOC to exclude abortion, while about 40,000 supported its inclusion.

In a 3-2 vote, the EEOC ultimately adopted new rules that included abortion care in its definition of conditions covered under the law. The rules are set to go into effect June 18.

But in April, a week after the EEOC announced its final rules, the 17-state coalition of GOP attorneys general argued in its lawsuit that the agencys erroneous interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act creates an abortion accommodation mandate.

When the law was passed by Congress, it was explicitly understood not to address abortion at all, and the text of the statute does not address abortion, said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, who is co-leading the lawsuit with Arkansas Griffin.

Skrmetti and the other Republican attorneys general point to comments made by lawmakers during debate on the measure that appear to signal Congress intent was not to impose abortion-related requirements in states where those abortions would be illegal.

Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who sponsored the pregnant workers bill, said during debate that the EEOC could not issue any regulation that requires abortion leave, nor does the act permit the EEOC to require employers to provide abortions in violation of state law.

The 15 other states joining the lawsuit are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

More states have jumped into the fray. In mid-May, Louisianas and Mississippis attorneys general, both Republicans, filed their own lawsuit challenging the same provision.

And in February, a federal judge in Texas blocked the EEOC from accepting complaints filed by Texas state employees under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. It was a win for Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had sued the Biden administration last year.

Protections at risk

Skrmetti, the Tennessee attorney general, believes the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a good law.

It was passed with a degree of bipartisanship that you rarely see, he told Stateline, and it undermines the efforts of Congress and the popular will when agencies take laws and change them without the authority of the peoples representatives.

But Gedmark, of A Better Balance, said decades of legal precedent support including abortion as a related medical condition for pregnant workers. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, a federal law passed in 1978, prohibits sex discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions  a definition that the EEOC has long interpreted to include abortion.

Proponents of the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the EEOCs rules worry the lawsuits will sow confusion among employers and employees. Theres concern, Gedmark said, that a court could render more of the regulations invalid, beyond those that mention abortion.

Skrmetti doesnt think the 17-state lawsuit will hurt the laws protections for pregnant, postpartum and lactating workers.

The optimal outcome would be for the abortion-related pieces of the rule that arent supported by the statute to be vacated, he said. But the law remains the law regardless of what the [EEOCs] rules are.

While states and the feds clash in court, Jackson said shes focused on making sure as many women as possible know about their new rights.

Whenever shes out shopping and spots a pregnant store employee, she asks how theyre doing. She asks if they know about their workplace rights, and how to ask their employers for the accommodations they need.

Whether a mother decides to have an abortion or not, she still needs medical care after the procedure, the same as she would need medical care if she had a miscarriage or regular childbirth, Jackson said. I believe that employers need to know the difference between personal [ideology] and business.

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The mystery of President Gustavo Petros cap has been solved. For the first time in two months, the Colombian head of state appeared in public on Tuesday without a head covering. He did so at the inauguration ceremony of Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, which he attended wearing a red checkered shirt, a black sweater, but without his by now trademark presidential cap. The presidents head looked different than before he started wearing the cap 24/7. According to what a source close to the presidency told this newspaper and three surgeons concurred with in separate interviews, the explanation is clear: Petro got a hair transplant.

This is what Dr. Monica Jimenez Baquero believes, after reviewing several official photos of Petro taken this Tuesday. This doctor, who specializes in hair implants and heads the HIC Capilar clinic in Bogota, is convinced: It is quite clear that a hair implant was done. She explains that the president has a well-defined front line that he didnt have before. And she adds that the shadow of the implant is observed in zone A (frontal region): From what I see, it may have been approximately two months since the hair implant was performed. According to the expert, during the first few hours after this procedure the patient should use physical means of protection from the sun, such as a cap.

Gustavo Petro wearing a cap at various events over the past two months. EL PAIS / Agencias

Juliana Sanchez, a surgeon specializing in hair transplants, agrees. According to the photos, it could be suggestive of a hair transplant, she maintains. Sanchez says that there are multiple factors that make her think Petro has undergone this procedure. She notes that the president shows a very slight redness on the top of his head, as if he were healing. In addition, the hair growth on top is very different from that on the back and sides. This can also happen after a hair transplant, she explains.

Dr. Lina Triana, who has 20 years of experience in the field, concurs. I cant say for sure, but it does seem like something has been done, she said by phone. Although the three doctors agree, the spokespersons for the Presidency neither confirmed nor denied the treatment. Petros press team has not provided a public explanation on the issue, and did not respond to this newspapers queries.

But the doctors and the source close to the Presidency are not the first to affirm that there was a hair treatment under the cap. After Petro began to constantly cover his head, questions started to arise. Faced with official silence and the cap as an ever-present element at public appearances, it became a topic of conversation on social media and on the radio. Nestor Morales, the director of the popular radio program Mananas Blu, raised the possibility of a hair transplant on April 10 and said he had confirmation from Casa de Narino, the presidential residence and workplace. And the investigative journalist Jorge Espinosa, from Caracol Radio, confirmed the theory that same day. Its correct. () The issue of the cap and the president has more to do with vanity, to which everyone has the right, than with other issues, he declared on X, formerly Twitter.

Six weeks later, standing without a cap for official photographs, the mystery is solved: like millions of men do every day, Petro has had a hair transplant. Politicians, after all, are only human.
With fitting military precision, hundreds of motorcycle riders stopped to refuel and rest in Gadsden on Tuesday, taking a break in an annual tribute to military personnel and their families.

Riders on the Southern Route of the 34th annual Run For The Wall descended on the Petro station on West Grand Avenue shortly after 1 p.m., popping off Interstate 59 before returning and heading to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for an overnight stop.

They're bound for Washington, D.C., and the Vietnam Memorial Wall, where the run's three cross-country routes that originate in Ontario, California, will converge on Memorial Day weekend.

Riders afterward can take a separate, shorter ride called the Sandbox Route from Washington to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles, Illinois.

The Run For The Wall originated in 1989, according to the event's website, the brainchild of a couple of Vietnam War veterans who traveled the country trying to direct media attention to military personnel from all this country's wars and conflicts who remain unaccounted for.

Its mission statement, according to the website, is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends; to call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action; to honor the memories of those killed in action from all wars and to support our military personnel all over the world.

A fuel team precedes the main group of riders in the Run For The Wall from Ontario, California, to Washington, D.C., to get things ready for refueling stops such as the one May 21, 2024, at the Petro Station on West Grand Avenue in Gadsden.

No one on the scene had a hard count of how many riders stopped here Tuesday, but a running total of participants on the website showed 409 for the Southern Route. It took only about 20 minutes or so to get them all refueled, however.

Advance staging and fuel teams preceded the main body of riders to the station, to get things set up. Once the crowd arrived, they moved smoothly through the process, and then were directed to the rear of the station to park, rest and have lunch before the trip resumed.

A contingent from the local chapter of the Marine Corps League was on hand to greet them, as were local residents who photographed and filmed the scene and interacted with the riders, who were clad in brightly colored vests that often carried commemorations of their military service.

Members of the McLaughlin Detachment No. 1091 of the Marine Corps League were on hand May 21, 2024, to greet riders in the Run For The Wall from Ontario, California, to Washington, D.C., during a fuel stop at the Petro station on West Grand Avenue in Gadsden.

The Southern Route started from Arizona on May 15 (as did the Central Route; Midway Route riders took off a day earlier). It stretched through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi before entering Alabama (riders also stopped in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday).

It's 10 states (as far as participants), 2,917 miles, said Rusty Grand of Redmond, Oregon, part of the crew directing riders after they fueled.

This was the second year the Run for the Wall has made a stop in Gadsden.

David Mullen of El Paso, Texas, is a road guard on the Run For The Wall from Ontario, California, to Washington, D.C., tasked with helping keep riders safe.

They'll cross from Tennessee into Virginia, and were expected to arrive in Washington mid-afternoon on Friday,

Riders are directed to follow traffic laws  according to the website, the rule of thumb is generally 5 mph below the posted limit  and political statements or presentations are banned.

A group called the Road Guard is tasked with keeping them safe along the way.

More than 250 motorcycles refueled in the space of about 20 minutes on May 21, 2024, as participants on the Southern Route of the annual Run For The Wall to honor military personnel killed in action as well as veterans and their families stopped at the Petro station on West Grand Avenue in Gadsden.

It's our job to protect the pack, said David Mullen of El Paso, Texas, a 10-year veteran of the run, who serves in that role along with his daughter, Jessa Bradford of Garland, Texas.

We make sure we get the rest of them where they need to go, in the safest way possible, he said. It's a lot of fun being up here, but it's also dangerous at times as it is for the rest of the pack.

There's also a group called the Ambassadors, Mullen said, who stay well in front of the pack to let people know we're coming. They also pass out literature and answer questions about the run.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Run for the Wall motorcycle riders make fuel stop in Gadsden
Russian forces attacked ten border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on May 22, firing 30 times and causing at least 139 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

The communities of Mykolaivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Shalyhyne, Putyvl, Znob-Novhorodske, Hlukhiv, Seredyna-Buda were targeted.

The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, drones, and mortar shelling, while also dropping mines.

No casualties were reported.

The town of Velyka Pysarivka experienced the most attacks, with 71 explosions recorded in the area.

Velyka Pysarivka, located directly on the Russia-Ukraine border, has become a main target of attack for Russia. Amid an up-tick in Russian attacks, authorities have been working to increase evacuation efforts in the town Velyka Pysarivka with nearly 300 residents being evacuated this week.

Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experiencing multiple attacks per day.

Read also: Police: Russian forces shooting civilians in Vovchansk

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Russian troops began practicing major exercises to ensure troops readiness for the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield, as Moscow warned against an encroaching threat from Western allies.

The Russian Ministry of Defense published a video Tuesday of troops practicing affixing missiles and warheads onto fighter jets and on the backs of armored trucks equipped with missile-firing systems.

The ministry said in a Telegram post that Russian troops had launched the first stage of practical testing of tactical nuclear weapons in the southern military district, which includes Russias southwestern regions, including those that border Ukraine.

Troops are training in missile formations to load vehicles with Iskander ballistic missiles and then drive them to designated areas in a mock test. Aviation personnel practiced equipping Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and special warheads onto fighter jets and flying them to designated zones.

The ongoing exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to respond and in order to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in the release on Telegram.

The exercises are likely to exacerbate tensions with the U.S. and renew fears that Russia is prepared to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Tactical nuclear weapons typically have a smaller yield than larger, strategic nuclear weapons, but they still can carry up to 100 kilotons of yield, much higher than the U.S. bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with nuclear weapons amid the war in Ukraine and last year began moving tactical nuclear weapons to ally Belarus, inching them closer to NATO territory.

Earlier this year, Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons if Western allies came to the aid of Ukraine.

The exercises help troops prepare for the potential future deployment of nuclear weapons but do not involve actually testing nuclear bombs. Those are prohibited under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, though Russia last year for the first time rescinded its signature to that accord.

The U.S. never ratified the treaty, but hasnt tested a nuclear bomb since the early 1990s. The last known nuclear bomb test was by North Korea in 2017.

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Russia has begun the first stage of drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on May 21.

The exercises, which were ordered on May 6 by Russian President Vladimir Putin, involve missile units in Russia's Southern Military District, including occupied Ukrainian territories.

The first stage of the drills will begin with the "combat use" of Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles attached with nuclear warheads, equipping their launch, and "covertly advancing to the designated position in preparation for missile launches."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without its nuclear arsenal.

According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the drills are in response to "provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation" - although the ministry did not specify which Western officials were making threats or provocative statements.

According to Reuters, Moscow had previously labeled remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the possibility of deployment of French troops to Ukraine, along with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's affirmation that Ukraine could use weapons supplied by the U.K. to strike targets within Russia, as "militant statements."

In response to the announcement of the nuclear drills, the U.S. previously condemned Moscow's "irresponsible rhetoric" but said it sees no change in Russia's strategic posture.

Belarus will also be participating in the nuclear exercises alongside Russia.

The Financial Times reported in February, citing leaked documents, that Russia's doctrine for the usage of tactical nuclear weapons ranged "from an enemy incursion on Russian territory to more specific triggers, such as the destruction of 20% of Russia's strategic ballistic missile submarines."

Read also: CNN: US prepared rigorously for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in 2022





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A draft decree suggesting changing Russia's border in the Baltic Sea was deleted from the Russian government website on May 22 after swift condemnation from some NATO members.

In the draft decree, originally published on May 21, the Russian government said it wanted to revise the existing border, as it had been created in 1985 using now out-of-date nautical charts.

The draft proposal was deleted on May 22, and the web page to the decree now reads: "The draft is deleted." There has been no public explanation as to why it was taken down.

Leaders from the surrounding NATO member countries responded fiercely to the decree.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the Russian move "another hybrid operation,"which aims to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea.

"This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU and must be met with an appropriately firm response,"Landsbergis wrote on Twitter.

Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, said Russian President Vladimir Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea and has his eye on the Swedish island of Gotland.

"I am confident that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea," Byden said.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in turn, said Moscow had not consulted with Helsinki.

"Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts," Stubb wrote on Twitter.

Read also: Swedish commander: Putin aims to control Baltic Sea, has his eye on Gotland Island

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The United States believes Russia has launched a new weapon into space capable of destroying satellites.

Cosmos 2576, deployed via a rocket launched from western Russia last week, has been described by Pentagon officials as a counter space weapon.

It is travelling in the same orbit as a US government satellite, according to the Pentagon, which said it was monitoring the situation and is ready to protect and defend the space domain.

Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter space weapon, said Major General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary on Tuesday, adding that it was presumably capable of attacking other satellites.

Space analysts say that Cosmos 2576 appears to be in the same orbit as Americas USA 314 satellite.

Representatives from Moscow and Washington have repeatedly clashed over space weapons at the United Nations in recent weeks, accusing one another of seeking to militarise space.

A spokesperson for the US Space Command said Cosmos 2576 was launched on May 16 from Russias Plesetsk cosmodrome, about 500 miles north of Moscow.

Turning space into military arena

Earlier on Tuesday, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman from Russias foreign ministry, claimed the US was seeking to turn space into an arena for military confrontation.

Russias Roskosmos state space agency said the launch was in the interests of the defence ministry of the Russian Federation. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket was used as a launch vehicle, the agency said.

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has warned that US satellites assisting Ukrainian forces could become legitimate targets.

The White House suggested in February that Russia was developing a troubling new space weapon but said that it had yet to deploy it.

A report released by the Washington DC-based Center for Strategic and International Studies last year claimed Russia was developing a range of anti-satellite weapons, including a missile that was successfully tested against a defunct Soviet-era satellite in November 2021.

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Russia denies U.S. charge that it put anti-satellite weapon in space

By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's top arms control diplomat dismissed as "fake news" on Wednesday an assertion by the United States that Russia had launched a weapon into low-Earth orbit that was capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites.

The Kremlin has flatly denied assertions by U.S. officials that Moscow is developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

U.S. Space Command on Tuesday pointed to the launch earlier this month of a Soyuz rocket from Russia's Plesetsk launch site, saying it likely involved "a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit".

Russia's defence ministry said the May 17 launch had a spacecraft on board but gave no details what it was for.

"I don't think we should respond to any fake news from Washington," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

"The Americans can say whatever they want but our policy does not change from this," said Ryabkov, adding that Moscow had "always consistently opposed the deployment of strike weapons in low-Earth orbit".

President Vladimir Putin and then-defence minister Sergei Shoigu denied U.S. assertions in February that Russia was developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon designed to disrupt everything from military communications to phone-based ride services.

U.S. Space Command said the May launch, which it dates as May 16, included COSMOS 2576, a type of Russian military "inspector" spacecraft that U.S. officials have long said exhibits reckless space behaviour.

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined specific comment on the U.S. assertion but said Russia acted in full accordance with international law.

"We are not violating anything. We have repeatedly advocated a ban on the deployment of any weapons into space. Unfortunately, our initiatives were rejected, including by the United States," Peskov told reporters.

U.S. intelligence agencies had been expecting the launch of COSMOS 2576 and informed allies of their assessment of the satellite before its deployment in space, according to a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence. The launch also included civilian satellites deployed to different orbits.

COSMOS 2576, as of Tuesday, has not gone near a U.S. satellite, but space analysts observed it to be in the same orbital ring as USA 314, a bus-sized NRO satellite launched in April 2021.

Ryabkov said Russia's space programme was developing as planned, including tasks aimed at strengthening defence capability but added that "this is also not news".

He said the United States was wrong to have dismissed Russian proposals on strengthening the security of space activities, including a proposal on developing a treaty on preventing an arms race in space.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Guy FaulconbridgeEditing by Andrew Osborn and Gareth Jones)
By dismissing Sergei Shoigu and carrying out a purge among the leading figures in the Russian Defense Ministry, Vladimir Putin has satisfied two of his fiercest (and no longer among the living) critics: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, and the opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Prigozhin accused former minister Shoigu of incompetence and called for his dismissal due to the precarious conditions of the Russian army in Ukraine. Navalny focused more on the phenomenon of corruption in the upper echelons of the military establishment and the Russian elite.

Putin has not explained the motivations for the changes in the military hierarchy, attributed by analysts to the need to better manage the war and to rationalize the expenses incurred due to corruption. Formally, the changes do not appear to be linked to the demands and denunciations of Prigozhin and Navalny, both whom have died in traumatic circumstances; the former in August 2023 in an aviation accident and the latter, in February 2024, in a remote maximum-security prison.

Putin has indicated on various occasions that he dislikes being pressured and presents his decisions as sovereign acts unrelated to the complaints he receives. The formation of the new Russian government, after taking office as president for a fifth term, has given him the opportunity to make changes as part of an institutional procedure. On May 12, Shoigu, who had been in charge of the defense portfolio since 2012, was transferred to assume the role of secretary of the Russian Security Council. In parallel, there have been dismissals of a different nature in the ministry. Timur Ivanov, deputy defense minister since 2016 and responsible for the ministrys construction activities, was arrested at the end of April on suspicion of accepting bribes. Lieutenant-General Yuri Kuznetsov, head of the personnel section since May 2023, who has also been accused of corruption linked to the ministrys construction activities, was dismissed.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), led by Navalny, had conducted investigations into Shoigu and Ivanov. As early as August 2013, a documentary produced by the organization claimed the then-defense minister owned a plot of land in a luxurious area on the outskirts of Moscow valued at over $5 million based on the exchange rate at the time. Subsequently, investigators published images of the ministers ostentatious residence, an architectural ensemble with a mansion stylized like a pagoda from his home region of Tuva (on the border with Mongolia). The land on which it was built had been officially acquired by Shoigus daughter Ksenia in 2009, when she was an 18-year-old student and her father was still serving as Minister of Emergency Situations.

As for Ivanov, the FBK exposed the alleged squandering of his family, which, according to its investigations, had been summering on the French Riviera since 2010 where it rented a huge villa, costing $130,000 a month in 2013. The deputy ministers family also owned two Rolls-Royces, one in France and one in Moscow, and a 19th-century mansion in the center of the Russian capital that was owned by a company registered in the name of the familys chauffeur, according to the FBK investigation. In addition, according to the publication Proyect, the Ivanovs also owned a 1,600-square-meter mansion in an elite residential area near Moscow. Neither Shoigus nor Ivanovs salaries were sufficient to justify the property purchases that the FBK and Proyect investigations attributed to them. According to the Dossier Center, which tracks alleged criminal activity among people associated with the Kremlin, the companies supervised by Ivanov were profiting by inflating the expenses for the reconstruction of the city of Mariupol and other occupied localities in Ukraine.

Unlike Navalny, who was against the invasion of Ukraine, Prigozhin aspired to perfect the Russian assault and sometimes openly accused Shoigu of withholding ammunition for the Wagner groups soldiers. Now listen to me, bitches, these are somebodys fathers and somebodys sons [...] We have a 70% ammunition shortage. Shoigu, Gerasimov, where the fuck is the ammunition? shouted Prigozhin in a video recorded against a backdrop of a landscape littered with Wagner corpses in May 2023. The chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, remains in his post. However, on Tuesday the Tass news agency reported the arrest of General Ivan Popov, the popular former head of the Russian 58th Army, who in 2023 clashed with Gerasimov over his handling of the war and is now accused of large-scale fraud.

Prigozhin led a rebellion against the Defense Ministry on June 23, 2023, but called off the march of his men on Moscow and struck a deal with Putin, even though the Russian president accused him of treason. The episode served to highlight the dissatisfaction that existed at the time in military circles over Shoigus management. Two months later, Prigozhin perished when the plane in which he was traveling exploded in mid-air over Tver province.

Putin had a close relationship with Shoigu, with whom he often traveled through the beautiful and lonely landscapes of Tuva, where photo reports showed the president and the minister fishing, camping, or walking through the forests. Given their personal relationship, Putins own image could have been damaged if he had dismissed Shoigu without offering a compensation position. The role of secretary of the Security Council is important, but it is removed from the day-to-day management of state affairs. Putins reputation would have taken a hit if the minister had been arrested or accused of corruption, as this could have created insecurity for other people in his inner circle. Removing a friend from office while still protecting him and punishing his subordinates and bureaucratic officials seems a less risky formula for trying to make the Defense Ministry more effective. Putins actions indicate that he knows how to wait to do things his way, how he wants, and when he wants.

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Russia has launched a counterspace weapon into orbit capable of attacking a nearby U.S. government satellite, Washington officials said earlier this week.

"On May 16, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that the United States assesses is likely a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit," Robert Wood, the U.S. alternative representative for Special Political Affairs at the U.N., said on May 20.

Wood described the move as "troubling." Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder separately said on May 21 that the U.S. was monitoring the situation and had a "responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain."

The development comes amid increasing concerns about the potential for space-based weapons and warfare. Washington and Moscow have increasingly clashed in recent weeks over the issue, accusing each other of trying to militarize space.

The Kremlin has not commented on the latest U.S. claims.

Last month, Russia vetoed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) aimed at preventing a nuclear arms race in outer space.

The draft vote was proposed by Japan and the U.S. and called on all states to uphold the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which obligates nations "not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction."

Thirteen of the UNSC's members voted in favor, while Russia voted against. China abstained.

Read also: WSJ: Russia tested space-based anti-satellite weapon with potential nuclear capabilities in 2022

Earlier this month, it was reported that Russia tested a space-based anti-satellite weapon with potential nuclear capabilities in 2022.

U.S. officials said that Russia had launched a satellite into space in February 2022 to test components for a potential anti-satellite weapon that would carry a nuclear device. However, the satellite that was launched does not carry a nuclear weapon, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

The U.S. House Intelligence Committee warned in February of a "serious" but unspecified security threat from Russia. Reports then followed that the threat relates to Russia's desire to "put a nuclear weapon into space."

U.S. President Joe Biden later said that Moscow was indeed developing an anti-satellite space weapon, but it did not endanger people on Earth. He added that there had not yet been a decision to launch the weapon into space.

The Russian satellite, named the Cosmos-2553, was launched in February 2022 and has been orbiting Earth since then, operating as a platform to test "nonnuclear components of the new weapon system," officials told the WSJ.

Russian officials have claimed that the Cosmos-2553 is "intended for scientific research," which the U.S. officials say is unlikely. The Kremlin has previously denied that it has any intention to put nuclear weapons in space.

If Cosmos-2553 or a similar satellite were equipped with nuclear weapons, it could destroy hundreds of satellites in low orbit with a blast.

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Russia Is Threatening to Expand Its Borders AgainThis Time in the Baltic Sea

Russias Defense Ministry has unilaterally moved to revise the borders of Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea, drafting a government decree on the expansion without even bothering to notify NATO members Finland and Lithuania.

In reaction to the surprised responses of the Baltic Sea states, the Kremlin on Wednesday issued a statement that seems bound only to make matters worse. Insisting that theres nothing political about the proposed border change, Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in the same breath that the political situation has in fact changed significantly since the borders were drawn.

You see how tensions are escalating, what the level of confrontation is, especially in the Baltic region. This requires our agencies to take corresponding steps to ensure security, he told reporters, using language that sounds awfully similar to Putins oft-repeated claim that invading Ukraine was necessary for security against NATO.

Shortly after his comments, as more and more Western leaders reacted to the news with alarm, the draft decree was suddenly deleted.

The state border of the Russian Federation at sea will change, read the now-deleted draft decree, which was published on a government portal Tuesday. The decree would take effect in January 2025 if approved.

The Defense Ministry argued that the 1985 measurement used to determine borders relied on outdated charts and thus must be invalidated. The border around Russian islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and around Kaliningrad would then be adjusted, though the decree provided no specifics on what the adjustment would entail.

The move apparently came as a shock to Lithuania and Finland.

Russia has not been in contact with Finland in the matter, Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote on X, adding that the political leadership is monitoring the situation closely.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged Russia to stick to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and stop causing confusion.

This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in comments to the TT news agency, bluntly said: Russia cant unilaterally decide on new borders.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has left the annual Spring Storm military exercises showcasing NATO cooperation.

Yet, other types of warfare were on her mind.

Estonia, which borders Russia, has seen a rise in sabotage, electronic warfare and spying  all allegedly provoked by Moscow.

As the war in Ukraine looks like it is turning in Russias favour, defences are being bolstered in the front-line nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland.

Flying away from the exercise on 16 May, Kallas said Russia is carrying out a shadow war against the West.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and British Ambassador to Estonia Ross Allen, left, fly back together from NATO exercises in southern Estonia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. - AP

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged vigilance, saying Tuesday he had information that acts of sabotage can happen again.

"Reports of Russia's intent to unilaterally redraw maritime borders in the Baltic Sea is a provocation aimed at escalation," he wrote on X.

"We are closely monitoring [the] situation together with our NATO allies."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at least nine people were recently arrested on suspicion of beatings and arson, allegedly directed by Russias secret services.

Not everyone sees the attacks as interconnected, Kallas told The Associated Press, despite NATO's assertion this month that Moscow is intensifying its campaign against the alliance. Russia denies the allegation.

Amid sanctions against several Russian intelligence operatives, Western officials and experts say the Kremlin is shifting tactics  non-military strategies including cyberattacks, election interference and disinformation, and attacks on foes of President Vladimir Putin.

With crucial elections in the West, officials say they believe the tempo of such activities will only increase, and some want tougher countermeasures.

Estonia has taken the challenge of finding Russian agents of influence very seriously since gaining independence from the USSR in 1991, rebuilding its security services from scratch, US Ambassador George Kent told AP.

This year in Estonia, a university professor was arrested on charges of spying for Moscow.

Thirteen people were arrested over attacks allegedly organised by Russian military intelligence operating under diplomatic cover. Flights between Finland and the city of Tartu were disrupted by Russian jamming of GPS signals.

What I would like to see is the recognition that these are not isolated events," Kallas told AP. "Second, that we share information about this amongst ourselves. Third, make it as public as we can.

Estonia has a reputation for aggressively pursuing espionage activity and publicising it, consistently seizing more Russian agents per capita in the country of 1.3 million than other European nations.

It is not very plausible that there's such a large pool of agents in Estonia that makes them easier to catch, said Kusti Salm, permanent secretary at Estonias Defence Ministry, in an interview with AP.

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves told the US news agency that some nations don't act because they hope to do business with Russia again.

People are afraid of decisive action, and the absence of decisive action basically tempts bad actors to keep pushing their luck," added Ilves.

That could lead to unintended deaths and injuries, Estonian officials and security experts say, citing a trend of Russia is outsourcing attacks to locals, sometimes recruited relatively cheaply. That makes it harder to identify connections between attacks or to trace them back to Russia.

Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev, who exposed Russian intelligence involvement in poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal in 2018 in Britain, and the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020, were victims of such outsourcing.

A former Austrian intelligence officer was arrested in March for supplying Grozevs address to Russian intelligence, which allegedly hired burglars to break into the journalist's apartment in 2022.

Although Russia has been blamed for attacks in Europe for decades, Estonian officials and security experts indicated there's no collective mechanism for dealing with them, and suggested the EU do more.

Kallas says Russia uses spies in the guise of diplomats all the time, and senior Estonian officials support a Czech initiative limiting visas for Russian envoys to the country where they are posted.

Estonia also is pushing for separate sanctions within the EU to counter hybrid threats.

Although many Russian intelligence agents are already sanctioned, these could dissuade some intermediaries - local organised crime figures, disillusioned youth and potential spies and collaborators - from working for Moscow, said Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of Estonias Foreign Ministry.

While some countries feel such exposure could cause instability and erode trust, Grozev called it an important deterrent.

Russian intelligence agents running operations abroad are extremely averse to incidents where they are named and shamed, Grozev said. Such individuals can be denied promotion, and proxies will realise they cannot be guaranteed immunity, he said.

The threat of sanctions and reduced opportunities for travel and study abroad can also help discourage younger Russians from joining security services.

Russia seeks to sow fear and break Western support for Kyiv, Kallas said.
Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas speaks to Brig. Charles Harris, left, commander of British forces in Estonia, and Ross Allen, British ambassador to Estonia, at an undisclosed location in Estonia during defense exercises this month. (Hendrik Osula / Associated Press)

Perched on the open ramp at the rear of a British Chinook helicopter, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas flew home from the annual Spring Storm military exercises, pleased to see NATO allies cooperating. But she later said that other types of warfare were on her mind.

Her nation, which borders Russia, has seen a rise in sabotage, electronic warfare and spying  all blamed on Moscow.

As the war in Ukraine turns in Russias favor, defenses are being bolstered in the front-line nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland.

Kallas says Russia is conducting a shadow war against the West.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged vigilance, saying Tuesday he had information that acts of sabotage can happen again.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at least nine people were recently arrested on suspicion of beatings and arson, allegedly directed by Russias secret services, and described them as Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish nationals, some from the criminal world.

Not everyone sees the attacks as interconnected, Kallas told the Associated Press, despite NATO's assertion this month that Moscow is intensifying its campaign against the alliance from the Baltics to Britain. Russia dismissed that allegation.

Because many Russian intelligence operatives already are sanctioned, Western officials and experts say the Kremlin is shifting tactics, hiring others for hybrid operations  nonmilitary strategies including cyberattacks, election interference and disinformation, and attacks on foes of President Vladimir Putin.

Read more: Nerve agents, poison, window falls: Many Kremlin foes have been attacked or killed

With crucial elections in the West, officials say they believe the tempo of such activities will only increase, and some want tougher countermeasures.

Kallas cited a warning from an intelligence agency to a European country that one of its warehouses was targeted by Russian military intelligence. When a fire occurred at the warehouse two weeks later, officials in the country suggested that we don't know it is the Russians, she said. Kallas did not identify the country.

The West must have a serious discussion of a coordinated approach," she said. How far do we let them go on our soil?

Estonia has taken the challenge of finding Russian agents of influence very seriously since regaining independence from the USSR in 1991, rebuilding its security services from scratch, U.S. Ambassador George Kent told AP.

This year in Estonia, a university professor was arrested on charges of spying for Moscow, 13 people were arrested over attacks allegedly organized by Russian military intelligence operating under diplomatic cover, and flights between Finland and the Estonian city of Tartu were disrupted by Russian jamming of GPS signals.

In October, a Baltic Sea gas pipeline and telecom cables were damaged after a Chinese ship dragged its anchor for more than 115 miles in an incident that is still under investigation. That ship was later seen in a Russian port.

Britain expelled Russia's defense attache in May after two British men were accused of working with Russian intelligence services to set fire to a London warehouse. In April, two German Russian nationals were arrested and accused of trying to attack military sites in southern Germany.

What I would like to see is the recognition that these are not isolated events," Kallas said. "Second, that we share information about this amongst ourselves. Third, make it as public as we can.

Estonia, a nation of 1.3 million people, has a reputation for aggressively pursuing espionage activity and publicizing it, seizing more Russian agents per capita than other European nations.

It is not very plausible that there's such a large pool of agents in Estonia that makes them easier to catch, said Kusti Salm, permanent secretary at Estonias Defense Ministry, in an interview with AP, implying that other countries could work harder at it.

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in office from 2006 to 2016, said that some nations don't act because they hope to do business with Russia again.

People are afraid of decisive action, and the absence of decisive action basically tempts bad actors to keep pushing their luck," added Ilves, who dealt with a major cyberattack blamed on Russia in 2007.

Russian officials, he said, will push their luck until something bad happens, but they wont pay the consequence. We will.

That could lead to unintended deaths and injuries, Estonian officials and security experts say, citing a trend of Russia outsourcing attacks to locals, sometimes recruited cheaply on video-gaming platforms and social media. That makes it harder to identify connections between attacks or to trace them back to Russia.

Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev, who exposed Russian intelligence involvement in the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in 2018 in Britain and the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020, was a victim of such outsourcing.

Read more: Putin rival Alexei Navalny dies in prison, Russian authorities say

A former Austrian intelligence officer was arrested in March for supplying Grozevs address to Russian intelligence, which allegedly hired burglars to break into the journalist's apartment in 2022 to steal a laptop connected to the Navalny investigation. Grozev had to move from Vienna last year after authorities said they couldn't guarantee his security.

Grozev said his son was in his room playing computer games when the 2022 break-in occurred, adding: "Imagine if he had walked out.

He and other journalists discovered links between an attack on a Russian opposition figure in Argentina last year and a Polish organized crime cell. When the information was passed to Polish authorities, they found a connection between the Argentina attack and one on Russian opposition figure Leonid Volkov in Lithuania in March. Lithuania's security service said that attack was probably Russian-organized.

Grozev said nations need to enforce intelligence sharing between their own security services and police and prosecutors and create a proactive international working task force to combat foreign influence operations.

Although Russia has been blamed for attacks in Europe for decades, Estonian officials and security experts indicated there's no collective mechanism for dealing with them, and suggested the European Union do more.

Kallas says Russia uses spies in the guise of diplomats all the time, and senior Estonian officials support a Czech initiative limiting visas for Russian envoys to the country where they are posted.

Read more: Super spy or paper pusher? How Putin's KGB years in East Germany helped shape him

That would make it harder for them to travel in the EU, where IDs aren't needed at the border. It also could reduce the possibility of one nation expelling spies, only to see them return to another and continue working under diplomatic cover.

Estonia also is pushing for separate sanctions within the EU to counter hybrid threats. Although many Russian intelligence agents already are sanctioned, these could dissuade some intermediaries  local organized crime figures, disillusioned youths and potential spies and collaborators from working for Moscow, said Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of Estonias Foreign Ministry.

While some countries feel such exposure could cause instability and erode trust, Grozev called it an important deterrent.

Russian intelligence agents running operations abroad are extremely averse to incidents where they are named and shamed, Grozev said. Such individuals can be denied promotion, and proxies will realize they cannot be guaranteed immunity, he said.

The threat of sanctions and reduced opportunities for travel and study abroad can also help discourage younger Russians from joining the security services.

Russia seeks to sow fear and break Western support for Ukraine, Kallas said.

Vseviov said Putin wants to use every tool available, including the shadowy attacks, to undermine our unity, collapse our policy and destroy the collective West, as we know it, as a functioning body."

Burrows writes for the Associated Press. AP journalists Monika Scislowska in Warsaw and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen contributed to this report.





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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured at least 19 over the past day, regional authorities said on May 22.

Russia targeted a total of 10 Ukrainian oblasts  Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Casualties were reported in the latter four regions.

A Russian missile strike on the village of Rih in the Pokrovsk district in Donetsk Oblast killed a 52-year-old man and his 46-year-old wife, the Prosecutor General's Office said. The couple's 10-year-old son reportedly sustained a blast injury.

The explosion also injured a 24-year-old man who lived in a neighboring house, the prosecutors said. Three households and a gas pipeline were reportedly damaged.

Russian troops also attacked the town of Toretsk in the morning, killing a 26-year-old man, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

The aftermath of Russia's attack on the village of Rih in Donetsk Oblast on May 21, 2024. (Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office)

In Kharkiv Oblast, at least seven people  a 28-year-old man and women aged 22, 41, 42, 55, 65, and 77  suffered injuries after Russian forces attacked downtown Chuhuiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A kindergarten was reportedly damaged.

Russian shelling of the village of Hoptivka injured a woman on May 21, the governor said.

One person was injured in Sumy Oblast after Moscow's forces struck the production infrastructure in the town of Konotop, the local authorities said.

Russian forces reportedly fired at the border settlements in the region over 30 times, and at least 201 explosions were recorded over the past day.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks damaged six high-rise buildings, seven houses, cars, a cell tower, an agricultural enterprise, and a gas pipeline, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

A total of eight people, including a child, were injured over the past day, he added.

Read also: They fled from Russian bombs near Kharkiv. What awaits them now?

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Russian forces attacked 11 communities in Sumy Oblast, injuring one person, and causing damage to energy infrastructure, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Konotop, Znob-Novhorodske, Myropillia, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, and Shalyhyne were targeted.

In the town of Konotop, one person was injured as a result of a Russian missile strike on industrial infrastructure. No details were provided on the extent of the victim's injuries.

Russian drone attacks in the early hours of May 22 also damaged energy infrastructure in the communities of Shostka and Konotop, interrupting power supply to residents. Restoration crews are currently on-scene to assess the damage caused by the Russian strikes.

Throughout the day on May 21, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, drone and missile attacks. Explosives were also dropped by drones onto a community.

In total, 201 explosions were recorded in 34 separate attacks on the region.

Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered increased evacuations from the region.

The town of Velyka Pysarivka, with a pre-war population of about 4,000 residents, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 55 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located just 3 kilometers west of the Ukraine-Russia border.

Given the town's proximity to Russia, Velyka Pysarivka has become a main target of attack for Russia over recent months. Much of the community's infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian attacks.

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on May 14 he expects Russia to launch a new attack in Sumy Oblast once the situation in Kharkiv Oblast stabalized, the New York Times reported.

Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day.

Read also: Border Guard: Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast cant be ruled out

















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Two people have been killed and two more, including a child, injured in a Russian missile attack on the outskirts of the town of Pokrovsk (Donetsk Oblast).

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook

Quote: "Russian forces launched a missile attack on the territory of the village of Rih in Pokrovsk at 23:00 on 21 May. The yard of a house where a family lived was struck. A man, 52, and his wife, 46, sustained fatal injuries. The couple's son, 10, sustained a mine-blast injury."

The aftermath of the Russian strikes on the outskirts of Pokrovsk

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: In addition, a 24-year-old resident of a neighbouring house was injured. The survivors were hospitalised.

The aftermath of the Russian strikes on the outskirts of Pokrovsk

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

The explosion damaged three households and a gas pipeline.

Early reports indicated that Russian forces had fired an Iskander missile on the settlement.

The aftermath of the Russian strikes on the outskirts of Pokrovsk

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

The prosecutor's office has launched a criminal investigation into the incident under Article 438.2 (violation of the laws and customs of war) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The aftermath of the Russian strikes on the outskirts of Pokrovsk

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

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By Guy Faulconbridge and Stine Jacobsen

MOSCOW/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -A Russian defence ministry proposal to revise Russia's maritime border in the eastern Baltic Sea was deleted on Wednesday from an official portal after creating confusion and concern among NATO members such as Finland, Sweden, Lithuania and Estonia.

In its official submission, the defence ministry said that a Soviet measurement of the border from 1985 had used mid-20th century nautical charts, and so did not fully correspond to more modern cartographical coordinates.

But that proposal was deleted on Wednesday from the official portal where it had been posted.

A message said simply: "The draft is deleted."

It gave no explanation. The defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

It was not immediately clear from the original draft decree exactly how the border might be adjusted and whether or not there had been any consultation with other states adjoining the Baltic Sea.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told the TT news agency: "Russia can't unilaterally decide on new borders."

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Russia had not been in touch, adding: "Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts."

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the proposal an "obvious escalation" against the U.S.-led NATO military alliance and the European Union. He said it "must be met with an appropriately firm response".

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "At first glance, it seems to be an absurd notion."

In an emailed comment to Reuters, he added: "It cannot be ruled out that the report is an attempt to sow confusion."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Fatime Letifova

The Azerbaijan Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with the delegation led by the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Army General Selcuk Bayraktaro?lu, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Before the meeting, the Turkish delegation visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, in the Alley of Honour, as well as the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) and Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery. The guests laid wreaths and flowers and honoured their blessed memory.

The Minister of Defence, Colonel General Z. Hasanov, received the Turkish delegation. The Defence Minister welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Minister noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are based on friendly and fraternal relations. He spoke about the positive results of the reforms held in the Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev.

Army General S. Bayraktaro?lu expressed his gratitude for the hospitality shown. He emphasised that such meetings are important for the development of military cooperation between the two fraternal countries.

The meeting also discussed the development prospects of cooperation in the military, the military-technical field, and regional security issues.

Then the Turkish delegation met with the First Deputy Minister of Defence  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, and the Advisor to the Minister of Defence, Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay.

The meetings at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army expressed satisfaction with the current state of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation based on mutual trust and support.

During the official visit, the Turkish guests visited the headquarters of the Land Forces. A welcome ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Land Forces. The visitors passed along the guard of honour. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye were played, and the Book of Honour was signed in accordance with the protocol.

The Deputy Minister of Defence  Commander of the Land Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev, met with the Turkish delegation.

At the meeting, the importance of conducting joint military exercises for the purpose of increasing the professionalism of the servicemen from both fraternal countries, as well as exchanging mutual experience, was emphasised, and detailed views were exchanged on a range of other issues.
The Incas not only saw the kind of constellations that we see, they also saw dark constellations in the black spots of the Milky Way, says Professor Dr. Steven Gulberg, an astronomer at the University of Oklahoma noted for his studies of astronomical alignments at various Inca archaeological sites in the Andes.

Those dark constellations consist of several giant clouds of interstellar dust and gas blocking light in the center of the galaxy, which can only be seen from the southern hemisphere of the planet. Gulberg recalls how, on one of his expeditions, his Peruvian colleague Carlos Aranibar Huaman used a green laser to point out each constellation, telling its story.

The procession begins with Machacuay, the serpent, Gulberg recounts. It is followed by Hanpatu, the toad, and Yutu, the partridge. The most important constellation is Yacana, which consists of two llamas, a mother with her young. At the end of the procession of stars is Michiq, a shepherd who protects the two llamas from Atoq, a fox. The U.S. astronomer admits that, despite having completed a PhD, he had never heard of the dark constellations and that learning their history in the Andes was one of the most special experiences of his life.

For thousands of years, the study of the cosmos has been an integral part of how humans seek to understand the order of their lives and the world. In pre-Hispanic Latin America, observations of the universe allowed different groups to predict climatic changes, develop accurate calendars, and were a source of philosophical, religious, and mythological inspiration.

The zenithal sun shining on the altar of the inner chamber of a cave southeast of Lacco in Peru. Dr. Steven Gulberg

Cerritos de Indios

The Incas were not the only civilization to see dark constellations in the Milky Way. Some indigenous groups in Uruguay and southern Brazil saw in these starry spots a rhea, the largest flightless bird on the continent. Today, in this area, there are about 3,000 artificial mounds, known as cerritos de indios.

These are found on plains in humid areas in the south of the continent, which are easily flooded. These hills allowed their builders to protect their dwellings and crops and even provided a place to bury their dead. In them, archaeologists have found human and domestic animal remains, the oldest dating back 5,000 years. These mounds are one of the first human constructions dedicated to astronomical observation in South America.

What is most striking is that they do not appear scattered any old how, but in groups, explains Professor Cesar Gonzalez-Garcia, an astronomer at the Institute of Heritage Sciences in Spain, who has studied the relationship of the Indigenous mounds in South America with the cosmos. They are often in groups of 15 or 20 mounds, lined up one after the other.

Gonzalez-Garcia explains that one of the things that caught the researchers attention is that, when you stood on top of the mounds, you always saw one of them cutting into the horizon, which led them to wonder whether these artificial mounds might have something to do with the sky.

To answer the question, an interdisciplinary group visited several hills in Uruguay, where they took measurements and found that almost all of them are looking in the same orientation, says Gonzalez-Garcia. This suggests that their orientation is not fortuitous, but based on a systematic pattern.

The team found that the cerritos were aligned with the rising of the new moon, before and after the winter solstice, and with the dark constellations of the Milky Way, where the figure of the rhea is seen. Ethnographic research with Indigenous groups in the region such as the Moqoit or the Tob in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay confirmed the cultural importance of the rhea.

According to Gonzalez-Garcia, the mounds helped observers to determine certain climatic and animal migration cycles, which allowed these groups to manage time and space thousands of years ago.

Astronomer Cesar Gonzalez-Garcia taking measurements in the plains of Uruguay. Gonzalez-Garcia

Solar Observatories in Mesoamerica

Practically in all Mesoamerican peoples we are going to find day counters that see the stars and see the sun, says Professor Ruben Bernardo Morante Lopez of the Universidad Veracruzana, who has been studying pre-Hispanic astronomy in Central America for four decades. For example, the Maya used two 365-day solar calendars, and could even predict eclipses hundreds of years before they occurred.

The Mexican anthropologist explains that these peoples studied the movements of the celestial bodies in order to accurately predict the best times for planting, the rainy seasons, and various ritual aspects.

To develop some of their observations, several groups built subterranean solar observatories. Morante has studied more than 20 observatories throughout Mesoamerica, at archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Monte Alban, Teotihuacan, and Tajin. One of the most important is located in Xochicalco, a Mayan city built around the year 700 A.D. This solar observatory is similar to the telescope used by Galileo Galilei in 1612 to view sunspots, but instead of using lenses to magnify the image of the sun, it uses a disk with five holes and a chimney to project it onto the ground.

When it had the disk at the top, the observatory projected sunlight onto the dome for 105 days, from April 29 to August 13. The light passed through one of the small circles on the first day and more appeared gradually. On only two days of the year, May 14 and July 29, did all five circles appear reflecting sunlight. On the last day, only the opposite circle was projected and, for the rest of the year, the cavern remained in darkness (assuming the disk was placed at the top). Every four years, on April 29, no sunlight was projected onto the vault, which meant that the system automatically added a day to the calendar in leap years.

With the arrival of the conquistadors and the Spanish Inquisition, much of this knowledge was lost. The first people they are going to persecute are the leaders, those who are spreading the cult of the ancient gods, explains the Mexican anthropologist. According to Morante, the Spaniards had no interest or the ability to understand Indigenous agriculture, which was regulated by calendars and astronomical observations.

However, this knowledge did not disappear. Several chroniclers sought to document pre-Hispanic knowledge and beliefs. Evidence of their observations exists in archaeological sites and in Indigenous communities throughout the continent. The lives of the various pre-Hispanic Indigenous groups extended to the horizon and the universe. Studying their way of seeing the cosmos allows us to understand the past beyond physical constructions, historical chronicles, or material remains.

For example, in the Andes, the beginning of the planting season in June coincides with the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster in the sky. According to La extirpacion de la idolatria en el Peru (The extirpation of idolatry in Peru), written by the Jesuit Jose de Arriaga in 1621, when the seven sisters appear clear and cloudless in the sixth month of the year, the Incas predicted that it would be a bad year for crops in the empire. However, when Oncoy, the name they gave to this constellation, appeared blurred and surrounded by clouds, it was interpreted as a propitious moment to start cultivating. Climatological and astronomical research has confirmed that there is a relationship between how these stars appear in the sky and the El Nino phenomenon, which reduces rainfall and increases the possibility of drought in the Andes.

Hundreds of years earlier the Incas had found, through the observation of the stars, a way to predict the change of temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and anticipate its effects in the Andes. Today, rural Quechua and Aymara communities continue to use this method of observation.
(Bloomberg) -- Russia launched an overnight drone strike on the northeastern Ukrainian Sumy region, where authorities in Kyiv have braced for a potential new front in the war.

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The attack, which damaged energy facilities and triggered blackouts in the city of Sumy, was carried out northwest of Kharkiv, where Kremlin troops opened a fresh front this month to put pressure on Ukraines increasingly fragile defenses. The power supply was partially restored by early Wednesday, the utility and local regional authority said.

As Ukraines military dispatches troops to Kharkiv to stave off the Russian advance, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also warned of Russian activity in the neighboring regions of Sumy and Chernihiv, including shelling and sabotage operations. Ukraines military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said earlier this month that Moscow was stationing units along the border near Sumy.

Ukrainian forces grappling with a shortage of ammunition and manpower after a months-long delay of new US materiel are trying to hold off Russias momentum. Authorities have said the Kremlin is seeking to draw off Ukrainian troops from other parts of the front line  though havent amassed enough to mount an assault to take Kharkiv, Ukraines No. 2 city.

Russia has increased attacks this year on thermal and hydro power plants with missile and drone barrages, destroying about half of Ukraines energy system. Thats forced Kyiv to import electricity from the European Union and implement scheduled power cuts to balance the system.

The shortage of electricity nationwide will continue in the coming months, and at times emergency imports from the EU wont be enough to overcome the generation shortfall, Ukrenergo Chief Executive Officer Volodymyr Kudrytski said in televised remarks late Tuesday. Power companies now need to focus preparations for the next heating season, he said.

Energy infrastructure was damaged in the towns of Shostka and Konotop in the Sumy region, according to statements by the grid operator Ukrenergo and the Sumy regional military administration on Telegram. Konotop is about 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of Kyiv.

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One person was killed as a result of a Russian attack on the city of Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast on the morning of 22 May.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Filashkin: "One person was killed in an attack on Toretsk. The Russians attacked the city this morning, killing a 26-year-old man."

Details: The head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration urged residents of the Donetsk Oblast not to risk their lives and evacuate.

Background:

Two people were killed, and two others, including a child, were injured as a result of a Russian missile attack on the outskirts of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, on the evening of 21 May.

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The Russians have struck the village of Pivnichne in the Toretsk hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.], injuring three people.

Source: report by the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "On 22 May 2024 at 11:50, the Russian troops launched an airstrike on the village of Pivnichne near the city of Toretsk. They targeted the private sector. As a result, two men aged 50 and 68, as well as a woman aged 75 received injuries of various degrees of severity.

They were hospitalised with shrapnel wounds, mine-blast injuries and craniocerebral injuries."

Details: The Prosecutors Office added that the Russians likely used a guided aerial bomb for the strike.

Background: On 22 May the Russians struck a residential area in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city of Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs, injuring nine people.

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Oklahoma schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said Wednesday he's changing the rules on public comment at Oklahoma State Board of Education meetings.

Interest in the meeting, relatively low in previous years, has soared since the election of Walters in 2022.

Walters, a Republican, has had a controversial year and a half in office, criticizing school districts across the state for their academic performance, accusing some of them for going too far in teaching about diversity, equity and inclusion, and faulting others for failing to keep books with what he deems to be inappropriate content out of their libraries.

Monthly board meetings have been held in a room too small to accommodate those wishing to attend, and media members are required to RSVP to ensure a seat. Requests for a change in the meeting location have been ignored, and lines often form hours before meetings are scheduled to start. Since November, public comment has been limited to the first 10 people who put their names on a signup sheet.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an April 25 Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting at the Oklahoma Capitol.

Ryan Walters' critics have frequently arrived night before board meetings

In recent months, critics of Walters have taken to arriving the night before the meeting, well before his supporters, and the critics have dominated that portion of the meeting. In April, Walters moved public comments to near the end of the meeting, essentially forcing those who signed up to speak to wait through hours of presentations and policy discussions.

Now Walters has gone a step further, inserting a special notice into the agenda for Wednesday's May meeting that reads: "Speakers for public comments will be chosen at random and limited in number. Unless necessary for healthcare, childcare, or ADA purposes backpacks, purses, and similar items are not permitted in the State Department of Education building for Board meetings."

More: Walters' administrative rules proposals passed their first legislative hurdle. What's next

In a separate portion of the agenda, there's a boilerplate statement that's often ignored and has not been enforced in recent memory: "For all public comments, in the Board Chairmans sole discretion, the time limit may be extended. Further, the Board Chairman may interrupt and/or terminate any presentation during public comment ... The Board Chairman reserves and retains the right to interrupt, terminate, or postpone public comment as necessary to effectuate the management of the public meeting."

One organization that frequently attends board meetings is the Human Rights Campaign.

Cathryn Oakley, the group's senior director for legal policy, said the action was one of "bullies."

Ryan Walters pledged never to back down  so why is he throwing out usual procedure for public comment at state Board of Education meetings and instead hand-selecting the public testimony he wants to hear?" Oakley asked.

"His so-called commitment to transparency is as flimsy as his courage  because bullies hate to be held accountable. Walters is yet again demonstrating his abject failure to serve the needs of Oklahoma students and is yet again putting his own ego and political ambition ahead of the basics of doing his job. Walters needs to explain to Oklahomans why he doesnt believe he needs to hear their concerns.

Dan Isett, Walters' chief spokesperson, said the changes were made to "ensure public accessibility." He provided a statement from Walters saying, For months, we have seen organized activists attempt to monopolize the publics access to our open meetings. That ends today.

More: Why a Moore student wants a protective order against state Superintendent Ryan Walters

Isett said that in order for all to have "an equal opportunity to have their voices heard," a signup sheet for public comment would be made at 8:15 a.m. on meeting days and 9:25 a.m.  five minutes before the meeting's scheduled start. He said no limit would be placed on how many could sign up, and a computer "randomizer" would choose 10 people from the list to speak.

The release also noted the ban on backpacks, purses and similar items was "to help ensure the safety of all present." What safety issues there have been at board meetings in recent months is unclear, as multiple Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who provide security at the meetings have not inspected backpacks carried by media members for at least the past eight months.

However, at the board's April meeting, six patrol troopers did arrest, handcuff and remove from the room an Oklahoma City woman, Audra Beasley, leaving members of the audience to attend to her children. She had refused to leave the podium after her speaking time had elapsed. Beasley, who long has advocated for adult changing tables to be installed in public buildings, was not violent, but had slammed a small plastic folding table onto the glass-covered board table while addressing the board.

Audra Beasley yells at state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters before being arrested April 25 during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting.

A spokesman for the Oklahoma attorney general's office said it appeared Walters' meeting restrictions were "allowable under law" because the board meetings did not require public comment. Oklahoma State University professor Joey Senat, a specialist in media law and open government, said it appeared the rules were consistent with the spirit of "open meetings," since speakers would be chosen randomly and not hand-picked by the board or agency. He added, however, that failing to hold meetings in a room large enough to accommodate those wishing to attend, was contrary to that spirt.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters sets new public comment rules for education board meetings
San Antonio experimented with giving people $5,108, no strings attached. They spent it on housing and school supplies for their kids.

San Antonio gave 1,000 low-income residents $5,108 in a guaranteed basic-income pilot. They used the money to pay for housing and other necessities. Adam Jones/Getty Images

San Antonio's basic-income pilot helped low-income families afford housing and other necessities.

Participants received a total of $5,108 in no-strings payments over 25 months.

Texas is a key state for income pilots, with programs also launching in Austin and Harris County.

When Monique Gonzalez received her money from the San Antonio guaranteed basic-income pilot, she bought school supplies, shoes, and Christmas gifts for her children.

The mother of six said the program allowed her to afford things her family had "put on the back burner" because they didn't have the money. Gonzalez told UpTogether  a national nonprofit that has sponsored a series of GBI programs  that basic income was what she needed to invest in her children's future.

San Antonio is one of several cities nationwide piloting guaranteed basic-income programs. For the most part, the programs offer no-strings-attached cash payments to low-income individuals over a set time period. Participants in cities such as Denver, Austin, Boston, Minneapolis, and Durham, North Carolina, have reported using the money to secure housing, afford transportation, buy groceries, pay off credit-card debt, and drop second jobs. Some programs, like the one in Denver, have been so successful that their funding was extended.

UpTogether oversaw San Antonio's pilot, investing $5,108 in each of the 1,000 individuals participating over a 25-month period. Program participants received an initial $1,908 payment in December 2020, followed by eight quarterly payments of $400 between April 2021 and January 2023. Participants had household incomes that fell below 150% of the federal poverty line  which is $46,800 for a family of four  and many were facing financial hardship because of the pandemic.

Funding for the program came from the city, foundations, and private funders.

UpTogether is running an additional income pilot that will end in December 2024. Twenty-five UpTogether participants, including Gonzalez, are receiving $500 a month for 18 months.

"We have more opportunities to be happy, content, and healthy," Gonzalez said."This helped to eliminate a lot of the stressors we have."

Shafeka Hashash, associate director of Guaranteed Income at the Economic Security Project, told Business Insider in May that pilot programs across the US show guaranteed income is an effective poverty solution.

GBI has been piloted over 100 times since 2019. In contrast to traditional social services like SNAP and rental assistance, basic income allows participants to choose to spend money where they need it most. And, Hashash said trusting families with no-strings cash assistance has far-reaching impacts.

"When you don't have this group of mothers whose babies are born into economic backslide, you inherently have a stronger community," she said. "When families receive a guaranteed income that improves their children's stability in the school system, you inherently have a stronger community."

San Antonio participants felt happier and more supported by basic income

Program leaders in San Antonio surveyed participants throughout their time in the program. Of the 182 participants who responded to a question asking them whether the cash payments had an overall positive impact on their lives, 161 answered affirmatively. Many said the money was critical for their daily survival and allowed them to cover expenses they otherwise couldn't afford.

Ingrid Sullivan, a participant with four children and three grandchildren, told UpTogether that basic income allowed her to secure housing and reliable transportation. She said the program allowed her to gain financial security with dignity and help pay for her family's needs.

"I felt supported for the first time ever," Sullivan said. "I didn't know what it felt like before this."

San Antonio participants also told UpTogether that the GBI payments significantly improved their mental health. Many survey respondents said they experienced chronic stress about money. With some of that financial worry alleviated, participants reported being able to spend more time with their families or in their communities and said they generally enjoyed life more.

For participants with families, many said their extra income went to enrolling their children in after-school and extracurricular activities and supporting their educations.

"I was able to do more at times because I was able to get my bills met," one survey respondent said. "In turn, I had extra money to be able to spend on my children to take them out or get them what they needed or wanted."

The San Antonio pilot also provided program leaders with feedback. In the survey, some participants said future income programs should provide payments monthly instead of quarterly and provide more opportunities for in-person connection with other participants and the community.

Texas is a national leader for income programs, but GBI continues to face opposition

Texas has been a major state for GBI pilots. Austin and Harris County  which includes Houston  have also launched pilot programs that distribute cash payments monthly.

In May 2022, the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot began distributing $1,000 a month for one year to 135 low-income households using funding from the city and philanthropic donations. Austin was the first Texas city to launch a taxpayer-funded guaranteed-income program.

A report from the Urban Institute, a think tank based in Washington, DC, found that Austin GBI participants spent more than half of the money on housing, allowing some to purchase their first homes or more easily afford rent. After the yearlong program, participants also reported being more food secure: From a survey of 51 responses, the number of those unable to afford a balanced meal fell by 17 percent.

Stephanie Hendon was living in a shelter with her four kids while working long hours, but within a year of the program, she was able to rent a three-bedroom apartment, purchase a new car, buy clothes for her children, and get a new job. She said she's become more financially savvy and believes she's on the right path to financial stability while also being able to spend more time with her kids.

However, the program wasn't a major success for every participant. Jessica Nairns said the program helped her advance her career and buy essentials, though she was still unhoused a few months after the program. She said she's grateful for the temporary assistance she received, though she couldn't invest money for the long term or find more secure housing.

Harris County, where about 16% of residents live below the poverty line, will provide participants in its pilot program  which is set to start payments in April  with $500 a month for up to 18 months. Officials are pulling from over $20 million of federal COVID-19 relief to fund the Uplift Harris project, which has been met with some Republican opposition.

Uplift Harris participants were set to receive their first payments on April 24, but the program is under a temporary block after a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Ken Paxton called the program "unconstitutional." The block will remain while the Texas Supreme Court decides if the program can proceed.

South Dakota lawmakers recently introduced a bill to preemptively ban all state and local income programs, which a bill sponsor called a "socialist idea" and "one-way ticket to government dependency." A similar ban has been proposed in Iowa.

In Arizona, GOP leaders are trying to pass another statewide ban. The Republican-led state House approved the GBI ban, and it will soon be taken up by the state Senate. Republicans say they are worried income programs will raise taxes and make people overly dependent on government assistance.

"Is money a birthright now? Do we just get born and get money from the government? Because I think the Founding Fathers would say that is very contrary to our capitalist system and encouraging people to work," John Gillette, a Republican state representative from Arizona, told Business Insider.

Despite legislative resistance, GBI programs continue to be launched in new cities  one focused on new moms in Flint, Michigan began enrolling participants on January 10. Chicago also announced in April that it will relaunch its basic income program.

Even so, program leaders in San Antonio said GBI cash payments are only a step toward combating poverty.

Basic income helped participants in Texas and other states to meet their basic needs, the UpTogether survey report said, but they often can't fix long-term financial challenges. For participants to thrive over time, people also need access to educational opportunities, stable employment, and healthcare.

And, as more cities experiment with GBI, Hashash said the programs provide insight into long-term policy. States like New Mexico and California are already expanding the scope of basic income to the state level. She said flexible funding programs like the American Rescue Plan Act have let states continue testing basic income, and the model has "spread like wildfire."

"It opened the door for states to be able to demonstrate guaranteed income's effectiveness, and for the federal government to take notice," Hashash said.

Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic-income program in San Antonio or elsewhere? Are you willing to share how you're spending your money? Reach out to these reporters at allisonkelly@insider.com and nsheidlower@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SANFORD  Sanford High School Music Director Hailey Francoeur was recently named the 2023-2024 Maine Music Educators Association Outstanding New Music Educator of the Year.

The award recognizes Francoeurs work in revitalizing and expanding the schools instrumental music offerings over the past three years. Under her leadership, the program has grown in student participation and performance opportunities.

Sanford High School Music Director Hailey Francoeur was recently named the 2023-2024 Maine Music Educators Association Outstanding New Music Educator of the Year.

It was a really amazing surprise to receive this award, Francoeur said. Colleagues, current students, and former teachers all wrote letters in support of my nomination, and it meant so much to hear the things they wrote.

Im so lucky to work in a district like Sanford that supports our growing instrumental program and has allowed me to create new opportunities for our students over the last few years. The students are a huge part of the growth and success of the instrumental groups recently. This has really allowed me to reflect on how far our program has come in the last three years.

In addition to Francoeurs award, three Sanford High School musicians  Hannah Paterson, Drake Wilson, and Kaylin Penley  were selected for the MMEA All-State Music Festival. The students spent two days working alongside peers across Maine with a guest conductor, culminating in a performance showcasing their skills.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sanford High School music director honored as outstanding new educator
SARCOXIE, Mo.  A Sarcoxie mom will not go to prison for child endangerment connected to a 2023 Amber Alert.

Earlier this week, Amber Turner, 39, pleaded guilty to second-degree child endangerment. Judge Gayle Crane sentenced Turner to two years of unsupervised probation.

That charge stems from an incident on April 15 of last year.

Turner told Jasper County deputies she allowed her daughter to go with 23-year-old Matthew Honeycutt to pick up a dog 10 minutes away. But when they didnt return three hours later, Turner called the Jasper County sheriff deputies.

Joplin police arrested Honeycutt as he was entering Missouri from Oklahoma on I-44. He pleaded guilty back in January and was also put on probation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Satanic Temple wants to provide chaplains in schools under proposed bill. Lawmakers say it doesn't qualify

A Senate bill would authorize public school districts to welcome faith-based chaplains as hired staff or as volunteers to provide support, services and programs for students and staff.

It may be cliche to say the devil is in the details, but it's a fair assessment when it comes to a chaplains bill making its way through the Oklahoma Legislature.

Authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, with Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, as its House sponsor, the bill would authorize public school districts to welcome faith-based chaplains as hired staff or as volunteers to provide support, services and programs for students and staff.

Representatives of The Satanic Temple said they plan to make their chaplains available to public schools across the state should SB 36 become law, but West and a national school chaplains group say the organization doesn't meet the measure's requirements. The bill was approved by the House in April and must now be considered by the Senate.

West and Johnny Davis, chief development officer for the Norman-based National School Chaplains Association, said they have both heard from Oklahomans who are concerned that The Satanic Temple's Ministers of Satan could potentially become school chaplains.

But, West said proof that this scenario is unlikely is in the details of the bill.

More: Controversial bill allowing chaplains in Oklahoma's public schools advances

He said the bill outlines requirements for chaplains that were modeled after standards for U.S. military chaplains, specifically: Chaplains must obtain a federally recognized ecclesiastical endorsement from their denomination or faith group for employment or volunteer service, certifying that the chaplain is a minister, rabbi, priest, imam, lay leader or similar functionary of the faith group.

The legislator said The Satanic Temple does not have a federally recognized endorsement and therefore does not meet requirements to send its chaplains into Oklahoma schools.

He said SB 36, when compared to other chaplains bills being considered across the country or even those that already have been passed into law, has strong language because it has specific, rather than vague requirements.

Also under the bill, public school chaplains must be qualified morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a chaplain; be sensitive to religious pluralism and be able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all students. Chaplains would be required to have completed or possess a bachelor's degree, completing 120 semester hours, a graduate degree in theological or religious studies, and at least 72 hours in graduate work. Both degrees are required to be from accredited universities. And the bill states that chaplains are prohibited from proselytizing.

West said there are about 10,000 chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces, and none of them are endorsed by The Satanic Temple. Davis, with the National School Chaplains Association, shared similar comments, saying Satanic Temple representatives are more concerned with threatening to insert themselves into school life rather than helping schools and students.

"It will 100% be up to each school board if they want to participate or they don't," West said. "They will be able to set the job description and then they can make the determination if they want to be a volunteer or a hired position."

Lucien Greaves, one of the founders of The Satanic Temple, countered that the National School Chaplains Association is more concerned with selling chaplain certificates than providing adequate support for students. He said he was frustrated that local leaders have not been truthful about his organization's eligibility to take part in the chaplains program outlined in SB 36. He said satanism was officially recognized by the U.S. government when it was included in its Department of the Army Manual for Chaplains.

Greaves said The Satanic Temple is a nontheistic religious organization that emphasizes their affirmative values and ethical framework. He said the organization's detractors view nontheism as a challenge to their own religious status.

No replacing school counselors with chaplains

Addressing Davis' assertion that The Satanic Temple is not concerned with aiding schools, Greaves said it is Davis' organization that is not seriously interested in helping schools because chaplains who lack training and experience in the public school arena will undermine the credible work already being done there.

West said he is aware that SB 36 is being criticized as an effort to replace school counselors with faith-based chaplains.

But, West said that is not the measure's intent.

"Chaplains are specifically trained to do certain things and there's a lot of crossover between what a counselor does and what a chaplain does, but they're not necessarily trained in those same areas," he said.

The legislator said he envisioned participating school districts having chaplains work in conjunction with counselors, becoming more like support for the existing counselors.

More opposition to chaplain bill comes forward

In addition to The Satanic Temple, other organizations voicing opposition to SB 36 include the Oklahoma Faith Network and ACLU-Oklahoma.

Recently, the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition added its name to the list of groups against the bill. The group is a statewide umbrella organization for a dozen local Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalitions across the state.

Sherri Brown, legislative chair of OKPLAC, said the organization's mission is to engage communities in advocacy for policies that support and strengthen Oklahoma public schools, and the chaplain bill is not one of them.

In an email, she outlined her group's main concerns, including the belief that the bill constitutes the state obstructing or interfering with the parental right to direct the moral or religious training of a minor child  a right that is provided in Oklahoma statutes. Brown said that although SB 36 does allow for a parent to opt out of the chaplain program, "this does not cure the issue."

"Many parents will be unaware that their child is in contact with a chaplain and may not know that there is an opt out path," she said. "At the very least, this should be an opt in."

She said her organization also thinks the bill is a threat to the religious liberty of Oklahoma residents. Brown said the families of Oklahoma public school students are diverse in their faith practices or may have no faith tradition.

"Even though the bill prohibits proselytizing, it would be naive to believe that this will not happen," she said. "In reality, that is the reason the nationwide push for chaplains in public schools exists. It seems that the strategy is to leverage the existing school system and government funding to teach Christianity to children."

Brown also said her organization thinks schools will be leaving themselves open to a variety of legal liabilities should SB 36 become law. She asked: If they accept Protestant Christian chaplains, will they also accept Catholic priests, Muslim imams or Jewish rabbis ... and if they don't, will they be charged with violating the Establishment Clause?

Finally, Brown said instead of involving law enforcement as the law requires, church leaders often seem to handle sexual predators internally. Because of this, she said mandated background checks may not catch a chaplain that has demonstrated predator behavior in the past.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lawmaker says Satanic Temple can't provide chaplains under OK bill
SBU suspects notorious musician of war propaganda after he fled to Russia

Yurii Bardash, a Ukraine-born producer and musician who fled to Russia after the outbreak of the full-scale war, is suspected of spreading war propaganda and justifying Moscow's aggression, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on May 22.

Bardash used to be a producer for well-known Ukrainian bands and artists such as Quest Pistols, Griby, Wellboy, and Luna and later pursued a solo career under the stage name Youra.

The musician publicly supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Shortly after the outbreak of the all-out war, Bardash reportedly fled from Ukraine to Georgia and then to Russia. He obtained Russian citizenship in January.

Bardash calls for the seizure of the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv and "regularly" reiterates Russian propaganda narratives on social media and in pro-Kremlin shows on YouTube, according to the SBU.

Bardash is suspected under four articles of Ukraine's Criminal Code, including public calls for a violent change of the constitutional order, distribution of materials calling for changes in Ukraine's borders, war propaganda, and justifying and denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, the SBU said.

If detained and convicted, he might face up to 10 years in prison.

Read also: SBU detains 6 alleged Russian agents accused of aiding deadly strike in Donetsk Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a former U.S. attorney and state attorney general, said no to three bills Tuesday, including one that would have wiped away pending illegal possession of a gun charges.

All three vetoes deal with bills expunging or dismissing charges. All three bill passed the state Legislature earlier this year with veto-proof margins.

The bill dealing with gun charges was meant to clean up an issue that started in March when the state enacted constitutional carry, which authorizes anyone allowed to have weapon to carry it openly without a permit.

The bill, S. 1166, would have dismissed all pending unlawful possession of a handgun that were nullified by the constitutional carry bill.

This is really a fix to bring fairness to the situation, said state Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston, one of the sponsors on the bill.

Tedder said this provision should have been included in the constitutional carry legislation.

Under the constitutional carry law, those with a conviction for unlawful possession could have the charge expunged.

What we didnt account for is people who could be convicted after the governor signed the bill, Tedder said.

Unlawful possession charges that served as probable cause for another offense such as illegal drug possession, arising from the same incident, would not have been dropped, under the bill.

McMaster, in his veto message, said he is opposed to mandatory and blanket dismissals of pending criminal charges.

When the defendants who would benefit from these dismissals committed their alleged crimes, their alleged actions were, in fact, unlawful, McMaster wrote. To be sure, those actions might not be illegal today, but that distinction misses the critical point that such actions were illegal at the time they were committed.

McMaster said he is wary of limiting prosecutor discretion in their cases and the legislation strips a prosecutors ability to make individual determinations.

Every case is unique, and the prosecutors in our state should be permitted to evaluate each case based on the law and the facts, McMaster wrote. Some charges might warrant dismissal; other charges may warrant continued prosecution.

Tedder added only charges for nonviolent possession offenses would have been dismissed. Tedder did not immediately have an estimate of how many cases that would have qualified.

I get that yes, prosecutors have the discretion and they should know when and when not to dismiss charges, and there are a lot of solicitors who have been doing that, but there are some that are still forcing people to plead guilty to that charge, Tedder said.

McMaster also vetoed S. 112, a bill that allows convictions for writing bad checks within a three-year period to expunged. Ten years would have had to pass since the bad checks were written and the defendant can have no other convictions and full restitution has to be paid to qualify for the expungement, under the bill.

McMaster also vetoed H. 4248, a bill to allow for conditional discharges for people, with no previous convictions, who sell alcohol to people underage.

The seller had to plead guilty and pay a fee up to $350 to be used for drug treatment court. A record would be expunged after the defendant successfully completed probation.

I appreciate the laudable goal of helping people secure employment and recognize the challenges that individuals with criminal records face when applying for jobs, McMaster wrote. A person has paid his debt to society and reformed his life deserves the opportunity to work and support his family. An individuals criminal history can  and should  be contextualized and considered in light of the totality of the circumstances, but it should not be erased.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return next month to take up possible veto overrides.
MAHWAH  Ramapo College of New Jersey has received a $650,000 grant as one of four Climate Change Learning Collaborative Centers being established statewide by the New Jersey Department of Education.

The department has also given 34 recipients a total of $1.1 million in grants to underwrite local climate change education projects.

The announcements are the latest in a series of steps being taken by the department since it adopted new standards in 2020 making New Jersey the first state to require schools to incorporate climate change into all subjects of their curriculum.

The Arch at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah

Ramapo College will be responsible for instructing K-12 schools in a seven-county area, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren. Other centers are being established at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Monmouth University in West Long Branch and Stockton University in Galloway Township.

Grants to the four regional centers total $1.9 million.

Climate curricula: Climate change is now part of NJ school curricula. Rutgers shares its resources

Ramapo will establish three regional centers to help oversee its efforts at Bergen County's Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, Morris County's Great Swamp Watershed Association in Morristown and Sussex County's New Jersey School of Conservation in Sandyston.

Teachers will be instructed how to incorporate climate change into lesson plans in science, social studies and also in art, world languages, math and physical education.

Preparing teachers and local education agencies will result in increased student understanding of the most critical issues facing the planet, said Adam Fried, Ramapo's assistant dean for teacher education. Alignment of the plan with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in all content areas will result in an interdisciplinary, real-world approach to the issues resulting from climate change.

Climate studies: When Tammy Murphy pushed to include climate change in K-12 standards, some balked

Grants for Interdisciplinary Learning Units and Community Resilience Projects were awarded to 34 applicants throughout the state, including:

Bergen County : Leonia $31,875, Pascack Valley Regional High School District $31,609, and Ridgewood Village $31,875.

Essex County: Bloomfield Township $31,875, Nutley $31,863.

Morris County : Mount Olive Township $31,719, Morris Unity Charter School $22,960.

Passaic County: Paterson Charter School for Science & Technology $31,875, Ringwood $31,163.

Sussex County: Stillwater Township $27,648.

For more information about Ramapo College and teacher education, visit ramapo.edu/te.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: These NJ school will receive funds to teach climate change
Scrubs producer Eric Weinberg was ordered Tuesday by a Los Angeles judge to stand trial on 28 charges from women he allegedly abused between 2014 and 2019, per multiple media outlets.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo made the decision after several days of preliminary hearings at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, according to Deadline. While a trial date has yet to be determined, the arraignment is set for June 4.

Weinberg was first arrested in July 2022 on suspicion of several sexual assaults, including rape, between 2012 and 2019. He was later released on a $3.2 million bail bond, which was then raised to $5 million and revoked, spurring his rearrest in October 2022.

The veteran writer-producer has been incarcerated at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles since Oct. 25, 2022, and faces multiple life sentences if found guilty.

Two dozen-plus claims against him were described in detail for Judge Olmedo from nine womens testimonies during preliminary hearings for Weinbergs upcoming trial.

I thought maybe he would attack me, or rape me, or worst-case scenario: death No one knew where I was, one of the women testified, according to Variety. So if something had happened there would be no trace of me.

Weinberg, who also wrote on Californication and Bill Mahers Politically Incorrect, allegedly lured women to his home under the guise of fostering their modeling careers, only to strip them down, choke them or grope himself during those photo shoots.

I was afraid he was going to kill me, one woman reportedly testified at the hearings.

The 63-year-old faces multiple counts of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by force and sexual battery, according to Rolling Stone. Olmedo dismissed four of the counts Tuesday on the basis of insufficient evidence or expired statutes of limitation.

She recently presided over the trial of That 70s Show star Danny Masterson, who was found guilty in 2023 on two counts of forcible rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Weinberg pleaded not guilty in October 2022. The Los Angeles Police Department and LA County District Attorneys Office have since reportedly received more than 70 tips from women alleging he raped them after being lured to his home under false pretenses.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A search is underway for an armed and dangerous man who is accused of killing a 17-year-old from Charlotte, authorities announced Wednesday.

Terrance Cordell McKnight Jr., 18., is one of two suspects connected to this homicide case. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said McKnight Jr. is wanted for murder.

The deadly shooting happened just after 6:40 p.m. Friday, April 12, in the 7600 block of Boswell Road in east Charlotte. As CMPD officers arrived at the scene, they found Kaleb Brown, 17, suffering from one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

13-year-old shot, 16-year-old charged with attempted murder in Statesville: Police

In late April, a 17-year-old juvenile suspect was identified as a suspect in this case and charged with murder, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. The minor was transferred into the custody of the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

Now, CMPDs Violent Criminal Apprehension Team is asking for the publics help in locating the second suspect, McKnight Jr. Authorities warn he should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call CMPDs VCAT at 704-336-VCAT (8228).

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
On Wednesday, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will travel to New York City to lead a roundtable discussion at the New York Public Library in Manhattan focused on protecting students civil rights, including LGBTQ + students, against the growing threat of school book bans. The afternoon event will feature high school and college students alongside Matt Nosanchuk, the Biden-Harris administrations appointee who monitors book bans.



These bans, often targeting LGBTQ+ themes and minority perspectives, pose a significant threat to students educational and civil rights, a White House official told The Advocate.

The roundtable at NYPL is part of a broader administration effort to address the impact of book bans on student civil rights. Last June, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions to protect LGBTQ+ communities, including the appointment of a new coordinator specifically tasked with addressing the issue of book bans in schools.

Nosanchuk serves as deputy assistant secretary for strategic operations and outreach in the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. He co-founded and led the New York Jewish Agenda and has served in senior roles throughout the Obama-Biden Administration, including the White House and various departments such as the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. He has done work advancing LGBTQ+ rights and received several accolades, including the Attorney Generals Distinguished Service Award and the American Bar Associations inaugural Stonewall Award. Nosanchuk has been called the book ban czar for monitoring the troubling spate of bans in states nationwide.

According to the programs website , the NYPLs nationwide Books for All campaign strives to protect the freedom to read in response to escalating efforts to ban books.

Emhoff has regularly engaged with the LGBTQ+ community through various initiatives since Kamala Harris became vice president. In 2022, he visited Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio , with Admiral Rachel Levine, who serves as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, where he spoke with providers who care for differences in sexual development and gender development. That same year, he made calls to LGBTQ+ leaders who are on the frontlines of  dont say gay  activism. In 2023, he visited LGBTQ-owned businesses while on travel. Since 2022, Emhoff and Harris , have attended Pride Month celebrations and hosted the LGBTQ+ community at their home in Washington, D.C. , at the Naval Observatory.

In 2022, Emhoff recorded a video for It Gets Better expressing support for LGBTQ+ youth.

Today, I have a message for every young person out there going through tough times. Every young person being bullied, especially those of you in the LGBTQ plus community. I want you to know you are not alone. Theres so many people out there, people like me who care about you, he said.

PEN America has highlighted the increasing pressure to censor books in public schools. According to the organization, in the 2022-23 school year, there were 3,362 instances of book bans in U.S. public school classrooms and libraries, affecting 1,557 unique titles. These bans disproportionately target books by female authors, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Florida led the nation with 1,406 book bans, followed by Texas , Missouri , Utah , and Pennsylvania .
A second dairy worker has tested positive for H5N1, the influenza A virus known as bird flu. The confirmed case involves a Michigan farmworker, the Michigan Department of Health announced on Wednesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk to the public remains low and that the patient recovered with mild symptoms.

The farmworker in question was regularly exposed to dairy cows, which have been catching the virus as it has spread through dairy and poultry farms throughout the United States the last several months. Bird flu can be fatal, although it is usually treatable; its main symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches and fatigue. For the most part the disease is limited to animals like chickens and cows, as well as wild animals such as seals, although the infected Michigan farmworker is the third confirmed human patient in America since 2022 and the second that is related to the dairy industry.

Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, in a statement. "Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available. The current health risk to the general public remains low."

Australian health authorities also announced on Wednesday that a human bird flu patient has been confirmed for the first time in their country. The case is not related to dairy farms and authorities have said it originated in India. The patient, a child, recovered without spreading the disease to others.

The biggest difficulty in containing the bird flu outbreak is that many states do not thoroughly regulate their agricultural sectors. Dr. Rajendram Rajnarayanan of the New York Institute of Technology campus in Jonesboro, Ark., told Salon last month that testing is still mostly voluntary. Rajnarayanan urged comprehensive guidelines on what both cattle ranchers and ordinary citizens needs to know.

"Mandatory tests for cattle that are transported is a welcome move. I'd strongly recommend them to include a period of quarantine and retesting before integrating them into the existing herd," Rajnarayanan said. "The recent data about commercial milk samples testing positive for H5N1 fragments suggests a much wider spread of H5N1 among dairy cattle. Several cows are asymptomatic [but] they still spread the virus to others.
Gov. Mike Parson, R-Missouri, inspects a red angus cow during a May 2021 visit to the St. Louis Science Center where Parson was on hand to present a proclamation recognizing May as "Beef Month" in Missouri. In April, a Texas poultry facility stopped production and was ordered to cull 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets at a facility near New Mexicos border due to the bird flu's rapid spread. File Photo By Bill Greenblatt/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday reported a second and similar case of the bird flu identified this time in Michigan tied to cows amid an outbreak beginning on a Texas dairy farm.

Despite this, the CDC's risk public assessment for the general population "remains low" but the organization says this new case underscores "the importance of recommended precautions in people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals," which it said include people with long or unprotected exposure to infected birds, livestock and other animals, or in that type of environment.

The agency said similar to the Texas case -- first U.S. human bird flu case linked to an outbreak in dairy cows and the first likely case of human infection from a cow globally -- the Michigan individual is a dairy farm worker where the virus had been identified in cows, and that while a nasal swab test originally tested negative for influenza, an eye swab test sent to the CDC identified it as bird flu, which they say indicates eye infections in both cases with only reported eye symptoms in the patients.

The CDC says they have been eyeing influenza surveillance systems closely, "particularly in affected states, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including in syndromic surveillance." The Michigan dairy worker who was being monitored because of their work exposure to H5N1-infected cattle reported symptoms to local health officials, they said.

Conjunctivitis, better known as an eye infection, has been associated with previous human infections with avian influenza A viruses and is part of the current CDC case definition for A(H5N1) surveillance, according to the CDC, which added that while it's not yet known exactly how eye infections result from avian influenza exposures, "it may be from eye contamination, potentially with a splash of contaminated fluid, or touching the eyes with something contaminated with the virus, such as a hand."

Missouri's Republican Gov. Mike Parson inspects a red angus cow in May 2021. There have been new cases of bird flu stemming from interactions with cows, first in Texas and now Michigan, the CDC said Wednesday. File Photo By Bill Greenblatt/UPI

High levels of the virus have been found in unpasteurized milk from H5N1-infected cows, the federal agency said.

"Given the high levels of the virus in raw milk from infected cows, and the extent of the spread of this virus in dairy cows, similar additional human cases could be identified," the CDC said, adding that "sporadic human infections with no ongoing spread will not change the CDC risk assessment for the U.S. general public," which they consider to be low.

A Texas poultry facility in April stopped production and was ordered to cull 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets -- or young female chickens -- at a facility near New Mexico's border due to the virus' rapid spread.

Last year, scientists and researchers began sounding the alarm on dangerous changes to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza from seasonal to year-round infections, saying at the time that an urgent coordinated national response was needed.

But the Centers for Disease Control says it has been taking steps to mitigate any future bird flu cases such as by holding weekly engagements with state and local health officials "around increasing their preparedness posture, updated interim recommendations for worker protection to include those who work with dairy cows," health alerts and several other steps.

Earlier this month, the federal government announced a series of new initiatives aimed to monitor and prevent the bird flu as it got reported days later how the H5N1 avian flu virus was discovered in a small number of wild New York City birds.
See memorials in Uvalde and across Texas that honor victims of Robb Elementary shooting

Friday marks two years since the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen students and two teachers were murdered in what the U.S. Justice Department described as top-to-bottom "cascading failures" by law enforcement that combined to make the shooting one of the worst in history.

As the families involved and the community reflect, people find ways to grieve. Many choose to use art.

Over the last two years, groups in Uvalde and throughout Texas have created memorials to honor those victims.

21 Uvalde murals of Robb Elementary victims

Abel Ortiz Acosta, a resident and educator in Uvalde, collaborated with Monica Maldonado, the founder of the Austin-based nonprofit MAS Cultura, to organize a three-month project incorporating storytelling into artwork. Together, they created 21 murals for the Healing Uvalde project, each commemorating a victim of the Robb Elementary shooting by telling their story.

We know that art heals, Maldonado told the American-Statesman. We wanted to use that to help this community heal but also show solidarity and be in unity with Uvalde. There is no doubt in my mind that this is part of their healing journey, and for many families we hope this lets them know that their kids and teachers matter and they wont be forgotten.

(Click menu icon at top left of map to see full list of murals)

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Crosses memorialize victims of Uvalde school shooting

Shortly after the May 2022 shooting, makeshift memorials were placed at Uvalde's town square and Robb Elementary School.

At the school are 22 crosses for each of the victims and Joe Garcia, the husband of slain teacher Irma Garcia, who died of a heart attack shortly after the shooting.

Crosses dedicated to the 21 victims of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary are placed in front of the school on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Uvalde, Texas.

Crosses with messages, photos, flowers and other keepsakes still sit around the fountain at the town square.

Uvalde Love Project creates hand-crafted mosaic mural

The Uvalde Love Project was founded by Austin art therapist Wanda Montemayor, fellow Austin art therapists and teachers from Uvalde. The project was designed to bring the healing community closer together after the tragedy, in what Montemayor and her team hoped would aid in the grieving process. Thousands of volunteers contributed handmade tiles to the project.

"That personal connection and that feeling of safety is where the healing begins, and it's the collectiveness," Montemayor told American-Statesman reporter Hannah Ortega. "It's not that 'I'm alone in these feelings.' It's like 'I'm with you and you and you, and we're on the same feeling together' ... not being alone in your head with these feelings."

21 benches made for victims of Robb Elementary School shooting

Georgia native Sean Peacock went through his own personal tragedies and found a way to grieve his loss after losing his sister. To merit the children who were killed in Uvalde, Peacock carved butterfly-shaped benches for the families of the victims, each featuring a childs image.

According to 41NBC/WMGT, Peacock took a U-Haul to Texas to hand deliver the benches to families.

A memorial built for Uvalde more than 200 miles away

In Riviera, Texas, Lupe Aguilar  a pastor of Community Baptist Church  built a wall dedicated to the victims of Uvalde. Aguilar has no formal connection to Uvalde.

It can happen in any community," Aguilar told KENS 5. "In my mind, in my heart, I had a feeling something needed to be done. Something needed to be built for the children, in memory of the children in Uvalde and their parents."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Memorials in Uvalde and across Texas honor school shooting victims
(WHTM)  U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) will soon be awarded Yeshiva Universitys Presidential Medallion for his leadership and support of Israel.

According to Yeshiva University, Sen. Fetterman will be awarded the flagship Jewish universitys highest honor for global leadership during its 93rd annual commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 29.

Senator Fetterman is one of the true heroes of our time for his unwavering and courageous commitment to moral clarity, which has fortified our community and been a clarion call for our country. At this critical moment in Jewish and American history, our commencement exercises mark not just an enormous accomplishment for our students, but also for the global community, said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. During this dark period of rampant antisemitism and polarization across college campuses, Yeshiva University students stand out for their academic excellence, character and commitment to service.

The main commencement exercises will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, with more than 5,000 students, faculty, families, friends, and alumni in attendance.

It is truly humbling to be invited to share in this milestone with the graduates of Yeshiva University, Senator Fetterman said. As we gather to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class, we must also acknowledge the profound significance of their journey within the context of the recent surge in antisemitism across the country. I thank Yeshiva University for the opportunity to join these students on this momentous day.

Yeshiva University was founded back in 1886 and is currently home to more than 7,400 undergraduates and graduate students at their four New York City campuses.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  A new border bill is being called critical for security and a political game.

The Senate is expected to vote on the proposal Thursday.

Democrats say this will strengthen border security and attack the fentanyl crisis.

Republicans claim its an election year ploy for votes that would weaken the border.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is forcing Republicans hand and bringing the bipartisan border bill back up for a vote.

Will both sides come together to advance a bipartisan border security bill? Will partisanship get in the way yet again, Schumer asked.

The legislation would reduce border crossings and increase the standards to qualify for asylum to deal with the flow of fentanyl.

Our Republican friends are talking about closing the borders. It has fentanyl. This bill will stop the flow of fentanyl in many large ways, said Schumer.

The bill failed to pass more than 100 days ago after former president Donald Trump encouraged Republicans to shoot it down.

Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow says this would make a difference.

They had a chance to do something. Tomorrow theyre going to have another chance, said Stabenow.

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn and other Republicans are calling this an election year ploy, and the Senate should take up the House border bill, H.R.-2.

H.R.-2 would secure the border but Schumer and Durbin dont have the spine to bring that bill forward and actually discuss border security, Blackburn said.

Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance demands the president do something to address the border.

He says Democrat senators pushing a bill doesnt solve the problem.

Joe Biden opened the southern border. Joe Biden can close the southern border and its really that simple, said Vance.

The Senate bill needs 60 votes to pass but it is expected to fail because of Republican opposition. House Speaker Mike Johnson already said its dead on arrival in the House.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
FILE-- Gavels and law books are shown, July 14, 2010 in San Francisco, Calif. The Senate is set to confirm the 200th federal judge of President Joe Bidens tenure. That's about a month before then-President Donald Trump hit the 200 threshold. Trump still holds the edge when it comes to the most impactful confirmations  those to the U.S. Supreme Court and the countrys 13 appellate courts. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, file)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the 200th federal judge of President Joe Biden's tenure, about a month earlier than when Donald Trump hit that mark in his term, though Trump still holds the edge when it comes to the most impactful confirmations  those to the Supreme Court and the country's 13 appellate courts.

The march to 200 culminated with the confirmation of Angela Martinez as a district court judge in Arizona. The milestone reflects the importance that Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., placed on judicial confirmations after Trump put his enormous stamp on the federal judiciary with the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices.

Reaching 200 judges is a major milestone, Schumer said just before the 66-28 vote. Simply put, our 200 judges comprise the most diverse slate of judicial nominations under any president in American history.

The current pace of judicial confirmations for this White House came despite Biden, a Democrat, coming into office in 2021 with far fewer vacancies, particularly in the influential appellate courts, than Trump, a Republican, did in 2017.

There is more work to do, Biden said in a statement after the vote. Going forward, I will continue my solemn responsibility of nominating individuals who have excelled in their professional careers, who reflect the communities they serve and who apply the law impartially and without favoritism.

Another judge was confirmed Wednesday afternoon, bringing Biden's tally to 201. Yet it's unclear whether Biden can eclipse his predecessor's 234 judges before the year ends.

Democrats have solidly backed the president's judicial nominees, but there have been some cracks in that resolve in recent weeks. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he would not support nominees who do not have some bipartisan support, and the two Democratic senators from Nevada are opposing a nominee who would become the nation's first Muslim appellate court judge. They did so after some law enforcement groups came out against the nomination.

The White House is aware of the obstacles as they rush to surpass Trump's accomplishment. It's a high water mark that remains a point of pride for the former president and senior Republicans who made it happen, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Filling dozens of judicial vacancies requires time on the Senate floor calendar, which becomes more scarce as senators in the narrowly divided chamber shift into election-year campaign mode.

Of the more than 40 current judicial vacancies nationwide, half are in states with two Republican senators. That matters because for district court judges, home-state senators still can exercise virtual veto power over a White House's nominations due to a long-standing Senate tradition.

White House officials say they have no illusions about the challenges they face but feel reaching 235 is possible. That doesn't please Republicans.

Unfortunately, they learned from our example about prioritizing lifetime appointments, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Meanwhile, liberal advocacy groups are thrilled with the results so far.

I just cannot rave enough about these judges, said Jake Faleschini, who leads nominations work at the Alliance for Justice. It's been nothing short of transformative of the federal judiciary in terms of both excellence, but also demographic and professional diversity.

At this stage in his term, Trump had two Supreme Court justices and 51 appellate court judges confirmed to lifetime appointments. Biden has tapped one Supreme Court justice and 42 appellate court judges. Biden has more confirmations of the district judges who handle civil and criminal cases. Those nominations tend to be less hard fought.

Biden has emphasized adding more female and minority judges to the federal bench. On that front, 127 of the 200 judges confirmed to the bench are women. Fifty-eight are Black and 36 are Hispanic, according to Schumer's office. Thirty-five judges are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, more than any other administration, according to the White House.

In the appellate courts, 30 of the 42 circuit judges confirmed during Biden's term are women, according to the White House. Thirteen Black women have been chosen as circuit judges, more than all previous administrations combined.

Under Biden, more Hispanic judges have been confirmed to the appellate courts than any other administration.

As abortion access remains a vital priority for the Biden administration and a key argument for the president's reelection bid, the White House also points to several judges with backgrounds on the issue. They include Judge Julie Rikelman of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, who before her nomination argued on behalf of the abortion clinic in Dobbs vs Jackson, the 2022 ruling that dismantled Roe vs. Wade; and Nicole Berner, a former attorney at Planned Parenthood who now serves on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Conservatives say it is fine to have diversity, but that should not be the focus.

I think the right standard isnt trying to check boxes with nominees, but to try to find the men and women who are going to be faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law, said Carrie Severino, president of JCN, a conservative group that worked to boost support for Trump's nominees.

About a one-quarter of the judges Trump nominated were women and about 1 in 6 were minorities, according to the Pew Research Center.

Asked about the diversity of Biden's nominees, GOP senators said there was too much focus on identity politics.

I'm interested in competent lawyers who will administer justice fairly. Now, there are women that can do that. There are men that can do that. There are people of color that can do that, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. But their primary characteristic that they're proudest of is racial identify or gender identify, and activist. And I just don't think that's what the American people want to see in their justice system.

Proponents of diversifying the federal judiciary counter that people who come before the court have more trust in the legal process when they see people who look like them. They said it's important to diversify the professional backgrounds of judges, too, so that more public defenders and those with a civil rights or non-profit background are considered.

The American people deserve federal judges who not only look like America, but understand the American experience from every angle, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman.
Senator beaten as tempers flared over slavery in Kansas in 1856. Are we better today? | Opinion

Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner risked his life for the sake of Kansans freedom.

On May 22, 1856  168 years ago  he suffered a beating at the hands of unhinged South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks. Sumner had just delivered a fiery speech about the evils of slavery and its supporters in the chamber. Its title? The Crime Against Kansas. At that time, the status of the soon-to-be state was contested between pro- and anti-slavery forces.

Brooks approached Sumner at his desk in the chamber and beat him into unconsciousness. The Massachusetts lawmaker suffered grave injuries, both physical and mental. He spent the better part of three years away from Washington, D.C.

It was, in the words of the Senate Historical Office, one of the most dramatic and deeply ominous moments in the Senates entire history.

Northerners could scarcely believe the news, and the newly formed Republican Party made substantial electoral gains. Its presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, nearly won that fall. Southerners cheered the violence, reelecting Brooks to his office and sending him hundreds of canes as gifts.

The path toward Civil War had been laid.

Summers legacy can be seen across Kansas today. Sumner County, which contains Wellington and Belle Plaine, was established Feb. 26, 1867, and named for the senator, according to the book 1001 Kansas Place Names. So was Sumner Academy of of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas, once a segregated institution but now a magnet school for high-performing students. The onetime Sumner Elementary School in Topeka was at the center of the Brown v. Board of Education case.

We remember Sumners name.

But we should also remember that Sumner was right.

His abolitionist beliefs were intellectually and morally correct. The institution of slavery was evil, yet millions of Americans believed it was divinely preordained. They were willing to sacrifice themselves and their families to defend white supremacy. According to most recent estimates, 750,000 people died in the Civil War. All for the cause of keeping humans as property.

We cannot forget that simply holding an opinion forcefully and deeply does not make it correct. Your passion for a cause does not impart any virtue to you or to the cause.

Sumner was caustic and disliked by his colleagues in the Senate. Indeed he may have achieved more if he had been more willing to compromise on the rights and the lives of people who were different from him. He died without achieving his most important goal: a sweeping civil rights law that did not come to fruition until 1964. That was 80 years after his death.

Heres a taste of Sumners oratory, taken directly from that fateful 1856 speech: When the whole world, alike Christian and Turk, is rising up to condemn this wrong, and to make it a hissing to the nations, here in our Republic, force, aye, sir, force has been openly employed in compelling Kansas to this pollution, and all for the sake of political power.

Kansans should know about Sumners principled stances, not just his name or a bloody few moments in the Senate chambers.

You cant write about the statesman or his legacy, however, without asking yourself how 1856 compares with 2024. Weve made substantial progress toward freedom and equality, thank goodness. I like to think that our Massachusetts lawmaker would feel some pride in his country over that.

How about our ability to debate challenging issues? Can we navigate our difference? If not, do we also face a slow descent into bloody madness and civil conflict?

We havent seen senators or representatives fighting on the floors of their respective chambers. Tough words may be exchanged, but so far we have not seen members of the Freedom Caucus beating up members of The Squad, or vice versa. Thats a good thing.

Yet threats of violence have become distressingly frequent in Kansas. You only have to remember the effigy of President Joe Biden enthusiastically beaten at a GOP fundraising event in Johnson County. You only have to look at the case of Wichita man who was sentenced to 21 months in jail for threatening to kill Biden.

I pray that the grim months of 1856 and the years that followed remain deep in the history books. But I fear theyre closer than any of us acknowledge.

Clay Wirestone is opinion editor of the nonprofit Kansas Reflector.
Government officials and AI industry executives agreed on Tuesday to apply elementary safety measures in the fast-moving field and establish an international safety research network.

Nearly six months after the inaugural global summit on AI safety at Bletchley Park in England, Britain and South Korea are hosting the AI safety summit this week in Seoul. The gathering underscores the new challenges and opportunities the world faces with the advent of AI technology.

The British government announced on Tuesday a new agreement between 10 countries and the European Union to establish an international network similar to the U.K.'s AI Safety Institute, which is the world's first publicly backed organization, to accelerate the advancement of AI safety science. The network will promote a common understanding of AI safety and align its work with research, standards, and testing. Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.K., and the U.S. have signed the agreement.

On the first day of the AI Summit in Seoul, global leaders and leading AI companies convened for a virtual meeting chaired by U.K. prime minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss AI safety, innovation and inclusion.

During the discussions, the leaders agreed to the broader Seoul Declaration, emphasizing increased international collaboration in building AI to address major global issues, uphold human rights, and bridge digital gaps worldwide, all while prioritizing being "human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible."

"AI is a hugely exciting technology -- and the U.K. has led global efforts to deal with its potential, hosting the world's first AI Safety Summit last year," Sunak said in a U.K. government statement. "But to get the upside, we must ensure it's safe. That's why I'm delighted we have got an agreement today for a network of AI Safety Institutes."

Just last month, the U.K. and the U.S. sealed a partnership memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research, safety evaluation, and guidance on AI safety.

The agreement announced today follows the world's first AI Safety Commitments from 16 companies involved in AI, including Amazon, Anthropic, Cohere, Google, IBM, Inflection AI, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI, Open AI, Samsung Electronics, Technology Innovation Institute, xAi and Zhipu.ai. (Zhipu.ai is a Chinese company backed by Alibaba, Ant and Tencent.)

The AI companies, including those from the U.S., China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have agreed to the safety commitments to "not develop or deploy a model or system at all if mitigations cannot keep risks below the thresholds," according to the U.K. government statement.

"Its a world first to have so many leading AI companies from so many different parts of the globe all agreeing to the same commitments on AI safety," Sunak said. "These commitments ensure the worlds leading AI companies will provide transparency and accountability on their plans to develop safe AI."

https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/02/at-bletchley-rishi-sunak-confirms-ai-safety-institute-but-delays-regulations-for-another-day https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/01/politicians-commit-to-collaborate-to-tackle-ai-safety-us-launches-safety-institute
Serbia's Movement of Socialists party has announced it will draft a bill aiming to restrict the activities of foreign non-governmental organisations operating in the Balkan country.

The draft closely resembles the highly controversial law on foreign agents that is expected to be implemented in Georgia soon.

Defending the draft law, Movement of Socialists MP Bojan Torbica said, "Betraying one's own country and people can no longer be a highly profitable activity."

The proposed anti-foreign NGO law could bring more attention to the left-wing nationalist party, which currently has just two MPs in the 250-seat National Assembly.

"I really believe that it is a threat to the Republic of Serbia if there are NGOs that are donated from abroad and work here to propagate Kosovo as an independent state, to propagate the genocide in Srebrenica and the destruction of Republika Srpska," said ore Komlenski, parliamentary leader of the Movement of Socialists.

The three issues  two of which pertain to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina  have been prominent talking points of nationalist politicians in Serbia ever since the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and a series of bloody wars in the region in the 1990s.

While it is unclear whether Komlenski and Torbica alone can gather enough support to advance the law past the draft stage, civil society actors, such as the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, are concerned that the bill will impact Serbian society's future.

Marko Milosavljevic from Youth Initiative for Human Rights sees the move as a means of intimidating civil society and independent media.

"Through these announcements, we actually see the ban on the advocacy of certain democratic principles is kind of desireable," Milosavljevic said.

Serbian voters will go to the polls on 2 June to participate in a rerun of last year's local election in 66 electoral units, including the capital, Belgrade.

The EU recently criticised Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, for not conducting free and fair elections, citing allegations of voter fraud.
It turns out that the upside-down flag flown at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alitos Virginia home after the January 6 insurrection wasnt the only time one of his properties nodded to the election denialism of Donald Trumps supporters.

The Appeal to Heaven flag flew last summer at Alitos vacation home in New Jersey, according to The New York Times. Also known as the Pine Tree flag, it originated as a symbol of the American Revolution but became a symbol of Donald Trumps Stop the Steal movementincluding one carried by rioters at the Capitol building.



Several photos acquired by the Times showed the flag hanging outside of Alitos residence on Long Beach Island on four separate dates between July and September 2023.

The revelations cast further doubt on Alitos excuse for flying an upside-down American flag at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, on January 17, 2021: He blamed his wife, telling Fox News that she had hung it upside down for a short time after an anti-Trump neighbor hurled insults at her.

Democrats have since called for Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election, and introduced a resolution Tuesday to censure the shameless justice for what they call beyond poor judgment, arguing that Alito had violated the courts ethics and invited questions about the courts impartiality.
Sex offender used Snapchat to lure 2 Tacoma girls, then abused them in Eastern WA, Oregon

A registered sex offender has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after sexually abusing two 15-year-old girls he picked up in Tacoma and drove hundreds of miles through Eastern Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

The two teens said they were afraid that Albert Wayne Johnson, 42, would abandon them at a random place along the drive if they did not have sex with him. Both were too young to legally consent.

Johnson contacted the two girls, both runaways from the Washington state Department of Social and Health Services in Tacoma, using Snapchat, according to court documents. They had been reported missing on Aug. 2, 2022.

Johnson traveled about 335 miles from his home in Oregon to Tacoma to meet them on Aug. 5, 2022. He drove them to the Quality Inn in Othello, Wash., where he abused the teens, according to court documents.

He left the next day driving into Idaho and Oregon, sexually assaulting the girls along the way, according to court documents.

Law enforcement traced his route with stops at Arrowhead Travel Plaza on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, a campground at La Grande, Ore., and finally a campground at Boring, Ore., near Portland.

He left the Boring campground for a welding job on Aug. 8, 2022, and did not return.

Its unclear where they went in Idaho, according to the court records.

Othello Police Department detectives learned 10 days later that the girls had reported being sexually abused in Eastern Washington.

Othello Walmart

Detectives obtained surveillance video showing Johnson and the girls at the Othello hotel and Johnson at the Othello Walmart, where he bought hair dye.

At the end of that month Johnson was arrested at his La Grande home in a coordinated effort by Othello detectives and Oregon law enforcement.

A federal grand jury indicted Johnson for traveling across state lines to engage in a sexual act with a minor, transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and commission of a sex offense by a registered sex offender.

Court documents said that Johnson was convicted in 2018 of luring a minor and attempting to commit sexual abuse.

He had contacted a girl, who was about 14, on social media and offered to exchange cannabis and cigarettes for nude photos of her.

He violated his parole in that case and there was a felony warrant for his arrest in August 2022. He failed to report to his probation officer, changed his address without approval, and failed to complete sex offender and substance abuse treatment, according to court documents.

Guilty plea

Johnson reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors for his sexual abuse of the 15 year olds, pleading guilty to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

He was sentenced by U.S. Judge Adrienne Nelson in Portland to 12 years and seven months in prison, to be followed by 10 years probation.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The case was investigated by the FBI in Pendleton, Ore., with help from the Othello and La Grande police departments, the Clackamas and Union counties sheriffs offices, the Union County Probation Department and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department.
KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 18:28 | World, All

A Chinese citizen-journalist who was sentenced in 2020 to four years in prison for disseminating "false" information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in the central city of Wuhan has been released, her supporters said Tuesday.

Zhang Zhan, 40, was taken by police to her elder brother's home in Shanghai earlier this month and now only has limited freedom, the supporters said. In a video posted on X, Zhang thanked everyone for their assistance while holding back tears.

The lawyer-turned-journalist was convicted of disrupting public order, with prosecutors claiming she had disseminated "a large number of lies and spoken with foreign media about infections with malicious intent."

Zhang was expected to be released from a Shanghai prison on May 13, but the authorities did not provide any information as to her whereabouts over the following days.

On May 16, the U.S. State Department said that Washington was "deeply concerned" about reports of her disappearance in the days after her expected release and called on Beijing to respect her human rights.

Following the confirmation of her release, Reporters without Borders, an international media watchdog group, said it remains worried about her situation as Zhang continues to be under strict surveillance by the authorities.
MIAMI, Okla. District Attorney Doug Pewitt dismissed the sexual battery charge against the Delaware County Emergency Management director days before his jury trial was to start.

Jeff Reeves, 59, of Miami, was scheduled to go to trial on May 28 in Ottawa County District Court.

District Judge Jennifer McAffrey confirmed on Tuesday the district attorneys office dropped the charge earlier this month after the alleged victim was reluctant to proceed.

My client has maintained his innocence from the beginning.

He is going to go forward with his life and put this behind him. Winston Connor II, Reevess attorney.

The charge was filed in 2022.

Reeves denied the allegations, but the woman passed a polygraph test, according to an arrest affidavit.

In the initial report, Reeves and the woman attended a party in July 2022 in rural Ottawa County. The intoxicated woman was driven home alone by Reeves while Reeves wife brought the womans child in a separate vehicle, the affidavit states.

During the drive to the victims residence, the woman accused Reeves of inappropriately touching her.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A San Francisco man was arrested last week for making inappropriate contact with a minor, the San Francisco Police Department announced. John Woods, 44, contacted someone believed to be a 13-year-old girl, police said.

Last month, members of the SFPD Special Victims Unit-Internet Crime Against Children (ICAC) found information and evidence linking Woods to the incident. Further investigation enabled ICAC investigators to develop probable cause for an arrest warrant for Woods.

Affluent Bay Area community launches bait house program to combat burglaries

On Thursday, May 16, SFPD Special Victims Unit officers and ICAC investigators served a search warrant at Woods residence on the 1200 block of Geneva Avenue. Woods was taken into custody and booked into San Francisco County Jail.

Charges included:

Communicating with a minor with intentions to commit certain felonies

Arranging a meeting with a minor

Sending harmful matter to a child

SFPD will work tirelessly and are relentless in these investigations where the most vulnerable members of our society are targeted and victimized, SFPD said in a statement.

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US contradicts Shapps claim that China and Russia are working together on war in Ukraine

The US has questioned a claim by the UK that Russia and China are working together on combat equipment to be used in Ukraine.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said on Wednesday that the two countries were collaborating on lethal aid for Moscow to use in its war against Kyiv.

He told a defence conference in London: An axis of authoritarian states led by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have escalated and fuelled conflicts and tensions.

They have increasingly been working together, he said. And today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine.

However, the claim was quickly disputed by Jake Sullivan, Joe Bidens national security adviser.

Asked about Mr Shapps speech at the daily White House press briefing, Mr Sullivan replied: We have not seen that to date. I look forward to speaking with the UK to make sure that we have a common operating picture.

In his speech, Mr Shapps said that the surge in trade between the two nations since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, and Vladimir Putins recent state visit to Beijing showed that the countries were covering each others back.

Chinas embassy in the US said last month that it had not provided any weapons to Russia, adding that it is not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis.

Grant Shapps fears Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine - stolenoranges / King's College London/PA

Mr Shapps said in his speech that the world needed to wake up to the growing threats to the West.

He later added that lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine, I think it is a significant development.

He did not provide further evidence to support his assertion.

The US has previously accused China of helping Russia with technology that has been used on the battlefield in Ukraine, but stopped short of saying that Beijing was directly supplying arms.

Provide critical components

Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said on a visit to China last month that there was no evidence of China selling weapons.

What China is doing, or what some of its enterprises are doing, is to provide critical components for Russias defence industrial base, things like machine tools, microelectronics and optics, he said.

Mr Shapps added that he would make the unambiguous case for all Nato countries to boost their defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent at the blocs summit in Washington DC in July.

The current Nato standard stands at two per cent, but only 11 of the alliances 32 members reached that target last year.

However, last month the UK committed to boosting its defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030.

The Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The mother of an Alger Middle School student who was shot near the school said it was his friend who pulled the trigger, but that she doesnt think he meant to hurt her son.

Javeon Childrey, 13, remained in the hospital Wednesday after being shot in the cheek. He was in stable condition, understood what happened to him and could talk, his mother told News 8.

Javeon Childrey. (Courtesy family)

Its going to take some time, but were hoping for a speedy recovery, Bianca Bridgeforth said. Aint no words to explain how thankful I am. Every time I look at my baby, Im hurt. Im beyond thankful.

Student shot, injured in park near Alger Middle School

The shooting, which police described as accidental, happened around noon Tuesday in a bathroom at the Alger Park splash pad, which is on the same block as the school. Both boys involved are eighth graders, the school district said. Police say after the shot was fired, both ran to the front doors of the school, where school staff started first aid and emergency responders soon arrived.

Bridgeforth said her son told her his friend, also 13, had the gun. She said she doesnt think he meant to shoot her son.

He was just playing. Yeah, he pointed the gun and shot him, but I dont think that he actually knew how it was going to go down  especially if he ran behind him (to get help), she said. I dont think it was actually purposely, purposely, cause dont no kid got that much hate in him, I hope.

She said she found out what happened when her daughter, also a student at Alger Middle, called her.

She FaceTimed me and said that my baby was shot. I was instantly on my way, Bridgeforth said.

Police respond to Alger Middle School in Grand Rapids on May 21, 2024.

Police respond to Alger Middle School in Grand Rapids on May 21, 2024.

Grand Rapids Public Schools said its looking into how the boys left the school. Former Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack said Javeon told his mother that he and the other boy were in the gym and left to use the bathroom at the park, and that they had done so before.

He walked right out their door, Bridgeforth said. Its terrible to me. The safety, the security of these children; its an understatement. They dont know when these kids coming and going.

GRPS looking into how students left Alger Middle School before shooting

She called for better security and more adults at the school to watch the students.

If we need more teachers or more volunteers in the hallways as we get these babies together, thats what needs to be done. Anything to be done for the safety of these kids, because its ridiculous at this point, she said.

Womack said that as of Wednesday afternoon, Bridgeforth had not been contacted by anyone at the district. Bridgeforth said she had raised concerns about communication from the district before.

It hurts me to know that Ive been the same parent that yall know by name, and now look at my child. After I done begged yall  I begged for phone calls, I done talked to that man that was on the news, aint nobody still got back to me. So Im hurt, Im furious, she said.

Still unclear is exactly where the gun came from. Police said in a Wednesday statement that they could not release information about how the students got it. They added that the investigation into the shooting could take longer than usual, citing the unique circumstances.

Standing next to Bridgeforth as she spoke to News 8 Wednesday, youth advocate Jermar Sterling said that hes glad her son will be OK.

Im also happy that she has found it in her heart to let go of the emotions and look at the reality that these are 13-year-olds and violence is a learned behavior, Sterling said. Im just challenging all the men of the communities to step up behind these youth.

The school district said it will have metal detectors in place when students return to Alger Middle on Thursday, and theyll stay there for the rest of the term.

News 8s Demetrios Sanders contributed to this report.

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PUTNAM TWP.  Short-term rentals have been effectively banned on lakes in Hell and single-family home properties throughout Putnam Township.

Owners of properties listed on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo will be required to stop taking reservations by June 21, once a newly approved township ordinance goes into effect.

While officials say they'll allow impacted short-term rental operators to honor existing bookings through Labor Day weekend, moving forward, they'll only be allowed on commercial and qualified agricultural land.

If owners of short-term rentals in the township  concentrated on Hi-Land Lake, Patterson Lake and a portion of Portage Lake  violate the township's ordinance, they could face civil infractions and fines.

Owners of single-family home properties listed on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo will be required to stop taking reservations by June 21 in Putnam Township.

Putnam Township Supervisor Dennis Brennan told The Daily short-term rentals have been "a growing concern" on local lakes in recent years. He said there have been complaints from residents.

The Daily has reached out to several impacted short-term rental owners. None have responded to requests for comment. Airbnb and Vrbo officials did not responded to requests for comment.

Concerns include public safety, nuisances and potential strain on septic systems. While some of the rentals in the township are owned by locals who officials say operate them in a respectful way, there are others from outside of the community buying up homes as investment properties.

A photo of an Airbnb search for short-term rentals in Hell, Michigan, is captured Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

"Now, it's to the point where investors are creeping in," Brennan said. "What they're doing is they're pricing everyone out of the market except for investors who are looking to use their properties essentially as hotels."

There are neighbors "who have been running Airbnbs on their properties and have done it right," he said, adding "it's unfortunate we couldn't find a way to exclude them" from the ordinance.

The ordinance doesn't ban short-term rentals entirely. Rentals on commercial and qualified agricultural land, such as farms involved in agritourism, are allowed with restrictions. Among the restrictions, an owner must register with the township and receive approval from its zoning administrator. They must also consent to a fire inspection and a septic inspection.

The ordinance limits capacity to two people per bedroom and caps the number of guests allowed on the premises at 1.5 times the maximum number of occupants. It also requires a representative to live within 45 minutes or a designated a local contact person.

Putnam Township Clerk Valerie Niemiec said she lives in Hi-Land Lake, where there are several short-term rentals.

Niemiec said she's seen short-term renters disobey marine law by driving boats the wrong way around the lake. Boat traffic is supposed to travel counterclockwise.

"It's not just a nuisance issue, it's a safety issue," she said. "Those of us who live on the lakes can't use the lake when short-term rentals are there."

Neighboring Hamburg Township has taken a different approach. While the township has rules and regulations, short-term rentals are allowed in single-family homes.

Police Chief Richard Duffany said, while there have been some complaints "they're not a really a major problem."

"We may get, for the entire summer, maybe a dozen complaints at best," Duffany said, though he acknowledged some residents have had problems with a specific Airbnb near Base Line Lake. Officials are expected to follow up on those complaints.

Its not a major issue but we have a couple hots spots where issues have arisen, Duffany said.

The Portage Base Lakes Area Water and Sewer Authority has rules for properties being used beyond a single household.

Sewer Authority Board Secretary Tom Ehman, who owns the Portage Lake Yacht Club, said "any type of non-household unit" is required to have a water meter "so we can clock if they're using more" than 200 gallons a day, on average.

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If a short-term rental on the sewer system uses more water, the authority requires the property owner purchase another residential equivalent unit, known as an REU, which runs $14,720.

While the authority can disconnect anyone who doesn't comply, Ehman said they haven't needed to disconnect anyone yet.

 Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Short-term rentals effectively banned on lakes near Hell
Shouting match erupts at classified documents hearing as Trump and allies try to dismiss charges

A hearing in Donald Trumps classified documents case descended into a chaotic shouting match as lawyers fought over claims of an alleged threat against a defense attorney.

In the hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Wednesday morning, Walt Nauta, Mr Trumps co-defendant and valet, asked the judge to toss the charges against him, arguing that special counsel Jack Smiths office had vindictively and selectively charged him with criminal offenses.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Mr Trump, is expected to rule at a later date.

But the hearing quickly devolved into mayhem over a disagreement about an August 2022 meeting between prosecutor Jay Bratt and Mr Nautas defense attorney Stanley Woodward.

Mr Woodward claimed in court and in legal filings that, prior to the charges being filed, Mr Bratt had tried to convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with prosecutors against Mr Trump by threatening to affect his attorneys possible nomination of a judgeship.

Mr Nauta argues that he was then hit with charges because he did not cooperating with the Department of Justice and its probe into Mr Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents.

I had been recommended for a judgeship, thats beyond dispute, Mr Woodward said on Wednesday, according to CNN.

There was a folder about defense counsel on the table during the meeting, he claimed, adding that Mr Bratt referenced the judgeship. I think the implication was that I was to travel and convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the investigation, and if I didnt that, there would be consequences.

Donald Trump speaks after a break during his hush money trial at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on 21 May (via REUTERS)

Prosecutor David Harbach furiously denied the accusations.

Mr Woodwards story of what happened at that meeting is a fantasy, he said, banging the lectern. It did not happen.

This is a lawyer whose allegations amount basically to him being extorted, he added waving his arms, before being told by Judge Cannon to calm down.

Judge Cannon presided over two separate hearings in the case on Wednesday  based on two separate motions, each of them seeking to dismiss charges in the federal classified documents case.

The first hearing was Mr Nautas while the second focused on Mr Trumps argument that the indictment has technical problems and needs to be dismissed.

The Trump legal team has already filed several motions to try to dismiss the charges against him in the classified documents case. All have so far failed.

Judge Cannon has however already delayed Mr Trumps trial in the case indefinitely.

It was initially scheduled to begin this week but Judge Cannon indefinitely postponed the trial on 7 May. She said that the original 20 May start date didnt work because of the number of remaining pre-trial motions.

Boxes containing classified documents in a bathroom in Mar-a-Lago (DOJ)

The delay makes it unlikely that the case will be heard before the election and, if Mr Trump wins, hes likely to move to have all federal charges against him dropped.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty in June to charges that he illegally retained national defense information, that he took part in a conspiracy to obstruct justice, and that he made false statements.

Prosecutors allege that he kept secret files in unsecured parts of his Mar-a-Lago home and worked to obstruct authorities trying to get them back. The files included secret documents from the Pentagon, the National Security Agency, and the CIA.

Mr Trump, who is on currently on trial in New York for falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment to an adult film star, did not attend the proceedings on Wednesday.

The former president also faces two other cases in Washington DC and Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.
A new program featuring former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is airing on Russian state television, but the head of his network said he had nothing to do with it.

Tucker Carlson Network CEO Neil Patel said on Tuesday the conservative host was not involved with the newly launched Russian show, which appears to rely on repurposed content Carlson records for his online audience in the U.S., according to the Daily Beast.

The Tucker Carlson Network has not done any deals with state media in any country, Patel said on X.

Carlson told the Financial Times he knew nothing about a Russian program bearing his name when Russia 24 started advertising the show in the fall.

The first episode of Tucker. Rossiya 24, appears to have began on station Russia 24 in recent days, according to Newsweek. Several archived shows that have been dubbed in Russian can be streamed online.

Carlsons Russian program isnt believed to feature original content produced by the 55-year-old commentator, who began posting interviews on social media after Fox News cut him loose in April 2023. Mondays program, titled Ticks  Nuclear Weapons for the Poor, included footage Carlson posted online on May 10.

Russian media often praises Carlson for spreading information that benefits the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin while besmirching Russian adversaries, including the U.S. He was blasted by mainstream journalists in February for interviewing the Russian president, whose government imprisons reporters and has been credibly accused of ordering the death of his political rivals.

Once a prime-time ratings magnet, Carlson was let go by Fox News when the network settled a record-breaking $788 million defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems, which the outlet was accused of falsely disparaging. Racist and sexist text messages discovered during that suit revealed Carlson was aware the right-wing cable channel was spreading bad information about the 2020 presidential election.

_____
(Bloomberg) -- Rene Benko, the Austrian erstwhile billionaire now fighting bankruptcy, appeared before a parliamentary inquiry probing payments to his insolvent Signa group. He was fined for refusing to answer a lawmakers questions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

It was the first time Benko appeared publicly in the Austrian capital since his Signa conglomerate descended into financial turmoil at the end of last year. The parliamentary committee convened Wednesday to investigate coronavirus-era payments to companies, including more than a million euros to Chalet N, a hotel allegedly used by Benko as a private residence. Benko has denied the allegations.

During more than five-hours of questioning, Benko frequently invoked his right to demur from answering questions that could implicate him in wrongdoing. The ex-tycoon is also the subject of multiple investigations and court claims linked to Signa.

Read More: Arrogance, Opacity and Debt Triggered Signas Dramatic Collapse

But a late query asked by Yannick Shetty, a junior member from the opposition Neos party, forced Benkos hand. The liberal lawmaker wanted to know whether former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz or other politicians had ever spent time with him at the luxury-chalet he developed, registered as a hotel in Lech, Austria. The investigative committee chair allowed Shettys line of questioning and ordered Benko to answer.

When Benko refused, suggesting that doing so risked self incrimination, he was slapped with a probable fine of as much as 1,000 euros ($1,084).

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 19:36 | All, Japan

The retrial of the 88-year-old Iwao Hakamata, whose death sentence was finalized decades ago for a 1966 quadruple murder in central Japan, concluded Wednesday, with the ruling set to be handed down on Sept. 26.

While prosecutors demanded the death penalty on the final day of the retrial at the Shizuoka District Court, Hakamata will likely be acquitted, as the retrial itself indicates substantial doubts about his guilt. According to the country's criminal procedure law, a retrial is granted if there is "clear evidence the accused is not guilty."

Hideko, the 91-year-old sister of Hakamata, made a court appearance on behalf of her brother, who suffers from post incarceration syndrome.

"Please let him spend (the rest of) his life as a decent human being," she said in her closing statement.

The prosecutors argued in their closing statements that Hakamata "committed the crimes for money," insisting that his mental capacity had not deteriorated to the point of warranting a change in his sentence.

Hakamata's mental condition was assessed to be in a state of insanity, according to the prosecutors.

Hakamata spent nearly half a century behind bars before new evidence led to his release in 2014. He was arrested in 1966 for allegedly killing the firm's senior managing director, his wife and two of their children. All four were found stabbed to death at their burned-down Shizuoka Prefecture home.

His retrial began in October after the Tokyo High Court reversed course and ordered the district court to retry him in March 2023, citing the unreliability of the main evidence used.

The high court said there was a strong possibility the five pieces of blood-stained clothing that Hakamata was alleged to have worn during the incident had been planted by investigators in the tank of miso soybean paste they were found in.

In their closing statements, prosecutors said the clothes belonged to Hakamata, who was working as a live-in employee at the miso shop. The high court's claim that the prosecution fabricated the evidence has "no reasonable grounds," they said.

A bereaved family member of the victims said in a statement read out by prosecutors on Wednesday, "I want the truth will be revealed. I hope the fact that four precious lives have been claimed is not forgotten."

The prosecutors' decision to argue for Hakamata's conviction in the retrial angered the defense team, who had called for a swift acquittal in light of his advanced age.

Hakamata was exempted from attending the retrial proceedings due to his deteriorated mental state after having been incarcerated for such a long period.

Hakamata initially confessed to the killings during intense interrogation but pleaded not guilty at his trial, where he was indicted for murder, robbery and arson. His death sentence was finalized in 1980.

It is the fifth time in postwar Japan that a retrial has been finalized for a case in which the death penalty had been given. The four previous cases all resulted in acquittals in the 1980s.
London  A passenger who was on the Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 when it hit severe turbulence on Tuesday, leaving one passenger dead and dozens injured, has described "horrifying" scenes on board the Boeing 777 as it hit the rough air with virtually no warning. Dzafram Azmir, a 28-year-old student from Malaysia, was travelling from London to Singapore when the plane was hit by what the airline called "extreme turbulence," dropping about 6,000 feet in the space of just five minutes.

"I've been flying all my life since I was a kid. I didn't know turbulence could cause this level of damage and how much it could hurt people," Azmir told CBS News on Wednesday. He described the ordeal as "quick and unanticipated" as the plane hit the turbulence around the time of a meal service.

What causes turbulence and how to stay safe on a flight

"There was screaming, yelling and gasping," Azmir said. "People who weren't buckled down in their seats were thrown up off of their chairs, flung to the ceiling of the cabin and then immediately thrown back down, to their seats or the flooring."

The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 is pictured after the flight was diverted to land at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand after encountering severe turbulence, May 21, 2024. / Credit: Reuters/Stringer

In a statement, the airline said the plane encountered the turbulence over the Indian Ocean at 37,000 feet, about 10 hours after departure. The flight was then diverted to Bangkok after the pilot declared a medical emergency.

An official with the Bangkok airport said Tuesday that the man who died, who was identified as a 73-year-old British passenger, was believed to have suffered a heart attack during the turbulence. In a post on Facebook, the carrier offered its condolences to the family of the man who died and later apologized "for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered."

Azmir said he counted himself lucky to have come out of the incident unscathed, which he credited to having his seatbelt on at the time. Passengers have said the seatbelt light came on right before the plane hit the turbulence, but Azmir said there was no warning, which he believes contributed to the extent of the damage and injuries.

Dzafram Azmir, one of the passengers on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 when the Boeing 777 encountered what the airline called

He said his experience "pales in comparison to some more tragic things that happened to other passengers," but that the incident had left him fearing turbulence.

The impacts of climate change on air travel

A relief flight carrying 143 of the passengers and crew members arrived in Singapore on early Wednesday morning, according to the airline. At least 30 peopled were injured on the Tuesday flight, according to Thai officials, including some who were left in critical condition.

The Reuters news agency said Wednesday that 20 passengers were in intensive care, nine had undergone surgery, and five others were awaiting surgery at Bangkok's Samitivej Hospital.

The Dish: Spaghetti stir fry is a family favorite

How China and Russia fight a propaganda war with the U.S.

9 dead, dozens injured after high wind causes stage collapse at campaign event in Mexico
There can be little doubt that Sir Keir Starmer is looking forward to the upcoming campaign with rather more enthusiasm than his rival.To remain in office, Rishi Sunaks party must win a clear, overall majority on July 4. No other party would lend him its support if he falls short of the winning threshold. For Labour, by contrast, even an anaemic performance that left it merely the largest party would see Starmer ensconced in No 10 as his partys first election-winner since Tony Blair.

So how far has Labour come in the last five years, since it emerged from the shadow of an existential civil war over Jeremy Corbyns leadership, and how drastically has it changed in that period? Is it ready to face the people? And, more fundamentally, is it ready to govern?

Incredibly, if you think back to five years ago, Starmer was still serving in Corbyns shadow cabinet as shadow Brexit Secretary. That means he has had a remarkably short period of time  a mere single parliament  in which to transform a party, its message and its programme.

To put that into perspective, in 1997, Tony Blair had had 14 years experience as an MP, 13 of them on the front bench. He and his shadow cabinet had had more than a decade each to work out why Labour had been rejected by the voters in the past, what it had to do to win voters support in the future, and what they should do once they returned to government. Blair himself, alongside Gordon Brown, led the campaign to reboot the party as New Labour, transforming the partys outlook and fortunes.

Blairs reforms were seen at the time as a revolution, but they were the latter part of an evolutionary arc that allowed for gradual change over a long period. Starmer, because he found himself as the heir apparent to Corbyn after just five years as an MP, and knowing that he would have just one shot at the top job, had no choice but to cram all the changes to the party necessary into a much narrower time frame.

Change takes a long time  time, in short, which Starmer simply has not had. A mere four years ago, Labour was still recovering from a civil war after seeking to reverse the result of the EU referendum of 2016, while insisting it was doing no such thing. This blatant sleight of hand, born of cowardice and cynicism, was brutally exposed in the 2019 general election.

Now, as we enter this election period, how successful has Starmer been in imposing his will on the party? It is a mixed picture. Yes, he has forced it to adopt centrist, sensible, moderate policies in place of Corbyns more ambitious socialist agenda. And yet on the so-called culture war issues, Labour still has a long way to go. Lest we forget: this is a leader who jumped on the American Black Lives Matter bandwagon in 2020, pictured taking the knee in his Westminster office alongside his deputy, Angela Rayner.

And Labour remains, despite the groundbreaking Cass Report into trans health care for young people in England, committed to making self-ID for trans people easier. His party in Scotland supported reforms that would have allowed children and sex offenders to change their legal gender, whether or not they suffered from gender dysphoria.

Despite Starmers lead, much of his party, and an increasing number of his MPs, too, seek the approval of anti-Israel elements in their communities, rather than take the occasionally tough, unpopular but correct stance on Israel. These vestiges of amateur student politics, rather than reflecting the priorities of ordinary voters, is something Starmer has failed to purge. The hard Left has never gone away, with Corbyns favoured candidates who were parachuted into seats before the 2017 and 2019 elections still there, beating the drum for a more radical course.

But Starmer now has no choice but to work with the cohort of MPs fate has given him. The party as a whole may not be ready, but he will be relying on promoting a few stellar talents and sidelining the rest, hoping that the likes of Wes Streeting and Rachel Reeves would be enough to reassure voters that the bad old, dangerous days of Corbyn really have ended.

Despite these challenges, Starmer has  so far  been lucky, not just that his gamble forcing policies on his party has paid off, but in the self-immolation by successive Tory prime ministers. In politics, as in humour, timing is everything. NoBut will that luck hold for another six weeks?

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The jet, a Boeing 777-300ER, after it made an emergency landing at Bangkok - Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

Six Britons are in intensive care in Bangkok after their flight from London plunged at high altitude, killing one elderly British passenger, authorities have revealed.

The six are being treated with 14 other passengers from different countries who received serious injuries when Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 hit sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmar.

The flight abruptly rose and plunged several times, 10 hours into its journey to Singapore on Tuesday, throwing people around the cabin so violently they left dents in the ceiling.

The drama at 37,000 feet left dozens with head injuries, cuts and broken limbs. Photographs taken inside the plane show the cabin littered with food, drinks bottles and luggage  and oxygen masks dangling from the ceiling.

Mr Kitchen, who was 73, was a musical director on the 'holiday of a lifetime' - Pixel8000

Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, died during the flight after suffering a suspected heart attack. The musical directors family said the trip had been planned as the holiday of a lifetime.

A total of 104 patients were taken to hospitals and clinics in Bangkok, after the plane, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Fifty-eight patients are being treated in three hospitals across the city, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said in a statement.

The hospital confirmed 20 patients, including six Britons, remain in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), while a further 38, among them nine British nationals, remain in less acute inpatient care.

Others in ICUs include six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Among the British travellers injured was 22-year-old Mia Stevenson, who told how she was thrown headfirst into the aircrafts ceiling.

Andrew Davies, 54, was a passenger on the the flight - Lion Schellerer/Reuters

Ms Stevenson said: I was partially asleep and the next thing I remember is that I just flew upwards and crashed into the ceiling and then fell down really hard into the aisle.

It was over in seconds and I didnt know what was going on. I was very confused and just froze. I couldnt understand what had happened. It was terrifying and I was shocked.

Speaking by telephone from her hospital bed, Ms Stevenson told The Daily Mail: I lost perception of everything. But I managed to get back into my seat and put my seat belt back on and then it all became a bit of a blur.

It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life but somehow a bit of logic managed to kick in. I just wanted the plane to land but I cant tell you how long it was before that happened because I was so dazed.

Ms Stevenson, a music student from Bristol who was travelling to Bali for a two-week holiday, said she had not been wearing her seat belt when the plane plunged suddenly.

Stranded passengers who were not seriously injured by the turbulence wait in Bangkok for the relief flight to take them to Singapore - Reuters

She said: I still feel quite shaken, but I understand that hitting turbulence like this is a very rare event and unlikely to happen to me ever again.

But I do feel very sad about what happened and I send my condolences to the family of the man who died.

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student who was also on the flight, said: Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it. They hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.

Allison Barker told the BBC her son Josh, who was aboard the plane, texted her that he was on a crazy flight that was making an emergency landing.

It was terrifying, she said. I didnt know what was going on. We didnt know whether hed survived, it was so nerve-racking. It was the longest two hours of my life.

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew landed at Singapores Changi Airport on Wednesday morning.

Scientists have long warned that climate change is likely to increase so-called clear air turbulence, which is invisible to radar.

A study in 2023 found the annual duration of clear air turbulence rose by 17 per cent from 1979 to 2020, with the most severe cases increasing more than 50 per cent.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A statue of Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon will soon leave the Utah State Capitol and head to its new home in Washington, D.C., after a several-year-long wait.

Cannon is known as a skilled physician, ardent suffragist and progressive public health reformer. In 1896, she was elected as the first female state senator in the U.S. and the state of Utah, defeating her own husband who was also on the ballot.

READ NEXT: Rebuilding Adam: How one man beat the odds and defied death

COVID-19 restrictions stalled the statues move to Washington, D.C., but the statue will soon make its way to the National Statuary Hall. The National Statuary Hall features up to two statues from each state of people who made a historical impact.

After six long years, I am thrilled to finally see this trailblazing pioneer of womens equality assume her rightful place in the halls of our nations capitol building, Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson said.

A resolution was passed in 2018 for the statue of Cannon to replace that of Philo Farnsworth, known as the father of television. Cannon will now stand next to the statue of Brigham Young, an American religious leader who led members of his faith to settle in Utah. As Cannon goes to D.C., Farnsworths statue will move to Utah Valley University.

During my time in the State Senate, no legislation brought as much excitement and public engagement as the resolution to send a statue of Martha Hughes Cannon to Washington, Lt. Gov. Henderson said.

To celebrate this moment, there will be a send-off event at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, June 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., featuring live music, food trucks, and activities for families and children.

The impact Utah women had on the national womens suffrage movement has for too long been overlooked, Lt. Gov. Henderson said. Marthas statue is more than a reminder of her individual accomplishments. She symbolizes the contributions of all the Utah women whose persistent and righteous efforts not only secured their own equal rights, but also ensured ours.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
For a decade, San Luis Obispo County has been working to connect the the city to the sea via the Bob Jones Trail  but the clock is ticking on the project, and at least one property owner could block the county from building a section of the trail on his land.

County staff originally designed a 4.5-mile pathway to link the Octagon Barn in SLO to the existing Bob Jones Trail in Avila Beach. Aside from the recreation opportunities, the project is important because it allows folks to commute to work and school safely by bike.

The county must meet state guidelines to keep a $18.2 million grant from the states Active Transportation Program for the project.

The project halted because at least one property owner, Ray Bunnell, refused to sell a sliver of his San Luis Obispo land to accommodate the original trail design.

In order to keep the grant, the county must complete land acquisitions and the state must approve the project design for construction by February 2025.

Mary and Bruce Williams of San Luis Obispo walked the Bob Jones Trail five times a week between Avila Beach and the parking area at Highway 101. They would like to see the trail expanded, they told The Tribune on Sept. 22, 2023.

County staff prepared an alternative design that relocates part of the trail to Ontario Road to avoid Bunnells property  but California Transportation Commission staff said that design likely doesnt have enough safety features to keep the grant funding.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to stick with the original design, prompting county staff to continue negotiating with Bunnell and other property owners to sell their land for the trail  hopefully in time to meet the grant deadline.

Supervisor John Peschong recused himself from the item because he accepted a campaign donation from the Bunnell family. Supervisor Debbie Arnold dissented.

We cant blame Mr. Bunnell for holding his ground, Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg said. On the other hand, as I said to him: I am sorry that you have property that runs along the 101. That fact is that we cannot have safe routes, which is very important in this day and age for our electric bikes, for transport for workers, for our tourism business  this is why everybody and their brother wants to see this trail be completed.

A map shows the plan for the full Bob Jones Trail with the missing piece between the Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo and the parking lot on Ontario Road.

County supervisor wont force property owner to sell land for trail, blocking the project

The original design calls for the trail to follow San Luis Obispo Creek on the east side of Highway 101.

It would start at the Octagon Barn parking lot and run adjacent to South Higuera Street until it reaches Clover Ridge Lane. The path would then pass through fields parallel to Highway 101, cross under San Luis Bay Drive, then cross under Highway 101 along the creek before connecting with the existing trail parking lot on Ontario Road

This trail design keeps users off and away from Highway 101.

The problem is, a piece of the proposed trail clips Ray Bunnells 142-acre property. The county asked Bunnell to sell a 1.36-acre easement on the edge of his land, but after a long negotiation process, he refused.

The 1.36-acre plot is away from residential and ranching facilities on the property, and 1.1 acres already include utility and floodplain easements that prevent development on the plot.

The county could force Bunnell to sell, but it would require four votes for the board to pass a Resolution of Necessity initiating an eminent domain process.

That idea is dead in the water, however, because Peschong cannot vote on the resolution due to the campaign donation, and Supervisor Debbie Arnold said she doesnt support using eminent domain to acquire land for this project.

When the county first started pursuing trail development, the board decided it wouldnt use eminent domain for recreational projects, Arnold said. She considers the trail a recreational project, so she opposed forcing Bunnell to sell his plot to the county.

It would be a sad thing for us as a county to start using eminent domain on private property owners, Arnold said.

Ortiz-Legg, however, said the Bob Jones Trail is not just a recreational project. While the trail could be used for recreation, it also would offer a safe route for bikers commuting to work and school between SLO and South County.

If this was a park, I could see the opposition, Ortiz-Legg said. Its not a park, its a multi-modal transport system that runs along the 101.

A couple walks along the Bob Jones City to the Sea Bike Trail near San Luis Obispo on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021.

Trail redesign not feasible, county staff said

An alternative design would move a portion of the trail to Ontario Road to avoid Bunnells property.

The county would narrow the vehicle traffic lanes on Ontario Road to make room for Class II bike paths in both directions, Diodati said. Trail users traveling on Ontario Road would have to cross South Higuera Street three times, where the county would install protective measures including cross walks and flashing lights, he said.

The California Transportation Commission would need to approve the new design in order for the county to keep the $18.2 million grant, however.

Unfortunately, commission staff told the county that the new design likely does not have enough safety features to keep the grant funding. The county could turn one lane of Ontario Road into a Class I bike lane and the other lane into one-way vehicle traffic, the commission said  but this would increase vehicle traffic congestion in the area, reduce evacuation access for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, and county staff couldnt finish the design by the grant deadline, Diodati said.

County staff recommended that the board stick with the original design and continue negotiating with property owners like Bunnell to acquire the necessary land for the trail.

We do think its feasible to move forward, Diodati said.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia  The Polish and Slovak governments are nearing a deal for the purchase of short-range, man-portable air defense systems, according to the manufacturer, as part of Slovakias push to bolster its anti-aircraft capabilities.

We are in advanced negotiations with the Slovak Ministry of Defense for the sale of the Piorun systems, and we look forward to conclude a government-to-government contract by the end of this year, a representative from the Polish Armaments Group PGZ, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, told Defense News during the IDEB defense fair, held here May 14-16.

PGZs flagship weapon is the Piorun (Thunderbolt), designed to destroy drones, helicopters, aircraft and winged rockets. It is able to hit targets at an altitude of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and has a maximum range of 6.5 kilometers (4 miles), according to data from the company.

Slovakia has identified gaps in it air-defense capabilities, a shortfall deemed urgent by many eastern European nations who fear Russian aggression beyond Ukraine.

In April 2022, the previous government donated a S-300 air defense weapon to Ukraine, a key part of its air defense network. At the time, U.S. European Command temporarily relocated a Patriot system to Slovakia to help protect its skies.

Late last year, Slovakias defense ministry published a list of recommendations for very-short-range (VSHORAD) and medium-range (MRAD) air defense systems to buy, based on an evaluation process.

The MoD recommends that VSHORAD systems be procured from Poland via a G2G agreement, the best offer from Poland was followed by the offers from Sweden, France and South Korea, the study said.

For the MRAD systems, defense officials recommended the purchase of a mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile from Israel.

Following this, the Slovak government stated its intention to procure 36 Polish-made Piorun sets and one Barak MX MRSAM-M system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries.

The overall procurement costs for these two types of air defense systems is estimated at 194 million ($210,4 million), and both are expected to enter into service with the Slovak Armed Forces from 2024 to 2027.
The Slovakian parliament reconvened for the first time on Tuesday since the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico almost a week ago.

In a landmark resolution, all 130 MPs in attendance voted for all political parties, civic organisations, and media to respect election results and refrain from spreading hatred against the democratically elected government.

The move follows a public outcry over the attack on the PM, which many say, stemmed from an atmosphere of toxicity and lies surrounding Slovak politics.

Prime Minister Fico remains in serious but non-life-threatening condition at the F.D Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, where he was carried after being shot multiple times.

He underwent a five-hour surgery immediately after the attack, followed by another two-hour operation last Friday.

Medical staff said he "remains conscious and communicative".

Meanwhile, the investigation into the attack continues. A male suspect was detained immediately after the incident on Wednesday.

Following a police search at his apartment, a court ordered the suspect to remain behind bars.

Government officials initially maintained that the shooter was likely a lone wolf. However, on Sunday, they said that he might have had assistance from someone else.
The number of cow herds across the US testing positive for avian flu influenza (H5N1) continues to rise. The virus, which has been detected on every continent (including in penguins in Antarctica) continues to circulate in wild birds and has been detected in more than 50 mammal species. Cows are just the latest in a long line of animal infections, which has cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

In Vietnam, a 21-year old man died in March from the virus. In Texas, a dairy worker contracted a mild case of the disease. And just this week a child travelling from India was diagnosed with H5N1 in Australia.

Spillover to humans has so far just led to isolated cases and human-to-human transmission has not been seen, yet. Of the 874 human recorded cases of H5N1 reported in 23 countries since 2004, 458 people have died  a case fatality ratio of more than 50 per cent. This does not mean if the avian virus started spreading human-to-human that a large-scale pandemic would follow this same pattern, but it does reflect that the time for serious preparedness is clearly now.

The first thing to get right is surveillance and testing. FIND, the organisation I chair, is working with partners like the World Health Organization (WHO), CEPI and the 100 Days Mission to make sure that countries have access to quality diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines.

Although animals are being tested, there are surprising limitations to how easily and how frequently this is being carried out. In the US, avian flu has been detected in so many cattle it is likely that the disease has been circulating undetected for months. In the UK, despite the situation across the Atlantic, the ministry in charge of the environment, food and rural affairs has said that it does not consider cattle to be at risk.

Ultimately the more testing, the more we understand how quickly the virus is moving and mutating. Furthermore, its obviously critical that if an outbreak is detected, tests are available everywhere so that those showing symptoms or coming into close contact with the sick can be tested and isolated. In the early days of a disease outbreak, this is the most effective way of breaking the chains of transmission and keeping epidemics from turning into pandemics.

Just because we have gone through the Covid-19 pandemic recently, does not mean that an outbreak of avian flu would follow the same track. The coronavirus hit hardest at people who were older or had underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease. An H5N1 outbreak could have a very different trajectory, given its mutation across species and the nature of flu viruses

Testing appropriately and making sure there are multiple types of effective tests which work in different resource settings, along with and a diversity of manufacturers to supply tests, is really important in the preparation and response to any outbreak.

Strong surveillance  particularly of those groups who are likely to come into contact with the virus, like farm workers, or those living closely with animals  and accurate testing capabilities, are critical to establishing the genetic sequence of the virus, which is fundamental to the development of other counter measures, including treatments and vaccines. The faster we detect outbreaks of H5N1 or any other pathogen with pandemic potential, the better chance they can be tackled before they go transnational.

Earlier this year, FIND, in partnership with the 100 Days Mission, found that of WHOs list of pathogens of pandemic potential approved tests, treatments and vaccines are limited for all but Covid-19 and Ebola Zaire. This is frankly illogical and poses a significant risk to our collective health security. We shouldnt be waiting for outbreaks to happen to ramp up investment in countermeasures.

These gaps in the worlds blueprint for pandemic preparedness and response are the exact topics in discussion by Government leaders as they negotiate a pandemic accord in Geneva. With limited time left to finalise an international instrument before the end of May deadline, it will be a failure to future generations if leaders cant prevent a repeat of the inequity that undermined the Covid-19 response and according to the UN led to more than 14.9 million excess deaths in 2021. A study in Nature noted that more than a million people died unnecessarily because of a failure to share vaccines.

Having accurate and accessible diagnostic testing and surveillance is the first step to an effective response that could stop an outbreak spreading. The animal kingdom has already been decimated but are we listening?

Dr Ayoade Alakija is board chair of FIND

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security

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KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 18:31 | Japan, All

Two Chinese men have been arrested for allegedly stealing 999 pairs of branded sneakers worth 18 million yen ($115,000) from a warehouse in Tokyo earlier this year, police said Wednesday.

Most of the stolen sneakers have been shipped to China, apparently for sale, the police said. Xin Yannan, a 28-year-old executive of a shoe sales company, and Shao Mingzhi, a 41-year-old transportation worker, both deny the allegation.

The two were arrested Monday on suspicion of conspiring to break into the warehouse and steal the sneakers on Jan. 5 and 6.

The warehouse is managed by another shoe sales company. Xin, who had dealings with the company, was in possession of a key to the warehouse, the police said.
Montana Wildlife Federation Conservation Director Jeff Lukas speaks at an event asking the Forest Service to perform an administrative mineral withdrawal on public lands in the Smith River watershed. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Montana Wildlife Federation Conservation Director Jeff Lukas speaks at an event asking the Forest Service to perform an administrative mineral withdrawal on public lands in the Smith River watershed. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

A coalition of environmental organizations opposed to mining in the Smith River watershed delivered a petition signed by about 10,000 people Tuesday to the U.S. Forest Service office in Helena urging it to withdraw mineral leases granted to a mining company whose mine on private land nearby is already being challenged.

The Smith River Public Lands Coalition said while Sandfire Resources Americas Black Butte Copper Mine has received plenty of attention in recent years, the companys filing of about 700 mining claims on public lands pose a similar threat to public lands.

The group said it hopes that showing the Forest Service how many Montanans oppose mining within the watershed and protecting the Smith River, the only permitted river in Montana, and force the Interior Department to consider an administrative mineral withdrawal that would prohibit new mining claims on public land in the watershed in order to preserve the area.

Some of the physical copies of the petition delivered to the U.S. Forest Service. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

They point to the 2024 Public Lands Survey released by the University of Montana in April, in which 73% of respondents said they would like the Forest Service to open a public process to discuss mining on public lands in the Smith River headwaters, as showing why Montanans want to see the issue addressed.

Withdrawing these mineral leases would protect the Smith River watershed and the surrounding public lands from a potential environmental disaster, Montana Wildlife Federation Conservation Director Jeff Lukas said at a news conference the group held Tuesday in front of the Forest Service office in Helena.

The group said it is concerned that tributaries to the Smith could become polluted if mining is expanded and hurt habitat populated by elk, moose, mountain lions, bears and other native species.

Weve all heard the old saying, they get the gold and we get the shaft, when it comes to certain mining operations that have occurred in Montana, Lukas said. We want the U.S. Forest Service to know that Montanans value the healthy, intact ecosystems that exist on public lands in the Smith River drainage more than any ore that could be mined in that area.

Sandfire Resources America, formerly Tintina Resources, in February had a permit granted by the Department of Environmental Quality restored by the Montana Supreme Court after it had originally been overturned by a district court.

The court then in March heard oral arguments over a challenge to the companys water-use permit for the Black Butte Copper Mine, an 1,888-acre mine near Sheep Creek in the Little Belt Mountains but has yet to issue a decision.

Montana Environmental Information Center Executive Director Derf Johnson said Tuesday the coalition is concerned that the company will expand its mining beyond that project and into a multi-decade project on private and public lands, though the company has not done any exploration on public lands so far.

According to Interior Department files, a handful of withdrawals are ordered every few years. But the coalition said public pressure to force changes to mining plans on federal lands have worked before in the North Fork of the Flathead and in the Paradise Valley. The group has talked with the Forest Service about their latest effort and said the agency has not shut the door on considering their proposal.

In response to the petition, a spokesperson with the Forest Services Northern Region said the agency is committed to hearing concerns about what is happening on its lands.

The Forest Service remains committed to listening to concerns and understanding the values we share with partners and the public in managing our public land resources, the spokesperson said. We understand that the lands and resources we manage hold great value for many people and we are always happy to receive input from the public.

Sandfire Resources America Senior Vice President Jerry Zieg, who grew up near the Smith River, said the company was focused on its private land mining at the moment.

Any projects considered in the future will be held to the same high Company standard of doing it right from the beginning, Zieg said in a written statement. Together, we face the important challenge of providing domestic critical materials for North American security and a sustainable world, while fully protecting environmental and cultural resources. We must all rise to this challenge by working together toward solutions that protect our cherished waterways and support our local communities.

Bu the coalition  which includes Montana Trout Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, American Rivers, the Montana Environmental Information Center, Wild Montana, Mountain Mamas and the Montana Wildlife Federation  believes the stakes for the watershed are more dire since the company already holds the public leases.

The Smith River will only remain as healthy as the surrounding public lands that drain into it, said American Rivers Northern Rockies Regional Director Scott Bosse. Time is running short for the Forest Service to initiate a mineral withdrawal to prevent industrial scale mining from permanently degrading this cherished watershed. Its now or never.

The post Smith River coalition petitions Forest Service to withdraw mineral leases appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Angus Robertson, the SNP culture secretary, has said he shares the concerns over the funding allocation to the Rain project - SST/ALAMY

An SNP quango knew that a controversial theatre project would include non-simulated sex acts and genital contact months before it handed over almost 85,000 of taxpayers money, it has been disclosed.

Documents published under Freedom of Information (FoI) showed that Creative Scotland was informed in March last year that the Rein project would work on a sex scene with genital contact with three of the cast, in addition to intimacy coordinator.

The funding application said this will be someone who has experience safeguarding in a sex work and pornography context so we can experiment with more explicit sexual content in the work. It also made reference to there being a sex party in Daddys cave.

Leonie Rae Gasson is the artist behind the scheme, which was condemned by campaigners as "porn masquerading as art and culture"

Another document from the same month said there would be no explicit sex acts in the development phase of the production, but we anticipate the final performance would include them.

Despite this, Creative Scotland paid out 23,219 in research and development and then handed over a further 84,555 in January this year for full development of Rein to the artist Leonie Rae Gasson.

After the award of the funding became public in March this year, there was a public outcry, with feminist groups claiming that it amounted to an endorsement of prostitution and was nothing more than porn masquerading as art and culture.

Creative Scotland, which is the equivalent to the Arts Council in England, vowed to claw back the money and claimed that Rein was considerably more explicit in its execution than its funding application had stated.

Iain Munro, the quangos chief executive, wrote to Holyroods culture committee in April this year stating that it had only become clear in the previous month that it was the intention to include real sex, as opposed to performance-depicted simulated sex, in the work.

Iain Munro, chief executive of Creative Scotland, has accused Leonie Rae Gasson of a "breach of the conditions of funding award" - CREATIVE SCOTLAND

He said this was a significant change to the approved project that made it inappropriate for public funding, before accusing Ms Gasson of a breach of the conditions of funding award.

But minutes of a meeting she held with Mr Munro, also in April, stated she was confused by the idea that it wasnt clear.

Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tories deputy leader, said: Creative Scotland have some serious explaining to do.

It appears they have misled the public over this scandal, in an attempt to cover their appalling misjudgment in awarding funding to this project. She said Angus Robertson, the SNP culture secretary, also had questions to answer.

The projects website described it as a 45-minute art installation that paid those who took part a fee of 270 a day to take part in non-simulated sex, including hardcore acts.

A recruitment advert for Rein stated actors must be over the age of 18 and asks those with previous sex work experience  particularly in porn contexts  to apply.

The FoI documents, released to The Telegraph, showed the funding application included a description of the show, which was to take place in a new fantasy world, set in the hardest reaches of the Scottish Highlands.

This would see leather-clad daddies rhythmically spank the trees, sheer tulle draped princesses playfully with each other in a loch and nude doppelbangers roll around in the mud.

Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tories' deputy leader, criticised Creative Scotland's "appalling misjudgment in awarding funding to this project" - SST/ALAMY

A Creative Scotland spokesman said: We were always aware the project would be explicit and creatively challenging, but it was not clear until the project issued the call-out for participants on its website that the project was moving from performance to unsimulated sex.

It was at this point that Creative Scotland felt that there had been a breach of contract, and this breach of contract was not disputed by the applicant.

A statement on Ms Gassons website said the Rein artists and performers did not want to be contacted by the media, but disputed that the performance was pornography as it was not intended as a way to elicit sexual arousal as the outcome.

The artists have been transparent

It also denied that Creative Scotland had been misled that there would be real sex, saying the artists have been transparent about the nature of the work with the funding body.

Mr Robertson said: I am deeply concerned about the detail that has emerged regarding the Rein project application. Based on this information that weve just seen today, I have a number of questions about how this project was awarded funding in the first place.

I have requested an urgent meeting with the chief executive and chair of Creative Scotland to understand how the current position has transpired and discuss how confidence in the organisation can be restored.

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When Nikki Haleyended her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in March, she said that Donald Trump would have to earn the votes of those in our party, and beyond it, who did not support [him].

Turns out he didnt even need to do that, as the former South Carolina governor announced on Wednesday that she plans to vote for the former president despite previously saying that she didnt believe he could beat Joe Biden.

I will be voting for Trump, Haley, who was the U.N. ambassador in Trumps administration, said during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington. Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech.

Considering that Haley said Trump was unfit to be president and the fact that she is still scoring double-digits in GOP primaries 2 months after suspending her campaign, many critics on X (formerly Twitter) considered her a hypocrite.

Oh, and it got brutal.

Welpas predicted, Nikki Haley has sold her soul to a lunatic who despises everything she claimed to stand for as a woman, child of immigrants, military wife and a supporter of democracy.



She is the quintessential craven political clout chaser who will clearly say or do https://t.co/mGqyN2PJb5  Tara Setmayer  (@TaraSetmayer) May 22, 2024

So when Nikki Haley said It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. She really meant, he can treat me and my voters like garbage and Ill still fall in line and support him.  Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) May 22, 2024

I told you Nikki Haley would endorse Trump. All these Republicans have been warning that Trump poses the gravest threat to democracy in modern history, but then they turn around and support him because theyre spineless cowards afraid of upsetting Trumps MAGA cult. Shameful. https://t.co/uMnSYWQ5ES  Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 22, 2024

Nikki Haley: Many of the same politicians who now publicly embrace Trump privately dread him. Republicans know what a disaster Donald Trump has been and will continue to be. They are just too afraid to say the truth out loud pic.twitter.com/2pR72UiAVB  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 22, 2024

Nikki Haley a few months ago: Trump is unfit to be president.



Nikki Haley today: I will be voting for Trump.



What a disgrace! pic.twitter.com/DOUECb4Jt6  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 22, 2024

This isnt complicated: Nikki Haley believes Trump is unfit. And she believes he should never be back in the White House. But if she said that publicly, her career as a Republican would be over. So, as expected, she decided to not be truthful. To keep her career as a Republican. https://t.co/03sgIJpta2  Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) May 22, 2024

For those people out there who praised @NikkiHaley - including many TV commentators and Democrats - she came out today and said "I will vote for Trump"



She was, is and will forever be a total fake and opportunist and I told you this over and over again while you praised her. pic.twitter.com/YkL3k7dvzU  Don Winslow (@donwinslow) May 22, 2024

Nikki Haley endorsing Trump during Unified Reich week in the middle of his criminal trial is an interesting political choice  Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) May 22, 2024

Gosh, who could have predicted Nikki Haley would endorse Trump?



Oh, thats right, all of us who have been paying attention to her career. https://t.co/wsSmlZez5O  Charlotte Clymer  (@cmclymer) May 22, 2024

Nikki Haley just confirmed that she will be voting for Donald Trump. Haley is a coward. She had the opportunity to stand up for our democracy and for whats right and instead, she chose to bow down to MAGA and Trump. A total embarrassment.  Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) May 22, 2024

Nikki Haley was finally leading. She had spoken clearly and developed her own base in politics that Trump couldnt steal. She stood on her own feet. We even voted for her after she dropped out.



And she just threw it all away. An utterly bizarre and cowardly choice.  Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) May 22, 2024

Media shocked

as Nikki Haley

does exactly

what everyone said she would do  John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) May 22, 2024

Related...
Solar eclipses are so last month. Get ready for a 'planetary parade'

First came a rare solar eclipse, followed by the northern lights, fueled by a solar storm. The next celestial phenomenon will come next month, when skygazers can look forward to an alignment known as a "planetary parade."

The parade will start June 3, when Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be aligned, according to Star Walk Astronomical News, a planetarium phone app.

During such events, multiple planets can be seen across the sky. A "mini planetary alignment" is when three are aligned; a large alignment comprises five or six, according to the outlet.

But don't expect to see them all.

Preston Dyches of NASAs "Skywatching Tips" video series explained that only two planets will be visible to the naked eye June 3, if any.

Contrary to many reports and social media postings, there will not be a string of naked-eye planets visible on June 3," he said via email. "Mercury and Jupiter will be far too low in the sky at sunrise. Even under ideal conditions (a dark sky, free from light pollution) Uranus is very dim and challenging to spot. The skyglow near dawn makes matters worse."

Read more: A total solar eclipse will be visible to millions of Americans in April. Here's how to view it

Neptune, which is six times dimmer than Uranus, requires a telescope to be seen, according to Dyches.

The "real parade," he said, will occur about four weeks later, on June 29, when Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the three-quarter moon will be visible in the morning twilight. In Southern California, this should occur around 5 or 6 a.m., according to Paul Robertson, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UC Irvine.

"If you went out that morning, you could actually see all of those four objects at the same time, and that's not really the same for the June 3 thing," he said.

Read more: Solar storm heading to Earth could disrupt communications and bring northern lights to California

The parades won't be the end of this year's sky spectacles.

A nova outburst is expected to take place at some point before September, Robertson said.

The outburst will be visible in the constellation Corona Borealis and will be as bright as the North Star for about a week before fading, according to Space.com.

The phenomenon occurs when a white dwarf and red giant star orbit each other. As the white dwarf takes stellar material from the red giant, a flash of nuclear fusion is ignited, launching a nova outburst, according to the outlet. The event is expected to be a "once-in-a-lifetime stargazing opportunity."

I think people may have gotten a little more interested in watching the sky since the big eclipse, Robertson noted. I know people traveled for that. It changes your perspective on things.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is encouraging everyone to get interested in the voting process and civil responsibilities by launching a new contest.

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The Secretary of States office has announced an inaugural I Voted sticker contest.

Michigan residents can enter their design to be considered for the states official I Voted sticker that will be handed out to voters when they head to the polls in November.

Democracy is a team sport and our first I Voted sticker contest is a fun way to get people across the state engaged in our elections, Benson said in a statement. I hope that students, parents, educators and community groups all help us spread the word about this opportunity to showcase Michigans creativity and civic pride.

There will be three contest categories: one for students in elementary and middle school (Kindergarten through 8th grade), one for high school students and one for Michiganders of all ages.

To be considered, all entries must include the phrase I Voted and be deemed nonpartisan.

Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 30. The public will vote for the finalists in an online poll throughout July. The winners will be announced in August.

The full contest rules are available on the Secretary of States 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 WOODTV.com.
(Bloomberg) -- South Africas ruling African National Congress will finalize a comprehensive policy on universal credit within two years should it return to power after next weeks election.

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The party will use the existing Social Relief of Distress Grant as the foundation for the transition to a permanent basic income payment, ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

To address the exclusion of a large number of people, we will improve the value of the grant and extend it to reach more beneficiaries, she said. The ANC recognises that the basic income support should complement, not replace, existing social security mechanisms.

The party issued the statement a week before voters head to the polls in whats expected to be the tightest election since the end of apartheid three decades ago. Opinion polls suggest the ANC will lose its national majority for the first time since 1994 because of voter dissatisfaction over the governments handling of the economy, amid growing inequality and record unemployment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in January that theres a strong case for universal credit despite the nations fiscal constraints.

Read More: South Africas Ramaphosa Hints at Income Grant as Vote Nears

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South Africa election: How Mandela's once revered ANC lost its way with infighting and scandals

File  A photo of former South African President Nelson Mandela on display at the Nelson Mandela Legacy Exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 27, 2013. Today the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces growing dissatisfaction from many who feel it has failed to live up to its promises. (AP Photo, File)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  For years, the African National Congress rose above politics in South Africa. It was a movement dedicated to freeing Black people from the oppression of white minority rule and to the lofty principle of democracy, equality and a better life for all South Africans.

It was widely revered as a force for good under Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to the apartheid system of racial segregation.

But 30 years after the ANC transformed from a liberation organization to a political party in government at the end of apartheid in 1994, it faces growing dissatisfaction from South Africans who feel it has failed to live up to its promises.

South Africans will vote on May 29 in a national election that could be the biggest rejection yet of the ANC, which has governed one of Africa's most important countries largely unchallenged since it led the fight to bring down apartheid.

Now, the ANC is for many a byword for graft and failed government. Here's how the famous party lost its way:

BROKEN PROMISES

While the end of apartheid gave every South African the right to vote and other basic freedoms, the challenge for the ANC was to convert that into a better life, especially for the Black majority who had been systematically repressed.

That has been difficult for the ANC government to sustain after some early success in raising living standards in its first 10 years in power. South Africa sits today with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, is still ranked as one of the most unequal countries, and its widespread poverty  which still disproportionately affects Black people  spurs most of the criticism of the ANC's three decades in charge.

The ANC has often pointed to the difficulties in reversing nearly a half-century of racist laws under apartheid and hundreds of years of European colonialism before that, which kept millions in poverty. It maintains that South Africa is a better country than it was under apartheid and that is undoubtedly true.

But the most pressing problems for many South Africans in 2024 boil down to a failure of basic government services, with communities across the nation regularly protesting against the lack of electricity in their neighborhoods, broken or nonexistent water and sewage systems, garbage piling up on streets, and a shortage of proper housing that leaves millions living in shacks.

CORRUPTION

While around half of South Africa's population of 62 million live under the poverty line, according to the World Bank, ANC officials have been implicated in enriching themselves in a succession of corruption scandals.

Corruption is alleged to have been especially bad under former President Jacob Zuma, who was accused of allowing a decade of rampant graft to play out before he stepped down in disgrace in 2018.

There were countless stories of wrongdoing, with politicians receiving bribes in return for influence or lucrative state contracts as a culture of graft pervaded all levels of government. South Africans heard how senior ANC figures allegedly received money to buy expensive suits, throw lavish parties or renovate their homes.

The disappearance of $15 million designated for the removal of harmful asbestos from the houses of poor people was one of many cases that enraged the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to clean up the ANC when he succeeded Zuma, but he was involved in his own scandal and survived an impeachment vote.

The ANC's reputation hasn't recovered.

INFIGHTING

The ANC has been hampered by infighting since Mandela stepped down as president in 1999 after one term and handed over to a younger generation.

His successor, Thabo Mbeki, was forced out as Zuma undermined his position as the head of the ANC. The party turned on Zuma, who is disqualified from running in next week's election, when the corruption allegations became overwhelming.

Ramaphosa has spent his first term as president since 2019 battling a part of the party still loyal to Zuma. In its early days, the ANC celebrated that it was a broad church of people dedicated to freedom and democracy. It now has factions much like any other political party, affecting its ability to solve South Africa's problems.

THE FUTURE

From a dominant position when it once commanded 70% of the vote, the ANC has seen people gradually desert it, especially among a new generation of South Africans who don't remember apartheid.

The election is widely expected to be a landmark moment for the country's post-apartheid democracy as recent polls have the ANC's support at less than 50%, suggesting it might lose its parliamentary majority for the first time.

The ANC is still expected to be the biggest party, but dropping below 50% would lead to it having to govern alongside others in a coalition.

That would be the biggest political shift in South Africa since the ANC ascended into the government and a humbling moment for a party Zuma once said would rule until Jesus comes back.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
South Carolinas Republican governor on Tuesday signed a law banning gender-affirming medical care for minors in the state.

Gov. Henry McMaster announced the signing of H 4624 in a statement on social media, saying the measure protects our states children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them.

With the law, South Carolina joins more than 20 other states in restricting gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The measure passed earlier this month by 28-8 in the state Senate and 67-26 in the state House.

The legislation, which takes effect immediately, bars physicians from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors, including hormone treatments, puberty blockers and surgeries  though surgical procedures are rarely performed on children.

Major medical associations agree that such care is appropriate for gender dysphoria, the psychological distress that may result when a persons gender identity and sex assigned at birth do not align.

Under the new laws provisions, physicians can temporarily continue providing hormone treatments and puberty blockers to minors who were prescribed those treatments prior to August 1, 2024, if the health care professional determines and documents that immediately discontinuing the treatment would case the minor harm. The provider may institute a period during which the persons use of the drug or hormone is systematically reduced, which must end by January 31, 2025.

South Carolina health care professionals who provide such care to minors outside those limits would be subject to discipline by their licensing entity and open to civil lawsuits. A physician performing surgery could face state charges of inflicting great bodily injury upon a child and could be imprisoned up to 20 years if convicted.

The law also requires school officials to notify the parents or guardians of a minor if their child has told school employees their gender doesnt align with their sex assigned at birth or if they ask to use different pronouns.

We can put to rest the notion that the governor cares about limited government and personal freedom, Jace Woodrum, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, said in a statement Tuesday.

With the stroke of a pen, he has chosen to insert the will of politicians into healthcare decisions, trample on the liberties of trans South Carolinians, and deny the rights of the parents of trans minors, Woodrum added.

The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement calling the law a major violation of South Carolinians freedoms.

The measure threatens to plunge the transgender community into a deeper health care crisis, leaving Virginia as the only Southern state without a ban, worsening nightmarish travel times and stripping transgender youth throughout the South of access to care, Brandon Wolf, the groups national press secretary, said in the statement.

South Carolina becomes just the latest state to restrict the care for trans minors, with around half of all states placing similar laws on their books in recent years.

As the laws spread across the country, so too do legal challenges to the health care restrictions. The challenges have resulted in conflicting rulings from federal judges and circuit courts, placing increased pressure on the US Supreme Court to weigh in on the hot-button issue.

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KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 22:30 | All, Japan

International flight passengers at Tokyo's Haneda airport totaled a record high of 19.1 million in fiscal 2023, government data showed Wednesday, with an increase in inbound tourist traffic following the relaxation of COVID-19 border measures contributing to the growth.

The figure marked a 2.8-fold increase from the previous fiscal year, topping the previous record of 18.2 million set in fiscal 2018, according to the transport ministry's East Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.

Meanwhile, domestic flights at the airport rose around 16 percent in fiscal 2023 to 61.8 million, the bureau said.

Located about 15 kilometers from central Tokyo, Haneda airport resumed hosting international flights in 2010 and has rapidly expanded services in the ensuing years.

It is now Japan's second busiest international airport after Narita International Airport, located near Tokyo in neighboring Chiba Prefecture. Narita saw around 26 million international passengers in fiscal 2023, more than double the previous year.

Japan logged a record 3.08 million foreign visitors in March, topping the 3 million mark for the second consecutive month in April.

The country ended its border control measures on travelers from overseas in May last year in line with its decision to categorize COVID-19 as a common disease.

Related coverage:

Japan ranks 3rd among top world travel destinations: report

Online reservations begin for Mt. Fuji climbers to ease congestion

Foreign visitors to Japan top 3 mil. for 2nd straight month in April
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a bill banning gender-affirming care treatments and procedures for those under 18 in his state Tuesday.

I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law, which protects our states children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them, McMaster said in a post on the social platform X Tuesday. I look forward to joining legislators and supporters at a ceremonial bill signing in the Upstate next week.

The bill, House Bill 4264, states that a physician, mental health provider, or other health care professional shall not knowingly provide gender transition procedures to a person under eighteen years of age and that those who do so shall, upon an adverse ruling by the appropriate licensing board, be considered unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to discipline by the licensing entity with jurisdiction over the physician, mental health provider, or other medical health care professional.

Across the state, from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, South Carolinians are mourning the passage of H.4624, which will make it immeasurably harder for transgender youth and many adults to access the life-saving healthcare that they need and deserve, Chase Glenn, a leader in the LGBTQ advocacy group SC United for Justice & Equality, said in a statement in a Tuesday press release.

But let me be clear: This loss does not crumble a movement, Glenn continued. Our movement supporting transgender people in South Carolina is louder and stronger than its ever been. Weve marched at the State House, weve told our stories, and weve made sure our lawmakers heard from us. Now, we will do everything in our power to support our community through this crisis.

Jace Woodrum, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina, said in a press release Tuesday that the group stands in grief and solidarity with LGBTQ South Carolinians, who are increasingly under attack by our own government.

We can put to rest the notion that the governor cares about limited government and personal freedom, Woodrums statement continues. With the stroke of a pen, he has chosen to insert the will of politicians into healthcare decisions, trample on the liberties of trans South Carolinians, and deny the rights of the parents of trans minors.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a law Tuesday that bans gender-affirming care for minors. "I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law to protect our state's children from irreversible gender transition procedures." File Photo by Stephen B. Morton/EPA

May 21 (UPI) -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law Tuesday a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as critics called it a "cruel and dangerous assault on trans youth."

The law, which takes effect immediately and prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or performing gender-transition surgeries for patients under 18, makes South Carolina the 25th state to restrict or ban gender-affirming care.

"I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law, which protects our state's children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them," McMaster, a Republican, wrote Tuesday in a post on X. "I look forward to joining legislators and supporters at a ceremonial bill signing in the Upstate next week."

I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law, which protects our state's children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them. I look forward to joining legislators and supporters at a ceremonial bill signing in the Upstate next week. pic.twitter.com/7RTDYGGGDU Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) May 21, 2024

In addition to banning the prescription of puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgery, South Carolina's new law bans public funds and Medicaid from being used to cover the cost of transition-related healthcare for residents of any age.

Healthcare professionals in South Carolina who provide gender-affirming care to minors could have their licenses revoked or face civil lawsuits. Doctors who perform gender transition surgery on minors could face charges of inflicting bodily injury and face up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.

South Carolina's new law also requires school administrators to contact parents whose children choose to use a different name or pronouns other than their sex assigned at birth.

The Help Not Harm measure passed earlier this month by a vote of 28 to 8 in the state Senate and 67 to 26 in the state House.

Critics blasted the new law, calling H.4624 a "broad intrusion into medically necessary healthcare for transgender South Carolinians."

"This bill is a cruel and dangerous assault on trans youth and adults in South Carolina that ignores the guidance of every major medical organization," Chase Glenn of SC United for Justice and Equality said in a statement Tuesday.

"Across the state, from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, South Carolinians are mourning the passage of H.4624, which will make it immeasurably harder for transgender youth and many adults to access the life-saving healthcare that they need and deserve," Glenn added. "But let me be clear: This loss does not crumble a movement."

The Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project has offered to help transgender youth identify out-of-state gender-affirming care providers with emergency grants to offset costs.

"Healthcare is a human right -- and it breaks my heart to see lawmakers rip away life-affirming and often life-saving medical care from transgender youth in South Carolina," Uplift Outreach Center Executive Director Raymond Velazquez said after lawmakers passed the ban.

"No one should be forced to leave their home state to access the care that they need and deserve."
A Southwest Airlines captain has filed a complaint against the airline, which sacked him over his decision to speak to passengers rather than fly the plane during an emergency last year.

David Legeros was in command of a Boeing 737 that saw an engine burst into flames moments after takeoff from Houston Hobby Airport in August 2023 on the way to Cancun.

The planes right-hand engine suffered severe damage during the emergency, but rather than take the controls the captain chose to let the First Officer fly the plane. Instead, Mr Legeros communicated with air traffic control for a return emergency landing back in Houston, according to court documents obtained by The Independent.

In an application for an injunction against the airline filed in a New York district court in April, Mr Legeros states that flames could be seen from inside the cabin, making the passengers unsurprisingly terrified.

The court papers state that Mr Legeros then spoke in Spanish and English to the passengers to try and reassure them that the situation was under control.

Following the incident he says that he was reprimanded by the airline, as Southwests standard operating procedures instruct the captain to take control of the aircraft during an emergency situation, according to PYOK.

The former captain claimed that if he had taken control of the plane, the aircraft could have suddenly jolted and detached the burning engine, leaving the risk of it falling to the ground.

Had SWA (Southwest Airlines) decided to reward Mr Legeros, or even ignore him, following his heroics, this story would be over, but SWA decided to punish him, the petition states.

The court documents claim that the airline found that Mr Legeros engaged in serious misconduct after they investigated the incident on Flight WN307.

Instead of immediate termination for the sin of safely getting a flaming aircraft to the tarmac, Mr Legeros was forced to sign a Last Chance Agreement with a myriad of extraordinary requirements for his retraining program, the injunction application wrote.

Despite the complaint claiming the passengers onboard were heavily Hispanic, it alleges that management had criticised him for speaking Spanish to the passengers.

Based on the pretense of some serious misconduct, but in reality due to his status as a person of color, SWA has been looking to push Mr. Legeros out, the complaint alleges.

Mr Legeros was then, and still is, grounded from flight status, and then in January, the airline said they wanted to conduct a Fitness for Duty psychological evaluation.

There are few better ways to remove an irritating pilot than to develop a medical record that purports to diagnose said pilot as insane, Mr Legeros lawsuit states.

Mr Legeros claimed he could not attend the initial evaluation due to his father being in hospital.

The lawsuit claims that Southwest now wants him to attend a meeting with their Chief Pilot where he would be allowed to resign or be terminated.

Mr Legeros is seeking injunctive relief to prevent SWA from compelling a psychological exam or the Fitness for Duty evaluation.

Southwest declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit to PYOK as the litigation is pending. But company spokesperson Lynn Lunsford said in a statement to the outlet that Southwest stood behind its decision to fire Legaros.

Southwest expects all of its Pilots to follow procedures and policies that exist to protect the safety of our Customers and Employees, the airline said in a statement.

Southwest stands behind its decision to dismiss Mr. Legeros and will respond to any claims in the appropriate forum.

The Independent has contacted Southwest for further comment.
A former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor has been indicted on a falsifying records charge as part of a federal investigation that alleges he attempted to cover up a sexual abuse report, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Matthew Queen, a former interim provost at the Fort Worth theological school, failed to inform the FBI of a conspiracy to destroy evidence in an investigation of sexual misconduct and, instead, produced falsified notes to investigators, according to the news release from the United States Attorneys Office Southern District of New York.

Queens alleged actions deliberately violated a court order and delayed justice for the sexual abuse victims, said James Smith, FBI assistant director in charge.

Since 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI have been investigating allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct related to national religious institutions, including Southwestern Baptist, according to the release. A grand jury subpoena required all documents in Southwestern Baptists possession related to sexual abuse allegations against anyone employed by or associated with the seminary in south Fort Worth.

In November 2022, a Southwestern Baptist employee received a report alleging that a student committed sexual assault, according to the indictment. The employee immediately notified campus police, but no further action was taken by the institution at the time and the assault was not reported to prosecutors, the release says.

In a statement posted Tuesday by Southwestern Baptist, staff says the school facilitated the arrest of the student and suspended him, who later withdrew from the college.

The employee that received the report created a document in January 2023 describing the sexual assault allegation and the failure of the seminary to address the allegation, the release said. In a meeting with Queen and a member of the seminarys executive staff, the member told the employee to destroy the document, the indictment states.

In an interview from May 2023, Queen falsely told authorities that he did not hear the executive staff member ordering the employee to destroy the document. Days after the interview, Queen falsely told another employee that he took notes of the meeting, which stated the executive staff member merely discussed with the first employee to redirect the submission of the document to another department at Southwestern Baptist, the indictment alleges.

Those falsified notes were provided to the grand jury subpoena.

Southwestern Baptist says when the institution became aware of the original report and later responses from certain staff, the school disclosed the matter to the Department of Justice, as required by a DOJ subpoena.

The seminary has repeatedly informed staff of their duty to fulfill the obligations of the subpoena. The seminary has and will continue to cooperate fully with the DOJ in its investigation of sexual abuse, the statement reads.

Queen could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to Southwestern Baptist, all employees alleged to have acted improperly are no longer employed by the school.

Southwestern Seminary takes seriously its moral and legal duties to care for victims of sexual abuse. The actions alleged in the indictment are antithetical to the values of the seminary, the school said in the statement.
Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state next week, in a move that is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause but further strain relations between Europe and Israel.

The three European nations say their landmark decision is the best way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, but it sparked swift condemnation from Israel, as its foreign minister ordered the immediate recall of its ambassadors from those countries.

Most of the world already recognizes Palestinian statehood. More than 140 out of 193 member states of the United Nations have made their recognition official. But only some nations in the 27-member European Union are among them.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told a Wednesday news conference in Dublin: Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

There is never a wrong time to do the right thing, Harris later said, speaking to CNNs Christiana Amanpour on Thursday.

It was my governments preferred position to recognize a two-state solution as part of a peace process to bring that about, but sadly, unfortunately, such a comprehensive peace settlement now seems, in many ways, further away than it has ever been, Harris said.

We believe you cant say youre in favor of a two-state solution and not recognize the very existence of two states, he added.

The recognition will come into force in all three countries on May 28, according to Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.

Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said that a Palestinian state was a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East.

There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution, Stre said in a statement. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sought to characterize the decision as one that was not anti-Israel.

This recognition is not against the people of Israel and certainly not against the Jewish people, he said. Its not in favor of Hamas. Its in favor of co-existence.

The announcement was welcomed by Palestinian officials.

This step reflects Spains keenness to support the Palestinian people and their inalienable and legitimate rights to their land and homeland, the office of the president of the Palestinian Authority said in response to Madrids decision, as reported by Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Hamas, the militant group which governs Gaza, urged other countries to follow suit and recognize our legitimate national rights, support the struggle of our people for liberation and independence, and end the Zionist occupation of our land.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said recognizing a Palestinian state would be a reward for terror.

This will be a terror state, which will attempt to perpetrate the onslaught of October 7 time and again, and to that we shall not agree, Netanyahu said, adding, this evil must not be given a state.

As Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate recall of its ambassadors to Spain, Norway and Ireland, he said, in a statement: I am sending a clear message today  Israel will not hold back against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security.

After the terrorist organization Hamas carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after it committed the most horrific sex crimes the world has seen, these countries chose to give a reward to Hamas and Iran and recognize a Palestinian state, Katz added.

Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza on October 7 after militants led by Hamas killed at least 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others.

Israel has come under fierce criticism for its war. Earlier this month, a panel of independent UN experts condemned the continued and systematic onslaught of violence committed against Palestinians in Gaza. The agency has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

Israeli attacks in Gaza have since killed at least 35,647 Palestinians and injured another 79,852 people, according to the Ministry of Health there. CNN cannot independently confirm the figures.

Two-state solution

All three European leaders stressed the importance of having Palestinian statehood in reaching a two-state solution in the Middle East, a decades-long goal that the international community has failed to achieve.

Irelands Foreign Minister Martin said the decision came amid growing impatience with Israels lack of political will for a two-state solution.

The integrity of that two-state solution has been undermined in recent years by the strategy of the Israeli government and, in particular, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has declared opposition to it, Martin told CNNs Richard Quest during a live interview.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told CNNs Becky Anderson that Israel was wrong to see recognizing Palestinian statehood as rewarding Hamas.

We are sending the opposite signal. We are supporting the Palestine authorities which spring out of the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] who renounce violence and who many decades ago promised to leave the violent struggle behind and work for peaceful settlement with Israel  a promise they have kept by the way, Eide said.

Senior officials in the United States, a close ally of Israel, have insisted the only way to bring peace and stability to the region is through the creation of a Palestinian state with guarantees for Israels security. Lawmakers in Israel have long rejected those calls.

Reacting to the news on Wednesday, a National Security Council spokesperson told CNN that US President Joe Biden is a strong supporter of a two-state solution. The spokesperson added, however: He believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.

France, meanwhile, said that now is not the right time for it to join its European neighbors in recognizing a Palestinian state. The countrys foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, added that such a decision is not merely a symbolic issue or a question of political positioning but rather a diplomatic tool in the service of a two-state solution.

Germany, another one of Israels staunchest allies, also questioned the decision. Michael Roth, the chair of the parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, posted on X: Im not convinced that the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state is an appropriate measure after the horrific massacres (by) Hamas (on) October 7 last year.

Qatar, a key mediator in stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, said it hopes for more countries to recognize the State of Palestine, according to a statement from the foreign ministry. The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia, another regional actor, called on more countries to swiftly take the same stance.

Ireland has a long history of being openly supportive of the Palestinian cause, consistently criticizing Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and Gaza before Hamas October 7 attack in Israel. Since then, Israels war in response has shredded huge parts of the Gaza Strip and drained critical supplies, exposing the entire population of more than 2.2 million people to the risk of famine.

I can say this to the people of Israel: we recognize the state of Israel. We recognize the state of Israels right to live in peace and security. That is their right. The people of Palestine also must have an equivalent right to peace and security, Harris told Amanpour on Thursday.

And let me also say this to the people of Israel: the Irish people know what its like to have their national identity hijacked by a terrorist organization. The IRA was never the people of Ireland and Hamas is not the people of Palestine.

We have been clear and unequivocal that we condemn Hamas, that we condemn the most horrific barbaric massacre that Israel experienced on the 7th of October. We call for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages. But it is entirely possible to say what I have just said and also say the next bit which sadly some refuse to say: that what is happening in Palestine, what is happening in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe, that children are being starved, are being deprived of food and that there are children who will go to sleep in Gaza tonight not sure if they will wake in the morning, he added.

A source familiar with the matter told CNN the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently considering further diplomatic steps against the three countries.

Steps under consideration include cancelling visits of officials from these countries to Israel and revoking visas from diplomats, which will limit their ability to visit areas in the West Bank under control of the Palestinian Authority, the source said. Another step under consideration by Israel is to reach out to the US to seek diplomatic support in providing clarification from Norway, Ireland and Spain on their intended decision, and to ask the US to try and convince other countries to not follow suit.

Pressure on Israel

The planned recognition adds pressure on Israel after seven months of fighting, according to H.A. Hellyer, scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London.

For individual Palestinians on the ground in the Occupied Territories, its not going to mean anything at all in the short term, perhaps in the medium term, Hellyer told CNN. It is obviously political recognition by states that dont have a presence on the ground.

Hellyer added that Israel risks becoming an international pariah given that Western nations are now beginning to recognize a Palestinian state.

Israel captured Gaza from Egypt in the 1967 war, then withdrew its troops and settlers in 2005. The territory, home to some 2 million Palestinians, fell under Hamas rule in 2007.

After Hamas took control, Israel and Egypt imposed a strict siege on the territory, which is ongoing. Israel also maintains an air and naval blockade on Gaza. These severe restrictions have been fiercely criticized by international bodies, including Amnesty International, who say Israel has violated international law.

The vast majority of the population in Gaza are descendants of 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were forcibly expelled from their homes during what Palestinians call al-Nakba, or the catastrophe, of the 1948-49 war, in what is now Israel.

CNNs Kareem Khadder, Mike Schwartz, DJ Judd, Saskya Vandoorne, Nadine Schmidt, Mostafa Salem and Nadeen Ebrahim contributed reporting.

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From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish civil war divided neighbours, friends and families, and people both inside and outside Spain kept a close eye on what was happening in the country.

Two of the best-known international figures who, through their images and writings, managed to convey what was happening in Spain were the war photographer Robert Capa and the writer Ernest Hemingway.

There was also a personal closeness between them that impacted their work. In fact, Capas photographs served as inspiration for Hemingways writings.

Ernest Hemingway: a correspondent committed to the Republic

Hemingway, who had a previous connection with Spain, was a well known writer when he decided to return to journalism to cover the Spanish conflict for the North American Newspapers Alliance (NANA).

Hemingways stay during the war resulted in thirty dispatches for the American press and one more, with greater personal involvement, published in the Soviet newspaper Pravda. He also found time to describe Spanish society in writings centred on everyday life. His public image as an intrepid reporter was helped by the fact that he was, at the time, one of the best known correspondents in the world, and one of the best paid.

Ernest Hemingway with Soviet and German intellectuals Ilya Ehrenburg and Gustav Regler, working on the propaganda film The Spanish Earth, Spain, 1937. Cassowary Colorizations/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

In time, his work expanded beyond dispatches from the Spanish Civil War to include one of his best known works: For Whom the Bell Tolls. Drawing on a combination of real life experiences and fictional content, the Nobel Prize laureate conveyed his impassioned vision in defence of the Republican cause and the Spanish people.

Hemingways novel came to symbolise the Spanish conflict in the collective imagination. This was amplified by the film of the same name, starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, which garnered nine Oscar nominations.

Robert Capa: an intrepid, influential photographer

Robert Capas images often capture what Henri Cartier-Bresson called the decisive momnent, meaning the culmination or apex of the event being photographed. In his photographs, the mid ground predominates, eschewing either general panoramas or minute details, with depersonalised subjects and gestures presented in stark black and white. His images are often grainy and lacking in sharpness, lending them an unique atmosphere.

Capa photographed several conflicts, including the Normandy landings. These photos are notable for their proximity to the events, which the images narrate with great clarity.

Robert Capa during the Spanish Civil War, in May 1937. Photograph by Gerda Taro. Wikimedia Commons

These images of D-Day inspired a similar visual language in Steven Spielbergs film Saving Private Ryan. This is especially evident in the opening Normandy landing scene, where the aesthetic helps to create an unreal and unsettling atmosphere, mainly due to the grain of the film and the slight blurring that characterised Capas work.

However, Capa is most well known for his work in the Spanish Civil War. It should be noted that Robert Capa was a pseudonym adopted in 1936  Capas birth name was Endre Erno Friedmann. In addition to Capa himself, two others had previously published work under this name: his partner, Gerda Taro, who created the pseudonym and died on the Brunete front in 1937, and David Seymour (nicknamed Chim). Once Capa was the only one using this assumed name he began to publish his first reports in the pages of the magazine Vu , almost from the very beginning of the war. Subsequently, other publications such as Regards, Ce Soir and the British magazine Picture Post began to publish his output.

The Falling Soldier: an iconic photo mired in controversy

Although The Falling Soldier, one of Capas best-known photographs, was published in French magazines in 1936, it did not reach international fame until it appeared in Life in July 1937.

It is undoubtedly one of the most widely published images of the conflict, but the circumstances surrounding this photograph  taken at the height of the conflict  have contributed to controversy over its authenticity. Its veracity has been defended by, among others, his official biographer, Richard Whelan. In a January 1999 interview with El Pais semanal, Wheelan stated:

The controversy has been definitively cleared up in Capas favour thanks to the discovery of the identity of the man in the photograph, Federico Borrell Garcia, who was killed in Cerro Muriano, 12 kilometres north of Cordoba, on 5 September 1936.

While not wishing to undermine the photos symbolic value, one of Professor Jose Manuel Susperreguis investigations has deepened the controversy by relocating, on the basis of an topographic study, The Falling Soldier to Cerro del Cuco instead of Cerro Muriano.

His study concludes by stating that:

This new information on location completely changes the reading of The Falling Soldier, and demonstrates that the authors own version of this photograph is totally false, dismantling the various accounts based on his version of events. Additionally, other theories attribute its authorship to his companion Gerda Taro.

Regardless of its authenticity, the images value is indisputable and enduring. Not only is it one of Robert Capas most popular photographs, it is also the best known photograph of the Spanish Civil War and one of the most famous war photos ever. It also set a precedent for spontaneity and action war photography.

The physical and intellectual proximity of foreign correspondents and Spanish journalists in the Civil War led to ideologically charged photographs and reports, which arguably bordered on propaganda, often enhanced by the name on the byline. In their new narrative perspective, civilians and anonymous people became the protagonists of war images. In the same way, everyday life was also brought into reporting.

Capas Falling Soldier and Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls are all but synonymous with the Spanish Civil War. Both works, much like their authors, have become emblematic of the Republican cause.

Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos.

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Miguel Angel de Santiago Mateos no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado.
Prosecutors plan to use Hunter Biden's infamous laptop as evidence in an upcoming trial to help them prove that the president's son unlawfully obtained a firearm in 2018.

Special counsel David Weiss wrote Wednesday that "the defendant's laptop is real (it will be introduced as a trial exhibit) and it contains significant evidence of the defendant's guilt."

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in October to federal gun charges after prosecutors say he obtained a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver and lied on a federal form about his drug use at the time. Biden owned the firearm for eleven days and never fired it, his attorneys said.

MORE: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal gun charges

The laptop has become a symbol of the legal and political controversy surrounding the president's son in recent years. Weiss' office plans to use the laptop to demonstrate that Biden was on drugs around the time of his gun purchase in October 2018.

The younger Biden chronicled his extensive drug use in his memoir, "Beautiful Things," and has acknowledged the problematic behavior that came with it.

His gun-possession trial is scheduled to begin on June 3. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts.

Attorneys for Hunter Biden had previously attempted to preclude the laptop as evidence, arguing that they have "numerous reasons to believe the data had been altered and compromised before investigators obtained the electronic material."

PHOTO: Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, speaks during a news conference outside the Capitol, Dec. 13, 2023, in Washington. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP)

But in his response on Wednesday, Weiss claimed that Biden "has not provided any evidence or information that shows that his laptop contains false information, and the government's evidence shows the opposite."

"Any argument that suggests his laptop is not authentic would be inappropriate because there is no foundation for such questioning, and it risks creating juror confusion about the evidence actually at issue in this case," Weiss wrote.

The development came on the same day a federal judge postponed Hunter Biden's Los Angeles trial on tax charges until Sept. 5 -- raising the likelihood that a jury could be deliberating whether to convict the president's son on several felony counts in the waning weeks of the 2024 election.

Judge Mark Scarsi on Wednesday granted a motion from Hunter Biden's legal team to move the trial from June 20 to September, giving them the chance to adequately prepare.

Attorneys for Hunter Biden had said a June 3 trial would hamper their ability to adequately represent their client.

"There was an assumption that he could do both, but it's becoming complicated," Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said at a hearing on Wednesday.

Prosecutors in Weiss' office had opposed the delay.

They argued in court papers and again at a hearing on Wednesday that a delay would inconvenience their office and several witnesses who they had already subpoenaed to testify at trial in June and July.

Weiss' office charged Hunter Biden in December in California with nine felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his failure to pay $1.4 million in taxes for three years during a time when he was in the throes of addiction. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The back taxes and penalties were previously paid in full by a third party, identified by ABC News as Hunter Biden's attorney and confidant, Kevin Morris.

The new trial schedule raises the likelihood that Hunter Biden will be on trial as many voters begin casting their ballots. The parties predict that the trial could last up to six weeks, meaning jurors could be deliberating a verdict in mid-October.

Special counsel plans to use infamous laptop as evidence in Hunter Biden's firearm trial originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC4)  A community has rallied to make an intersection safer after two teenage girls were struck by an SUV and hospitalized in critical condition.

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon, May 18. Witnesses told the Spanish Fork Police Department that the girls darted out into traffic into the path of an oncoming Kia Soul SUV at the intersection of 2300 East and Canyon Road.

Since the incident, Spanish Fork spokesperson Nick Porter told ABC4.com that speed trailers have been placed at the intersection on both the north and southbound side of Canyon Road. That decision was made during a public comment at Tuesday nights city council meeting.

UDOT spokesperson John Gleason said it was working with Spanish Fork for a more permanent solution.

Two teen girls in critical condition after being hit by SUV in Spanish Fork

Were going to work and try to make our transportation system as safe as it can be, said Gleason. Well continue to work with Spanish Fork on putting in this signal here at this intersection as well.

Meanwhile, a community has been set up on Facebook rallying for the intersection to be revamped. Within two days of being created, 88 people have joined, rallying to attend the city council meeting and push for change.

Porter said the city has made an agreement with UDOT that will hopefully speed up the process. If Spanish Fork installs the traffic signal, UDOT will reimburse the costs. Porter said UDOT did not directly fund a new traffic signal before Saturdays tragic accident.

The victims, 13-year-old Reagan and 12-year-old Olivia, still remain in the hospital in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon. A spokesperson for Regans family told ABC4.com she is still unconscious and in intensive care.

It doesnt feel real: Utah mother speaks out after stepson connected to alleged coup attempt

A nurse remains in the room with her 24/7 monitoring her, the spokesperson said in a statement. We are praying for a miracle and recovery of this beautiful teenager.

The family said they were grateful for the donations, prayers love and support from the community. While the spokesperson said he was unable to comment on Olivias condition he said it is similar.

GoFundMe fundraisers have been set up for both the girls to help the families with medical expenses and other financial support. The GoFundMe for Reagan can be found by clicking here while the GoFundMe for Olivia can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 20:37 | Japan, World

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are certain to agree in talks later this month to deepen cooperation to tackle security threats from North Korea, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Kishida and Yoon, who are expected to meet in Seoul on Sunday on the sidelines of a trilateral summit involving Japan, South Korea and China, are also likely to affirm the need to bolster their security ties with the United States, the sources said.

The two leaders, having last met in the United States in November, are making arrangements to hold in-person talks amid improved bilateral relations in the wake of South Korea's announcement in March 2023 of a solution to a long-standing wartime labor compensation dispute.

During the talks, Kishida is likely to share concerns with Yoon about North Korea's missile launches and nuclear weapon development, while seeking Seoul's support to resolve the issue of the past abduction of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang, the sources said.

As Japan and South Korea mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties next year, the leaders are set to agree to maintain close communication and boost exchanges in political, business and cultural fields, they added.

On Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa reaffirmed with her South Korean counterpart Cho Tae Yul that their countries will work together toward the trilateral summit, "which is currently under coordination to be held," her ministry said.

The Kishida-Yoon meeting, meanwhile, would take place after Japan's communications ministry earlier this year urged LY Corp., the operator of the popular Line messaging app, to strengthen the protection of users' personal data in the wake of a massive data breach.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications also said the app provider relies heavily on Naver Corp. of South Korea, a major shareholder of LY, to operate the app system and lacked appropriate countermeasures against cyberattacks.

With the ministry's call to review the capital relationship between LY and Naver triggering a backlash in South Korea, Kishida and Yoon may touch on the issue during their upcoming meeting, the sources said.

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Springfield offers cooling centers to help beat the heat

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Its beginning to feel more and more like summer in Central Illinois, and sometimes, those outside temperatures can get dangerously warm. The City of Springfield is offering several cooling centers to help beat the heat.

Those without air conditioning or who are otherwise vulnerable to high temperatures are welcome to utilize the citys many cooling stations within their operating hours. City officials encourage staying safe and hydrated through the hot summer season.

Fire hydrant testing to begin in Springfield through summer

The following cooling centers can offer refuge from sweltering Springfield weather:

Municipal Center East

800 East Monroe Street

Hours: Monday  Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Municipal Center West

300 South Seventh Street

Hours: Monday  Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lincoln Library

326 South Seventh Street

Hours: Monday  Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday  Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Office of Community Relations

1450 Groth Street

Hours: Monday  Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. Johns Breadline

430 North 5th Street

Hours: Monday  Friday, indoor dining from 8 a.m. to 9 am, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & Holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.



FBI Springfield warns of 4-phase scam targeting Chinese communities

Salvation Army (Main Campus)

1600 Clear Lake Avenue, entrance on south side off Martin Luther King Drive

Hours: Monday  Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Washington Street Mission

408 North 4th Street

Hours: Monday  Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday from 8:30 a.m.  10 a.m.



Helping Hands

2200 Shale Street

Hours: Everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Overnight shelter from 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.



All the listed cooling centers also function as warming centers during the fall and winter months.

For updates and more information, visit www.springfield.il.us or call the Office of Community Relations at 217-789-2000.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
WASHINGTON  The White House will host staff members from the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention on Wednesday for an event tackling gun violence and violence intervention.

Mayor Jones founded the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) in July 2022. OVPs typically focus on the application of community-based strategies to reduce violence for people with the highest risks.

A news release from the City of St. Louis says that OVPs aim for violence-free neighborhoods through community-centered approaches. The office, led by Wilford Pinkney Jr., serves as a division within the Citys Department of Public Safety and focuses on community violence interventions, youth diversion programs, and alternative response strategies, all under a comprehensive public health framework.

Police shoot, kill suspected truck thief after chase in Jefferson County

On Wednesday, the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention will host members of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network, which includes members from St. Louis. The event will focus on community violence intervention and collaborative work to build safer communities.

The historic investment in Community Violence Intervention has allowed our office to build a comprehensive violence reduction infrastructure that addresses the root causes of gun violence in a holistic way and breaks down the silos between law enforcement and local government, said Wilford Pinkney Jr., Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, via a news release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Stafford man arrested in connection to fatal shooting during car meetup, police say

PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) arrested a man in connection to a fatal shooting that happened at a car meet early Sunday morning.

At about 1:45 a.m., PGPD responded to the meetup at a shopping center parking lot in the 6400 block of Marlboro Pike.

Officers found two people had been shot there.

They found 26-year-old John Phipps of Waldorf in a car suffering from gunshot wounds. He died a short time later.

Prince Georges County police identify man shot, killed during car meetup

The second man who was shot had non-life-threatening.

On Wednesday, police said they arrested and charged 22-year-old Raheem Adams of Stafford, Va. with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder and other related charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call PGPD at (301) 516-2512.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
In an 86-page ruling last year, D.C. federal judge Beryl Howell went through the arguments from Donald Trumps lawyers in his classified documents case and took them apart, barely concealing her disdain for defense claims that the former president  charged with taking national security secrets with him to his Florida resort and not giving them back  is a victim in all this.

First, a relatively brief recap: In June 2022, an attorney for Trump signed a document certifying that their client had handed over all classified documents in his possession. In August 2022, the Department of Justice, believing that certification to be false, carried out a court-authorized search at a Mar-a-Lago, recovering boxes full of top-secret documents, including information related to nuclear programs. Then, in December of that year, Trumps attorneys, conducting a search of their own, found even more material  including folders in the former presidents bedroom.

In an effort to downplay their findings, Trumps attorneys misleadingly characterized the bedroom documents as low-level ministerial documents, Howell said in her ruling, which rejected defense arguments that lawyer Evan Corcoran should not have to answer questions before a grand jury about the case. The former presidents attorneys failed to make any explicit mention about those documents, including White House schedules, having classification markings.

Notably, Howell continued, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago.

An appointee of former President Barack Obama, Howell also said there was evidence to suggest Trump had further attempted to obstruct justice. She pointed to an approximately nine-minute phone call on June 24, 2022, between Corcoran and Trump, in which the Republican candidate was informed that federal investigators had subpoenaed surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago. Prosecutors argue that the call reflects the former presidents realization that the removal of the boxes from the storage room before [redacted] search was captured on camera  and his attempts to ensure that any subsequent movement of the boxes back to the storage room could occur off-camera.

That is, after being informed that the government could observe their comings and goings, Trump appears to have directed his staff to avoid cameras going forward. Indeed, per Howell, the government "has provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the June 24, 2022 phone call may have furthered the former presidents efforts to obstruct the governments investigation.

Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney, said the unsealed ruling drives home just how needless the delays in the case have been. Cannon, a Trump appointee, has entertained a host of defense arguments that would likely have been dismissed by others  including that Trump had the right to take any documents he wished and post-facto claiming them as presidential records  and recently decided to indefinitely postpone a trial, some 11 months after she was assigned the case. She also unsealed Howells ruling because it was cited by the defense team as part of an effort to assert prosecutorial misconduct.

If the classified documents case had been indicted in DC ... and Judge Howell was the assigned judge, it would be on an entirely different, more appropriate track, that would have protected speedy trial rights, Vance argued.

Bradley Moss, a criminal defense attorney specializing in national security issues, likewise argued that Howells ruling showed how relatively simple the case against Trump is compared to the others he faces, including another brought by special counsel Jack Smith related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

The classified documents case was and will always have been the cleanest, most straightforward criminal prosecution of the four against the former president, Moss wrote on social media. That the public wont see it brought to fruition before they go to the voting booth is a stain on the judicial system.
Bentonville School District Superintendent Debbie Jones and Excellerate Foundation President and CEO Jeff Webster share details of the McAuley Place affordable housing development during a groundbreaking ceremony on May 21, 2024 in Bentonville. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Northwest Arkansas community members broke ground Tuesday on a multifamily rental development that provides a new path forward for the Bentonville School Districts affordable housing project, which stalled following a rejected rezoning request in February.

The Excellerate Foundation, a grant-making organization thats worked on regional housing issues, proposed constructing employee housing adjacent to Bentonville High School last summer. After the project received pushback earlier this year, Excellerate incorporated the plan into another development that was already in the works called McAuley Place.

Organizations like the Excellerate Foundation have explored affordable workforce housing solutions in recent years as Northwest Arkansas rapid growth has led to skyrocketing home prices, causing recruitment and retention challenges for employers.

Instead of having to delay the project, Excellerate President and CEO Jeff Webster said this modified plan speeds things up.

We need action, we need it now, he said. This pulls us forward a year, so were excited by that part  its more central, its bigger and its faster.

McAuley Place is a partnership among several entities, including the Excellerate Foundation, Strategic Realty (which is owned by state Sen. Jim Petty, R-Van Buren), Benton County government, Arvest Bank and Mercy Health Northwest Arkansas.

Mercy, which operates a clinic adjacent to McAuley Place, sold the nearly 11-acre property to the Excellerate Foundation for about $1.3 million, which was below market value, Webster said. The foundation donated the land to the project, which is named for Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy to whom Mercy traces its roots.

The $35 million multifamily rental development is supported with about $17 million from state and federal funds, $10 million from philanthropy and $8 million from permanent financing, Webster said.

McAuley Place is part of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, a nearly 40-year-old federal program that provides funding that allows for rent rates that must remain low over time and sets income limits for who can live in the units, Webster said.

Located at the corner of SW I Street and SW 41st Street, McAuley Place will provide 120 multifamily rental units of varying sizes and 40 single-family cottages to eligible community members.

The estimated monthly rent will be about $750 for a two-bedroom multifamily unit and $1,000 for a cottage. High school students in the Bentonville Schools IGNITE Construction Management program will assist with the design and construction of the single-family cottages.

Bentonville School District Superintendent Debbie Jones and Excellerate Foundation President and CEO Jeff Webster

Thirty-five cottages will be allocated to Bentonville School District employees and five will be available for Mercy employees. District employees can also choose to participate in the Home Ownership Mutual Equity Solutions (HOMES) program that will help residents build equity they can use as a down payment on a home.

Webster said the program provides home ownership benefits while removing some of the financial challenges such as mortgage insurance, taxes and closing costs. When tenants leave after a maximum of five years, they will have approximately $50,000 that can be used toward the purchase of a permanent home.

McAuley Place will also have a 3,000-square-foot early learning center where the school district will lead programming for 60 infants and toddlers. The center will also offer adult educational classes, covering topics like tutoring, financial management and home-ownership preparation.

Additionally, the Excellerate Foundation has created the Teacher Homes Fund, through which the public can make donations of up to $100 to support McAuley Place. The Excellerate Foundation will provide a 1:1 match.

Bentonville Superintendent Debbie Jones said affordable housing for district employees has been a challenge since 2021. After Tuesdays groundbreaking ceremony, Jones said she was pleased to see the community come together to address the issue.

We have been building towards today for several years and so thats why its such a celebration, she said. Its really a solution to a problem that our community saw.

The developments first phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025, and the entire project will be finished by the end of 2026.

Teacher housing projects

The districts original plan for providing affordable employee housing involved the donation of approximately nine acres adjacent to Bentonville High School to the Excellerate Foundation with the intention of building 100 multifamily and single-family rental homes. Although the land donation was completed, the $25 million project stalled after facing opposition this year.

First, lawmakers at a January legislative meeting criticized the decision to donate district property purchased with taxpayer dollars instead of selling it. Some legislators also argued that providing housing is outside the districts purview.

Although Arkansas attorney general approved the legality of the land donation for construction of affordable housing in a September opinion, the Bentonville city council rejected a rezoning request in February, which halted progress on the project.

The district pursued the project because officials said they were losing teachers who couldnt afford to live in the region. In April, the median sale price of a home in the city was $464,672, according to Realtor.com.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Bentonville had the third highest starting salary for teachers in the state at $51,924. The LEARNS Act of 2023 raised Arkansas minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000.

The Bentonville School Board in April approved increasing the districts minimum teacher salary to $54,416, for the 2024-2025 school year.

Although officials are moving forward with McAuley Place, Webster said theyre not giving up on constructing on the land adjacent to the high school and are considering next steps.

Meanwhile, the Lee County School District is nearing completion on its affordable teacher housing project in Marianna. The east Arkansas district broke ground on a four-duplex project in February. The district superintendent told the Advocate earlier this month that construction will be complete in July.

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An illustration of a red and yellow run in the top left of the screen. Three worlds are seen toward the right of the screen, two of which have leaking atmospheres.

A scientist has learned more about the violent processes that rip atmospheres away from planets, finding that squashing and squeezing by a parent star can contribute to this process.

The research, conducted by Guo Jianheng from the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, could help astronomers better determine which extrasolar planets, or "exoplanets," to look at more closely as they expand their search for life beyond the solar system.

There are multiple ways planets can lose their atmospheres to space, including the upper atmosphere leaving the planet as a whole, called " hydrodynamic escape." This process is thought to be more extreme than the process by which our solar system's planets leak particles into space today, through "hydrodynamic escape," which causes a planet to lose mass while also impacting its climate and, thus, its habitability.

Jianheng simulated atmosphere loss from low-mass exoplanets. In particular, Jianheng focused on the hydrodynamic escape atmosphere-loss mechanism and suggested a new classification method that can be used to understand this, and other, escape processes.

Related: Possibly habitable Trappist-1 exoplanet caught destroying its own atmosphere

Though it no longer occurs for the inner planets around the sun, in the early era of the solar system, hydrodynamic atmospheric escape may have actually occurred to planets like Venus and Earth. Had the process continued, our planet may have been left with only a thin, mostly waterless atmosphere similar to what we see around our planetary neighbor, Mars.

That means understanding hydrodynamic atmospheric escape may help determine why Earth is capable of supporting life, but Mars and Venus aren't.

Though hydrodynamic atmospheric escape isn't currently ripping away atmospheres in the solar system, astronomers have used space- and ground-based telescopes to determine that these processes are indeed occurring around exoplanets located close to their host stars.

Smaller planets have a weight loss advantage

Jianheng performed computer simulations of low-mass exoplanets, which revealed that those with hydrogen-rich atmospheres could be experiencing hydrodynamic atmospheric escape as a result of their internal energy processes.

This energy manifests as internal heat and is generated by the tidal forces that squash and squeeze the planet  forces caused by the gravity of their parent stars and by the bombardment of intense ultraviolet radiation from those stars. Sometimes, these forces can even deform planets to ovoid shapes.

Previously, modeling has been employed to understand the physical mechanisms driving hydrodynamic escape, but these models have been complex and often resulted in obscure conclusions.

Jianheng, on the other hand, posits that the physical parameters needed to classify the mechanisms behind hydrodynamic escape are simple. You just have to think about the characteristics of the planets and stars involved, the researcher says, such as their masses, radii, and the orbital separation between the planet and its star.

An illustration with a diagram of a star and planets orbiting at varying distances, getting influenced by aspects presented by the star.

The simulations conducted by Jianheng revealed that for more "puffy" and less dense exoplanets, those with low masses and large radii, high enough internal temperatures could cause atmospheric escape. A ratio of a planet's internal energy to its gravitational potential energy, known as the "Jeans parameter," could be used to determine if a planet would experience atmosphere escape. The smaller the Jeans parameter is, the more likely atmospheric escape is to occur.

For planets that can't experience hydrodynamic escape due to high internal energy, Jianheng found that a modified Jeans parameter accounting for tidal forces generated by stars could determine and distinguish the roles these forces and extreme ultraviolet radiation play in driving atmospheric escape.

Related Stories:

 Exoplanets in the Trappist-1 system more likely to be habitable than scientists once thought, study suggests

 The TRAPPIST-1 solar system not bombarded by space rocks like early Earth, study suggests

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The simulation also revealed that low-mass planets with high gravitational potential arising from an increased distance between a planet and its star, as well as the lower radiation such a world would be bombarded with, results in a slower hydrodynamic atmospheric escape.

The findings could help scientists better determine how low-mass planets' atmospheres change over time, helping to paint a better picture of the habitability of these worlds.

This research was published on May 9 in the journal Nature Astronomy.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A new bus route will run from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg, 365 days a year, starting in 2025.

It will be the first east-west route for the state-managed Virginia Breeze bus lines, and the fifth in total. The four other routes run from Southwest and Central Virginia to Northern Virginia.

As I conclude my time as DRPT Director, this route expansion is not just a project, but a legacy that I am proud to leave behind, said Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Director Jennifer DeBruhl in a statement about the new route.

The stops on the new route are expected to include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, New Kent, Richmond, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. A survey found those were among the highest priority stops due to their connections to the miliary, universities and more.

Virginia Breezes current bus lines (Courtesy of Virginia Breeze)

The route will go both east and west each day, and take about 6 and 1/2 hours total, Virginia Breeze says. Ticket pricing has yet to be determined, but for example, a one-way trip from Bristol to Washington, D.C. costs about $59.99 through the service. A ride from Washington to Harrisonburg costs about $35.99.

Virginia Breeze is a state-managed initiative through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation that started in 2017. The idea was to bring back bus services to rural and other underserved communities in the wake of Greyhounds decline over the past several decades. Greyhound does currently offer routes between Hampton Roads and places like Richmond and Charlottesville, but doesnt have the same options and reach.

For example, to get to Charlottesville from Hampton Roads, youd have to get on a bus in Hampton at 5:25 a.m. There are also no options that stretch to Harrisonburg.

Virginia Breeze is funded overall through a combination of Federal Transit Administrations Intercity Bus Program, I-81 corridor improvement funding and passenger ticket revenue. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation invested about $500,000 to operate the new east-west line.

Virginia Breeze says since it launched its provided nearly 220,000 rides, and demand has been increasing. That includes a 10% increase in ridership from 2023 to 2024.

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization said theyre thrilled with the new route.

The HRPDC and HRTPO are fully supportive of increased transportation connections to our region, including expanded inter-city bus service, the organizations said in a statement. These improved bus connections will not only provide visitors to our region an alternative to the automobile, but will provide another option for visitors to travel to our region to enjoy the incredible assets we are home to in the 757. We appreciate the efforts of DRPT and other State partners to make these improved connections a reality.

For more information, visit www.virginiabreeze.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Its National Safe Boating Week and Illinois state agencies are urging safe boating practices as Memorial Day approaches.

The safety week is observed yearly the week before Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer and boating season. Officials said there are two main ways to practice safe boating: wearing a life jacket whenever on water and only operating a boat while sober.

Life jackets save lives, and the best thing you can do for your friends and loved ones is insist they wear a life jacket anytime theyre in or near the water, said Illinois Conservation Police Lt. Curt Lewis, the states boating law administrator. The best life jacket is the one you wear, whether youre on a fishing boat, a pontoon, a canoe, a personal watercraft, or a paddleboard.

Statistics from the Illinois Conservation Police show that in 2023, there were 70 boating accidents reported on Illinois waters, resulting in 12 deaths and 37 injuries. Of those 12 deaths, eight were not wearing life jackets.

UPDATE: Authorities find body of missing Vermilion Co. swimmer

Most accidents, statistics show, happen between noon and 6 p.m. on weekends between June and August. Accidents usually involve operators between the ages of 20 and 40 with more than 100 hours of boating experience, but little to no classroom instruction. Accidents also usually involve boats cruising in a careless or reckless manner, ending in a collision with another boat.

The IDNR offers free boating safety courses to go over laws and operating instructions. All boaters of all ages are encouraged to take a course, but anyone born after June 1, 1998, must pass a course and have a valid Boating Safety Certificate.

With boating season upon us, everyone who heads out to enjoy Illinois beautiful lakes and waterways should make safety their first priority, said Cody Gray, safety education program administrator for IDNR. IDNRs mandatory boating safety classes are free, and what you learn may just save someones life.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
MOUNT AETNA, Pa. (WHTM)  State troopers are searching for a man they say led them on a police chase Tuesday and are seeking the publics assistance.

The Pennsylvania State Police at Jonestown said a white Hispanic man fled in a teal Jeep Renegade in Berks County.

He is described as 59, 32 years old, wearing all black clothing with a black backpack.

His SUV has Florida plates, JJGD22.

Troopers are asking residents in the Mount Aetna area to review any security cameras they have between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, looking for a man meeting that description.

He is believed to have walked in the area of Apple, East Market, and other side streets in the village.

Anyone with information should call Trooper Lehner at the Jonestown barracks at 717-865-5067.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 08:39 | All, Podcast

Episode 46: Tour of Lies

What fake name would you use to join a "tour of lies"?

Three Kyodo News journalists -- Yamaguchi-san, Peter and Nakanishi-san -- talk about a feature article written by Peter about a tour in Tokyo's Asakusa where all the information offered by the guide is untrue. Listen as they discuss how the tour came about, why it has gained popularity and what lies are mentioned on it.

Article mentioned in the podcast:

FEATURE: "Tour of lies" stretches imagination in Tokyo's Asakusa

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

Related coverage:

Podcast [English World] Episode 45: Hello from our newest member

Podcast [English World] Episode 44: Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Podcast [English World] Episode 43: New DisneySea Hotel
State police trying to find man accused of exposing himself to Butler County gas station employee

Pennsylvania State Police in Butler County are trying to identify a car and its male driver, who is accused of exposing himself to a gas station employee.

PSP says the incident happened on May 13 just before 4 p.m. at a Kwik Fill on East Main Street in Evans City. They say a man pulled up to the pumps and exposed himself to an employee before driving away eastbound on State Route 68.

The man is reportedly driving a dark gray Chevrolet Malibu.

Anyone with information should contact PSP by calling 724-284-8100.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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Conservatives in Georgia have desperately tried to silence a candidate for Georgia's Supreme Court who has voiced support for abortion rights ahead of a consequential election on Tuesday.

Former Democratic Rep. John Barrow is challenging incumbent state Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson in Tuesdays vote, using an abortion-rights playbook that helped liberals recapture the majority on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court in an election last year.

Barrow is a staunch supporter of abortion rights while Pinson, in a previous role as solicitor general, supported efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. But Georgia conservatives havent wanted Barrow speaking about any of that. The state's Judicial Qualification Commission, whose members have all been appointed by conservative political leaders in the state, claimed Barrow was violating ethics rules by publicly showing support for abortion rights.

A judge dismissed a free-speech lawsuit Barrow filed challenging the commissions findings, meaning he could face repercussions  and potentially even impeachment  if he wins.

The ruling certainly favors conservatives in Georgia, who have an incentive to be noncommittal on abortion rights during campaigns at a time when abortion advocates have notched key election victories in typically conservative states.

Unlike Wisconsin, the majority is not at stake in the race. Georgias Supreme Court is technically nonpartisan, but all but one of its current members were first appointed to the position by Republican governors. Pinson, a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was appointed by Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

In an interview with the ReidOut Blog on Tuesday, Barrow compared his situation to that of Janet Protasiewicz, who won that Wisconsin seat only to face calls for impeachment over comments she made during her campaign about voting rights.

In Wisconsin, they had a huge campaign. And the whole country watched two candidates taking precisely the same tack that I and my opponent are taking in this race, he said, noting other similarities.

What my opponent and his supporters have tried to do is to shift and divert attention away from the debate about whether or not women have rights under our state constitution that incorporate rights they used to have under Roe, he told me. They want to shift debate away from that discussion, and have a discussion instead about what Im allowed to say.

He also explained the absurdity of requiring judicial candidates to stay silent about their interpretations of the law.

Per Barrow:

Conservative judicial nominees all the way up to the Supreme Court have shown a willingness to use claims about judicial ethics to avoid sharing their views on whether abortion should be deemed legal.

Barrow referred to this as ridiculous theater:

Republicans have deployed various tactics to prevent anger over the loss of abortion rights from hurting them  everything from confusing wording on ballot initiatives to blocking ballot initiatives from reaching voters, and now, even prohibiting judicial candidates from speaking about abortion during their campaigns. That seems like the clearest indicator that they know this is not a winning issue for them politically.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
State on verge of enacting legislation that would force oil industry to pay for its mess: 'You should play a role in cleaning it up'

In a groundbreaking move, Vermont is on the verge of passing legislation that would make major oil industry companies pay for their role in causing atmospheric damage.

This first-of-its-kind bill could set a powerful precedent for other states looking to hold polluters accountable, according to the Guardian.

The measure, modeled after the EPA's Superfund program that forces companies to pay for toxic waste cleanup, would charge billions to big oil and gas corporations operating in Vermont based on their past planet-warming pollution. The money collected would fund crucial projects to help the state adapt to rising climate impacts.

This bill marks a major step forward in the growing movement to make polluters, not taxpayers, cover the mounting costs of climate disasters. Vermont, known for its idyllic summers, has recently faced severe floods that caused over $1 billion in damage, according to the Guardian  a glimpse of the destruction that awaits if oil and gas companies continue business as usual.

By passing this legislation, Vermont would lead the nation in directly linking the industry most responsible for the climate crisis to the financial burden of its consequences.

The bill could inspire other states that are considering similar "climate superfund" measures, including California and New York, while building momentum for a national policy.

Surveys showed the majority of voters support making companies responsible for pollution pay, according to the Guardian. "Of course we're going to see efforts to force the companies responsible for disasters to pick up the bill," Jamie Henn, director of Fossil Free Media, told the news outlet.

While oil and gas interests will likely challenge the law, advocates are confident it will prevail. Vermont's attorney general has voiced support, saying the state is "ready to proudly defend" the measure.

"This bill is not about punishing big oil for deceiving the public," Elena Mihaly of the Conservation Law Foundation's Vermont chapter, told the Guardian. "If you contributed to a mess, you should play a role in cleaning it up."

With the climate crisis mounting, Vermont is poised to pioneer a powerful way to hold polluters accountable  and provide a model for the nation. As the bill's supporters declare, it's time for big oil to pay its fair share.

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States need to keep PFAS forever chemicals out of the water. It wont be cheap.

Jackson Quinn brings PFAS water samples into a temperature-controlled room at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Cincinnati in April. In the coming years, states will need to enforce new federal rules that require drinking water systems to test for PFAS and clean up their water if contamination is found. (Photo by Joshua A. Bickel/The Associated Press)

Jackson Quinn brings PFAS water samples into a temperature-controlled room at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Cincinnati in April. In the coming years, states will need to enforce new federal rules that require drinking water systems to test for PFAS and clean up their water if contamination is found. (Photo by Joshua A. Bickel/The Associated Press)

In recent years, Michigan has spent tens of millions of dollars to limit residents exposure to the harmful forever chemicals called PFAS. And some cities there have spent millions of their own to filter contaminated drinking water or connect to new, less-polluted sources.

Weve made significant investments to get up to speed, said Abigail Hendershott, executive director of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which serves as a coordinating group for the states testing, cleanup and public education efforts. Theres still a good chunk of the country that hasnt taken on anything.

Thats about to change.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new standards last month for PFAS levels in drinking water, giving water systems three years to conduct testing, and another two years to install treatment systems if contaminants are detected. State officials and utilities say its going to be difficult and costly to meet the requirements.

This is going to take a lot more investment at the state level, said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, a group that convenes leaders in state health and environmental agencies. It creates a big workload for everybody.

PFAS chemicals are widespread, found in a host of everyday products and industrial uses, and they dont break down naturally, meaning they stay in human bodies and the environment indefinitely. Exposure has been shown to increase the risk of cancer, decrease fertility, cause metabolic disorders and damage the immune system.

To date, 11 states have set limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in drinking water. Several others have pending rules or levels that require public notice. While the federal rule builds on those efforts, it also sets limits that are stricter than the state-issued rules.

We really have looked to the states as leaders in setting standards and doing some of the foundational science, said Zach Schafer, director of policy and special projects for the EPAs Office of Water. The state agencies are the ones who will be playing the point role [in implementing the national rule].

Schafer said the agency estimates that 6% to 10% of water systems nationwide will need to take steps to reduce PFAS contamination, at a cost averaging $1.5 billion per year over an 80-year span.

Public health advocates say the EPAs rule is an important step to ensure all Americans have access to safe water. They say state actions show that such efforts can work.

But some state regulators and water suppliers  even in states that already have their own rules  say the strict thresholds and timelines imposed by the feds will be difficult for many utilities to achieve. While the Biden administration has dedicated billions in funding to help clean up water supplies, experts say the costs will far exceed the available money.

Its going to have a significant impact nationally on water rates and affordability of water, said Chris Moody, regulatory technical manager with the American Water Works Association, a group that includes more than 4,000 utilities.

An estimate, conducted on behalf of the association, pegs the national cost of cleaning up contaminated water at nearly $4 billion each year. The report found that some households could face thousands of dollars in increased rates to cover the costs of treatment.

Theres a lot of concern

New Jersey in 2018 became the first state to issue standards for PFAS in drinking water. While the states regulations given New Jersey a head start, officials say they still have a difficult task ahead to meet the stricter thresholds.

When we bring in the EPA number, the number of noncompliant systems goes up dramatically, said Shawn LaTourette, the states commissioner of environmental protection. Theres a lot of concern about cost and implementation.

LaTourette said state leaders are working to analyze which water systems may fall out of compliance when the federal thresholds take effect. And hes calling on lawmakers to provide more money to communities that cant afford the upgrades.

In Washington state, utilities have begun testing for PFAS under state standards passed by regulators in 2021. Officials say that roughly 2% of the water systems tested so far arent in compliance, but that number would jump to 10% when factoring in the stricter federal limits. State leaders say theyll be able to grandfather in the data theyve been collecting to meet EPAs testing requirements.

The agency may ask state lawmakers for a substantial increase in staffing to implement the new rules, said Mike Means, capacity development and policy manager with the Washington State Department of Health.

Michigan has had its drinking water standards for PFAS since 2020. Hendershott said state officials are well prepared to incorporate the EPAs thresholds. But the strict new limits could quadruple the number of water systems that fall out of compliance.

Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals, said state efforts were key to bringing about the federal rule.

They created the urgency for the feds to bring these standards, she said. States that already have regulatory standards absolutely are in a better position.

Its very expensive

While many states have not enacted their own standards, some have conducted testing or taken other steps to address residents exposure.

This is going to take a lot more investment at the state level.

 Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

Missouri has been testing water systems for PFAS for more than a decade and created maps to notify residents of potential exposure. Of the 400 systems its sampled, 11 may have trouble complying with the EPA rule, said Eric Medlock, an environmental specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources. The agency aims to bring on a chemist and laboratory equipment to conduct more testing in-house.

Medlock expressed concern that the federal limits are so strict that theyre near the threshold of what can be detected.

When you get down to these really low detection levels that are right at the regulatory limit, that poses a problem, he said. Were going to have to enforce and regulate what EPA proposed. It is going to be an issue.

Medlock and others noted that states will face longer-term issues with the storage of the waste products filtered from the water, which carry their own PFAS contamination risk.

The infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021 includes $5 billion over five years to help communities treat PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

More funding for cleanup may come from state lawsuits filed against chemical manufacturers. Thirty attorneys general have filed litigation against polluters, and Minnesota settled its case against 3M Company for $850 million. But leaders say such settlements arent a predictable funding source.

In addition to the upfront cost of installing treatment systems, utilities face ongoing expenses, such as replacing filters and disposing of waste, that are less likely to benefit from federal grants and loans. Meanwhile, some water system leaders say the federal compliance timelines may not be long enough.

It takes time to design and build a major capital project, said Erica Brown, chief policy and strategy officer for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, a policy group that advocates for public water utilities. Its not one of those things that you say, You have to do this, and next year, and you can just turn it on.

And some officials fear the drinking water limits could lead to more state regulations on wastewater plants and other entities whose discharges may affect drinking water sources.

It seems like its going to be problematic, because [treatment] is very expensive, said Sharon Green, manager of legislative and regulatory programs with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, an agency whose members operate 11 wastewater treatment plants.

Both state regulators and regulated utilities say state leaders need a broader approach to the PFAS problem than just treating the water that comes out of the tap. Officials need to stop pollution at the source, regulate industrial operations and limit products that contain the chemicals.

If we keep it out of the river in the first place,  [the utility] doesnt have to spend millions of dollars for treatment, said Jean Zhuang, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, an advocacy group focused on the South.

While Southern states have not adopted drinking water standards for PFAS, Zhuang said South Carolinas requirement that polluters disclose their discharges of PFAS is a good model to begin cutting off contamination sources.

As states face down the expenses of fixing the PFAS problem, some advocates also want them to remember the public health costs of inaction.

People will ultimately be consuming less of these chemicals and getting sick less often, said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy nonprofit.

Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

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The post States need to keep PFAS forever chemicals out of the water. It wont be cheap. appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
States need to keep PFAS forever chemicals out of the water. It wont be cheap.

Jackson Quinn brings PFAS water samples into a temperature-controlled room at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Cincinnati in April. In the coming years, states will need to enforce new federal rules that require drinking water systems to test for PFAS and clean up their water if contamination is found. (Joshua A. Bickel | The Associated Press)

In recent years, Michigan has spent tens of millions of dollars to limit residents exposure to the harmful forever chemicals called PFAS. And some cities there have spent millions of their own to filter contaminated drinking water or connect to new, less-polluted sources.

Weve made significant investments to get up to speed, said Abigail Hendershott, executive director of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which serves as a coordinating group for the states testing, cleanup and public education efforts. Theres still a good chunk of the country that hasnt taken on anything.

Thats about to change.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new standards last month for PFAS levels in drinking water, giving water systems three years to conduct testing, and another two years to install treatment systems if contaminants are detected. State officials and utilities say its going to be difficult and costly to meet the requirements.

This is going to take a lot more investment at the state level, said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, a group that convenes leaders in state health and environmental agencies. It creates a big workload for everybody.

PFAS chemicals are widespread, found in a host of everyday products and industrial uses, and they dont break down naturally, meaning they stay in human bodies and the environment indefinitely. Exposure has been shown to increase the risk of cancer, decrease fertility, cause metabolic disorders and damage the immune system.

To date, 11 states have set limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in drinking water. Several others have pending rules or levels that require public notice. While the federal rule builds on those efforts, it also sets limits that are stricter than the state-issued rules.

We really have looked to the states as leaders in setting standards and doing some of the foundational science, said Zach Schafer, director of policy and special projects for the EPAs Office of Water. The state agencies are the ones who will be playing the point role [in implementing the national rule].

Schafer said the agency estimates that 6% to 10% of water systems nationwide will need to take steps to reduce PFAS contamination, at a cost averaging $1.5 billion per year over an 80-year span.

Public health advocates say the EPAs rule is an important step to ensure all Americans have access to safe water. They say state actions show that such efforts can work.

But some state regulators and water suppliers  even in states that already have their own rules  say the strict thresholds and timelines imposed by the feds will be difficult for many utilities to achieve. While the Biden administration has dedicated billions in funding to help clean up water supplies, experts say the costs will far exceed the available money.

Its going to have a significant impact nationally on water rates and affordability of water, said Chris Moody, regulatory technical manager with the American Water Works Association, a group that includes more than 4,000 utilities.

An estimate, conducted on behalf of the association, pegs the national cost of cleaning up contaminated water at nearly $4 billion each year. The report found that some households could face thousands of dollars in increased rates to cover the costs of treatment.

Theres a lot of concern

New Jersey in 2018 became the first state to issue standards for PFAS in drinking water. While the states regulations given New Jersey a head start, officials say they still have a difficult task ahead to meet the stricter thresholds.

When we bring in the EPA number, the number of noncompliant systems goes up dramatically, said Shawn LaTourette, the states commissioner of environmental protection. Theres a lot of concern about cost and implementation.

LaTourette said state leaders are working to analyze which water systems may fall out of compliance when the federal thresholds take effect. And hes calling on lawmakers to provide more money to communities that cant afford the upgrades.

In Washington state, utilities have begun testing for PFAS under state standards passed by regulators in 2021. Officials say that roughly 2% of the water systems tested so far arent in compliance, but that number would jump to 10% when factoring in the stricter federal limits. State leaders say theyll be able to grandfather in the data theyve been collecting to meet EPAs testing requirements.

The agency may ask state lawmakers for a substantial increase in staffing to implement the new rules, said Mike Means, capacity development and policy manager with the Washington State Department of Health.

Michigan has had its drinking water standards for PFAS since 2020. Hendershott said state officials are well prepared to incorporate the EPAs thresholds. But the strict new limits could quadruple the number of water systems that fall out of compliance.

Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals, said state efforts were key to bringing about the federal rule.

They created the urgency for the feds to bring these standards, she said. States that already have regulatory standards absolutely are in a better position.

Its very expensive

While many states have not enacted their own standards, some have conducted testing or taken other steps to address residents exposure.

This is going to take a lot more investment at the state level.

 Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

Missouri has been testing water systems for PFAS for more than a decade and created maps to notify residents of potential exposure. Of the 400 systems its sampled, 11 may have trouble complying with the EPA rule, said Eric Medlock, an environmental specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources. The agency aims to bring on a chemist and laboratory equipment to conduct more testing in-house.

Medlock expressed concern that the federal limits are so strict that theyre near the threshold of what can be detected.

When you get down to these really low detection levels that are right at the regulatory limit, that poses a problem, he said. Were going to have to enforce and regulate what EPA proposed. It is going to be an issue.

Medlock and others noted that states will face longer-term issues with the storage of the waste products filtered from the water, which carry their own PFAS contamination risk.

The infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021 includes $5 billion over five years to help communities treat PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

More funding for cleanup may come from state lawsuits filed against chemical manufacturers. Thirty attorneys general have filed litigation against polluters, and Minnesota settled its case against 3M Company for $850 million. But leaders say such settlements arent a predictable funding source.

In addition to the upfront cost of installing treatment systems, utilities face ongoing expenses, such as replacing filters and disposing of waste, that are less likely to benefit from federal grants and loans. Meanwhile, some water system leaders say the federal compliance timelines may not be long enough.

It takes time to design and build a major capital project, said Erica Brown, chief policy and strategy officer for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, a policy group that advocates for public water utilities. Its not one of those things that you say, You have to do this, and next year, and you can just turn it on.

And some officials fear the drinking water limits could lead to more state regulations on wastewater plants and other entities whose discharges may affect drinking water sources.

It seems like its going to be problematic, because [treatment] is very expensive, said Sharon Green, manager of legislative and regulatory programs with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, an agency whose members operate 11 wastewater treatment plants.

Both state regulators and regulated utilities say state leaders need a broader approach to the PFAS problem than just treating the water that comes out of the tap. Officials need to stop pollution at the source, regulate industrial operations and limit products that contain the chemicals.

If we keep it out of the river in the first place,  [the utility] doesnt have to spend millions of dollars for treatment, said Jean Zhuang, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, an advocacy group focused on the South.

While Southern states have not adopted drinking water standards for PFAS, Zhuang said South Carolinas requirement that polluters disclose their discharges of PFAS is a good model to begin cutting off contamination sources.

As states face down the expenses of fixing the PFAS problem, some advocates also want them to remember the public health costs of inaction.

People will ultimately be consuming less of these chemicals and getting sick less often, said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy nonprofit.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post States need to keep PFAS forever chemicals out of the water. It wont be cheap. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
An infant in Fayetteville, Georgia, 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 percent 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 requires only 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.

New Hampshire lawmakers considered their own rollbacks of immunization requirements this year with two bills. Both passed the House but stalled in the Senate earlier this month with interim study votes.

One would have limited the states required childhood immunizations to communicable diseases, which would have eliminated the tetanus vaccine and combination vaccines that include tetanus but also diphtheria and pertussis.

The other would have exempted children attending child care facilities from showing proof theyd received the states required vaccinations. Sponsors said their intention was to reduce child care providers administrative burden of maintaining immunization records and disputed claims it would put the state at risk of disease outbreaks.

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.

A vast majority  nearly 95 percent  of children attending child care facilities in New Hampshire are up to date with their required vaccines, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The same is true of children attending public schools, about 93 percent, and private schools, about 89 percent. Although the state made it easier to get a religious exemption from required immunizations: 3 percent for school students and 2 percent for those attending child care.

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.

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 percent for all vaccines in the 2019-2020 school year to about 93 percent for all vaccines in both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, according to the CDC.

Nonmedical exemptions account for more than 90 percent of all approved vaccination exemptions and are allowed in all but five states. Exemptions increased from 2.2 percent among kindergartners in the 2019-2020 school year to 3 percent in 2022-2023, and 10 states reported that more than 5 percent 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 percent 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.

Bulletin reporter Annmarie Timmins contributed to this report.

This story was originally published by Stateline, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

The post As states loosen childhood vaccine requirements, health experts worries grow appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
How Some States Are Responding to the Worst Attack on Voting Rights in Decades

To Minnesota state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, the mission was obvious: He had to do something to bolster protections against racial discrimination in voting.

When a panel from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling limiting who can sue under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Minnesota DemocraticFarmerLabor Party member and his colleagues drafted legislation to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot box.

The panels November decision concluded that only the U.S. Department of Justice can bring lawsuits alleging Voting Rights Act violations. This was even though, for decades, ordinary citizens and advocacy groups had been vital to getting courts to secure fair and equal representation for marginalized communities.

Born in Minnesota but with family roots that extend into former Jim Crow territories, Champion grew up keenly aware of how easily the right to vote can be snatched away from Black Americans.

His work has finally paid off. Minnesota DemocraticFarmerLabor Party Gov. Tim Walz on Friday signed into law the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, after the Senate and House approved the bill earlier last week. Minnesota is the first state to respond to the panels decision with its own Voting Rights Act. The existence of the law brings into focus how bleak the voting rights landscape has become over the past year: Conservative legislators and judges have ramped up their attacks on the franchise since last Junes U.S. Supreme Court decision reaffirming a key legislative achievement of the Civil Rights Movement.

Read More: How the Legacy of a Reconstruction-Era Massacre Shapes Voting Rights Today

This is the political environment we live in. Its not getting better  its getting worse, Champion, the lead Senate author of the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, told Capital B.

His district includes parts of Minneapolis, a city that in recent years has been the center of racial justice protests after the high-profile police killings of Black men, including George Floyd and Amir Locke.

Usually, Champion added, you get rid of protections when theres been improvement, when you can conclude that a particular need no longer exists. But thats not the case. Its not even close.

Read on to learn more about the greatest assault on Black political power in decades  and the effort to quash it.

How are voting rights under siege?

Advocates were stunned when the Supreme Court last summer upheld a lower-court decision finding that Alabamas racially discriminatory congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act. Many had expected the conservative-majority high court to obliterate what remained of the landmark law after 2013s devastating Shelby County v. Holder opinion.

But any excitement advocates felt has since evaporated, as conservative forces intensify their assault on the Voting Rights Act and as cases that could undercut the law continue to make their way through federal courts.

In April, for instance, a group of self-described non-African American Louisianans (at least a few are white) challenged the states new congressional map. They insisted that complying with the Voting Rights Act by drawing a map with two majority-Black districts  Louisiana is about 33% Black  discriminates against white Americans and, as a result, violates the 14th and 15th Amendments.

(Notably, this argument is consistent with one that the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, is advancing through Project 2025. The actual problem beleaguering our country, according to the transition plan, is anti-white racism.)

The Supreme Court this month allowed the state to use the new map in the 2024 elections. But the justices could still hobble the Voting Rights Act next term. Theyre expected to hear the constitutional challenge from the non-African American Louisianans.

President Lyndon Johnson hands a pen to Martin Luther King Jr. during the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in Washington. (Getty Images)

What does the 8th Circuit decision mean for Black communities?

Dismissing decades of precedent, the panel in November concluded in a redistricting case out of Arkansas that neither ordinary citizens nor advocacy groups such as the NAACP can bring lawsuits under Section 2  that only the U.S. Department of Justice has that authority.

Or put differently, for the first time since 1965, people in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota cant enforce their federal rights against discrimination under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Mere days later, the Republican attorneys general of 12 states  Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia  joined an amicus brief. They asked that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the most conservative appeals court in the country, embrace a similar interpretation of Section 2, illuminating the ripple effects of the decision.

Without Section 2, the law that turned the U.S. into a multiracial democracy only six decades ago would devolve into a dead letter.

It was horrible, Barry Jefferson, the political action chair of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP, one of the plaintiffs in the case, told Capital B. It showed where the country is. We have lawmakers and judges trying to turn back the clock to a time when Black Americans voices werent heard. The decision has totally changed how we fight.

One way advocates are battling the newest attack on the Voting Rights Act? By moving to defend the ballot box on the state level.

What does the Minnesota Voting Rights Act mean in the long run?

The law revives private enforcement after the 8th Circuit decision and eases the process of voting for college students. It also abolishes prison gerrymandering by using an incarcerated persons previous address instead of the address of their place of imprisonment for census counting.

Democracy thrives when everyones voice is heard. Today, were ensuring a strong democracy by prioritizing accessibility and voter protections, Walz said in a press release. With this bill, we are breaking barriers that stand in the way of voting, protecting fair democratic processes, and paving the way for Minnesota to continue to lead the nation in voter turnout.

When Walz signed the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, Minnesota became the seventh state to adopt such legislation. The other states are Connecticut (2023), California (2002), New York (2022), Oregon (2019), Virginia (2021), and Washington (2018). State Voting Rights Acts are being considered in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey.

Champion, the Minnesota senator, explained that when the opportunity emerged to codify protections for marginalized voters, history and reason obligated him to seize it.

My mom  from Hooks, Texas  is still alive, and to this day, she votes in every single election, and she makes sure that her family does, too. Thats how crucial the right to vote is, he said. And if anything is impeding that right, we must work diligently to overcome that barrier.

The post How Some States Are Responding to the Worst Attack on Voting Rights in Decades appeared first on Capital B News.
The increase in sexually transmitted infections (STI) has caused a major concern for health officials, according to a report published Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

One of the curable STI diseases, syphilis, has increased to more than a million among adults aged 19-45 in 2022, according to the report. The highest spike was seen in two regions: Africa and the Americas.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while the development has raised concerns, health officials have the tools to address it by the end of this decade.

The rising incidence of syphilis raises major concerns, the Ethiopian health official said. Fortunately, there has been important progress on a number of other fronts including in accelerating access to critical health commodities including diagnostics and treatment.

We have the tools required to end these epidemics as public health threats by 2030, but we now need to ensure that, in the context of an increasingly complex world, countries do all they can to achieve the ambitious targets they set themselves, he continued.

The four curable STIs  syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis  are responsible for more than a million infections daily, according to the report. There were around 230,000 syphilis-related deaths in 2022.

In the same year, there were around 1.2 million new Hepatitis B cases and nearly 1 million new Hepatitis C cases.

New HIV infections dropped from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.3 million in 2022, per the report. Five population groups  sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs, men having sex with men, and people in prison  still have higher HIV rates than the rest of the general population.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kenneth Waits, with Sen. Greg Treat to his left, is a nominee to serve on the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

Gov. Kevin Stitts nominations to fill open positions on three regents boards that govern a combined 14 Oklahoma colleges and universities sailed through the state Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

Without dissent, senators approved the nominations of Kenneth Waits to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, Susan Bergen and Chris Franklin to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents and Thomas Kupiec to the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

Their nominations now will move to the full Senate for final confirmation. Once confirmed, OU regents typically serve seven-year terms while OSU regents serve eight-year terms.

Waits, an oilman and OU alumnus who lives in Tyler, Texas, was named to replace former Gov. Frank Keating on the seven-person OU board, which also governs Rogers State University in Claremore and Cameron University in Lawton. Keating had served on the board since 2017, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, presented Waits to the committee, saying, I am more confident in this executive nomination than I have been for any other executive nomination on the OU Board of Regents.

Waits

Waits joined Mewbourne Oil Company as an operations engineer in Woodward after his graduation from OU and has spent his entire working career with that company. He spent time as its Oklahoma City district manager, its vice president of exploration and its chief operations officer before his current role as president and chief executive officer.

My wife and I have a passion for education, Waits said. We believe education is the great equalizer, the gateway to success. Thats why we invest our time and resources there. That is why Im honored to be considered as a regent today.

Susan Bergen, pictured with Sen. Rob Standridge to her right, is a nominee to serve on the OSU/A&M Board of Regents.

OSU/A&M board has two openings to be filled

Bergen, from Norman, will replace Rick Davis of Guthrie, who had served since May 2011 on the nine-person OSU/A&M board, which governs Oklahoma State University, Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami and Connors State College in Warner.

Bergen

Bergen is a Boston native, but has lived in Oklahoma for four decades. She serves as the chief executive officer of Bergen Enterprises, a multi-generational, family owned company. Among its businesses are Prairie Dirt Solutions and Eco Wood Solutions, Oklahoma City companies that offer services to create sustainable preservation opportunities.

The other nominee for the OSU/A&M board, Franklin, would fill the unexpired term of the late Jarold Callahan of Edmond. The positions current term expires on April 4, 2026.

Franklin, from Arcadia, helped start Tall Grass Capital and Onyx Holdings, which are real estate investment, development, construction and property management companies that focus on small-to-medium-sized towns in Oklahoma. He also manages Coffee Creek Cattle Company, a farming and ranching business in Logan and Oklahoma counties.

Franklin

Franklin said OSU regents need to understand what a land-grant school is and what its going to be. He said what land-grant universities are supposed to do is give kids that are smart and work hard the opportunity to do whatever they want to do.

I want my kids and my grandkids to want to live in Oklahoma, to raise a family in Oklahoma and be productive citizens, he said. I dont want the default from graduating from higher ed (in Oklahoma) to go to Dallas or go to Houston. If we dont stop the brain drain in the state, we will not have a state that people recognize 20, 30, 40 years from now.

Among those who attended the meeting to support Franklin and Bergen was OSU President Kayse Shrum.

Chris Franklin, with Sen. Adam Pugh to his right, is a nominee to serve on the OSU/A&M Board of Regents.

Senator questions appointee to RUSO board before eventually approving

Kupiec, an Edmond scientist and entrepreneur, is seeking to fill an unexpired term that will last through June 10, 2028, on the RUSO board. That board governs the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, East Central University in Ada, Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

Thomas Kupiec, with Sen. Adam Pugh to his right, is a nominee to serve on the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

Kupiec, a UCO graduate, founded ARL Bio Pharma, a contract laboratory that provides analytical and microbiological testing for the pharmaceutical industry and also owns two other businesses in Oklahoma City. Kupiecs connections to the pharmaceutical world brought a handful of questions Tuesday from Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, but Deevers voted to advance Kupiecs nomination.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Senate committee clears way for OSU, OU regents nominees
KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2024 - 20:46 | World, All

China has ramped up its criticism of Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, with a government agency responsible for relations with the self-ruled island denouncing Lai's inaugural speech as a "confession" of his radical pro-independence stance.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, claimed Tuesday that Lai "attempted to change the nature of the relations" between Beijing and Taipei, which "poses a serious challenge to the one-China principle."

China regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory.

Lai, however, called Taiwan a "sovereign, independent nation," while insisting that it and the Communist-ruled mainland are "not subordinate to each other." He also vowed in his speech to maintain the status quo in relations.

The spokesman said Lai's speech fully demonstrated he is "a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Chen also warned the government of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party against "collusion with external forces to provoke and seek independence," saying Beijing "must counteract and punish them" in response.

"Lai's attempts to incite 'anti-China' sentiments and pursue 'independence' by force will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation of military conflict," he said.

The new leader, who heads the DPP, also said in his speech that Taiwan must boost its defense capabilities in the "face of the many threats and attempts of infiltration from China" and work with other democracies to achieve peace.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Tuesday criticized Lai at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, saying, "All 'Taiwan independence' separatists are set to be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Wang said the actions of "individuals like Lai" are "disgraceful betrayals of the nation and the ancestors," and they "cannot prevent China from ultimately achieving complete reunification, as Taiwan is bound to return to the embrace of the motherland," Xinhua added.

The mainland and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split as the result of a civil war in 1949. Beijing aims to bring the island into its fold, by force if necessary.

Related coverage:

China rebukes Japan, U.S. for congratulating new Taiwan leader

China says Taiwan leader's inaugural speech sent "dangerous signal"

Taiwan's new leader Lai urges China to stop military threats
Last fall, President Joe Biden began using a phrase first deployed by Franklin D. Roosevelt a year before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In a 1940 radio address, Roosevelt deemed the United States the arsenal of democracy: At the time, the United States wasnt yet sending troops to Europe to repel the Nazis, but its industrial capacity was key to the fight against fascism. In February, while calling on Congress to pass a $95 billion military aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, Biden insisted that it was necessary to reaffirm the nations role as the arsenal of democracy. When the Senate approved the aid package in April, Biden insisted it was good foreign and domestic policy.

While this bill sends military equipment to Ukraine, he said in February, it spends the money right here in the United States of America in places like Arizona, where the Patriot missiles are built; and Alabama, where the Javelin missiles are built; and Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, where artillery shells are made.

As it sold the legislation to skeptics in the House, the Biden administration pushed a familiar narrative: Military spending, which takes up more than half of the federal discretionary budget, helps boost the economy. His administration has even distributed a map showing which states benefit from weapons shipments to Ukraine.

But a huge portion of the $95 billion aid package, which was signed by Biden on April 24, will end up benefiting a handful of enormous arms manufacturers who spend millions lobbying Congress to ensure that federal military spending continues to flow. As Biden pushes Congress to send more weapons to Ukraine and Israel, calls for greater oversight and accountability into an industry that has become synonymous with waste, fraud, and corruption have grown louder.

Beginning in February, Senator Bernie Sanders has been leading the call to reinstate the World War IIera Truman Committee to investigate war profiteering and put an end to corporate welfare. A bipartisan congressional committee could, according to Sanders, rein in defense contractors, closely oversee military contracts, and take back excessive payments. He has made the Stinger missile the centerpiece in his case for more oversight.

Within the first 48 hours of Russias invasion, the missile became the star of the show, according to one executive at Raytheon. These missiles had been out of production for two decades, yet the United States has sent roughly 2,000 anti-aircraft Stingers from its stockpiles to Ukraine over the last two years. While one missile cost $25,000 in 1991, it costs taxpayers $400,000 to build today. Raytheon, now RTX Corporation, is its sole producer and stands to gain hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue as it ramps up Stinger production.

These are companies that have one client, and thats the U.S. government, said Matt Duss, executive vice president of the Center for International Policy and a former foreign policy adviser to Sanders. The enormous amount of money theyre extracting from taxpayers is a way into what needs to be a broader discussion about the dominance of our political system by wealthy interests.

The Pentagon has failed six consecutive audits and has been unable to account for over half of its assets, yet Biden in December signed a defense bill of nearly a trillion dollars. But relatively little of this money is finding its way to workersnor, for that matter, is it being spent on weapons production. Last year, the Defense Department released the first comprehensive review of contract financing since 1985 and found that cash paid to shareholders in dividends and stock buybacks was up 73 percent compared to the previous decade. At the same time, the industry has seen a steady decline in investments in research, development, or productive capacity. This is due, in part, to extreme consolidation in the industry.

In the last 30 years, the number of the Pentagons prime contractors has shrunk from 51 companies to just five. The Defense Departments own reports have said that this consolidation poses a risk to national security. In March, Senator Elizabeth Warren and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee echoed these concerns in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urging him to reform the industrys mergers and acquisitions practices.

Austin is also an embodiment of the challenges that progressive lawmakers face in making substantive changes. Prior to assuming his role, Austin served as a board member for Raytheon, which also employed his predecessor, Mark Esper, as a weapons lobbyist. At least a dozen lawmakers own stock or have some other direct financial investment in the defense industry, according to the Project on Government Oversight. A 2022 report found that members of the Armed Services Committee traded more stocks than those of any other congressional committee.

The potential conflicts of interest posed by those who oversee defense policy and their investments in the defense industry further undermine the publics faith in Congress, which now stands at the lowest its been since 2015.

In February, Representative Rashida Tlaib introduced a bill called the Stop Politicians Profiting From War Act to prohibit members of Congress or their spouses from owning or trading defense stocks, practices that raise urgent questions about the motivations behind legislative decision-making and budgetary priorities. The American people deserve representatives who vote in the best interest of our country and our families, not their stock portfolios, Tlaib said.

Defense spending is embedded in nearly every congressional district and is guarded by a powerful lobby that has often successfully resisted even minor reforms.

However, efforts to constrain defense contractors and address conflicts of interest within Congress have faced formidable obstacles in the past. Defense spending is embedded in nearly every congressional district and is guarded by a powerful lobby that has often successfully resisted even minor reforms.

Previous attempts to introduce transparency and meaningfully reduce military spending have so far been unable to pass Congress. Efforts to address war profiteering in the wake of Americas invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq went nowhere, even when pushed by moderate Democrats. But there are signs that the consensus on defense spending is breaking down.

In 2023, Senator Warren reintroduced the Stop Price Gouging the Military Act with bipartisan support, following a CBS investigation that found contractors overcharge the Pentagon on almost everything. The bill addresses loopholes in the acquisition process, ties financial incentives to performance, and increases transparency in pricing. Debates over defense spending have also emerged in recent years during budget negotiations.

Even without congressional support, the president has a significant amount of authority to direct his Cabinet to address issues of waste and abuse. Biden campaigned on ending the forever wars but is instead facing criticism for perpetuating the same patterns of opaque defense spending and circumvention of congressional oversight that characterized previous administrations.

Amid growing disillusionment with Americas role in Ukraine and Israel, public opinion reflects a bipartisan desire to address unchecked defense spending. A recent survey from Data for Progress found that an 80 percent majority of likely voters believe increases to the defense budget should be conditioned on the Pentagons ability to pass an audit. Several polls have found that an overwhelming majority support a ban on stock trading for members of Congress.

As Biden navigates these turbulent political waters, his administrations ability to pivot from the rhetoric of democratic arsenals to tangible, equitable economic benefits will be critical. Public disapproval of Bidens handling of foreign policy and the economy underscores the imperative to reassess budget priorities, rebuild trust in Congress, and present a vision of a government that prioritizes the welfare of the country over the interests of private companies. Biden would do well to listen to the oft-repeated advice handed down to him from his father: Dont tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and Ill tell you what you value.
AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  Akron fire officials said a man was killed when a large oak tree fell on the house he was in late Wednesday morning.

Firefighters said the tree went through the attic of the house during a thunderstorm just before 11 a.m.

Victims identified in lengthy, deadly standoff

As Akron Fire was clearing the residence they discovered the deceased male on the top floor, underneath part of the tree that had landed on the house, according to Gary Guenther from the Summit County Medical Examiners Office.

Thursday moring, the medical examiner released the victims identity. Hes been identified as Paul Matvey, 33.

The massive oak crushed the attic of the home and was so heavy Akron Fire Department Lt. Joel Price said it severely damaged the structure and inhibited their ability to recover the victim

The floors were just too unstable that we couldnt put any crews in there, said Price. They were able to see the victim from the bucket truck and go from there.

It took a tree removal company with heavy equipment several hours to remove the tree so that firefighters could extricate the victim from the home.

The attic space where he was located was described as a bedroom.

Neighbors were saddened but also not surprised and told Fox 8 that a portion of the massive tree had fallen across the road last year and took days to remove.

Body recovered from Lake Erie, Coast Guard confirms

That tree was giant and half of it fell down last year because it was rotted from the inside and it blocked off the road for at least 2 days, said Nolan Lyle.

Another man who arrived at the scene said he rented the room last year and actually moved out because of concerns over the tree being so close to the house.

When I first saw it I felt so cold Im like wow, said Christian Igwegu, I realize the tree fell on the attic where I used to live and if I was still living there Id probably be a dead person so I am so thankful to God honestly.

Once the tree was removed a wrecking crew immediately demolished the house due to concerns over its instability.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Stranger on street argues with driver, shoots him in head, Oregon cops say

A stranger got into an argument with a driver and shot him in the head in Oregon, deputies said.

The shooting happened at about 11:45 p.m. May 9 in Troutdale, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said in a May 21 news release.

A man was driving with a passenger in the area of SW 257th Drive and SW 26th Street, deputies said. The two got into a fight with a stranger who was walking along 257th Drive, deputies said.

The stranger pulled out a gun and fired it multiple times at the vehicle, hitting the driver in the head at least one time, deputies said.

Deputies said the passenger helped the driver get to a hospital where he was reported being critically injured.

Now investigators are asking the public for help with the shooting.

Authorities said there were at least two people walking in the area during the shooting, and they may have seen what happened.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Chris Stephens at chris.stephens@mcso.us, or call the tip line at 503-988-0560. Tips can be made anonymously.

The case number is 24-20218.

Troutdale is about a 15-mile drive east from Portland.

A brutal thing. Dad of 2 gunned down walking to catch bus for work, Illinois cops say

Man accused of road rage leads officers on 30-mile chase, then is shot, Florida cops say

Road rage incident leaves driver with hammer shot dead by trooper, Washington cops say
Student-loan borrowers should no longer be serviced by a major company that's been scrutinized for bad behavior, a group of Democratic lawmakers and advocates say: 'It's time to fire MOHELA'

Student-loan borrowers should no longer be serviced by a major company that's been scrutinized for bad behavior, a group of Democratic lawmakers and advocates say: 'It's time to fire MOHELA'

A group of Democratic lawmakers and advocates called on the Education Department to end MOHELA's contract.

They cited servicer failures, including inaccurate billing, as reasons the company should no longer service borrowers.

The Education Department has already withheld pay from MOHELA for failing its obligations.

Less than a year into the return to student-loan repayment, some Democratic lawmakers and advocates have seen enough: They want the Education Department to fire servicer MOHELA.

One month after federal payments started back up again in October after an over three-year pause, MOHELA  which services about 8 million borrowers  was the first servicer to have its pay withheld after the Education Department found it failed to send on-time billing statements to over 2 million borrowers.

Since then, borrowers have continued to cite issues with the company, including hourslong hold times to reach customer service. Some borrowers have even been notified by MOHELA that the loan forgiveness they received last year was reversed due to the company's errors.

That's why, on Wednesday, a group of Democratic lawmakers  including Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Greg Casar, and Sen. Ed Markey  joined advocates in calling for the Education Department to end MOHELA's federal contract.

"It is time to stop their contract. It is time to fire them. It is time to listen to the borrowers that have been speaking up about the struggles that they are facing and it is time for us to do the right thing," Omar said during a press conference. "We are asking the administration to take this step forward because it is past time that we listen to the borrowers that have been suffering under the incompetence of MOHELA."

Business Insider first reported in April that the Education Department was transferring over 1 million borrowers from MOHELA to new servicers, with Federal Student Aid saying that MOHELA "requested these transfers and FSA, as part of its work to ensure borrowers receive the best service and support, agreed to this"

Pressley said that she applauds those transfers, but millions of borrowers remain under MOHELA's contract, and that should not be the case.

"Enough is enough. Terminate MOHELA's contract and put loan services on notice: we will not tolerate your negligence and exploitation; we will not let you profiteer off vulnerable student borrowers," Pressley said.

An Education Department official told BI that the department "takes very seriously its responsibility to oversee servicers and will not tolerate errors that could cause harm to borrowers and families."

A MOHELA spokesperson told BI that "borrowers are not better off when outside groups spread false and misleading information about our work as a federal contractor for FSA. We remain committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of customer service to the borrowers that we serve."

In April, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren held a hearing investigating MOHELA and its management of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. While she invited MOHELA's CEO Scott Giles to testify before the Senate, the company declined on his behalf, instead offering private briefings to address any lawmakers' concerns.

Prior to the April 10 hearing, MOHELA said it has already been "actively engaged in conversations with the Subcommittee and has offered its cooperation in addressing any questions and concerns by participating in a series of bipartisan briefings on the identified areas of interest about student loan servicing."

Meanwhile, the Education Department has vowed to oversee all servicers, and it withheld pay for the remaining servicers in January because they failed to fulfill some of their obligations.

But Democrats have focused in on MOHELA  and they want it to go.

"There's an old saying, 'Never attribute to malevolence what is merely due to incompetence.' Well, MOHELA is both incompetent and malevolent in the way in which they have been handling the responsibility of young people's lives and their ability to plan for their future," Markey said. "It is time to fire MOHELA."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Students chain themselves to PSU admin building in protest for a Free Palestine

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Less than a month after a student-led protest at Portland State University led to a multi-day occupation of the campus library, a group of students has chained themselves to the front of the campus admin building.

The university confirmed that a group of students have chained themselves to the front of the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Center in a protest calling for a free Palestine Wednesday morning.

PSU shared an update with KOIN 6 News Wednesday afternoon that Campus Public Safety officers arrested two PSU students at the admin building for disorderly conduct. In addition, campus police arrested a third person from out of state for allegedly trespassing the Millar Library, the site of a multi-day student occupation that happened earlier this month.

According to KOIN 6 News reporters at the scene, at least 12-15 masked people with signs that read Students for Palestine were seen at the RMNC building Wednesday morning.

Vasquez leads Schmidt in Multnomah County DA race

On the evening of April 29, a mix of students and non-students took over PSUs Millar Library in a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The occupation lasted until May 2 when police moved in and cleared the library.

The university has since estimated the cost of restoration will be roughly $750,000, give or take $125,000.

PSU released the following statement to the campus community on Wednesday:

This morning campus police were called to the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Center (RMNC) on Southwest Fourth Avenue where a small group of protesters had blocked the main entrance. Two protestors had chained themselves to the front doors. The individuals were asked to leave and resume their protest elsewhere and they declined.

Campus Public Safety officers arrested two PSU students for disorderly conduct. Portland Police were also present and monitored the event.

Also this morning, campus police arrested a person for illegally entering the Millar Library who was charged with criminal trespass in the second degree. The person was from out of state and not affiliated with PSU.

Portland State values and upholds the right to free speech and peaceful dissent while enforcing campus policies about hate, trespassing and property damage. Please view event rules and conduct policies for students, faculty and all university employees.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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New U.S. citizens recite the pledge allegiance after taking an Oath of Citizenship to the United States in a naturalization ceremony in Fargo on Dec. 12, 2023. A new report has recommendations for the Office of Legal Immigration to address North Dakota's worker shortage. (Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Hey Chicago and New York, North Dakota could use some of your immigrants.

A consultants report to the recently created North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration recommends the state target foreign-born workers living in immigrant-inundated cities to address the states workforce issues.

The possible solution was listed in a 100-page report published Wednesday by the Department of Commerce.

Other innovative workforce solutions identified include partnering with universities to retain eligible international students after graduation and piloting partnerships to help bring registered nurses and other highly educated workers with H-1B visas to North Dakota.

Janna Pastir, workforce deputy director for the Department of Commerce, said in a statement the study will help develop goals and strategies for the Office of Legal Immigration, which the Legislature created in 2023.

We are proud of the thoughtful and comprehensive method being used to address this vital approach to integrating new Americans into our workforce and communities, Pastir said.

Pastir said the office has connected with job processing centers in New York to learn about their vetting processes, the skills and language levels of candidates and how employers can share job openings with qualified candidates. She said its ultimately up to employers how they want to fill their jobs.

The report, by consultants Labor and Mobility Partners and Dalberg Advisors, recommends that North Dakota lean into its history as a welcoming state to alleviate labor shortages.

In 1915, 79% of all North Dakotans were either immigrants themselves or children of immigrants compared to 2022, when only 4.9% of the states population was foreign-born, the report said. North Dakota has the 12th lowest immigrant share of its total population.

The report highlights, as of September 2023, North Dakota has 100 open job positions for every 30 unemployed residents. In total, the state has 26,000 open positions, which is a 50% increase since 2018, and holds one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country  1.9%.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, authored Senate Bill 2142, which established the Office of Legal Immigration. He said foreign-born workers are already filling some of the jobs across the health care and elder care industries, but more are needed.

They are the ones changing the bedpans  and providing those services, Mathern said.

Mathern said hes been involved with refugee resettlement issues for almost 50 years dating back to the fall of Vietnam.

There are these people who want a peaceful life and they want to work and they want to raise their family, and weve got that space, weve got jobs and weve got opportunities, Mathern said. We have more capital than we have people to use the capital.

He also said the fight over creating the Office of Legal Immigration occurred in the Legislature already and now is the time to move forward with addressing the underlying issues.

I hope the fight is over and people are on board, Mathern said. I hope that now its more a matter of taking steps forward and its not a matter of rehashing the public policy that we need more people.

The report lists possible barriers for integrating and retaining more foreign-born workers, including overt discrimination, lack of access to public transit, lack of funding and language difficulties, among others.

Pastir said recruiting foreign-born workers can be more challenging for employers because of federal immigration processes.

The report also made recommendations to develop a grant program aimed at supporting eligible employers and community-based organizations in their efforts to recruit, retain, and integrate new Americans in North Dakota, according to the grant program website.

The report suggests a budget request should be made by the office during the 2025 legislative session based on the initial findings and conversations with pilot grant recipients.

Editors note: This story has been updated to add comments from Janna Pastir, workforce deputy director for the Department of Commerce.

The post Study dives into how legal immigrants can boost North Dakota workforce appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  A 56-year-old man was sent to the hospital after a substantial battery incident at the Wisconsin Resource Center in Oshkosh on Tuesday.

According to the Oshkosh Police Department, shortly before 3:00 p.m., officers responded to the Wisconsin Resource Center in Oshkosh to investigate a report of a substantial battery incident between two individuals.

Thousands without power as severe storms rip through Wisconsin

The incident occurred in the courtyard area of the facility, where a 56-year-old man received injuries bad enough to be transported to a nearby hospital. The other individual involved was a 41-year-old. Neither of the individuals were employees of the facility.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5742.

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The city of Sumy has been left without power due to a Russian Shahed drone attack on the night of 21-22 May. Means of electric public transportation have halted their operation, and there is no water supply.

Source: Oleksii Drozdenko, Head of Sumy City Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The city of Sumy is not being supplied with electricity due to an enemy attack. We are awaiting restoration and prioritising critical infrastructure."

Updated at 07:00: The Sumy City Council reported that due to the emergency power outage, trolleybus service in the city has been halted. Trolleybuses with autonomous operation are being deployed on city routes.

Power engineers began efforts to restore the city's power supply at 05:20.

The operation of the water supply network and the supply of water to consumers are also being restored.

Background:

The Russians struck energy facilities in the settlements of Shostka and Konotop in Sumy Oblast with Shahed drones on the night of 21-22 May.

Ukraines Air Force had warned about the Russian Shahed drone attack on the oblast.

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Sun's magnetic field may form close to the surface. This finding could improve solar storm forecasts

This image provided by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare, right, on May 14, 2024, captured in the extreme ultraviolet light portion of the spectrum colorized in red and yellow. An international team of mathematicians and scientists reported Wednesday, May 22, 2024, that the sun's magnetic field originates much closer to the surface than previously thought. (NASA/SDO via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  New research indicates the suns magnetic field originates much closer to the surface than previously thought, a finding that could help predict periods of extreme solar storms like the ones that slammed Earth earlier this month.

The magnetic field appears to generate 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) beneath the suns surface. Previous calculations put the roots of this process more than 130,000 miles (209,000 kilometers) below, an international team reported Wednesday.

The suns intense magnetic energy is the source of solar flares and eruptions of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. When directed toward Earth, they can create stunning auroras but also disrupt power and communications.

"We still dont understand the sun well enough to make accurate predictions of space weather, lead author Geoffrey Vasil of the University of Edinburgh said in an email.

The latest findings published in the journal Nature will be an important step toward finally resolving this mysterious process known as solar dynamo, added co-author Daniel Lecoanet of Northwestern University.

Galileo was among the first astronomers to turn a telescope skyward and study sunspots, back in the early 1600s. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections tend to occur near sunspots, dark patches as big as Earth that are located near the most intense portions of the suns shifting magnetic field.

Vasil and his team developed new models of the interaction between the suns magnetic field and the flow of plasma, which varies at different latitudes during an 11-year cycle. They fed their calculations into a NASA supercomputer in Northern California  the same one used in the 2015 movie The Martian to verify the best flight path to rescue the main character. The results suggested a shallow magnetic field and additional research is needed to confirm this.

The modeling was highly simplified," University of Wisconsin-Madison's Ellen Zweibel, who was not part of the team, said in an accompanying editorial.

The results are intriguing and sure to inspire future studies," Zweibel said.

The new knowledge should improve long-term solar forecasts, allowing scientists to better predict the strength of our star's future cycles. The sun is approaching its peak level of activity in the current 11-year cycle, thus the recent flareups.

Strong solar flares and outbursts of billions of tons of plasma earlier this month unleashed severe solar storms that produced auroras in unexpected places. Last week, the sun spewed out the biggest solar flare in almost 20 years, but it steered clear of Earth.

Better understanding of the sun can ensure "we are prepared for when the next storm  potentially much more dangerous  hits Earth, Lecoanet said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
EDITORIAL, Azernews

The elements preventing Armenia from signing the peace agreement with Azerbaijan are not only the opposition, Armenian churches, and lobby organisations, but also parliament representatives in Europe and a group of politicians who are not associated with the South Caucasus in any way. One of them is the Chairman of the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiesler.

He claims that the only way to achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is to release the separatist leaders who are in Baku prison.

Wiesler even says that "we can resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan" if necessary. However, the European politician forgot the main issue when talking about the 'conflict'. For Azerbaijan, there are no conflicting issues left in the South Caucasus. In other words, Baku has not left unfinished any issue that Europe should worry about. So Mr. Wiesler and his followers would do well to look beyond the region.

It is an honour for Azerbaijan to educate the Armenian separatists who were imprisoned in Baku, as the place where they were last imprisoned was the territory of Azerbaijan.

Claude Wiesler is grossly interfering in the internal affairs of both the region and Azerbaijan by making such a claim against the country. He deliberately obstructs the soon-to-be peace agreement and uses any means to provoke Armenia.

However, Armenia, as an independent state, should refrain from all these unnecessary interventions. At least a short excursion into the history of Luxembourg can be made, and perhaps some conclusions can be drawn.

Maybe then this gentleman from Luxembourg will turn to the history of his country and remember that, until quite recently, to be or not to be for this duchy depended on the will of Frances neighbours, the Netherlands and Prussia. We clearly remember from history that during the two world wars, Luxembourg was occupied by Germany twice and now exists only thanks to the victory of the Allies.
JERUSALEM, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the holy site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV news.

This is Ben-Gvir's first visit to the flashpoint site, known to Jews as Temple Mount, since the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.

"The Temple Mount is the holiest place for the people of Israel and belongs only to Israel," Ben-Gvir, also the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, declared at the compound.

He also blamed Norway, Ireland, and Spain for recognizing a Palestinian state, saying they are "rewarding the murderers and abusers of Hamas."

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds sacred significance for both Muslims and Jews and has long been a flashpoint for deadly violence between the two sides.

Under the status quo, non-Muslim worshippers may visit the site in the heart of the Old City but are not allowed to pray there. Ben-Gvir's past visits to the compound drew sharp reactions from the Palestinians, the Israeli opposition, and other countries. 
Sunset Amphitheater gets new name

(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The newly built Sunset Amphitheater in Colorado Springs will soon bear a new name thanks to a naming rights partnership.

Notes Live confirmed to FOX21 News on Tuesday, May 21 that a deal had been reached with a new corporate partner for naming rights.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: PHOTOS: Construction progressing at Sunset Amphitheater

Its a big deal and we cant wait to share it with our community, wrote Notes Live in a statement.

The partnership has not been revealed, nor the new name, but Notes Live said it would be announcing a press conference in the coming weeks to unveil the details.

Sunset Amphitheater is set for its grand opening in summer 2024, with 90 VIP luxury firepit suites, Roths Seafood and Chophouse 5-star fine dining restaurant, and Brohans top-shelf rooftop bar, to name a few amenities.

Courtesy: Lifang and BCA Studios

Sunset Amphitheater plans to be heard by City Council

Courtesy: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department

Sunset Amphitheater plans to be heard by City Council

Sunset Amphitheater plans to be heard by City Council

In August and September, the 8,000-seat outdoor venue will welcome acts like OneRepublic, The Beach Boys, Primus, Dierks Bentley, Jim Gaffigan, The Steve Miller Band, and others. Construction began in July 2023.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Suspect in Alabama murder caught after wild high-speed chase down I-75 in Atlanta

A murder suspect accused of leading Cobb County on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Atlanta is expected to be extradited to Alabama where hes expected to stand trial.

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LaDerick Davis, 20, of Mobile, Alabama, was arrested Tuesday evening after he crashed his white Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe into a street sign on Northside Drive and Bellemeade Ave in northwest Atlanta, police confirmed. Witnesses told Channel 2s Michael Seiden that Davis, along with three other unidentified men, ran from the car.

Cobb police confirmed that officers arrested Davis and detained a second person but later released him after they determined that he didnt have any outstanding warrants. Its unclear if police are still searching for the other two suspects.

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In a news release emailed to Channel 2, Cobb police detailed the moments leading up to the wild chase.At approximately 5:09 PM, uniformed officers from Cobb County Police Department Precinct 4 located a white Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe driving south on Cobb Parkway near Akers Mill Road, according to the statement. The Mercedes-Benz was associated with a homicide in Mobile, Alabama. Upon observing Cobb County Police patrol vehicles and before the initiation of a traffic stop, the Mercedes-Benz ran a red traffic light and fled south on Cobb Parkway at a high rate of speed.

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Investigators say officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Davis kept on driving and eventually pulled onto I-75 S before exiting onto Northside Drive.

A precision immobilization technique was conducted, immobilizing the Mercedes-Benz on Northside Drive at its intersection with Bellemeade Avenue, the statement added.

On Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Mobile Sheriffs Office confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that Davis is a suspect in the April 27 murder of Donte Evans. Investigators say Evans was shot multiple times inside a gray Ford Edge.

During the investigation, police learned that three other people had been inside the vehicle.

After reviewing surveillance video, investigators identified LaDerick ESPN 20 Davis and Robert Luh Mista McMillian as suspects in the murder.

Investigators also confirmed that two guns were recovered inside Davis vehicle, but its unclear if they are connected to the murder.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  Police are searching for a person accused of pepper spraying an MTA bus driver in the Bronx on May 3, according to authorities.

More Bronx News

The accused suspect walked up to the bus driver working the BX28 route and sprayed him in the face around 4:30 p.m. Police said the suspect got off the bus around Valentine Avenue and East 192nd Street and left.

The bus driver was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.

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Suspect in Little Rock deadly shooting arrested in Texas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Little Rock police said the suspect in a deadly shooting was arrested in Texas Wednesday.

LRPD officials said that 20-year-old Ryan Frierson was arrested for his involvement in the killing of 20-year-old Joshua Brown.

Little Rock police identify victim in Pulaski Street deadly shooting

According to police, Brown was found in the 2400 block of South Pulaski Street Monday around 4:15 p.m. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died from injuries sustained in the shooting.

Little Rock police investigating deadly Monday afternoon shooting on Pulaski Street

Police officials said that Frierson will be extracted back to Arkansas to face a charge of capital murder.

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Sweden plans to allocate $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026

The Swedish government has agreed to create a support framework for Ukraine, which would allocate 75 billion Swedish krona ($7 billion) in military support from 2024 to 2026, the Swedish government said on May 22.

With this proposal, Stockholm's civilian and military aid to Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale war will amount to over 100 billion Swedish krona (over $9 billion).

"Ukraine's fight against Russia's war of aggression continues and Sweden will support Ukraine's fight as long as it takes," the joint press release by the country's defense and finance ministries read.

"Sweden will increase the support, as the framework amounts to 75 billion Swedish krona in military support for the years 20242026, which is 25 billion Swedish krona ($2.3 billion) per year," according to the statement.

The framework could cover future equipment donations, financial contributions, and financial support for the procurement of defense equipment.

The Swedish government reached an agreement on the framework with the right-wing Sweden Democrats party, which provides confidence and support to the ruling parties in the parliament.

In an interview with Bloomberg published on May 21, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said that the country is ramping up its capacities to increase aid to Ukraine, but the process can take up to two years.

"Russia has gotten back on its feet faster than the Euro-Atlantic community... I expect we will catch up, but I think it will take a year or two before we see the full effect," the minister said.

Read also: Swedish defense minister: Up to 2 years needed to boost production capacity to arm Ukraine

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Sweden plans US$7 billion in military support for Ukraine for three years

The Swedish government has planned additional military support for Ukraine, totalling SEK 75 billion (US$7.01 billion) over three years.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the message of the Government of Sweden

Quote: "To strengthen Swedish support for Ukraine, the government and the Swedish democrats agree to introduce a framework programme of military support for Ukraine for 2024-2026. Sweden will increase support, and the framework is SEK 75 billion for military support for 2024-2026, SEK 25 billion per year."

Details: With this proposal, Sweden's total military and civilian support for Ukraine will reach more than SEK 100 billion (about US$9.3 billion).

Military assistance to Ukraine can be provided through the free transfer of defence equipment, financial contributions, and financial support for the purchase of defence equipment.

At the same time, the government noted that this programme may burden state finances for several years and even after 2026.

"After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the security situation in Europe is the most serious since the Second World War. This means that rearmament within the country should continue simultaneously with the support of Ukraine.

Therefore, the parties to the cooperation also agree that support for Ukraine is carried out in such a way as not to undermine the development of Sweden's defence potential and not harm other necessary reforms," the Swedish government said.

Background:

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson estimated that after his country joined NATO, it would take up to two years to achieve the desired capacity to provide Ukraine with more ammunition and strengthen its armed forces.

Meanwhile, Micael Byden, Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces, believes that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin wants to gain control of the Swedish island of Gotland.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea and has his eye on the Swedish island of Gotland, Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, said in an interview with the German media network RND published on May 22.

A day earlier, Russia unveiled its plans to unilaterally change the maritime border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea. Moscow intends to appropriate inland sea waters in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and near the cities of Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in Kaliningrad Oblast, according to a decree prepared by the Russian Defense Ministry.

"I am confident that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea," Byden said.

"Who controls Gotland controls the Baltic Sea."

Gotland, Sweden's largest island, is located about 330 kilometers (around 200 miles) north of the Russian exclave Kaliningrad, the headquarters of Russia's Baltic Fleet, and is strategically important for the defense of the Baltic Sea region.

If Russia seizes control of the island, it could threaten NATO countries from the sea, according to Byden.

"This would signify the end of peace and stability in the Nordic and Baltic regions," the Swedish military chief says. "The Baltic Sea should not turn into Putin's playground where he intimidates NATO members."

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has reinforced Gotland with permanent troops and additional forces that can be deployed temporarily if the risk level escalates.

Sweden officially joined NATO on March 7, almost two years after it applied to join the alliance in a direct response to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and in a reversal of 200 years of formal military neutrality.

Read also: Swedish Navy chief says Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers possibly conducting espionage in Baltic Sea

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KIEV, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday, the presidential press service reported.

At their meeting in Kiev, Zelensky and Baerbock discussed Germany's initiative to find additional air defense systems, including Patriot missile systems, and send them to Ukraine.

They also talked about the possibility of delivering anti-aircraft missile systems from Germany to Ukraine soon.

Zelensky informed Baerbock in detail about the situation on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and thanked Germany for its military support and financial assistance.

Baerbock arrived in Ukraine earlier in the day for her seventh visit since the start of the full-scale conflict.

The "global initiative" for enhanced air defense in Ukraine, which was launched by Germany, has raised some 1 billion euros (about 1.09 billion U.S. dollars) for Ukraine's air defense forces, according to Baerbock. 
A photo released by the official Syrian Arab news agency (SANA) on 19 March 2023 shows First Lady of Syria Asma al-Assad arriving with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad (Not Pictured) to the United Arab Emirates on an official visit. -/SANA/dpa

Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad, has been diagnosed with leukaemia, the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday.

"After the appearance of several clinical symptoms and signs, followed by a series of medical examinations and tests, First Lady Asma al-Assad was diagnosed with acute leukaemia," the presidential office said in a statement.

The statement said she will undergo a specialized treatment protocol that requires her to isolate.

Asma al-Assad, 48, said in 2019 that she had fully recovered from breast cancer.

Last year she accompanied her husband on an official trip to the United Arab Emirates, the first known trip of this kind for her since 2011.

The mother of three children and former investment banker was born in London in 1975 to Syrian parents.

The question had arisen several times in the media as to why she did not leave Syria because of the civil war that began in 2011.

Her husband Bashar al-Assad is accused of war crimes such as the use of poison gas and torture.
I cant make this up: Arkansas Shelter rescues dogs, cats in second hoarding case in a week

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The West Memphis Animal Shelter rescued 31 dogs, nine cats, and a rabbit from a small house in West Memphis Tuesday.

It comes a week after the shelter pulled 73 small dogs from home in Hughes, Arkansas.

Shelter director Kerry Facello said the new batch of dogs was found at a 1,200-square home. She was streaming live on Facebook as shelter workers and volunteers unloaded cages of small and large dogs from a van at their facility.

West Memphis animal shelter full; how you can help 70 rescued pups

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Animal rescue in West Memphis. Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

Courtesy: West Memphis Animal Shelter

I cant make this up, I swear. Im not making this up, Facello said, We go years without doing a hoarding case, and then to have two within a week. I dont know what we did wrong. I dont.

One of the dogs appeared to have injuries to its nose and ears and was still wearing a chain. Facello said another dog was stuck underneath a shed on the property.

This is Scooter, Facello said on Facebook. This is the one we had to dig out from under a storage shed and use a jack to elevate the storage shed.

Last week, the West Memphis Animals Shelter rescued 73 dogs from a house on Earle Beck Road in Hughes. One of the dogs has since had five puppies.

Three children were also removed from the home, and three adults were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and animal cruelty.

Three kids, over 50 dogs rescued in Crittenden County after welfare check

Saturday, Facello thanked the public for their financial and emotional support and said the dogs, workers, and volunteers were all worn out.

They were vaccinated yesterday and de-wormed, and theyve got a lot going through their system, she said. The crew, the volunteers  everyone is really, really pooped.

Facello said the ammonia, fleas, flies, urine, and feces at the West Memphis residence were unbearable. No word on whether any arrests were made in connection with the hoarding case.

This a developing story.

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Tacoma police ask public for help identifying home burglary suspect

Detectives for the Tacoma Police Department are asking the public for help identifying a dangerous residential burglary suspect.

According to police, the person in the photos attempted to rob a home in the 2600 block of North 31st Street.

He is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s and having a thin build.

He also has dark, thick, and wavy hair.

The man was armed with a knife and fled in a newer, four-door, gray sedan after fighting with the homeowner. The car may be a Kia or Hyundai.

There is a $1,000 reward offered for information that leads to his arrest and charges being filed.

If you have information, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS and reference 24-133-02337.
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwans opposition lawmakers will make a final push on Friday to pass a bill aimed at reining in new President Lai Ching-tes administration, likely generating more large protests on the island at the heart of US-China tensions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The two-day break is temporarily calming tensions in Taipei, where several thousand Lai supporters and others gathered outside the legislature on Tuesday evening to voice their anger over the amendments.

On Wednesday, only a handful of protesters remained outside parliament, though more are expected when lawmakers take up the bill again. Lais backers have erected tents and stocked up on water and supplies, apparently preparing for bigger protests.

Demonstrators say the amendments, which would expand the legislatures oversight of the president, have been rushed because they skipped some review stages and could be used to undermine Lais government by bogging it down in probes.

Read More: Protest Erupts in Taiwan Over Plan to Curb New Presidents Power

The confrontation comes just days after Lai was inaugurated and adds to the difficulties hes facing leading the island that makes the bulk of the worlds most advanced chips. China, which has pledged to eventually bring the island under its control, has already signaled it will continue with the kind of economic, diplomatic and military pressure that former President Tsai Ing-wen dealt with for the past eight years.

Stock investors have mostly shrugged off the unrest for now, focusing instead on Nvidia Corp.s upcoming earnings release. The benchmark Taiex gauge rose 1.5% on Wednesday, extending its record. The Taiwan dollar rose 0.1% to 32.28 versus the greenback.

On Tuesday, lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan Peoples Party made progress on changes to the law that would allow for the creation of committees to investigate the government.

Those bodies could require the government, military and private entities to provide witness testimony and documents to assist in probes. Unlike in the US and some other presidential systems, Lai has no ability to veto the law if it passes the legislature.

Individuals or parties that dont comply could be repeatedly fined as much as NT$100,000 ($3,100).

The opposition parties, which won a parliamentary majority in the January election that brought Lai to power, are also seeking changes to the law that would require officials to appear more frequently in the legislature to answer questions. Individuals could be subject to criminal punishment if they are found in contempt of the legislature.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party has said the amendments are unconstitutional and are intended to undermine the constitution and disrupt government. The KMT has accused the DPP of blocking reform of the legislature and not engaging in serious debate.

KMT Chairman Eric Chu defended the changes his party is proposing at a press briefing on Wednesday, saying they were similar to reforms put forward by the DPP in recent years.

He also called for an end to demonstrations. Dont use people on the street to restrain the legislature, that era is over, he said, an apparent reference to the Sunflower Movement of 2014.

Read More: Why Computer Chips Are the Weapon in a New Arms Race: QuickTake

Back then tens of thousands of activists, most of them students, disrupted the work of lawmakers for weeks. The dispute was over KMT plans to boost trade with China, and the demonstrations ultimately succeeded in forcing the party to drop the idea.

Chris Chiang, a veteran of the Sunflower demonstrations who was outside the legislature Tuesday night, said that attending protests is an instinct.

We know when people gather and make us our voices heard, we can make a difference, said the 30-year-old who works in digital marketing in Taipei.

Lai took office Monday with a weak mandate after winning just 40% of the vote in Januarys election. The KMT won the most seats in the legislature and took control of the speakers role. Its partnership with the TPP gives it a majority in parliament.

Underscoring how contentious the oppositions bill is, lawmakers scuffled in the legislature last week, leaving several with minor injuries.

--With assistance from Charlotte Yang.

(Updates with Eric Chus briefing and comments from protester.)

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China says it is willing to improve Vatican ties; Taiwan monitoring developments

Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te meets Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Vatican's ambassador to the Philippines, in Taipei

Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te meets Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Vatican's ambassador to the Philippines, in Taipei

By Mei Mei Chu and Ben Blanchard

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -China is willing to work with the Vatican to improve ties, a Chinese foreign ministry official said on Wednesday following remarks from the Holy See's top diplomat that it wanted to open an office in Beijing.

Relations between the Vatican and China's Communist Party leadership have historically been fraught and it does not have diplomatic relations with Beijing, only Taiwan. Indeed, it is one of only a dozen countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, which has watched nervously as Pope Francis seeks to improve ties with China.

The Vatican would like to establish a permanent office in China, its top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on Tuesday, in what would be a significant upgrade of relations.

"We are willing to work together with the Vatican to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing.

He added that the two sides have maintained "deep communication on bilateral relations and international hot issues."

Vatican officials have mentioned the need for an office before but Parolin's remarks suggest a new impetus, with the envoy saying new ways could be found to make it happen.

The Vatican maintains a discreet unofficial office in Hong Kong but its two representatives perform no representative functions or duties and do not meet with officials.

Taiwan is paying close attention to interactions between the Vatican and China, the island's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

It added that China had "repeatedly violated" a 2018 agreement with the Vatican that allows for the appointment of bishops. The issue of appointments is a longstanding source of tension between the Vatican and the Communist Party leadership, which is officially atheist.

The precise contents of the interim deal, which is due to be extended later this year, remain secret.

Responding to Parolin's comments, Taiwan's foreign ministry said it continued to promote cooperation with the Vatican and the Catholic Church in fields such as humanitarian assistance and jointly defending the core values of religious freedom.

"We understand that the Holy See hopes to promote the freedom of belief and rights of Chinese Catholics, and has publicly expressed its desire to send representatives to China many times," it said in a statement.

In the 100 years since the first Chinese synod was held in 1924, China has "clamped down on religious freedom", the ministry added.

The ministry called on all nations to work together to urge China to stop its "violations of religious freedom and basic human rights".

Taiwan's deputy environment minister Shih Wen-chen led a delegation to a Vatican seminar on climate change this month, which met with Pope Francis, demonstrating the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican, it added.

It also said the Vatican sent an envoy, its ambassador to the Philippines, Charles John Brown, to Monday's inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

"Hopefully we will be getting your continued support," outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen told Brown during a meeting in the presidential office shortly before the event.

"The Holy Father sends his warm greetings to you," Brown replied, in comments carried on live television.

China says Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties, a position the government in Taipei rejects.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Mei Mei Chu; Writing by Greg Torode; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Edwina Gibbs)
Thousands of mostly young protesters surrounded Taiwans legislature late into the night on Tuesday, protesting a push by opposition parties to subject the islands new leader and his administration to tighter scrutiny from a parliament controlled by lawmakers who favor closer ties to China.

The protest marks a chaotic start to the presidency of Lai Ching-te, who was sworn in Monday after winning a historic third consecutive term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions Taiwans sovereignty and is loathed by Beijing.

It also illustrates the challenges Lais fledgling administration faces without a parliamentary majority, which is now controlled by two opposition parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP).

Demonstrators are angered by what they see as the KMT and TPPs attempt to fast track a bill through the legislature, which would grant the parliament sweeping powers to impose greater oversight over the executive branch of government.

Some protesters carried sunflowers, in a nod to the student-led protest movement in 2014 that saw hundreds of students occupying the legislature for weeks in protest against the KMTs controversial trade deal with China. Those protests were instrumental two years later in the electoral defeat of the KMT, which has since been unable to recapture the presidency.

Under the proposed legislation, government officials could be fined or jailed under what critics say is a vaguely worded new criminal offense of contempt of parliament, if they were found making false statements to the legislature.

They could also be punished if they refused to answer questions or provide documents, or withheld information during hearings.

Meanwhile, the president would be required to deliver an annual address to the parliament on key policy issues.

Opponents say the proposals could force officials to disclose sensitive information to parliament  such as those relating to diplomacy and defense  or face criminal penalties. They believe this could potentially undermine the islands security.

The DPP has also accused the opposition of trying to force through the bill without allocating sufficient time for policy deliberations.

Meanwhile, the KMT and TPP argue the new laws are needed to improve government accountability and combat corruption, pointing to similar legislative checks and balances on executive powers around the world. They also accused the DPP of spreading disinformation and trying to paralyze the legislature.

In a sign of the heated political divide, disagreements over the controversial reform bill erupted last Friday in a brawl on the parliamentary floor  a chaotic display that saw some lawmakers leaping over tables and pulling colleagues to the floor, with a few members taken to hospital.

The protest, attended mostly by young people, continues late into the night. - Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images

On Tuesday, as the parliament resumed its meeting to discuss the bill, protesters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan  Taiwans unicameral parliament  from morning until midnight, braving downpours in the afternoon. Many joined after finishing school and work, with organizers claiming more than 30,000 participants.

Some held up signs calling the legislative process a black box and demanding the bill to be withdrawn. Others chanted: No discussions, no democracy!

Ricky Li, a 28-year-old office worker, said he was worried about the bills vague wording and lack of consultation.

Im concerned that it will open the door to power abuses by the legislators  What if legislators start using the newly acquired power to wage vendettas against their political opponents? he said, noting that the bill has not been sufficiently discussed and lacks transparency.

Given the current circumstances of cross-strait relations and that a new government just took office, the oppositions assault on Taiwans democratic institutions and political foundation warrants our attention.

Discussions on the bill are expected to resume in the legislature on Friday.

Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was inaugurated Monday alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwans top envoy to the United States.

Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwans sovereignty. Chinas ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary.

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Tampa police searching for several suspects after string of burglaries

Tampa police searching for several suspects after string of burglaries

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Tampa police are seeking the publics help in identifying suspects responsible for several burglaries in the area.

In three recent burglaries, the suspects broke into several businesses, stealing property and money. These crimes occurred near each other and only a few days apart in the early mornings.

Pinellas County deputies investigate disturbance in Palm Harbor

Surveillance footage released by police shows two people breaking into Sosa Cell Phones, located at 1000 West Waters Avenue on May 15.

Detectives believe the bag they were holding in the phone burglary was also used in the two other incidents.

Anyone who recognizes these suspects or has any information on these burglaries is asked to contact police at 813-231-6130, or through the Tampa Police Departments app at Tip411. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 sketch of the Florida Normal & Industrial Institute, which is now Florida Memorial University. Photo courtesy of FMU

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Eatonville, founded in 1887 by former slaves, is the oldest existing Black municipality in the country and the birthplace of the celebrated novelist and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. Its situated in Orange County, which boasts a well-developed tourist economy, and is easily accessible through an extensive highway network.

This week, a state task assessing possible sites for a proposed Florida Museum of Black History passed up a chance to place the institution in Eatonville in favor of St. Johns County, where Martin Luther King once rallied protests against segregation in the city of St. Augustine but where the site would require extensive development including roadbuilding.

The 5-4 vote was hotly contested, with Bruce Antone  the Democratic state House member from Orange County who sponsored the legislation creating the museum  complaining that the panel hadnt considered all of the angles, including how the museum would be marketed, the stories it would tell, and how it would generate income.

We were supposed to be making a decision on a museum, and so we havent even talked about the content of the museum, Antone said during the meeting. He is not a member of the task force but spoke during public comment.

Now we just put a roadblock in place. Now were going to go another year or two doing nothing. This was a huge decision for the state of Florida. A huge decision, and I knew we had one chance to get this right, and I think today we blew it, and I know we blew it.

Ultimately, task force chair Geraldine Thompson, a Democratic state senator from Orange County, couldnt garner enough votes for Eatonville, which shed been rooting for from early in the process.

The vote ratified an earlier ranking that favored the St. Johns site, ahead of Eatonville and Opa-Locka in Miami-Dade County. Opa-Locka is regarded as the first city in northern Miami-Dade to integrate and claims Helen Miller as the first Black woman mayor in the state.

During a four-hour meeting, members of the task force argued over how the Eatonville and St. Johns sites could function in the long run without financial support from the Legislature and the process by which St. Johns got to the top. The factors members considered included the sites historical significance, the state of the regional economy, how many people live in the area, transportation infrastructure, availability of local funding matches, and partnerships for educational programming.

Once the group chose St. Johns, members debated whether they would launch a study into how to get the museum running. They didnt decide, meaning more work lies ahead when the group meets again on June 5. The task force wants to meet twice in June, but the final meeting hasnt been scheduled.

Undeveloped land

The group must deliver a report to Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders by the end of June, leaving a little over a month to finish this work. Theres no guarantee the museum will become a reality  the Legislature gets final say on whether to actually establish the museum and its location.

During the debate, Antone and other members of the public brought up concerns regarding the undeveloped parcel St. Johns pitched for the museums location. Eatonville planned to make 10 acres available in a mixed-use zone for the project. It was the only option connected to an interstate highway.

The Johns County plan assumes that Florida Memorial University, one of the states historically Black colleges and universities, would provide 17 of its 40 acres, located 2.5 miles from the center of Historic Downtown St. Augustine.

The meeting provided the public with its first chance to see specific comparisons between the St. Johns plan and those from Eatonville and Opa-Locka, including a study by Andrew Chin, an architecture and engineering professor at Florida A&M University.

St. Johns County knows that change is coming, he said. I think the benefit of that space is that the land can be rezoned for the purposes and surrounding uses that would best-interest or best serve a museum.

Chin acknowledged that planners would need to navigate multiple contingencies associated with the St. Johns site but added: I think until we know that something cant be built, I think we assume something can be built.

Chin didnt endorse any of the locations.

Criticism of the ranking

While Opa-Locka in theory remained a possibility during Tuesdays meeting, none of the task force members advocated for that location. Instead, the focus was on St. Johns and Eatonville, which both hold significance in Black history.

When Florida was under Spanish rule, Fort Mose in St. Johns served as a settlement for enslaved people fleeing the Carolinas. During the 1960s Civil Rights movement, King led demonstrations to end segregation that drew national attention. He was arrested and held in the county jail. A house he was staying in drew gunfire.

In its proposal, Eatonville leaned on the legacy of author Hurston and the towns proximity to Ocoee, site of a massacre in 1920 on an election night when a white mob killed dozens of Black people.

As things stood Tuesday, St. Johns scored the highest rating at 96.78 on a 110-point scale, and Eatonville sat at 95.33. A 78 score from Republican Rep. Kiyan Michael of Duval County lowered Eatonvilles rating.

To make the process fair, I dont think we can ignore the rankings, Thompson said, seemingly alluding to Michaels vote. There are so many other bodies that, as you say, eliminate the highest and eliminate the lowest so that you dont put yourself in a position where you have one person manipulating the process to tank a proposal.

In return, Michael complained she was being targeted.

There has been a lot of media coverage on this task force, on the meeting that we just had, the last meeting that we had, and it was targeted towards me and the way that I scored, she said. I have a right to score according to the information just like everyone else. Never did I deliberately taint any score to rise up another location.

The post Task force votes for St. Johns County as location for FLs Black history museum appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
With the 2024 general election less than six months away, both President Biden and former President Trump will be eyeing critical endorsements that could put them over the top in November.

While experts and voters have raised questions about the influence of these endorsements, figures who are popular with one party or the country at large can act as key surrogates for the candidates. Although most top Democrats and Republicans have already backed their parties presumptive nominees, several other major endorsements may come in the upcoming months.

Here are some key endorsements to watch for this year.

Taylor Swift

Perhaps one of the most anticipated potential endorsements of the 2024 cycle is for an individual outside of politics whom Forbes called one of the worlds most powerful women.

Taylor Swift has achieved international superstar status in recent years, selling out concerts across the United States and the world. And Swift has occasionally ventured into political advocacy.

Swift endorsed Biden for president shortly before the 2020 election, saying she believed Biden and now-Vice President Harris would start a healing process for the country.

She also spoke out against Trump ahead of Election Day 2020, blaming his ineffective leadership for worsening the COVID-19 pandemic and taking advantage of it to subvert and destroy our right to vote.

Bidens campaign has reportedly been actively seeking Swifts endorsement, and her support could give him a much-needed boost in enthusiasm among younger voters.

Beyonce

One other superstar outside politics with arguably just as much influence as Swift is Beyonce. Already holding the record for the most Grammy wins of any artist, she has gained even more praise, along with some backlash, for her expansion into country music with her most recent album, Cowboy Carter.

Beyonce has been more active in politics than Swift. She and her husband, Jay-Z, helped raise millions of dollars for Obamas 2012 reelection campaign, and both performed at a concert supporting Hillary Clinton just before Election Day 2016.

Beyonce endorsed Biden just before the election in 2020, posting on Instagram a photo of her wearing a Biden-Harris mask and an I voted sticker on a hat.

If she continues her past support for top Democratic candidates, it could also provide appeal to younger voters Biden needs. It could also help to boost interest among Black voters, as many polls show the president has room to improve with this key demographics enthusiasm levels.

Nikki Haley

One of the more unexpected developments of the 2024 race has been Nikki Haley holding off  at least for now  on endorsing Trump for reelection.

Haley notably avoided endorsing Trump when she suspended her campaign in March after weeks of increasing intensity between the two candidates. Since then, she has received a not-insignificant number of votes in the primaries following her departure.

She has received double-digit percentages of support in various states, including the key swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania, and in some cases approached 20 percent.

Biden has sought to capitalize on this, with some social media posts and at least one ad directed toward Haley supporters.

Trump has brushed off the Haley primary votes. But she remains the most significant former Republican candidate for president to not have endorsed him yet. If she avoids backing him, her supporters could be even more up for grabs.

Chris Christie

From a close ally to one of Trumps top opponents, Chris Christie entered the 2024 race already refusing to commit to supporting Trump if he became the nominee.

He said in February that he would not vote for Trump under any circumstances. He has kept the door open to supporting Biden, but signaled he isnt ready to commit yet.

Christie said last month that Biden had not reached out to him since he dropped out to ask for his support, which he said Biden should still do.

He wondered if Bidens staff were advising him against it to avoid losing progressives in his coalition. A Biden campaign spokesperson pointed to the campaigns ad trying to court non-Trump GOP voters in response.

Although Christies presidential campaign didnt gain much traction, he still represents a faction of never-Trump Republicans, some of whom backed Biden four years ago. An endorsement from Christie could contribute to Biden holding on to and even expanding his support from that group.

Mitt Romney

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) has been one of the congressional Republicans most willing to criticize Trump in either chamber, and he has said he wont support Trump this year.

He cast a write-in vote for his wife during the 2016 race and avoided voting for Trump again in 2020. He told MSNBCs Stephanie Ruhle in an interview this month that he will not vote for Trump, saying character is the top issue for him.

So far, he hasnt signaled that he would endorse Biden. But he also hasnt ruled it out, and has said the United States can survive bad policy but cant survive someone with bad character running the country.

Romney had previously indicated that he would write in his wifes name again this year.

Teamsters

An endorsement from the Teamsters, one of the largest labor unions in the country, could be highly influential with key working-class voters in some of the major battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Teamsters officials have met with several 2024 presidential candidates, including Biden, Trump and independents Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West. The unions president, Sean OBrien, said after meeting with Biden in March that the union would likely wait until closer to the election to make an endorsement.

But OBrien did praise Bidens support for unions, and the Teamsters did back Biden in 2020, after having supported Hillary Clinton and Obama in past election years.

Meanwhile, Trump has been trying to make inroads among union members, hoping they could put him over the top in the states he needs to win.

The coveted endorsement from the Teamsters could be a key determinant in how those states vote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Travis County Sheriffs Office (TCSO) released the identity of the victim in a May 20 homicide, as well as additional information about the early morning shooting.

In an arrest affidavit, TCSO identified the victim as Stephen Mark Peterman, 49.

A TCSO deputy found Peterman around 4 a.m. in the middle of Amarillo Avenue with several gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Life-saving measures were attempted but unsuccessful.

The TCSO detective who submitted the affidavit saw a work vehicle with a smashed-out window. The vehicle was identified by the victims wife as Petermans work vehicle, describing it as an indication that someone may have burglarized the truck.

According to TCSO, Petermans wife said her husband often took their elderly dog out to the restroom in the early morning.

The affidavit noted a neighbors surveillance camera captured the sound of six gunshots followed by a red hatchback driving away at high speed. Six .45-caliber casings were found at the scene near Petermans body, according to the affidavit.

TCSO arrested William Jewel Daniels, 36, in connection to the shooting on the afternoon of Monday, May 20. Daniels was charged with one felony count of murder.

Previous: Travis County Sheriffs Office makes arrest in northwest Austin homicide investigation

According to a TCSO affidavit, Daniels was identified through a palm print match in law enforcement databases. Detectives performed a license plate reader database search, which had logged a picture of Daniels red 2012 Hyundai Veloster roughly two miles away from Amarillo Avenue at 4:08 a.m.

TCSO asked the vehicles lien holder to provide GPS tracking for the vehicle. According to the detective, Daniels had called the lien holder six times between 7:30 a.m. and noon to report the vehicle as stolen and for a ping on the tracker.

The deputies went to the vehicle, which was parked at the Spicewood Springs Branch of the Austin Public Library, two miles from Petermans home. They waited and observed Daniels enter the vehicle. Deputies arrested Daniels at that time, 12 hours after Peterman died.

This is a perfect example of why Im so proud of the men and women of TCSO, said Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez in a 6 p.m. press release on May 20. Once again, their teamwork and solid investigative skills came together to keep our community safe.

As of Wednesday, Daniels does not have an attorney listed in the Travis County Court records.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MANILA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of healthcare workers shortage in the Philippines has risen to 190,000 even as the Southeast Asian country continues to export health workers, Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Wednesday.

Herbosa said the healthcare workers include doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, physical therapists, medical technologists, laboratory technicians, and radiologic technologists.

"We will need the human resources, so we saw the gap," Herbosa told a press briefing at the presidential palace after discussing the healthcare issues with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.

According to Herbosa, 20 state universities and colleges in the Philippines now offer medical courses. The Department of Health is now considering offering other benefits to nurses in addition to the basic salaries to entice them to stay in the country, such as possible housing and car assistance, healthcare insurance, and higher education and learning assistance.

The Philippines continues to supply the world with nurses and other healthcare workers.

From January to March this year, lawmaker Marvin Rillo, the vice chair of the House Committee on Higher Education and Technical Education, said nearly 7,000 nursing graduates took the U.S. licensure exam.

"We expect a large number of Philippine nursing graduates to persist in pursuing their career aspirations in America and other foreign labor markets as long as we continue to underpay them here at home," Rillo said recently.

The exodus of Filipino health workers continued over the years due to low wages, poor working conditions, and delayed allowances and benefits. The high salaries and benefits that hospitals abroad offer entice more and more Filipino nurses, making it difficult for the Philippine government to convince them to stay.

Many nurses ditch hospital work to take on more lucrative and less stressful jobs, such as in the business outsourcing processing industry.

Last year, the Philippines green-lighted the deployment of unlicensed nurses to work as "critical care associates" in hospitals to address the country's nurse shortage.

Marcos said allowing "nursing underboard graduates" or nursing graduates who have yet to pass the government licensure examination is vital in alleviating what he described as a "chronic" staff shortage. 
Teen accused of fatally shooting Washington tourist in Marigny enters not guilty plea

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A 16-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting a Washington tourist in the Marigny in January has entered a plea of not guilty.

On Jan. 5, 2024, the NOPD reported that a man had been shot to death at the intersection of Kelerec and Bourbon streets. The Orleans Parish coroner later identified the victim as 32-year-old Jacob Carter.

Deputies investigate two drive-by shootings in Loranger

Carter, a business owner in Tacoma, was reportedly visiting New Orleans with his husband for vacation.

On Jan. 9, a source told WGNO that a car recovered from Bayou St. John may have been connected to the homicide investigation.

On Jan. 12, a 16-year-old was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting.

Separate shootings hours apart leave four people wounded in New Orleans

On Tuesday, May 21, Malik Cornelius was arraigned as an adult suspect in the homicide, but he remains in the juvenile jail on a $600,000 bond.

Cornelius faces a charge of second-degree murder.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Some teen girls are clocking more than five hours a day on their smartphones -- most are likely addicted to social media, a fixation that has been tied to poorer health and wellbeing, new research from Finland finds.

This news is nothing to cell-ebrate.

Some teen girls are clocking more than five hours a day on their smartphones  most are likely addicted to social media, a fixation that has been tied to poorer health and wellbeing, new research from Finland finds.

The implications of nearly six hours of daily smartphone use and its associations with adolescent wellbeing are serious, the study authors wrote in findings published Tuesday in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

1,164 Finnish female students 15 to 16 years old were recruited in 2022 to provide data about their screen time, which the researchers used to calculate phone usage and social media consumption. MNStudio  stock.adobe.com

In Finland, 1,164 female students 15 to 16 years old were recruited in 2022 to provide data about their screen time, which the researchers used to calculate phone usage and social media consumption.

Average daily smartphone use was 5.8 hours, and average time spent using social media was nearly four hours. No significant difference was found between weekdays or weekends.

Average daily smartphone use was 5.8 hours, and average time spent using social media was 3.9 hours. tetxu  stock.adobe.com

The participants also rated their health, mood, tiredness and loneliness.

The researchers reckoned that about 17% of the teens were possibly addicted to social media, while 37% showed signs of an anxiety disorder.

Social media addiction was linked to higher levels of anxiety, poorer body image, poorer health, lower mood, more tiredness and greater feelings of loneliness.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to combine objectively measured smartphone use with validated measures of social media addiction and well-being, the researchers wrote.

They noted a few limitations to their study, including that they didnt exclude anybody; some of the participants may have had pre-existing mental health problems; GPAs were self-reported; and some teens submitted incomplete phone data.

The researchers say that caregivers should establish tech-free zones and help teens foster in-person relationships, while policymakers should urge tech companies to prioritize safety and health in the development of social media.

Social media addiction was linked to higher levels of anxiety, poorer body image, poorer health, lower mood, more tiredness and greater feelings of loneliness. DimaBerlin  stock.adobe.com

The study authors called US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthys 2023 advisory about social medias effect on youth mental health an important call to action.

While some advocate for increased mental health services to tackle the rise in adolescent anxiety, no services will suffice unless the root causes are addressed, they wrote.
Teen Hit by Truck While Driver Was Adjusting Babys Pacifier. Family Says His Brain Injury Is 'Not Survivable

"It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us," said the teen's mom

LaVinda McAuliffe/GoFundMe Aspen Dylan Runnels, who died after he was hit by a truck driven by an apparent distracted driver on Wednesday, May 15

An Ohio teen sustained a brain injury, which his family has said is "unsurvivable," after being struck by a truck.

Aspen Dylan Runnels, 15, was in a crosswalk by Lakota East High School on Wednesday, May 15, when he was struck by the pickup truck, according to ABC affiliate WCPO and FOX affiliate WXIX-TV.

Officials stated in a crash report that the woman driving the truck claimed that at the time of the collision, she had looked away to adjust her babys pacifier, WCPO and NBC affiliate WLWT reported.

Authorities did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Related: 3 People Dead, Including a 6-Year-Old Boy, After Amtrak Train Hits Pickup Truck in New York

In an update shared on social media on Tuesday, May 21, Runnels mother, Christina Alcorn, said her son sustained a catastrophic brain injury that is not survivable.

"It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us," Alcorn added. I know this may come as a shock to many of you, especially Aspen's classmates. Some of you may have anticipated this outcome, but it doesn't make it any easier to hear. It certainly was not for us.

I would like to thank the community, the band, the color guard, and everyone else who has reached out to my family or donated in this very difficult time, she added. I asked you to rally for Aspen, and you did a magnificent job. I'm proud to be part of such a loving and inclusive community.

Alcorn went on to encourage loved ones to "share your memories of Aspen, stories, photos, and keep his memory alive."

"Sing and dance to Taylor Swift, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and be kind to each other as he would have been," she added "Let his infectious smile and beautiful soul live on through each of us. He was too good for this world."

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.

A GoFundMe campaign for the teen's family has been started by OwlBridge Wellness, where Aspen worked. More than $16,000 has been raised as of Wednesday, May 22.

He was so upbeat, and motivated in helping people, wrote organizer LaVinda McAuliffe.

Related: 6 People Dead, 10 Others Injured in Idaho Crash After Pickup Truck Going Wrong Way Hits Passenger Van

No charges have been filed in connection with the crash, according to WLWT. The school increased patrols in the area where the crash occurred, and school officials plan to review safety measures.

Lakota East school officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.



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Teenage brothers show up on police radar as young as 11 years old

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn.  Just before midnight on March 7, a man and his girlfriend were the victims of a brazen crime in Frayser.

They kicked in the door, the male victim said. They came in and started jumping me.

They didnt want to show their faces for safety reasons, but said they knew the attackers well  a 13-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy, their mother and uncle.

Court records state the 13-year-old was armed with a handgun. He used that gun to strike the male victim several times in the head and face before putting the gun to his head while his brother punched and kicked the victim. Police say the family then ransacked the residence.

I was really in shock that they were doing it, the male victim said. You know, I have been knowing them since they were kids.

He says the kids are now unrecognizable. Their mother was arrested two days later for aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

I dont want the kids to go to jail, but at some point, youre constantly doing this and doing this. At some point, you have to be held accountable for what youre doing, he said.

The two teens have a long rap sheet that has played out in almost 20 Memphis police reports in the past two years.

Some state the boys ran away from home. Others tie them to vandalism, car break-ins and, even though they are not old enough to drive, multiple vehicle thefts.

Officers say some of the stolen cars were flipped, crashed, damaged and ditched. One of them was Dorian Berrys Kia.

It seemed like they gave chase. They hit something, Berry said in an interview with WREG in April 2023. Its like, how can you be out here causing this havoc at 2 or 3 in the morning? Youre not accountable to be somewhere?

A month after Berrys car was stolen, police said they caught the boys again. They say their ankle monitors pinged at a vacant apartment where some appliances had been taken.

Officers noted the boys were also wearing ankle monitors in at least two more reports when they ran away from home.

Trying to survive on the street, because theyre living a hard life at home, the male victim said. The road they are going down now, they will be dead or in jail.

The boys mother has been charged before. Police said the youngest son was shot, and while she was at the hospital, police found out she lied about another investigation pertaining to her other sons involvement in a motor vehicle theft. That charge was later dismissed.

Police reports state the brothers started getting in trouble right around COVID. Around the same time, officers noticed an uptick in juvenile crime and blamed viral videos on social media that showed how easy it was to steal a car.

Police also noted when the younger boy was just 11 years old, his mother claimed he had already joined a neighborhood juvenile gang.

Putting the stress on education, and all these things we want to see do. But to just let two brothers run loose? Where are the parents at? Sheriff Floyd Bonner asked.

We found other juveniles who seem to have no regard for their ankle monitor, either.

Dozens of reports detail juveniles wearing ankle monitors when they ran away from home, or were found somewhere they shouldnt be. A few were tied to crimes like a shooting or carjacking.

We spoke to one woman who found an ankle monitor that someone had cut and tossed in her backyard. She says it had been there for a week or two when she called police.

I was doing stuff in my backyard, and I saw something black and shiny and thought this is odd, she said. No one knocked on my door or left a note saying they had a signal in my yard or anything.

She says police couldnt tell her where it came from.

The company listed on the ankle monitor is the same company that has a contract with Shelby County Juvenile Court.

Dr. Brenard Williams, who is the Shelby County Juvenile Courts Youth Justice Administrator, said its very rare something like this would happen.

He cant comment on specific cases, but assured us staff monitors every juvenile at all hours. If something goes wrong, they immediately contact the parent, then police.

We have 24-hour supervision on those, he said. As soon as we see noncompliance, the alarm bell is ringing. In fact, from my position all the way down, were watching compliance.

Williams said they assess every child brought into their building and have determined some need intensive supervision with multiple check-ins every day.

He says that was harder to do before they recently convinced the County Commission for more funding to create a new position called Youth Development Specialist. Basically, theyll work with each child from pre-adjudication to post-adjudication.

He said they will build relationships and get the child and their family what they need to break the cycle.

Making sure theyre connected to services they need help with. Getting to an appointment or making sure that they have the appropriate transportation. Whatever those lack of resources are, theyll be the people that are able to support us, Williams explained.

He also said since the new hires and with more community partners stepping up, there have been fewer violations.

Williams said they will continue to study the data but stressed an ankle monitor is just a device. He stressed some kids need daily check-ins and more support, which is what theyre trying to do.

Its something the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission has also pushed for. In its annual report, it stated the county is on track to develop that intensive supervision and rehabilitation system.

But the crime commission stated the county is behind on addressing juvenile offenders who continue to commit serious crimes with assessments and appropriate interventions for non-violent offenders.

The crime commission reports there was a 36 percent increase in repeat juvenile offenders committing serious crimes last year compared to the year before.

Whats going to happen this summer? Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner asked.

He told WREG as of the end of April, the detention center was 80% full. Hes calling on parents to step up and keep a close eye on their kids.

Cooling Off Crime: A WREG Special Investigation

All this week, WREG Investigators are digging deeper into why children wind up on the wrong path and possible solutions.

Coming up on News Channel 3 at 10 on Tuesday, hear from a mother pleading for help and why it has many calling on the community to step up.

 DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to newstips@wreg.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)  Tennessee is set to become the first U.S. state to provide free diapers to families enrolled in its Medicaid program, while Delaware will extend a pilot program offering a similar service to some postpartum parents.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 92% of families receiving diapers in Tennessee are working and still are unable to afford diapers. TennCare  Tennessees Medicaid program  said effective in August, it will become the first Medicaid agency in the nation to cover the cost of up to 100 diapers per month for TennCare and CoverKids members under 2.

On Tuesday, hundreds of packages of 50-count newborn diapers sitting in a box at the Bare Needs Diaper Bank ready to be given to families in need.

McDonalds is removing self-serve beverage stations. What does it mean for customers?

Nicole Willis, the marketing and communication manager for Mid-South Food Bank, says as prices spike for almost everything for families, so too has demand at the bank.

So, of course, as we see an increase in food, people needing food, we are going to see an increase in people needing diapers, said Willis, who added that this will help families in need, the Bare Needs Bank, and most importantly, babies. This allows us to ease the load so we can help hand and hand to make sure those families and babies are provided for to keep the diaper rash away.

Parents and legal guardians will soon be able to collect diapers directly through the point of sale at pharmacies in the pharmacy benefit manager network. TennCare will provide further information on how to sign up for the program once the initiative is ready to launch.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also approved extending a pilot program in Delaware that provides free diapers and wipes to postpartum parents for the first three months after giving birth.

In Delaware, individuals will be allowed to receive up to 80 diapers and up to one pack of baby wipes per week in the first twelve weeks postpartum. CMS agreed the state could use Medicaid funding to extend the program another five years.

No harm meant: Company withdraws claim after court halts Graceland foreclosure sale

Access to sufficient diapers offers health benefits to the parent, as well, as diaper need is associated with maternal depression and stress, said Martha Lodge, spokesperson for the Delaware Health and Social Services in an email.

On average, newborn babies can require eight to 10 diapers a day, or around 300 a month. Toddlers can use around 150 diapers a month.

The recent approvals in both Delaware and Tennessee come as public health advocates say that families are increasingly struggling to afford enough diapers for their children  not only putting babies at risk of infection and rashes, but also forcing parents to miss work or school because they cant afford enough diapers required at many childcare centers.

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 Queen City News.
Texas judge has been missing from bench for three weeks after overseeing high-profile cases

Judge Kelli Johnson has been absent from court in Harris County, Texas, for over three weeks, prompting questions about her whereabouts and wellbeing (Justex/ District Courts of Harris County)

A prominent Texas judge has been absent from court for over three weeks with no explination on where shes gone or when shell return.

Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson, recently presided over several high-profile trials in the county, but has not been present at the 178th Criminal District Court since May 1, according to ABC13.

Courthouse staff told the outlet, which was first to report on her absence, that concerns have been raised previously about Judge Johnsons mental well-being, and a spokesperson said that she was out for personal matters.

Multiple trials and hearings at the court have been postponed or rescheduled due to her absence.

Judge Johnson was elected in 2016 to the 178th Criminal District Court after serving as Assistant District Attorney for 17 years. According to her court bio, she is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County.

She has two sons, a 12-year-old and 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett.

A Houston Police Department report from May 4 described Judge Johnsons involvement in an incident near her home, with an officer citing a "disturbance/CIT," a law enforcement acronym for crisis intervention.

Judge Kelli Johnson has been absent from court in Harris County, Texas, for over three weeks, prompting questions about her whereabouts and wellbeing (Justex/ District Courts of Harris County)

Court staff told ABC13 that Johnson was a danger to herself and to the community."

The Independent has contacted the court for further information about Judge Johnsons whereabouts, but has received no reply.

Prior to her absence she presided over the trial of Brian Coulter, who was accused of beating eight-year-old Kendrick Lee to death. Coulter pleaded not guilty, but opted for a bench trial, without a jury present.

Judge Johnson deliberated for around 20 minutes before finding him guilty of capital murder, ABC13 reported.

Coulter was charged alongside the childs mother, Gloria Williams, who was accused of leaving her three sons in a Houston apartment with the remains of their dead brother.

Judge Johnson has also presided over the murder trials of AJ Armstrong, a man convicted of shooting his parents to death when he was a teenager in 2016.

A visiting judge has handled some court matters in her absence. Last week, retired Judge Jim Wallace presided over a trial, according to ABC13.

"At the end of the day, one of the responsibilities of the judge is to be able to serve," Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, told the outlet.

We already know our courts in Harris County are severely overburdened, and so, any missing judge means cases effectively stop in her court The end result is justice delayed for both the victim and those accused of crimes."
Abortion rights supporters march in Denver on May 7, 2022. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

It is legal to get an abortion in Colorado, whether youre a Colorado resident or not. It is legal to travel to Colorado from another state to get an abortion. And just in case theres any question, Colorado enacted a shield law in 2023 protecting patients, providers and assisters of abortion care from anti-abortion zealots in other states.

As Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser put it, Texas law does not govern how women receive abortion care in Colorado.

The lawsuit by an angry ex-boyfriend from Texas seeking to punish his former partner for getting an abortion in Colorado isnt just about abortion. Its about bullying. Its about fear and intimidation. Its about abortion opponents and domestic abusers weaponizing abortion bans to punish anyone who seeks health care, especially health care thats not available to them in their home state because politicians think they know better than patients and doctors.

Specifically, the Colorado shield law, Senate Bill 23-188, states: Section 6 of the act prohibits a court, judicial officer, court employee, or attorney from issuing a subpoena in connection with a proceeding in another state concerning an individual who accesses a legally protected health-care activity in Colorado or an individual who performs, assists, or aids in the performance of a legally protected health-care activity in Colorado.

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So basically Texas can kick rocks.

Our Cobalt Abortion Fund continues to help anyone who asks. Colorado residents are seeking help paying for procedures because of an antiquated, 1984 ban on public insurance coverage for abortion care. Out-of-state abortion seekers, especially from Texas, often need help with practical and travel support. Eighty-five percent of our practical support clients in the first quarter of 2024 were from Texas. The Cobalt Abortion Fund spent $212,000 in 2021, before Dobbs, the Supreme Court ruling that undid a constitutional right to abortion care. We spent $1.25 million in 2023, the first full year since Roe was overturned. Were on track to spend $2.3 million in 2024.

Its not a coincidence that the Texas attorney in multiple get back at your ex cases, Jonathan Mitchell, is the author of Texas SB 8 bounty hunter abortion ban law. He also tried to pass a municipal abortion ban in Pueblo in the fall of 2022. This was after Colorado enacted the Reproductive Health Equity Act putting abortion access into our state law. Mitchell failed because grassroots activists in Pueblo organized, stood up, and said, Not here, not now, not ever.

The stress on medical providers in Colorado, both practical and emotional, cannot be overstated.

The atmosphere of fear and intimidation we are seeing around the country after Dobbs is deliberate and intentional. Abortion bans are about power, not life. Lawsuits like these are aimed at people with three kids and two jobs who are afraid if they get in their car and drive to another state for an abortion theyll have a state trooper on their tail and go to jail. Mitchell and his allies want people scared.

And these tactics are aimed at further pressuring providers. The stress on medical providers in Colorado, both practical and emotional, cannot be overstated. Colorado doctors are seeing patients with ectopic pregnancies, Trisomy 18 diagnoses, and partial miscarriages who had to flee their home to get health care in another state. And because of bounty hunter laws, Colorado providers  and our abortion fund staff  are often the only people patients can talk to. They cant confide their trauma in their family or friends, so it gets offloaded here.

But to paraphrase a very famous song, This aint Texas. Colorado is proud of our history as the first state to allow legal abortion in 1967, six years before Roe. And were proud of our status now as a beacon of hope for our own residents who need health care, and for anyone fleeing a state where abortion has been banned thanks to Trump overturning Roe  including Texas.

We will not be bullied out of helping anyone get the abortion care they need and deserve.

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The post The Texas lawsuit isnt just about abortion. Its about bullying. appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
The dunes sagebrush lizard, which lives in the oil-rich Permian Basin, has been listed as endangered after a decades-long effort. Credit: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

ODESSA  The dunes sagebrush lizard burrows its coarse, spiny body to cool down and sometimes conserve heat way deep beneath the sand dunes in the Mescalero-Monahans ecosystem 30 miles west of this West Texas city.

But the 2.5-inch-long lizards home  sandy mounds studded with low-lying shinnery oak trees  is being disrupted as the oil and gas industry expands, posing a grave threat to its survival, federal regulators and scientists said.

After four decades of warnings by biologists about the existential threat that oil and gas exploration and development poses on the reptiles habitat, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the rare lizard endangered last week.

Industry representatives have for years fought against the designation saying it would scare off companies interested in drilling inside the nations most lucrative oil and natural gas basin.

The listing requires oil and gas companies to avoid operating in areas the lizard inhabits, but the Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to determine where those areas are because it is still gathering information, according to Beth Ullenberg, a spokesperson for the Service.

Should the energy industry encroach on the lizards habitat, they could incur fines up to $50,000 and prison time, depending on the violation. However, Ullenberg said the agency would work with companies to avoid penalties.

In a statement, the Fish and Wildlife Service said oil and gas operators can use horizontal drilling to reach oil and gas deposits without disrupting the lizards habitat.

The lizard only lives in about 4% of the 86,000-square-mile Permian Basin, which spans across Texas and New Mexico, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. In Texas, the lizard has been found in Andrews, Crane, Gaines, Ward and Winkler counties.

Lee Fitzgerald, a professor at Texas A&M University who has studied the lizard since 1994, said that drilling a single oil well does not impact the lizards survival, but the fragmentation of its habitat by the oil and gas industrys infrastructure  including the roads leading to drill sites  isolates the reptiles and prevents them from finding mates beyond those already living close by.

Fitzgerald compared the oil and gas infrastructure to urban sprawl.

If you build one house, it's not a problem, he said. But you build 1,000 houses, and every one of them has a driveway, and every one of them has a street, connecting it to more houses then you get urban sprawl. And if you do that in the shinnery oak sand dunes then the lizards disappear.

There are few remaining lizards and they are hard to find, making it difficult to count them accurately. According to a 2023 analysis by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the lizards are functionally extinct across 47% of its range.

Fitzgerald said the population estimates of the lizard dont matter.

The lizard is just one piece of the puzzle that is disappearing, he said. It's out there, it's alive. We should be proud of it, that we have it, and it's so special. So, it's more about the non-monetary values of the lizard as it is part of the big picture of biodiversity.

Listing could cause disruption in oil production

The decision to categorize the lizard as a species in danger of extinction was unwelcome news for oil and gas industry leaders, who said federal regulators provided insufficient guidance for operators to evaluate how to decide where to build service roads and where to drill. Members of the industry also said theyre skeptical of the science supporting the designation.

I think that the lizard is not in danger of extinction, said Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

The ramifications of the listing wont be immediate, but it could have lasting impacts on the future of oil and gas extraction, Shepperd said, adding that it could affect a companys ability to drill without running afoul of federal requirements under the Endangered Species Act.

Not overnight, but over the coming months, we believe that that's going to lead to a decrease in drilling. We believe it's going to lead to  job losses, Shepperd said.

In a joint statement with the Texas Oil and Gas Association, delivered to the federal agency last year, energy industry leaders argued that oil and gas companies were already taking measures to prevent further disturbing the lizards habitat: a 200-meter buffer between their operations and the lizards home, minimizing their presence in the area and using existing service roads as opposed to building more.

Industry representatives also said that oil and gas companies had been participating in voluntary conservation agreements, a program in which companies and private landowners pledge to protect the lizards habitat. Environmentalists have criticized the agreements because there is no enforcement or penalties if companies do not comply  or a way to determine whether the plans are effective.

State and nationwide oil and gas associations have not ruled out litigation, Shepperd said.

Scott Lauermann, a spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, said the decision could delay the permits that companies need for every phase of oil and gas exploration and extraction.

Such permits could authorize companies to build the infrastructure necessary to pump oil like oil rigs and service roads. Federal officials encouraged companies to consult the agency early in their planning.

The lizard wars

Ten generations of lizards have lived and died while a battle ensued between environmental groups, the oil and gas industry and the federal government over their protection.

Fish and Wildlife first identified the dunes sagebrush lizard as needing protection in 1982. Since then, it has been removed and added multiple times from the candidate list for endangered species, but the proposals fell through because the Fish and Wildlife Service said it could not afford to evaluate whether the lizard should have been placed on the list, said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. The Center has petitioned and sued the Fish and Wildlife Service several times over almost two decades regarding the lizard.

In 2002, the center delivered a scientific petition to the Fish and Wildlife Service, asking the agency to add the lizard to the endangered species list. The Service did not act, citing a lack of resources, Robinson said.

The Service proposed adding the lizard to the endangered species list again in 2010 but withdrew the proposal 18 months later.

Instead, then-Texas Comptroller Susan Combs assembled voluntary conservation agreements  a pledge by landowners and operators to avoid activities like removing shinnery oak trees and building roads  to convince the federal government to avoid listing the lizard as endangered, a decision that drew praise from the oil and gas industry and rebuke from environmentalists and wildlife conservation groups.

State and federal officials argued the move would be enough to protect the lizard. More than 200 ranchers and oil and gas companies between Texas and New Mexico, federal officials said.

Shepperd said that among them were Chevron, ExxonMobil and Occidental Petroleum.

Robinson argued that the agreements shielded the oil and gas industry from making modest changes to their daily operations.

Its a sad case of a federal agency that has been captured by the industries theyre supposed to hold to account, Robinson said.

In 2018, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned again for the lizards protection. In 2022, the Center sued the Fish and Wildlife Service again, a lawsuit that resulted in a settlement agreement, which led to another proposal to add the lizard to the endangered species list.

Ullenberg, the Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson, said that petition prompted the agency to conduct a review of the species and ultimately add it to the endangered list last week.

Robinson said it's an important first step.

At least the governments attention will be focused on the project of [recovering] the species, and thats no small thing, he said.

Disclosure: Ben Shepperd, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Permian Basin Petroleum Association and Texas A&M University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Weve got big things in store for you at The Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Join us for three days of big, bold conversations about politics, public policy and the days news.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, estimates that up to 10,000 squatting cases have happened in Texas, according to a Wednesday press release.

On May 15, Bettencourt chaired a hearing of the Texas Senates Local Government Committee focused on the issue. Testimony included families and landlords who had encountered serious problems with squatters.

Texas Senate holds hearing on squatters

The one thing that stood out to me was the hearts of the people this has happened to. Were going to figure out how to fix this as soon as possible, Bettencourt said at the hearing.

KXAN followed up with Bettencourt on Wednesday. He called the hearing a great first step.

Ive got a great group of bipartisan senators that look for solutions, Bettencourt said. What we think were looking at is increased criminal penalties, because this is willful malicious behavior. This isnt a renter with a landlordthis is people that have no right to occupy your home. Thats why theyre called squatters.

Bettencourt calls one potential solution a rocket docket, which would expediate the removal of suspected squatters from residences. But the desire for quick evictions against squatters could hold the potential to weaken protections for legal tenants.

Tenant rights group BASTA Austin released its data on Travis County evictions last week. It said that the data shows the county is heading for a record number of evictions.

Travis County heading towards record number of evictions in 2024

Theres legitimate protections for renters, for tenants following the law, and then theres completely illegitimate squatters. Thats what we need to deal with here, Bettencourt said. Theres plenty of protection for legitimate renters, and were gonna keep that.

Along with a new criminal statute, Bettencourt wants to pursue a recommendation made by Harris County Constables: More training and tools for law enforcement officers to quickly investigate potential squatting.

Maybe quick links to appraisal records, tax office records, something that says who actually owns what. Because the problem is that once law enforcement doesnt interfere, then it takes a court process, Bettencourt said. We have to recognize that people do not have a right to occupy without a legitimate contract.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Rescuers work on the site where a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua.

"Eleven dead bodies have been picked up so far, and rescue work is still underway," the spokesman added.

The minibus carrying the victims fell off a ferry into the river in Giza province near the capital Cairo.

Earlier in the day, the health ministry said it had sent eight ambulances to the scene, noting that some of the injured were treated on site.

Egyptian local media said that the minibus carried about 20 female farm workers.

Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram news website reported that the minibus driver left the handbrake released, which led the vehicle to slide and fall off the ferry.

According to the report, the ferry violated safety conditions and operated with an expired license. The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. 

Rescuers work on the site where a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Rescuers search in the Nile River after a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Rescuers work on the site where a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Rescuers search in the Nile River after a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Rescuers search in the Nile River after a passenger minibus fell into the Nile River in Giza, Egypt, on May 21, 2024. The death toll of a passenger minibus falling into the Nile River in Egypt on Tuesday has risen to 11, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
FILE PHOTO: Job seekers wait beside a road for casual work offered by passing motorists, in Eikenhof

By Kopano Gumbi and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Nelson Mandela's African National Congress promised South Africans "A Better Life For All" when it swept to power in the country's first democratic election in 1994, marking the end of white minority rule and apartheid.

After 30 years of ANC government, many South Africans are frustrated about persistent poverty and inequality, and the party risks losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in a May 29 election, according to opinion polls.

The World Bank reported in 2022 that South Africa was the most unequal country in the world, based on the Gini metric, a statistical distribution of welfare indicators commonly used to measure inequality.

The following data shows that while strides have been made in delivering education, housing and welfare benefits to a wider share of society, South Africa has yet to overcome the legacy of apartheid and deliver a better life for all.

UNEMPLOYMENT

South Africa's joblessness rate, among the highest in the world, is the number one concern for many voters, though the problem is far more acute for the Black majority than for the white minority. The rates for other ethnic groups fall in between.

A series of government interventions have failed to narrow the gap, with the unemployment rate last year standing at 36.5% for Black people and 7.7% for white people.

ECONOMY

South Africa's GDP per capita increased steadily in the years following the advent of democracy but that trend has reversed since 2011. By 2023, it was below the average for emerging markets.

Economists say the decline in GDP per capita is rooted in a weakening economy rather than population growth. Power shortages and poor maintenance of critical transport infrastructure are among factors deterring investment and hampering business.

South Africa's GDP growth has averaged 0.8% per year since 2012, a rate the National Treasury has said is insufficient to reduce high levels of unemployment and poverty.

COMPANY OWNERSHIP

One measure of the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity in South African society is the breakdown by population group of ownership of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Black people make up more than 80% of South Africa's population. However, average Black ownership in JSE-listed firms - a measure which includes other previously segregated racial groups - was 30% in 2022, with the remaining 70% owned by white people and foreign nationals.

No JSE-listed company was fully Black-owned in 2022.

LAND REFORM

The question of land ownership is highly politically charged in South Africa due to the legacy of the colonial and apartheid eras, when Black people were dispossessed of their lands and denied property rights.

Successive ANC governments have launched programmes aimed at transferring farmland from white to Black owners, for example by buying land and then redistributing it. The target, which has been moved back several times, is to transfer 30% of farmland owned by white farmers to Black farmers by 2030.

Academics Wandile Sihlobo and Johann Kirsten, both experts on agriculture, have estimated that about 20% of freehold farmland owned by white farmers in 1994 has passed into Black hands, either through government programmes or private purchases.

White commercial farmers now own about 61 million hectares, representing 78% of farmland that comes with private title deeds and 50% of all land in South Africa, according to their estimates.

Opinions vary widely on whether this represents significant progress or not, and land reform remains a rallying cry for certain political parties, including the ANC and the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters, who want it to be accelerated.

SOCIAL WELFARE

The number of South Africans on state benefits for old age, disability or child support has increased significantly over the years, straining the country's budget with more than a quarter of social development funding earmarked for social grants.

Over 27 million people, or 44% of the population, received state benefits in 2022. This compares to 2.4 million people, or 6% of the population, in 1998.

The ANC government introduced a new "social relief of distress" grant in 2021 to support those hardest hit by the COVID pandemic. It is currently debating whether to make it permanent.

Opponents of such subsidies say they act as a disincentive to people looking for work and divert resources from basic services like electricity, water and schools.

EDUCATION

South Africa significantly boosted basic and higher education enrolment after the democratic government abolished the apartheid-era Bantu education system, which provided inferior schooling for Black children to hold them back.

However, IMF research in 2019 found that the poorest 7580% of primary school learners depended on public schooling that was "dysfunctional", with limited resources and less well qualified teachers.

The paper said 80% of the schools it described as dysfunctional were in predominantly Black townships and in rural areas.

HEALTH

South Africa's publicly funded health sector, which serves over 80% of the population, is overburdened and run-down, while a privileged minority have access to better treatment through private insurance.

On May 15, two weeks before the election, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a National Health Insurance (NHI) bill that aims to provide free healthcare to all South Africans.

Supporters say it will address healthcare inequality, but opponents say the NHI will be a drain on already stretched public finances, and will limit patient choice, harm the quality of care and drive talented doctors out of the country.

South Africa is one of the countries worst-hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with nearly 8 million people living with the virus, of whom about 5.7 million are receiving anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). The total population is 62 million.

Life expectancy was severely affected by the disease, falling from over 62 years in 1994 to about 54 years a decade later, before recovering thanks to the mass rollout of the life-saving drugs from 2004 onwards.

The rollout was ordered by the Constitutional Court, ruling against the government of then president Thabo Mbeki, who had questioned the scientific consensus that AIDS is caused by the HIV virus and cast doubt over the safety of ARVs.

The drugs helped life expectancy recover. It remained on an upward trend until the COVID pandemic, when it dipped.

BASIC SERVICES

Since 1994, the ANC government has broadened the provision of basic services including housing, electricity, water and sanitation to a majority of South Africans.

Nearly 95% of households, for example, use electricity as the main source of energy for lighting, up from 58% of households in 1996.

But the supply of power, water and other basic services has deteriorated over the years as under-investment in critical infrastructure has left it unable to cope with rising demand.

In recent years, frequent rolling power cuts of up to 10 hours a day have impacted everything from households to businesses and hospitals to traffic lights, becoming a byword for the ANC government's failings in delivering basic services.

(Graphics by Pasit Kongkunakornkul, Sumanta Sen and Vineet Sachdev; Additional reporting and editing by Estelle Shirbon and Toby Chopra)
TEL AVIV  The prospect of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over their war in Gaza has united an increasingly divided country in opposition to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds nearly unprecedented low approval ratings domestically, but few Israelis are likely to say his conduct, or that of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, is on par with Hamass intentional targeting of civilians on Oct. 7.

Israelis understand this is a serious issue, that it is unprecedented, said Shmuel Rosner, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute who has conducted regular polling of the Israeli public before and after Hamass terrorist attack against Israel.

We feel frustrated, angry, but we also have to be realistic, we have to deal with it.

Its unclear whether ICC Prosecutor Karim Khans request to the court to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant  along with three Hamas leaders  will be fulfilled.

Khan accused the Israeli leaders of using starvation as a weapon of war in his filing, while arguing the Hamas leaders bear criminal responsibility for war crimes including the taking of hostages, sexual violence, extermination and torture.

The Israeli government does not recognize the ICCs jurisdiction, but the action will likely force Israels participation in legal proceedings and could threaten Netanyahu and Gallants ability to travel to allied countries and engage with the international community.

Einat Wilf, a former member of Israels parliament, said the move itself may not be dangerous for Israel, but that it pointed to how broader opinion has been turned upside down over the Israel-Hamas war, which she said is worrying.

We are at a moment that is very dangerous precisely because there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what Israel is facing, said Wilf, who is critical of Netanyahu for not imposing a full siege of the Gaza Strip.

Yahya Sinwar, who is among the Hamas leaders in Khans request, is considered the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack in which approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel were massacred. Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people on Oct. 7  with more than 124 hostages still held in Gaza, though how many remain alive is unknown. Hamas also holds, since 2014, two Israelis and the bodies of two Israeli soldiers.

Netanyahu has fueled global rage with his handling of the response, conducting a war to eliminate Hamas that has now killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, a figure that includes Hamas fighters as well as about 8,000 children and 5,000 women.

But Israelis across the political spectrum chafed at what they saw as an implied parallel between the two sides.

We think its ridiculous they put them on the same moral equivalency, said one of the family members of a hostage who is still held in Gaza, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the ICCs case.

Its almost unbelievable, the family member continued. But the judge will need to make a decision over whether they will issue the arrest warrant. Until then, we will wait and see and comment at that time.

Khans pursuit of arrest warrants could serve to paper over Netanyahus problems at home  a deepening rift with President Biden, fractures in the unity wartime Cabinet and growing anger over his failure to secure the release of the hostages.

Wilf said frustration with Netanyahu in Israel should not be read as public disapproval of the war itself. Its Netanyahus bungle, hugely, but the war, its the war of our people, she said.

Much of Israeli society views as hypocritical calls for Israel to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas that prioritizes the relief of the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians over the imperative to release the hostages, said Rosner.

Israelis by and large feel that the world puts too much emphasis on humanitarian issues in Gaza and does not have proper consideration for the need for Israel to win the war, he said.

Israelis feel that if they fight this war, and abide by the rules that the international community would like them to follow, then the ability to win the war will be greatly diminished. And since Israelis feel that winning this war is an existential need for us, they see the demand for more considerations for humanitarian needs as a demand that is an obstacle for Israels ability to win.

Israel has become increasingly isolated globally as the war rages and Palestinian casualties mount, with President Biden drawing a red line this month over the countrys threatened invasion of Rafah  threatening to withhold offensive weapons if Israel moves in without a plan for the safe evacuation of civilians.

There is also growing pressure on Netanyahu within his own wartime Cabinet, with powerful member Benny Gantz issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu  with a deadline of three weeks  to change course on the strategy of the war or risk his exit from the unity coalition, further deepening divides in the country.

But Israels political leadership has been nearly unanimous in its condemnation of Khans pursuit of arrest warrants, despite deep divisions and recent public clashes over Netanyahus strategy and handling of the war.

Drawing parallels between the leaders of a democratic country determined to defend itself from despicable terror to leaders of a bloodthirsty terror organization is a deep distortion of justice and blatant moral bankruptcy, said Gantz, head of the opposition Israel Resilience Party.

The prosecutors position to apply for arrest warrants is in itself a crime of historic proportion to be remembered for generations.

And Gallant, who also recently issued a public challenge to Netanyahu demanding a postwar strategy, described as despicable the parallel between Israel and Hamas made by the ICCs Khan.

Prosecutor Karim Khans attempt to deny the State of Israel the right to defend herself and ensure the release of the hostages held in Gaza, must be rejected explicitly, he said.

Editors note: The interviews for this article were arranged by the Jerusalem Press Club, which also paid for the reporter to travel to Israel.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Retired Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts has a strong, early lead over incumbent Tootie Smith in the Clackamas County Chair race. As of 10 p.m., Roberts leads Smith by more than 6,000 votes. KOIN 6 will continue to post the latest results as votes are counted throughout the night.

The race for chair of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners features two candidates with extensive political experience. Incumbent Tootie Smith faces retired Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts in the May primary. Before winning the election for county chair in 2020, she served as a Clackamas County Commissioner from 2013 to 2016.

COMPLETE 2024 PRIMARY COVERAGE

The Position 4 seat, previously held by Smith, has been a game of musical chairs in recent years. Smith lost her reelection campaign to Ken Humberston in 2016. Humberston then lost his reelection bid in a runoff with current commissioner Mark Shull in 2020. Shull is now at risk of losing the seat after he reportedly posted racist, transphobic, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant views on social media.

What to know before casting your ballot for Oregons primary election

Roberts served as Clackamas County Sheriff from January of 2005 to December of 2020. As a former sheriff, Roberts received an endorsement from the Oregon State Sheriffs Association. However, Smith is backed by the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association President Ben Wiley and the local firefighters union.

The third candidate to enter the race is Clackamas County employee April Lambert, who also runs the local organization Yonas Kids.

Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Position 1 candidates

April Lambert: Clackamas County employee

Craig Roberts: Former Clackamas County Sheriff

Tootie Smith: Current Clackamas County Chair

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We owe a debt of gratitude to Lord Walney, the former Labour MP, John Woodcock. He has shed some harsh light on the threat to public order posed by increasingly disruptive demonstrators.

Naturally, much of what he has concluded in his 240-page report to ministers has already been dismissed and attacked as impractical and even undemocratic. And not everything he concludes will, or should, result in changes to the law. Banning protesters from wearing face masks, for example, just feels too authoritarian. The right to anonymity, while it can be intimidating and frustrating, is nonetheless a valuable principle whose loss would be damaging.

Nevertheless, much of what Lord Walney has recommended is worth considering and we can but hope that Labours shadow ministers will consider the report as seriously as government ministers should. For Labour the issue is trickier than it is for the Conservatives, given that the recent spate of disruptive public protests have been  ostensibly at least  in support of Left-wing causes.

The report should be a wake up call to the political establishment, said Lord Walney. There is a serious blind spot in the states understanding of and focus on the wider ways in which extreme Left-wing ideology can undermine our liberal democracy.

To the forefront of observers  and perhaps Lord Walneys  minds is the weekly anti-Israel protests, which began in the wake of Hamass appalling terrorist attack on October 7 and even before Israel had launched its reprisals. The public aggression and unapologetic anti-Semitism of these events have long concerned police and legislators, but it has taken this report to focus minds on exactly what should be done in order to defend public order at a time of heightened community tensions.

The ongoing bad behaviour of climate change activists has also prompted consideration of whether and how the law might change to protect citizens rights to lead their lives without their journeys being disrupted and even their museum visits being spoilt by attention-seeking pensioners.

Pro-trans rights demonstrations might also be considered to be of the Left, despite activists frequent violent targeting of womens rights activists who oppose the presence of trans women (biological males) in womens spaces and sports. Just as pro-Palestinian protesters have historically been supported by the anti-Semitic far Right, pro-trans rights activists can expect to receive unwelcome support from the anti-feminist far Right. Nonetheless, these are all considered Left wing causes.

Many of the values and practices we see represented in these demonstrations were imported from America, whose dysfunctional political culture has so effectively undermined academic reputations on campuses across the country. British activists have already started to emulate the practices of Antifa, the avowedly anti-fascist organisation which uses anonymity and violence to intimidate and silence political opponents and for whom irony is a foreign word.

The adorably nicknamed black pampers, masked pro-trans activists who specialise in intimidating uppity women whom they smear as Terfs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists), have become a regular feature of demonstrations in Britain.

All of this helps explains Lord Walneys conclusions and concerns. We are moving further away from the days of peaceful protest, when opponents of a particular cause could express support for the principle of demonstrating in its support, provided such demonstrations were peaceful and respectful. But protest in Britain has taken on a new and unwelcome facet, with protesters simply unwilling or unable to accept no for an answer to their demands.

Hence Lord Walneys suggestion that masks be legally forbidden to be worn on demos, and his rather more welcome and practical proposal that intimidation of parliamentary candidates and campaigners becomes a criminal offence before the next general election.

The right to demonstrate has too frequently been conflated with the right to get your own way. In the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, MPs would regularly receive angry missives from constituents (and from many non-constituents who believed they could lobby any MP they liked) expressing outrage that despite their demands, the MP in question still intended to vote against their wishes.

Frustration at majority rule and perhaps also a recognition that their own pet obsessions are not shared by everyone else, has found expression in increasingly violent and disruptive direct action: if our politicians will not choose to do the right thing, perhaps they can be forced to.

That mindset and that behaviour is unacceptable. The right to demonstrate is a precious one. It is regrettable, but perhaps inevitable, that Lord Walneys wake-up call has had to be made at all.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  At its core, Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives in service of our country and our freedom. However, former Elmwood Funeral Home employee and self-described collector of history, J.D. York, says that in his experience, it is the causes and events, rather than the people who fought for them that get memorialized. Thats why he has been working for three years now to ensure our local Veterans sacrifices will not go forgotten.

We are really good about remembering the events; 9/11, Pearl Harbor, all those. But, weve forgotten about the people, York said.

Abilene VFW post remembers soldiers in Operation Desert Storm: We didnt know what was going on

A few of the binders compiled by York

Through family genealogies, letters, newspaper clippings, and many other sources, York has now compiled comprehensive histories of at least 650 Veterans with ties to the Abilene community who were killed in action, missing in action, prisoners of war (POW), or died in non-battle during conflicts spanning from World War I to the war in Afghanistan.

One day, I was helping a family find their loved ones grave out in the cemetery and the lady looked down and said, that is my uncle. He died in a POW camp in Japan. Well, theres nothing out there that says that. It just has his name on it. Jack Perry Abilene High SchoolThey (Veteran families) tell me, we thought that people had forgotten,' recalled York. I agree with the families. We made a promise as a country to never forget, and I, again dont pull any punches, I say we lied. We lied. We have forgotten and its time to start remembering.

Patriotic little ones of Dyess Elementary celebrate I Love America Day: GALLERY

While York is not finished with his research, each of these names are now accompanied by a 4 to 12-page profile on the life and legacy of the Veteran. York will present these findings and stories at a Memorial Day service at Elmwood Funeral Home, as well as post a photo and brief life summary at the gravesite of the 68 Veterans interred at Elmwood Memorial Park.

The project extends beyond Elmwood by including cemeteries within a 100-mile radius of Abilene, and even some buried at out-of-state sites that have a connection to the city, whether through service or schooling. York told KTAB/KRBC he felt that by speaking the fallen soldiers names once more and bringing their stories to light, their service and their lives are honored as they should be.

Once a year is all were asking Delay the barbecue, delay the shopping, York insisted. It lets their families know, more importantly, that they have not been forgotten. Their sacrifice was not in vain.

That sacrifice is best explained in the words of the fallen themselves. York has found quotes from many of the Veterans and included them in his presentation. Two of those final accounts taken directly from Yorks research findings follow:

Nate spotted the flashes of missiles being launched, within seconds SAMS began to track him. He calmly radioed that he was taking evasive action. Those were his last words. He wrote to his family, Regardless of the destination I feel I am trained for any mission or contingency. I have faith that those at the helm above have fully weighed the consequences and have determined that the resulting good will far outweigh the bad.

 2nd Lieutenant Nathan Juice Dennis White, Age 30, 1st U.S. Pilot killed in the Iraqi War, 1991 Graduate of Cooper High School, KIA April 2nd, 2003.

Delano had written a letter to his four children Which was to be read to them in the event of his death. The letter reads in part. I am no longer with you because I returned to a little country that I felt was in dire need of my knowledge and talents. A country whose people are fighting for their livesI left with the knowledge that I might not return but I also knew that it was a fight that might possibly save you from enduring the hardships of war or the oppressive heel of cruel godless communist regimes. These words sound empty and hollow to me tonight. and to you also probably. But in time you will understand. Now you must be happy for you have your life ahead of you.

 Master Sergeant Henry Harrison Hank Delano, Age 35, attended Abilene High School, KIA July 22, 1996 in Phong Dinh Province, South Vietnam.

5 years in the making: West Texas VA Health Care System plans to expand Abilene Veteran services in 2026

J.D. Yorks findings of his ongoing research will be presented at a Memorial Day Service at Elmwood Cemetery on Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m.  5750 US Highway 277 South in Abilene. York will also post photos and summaries of the 68 honored Veterans by their graves.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A national supermarket chain is holding a grand re-opening ceremony at one of its store locations in the Capital City.

Sheila Regehr with Dillons Food Stores announced in a press release the ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24 at 5311 SW 22nd Pl in Topeka. This will be attended by representatives from Harvesters, Helping Hands Humane Society, Greater Topeka Partnership and the University of Kansas Cheer Squad.

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Our Dillons at 21st and Fairlawn has undergone a store renovation to update and enhance the store with a capital investment at this location, Regehr said in a written statement. We began the project earlier this year with enhancements to our fresh departments with Produce, Floral, Murrays Cheese, Deli and Bakery. The store also received a fresh new look with updated decor throughout the store.

Walmart relocates northeast Kansas facility operations to Topeka area

Regehr says the store opened in 2008 and has expanded in the years following. Several renovations and the addition of a fuel center have been built on the original store layout and nearby area. The store did not close for the current renovations.

The celebration on Friday will be an opportunity to celebrate with our associate, customers, and community to introduce the renewed store, Regehr said.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For months Rishi Sunak has stared down the barrel of election defeat. Yesterday he decided to fire the starting gun.

It feels less like a bold flourish than a pulling of the plug. The pain of limping on for another few months seems to have outweighed hoping something might come along to save him. With rolling defections to the Labour Party, the prospect of a Nigel Farage return, and a Rwanda policy that might not be tough enough to act as a deterrent by the end of the year, it might be a reasonable calculation.

Sunak goes into his election campaign with an average 20-point deficit in the opinion polls. With some pollsters, its as high as 30 points. A YouGov survey released hours before the announcement found the prime minister with a net rating of -51. One electoral model has him facing electoral wipeout, with the Conservatives dropping to as few as 50 seats.

The mountain ahead of Sunak is enormous. The local elections indicated Labours vote is highly efficient, strong in the target seats where it needs to be and weakest where in safe Labour seats where it doesnt. Tactical voting will be high, too, with Labour voters likely to lend their support to Liberal Democrats in key seats.

History is not on the Tories side, either. No sitting prime minister has ever reversed a polling deficit this large. The closest any politician has come is Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, but he was an unknown quantity, was gifted by an abysmal Conservative campaign, and was the Opposition not the incumbent.

Nonetheless, there is some reason to doubt we are headed for a full Conservative wipeout.

First, Starmer also has a hill to climb. He will need the largest swing Labour has ever experienced in its entire electoral history to win a majority of 1. One aspect of the local elections, the projected national share of the vote from the results, cast doubt on the idea that he is set for a swing exceeding that.

Second, the polling gap will narrow. In 2017, the narrowing of the gap took place from the day the PM announced the election, as the choice crystallised into who people wanted to run the country. With Labour at its polling apex now, that will likely be to the benefit of the Tories. Their best opportunity to squeeze votes comes from the one in five 2019 Conservative voters who now say they would vote for Reform UK.

Third, the undecideds. Around one in six voters say they do not know how they would vote and, unlike in previous elections, these voters are much more socially conservative in their attitudes and outlook. JL Partners modelling of those undecideds suggests just over half of them are likely to opt for either the Conservatives or Reform UK. If the latter party does not take off during the campaign, then the Tories might be able to shore them up too. Accounting for that, as well as controlling for turnout, gives Labour a 15-point lead over the Tories.

Finally, there is still a great deal of apathy about Starmer. Sunaks attack on the Leader of the Opposition was the strongest part of his speech. Focus groups are relentless in their criticism, with many swing voters feeling he does not take a principled position and only says what he needs to win. Sunaks contrast on having a plan versus no plan with Starmer might be one of his better cards to play. To draw that contrast effectively, Sunak will need to drop the grinning and hyperactivity of some of his social media output  and project the serious statesman ready to fight for the future of the country.

The Conservatives cannot take much heart from these caveats, however. Labours poll lead is still larger than Blair had in 1997. The public could warm up to Keir Starmer the more they see of him, and Sunaks weaknesses could be further exposed in a campaign. Even if everything goes right for the Tories, it is almost impossible to see how Sunak holds onto power.

Sunak creaked open the gates of the electoral dam yesterday. The deluge is coming. The next few weeks will determine how destructive it is.

James Johnson is co-founder of JL Partners polls

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News of an early general election has received an immediate and significant welcome from the Scottish Conservatives. They have been arguing for such an audacious gamble for several months, fearing that the longer an election is delayed, the better are Labours prospects of creating a tsunami of victories against the fast-disappearing SNP. This would surely put Sir Keir Starmer into 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister.

In the Tony Blair landslide of 1997, the massive gains achieved by Labour in England also crossed the border and saw the Scottish Tories completely wiped out  losing all of their seats north of the border.

That remains a live danger given that the latest poll predicts big gains for Labour at the expense of the SNP, which has run Scotland for seventeen years. The nationalists could lose as many as half of their 47 Commons seats in Scotland  with the bulk of them going to Labour, enabling it to recapture its traditional heartlands in West Central Scotland around Glasgow.

But senior Tory campaign managers believe that a July 4 contest is their best chance of not only holding the six seats they already have in Scotland, but capturing several others, possibly as many as six more.

In most of these seats they will be fighting the SNP  not Labour. One senior election planner commented on hearing the news: This is what we have been waiting for and we are very confident of doing well against the nationalists whose unpopularity is growing all the time.

As well as counting on the huge voter unhappiness with the SNP over their broken promises on education and the economy, the Scottish Tories are pinning their hopes on maintaining government support for the North Sea oil and gas industries.

Both the SNP and Labour are pledged to shut down Scotlands black gold which has brought prosperity to the North East of Scotland but whose closure threatens the tens of thousands of well-paid jobs that depend on the rigs continuing to operate.

There is little doubt that the decision for an early poll is the last thing that the SNP would have wished for. Their standing in the polls has plummeted and took another nose-dive recently when Humza Yousaf, who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister last year, was forced to resign to head off an embarrassing defeat in a no confidence motion tabled by Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tories leader.

The nationalists have gone from being seen as Scotlands natural party of government to a shadow of its former self, with the last year seeing it staggering from crisis to crisis. Nicola Sturgeon said she gave up being First Minister because she had become such a controversial figure with the voters.

But it was the result of a series of self-inflicted wounds as she insisted that her way was always best. She forged a hugely unpopular coalition with the extreme Left Scottish Greens which led to her losing crucial battles with both the Supreme Court, over independence, and the UK government, over her hugely controversial gender reform bill.

And hanging over the SNP  as it has been for the last year  is the dark cloud of the 600,000 that is allegedly missing from SNP coffers. Sturgeon and her husband, as well as the party treasurer, were all arrested but then freed pending further inquiries in the massive police investigation. However, Sturgeons husband, Peter Murrell, a former chief executive of the party, has now been charged as the investigation continues.

Independence and breaking up Britain  the very essence of the SNPs policy agenda for decades  are now on a backburner as new party leader, John Swinney, tries desperately to win back support by getting the party back to voter-friendly policies on education and health. However, the polls are suggesting that he is no more popular as party leader than his predecessors.

And nor is independence, the only policy his party cares about.

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An Israeli military vehicle is seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the Israeli army had sent reinforcements to several neighborhoods in Jenin and its camp, adding reconnaissance drones were hovering intensively over the area.

The sources noted that the army forces carried out raids and searches that targeted dozens of homes in the camp's neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the death toll in Israeli raids has risen to eight and the injuries to 24, with four of them in serious condition.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that military bulldozers destroyed the infrastructure, resulting in power outages and disruption to communications and internet services in large areas of the city and the camp.

On Tuesday, Israeli special forces stormed the camp, leading to the outbreak of armed clashes with Palestinian militants.

Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee called the raids a "counter-terror" operation on social media platform X.

Cities, camps and villages in the West Bank have witnessed an escalation after the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 514 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and Jerusalem during the escalation. 

Smoke billows during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Smoke billows during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

An Israeli military vehicle is seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, on May 22, 2024. The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its operation against Jenin city and its camp in northern West Bank for the second day as the death toll rose to eight. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
I toured an Arizona neighborhood that banned cars and found a walkable oasis in the middle of a Phoenix suburb

I toured an Arizona neighborhood that banned cars and found a walkable oasis in the middle of a Phoenix suburb

Culdesac is a car-free neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona.

The housing startup has 200 residents who use bikes, scooters, and ride-share services to get around.

Take a look inside the walkable oasis filled with courtyards, local shops, and plenty of shade.

Walkable neighborhoods are on the rise. In a country run by cars, many millennials and Gen Zers are willing to spend more to live in a community where it's easy to get around without a vehicle, according to a 2023 study by the National Association of Realtors.

Enter Culdesac  the budding Arizona block making a name for itself as the "first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the US."

Located in Tempe, home of Arizona State University, Culdesac is a community where cars are banned. It's been a project in the making since 2018. Last year, the neighborhood opened to residents. Now, 200 people live on the 17-acre block, a company representative told Business Insider. Eventually, Culdesac plans to house 1,000 residents.

As a New Yorker without a car, Culdesac intrigued me. So, on a recent trip to Arizona, I visited the car-free neighborhood and thought it felt like an urban oasis in the Phoenix suburb.

Culdesac is in the greater Phoenix area.

Culdesac is in Tempe, Arizona. Google Maps

The neighborhood is located on the east side of Tempe, just about 10 miles from Phoenix.

I recently got a private tour  and the chance to chat with the CEO.

CEO and cofounder Ryan Johnson lives at Culdesac. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

During my visit, I met with CEO and cofounder Ryan Johnson. After years of working in the real estate and transportation industries  and traveling to walkable places around the world  he was inspired to create a neighborhood free of cars.

From New York City to Budapest, Johnson says his travels launched a passion for cities.

"I saw those places and said, 'Wow, this is a much better way to build a city  with thoughtful architecture, great transportation systems,'" he told BI.

Johnson added that developments in the transportation industry, from ride-share apps to public transit systems and electric bikes, have made living car-free possible in places like Arizona.

Johnson, who grew up in Phoenix and currently lives at Culdesac, hasn't had a car in 14 years.

All around the property, I spotted electric bikes and scooters.

Electric bikes parked at Culdesac. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Visitors and delivery drivers can park their cars at Culdesac, but residents cannot.

The company representative told BI that for residents with cars, "it's regulated through their lease agreement that they won't park on-site or on any public streets within 0.25 miles."

Some residents park their cars elsewhere in Tempe, while others, like Johnson, don't have a vehicle at all. Residents get around on foot, bicycles, electric bikes, and electric scooters. The neighborhood has more than 1,000 bike parking spots.

One Culdesac resident previously told BI that living without a car can be challenging outside the neighborhood, as the surrounding city was built for vehicles.

However, according to the company's website, Culdesac provides residents with a mobility package worth almost $3,000 a year to make transportation easier. It includes a complimentary Valley Metro pass for the light rail that goes through Phoenix and Tempe and discounts on ride-share apps like Lyft and Waymo, a self-driving cab service.

My tour began in the plaza.

The Plaza at Culdesac in Tempe. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The plaza, located across from the neighborhood light rail stop, is the communal center of Culdesac. It's marked by a sculpture by artist Matthew Salenger that doubles as a canopy.

Here, there are games, shaded tables, and weekly events.

A ping-pong table in the plaza. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Every Thursday evening, Culdesac hosts Little Cholla, a public outdoor night market with music, vendors, food trucks, art, and activities such as line dancing and yoga.

There's also a two-story gym.

Inside the fitness center. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A two-story building in the plaza with giant windows is home to the neighborhood fitness center. It offers workout classes and is lined with equipment.

Across from the plaza, there are local shops run by residents.

A storefront at Culesac. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From thrifted clothing to unique dishware and candles, there's plenty of local shopping at Culdesac.

According to the company's website, there are about 11 micro-retail shops, including a market, a laundromat, a medical spa, an art studio, and a plant shop.

These micro-retailers have the option to live in their workspace.

A peek inside a micro-retail shop. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The company representative told BI that the small-business owners at Culdesac are residents, and some even live in their stores thanks to a zoning permit that allows them to do so.

All the stores have kitchens and bathrooms, and some have bedrooms.

Steps from the plaza, the neighborhood has a restaurant with outdoor seating.

Cocina Chiwas is a restaurant on the property. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In April 2023, Culdesac's Cocina Chiwas opened. It's a family-owned Mexican restaurant serving Chihuahuan cuisine.

As I strolled the communal paths, I noticed that Culdesac didn't feel as hot as the surrounding streets. That's because there's no asphalt on the property.

A wide, shaded pathway in the neighborhood. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It's no secret that the Phoenix area is hot  sometimes dangerously so in the summers. So Culdesac was built to keep pedestrians cool without asphalt  a road material that gets hotter in the sun.

In the residential areas, the walkways are narrow.

Paths lead to residents' quarters. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Culdesac intentionally placed the buildings close together to create as much shade as possible.

The buildings' color is also no accident. Culdesac chose white because it reflects sunlight rather than absorbs it.

Between residential buildings, there are courtyards with grills, tables, hammocks, and firepits.

A courtyard in the residential area. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

More than half of the entire property is open, landscaped space.

Culdesac has apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom floor plans.

Inside one of the units. Culdesac

Culdesac currently has 172 units. More will open in the fall, and the neighborhood will eventually have 760 units.

Studios start at $1,300 a month, one-bedrooms are $1,400, two-bedrooms are $2,100, and three-bedrooms are $2,900 a month.

On the outer rim of Culdesac, there's a bike shop with tune-up services.

Inside Archer's Bike Shop. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Archer's Bike Shop sells manual and electric bikes. And Culdesac residents get complementary services and product discounts.

Culdesac seems like a place where people can not only live car-free but also get to know their neighbors.

The Culdesac leasing office. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After my visit to Culdesac, I chatted with Brad Biehl, a 24-year-old resident from Colombus, Ohio. Biehl has lived in the neighborhood for six months. He said one of the best parts of living there is the sense of community.

"We're usually in environments where we walk from our door to our car and from the car into the place," Biehl said. "But here, to go anywhere, I usually pass at least two or three of my neighbors, even when I'm just walking to the light rail right around the corner."

Biehl added that he's optimistic about the future of Culdesac when more residents and retailers come in.

"While there are still not a ton of people here yet, there's way more going on than I would've expected there to be," he told BI. "The number of serendipitous interactions that have taken place with the limited number of residents makes me super excited for what people will experience here."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Editors note: This story is part of ongoing election coverage from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. For additional up-to-date information on Tuesdays races, visit ledger-enquirer.com.

The even numbered districts on the Columbus Council were up for election on Tuesday, but only two of them were competitive.

Four candidates are vying to fill former Columbus Councilor John Houses at-large seat for both the remaining months of the current term in a special election, and also for the next four years.

Both the special election and the regular election decision for the same seat were on the ballot for voters Tuesday: The special election decision determines who fills the position until January 2025, at which point the winner of the regular election would take office.

John Anker, Travis Chambers, Patrick Leonard and Rocky Marsh all ran for the seat in both races.

Anker is a former mayoral candidate and founder of the manufacturing and logistics company Ankerpak. A former small business owner, Chambers currently works in the nonprofit sector.

Leonard is the pastor of Faith Ministries of Columbus. Marsh, a veteran of the U.S. Army, currently works as the Department of Defense civilian Fort Moore budget analyst.

The race for the at-large district seat heads for a run-off election on June 18 as Travis Chambers leads with about 44.2% of the vote with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of States Office, which were missing fewer than 100 provisional and military ballots that could come in as late as Friday.

Anker is in second place with about 38.7%. Marsh and Leonard placed third and fourth, respectively.

Results for the special election were similar with Chambers leading Anker, Marsh and Leonard with about 43% of the vote.

District 4 incumbent Toyia Tucker, who was first elected in 2020, was challenged by Tyrone Thomas, a pastor who retired from his 30-year career with the Columbus Police Department.

Tucker will hold onto her seat with about 52.4% of the vote, according to the unofficial results.

Here are the incumbent candidates running unopposed for Columbus Council:

Glenn Davis in District 2

Gary Allen in District 6

Walker Garret in District 8
Train stops just in time to avoid hitting man pushed onto tracks, Oregon cops say

A man was shoved onto train tracks as the light rail approached the station in Oregon, deputies said.

It stopped just in time.

The rider was waiting at about 4:19 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, at Portlands Providence Park Metropolitan Area Express station, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

He was suddenly shoved onto the tracks by a stranger who then ran off, deputies said.

The TriMet MAX Light Rail operator applied the emergency brakes and stopped before hitting the man, deputies said.

Deputies said they found the rider with minor injuries.

The 31-year-old man accused of pushing the rider, Michael Lynn Moreland, was found about 20 minutes later after authorities got multiple calls about thefts in the area, deputies said.

He was arrested on multiple charges, per the release, including:

Second-degree attempted murder

Second-degree attempted assault

Fourth-degree assault

Third-degree robbery

Second-degree criminal mischief

Third-degree escape

Second-degree disorderly conduct

Interfering with public transportation

He could face additional charges, deputies said.

The Multnomah County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for more information on May 22.

28-year-old killed after he was shoved onto train tracks and electrocuted, MD cops say

Man narrowly dodges oncoming train after hes shoved onto tracks, California cops say

Train drags man to his death after dog leash gets stuck in door, Virginia officials say
Brian Jack (left) and former Sen. Mike Dugan speak at last month's Atlanta Press Club debate. AP Photo/Jason Allen

Brian Jack, who was an advisor to former president Donald Trump, and Army veteran and former state senator Mike Dugan are headed to a June 18 runoff in Georgias conservative 3rd Congressional District after no candidate surpassed 50% of the vote.

The Associated Press called the race at about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday. With 13 of the 15 counties making up the 3rd District fully counted, Jack held a solid lead with about 46.8% of the vote, ahead of second-place Dugan with nearly 26% of the vote late Tuesday night.

Businessman and former state senator Mike Crane was at about 15%, former state Rep. Philip Singleton had nearly 7% and businessman, former police officer and state GOP committeeman Jim Bennett had just over 5%, according to unofficial results late Tuesday night.

The winner of the runoff will go on to be the heavy favorite in a November contest against the Democratic candidate, nuclear medicine technologist Maura Keller, whom AP projected to win with about 52.6% of the voter over retired physician Val Almonord.

The race for the 3rd District opened up when Congressman Drew Ferguson, a Republican from The Rock, announced plans to retire in December.

Ferguson was a conservative who first won the seat in 2016, but some of his right-wing constituents said they disapproved of some of his votes.

He made headlines last fall during a battle over the House Speaker position, withdrawing support for Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan after Ferguson said he and his family received death threats from Jordan allies.

The west Georgia district, which includes some of Atlantas southern suburbs and Columbus northern suburbs and stretches west to the Alabama border, has voted reliably Republican for years, and flipping it blue would represent a major upset.

Ferguson defeated Almonord by 37 percentage points in 2022, and Trump beat now-President Joe Biden by nearly 30 points in District 3 in 2020, despite losing the state overall.

Jacks yard signs and campaign ads attest to his relationship with Trump, and he frequently touts the former presidents endorsement from the campaign trail.

I served in his White House from the first to last day of his administration as the White House political director, and to sell myself, I think that I will look at the record of accomplishment and success that we had and we delivered in that administration, he said in an Atlanta Press Club debate late last month.

I was proud to work with him by his side for those four years in the White House, and thats the exact same type of character, integrity and loyalty youll get for me if you elect me to Congress.

Trump endorsed Jack early in the race, and his candidacy is seen as a bellwether for the former presidents popularity in Georgia after most of his endorsed candidates failed to make headway in 2022.

Trump cut another video promoting Jack last week, calling on Georgians in the district to vote for what he called a very special man.

Brian joined my campaign in 2016, hes been with me right from the beginning of my political career, he said. Theres nobody that knows more about politics and theres nobody that loves Georgia or the United States more than him.

Some voters in Carroll and Coweta counties Tuesday said Trumps endorsement was all they needed to know about Jack.

Roger Fisher of Coweta said the former presidents endorsement was a factor in his decision to vote for Jack, but not the only one.

Ive vacillated back and forth between a few different folks, but I think it came down to he served in office with Trump and did some good things with the border. I know he had a lot to do with that, Fisher said. Weve got to get the border under control, so that kind of swayed me at the last minute.

Jeff Evans, a research engineer from Coweta, said he votes for candidates from both parties, but he cast his ballot Tuesday for Bennett.

Because he was not Jack, and thats the primary reason, he said. And he wasnt Crane and he wasnt some of the other ones that are ultra right, too far to the right.

Anyone whos Trump-endorsed I could never vote for, he added. I think hes a disgusting person.

Dugan served in the state Senate from 2013 until the start of 2024, serving as majority leader from 2019 to 2023, touting the passage of the six-week abortion ban, the removal of so-called divisive concepts from school classrooms and the expansion of gun rights as among his top accomplishments.

He is a former Army Ranger with 20 years of service and has worked as a construction executive.

He has argued that this experience will serve him well in Congress.

(Constituents) want somebody to go and represent their values, somebody that grew up in that district, he said at an Atlanta Press Club Debate last month. Somebody thats lived there except for my 20 years in the Army, lived in what is now the 3rd Congressional District, as you know, it has changed numbers over the years. What they want is a proven leader that they can point to actually got stuff done while serving in the legislature. Not somebody whos just a loud squeaking wheel, somebody that actually got results. Somebody that they know will stay in touch with them when theyre gone that wont disappear as soon as they get elected. Thats what theyre looking for.

Brenda Grubb of Villa Rica said she cast her ballot for Dugan because she liked the job he did under the Gold Dome.

I just like what he stands for, she said. I liked what he did before, so Im a fan of his. I voted for him before and I was pleased with what he did.

But Coweta social worker Karlye Ramer said she voted for Dugan because she sees him as a more moderate figure, something Dugan might not want to be called in a Republican primary.

Its not so much that I like Dugan, I just feel hes less extreme, she said. Im looking for more of a moderate, not angry person.

Ramer said she was put off by Dugan raising his hand alongside all the other candidates when asked whether they think the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.

The only thing I dont like is the continued denial of the election. I feel like its making a mockery of our country.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Vince Fong, a California State Assembly member backed by former President Donald Trump, won a special election Tuesday to complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which runs through January.

A McCarthy protege who also had the former speakers endorsement, Fong defeated fellow Republican and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in the 20th Congressional District, in the states Central Valley farm belt.

Because of Trumps involvement, the race will be watched as a possible proxy vote on the former presidents clout as he heads toward an all-but-certain matchup against President Joe Biden in November.

With the campaign over, the real work now begins, Fong said in a statement, adding that he will focus on border security, supporting small business and investing in water storage critical to the region's agriculture.

It wasnt immediately clear when Fong will be sworn in  that decision falls to current House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Turnout appeared to be light for the unusual May election, for which mail-in voting began last month.

Trump endorsed Fong in February, calling him a true Republican. Boudreauxs supporters include Richard Grenell, a former acting director of national intelligence in the Trump administration, and Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, Fongs home turf.

Republicans occupy only 11 of the states 52 U.S. House seats. With the district once held by McCarthy remaining in GOP hands, it will give Republicans 12 seats in the state delegation and boost the party's fragile edge in Congress by a single vote.

There are 217 Republicans in the House, 213 Democrats and five vacancies, including McCarthy's former seat.

The special election only covers the time remaining in McCarthys term. Fong and Boudreaux will reprise their contest again in November for a full two-year term in the district, though the winner of the special election will gain the advantage of incumbency.

In a statement Boudreaux said he congratulated Fong in a phone call, thanked volunteers and donors for their support and signaled that he already was gearing up for November.

California faces a crime crisis unlike any other in its history. Thats why I will be stepping up the fight for a safer Valley and safer California, Boudreaux said.

Some voters might be confused, since Fong and Boudreaux already have appeared on two House ballots this year  the March 5 statewide primary for the full House term, and the March 19 primary in the special election to fill out McCarthy's term.

The two conservative Republicans and Trump supporters occupy much of the same policy terrain. Boudreaux has spotlighted his decades of law-and-order experience and promised to harden the nations porous border. Fong also promised to end the chaos at the border with Mexico while prioritizing water and energy needs in the farm belt.

Fong, a onetime McCarthy aide, entered the contest with advantages beyond the endorsements from Trump and McCarthy.

He carried 42% of the vote in the March primary, with Boudreaux getting nearly 26% and the remainder divided among other candidates. Fong hails from the most populous part of the district, Kern County, and he outraised the sheriff by about 3 to 1 in campaign funds, according to federal records through the end of March.

McCarthys dramatic fall in the House  he is the only speaker in history to be voted out of the job  left behind a messy race to succeed him that exposed rivalries within his own party. He has worked behind the scenes to promote Fong's candidacy  a political action committee linked to McCarthy steered over $700,000 into the 20th District contest to boost Fong's campaign.

McCarthy resigned last year after being ousted as speaker.
Trump claims FBI was authorized to use deadly force during Mar-a-Lago search

Trump claims FBI was authorized to use deadly force during Mar-a-Lago search

Video above from June 13, 2023: Former President Trump pleads not guilty in classified documents case

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Former President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that the FBI was authorized to use deadly force during a search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

It is standard procedure for all FBI search warrants to include a statement regarding the use of deadly force.

The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force, an FBI spokesperson confirmed to WFLA.com in a statement. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter.

The legal filing from Trumps lawyers quotes the policy as saying Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary.

However, the actual use of force policy included on the search warrant states, Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force only when necessary. (Editors note: Bold and italics added for emphasis).

The policy goes on to state that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.

The policy also goes on to list several other requirements.

Screenshot from federal court documents

The filing also included directions to a nearby hospital, and stated that medics would be available on site.

The defense lawyers asserted in the motion that the August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida was unconstitutional and illegal and the FBI affidavit filed in justification of it was tainted by misrepresentations.

The defense motion was filed in February but was made public on Tuesday, along with hundreds of pages of documents from the investigation that were filed to the case docket in Florida.

In the newly unsealed motion, Trumps defense team asked the Florida judge overseeing the case, Aileen Cannon, to suppress audio recordings that the lawyer, M. Evan Corcoran, made of conversations with Trump. Prosecutors responded that theres no basis for excluding that evidence from the case.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers are due back in court Wednesday for the first time since Cannon indefinitely postponed the former presidents trial earlier this month. The case had been set for trial on May 20, but Cannon cited numerous issues she has yet to resolve as a basis for canceling the trial date.

On Wednesday, Cannon was scheduled to hear arguments on a Trump request to dismiss the indictment on grounds that it fails to clearly articulate a crime and instead amounts to a personal and political attack against President Trump with a litany of uncharged grievances both for public and media consumption.

The motion is one of several that Trumps lawyers have filed to dismiss the case, some of which have already been denied.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

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 WFLA.
After Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of ordering federal law enforcement to use deadly force on him during 2022s Mar-a-Lago raid, right-wing provocateurs and MAGA lawmakers have quickly seized on the opportunity to cook up a wild assassination plot.

And though Fox News didnt sink nearly to the depths of the Trumpiest edges of the conservative media universe, the network still wondered whether a standard FBI policy document meant Biden was saying it would be okay to kill Donald Trump.

Trump set MAGA world ablaze on Tuesday afternoon when he took to his failing Truth Social platform to blare in all-caps that Bidens Department of Justice had AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

The ex-presidents over-the-top claim came after a judge unsealed two motions in the criminal classified documents case on Tuesday. While the filing shows prosecutors waving off the Trump legal teams claims that the case should be dismissed and even suggesting additional evidence of the former presidents alleged obstruction, the documents also included a generic policy statement laying out the rules that apply to officers regarding when they can use lethal force on a subject.

Greg Gutfeld Welcomes Bill Maher to Fox News With Cringey Im Sorry Song

Even before Trumps social media post, the ex-presidents most strident allies pounced on the documents inclusion in the filing as mind-blowing proof that the FBI was looking to exact their political revenge on Trump with a possible assassination attempt, calling the bureau a domestic terrorist organization.

Eventually, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) chimed in, straight up alleging that the Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light, wondering what are Republicans going to do about it. Other Republicans soon followed suit, conflating the basic FBI policies to a scheme to kill the ex-president.

Trump only poured more gasoline on the fire by sending out a campaign fundraising email that claimed Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out during the classified documents raid. Issuing a rare statement, the FBI pushed back and said it was merely following normal procedure during the search and seizure of Trumps property.

The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter, the bureaus statement said.

Additionally, when former FBI official Steve DAntuono testified to Congress last year about the raid, he noted that there wasnt even a show of force because a day was chosen when Trump would not be at the property and the Secret Service was given a heads-up. We weren't bringing any like FBI vehicles, everything that was reported about helicopters and a hundred people descending on, like a Die Hard movie, was completely untrue, right, he said. That is not how we played it.

Rather than contextualize the nuances of the FBI's own policies and how the raid was actually handled, Fox News hosts and pundits instead decided to lean hard into Trump worlds spin on the whole thing.

After the network push-alerted a digital story claiming the Biden DOJ authorized deadly force in Mar-a-Lago raid, Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier discussed the story with correspondent Kevin Corke on Tuesday evenings broadcast of the hard news program Special Report.

With Corke describing the FBIs standard instructions as quite shocking, Baier suggested that the inclusion of the policy document was anything but normal.

Desperate Fox News Proposes VP Debate That Trump Camp Quickly Accepts

There may be some people, Kevin [Corke], who say that this is just a policy statement of standard operating procedures put inside this operations order for this specific raid, he proclaimed. But obviously it's not standard operating procedure when you're going into the house of the former president, who happens to be protected by the Secret Service.

During a panel discussion later in the show, Fox News commentator Byron York added that it was worrisome that the bureaus agents were loaded for bear and prepared for the possibility of some sort of violent confrontation with the Secret Service, contradicting D'Antuonos congressional testimony.

The networks pro-Trump opinion stars took the ball and ran with it from there.

Biden unleashed armed agents into Trumps house, authorizing them to use deadly force, primetime host Jesse Watters exclaimed. Watters also featured fellow MAGA sycophant Jeanine Pirro, who said there was absolutely no justification for the order before theorizing why the FBI agents wore unmarked polo shirts rather than tactical gear.

My mind as a prosecutor goes to maybe they wanted the engagement of physical force. Maybe they wanted to come in without FBI, without DOJ, without all of that identifying so that they could engage in deadly physical force, she continued, while Watters wondered: Maybe they were looking for a little action.

Calling it a shocking new revelation, Fox News star and Trump confidant Sean Hannity fumed that Bidens politicized Attorney General Merrick Garland at Joe Bidens weaponized DOJ had authorized, get this, the use of deadly force during the raid. Though he acknowledged the language in the policy statement was boilerplate, Hannity still wondered why was Garland prepping for a possible shootout.

The outrage merely ramped up on Wednesday morning, especially on MAGA-boosting host Maria Bartiromos Fox Business Network show.

Throughout her three-hour program, even as she read off the FBIs statement on the matter, Bartiromo repeatedly and dramatically suggested that the Biden administration attempted to have the presumptive GOP presidential nominee killed.

Maria Bartiromo is running wild with Trump's "deadly force" nonsense



Bartiromo: Deadly force, does that mean that Biden was authorizing the FBI -- if it came to that and he resisted arrest -- it would be OK to kill Donald Trump?



Guest: That's what it seems pic.twitter.com/zINigNDlOB  Lis Power (@LisPower1) May 22, 2024

This is so extraordinary. Over and over again, we see that the Democrats charge the Republicans with things that they are actually doing, and they have, this happens over and over again, she noted at one point. Now the FBI and the Democrats keep saying things like Trump is a threat to democracy, but Biden is authorizing deadly force against his political opponent?

The conspiratorial Fox host also continually asked her guests, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), whether the policy statement meant that Biden was letting the FBi know it would be OK to kill Donald Trump if he offered any resistance during the raid. (A raid that took place when the ex-president was not on the premises.)

Fellow Fox Business anchor Stuart Varney also covered the story multiple times on his show, noting that new court documents show the administration authorized the use of deadly force during the FBI's raid. For the most part, Varneys segments were centered around GOP lawmakers and former Trump administration officials asserting that the instructions were completely unnecessary and potentially endangered Trump.

Back on the Fox News mothership, the hosts and commentators of Fox & Friends and its AM predecessor Fox & Friends First also gave ample coverage to the deadly force claims, describing the details as shocking while wondering aloud if this is normal. Fox News contributor Joe Concha, grousing about former FBI Director James Comeys warning that Trump is a threat to elected officials, called the policy statement third-world stuff.

Despite the hyperbolic and overheated rhetoric coming from some of the conservative cable giants most outspoken Trump acolytes, the networks coverage of Bidens supposed authorization to take down the ex-president almost completely stopped once its morning opinion shows ended.

One wonders what changed.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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On the docket: The defense rests

On Tuesday, more than a month after former president Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial began, both sides wrapped up their questioning of the final witness. The testimony part of the trial is officially over.

All thats left now is for both sides to make their closing arguments, for Judge Juan Merchan to give the jury their instructions, and for the 12 jurors to determine whether Trump should be convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Trumps team rested their defense, as expected, without calling their client to testify.

Donald Trump Jr defended his dads decision in a press gaggle outside the courthouse. Why would you justify this insanity? You dont subject yourself to that. Youre going in a kangaroo court, nothing more nothing less, he said.

Merchan let the jury go for the week late Tuesday morning and told them to return next Tuesday, 28 May, after Memorial Day weekend, to hear closing arguments.

At that time, you will hear summations of the attorneys. And the next day, you will hear my jury charge and then I expect you will begin your deliberations at some point on Wednesday, he told them.

Attorneys on both sides returned Tuesday afternoon to haggle over what Merchans jury instructions will look like.

Its unclear how long the jury will take to deliver a verdict.

Heres what happened on the final real day of Trumps trial:

Trumps entourage kept growing bigger  and weirder.

Republican lawmakers and other hangers-on have rushed to be by Trumps side in the final weeks of his trial. Past cameos came from House speaker Mike Johnson and veepstakes hopefuls like JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy. But Tuesdays list was the longest and strangest yet. The group included nine current and former Republican lawmakers, as well as former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka, who earlier this week said officials whod prosecuted Trump, his former aides and January 6 insurrectionists must be charged for abuse of power under the color of law; former Hells Angels New York president Chuck Zito; and has-been former Saturday Night Live staffer turned conservative activist Joe Piscopo.

The trial wrapped up with cross-examination of Robert Costello.

Former Trump fixer and attorney Michael Cohen had described Costello as a close ally of the Trump adviser and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani who Trumps team had sent to be Cohens attorney in order to keep him in the fold after Cohen was raided by the FBI. Trumps team brought in Costello to dispute this, but after some rocky and raucous Monday testimony, Costello faced cross-examination from prosecutors on Tuesday, who confronted him with the plain language he emailed to Cohen at the time. It included the line: Sleep well tonight, you have friends in high places. Costello also emailed his partner: Our issue is to get Cohen on the right page without giving him the appearance that we are following instructions from Giuliani or the President.

Trumps lawyers and prosecutors argued over what instructions Merchan will give jurors next week.

Merchan, who will make the final call on his jury instructions, held an afternoon session to hear out requests and complaints from both sides. That included debates on exactly what verbiage hed use in discussing the specific crimes Trump is charged with and how hed describe the laws that Trump is accused of violating. He rejected requests from Trumps lawyers that he offer instructions to the jury that hush-money payments arent inherently illegal and regarding political bias against Trump.

In other news

 Rudy Giuliani; the Republican National Committee senior counsel for election integrity Christina Bobb; and nine Arizonans who served as fake Trump electors in 2020 pleaded not guilty to criminal charges on Tuesday. Giuliani, whod spent weeks ducking getting served his subpoena, was the only one of the group ordered to post bond ahead of his next appearance; hell have to pony up $10,000 as assurance that hell show up for booking within the next 30 days.

Other defendants are expected to be arraigned next month, including Trump attorney and adviser Boris Epshsteyn, who has been at his bosss side for much of Trumps New York trial including on Tuesday, and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Eighteen Trump allies were charged; Trump himself is listed as unindicted co-conspirator 1 in the case.

 A newly unsealed filing in Trumps Florida classified documents criminal case shows that there were more classified documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago even after the FBI searched Trumps property in 2023, confirming a 2023 scoop from the Guardians Hugo Lowell. This filing came before a Wednesday hearing where Trump aide Walt Nauta will seek to have the charges against him dismissed.
A Palestinian girl looks at a burnt fishing boat hit by Israeli strikes on the Mediterranean coast of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 22, 2024. At least 23 Palestinians were killed Wednesday in Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

GAZA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 23 Palestinians were killed Wednesday in Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

The sources said Israeli forces launched air and artillery strikes on areas across the strip from overnight to this morning.

Israeli aircraft targeted a residential house west of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing six people and wounding six others, all of whom were taken to hospitals, according to the sources.

They added that the jets bombed another house for displaced people in the town of al-Zawaida in the middle of the strip, killing 10 people.

In addition, Israel's planes attacked homes and agricultural lands in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City, inflicting two fatalities, said the sources, adding its artillery fire wounded 10 others in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood in the southwest of the city.

Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces bombed the eastern outskirts of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, causing material damage.

Meanwhile, in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, five Palestinians were killed and seven others injured due to Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardment.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the Israeli army is advancing west in Rafah along the "Philadelphia Corridor" near the border with Egypt.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced the suspension of food distributions in Rafah due to the lack of supplies and security.

UNRWA said via its account on social media platform X that "food distributions in Rafah are currently suspended due to a lack of supplies and insecurity."

It noted that "as a result of the ongoing military operation in eastern Rafah, the UNRWA distribution center and WFP (World Food Programme) warehouse, both in Rafah, are now inaccessible."

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 around 250 were taken hostage. 

Palestinians stand behind a burnt fishing boat hit by Israeli strikes on the Mediterranean coast of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 22, 2024. At least 23 Palestinians were killed Wednesday in Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Palestinians walk past a burnt fishing boat hit by Israeli strikes on the Mediterranean coast of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 22, 2024. At least 23 Palestinians were killed Wednesday in Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Palestinians stand behind a burnt fishing boat hit by Israeli strikes on the Mediterranean coast of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 22, 2024. At least 23 Palestinians were killed Wednesday in Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
Former President Donald Trump sits in court during the final day of testimony in his New York trial. Trump, the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges, is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. (Photo by Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images.)

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WASHINGTON  The end of the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is in sight as Donald Trumps defense team rested its case Tuesday in Manhattan, where jurors have heard weeks of testimony from nearly two dozen witnesses about Trumps alleged reimbursement of hush money meant to silence a porn star before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump did not take the stand after his team called just two witnesses.

The former president is accused of 34 felonies for falsifying business records. New York prosecutors allege that Trump covered up reimbursing his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen for paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels just before Election Day in 2016 to silence her about a tryst with Trump.

Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican candidate for president, denies the affair and maintains that he was paying Cohen for routine legal work.

The case will not resume until after the Memorial Day holiday, when closing arguments are expected.

A back channel to Trump

Trumps defense teams second and final witness, former federal prosecutor and longtime New York-based attorney Robert Costello, stepped down from the witness stand Tuesday morning. His brief but tense appearance began Monday afternoon and included an admonishment from Justice Juan Merchan for contemptuous conduct.

Costello testified to meeting a panicked and suicidal Cohen in April 2018 after the FBI had raided Cohens New York City hotel room as part of an investigation of his $130,000 payment to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

After Merchan sustained a series of objections from the prosecution Monday, Costello exclaimed, jeez and ridiculous on the mic and at one point rolled his eyes at Merchan. Merchan cleared the courtroom, including the press, to address Costello and Trumps defense team.

Costellos testimony confirmed that he offered a back channel for Cohen to communicate with then-President Trump through Costellos close contact and Trumps former legal counsel Rudy Giuliani as Cohen was under investigation, according to reporters at the courthouse.

New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings.

During cross examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger showed a series of Costellos emails in an attempt to convince jurors that Costello was actively working to assure Trump that Cohen would not turn against him during the federal investigation.

In one email between Costello and his law partner, he asks, What should I say to this (expletive)? He is playing with the most powerful man on the planet, according to reporters at the courthouse.

Hoffinger also established from Costello during her final series of questions that Cohen never officially retained him for legal help  reinforcing that Costello showed up in Cohens life only after the FBI raid.

Trumps multiple indictments

Costello has been publicly critical of the hush money trial against Trump, and of Cohen, as recently as May 15, when he testified before the GOP-led U.S. House Committee on the Judiciarys Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

There, Costello told lawmakers that the cases brought against Trump during this election year are politically motivated.

Trump, who faces dozens of criminal charges in four separate cases, was indicted in New York in April 2023.

Three other criminal cases were also brought against Trump in 2023. They all remain on hold.

The former president was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida in June 2023 on charges related to the mishandling of classified information. Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely postponed proceedings, making a trial before the November election unlikely.

Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., in August 2023. A four-count indictment accused him of knowingly spreading falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election results and scheming to overturn them. Trump claimed presidential immunity from the criminal charges in October 2023, which both the federal trial and appeals courts denied. Trump is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Weeks after the federal election interference indictment, Trump was indicted on state charges in Fulton County, Georgia, for allegedly interfering in the states 2020 presidential election results. The Georgia case has been mired in pretrial disputes over alleged misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Courtroom conditions

In the dim, tightly secured hallway just feet from the courtroom at the New York County Supreme Court, Trump again criticized the trial Monday and accused prosecutors of wanting to keep him off the campaign trail.

Were here an hour early today. I was supposed to be making a speech for political purposes. Im not allowed to have anything to do with politics because Im sitting in a very freezing cold courtroom for the last four weeks. Its very unfair. They have no case, they have no crime, he said before the news cameras that hes stopped to speak in front of every day during the trial.

Trump told the cameras that outside the courtroom was like Fort Knox.

He complained that there are more police than Ive ever seen anywhere, and said theres not a civilian within three blocks of the courthouse.

That statement is false. States Newsroom attended the trial Monday and witnessed the scene outside the courthouse during the morning, mid-afternoon and late afternoon.

Just as dawn broke, people standing in the general-public line vying for the few public seats in the courtroom squabbled over who was in front of whom.

About an hour later, a woman with a bullhorn showed up in the adjacent Collect Pond Park to read the Bible and amplify contemporary Christian music played from her phone. A man paced the park holding a sign that read, Trump 2 Terrified 2 Testify.

Several people sat outside eating and talking at tables in Collect Pond Park during the 1 p.m. hour, as witnessed by reporters who left the courtroom after Merchan dismissed the jury for lunch.

By late afternoon, a small handful of protesters holding Trump flags and signs shouted that he was innocent.

The post Trump declines witness stand as testimony in his first trial concludes appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Former President Donald Trump sits in court during the final day of testimony in his New York trial. Trump, the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges, is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. (Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump sits in court during the final day of testimony in his New York trial. Trump, the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges, is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. (Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The end of the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is in sight as Donald Trumps defense team rested its case Tuesday in Manhattan, where jurors have heard weeks of testimony from nearly two dozen witnesses about Trumps alleged reimbursement of hush money meant to silence a porn star before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump did not take the stand after his team called just two witnesses.

The former president is accused of 34 felonies for falsifying business records. New York prosecutors allege that Trump covered up reimbursing his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen for paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels just before Election Day in 2016 to silence her about a tryst with Trump.

Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican candidate for president, denies the affair and maintains that he was paying Cohen for routine legal work.

The case will not resume until after the Memorial Day holiday, when closing arguments are expected.

A back channel to Trump

Trumps defense teams second and final witness, former federal prosecutor and longtime New York-based attorney Robert Costello, stepped down from the witness stand Tuesday morning. His brief but tense appearance began Monday afternoon and included an admonishment from Justice Juan Merchan for contemptuous conduct.

Costello testified to meeting a panicked and suicidal Cohen in April 2018 after the FBI had raided Cohens New York City hotel room as part of an investigation of his $130,000 payment to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

After Merchan sustained a series of objections from the prosecution Monday, Costello exclaimed, jeez and ridiculous on the mic and at one point rolled his eyes at Merchan. Merchan cleared the courtroom, including the press, to address Costello and Trumps defense team.

Costellos testimony confirmed that he offered a back channel for Cohen to communicate with then-President Trump through Costellos close contact and Trumps former legal counsel Rudy Giuliani as Cohen was under investigation, according to reporters at the courthouse.

New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings.

During cross examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger showed a series of Costellos emails in an attempt to convince jurors that Costello was actively working to assure Trump that Cohen would not turn against him during the federal investigation.

In one email between Costello and his law partner, he asks, What should I say to this (expletive)? He is playing with the most powerful man on the planet, according to reporters at the courthouse.

Hoffinger also established from Costello during her final series of questions that Cohen never officially retained him for legal help  reinforcing that Costello showed up in Cohens life only after the FBI raid.

Trumps multiple indictments

Costello has been publicly critical of the hush money trial against Trump, and of Cohen, as recently as May 15, when he testified before the GOP-led U.S. House Committee on the Judiciarys Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

There, Costello told lawmakers that the cases brought against Trump during this election year are politically motivated.

Trump, who faces dozens of criminal charges in four separate cases, was indicted in New York in April 2023.

Three other criminal cases were also brought against Trump in 2023. They all remain on hold.

The former president was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida in June 2023 on charges related to the mishandling of classified information. Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely postponed proceedings, making a trial before the November election unlikely.

Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., in August 2023. A four-count indictment accused him of knowingly spreading falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election results and scheming to overturn them. Trump claimed presidential immunity from the criminal charges in October 2023, which both the federal trial and appeals courts denied. Trump is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Weeks after the federal election interference indictment, Trump was indicted on state charges in Fulton County, Georgia, for allegedly interfering in the states 2020 presidential election results. The Georgia case has been mired in pretrial disputes over alleged misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Courtroom conditions

In the dim, tightly secured hallway just feet from the courtroom at the New York County Supreme Court, Trump again criticized the trial Monday and accused prosecutors of wanting to keep him off the campaign trail.

Were here an hour early today. I was supposed to be making a speech for political purposes. Im not allowed to have anything to do with politics because Im sitting in a very freezing cold courtroom for the last four weeks. Its very unfair. They have no case, they have no crime, he said before the news cameras that hes stopped to speak in front of every day during the trial.

Trump told the cameras that outside the courtroom was like Fort Knox.

He complained that there are more police than Ive ever seen anywhere, and said theres not a civilian within three blocks of the courthouse.

That statement is false. States Newsroom attended the trial Monday and witnessed the scene outside the courthouse during the morning, mid-afternoon and late afternoon.

Just as dawn broke, people standing in the general-public line vying for the few public seats in the courtroom squabbled over who was in front of whom.

About an hour later, a woman with a bullhorn showed up in the adjacent Collect Pond Park to read the Bible and amplify contemporary Christian music played from her phone. A man paced the park holding a sign that read, Trump 2 Terrified 2 Testify.

Several people sat outside eating and talking at tables in Collect Pond Park during the 1 p.m. hour, as witnessed by reporters who left the courtroom after Merchan dismissed the jury for lunch.

By late afternoon, a small handful of protesters holding Trump flags and signs shouted that he was innocent.

The post Trump declines witness stand as testimony in his first trial concludes appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Former President Donald Trump sits in court during the final day of testimony in his New York trial. Trump, the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges, is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. (Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images)

The end of the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is in sight as Donald Trumps defense team rested its case Tuesday in Manhattan, where jurors have heard weeks of testimony from nearly two dozen witnesses about Trumps alleged reimbursement of hush money meant to silence a porn star before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump did not take the stand after his team called just two witnesses.

The former president is accused of 34 felonies for falsifying business records. New York prosecutors allege that Trump covered up reimbursing his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen for paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels just before Election Day in 2016 to silence her about a tryst with Trump.

Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican candidate for president, denies the affair and maintains that he was paying Cohen for routine legal work.

The case will not resume until after the Memorial Day holiday, when closing arguments are expected.

A back channel to Trump

Trumps defense teams second and final witness, former federal prosecutor and longtime New York-based attorney Robert Costello, stepped down from the witness stand Tuesday morning. His brief but tense appearance began Monday afternoon and included an admonishment from Justice Juan Merchan for contemptuous conduct.

Costello testified to meeting a panicked and suicidal Cohen in April 2018 after the FBI had raided Cohens New York City hotel room as part of an investigation of his $130,000 payment to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

After Merchan sustained a series of objections from the prosecution Monday, Costello exclaimed, jeez and ridiculous on the mic and at one point rolled his eyes at Merchan. Merchan cleared the courtroom, including the press, to address Costello and Trumps defense team.

Costellos testimony confirmed that he offered a back channel for Cohen to communicate with then-President Trump through Costellos close contact and Trumps former legal counsel Rudy Giuliani as Cohen was under investigation, according to reporters at the courthouse.

New York does not allow recording in the courtroom but provides public transcripts of the proceedings.

During cross examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger showed a series of Costellos emails in an attempt to convince jurors that Costello was actively working to assure Trump that Cohen would not turn against him during the federal investigation.

In one email between Costello and his law partner, he asks, What should I say to this (expletive)? He is playing with the most powerful man on the planet, according to reporters at the courthouse.

Hoffinger also established from Costello during her final series of questions that Cohen never officially retained him for legal help  reinforcing that Costello showed up in Cohens life only after the FBI raid.

Trumps multiple indictments

Costello has been publicly critical of the hush money trial against Trump, and of Cohen, as recently as May 15, when he testified before the GOP-led U.S. House Committee on the Judiciarys Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

There, Costello told lawmakers that the cases brought against Trump during this election year are politically motivated.

Trump, who faces dozens of criminal charges in four separate cases, was indicted in New York in April 2023.

Three other criminal cases were also brought against Trump in 2023. They all remain on hold.

The former president was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida in June 2023 on charges related to the mishandling of classified information. Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely postponed proceedings, making a trial before the November election unlikely.

Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., in August 2023. A four-count indictment accused him of knowingly spreading falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election results and scheming to overturn them. Trump claimed presidential immunity from the criminal charges in October 2023, which both the federal trial and appeals courts denied. Trump is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Weeks after the federal election interference indictment, Trump was indicted on state charges in Fulton County, Georgia, for allegedly interfering in the states 2020 presidential election results. The Georgia case has been mired in pretrial disputes over alleged misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Courtroom conditions

In the dim, tightly secured hallway just feet from the courtroom at the New York County Supreme Court, Trump again criticized the trial Monday and accused prosecutors of wanting to keep him off the campaign trail.

Were here an hour early today. I was supposed to be making a speech for political purposes. Im not allowed to have anything to do with politics because Im sitting in a very freezing cold courtroom for the last four weeks. Its very unfair. They have no case, they have no crime, he said before the news cameras that hes stopped to speak in front of every day during the trial.

Trump told the cameras that outside the courtroom was like Fort Knox.

He complained that there are more police than Ive ever seen anywhere, and said theres not a civilian within three blocks of the courthouse.

That statement is false. States Newsroom attended the trial Monday and witnessed the scene outside the courthouse during the morning, mid-afternoon and late afternoon.

Just as dawn broke, people standing in the general-public line vying for the few public seats in the courtroom squabbled over who was in front of whom.

About an hour later, a woman with a bullhorn showed up in the adjacent Collect Pond Park to read the Bible and amplify contemporary Christian music played from her phone. A man paced the park holding a sign that read, Trump 2 Terrified 2 Testify.

Several people sat outside eating and talking at tables in Collect Pond Park during the 1 p.m. hour, as witnessed by reporters who left the courtroom after Merchan dismissed the jury for lunch.

By late afternoon, a small handful of protesters holding Trump flags and signs shouted that he was innocent.

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The post Trump declines witness stand as testimony in his first trial concludes appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Joe Biden's continued support for Israel is tanking his approval ratings among Arab-Americans, but Donald Trump's attempt to divert some of that support into his corner ended poorly on Tuesday when his chosen envoy flopped and offended at a meeting with about 40 Arab-American leaders in Michigan.

A source that attended the meeting told NOTUS, a nonprofit media outlet, that Trump's outreach lead was Richard Grennell, the former Trump administration official who The Washington Post refers to as Trump's "shadow Secretary of State." He did not impress, the source said, describing him bluntly as "clueless on the Middle East."

The meeting took place at an Italian restaurant in Troy, Michigan, a swing state  with an Arab-American population of more than 200,000  that Biden won in 2020 by 250,000 votes. According to sources at the dinner, Grenell fixated on what Arab-Americans could do for Trump without seriously offering anything Trump could do for them, all while expressing little sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza.

Grenell even doubled down on comments made by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, that Israel should remove Palestinians from areas that could be developed as "valuable waterfront property," according to an attendee. He repeated Jared Kushners statement about beachfront property, which I think floated like a lead balloon in the room, the person said.

Grenell also boasted about Trump's role in the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab countries. Otherwise, the sources observed, Grenell just said "typical Republican things" about the Israel-Hamas war. Republicans have generally encouraged Israel to prosecute its war in Gaza with even more vehemence than their Democratic counterparts.

Trump, for his part, has said that Israel should "finish what they started."

The Arab-American participants told Grenell that they had three conditions for supporting Trump: support for an immediate ceasefire; funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the primary source of humanitarian aid in Gaza; and passing the Leahy Laws, which prohibit the U.S. from funding foreign military forces that violate human rights laws.

Grenell, who came to make the case for Trump, did not commit to those conditions, and both sides left the meeting unsatisfied, sources said.

That the meeting would take place was reported by The Washington Post on Monday. The outlet said it was scheduled after Grenell contacted a Syrian-American doctor, Yahya Basha, who said he hasn't yet decided who he will support in November.

"It's too early to say Trump is the one," Basha said earlier in the week. "That's the reason we are hosting an event for his representative, to see how he views the community and what kinds of things he will do."
The FBI has issued a rare statement after former President Donald Trump and several GOP lawmakers spread false claims suggesting President Joe Biden authorized his assassination during the search of his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022.

In a fundraising email responding to right-wing media reports that offered a distorted reading of a newly-unsealed court filing in Trump's classified documents case, Trump falsely claimed Biden was "locked & loaded ready to take me out."

In a separate post on his Truth Social platform Tuesday evening, Trump further said he was "shown Reports" that Biden's DOJ "AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE" in their search of the property for classified documents.

PHOTO: US Secret Service and Mar-A-Lago security members at the entrance of former President Donald Trump's house at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Aug. 9, 2022. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

MORE: Special counsel suspected additional obstruction effort by Trump in classified docs case

Behind Trump's false claims is a major misrepresentation of an otherwise boilerplate policy memo that was included in newly-unsealed documents that accompanied a filing from Trump's own lawyers in his classified documents case in Florida on Tuesday.

The memo was part of a 'Law Enforcement Operations Order' drawn up by agents preparing to carry out the search of Mar-a-Lago on Aug. 8, 2022, after a magistrate judge agreed the government had shown probable cause that agents would find evidence of unlawfully retained national defense information and obstruction of justice on the premises.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Wildwood, N.J., May 11, 2024. (Matt Rourke/AP)

MORE: Timeline: Special counsel's investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents

In their search, agents ultimately recovered around 100 documents with classification markings -- months after the government subpoenaed Trump for any remaining in his possession, and after the government says it gathered evidence Trump had misled his own lawyers to sign a false certification asserting all such documents had been returned.

"The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force," the FBI said in a statement Tuesday evening. "No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter."

Multiple former FBI and DOJ officials also confirmed the standard nature of the inclusion of the deadly force policy.

"Anytime the fbi takes an adversarial action like executing a search warrant, there is a deadly force policy," former DOJ official and ABC News contributor Sarah Isgur tweeted. "If there is danger to you or public and there's no alternatives, you are authorized to use deadly force. This is standard policy."

Trump and two co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them and denied wrongdoing.

For their part, Trump's attorneys in their filing Tuesday made no such accusation that the inclusion of the policy showed Biden was preparing to assassinate Trump, and it's not immediately clear whether they had shared the information  part of a vast trove of discovery in his case -- with Trump prior to it being unsealed.

While Trump said he first learned of the filing after being "shown Reports" about it after court proceedings were finished in his New York state criminal hush money case, Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene later posted on X she "made sure" Trump knew about the false claim the "Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate" him.

The operations order further shows how agents were well aware Trump would not be present at the property during the search, as it was carried out during Mar-a-Lago's off-season when Trump normally resides at his property in Bedminster, New Jersey.

PHOTO: Authorities stand outside Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former President Donald Trump, amid reports of the FBI executing a search warrant as a part of a document investigation, in Palm Beach, Fla., Aug. 9, 2022. (Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA via Shutterstock, FILE)

MORE: 'So appalled': What witnesses told special counsel about Trump's handling of classified info while still president

They did, however, include a contingency plan in the event Trump showed up at the property mid-search, at which time they said FBI personnel on site would be prepared "to engage with" him and his Secret Service security detail. The full context shows there's no suggestion of the situation escalating into violence, and that it was more about assigning points of contact responsible for speaking with members of Trump's detail.

The order also further bolsters testimony from the former director of the FBI's Washington, D.C,. field office Steve D'Antuono, who previously testified to Congress he was "adamant" agents executing the warrant "didn't do a show of force."

"It wasn't even a show of force, right, because we were all in agreement," D'Antuono said in an exchange with Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. "No raid jackets, no blazed FBI ... We weren't bringing any like FBI vehicles, everything that was reported about helicopters and a hundred people descending on, like, a Die Hard movie, was completely untrue, right. That is not how we played it."

The operation order shows case agents on scene were instructed to dress 'business casual' with 'unmarked polo or collared shirts' and other law enforcement equipment concealed.

In a floor speech Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed Trump for falsely accusing the Justice Department of authorizing the FBI to use "deadly (lethal) force" during its search at Mar-a-Lago.

Schumer said Trump's words can incite violence and get people killed, and cause people to lose faith in democracy.

"What Donald Trump said, falsely suggesting his political opponents are out to kill him, is beyond the pale and is the stuff that leads to political violence," Schumer said.

ABC News' Mariam Khan contributed to this report.

Trump falsely claims Biden, FBI had plan to assassinate him during Mar-a-Lago search originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Trump fundraiser in San Francisco to be held next month, according to reports

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A fundraiser for former President Donald Trumps campaign to retake the White House will be held in San Francisco next month, according to reports. The fundraiser is being co-hosted by billionaire venture capitalist David Sacks and his wife Jacqueline Sacks, CEO of childrens clothing line, Saint Haven, an invitation obtained by Reuters indicates.

Sri Lankan-born businessman Chamath Palihapitiya is co-hosting the event with the couple.

Affluent Bay Area community launches bait house program to combat burglaries

VIP attendance for the June 6 event costs $50,000 per person with host committee attendance running as high as $500,000 per couple. The event is to feature a reception and dinner with the former president and current GOP frontrunner in attendance.

According to Puck News, which first reported the story, the fundraiser will be held at the Sacks Pacific Heights mansion. David Sacks co-hosts the All-In Podcast with Palihapitiya and was a one-time backer of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis bid for president.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Progressive Democrats initially might have been wary of Sara Jacobs when she came to Congress in 2021. The Center for Responsive Politics showed that in 2020, she was the fifth most self-funded candidate, a product of the fact that her grandfather co-founded the semiconductor company Qualcomm. She also beat a candidate who had the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders, who had won the California primary. It would be easy to dismiss her as a moneyed nepo baby with nothing to offer to the left of the party.

But since becoming a congresswoman, the 35-year-old California Democrat has distinguished herself as one of the more progressive voices in Congress.

When members of the Squad slept on the steps of the US Capitol in 2021 in protest of a rent moratorium coming to a close, Jacobs brought protesters pizza. She has been a consistent voice for defending womens reproductive rights, always by leading with her own examples  she was the first member of Congress to discuss her own period on the House floor and has also openly talked about freezing her eggs.

But as the youngest Jewish American member of Congress, it is Jacobs support for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that stands out.

On Wednesday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu delivered a joint address to Congress, Jacobs was one of many Democrats to boycott the speech.

 I just came from listening to hostage families who were very clear that the most important thing to get their family members back is to end the war and to get a ceasefire, she told The Independent.  And that's what we should all be focused on doing and I know that something President Biden has been focused on and something vice president Harris has been focused on as well.

For Jacobs, the decision is personal. Some of her own relatives from Israel are currently staying with her family in San Diego, following the violence of October 7th.

I have family members who are members of Jewish Voice for Peace and have been part of the protests [against the war in Gaza], she tells The Independent at her office in Washington, DC. I have my Israeli family living with my family in San Diego. My parents are longtime supporters of the San Diego Jewish community and are very involved in it.

She is a big believer in Israels right to defend itself, which is why she supports the Iron Dome missile defense system and the United States assistance when Iran fired missiles into Israel last month.

But how they defend themselves matters, Jacobs says. And I don't think that what is happening in Gaza right now, what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza right now actually makes Israel any safer. I think it undermines their credibility in the world. And I know from my own experience working in conflict resolution that civilian casualties, human rights abuses actually just fuel more extremism.

Jacobs says that she does not believe that there can be a military solution to the war in Gaza that has led to more than 35,000 deaths, most of them civilians and many of them women and children.

The only way you're going to be able to do that is by taking away the underlying grievances that [Hamas] are able to prey upon, which is the Palestinians inability to have a say in the decisions being made about their lives, Jacobs continues.

Doing so, she adds, would be good for Israel  it would actually be a great act of love for a country that is supposed to represent the best of Jewish values.

The war in Gaza has caused some young voters to lead protests and demonstrations against the Biden administration. The day that The Independent spoke to Jacobs, protesters heckled Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling him the butcher of Gaza as he testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In Democratic primaries, President Joe Biden has seen uncommitted votes not just from heavily Arab areas of swing states like Michigan, but also in college towns.

As one of the youngest members of Congress and the youngest Jewish member, I spend a lot of time trying to make sure that I am expressing views of my generation that don't often get told in these rooms because they're not well-represented, Jacobs says.

Most importantly, she thinks the views of ordinary Jewish Americans  and indeed most Americans in general  are failing to be heard above the noise of political fighting: Here in Congress, the conversation has become very binary. And I dont actually think that that is where most Americans are at in the conversations Im having. What I hear the most is both that October 7 was horrific and inexcusable, and that what were seeing in Gaza is unacceptable. And that that is what I hear the most from the Jewish community that Im talking to.

Jacobs is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee. Earlier in the week, the International Criminal Courts top prosecutor announced he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior officials in Hamas. The Biden administration and leaders of both parties condemned the announcement, specifically for creating a false equivalence between Hamas and Israel.

Jacobs has a solid background in international affairs: She holds a Masters degree in international conflict, she worked as a foreign policy adviser on Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, and she is the top Democrat on the Africa subcommittee on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Given that background in working within international conflict zones, she has thoughts on the ICC. Indeed, she frequently speaks with leaders from the African continent who say they feel they are held to a different standard by the ICC than other countries.

I think supporting the ICC is important for the broader global context, she says. And frankly, if, the Israelis truly believe that they're not committing any war crimes, then they should welcome an investigation.

Doing so could be definitive in a way that investigating themselves never could, she continues, and they should be providing evidence that they aren't [committing war crimes] because that could actually be very helpful for them in terms of how they are viewed on the global stage.

I think one of the most important things that we need to be doing for our standing around the world is to be seen as holding our friends to the same standards were holding everyone else, she adds.

The numbers do show that Jacobs view is similar to that of many other younger Jewish Americans. A Pew Research Center survey from last month showed that while 62 per cent Jewish people overall thought Israels response to Hamas was acceptable, only 52 per cent of Jewish people between the ages of 18 to 34 thought so: 42 per cent found it unacceptable, the largest disapproval of any age group. The poll also showed 47 per cent of Jewish people in that group stopped talking to someone because of something they said about the war.

There are a lot of young people who feel like what they're seeing the US do does not reflect their values, and they're speaking up about that, and I think we should welcome that, Jacobs adds.

The walls of Jacobs office are adorned with photos of her with prominent Democratic party members, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden. When I ask her how she feels about Biden, who is hardly on the progressive side of the party, she is clear. Despite the concerns of young voters, she believes supporting Biden in this election is crucial.

I am having a lot of conversations with young people about why I still think it's important to support President Biden, even if you aren't happy with everything he's done on the conflict, she says. I absolutely think things will be much worse if Donald Trump is president, because we know he'll just give Netanyahu a blank check to do whatever. We saw him do that when he was president.

But like many young progressives in Congress, and even some more experienced Democrats, Jacobs also has a track record of criticizing the Biden administrations approach to Gaza. Earlier this year, the White House released a National Security Memo, known as an NSM-20, which found reasonable evidence that Israel had violated international humanitarian law while using US-made weapons in Gaza. But the memo stopped just short of using language that could have required the US to stop sending weapons to Israel.

There's all these different legalese explanations that we get from the administration, she says. But at the end of the day, the fact that we have to do air-drops [of humanitarian aid] and the fact that we have had to build this pier [to make sure aid gets delivered] and the fact that when Biden did apply pressure, more aid was able to get in, to me is clear evidence and all the evidence we should need that the Israeli government... did not facilitate that provision of humanitarian assistance, which is required under international law.

A couple months ago, 16 Jewish Democrats  including Lois Frankel and Jared Moskowitz of Florida, as well as Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey  voted for legislation proposed by House Republicans that would restrict Bidens ability to withhold aid to Israel. The vote came after the Biden administration paused the shipment of some arms over concerns they could be used with devastating effect on civilian areas in Rafah.

Jacobs opposed the bill, just as she voted against censuring Rashida Tlaib  the only Palestinian American congresswoman  for her comments about Gaza. She believes Republicans are, in many cases, weaponizing Jewish pain over antisemitism to push a conservative agenda.

Im incredibly angry at all of the politicians who are using the very real rise in antisemitism and Jewish pain and manipulating it and politicizing it for their own political gain, she says. It hasnt escaped her notice that many of those same politicians say theres good people on both sides [as Trump did about Charlottesville] and traffic in conspiracy theories and replacement theory and have given platforms to white supremacists and white nationalists. After all of that, she says, they then try and say that its the Democrats who are antisemitic because were standing up for free speech, which to me is not only disingenuous, it actually is very harmful to the American Jewish community.

Ultimately, Jacobs believes we need to be thinking about the long-term consequences of the decisions that were making.

And thats true when it comes to the conflict in Gaza, she adds. And its also true of all these bills that were seeing on antisemitism. Because while I dont think that the Biden administration would misuse them necessarily, these same things, these very bills that are being passed could be the things that Im sure Trump or another, future administration could actually use to go after the Jewish community and to undermine civil rights.
After the defense rested in Donald Trumps hush-money trial on Tuesday, Trump took to the cameras to denigrate the judge presiding over his case, issuing a blatantly racist dog whistle as a desperate last line of defense before closing remarks next Tuesday.

The judge hates Donald Trump, Trump said, creepily referring to himself in the third person. Just take a look. Take a look at him. Take a look at where he comes from.

Trump was obviously noting that Judge Juan Merchan was born in Colombia, a claim that bears little weight outside the minds of racists hunting for a reason to oppose Merchans pretty lax efforts to deter Trump from using his platform to launch harassment and threats at jurors, key witnesses, and family members of those involved in the trial.

Merchan immigrated to the United States from Colombia when he was 6 years old and grew up in the same borough as the bloviating former presidentalbeit on opposite sides of the wealth spectrum. Trump was raised in the affluent suburban neighborhood of Jamaica Estates, while Merchan grew up in Jackson Heights, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City. Merchanwho is roughly sixteen years Trumps juniorimmigrated to Queens when Trump was about 22 years old.

The comments echoed past attacks on another judgeGonzalo Curielwho in 2016 Trump claimed couldnt be impartial in overseeing a federal fraud case against Trump University (remember that?) because the Indiana-born judge was of Mexican heritage. Trumps 2016 comments were clearly understood to be racist, with conservatives widely criticizing them at the time. Former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who in 2016 ran against Trump, denounced the attack, writing on X (formerly Twitter), Attacking judges based on their race &/or religion is another tactic that divides our country. [Donald Trump] should apologize to Judge Curiel & try to unite this country.

I couldnt disagree more with what he had to say, Mitch McConnell said at the time of Trumps attacks against Curiel. I dont agree with what he had to say. This is a man who was born in Indiana. All of us came here from somewhere else.

Eight years of racist bloviating and winks to white supremacists later, Republicans are silent on Trumps dog whistles against another certified Trump hater judge, focusing instead on dressing like Trump to help him violate his gag order.
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday was asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. (Getty Images)

Donald Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for president, suggested during a taped interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station Tuesday that he might be open to states restricting access to contraceptives, though he later appeared to backtrack.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later added that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came just after being asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

The former president, who is currently on trial for allegedly facilitating hush money payments to an adult film actress during his 2016 campaign to cover up a prior affair, later posted on his social media platform that he wasnt advocating for birth control restrictions.

I HAVE NEVER, AND WILL NEVER ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives, Trump wrote. This is a Democrat fabricated lie MISINFORMATION/DISINFORMATION, because they have nothing else to run on except FAILURE, POVERTY, AND DEATH. I DO NOT SUPPORT A BAN ON BIRTH CONTROL, AND NEITHER WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

Supreme Court rulings

The U.S. Supreme Court has twice ruled in favor of privacy rights for decisions about contraceptives, meaning that any state looking to restrict or ban access to birth control would quickly see that law challenged in federal court.

In the1965 Griswold v. Connecticut case, the justices struck down a Connecticut law that prevented married couples from using birth control, writing that the right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

The Supreme Court later ruled in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird case that the same privacy rights that protected married couples decision-making about contraceptives also protected unmarried people.

In that case, the justices held that unmarried couples have the right to use contraception, based on the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the more nebulous constitutional right to privacy.

Biden-Harris spokesperson Sarafina Chitika released a written statement Tuesday that Trumps comments show he wants to rip away our freedom to access birth control.

Women across the country are already suffering from Donald Trumps post-Roe nightmare, and if he wins a second term, its clear he wants to go even further by restricting access to birth control and emergency contraceptives, Chitika wrote. Its not enough for Trump that womens lives are being put at risk, doctors are being threatened with jail time, and extreme bans are being enacted with no exceptions for rape or incest.

KDKA-TV Money & Politics Editor Jon Delano posted on social media that viewers interested in the Trump interview could tune in at 4, 5, and 6 to hear comments on the trial, abortion, contraceptives, the economy, energy, trade, and the fairness of PAs election.

The Biden campaign posted clips of the interview on their social media account, but it didnt appear available anywhere else prior to KDKAs airing.

Other policy hints from Trump

Trump has teased out providing clear policy plans before, telling Time magazine in an April interview that his campaign would put out details in the weeks ahead about his strong views on access to mifepristone. The campaign had not done so as of Tuesday afternoon.

The pharmaceutical is one of two drugs used in medication abortions and is currently in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices heard oral arguments in the case in March and are expected to decide this summer whether to leave the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations prescribing guidelines in place or revert to what was used before changes began taking effect in 2016.

Trump said during the Time magazine interview that he wasnt going to explain his beliefs about access to mifepristone just then.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

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Trainees attend a beauty therapy session during a training workshop in Siem Reap, Cambodia, May 22, 2024. A China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-backed training workshop on the skills of electrical installation, electronics, and beauty therapy was held here on Wednesday, aiming at helping develop vocational skills for Cambodian talents. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-backed training workshop on the skills of electrical installation, electronics, and beauty therapy was held here on Wednesday, aiming at helping develop vocational skills for Cambodian talents.

Held at the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor in northwest Siem Reap province, the two-day workshop was handled by Chinese trainers and attended by dozens of Cambodian teachers and students. The Chinese delegation was led by staff from the Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and consisted of experts in related fields such as industrial robot system operation, electrical devices, beauty salons, and track signal control technology.

Mob Sinuon, director of the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor, said this BRI-backed training workshop is essential for teachers and students as it will provide them with new experience and skills.

"It will further strengthen their capacity and develop their skills, and the participants will get new knowledge and new technology," he told Xinhua after the opening ceremony of the workshop.

"This training workshop is focused on the skills of electrical installation, electronics, and beauty therapy, with 81 trainees, including 40 females," he said.

Speaking of the cooperation between Cambodia and China under the BRI framework, Sinuon said Cambodia has greatly benefited from this initiative.

"The BRI has played a crucial role in developing Cambodia's infrastructure such as highways, bridges, expressways, hydropower plants, special economic zones, seaports, and airports, among others," he said.

"These BRI flagship projects have laid a solid foundation for Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty alleviation," he added.

Chhloeurm Hory, a first-year student in the major of electronic engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor, said the free-of-charge workshop is vital to enhance the knowledge and skills of all participants.

"It is interesting and relevant to the skills I am studying," she told Xinhua while attending the training workshop.

Hory said she felt motivated that the institute allowed her to join this important workshop, and that it offered a chance to further develop her vocational skills.

"After getting through this training workshop, I expect to get experience, skills, new lessons, and some knowledge of technology development in China," the 19-year-old student said. "In the future, I desire to be an electronics vendor."

Seng Bunnaray, a student in the major of electrical engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor, said the workshop is very useful for both teachers and students because it will help enhance their capacity to adapt to new technology development and methods.

"After this training workshop, I hope I get a better understanding of my skills and experience something new so that I can improve myself better," he told Xinhua. 
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday was asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Donald Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for president, suggested during a taped interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station Tuesday that he might be open to states restricting access to contraceptives, though he later appeared to backtrack.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump had been asked if he supports any restrictions on a persons right to contraception.

Trump later added that things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. That comment came just after being asked if he may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?

The former president, who is currently on trial for allegedly facilitating hush money payments to an adult film actress during his 2016 campaign to cover up a prior affair, later posted on his social media platform that he wasnt advocating for birth control restrictions.

I HAVE NEVER, AND WILL NEVER ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives, Trump wrote. This is a Democrat fabricated lie MISINFORMATION/DISINFORMATION, because they have nothing else to run on except FAILURE, POVERTY, AND DEATH. I DO NOT SUPPORT A BAN ON BIRTH CONTROL, AND NEITHER WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

Supreme Court rulings

The U.S. Supreme Court has twice ruled in favor of privacy rights for decisions about contraceptives, meaning that any state looking to restrict or ban access to birth control would quickly see that law challenged in federal court.

In the1965 Griswold v. Connecticut case, the justices struck down a Connecticut law that prevented married couples from using birth control, writing that the right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.

The Supreme Court later ruled in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird case that the same privacy rights that protected married couples decision-making about contraceptives also protected unmarried people.

In that case, the justices held that unmarried couples have the right to use contraception, based on the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the more nebulous constitutional right to privacy.

Biden-Harris spokesperson Sarafina Chitika released a written statement Tuesday that Trumps comments show he wants to rip away our freedom to access birth control.

Women across the country are already suffering from Donald Trumps post-Roe nightmare, and if he wins a second term, its clear he wants to go even further by restricting access to birth control and emergency contraceptives, Chitika wrote. Its not enough for Trump that womens lives are being put at risk, doctors are being threatened with jail time, and extreme bans are being enacted with no exceptions for rape or incest.

KDKA-TV Money & Politics Editor Jon Delano posted on social media that viewers interested in the Trump interview could tune in at 4, 5, and 6 to hear comments on the trial, abortion, contraceptives, the economy, energy, trade, and the fairness of PAs election.

The Biden campaign posted clips of the interview on their social media account, but it didnt appear available anywhere else prior to KDKAs airing.

Other policy hints from Trump

Trump has teased out providing clear policy plans before, telling Time magazine in an April interview that his campaign would put out details in the weeks ahead about his strong views on access to mifepristone. The campaign had not done so as of Tuesday afternoon.

The pharmaceutical is one of two drugs used in medication abortions and is currently in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices heard oral arguments in the case in March and are expected to decide this summer whether to leave the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations prescribing guidelines in place or revert to what was used before changes began taking effect in 2016.

Trump said during the Time magazine interview that he wasnt going to explain his beliefs about access to mifepristone just then.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Trump signals hes open to state limits on contraceptive access, then insists hes not appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
As The Trump Trial Reaches Its Final Stages, A Look Back At How We Got Here

This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

The finish line is in sight.

Over the course of five weeks, around 20 witnesses have taken the stand in a lower Manhattan courtroom to testify in the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump. All but two of them were called by New York state prosecutors. Each filled in details about how Trump allegedly covered up a hush money payment to the porn actor Stormy Daniels that now-disbarred attorney Michael Cohen made in desperation just days before the 2016 election in order to cover up her claims of an affair with Trump.

Trump has, of course, pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony charges. His lawyers have argued there was no crime, pointing to the fact that hush money payments are not inherently illegal.

Prosecutors say the surrounding circumstances are what change everything.

Now, the first criminal trial of a U.S. president is reaching its final stages, though jurors have been dismissed until next week due to scheduling issues surrounding the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Attorneys for both parties are expected to give their closing remarks on the same day. New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan will then read to the jurors carefully crafted instructions on how to weigh the evidence and how to decide whether the prosecution has met their burden.

Then, as soon as Wednesday, the jury will go off and deliberate  for minutes, hours or days. What happens when they are finished will be historic, no matter what they decide.

The minutiae of daily courtroom proceedings can make it harder to step back and look at the big picture, but that is the task that awaits the jury.

In April, the prosecution began by rolling back the clock to the summer of 2015, when Trump allegedly held a Trump Tower meeting with David Pecker, who was at the time CEO of the National Enquirers publisher, American Media Inc. Pecker testified that he agreed to use his magazines to give Trumps campaign a boost, putting out flattering stories about Trump and unflattering ones about his political enemies. And he would use his familiarity with the seedy tabloid marketplace to keep an eye out for anyone trying to sell a story that could hurt Trump.

He proved unquestionably valuable. When a former Trump Tower doorman claimed to have a story about Trump fathering a child out of wedlock, Pecker swooped in to pay him for his silence. When former Playboy model Karen McDougal sought payment in exchange for details about an alleged yearlong affair with Trump, Peckers company cut her a check.

Judge Juan Merchan presides over court on Tuesday, May 7, as Stormy Daniels, far right, answers questions on direct examination by assistant district attorney Susan Hoffinger. Former President Donald Trump and defense attorney Todd Blanche look on. Elizabeth Williams via Associated Press

But his generosity had limits. He had been expecting to be paid back. On the stand, Pecker told the jury that by the fall of 2016 he was not interested in forking over another pile of cash. That became a problem for Trump and Cohen, whose job was to make Trumps problems go away. When The Washington Post published a hot mic tape from Trumps appearance on Access Hollywood showing him make vulgar remarks about women, interest in Daniels story about her alleged Trump affair skyrocketed, according to testimony from her attorney at the time, Keith Davidson.

Backlash to the Access Hollywood tape shows the numbing effect the steady stream of subsequent Trump scandals has had on the American public over the years. In early October 2016, Trumps grab em by the pussy quote nearly derailed his campaign. Hope Hicks, Trumps former campaign spokesperson, testified about the fear that struck the campaign after the tape was publicized.

It was Melania Trump who told her husband that he should respond by saying his comments were akin to locker room talk, according to testimony from Cohen, who helped fill in more details on what was allegedly going on behind the scenes.

This is a disaster. A total disaster. Women are going to hate me, Cohen recalled Trump saying.

Prosecutors stressed the Access Hollywood backlash to explain why Trump needed to secure Daniels silence. An alleged affair with a porn actor, at a time when Trump was married with a young child, would invite further waves of criticism when his campaign was already drowning.

On the stand, Cohen explained how he handled the matter: He took out a home equity line of credit to avoid withdrawing the hush money sum from the bank account that his wife monitored, set up a shell company and funneled $130,000 to Daniels through Davidson.

Trump then allegedly repaid Cohen over the course of 2017 with monthly checks, which he signed himself in the Oval Office. The checks are the heart of the prosecutions case; along with invoices and other statements, they represent the business documents he is accused of falsifying because they were labeled as payment for Cohens legal services, rather than reimbursements for hush money. The sum Cohen was refunded included other expenses and was grossed up to account for taxes, coming to a total of $420,000.

Prosecutors called witnesses who could speak to the checks journey from conception to delivery  former White House staffers and Trump Organization employees.

To battle the defense teams suggestion that Trump was simply unaware of the repayments, prosecutors entered into evidence snippets from Trumps various books in which he stresses the importance of keeping a watchful eye over every penny spent. Representatives from the companies that published Trumps books were subpoenaed to help prosecutors because of a rule that requires evidence to be entered through a witness. An archivist from C-SPAN was required to fly in from Indiana to help the prosecutors enter other evidence. Ditto a transcription company representative from Texas.

At every turn, Trumps team has sought to discredit the prosecutions witnesses and cast doubt on their evidence. They hit particularly hard on Cohen and Daniels, each of whoms testimony provided some of the trials most riveting moments. Daniels, for example, shared details about her alleged 2006 sexual experience with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel room  sometimes too many details.

Trump attorney Susan Necheles attempted to shame Daniels for what her client says is a false story, telling her at one point, You have a lot of experience making phony stories about sex. (In addition to acting, Daniels also writes and directs porn films.) Trump attorney Todd Blanche used the word lie every chance he got during his cross-examination of Cohen, who has admitted to telling lies on behalf of Trump in the past and served prison time for lying to Congress.

As the prosecutions last witness, and having been so close to Trump, Cohens testimony served to fill in the gaps that remained in the prosecutions version of events. They used extensive phone logs, text messages and email records to illustrate how Cohen was allegedly acting at Trumps direction  not going rogue, as the defense suggested.

The prosecution team rested their case on Monday. By noon Tuesday, the defense had also rested, calling just two witnesses in an attempt to reshape the jurys view of Cohen as a liar. One, a paralegal, introduced his own chart showing call logs between Cohen and a Trump-allied lawyer, Robert Costello. The other was Costello himself, whose antics on the stand drew an angry response from Merchan. While Cohen met with Costello while he figured out whether to cooperate with federal prosecutors in 2018, he did not hire Costello, testifying that he could not trust him. The overall effect was to suggest Cohen had a cozier relationship with the lawyer than hed let on, and that Cohen was capable of acting erratically.

Notably absent from the witness stand throughout all of the proceedings was one man  Trump himself. Despite repeatedly claiming that he would, the former president never testified in his own defense.

Related...
Former President Trump has won the Kentucky Republican presidential primary, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Trump, who has already clinched the GOP nomination, will add at least most of the states 46 delegates to his total count. Kentucky distributes its delegates proportionally, with candidates needing to receive at least 15 percent of the vote to receive delegates.

Trump was the only active candidate on the ballot, but former candidate Nikki Haley has seen continued support in various contests after leaving the race. She received about 20 percent of the vote in last weeks primaries in Maryland and Nebraska and almost 10 percent in West Virginia.

Voters can also choose an uncommitted option instead of any of the candidates listed.

Trump will very likely carry the strongly red-leaning Bluegrass State in November as he did in 2016 and 2020.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Trump has won Oregons Republican presidential primary, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ.

Trump is already the presumptive GOP nominee, but the Beaver State could add as many 31 more delegates into his column as he heads toward a rematch with President Biden, who is expected to easily win the states Democratic primary, this fall.

Oregon has voted blue in every presidential election since the mid 1980s, and its eight electoral college votes are considered solidly Democrat  though some Republicans saw hope when Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) flipped the states Fifth congressional district in the midterms.

The Democratic primary race for Chavez-DeRemers seat is also on Tuesdays ballot, as two Democrats battle to take on the incumbent in November. Another key race is in Oregons Third, where Susheela Jayapal, the sister of U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wa.) is vying to succeed retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.).

There was reportedly some voter confusion over whether Trump would be on Oregons ballot, as a statement from the former president didnt appear alongside Bidens in the pamphlet sent out to all voters in the state. The Trump campaign did not submit a statement to be included in the pamphlet, according to local outlet KGW.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
One of the most important rules for surviving and triumphing over an authoritarian regime is to always take seriously what the dictator says. They are not kidding. This rule most certainly applies to Donald Trump, who has promised that he is going to be a dictator on day one if he defeats President Biden in the 2024 election. With Trump tied with or leading President Biden in the early polls, the American people need to quickly internalize the aforementioned rule for survival.

As leading historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat warned in a recent social media post, Folks, he is not going to leave office, ever. Know this before you decide not to vote for Biden. It will be worse than you can imagine and a national security disaster. The aim is to destroy America, to the benefit of autocrats around the world.

Time magazine recently featured an extensive interview with Trump where he outlined, in great detail, his authoritarian plans and vision for the United States if he takes power in 2025. Several days later, the New York Times obtained audio from a meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago with his donors. There, Trump lied, of course, and claimed that President Biden leads a Gestapo that he is using to persecute his supposed enemies.

Trumps statements about a Biden-led Gestapo are projections and an application of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels' command to always accuse the opposition of that which you are in fact guilty of doing. Trumps Nazi projections are part of a much larger dynamic where todays right openly embraces antisemitism, white supremacy, and racism.

On Monday, for the latest example, Trump shared a video on his Truth Social disinformation platform that fantasized about his victory in the 2024 election over President Biden including the rise of a "unified Reich."

Dr. Sharon Nazarian, who is a board member of the Anti-Defamation League and a noted expert on global antisemitism, issued the following statement in response to the Trump campaign's "unified Reich" video:

Words like Reich dont just accidentally end up in campaign videos. This is a message to antisemites and anti-democratic extremists everywhere about what to expect should Trump return to the White House. Donald Trump knows exactly what he is doing. This is part of a long pattern of behavior where he normalizes antisemitic language and behavior and then later claims that he didnt know or it was fake news, but the extremists know full well where he stands, and we need acknowledge that these arent mistakes, he is telling us exactly what he would do in a second term. Donald Trump no longer should be given the benefit of the doubt. He sees antisemitism as a powerful tool to be used towards his own political goals, and those goals are to reshape American democracy and society in ways that will make the lives of Jews unsafe.

Trump's campaign claims that the Nazi references in the video were shared by accident. Given Donald Trump and his propagandists' long pattern of antisemitic and white supremacist behavior, however, such denials have little to no credibility.

Trump and his propagandists and other agents repeatedly amplify the Great Replacement Theory (white people are somehow being replaced by non-whites who are imported into the country/West by Democrats and liberals) and lies that Democratic Party donor George Soros (he is Jewish and a Holocaust survivor) is the leader of a vast secret cabal to rule America and the world. These are based on old and virulent antisemitic conspiracy theories and lies, most notably the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Trumps messaging has been very effective: A majority of Trump MAGA people and a large percentage of Republicans now believe in the Great Replacement Theory.

To that point, Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Jewish Americans who support the Democrats and not the Republicans and Israel are disloyal and somehow not real Jews. Of course, Donald Trump believes that good Jews support him. This is textbook antisemitism: Jewish people are individuals and not a hive mind.

Donald Trump infamously said that Nazis and other white supremacists are very fine people after the Charlottesville rampage in 2017 that killed Heather Heyer and injured dozens of other people. Trump has repeatedly shared antisemitic images and memes on social media and has met personally with antisemites and white supremacists.

The first Trump administration created a concentration camp system and set of policies intentionally designed to break up the families of black and brown migrants, refugees, and undocumented residents as a deterrent." If Trump returns to power he is promising and has planned a much more expansive version of that same cruel policy.

The Trump administration deviated from established tradition and did not properly honor Holocaust Remembrance Day. Instead, it chose to minimize the unique and historically specific crimes that the Nazis inflicted upon the Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Trump has continued to channel Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, with his threats and promises to purify the blood of the nation by getting rid of human vermin and other pollution as part of final battle and campaign of retribution and revenge when/if he takes power in 2025. These are eliminationist and genocidal threats of violence against those individuals and groups targeted as other or who dare to resist the regime and its attempt to end multiracial pluralistic democracy. Trump has also threatened, on numerous occasions, while president and afterwards, to have his political and personal enemies killed.

Project 2025, Agenda 47, the Red Caesar Scenario, and the other plans that a second Trump regime will use to end Americas real democracy have clear connections to the Enabling Act and German legal theorist Carl Schmitts state of exception that empowered the Nazi regime and its rise to power.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Writing at The New Republic, Greg Sargent warns of Trumps eliminationist language and the types of violence and other harm it has and will cause to entire communities of people in the United States. Sargent also highlights the mainstream news medias repeated failures to properly explain this to the American people.

Trumps ugly demagogic rants in Michigan, and others like it, deserve to be treated as a national scandal. The cherry-picking of isolated terrible crimes to smear migrants as a class is not something we would tolerate if it were directed toward other groups. Never mind what Trump is attempting to do politically. His deranged, malicious, hateful public conduct should be seen as the real story here. It should be covered that way. In covering Trumps Michigan event, some news accounts dutifully noted that fact. But they tended to treat this as a conventional fact-check of typical political rhetoric, rather than treating his heinous smearing of a large class of people as itself being the story. Trumps constant use of the deranged migrant crime trope provides the hook for doing just that. The Republican National Committee now has an official website devoted to chronicling migrant crime and illegal alien crime, listed out by state (in some states no illegal alien crimes have yet been documented). The casual use of such terms to smear large classes of immigrants is the official party position.

Eight or so years ago, at the beginning of the Age of Trump, warnings that Trump and the MAGA movement were neofascists who were channeling Hitlerism and the Nazis as part of a project to end multiracial pluralistic democracy were mostly met with outrage, disgust, and bellowing objections of impossible and it cant happen here! because we are Americans and better than that! Then as Trump and his agents continued with their Nazi-talk and other racial authoritarianism (and related violence and threats), the same gatekeepers and public voices responded with shock and disgust and momentary condemnation. This was especially true on and in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 coup attempt.

Now, Donald Trump is (finally) facing some legal consequences for his decades-long crime spree and has responded by amplifying his Hitlerian language and threats. The mainstream news and other elites and gatekeepers who shape the boundaries of the approved public discourse are largely responding with indifference, because they are more focused on the familiar horserace of the 2024 election and have rationalized Trumps aberrant and very dangerous behavior as this is all Trump just being Trump.

In an excellent essay at the Atlantic, historian Christopher Browning explains, with great vulnerability and transparency, how his thinking on these questions about Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and American fascism evolved:

For some years, a variety of news commentators and academics have called Donald Trump a fascist. I was one of those who resisted using that term. I thought it had long been abused by casual, imprecise applications, and as a historian of Nazi Germany, I did not think Trumpism was anywhere close to crossing the threshold of that comparison. I still deny that Trumps presidency was fascistbut Im concerned that if he wins another trip to the White House, he could earn the label. Fascism was most fully exemplified by the regimes of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. These regimes combined totalitarian dictatorship, wars of imperial conquest, and outright genocide in the case of Hitler (of Jews, Slavs, Roma) or ethnic mass murder in Mussolinis case (of Libyans, Ethiopians, Slovenes). Placing Trumpism in the same category seemed to me trivializing and misleading. I argued instead that Trump was more like Hungarys Viktor Orban or Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan than Hitler or Mussolini, and should be categorized as an illiberal populist rather than a fascist. And in one very important respect, Trump differed sharply from the European fascists of the interwar period. They were ardent militarists and imperialists. War was the crucible in which the new fascist man was to be forged; territorial expansion was both the means and the end of fascist power and triumph. Trump has shown little ambition to pursue such aims. In his first term, he shamelessly abased himself before Russian President Vladimir Putin, exchanged love letters with North Koreas Kim Jong Un, signed the Doha Agreement with the Taliban committing the U.S. to withdrawal from Afghanistan, and petulantly sought to downgrade U.S. treaty obligations to NATO and South Korean allies that he deemed to be delinquent and getting a free ride. Trump has continued in the same isolationist vein in recent interviews and speeches. 

Browning continues:

A huge transformation of the administrative state is being deliberately planned. The government agencies and civil service he has decried as the deep state would be purged or politicized, and the retribution he has promised against his enemies would also be carried out. The unitary executive theory long promoted by some Republicans would become the reality of an unabashed authoritarianism. The very last months of the Trump presidency foreshadowed what a second term would entail. When formerly loyal vassals such as Attorney General William Barr and Defense Secretary Mark Esper demonstrated that they would not cross the line into unconstitutional insurgency, Trump sought sycophants for whom no such line existed. In a new Trump administration, total devotion to the leader would be the sole qualification for appointment. Unlike previous fascist leaders with their cult of war, Trump still offers appeasement to dictators abroad, but he now promises something much closer to dictatorship at home. For me, what Trump is offering for his second presidency will meet the threshold, and the label Id choose to describe it would be isolationist fascism. Until now, such a concept would have been an oxymoron, a historical phenomenon without precedent. Trump continues to break every mold.

To experience such a rapid progression in real time is surreal. My worn copies of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," Milton Mayers They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45," Du Boiss Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-1880 and Sheldon Wholins Democracy Incorporated are on the floor next to me while I write this essay. I am increasingly worried that a type of path dependence has set in with the Age of Trump and the countrys democracy crisis and ascendant neofascism. The water in the pot is boiling more rapidly and too many Americans have gotten far too comfortable in it.
Conservative pundit Tucker Carlsons media company says a Russian state television agency that is airing portions of his show is doing so without legal permission.

Newsweek initially reported on Tuesday that Carlson was launching his show on Russian state TV. It later updated its story to reflect pushback from Carlsons team, which denied any involvement in the program, in which segments of his show are dubbed into Russian.

Russian state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta initially reported on Russia 24, a state-run media organization, broadcasting Carlsons program.

Any use of our content by that channel is without legal permission, a representative for Carlson told The Hill Tuesday evening.

Carlson, in a separate text message to Mediate, blasted the initial Newsweek report, writing this is completely absurd. Reporters are so dishonest and stupid. Ive never even heard of this channel.

Carlson was fired by Fox News last year and has since launched a new media company and interview show on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The former cable news pundit has sparked backlash in recent months from politicians and media watchdogs over his often flattering rhetoric on Russia.

Carlson recently published an extensive interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and offered his audience a tour of Russian grocery stores during which he praised the countrys economy and infrastructure.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM)  The Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military servicemen, will be honored in a special presentation this weekend in Horseheads.

Return of the Red Tails 2024 will present the Remembering the Tuskegee Airmen event on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center located at 339 Daniel Zenker Drive. Doors for the event open at 9:30 a.m.

Road work changes Elmira Memorial Day Parade route

Admission to the event is $25 per person and includes a souvenir t-shirt and program booklet, a tour of the Wings of Eagle Discovery Center and light refreshments. Children under 10 will be allowed in at no cost.

A portion of the funds that are raised at the event will support the Tuskegee Airmen Chapter Operations Fund and Educational Assistance Fund, which will offer financial assistance to students who are pursuing an education in aviation, engineering and technology.

Halfway to Halloween coming to Elmira this week

At the event, Tuskegee Airman Torchbearer Michael Joseph, a historian with the Captain Claude B. Govan Tri-State NY NJ CT chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, will be speaking about the late Tuskegee Airman Lieutenant Herbert Thorpe and highlight the lives of many of the Tuskegee Airmen who visited the region to inform the local community since 1997.

Lieutenant Thorpe was originally meant to be the speaker at the event but passed away after a brief illness in January. His memory will be honored at the event by sharing excerpts from interviews that have never been aired before, including his last recorded interview on Dec. 20, 2023.

Elmira PD auctioning off 14 vehicles starting today

In addition to the speaker, a variety of other activities will take place at the event.

This includes the re-dedication of the twin-turbo Faithful Pursuit Tuskegee Airmen Red Tail race car, the re-dedication of the informative Wings of Eagle Tuskegee Airmen display, a presentation by the Mayor of the City of Corning Bill Boland, Rolling Thunder display with authentic WWII Tuskegee Airmen artifacts and rare autographed memorabilia for sale.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) is welcoming two new babies to its family. Rocky Mountain goat mom, Lena, gave birth to twins on Sunday, May 19.

The twin kids were wobbling around on their hooves minutes after birth, calling out with loud voices, and bonding well with Lena, who is a patient parent, allowing the babies to climb on her when they are not nursing.

Less than 24 hours after its birth, Baby #2 climbed on top of Lena, who patiently laid still as the little one climbed from her back end all the way to her head, where it slid gently around the back of her neck with its front legs on either side of her head, said Animal Care Manager Joanna Husby. Weve got an adventurous one on our hands! Were seeing both babies hit all the milestones for healthy kids, and were excited for everyone to meet them.

Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Photo is of Mountain Goat mom Lena and one of her babies.

Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Both kids and their mom.

Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The new Mountain Goat family.

The babies have not yet been named, but Baby #1 is a little smaller than Baby #2 and has a floppy left ear. Staff has not yet intervened to confirm the weight or sex of either kid, to allow ample time for the kids to bond with their mother. It is Zoo tradition for the babies to receive their names after 30 days.

The babies are following Lena well and shes comfortable moving to a different space, so we welcomed them outside for the first time today, Husby said. We have a side yard that has more suitable terrain for little hooves than our big yard with rocky cliffs, so theyll find their footing there. My guess is that it wont be long until theyre leaping and chasing all over the rocks. Having a twin means having a built-in play partner, and its going to be hard to do anything but watch them. Rocky Mountain goat babies are pure joy.

CMZoo said it will share updates about the kids on their social media channels and in the Zoos newsletter, The Waterhole.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two beloved Manatee County restaurants are closing their doors, owners say. Heres why

Peachs Restaurants announced Tuesday that it will close its Holmes Beach and Ellenton locations next month.

Peachs has operated restaurants at 2207 60th Ave. E., Ellenton, and 3240 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, for more than 20 years. The final day for both restaurants will be Fathers Day, June 16.

The company said in a news release that the leases at both restaurants are set to expire.

We are a proud small business with dedicated teams and loyal guests. This decision was not ours to make, and it does not reflect the incredible dedication of our team at these locations, Alison Thomas, president of Peachs Restaurants, said in the news release.

We are doing our best to relocate all 40 employees throughout our other six locations in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice, Thomas said.

Peachs is a local casual breakfast and lunch chain that first began serving in 1985.

For over 20 years in both locations, Peachs has been a responsible tenant and enthusiastic participant in their communities, the news release said, adding that Peachs will need time to transition their team and move their property during the last two weeks of its remaining lease.

Peachs Restaurant closing 2 locations

Peachs has grown and succeeded through its friendly service, which invites guests to linger and the quality of its food.

Peachs Restaurants announced Wednesday that it will be closing the Holmes Beach and Ellenton locations on Fathers Day, June 16, due to leases expiring on June 30.

Since opening in 2001 in Holmes Beach and 2002 in Ellenton, the restaurants have become a favorite gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Peachs  and all Florida restaurants  were closed for a while, and reopened cautiously.

This is the best place Ive ever been. I live six miles from here and I made it a point to come down Interstate 75 to eat here. The staff takes care of their customers and they are glad to see you come in, one customer said in 2023 when the Creekwood restaurant reopened.

The news of the closings broke on social media Tuesday evening, producing dozens of comments lamenting the closings.

Peachs Restaurants announced that on June 16 it will be closing its location at 3240 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

We have always enjoyed the Ellenton location. Even when family comes to town, its our go-to. We have met up with so many people there. You will be missed. We have gone to other locations, but Ellenton was always our favorite, one person said.

Jennifer Hester, chief financial officer for Peachs, said the company would like to find new locations in Ellenton and Holmes Beach and is searching from Sun City Center to Anna Maria Island, Parrish and North Port.

We are really heartbroken, Hester said.

We hope the time before seeing your favorite server and having your favorite meal is short and we encourage our Holmes Beach and Ellenton guests to visit our other locations to see some familiar faces while meeting new ones, Hester said.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our guests for their unwavering support over the years. We will keep you all informed of where we find our new home, she said.

Peachs other locations

 3201 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

 5240 State Road 64, Bradenton

 7315 52nd Place E., Bradenton

 6386 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

 4292 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

 1230 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice

Peachs is open every day from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.Peachs.net.
CAIRO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Wednesday welcomed a decision made by Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize the Palestinian state, calling it "an important step."

"I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right track in the history of conflict," Aboul Gheit said on social media platform X.

He called on other countries who haven't taken a similar move to follow the three countries in their courageous preliminary steps.

"I congratulate Palestine on this positive development," he said.

Ireland, Norway and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would recognize Palestine as a state.

"Each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said in Dublin.

"There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. And there can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said. 
Two men arrested after Brookline homeowner caught them on video attempting break-in

An attempted break-in at a home on Woodland Road near the Country Club was posted online by Brookline Police.

The quick thinking of the homeowner who called us right when he saw them on his surveillance camera, said Brookline Police Sgt. Rob.

He saw 2 people with masks walking around his backyard, said Deputy Paul Campbell of the Brookline Police Department.

The surveillance video, taken on Sunday, shows two burglars trying to scale the wall of the house. Thats when the owner called 911 as he watched this all unfold on his home video.

He did the right thing he called 911 right away and he monitored where they were and he did a great job he was calm and clear and he didnt tip off the suspects, said Supt. Campbell.

That quick action enabled the police to get there right away.

The officers got there and the suspects didnt know that we were coming and they tried to run but didnt get far, said Supt. Campbell.

Luckily, police quickly caught the two men and told Boston 25 that one of the suspects was armed.

You never know what could happen. One of these suspects had a loaded handgun, said Supt. Campbell.

Superintendent Campbell says police are usually only three to four minutes away and he added that these arrests are textbook, the kind every officer hopes for.

Its nice to catch the bad guys and youre there to protect the residents of Brookline and I think most of them are real happy to get a call like this and have it work out the way that it did, said Supt. Campbell.

The suspects have been identified as Mounssif Fellahi and Akram Boudhan. Both are being held in custody for now.

Boudhan will have a dangerousness hearing on Thursday while Fellahis bail has been set at $10K.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Two men were shot and wounded outside a public housing building in Brooklyn on Tuesday, police said.

The victims were outside the Albany Houses on Park Place near Troy Ave. in Crown Heights when gunfire erupted just after 6:45 p.m., cops said.

One of the victims was shot in the chest and the other in the leg.

About six men ran off after the gunfire.

Medics rushed the wounded victims to Kings County Hospital, where they are expected to survive.

There were no immediate arrests.
Bodies of two missing canoeists recovered after boat went over Minnesota waterfall

Curtain Falls, a waterfall located on the border between the US and Canada. The bodies of two canoeists have been found after being swept away (St Louis County Rescue Squad)

The bodies of two missing canoeists who went missing two weeks ago when their canoes were swept over a waterfall in Minnesota have been found.

Four people in two canoes went over Curtain Falls waterfall in the Boundary Waters wilderness last month, falling 30ft into the waters of Iron Lake below. The waterfall is located on the border between the US and Canada.

Two people were initially rescued downstream from a small island and were airlifted by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources helicopter.

Search crews located the body of Reis Melvin Grams, 40, on Monday, while the body of 41-year-old Jesse Haugen of Cambridge, Minnesota was discovered on Friday.

The two people rescued were earlier identified as Kyle Thomas Sellers, 47, and 43-year-old Erik Michael Grams, brother of Reis Melvin Grams.

Curtain Falls, a waterfall on the border between the United States and Canada, swept away a group of canoeists on Saturday, with two people still unaccounted for (St Louis County Rescue Squad)

Mr Sellers was injured from the fall and was flown to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. A fifth person in the group, Jared Jay Lohse, 33, was on the shore at the time of the incident.

Bad weather had hampered the initial search Nate Skelton, division commander with the St Louis County sheriffs office, told the Star Tribune.

The missing men were part of a group who were familiar with the area.

The men were fishing above the falls when something happened; one of them got in distress, the other one tried to give some assistance, and they both ended up going over the falls, Mr Skelton told the outlet.
Spain and Ireland announced their intent to recognise Palestine as a state on 22 May.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Spain's decision was announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. He stressed that this recognition is not an insult to either Israel or Jewish people.

"I want to make one thing clear: this recognition is not directed against anyone, it is not directed against the people of Israel, a people we value. And even more so, it is not directed against the Jews, a wonderful people whose history is linked to Spain," Sanchez said in parliament, as quoted by El Pais.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Ireland recognises Palestine because it believes in freedom and justice as fundamental principles of international law.

"It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples," Harris said, as quoted by RTE.

The Irish and Spanish prime ministers made their announcements after Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre announced earlier on Wednesday that his country would recognise the Palestinian state.

The decisions of Norway, Spain and Ireland to recognise Palestine as a state will come into force on 28 May.

Ireland, Norway and Spain have now joined 143 UN member states out of 193 in total that recognise Palestine as a state.

Israel recalled its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway for "urgent consultations" on Wednesday over their decision to recognise Palestine as a state. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned that if Spain joined Ireland and Norway, a similar step would be taken against it.

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This article was originally published in Maryland Matters.

Marylands teacher workforce still remains majority white, according to data recently released by the state Department of Education, but advocates are hopeful that new laws could help turn that around.

According to figures slated to be discussed by the state Board of Education on Tuesday, about 68% of teachers in classrooms during the 2023-24 school year are white. In comparison, about 20% of teachers are Black and about 5% are Latino or Asian.

That is little changed from the last five years. State data shows that for the five school years starting in 2019-20, the average percentage of white teachers in Maryland was 70%, while about 19% were Black and about 4% were Latino or Asian.

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During that same time frame, the departments report said, the racial disparity of students in the classrooms was markedly different: white students at 34%; Black students at 30%; Latino students at 21%; and Asian students at 7%.

In terms of local school systems, Prince Georges County and Baltimore City have the most teachers of color at 79% and 61%, respectively, this school year. Those also represent the states majority Black jurisdictions. Montgomery County, the states biggest school system, has the fourth-highest percentage of teachers of color, at 31%, just below the state average of 32%.

We believe that when you have a diverse teaching force, it helps students of color see themselves. It also helps all students, said Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association, the states teachers union.

Bost said some teachers of color are asked to handle other responsibilities outside their classrooms. A 2022 teachers workforce report provided quotes from unnamed educators during a statewide diversity teacher roundtable.

For example, Bost said, if a Black teacher is one of the few in a school, that person would be asked to help assist a fellow teacher, administrator or other employee if there was a situation with a Black student. Or if a teacher is bilingual, that person is often pulled out the class to interpret for a parent who may not speak English.

That creates a hardship  which is unfair to those educators of color, Bost said.

Bost said progress should start later this year thanks to last years passage of the states Educator Shortage Reduction Act.

That law will let eligible college students who major in education and attend a school where at least 40% of them receive federal Pell Grants, in an associate or bachelors degree program, receive an initial stipend. The nearly one dozen colleges eligible for the program included all four of the states historically Black colleges and universities, and about three community colleges.

Legislation signed into law last month by Gov. Wes Moore (D)  House Bill 75 and Senate Bill 377  would allow for any community college student pursuing education to be eligible for a stipend. The legislation would allow recipients in their first or second year at a higher education institution to receive a stipend starting in the 2024-25 school year through 2026-27 school year.

The initial stipend was previously set to be given out in this school year, but a fiscal note states it was delayed a year because the $10 million for the program only recently became available to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

The money will come from a teacher retention fund, which will be administered by the commission. The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), within the commission, will determine the amount of the stipends.

The legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Nancy King (D-Montgomery) and Del. Eric Ebersole (D-Baltimore County) will go into effect July 1.

Moore also signed two different bills aimed at helping to increase teacher diversity in the states more than 1,400 public schools. House Bill 975 and Senate Bill 771 will provide alternative pathways into the teaching profession for recent college graduates and new teachers.

The new law would require that applicants get at least a 3.0 grade-point average on the most recent degree, but it would not required that students take one of the Praxis tests, which measure knowledge and classroom skills to become certified teachers. One test can cost $300.

Theres not a great correlation between that [Praxis] test and teaching skill. Its not a great indicator how good a teacher someone is going to be, Ebersole, who worked as a teacher for 35 years, said Monday. Offering alternative pathways and increasing our teacher workforce is vital.

This story was originally published on Maryland Matters.
U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund $300 million in grants to boost exports

A soybean farm. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday $300 million in funding for more than 60 groups seeking to diversify American agricultural exports.

USDA is pleased to be able to provide the startup capital to tap into these opportunities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on a call with reporters Monday night previewing the announcement.

In total, 66 organizations will be funded under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, or RAPP. The USDA launched the $1.4 billion program in October in order to develop new export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products beyond the traditional partnerships with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China.

What this program really provides is an opportunity for us not only to expand geographically the opportunities for trade, but also the products that can be made available, Vilsack said. Its a tremendous opportunity for us to diversify in a variety of different ways to grow market opportunity.

The program focuses on tapping U.S. exports into new markets in regions such as South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

When you have the major markets, as weve had, where 60 to 65% of what we export goes into four or five markets, that can create a sense of complacency, Vilsack said.

The riskiest business in the world

Vilsack said the funding would be an important step in building wealth in rural areas of the United States.

We want to make sure our foreign-market development programs and agricultural trade in general work for the full spectrum of American agricultural producers, regardless of their size, their location, their product or target market, he said. By investing in exports, were investing in the future of American agriculture and rural communities.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who leads the Senate Committee on Agriculture, joined the call with reporters. She said that USDA investing in exports is crucial to growing American agriculture.

The bottom line is (to) create new revenue for the folks that have the riskiest business in the world, Stabenow said. This is a really important way to support them.

According to a list provided by the USDA, some of the grant recipients include:

The Hazelnut Marketing Board in Oregon and Washington state will receive $455,000 to conduct market research and trade missions in several countries in Africa.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council, based in Virginia, will receive $10 million to expand its presence in Africa by using the funds to study and develop dairy import regulations and regulatory frameworks in those markets.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation based in Colorado will be awarded $21 million to expand its export efforts to new markets throughout Africa. It will also expand its investment in the convenience-store industry in South Korea, Central America and Colombia.

The Brewers Association in Colorado will be awarded $2 million to partake in the craft beer scene in Southeast Asia, by participating in the regions premier brewing trade show and festival and bring buyers from that region to top trade shows in the US.

The Cranberry Institute in Massachusetts will receive $1 million to conduct trade education seminars and other events to identify opportunities in India, Brazil, Colombia and Southeast Asia.

The post U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund $300 million in grants to boost exports appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund $300 million in grants to boost exports

Soybeans being loaded from a grain bin onto a truck on June 13, 2018 in Dwight, Illinois. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding $300 million in grants to expand overseas U.S. agriculture (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday $300 million in funding for more than 60 groups seeking to diversify American agricultural exports.

USDA is pleased to be able to provide the startup capital to tap into these opportunities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on a call with reporters.

In total, 66 organizations will be funded under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, or RAPP. The USDA launched the $1.4 billion program in October in order to develop new export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products beyond the traditional partnerships with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China.

What this program really provides is an opportunity for us not only to expand geographically the opportunities for trade, but also the products that can be made available, Vilsack said. Its a tremendous opportunity for us to diversify in a variety of different ways to grow market opportunity.

The program focuses on tapping U.S. exports into new markets in regions such as South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

When you have the major markets, as weve had, where 60 to 65% of what we export goes into four or five markets, that can create a sense of complacency, Vilsack said.

The riskiest business in the world

Vilsack said the funding would be an important step in building wealth in rural areas of the United States.

We want to make sure our foreign-market development programs and agricultural trade in general work for the full spectrum of American agricultural producers, regardless of their size, their location, their product or target market, he said. By investing in exports, were investing in the future of American agriculture and rural communities.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who leads the Senate Committee on Agriculture, joined the call with reporters. She said that USDA investing in exports is crucial to growing American agriculture.

The bottom line is (to) create new revenue for the folks that have the riskiest business in the world, Stabenow said. This is a really important way to support them.

According to a list provided by the USDA, some of the grant recipients include:

The Hazelnut Marketing Board in Oregon and Washington state will receive $455,000 to conduct market research and trade missions in several countries in Africa.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council, based in Virginia, will receive $10 million to expand its presence in Africa by using the funds to study and develop dairy import regulations and regulatory frameworks in those markets.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation based in Colorado will be awarded $21 million to expand its export efforts to new markets throughout Africa. It will also expand its investment in the convenience-store industry in South Korea, Central America and Colombia.

The Brewers Association in Colorado will be awarded $2 million to partake in the craft beer scene in Southeast Asia, by participating in the regions premier brewing trade show and festival and bring buyers from that region to top trade shows in the US.

The Cranberry Institute in Massachusetts will receive $1 million to conduct trade education seminars and other events to identify opportunities in India, Brazil, Colombia and Southeast Asia.

The post U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund $300 million in grants to boost exports appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
US, Gulf states meet for first security forum since war in Gaza

Senior American and Arab officials are meeting this week in Riyadh to discuss security issues  the first such gathering since the war in Gaza began last year.

The Gulf Cooperation Council  whose members include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait  hosts a yearly set of defense working groups with the U.S. They met last year in February and promised to share more intelligence and better sync their air and missile defense networks.

But that was before Oct. 7.

Since the terrorist group Hamas launched its attack on Israel  killing 1,200 civilians and soldiers  the region has been in crisis. In the eight months since, militia groups backed by Tehran have attacked U.S. forces in the region more than 175 times. And the Houthis, a militia group in Yemen, have launched 90 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea  leading to a U.S.-led group called Prosperity Guardian thats trying to defend such vessels.

These conversations are really more important than ever, said a senior U.S. defense official, briefing reporters ahead of the talks on the condition of anonymity.

Pentagon head of Middle East Policy Dan Shaprio will co-chair the talks and join a larger group of American defense officials in attendance.

The official wouldnt predict specific results but said to expect the talks to build upon progress last year. In those meetings, the group largely discussed the threats posed by Iran and its proxies in the region. The events since Oct. 7 have confirmed the value of those goals, the official said.

In particular, the official said, Irans missile attack against Israel in April is an object lesson. Tehran, responding to an Israeli strike on its military leaders visiting Syria, launched a massive but largely failed salvo last month. The U.S., Israel and a coalition of partners helped shoot many of the drones and missiles down.

Ironically April 13, which was really a proof of concept of integrated air and missile defense, was ultimately successful in sparking deeper cooperation among our partners, the official said, while declining to offer specifics other than that the air and missile defense working group would focus on better early warning systems.

Prosperity Guardian

Similarly, the maritime working group will largely discuss threats posed by the Houthis.

In December, the U.S. and a group of partners began Operation Prosperity Guardian, a joint effort to protect shipping from such attacks. That coalition includes the regional partner of Bahrain, though the official noted that other countries are contributing but prefer not to be named.

The solution there [in the Red Sea] is not a military solution, said Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Christopher Grady, speaking an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in early May.

The Houthis attacks have continued despite the coalitions effort. They struck an oil ship in mid-May and keep targeting American military vessels in the region.

It is true they continue, the defense official said. It is also true that we feel through our coalition strikes weve degraded their capability.

Despite these crises beginning after last fall, the official said Israels war isnt on the docket to discuss. Instead, the U.S. is speaking with Arab states separately on how to send more aid into Gaza. A $300-million-dollar pier America constructed to provide more assistance started operating this month.

But civilians on the strip havent received anything yet, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told reporters this week. The U.S. maintains that theres no substitute for more aid arriving by land, which Israel has so far restricted.

Gaza is not a particular focus of this meeting, the official said.
By Ted Hesson and Daniel Wiessner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge temporarily blocked part of a Florida law on Wednesday that imposes criminal penalties for willfully transporting people who lack legal immigration status into the state.

The law, which took effect in 2023, amended the crime of human smuggling to classify such cases as felonies.

U.S. District Judge Roy Altman cited testimony from the plaintiffs that they were "now too afraid to travel in and out of Florida with their undocumented friends or family members - for fear of being arrested or prosecuted or of having their family members deported."

Altman, an appointee of Republican former President Donald Trump, blocked the law pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the Farmworker Association of Florida and seven people who say they have been impacted.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, made immigration a central theme of his failed presidential campaign and has continued to prioritize the issue, a top concern for voters in the run-up to the Nov. 5 U.S. elections.

The Florida law also allocated funds to move migrants without lawful status out of the state, restricted access to ID cards, and required more businesses to use an electronic system to validate a person's eligibility to work.

The litigation only challenged the part of the law dealing with transport of migrants.

In a statement, lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that represent the plaintiffs praised the ruling as a major victory for Floridians.

"This order recognizes the irreparable harm (the law) is causing immigrants, families, and their communities by unconstitutionally usurping the powers of the federal government to subject them to cruel criminal punishment," said Amien Kacou, a staff attorney for the ACLU's Florida chapter.

The Florida governor's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Florida's law is part of a nationwide effort by Republican officials to address an increase in illegal border crossings in recent years that they say President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has failed to stem.

Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma have passed laws allowing local officials to arrest, prosecute, and order the deportation of people who lack legal immigration status.

The Biden administration and civil rights groups have sued to block those laws, saying they interfere with federal enforcement of immigration laws, as several other states consider adopting similar measures.

Civil rights groups say Florida's ban on migrant transport will place thousands of people, including many U.S. citizens, at risk of being arrested for simple acts such as driving a relative to a doctor's appointment or going on a family vacation.

Altman said on Wednesday the law is likely invalid because it "extends beyond the state's authority to make arrests for violations of federal immigration law and, in so doing, intrudes into territory that's preempted" by U.S. law.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Mica Rosenberg, Chizu Nomiyama and Richard Chang)
Washington state Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray speaks during a press conference on reproductive rights on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Also pictured from the left are Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide, and Karen Stone, vice president of Public Policy & Government Relations at Planned Parenthood. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Bans or severe restrictions on abortion access enacted by Republican state lawmakers have led to a downturn in medical students seeking to practice in those states, and a handful of Democratic U.S. senators said Tuesday those laws must be reversed.

During a press conference just steps from the U.S. Capitol, the lawmakers and reproductive rights advocates cited a study released in early May by the Association of American Medical Colleges Research and Action Institute.

The study found that fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states that banned or restricted access to abortion than to residency programs in states where abortion remained legal.

In Alabama, for example, the study found that applicants for OB-GYN residency programs in the state dropped 21.2% in 2023-24, the Alabama Reflector reported.

Medical residency programs begin after students graduate medical school and can last between three and seven years depending on what specialty the doctor is training in, according to AAMC.

The AAMC Institutes website says it takes a novel and nonpartisan approach to policy challenges, redefines complex problems, and offers feasible solutions to improve U.S. health care among policymakers and the public.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said the downward trend could exacerbate physician shortages in those states, given that OB-GYNs are leaving them as well.

It should not be surprising to anyone because after all, why go somewhere politicians and judges can overrule your medical degree and force you to put your patients in harms way? Murray said. Why practice in a state that threatens you with the loss of your license, heavy fines and even prison time if you dare to help the patient get the abortion care that they need?

Congress, she said, must work to restore nationwide abortion protections that were in place for nearly 50 years until the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case less than two years ago.

Wisconsin could lose critical care, Baldwin warns

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said during the press conference that fewer doctors are choosing her home state to start their careers.

Universities in states with abortion bans have been forced to send students out of state to receive reproductive care training, Baldwin said. Ive heard from doctors who are commuting across state lines, because they can no longer provide comprehensive care in their own communities.

The decision by some medical students to seek out residency programs in states with protections for abortion access, could lead to states like Wisconsin losing critical care for half our population, Baldwin said.

Fewer OB-GYNs means fewer doctors to deliver babies and perform prenatal and postnatal check-ups to ensure moms and babies get the healthy start that they deserve, Baldwin said.

It means fewer doctors performing routine productive reproductive care, like administering mammograms and connecting women with safe and reliable birth control, Baldwin said. It means more women in reproductive care deserts unable to find treatment in case of emergencies.

Baldwin said it makes sense that medical residents were seeking to learn and practice in states with protections for abortion access.

If you were a medical student or doctor, would you rather work in a state that limits the science-backed care that you can provide, or one that has taken politicians out of the doctors office? Baldwin said.

Arizona whiplashes between two abortion bans

Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly said that doctors and patients in his state are living with uncertainty and chaos as our state whiplashes between two abortion bans.

Ive spoken to several doctors who are thinking of leaving the state and many who have already left, Kelly said. Ive been on Zoom calls and seen the cardboard boxes piled up in the back. And its because they cant practice under these current circumstances.

Doctors applying to residency programs in Arizona decreased by nearly 20% from 2023 to 2024. And for OB-GYNs, applications dropped by more than 25%, Kelly said.

The only way to reverse the situation, Kelly said, is by codifying abortion rights into law, once and for all.

Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide and a practicing physician in Maryland, said during the last two years shes treated patients whove traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles to get care with me.

The restrictions or bans on abortion access, she said, have led to longer wait times in states that have protected access, leading to complicated situations for doctors and patients.

The AAMC Institutes study shows that students graduating from U.S. medical schools are less likely to apply for residency positions in states with abortion bans and restrictions, Mosley said.

These consequences will only exacerbate health inequities across the country, Mosley said. As health care providers, we trust our patients to know what they need. We also know that abortion is health care. And yet too many of us are being prevented from providing that care and too many people are suffering as a result.

Abortion pills sent to patients in states with bans

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he just heard last week about a young doctor, who left his home state of Oklahoma to come to New York to begin his OB-GYN residency at our state university system.

New York, he said, has passed so-called shield laws that protect doctors within the state borders to prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in states that have outlawed abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide in the coming weeks whether access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation, will remain as it is now or revert to the prescribing guidelines that were in place before changes began in 2016.

The case could significantly change when and how doctors can prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions as well as miscarriage care. The justices heard oral arguments in the case in March.

A majority of the nine justices deciding to roll back the prescribing guidelines to what was in place eight years ago would mean that doctors can no longer prescribe the two pharmaceuticals via telehealth and patients would no longer be able to receive them in the mail.

Schumer said during Tuesdays press conference that restricting abortion access is cruel and has led to chaos for patients and doctors.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post U.S. Senate Dems tie state abortion bans to fewer beginning physicians appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
TOKYO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan recorded a trade deficit of 462.5 billion yen (about 3 billion U.S. dollars) in April as the weak yen boosted the value of imports, offsetting gains from robust export growth, government data showed Wednesday.

The country's total exports rose 8.3 percent from a year earlier to 8.98 trillion yen, a record for April, marking an increase for the fifth straight month, boosted by continued strength in auto demand, according to preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Finance.

Total imports, meanwhile, also grew 8.3 percent to reach 9.44 trillion yen, the largest ever for the month, resulting in the first trade deficit in two months, flipping from a 387 billion yen surplus in March.

The yen averaged 151.66 to the U.S. dollar in April, 14.7 percent weaker than a year ago, the ministry said.

A weak yen inflates import costs but boosts Japanese exporters' overseas earnings. Crude oil prices jumped 17.7 percent from a year earlier in yen terms, compared with a 2.6 percent increase in dollar terms.

By destination, U.S.-bound shipments increased 8.8 percent to 1.80 trillion yen, extending its growth streak to 31 months.

Japan's trade surplus with the United States shrank 13.2 percent to 688.46 billion yen, down for the first time in 15 months, after imports jumped 29.0 percent to 1.11 trillion yen.

Exports to China grew for the fifth straight month by 9.6 percent to 1.59 trillion yen amid strong demand for chip-making equipment and hybrid cars, while imports rose 10.8 percent to 2.11 trillion yen, resulting in a 526.97 billion yen trade deficit, up 14.6 percent.

Overall exports to Asia grew by 9.7 percent, while those to the European Union fell by 2 percent. 
Washington state Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray speaks during a press conference on reproductive rights on Tuesday. Also pictured from the left are Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide, and Karen Stone, vice president of Public Policy & Government Relations at Planned Parenthood. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Bans or severe restrictions on abortion access enacted by Republican state lawmakers have led to a downturn in medical students seeking to practice in those states, and a handful of Democratic U.S. senators said Tuesday those laws must be reversed.

During a press conference just steps from the U.S. Capitol, the lawmakers and reproductive rights advocates cited a study released in early May by the Association of American Medical Colleges Research and Action Institute.

The study found that fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states that banned or restricted access to abortion than to residency programs in states where abortion remained legal.

In Alabama, for example, the study found that applicants for OB-GYN residency programs in the state dropped 21.2% in 2023-24, the Alabama Reflector reported.

Medical residency programs begin after students graduate medical school and can last between three and seven years depending on what specialty the doctor is training in, according to AAMC.

The AAMC Institutes website says it takes a novel and nonpartisan approach to policy challenges, redefines complex problems, and offers feasible solutions to improve U.S. health care among policymakers and the public.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said the downward trend could exacerbate physician shortages in those states, given that OB-GYNs are leaving them as well.

It should not be surprising to anyone because after all, why go somewhere politicians and judges can overrule your medical degree and force you to put your patients in harms way? Murray said. Why practice in a state that threatens you with the loss of your license, heavy fines and even prison time if you dare to help the patient get the abortion care that they need?

Congress, she said, must work to restore nationwide abortion protections that were in place for nearly 50 years until the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case less than two years ago.

Wisconsin could lose critical care, Baldwin warns

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said during the press conference that fewer doctors are choosing her home state to start their careers.

Universities in states with abortion bans have been forced to send students out of state to receive reproductive care training, Baldwin said. Ive heard from doctors who are commuting across state lines, because they can no longer provide comprehensive care in their own communities.

The decision by some medical students to seek out residency programs in states with protections for abortion access, could lead to states like Wisconsin losing critical care for half our population, Baldwin said.

Fewer OB-GYNs means fewer doctors to deliver babies and perform prenatal and postnatal check-ups to ensure moms and babies get the healthy start that they deserve, Baldwin said.

It means fewer doctors performing routine productive reproductive care, like administering mammograms and connecting women with safe and reliable birth control, Baldwin said. It means more women in reproductive care deserts unable to find treatment in case of emergencies.

Baldwin said it makes sense that medical residents were seeking to learn and practice in states with protections for abortion access.

If you were a medical student or doctor, would you rather work in a state that limits the science-backed care that you can provide, or one that has taken politicians out of the doctors office? Baldwin said.

Arizona whiplashes between two abortion bans

Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly said that doctors and patients in his state are living with uncertainty and chaos as our state whiplashes between two abortion bans.

Ive spoken to several doctors who are thinking of leaving the state and many who have already left, Kelly said. Ive been on Zoom calls and seen the cardboard boxes piled up in the back. And its because they cant practice under these current circumstances.

Doctors applying to residency programs in Arizona decreased by nearly 20% from 2023 to 2024. And for OB-GYNs, applications dropped by more than 25%, Kelly said.

The only way to reverse the situation, Kelly said, is by codifying abortion rights into law, once and for all.

Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide and a practicing physician in Maryland, said during the last two years shes treated patients whove traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles to get care with me.

The restrictions or bans on abortion access, she said, have led to longer wait times in states that have protected access, leading to complicated situations for doctors and patients.

The AAMC Institutes study shows that students graduating from U.S. medical schools are less likely to apply for residency positions in states with abortion bans and restrictions, Mosley said.

These consequences will only exacerbate health inequities across the country, Mosley said. As health care providers, we trust our patients to know what they need. We also know that abortion is health care. And yet too many of us are being prevented from providing that care and too many people are suffering as a result.

Abortion pills sent to patients in states with bans

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he just heard last week about a young doctor, who left his home state of Oklahoma to come to New York to begin his OB-GYN residency at our state university system.

New York, he said, has passed so-called shield laws that protect doctors within the state borders to prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in states that have outlawed abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide in the coming weeks whether access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation, will remain as it is now or revert to the prescribing guidelines that were in place before changes began in 2016.

The case could significantly change when and how doctors can prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions as well as miscarriage care. The justices heard oral arguments in the case in March.

A majority of the nine justices deciding to roll back the prescribing guidelines to what was in place eight years ago would mean that doctors can no longer prescribe the two pharmaceuticals via telehealth and patients would no longer be able to receive them in the mail.

Schumer said during Tuesdays press conference that restricting abortion access is cruel and has led to chaos for patients and doctors.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post U.S. Senate Dems tie state abortion bans, including Oklahomas, to fewer beginning physicians appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Washington state Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray speaks during a press conference on reproductive rights on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Also pictured from the left are Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide, and Karen Stone, vice president of Public Policy & Government Relations at Planned Parenthood. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Bans or severe restrictions on abortion access enacted by Republican state lawmakers have led to a downturn in medical students seeking to practice in those states, and a handful of Democratic U.S. senators said Tuesday those laws must be reversed.

During a press conference just steps from the U.S. Capitol, the lawmakers and reproductive rights advocates cited a study released in early May by the Association of American Medical Colleges Research and Action Institute.

The study found that fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states that banned or restricted access to abortion than to residency programs in states where abortion remained legal.

In Alabama, for example, the study found that applicants for OB-GYN residency programs in the state dropped 21.2% in 2023-24, the Alabama Reflector reported.

Medical residency programs begin after students graduate medical school and can last between three and seven years depending on what specialty the doctor is training in, according to AAMC.

The AAMC Institutes website says it takes a novel and nonpartisan approach to policy challenges, redefines complex problems, and offers feasible solutions to improve U.S. health care among policymakers and the public.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said the downward trend could exacerbate physician shortages in those states, given that OB-GYNs are leaving them as well.

It should not be surprising to anyone because after all, why go somewhere politicians and judges can overrule your medical degree and force you to put your patients in harms way? Murray said. Why practice in a state that threatens you with the loss of your license, heavy fines and even prison time if you dare to help the patient get the abortion care that they need?

Congress, she said, must work to restore nationwide abortion protections that were in place for nearly 50 years until the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case less than two years ago.

Wisconsin could lose critical care, Baldwin warns

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said during the press conference that fewer doctors are choosing her home state to start their careers.

Universities in states with abortion bans have been forced to send students out of state to receive reproductive care training, Baldwin said. Ive heard from doctors who are commuting across state lines, because they can no longer provide comprehensive care in their own communities.

The decision by some medical students to seek out residency programs in states with protections for abortion access, could lead to states like Wisconsin losing critical care for half our population, Baldwin said.

Fewer OB-GYNs means fewer doctors to deliver babies and perform prenatal and postnatal check-ups to ensure moms and babies get the healthy start that they deserve, Baldwin said.

It means fewer doctors performing routine reproductive care, like administering mammograms and connecting women with safe and reliable birth control, Baldwin said. It means more women in reproductive care deserts unable to find treatment in case of emergencies.

Baldwin said it makes sense that medical residents were seeking to learn and practice in states with protections for abortion access.

If you were a medical student or doctor, would you rather work in a state that limits the science-backed care that you can provide, or one that has taken politicians out of the doctors office? Baldwin said.

Arizona whiplashes between two abortion bans

Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly said that doctors and patients in his state are living with uncertainty and chaos as our state whiplashes between two abortion bans.

Ive spoken to several doctors who are thinking of leaving the state and many who have already left, Kelly said. Ive been on Zoom calls and seen the cardboard boxes piled up in the back. And its because they cant practice under these current circumstances.

Doctors applying to residency programs in Arizona decreased by nearly 20% from 2023 to 2024. And for OB-GYNs, applications dropped by more than 25%, Kelly said.

The only way to reverse the situation, Kelly said, is by codifying abortion rights into law, once and for all.

Dr. Raegan McDonald Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide and a practicing physician in Maryland, said during the last two years shes treated patients whove traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles to get care with me.

The restrictions or bans on abortion access, she said, have led to longer wait times in states that have protected access, leading to complicated situations for doctors and patients.

The AAMC Institutes study shows that students graduating from U.S. medical schools are less likely to apply for residency positions in states with abortion bans and restrictions, Mosley said.

These consequences will only exacerbate health inequities across the country, Mosley said. As health care providers, we trust our patients to know what they need. We also know that abortion is health care. And yet too many of us are being prevented from providing that care and too many people are suffering as a result.

Abortion pills sent to patients in states with bans

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he just heard last week about a young doctor, who left his home state of Oklahoma to come to New York to begin his OB-GYN residency at our state university system.

New York, he said, has passed so-called shield laws that protect doctors within the state borders to prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in states that have outlawed abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide in the coming weeks whether access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation, will remain as it is now or revert to the prescribing guidelines that were in place before changes began in 2016.

The case could significantly change when and how doctors can prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions as well as miscarriage care. The justices heard oral arguments in the case in March.

A majority of the nine justices deciding to roll back the prescribing guidelines to what was in place eight years ago would mean that doctors can no longer prescribe the two pharmaceuticals via telehealth and patients would no longer be able to receive them in the mail.

Schumer said during Tuesdays press conference that restricting abortion access is cruel and has led to chaos for patients and doctors.

The post U.S. Senate Dems tie state abortion bans to fewer beginning physicians appeared first on Michigan Advance.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A University at Buffalo student was arraigned Wednesday morning after allegedly making a threatening post on social media toward participants in a Jewish Student Union demonstration, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced.

Officials said on the afternoon of May 6, 18-year-old Abdul Badjie of Newburgh, New York allegedly made a threatening post on social media in connection with the demonstration held at UBs North campus. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Badjie is scheduled to return to court in July. He was released on his own recognizance provided he stays off of UB property unless allowed access by the University.

He faces a maximum of 4 years in prison.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
University of California officials are seeking a court order to end immediately a strike by academic workers that is underway at UC Santa Cruz and could spread to others campuses in the system.

The request for injunctive relief was filed Tuesday afternoon with the California Public Employment Relations Board, which oversees labor-management interaction for public employees in the state.

The 2-day-old strike was launched by United Auto Workers 4811, which represents 48,000 graduate student teaching assistants, tutors, researchers and other academic workers at the 10 UC campuses and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

"Allowing the strike to continue will cause the University and its students irreparable harm  UAW members play a critical role in year-end activities like teaching, grading, and ongoing time-sensitive research," a university statement released Tuesday said.

The academic workers contend that their free speech rights were violated when system leaders called on police to forcibly remove pro-Palestinian encampments at several campuses and activists at UCLA were not protected from a mob attack for hours. Police later moved in to dismantle the UCLA encampment, making about 200 arrests, including some members of the striking union.

Read more: Divestment from Israel roils universities. Would it work? Some are dubious

Demands of union leaders include the protection of free speech on campus, an amnesty for all academic employees, students, student groups, faculty and staff who face disciplinary action or arrest due to participation in protests, and divestment by the university from "weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and companies profiting from Israels war on Gaza."

University officials assert that the strike is unlawful because the goal is "to pressure the University to concede to a list of politically motivated demands closely linked to the protests occurring across California and the nation."

The request for injunctive relief "asks PERB to issue a court order to effectively end the strike," said Heather Hansen, a spokesperson for the UC office of the president.

UC officials said that they support free speech but that union negotiations "must be tied to terms and conditions of employment and terms in the collective bargaining agreement." The university also cited no-strikes provisions in the current contract.

Union President Rafael Jaime said the university's latest action was disappointing but not surprising.

The union contends that the strike is legal under rules that permit walkouts in response to unfair labor practices. Each side has submitted charges with PERB accusing the other of violating labor rules. The request for an injunction, however, will trigger an expedited process.

Read more: UC academic workers' strike begins as pro-Palestinian activism enters new phase

"UAW will be given an opportunity to file its opposition papers no later than tomorrow morning  likely before noon," said J. Felix De La Torre, general counsel for the employment board, referring to a Wednesday deadline. "The Board will then deliberate and likely issue its decision by Thursday."

The union on Tuesday accused the university of improperly refusing to negotiate.

We are open to sitting down with UC to resolve these Unfair Labor Practices, Jaime said. In addition to demanding an amnesty, the union is calling for talks "over the numerous workplace changes and policy changes the University made as part of its crackdown on political speech on campus."

The union on Tuesday also called attention to disciplinary guidelines affirmed May 16 by the governing Board of Regents.

Under these rules, "any member of the university community who is arrested for unlawful behavior or cited for a violation of university policy must go through the applicable review process, such as student code of conduct or employee disciplinary process."

The union characterized this step as an additional unfair labor practice, for which it would file a complaint Tuesday: "This new policy was not negotiated with the union. ... UC is taking the law into its own hands to crush freedom of speech on University campuses."

The university in turn insisted that these rules are not new.

Unless UC takes a different course, the union warned, its leaders would announce an expansion of the strike to other campuses "no later than Friday.

Some activists and union members have been calling for an immediate escalation.

"The real power of our strike lies in our ability to bring the university to a grinding stop  only by completely disrupting the university's operations can we win," one UCLA-based group posted on social media, calling for a sick-out on Wednesday and Thursday.

Read more: 'Maximize chaos.' UC academic workers authorize strike, alleging rights violated during protests

On Tuesday, hundreds of striking academic workers continued to walk picket lines at UC Santa Cruz joined by pro-Palestinian demonstrators who moved their encampment close by, relocating tents and sleeping bags to the university entrance along High Street.

The Santa Cruz job action, which had been announced Friday, is the first in a potential series of rolling strikes across the UC system.

Striking academic workers picket at UC Santa Cruz on Monday. (Jessica Garrison / Los Angeles Times)

The strike comes as a wave of encampments sweeps across colleges and universities. Demonstrators have at times occupied college buildings while calling for an end to Israel's military attacks in Gaza.

In California, some of those encampments have been cleared with a significant police presence. At UC Irvine, law enforcement agencies from across Orange County wearing riot gear dismantled a camp and arrested 47 protesters. Police also were called to take down encampments at UC San Diego, Cal Poly Humboldt and USC.

Read more: Photos: Tensions grow as pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses continue

Demonstrators at UC Riverside and UC Berkeley reached agreements with university officials to take down the camps without police interaction.

Students at UC Davis have managed to keep their encampment up for nearly two weeks without any clashes with the university.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The police chief for the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department has been temporarily reassigned weeks after violence erupted at a pro-Palestine encampment on the campus.

John Thomas has been reassigned temporarily, pending an examination of our security processes, Mary Osako, vice chancellor for strategic communications, said in a statement Wednesday without elaborating.

It is unclear what Thomas was reassigned to and if he is still working within the police department. The university did not provide a timeline of how long Thomas will be reassigned and whether it will be permanent.

On April 30, law enforcement stood by for hours as counterprotesters attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA, CNN previously reported. A criminal investigation is underway, and the University of California president ordered an independent external review of UCLAs actions.

The university named Capt. Gawin Gibson as acting chief of police on Tuesday, Osako said.

CNN has reached out to the UCLA Police Department for comment.

Thomas was appointed chief of police earlier this year after previously serving as interim chief since late 2022, according to a post on the police departments website announcing the appointment.

Earlier this month, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block announced changes to the schools security operations and the university created the Office of Campus Safety.

It is clear that UCLA needs a unit and leader whose sole responsibility is campus safety to guide us through tense times, Block said at the time. This organizational structure, which elevates our safety and emergency management operations, has proven to be an effective one at other major universities across the country.

Block is expected to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Thursday about antisemitism on the UCLA campus.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Drug users are dying every day in San Francisco. Despite a year-long crackdown from law enforcement against street drug dealers, fentanyl suppliers, and users who consume illicit narcotics openly in public, the death toll has not significantly dropped.

Between January-April of 2024, 258 people died from accidental drug overdoses, according to the San Francisco Chief Medical Examiners Office. Between January-April of 2023, 275 people died from overdoses.

The University of California San Francisco launched a first-of-its-kind study to find out why overdoses are so rampant. The unique study focused on the users themselves and how they consume fentanyl. The synthetic opioid is cheap, highly addictive, and lethal in tiny amounts. When the city reached an all-time record of 806 deaths in 2023, 653 deaths were from fentanyl.

Researchers hit the streets to observe and talk to dozens of drug users. One factor stood out: The majority of users chose to smoke their drug of choice, instead of inject it, and they were sharing pipes.

The shift was driven by difficulty injecting and fear of overdose, researchers wrote.

Researchers wrote, Now that smoking has replaced injecting as the most common way to consume fentanyl, UCSF researchers have uncovered an increased risk of fatal overdose from the residue that accumulates in smoking equipment. The researchers found that people both shared fentanyl resin and consumed it accidentally. This may be increasing the risk of overdose, especially among those who use the equipment to smoke other drugs, like methamphetamine, and have not developed tolerance to opioids like fentanyl.

The research study, published Wednesday, is the first to explore fentanyl resin as a key contributor to overdose.

The risk of overdose when sharing smoking devices with fentanyl resin could be seen as analogous to the risk of shared injection paraphernalia and HIV transmission, said Daniel Ciccarone, professor of Addiction Medicine at UC San Francisco in the Department of Family & Community Medicine. Harm reduction-based and culturally attuned education campaigns need to be rapidly advanced to address this new risk.

To conduct the study, researchers observed drug users on the streets and conducted face-to-face interviews with 34 participants.

Murder charges filed after San Mateo woman dies from fentanyl overdose

The researchers observed that fentanyl was extremely cheap, as low as $10 a gram; and most people used foil to smoke it, although glass bubbles, bongs, and dabbing devices also were popular. The quality of the fentanyl varied, and people had no apparent method to determine it. Several participants reported frequent use. Smoking was also more social, and people shared equipment, drugs, and information.

While conducting fieldwork, researchers saw a random person try to borrow a glass pipe from a participant. The participant vehemently refused. The participant explained that the pipe had been used for fentanyl and did not want to share it with someone who only used methamphetamine and had zero tolerance to fentanyl.

While some participants took precautions to prevent others from using their smoking equipment and overdosing on the residues, San Franciscos social smoking culture still increases fatality risks, particularly given high consumption rates, UCSF researchers said.

This highlights the need for data that can inform harm reduction education, Ciccarone said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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UK defense secretary: Intelligence has evidence of Chinese lethal aid to Russia, world needs to 'wake up'

Editor's note: The article initially quoted a report by the Press Association, which cited Shapps as saying, "lethal aid is now flying from China to Russia." Reuters cited Shapps as saying, "lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia."

The U.S. and U.K. have evidence that China is supplying or about to supply lethal aid to Russia, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on May 22, Reuters reported.

Speaking at the London Defense Conference, Shapps said he was declassifying new intelligence to reveal the "quite significant" development and called on the world to "wake up" to the threat it poses.

China officially declares itself a neutral party to Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine and has denied providing lethal aid, but Beijing and Moscow continue to develop closer ties, most recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting his counterpart last week.

U.S. officials have previously warned China against providing Russia with lethal military aid and urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war, though Shapps latest comments suggest those warnings are going unheeded.

U.S. and British defense intelligence can now reveal that "lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine," Shapps said in comments reported by Reuters.

"That recent visit we saw, the 64% increase in trade that we've seen between the two countries, reveals that there is actually a much deeper relationship there," Shapps said, as reported by Press Association.

Shapps did not elaborate on the specifics of the lethal aid he was referring to. He said it was up to democratic states to make a "full-throated case" for a Western values-based international order which requires "more allies and partners" worldwide.

"It's time for the world to wake up. And that means translating this moment to concrete plans and capabilities. And that starts with laying the foundations for an alliance-wide increase in spending on our collective deterrent," he said.

China has insisted that it has not supported either Ukraine or Russia with weapons throughout the full-scale war.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Western criticism in a press conference last month, claiming the partnership between Beijing and Moscow constituted "normal cooperation."

"China will not accept the accusations and pressuring," Mao said.

Read also: Wests stance on Ukraine war completely nonsensical, says UK defense secretary

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Since Vladimir Putin's invasion, the UK has provided more than 4,000 drones to Ukraine - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu/Getty

British drones donated to Ukraine have destroyed 1 billion-worth of Russian hardware, the Defence Secretary has revealed.

Grant Shapps told a delegation of Ukrainian ministers that since Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has provided more than 4,000 drones to the country.

Speaking at the Ukrainian Drone Defence Forum in London on Monday, Mr Shapps said: Our Ukrainian partners conservatively estimate that UK drones have destroyed over 1 billion-worth of Russian hardware.

The drones given to Ukraine, of which there are more than 30 different types, have cost the UK up to 500 million. Over the next year the UK will spend a further 325 million on drones for Ukraine.

Grant Shapps said UK surveillance drones had overcome 'highly capable' Russian air-defence systems - Jeff Gilbert Photography

Our co-operation has had an outstanding impact on the battlefield, Mr Shapps added.

It comes after the Ministry of Defence revealed it had created a radio-wave weapon which can destroy swarms of drones in one shot.

The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon beams disruptive radio waves at vehicles and drones in order to fry the electronics inside and costs 10p a shot.

James Cartlidge, minister for defence procurement, said the radio-wave weapon showed the UK was a world leader on innovative military kit.

It is understood that when the UK was developing drones for Ukraine, it rapidly learnt that there were very few capable of operating in the electronic warfare environment, leading to the UK narrowing down the types of drones it made. The Telegraph understands the British militarys focus is creating drones that can withstand electronic warfare.

Mr Shapps told the Ukrainian delegation that UK surveillance drones had overcome highly capable Russian air-defence systems in Crimea, as he cited how UK medium lift drones  which are capable of transporting medium sized loads of cargo, such as food, with a lift capacity of up to 55Ib had re-supplied Ukrainian forces over the Dnipro River with generators, food, water, and ammunition.

He also referenced the UK drones which guided Ukrainian artillery and missiles onto Russian targets and one-way UK attack drones which had all succeeded in making their mark.

It comes as Mr Shapps will call for Nato to wake up and increase defence spending at the London Defence Conference on Wednesday.

Mr Shapps will pledge that when goes to the Washington Nato Summit this summer he will reiterate his calls for 2.5 per cent of GDP to be spent on defence as the new Nato baseline.

Last month Rishi Sunak pledged to increase Britains defence budget to 2.5 per cent of national wealth by 2030.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has been urged by Geoff Hoon, Tony Blairs defence secretary, to commit to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, as he said hitting the benchmark was vitally important for this country and indeed for Nato and the European continent.

Labour has committed to 2.5 per cent but without a timeframe.

A party source told The Telegraph: We will set out a credible plan to get to 2.5 per cent as part of our Defence Review, if we win the general election. This is when we can open the books and have the information we need to properly assess the threats we face and capabilities needed.

Mr Shapps will tell the defence conference: I will make the case for Nato to bring all those who benefit from the alliances umbrella of protection into the organisation.

Some European countries effectively benefit from Nato coverage  they enjoy the benefits of freedom and liberty and yet fail to sign up to the continents collective deterrence.

Yet when the wolf is at the backdoor of European security there should be no place for neutrality.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Singapore for the Shangri-La Security Conference next week, Mr Shapps will say he has a clear message for the Indo-Pacific.

If our partners in the Indo-Pacific choose to overlook illegal invasions in Europe it has consequences for international security everywhere, he will say.

Including in the Indo-Pacific where territorial disputes dot the region.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies has reported that most states in South and south-east Asia have hedged their positions and are wary of criticising Moscow, with a level of sympathy existing for Russias position.

After Putin visited Beijing earlier this month, Mr Shapps warned that the deepening Russia-China ties were a direct threat to democracy.

Speaking at the conference on Wednesday Mr Shapps will add: My message will be simple, help us to help yourselves.

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UK lawmaker who lost four limbs to sepsis returns to Parliament

British lawmaker Craig Mackinlay has received a standing ovation in Parliament as he returned to the House of Commons after undergoing a quadruple amputation following a sepsis infection.

Mackinlay, who is a member of parliament for the governing Conservative party, representing South Thanet in southeast England, fell ill on September 28, 2023.

He told the BBC that he started to feel ill and turned a very strange blue within about 30 minutes.

Mackinlay pictured on his return to work on Wednesday. - Jordan Pettitt/PA

My whole body, top to bottom, ears, everything, blue, he said in an interview released Wednesday, describing the symptoms of septic shock.

Sepsis is the bodys extreme response to an infection. It can be spurred by any type of infection, even a minor one, and occurs when germs enter a persons body and multiply, causing illness and organ and tissue damage. The life-threatening condition requires urgent medical care to prevent organ damage and death.

Mackinlay is applauded by other members of parliament on Wednesday. - House of Commons/UK Parliament/AP

In some cases, sepsis or the infections leading up to it are not properly identified because they can come with a wide range of symptoms such as confusion or disorientation, shortness of breath, high heart rate, fever, shivering or feeling very cold, extreme pain or discomfort, and clammy or sweaty skin, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mackinlay was put into an induced coma with multiple organ failures, and told UK media outlet GB News that there is a period of around three weeks where he cant remember what happened.

When he woke up, he found that his hands and feet had turned black.

Mackinlay in hospital following his operation - Katalin Mackinlay

I could see these things were probably lost, he said.

On November 30, Mackinlay recorded a video from his hospital bed in which he showed the damage to his limbs.

its caused the complete death of my hands and also my feet, he said, describing them as gnarled, dry, dessicated and revealing that he was due to undergo a quadruple amputation the next day.

Mackinlay, pictured in 2019 before his illness - Victoria Jones/PA

The reality is I probably shouldnt have survived this far, said Mackinlay.

The grim reaper let me survive, but hes taken his payment in four of my limbs, he adds.

Mackinlays wife, Kati Mackinlay, told GB News that doctors told her he had only a 5% chance of survival, but she remained hopeful.

Mackinlay speaks in Parliament in January 2023. - Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Reuters

I never said goodbye, I never thought thats it for Craig, she said.

I always knew that Craig would pull through and he did.

The operation, in which his arms were amputated from the elbow and his legs from the knee, took around 4-5 hours, Mackinlay told GB News. He then went through a rehabilitation process to learn how to live with prosthetic arms and legs.

He has also some scarring to his face and ears due to a lack of blood supply, he added.

Nonetheless, Mackinlay is eager to get back to work.

Get back into the saddle, get back into Parliament, get back doing the things I enjoy, he told GB News.

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Balazs Weingartner (Rear), chairman of the Hungarian Mobility Development Agency, speaks during a signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday.

This collaboration aims to accelerate the green transformation of the automotive and energy sectors in both China and Hungary. The partners plan to develop new cutting-edge technologies.

"Today we witness a new agreement between a successful Chinese company and a Hungarian university," Marton Nagy, minister for national economy said at the event where the educational and innovation cooperation agreement was signed.

Nagy emphasized the significance of this collaboration for the Hungarian economy, highlighting Hungary's goal to become a meeting point for Eastern and Western capital and high-tech.

"This signifies a research and development system that significantly contributes to the multiplier effect of Chinese investment on Hungarian GDP," the minister said.

He stressed the need for a strong and competitive European car manufacturing industry to boost performance and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and the green transition.

"EVs represent Europe's future, with innovative solutions and international cooperation playing a crucial role," he said.

The cooperation agreement includes developing and implementing integrated photovoltaic (PV) storage-charging technology, creating a seamless energy ecosystem with interaction services between stations and the grid (S2G), optimizing the use of EV batteries for energy storage to support the grid during peak times (V2G), and advancing battery management and diagnostics to extend the life and performance of EV batteries.

Gong Tao, Chinese ambassador to Hungary, said at the event that the fight against climate change is a global challenge. As such, the automotive industry faces significant changes.

"China has made special efforts and achieved significant results in developing the green transition. Chinese companies contribute to the sustainable development of the global economy through research and solutions, including Chinese new energy vehicle companies established in Hungary, such as NIO," he said.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Szechenyi Istvan University Foundation. This partnership not only strengthens our commitment to the European market but also paves the way for significant advancements in sustainable energy and mobility," Zhang Hui, NIO Group vice president said.

By inspiring innovation and fostering educational opportunities, the China-Hungary collaboration will drive the transformation of the automotive industry from within Europe, to benefit Europe and beyond, he added.

NIO will support training programs at the university's innovation park with essential materials and facilities, including power charging and swapping stations. In addition, the partnership will explore synergies in performance engineering, vehicle safety, and the development of innovative BEV technologies, NIO said in a press statement released following the event.

"We continuously explore the market to identify new responsibilities, factories, technologies, and innovative ideas in the E-mobility sector. We recognized that NIO offers advanced technology with their rechargeable systems, PV storage, and vehicle-to-grid solutions," Balazs Weingartner, chairman of the Hungarian Mobility Development Agency told Xinhua.

"We aim to determine how this technology can be implemented in Hungary and explore the possibility of establishing new recharge stations for NIO. Additionally, we seek to improve vehicle-to-grid and SE-to-grid technologies together," Weingartner noted. 

Zhang Hui (Rear), NIO Group vice president, speaks during a signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Representatives of China's NIO Group and Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation sign an agreement in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Balazs Weingartner, chairman of the Hungarian Mobility Development Agency, speaks during a signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Gong Tao (Rear), Chinese ambassador to Hungary, speaks during a signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Marton Nagy, Hungarian minister for national economy, attends a signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on May 21, 2024. China's NIO, a leading global smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced a strategic partnership with Hungary's Istvan Szechenyi University Foundation here on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election for July 4 in a statement outside Downing Street on Wednesday evening, as his Conservative Party faces an uphill struggle to extend its 14 years in power.

Sunak said outside Downing Street that he had informed King Charles III of the rare summer poll, firing the starting gun on a six-week campaign that is almost universally expected to conclude in the demise of his Conservative government.

Soaked by a downpour as he spoke, Sunak said: Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. He also attacked his opponents, saying that by voting for the Labour Party, Britain would risk going back to square one. But he admitted: I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right.

Sunak was required to hold a vote by January 2025, and had long resisted calls to be specific about his plans. But a fall in inflation rates, announced earlier Wednesday, provided the backdrop for his announcement.

The move will be welcomed by the buoyant Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, which is soaring in the opinion polls and has sought to present itself as a reformed and moderate group that is ready for power.

In the wake of the announcement, Buckingham Palace said the British royal family would postpone engagements which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign. The King and Queens D-Day memorial engagements in June are expected to go ahead as scheduled.

In his speech, Sunak sought to paint external factors such as Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine as the context to Britains economic struggles, saying the two factors combined represented the most challenging times since the Second World War.

But he battled heavy rain that soaked his suit in just minutes, and he was almost drowned out by a loudspeaker outside the Downing Street gates, through which a protester blared D:Reams Things Can Only Get Better, the theme song of Labours big election win in 1997.

Starmer was quick to respond to Sunaks announcement. Speaking at an indoor news conference, the opposition leader said: Tonight the prime minister has finally announced the next general election.

He framed the vote as a chance to change for the better  your future, your community, your country.

It will feel like a long campaign, Im sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about, he said.

Current polling is dire for Sunak; Labour begins the campaign around 20 points up on average, with the Tories often closer to third-party challengers such as Reform and the Liberal Democrats than they are to Labour.

When converted to a projection of seats in parliament, those figures indicate either a comfortable Labour win or a potential electoral wipeout for the Conservatives.

Sunak will hope that a shrewd campaign could result in a spectacular upset for Labour and extend a period of Tory rule which began in 2010 and has overseen austerity economics, Brexit, the Covid pandemic and a cost of living crisis.

Sunak walks back inside on Wednesday after announcing the July 4 date for the election. - Carl Court/Getty Images

He is the fifth Tory leader to serve during that time, taking over from the ill-fated Liz Truss, whose disastrous term imploded just six weeks after it began and exacerbated the financial woes crippling the United Kingdom.

Sunaks party will likely put his efforts to tackle illegal migration at the center of his campaign; a recent move to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda finally became law last month, and the first flights could potentially leave during the campaign.

But Labour will seek to highlight the governments struggles to ease soaring prices, the state of Britains over-stretched healthcare service, and the sleaze scandals that have tanked the Tories reputation among a large swath of British voters.

Smaller parties could upend the designs of the two dominant groups, even if it is virtually impossible for them to return a government. The new, anti-migration Reform Party and the centrist Liberal Democrats will look to challenge Sunak in some of his partys historical strongholds, complicating his efforts to hold power.

North of the border, the pro-independence Scottish National Party will hope to hold off a Labour challenge and regain its dominance in Scotlands politics despite a rocky period and the recent ascension of its third leader in 15 months.

The Conservatives under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a healthy majority in the last UK-wide vote, in December 2019, pledging to push through Britains exit from the European Union  an issue that had transfixed politics in the country for more than three years.

But Johnsons premiership collapsed after a string of scandals, paving the way for his then-finance minister Sunak to emerge as a frontrunner for the leadership.

Adding to the sense that the Conservatives are nearing the end of their time in power, dozens of Tory MPs  including former cabinet ministers and ex-Prime Minister Theresa May  announced they would not seek re-election.

But recent election and referendum campaigns have proved volatile, and Tories still publicly hopeful of success have pointed to mixed levels of enthusiasm for Labours offering.

The vote will take place on Thursday July 4 in all of the UKs 650 parliamentary constituencies, and counting will occur overnight, with the two main parties seeking to cross the 326 mark needed for a majority.

A government will be formed as soon as that mark is crossed, and take charge immediately, pending the symbolic approval of King Charles III.

This story has been updated.

CNNs Luke McGee and Sophie Tanno contributed reporting

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FILE PHOTO: People demonstrate outside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, after three men were charged with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service in Britain, in London

LONDON (Reuters) - British police are investigating the unexplained death of a man charged earlier this month with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service.

Police said in a statement they were investigating an unexplained death having received a call from a member of the public on Sunday. The man pronounced dead at the scene in Maidenhead, southern England, was named in the statement as 37-year-old Matthew Trickett.

A statement from Trickett's solicitor said he was shocked at his client's death and would be unable to comment further while the investigation was ongoing. In the same statement, the family said they were "mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member".

Trickett, a former Royal Marine with a private security firm, was one of three men granted bail at a May 13 court hearing after being charged with two offences under Britain's National Security Act.

The National Security Act was passed last year and introduced new measures to target threats from foreign states.

The case has fuelled a diplomatic row between Britain and China. Britain's foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador on May 14 to state that espionage and cyber attacks were not acceptable on British soil.

The Chinese Embassy in London accused Britain of fabricating the charges against the men and said it had no right to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Sandra Maler)
A man charged with helping the Hong Kong intelligence service in the UK has been found dead

Police stand next to a black forensic tent in Grenfell Park, Tuesday May 21, 2024, in Maidenhead, England, west of London, where Matthew Trickett was found dead, Sunday, May 19. Trickett, one of three men charged earlier this month with assisting Hong Kong authorities with gathering intelligence in the United Kingdom, died in unexplained circumstances, British police said Tuesday. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  A man accused of assisting Hong Kong authorities gather intelligence in the United Kingdom who was found dead in a park over the weekend had attempted suicide after he was charged, a prosecutor said.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, west of London, on Sunday afternoon, police said. They termed the death unexplained and were investigating.

Trickett, 37, was one of three men charged earlier this month with agreeing to engage in information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist the Hong Kong intelligence service from late 2023 to May 2. Prosecutors also alleged that the men forced entry into a U.K. residential address on May 1.

At a hearing last week, Prosecutor Kashif Malik had asked that Trickett be held in custody for his own welfare because he attempted suicide after he was charged.

The three defendants were bailed and due to appear Friday at Londons Central Criminal Court. No one has entered a plea.

We are mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family member," Trickett's family said in a statement. They asked for privacy.

British media said Trickett was formerly a Royal Marine who recently worked as a Home Office immigration enforcement officer. He was also reportedly the director of a security consultancy.

He was charged along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63. The men appeared at a brief court hearing to confirm their identities on May 13.

Hong Kong authorities have confirmed that Yuen was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

Tricketts lawyer, Julian Hayes, said he was shocked at Tuesdays news. He declined to comment, because investigations were ongoing.

Chinese authorities in the U.K. and Hong Kong have decried the charges, saying they were the latest in a series of groundless and slanderous accusations that the U.K. government has leveled against China.

Hong Kongs government demanded that the U.K. provide full details on the allegations and protect the rights of the office manager of the trade office.

The spying charges came amid simmering tensions between Britain and China. U.K. officials have been increasingly vocal in warning about security threats from Beijing, and recently accused China of being behind a string of cyberespionage operations targeting politicians and Britains election watchdog.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain is facing an increasingly dangerous future because of threats from an axis of authoritarian states, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

In another ongoing court case, two men, including a parliamentary researcher, were recently charged with spying for China. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged with violating the Official Secrets Act by providing information or documents that could be useful to an enemy  China  and prejudicial to the safety or interests of the U.K. between late 2021 and February 2023.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese control as a semi-autonomous territory in 1997.

More than 100,000 Hong Kongers have moved to the U.K. since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law triggered by the huge pro-democracy protests in the city in 2019. Britains government has established a fast-track immigration route for the migrants, many of whom want to settle in the U.K. because of dwindling civil liberties in their home city.

Rights groups have warned that Hong Kongers who have moved to Britain continue to face transnational repression by supporters of the Chinese government.
Ukraine is mounting rockets on its sea drones and is using them to hit land targets, official says

A Ukranian official told the Financial Times the country was mounting rockets onto its naval drones.

The official said they were being used to strike Russian positions in occupied Mykolaiv.

A video shows a sea drone firing several rockets toward Russian targets.

Ukraine has placed rockets onto its feared sea drones and is using them to attack Russian land targets, a Ukrainian official says.

Citing an unnamed Ukrainian intelligence official, the Financial Times' Ukraine correspondent, Christopher Miller, said in a post on X that Sea Baby naval drones were now being mounted with Grad multiple-launch rocket systems.

The official said they'd been used to strike Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit in the occupied Mykolaiv region on Monday.

An unnamed security source seemed to confirm the upgrade and the attack to the Kyiv Independent.

"This technological solution is already showing powerful results," the source told the outlet.

"So new surprises await the enemy," they added.

The Security Service of Ukraine didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

But a video shared by Russian and Ukrainian sources showing a naval drone firing several rockets appears to back up the reports.

According to Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to Ukraine's internal-affairs ministry who shared the footage on X, the video shows an unmanned surface drone "launching missiles" at Russian positions near the Kinburn Spit.

The Ukrainian military website Militarnyi reported that the video showed a Ukrainian unmanned boat mounted with an MLRS firing at least six shells at Russian positions.

BI couldn't independently verify the time or location of the video.

In a post of its own, Ukraine's defense ministry said that Sea Baby drones were equipped with "Grad" rocket launchers and that they had become "even deadlier" for the Russian fleet.

Two sea drones mounted with a rocket launcher in a photo shared by Ukrainian state-affiliated media. X/@U24_gov_ua

Ukraine has frequently deployed its naval drones over the course of the war, outfitting them with larger warheads and using them to devastating effect against Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

Russia said it destroyed six naval drones last week in what might have been Ukraine's biggest drone attack, with targets including the two major Russian naval ports of Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Ukraine said in January it was using sea drones fitted with missiles to attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and it appeared to be using heat-seeking missiles to strike Russian naval assets earlier this month.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine war latest: UK defense secretary says intelligence has evidence of Chinese lethal aid to Russia

Key updates on May 22:

UK defense secretary: Intelligence has evidence of Chinese lethal aid to Russia, world needs to 'wake up'

Sweden plans to allocate $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026

Source: SBU has a new weapon  Grad-equipped Sea Baby drones

Estonian PM Kallas: Russia is conducting 'shadow war' on West

Police: Russian forces shooting civilians in Vovchansk

The U.S. and U.K. have evidence that China is supplying or about to supply lethal aid to Russia, Reuters reported on May 22, citing British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.

Speaking at the London Defense Conference, Shapps said he was declassifying new intelligence to reveal the "quite significant" development and called on the world to "wake up" to the threat it poses.

China officially declares itself a neutral party to Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine and has denied providing lethal aid, but Beijing and Moscow continue to develop closer ties, most recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting his counterpart Xi Jinping last week.

U.S. officials have previously warned China against providing Russia with lethal military aid and urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war. Shapps latest comments suggest those warnings are going unheeded.

U.S. and British defense intelligence now show that "lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine," Shapps said in comments reported by Reuters.

"The 64% increase in trade that we've seen between the two countries reveals that there is actually a much deeper relationship there," Shapps said, as reported by the Press Association.

Shapps did not elaborate on the specifics of the lethal aid he was referring to. He said it was up to democratic states to make a "full-throated case" for a Western values-based international order which requires "more allies and partners" worldwide.

"It's time for the world to wake up. And that means translating this moment to concrete plans and capabilities. And that starts with laying the foundations for an alliance-wide increase in spending on our collective deterrent," he said.

China has insisted that it has not supported either Ukraine or Russia with weapons throughout the full-scale war.

Read also: Wests stance on Ukraine war completely nonsensical, says UK defense secretary

Sweden plans to allocate $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026

The Swedish government has agreed to create a support framework for Ukraine, which would allocate 75 billion Swedish krona ($7 billion) in military support from 2024 to 2026, the Swedish government said on May 22.

With this proposal, Stockholm's civilian and military aid to Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale war will amount to over 100 billion Swedish krona (over $9 billion).

"Ukraine's fight against Russia's war of aggression continues and Sweden will support Ukraine's fight as long as it takes," the joint press release by the country's defense and finance ministries read.

"Sweden will increase the support, as the framework amounts to 75 billion Swedish krona in military support for the years 20242026, which is 25 billion Swedish krona ($2.3 billion) per year," according to the statement.

The framework could cover future equipment donations, financial contributions, and financial support for the procurement of defense equipment.

The Swedish government reached an agreement on the framework with the right-wing Sweden Democrats party, which provides confidence and support to the ruling parties in the parliament.

In an interview with Bloomberg published on May 21, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said that the country is ramping up its capacities to increase aid to Ukraine, but the process could take up to two years.

"Russia has gotten back on its feet faster than the Euro-Atlantic community... I expect we will catch up, but I think it will take a year or two before we see the full effect," the minister said.

Read also: Swedish defense minister: Up to 2 years needed to boost production capacity to arm Ukraine

Source: SBU has a new weapon  Grad-equipped Sea Baby drones

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has revealed the latest update to its highly-effective Sea Baby naval drones which are now capable of launching salvos of Grad rockets, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on May 22.

Naval drones used by the SBU have hit several Russian warships but until now have been used as kamikaze drones that explode on impact or in the near vicinity of a target.

According to the SBU source, the new weapons system has already been in action "against Russian positions on the Kinburn spit," a thin stretch of coastal land near Mykolaiv.

"This technological solution is already showing powerful results," the source said without providing further details of the attack.

"So new surprises await the enemy," they added.

A video posted to YouTube purportedly shows the attack. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the video.

Pictures released by the SBU show the drone in testing launching Grad rockets on land.

"Our Sea Baby is not just a drone, but a multifunctional platform that is constantly being improved," the source added.

The last update came just a few weeks ago when SBU spokesperson Artem Dekhtiarenko said the Sea Baby had been modernized and could now carry almost a ton of explosives to hit a target over 1,000 kilometers away.

"This means that the SBU can reach a target almost anywhere in the Black Sea," he said.

Dekhtiarenko said that in 2022, when the SBU first started to use homegrown sea drones, there had been no alternative to these drones worldwide.

The existing Western drones were large but not maneuverable, could easily be detected by "enemy radar stations," and did not have a warhead, the spokesperson added.

"Today, a drone worth Hr 8.5 million (around $216,000) destroys an enemy warship worth tens of millions of dollars."

Read also: SBU: Ukraines modernized sea drones can carry 1 ton of explosives over 1,000 kilometers away

Estonian PM Kallas: Russia is conducting 'shadow war' on West

Russia is waging a "shadow war" on the West, and there must be a coordinated response, the Associated Press wrote on May 22, citing comments from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Kallas said she was concerned that some other European leaders have not viewed the uptick in incidents of sabotage and arrest of suspected spies across the EU to be interconnected.

The West needs to have a "serious discussion of a coordinated approach" to counter the Russian threat, she said.

"How far do we let them go on our soil?"

There have been several episodes linked to Russian security services in 2024 in Estonia alone, such as Russia's ongoing jamming of GPS signals on commercial flights across the Baltic region.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in April that GPS jamming was "too dangerous to ignore."

Kallas said that she had three requests to her European allies: "the recognition that these are not isolated events, second, that we share information about this amongst ourselves, (and) third, (to) make it as public as we can."

As more of these incidents are uncovered, Russia has been shifting tactics, Kallas said, and is using spies who pose as diplomats "all the time."

Russia's aim is to "sow fear" in Europe and hinder support for Ukraine, she said.

Estonia has been one of the leading military donors to Ukraine in terms of share of GDP since the beginning of the all-out war in 2022. Kallas and other Estonian politicians have also been particularly outspoken about the threat that Russia poses to Europe.

Read also: Largest NATO cyber defense exercise begins in Estonia

Police: Russian forces shooting civilians in Vovchansk

Russian forces in the embattled town of Vovchansk are shooting civilians as they try to escape the fighting, Ukrainian police said on May 22.

Speaking on air to KYIV24, Oleksii Kharkivskyi, the town's police chief, said there had been "several" incidents and investigations were "ongoing."

Around 100 Ukrainian civilians remain in Vovchansk, but Russian forces refuse to allow them to leave and have threatened to shoot them, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on state television on May 21.

Syniehubov said those who remained in Vovchansk would be evacuated at the soonest possible opportunity but that 100 civilians had been effectively "taken hostage" by Russian troops and could not leave.

Kharkivskyi said civilians were trying to flee the fighting by crossing the Vovcha River, which flows through Vovchansk, where Russian forces were firing on them.

The police chief added that this continues to be an escape route, and on May 21, police helped eight people who had managed to make it across.

Syniehubov said on May 20 that more than 10,500 civilians had been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast amid the renewed Russian onslaught.

Deputy Governor Roman Semenukha said on the same day that Ukrainian forces control about 60% of Vovchansk amid continuous Russian assaults.

"The enemy keeps trying, especially inside Vovchansk, to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the town," he added.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirmed on May 15 that Russian units had entered the northern parts of the town.

The town is described by Ukrainian officials as almost destroyed, while Russia keeps attacking Vovchansk and other neighboring settlements, inflicting civilian casualties.

Read also: Russias new Kharkiv offensive pushes Vovchansk to the brink of annihilation

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Mobile fire group. Photo: GEneral Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Russians used 24 Shahed-131/136 drones to attack Ukraine on the night of 21-22 May. Ukraines Air Force has managed to shoot down all the drones.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "As a result of combat efforts, Ukraines Defence Forces managed to down all 24 Shahed drones. The attack drones were destroyed within Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy and Odesa oblasts."

Details: The Air Force reported that the Russians launched the drones from the Russian cities of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk, as well as Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, electronic warfare units, anti-aircraft missile units and fighter aircraft of the Air Force were repelling the attack.

Background:

The Russians struck energy facilities in the settlements of Shostka and Konotop in Sumy Oblast with Shahed drones on the night of 21-22 May.

Ukraines Air Force had warned the public about the Russian Shahed drone attack on the oblast.

The city of Sumy was left without power due to a Russian Shahed drone attack. Authorities reported that public transport was not operating and there was no water supply in the city.

Power was restored in the Sumy, Romny and Okhtyrka districts of Sumy Oblast by morning, while work is still ongoing in two other districts.

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The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained an entrepreneur who was passing information about the location of heavy artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast to the Russians and helped the Russians prepare the capture of Vovchansk.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine; Office of the Prosecutor General

Details: Investigation data indicates that an entrepreneur from the village of Vilkhuvatka, Kupiansk district, helped Russia undermine the oblasts defences. It is reported that his daughter left for Russia at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and had connections with the Russian special services. The man secretly drove around the settlements of Kharkiv Oblast and recorded the location coordinates of Ukrainian troops "at the request" of Russians.

Photo: Security Service of Ukraine

"Most of all, the enemy was interested in the geolocation of heavy artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which keeps assault groups of the invaders trying to capture Vovchansk under fire control."

Also, the perpetrator secretly used his colleagues and acquaintances to obtain the necessary information during everyday conversations. Then, the man dictated the information received in voice messages for Russian intelligence.

In his messages, the perpetrator described in detail the location of the Ukrainian defenders, referring to local landmarks. Russia planned to use the received intelligence to prepare air and missile attacks.

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Law enforcement officers exposed and detained the Russian informant in advance. The Security Service also carried out additional measures to secure the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Based on the evidence obtained, SSU investigators served the man with a notice of suspicion of unauthorised dissemination of information about the location or movement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Now, the suspect has been given a preventive measure in the form of detention without the right to pay bail. He faces up to 8 years in prison.

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China urges U.S. to stop using Taiwan as tool to contain China

Xinhua) 08:08, May 22, 2024

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday urged the United States to earnestly abide by its commitments of not using Taiwan as a tool to contain China, and stop hollowing out the one-China principle.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a query about U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's "congratulations" to Taiwan region's new leader.

What the United States has done seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and breaches its political commitment to maintaining only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the Taiwan region. This sends a seriously wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China deplores and opposes it, and has made serious representations to the United States, Wang said.

There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, he stressed.

"China firmly opposes official interaction in any form between Taiwan and the United States and opposes U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs in any form or under any pretext," the spokesperson said.

China urges the United States to correct its wrongdoing at once, act on President Joe Biden's commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and not using Taiwan as a tool to contain China, stop fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, stop emboldening and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in any form and stop disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Wang said.

"Taiwan independence" leads nowhere and anyone who connives at and supports "Taiwan independence" is doomed to failure. No external interference can hold back the trend toward China's reunification. Any attempt to challenge the one-China principle and endanger China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with China's resolute response, he added.

Recently, Taiwan's "foreign affairs department" issued a statement, protesting the mainland's condemnation over the Taiwan authorities' bribery of Guatemalan leaders and officials in exchange for political support.

In response to a related query, Wang said the facts and evidence on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' "dollar diplomacy" with Guatemala are clear and solid.

Guatemala's former president openly admitted that he had received bribery from the Taiwan authorities in exchange for maintaining so-called "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan, he said, adding that last year, Taiwan's hospital project in Guatemala was involved in a corruption case. Relevant Guatemalan officials were put into jail.

"This is just one example of the Taiwan authorities' 'dollar diplomacy.' No matter how angrily they protest or try to deny it, the fact that they sought political support through 'dollar diplomacy' will not change," Wang noted.

Around the world, 183 countries have established diplomatic ties with China. That proves the DPP authorities' reckless pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and secession to be futile and self-deceptive. Whatever the DPP authorities do, it will not shake the one-China principle, and will not hinder the unstoppable trend toward China's reunification, Wang said.

"We hope that Guatemala and the very few other countries will come to recognize where the trend leads and make the right decision soon," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
On May 22, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov participated in the ceremony dedicated to an official commemoration in Tehran regarding the tragic deaths of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Huseyn Amir Abdullahiyan, and other accompanying persons in a helicopter crash.

Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers, that Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with the First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, and expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of the President, government, and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

It was reported that the great statesman, prominent politician Seyyid Ibrahim Raisi devoted his whole life to serving his country with selflessness and loyalty.

The Azerbaijani delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, as well as members of the Milli Majlis working group on Azerbaijan-Iran inter-parliamentary relations Aziz Alakbarov, Javanshir Pashazade, Jabi Guliyev, and other officials.
JERUSALEM, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday he has instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of the countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Katz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Israel has launched a large-scale military offensive in Gaza in response to a deadly surprise attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

At least 35,647 Palestinians have been killed and 79,852 others injured since the ongoing massive Israeli aggression on Gaza started, according to figures released by Gaza's health authorities on Tuesday.

Katz said the "distorted step" by Ireland and Norway is an injustice to the memory of the Oct. 7 victims and a blow to the efforts to return the 128 hostages, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel's right to self-defense.

"Israel will not remain silent and there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it," he said, stressing that Israel is determined to achieve the goals -- restoring security to its citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced later on Wednesday that the country will recognize Palestinian statehood. 
Ukrainian authorities initially say Russian attack killed police officer in Vovchansk, later delete this report

Russian forces have attacked a police car evacuating residents of the city of Vovchansk (Kharkiv Oblast) with a First-Person View (FPV) drone, killing a police officer and injuring another.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Telegram

Quote: "An enemy FPV drone hit the roof of a police car in Vovchansk around 11:00 on 22 May. At that time, the officers were carrying out evacuation activities. A police officer, 41, has been killed. A policeman, 27, has been injured."

Details: The prosecutor's office launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident under Article 438.2 (violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Update: However, after some time, the message disappeared from the prosecutor's office page. Ukrainska Pravda reached out for comment to the authority.

Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesperson for the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, stated that the announcement was deleted because an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is still ongoing.

"We initially received such information. Then there were a number of clarifications. It was deleted because the investigation into the circumstances of the incident is still ongoing," Chubenko said.

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Ukrainian and Russian forces have clashed 116 times across the war zone over the past 24 hours, with the Pokrovsk front (Donetsk Oblast) being the hottest spot, where 42 combat engagements took place. A total of 13 combat engagements took place on the Kharkiv front, where Ukrainian forces mounted two attacks on the Russians.

Source: Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "A total of 116 combat engagements have taken place across the front of the Russo-Ukrainian war over the past 24 hours. Comparatively speaking, this is 50 less than a week ago."

Details: Lykhovii noted that Russian troops were continuing their assault operations on the Kharkiv front. A total of 13 combat engagements occurred there over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces mounted two attacks on the Russians.

In particular, the fighting raged near the settlements of Slobozhanske, Lyptsi, Vovchansk and Starytsia.

The Russians have lost over 220 personnel (64 killed in action) and 32 pieces of weapons and military equipment in the north of Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces destroyed one tank, one armoured combat vehicle, four howitzers and mortars, nine strategic and tactical UAVs and six units of vehicles belonging to the Russians.

Lykhovii further said that the Pokrovsk front was the most intense in terms of combat activity. Ukrainian forces repelled 42 Russian attacks near the settlements of Sievierne, Umanske, Kalynove, Netailove, Yasnobrodivka, Novoselivka Persha, Novooleksandrivka, Prohres and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by aircraft, attempted to force Ukrainian defenders out of their positions.

On this front, Russian forces have lost a total of more than 320 personnel (118 killed in action) and 20 pieces of weapons and military equipment.

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Artem Lysohor, the Head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, has reported that the situation in the settlement of Bilohorivka is escalating, as the Russians are conducting "cannon fodder assaults" supported by heavy artillery yet the Armed Forces of Ukraine still control the settlement despite the claims by the Ministry of Defence of Russia.

Source: Lysohor on air of the Radio Liberty (Svoboda.Ranok project)

Quote: "The situation is escalating near Bilohorivka but it is controlled by our Armed Forces. The enemy indeed tried to attack the Terny front with [armoured vehicles] convoys and by conducting the so-called cannon fodder assaults supported by heavy artillery. They have been trying to assault Bilohorivka for more than two days. But our guys hold the defence there, launching successful strikes on the aggressor and performing their missions."

Details: Lysohor reported that the situation near the Kreminna Forestry and the settlements of Terny and Nevske on the border of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts is also complicated.

Background:

On 19 May, Lysohor reported that the Russians had launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian logistics routes and every liberated village in Luhansk Oblast.

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Ukrainian servicemen load shells in an M109 self-propelled howitzer before firing towards Russian troops near the town of Vovchansk

By Inna Varenytsia

NEAR VOVCHANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian servicemen operating a howitzer in Kharkiv region near the Russian border work around the clock to stop an incursion by Moscow's troops, and they are finally getting the shells to do it.

Ukraine's defenders were hamstrung for months by shortages of artillery shells and other weapons as U.S. Congress held up billions of dollars worth of military aid. As the lawmakers in Washington argued, Russia's forces pressed their advantage on the frontlines, pushing forward on the eastern front.

With a $61 billion aid package belatedly approved by Congress last month, Ukraine's gunners say the crippling shortages are starting to ease.

Those in the northern districts of Kharkiv region say the fighting is more intense than their previous assignment in Bakhmut, the town in eastern Ukraine seized by Russia last year and reduced to rubble by months of fighting.

"It's 24/7, their infantry keeps coming, we keep fighting their attacks. At least we are trying to. Whenever possible, we take them down," said Pavlo, a gunner of Ukraine's 92nd Separate Assault brigade operating a howitzer.

"We were positioned in the Bakhmut area before, now we have been transferred here. It's much 'hotter' here. We didn't have shells there. Here, at least we have shells, they started delivering them. We have something to work with, to fight."

Russian forces pushed across the border earlier this month and say they have captured about a dozen villages.

The town of Vovchansk, 5 km (three miles) inside the border, remains the focal point of the incursion. Ukrainian forces control about 60 % of the town and are fighting house-to-house to fend off Russian attacks.

The stakes are high - capturing Vovchansk would be Russia's most significant gain since launching the assault. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, lies 70 km away.

"We see them walking down the road, 5 km away all the way from Shebekino," said Vitalii, commander of the brigade's artillery unit, referring to a town on the Russian side of the border.

"We see them walking on foot to their positions. As they move, we of course try to hit them , to inflict maximum casualties."

Officers pore over drone footage of Vovchansk, with smoke rising over different districts, to assess the situation below. Monitors are checked, calculations made.

Two men are tasked with ensuring the howitzer is well camouflaged - with tree boughs.

Vitalii is confident that the shells will keep coming as everyone is aware of the importance of holding their line.

"Yes, we will be getting ammunition because we are up against a large and serious enemy group," he said.

"If we can demonstrate now that we are able in such an extreme situation to stop the enemy's big scale assault on Kharkiv and Kharkiv region, the enemy will not dare to think of attacking Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy or Poltava region."

(Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Stephen Coates)
UN food agency looks for $400 million to feed millions in southern Africa

FILE PHOTO: Cracks are seen in the dried up municipal dam in drought-stricken Graaff-Reinet,

By Nyasha Chingono

HARARE (Reuters) - The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) needs $400 million to feed millions of people in Southern Africa following a drought that plunged parts of the region into hunger, the programme said on Wednesday.

The WFP told Reuters it needed urgent funding for six months to support drought relief in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, after harvests fell as a result of an El Nino-induced drought that has affected 4.8 million people.

El Nino, a weather phenomenon that disrupts wind patterns and warms the temperature in parts of the Pacific Ocean, can impact crop yields by reducing rain levels.

"It's fair to say this will probably be the biggest El Nino response we have ever done in Southern Africa," WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri told Reuters.

About 70% of the Southern African population that relies on rain-fed agriculture had their harvests "wiped out" by lack of rains, Phiri added.

Phiri said the WFP, which also provides cash payouts for hungry communities, is looking to buy grain from outside markets.

In August last year WFP spent $14 million to support communities in Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Phiri said.

Successive droughts in the region have caused dwindling grain stocks, forcing affected countries like Zimbabwe to obtain grain abroad.

A group of private millers in Zimbabwe are planning to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of maize from Brazil, Argentina and other countries to help address hunger.

In Zimbabwe Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the government will receive a $32 million insurance payout for drought relief from the African Union Climate Agency.

Ncube said part of the funding will be used as cash transfers for vulnerable communities with some going to humanitarian agencies to provide support for procuring food.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Tannur Anders, William Maclean)
Nepali mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa waves towards the media personnel upon his arrival after climbing Mount Qomolangma for a 24th time in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)

KATHMANDU, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Renowned Nepali mountaineering guide Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the world's highest peak, Mount Qomolangma, for a record 30th time on Wednesday morning, breaking his own record set just days ago.

The 54-year-old Sherpa was guiding foreign climbers when he summitted the 8,848.86-meter-high peak at 7:49 a.m. local time for the second time in one climbing season. He had reached the summit previously on May 12.

"Kami Rita Sherpa broke his own record at 7:49 a.m., being at the top of the world for the 30th time," Khim Lal Gautam, field office chief of Nepal's Department of Tourism, told Xinhua from the base camp.

"His team is descending toward the base camp," added Gautam.

Kami first conquered Mount Qomolangma, situated on the border of Nepal and China, in May 1994. He scaled it for the 27th and 28th times within one week in May 2023.

Gautam noted that by Wednesday morning, over 500 climbers, including Sherpa guides, had summitted Mount Qomolangma this season. 
The closest thing to utopia the world has ever seen might have existed in a Maryland barn for a couple of years during the late 1960s: a complex built for rodents as part of a science experiment.

The study had an interesting premise and shocking results  a failed society that pushed itself into extinction. Almost immediately, scientists and laypeople alike began suggesting it could be apocalyptic prediction of the future of humanity. In other words, it was almost tailor-made for internet virality.

Snopes readers have written many emails over the last few years asking us about the notorious rodent utopia experiment, sometimes called "Universe 25."

The Background

Before explaining the experiment, it's important to understand why it was performed. While environmentalism as a political theory had been around in bits and pieces since the early days of the Industrial Revolution, it was not until just after World War II that people truly began to politically organize around the environment.

One of the largest fears at the time was overpopulation  sometimes called Malthusianism after an 18th-century demographer, Thomas Malthus, who proposed that population would eventually grow faster than food production, meaning that, eventually, humanity would be unable to feed everyone. Many early environmentalists proposed similar ideas.

In the 1950s, an animal behaviorist named John Calhoun started working at the National Institute of Mental Health. He had long worked with rats, the subject of his Ph.D. thesis, and was interested in studying how a rat society would develop over time when it was limited only by space. In other words, he wanted to test the effects of overpopulation.

In order to run his experiment, Calhoun designed complexes, which he named "Universes," that would provide his rodent subjects all they needed to survive  food, water and protection from predators and disease. The only thing that would limit the population growth would be space.

As he watched the rodent societies grow, he began noticing strange trends:

Pregnant females began having problems raising offspring. Dominant males became incredibly territorial and overactive, while subordinate males increasingly withdrew from the larger group, coming out "to eat, drink and move about only when other members of the community were asleep." Rats became so conditioned to eating with others that they would refuse to eat alone. Some males became hypersexual and attempted to mate with anyone and everyone. Fighting was frequent. Rats began cannibalizing other rats. At one point, the infant mortality rate reached an astonishing 96%.

As one of Calhoun's assistants put it, "utopia" had turned into a "hell."

The Experiments

Calhoun published the results of his early experiments in the February 1962 edition of Scientific American, with the title "Population Density and Social Pathology," coining the term "behavioral sink" to describe the most-crowded spots, where he observed the highest rate of antisocial behavior. In the 1960s, at the height of political discourse about so-called "social decay" in American cities, the study was a natural discussion topic. In the meantime, Calhoun continued his work.

And now we arrive the 25th version of this study Calhoun ran, and the one he would become most well-known for: Universe 25. It was the only one of Calhoun's habitats fully studied from beginning to end. Universe 25 was populated with mice instead of rats, but most everything else remained the same. Mice had everything they needed to survive and were limited only by space.

Calhoun constructed a square box with a side length of 54 inches. He built nesting boxes, water bottles and food hoppers into the walls, with each side of the universe having 64 different nesting boxes located at various heights, 16 water bottles and four food hoppers. All of the "utilities" were accessible via a series of mesh tunnels running from the floor up the side of the wall.

Calhoun published the results of Universe 25 in 1973 in a paper called "Death Squared: The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse Population." He broke down the development and collapse of the society into four phases:

Phase A, consisting of the first 104 days, was the adjustment phase, with "considerable social turmoil" between the eight original mice placed into the habitat. Phase A ended once the mice had their first offspring.

Phase B, which Calhoun named the resource exploitation phase, lasted from Day 105 to Day 315. During this phase, the population grew rapidly, reaching more than 600 mice before growth began slowing. Social stratification also began to happen, with different groups of mice living in certain areas and self-selecting into their own independent groups.

Phase C, called the stagnation phase, lasted from Day 316 to Day 560. Male mice who were not able to find room in the pre-existing social structure began to withdraw from society, violently attacking one another. Their female counterparts retreated into the highest boxes, also isolating themselves. Socially dominant males began to lose control over their territory, leaving mothers to aggressively defend their young, sometimes even abandoning them. "For all practical purposes there had been a death of societal organization by the end of Phase C," Calhoun wrote.

Phase D was the death phase. The death rate outpaced the birth rate, and the society began to shrink. Mothers raised newborn mice for a very short time, and Calhoun proposed that the young generation's strange behaviors were a direct result of a very abnormal social upbringing that did not allow some of the more "complex behaviors," including mating rituals, to develop. Females rarely gave birth, and a large group of males, which Calhoun named the "beautiful ones," did nothing other than eat, drink, sleep and groom themselves. During Phase D, a few mice were placed in newly established universes to see whether they would relearn those social behaviors. They did not.

Calhoun's 1973 paper was not subtle. "I shall largely speak of mice, but my thoughts are on man, on healing, on life and its evolution," he wrote. He made frequent references to the Book of Revelation in the Bible and almost all of his wording aimed to personify his rodent subjects. The mice in Universe 25 lived in "walk-up apartments," and Calhoun described subgroups like "somnambulists" or the "bar flies," terms that could easily be mapped to urban life.

The conclusions felt grim, and the fears of overpopulation made their way into pop culture, like the movie "Soylent Green." There's even a book for children very loosely based around Calhoun's mouse cities (although without the doom and gloom of societal breakdown): "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH."

The Conclusions

In modern times, Calhoun's Universe 25 experiment is often used as a way to talk about some kind of "degradation of Western society." These analyses look at Calhoun's experiments and say, "He predicted this would happen to humans, and look at all the cultural degeneracy we see today!" For instance, here's an excerpt from a comment about the experiment we've seen repeatedly on Facebook:

According to Calhoun, the death phase consisted of two stages: the "first death" and "second death." The former was characterized by the loss of purpose in life beyond mere existence  no desire to mate, raise young or establish a role within society. As time went on, juvenile mortality reached 100% and reproduction reached zero. Among the endangered mice, homosexuality was observed and, at the same time, cannibalism increased, despite the fact that there was plenty of food. Two years after the start of the experiment, the last baby of the colony was born. By 1973, he had killed the last mouse in the Universe 25. John Calhoun repeated the same experiment 25 more times, and each time the result was the same. Calhoun's scientific work has been used as a model for interpreting social collapse, and his research serves as a focal point for the study of urban sociology. We are currently witnessing direct parallels in today's society ... weak, feminized men with little to no skills and no protection instincts, and overly agitated and aggressive females with no maternal instincts.

Scientists have repeatedly pushed back against these ideas since Calhoun's research came out. Researchers who attempted to replicate Calhoun's studies in humans found mixed results, and other scientists chastised him for extrapolating rodent behavior to humans. While the popular conception of Universe 25 focused on the apocalyptic death of society because of overpopulation, other psychologists suggested otherwise.

In an 2008 interview with the NIH Record, Dr. Edmund Ramsden, a science historian, explained the results of a similar 1975 experiment by a psychologist Jonathan Freedman:

Freedman's work, Ramsden noted, suggested that density was no longer a primary explanatory variable for society's ruin. A distinction was drawn between animals and humans. "Rats may suffer from crowding; human beings can cope Calhoun's research was seen not only as questionable, but also as dangerous." Freedman suggested a different conclusion, though. Moral decay resulted "not from density, but from excessive social interaction," Ramsden explained. "Not all of Calhoun's rats had gone berserk. Those who managed to control space led relatively normal lives." Striking the right balance between privacy and community, Freedman argued, would reduce social pathology. It was the unwanted unavoidable social interaction that drove even fairly social creatures mad, he believed.

But what the modern critics often carelessly and conveniently leave out is how Calhoun's research evolved after Universe 25: Up until his death in 1995, Calhoun looked for solutions to the problem he had discovered, altering his designs and controls to try to avoid the societal collapse of Universe 25. He described rodents coming up with creative solutions to daily tasks. And it was in this way that his experiments have actually proven more useful. Architects and urban designers have taken Calhoun's experiments into consideration when designing buildings and cities. Prison researchers and reformers have also found Calhoun's studies surprisingly helpful.

So yes, while Universe 25 and Calhoun's "rodent utopias" were real experiments, they're not the apocalyptic predictions that some people make them out to be.

Sources:

Arnason, Gardar. "The Emergence and Development of Animal Research Ethics: A Review with a Focus on Nonhuman Primates." Science and Engineering Ethics, vol. 26, no. 4, 2020, pp. 227793. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-020-00219-z.

Britannica Money. 18 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/money/Malthusianism.

Calhoun, John B. "Death Squared: The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse Population." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, vol. 66, no. 1P2, Jan. 1973, pp. 8088. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1177/00359157730661P202.

Calhoun, John B. "Population Density and Social Pathology." California Medicine, vol. 113, no. 5, Nov. 1970, p. 54. PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1501789/.

---. "Space and the Strategy of Life." Behavior and Environment: The Use of Space by Animals and Men, edited by Aristide Henri Esser, Springer US, 1971, pp. 32987. Springer Link, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1893-4_25.

Edmund Ramsden and Jon Adams. "Escaping the Laboratory: The Rodent Experiments of John B. Calhoun & Their Cultural Influence." Journal of Social History, vol. 42, no. 3, 2009, pp. 76192. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1353/jsh.0.0156.

Environmentalism | Ideology, History, & Types | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/environmentalism. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Fredrik Knudsen. The Mouse Utopia Experiments | Down the Rabbit Hole. 2017. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgGLFozNM2o.

Garnett, Carla. "Medical Historian Examines NIMH Experiments In Crowding." NIH Record, Vol. LX, No. 15, 25 July 2008, https://nihrecord.nih.gov/sites/recordNIH/files/pdf/2008/NIH-Record-2008-07-25.pdf.

Magazine, Smithsonian, and Maris Fessenden. "How 1960s Mouse Utopias Led to Grim Predictions for Future of Humanity." Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-mouse-utopias-1960s-led-grim-predictions-humans-180954423/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Magazine, Smithsonian, and Charles C. Mann. "The Book That Incited a Worldwide Fear of Overpopulation." Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/book-incited-worldwide-fear-overpopulation-180967499/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Paulus, Paul. Prisons Crowding: A Psychological Perspective. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.

Ramsden, Edmund. "The Urban Animal: Population Density and Social Pathology in Rodents and Humans." Bulletin of the World Health Organization, vol. 87, no. 2, Feb. 2009, p. 82. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.09.062836.

The Calhoun Rodent Experiments: The Real-Life Rats of NIMH. https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/mathematics/calhoun-rodent-experiments/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

"Universe 25, 19681973." The Scientist Magazine, https://www.the-scientist.com/universe-25-1968-1973-69941. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Woodstream, Woodstream. What Humans Can Learn from Calhoun's Rodent Utopia. https://www.victorpest.com/articles/what-humans-can-learn-from-calhouns-rodent-utopia. Accessed 17 May 2024.
University of Wisconsin nursing deans lobbied for money to graduate more nurses. Then DEI questions arose

Nursing school deans across the state were hopeful around this time last year. They were working with a Republican state senator on a plan to increase student enrollment and graduate more nurses.

But concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, became a sticking point in the process and played a role in the plan stalling out, according to recently released emails obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The records offer another example of how DEI is influencing the legislative process and reshaping how higher education leaders respond.

Leading the failed effort were state Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, and Kim Litwack, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing. Litwack told the other UW nursing school deans last June that Cabral-Guevara had the votes in the Senate to give the six UW nursing schools $1 million each, as well as $3 million to private institutions with nursing schools.

Students work in a simulated hospital setting in February 2023 in the recently renovated Northwest Quadrant building B at UW-Milwaukee.

There was a caveat.

"IF  we can somehow separate UW nursing from the UW DEI issue that Robin Vos is hot about," Litwack wrote to the other nursing deans, referring to the Republican Assembly speaker who last year launched a campaign against DEI programming on UW campuses. "He is willing to support the nursing initiative IF we can find a way, truthfully, to talk about our way of doing things."

The Legislature never took up Cabral-Guevara's proposal to get nursing schools more money. The records don't show why the plan didn't pan out. Vos did not return requests for comment, nor did Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg.

Cabral-Guevara's office declined an interview request. Her chief of staff, Ryan Retza, said DEI "was not the sole reason the proposal did not come to fruition." Other nursing-related budget priorities "were given emphasis," such as a nurse educators program that Republicans continued funding at $5 million per year but declined to increase to $10 million annually as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers requested.

This is one budget project that just simply was not able to pan out successfully, Cabral-Guevara said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel about her plan. The proposal would have supported our nursing students and schools, boosting retention and improving access to programs.

UW nursing deans discuss DEI policies within their schools

Emails show Cabral-Guevara reached out to Litwack in March 2023 about nursing education legislation she was crafting. The state senator is a nurse practitioner who previously taught at the UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing.

Modeling by the state Department of Workforce Development shows Wisconsin is expected to be short by about 20,000 nurses by 2040.

Litwack asked the other deans at UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point for feedback on Cabral-Guevara's proposal. The records, which were part of a broader Journal Sentinel request that took the UW System nine months to turn over, show the deans agreed on a plan to increase enrollment by 10% over two years.

In mid-June, Litwack told the other deans Cabral-Guevara told her she had enough votes in her chamber but DEI remained a concern for Vos. Litwack said she explained to the senator how nursing colleges' accrediting bodies encourage a holistic admissions process that considers factors beyond GPA, how hospitals prioritize diversifying their workforce and how health outcomes improve when patients identify with their caregivers.

"I explained and Rachel being a nurse gets it," Litwack wrote, but she asked the deans for help explaining their position. She also asked them to confirm whether their schools gave extra points for diversity in the admissions process or employed their own diversity officer.

UW-Green Bay nursing dean Christine Vandenhouten thanked Litwack for "taking on this behemoth of an issue" and answered Litwack's questions.

"Good luck," Vandenhouten signed at the end of the email.

Litwack then asked about schools' pronoun policies and mandatory diversity statements. She said UWM didn't require students to designate their pronouns but respected students who made their own requests.

Seon Yoon Chung of UW-Oshkosh confirmed the nursing college has no personal-pronoun requirement, no diversity statement mandate and no diversity officer.

Vandenhouten weighed in again, saying UW-Green Bay also didn't require students to declare personal pronouns or sign a diversity statement. "Good grief," she wrote.

"This is all coming from RV, not Rachel," Litwack emailed back, referring to Vos.

Litwack did not respond to an interview request. UWM referred the request to the UW System. UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch in a statement offered appreciation to Evers and the Legislature for past nursing program funding and said additional money would "help us increase our capacity to train the next generation of nurses our state desperately needs."

DEI dispute entangled University of Wisconsin for months

Three days after the email exchange among the deans appeared to end, the GOP-controlled budget committee cut the UW System's budget by $32 million, the estimated amount spent on salaries of DEI employees. Republican lawmakers said campuses shouldn't force students to view the world through a racial lens.

The temporary cut launched a six-month budget standoff that ended when Vos reached a deal with UW System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin last December. The agreement required campuses to restructure 43 DEI positions, among other provisions.

The deal also reversed the $32 million cut but redirected the money toward workforce development initiatives. Under this plan, nursing schools received $4.5 million more, but the UW System's overall budget held flat.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DEI concerns clouded UW plan to expand nursing enrollment
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced Tuesday it has suspended aid deliveries in the southern border city of Rafah due to security concerns amid ongoing hostilities and a lack of supplies.

The agency also said just seven out of its 24 health centers are operational and that those centers had not received any medical supplies in the last 10 days to "closures" and "disruptions" at the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, according to an UNRWA statement posted on X.

UNRWA said its distribution center and the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse are located in eastern Rafah and have been inaccessible as a result of Israel's ongoing military operation in the area.

MORE: 'Hit Job': ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders is 'absurd,' Netanyahu says

"We have a lot of people on the ground ready to provide aid and provide services, but without access across the borders to any supplies and without access to our distribution centers, we are simply unable to distribute food," UNRWA spokesperson Louise Wateridge said Wednesday.

The WFP said in a post on X that it ran out of food to distribute to families in Rafah.

PHOTO: UNRWA employees inspect a destroyed United Nations school following an air strike in Al Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, May 14, 2024. (Mohammed Saber//EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

"Thousands of families still in #Rafah need aid," WFP in the Middle East wrote on the social media platform.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped leaflets in Rafah and sent text messages in Arabic on May 6 calling for about 100,000 people to evacuate the eastern part of the city and to head north to the Al-Mawasi humanitarian corridor ahead of a long-promised major ground invasion into Rafah. As of Monday, UNRWA estimates that 810,000 people have evacuated from Rafah.

While the crossings in the south are either closed or have limited access, the Erez West/Zikim crossing is open in northern Gaza , which is experiencing "full-blown famine," according to WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

However, in update to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, Tor Wennesland, U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said "much more aid is needed to meet the enormous scale of the needs.  There is no substitute for the full and increased operation of existing land crossings."

MORE: Gaza aid timeline: How the hunger crisis unfolded amid the Israel-Hamas war

"I am deeply concerned that the current trajectory -- including the possibility of a larger-scale operation -- will further undermine efforts to scale-up the entry of humanitarian goods and their safe distribution to desperate civilians," he said.

UNRWA has had intermittent challenges providing aid to Gaza since Israeli officials alleged in January that several UNRWA members participated in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 surprise terrorist attack in Israel.

UNRWA said it terminated the accused employees after the allegations were made public. An independent investigation by the U.N.'s Office of Internal Oversight is ongoing. Meanwhile, a separate independent review released last month found that Israel has yet to provide evidence that UNRWA staff are members of terrorist organizations.

PHOTO: A truck, marked with United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo, crosses into Egypt from Gaza, at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip in Rafah, Egypt, Nov. 27, 2023. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

The UNRWA isn't the only organization facing logistical challenges delivering aid. Very little of the aid unloaded from the temporary pier built by the U.S. off of Gaza has been distributed to the broader population, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Ryder said 569 metric tons have landed and that U.S., Israel and the United Nations are working "to identify alternative routes for the safe movement of staff and cargo."

Since Hamas' surprise terrorist attack in Israel, more than 35,709 people in Gaza have been killed and more than 79,990 have been injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. More than 1,700 Israelis have been killed and 8,700 have been injured, according to Israeli officials.

UNRWA suspends aid to Rafah citing 'insecurity, lack of supplies' amid Israel-Hamas war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russian forces attacked the central part of the Chuhuiv town in Kharkiv Oblast in the morning on May 22, damaging a kindergarten and injuring at least seven people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

The victims reportedly include a 28-year-old man and women aged 22, 41, 42, 55, 65, and 77. Five of them have been hospitalized, according to Syniehubov.

No further details have been provided at the moment.

Chuhuiv is a town with a pre-war population of around 30,000. It lies some 35 kilometers (over 22 miles) southeast of Kharkiv, and roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) south and 70 kilometers (over 40 miles) west of the front lines.

Russian forces launched a new offensive in the north of Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, accompanying the ground campaign with intense strikes against population centers.

Read also: Zelensky: Ukraine secures stronger positions in Kharkiv Oblast amid Russias offensive

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
When Ukeme Awakessien Jeter arrived at the University of Maine as a Nigerian international student in 2000, she had no grand plan to settle permanently in the U.S., let alone become a citizen and hold elected office.

But a little over two decades later, in 2022, she became Upper Arlingtons first Black mayor and city council president.

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, president of Upper Arlington City Council, has written a new book titled "Immigrit," about her experiences as an immigrant from Nigeria.

Awakessien Jeter told The Dispatch that like many immigrants, her life has been full of unexpected twists and turns.

She grew up in Muscat, Oman and in Port Harcourt, Nigerias oil capital, where her father, a biochemist, works for Shell. After college in Maine, she worked as a pulp and paper engineer for Georgia Pacific in Arizona before earning degrees in law and business administration.

Today, she lives with her two children in Upper Arlington and is a partner at Taft Laws Intellectual Property Transactions group in downtown Columbus.

Awakessien Jeter said that when she moved to Upper Arlington  which is about 1% Black and 92% native-born  in 2018, she witnessed her daughter struggle to adapt in a predominantly white community. Her concerns about local inequities grew with George Floyd Jr.s murder by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020.

After serving on several city committees and task forces, she decided to run for city council in November 2021. Having lived locally for only three years, she said it was a brazen idea to run, and the victory came as a shock.

In what free time she has, Awakessien Jeter has penned a book, Immigrit: How Immigrant Leadership Drives Business Success, which comes out next month. Interspersing her own experiences with academic research and bits of American immigration history, she writes that immigrants have unique  though undervalued  leadership qualities that help them succeed in the workplace.

Awakessien Jeters position as mayor is nonpartisan and part-time; day-to-day city affairs are handled by the city manager, whom she and the other council members appoint.

In an interview that has been edited for length and clarity, she made the case for immigrant grit, or immigrit, and also discussed her stance on affordable housing and procurement reform.

After winning in the 2021 city council elections, Ukeme Awakessien Jeter became Upper Arlington's first female and first Black mayor.

In your book, you talk about flipping the script about immigrants from the immigrant struggle to immigrant leadership. Why is that important?

When you hear (about) immigrants, there's two classic narratives. One is, They are a drain on our economy  they're taking all our social services, yada yada, yada. And then you have the other narrative, which is, They're illegal, theyre taking our jobs  theyre villains.  There's hardly a narrative as to what immigrants actually add or bring. 

Immigrants are not a monolithic group by any means  we all come from different countries, we have different socioeconomic backgrounds, different reasons for coming here. (But) we're tied by the same skill set. (That is,) we have to adapt  and sometimes adapt very quickly  to new cultures.

Every immigrant has a story of being resourceful. Mine happened to be ending up here with one of my two suitcases and having to figure out how to live life with half my things. 

People always think about (the immigrant or refugee experience) as being trauma-filled. Thats true to some extent, but the things (we) go through  build resilience.

And then there is grit. 

Executive recruiters recruiting for C-suite leadership positions are looking for the same things: they need someone that's adaptable, who can pivot quickly, who has resourcefulness, who can work with limited budgets. They're looking for these skill sets that immigrants  innately, from their experience  develop.

Greater Columbus is seeing many first- and second-generation immigrants elected to office. Do you think the leadership skills you talk about apply to politics, too?

Absolutely.

You need to be resourceful in politics  were always squeezed for budgets. How do we use human resources differently? You absolutely need to be resilient. 

(When it comes to federal leaders), immigration policies are often crafted (by) people that don't have the lived experience of it.  So I do love to see first-generation immigrants in the arena doing the work.

Franklin County is facing an affordable housing shortage. The City of Columbus recently proposed major zoning code changes to promote development. How can Upper Arlington help solve the shortage?

We have a unique set of challenges. We're a landlocked, fully developed community within nine square miles. Almost every square inch of Upper Arlington has something on it already, so for us to contribute to the solution takes redevelopment  tearing things down and building again. 

Redevelopment also means increasing density. We will have to deal with not in my backyard attitudes. ... We have to do studies, have intense community engagement, all those kind of things  and that process is expensive. I think we'll probably have to double (the speed at which weve been doing these things). Weve slowly done it with Lane Avenue, which has had some redevelopment, and Kingsdale (Mixed Use Project) is going through redevelopment right now.  The council just commissioned a study, called Envision Henderson (for redevelopment along Henderson Road)  that's our next frontier. 

Affordability is a tough term to unpack. Affordable to whom? Affordability is going to look different in a UA community versus a Columbus community, but  we're working on it.

Im fully supportive of  legislation (to prevent source-of-income discrimination) that we will be voting on soon. This is a fascinating piece of legislation because it was citizen-driven.  Nowadays, people have varying sources of income  whether it's veterans, or child support, or disability (insurance), or  (from) working for Uber. How people cobble up to pay for their housing shouldn't be the reason that they're denied.

Council recently reformed Upper Arlingtons procurement processes. Why was that necessary?

When I was running for council I started asking questions about how we bid for contracts.  I truly believe if we are going to do this work of access and opportunities, it starts with economics. Minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses and women-owned businesses should have access  to bid for contracts, especially city contracts.  We have a $55 million operating budget  everything from the janitors that clean up our parks, to resurfacing our roads. 

We just approved code changes  (for) things like eliminating the location preference (for contractors to be based in Upper Arlington), increasing some of the limits of what my city manager can approve,  and (enhanced) the competitive contract process.  The next step is to educate staff on this new procurement code.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Awakessien Jeter is Upper Arlington's first female mayor. In fact, Upper Arlington has already had several female mayors.

Peter Gill covers immigration, New American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.

pgill@dispatch.com

@pitaarji

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Upper Arlington first Black mayor makes case for immigrant leadership
By David Shepardson and David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Some of the steep U.S. tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports, including electric vehicles and their batteries, computer chips and medical products, will take effect on Aug. 1, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden will keep tariffs put in place by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump while ratcheting up others, including a quadrupling of import duties on Chinese EVs to over 100% and a doubling of semiconductor duties to 50%.

USTR said in a federal notice that a 30-day public comment period will close on June 28. The trade agency is seeking comments on the effects of the proposed tariff increases on the U.S. economy, including consumers, and on whether a proposed 25% duty on medical masks, gloves and a planned 50% tariff on syringes should be higher.

The United States in 2023 imported nearly $640 million of gloves, masks and syringes from China that will be affected by the new measures.

The notice also provides specific tariff codes for some 387 product categories affected along with new duty rates and implementation dates. Tariffs targeted to start in 2025 and 2026 will start on Jan. 1 for those years, USTR said.

The proposed Chinese tariff increases include "products targeted by China for dominance, or are products in sectors where the United States has recently made significant investments."

Washington is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy tax subsidies to develop U.S. EV, solar and other new industries, and has said China's state-driven excess production capacity in these sectors threatens the viability of U.S. companies. The tariffs are meant to protect American jobs from a feared flood of cheap Chinese imports.

The new measures affect $18 billion in current imported Chinese goods including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, critical minerals, solar cells and cranes, the White House said. The EV figure may have more political than practical impact in the U.S., which imports few Chinese EVs because of prior vehicle tariffs.

BATTERIES LOOM LARGE

The largest two categories, making up $13.2 billion of the targeted imports from China in 2023, are lithium-ion batteries, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Duties of 25% are due to start in 2026 on the $10.9 billion non-vehicle lithium-ion battery category, which has grown quickly and is now the third-largest U.S. import category from China after smartphones and personal computers.

The U.S. imported $427 billion in goods from China in 2023 and exported $148 billion to the world's No. 2 economy, a trade gap that has persisted for decades and become an ever more sensitive subject in Washington.

Story continues

The Retail Industry Leaders Association said it was evaluating the list of specific products subject to new tariffs and added that "retailers are growing increasingly anxious about the current product exclusions that are set to expire at the end of the month."

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has said the revised tariffs were justified because China was stealing U.S. intellectual property. Tai has also recommended tariff exclusions for hundreds of industrial machinery import categories from China, including solar product manufacturing equipment.

Tai said Wednesday the formal notice is an important step in making "substantial tariff increases on targeted, strategic products."

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said China's government will "take all measures necessary to defend our rights and interests." It said the tariff hike "will not only disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S., but also significantly drive up the cost of imported goods, inflict more loss on American companies and consumers, and make the U.S. consumers pay even more."

On Sunday, Beijing announced a new anti-dumping probe on certain industrial plastics from the U.S., Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

USTR said it would provide details on how companies could apply for machinery exclusions from the tariffs in a separate notice. But it said any exclusions granted would be backdated to start on Wednesday and end on May 31, 2025.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday she was pushing for G7 allies at a finance ministers meeting in Italy to jointly push back on China's industrial policies, although she said she was not asking them to mirror the new U.S. tariffs.

The G7 industrial democracies are the U.S., Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Louise Heavens, Timothy Heritage and Jonathan Oatis)
Launch of Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on 16 May. Photo: Russia's State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS

US defence intelligence believes that the satellite Russia launched last week is a weapon capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites, as the Russian space apparatus has been tracking a US spy satellite in orbit.

Source: Reuters with reference to a statement of the US Space Command

Details: Reuters reported that the Russian Soyuz rocket was launched from Russias Plesetsk Cosmodrome on 16 May, placing at least nine satellites into low-Earth orbit. Among them is COSMOS 2576, a type of Russian military "inspector" spacecraft, which US officials have long condemned for "exhibiting reckless space behaviour".

Quote from a USSPACECOM representative: "We have observed nominal activity and assess it is likely a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit. Russia deployed this new counterspace weapon into the same orbit as a US government satellite."

Reuters reiterated that Russia has previously placed its satellites near sensitive American spy satellites.

It is reported that US intelligence agencies expected the COSMOS 2576 launch and informed allies about their assessment of the satellite even before it was deployed in space. The latest Russian launch also included civilian satellites placed into different orbits.

Analyst Bart Hendrickx, who has long tracked the Russian space programme, called the combination of military and civilian payloads "totally unexpected" and noted that he has "never seen that before on a Russian launch".

Reuters noted that COSMOS 2576 is similar to satellites that Russia launched in 2019 and 2022, which the US also labelled as anti-satellite weapons. Notably, the 2019 satellite released an object into space and closely monitored a US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite. NRO is an intelligence agency that oversees spy satellites.

COSMOS 2576 had not approached the US satellite as of Tuesday, but space analysts observed that it is in the same orbital ring as USA 314, an NRO satellite the size of a bus launched in April 2021.

"The Russian satellite appears to be trailing USA 314's orbital path at a faster speed, suggesting the two will eventually come into closer proximity," Reuters wrote.

Reuters emphasised that the Russian satellite deployment occurs amid US accusations that Russia is developing space-based nuclear weapons capable of destroying entire satellite networks.

US officials familiar with intelligence data believe that Russia has launched at least one satellite, namely COSMOS 2553, associated with its programme to develop space-based nuclear weapons.

However, the officials stated that Russia has not deployed nuclear weapons in space.

Russia has secreted much of its space activities since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has threatened to attack US satellites, such as SpaceX's Starlink, which assist Ukrainian military defence efforts.

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Commenting on Kyiv's request to allow Ukraine to use US-delivered weapons to strike Russian territory, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that the US should allow Ukraine to wage war "in the way they see fit."

Source: Johnson in a commentary to Kateryna Lisunova, Holos Ameryky (Voice of America) journalist

Details: When asked whether the US should lift the ban on the use of its weapons to strike Russian targets in Russia, Johnson said: "I think we need to allow Ukraine to prosecute the war in the way they see fit."

"They need to be able to fight back. And I think us trying to micromanage their effort there is not good policy for us," Johnson said.

Background: Earlier, the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee released an appeal from a group of congressmen from both parties to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin calling for a faster delivery of weapons to Ukraine and allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in an interview with Reuters that Ukraine is in talks with international partners about the possibility of striking targets in Russia with their weapons.

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A US rule on weapons has Ukraine fighting with one hand tied behind its back

The US has long restricted Ukraine from using American weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

Analysts and officials say this policy is interfering with Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

But Kyiv is pushing the US to change its stance in the wake of the Russia's new Kharkiv assault.

The Biden administration's policy restricting Ukraine from using US-provided weapons to strike military targets inside Russia is hamstringing Kyiv's ability to defend itself, analysts and officials say.

The US has sent Ukraine billions of dollars in security assistance over the course of the war, but it has barred the country from using American weaponry, especially certain powerful long-range missiles, to carry out strikes across the border.

Washington has been unwavering in its stance on this matter, instead giving Kyiv approval to only hit targets within Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.

But the Biden administration is facing increasing pressure to soften this long-held policy in the wake of a new Russian assault in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, which began earlier this month. Analysts and officials have argued in the days since that the US position has prevented Kyiv from stopping the onslaught, effectively hamstringing its defensive capabilities.

'Handcuffing' the Ukrainian defense

After massing tens of thousands of troops near the border, Russia on May 10 launched an assault into the Kharkiv region as part of a bid to stretch thin Ukrainian forces across the front line and pin down Kyiv's defenses in the region, and also carve out a buffer zone along the border.

Ukrainian soldiers defending the front line in the Kharkiv region on May 20, 2024. Photo by Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

The limited incursion appears to be setting the stage for what could be a multi-pronged summer offensive that would stress a Ukrainian military still facing shortages in both material and much-needed manpower.

Immediately after the initial assault, analysts and officials pointed to the Biden administration's policy preventing Ukraine from using US weapons to strike military targets inside Russia as the catalyst for the unfolding situation, in which Moscow has already managed to capture a small amount of territory along the border.

George Barros, the geospatial-intelligence team lead and a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War think tank, said last week that the restriction is "severely compromising Ukraine's ability to defend itself" against the assault.

"US policy has effectively created a vast sanctuary in which Russia has been able to amass its ground invasion force and from which it is launching glide bombs and other long-range strike systems in support of its renewed invasion," Barros wrote in a May 13 analysis.

Glide bombs, in particular, have been a significant threat to Ukrainian forces. Really the only way to defend front-line forces and civilians from these highly destructive weapons is to intercept the Russian aircraft before they can launch the munitions, or attempt to take them out on the ground. But these aircraft are operating within the safety of their own airspace, out of reach of air-defense systems.

In this aerial view, heavily damaged buildings stand in the Ukrainian boarder city of Vovchansk, in the Kharkiv region, on May 20, 2024. Photo by Libkos/Getty Images

"Whatever the merits of this US policy before the Russian assault on Kharkiv Oblast began, it should be modified immediately to reflect the urgent realities of the current situation," Barros said.

Ukrainian officials told POLITICO last week that the country watched as Russian forces gathered across the border, but they could not do anything to blunt the assault because of the US policy. The officials had traveled to Washington as part of a new push from Kyiv to try and get the Biden administration to lift its ban.

After meeting with the delegation of Ukrainian officials, a group of Congressional lawmakers on Monday wrote to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urging the Biden administration to lift its restrictions and provide Kyiv with additional defensive capabilities that it badly needs.

In the bipartisan letter, more than a dozen lawmakers cited the POLITICO report, saying that the administration's current policy "is handcuffing Ukraine's ability to push back on Russian forces near Kharkiv" with US-provided weaponry. "Ukrainian officials have watched for weeks as Russian troops have attacked Ukrainian communities from Russian territory with impunity," they wrote.

"Ukrainians have been unable to defend themselves due to the Administration's current policy," the lawmakers continued. "It is essential the Biden Administration allows Ukraine's military leaders an ability to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russia's unprovoked attack on their sovereign land."

Indeed, Ukrainian soldiers have highlighted this challenge in recent discussions with Western media.

"There were a lot of Russians gathering, and we could have destroyed them on the way in, but we don't have many ATACMS, and we have a ban on using them over there," a Ukrainian special forces commander who watched as Russia built up its forces on the Russian side of the border told The Times of London, referring to the US-provided MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems. He told the outlet that having to wait for the enemy to cross into Ukrainian territory proved costly.

US President Joe Biden (R) and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) meet during Zelenskyy's visit to Washington on Dec 12, 2023. Photo by Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

The US has long feared that a change in its policy could be seen by Russian President Vladimir Putin as an escalation. Washington has also held this attitude when considering whether to send high-profile weaponry to Ukraine.

Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland pushed back on this rationale during a Sunday interview on ABC News' "This Week." She said Russia has already taken steps to escalate the conflict, including by conducting its recent assault on Kharkiv, and argued that it's now time for the US to change its policy.

Bases in Russian territory that are facilitating Moscow's attacks should be "fair game" for Ukraine to go after, she said. "Russia has learned how to pull its forces back out of the range where we have allowed Ukraine to use our weapons and get our support."

Despite mounting support for the US to lift its ban, and the surprising loosening of similar restrictions by the UK government earlier this month, Washington seems unlikely to alter its position anytime soon.

"Our policy hasn't changed," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a Tuesday press briefing. "We are focused on providing Ukraine with capabilities that it needs to defend itself within Ukrainian sovereign territory."

Ukraine, meanwhile, has been forced to find innovative and alternative solutions to carry out long-range cross-border strikes. In lieu of Western missiles, for instance, Kyiv has relied heavily on homemade drones packed with explosives to attack strategic military and energy facilities hundreds of miles deep inside Russian territory.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian student Samuel Aboagye used to start his mornings with a coffee, but since coming to China, he gets his morning fix from a nice cup of tea.

Aboagye first encountered Chinese tea when a Chinese friend gave him a packet of jasmine tea. "The taste and aroma attracted me, and I instantly fell in love with Chinese tea," said Aboagye, an international student at Capital University of Economics and Business.

He was just one of many African visitors to an international tea-culture exchange event held in Beijing on May 21, which is also observed as International Tea Day.

The event was hosted by the international cultural exchange and research center of China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), welcoming representatives from social organizations and enterprises, as well as diplomatic envoys from African countries and African students studying in China.

Today, Africa is an important market for Chinese tea. Chinese customs data shows that China exported about 367,542 tonnes of tea in 2023, with an export value of nearly 1,74 million U.S. dollars.

According to the Tea Industry Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, of the top 10 tea-importing countries and regions from China, seven are African countries.

Aboagye said that the event gave him in-depth knowledge of Chinese tea categories and tea-drinking methods, as well as the history of the tea trade between China and Africa. "I plan to purchase Chinese tea and tea sets for my relatives and friends when I travel back to Ghana," he added.

"Nigerians also like drinking tea, but the tea culture in Nigeria differs from that of China," said Uzodinma Chinenye Gerlof, 28, an international student from Nigeria. "Chinese people enjoy natural tea without adding sugar or milk, while in our country, people are accustomed to adding milk to tea," he explained.

Gerlof combines the Chinese tea-drinking culture with that of his hometown by adding honey to Chinese black tea. "The aroma of tea makes me feel relaxed, and I like to enjoy it in the morning or evening," he said.

"Tea has played an important role in the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture," said Wang Xiaoming, vice president of CIIDS.

He noted that tea, with its unique charm, has transcended the boundaries of language and region, promoting exchanges and understanding among different civilizations.

"We have found that many tea products feature China-chic packages, and small tea bags have also been developed to cater to the needs of young people, which can also better stimulate African youth's interest in Chinese tea culture," said Zhou Yefan, founder of the China Africa Youth Federation.

"Through drinking tea together, young people from China and Africa can learn about each other's culture, history and values," said Zhou. 
US says Russia launched antisatellite weapon into space; Moscow shrugs off fake news

A top Russian official on Wednesday denied U.S. claims that Moscow had launched a weapon into low-Earth orbit that could potentially attack other satellites, calling it fake news.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said a day earlier that last week the Kremlin launched a satellite assessed as likely a counter-space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.

Ryder said the new counterspace weapon was on the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite, adding that Washington would continue to monitor the situation.

Asked whether the Kremlin weapon currently poses a threat to the U.S. government satellite, he replied: Yes.

U.S. Space Command also said Tuesday the Russian launch took place May 16 from the countrys Plesetsk launch site, about some 500 miles north of Moscow. The command added that the rocket deployed at least nine satellites including a type of military inspector spacecraft.

Russias Ministry of Defense acknowledged a launch had taken place and included a spacecraft but did not offer further details.

I dont think we should respond to any fake news from Washington, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the countrys top arms control diplomat, told the state-run Interfax news agency, as reported by Reuters.

The Americans can say whatever they want, but our policy does not change from this, added Ryabkov, noting that Moscow had always consistently opposed the deployment of strike weapons in low-Earth orbit.

The denial follows similar Russian assertions in February, when the U.S. claimed Moscow was developing a space-based, antisatellite nuclear weapon to destroy Western satellites. Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu both denied the claim.

U.S. intelligence revealed the possibility of such a space weapon after House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) cryptically announced that Congress had information on a serious national security threat.

Under the United Nations Security Council, an agreement known as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty aims to prevent the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space. But last month Russia vetoed a resolution that called to reaffirm a commitment to the treaty.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US Senator calls on US to allow Ukraine to strike targets in Russia

US Senator Jim Risch believes it is necessary to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US-delivered weapons when it is necessary for its defence.

Source: Risch on Twitter (X)

Details: Risch, a Republican who co-chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded to a quote from the Pentagon chief that the United States was asking for the use of provided weapons against targets within Ukrainian territory.

"Ukraine must be allowed to defend itself, period. If that means striking a Russian bomber launching missiles at Ukrainian civilians from Russian airspace, then Ukraine should be able to take that shot," he said.

Background: Earlier, the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee released an appeal from a group of congressmen from both parties to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin calling for a faster delivery of weapons to Ukraine and allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in an interview with Reuters that Ukraine is in talks with international partners about the possibility of striking targets in Russia with their weapons.

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A private ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor before public repose in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington

By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A provocative flag was photographed flying outside conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's vacation home last year, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, days after news that an upside-down American flag had hung outside his Virginia home in 2021.

A flag bearing the phrase Appeal to Heaven that was carried by some Donald Trump supporters during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol flew outside Alito's vacation home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in July and September of 2023, the Times reported, citing photographs and interviews.

Alito did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

Alito faced calls from critics last week to step aside from cases related to the 2020 election after the Times reported that an inverted American flag flew outside his Virginia home in the days before Democratic President Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021.

Alito told the New York Times that the inverted flag had been placed by his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, after a dispute with a neighbor over a sign on the neighbor's lawn that was critical of Republican then-President Trump.

The inverted U.S. flag became a symbol of protest by Trump supporters as he sought to overturn his loss to Biden with false claims of widespread voting fraud.

The Supreme Court is currently weighing Trump's bid for immunity from prosecution on federal criminal charges for trying to reverse his 2020 defeat. The justices are also weighing a challenge by a Pennsylvania man to a federal criminal charge of obstruction that he faces for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

The Appeal to Heaven organization says on its website that the flag, which shows a white pine tree under the slogan, was flown by order of George Washington in October 1775.

The organization says that it "exists to honor the Lord by networking elected officials who are believers in Jesus Christ, who regularly attend and display a commitment to an evangelical, Gospel-centered church and who will commit to live and govern based on biblical, constitutional and Federalist principles."

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Photo by Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

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The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Photo by Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on a call with reporters Wednesday, strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Photo by Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Photo by Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage  I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the USDAs authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
AMMAN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A new humanitarian aid convoy, comprising 92 trucks, has crossed into the Gaza Strip, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The convoy, sent by the charity organization in cooperation with Jordan Armed Forces, is loaded with essential food parcels, tents, and medical supplies, according to the statement.

The operation was conducted in partnership with the World Food Programme, the Qatar Red Crescent, and other organizations to distribute aid to the people in Gaza, it added.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza cannot tolerate any delays in sending and delivering diverse humanitarian aid, which is crucial for the continuity of life for the war-affected people in the area," JHCO Secretary General Hussein Shibli was quoted in the statement as saying.

He explained that JHCO "aims to deliver more essential and necessary aid, which is considered a lifeline for the people in Gaza, in cooperation with various supporting entities from around the world."

Since the onset of the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza last October, the total number of aid trucks dispatched from Jordan and successfully entering the Palestinian enclave has reached 1,456, according to the organization. 
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, pictured in Omaha on March 28, 2024, raised concerns Wednesday with U.S. House Republicans farm bill proposal. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

WASHINGTON  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters Wednesday strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

The massive five-year legislation governing farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation programs is scheduled for a markup beginning Thursday morning in the House Agriculture Committee, headed up by Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

It already has appeared headed for a clash with a proposal in the Democratic-controlled Senate amid disagreements over anti-hunger and conservation programs. In addition, the must-pass bill faces a House with a slim 217-213 GOP majority.

Vilsack expressed frustration that work on the $1.5 trillion measure has been delayed by eight months and said he has deep concerns about the proposed package released by Thompson last week. Lawmakers fighting over spending and the speaker post in the House last year passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

I appreciate the fact that folks are working hard. I appreciate the fact that theyve listened to people out there in the countryside, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa.

But Im afraid that what we have is a circumstance where the proposal being advanced by the House of Representatives, the Republican members of the Ag Committee, it really is designed not to create a route to passage. I think its designed, unfortunately, for a route to impasse, which will cause a further delay.

Cuts to nutrition, disaster programs

Vilsack said he objects to provisions that would reduce spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that delivers food assistance to more than 40 million low-income families.

By limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for benefit levels, the bills reductions would amount to $30 billion over 10 years, the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated. Vilsack put the number at $27 billion.

Its been clear that there has been a coalition historically that is central to the passage of the farm bill, which understands the importance of addressing the nutrition programs and the farm programs, Vilsack said. It is essentially a crack in the coalition that is absolutely necessary to the passage of the farm bill  The fact that were crossing that red line raises the real possibility of being unable to get a farm bill through the process.

He said he also has a problem with a section of the House bill dealing with the Commodity Credit Corporation, which carries out various farm programs.

The legislation would restrict the U.S. Department of Agricultures authority to use the CCCs Section 5, which Vilsack said would tie the agencys hands in responding to natural disasters affecting farmers and force USDA to rely on Congress to enact disaster assistance.

Theres no assurance that such bills get passed, Vilsack said. And secondly, oftentimes Congress underfunds those bills, as was the case so recently with the 2023 situation disasters.

He said Thompson is proposing essentially to eliminate the capacity of the secretary of Agriculture to utilize the CCC in the face of a natural disaster, for example, that distorts markets. He also said he believes the bill overestimates the savings that would be obtained.

Vilsack said he prefers a farm bill proposal offered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, describing it as more practical and doable. Stabenow, who has released a summary of her bill but not the text, would boost eligibility for nutrition programs such as SNAP, among other provisions.

Chair defends proposal

Thompson, in a statement after the call, pushed back on Vilsacks comments and said his bill makes historic investments in agriculture.

Its clear from this eleventh hour push that the Secretary is determined to use every penny of the borrowing authority made available to him to circumvent Congress if left unchecked, he said. The Committee is reasserting Congress authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will bring reckless administrative spending under control and provides funding for key bipartisan priorities in the farm bill.

The sudden rancor on using the CCC as a pay-for is nothing more than the latest partisan attempt to divide our committee and slow down progress on passing a farm bill.

The committee in a press release Wednesday also listed multiple statements of praise for the Thompson proposal, including the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and leaders of various commodity and trade groups.

The post USDA chief voices deep concerns over U.S. House GOP farm bills nutrition cuts appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Judy Iwamoto folds origami while surrounded by bonsai trees made by Ken Yamane at Natsu Matsuri, a Japanese culture festival at the Japanese Church of Christ in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Utah is growing and changing, including becoming more diverse over the past six decades, with close to one-fourth of the population now identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. Close to 1 in 7 residents are Latino or Hispanic. But its distinctive demographic profile remains that of a youthful, aging and predominantly urban state.

According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institutes just-released data book on Utah demography, the Beehive State has a striking collection of faith traditions and, as Deseret News recently reported, the greatest share of religious adherents in the country.

Between 1 in 8 and 1 in 4 have some type of disability, the range explained by the definition of a disability and the data source the institute scoured.

And when it comes to economic well-being, health, education and housing outcomes, variations abound based on disability, race, sex, age and other factors, including whether someone has a disability. For instance, with the exception of those who are Asian, the states ethnic and racial minority populations are more apt than Utahs white population to have lower household income and accumulated wealth, lower educational status, fewer homeowners and to pay more for housing costs.

Every Utahn has a different experience, which can be influenced by their age, disability, ethnicity, geographic location, race and sex, among other characteristics, said Mallory Bateman, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, in a news release. This publication provides data insights to inform decisions and start conversations. Due to the complexity behind many of these differences, this resource does not attempt to explain or assign causality for the included topics.

The report notes that Utah women show significantly lower median personal income, slightly higher poverty rates, lower labor force participation rates, a greater share of post-secondary degrees, higher life expectancies, higher share with depression and a slightly higher share with disabilities compared to Utah men.

Diversity

West Valley City and South Salt Lake are the most racially and ethnically diverse locations in the state. The report said the two cities have an over 60% chance two residents have different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Just 10 states have higher diversity index values than these two Utah cities, including California, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas and Maryland.

Overall, white people who are not Hispanic make up 77.3% of the states population, while 1 in 7 are Hispanic or Latino, per the report. Of those who are not Hispanic, Asians account for 2.3% of the population. Black people are 1.2% of the population, American Indian or Alaska Native 1%. Just over 5% are another race alone, while 5.6% are two or more races, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureaus 2021 American Community Survey five-year estimates.

The report says 17 states have lower diversity index values than Utah.

Wilfredo A. Ruiz, communications director for the Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations, prays for Ramadan at the mosque in the Islamic Center of Broward in Sunrise, Florida, on Friday, April 29, 2022. | Joe Cavaretta, for the Deseret N

Age

Utahs long been known for one of the nations youngest populations and that hasnt changed, but declining fertility rates and an aging adult population has raised the average age of those in the state.

In 1980, 1 in 12 Utahns were over 65, while by 2020 the share was 1 in 8. The forecast is that by 2060, more than 1 in 5 Utah residents will be over 65.

The report notes big differences in age when it comes to diversity. For instance, 22.5% of children under 5 are Hispanic or Latino, while almost 90% of adults at retirement age are non-Hispanic white.

Money

The median personal income among young adults ages 25 to 44 in 2021 dollars is $38,400. Men in that age group far outpace women in earnings, $53,700 to $24,000. White non-Hispanics earn slightly more than Asian Utahns, $40,500 on average compared to $40,000. People who are two or more races average $37,400, compared to Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders at $32,900, Hispanics or Latinos at $31,600. Those of other races are at $30,300 and Black people are at $29,000. American Indian/Alaska Natives in that age group average $26,000.

The report finds that labor participation rates peak for Utah women at 82% among those ages 22-24. After that, it fluctuates between 60% and 80%, then droops after 55 as retirement age approaches.

Education

In assessments starting early and continuing through post-secondary education, white and Asian students have better educational outcomes, compared to other racial and ethnic groups, the report says, noting that educational attainment levels influence incomes, which in turn influence educational attainment and incomes of the next generation. In this sense, the impact of education is bidirectional and multigenerational.

The report also notes that schools with more economically disadvantaged students may have worse education outcomes. Additionally, women and people of color earn less compared to others who have the same educational attainment.

Health

Utahs average life expectancy is 79.5 years, more than three years longer than the national average. Utah women live an average of 4.4 years longer than Utah men. And theres more than a decade difference between the life expectancy of Asians, who live on average the longest (86.6 years), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders who live the shortest, at 76.1 years.

The report notes that uninsured rates are highest for Utahs Hispanic, Black and American Indian/Native Alaskan populations. The highest rates of uninsured based on age are found among those ages 19-49.

Utahs minority populations suffer higher rates of chronic conditions including diabetes, asthma, depression and obesity. Women self report higher rates of diagnosed depression, at 32.1%, compared to men, at 16.3%.

Housing

More Utah families live in houses they own than are found in the rest of the country, 70.4% compared to the national 64.6%. The lowest share, at 27%, is found among Black households, while the highest is among white households, at 74%.

Meanwhile, the report said Black and Hispanic owners and renters have the largest share of households with housing costs burdens. About 1 in 4 Black, Pacific Islander and Hispanic renters classify as burdened because they pay 30% to 49% of their income for rent. Black homeowners and renters have the highest shares of households with severe housing cost burden (greater than 50% of their income spent on housing).

Disability

Although a pair of national surveys estimate the rate of Utahns who have a disability in ways that create a sizable range  between 12% and 25%  they agree that Utahns with a disability are more apt to have lower income and education attainment, higher housing cost burdens, worse health and less access to health insurance. They also agree that the share with a disability will rise as the population ages.

The report shows that 12.4% of Utahns with a disability receive Social Security income. In 2023, the maximum monthly SSI payment for an individual is $914, approximately $10,968 annually. And while 80% of Utahns who dont have a disability are employed, thats true of just 54% of those who have a disability. But the rate varies depending on the type of disability.

Between 2019-2021, the Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reported that 12.9% of those with a disability had a cognitive challenge, while 9.3% had a mobility disability. It said that 6.6% had an independent living disability, 5.6% were hearing impaired or deaf and 3.2% had visual impairment or were blind. The final 2.5% were classified as having a self-care disability.

By race and ethnicity, among Utah adults with a disability, the largest group was American Indian/Native Alaska at 37.7%, Black at 27.3%, Pacific Islander at 22.7%, white at 23.3% and Asian at 12.4%. More females than males have a disability, 25.5% versus 22.1%.

The highest employment rates among those with a disability include the 71.7% of those who have difficulty hearing or are deaf who work and the 58.5% of those who are visually impaired or blind who are employed.
The family of a U.S. national detained in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after a failed coup attempt on Sunday said they were surprised to hear of his arrest in connection with the attack near the presidential palace in Kinshasa.

Miranda Thompson told ABC News that her stepson Tyler Thompson, who grew up in West Jordan, Utah, traveled to South Africa last month on what he said would be a vacation with the family of his close friend Marcel Malanga.

Thompson said that when she saw images of her stepson being detained and beaten by Congolese soldiers, she experienced "complete and utter shock."

"It doesn't feel real," she said.

Thompson described her stepson as a happy and loving young man who grew up playing football and dreamed of one day building and flipping houses. Before this trip, the 21-year-old had never traveled on an airplane by himself, she said.

PHOTO: Tyler Thompson is seen in an undated file photo. (Family of Tyler Thompson)

"He's a kid. And he's in a place where he knows nobody and doesn't know the language. And he's got to be terrified," she said.

Tyler Thompson was named on Tuesday by a spokesperson for the DRC's military, who named him in error as Taylor Thomson. He was detained alongside Marcel Malanga and another U.S. national, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, according to Congolese officials. Marcel's father Christian Malanga, who allegedly led the coup attempt last weekend, was reportedly killed in an exchange of gunfire with Congolese authorities.

Another U.S. national was mistakenly accused of being involved in the attempted coup. Cole Patrick Ducey, an engineer living in Eswatini, told ABC News Monday that he was not involved, despite reports online and in the media. DRC government officials also confirmed to ABC News that Ducey was not involved in the coup attempt over the weekend.

MORE: Over 200 dead as thousands flee and violence flares in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Miranda Thompson said that after Tyler flew to Johannesburg in mid-April, he traveled with Marcel and his father, Christian Malanga, to Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.

PHOTO: Congolese security forces secure the streets of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 19, 2024 (Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/AP)

"From our understanding, the trip was to visit family, and that's all we knew," she said.

There, Thompson said, Tyler reported to his family that his vacation with the Malanga family had been interrupted by a bout of malaria, but that Christian Malanga had offered to fund an extension of the trip to make up for the lost time.

But Miranda Thompson said Tyler's family were unaware of any plans to travel to the DRC, and that the events of May 19 seemed completely incompatible with the young man she has co-parented for a decade alongside her husband and Tyler's mother and stepfather.

"He's a great kid. He is loving and kind. He's the best big brother there ever was," she said.

Asked if she had a message for Tyler, Miranda Thompson said, "We love you. We are here to help in any possible way that we can. We just want you home."

Utah woman describes 'terror' at seeing stepson detained and beaten after DRC coup attempt originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Nineteen families whose loved ones were killed or hurt in the Uvalde, Texas, mass shooting announced they've reached a settlement with the city and county of Uvalde.

"For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day," Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter, Jailah, and nephew, Jayce, were killed, said in a statement Wednesday. "This settlement reflects a first good faith effort, particularly by the City of Uvalde, to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us."

PHOTO: A woman hugs a girl as they cry during a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 25, 2022. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

The settlement comes as families approach the two-year mark of the May 24, 2022, massacre at Robb Elementary School, during which an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and two teachers.

When the gunfire broke out that day, officers from Uvalde police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Department of Public Safety were among those who rushed to Robb Elementary. But law enforcement waited some 77 minutes before breaching a classroom and killing the gunman.

PHOTO: Law enforcement officers guard the scene of a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 24, 2022. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

"For 77 minutes, 26 members of the Uvalde Police Department failed to confront an 18 year-old kid armed with an AR-15, and no disciplinary action has ever been taken -- no firings, no demotions, notransparency -- and the families remain eager for that to change," Josh Koskoff, an attorney for the families, said in a statement. "But the healing process must begin, and the commitments made today by the City, in particular, are a step in that critical process."

As a part of the settlement with the city and county, the families said they were involved in the efforts to improve the Uvalde Police Department, with changes including enhanced officer training and a new "fitness for duty" standard for officers.

The families said the settlement also mandates ways the city should support the community as residents heal, including: establishing May 24 as an annual Day of Remembrance; creating a committee to design a permanent memorial funded by the city; and continuing to support mental health services.

"Justice and accountability has always been a main concern -- we've been let down so many times," Javier Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter, Jackie, was killed, said at a news conference Wednesday. "The time has come to do the right thing."

MORE: Uvalde parents outraged after independent report finds police officers didn't violate policy

The city will pay out a total of $2 million to the families from its insurance coverage, saying pursuing more money could have plunged the city into bankruptcy, "something that none of the families were interested in as they look for the community to heal."

The victims' families "love living here and they want to stay here," Koskoff said. "When you see them on the street ... you don't have to look away, even if you wear a badge."

The city said in a statement, "We will forever be grateful to the victims families for working with us over the past year to cultivate an environment of community-wide healing that honors the lives and memories of those we tragically lost."

PHOTO: Angeli Rose Gomez, a mother who rushed into Robb Elementary School to save her two children, places roses down at a memorial dedicated to the victims on May 24, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images, FILE)

The families on Wednesday also announced lawsuits against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety officers. The suit said the officers were trained to first prioritize stopping the killing, then stopping the dying, then evacuating those hurt.

"Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom," Luevanos said.

PHOTO: The sun sets behind the memorial for the victims of the massacre at Robb Elementary School on Aug. 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images, FILE)

The lawsuit names the Uvalde School District and several of its employees as defendants, including the then-principal and then-school district police chief.

The families said the school's lockdown protocols -- to turn off the lights, lock the door and stay quiet -- trapped teachers and children inside, "leaving them fully reliant on law enforcement to respond."

The families also plan to sue the federal government, Koskoff said, noting that over 150 federal officers were at the school and "stood around until one or more breached the room at 77 minutes."

Uvalde families reach settlement with city ahead of 2-year mark: Can 'begin rebuilding trust' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A memorial dedicated to the 19 children and two teachers murdered during the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas - Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The families of victims of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting have reached a $2 million settlement with the City of Uvalde and filed a new lawsuit against Texas law enforcement officers over the massacre.

The settlement damages, per a statement shared with Rolling Stone, will be distributed to the families of 17 children killed, as well as the families of two children who were wounded (in total, 19 students were killed, along with two teachers). The agreement also includes several items aimed at improving the Uvalde police force and helping the community heal.

More from Rolling Stone

As part of the settlement, Uvalde officials said they would work to hire more qualified police officers, and implement new training procedures as well as a fitness for duty standard. The city said it would also fund a permanent memorial for the victims, provide mental health services for survivors and families, and designate May 24, the day of the shooting, as an official day of remembrance.

The $2 million settlement notably avoids a lawsuit, which the plaintiffs acknowledged couldve been a long and expensive ordeal that mightve bankrupted the city (something that none of the families were interested in as they look for the community to heal a statement announcing the settlement noted).

Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce died in the shooting, said, For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day. This settlement reflects a first good faith effort, particularly by the City of Uvalde, to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us.

The response of law enforcement officials to the 2022 massacre has been described as a major failure following investigations by both the Department of Justice and the Texas House of Representatives. Officials infamously waited outside Robb Elementary for over an hour before finally entering and confronting the gunman, who was killed inside a classroom.

As such, the new lawsuit against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety officers accuses the officers of not doing enough to stop the gunman during the massacre. These officers were so terrified that they chose to abandon their burden to the Uvalde community: Put themselves between a very dangerous person and a child, said Josh Koskoff, a lawyer for the families.

The lawsuit also names as defendants the Uvalde School District and several employees, including the principal and school district police chief at the time of the shooting. The families have alleged the schools lockdown procedures, such as turning off the lights and locking the doors, exacerbated the damage as it left them fully reliant on law enforcement to respond.

Koskoff added that the families are planning to bring a lawsuit against the federal government, as over 150 federal officers were present during the shooting, as well.

Justice and accountability has always been a main concern  weve been let down so many times, said Javier Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter, Jackie, was one of the victims (via ABC News). The time has come to do the right thing.

Best of Rolling Stone
Parents of the victims of the May 2022 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, saw sweeping wins this week in their fight for accountability from the city and law enforcement departments.

On Wednesday, just as the city settled with the families of 19 victims for $2 million over its failed response to the May 24, 2022, massacre, the Uvalde school district police chief resigned after one year in the position. Also on Wednesday, the families of 17 children who were killed and two who were injured filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Safety and the Uvalde school district.

Josh Koskoff, an attorney representing the families, said Wednesday in a news conference, These were the last lines of defense for these children. But they were failed long before the shooting. Theyre failed. Were failing children.

The lawsuit, which seeks $500 million in damages, names 92 Texas DPS troopers, the Uvalde school district and Pete Arredondo, who was chief of police for the school district when a lone gunman killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers inside the school. Mandy Gutierrez, who was principal of the school at the time is also named in the suit.

According to the lawsuit, Texas state troopers were given active-shooter response training, which says that first responders main priority is to stop the killing, then stop the dying and then evacuate the injured.

Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed in the mass shooting, said in a statement that the $2 million settlement shows a good faith effort by the city of Uvalde.

Families of the victims of an elementary school shooting listen to attorney Josh Koskoff at a Wednesday news conference in Uvalde, Texas. The families of 19 of the victims announced a lawsuit against nearly 100 state police officers who were part of the botched law enforcement response. The families also said they agreed to a $2 million settlement with the city. Eric Gay/Associated Press

But it wasnt just Uvalde officers who failed us that day, Luevanos said. Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom.

Koskoff said on Wednesday that the state of Texas has done nothing at all but burden Uvalde before the shooting by not giving Uvalde police officers the resources they needed to stop the gunman.

Blame the least well-trained, least-resourced and least-equipped officers for a problem you helped to create, he said.

Friday marks the second anniversary of the mass shooting, which was carried out by an 18-year-old former Uvalde student. Nearly 400 police officers from multiple agencies arrived on campus that day, and it took 77 minutes for anyone to confront and kill the gunman. The response was called an abject failure by the head of the DPS.

When asked by HuffPost for comment, the Texas DPS said it does not discuss pending litigation.

In a statement to HuffPost, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District said it would not comment the specifics of such actions to maintain the integrity of the legal process and ensure that all parties rights are respected.

Along with the $2 million settlement, the city of Uvalde agreed to establish an annual day of remembrance for the victims and fund a memorial on the plaza in Uvalde. In a statement, the city of Uvalde said that was thankful for the agreement with the victims families.

Joshua Gutierrez, the Uvalde school district police chief who took over after Arredondo was fired in August 2022, didnt say why he was resigning. In a statement to HuffPost, the school district said the school board has to approve his resignation at a meeting on June 17.

We thank Chief Gutierrez for his dedicated leadership and guidance in reestablishing the Uvalde CISD Police Department, the school district said. His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

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The chief of police for Uvalde schools has submitted his resignation more than a year after he replaced the man who held the position during the 2022 school massacre in the Texas city, according to a school officials statement obtained by CNN affiliate KSAT Tuesday.

The resignation of Joshua Gutierrez, chief of police for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, will be presented for approval at a June 17 school board meeting, according to district spokesperson Anne Marie Espinoza. If approved, his last day will be June 26, according to the KSAT report.

Details about the reasons for the resignation werent immediately available. CNN has sought comment from Gutierrez and the school district.

We thank Chief Gutierrez for his dedicated leadership and guidance in reestablishing the Uvalde CISD Police Department, Espinoza said in the statement. His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community.

Gutierrez replaced Pete Arredondo, who was fired in August 2022 following scrutiny of his actions during the May 2022 shooting in which 19 students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School. Law enforcement officers waited more than an hour before entering adjoining classrooms where the gunman was and killing him. A US Department of Justice report said officers had many opportunities to intervene to stop the bloodshed far earlier.

Arredondo was seen on police body-worn cameras giving orders and receiving information during the response, but he has said he did not see himself as the incident commander.

Gutierrez was approved unanimously as the interim police chief in November 2022, and was named permanent chief in March 2023.

This is our first step (we are) taking to rebuild our school district police force, Gary Patterson, then the interim superintendent, said when Gutierrez was named interim chief.

As interim police chief, Gutierrez focused on hiring qualified officers, conducting tactical cross-training with local law enforcement and engaging students and the community, according to KSAT, which reported hed previously worked at several other school districts.

I have the ability to come out here and help the community heal, help our community heal, and the abilities to reestablish a good foundation for our police department, Gutierrez said in December 2022, according to KSAT.

The district has begun a search to replace Gutierrez and has posted the job on its website.

Under general supervision, this officer performs tasks related to ensuring the safety of UCISD students, staff, and visitors, the posting says. Additionally, the officer provides classroom presentations, counsels students and parents, engages students through mentoring, and serves as a positive role model to help promote healthy relationships between youth and law enforcement.

Among the requirements for the position, the district is looking for someone with a minimum of five years of senior level experience directing law enforcement operations, according to the posting. A candidate should have the ability to effectively deal with personal danger which may include sudden exposure to armed persons, the posting says.

We are committed to finding a successor who will continue to uphold the standards of safety and security that our school community deserves, Espinoza said.

CNNs Andy Rose, Shimon Prokupecz and Matthew J. Friedman contributed to this report.

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Investigators search for evidence outside Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas on 25 May 2022.

Investigators search for evidence outside Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas on 25 May 2022. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

The chief of police for Uvalde schools has resigned, a year after he replaced the previous chief who held the role during the 2022 school shooting in the Texas city.

Joshua Gutierrez, former police chief of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD), was hired in November 2022 as interim police chief before officially being named to the job in March 2023. His predecessor, Pete Arredondo, was fired following his inaction to the shooting at Robb elementary school on 24 May 2022.

Two teachers and 19 students were killed in the mass shooting. Police response was heavily criticized as they waited over an hour before entering the school building.

A Department of Justice report issued in January 2024 noted law enforcements response to the shooting and afterward was a failure.

The district police chiefs resignation will be presented for approval by the UCISD board on 17 June, with his last day of employment set for 26 June.

His hiring was initially framed as part of the process to rebuilding the district police force following the Robb elementary mass shooting. Gutierrez worked as several other school districts before assuming the chief position at Uvalde.

I have the ability to come out here and help the community heal, help our community heal, and the abilities to re-establish a good foundation for our police department, he told KSAT in an interview shortly after he began the role in December 2022.

Accountability for the response to the shooting has still been pushed by victims families. In February 2024, Brett Cross, the father of one of the shooting victims, was arrested at a Uvalde county commissioners court meeting after confronting Mariano Pargas Jr, a commissioner, during the public comment portion of the meeting, where Cross criticized Pargas for not appearing at previous meetings. Pargas served as city of Uvalde police chief when the shooting took place.

No immediate reason was provided for the resignation. A job posting was listed to fill the position. Parents of Uvalde victims are expected to make a statement on the resignation with their attorneys later today.

We thank Chief Gutierrez for his dedicated leadership and guidance in reestablishing the Uvalde CISD police department, Anne Marie Espinoza, the districts executive director of communications and marketing said in a statement.

His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and school community. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Investigators search for evidences outside Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on 25 May 2022, following a shooting at the school.

Investigators search for evidences outside Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on 25 May 2022, following a shooting at the school. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

The city of Uvalde, Texas, has reached a settlement agreement with most of the 19 families of the 24 May 2022 Robb elementary school shooting, lawyers representing the families have said.

Per the settlement, Uvalde will pay $2m to the families, overhaul the citys police force, and create a permanent memorial for the victims. Seventeen families of the 19 children who were killed and two families of the two teachers who were killed in the shooting were represented in the settlement. The $2m will be paid from the citys insurance coverage.

Lawyers for the families also said they have filed an additional lawsuit against the Texas department of public safety over failures for the agency to rapidly engage the gunman. Police waited for 77 minutes before stopping the shooter.

Related: Uvalde school district police chief resigns a year after stepping into job

The former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo and the Robb elementary school principal at the time of the shooting, Mandy Gutierrez, were also named in the new lawsuit. Arredondos replacement, Joshua Gutierrez, recently announced his resignation but did not provide a reason.

Local district attorney Christina Mitchell began presenting evidence to a grand jury earlier this year to consider criminal charges against police officers for their lack of response. It is unclear when a decision by the grand jury is expected.

For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day. This settlement reflects a first good faith effort by the city of Uvalde to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us, Veronica Luevanos, mother of Jailah and aunt to Jayce, children who were killed in the shooting, said in a statement.

But it wasnt just Uvalde officers who failed us that day. Nearly 100 officers from the Texas department of public safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom.

Several other lawsuits related to the shooting, including against state and local police agencies and the gun manufacturer, Daniel Defense, are still active in the courts.
Families of the Uvalde school shooting victims have settled for $2million with the Texas city over the 2022 attack that left 19 students and two teachers dead.

The settlement comes nearly two years after the deadly attack at Robb Elementary School. Responding officers infuriated the public after it was revealed that they waited for more than an hour to enter the school and confront the gunman.

"Law enforcement did not treat the incident as an active shooter situation, despite clear knowledge that there was an active shooter inside," the attorneys representing the families said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The shooter was able to continue the killing spree for over an hour while helpless families waited anxiously outside the school."

The settlement requires the city of Uvalde to pay $2m to the families of 17 children who were killed and two children who were wounded in the attack, according to the statement.

Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School, June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Uvalde agreed on 22 May, 2024 to a $2m settlement with families of the victims of the shooting (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

While the settlement is relatively low when compared to other settlements related to mass casualty events, the families' attorneys said their clients weren't interested in bankrupting the city, CBS News reports.

"Pursuing further legal action against the City could have plunged Uvalde into bankruptcy, something that none of the families were interested in as they look for the community to heal," the attorneys said.

In addition to the $2m payout, the settlement also requires the Uvalde police officers to attend trainings and for the city to provide mental health services to families of victims, to survivors and to the broader Uvalde community. It will also require the city to create a permanent memorial and to make 24 May  the day the shooting occurred  an annual "Day of Remembrance."

For two long years, we have languished in pain and without any accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who allowed our families to be destroyed that day. This settlement reflects a first good faith effort by the City of Uvalde to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us, Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said.

The group said it also planned to file lawsuits against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety officers and Uvaldes school district.

But it wasnt just Uvalde officers who failed us that day. Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom, Ms Luevanos said.

Erin Rogiers, an attorney representing the families, said in a statement that those who lost loved ones in the shooting had a right to demand justice from all of those involved in the botched response to the attack.

Law enforcements inaction that day was a complete and absolute betrayal of these families and the sons, daughters and mothers they lost, the attorney said. TXDPS had the resources, training and firepower to respond appropriately, and they ignored all of it and failed on every level. These families have not only the right but also the responsibility to demand justice, both for their own loss and to prevent other families from suffering the same fate.

Wednesday's settlement ends one of the numerous ongoing legal actions resulting from the mass shooting.

Uvalde police officers and Texas DPS at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. They waited nearly an hour to confront the gunman

In November, the family of Eliahna Torres, a 10-year-old girl killed in the mass shooting, sued approximately two dozen people and organizations, including the company that manufactured the rifle used in the attack and the gun store that sold the weapon. Law enforcement officials at the scene were also named in the suit, CNN reports.

In December 2022, the families of the survivors filed a $27bn class action lawsuit in federal court against multiple Texas law enforcement agencies. Neither suit has a trial date at this time.

A report from the Justice Department in January found that the overall police response to the mass shooting was a failure.

"Had the law enforcement agencies followed generally accepted practices ... lives would have been saved and people would have survived, Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters after the report released.
LONDON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday that the country would recognize Palestine as a state.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Harris said in Dublin, the Irish capital.

"I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks," he said.

The Irish prime minister said the country believes that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation," he said. "A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all -- is unfolding in real time." 
Family members of Uvalde school shooting victims reached a $2 million settlement with the Texas city over the deadly 2022 rampage, officials announced Wednesday. The group also said they're filing lawsuits against dozens of Texas Department of Public Safety officers and Uvalde's school district. Among them  a $500 million federal suit against nearly 100 state police officers who took part in the botched law enforcement response

The announcement comes nearly two years after a teenage gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. Law enforcement officers killed the gunman in a classroom after waiting more than an hour to confront him, which was heavily criticized in the wake of the shooting.

In the settlement announced Wednesday, the city of Uvalde will pay a total of $2 million to the families of 17 children killed in the shooting and two children who survived, according to a statement from the families' attorneys.

"Pursuing further legal action against the City could have plunged Uvalde into bankruptcy, something that none of the families were interested in as they look for the community to heal," the statement said.

The money will come from the city's insurance coverage, attorney Josh Koskoff told reporters at a news conference.

"These families could have pursued a lawsuit against the city, and there's certainly grounds for a lawsuit," Koskoff said. "Let's face it, sadly, we all saw what we saw  but instead of suing the city and jeopardizing the finances of anybody, the families have accepted simply the insurance."

The city said the settlement will allow people to remember the shooting while "moving forward together as a community to bring healing and restoration to all those affected."

"We will forever be grateful to the victims' families for working with us over the past year to cultivate an environment of community-wide healing that honors the lives and memories of those we tragically lost," the city said in a statement. "May 24th is our community's greatest tragedy."

The families were also working on a separate settlement with Uvalde County, Koskoff said.

Javier Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter Jackie Cazares was killed in the shooting, said the last two years have been unbearable.

"We all know who took our children's lives, but there was an obvious systemic failure out there on May 24," Cazares said. "The whole world saw that. No amount of money is worth the lives of our children. Justice and accountability has always been my main concern. We've been let down so many times. The time has come to do the right thing."

Javier Cazares, center, stands with families of the victims of the Uvalde elementary school shooting during a news conference May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas. / Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

The settlement also includes the Uvalde Police Department committing to provide enhanced training for police officers and implement a new standard for officers to be developed in coordination with the U.S. Justice Department, according to the families' attorneys. The city also committed to supporting mental health services for the families, survivors and community members, creating a committee to coordinate with the families on a permanent memorial and establishing May 24 as an annual day of remembrance, in addition to taking other measures.

The families are also taking new legal action against 92 state Department of Public Safety officers and the school district, including former Robb Elementary School principal Mandy Gutierrez and Pete Arredondo, the school district's police chief who was fired months after the shooting.

"Law enforcement did not treat the incident as an active shooter situation, despite clear knowledge that there was an active shooter inside," Wednesday's statement said. "... The shooter was able to continue the killing spree for over an hour while helpless families waited anxiously outside the school."

Koskoff said the state's officers on the scene could have done more to respond to the shooting. They acted "as if they had nothing to do, as if they didn't know how to shoot somebody, as if they weren't heavily armed and the most well-trained," Koskoff said.

A Justice Department report released in January called the police response a failure.

"Had the law enforcement agencies followed generally accepted practices ... lives would have been saved and people would have survived," Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters at the time.

At Wednesday's news conference, Koskoff said the families would "down the line" be suing the federal government, noting that many federal law enforcement officers also responded to the shooting.

"You had over 150 some-odd federal officers there who also were there and stood around until one or more breached the room at 77 minutes," Koskoff said. "Sure, that was a heroic act, it was a heroic act 77 minutes late."

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Va. teacher pay gets a boost in budget, but its still projected to fall short of national average

Thousands of demonstrators rallied for better teacher pay and more public school funding during a January 2018 rally at the Capitol. Education groups still doubt that the state's current spending on teacher salaries is enough to reverse current staffing shortfalls. (Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

Legislation that would have aligned Virginia teachers pay with the national average or higher by the 2027-28 school year won bipartisan support but was blocked from the state budget by Gov. Glenn Youngkins veto last week.

The two-year budget, signed last week, includes $540 million to help pay for 3% salary increases for teachers and state employees in both years.

The governor said he supported the goal of ensuring that teachers and state-funded education support positions are funded competitively, but didnt approve the bill to boost educators salaries to the national average because it relied heavily on what he viewed as flawed data from the National Education Association, which represents educators across the country.

In his veto, the governor said the legislation does not accurately reflect the state of teacher compensation in Virginia and that NEAs methodology includes substitute teacher compensation and fails to account for supplemental salary expenditures in determining teacher compensation. He added that the legislation does not account for various scenarios, such as an economic downturn or state of emergency, that could impact teacher pay rates.

The measure also didnt include Youngkins earlier recommendation to create an annual teacher compensation review.

Consistent, annual reporting of accurate teacher compensation data is essential for lawmakers and the governor to make sound decisions, he said.

The governor further explained his veto by noting that since 2021, the state has invested $1.6 billion to grow teacher salaries by 23%.

Youngkin said that Virginias average teacher pay was already projected to hit the national average this fiscal year.

The Virginia Education Association argued that the governors administration is mistakenly making comparisons between the estimated national teacher pay average in the National Education Association Rankings and Estimates report and the Virginia estimate in the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Annual Salary Survey Report.

The estimates provided within these two reports are calculated using different data and methodologies and are not comparable, VEA said in a statement on Friday.

According to NEAs recent report, Virginias salary average is $65,058, which is below the national estimated average of $71,699.

Virginia, like other states, provides NEA data to compile state averages in their annual reports, removing non-instructional positions and allowing for an apples to apples comparison across all the states, according to VEA.

The Department of Educations Annual Salary Survey Report includes all salary expenditures, including supplemental pay, for classroom teachers, homebound teachers, guidance counselors, librarians, and instructional technology positions, VEA stated. NEA includes only classroom teachers, substitutes, and homebound teachers and excludes supplemental pay.

While lawmakers debated the actual national average during this years session, they agreed compensation must be improved for teachers, as vacancies have grown since the pandemic. Youngkins veto magnified some Democratic lawmakers concerns with Virginias educator shortage.

This school year began with over 4,000 teacher vacancies across our commonwealth, and the governor is not interested in attracting or keeping teachers here. If he was, he would have signed my bill that would have ensured Virginia teachers are being paid at the national average, said Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, one of the bills carriers, along with Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth.

Clark added that the governors veto indicates where he stands on public education.

When the governor lets our teachers down, when he doesnt value them, he is telling the communities they serve and their students that they dont matter either, Clark said.

With Youngkins veto coming in the same week as the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling  in which the Supreme Court of the United States mandated states desegregate public schools  Lucas said the inequities the case tried to address decades ago still persist in her community and throughout Virginia, which the governors rejection of the bill wont help resolve.

Governor Youngkin doesnt care about public education and is determined to hold our students back, Lucas said. This is just a small part of his broader agenda to disenfranchise Virginians, and we will not stand for it.

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The post Va. teacher pay gets a boost in budget, but its still projected to fall short of national average appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Vials of blood found in package addressed to Trump at RNC's DC headquarters: Sources

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a package found at the Republican National Committee's Washington, D.C., headquarters Wednesday.

The package was addressed to former President Donald Trump and allegedly contained vials of blood, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The U.S. Capitol Police said they temporarily locked down the location around 7:45 a.m. after they received a call about the package.

Officers arrived on the scene around 7:50 a.m. after the package was found, according to police.

PHOTO: The Republican National Committee logo is shown on the stage at the North Charleston Coliseum, Jan. 13, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP, FILE)

Secret Service members were called in to assist with the investigation, the agency said.

"The package contained vials of liquid suspected to be blood, and the packaging and contents were collected for further testing," USSS Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stohler said in a statement.

The Secret Service did not officially disclose who the package was addressed to, but Stohler said it was "addressed to a Secret Service protectee."

Police lifted the lockdown shortly after the package was removed. An investigation into the incident and the package's source is ongoing, according to police.

The RNC thanked officers for their swift work.

"The lockdown has been cleared and staff has resumed their office duties because we remain unintimidated and undeterred in our efforts to elect President Trump to the White House," RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement.

During her daily briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the incident was "concerning" and condemned political threats.

"That has no place in our politics," she said.

ABC News' Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report.

Vials of blood found in package addressed to Trump at RNC's DC headquarters: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Families of the victims killed in the 2022 Uvalde, Texas, school shooting said Wednesday they have settled their lawsuit with the City of Uvalde. Felix and Kimberly Rubio hold a picture of their 10-year-old daughter, Alexandria, a victim of the Robb Elementary School shooting, during a House committee hearing on the practices and profits of gun manufacturers at the U.S. Capitol July 27, 2022. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

May 22 (UPI) -- Uvalde, Texas, has reached a settlement with 17 families of children killed and 2 families of those wounded by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in 2022. The city will pay $2 million and create a permanent memorial.

Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the May 24, 2022, shooting.

Lawyers for the families said the settlement included a promise to overhaul the city police department.

The suit against Uvalde isn't the only one families of the victims are pursuing.

A new suit has been filed by the families against the Texas Department of Public Safety and 92 officers for the failure of police officers to engage the gunman for 77 minutes after arriving at the scene.

Josh Koskoff, an attorney for the families, said in a statement, "For 77 minutes, 26 members of the Uvalde Police Department failed to confront an 18-year-old kid armed with an AR-15, and no disciplinary action has ever been taken -- no firings, no demotions, no transparency -- and the families remain eager for that to change. But the healing process must begin, and the commitments made today by the city, in particular, are a step in that critical process."

The mother and aunt of two of the child victims, Veronia Luevanos, said, "This settlement reflects a good-faith effort, particularly by the City of Uvalde, to begin rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us."

She said for two long years the families languished in pain without any accountability from law enforcement agencies and officers.

In the settlement with the city, the families agreed to accept the $2 million limit on the city's insurance policy because seeking more money would have resulted in a city bankruptcy.

The City of Uvalde committed to establishing a May 24 annual Day of Remembrance of the tragedy and also will implement a new "fitness for duty" standard that will be developed with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The families have also named the Uvalde school district and Uvalde county district attorney Christina Mitchell in lawsuits for the way the shooting was handled.

A Justice Department report that reviewed law enforcement response confirmed failures at every level contributed to the inaction of police for over an hour at the scene of the killings.
One of the victims in two brutal sexual assaults along the Venice Canals on the same night last month has been declared brain dead, leaving many to wonder if the L.A. County District Attorneys Office will now include a charge of murder against the 29-year-old suspect.

The vicious attacks occurred separately on April 6 while both victims were out for an evening walk along the canals. Thats when authorities say they were violently assaulted by Anthony Jones.

With help from the community, including critical surveillance footage, law enforcement personnel were able to locate and arrest the 29-year-old five days later in San Diego.

The level of brutality that was engaged in was very reprehensible, L.A. County DA George Gascon said during a news conference announcing the charges.

The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area on April 6, 2024.

The charges against Jones included two counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, one count of sodomy by use of force, one count of mayhem, one count of torture and one count of attempted murder.

Now, one of the victims, a woman from Massachusetts, no longer has any brain function, people close to the case tell KTLAs Chris Wolfe.

The second victim, 54-year-old Mary Klein, told KTLA from her hospital bed that Jones attacked her from behind and bashed her face in. Doctors were forced to wire her jaw shut after a beating that left her severely injured and covered in bruises.

I think he was trying to kill me, Klein said at the time. I think he tried to kill me.

Mary Klein, seen with severe injuries and bruising, speaks to KTLA from her hospital bed on April 12, 2024. (KTLA)

Venice resident Aimee Nelson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 10 years, said she and others thought it was likely the woman from Massachusetts would not wake up and recover from the attack.

Even knowing that, today when we saw it, it was still incredibly emotional, she said.

Nelson said theres been an increase in violent crime in the neighborhood and that residents are doing the best they can by keeping tabs on each other, one neighbor even gave her pepper spray and a stun gun.

A new Know Your Neighbor plan that divides the community into special blocks or focus groups with labels has been expanding in the area.

Our neighbors have been asking each other to walk them home, people are avoiding going out at night because they feel unsafe, Venice resident Ramon Goni told KTLA. We had an active shooter right behind us a few weeks ago.

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Asked whether they intend to increase the charges against Jones to include murder after one of the victims was declared brain dead, the L.A. County DAs Office released the following statement to KTLA:

We are aware of the tragic circumstances surrounding one of the victims of last months brutal sexual assaults at the Venice Canals. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victims family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. Our office is evaluating how we will proceed to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable for his conduct.

As for Klein, the lone survivor of the attacks, she and her son were upset to learn of the latest developments and are not ready to publicly speak about the situation just yet.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Victims identified in possible drive-by shooting in the Bronx: NYPD

EAST BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  A possible drive-by shooting has left a man dead and another man injured in the Bronx late Sunday, according to the NYPD.

It happened along Ely Avenue in East Bronx around 10:50 p.m.

Man exonerated in 14-year-old girls death now charged in fatal shooting in Queens: DA

Joseph Johnson, 29, was found with a gunshot wound to his head, and James Billingsley, 40, sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg, according to authorities. Both were taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi.

Johnson was pronounced dead at 11:21 p.m.

Police say two groups of men were engaged in a verbal dispute when four shots rang out. Johnson was involved, however, Billingsley was an unintended target who was visiting his niece, according to the NYPD.

Two 9mm shell casings were recovered, police said.

Worker charged after robber shot in Queens liquor store: NYPD

Several suspects fled the scene in a gray Honda Accord, according to authorities. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Victor Valley College recently hosted a luncheon, which brought together top community partners from the Auto Industry in the High Desert.

College officials said its goal was to spotlight the automotive sector, attracting leaders from renowned dealerships, including Victorville Auto Group, Valley Hi Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Honda, Sunland Ford, and the Browning Auto Group.

The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue between Victor Valley Colleges Automotive Department staff and industry leaders.

Victor Valley College recently hosted a luncheon, which brought together top community partners from the Auto Industry in the High Desert.

Making connections

The meeting fostered closer connections between the colleges educational programs and the local automotive industry as the school is dedicated to delivering exceptional instruction, aiming to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in various employment sectors within the High Desert, college officials said.

These engagements help Victor Valley College progress towards enhancing its curriculum and aligning with industry demands.

Victor Valley College offers 13 certifications of achievement and two associate degrees in automotive technology, underscoring a commitment to comprehensive, career-focused education.

Learning Aligned Employment Program

In addition to strengthening existing programs, the college has introduced a new Learning Aligned Employment Program to automotive leaders.

The program provides funds to allow eligible students opportunities to earn money by working with industry leaders. This program helps students offset educational costs while gaining valuable, career-related experience in their fields of study.

For employers, the benefits of the Learning Aligned Employment Program are significant, school officials said.

The college reimburses non-profit employers up to 90% of the salaries paid to student interns, and 50% for for-profit businesses.

This initiative not only supports students financially but also ensures that employers have access to a well-prepared and highly skilled workforce.

Victor Valley College is committed to meeting the needs of industry partners by continuously adapting educational offerings, college officials stated.

For more information, visit vvc.edu/laep.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley College spotlights local automotive industry
Assemblyman Vince Fong will complete former Rep. Kevin McCarthys term after defeating Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in Tuesdays runoff election for Californias 20th Congressional District.

Fong, R-Bakersfield, will serve in his former boss seat for about seven months  and potentially longer, depending on the outcome of Novembers election.

The Associated Press called the race for Fong at 8:17 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday. He had 60.5% of the votes with an estimated 83% of them counted, per the AP. Boudreaux, also a Republican, had 39.5% of the votes.

Fong was McCarthys chosen successor in the area that has been represented by powerful GOP congressmen for more than four decades.

McCarthy left Congress in December two months after his ouster as Speaker of the House. Speaker was a role he long coveted and held for nine months.

McCarthy won the seat in 2006 ahead of the retirement of his former boss, retiring Rep. Bill Thomas, then chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which writes legislation on tax policy, trade, Social Security and other big issues. Thomas had endorsed McCarthy.

Fong worked for both. He served as McCarthys district director for almost a decade and began his political career as an aide to Thomas, who was first elected to Congress in 1978.

In Sacramento, Fong has represented the area thats now the 32nd Assembly District since 2016 and is the top Republican on the powerful budget committee. Hell resign his seat to serve in Congress.

Boudreaux, 57, has been Tulare County Sheriff for over a decade, having started in law enforcement there as a cadet when he was 19. He is currently president of the California State Sheriffs Association.

The two Republicans are expected to face each other again in the Nov. 5 general election for a two-year term to begin in January 2025.

Tonights result was expected. Fong had the support of McCarthy allies and his home base is in Kern County, where most of the voters in Californias 20th live.

Californias 20th is the states most heavily GOP congressional district, where 47% of registered voters are Republican and 27% are Democrats. It covers parts of Kern, Kings, Fresno and Tulare counties.





The May 21 runoff was expected to have low turnout. By Monday, less than 15% of mail-in ballots had been returned, according to Californias secretary of state.

Mail-in ballots postmarked and sent on or before Election Day that are delivered by May 28 will be counted. Californias secretary of state must certify election results by or on June 28.

But Fong can be sworn in far sooner than that deadline, even within a week, if Californias secretary of state confirms there is a member-elect in a letter to the House Clerk that quickly to start the process.

Fong will boost the GOPs razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives.
Assemblyman Vince Fong understands that hes taking over for nationally-recognized, powerful and controversial congressional Republicans who have represented Californias rural heart for 45 years.

How he fits into the legacy handed down by his former bosses is not top of mind for the Republican elected Tuesday to finish the last months of retired Rep. Kevin McCarthys congressional term.

First on his agenda is focusing on local and national issues related to securing the Southern Border, water infrastructure, small businesses and food and energy production.

Ill let history judge my legacy and my career, Fong said in a telephone interview Wednesday morning. I just hope that were able to tackle these issues.

Fong, R-Bakersfield, beat Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in Tuesdays runoff election for retired Rep. Kevin McCarthys former district, the AP projected.

Fong, once McCarthys district director, will serve in the House of Representatives for about seven months  and possibly longer, depending on the outcome of Novembers election for a two year term.

Over those seven months, Congress will deal with another federal budget fight to the Farm Bill, which updates agriculture and food policy about every five years, to continued battles on the border to military and humanitarian funding for overseas conflicts.

We are living in a very chaotic time, Fong said. But that is also the time where someone can have the most impact.

Fong, 44, the top Republican on the Assembly budget committee, spent the day he was elected to Congress at the California Capitol in Sacramento working on legislative matters until 6 p.m. PT, two hours before polls closed.

Hell be working on his Assembly duties in Sacramento this week, he said, while details about his transition to Congress are ironed out.

Wednesday morning from Sacramento, Fong said that he was already talking to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and members of Congress as we work on policies to introduce as we get to Congress, hopefully soon.

Fong, jumping into Congress mid-session, doesnt necessarily get to choose which House of Representatives committees he can join.

He mentioned that, at least in the future, an important one would be the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which writes important policy related to tax, trade and Social Security. He also cited Energy and Commerce would be important to Californias 20th Congressional District, home to Californias oil-and-gas hub Kern County.

He has a lot of Republicans before him from the San Joaquin Valley to look to. Fong follows in a legacy fueled by the Kern County political machine that has helped powerful GOP congressmen control the district for over four decades.

McCarthy, Fongs former boss, chose and greatly boosted the Assemblyman to succeed him in Californias 20th; McCarthy left Congress in December after his October ousting as House Speaker.

Before McCarthy was their former boss, Rep. Bill Thomas, who once chaired Ways and Means. Tulare Rep. Devin Nunes also has influence in the region.

They were tremendous individuals, tremendous leaders. And thats quite a legacy, Fong said. I think, for me, my focus is doing the best I can to make sure that I represent the Central Valley and make sure that they have the most effective voice possible.

Vince Fong taking over for Kevin McCarthy

In Sacramento, Fong has represented the area thats now the 32nd Assembly District since 2016 and is the top Republican on the powerful budget committee, another experience that he said would help him tackle refocusing and reinvesting federal resources. Hell resign his seat to serve in Congress.

Boudreaux, 57, will be on the ballot with Fong again in the Nov. 5 general election for a two-year term to begin in January 2025.

Whether Boudreaux will continue campaigning is unclear. In a concession statement last night, Boudreaux congratulated Fong and expressed hope for the regions congressional representation but did not say that he intended to continue running through November. Rather, he pivoted to focus on in-state crime.

California faces a crime crisis unlike any other in its history. Thats why I will be stepping up the fight for a safer Valley and safer California, he said. I look forward to providing updates on this effort in the coming weeks.

A campaign sprint to succeed Kevin McCarthy

Fong had the support of McCarthy allies, donors and the ex-Speaker himself in the campaign sprint to the March primaries and May runoff.

Campaigns were forced into a three-month blitz ahead of the March primaries due to McCarthys abrupt resignation announcement two days before Californias electoral filing deadline.

A messy game of succession caused Fong to file to run for both the Assembly and Congress in December, shrouding his full-term congressional bid in a legal challenge by the states top election official. A California appeals court affirmed in April that Fong could be on the ballot for both in November.

Californias 20th is the states most heavily GOP congressional district, where 47% of registered voters are Republican and 27% are Democrats. It covers parts of Kern, Kings, Fresno and Tulare counties. Most of the voters in the 20th are in Kern County, where Fong and McCarthys home base is.

Mail-in ballots postmarked and sent on or before Election Day that are delivered by May 28 will be counted. Californias secretary of state must certify election results by or on June 28.

Fong can be sworn in far sooner than that deadline, even within a week, if Secretary of State Shirley Weber confirms there is a member-elect in a letter to the House Clerk that quickly to start the process. Whenever hes sworn in, Fong will boost the GOPs razor-thin House majority that has caused trouble when renegade Republicans break ranks.
BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday congratulated To Lam on his assuming office as president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Xi pointed out that China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers.

Xi also noted that during his state visit to Vietnam last year, he and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, opening a new chapter in the relations between the two Parties and two countries.

The Chinese leader said he is glad to see that various departments and localities of the two countries are stepping up efforts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and have made positive progress.

The Chinese president said he highly regards the development of China-Vietnam relations, and is ready to work with comrade president to maintain strategic communication, guide a substantial development in the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples. 
The Salmon School District will finally get a new school.

After decades of voters rejecting every bond the district ran, the community on Tuesday approved a $20 million bond to build a new pre-K-8 school with a resounding 72% support.

The election comes after the Idaho Statesman and ProPublica reported last year on how children across the state were learning in schools with freezing classrooms, leaking roofs and discolored water. Salmon was one of the most poignant examples, having run around a dozen failed bonds over the past two decades to replace its crumbling schools.

At Salmons Pioneer Elementary, the plumbing is failing, the floors are uneven and pose tripping hazards and sewage sometimes backs up into a corner of the kitchen. Parts of the building arent accessible for students with disabilities. The foundation is crumbling.

The district is one of only two that has ever turned to a state program created in 2006 that lets school districts borrow money from the state if they have unsafe facilities and cant pass a bond or figure out another way to fix them. But a state panel at the time decided that Salmons problems did not warrant a new school under the law, only new roofs and seismic reinforcements. After that process, the district ultimately decided to close its middle school, which now sits abandoned beside the the elementary school, surrounded by a wire fence.

When the Statesman and ProPublica visited the elementary school last year, it had many of the same problems it had about a decade ago, when it first applied for help from the state.

Over the past several months, a group called the Salmon Schools Needs Assessment Committee has been active on social media to provide information about the bond and share the challenges that the elementary school faces.

Jill Patton, the principal of the elementary school, said she is deeply thankful that the community came together to support the districts schools. She praised the grassroots initiative spearheaded by the needs assessment committee.

The effort involved a remarkable group that dedicated countless hours to understanding community concerns and identifying preferred solutions, she said in an email. They meticulously developed a plan that the community could rally behind.

Kuna levy fails, West Ada levy passes

The Kuna School Districts supplemental levy, which would have provided the district $5.3 million per year for two years, failed with about 43% support. The measure needed a simple majority to pass.

The levy would have funded 15 teachers, including four kindergarten teachers, along with some facilities maintenance projects. It also would have helped maintain existing curriculum and technology, and provided some funds for facilities maintenance needs, according to the district. Most districts across Idaho rely on supplemental levies for operational needs.

Kuna School District spokesperson Allison Westfall said in an email that the district is disappointed with the outcome of the election, but it will work in the coming days to identify how to adjust our spending as it finalizes its budget for next school year.

We appreciate that this would have been a tax increase for our property owners and that likely was the key factor in the outcome, Westfall said in an email to the Statesman.

In West Ada, voters approved a supplemental levy that will provide about $13.8 million per year for two years. That measure will help provide for the salaries of around 150 teachers, along with the services of 19 student resource officers.

Ahead of the vote, the district said there would be a significant reduction in workforce if the measure failed.
DENVER (KDVR)  A Walmart in Arapahoe County was evacuated on Tuesday night after a gun incident inside the store.

The location is a Walmart Neighborhood Market in the 1400 block of South Parker Road, at the corner of East Florida Avenue. The evacuation was underway around 9 p.m. A FOX31 crew arrived at the scene and found the entrance blocked by police and police tape.

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According to the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office, two people were arguing inside the store when one of them left and returned with a gun.

Multiple police agencies responded to a report of the disturbance and possible gunfire. Officers then searched the store and detained the people involved.

A sheriffs office spokesperson said it did not appear that any shots were fired. While the sheriffs office initially said injuries were reported, they updated a social media post to say there were not.

FOX31s Rogelio Mares was at the scene and learned just before 10 p.m. that employees were allowed inside the store to get their belongings.

The investigation was ongoing. Police from Aurora, Denver and Glendale responded to the 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 FOX31 Denver.
WARRENTON, Va. (DC News Now)  As thousands of families are getting ready to celebrate a high school graduation, one Virginia father and son are excited for the celebration that they were so close to never sharing.

Rhett Heppler and his father Joe are forever bonded by a moment from Thanksgiving 2023.

Joe, a father of two boys, came downstairs and said he did not feel well. He asked his son to call 911, and then he collapsed face first, eventually lying in a pool of his blood.

When Rhett called 911, he was instructed by the operator to perform CPR, which he did. Joe ended up on life support for two weeks but survived and is home after an arduous recovery.

I wasnt panicking, I wasnt freaking out, Rhett said. It was just all the adrenaline. Do what you gotta do.

Rhett said the doctors told him that immediate CPR was instrumental in saving his fathers life.

Every second that you dont have the oxygen flowing to your brain is another second that its going to be a much harder recovery, or you may not recover, he said.

American Academy of Pediatrics launches Rx4DC initiative to address gun violence

Rhetts father Joe, a former law enforcement officer, said he was proud of his sons actions.

I can understand how difficult that was to do [CPR] with a stranger, he said. I cant imagine what he was going through having to do it with me.

Rhett is getting ready to graduate from Kettle Run High School this week, a celebration that his father will be able to attend because of his actions.

Its a very special moment and Im very, very happy that Im here to see it, Joe said.

Rhett said his dad is the most important person in his life.

Im honored that I could do something for him, Rhett said. It doesnt seem like its nearly as much as what hes done for me. But, you know, I was just doing something for a moment.

Rhett is encouraging others to learn CPR, saying you never know when or if you may need to perform the life-saving mechanism.

His post-high school path is unknown, but he said the experience at Thanksgiving has encouraged him to put himself in high-pressure situations where he can help people.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
According to the United States, Israeli military operations in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip have not yet reached a scale that would alarm the US government.

"What we have seen so far in terms of Israel's military operations in that area has been more targeted and limited [and] has not involved major military operations into the heart of dense urban areas," US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in Washington on Wednesday.

He had been asked whether Israel had responded to the US government's concerns and whether it supported what the Israeli military was doing in Rafah.

Sullivan did not answer the question directly, but referred to his visit to Israel at the weekend, where he continued the detailed discussion about Rafah, which has been going on for weeks now.

He had reaffirmed the US position to the Israeli leadership and had been informed by them "about how they are refining their approach."

"We now have to see what unfolds from here," emphasized Sullivan. We will keep a close eye on what the Israeli military is doing and continue to be briefed on how it is adapting its approach.

The US rejects a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah.

Israel's army began a ground operation in the east of the city a fortnight ago. According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli military estimates that around 950,000 Palestinians have left the area since then, but some 300,000 to 400,000 civilians are still believed to be living in the city.

Before the Israeli army began its incursion, more than 1 million internally displaced Palestinians from other parts of the Gaza Strip had sought refuge in Rafah.
May 22 (UPI) -- A 5-foot alligator was placed "under arrest" at the home of a 104-year-old Florida woman who complained about the animal's presence on her property.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said on social media that two officers "have quite the 'tail' to tell about responding to a nuisance gator 104-year-old woman's home near Atlantic Boulevard and Art Museum Drive."

The officers enlisted help from licensed trapper Mike Dragich to secure the reptile.

"We can't cuff him," one of the officers says in the video of the capture. "You are under arrest, you got to leave those grandma's alone. We're going to take you downtown."

The sheriff's office said the alligator was transported to another location and released by the trapper.
Watch: Chinese dad kneels in public for being unable to buy daughter an iPhone

[Source]

A video of a Chinese man kneeling on the ground, purportedly blaming himself for being unable to buy his daughter an iPhone, has sparked discussions on Chinese social media.

Key points:

A passerby filmed the shocking moment while driving through a street in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on May 4.

The video shows a girl pulling at an older man's clothes while yelling at him to get up from the ground.

Weibo users denounced the girl for her apparent materialism, as well as her behavior toward her alleged father.

The details:

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According to the witness  who reportedly stayed on the scene for five minutes  the girl wanted an iPhone 15, but her father had no money to buy one for her.

The father reportedly fell to his knees in self-reproach, blaming himself for his financial incapability.

Embarrassed by her fathers actions, the girl then yelled stand up. In that moment, the witness said they felt like going up there and hitting her."

What happened before the video is unknown. Personal items, presumably belonging to the supposed father-and-daughter, can be seen scattered across the sidewalk.

The father eventually stood up and sat down but reportedly knelt back down and blamed himself again.

Reactions:

Weibo users criticized the girl for her perceived materialism. Most children nowadays grow up without worrying about food or clothing and have no concept of the value of money, one commented.

Some appreciated her father's actions, with one writing This father was simply brave enough to express his true feelings.

Meanwhile, others blamed the father for his spoiling his daughter. What's there to sympathize with this man? He brought it upon himself, spoiled his child and will suffer more when he gets older, one noted.

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LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)  The Lufkin Police Department responded to a 911 call of a man who discovered a loose kangaroo after his wife confused it for a dog.

Kangaroo spotted at Texarkana park, police respond

Courtesy of the Lufkin Police Department

Lufkin PD said Kangaroo Jack was spotted leaving his residence in Fuller Springs taking residents by surprise since the star has been living his life behind the scenes ever since his movie premiered years ago, alluding to the 2003 family film.

An officer said the kangaroo was not harmed and returned back to his residence after a Sunday stroll through the neighborhood. The officer spoke with the homeowner who reportedly said her husband had left the gate open on accident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
A waterlogged history: Daytona Beach neighborhood has flooded for more than a century

DAYTONA BEACH  Daytona Beach's low-lying Midtown area has a vexing flooding problem. The area is basically a bowl, and much of the Midtown neighborhood is on the bottom of it.

Midtown sits about five to six feet above sea level. Usually, only Midtown buildings with first floors at least eight feet above sea level have a shot at staying dry when especially heavy rains hit.

When enough water comes pouring down from the sky and more elevated surrounding areas, sandbags, pumps, retention ponds and the Nova Canal quickly lose the fight.

Daytona Beach neighborhoods east of Nova Road experienced perilous flooding when Tropical Storm Ian hit the area at the end of September in 2022.

The repeated flooding is a devastating problem for Midtown. Homes, businesses and churches flood again and again, often making waterlogged buildings uninhabitable.

But hope arrived in January in the form of a $3 million, two-year flood mitigation study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The work is hoped - but not guaranteed - to lead to a flood mitigation project that the federal government would help fund.

Both children and adults were rescued out of Daytona Beach's Midtown neighborhood and other badly flooded areas in the city after Tropical Storm Ian swept through central Florida in September 2022.

The solution won't be easy, quick or cheap.

Daytona Beach has a stormwater pipe network that feeds water east of Interstate 95 into the Halifax River. The tail end of pipes that release that stormwater normally sit a few feet above the river's surface, and they're designed to send the runoff on a one-way trip eastward.

When the river rises at high tide, the river has had rain dumped into it, or storm surge pushes the river westward  and sometimes when all three things are happening at once  the Halifax gets so high that the city pipes on the riverbank go underwater and can no longer do their job.

Read more: Low elevation makes Daytona's Midtown vulnerable to chronic flooding

The blocked pipes mean any floodwater settled into Midtown is trapped until the river drops back down and water can again flow out of the city lines and into the Halifax.

It's a puzzle the U.S. Army Corps is trying to solve. The solution might ultimately be a combination of things, perhaps adding more strategically placed pumps, rerouting drainage where that makes sense, adding retention ponds or underground stormwater storage, and removing housing from the most flood-prone areas.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Low-lying Daytona Beach neighborhood has a long history of flooding
This cellphone photo taken on May 9, 2024 shows Yang Bingjun speaking during an interview with Xinhua at his reed painting art gallery in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Can)

SHIJIAZHUANG, May 22 (Xinhua) -- In the eyes of 58-year-old Yang Bingjun, the common reed can be woven not only into producing mundane necessities, but also transformed into appealing artworks exhibited in a gallery, as exemplified by his lifelike depictions of Baer's pochards, the magnificent Great Wall, and poetic landscapes of the Xiong'an New Area.

As a representative inheritor of the provincial intangible cultural heritage of reed painting in north China's Hebei Province, Yang is clearly proud of this remarkable form of art known as Anxin reed painting, which is crafted by using pieced-together reed stalks and carbonized coloring instead of traditional brushes and pigments.

Materials for Anxin reed painting are sourced from Baiyangdian, a prominent wetland in northern China. It boasts approximately 8,000 hectares of reeds, historically a significant economic resource for the local population.

For generations, the people of Baiyangdian have harvested reeds, which are lightweight and durable, to weave various everyday items such as baskets for crabs and fish, and mats for sleeping.

The inheritance of the reed painting craft reflects the development of the Xiong'an New Area and the evolving culture of Baiyangdian reeds, said Yang. "We've been weaving mats and baskets since we were kids. On a good day, I can weave 20 baskets.

When the crab season comes, we sell them to make some money," said Ma Xiaohuan, a 52-year-old villager in Xiong County, part of the Xiong'an New Area.

"We used to weave many mats, but it was a time-consuming process, taking nearly a whole day to produce just one," Ma revealed. Economic and social developments have resulted in significant changes of lifestyle for Baiyangdian residents.

"Fewer people weave mats because people no longer sleep on heatable brick beds," said villager Xiao Yongde, who noted that reed mats and baskets have largely become decorative items in restaurants showcasing local culture.

Fortunately, the value of the reeds didn't diminish but expanded with the evolution of reed paintings, which saw reeds transformed into well-received cultural emblems of Baiyangdian by Yang and other local inheritors.

Reed paintings, celebrated for their natural hues and simple style, are often dubbed "green art" because they use natural materials without artificial pigments, underscoring environmental friendliness.

These artworks vividly portray flora, fauna, human figures, and landscapes with authentic and elegant charm.

"Creating a reed painting involves more than ten meticulous steps, including material selection, high-temperature carbonization, ironing, piecing, and gluing," Yang explained.

The reeds are soaked, sometimes for hours or days, then flattened, cut into shapes, and carbonized to achieve a series of up to nine colors ranging from white to black, creating a strong sense of depth and life.

Yang has deep roots in Baiyangdian, where he grew up fishing and weaving mats.

He began creating reed paintings in the 1980s, building on traditional reed weaving techniques.

"Facing complex subjects, I've worked tirelessly to overcome various technical challenges," he recalled.

The establishment of Xiong'an New Area has infused new momentum into the evolution of these reeds into priceless cultural treasures, according to Yang.

"Since the establishment of the Xiong'an New Area in 2017, our area has attracted attention from scholars and tourists nationwide and even worldwide. More people are willing to come to Xiong'an to learn about the reed culture of Baiyangdian," Yang revealed.

The impact of the establishment of the new area is evident, with Yang's reed painting art gallery attracting over 3,000 students from across the country in the wake of this initiative.

"They are very interested in reed paintings. Students from Beijing, Hebei, Shanghai, Shaanxi, and other regions have visited my gallery," Yang said.

The development of the new area has also expanded the range of subjects for reed paintings.

"We used to focus on Baiyangdian landscapes and water culture. Now, we explore themes like Xiong'an's builders, landmarks, urban scenery, and skyline," said Yang, while noting that these new subjects also inspire deeper exploration of painting techniques. Reed paintings have not only benefited from the new area's growth but has also contributed to it.

The intricate process requires a team to execute reed harvesting, painting, coloring, and framing.

"Reed paintings have driven the development of an entire industry," said Yang, highlighting that over 3,000 people have joined the industry while he has cultivated 12 apprentices, three of whom have since become provincial-level master craftsmen.

On May 1, one of Yang's reed paintings with a Great Wall theme was featured at the 2024 Foire de Paris (Paris Fair).

"Receiving the invitation was exhilarating and significant. This exhibition has further promoted reed paintings abroad, helping the world appreciate Xiong'an heritage and boosting its global presence," said Yang.

From serving as mats to being displayed as wall art, and from a local craft to enjoying global recognition, the evolution of Baiyangdian reeds mirrors the transformation of the lives of residents and the rapid development of Xiong'an New Area. 

This image provided by Yang Bingjun shows one of his reed painting artworks. (Xinhua)
Courtroom artists revealed the fascinating details of their jobs  and the moments we rarely see. Illustration: Jianan Liu/HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images, AP

For Elizabeth Williams, one of the three courtroom artists inside the Manhattan courtroom for former President Donald Trumps trial, every day is a new challenge.

Take last Tuesday, when defense attorney Todd Blanche cross-examined Trumps fixer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen on the witness stand. She nailed the former presidents facial expression. He tends to purse his lips forward when he gets really pissed off. And he was doing that, Williams told HuffPost on Sunday.

But on that particular drawing, she was less satisfied with how Cohen turned out, even though she felt she got his energy down. Did I get a really great likeness of him? No, but thats what the back-and-forth [between Blanche and Cohen] looked like.

Thats the daily challenge of a courtroom artist. Its not like you can say, Ive been doing this for so long. Its just so easy now. Thats just unfortunately not true, Williams said, noting that she goes through a lot of paper.

"You start with the most moving or the most important thing first, and then you build out of that," Williams said of her process. Above is the drawing she made last Tuesday of Cohen being cross-examined by defense attorney Todd Blanche. Elizabeth Williams

Trump is on trial in New York for allegedly covering up hush money payments Cohen made on his behalf to Stephanie Clifford, an adult film star who goes by Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 presidential election. And unless youre a juror or journalist, youre most likely only seeing the trial through Williams and other courtroom artists sketches.

New York remains one of the only jurisdictions that bans cameras in most courtrooms. In this high-profile criminal trial, as with many others where photography, broadcasting and livestreaming is limited or banned, courtroom art is one of the only ways that the public can see how the proceedings unfold.

These artists become responsible for conveying what its like to be in that room. Its their job to capture the colors, moods and participants gestures, however fleeting.

What sets courtroom art from other mediums is how it can distill a scene into the key most important elements and put them into an image. And its representative of the days story, said Christine Cornell, one of the other courtroom artists covering the Trump trial.

Cornell noticed that her first drawings of Daniels made her simply look pretty, but she was later struck by a moment during Daniels testimony when she was making a face with her jaw.

You want to just get it enough to show the agitation and that shes expressing herself, Cornell told HuffPost about why she chose that moment to zoom in on.

In one of her own drawings of Daniels, Williams highlighted how closely the jury listened to her testimony. She could not get the jurors faces, but she made sure to draw their hands jotting down notes.

They were very attentive to her, Williams said about the moment. Shes talking to them. ... Some witnesses dont really address the jury. She did.

What its really like to cover a historic trial

Each day, the three veteran courtroom artists  Williams, Cornell and Jane Rosenberg  are seated in the third row on the right side of the courtroom. They rotate spots daily. Williams was scheduled to sit on Tuesday on the far right next to the wall, which she said would give her a chance to see the jury and what theyre doing, for example.

Between them, the three artists have covered many famous cases, such as Tom Bradys Deflategate saga, Harvey Weinsteins 2020 rape trial and the trial of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

However, all three said this trial stands out for the intense security presence around the proceedings, including from police and the Secret Service. They wont even excuse us to leave until all the prosecutors are gone and Trumps been gone for 20 minutes, Cornell said.

Court artists are used to being able to draw people in seconds, she said. But its been hard to even catch a good glimpse of the star of the case, Trump, who is often blocked from view by court officers.

Every day, I have to wait till [the officers] move or squeeze a peek in between them, Rosenberg told HuffPost. But [Trump]s really fun to draw. Hes got great expression on his face, that pouty look. Hes got great bushy eyebrows and his helmet hair.



In Williams' sketch, she drew Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert sitting at Trump's hush money trial. Williams said she is proud of this drawing because it shows "the public what it's really like to be in that courtroom" with the high level of security. Elizabeth Williams

Williams, who works with the Associated Press, said she has to adhere to strict AP editorial guidelines. I cant take a picture of Donald Trump and ram him up next to the witness box, she explained. Some of her work does not include Trump, simply because she cannot see him.

As the weeks-long trial nears its conclusion, the artists have been pulling long hours to complete four to five sketches a day, which they shoot off to wire services or news outlets on breaks. Cornell said shell email her drawings in the bathroom.

Theres a nice big window there with a counter. I set my drawings down, take a photograph and email it in. Very glamorous, Cornell said.

The long days can be physically draining, Rosenberg said. To get the best view, Rosenberg, who is right-handed, has to work with her left hand at times, which hurts her back. To help, she wakes up at 4 a.m. and does back exercises and meditates.

Im exhausted right now, because I get up so early and I have such a long day, of course, but I dont start drawing until like 9:30 [a.m.], when [Trump] walks in the room, Rosenberg said.

Cornell said for her job, she uses a couple hundred pastels, binoculars and a seat cushion to help her see over people. She estimates that her portfolio and art supplies weigh more than 20 pounds.

And on the world stage, you have to be ready to face everybodys opinion about your work. Critics often accuse courtroom artists of unfairly editorializing about the people they draw. At this years White House Correspondents Dinner, comedian Colin Jost said the artists were trying to make Trump look like the Grinch and as bad as possible.

Rosenberg said that this critique is ridiculous.

She said shes has gotten more praise than criticism for her sketches during the trial  her arraignment sketch of Trump became a New Yorker magazine cover  but she does occasionally read negative feedback. Recently, she got an email from a person that said she inaccurately portrayed Cohen as an old, sad, sick man and Trump as a strong middle-aged man. She replied, saying that she was sorry that her work had let the person down.

It does make me feel bad, she said of the criticism. But I have to keep going.

A rewarding but dwindling profession

Being a courtroom artist requires quick thinking and the ability to start over instantly if theres a better scene to capture. Its an adrenaline rush, Rosenberg said, noting that she sees her job as a service for the public.

But its a shrinking profession. Williams, who started doing courtroom art in 1980 after working as a fashion illustrator estimates there are only about 10 courtroom artists working across the nation right now. She said courtroom art is not her full-time job and she draws weddings and events on the side.

Above, (L-R) courtoom artists Elizabeth Williams, Jane Rosenberg and Christine Cornell wait to enter the courthouse for Trump's trial. JEFFERSON SIEGEL via Getty Images

Cornell and Rosenberg both said they would not recommend the profession to others, because it can be hard to find steadily paying gigs. Even though she is well established, Cornell said she can go weeks without work.

I dont think its a good way to earn a living, Rosenberg said.

But if you want to learn how to draw like one, grab a sketchbook, head to your local criminal courthouse and go to arraignment or a hearing. They are often open to the public and are the bread-and-butter assignments for courtroom artists, Williams said.

A lot of artists feel like, Oh, I can draw from photographs, so I can do all this. ... Going from a photograph and drawing from life are totally different, she said, noting how she has to deal with subjects who are constantly moving.

Draw a lot and draw quickly and look at the scene  the scene is the drawing, Williams advised aspiring courtroom artists. Do it a lot and then youll finally start to get ... something that you feel like, Yeah, this is pretty good.

It can be hard work, but for courtroom artists, the enduring appeal of their job is getting to draw people. I dont really want to draw trees and flowers, Williams said. A seascape is only interesting if it has people in it.

People are so interesting. Just never boring, Williams said. A face has a multitude of muscles. Thats one of the things about Cohen, is that he has all these expressions, and just to grab one is really important. The eyebrows do all sorts of things.

Soon the demanding days of the Trump trial will come to a conclusion. Both Cornell and Rosenberg said they are looking forward to the end.

On a recent day off, I got up at 7:30 a.m. So late for me, I was so happy, Rosenberg said. Its a luxury.

My dog misses me, Cornell said. Its going to be fabulous when its over, and Im just really interested to see what happens.

Related...
Gov. Wes Moore is not on the ballot in Maryland this year.

But Moore has been campaigning in the states Senate race as though his own future were at stake.

Thats because it is, Moore said in an interview.

A 45-year-old Democrat who is widely seen as a possible future candidate for the White House, Moore acknowledged in direct terms that he sees the outcome of Marylands open seat as being  in part  a statement on his own political credibility.

Its something thats impossible not to think about, Moore told POLITICO.

If Republicans won a Senate race in Maryland, an event not seen since the end of the Cold War, it would plainly reflect poorly on the states whole Democratic establishment  including the governor.

The campaign pits Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince Georges county executive, against Larry Hogan, the popular former governor who is perhaps the Republican Partys strongest recruit in any Senate race this year.

Moore campaigned hard for Alsobrooks in the Democratic primary, helping her defeat the mega-wealthy liquor magnate Rep. David Trone by a double-digit margin. The general election could be even tougher to pull off.

Moores tangled relationship with Hogan runs through the narrative of the current campaign. When Moore ran for governor in 2022, he hailed Hogan as a capable leader with a strong record in Annapolis. Last week, Hogan launched a Democrats for Hogan group with a video that made use of Moores past comments.

Thousands of Marylanders voted for both men at different times: Hogan won 55 percent of the vote in his 2018 reelection campaign. Moore won 65 percent four years later.

But to help Alsobrooks win the general election, Moore sounds prepared to drive a wedge between his predecessor and the middle-of-the-road Marylanders who like him.

When I think about the kind of partners that I need, as the governor of a state, you need to have a strong federal delegation, whose values and use and whose principles you believe in, Moore said. That means Alsobrooks.

You know, when I first took over as governor, we had no women in our delegation," Moore told POLITICO. Now with three women on the ballot in November, Maryland is "on the cusp" of women making up nearly a third of it.

Hogan's campaign hit Moore for trying to overshadow Alsobrooks.

How typical for a man to take credit for the hard-fought accomplishments of a woman, Hogan spokesperson Blake Kernen said in a statement.

Maryland Democrats have confidence in Moore's ability to mend fences and get Alsobrooks to the Senate. Moore will headline a unity breakfast in the suburban Washington, D.C., city of Greenbelt on Thursday morning where Alsobrooks and Trone are both expected to appear, in a gesture to show the bruising campaign is behind them.

Wes is our leader, said Malcolm Augustine, a Maryland state senator who was an early supporter of Alsobrooks. Hes done his part. People believe in Wes in the things that hes doing and theyre going to believe in and follow Angela.

Moore can't help but contrast his ability to get Alsobrooks to the nomination against Hogan's inability to shepherd his own hand-picked successor through a recent Republican primary. Instead, Del. Dan Cox won the gubernatorial nomination in 2022, and Moore trounced him by 32 points.

Its obvious he does have a coattail problem, Moore said of Hogan. He has not been able to get anybody who he has supported across the finish line, and I think thats obviously weighing heavily on his mind.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Its been a busy two weeks for Michigan Task Force 1.

Some of its members attended the Midwest Fire Rescue Expo Wednesday at DeVos Place, just a few days after returning from a deployment in Texas.

Im kind of like a proud father, said Jack Johnson, deputy chief of operations with the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

Six members of GRFD are members of MI-TF1, a team of approximately 168 of Michigans most highly trained emergency service personnel, who are called to assist with state and federal disasters or emergencies.

Michigan water team rescues 7 people, 1 dog in Vermont flooding

Michigan Task Force 1 in Texas flooding. (Courtesy Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System)

They take the best of the best and then they hone their skills on a higher level and then those guys bring those skills back and then train up the rest of the team that we have here, Johnson said. The combined expertise of those three members is definitely felt throughout the department. Theyre all leaders.

Captain Josh Veldkamp is one of those leaders.

Ive had a passion for the tech rescue side of the fire response and rescue responses and being offered a spot on the task force and being sponsored by the city of Grand Rapids is kind of a great opportunity where we can meld those passions with our department and then with the state, Veldkamp said.

Equipment used by Michigan Task Force 1 in Texas at the Midwest Fire Rescue Expo. (May 22, 2024)

Equipment used by Michigan Task Force 1 in Texas at the Midwest Fire Rescue Expo. (May 22, 2024)

He was one of three GRFD members who responded to assist with swift water rescue efforts in storm-ravaged Texas. A total of 17 MI-TF1 members were deployed.

Floodwaters start receding around Houston area as recovery begins following rescues and evacuations

Theres a lot of prepping right, you gotta mentally prep, make sure the family is OK for the duration that youre going to be gone, Veldkamp explained, adding that the team also had to make sure the equipment was ready and secure for a 20-hour convoy to Texas.

Its a big sacrifice and the longest Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to date. Initially, the deployment was supposed to be seven days, but MI-TF1 ended up spending two weeks in Texas.

When we were there, we were able to deliver humanitarian supplies whether thats water and (Meals Ready-to-Eat). We rescued some peoples pets that were left in other structures when they evacuated, and just pour into the local jurisdictions and the other people in the towns that we were serving, Veldkamp said.

Michigan Task Force 1 in Texas flooding. (Courtesy Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System)

Michigan Task Force 1 in Texas flooding. (Courtesy Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System)

Veldkamp has also assisted MI-TF1 with the Gaylord tornado, flooding in Midland, and Hurricane Dorian in Florida and said hes grateful for the additional training the task force offers and the opportunity to use those skills to help in his community and beyond.

W MI crews help with Dorian response

It kind of works hand in hand so that state resource thats here can help the local department thats on the other side and it all just works together seamlessly. Were able to take that back to our local side, train our other members, respond to other community members that are here, so its a really good partnership, Veldkamp said.

It also gives those local departments some piece of mind.

It really makes myself and the fire chief proud to know that weve got representatives from the city of Grand Rapids down there helping out our neighbors, Johnson said. It means a lot from the perspective of an operations chief in a department our size because there may be a time down the road if we have a catastrophic event happen here that we really cant necessarily staff up for, that we know that help will be available to us as well.

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West St. Augustine community overjoyed to be recommended to house Florida Museum of Black History

West St. Augustine is the recommended home for the planned Florida Museum of Black History.

The recommendation from the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force was announced Tuesday and excitement among community members is growing now that the major hurdle has been crossed.

To say were excited is an understatement. Were overjoyed, Greg White said.

For White, a longtime community activist and senior advisor for the West St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Area, the news hits home.

He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the former grounds of Florida Memorial College in the 60s.

We have to capture the movement. This is the only city that Martin Luther King was arrested in. And you see the iconic photo with Dr. Martin Luther King in the window with his finger pointing to where the bullet came through the window, or you go to St. Paul Church, you go to St. Marys Church, you go to First Baptist Church, White said. He actually stood in that pulpit, and we actually heard him speak at those three venues, and we actually participated with him as he marched around the plaza. We gotta capture it.

The proposed site for the museum is just down the road from the grounds of the old campus on a 14-acre undeveloped plot of land.

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Dwala Willis, Vice Chair of the CRA, argued the museum will not only serve to educate people about Floridas rich Black history but will also promote economic development in West St. Augustine.

It will create jobs. It will create a place to be. Plus, it will connect us to the other side of the tracks downtown with the historic component, Willis said.

But there are still more steps ahead before the $100-$200 million museum becomes a reality.

St. Johns County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold (District 2) explained a feasibility study needs to be conducted first.

Then the task force must submit its final report to the Governor and state legislature by July 1st.

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From there, were going to be seeing what they do and what they decide in terms of funding. Were waiting on what the allocation number is going to be, Arnold said.

But advocates like White see a clear path forward and believe its just a matter of seeing the vision through.

I cannot wait for the groundbreaking ceremony. We gotta bring it home. We got to bring it home, White said.

In the end, the Florida Legislature will have to sign off on the task forces recommendation and pass legislation to green light the start of construction.

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Whats happening

A recent report that an upside-down flag  a popular symbol of the Stop the Steal movement to reject the 2020 presidential results  flew outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in the days following the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol has created yet another scandal for a court that was already mired in controversy.

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that neighbors had spotted the inverted flag at Alitos Virginia home in mid-January 2020, just a few days before President Biden was inaugurated. The next week, the newspaper published a followup story revealing that a flag featuring a different symbol popular among Big Lie proponents had flown outside Alito's beach house in New Jersey.

The upside-down flag has historically been used as a distress signal by the U.S. military, but in recent decades it has been wielded by a variety of protest movements on both the left and the right. After Biden won the 2020 election, it was adopted by supporters of former President Donald Trump who subscribed to Trumps lies that the race had been stolen  which culminated in a Trump rally where his followers attacked the Capitol building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Bidens victory.

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The second flag, known as the Appeal to Heaven, is sometimes used by a particular religious segment of the Stop the Steal movement. Alito insists that he had no involvement in flying either flag, which he said were raised by his wife.

Legal experts told the Times and other news outlets that the upside-down flag was a clear violation of judicial ethics rules, which bar judges from making political statements that might undermine the publics faith in their ability to be impartial in divisive cases. Unlike other federal courts, though, the Supreme Court enforces its own rules, meaning any response to the flag could only come from the justices themselves.

The judicial code also calls for judges to recuse themselves from cases in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. But like the ethics rules, recusal decisions are left up to individual judges. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson , for example, chose not to take part in recent cases challenging Harvards admissions procedures because of her involvement at the school both as a student and a member of its board. Alito told Congress on Wednesday that he has no plans to recuse himself from any Jan. 6-related cases.

Alito isnt the only conservative justice on the court to face ethical questions around the Big Lie. His colleague Clarence Thomas also faced calls to recuse himself from cases related to the election and Jan. 6, which he ignored, because of his wifes involvement in efforts to overturn the results.

Thomas has also been at the center of controversy over his friendship with a wealthy conservative political operative, who reportedly brought Thomas along on dozens of lavish vacations over the past several decades. Alito has faced similar questions about his relationship with a different conservative billionaire who later had cases before the Supreme Court. Both justices have asserted that there is nothing improper about their actions. However, the incidents helped prompt the court to adopt a new voluntary ethics code .

Why theres debate

Democrats have characterized the flag report as yet more evidence that at least two of the Supreme Courts conservative justices cant be trusted to fairly rule on anything related to Jan. 6. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, insisted that both Alito and Thomas recuse themselves from any cases on the issue  including the question of whether Trump has presidential immunity from prosecution, which is currently being considered by the court. Durbin also reiterated his call, echoed by other members of his party, for Congress to pass legally-binding ethics rules for justices.

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Some left-leaning legal analysts have gone even further, arguing that Alitos willingness to have such an inflammatory symbol outside his home is a sign of how the Supreme Courts conservative majority feels no obligation to display even the appearance of political impartiality.

Judicial experts also worry about how this situation might further erode the publics faith in the countrys highest court, which has hit record lows in recent years amid a wave of recent scandals and deeply controversial rulings  most notably the decision that overturned abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade.

Some Republicans have said they wish Alito had given more consideration to how the flag might be perceived. But they have roundly rejected suggestions that it indicates hes incapable of doing his job fairly, arguing that its absurd to make the assumption that his wifes response to a neighborhood spat in any way reflects on his ability to make sound decisions on the court. In the eyes of many conservatives, this controversy  along with broader criticism of conservative justices  is part of a Democratic campaign to pressure the justices into issuing less-conservative rulings or delegitimize the decisions that dont fit their liberal worldview.

Whats next

Durbin has rebuffed calls from some of his Democratic colleagues for an investigation into the flag incidents and has instead argued that the onus for reigning in the court falls on Chief Justice John Roberts.

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The court is expected to release decisions in two major Jan. 6 cases  one concerning charges brought against hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol, the other on Trumps immunity claims  within the next few weeks.

Perspectives

Anyone who is OK with the Big Lie cant be impartial on Jan. 6 cases

Who can possibly think he will decide this case in a neutral manner? Of course, Justice Alito's political leanings were already well-known. But the flag flying incident indicates he has strong views about the facts underlying this case. His decision seems pre-ordained.  Leslie Levin, University of Connecticut law professor, to Salon

Theres zero reason to question Alitos ability to rule fairly

The left wants to tarnish Justice Alitos reputation, as well as cause him to recuse himself from participating in any case involving Mr. Trump. No such recusal is necessary on ethical or any other grounds. The political views of spouses dont dictate, or in our experience even influence, how a Justice will rule.  Editorial, Wall Street Journal

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Alito knows that there are no consequences, no matter how openly partisan he is

The arrogance is bottomless. Why did the Supreme Court justice do this, or allow Mrs. Alitoon whom he pinned the blameto do it? He knew it was petty. And he surely knew that, by conventional ethical standards, it was wrong. But he didnt care because he knew that he stands beyond punishment for such acts.  Michael Tomasky, New Republic

Liberals have lost the court, so theyll take any chance to try to tear it down

There are two transparent purposes of these: to intimidate the justices into trimming their sails for fear of more criticism, and (when that fails) to delegitimize their decisions and lay the groundwork for radical changes to destroy the Court in its longstanding form.  Dan McLaughlin, National Review

The integrity of the next election is in serious danger with Alito on the court

After this Novembers general election, there are almost certainly going to be further legal challenges to the election results, just as there were in 2020. Alito will be on the court to hear Trumps arguments in those cases, too. The flag, then, is just the latest reminder of a disturbing reality: that as the Republican party further radicalizes against democracy, the Supreme Court  the body which is tasked with checking these unconstitutional impulses  has become their ally.  Moira Donegan, Guardian

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The courts critics are trying to turn a nonstory into a national scandal

If you look hard enough, you can find disturbing symbols anywhere you look, but you must sometimes suspend logic and reason in order to do so. This does not seem like a situation where a sitting Supreme Court justice is supporting overthrowing election results; it looks like a situation where the New York Times is straining to make that the narrative.  Liz Wolfe, Reason

Alito and Thomas shouldnt be on the court at all

There are currently strong grounds to impeach not just Samuel Alito but his fellow benchwarmer Clarence Thomas. Both judges have given evidence of disqualifying corruption as well as of their harboring insurrectionist sentiment.  Jeet Heer, The Nation

Alitos wife has every right to express any opinion she wants

Mrs. Alito has both the constitutional right to express whatever political opinions she pleases, whether I like them or not, as well as a moral right to express them independently of her husband and his position on the court.  Bret Stephens, New York Times
Where will Hills Elementary students attend school in the fall? Heres what we know

Children arrive for class before school, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Hills Elementary School in Hills, Iowa.

The Iowa City Community School District recently announced that the more than 125 students at the soon-to-be-defunct Hills Elementary will attend Iowa City's Alexander Elementary next school year.

The board voted unanimously to close the only school in Hills in March.

The school board admitted it was a "difficult but necessary" cost-cutting measure to save an estimated $1.66 million. Hills Elementary opened in 1965 with five teachers leading grades 1-8. It became a part of the ICCSD in 1970.

A team of Alexander and Hills faculty members, including Hills principal Reagan Boesset and Alexander principal Katie Thompson, have met weekly since the announcement to discuss a transition plan. They presented their findings to the school board on April 23.

Alexander Elementary is located at 3571 Sycamore Street in the southeast part of Iowa City, roughly 7.5 miles from Hills Elementary.

Here is everything to know about to know about the Hills and Alexander Elementary transition plan.

More: Hills Elementary will close at the end of the school year, the Iowa City CSD board ruled Tuesday night.

Who has been leading the transition?

The transition team consists of 13 members from Alexander and Hills Elementary, an initiative principal Thompson was eager to start.

"Knowing that shared leadership is really important at Alexander, we compiled a combined transition committee," Thompson said.

Committee members include a wide range of specialists, including English learning specialists, librarians, teachers, and support staff that will transition into Alexander Elementary.

Six teachers and 10 support staff members will transition from Hills to Alexander Elementary in the fall.

"All of the Hills staff members, with the exception of Reagan [ Boesset], are staff members that are going to also be working at Alexander and teaching at Alexander next year," Thompson said.

More: Johnson County Supervisors OK language for $30M conservation ballot initiative. What to know:

How is Alexander Elementary building community next year?

Alexander Elementary has already hosted community and family days for their incoming students.

On Monday, May 13, Alexander's parent-teacher association, Alexander Falcon Family Community Meeting, held an exclusive open house for the Hills students and their families.

The committee has other engagements planned for Hills students in kindergarten through fourth grade, including a field trip to Alexander Elementary on May 22.

"We strive, and we're really proud of the community building that we do at Alexander," Thompson said. "I think that welcoming new students into our community is a strength of ours."

Thompson also acknowledged that though the transition might be difficult, the Alexander staff intends to collaborate with the students. The community building will continue through the summer and into early next school year.

More: Memorial Day services honor and celebrate veterans in the Iowa City corridor

How is Hills Elementary helping students with the transition?

Hills Elementary principal Borsett has been fielding student questions as they arise and hosts weekly Zoom sessions with each class.

"The teachers are letting me know what [the students] are confused about, worried about," Boesset said. "I'm speaking to those concerns, making sure that we're keeping an eye on students and families and putting the supports in place.

(For) our students who receive special Ed services, (we've) intentionally talk(ed) about those students and what they're receiving and mak(ing) sure that the supports are in place at Alexander."

Alexander and Hills students have collaborated on various assignments in recent weeks. Both school nurses have discussed a joint health plan to ensure a smooth transition.

Thompson has also visited Hills Elementary throughout the year to help familiarize herself with the incoming students.

More: North Liberty opens new city hall with efficiency, community connection in mind

Student transportation

Hills students will be bused to Alexander next school year, while students who rely on the before- and after-school programs will have a spot there. More staff will be hired if needed.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: How Hills Elementary students will transition to Alexander Elementary
When and where you can see May's Flower Moon

Astronomy fans can look up and see the Flower Moon this month as May's full moon rises.

May's full moon will reach peak illumination on Thursday at 9:53 a.m. EDT, but it already appears full, according to NASA. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for different ZIP codes across the U.S.

The moon will be below the horizon in the U.S. at the time of peak illumination, so the Farmer's Almanac suggests spectators check it out on Wednesday or Thursday night instead.

Why is May's full moon known as the Flower Moon?

Full moon names often come from seasons, historical crops and the behavior of certain animals. The "Flower Moon" moniker is because of the flowers growing across North America this month, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

May's full moon goes by several other names, too, including Budding Moon, Leaf Budding Moon and Planting Moon. It also has several names connected to animals, including Egg Laying Moon, Frog Moon and Moon of the Shedding Ponies.

NASA notes some also use the names Corn or Corn Planting Moon for May's full moon. The term Milk Moon has also historically been used to describe May's full moon.

When is the next full moon?

June's full moon reaches peak illumination on June 21, just after summer kicks off on June 20. The full moon in June is known as the Strawberry Moon.

Those astronomy fans hoping for another meteor shower or eclipse will have to wait. The Perseids meteor shower won't peak until August. Come Oct. 2, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America with a partial eclipse visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and North America.

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A White House-backed effort to vote on a border security package in the Senate was dealt a blow when Sen. Cory Booker said he would not support the legislation, a move that shows Democrats are losing support within their ranks even as they try to shift blame to Republicans.

Prior to Bookers announcement, the bill, which hits the Senate floor on Thursday, had not been expected to pass due to GOP opposition and Democratic divisions. Democrats are pushing a vote in an effort to put pressure on Republicans and argue that the GOP wont act on the border, a key issue in an election year.

But Bookers announcement brings attention to the divides within the Democratic Party over the hot-button issue, and any further Democratic defections could complicate, or undermine, the messaging effort by the party.

In February, I voted to advance the bipartisan immigration deal to emphasize my commitment to continued debate on solving the challenges at the border, despite my serious concerns with some of the substance of the underlying legislation, the New Jersey Democrat said in a statement released Tuesday. I will not vote for the bill coming to the Senate floor this week because it includes several provisions that will violate Americans shared values.

The initial bill from February, which was part of a broader bipartisan package that included foreign aid to US allies, failed 49 to 50 during a procedural vote after facing a torrent of attacks by top House Republicans and former President Donald Trump. At least 60 votes were needed to break the GOP filibuster and move the legislation ahead.

The no votes included Democratic Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Alex Padilla of California, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Independent who caucuses with Democrats, also opposed the measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted no in a move that would allow him to make a procedural maneuver in the future to bring it back up.

Booker noted in his statement that he supported the original bill because it also provided critical foreign and humanitarian aid, a provision that doesnt exist in the current bill because Congress moved separately to pass a foreign aid package without border provisions.

The Biden administration also faced a blow on Tuesday when the Senate approved a measure to roll back energy efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces. The energy standards are part of the White Houses efforts to combat climate change, but Republicans argued that the rules were too stringent and would be costly to consumers.

The Energy Department rule, which went into effect in February, would require manufacturers to build furnaces that convert 95% of their fuel to heat. Democrats, such as Markey, fiercely defended the rule as a critically needed update that would spur innovation and help the environment.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who sponsored the measure, argued the new rule would impact the majority of American households who would have to pay thousands of dollars for new furnaces.

Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema voted with Republicans in support of the measure, but with Biden expected to veto it, its unlikely to get the necessary two-thirds majority in each chamber to override the veto.

CNNs Manu Raju, Ted Barrett and Kristin Wilson contributed to this story.

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ACCRA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Ghana will receive 150 million U.S. dollars in financing from the World Bank Group this year for flood mitigation and solid waste management, the country's Finance Ministry announced in a statement late Tuesday.

The financing, approved by parliament, will fund the implementation of solid waste management, drainage improvements and other flood mitigation measures under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, according to the statement.

The statement added that repair works on embankments in sections of the Odaw River Basin, a major water body running from the Akwapim Hills north of the capital through some low-lying areas, will be undertaken. The Odaw River often causes floods during heavy rains due to human activities along the waterway.

The project will also include the construction of storm drains, the creation of water retention ponds, the establishment of a flood early warning system in the Greater Accra Region, the construction of a waste transfer station, and the development of an engineered landfill site, among other interventions.

"The implementation of these projects will alleviate flooding along the Odaw River Basin by improving drainage, solid waste management, and infrastructure services in high-risk informal settlements within the basin," the statement said.

"As a result, approximately half a million people living in low-income communities around the Odaw basin are expected to benefit directly and indirectly from these projects," the statement added. 
The White House focused on fentanyl trafficking at the U.S. southern border Wednesday when urging Republicans to pass the bipartisan border security bill when it comes up in the Senate later this week.

In a memo entitled, While President Biden sides with U.S. Border Patrol, congressional Republicans side with fentanyl traffickers, senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates called on GOP lawmakers to choose saving lives over politics.

The memo comes ahead of a vote on the bipartisan border security bill in the upper chamber, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is planning for Thursday, three months after Republicans initially blocked the legislation.

So Congressional Republicans have to choose: will they again decide that politics is more important than stopping fentanyl traffickers and saving the lives of innocent constituents? Bates said Wednesday. Joe Biden knows where he stands.

Senate Republicans are vowing to block the bill, and no Republican senator has said they would vote for it. The bill was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Bates, in the memo, hit Republicans for not passing the bipartisan border bill after former President Trump urged them to oppose it, so the border would stay a major issue for Election Day.

He outlined that the legislation would fund machines to detect fentanyl in vehicles crossing the border and would provide funding to hire new law enforcement personnel at the border.

Rather than working across the aisle to stop fentanyl trafficking, most congressional Republicans stopped legislation to save American lives from fentanyl, Bates said in the memo. Whats worse, those Republican members admitted that the bipartisan deal would work; and they admitted that they opposed it sheerly out of politics, saying that Donald Trump pressured them to vote no for his own sake.

Biden spoke Monday with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to push for passage of the bill.

The legislation is likely to fail, but it will give Democrats the ability to flip the messaging on the campaign trail and blame the GOP for issues at the border. Meanwhile, Republicans will continue to blame Biden and Democrats for the influx of migrants ahead of November.

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Could King Charles soon have the third prime minister of his reign?

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images King Charles (left) and the U.K.'s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Oct. 25, 2022

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's call for a surprise general election on July 4 may change the British royal family's summer plans.

Speaking in a news conference outside 10 Downing Street on May 22, Sunak said, "Earlier today, I spoke with His Majesty The King to ask for the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on the 4th of July."

The royal family will postpone engagements "which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said on May 21.

"Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result," the spokesperson added.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 15, 2024

Related: King Charles Says He Has Been 'Reduced to Tears' Over Response to His Cancer Diagnosis in Vulnerable Moment

While the events surrounding the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, including King Charles' first overseas trip since he announced his cancer diagnosis in February, are expected to go on as scheduled, others are under review and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

June was shaping up to be a busy month for the British royals, including Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the monarch's birthday with a parade in London, on June 15 and a state visit at Buckingham Palace for the Emperor and Empress of Japan set for late June. King Charles, 75, recently returned to a fuller schedule of royal duties, including public outings, amid his cancer treatment. The King quipped during a May 9 outing to the Royal School of Military Engineering that he was glad to be "out of my cage" after spending several months working mainly behind the scenes or taking part in small audiences.

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!

Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Elizabeth and Liz Truss on Sept. 6, 2022

Related: King Charles Takes on New Military Role Previously Held by Queen Elizabeth  Why It's 'Especially Dear'

The election could mean the third prime minister of King Charles' reign, which began in Sept. 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth's final formal duty as sovereign was when she appointed Liz Truss as the 15th prime minister of her historic 70-year reign. The royal died two days later. However, Truss soon became the shortest-serving prime minister in the U.K.'s history, serving just 45 days.

In a meeting at Buckingham Palace in London, King Charles formally appointed Sunak as leader of the U.K. Parliament following the politician's victory in the contest to lead the Conservative Party in Oct. 2022.

JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles on Feb. 21, 2024

Following a general election or prime minister's resignation, the new potential prime minister will traditionally travel to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the monarch.

"During the audience, the monarch will ask whether he or she will form a government," the royal family states on its website. "To this question, two responses are realistically possible. The most usual is acceptance."

The King also holds a private weekly audience with the prime minister "to discuss government matters."

"Though the King remains politically neutral on all matters, he is able to 'advise and warn' his ministers  including his prime minister  when necessary," according to the royal family's website.



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The governments of Ireland, Norway, and Spain said Wednesday that they will officially recognize Palestine as a state from May 28 in a move that seeks to drive discussions on a two-state solution to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

They will join a majority of United Nation member states in recognizing Palestinian statehood at a time when other European countries including Belgium, Malta, and Slovenia are mulling formal recognition too.

The announcement drew praise from the Palestine Liberation Organization and its rival Hamas, while angering Israel, which recalled its ambassadors from Dublin, Oslo, and Madrid.

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Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Ireland draws parallels between British colonialism and Israeli occupation

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Source: Euronews

Ireland has consistently taken a harder stance against Israel than many other Western nations, criticizing Israels bombardment of Gaza following Hamas Oct. 7 attack shortly after the war began. The countrys experience of British colonialism has made many Irish nationalists sympathetic to Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Irish Senator Tom Clonan told Euronews in November that the government was calling for a proportionality of response to Hamas in accordance with international humanitarian laws: When the IRA was setting off bombs in the UK and murdering innocent civilians  the UK government didnt order air strikes on republican neighbourhoods in Belfast.

More than 140 UN member states recognize Palestine

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Sources: RTE, The Los Angeles Times

More than 140 of 193 UN member states recognize Palestine  the majority of those that do not are Western nations and Israeli allies. No Group of Seven country recognizes Palestine, and in April, the US used its veto powers at the UN to block a resolution that would have seen Palestine recognized as a formal member. Washington has said it backs a two-state solution, but Israel has repeatedly ruled that out. For now Washington should use all its influence to ensure that Gaza and the West Bank can function as a unit, that the two territories do not remain separated and that a settlement freeze is implemented, Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab wrote in the Los Angeles Times.

Hamas attack may have weakened two-state solution

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Source: El Pais

Hamas as a militant organization emerged in part because of Israels continued occupation of Palestinian territories, and spokespeople for the group have tried to justify the Oct. 7 attack as part of a bid for self-determination. Netanyahus government has further entrenched Israels occupation over the course of the war in Gaza. Oct. 7 served on a silver platter to the Israeli government the long-awaited pretext to deepen its colonizing policies and  bury, perhaps definitively, the two-state solution, Ignacio Alvarez-Ossorio, the chair of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Madrids Complutense University, argued in El Pais.

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Louisiana is moving closer to classifying the abortion pill regimen -- mifepristone and misoprostol -- as a "controlled dangerous substance," putting them in the same category as opioids and other addictive medications.

If a new bill becomes law, possession of the the medications without valid prescriptions or orders from medical professionals would be punishable by up to five years in prison with an exception for pregnant women in possession of the pills for their own consumption.

The Senate, which is more than 70% Republican, approved the bill, 29-7, on Thursday. The Louisiana House approved the bill Tuesday.

It now heads to Republican Gov. Jeff Landry's desk for final approval before it can become law. He is expected to sign it.

PHOTO: Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is a medication typically used in combination with misoprostol to bring about a medical abortion during pregnancy and manage early miscarriage. (Nurphoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images, FILE)

A federal case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court also seeks to revoke Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion. This could restrict nationwide access to the pill. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision in the case by the end of June.

The regimen is currently federally approved to end pregnancies up to 11 weeks.

Medication abortion is currently the most common form of abortion in the U.S., according to a study from the Guttmacher Institute. The study found that 63% of abortions in the U.S. that took place in the health care system in 2023 were medication abortions.

MORE: 5 takeaways as Supreme Court questions sweeping challenge to abortion pill access

Nearly all abortions have ceased in Louisiana under a strict trigger ban that prohibits the procedure in its entirety and imposes civil and criminal penalties on anyone who violates it.

PHOTO: This image shows a box of mifepristone outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2024. (The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE)

What's in the bill?

While an amendment to the bill included the provision that would reclassify the abortion pills, the bill itself focused on cracking down on "coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud."

The bill creates a crime of "coerced criminal abortion" -- prohibiting a third party from fraudulently using an abortion-inducing drug to cause or attempt to cause an abortion on an unsuspecting pregnant woman, without their knowledge or consent.

The proposed law was created by a state Sen. Thomas Pressly, whose pregnant sister's husband tried to induce an abortion more than once, ultimately failing to abort the pregnancy, lawmakers said on the floor Tuesday.

PHOTO: Pro-choice activists supporting legal access to abortion protest during a demonstration outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, March 4, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: This is how mifepristone and misoprostol induce abortions

"Coerced criminal abortion" would be a crime punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 to $75,000, according to the bill.

The punishment is more severe for anyone found guilty of committing the crime on a pregnant woman who is more than three months pregnant. They could face 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine from $50,000 to $100,000, according to the bill.

There is a substantially higher risk to the life of a pregnant mother if the pregnancy is more than three months along, according to the bill.

Violators of the law can still be prosecuted even if the attempted abortion is unsuccessful, the bill said.

Why Louisiana is pushing to classify abortion pills as a controlled substance originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Why no one knows exactly how much old-growth forest we have left

About 25% of all the remaining old-growth trees across all national forests and grasslands in the lower 48 states are in national forests in the Northwest that are managed by federal agencies. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

This story was first published by Columbia Insight.

Its said that the map is not the territory.

This statement, say critics, is especially true of the maps created by the U.S. Forest Service to inventory the nations largest carbon sinks: its mature and old-growth forests.

In April 2023, under pressure from the Biden administration, the Forest Service completed its first-ever nationwide inventory of mature and old-growth forests found on federal lands.

This inventory of older trees is part of an ambitious Biden administration plan to harness the power of our nations forests as a nature-based solution to the climate crisis.

The idea is simple: rather than cut older trees down, the Biden administration is proposing we leave many of them standing, allowing them to do what years of scientific research has shown older trees do very well: take climate change-causing carbon out of the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time.

Announced in December 2023, the awkwardly named Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System has been widely lauded by environmentalists and many scientists as a long-overdue step to help address the nations over-sized carbon footprint.

The nationwide forest plan is expected to lead to revisions of local forest plans throughout the country, including the Northwest Forest Plan governing Washington, Oregon and sections of northern California.

But whether the nations older trees will be enlisted in the fight against climate change and spared the chainsaw could depend on knowing where those trees are.

And that, according to both critics of the Forest Service and the Forest Service itself, is not something the Forest Services inventory and mapping can do, because these maps are just not detailed enough to be used for management purposes on a stand-by-stand basis.

A study written by Forest Service scientists and published in August 2023 in the journal Forest Ecology and Management hints at this fact.

The studys authors write that although the maps they created contain a high degree of accuracy.  Identifying mature and old-growth forests in a stand management context will likely require additional measurements, adjustments to criteria at local scales, and incorporation of social and traditional knowledge within a consistent definition framework.

In other words, the maps show the forest but not the trees.

Low-res maps

The Forest Services mature and old-growth inventory used data on trees collected at individual forest plots that are part of the agencys Forest Inventory and Analysis, a long-term scientific monitoring effort designed by the Forest Service to assess the health of the nations forests.

Data from the FIA program goes back decades. These data, and the FIA program generally, are widely respected and used by scientists both in and out of the Forest Service.

Nonetheless, FIA has its limitations, according to Richard Birdsey, retired Forest Service scientist turned senior scientist at the nonprofit Woodwell Climate Research Center.

Based in Massachusetts, the Woodwell Climate Research Center funds scientific research related to climate change. Many of its scientists have been critical of the Forest Service and its practices.

The FIA data is adequate for looking at large areas, maybe a whole state or a group of national forests. But theres just not enough FIA sample plots in the typical old-growth stand to characterize it or monitor it carefully, says Birdsey, who in addition to spending 15 of his 40 years at the Forest Service working on the FIA program has also conducted his own analysis of the carbon-storing potential of Americas older forests.

[FIA is] a terrific program and really is a backbone for policies, says Birdsey. But its a little less effective when trying to monitor whats happening at smaller scales or at the project scale. And thats where a lot of public interest is.

Heres the problem. While the Forest service has 355,000 FIA plots (on public and private lands) in forests across the United States, the FIA plots themselves are small, covering approximately two-and-half acres each.

The plots are also miles away from each other, with one plot every 6,000 acres, or nine square miles, of forested land.

This leaves big gaps in the available data set, gaps that need to be filled with scientific guesswork that has to come from other sources of data.

What you get from this is a big picture look at the forest, but not a detailed one.

And this, says Birdsey, is exactly what the Forest Service ended up producing in 2023.

The Forest Service mature and old-growth forest inventory maps were created at whats called a fireshed scale.

Firesheds are 250,000 acres each, or roughly 390 square miles.

This means a single 390-square-mile fireshed gets a single classification, for instance, Moderate Mature, High Old Growth or High Mature, Moderate Old Growth, as can be seen on an interactive online map displaying the agencys mature and old-growth data.

By most scientist standards, this resolution is considered low or coarse, according to Birdsey and other scientists.

This low resolution has been widely criticized not only by scientists but also by environmentalists hoping to protect mature and old-growth forests, says Steve Pedery, conservation director at the Oregon-based environmental nonprofit Oregon Wild.

The Forest Service maps did give a total picture in terms of the volume [of mature and old-growth trees], but they were so vague that you couldnt actually identify any particular specific stand of old-growth anywhere, says Pedery.

Pedery says the low-resolution maps could make protecting older trees more difficult.

For its part, the Forest Service admits its maps are vague and cant be used to manage individual stands, but the agency doesnt necessarily see this as a bad thing, according to Jamie Barbour, assistant director for adaptive management at the Forest Services Monitoring and Analysis Team, which oversaw the implementation of the mature and old-growth inventory.

We didnt want to create the impression that we knew exactly where these clumps of old forest were because that would have ramifications that might not be very useful, says Barbour, adding that the agency wanted only to present an idea of where large accumulations of older forests were.

Asked what he meant by ramifications, Barbour responded, People misinterpret things. If were saying that a specific small area is mature old growth and its not, then that could lead to disputes about how to manage it.

Barbour says high-resolution mapping of mature and old-growth forests should ideally happen at the local level. Though, he says, the Forest Service is also exploring using a NASA-led effort called GEDI, a project that is literally out of this world.

Monitoring old-growth from space

GEDI stands for the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation  which, yes, is a reference to a galaxy far, far away and is pronounced Jedi.

Befitting its namesake, GEDI uses a high-resolution laser system known as LiDAR to map the Earths surface.

The projects LiDAR system is located on the International Space Station.

The GEDI system can observe nearly all tropical and temperate forests.

The projects goal is to provide answers to how deforestation has contributed to atmospheric CO2 concentrations, how much carbon forests will absorb in the future and how habitat degradation will affect global biodiversity, according to its website.

The NASA-led effort has been used to map old-growth trees in Australia but was not used as part of the Forest Service mapping project, despite the fact that GEDI data for U.S. forests were available at the time.

However, GEDI might be used by the Forest Service to continue monitoring older forests, at least according to promotional material posted by NASA on its website and on YouTube.

This material suggests that adding GEDI to the Forest Services mapping effort will soon enable the public to view some of these [old-growth] forests like never before and help fill in those spatial gaps that FIA data and the Forest Services current inventory was unable to fill.

Exactly if and when GEDI will be used by the Forest Service is unclear.

GEDI project lead, Ralph Dubayah, professor of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, couldnt be reached for comment.

The projects LiDAR system is also currently not in use on the ISS. Instead, its being stowed away to make room for a Department of Defense project, according to Barbour.

GEDI data wont provide a complete picture of whats out there, says Barbour, but echoing NASAs promotional material, he says it could help fill in the gaps between FIA plots.

Mature trees need protection, too

Beverly Law, a retired forest ecologist at Oregon State Universitys College of Forestry and leading researcher on how to harness the carbon-capturing power of older trees, says she was also disappointed with the Forest Services inventory of mature and old-growth trees.

In 2018, Law came under fire from the timber industry following the publication of her study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study demonstrated that the state of Oregon could sequester more carbon and slow climate change if it slowed the rate at which it harvested its forests.

Law is impressed with the Biden administrations efforts to push the Forest Service in the direction of carbon storage.

But she worries about how the plan will be implemented by an agency that historically has had to be ordered to conserve rather than log the nations trees.

Its the best move thats been made by any administration, ever, says Law of the old-growth forest plan. But the devils in the details in how its carried out.

In February, Law was one of over 190 scientists who study the carbon-capturing potential of older trees to sign an open letter to the Biden Administration requesting it immediately direct the Forest Service and BLM to suspend all timber sales in mature and old-growth forests, and refrain from proposing new timber sales in these forests until the environmental impact statements required by law to implement the old-growth forest plan are completed.

One of those devilish details Law and others are concerned about is the possibility that the Forest Service is now trying to sidestep its obligation to protect both mature and old-growth trees.

As critics pointed out in December 2023, when it was published, the Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System, while creating nationwide protections for old-growth forests, fell short of also providing broad protections for mature forests.

Because many mature tree stands are now old enough to be carbon-capturing powerhouses in their own right, and because many are now just decades away from being classified as old-growth, many scientists, Law among them, argue that the lack of protections for mature trees is a major loss both for trees and for fighting the climate crisis.

Leaving out mature trees, they say, also violates the intent of the larger push to use the nations forests to sequester carbon, a push that doesnt originate with the Forest Service but with two executive orders issued by the Biden Administration.

The first executive order, EO 14008, was signed shortly after President Bidens inauguration in 2021. It directs federal agencies to protect 30% of the nations lands and waters by 2030.

The second executive order, EO 14072, was issued in April 2022 and directs the Department of Agriculture (which contains the Forest Service) and the Bureau of Land Management to create a national inventory of mature and old-growth forests found on federal lands as part of a larger effort to use these forests to, among other things, retain and enhance carbon storage.

According to the Forest Services own estimates, while old-growth forests cover just 17% of the federal lands they inventoried, mature forests can be found on 45% of surveyed lands.

Barbour, however, takes issue with claims that his agency is no longer concerned with mature forests as a way to fight climate change.

We would like to manage [forests] for a suite of conditions, some of which are older forests, and were trying to understand where we can maintain forests for a very long period of time, says Barbour.

Barbour says ultimately the goal of carbon storage needs to be balanced against the need to provide economic opportunities in rural communities through ongoing forest management.

As for the Forest Services inventory of mature and old-growth forests, Law, who helped design the Forest Services FIA program, says one important question is why it took so long for the Forest Service to develop official mature and old-growth maps when the scientific community more generally has been doing this kind of analysis for decades.

Weve been waiting for this since before [President George W.] Bush, and even now its like, what the heck took so long? says Law.

The post Why no one knows exactly how much old-growth forest we have left appeared first on Washington State Standard.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Officers with the Arkansas City Police Department have arrested a Wichita man who had an active federal warrant for aggravated assault on a postal worker.

A news release from the ACPD says the arrest was made on May 14. Officers responded to a report of a suspicious person at Creekstone Farms. Officers arrived and talked to employees who said the man appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

Police said the 28-year-old suspect was exhibiting unusual behavior, and they found he was in possession of illegal substances.

Why a helicopter will be flying low in northwest Kansas

The suspect resisted arrest, but officers were able to apprehend and transport him to the Cowley County Jail.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had an active warrant issued by the United States Attorney Generals Office for aggravated assault on a postal worker.

The man remains in custody on charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the federal warrant.

KSN does not name suspects until they are formally charged with a crime.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President [Joe] Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction was underway on a section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of reworking the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier in January 2019 as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

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The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
CAIRO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived on Wednesday in Iran's capital Tehran to participate in the funeral of the late Iranian president and foreign minister, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a post on social media platform X.

This is the first visit by the Egyptian foreign minister to Iran, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Representing the Egyptian government, Shourkry headed to Tehran to take part in the official mourning ceremonies, the ministry said in an earlier statement, stressing Egypt's solidarity with Iran in this critical situation.

Iran's official news agency IRNA confirmed on Monday the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, senior Shia cleric Mohammad-Ali Ale-Hasehem, and others after their helicopter crashed in Varzaqan County in Iran's East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.

Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have expressed a willingness to mend bilateral ties by settling differences on certain issues.

In May, Shoukry and his Iranian counterpart exchanged views on the latest joint efforts to improve bilateral ties in a meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Banjul, capital of The Gambia. 
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico.

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Here, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Mario Tama | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common-sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress, and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of reworking the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, said Republican Sen. Rand Paul.

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Nevada Current.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year

Former President Donald Trump used his emergency powers to construct a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. In this photo, construction continues on a new section of the barrier on Jan. 8, 2019, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Senators from both political parties at a Wednesday hearing appeared to be on the same page about limiting presidential emergency powers, striking a bipartisan agreement that Congress should take steps this year to rework a decades-old law.

The National Emergencies Act, approved during the 94th Congress, provides the president with powers they wouldnt otherwise have and was intended to give lawmakers oversight of those emergencies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said there are common sense reforms that would strengthen Congress role in exercising oversight of these emergency powers.

Peters said he looks forward to collaborating with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, ranking member on the committee, as the panel works diligently to make that happen in the coming months.

Reforming the National Emergencies Act is not about thwarting the policy goals of either party, Peters said. Its about strengthening our democracy and ensuring Congress maintains the responsibility to oversee executive power.

Dangerous imbalance

Paul said the current structure of the 1976 law, which was affected by a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, creates a dangerous imbalance of constitutional separations of powers.

Congress has been complicit and made itself a feckless branch of the federal government by granting the president so many emergency powers and refusing to regularly vote on termination of national emergencies as required by current law, he said.

Paul said he hoped the hearing marked the beginning of a serious and sustained effort to restore the Constitution, reclaim the authority of Congress and protect the liberties of the people by paring back the vast emergency powers delegated to the president.

Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, testified there are 43 emergency declarations under the National Emergencies Act in place today, out of 79 total declarations.

That is especially concerning, Goitein said, because an emergency declaration unlocks powers contained in more than 130 statutory provisions, and some of these carry enormous potential for abuse.

One emergency power allows the president to take over or shut down wire or radio services, a process last used during World War II when that applied to telephones and telegrams that werent in many American homes, she said.

Today, it could arguably be used to exert control over U.S.-based internet traffic, Goitein said. Other laws allow the president to freeze Americans assets without any judicial process, to control domestic transportation and even to suspend the prohibition on government testing of chemical and biological agents on unwitting human subjects.

It would be irresponsible of Congress to continue hoping for presidential self-restraint to ensure that an executive doesnt take their emergency powers too far, she testified.

Trump border wall emergency

Former President Donald Trump, Goitein said, opened the door to abusing statutory emergency powers when he declared a national emergency to secure funding for the border wall after Congress had refused to provide that funding.

President (Joe) Biden nudged the door open a little bit more when he relied on emergency powers to forgive student loan debt, she added. Again, after Congress had considered legislation to forgive debt and had not passed that legislation.

There are several proposals that would require Congress to approve a presidents emergency declaration within 30 days, otherwise it would terminate. And even if a president received congressional approval, they would have to go back to lawmakers a year later to renew the emergency, Goitein said.

Gene Healy, senior vice president for policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, testified that it is remarkable that we havent seen far greater abuses of presidential emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act.

Congress should reset how emergency powers work by sunsetting presidential emergency declarations after a matter of weeks and requiring actual authorization from Congress to extend them further, Healy testified.

Lawmakers should review what emergency powers were granted to presidents under the nearly 50-year-old law and take away any that wouldnt be necessary during a true emergency or that are especially susceptible to abuse, he said.

Satya Thallam, senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a former senior staff member for the panel, said the sweet spot for any reform is one that is on its face policy neutral and designed to service only the interests of Congress lawmaking role vis-a-vis the president, rather than any particular political agenda.

The Foundation for American Innovation writes on its website that it was established in 2014 in Silicon Valley as Lincoln Labs. Its mission is to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future.

Disruption of peaceful transfer of power

In response to a question from Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff about how a president could disrupt a peaceful transition of power, Goitein reluctantly testified that she was concerned about the Insurrection Act, which exists outside of the National Emergencies Act.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows the president to deploy federal military troops to quell civil unrest or to execute the law in crisis, she said. It gives the president extremely broad and judicially unreviewable discretion to deploy troops in ways that could certainly be abused.

Healy said it would be prudent for Congress to tighten up the authorities that a president holds under the Insurrection Act.

Paul said he was fully supportive of re-working the Insurrection Act to avoid potential abuses by presidents.

The Insurrection Act is a thousand times more potent and has the potential for turning the place into, you know, military rule overnight, Paul said, adding that hes introduced a bill that would bar presidents from sending the military anywhere without the explicit approval of Congress.

Our soldiers are great, but theyre not trained to obey the Fourth Amendment, our police are. And even thats imperfect, Paul said. But our police know about the Fourth Amendment. They know they have to get warrants. Armies dont get warrants.

Paul said any changes to the Insurrection Act must be more strict than changes to the National Emergencies Act, because youre talking about putting troops in our cities.

Paul also said the committee should look closely at the emergency power that could allow a president to essentially turn off the internet during a national emergency, referring to that as the internet kill switch.

You could become dictator in a day, in a moment, in one executive order, Paul said.

The post Wide scope of presidential emergency powers could be reined in by Congress this year appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A woman whose body was found in an almond orchard was killed by her cousins husband following a drunken argument, according to witness statements contained in sheriffs reports.

Claudia Morales Vazquez, 33, was found dead last month in an almond orchard about a half-mile north of Superior Road and Stockdale Highway. She had suffered head trauma, say reports filed in Superior Court that recently became available.

2 accused of kidnapping and forcing woman, 70, to withdraw $25K from bank

Investigators learned Vazquez had been living with her cousin, Noralina Vasquez-Hernandez, 36, and the cousins husband, Jaime Regalado-Avalos, 43.

Noralina Vasquez-Hernandez, file image

Regalado-Avalos is charged with first-degree murder His wife, charged as an accessory, allegedly used bleach and other cleaning materials to wipe down their apartment on Normandy Drive after the killing, the filings say.

The couple are due back in court next month.

A farm manager called deputies at about 8:20 a.m. on April 26 to report a womans body had been found, the filings say.

Thirty minutes later law enforcement received another call  this one from Vazquezs father, who said his daughter called him in tears the night before, asking him to pick her up. The father told deputies he went to the apartment where his daughter had been staying but there was no answer.

She wasnt answering her phone either, he said. He asked them to perform a welfare check.

Believing Vazquez was possibly in danger, deputies entered the apartment through a window. They immediately noticed a strong smell of bleach, the reports say.

No one was inside.

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Soon after, the deputies with the father were notified about the discovery of a body not far from their location.

During this time, I got a sudden feeling and wondered if the deceased body located in the orchards was (Vazquez), an investigator wrote.

That hunch was confirmed.

A search then began for Vasquez-Hernandez and Regalado-Avalos.

That afternoon, California Highway Patrol officers stopped the couple at a rest stop in Lebec. The couples children told investigators they were headed to Mexico.

Interviewed separately, the couple claimed thered been an argument and Vazquez had been kicked out, according to the filings. Regalado-Avalos told investigators he drove her to the Greyhound station and she left.

His wife gave a different account after detectives accused her of lying.

She said theyd started drinking that afternoon. Around 1 or 2 a.m., Vazquez began asking about the father of Vasquez-Hernandezs daughters.

The father  not Regalado-Avalos  belonged to her past, and they shouldnt discuss him, Vasquez-Hernandez said she told her cousin.

Regalado-Avalos became upset, she said, and ordered Vazquez to leave. Her cousin continued to argue before she called her father and ran crying to the bathroom, Vasquez-Hernandez said according to the reports.

The argument resumed later, she said. Her cousin called her husband a show off, and he responded by saying she better not threaten him, Vasquez-Hernandez told detectives.

This is the most heinous crime of all: Voters demand answers about Supervisor Scrivner as investigation nears a month

Regalado-Avalos broke her cousins cellphone, Vasquez-Hernandez said. Then he told Vasquez-Hernandez to go to her bedroom and close the door, according to her statement in the filings.

(Her husband) said he was going to show (Vazquez) who he was, Vasquez-Hernandez told detectives.

She went to her bedroom and shut the door. Then she heard the sound of heavy breathing  as if someone was gasping for air.

Vasquez-Hernandez said she opened the door and saw (Vazquez) on the ground, on her back, an investigator wrote. Regalado-Avalos was standing over her with his right foot pushing down on the left side of (Vazquezs) neck.

Vasquez-Hernandez said she removed her husbands foot, but he grabbed a knife and ordered her back to the bedroom. She didnt interfere further.

Her husband later carried Vazquez from the apartment, she told investigators. She said she didnt think Vazquez was dead  she believed her husband had left her in an area where shed be found and given help.

Vasquez-Hernandez said she did not know Regalado-Avalos was capable of doing something like this, an investigator wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Wildfire smoke has covered up to 70 percent of California in recent years, affecting land and water: Study

Wildfire smoke covered as much as 70 percent of California in recent years  wreaking havoc not only on land, but also in the states vast freshwater ecosystems, a study published Wednesday has found.

In the past 18 years, maximum smoke cover over the state has increased by about 116,000 square miles  equivalent to about 74.4 percent of Californias entire land area, according to the study published in Communications: Earth & Environment.

The authors came upon these dramatic percentages while researching how smoke has specifically affected the Golden States lakes. Although wildfire smoke regularly deposits aerosols and reduces sunlight in freshwater ecosystems, there is little data available about the overall impacts on these basins, the scientists noted.

Focusing on Californias three largest wildfire seasons on record  2018, 2020 and 2021  the researchers found that lakes endured an average of 33 days of high-density smoke between July and October.

Were looking at a scenario where for the next 100 years or longer, smoke will be a feature on the landscape, senior author Steven Sadro, an associate professor in environmental science at the University of California, Davis said in a statement.

In two of the main study years, 2020 and 2021, medium- to high-density smoke surpassed 70 percent of the entire state in September and October, according to the study.

What does that mean for fundamental ecology? What are the implications of those changes? Sadro asked. Those are the big questions were focused on in aquatic systems.

To try to answer some of these questions, the scientists monitored sensors in 10 lakes across a wide range of coastal, mountain and inland environments as smoke settled during the three main study years.

They measured ecosystem health indicators, such as temperature, light and oxygen in the water, to determine how such characteristics change under smoky conditions, explained lead author Adrianne Smits, a UC Davis research scientist.

The authors hypothesized that smoke and ash would dim the lights and thereby affect rates of photosynthesis and respiration in aquatic life.

What they found was that while wildfire smoke does change light, water temperature and oxygen levels, it does so to a variable extent  depending on lake size, depth, smoke cover and nutrient levels.

Subsequent decreases in photosynthesis and respiration rates can then influence everything else, Smits noted.

Food webs, algal growth, the ability to emit or sequester carbon  those are dependent on these rates, she added. Theyre all related, and theyre all being changed by smoke.

While the study focused on Californias lakes, the authors stressed that throughout North America, more than a million lakes were exposed to smoke for more than 30 days per year from 2019 to 2021. Those lakes, they continued, range from arctic to subtropical and face a variety of potential impacts from ongoing smoke coverage.

We need to reframe how were thinking about wildfire smoke  as a seasonal weather phenomenon and not just an event that happens and goes away, Smits said. We think about it for our health, but we should be thinking about it for ecosystem health, as well.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The far right gained ground in Tuesday nights Republican primary election.

The most significant event of the night was the defeat of Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, by a primary challenge from Josh Keyser, who ran sharply to his right. The Senate, once seen as the more restrained and tradition-bound chamber of the Legislature, has not lost its leader this way in decades, if ever.

With Winders leadership goes one of the last tethers to a long tradition of careful, more practical leadership in the senior chamber.

Winders loss was just part of a broader shift in the composition of the Senate, which had already begun to shift sharply rightward over the past two election cycles. Sen. Linda Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, one of the most moderate members, was defeated by Josh Kohl, who promises a much more extreme approach.

Moderates did secure a key victory in North Idaho, with former Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, returning to defeat Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle.

But on balance, the nights races add up to a significant rightward shift. The median Republican senator is likely to be somewhere to the right of Sen. Lori Den Hartog, who not so long ago was one of the most conservative in the Senate.

Even if Democrats keep all their current seats in the general election, the ideological center of the Senate will nonetheless shift sharply to the right.

The House likewise shifted rightward.

Far-right primary challenger Kent Marmon decisively beat House Education Committee Chair Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell. Yamamotos defeat of Rep. Jarom Wagoner was hailed as a victory by that same faction just four years ago.

The median lawmaker in the Republican faction used to be someone about like House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star. After Tuesday, its likely to be someone more like Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle  assuming Democrats lose no seats in the general election.

The far right gained seats in both western and southern Idaho, making particular inroads in the Magic Valley, which had previously remained a steadfast haven for more moderate Republicans. Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, who started the year as House majority leader before she was ousted from that post during the legislative session, lost to a challenger running to the right. Rep. Greg Lanting likewise lost to a right-wing primary challenger.

The far rights grip on seats in the Panhandle remains firm, despite Herndons ouster after just one term, while moderates largely held incumbent seats and made significant gains in the eastern part of the state. Incumbents beat back far-right challengers handily, and it appears that moderate Ben Fuhriman ousted Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, a key figure in the far-right caucus.

That was mirrored in efforts to contest the leadership of county GOP central committees in Bonneville and Kootenai counties, two important centers of power for the far-right faction.

In North Idaho, results were fairly mixed, with candidates who had organized to oust the far right losing more races than they won. But in Eastern Idaho, moderates on the whole did very well in precinct elections, including defeating the central committee chair. Moderates stand to have an overwhelming majority on what used to be a far-right Bonneville GOP Central Committee, centered around Idaho Falls.

Bryan Clark is an opinion writer for the Idaho Statesman.
A Kentucky state Senate incumbent has lost her fight to keep her seat in Frankfort.

Retired Navy SEAL Aaron Reed secured 39.3% of the vote in Tuesday's primary election for Senate District 7. He defeated both Sen. Adrienne Southworth and another former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.

Gallrein received 38.3% of the vote, and Southworth, who has often found herself at odds within her own party, received 22.4%. Because the race between the top two finishers was so close, the Associated Press waited to call the race.

Gallrein said in a statement to The Courier Journal his campaign is weighing all options in terms of recanvassing based on discussions with election officials.

"As a Republican, a career Navy SEAL officer and combat veteran who fought for and defended our freedoms, which includes the right to vote, I am committed to the democratic process which is the bedrock of our nation," Gallrein said. "A process where every vote matters and must be counted to ensure election integrity and a fair and honest election, and that voters feel confident in the outcome."

According to state law, Gallrein has until Tuesday at 4 p.m. to request a recanvass. To qualify for a recanvass, the number of votes between the challenger and the other candidate must be less than a 1% difference. Gallrein earned 4,708 votes while Reed got 4,826 votes.

State Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg

Southworth's campaign touted her experience working in Frankfort as senator and in the executive branch, but it wasnt enough to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Gallreins campaign consisted of advocating for policies supporting gun rights and law enforcement and first responders.

Republican candidate Aaron Reed stands for a photo on his farm in Shelbyville, Ky. Reed is running against Ed Gallrein and incumbent Adrienne Southworth in the May 21 Kentucky Primary Election for District 7. April 30, 2024

Reeds campaign advocated for school choice, protecting the Second Amendment and promoting pro-life policies. He will face Democratic candidate Rhonda Davis in the November election.

Senate District 17 is one out of 19 Senate seats up for reelection, but only seven races in this years primary were contested. Heres a look at how those races turned out.

Senate District 33

A key Louisville race in this year's primary election put the Kentucky Senate Democrats' leadership on the line.

But State Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal was able to secure 55.3% of the vote and will come back for a 10th term in the Senate.

Attica Scott, who previously served as a state representative from 2017-22, challenged Neal for the seat.

Scott hoped a new voice with fresh ideas, and her being more willing to speak out against the Republican supermajority, would be enough to oust Neal. But she received only 39.4% of the vote, according to results published by the Associated Press.

"It has been an honor to serve this district, and it will be an honor to continue to serve. I have spent my career in office working to be an effective legislator who improves the lives of the people in my district and across Kentucky," Neal said in a statement issued Tuesday evening. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to do so, and to keep standing up for our shared values in Frankfort. I want to recognize my opponent for her commitment to justice and service to our community."

Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, in his office in the Kentucky Capitol Annex on Monday, April 15, 2024.

In 2021, Scott announced she was giving up her seat in the Kentucky House to run a primary race against Democrat Rep. John Yarmuth. The longtime congressman announced he would retire in the fall, and then-state Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey announced he would run in the primary and bested Scott.

Neal is the oldest member of the Senate and will be 79 by the time the general election in November takes place. From being in office for 35 years, hes built connections on both sides of the aisle. He has previously attributed those relationships to helping land funding for Jefferson County projects.

Barring any unusual circumstances, Neal is set to return to Frankfort, as theres no Republican candidate running in the district in the general election.

Attica Scott, Director of Special Projects Forward Justice Action Network was the Keynote Speaker as part of the JCPS Adult Education program graduation on Friday, May 17, 2024

Senate District 11

Rep. Steve Rawlings, who has served as a state representative since last year, secured the Republican nomination for Senate District 11. Rawlings received 77.3% of the vote, while his challenger Duane Froelicher received 22.7% of the vote.

Senate District 11 is one of 19 Senate seats up for reelection, but only one of seven races in this years primary that are contested.

Without facing a Democratic candidate in the November general election, Rawlings is set to represent part of Boone County starting next year.

During his campaign, Rawlings campaigned for advocating for school choice, religious liberty and states rights. In this years legislative session, Rawlings introduced a bill that would have expanded religious freedom protections by allowing private individuals to sue one another over religious freedom violations.

Froelicher is a former Florence City Council member and current president of the Florence Rotary Club. On his campaign website, his big issues were pro-supporting women in sports, supporting police and veterans and advocating for small government.

Senate District 17

Matthew Nunn would have big shoes to fill if elected as the next state senator for District 17.

Nunn, who beat Julie Jaddock by receiving 67% of votes in the primary election, will have the chance to replace outgoing GOP Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer in the general election. Thayer was first elected in 2003 in a special election, and he announced in December he would not seek reelection. He hasn't closed the door to one day returning to politics, though.

Senator Damon Thayer (R) speaks to the senate during the last day of their season on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Nunn is a retired Kentucky National Guard commissioned officer and is the current vice president for enterprise risk management at Toyota Tsusho America. In his campaign, Nunn highlighted policies like supporting law enforcement and first responders and protecting life, free speech and the Second Amendment.

Thayer backed Nunn in the primary election and donated to his campaign in April, according to reports from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

Jaddock serves as the childrens director at Central Church in Kentucky. During her campaign, she ran on similar policies to Nunn, including supporting law enforcement and touting being 100% pro-life.

Nunn will face Democrat candidate Kiana Fields in the November election, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Senate District 29

Another incumbent could come back to represent Eastern Kentucky. Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, won the Republican primary with 60.3% of the vote and will be running against Independent candidate David Suhr in the general election for Senate District 29. Turner has represented the district since 2021.

Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan.

His challengers Randy Thompson and Shawn Gilley won 32.8% and 6.9% of the vote, respectively.

Thompson is a former executive judge for Knott County Fiscal Court who was previously sentenced to 40 months in prison for voter fraud, The Herald Leader reported.

Meanwhile, Gilley is a member of the Letcher County Public Schools Board of Education.

Senate District 5

Republican incumbent Stephen Meredith will be seeking a third term in the Senate in the upcoming general election.

Kentucky Sen. Stephen Meredith

Meredith, who has served since 2017, won 71.71% of the vote and will face off against Democratic candidate Jamie Skudlarek to represent state Senate District 5.

Thomas Ballinger, Merediths challenger, received 28.3% of the vote, served in the Army and is a member of the Kentucky Beekeeper Association. His campaign website advocated for school choice, veteran representation and being pro-second amendment.

Meredith said in a letter on his campaign website that he decided to file for reelection because he wants to support real and lasting solutions in the State Senate. In his campaign platform, Meredith highlighted reducing health care costs, defending the Second Amendment and demanding adequate funding for schools.

Senate District 1

Barring any unusual circumstances, Republican incumbent Jason Howell is coming back for a second term in the Kentucky Senate. Howell, who faces no Democratic candidate in the November general election, won 70% of the vote as of Tuesday night for Senate District 1.

Howell is an attorney and has served in the Senate since 2021.

Meanwhile, Lynn Belcher, a former state representative and Howells challenger, won 30% of the vote. His campaign platform consisted of policies like reducing red flag laws and investing in tools and training for first responders.

This story will be updated as more races are called.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Senate races: Former Navy SEAL defeats incumbent Southworth
People taste Chinese tea during an International Tea Day celebration event in the headquarters of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy, May 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Tea cultivation not only contributes to the agricultural economy but promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation as well.

ROME/BELGRADE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 International Tea Day was marked in Rome and Belgrade on Tuesday with tea art performances, diverse tea tastings and immersive learning programs about tea culture.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted an event at its headquarters in Italy's capital Rome, focusing on the crucial role women played in the tea industry and approaches to help them overcome the challenges they face.

"Women play a crucial role in the tea industry, substantially contributing to its sustainability, productivity and community development," FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said in his opening speech, adding that their contributions underpin the industry's economic viability, social fabric and sustainable development.

Tea cultivation not only contributes to the agricultural economy but promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation as well, Qu noted.

A tea specialist performs tea art during a celebration of the International Tea Day at the China Culture Center in Berlin, Germany, May 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

Special teas from China, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kenya, Russia and Sri Lanka, including renowned Chinese tea varieties like Longjing, Pu-erh, and Jasmine tea, were displayed at the event, attracting hundreds of visitors to savor teas and explore tea culture.

At the Chinese Cultural Centre in Belgrade, Serbia, around 200 officials, students and tea lovers gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the fifth International Tea Day. They enjoyed a traditional Chinese tea art performance and tasted Anxi Tieguanyin, a specialty tea from Quanzhou, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province.

The celebratory event was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, the Serbian Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism and Youth.

Actresses perform during a celebration of the International Tea Day at the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, Serbia, May 21, 2024. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Stanko Blagojevic, Serbia's assistant minister of culture, expressed satisfaction with the strengthened China-Serbia ties, noting that intangible heritage, such as the Chinese tea ceremony, represents "a strong bond" between the two peoples and cultures.

"This is how we learn to work together and make each step a significant progress," he said.

Dunja Denic, Serbia's assistant minister of tourism and youth, also said at the event that friendship and cooperation with China are truly important, especially in tourism, where the outcomes have been notably positive and encouraging.

In a video message to the attendees, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming expressed his hope that the Serbian friends will "appreciate the tea culture, and jointly promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Serbia."

Established by the United Nations in 2019, International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21 to raise global awareness of the historical, cultural and economic significance of tea.

An Azerbaijani visitor smells Chinese tea during an International Tea Day celebration event in the headquarters of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy, May 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Zurich  A woman jogger was killed by a naked man who was screaming and attacking people in a lakeside park in Switzerland, police said Wednesday. The attack happened Tuesday evening in Mannedorf on Lake Zurich, around 12 miles southeast of Switzerland's biggest city, the Zurich cantonal police said.



A 19-year-old suspect was arrested.



"On Tuesday evening a woman was attacked and fatally injured by a man in Mannedorf," police said, adding that the woman had been out jogging.



"Shortly before 8:00 pm (1 p.m. Eastern), passers-by reported a man in Alma Park who was running around naked, screaming and physically attacking other people. The emergency services who quickly arrived on site found a seriously injured woman lying on the ground," the police said, adding that "despite immediate resuscitation, the woman died from her serious injuries."

A Swiss flag flies on the back of a boat on Lake Zurich, with the village of Mannedorf visible on the shore in the background, in a 2014 file photo. / Credit: Brigitte Blattler/Getty

The suspect, a Swiss national, was also found at the park and was arrested, the police said.



The victim's identity was not provided due to an ongoing investigation, they said, which included inquiries to determine whether the suspect and victim had known each other.



After questioning, the suspect will be referred to the public prosecutor for serious violent crime, the police said.

There were no immediate reports about other people attacked by the suspect sustaining serious injuries.

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CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Tenn.  A woman who once lived at the Arkansas home where 73 dogs and children were removed last week says she is relieved the kids and animals are now safe.

Three kids, over 50 dogs rescued in Crittenden County after welfare check

The 31-year-old, who did not want to be identified, said she was a family friend and was invited to live on the property in Hughes. She said she lived there for about a year but had to leave because the smells of urine and bleach inside the house were making her sick.

I felt so weak. I could barely move and do anything, she said. I couldnt shower because the plumbing didnt work. I had to use a hose outside to clean up.

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On May 14, Crittenden County deputies said they found three children, ages 2, 8, and 10, living in a feces-covered house on Earle Beck Road with dozens of small dogs.

Martin Huerta-Miller, 61, Victoria Martinez, 37, and W.L. Crump were charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and animal cruelty.

The woman said about two dozen dogs were on the property when she lived there. She said she didnt see the children much because she usually stayed in her bedroom.

The woman said she suffers from a learning disability and was afraid to go to authorities. Last week, a neighbor asked the sheriffs office to check on the children.

Once I heard that, I was happy that all the animals were rescued and the kids were out of there because no kids should have to live like that, she said.

She said that the family was breeding the dogs to sell at one time, but it turned into a hoarding situation.

I cant make this up: Arkansas Shelter rescues dogs, cats in second hoarding case in a week

The children are now in the custody of the Department of Human Services, and the dogs are in the care of the West Memphis Animal Shelter.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Maryland Schools Superintendent Carey Wright speaks at a State Board of Education meeting May 21, 2024. Photo by William J. Ford.

Maryland State Schools Superintendent Carey Wright said Tuesday that school leaders must work harder to diversify and boost the states teacher workforce.

Its got to be a conscious effort, Wright said during a break at the state Board of Education meeting in Baltimore. Are we really going into our HBCUs? Are we recruiting? What do those techniques look like?

Her comments came as the board was considering a recent state Department of Education report that showed the state has made little progress in recent years in diversifying its teacher workforce. The report said 68% of the states teachers in the current school year are white compared to 20% Black and about 5% Latino or Asian.

But Wright said another challenge facing school systems is hiring and retaining teachers in the state.

We arent producing enough of those candidates in house, so weve got to be thinking about what else are we going to do, she said.

A few ideas were highlighted as part of a teacher workforce report with various data that included teacher retention in all 24 school systems, those enrolled in state preparation programs and number of those who received National Board Certification.

A graph that shows racial breakdown of teachers in Maryland. Photo courtesy of Maryland State Department of Education.

Starting in two weeks, a work group will convene to assess recruiting and retaining a diverse teacher workforce. The task force will include representatives from the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the states historically Black colleges and universities, the College of Southern Maryland and at least seven school districts  Baltimore, Dorchester, Frederick, Kent, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties and Baltimore City.

We have a very diverse group of stakeholders from all of these entities, said Kelly Meadows, assistant state superintendent in the division of educator certification and program approval. Our charge is to come together to [find] solutions and overcome the challenges of recruiting and retaining our high-quality workforce here in Maryland.

Meadows said other solutions are to market the states revamped teacher-recruiting website, produce short YouTube videos to summarize the teaching profession and visit school districts to inform officials about various teacher pathways and certification opportunities.

The report also found that of the states 1,626 accomplished educators  those who have been designated as National Board Certified  1,204, or 74%, were concentrated in four counties: Montgomery, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel and Howard.

The Blueprint for Marylands Future education reform plan called for salary increases for teachers with that national designation beginning in the 2021-22 school year. About 976 teachers enrolled in the program that year. When the salary increase was raised a year later to as much as $10,000 a year, more than 3,000 teachers applied, followed by another 3,800 in the current school year.

As of December, Meadows said every jurisdiction in the state has at least one teacher with that designation.

Of teachers with conditional certification  those who have a bachelors degrees but havent completed the requirements for a professional teachers license  more than half have been Black in the last five school years, the report said. In comparison, white teachers accounted for about 32% of those conditionally certified over the same period.

Our conditional cert teachers better reflect the communities. Thats where many of the people come from, said Joshua Michael, vice president of the board.

Last year, the legislature approved House Bill 1219 requiring that the department establish an educator recruitment, retention and diversity dashboard. Data from that dashboard will be publicly available by Jan. 1. Some of the data will include gender, race, new hires and attrition rate. Meadows said the dashboard will also highlight teacher interns.

The key is to hopefully follow this individual into the school system, into employment and really publicize the diversity of our classrooms so that there is awareness around what we need in Maryland, she said.

A gift

In other business, the board voted unanimously to approve the use of $350,000 to implement a science of reading program for an estimated 30,000 paraprofessionals, teachers, school literacy supervisors and school administrators across the state. The money will be used for meeting space, stipends and other administrative costs of the program, that focuses on teaching students based on phonics, comprehension and vocabulary.

Wright, who led the science of reading program while superintendent of public schools in Mississippi, announced the money is in conjunction with a four-year, $6.8 million grant from the nonprofit Ibis Group of Washington, D.C.

About $5.3 million will go to the State University of New York (SUNY) and to the AIM Institute for Learning and Research of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, to provide online training for the science of reading program. The other $1.5 million for Johns Hopkins University and the department to research the impact of teacher efficacy, teacher background knowledge and literacy leadership development.

The training, which will be free for Maryland educators, will start July 1.

Tenette Smith, executive director of literacy programs and initiatives in the department, said training will take about 35 hours to complete. Smith worked with Wright in Mississippi on the science of reading program.

All of Marylands school systems must have the science of reading program implemented in the 2024-25 school year.

The post Wright: There must be a conscious effort to grow, diversify Marylands teacher workforce appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Western Washington University police are investigating a hate crime possibly linked to an ongoing campus protest against the war in Gaza.

A Jewish student who was wearing a Star of David necklace told WWU police and The Bellingham Herald that they were spat upon and followed to their dorm on Friday.

The victim, who is not being named, said the attack happened as they were walking past the protesters.

(Protesters) were chanting in Arabic that the entire land is exclusively Arab land. They were chanting to kick out Zionists from (WWU) and specifically the Ethnic Student Center, the victim told The Herald in a text message.

Zionism is the belief in Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland of Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The student said they had simply been walking past the protest, where about 500 to 600 people rallied in favor of a student employees union and for a series of demands that Gaza protesters gave to WWU President Sabah Randhawa last week.

I was also yelled at by multiple individuals who repeatedly screamed shame. Keep in mind I didnt speak a word to them the whole time. I didnt realize the antisemitism was so prevalent until yesterday, the victim said.

At their website, WWU police said the incident is under investigation as a fourth-degree assault and malicious harassment, which is a hate crime and a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

University spokesman Jonathan Higgins said a thorough university investigation is under way, receiving our full care and attention.

It was reported to police and to WWUs Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance and student support professionals were reaching out to the victim, Higgins said.

While we do not have confirmation that this antisemitic act was committed by any of our encampment protesters, our student services team, which includes staff focused on de-escalation, addressed expectations with demonstrators on Friday immediately after the incident. The team continues to clearly communicate that this behavior was and is unacceptable, and we will continue engaging with the encampment to reinforce expectations, Higgins told The Herald in an email.

Hateful speech, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, is inimical to WWUs values. Any violence or harassing behavior will be directly dealt with by the University Police Department and the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, he said.

Are you listening? and Free Palestine are written in chalk on the bricks at Red Square in a screenshot from a live video stream on May 9 at the campus of Western Washington University.

In addition, several incidents of vandalism have been reported to WWU police since the Gaza protest camp, a tent camp on the lawn between Old Main and Viking Union, started May 14.

Free Palestine was painted outside Viking Union and the Performing Arts Center; Free Palestine and All eyes on Rafah were painted in Fairhaven Tunnel; and Popular University for Gaza was written on the brickwork outside Wilson Library.

At their website, WWU police reported graffiti in Red Square and damage to Fisher Fountain. Free Palestine was written in chalk on the brick walkway, according to a screenshot last week from a camera overlooking Red Square.

WWU officials werent immediately able to provide information about the cost and nature of damage to the fountain, but a Herald readers email said the fountain had been filled with red dye. The incident was listed on the police log as second-degree malicious mischief, which under state law involves damage over $750 and is a class C felony.

The fountain will be closed until commencement week, Higgins said.

Several college and university campuses across the U.S. have seen similar protest camps in recent weeks as the war in Gaza continues, sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 civilians in Israel, including 45 Americans.

An estimated 35,000 Gazans, including many women and children, have been killed in the fighting. Hamas  which the U.S. and other nations classify as a terrorist organization  still holds more than 100 hostages.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey swears in a recruit training class for the State Police in early 2024. (Image via Mass. Governor's Office Flickr)

Massachusetts State Trooper No. 8 had just been arrested and charged with overtime fraud earlier that morning when the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts sat down for a roundtable interview with reporters.

It appears necessary, at least from what weve seen so far, to clean house a little bit at the State Police, said Andrew Lelling, the prosecutor at the time.

The Augean stables, which were flushed as one of the 12 labors of Hercules, might have been a more apt idiom than clean house. Since the arrest and the interview inside the Moakley Courthouse occurred five years ago, the federal prosecutors at Moakley Courthouse have issued a steady stream of indictments and press releases outlining alleged corruption within the ranks of the statewide law enforcement agency, which has been without a permanent leader for over a year.

That stream includes the former president of the State Polices union, who was sentenced to 30 months last year for racketeering, obstruction of justice, and tax crimes. Along with the unions former lobbyist, he was accused of running the union as a criminal enterprise for their own personal financial benefit. Earlier this month, a former State Police sergeant was sentenced to three years in prison, days after a former lieutenant and co-conspirator was sentenced to five years. The overtime fraud scheme dated back to 2015, and they and other troopers stole thousands of dollars by regularly arriving late to, and leaving early from overtime shifts.

This past January, prosecutors indicated theyd opened up a new front, with troopers allegedly available to be bought off at bargain prices: Four current and former troopers were hit with a 74-count indictment that alleged they conspired to pass some people who applied for commercial drivers licenses (needed for driving tractor-trailers and school buses) in exchange for bribes, including bottled water, a new driveway, and a snow blower.

Under the State Houses golden dome, theres been little interest over the years among legislators to take stock of the theft of public funds and abuse of public trust, and whether the agency has been truly reformed. (Thats in contrast to their counterparts in Connecticut, who have raised questions about their own troopers.)

As for the executive branch, the State Police fall under Gov. Maura Healeys public safety secretariat, whose cabinet chief is Terrence Reidy, a former county-level prosecutor. Asked on Tuesday about the state of the State Police, Reidy, who was leaving an unrelated event on Beacon Hill, skittered towards an elevator while directing inquiries to a spokesperson.

The vast majority of the nearly 3,000 sworn and civilian members of the MSP perform their jobs with the utmost professionalism and compassion every day, a statement released later in the day said.

Healey in February 2023 appointed Lt. Col. John Mawn Jr., a member of the State Police since 1993, as its interim colonel, and the search for a permanent leader is in its final stages, according to an administration spokesperson. Candidate interviews are underway, and the search has seen both external and internal contenders, though further details, like Reidy, were unavailable.

To be sure, state officials can tout a host of reforms since 2018, including body cameras, GPS locators in State Police vehicles, routine payroll audits, and a unit of the state inspector generals office within State Polices headquarters.

The inspector generals office filed a report in April and flagged paid details, which are often lucrative for troopers as they watch over roadwork or handle security for a state agency or business. The office found data that raises concerns that in prior years troopers may have misrepresented the number of hours they worked. The report said they would continue to monitor data for costs, accuracy and transparency.

Lelling, the federal prosecutor whose office launched the State Police investigations, was unable in 2018 to provide an endpoint to the trials of the agency. He noted that when it comes to public corruption cases, you need the feds, because state or local prosecutors can have conflicts of interest, relationships that are too close for comfort, or there arent enough resources. He stepped down from the job in 2021, and prosecutions continue under Joshua Levy, whose office is handling the commercial licenses cases.

When asked the same question as Reidy  whether the State Police had finally cleaned house  a Levy spokesperson wrote simply, No comment.

Tom Nolan, a criminologist and former Boston Police officer, said he was skeptical that the State Police are making major headway with reforms. The State Police, culturally, is an insular organization, he said.

He acknowledged that the governor, under the 2020 police reform law, now has the authority to appoint as the agencys leader someone outside the ranks of the State Police. But, he added, I think youd be hard pressed to find someone, a high caliber, widely respected candidate who is a CEO of a law enforcement agency who will take that jobThat would be a daunting challenge for anyone from the outside.

This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The post After years of scandals, have the Massachusetts State Police turned a corner? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
A YMCA employee who worked in a Raleigh elementary schools before- and after-school programs has been charged with secret peeping on campus.

Raleigh Police arrested Kajuan Markel Haywood, 22, on Tuesday on eight counts of felony secret peeping and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The alleged incidents happened April 16 after hours on Wiley Elementary Schools campus, according to a message that Principal Tracy Avery sent to parents on Wednesday.

The YMCA of the Triangle operates the before-school and after-school program at Wiley, on St. Marys Street in Raleigh. The YMCA said Haywood was a former part-time staff member.

We have terminated the staff member from all YMCA programs and continue to fully cooperate with the Raleigh Police Department in their investigation, said a statement Wednesday from the YMCA. Please know that law enforcement has identified and contacted the victims.

Lewd images on toddler

According to the arrest warrant, Haywood is accused of using a device to create a photographic image of another underneath or through the persons clothing for the purpose of viewing the persons body or undergarments without consent.

The age of the alleged victims is not listed in the warrant.

But the warrant says the sexual exploitation of a minor charge involves Haywood possessing lewd images of female toddler between the ages of 1 and 3.

Haywood is being held at the Wake County jail on a $30,000 secured bond. Avery said Haywood has also received a trespass notice that doesnt allow him to return to the campus.

Obviously very disturbing

Both the YMCA and Wiley said in their messages that theyre concerned about the safety of the people on campus.

The allegations in the charges are obviously very disturbing, Avery said. Support services for students and staff will be made available to anyone who needs them.

The YMCA said it has extensive child-safety protocols, including requiring youth staff to undergo background checks and child abuse prevention training.
An illustration shows the atmosphere of the Jupiter-sized exoplanet V1298 Tau b being stripped away transforming it into a super-Earth sized world.

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that a cotton-candy-like Jupiter-sized planet located around 350 light-years away is shrinking and could be on the way to becoming a "sub-Neptune" or "super-Earth" sized world.

As well as being one of the lightest planets ever discovered, the extrasolar planet or "exoplanet" called V1298 Tau b also happens to be one of the youngest worlds ever discovered as it crosses or "transits" the face of its star.

V1298 Tau b orbits a roughly 23-million-year-old star, which is an infant relative to older stars such as our middle-aged star, the sun, which is 4.6 billion years old. It is accompanied in this system by at least three other planets, V1298 Tau c, d, and e. This means that this system offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the atmospheres of freshly formed and evolving planets.

To do this, the team used the Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument to observe V1298 Tau b as it transited the face of its young parent star, classified as a T Tauri star, which means it is a very young star with a sun-like mass.

Related: Cotton candy exoplanet is 2nd lightest planet ever found

"V1298 Tau b is the size of Jupiter. However, we found the mass of this planet to be comparable to, or even lower than, that of Neptune," research team leader Saugata Barat from the University of Amsterdam told Space.com. "Therefore, it is likely to be a Neptune or Sub-Neptune progenitor at this age. Depending on the evolution of this planet, it could lose a large chunk of its primordial atmosphere and end up as a sub-Neptune or potentially even a super-Earth-like planet."

Because Jupiter is roughly 20 times the mass of Neptune, the fact that V1298 Tau b is the width of the former with the mass of the latter means that this exoplanet is incredibly "puffed out," as astronomers currently see it.

"V1298 Tau b is one of the lowest density planets we have discovered thus far. Its density of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter can be compared to cotton candy," Barat added.

Decoding the shrinking atmosphere of V1298 Tau b

Using its transits, the team performed an atmospheric investigation of V1298 Tau b and discovered a large and clear atmosphere extending out for around 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). This is much wider than the atmospheres of solar system bodies like Saturn's largest moon Titan, which have atmospheres that extend out from their main body by between 31 miles and 62 miles (50 to 100 kilometers).

V1298 Tau b is just around 16 million miles from its highly active, hot young T Tauri parent star, meaning that it completes an orbit in just 24 Earth days. As a result of this proximity, the planet is also being bombarded with high doses of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from its star, which is stripping its atmosphere.

Additionally, the team found the interior of this planet to be very hot, though it is expected to cool down as it matures, which is also adding in the loss of atmosphere.

"A combination of these processes is likely to drive significant mass loss and contraction for this planet," Barat said. "A comparison between the nature and composition of V1298 Tau b with mature sub-Neptunes highlights significant differences. Therefore, it is possible that in due course of its evolution, the atmospheric composition and chemistry of V1298 Tau b might also change."

four planets orbit a large orange star. thousands of other distant stars dot the background

As a result, V1298 Tau b tells astronomers that when Neptunes and sub-Neptunes first born in a cloud of gas and dust surrounding a young star called a "protoplanetary disk," they are in a state that doesn't resemble how they appear at mature ages. The research also suggests Neptune and sub-Neptune-class planets may shift positions in their planetary systems.

"They are born with significantly large primordial envelopes, likely to have been accreted while they were forming within a proto-planetary disk," Barat said. "By analyzing the atmospheric contents of V1298 Tau b, we think that this planet may have originated close to its current location close to its host star."

two large orange planets, with a small blue planet in the middle

Because elements and chemical compounds absorb and emit light at characteristic wavelengths, analyzing the light that passes through the atmosphere of the planet as it transits the face of its star using a process called spectroscopy can reveal its composition.

For V1298 Tau b, this investigation uncovered something unusual about this exoplanet's atmosphere. It is surprisingly low in "metals," which is the term astronomers use for elements that are heavier than the universe's two lightest elements, hydrogen and helium.

"We were surprised by the non-detection of methane. The temperature of this planet is ideal for the production of a large amount of methane," Barat said. "However, its absence points towards chemical processes in its atmosphere, such as strong vertical mixing, which can remove the methane from the observable atmosphere.

The University of Amsterdam scientist went on to explain that methane can only be removed if a planet's interior is very hot. The missing methane in the atmosphere of V1298 Tau b led them to hypothesize that the temperatures in the planet's atmosphere are 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celcius) or greater. By comparison, the average temperature of Jupiter's atmosphere is minus 166 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 110 degrees Celcius).

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Barat said that the current observations only observed water vapor in the atmosphere of V1298 Tau b. This means in the future, they intend to measure the abundance of other molecules, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, to complete an inventory of chemicals present in the atmosphere of this exoplanet.

"It is important to precisely constrain these abundances as it ties directly to the location of formation for this planet," Barat added. "It is also important to investigate the impact of the host star on the planet's atmospheric chemistry."

Barat and colleagues have obtained observations of V1298 Tau b with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which they are currently analyzing.

"The JWST is sensitive to a wide array of molecules such as water, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Thus, we will soon be able to address these questions," Barat concluded.

The team's research was published on May 9 in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Edwin Tan/Getty Images

The Louisiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday that repeals a requirement that employers provide a lunch break to some younger workers if their work shift lasts more than five hours.

House Bill 156, by Rep. Roger Wilder, R-Denham Springs, passed the Senate on a 26-11 vote. The Senate approved an amendment from Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, that altered the proposal so it would only apply to 16- and 17-year-old employees and preserved the required break for workers under 16.

Wilder, a Smoothie King franchisee, previously said he would continue to provide breaks to minors he employs.

Multiple labor unions and labor organizations opposed Wilders bill.

This seems mean-spirited, Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, said of the bill.

Seabaugh pushed back on this assertion, arguing the bill would not lead to an abuse of minors on the job, as young workers who feel they are being mistreated will quit their jobs. The legislation is really about getting rid of paperwork and penalties for employers when minors clock in early from their break, which the bill author described as a disincentive to hire minors, Seabaugh argued.

The proposal is part of a nationwide trend of Republicans rolling back labor protections for minors. Lawmakers in at least 11 states have moved to repeal or loosen laws to bring more teens into the workforce.

Because the bill was amended in the Senate, it has to go back to the House for another vote.

The post Young workers in Louisiana close to losing required lunch breaks appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
By Alimat Aliyeva

Beijing protested to Seoul and Tokyo in connection with the visit of South Korean and Japanese lawmakers to the inauguration ceremony of the head of the Taiwanese administration, Lai Qingde, in Taipei, Azernews reports.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul said that the visit to Taiwan by a delegation of South Korean lawmakers "grossly violates the principle of "one China" and the spirit of the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea."

"We call on the Republic of Korea to respect the one-China principle, refrain from any interference in China's internal affairs, from any support for separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence, and take practical actions to protect the common interests of China and South Korea," the statement said.

"Japan has colonized Taiwan for a long time and has a serious historical responsibility in the Taiwan issue. She should be more careful in her words and deeds," the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said, commenting on the visit of more than 30 lawmakers to Taipei. The diplomatic mission drew attention to the fact that the Japanese government and "some politicians" in Tokyo ignored China's strong protest and sent a completely erroneous signal to the Taiwan administration, thereby violating their obligations on the Taiwan issue.
MONTREAL, Canada, May 21 (Xinhua) -- UN officials, among other high-level representatives, have called on everyone to be part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also known as the Biodiversity Plan, to echo the theme of the 2024 edition of International Day for Biological Diversity.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his statement that decimating biodiversity damages sustainable development today and will create a dangerous and uncertain tomorrow.

"The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offers a pathway to reverse loss and restore biodiversity -- while creating jobs, building resilience, and spurring sustainable development," Guterres said.

"Governments must lead," he said. "But as this year's International Day for Biological Diversity reminds us, we are all 'Part of the Plan' -- we all have a role to play. Indigenous Peoples, business, financial institutions, local and regional authorities, civil society, women, young people, and academia must work together to value, protect and restore biodiversity in a way that benefits everyone."

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program Inger Andersen highlighted the importance of finance.

"To implement the 23 targets of the Biodiversity Plan, finance will be central. Today 7 trillion U.S. dollars are invested every year in activities that actually harm nature meanwhile support for the conservation and sustainable use of nature is less than the 200 billion U.S. dollars each year that the plan calls for," said Andersen.

"We must repurpose harmful subsidies in a way that protects the poor and the vulnerable and we have to align public and private finance with nature and we must increase transfer between developed and developing countries to the 20 billion U.S. dollars by next year that we promised," she said.

David Cooper, acting executive secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said the Biodiversity Plan is humanity's best chance to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and live in harmony with nature.

"For the Plan to work, however, we need a whole-of-society approach that includes everyone," Cooper said. "Through informed purchasing decisions, citizens can relieve the pressure exerted on biodiversity, one shopping cart at a time; Through their votes and engagement in the political process, citizens can prompt politicians to embrace the Biodiversity Plan as a domestic policy priority."

According to Cooper, governments are currently working to revise their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to ensure they are aligned with the Plan. Governments are expected to present their NBSAPs at the next meeting of the Parties to the Convention, COP 16, in Cali, Colombia, which will be held under the theme "Peace with nature."

The International Day for Biodiversity, which falls on May 22, is the perfect opportunity to keep momentum going in order to protect and restore nature, to prosper with nature, to share benefits fairly, and to invest and collaborate for nature, according to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

On Dec. 19, 2023, the one-year anniversary of the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Secretariat launched "The Biodiversity Plan" campaign aiming to communicate and promote the 4 Goals and the 23 targets of the framework to the world. 
Hundreds of Austin Community College graduates celebrated their spring commencement Friday at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park surrounded by family, friends and college board members, professors and staff.

In black caps and gowns with golden tassels, students paraded in, hugging others and smiling widely. Nearly 3,100 graduates were invited to attend, and 853 graduates were present.

This was ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart's first spring commencement at ACC after beginning his post as chancellor in the fall. He expressed his pride for graduates in his opening remarks at the ceremony.

"Each of you came to us with dreams and aspirations of successfully completing a degree or certificate," Lowery-Hart told the graduates. "You sacrificed and you've succeeded, and so tonight we want to celebrate you."

More: Bats to Cats: Texas State, Austin Community College announce 'seamless' transfer program

Lowery-Hart gave special recognition to veterans, first-generation college students, parents, those who do not speak English as a first language, those graduating with an associate degree from an early college high school, and other ACC graduates in the audience, asking them to stand as the crowd applauded and cheered for them. He also thanked ACC employees.

"It's been an honor for ACC to be a part of your history, and we're honored to include you as a part of ours," Lowery-Hart said. "There is an entire community of Riverbats at your side, and we just wanted to congratulate you."

More: Austin Community College OKs free tuition program for eligible 2024 high school graduates

ACC graduate Theodore Courtois, a first-generation and nontraditional student who was awarded the Chancellor's Student Achievement Award and is now pursuing astronautics engineering, spoke to the graduates Friday.

"I stand here before you, an auditorium of my peers, an auditorium full of successes," Courtois said. "When you experience imposter syndrome, when you doubt what you are capable of, look around you find the helpers and the hero, focus on them, and on your own growth, rather than on the obstacles that stand in your way."

He said his professor at ACC "taught me to speak from the heart about my true passions" and that he learned he could achieve his dreams through ACC.

"Two years ago, I never would have believed that I had what it takes to work with NASA," Courtois said. "Today, I am a three-time NASA Lucky mission intern and the project manager of NASA-funded project Skyfall."

Texas State University's President Kelly Damphousse delivered the commencement address to the ACC graduates. In April, Damphousse and Lowery-Hart announced the Bats to Cats direct transfer program for ACC students looking to pursue a bachelor's degree from Texas State. The university said it would award $1,000 to students who make the leap and $2,000 when they attend Texas State's Round Rock campus.

More: Lockhart ISD receives first board action necessary for annexation into ACC tax district

Damphousse said he sees himself in the graduates. Damphousse said he graduated from a community college 42 years ago this month and that his only exposure to college had been through television.

When he graduated, he said his dad bought a suit, and his mom bought a new dress. He then became a prison guard and decided to continue his education at Sam Houston State University. He told students that he knows how much this day means to them, and that there are more opportunities out there for them, citing Texas State's commitment to the direct transfer program.

Damphousse encouraged students to bring forward "the grit and determination and all the hard work it took to get you here today." He said he was proud of them.

"This ceremony today symbolizes what all of us in this arena believe about you, that you can do it, because you have already done it," he said.

More: 'Ready to change my life': Austin Community College graduates reflect on achievement

ACC's board of trustees passed a free tuition program in April, which will fully cover tuition for eligible high school graduates for three years and an additional two for those who decide to pursue their bachelor's at the college.

This was also the last commencement ceremony for Barbara Mink, ACC's board chair. Lowery-Hart thanked her for her 50 years of service to the district.

"You're one for the history books Dr. Mink, for sure," Lowery-Hart said.

More: University of Texas Class of 2024 celebrates commencement, praised for perseverance

The first session of ACC's summer classes starts May 28, and the second starts July 13.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Community College graduates celebrate spring 2024 commencement
A man swims from a submerged church compound, after the River Tana broke its banks following heavy rains at Mororo, border of Tana River and Garissa counties, North Eastern Kenya, Sunday, April. 28, 2024. Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to dozens of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, according to the U.N. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Extreme weather attributed to the El Nino phenomenon is causing a surge in hunger in several countries, including Zambia and Afghanistan, the UN's World Food Programme said Wednesday, and called on donors for much-needed help.

El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and studies say that as the world warms, they may get stronger.

Tens of millions of people in southern Africa rely on the weather to grow food to feed themselves.

In a statement, the WFP warned that southern Africa was the epicenter of the crisis after a cycle of floods and drought has battered the region over the last three years. Three countries, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, are the worst affected and have seen between 40-80% of their staple corn crops wiped out by drought this season, leaving millions impacted, according to the UN food agency.

The WFP said executive director Cindy McCain had traveled to Zambia and seen how severe drought has wiped out harvests in a region where 70% of the population relies on agriculture to survive.

We cant ask millions to wait for the next harvest season  a year from now  to put food on their tables, McCain said in a statement. These families need our support today while we help to build a more resilient future.

WFP said its "teams have started to respond but US$409 million are needed for six months to assist 4.8 million people in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Other countries, including Congo and Afghanistan, are facing similar problems due to changing weather conditions which have led to destroyed crops, livestock deaths and displaced people, causing a surge in hunger, the agency said in a separate statement.

This comes as hunger crises caused by conflict in Gaza and Sudan are already stretching the agency's aid capacity.

The WFP's call for aid came days after the regional Southern African Development Community made a plea for help after a special virtual meeting of leaders and government officials to discuss the impact of the extreme weather.

In a joint statement, the southern African countries said the region needed $5.5 billion to help more than 61 million people.

There had been a multifaceted and cascading impact of the El Nino-induced drought and floods across multiple sectors, the regional bloc said, noting how it had caused other problems, such as contributing to large and deadly outbreaks of the water-born cholera disease. Countries that depend on hydroelectric generators, like Zambia, are struggling to produce enough electricity because of the drought.

Alongside El Nino, the southern African region has recently seen a series of tropical cyclones that scientists said were likely made stronger and wetter by human-caused climate change and the increase in global temperatures.

While the African continent contributes the least to climate change, it is expected to suffer the most. Poorer countries are generally not as well-equipped to deal with the impact.

Even before the floods and drought, food insecurity and malnutrition were already at alarming levels in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia and humanitarian assistance had stalled because of funding shortages for aid, WFP said.

The three countries have all declared national disasters over this year's drought, and others have provided equally grim assessments.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said this month that around half of Zimbabwe's population of 15 million needed lifesaving and life-sustaining" help because of the drought.

Last week, the Action Against Hunger non-profit warned that a hunger crisis may be imminent in Kenya in East Africa after catastrophic floods displaced more than 250,000 people.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is continuing to collect pledges for the planned peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June.

"Today I spoke with the heads of state and prime ministers of Chile, Albania, Austria and Mozambique," Zelensky said in his regular video message on Wednesday evening. "Four more countries at the summit - I thank them."

It is already known that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be travelling to the meeting on behalf of Germany. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer will also attend the meeting on June 15-16 near the Swiss city of Lucerne, the Chancellery confirmed in Vienna.

Nehammer called the conference an important step towards making peace possible again. What was needed was a "broad alliance of allies for peace, also outside the echo chambers of the EU," Nehammer said.

The summit, organized by Switzerland at Ukraine's request, is intended to mobilize more international support for the country currently under attack from Russia.

Ukraine is hoping to convince neutral states or states in the Global South that are friendly with Russia of the correctness of its position. China in particular is being courted.

The aim is to involve around 80 countries in the summit. This first step is not about negotiations with Russia; Moscow has not been invited and rejects participation.

"Russian aggression has tried to turn the UN Charter into a museum piece," Zelensky said in Kiev. "Our peace summit and the participation of leading politicians from all over the world can restore the UN Charter to full effectiveness and full protection for all nations."

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for over two years. In addition to the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014, Moscow has declared four other Ukrainian territories to be part of its territory.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has noted that there are positive tendencies concerning radio-electronic warfare, drones and missile programme, but "there is still a lot of work to be done" to counter Russian bombs.

Source: Zelenskyys evening address

Quote: "I held a special meeting of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) and the Staff [of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief] with the Secretary of the NSDC Lytvynenko, the Chief of the General Staff Barhylevych, the Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov, and the Minister for Strategic Industries Kamyshin. It was about our Ukrainian production of electronic warfare, drones, our missile programme, and our countermeasures against Russia's guided aerial bombs.

This is a challenging topic, and while we see some good progress on electronic warfare, drones, and the missile programme, there is still a lot of work to be done to counter Russian bombs. We discussed the details today. There is no alternative  Ukraine needs systems and tactics that will allow us to defend our positions, our cities and our hromadas from these bombs. For now, they are the actual main tool of Russian terror and the advance of the occupier." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories - ed.]

Details: Zelenskyy noted that on 22 May, he spoke twice with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and discussed the situation in the combat zone. Syrskyi presented his report in the morning and in the evening.

Zelenskyy stated that the fronts remain the same. These are, first and foremost, the Pokrovsk front and other fronts in Donetsk Oblast, as well as the Kupiansk front in Kharkiv Oblast. Zelenskyy stressed that the focus is on the border areas at the moment, not only in Kharkiv Oblast but also in Sumy Oblast.

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FILE - A pro-democracy activist holds placards with a picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan outside the Chinese central government's liaison office in Hong Kong on Dec. 28, 2020. Zhang Zhan was released from prison after serving four years for charges related to reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, according to a video statement she released Tuesday, May 21, 2024, eight days after her sentence ended. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

BANGKOK (AP)  Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist, was released from prison after serving four years for charges related to reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, according to a video statement she released Tuesday, eight days after her sentence ended, though there are concerns about how much freedom of movement she has.

Zhang was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, a vaguely defined charge often used in political cases, and served her full term. Yet, on the day of her release, her former lawyers could not reach her or her family. Shanghai police had paid visits to activists and her former lawyers in the days leading up to her release.

In a short video, Zhang said she was taken by police to her brother Zhang Ju's home on May 13, the day she finished her sentence.

I want to thank everyone for their help and concern, she said in a soft voice, standing in what appeared to be a hallway of an apartment building.

The video was posted by Jane Wang, an overseas activist who launched the Free Zhang Zhan campaign in the United Kingdom and is in contact with one of Zhang's former lawyers. However, Wang said in a statement that Zhang still has limited freedom. They became concerned that Zhang would be kept under further control by police even if she was no longer in prison.

The United States Department of State also issued a statement of concern over Zhang's status in the days after she was due to be released.

Ren Quanniu represented Zhang before being stripped of his license in February 2021. He said he confirmed the video was true by speaking with Zhang's family.

She's not free, she's relatively free, he said in a message to the AP. She's still under the watch and care of the police.

During her detention at Shanghais Women Prison, Zhang staged a hunger strike and was hospitalized at one point in 2021. Zhangs family, who could often only speak to her by phone, faced police pressure during her incarceration, and her parents refused to speak to news outlets.

Zhang was among a handful of citizen journalists who traveled to the central Chinese city of Wuhan after the government put it under total lockdown in February 2020, in the early days of the pandemic. She walked around the city to document public life as fears grew about the novel coronavirus.

Others spent time in jail for documenting the early days of the pandemic, including Fang Bin, who published videos of overcrowded hospitals and bodies during the outbreak. Fang was sentenced to three years in prison and released in April 2023.

Chen Qiushi, another citizen journalist, disappeared in February 2020 while filming in Wuhan. Chen resurfaced in September 2021 on a friends live video feed on YouTube, saying he had suffered from depression. He did not provide details about his disappearance.

The coronavirus remains a sensitive topic in China. In the first week of May, the Chinese scientist who first published a sequence of the COVID-19 virus protested authorities barring him from his lab, after years of demotions and setbacks.
Is Zionism patriotism or racism? Big disagreements over a word in use for 125 years

In the many debates over language surrounding the war in Gaza, few words are as controversial as "Zionism."

Its original, most basic definition is Jewish nationalism.

For many, that equates to the right of the Jewish people to have their own state and self-determination in an ancestral homeland after centuries of oppression and ostracism in much of the world. They view anti-Zionism as a fig leaf for bigotry and antisemitism.

For others, Zionism is a form of modern-day colonialism or racist manifest destiny  the attempt to justify the seizure of contested land in the name of God.

Here's a review of the history of the word and how competing definitions are inflaming the debate over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Where did the term come from?

The term "Zionism" first came into use in the late 1800s. It built upon Zion, a biblical term for Israel and Jerusalem, and the name of a site in Jerusalem where the temple most historically revered in Judaism was constructed millennia ago.

Its use was championed by a Jewish Austro-Hungarian journalist, Theodor Herzl, at the turn of the 19th century. He made it the label of a movement to send European Jews to an area eventually known as British Mandate Palestine so they could begin forming a Jewish homeland.

Outraged by what he considered the dangerous and prejudicial treatment of fellow Jews in Vienna in the late 19th century, Herzl, trained as a lawyer and a prolific writer, established the Zionist Organization, which explored the mission of creating a Jewish state. The organization eventually had branches in several European cities and attempted to lobby the mostly royal rulers of the day to make the dream of statehood come true.

"Perhaps our ambitious young men, to whom every road of advancement is now closed, and for whom the Jewish state throws open a bright prospect of freedom, happiness, and honor, perhaps they will see to it that this idea is spread," Herzl wrote in a pamphlet called "Der Judenstaat" (the Jewish State), which outlined his vision and led to his Zionist movement. It was published in 1896.

Considered the father of political Zionism, Herzl did not live to see a Jewish state. He died of heart disease in 1904.

Did Zionism always envision statehood for Jews in what is now Israel?

In the hearts of most early-day Zionists like Herzl, the ideal was to create their Jewish state in the land between what is now Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Yet there were other ideas.

In 1903, British colonial rulers in Africa floated the so-called Uganda plan, which would have offered a section of the East Africa Protectorate as a homeland for Jews. (The land would eventually become part of modern-day Kenya.) Some of Herzl's followers were willing to consider this, but a visit to survey the land found it to be inhospitable.

The Soviet Union proposed a Soviet Jewish Republic in Crimea, Ukraine; Italian fascists proposed a settlement in Italian East Africa. The Nazis at one point proposed shipping Jews to Madagascar. All of those plans were rooted more in ridding the continent of Jews than in giving them a homeland.

In 1947, after World War II, the United Nations General Assembly officially partitioned British Mandate Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab one; the latter was never established. Arab powers in the region rejected the decision and not long after were at war with the new state of Israel.

Read more: This 5-year-old from Gaza is learning to live with one leg and untold loss

How did the concept of anti-Zionism evolve in Soviet Russia?

In the years after Russia's Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, many Russian Jews supported and participated in the country that became known as the Soviet Union. Initially, the Soviet Union was favorable to Zionism and the creation of an Israeli state.

But strains of anti-Jewish hatred that had long raged in Imperial Russia and led to waves of pogroms in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as discriminatory residency and employment laws from Moscow to St. Petersburg, continued to permeate sectors of Soviet society.

As the years went on, and it became clear after World War II that the emerging Israel was going to hitch its wagon to the United States and the West, anti-Zionism became a more formal policy in the Soviet Union.

(The U.S. under President Truman was the first major power to recognize Israel, in 1948; Russia did the same, but Stalin reversed the decision within a year.)

Russia was home to tens of thousands of Jews, and for decades Soviet authorities refused to permit them to emigrate to Israel.

What was 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion'?

One of the most notorious pieces of writing aimed at spreading hate and fear of Jews, "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," was published in Russia in the early 1900s.

It was a fake document that purported to prove that Jews were a cabal sneakily trying to control the world through financial institutions, media and other centers of power. Though the text has been soundly and repeatedly discredited, copies still exist, and some of its portrayals of Jews remain frequent antisemitic tropes today.

What did Zionism come to mean for Jewish people  then and now?

Zionism to many Jewish people means, essentially, patriotism: a political ideology rooted in the establishment  and, later, promotion  of a refuge for Jews who throughout history had to escape pogroms, then a Holocaust aimed at wiping them out.

The Anti-Defamation League defines the concept this way: "Zionism is the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel. The vast majority of Jews around the world feel a connection or kinship with Israel, whether or not they explicitly identify as Zionists, and regardless of their opinions on the policies of the Israeli government."

There is not consensus, however, among Jews today over the precise definition of Zionism.

For many, it underpins Israel's right to exist. For the more extreme, such as settlers occupying the West Bank and East Jerusalem land claimed by Palestinians, it is used to justify Jewish control of all the land, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Read more: Israel's religious right has a clear plan for Gaza: 'We are occupying, deporting and settling'

How do others view Zionism?

Over time, the definition and use of the word evolved and took on negative tones among critics of Israel. The U.N. formally declared Zionism a form of racism in a 1975 resolution, which it revoked 16 years later.

To Palestinians displaced by an emerging Israel, Zionism came to symbolize racism and exclusion from what they viewed as their homeland.

Is being anti-Zionist antisemitic?

On this question, there is abundant disagreement.

Many critics of Israel or Israeli government policy say opposing the expansion of the country's control over land claimed by Palestinians is not an anti-Jewish or antisemitic position but one of fairness.

Yet many Jews would say denying their right to an unfettered homeland is indeed antisemitic. They say it is clear that the term "anti-Zionist" is being embraced by some anti-Israel demonstrators at U.S. college campuses as a politically correct cover for antisemitic intent.

Read more: How antisemitism came roaring back into American life

How has the term been used at campus protests?

At hundreds of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in recent weeks, the terms "Zionism" or "Zionist" have been hurled disparagingly against Jewish students and pro-Israel demonstrators.

At UCLA this month, demonstrators stopped Jewish students at checkpoints and demanded menacingly: "Are you a Zionist?" Some said protesters of any faith were welcome but not "Zionists"; one told The Times the word refers to those who adhere to "a very violent, genocidal political ideology that is actively endangering people in Gaza."

A group of Jewish students at Columbia University  where demonstrations were intense and led to police being called onto the Manhattan campus to break up pro-Palestinian encampments  wrote an open letter this month expressing dismay at the way the term was being bandied about.

"We proudly believe in the Jewish peoples right to self-determination in our historic homeland as a fundamental tenet of our Jewish identity, the letter, signed by several hundred students, stated. Contrary to what many have tried to sell you  no, Judaism cannot be separated from Israel. Zionism is, simply put, the manifestation of that belief.

We are proud to be Jews, and we are proud to be Zionists, the students wrote.

In many cases, it seems that the competing definitions have made use of such a misunderstood word problematic.

Ned Lazarus, an international affairs professor at George Washington University in the nation's capital, said "Zionism" is now used as a litmus test by both sides with an array of sometimes contradictory criteria and components, erupting into a war of narratives and becoming weaponized.

"It should be a question to open a conversation," Lazarus said, "not shut it down."





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
2024 Ford F-150 Tremor earns its stripes in drive from desert to mountains and back

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.  The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor off-road pickup is much more than the Raptors little brother. I was skeptical when Ford added the Tremor to the already crowded F-150 lineup in the 2021 model year.

The roads are full of "off-road editions" automakers tout to boost sales of pickups and SUVs.

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor is a legit off-roader adn can power off-board devices.

Many are exercises in cosmetics and marketing. Add an aluminum skid plate here, an all-terrain tire there and $1,500 to the sticker price.

Engineering features that deliver meaningful off-road capability are harder to find but the Tremor delivers them, I learned on an afternoon drive from the Mojave Desert to 7,200 feet in the mountains and down a mining trail created for mules, not an $80,000 full-size pickup with a V8, B&O audio and adaptive cruise control.

The F-150 Tremor delivers all that and legitimate off-road capability. After jostling down a mountain from the pines of Baldwin Lake to the Joshua trees of Burns Canyon, Ive got the bruises to prove it.

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor offers a tailgate that opens in multiple ways.

2024 Ford F-150 trim levels and prices

XL: $36,770

STX: $43,895

XLT: $47,620

Lariat: $65,195

King Ranch: $73,735

Platinum: $73,735

Tremor: $64,150

Raptor: $78,330

Raptor R: $110,225

Source: Ford. Prices exclude $1,995 destination charge.

A 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor suspension.

What makes it a Tremor?

I drove a Tremor with the standard 400-horsepower 5.0L V8 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, locking rear differential and low range of gears.

Features on all Tremors include:

An inch extra ground clearance

33-inch all-terrain tires

Upgraded suspension with off-road springs, front hubs and control arms

Monotube front shock absorbers, twin-tube rear

2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard to power tools, campsites, tailgate parties, etc.

Trail control with one-pedal drive

Trail turn assist

Electronic locking rear differential

Modular front bumper

Orange interior and exterior accents

Running boards

Coast to Coast grille

Tremor prices start at $64,150. My well-quipped truck  it had just about every option except the optional 3.5L twin turbo V6 engine, which churns out 510 pound-feet of torque  stickered at $78,380. All prices exclude destination charges.

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor is a legit off-roader and can power off-board devices.

Safety and driver assist features

Adaptive cruise control

Blind spot and cross traffic alert

Lane keeping assist

Automatic emergency braking

Post-collision braking

Reverse sensing

Backup camera

Pro Trailer Backup assist

Pro Trailer Hitch assist

On-board scales

Automatic high beams

Automatic headlights

Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving

Keyless entry keypad

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor interior.

Driving impressions

The F-150 Tremor is comfortable, quiet and responsive on-road, its 33-inch all-terrain tires and other off-road gear notwithstanding.

The standard crew cab has plenty of room and storage for five people. The controls are easy to use, with a combination of a 12-inch touch screen and physical buttons and dials.

The real test in my drive came on the mining roads ruts and rocks, scaling a steep packed-dirt hill and maneuvering around a couple of tight corners.

The Tremor conquered every challenge, the drivetrain was more than capable of mounting the slope. The electronic trail control modulated power and brakes for a smooth climb and secure descent.

Trail turn assist, a setting that locks the inside rear wheel so the 19-foot long pickup can make it around tight corners, operated flawlessly when I needed to get around a pile of downed wood at the top of a trail.

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor.

Why get one?

The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor combines exceptional off-road capability, good on-road manners and a big, comfortable cab. With its roomy bed for cargo and ability to power multiple electric devices, it should be a welcome addition everywhere from worksites to picnics.

2024 Ford F-150 Tremor at a glance

Full-size 4x4 crew cab pickup

Price as tested: $78,380, excluding $1,995 destination charge

Engine: 35.0L V8

Output: 400 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 410 pound-feet of torque @ 4,250 rpm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/20 highway/17 combined; regular fuel

Wheelbase: 145.4 inches

Length: 231.7 inches

Width: 79.9 inches, excluding mirrors

Height: 79.3 inches

Approach angle: 27.6 degrees

Departure angle: 24.3 degrees

Ground clearance: 9.4 inches

Curb weight: 5,467-5,666 pounds

Towing capacity: 12,000 pounds

Assembled in Dearborn, Michigan

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor pickup proves its more than a junior Raptor
Artificial intelligence companies agreed on Tuesday to a set of voluntary safety guidelines and reaffirmed their commitment to developing their AI technology in a way that incentivizes the security of their platforms and the public.

At the AI Seoul Summit  hosted by the South Korean and United Kingdom governments  16 leading companies signed onto the non-binding Frontier AI Safety Commitments, which is aimed at mitigating the risks of AI while increasing accountability and transparency.

Among the companies that agreed to the commitments are OpenAI, Google, IBM, Amazon, Meta and xAI.

The companies agreed to assess the risks of the technology at every step of the development of a new AI system, focusing on reducing risks associated with possible misuse of the technology as well. They agreed to consider the results of internal and external evaluations as appropriate to determine the safety of the system. The external evaluations could be conducted by independent third parties, their home governments, or other bodies their governments deem appropriate.

The companies also agreed to set a pre-determined threshold for the maximum level of risk posed by a given AI system that they would be willing to tolerate. They agreed to state clearly how they would ensure they keep the risks under that threshold and what they would do if their AI system exceeded that threshold, including processes to further develop and deploy their systems and models only if they assess that residual risks would stay below the thresholds.

In the extreme, organizations commit not to develop or deploy a model or system at all, if mitigations cannot be applied to keep risks below the thresholds, read part of the non-binding agreement.

The two-day summit followed the first such gathering in November, and it featured several world leaders who similarly pledged to build proper guardrails to develop AI safely and to share resources to forge a common understanding of AI safety and align their work on AI research.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Amazon says it has not halted any Nvidia chip orders

By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) -Amazon.com's cloud services unit said on Tuesday that it has not halted any orders of Nvidia's most advanced chip on the market, but has instead decided to purchase the company's newer state of the art chip for an upcoming supercomputer project between the companies.

Earlier, the Financial Times had reported that Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world's largest cloud services firm, had "fully transitioned" its previous orders for Nvidia's Grace Hopper chip to its newer Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs), that Nvidia announced in March.

An AWS spokesman told Reuters that the transition from Grace Hopper chips to Blackwell chips applies only to Project Ceiba, a supercomputer that AWS and Nvidia are building together. AWS continues to offer other services based on Nvidia's Hopper chips, its flagship model for training artificial intelligence systems (AI), the spokesman said.

The Project Ceiba transition was announced by the two firms in March when Nvidia unveiled the new Blackwell chips.

"To be clear, AWS did not halt any orders from Nvidia. In our close collaboration with Nvidia, we jointly decided to move Project Ceiba from Hopper to Blackwell GPUs, which offer a leap forward in performance," an AWS spokesman said in statement.

The Financial Times amended its earlier story to say that Amazon's chip orders had not yet been placed. The newspaper directed a request for comment to its updated story.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Anil D'Silva, Shinjini Ganguli and Rod Nickel)
Apple COO Jeff Williams reportedly paid a recent secret visit to TSMC CEO C.C. Wei to discuss reserving the first batch of the semiconductor manufacturers 2-nanometer production capacity. The new technology could prove vital not only for Apple to continue improving the performance of its M-series chips, but also to catch up with the competition in artificial intelligence (AI).

Sources from the Taiwanese news outlet Economic Daily reported the meetings under the condition of anonymity. This is standard practice with Apple, since the iPhone-maker almost never discloses its negotiations with suppliers.

The Cupertino-based tech company has recently begun making inroads in the AI server world, developing its own AI chips for its data center servers. These servers would be required to handle artificial intelligence processing too complex to be handled on-device on an iPhone or iPad. Rumors suggest that iOS 18, expected to debut this fall, will lean heavily into AI models, akin to what Android has adopted by way of Gemini Nano.

Previously, Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed that the tech giant maintains its own data centers that could be used for AI purposes. While the company also enlists third-party data centers, Maestri clarified Apples plan to continue building its own data centers. The financial executive also confirmed that Apple has invested over $100 billion in generative AI research and development over the past five years.

Apple already employs TSMCs 3-nanometer process for its M4 System-on-a-Chip (SoC), which integrates a more powerful Neural Processing Unit than previous generations. To further develop AI capabilities, Apple will reportedly develop three additional levels of the M4 SoC. These chips, codenamed Donan, Brava, and Hydra will offer more AI processing power to help Cupertino catch up in the field.

The new versions of the M4 chip are expected to enter mass production during the second half of 2024. Apples purchase of the first production capability of the 2-nanometer process means the potential for TSMCs annual revenue to climb to an all-time high, NT$600 billion (approximately USD $18.6 billion). Over time, Apples business with TSMC could help the chipmaker reach an annual revenue of NT$1 trillion (USD $31 billion).

Neither Apple nor TSMC responded to inquiries about the nature of Williams visit to Taiwan.
Chinese and Amercian students perform at the opening ceremony of the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

XI'AN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- High expectations ignited calls at a China-U.S high-level tourism summit on Wednesday for concrete actions to remove tourism barriers between the two countries.

The 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit drew nearly 400 representatives of the governments, institutions, and tourism-related enterprises of the world's top two economies to the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin read a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony. She said President Xi's message fully demonstrates the great importance attached to the China-U.S. relations and ardent expectations for deepening China-U.S. tourism cooperation.

STRONG PENT-UP DEMAND

History has proven that China-U.S. cooperation potential in the tourism industry is huge.

Annual bilateral tourist flow reached a milestone in 2016 -- surpassing 5 million for the first time. Notably, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the United States exceeded 3 million for the first time that year, and their total travel expenditure surpassed 30 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said at the summit.

Escalating geopolitical tension and the sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, have combined to reduce bilateral exchanges in recent years.

China responded to the ebbing of the pandemic by stepping up efforts to boost its tourism sector. From resuming a steadily increasing number of international flights and implementing a visa-free policy for more countries and cruise travelers, to simplifying visa-application procedures and optimizing payment services, Chinese authorities pressed the "acceleration button" to facilitate the recovery of its tourism industry.

Julie Durazo, with Pathways Travel based in Los Angeles, said the visa application process to enter China is now "a lot easier," compared to what was required during the pre-pandemic era.

Durazo, who is in Xi'an to research tour options, is planning to bring dozens of U.S. high school students to China this fall.

"I remember before it was at least a six-month waiting process. So we had to have our students sign up close to a year in advance," she said, adding that both paperwork and procedures have since been significantly reduced.

Durazo's husband, Paul Orr, joined her on the research trip and it took just four days for him to get his visa after submitting all necessary documents.

Latest figures released by China's National Immigration Administration showed that the number of foreigners visiting China had increased by more than threefold in the first quarter of 2024, when compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, approximately 1.1 million visitors from China had traveled to the U.S. in 2023, representing a 192.9-percent surge compared with the previous year, according to data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The trend, however, is still more sluggish than what insiders had anticipated.

Attendees at the summit in Xi'an attributed these disappointing travel levels to a lack of flights, visa challenges, crime concerns, and general geopolitical tensions.

Currently, there are 100 direct flights every week between the two countries, which is less than one-third of the pre-pandemic level.

"Before the pandemic, we could fly direct from Los Angeles to Beijing or Shanghai, but now we have to make a stopover in San Francisco, and the ticket fare is much more expensive," said Durazo.

There is also a visa challenge that needs to be dealt with. Despite being one of the most desired overseas destinations among Chinese tourists, the U.S. visa application process has deterred many Chinese from planning a trip to that country.

"The average waiting time for a U.S. visa appointment is currently three months. In addition, the United States only offers individual visas, which require in-person interviews, and applicants from Xi'an have to go to either Beijing or Guangzhou for such an interview," said Peng Shuping, chairman of Xi'an Spring International Travel Service Co., Ltd. "We really hope that the visa application process can be simplified," Peng added.

Another obstacle is that Washington has issued a level-3 advisory concerning travel to China, calling on Americans to "reconsider" such travels, which has deterred many Americans who otherwise may have been more likely to visit China.

"We strongly hope that the relevant policies will be adjusted as soon as possible," said Zhou Xiaoguang, president of China Odyssey Tours.

COMMON EXPECTATIONS

The U.S. Commerce Department and Tourism Policy Council in June 2022 released a national strategy, setting an ambitious five-year goal of attracting 90 million international visitors to the United States each year, which would generate 279 billion U.S. dollars to support American travel workers and businesses.

"An important factor in achieving this goal is the ability of the U.S. travel and touring industries to attract more Chinese travelers to visit the United States for leisure, business and education purposes," Grant Harris, assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis at the U.S. Commerce Department, said at the opening ceremony in Xi'an. Harris also read a message from U.S. President Joe Biden at the summit.

China, which welcomed over 82 million inbound tourists while its domestic residents made nearly 101 million outbound trips in 2023, has also put tourism in a prominent position in its drive to encourage economic growth.

A national meeting on the development of the tourism sector was held last week in Beijing, highlighting that it is "imperative to promote high-quality development of the tourism sector," and the need to "speed up building China into a country strong in tourism."

Seeing the event in Xi'an as an opportunity to further revive the tourism market, industry insiders who attended it voiced strong anticipation for more pro-tourism measures to boost the global tourism industry.

"We regard Sino-U.S. travel as a barometer, so the tourism sector has great expectations for the recovery of Sino-U.S. travel," said Feng Gaoxuan, general manager assistant of Xi'an Overseas Tourist Co., Ltd.

Travel and tourism between the U.S. and China is of great importance not just to the world's two largest economies, but also to the entire global community, said Chris Clark, who is chairman of Visa Asia Pacific, at the summit.

"The importance of cultural exchange cannot be understated," Clark added. "It helps us understand and appreciate different cultures, values, and traditions that are different from our own, fostering mutual respect and understanding, and can improve communication and build better relationships between people and nations." 
There are rules, and then there are rules. The rules that people know they must follow, and the rules some people quietly ignore when they think they know better.

The Austin City Council set a clear policy in 2020 when voting unanimously to prohibit police use of facial recognition technology to identify suspects and other members of the public  recognizing the software that compares an image of a person to billions of photos scraped from databases and social media was both imperfect and ethically fraught.

But it appears a few members of the Austin Police Department took that ban as more of a rule, an advisory they could ignore when an investigation was stuck.

According to recent reporting by The Washington Post, Austin police officers sidestepped the citys ban on several occasions by sending images of unknown suspects to the Leander Police Department, which has access to facial recognition software, and asking someone there to run the scan.

Thats him! Thank you very much, an Austin police officer wrote after a Leander officer sent an array of photos from a facial recognition search, according to documents obtained by the Post.

The newspaper found at least 13 times that Austin police received face scan results from Leander police, based on information from sources and public record requests. Its hard not to wonder if the number of surreptitious photo searches was even higher than that. (The Austin Police Department told me it cannot comment while it is investigating these incidents.)

Nor is there any sign those incidents fell under the one exception to Austins ban: Police can request the city managers permission to use this technology in cases of imminent threat or danger, with detailed disclosure to the City Council and the public.

We all want crimes to be solved, our community to be safe. But it is imperative that police follow the rules as they uphold the law  to recognize those rules are not inane technicalities but guardrails set by elected officials to protect everyones rights.

Consider the fact that facial recognition software has led to the wrongful arrests of at least seven people around the country  from Louisiana to Michigan to New Jersey  illustrating the fallibility of this technology and the nightmarish consequences for wrongly accused people trying to clear their names. Six of those seven wrongful arrests involved people who are Black, underscoring the worrisome reality that facial recognition programs are at greater risk of misidentifying people of color.

Yet we dont have complete data or independent audits to verify the accuracy of this tool. Clearview AI, the program used by Leander police and many other departments, has not publicly disclosed its rates of false positives or negatives or submitted its algorithm for independent testing, according to a 2022 report by the nonprofit Brookings Institution.

For the little we know about them, these software companies have a lot of information on us. Clearview AI has amassed photos from hundreds of government databases and scraped billions of images from Facebook, YouTube and other websites.

To put this tracking in perspective, the FBI only has about 640 million photos in its databases, compared to Clearview AIs approximately 10 billion, the Brookings Institution report found.

New Austin police officers hold up their right hands to take their oath of service at their graduation ceremony last month. The Austin City Council in 2020 voted unanimously to prohibit the Police Department from using facial recognition technology.

A 2016 Georgetown Law study found half of all U.S. adults had photos in the facial recognition databases used by law enforcement, and 1 in 4 state and local police departments had access to this software. Surely both numbers have grown significantly since then.

Still, if you see promise in this tool for crime-fighting purposes, youre not alone. A 2022 poll by Pew Research Center found about three-quarters of Americans believed widespread use of facial recognition technology would help police find more missing persons and solve crimes more quickly and efficiently. At the same time, 69% in that poll expected police would use the tool to track everyones location at all times, and 66% said police would monitor Black and Hispanic neighborhoods more than other neighborhoods.

All of which means facial recognition software should not be used without robust and well-publicized safeguards  and certainly not in plain defiance of a city ban.

Trust is established through transparency. Austin police, now investigating the troubling revelations from The Washington Post, need to provide a prompt and thorough report to the public about how often facial recognition software was used and what disciplinary actions officers will face.

Additionally, police should tell anyone arrested in these cases that the investigation involved the use of facial recognition software. A match from a facial scan isnt sufficient proof to make an arrest  other agencies say they use such information as a tip for further investigation  but defendants have the right to know if the technology flagged other potential matches that might raise doubt about their guilt.

Obviously, I remain deeply skeptical of this technology. But if the Austin Police Department believes the software has improved, and that facial recognition is a vital tool that can be used safely, it needs to make that case. Austin should have that debate. Our elected leaders should decide whether the ban should change, and if so, what the guardrails should be.

But the reach and impact of this technology are far too powerful for a handful of police officers to quietly make the rules for themselves.

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: Austin police ignored city's ban on facial recognition technology
A brutal heat wave in Mexico is causing monkeys to drop dead from trees

A brutal heat wave in Mexico is causing monkeys to drop dead from trees

Soaring temperatures in Mexico are causing monkeys to fall dead from trees.

Dehydration killed the monkeys "within a matter of minutes," biologist Gilberto Pozo told the AP.

Research has shown that extreme heat, on average, cost the global economy $16 trillion between 1993 and 2013.

Temperatures are soaring in Mexico, and the scorching heat is causing monkeys to drop dead from trees.

Up to 85 howler monkeys were found dead in Tabasco in southeast Mexico, where temperatures this week are forecast to surpass 113 degrees Fahrenheit, Reuters reported, citing local media.

The mantled howler monkey, known for its call, is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, based on the organization's 2020 assessment.

Local authorities and volunteers have been collecting the bodies of the dead primates from forests. To help the remaining animals survive the heat wave, they have also put buckets of water and fruit around the monkey habitats.

Volunteers fill buckets with water to help animals amid drought and high temperatures in Buena Vista, Comalcalco, Mexico, on May 18. Luis Manuel Lopez/Reuters

The Associated Press reported that some concerned volunteers have also brought monkeys they rescued to local veterinarians.

"They asked for help, they asked if I could examine some of the animals they had in their truck," Dr. Sergio Valenzuela told the AP on Monday. "They said they didn't have any money, and asked if I could do it for free."

He treated five monkeys that were brought to him by volunteers. The animals arrived in critical condition, dehydrated and feverish.

A veterinarian feeds a young howler monkey rescued amid extremely high temperatures in Tecolutilla, Tabasco state, Mexico, on May 21. AP Photo/Luis Sanchez

"They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke," Valenzuela said.

Tabasco's Civil Protection agency attributed the monkey deaths to dehydration in a statement to Reuters over the weekend. A source from the agency also confirmed to the outlet that monkeys have been found dead in three municipalities of the state.

Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo told the AP that the wave of monkey deaths started around May 5 and peaked over the weekend.

"They were falling out of the trees like apples," Pozo said. "They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes."

In their weakened state, a fall from a height like that can result in serious injuries that end up killing the primates, he said.

On Monday, Mexico's environment ministry said in a statement that it was coordinating efforts to determine the cause of the monkey deaths. It also advised residents to notify the authorities immediately if they encounter dead animals.

According to the AP, Mexico's ongoing heat wave has been linked to the deaths of at least 26 people since March.

In early May, record-high temperatures were registered in 10 cities in Mexico  including the capital, per Reuters. On May 9, the temperature in Mexico City peaked at 93.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures are soaring worldwide because of greenhouse gas emissions and El Nino, among other factors.

Extreme heat isn't just bad for health and the environment  it also greatly impacts the economy. Research has shown that extreme heat, on average, cost the global economy $16 trillion to $50 trillion between 1993 and 2013.

A representative for Mexico's environment ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The first Dream Chaser space plane has reached Florida's Space Coast to get ready for its upcoming liftoff.

The robotic Dream Chaser, which is built by Colorado company Sierra Space, arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Saturday (May 18) for final testing and processing ahead of its first-ever cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The space plane is called "Tenacity" and, paired with the cargo module "Shooting Star," will furnish supplies to the ISS in the near future.

Tenacity's first flight, expected in late 2024, will lift off atop United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is next door to KSC. Space plane and module combined will send 7,800 pounds (3,500 kilograms) of cargo to the orbiting lab, NASA officials wrote in a statement on Monday (May 20).

Related: Sierra Space unveils Dream Chaser space plane ahead of 1st flight to ISS (video)

Dream Chaser, which can send either cargo or astronauts to low Earth orbit depending on the variant, is a spacecraft whose design borrows from NASA's space shuttle and Soviet-era designs.

Dream Chaser was an early entrant under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, while under the stewardship of predecessor entities to Sierra Space (SpaceDev, and then Sierra Nevada Corp., or SNC.)

a white and black space plane sits in a dark room

Dream Chaser was not selected under for commercial crew flights; NASA instead chose SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner in 2014. SNC filed a protest to the U.S. Government Accountability Office that September, alleging "serious questions and inconsistencies in the source selection process," but the GAO later ruled against SNC, finding no issues with the evaluation.

SNC later received a Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract from NASA in 2016, tasking the company with completing at least six flights to the ISS. (SpaceX and Orbital ATK, now part of Northrop Grumman, also received funding for their Dragon and Cygnus vehicles, respectively.) Dream Chaser prototypes have additionally completed ground testing, as well as autonomous glide flights in Earth's atmosphere, in the last decade or so.

RELATED STORIES:

 Dream Chaser enters final testing ahead of 2024 debut space flight

 Sierra Space unveils Dream Chaser space plane ahead of 1st flight to ISS (video)

 Meet 'Tenacity:' Sierra Space unveils 1st Dream Chaser space plane (photos)

Development delays are common in large programs, but Sierra Space (the current name of Dream Chaser's developer) has made key progress in recent months.

NASA officials put the space plane through its paces at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio earlier this year, alongside the Shooting Star cargo module.

The Ohio work included vibration testing and scrutinizing the systems for their ability to function in low pressures and extreme temperatures akin to space, agency officials have said. Forthcoming KSC activities include "acoustic and electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing, completion of work on the spaceplanes thermal protection system, and final payload integration," NASA added in Monday's statement.
The Department of Defense has published the first aerial image of its new B-21 Raider. It's also the first official side profile shot we have seen. The photo was part of a set of three new images showing the Raider flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base .

The air-to-air image showcases the deep shelf-like extension that makes up the jet's leading edge, which is most pronounced along its nose. This is a key very low-observable feature of the aircraft that is far more pronounced than the beak-like nose and chine-line that is seen on its predecessor, the B-2.

A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The B-21 will interoperate with our allies and partners to deliver on our enduring commitment to provide flexible strike options for coalition operations that defend us against common threats. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Case, Northrop Grumman)

We also see the jet's now famous cockpit side window design more clearly, with its small trapezoidal viewports specifically tailored for signature control. Its forward windscreen that has a somewhat limited field of view, with it seemingly being optimized for aerial refueling, is also shown. Ejection seat apertures above its cockpit area, as well as its refueling receptacle port are prominent in the photo. The aircraft adopts similar refueling symbology on its dorsal skin as what's found on the F-22 and F-35.

Below that we see the crests of the commands related to its existence, which is a common feature on the B-2. Another small rhombus-like aperture is seen along the mid-upper fuselage area, which could be part of its highly secure directional data-link system , similar to what's found on the F-35. An antenna is seen below its fuselage that would retract for stealth operations and the aircraft's temporary air-data probe extending at an angle from its lower forward fuselage looks even stranger in the air than it does on the ground.

To the rear, we see its AF 0001 serial number, as well as an interesting look at its light-colored skin coating. Prior to rollout , we posited the B-21 would adopt a lighter tone as it would be optimized to operate both during the day and at night. We see additional diamond-like apertures, as well as a large panel that has serrated forward edges located between the engine nacelle 'humps' and the center domed fuselage section. What is most apparent here is just how incredibly well blended the B-21's intakes are with its flying-wing design. They are nearly unrecognizable in this side-on image, reflecting perhaps its most intriguing very low-observable feature.

Finally, we see extended formation lights that would sit flush with the B-21's skin for combat operations and the attachment point for the temporary trailing flight test cone's wire that is emanating from the jet's lower rear half. The B-21's exhausts, which are historically a very sensitive low-observable feature, are totally unseen in this image.

Overall, this side-on image gives us an idea of just how smooth and flowing the B-21 design truly is. While having much in common with its predecessor the B-2, it is clearly a major leap in stealth technology. You can read more about this unique relationship in this past special feature of ours .

The image of the B-21 taking off from Edwards gives us our first official lower-angle view of the B-21 so far. Here we see its single-axle landing gear that features two wheels instead of the B-2's four. This is a key element that underlines the Raider's lower gross weight and smaller overall size than its predecessor. But what's most notable is that this is the first official image that shows the aircraft's auxiliary intake doors open .

A B-21 Raider conducts flight tests, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. The B-21 will possess the range, access, and payload to penetrate the most highly-contested threat environments and hold any target around the globe at risk. The B-21 program is on track to deliver aircraft in the mid-2020s to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which will be the first B-21 main operating base and location for the B-21 formal training unit. (Photo courtesy of David Henry, Northrop Grumman)

These swing-up doors allow for the jet's engines  still unclear as far as their type and number  to suck up more air during terminal operations where high power settings, steeper angles of attack, and slower speeds are the norm. The B-21's deeply-buried inlets clearly have limitations in this regime of flight and even the B-2 had its own auxiliary intake doors, although they are a leaf-like design that opens atop the nacelles, unlike this delta-shaped swing-out design. Once again, the B-21's intakes aren't even seen here. We also get another shot of the Raider's strange windscreen, with its limited field of view being even more evident here.

This image is highly reminiscent of the concept art seen below that was released before the B-21 was officially unveiled.

(USAF rendering)

Finally, we have a new head-on image. While there isn't much revelatory to see from this now familiar angle, we do get an idea of how B-21s will look in their purpose-built shelters that will sprout up at their future bases. We still do not know the dimensions of the B-21, but based on this image, it fits inside the open-air shelter with plenty of room to spare. In the past, we have posited it was as large as 155 feet in terms of wingspan, although the alien attributes of the aircraft make judging its exact size challenging. It's also worth noting that an entire test center was built from an existing facility for the B-21 at Edwards.

The B-21 Raider program is on track and continues flight testing at Northrop Grummans manufacturing facility on Edwards Air Force Base, California. The B-21 will have an open architecture to integrate new technologies and respond to future threats across the spectrum of operations. The B-21 Long Range Strike Family of Systems will greatly enhance mission effectiveness and Joint interoperability in advanced threat environments, strengthening U.S. deterrence and strategic advantage. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Case, Northrop Grumman)

A press release that came with these new images highlights a recent quote in regards to the jet's developmental progress:

On May 8, 2024, during testimony at the Senate Armed Services committee, Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, highlighted B-21 flight testing is on track to meet timelines and deliver to the warfighter.

We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is proceeding well, said Hunter in response to a question about the B-21 program. It is doing what flight test programs are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way.

Hunter explained this is the first aircraft that is more digital than not, which contributes to the program meeting requirements.

The goal is to deliver B-21s to the type's first operational unit at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in the second half of the decade, with the Raider quickly replacing the B-1B and eventually the B-2A. 100 of the jets are currently planned and it isn't clear if that number will grow larger, although it is possible.

The fact that the USAF chose to publicize the B-21's progress at all at this early stage in flight testing, it having took to the skies for the first time just six months ago, is a good indication as to the program's momentum. TWZ has repeatedly inquired about its status, but details have been scant since its first flight.

While the first B-21 is said to be more production representative than pretty much any new major combat aircraft design has ever been, and the type is now in production just months after it first flew, it has a challenging road ahead of it to reach its ambitious fielding goals. But regardless of what lies ahead, at least we are getting aerial views of the world's most complex combat aircraft actually undergoing testing.

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
An undisclosed network incident is affecting some of Kansas City, Kansas, fire and police departments non-emergency services, a police spokeswoman said.

All emergency public safety services are fully functional, and response times are not impacted, said Nancy Chartrand, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

For now, all email services for the police and fire departments are down, she said. The email outage also affected the animal control services in Kansas City, Kansas, which are part of the police department.

The police department reported the network incident early Tuesday morning, Chartrand said. A team was investigating the cause.

A list of the non-emergency services affected by the network incident was not immediately available.

Chartrand said she didnt know if the network incident was due to a cyberattack, but said she would release more information as it becomes available.

Cyberattacks and computer security breaches are a growing problem both locally and nationally.

The Kansas City government appears to be still recovering from what they called a computer outage earlier this month. While the citys website was restored nearly two weeks ago and KC Waters online and phone payment system was restored Friday, online access to the citys online planning and permitting services CompassKC still produces server error messages.

We apologize for any inconvenience but CompassKC is currently unavailable, an online message said. We are working diligently to get it available again.

Other attacks include a ransomware attack that affected the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority in January and another one that affected Jackson Countys assessment, collections and records of deeds offices in April.

The metros Kansas City Scout traffic information system has not been returned online since a cyberattack on April 25. The systems dynamic message boards, website and cameras connected to KC Scout remain offline.
Plans to launch Boeing's oft-delayed Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed test flight Saturday were put on hold Tuesday night to give managers more time to evaluate a small helium leak in the ship's propulsion system. A new launch target was not announced.

The Starliner's crew  commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and co-pilot Sunita Williams  remained at the Johnson Space Center in Houston awaiting word on when to head for the Kennedy Space Center to make final preparations for launch to the International Space Station.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket earlier this month at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket and capsule are currently housed in a nearby processing facility as engineers review the rationale for launching

They had hoped to blast off at 3:09 p.m. EDT Saturday, assuming NASA and Boeing managers agreed it would be safe to launch the spacecraft "as is," with a small, but persistent leak in the ship's propulsion pressurization system.

But multiple sources said earlier Tuesday that option was no longer on the table as additional meetings were planned to discuss the rationale for launching the spacecraft assuming the leak would not worsen in flight.

In a short statement late Tuesday, NASA said, "the team has been in meetings for two consecutive days, assessing flight rationale, system performance and redundancy. There is still forward work in these areas, and the next possible launch opportunity is still being discussed."

NASA did not announce when the analysis might be complete or when another launch attempt might be made. Near-term launch opportunities beyond Saturday and Sunday, based on the Starliner's ability to match the station's orbit, are May 28 and June 1, 2, 5 and 6.

The latest delay was a familiar setback for the hard-luck Starliner, which has suffered a steady stream of frustrating complications since an initial unpiloted test flight in 2019 was derailed by software problems and communications glitches. A second uncrewed test flight was launched and while it was generally successful, more problems were discovered after its return to Earth.

The helium leak was first detected during a launch attempt on May 6. At the time, engineers concluded the leak rate was small enough to permit launch, but the countdown was called off after engineers with Atlas-builder United Launch Alliance noted unusual behavior in an oxygen pressure relief valve in the rocket's Centaur upper stage.

Managers eventually decided to haul the rocket back to the company's Vertical Integration Facility to replace the valve. That work was completed without incident and the new valve was cleared for flight.

Boeing engineers took advantage of the delay to carry out a more thorough assessment of the helium leak, which was traced to a specific reaction control system thruster in one of four "doghouse" assemblies mounted around the exterior of the Starliner's drum-shaped service module.

Each doghouse features four orbital maneuvering and attitude control (OMAC) thrusters and four smaller reaction control system maneuvering jets. Pressurized helium gas is used to push propellants to the rocket motors in each doghouse as well as to four powerful launch abort engines that would only be fired in the event of a catastrophic booster failure.

Engineers tightened bolts around the flange where the leak was detected, pressurized the lines and then ran tests to determine if the leak was still present. In the meantime, launch was re-targeted for May 21 and then, when tests revealed the leak was still present, to Saturday to give engineers more time to assess the data.

The flight is now on hold indefinitely, pending results of the ongoing analysis.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits "there's no proven playbook" after former alignment lead suggests the company prioritizes "shiny products" like GPT-4o over safety

What you need to know

OpenAI has lost a handful of its top executives in the past week after shipping its cutting-edge GPT-4o.

Former employees have expressed concerns over OpenAI big push to achieve the AGI benchmark while placing all safety measures on the back burner.

Reports hitting the windmill indicate OpenAI forces its departing employees to sign NDAs or risk losing the vested equity, to prevent them from criticizing the company or revealing its in-house affairs but CEO Sam Altman has refuted the claims.

OpenAI might be on the brink of perhaps the biggest technological leap with its new flagship GPT-4o model. Who would have thought that we'd get to see an AI chatbot holding a human-like conversation with another AI chatbot? But that doesn't even begin to detail the kind of "magic" OpenAI CEO Sam Altman promises with the new model.

The new flagship model with reasoning capabilities across audio, vision, and text in real-time isn't the only major news stemming from the company. In a surprising turn of events, several high-level OpenAI executives departed from the company shortly after the ChatGPT maker unveiled its GPT-4o model.

On Friday, Jan Leike, OpenAI's Head of alignment, super alignment lead, and executive took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his departure from the company. He disclosed he joined OpenAI thinking it was the best place in the world to research "how to steer and control AI systems much smarter than us."

Jan disclosed that he'd gotten into disagreements with OpenAI's leadership over its core priorities on next the generations of models, on security, monitoring, preparedness, safety, adversarial robustness, (super)alignment, confidentiality, societal impact, and more. The former OpenAI employee these aspects are hard to get right, and he didn't feel like OpenAI was on the right trajectory to address some of the issues raised.

"Building smarter-than-human machines is an inherently dangerous endeavor," Jan stated. "OpenAI is shouldering an enormous responsibility on behalf of all of humanity." Strangely enough, Jan states that both safety culture and process have been placed on the back burner, prioritizing "shiny products."

Finally, Jan indicated that OpenAI must become a safety-first AGI company for humanity to reap benefits from the feat. An AI researcher already disclosed that there's a 99.99% chance AI will end humanity, according to p(doom). The researcher further disclosed the only way to avoid inevitable doom is to not build it in the first place.

Is the world ready for AGI without guardrails and regulation?

AI overlooking a newsroom

OpenAI top executives, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman acknowledge Jan's remarks outlining several measures that are already in place to help ascertain the safety and progression toward hitting the AGI benchmark, including scaling up deep learning, safe deployment of increasingly capable systems, and more.

However, the executives admitted:

"There's no proven playbook for how to navigate the path to AGI. We think that empirical understanding can help inform the way forward. We believe both in delivering on the tremendous upside and working to mitigate the serious risks; we take our role here very seriously and carefully weigh feedback on our actions."

In the past, Sam Altman has admitted that there's no big red button to stop the progression of AI.

OpenAI and ChatGPT

Ilya Sutskever and @signull were among the first OpenAI employees to depart from the company last week. Details leading up to their departure from the hot startup remain slim with the former indicating that he was leaving the firm to focus on a project that's "personally meaningful." The latter didn't disclose why they were leaving the team either but gave a little bit of insight on OpenAI's internal operations while referring to Sam Altman as a "genius master-class strategist."

Signull backed up these claims by citing Altman's strategic deals with Apple and Microsoft, which places OpenAI at a sweet spot with access to infinite computing power, customers, and the possibility of ChatGPT making its way to the greatest piece of technology humanity has ever made, the iPhone. I mean, OpenAI already shipped a dedicated macOS ChatGPT app snubbing Windows. The company explained that it shipped the app to Mac users because it's prioritizing where its clients are, potentially indicating most ChatGPT users use Apple devices to leverage the service's capabilities.

"OpenAI now sits squarely between two of the largest companies in both consumer & enterprise. He forever cemented OpenAI as the defacto name when anyone in the world thinks of AI & turned every single OpenAI weakness into a strengththe only guy that could make Google dance & be put in a massively uncomfortable position. Absolutely incredible execution."

The former OpenAI employee also revealed that Altman had reportedly crafted "a very fun clause" in OpenAI's deal with Microsoft. Signull further stated that Microsoft would be left with zero IP despite its 49% stake in the firm's for-profit arm once it hits the coveted superintelligence AGI benchmark.

Once OpenAI hits the coveted AGI status, Microsoft will have zero IP, and despite its 49% stake, it'll have no control. OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman will reportedly take all the credit.

Ex-OpenAI employees forced to remain tight-lipped

Satya Nadella and Sam Altman at OpenAI Dev Day

There's been a lot of speculations swirling the air in regard to what is happening to OpenAI behind closed doors that has forced some of its top executives, including the head of alignment and safety, to leave the company abruptly.

While former employees who've departed from the company recently remain quiet about OpenAI's in-house affairs, a report by Vox discloses that OpenAI employees are subjected to nondisclosure and non-disparagement preventing them from criticizing OpenAI or how it runs its operations even after leaving the company. Even admitting that they were subjected to the agreements is a violation of the NDA.

READ MORE: Microsoft's complicated relationship with OpenAI

Employees who refuse to conform to the NDA's terms run the risk of losing their vested equity at OpenAI. Daniel Kokotajio, a former OpenAI employee, corroborates this sentiment, indicating that he has to let go of his vested equity after leaving the hot startup without signing the NDA. He indicated that he left the company due to losing confidence that it would behave responsibly around the time of AGI.

However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has cleared the air about former employees losing their vested equity upon leaving the company without signing a non-disparagement agreement.

According to Altman:

"There was a provision about potential equity cancellation in our previous exit docs; although we never clawed anything back, it should never have been something we had in any documents or communication. This is on me and one of the few times I've been genuinely embarrassed running OpenAI; I did not know this was happening and I should have."

Altman further indicated that OpenAI has never held back any employee's vested equity for not signing a separation agreement. He added that there's a team that's working on fixing the standard exit paperwork.
Aurora Flight Sciences recently unveiled a revised fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable aircraft design it is developing U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). A key goal behind Aurora's new demonstrator concept, which is uncrewed and otherwise scaled back from the design it first presented last year, is to provide a realistic pathway to actually flight test the capabilities this platform might offer.

Aurora, a subsidiary of Boeing, has been developing this design under DARPA's Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT). The company was one of four chosen to take part in SPRINT's initial concept refinement Phase 1A, the others being Bell, Northrop Grumman, and Piasecki Aircraft. In April, Aurora advanced to Phase 1B, which will involve a preliminary design review. Whether any of the other companies involved in Phase 1A have moved forward is unclear.

A rendering of Aurora Flight Sciences revised SPRINT design concept. Aurora Flight Sciences

DARPA says that SPRINT's main focus is to demonstrate a "transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence" that includes "the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments from unprepared surfaces." The program is directly tied to U.S. Special Operations Command's (SOCOM) High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) project.

"Auroras [new] concept is designed to meet or exceed the challenging program objectives that DARPA set for the program. For example, the blended wing body platform is capable of 450 knot cruise speed, and the embedded lift fans with integrated covers allow a smooth transition from vertical to horizontal flight," according to a press release the company put out yesterday. "The design also leverages existing engine solutions, shortening development risk and timelines. In addition to VTOL, the aircraft is capable of short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), super short take-off and landing (SSTOL), and conventional take-off and landing."

The press release also highlighted the new concept's "three lift fans, a more refined, composite exterior; and an uncrewed cockpit." The design Aurora showed last year had four fans and a traditional crewed cockpit area with two air intakes right behind it on top of the fuselage.

A rendering of Aurora's initial SPRINT concept. Aurora Flight Sciences

On the revised design, the three lift fans are positioned in a triangular arrangement, with one in the nose end and two on either side of the main blended wing body section. There are also two large angular air intakes under the nose instead of on top of the fuselage, along with what looks to be a central exhaust situated at the rear between the aircraft's v-tail.

An animated rendering Aurora has released, seen below, shows a flat panel sliding over the top of the front lift fan and split circular covers folding down over the ones in the wing areas for level flight operation. There also looks to be doors that close flush to the fuselage underneath. The are two additional auxiliary doors on top of the central fuselage, which may divert air away from the main propulsion system while the design is in its vertical takeoff and landing mode.

Aurora Flight Sciences

It has already been pointed out that there are some very broad similarities between Aurora's fan-in-wing configuration and that of the 1960s-era Ryan Vertifan design, which you can read more about here . This comparison underscores that fan-in-wing design concepts, as well as ones that utilize lift fans in other locations within an aircraft, are hardly new.

The two Ryan XV-5A Vertifan prototypes. The aircraft have the covers for the lift fans in their noses open, but the ones over the lift fans in their wings closed. Ryan Aeronautical via the SDASM Archives

An XV-5A Vertifan in its vertical takeoff and landing mode. Note the split circular covers in the open position above the wing-mounted lift fans akin to what is seen in Aurora's new SPRINT renders. Ryan Aeronautical via the SDASM Archives

The new Aurora SPRINT concept also has some very general similarities to other designs with only a pair of wing-mounted lift fans that have been presented in the past. This includes Lockheed Martin's uncrewed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Advanced Reconnaissance Insertion Organic Unmanned System, or VARIOUS , from the 2000s timeframe.

A rendering of Lockheed Martin's VARIOUS VTOL drone concept. Lockheed Martin

The projected size of Aurora's current SPRINT design concept and how much payload of any kind it might be able to carry if it progresses to a flyable state is unclear.

"The FIW [fan-in-wing] technology could be scaled to four or more lift fans to meet future aircraft requirements, and it could unlock opportunities for a future family of systems," Aurora's press release yesterday noted. "Similarly, while an uncrewed demonstrator offers benefits in testing and risk reduction, the FIW technology would be fully transferrable to traditional aircraft with crews."

However, "the team's [current] approach seeks to set the program on the path to successful flight."

Whether that comes to pass remains to be seen. DARPA X-plane programs do not always meet their goal of producing a flyable demonstrator. Aurora knows this from its time developing the XV-24 LightningStrike for the agency in the 2010s. This was another VTOL concept that featured rows of electric fans in two sets of articulating wings, all powered by a central gas turbine. Despite successful subscale flight testing and plans to fly a full-scale XV-24, DARPA canceled the program in 2018 citing, in part, a lack of a service partner elsewhere in the U.S. military.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_YQgfa7OA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9yc6fTaF_E

That being said, with SPRINT, DARPA has very clear interest from SOCOM and, by extension, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). A high-speed, runway-independent transport aircraft could provide valuable added operational flexibility and reduced vulnerability, especially in a potential future high-end conflict like one in the Pacific against China, and especially for special operations units. When Aurora unveiled its initial design, The War Zone noted how it evoked a host of other concepts the U.S. military has explored since the 1980s, especially for special operations support missions, as you can read about more in this exhaustive two-part feature .

The kinds of capabilities that SPRINT, or another design derived from the technology being developed under the program, could easily be desirable for applications beyond the U.S. special operations community. The entire U.S. military is increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of large established bases , particularly in the context of a major fight in the Pacific region .

The U.S. Marine Corps is retooling its entire force structure to be better able to conduct expeditionary and distributed operations with a particular emphasis on rapidly establishing forward bases in remote and austere areas . The Marines are also the only service in the U.S. military to operate the B variant of the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is short takeoff and vertical landing capable thanks to a huge lift fan in the forward fuselage and an articulating rear exhaust nozzle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDF32UUXGak\u0026t=1s

With all this in mind, there has been steadily growing interest across the services in new and more capable runway-independent aircraft concepts , crewed and uncrewed , as well as associated tactics, techniques, and procedures , to support a wide variety of missions in recent years.

Altogether it will be very interesting to see how Aurora's fan-in-wing concept for SPRINT continues to evolve ahead of any potential future flight testing.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Things are about to get a lot tougher for Jensen Huang's Nvidia

Nvidia is still the king of artificial intelligence.

Thanks to its chips, the company has become a vital support to companies building AI models.

Nvidia's dominance isn't guaranteed, however, as rivals want a slice of its success.

There have been few surer bets in the artificial-intelligence era than Jensen Huang.

The 61-year-old Silicon Valley veteran running Nvidia has overseen a $2 trillion surge in its value since the start of last year. The company's journey from $1 trillion to $2 trillion took a mere nine months  and it's now worth $2.35 trillion, behind only Microsoft and Apple.

That growth story has a simple explanation: Nvidia has played a crucial role in supplying the chips needed to power the generative-AI revolution, making it fundamental to the ambitions of Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and everyone else chasing AI riches.

So, it's little wonder blowout results are being anticipated as Nvidia prepares to share its first-quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday. As the Wedbush analyst Matt Bryson put it, expect a "rinse and repeat" of recent blockbuster quarters.

But as a CEO who saw his company on the brink of bankruptcy in the 1990s, Huang knows success isn't guaranteed. And while Nvidia is riding high, challenges loom on the horizon.

Nvidia's dominance faces threats

Jensen Huang at Nvidia's GTC conference this year. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The hype behind Nvidia's chips is no joke.

In March, Huang stood onstage in San Jose, California, for an event dubbed the "Woodstock of AI" (he seemed to prefer the comparisons to Taylor Swift) as the world awaited the reveal of Nvidia's next-generation chips, or GPUs, dubbed Blackwell.

Blackwell offers technological leaps over its predecessor  the H100 GPU that tech CEOs such as Zuckerberg have been actively seeking to stockpile  that have been talked up in the industry since its announcement.

Huang said Blackwell would be twice as powerful, making it an obvious purchase for companies seeking to build bigger, smarter, more efficient AI models.

But competitors have been busy developing AI chips of their own to reduce reliance on Nvidia's increasingly expensive offerings. Price estimates for the most powerful Blackwell chip, the GB200, are about $70,000 each  roughly double the price of an H100.

AMD CEO Lisa Su, who's Huang's cousin, is aiming to pry Nvidia customers away with a chip named the MI300X that costs between $10,000 and $15,000. Nvidia's own customers, such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta, are designing their own chips too.

Lisa Su is the CEO of AMD  and Jensen Huang's cousin. AMD

It's not yet clear how successful those efforts will be. What has really made Nvidia's chip hardware work so well for its customers is the software it runs on, CUDA.

Triton time

CUDA is a plug-and-play system that aims to make Nvidia GPUs easy to use with any AI workload. But rivals are seeking to take on CUDA now, too, in a bid to unseat Nvidia.

The Financial Times reported that tech companies looking at alternatives to Nvidia's CUDA had been exploring Triton, software released by OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, in 2021.

If they succeed in using Triton, they could be one step closer to a future in which alternatives to Nvidia's chips are easier to use.

Pulling off these initiatives in a way that really threatens Nvidia remains some way off. But investors will anxiously anticipate how Nvidia responds at a time when growth is appearing to slow.

The stock has almost doubled this year, although there have been wobbles on the way, such as a 10% one-day slide after a wider market panic.

Nvidia is set to hold its crown for now, but Huang knows rivals are coming for its AI throne.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US lawmakers advance bill to make it easier to curb exports of AI models

FILE PHOTO: An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai

By Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to advance a bill that would make it easier for the Biden administration to restrict the export of artificial intelligence systems, citing concerns China could exploit them to bolster its military capabilities.

The bill, sponsored by House Republicans Michael McCaul and John Molenaar and Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi and Susan Wild, also would give the Commerce Department express authority to bar Americans from working with foreigners to develop AI systems that pose risks to U.S. national security.

Without this legislation "our top AI companies could inadvertently fuel China's technological ascent, empowering their military and malign ambitions," McCaul, who chairs the committee, warned on Wednesday.

"As the (Chinese Communist Party) looks to expand their technological advancements to enhance their surveillance state and war machine, it is critical we protect our sensitive technology from falling into their hands," McCaul added.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The bill is the latest sign Washington is gearing up to beat back China's AI ambitions over fears Beijing could harness the technology to meddle in other countries' elections, create bioweapons or launch cyberattacks.

A bipartisan group of senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, last week called on Congress to approve $32 billion in funding for artificial intelligence research to keep the U.S. ahead of China in the powerful technology.

Reuters reported this month that President Joe Biden's administration is poised to open a new front in its effort to safeguard U.S. AI from China and Russia, with preliminary plans to place guardrails around the most advanced AI models.

U.S. officials flagged concerns over China's "misuse" of artificial intelligence in their first formal bilateral talks on the issue in Geneva last week.

The bill, which was approved with 43 votes in favor and only 3 against, would need approval by the full House chamber as well as the Senate before it could be signed into law by Biden.

There is currently no Senate companion bill and neither Schumer's office nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment about whether they support the legislation. However, efforts to thwart China have become rare instances of bipartisan consensus in recent years.

(Reporting by Alexandra AlperEditing by Bill Berkrot)
YANGON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's pilgrims flocked to the Shwedagon Pagoda to participate in the traditional Kason water pouring festival held on Wednesday.

The Kason water pouring festival, now in its 41st year, is organized annually by the pagoda's board of trustees, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua.

The Bodhi tree, considered the birth partner of Lord Buddha, is treated with great reverence. Water pouring ceremonies are held to cool and bring peace to the tree during the hot season, he said.

Myint Sein, 50, said, "I came here with my family. Today is a special occasion for Buddhists. On this day, Myanmar people visit pagodas and perform good deeds like releasing fish and birds."

Tin Tin, 80, expressed, "I came to the pagoda with my family to participate in the Kason water pouring festival because today is Kason Full Moon Day, a noble day for Buddhists. I wish all the people across the country peace and prosperity."

Kason Full Moon Day, also known as Buddha Day, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, all of which are believed to have occurred on this day. As a significant religious occasion, it draws large crowds to pagodas, temples, monasteries, and stupas across the country, where many engage in good deeds and religious observances. 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into VinFasts first U.S. electric vehicle model less than a month after four family members  a man, a woman and two children  were killed in a one-car accident in the California Bay Area.

The crashed occurred on the night of April 24 after the driver had borrowed a 2023 VinFast VF8 from a coworker. According to Bay Area news reports, the VF8 drove off the road in the city of Pleasanton before slamming into a tree and catching fire. Five days later, the coworker who had lent the car filed a safety complaint with the NHTSA describing two previous incidents when the vehicles automatic driving assistance technology appeared to have jerked the steering wheel in a dangerous manner.

The contact was concerned that the failure recurred while the coworker was driving, the April 29 filing states.

On Wednesday, the NHTSA confirmed to The News & Observer that its Special Crash Investigations division has launched an investigation into the crash and fire. According to the government, SCI provides the most in-depth and detailed level of crash investigation data collected by the agency, including reports from investigative teams on injury mechanisms, safety systems, the vehicles and riders.

NHTSA conducted a preliminary review of the consumer complaint before deciding if further investigation was warranted. In the past 12 months, the agency has opened 51 investigations, NHTSA data shows, including investigations into Ford and Tesla surrounding their assisted steering technologies.

In an email Wednesday to The N&O, a VinFast spokesperson said VinFast and NHTSA are working cooperatively to determine the causes of the tragic crash in Pleasanton. NHTSA is not investigating VinFast. The Pleasanton police are currently investigating the cause of the accident and will share their findings when their work is completed.

Delays and bad publicity have hounded VinFast as the 7-year-old Vietnamese company has spent billions to produce electric vehicles for international consumers. The carmaker has pledged to build its first North American assembly plant in North Carolina, on a 1,765-acre megasite in southeastern Chatham County. The county is reviewing VinFasts updated site plan and must approve it before construction on the main assembly area may begin. VinFast held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Chatham site 10 months ago.

A five-seat SUV, the VF8 remains the only VinFast model available to U.S. drivers. North American deliveries began in March 2023, and Triangle area customers can now buy or lease the car directly from a dealership in Cary. VinFast hopes to introduce a seven-seat VF9 model later this year and plans to bring a mini electric vehicle (called the VF3) to the United States starting in 2025.

VinFast reported delivering 9,689 electric vehicles globally during the first three months of 2024, a 28% decrease from the previous quarter. About half of these sales were made to Green and Smart Mobility, a Vietnamese taxi service controlled by VinFasts parent company, Vingroup. Last year, company financial records show 74% of sales were made to Vingroup affiliates.

During its latest earnings calls in April, VinFast executives did not share how many VF8s have been delivered in the U.S.

NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com
After removing a piece of bark, Glenn Kohler, a forest entomologist with the State Department of Natural Resources, points to a hole made by wood boring beetles in a dead western red cedar at Cedar Creek Park in Maple Valley, Wash. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times, 2022)
Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, meets with Milos Vucevic, president of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and prime minister of Serbia in Belgrade, Serbia, May 21, 2024. At the invitation of the SNS, a delegation of the CPC led by Yin Li visited Serbia from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Shi Zhongyu)

BELGRADE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Serbia from Monday to Tuesday.

During the visit, the Chinese delegation, led by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with Milos Vucevic, president of the SNS and prime minister of Serbia, and Ana Brnabic, speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia.

During the meetings, Yin, also secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China-Serbia relations have withstood the test of international changes and reached an unprecedented level.

Not long ago, Yin said, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again paid a state visit to Serbia, during which he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signed a joint statement on the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, opening a new chapter of history for bilateral relations.

China is willing to work with Serbia to implement the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state, promote the spirit of the ironclad friendship between the two countries, and jointly advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, Yin added.

Yin noted that Beijing will further deepen cooperation with Serbia in fields including economy and trade, science and technology, and culture, and strengthen sister-city exchanges to enhance the development of China-Serbia relations through local interactions.

The Serbian side said Serbia attaches great importance to the development of the ironclad friendship between Serbia and China, and is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges between the two parties, and deepen the exchanges of governance experience and local cooperation.

Serbia is ready to continue actively participating in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, strive for more practical results in bilateral cooperation in various fields, and bring more benefits to the two peoples, the Serbian side added.

During the visit, Yin visited the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade and the Museum of Contemporary Art, and attended the 66th International Fair of Technics and Technical Achievements in Belgrade. He also watched a China-Serbia art exhibition for universities and students, co-hosted by Beijing Union University and its Serbian partners in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city. 
TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday said that 80,000 illegal migrants have been voluntarily deported from Libya to their countries of origin since 2015 under IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program.

The deported migrants included 2,733 victims of human trafficking, 843 unaccompanied or separated children, and 5,144 migrants with medical needs, the statement said.

Returning migrants receive post-arrival reception assistance in the countries of return and comprehensive reintegration support through individual reintegration assistance packages, including economic, social, and psychosocial support, the statement added.

"IOM Libya's staff work around the clock to assist vulnerable migrants in Libya who are in need of urgent protection assistance. Enabling migrants to make informed choices and ensuring their right to return home is advocated for, the VHR program offers a glimmer of hope in the face of extreme adversity," said Tauhid Pasha, IOM Libya's acting chief of mission.

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores. 
by Misbah Saba Malik

ISLAMABAD, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop adorned with life-sized images of the Pakistani and Chinese flags, when a Pakistani presenter introduced Pakistan-China friendship as "ironclad," a resounding chorus of cheers and applause followed, echoing the depth of the bilateral relations and friendship between the two countries.

The presenter and his audience gathered here on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.

"Pakistan's diplomatic relations with China are a true asset. It fills me with pride that this enduring friendship is a legacy from our forefathers, cherished by every generation of Pakistanis," Muhammad Saqlain, a student of International Relations, at the event, told Xinhua.

People from all walks of life attended the event to celebrate the friendship and cherish the cooperation between the two countries.

Naina Ali, an entrepreneur associated with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recalled how she felt the strength of the people-to-people friendship during her multiple visits to China.

"People-to-people contacts are the outcome of strong diplomatic relations, and I have personally experienced that not only the diplomatic relations with China thrived over the years, but people-to-people contacts are also blooming," she added.

Talking about the 73rd anniversary of the diplomatic ties, the Pakistani spectators said that it not only highlights the historical ties between the two nations but also underscores the ongoing mutual support and cooperation that promises a prosperous future for Pakistan.

Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, praised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an important platform for cooperation between the two countries.

CPEC, a flagship project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a corridor linking Pakistan's southwest Gwadar port with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, highlighting energy, transport, and industrial cooperation.

Both China and Pakistan are developing countries facing the historical tasks of economic development and improving people's livelihoods, Jiang said, adding that "in the context of an unstable international situation and a continuously declining global economy, China is willing to work hard to provide new opportunities for development with new achievements in Chinese-style modernization and benefit our friend Pakistan." 
Embrace failure while staying authentic.

Tonit Calaway, general counsel at BorgWarner, built a successful career by taking advantage of challenging opportunities, embracing and learning from failures along the way, and prioritizing authenticity. With a broad, C-suite and board experience, Tonit has flourished as a leader and change agent in senior general counsel, human resources, and administrative officer roles. Her work and life philosophy? Owning her strengths, building strong and empowered teams, and really knowing what brings her joy.

When it comes to developing teams and the next generation of talent, youve got to make room for failure. Not career-ending failureyou dont put people in situations like thatbut theyve got to be able to make mistakes. Theyve got to understand that when you fail, you own it. And then you correct it and dont make the same mistake again.
A nationwide series of events presenting job opportunities for future teachers has been launched with the participation of nine higher education institutions that provide teacher training, according to hrportal.hu.

Deputy State Secretary for Public Education Katalin Balatoni of the Ministry of the Interior told Kossuth Radio the first such event took place in Szeged (175 km southeast of Budapest) last week.



The series will continue next Wednesday in Debrecen (225 km east of Budapest) and the following week in Budapest, at the Lorand Eotvos University. The public, private, church and municipal events will visit eight more locations in the fall.



"The goal is to connect future employees with the maintainers of educational institutions, to strengthen them in the fact that we count on them, their knowledge, their sense of responsibility, and their sense of professionalism," emphasized Balatoni.



MTI Photo: Attila Balazs

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Peter Magyar will visit Prime Minister Viktor Orbans hometown of Felcsut on Friday afternoon and will travel there via the little-used light railway that the government built for the town with EU funds.

The light railway, meant as a tourist attraction built with EU support, has been running between the Felcsut stadium and the Alcsutdoboz arboretum since 2016, carrying very few passengers, and by 2020 it had generated a loss of more than Ft 23 million, Telex writes.



In announcing his plans, Magyar said he has rented the entire train for that afternoon, adding The annual utilization will probably double".



More generally, Magyar talked about the problems, obsolescence, and neglect of the Hungarian railways as he made the announcement while campaigning in Kiskunfelegyhaza.



The Vali-volgy light railway, as it is officially called, is operated by the Felcsuti Utanpotlas Nevelesert Foundation.



MTI Photo: Zoltan Mathe



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The French Chamber of Commerce in Hungary is set to organize "Tastin' France 2024", a premier professional tasting of French wines and alcoholic beverages.

Scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., this exclusive gathering will take place at the distinguished Hotel Nemzeti Budapest - MGallery, located at Jozsef krt. 4, 1088 Budapest.



A Rendezvous for Industry Professionals

Tastin' France 2024 aims to forge strong business connections between French and Hungarian professionals within the spirits industry.



The event invites a wide range of participants, including buyers, importers, distributors, HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Cafe) representatives, and members of the specialized press.



This professional tasting is not just about experiencing the exquisite range of French wines; it is an opportunity to engage directly with the passionate producers behind these beverages, many of whom are eager to establish distribution partnerships in Hungary.



An Impressive Lineup of Exhibitors

The event promises a diverse and prestigious array of exhibitors representing some of the most renowned wine regions in France:

* Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine): Les Vignerons reunis de Monsegur, Beautiful Life Wine, UNIVITIS SCA

* Champagne (Grand Est): Champagne Baron Fuente, Champagne Domaines Jeeper

* Cotes du Rhone (PACA): Maison SINNAE, SCA le Cellier des Princes

* Languedoc (Occitanie): Chateau Canet, Sieur d'Arques, Domaine de l'Arjolle, Vignobles d'ALBENAS, SAS PUECH HAUT

* Alsace (Grand Est): SCU Bestheim

* Bourgogne (Bourgogne-Franche-Comte): SAS Prestige des Grands Vins de France

* Beaujolais: Chateau de Durette

* Multiple Regions: SAS Le Monastell, SCA VIGNERONS PROPRIETE ASSOCIES



Registration Details:

While participation in Tastin' France 2024 is complimentary, it requires confirmed registration due to limited capacity.



The event will be conducted in both Hungarian and English, with interpretation services provided to ensure seamless communication.



To secure a spot, registrants must meet specific criteria:

* Wine distributors

* Wine experts or connoisseurs

* HoReCa sector professionals interested in French wines

* Wine transport companies



All applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified regarding the acceptance of their registration. Only those with confirmed registrations will be allowed entry on the day of the event.
Shu Xingyu (L) talks with a tractor operator in Shiqiao Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.

For Shu Xingyu, a professional manager of a specialized agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province, the days starting from early May to early June is a busy farming season of a year.

In addition to the work on harvesting wheat and transplanting rice, Shu is also busy coordinating the plowing, organizing drones to spread pesticide, arranging the drying of harvested wheat, and distributing rice seedlings among local farmers.

Shu Xingyu graduated in 2015 from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and a few years later he resigned his work and brought modern agricultural technology back to his hometown. At present, the specialized agricultural cooperative in which he works has realized the mechanized operation of the whole process of farming, providing services for more than 40,000 mu (about 2,667 hectares) of farmlands.

"As an agricultural worker from the young generation, we need to use modern machinery and equipment to empower traditional agriculture and shoulder the responsibility of national food security," Shu said. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu checks the ripeness of wheat in Guquan Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu makes a plan on machinery of rice transplanting for the next day in Xiaohe Village of Dongjiageng Township of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (C) and drone operators talk about the spread of pesticide in Wanchun Township of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 16, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu talks on the phone with a local farmer about the service terms for agricultural machines in Shiqiao Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (C) talks with his colleagues at a wheat drying warehouse of an agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2024 shows farmers carrying seedlings in a farmland in Shiqiao Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (C) talks with his colleagues at a wheat drying warehouse of an agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (L) makes a point to remind farmers as they use a seedling planting machine in Xiaohe Village of Dongjiageng Township of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (3rd L) helps carry seedlings in a farmland in Shiqiao Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu checks the wheat grain at a wheat drying warehouse of an agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu checks the ripeness of wheat in Guquan Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (L) and an accountant check inventory of the amount of newly-harvested wheat in the warehouse of an agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2024 shows harvesters on operation in a farmland in Guquan Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu (L) tells workers about the using of seedling planting machine in Guquan Village of Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2024.

(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Shu Xingyu poses for a photo in front of a wall featuring his portrait in an agricultural machinery cooperative in Chongzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 16, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)
IndiGo Airlines faced a situation on a Mumbai-Varanasi flight where an extra passenger was found on board, leading to a delay and the need to offload the individual. The incident sparked social media discussions, but IndiGo has assured steps to improve procedures and apologized for the inconvenience.

What Happened?

Overbooking is quite common in the aviation sector, particularly during peak seasons. Airlines anticipate some passengers may not show up, allowing them to sell more tickets than available seats. In this case, a standby passenger was allowed to board when the originally ticketed passenger didn't appear at check-in.

However, the ticketed passenger arrived at the boarding gate with only carry-on luggage and boarded the flight. The airline then discovered the double booking and requested the standby passenger vacate the seat.

The situation became slightly unusual as the standby passenger reportedly moved to the galley area instead of disembarking entirely. The plane taxied to the runway with the extra passenger still onboard, who had gone through the boarding process. The error was eventually caught, prompting the plane to return to the gate to offload the individual and comply with safety protocols before taking off again.

IndiGo acknowledged the "error during the passenger boarding process" and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to all customers onboard. The airline spokesperson also emphasized their commitment to strengthening operational procedures to prevent similar situations in the future.
New Delhi: Amid the global furore over the alleged presence of a "cancer-causing substance" in certain spices from India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cleared more than a dozen samples of spices from MDH and Everest brands.

According to the analysis report, the extensive testing found no traces of ethylene oxide (ETO) in the samples collected from several states.

The rigorous process of testing for ethylene oxide was performed at NABL-accredited laboratories notified by the FSSAI.

The food regulator also picked up 300 spice samples of other brands for testing and found "no presence of ETO".

The testing process began after several countries started monitoring spice products manufactured by Indian spice giants MDH and Everest over the alleged presence of a cancer-causing agent. Food regulators in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand warned against using certain products from MDH and Everest over the presence of ethylene oxide at "

levels exceeding the permissible limit".

The Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, had said that all spice consignments would be accompanied by a cleared analytical report for ETO issued by the Spices Board.

Both MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption.
New Delhi: Fintech firm One97 Communications, which owns the Paytm brand, has reported a widened loss of Rs 550 crore, according to the company's regulatory filing on Wednesday.

The company had posted a loss of Rs 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago.

The revenue from operations of Paytm declined 2.8 per cent to Rs 2,267.1 during the reported quarter from Rs 2,464.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the financial year 2023.

For the year ended March 31, 2024, the company's loss narrowed to Rs 1,422.4 crore. Paytm had recorded a loss of Rs 1,776.5 crore in FY23.

The annual revenue of Paytm increased by about 25 per cent to Rs 9,978 crore for FY24 from Rs 7,990.3 crore in FY23.

The Reserve Bank of India barred Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) from accepting deposits, credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, and FASTags, keeping in view the interest of customers, including merchants from March 15 onwards.

Paytm had estimated a Rs 300-500 crore loss due to the RBI's restriction on PPBL.
New Delhi: India has exported more than 45,000 tonnes of onion since the ban on outbound shipments was lifted early this month, a top government official said on Wednesday. These exports provided relief to farmers after curbs were imposed to keep domestic supplies steady ahead of general elections.

The world's biggest vegetable exporter banned exports of the bulb last December and then extended it in March, after a rise in prices triggered by sluggish production. "Since the ban was lifted, more than 45,000 tonnes of onions have been exported, mostly to the Middle East and Bangladesh," Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Consumer Affairs Ministry, told PTI. (Also Read: India To Gain As Global Oil Prices Decline Despite Geopolitical Tensions)

To keep onion prices affordable during the election period, the government on May 4 lifted the ban but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne. Khare said the forecast of a good monsoon this year will ensure better sowing of kharif (summer) crops, including onion from June onwards. (Also Read: Buddha Purnima Holiday: Banks To Remain Closed In THESE Cities & States On May 23)

State-owned agencies have started procuring onions from the recent rabi (winter) harvest to build a targeted 5,00,000-tonne buffer stock for the current year, she added. The country's onion production is expected to fall 16 per cent from a year earlier to 25.47 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year due to lower output in key growing regions like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, according to the Agriculture Ministry's first estimates.
ICSI Hall Ticket 2024: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has released the ICSI admit card for the June 2024 session of CS Professional and Executive exams. Candidates who have registered can download their admit cards from the official website, icsi.edu. The exams for both CS Professional and Executive will be held from June 2 to June 10. To check the results, candidates need to log in to the official website using their 17-digit Registration Number. The ICSI CS admit card 2024 is a mandatory document, and students should ensure they download it before the exams.

ICSI June Admit Card 2024: Direct Link

The E-Admit Cards for eligible students appearing in the June 2024 session of CS Executive and Professional Programme (Old and New Syllabus) Examinations, scheduled from June 2 to June 10, have been uploaded on the Institutes website at www.icsi.edu and are also available at the URL https://icsi.indiaeducation.net/, the institute announced in an official notice.

The institute urged candidates to verify the details on their hall tickets. After printing the Admit Card, students should carefully verify all particulars mentioned, including Name, Photograph, Signature, Registration Number, Examination Stage, Centre (Name, Address, Code), Syllabus, Optional Subject, Medium & Module/Group of Examination, Dates and Timings, and Details of Paper-wise Exemption granted, the notice stated.

Students were also advised to read the instructions attached to the e-admit card thoroughly before the exams.

ICSI CS June 2024 Admit Card: Steps To Download

- Visit the official website of ICSI, icsi.edu.

- Click on the admit card link.

- Enter your 17-digit registration number.

- Click on get admit card.

- The ICSI CS admit card 2024 June will be displayed.

- Download and print the admit card.

ICSI noted that the CS admit card 2024 will not be sent by post and advised students to download their CS Executive and CS Professional admit cards in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
SET Result 2024: Symbiosis International (Deemed) University will release the SET 2024 results today, May 22. Aspirants who took the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) 2024 can download their results from the official website, set-test.org. To access the results, candidates need to log in with their SET ID and password. The SET 2024 exam was conducted in two sessions: Test 1 on May 5 and Test 2 on May 11. The result will provide details such as the candidate's name, marks, category, qualifying percentile, and merit or rank.

SET 2024 Results: Steps To Download

- Visit the official website: set-test.org

- Click on the link for the SET 2024 results.

- Log in using your SET ID and password.

- Once logged in, your result will be displayed on the screen.

- Download and print the result for future reference.

Qualified candidates will proceed to the next stages of the admission process, which include a personal interaction and a writing ability test. The category-wise cut-off for the merit and wait lists will be available on the respective institutes' websites. It is important for candidates to review all the details on their scorecards carefully. In case of any discrepancies or errors, candidates should contact the authorities immediately.

SET Result 2024: Details On Scorecard

The SET 2024 scorecard includes vital information such as the candidate's name, obtained marks, category, qualifying percentage, and rank. Ensuring the accuracy of this information is crucial, as it directly impacts the subsequent admission process. Any issues should be promptly reported to the relevant officials to ensure timely corrections.
Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who had been missing for the past nine days in Kolkata, was found dead in his flat this morning, as reported by The Daily Star. The Awami League MP arrived in Kolkata on May 12 and was staying at his friend Gopal Biswas' residence. Biswas reported Anar's disappearance to the Kolkata police two days later.

The Bangladesh newspaper, Daily Star quoted Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan as saying that Bangladesh Police have arrested three persons in this connection. "So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder," it added. He added that he cannot reveal much information at the moment. Khan said that the Bangladesh government is in talks with the Indian authorities.

As per reports, the MP came to Kolkata for medical treatment and went missing after two days of arrival. Following which the Kolkata police initiated a search probe on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh MP, entered India on May 12 and was last seen on the afternoon of May 13 when he went with friends to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up. A family friend in Bidhannagar stated that the MP mentioned he would be traveling to Delhi, but there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13.

Anar is a member of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, Bangladesh Awami League.
With the Lok Sabha elections entering the crucial phases as only two of the seven phases are left for voting, an incident of bogus voting has come to light from Bihar's Darbhanga. The police detained three women in burqas as they tried to cast bogus votes. After the women were detained, a crowd of Muslims gathered at the police station at 2 AM and created chaos until the women were freed forcibly.

Celebration in Police Station Premises

When the women were released from the police detention, the crowd celebrated within the police station premises. The police have registered FIRs against 24 identified and 130 unidentified individuals in connection with the incident.

Police Raids To Nab Culprits

The video footage from May 20, 2024 shows how a mob undermined the Election Commission and law enforcement. In Madhubani Lok Sabha constituency, polling station number 85 in Deuda Bandhauli of Darbhanga district, some women in burqas were caught casting fraudulent votes. Suspicious police officers investigated and detained one Muslim man and three Muslim women, leading to chaos at the booth. The police took the four into custody at the station.

As soon as the news spread, around 150 Muslims gathered at the station in the evening. Several politicians also arrived. The station officer stated that legal processes and interrogation were ongoing, but the mob was not satisfied. Around 150 Muslims began to wreak havoc in the station, gathering more community members.

They forcibly freed the four fake voters from Jale police station at 2AM and celebrated. The mob also created a ruckus in the station, and several people were seen celebrating. The police were outnumbered and could do nothing as the crowd took away the four fake voters.

Upon receiving the information, Darbhanga Superintendent of Police Jagunath Reddy, City SP Shubham Arya, SDPO, and Sadar SDO rushed to the station. CCTV footage was reviewed, and an FIR was lodged against 24 identified individuals, including the bogus voters.

Statement from Senior Police Officer

Senior Superintendent of Police Jagunath Reddy told Zee News that four individuals were detained for bogus voting on election day. A formal complaint was filed by the sector officer at Jale police station. During the interrogation, a crowd of 130-140 people forcibly took the detainees away. Based on CCTV footage, 24 individuals were identified and named in the FIR, with an additional 130 unidentified individuals included.

The incident came days after a Congress leader's alleged appeal to voters of a particular community to carry out 'vote jihad'. The BJP has slammed the Congress over the incident.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah made big allegations on Wednesday against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for compromising national security for vote-bank politics. Shah claimed that Banerjee is "committing a sin" by permitting infiltrators to alter the state's demography.

He was addressing a poll rally at Kanthi in East Midnapore district when he said that once the Bhartiya Janta Party emerges victorious in 30 out of all 42 Lok Sabha seats, the Trinmool Congress will break apart, which will mark the farewell of Mamata Banerjees rule in the state.

Mamata Banerjee is committing a sin by allowing infiltrators to change the demography of Bengal. She is compromising national security for the sake of vote-bank politics, reported PTI, quoting Amit Shah.

He added that Bengal has become a haven for infiltrators. The state's demography is changing due to this infiltration, which is affecting not just Bengal but the whole country.

Rebuking the recent claims by the Bengal CM that some monks from the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha were acting on the BJP's directives, Shah said that these socio-religious organisations were being threatened to satisfy the TMC's vote bank.

The home minister asserted that Mamata Banerjee is attacking the Bharat Sevasharam Sangha, unaware that without the Sangha, Bengal would have been a part of Bangladesh. She is targeting the monks solely to appease her vote bank.
A bomb threat has been received by the North Block, which houses the home ministry, according to an official of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS).The threat was received through an email, according to the official. The DFS official said a dog squad and bomb disposal and detection teams along with police and fire department personnel are conducting searches.

The call to the DFS was made after an officer posted at the North Block received the bomb threat email, a police officer said. Searches are on and, as of now, nothing suspicious has been found, the officer said.

#WATCH | A bomb threat mail was received from the Police Control Room at the North Block, New Delhi area. Two fire tenders have been sent to the spot. Further details awaited: Delhi Fire Service pic.twitter.com/LG4GpZ0cgS  ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2024

Police sources said a team of bomb disposal squad along with fire tenders and sniffer dogs have been rushed to the spot. According to fire department officials, a call from the police was received at 3:37 p.m. after which two fire tenders were dispatched to the North Block. Further details are awaited.

The latest threat comes days after several hospitals in Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Tihar Jail were targeted with bomb threat emails, alleging the presence of explosives on their premises. However, a subsequent investigation by the Delhi Police revealed that the threats were false alarms. Around 20 days ago, over 150 schools across Delhi-NCR received hoax threat emails, prompting widespread police response.
BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China will bring the full weight of the law to bear against anyone or any organization bent on countering and containing China, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on China's decision to take countermeasures against former U.S. Congressman Mike Gallagher.

Over the past few years, driven by selfish interest and bias, Mike Gallagher grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, which seriously undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, disrupted China-U.S. relations and harmed China's interests as well as the common interests of China and the United States. His actions were egregious in terms of both their nature and impact, Wang noted.

"In accordance with China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China decided to take countermeasures against Mike Gallagher, including banning him from entering China, freezing his property in China, and prohibiting organizations and individuals in China from transactions and cooperation with him. The details have been released in the decree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Wang said.

It must be stressed that China has unwavering resolve in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interest. China will bring the full weight of the law to bear against anyone or any organization bent on countering and containing China, the spokesperson said. 
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Omar Abdullah accussed Home Minister Amit Shah for postponing the election on Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. Omar alleged that the elections were postponed so that the Home Minister could come to Kashmir and interfere in the elections. Abdullah claimed that the polling was changed from 3rd phase to 6th phase to favor BJP's allies.

Omar Abdullah targeted the Union Home Minister fiercely while he was appealing to vote in favour of NC candidate Mian Altaf in Ashmuqam Pahalgam area. Apart from Shah, Abdullah also targeted PDP President Mehbooba Mufti by calling her an ally of BJP.

Omar said in his address, "We have understood why the elections on Anantnag-Rajouri seat were postponed. The purpose of this was Home Minister should come to Kashmir so that he could interfere in the elections, otherwise there was no point in postponing the elections. The Home Minister was not free till May 7th, and he did not want to come before the polling of Srinagar constituency elections because he felt that if he came to Srinagar before the elections, then his allies can have problems."

Omar said, Home Minister wanted to help his allies in the elections of Anantnag-Rajouri region. "He came to meet the administration and his people to harm our candidate, Mian Altaf.

Abdullah further said There are many candidates in the fray, but this election is between two thoughts. On one side are communal people who want people should get involved in fight on the name of religion on the other side are we who stand for the protection of the freedom in this country."

Omar also attacked PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, said PDP is the one who brought BJP to Jammu Kashmir, Abdullah said today they ask for votes against BJP, in 2014 also they did same ask for votes against BJP and then shook hands with them.

Omar said we have told PDP then not to join hands with BJP, we will support you, you form the government, we don't want stake in the government, you run the government till 2021 but they didnt agree and today neither we have our flag, nor our constitution. Omar ended his address with a line of poem. "Lamhon ne khata ki sadiyon ne saza paayi" said don't know for how long we will have to bear the loss of PDP's mistake.
Mehbooba Mufti made a big allegation on the central government. Mufti said, "Those people are being promoted who used to distribute hawala money to terrorist commanders". Mufti further emphasized, "Government should check the background of these parties before supporting them."

Mehbooba Mufti accused the central government of promoting the political parties who were involved in the hawala money racket and kept distributing money to the terrorist leaders and were taking their share also. She urged that the government should investigate this incident.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today reached Shopian to pay tributes to the BJP worker and former Sarpanch who was killed in the terrorist attack. Mufti stressed on the government to provide employment to the wife of the killed BJP worker as soon as possible and said that this incident should be investigated.

Pointing towards her opponents, she said "it can be that same people are behind this attack who used to run a hawala money racket in the valley and used to get money for terrorist leaders and today they want to deteriorate the atmosphere so that people boycott polls, and they will get benefit in the elections.

Mehbooba Mufti further said, Whatever happened is bad. He has small children. Mufti asked the government to give a job to the wife of the killed BJP worker as soon as possible, because she has no one to earn for family.

Calling the incident a conspiracy, Mufti said, On one hand it is said that the situation here is fine, on the other hand, this terrorist attack in South Kashmir happens and it raise suspicion. This should be investigated as to how someone entered someone's house. This was not happening nowadays, because they (central government) say that militancy has ended and there was an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which never happened before. Mufti criticized the government's claim that the situation in the valley has improved, and terrorism has ended.

Mufti did not stop here. Without naming her opponent, she accused the central government, It must be seen which group is behind this, who want boycott here, do not want that good voting should happen. They have had connections before too, they use to bring hawala money, and distributing it here among militants, they gave guns to our youth. Is there any such group that wants to deteriorate the atmosphere so that people won't vote? I think the government should investigate this, Mufti said.

Mehbooba alleged that an atmosphere of fear is being created in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency so that people stay away from polling booths and those people, whom the common people do not want to vote for, win the elections with the help of boycott. Voters are being terrorized. As there was good voting in Srinagar and Pulwama and the government says that this militancy has ended, then why did these attacks happen?

Taking a dig at the Centre, Mufti said that the background of these parties being promoted by center government should be checked. How they used to bring hawala money here and distribute it among militant leaders. Some money they use to keep for themselves, and some were given to them (terrorists). The government needs to see if there is any connection.

Mehbooba Mufti is the PDP candidate from Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, and she is pitted against NC's Mian Altaf and Apni party's candidate Zafar Manhas, who is also supported by Sajjad Lone. Apni party and Sajjad Lone's People's Conference are said to have the support of the BJP and that is why the elections in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency were postponed so that Apni party's candidate gets time to strengthen his ground.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attacked the INDIA bloc, accusing it of being extremely "communal, casteist, and nepotistic" and claiming that all parties aligned with the Congress are to blame for the anti-Sikh riots. Addressing a rally in Dwarka, he stated that the BJP's development model is committed to 'nation first', whereas the Congress and INDIA grouping's only agenda is 'family first'.

"The country also understands that if any votes are cast in favour of the INDI alliance by mistake, those votes will be useless to the country. Every vote for the BJP strengthens the resolve of 'Viksit Bharat'. "That's why people are saying 'Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar'," he said. Attacking the Congress and the INDIA bloc, he claimed in Delhi that Sikhs were burned alive.

"Every party that supports Cong is to blame for the anti-Sikh riots. "Only Narendra Modi is getting justice for the riot victims," he said. Modi claimed that the Congress "tarnished" the image of the 2010 Commonwealth Games by "looting" Delhi.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: "It is time for the nation, including my Muslim brothers, to recognise those who have betrayed India's Constitution. Congress leaders keep saying that reservation will be abolished with the privatisation of the PSUs. They keep giving such pic.twitter.com/F22Tix6tVV May 22, 2024

"The same Delhi hosted the G20 summit and the entire world hailed India for hosting it," he stated.

In a harsh attack on the INDIA bloc, Modi accused the parties of being "extremely communal," "extremely casteist," and "extremely nepotistic." In an apparent attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he stated that in Delhi, a game of 'kattar bhrastachari' is being played.

"These people have gone to great lengths to loot the people of Delhi, and even the courts are taken aback. The people who came to change politics committed the greatest betrayal," he said, adding that all INDIA bloc members are "extremely corrupt." Modi has warned that if elected for a third term, he will conduct an X-ray of corrupt people's wealth.
Pune Porsche Car Accident: Shocking revelations are coming to light after bail to a 17-year-old minor accused in the Pune car accident triggered a backlash on social media. Dr. L N Danwade, one of the non-judicial members of the Justice Juvenile Board, granted bail to the accused minor on certain conditions. Danwade gave the ruling as JJB members were not available due to a holiday.

As per reports, the juvenile was drunk and driving a Porshe Tuscan when his high-end car rammed into two motorcyclists in the early hours of Sunday. The minor is the son of a prominent Pune builder, Vishal Agarwal, who is currently in custody. The incident has prompted reactions from political stalwarts, with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis expressing dismay over the systems 'lenient view'. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi attacked the government by saying, 'Even justice is dependent on wealth'.

Here Are Top 10 Developments:

1) The Maharashtra excise department sealed the two establishments that allegedly served alcohol to the accused juvenile on Tuesday. The outlet, Cosie Restaurant, is in Koregaon Park, an area adjacent to the incident site; Hotel Blak Club is in Mundhwa.

2) According to the police, the accused spent a total of Rs 48,000 within 90 minutes at one of these two bars before the accident. The boy visited Cossie with his friends at 10:40 PM on Saturday.

3) As the boy is months away from turning 18 years old, the Pune police produced him before the magistrate with the request of treating him as an adult. However, the court granted bail under the Juvenile Justice Act after imposing several conditions on the order.

4) The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) will announce its decision on Wednesday regarding the city police's application to review its May 19 ruling, which granted bail to a city-based builder's 17-year-old son involved in the Porsche crash that killed two techies in Kalyaninagar.

5) The minor was booked for negligent and rash driving causing harm and endangering life under IPC Sections 304A, 279, 337, 338, 427, and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Act at Pune City's Yerwada Police Station.

6) Police on Tuesday detained the father of the accused minor under the Juvenile Justice Act (sections 75 and 77). Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act relates to "wilful neglect of a child or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses," while section 77 is about providing alcohol or drugs to a minor.

7) As part of his bail conditions, the teen accused was ordered by the JJB to write a 300-word essay on the 'impact of road accidents and their solutions'. The court also directed that he undergo treatment from a doctor to quit drinking and receive psychiatric counselling, with the requirement to submit the report to the court.

8) The social media deterred the decision, with some netizens showing outrage on social media. An X user showed contempt for the system by writing a joke. Another called the victim 'rich spoilt brat'. One user asked, And got away by writing an Essay?? Really?

9) Since the incident, some CCTV videos have cropped up on social media showcasing the 17-year-old getting drunk at the bar. However, as per reports, the preliminary blood test did not indicate alcohol consumption.

The video of a 17 yo billionaire guy who took two innocent lives....

He's seen drinking alcohol along with his friends just before the incident.



Surprisingly his alcohol test submitted in Court was negative..

After outrage his father has been arrested.



(Please avoid sharing pic.twitter.com/DeXycT9Z0B  Mr Sinha (Modi's family) (@MrSinha_) May 21, 2024

10) As per the report, Vishal Agarwal, a builder at Brahma Realty and Infrastructure Company and father of the accused, went missing from Pune on Monday following a case registered in connection with the tragic accident. On Tuesday morning, authorities arrested Agarwa in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Some people allegedly attempted to throw ink at the police vehicle transporting the father of a 17-year-old boy, whose speeding luxury car killed two software engineers in Pune, to a local court, news agency PTI reported.

The incident occurred around 2.30 p.m. when the teenager's father, who was arrested on Tuesday evening after being detained in central Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar town, was being brought to the court complex in the Shivajinagar area here for his appearance before the additional sessions court judge, he stated.

The car, a Porsche, allegedly driven by the boy, who the police say was drunk at the time of the accident, fatally knocked down two bike-borne engineers in Pune's Kalyani Nagar in the early hours of Sunday.

"As per the preliminary information, four to five people belonging to some outfit tried to throw ink at the police vehicle escorting the father of the juvenile accused," an official with the Pune Police said. The car accident killed Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh who worked in Pune.

#WATCH | Pune car accident case | People throw ink at the police van in which the father of the minor accused was brought to court. pic.twitter.com/spGvwhCi1Y  ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2024

Following the car crash, the police filed a case against the teenager's father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, as well as relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 75 addresses "wilful neglect of a child or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses," whereas Section 77 addresses "supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs."
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday exposed the Aam Aadmi Partys conspiracy to rebuke her assault claims. Maliwal claimed that a senior leader from AAP called her and revealed the details of the plot that the party is brewing against her claims.

In a post on his X account, Swati wrote, Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone; they have to speak dirty things against Swati, they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party.

She further alleged that the roles have been assigned separately for conducting press conferences and posting tweets. Swati added, Someone's duty is to call volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused have the duty of preparing some fake sting operations.

Exclaiming that the truth is with her, Swati said that she will face the army of thousands alone. I am not angry with them; the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I don't even expect anything from anyone.

Swati mentioned, I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party. I have started a fight for my self-respect, and I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight, but I will not give up!

Earlier today, in a press conference, Bhartiya Janta Party Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant and the party's national spokesperson, Sudhanshu Trivedi, launched a scathing attack on the silence of AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over Swatis assault accusations.

Sawant said, Aam Aadmi Party is not a party of normal people (Aam Aadmi ki party) anymore. It has become an anti-woman, anti-Delhi party. He questioned how a CM can be silent on such a critical case wherein the accusations are made for an incident that happened inside the CMs bungalow. He dubbed it shamelessness.
Actor Chhaya Kadam, widely known for portraying Manju Mai in Kiran Rao's acclaimed series 'Laapataa Ladies,' marked her debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2024 in a deeply emotional and symbolic manner.

Adorned in her late mother's cherished saree and nose ring, Chhaya Kadam exuded grace and reverence as she walked the red carpet at the French Riviera, capturing the attention of the global media.

In a heartfelt tribute to her mother, Chhaya took to social media to express her emotions, sharing glimpses of her Cannes journey and reminiscing about her unfulfilled dream of traveling with her mother.

With poignant Marathi words, she conveyed her feelings, "Mom, my dream of taking you on a plane ride remained unfulfilled....but today, I am satisfied that I brought your saree and nose ring with me on the plane to the Cannes Film Festival."

The actor further added, "Still, Mom! I wish you were here today to see all this. Love you, Mummy, and miss you a lot."

Take A Look At Her Post :

Alongside her touching tribute, Chhaya shared a delightful moment spent with renowned music composer AR Rahman at the festival, describing their encounter as a cherished memory.

Chhaya Kadam's presence at Cannes was not merely symbolic; she represented the Indian film 'All We Imagine As Light,' directed by Payal Kapadia, in the prestigious Palme d'Or competition.

This Indo-French production marks a significant milestone as the first Indian entry to compete in the main category at Cannes in three decades.

The film narrates the compelling story of a nurse named Prabha, portrayed by Kadam, whose life takes an unexpected turn after receiving a gift from her estranged husband, leading to profound introspection and transformation.

The Cannes Film Festival will conclude on 25th May 2024.
At least 40 people died on Tuesday in an attack by gunmen on Zurak village in north-central Plateau state of Nigeria. The clash between herders and farmers are very common in the region, as per report by Reuters. In a combat by authorities seven assailants were neutralised while fleeing gang killed nine people and burnt down several houses.

According to a report by Reuters quoting Plateau police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, the armed men, locally known as bandits, attacked Zurak and Dakai villages late Monday while fleeing an "aggressive onslaught" by security agents in the Bangalala forest of Wase local government area.

The spokesperson added that more law enforcement authorities are deployed in the area for further safety of the villagers.

Residents claim the death toll is much higher, telling Reuters that dozens of gunmen stormed the village on motorcycles. The locals recounted that the attackers shot indiscriminately and abducted an unknown number of people. The also set many houses on fire.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack yet. As per news agency Associated Press, the attacks are similar to the ongoing violence in the area due to conflicts over water and land between nomadic herders and farmers. These raids have killed hundreds of people in the region over the years.

As per reports, attacks for ransom are widespread in the area, the assailants particularly target villages, schools and travellers, demanding millions of naira in ransom.
Israel: Norway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they are recognising a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew condemnation from Israel and jubilation from the Palestinians. Israel immediately ordered back its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.

The formal recognition will be made on May 28. The development is a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came against the backdrop of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israels offensive there.

In Jerusalem, meanwhile, a far-right government minister paid a provocative visit to a flashpoint holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which Jews refer to as the Temple Mount, was likely to escalate tensions across the region.

Norway was the first to announce its decision to recognize a Palestinian state, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre saying there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.

By recognizing a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan, he said and added that the Scandinavian country will regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails.

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region. The decision may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israels isolation.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel, the Norwegian government leader said. Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.

Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel on Oct. 7, Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

Wednesday's announcements come more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993. Since then, the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution, the Norwegian government said.

It added that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades, it said.

In making his announcement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway  and that it was a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine. He said it was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

Harris said he thinks other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state in the weeks ahead.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spains Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nations Parliament on Wednesday. He had spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition, as well as for a possible cease-fire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.

We know that this initiative wont bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope, Sanchez said.

This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people, Sanchez added, while acknowledging that it will most likely cause diplomatic tensions with Israel. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.

Sanchez argued that the move is needed to support the viability of a two-state solution that he said is in serious danger with the war in Gaza.

I have spent weeks and months speaking with leaders inside and outside of the region and if one thing is clear is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a project of peace for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate, the Spanish leader said.

Earlier this month, Spains Foreign Minister Jose Albares said he had informed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his governments intention to recognize a Palestinian state.

Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said recognition is a tangible step towards a viable political track leading to Palestinian self-determination.

But in order for it to have an impact, he said, it must come with tangible steps to counter Israels annexation and settlement of Palestinian territory  such as banning settlement products and financial services.

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered Israels ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel. He spoke before Spain's announcement.

Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays, Katz said.

He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israels hostages being held in Gaza and makes a cease-fire less likely by rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran. He also threatened to recall Israels ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

Regarding the Israeli decision to recall its ambassador in Oslo, Gahr Stre said we will take note of that. This is a government with which we have many disagreements. What we agree on is to condemn Hamass cruel attack on Oct. 7.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking after Norways announcement, welcomed the move and called on other countries to follow.

In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Abbas said Norways decision will enshrine the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.

Some 140 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state  more than two-thirds of United Nations members  but none of the major Western powers has done so. This move could put more pressure continental heavyweights France and Germany to reconsider their position.

The United States and Britain, among others, have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle Easts most intractable conflict. They insist, however, that Palestinian independence should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

The head of the Arab League called the step taken by the three European nations a courageous step.

I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit wrote on the social media platform X.

Turkey also applauded the decision, calling it an important step toward the restoration of the usurped rights of the Palestinians.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said the move would help Palestine gain the status it deserves in the international community.
CANBERRA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- More Australians will be evacuated from New Caledonia on Wednesday, the federal government confirmed Wednesday.

Pat Conroy, minister for the Pacific, confirmed that approximately 100 more Australians who became stranded in New Caledonia when flights were grounded earlier in May amid civil unrest will be repatriated on a French flight from Noumea to Brisbane.

Eighty-four Australians arrived in Australia on board two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flights on Tuesday night after the federal government received permission to evacuate citizens from the French territory in the South Pacific.

Approximately 300 Australians in New Caledonia had registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be evacuated, leaving over 200 awaiting repatriation after the first flights. 
SHANGHAI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai is set to include 12 assisted reproductive medical services into its health insurance coverage as a move to encourage fertility.

Effective from June 1, expenses related to procedures like egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, artificial insemination, embryo culture and embryo transfer will be included in healthcare coverage, according to a circular jointly issued by the city's healthcare security bureau, human resources and social security bureau, and health commission.

To date, such healthcare coverage has been extended to 17 out of the 20 medical institutions in Shanghai providing assisted reproductive medical services.

The inclusion of these 12 items covers the majority of assisted reproductive technologies, which will effectively alleviate economic as well as psychological pressure on patients and their families, said Zhang Ting, a doctor at the reproductive medicine department of Renji Hospital.

For instance, healthcare insurance will pay for 70 percent of the egg retrieval cost, which stands at 2,500 yuan (about 352 U.S. dollars) per procedure, with each patient eligible for coverage thrice within a single medical institution, Zhang explained. 
By Alimat Aliyeva

Kazakhstan plans to increase the capacity of Aktau and Kuryk ports by 50% by 2028, Azernews reports.

"A comprehensive plan for the development of marine infrastructure for 2024-2028 has been adopted. According to the plan, it is planned to create a large maritime transport and logistics cluster based on the ports of Aktau and Kuryk. The implementation of this work will allow to increase container capacities, develop terminals for transshipment of goods and logistics of international transportation, as well as reduce administrative barriers," the information says.

The Ministry of Transport informs that this year work will begin on dredging the waters of the Kuryk port and the construction of a container hub in the port of Aktau.

"The bulk of the projects will be implemented through private investments, including those planned as part of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. By 2028, it is planned to increase the port capacity by 50%. The passage of containers will also increase by 3 times," the agency notes.

Currently, the total capacity of Aktau and Kuryk seaports is 21 million tons.
TOKYO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan's seasonally adjusted core machinery orders in March rose 2.9 percent from the previous month, marking two consecutive months of increase, government data showed on Wednesday.

Private-sector orders, excluding those for ships and power equipment, closely watched as a leading indicator of corporate capital spending, stood at 913 billion yen (5.83 billion U.S. dollars), according to data released by the Cabinet Office.

The government agency raised its basic assessment of machinery orders, saying there are signs of recovery.

By sector, orders from manufacturers gained 19.4 percent to 473.1 billion yen, while orders from non-manufacturers fell 11.3 percent to 448.6 billion yen, the data showed. (1 yen equals 0.0064 USD) 
LONDON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday that the country would recognize Palestine as a state.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Harris said in Dublin, the Irish capital.

"I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks," he said.

The Irish prime minister said the country believes that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation," he said. "A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all -- is unfolding in real time."

Harris stressed that a two-state solution is the "only credible path" for peace.

"We are three decades after the Oslo process, and perhaps further than ever from a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace settlement," he said.

The decision should not have to wait "indefinitely" when it is "the right thing to do," he added.

Meanwhile, Israel said it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway "for urgent consultations."

"I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear message: Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said. 
To Lam attends a swearing-in ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 22, 2024. To Lam, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was elected as Vietnam's new president on Wednesday, local media reported. (VNA/Handout via Xinhua)

HANOI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- To Lam, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was elected as Vietnam's new president on Wednesday, local media reported.

At the ongoing seventh session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, Lam won a majority of the parliamentary vote to become state president for the 2021-2026 tenure, according to Vietnam News Agency.

During the swearing-in ceremony, the newly elected president said he would strive and make every effort to fulfil the duties entrusted by the Party, the State, and the people.

General To Lam, born in 1957, hails from the northern province of Hung Yen.

He has been serving as a Politburo member in the 12th and 13th terms.

He has been the minister of public security since April 2016.

On March 20, the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee accepted the resignation of Vo Van Thuong as a Politburo member and Vietnam's state president upon his personal request.

During an extraordinary session held on March 21, the country's top legislature passed a resolution to relieve Thuong from the post of state president and the 15th tenure NA deputy.

The same day, vice president Vo Thi Anh Xuan was named as the acting president of the country.

The seventh session of the 15th Vietnamese NA convened on Monday and is expected to close on June 28. 

To Lam attends a swearing-in ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 22, 2024. To Lam, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was elected as Vietnam's new president on Wednesday, local media reported. (VNA/Handout via Xinhua)

To Lam attends a swearing-in ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 22, 2024. To Lam, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was elected as Vietnam's new president on Wednesday, local media reported. (VNA/Handout via Xinhua)
MANILA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic approach, rather than provocation, remains the prudent way to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, a Philippine scholar on international relations has said.

Tensions have been heating up recently in the South China Sea. In the latest provocative moves backed by some Philippine politicians, organized fishing vessels have attempted to go to 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.

Such button-pushing behaviors are nothing more than "political grandstanding," said Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, in an interview with Xinhua.

"Our politicians would go to the South China Sea, taking pictures, putting it in the media and telling everyone ... but would it resolve anything by doing that?" she demurred, describing the moves as "more of a bubble rather than a concrete solution to the problem."

Some politicians have done so merely for a "popularity boost" ahead of the country's midterm election in 2025, said Malindog-Uy, warning that such action would yield no benefits but to further strain bilateral ties.

Objecting to the Philippines' confrontational approach against China, the expert voiced her concerns that geopolitical tensions would hinder economic activities and people-to-people exchanges with the country's largest trading partner.

She highlighted the Philippines' outlier position among ASEAN states, criticizing the archipelago for being the sole Southeast Asian country prone to clash with China while colluding with the United States, which sparked concerns over growing militarization in the region.

The expert called on Manila to shift to a more independent foreign policy and reopen negotiation to settle maritime differences.

"I really believe if you treat China as a friend, negotiation is easy." She added. 
by Dames Alexander Sinaga

BALI, Indonesia, May 22 (Xinhua) -- With a unique innovation to provide safe drinking water to underserved communities, India's social enterprise JanaJal WOW (Water on Wheels) has been seeking opportunities to expand its market segment overseas when participating in the 10th World Water Forum on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Setting up a stall in an exhibition event in the Nusa Dua area, the company's staff were swamped with visitors curious to know about its main product, which is a three-wheeler for the last-mile delivery of low-cost safe drinking water to disadvantaged neighborhoods.

These communities can easily order safe water via a mobile app in several cities and villages in India, the world's most populous country.

In an interview with Xinhua, Kapil Sharma, JanaJal WOW's head of information and technology, said that to date, his company has dispensed over 200 million liters of safe drinking water. Now, the JanaJal WOW looks forward to expanding its brand overseas as it already has a branch office in Singapore.

During the face-to-face exhibition on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum, the company engaged in talks with participants from Senegal, Thailand and Indonesia.

"This forum is a wonderful initiative to have everybody from different countries. These people come here with different problems, views and solutions. All of them are very enthusiastic," he said, adding that the company is expecting at least four partnerships from the event.

For Shana Fatina, an Indonesian social entrepreneur, the global water and sanitation community forum held between May 18 and 25 is the moment to expand her views and pursue partnerships.

Fatina is the chief executive officer of Komodo Water, an enterprise based in the eastern Indonesian fishing town of Labuan Bajo, which produces water products, such as gallon water and ice blocks, particularly for disadvantaged communities using renewable technology, such as solar water pumps, at their water facilities.

Before establishing the enterprise in 2010, Fatina, who grew up in the country's capital Jakarta, witnessed how villagers in Labuan Bajo and its surrounding regions had poor access to clean water. For instance, some villagers had to spend around two hours to get clean water for their sanitation and household needs.

They no longer have to buy gallons of clean water from outside which are much more pricey for them. Fishermen no longer need to use plastic ice bags and more villagers began to farm, she said, adding that villagers also resell their water products for extra income.

Fatina also testified that most forums she had participated in talked about providing clean water on a big scale, which is irrelevant for her business. Meanwhile, the 10th World Water Forum has offered her rare opportunities to find partners focusing on providing clean water on small scales for scattered populations in small islands.

Nazava from the Indonesian town of Bandung is also looking for opportunities in the forum exhibition, showcasing their household water filters to participants. The social enterprise has sold household water filters across Indonesia and several foreign countries, such as Kenya, Burkina Faso, Argentina, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Lieselotte Heederik, co-founder and director of Nazava, said that her company has impacted over 600,000 people in more than 30 different countries that now have daily access to safe affordable drinking water in their houses.

"As a result, women don't have to boil their water anymore. We've also helped reduce carbon emissions, and we've also increased over 11 million U.S. dollars in savings because the water purified by Nazava is much more affordable than buying purified water, boiled water," the Dutch national said, adding that her company is keen to collaborate with Chinese firms or institutions.

Heederik also called on the people attending the forum to acknowledge that the world needs more market-based and decentralized solutions.

"Together we can develop partnerships to ensure that children are healthy and don't suffer from diarrhea and stunting anymore. We can do this together," she said. 
XI'AN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- High expectations ignited calls at a China-U.S high-level tourism summit on Wednesday for concrete actions to remove tourism barriers between the two countries.

The 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit drew nearly 400 representatives of the governments, institutions, and tourism-related enterprises of the world's top two economies to the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin read a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony. She said President Xi's message fully demonstrates the great importance attached to the China-U.S. relations and ardent expectations for deepening China-U.S. tourism cooperation.

STRONG PENT-UP DEMAND

History has proven that China-U.S. cooperation potential in the tourism industry is huge.

Annual bilateral tourist flow reached a milestone in 2016 -- surpassing 5 million for the first time. Notably, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the United States exceeded 3 million for the first time that year, and their total travel expenditure surpassed 30 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said at the summit.

Escalating geopolitical tension and the sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, have combined to reduce bilateral exchanges in recent years.

China responded to the ebbing of the pandemic by stepping up efforts to boost its tourism sector. From resuming a steadily increasing number of international flights and implementing a visa-free policy for more countries and cruise travelers, to simplifying visa-application procedures and optimizing payment services, Chinese authorities pressed the "acceleration button" to facilitate the recovery of its tourism industry.

Julie Durazo, with Pathways Travel based in Los Angeles, said the visa application process to enter China is now "a lot easier," compared to what was required during the pre-pandemic era.

Durazo, who is in Xi'an to research tour options, is planning to bring dozens of U.S. high school students to China this fall.

"I remember before it was at least a six-month waiting process. So we had to have our students sign up close to a year in advance," she said, adding that both paperwork and procedures have since been significantly reduced.

Durazo's husband, Paul Orr, joined her on the research trip and it took just four days for him to get his visa after submitting all necessary documents.

Latest figures released by China's National Immigration Administration showed that the number of foreigners visiting China had increased by more than threefold in the first quarter of 2024, when compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, approximately 1.1 million visitors from China had traveled to the U.S. in 2023, representing a 192.9-percent surge compared with the previous year, according to data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The trend, however, is still more sluggish than what insiders had anticipated.

Attendees at the summit in Xi'an attributed these disappointing travel levels to a lack of flights, visa challenges, crime concerns, and general geopolitical tensions.

Currently, there are 100 direct flights every week between the two countries, which is less than one-third of the pre-pandemic level.

"Before the pandemic, we could fly direct from Los Angeles to Beijing or Shanghai, but now we have to make a stopover in San Francisco, and the ticket fare is much more expensive," said Durazo.

There is also a visa challenge that needs to be dealt with. Despite being one of the most desired overseas destinations among Chinese tourists, the U.S. visa application process has deterred many Chinese from planning a trip to that country.

"The average waiting time for a U.S. visa appointment is currently three months. In addition, the United States only offers individual visas, which require in-person interviews, and applicants from Xi'an have to go to either Beijing or Guangzhou for such an interview," said Peng Shuping, chairman of Xi'an Spring International Travel Service Co., Ltd. "We really hope that the visa application process can be simplified," Peng added.

Another obstacle is that Washington has issued a level-3 advisory concerning travel to China, calling on Americans to "reconsider" such travels, which has deterred many Americans who otherwise may have been more likely to visit China.

"We strongly hope that the relevant policies will be adjusted as soon as possible," said Zhou Xiaoguang, president of China Odyssey Tours.

COMMON EXPECTATIONS

The U.S. Commerce Department and Tourism Policy Council in June 2022 released a national strategy, setting an ambitious five-year goal of attracting 90 million international visitors to the United States each year, which would generate 279 billion U.S. dollars to support American travel workers and businesses.

"An important factor in achieving this goal is the ability of the U.S. travel and touring industries to attract more Chinese travelers to visit the United States for leisure, business and education purposes," Grant Harris, assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis at the U.S. Commerce Department, said at the opening ceremony in Xi'an. Harris also read a message from U.S. President Joe Biden at the summit.

China, which welcomed over 82 million inbound tourists while its domestic residents made nearly 101 million outbound trips in 2023, has also put tourism in a prominent position in its drive to encourage economic growth.

A national meeting on the development of the tourism sector was held last week in Beijing, highlighting that it is "imperative to promote high-quality development of the tourism sector," and the need to "speed up building China into a country strong in tourism."

Seeing the event in Xi'an as an opportunity to further revive the tourism market, industry insiders who attended it voiced strong anticipation for more pro-tourism measures to boost the global tourism industry.

"We regard Sino-U.S. travel as a barometer, so the tourism sector has great expectations for the recovery of Sino-U.S. travel," said Feng Gaoxuan, general manager assistant of Xi'an Overseas Tourist Co., Ltd.

Travel and tourism between the U.S. and China is of great importance not just to the world's two largest economies, but also to the entire global community, said Chris Clark, who is chairman of Visa Asia Pacific, at the summit.

"The importance of cultural exchange cannot be understated," Clark added. "It helps us understand and appreciate different cultures, values, and traditions that are different from our own, fostering mutual respect and understanding, and can improve communication and build better relationships between people and nations." 
BUENOS AIRES, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Argentina on Wednesday described as "absurd" Spain's decision to withdraw its ambassador to the South American country over statements Argentine President Javier Milei made Sunday in the Spanish capital Madrid.

"Despite the Spanish government having been involved in our internal politics, it would never have occurred to us to withdraw our ambassador, because relations between peoples, diplomacy, trade and freedom between nations, have to be above all else," Argentina's presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said at a press conference.

On Sunday in Madrid, Milei used the term "guy" to refer to Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, without mentioning him by name, at a rally organized by the Spanish far-right Vox party.

Milei also described Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez as "corrupt," again without mentioning her directly.

Sanchez said Wednesday that withdrawing Spain's ambassador was "an act of formal protest" as part of established diplomatic practice, and assured that "economic, cultural or academic relations" with Argentina will continue to be a priority of his administration.

A day earlier, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced the withdrawal of the country's ambassador to Argentina, in the absence of an apology from Milei.

Milei has refused to apologize, saying the diplomatic scuffle began when Spanish government officials criticized him. 
OSLO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would officially recognize Palestine as a state.

Speaking at a press conference in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway supports granting Palestine full membership status in the United Nations (UN).

"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on May 28. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. And there can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," Store said.

He further explained that the territorial demarcation between Palestine and Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem serving as the capital for both states. This stance is without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, which may include land swaps.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. "What is most urgent at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire, ensure that enough humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza, and obtain the release of the hostages," he said.

On the same day, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that their countries would join Norway in recognizing the State of Palestine.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the State of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Harris said in Dublin, the Irish capital.

The Irish prime minister said that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation," he said. "A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all -- is unfolding in real time."

Spain's recognition will also take effect on May 28, following a Council of Ministers session. Sanchez stressed that Spain recognizes Palestine "for peace, for justice, and for consistency," urging both parties to engage in dialogue to achieve a two-state solution. He highlighted the necessity of ending reported abuses in the occupied territories.

The Palestinian presidency on Wednesday welcomed the recognition. In a statement published by the official news agency WAFA, the Palestinian leadership stated that it highly appreciated the contribution of Norway, Ireland and Spain towards "consecrating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their land and in taking actual steps to support the implementation of the two-state solution."

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of the countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Katz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

VARIED EUROPEAN REACTIONS

European reactions to the recognition varied. Malta, Slovenia, and Slovakia expressed support, with Slovenia also initiating steps towards recognizing Palestine.

The Slovenian government launched on May 9 procedures for Slovenia's recognition of Palestine. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon expressed hope that the procedures would be completed as soon as possible, as Slovenia wants to help ensure an end to the horrors in Gaza.

A spokesperson from Malta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Xinhua that Malta had recently affirmed its readiness to recognize Palestine but will wait until such recognition can make a positive contribution, when the circumstances are right.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said his country supported the resolution on strengthening the rights of the State of Palestine. "It is the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the region and confirm the historic right of Palestine to self-determination as well as a place in the UN," he said in a statement.

Conversely, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Lithuania expressed reservations.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that it makes no sense to recognize Palestine as a state if it is not clear who represents it and on what territory.

The Dutch government commented it does not recognize the State of Palestine and is not expected to change its position in the near future.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned that recognizing Palestinian statehood could escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In Belgium, top ministers also met to consider the situation in Gaza, but no agreement on a possible recognition was reached.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said such recognition is not a taboo while stressing the timing, saying conditions had not yet been met. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also made a similar statement.

Independent EU commentator and analyst Shada Islam said that the recognition of a Palestinian state by Norway, Ireland and Spain is almost certainly going to be followed by Malta and Slovenia in the coming weeks.

"The move by Spain, Ireland and Norway will further isolate Israel in the UN... Their decision sends a strong message to Palestinian people that at least some EU member states have retained their moral compass," she told Xinhua. 
TEHRAN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The funeral procession for Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who lost their lives in a recent helicopter crash, was held Wednesday morning with the participation of a large number of mournful people in the capital Tehran.

The procession officially started at 7:30 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) at the campus of the University of Tehran, where Iranian citizens and senior officials have already gathered there to mourn, with tearful eyes, the tragic losses of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and representative of Iran's Supreme Leader to East Azarbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, all on board the unfortunate helicopter.

They also mourned the tragic death of the head of the president security team Mehdi Mousavi, the helicopter's pilot and co-pilot Taher Mostafavi and Mohsen Daryanoush respectively, and flight crew member Behrouz Qadimi.

The bodies were brought to the university at around 8:15 a.m. Minutes later, Iran's top leader Ali Khamenei led the funeral prayers over the bodies of the president and his entourage at the university.

After the prayers, the bodies were transferred from the university to the iconic Azadi Square, the ending point of the possession, through a densely-packed Enghelab Street.

The black-clad people accompanied the bodies along the path while holding the pictures of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian and waving the country's flags.

At the tribute, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's top leader and a former speaker of the Iranian parliament, told reporters that Raisi was very "well-mannered and humble," two characters that have helped improve the relationship between politicians and the people, according to Iran's Students' News Agency.

Mohammad Hosseini, social and cultural adviser to Iran's president and the former vice-president for parliamentary affairs, said Raisi was very popular and loved by the Iranian people, adding he was "hard-working, sincere, pious and selfless."

A commemoration ceremony was held for Raisi and his entourage on Wednesday evening at the International Conference Center in Tehran. According to the official news agency IRNA, 68 officials, including presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from dozens of countries, regional and international organizations paid respect to the bodies of Raisi and his entourage.

The late president's body will be laid to rest in the holy shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Thursday. 
BAGHDAD, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Six family members were killed on Wednesday in a roadside bomb in Salahudin province north of Baghdad, a provincial police source said.

The incident occurred in the evening, when a roadside bomb detonated near a car carrying family members while traveling on the desert road between the towns of Baiji in Salahudin province and Haditha in the neighboring Anbar province, Mohammed al-Bazi from the police command of Salahudin province told Xinhua.

Iraqi security forces rushed to the scene and launched an investigation into the incident, while ambulances evacuated the victims to the hospital, al-Bazi added.

Salahudin province reportedly was the scene of another bomb attack on Wednesday when a roadside bomb hit an army vehicle in a village near the town of Tuz Khurmatu in the eastern part of the province, leaving two soldiers killed and four others injured, according to the latest police report. 
Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with his Tajik counterpart Matlubahon Sattoriyon, who is on a visit to Baku to participate in the Days of Tajik Culture, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, Adil Karimli assessed the holding of the Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan as a significant event.

He underlined that cultural and literary ties between the two countries have an ancient history.

The friendly relations and high-level mutual visits that currently exist between the heads of our states have further strengthened cooperation in all areas, including in the field of culture.

Expressing gratitude to his colleague for the active participation of the Tajik delegation in the 6th World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, the minister briefed about the preparatory work related to the opening of the ICESCO regional office in Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Culture of Tajikistan, Matlubahon Sattoriyon, thanked the high level of organisation of the Tajik Culture Days and the hospitality provided to the delegation, noting that culture is the main factor in bringing our peoples closer together. He also noting the common cultural values of the two countries.

During the conversation, Matlubahon Sattoriyon stressed the importance of student exchange in the field of art education between the two countries.

She also proposed holding Azerbaijani Culture Days in Tajikistan next year. The minister invited her Azerbaijani counterpart to make an official visit to Tajikistan.

At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on other issues of mutual interest.

The Days of Tajik Culture in Azerbaijan will end on May 23.

The large-scale event features vibrant concerts, an exhibition of artists and craftsmen, film screenings, and the display of national costumes, which provide insight into the history, culture, and customs of the Tajik people.
This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Wednesday pushed back on the decision by Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize the Palestinian state, saying that Palestinian statehood should not be realized through "unilateral recognition."

"The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career," a National Security Council spokesperson was quoted by CNN as saying in reference to President Joe Biden.

"He believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition," the spokesperson added.

In separate announcements Wednesday, the governments of Norway, Ireland and Spain said they will recognize the State of Palestine, moves that were welcomed by the Palestinian presidency. Israel, in its reaction, though, recalled its ambassadors to the three nations.

Biden said in remarks Sunday at the commencement ceremony of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, that his administration has been "working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution -- the only solution for two people to live in peace, security, and dignity."

"This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world," he added.

The Palestinians demand the establishment of an independent state alongside Israel with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. 

This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
A Palestinian flag is pictured near Storting, the Norwegian Parliament, in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would officially recognize Palestine as a state.



OSLO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would officially recognize Palestine as a state.

Speaking at a press conference in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway supports granting Palestine full membership status in the United Nations (UN).

"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on May 28. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. And there can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," Store said.

He further explained that the territorial demarcation between Palestine and Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem serving as the capital for both states. This stance is without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, which may include land swaps.

This video screenshot provided by Norwegian Government shows Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store attending a press conference in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Norwegian Government/Handout via Xinhua)

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. "What is most urgent at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire, ensure that enough humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza, and obtain the release of the hostages," he said.

On the same day, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that their countries would join Norway in recognizing the State of Palestine.

"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the State of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Harris said in Dublin, the Irish capital.

The Irish prime minister said that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation," he said. "A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all -- is unfolding in real time."

Spain's recognition will also take effect on May 28, following a Council of Ministers session. Sanchez stressed that Spain recognizes Palestine "for peace, for justice, and for consistency," urging both parties to engage in dialogue to achieve a two-state solution. He highlighted the necessity of ending reported abuses in the occupied territories.

The Palestinian presidency on Wednesday welcomed the recognition. In a statement published by the official news agency WAFA, the Palestinian leadership stated that it highly appreciated the contribution of Norway, Ireland and Spain towards "consecrating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their land and in taking actual steps to support the implementation of the two-state solution."

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of the countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Katz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.





VARIED EUROPEAN REACTIONS

European reactions to the recognition varied. Malta, Slovenia, and Slovakia expressed support, with Slovenia also initiating steps towards recognizing Palestine.

The Slovenian government launched on May 9 procedures for Slovenia's recognition of Palestine. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon expressed hope that the procedures would be completed as soon as possible, as Slovenia wants to help ensure an end to the horrors in Gaza.

A spokesperson from Malta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Xinhua that Malta had recently affirmed its readiness to recognize Palestine but will wait until such recognition can make a positive contribution, when the circumstances are right.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said his country supported the resolution on strengthening the rights of the State of Palestine. "It is the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the region and confirm the historic right of Palestine to self-determination as well as a place in the UN," he said in a statement.

The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in Gaza at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 20, 2024. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Conversely, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Lithuania expressed reservations.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that it makes no sense to recognize Palestine as a state if it is not clear who represents it and on what territory.

The Dutch government commented it does not recognize the State of Palestine and is not expected to change its position in the near future.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned that recognizing Palestinian statehood could escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In Belgium, top ministers also met to consider the situation in Gaza, but no agreement on a possible recognition was reached.

Independent EU commentator and analyst Shada Islam said that recognition of a Palestinian state by Spain, Ireland and Norway is almost certainly going to be followed by Malta and Slovenia in the coming weeks. France has also said that such recognition is "not taboo."

"The move by Spain, Ireland and Norway will further isolate Israel in the UN... Their decision sends a strong message to Palestinian people that at least some EU member states have retained their moral compass," he told Xinhua. 
UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of civilians have been killed so far this month in intercommunal clashes over land in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a UN humanitarian agency said on Tuesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said aid workers are helping the injured and displaced from the deadly clashes in the northeastern province of Tshopo.

Since February 2023, the clashes have killed 740 civilians and displaced 75,000 people in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo, according to OCHA.

The office said an OCHA-led assessment team found that food, shelter and health care are the most pressing needs for the displaced people.

It called on all involved to work together to end the violence, protect civilians and find a sustainable solution to the conflict in the country. 
DAR ES SALAAM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Sino-Tanzania Industrial Park, now under construction 80 kilometers west of the port city of Dar es Salaam, will help advance the East African country's industrialization drive, a senior Tanzanian official has said.

"The construction of the park augurs so well with our agenda to industrialize," Kitila Mkumbo, minister of state in the President's Office responsible for planning and investment, told Xinhua in an interview on Monday.

The industrial park, located in the Coast Region, will be the largest in Tanzania, the minister said, adding that it will be able to accommodate about 200 factories, significantly improving employment.

"Tanzania is opening up for investment from outside the country to increase our foreign direct investment, and the Chinese enterprises are among the biggest players we are working with," Mkumbo said.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania. Mkumbo said the relationship has remained cordial and uninterrupted for the past six decades.

"Our relationship is deeply rooted socially, politically, and economically," he said, recalling that China helped Tanzania and Zambia construct the TAZARA railway, which enabled Zambia to access the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

"It is the backbone of transportation between our two countries and other southern and eastern African countries," Mkumbo said.

According to Janson Huang, chairperson of the park, construction of the industrial park, which started in May 2022, is expected to be completed in 2026.

The industrial park includes seven zones, covering agriculture and food processing, building materials, pharmaceuticals, daily chemicals, garments, and equipment manufacturing. One zone will be dedicated to export-processing, Huang said. 
YAOUNDE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Success Masra, Chad's transitional prime minister, announced the resignation of his government on Wednesday.

The resignation, which paves the way for the formation of a new government, came a day before the swearing-in ceremony of interim president Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who was declared winner of the May 6 presidential election.

Masra came in second with 18.54 percent of the votes.

"In accordance with the constitution, today, I have just submitted to the president of the transition my resignation as well as that of the transitional government, which has come to an end after the proclamation of the results of the May 6 presidential election," he said in a post on social media early Wednesday.

Masra was appointed prime minister of the central African country in January. 
NAIROBI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Experts began a three-day meeting in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Wednesday to promote transboundary pest management in the East African region.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional ministerial meeting on risk transfer and transboundary pest management brought together more than 100 stakeholders from IGAD member states, along with representatives from partner organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank. The focus of the meeting is to foster collaboration in effectively managing and controlling desert locusts and other transboundary pests across the region.

In his opening remarks, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said frequent outbreaks of transboundary pests such as desert locusts, Quelea birds, fall armyworms and African armyworms pose severe threats to agriculture across the region, exacerbating food insecurity and economic instability.

"The transboundary nature of these pests adds a layer of complexity to our efforts, as they disregard national borders, necessitating a unified regional response," Gebeyehu said.

He noted that climate change further compounds the issue, with events like El Nino creating favorable conditions for pest propagation across the East African bloc.

Jonathan Mueke, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya, said the regional meeting will coordinate efforts to monitor and control pests, strengthen regional capacities in bio-pesticide use, and develop a comprehensive action plan to tackle the pests.

"Kenya, as the host nation, will share its expertise and successful pest management strategies, benefiting both the country and its regional partners," Mueke added. 
WINDHOEK, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is helping more than 200 children, many of them believed to be from Angola's Mwila tribe, who have been engaged in street vending, a Namibian official said Wednesday.

The children have been relocated to Ondangwa National Youth Service Center for care and to facilitate their reunification with family, Etienne Maritz, executive director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, said in a statement.

He said the initiative aims to protect the welfare of the children and address issues related to child labor.

The relocation is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in Namibia, Maritz said. "The government is committed to safeguarding the rights of all children and ensuring they are provided with the necessary care and protection."

The children are receiving essential services at the Ondangwa National Youth Service Center, including food, shelter, and medical care. The center is also working on identifying and reuniting the children with their families, Maritz said.

"The Namibian government is working closely with Angolan counterparts to ensure that the children can return to their families as soon as possible," he said.

The public is urged to report any suspected cases of human trafficking or child exploitation to the relevant authorities.

"The government shall ensure that the children are returned to their parents and family members in dignity," Maritz said. 
NAIROBI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and five others injured as strong winds from Tropical Cyclone Ialy hit the Kenyan coastal region of Kilifi on Tuesday, the police confirmed on Wednesday.

The victims included a four-year-old girl, Coast regional police commander George Sedah said, noting that the aftermath also involved property destruction.

The girl was among five pupils rushed to hospital after strong winds hit their school Tuesday afternoon, destroying the roof. She later died of her injuries, Sedah said.

In Rabai's Mwele area, strong winds blew away the roof of a warehouse, injuring two employees at Salima Gases Kenya Limited, police said.

The two, hit by falling stones, were rushed to the hospital where Elvis Wasi Changawa, 32, succumbed to his injuries, authorities said. 
LUSAKA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Tuesday launched the upgrading work of a key highway undertaken by Chinese firms.

Last year, MOIC-LN Consortium Limited comprising of Chinese companies was awarded the contract to upgrade the Lusaka-Ndola road into a 327-km dual carriageway linking Lusaka, the country's capital and Ndola city in the Copperbelt province.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said that the project was beneficial not only for Zambia but also for the southern African region.

Zambian Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati said the project would accelerate skills transfer to Zambian companies and create more jobs.

As China and Zambia celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, the project is a good example of high-quality bilateral cooperation and will improve the economic development of Zambia, Wang Sheng, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said at a groundbreaking ceremony at Kapiri Mposhi, one of four construction sites.

"Transport infrastructure is crucial to the social and economic development of a country. The strategic importance of this road goes beyond physical infrastructure, (it is) also important to the economy of Zambia," he said. 
TRIPOLI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A UN official on Wednesday reaffirmed the UN's support for a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, including holding national presidential and parliamentary elections.

Stephanie Koury, deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general for political affairs in the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), made her remarks during a meeting with President of Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed Menfi in the capital Tripoli.

The two officials discussed the importance of Libya's stability and sovereignty, stressing the importance of promoting respect for human rights and accelerating efforts to achieve national reconciliation.

Koury said in a tweet "I reaffirmed UN support to a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, including the holding of elections, advancing the security and economic tracks."

The UN official also met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah and discussed the economic and security situation in the North African country, according to a government statement.

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been suffering insecurity and political division. 
Ulviyya Shahin

A seminar on "Opportunities and Challenges for climate activities from the Perspective of Europe and the South Caucasus" was held, Azernews reports.

The seminar, organized by the Development and Diplomacy Institute of ADA University, in collaboration with the Embassy of Belgium in our country and the Representation of the European Union in the Republic of Azerbaijan, discussed opportunities and challenges for climate activities from the perspective of Europe and the South Caucasus.

Continuous future, green economy, energy, and climate issues were discussed at the event.

Among the participants were Umayra Tagiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Fariz Ismayilzade, Vice-Rector of ADA University and Director of the Development and Diplomacy Institute, Michel Pitermans, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Azerbaijan, Tamas Jozsef Torma, Ambassador of Hungary to Azerbaijan, Zoltan Salay, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze, Ambassador of Georgia to Azerbaijan, Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, and Assad Shirinov, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the event, Fariz Ismayilzade, Vice-Rector of ADA University and Director of the Development and Diplomacy Institute, emphasized that ADA University has hosted up to twenty events related to climate change within the framework of COP29 and "Green World Solidarity Year" in Azerbaijan. Dr. Ismayilzade highlighted that COP29 serves as an exceptional platform to advance peace initiatives.

Assad Shirinov, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan, noted in his speech that Azerbaijan has always prioritized the fight against climate change and fulfilled its obligations regarding green energy despite being an oil and gas country.

Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, praised COP29 as a platform that brings parties together to make complex decisions, emphasizing the importance of youth participation in the conference.

Leyla Hesenova, "Youth and Climate Champion" for Azerbaijan under COP29, emphasized the importance of educating and informing children and youth about climate change and nature conservation.

Ulrik Lenerts, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Policy Cooperation at the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, praised the preparation processes for COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Veronika Bagi, Head of the Hungarian delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, stated that Azerbaijan is undertaking significant responsibilities by conducting negotiations with other countries regarding COP29. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between Azerbaijan, the host country of COP29, and countries hosting COP28 and COP30. Veronika highlighted the importance of both youth and elderly learning from each other about climate change.

Murman Margvelashvili, a lecturer at Ilia University in Georgia and Head of the Energy Research Center, spoke about the potential of green energy, suggesting that green energy could address the calls of the European Union countries in this field.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration in climate activities. Later, experts answered participants' questions in panel sessions.
SINGAPORE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau have arrived in Bangkok for the case of turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said Wednesday.

United States' National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to support the investigation as a Boeing 777-300ER jet is involved in the accident, Chee noted.

A relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew earlier onboard flight SQ321 arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport this morning.

The accident left one dead. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. 
HELSINKI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government on Tuesday submitted to parliament a controversial bill that would authorize pushing back asylum seekers at the eastern border and would also allow for the use of force.

As parts of the bill are not in line with either the Finnish constitution, European Union (EU) legislation, or international agreements Finland holds, the bill will require a large majority of five-sixths in parliament.

Under the proposed law, Finland could suspend the reception of applications for international protection (asylum) for one month at a time. Migrants who have already crossed the border could be pushed back, or advised to go to a location where they can submit an application. Border guards will be allowed to use force, but they will also have the authority to decide on exceptional entry for asylum-seekers in real danger.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told a press conference on Tuesday that he believes the bill will be supported by parliament.

The proposed bill was widely debated in Finland during the spring, and drew criticism from legal scholars and ministries. The Ministry of Justice said that Finland cannot "through its national legislation unilaterally break the international obligations" it has adopted.

The leaders of Finland's largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, have said they will await the position of the parliamentary constitutional committee before deciding whether to support the bill. Finland does not have a constitutional court, but its parliamentary constitutional committee plays a similar role. 
MOSCOW, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP) was attacked by a Ukrainian kamikaze drone Wednesday, according to the plant's press service.

The NPP said Ukraine's armed forces attacked the plant with a kamikaze drone, which was detected on the plant's territory.

There were no casualties or damage following the attack, according to the press service.

It added that drone attacks on residential and social facilities were carried out over the past two days against the city of Energodar, where the nuclear plant is located. 
BERLIN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Germany's electrical industry saw its exports to China increase to 6.7 billion euros (7.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, representing 7.4-percent growth year-on-year, the country's industry association reported on Wednesday.

China remained Germany's largest customer country between January and March, despite a 4.3-percent decline in Germany's total electrical industry exports compared to the same period last year, the German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) said.

"Exports to eight of the 10 largest individual customer countries of the German electrical and digital industry were lower," said ZVEI chief economist Andreas Gontermann. China and Spain were the only major markets that still recorded growth.

"With regard to electrical exports to Asia, the upturn in exports to China, which alone account for half of the total, was noticeable," Gontermann added. As a result, deliveries to the Asian region have increased slightly overall.

Following a weak development of the industry in recent months, "business with China has recently improved somewhat, which is also in line with the overall economic development in China," a ZVEI spokesperson told Xinhua on Wednesday. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) 
This video screenshot provided by Norwegian Government shows Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (R) and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide attending a press conference in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Norwegian Government/Handout via Xinhua)

OSLO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian government is formally recognizing Palestine as a state, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced here on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Store said Norway supports granting Palestine full membership status in the United Nations.

"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on May 28. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. And there can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East," said Store.

He further explained that the territorial demarcation between Palestine and Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem serving as the capital for both states. This stance is without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, which may include land swaps.

Store emphasized that the current timing for recognizing Palestine as a state is critical. "The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question. The war is the lowest point in the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation in the Middle East has not been this grave for many years," he said.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. "What is most urgent at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire, ensure that enough humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza, and obtain the release of the hostages," he said.

Eide also expressed his hope that recognizing Palestine as a state will foster renewed peace talks. "In the longer term, we hope that the recognition of Palestine as a state will encourage the parties to restart peace talks aimed at resolving the outstanding final status issues. A Palestinian state will also enhance security for the Israelis," he added.

Eide said that Norway is collaborating closely with Saudi Arabia and actively working to mobilize European support for the Arab peace vision. Recently, Norway and Saudi Arabia hosted a high-level meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh to discuss this initiative. In a few days, Norway will chair an international partner meeting about Palestine in Brussels. "We are hoping to make significant progress there," he said.

Norway's recognition comes over 30 years after the signing of the first Oslo Accord in 1993. Since then, Palestinians have made significant strides towards a two-state solution. In 2011, the World Bank concluded that Palestine had met the key criteria required to function as a state, with national institutions established to provide essential services to the population.

However, the conflict in Gaza and the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank have made the situation in Palestine more challenging than it has been in decades. 

This video screenshot provided by Norwegian Government shows Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store attending a press conference in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Norwegian Government/Handout via Xinhua)

This video screenshot provided by Norwegian Government shows Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide attending a press conference in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Norwegian Government/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the Israeli Embassy in Oslo, capital of Norway. TO GO WITH "Israeli FM instructs recall of ambassadors to Ireland, Norway" (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the Israeli Embassy in Oslo, capital of Norway. TO GO WITH "Israeli FM instructs recall of ambassadors to Ireland, Norway" (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

A Palestinian flag is pictured near Storting, the Norwegian Parliament, in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

A pedestrian walks past a Palestinian flag in Oslo, capital of Norway, May 22, 2024. (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)
by Xinhua writer Liu Yanan

NEW YORK, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States and China need to collaborate to tackle food insecurity and other challenges in agriculture, said experts from both countries.

The two countries are dealing with food insecurity on both the production side and the consumption side, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"We would both benefit from mutually applicable approaches to improving food insecurity," said Welsh at an online panel discussion organized by the Brookings Institution on Tuesday.

If the approaches were extended to other countries facing food insecurity, it could lead to greater stability, more economic growth or trading partners for countries, said Welsh.

She hoped for increased educational exchanges between the two countries as well as increased cooperation between non-state actors like researchers, civil society organizations and others.

The two countries must work together on climate-smart agriculture as climate change has worsened global food and nutrition security and the impacts of conflicts, said Fan Shenggen, chair professor at China Agricultural University.

There is a lot of potential for China and the United States to learn from each other, said Fan, who identified education, technology, trade and youth as four areas for bilateral cooperation.

He underscored the importance of open bilateral trade on food and produce and the critical role of youth exchange in breaking current political and geopolitical barriers.

The exchange of researchers and scientists is clearly in both countries' interests, said Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Glauber, who worked as chief economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2008 to 2014, recalled his visits to China for conferences where scientists worked with scientists on issues of common interest.

"I would hate to see that falter. I think that we need to pick that up, do more because there are problems out there that need the input of both parties," he said. 
India's Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Tehran and attended the memorial ceremony for Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on May 19. The incident occurred when the chopper carrying the Iranian officials disappeared over a mountainous region on Sunday evening. Rescue teams were initially unable to reach the crash site due to fog and bad weather conditions, but they located the wreckage the following day, confirming no survivors.

India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, "Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 22 to attend the official ceremony and pay condolences on the tragic demise of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other Iranian officials."

The crash happened amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza and escalations between Iran and Israel, following mutual attacks on each other's territories. President Raisi had recently reaffirmed Iran's unwavering support for Palestine, maintaining a firm stance against Israel.

Ebrahim Raisi, who passed away, was a 63-year-old figure in Iranian politics, representing conservative and hardline factions. He served as president for nearly three years. Prior to his presidency, Raisi was a former chief justice and was often mentioned as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old supreme leader of Iran.

Born in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, Raisi hailed from a religiously significant city for Shia Muslims. He received his religious education and trained at the seminary in Qom, studying under prominent scholars, including Khamenei. Raisi began his career as a prosecutor and gained experience in various jurisdictions before moving to Tehran in 1985.

Throughout his career, Raisi held prominent positions, including being a member of the Assembly of Experts, which selects a replacement for the supreme leader in the event of his death. He served as attorney general from 2014 to 2016, during which time he was appointed by Khamenei to lead Astan Quds Razavi.

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The manufacturer behind now-recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches failed to ever test its product for heavy metals, the Food and Drug Administration found in a recent inspection, among several shortfalls by the plant now linked to hundreds of lead poisonings nationwide.

The FDA's citation, outlined in a document obtained by CBS News through a freedom of information request, comes from a December inspection of a fruit puree factory in Ecuador run by Austrofood S.A.S.

Austrofood is the company behind the WanaBana brand cinnamon applesauce, as well as batches from store brands Weis and Schnucks that were also recalled, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says has been linked by state and local health authorities to at least 385 cases of lead poisonings across the U.S.

Many cases have been in very young children, who are especially vulnerable to the long-lasting developmental delays caused by lead poisoning, the CDC has said.

Lead poisoning cases in 42 states

A total of 42 states have now reported at least one case of lead poisoning in someone who recently consumed one of the recalled products. Cases have continued to mount in recent weeks, as health departments have linked previous lead poisonings dating back to last year with the product.

WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis cinnamon apple sauce pouches have been recalled by the FDA / Credit: FDA

"The increase in case counts reflects newly reported cases, for which the time of applesauce consumption varies. There is still ongoing outreach to find new cases at this time, and communication efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of these products are focused on preventing future exposures," a CDC spokesperson said in a Jan. 19 statement.

The FDA says the company failed twice, when analyzing the process for producing its applesauce products, to draw up plans to mitigate the risk that the cinnamon it was buying might end up contaminating its products.

"In addition, you did not sample and test the raw material or the finished product for heavy metals. Furthermore, sampling conducted by FDA in the United States identified [a] high level of lead in finished products," the agency's inspectors said.

Other issues the FDA found at the plant included shortfalls in its pasteurization and sanitation procedures. Austrofood was also cited for "numerous rough edges, chipped, and pitted areas" on one of its equipment that could break loose and end up in its products.

The FDA previously inspected the plant once before in 2019, FDA records show, which at the time did not result in any citations to the company.

A spokesperson for WanaBana did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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"Extremely high" lead levels

While health officials have worried for years over the risk of higher-than-optimal lead levels making its way into baby food, the FDA said last year that the "extremely high" lead levels found in WanaBana's cinnamon applesauce products was on a different scale. Concentrations of lead found by investigators in North Carolina from testing of the applesauce "could result in acute lead toxicity."

Another potential worrying metal  chromium  was also reported earlier this month in testing of Austrofood's cinnamon and the recalled pouches.

That could be the result of lead chromate, the CDC and FDA said. Lead chromate has been used by manufacturers in other countries to hide quality issues with their spices, leading to both chromium and lead poisoning.

The agency said last year it was investigating whether the lead was intentionally added to the cinnamon supplied to Austrofood for economic gain, but has stopped short of confirming this was the cause.

An FDA spokesperson was not able to immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment, when asked why the FDA has so far been unable to conclude whether the cinnamon was intentionally contaminated.

Officials have previously cited limits to their jurisdiction in their investigation of the lead contamination in Ecuador.

While the agency was able to conduct an inspection at Austrofood's factory, probing others in the supply chain  like the distributor and supplier suspected to be behind the lead contamination  required the help of authorities in Ecuador.

The FDA has also previously disputed statements by Ecuador's health authorities about the recall, after the country suggested other not-recalled WanaBana products might also be contaminated.

"FDA has no indication that this issue extends beyond these recalled products and does not have any confirmed reports of illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon," the FDA said in an update published Jan. 23.
Really disappointing and actually extremely frustrating and quite scary.

Thats how Rachel Kitchin, senior corporate climate campaigner at Stand.earth, described the results of the environmental nonprofits Clean Energy Close-Up, an update of the Fossil-Free Fashion Scorecard that it published last March.

More from Sourcing Journal

In fact, only three of the 11 household names it zeroed in onLevi Strauss & Co., Puma and H&M Groupare on track to reduce manufacturing emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline, the new report found. The majority scored less than 25 out of a possible 100 points, with the worst-performingthat would be Sheinearning just 2.5.

But even the top flyer, H&M, barely mustered a passing grade with 59 out of 100 possible points, followed by Puma with 51 and Nike with 46.5. And for every hit, there was also a miss. Puma, for example, may draw more than 27 percent of its electricity use from renewables across two main supplier tiers, but most of it comes from unreliable renewable energy certificates, Kitchin said. Similarly, while H&M may be the only brand to offer grants to suppliers that install rooftop solar, it has yet to fully disclose how quickly its phasing out fossil fuels.

In short, brands continue to show a real lack of urgency at best, Kitchin said. At worst, theyre turning to so-called false solutions that could be tantamount to greenwashing.

Kicking out fossil fuels from thermal energy and electricity is the No. 1 thing they can do to reduce emissions, she said.

Puma has admitted to challenges. There is a need to rally the industry to wield policy advocacy to develop direct power purchase agreements as a long-term solution for shifting to renewable energy in its key sourcing countries, a spokesperson said. H&M also allowed that there is a lot of work to be done on the path toward a more sustainable fashion future and that it remains committed to deliver on our ambitious climate agenda.

It was Sheins failing grade, however, that Stand.earth found among the most concerning of its findings. With Shein increasing its absolute emissions by nearly 50 percent in a single year, it now generates more pollution than the country of Paraguay, the nonprofit said.

Stand.earths Clean Energy Close-Up rankings.

The emissions growth from Shein alone almost completely wipes out the emissions reductions that were seeing in other brands in the scorecard, Kitchin said. That in itself is hugely alarming. The scale of growth from that company is incredible. And then contrast that with the complete lack of action and lack of transparency from the company when it comes to what they are actually going to do to reduce that impact, its really scary.

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A Shein spokesperson said that the company is working to mitigate climate change both within our operations and in collaboration with our suppliers, including installing rooftop solar across Shein warehouses and supplier sites, implementing Clean by Design energy efficiency programs with more than two dozen suppliers and partnering with green logistics partners.

One barrier to change that experts broadly agree on is the fact that few brands run their own factories. As a result, there is a tendency for manufacturers to shoulder the yoke of the financial and operational responsibility for making improvements or complying with legislation. Where supply chains overlap isnt immediately evident, which is why Stand.earth also published a Fashion Supply Chain Map, an interactive tool to identify opportunities for collaboration.

I hope that brands will be able to use it to see the potential points of crossover, Kitchin said. And I also hope that people will get some understanding as well of how far there is left to go. Because I think its very easy for brands to present a shiny and happy image of all the work that theyre doing. But how that actually translates onto the ground is a really important piece, which is often missing. And ultimately, its these suppliers, the manufacturers themselves that have to do all of the hard work.

Kitchin said that what the numbers tell us is that some of the worlds richest fashion brands are failingfailing people, failing the planet and failing workers in their supply chain. With the Canadian Competition Bureaus recent announcement that it has opened an inquiry into Lululemon (16 points) following a greenwashing complaint from Stand.earth, brands should brace themselves for additional scrutiny, she said.

Most of all, as others have warned, the speed of progress needs to pick up, Kitchin said. 2030 is no longer some distant deadline, but a mere five-and-a-half years away.

The good news is that the solutions are known. The solutions are there. And some of these brands are starting to enact them, but [theyre] in danger of being undermined by bad actors by greenwashing by a desire to maximize profit solutions, Kitchin said. Every year that passes we should be seeing real action we should be seeing significantly more transparency into what is really happening on the ground. And although the wheels are turning, its all happening too slowly.
UK hydro-energy storage company RheEnergise is to build a first-of-a-kind demonstrator of its long-duration hydro-energy storage system at Sibelcos mining operations at Cornwood, near Plymouth, Devon. The construction of the demonstrator will start soon, with commissioning scheduled in September.

The power generated by RheEnergises HD Hydro demonstrator, which has a peak power production of 500kW, will support Sibelcos mining operations at times of high energy demand and help the company decarbonise its operations. The Cornwood site produces kaolin, mainly for sanitary ware, ceramics, tiles and industrial applications.

The project is being supported through the UK Governments Longer Duration Energy Storage (LODES) Demonstration Programme.

According to RheEnergise, the deployment of long-duration energy storage systems is essential to the expansion of renewable power generation in the UK.

Stephen Crosher, CEO of RheEnergise, said: We are hugely appreciative of the support and assistance given to us by Sibelco, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Devon County Council. Our scheme will help Sibelcos energy security at Cornwood and show the long-term contribution it can make to the companys net-zero ambitions.

The demonstrator is a trailblazing project for the LDES sector and will place us in a strong position to build commercial-scale projects in this country and overseas. We have global interest in our technology from as far as Australia and Chile. We would like to have our first 10MW grid-scale project in operation within two years, he added.

The company said it has developed a fluid that is 2.5-times denser than water and can generate 2.5-times the energy compared with conventional low-density hydropower systems in Scotland, Wales and other parts of the world.

The high-density fluid is pumped uphill between storage tanks at times of low energy demand with associated low prices. As demand and energy prices rise, the non-corrosive fluid is released downhill and passes through turbines to generate electricity and supply power to the grid.

"RheEnergise to build first-of-a-kind hydro storage system" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
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For most consumers, the main point of buying a used car is to save money off the cost of a new one. The average transaction price for new cars was $48,510 as of April 2024, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Be Aware: 5 Japanese Cars To Stay Away From Buying

Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

In contrast, AutoBlog reports that average used car prices in April were $28,600. Despite the differences, many of the same rules apply when negotiating used and new car prices  including keeping an eye on dealer fees.

Common Fees

As LendingTree noted in a recent blog, some used car dealer fees you cant avoid. These include title, tax and license fees as well as inspection/emission fees. Youll also have to pay sales taxes on used car purchases in most states.

But some fees might be open to negotiation. Heres a rundown:

Documentation fee: This fee is typically charged when the dealer pulls paperwork together for your transaction, but there might be wiggle room to remove it or lower it.

Reconditioning fee: Dealers usually inspect used cars for maintenance or appearance issues before reselling them and they might try to pass this cost on to consumers through a reconditioning fee, according to LendingTree.

Extended warranty: If you choose the dealers extended warranty on top of the regular warranty (if applicable), youll be charged for it. Consumer Reports calls extended warranties an investment in peace of mind that limits financial risk for a set period of time. These might be a good idea if the used car youre buying is a candidate for extensive repairs and maintenance, but in most cases you end up paying more for the coverage than you get back in direct benefits, according to Consumer Reports.

Here are some tips from Car and Driver on how to lower or eliminate dealer fees:

Compare quotes among different dealersto get a better idea who has the lowest fees.

Negotiate the price of the car to help offset the cost of high fees. Many dealers will negotiate to complete the vehicle purchase.

Buy through a private seller to avoid certain fees that dealerships commonly charge.

States With Highest Dealer Fees

In addition, where you live can play a big part in how much you will be charged in dealer fees. An analysis conducted by GOBankingRates looked at numerous metrics to determine how much it costs to buy a used car in each state, on average.

Following are the 10 states with the highest average dealer fees for used cars:

Colorado: $4,498 Louisiana: $4,489 Arizona: $4,399 Michigan: $4,156 Alabama: $4,123 California: $3,655 Florida: $3,599 Nevada: $3,530 Arkansas: $3,522 Mississippi: $3,504

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As you can see, these states are located all over the country, so if you live close to the border of one, it may be wise to comparison shop out of state for a potentially better deal.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 States Where Dealers Charge the Most Fees When You Buy a Used Car
martin-dm / Getty Images

Buying a new car means paying for a lot more than just a machine on four wheels. Youll also have to pay sales taxes in most states, along with title and registration fees. While those costs cant be avoided, there are other fees you might get hit with that you should think twice about before paying.

Read Next: Buying a Used Car: The Best Age and Mileage To Get Great Value

Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

These so-called nonsense fees might include advertising fees, loan payment fees, document fees and market adjustment fees. According to the Jalopnik website, the Federal Trade Commission has signaled its desire to crack down on some of these junk fees. But dealers are pushing back because the fees often mean big profits (even though they have little value to consumers).

Mitigating the Fees

One way to avoid the fees is to simply walk away if the dealer doesnt agree to waive them. Here are some other tips from Car and Driver:

Compare quotes among different dealersto get a better idea who has the lowest fees.

Familiarize yourself with the most common fees so youll know which ones fall into the nonsense category.

Negotiate the price of the car to help offset the cost of high fees. Many dealers are willing to negotiate to complete the vehicle purchase.

Buy through a private seller to avoid certain fees that dealerships commonly charge.

Be Aware: 10 New Cars to Avoid Buying in 2024

States With the Highest Fees

If youre in the market for a new car, where you live can help determine how much you can expect to pay in fees. An analysis conducted by GOBankingRates looked at numerous metrics to determine how much it costs to buy a new car in each state, on average.

Following are the 14 states with the highest average dealer fees for new cars:

Louisiana: $6,369 Colorado: $5,890 Arizona: $5,791 Alabama: $5,490 Arkansas: $5,045 California: $4,960 Michigan: $4,902 Missouri: $4,877 Kansas: $4,772 Florida: $4,655 Nevada: $4,572 Nebraska: $4,266 Mississippi: $4,125 Utah: $4,099

As you can see, these states are located all over the country, so if you live close to the border of one, it may be wise to comparison shop out of state for a potentially better deal.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 14 States Where Dealers Charge the Most Fees When You Buy a New Car




Image source: Getty Images

As a small business owner, you undoubtedly have dozens of plates in the air simultaneously. And if you're new to owning a business, you may just be learning the ins and outs. While it's fun to dream of what you want your business to accomplish, it's not always as exciting to consider the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship -- like keeping the books. Here, we offer three basic tips for overcoming any bookkeeping challenges you may face.

1. Determine an airtight method of record-keeping

At some point, every small business owner has a conversation with themselves. It may sound something like, "Man, I'm glad I've always been careful about record-keeping. It's made my life so much easier.

Or it could sound something like, "What I wouldn't give to go back in time and come up with a better system of record-keeping. I spend half my time spinning my wheels, trying to figure out where things are."

Ideally, your conversation will involve congratulating yourself for being such an ace record-keeper. Your records are organized and up to date, and you keep track of invoices, receipts, bank statements, and correspondence. When a customer calls with a problem, you can easily pull up their records. When a vendor quotes you a price, you can quickly look to see how much you paid for it last time. When it's time to pay taxes, you know right where to look for the needed numbers. In short, you're killing it.

Whether record-keeping is a challenge for you or you've achieved pro status, consider taking advantage of the many tools available to you. For example, customer relationship management (CRM) software is a simple way to track your interactions with customers, analyze their past behavior, and anticipate future needs.

2. Prioritize cash flow management

Building a business that can withstand the test of time involves more than watching money roll into your business bank account. It's about always knowing where you stand financially at all times. That's where cash flow management comes in.

Cash flow management involves tracking the money that comes in and the money that goes out. Sales are great, but you must also know how much salaries, materials, utilities, insurance, and other business expenses will cost.

The only way to truly assess your business's financial health is to have a complete picture of cost vs. revenue. In short, how much do you expect to earn, and how much of that money do you need to spend to keep your business up and running?

While there are plenty of great programs available to small business owners, one of the most practical for cash flow management is accounting software. Cloud-based accounting software can help you manage your cash flow by providing real-time financial data and reports. Rather than spend hours digging through records, accounting software allows you to learn where you stand at a glance. It's a time-saver that frees you up to take on other important tasks.

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3. Value your time

Speaking of time savers, be honest with yourself about the time constraints you may face as your business begins to grow. That could mean setting new hours of availability. For some small business owners, it's tough to let the phone go to voicemail when a friend calls to shoot the breeze or to say no when asked to take on a task unassociated with their business. This can be especially true for those working from home.

No matter how demanding your business is, there will always be those who believe working from home means you have time to do them favors, like watching their kids or helping them pick up furniture across town. You may have to remind people that this is your business, not a hobby. You have set hours in which you should not be disturbed.

If you don't value your time, the people around you won't either.

Need help?

Finally, if bookkeeping begins to feel overwhelming, free help is available. The nonprofit organization SCORE is a perfect example. In partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBMA), SCORE is a large network of small business mentors who offer a variety of services to people like you who have struck out on their own. With chapters across the U.S., SCORE provides workshops, e-guides, videos, and in-person workshops. For example, this prerecorded one-hour webinar teaches the basics of small business bookkeeping.

One of the most exciting things about starting a business is the knowledge that you're doing it on your own. Oddly enough, it's also one of the most intimidating things about starting a business. The truth is, with time and repetition, bookkeeping practices will begin to make sense to you. In the meantime, you don't have to go it alone.

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3 Ways to Overcome the Challenges of Small Business Bookkeeping was originally published by The Motley Fool
In Palm Beach, multimillion-dollar real estate is always a big deal.

But some deals are bigger than others. Take, for instance, the sale  recorded at $150 million  for private Tarpon Island and its mansion in May 2024.

As eye-popping as Tarpon Islands sale price was, it still wasnt the most expensive property ever sold in Palm Beach.

It came in third.

Heres a list of the top 16 highest-dollar single transactions for Palm Beach residential properties to ever have lightened a wallet. All of the prices here were recorded at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, unless otherwise noted.

Most expensive sale: About $170 million, 589 N. County Road

In the highest-dollar Palm Beach sale of 2023, an oceanfront mansion at 589 N. County Road changed hands privately for a price said to be about $170 million. The April 2023 deal set a new sale-price record in Palm Beach.

Car dealer Michael Cantanucci and his wife, Kimberly, in April 2023, bought this oceanfront estate from coffee tycoon Robert Stiller and his wife, Christine, for about $170 million, setting a new Palm Beach price record in the process. But because of the way the deal was structured, the price was never recorded by the Palm Beach County Clerk for the sale of the 20,000-square-foot mansion and its 1.6 acres. Broker Lawrence Moens of Lawrence A. Moens represented the Stillers, and broker Christian Angle of Christian Angle Real Estate represented the Cantanuccis, the Palm Beach Daily News confirmed.

$155 million, 1495 N. Ocean Blvd.

The former Palm Beach estate of the late Rush Limbaugh at 1495 N. Ocean Blvd. was demolished after it sold for a recorded $155 million in March 2023. The estate is seen in a photo taken several years ago.

Estee Lauder cosmetics billionaire William P. Lauder is behind the company that in March 2023 bought the former oceanfront compound of the late conservative firebrand Rush Limbaugh in an off-market sale documented at $155 million. The 2.65-acre estate  comprising three separate parcels, including the main residence  was sold by Limbaugh's widow, Kathryn Adams Limbaugh. Lauder has since razed the compound. The Daily News has not confirmed that any real estate agents were involved with the sale.

$150 million, 10 Tarpon Island

Private Tarpon Island in Palm Beach's Estate Section sold for a recorded $150 million in May 2024.

In May 2024, Tarpon Island, Palm Beachs only private island, sold for a recorded $150 million with a just-completed renovated and expanded 1930s-era mega-mansion. The sale price was the highest ever for a Palm Beach estate on the Intracoastal Waterway without additional ocean frontage. The artificial island of about 2.3 acres has a combined 1,163 feet of waterfront on all four sides. With 11 bedrooms, the two-story mansion encompasses 28,618 total square feet of living space.

The buyer was MCI Properties LLC, a Delaware-registered limited liability company. On the sellers side were developer Todd Michael Glaser and an investment group that included Jonathan Fryd of Fryd Properties in Miami; developer Scott Robins of Scott Robins Cos. in Miami Beach; and Randall Realty Groups Jim Randall of Manalapan. Real estate agents Suzanne Frisbie of the Corcoran Group and Chris Leavitt of Douglas Elliman Real Estate held the co-listing. Angle also was involved on the sellers side. Agent Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties represented the buyer.

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Sold for $150 million in May 2024, private Tarpon Island is in Palm Beach's Estate Section. The 1930s-era house there was renovated and expanded by the seller, an investment group led by Todd Michael Glaser.

$122.65 million, 535 N. County Road

This oceanfront house at 535 N. County Road was developed on speculation and changed hands, furnished, in February 2021 for a recorded $122.65 million.

February 2021 saw a never-lived-in beachfront mansion at 535 N. County Road sell for $122.65 million. The company that bought the house was linked to private-equity specialist Scott Schleifer, represented by Leavitt and broker Ryan Serhant of Serhant. Moens, who had an investment stake in the house, represented the seller, a company controlled by Mark Pulte of Mark Timothy Inc. The house occupies land once owned by former President Donald Trump.

$109.63 million, 1840 S. Ocean Blvd.

An ocean-to-lake estate built by Dr. Ernst A. Langner and his wife, Nataly, at 1840 S. Ocean Blvd. sold in June 2021 for a recorded $109.625 million.

In June 2021, seasonal resident Dr. Ernst Langner of Hamburg, Germany, sold for a recorded $109.625 million the ocean-to-lake estate he and his wife, Nataly, built as a custom residence at 1840 S. Ocean Blvd. A trust was on the buyers side of the sale, and Moens handled both sides.

$105 million, 1415 S. Ocean Blvd.

A photo taken several years ago shows part of the oceanfront facade of 1415 S. Ocean Blvd., which Steven and Brooke Schonfeld bought through a trust for a recorded $105 million in December 2019.

In December 2019, the late Matrix Essentials beauty mogul Sydell Miller sold the beachfront parcel of her ocean-to lake estate at 1415 S. Ocean Blvd. for a recorded $105 milllion to hedge-fund manager Steven Schonfeld and his wife, Brooke Kaplan Schonfeld. The buyers of the mansion were represented by Angle, with Moens acting for Miller. (In February 2021, Miller sold her lakefront parcel, at 1440 S. Ocean Blvd., for a recorded $42 million in a sale handled on both sides by Moens.)

$104.99 million, 1295 S. Ocean Blvd.

An ocean-to-lake estate at 1295 S. Ocean Blvd. changed hands in July 2019 for a recorded $104.99 million. It was sold by the estate of the late Broadway producer Terry Allen Kramer to an entity linked to hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin.

The price recorded for the Miller/Schonfeld oceanfront deal barely eclipsed the $104.99 million price documented in July 2019 when the late investment-firm heiress Terry Allen Kramer's ocean-to-lake estate at 1295 S. Ocean Blvd. sold privately. The buyer was an entity linked to billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, whose massive estate lay immediately to the south. Moens handled the buyers side opposite Douglas Elliman agents Gary Pohrer, Ashley McIntosh, Cara Coniglio McClure, Lisa Wilkinson and Adam McPherson.

At least $100 million, 195 Via Del Mar and 241 Jungle Road

In a May 2023 "house swap" said to be valued at $100 million, designer Tom Ford acquired this landmarked house at 195 Via Del Mar. Brian and Andrea Kosoy, in turn, became the owners of Ford's previous home at 241 Jungle Road.

In May 2023, fashion designer Tom Ford swapped his contemporary-style house on an acre on Jungle Road for the landmarked house of businessman Brian Kosoy and wife, Andrea, on a 1.66-acre lot on Via Del Mar. The off-market deal was valued, at least, at $100 million, the Palm Beach Daily News confirmed,. Because of the way the off-market deal was structured, using trusts, a dollar amount for the Estate Section transaction was never recorded at the courthouse, nor have the exact terms surfaced in public records. Angle handled both sides of the unusual deal, the Daily News confirmed.

Designer Tom Ford gave up ownership of this house at 241 Jungle Road, seen in a rendering, in a May 2023 "house swap" said to be valued at $100 million. Ford now owns Brian and Andrea Kosoy's former house, a town landmark at 195 Via De Mar.

$99.13 million, 60 Blossom Way

In September 2019, an entity associated with billionaire Ken Griffin paid $99.13 million for the since-demolished beachfront house with a red roof at 60 Blossom Way. The grassy area at the left is also part of the Griffin estate, which totals more than 27 acres.

In September 2019, Griffin squared off his estate by buying an oceanfront house at 60 Blossom Way for a recorded $99.13 million. The seller was financier and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank H. McCourt Jr. Moens was involved in the sale, the Palm Beach Daily News confirmed.

Griffin, by the way, set his own Palm Beach price record with a $129.6-million deal in late 2012, but unlike other sales, Griffin's deal involved a single buyer and multiple sellers in four simultaneous transactions on Blossom Way properties. Moens orchestrated those sales and almost all of the subsequent transactions through which Griffin amassed what is today an ocean-to-lake estate at 1265 S. Ocean Blvd. comprising more than 27 acres. In all, Griffin has paid more than $500 million for his property, according to courthouse records and estimates by the Palm Beach Daily News. He is building an oceanfront house for his mother on about 8 acres of his holdings, including the land at 60 Blossom Way.

$95 million, 1341 S. Ocean Blvd.

A Palm Beach oceanfront mansion at 1341 S. Ocean Blvd. (in the center, closest to ocean) sold privately in May 2021 for a price documented at $95 million.

In May 2021, businessman and investor Edward Chris G. Watkins and his wife, Karen, parted with their custom-built mansion at 1341 S. Ocean Blvd. for a recorded $95 million. A trust was on the buyers side of the off-market sale. Moens represented the sellers and the buyer.

$95 million, 515 N. County Road

In July 2008, this beachfront estate at 515 N. County Road was sold, for a recorded $95 million, by former President Donald Trump to an entity connected to Russian billionaire Dmitri Rybolovlev. Rybolovlev later had the house razed and then sold the 6.2-acre estate as three parcels in separate transactions,

In July 2008, Donald Trump, then a private real estate developer, sold for a recorded $95 million his 6.25-acre oceanfront investment property at 515 N. County Road. At the time, the sale was the highest-priced U.S. residential transaction in history. The buyer was an entity associated with Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, who made his fortune in the fertilizer industry. Moens represented Trump opposite agent Carol Digges of Brown Harris Stevens. In 2016, crews demolished the mansion and subdivided the land into three parcels, which were later sold separately for a grand total of $108.74 million, according to property records.

$85.977 million, 901 N. Ocean Blvd.

Two loggias, a balcony and a second-floor sundeck face the ocean on a mansion at 901 N. Ocean Blvd., which changed hands in June 2022 for a recorded $85.98 million. A trust was on the buyer's side of the private sale, the deed shows.

After selling new in August 2021 for $64 million, an oceanfront mansion on the North End underwent interior renovations and upgrades before changing hands again in June 2022 in a private deal. The seller was a limited liability company controlled by an investment group led by Moens, who had an ownership stake in the property. Moens also represented the sellers, who included private-equity specialist Scot French. Corcoran Group agents Dana Koch and Paulette Koch represented the buyer, The 901 NOPB Trust.

$85 million, 1500 S. Ocean Blvd.

In a transaction said to be valued at $85 million or more, Il Palmetto, a landmarked ocean-to-lake estate at 1500 S. Ocean Blvd., changed hands in 2018. Leo and Kathryn Vecellio soon homesteaded the house as their primary residence.

In 2018, Netscape co-founder Jim Clark sold Il Palmetto, his landmarked ocean-to-lake estate at 1500 S. Ocean Blvd. to an entity linked to a longtime Palm Beach couple, Kathryn Vecellio and her businessman husband, Leo A. Vecellio Jr. Because of the way the complex deal was structured, the price was never recorded at the courthouse. But real estate sources say the value of the transaction is said to have hit at least $85 million and approached or perhaps topped $90 million. Property records suggest the deal included an ownership transfer of the Vecellios former residence at 120 Jungle Road. Moens is said to have orchestrated the deal.

$85 million, 1290 S. Ocean Blvd.

In January 2017, Billionaire Ken Griffin paid $85 million for this oceanfront house at 1290 S. Ocean Blvd and demolished it to expand his Palm Beach estate next door.

In January 2017, Griffin embarked on his expansion of his Palm Beach land holdings by buying for $85 million a 4-acre next-door estate at 1290 S. Ocean Blvd. His crews then demolished the house and cleared the land. The sellers were real estate developer Paul Saville and wife Linda. Moens handled the negotiations.

$85 million, 10 Tarpon Island

Seen in the foreground is Palm Beach's Tarpon Island as it looked when it was purchased in July 2021 for $85 million by developer Todd Michael Glaser and an investment group.

In July 2021, Glaser and his investment group paid a recorded $85 million for 10 Tarpon Island (see third entry above). Glaser spearheaded a project to renovate and expand the 1930s-era house there, which ended up selling in May 2024 for a recorded $150 million. Agent Jim McCann of Premier Estate Properties was the lead agent who acted on behalf of the sellers in the 2021 sale, private investor William Toll and his wife, Eileen. Frisbie was the lead agent representing Glasers group.

$85 million, 108 El Mirasol

A vacant beachfront lot at 108 El Mirasol on the North End of Palm Beach measures about an acre and sold for a recorded $85 million in April 2024.

In April 2024, a vacant lot measuring about an acre with 225 feet of direct beachfront sold privately for a recorded $85 million, likely set a record for a vacant parcel of its size in Palm Beach. The buyer was a Delaware-registered limited liability company named after the propertys address. The North End lot was sold by ANK Palm Beach LLC, a Delaware entity managed by New Jersey businessman Anand Khubani. Moens represented the sellers side of the deal, while Paulette Koch and Dana Koch acted on behalf of the buyer, real estate sources confirmed for the Palm Beach Daily News.

This story was updated from a previous version.

*

Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly Beyond the Hedges column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Here are Palm Beach's 16 priciest real estate sales; Trump tied to two
The Government of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has commenced the search for contractors to build the new northside hospital at the site of the Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce, Canberra, which it took over last year.

Being developed with an investment of over A$1bn ($666.5m), the new facility will offer more beds and an expanded range of services compared to the current setup.

The ACT government will have ownership of the forthcoming hospital, while Canberra Health Services will oversee its operations.

In pursuit of a delivery partner for the hospital, the ACT government has adopted a very early contractor involvement (VECI) delivery model, to assist it in early planning, design, as well as the constructability of the hospital.

This process will unfold in two stages, beginning with the assessment of expressions of interest (EOI), which has been opened, then leading to the request for tender stage for shortlisted participants in the tender.

Under the request for tender stage, the government will reply on an interactive process that will help in selecting a risk sharing regime, appropriate for getting a value for money proposition for the ACT region.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith emphasised on the need for "suitably experienced and qualified contractors" who align with the government's vision of a patient and staff-centred hospital design.

The deadline for EOI submissions is set for late June 2024, with the announcement of the successful delivery partner expected later this year.

Interested parties can find further details at tenders.act.gov.au.

Construction on the new northside hospital is expected to start by mid-decade.

Stephen-Smith said: Canberras northside will continue to grow in coming decades. Planning now for a bigger, modern hospital will provide Canberrans with access to more health services, closer to home.

The new northside hospital will deliver a welcoming and world-class facility that replaces ageing infrastructure on the Bruce campus. It will have more treatment spaces, a bigger emergency department and state-of-the-art equipment for our workforce.

Most importantly, it will provide greater capacity for our health care system and ensure Canberrans can continue to access quality public healthcare across ACT as our population grows and health needs change.

"ACT government seeks contractors for new northside hospital " was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
By Aditya Soni, Gokul Pisharody and Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) - Shares of Nvidia surged over 9% on Thursday, building on a stunning rally as its bumper revenue forecast reinforced investor confidence in the AI-driven boom in chip demand.

The semiconductor bellwether's surge translated to an addition of around $218 billion in market value on the day, according to LSEG data, the second-largest single-day market cap gain in history on Wall Street.

The big stock move came even as expectations were high for Nvidia with its shares trading near record peaks in the run-up to earnings. The results also capped a strong quarter for U.S. technology giants, including Microsoft, with AI emerging as a major growth driver.

"Companies are continuing to increase their capital expenditures, particularly Big Tech, to keep up with this revolutionary technology, and Nvidia is by far the biggest beneficiary," said Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro.

Nvidia also unveiled a 10-for-one stock split on Wednesday and lifted its quarterly dividend by 150% as demand continues to exceed supply for its high-end chips that power virtually all AI applications, including OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Already the world's third-most valuable firm, Nvidia's market cap gain on Thursday was roughly equivalent to the full value of Adobe. The increase was second only to its own $277 billion jump on the day following its previous earnings report in February.

Nvidia's market cap of $2.55 trillion also was closing in on Apple, the second-largest U.S. company by market value at $2.87 trillion. Microsoft is the largest company by market value, at $3.17 trillion.

Nvidia's shares closed at $1,037.99, ending above the $1,000 level. Its shares are up nearly 110% so far in 2024 after more than tripling last year.

Nvidia's gains on Thursday bucked a broader downswing in the overall stock market. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% on the day, while the other six of the Magnificent Seven tech and growth megacap stocks ended negative.

Thursday's jump also followed a prediction from Taiwanese contract chipmaker TSMC, a major supplier to Nvidia, of 10% annual growth in the global semiconductor industry, excluding memory chips.

TSMC's U.S.-listed shares ended up 0.6%. However, other AI-focused names were mixed after an initial rally following Nvidia's results. Arm Holdings and Broadcom both rose about 0.1%, while Advanced Micro Devices and Super Micro Computer both dropped about 3%.

Analysts cheered remarks from Nvidia executives that its new Blackwell AI chips would start shipping in the current quarter and demand for the processors might exceed supply "well into next year."

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CEO Jensen Huang told Reuters that he expected new AI models that are capable of creating video and engaging in human-like voice interactions to spur more orders for Nvidia's processors.

"With competition years behind, we believe Nvidia can comfortably defend and maintain its market share," said Ido Caspi, research analyst at Global X, which invests in Nvidia.

"The ongoing Hopper (Nvidia's current chips) demand should help alleviate investor concerns about customers potentially delaying purchases in anticipation of the Blackwell transition."

Analysts also said the stock split could make Nvidia more appealing to retail investors after a decline in interest this year.

At least 28 of the 58 brokerages raised their price targets on the stock, pushing up the median view to $1,200, according to LSEG data.

Nvidia has a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 34, compared with AMD's 38 and Super Micro Computer's 26.

(Reporting by Aditya Soni and Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru, Lewis Krauskopf in New York; Additional reporting by Siddarth S and Shubham Batra in Bengaluru, Noel Randewich in San Francisco and Danilo Masoni in Milan; Editing by Amanda Cooper, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Anil D'Silva and Marguerita Choy)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  An additional 160,000 people are expected to get an email this week from the Biden administration canceling their student loans. The cancellations are part of several income-driven repayment plans, including Bidens SAVE Plan.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in total more than 4.7 million Americans have seen debt relief totaling $167 billion. This latest round is erasing $7.7 billion in federal student loans.

Were rightsizing a situation that was broken for many, many years, Cardona said.

According to the White House, this round of loan forgiveness is going to people who qualified under the SAVE Plan, public service workers and borrowers who were approved for relief under other income-driven repayment plans.

The President is committed to making sure that if youre willing to go onto higher education, you work hard and you have the aptitude, you should be able to find success in higher education, Cardona said.

Under the SAVE Plan, millions of Americans have had their debt erased. It provides relief to those who have been paying off their loans for at least 10 years and took out 12,000 or less. However, the plan is currently facing legal challenges in several Republican-led states.

The Department of Education said it is also working on a new one-time cancellation proposal that would provide relief to more than 30 million borrowers. Its designed to help those who are not already covered by existing loan forgiveness programs.

Its important to keep in mind that were trying to fix a broken system so that were not doing debt relief forever, Cardona said.

The new proposed relief plan is still under review and is likely going to face legal challenges.

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.

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(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. hired a new diversity chief for the fourth time in recent years as the iPhone maker seeks to make its workforce more inclusive.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Banking veteran Cynthia Bowman is taking over the role from Barbara Whye, becoming vice president of inclusion and diversity. Bowman left Bank of America Corp. earlier this year after a 17-year career there, serving most recently as chief diversity, inclusion and social responsibility officer.

We are excited that Cynthia Bowman will serve as Apples next Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity, an Apple spokesperson said in a statement. Cynthia is an accomplished leader in her field and is deeply committed to the work were doing to advance inclusion and diversity at Apple.

The company added that Whyes retirement is planned for this fall and she and Cynthia are working together to successfully transition this vitally important work. Whye, a former Intel Corp. executive, took the job in early 2021.

Like other tech giants, Apple has been working to make its staff more representative  with mixed results. Its also faced turnover in the top diversity job. The first executive in the role, human resources executive Denise Young Smith, was out after less than a year in 2017. She was replaced by Christie Smith, who left in 2020.

The job involves reporting to Apples chief people officer, Carol Surface, and working with groups within the company to support diversity. Apple also has a $200 million Racial Equity and Justice initiative that focuses on education, criminal justice reform and economic equality.

The Cupertino, California-based company has made progress improving diversity in its workforce, though the share of underrepresented minorities hasnt increased dramatically.

Between 2014 and 2022, the percentage of Black employees rose to about 9% from 7% in the US. The number of Asian employees doubled to 30%, while the share of Latino workers increased to 15% from 11%. Globally, women account for 35% of Apples workforce, up from 30% in 2014. The company hasnt published new numbers on its website since 2022.

At the same time, the broader push for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, has faced a backlash in corporate America. The proportion of US companies that fund a DEI function is set to drop to just 20% by the end of this year, compared with 33% in 2022, according to Forrester Research.

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Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Affording a rental home is pricey in Arizona, but several other states demand an even higher "housing wage."

A household must earn $62,252 to afford a two-bedroom rental in Arizona, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

That means an Arizona renter must earn almost $30 an hour and potentially have more than two jobs paying minimum wage to have a home.

Arizona ranks as the 12th toughest state for renters to earn enough to pay for a decent roof over their heads.

Phil DiMartino poses for a photo outside of his unit at Village at Camelback in Phoenix on March 11, 2024.

Top 5 priciest states to afford rent

California, not surprisingly, tops the list with an annual income of $87,877 needed to rent.

Hawaii is No. 2 with $87,013 in wages necessary for tenants.

Massachusetts comes in at No. 3 with an annual salary of $86,813.

New York ranks fourth with $83,375 in income needed to rent.

Washington is No. 5 with $75,556 in wages required for leasing.

Five most affordable states for renters

Arkansas is the best state for renters, who only need $33,836 to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

North Dakota ranks second with $37,010 necessary to rent.

South Dakota is next, with an annual salary of $36,371 needed to rent a typical two-bedroom home.

Mississippi comes in at No. 4 with $35,087 in wages required to afford rent.

West Virginia is fifth with the lowest income needed  $434,610.

Rent costs in Arizonas neighboring states

Nevada is the 15th priciest state for renting a two-bedroom based on income. A tenant needs to earn $58,212 per year.

In New Mexico, renters need an income of $41,349.

Utahs necessary renter wage is $51,861.

Colorado tenants need $66,830.

In Texas, the rental income needed is $52,134.

Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CatherineReagor.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona 12th priciest state to rent. Where is it pricier, cheaper?
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is canceling another $7.7 billion in student loans held by 160,000 borrowers.

The latest round of debt cancellation means the administration has now forgiven $167 billion worth of student loans, in an effort that the White House says has benefited 4.75 million people, or more than 10% of all those with student loan debt in the U.S. On average, each debtor has received roughly $35,000 in forgiveness.

In a statement, President Joe Biden touted his long-running campaign to cancel student debt, which includes a massive effort potentially benefiting 40 million people that was shot down by the Supreme Court last year. He also highlighted the politics involved in student loan forgiveness. I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, he said. I will never stop working to cancel student debt  no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us.

The loans being canceled are associated with three loan programs. The largest batch, valued at $5.2 billion, will go toward 66,900 borrowers currently in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which cancels loans for debtors who work in public service jobs and make loan payments for 10 years.

Another 54,300 borrowers in the Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan, known as SAVE, will also receive debt forgiveness, worth $613 million. Under new rules imposed by the Biden administration earlier this year, borrowers in the SAVE program who owe less than $12,000 are now eligible for forgiveness after making payments for 10 years.

The third group receiving debt forgiveness is 39,200 borrowers who have been making payments on their student loans for at least 20 years. Those loans are valued at $1.9 billion.

What comes next: The Biden administration is pushing ahead on student loan cancelation despite legal challenges. Eleven states led by the Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Missouri have sued to block the cancellations, in cases that are still pending. The suits claim that the Biden administration lacks the authority to unilaterally forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt.

In April, the White House unveiled a proposal for a sweeping new loan forgiveness program that could benefit upwards of 30 million borrowers. The proposal is still in the rule-making process, but the administration reportedly wants to move ahead with it in the fall. If enacted, the new loan forgiveness program will likely be greeted by another round of legal challenges.

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SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's Superior Court of Justice has denied state-run oil company Petrobras an appeal against the collection of some 987 million reais ($192.68 million) in taxes, the company said late on Tuesday.

The taxes relate to sales of oil derivatives from March 2002 to October 2003, Petrobras said in a securities filing. The firm said it would assess whether a fresh appeal could be lodged against the decision.

($1 = 5.1225 reais)

(Reporting by Luana Maria Benedito; Editing by Jan Harvey)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A pilot program in Columbus has been launched to assist businesses with mandated public improvements.

The Department of Development program will provide funding for small-scale projects, such as the rehabilitation of vacant and underused properties. Spokesperson Cameron Keir explained how the program might help business owners.

Leaked document causes disarray at school board meeting

If theyre on a lot that has some drainage issues, maybe they need updated sidewalks, maybe they need ADA access or handicap parking, things that fall under the scope and purview of a city-mandated improvement for an upcoming business, Keir said. That could be a huge difference.

Keir said that sometimes mandated improvements can discourage business owners from opening in certain locations. Because of the program, the city can give those business owners a hand.

Projects set to be assisted by the pilot program include a $325,000 funding gap for a $700,000 renovation of a building for the Rochester Center at 2503 Cleveland Ave., costs in excess of $200,000 for a $1 million rehabilitation of a vacant building for Gs Shepard Springs Cafe at 900 Sunbury Road, and a $10,000 gap associated with renovations at Pellizcadas Los Primos at 2235 Sullivant Ave.

Rapid transit plan will go before voters this November in Columbus

The pilot program is moving forward after Columbus City Councils approval last week. The legislation gave the green light to a $1 million contract between the Department of Development and Columbus-Franklin County Finance 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)  A Shelby County judge issued an injunction Wednesday halting the sale of the Graceland estate, which was set for a foreclosure auction Thursday, prompting the company involved to withdraw its claim.

The court will enjoin the sale as requested because, one, the real estate is considered unique under Tennessee law. And in being unique, the loss of the real estate would be considered irreparable harm, Chancellor Joe Dae Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the notary whose signature is on the Deed of Trust from 2018 said in a sworn affidavit that she did not notarize Lisa Marie Presleys signature. That brings into question the authenticity of the signature and of the Deed of Trust, he said.

Graceland set for foreclosure auction; Elvis heir claims fraud, fights sale

As the court has now made clear, there was no validity to the claims, Elvis Presley Enterprises said in a statement sent after Wednesdays injunction hearing. There will be no foreclosure. Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home.

No representatives for Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC, the company that advertised the foreclosure sale, were in court Wednesday.

In a statement emailed to Nexstars WREG after the ruling, the company said, Due to the Deed of Trust not being recorded and the loan being obtained in different state, legal action would have to be filed in multiple states and NAUSSANY Investments & Private Lending will not acquire to proceed. That comes from consultation of the lawyers for the company. There was no harm meant on Ms. Keough for her mothers LMP mis habits and mis managing of money. The company will be withdrawing all claims with prejudice.

WREG asked company representatives about claims noted by the judge that Lisa Marie Presleys signature had allegedly been forged on the purported Deed of Sale. The company has not responded.

Kurt Naussany, whose name is listed several times in legal documents, said by email that he has not been affiliated with Naussany Investments & Private Lending since 2015, and directed further questions to an email with the name Gregory Naussany.

Little is known about Naussany Investments & Private Lending, or the two men whose names are associated with the company. Court records list addresses in Kimberling City, Missouri  a small town near Branson  and Jacksonville, Florida. A phone number provided is not in service and almost no record of the company seems to exist online.

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Missouri-based Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC claims that the late Lisa Marie Presley signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 securing a $3.8 million loan using Graceland as collateral.

However, the Presley family says those claims are fraudulent.

Lisa Marie Presleys daughter and heir to Graceland, actress Danielle Riley Keough, said in a 60-page lawsuit against Naussany Investments filed May 15 that her mother never borrowed any money from the company.

County has no deed for Graceland; Elvis Presleys family calls sale a scam

These documents are fraudulent, the lawsuit states.

The Shelby County Register of Deeds also said Tuesday that the office has no record on file of a deed related to Graceland.

Elvis Presley bought the Graceland mansion in the Whitehaven area of Memphis in 1957. Lisa Marie inherited Graceland after her fathers death in 1977, and it opened to the public as a museum in 1982.

Lisa Marie Presley died in January 2023. Her daughter became heir to the estate and trustee of the Promenade Trust.

About 600,000 visitors tour Graceland each year. The house was named in a survey last year as the most popular museum in the United 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 PIX11.
Delving into CRH PLC's Dividend Performance and Future Prospects

CRH PLC (NYSE:CRH) recently announced a dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on 2024-06-26, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-05-23. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into CRH PLC's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does CRH PLC Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with CHWRF.

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CRH PLC is a global manufacturer of a range of building products used in construction projects, operating via a vertically integrated business model. The past decade has seen CRH transform into a leading building materials business, with increasing exposure to upstream building activities such as aggregates and cement. CRH's geographic footprint is mostly across developed markets. North America is CRH's largest market and accounts for 75% of EBITDA. The company is the largest producer of aggregates and asphalt in the US.

CRH PLC's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at CRH PLC's Dividend History

CRH PLC has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2018. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

CRH PLC's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down CRH PLC's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, CRH PLC currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.08% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.50%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, CRH PLC's annual dividend growth rate was 37.10%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 21.10% per year. Based on CRH PLC's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of CRH PLC stock as of today is approximately 5.42%.

CRH PLC's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2024-03-31, CRH PLC's dividend payout ratio is 0.51. CRH PLC's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks CRH PLC's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

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Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. CRH PLC's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and CRH PLC's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. CRH PLC's revenue has increased by approximately 13.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 69.11% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, CRH PLC's earnings increased by approximately 56.40% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 88.58% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 21.30%, which outperforms approximately 77.18% of global competitors.

Next Steps

With a robust dividend history, promising yield and growth rates, and strong financial health, CRH PLC presents an attractive option for investors seeking stable dividend income with growth potential. The company's strategic positioning in developed markets and its operational efficiency further bolster its prospects for sustained dividend payouts. For those looking to expand their portfolio with high-dividend-yielding stocks, GuruFocus Premium users can explore using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


STURGEON BAY - In its 75 years, Roen Salvage Co. has established itself as one of the premier marine construction firms on the Great Lakes, with clients ranging from commercial dock owners to state and municipal governments, Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Yet not everyone knows what the Sturgeon Bay-based company does. CEO John Asher laughingly told the Advocate of people who've called to ask if the business had a transmission or other parts for an old car, thinking the "Salvage" in the name meant it was an auto junkyard.

David Schanock, president of Roen Salvage Co. in Sturgeon Bay, and CEO John Asher are the fourth and third generation of their family to run the highly regarded maritime construction company, which celebrates its 75th anniversary on Saturday.

Nonetheless, Asher said there are no plans to change the name of the company to reflect its diverse maritime engineering offerings as it marks the 75th anniversary of its founding on May 25, 1949, by Asher's parents, Charles Asher and Hilda Roen Asher, with help from Hilda's father, Capt. John Roen.

That's because in those 75 years, Asher said, those in the maritime industry know the Roen Salvage name for its history of top-quality, on-time work. In all that time, Roen Salvage has never defaulted on a job or failed to complete a contract on time, a press release from the company said.

That reputation dates to the company's namesake, Capt. John Roen. He already had established himself as an extremely successful maritime entrepreneur in Sturgeon Bay in the 1930s and '40s with the tugs and barges he operated under the Roen Steamship and Roen Transportation brands.

Then during World War II, Roen took on a potentially dangerous challenge no other maritime salvage company would, one that many said was impossible  raising the George M. Humphrey, a 586-foot-long freighter that sank in June of 1943 in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.

Roen created a plan to raise the giant freighter, had his crew begin work in October of 1943, and was able to successfully complete the raising in September 1944 (after which he acquired it through a deal with the vessel's insurance company, refitted it, renamed it the Capt. John Roen and made it the flagship of his shipping fleet). The feat gained Roen and his company national notoriety, with the December 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine quoting a U.S. Corps of Engineers district engineer as saying, "The raising of the Humphrey is a feat unparalleled in American marine history."

Thus, when Charles and Hilda Asher founded their business, they chose to use the Roen Salvage name and kept it even after the couple became sole owners in 1959 and began diversifying into heavy marine construction, John Asher said.

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"They decided on (the name) Roen Salvage because it was so well-known around the Great Lakes," Asher said.

The firm's diversification has led Roen Salvage today into being able to perform all phases of marine construction, from dredging, underwater pipelines and cables, docks, marinas and breakwaters to navigational light structures, repair, demolition, rock removal and more. Among the six jobs it has on its 2024 schedule are the repair of the Lake Michigan south breakwater in Algoma and the north breakwater in Port Washington, dredging and confined disposal projects, and rehabilitation work on the condemned Carbide Dock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The tug David Schanock and two deck scows operated by Roen Salvage Co. of Sturgeon Bay head out of port April 24 on their way to a dredging project off of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, one of six jobs on Roen Salvage's schedule for 2024.

Among the honors Roen Salvage has earned, a reconstruction job in 1997-98 on the north and south harbor entrance piers at White Lake Harbor in Michigan saw the Corps of Engineers recognize the company with its 1998 Civil Works Construction Contractor of the Year Award.

Asher, who was named president of the company in 1985, also noted the business remains in the family for a fourth generation, as his stepson, David Schanock, was elected president in 2022 while John became CEO at that time. He pointed out how rare is a four-generation family business in the U.S., citing the statistic that only 3% of family-run companies continue to be run by a fourth generation of the same family.

Asher said he couldn't name any one particular job the company has done that stands out above the others, instead noting its consistent performance throughout its history.

"I don't think there's any one signature job," he said. "We just keep busting our butts year after year."

The one element Asher and Schanock cited in Roen Salvage's ability to not just stay in business but succeed for 75 years is its workers. They said that not every one of its staff is from Door County or even Northeast Wisconsin  as Asher noted, you can't just go around the corner and find a licensed tug operator or a licensed crane operator  but Schanock said the company tries to recruit workers as much as possible within driving distance of Sturgeon Bay.

Plus, Schanock noted the company has promoted employees from within through the years, helping them learn new jobs in the company and get certifications to perform them.

"I think the foundation (of the company's success) has been our ability to hire an outstanding workforce," Schanock said.

"We have the finest civil engineers, crane operators, tug captains, deckhands, equipment operators and welders of any company on the Great Lakes," Asher said.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

MORE: Unique stone leads a 143-year-old Door County home to be named a national historic place

MORE: A year-round coffee shop in Door County has new owners who plan to expand its summer hours

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Family-run Sturgeon Bay maritime business marks its 75th anniversary
The Chinese government threatened retaliatory tariffs on imports of European Union and US-made vehicles following both the EUs move to investigate Chinese EV subsidies and the White Houses tariff escalation on Chinese-made goods.

In a post on X, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) said it was informed by insiders that China may consider increasing temporary tariff rates on imported cars equipped with large-displacement engines.

The CCCEU cited a Global Times interview with Chinas chief automotive strategy expert claiming the temporary tariff rate could be raised to a maximum of 25%.

The current duty rate for vehicles imported into China is 15%.

Shares of European luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Tata Motors (Jaguar Land Rover parent), and Volkswagen Group (Audi parent) all traded lower on Wednesday, as those automakers export vehicles with large-displacement engines to China.

The Chinese tariff threat comes after the European Commission  the executive arm of the EU bloc of countries  initiated an investigation back in October over allegations that Chinese government subsidies were deflating the prices of Chinese-made EVs imported into EU member countries and thereby violating the WTO (World Trade Organization) anti-dumping agreement.

The deadline for the Commission to impose duties is July 4, nine months after the investigation began. Commission trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis told Politico the investigation was advancing earlier this month.

Last week President Joe Biden unveiled new tariffs on a slew of Chinese-made products, with tariff rates on EVs from companies like BYD (BYDDY), Geely (GELYF), and NIO (NIO) set to quadruple to 100% from 25% of the cost of the vehicle.

Earlier on Wednesday, the office of the US Trade Representative posted a notice that the 30-day public comment period for the tariffs will begin on May 29 and close on June 28. The tariffs themselves on EVs and other goods will begin as early as Aug. 1.

Mercedes-Benz electric G-Class SUV is on display during the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 25, 2024, in Beijing, China. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images) (VCG via Getty Images)

While the sales of Chinese EVs in the US are quite small relative to other goods, the imposition of tariffs is an escalation of the US-China Cold War, and China is, not surprisingly, threatening to escalate against both the US and the EU.

The calculus for European automakers operating in China is complicated by the fact that the brands count on the Chinese market for sales of luxury cars made in Europe while also seeking protection from Chinese brands in their own domestic markets.

Automotive data firm Motor Intelligence reports Chinese buyers purchased 3.09 million premium luxury vehicles from European automakers in 2022, up 6% from the prior year. Motor Intelligence estimates the China luxury car market will hit $154.7 billion in 2024 and then grow to $181.5 billion by 2029.

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Interestingly, some brands like Audi, which has a big presence in China, are increasingly working with local brands to penetrate the highly competitive EV market too.

On Monday, Audi announced it had signed a deal with China's state-owned SAIC to develop new EVs for the Chinese domestic market. Audi said the SAIC deal would begin with three new EV models, with the first EV entering the market in 2025.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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The full brunt of China's massive export capacity is yet to be felt in Western economies - STR/AFP via Getty Images

The EU will be forced to follow Joe Bidens tariffs against China whether it likes it or not, otherwise Europe will alone face the concentrated trade shock from Xi Jinpings predatory mercantilism.

It will become the primary dumping ground for Chinas exorbitant overproduction of industrial goods, with a flood cars, batteries, and cleantech components together posing an existential threat to the European social market model.

Britain, too, will have to follow suit or become the market of last resort for over-indebted Chinese companies desperately seeking a foreign outlet for excess goods that they cannot sell into their own depressed economy, a fate that would annihilate the UKs manufacturing base within a decade. We are beyond the point of theoretical discussions about the merits of free trade.

An open world economy cannot coexist under normal trade patterns with a deformed Chinese economy that accounts for 13pc of global consumption but produces 31pc of global manufactured goods. This imbalance is not the result of natural trade flows. Nor is it simply a reflection of the vitality and creativity of Chinas economy as the Peoples Daily told us last week.

It is the mechanical consequence of a hyper-investment strategy directed by the Communist Party. Chinas trade surplus has ballooned to 5pc of GDP. Capital Economics estimates that it is twice as large a share of world output as it was before the Lehman crisis in 2008, when it was already causing trouble.

This excess capacity can be absorbed only by hollowing out the industrial cores of America, India, and Europe. The first two are defending themselves. India has just imposed a de facto ban on the use of Chinese-made solar panels in projects that receive public subsidies. Europe is the last big sitting duck.

The original China Shock hit the developed world in the 1990s and the early 2000s after China opened the door to offshore plants by Western multinationals. American and European companies could tap Chinas vast reserve army of labour and play off Chinese wages against wages at home via labour arbitrage. The profit share of GDP in the US rose to extremes not seen since 1929. It was an era of collusion between Western capital and Chinese Communism. It was also an abject failure in the political management of globalisation.

Chinas export tsunami was tolerated by Western governments but we now know the damage it did to the cohesion of the western democracies. The China Shock, published by the US National Bureau of Economic Research in 2016, concluded that the overall effect cost 2.4 million American jobs directly, lowered real wages, and devastated local communities in rust-bowl regions. The survivors were Donald Trumps deplorables, to use the ill-judged term of Hillary Clinton.

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Most economists assumed that this shock was a one-off episode: the world would rebalance as China progressed from export-led growth to a consumption economy in time-honoured fashion. It has not happened.

Professor Michael Pettis of Beijing University says investment has spiked back up to 42-44pc of GDP, far surpassing any level ever seen in any major country since the industrial revolution. Other Asian tigers peaked in the low-30s before dropping back as they became richer.

Xi Jinping has reverted to the worst pathologies of the old model, partly as a quick-fix to counter the property crash and secular debt-deflation, and partly because the Communist Party needs its instruments of political control.

What makes it intolerable this time is Xis bare-knuckled push for cleantech hegemony and his open attempt to overthrow the universalist liberal order  a broader grouping than the West since it includes Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Washington is not going to tolerate this second and even larger China Shock. Theyre driving manufacturing companies out of business in Europe. We wont let that happen here in America, said Joe Biden.

Were not going to let China flood our market. The future of EVs will be made in America by union workers. Period, he said.

The tariffs announced last week are breathtaking: 100pc on EVs; 50pc on solar panels, semiconductors, and syringes; 25pc on steel, aluminium, lithium batteries, magnets, and so forth. There is much election theatre in this blitz, but it is not protectionist as such.

Adam Smith recognised the limits of free trade. He supported the Navigation Acts in order to sustain a dual purpose shipping fleet, deeming absolute prohibitions to be necessary when national security was at stake. Clearly you cannot conduct trade on normal terms with a hostile power infused with Leninist zero sum ideology and in league with Putin.

The Biden tariffs cover 4pc of Americas total imports from China. They are nothing like Trumps plan for tariffs on everything and against everybody. Nor are they a Smoot-Hawley free-for-all. They are surgical.

Xi says there is no such thing as Chinas overcapacity problem. Really?

Chinas output of solar cells was 310 gigawatts (GW) in 2022, 567 GW in 2023, and heading for 1,000 GW next year  five times the total installed capacity in the US to date.

Battery output capacity was 550 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2022; 800 GWh in 2023, and will be 3,000 GWh in 2025, four times the current world market. China already has enough EV plants to meet global demand three times over. This surplus capacity has been promoted by state planners and it is coming Europes way.

The EV wave has barely begun. Capital Economics says three quarters of the 4.8 million cars exported by China last year  up from one million in 2021  were petrol and diesel models. Old internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are becoming unsellable in China where the car market is shrinking and where over half of all car purchases in early April were EVs and hybrids. They are being diverted into the global market instead.

China has already wiped out the EUs solar industry, first by copying the technology and then flooding the market. It is following the same script with wind turbines. Electrolysers are next. It will happen with EVs soon because Chinese carmakers can make a much fatter profit per car overseas.

Europes political economy is in no fit condition to weather this shock. Economic growth has been negligible for 15 years in the big mature economies. The post-Covid recovery is anaemic. Public debt ratios are badly stretched, and fiscal austerity is back. The political centre is crumbling almost everywhere.

Xi slapped Europe in the face earlier this month, visiting his groupies in Hungary and Serbia, with a brief stop in Paris. He needs to move with care. The further he goes in helping Putin to crush Ukraine, the harder it will be for Europes globalist camp to hold the line on free trade.

The Commissions probe of Chinese EVs will conclude in early July. It does not take a crystal ball to see that a giant tariff wall is coming, and that it will spread to every area targeted in Xis bid for cleantech hegemony.

The Europeans may wish to carve out a third way between the US in China. Reality will not let them.

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Amid a backdrop of fluctuating global markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index has shown resilience, gaining 3.11% recently. This positive movement in the market underscores the importance of considering dividend stocks, which can offer investors potential income stability and growth opportunities in varying economic climates.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Hong Kong

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (SEHK:3618) 8.10%  CITIC Telecom International Holdings (SEHK:1883) 9.07%  China Construction Bank (SEHK:939) 7.35%  S.A.S. Dragon Holdings (SEHK:1184) 9.16%  Playmates Toys (SEHK:869) 8.96%  China Mobile (SEHK:941) 6.50%  Bank of China (SEHK:3988) 6.44%  Sinopharm Group (SEHK:1099) 4.12%  Lion Rock Group (SEHK:1127) 7.38%  China Overseas Grand Oceans Group (SEHK:81) 7.43% 

Click here to see the full list of 89 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Ten Pao Group Holdings Limited operates as an investment holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells electric charging products across China, Asia, the US, Europe, Africa, and other international markets with a market capitalization of approximately HK$1.29 billion.

Operations: Ten Pao Group Holdings Limited generates its revenue primarily from Smart Chargers and Controllers (HK$1.67 billion), Telecommunication (HK$1.55 billion), New Energy Business (HK$0.76 billion), Lighting (HK$0.32 billion), and Media and Entertainment (HK$0.36 billion).

Dividend Yield: 9.9%

Ten Pao Group Holdings recently proposed a final ordinary dividend of HK$0.096 per share for FY 2023, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns despite a drop in annual sales from HK$5.48 billion to HK$4.82 billion. The firm's net income, however, rose to HK$328.86 million from HK$296.9 million, supporting a basic EPS increase from HK$0.293 to HK$0.319. While the dividend track record is unstable with less than 10 years of payments and some volatility, the dividends are well-covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 38.9% and by cash flows at 72%.

SEHK:1979 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Pak Fah Yeow International Limited, primarily operating under the Hoe Hin brand, is an investment holding company that manufactures, markets, and distributes healthcare products with a market capitalization of approximately HK$0.80 billion.

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Operations: Pak Fah Yeow International Limited generates revenue primarily through its healthcare segment, which brought in HK$245.17 million, alongside smaller contributions from property investments and treasury investments totaling HK$9.61 million and HK$4.38 million respectively.

Dividend Yield: 8%

Pak Fah Yeow International Limited has demonstrated a strong financial performance with a significant increase in sales to HK$259.16 million and net income rising to HK$105.04 million for FY 2023. The company announced both a special final dividend of HK$0.082 and a regular dividend of HK$0.038 per share, signaling confidence in its profitability despite past dividend volatility. These dividends are well-supported by earnings, with a low payout ratio of 20.2%, and cash flows, evidenced by a cash payout ratio of 44.1%.

SEHK:239 Dividend History as at May 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Bank of China Limited operates as a comprehensive international bank, offering a range of banking and financial services across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and globally, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$1.36 trillion.

Operations: Bank of China Limited generates its revenue from diverse banking and financial services across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and international markets.

Dividend Yield: 6.4%

Bank of China Limited has committed to a 2024 interim dividend, capped at 30% of H1 net profits, reflecting prudent profit distribution aligned with corporate governance standards. Recent executive shifts, including the resignation of Mr. Zhang Yi and appointment changes, could influence strategic directions but show no immediate shareholder concerns. The bank maintains a stable dividend history over the past decade with a current yield of 6.44%, though slightly lower than Hong Kong's top quartile payers. Dividends are well-covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 32.6%, ensuring sustainability amidst modest annual earnings growth projections of 3.86%.

SEHK:3988 Dividend History as at May 2024

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include SEHK:1979 SEHK:239 and SEHK:3988.

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Former Republican presidential candidate and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has purchased a minority stake in BuzzFeed, the digital publishing company that shut down its media outlet last year.

Shares of the company skyrocketed higher Wednesday.

Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in BuzzFeed, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Tuesday.

Ramaswamy said in the filing that he believes BuzzFeed's stock is undervalued. He is looking to speak with the company's board and management.

BuzzFeed has struggled to prop up sales since it went public in 2021. In late 2022 job cuts began rolling out with the company citing a poor digital advertising environment, then early last year announced that it was shutting down its Pulitzer Prize winning digital media outlet BuzzFeed News.

The corporate parents co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti said in a memo to staff at the time that in addition to the news division, layoffs would take place in its business, content, tech and administrative teams.

Earlier this month, BuzzFeed reported a first-quarter loss of $35.7 million, or 72 cents per share, on revenue of $44.8 million. Advertising revenue fell 22%, while content revenue declined 19% and the company is projecting a worsening revenue situation.

Ramaswamy suspended his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in January and endorsed former President Donald Trump after finishing a distant fourth in Iowas leadoff caucuses.

The son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy entered politics at the highest level after making hundreds of millions of dollars at the intersection of hedge funds and pharmaceutical research, a career he charted and built while graduating from Harvard University and then Yale Law School.

Shares of BuzzFeed Inc., based in New York City, rose 22% to about $3.05 early Wednesday.
Hudbay Minerals, a Canadian mining company, has decided to sell 31.6 million of its common shares on a bought deal basis to raise $300m (C$409.83m).

In this regard, an agreement was reached with a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets, who have also been granted an over-allotment option.

Each common share in Hudbay in this deal is priced at $9.50.

The over-allotment option, which allows the underwriters to buy additional shares, is exercisable within 30 days post-closing of the offering.

This could bring the total funding to $345.2m if fully utilised. The offering is due to close around 24 May 2024, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The company plans to allocate the net proceeds from the share offering to various strategic initiatives.

These include expediting pre-stripping activities at its mines and optimising mill operations at Copper Mountain.

Additionally, the company aims to use the proceeds to pay down debt, in line with its "3P" plan, which is pivotal for the decision-making process on the Copper World project.

The funds will also support the assessment of mill throughput enhancements at the Constancia and New Britannia operations. The remaining proceeds are earmarked for general corporate needs.

In March this year, Hudbay signed an option agreement with a Marubeni subsidiary to explore three projects near its processing facilities in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. These three projects are Cuprus-White Lake, Westarm and North Star, all within trucking distance of Flin Flon.

This deal offered Marubeni the option to pick a 20% stake in the projects by investing at least C$12m in exploration over five years.

"Hudbay Minerals to raise $300m in bought deal offering" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
By Rajendra Jadhav

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's gold imports in 2024 could fall by nearly a fifth from the previous year, as record high prices spur retail consumers to exchange old jewellery for new items, the head of an industry body told Reuters.

Lower imports by India, the world's second biggest consumer of the precious metal, could cap a rally that carried global prices to a record this week.

"Affordability is severely affected by the rapid price increase," said Prithviraj Kothari, president of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). "Retail buyers prefer exchanging old jewellery for new."

Buyers save money as they only pay the jewellery making charges and tax when exchanging old ornaments for new ones, since they do not have to pay for the gold.

Preparing for his daughter's wedding, Vinayak Patil exchanged 50 grams of old jewellery for new ornaments this month as prices put new jewellery out of reach financially.

"After adding making charges and taxes, I needed 475,000 rupees to buy 50 grams of new gold jewellery, which I couldn't afford," he explained, referring to the equivalent of $5,700.

"So, I decided to exchange old jewellery and pay just the making charges and taxes, which amounted to around 90,000 rupees," Patil said.

Old jewellery, also known as scrap supplies, is recycled, and used for jewellery making.

In the March quarter, scrap supplies jumped 10% from a year ago to 38.3 tons, data from the World Gold Council showed.

Lower demand due to record prices and higher supplies of scrap will cut imports by 20% from a year ago, said IBJA's Kothari.

India imported 744 metric tons of gold in 2023.

Domestic gold prices hit a record of 74,442 rupees for 10 grams this week, and have jumped 17% so far in 2024, after a rise of 15% in 2023.

"Rising gold prices are having a greater impact on jewellery demand compared to investment demand," said Amit Modak, chief executive of PN Gadgil and Sons, a jeweller based in the western city of Pune.

The share of exchanges in jewellery purchases has gone up to 60% from about 40% last year, Modak said.

Jewellery demand accounts for three-quarters of the total demand, while investment demand makes up the rest.

Investment demand was strong earlier this year, but now record prices are prompting some investors to liquidate holdings and book profits, said Ashok Jain, proprietor of Mumbai-based gold wholesaler Chenaji Narsinghji.

($1=83.2674 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Editors Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Reliable Sources newsletter. Sign up for the daily digest chronicling the evolving media landscape here.

Israel must do better.

The Benjamin Netanyahu-led country on Tuesday took the outrageous step of seizing a camera and other video equipment used by The Associated Press to broadcast a live feed of Gaza  a decision the country only reversed amid severe backlash from free press advocates and following a White House request.

As soon as we learned about the reports, the White House and the State Department immediately engaged with the Government of Israel at high levels to express our serious concern and ask them to reverse this action, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson told me, an action that unquestionably played a key role in persuading the Israeli government to publicly backtrack.

The brazen anti-media action against the AP on Tuesday, however, is only the latest from Israel, which over the course of the countrys bloody war on the terrorist group Hamas has engaged in a pattern of behavior that calls into serious question its commitment to a free and open press.

The countrys leadership has for months evaded questions and calls for accountability over the killing and treatment of journalists in the region as it conducts a protracted military operation in Gaza. Last month, it passed a law that allowed it to shut down the Qatari-owned Al Jazeera network, with authorities raiding the outlets offices and taking the channel off the air. And on Tuesday, it used that same law to target the AP, ostensibly confiscating its equipment because it provided its video feed to Al Jazeera, one of its thousands of global clients.

A screenshot taken from AP video showing a general view of northern Gaza as seen from Southern Israel, before it was seized by Israeli officials on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. - AP

Israel is the only democracy in the middle east  and it should act like it. The country should put on proud display the principles and ideals that make up a democratic society, serving as a beacon of light in a region otherwise made up of repressive regimes. And as NSC spokesperson Watson noted to me Tuesday, The free press is an essential pillar of democracy and members of the media, including AP, do vital work that must be respected.

Unfortunately, the Israeli governments record on the press no longer reflects what one would expect the leadership of a proud and thriving democracy to look like. Its behavior, instead, is starting to resemble the actions of oppressive governments who seek to control the flow of information and quash dissent.

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While Israel bowed to pressure on Tuesday and returned the APs equipment, the government notably offered no public apology to the renowned wire service. Instead, Israels Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi simply said that he had ordered that the equipment be returned to the AP news agency.

The lack of remorse, coupled with the fact that the new law that was wielded against Al Jazeera remains in effect, speaks volumes about the governments view of the news media amid its devastating war with Hamas. As the AP noted after its equipment was returned Tuesday, the underlying issues are still unresolved.

While we are pleased with this development, the outlet said, we remain concerned about the Israeli governments use of the foreign broadcaster law and the ability of independent journalists to operate freely in Israel.

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A federal judge has signed off on the $600 million class action settlement over last year's disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many people who live near East Palestine are still wondering how much they will end up with out of the deal.

Preliminary approval for the settlement came late Tuesday, so now lawyers involved in the case will return to the community to answer more questions about the deal Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern agreed to this spring.

Our pitch to the community is please give us time to explain why we think this is fair, said Mike Morgan, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs.

Morgan said the settlement will resolve claims against the railroad and other defendants in the lawsuit, such as the rail car owners and chemical manufacturer that made the vinyl chloride released and burned after the derailment.

Neither the Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing the cleanup, nor any other government entity was a defendant, but there has been significant confusion about whether possible future lawsuits against them could be affected because broad language in the fine print of the agreement mentions that governmental agencies, entities, and authorities, whether federal, state, county, or local, their employees, officers, agents, members, and volunteers are among the released parties.

Morgan said that language isn't designed to prevent all lawsuits against the government, which might be difficult to pursue anyway because of limits on government liability.

I just dont understand why theyre trying to make us sign away rights that we have, said Jami Wallace, who left her home after the derailment.

Pending lawsuits filed by the EPA and Ohio against the railroad aren't affected by the settlement.

The agreement is designed to address all damage claims against the companies within a 20-mile (32-kilometer) radius of the derailment and, for residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile (16-kilometer) radius of the derailment.

But the lawyers involved say there is no way at this point to address potential future health costs if someone were to develop cancer down the road under appellate court rulings in the region. Residents can decide to accept money for property damage without taking the personal injury payment.

Fears about the potential long-term health implications of the chemical exposure after the crash are a major concern for the community. Many people are still reporting respiratory problems, unexplained rashes and other symptoms more than a year after the derailment while others have no health complaints.

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The amount people receive from the settlement will vary based on how close they lived to the derailment and how it affected them. Documents filed in court suggests that a family living within 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of the derailment might receive only $70,000 for property damage and another $10,000 for injuries. Someone who lived farther away will get considerably less  maybe only $250 for families more than 15 miles (24 kilometers) away.

Many residents question whether the deal will provide enough compensation once the money is divided up.

But Morgan said the ultimate amount families receive could be significantly larger once a claims administrator considers individual factors.

The attorneys are expected to receive up to $162 million in legal fees out of the settlement if the judge approves.

The final amount residents receive will be affected by how much assistance they took from Norfolk Southern, which provided $21.4 million in direct assistance to families who had to temporarily relocate after the derailment. The amount families received from the railroad will be deducted from the settlement they get, but that money won't be refunded to Norfolk Southern. Instead, the money will be returned to the settlement fund to be distributed to the community.

A dedicated claims center to help people request their share of the settlement will open in East Palestine now that the agreement has received preliminary approval, and the lawyers plan to hold more community meetings.

Residents who don't think the settlement provides enough have until July 1 to opt out of the deal and preserve their right to file an individual lawsuit later. That means they will have time to read the National Transportation Safety Board's final report on the derailment that will be released at a June 25 hearing in East Palestine. Previously, the proposed opt-out deadline was the day before that hearing.

The NTSB has said that the crash was likely caused by an overheating bearing on one of the cars on the train that wasn't detected soon enough by the network of detectors the railroad has alongside the tracks.

The head of the NTSB also said that the five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride didn't need to be blown open to prevent an explosion because they were actually starting to cool off even though the fire continued to burn around them.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Beshom Holdings Berhad is RM1.21 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM1.01 suggests Beshom Holdings Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value

Beshom Holdings Berhad's peers are currently trading at a premium of 120% on average

How far off is Beshom Holdings Berhad (KLSE:BESHOM) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Beshom Holdings Berhad

The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM19.1m RM17.3m RM21.6m RM21.7m RM21.9m RM22.4m RM22.9m RM23.5m RM24.2m RM25.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 0.28% Est @ 1.26% Est @ 1.95% Est @ 2.43% Est @ 2.76% Est @ 3.00% Est @ 3.17% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% RM17.6 RM14.6 RM16.9 RM15.6 RM14.5 RM13.6 RM12.8 RM12.1 RM11.5 RM10.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM140m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM25m (1 + 3.6%)  (8.6% 3.6%) = RM510m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM510m ( 1 + 8.6%)10= RM223m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM363m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM1.0, the company appears about fair value at a 17% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Beshom Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Beshom Holdings Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Consumer Retailing market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Beshom Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three additional elements you should assess:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Beshom Holdings Berhad that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does BESHOM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Two important developments took place Tuesday impacting the type of gig drivers who work for Uber and Lyft. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said he will sign into law a bill that ends the threat of Uber and Lyft leaving the Twin Cities area and sets statewide compensation rates for ride-hailing services.

Meanwhile, arguments in the California Supreme Courts review of Proposition 22, which aims to protect gig workers from the states AB5 law, suggest the voter-approved initiative may stand, exempting companies like Uber and Lyft from AB5s strict limits on who can be classified as an independent contractor.

The trucking industry is appealing a federal judges rejection of its latest attempt to keep AB5 out of the trucking sector, which has no carve-out similar to the one Prop 22 gave to gig workers.

In Minnesota, Walz announced a deal with lawmakers over the weekend that he said would give drivers statewide a 20% raise from current compensation levels, which are not set by law.

Tonight we reached an agreement that gives rideshare drivers a 20% raise and keeps these important services operating in Minnesota. Im grateful to our partners in the House and Senate DFL for coming together to get this done.  Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 19, 2024

News reports quoted spokesmen for both Uber and Lyft as saying they would continue to operate in the state as a result of the provisions in the new law.

Previous passage of a local measure had led the two companies to threaten to cease operations in the Minneapolis area  not just the city itself  if they took effect. An agreement pushed the effective date back to July, giving the city and the state time to hammer out a compromise.

In an article for the Minnesota Reformer, a nonprofit news service, writer Max Nesterak analyzed not only previous state legislation but various proposals in the Minneapolis City Council to guarantee drivers minimum compensation.

According to the analysis, the per-mile rate under the city ordinance would have been set at $1.40 plus a 51-cents-per-minute charge. The analysis said hourly take-home pay after expenses and taxes would have been $28.35, with pre-expense earnings at $43.73.

Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the first Minneapolis ordinance setting the rates but was overridden in March. His compromise proposal called for $1.20 per mile and 35 cents per minute, for pre-expense compensation of $34.47 an hour and post-expense compensation of $19.80 an hour.

The news service said the final agreement in the state law calls for minimum compensation of $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute, yielding pre-expense average compensation of $34.58 an hour and post-expense compensation of $19.89 an hour.

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Nesteraks analysis said the minimum rates per trip are not guaranteed every time a driver carries a passenger.

Rather, drivers must be paid the minimum rates on average over a two-week pay period, he wrote. If drivers earnings average out below the wage floor over a given pay period, the companies must top them off with the difference. That was an important provision for Uber and Lyft because it gives them wide latitude in setting pay and price according to rider demand.

Meanwhile, in California, reports from the state Supreme Court said arguments made by the justices Tuesday in the Prop 22 case appeared to favor Uber, Lyft and similar services.

The case, Castellanos et al. vs. California et al., traces back to California voters approval on Election Day 2020 of Prop 22, a referendum that prohibited enforcement of the states AB5 independent contractor law on gig drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft.

A lower court in 2021 overturned the results of Prop 22 on the grounds that it conflicted with the states workers compensation laws and the issue of whether a referendum can alter laws enacted by the state Legislature. Prop 22 removed gig workers from the workers comp program, which opponents jumped on in their post-Election Day legal battle.

An appellate court overturned that lower court decision. The state appealed to the California Supreme Court, the court accepted the review request, and oral arguments were heard Tuesday.

In an article in CalMatters, a nonprofit news agency, writer Levi Sumagaysay summarized the days events in a subheadline: California Supreme Court justices appear poised to uphold Prop. 22, a voter-backed initiative passed in 2020.

Workers comp is the issue in the Prop 22 fight

The fact that the issue at hand is control over workers compensation has been obscured by the passions that have been part of the AB5 debate since its passage in 2019.

As the state said in a brief filed with the court earlier this month, California concedes that the amicus briefs on both sides of this case mostly debate whether Proposition 22 is good or bad policy. But that debate has no bearing on the correct answer to the legal issue presented by this Court when it granted review.

The CalMatters review of the court proceedings summed up the legal issue involved in the workers compensation debate:

Associate Justice Goodwin Liu said there is still ambiguity there over voter initiative power, which is supposed to be equal to legislative power: Does that mean voters cannot act in this field, (workers comp), whatsoever?

[Scott Kronland, the lawyer who argued on behalf of Service Employees International Union California] responded that the Legislatures power over workers comp is unlimited.

Attorney Jeffrey Fisher, arguing on behalf of the gig companies, said the constitution lets voters act on any subject. That sparked a question from Associate Justice Leondra Kruger: Could voters by initiative eliminate workers comp altogether?

Fisher said yes, but that were miles away from that.

Sumagaysay wrote that based on their line of questioning, California Supreme Court justices seemed to be reaching for a compromise  in the long-running legal saga over whether gig workers should be considered independent contractors or employees.

AB5 was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019. At its heart is the ABC test, which defines a worker as truly independent if the worker meets three tests.

For both truckers and gig workers, the B prong has been the one of the three that creates the most potential problems: The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entitys business. Given that the core of Ubers and Lyfts business is moving people from point to point, and for trucking it is moving freight from point to point, having non-employees perform those functions could create friction with the B prong.

The lengthy history of trucking trying to keep AB5 out of its industry has had its ups and downs, but as of now, the law is in effect even as more legal proceedings are underway.

More articles by John Kingston

17 states sue to block Californias Advanced Clean Fleets rule

Head transportation analyst Mehrotra departing Deutsche Bank

Google executive says supply chain uses of generative AI flourishing

The post Minnesota OKs deal on Uber, Lyft pay; California court may uphold Prop 22 appeared first on FreightWaves.
A more than 50-year-old hotel in downtown Corpus Christi is anticipated to see an overhaul in the millions of dollars within the next year.

Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront  likely best known in recent years as home to Cassidys Irish Pub  is proposed for a refreshed look inside and out, boosted by about $2.1 million in tax incentives.

It will be called Hotel Arya.

Developer Bal Gosal purchased the property in 2019, and since then his business has had numerous times we could have sold it.

But we really, really believed in it when we bought it, and we believe in it today, he told a city board that oversees downtown tax incentives Tuesday.

This conceptual rendering shows a planned overhaul of Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront. As part of renovations, developers plan to rebrand the building as Hotel Arya.

Located at 601 N. Water Street, the hotel occupies space of about one city block and has 200 rooms that are planned to be fully renovated, said Downtown Management District Executive Director Alyssa Barrera Mason.

Among planned improvements for the exterior are new paint, stucco repairs and landscaping, according to a presentation made before the board.

The interior had a Spanish colonial look that included a lot of dark wood features, Barrera Mason said, but with the proposed renovations, that will take a shift toward an aesthetic that will be more light, airy, coastal and contemporary.

In all, the project will amount to an investment of about $24 million, Barrera Mason said.

The company, YC Texas LLC, has its headquarters in Nevada and operates a Hotel Arya in Coconut Grove in Miami, Gosal told the board.

The new owners of Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront at 601 N. Water St. have plans to do a much-needed complete overhaul of the hotel's interior that will cost $6 million to $12 million. The historic structure hasn't been renovated since it was built in 1973.

The name has a nice ring to it, said City Councilman Everett Roy.

In a couple of years, (downtown) is going to be pretty swanky, he said.

It is estimated the project will be completed by May 2025, Barrera Mason said.

The funding for the tax incentives is drawn from a certain portion of tax increments collected in the downtown area and may only be used on improvements to the downtown area.

The $2.1 million in tax incentives was approved by the board unanimously Tuesday.

The City Council must vote to make the decision final.

More: New owner bought Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront for a bargain, will rename it Hotel Arya

More: A remodeled hotel and a new restaurant are proposed for downtown. Here are the details.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: This downtown Corpus Christi hotel will be revamped for 2025
There were once at least 180 York Steak House restaurants across the country. The last one left is on the West Side of Columbus, the city where it all began in 1966.

The nation's last York Steak House, still serving up T-bones, burgers and baked fish almondine on the West Side of Columbus as restaurants around it have come and gone, is up for sale.

After 44 years working for York and 35 years as its owner, Jay Bettin said he's ready to retire and wants to sell the business at 4220 W. Broad St. The restaurant "continues to have great success," he said, and he promised it will continue to operate as normal until a new owner is on board.

Columbus Monthly feature: The Last Stand of York Steak House

Bettin posted those comments on Facebook, which was founded 38 years after the first York Steak House opened in 1966 on Morse Road. The restaurant boomed as it began opening new locations inside shopping malls, and founders Berndt Gros and Eddie Grayson sold to General Mills in 1976.

According to Bettin, there were 180 York Steak House restaurants at the chain's peak. Others say there were nearly 200 in 27 states from Maine to Texas. In 1984, the restaurant had locations in Eastland Mall, Northland Mall, on South Hamilton Road near I-70 and the still-standing West Broad Street outpost across from Westland Mall.

"York Steak House is an institution on the West Side," said Jennie Keplar, a member of the city's Greater Hilltop Area Commission. "Most longtime Hilltoppers have at least one story they tell about it. It's where my mom and dad had their first date in 1973. I remember being eager to go to York when I was a kid because they gave away Strawberry-Shortcake figurines with kids' meals."

The malls have all since shut down, and Northland and Westland have been torn down. Gone, too, are General Motors and Westinghouse factories whose workers used to frequent the West-Side restaurant. Keplar said York Steak House still has a "deeply personal, emotional place" in the lives of many, though.

On his website, Bettin says, the last York Steak House "strives to maintain the same quality and atmosphere, where loyal guests continue to have that past nostalgic experience with a fresh, present-day appeal."

Greg Hrabcak, who is handling the listing with Hanna Commercial Real Estate, said "When you're walking into it, you're walking into the past."

Hrabcak said the restaurant business is for sale, not the leased land on which it sits.

rvitale@dispatch.com

Instagram: @dispatchdining

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The last York Steak House in the country is for sale in Columbus
Paula Vennells as chief executive of Post Office Ltd

Describing Paula Vennells appearance before the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry as highly anticipated would be an understatement.

The former Post Office chief executive, 65, held the companys most senior role from 2012 to 2019, after joining in 2007 as group network director, before becoming managing director in 2010.

Her career at the Post Office followed high-profile roles in retail companies including LOreal, Dixons Retail, Argos and Whitbread.

As chief executive, she oversaw a number of pivotal moments in the Horizon scandal, including the commissioning of Second Sight, a forensic accountancy firm, to an independent investigation into the Horizon software system.

Ms Vennells was also contacted by Alan Bates, a former sub-postmaster and a campaigner, and members of his campaign group Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.

Her prominent role in the unfolding scandal resulted in her being played by the English actress Lia Williams in ITVs Mr Bates vs The Post Office, a series which propelled the scandal into the spotlight at the start of the year.

Paula Vennells arrives at the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry hearing on Wednesday - Paul Grover

In the final few months of her tenure, Ms Vennells was honoured with a CBE for her work for the Post Office including her commitment to diversity and inclusion and her dedication in putting the customer first, the organisation would say in a statement.

She earned more than 5 million in total over the 12 years she worked at the Post Office, taking income from salary, bonuses, pensions and other benefits.

Departing the Post Office in 2019, just weeks before Mr Bates and 554 others won a landmark High Court battle against the Post Office, Ms Vennells went on to act as a non-executive board member at the Cabinet Office for a year and also became the chairman of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

However, she resigned from the NHS role in December 2020, citing personal reasons.

Ms Vennells is deeply religious and an ordained Anglican priest, but resigned from her duties in 2021 following the quashing of 39 convictions of sub-postmasters.

In January, following the broadcast of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Ms Vennells announced she would be handing back her CBE and the King stripped her of the honour the following month.

Tim Parker, then Post Office Ltd chairman and Paula Vennells, then chief executive at the opening of the Nyetimber Post Office branch in Sussex, on April 2016 - Chris Ison/PA Archive

Ms Vennells was allegedly shortlisted to be Bishop of London in 2017, according to a report by the BBC.

The same sources told the broadcaster that the Archbishop of Canterbury had championed her application and was a supporter of the former chief executive  a claim Justin Welby is yet to confirm or deny.

Ms Vennells lives in a sprawling detached property near Bedford. She met her husband John at the Bradford University dinghy club. The couple married in 1994 and have two adult sons.

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 independent oil and gas company Perenco has announced an oil discovery offshore the DRC.

The company claimed that it is the first exploration success in the region in almost three decades.

The discovery was made by Perenco's DRC subsidiary, Muanda International Oil Company (MIOC).

In 2024, MIOC has drilled two exploration wells using the Nuada self-elevated class 82 SD-C jack-up drilling rig.

The Moke-East well, situated between the Lukami and Motoba fields in the DRC coastal basin, revealed a 24ft net oil-bearing column.

Plans are under way to test and complete the well in the upcoming weeks.

Following this discovery, the Nuada rig has commenced drilling the first of 12 wells in the GCO field as part of MIOC's development drilling campaign offshore DRC, aimed at tapping into additional resources.

The operations are set to proceed concurrently with the CS02 Workover unit at the same site.

However, the second exploration well, LUKS-A, aimed at probing the southern extension of the Pinda formation, was deemed unviable due to insufficient hydrocarbon potential and has been plugged and abandoned.

Perenco DRC general manager Frederic Kiepferle said: Perencos offshore DRC subsidiary, MIOC, has had an active start to the year, which has included drilling the countrys first offshore exploration wells for almost 30 years. While testing continues, we are encouraged by the initial results of the Moke-East well.

Following many months of preparatory work to ensure safe and successful operations, the Nuada has now moved onto the GCO field where it will be active for the next 12 months. As the DRCs only international oil and gas producer, we are very pleased to further demonstrate our commitment, through this investment, to the discovery of new resources.

Earlier this year, Perenco solidified its presence in the DRC by completing the acquisition of stakes in several non-core oil permits from Eni for $300m (235.38m).

Additionally, TotalEnergies expanded its footprint in the region last month by acquiring an additional 10% interest in the Moho offshore field from Trident Energy.

"Perenco announces oil discovery offshore Congo " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP)  A Texas petrochemical company has pleaded guilty to a violation of the Clean Air Act and agreed to pay more than $30 million in connection with two explosions that injured workers and caused the evacuation of thousands, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday.

The explosions at a TPC Group plant in the coastal city of Port Neches the day before Thanksgiving 2019 prompted the evacuation of more than 50,000 people from the area, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Houston.

Those explosions released more than 11 million pounds of extremely hazardous substances and caused more than $130 million in offsite property damage and other impacts to human health and the environment, according to a news release from the DOJ.

TPC Group sincerely regrets the damage and disruption caused by the November 2019 incident at our Port Neches facility," the company said via a statement on Tuesday. Since the event, TPC Group has cooperated fully with all federal, state, and local investigations.

The company entered into a plea deal with the government on Monday and agreed to pay over $30 million in criminal fines and civil penalties. The plan also includes spending about $80 million to improve its risk management program and improve safety issues at TPC Groups Port Neches and Houston facilities.

Todays guilty plea shows that businesses that choose to place profits over safeguards and legal compliance will face serious consequences, said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas.
DICKINSON, N.D., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Steffes of Dickinson, North Dakota, is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation, Origin by Steffes, an all-electric, large-volume, central heat pump domestic water heating system. This cutting-edge product is specifically tailored for multi-family building projects with decarbonization goals, marking a significant step towards sustainable living.

Origin by Steffes is an all-electric, large volume, central heat pump, domestic water heating system specifically designed for multi-family building projects with decarbonization goals.

Steffes brings more than 30 years of experience in energy storage, HVAC, and system manufacturing to provide this integrated solution to support commercial heat pump installations. Designed as a packaged system, Origin takes the complexity and cost out of projects' domestic hot water system design and installation.

To support the distribution of this new product, Steffes has strategically forged partnerships with several manufacturer's representatives to serve customers in several West Coast markets. These alliances are a testament to our commitment to expanding our reach and serving our customers more effectively.

Delta Q, Inc.  Los Angeles, CA

Since 1975, Delta-Q, Inc. has represented some of the plumbing industry's most highly respected brands in the Southern California and Las Vegas wholesale markets, with connections in the wholesale, commercial, and home builder channels.

Osborne Company, Inc.  San Fransisco, CA

Osborne Company, Inc. has been one of the premier manufacturer's representatives in the plumbing, HVAC, industrial, aftermarket, and OEM markets since 1973. The agency's team is strategically located throughout Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Hawaii to service wholesale distributors, contractors, engineers, builders, architects, code officials, and principals.

Hurley Engineering  Seattle, WA

In 1936, Hurley Engineering began as a boiler service company for the South Puget Sound community, allowing the company to hone its experience in hospitals, schools, mills, and universities. Today, it represents well-known HVAC and mechanical manufacturers in the Washington and Oregon markets.

"These strategic alliances with Delta-Q, Osborne, and Hurley not only grant them the rights to distribute and resell residential Origin by Steffes in several crucial markets but also provide Steffes with a unique opportunity to expand its reach along the West Coast," said Todd Mayer, Steffes Co-President. "Leveraging their extensive network of commercial developers, architects, and engineers, Steffes aims to strengthen its presence and deliver its innovative solutions to a wider audience."

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With the launch of Origin by Steffes, owners, and developers of multi-family housing projects will be able to install a cleaner form of water heating while benefiting from the cost savings and convenience of a packaged, plug-and-play system.

For additional information, please contact Steffes Marketing Manager Kaylee Lapp at 701.690.3503 or steffes@steffes.com. For more information about Origin by Steffes, visit www.originbysteffes.com.

About Steffes:

Founded in 1972, Steffes manufactures energy storage and off-peak heating products for energy management and demand response programs. Steffes' innovative product development and manufacturing of electric thermal storage and load management control technologies align with North America's adoption of sustainable electricity distribution and storage to meet decarbonization goals.

Origin by Steffes is an all-electric, large volume, central heat pump, domestic water heating system specifically designed for multi-family building projects with decarbonization design goals. Designed as a packaged system, Origin takes the complexity and cost out of projects domestic hot water system design and installation.

Steffes brings 30+ years of experience in energy storage, HVAC, and system manufacturing to provide this advanced heat pump water heating technology in an integrated solution.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steffes-announces-new-central-heat-pump-water-heating-system-product-and-strategic-distribution-partners-302153103.html

SOURCE Steffes Corporation
By Joseph White and Christoph Steitz

MUNICH (Reuters) -Stellantis expects a major battle with Chinese rivals in the European market for electric vehicles, warning of significant consequences for jobs and production as a result, the group's Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said on Wednesday.

The comments in an interview with Reuters are among the CEO's most strongly worded yet as tensions among Beijing, Brussels and Washington over EV trade grow. The EU is expected to decide next month on whether to follow the U.S. in imposing additional tariffs on Chinese carmakers.

U.S. officials said Wednesday they plan to hit Chinese made EVs and EV materials with duties up to 100% by Aug. 1.

Tavares said tariffs on Chinese vehicles imported to Europe and the United States are "a major trap for the countries that go on that path" and will not allow Western automakers to avoid restructuring to meet the challenge from lower cost Chinese manufacturers.

The European Commission will unveil an initial decision on potential tariffs on Chinese EV imports on June 5. China has been threatening counter tariffs.

"When you fight against the competition to absorb 30% of cost competitiveness edge in favour of the Chinese, there are social consequences. But the governments, the governments of Europe, they don't want to face that reality right now," Tavares said.

Tavares said that tariffs would only fuel inflation in the regions where they are imposed, potentially impacting sales and production.

"We are not talking about a Darwinian period, we are in it," Tavares said at a Reuters Events Automotive Europe conference in Munich, adding the price battle with Asian rivals would be "very tough".

"This is not going to be easy for the dealers. It's not going to be easy for the suppliers. It's not going to be easy for the OEMs. As we know in Europe, everybody is talking about change as long as change is for somebody else."

Italy's nationalist government has been pressing Stellantis to commit to building 1 million vehicles a year in the country, up from 750,000 last year. Tavares did not respond specifically to a question about Italy's demand, but outlined the overcapacity looming over the European auto sector.

Chinese automakers are already on track to sell 1.5 million vehicles in Europe, equivalent to a 10% market share and up to 10 assembly plants worth of production, Tavares said.

"If we let the share of the Chinese OEMs grow ... then it's obvious that you are going to create an overcapacity, unless you fight against that competition," Tavares said.

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Tavares said Stellantis is in "very rewarding discussions" with labour unions at its European operations: "Most of the time they agree with us in terms of what is the risk that we are facing and how we should go through that period."

Stellantis last week announced it would start selling EVs of its Leapmotor Chinese partner outside China during this year, starting form Europe in September.

The Stellantis-Leapmotor joint venture, the first one between a Western and a Chinese carmaker designed to sell and produce EVs from a Chinese manufacturer outside China, will help the Franco-Italian group expand its global offerings of budget vehicles.

"We will try to be Chinese ourselves, which means instead of being purely defensive vis-a-vis the Chinese offensive, we want to be part of the Chinese offensive," Tavares said.

(Reporting by Joseph White and Christoph Steitz; Additional reporting by Giulio Piovaccari in Milan; Editing by Rachel More, Madeline Chambers and Elaine Hardcastle)
US stocks slipped from record highs on Wednesday as investors waited for AI bellwether Nvidia's (NVDA) pivotal earnings and digested minutes from the Federal Reserve's May meeting that revealed some officials were willing to hike rates if necessary.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) slid about 0.3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped around 0.2%. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell roughly 0.5%.

After the close, Nvidia reported its highly anticipated first quarter earnings, which topped Wall Street estimates. The company also announced a 10-for-one stock split set to take effect June 7 and said it plans to raise its dividend from $0.04 per share to $0.10. Its stock rose more than 2% in after-hours trading.

Investors were also greeted with the minutes from the Federal Reserve's May meeting on Wednesday. Markets took a notable leg lower as the minutes revealed "various" Fed officials mentioned a "willingness to tighten policy further should risks to inflation materialize in a way that such an action became appropriate."

Read more: How does the labor market affect inflation?
By Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's science and information technology minister said on Wednesday the world must cooperate to ensure the successful development of AI, as a global summit on the rapidly evolving technology hosted by his country wrapped up.

The AI summit in Seoul, which is being co-hosted with Britain, discussed concerns such as job security, copyright and inequality on Wednesday, after 16 tech companies signed a voluntary agreement to develop AI safely a day earlier.

A separate pledge was signed on Wednesday by 14 companies including Alphabet's Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and six Korean companies to use methods such as watermarking to help identify AI-generated content, as well as ensure job creation and help for socially vulnerable groups.

"Cooperation is not an option, it is a necessity," Lee Jong-Ho, South Korea's Minister of Science and ICT (information and communication technologies), said in an interview with Reuters.

"The Seoul summit has further shaped AI safety talks and added discussions about innovation and inclusivity," Lee said, adding he expects discussions at the next summit to include more collaboration on AI safety institutes.

The first global AI summit was held in Britain in November, and the next in-person gathering is due to take place in France, likely in 2025.

Ministers and officials from multiple countries discussed on Wednesday cooperation between state-backed AI safety institutes to help regulate the technology.

AI experts welcomed the steps made so far to start regulating the technology, though some said rules needed to be enforced.

"We need to move past voluntary... the people affected should be setting the rules via governments," said Francine Bennett, Director at the AI-focused Ada Lovelace Institute.

AI services should be proven to meet obligatory safety standards before hitting the market, so companies equate safety with profit and stave off any potential public backlash from unexpected harm, said Max Tegmark, President of Future of Life Institute, an organisation vocal about AI systems' risks.

South Korean science minister Lee said that laws tended to lag behind the speed of advancement in technologies like AI.

"But for safe use by the public, there needs to be flexible laws and regulations in place."

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies)
Tasty Chick'n, an affiliate of private equity company Triton Pacific, has acquired a 64-unit KFC portfolio in the Central and Southeastern US.

Financial specifics of the transaction have not been made public.

The acquisition is a strategic move for Tasty Chick'n, enhancing its investment in core and adjacent markets.

The strategic acquisition is part of Triton Pacific's strategy to invest in high-potential opportunities within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.

The move is expected to offer substantial growth potential for Tasty Chick'n, including the prospect of developing new units.

Tasty Chick'n is part of the Triton Pacific-backed Tasty Restaurant Group. The group manages a portfolio of 470 QSRs, featuring well-known brands such as Baskin-Robbins, Burger King, Dunkin', KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Tasty Restaurant Group's operations span multiple US states.

Triton Pacific CEO Craig Faggen said: This acquisition is a transformative addition to the existing Tasty Chick'n business, providing an opportunity to leverage the strong operations and historical performance of the acquired restaurants.

With a historical track record of strong cash flow and above brand average unit volumes, we are confident in the growth prospects alongside our current portfolio.

In December 2023, Triton Pacifics portfolio company Tasty DLites signed an agreement to acquire 17 Dunkin restaurants in the US for an undisclosed sum.

Tasty DLites also agreed to acquire a central manufacturing location in Vermont.

For Tasty DLites, the deal served as a secondary platform investment, complementing its existing operations in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The acquisition also establishes Tasty DLites presence in the Northeast region of the US.

"Tasty Chickn acquires 64-unit KFC portfolio in US" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during a press event on the Tesla Gigafactory site. Patrick Pleul/ZB/dpa

A group of Tesla shareholders is urging investors to vote against a multi-billion-dollar share package for company boss Elon Musk, saying it was detrimental to the company's best interests.

The group, which includes New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, also appealed to investors to reject the reelection of board members including Musk's brother and James Murdoch, a former executive at media company Twenty-First Century Fox.

In the letter the group expressed concerns about Tesla's lagging performance compared to competitors and the broader market, attributing it to Musk's numerous projects and controversial decisions, including the acquisition of social media platform Twitter, now X. It also cited "his legal and personal troubles."

"Tesla's reputation has been deeply intertwined with that of Elon Musk, and there are indications that the steady stream of negative Musk-related press coverage has led to a decline in the Company's reputation among consumers which in turn is having a negative effect on Tesla's bottom line," the letter reads.

The shareholder group emphasized that ratifying Musk's pay package would not advance Tesla's long-term growth and stability.

The share package, which was valued at $56 billion at the time and recently appraised at $46 billion, was approved by shareholders in 2018. In January, a judge in Delaware ruled it was unfair following a lawsuit by a group of shareholders and instructed the plaintiff and Tesla to work out a solution.

The letter stated that approving the compensation package could lead to lawsuits alleging corporate waste, given Musk's perceived divided attention as a part-time chief executive officer.

The group argued that the excessive nature of the award lacks incentivization and might pave the way for future compensation requests from Musk.

Citing poor management oversight of worker conditions, safety violations and discrimination lawsuits, the shareholder group criticized the board's lack of effective governance and its push to reinstate the 2018 pay package without modifications.

Stockholders are scheduled to vote on the package at the company's annual meeting on June 13.
Donald Trump's campaign announced Tuesday that it would now accept donations in digital currency, the latest move by candidates in recent elections to embrace the digital coins and votes of crypto enthusiasts.

The former president touted his program as the first crypto donation plan from a major party nominee.

The move also comes after a host of other political figures from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Vivek Ramaswamy to Rand Paul to Andrew Yang have all accepted donations in digital currencies in recent months and years.

Trump says the embrace of crypto is about freedom. In a release, his campaign said digital currency would "reduce the control of government on an American's financial decision-making is part of a seismic shift toward freedom."

The move is part of a recent reversal of Trump's long-expressed skepticism of cryptocurrency. In 2017 he said he was "not a fan," and as recently as 2021 offered that bitcoin "seems like a scam" in a television interview.

He has changed his tune more recently and cast himself as a champion of the sector.

Former president Donald Trump speaks to reporters during his trial for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. (Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool via Getty Images)

Trump is seeking crypto donations as he continues a sprint to try to close a fundraising gap with President Joe Biden after out-raising Biden in April.

Trump is still lagging in the overall money race and saw his haul last month elevated largely because of a single event featuring billionaires that raised more than $50 million.

This campaign trail development also comes as the crypto sector looks for wins in Washington this week.

The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday afternoon on an industry-friendly bill that would elevate the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to a leading regulator of digital assets and limit some of the powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Two crypto defenders in the 2024 field

The funds donated to Trump in crypto will be reported as an in-kind contribution  often compared to donating stock.

In any case, the digital coins are then likely to be quickly converted to cash, with the Trump campaign pledging to comply with federal election laws and regulations.

The campaign says donors who are eligible will be able to use Coinbase Commerce, which touts the ability to accept "hundreds of currencies."

Trump's move is just his latest outreach to the crypto sector during this campaign. One well-publicized recent effort was the launch of Trump-themed NFT trading cards that could be purchased with cryptocurrency.

Trump's efforts to be 2024's candidate of crypto sets up a rivalry with independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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Kennedy already accepts donations in crypto and has often touted the sector. He has floated an array of perhaps fanciful ideas, from having the US government itself buy bitcoin to a suggestion to "put the entire US budget on blockchain."

The independent candidate is even hosting bitcoin-themed community events  at least two are on the books for this week  to tout his plans.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waves to the crowd during a rally in Colorado on May 19. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images via Getty Images)

President Biden has taken a more cautious approach, making only sparing comments on cryptocurrency. The SEC under Biden nominee Gary Gensler has been seen as an anti-crypto force by the sector in recent years after a host of enforcement actions in 2023.

Trump has also often tried to cast Biden as an enemy of crypto. Politico recently reported that Trump held a dinner for his NFT backers in Florida and told the crowd they "better vote" for him.

In Tuesday's release, the Trump campaign also linked Biden with Sen. Elizabeth Warren. It said the Democratic senator from Massachusetts aims to "restrict Americans' right to make their own financial choices."

Warren has emerged as a leading crypto critic, pushing for more oversight and citing the sector's energy footprint.

Another voice  SkyBridge founder Anthony Scaramucci  says it's actually Biden who would be better for crypto if he wins reelection this fall.

Scaramucci briefly served as Trump's communications director in 2017 but has since emerged as a fierce critic.

He has tried to argue the point in recent months and added in a recent Yahoo Finance appearance that Biden is "for the rule of law," which would ultimately be beneficial for markets.

"I tell bitcoiners, you are at risk if you get somebody that wants to destroy the institutions of democracy," said Scaramucci.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a proposed framework for the global recognition of medical devices.

In a statement of policy intent, the agency detailed the UK Government's intent to acknowledge regulatory approvals from specific countries.

This policy aims to facilitate access to quality-assured medical devices and streamline the assessment process.

It focuses on certain device types and classes, with prior approvals from Australia, Canada, the EU, and the US being considered for recognition.

This initiative is designed to reduce the duplication of assessments by comparable regulators, allowing resources to be allocated to evaluate more innovative products.

In addition to the countries already listed, the MHRA is in talks with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) to include Japan among recognised regulatory bodies.

The statement also serves as a preliminary guide for manufacturers, enabling them to assess the eligibility of their devices for alternative routes to market under the proposed framework.

However, the framework is currently in draft form, with the final version to be integral to the core regulations that govern medical devices in the UK.

MHRA chief quality and access officer Dr Laura Squire said: The announcement is an important step forward towards a robust medtech regulatory framework that prioritises patient safety, gives patients access to the medical devices they need and ensures the UK remains an attractive market for medical technology innovators.

We will continue to work on how our intended policy on international recognition of medical devices will operate in practice. By sharing the draft policy now, we aim to give greater clarity about the MHRAs future direction of making regulatory approvals simpler, where it is safe to do so. At the same time, we remain fully committed to the UKCA marking for medical devices.

The latest development comes after the MHRA unveiled its AI Airlock sandbox model for assessing virtual and real-world projects through simulation and helping develop AI as a medical device.

"UK MHRA proposes international medical device recognition framework" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Capella Minerals and Austral Gold have agreed to sell their combined 100% interest in Sierra Blanca, which owns the Sierra Blanca project, to Unico Silver.

This gold-silver project is located in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina.

It comprises five mining titles spread over 7,997ha and is located east and west of Unico's Angostura Pinguino properties.

Capella and Austral hold 45.31% and 54.69% stakes in Sierra Blanca, respectively.

Under the agreement, Unico Silver will issue five million ordinary shares at A$0.151 each and pay cash to cover Sierra Blanca's administrative fees.

The deal's completion is pending approvals from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), and Unico shareholder consent for the share issuance to Austral.

Once completed, Austral Gold's existing interest in Unico is expected to increase from 11.62% to 12.33%.

Additionally, the deal awaits the execution of a deed of assignment concerning a net smelter return (NSR) on the Sierra Blanca project.

Upon closing, Capella will allocate half of the proceeds from Unico to Sandstorm Gold, thereby nullifying the annual maintenance payments due under a 2018 share purchase agreement related to Sierra Blanca.

Capella president and CEO Eric Roth said: We are pleased to be announcing today the sale of our Sierra Blanca epithermal gold-silver project in Argentina to Unico Silver.

Unico have established a strong presence in Santa Cruz through their adjacent Cerro Leon project and have the local and technical experience required to advance Sierra Blanca.

The sale of the Sierra Blanca project is also consistent with our stated goal of divesting our non-core assets in the Americas and focusing on our Scandinavian exploration assets.

"Unico to acquire Sierra Blanca from Capella and Austral" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The United States has long had the worlds biggest defense budget, with spending this year set to approach $900 billion.

Yet this spending is rapidly being eclipsed by the fastest-growing portion of federal outflows: interest payments on the national debt.

For the first seven months of fiscal year 2024, which began last October, net interest payments totaled $514 billion, outpacing defense by $20 billion. Budget analysts think that trend will continue, making 2024 the first year ever that the United States will spend more on interest payments than on national defense.

Just two years ago, interest payments were the seventh-largest federal spending category, behind Social Security, health programs other than Medicare, income assistance, national defense, Medicare, and education.

Interest is now the third-biggest expenditure after Social Security and health. And not because any of the other programs are shrinking. While most government expenditures grow modestly from year to year, interest expenses in 2024 are running 41% higher than in 2023.

Interest payments are ballooning for two obvious reasons.

The first is that annual deficits have exploded, leaving the nation with a gargantuan $34.6 trillion in total federal debt, 156% higher than the national debt at the end of 2010.

In the 1990s, the average federal deficit was $138 billion per year. In the 2000s, it was $318 billion. In the 2010s, it was $829 billion. Since 2020, the annual deficit has swelled to $2.24 trillion, largely due to pandemic-related stimulus measures in 2020 and 2021. The projection for 2024 is a $1.5 trillion shortfall.

As a percentage of GDP, the annual deficit has nearly doubled in just 10 years, from 2.8% in 2014 to a projected 5.3% in 2024. So there's just a lot more borrowing to pay interest on.

The government is also paying more to borrow as interest rates have shot up over the last two years. Like consumers buying homes and cars, Uncle Sam benefits from cheap money when rates are low and bears a heavier burden when rates are high.

From 2010 through 2021, the average interest rate on all Treasury securities sold to the public was just 2.1%, which helped keep total interest payments manageable.

But in 2022, the Federal Reserve started jacking up rates to tame inflation, and the government now pays an average interest rate of 3.3%. So, the amount of borrowed money keeps going up, and the cost of borrowing that money is rising too.

More taxpayer money going to interest expenses will eventually leave less money for everything else, and at some point, the Treasury wont be able to borrow its way out of the problem anymore.

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It's an unsustainable situation, which could lead investors to lose faith in the governments creditworthiness and demand even higher rates to buy Treasurys.

Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.

The urgency of the problem, however, is open to debate.

At the recent Milken Institute conference in Los Angeles, luminaries such as billionaire investor Ken Griffin and former House Speaker Paul Ryan warned of a looming debt crisis if the governments interest costs continue to mushroom. But many prominent financiers also touted the United States as the best destination in the world for investment, despite all its problems.

And many predictions of a debt crisis when interest expenses were a lot lower have so far turned out to be wrong.

Soldiers stand in front of an U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet during a briefing in a hangar at the U.S. Spangdahlem Air base, Germany September 3, 2015. (REUTERS/Ina Fassbender) (REUTERS / Reuters)

Two people who seem unperturbed by Americas debt burden are President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the two leading candidates in this years race for the White House. Neither is making deficit reduction a focus of his presidential campaign.

Biden does have a plan of sorts. Hed raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy and use some of that revenue to trim annual deficits. But Biden also wants to spend more on social programs, which could offset any savings.

Trump says hed encourage more oil and natural gas drilling, which would somehow produce a windfall of tax revenue that would pay down the debt. But theres no obvious way that would happen, no matter how much drilling takes place.

Besides, both men have presided over a huge run-up in the national debt.

The national debt rose by $7.8 trillion during Trumps four years as president and $6.8 trillion during Bidens first three years and four months.

Earlier this year, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget helped Yahoo Finance analyze whos responsible for the national debt, and the blame falls more or less equally on administrations of both parties borrowing to finance wars, tax cuts, spending programs, and stimulus measures during recessions.

When the time does arrive to fix the debt, the inevitable solution will be a mix of spending cuts and tax hikes that will make a lot of people unhappy.

Which reveals the real reason no politician wants to address the problem  everyone hopes it'll be the guy after them.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices.

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West Des Moines plans to build more than $15 million worth of new roads, conduits for fiber internet cables, storm sewers and other infrastructure to welcome Microsoft's latest data center to the community.

It's been public knowledge for months that the city and Microsoft have been working together to bring the company's sixth data center in West Des Moines, called Ruthenium, on 132 acres bounded by Southwest 60th Street, 110th Street, Woodland Avenue and Veterans Parkway in Madison County. But it was on Monday that the West Des Moines City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with Microsoft for Ruthenium  an at least $210 million investment by the tech company.

West Des Moines Mayor Russ Trimble pointed out the scope of Microsoft's place in the community.

Microsoft, I believe, is the largest property taxpayer in our city," Trimble said at Monday's meeting.

Ryan Moffatt, the city's director of community and economic development, said in an email that it's estimated the Ruthenium project would bring Microsoft's total data center investment in West Des Moines to more than $6 billion.

How much construction and employment will Microsoft's latest data center bring to West Des Moines?

Microsoft's $210 million investment will pay for the Ruthenium project's first phase  one 245,000-square-foot facility to "house computer equipment, operate large scale web portal services, and associated support infrastructure," according to the development agreement.

It's possible Microsoft may build three more data center buildings at the site. Some site preparation work for the first building should begin in 2025, with construction of the building set to start in 2026. It's set to be finished in 2028.

Construction continues on a Microsoft data center on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014 in West Des Moines, Iowa.

That first building is expected to employee at least 25 full-time workers.

Trimble estimated that with Ruthenium, Microsoft would employ a total of about 400 people in the area. But when it comes to employment, the real punch the data centers pack is in construction jobs, which a city news release estimated for Ruthenium alone would number in the hundreds.

Microsoft's other data centers in West Des Moines are spread over three other counties:

Project Mountain  8855 Grand Ave., Dallas County

Project Alluvion  3590 S.E. Soteria Ave., Polk County

Project Osmium  5855 S.W. Kerry St., Warren County

Project Ginger West  11100 Booneville Road, Dallas County

Project Ginger East  1475 S.E. Maffitt Lake Road, Polk County

More: Microsoft's Van Meter data center signals expansion beyond West Des Moines

The public incentives offered to Microsoft by way of infrastructure improvements also open up more land around the data centers for further development  more than 4,500 acres so far, according to West Des Moines' news release. The city also calculated that the public infrastructure improvements have totaled almost $200 million.

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West Des Moines says it's working to address data center neighbors' concerns as much as possible

Microsoft and other tech companies like to build in central Iowa because of the relatively low cost of land and utilities.

The city of Waukee noted in April that construction of the first phase of an Apple data center at 2995 W. Hickman Road was nearing completion. That 315,000-square-foot facility includes a 63,000-square-foot administrative building, according to the city.

Apple announced the more than $1.3 billion project in 2017 and had originally estimated completion in 2020. But the company in late 2019 got an extension until December 2027 to finish both buildings and still receive more than $213 million in state and local tax incentives.

Data centers' large-scale use of land, water and energy have raised concerns, including by nearby property owners.

Microsoft previously told the Associated Press that it was investing in ways to make use of artificial intelligence  some of which the tech company has developed at its Iowa facilities  more energy and water efficient and to reduce climate change-driving greenhouse gas emissions.

Microsoft has been since at least 2019 among the top three water users in West Des Moines, according to reports from West Des Moines Water Works. In 2023, the company used more than 41 million gallons of water  about 1.5% of all the water that was pumped in the district that year, and the third-highest user.

The water is used to keep the computer equipment inside the data centers cool.

The data centers in West Des Moines are powered completely with renewable energy, according to the city's news release. Apple made the same commitment in the announcement for its Waukee facility.

"City staff have committed to facilitating meetings between the Microsoft Corporation and the surrounding property owners to discuss screening solutions, construction management, light spillover, and other issues in an effort to have this project be as compatible as possible to adjoining properties," West Des Moines' news release said.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Microsoft data center in West Des Moines worth $210 million
Donald Trump used to rail against cryptocurrencies, calling them a disaster waiting to happen and saying that bitcoin seemed like a scam. Now, hes vowing to build a crypto army.

On Tuesday, the Trump campaign announced that it would accept donations in crypto, including bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin. Many crypto fans embraced the announcement on social media, arguing that it was proof that crypto will be a key issue in the coming election. Others, however, said that it simply reeked of opportunism.

Here are the factors leading up to Trumps about-face on crypto.

Is crypto left or right?

When crypto broke through into mainstream consciousness three years ago, its supporters came from both sides of the political aisle. Many crypto fans had libertarian leanings: Minnesota Republican Tom Emmer, for instance, described crypto as a boon to free markets and privacy. Some Democrats including Cory Booker, in contrast, emphasized how crypto could be a democratizing force and lead to increased financial access for people who had long been shut out of traditional banking.

For a while, cryptos potential alignment with progressive ideals was boosted by the success of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who became one of the top individual donors to Democratic candidates in the 2022 election cycle and preached about financial inclusion and equitable access. But in reality, Bankman-Fried was secretly donating to both parties with the underlying goal of getting pro-crypto candidates into office. After FTX combusted, some of the Democratic politicians that Bankman-Fried had embraced distanced themselves from the industry.

Read More: The Bombshell Evidence That Led to Sam Bankman-Frieds Conviction

At the same time, several prominent Democrats went to war on crypto, arguing that it was predatory and posed a major risk to the American economy. Elizabeth Warren vowed to build an anti-crypto army, while Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission and a Biden appointee, used his position to prosecute bad actors and stifle the crypto industry in the states.

The anti-crypto campaigns from Warren and Gensler drew the ire of many crypto fans, who viewed the pair as an existential threat to their industry. Conversely, right-wing candidates with pro-crypto stances, including Vivek Ramaswamy, found friendly audiences at crypto conferences.

Given this larger climate, supporting crypto now allows Trump to place himself in direct opposition to Warrenand potentially galvanize support from an industry that skews young and male. The Trump campaign made this overly clear in its statement on Tuesday, claiming that its acceptance of bitcoin donations was part of its opposition to socialistic government control over the U.S. financial markets. As Biden piles regulations and red tape on all of us, President Trump stands ready to embrace new technologies, the statement read.

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A changed crypto landscape

President Trump isnt the only politician to soften their opposition to crypto. Last week, many Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, broke with Warren and Gensler in order to reject the SECs efforts to make it harder for banks to hold digital assets. Their decision marked another significant loss for Gensler: Last summer, his efforts to block the creation of a bitcoin ETF (a type of investment vehicle aimed at mainstream institutional investors) were rejected by a federal judge. Since that decision, bitcoin ETFs have surpassed hundreds of billions of dollars in trading volume, and a similar ETF for the cryptocurrency ether appears poised for approval as well.

This week, the House of Representatives will vote on a Republican-driven pro-crypto bill called the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act. A handful of Democrats have indicated support for the bill. And while the White House opposes the bill, it said in a statement that it was eager to work with Congress on legislation to promote the responsible development of digital assets and payment innovation in the U.S.

But that bills path to passing in the Senate is murky. And many everyday Americans are wary of crypto: three-quarters of respondents to a 2023 Pew study said they were not confident that the current ways to trade crypto were reliable or safe.

The financial implications

While there is a political calculus to President Trump accepting bitcoin, theres a strong financial incentive as well. Trump made between $100,000 and $1 million selling NFT trading cards in 2022. He also owns over $1 million in Ethereum, which could increase in value based on his own support of the industry. And crypto meme coins created by his fans, including the MAGA token, have surged in recent weeks, with investors buying in as a sort of proxy for their support of his campaign. Trump himself was gifted a treasure trove of the token, which is now worth over $4 million.

Trumps embrace of crypto could also win him lobbying dollars: Crypto super PACs are poised to spend more than $80 million to influence the 2024 election.

But while some crypto enthusiasts have embraced Trump, others have responded more warily. Trump has not shown any true commitment to crypto, David Hoffman, co-host of the crypto podcast Bankless, wrote on Twitter. So far, we are just another cow for him to milk.

Andrew R. Chows book about crypto, Cryptomania, will be published in August and is available for preorder.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
BRI cooperation embraces historical trend of economic globalization: experts

Xinhua) 08:43, May 22, 2024

Experts from Bangladesh and China attend a discussion meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 20, 2024. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation embraces the historical trend of economic globalization, responds to the call for improving the global governance system, and meets people's longing for a better life which is the fundamental reason why it always has been strong, said Bangladeshi experts.

Tens of speakers from diverse sectors in Bangladesh and China, including academia, business and media, shared their perspectives at a discussion meeting here on Monday, opining that Bangladesh is a proud member of the BRI which plays a significant role in the country's economic developments.

The Center for East Asia Foundation (CEAF), a non-profit and non-political independent study circle, has organized the roundtable discussion titled "China-Bangladesh Relations and The Belt and Road Initiative" at the University of Dhaka.

Nasim Mahmmud, executive director of the CEAF, in his welcome remarks said China has always extended its firm support to Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and opposing external interference.

He said Bangladesh-China relations are based on mutual respect and win-win outcome.

Dean of Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka Muhammad Abdul Moyeen said that Bangladesh has already started benefiting from the BRI, including China's financial investment.

He also said that the investment made by the BRI will continue to contribute to the development of Bangladesh's competitiveness in the future and the realization of Vision 2041.

Wang Jian, director of the Institute of International Relations from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that the BRI has given a strong boost to Bangladesh's development, with significant improvement in its infrastructure such as roads, bridges and power generation, as well as the growth of China-Bangladesh trade.

Next, the BRI cooperation between China and Bangladesh will adhere to the principles of benefiting people's lives and sustainability. In addition to promoting hard connectivity and investment, China and Bangladesh should also align with the people-centered core of the Global Development Initiative to promote soft connectivity and investment, such as personnel training, development experience sharing, education and people-to-people cooperation, and work together to carry out small and beautiful projects, Wang added.

In his concluding remarks, former Bangladeshi Ambassador to China and Chairman of the CEAF Mahbub Uz Zaman said, "I am convinced that under the framework of the BRI, more and more Chinese enterprises and people will devote themselves to the goal of Smart Bangladesh, proposing Chinese solutions and making even more contributions to the realization of (Bangladesh's) Vision 2041."

Talking to Xinhua on the sidelines of the event, he said both Bangladesh and China are cooperating on the BRI which Bangladesh joined in 2016. "It is expected that this cooperation, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative, will grow further and expand in the future."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Assyrian Parties in Kurdistan Reject Election Court's Decision, Threaten Protests

Five political parties representing the Christian community in the Kurdistan Region rejected, on Wednesday, the Federal Electoral Commission's decision on minority quotas in the Kurdistan Parliament, threatening to call for demonstrations.

The Election Judiciary Committee within the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council has decided to allocate 5 out of 100 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament for the minority component.

The new seat allocation includes representation for the Christian and Turkmen communities within the Kurdistan region, consisting of two seats in Erbil Governorate, two in Al-Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and one in Duhok Governorate.

The Assyrian Democratic Movement, Beit Nahrin National Union Party, Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council, Assyrian Patriotic Party, the Bet Nahrain National Union, and Bet Nahrain Democratic Party issued a joint statement expressing their concern over the Court's decision pointing out that the election law, under which the first parliamentary elections for the region were held in 1992, granted five quota seats to the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian people. "The Federal Court canceled this in its decision numbered 83 and its unification decisions 131 and 185/Federal/2023."

"The injustice inflicted on the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian component due to these two decisions, by canceling the five seats and then reinstating two of them and distributing the seats in an exclusionary manner, deprived Duhok governorate, which has the largest historical Christian population in the region, of parliamentary representation."

The statement considered these steps "represent a clear departure from all democratic concepts stipulated in the Iraqi constitution and a clear legal violation that deprived Christians of their just and legitimate rights achieved after great sacrifices in their national struggle over many decades."

Moreover, the parties rejected the distribution of the Christian component's seats based on "incorrect population criteria through a distorted political, demographic map of Christians in the region, relying on political bargaining among influential parties."

The Christian parties affirmed their refusal to submit to the "illegal" status quo being imposed on the component, vowing to "escalate their struggle by various means and boycott these elections until the seats are fully restored and voting for them is restricted to Christians through binding legal provisions."

"We will call on our people and masses to demonstrate to reject this political injustice committed in the name of democracy and minority rights," the statement continued. "We will not be easy prey for the political sharks that do not believe in the rights of the indigenous minorities in the homeland, and we will turn to the international community to explain the injustices faced by national minorities under a system that claims democracy, human rights protection, and equal rights for all, while it practices actions contrary to all those principles."

Concluding their statement, the Christian parties demanded "the restoration of the five seats allocated to the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian people in the Kurdish parliament, making Kurdistan Region a single electoral district for the Christian quota seats, restricting voting for the quota seats to Christian voters, and allocating specific electoral centers and ballot papers for quota voters."

It is noteworthy that several ancient Christian communities, who now number an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people from the 1.5 million, lived in Iraq before the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

There are 14 officially recognized Christian sects in Iraq. Most live in Baghdad, the plains of northern Nineveh Governorate, and the Kurdistan region.

Chaldeans constitute the largest portion, comprising up to 80% of Iraq's Christians. Syriacs make up approximately 10%, while Assyrians represent around 5%. About 3% of Iraqi Christians are of Armenian descent, and Arab Christians constitute about 2% of the Christian population in the country.
An Archuleta County sheriff's detective who barred a man and his family from entering their home for nearly eight hours without a warrant committed a constitutional violation that required the eventual evidence of a firearm offense to be thrown out, the federal appeals court based in Denver ruled on Tuesday.
In its ruling on Monday, the court decided there must be an "essential link" between the defendant and a past conviction, requiring both documentation and corroborating evidence that the person in the current case is the same person from the prior case.
The federal appeals court based in Denver ruled last week that four Aurora police officers committed no constitutional violation by shooting and killing a man with alleged mental illness who charged at them while holding a machete.
The Supreme Court has severely restricted the ability of plaintiffs to sue federal officials for money when they violate constitutional rights, but the 10th Circuit concluded it lacked the ability to review immediate appeals seeking dismissal of such claims
The Colorado Springs Police Department reportedly recovered 909.8 gallons of stolen fuel during a fuel siphoning investigation.

Law enforcement identified a pattern of fuel siphoning at several gas stations across Colorado. A specially outfitted van was siphoning hundreds of gallons of fuel at a time across numerous gas stations according to officials. The fuel collected would then go on to be sold to others in the community at a discounted rate.

On May 21, Colorado Springs Police Department detectives, with the help of other agencies, including the El Paso County Sheriff's Office SWAT team executed search warrants at two addresses.

Officers report recovering 909.8 gallons of stolen fuel with an approximate value of $3,238, multiple vehicles related to the thefts and other various evidence.

Detectives are continuing to investigate with charges expected to follow at a later date according to the department's blotter announcement of the searches.
A suspect in a domestic violence case incurred serious injuries in a car crash in Summit County.

The suspect, 51-year-old Mark Lewis Tuckel, was airlifted to a Denver hospital for treatment.

On Saturday, Teller County sheriffs deputies responded to the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital regarding a reported injured female resulting from a domestic violence incident.

On arrival, the deputies discovered the female had suffered serious bodily injury and that the suspect was a previous felony offender who may be in possession of a firearm.

A search warrant was obtained for the address where the violence allegedly occurred. A felony domestic violence arrest warrant also was obtained for Tuckel for felony menacing, felony assault, domestic violence, harassment and possession of a weapon by previous offender.

The Teller Sheriffs Office issued a be-out-the-lookout order for Tuckel and his vehicle to surrounding counties.

The Park County Sheriffs Office observed the vehicle in their county and pursued, until it was determined it had become too dangerous.

About 10 minutes later, a report was issued that Tuckel had crashed in Summit County and had suffered serious injury as the result of the crash.
Ghanaian student Samuel Aboagye used to start his mornings with a coffee, but since coming to China, he gets his morning fix from a nice cup of tea.

Aboagye first encountered Chinese tea when a Chinese friend gave him a packet of jasmine tea. "The taste and aroma attracted me, and I instantly fell in love with Chinese tea," said Aboagye, an international student at Capital University of Economics and Business.

He was just one of many African visitors to an international tea-culture exchange event held in Beijing on May 21, which is also observed as International Tea Day.

The event was hosted by the international cultural exchange and research center of China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), welcoming representatives from social organizations and enterprises, as well as diplomatic envoys from African countries and African students studying in China.

Today, Africa is an important market for Chinese tea. Chinese customs data shows that China exported about 367,542 tonnes of tea in 2023, with an export value of nearly 1,74 million U.S. dollars.

According to the Tea Industry Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, of the top 10 tea-importing countries and regions from China, seven are African countries.

Aboagye said that the event gave him in-depth knowledge of Chinese tea categories and tea-drinking methods, as well as the history of the tea trade between China and Africa. "I plan to purchase Chinese tea and tea sets for my relatives and friends when I travel back to Ghana," he added.

"Nigerians also like drinking tea, but the tea culture in Nigeria differs from that of China," said Uzodinma Chinenye Gerlof, 28, an international student from Nigeria. "Chinese people enjoy natural tea without adding sugar or milk, while in our country, people are accustomed to adding milk to tea," he explained.

Gerlof combines the Chinese tea-drinking culture with that of his hometown by adding honey to Chinese black tea. "The aroma of tea makes me feel relaxed, and I like to enjoy it in the morning or evening," he said.

"Tea has played an important role in the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture," said Wang Xiaoming, vice president of CIIDS.

He noted that tea, with its unique charm, has transcended the boundaries of language and region, promoting exchanges and understanding among different civilizations.

"We have found that many tea products feature China-chic packages, and small tea bags have also been developed to cater to the needs of young people, which can also better stimulate African youth's interest in Chinese tea culture," said Zhou Yefan, founder of the China Africa Youth Federation.

"Through drinking tea together, young people from China and Africa can learn about each other's culture, history and values," said Zhou.
Celebrated American lyric-coloratura mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will perform at the concert hall of China's National Centre for the Performing Arts on June 13.

The Kansas-born multi-Grammy Award winner will be joined by famed Italian ensemble Il Pomo d'Oro in what will be part of her "EDEN" tour, which kicked off in March 2022.

Released in February 2022, the album "EDEN" centers on mankind's relationship with the natural world and "our unique place within it, and invites the listener to explore and search for answers about belonging, purpose, and healing," according to DiDonato's website page.

The concert will feature tracks from the album including its anthem "The First Morning of the World" by Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman, and others from works of various eras such as Aaron Copland's "8 Poems of Emily Dickinson," Gustav Mahler's "Ruckert-Lieder" and Francesco Cavalli's "La Calisto."

The album is "a powerful example of how music can relate so well to our wider world," wrote leading classical music magazine Gramophone.
Fort Harrison staged a protest turned lethal on Wednesday, where actors portraying protesters were injured after a driver struck a crowd in a scenario designed to see how the response from local authorities would play out.

Multiple agencies including the Montana National Guard, who hosted the event, the FBI, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, Helena Police Department, St. Peter's Health, Fort Harrison VA Fire Department and more were involved in the annual anti-terrorism training drill.

Roughly 50 personnel from the agencies were on scene, practicing how they would respond to the situation. Hundreds more participated in the training off-site, according to Fort Harrison officials.

Officials said by definition terrorism is the use of force or threat of force impacting public opinions and legal processes.

In this case the scenario was a group of protesters blocking a main roadway with a portion of them lied on the ground chained together.

The other portion of the group was moved to a safer area off the main road, but were struck by a counter protester driving a vehicle, "injuring" and "killing" some of the participants.

Some of the protesters started chanting "Save the deer" and "Red rover, red rover, send the po po right over."

Responders from local agencies acted as they would in a real-life scenario through coordination and teamwork with each other.

Overall, the goal of the training was to ensure the safety of personnel within the fort and the processes used by first responders.

Photos: Fort Harrison hosts local first-responders for anti-terrorism training
Middle school students in the Catawba County Schools system will receive new Chromebooks at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. The board of education unanimously approved a quote of about $1.2 million for nearly 2,500 Chromebooks and shells on Monday.

The funds will come from the technology and at-risk budgets, said Chief Technology Officer Marty Sharpe.

Sharpe said the middle school students currently have the oldest devices. The new devices will come with a four-year, unlimited platinum warranty, Sharpe said.

Sharpe said he taught in middle school for years and that middle school students can be rough on devices.

Its very difficult to find a device that doesnt somehow get damaged in some regard. So we wanted to make sure we looked at a rugged device, Sharpe said.

He added, So if Jello does get on it accidentally, it will be replaced. They will fix it (and) replace it for free. The device also has sturdier keys, Sharpe said. The current devices have a tendency for keys to get picked off by bookbags and such, Sharpe said. That will not happen as easily with the new devices, Sharpe said.

Sharpe said the bundle his department chose is the best pricing for decent, durable devices they could find. Board Chairman Jeff Taylor thanked Sharpe for his diligence in finding the best deal.
When you walk into a meeting of farmers, stop by the local feed store, or visit a farming friend, theres no shortage of topics to talk about. Whats the weather looking like? When will we get the next cutting off? Did you hear about this event, or those peoples cows, or whats going on at that farm down the road?

What is much harder to talk about  in public or in private  is the stress that farmers deal with at a higher rate than many other professions because so many of their business factors are out of their control. When not handled appropriately, stress and fear can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns that too often result in desperation and thoughts of suicide. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association.



Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. It shines a light on a topic that is easy to leave in the shadows and ignore because it is uncomfortable. But is having real discussions more uncomfortable than losing a loved one?

Over recent years, many farm organizations have sought to help solve this rural crisis and support agricultural families going through challenging situations. There are more resources available than ever before and in a variety of formats, which is valuable because its estimated by the National Alliance on Mental Illness that more than 25 million Americans living in rural areas are in a designated mental health professional shortage area. Online and virtual options may also be more palatable to folks who want to seek help but dont feel comfortable visiting a professionals office.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, or another mental health challenge, seeking out resources to help can change or even save a life. Below are a few of the options available for farmers and their families.



Rural Minds: Founded in 2021 by a New York dairy farmer, the Rural Minds website contains a wealth of information and resources that are easily accessible and understandable. Find fact sheets about six major mental health concerns, a list of mental health support organizations, webinars, and much more. Learn more about Rural Minds here.

Farm State of Mind: This is the American Farm Bureau Federations database of mental health support organizations, research, and tips as well as tools for helping talk to loved ones about what theyre going through. Learn more about Farm State of Mind here.

Farm Aid: Among this organizations programs to keep farmers on their farms are the 1-800-FARM-AID hotline and a resource network of organizations that can help farmers in a variety of situations. Learn more about Farm Aid here.

Farm Family Wellness Alliance: One of many services of the Farm Foundation based in Illinois is this free, anonymous, online mental health care program open to people from all states. It consists of an online community group where users can anonymously share concerns and converse with peers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Licensed mental health clinicians monitor the community to ensure safety and can refer members to a mental health professional. The program also involves access to resources and self-help materials on a variety of topics. Learn more about Farm Family Wellness Alliance here.

The Farm Family Wellness Alliance is hosting a webinar on May 21 that will discuss the program and other free counseling services. Register for the event here.





To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024

May 20, 2024
In 2024, 61% of Australian Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed feel at risk of experiencing a material cyber attack in the next 12 months, compared to 53% in 2023.

However, according to the annual Voice of the CISO report from cybersecurity and compliance company Proofpoint, just 40% feel their organisation is unprepared to cope with a targeted cyber attack, compared to 56% in 2023 and 77% in 2022.

The report explores key challenges, expectations and priorities of chief information security officers (CISOs) worldwide, and according to Proofpoint, the 2024 Voice of the CISO report reveals a growing optimism towards AI-powered solutions, however the threat of ransomware remains with more than half of CISOs admitting they would pay a ransom.

Proofpoint also notes that the 2024 report draws attention to a notable trend - while fears of cyber-attacks continue to rise, CISOs demonstrate increasing confidence in their ability to defend against these threats, reflecting a significant shift in the cybersecurity landscape in the last year.

In 2024, 61% of Australian CISOs surveyed feel at risk of experiencing a material cyber attack in the next 12 months, compared to 53% in 2023. However, just 40% feel their organisation is unprepared to cope with a targeted cyber attack, compared to 56% in 2023 and 77% in 2022, explains Proofpoint.

This may be due to the growing optimism in the role of AI-powered solutions to mitigate human-centric risks. As 51% of Australian CISOs surveyed believe that generative AI poses a security risk to their organisation, a vast majority are turning to the technology to help fight back.



The research reveals 86% of Australian CISOs are turning to AI-powered technology to protect against human error and block advanced human-centric cyber threats reflecting a strategic pivot towards technology-driven defences.

Human error continues to be perceived as the Achilles' heel of cybersecurity, with more than two-thirds (69%) of Australian CISOs identifying it as the most significant vulnerability. In a year of growing insider threats and people-driven data loss, more CISOs than ever (78%) see human risk, in particular negligent employees as a key cybersecurity concern over the next two years.

While the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve with increasing human-centric threats, the 2024 Voice of the CISO report highlights what appears to be a pivotal shift towards greater resilience, preparedness and confidence among global CISOs, said Patrick Joyce, global resident CISO at Proofpoint. This years findings underscore a collective move towards strategic defences, including enhanced education, technological adoption, and an adaptive approach to emerging threats like generative AI.

However, despite an increased confidence in security capabilities, 54% of Australian CISOs believe their organisation would still pay to restore systems and prevent data release if attacked by ransomware in the next 12 months - and the vast majority of CISOs (80%) said they would rely on cyber insurance claims to recover potential losses incurred, compared to 53% in 2023.

Jennifer Cheng, Director of Product Marketing at Proofpoint for Asia Pacific commented, Mandatory ransomware reporting was introduced by the Australian government as part of their new cyber security strategy last year in a bid to combat attacks. Ransomware costs up to $3 billion in damages to the Australian economy every year and while its encouraging to see a general improvement in preparedness from organisations, the devastating impacts of these attacks should not be understated.

Key Australian findings from Proofpoints 2024 Voice of the CISO report include:

Human error still tops cyber vulnerability threats but CISOs turn to AI solutions to help . This year, we are seeing an uptick in the number of Australian CISOs who view human error as their organisations biggest cyber vulnerability69% in this years survey vs. 51% in 2023. However, 82% of CISOs believe that employees understand their role in protecting the organisation. This confidence is higher than in previous years53% in 2023 and 75% in 2022. This may be attributed to the 86% of Australian CISOs surveyed looking to deploy AI-powered capabilities to help protect against human error and advanced human-centred cyber threats.

. This year, we are seeing an uptick in the number of Australian CISOs who view human error as their organisations biggest cyber vulnerability69% in this years survey vs. 51% in 2023. However, 82% of CISOs believe that employees understand their role in protecting the organisation. This confidence is higher than in previous years53% in 2023 and 75% in 2022. This may be attributed to the 86% of Australian CISOs surveyed looking to deploy AI-powered capabilities to help protect against human error and advanced human-centred cyber threats. Employee turnover is still a concern, yet CISOs trust their defences . In 2024, 39% of Australian security leaders reported having to deal with a material loss of sensitive data in the past 12 months, and of those, 77% agreed that employees leaving the organisation contributed to the loss. Despite those losses, 89% of Australian CISOs believe they have adequate controls to protect their data.

. In 2024, 39% of Australian security leaders reported having to deal with a material loss of sensitive data in the past 12 months, and of those, 77% agreed that employees leaving the organisation contributed to the loss. Despite those losses, 89% of Australian CISOs believe they have adequate controls to protect their data. The majority of CISOs have adopted DLP technology and invested more in security education . 61% of Australian CISOs surveyed in 2024 have data loss prevention technology (DLP) in place compared to just 40% in 2023. Half (50%) of CISOs surveyed invested in educating employees on data security best practices which is higher in 2024 compared to 2023 (45%).

. 61% of Australian CISOs surveyed in 2024 have data loss prevention technology (DLP) in place compared to just 40% in 2023. Half (50%) of CISOs surveyed invested in educating employees on data security best practices which is higher in 2024 compared to 2023 (45%). BEC and cloud account compromise top CISOs concerns. The biggest cybersecurity threats perceived by Australian CISOs in 2024 are business email compromise (BEC), 46%, cloud account compromise (Microsoft 365, G Suite or other) (44%) with ransomware attacks and malware tied at 39%. These top threats are different from last year in which CISOs perceived cloud account compromise (Microsoft 365, G Suite or other), ransomware attacks and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack as the biggest threats. Generative AI tops CISOs security concerns . In 2024, 51% of Australian CISOs surveyed believe that generative AI poses a security risk to their organisation. The top three systems CISOs view as introducing risk to their organisations are: ChatGPT/other genAI (40%), Slack/Teams/Zoom/other collaboration tools (39%) and Microsoft 365 (34%).

The biggest cybersecurity threats perceived by Australian CISOs in 2024 are business email compromise (BEC), 46%, cloud account compromise (Microsoft 365, G Suite or other) (44%) with ransomware attacks and malware tied at 39%. These top threats are different from last year in which CISOs perceived cloud account compromise (Microsoft 365, G Suite or other), ransomware attacks and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack as the biggest threats. . In 2024, 51% of Australian CISOs surveyed believe that generative AI poses a security risk to their organisation. The top three systems CISOs view as introducing risk to their organisations are: ChatGPT/other genAI (40%), Slack/Teams/Zoom/other collaboration tools (39%) and Microsoft 365 (34%). The Board-CISO relationship has improved significantly. In 2024, 86% of Australian CISOs agree their board members see eye-to-eye with them on cybersecurity issues. This is a significant jump from 57% in 2023, and 58% in 2022.

In 2024, 86% of Australian CISOs agree their board members see eye-to-eye with them on cybersecurity issues. This is a significant jump from 57% in 2023, and 58% in 2022. CISOs pressures are unrelenting. In 2024, 62% of Australian CISOs admitted to burnout compared to 50% last year, while 73% feel they face excessive expectations, a steady increase from 58% last year and 63% the year before. The sustainability of the ongoing expectations on Australian CISOs continues to be tested66% are concerned about personal liability (54% in 2023) and 75% (56% in 2023) would not join an organisation that does not offer Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance coverage. In addition, 63% of CISOs agreed that the current economic downturn has hampered their ability to make business-critical investments, with 47% of them being asked to cut staff or delay backfills as well as reduce security budgets.

As we navigate through the complexities of todays cyber threat environment, its encouraging to see CISOs gaining confidence in their strategies and tools, commented Ryan Kalember, chief strategy officer at Proofpoint. However, the ongoing challenges of employee turnover, pressure on resources, and the need for continuous board engagement remind us that vigilance and adaptation are key to our collective cyber resilience.

The 2024 Voice of the CISO report examines global third-party survey responses from 1,600 CISOs from organisations of 1,000 employees or more across different industries. Throughout the course of Q1 2024, 100 CISOs were interviewed in each market across 16 countries: the U.S., Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, UAE, KSA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Brazil.

Proofpoint notes that the report offers a vital perspective on the state of cybersecurity from those at the forefront of protecting people and defending data - and also stresses the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures in the face of economic pressures and the critical role of human factors in organisational cyber readiness.



The survey also measures the changes in alignment between security leaders and their boards of directors, exploring how their relationship impacts security priorities, concludes Proofpoint.

To download the 2024 Voice of the CISO report, visit: https://www.proofpoint.com/au/resources/white-papers/voice-of-the-ciso-report
COMPANY NEWS: People Management software solutions provider, OneAdvanced today announced it has entered into a technology partnership with next-generation enterprise payroll software company Ramco Systems. This collaboration will refine the user experience for HR professionals by integrating their payroll and workforce management systems and will enhance business compliance, efficiency, and cost savings.

Combining the OneAdvanced workforce management solution with Ramco's payroll technologies creates an ideal synergy by providing an integrated solution that allows users to seamlessly complete tasks, reduce risk, and increase compliance within HR and payroll processes.

OneAdvanced People Management (Australia) head of sales Damien Durston said this partnership combines the best of both technologies, offering a number of value driven advantages for businesses and employees.

In our experience, we have found that the alignment of HR and payroll data is a foundation of operational excellence. Compliance and business efficiencies are becoming more of a priority in todays workplaces, as companies seek to further reduce costs, said Durston.

Through our collaboration with Ramco, were offering customers a solution that is designed to specifically solve their key challenges, which will help to take some stress off HR teams so that they can reap the benefits and focus more on doing what they do best.

Key benefits integrating the workforce management and payroll solutions include:

Enhanced data integrity: The solution minimises duplicate data entry, enhancing the user experience through a streamlined end-to-end process. This leads to improved productivity and reduces the likelihood of errors.

Easy-to-implement integration: Ramco and OneAdvanced provide standard connectivity for integrating payroll solutions, requiring only the supply of business rules and mapping values. Ongoing testing and maintenance services are also provided, reducing the burden on a companys IT resources.

United workforce engagement: Employees gain access to a unified self-service platform for payroll transactions, offering convenience and empowerment. They can easily access relevant information such as payroll activity and payslips, fostering a seamless and satisfactory user experience.

Stronger compliance capabilities: By integrating with Ramco's global compliance portal and staying updated with statutory payroll requirements, compliant payroll processing is ensured. Advanced follows all legislative changes and updates their award interpretation as needed, mitigating compliance risks and ensuring adherence to regulations.

The OneAdvanced solution applies the necessary award interpretation for the specific business and role, to ensure compliance and accuracy. This capability and data fully integrate with the relevant solutions, including payroll, to eliminate compliance headaches, admin burden and payment issues.

Ramco Systems Oceania business head Vikas Goel said, At Ramco, it gives us great pride to help organisations achieve their payroll objectives with our state-of-the-art payroll platform that can seamlessly integrate with a variety of world class time-and-attendance platforms. Our partnership with OneAdvanced is poised to combine the best values of both our platforms and bring a unique value proposition to the market that helps firms enhance their employee experience, stay on top of regulations, and digitally transform their workforce management and payroll processes.

Durston concluded: When it comes to business compliance, operational efficiencies and cost savings, we play a strategic role in helping our customers achieve these outcomes. Through our technology partnership with Ramco, were proud to say that we have both been able to help our customers make significant improvements; so, its a win-win solution for everyone.

About OneAdvanced

OneAdvanced is a dynamic business software and services provider with 25,000+ customers and 2,700 employees. We provide enterprise and market-focused solutions that allow our customers to reimagine what is possible, innovate in their sectors, and improve the lives of millions of people. Our dedication to delivering exceptional service and our in-depth understanding of industry dynamics have positioned us as a trusted provider for businesses looking to transform the way they operate.

Our cutting-edge solutions include employee tracking, ESS, scheduling, dynamic auto rostering, time & attendance, terminals, award interpretation, cloud hosting, and more, saving you time and reducing costs.

For more information, visit www.oneadvanced.com/en-au/

About Ramco

Ramco Systems is a world-class enterprise software product/ platform provider disrupting the market with its multi-tenant cloud and mobile-based enterprise software, successfully driving innovation for over 25 years. Over the years, Ramco has maintained a consistent track record of serving 1000+ customers globally with two million+ users, and delivering tangible business value in global payroll, aviation aerospace & defense, and ERP. Ramcos key differentiator is its innovative approach to develop products through its revolutionary enterprise application assembly and delivery platform. On the innovation front Ramco is leveraging cutting-edge technologies around artificial intelligence, machine learning, RPA, and blockchain, amongst the others, to help organisations embrace digital transformation.
[Provisional translation]

On May 21, 2024, Prime Minister Kishida held a video conference summit meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the Prime Ministers Official Residence.
[Provisional translation]

On May 21, commencing at 6:45 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a video conference meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The overview is as follows.

1. Opening Remarks

(1) At the outset, H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammad expressed his deep appreciation for Japans understanding on the last-minute postponement of his visit to Japan and stated that he hopes to further strengthen cooperation with Japan and would like to arrange his visit to Japan at an early timing.

(2) In response, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his sincere wishes for the early recovery of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and stated that he would like to strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia, while looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year, and work even more closely together towards the peace and stability in the Middle East region and international community.

(3) The two leaders concurred to establish a Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), chaired by the two leaders to comprehensively strengthen the bilateral relations.

2. Energy security and clean energy

(1) Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the stable supply of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Japan over the years and stated that he expects Saudi Arabia to continue to play a leading role in stabilizing the global oil market, including through further production increases. In addition, he stated that he would like to cooperate toward the establishment of a global supply chain for clean energy, such as hydrogen and ammonia, and promote cooperation in the field of mineral resources while utilizing Japanese technology, under the Lighthouse Initiative, which was agreed between the two countries in July last year.

(2) In response, H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammad stated that Saudi Arabia remains committed to the stable supply of crude oil to Japan and that Saudi Arabia would like to cooperate with Japan in other areas including the field of clean energy.

3. Economic diversification and resilience

(1) Prime Minister Kishida expressed his hopes for direct investment from Saudi Arabia into Japan in a wide range of fields, as well as cooperation in the field of construction, power transmission, utilization of hydrogen, digital, ICT, space, health, medicine, food, agriculture and other sectors, which will lead to creating business opportunities. In addition, he stated that he seeks to work together for the early conclusion of the Japan-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as its negotiations are scheduled to resume in the near future.

(2) In response, H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammad stated Saudi Arabia has been continuing high economic growth, and that he welcomes the resumption of the Japan-GCC-FTA negotiations and the cooperation with Japan in various areas other than the energy field.

4. Strengthening strategic cooperation for regional and international peace and stability

The two leaders exchanged views on regional situations. As for the situation in the Middle East, Prime Minister Kishida explained Japan's diplomatic efforts and contributions regarding the situation surrounding Gaza. In response, H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammed stated that he seeks to continue to closely cooperate with Japan in its diplomatic efforts towards realizing peace and stability.

5. Soft power exchange

(1) Prime Minister Kishida stated that he is pleased to hand over the torch of the Expo to Saudi Arabia in 2030 from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and that he seeks to further encourage the growth of exchanges including in the fields of entertainment, tourism, academia and professional football.

(2) In response, H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammed stated that Japan is also an outstanding country in the area of culture, and that he seeks to strengthen cooperation with Japan in this area as well.
Foreign visitors view exhibits at the 2023 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo in Jingdezhen City, east China's Jiangxi Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)



China's Jingdezhen and Turkiye's Iznik cities stand as a testament to shared cultural values between two ancient cities and their passion for fine porcelain making, Turkish ceramic experts said.

"There are many similarities between Chinese porcelain and Iznik ceramics," Adil Can Guven, a famous Turkish ceramic artist told Xinhua in a recent interview.

He was referring to the northwestern Turkish city of Iznik which was the main center of ceramic production under the Ottomans.

Iznik, a district in the Bursa province of modern Turkiye, boasts a rich history spanning 2,000 years, dating back to its time as the Byzantine city of Nicaea.

During the Ottoman era, influenced by Chinese craftsmanship, Iznik's ceramics and porcelain industry experienced rapid growth from the 15th to the 17th centuries, reaching its zenith in the 16th century.

Guven, a 70-year-old ceramist who recently visited Jingdezhen, the world-famous "porcelain capital" in east China's Jiangxi Province, said he was "very impressed" by the city and its history of porcelain-making dating back over 2,000 years.

Jingdezhen's past role as an official and imperial kiln has elevated the art of porcelain making to unprecedented heights.

"We were very impressed by the porcelain produced in Jingdezhen," he pointed out, stressing that the design of some pieces showcased in the local museum is still in use in Iznik ceramics, such as grapes and waves.

"The Ottomans were significantly inspired" in their ceramic art by the renowned Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, this artist stressed.

The porcelain produced in Jingdezhen and then exported to the Islamic world through the ancient Silk Road bears now testimony to the city's shared values with modern-day Turkiye and its love for ceramics, according to Guven.

In the 15th century, Chinese porcelain gifted to the Ottoman Empire had a very significant importance on Anatolia and the Ottoman Palace, this artist said.

Jingdezhen porcelains inspired Turkish tile masters since the Ottoman era and paved the way for the start of porcelain production in Turkiye, Mehmet Aras, a scholar and expert on ceramics, said to Xinhua in Iznik.

"The Chinese were the first to produce porcelain in the world. It was first made by Chinese craftsman until the 17th century when many other communities tried to emulate their technique," he said.

Technically, porcelain is a type of ceramic, but porcelain is made with superior-grade clay and needs to be fired at more extreme temperatures than ceramics. Porcelain is therefore harder, he noted.

The word "cini" synonymous with ceramics and pottery in Turkish can be translated roughly as something related to China, Aras explained, highlighting that Turkish ceramics are a reflection of Chinese porcelain.

Porcelain, as a symbol of traditional Chinese culture, has built a bridge of cultural exchange between ancient China and foreign countries.

In the present day, Turkiye's "capital of ceramics" Iznik and China's "capital of porcelain" Jingdezhen are sister cities and mutual exchanges of artists and local officials are very important, Iznik's deputy mayor Ahmet Kaya, told Xinhua.

"Jingdezhen and Iznik are two ancient cities that share many commonalities, including culture and civilization. "We have succeeded in building a bridge of friendship and brotherhood," he stated.

Aras and Kaya participated in the 2023 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo in October.

"I was very impressed with what I saw in Jingdezhen, and how the local history has been kept alive," this official stressed.

"Iznik ceramics have been inspired by Chinese porcelain, and the origin of this inspiration is Jingdezhen," the deputy mayor added.

Meanwhile, Topkapi Palace Museum in Turkiye's Istanbul, once the residence of the Ottoman sultans, has been displaying since early May additional pieces from its extensive collection of Chinese porcelain following a major makeover.

After a three-year restoration, visitors can admire thousands of Chinese porcelain pieces, including those exclusively crafted for the sultans, drawing significant attention from Turks and foreign tourists alike.
Atami (Live Japan)

The following is a recommended sightseeing course starting from Atami Station, which includes all that you would like to do in Atami, such as hot spas, gourmet seafood dishes, and relaxation at the beach. Atami has many aspects, including hustle-bustle near Atami Station and a nostalgic atmosphere in the back streets. It is recommended to take the Yu-Yu Bus to visit Atami Castle on the hill.

1. Explore along Atamis Nakamise shopping street with its incredible array of shops!

Nakamise shopping street (Live Japan)

Along Nakamise shopping street and Heiwa shopping street, close to Atami Station, are an array of eating and drinking establishments and souvenir shops. You can enjoy shopping while eating onsen manju (hot-spa sweet buns), a must-try specialty of a hot-spa town.

Atami Ekimae Nakamisedori Shotengai 

Address: Shizuoka Taharahoncho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0011

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line)

Atami Ekimae Heiwadori Shotengai 

Address: Taharahoncho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0011

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 1 minute on foot

Phone Number: 0557-85-2222

2. Atamis fresh seafood dishes are sure to satisfy!

Maguro-don (Live Japan)

Maguroya, famous for its fresh seafood dishes, is popular and frequented by local people. Maguro-don (tuna rice bowl), a specialty of the restaurant, fully satisfies you in terms of volume for its inexpensive price of 500 JPY. Other popular dishes include sashimi-teishoku (sashimi set menu) and kama-age-shirasu-don (rice bowl with freshly boiled young sardine on it). These meals are served with ara-jiru (a savory fish-broth based soup), which is only possible because of the location of Atami close to the sea.

Open: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (closed when all meals are sold out)

Closed: Wednesday (twice a month, but irregularly)

Maguroya  

Address: ATAMIX B1F,Tawarahontyou9-1, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0000

3. Atami onsen: Incredible area for Tokyo day trippers looking to relax at Atamis hot springs!

Atami onsen (Live Japan)

If youre looking to indulge in some of Japans hot springs but dont want to venture far from Tokyo, Atami the right spot for you. Atami is home to dozens of hotels offering a spot to soak.

One such spot is Nikkotei Oyu is a time-honored inn, which is popular among one-day tourists to enjoy hot spring bathing. There is an open-air bath surrounded by bamboo trees, which is large enough to accommodate some 20 people. There is also a room for up to five people, which is recommended for a family.

Open: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Closed: Tuesday (or next day when Tuesday falls on holiday)

Bathing fee: 1,000 JPY (adult)

Private room: For up to five people, 2,000 JPY for two hours

Nikkotei Ooyu 

Address: 5-26, Kamijukucho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0018

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 10 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 0557-83-6021

4. Atami Sun Beach: Resort area with a tropical atmosphere!

Atami Sun Beach (Live Japan)

Sun Beach with palm trees, which many people visit for swimming during summer, has an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you were in a tropical country. The sandy beach is lit up at night, making visitors enjoy a view like a tropical resort. The beach is opened for swimmers every year from the second Saturday of July to August 31.

Swimming is allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the above-mentioned swimming period.

The beach is lit up every night from the sunset to 10:00 p.m.

Atami Sun Beach 

Address: Higashikaigancho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0012

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 12 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 0557-86-6218

5. The most photographed place with a statue based on a novel

Omiya-no Matsu and Kanich, Omiya statues (Live Japan)

The place along the beach where Omiya-no Matsu (pine tree of Omiya) and a statue of Kanichi and Omiya are situated is the most photographed place in Atami. The bronze statue is based on the novel, Konjiki Yasha (The Golden Demon), written by Koyo Ozaki, which gained popularity in the Meiji period (1868-1912). The novel greatly helped make the name of Atami known throughout Japan.

Statue of Kanichi and Omiya 

Address: Higashikaigancho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0012

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 12 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 557-86-6218

6. Atami Castle: An observatory commanding a view of the whole area!

Atami Castle (Live Japan)

Atami Castle is located on the top of Mt. Nishikigaura. The observatory in its tehnshu-kaku (donjon) commands a view of the whole of Atami. Atami is likened to a Monaco in the orient for its resort hotels and beautiful marine views. On a clear day, it is recommended to enjoy views while soaking your feet in the footbath on the first floor (free of charge).

Open: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The castle is open throughout the year.

Entrance charge: 900 JPY (adult)

Atami Castle 

Address: Atami-shi, Shizuoka Sogayama 1993, 413-0000

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line)

Phone Number: 0557-81-6206

Recommended Hotels and Ryokan in Atami

The following hotels are in excellent locations for this Atami itinerary.

Ootsuki Hotel Wafuukan 

Address: 3-19, Higashikaigancho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0012

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 12 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 0557-81-6111

Hotel Sunmi Club Bekkan 

Address: 14-66, Higashikaigancho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0012

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 10 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 0557-81-8000

Hotel Onoya 

Address: 3-9, Wadahamaminamicho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka, 413-0023

Nearest Station: Atami Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Ito Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line), 7 minutes by bus

Phone Number: 0557-82-1111

Via Live Japan
BLOOMINGTON  The severe weather that swept through Central Illinois on Tuesday afternoon overnight into Wednesday left a trail of damage and inconveniences, but at a lesser scale than the devastation seen in other parts of the Midwest.

Rebekka Copple, meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Lincoln, said the agency received reports of downed trees, damaged power lines and siding ripped from buildings. Most of those issues were caused by fierce winds that came through the region ahead of thunderstorms during the nighttime and early morning hours.

A communications tower fell over at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, but they are still investigating the cause of that, Copple said.

During the afternoon and early evening, dust storms forced the Illinois State Police to shut down multiple stretches of interstate due to low visibility. Interstate 55 was closed in both directions at milepost 146, near McLean; shortly after, Interstate 74 was closed between LeRoy and Farmer City.

Several counties  including DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Macon, Piatt, Tazewell and Woodford  were under a dust storm warning from roughly 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, with many mobile phone users receiving an alert notification that urged drivers to pull over if caught in such a situation.

In Logan County, six people were injured in crashes around 5:48 p.m. Tuesday on Illinois 154 near 2000 Avenue, about 15 miles southeast of Lincoln, ISP said. The six were taken to area hospitals, ISP said, but police did not release their medical conditions. ISP also said nine vehicles were towed from the scene.

"Never drive into a dust storm. Find an alternate route or wait for conditions to improve," ISP said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

The warnings came a little over a year after a sudden dust storm caused an 84-car pileup on Interstate 55 south of Springfield. Eight people were killed and dozens more were injured in that storm on May 1, 2023.

The severe weather was part of a pattern of powerful storms moving across the Midwest on Tuesday. In neighboring Iowa, the state patrol confirmed that multiple people died and at least a dozen were injured when a powerful tornado tore through the small community of Greenfield, about 55 miles southwest of Des Moines.

Multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the state, and one also apparently took down several 250-foot wind turbines in southwest Iowa. Some of the turbines caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air and continued to smolder hours later.

Looking to Memorial Day weekend, there is a chance for severe storms across the region, Copple said. While exact times and locations remain uncertain, severe weather is most likely on Sunday, she said.

All hazards are possible," she said, "maybe even a tornado or two.

The National Weather Service at Lincoln regularly posts updates and advisories on social media  facebook.com/NWSLincoln and x.com/NWSLincolnIL  and on its website, weather.gov/ilx.

Mike Koziatek of The Belleville News-Democrat contributed to this report.
Across Idaho, traditional Republicans are trying to wrest back control of the Idaho GOP from the far-right.

The North Idaho Republicans have organized a challenge for nearly every one of the 73 GOP precinct committee officer seats in Kootenai County. The Gem State Conservatives are likewise organizing efforts around the state, including a push to challenge nearly every seat in Bonneville County.

Organizing such a massive slate of candidates is a herculean undertaking, much more difficult than working on ordinary statewide or legislative campaigns, and organizers should be commended. The question this May is: Are Idaho voters equal to the challenge these groups have put to them?

Moderates are at a natural disadvantage in races like these. It takes a lot of work and political engagement to figure out which candidate you want to back in these tiny races that often have next-to no publicity or campaign advertising. Extremist political junkies, whose lives often revolve around politics to an unhealthy degree, often find it easier to organize in such a low-information environment than do moderates who are mostly focused on their jobs and families, and whose positions are more nuanced and not as easily reduced to sound bites and slogans.

But its work that traditional Republican voters should commit to doing this year.

Because if moderates can take back central committees in these counties, it will go a long way toward reining in the outsized influence that faction holds on Idahos public institutions.

True, party control has frequently failed to turn into electoral victory. But that doesnt mean these races arent important.

Heres why: The far-right often fails to win elections because its positions are extreme and unpopular with voters. They cant win elections based on attempts to defund public schools, to end the popular election of senators, to put doctors in jail for administering vaccines or on a platform of reinstating the gold standard. Their voters either dont like these ideas or dont care.

The far-rights main asset is its control of the GOP brand.

The brand matters because the typical Republican voter in Idaho has nothing to do with the state party. Theyve never been to a party meeting or convention.

They are Republicans because national party affiliation has become integral to political identity. Thats the team they root for in politics.

This is why the far-right has tried to expand its ability to discipline and coerce Republican elected officials, and why their favorite epithet is to call more moderate members of the GOP Republicans In Name Only. ... Their most effective political move is to single someone out and say: They arent really on the home team. Theyre playing for the other guys.

That threat allows them to push your representatives and other elected officials to respond to their interests and preferences rather than to yours. As a result, this was the first year that a plurality of Idahoans said the state was on the wrong track, according to the Idaho Public Policy Survey.

So why not take that weapon out of their hands?

If these campaigns succeed and the far-rights grip on the party brand begins to break open, the far-right will return to its recent status as side players rather than the central problem of Idahos political life.

And this election offers you a better chance to do that than any other in recent memory.

Your vote is more powerful in a precinct committee officer race. Theres a precinct committee officer for every precinct  and there are well over 900 statewide, as the Capital Sun noted  which means the number of votes needed to swing a district is tiny.

In Ada County in 2022, for example, few precinct committee officer races were decided by a margin of more than 10 votes, and some were decided by just a single vote. Theres a substantial chance that if you and your family do the research needed to pick a candidate, you could swing the outcome of one precinct committee officer race.

Its a kind of power you rarely get as a voter, and you should use it.
You are here: Arts

When the China-Central Asia Summit's one-year anniversary arrived, the Central Asia Park opened on Sunday in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

The park covers an area of 56,000 square meters and centers on the theme of the summit and the Belt and Road Initiative.

It aims to build a trade and people-to-people exchange platform for China and Central Asia countries in terms of food, cultural exchange, trade discussion and tourism promotion.

Sun Yimin, a senior Xi'an Chanba International Port official, said that the opening of the Central Asia Park is a practical measure to implement the spirit of the China-Central Asia Summit.

He said it also responds to the needs of entrepreneurs and friends from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative for business negotiations and investment in Xi'an.

Yang Bing, director of the port's management committee, said the Central Asia Park, adjacent to the summit venue and situated along the banks of the Bahe River, has been transformed from the original exhibition park.

It consists of three main functional sections: a landscape area, a Silk Road reception lounge, and a Central Asian-themed dining area.

It serves as an important platform for cultural, economic and trade exchanges between countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.
With Evil Does Not Exist, Ryusuke Hamaguchi focuses his intimately realistic eye on a small Japanese village, a self-described jack of all trades and his 8-year-old daughter as Tokyo developers threaten to upend the communitys life and the rural environment by building a glamping facility.

As he did with the Oscar-nominated Drive My Car, Hamaguchi does so patiently, perfectly pacing the picture that takes a few twists and turns as it spins out a modern eco-fable.

The jack of all trades is Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) who lives with his daughter Hana (Ryo Nishikawa) in a cabin outside the town, where hes seen splitting wood, dipping water from a spring to be used by the towns udon noodle restaurant, and carrying the little girl through the snow-covered woods where she identifies trees, plants and deer activity.

That pristine area is threatened by the glamping project, sprung on the villagers at the last minute as the developers rush to try to get COVID subsidies. Brought together for a briefing, the villagers hear from a pair of representatives from Playmode, a Tokyo talent agency hired to pitch the project to the town.

But Takahashi (Ryuji Kosaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani) cant answer most of the questions raised about the location of the septic tank and the environmental ramifications of pollution and the building of the structure.

Returning to Tokyo, the duo argues that the project should be rethought. But theyre sent back to the village with instructions to co-opt Takumi to help pacify the villagers.

As they drive back, however, Hamaguchi gives the film one of his humanist twists. Rather than portray them as corporate villains heartlessly ready to destroy a community and its environment, Takahashi and Mayuzumi become ordinary people, talking about how they ended up in their jobs, their desire or lack thereof to be married and their futures.

That, of course, tempers the feelings while they interact and seemingly start to bond with Takumi, thereby contributing to the high-tension ending that happens very quickly in an otherwise deliberately paced film that has taken its time to reveal its story and message.

The ominous underpinning of Evil Does Not Exist is conveyed aurally through Eiko Ishibashis unsettling score, repeated sounds of distant deer hunters gunshots and the remains of a gut-shot fawn discovered by Takumi and Hana, all analogies or tip-offs for what is to come.

The ending of Evil Does Not Exist is enigmatic to say the least. Even Hamaguchi has said it remains a mystery to him. But that mist-shrouded conclusion is perfect, haunting the viewer and bringing everything about the film to mind long after the credits roll.
Two days after a grand jury indicted him, Tyler Stanford pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday on allegations that he killed his cellmate at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in 2022.

In the true bill, Stanford stands accused of killing Phillip Garcia "purposely and with deliberate and premeditated malice" on Oct. 29, 2022.

In a hearing held by video conference on Wednesday, Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon told Stanford what he was charged with and the possible penalty: life in prison.

Stanford, who appeared from Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, where he's now serving his prior sentence, pleaded not guilty.

He hasn't yet been given a trial date. But Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong appointed the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy to represent him in the case.

In the four-minute hearing, Condon asked Strong to seal the transcript from Monday's grand jury proceeding and all the exhibits from being available to the public until the conclusion of Stanford's criminal case.

The judge agreed.

She also agreed to set Stanford's percentage bond at $2.5 million at Condon's request, "out of an abundance of caution."

Stanford has been eligible for parole since 2020 on a sentence of 13 to 17 years for attempted assault on an officer and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, a drug charge and assault by a confined person.

He currently is set for a parole review in February.

On the afternoon of Oct. 29, 2022, prison staff discovered Garcia unresponsive in his restricted housing cell, on his back with his legs crossed and a bedsheet fashioned into a rope around his neck.

The cell was in disarray as if there had been a struggle, and his cellmate, Stanford, was out of breath. When asked what happened, he allegedly said "no comment," according to a search warrant filed in 2022, asking to get DNA from Stanford.

Despite efforts to save him, Garcia was pronounced dead at 4:24 p.m. that day.

In the search warrant, a Nebraska State Patrol investigator said Stanford called his mother a day later and said he had been trying to get mental health help for a week and had been ignored and just blacked out.

"I don't really know what happened," he told her, according to the investigator.

Garcia, of Scottsbluff, had two sons, according to his obituary.

Under state law, a grand jury is called when a person dies in custody.

Getting away with murder: Nebraska cold cases Patricia Webb Tina McMenamin Ali Saleh Al-Saidi Gina Bos Ann Marie Kelley Carl Bittner K.K. Kody Christi Nichols Donald Bennett Ernestine Ruschy Eugene McGuire Jay Durnil Mary Heese Gregory Moore Irvin Settje Jason Remsen Jason Vesper Brian Walker Arthur Morley Jay Blockson Jeanne Kassebaum William, Bernice and Barbara Peak Jeffrey Snoddy Joy Blanchard Demetrius Simpson Julie Derrick Leah Rowlands Letha Harley Mary Cabral Mary Cronin Merlin Mosel Mitchell Simon Patrick Vostades Rebecca Williams Richard Chadek Richard Lessley Robert Beaudoin Robert Heelan Rudolfo Flores Russell McKnight Sandy Green Sarah Neal Tyrone Banister Waddell Robinson Charles Hanks
A high school teacher in Madison in northeast Nebraska was arrested Monday and accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Nixel Ortiz, 29, a teacher at Madison High School, is facing a charge of sexual abuse by a school employee, the Nebraska State Patrol said in a news release.

The State Patrol said it received information about an alleged relationship between a teacher and a student at the school. After an investigation, it issued a warrant for Ortiz's arrest.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office arrested Ortiz on Monday and took her to the Madison County Jail, where she remains.

The State Patrol said the investigation is continuing.

Photos: Severe weather hits Omaha area
RACINE  Benjamin Torine had not seen James Bucholtz in more than four years, so he was unsure what to expect when they reconnected in-person.

As soon as they started talking, though, they were like old friends, Torine said.

A short time later, Bucholtz was Torines first salute when Torine became a Navy officer on May 11 in Madison.

They were both nervous for the first salute, but it went well. Bucholtz saluted Torine, who gave a slight smile and saluted Bucholtz. They then shook hands and hugged.

When Torine asked Bucholtz to be his first salute, he immediately accepted.

I was honored, Bucholtz said. I was blown away by it. I was like, Absolutely. I didnt give it a second thought.

It was the first time Bucholtz had done a first salute and attended an officer commissioning ceremony, which he said was a really cool experience.

The commissioning was before Torines college graduation, where he received a bachelors degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The first salute is for a current or former military member who has guided the newly commissioned officer, and Torine said Bucholtz did exactly that for him over the past several years.

Bucholtz, who was in the Air Force for eight years, taught Torine for three years in the Horlick High School aviation pathway and was his homeroom teacher. Torine was also a teachers assistant in one of Bucholtzs courses.

They quickly connected over a similar sense of humor, and Bucholtz said Torine was outgoing and motivated yet easygoing.

You never had to push him to really get good grades, Bucholtz said. He had that intrinsic motivation. He was an absolute joy to have in class, because we were constantly joking and having fun.

The first time he had a class with Bucholtz, Torine could tell he would be an excellent mentor because of how he supported students.

Bucholtz didnt sugarcoat anything, but he wasnt mean at all, Torine said. He just was there genuinely wanting to help support all of us, which I thought was fantastic  He wanted to give his students all the resources that he possibly could provide.

Since seventh grade, Torine had planned to join the Navy, and Bucholtz helped him along the way.

That included providing information about the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps, which Torine was in during his four years of college, and assisting Torine with scholarship applications.

They stayed in touch while Torine was in college, and Bucholtz expressed pride in his former student.

Hes a tremendous young man, and hes done very well for himself, and I know his parents are beaming with joy, Bucholtz said.

That sentiment was rewarding for Torine to hear.

It means a lot, Torine said. To hear somebody who I cherish so much say that to me, I take it to my heart.

Torine is a medical service officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, and he will likely be a healthcare administrator for the next five years.

He is living in Madison and waiting to hear where he will be stationed, which could be nearly anywhere around the globe. Torine hopes to be in Japan, where he did NROTC training in summer 2022.

Torine is embracing the uncertainty and is excited to soon learn where he will live and work.

Over the past several years, he has learned to go with the flow and enjoy and truly take in a sense of adventure of the unknown, Torine said. Im not really stressed about it. Its really honestly extremely exciting, because I have no clue where Ill be.

Wherever he goes, they plan to stay in touch, and Bucholtz is certain Torine will be an effective naval officer.

Torine is gonna be great in whatever he does, Bucholtz said. Ive never had any doubt about that.

Which U.S. cities are best for new college graduates? Which U.S. cities are best for new college graduates? Top 10 places for new college graduates Which U.S. cities are best for new college graduates?
Tourists visit a national wetland park in Xinghua, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourism is increasingly emerging as a strategic pillar industry in China, serving as a focal point of the country's high-quality development.



Since the initiation of reform and opening up in 1978, especially since 2012, the country's tourism sector has entered a fast lane of development. China has become the biggest domestic tourism market in the world, the largest source of international tourists, and a main destination for international travelers.

Over the past decades, Chinese people have witnessed unprecedented improvements in living standards, with absolute poverty eradicated and the realization of a moderately prosperous society. Tourism has become a burgeoning demand among Chinese people seeking a better quality of life.

Between 2012 and 2021, the average annual growth rate of domestic tourism revenue stood at 10.6 percent, while from 2012 to 2019, the number of domestic tourist trips doubled. In 2023, China recorded 4.89 billion domestic travel trips, marking a staggering 93.3-percent surge from the previous year. Moreover, domestic travelers spent over 4.91 trillion yuan (about 691 billion U.S. dollars) throughout the year, reflecting a notable increase of 140.3 percent from 2022.

The enduring popularity of traditional attire Hanfu, intangible cultural heritage items, museums, and well-preserved ancient towns and streets illustrates the vigor of cultural and tourism consumption nationwide. The mushrooming cultural and tourism hotspots underscore the immense potential and dynamism of China's economic development.

The flourishing tourism market has been buttressed by enhanced infrastructure, increases in residents' incomes and the introduction of innovative tourism products, among other factors. The emergence of smart tourism represents a novel facet of consumption, with technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence seamlessly integrated into consumption scenarios, thereby fostering new immersive and interactive experiences.

The range of tourist attractions has extended beyond traditional natural landscapes and cultural monuments to encompass rural areas, ice-and-snow attractions, revolutionary sites and theme parks.

As China endeavors to improve modern tourism systems and advance high-quality tourism development, tourism consumption is expected to assume an increasingly pivotal role in bolstering domestic demand. It is estimated that every 1 yuan of tourism industry income stimulates 4.3 yuan of revenue in related industries.

Meanwhile, thanks to its commitment to openness, China's burgeoning tourism sector also represents a significant opportunity to enhance mutual learning and exchanges between civilizations. In 2023, China welcomed 82.03 million inbound tourists, while domestic residents made 100.96 million outbound trips.
1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

Vote

View Results
A convenience store for K-Ramyeon: CU Ramyun Library (Korea Tourism Organization)

Hongdae is the place where the hippest things in Seoul can be found. But did you know there is a unique convenience store that has become a must-visit destination for both domestic and international visitors? Join us as we explore this convenience store specializing in ramyeon, where you can pick and make your own noodles on the ramyeon cooker!

1. Whats the Deal with the CU Hongdae Sangsang Branchs Ramyun Library?

A massive display case for ramyeon that occupies the entire wall (Korea Tourism Organization)

One wall of the CU Hongdae Sangsang Branch is dedicated to the Ramyun Library, a massive collection of instant noodles found in Korea. This massive display case with 100 compartments seems to say, Welcome! We didnt know what you like, so we just got everything! Indeed, there are nearly 105 instant noodle products on display, including 90 from well-known Korean brands such as Buldak Ramen and Shin Ramyun. Considering that most convenience stores offer about 30 types of instant noodles, the collection here is three times as large as those found in most stores.

They provide the details of each product, including its spice level, in English, Japanese, and Chinese (Korea Tourism Organization)

Even if you arent familiar with Korean instant noodles, the Ramyun Library has multilingual labels (English, Japanese, and Chinese) that provide information on price, characteristics, and the spice level of each noodle, making it easy to choose one that fits your preference. For your reference, Shin Ramyun, one of the most popular instant noodles in Korea, is labeled as VERY HOT (level 4). Also, note that instant noodles described as MILD (level 1) may still include some spices, such as pepper.

Standing tables that look like cup noodles (Korea Tourism Organization) Standing tables that look like cup noodles (Korea Tourism Organization)

Even the tables in Ramyun Library follow the theme. If you would like, you can take a picture with the cup noodles-shaped table to remember your visit!

2. New to K-Ramyeon? Start with Our Top 3 Picks!

You can use the ramyeon cooker to prepare your noodles in the store. (Korea Tourism Organization) Cooking instant noodles with the ramyeon cooker (Korea Tourism Organization) Cooking instant noodles with the ramyeon cooker (Korea Tourism Organization)

First time cooking instant noodles? Are the instructions on the back too small to read? No worries! Theres a perfect way to cook instant noodles for anyone. First, choose the ramyeon. Then, pay for the ramyeon along with a paper vessel (900 won) suitable for your ramyeon. After, simply use the ramyeon cooker to prepare your meal! It wont be too difficult, as the instructions and recommended recipes are conveniently located next to the ramyeon cooker.

>> How to Use the Instant Noodle Cooker

 Open the ramyeon package and put the noodles and seasoning into the paper vessel.

 Scan the package barcode using the barcode reader.

 Place the paper vessel on the cooking surface.

 Press the Start Cooking button.

 When the noodles are done cooking, remove the vessel.

 Enjoy your noodles!

Toppings for your ramyeon (Korea Tourism Organization)

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the vast diversity of ramyeon available, you might want to start with the bestsellers. Add toppings to your liking, and youll have a meal that is truly worth your visit. Here are some of the ramyeon dishes we cooked in the store, so take note!

BEST 1. Budaejjigae Noodle Soup

Budaejjigae Noodle Soup topped with a slice of cheese (Korea Tourism Organization)

Introduction | Premium ramyeon inspired by sausage jjigae (budaejjigae)

Spice Level |  (HOT)

Price | 1,600 won

Flavor | This noodle enjoys a loyal following in Korea, thanks to its rich ox bone-based broth. It also offers a wide selection of ingredients, from sausage and fishcake to kimchi, green onions, and rice cake, allowing you to enjoy a delightful mix of textures similar to those found in freshly prepared sausage jjigae.

Recommended Topping | Round out the heat with a slice of cheese.

BEST 2. Ansungtangmyun Mild

Ansungtangmyun Mild with mandu (Korea Tourism Organization)

Introduction | A mild ramyeon with deep and elegant chicken-based soup

Spice Level |  (MILD)

Price | 900 won

Flavor | This is the mild version of the beloved classic, Ansungtangmyun. Though the soup may appear red like other ramyeon, it does not contain chili pepper powder. Instead, this beef-and-chicken-based soup is flavored with soybean paste, imbuing it with a rich and savory taste.

Recommended Topping | Enhance your dish with the juicy and tender mandu.

BEST 3. Sesame Ramen

Sesame Ramen with an egg (Korea Tourism Organization)

Introduction | A rich and spicy soup enhanced with sesame, eggs, and sesame oil

Spice Level |  (HOT)

Price | 1,350 won

Flavor | This package includes an egg block and a chili oil packet, which combine to produce the unique flavors of the Sesame Ramen. Struggling to imagine the taste? Think of a warm bowl of egg drop soup, enriched with sesame oil, but spicier. If you arent accustomed to spicy foods, start with half the chili oil packet. For a fuller egg texture, crack an egg into the soup!

Recommended Topping | Soften the heat and saltiness with a cracked egg.

Feeling tempted yet? Head over to Hongdae, the young and hip hangout of Seoul, to discover the best instant noodle recipe of your life!

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Address: 25 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (   25)

Operating hours: Open 24 hr

Inquiries: +82-507-1324-2463

Instagram: @cu_official

More info

1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)

* This column was last updated in March 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates from the official website before visiting.

COPYRIGHTS KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.visitkorea.or.kr
Severe thunderstorms left many Winona-area residents sheltering for safety Tuesday evening as tornado warnings were issued in Winona, Buffalo and Trempealeau counties.

The National Weather Service in La Crosse confirmed a tornado over Altura at 6:06 p.m.

The tornado was recorded traveling northeast at 45 mph.

"At 6:20 p.m., a severe squall line capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located along a line extending from near Alma to near Fountain City to near Rushford, moving east at 65 mph, the National Weather Service stated.

The storms knocked out power to more than 740 Xcel Energy customers in Winona, according to Xcel.

In the La Crosse area, over 3,000 Xcel customers were without power Tuesday night.

Earlier Tuesday, multiple schools closed early due to severe storms predicted to hit the region.

In Houston County, Caledonia, La Crescent Hokah, and Spring Grove school districts closed early at 1:15 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., respectively.

In Vernon County, De Soto students were also released early, with elementary students being dismissed at 1 p.m. and middle and high school students being dismissed at 1:30 p.m. All after-school events were canceled at schools that released early.

While Westby Area School District students are not expected to dismiss early, the district canceled all after school events.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has highlighted the role of the financial sector in serving the real economy and urged efforts to promote the sector's high-quality development.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and head of the Central Financial Commission, made the remarks in instructions on local financial work.

Li called for efforts to uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over the financial work, and remain committed to the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics.

Li called for efforts to do a good job in the areas of technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance and digital finance; coordinate financial opening up and security; and accelerate the building of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics.

He also underscored the need to complete the reform of local financial management mechanisms on schedule, strengthen regular supervision over local financial institutions, and guard against the bottom line of no systemic financial risk.

A national conference of the directors of the offices of financial commissions under local Party committees was held in Beijing on Tuesday. He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the office of the Central Financial Commission, attended the conference and made a speech.

Concerted efforts should be made to strictly forestall interconnected risks in areas such as real estate, local government debts, and local small and medium-sized financial institutions, He said. Illegal financial activities should be heavily cracked down upon, He said.

He also urged identifying the entry points for enhancing financial support for the real economy, intensifying support for major strategies, key areas and weak links, and promoting the high-quality development of the financial sector.
On 21 May Spains Foreign Ministerannounced that the country had recalled its ambassador to Argentina, in the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries.

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On 21 May Ecuadors Foreign Ministeraccused Vice Presidentof acting against Ecuador after Abad described Presidentas an authoritarian.

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Int'l society reaffirms commitment to one-China principle

Xinhua) 09:05, May 22, 2024

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Governments, political parties and international organizations worldwide have reiterated their adherence to the one-China principle and their firm opposition to the so-called "Taiwan independence."

Recently, UN agencies and international organizations in Geneva have reaffirmed adherence to Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly and firmly support the one-China principle.

The South Center, an intergovernmental organization of developing nations, stressed that the world is home to only one China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The South Center opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and fully supports the peaceful reunification of China.

U Tin Oo, chairman of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association, said Myanmar firmly supports the one-China principle and has publicly voiced its support for China on many occasions. Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity was the political foundation for establishing diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China.

Pakistan reiterated the one-China principle, saying that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is a reaffirmation of the principle by the UN. The resolution restored the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

Baloch said the resolution unequivocally recognized the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN.

Pakistan's policy on Taiwan is consistent, clear and principled, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, she added.

Emmanuel Delphine Edith Adouki, minister of higher education, research, and technological innovation of the Republic of the Congo, stated that the one-China principle is indisputable and rooted in history and international law.

Also, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guy Nestor Itoua and Presidential Advisor on Foreign Affairs Bienvenu Okiemy, among other high-level officials of the Republic of the Congo, reiterated that the one-China principle is a deeply ingrained international consensus. The Congolese government consistently supports the one-China principle and the Chinese government's efforts to maintain national reunification.

Rukia Nakadama, Uganda's third deputy prime minister, said that Uganda respects China's sovereignty position on Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory. Ugandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem said the cornerstone of Uganda-China relations is the one-China principle.

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, secretary for external relations of the ZANU-PF politburo and Zimbabwe's former foreign minister, stated that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. He emphasized that the one-China principle will remain Zimbabwe's steadfast position, both now and in the future. He reiterated that there is only one China in the world.

Mumbengegwi emphasized that safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the right of every sovereign state, and China is no exception. He added that external forces should not interfere in China's internal affairs.

Jaafaru Yakubu, chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, expressed that Nigeria's commitment to the one-China principle remains unwavering. He emphasized that Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory that cannot be separated. Having experienced the hardship of civil wars, Nigeria deeply understands China's determination to defend its territorial integrity.

"The importance of China's peaceful reunification is deep-rooted, and the Chinese government should be encouraged to do everything possible within its power to achieve this particular objective," Vernon Mwaanga, honorary president of the Zambia Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification of China and former foreign minister of Zambia, has said.

Swiss sinologist, historian, and international security policy expert Peter Hediger said that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China. The general secretary of the Communist Party of Switzerland, Massimiliano Ay, said the one-China principle is synonymous with national sovereignty and cannot be used on a variable basis by other governments.

Tia Ju, vice president of the Legislative Assembly of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Henrique da Nobrega, president of the Brazil-China Friendship Association, said that Brazil supports the one-China principle, recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory and supports China's early and peaceful reunification.

Maria Jose Pizarro, first vice president of the Senate of Colombia, stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Colombia has adhered to the one-China principle and welcomes China's friendly relations with all of Latin America.

Monica Karina Bocanegra, president of the Commission of International Relations of the House of Representatives in Colombia, stated that Colombia remains committed to the one-China principle. He also stated that the House of Representatives fully supports China's efforts in maintaining world peace and promoting international justice.

Nourredine Djoudi, who previously served as Algeria's ambassador to South Africa and the Netherlands, personally participated in the historic event of promoting the return of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations. Djoudi stated that the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 was a victory for the one-China principle and for developing countries. It represents an international consensus and the trend of history. This conclusion is unambiguous and should not be distorted or altered by any country.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2024 shows the load-transfer yard of the Horgos Port in Horgos, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has seen remarkable growth across key economic indicators since last year, with its growth rates of GDP, investment, consumption, import and export, fiscal revenue and resident income levels all ranking among the top five nationwide.

Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the regional government, highlighted these achievements during a press briefing held in Beijing on Tuesday, noting that "2023 marked the best year in terms of the quality and efficiency of economic and social development in Xinjiang in recent years."

Xinjiang has committed to expanding high-level domestic and international opening up, building itself into an important corridor linking Asia and Europe and a gateway for China's opening up in the west, said Erkin Tuniyaz.

Over the past two years, Xinjiang's total import and export volumes have surged by 57 percent and 45.9 percent, respectively.

"Over a span of 15 years, we witnessed Xinjiang's import and export volume grow from 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars) in 2007 to 200 billion yuan in 2022. ... Last year, this figure reached 357.3 billion yuan, and we anticipate yet another milestone this year, reaching 400 billion yuan," said Chen Weijun, executive vice chairman of the regional government of Xinjiang.

To advance the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), the first in China's northwestern border regions and the country's youngest, established in November 2023, Xinjiang will focus on building an open and distinctive industrial system, constructing a comprehensive logistics hub connecting Eurasia and enhancing trade facilitation, said Sun Hongmei, vice chairperson of the Xinjiang regional government.

Meanwhile, the region is actively constructing a modern industrial system. Based on its rich resources and industrial foundation, Xinjiang is accelerating the development of major industrial clusters including oil and gas, coal and coal-fired power generation, a coal chemical industry, green mining and strategic emerging industries. The integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries is increasingly improving, according to Erkin Tuniyaz.

He highlighted Xinjiang's roles as a strategic base for China's energy and resource security, and a crucial supply base for high-quality agricultural and pastoral products used nationwide.

In the first quarter of 2024, Xinjiang's GDP grew by 5.6 percent year on year, the value-added industrial output of enterprises above designated size increased by 8 percent, while its foreign trade volume expanded by 42.7 percent. These indicators exceeded expectations, confirming a promising start to 2024, Erkin Tuniyaz said.

Last year, Xinjiang saw its grain planting area increase by 390,666 hectares to reach over 2.8 million hectares, while its grain output increased by 3.05 million tonnes to reach over 21 million tonnes. Additionally, as the nation's major cotton production base, Xinjiang has maintained its position as the top producer in both total output and unit yield for cotton for 30 consecutive years, according to Erkin Tuniyaz.

This year, the region's target is to maintain cotton production above 5 million tonnes, and boosting grain output by at least 1 million tonnes, he noted.

Erkin Tuniyaz also underscored the region's efforts in pushing forward its renewable energy sector over the past few years.

In 2023, solar and wind power generation in Xinjiang accounted for 4.6 percent and 7.3 percent of the national total, respectively. It will accelerate the establishment of clean energy bases, focusing particularly on wind and solar power.

Xinjiang has intensified efforts to improve people's wellbeing.

The region has increased investment in education, offering 15 years of free education from kindergarten to high school in southern Xinjiang, Erkin Tuniyaz said.

A series of measures to boost employment have been implemented. In 2023, the region created 482,200 new urban jobs.

In terms of healthcare, Erkin Tuniyaz said high-quality medical resources have been introduced at the grassroots level, fostering a healthcare service network covering both urban and rural areas.

To date, Xinjiang has constructed 2.7 million earthquake-resistant houses in rural areas, accommodating over 11 million farmers and herdsmen, said Erkin Tuniyaz.
Atef Al-Buhaisi is a 6-year-old from the Palestinian territory of Gaza. He once dreamed of a career building houses. Now, all he wants is to return to school.

In Israel's war with Hamas, Atef's home has been bombed, his teacher killed and his school in Nuseirat made into a refuge for displaced people. He lives in a crowded tent with his family in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

The war started last October. It was Israels answer to the Hamas attack on October 7. The terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 250 hostages from southern Israel.

Since the start of the war, all of Gaza's schools have closed, leaving hundreds of thousands of students like Atef without formal schooling or a safe place to spend their days. Aid groups are working to keep children off the streets and their minds centered on something other than the war.

What weve lost most is the future of our children and their education, said Irada Ismael, Atefs grandmother. "Houses and walls are rebuilt, money can be earned again...but how do I compensate for (his) education?

Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis

Aid groups say about 80 percent of Gazas population has been driven from their homes. Much of Gaza is damaged or destroyed, including nearly 90 percent of school buildings.

The Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, says more than 35,000 Palestinians, including civilians and fighters, have been killed in the war.

And the head of the U.N. World Food Program said a full-blown famine is already underway in the north.

Children are among the most severely affected. The U.N. estimates some 19,000 children have been orphaned and nearly a third under the age of two face malnutrition.

In emergencies, education is less important than safety, health and sanitation, education experts say. But the effects are lasting.

Before the war, Gaza was home to more than 625,000 students and some 20,000 teachers, the U.N. says. In other conflicts, aid groups can create safe spaces for children in neighboring countries. Poland has been used for shelter and schooling for Ukrainians during the war there, for example.

That is not possible in Gaza, a highly populated area locked between the sea, Israel and Egypt. Since October 7, Palestinians from Gaza have not been permitted to cross into Israel. Egypt has let a small number of Palestinians leave.

Tess Ingram is with the children and education organization UNICEF. She told the Associated Press, "Its very hard to provide them with certain services, such as mental health and psychosocial support or consistent education and learning.

Aid groups try to help

Aid groups hope classes will start by September. But even if a cease-fire deal is reached, much of Gaza must be cleared of mines. And rebuilding schools could take years.

In the meantime, aid groups are providing activities like games, drawing, and art. The activities are not a formal education but provide children with a sense of normalcy. Even then, supporters say, their attention often turns to the war. Atef's grandmother sees him draw pictures only of tents, planes and missiles.

Finding free space is among the biggest difficulties. Some volunteers use the outdoors, do their best inside tents where people live, or find a room in homes still standing.

This month, UNICEF had planned to build at least 50 tents for some 6,000 children from preschool to grade 12 to provide some informal schooling. But UNICEF says those plans could be disrupted by Israel's operation there.

Lack of schooling can cause psychological impacts. It disrupts daily life and, combined with conflict, makes children more likely to experience anxiety, said Jesus Miguel Perez Cazorla. He is a mental health expert with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Children in conflicts are also at increased risk of forced labor, sexual violence, trafficking and recruitment by criminal and armed groups, experts warn.

Samantha Nutt is with War Child USA, a group that supports children and families in war zones. She said the children are in danger of being recruited by Hamas and other militant groups. The constant violence makes children believe that they want to take action against the groups they consider responsible, she said.

Palestinian parents say they have seen more children on the streets trying to earn money for their families. Some try to find small ways to teach their children. But many say the kids are too distracted, with the world around them at war.

Sabreen al-Khatib is a mother whose family was displaced to Deir al-Balah from Gaza City. She said it is especially hard for the many who have seen relatives die.

When you speak in front of children," al-Khatib said, "what do you think he is thinking? Will he think about education? Or about himself, how will he die?

I'm Dan Novak.

And I'm Gena Bennett.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Quiz - For Children of Gaza, War Means No School Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

formal  adj. requiring or using serious and proper clothes and manners

compensate  v. to provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable

famine  n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat

orphan  n. a child whose parents are dead

malnutrition  n. the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food

anxiety  n. fear or nervousness about what might happen

traffic  v. to buy or sell something especially illegally

recruit  v. to find suitable people and get them to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc.
The American artificial intelligence company OpenAI has removed one of its ChatGPT voices. The move came after actor Scarlett Johansson said the voice sounded eerily similar to her voice in the movie Her.

In a post Monday on the social media service X, OpenAI said it is working to pause Sky. That is the name of one of five voices that ChatGPT users can choose to speak with in its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.

In a statement, Johansson said that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had asked her last September if she would lend her voice to the ChatGPT system. Johansson said she declined the offer.

Johansson said, When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine. She added that her close friends and even the news media could not tell the difference between her voice and the voice of Sky.

Johansson said OpenAI agreed to take down the Sky voice after her lawyers asked about the process by which the company came up with the voice.

OpenAI said in an online post that the voice of Sky belongs to a different professional actress. But it added that it could not share the name of that actress for privacy reasons.

In an email sent to The Associated Press following Johanssons statement Monday, Altman said that OpenAI selected the voice actor behind Sky before any outreach to Johansson. The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johanssons, and it was never intended to resemble hers, Altman added.

Voice Mode

OpenAI added voice capabilities to ChatGPT last September. The feature is called Voice Mode. It permits users to have a conversation with the AI assistant. In November, OpenAI announced that the feature would become free for all users with the mobile app.

Last week, OpenAI showed off its latest AI model, called ChatGPT-4o. The program lets users speak to the chatbot and get real-time answers. The chatbot now has emotion in its voice and even tries to understand a persons emotional state by looking at a selfie video of their face.

The capabilities have brought comparisons to the 2013 movie Her. The film follows a man who falls in love with an AI assistant, which is voiced by Johansson.

Altman appeared to make the same comparison. He wrote the word her on the social media service X on the day of GPT-4os release.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press and Reuters news reports.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

eerily - adv. strangely and mysteriously

pause - v. to stop temporarily

decline - v. to say no to something

demo - n. an example of a product

pursue - v. try to do something

resemble - v. to be like

capability - n. the ability to do something
A recent study found that the summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years.

When the temperatures increased last year, many weather agencies said it was the hottest month, summer and year on record. But those records only go back to 1850 because they are based on thermometers - devices used for measuring temperature.

Now, however, scientists can look back to year one of the modern western calendar. And researchers have found no hotter northern summer than that of last year.

A study in the scientific publication Nature uses a well-established method and record of more than 10,000 tree rings to calculate summertime temperatures for each year since the year 1. No year came even close to last summers high heat, said the studys lead writer Jan Esper of the Gutenberg Research College in Germany.

Before modern times, the hottest summer was in the year 246, Esper said.

Espers paper showed that in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer of 2023 was as much as 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than the summer of 246. In fact, 25 of the last 28 years have been hotter than that early medieval summer, said study co-writer Max Torbenson.

That gives us a good idea of how extreme 2023 is, Esper told The Associated Press.

The team used thousands of trees in 15 different places in the Northern Hemisphere where there was enough data to get a good measure going back to year 1, Esper said. There was not quite enough tree data in the Southern Hemisphere to publish, but even the limited data showed something similar, he said.

Scientists looked at the rings of yearly tree growth to then give yearly dates to every ring, Torbenson suggested.

But outside experts had questions about the study. University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann, who was not part of the study, wondered why researchers stopped their look back at year 1. Mann suggested other temperature estimates go back more than 20,000 years. He said just using tree rings is considerably less reliable than looking at all sorts of other data, including ice cores, corals and more.

Esper said his new study only uses tree data because it is exact enough to give summer-by-summer temperature estimates, which cannot be done with corals, ice cores and other data sources. Tree rings are higher resolution, he said.

The worldwide temperature records set last summer were so high that its not surprising they would ...clearly be the warmest in the past 2,000 years, said Berkeley Earth climate scientist Zeke Hausfather. Hausfather was not part of the study.

Its likely the warmest summer in 120,000 years, though we cannot be absolutely sure, he added, because data exact to a year does not go back that far.

Because high-resolution yearly data does not go back that far, Esper said it is wrong for scientists and the media to call it the hottest in 120,000 years. Two thousand years is enough, he said.

Esper also said the period of 1850 to 1900 that scientists  especially the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  use for the base period before warming may be a bit cooler than the instrumental records show.

The instruments back then were more often in the hot sun instead of sheltered from it, as they are now. And tree rings continue to show that it was about 0.2 degrees Celsius cooler than thermometers show.

That means there has been a bit more warming from human-caused climate change than most scientists calculate, an issue being examined by researchers over the last few years.

Im John Russell.

Seth Borenstein reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted if for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

calendar  n. an arrangement of time into days, weeks, months, and years

calculate  v. to determine by mathematical processes

reliable  adj. giving the same result on many trials; dependable

coral  n. a kind of animal (a polyp) that forms reefs

core  n. a part (such as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass especially to determine composition
Push-up or bralette, red or blue, underwire or non-wire - today you can choose your perfect bra from thousands of different options, ranging from shape and material to color and additional details. However, a century ago, women did not have such a variety. The first modern bra was patented not so long ago - in 1914. Prior to that, women had to suffer in uncomfortable corsets that not only constrained their movements but also seriously harmed their health.

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Thus, the first sconce was invented by the American Mary Phelps Jacobs. And she did it completely by accident. OBOZREVATEL decided to tell you how it happened and why the war "helped" bras gain popularity.

While preparing for the debutante ball, Mary Phelps Jacobs wore a stiff corset that was visible under her translucent dress. "Bring me two of my handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon," she told her maid, who helped her sew a simple bra from these materials.

This caused a sensation among Mary's friends. They asked her to make bras for them as well. The American woman decided to patent this idea and start her own business after a stranger offered her one dollar for her product.

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Jacobs called her invention a "backless bra" and managed to get several orders from department stores. Things were going well, but in the end, the startup still failed. At the request of her husband, Mary sold the patent to Warner Brothers Corset in Connecticut for $1500. In the first 30 years of their existence, they earned more than $15 million on bras.

However, the popularity, or rather the need for bras, was significantly affected by the First World War. Despite Jacobs' invention, girls still continued to squeeze their bodies into corsets that shaped their figures according to the Victorian ideal: ample breasts on a thin waist. But because the frames of corsets were mostly made of metal, which was needed for ammunition and other military goods, the US War Industries Board in 1917 asked American women to stop buying them.

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So we can say that the shortage of metal during the First World War helped women take a confident step towards freedom, both physical and symbolic.

The problem was that all bras were made in the same size. They were much more comfortable than corsets, but still caused difficulties for ladies with "non-universal" breasts.

It was only in 1922 that Ida Rosenthal and her husband William, the founders of the Maidenform brand, which still exists today, opened their own bra company in America, paying more attention to the shape, design, cup size, and elasticity of materials. They are credited with introducing the A, B, C and D cup system.

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Since then, the bra industry has been gaining momentum. More and more new manufacturers are appearing. And each of them offers something innovative, more comfortable and interesting. In 1935, a push-up with insertable pads was invented for breast enhancement. In 1942, a clasp was added to the bra, and a year later, a bra with underwire.

In the 80s, the bra acquired more familiar contours and shapes. At the same time, a bra with a front clasp was invented. It is not known for certain who created it, but according to rumors, it was a man.

As for the Soviet Union, there was no underwear, and no sex. At least, it was not customary to talk about it. After the proclamation of gender equality and the joint construction of communism, the industry almost completely switched to military needs, and women became sexless. Comfortable, let alone beautiful bras were sorely lacking.

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Until the 1930s, all bras were exclusively white, black, and blue (as well as underwear, underpants, or T-shirts) - no one should stand out. Faceless and ugly bras were not a problem at that time, but the lack of different sizes was a real problem. Women had to either wear pre-revolutionary lingerie or make their own bras: make smaller ones from large ones and vice versa. There were not enough fabrics. The tension with accessories and materials lasted until the 1960s.

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Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that the network showed an invention introduced in 1971 in Belgium - the so-called electric bra. Its creators believed that it could promote breast growth.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Ordinary everyday clothes hide many mysteries. Why are there bows on women's underwear, why is a zipper sewn into lace-up boots, and why do buttons on women's and men's shirts fasten on different sides?

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The answer to the last question was found on the Quota service by journalists from The Sun. There, fashion history experts explained how the structure of society several hundred years ago formed a custom that is still followed today: to put buttons on men's shirts on the left side and on women's shirts on the right.

It turns out that this particular location of the clasp on men's clothing could be due to dueling traditions. During honor fights, it was easier for the participants to unbutton their clothes with their left hand to discard all unnecessary things and prepare for the fight. Since most people are right-handed, swords were also held in the right hand. So the left hand was free for any manipulations with the clothes, and the clasp was adjusted to fit it.

As for the buttons on women's shirts, experts have no definitive version. Some suggest that they began to be sewn on the right side because of the need to feed babies. Here, the pattern is exactly the opposite of that of men - a woman is more likely to hold a child with her left hand so that her right hand is free for other activities. For example, to unbutton her shirt before feeding.

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Another theory links the establishment of this tradition to the peculiarities of riding. Since ladies wore long and heavy skirts, had underwear that reached almost to the floor, and had to observe etiquette, they had to ride their horses sideways, with both legs over to the right side. Buttons on the left side prevented the wind from getting under the shirt while riding.

But even this version does not exhaust the issue. Some suggest that the practice of sewing buttons on different sides actually began during the heyday of women's emancipation, when women began wearing trousers and other elements of men's wardrobe instead of uncomfortable corsets and long skirts. In order to avoid confusion, tailors probably started sewing buttons in different ways.

The Atlantic magazine also came up with its own version, blaming Napoleon Bonaparte for this division. The French emperor liked to walk with his hand between the buttons of his shirt, which is recorded in his portraits. For this habit, he was allegedly often teased by ladies who copied the ruler's pose. There is a legend that, irritated by this, Napoleon could order tailors to sew ladies' shirts in such a way that they would fasten on the other side, and thus stop the mockery.

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However, the version from Melanie M. Moore, the founder of the women's blouse brand, seems more likely. She reminded us that in the 13th century, when buttons were invented, like any new technology, these fasteners were very expensive. And rich ladies who could afford to wear clothes with buttons did not dress themselves, but with the help of maids. Therefore, they were sewn on dresses in such a way that it was convenient for the maid to operate them, not her mistress. Meanwhile, men dressed themselves, so the convenient arrangement of buttons was mirrored for them.
Americas President Richard Nixon has arrived in Moscow for talks with Soviet leaders.

He was given a modest welcome as he stepped off the plane at Vnukovo airport with his wife today.

The welcome party consisted of Soviet president Nikolai Podgorny, Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin and Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko.

A twenty-minute ceremony, during which the president briefly inspected a guard of honour, was held and broadcast live by Moscow television.

The national anthems of both countries were played and a carefully selected group of Soviet citizens dutifully, but silently, waved American and Soviet flags.

President Nixon, the first US president to visit Moscow, was said to be surprised that Leonid Brezhnev, general secretary of the Communist Party, was not at the airport.

But Soviet officials said Mr Brezhnevs absence was according to protocol, as he does not hold a government position.

However, following a high-speed motorcade through Moscow, President Nixon was invited to unscheduled talks with Mr Brezhnev at the Kremlin.

The meeting lasted 105 minutes and, although US officials would not give details, Ronald Ziegler, the White House press secretary, said the two men discussed international issues.

Many observers were hoping the war in Vietnam and the nuclear arms race would be high on the agenda.

For the first time in history the stars and stripes flag of America flew over the Grand Palace of the Kremlin to mark the visit.

[] President Nixon spoke about the need for co-operation and reciprocation between the two countries in their efforts to conquer disease, improve the environment, and to expand bilateral trade and economic links.

He said he was eager to make the summit a memorable one for its substance.

During his speech he alluded to Vietnam: We should recognise that it is the responsibility of great powers to influence other nations in conflict or crisis to moderate their behaviour.

He also spoke of a possible arms agreement []

President Podgorny said the Soviet Union wanted not just good but friendly relations with the US. []

Courtesy BBC News

In context

During the week-long summit several agreements between the two countries were reached.

On 26 May a treaty to halt the nuclear arms race, known as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (Salt), was signed in the Kremlin by President Nixon and Mr Brezhnev.

The agreement, which was the culmination of nearly three years of talks between the two superpowers limited each superpower to 200 defensive nuclear missiles and froze the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles for the next five years.

An agreement designed to establish more favourable conditions for developing commercial and other economic ties between the USA and the USSR was also reached.

The two countries also agreed to make their first joint manned venture into space in June 1975.

Other agreements relating to incidents at sea, science and technology, health and the environment were also made.

Little progress was made on the Middle East or Vietnam although the two sides did agree to further negotiations on both subjects.
The Vatican made another big overture to China yesterday, reaffirming the Catholic Church poses no threat to Beijings sovereignty and admitting that Western missionaries had made errors in past centuries in their zeal to convert the Chinese faithful.

The Vatican hosted the head of Chinas bishops conference for an unprecedented, high-level commemoration of a landmark 1924 meeting in Shanghai that affirmed the need for foreign missionaries in China to give way to local church leaders.

The presence of Shanghai Bishop Joseph Shen Bin alongside the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the Pontifical Urbaniana University was in itself noteworthy. It marked the first time in memory that a mainland bishop has been allowed by Beijing to participate in a public Vatican event as the keynote speaker.

It was also significant given the controversy over Shens 2023 appointment. Pope Francis in July was forced to recognize Chinas unilateral appointment of Shen as bishop of Shanghai. The appointment seemingly violated the Holy Sees 2018 accord with Beijing over bishop appointments.

Francis opened the conference with a video message in which he made no mention of recent troubles but instead pointed to the 1924 meeting in Shanghai as a turning point for Vatican-China relations. The first and only Chinese church council, he said, recognized that the church in China must increasingly have a Chinese face.

But the Council of Shanghai did not only serve to forget the erroneous approaches that had prevailed in previous times, Francis said. The participants of the first Chinese Council looked to the future. And their future is our present.

It was a reference to the French, Italian and other Western missionary religious orders that evangelized China over the centuries but refused to cede leadership authority to local Chinese clergy. Their attitudes helped fuel the anti-Western and anti-Christian sentiment behind the Boxer Rebellion, which aimed to rid China of foreign influences.

Shen in his remarks referred to the superior attitude of those Western missionaries and their work to protect foreign powers through unequal treaties that China signed with various European nations over the centuries.

Speaking through an interpreter, Shen said the Catholic Church today must have a Chinese point of view, respect Chinese culture and develop alongside Chinese society. He also noted that the pope has underlined that being a good Christian is an integral part of being a good citizen.

The Vatican has been working for years to try to improve relations with China that were officially severed over seven decades ago when the Communists came to power. The aim is to unite the countrys estimated 12 million Catholics, who were divided into an official, state-recognized church and an underground church that stayed loyal to Rome.

Relations had long been stymied over Chinas insistence on its exclusive right to name bishops as a matter of national sovereignty, while the Vatican insisted on the popes exclusive right to name the successors of the original Apostles. NICOLE WINFIELD, ROME, MDT/AP
Shi Mei and her husband earn a decent enough living by growing corn and millet on their small farm in eastern Chinas Shandong province. In 2021, they diversified by investing in solar energy  signing a contract to mount some 40 panels on their roof to feed energy to the grid.

Now, the couple get paid for every watt of electricity they generate, harvesting the equivalent of $10,000 per year that Shi can track through an app on her phone.

When the sun comes out, you make money, Shi said.

The Shi family is on the leading edge of a solar boom in China, which has long dominated global solar manufacturing but didnt always install a lot of it at home. Thats changing as the government focuses on the urgency of cutting its worst-in-the-world greenhouse gas emissions at the same time it grows its green economy. China wants one-fifth of its power to come from renewables by 2025, and its offered a wide range of subsidies to local governments and businesses.

The push  in both industrial solar and in rooftop installations like Shis  is working so well that the grid now has more power than it can handle. Shi was fortunate to get in early; some cities across Shandong province, including her village, are halting new rooftop solar installations.

Analysts and solar companies say the future remains bright if China can quickly adapt to the oversupply. Companies and utilities are scrambling to build battery capacity to store all the power being generated. Theyd like to see more flexible energy pricing that could shape demand to better match supply. And theyd like technology that makes it easier to start and stop coal power so its not always the clean energy of solar power that gets curtailed  in industry jargon  when the grid cant take any more supply.

China has the great potential and opportunity to make its power sector achieve its carbon peak by 2025, said Grace Gao, a Climate and Energy senior campaigner at Greenpeace in China. I am looking forward to seeing Shandong truly become a leader in renewable energy and showcase its best practices to the rest of China.

SOLAR POWERHOUSE

As with many infrastructure projects in China, it is installing solar at breakneck speed and scale. China added 216 gigawatts of solar in 2023, a little over half in large solar farms, according to the countrys National Energy Administration. Chinas total is more than half of what the entire world added last year, according to research from the consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

A gigawatt of solar is enough to supply the energy needs of about 320,000 Chinese households for a year, Gao said.

Shandong province added about 14 gigawatts of solar in 2023, and the province now has the ability to produce more power than it can use at certain times during the day. Its the leading province for renewable energy capacity, but that also means its the first to encounter the difficulties of rapid growth.

Other provinces will also meet these problems, because there will be more and more solar energy, said Peng Peng, the secretary general of China New Energy Investment and Financing Alliance, an industry group.

BOOM YEARS

After China announced subsidies for both rooftop and industrial solar in 2014, Shandong, with an advanced manufacturing industry, was a good candidate to take the early lead in solar development compared to less populous provinces like Qinghai or Inner Mongolia.

Wang Xingyong installs and maintains rooftop solar panels for clients ranging from villagers to factories, and said his business has doubled every year since 2016.

In the beginning, maybe wed just do a project for one client, a farmer, and itd be worth ten thousand yuan, fifty thousand, he said. Later, wed do a couple hundred thousand, millions, for just one project.

The business model varies, but many companies like Wangs solicit villagers and factories for the chance to use their roofs. Villagers buy the systems and get payouts from selling the electricity to the grid. Wang gets paid to build and maintain the solar setups for factories that use the electricity they generate.

Wang said the concept was a hard sell at first, with few people believing the government would pay them for generating electricity. Wang said he slowly won people over, starting with his family and friends, putting forward the money for the equipment himself, and then moving on to other villages with the results.

While pitching, few talk about big concepts like the countrys target to ensure carbon emissions peak at 2030. It comes down to cash in peoples pockets. Shi, the farmer, said her neighbors installed solar panels on their roofs after seeing her investment do well.

Compared to just putting your money in a savings account, the rate of return is higher, she said. Thanks to her contract from 2021, shes still earning money even though the village has stopped allowing new installations.

A second model allows families to basically get paid rent to allow solar to be installed on their roof  as much as 3,000 yuan ($414) a month, said Liu Wenping, an investor in solar companies. They might also get a free air conditioner or refrigerator as an extra incentive, and get a small percentage from the electricity sold, though not as much as people who buy the solar equipment.

SOLUTIONS IN PROGRESS

Chinese battery companies, EV manufacturers and utilities are all racing to develop more advanced batteries to store the electricity from solar panels. Batteries are getting cheaper, but still affect the overall models profitability. The Shandong provincial government is running a pilot program in Dezhou with lithium iron phosphate batteries that can store power during peak production and feed it to the provinces grid later as needed.

Other fixes include moving to whats called spot market pricing, with the price fluctuating in an open market. China currently uses prices set by regulators for its electricity, updated after intensive research. Without pricing flexibility, China cant incentivize customers to shift some use to non-peak times by lowering prices during those times.

But just last year, regulators in Shandong introduced trough pricing, with prices slashed sharply to encourage people to use electricity right when it was being generated abundantly but use was very low  in this case, the lunch period when factories typically all break at the same time. Factories responded by shifting some of their use to get some of the cheaper power.

Solar analysts say they expect China to eventually move towards completely market-driven pricing with the grid.

Meanwhile, China is intent on improving its grid. The National Development and Reform Council, which oversees economic policy and implementation, in February called on provinces to focus on increasing flexibility to the grid. It included a call to retrofit old coal plants with new technology so they can power up and down much more quickly. The council also wants a smart grid that can quickly decide the best time to distribute the power being generated.

Every country in the world that is installing a lot of renewables and then facing the challenges that arise from all this variable intermittent generation, is searching for smart ways, intelligent AI-enabled or at least model-backed approaches to distributing this power and using it in the most efficient and effective way, said David Fishman, a senior manager at the Lantau Group consultancy who tracks Chinas energy industry. Certainly thats where China is heading.

Theres no sign of a pause in Chinas solar buildout. Companies are flocking to other provinces in the south that arent as far along as Shandong.

And in Shandong, Wang, the solar installer, is optimistic about his prospects despite the halt in new projects, because he still has industrial clients. Hes already planning to invest in upgrading transformers. And hes intrigued by a trend driven by Chinas electric car explosion, with the installation of all-in-one stations that combine solar generation, battery storage and electric vehicle charging.

I trust the future will be better and better, he said. HUIZHONG WU and HAN GUAN NG, JINAN, MDT/AP
The government has proposed a new bill that aims to create an alternative method for landlords to deal with non-compliant tenants.

The bill, presented yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL) for its first reading, generated a broad debate with a total of twelve lawmakers questioning the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Andre Cheong, on several of its proposed provisions and aims.

The main topic of discussion related to the establishment of a five-month non-compliance period before the landlord can commence eviction action.

Most lawmakers questioned this requirement, finding the period of non-compliance excessive as well as vulnerable to a potential loophole: if one full rent payment is made before the end of this period.

Others also wanted the government to explain how the executive reached the figure of five months. Ella Lei, Nick Lei, Ron Lam, Ip Sio Kai, and Leong Sun Iok were among those lawmakers who wanted an answer to this particular query.

Other lawmakers, including Zheng Anting, said that the bill only addressed repossession of the unit by the owner and not the problem itself, which is the lack of related penalties that may create a deterrent effect, he said.

In response, Cheong noted that this new bill does not aim to replace the current processes of eviction and calls for compensation that the laws provide for but, instead, creates a simplified system for landlords to be able to vacate the units they are renting to tenants who are intentionally breaching their responsibilities with regard to rent payments.

Cheong explained, the government doesnt wish [landlords] to resort to this system too easily. The purpose of creating this regime is to have a deterrent effect, not to be an automatic procedure, he said, claiming that in many of the current situations, the landlords refrain from commencing any procedure as the sums in debt do not justify a complex process that will require lawyers and other court-related procedures that are very time-consuming.

In many cases, it is not worth starting an [eviction] process as the debt is not that big when compared to the costs and time [it takes] to run the process, which is usually long.

[It] affects the market as many landlords refrain from listing their units in the rental market due to being afraid of cases of non-compliance.

Cheong also added in response to an inquiry from lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho that the purpose is to tackle cases of intentional delay of rent payment and not cases of force majeure, adding, this is also the reason that the period [of five months] is not shorter  to allow time for the tenants to solve temporary financial problems.

He also advanced that the government hopes that where there are simple issues, they can be solved with communication.

Five-month period may cause a massive impact on the market

According to lawmaker Ip Sio Kai, the five-month period before eviction may have a significant impact on the market, explaining, if the period of non-compliance with rent payments becomes five months, rent deposits will likely also move from the current two to five months. This will have a massive impact on the market. He called on the government to handle this matter with care.

In reality, Cheong failed to produce any justification for the choice of five months other than to say that the government is taking a balanced approach to the matter and seeing both sides, a reason earlier also invoked by Pereira Coutinho to call for the reduction of the waiting period to two months, which is commonly in use.

Questioned on the number of cases of this kind happening in Macau, Cheong also failed to produce an exact number, saying instead that it happens very frequently, although there is no exact number of cases [available].

The Secretary noted that the only concrete figures are the ones related to the cases of eviction that are heard in courts, which in 2023 was 59.

Still, Cheong explained that most cases are never heard in court as such a process is costly and long. This is precisely why, according to Cheong, the government is promoting this new bill: to allow a cheaper and easier method for owners to evict non-compliant tenants and repossess units.

According to his rough calculations, a process handled using this method can be solved in six to 11 months, while the current processes do not have an upper time limit.

Govt open to negotiation

Facing many inquiries and suggestions to improve the bill, the Secretary said the government will be open to negotiating some aspects of the bill at the AL Standing Committee, as long as the main goal is kept and fulfilled, adding that this is a complementary method and a simplified alternative that aims only to repossess units and is not about other compensation, which are separate matters.

Among the most extreme proposals Cheong heard were the ones from lawmaker Lam who proposed the establishment of a blacklist of tenants as well as another from lawmaker Leong who wanted to enforce a similar regime to the one approved for the cases of water infiltration that allows the interruption of water and electricity supply to the unit.

To such proposals, Cheong responded only that they could cause many issues and conflict, noting about the second suggestion that, we have this procedure just for cases of housing units being used as illegal hostels.
China's Ministry of Education has announced the launch of a 100-day campaign to promote the employment of new university graduates, with relevant work having entered the home stretch.

The campaign, which will last until August 2024, features activities at various universities around the country, such as large-scale campus recruitment, policy promotions, and visits to enterprises, the ministry said in a statement.

Presidents and Party chiefs of colleges and universities are encouraged to visit enterprises to expand job opportunities and potentials, while there will also be special recruitment events organized on a national employment service platform for university students to enhance information sharing and targeted recommendation.

In addition, the ministry called for greater efforts to help students from families with financial difficulties and those with disabilities to find jobs, noting that each such student should be kept on record and that assistance plans should be tailored to their specific circumstances.

According to Chinese authorities, the number of new university graduates across the country this year is expected to reach 11.79 million.
Hong Kongs leader said yesterday his administration would keep monitoring for any non-compliance with a court order that bans a popular protest song, days after YouTube blocked access to dozens of videos of the tune in the city.

The ban targets anyone who broadcasts or distributes Glory to Hong Kong  popularly sung during huge anti-government protests in 2019  to advocate for the separation of the city from China. It also prohibits any actions that misrepresent the song as the national anthem with the intent to insult the anthem.

In his weekly news briefing, Chief Executive John Lee said if the government found any instances of non-compliance, it would then notify the relevant internet platforms about the content of the injunction.

I believe that operators in general operate within the law, so we will continue to monitor the situation, Lee said.

The court ban sought by the government has raised concerns over a further decline in the citys freedom of expression and internet freedom. Critics have also warned it might disrupt the operation of tech giants and undermine the citys appeal as a global financial hub.

Last week, YouTube blocked access to 32 videos of the song that were deemed to be prohibited publications under the injunction for viewers in the city. The tech company said it was disappointed by the courts decision and would continue to consider its options for an appeal.

In the news briefing, Lee said there is no link relating to the song shown on any local platforms and Googles search doesnt show any link to the song in question. A government transcript of his comments later clarified Lee was referring to links specified in the injunction order.

The Associated Press found videos of the song on YouTube yesterday morning. The song is also available on Spotify and Apple Music.

It is unclear whether the tech giants will block access to more video or audio clips of the song for Hong Kong viewers. Google, Spotify and Apple did not immediately comment.

Glory to Hong Kong is widely seen as the protest anthem of the 2019 movement, which was followed by a crackdown that has silenced dissenting voices in the city.

Instances where the song was mistakenly played as the citys anthem at international sporting events, instead of Chinas national anthem March of the Volunteers, also have angered city officials.

The government went to the court last year after Google resisted pressure to display Chinas national anthem as the top result in searches for the citys anthem instead of the protest song. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP
The law that will regulate the use of the land granted to Macau by a decision of the Permanent Committee of the National Peoples Congress on December 29 last year has been approved after its final reading yesterday afternoon at the Legislative Assembly.

The final voting on the law, which commences the day after its publication, occurred without any major issues being raised by lawmakers who approved the bill unanimously.

Unlike the first reading, this time no lawmakers expressed concerns or raised any questions related to the price of the exclusive lease of the land for the construction of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) East Line in its connection to the Border Gate area.

During the first reading, several lawmakers queried the price, and the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Andre Cheong, failed to provide the rent figure.

At the time, when questioned on the matter, Cheong said only, in future, we will have an agreement between the two sides [Zhuhai and Macau]. For the time being, we dont know the price for certain.

There is also uncertainty about the actual area that is being rented by the Zhuhai authorities to Macau, with Cheong continuing to say yesterday, like in early April, that the final size and markings will be defined by the central government authorities and published.

After the land is formally delivered to Macau Special Administrative Region, we will be able to see all these details, he said in response to an enquiry on the matter by lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho, adding that there is no immediate relation between the law being approved and the delivery of the land.

Pereira Coutinho has questioned the rush from the government to present a bill that does not even have concrete data on the land parcel and queried why it cannot wait until the details are all finalized.

Cheong explained that the government wants to have the law ready and in force so that, on the date of land transfer, we can move forward immediately.

Other lawmakers, including Leong Sun Iok and Ron Lam, also called on Cheong to use the land well and improve it aesthetically since the LRT will only use the underground areas. Cheong noted that, according to the rules, there isnt much that Macau can do at the surface at all.

Questioned also by Lam on the extension of the East Line to Qingmao Port, the Secretary refused to provide an answer, stating that it was irrelevant.
One person has died aboard a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines said yesterday, in which the plane apparently plummeted for a number of minutes before it was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.

The Boeing 777-300ER, with a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board, landed in Bangkok at 3:45 p.m. (0845 GMT), the airline said in a Facebook post.

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press showed the Singapore Airlines flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet. Just after 0800 GMT, the Boeing 777 suddenly and sharply pitched down to 31,000 feet over the span of some three minutes, the data shows.

The aircraft stayed at 31,000 feet for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour. The descent happened as the flight was over the Andaman Sea approaching Myanmar.

Emergency crews from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, about 12 miles away from Suvarnabhumi Airport, were on site to transfer injured passengers from Flight SQ321 from Heathrow off the runway for treatment.
Police have ruled out foul play in the death of a

four-month-old girl at a Taipa nursery late last year, according to a spokesman for the Judiciary Polices (PJ) Criminal Investigation Department.

The infants sudden death on October 19, 2023 prompted a thorough police investigation of the nurserys facilities, procedures, and staff, as well as forensic analysis of the babys blood sample.

The spokesman explained that, after a comprehensive investigation, any criminal elements were ruled out. He added that no one was found to be involved in crimes related to the infants death while napping.

The spokesman added that, while the cause of death and full forensic results could not be disclosed for privacy reasons, the report would be forwarded to Public Prosecutions Office.

Following the unfortunate incident, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, pledged better training will be provided to childcare facilities.

Ao Ieong pledged improved communications must be applied to ensure nurseries are compliant with relevant guidelines. She said adequate training must be conducted for nursery operators and workers.

Last week, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) reaches agreement with daycare centers on installing surveillance cameras. Officials are waiting for privacy guidelines before finalizing the plan.

On one hand, cameras are required in some situations, but privacy of the children must also be ensured, IAS director Hon Wai. Under what circumstances can cameras be turned on? We reached some consensus but need alternatives if parents disagree. Staff Reporter
Police have arrested a 28-year-old Hong Kong man suspected of laundering MOP4.7 million as part of an electronic fraud group that targets Macau, authorities said yesterday.

The Judiciary Police (PJ) received a tip on Saturday from mainland Chinas National Anti-Fraud Center that criminals were using compromised bank cards to make large gold purchases in Macau to launder illegal funds, according to a police statement. After an investigation, police identified suspects and learned the group planned another transaction, the statement said.

On Monday, police arrested the 28-year-old at a Cotai jewelry store as he bought approximately MOP63,800 worth of gold bars and nuggets, police said. He is believed to be a key member of the criminal group.

An investigation revealed the group was involved in at least eight electronic fraud cases on the mainland resulting in over MOP5.5 million in losses, the statement said. The group would purchase gold in Macau to conceal the illicit money. Group members used others identifying documents to conduct transactions and avoid scrutiny, masking their true identities, according to police.

At least one suspect remains at large. Police believe the group laundered money in Macau on at least 12 prior occasions totaling some MOP4.7 million using the same method. The PJ said the investigation is ongoing. staff reporter
The chief prosecutor of the worlds top war crimes court sought arrest warrants yesterday [Macau time] for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war.

While Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, do not face imminent arrest, the announcement by the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor was a symbolic blow that deepened Israels isolation over the war in Gaza.

The courts prosecutor, Karim Khan, accused Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders  Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh  of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the move as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also lambasted the prosecutor and supported Israels right to defend itself against Hamas.

A panel of three judges will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants and allow a case to proceed. The judges typically take two months to make such decisions.

Israel is not a member of the court, so even if the arrest warrants are issued, Netanyahu and Gallant do not face any immediate risk of prosecution. But the threat of arrest could make it difficult for the Israeli leaders to travel abroad.

Netanyahu called the prosecutors accusations against him a disgrace, and an attack on the Israeli military and all of Israel. He vowed to press ahead with Israels war against Hamas.

Biden said the effort to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant over the war in Gaza was outrageous, adding whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas also denounced the ICC prosecutors actions, saying the request to arrest its leaders equates the victim with the executioner.

Netanyahu has come under heavy pressure at home to end the war. Thousands of Israelis have joined weekly demonstrations calling on the government to reach a deal to bring home Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity, fearing that time is running out.

In recent days, the two other members of his war Cabinet, Gallant and Benny Gantz, have threatened to resign if Netanyahu does not spell out a clear postwar vision for Gaza.

But on Monday, Netanyahu received wall-to-wall support as politicians across the spectrum condemned the ICC prosecutors move. They included Israels president, Isaac Herzog, and his two main political rivals, Gantz and opposition leader Yair Lapid.

It is unclear what effect Khans move will have on Netanyahus public standing. The possibility of an arrest warrant against Netanyahu could give him a boost as Israelis rally behind the flag. But his opponents could also blame him for bringing a diplomatic catastrophe on the country.

Yuval Shany, an expert on international law at Hebrew University and the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank, said it was far more certain that Netanyahus already troubled international standing could be further weakened.

This is going to make Netanyahu an outcast, and his ability to move around the world will be seriously compromised, said Shany. Even if the ICC does not issue the arrest warrant, other countries may now be more reluctant to provide support and assistance, he said.

Hamas is already considered an international terrorist group by the West. Both Sinwar and Deif are believed to be hiding in Gaza. But Haniyeh, the supreme leader of the Islamic militant group, is based in Qatar and frequently travels across the region. Qatar, like Israel, is not a member of the ICC.

The latest war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, when militants from Gaza crossed into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage.

Since then, Israel has waged a brutal campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, at least half of them women and children, according to the latest estimates by Gaza health officials.

The war has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, displacing roughly 80% of the population and leaving hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of starvation, according to U.N. officials.

Speaking of the Israeli actions, Khan said the effects of the use of starvation as a method of warfare, together with other attacks and collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza are acute, visible and widely known.

The United Nations and other aid agencies have repeatedly accused Israel of hindering aid deliveries throughout the war. Israel denies this, saying there are no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and accusing the U.N. of failing to distribute aid.

Of the Hamas actions on Oct. 7, Khan, who visited the region in December, said that he saw for himself the devastating scenes of these attacks and the profound impact of the unconscionable crimes.

In their rampage, Hamas militants gunned down scores of revelers at a dance party and killed entire families as they huddled in their homes. These acts demand accountability, Khan said.

International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney served on a five-member expert panel that advised Khan. She said the panel had agreed unanimously that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both the Hamas and Israeli leaders had committed war crimes, according to a statement.

South Africa, which has been leading a genocide case against Israel at the U.N. world court, welcomed Khans announcement seeking the arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders. The law must be applied equally to all in order to uphold the international rule of law, the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

The ICC was established in 2002 as the permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the worlds most heinous atrocities  war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

The U.N. General Assembly endorsed the ICC, but the court is independent.

Dozens of countries dont accept the courts jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide and other crimes. They include Israel, the United States, Russia and China.

The ICC accepted The State of Palestine as a member in 2015, a year after the Palestinians accepted the courts jurisdiction.

In 2020, then U.S. President Donald Trump authorized economic and travel sanctions on the ICC prosecutor and another senior prosecutor. The ICC staff were looking into U.S. and allies troops for possible war crimes in Afghanistan. Biden lifted the sanctions in 2021.

Last year, the court issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. Russia responded by issuing its own arrest warrants for Khan and ICC judges.

France, Belgium and Slovenia released statements supporting the worlds top war crimes court and its chief prosecutors request for arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, after Israel and the United States both harshly condemned the effort. JOSEF FEDERMAN, JERUSALEM, MDT/AP
* Tenants & landlords

 Govt proposes alternative bill to discourage non-compliant tenants; lawmakers consider eviction provision might cause massive impact on the property market

* LRT land at Border Gate | price to pay to Zhuhai no longer an issue

* Police have ruled out foul play in the death of a four-month-old girl at a Taipa nursery late last year

* Police arrest man linked to MOP4.7m gold laundering scheme

* War crimes: prosecutor seeks arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders

* Arts & Culture

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Wednesday, May 22, 2024  edition no. 4487
By announcing a new round of sanctions on three US companies for their involvement in arms sales to Chinas Taiwan island on Monday, Beijing has sent an unmistakable message to the United States that it has both the resolve and the means to counter any challenge to the one-China principle.

Boeings Defense, Space & Security unit, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and General Dynamics Land Systems have been added to Chinas Unreliable Entities list. Their inclusion on the list, which was established in February 2023, means the three US companies will face a ban on trade with China, as well as huge fines.

Those who should be heeding Beijings message certainly include Lai Ching-te, the new administrative chief on the island, and other secessionist-minded politicians on the island, as the fresh sanctions on US companies were announced on the same day Lai took office and delivered his inauguration speech, which was laden with Taiwan independence fallacies and provocative language.

Although in his statement congratulating Lai on taking office, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the unofficial nature of the US relationship with the island, the Lai authorities will understand what he meant by pressing Taiwan to advance their shared interests. Although it seems carefully crafted to avoid provoking Beijing, when put together with the US intensive playing of the Taiwan card in the past few years, his words just serve to show the US stubbornness in sticking to its game plan of saying one thing while doing another.

Lai has obviously taken a leaf out of the US book for his own speech. Despite ostensibly setting forth a pro-peace, pro-dialogue and pro-cooperation stance, Lais remarks only demonstrate his readiness to go further than his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, in attempting to split Taiwan from the motherland. Revealing himself to be a radical secessionist, Lai has exposed his willingness to do the US bidding to help push the envelope of Beijings redline in a bid to impel Beijing to resort to force to prevent the island being severed from the motherland, with the intention of providing the US with an excuse to drag other countries into its game so it can deal with Russia and China together.

As such, backing from the US, especially its colossal arms sales to Taiwan, is deemed an independence lifeline by Lai and his ilk. It is not unreasonable to conclude that such weapons deals lend him and those of a like-minded bent the courage to seek Taiwan independence by instilling a sense of false confidence that their agenda can be realized through force of arms. Lai displayed that misjudged confidence in his inauguration address in Taipei on Monday.

That he has the audacity to claim that the island, with the backing of Washington, can strive for a reciprocal negotiation on an equal footing with the Chinese mainland from a position of power just serves to expose he is making a disastrous miscalculation by betting on the US commitment to protecting the island. Taiwan compatriots can see clearly that since no US blood is being shed, such arms sales are just a lucrative business for the US. By inviting the wolf into the house, the pro-independence forces in Taiwan are inviting ruin to the island. In doing so, they are traitors to the entire Chinese nation and people.

[Abridged]

Editorial, China Daily
The death of Irans president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Irans ruling system or to its overarching policies, which are decided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday [early Monday, Macau time], was seen as a prime candidate to succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader, and his death makes it more likely that the job could eventually go to Khameneis son.

A hereditary succession would pose a potential crisis of legitimacy for the Islamic Republic, which was established as an alternative to monarchy but which many Iranians already see as a corrupt and dictatorial regime.

Heres a look at what comes next.

HOW DOES IRANS GOVERNMENT WORK?

Iran holds regular elections for president and parliament with universal suffrage.

But the supreme leader has final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The supreme leader also appoints half of the 12-member Guardian Council, a clerical body that vets candidates for president, parliament and the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of jurists in charge of choosing the supreme leader.

In theory, the clerics oversee the republic to ensure it complies with Islamic law. In practice, the supreme leader carefully manages the ruling system to balance competing interests, advance his own priorities and ensure that no one challenges the Islamic Republic or his role atop it.

Raisi, a hard-liner who was seen as a protege of Khamenei, was elected president in 2021 after the Guardian Council blocked any other well-known candidate from running against him, and turnout was the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who had served as president for the past eight years and defeated Raisi in 2017.

After Raisis death, in accordance with Irans constitution, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, a relative unknown, became caretaker president, with elections mandated within 50 days. That vote will likely be carefully managed to produce a president who maintains the status quo.

That means Iran will continue to impose some degree of Islamic rule and crack down on dissent. It will enrich uranium, support armed groups across the Middle East and view the West with deep suspicion.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SUCCESSION?

Presidents come and go, some more moderate than others, but each operates under the structure of the ruling system.

If any major change occurs in Iran, it is likely to come after the passing of Khamenei, when a new supreme leader will be chosen for only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei succeeded the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

The next supreme leader will be chosen by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, who are elected every eight years from candidates vetted by the Guardian Council. In the most recent election, in March, Rouhani was barred from running, while Raisi won a seat.

Any discussion of the succession, or machinations related to it, occur far from the public eye, making it hard to know who may be in the running. But the two people seen by analysts as most likely to succeed Khamenei were Raisi and the supreme leaders own son, Mojtaba, 55, a Shiite cleric who has never held government office.

WHAT IF THE AYATOLLAHS SON SUCCEEDS HIM?

Leaders of the Islamic Republic going back to the 1979 revolution have portrayed their system as superior, not only to the democracies of a decadent West, but to the military dictatorships and monarchies that prevail across the Middle East.

The transfer of power from the supreme leader to his son could spark anger, not only among Iranians who are already critical of clerical rule, but supporters of the system who might see it as un-Islamic.

Western sanctions linked to the nuclear program have devastated Irans economy. And the enforcement of Islamic rule, which grew more severe under Raisi, has further alienated women and young people.

The Islamic Republic has faced several waves of popular protests in recent years, most recently after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly not covering her hair in public. More than 500 people were killed and over 22,000 were detained in a violent crackdown.

Raisis death may make the transition to a new supreme leader trickier, and it could spark more unrest. MDT/AP
Lai Ching-te has taken a more radical stance seeking "Taiwan independence" in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Tuesday.

Full of hostility and provocation and made up of lies and deception, Lai's Monday speech is a confession of "Taiwan independence," said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to a media query for further comments on Lai's speech.

The speech fully demonstrated that Lai is "a traitor to mainstream public opinion on the island and a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

It is clear that from the very beginning of his tenure, Lai cannot help but to expose his true colors as an advocate for "Taiwan independence" with an extremely arrogant attitude and more radical views, he said.

Not only did he fail to address the fundamental question of the nature of cross-Strait relations, but he also attempted to change the nature of the relations, which poses a serious challenge to the one-China principle, he said.

Chen reminded Lai of the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and its future can only be determined by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.

In his speech, Lai has turned to external forces for support of his independence agenda. However, no matter how much he fawns on external forces and seeks their support, he will always be a "pawn," Chen noted, adding that the "pawn" will inevitably become a discarded piece because "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and the attempts to seek independence by inviting in external forces will only backfire.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are Chinese and belong to the Chinese nation. No one desires more than we do to achieve national reunification through peaceful means," Chen said.

"However, in response to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces to provoke and seek independence, we must counteract and punish them," he added.

Lai's attempts to incite "anti-China" sentiments and pursue "independence" by force will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation of military conflict, Chen said.

In his speech, Lai talked superficially about "dialogue" and "exchanges," misleading people to believe that he has good intentions and sincerity to improve cross-Strait relations, Chen noted.

"However, the inability of mainland residents and students to travel to Taiwan for tourism or study is entirely caused by the DPP authorities," he said, adding that Lai showed no genuine intent to promote cross-Strait exchanges or improve the island's economy.

No matter what Lai says or how he says it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor can it alter the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Strait to become closer and more connected. It also cannot stop the irreversible trend of China's reunification, Chen said.
There was an interesting article on the wire the other day about health care apprenticeships in Wisconsin. It was focused on the La Crosse area and the relationship between UW-La Crosse and Gundersen Health Systems, but it has interesting implications for Wisconsin as a whole.

The hospitals president was quoted as saying the students who apprentice come into their careers light years ahead of other people. Wed believe that. Theres a big difference between knowing theory from the classroom and having had any hands-on experience. While both are needed, the latter teaches in an entirely different way.

Then there was this quote from Amy Pechacek from the Department of Workforce Development:

In the state of Wisconsin, apprenticeship is an earn-while-you-learn model. Our apprentices are not only having a paycheck coming in while theyre on the job  and learning real life, hands-on skills  but they are also getting paid for their associated instructional time in the classroom, which is an amazing way to not take on a ton of student debt.

Thats no minor point. The cost of postsecondary education is a major problem, with students racking up debt far beyond what previous generations had to deal with. Its causing many to rethink college entirely which, if that trend continues, has the potential to produce significant negative effects through the economy.

Many people know the health care industry is in need of people, and that the need is going to increase in the coming decades. But a look at a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in October shows just how acute the need will be.

Through 2032, health care and related fields are projected to experience the fastest employment growth  . The aging population and growing prevalence of chronic conditions are the main drivers of the strong projected job growth. Of the projected 4.7 million new jobs created through 2032, fully 45% of them will be in those fields.

Some chronic conditions could be avoided if Americans adopt more healthy lifestyles, but were not aware of any way to beat aging. The demographic balloon of the baby boom generation is rapidly hitting the point where age-related issues are coming to the fore.

The youngest boomers, those born in 1964 at the very end of the generation, are 60 now. The oldest boomers are pushing 80. While some break the group into two cohorts, the reality is that the generations check engine light has been on for a while now. Thats not going to change.

Age-related conditions are on the increase as the boomers progress through their golden years. About 7 million Americans have gotten an Alzheimers diagnosis, according to the Alzheimers Association. That figure will rise to nearly 13 million over the next 25 years. Parkinsons disease is rising as well.

Even without such life-altering diagnoses, the simple reality is that other conditions tend to arrive with age. Arthritis is an annoyance for many, rather than a massive disruption. That doesnt mean they dont need access to treatment, though, even if its aimed at just keeping things from getting worse.

The idea of health care apprenticeships is one that deserves to spread. The opportunity to give young people a leg up on their careers, while simultaneously taking some of the cost out of the equation, is an innovative and encouraging approach.

We know the wave is coming. How we prepare now will have a great deal to do with how society will be positioned to handle developments in the coming years. The apprenticeships strike us as a very good step in the right direction.






We're now accepting entries to our Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize.



The contest is open to Canadian and international writers anywhere in the world.



DEADLINE EXTENDED: August 6, 2024 at 11:59pm PDT



One winner will receive a prize of CAD $1,250 and be published in the magazine's winter 2024 issue #229.



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Creative nonfiction is a genre that embraces, but is not limited to, the personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, and biography, all enhanced by such elements as description, dramatic scenes, dialogue, and characterization.

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About Constance Rooke

Connie Rooke (19422008) was born Constance Merriam Raymond in New York City. In 1969, she joined the University of Victorias Department of English. Her decade-long stewardship of The Malahat Review made it the go-to publication among Canadian literary magazines. The initial three Journey Prizes, among many other awards, came The Malahat Reviews way during her tenure as editor, along with a substantial increase in subscriptions. Her essay collection, Fear of the Open Heart, is generally revered, as are the numerous other volumes she edited and compiled. Read more.

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Previous Winners
Scientific evidence presented by a leading United Kingdom group championing tobacco harm reduction shows that vaping is far less harmful than smoking.

The evidence says while vaping is not entirely risk-free, it is significantly less harmful than smoking  which claims around 80,000 lives every year in the UK alone, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said in a statement.

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The UKVIA published its report after industry and vapers were not invited to speak as part of the committee stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill held by the UK Parliament to tackle proposed amendments.

No less than the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) maintains vapes are at least 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes, according to the UKVIA.

It said vapes pose a small fraction of the risks of smoking and that switching completely from smoking to vaping conveys substantial health benefits over continued smoking.

It also quoted the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Chris Whitty, who acknowledged that vaping is much safer than smoking, saying that making the switch is a positive health move.

Research conducted by Brunel University London concluded that the National Health Service could save more than half a billion pounds per year if just half of Englands adult smokers switched to vaping, the report added.

A 2019 investigation about reports that vaping had caused an outbreak of lung illness in the US found that the cases were not caused by using legal nicotine vaping products, but rather by contaminated, illegal products containing tetrahydrocannabinol or THCthe component in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects.

Alice Davies, Health Information Officer at Cancer Research UK previously said: Headlines can be misleading as these cases were due to contaminants in illegal products and not linked to regular nicotine vaping. There was no similar outbreak in the UK and the chemicals of concern are banned in the UK.

According to the OHID Nicotine Vaping in England: Evidence Update, there were lessons to be learnt from the mislabeled US EVALI [electronic cigarette or vape associated lung injury] outbreak and that communications about EVALI should clearly separate vaping these illicit substances from nicotine vaping.

The Cancer Research UK confirmed that there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung reported in people who use e-cigarettes and that vapes dont cause the lung injury.

The UKVIA cited the latest data from Action on Smoking and Health, a public health charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians in the UK, showing that almost 4.5 million adults in Great Britain have used vaping to cut down on or completely stop smoking.

It said no less than the NHS maintains that vaping is one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking, while the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reports that vaping products remain the most common aid used by people to help them quit.

James Tucker, head of Health Analysis at Office for National Statistics (ONS), was quoted by the report as saying that vaping has played a major role in reducing smoking rates across the UKwhich are now at a record low.

A comprehensive analysis by Cochrane, a global independent network of researchers in health, which looked at data from over 300 clinical trials involving more than 150,000 people, reveals that e-cigarettes are among the most effective aids available to help adult smokers quit.

The UKVIA also denied the link between regular vaping and moving onto smoking

It said the ASH UK, in a dossier Addressing Common Myths About Vaping which was reviewed by 16 leading scientists and academics, shows that vaping is not a proven gateway into smoking.

In fact, it is revealed that, as the use of e-cigarettes has grown in England between 2010 and 2021, smoking rates amongst young people continued to fall at least as rapidly as previously, it said.

ASH UK said this does not support the gateway hypothesis at a population level.
Global private equity funds KKR and Kaizenvest are investing P4.5 billion in PHINMA Education Holdings Inc., a leading private higher education firm owned by conglomerate PHINMA Corp.

PHINMA said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday its education group signed an investment agreement with Phoenix Investments II Pte. Ltd, an investment fund managed by KKR, and Rise Edu Pte. Ltd., an investment fund managed by Kaizenvest (Kaizenvest III).

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Under the agreement, PHINMA Education will issue P4.5 billion worth of new common shares to these funds.

These funds also signed an agreement to acquire the shares in PHINMA Education owned, directly or indirectly, by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nederlandse Financierings- Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO), and Kaizen Private Equity II Pte. Ltd. (Kaizenvest II).

Post transaction funds managed by KKR and Kaizenvest III will respectively own, directly or indirectly, 30.67-percent and 3.73-percent stakes in PHINMA Education.

Meanwhile, the ADB, FMO and Kaizenvest II will no longer be, directly or indirectly, shareholders of the company. PHINMA, which owns a 75-percent stake in the company, will continue to be the majority shareholder of PHINMA Education after the entry of the new investors.

PHINMA chairman and chief executive Ramon del Rosario, Jr. said the partnership with KKR puts the company in a better position expand its operations in the Philippines and in Indonesia.

Under the investment agreement, KKR will be entitled to three board seats in the 11-man board of PHINMA Education.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals, including that of the Philippine Competition Commission.

PHINMA Education, established in 2004, seeks to provide quality, affordable tertiary education. It is one of the largest private higher education groups in Southeast Asia, serving around 150,000 students through its fast-growing network of colleges and universities, including nine in the Philippines and one in Indonesia.

KKR is investing in PHINMA Education from its Global Impact Fund II, which targets companies whose core business contributes meaningfully towards one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

PHINMA Educations mission of delivering quality, affordable education to underserved communities aligns strongly with our Global Impact strategy. We will look to leverage KKRs deep experience investing in education companies globally to support the management teams vision to scale the company and become a leading education platform across Southeast Asia, said George Aitken, managing director and head of global impact for Asia Pacific at KKR.
President Marcos gave his go signal on the return to the traditional academic calendar, starting the upcoming 2024-2025 school year on July 29.

In a sectoral meeting in Malacanang on Tuesday, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte presented two options to President Marcos for adjusting the academic calendar.

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The first option included 180 school days with 15 in-person Saturday classes, while the second offered 165 school days with no Saturday classes, both ending on March 31, 2025.

President Marcos, however, rejected the 165-day school year and an alternative that included Saturday classes, citing concerns over reduced instructional time and student well-being.

To ensure 180 school days without using Saturdays, the school year will end on April 15, 2025. According to the President, this adjustment balances sufficient learning days with maintaining student welfare.

Lets just extend the school days. Make it longer, just add more school days, but lets not touch Saturday. So, (the) school [days] will remain the same. Just standard, President Marcos said during the meeting.

Consultations with teachers, school officials, and parents were conducted regarding the new schedule. The shift to a June-to-March calendar will continue in the following years.
SIEM REAP, Cambodia  The alarm has been sounded over a looming cybersecurity menace that could be targeting governments, companies and private citizens across Asia.

During a joint meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Technical Working Group in Siem Reap, Cambodia on Wednesday, cybersecurity and data protection experts from the region called for a united front between government and private sectors to combat these escalating cyber threats.

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The call for a concerted response comes as territorial tensions in the region coincide with a surge in advanced persistent threats (APTs) aimed at government bodies and private enterprises within ASEAN.

Delegates agreed that responsive and proactive measures are urgently needed to safeguard Asia from both global and local cyber threats, Manilas representatives to the summit disclosed.

Lito Averia, president of the Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT) stressed the importance of a whole-of-Asia and whole-of-society approach to tackle cyber threats.

He highlighted the necessity for coordination among government and private sector leaders in ASEAN, Japan, and other regional countries.

Asian nations are confronting identical threats, with all participating countries reporting persistent attacks on their digital infrastructures and CIIs (critical information infrastructure) by both international and local threat actors, Averia stated.

Sam Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP), underscored the increasing frequency of cyber-attacks on government digital systems and CIIs, urging Asian countries to develop tangible solutions.

He proposed creating an Information Exchange Network to act as a cyber-weather station, which would disseminate verified threat alerts to the region.

A whole-of-region approach will leverage the strengths, talents and resources of government, industry, academe, civil society and communities across ASEAN, which will help countries and citizens to be cyber resilient, Jacoba said.

Earlier this year, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) successfully repelled a series of brute force cyberattacks targeting its mail systems and various government websites, including those of President Marcos and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

More recently, the DICT reported that there was another thwarted attempt to hack the network of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DICT Undersecretary Jeffery Ian Dy, who heads the departments cybersecurity arm, testified before Congress that the series of attacks were traced to China United Network Communications Group or China Unicom, a Chinese state-owned telecommunications company.
Thanks to a telephone, the migrants managed to communicate their GPS position to the Alarm Phone migrant hotline that tracks boats in the Mediterranean

Aboard The Ocean Viking  They never thought they would end up in Europe by leaving their native Bangladesh.

But for Siam and Mohammad, hopes for a better life in Libya turned into a hell to escape at all costs, even if it meant risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean.

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They beat me on my legs and they punched my body also, so many times, said Mohammad, 25, aboard the rescue ship Ocean Viking just hours after being rescued off Malta, speaking of traffickers in Libya.

Recounting to an AFP reporter in broken English how armed Libyan traffickers terrorised him for months, Mohammed recalled his captors threatening to take off my nails.

I will die if I will stay here, he remembered thinking of Libya, a country he originally thought could provide him with money to send to his family.

With jet-black hair and big, round eyes, Mohammad tinkers with the zipper of his tracksuit, scanning the horizon from the main deck.

So I decided, whatever will happen, I have to leave this place.

Siam, 20, said that If you can give money, youd pay and youd be free. Otherwise theyd beat you.

The traffickers make videos of beating you and tell your family to give money, otherwise they will kill you, he said.

Arriving in Libya on flights from the United Arab Emirates for a few hundred euros, both young men  who met only while crossing the Mediterranean  had hoped to find jobs there in agriculture, oil or construction.

But instead they found themselves trapped in a merciless migrant trade that crushes thousands of people every year, in a country plunged into chaos since 2011.

Escape or ransom

Both of them fatherless, Siam and Mohammad had promised to provide for their families back in Bangladesh, where almost half the population lives on less than a dollar a day.

All depends on me  medical, food, everything. That depends on me, Mohammad told AFP aboard the ship.

Thanks to an intermediary, Siam found a small job as a cleaner in a Benghazi hospital but was only given half my salary. When I asked for my due, they slapped me, he said.

Fleeing became the only way out. But risking ones life on the worlds most dangerous migration route comes at a price  $5,000. Where would the money come from?

His family begged for money from anyone who could help, Siam said.

And then my family sold my house. Sold my house to save me, he said.

Locked up in unsanitary prefab buildings, tossed from one trafficker to another, Mohammad finally managed to escape his jailers along with two companions.

Without a roof over his head or any money, he gave away all he had left: his phone and his clothes. Luckily, a smuggler accepts his pittance.

So he found himself aboard a fiber glass boat, along with Siam, bound for Sicily.

Nothing left

The young men recalled huddling at the bottom of an eroded hold, cold and bathed in salt water, the smell of gasoline pervading the air.

The ocean had very big waves, like five meters, six meters. And, the boat was very small, Mohammad said.

After three days in which the boat traveled 600 kilometers, water, food and fuel were running out and the boat began to take on water.

Bottles, sponges, clothing  everything was used to bail.

Thanks to a telephone, the migrants managed to communicate their GPS position to the Alarm Phone migrant hotline that tracks boats in the Mediterranean.

It was nearly four in the morning Monday when the Ocean Viking, operated by the SOS Mediterranee migrant rescue group, noticed the small boat in distress and began its approach.

Mohammed recalled wondering whether they were pirates: But what could they possibly take from us? Weve got nothing left.

Staggering to stay on their feet and exhausted, the 35 migrants on the boat were plucked from the sea.

You are a blessing You have loved us very much, Siam told his rescuers. You saved our life.

Both men now wish to apply for asylum.

But under Italys far-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the task could be difficult.

This month, Italy designated Bangladesh  the country from which most migrants to Italy departed last year  as a safe country, complicating asylum requests.

Not that Mohammad, who hopes to be a baker or pastry chef, is discouraged.

I came so close to death. Being here is a second birth, he said. AFP
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message to the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit held in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Xi said the foundation of China-U.S. relations is laid by the people, the door of China-U.S. relations is opened by the people, the stories of China-U.S. relations are written by the people, and the future of China-U.S. relations will be jointly created by the people of the two countries.

Xi said that tourism is an important bridge for exchanges and mutual understanding between the people of China and the United States. "We warmly welcome American tourists to travel to China, meet Chinese friends, experience Chinese culture, visit beautiful landscapes and experience the real China."

It is hoped that all walks of life in the two countries will take this summit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchanges, build consensus, and take active actions to promote personnel exchanges through tourism cooperation, continue China-U.S. friendship with cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and help the San Francisco vision turn into reality, Xi said.

The summit opened in Xi'an on the same day, with the theme of "Expanding China-U.S. Travel and Tourism and People-to-people Exchanges." It is co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the People's Government of Shaanxi Province, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Brand USA.
The N.C. House appears likely to reject a revamped bill that would criminalize the public wearing of a mask for health and safety reasons.

In their pursuit of expanding criminal penalties for wearing a mask in public while committing a crime, or for blocking traffic to emergency vehicles, all 30 GOP senators voted May 15 for reinstating a pre-pandemic ban on mask wearing for public health and safety reasons affecting North Carolinians ages 16 and over.

At least two House Republicans  Erin Pare of Wake County and Chris Humphrey of Lenoir County  have posted their opposition to Senate changes to House Bill 237, although for different reasons.

Meanwhile, Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and the architect of the historic 2023 Medicaid expansion bill, said Tuesday that HB237 may be shelved until we are satisfied we have a reasonable balance.

On May 16, the House responded to the Senate passage of HB237 by sending the bill directly to House Rules and Operations committee.

The bill has been placed on Wednesdays House floor calendar for a potential agreement or rejection vote. If rejected, a concurrence committee is the likely next step.

According to Sen. Sydney Batch, D-Wake, at least 700,000 North Carolinians experience immunocompromised health issues, including herself following her fight with non-invasive breast cancer.

If HB327  now titled Unmasking Mobs and Criminals  becomes law, all but four exemptions would end immediately.

At that time, the public wearing of masks to protect ones health and those of others could again become criminally prosecutable with the potential for between 1 and 120 days in jail  as it was between 1953 in an anti-Ku Klux Klan-inspired bill and July 2020.

HB237 would not eliminate public masking exemptions for the following reasons:

Traditional holiday costumes in season; ensuring the physical safety of workers in public settings.

Theatrical productions including Mardi Gras celebrations and masquerade balls.

Wearing gas masks during civil defense drills and exercises.

Activities involving membership in a society, order or organization involving a parade, ritual, initiation, ceremony, celebration or other activity  if first approved by a local municipality or county commissioners.

We want to ensure that this doesnt violate the Americans with Disabilities Act, so there will be some tweaking along the way, Sen. Danny Britt Jr. said in a Senate Rules and Operations committee meeting May 15.

Lambeth said he is getting emails from constituents and people across the state, primarily from individuals with health issues and medical professionals.

There are discussions going on with Health Secretary (Kody) Kinsley, the N.C. Healthcare Association. The House and Senate are looking to address the legitimate concerns of those persons who are appropriately wearing a mask for health reasons, Lambeth said.

Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, said, I dont see much support as written.

GOP concerns

Pare posted on X (formerly Twitter) that I will vote to not concur with the Senate changes to HB237.

Every person has the freedom to wear a mask to ensure their physical health and safety if they want to. Removing the medical mask exemption provision from current state law has created confusion among the public.

Pare said she agrees with expanding the criminal penalties for people who use a mask to conceal their identity while committing a crime.

That is good and important, Pare said. The right thing to do here is to add back the deleted provisions regarding medical masking and give the public clarity on the issue.

Pare later posted that crafting legislation is a multi-phase process.

Im confident that the Senate and House will do right by the people and pass a common-sense bill that provides for personal health protection while also ensuring accountability for criminal behavior.

Humphrey responded to Pares initial posting by stating he would vote no on accepting Senate changes to HB237.

Humphrey shared the opinion of Sens. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, sponsor of Senate changes to HB237, that it is common sense to expand the criminal penalties for wearing a mask while committing a crime.

Humphrey posted that fear mongering by the left will not deter our resolve to protect the rights of those who protest in a lawful manner.

Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, posted on X that in his opinion the health protections remain because the bill only applies to concealing your identity.

I can scream this till Im blue in the face, but you dont care. You have a narrative to manage and youre fine ignoring 70 years of actual application. Continue your fear mongering.

DHHS recommendations

On Thursday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services offered three public masking recommendations to state legislators in an attempt to keep certain health and safety exemptions in place.

DHHS made clear its preference is not repealing the language permitting the public health and safety masking exemptions.

The broadest recommendation involves allowing anyone to wear a medical or surgical grade mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease.

A second option is allowing people who have or have recently been exposed to contagious respiratory infections; people at risk of severe illness; or caretakers, household members or family members of people at risk of severe illness.

A third option would permit public mask wearing for the purpose of: preventing the spread of contagious disease for which the wearer has been diagnosed with, symptomatic of or exposed to; or the wearer or a caretaker, household member or family member of the wearer is at risk of severe illness.

All three recommendations are conditional on individuals removing their mask upon request by a law enforcement officer, or temporarily removing the mask upon the request by the owner or occupant of public or private property to allow for identification of the wearer.

Masking ban concerns

Many North Carolinians currently wearing a mask in public are doing so not only to limit their risk to communicable diseases, but to also enjoy a new-found freedom of movement since the exemption went into effect in July 2020.

Triad residents response to HB237 have come in the form of interviews, letters to the editor and constituents emails and appeals to Triad and other legislators.

Among their concerns: having their actions while wearing a mask in public being scrutinized by law enforcement officers, store managers or venue operators; being pointed out for arrest or facing public ridicule, if not harassment, from anti-mask individuals; and individuals with immunocompromised conditions risking exposure to communicable diseases by being in public without a mask on.

Lambeth shared a constituent email that read in part the larger material consequences of this amendment to the bill on the state of North Carolina cannot be understated.

Hospitals, schools, social services, and even restaurants and recreation spots are massively understaffed, underfunded and overworked.

This amendment to remove the health and safety exemption, essentially increasing the potential spread of sickness and disease, would put these already overextended aspects of our society and our economy into further disarray and strain.

Lambeth said that as with many bills here, I believe the intent is reasonable for HB237.

But for those concerned about their own health and new strains of the COVID variant we need to make sure we can still allow them to feel safe and protected.

Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina #50. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel #49. Public relations managers #48. Logisticians #47. Food service managers #46. Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers #45. Data scientists #44. Clinical and counseling psychologists #43. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs #42. Public relations specialists #41. Producers and directors #40. Floral designers #39. Occupational therapists #38. Glaziers #37. Property appraisers and assessors #36. Parking attendants #35. Sales managers #34. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists #33. Mental health and substance abuse social workers #32. File clerks #31. Real estate brokers #30. Facilities managers #29. Optometrists #28. Surveying and mapping technicians #27. Computer occupations, all other #26. Fundraisers #25. Social workers, all other #24. First-line supervisors of security workers #23. Bakers #22. Orderlies #21. Couriers and messengers #20. Security and fire alarm systems installers #19. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers #18. Family medicine physicians #17. Financial examiners #16. Architectural and civil drafters #15. Library technicians #13. Surveyors #12. Commercial pilots #11. Cargo and freight agents #10. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants #9. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall #8. Medical transcriptionists #7. Cooks, short order #6. Engine and other machine assemblers #5. Brokerage clerks #4. Flight attendants #3. General internal medicine physicians #2. Biochemists and biophysicists #1. Biological scientists, all other
The Nigerian army has announced the rescue of hundreds of hostages, primarily children, and women, who had been held captive for months or even years by the extremist group Boko Haram in the northeastern part of the country. These 350 hostages were freed from the Sambisa Forest, a known hideout for the insurgent group that launched its violent campaign in 2009.

Major General Ken Chigbu, a senior army officer, presented the rescued individuals to authorities in Borno state, where the forest is located. The group consisted of 209 children, 135 women, and six men, appearing exhausted in tattered clothing. Some of the girls had babies, likely born from forced marriages  a common plight for female captives who are either raped or coerced into marrying the militants during their captivity.

One of the rescued women, Hajara Umara, spoke of her inability to escape due to her seven children. She explained, I always wanted to escape but couldnt because of the children. If they caught you trying to escape, they would torture you and imprison you indefinitely.

According to the army, the hostages were freed during a multi-day military operation in the Sambisa Forest. The forest was once a thriving reserve but is now a stronghold from which Boko Haram and its splinter factions launch attacks targeting people and security forces in Nigeria and neighboring countries like Cameroon and Niger.

The freed hostages were transported to the Borno state government house, where authorities will provide care until they can return home. The army also reported killing some extremists and destroying their makeshift dwellings during the rescue operation.
Borges Nhamirre of the Institute for Security Studies asserts that Mozambiques incoming president will immediately address the escalating violence in the northern Cabo Delgado province. This critical responsibility will almost certainly fall to Daniel Chapo, the 47-year-old lawyer who is the ruling Liberation Front (FRELIMO) partys chosen presidential candidate for the upcoming election. FRELIMO maintains control through election irregularities and an uneven political playing field, enabling it to dominate state institutions.

The seven-year insurgency raging in Cabo Delgado has claimed over 5,000 lives and displaced upwards of a million people. A recent attack on Macomia district underscores that insurgents remain highly active and uncontained in the region. According to Nhamirre, this will compel the new leadership to finally balance security and development policies as an overdue counterterrorism step.

Striking this equilibrium between hard security measures and policies fostering economic/social development will be crucial for preventing further terrorist violence from taking root. Mozambiques next president, likely Chapo, must deftly navigate this challenge from the outset to resolve one of the countrys most pressing crises. Failing to address the intricate security/development nexus in Cabo Delgado could allow the ruthless insurgency to metastasize unchecked.
Kenyan President William Ruto is visiting the United States this week, amid efforts to deepen economic and security cooperation between the two nations and finalize plans for a long-awaited police deployment to Haiti.

The trip comes as the Biden administration seeks to strengthen partnerships with African countries amidst growing competition from its top geopolitical rivals, China and Russia.

Ruto, who will hold talks with President Biden at the White House on Thursday, is also visiting the U.S. as a United Nations-backed initiative to send a Kenyan-led police force to Haiti appears to be solidifying.

The UN Security Council authorized this multinational support mission last year, which supporters argue is needed to help restore security in the Caribbean nation amid years of widespread gang violence and instability. However, a recent wave of deadly attacks by Haitian armed groups, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, had delayed the missions deployment.

Now, Kenyan officials state that deployment is imminent as a fragile political transition occurs in Haiti, and the countrys main airport in Port-au-Prince has recently reopened. They are finalizing preparations, expecting the deployment to number about 2,500 members, including 1,000 Kenyan police officers.

While the U.S. has assisted in setting up temporary living areas and delivering equipment and supplies for the mission, some sticking points remain between the U.S. and Kenya over financial support and stemming the flow of arms into Haiti.

The decision for Kenya to lead this mission represents years of efforts by Nairobi to build strong security ties with Washington. However, concerns have been raised over human rights issues and lack of public consultation regarding the deployment within Kenya itself.
China has brokered a deal that enabled an end to Benins blockade of Nigers oil exports through a Chinese-built pipeline.

China had extended a resource-backed loan to Niger to build the pipeline that connects its oil fields to Seme port in Benin, which blocked exports earlier this month in protest over Nigers closure of its border to Benins goods.

Benin had joined the ECOWAS in imposing sanctions on Niger following the coup in 2023. Five months later it opened its ports to Niger imports and exports.

A Chinese vessel loaded 1 million barrels of Nigers oil from Benin on Sunday, marking eased tensions and Chinas growing clout as a mediator in the continent.

The detente came after a Chinese delegation, including executives from state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), held talks with Beninese President Patrice Talon last week.

CNPC has invested $4.6 billion in Nigers petroleum industry, and its subsidiary PetroChina owns two-thirds of the countrys Agadem oilfield.

Niger has obtained a $400 million loan from China that it plans to pay by shipping oil. The loan is seen as one of the first steps to wean financial dependence on the West, with whom the military rulers are increasingly at odds going as far as breaking military cooperation partnerships.

The pipeline would help Niger increase production to 100,000 barrels, offering the landlocked country an export route.
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DNA, which has a double-helix structure, can have many genetic mutations and variations. Credit: NIH

New research led by King's College London has found that thousands of DNA sequences originating from ancient viral infections are expressed in the brain, with some contributing to susceptibility for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

The work appears in Nature Communications.

About 8% of our genome is comprised of sequences called Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), which are products of ancient viral infections that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. Until recently, it was assumed that these "fossil viruses" were simply junk DNA, with no important function in the body. However, due to advances in genomics research, scientists have now discovered where in our DNA these fossil viruses are located, enabling us to better understand when they are expressed and what functions they may have.

This new study builds upon these advances and is the first to show that a set of specific HERVs expressed in the human brain contribute to psychiatric disorder susceptibility, marking a step forward in understanding the complex genetic components that contribute to these conditions.

Dr. Timothy Powell, co-senior author on the study and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, said, "This study uses a novel and robust approach to assess how genetic susceptibility for psychiatric disorders imparts its effects on the expression of ancient viral sequences present in the modern human genome. Our results suggest that these viral sequences probably play a more important role in the human brain than originally thought, with specific HERV expression profiles being associated with an increased susceptibility for some psychiatric disorders."

The study analyzed data from large genetic studies involving tens of thousands of people, both with and without mental health conditions, as well as information from autopsy brain samples from 800 individuals, to explore how DNA variations linked to psychiatric disorders affect the expression of HERVs.

Although most genetic risk variants linked to psychiatric diagnoses impacted genes with well-known biological functions, the researchers found that some genetic risk variants preferentially affected the expression of HERVs. The researchers reported five robust HERV expression signatures associated with psychiatric disorders, including two HERVs that are associated with risk for schizophrenia, one associated with risk for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and one associated with risk for depression.

Dr. Rodrigo Duarte, first author and Research Fellow at the IoPPN, King's College London, said, "We know that psychiatric disorders have a substantial genetic component, with many parts of the genome incrementally contributing to susceptibility. In our study, we were able to investigate parts of the genome corresponding to HERVs, which led to the identification of five sequences that are relevant to psychiatric disorders. While it is not clear yet how these HERVs affect brain cells to confer this increase in risk, our findings suggest that their expression regulation is important for brain function."

Dr. Douglas Nixon, co-senior author on the study and and researcher at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, in the US, said, "Further research is needed to understand the exact function of most HERVs, including those identified in our study. We think that a better understanding of these ancient viruses, and the known genes implicated in psychiatric disorders, have the potential to revolutionize mental health research and lead to novel ways to treat or diagnose these conditions."

More information: Integrating human endogenous retroviruses into transcriptome-wide association studies highlights novel risk factors for major psychiatric conditions, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48153-z Journal information: Nature Communications
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Graphical abstract. Credit: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109881

In new research, investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) show that the 100-year-old Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, originally developed to prevent tuberculosis, protects individuals with type 1 diabetes from severe COVID-19 disease and other infectious diseases.

Two back-to-back randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trials found that the BCG vaccine provided continuous protection for nearly the entire COVID-19 pandemic in the US, regardless of the viral variant.

"Individuals with type 1 diabetes are highly susceptible to infectious diseases and had worse outcomes when they were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus," said senior author Denise Faustman, MD, Ph.D., director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at MGH and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

"Published data from other investigators show mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not very effective in this group of vulnerable patients. But we've shown that BCG can protect type 1 diabetics from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases."

The 18-month Phase III trial, published in iScience, was conducted late in the US pandemic when the highly transmissible omicron variant was circulating. A 15-month Phase II trial was conducted early in the pandemic; results of that trial were published in Cell Reports Medicine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several international trials tested if BCG as a single shot, or booster, given to previously BCG-vaccinated adults protected them from infection and COVID-19. This research expanded the large global clinical trial database showing that BCG administered to newborns works as a platform for all infectious disease, maybe for decades. But results from these COVID-19 booster trials in people previously vaccinated with BCG were mixed, with five randomized trials showing efficacy and seven trials showing no benefit.

The MGH Phase II and Phase III clinical trials testing BCG differed from other BCG trials in important ways. Instead of receiving one dose of BCG, participants received five or six doses of a particularly potent strain of BCG vaccine. The US participants were followed for a total of 36 months instead of weeks or months.

"We know that in people who are naive to BCG vaccine, the off-target effects can take at least two years to achieve full protection," said Faustman. "Giving multiple doses of the vaccine may speed up that process."

And importantly, the US population had never received BCG vaccines, so these clinical trials were not booster trials.

"The Phase II and Phase III trials conducted at MGH were unique in that they were the only COVID trials in the world in which the study population had never received a BCG vaccine and was never exposed to TB," said Faustman. "Trials conducted in countries where participants had previously received BCG vaccine as newborns or who had previous exposure to tuberculosis may have obscured any benefit from a BCG booster."

The MGH trials enrolled 141 participants with type 1 diabetes; 93 people in the treatment group received five or six doses of BCG vaccine and the 48 individuals in the placebo group received sham vaccine and were followed for 36 months to capture diverse COVID-19 genetic variants and many infectious disease exposures.

During the earlier Phase II trial (January 2020 to April 2021) when the virus was more lethal but less transmissible, the BCG vaccine's efficacy was 92%, comparable to the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in healthy adults.

Over the full 34 months of the US COVID-19 pandemic, the BCG vaccine had a significant efficacy of 54.3%. The investigators also found that the BCG-treated participants had lower rates of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections as well as COVID-19 disease itself.

The BCG vaccine confers an immunity that likely lasts decades, a clear advantage to the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines against other infectious diseases, such as influenza, where the duration of effectiveness is only two or three months.

"The BCG vaccine offers the prospect of near-lifelong protection against every variant of COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other infectious diseases," said Faustman.

Some of the BCG-treated participants also received the commercially available COVID-19 vaccines during the Phase III trial. The investigators observed that the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines did not protect people with type 1 diabetes against COVID-19.

"Our study showed that the BCG vaccine neither increased the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor was it harmful to those who received the COVID-19 vaccine," said Faustman. "As the pandemic continues to evolve it will be interesting to see if we can work with the FDA to allow access to BCG vaccine for type 1 diabetics, who appear to be particularly at risk for all infectious diseases."

Other contributing authors include Willem M. Kuhtreiber, Emma R. Hostetter, Grace E. Wolfe, Maya S. Vayshnaw, Rachel Goldstein, Emily R. Bulczynski, Neeshi S. Hullavarad, Joan E. Braley, and Hui Zheng.
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Relationships among brain, three pathway assessments, immune pathway, and ADHD. Credit: Nature Mental Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00251-z

Cambridge scientists have shown that problems regulating emotionswhich can manifest as depression, anxiety and explosive outburstsmay be a core symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In research published in Nature Mental Health, the team found that as many as one in two children with ADHD show signs of emotional dysregulation, and that Ritalinthe commonly-prescribed drug to help the conditionappears to be less effective at treating this symptom. The paper is titled "Emotion dysregulation and right pars orbitalis constitute a neuropsychological pathway to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder."

ADHD affects around one in 14 young people under the age of 18 and in around half of these cases it persists into adulthood. The condition causes problems including hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty focusing attention.

It has become increasingly clear that some people with ADHD also have self-control problems, affecting their ability to regulate emotions. For example, one in 50 (2.1%) children with a diagnosis of ADHD also have a mood disorder, such as depression, while more than one in four (27.4%) have an anxiety disorder. Many also have verbal or physical outbursts due to an inability to regulate their emotions.

These problems were thought to be a result of other symptoms associated with ADHD, such as problems with cognition and motivation. But today's study shows that emotional dysregulation occurs independently of these.

The researchers examined data from the ABCD Study, a large longitudinal cohort that tracks the brain development and mental health of children from across the United States. Data on ADHD symptoms was available for just over 6,000 of these children, allowing the researchers to attribute a score to each individual indicating their likelihood of having ADHD.

A team of scientists from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and the University of Cambridge identified 350 individuals within the cohort who had high symptom scores that met the clinical cut-off for ADHD. Two-thirds (65.7%) of these were male.

Parents or guardians of the children and adolescents in the cohort had previously completed a series of questionnaires, which included questions that related to emotional behavior, for example:

When my child is upset, he/she has difficulty controlling his/her behaviors.

When my child is upset, he/she knows that he/she can find a way to eventually feel better.

When my child is upset, he/she starts to feel very bad about him/herself.

The researchers found that half (51.4%) of the individuals in the high-symptom group showed signs of emotion dysregulation and this was independent of cognitive and motivational problems.

Among children with only low-ADHD symptoms at both ages 12 and 13 years, those with a high scores of emotion dysregulation at age 13 years were 2.85 times more likely to have developed high-ADHD symptoms by age 14 years compared with those with a low score of emotion dysregulation.

When the researchers examined brain imaging data available for some of the participants, they discovered a particular region of the brain known as the pars orbitalis that was smaller among children who scored highly for ADHD and emotional problems. The pars orbitalis is at the front of the brain and plays an important role in understanding and processing of emotion and communication as well as inhibitory control over behavior, which may explain some of the behaviors seen in ADHD.

Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Clare Hall said, "The pars orbitalis is a well-connected part of the brain, and if it hasn't developed properly it might make it difficult for individuals to control their emotions and communicate with others appropriately, especially in social situations.

"Parents and teachers often say they have problems controlling children with ADHD, and it could be that when the children can't express themselves wellwhen they hit emotional difficultiesthey may not be able to control their emotions and have an outburst rather than communicating with the parent, teacher or the other child."

Professor Sahakian hopes that acknowledging emotion dysregulation as a key part of ADHD will help people better understand the problems the child is experiencing. This could lead to using effective treatments for regulation of emotion, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The findings may also point to potential ways to help the child manage their emotions, for example by using cognitive behavioral techniques to learn to stop and think before they react and to express their feelings verbally, or use techniques such as exercise or relaxation to calm themselves or alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

This may be particularly important as the researchers found that Ritalin, the drug used to help manage ADHD symptoms, does not appear to fully treat symptoms of emotion dysregulation. Identifying the problem earlier would allow for alternative, more effective interventions to help the child better manage their emotions, potentially helping the individual in adulthood.

Professor Qiang Luo from Fudan University and a Life Member at Clare Hall, Cambridge, said, "If you're having trouble controlling your emotions, this can lead to problems with social interactions, which further exacerbates any depression or anxiety that you might have. It also might mean that you're saying things or doing things that exacerbate a situation rather than calming it down.

"Teaching vulnerable individuals from an early age how to manage your emotions and express yourself could help them overcome such problems further down the line."

While it is not clear exactly what causes these problems in the first place, the researchers found signs of a link to possible dysfunction of the immune system, with individuals who exhibited signs of emotion dysregulation showing higher percentages of certain types of immune cell.

Professor Sahakian added, "We already know that problems with the immune system can be linked to depression, and we've seen similar patterns in individuals with ADHD who experience emotion dysregulation."

More information: Wenjie Hou et al, Emotion dysregulation and right pars orbitalis constitute a neuropsychological pathway to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Nature Mental Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00251-z Journal information: Nature Mental Health
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Fatal overdoses in the U.S. fell for the first time in five years in 2023, according to preliminary estimates recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but UCLA researcher Joseph Friedman warns that the new findings should not be interpreted to mean that the nation's drug and mental health crises are abating.

Friedman has analyzed "deaths of despair" that result from overdose, suicide and liver disease due to alcoholism and found that while death rates for white Americans have dipped, rates have risen in recent years among people of color in the U.S., especially among Native and Black Americans. Illegal opioids such as fentanyl have ravaged Black and low-income communities in Los Angeles.

While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons behind substance abuse or suicide, Friedman as well as other experts in addiction medicine and mental health say racial inequality, economic distress and historical trauma have aggravated those problems in marginalized communities.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help for a mental health, substance-use or suicidal crisis, call or text 988, or chat online by visiting the suicide and crisis line's website. For mental health resources and referrals, call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's Help Line 24/7 at (800) 854-7771.

Here are other organizations that offer information, counseling and support services:

Nakeya Fields, a licensed clinical social worker in Pasadena, founded the Black Mental Health Task Force, a coalition that brings together mental health professionals, clients, nonprofits, community organizations, educators and others in California to raise awareness about mental wellness. Her Therapeutic Play Foundation offers activities designed to improve resilience and coping skills through creative arts, play and sports. It provides individual, couples, group and family therapy for Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and other members of marginalized populations.

The American Indian Counseling Center, a division of the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department, offers crisis intervention, 24/7 intensive mental health services and counseling for all ages, as well as physician consultations for medications and referrals to culturally relevant support groups. Call (562) 402-0677 and ask to speak with the on-duty worker.

United American Indian Involvement's behavioral health program provides outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives living throughout Los Angeles County. Visit the website or call (213) 202-3970.

Melanin and Mental Health offers an online network of Black and brown mental health care providers that is searchable by geographic area, issue type and treatment sought. It's also possible to filter results by therapists' racial background and specialty, as well as by insurance carrier.

The Black Mental Health Alliance offers confidential referrals to culturally competent mental health professionals who are in its database of licensed therapists.

Painted Brain advocates for mental wellness in underserved L.A. communities by offering self-care, relaxation and therapeutic art and play sessions, support groups and trainings for mental health professionals. As part of its peer-led model, many of the staff have experienced mental health issues themselves. Its community center and art space is located at 5980 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers individual, couples, family, group therapy and psychiatric care, as well as support for people struggling with substance use. The center has locations in West Hollywood, at Mi Centro in East L.A., at its Trans Wellness Center near MacArthur Park and in South L.A.'s Leimert Park neighborhood.

The Community Health Project Los Angeles provides services to people who use drugs by way of a harm-reduction approach that emphasizes offering clean needles as well as education on how to respond to an overdose.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Health benefits and health care savings associated to breastfeeding infographic. Credit: Berengere Chabanis, CC0 (creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

Breastmilk can promote equitable child health and save health care costs by reducing childhood illnesses and health care utilization in the early years, according to a new study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Tomi Ajetunmobi of the Glasgow Center for Population Health, Scotland, and colleagues.

Breastfeeding has previously been found to promote development and prevent disease among infants. In Scotlandas well as other developed countrieslow rates of breastfeeding in more economically deprived areas are thought to contribute to inequalities in early childhood health. However, government policies to promote child health have made little progress and more evidence on the effectiveness of interventions may be needed.

In the new study, researchers used administrative datasets on 502,948 babies born in Scotland between 1997 and 2009. Data were available on whether or not infants were breastfed during the first 68 weeks, the occurrence of ten common childhood conditions from birth to 27 months, and the details of hospital admissions, primary care consultations and prescriptions.

Among all infants included in the study, 27% were exclusively breastfed, 9% mixed fed and 64% formula fed during the first 6-8 weeks of life. The rates of exclusively breastfed infants ranged from 45% in the least deprived areas to 13% in the most deprived areas.

The researchers found that, within each quintile of deprivation, exclusively breastfed infants used fewer health care services and incurred lower costs compared to infants fed any formula milk.

On average, breastfed infants had lower average costs of hospital care per admission (42) compared to formula-fed infants (79) in the first six months of life and fewer GP consultations (1.72, 95% CI: 1.661.79) than formula-fed infants (1.92 95% CI: 1.881.94). At least 10 million of health care costs could have been avoided if all formula-fed infants had instead been exclusively breastfed for the first 68 weeks of life, the researchers calculated.

The authors conclude that breastfeeding has a significant health and economic benefit and that increasing breastfeeding rates in the most deprived areas could contribute to the narrowing of inequalities in the early years.

More information: Levelling up health in the early years: A cost-analysis of infant feeding and healthcare, PLoS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300267 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Airborne ultrasound exposure guidelines from 1984 are being revisited by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) due to their use in emerging technology.

The study, "Validity of the 1984 Interim Guidelines on Airborne Ultrasound and Gaps in the Current Knowledge" is published in Health Physics.

Airborne ultrasound is increasingly being used in virtual reality technology to create the experience of touch. Airborne ultrasound consists of inaudible sound waves that travel through air and are mostly produced in heavy industry, for example drilling, and in commercial products like burglar alarms.

Extremely high levels of airborne ultrasound can cause ear damage, and excessive body heating that can lead to pain and burns.

ICNIRP Vice-Chair elect and Health Impact Assessment Assistant Director at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, led the review and says the current guidelines are based on limited research and further studies are needed.

"Based on the available research, the exposure limits set in the existing guidelines are still applicable today," A/Prof Karipidis said. "However, when we assessed the evidence that has been published since 1984, we found there are significant data gaps that need to be addressed before ICNIRP can publish updated exposure guidelines.

"In particular, we'd like to know more about other health effects like effects on cognitive function and behavior and non-specific symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. This is particularly relevant given the expanded use of airborne ultrasound within the wider community.

"The effect of ultrasound on the human ear can vary according to age so it is also important for future research to determine the distribution of exposure levels where hearing damage can occur across the population."

As Australia's primary radiation protection authority, ARPANSA works with leading international health authorities like ICNIRP to develop guidelines to protect the public and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.

More information: Validity of the 1984 Interim Guidelines on Airborne Ultrasound and Gaps in the Current Knowledge. Health Physics. DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001800. journals.lww.com/health-physic  idelines_on.148.aspx

Provided by Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), has carried out an analysis of hospital admissions related to high summer temperatures in Spain over more than a decade. The study concludes that the causes of hospitalization in which the heat has the most notable impact are:

Metabolic disorders and obesity

Renal failure

Urinary tract infection

Sepsis

Urolithiasis

Poisoning by drugs and other non-medicinal substances

The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, included data of more than 11.2 million hospital admissions between 2006 and 2019. Those data were restricted to emergency hospital admissions from 48 provinces in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands and were provided by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics.

The team also calculated the values of daily mean temperatures, daily mean relative humidity and concentrations of different air pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 and O 3 ). With the help of different models, they estimated the relationships between temperature and the different causes of hospitalization for the summer season (June to September) and by province.

As expected, the statistical analysis showed that high temperature had "a generalized impact on cause-specific hospitalizations." Even though heat increased the risk of hospitalization in all age groups, children of less than 1 year of age and adults beyond 85 years were the most vulnerable groups, with higher risk of hospital admission. Differences by sex were also found, since in hotter days men showed a higher risk of hospitalization from injuries than women, while women had a higher risk of admission from parasitic, endocrine and metabolic, respiratory or urinary diseases.

"The underlying mechanisms by which heat triggers adverse health outcomes remain unclear, but they seem to be related to how our body regulates its own temperature," says Hicham Achebak, researcher at INSERM and ISGlobal and holder of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship from the European Commission.

"Under conditions of heat stress, the body activates cutaneous vasodilation and sweat production in order to lose heat. The subsequent reactions can affect people differently depending on a series of factors, such as age, sex or pre-existing health conditions. We know, for example, that women have a higher temperature threshold above which sweating mechanisms are activated and are more susceptible to the effects of heat," he adds.

Obesity and metabolic disorders

The group of diseases more largely affected by heat were metabolic disorders and obesity. The risk of hospital admission for this type of disease on the hottest days nearly duplicated compared to the days of optimum or comfort temperature.

"There are a number of reasons to explain this. For example, in people with obesity, heat loss responses work less efficiently, as body fat acts as an insulator, making them more susceptible to heat disorders," says Hicham Achebak.

Relative humidity, air pollution and heat waves

Regarding other variables included in the study, relative humidity didn't seem to play a relevant role in the relationship of heat with emergency hospital admissions, except for the risk of acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis, which was stronger on days with lower relative humidity.

In addition, high air pollution days appeared to exacerbate the risk of hospitalization from heat for metabolic disorders and obesity, as well as from diabetes, but not for the rest of the health outcomes.

"We observed that the added effects of heat wavesor extreme high temperatures over consecutive dayswere small and specific for a subset of diseases, mainly non-respiratory infectious diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders or nervous system diseases, among others. For this reason, we believe that current Heat-Health Early Warning Systems should be activated not only during heat waves, but also during non-persistent extreme temperatures," says Joan Ballester Claramunt, ISGlobal researcher and senior author of the study.

More information: Hicham Achebak, Heat exposure and cause-specific hospital admissions in Spain: a nationwide cross-sectional study, Environmental Health Perspectives (2024). DOI: 10.1289/EHP13254 Journal information: Environmental Health Perspectives
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Database schema of P. falciparum vaccine target identification. Credit: npj Systems Biology and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00365-1

Anti-malaria drugs have been a central component of a global public health effort that saw a 44% drop in the deadly mosquito-borne disease from 2000 to 2019, but progress has stalled as the parasites that cause malaria gain resistance to these drugs.

Now, computational biologists from the University of Maryland, College Park have partnered with researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore to pursue a malaria vaccine using machine learninga subset of artificial intelligence that doesn't require direct programming.

They're using a novel approach called "reverse vaccinology" that employs powerful bioinformatic tools to delve into the genetic makeup of several parasites that cause malaria to target proteins, or antigens, associated with these pathogens for vaccine testing.

The team's initial study was recently published in npj Systems Biology and Applications.

The paper's lead author is Renee Ti Chou Ph.D. '23, a data scientist at Lexical Intelligence in Rockville, Md., with co-authors including Professor Michael Cummings, a professor of biology with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, and Amed Ouattara, Matthew Adams, Andrea A. Berry and Shannon Takala Harrison, all from the medical school's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health.

The researchers not only identified new potential vaccine targets, Cummings said, but also ranked them based on importance. To prioritize the most promising candidates, they looked at factors like gene essentiality and when the proteins are active in the parasite's life cycle.

"These findings offer a flexible framework for future vaccine research," said Cummings, who was Chou's academic adviser at UMD. "We can adjust our criteria and even apply this approach to other diseases beyond malaria. It's a big step forward in the quest for better vaccines."

More than 240 million people, mostly in Africa, contract malaria every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention. Current vaccines leave many who take them at risk of the disease; without a highly effective one, the researchers say, defeating the disease that killed an estimated 608,000 people in 2022 could be out of reach.

To do so, however, scientists must target different life cycle stages of the P. falciparum parasite, the deadliest species of the Plasmodium blood parasite that causes malaria.

This can be tricky, said Cummings, director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; not only does the parasite take on different forms during its life cycle, but its genetic proteins also change, making it difficult for the human immune system to counter. So far, most vaccine efforts have focused on a few proteins without looking at the whole picture of the P. falciparum parasite's genes.

The team analyzed thousands of proteins from the P. falciparum parasite, considering 272 different factors for each. They used a machine learning technique called positive-unlabeled learning to sort through this data, letting the system learn from what is already known about effective targets.

More information: Renee Ti Chou et al, Positive-unlabeled learning identifies vaccine candidate antigens in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, npj Systems Biology and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00365-1
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Telestroke demonstration. Pictured are nurse Jessica Hewitt (on left), MUSC Health provider Dr. Carlene Kingston (on screen) and Perrette Sabatino (on stretcher). Credit: Medical University of South Carolina

Key stroke-care metrics improve at telestroke hospitals with stroke center certification and stroke coordinators.

That's what NORC researchers at the University of Chicago found when they conducted an external evaluation of the telestroke program at the Medical University of South Carolina. NORC (National Opinion Research Center) and MUSC researchers report their findings in the Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Mithuna Srinivasan, Ph.D., principal research scientist at NORC, is the lead author of the article and MUSC telestroke and telehealth experts Christine Holmstedt. D.O., Jillian Harvey, Ph.D., Ryan Kruis, Ph.D., and Shay McLeod are co-authors.

MUSC was chosen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for evaluation by NORC to generate practice-based evidence and inform telehealth practice

Stroke is a leading cause of death and life-changing disability, and almost 800,000 people in the U.S. have strokes each year. Most of those strokes are ischemic or caused by a blood clot blocking an artery. Long-term disabilities due to ischemic stroke can often be minimized if patients receive appropriate treatment, but these must be administered within a very tight time frame of a few hours. Yet many people do not live near stroke centers where such therapies are available.

Telestroke was implemented to address this problem, using technology to allow specialists at hub hospitals to communicate with physicians and evaluate stroke patients at spoke hospitals across the state or region. A hub-and-spoke model organizes care through a central hub and secondary spokes: Hub facilities offer a full range of services, whereas spoke facilities offer fewer intensive services.

The impact of telestroke on stroke care and outcomes is widely acknowledged to be revolutionary. Undoubtedly, it has been a game-changer for improving stroke care in South Carolina, where MUSC launched its telestroke program in 2008.

"The telestroke program has had a huge impact on the ability of South Carolinians, especially those living in rural parts of the state, to access specialized stroke care," said McLeod, telehealth nurse manager for acute care services at MUSC.

Thanks to the telestroke program, all residents of the state now live within an hour of specialized stroke care.

Although the program had always conducted its own rigorous assessments and made improvements based on the data, its leaders were delighted by the opportunity for an independent evaluation by NORC and pleased that its findings showed the program's impact on patient care.

"The assessment confirms that stroke patient outcomes improve through the development of an evidence-based telestroke program," said Holmstedt, who is the program's physician leader. "Our hope is to inspire other institutions to develop similar programs to provide stroke care where it is needed most."

Telestroke's impact on the quality of stroke care is widely acknowledged, but it is less clear which aspects of telestroke are the most beneficial.

NORC and the MUSC researchers set out to examine whether two telehealth components, stroke center certification and stroke center coordinators, improve door-to-needle (DTN) time, or the time it takes after arrival at the hospital for eligible patients to be administered the clot-busting drug tPA, which can minimize disabilities post-stroke.

The study showed that spoke hospitals with both stroke certification and stroke coordinators had substantially better DTN times.

"Our unadjusted analysis showed that compared with spoke hospitals with neither of these two components, encounters at hospitals with both had nearly 20-minute faster DTN times," said Srinivasan.

Harvey believes that the findings of this external evaluation reaffirm the efforts of many of the spoke hospitals in MUSC's telestroke program.

"The findings highlight the additional benefits of employing stroke coordinators and taking the additional steps needed to become a stroke center," she said.

Srinivasan agrees and sees the importance of these findings for telestroke programs across the country, stating, "Having foundational infrastructure or stroke-care components, such as stroke coordinators and stroke center certifications, can certainly help to improve the quality of stroke care under a telestroke program."

In the study, smaller-sized and rural hospitals showed the strongest association between these two components of stroke infrastructure and improved DTN times.

"This might be due to a resource issue," said Harvey. "Larger hospitals already have a lot of resources and economies of scale, but bringing additional support to small- and medium-sized hospitals might be more meaningful and more impactful."

Finally, the study noted inequities in the distribution of telestroke resources. It documented fewer telestroke encounters for racial and ethnic minorities and found that many of them were treated in spoke hospitals without stroke center certification or stroke coordinators.

"As we scale up telestroke, we should take into account that rural and small hospitals may be less likely to acquire the components of stroke care tied to improved outcomes," said Srinivasan. "In rolling out telestroke, we must take care not to exacerbate disparities and lack of telestroke access."

Further studies are needed to explore the impact of other telestroke components, such as leadership and funding support, on stroke center metrics. Such studies would identify the elements of telestroke infrastructure most responsible for improved stroke-care metrics, providing a roadmap for efficient and equitable telestroke implementation.

More information: Mithuna Srinivasan et al, The role of stroke care infrastructure on the effectiveness of a hub-and-spoke telestroke model in South Carolina, Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107702
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National annual costs due to primary caregivers of people with arthritis not being in the labor force, Australians 1564 years old, in 2020 $A millions. Credit: BMJ Open (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076966

Informal caregivers looking after a loved one with arthritis are financially worse off than non-caregivers to the sum of $388 million, Griffith University research has discovered.

That figure is set to increase to $576.9 million by 2030, painting a stark future for informal caregivers who are not in the labor force and do not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for the care provided.

Informal caregivers are also less likely to participate in the workforce due to the demands of their caregiving duties.

Professor Lennert Veerman from Griffith's School of Medicine and Dentistry co-authored a paper with researchers from Macquarie University which assessed the economic burdens associated with increasing numbers of Australians living with chronic diseasearthritis.

The paper, "Economic impact of informal caring for a person with arthritis in Australia from 2015 to 2030: a microsimulation approach using national survey data," has been published in BMJ Open.

Arthritis, a musculoskeletal disease, can be a costly disease to treat due to its high prevalence and the lifelong nature of the illness.

Professor Veerman said the purpose of the research set out to forecast the economic losses related to caring for people with arthritis from 2015 to 2030.

"People caring for someone with arthritis earn about $1,000 per week less than similar people who do not have caring responsibilities," he said.

"Unfortunately, that figure is projected to increase by 22% by 2030, placing a greater economic impact on informal caregivers.

"This equates to a total economic loss of around half a billion dollars per year, and reduced tax revenue is about $100 million a year.

"This is further proof that our informal caregivers are economically worse off than employed non-caregivers, especially when the future economic impact of informal caregivers is projected to increase."

The paper has prompted researchers to encourage decision-makers to increase the effort to not only prevent the chronic disease, but also improve quality of life and improve economic growth.

More information: Deborah J Schofield et al, Economic impact of informal caring for a person with arthritis in Australia from 2015 to 2030: a microsimulation approach using national survey data, BMJ Open (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076966 Journal information: BMJ Open
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Longitudinal changes in gray matter volume and glucose metabolism in AD-vulnerable brain regions. a, Factorial mixed-effects analyses of covariance models examined the two-way interactions between treatment (drug or placebo) and time (before or after treatment). b, Monte Carlo simulations determined that the ratios of voxels exhibiting hypothesis-consistent versus hypothesis-inconsistent effects were significantly higher than those observed on the basis of randomly simulated data for both sMRI and PET. Credit: Nature Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02977-w

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide. Currently, the two main approaches for treatments to delay or slow its progression target the buildup of amyloid beta peptideswhich form plaques in the spaces between nerve cells in the brainand the buildup of tau protein, resulting in tangles which damage neurons.

However, these strategies only single out a narrow set of Alzheimer's disease-related biological markers and mechanisms.

Findings from a clinical trial, led by a team of researchers from Western University, Stanford University and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), were recently published in Nature Medicine.

The team evaluated a new drug for enhancing the brain's resilience to changes driven by Alzheimer's, showing promising results for patients with mild to moderate forms of the disease in its first human trial.

The drug LM11A-31, developed by Stanford professor Dr. Frank Longo and UCSF professor Dr. Stephen Massa, targets the P75 neurotrophin receptor (P75NTR), located on cells in the brain. P75NTR helps regulate various processes like cell survival, growth and deathlike a traffic controller, deciding which signals get through and which don't. The drug enhances the passage of signals which promote cell survival and growth.

In 2020, the developers of the drug reached out to Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Taylor Schmitz and Hayley Shanks, a neuroscience Ph.D. student at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, to analyze the structural MRI data from their phase 2A clinical trial. Their analyses ultimately grew to include positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid data.

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Taylor Schmitz and Hayley Shanks, a neuroscience PhD student (L to R) with MRI scans. The pair led the analysis of a drug trial showing promising results for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Credit: Megan Morris/Schulich Medicine & Dentistry

Although the trial's primary purpose was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the drug in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, researchers also collected multiple markers of brain pathology to assess whether the drug affected disease progression between baseline and follow-up tests, when compared to placebo. The trial met its primary goals to show safety and tolerability.

The team at Western led the analysis of the trial. Despite the relatively short 26-week duration, they demonstrated that the drug slowed disease progression on multiple measures.

"In a phase 2A clinical trial, the objective is to demonstrate that the drug is not causing side effects that would be toxic," said Schmitz, lead author.

The researchers are hopeful the drug can benefit patients even when applied at later stages of the disease. Current treatments, such as amyloid monoclonal antibodies, that try to clear amyloid from the brain are not as effective for patients in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease because the amyloid has already caused significant damage to the neurons.

"The reason this drug is exciting is because it's directly affecting the ability of the neurons to survive. It promotes their overall integrity, their branching and their synapses [where they connect and communicate with each other]," said Shanks.

"In animal models, it was shown that the drug was preserving these neurons or reversing the damage to these neurons which translated to behavioral improvements, almost reverting the neurons back to a healthy state."

This clinical trial represents the first instance of targeting the P75 neurotrophin receptor in a human disease population after 10 years of preclinical work. The trial, conducted in five European countries, involved 242 participants living with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

"We also observed changes in an inflammation biomarker. The drug slowed down the increase of this inflammation marker in the cerebrospinal fluid," said Schmitz. "This is significant because, in the past five years, inflammation has become a key factor in understanding Alzheimer's disease."

Seeing these results this early on is significant and promising. Most phase 3 trials for Alzheimer's therapeutics take approximately two years, and in the six-month interval used in the latest trial, movement of this degree is not usually seen.

In this phase 2 trial, there were significant changes in two synaptic biomarkers taken from the cerebral spinal fluid within a six-month period, explained Schmitz.

"This builds confidence that what we're seeing is something real, rather than a false positive," added Shanks.

At Western, further studies are currently underway to examine the drug using state-of-the-art animal models of Alzheimer's disease in combination with high-resolution brain imaging on the new 15.2 Tesla MRI at the Center for Functional and Metabolic Mapping at Robarts.

These studies will help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of larger human trials by providing information on what point during the disease it is best to initiate treatment and whether certain Alzheimer's risk genes may affect treatment response.

"An important part of the study was the collaboration of multiple independent experts in the areas of brain imaging and biomarkers. It is of particular interest that this treatment approach appears to be engaging basic mechanisms of resilience and integrity of the synaptic connections between brain cells," said Longo.

"We look forward to being able to launch a larger trial that will further test effects on cognition and quality of life."

If proven effective in future trials, this drug could help to slow Alzheimer's progression in a wide range of patients due to its effects on multiple different types of pathology, its accessibilityit is taken orallyand its safety from potentially hazardous side effects.

More information: Hayley R. C. Shanks et al, p75 neurotrophin receptor modulation in mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2a trial, Nature Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02977-w Journal information: Nature Medicine
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Prof. Hans Ladegaard, Professor of the Department of English and Communication (left) , led research into the human rights issues and communications challenges faced by migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong; Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, Assistant Professor of the Department of English and Communication (middle), explored the influences of community storytelling networks on migrant domestic workers; Dr Margo Turnbull, Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Communication (right) , led research focusing on the health literacy needs of migrant domestic workers. Credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Migrant domestic workers support many Hong Kong working families in childcare and household duties but their own personal needs seldom receive significant attention.

The Department of English and Communication at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has conducted research into the health and other structural issues faced by migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings reveal that health literacy and access to information and facilities are crucial to their well-being.

The researchers have interviewed more than 700 Filipino and Indonesian migrant domestic workers and surveyed more than 400 to investigate their life stories and well-being in Hong Kong, covering topics from narratives about their (traumatic) experiences, health literacy and health care needs to their communication networks.

In view of the increasing number of workers driven by growing demand for domestic elderly care in Hong Kong, these studies aimed to highlight the significance of cultivating favorable conditions for workers.

Prof. Hans Ladegaard, Professor of the Department of English and Communication at PolyU, said, "Our research shows that Indonesian workers, in particular, face marginalization and isolation due to language and communication problems and a lack of awareness of their rights. Many took only a three-week Cantonese course before arrival, which clearly does not guarantee their Cantonese proficiency, while most of them are also unable to speak English.

"Many workers even do not know it is illegal to be paid under the minimum wage or that they are entitled to have 24 hours off once a week. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize efforts to provide language learning support and to educate these workers about their rights."

Inadequate access to health facilities and information is one major challenge facing these workers. According to Prof. Ladegaard's research, when the COVID-19 pandemic-induced loneliness, isolation and homesickness put them at higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety, they only had limited access to support.

To address the issue, the team advised that health campaigns be conducted in a language that the workers can understand and that accessible channels such as social media are mobilized for promotion. The research also indicated utilizing cartoons and storytelling to be more effective in communicating with migrant populations.

Another research study, led by Dr. Jeffry Oktavianus, Assistant Professor of the Department of English and Communication, found that community storytelling networks, including interpersonal relationships, community organizations and media outlets, played an essential role in supporting the migrant domestic workers in coping during the pandemic.

His research was published in the journal Health Communication in 2021.

The study revealed that many workers could not obtain knowledge about effective preventive measures during the pandemic, due to the absence of reliable and accurate information in their native language. Interaction with workers' communities on social media thus became their major source of informational and emotional support.

However, workers were also exposed to fake news through interpersonal networks, which led to adverse effects, such as having a negative psychological impact. Dr. Oktavianus remarked, "These networks provide crucial support, but also spread misinformation, creating both opportunities and challenges for empowering marginalized communities."

The research further highlighted the potential of community organizations in debunking hoaxes by disseminating credible news, thereby eliminating uncertainty, refuting misinformation and aiding in understanding the chaotic situation.

In this regard, health campaigns are encouraged to utilize community-based storytellers, such as Indonesian organizations or ethnic media, to communicate public health information. Meanwhile, improving digital literacy is also important for helping foreign workers distinguish fake news from real.

While the Philippines now has one of the highest breast cancer diagnosis rates in Asia, there is also an increasing number of Filipino workers diagnosed with breast cancer in Hong Kong. Dr. Margo Turnbull, Assistant Professor of the Department of English and Communication, led a research team focusing on the health literacy needs of migrant domestic workers.

Published in the journal Qualitative Health Research, the study provides a critical examination of how breast cancer and migration impact the lives of these workers.

This study again emphasized the importance of health campaigns in workers' native language and of their access to health facilities, particularly on Sundays, enabling them to receive timely diagnoses and assistance. Dr. Turnbull added, "Improving language and communication skills can also increase workers' effective utilization of medical resources, alleviate the psychological impacts of having cancer and enhance their confidence in advocating for their health care needs."

Currently, Dr. Turnbull is working with a cancer support group to co-develop multilingual communication resources that can be used by migrant domestic workers to share information about their diagnosis and care needs with their employers, families and doctors.

In light of the structural issues uncovered by the studies, a symposium, "Migrant Worker Lives Matter", organized by the Department of English and Communication in collaboration with two local migrant worker NGOs, PathFinders and Mission for Migrant Workers, will be held at the PolyU campus on 24 May.

The event aims to address the challenges faced by migrant domestic workers and explore ways for Hong Kong to become a more inclusive society.

More information: Margo Turnbull et al, "We Need to Go Back Home (to) the Philippines Healthy": An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Migrant Domestic Workers' Experiences of Having Breast Cancer in Hong Kong, Qualitative Health Research (2024). DOI: 10.1177/10497323241228789 Journal information: Qualitative Health Research
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

U.S. states vary widely in their laws and legal approaches to managing drug paraphernalia and opioid prevention centers (OPCs), according to new research published by the Center for Public Health Law Research at the Temple University Beasley School of Law. This creates a patchwork of laws that could affect efforts to prevent overdose and overdose death.

The research examines laws that govern drug paraphernalia, with a specific focus on drug checking equipment, such as fentanyl testing trips. State laws can make it difficult for people who use drugs to access drug checking equipment because that equipment may be labeled as objects related to illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia, and in states where that occurs, possession and distribution of drug paraphernalia is often prohibited by state law.

The research also includes laws that establish overdose prevention centers and state pilot programs for overdose prevention centers.

"Drug paraphernalia laws often create confusion and fear of criminal penalty in public health response aimed at reducing overdose harm and death. In absence of repealing these laws wholesale, clear exemptions for drug checking equipment, like fentanyl testing strips, can serve to increase access to lifesaving interventions as the drug supply landscape continues to evolve," said Jon Larsen, Legal Program Manager at the Center for Public Health Law Research, and a lead researcher on this project.

States typically increase access to drug checking equipment by including exemptions for the equipment from the state's definition of drug paraphernalia.

For example, as of November 1, 2023, 29 states explicitly exempt some form of drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, whereas nine states excluded any drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia. Laws in this area continue to evolve, making ongoing research important.

Similarly, 12 states included exemptions for any drug testing equipment meant to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl analog and 14 states specifically excluded fentanyl test strips from the definition of drug paraphernalia.

"We found that states with more expansive exemptions for drug testing equipment, for example excluding any drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, allow for more flexibility in response to evolving trends as new substances are added to the drug supply, threatening overdose and overdose-related death," said Larsen.

"States that do not provide exemptions for drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, potentially criminalize the use of these important tools to combat overdose."

Another approach to managing access to and improving the safety of drug use includes overdose prevention centers (OPCs), also known as safe consumption sites. These centers are intended to lessen the risk of overdose and often also provide access to critical services such as syringe exchange, fentanyl test strip and naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment for infectious diseases and substance use disorder.

OPCs operate globally, but only two states have laws, Minnesota and Rhode Island, that facilitate the establishment of OPCs and state pilot programs, as of November 1, 2023. The Vermont Senate advanced a bill on May 1, 2024, that would authorize and fund an overdose prevention center in Burlington.

The datasets are part of a project that has identified a series of 84 opportunities for government at all levels to improve and align drug policy in the United States.

"The number of overdose deaths in the United States reached a record high in 2023. These new legal data help us get a more refined view of the way these laws are written, allowing us to research their implications for people who use drugs around the country, so we can change what isn't working and hopefully prevent as many future overdose deaths as we can," said Larsen.

More information: Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research (2024, May 22). Overdose Prevention Center Laws. phlr.org/product/overdose-prevention-center-laws Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research (2024, May 22). Drug Paraphernalia Laws And Access To Drug Checking Equipment. phlr.org/product/drug-parapher  g-checking-equipment
Michael Lee Glaze Jr., with his parents, Michael Lee Glaze Sr. and Courtney Renee Glaze.

UB Neurosurgery to Host DEI/URM Summer Scholar

By Dirk Hoffman

UB Neurosurgery (UBNS) has been selected to participate in the University of Miami Miller School of Medicines 2024 Student Summer Research Scholarship in Neurosurgery program.

As the top-ranked neurosurgery training program in the USA by volume, and also one of the most productive research institutions, as defined by the number of papers per year, UBNS is positioned well to help students accelerate careers in academic neurosurgery.  Elad I. Levy, MD, MBA SUNY Distinguished Professor and the L. Nelson Hopkins III, MD, Professor and Chair of neurosurgery

The goal of the program  which includes 15 nationally recognized institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania  is to create a more equitable neurosurgical work force. Twenty-one medical students between their first and second year who are underrepresented in medicine (URM) and have overcome adversity to obtain a medical education, were admitted to the program, and will be paired with a team of mentors, including neurosurgeons, neurosurgery residents, scientists, and researchers at the 15 institutions. They will be able to participate in shadowing both in the clinic and operating rooms. Additionally, the students will participate in both clinical and basic science research under the guidance of research mentors. Students are required to be in person for the duration of the 9-week fellowship.

Commitment to Excellence and Diversity

Elad I. Levy, MD, MBA

Given our commitment to excellence and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as demonstrated by our resident complement over the last several years since I became chair, UBNS was considered for this prestigious program, says Elad I. Levy, MD, MBA, SUNY Distinguished Professor and the L. Nelson Hopkins III, MD, Professor and Chair of neurosurgery at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. As the top-ranked neurosurgery training program in the USA by volume, and also one of the most productive research institutions, as defined by the number of papers per year, UBNS is positioned well to help students accelerate careers in academic neurosurgery.

As an immigrant myself who came to this country with very little, I remain committed and passionate to creating opportunities for exceptional students from all backgrounds, adds Levy, who was born in Israel.

Michael Lee Glaze Jr., a first-year medical student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, will be joining UBNS on June 3.

Glaze says he found out about the DEI/URM summer research scholarship through an upperclassman at Toledo who participated in the program last summer.

I find the brain to be the most valuable piece of human machinery, so its critically important to keep it healthy and strong, he says. It holds the information that makes us human, such as who our family members are, what it means to love, our personality and the multitude of skills and abilities that we acquire throughout our lives.

Interviews Help Determine the Proper Fit

Renee Reynolds, MD



Renee Reynolds, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery and director of the neurosurgery residency program, says students interested in the DEI/URM summer research scholarship program were asked to identify and then rank the programs participating in the initiative by their interest. Students who listed UB on their applications participated in videoconference interviews with Levy, Reynolds and Jeffrey P. Mullin, MD, MBA, assistant professor of neurosurgery and assistant program director of the neurosurgery residency program.

During this interview, the candidates background, interest in neurosurgery, research background and other interests and details were discussed to find who we felt was the best fit for our program and the opportunities within it, Reynolds says. Michael certainly stood out as that person and was offered the position within our department and eagerly accepted.

Grateful for Feeling of Acceptance
As a Butte-Silver Bow commissioner for six years and chairman of the council for the past 16 months, Shawn Fredrickson knows a lot about the workings of local government here.

As a member of the Parks and Recreation Board since 2019, he knows a lot about Butte-Silver Bows parks and the department that oversees them.

Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher says those credentials and Fredricksons vision make him a great choice to be the next Butte-Silver Bow parks director, but what really stands out is his passion for the post.

Its an accurate take, Fredrickson says.

We know if you have vibrant parks, you have well, healthy communities, Fredrickson said Wednesday morning. Its been proven time and time again. We have a ton of potential to get folks out there to recreate, to be more social.

We live in a time when people just arent social and parks are one of those places where you can go and read a book or go and throw a Frisbee and kind of get away from everything, he said. We know parks are great for our community so Im passionate about seeing where we can go and where we can improve.

Fredrickson, 42, told his 11 fellow commissioners on Tuesday that he was resigning his District 1 council seat because he had accepted the job as parks director. He is also stepping down from NorthWestern Energy. For five years there and 10 previous years elsewhere, he has worked on energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Those jobs entail project management, navigating grant programs and working with stakeholders  all things that should serve him well in his new post, he said. Grants are especially crucial.

There is so much federal funding out there now, Fredrickson said. We really need to go out and get grant funding for our parks because parks need money and there is plenty out there. That is one thing I really pressed on (during interviews)  I know how to get this money, I know the process and Im going after everything I can get.

Quote We live in a time when people just arent social and parks are one of those places where you can go and read a book or go and throw a Frisbee and kind of get away from everything. Shawn Fredrickson

Gallagher said Fredrickson was chosen after two rounds of a job search to replace Bob Lazzari, who retired as parks director late last year. The post didnt officially become open until March when Lazzaris unused vacation and sick time ran out.

Gallagher was parks director before he was elected chief executive in November 2020, so when he took the higher office in January 2021, he had to replace himself at the parks division.

He chose Lazzari, who had served several years as the divisions recreation and events coordinator. Ed Heard, who served in that position under Lazzari, has been interim parks director for several months but Gallagher said in January he would conduct an external search for a new director.

Gallagher said Fredrickson had more passion for the post than anyone who applied during the entire process but that wasnt the only reason he was picked.

It was his preparation and his vision of where the parks department could go, Gallagher said. His five-year planning, understanding local government, local budgets, and having a good understanding of the parks department.

Sean has been on the Parks Board as well as the Council of Commissioners so hes been involved in a lot of things locally that really involve the parks side of things, he said.

The Parks Board meets monthly and its one of the most active and involved boards in Butte-Silver Bow. Its members delve into details on plans, proposals and happenings and almost all parks initiatives have the boards input and blessings before those that need council approval get there.

You really get inside knowledge on what the parks department actually does, Fredrickson said.

For more than a year, the department worked with the board and consultants in crafting a Parks Master Plan that was adopted by commissioners in 2023. It includes a number of recommendations and goals, many stemming from citizen surveys.

One would make the parks department independent from Public Works to better ensure reliable funding and clarify overlapping duties and personnel. The board has long favored that and Fredrickson said it could be something he pursues as director.

But I think we have to prove to the community that we can do that, he said. Im not going to walk in tomorrow and say, Hey, we should be our own department.

The plan also lists short-term and long-term options for more funding. One is establishing a parks district with its own taxing authority. That would need public backing, too, Fredrickson said.

The council is expected to confirm Fredrickson as director in two weeks. If it does, Fredrickson said he would assume the post with a lot of positives already in place.

I think we have great parks here and theyre well-maintained and clean, he said. J.P. laid the foundation down for our parks program, then Lazz built up that foundation and I feel like were building the home now.

There is going to be a lot of work, he said. This is going to be a lot of hard work but I am ready for the task. Im just really excited to get started.

Commissioner Michele Shea, who is vice chair of the council, said Fredrickson was a great choice.

Shawn is an effective and thoughtful leader, she said. His absence on the council will definitely be felt among his colleagues. Shawn has always been committed to the success of Butte-Silver Bow and will be able to make a tremendous, positive impact to the parks department with fresh ideas and a collaborative approach.
Spain to recognise state of Palestine on May 28



ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Ireland and Norway will also recognise the Palestinian State on the same date

In an appearance before the Congress of Deputies on Wednesday May 22, Prime Minister and President of the Spanish Government Pedro Sanchez announced that Spain will recognise the State of Palestine on Tuesday May 28, 2024.

We are going to recognise Palestine because it is the right thing to do, said Sanchez.

He said that the decision has been agreed between the two coalition parties in the Spanish government and claims that it echoes the feeling of the majority Spanish people.

Spain will officially recognise the State of Palestine next 28 May echoing the will of the majority of the Spanish people.



Time has come to move from words into action.



Peace, justice and coherence are the basis of our historic decision.  Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 22, 2024

His announcement comes on the same morning that Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said that his government would also be recognising Palestine on May 28.

The Norwegian Government also announced this Wednesday the recognition of the State of Palestine.

The historic decision from these three European countries that comes after weeks of negotiations, led by Spain and Ireland , to try to gain support within the European Union for the materialisation of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.

Jonas Gahr Stre, Prime Minister of Norway, said, There can be no peace in the Middle East without the Palestinians and Israelis having their own state and without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. Peace in the Middle East needs a two-state solution.

Pedro Sanchez said, We must recognise the Palestinian state bilaterally. It is time to take action and tell them that we are with them. No matter how many villages are bombed, the land and the identity of Palestine will continue to exist.

He also said that Spain will be taking in some 30 Gazan children who are diagnosed with cancer or suffering from severe trauma in the coming weeks.

This recognition is not against anyone. Nor is it in favour of Hamas, Sanchez insisted. This recognition is in favour of peace, international law and the two-state solution.

The recognition of a state is a legal act regulated by international law and depends only on the exclusive will of a state that decides to recognise another state on an equal footing. In theory, this allows international treaties to be signed and diplomatic relations to be established, which is something that is complicated in the Palestinian case. The Spanish government currently maintains relations with the Palestinian National Authority, which governs the West Bank and with whose representative, Muhammed Abbas, Sanchez himself has met. The two-state solution that those countries recognising Palestine hope to bring about aims to guarantee the existence of both the Israeli and Palestinian states, which can coexist peacefully in the territories that today include Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank. In November 1947, the United Nations recommended the partition of the territory of Palestine  one Israeli and one Palestinian  a conflict began that would last more than seven decades and continues to this day, largely because at least 80 countries in the world do not currently recognise one of the two states, making it impossible to define a territory and its borders. The State of Palestinian is at present recognised by 139 countries out of the nearly 200 member states of the UN. Most of the states that recognise Palestine are in South America, Africa and Asia; in fact, in Africa, the only countries that do not recognise Palestine are Cameroon and Eritrea. In the EU, only nine countries currently recognise the state of Palestine: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden.

Following the announcement this Wednesday, Israel has already recalled its Israeli ambassadors in Spain, Ireland and Norway for consultations. Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, warned there would be serious consequences for the steps these European countries have taken.

A statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the parade of stupidity does not deter us. We are determined to achieve our goals: to restore the security of our citizens with the elimination of Hamas and the return of the abductees. There are no objectives more just than these.
Well, Im hurt.

Last week Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Rep. Taylor Collins both issued press releases condemning the Muscatine Community School Districts program that allows some students to visit China. The two argue that the Chinese government, which sponsors those trips, is using the students for political gain and warn of Communist Chinese subversion of the students. Both press releases reference an article regarding the trips from the London-based Daily Mail newspaper.

It seems our two legislators dont know that there is a newspaper right here in their district that covered those trips extensively, including talking to the students after their return. This same newspaper has also covered several other events where China and Muscatine have come together. There actually is a long history of that in this area which falls right in line with our long history of citizen diplomacy.

Im sure it just slipped our two legislators minds to read about these events in the Muscatine Journal. When reporter Andrea Grubaugh was first writing about the China trips, I remember thinking what a great opportunity that was for the students. I personally have covered many visits from Chinese delegations to Iowa to learn about agricultural processes. My thought was that students learning the Chinese language and getting some face time with Chinese people would go far to landing them a good job with any number of agricultural firms in the area that market to China.

The CCPs funding of Muscatine Community School District trips to China is also a national security concern and a reminder of the CCPs widespread influence across the U.S. Without appropriate national security briefings, school systems may be unaware of CCP tactics and the threat they pose to students and U.S. national security. School trips funded by the CCP are a 'bridge too far' in cultural exchange, Miller-Meeks wrote.

I think if I was a teacher on one of those trips, I would be pretty mad at the allegation that I would allow some kind of undue influence to befall the students. Yes, it is true that that China has been the subject of many human rights violation investigations, including crimes against humanity and genocide. Im not sure if that impacts a student trip to China.

The Daily Mail was previously the most read paper in Britain. It is also known for being right wing and has been accused of sensationalism and using small issues to generate scares. The Muscatine article was published May 15.

"The Chinese Communist Party wants the next generation of American leaders to be amenable to its political aims and willing to dismiss the plethora of atrocities it's committed, including genocide," investigative fellow at Parents Defending Education Alex Nester told the Daily Mail.

They are one to talk. In 2016, the Daily Mail began a partnership with The Peoples Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. This has led to questions of the censorship of topics. According to the BBC (Aug. 15, 2016, for anyone who wants to read about it) this deal allows the two newspapers to swap stories.

I also chuckled at the photo of Muscatine High School with the story that had the line Courtesy of Google Maps on it.

Readers in Iowa may also recall the name Parents Defending Education. The group previously sued the Linn-Marr School District (its by Cedar Rapids) for the districts policy on transgender students rights. Obviously, the reader can make their own mind up regarding trans rights in schools. The purpose of this is to show that this group is not impartial at all. PDE also opposes such things as the teaching of the history of racism in schools and has ties to the Koch network.

Also, I ran into Muscatine School Board President John Dabeet over the weekend, and he said the legislators had not contacted him to discuss the issue. I have not heard back from the district on whether the legislators had contacted the district for more information, or if there has been concerns raised with the district by the Department of Homeland Security.

At this point, I think our legislators need to assure us voters that they are not hitting the panic button based exclusively on an article written by a right-wing British newspaper with Chinese Communist connections, whose reporters probably couldnt find Muscatine on a map, and supported by comments from a right-wing activist group.

No one wants to see the MHS students fall victim to some kind of Chinese plot. I would say if these two legislators have any evidence  not conjecture  that this is happening, they should present it to the school board. The next school board meeting is at 6:15 p.m. June 10 in the Muscatine Community School District Administration Center. Im sure one phone call can get them on the agenda to speak. Im not sure why they didnt just do that in the first place.

In the highly politically charged climate we are in, we need to guard against a 21st century repeat of one of the darkest times in United States history  are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?

Which states have the worst substance abuse problems? Which states have the worst substance abuse problems? Drug deaths are rising Fentanyl's damage has been widespread Which states have the worst substance abuse problems?
Republican incumbent Iowa U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced Tuesday the endorsement of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Feenstra, who represents Iowas 4th Congressional District, is facing a primary challenge on June 4 from Republican Kevin Virgil. Democrat Ryan Melton of Nevada, Iowa, is also running for the seat in Novembers general election. The district covers parts of Central Iowa and most of Western Iowa.

In announcing the endorsement, coalition National Chair and former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Brooks noted that Virgil has been endorsed by former Iowa U.S. Rep. Steve King, who lost a Republican primary to Feenstra in 2020.

King was broadly rebuked by his own party for his comments in a 2019 New York Times interview in which he seemed to defend white supremacy. The Anti-Defamation League, a New York-based Jewish civil rights organization and advocacy group, also called for Kings censure over his support of antisemitic organizations and individuals.

King in 2018 met with members of a far-right Austrian party with historical Nazi ties during a European trip. He also supported a white nationalist for Toronto mayor.

King has pushed back sharply against any suggestion that he or the Austrian Freedom Party are antisemites.

When King represented the district, he was a source of constant embarrassment for the GOP because of his pattern of inflammatory rhetoric condoning white supremacists and antisemites, according to a joint statement from the coalitions Coleman and Brooks. RJC helped Randy Feenstra end Kings political career in 2020, and we strongly support the Congressmans campaign to defeat Kings handpicked candidate in the June 4th Republican primary.

The group noted Feenstra supported legislation providing $14 billion in emergency military assistance to Israel and the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The latter adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws regarding education programs.

Feenstra, a two-term incumbent from Hull, and Virgil, a Sutherland resident who's an Army veteran and former intelligence worker, have recently sparred about King and support for Israel, the Sioux City Journal reported.

Progressive group endorses in Johnson County supervisor race

A progressive action organization founded to promote the policies of former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, has issued endorsement in the primary race for Johnson County supervisor.

Our Revolution, in a news release, said it is endorsing incumbent Rod Sullivan and political newcomer Mandi Remington. Five Democrats are running for three at-large seats on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in the June 4 primary.

Sullivan, initially elected as supervisor in 2004, was one of the first elected officials in the nation to endorse Sanders presidential campaign in 2015. Sullivan has supported establishing and voted to raise the countys recommended minimum wage in the hopes of setting a standard for more affordable living in the county.

He also supported providing pandemic relief funds to essential workers, including undocumented workers, excluded from federal stimulus checks and previous relief programs. Our Revolution also notes Sullivans support and involvement in passing the countys human rights ordinance, establishing a transgender advisory task force and ordinances promoting wind and solar energy.

Remington is the founder and director of Corridor Community Action Network that supports dozens of local nonprofits and social agencies in their work for justice and provision of day care, housing, clothes, food and other basic needs. She also volunteers of several county, city and University of Iowa boards and commissions.

Our Revolution Iowa and Our Revolution Johnson County are confident that Rod Sullivan and Mandi Remington will be strong progressive voices on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, said Tom Carsner, a leader of Our Revolution Johnson County.

Grassley, Nunn, Hinson and Feenstra to join Ernsts Roast and Ride

Fellow Iowa Republicans U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra will be special guests at Iowa U.S. Sen. Ernsts annual Roast and Ride fundraiser in June, her campaign announced.

They join Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the lineup this year. Hunt, a former Army combat pilot, will ride with Ernst in the veteran motorcycle ride in support of the Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation.

Ernsts Roast and Ride is scheduled for June 1. The event begins with a motorcycle ride starting at 10:15 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines and finishing at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event then heads indoors at the Fairgrounds Animal Learning Center for a program scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The event is open to all ages and general admission is free. Tickets to participate in the motorcycle ride are $20, with all proceeds going to the veterans group. Riders and supporters are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance at https://bit.ly/4dz9kVH.
The political lies and inflammatory rhetoric of the "inaugural speech" given by Taiwan's new leader, Lai Ching-te, effectively made the address a de facto "manifesto" for "Taiwan independence."

Lai's words reveal his true intention of sacrificing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for his own desire for power. However, as the proverb goes, he who plays with fire will eventually get burned.

Not only did Lai advocate the "two states" theory, asserting that the two sides of the Strait do not belong to each other, he even went as far to label the Chinese mainland "a foreign country."

Observers in Taiwan are aghast that Lai has already surpassed his predecessors including Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, and Tsai Ing-wen on the path of "Taiwan independence."

Lai maliciously stoked fears of a "military threat" from the mainland. He accused the mainland of being "the greatest strategic challenge to global peace and stability" in an attempt to bind the 23 million people in Taiwan to the bandwagon of "Taiwan independence."

Lai pandered to anti-China forces in the West, willingly acting as their pawn. His pursuit of foreign favor essentially involves selling out, harming, and even destroying Taiwan to gain recognition.

The past eight years of sharply deteriorating cross-strait relations fully demonstrate that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s "Taiwan independence" position is the root cause.

It appears clear that Lai intends to continue along this erroneous path, leading Taiwan further away from peace and prosperity. Obviously, he is extremely dangerous, which sparks concern on the island that he will create even greater trouble.

"Taiwan independence" is the most dangerous alteration to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the greatest disruption to regional peace.

The people of Taiwan should join hands with their compatriots on the mainland, resolutely safeguard the common homeland of the Chinese nation and steer cross-strait relations back onto the correct path.

China must and will be reunified. "Taiwan independence" is a countercurrent of history and its pursuit will only lead to a dead end.

The realization of complete national reunification is unstoppable by any force. The mainland will never tolerate any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist act.

Lai and the DPP, if they continue going on the wrong path of "Taiwan independence," will inevitably face destruction.
A faction of MPs loyal to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reportedly launched a campaign to oppose the Finance Bill 2024, sending a clear message to President William Ruto over sidelining his deputy.

The MPs plan to voice their opposition in churches and public forums, pushing for amendments, the Standard reports.

Under the theme an attack against Gachagua is an affront against Mt Kenya region, the MPs argue that rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 is a strategic response. They claim some proposals in the bill unfairly target businesses in the Mt Kenya region, including the Minimum Top-Up Tax, Significant Economic Presence Tax, and Motor Vehicle Tax.

It is unfair for Cabinet members to confuse us with such proposals. Removing the school feeding program instead of increasing its budget is an attack on the very hustlers who elected this government. We will seek guidance from the Deputy President because we need to move forward, not stagnate, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji stated at a recent event with Gachagua.

Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku criticized the bill for not enhancing key production factors and opposed the proposed VAT on bread, arguing that taxing daily household goods would harm the economy. He stressed that any Treasury proposal failing to support land, entrepreneurship, capital, and labor should be rejected.

Any proposal coming from the Treasury which does not enhance the four factors of production, which includes land entrepreneurship and capital labour, should be discarded from debate in Parliament. We want to support these four engines of production so that we can move our nation forward. This time around, we must do justice to Kenyans, Ruku said as quoted by the Standard.

Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto highlighted the bills disproportionate allocations, such as Kes.4 million for coffee but Kes.117 billion for sugarcane millers debt. He warned that passing such proposals would alienate their constituents and emphasized the need for careful scrutiny to avoid past mistakes.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a leading figure among Gachaguas supporters, advocated for equitable tax application, noting the stark contrast between the benefits proposed for sugarcane farmers and those for coffee farmers. Gakuya pointed out the unfulfilled promise of Kes.80 per kilogram for coffee, with farmers receiving only half and the rest unaccounted for in the 2024-2025 budget.

Expert Opinions

Experts from top Kenyan universities and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers are expected to meet with MPs on Friday this week to provide an impartial review of the bill.

Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina emphasized the importance of making informed decisions rather than blindly following directives.

On Friday, ten MPs will engage experts who will give their impartial views on the Finance Bill so that we dont just oppose or second it without understanding it. This time around, it will not be business as usual, of going to Parliament and approving the bill, he said.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba condemned the bill, calling it worse than the Finance Act 2023, which led to business closures. She criticized the top-up tax proposal for burdening middle-class Kenyans by making them state debtors.

Wamuchomba explained that the tax would force businesses not meeting a 15% income tax threshold to borrow from the state, adding undue pressure on middle-income earners while exempting higher-value businesses.

She also claimed that the proposed tax on bread is a diversionary tactic to distract from the more significant issue of the top-up tax.

The tax on bread proposal is a decoy and they will discard it after hue and cry, but it is aimed at diverting attention from the Top Up tax which is the main elephant in the room, Wamuchomba argued.

This resistance highlights growing tensions within the ruling coalition, with Gachaguas allies prepared to leverage their influence to shape the Finance Bill 2024 in favor of their constituents.
The government, through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD), reportedly completed 3,357 affordable housing units last year, up from 1,390 units in 2022.

According to the 2024 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the National Housing Corporation also completed 164 units, bringing the total number of completed housing units to 3,521.

The real value of public building works completed by the SDHUD rose from Kes. 1.6 billion in 2022 to Kes. 10.9 billion in 2023. This increase was partly due to the expanded construction of residential buildings under the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), as outlined in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Model (BETA), stated KNBS.

The Kenya Kwanza administration aims to construct at least 1,000,000 housing units by 2027, requiring a minimum of 200,000 units to be built annually.

The Affordable Housing Act 2024, signed into law in March, is expected to bolster the governments social housing program through a housing levy charged at 1.5% of gross salary, which will help increase the construction budget.

Government expenditure on housing is projected to rise from Kes. 10.5 billion in 2022/23 to Kes.92.5 billion in the current fiscal year.

As a result, the value of completed residential housing units by the State Department for Housing increased from Kes.1.76 billion in 2022 to Kes.11 billion. The rise in completed buildings is partly due to the governments focus on the Affordable Housing Programme, the bureau stated in the report.

The increase in residential construction activity led to a 2.1% rise in public sector employment, from 9,500 to 9,700, although both unskilled and skilled workers experienced pay cuts between 2022 and 2023.

Monthly average basic wages for unskilled and skilled workers declined by 4.5% and 10.9%, respectively, while semi-skilled workers saw a 3% increase in 2023.

Unskilled workers wages dropped from an average of Kes.27,585 in 2022 to Kes.26,354 last year, while skilled workers wages fell from an average of Kes.49,816 to Kes.44,391 over the same period.

Only semi-skilled laborers saw their average monthly income rise, increasing to Kes.38,611 from Kes.37,486.
The State Department for Petroleum has launched an initiative to secure Kes.2.5 billion from the government for installing cooking gas in public institutions.

Mohammed Liban, the Principal Secretary overseeing the Department, stated the goal is to install LPG facilities in 300-500 schools annually nationwide. Liban informed the Energy Committee in Parliament of a formal request to the Treasury for funding.

Over 7,000 schools have shown interest, with nearly 70% currently using firewood for cooking. Our strategy starts with public schools, then extends to institutions like hospitals, prisons, and NYS, Liban explained, aligning the move with Kenyas clean energy transition goals.

The Treasury plans to finance the project through funds collected from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleums Anti-Adulteration Levy, imposed on kerosene since 2018 to combat fuel adulteration.

Questions have been raised about safety, especially regarding potential misuse during student unrest. Liban assured that the government will fence off areas and provide safety education to students and staff.

We will also educate and sensitize students and school management on safety and security issues, Liban stated.

The project dubbed the Enhanced Liquefied Petroleum Gas Uptake Project (ELUP) has undergone a pilot phase in 20 learning institutions selected from across the countrys eight regions.

Once successful, the initiative will expand to other public institutions like prisons and hospitals.
Tropical Storm IALY made a landfall on the Kenyan Coast on Tuesday, bringing rain, storms, and strong winds to the region.

The Kenya Meteorological Department reported that IALY, now escalated to the Tropical Cyclone stage, looms approximately 300 kilometers away from Mombasa.

In a statement, the Met Department highlighted IALYs rare intensification to the Tropical Cyclone stage, marking a historic event in the South-West Indian Ocean basin.

Tropical Storm IALY intensified to the Tropical Cyclone stage, marking a historic event in the South-West Indian Ocean basin. Positioned just 250 km from Pemba Island and less than 300 km from Mombasa, its a rare occurrence within this latitude range, the weatherman said.

However, the Met. Cept anticipates IALYs subsiding today (Wednesday, May 22).

IALY is expected to weaken by Wednesday while bringing rain, storms, and winds to coastal regions. Stay safe and informed! Moderate to rough sea conditions are forecasted, with waves of 1.5 to 3.6 meters expected, stated the Met Department.

The marine forecast warns of strong south-easterly winds, advising small boats to avoid deep-sea areas. Coastal residents are urged to take precautions and stay updated with the Met Department.

Following IALYs onslaught, the Kenya Red Cross issued an alert, urging Kenyans to stay vigilant amidst increased rains and winds.

Extremely strong winds caused damage in various coastal areas. In the Majajani area of Kilifi County, a residential houses roof was blown off, reported the Kenya Red Cross.

Electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi, and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County, collapsed, while two posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire. No casualties have been reported so far. We continue to urge extra caution.
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Children walk on a street with the rubble of destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on May 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,647, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Tuesday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 85 Palestinians and wounded 200 others, bringing the total death toll to 35,647 and injuries to 79,852 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in October 2023.

The Israeli army said in a statement that drones and fighter aircraft bombed nearly 70 "terrorist targets" in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, including military buildings, weapons depots, warehouses, rocket launchers, surveillance units, and other military infrastructure.

Israeli forces killed a number of militants in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza Strip, including a "terrorist group" that was shooting at soldiers, read the statement.

It added that the Israeli forces were continuing their operations in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah, where a drone killed a "terrorist" who was firing mortar shells at Israeli soldiers.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive 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.
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Inspectors of the Israeli Communications Ministry on Tuesday confiscated photographic equipment and halted a live broadcast of the U.S.-based Associated Press (AP) news agency, Israeli state-owned Kan TV news reported.

The Israeli action was carried out in the southern city of Sderot, near the Gaza Strip, when the AP team was documenting the situation in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.

The ministry said that AP violated a new Israeli law enacted in early April, granting the government the authority to bar the broadcasting of the Qatari news channel Al Jazeera in Israel.

The ministry said that the agency transferred the materials it filmed to Al Jazeera, thus breaking the new law.

"The Israeli government has determined that it will not allow the terrorist-supporting Hamas channel Al Jazeera to broadcast from Israel," the ministry said. "The law and the orders do not distinguish whether it is Al Jazeera itself or suppliers who deliver the material to it from Israel."

It added that although AP was warned earlier, the agency continued its actions.

"We will continue to act decisively against those who try to harm our soldiers and the country's security," said the ministry.

In response to the shutdown, AP said, "We strongly disavow the action of the Israeli government. The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but on the government's misuse of the new foreign broadcasting law."

It also urged the Israeli authorities "to return our equipment and allow us to resume our live feed immediately, so that we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world."

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said that Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi did not inform the prime minister about the confiscation of the broadcast equipment from AP.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that, "This is an act of madness. AP is a media outlet that has won 53 Pulitzer Prizes. The government makes sure at any cost that Israel will be ostracized all over the world, they have gone crazy."

The White House expressed concern over Israel's action against AP, adding that it believes journalists have the ability and right to do their jobs.

The Foreign Press Association in Israel said it is alarmed by Israel's "outrageous move," adding that "this is the latest in series of chilling steps by the Israeli government to stifle the media. Israel's move is a slippery slope."
One 97 Communications, that operates popular fintech brand Paytm, reported a 25 per cent rise in revenue at Rs 9,978 crore in the just concluded financial year 2023-24. The company attributed the growth to GMV growth, device additions, and growth in the financial services distribution business. Since its IPO, when the company went public, it for the first full year EBITDA before ESOP profitability of Rs 559 crore, its earnings results released Wednesday showed. In the January-March quarter, however, Paytm reported a revenue of Rs 2,267 crore, a modest decline of 3 per cent year-on-year. "In Q4 FY 2024, we had lower marketing spends, as we paused most of the user growth spending in the month of February and March. We expect to reinvest in these areas in the coming financial year," Paytm informed stock exchanges. "While we experienced a financial impact in Q4 due to the above disruptions, the full financial impact will be seen in Q1 FY 2025." Paytm says it is confident of seeing meaningful improvement starting from Q2 2024-25, based on restarting certain paused products and achieving steady growth in operating metrics. In Q1 of the current fiscal, its focus will be on acquiring new merchants, reactivation of inactive merchants, and redeployment of devices from inactive merchants to new merchants. "While there will be a smaller net addition of device merchants in Q1 FY 2025, we expect net additions to improve from thereon and recover to past trendlines by Q3 FY 2025." Its revenue from payment services were up 26 per cent to Rs 6,235 crore; net payment margin was up 50 per cent to Rs 2,955 crore; gross merchandise value (GMV) up 39 per cent to Rs 18.3 lakh crore. Merchant paying subscriptions for devices have reached 1.07 crore as of March 2024, an increase of 39 lakh. Revenue from financial services and others up 30 per cent to Rs 2,004 crore; value of loans distributed was up 48 per cent to Rs 52,390 crore. Further, Paytm said that the active rate and per device subscription revenue has been impacted. Merchant subscription revenue in Q4 was Rs 90 per device per month and it expects it to bottom out at Rs 80 in Q1, post which it should increase towards Rs 100 by Q4 of the current fiscal. "We continue to address our merchants' needs through innovative product launches and are backed by a large distribution and service network. We recently launched two more "Made in India" soundboxes which are customized to the needs of our merchants, with louder speakers and longer battery life." (ANI)
The meeting was convened to discuss preventing unauthorized calls and misuse of unsolicited calls.

"Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) is a major source of inconvenience to the public and impinges on the privacy of individuals. UCC is also adopted for misuse by fraudsters. Various possible collaborative approaches and measures to deal with UCC and frauds through telecom resources were discussed in the meeting," said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) and TRAI as members of JCoR and representatives from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as special invitees.

During the meeting, discussions centered around unauthorized calls, the use of specific series for promotional and transactional calls, and the crucial role of entities in the Banking, Finance Services & Insurance (BFSI) sector in preventing (Unsolicited Commercial Communication) UCC.

Measures such as whitelisting, digital consent acquisition, and fraud control were highlighted as key strategies to tackle these challenges effectively.

TRAI's initiative to study regulatory implications in the digital realm and work collaboratively on regulations highlights a proactive approach to safeguarding consumer privacy and curbing fraudulent activities.

The authority emphasized on strengthening Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and information sharing through platforms and says it will help to enhance security and transparency in the telecom sector. (ANI)
One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, announced in its FY24 results on Wednesday that it plans to reward high-performing talent by promoting them to senior leadership roles. The company also plans to welcome new senior executives who will drive the next wave of growth for the organisation. The efforts by the company reflects its commitment to fostering internal talent and ensuring that its leadership team is well-equipped to navigate the company's growth trajectory and operational efficiency. Emphasizing on the growing talent pool at Paytm, its founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said, "I am proud of the talent we have in our company, the culture of resilience and entrepreneurship. We remain more committed than ever towards growth, profitability, and maintaining robust governance and compliance." He added that the company is looking at 'significant cost efficiencies', underscoring the role of upcoming technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to bring further automation and speed to Paytm's operations. In the past, Paytm has spoken about its focus on AI and investment towards building on its capabilities. By incorporating AI-driven solutions, the company has been able to automate various functions, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall productivity. He further mentioned, "Our ongoing experiments and learnings in AI promise to revolutionise customer and merchant care for the financial industry, while also unlocking new avenues for revenue generation and cost savings. We anticipate tangible results from these initiatives in the coming quarters, further bolstering our competitive advantage in the market." Sharma also said that the Noida-headquartered company is fully committed towards building its business "according to regulatory compliances and prudent operations risk policies." In FY2024, Paytm posted a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue from operations, totaling Rs 9,978 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024, driven by Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) growth, robust device additions, and increased momentum in the financial services distribution business. The user engagement on the platform continues to grow with average Monthly Transacting Users (MTU) for Q4FY24 increasing by 7 per cent YoY to 9.6 crore, indicating the platform's expanding reach and popularity among consumers. For the first time since its IPO, the company achieved full-year profitability, recording EBITDA before ESOP of Rs 559 crore. (ANI)
In a promising development for cinephiles and fans of crime fiction, Mark Ruffalo is reportedly in discussions to team up once again with fellow Marvel star Chris Hemsworth for an upcoming film adaptation of Don Winslow's gripping novella, 'Crime 101'. The project, helmed by Bart Layton and set to be produced by Amazon MGM Studios, promises an intriguing blend of suspense and action, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. Ruffalo, known for his versatile performances, is poised to join Hemsworth in the cinematic rendition of Winslow's captivating narrative. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Ruffalo is currently in talks to star alongside Hemsworth in the feature film adaptation, with Bart Layton taking the directorial reins. The script, penned by Layton in collaboration with Peter Straughan, is poised to capture the essence of Winslow's acclaimed novella. The novella, first published in 2021, delves into the intricate world of crime as detective Lou Lubesnick endeavours to unravel a series of daring jewel heists orchestrated by a cunning perpetrator adhering to the enigmatic rules of 'Crime 101'. With its compelling storyline and rich characters, the project holds significant promise for both Ruffalo and Hemsworth as they embark on this thrilling cinematic journey. While Hemsworth is set to not only star but also produce the film alongside partner Ben Grayson, Ruffalo's involvement adds another layer of excitement to the project. With a stellar cast and a talented director at the helm, 'Crime 101' is poised to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery, intrigue, and high-stakes drama. Ruffalo, whose upcoming projects include the HBO crime drama series 'Task' and Bong Joon Ho's sci-fi feature 'Mickey 17' alongside Robert Pattinson, brings his seasoned expertise to the table. Having earned critical acclaim for his roles in diverse genres, Ruffalo's potential involvement in 'Crime 101' further enhances the project's appeal. Furthermore, the prospect of Ruffalo and Hemsworth reuniting on screen is undoubtedly exciting for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where they shared memorable moments as Bruce Banner (the Hulk) and Thor respectively. With Layton, acclaimed for his work on the 2018 heist movie 'American Animals', at the helm, and a talented ensemble of producers backing the project, 'Crime 101' emerges as one of the most anticipated adaptations in recent years. As the anticipation builds, fans eagerly await further updates on this thrilling cinematic venture. (ANI)
The acclaimed director embraced the stars of the film, including Gary Oldman, Celeste Della Porta, and Stefania Sandrelli, amidst tears of joy and overwhelming emotion, as confirmed by Variety.

Celeste Della Porta, who embodies the titular character in 'Parthenope,' was visibly moved as tears streamed down her face during the emotional ovation.

Sorrentino himself, reflecting on the poignant moment, expressed gratitude to Cannes general delegate Thierry Fremaux, acknowledging the festival's pivotal role in his illustrious cinematic journey that began two decades ago.

"For me, this movie is a celebration of the journey of my life," Sorrentino shared with the audience, as per Variety.

The Italian auteur, renowned for his distinctive style and profound storytelling, has left an indelible mark on Cannes over the years.

With seven films competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or and previous accolades including the festival's jury prize and the prize of the ecumenical jury, Sorrentino's influence on the festival is undeniable.

'Parthenope' unfolds the captivating narrative of a woman bearing the name of her city, described by Sorrentino as "neither siren nor myth."

The ensemble cast features Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Peppe Lanzetta, and Isabella Ferrari.

In an interview with Variety, Sorrentino described 'Parthenope' as his first "feminine epic," acknowledging the heroic journey of women towards freedom.

Gary Oldman's portrayal of American writer John Cheever, who found inspiration in Italy for his short stories, adds further depth to the narrative.

Sorrentino, praising Oldman's versatility, remarked, "He is one of the top five actors in the world. He can play anything."

As per Variety, Cannes Film Festival attendees were left in awe, heralding 'Parthenope' as a triumph of artistic expression and profound storytelling. (ANI)
Actor Manisha Koirala recently met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street here. She represented her country, Nepal, as it celebrated 100 years of its 'friendship treaty' with the UK. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Po6F4NZmK/?hl=en&img_index=1 A while ago, Manisha took to Instagram and shared pictures from her meeting with the PM. "It was an honour to be invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate United Kingdom - Nepal relations and 100 years of our friendship treaty. It was such a pleasure to hear the Prime Minister @rishisunakmp speak fondly of our country #nepal. I took the liberty of inviting the P.M. and his family to come trek to Everest Base Camp," Manisha wrote in the caption. She also expressed her elation over learning how most attendees during the meet had watched her latest release 'Heeramandi'. "Can you believe that most of the attendees had seen #heeramandionnetflix and loved it ? I was thrilled," she added. Meanwhile, on the acting front, Manisha is being lauded for her role as Mallika Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series 'Heeramandi'. A few days ago, in a lengthy note on Instagram, Manisha chronicled her journey of resuming work after battling ovarian cancer, portraying an important character in the lavish period drama, and getting her due as a female actor thanks to streamers. The note read, "Heeramandi has been a significant milestone. As a 53-year-old actor who has bagged an important role in a high-profile web series, I am overjoyed that I'm not stuck playing insignificant peripheral roles, thanks to OTT platforms and changing audience profiles. Finally, female actors, technicians, and other professionals have started getting the long overdue and well-deserved good quality of work and respect in a professional environment. I am fortunate to be a part of this evolving era." Manisha recalled the doubts and anxiety that plagued her when she started shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial She added, "Today, when I am receiving so many accolades, I can't help but remember the doubts and anxiety that plagued me when I was about to start shooting. Still recovering from the dreaded C, would my body be strong enough to deal with the intense shooting schedules, heavy costumes, and jewelry, and perform a role requiring so much nuance and effortless effort?" She also shared the challenges faced during performing particular sequences. "The fountain sequence proved the most physically challenging. It required me to be immersed in a water fountain for over 12 hours. That tested my resilience! Even though Sanjay had thoughtfully ensured that the water was warm and clean, over the hours, the water turned muddy, (because my team members, the Cinematographer, and the art director's team were getting into the water to work around the scene.) Every single pore in my body was soaked in that muddy water. Even though I was beyond exhaustion by the end of the shoot, I felt a deep happiness within my heart. My body had taken the stress and remained resilient. I knew I had passed a critical physical test," Manisha continued. The actor concluded her post by expressing gratitude for all the love showered on her. She stated, "To you, who think your time has come and gone, whether it's due to age, illness or any setback, never give up! You never know what could be waiting for you around the bend! I'm deeply grateful for your love and generosity of spirit!#50andfabulous #heeramandionnetflix #netflix #grateful #hope." In the show, Manisha shared screen space with Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Aditi Rao Hydari among others. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hit out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor has "shamed" all the people of Delhi. The Defence Minister was holding a roadshow in Delhi's Budh Vihar on Tuesday in support of a BJP candidate from the North-West Delhi constituency, Yogendra Chandolia. Speaking to ANI, Rajnath Singh said, "INDI Alliance's strength is weakening day after day. Delhi CM, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is out of jail only until June 1. He has shamed the people of Delhi with the kind of things he has done." He lauded BJP leader Yogendra Chandolia and affirmed confidence that he will win the seat by a huge margin. "Yogendra Chandolia is a popular person in his constituency. He has been working as a BJP worker for a long time. With the crowd that you can see here, it is certain that he will win with a huge margin," Singh added. Further interacting with the people, the Defence Minister said, "India has given the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' to the world. I urge all of you to vote in huge numbers for Yogendra Chandolia. This election is for the country." Chandolia will face Congress candidate Udit Raj in the North-West Delhi seat in the Lok Sabha elections. All seven seats of Delhi will go for polling on May 25. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. BJP has been winning all seven seats in Delhi for the last two elections. Delhi CM Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 1. This time, AAP and Congress are under a seat-sharing agreement in Delhi with the former and latter contesting on four and three seats respectively. Meanwhile, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has accused party chief Arvind Kejriwal's former personal secretary Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the Chief Minister's residence. Kejriwal's former PA was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case. He was produced before the Tis Hazari Court, which remanded him to police custody for five days. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police brought Bibhav Kumar to Mumbai. The police is likely to record statements of the people who Bibhav met during his visit to Mumbai. Maliwal, in her complaint, alleged that Bibhav "slapped" her "at least seven to eight times" while she "continued screaming" and "brutally dragged" her while "kicking" her in her "chest, stomach and pelvis area." After his arrest, Bibhav was produced before Delhi's Tis Hazari Court, which remanded her in police custody for five days. Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint with the police on Friday, accusing Maliwal of gaining 'unauthorised entry' into the CM's Civil Lines residence and 'verbally abusing' him. (ANI)
Amid the explosive political fallout of the arrest of his former aide Bibhav Kumar in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MLA Swati Maliwal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday came out all guns blazing at the BJP-led Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Invoking the arrest of several of his party leaders, the CM, who himself is out on interim bail in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-junked Delhi excise policy, questioned if the people elected a prime minister or a 'thanedar' (police officer). Addressing a public rally at Bhajanpura, ahead of polling for the Lok Sabha in the national capital on May 25, the AAP national convenor said, "It is up to you (people). If you vote for the 'Lotus' symbol (of the BJP), I will have to go back to jail. But if you push the 'Hand' symbol (of ally Congress), I may not have to go to jail. They (BJP) have unleashed 'gundagardi' (hooliganism) on the Opposition." Bringing up the arrests of party heavyweights Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendar Jain in separate cases, the CM said, "They put Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh in jail. Now, they have also sent my (former) PA behind bars. They are also planning to send Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi to jail. Did we elect a prime minister or a thanedar?" The AAP supremo also claimed that the BJP was trying to implicate party leaders in false cases, as he asked the ruling party at the Centre to come clean on whether a penny was recovered in the numerous raids (on party leaders) conducted earlier. "They are trying to implicate us in a false and fictitious scam, which they claim to be worth Rs 100 crore. I want to ask them: you conducted over 500 raids. Did you even recover a penny? Where is the 100 crore? Did it vanish into thin air?" Kejriwal asked. The AAP convenor also held a roadshow in Bhajanpura, which is part of the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, on Tuesday evening. The seat is being contested by the Congress's Kanhaiya Kumar, who is pitted against BJP heavyweight and sitting MP Manoj Tiwari. Kanhaiya also featured in the roadshow led by the AAP chief. Earlier, on Tuesday, the AAP claimed that the BJP-NDA at the Centre was characterised by 'incompetence and misgovernance', adding that the people of Delhi will teach the ruling party a 'hard lesson' in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The ruling party in the national capital also hit back at Union Minister Amit Shah for labelling the AAP as a party mired in corruption. Earlier, the Union Home Minister launched a scathing attack on the CM, saying he had never seen a man, who took as many 'U-turns' as Arvind Kejriwal. Accusing Kejriwal of scams worth crores, the Union Home Minister said, "I have never seen a more shameless person in my life (than Kejriwal). After Lalu-ji was sentenced (in the fodder case), he stepped down as (Bihar) CM. However, Kejriwal continues to cling on to his chair."(ANI)
An accused in the abduction and murder of a businessman in Shalimar Bagh twenty years ago was held from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. Sharing details of the events leading up to his capture, the Crime Branch said the accused changed his name and had been running a food stall at Mainpuri. All the co-accused in the case have already been convicted and are serving life terms, the police added. A team from Southern Range, Malviya Nagar, Crime Branch, succeeded in tracking down and capturing the accused, identified as Sipahi Lal alias Gurdayal (41), after 20 years from Mainpuri. He had been absconding since the incident in the Shalimar Bagh police station area in 2004. The accused, along with four convicted accomplices, abducted the businessman, who dealt in cereals and was identified as Ramesh Gupta, for ransom, the police said, adding, however, that the abductors killed him even before making the ransom call. Sharing grisly details of the crime, the police said the accused and his accomplices stabbed the trader multiple times to ensure he was dead and dumped his body in a drain in the Karala village area. "On October 31, 2004, the day of Karwa Chauth, a cereal businessman named Ramesh Chand Gupta, a resident of Shakarpur, left his house in his car but did not turn back home. The family members made several calls on his mobile phone but there was no response. On this, his brother Jagdish Kumar lodged a case of abduction with the local Shalimar Bagh police station. The family also raised suspicion against a fruit and vegetable businessman Mukesh Vats, who was residing in the same area," the Delhi Police Crime Branch said in an official statement. Over the course of an investigation, on November 2, 2004, the trader's car was found at CIA Bahadurgarh police station but he was still missing. The police tracked down and questioned one of the accused, Mukesh Vats, who broke down and confessed to his involvement in the crime. He disclosed that he along with his Sipahi Lal, Shareef Khan, Kamlesh and Rajesh had abducted Ramesh Gupta in his car and killed him. Mukesh Vats was a vegetable businessman in Azadpur Mandi while the co-accused Shareef Khan, Kamlesh, Rajesh and Sipahi Lal were his employees. According to Delhi Police, on the day of Karwa Chauth, the accused and his convicted accomplices called Ramesh Chand Gupta on the pretext of a meeting and abducted him for ransom. They kept him confined to a room at Delhi's Karala village. They used a spray on him to knock him unconscious. When he came around, they used the spray again to disable him. They then killed him with a knife. After ensuring that he was dead, they put his lifeless body in a gunny bag and dumped it in a drain near Karala from the car belonging to Mukesh Vats, police revealed. Mukesh Vats, Shareef Khan and Kamlesh were arrested from the Karala village area and the mortal remains of Ramesh Chand Gupta were recovered based on leads provided by the accused trio from the drain, police said, adding that the knife and the spray bottle used in the crime were also recovered from the same area. The car belonging to Mukesh Vats was also impounded as the probe gathered pace. Accused Sipahi Lal and Rajesh could not be arrested and were declared proclaimed offenders by the Court. After the investigation, a chargesheet against Mukesh Vats, Shareef Khan and Kamlesh was filed. After the trial, the Ld. Court convicted and awarded life imprisonment to the arrested accused in the case. The sleuths learned that Sipahi Lal, who had managed to evade capture, was hiding somewhere in Mainpuri, police said, adding that they also gathered that he had changed his name and was running a food stall at the Ramleela Ground, Mainpuri. To track his movement and activities, ASI Sonu Nain started selling mangoes at the Ramleela Ground while staying in touch with his informer for more leads. After two days, he came to know that Sipahi Lal was posing himself to be Gurdayal Chhole Wala, police said. On being grilled, he initially claimed he was Gurudayal and tried to hoodwink the sleuths. However, he eventually broke down and disclosed his real name and identity, the police informed, adding that he was arrested under appropriate sections of the law. (ANI)
Arunatai Gadkari, who was hospitalised in Thane, is the younger sister of Anand Dighe, a popular Sena leader and social worker, popularly known as Dharmaveer.

He was a senior leader and Thane unit chief of the Shiv Sena, who mentored many young politicians from the district, including CM Shinde, Ravindra Phatak and Rajan Vichare.

Shinde also enthusiastically promoted 'Dharamveer,' a biopic of the late Shiv Sena stalwart, whom he considers his mentor.

Dighe, who died in 2001 at the age of 50, was to the people of Thane what Bal Thackeray was to the people of Mumbai.

Earlier, during polling for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20, Chief Minister Shinde, along with his son and the Shiv Sena's Lok Sabha candidate from Kalyan, Shrinkant Shinde, cast their votes.

After casting his vote at a polling station in Thane, CM Shinde said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were for the country's development, adding that people want to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi lead the country again.

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-most after Uttar Pradesh.

Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections was held across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs), amid tight security and arrangements.

The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes for all phases is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari in Astana on May 21, 2024. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari, while attending a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, once again expressed condolences and sympathy over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a recent helicopter crash.

The unfortunate incident has shocked the world, Wang said, adding that Iran has lost outstanding leaders and China has lost good friends and partners.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Iranian leaders, Wang said.

In this difficult time, China firmly stands by Iranian friends, and believes that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government and people will turn their grief into strength, resolutely advance their established strategies and maintain national stability and development, Wang said.

Regardless of how the situation changes, China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran, safeguard common interests, and make endeavors for regional and world peace, he added.

Safari, for his part, thanked President Xi and Wang for expressing condolences at the earliest opportunity on the tragic deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, and thanked China for its steadfast support for Iran.

He emphasized that Iran's domestic and foreign policies will remain unchanged, and the country will continue to advance the process of national development under the leadership of the supreme leader.

Iran attaches great importance to its relationship with China, and is committed to enhancing cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, Safari said.

He also thanked the Chinese side for promoting reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and expressed Iran's willingness to continue relevant processes to improve relations with countries in the region.
Two Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at Agartala railway station for entering Indian territory without any valid documents, the police said. The accused, identified as Nargis Akhter (35) and Mehedi Hassan (35), were nabbed on Tuesday. Police said the duo hailed from Khulna district of Bangladesh. The police informed further that a specific case was registered against them in the Government Railway Police station located at Agartala railway station under Indian Penal Code sections 120 (B), 370, section (A)/14(C) of the Foreigner Act 1946 and section three of IPP Act. Police said both accused would be produced before the court on Wednesday. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) wrote a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, urging immediate action against BJP leader Samit Mondal. This follows Mondal's appearance alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Kharagpur on May 19 and his subsequent connection to a police seizure of Rs. 35 lakhs in unaccounted cash. In a post on X AITC said, "We've penned a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), complaining against BJP leader Samit Mondal, who was seen sharing the same stage as PM Narendra Modi on 19th May and was later apprehended by the Dist. police with Rs. 35 lakhs worth of unaccounted cash. We've also flagged that @ECISVEEP instead of taking strong action against said BJP leader, transferred the SP of Paschim Medinipur arbitrarily and unjustly just for discharging his duties. We demand that the matter be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action be taken against the guilty!," AITC posted on Tuesday. The letter, titled "Complaint against Samit Mondal, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJP leader(s)/member(s), for resorting to malpractices and corruption during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, 2024 and further against the unjust/arbitrary transfer of Superintendent of Police (SP) of Paschim Medinipur by Election Commission of India (ECI), thereby acting in a partisan manner," raises several serious allegations. According to the letter, during a raid on May 19, district police apprehended an individual, Shibu, at the Event View Hotel in Kalaikunda, Kharagpur, with over Rs. 32 lakhs in unaccounted cash. Shibu is reportedly a close aide of Sudam Pandit, BJP's Kanthi Sangathanik Zilla President, and Samit Mondal. The AITC claims this money could be used to influence voters, violating the Model Code of Conduct and compromising electoral fairness. The letter said, "This is to bring to your urgent attention that, we are astonished by the series of events that have recently transpired in connection with a public meeting held by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, star campaigner of BJP, and Samit Mondal, BJP's leader, at Kharagpur (falling under Medinipur Parliamentary Constituency), on 19.05.2024." "On 19.05.2024, while conducting a raid in the Event View Hotel, Sahachak, Kalaikunda under Kharagpur Local PS, one Shibu was apprehended by the district police with more than Rs. 32,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty-Two Lakhs Only) of unaccounted cash. It is pertinent to note that the said Shibu is a close aide and confidant of Sudam Pandit (President, BJP Kanthi Sangathanik Zilla) and Mondal and can be seen in close proximity and engaging with several members of the BJP, who were present on the dais during PM Modi's public meeting on the aforementioned date," the letter added. The letter further stated, "Such a seizure from an ally of Mr. Mondal who holds a titular position in the BJP in the local area and is widely known as being extremely close to Mrs. Agnimitra Paul, the BJP candidate from Medinipur PC, raises serious concerns about corruption and misuse of power being promoted by the leader(s)/member(s) of the BJP. (An image of the seized money is being provided for your reference as "Annexure 2"). An FIR in this regard was also registered by the local PS." Moreover, AITC expressed shock at the subsequent transfer of Paschim Medinipur SP Dhritiman Sarkar by the ECI on May 20, describing the move as arbitrary and punitive. They argue that Sarkar's transfer demoralizes the police force and erodes public confidence. "What comes as a more shocking turn of events is that, the ECI, instead of taking strong action against the BJP, acted in a completely baffling arbitrary manner. The very next day, i.e. on 20.05.2024, the ECI transferred Dhritiman Sarkar, SP of Paschim Medinipur, without any justification/explanation/reasoning, by passing an arbitrary and capricious transfer order vide Notification no. 464/WB-HP/ES-II/2024. This abrupt transfer is indicative towards an act of retribution/punishment against the SP for performing his duties independently and righteously. The aforesaid transfer order fails to offer any rationale behind the ECI's sudden decision and has an adverse impact of eroding public confidence in the police force of the state of West Bengal as well as demoralising a disciplined force," the letter reads. The letter outlines key issues: "Corruption and Malfeasance: Samit Mondal of BJP was caught with a considerably large amount of unaccounted for cash... which undermines the fairness of the democratic process... Intimidation of law enforcement agency: The sudden transfer of a high-ranking officer... suggests potential intimidation of law enforcement agencies to shield individuals engaged in corrupt practices." "Samit Mondal of BJP, was caught with a considerably large amount of unaccounted-for cash, which is first and foremost a direct violation of Model Code of Conduct ("MCC") and other electoral laws and it undermines the fairness of the democratic process. Given that, Mr. Mondal was present with Mr. Modi during the said public meeting, it can be deduced that Mr. Modi is also actively engaged in such corrupt practices. Further, such unaccounted cash could also be used to unduly manipulate and influence voters, which completely undermines the ethos of a 'free and fair election'. Thereby BJP is evidently engaging in corrupt practices which is likely to disrupt the level playing field," reads the letter. "The sudden transfer of a high-ranking officer who was performing his duty with utmost diligence suggests potential intimidation of law enforcement agencies to shield individuals engaged in corrupt practices. Since, Purulia and Medinipur are scheduled to go for polls on 25.05.2024, the present decision of the ECI raises suspicion that the subject transfers have been orchestrated, " it added. With elections in Purulia and Medinipur imminent, the AITC demands a thorough investigation and appropriate actions to ensure a free and fair electoral process. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday asserted that the Pune police have taken every possible action on the rash driving case and there has been an attempt to politicise the incident by the opposition. "There is an attempt to politicise the Pune case. The police acted swiftly in the Pune incident," Fadnavis said speaking to reporters on Wednesday. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the police have appealed for a review before the Juvenile Justice Board. "We have been surprised by the Juvenile Justice Board's decision on the Pune incident. But the police did not stop at that. Police have appealed against the decision and under the cognizance of the higher court, a review petition has been filed before the Juvenile Justice Board," Fadnavis said. Speaking about the arrests in the case, Fadnavis said, "Those who served alcohol to the underage child have been arrested, and the father who gave him the car has been arrested as well. The police have done whatever is necessary." Slamming Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the incident, Fadnavis said, "The attempt to bring electoral politics into every issue by Rahul Gandhi is wrong. I condemn this." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the PM of creating two Indias where justice is dependent on wealth. "Narendra Modi is creating two Indias - where even justice is dependent on wealth," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. He also spoke about the Pune rash driving case in which two people were killed and said how the accused belonging to a rich family was treated (given bail) while a bus driver or an auto driver was sentenced to ten years in prison in the same case. "Bus driver, Truck driver, Ola, Uber and auto drivers. If they mistakenly kill somebody...then they are sentenced to ten years in prison. and throw away the key. But if a 17-year-old boy belonging to a rich family is driving a Porsche car under the influence of alcohol and kills two people, He is asked to write in a particular way," Rahul Gandhi said in a video message posted on his official social media account. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya claimed that while neighbouring Pakistan favours Opposition parties of India, the opposition has also favoured Pakistan by claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has conducted air strikes and surgical strikes to win the elections. "Pakistan is now taking a lot of interest in India's Lok Sabha elections. New statements come out from Pakistan every day. Pakistan is also favouring the opposition parties of India. Not only this, the former minister of Pakistan has also praised Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi...," Maurya said in an exclusive conversation with ANI. "At the same time, the opposition also accused the BJP of conducting air strikes, surgical strikes and Pulwama attacks to win elections. On the other hand, the BJP is saying that after winning more than 400 seats, BJP will take back Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kaskmir," Maurya added. Explaining his point that Pakistan is supporting Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Pakistan praises Congress, Congress praises Pakistan. This has been stated many times in the statements of their top leaders. But the Bharatiya Janata Party and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleaned up terrorism, we crushed it, we entered their houses, we killed them, we did air strikes, we did surgical strikes. Pakistan, which dared to look at us, is begging with a bowl in front of the world today." Speaking about claims by the Bharatiya Janata Party that it is committed to taking back Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Maurya said, "Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir is under illegal occupation by Pakistan and the people of Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir have hoisted the Indian tricolour there. My heart is happy that India is moving forward under the leadership of PM Modi." "All of us are saying that 400 people will be hoisting the Indian tricolour on Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Kashmir, which is a part of India, had to go under the shadow of security to hoist the tricolour flag at Lal Chowk of Kashmir. Now every house has the tricolor flag. It is being hoisted there (Pakistan) too," he added. Maurya claimed that Congress would be uneasy if Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir came under India's control owing to its appeasement politics. Maurya said that since the area is legally India's there should be no problem with India taking back Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir. "Elections are being conducted peacefully in Kashmir. This has made Pakistan uneasy. Congress will be uneasy. Those doing appeasement politics have become uneasy. But if Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is ours then it is ours, it will be ours. What will be ours will remain ours. This has been said by the Home Minister on which there should be no question," he said. Contrasting the situation of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian control with that of Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir, Maurya said, "The residents of Kashmir are celebrating, they are getting all facilities, whereas, in Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir, people are dying of hunger, they do not have food to eat, there do not have essential items..." Hitting out at the Congress, Maurya said that the opposition even claimed that Lord Ram did not exist only to appease its Muslim voters. "Article 370 was removed by PM Modi. The Congress, to appease Muslim voters, said that Lord Ram does not exist. The grand temple of Lord Ram Lalla was built under the leadership of PM Modi. We present before the public what is true," Maurya said. Responding to allegations by the Congress that the BJP orchestrated the Pulwama attack to win the elections, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "These are very cheap allegations, they are doing very dirty politics, the country will not forgive those who question the bravery of those serving the country." "There was not just one terrorist attack in our country. There were many. But it was only the terrorists who attacked us. The answer was given when PM Modi became the Prime Minister of the country. When the Congress government was in power, Pakistan could do anything," Maurya said. "The present government in India has changed this. Today, if someone commits a mistake, we are not ready to forgive him. If they do not correct the mistakes quickly, there will be no forgiveness. Now there will be direct punishment," he added. (ANI)
Amid the assault case row, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday claimed that she received a call from a senior leader of the party and he revealed there is "a lot of pressure to speak dirty things." Maliwal had earlier this month lodged a complaint against Delhi Chief Minister's aide Bibhav Kumar accusing him of assaulting her at the CM's residence. In a post on X, Maliwal further claimed that the party is pressuring its members to leak her photos. "Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, and they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of doing PC and someone else has been given the duty of tweeting. Someone's duty is to call volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused have the duty of preparing some fake sting operations," Maliwal said in a post on Wednesday. Maliwal also criticised Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi without naming her and called it "sad" that the latter is "smilingly maligning the character" of an "old female colleague." "You may raise an army of thousands, I will face it alone because the truth is with me. I am not angry with them, the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I don't even expect anything from anyone. I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party," the former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief said. She further reiterated her will to continue her "fight for self-respect." "I have started a fight for my self-respect, I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight but I will not give up!" Maliwal stated. A case was filed against Bibhav Kumar and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the case based on Maliwal's complaint. Bibhav was arrested by the Delhi Police on Sunday, May 19 and is currently in police custody till May 23. Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint against Maliwal accusing her of forced and illegal entry into the CM's entrance. Earlier in the day, Delhi Police brought Bibhav Kumar back to Delhi from Mumbai. In Mumbai, Bibhav Kumar was taken to three locations by Delhi Police, his phone location was tracked in all three spots. Statements of a few people have been recorded by the Police. Delhi Police had earlier mentioned in the Tis Hazari Court that they would take Kumar to Mumbai to the place where he had allegedly formatted his phone. The assault case row surfaced days ahead of polling in the national capital which is scheduled to take place on May 25 in the sixth phase. (ANI)
Amid a debate on Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked the BJP on Wednesday what they have done in the last 10 years to get back PoK? Owaisi also mentioned that he also wants that PoJK should be included in India but this issue only comes forward during the elections. "Now they (BJP) are not saying '400 paar'. The real issue is that the prices of petrol have crossed Rs 100 and the incidents of paper leaks are taking place in Varanasi, from where PM Modi is a candidate. They talk about Pok, but what have they done in the last 10 years to get it? We are also saying that PoK is a part of India and we should get it back but the issue of PoK only comes forward during elections," he said. "All the promises that they made in the last 10 years turned out to be false," Owaisi added. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party have racked up the PoK issue in their campaign across the country. Several BJP leaders are highlighting that the territory belongs to India only. The Home Minister Amit Shah in a rally on May 20 in Delhi emphasized that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir will remain India's forever. "The leader of the INDI Alliance says do not talk about POK; respect Pakistan because it has atom bomb. Rahul Baba, we are the people of the BJP; we are not afraid of atom bombs. PoK belongs to India, will remain so and we will take it," Shah said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday said that the vision of securing over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections needs to be realised to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India. "The vision of 'Abki Baar, 400 Paar' needs to be realised to make PoK a part of India," UP CM said. (ANI)
Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Wednesday said that he would seek legal opinion to oppose the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act so that future generations could be protected. It may be mentioned here that Tipra Motha Party, which emerged as the biggest opposition force after the 2023 Assembly election, joined hands with the ruling BJP just before the Lok Sabha elections. The party got two ministerial berths in the state council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Manik Saha and Debbarman's sister was nominated by the BJP as a candidate from ST reserved East Tripura parliamentary constituency. In an audio message circulated by the party's media department, Debbarman said that he would return to Agartala after taking legal opinions on the Citizenship Amendment Act which promises citizenship to religious minorities from neighbouring states. " I shall also seek legal opinions on the matter. After that, if the situation demands a next step to protect the Tiprasa (a term used to describe the people belonging to tribal communities), we shall explore every possible way." Stating that his party would never sit idle, Debbarman said that to secure the future of the next generation, his party would leave no stones unturned. "We have to secure ourselves legally, constitutionally and on all other grounds. Already, we are a minority in our own land. We shouldn't allow any other step which can further alienate us. I am already fighting in the Supreme Court against the government of India law. My lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi is pleading with the apex court on my behalf. We are fighting the case keeping our political interests aside," Debbarman explained. Notably, Tipra Motha, the current ruling party, emerged from a movement against the CAA. Notably, Tripura is preparing to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). However, the Act will not apply to the state's Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). The Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution gives tribal communities considerable autonomy; the States of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram are autonomous regions under the Sixth Schedule. For those seeking Indian citizenship under the CAA, applications can be submitted online through the Citizenship Online website or via a mobile app. The Act allows Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Parsis, and Buddhists from neighbouring countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) who entered India before December 31, 2014, to apply for citizenship after verification. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at the BJP-led government in the centre for its alleged close ties with industrialist Gautam Adani, accusing Adani of looting thousands of crores by selling low-grade coal at three times of the then existing price. Rahul's allegations come after the business newspaper Financial Times report alleged that the billionaire businessman of selling low-grade coal at a far more expensive price with an Indian state power utility. He referred to a Financial Times report alleging that the Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1793179560168902972 "A huge coal scam has come to light under the BJP government. Through this scam that has been going on for years, Modiji's favourite friend Adani has looted thousands of crores of rupees by selling low-grade coal at three times the price, the price of which...," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X. "After June 4, the Indian government will investigate this mega scam and account for every penny looted from the public," he added. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Congress party will form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the 'Modani' scam if the INDIA bloc government comes to power. According to the Financial Times report, the documents that reveal the scam were secured by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Invoices show that in January 2014, Adani purchased an Indonesian shipment of coal said to contain 3,500 calories per kg. The same shipment was sold to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution company as a superior 6,000-calorie coal, the report said. "Adani appears to have more than doubled its money in the process after transport cost," the Financial Times report added. (ANI)
Following its crackdown on Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, the Israeli government seized the broadcasting equipment of The Associated Press (AP) in southern Israel, accusing the news agency of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based media giant reported on Tuesday. Al Jazeera said it was among thousands of clients to receive live video feeds from the AP and other news organisations. The AP denounced the move, accusing the government of abusing the recently passed foreign media law. "The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment," Lauren Easton, vice president of corporate communications at the AP, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. "The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country's new foreign broadcaster law. We urge the Israeli authorities to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world," she added. According to Al Jazeera, officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in the southern town of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon and seized the equipment. They handed the AP a piece of paper, signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging it was violating the country's foreign broadcaster law. Shortly before the equipment was seized, the AP was broadcasting a general view of famine-struck northern Gaza where Israeli forces continue to press on a ground and aerial assault. The AP said it complies with Israel's military censorship rules, which prohibit broadcast of details like troops movements that could endanger soldiers. The live shot showed smoke rising over the besieged territory, the Al Jazeera reported. The seizure followed a verbal order Thursday to cease the live transmission, which the news organisation refused to do, according to Al Jazeera. "In accordance with the government decision and the instruction of the communications minister, the communications ministry will continue to take whatever enforcement action is required to limit broadcasts that harm the security of the state," the Israel ministry said in a statement. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid decried the move as "an act of madness". "This government behaves as if it has decided to make sure at all costs that Israel will be swayed all over the world. They went crazy," he said. The White House said it was a "concerning" development. "We stand firm in our belief that journalists have the ability, right to do their jobs," the White House said, according to Al Jazeera. On May 5, the Israeli cabinet voted unanimously to shut down Al Jazeera in the country, immediately ordering the closure of its offices and a ban on the company's broadcasts and websites. Al Jazeera condemned the decision as a 'criminal act'. It came weeks after Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed a law on April 1 allowing Israel to temporarily shut down foreign media outlets, including Al Jazeera if deemed a threat to security. (ANI)
Egyptian intelligence quietly altered the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed earlier this month, which could have potentially released Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and set a pathway to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza, CNN reported citing three people familiar with the discussions. The ceasefire agreement that Hamas ended up announcing on May 6 was not what the Qataris or the Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review, sources said. The changes made by Egyptian intelligence, the details of which have not been previously reported, led to a wave of anger and recrimination among officials from the US, Qatar and Israel, and left ceasefire talks at an impasse, CNN reported. "We were all duped," one of those sources told CNN. US's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns, who has spearheaded the American efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement, was in the region when word reached him that the Egyptians had changed the terms of the deal. Burns was angry and embarrassed, the same person said, believing it made him look like he wasn't in the loop or hadn't informed the Israelis of the changes. The soft-spoken and mild-mannered Burns "almost blew a gasket", said the source. A CIA spokesperson declined to comment. The three sources familiar with the matter told CNN that a senior Egyptian intelligence official named Ahmed Abdel Khalek was responsible for the changes. Abdel Khalek is a senior deputy to the Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, who has been Burns' counterpart in leading Egypt's mediation in the ceasefire talks, according to CNN. One source familiar with the negotiations said Abdel Khalek told the Israelis one thing and Hamas another. More of Hamas' demands were inserted into the original framework that Israel had tacitly agreed to to secure Hamas' approval, the source said. But the other mediators were not informed; nor, critically, were the Israelis, according to the report. "Hamas was telling their people, "We will have a deal in place tomorrow", the first source said. "All sides were under the assumption the Egyptians provided the same document" that Israel had signed off on and the other mediators, the US and Qatar, were aware of, the person said. Instead, the second source said, the Egyptians sought to blur the lines between the original framework and Hamas's response. The Egyptian government did not respond to a request for comment. CNN reported that now, three weeks later, with ceasefire talks stalled, those involved are raising questions about the motives of Egypt, which has served as a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, particularly Hamas members inside Gaza, according to CNN. (ANI)